MO ONLINE 4-17-2020

Mt. Olive Online Publication March 21, 2023

Kindness Tour Must Go On At CMS

By Cheryl Conway

Social distancing may help stop the spread of COVID-19, but kindness is contagious in Mt. Olive even when everyone is apart.

Even with the schools closed, acts of kindness in Mt. Olive cannot be contained. Second grade students from Chester M. Stephen’s Elementary School in Budd Lake have been spreading some kindness in their homes, with friends and family, neighbors and even those in the military.

The 12th annual Chester M. Stephens Kindness Tour was set to be held on April 3, but when the Mt. Olive school district shut down its schools on March 16, plans changed. Instead of cancelling one of the most favorite traditional trips of the school year for second graders, CMS decided to host a Virtual Kindness Tour.

“Kindness truly matters,” says CMS Second grade teacher Ann M. Scotland, founder and organizer of the CMS Kindness Tour. “It’s kindness that offers us strength for the next day or even the next moment. It is our nourishment right now.”

Favorite Tradition

For the past dozen years in the spring, Scotland has been organizing the CMS Kindness Tour for all second-grade students.

“Like in past years, we were going to sing to the residents at the Warren Haven Nursing Home and visit with them,” says Scotland, of what was planned before distance learning took over. “Music teacher, Mr. Chris King had been practicing some inspirational songs to share with the grandmas and grandpas. We were going to then continue down the road to The Trinity House in Hackettstown. It was our intent to fill the shelves at the food pantry and offer some goodness to the Midnight Run Crew that serves the homeless in New York City. Before getting back to CMS we were going to mail letters of gratitude to the troops at the Budd Lake Post Office.

“After a celebratory lunch, the second graders were going to meet with a college crew that is committed to an outreach called Love Your Melon,” describes Scotland. “The stops themselves have become routine for this yearly event, but the participants make it unique from year to year. The energy that is provided depends on the students, parents, and teachers that are involved. For our first planning session, we had a huge turnout of parents that were ready to take on roles towards this mission. Administration, teachers, students, and parents share in this kindness journey together and when you have this volume of volunteers that want to take part~ it was going to be a special day.”

Tour Must Go On

Instead of cancelling the experience, Scotland decided to think outside the “school box” and find creative ways to continue her lessons on “rainbow connections” and kindness.

From April 6 through April 8, five second grade classes with 114 students participated in this year’s Virtual Kindness Tour, says Scotland.

Many of the lessons “highlighted kindness and its value,” she explains. “First, they read the story: “Kindness Counts” by Bryan Smith. The story ends with a challenge to offer kindness of their own. From home, the boys and girls had to come up with a plan. They shared what they did on Flipgrid with their peers.

“The entire three days we wanted them to stay connected on our mission of kindness,” says Scotland. “Reflection is a huge part of this lesson and Flipgrid was a valuable tool in absorbing both their own actions and a friend’s. Some of the kindness that was shared on this social learning platform was: Offering a snack and drink to the mail carrier; sorting through toys and boxing up to donate after the pandemic is over; making cards for friends and family; setting up a special dinner for their mom and dad to surprise them; making a poster of gratitude for our local fire department; making treats for a neighbor and delivering; helping with dishes; helping a sibling with their work; painting rocks with messages to be placed in the garden; and or telling a mom she is beautiful.

“Next, the children had to complete a clock activity called A Time For Kindness,” continues Scotland. “They had to fill in five blank clocks throughout the day that illustrated a moment they offered thoughtfulness. They had to illustrate the correct time on the clock and write a caption of what they did. After that, they had a writing lesson that instructed them to use five parts to a letter and write to a military person. In the body they needed to share their gratitude for this individual’s service. We gave them addresses of various forces throughout our country or they could write to somebody they knew in the military.”

In another activity, “Mr. Chris King invited the kids to sing “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars (one of our planned kindness tour songs) on Flipgrid. He is using those grids to prepare something special for the kids to see as he unites them as one (not yet finished). In addition to some of these formal lessons, they were invited to make lawn signs, rainbows for their windows and or use sidewalk chalk to use graphic and text features that offer hope. Every activity was thought out so that the children could focus on the importance of kindness and the difference it can make.”

Kindness Can’t Be Contained

Despite distance learning, Scotland says the desire to teach the lessons of kindness is stronger than ever before.

“In truth, this program was more important than ever this year,” says Scotland. “Education at its best shows the student how intelligence blended with heart is unbeatable. The world stays connected because kindness and love travels from one spot to the next.

“We wanted the children to know that they are not alone and that they can be a part of the solution to this pandemic,” continues Scotland. “Goodwill offers strength to those in need. Using whatever skills we have available to us for the greater good will bring on healing and hope.”

With that, Scotland is hopeful that these young learners will carry the lesson of kindness throughout their lives.

“Right now the children offer kindness using the skills that they have,” says Scotland. “Every act stands out because it is a building block for the future. They contribute, find satisfaction and a sense of happiness by providing such care. That in itself is a lesson and hopefully embedded in their hearts. I can’t help but think that this type of learning grows with time.”

Scotland looks at the recent act by some local teachers and former students who made face shields for medical professionals during this time of crisis.

“As I take in the collaboration between faculty members and students from both Mt. Olive and Warren Hills High School that assembled 15,000 face shields to be donated to health care workers, they offered their skills as one and you can’t miss the heartbeat in that,” says Scotland. “I think of NJSP Colonel Patrick Callahan, a Mt. Olive alumnus and how he has used his intellect with fine character to make a difference in the world.

“The children have never had a bigger classroom than the one they are in right now,” she says. “If we highlight the goodness during these darker days our boys and girls will walk away seeing the enormity of its healing power. We are all connected despite the distance! We find strength through each other.”

They even found a way to share their good deeds.

“We have a second grade Kindness Tour Google Classroom,” adds Scotland. “Kids have been posting all types of kindness and deeds on this classroom feed for all to see.

“We know kindness is contagious and we learn from each other,” concludes Scotland. “It was a perfect way to stay connected throughout this journey of kindness.”

Students And Parents Value The Lesson

“Matthew really enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of his friends on twitter and Flipgrid showing their acts of kindness too,” says Chrissy Mangione, mother of second grader Matthew Mangione. “I really enjoyed how well Mrs. Scotland and the other second grade teachers still provided ways for the kids to spread kindness at home through different activities.”

Adds Matthew Mangione: “My favorite activity was singing our kindness songs and sharing them to Flipgrid.”

For his Flipgrid, he says “I wore my love your melon hat and sang “Andy Grammar’s “Don’t Give Up On Me” and then for Mr. King’s music class, we sang “Count On Me.”

He also “wrote a letter of thanks to his dad’s best friend Todd, who has been in the Marines for 19 years,” says his mom.

“Matthew helped out a lot at home during kindness week,” she says. “He read a lot of books to his little sister, helped clean up the playroom and helped unload the dishwasher. He wrote a letter to his grandparents, who live in Florida, to tell them he really misses them and is thinking about them. He drew pictures of rainbows and thank you messages to healthcare workers, first responders, and all essential workers to hang in our windows.

“His two favorite things were when he helped pick out some inspirational messages and we wrote them in chalk on the sidewalk for neighbors to read, and when he helped bake banana bread muffins and then brought them over to some neighbors,” adds Chrissy Mangione.

