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Friends Share Sweet Summertime SalE

What’s a hot day in summer without an old-fashioned lemonade stand?

These two friends decided to get busy on Sunday, Aug. 4, and sell some of the homemade refreshing drink. Catalina Mangone and Jillian Moscatello of Flanders, soon to be sixth graders at the Mt. Olive Middle School, set up shop from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Flanders Drakestown Rd., and Vista Dr.

Sold for a $1 per cup, customers stopped in for some fresh squeezed lemonade, as well as regular powder lemonade “once the fresh squeezed ran out,” says Carmin Mangone, mother of 11-year old Catalina Mangone. “I helped both girls make the lemonade at our house. Dad, Andrew, helped with transport and setup and both parents helped with supplies.”

After selling “approximately five large jugs/batches,” of the tasty drink, “the girls made a total of $83,” says Mangone.

Friends since attending school together at Chester M. Stephens Elementary School in Budd Lake, both girls shared the same idea to run their first lemonade stand.

Mangone says “I know both girls independently had the idea to have one over the summer and when I spoke to Catalina (who had brought the idea to me) she mentioned to me to ask Jillian and her mom to see if Jillian would want to do it with her. We did not know at the time that Jillian had had the same desire. They thought it would be a fun summertime activity.”

After getting a taste of being an entrepreneur, the girls enjoyed the experience.

“They thought it was a ton of fun,” says Mangone. “They were shocked at how many people pulled over to donate money without even wanting any lemonade.”

As far as proceeds, “I know Catalina wants to put it into her bank account to save for future use.”

Wawa Store Wins Final Approval For Mt. Olive LocatioN

By Cheryl Conway

Having a Wawa right in town will be a matter of convenience for many locals when the store opens sometime down the road in Flanders.

After months of hearings and public debate, the Mt. Olive Twp. Planning Board members unanimously adopted a resolution recently for the construction of a Wawa convenience store at the intersection of Route 206 south and Flanders-Netcong Rd. in Flanders, where Herold’s Landscaping currently exists.

The adoption of the final resolution was granted at its last meeting held Thursday, Aug. 15. The meeting to finalize and memorialize the resolution for the Wawa was not open to the public as all testimony and conversation had been heard at the last public meeting held June 13. At that meeting two months ago, the board had adopted the resolution memorializing the granting of conditional use, preliminary and final site plan approval to HSC Flanders, LLC, proposed Wawa Food Market and Fueling Stations at 194 Route 206.

“It’s official!” commented Mt. Olive Twp. Planning Board Chair Howie Weiss.

At the public hearings held Feb. 21, May 9 and June 13, the Planning Board met to hear testimony from the applicant for the proposed convenience store, as well as listen to concerns from the public regarding congestion, traffic patterns, noise, safety, drainage, environmental impact, signage and other issues.

The application calls for five fueling stations and a 4,736 sq. ft. convenience store.

As part of the final site approval plan, the applicant must meet certain requirements such as no left-hand turn out of the site onto Flanders-Netcong Rd. by trucks or other delivery vehicles; a flashing “Do Not Block Driveway” sign with LED lights facing Flanders-Netcong Rd.; and planting of additional trees behind the retaining wall to buffer activity on the site from adjacent properties.

Moving forward, the applicant must adhere to all township ordinances, as well as comply with approvals, conditions, requirements and permits issued by the New Jersey Dept. of Transportation and County of Morris since Route 206 is a state road and Flanders-Netcong Rd. is a county road.

“Anything agreed upon is in here,” says Weiss regarding the final resolution.

Public Concerns Linger

Weiss is hopeful that residents’ concerns were addressed as public interest faded by the time the resolution was passed.

Compared to a hundred residents who attended the first hearing about the application, “Not even four or five people spoke or came to the meeting” in June, says Weiss. “A lot of concerns were answered; variances were removed. It was a simple resolution at the end of the day.”

