Mt. Olive Online Publication March 21, 2023

Mt. Olive Online
Mt. Olive Online
  • HOME
  • MO ONLINE 2-9-2023
  • MO ONLINE 1-13-2023
  • MO ONLINE 12-13-2022
  • MO ONLINE 11-7-2022
  • MO ONLINE 10-3-2022
  • MO ONLINE 9-2-2022
  • MO ONLINE 8-5-2022
  • MO ONLINE 6-10-2022
  • MO ONLINE 5-1-2022
  • MO ONLINE 3-30-2022
  • MO ONLINE 3-11-2022
  • MO ONLINE 2-17-2022
  • MO ONLINE 1-22-2022
  • MO ONLINE 12-12-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-30-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-23-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-15-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-2-2021
  • MO ONLINE 9-10-2021
  • MO ONLINE 8-7-2021
  • MO ONLINE 7-4-2021
  • MO ONLINE 6-12-2021
  • MO ONLINE 5-20-2021
  • MO ONLINE 4-24-2021
  • MO ONLINE 4-11-2021
  • MO ONLINE 3-21-2021
  • MO ONLINE 3-7-2021
  • MO ONLINE 2-17-2021
  • MO ONLINE 1-29-2021
  • MO ONLINE 12-28-2020
  • MO ONLINE 12-12-2020
  • MO ONLINE 11-15-2020
  • MO ONLINE 11-3-2020
  • MO ONLINE 10-25-2020
  • MO ONLINE 10-10-2020
  • MO ONLINE 9-28-2020
  • MO ONLINE 9-18-2020
  • MO ONLINE 9-6-2020
  • MO ONLINE 8-24-2020
  • MO ONLINE 8-9-2020
  • MO ONLINE 7-28-20
  • MO ONLINE 6-30-20
  • MO ONLINE 6-14-20
  • MO ONLINE 5-30-20
  • MO ONLINE 5-21-2020
  • MO ONLINE 5-12-2020
  • MO ONLINE 4-29-2020
  • MO ONLINE 4-17-2020
  • MO ONLINE 4-6-2020
  • More
    • HOME
    • MO ONLINE 2-9-2023
    • MO ONLINE 1-13-2023
    • MO ONLINE 12-13-2022
    • MO ONLINE 11-7-2022
    • MO ONLINE 10-3-2022
    • MO ONLINE 9-2-2022
    • MO ONLINE 8-5-2022
    • MO ONLINE 6-10-2022
    • MO ONLINE 5-1-2022
    • MO ONLINE 3-30-2022
    • MO ONLINE 3-11-2022
    • MO ONLINE 2-17-2022
    • MO ONLINE 1-22-2022
    • MO ONLINE 12-12-2021
    • MO ONLINE 10-30-2021
    • MO ONLINE 10-23-2021
    • MO ONLINE 10-15-2021
    • MO ONLINE 10-2-2021
    • MO ONLINE 9-10-2021
    • MO ONLINE 8-7-2021
    • MO ONLINE 7-4-2021
    • MO ONLINE 6-12-2021
    • MO ONLINE 5-20-2021
    • MO ONLINE 4-24-2021
    • MO ONLINE 4-11-2021
    • MO ONLINE 3-21-2021
    • MO ONLINE 3-7-2021
    • MO ONLINE 2-17-2021
    • MO ONLINE 1-29-2021
    • MO ONLINE 12-28-2020
    • MO ONLINE 12-12-2020
    • MO ONLINE 11-15-2020
    • MO ONLINE 11-3-2020
    • MO ONLINE 10-25-2020
    • MO ONLINE 10-10-2020
    • MO ONLINE 9-28-2020
    • MO ONLINE 9-18-2020
    • MO ONLINE 9-6-2020
    • MO ONLINE 8-24-2020
    • MO ONLINE 8-9-2020
    • MO ONLINE 7-28-20
    • MO ONLINE 6-30-20
    • MO ONLINE 6-14-20
    • MO ONLINE 5-30-20
    • MO ONLINE 5-21-2020
    • MO ONLINE 5-12-2020
    • MO ONLINE 4-29-2020
    • MO ONLINE 4-17-2020
    • MO ONLINE 4-6-2020
  • HOME
  • MO ONLINE 2-9-2023
  • MO ONLINE 1-13-2023
  • MO ONLINE 12-13-2022
  • MO ONLINE 11-7-2022
  • MO ONLINE 10-3-2022
  • MO ONLINE 9-2-2022
  • MO ONLINE 8-5-2022
  • MO ONLINE 6-10-2022
  • MO ONLINE 5-1-2022
  • MO ONLINE 3-30-2022
  • MO ONLINE 3-11-2022
  • MO ONLINE 2-17-2022
  • MO ONLINE 1-22-2022
  • MO ONLINE 12-12-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-30-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-23-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-15-2021
  • MO ONLINE 10-2-2021
  • MO ONLINE 9-10-2021
  • MO ONLINE 8-7-2021
  • MO ONLINE 7-4-2021
  • MO ONLINE 6-12-2021
  • MO ONLINE 5-20-2021
  • MO ONLINE 4-24-2021
  • MO ONLINE 4-11-2021
  • MO ONLINE 3-21-2021
  • MO ONLINE 3-7-2021
  • MO ONLINE 2-17-2021
  • MO ONLINE 1-29-2021
  • MO ONLINE 12-28-2020
  • MO ONLINE 12-12-2020
  • MO ONLINE 11-15-2020
  • MO ONLINE 11-3-2020
  • MO ONLINE 10-25-2020
  • MO ONLINE 10-10-2020
  • MO ONLINE 9-28-2020
  • MO ONLINE 9-18-2020
  • MO ONLINE 9-6-2020
  • MO ONLINE 8-24-2020
  • MO ONLINE 8-9-2020
  • MO ONLINE 7-28-20
  • MO ONLINE 6-30-20
  • MO ONLINE 6-14-20
  • MO ONLINE 5-30-20
  • MO ONLINE 5-21-2020
  • MO ONLINE 5-12-2020
  • MO ONLINE 4-29-2020
  • MO ONLINE 4-17-2020
  • MO ONLINE 4-6-2020

Mt. Olive Lights Up Blue & Yellow To Pray For Ukraine

By Cheryl Conway


Mt. Olive Twp. officials shared their messages for peace and recovery to the Ukrainian people Tuesday night, March 8, during the Mt. Olive Twp. Council meeting. 

Dressed in a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt during the remote meeting, Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko spoke out against the horrors happening in his family’s country since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. He also thanked the township and its residents for donating items to help the Ukrainian people, and for their continued prayers. 

Tatarenko of Flanders is one of 12,000 people living in Morris County with family ties to Ukraine. He, like other Ukrainian-American residents are appreciative of the local support.

“Big kudos to the Mt. Olive community to helping in this cause,” says Tatarenko during the meeting.

“On behalf of the Ukrainian American community living in Mt. Olive, I wanted to thank the mayor for lighting up the Municipal Complex in the Ukrainian flag colors: Blue which represents the Ukrainian blue sky and yellow which symbolizes the vast amount of wheat fields throughout the country,” says Tatarenko.

The township business administrator is also thankful for the community’s speedy support and generous donations.

“I also want to thank the mayor for allowing townhall to be set up as a donation site during the week, thank the many residents who donated and thank three vendors: Lowes & EZ Storage for providing boxes/packing material, along with township resident Michael Wijatyk who owns Honest Heating and Cooling for providing transportation,” says Tatarenko. “In a few short days we accumulated enough supplies to fill over 50 boxes which were delivered to the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey located in Whippany. 

“Collectively, over 120,000 boxes weighing over 600,000 lbs. was collected at that site over the weekend,” he says. “I also thanked my staff and DPW for helping with the packing.”

In an effort to help Ukraine, Mt. Olive had a collection site at the municipal building set up last week. Bins were set up to collect items such as blankets, sheets, pillows, towels, children’s clothing, socks/thermal underwear, diapers, formula, medicines and medical supplies, flashlights, batteries, personal hygiene items and plastic tableware.  With such an outpour of donations, collection has paused for now, but financial contributions are always welcome. 

“We’ve stopped accepting donations at this time,” says Tatarenko. For a link to monetary donations, and gift cards, go to   Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (uaccnj.org). 

Tatarenko Shares His Story

Tatarenko is unaware of how many Ukrainian-American residents live in Mt. Olive but did point to 12,000 in Morris County. 

Their stories and connection to people who live in the eastern European country bring the conflict and horrific crimes much closer to home. 

Tatarenko wore his Ukrainian vyshyvanka, which is a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt, at the last council meeting as “I was wearing it as a first generation Ukrainian-American in support of my culture and speaking out against the horrific war crimes that are going on in Ukraine,” says Tatarenko.

“I am a first generation American; my parents and grandparents migrated by boat back in the late 1960's, early 1970's which can be considered the third wave of Ukrainian immigrants after World War II,” explains Tatarenko. “Prior to migrating to the United States, my grandparents escaped Soviet control by leaving Ukraine and settling in neighboring countries, Germany and Poland.   