He learned “That when you do nice things, it makes people smile and happy,” she says. “The kindness tour was something Matthew, and I’m sure all of the second grade class, had been looking forward to since they were in kindergarten. It was unfortunate they couldn’t physically do the tour together, as planned, but I hope others had as much fun as Matthew did spreading kindness from their homes.”

Local Businesses Serve Community During Crisis

By Cheryl Conway

Despite the sting they have felt, whether they have temporarily closed their doors or have seen a drastic decline in their customers, local businesses have not turned their back on the community.

Many businesses, as well as members of the community, have gone above and beyond during this time of crisis, whether it is donating food, producing and delivering medical and cleaning supplies, providing financial dollars and even free services.

Mt. Olive Online has joined in this effort by offering free advertising space in its online publication to all area and local businesses. Email editor@mtoliveonline.today for more information.

“The COVIID-19 crisis has challenged us all,” says Councilman Gregory Stewart. “With the senior and community-at-risk individuals, the efforts of the greater community of Mt. Olive are delivering in an inspiring manner. With the medical professionals- from the township, Atlantic Health and Hackettstown Medical Center requesting assistance from the community for desperately needed items, for our healthcare, first responders and our at-risk and needy individuals- our community is responding.

“The Mt. Olive Area Businesses and our community at large have bonded together in an unbelievable and heartwarming manner,” continues Stewart, who has been reaching out to local businesses to compile “some terrific efforts. We have a great community!”

Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Rob Greenbaum says, “I am always grateful for the incredible generosity of our residents, especially during this crisis which necessarily requires us to isolate from the rest of the community. Time and time again the residents have stepped up to donate and volunteer to help others who require our help. May God bless them all.”

Continue reading to learn about some of businesses who opened their doors to help others during this pandemic.

Jersey Girl Brewing donated 100 lbs. of rolled oats to the Mount Olive Pantry because there was a shortage of hot cereal in the pantry donations.

“The rolled oats used in brewing are, as some say, better than the oats you would eat from the store,” notes Stewart. The pantry, with approval from the Mt. Olive Health Department, repackaged the larger bag into smaller packages for distribution to many families in need. They have also provided additional refrigeration space to the pantry to preserve donated perishable food.

Cracker Barrel in Mt Arlington donated a truck-full of fresh vegetables, fresh potatoes, and milk cartons of various types (whole, reduced fat and chocolate) to support the pantry’s families in need.

A group of local firms, led by Mike McCort, Amish Mikes, Nisarg Vora, CEO Alpine Health, and Harry Browne, Financial & Insurance, combined forces to deliver gloves and hand sanitizer to support Hackettstown Medical Center’s efforts.

County College of Morris in Randolph working with the Morris County OEM, sent three ventilators to Morristown Medical and has been operating as a drive-up testing location since March 30. It has recently expanded its testing services to Sussex County residents.

Robertet USA is providing hand sanitizer for the hospital and first responders, having produced more than 400 gallons of the product.

“This has been donated to the community at large, first responders, the hospital and our medical experts,” says Stewart. “As an essential business, Robertet USA continues to operate at full capacity at our N.J. facilities, providing important materials for the cleaning, sanitizing and food industries. Corporate headquarters in Grasse, France has also provided several hundreds of gallons of such products for their local community.”

Givaudan Fragrance in Mt. Olive continues to operate at full capacity as a supplier of essential materials used in medicinal, cleaning, sanitizing and personal hygiene products. It has also partnered with the Personal Care Products Council to produce hand sanitizer on an emergency basis to support the critical shortage of this material for first responders and critical medical facilities.

In addition, Givaudan corporately has made a commitment of $1 million through the Givaudan Foundation to support communities around the world who are impacted by the pandemic. It is already producing hand sanitizer in Switzerland to support urgent needs in Europe.

Fratelli Beretta USA and Simone Bocchini, made a large donation of their exclusive meats and products to help the Mt. Olive Pantry, the community in need and Hackettstown Medical Center’s staff.

U.S. Eulogistic, one of the world’s leading importers of protective gear, Yuki Zhang, is working with Mt. Olive Township to donate safety eyewear, safety masks, eye protectors, sterile gowns, surgical gloves and regular masks to support the first responders and health care community in the area.

The Kiwanis Club of Mt. Olive has created an on-line fundraiser through Facebook and is matching the first $1,000. It continues to collect food donations from the community donation points throughout the township, for the Mt. Olive Pantry for families in need.

The team at RE/MAX Heritage continues to collect donations supporting the Mt. Olive Pantry and HMC-AHC requests.

GIM Sewing & Crafts and Gail Mauer have been sewing masks for donation.

TRONEX and Donald Chu has donated masks, gloves and need medical equipment.

Siemens-Healthineers continues to operate at full capacity manufacturing critically needed healthcare equipment.

Mt. Olive Twp., Lisa Brett and Mayor Greenbaum, have been coordinating and managing the over 100 volunteers that are delivering food and medicine to the senior and needy in the community. Some of the key suppliers include: Smith’s Ace Hardware in Chester; Rich Smith Bubba Koos; Branda’s Italian Grill-Claude Branda; the Walmart ITC; and Ed with Budd Lake Bagels, just to name a few.

The Mt. Olive Pantry volunteers continue to serve the many families in need as they manage the donations, preserve, refrigerate and distribute the food baskets for the families and elderly in need, during this challenging crisis.

Mt. Olive High School Teachers David Bodmer and Jen Kalkunte, working with Megan Boyd and Matthew Dunster, have been producing face shields for the surrounding hospitals (Dover, Hackettstown, and Newton) as well as delivering food in partnership with the school system and the Mt. Olive Pantry.

Virtual Exercise instructors

HARS GETS HOPPING

With more than 20 years as a group fitness instructor, Laura Hars of Budd Lake has been teaching virtual classes every day since the facilities she taught at closed in March.

As founder of Mt. Olive Exercise offered through Mt. Olive Recreation, and a Step instructor at Gold’s Gym in Flanders, Hars has motivated hundreds of women over the years to exercise. When Mt. Olive Recreation halted her program and Gold’s Gym closed, Hars jumped into the virtual world of exercise.

She has been using the Zoom app to live-stream her exercise classes, “Once a day, seven days a week,” she says.

Hars is able to maintain her class size, from an average of eight people with the town program and up to 18 people at Gold’s, since Zoom allows numerous people to join in. Her virtual class size, however, does not seem to dissuade her; she has been getting anywhere from two to 10 people.

“I invite over 20 people - mostly female,” says Hars, with the ages ranging from 17 to over 60.

Variety is key to keeping her attendees engaged. Hars alternates her classes daily to include: Step & Tone; Cardio Mix featuring step, aerobics and kickbox; Circuit HIIT class also usually with strength training; Buts & Guts; and Pilates.

While other apps and methods exist to teach virtual classes, Hars prefers to use Zoom because it is “very easy to use,” she says. She uses “a small room in my basement,” to teach and uses a step, exercise band, weights and mat as key equipment.

When asked how much she is getting paid to teach these classes, Hars replies, “Nothing.”

Currently, she is not in it to make money.

“I love to exercise, and I love to teach,” says Hars. “I want to motivate people to stay active. I believe exercising helps fight depression and many people are becoming depressed during this difficult time.”