Back in February, a few residents formed a Wawa group as well as a Facebook page to inform other concerned residents about the idea of a Wawa moving into town.

One of the group initiators, Flanders resident Denise Marrs, an elementary school teacher who has lived in town since 1994, is still not a fan of the store opening at the approved site.

“I’m just very worried about the intersection and increased traffic in the area,” says Marrs. “I’m disappointed that anyone could think this is a good location for this type of business. I just hope no one gets hurt in that already dangerous intersection as a result of this decision.”

Comments, both good and bad, are still shared on the group’s Facebook page: 2019 WaWa Information Mt. Olive.

Positive Points

Improvements to the intersection and having another convenience store in Flanders are two pros to the deal.

For those who enjoy convenience stores or are particular in what they sell, a Wawa can be the place to stop.

Convenience stores are a “new way of retailing today,” says Weiss. “Sometimes there’s a Wawa across from a Wawa. It’s making it convenient for the traffic on the road. It’s all about convenience.

“If it’s there, they’re going to stop there because it’s convenient,” says Weiss. “It could be someone who wants Wawa coffee, they go to Wawa.”

Further up on Route 206 north, right before the exit to Route 80, a QuickChek will be constructed. Weiss clarifies that the QuickChek will be on Roxbury property rather than Mt. Olive’s.

“They got their approval,” says Weiss. “We didn’t have any say.”

Another good thing is “we will have roads expanded, widened,” says Weiss, with monies coming from the state and county rather than the township budget.

As far as time frame, Weiss was not sure when the owners will proceed with construction.

“State marches to its own drum beat and so does the county,” says Weiss. “They are going to start moving this project. They have a year or two years for an extension."

The township looked into buying some land at the intersection across from Flanders-Netcong Rd. in order to improve the intersection by Main Street. A project to widen the road would be in conjunction with the county, but that idea is on hold for now.

Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko says he approached the property owner of the home at the corner of Rt. 206 north and Main Street to request permission to have the township appraise the property.

“I made initial outreach to the resident,” he says.

With the property owner approval, Tatarenko used public funds to get the house appraised. He then went back to the property owner disclosing the appraised value.

“At that time, he didn’t want to entertain any offers,” says Tatarenko. “The county was going to acquire the property,” he says, in order to expand that intersection.

“The jam up of cars on the other side of 206 down Main St., it’s only one lane up,” says Tatarenko. “We need more land on the other side. We’d love to get both sides of the intersection done at once.

“Until that guy is willing to sell that property, we are in a holding pattern,” says Tatarenko.

“There may be alternative solutions,” he says. Instead of purchasing the property, he mentions, “encroach a little bit on his property without taking down the entire piece of property.”

Tatarenko dispelled any rumors of the township acting without proper protocol.

There are “rumors that the town is forcing the guy out,” says Tatarenko. “Don’t know where that’s coming from.”

He made the “initial step by offering the property owner the appraised value and the owner said ‘no.’”

So Tatarenko “dropped it,” he says. “We can’t fix every problem,” he concludes.

Local Library News

Library Saturates September With Programs Galore

Diabetes Awareness- Atlantic Health System Presents: “Be in the KNOW About Prediabetes”- Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., at the Mt. Olive Public Library Gathering Room. Registered Nurse Bridget Jones, a certified diabetes educator from Hackettstown Medical Center, will share to others what they need to know to create a healthy lifestyle and prevent diabetes.

Need help deciphering the college application process? The library plans to host a Maximizing High School Potential and the College Application Process Seminar on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. in its Gathering Room. Join Paul Kelly, a private guidance counselor from College Edge Counseling Services, for this free seminar to help middle school and high school students get a competitive advantage as they prepare for college.

Movies at the Library is set to be held in the Gathering Room on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at either 1 p.m.-3 p.m. or 6 p.m.-8 p.m. for the movie “Tolkien,” based on the life of J.R.R. Tolkien and the experiences that later inspired him to write the classic novels “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.”