Unfortunately, they didn't travel far enough as my grandmother’s first husband was killed by the Soviet Army for speaking Ukrainian and not conforming to the communist way of life.

“Most of my mother’s side of the family eventually made it to the United States, however, my father’s side stayed and are still living in a small village near Kharkiv,” says Tatarenko. “I had the chance to visit them back in 2006 where I met 30 plus family members.”

Tatarenko goes on to explain his upbringing and continued connection to Ukraine.

“I grew up in a traditional Ukrainian-American family where the Ukrainian language was first taught, attended Saturday Ukrainian School, joined the Ukrainian Boy Scouts and learned traditional Ukrainian folk dances,” describes Tatarenko. “There is a strong Ukrainian American community throughout the country, especially here on the east coast where I've met many of my friends who all grew up with a similar background.”

With the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Tatarenko is uneasy and very worried about his family who still lives there. 

“I’ve been in touch with my family via Facebook,” says Tatarenko. “They have told me their towns have been bombed, they are living underground and running out of food.  

“What’s going on in Ukraine today is very appalling and devastating to see given the long history of Ukraine's battle for independence and the constant interference from pro-Russia influence,” says Tatarenko. “With the Orange Revolution back in 2004 in which I was active in protesting at the UN Security Council in NYC, the annexation of Crimea, to now again the current invasion.  The Ukrainian people want to be free and independent and are giving the world a lesson on patriotism. 

“It’s always unfortunate that a tragedy needs to occur to bring a world together, that thousands of innocent Ukrainians will die and many Russians will suffer all at the hands of a communistic dictator whose name I refuse to say.”

Tatarenko looks back even further in history when millions of Ukrainians were killed. 

“I'd be remised if I didn't remind everyone of the horrific "Great Famine" known as the Holodomor, which killed millions of Ukrainians between 1932-1933, has been recognized as a genocide of the Ukrainian people carried out by the Soviet Government,” says Tatarenko. “To see Russia invading a sovereign state for no real reason other than the fear of Ukraine's Democracy is horrendous to see and reminds many of us what occurred almost 100 years ago.  Mt. Olive Twp. Officials Also Speak Out 

“May God bless the Ukrainian people and hopefully this war will be over as quickly as possible,” says Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Rob Greenbaum. “What a horrific situation the Ukrainians have been put in.”

Councilman John Mania says “My prayers are with the Ukrainian people. I pray every day.”

Council President Joe Nicastro says, “We pray for some resolve in the craziness that’s happening over there. Prayers go out to them. We just wish this war gets over soon and in favor of the Ukrainians, that we can find ways to help them retain their country and stay there.”  

Reiterating the same concerns, Council Vice President Alex Roman says, “We hope it comes to a quick and speedy end with no additional loss of life.”

Councilman John Ferrante says, “thoughts and prayers are with everyone over in Ukraine.”

Councilwoman Colleen Labow concludes, “Thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people. It’s an absolute horrible thing. It’s so incredibly heartbreaking.”

Welcome readers to the 80th issue of Mt. Olive Online.

Mama's Cafe Baci - Perfect Place for Specialty Diets & Flare

From left, Tom Schiano, his father Antonio, and brother Luigi.


By Cheryl Conway


Mama’s Café Baci in Hackettstown, N.J., is a 51-year tradition. The family restaurant lives up to its name by honoring the core values of hospitality, innovation and bringing people together. 

Something that makes Mama’s so special is you shouldn’t be surprised if the owner and chef stops at your table to welcome you and share some special memories from years past! 

A great way to enjoy some of the always evolving tastes that Mama’s cuisine has to offer is with the ‘sample’ that your server puts down as you sit comfortably in your seat.

Upon arriving, the hostess will also ask if you or anyone in your party has special dietary needs, and they even provide a unique menu for those who are (Gluten-Free, Gluten-Free/Dairy Free, Gluten Free/Vegan & Keto)!

My grandmother always taught me “When someone gives you something, take it.” 

As I was leaving this most impressive establishment after enjoying a dinner with my family, the chef offered us some of his homemade sauce to savor at home. 

So many wonderful things I crave when I think of Mama’s Café Baci. The restaurant got the name Mama's as it “is part of our family tradition, and comes from the earliest days of our restaurant,” states Tom Schiano, co-owner. “Tom and Luigi's father, Antonio and his brother Vincent wanted to choose a name that was easy to remember and reflected their family values.”

Known to the local community since 1970, Mama’s has “always served as a place where family, friendship and fine food come together,” says Schiano. “Now a third-generation business founded by the Schiano family, Mama's has over these many years stood for quality.

“Constantly being driven by innovation, Mama's offers extensive gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and keto-friendly selections,” says Schiano. “This is perfect for guests seeking great dining options during the season of lent! Mama's can accommodate our customers' unique needs, and takes great pride in being there for those who keep us strong in their patronage. You can even bring your pet for lunch at our pooch cafe!

“Whether you are visiting us for the first time or have dined at Mama's before, we always hope that the experience will be exemplary,” says Schiano. “At Mama's, you enter as a guest and leave as a friend! The welcoming smile of our team is unwavering, and our restaurant has always been there to support the community.

“It is critical for us to operate as a pillar of not only our town and neighborhood, but for everyone who walks through our door,” continues Schiano. “We continue to better serve our guests with online ordering and curbside delivery. Offering exciting cocktails, decadent desserts, homemade Italian delicacies and excellent service, remember to always come home to Mama's!”    

Dining Details, Specials, Hours & More! 

Mama's offers a mix of northern and southern Italian cuisine. “Many of the traditional recipes are from the family, but newer innovations have been created by Tom and Luigi,” says Schiano. 

One great option at Mama’s is its duet, which allows customers to try two different entrees in their meal.

“We have our Mama's duet option that allows for customers to try two dishes at the same time and our guests have really loved!” says Schiano. “Mama's is always presenting new exciting selections for our guests.”    

Another specialty guests love is Mama's heart shaped pizza!    “The heart shaped pizzas from Mama's are a wonderful tradition, and you may order them at any time you feel love in the air,” says Schiano. “Please allow time for unique preparation.” 

Mama’s homemade sauces are used in the entrees and also available to take home. 

“Mama's offers an array of homemade sauces that are available for purchase,” adds Schiano. “These let you take a taste of Mama's home and enjoy our tradition with family.”    Regular customers can take advantage of the preferred discount.

“Mama's offers a preferred customer discount that will give our guests 10% off any purchase dine-in or take out,” says Schiano. “Please ask for the key-tag when visiting. We also have an array of happy hours and daily promos. The best way to stay up to date on what's new at Mama's is to join our texting program! Text the word MAMAS to 63975 to join, and you will also receive a free appetizer!”

Mama’s is open seven days a week:  Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.    Outdoor dining is also an option and was quite essential when outdoors was the only option during the COVID era.

"We offer outdoor cafe, garden & pooch café; pooch cafe is designed for outdoor dining with your pets,” explains Schiano. 

Mama’s was quite innovative during the pandemic, meeting its customers’ needs while keeping everyone safe.

“Mama's was able to last through the pandemic by constantly looking toward innovation,” he says. “We implemented curbside delivery, online ordering and online promotions to ensure our customers were able to comfortably dine with us.”

Fifty-one years is a long time to be in business successfully!    The secret sauce is: “Hard work, dedication and family,” concludes Schiano. “We always hire on personality and heart, not experience. It is our pleasure to watch our staff learn and grow.” 

For more information, visit  https://www.mamascafebaci.com; call 908-852-2820.    Mama’s Cafe Baci is located at: 260 Mountain Ave., Hackettstown.  

Residents’ Bark May Cause Officials To Stray Away from CSA

By Cheryl Conway


Mt. Olive Twp. had to change its impoundment services for lost animals this year but officials are realizing a closer facility could be considered down the road.

A professional services contract for veterinary and kenneling services was authorized on January 25 between Mt. Olive Twp. and Common Sense for Animals in Stewartsville. Its previous contract with Animal Hospital of Roxbury could not be renewed as those services were no longer being provided.

Some residents who recently learned about this change found fault with several  issues such as the distance and expensive fees for impoundment. Finding a facility closer to Mt. Olive that can provide these same services would make the most common sense, they say.

The “cat got out of the bag,” about the new impoundment contract after a Budd Lake resident lost her cat in February. On March 1, Jennifer Hannon announced on the Mt. Olive N.J. Community Page that her cat Willy was home but ended up all the way at the pound in Stewartsville. He wound up being picked up by the Mt. Olive Animal Control officer and driven to the pound 45 minutes away. 

Residents were shocked to learn via Facebook that the town now uses a new pound further away. While they were happy for this resident and her reunion with her cat, they were also dismayed that she had to pay $20 per day that he was impounded.