When asked what her challenges are with teaching at home, Hars says, “Less space and not being able to see people while I am teaching - I don't know if they are following me, I can't see their facial expressions. Also, the Zoom app is meant to be a meeting app so using it from 10-12 feet away is challenging. The audio quality is not the same as you are far away from the speaker. I also think the video quality is not the same. I have had to do a lot of research to figure out how to improve the sound quality so you can hear my music and hear me speak.”

Despite the stay-at-home orders that went into effect in New Jersey on March 21, Hars sees fit to continue exercising.

“It's always important to exercise but now people need a diversion as this Covid-19 is very depressing,” says Hars. “At least with the Zoom meetings we all talk to each other before class starts and usually when it ends. We even had a Zoom happy hour.”

She offers her advice to others on why they should exercise: “Stay active to avoid weight gain and also to stay "heart healthy.” Exercise is proven to increase endorphins and elevate your mood. People always feel better after a good workout.”

Hars invites others to Zoom on into her classes by emailing her at lmhars@gmail.com.

Cirillo Double Dips

Linda Cirillo of Stanhope has been teaching, not one, but two virtual classes a day.

As a group fitness instructor since 2008, Cirillo taught at a variety of locations before the gyms shut down, which include: Mt. Olive Recreation; Crunch Stanhope and Morristown; Transformation Fitness in Mt. Arlington; Heath Village in Hackettstown; Retro Fitness in Kenvil; and Kids in Motion in Whippany.

All were shut down from Covid-19, but Cirillo did not.

“I have been teaching two classes per day online, walking 45 minutes outside and doing my own floor exercises,” says Cirillo.

“I have been using the Zoom app,” says Cirillo. “I like that this app is completely free to use for 40 minutes or less. This is very important now since so many of us are not bringing in any money. I also like using it because it is very easy to navigate.”

With 11 online classes per week, Cirillo gets an average size class of six to 12 depending on the type of class and the time of day.

“I get about four to six participants in the morning and about eight to ten in the evening,” she says. “I invite about 50 Facebook friends, About 15 from Mt. Olive, and about 10 from a texting group. A large percent of these contacts are people who come to the gyms for my classes. The ages range from about 17 to about 75. Usually all female. Although, I have seen the occasional husband in the background join in!”

Her classes vary.

“In the morning I have been teaching Pilates, Iron Mat, Cardio Sculpt, Abs and Chisel,” says Cirillo. “In the evenings I have been alternating Zumba and Zumba Toning.”

Her greatest challenge has been lacking space to move and groove.

“I have been teaching class in my living room,” says Cirillo. “My biggest challenge with teaching from home is, I am in my living room and I don't live alone! My family has had to stay out while I am teaching.

“Hopefully, the weather will warm up and I will bring the laptop outside to teach,” she says.

Like Hars, Cirillo says “I am not being compensated,” but that is OK.

“I am teaching these classes for free because most of the people taking them are not working right now,” she reasons. “They need to have some distraction from the current situation.”

Exercising during this time can only help.

“It is more important than ever to exercise now,” says Cirillo. “We need to keep our bodies healthy and strong to fight off this virus should we contract it. Also, physical exercise is good for mental health too. It helps to keep your mind clear and your focus on something other than the problems of the world for a little while. It is also a great way for people to spend some time together without worry. We are social. It is important for us to get together.

“My advice is, keep up your exercise as much as you can right now,” says Cirillo. “If your mind and body are strong, you will make better decisions, help you to stay healthy and help you fight off illness. Also, it will keep you going. Keep you on somewhat of schedule.”

To take a class with Cirillo, email adnilc27@gmail.com.

Cardio And Dance-Orama

Eneida Orama, 54, of Morris County keeps on dancing and staying fit despite the shut-down.

Exercise has been her way of life for the past 10 years as a popular instructor at multiple locations including: YMCA in Randolph; Riverside Health & Fitness in Hackettstown; 24 Hour Fitness and New Jersey Gym in Ledgewood.

With average class sizes of 20-60 before the gyms closed, Orama has been getting an average of 35 people attend her virtual classes. She invites “All teenage and adult age groups, both male and female attend. I can have up to 99 in each class.”

She has been teaching 10 classes a week also using the Zoom App, right from her “recreational living room.”

It’s “Easy to use,” she agrees.

Dance Fitness and Cardio Mix/Toning or HITT class is her repertoire.

Like the other instructors, Orama teaches virtually not for the money but for the love of exercise.

“I do my classes pro-bono,” says Orama. “All I ask people that attend is to “pay it forward.”

She explains: “I have been one to always help those in need. I am blessed that this pandemic has not affected me financially. However, it has affected others. Plus, so many are struggling with depression and sadness during these difficult times.

“I am teaching to help those with their mind, body and soul,” says Orama. “This way we can all be physically, mentally and emotionally stable, especially during this crisis. The classes help me as much as I may be helping others.”

It is important to exercise right now in order “To stay healthy and strong enough and build your immune system and stamina and strengthen your lungs so that you can fight COVID-19 if you were attacked by it.”

When it comes to exercise, Orama has had her share of struggle, but with determination, she overcame her obstacles.

“A little over a year ago I became paralyzed from neck to toe after I underwent neck surgery,” shares Orama. “I went from ICU, to rehabilitation center to rehab at Saint Clare’s for months. I went from being bedridden to a wheelchair, a walker, a cane to where I am today. And I did this, because I did not give up on myself. It wasn’t easy but I worked at it. I started off with baby steps and moved my way up. I noticed my body getting stronger and stronger. My stamina was becoming more resistant. But I am proud of myself because I did it. I believed in myself and so can you. All you need to do is try. And as hard as it may be, never ever give up. Eventually you will succeed. The important thing here is not how you look, but how you feel. That is what will make you or break you!”

Orama’s advice motivates others to step up and take action.

“Stop feeling sorry for yourself!” says Orama. “Stop putting excuses! Where there is a will there is a way! And stop being lazy! Only you have the power to take charge of your body! Start today!”

Orama has invited others to take her classes on Zoom. They can reach her via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eneida.orama; or email zumbawitheneida@hotmail.com.

Virtual Council Meeting Focuses On Virus And More Poop

Social Distancing at Turkey Brook Park; photo by Skylar Conway

By Cheryl Conway

Maintaining social distancing at the parks, expanding communication methods to residents and cleaning up after dog “poop” were some of the main topics officials discussed during the second virtual Mt. Olive Twp. Council meeting.

Held Tuesday, April 14, through the Zoom App, council members dealt with business as usual, passing 11 resolutions and two ordinances on first reading.

One ordinance involves the acquisition of 17.93 acres of the Turkey Brook Park extension, which will be used for passive recreation. The ordinance approved a sum of $300K which is made up of $25K from the Open Space Trust Fund of Mt. Olive; and $275K from Morris County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

The other ordinance is the amendment to salaries for additional compensation to the public health nurse not to exceed $95K for working beyond the normal scheduled work week during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Councilman Alex Roman inquired about saliva testing that began through Rutgers University for the coronavirus to see if the township can coordinate with the county to provide that to Mt. Olive Twp. police, personnel and first responders.

“Can we coordinate with the county?” asks Roman, who also questions the number of local employees who have been tested and which department they are with.

Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko says it is being offered through the county level right now.