A workshop, How Money Works, is set for Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in the Gathering Room. Join Sean Van Sickle, financial adviser with Primerica for this free financial workshop and learn the fundamental concepts that have helped millions of their clients build financial security.

Unwind after a busy say to the Sounds of Instrumental Music. Peter Biedermann, a solo instrumental guitarist, is set for a repeat performance on Monday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Room. Biedermann is based in Green Valley, Ariz., and has been composing and performing for more than 40 years. He will be focusing on pieces from his latest recording “Tales from the Desert” on a variety of 6 and 12 string guitars in unique tunings.

Yoga for Beginners is set for Saturday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10:30 a.m.- noon in the Gathering Room. This workshop offers simple yoga postures to bring stability and balance; enhance flexibility, strength and physical well-being. Limited to 50 adults and children, age 12 and older.

Interested in learning to speak Spanish? Join Dr. Paul Reilly for a 10 week class, which will emphasize spoken conversational Spanish in travel situations as a tourist.

Classes are set for Thursdays starting Sept. 5 through Nov. 21, from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Career Room. If someone misses more than two classes, they will forfeit their space. Limited to 10 adults.

Registration required for all programs. Call 973-691-8686 Ext. 106 or go to www.mopl.org to register.

Around the town

Mt. Olive Officer Promoted To Sergeant

The Mt. Olive community welcomes its newest sergeant, Sgt. Jessica Groblewski,

A 21-year veteran officer, Groblewski was recently sworn in before the Mt. Olive Twp. mayor and council.

Her promotion is the culmination of a very competitive process amongst very talented men and women.

She is a 1992 graduate of West Milford High School in West Milford; attended Sussex County Community College with an associate degree in Criminal Justice. College in 1998. That same year, she tested with the Mount Olive Police Department.

She attended the Morris County Police Academy’s 52nd Basic Police Class, graduating in December 1998, Groblewski was then assigned to the Patrol Division.

In 2008, largely as a result of her interpersonal skills and investigative acumen, she was pegged to replace the soon retiring Juvenile Det. Peter Yagiello.

She was transferred into the Investigations Division and upon his retirement assumed Yagiello’s duties

In 2013, as a result of her performance and efforts, she was assigned as Detective Corporal.

In 2014, Groblewski was reassigned to the Patrol Division as a Corporal. Her promotion to Sergeant was effective Aug. 1.

Groblewski is certified as an instructor in police academies in New Jersey and is a past physical fitness instructor for the Morris County Police Academy. Certifications include Communications Desk; Bike Patrol officer; CPR and AED instructor; and Arson Investigator.

She is a past team member of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Quality of Life Initiative; received a B.S. in Sport Management from California State University of Pennsylvania in 2010; and is a past president of Mt. Olive Fraternal Order of Police Lodge.

Registration For Fall Semester Offered At CCM

It’s not too late for students to enroll for the Fall Semester at County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph. By registering now, students have the opportunity to select courses that best fit their schedule.

The earliest fall courses begin Wednesday, September 4. In total, CCM offers seven terms during its Fall Semester. They are:

· 15 Week: September 4 – December 18

· Early 2 Week: September 4 – September 17

· Early 7 Week: September 4 - October 22

· Mid 2 Week: September 18 – October 1

· 13 Week: September 18 – December 18

· Late 2 Week: October 2 – October 15

· Late 7 Week: October 30 – December 18

With more than 45 Associate degree programs, 150-plus transfer agreements and a wide range of certificate programs, CCM offers numerous opportunities to obtain a high-quality education designed to meet career goals. To see what classes are being offered, visit http://webadvisor.ccm.edu.

Prior to registering for courses, students need to apply to the college. Applications can be submitted online atwww.ccm.edu/admissions/. The Admissions office also can be reached at admiss@ccm.edu or 973-328-5100. Walk-ins are welcomed. The Admissions office is located in the Student Community Center, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph.