Heidi Caruso, president of Mt. Olive Kiwanis, commented on Hannon’s post in order to “help folks pay attention to some of these new changes and to start asking questions. We need more residents involved.”

On Facebook, Caruso writes: "To have to find out that he was sent all the way to Stewartsville to Common Sense for Animals is ridiculous.  I wonder how many in our town are aware that this change? I also wonder how many people know how much you were charged to get him back?"

 In a follow up interview with Mt. Olive Online, Caruso explains her concerns. 

“I am absolutely concerned about the distance to Stewartsville because I do believe there are more local options that may not have been explored yet,” says Caruso. “There is a network of us who could help explore those options, but we haven’t been asked. We don’t need to work for the town to get involved with this, we are always willing to help the Animal Control dept. We are never asked.

“I’d like to know where the $20/day fee comes from exactly?” she asks. “If I missed the announcement of the impoundment changes, then it’s my mistake. However, I believe there was surprise from a few key people I know, about the fact that impoundment was no longer at Roxbury Animal Hospital and animals would be sent to Common Sense for Animals. How were folks to know?”

Other concerns besides distance and expensive fee include: Lack of awareness of where lost pet went; extra cost in gas, mileage, hours for Animal Control Officer transporting animals to pound, which could raise taxes; cost to residents who have to drive that far to pick up their lost animal; destination and life expectancy of lost pet if not claimed within seven days. 

Derrick Webb, deputy director of Health/assistant health officer, provides some answers to these concerns.

“We were notified toward the end of 2021 that our current provider will no longer be offering the service which promoted the Health Department to start looking for other providers,” says Webb.  “The Animal Hospital of Roxbury decided to phase out providing kenneling/veterinary services to municipal government agencies,” he says. 

Webb explains that Mt. Olive had no other place to turn to house Mt. Olive’s lost cats and dogs.

“The township approached several kennels and veterinary practices to provide this service, however, Common Sense for Animals was the only one that was interested,” says Webb. “The current contract is for one year and we will seek alternative options toward the end of the year.”

Professional Service agreements are voted by the council at the recommendation of the health department. 

“It was passed unanimously along with all the other 27 resolutions,” confirms Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko.  See resolution #12 which states “Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mt. Olive Authorizing the Award of a Professional Services Agreement for Impoundment and Veterinary Services to Animal Health Center.   1_25_2022_pm.pdf (mountolivetwpnj.org)

Not realizing residents are unhappy with this change, Tatarenko and Webb say they can explore other options for next year.

“We really tried everything to keep things closer and will continue to look,” says Tatarenko. 

Webb did say the pet owner will have to drive to Common Sense Animals to pick up their lost pet.  He does not think fewer pets will be reclaimed because of the inconvenience of driving further to pick up lost pets. 

Webb offers some advice to pet owners: “Contact Animal Control to discuss the procedure and cost associated with reclaiming the pet. It is highly recommended that residents license their pets with the health department to assist with their return home as oppose to the animal being transported to the kennel. If licensed, make sure to attach a current metal license tag to your pet's collar. Microchipping your pet will also assist Animal Control with identifying the homes of missing pets.”

As far as being charged $20 a day for an impoundment fee, Tatarenko says “I am not aware of any complaints in regard to the impoundment fee.  Most pet owners are thankful the township actually found their animal and took care of it.  The impoundment fee is the same from our prior contract with the Animal Hospital of Roxbury.  Basically, the Vet/Impound facility sets the rate and we pass that down to the pet owner.”

Tatarenko says he is looking into whether the township is in compliance with New Jersey State statute in regard to impoundment fees.

“I also need to reiterate, if a lost animal is properly licensed, we do not take the animal to the impound facility,” says Tatarenko. “Pet owners need to be accountable for their actions as well.” 

While council members did vote unanimously to change the impoundment services, they did not respond to these concerns and directed any questions to the Mt. Olive Board of Health and township business administrator.

“Our Health Officer informed the BOH on October 20th that the Animal Hospital of Roxbury did not intend to renew the contract and that a new location for impound services was being looked into,” explains Tatarenko.  “In addition, the December BOH report stated that a contract is currently being executed with Common Sense for Animals for sheltering services.” 

Councilwoman Colleen Labow who sits on the Board of Health and reports back to the council, did not comment on the change. 

“Andrew Tataranko is the best person to interview regarding the temporary switch with our impoundment facility,” says Labow. “I knew that Dr. Elia was planning on eliminating impoundment options from her vet hospital, however, I did not know at what point she was planning on stopping impoundment options and if was for just some towns or all towns.” 

Council President Joe Nicastro says: “I voted on this with the recommendation from our health department. They are the experts, and I usually will go with their recommendations.” As far as impoundment fee charges, Nicastro says “I will check into that with our health department.”

Responses To Concerns 

When an animal goes missing, the township will continue to advertise to try to find its owner. 

“Regardless of the location of the kenneling facility, the Health Department conducts public posting on Facebook, and shares information about impounded animals with a network of rescue groups,” says Webb. “This is not a new process; the Health Department has engaged in this practice for several years.” 

Where will the animals go post-impoundment? What is the plan for those animals?   “Animal will be impounded until placement is found for them; CSA has and will continue to assist with the placement of unclaimed animals,” says Webb.  “The Health Department has and will continue to make arrangements with rescues with regards to placement accommodations, when necessary.”

The Mt. Olive Health Department did consider other options for impoundment services, but went with Common Sense for Animals as its best option for now.  “St. Hubert’s was considered,” says Webb, but “they were uninterested in providing the services that the Health Department was seeking.” 

Randolph was also considered for kenneling services but “the municipality was not interested in providing kenneling services to Mt. Olive,” says Webb.

As far as any extra cost to the town in terms of gas, mileage, labor and after hours for the animal control officer, Webb says “an analysis was not conducted.”

There is a bright side: “Entering into a Professional Service Agreement with Common Sense for Animals (CSA) has afforded the township to continue to provide animal control and rabies control operations, while exploring more convenient accommodations,” says Webb. “CSA has also assisted the municipality with the placement of unclaimed/strayed animals.”

Sandshore Alum Gifts School With Outdoor Classroom

By Cheryl Conway


Like wearing face masks in school, it is good to have options, and come the spring the Sandshore Elementary School community will be invited to take their lessons outside.  Thanks to 16-year-old Bryce Abramson and other members of Boy Scout Troop 236 Long Valley, Sandshore Elementary School in Budd Lake now provides an outdoor classroom for teachers and students and even Scouts to use. 

Abramson, an 11th grader at Mt. Olive High School, spoke about the Sandshore Elementary School Outdoor Classroom Eagle Scout Project at the last Mt. Olive Board of Education meeting held Monday evening, Feb. 14. From concept to completion, Abramson shared the details of Sandshore’s new hot spot, and from everyone’s reactions, there may be a line out the door to reserve a seat. 

“I love it!” says Sandshore Elementary School Principal Jennifer Curry. “This is such a wonderful addition to our courtyard and will benefit our teachers and students tremendously. I look forward to the spring and warmer weather when it can be used on a daily basis.  I am so grateful that Bryce chose Sandshore to be the recipient of this.”

A lifelong resident of Hackettstown, Abramson attended Sandshore from 2011 to 2016 and says he always wanted an outdoor space for learning. His project is a gift to his younger brother and sister who are fifth grade students there now, as well as the rest of the Sandshore school community.

“As a kid I always wanted to have an open environment especially since COVID hit,” Abramson says during the BOE meeting. “My brother and sister go to Sandshore School, so I wanted to have an open classroom” for them.

“I always wished the school had an outdoor classroom when I attended but during the pandemic it seemed more important than ever to have one available to the teachers and students to be able to learn outside and take off their masks,” he explains more during an interview with Mt. Olive Online. 

“I thought the addition of an outside classroom would greatly enhance learning at Sandshore Elementary School,” says Abramson. “It would allow students to study and explore subjects in a natural environment. It provides flexibility and a less restrictive environment for learning by creating and open environment for children to learn without having to stay in the same place the entire school day. 

“The outdoor classroom is very important due to the pandemic,” he further notes. “Studies showed that Covid doesn't spread as easily outdoors so it would be a nice change for the students as they won't need to wear masks when learning outside.”

He got the idea for the project in the summer of 2020, after “searching online for projects that can be done for a school,” he says. 

A member of Troop 236 Long Valley since 2016 after crossing over from Cub Scout Pack 62 at Sandshore Elementary School, Abramson knew he wanted to complete his Eagle Scout project. 

Scout members can relate to the task at hand. 

“As a fellow Eagle Scout from the class of 1996,” Mt. Olive Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Zywicki talks at the BOE meeting about when he earned his Eagle Scout badge at the age of 18. “Bryce is much more of ago getter; he’s 16.”  Abramson explains that an Eagle Scout project is one “that helps the community as whole either through community service, helping a charity or a school or a farm. You have to demonstrate to younger kids for them to look up to you.”     He shares more details: “I began my Eagle Scout Project process of meeting with my BSA advisors to discuss the project in September 2020 but officially submitted my proposal January 2021. After I had the approval of the BSA and Mt. Olive School District I began fundraising right away.  “The project consisted of proposing the idea to the BSA and Sandshore School principal to get everyone to agree to the proposal,” he explains. 