“It’s not a high amount of employees at this point,” who have needed testing says Tatarenko. Also, a person needs to have symptoms as well as a prescription in order to be tested.

Increased Communication

For residents who do not use Facebook for information, an email blast will be sent out weekly, on Fridays, to inform the community on any updates. Residents can sign up to receive a weekly email through the Mt. Olive Recreation Community Pass page; there will also be a link on the mayor’s Facebook page; and information is also being posted on the township website.

“The Mayor’s Office is currently working on a weekly e-newsletter to help disseminate information about COVID-19,” says Tatarenko. “Our Community Pass/Constant Contact platform through the Recreation Department will be used. If you are currently registered with Community Pass, you do not need to do anything as this newsletter will be automatically sent to you. If you would like to sign up for the Mayor’s e-newsletter only, please use the link below to create an account: https://register.communitypass.net/mountolive."

photo by Eli Conway

Overcrowding At Parks

Colleen Labow raised the concern about overcrowding at local parks during COVID 19 in regards to the order for social distancing. She says a resident contacted her with a complaint saying she had witnessed “overcrowding at Turkey Brook Park. I’m looking at these people walking side by side on paths,” the resident told her.

“The last thing we want to do is close the parks,” says Labow.

Greenbaum disagrees and says he does not see it as a problem.

He says he visits Turkey Brook Park “two to three times a day. I haven’t seen an overcrowding situation. I’m very sensitive to the overcrowding. I can’t see a problem at this point. There are some instances; you may have some younger residents running together, maybe three abreast,” but notices that anyone on the path does step aside. There is nothing “that I’ve seen as problematic.

“I don’t see it; I haven’t seen it,” Greenbaum says, adding that “social guidelines are being conformed with. Nobody wants to have the parks shut down. I have seen that the fields are not being used.

“I’m not overly concerned,” says Greenbaum. “If I were, I’d shut it down. People for the most part are being respectful. The park is fine as it is; we will continue to monitor it. We have enough issues on our plate.”

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

photo by Eli Conway

Dog Feces

Labow received another complaint in regards to residents not picking up their dog’s “poop.” There is “dog feces all over the place,” the resident complained, pointing out one street in the Cloverhill Development, Flanders Crossing and neighborhood streets.

“I just don’t know what we can do about it,” says Labow. “It’s one of those things. Come on people! Get with the program. Clean up after yourself.”

In regards to dog feces, Greenbaum says “I’m not going to close the park to dogs. People are home, their exercise program is to walk the dogs. Dog poop has always been a problem. Clean up after your dog; keep your dogs tethered on leashes. Some people pick up poop and leave them in bags,” on the ground to be picked up.

“The fact that they don’t clean up after them is disgusting,” says Greenbaum. “It’s inappropriate. Anyone who gets caught doing it should receive a citation.”

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

By Cheryl Conway

During his Zoom meetup this past Tuesday, April 14, U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-7, commended Mt. Olive and Warren Hills high schools for fabricating 15,000 face shields in their innovation labs and donating them to front-line workers and health care professionals.

Malinowski called the face shield donation an “act of kindness and solidarity. That was a big donation. It really makes a difference. We are going to beat this and hopefully come out of this even stronger,” he said during his Congress In Your Kitchen event at 4 p.m. with Morris County residents in virtual attendance.

“We are all hands-on deck,” Malinowski said in his closing remarks. He said he wants to “pay tribute for all of you for being part of this effort to beat this pandemic.”

Malinowski gave an update in regards to COVID-19, spoke and answered questions on various topics such as the federal response to the public health crisis, legislation on the Care’s Act stimulus package and for small business owners, funding he has secured for health care organizations’ supplies and testing sites that he has been advocating for in Morris County, health insurance and even voting by mail.

“All of us know somebody who’s been impacted,” said Malinowski. “We are at the peak,” with over 68K positive cases in the United States with more than 2,800 who have died in the U.S., including 200 from Morris County. Due to the shortage of testing, he said “true numbers are higher.”

Malinowski stressed the importance of staying at home to help save lives.

“Staying at home can be frustrating, can be isolating,” he sympathized. But “what we are doing is saving lives,” he said, by enabling frontline providers to do their jobs without being overwhelmed. He said the residents are “part of an American collective effort to defeat a common enemy.”

Malinowski said “It is working.” He based this on the number of ventilators that have not increased in the past few days adding that the past week “stayed steady.” With that, he thanked everybody “who’s part of this common effort.”

More Testing And Economic Help

The congressman then spoke about the importance of testing and the need to help people survive this economically.

He said people are “not going to resume normal life until we have enough testing.” He mentioned the drive thru testing in Morris County and said he has “worked really hard to get us to this point.” There has been a struggle in getting medical equipment that these places need such as masks, gloves, “basic things that you would think our healthcare supply would have,” but “our system,” does not.

The other area of need is financial support to residents, to “help people survive this economically. If your income is drying up, we need to help you.”

To help meet that need, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus package began this past week with the first checks going out via Direct Deposit.

Congress and President Donald Trump recently enacted a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus law to fight the nationwide financial impact of the coronavirus by sending many Americans $1,200 checks, increasing funding for unemployment benefits and offering small businesses money to pay their employees.

Malinowski spoke about the need to provide more financial support to hospitals and municipal governments.

“We don’t want Morris County to go broke; we don’t want Dover nor Mt. Olive to go broke. There’s a lot more that needs to be done.”

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

Q&A

After his talk, Malinowski opened up his meeting for questions.

One woman asked why PPE’s were seized from a nursing home that her sister works at. She questioned why hospitals are the priority in regard to providing medical supplies while nursing homes are being shunned.

Nursing homes are next, they are not first, and it is definitely a piece missing in the puzzle, they agreed as a problem. PPE’s have been based on need.

Another attendee inquired about the upcoming election and said that all voters should be allowed to mail in their ballots.

“All of us have a stake in an incredible election,” the caller said, one that can not be postponed in November. The “only safe and secure way to do this is vote by mail; we have that in New Jersey; every state should have it.”
Malinowski responded saying “I will fight this until I got no fight left in me.”

Another caller named Lisa also expressed her concern about voter registration and the November election.

“This will be a great excuse for them not to vote,” Lisa said, adding that she is appreciative that N.J. offers mail in voting, “but we don’t make it really easy. No one’s going to do this if they’re really engaged.” She suggested mailing every voter a mail-in ballot. With everyone’s busy life, what can we do to make it easier?”

Malinowski said, “I totally agree with you,” But “it’s the governor and state legislature, you got to talk to them. We should be making this simple.”

He said Trump said, “Voting by mail is corrupt,” but he votes by mail, his family votes by mail, four states allow voting by mail, military votes by mail.

“People want to vote, they want to be healthy, they don’t want to die,” said Malinowski, adding that he tried to get a bill passed in March by the federal government that allows all vote-by-mail for the 2020 general election, but it was turned down.

“We are moving in that direction; we are just not moving fast enough,” said Malinowski. Some people want to move toward the traditional method with paper ballots saying it is more secure than online voting.

Shelly Morningstar of Flanders posed the question about purchasing healthcare through the Affordable Care Act if one has lost their job from COVID-19. She said she joins 1,000’s who are now unemployed and are left without health insurance.