Visit www.ccm.edu and discover how to “Start Right … Finish Strong.”

College News

CCM Awarded $4 Million To Lead Apprenticeship Programs Expansion

County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph, recognized as a leader in the education of employees for advanced manufacturing, has been awarded a $4 million grant from the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to expand apprenticeship programs for the industry.

The USDOL’s Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies grant program focuses on advancing the development of apprenticeship programs in three areas: advanced manufacturing, information technology and health care. The program supports partnerships among educational institutions and the private and public sectors. These partnerships will create apprenticeship models to close the skills gap by providing key training and job placement opportunities and strengthening pathways into the workforce.

As a grant recipient, CCM will lead a consortium of New Jersey community colleges to build a network of apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing as part of a project called Career Advance USA. CCM was one of only 23 academic institutions nationwide to receive the USDOL grant.

“With more than 7,000 manufacturers in N.J., the apprenticeship program will help bridge the gap to create a skilled workforce in entering a critically important industry in New Jersey,” said CCM President Anthony J. Iacono. “The USDOL grant further supports and strengthens our mission to be one of N.J.’s major economic engines.”

“This grant award to support manufacturing apprenticeships is a great step forward for N.J.’s knowledge economy,” said N.J. Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis. “The apprenticeship model offers a unique opportunity to blend classroom learning with direct workplace experience in a mutually reinforcing fashion, and we are excited about the possibilities of the consortium of community colleges led by County College of Morris in partnership with the leading manufacturing firms convened by the German American Chamber of Commerce.”

The German American Chamber of Commerce is a central partner in the CCM grant and will bring extensive experience and expertise with the German model of apprenticeship training to the consortium’s efforts.

Last year, Iacono, along with 11 other education and workforce officials from across the country, toured Germany to examine its apprenticeship programs. Funded by the Transatlantic Outreach Program, the tour focused on how the United States might make use of the German model to expand experiential leaning opportunities for students with the support of industry.

The CCM consortium includes Bergen Community College, Camden County College, Hudson County College, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex County College, Raritan Valley Community College and Rowan College at Gloucester. Together, they will work with national industry partners including Arconic, Glenbrook Technologies, Norwalt Design, Rosenberger, Siemens, UPS and other leading firms in N.J.

Enrollment for the apprenticeship program will target both traditional and underrepresented populations, including the unemployed, veterans, transitioning military, women and people of color. At least 1,600 individuals are to be trained through the program.

The USDOL grant is perfectly timed with CCM’s construction of a 31,500-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center slated to open in 2020 to meet the needs of those key industries.

Additionally, CCM will be receiving approximately $500,000 as a consortium partner in the same USDOL grant program to develop apprenticeship programs in health care. That project is being led by Bergen Community College.

“Not only are these grants an historic occasion for CCM but also for N.J. and the N.J. Council of County Colleges, which also is partnering in the apprenticeship programs,” said Iacono.

The Knotts Company Donates Robot To CCM

Innovation and technology are at the forefront of the new County College of Morris (CCM) Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering building in Randolph, slated to open in 2020. Collaborating with the college in its mission to provide students with a high-quality education and businesses with top-notch employees, The Knotts Company, of Berkeley Heights, presented CCM with a Universal Robot, UR 3 model (CB3 series) on July 11.

With an arm designed to mimic the range of motion of a human arm, the robot previously was used for in-house product testing and customer demonstrations. At CCM, students will be able to work with the robot to enhance their understanding of modern-day manufacturing environments.

“This Universal Robot collaborative, 6-axis robotic arm will allow CCM engineering and manufacturing professors to familiarize themselves with the most innovative robotic technology on the market, while creating numerous new college course offerings,” said Suzanne Tracey, business development manager and marketing manager at The Knotts Company. “Students will learn the ease of flexible deployment, in a safe nature, delve into 'behind the scenes' programming and perform various manual labor operations with the robot which is pertinent to automating factory floors today.”