“Bryce first approached me in April of 2020 regarding his Eagle Scout project,” says Curry.  “We met and discussed several possible ideas including a raised garden bed, picnic benches with a stage or an outdoor classroom with benches and a whiteboard, ultimately deciding that the outdoor classroom would most benefit the teachers and students of Sandshore.” 

Once the funds tarted coming in, Abramson got to work with fellow Scouts and adult leaders during the summer of 2021.  “I was lucky to reach my goal quickly, so I was able to physically begin working on the classroom from August 8th and finished August 15th,” says Abramson. “Mostly worked over the two weekends with a few items during the week.”   He completed the project just prior to the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

Hard Work Begins   

Thanks to his dedicated work crew, Abramson was able to complete the project quickly. The research is what took some time as well as raising money for the project.

“I needed to research what was needed to build six benches and a kiosk with a whiteboard and I needed to price out all the materials,” explains Abramson. “Once the proposal was approved, I had to fundraise to cover the costs. I started a GoFundMe page which the residents of Mt. Olive were very generous in donating to as I didn't need to work with local establishments for give back nights as during the pandemic this would have been complicated. 

“Once I had the money, I was able to order all materials and arrange project dates with the school,” explains Abramson. “I reached out for volunteers and wrote up a plan on specific tasks to assign each volunteer for each day of work so everyone would be working on something and not waiting around. I arranged for all safety items and clean up items and also made sure donuts and pizza were available to my volunteers.”

Abramson had help from Troop 236 Leaders and Scouts, along with some neighbors whose children went to Sandshore, he says. 

“I had 22 volunteers and logged a total of 151 hours between us all, not including planning hours,” he says.  Working on this project during the summer was the best time. 

“The summer was the ideal time as we could not be on school property when classes were in session,” says Abramson. “Although many of the volunteers still worked during the week or had HS sports practices we stuck mainly to the weekends.”

Research and working with adults helped. 

“I found plans for the benches and kiosk online,” says Abramson. “I worked with my dad and neighbor to make sure the plans worked due to the size of the whiteboard and location. I received a ton of guidance and learned a lot from the adult volunteers that I managed.”

Challenges Along The Way  

Learning how to be a leader and dealing with obstacles are some of the lessons Abramson dealt with.

“One of the main struggles was leveling the ground for the benches, but after some attempts, the volunteers and I managed to even out the benches,” says Abramson. “There were also a few setbacks with the blueprints for the kiosk, specifically the roof. The measurements were slightly off, but with some mathematics, the volunteers and I were able to finalize the blueprint and start building.”

BOE Member Dr. Antoine Gayles asks Abramson at the BOE meeting about the leadership skills that he learned.   “That’s just a great job and it required a lot of leadership,” says Gayles.  Abramson admits: “At first, I wasn’t comfortable telling adults what to do. I’m usually getting bossed around. I started to adapt to that and telling adults what to do. It helped me to learn how to tell others what to do.  

“I learned from my project that to be a successful leader, you must trust your volunteers to get their tasks done to the best of their abilities with your guidance and aid,” he continues. “I learned that it is more effective to make positive comments about the work everyone was doing and to show that I appreciated their time.”

BOE Member Christopher Zeier, one of the adults who helped with the project and had to take direction, is quite pleased by Abramson’s authority.

“It’s a great project,” says Zeier at the BOE meeting. “It’s great to see a young man put those leadership, managerial skills together. Those are life skills you’ll carry on.”  

Welcome to Sandshore’s Outdoor Classroom  

“The outdoor classroom is located in our courtyard next to the pergola that was built several years ago,” says Curry.  The space includes six benches with three rows of two, and a weatherproof dry erase whiteboard kiosk centered in front of the benches, she explains. 

“We built six benches and the kiosk which were all sanded and stained,” says Abramson. “The maintenance crew dug the holes for us which was a huge time saver. We cemented the benches and kiosk and attached the roof.  Whiteboard was ordered after the kiosk was built to confirm size and then was installed. Once the project was complete, I wrote up the Eagle Scout Project Service Plan which was time consuming as well.”

All materials were purchased from Lowes and Home Depot, says Abramson.

“I used pressure treated wood that I purchased from Lowes and Home Depot. Stains and brushes were also bought from Lowes,” he says. 

Total cost of materials and supplies was $1,679.79.

“The remaining money that I raised was donated to the SHSP to put toward markers and erasers for the whiteboard and to use for future plans for enhancing the outdoor classroom area,” adds Abramson.

Being outside for a portion of the school day can be so refreshing.

“The outdoor classroom is used by teachers to provide classroom lessons in a natural setting,” says Curry. “Students and teachers also use the outdoor classroom for independent reading time, independent work time, or small group instruction.” 

The Sandshore students and teachers began using the outdoor classroom in September 2021, says Curry, and are excited to get back out there soon. 

Since the outdoor classroom can accommodate one class at a time, teachers will have to sign up in advance. 

“We will use a Google document reservation system for the outdoor classroom as soon as spring arrives as we anticipate many teachers wanting to use it on a daily basis,” says Curry.

She is very pleased that her school now has an outdoor option. 

“The outdoor classroom is beneficial to the students and teachers of Sandshore as it provides opportunities for students to study and learn in a natural setting,” explains Curry. “It provides flexibility and a change of pace for students and extends learning spaces outside the walls of a traditional classroom. Research shows that outdoor learning can have positive effects on student mental health and academic performance.”  

There are some outdoor spaces at Sandshore, but a classroom brings a new dimension to the learning experience. 

“We have the pergola and benches in the courtyard and we have a Kindness Garden located in front of the school with multiple benches including those we received from winning the TREX Recycling challenge in the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years,” she says. 

Curry is unaware of other schools that offer outdoor classrooms, but perhaps more schools should invest in this fresh experience.

“Schools should offer outdoor classrooms to provide flexibility of learning environments to students as well as giving them the opportunity to learn in a natural setting,” says Curry. “The outdoor classroom is beneficial for students as it allows them to learn in a natural environment and receive fresh air and sunshine.

“The outdoor classroom has truly increased the versatility of our courtyard and provided teachers with more flexible learning opportunities and spaces,” she says. 

Thankful & Proud  

Abramson is thankful for all the help he received for his project and is impressed with the results.

“I’d like to thank Dr. Zywicki, Principal Curry, Mr. Miller the groundskeeper, Troop 326 and all of the volunteers who helped me complete the project,” says Abramson.

“I love the fact that you had members of the Cub Pack working with you too, kids who attend Sandshore, that’s what was unique about your project too,” says Zywicki. 

BOE Member Liz Quimet points to the sign out front of Sandshore, that was crafted by Eagle Scouts in 1975 when Sandshore was first built.

“Now you got the front and the back represented by Eagle Scout projects,” says Quimet.

Abramson - who serves as a Den Chief for Cub Scout Pack 62; vice president of the LEO Club at MOHS; member of Key Club, Best Buddies, JV Boys Soccer, Unified Basketball, Unified Track, and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America); and recent inductee into the National Honor Society- maybe the most impressed with the finished product. 

“I was really proud of how the outdoor classroom turned out,” says Abramson. “It was a long process and very time consuming, but it felt really good to see all the hard work pay off.  It was a great feeling to have so many volunteers wanting to come out to help even during the pandemic as we had many safety precautions in place, but everyone was eager to help.

“But the best feeling was when my brothers and sister came home from school this past September so excited that they used the outdoor classroom and loved being outside,” he shares. 

As an Eagle Scout, Abramson was able to earn his badge while also giving back to his community. 

“This project was important to me as I wanted to be able to give back to the community but to make an impact,” he explains. “My brothers and sister still attend Sandshore, and Cub Scout Pack 62 still meet at the school so this project would make an impact in their lives which gave me the motivation to get it done.”

His hope is for the Scouts to also use the outdoor setting for future meetings and to take over the upkeep.

“I am a Den Chief for Cub Scout Pack 62 and during the pandemic we were not able to meet in person at the school since it was either closed or closed to organizations,” Abramson explains. “Hosting meetings virtually was tough, and scouting is about being outdoors. So having this classroom gives the Pack an opportunity to meet if/when the school is closed and hopefully, in turn, they will give back and help keep up the maintenance of the outdoor classroom.” 

Photo Gallery

    Have You Saved An Ant Today?

    Opinion piece by Cheryl Conway  


    Last night as I was getting ready for bed, I saw a black ant crawling across my bathroom floor.

    Typically, I would’ve just grabbed it with a tissue and flushed it down the toilet or smashed it. But spotting it surprised me as this was the first ant I have seen this year. 

    While I hate bugs, especially in my house, seeing the ant reminded me that spring is almost here and the cold, gloomy days of winter will soon be behind us.