“It’s a product I’m purchasing,” said Morningstar. She asked if Malinowski could help move that forward, “to open up the exchange. A lot of people who are unemployed, we are definitely at risk.”

Malinowski responded by saying “We’ve asked for an open enrollment period. It reminds us of the holes in our healthcare system.”

While people are being allowed to be tested for free, as insurance companies have waived co-pays for COVID-19 testing, the issue still remains for individuals who need to be tested or treated for other illness such as cancer or diabetes, he said.

“We are not there,” said Malinowski and agreed that a system is needed to allow anyone the option to buy into healthcare. He said this “would drive down rates, give more options.” There “should be an unlimited enrollment period. I’m still going to advocate here with Gov. Murphy” for anyone who is unemployed.”

Local and county news

Stay Informed In Mt. Olive- Sign Up Today

The Mt. Olive Township Mayor’s Office is currently working on a weekly e-newsletter to help disseminate information about COVID-19. Its Community Pass/Constant Contact platform through the Recreation Department will be used. If you are currently registered with Community Pass, you do not need to do anything as this newsletter will be automatically sent to you. If you would like to sign up for the Mayor’s e-newsletter only, please use the link below to create an account: https://register.communitypass.net/mountolive. Once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, the e-newsletter will continue to be used for various topics of interest.

Freeholders Provide Emergency Funds To Food Pantries

The Morris County Board of Freeholders has approved a $28,000 COVID-19 emergency allocation to assist four major food pantries that provide nourishment on a daily basis to many hundreds of in-need residents and families across Morris County.

These food providers are dealing with increased requests for assistance during this current crisis and are hard pressed to meet the demands, especially as churches and social and civic groups that are important providers of donations are closed during this crisis.

County allocations of $7,000 apiece have been approved unanimously by the Freeholder Board for the Interfaith Food Pantry, Nourish NJ, Table of Hope, and Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry in Dover. The money is to be used by each organization to help meet its most pressing needs.

The four major food pantries that are getting county funding also help provide supplies to smaller soup kitchens that operate in towns across the county.

“Residents in Morris County, like elsewhere in the nation, are struggling due to this crisis; many are unemployed and trying care for their families,’’ said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith. “Many are turning to food pantries for help, so we wanted to assist them to help our residents.”

Added Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, “Our food pantries and soup kitchens provide such an important service to our county community, no more so than now when so many families are worried about when they will get their next paycheck and how to provide for their loved ones.”

Many working families are down to one or no paychecks, and no income, but have to pay rents and mortgages and utility bills. They also may be having food insecurity, something food pantries and soup kitchens can help remedy during this period DeFillippo said.

She also suggested that county residents consider reaching out to older or disabled residents or others in need during this crisis and consider shopping for them when they go to supermarkets, so they can stay safely away from potential contamination.

Food pantries and soup kitchens across the county are asking for food and volunteer and monetary donations. The following is a list, with contact information:

Boonton:

Boonton Food Pantry 973-402-9419 ext.634

Evengel Church of God 973-263-1787

Women's Infants and Children's Clinic (WIC) 800-427-3244

Butler:

United Methodist Church 973-838-2026

St. Anthony's Church 973-838-0031

Chester:

Chester Food Pantry 973-879-2548

Denville:

Denville Food Pantry 973-625-8300 ext.269

St. Clare's Meals on Wheels 973-625-6010

Dover:

First Memorial Presbyterian Church 973-366-0216

Women's Infants and Children's Clinic (WIC) 800-427-3244

First United Methodist Church 973-366-1804

Grace United Methodist Church 973-366-3681

Salvation Army 973-366-0764 or 973-366-0875

St. Mary's Parish 973-366-0184

Faith Kitchen and Food Pantry at Trinity Lutheran Church 973-366-2821

Florham Park:

Holy Family Church 973-377-7190

Hanover Twp.:

First Presbyterian Church of Whippany 973-887-2197

Jefferson:

Milton United Methodist Church 973-697-3194

Star of the Sea R.C. Church 973-663-0211

Hurdtown United Methodist Church 973-663-1216

Lincoln Park:

Lincoln Park Municipal Building 973-694-6100

Madison:

Meals on Wheels 973-593-3095

Mine Hill:

Township Municipal Building 973-366-9031 ext. 62

Montville:

Kiwanis Food Pantry 973-216-7649

Morris County (and regional):

Table of Hope 973-267-8912

Interfaith Food Pantry 973-538-8049 ext. 12

Nourish NJ 973-267-0709

Trinity Lutheran Church 973-366-2821

Morris Plains:

Interfaith Food Pantry 973-538-8049 ext. 12

Morristown:

Hendrickson Smith Food Pantry 973-455-9802

Meals on Wheels 973-538-2160 ext.211

Table of Hope 973-267-8912

Nourish NJ 973-267-0709

Interfaith Food Pantry 973-538-8049 ext. 12

Women's Infants and Children's Clinic (WIC) 800-427-3244

Market Street Mission 973-538-0431

7th Day Adventist Church 973-984-2970

Salvation Army 973-539-2700

Mount Olive:

St. Eliz Ann Seaton Parish 973-927-1629

Abiding Peace Lutheran Church 973-691-9393

Netcong:

United Methodist Church of Stanhope 973-347-0247

Parsippany:

Parsippany Christian Church 973-335-6387

St. Peter's Food Pantry 973-334-2090

Parsippany Food Pantry 973-263-7163

Pequannock: First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains 973-835-1144

Randolph:

Bethlehem Church 973-366-3434

Rockaway:

Rockaway Food Closet 973-627-1059

Roxbury Twp.:

Municipal Building 973-448-2026

Washington Twp,:

Drakestown United Methodist Church 908-852-4460 or 908-319-4734

Long Valley Presbyterian Church 908-876-3471

If there are other food pantries or soup kitchens in Morris County, please email lragonese@co.morrisnj.us.

Two Access Roads Open To Non-Profit and Govt. Sites

Though Central Park of Morris County is closed due to the COVID-19 crisis, nonprofit, hospital and county government agencies, including a major food pantry located off the main road running through the county park are still accessible. However, clients only can reach them via two roads leading into the park.

Agencies or groups include:

The Arc/Morris

Interfaith Food Pantry

New Jersey AIDS Services

Family Promise of Morris County

Saint Clare’s Behavioral Health Services

Morris-Sussex-Warren Employment Training Center

Offices of the Morris County Department of Human Services.

All are located adjacent to Central Park in Parsippany, at the Morris Plains border.

Clients or patrons only can enter the park via:

Gov. Chris Christie Drive, from West Hanover Avenue in Morris Township;

Evans Drive, from Old Dover Road in Parsippany.

All other access roads to Central Park are closed and monitored by Morris County Park Police.

Residents or clients should contact an agency by telephone or email prior to visiting. Check out their websites for more information.

Central Park and all Morris County Park Commission parks, trails, grounds, and facilities are closed by Executive Order of Gov. Phil Murphy.

Library Goes Virtual For Kids

Virtual Storytime: Do your kids miss Storytime and coming to the library? Tune in Monday through Friday to see all of the Children's Room Librarians reading stories on Facebook and Instagram.

Buzz's Spring Reading Challenge: Are your kids looking for a fun challenge, that could also brighten up your home? Take part in Buzz's Spring Reading Challenge and help Buzz grow flowers all over Mt. Olive. Printable reading logs and flower coloring pages can be found online at www.mopl.org/youth.