Patrick Enright, vice president for Professional Studies and Applied Sciences at CCM, said “We are grateful for the generosity of The Knotts Company. The robot will help foster workplace scenarios for our students to receive hands-on training and preparation for the workforce.”

Upon graduation, students who enroll in programs in the Department of Engineering Technologies and Engineering Science at CCM have the choice of gaining immediate entry into the workforce, furthering their studies by transferring to a four-year institution or obtaining a certificate. To learn more about the Department of Engineering Technologies and Engineering Science at CCM, visit http://bit.ly/CCManuEng.

CCM Receives Grants For STEM And Humanities Programs

Two educational programs at County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph, one in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and the other in the humanities, are receiving a well-deserved boost in funding thanks to recent grant awards totaling more than $235k.

In the STEM area at the college, CCM is collaborating with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) to create two identical renewable energy labs, one on each campus. NJIT has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the labs at both campuses. CCM’s portion is $223,892 over three years.

The project, titled, “Renewable Energy Systems Training Laboratory Development and Workforce Training,” will focus on how solar energy is converted into electricity for commercial use. At CCM, the lab primarily will be used by students in the Electronics Engineering Technology Program.

“The labs will have a representative array of equipment that is typically found in a solar powered environment,” explains Project Director Venancio “Venny” Fuentes, chair of the Department of Engineering Technologies and Engineering Science at CCM. “Students will be able to work with all of the elements that are needed to convert solar energy to electrical energy.”

CCM students in the college’s Electronics Engineering Technology Program who have taken the renewable energy course would then be able to transfer to NJIT to continue their concentration in renewable energy. Members of the community and students at other institutions also can train in the new lab at CCM through the college’s Center for Workforce Development.

In the area of the humanities, The Legacy Project, CCM’s lecture and panel discussion initiative, has received a $12,685 grant from the N.J. Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Legacy Project has offered programs across multiple disciplines to students, faculty, staff and the public since launching in 2013.

Events the Legacy Project is planning for the upcoming 2019-20 academic year focus on the theme of “War, Peace and Healing,” which will consist of on and off campus lectures, book discussions in local libraries, traveling faculty presentations, film screenings and an Oral History Remembrance Week for veterans. All of the project’s programs are free and open to the public.

Previous topics that have been explored by the Legacy Project include genocide, the women of the Beat Generation and a 50-year perspective on civil rights.

The two grants are in addition to the $4 million CCM received in July from the United States Department of Labor to lead the expansion of apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing and an additional award of $800k to assist with developing apprenticeships in health care.

For more information on the Legacy Project, go to www.ccm.edu/legacy-project/. More information on the Engineering Technologies and Engineering Science programs can be found at https://tinyurl.com/y9qkr3ty/.

CCM Offers Programs In Landscaping Business

For those who dream of building a business in the landscaping industry, County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph offers a number of pathways to make that possible through its Department of Landscape and Horticultural Technology (LHT).

Degrees and certificates are offered in Agribusiness, Landscape Management and Design, and Turf and Turfgrass Management. The Landscape Management and Design track is the most popular, according to Brian Oleksak, associate professor and chair of the LHT department.

An average of 85 students enroll in the department each year, keeping class sizes small and professor-student relationships close.

“Many students in this department are working part-time landscaping jobs while enrolled,” notes Oleksak. “They tend to be the best students because they are applying what they are learning right away.”

A degree or certificate from CCM’s LHT department allows students to propel a small landscaping business to the next level. Education in cutting-edge technology and practices can transform a small business into one with multiple employees and a highly profitable income stream.

LHT students learn in a setting where science, sustainability and technology all come together. They study and work in a LEED Gold Certified Building in design labs using the latest programming tools. Included among the software students learn is DynaSCAPE, an industry recognized landscape business management program. LHT students also have access to two Kubota sub-compact tractors, a skid-steer and various small-to-mid sized equipment.