    I didn’t want to kill it. I assumed it must be alive for just a short while as where do the ants hang out in the winter? I picked it up with a tissue and tried to get it to crawl in the crack of my bathroom window and run, but it did not have the smarts for that and instead crawled down my wall and back onto the floor. 

    Too lazy to go back downstairs, I searched my bathroom for something to put the ant in for the time being. The best I could find was a little plastic medicine cup. The little thing was scurrying away so fast as it knew I was trying to get it. I quickly put the cup on top of it to stop it in its tracks. 

    Watching it though on my bathroom floor, trapped in this tiny medicine cup, running in circles around its perimeter trying to find a way out, made me worry that it would run out of air and suffocate. It was already late and I knew I had an early day tomorrow. I told myself I was crazy, left it there, and turned out the light.     Before getting into bed, I noticed an empty plastic water bottle on the dresser. Light bulb went off in my head: I grabbed the water bottle and went back into the bathroom, picked up the medicine cup and let the ant crawl on in to enjoy a larger space. Put the cap on and placed it in the bathroom garbage pail so no one in my household mistakenly takes it to reuse.

    First thing in the morning, I grabbed that water bottle, and I was relieved to see the ant was still running about. Took it downstairs, opened my front door, twisted off the cap, bent down to the ground and watched it crawl out. I said “bye, sorry for trapping you, enjoy your spring!!”

    Some may think I acted a bit extreme about this one ant. But then it got me thinking that perhaps this should be one of my New Year’s resolutions: To try and not kill every bug and ant I see. That perhaps, trying to save these critters may be a kind and right thing to do. 

    After some digging, I learned that other people’s hearts are also tickled by saving ants. 

    In a “Colors NewYork.com” Dec. 4, 2021 article about ants, it is written that killing ants is cruel. “It is immoral to kill an ant or any other living being and irrespective of whoever is killing even if it’s a child or adult,” as it states in this article. “Morality is clear and it does not change. We always have two thoughts on our mind, one is immoral, and another is moral.” 

    On Debate.org, 50% of the responders say “yes” that people should kill ants and 50% say “no” that we should not kill the little bugs.

    “There’s no reason to,” said one responder on Debate.org. “I do not understand the reason for killing them. They eat our food scraps sometimes and crawl around us sure. But they cause no harm to us. So why not just leave them alone?”     Another responder on Debate.org said, “Every ant is sacred. Each ant is the expression of God’s plan for the universe. Humans have no right to kill anything, ants included. God put the ants on earth for a purpose. We may not know what the purpose is, but it is not ours to take life. Do yourself a favor and the next time you see an ant or any insect in your home, help him outside. Ask his forgiveness for all the suffering you’ve inflicted on his brothers and sisters. And give him your blessing for a full and happy life. You will be amazed how your life will unfold after that moment.”

    On the other side of that ant trap, though, are others who do not think twice of ending an ant’s life. 

    “I hate ants so much, ants need to die because everyone is scared of ants because they keep on coming into their homes and apartments all around the world and of course ants are so annoying that ants eat our food and bring in more ants,” says one responder on Debate.org.

    “We should kill all ants because ants can eat our food and spread diseases and yes, I think we should kill all ants because ants are everywhere around homes or apartments,” says another ant killer.

    Perhaps the best solution of all is to just simply keep ants outside where they belong. 

    In the “Colors NewYork.com” article, the writer provides some solutions to keep ants away, and I am not talking ant traps. With these methods, any homeowner can hopefully avoid the decision on what to do with any creepy crawlers as they will hopefully look the other way.

    “A cinnamon stick, coffee grinds, chili pepper, paprika, cloves, or dried peppermint leaves near the openings will repel ants,” the article states. “You can also squeeze the juice of a lemon at the entry spot and leave the peel there.”

    Lemons, in fact, do help keep the ants away.

    “Squeeze a lemon or place lemon peels in places from where the ants enter,” this same article states. “Ants apparently don’t like the smell of lemon juice so they will keep away. Anything sour and bitter may keep the ants away, but any sugar is ants’ best friend.”

    I have not seen any more ants in my house today, and for that, I am grateful. I don’t want an invasion and who has time to be saving and worrying about ants all day. But this I can attest to, all that happened today: My demo for a new job opportunity was a hit; my son received his college acceptance letter in the mail; my husband’s career is seeing greener pastures…and I sold an ad 😊. Not too bad for saving one ant….imagine if I saved an entire colony?

    Advertise in Mt. Olive Online

    Local & County News

    Smiley faces without masks

    Two Cats Still Awaiting a Home

    Two Cats Still Awaiting a Home

    Mt. Olive High School students enjoyed the first week of school without masks since New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy lifted restrictions starting March 7, leaving individual school districts to decide.  The MOSD has made face masks optional indoors.

    "It feels like the first day of school," says sophomore Devin Conway on Monday, March 7. When asked why, he says, "because I will be able to see everyone's faces again." On his way out the door, though, he says "I think I'll bring my mask just in case."

          

    Two Cats Still Awaiting a Home

    Two Cats Still Awaiting a Home

    Two Cats Still Awaiting a Home

    Chris and Ragnar lost their home when a resident died last fall. They are cuddly sweet 6-7 year old boys, healthy and up to date on shots, neutered, microchipped, and negative for FIV/FeLV. As you can see, they really love each other and want to stay together, and the Mt. Olive TNR Project can't bear to separate them. Do you have room in your heart and home for both of them? They're gentle giants and sweet as can be from being bottle fed as kittens. Ragnar, the black and white one, follows his fosterer around like a dog (and also doesn't mind the actual dog in the home). Chris is quieter but loves to cuddle. If you'd like to meet them, contact mtolivetnr@gmail.com or (973) 804-6273 or fill out an application at www.mtolivetnr.org.

    What's Up With the Mask?

    Two Cats Still Awaiting a Home

    Support Local Lodge At Breakfast

    A Purim Message from Rabbi Yaacov Shusterman, Chabad Jewish Center, 


    Mt. Olive  Purim is here, with its food baskets, Hamantaschen, groggers, and of course- kids dressed in all sorts of costumes and masks.

    These days, there is a lot to say about wearing masks. In the past, we would associate masks with fun and silliness, but now we know they offer protection. And, to be honest, sometimes, we find that there is a certain comfort about wearing masks. They allow us privacy when we want to be concealed. They allow us to become anonymous when we need to be.

    Of course, the best part is that masks are removable. When we get outside, we have the liberty to pull them off.    Purim has many themes, and the mask is one of them. Queen Esther hides her identity. Her very name means a secret. G-d is hidden throughout the story, leading the average reader to assume that it is a story of coincidence and fate.  Yet, the scroll we read is called Megillat Esther. The word Megilla comes from the Hebrew root work - Legalot - to reveal, and Esther, of course, means a secret. Esther wrote the Megilla to reveal this amazing secret - there had indeed been a great miracle! If one would read the sequence of events, one would truly recognize that G-d, although hidden and sometimes masked, was truly always there orchestrating the events.  And so on Purim, we dress up.  We wear masks and costumes to change the way we look in order to celebrate the mystery and the hidden. We wear masks to affirm that G-d is always behind the scene, involved in every detail of our lives.  However, let us not forget that the goal is to take the masks off and to constantly recognize this. 

    Please join us for a grand Purim party at the new Chabad Jewish Center on Thursday, March 17.  Please visit our website at www.mychabadcenter.com/Purim for more information.  If you or anyone else you know is in need of a place at a Seder for Passover, please reach out to Rabbi Yaacov Shusterman at 973-933-6011, or rsvp at www.mychabadcenter.com/seder.  CHAG SAMEACH! 

    Support Local Lodge At Breakfast

    Morris County Hope Hub Celebrates First Anniversary

    Support Local Lodge At Breakfast

    Musconetcong Lodge #42 F&AM in Budd Lake invites all to an all you can eat breakfast fundraiser set for Sunday, March 20, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Proceeds are to help the lodge building overhead.

    Menu includes: Scrambled eggs, pancakes, Texas French toast, home fries, Belgian waffles with famous homemade strawberry sauce and whipped cream, bacon, sausage, Taylor ham or pork roll, orange and apple juice, chocolate milk, coffee, tea. Cost is $9 per person; $8 seniors 62 and older; $5 children 4-10; under 4 free.
     

    Assorted Items Donated To Help Ukraine

    Morris County Hope Hub Celebrates First Anniversary

    Morris County Hope Hub Celebrates First Anniversary

    On Thursday, March 10, Mt. Olive Twp. received a generous donation from Anthony Moreno, general manager of Walmart in Ledgewood for the Ukrainian people. Pictured, from left, is Dawn Fox Anthony Moreno and Cassandra Judkins. Missing in photo is Heather Beeh.