Morris County Sounds The Alarm for Help

Morris County is putting out an emergency call for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical professionals who are available during this COVID-19 health crisis to sign up for paid openings at healthcare facilities across Morris County that are short of qualified medical personnel and looking to hire people immediately.

The County Office of Emergency Management has created Operation Save-a-Life, which will develop a roster of available medical personnel and provide that list to healthcare facilities, or for home health care providers, that are short-staffed due to the virus and in dire need of employment help.

“Nursing homes, assisted living, long-term care, and rehabilitation facilities across Morris County are working hard to take care of their patients and residents,” said Morris County Emergency Management Director Jeff Paul. “But many are desperately in need of qualified people and struggling to fill staff shortages that are making it difficult to maintain a quality level of care for patients in need.

“Now, more than ever, we need to sound the alarm and do our best to support our healthcare facilities who are working hard to keep their patients safe and to help save their lives,” he added.

To sign up for these critical jobs through Operation Save-a-Life, and help some of the most vulnerable people during this pandemic, qualified medical personnel are asked to call the Morris County Office of Emergency Management at (973) 829-8600.

For those who do not speak directly with a call taker and get the OEM voice mail recording, please leave name, contact number and medical certification (i.e. Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, etc.). One of the Office of Emergency Management staff members will return calls within 24-48 hours.

“We are talking about protecting some of our most vulnerable people, our senior citizens and disabled residents, many are older veterans or former police and firemen who long ago served on the front lines protecting us; now they need our help,’’ said Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon.

“Please, we need your help right now,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Deborah Smith. “On behalf of all Morris County residents, we ask you to consider filling this great need.’

County OEM officials have spoken to healthcare providers across Morris County to identify this need, and are reaching out to RNs, LPNs, and others in the medical field to see if they can match the need with available personnel. Those who are hired would be paid directly by the individual facility.

The New Jersey Firemen’s Home, located in Boonton, is one example of a facility that needs help caring for its 62 patients/firefighters, who are in danger of possibly having to be moved from their safe location due to a lack of staff.

“We love our firemen, and we don’t want them to leave our facility, but at the same time, we need to make sure that they are provided with the same level of exceptional care that they are accustomed to here at the New Jersey Firemen’s Home,” said Donna Russo, Director of Nursing for the New Jersey Firemen’s Home. “We welcome healthcare providers, RN’s, LPN’s, to join our team.”

Local Restaurants Are Offering Takeout and Food Delivery During COVID-19. Click on link below.

http://online.flipbuilder.com/rppx/eejp/

Letting Go And Accepting Current Reality

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

We are all living through a time that we have no idea what will happen next or how to handle it. This makes us feel a lack of control, feelings of panic, anxiety and fear.

We know change is the only constant in the world but it doesn’t mean we like it or that it doesn’t cause added fear and stress.

We know the only control we have is ourselves and how we react and respond to situations.

With this information there are a few things we can do to feel better through these uncertain times.

1. Let go- I know this sounds funny but when we have no control, the only control we can find is to make the decision to let go and accept the situation as is. This doesn’t mean to give up. It means accepting where you are this moment.

Remember letting go and accepting is a conscious choice. It’s a decision you make which gives you some control. Truly accepting means releasing the resistance. Resistance =stress.

When we hold on to the stress, we get stuck in the negativity and become paralyzed by fear so instead let’s accept.

2. Can and Can't Control - this is when we look at the actions we are taking and ask do we have control over them? For example: I have no control over the virus, physical distancing/isolation and working from home but I do have control of how I spend my time at home, what my morning routine looks like, etc. You can't control the external (what’s going on around you) but you can control internal (how you perceive the situation, what information you take in on a daily basis, being grateful).

You can control how much time you spend on social media, how much TV/News you watch and what you do with your free time.

Remember - we don't have any control over others. It’s also not your job or responsibility to solve anyone's problems or make anyone happy.

We can try to help or give advice but everyone is in control of their own life.

3. We have the ability to de-stress. This is a time you look through your emotional toolbox and pick the tools that work best for you. Your emotional toolbox should be filled with a variety of different mindfulness techniques such as exercise, walking, sitting in nature, yoga, journal writing, deep breathing, music, hot bath, etc. Which tools help you self-soothe? Calm you and help you feel good? Clear your mind and bring you to the here and now? We feel our best when we are in the moment.

4. What little things could you do daily that will make you feel better? Give you a sense of normalcy? Routine/schedule? It could be as simple as a morning routine that includes making your bed, taking a shower and getting out of your pj's. It could be spending 15 minutes outside everyday. It could be taking a walk everyday. Figure out what works for you?

What things are you doing that are making you feel worse? Are you watching too much news? Binge watching shows all day and not doing anything productive or creative? Are you eating unhealthy? Isolating in your house? Too much alcohol? Caffeine or sugar?

Pay attention to the unhealthy ways we can cope.

5. Are your basic needs met? Make sure your taking care of yourself. Are you getting enough sleep? Drinking plenty of water? Eating healthy? Exercising? Meditating?

6. Support System - know who is your support system, people who you love and love you unconditionally. People you feel comfortable talking with. Watch your conversations, don't let them be a constant stream of negativity. Yes, right now things are tough but stay focused on the big picture. This situation is temporary.

7. Resiliency- look at all the past trauma's and bad situations you have been through in the past. Write down your top three toughest situations that you have gone through. How did you face these situations? What coping skills did you use? Who was you support system?

What made you feel better - problem solving, talking it out, writing it out, doing research, etc. Use your past situations as a reminder that you have survived tough situations before and even thrived. Use the past coping skills/strategies that worked before.

8.When making decisions during this time of crisis, ask yourself this important question: Is my decision based on love or fear?

When decisions are based on fear they are decisions made impulsively, ego based, not well thought out and based on anger, hurt, etc.

Sometimes the best thing to do is not make any decisions till you accept where you are, let go of the stress/resistance and find clarity.

For more information please visit: www.dlcounseling.com or email Diane at DLCounseling2014@gmail.com

Opinions and letters to Editor

Group Home Director Tells Of Pandemic’s Impact

Submitted by Executive Director Bill Testa, Arc Morris

The Arc/Morris opened its first group home for people with developmental disabilities in 1983. From the very beginning, our work was predicated on providing normal homelike environments. In the years since, assisted by local officials and caring people in neighborhoods throughout Morris County, development continued. Today, The Arc/Morris provides housing and services for more than 120 adults. We are your neighbors. We are also a crucial part of the non-institutional long-term care system in New Jersey.

And then there was a pandemic.

One morning, a group home resident was discovered by staff to have fallen out of bed. An ambulance was called, and he was taken to the hospital. The next day, he was diagnosed positive for corona virus. The news hit like a ton of bricks. And so began a whirlwind of activity to try to meet the incredible challenge of supporting adults with developmental disabilities in group homes and apartments across Morris County.

The day programs we also operate were closed in early March. But you can’t close someone’s home. And you can’t leave adults with developmental disabilities alone for 14 days to shelter in place. Our residents require 24/7 supervision and support. And that means daily, round-the-clock staffing. Just like in a nursing home. Only we’re not a nursing home. Our facilities provide long-term care, but are not classified as health-care facilities.