Fall semester courses in the Department of Landscape and Horticulture Technology begin Wednesday, Sept. 4. Classes being offered include Plant Science, Land Plant Identification, Management and Use, Horticulture Computer Application, Landscape Design and Planning I, Plant Pest Management, Landscape Construction and Equipment, and Arboriculture.

To view and register for courses, visit http://bit.ly/Titansdirect and click on “Browse Course Catalog.” For more information on LHT programs, courses and certificates, contact Brian Oleksak at boleksak@ccm.edu, or 973-328-5363. Visithttp://bit.ly/ccmland for details on how students can “Start Right . . . .Finish Strong” in the LHT department.

Book Publishing Course Offered In SeptembeR

An Introduction To Book Publishing course is being offered in September. Classes will be held at Chester Camera in Chester on Wednesdays, Sept. 11, 18 and 25, from 10 a.m. until noon. The three-week class highlights the world of traditional adult and children’s book publishing as well as self-publishing. Topics will include writing, editing, illustration, design, printing and marketing. Each student will receive personal attention and homework assignments.

The course instructor is local author, Loren Spiotta-DiMare of Tewksbury. Specializing in animal subjects, for both adults and children, Spiotta-DiMare has been involved with the publishing industry for more than 40 years. Her titles include “Beyond The Finish Line:

Stories of Ex-Racehorses;” “The Sporting Spaniel Handbook;” “Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:” “Everyone Loves Elwood;” “ Madeline’s Miracle, Because of Bentley, Chelsea & The New Puppy;” “Rockwell: A Boy and His Dog;” “Norman To The Rescue” and “Hannah’s House

Rabbit.”

Spiotta-DiMare’s new picture book “Sergeant Reckless: Hero War Horse” is the true story of an amazing horse who served with the Marines during the Korean War. Sgt Reckless’ heroism and devotion to her men is legendary.

Published both nationally and internationally, Spiotta-DiMare’s work has been recognized by the Humane Society of the United States, The Doris Day Animal Foundation, The Dog Writers Association of America, USA Book News, and New Jersey Press Women.

“I have a wonderful career that combines my love of animals and writing,” says Spiotta-DiMare. “I still work with traditional publishers but also have

my own small publishing house, J. Pace Publications.”

The class is open to aspiring authors with interest in all topics and genres. The process is the same regardless of the subject matter.

“I really enjoy teaching the course,” she says. “It attracts the most interesting and enthusiastic people.”

The fee for the three-week course is $125. Checks should be made out to Loren Spiotta-DiMare. Space is limited; pre-registration by September 6 is required.

To sign up for the class, stop by Chester Camera or call 908-879-7100. The store is located in the Chester Springs Mall, next to ShopRite, on Route 206 in Chester. For questions, contact Spiotta-DiMare at author@LorensReadingRoom.com.

Shelter For Battered Women Seeks Support

Thanks to the Columbia Bank in Fairlawn for picking up the mortgage note for seven shelters for battered women and children, Strengthen Our Sisters will not lose its houses.

“However, we are living in a world where single mothers are losing their children and are being abused not only by violence, but also poverty,” says SOS Founder Sandra Ramos. “Many have come to the shelter for safety. Strengthen our Sisters (SOS) provides that haven, despite many obstacles, which includes lack of government funding, and operating with a volunteer staff.”

Now the shelter has had its utilities turned off and others are pending.

“We are behind in our utilities in our efforts to keep our mortgage current,” says Ramos. “For the continuance of the shelter to break the cycle of poverty and abuse, we need support. We are seeking contributions and monthly pledges to Strengthen Our Sisters domestic violence shelter. We are a nonprofit 501c3, and your donations are tax deductible. For more information, please contact Sandra Ramos @ 973-831-0898. Visit https://www.strengthenoursisters.org/spark-our-sisters/