    Morris County Hope Hub Celebrates First Anniversary

    Morris County Hope Hub Celebrates First Anniversary

    Morris County Hope Hub Celebrates First Anniversary

    Morris County’s Hope Hub team, from left, Al Shurdom, a clinician with the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris; Morris County Sheriff's Office Corporal Erica Valvano; Sheriff James Gannon; Hope Hub Coordinator Officer Chelsea Whiting and CARES Peer Recovery Specialist Carrie Bailey.


    Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon’s Hope Hub program hit its First Anniversary last week, marking more than 150 situations in the program’s first year that critical services were brought to individuals or families identified as being at an acutely elevated risk of needing assistance. 

    The anniversary was marked with a breakfast celebration on Friday, March 4, morning and review of Hope Hub accomplishments over the past year at the Morris County Office of Emergency Management offices in Parsippany Twp.

    Hope Hub, the second program of its type in the nation, is a multidisciplinary panel made up of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers and recovery specialists. When representatives of various agencies identify struggling individuals and families, Hope Hub’s panel of professionals tries to connect with them and link them to life-changing services.

    Hope Hub is an expansion of the Sheriff’s Hope One project. Hope One is a mobile recovery access vehicle that has been entering communities for nearly five years to offer critical support to persons struggling with addiction. The goal is preventing drug overdoses and deaths, as well as offering mental health services.     Spearheaded by Hope Hub Coordinator Officer Chelsea Whiting, the Hope Hub panel meets each week to determine if an individual or family, identified as at-risk by law enforcement, the courts or services agencies and nonprofits, would benefit from various service sectors. Those applicable agencies then work together as a team to do a door knock or intervention.

    It was on March 5, 2021, Gannon and Whiting successfully launched Hope Hub. Because Hope Hub assisted in more than 150 situations in just its first year, a Hope Hub Social Case Worker, Kim Cacciabeve, was added to the team.  They are working together to help individuals and families struggling in Morris County. 

    The Morris County Sheriff’s Office is proud to work with partners such as the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mental Health Association, the Center for Addiction, Recovery, Education & Success (CARES), the Morris County Chiefs of Police Association, Interfaith Food Pantry, Nourish NJ, Acenda Integrated Health, Family Promise of Morris, Child and Family Resources, the Morris County Department of Human Services, and more.

    Gannon says he believes these public and private partnerships in Morris County, N.J. truly make a difference.     For those working with someone at an acutely elevated risk, in need of various services, refer them to the Hope Hub!     https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Community-Programs/Hope-Hub


    Frankie's ready for adoption!

    Morris County Celebrates Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day

    Morris County Celebrates Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day

    Frankie is a very handsome senior front declawed cat being fostered by Mt. Olive TNR Project. MOTNR's vet estimates that he's about 13 years old. Frankie entered foster care when his owner passed away. He was nervous after leaving his home for 10 years and spent his first couple of weeks hiding.  Since settling into a new routine he's decided that people are nice. Now he greets his foster parents with soft chirps every time they come into the foster room.  He likes to rub his head on people and other cats.  He loves feeding time and eagerly waits for his plate of food which he often shares with his foster brother.  He does not like being picked up or held and will try to squirm away.  He's curious and increasingly wants to explore.  He has blossomed since coming into foster and would do great with someone who has experience with cats and can give him time and space to adjust.  His ideal home would have another friendly cat who does not mind some rather firm headbutts.  If interested in meeting Frankie, contact Mt. Olive TNR at mtolivetnr@gmail.com or (973) 804-6273 or fill out an application at www.mtolivetnr.org.

    Morris County Celebrates Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day

    Morris County Celebrates Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day

    Morris County Celebrates Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day

    Mary Ledyard of Rockaway Borough, who was presented with the Morris County “2022 Seeds of Change Award," was congratulated by Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen.


    Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners celebrated Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8, by honoring the Girl Scouts of the USA and presenting awards to two Morris County women for making a significant difference in the community. 

    “Tonight, we celebrate International Women’s Day as well as recognize Women’s History Month, which this board will do officially through a special resolution,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen. “However, we also will pay tribute to the Girl Scouts of America turning 110 years old, and salute one of the founding members of our Morris County Advisory Committee on Women -- and honor a Morris County woman whose inspiration to other women in our community has earned her the 2022 Seed of Change Award.”

    Carole Harper of Morris Plains, one of the original members of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women, was honored for her nearly two-decades of service on the committee with a special Resolution of Honor issued by the board.  Harper previously serviced on the County College of Morris Board of Trustees, where she helped to establish a scholarship fund that has provided financial aid to women seeking to expand their education for more than 20 years.

    “Thank you so very much for this recognition," said Harper. "The focus of my professional life and community service have been as an advocate for women and their families. I am especially proud to have been part of the establishment of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women. Since 2003 the Committee as sought to identify the needs and concerns of the women of Morris County. As our county grows so do the challenges faced by our families, foremost our women.”

    Thanking the people she worked with over the past 20 years, Harper also commended the Commissioners for providing the services to address problems such as homelessness, abuse, child care and employment for women and for supporting not-for-profit agencies seeking to provide solutions to those problems.  Mary Ledyard of Rockaway Borough was presented with the Morris County “2022 Seeds of Change Award,” an honor that highlights and celebrates Morris County women whose work on the grassroots level have motivated other women to become active in their communities. The award was presented to the honoree by Karen O’Keeffe, chair of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women.  “There was one thing that happened to me when I was younger, when someone said, ‘You only volunteer because it makes you feel good,’” explains Ledyard in accepting the award. “And I was offended at first … and finally I realized that, there’s nothing wrong with feeling good about helping people. It kind of became my thing. The purpose of life is not just to be happy all the time. It’s to make a difference and to help those around you.”  

    Morris County Celebrates Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day

    Morris County Declares Solidarity with Ukrainian People

    Carole Harper of Morris Plains, one of the original members of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women, thanked Morris County for the Resolution of Honor presented by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.


    Inspired by the example of the late state Sen. Leanna Brown, a groundbreaking leader in Morris County, the “Seeds of Change Award” had been issued only twice – in 2018 and 2019 –before the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily interrupted the Advisory Committee activities.  Ledyard was noted for her many years of volunteerism, from groups assisting children with developmental disabilities and restoring trout habitat, to aiding veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, raising funds for St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover, and aiding victims of war and disaster through Project Kind. She also has worked with Family Promise, homeless shelters, food pantries and helped children and families in need.  The third honor of the event was presented to Girls Scouts of the USA in recognition of the organization’s 110th

    Anniversary and National Girl Scout Week, which runs from March 6 through March 12. Accepting a Resolution of Honor on behalf of the organization was Jeannine Perry of the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey and some North Jersey Girl Scouts: Jillian Hamway, Alexa Hamway, and Corra Perry. 

    Girl Scouts is the largest and most impactful leadership program for girls around the world. The organization was founded on March 12, 1922 by Juliette Gordon Low of Savanna, Georgia after she met the founder of Scouting, British Officer Robert Baden-Powell.

    “Our girls and volunteers affect positive change in our community and the world through small acts of kindness and through big ideas that make a lasting impact,” said Gordon Low as she accepted the Morris County resolution of honor.  “Through the Girl Scout leadership experience, we build girls of courage, confidence and character who do make the world a better place; and the Girls Scouts and volunteers of Morris County thank you for your honor and proclamation.”  The resolution noted Girl Scouts has emphasized public service and civic engagement, and fostered a sense of community in girls. The organization also has worked to champion their ambitions, cultivate their talents and develop their skills to confidently pursue their passions and make the world a better place.

    “Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the Board of County Commissioners, Morris County, N.J., that the week of March 6 to March 12, 2022 be proclaimed Girl Scout Week in Morris County, and that the Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey be wished continued success as they embark on another century of nurturing and shaping the leadership abilities of girls everywhere,” the resolution concludes.

    Morris County Declares Solidarity with Ukrainian People

    $5 Million Added to Morris County Small Business Grant Program

    Morris County Declares Solidarity with Ukrainian People

    Myron Bytz (holding resolution) with other local Ukrainians joined the Morris County Commissioners in pledging solidarity with the people of Ukraine against the ongoing Russian invasion.


    Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners last night joined members of the local Ukrainian community in a moment of silence and sang the Ukraine national anthem as the board presented a formal resolution declaring solidarity with the Ukrainian people against the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine in Eastern Europe. 

    The Ukrainian community, an estimated 12,000 people living in and around Morris County, have been an active part of the region for more than 100 years, and a dozen of them joined community leader Myron Bytz in accepting the framed, signed and sealed resolution from the board.  “Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of all Ukrainians, thank you for your support,” said Bytz, who was accompanied by his wife, Christina, and grandson, Atlas.

    “As President Zelensky stated, we Ukrainians are a peaceful nation, but if we remain silent today, we will be gone tomorrow. I say, thank you world for speaking out on our behalf, and for your support. We will not be gone tomorrow or ever.

    $5 Million Added to Morris County Small Business Grant Program

    $5 Million Added to Morris County Small Business Grant Program

    "Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes,” he added.