We recognized immediately that we needed to provide resources to staff who were being called upon to risk their own safety to continue to provide for the needs of our residents. We needed personal protective equipment (PPE). So, we reached out to officials in the state agency that oversees operations such as ours. Response at the state level has been modest, at best; they issued guidelines, and urged us to be creative. Fortunately, our local, county and legislative officials went beyond that. They listened, and appreciated the immediacy of our need. They helped us to begin to acquire PPE for staff. That has enabled us to start to make a stand against this virus.

But our staff are the true heroes of this crisis. Lacking the full preparation and resources that we would have preferred, our direct care workers have become front-line essential health care workers. Despite the fear of direct impact from the virus, they continue to come to work every day, because they remain committed to their residents. They are battling to sustain this very fragile system of care. It is a battle that continues to this day.

William Testa is the executive director of The Arc/Morris, Morris County’s oldest non-profit organization committed to the care, support and advancement of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Letter to the Editor:

Group Home Director Tells Of Pandemic’s Impact

Why are the hiking trails closed and gun shops and liquor stores open? When this is over are we going to return to a society that has unbalanced priorities where the budget is for war instead of human needs and caring for people.

Submitted by Sandra Ramos, founder of Strengthen Our Sisters

Virtual Healing Classes Offered

Miriam Rosenberg, a Reiki master and energy coach, with Royal Healing and Reiki in Succasunna, is offering Virtual Healing Classes.

Reiki is a natural healing technique that utilizes Universal Life Force Energy

She is offering Reiki, Singing Bowl meditations.

On April 19: Reiki Refresher will be offered for anyone who has taken Reiki.

Please inquire about upcoming classes.

Group rates are available.

Contact Rosenberg at

miriamrosenberg555@gmail.com; call 201-650-4709.

College news

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

Nursing Graduate: Jeremy Friedland, a graduate of the County College of Morris Nursing Program, is one of many CCM alumni working on the front line with other health professionals to help COVID-19 patients.

Since their formation, community colleges have seen their communities through many challenging times, including the training of veterans from World War II and the unemployed during the Great Recession of 2007-09. During this current time of crisis, community colleges, their faculty, students, graduates, staff and administration once again are making significant impacts in their communities.

Along with helping students to move forward with their education in an online format, County College of Morris (CCM) is offering assistance to the community to support residents during these challenging times. Since March 30, the campus has been serving as a COVID-19 Testing Center for Morris County in coordination with the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, the Morris County Sheriff’s Department, Morris County Park Police, Randolph Township Police Department and Atlantic Health System. Helping with that effort are staff from CCM’s Departments of Public Safety and Plant and Maintenance, who are serving as traffic directors, site monitors and in other roles as needed.

The college also has donated equipment to Morristown Medical Center, including five ventilators, 325 N95 masks and 3,000 gloves. In addition, at the request of Atlantic Health Systems, the college’s engineering lab coordinator is creating face shields on the college’s 3-D printers for healthcare workers. The shields are being created based on specifications provided by Atlantic Health. The college is able to create about 15 a day.

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

Testing Site: Sheriff James M. Gannon (center) a CCM graduate, and his team monitoring the Morris County COVID-19 testing site at CCM. On the right is CCM President Anthony J. Iacono.

Meanwhile, CCM graduates are working in healthcare facilities throughout the county and region as nurses, respiratory therapists and radiographers.

Included among them are two recent graduates, Jeremy Friedland ’19, of Parsippany, a graduate of the Nursing Program; and Melanie New ’19, of Vernon, a graduate of the Respiratory Therapy Program, both of whom are on the front line of helping COVID-19 patients at Morristown Medical Center. Another is Cassidy Grady ’19, of Lake Hopatcong, a graduate of the Respiratory Therapy Program, a full-time night respiratory therapist at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. CCM has trained approximately half of the nurses and roughly 90 percent of the respiratory therapists who work in Morris County.

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

Distribution Day: CCM employees demonstrating social distancing before the start of the Distribution Day the campus held to provide students and employees with laptops and other needed equipment.

“County College of Morris is proud to support our healthcare providers,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, CCM president. “Many of these individuals are CCM alumni. For this reason, we often say that today’s graduates are tomorrow’s heroes. The men and women who work in health care are literally putting their lives at risk to help others. We are extremely grateful to all of them and appreciate their service and devotion to helping those in need.”

With all classes now online at CCM and the college working remotely, several students and employees found they were lacking the technology to make the transition. To assist them, the college on Saturday, April 4, distributed nearly 40 laptops at a special distribution event staffed by several CCM employees. Also distributed at the event was other equipment students require to continue their classwork, such as art and photography supplies and pottery wheels and clay.

Further supporting students, the CCM Foundation has increased its focus on raising funds for the Titan Emergency Fund. That fund provides students with financial support to meet unexpected expenses, from car repairs, to food, housing, medical and other issues, so they can stay on track to graduate.

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

Morris County, in coordination with Atlantic Health System, has expanded the appointment schedule for the COVID-19 drive-thru testing center for Morris County residents only, located at the County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph.

After the first day of testing ran smoothly on Monday, with 86 appointments at 15-minute intervals, the schedule of appointments was expanded today to more than 200, with shorter intervals.

The Morris County COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Site is located at CCM, Dover Chester Road, Randolph. Residents with appointments must use the Dover Chester Road entrance to access the site: https://goo.gl/maps/gmZBrQSXvyaVc25S7

Residents must show up in a vehicle; must have identification, an appointment and a prescription from a medical provider to access the testing site. It is preferred, for the benefit of the medical volunteers, to have an easy to read printed copy of a medical prescription. However, if there is no alternative, a prescription can be displayed via phone.

For information and to make an appointment visit https://health.morriscountynj.gov/COVIDTesting

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Testing is scheduled between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To be tested, residents MUST:

have a COVID-19 test prescription from a healthcare provider;

read and acknowledge the consent form;

make an appointment.

Persons WILL be turned away if they don’t meet all of these qualifications.

Residents with a prescription can move forward to scheduling an appointment after acknowledging the waiver.

Please sign up for an appointment at: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/COVIDTesting

Registration will begin at 10 a.m. each day for appointments two days in advance.

Residents may not sign up for an appointment until they get a prescription from a healthcare provider. If a resident is symptomatic, call doctor as soon as possible. Visit CDC for information on symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

There is no charge for the test.

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Receives Grant To Launch Data Program

ARRIVING AT THE TESTING CENTER:

ID (any others that have an appointment in same vehicle) and appointment verification for all potential clients will be confirmed before entry is permitted.

NO photographing or video recording is permitted.

Please pay attention to all signage which is in English and Spanish.

ALL vehicle windows must remain CLOSED.

DO NOT ROLL DOWN ANY VEHICLE WINDOW until instructed to do so

Do NOT move forward until instructed to do so.

There are no emergency services available at the testing location. If experiencing a medical emergency, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room or dial 911.

If patient included an email address when scheduling appointment, expect to receive an email within 48 hours on how to obtain test results from the laboratory’s portal.

Questions, call the County Hotline at 973-829-8250, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information on COVID-19 and Morris County’s response, visit https://health.morriscountynj.gov/coronavirus.

CCM Drive-Thru Test Center Expands To Sussex Residents

The COVID-19 drive-thru testing center at County College of Morris in Randolph will begin to accept a select number of Sussex County residents for daily, week-day appointments for the virus testing starting later this week.

While the site will continue to predominantly provide tests for Morris County residents, about 75 appointments will be set aside for people who reside in Sussex County. The remainder of approximately 240 appointments each day will be reserved for Morris County residents who are showing potential signs of having the virus.

Only residents who have a prescription from a doctor or medical provider and have properly signed up for an appointment will be allowed at the testing site.

For information and to make an appointment residents should visit the Morris County Office of Health Management website.

IMPORTANT: To be tested, you must be in a vehicle, must have identification, must have an appointment and must have a prescription — preferably printed — from a medical provider.

The Morris County COVID-19 drive-thru testing site is located at CCM, Center Grove Road, Randolph. Residents with appointments must use the Center Grove Road entrance to access the site.

“We have the availability at this time to allow some of the residents from our neighboring county to be tested for this virus, which knows no political or geographical boundary,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Deborah Smith.

“I appreciate the cooperation and support we are receiving from Morris County during this unprecedented time,” said Sussex County Freeholder Director Sylvia Petillo.

Atlantic Health System, which is Morris County’s main partner in the test site effort, operates Newton Medical Center, which is the largest hospital in Sussex County.

What You Need To Know:

To be tested, residents MUST:

have a COVID-19 test prescription from a healthcare provider

read and acknowledge the consent form

make an appointment

Persons WILL be turned away if they don’t meet these qualifications;

Residents with a prescription can move forward to scheduling an appointment after acknowledging the waiver;

Please sign up for an appointment at

https://health.morriscountynj.gov/COVIDTesting

Residents may not sign up for an appointment until they get a prescription from a healthcare provider. If a resident is symptomatic, call your doctor;

Visit CDC for information on symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-cov/index.html

There is no charge for the test.

CCM Receives Grant To Launch Data Program

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Receives Grant To Launch Data Program

County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph has received a $235,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the launch of a Data Science Certificate program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is a high demand for data scientists, whose work involves managing, analyzing and interpreting large sets of data. The BLS 2018 projections indicated that data science analytic jobs will grow by 34 percent by 2026, much faster than the average for most other industries.

The CCM Data Analytics Certificate will consist of five courses for a total of 15 credits that could be completed over the course of two semesters. Students in the program will learn R, Tableau, Python and SQL. The first course Introduction to Data Science will be offered this fall. One of the chief goals of the new program is to increase the number of women and other under-represented students studying data analytics.

Kelly Fitzpatrick, assistant professor of mathematics at the college, has been spearheading the initiative to provide a pathway to data science careers for Morris County residents and beyond. Prior to joining the CCM faculty, Fitzpatrick worked in hedge fund management as an execution trader with Trigon Investment Advisors. Her other experience includes derivatives and equity strategy at MLC International and credit and global risk management at Lehman Brothers.

“Businesses across all industry sectors, both small and large, are increasingly looking for ways to leverage the era of big-data to make strategic, marketing, sales and other operational decisions,” notes Fitzpatrick. “This grant is a fantastic opportunity to offer students cutting-edge courses for in-demand careers and for the college to be recognized at the national level for advancement in data science education.”

The NSF grant includes funding to support the Women in STEM club at the college, networking and supplemental learning activities for students in the program, and professional development opportunities for faculty.

Individuals interested in the program, first need to apply to the college. Applications can

be submitted online at www.ccm.edu/admissions

County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph has received a $235,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the launch of a Data Science Certificate program.

Individuals interested in the program, first need to apply to the college. Applications can

be submitted online at www.ccm.edu/admissions/. The Admissions office also can be reached at admiss@ccm.edu or 973-328-5100.

Stay On Track On New Career Path At CCM

Registration for summer and fall now taking place.

During these challenging times, it is as important as ever to keep moving forward to ensure your future. As part of that, County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph is here to help students stay on track with their education or to get started on a new pathway to a more rewarding career.

Registration is now open for both the summer and fall. Summer Sessions at CCM provide a convenient way to meet higher education and career goals. Open to CCM students and students from other colleges and universities, choose from a wide selection of courses. Earn a degree. Start a new career path. Explore options. Keep moving forward with 10, seven, five and three week sessions.

Summer classes start as early as May 26 with a total of five sessions being offered, making it easier for to earn some more credit. Classes in the first two sessions, Early 5 and 10 Week, will be offered completely online.

Early 5 Week: May 26 – June 27, online classes only

10 Week: June 1 – August 8, online classes only

Late 5 Week: June 29 – August 1

7 Week: June 30 – August 15

3 Week: August 3 – August 22

Courses offered this summer at CCM cover a range of general education requirements and disciplines such as the arts, humanities, science, business, engineering, health and more.

The Fall Semester at CCM begins on September 9. At CCM, students are able to select from 50 associate degrees and a wide range of certificate programs taught by a faculty specifically focused on teaching. In addition, the college offers more than 150 transfer agreements to ease the process of earning a bachelor’s degree.

To view available courses for both summer and fall, go to https://titansdirect.ccm.edu/Student/Courses/. New students first need to apply to the college before registering for classes. Applications can be submitted online at www.ccm.edu/admissions/.

Adults looking to prepare for a career transition, seeking skills improvement or obtaining an apprenticeship in the fields of advanced manufacturing and health care can take advantage of one of the many industry recognized certifications and courses offered through the Center for Workforce Development. To view those opportunities, go to www.ccm.edu/workforce/.

Kindness Tour Must Go On At CMS

By Cheryl Conway

Photo Gallery

Welcome readers to the 43rd issue of Mt. Olive Online. Get MO news online today! Advertise with us

Due to COVID-19, Free Advertising Through April

Local Businesses Serve Community During Crisis

By Cheryl Conway

Photo Gallery

Exercise Bunnies Hop Into Virtual Teaching During COVID-19

Virtual Exercise instructors

HARS GETS HOPPING

Cirillo Double Dips

Cardio And Dance-Orama

Virtual Council Meeting Focuses On Virus And More Poop

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

U.S. Rep. Talks On Face Shields, COVID-19, Mail-In-Voting

Local and county news

Letting Go And Accepting Current Reality

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

Opinions and letters to Editor

Group Home Director Tells Of Pandemic’s Impact

Group Home Director Tells Of Pandemic’s Impact

Group Home Director Tells Of Pandemic’s Impact

Letter to the Editor:

Group Home Director Tells Of Pandemic’s Impact

Group Home Director Tells Of Pandemic’s Impact

Virtual Healing Classes Offered

Virtual Healing Classes Offered

Virtual Healing Classes Offered

Virtual Healing Classes Offered

Virtual Healing Classes Offered

College news

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

CCM Fulfills Its Mission As A Community College

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Receives Grant To Launch Data Program

CCM Receives Grant To Launch Data Program

CCM Expands Appt. Schedule For Covid-19 Tests

CCM Receives Grant To Launch Data Program

Stay On Track On New Career Path At CCM

Stay On Track On New Career Path At CCM

Stay On Track On New Career Path At CCM

Gloria Andrich Life Insurance Sales Broker

Events around town

Subscribe

About Mt Olive online

Managing Editor/Publisher

Contact Us

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

Mt. Olive Online

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

Send Message