    The group sang the Ukraine national anthem, with their hands held over their hearts, and held two moments of silence with the commissioners in an emotional gathering. 

    “The situation on the ground is one of horror,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen. 

    “Neighborhoods have been destroyed. Civilians have been deliberately targeted for attacks and hundreds have been killed. Two million people who once lived peaceful, hardworking lives in Ukraine have been forced to flee their beloved nation. Tonight, my fellow commissioners and I are declaring our solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people against the truly evil onslaught brought down on their homeland by Vladimir Putin.”  Bytz also presented the commissioners with a Ukrainian flag, which was hung from the meeting room dais.  Everyone interested in donating funds and goods – with medical supplies being a top priority – was urged by Bytz to connect with the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey at https://uaccnj.org

    $5 Million Added to Morris County Small Business Grant Program

    $5 Million Added to Morris County Small Business Grant Program

    $5 Million Added to Morris County Small Business Grant Program

    Launched on Valentine’s Day with a $5 million fund, the Morris County Small Business Grant Program was given an additional $5 million on Feb. 23 by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, which voted unanimously to increase the program funding. 

    The Morris County program is providing grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse qualified small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations for specific pandemic recovery expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021 – a timeline established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the source of the funding.

    “This is an important program, and one we want to make especially successful,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen. 

    “It is aimed at assisting the small businesses who make up the backbone of our economy, and it is intended to support the wide range of nonprofits that do everything from helping our most vulnerable communities to supporting the cultural arts, assisting veterans and preserving many aspects of our history and community,” he said.   Deputy Commissioner John Krickus noted that one component of the effort involves active outreach efforts by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce to introduce small businesses to the program. 

    “Since the program kick-off in Dover last week, outreach efforts have begun that include connecting with the many Hispanic-owned companies and other minority businesses in Morris County,” commented Krickus. “We have a diverse business community, and it is important to reach everyone, particularly those who normally may not take advantage of or be aware of such government programs.” 

    On Feb. 28, small business owners were greeted by Morris County Commissioners and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives of Solix Consulting Solutions, which is operating the online grant portal under a contract with Morris County.

    Several computers were provided and staffed by members of Valley National Bank to assist in processing applications. 

    Program supporters are working to establish additional outreach efforts for businesses and nonprofits in the coming weeks, emphasizing there is no cost associated with applying for the grants beyond an investment of time.

    As of Feb. 24, 370 small business owners and nonprofits had filed applications with the program citing nearly $13 million in claims. Not all claims will qualify, and each applicant will be capped at $15,000 if their claims are approved, but businesses are being urged to investigate the program.

    The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to: Businesses with 25 or fewer full time employees (or equivalent); in operation since Jan. 1, 2019; located within Morris County; less than $5 million in sales/revenue; proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Federal guidelines covering the grant program determine what expenses may be covered, and grants are capped at $15,000 per applicant. However, business owners and nonprofits are encouraged to include in their applications all costs they believe may qualify, even if the total amount exceeds $15,000.

    A final review may determine that some costs submitted for consideration are not covered under the program guidelines. However, by submitting all expenses that may qualify, applicants increase the possibility of getting the maximum amount of grant dollars possible.

    To learn what is needed to successfully complete an application, go to: morriscountysmallbusinessgrant.com.


    College News

    CCM Honors Memory Of James Del-Giudice

    CCM Names Gymnasium After Founding Athletic Director

    CCM Honors Memory Of James Del-Giudice

    The County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph Foundation has arranged for a special exhibition titled “a small thing but my own – Through the Lens of Jim Del-Giudice” to celebrate the life and impact of James Del-Giudice.     The exhibition opened March 3 and runs through March 31 in the college’s Art Gallery, located in the Sherman H. Masten Learning Resource Center in Randolph.

    A reception, free and open to the public, is set to take place Sunday, March 27, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors to campus are required to wear a mask and to social distance.     Del-Giudice was an adjunct professor of history and photography at CCM for more than 30 years, sharing his fascination with photography and vast knowledge of the Revolutionary War throughout Morris County, enlightening and inspiring students. He was a highly respected professional photographer with a vast collection of photo essays based on historical subjects and landscapes of New Jersey. He was also a talented writer with many published articles and several locally performed plays. Shortly before his passing, Del-Giudice also had developed a livestream-based format for his programs. 

    CCM Names Gymnasium After Founding Athletic Director

    CCM Honors Memory Of James Del-Giudice

    The exhibition of his work was curated by Professor Hrvoje Slovenc, coordinator of the Photography Program at CCM. 

    In addition to the exhibition, a longtime friend of Del-Giudice, David Scinto has established the Jim Del Giudice Memorial Scholarship with the CCM Foundation. That scholarship is providing two full-time photography students with $5,000 scholarships or part-time students with $2,500 scholarships each year. 

    “Jim always did things for other people,” noted Scinto. “He loved people and he loved students. He was a really good person.  After he passed, I wanted to do something to honor him. I knew he taught here for more than 30 years so I thought what better place is there than to do this at CCM.”     To support the Jim Del-Giudice Memorial Scholarship, checks can be made out to the CCM Foundation and mailed to County College of Morris Foundation. Donations can also be made online at https://giving.ccm.edu/.


    CCM Names Gymnasium After Founding Athletic Director

    CCM Names Gymnasium After Founding Athletic Director

    CCM Develops Creative Solution for Historic Site in Morristown

    Surrounded by family, friends and numerous former athletes he had coached and mentored, Jack Martin was recently honored for his expansive legacy as the first athletic director at County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph when the college named its gymnasium after him.

    Martin was named the first director of athletics at CCM in 1968 and served in that position until his retirement in 2002. The college’s gymnasium which now holds his name includes his signature on the floor with the notation “Jack Martin Gymnasium.”     “The house that Jack Martin built at CCM now bears his name” was the headline in the Daily Record article written by Ed Forbes, a close friend of the Martin family. 

    On Feb. 19, Martin thought he was coming to the gym with his wife, Pamela, and daughter Devon Martin Jones and her husband, Parker, to watch his grandson Blake Jones at basketball practice. What he found instead were nearly 100 former Titan athletes, college officials, family, friends and coaching colleagues gathered to honor him at the dedication. 

    The college started to develop its plans to name the gymnasium after Martin following his induction into CCM’s inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

    "If life is measured in impact, I don't know anyone else who has impacted more people than you, Jack," said Dr. Anthony J. Lacono, CCM president.     “This is so special," said Martin, overwhelmed with gratitude, who turned 80 on Feb. 5. 

    “I am extremely happy for Jack and the Martin family,” said Jack Sullivan, who became CCM’s second athletic director when Martin retired. “This is an honor that is well deserved. I am grateful for his continued support of the County College of Morris Athletic department. I consider him a mentor who has influenced me immeasurably. I cannot think of a better way to show our gratitude than by having our gymnasium bear his name.”

    Along with directing and growing CCM’s athletic programs, Martin served as head coach of the men’s basketball team, working with hundreds of athletes during the course of his career at the college.     He was recognized as part of his career for serving as past president of the Garden State Athletic Conference (1975; 1982 and 1989); chair of the Region XIX Standards & Ethics Committee (1988-2002); member of the Colonial Athletic Association N.J. Executive Board (1988-2002); recipient of the Garden State Award (2004); charter member and tournament director of Morris County High School Basketball Tournament; Executive Committee member of the New Jersey College Basketball Coaches Association (1979-1992); and recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award – Morris County All-Sports Association and Special Recognition Award – New Jersey Special Olympics (1982).

     Martin served as the men’s basketball coach from 1968 – 1998, capturing eight New Jersey state titles, three Region XIX Championships and numerous national tournament appearances. Currently, he is the winningest two-year college coach in N.J. history (569 victories) and second all-time among two- and four-year colleges and universities. 

    Martin developed a nationally recognized athletics program that produced 35 N.J. State Championships, 29 Region XIX titles and the recognition of 85 athletics and academic all-Americans. His basketball program history includes eight N.J. Garden State Athletic Conference Champions, three Region XIX (Delaware, Pennsylvania and N.J.) Crowns, three National Tournament appearances, and 15 seasons with more than 20 victories. He also produced eight two-year college All Americans, a 1991/1992 team – 30-5 – ranked #1 in the nation and was voted N.J. Sportswriters Coach of the Year multiple times (1977, 1979, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1995).

    He is a longtime member of both the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) and served on a variety of national committees during his tenure.     During his time on the NATYCAA Executive Committee, Martin secured a partnership with Pepsi-Cola North America (2004) to be the primary corporate sponsor. With former player Terry Ryan, Martin developed and initiated the NATYCAA/Pepsi Cup promoting athletic excellence at over 400 two-year community and junior colleges.

    CCM Develops Creative Solution for Historic Site in Morristown

    CCM Develops Creative Solution for Historic Site in Morristown

    CCM Develops Creative Solution for Historic Site in Morristown

    Developing an enjoyable way for people with mobility impairments to visit historical sites built over 100 years ago is a problem being solved by a team of creative minds at County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph.  The collaborative effort entails blending the art of photography and the science of engineering with virtual reality technology.

    The innovative result will be offered to all patrons of The Willows, an 1854-Gothic style revival mansion built by General Joseph Warren Revere, grandson of Paul Revere, located at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (FLHF) in Morristown.

    Visitors to the 213-acre New Jersey and National Registry Historic Site are provided with the opportunity to step back in time and explore the 170-year-old home complete with 19th-century costumes and furnishings. Visitors, however, need to climb stairs to reach the five rooms on the second floor.               “It’s inaccessible for people who might have mobility issues,” says Hrvoje Slovenc, associate professor of Photography at CCM. “There is no elevator, and the stairs are steep and narrow, making it very hard for some.”     The problem was solved at CCM’s CoLab, an on-campus facility, organized by CCM Chemistry Professor Brian Olson, that serves as a group think tank.

    “At CCM, we’re committed to students with accessibility needs,” says Olson, “so it’s a natural step to collaborate with the community to enhance accessibility.”

    First, Slovenc visited The Willows and using 360-degree cameras shot an assortment of high-end photographs of the periodic rooms. Then on campus, Nicole Schwartz, assistant professor of photography, guided the student Photography Club in using the photos to create a virtual reality tour.  “Every 360 shot is a collage of six individual images that students worked diligently to stitch together,” says Schwartz. “The final tour consists of 16 360 photographs.”

    CCM Develops Creative Solution for Historic Site in Morristown

    What Skills Do Employers Want Most? Psst: It’s not STEM.

    According to Olson, “The CCM Photo Program brought virtual reality technology to the college, and that created so many opportunities.” 

    The attention to detail was a significant part of the process. Eric Pedersen, adjunct professor and coordinator of the Mechanical Engineering Technology and Physics Lab at CCM, made a scaled replica of the carving on the upright piano in the Willows mansion. 

    “He cut the carving on one side and the description on the backside,” explains Slovenc. “Students from CCMakes, the Maker Club, are working on the 3D scans that Eric produced to 3D print an ornate mirror plus the intricate fireplace carvings in The Willows.”

    The CCM project is part of a larger mission at FLHF, which in conjunction with the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and the Institute of Museum and Library Services is working to make New Jersey’s first living farm accessible to all. The FLHF transports visitors back in time to the 1880s to have an authentic experience of daily living on a farm.

    CCM is proud to bring this innovative teaching tool to such a preservation of the Morris County Park Commission that allows people to interact with costumed docents, learn how to do chores the old-fashioned way and explore exhibits.

    To learn more about CCM, visit www.ccm.edu.

    What Skills Do Employers Want Most? Psst: It’s not STEM.

    CCM Develops Creative Solution for Historic Site in Morristown

    What Skills Do Employers Want Most? Psst: It’s not STEM.

    Move over, STEM. Writing is making a comeback in the workplace.

    While the focus in recent years has been on science, technology, engineering, and math, employers are increasingly placing a higher premium on the so-called “soft skills” that are essential in navigating the uncertainties of doing business during a worldwide pandemic. Experts say that STEM skills are still in high demand, but employers are rediscovering the value of written communication across all careers.

    In fact, in a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nearly three quarters of employers identified strong writing as a top three skill when considering job candidates. 

    The two cited most: Leadership and teamwork.  That’s no surprise to Dr. Erin Andersen, an assistant professor of English at Centenary University and director of the University’s Writing Collaboratory, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this semester. 

    “For the past decade or so, much of the conversation has focused on the need to develop career-specific skills, especially in the STEM fields,” noted Andersen, who became director of The Writing Collaboratory in 2017. “Yet there is a growing recognition that effective writing is just as critical to success as the technical skills associated with specific careers. What we do in the Collab supports the growth of essential writing skills in Centenary students for their professional future.”

    Businesses can take a significant hit from weak writing, according to inc.com. The publication reports that companies spend billions each year on remedial training, since poor writing can damage the public’s perception of a brand.

    Jason Fried, a columnist with inc.com, wrote in his book, Rework: “Clear writing is a sign of clear thinking. Great writers know how to communicate. They make things easy to understand. They can put themselves in someone else's shoes. They know what to omit. And those are qualities you want in any candidate. Writing is making a comeback all over our society...Writing is today's currency for good ideas.”

    At Centenary University, The Writing Collaboratory combines the top three skills named by employers—good writing, leadership, and teamwork— to strengthen student writing across all majors. Trained peer consultants provide free one-on-one tutoring in person and through video chats, as well as in group sessions and workshops.

    Andersen recruits student tutors across the broad representation of majors offered at Centenary, and the staff is racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse.

    “Strong writing skills are important for tutors, but it’s not enough to be a talented writer,” she explained, noting that tutors also have the opportunity to participate in and present scholarly research on writing center pedagogy. “They also need to have compassion and a desire to do outreach. Serving as a peer tutor provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills in a structured, safe environment. Tutoring really helps both parties in the interaction.”

    While the COVID-19 pandemic transferred much of The Writing Collaboratory’s activities online,  Andersen has future plans to form partnerships with Hackettstown area middle and high schools for Centenary tutors to assist with English as a Second Language and other programs for multilingual students. 

    I’ve been studying some successful models of collaborations between writing centers and communities that are similar to Hackettstown,” Andersen explained. “At Centenary, we have a lot of education majors who are peer tutors and who have expressed interest in working with high schools and middle schools on writing center mentoring. I think there’s a lot of potential there for the future.”

    What If I didn’t have a Destination?

    Submitted by Diane Lang, positive living expert, life coach, speaker 

     

    I followed through this year how I have many other years:  

    I set a goal and a destination. The goals can change but I'm always trying to get to the destination.  

    It might be to lose 20 pounds.  

    To double my income,  

    To move up a level in my business...  

    It doesn't matter what the goal or destination is. The point is I'm always looking and expecting a specific outcome.  

    The outcome is usually big and unrealistic.  

    The outcome I'm looking for is something I have tried to do numerous times before but haven't yet accomplished.   

    I try repeatedly to get to this outcome even though I haven't tweaked the goal or outcome, I just continue with the same pattern year after year.  

    This particular pattern sets me up for failure.  

    We start out with huge goals, a ton of excitement and motivation---only for it to come to a fizzle and fade within a few weeks.  Once it fades, all we have left with is a feeling of failure.    

    What if I got rid of the specific outcome and instead went for a feeling?     

    Instead of making a specific amount of money, I aimed to feel abundant.  

    Instead of trying to lose a specific number or pounds, I aimed to feel healthier.  Those feelings seem much more doable and realistic.      

    I feel like I could get there. I feel hope and I can see the possibilities.      

    What if we shifted from specifics to feeling?     

    How do you want to feel this year?  For more information visit www.dlcounseling.com or email Lang at  DLCounseling2014@gmail.com.

    Events around town

      Subscribe

      Sign up to get each issue delivered straight to your inbox.

      Mt. Olive Online Archived issues

      MO Online ISSUES 2-3-19 thru 2-15-19_ Mt. Olive Online (zip)Download
      MO Online ISSUES 2-21-19 thru 3-5-19_ Mt. Olive Online (zip)Download
      MO ONLINE ISSUES 3-9-19 thru 3-27-19 _ Mt. Olive Online (zip)Download
      MO ONLINE ISSUES 3-31-19 thru 4-13-19 _ Mt. Olive Online (zip)Download
      MO ONLINE 4-25-19 thru 5-20-19 _ Mt. Olive Online (zip)Download
      MO ONLINE 5-29-19 thru 6-20-19 _Mt. Olive Online (zip)Download
      MO ONLINE 6-27-19 ISSUE_Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download
      MO ONLINE 7-5-19 ISSUE _ Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download
      MO ONLINE 8-28-19 ISSUE _ Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download
      MO ONLINE 9-18-19 ISSUE_Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download
      MO ONLINE 9-28-19 ISSUE_Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download
      MO ONLINE 10-6-19 ISSUE_Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download
      MO ONLINE 10-14-19 ISSUE_Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download
      MO ONLINE 10-21-19 ISSUE_Mt. Olive Online (pdf)Download

      About Mt Olive Online

      Managing Editor/Publisher

      Experienced journalist since 1990, living in Flanders for 23 years and covering Mt. Olive Township for the past 13 years.

      Contact Us

      Schools, Sports, Business, Government, People.....MO on the GO!

      Have a story idea for us or want to advertise?  Call for pricing?  

      Send us a message and let us know what's happening today in Mt. Olive.

      Mt. Olive Online

      Mount Olive, New Jersey, United States

      (973) 577-6618 Editor@mtoliveonline.today

      phone calls 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

      Open today

      09:00 am – 05:00 pm

      Send Message

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Cancel

      Copyright © 2018 Mt. Olive Online - All Rights Reserved.

      Powered by GoDaddy