Local Family ‘Surhounds’ Dogs On Last Leg With Love

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By Cheryl Conway    

No need for locals to schlep to downtown areas in other cities to shop for distinctive fashion clothing and accessories.

A specialty boutique store for women and children recently opened right in Mt. Olive. Sparkle Couture Boutique held its grand opening on Friday, July 16, with a weekend long celebration with prizes and giveaways.

Located at the Mall on 206, 244 Route 206, Unit #5, in Flanders, where Oxford Learning Center vacated a few years back- Sparkle Couture Boutique is a family run business owned by Liliana Goncalves, a 36-year-old resident of Flanders.

Like coordinating outfits, jewelry and accessories, Goncalves matches her family, home and business to fit into her lifestyle. 

“I am the only owner of the boutique’s LLC as far as what’s on the state’s paperwork, but we are family run,” says Goncalves, boutique owner. “My husband, Daniel Goncalves, runs the boutique with me.”

As Mt. Olive residents for three years now, Goncalves wanted to open her business in her hometown.

“We chose this location because we live and love Mt Olive,” says Goncalves. “It is the perfect location for us since it is so close to home and the children’s school. “It’s in a shopping center amongst amazing local businesses who have been around for a long time.

“We choose Mt. Olive for our store because this is where we live,” she adds. “This is our community. Moving here three years ago was the best decision we could have made to raise to our family.”

One-Stop Shop

Inside the 1,900 sq. ft. store, shoppers will find specialty clothing and accessories for women and children.

“We are a women and children’s boutique,” says Goncalves. “We are a one stop shop where you come in for something for yourself and can grab something for your child or a birthday gift for a friend. We carry accessories from purses to jewelry to shoes to complete your outfit. We also carry luxury handmade bath and body products.”

She says, “One of the unique things about my boutique is that there are no other boutiques around us.”

Prices are affordable and many items are handmade in America and throughout the world.

“We have items that range from $5 to $75,” she says.

“We believe that we cater to all age groups and there is something for everyone,” adds Goncalves. “Everyone has different and unique tastes, and we strive to house a wide variety so there is always something for everyone.

“We carry all women’s sizes from small-3XL as well as children’s 0-3 months all the way to 10-12 years old,” she says.

Goncalves has found it her passion to hunt for affordable items while also supporting women who hand create the items.

“I personally curate every single item in the store from different vendors and companies,” says Goncalves. “Some of the items are also handmade by moms and women because I am a firm believer that we should support one another in all possible ways.

“Some of the clothes are made in America and some are from around the world,” she says. “So, there is a mixture.” 

Passion For Fashion

Goncalves turned her passion into her profession. 

 “Finding all the things at the best possible prices is one of my favorite things to do,” says Goncalves, who has more of a legal background with a bachelor’s in criminal justice with a minor in English from Rutgers University.  “I worked in a law firm for many years before staying home with my children,” she explains. “My husband and I have a separate business that we run for many years now.” 

While her doors just opened last month, Goncalves has been running her boutique online for several years.  “We have had our boutique open online for three years and it has always been a dream of mine to one day open a physical store for the boutique,” she says. “We did not have any challenges in opening the store.  We put lots of renovations and love to make our vision a reality."

Interacting face to face with customers has been most fulfilling to Goncalves.  

“I also love meeting all the wonderful people and helping them pick out or put together outfits,” she says.  “When you come to Sparkle Couture Boutique you will feel welcomed and you are #1,” she says. “The connections that we make with one another are the best part of my day. Gals come in who we may not know but they absolutely leave as a part of the family." 

Treating customers as a friend or family is Goncalves best way of doing business. 

“Our goal is to strive to always give the best customer service, always make everyone feel welcomed when they come in our doors and build a friendship,” says Goncalves.  “We hope to be here for many, many years with the love and support of our community.”

Fall apparel and community outreach are coming to the Sparkle Couture Boutique “near you.”

“We are looking forward to the upcoming fall season with fall inspired graphic tees, leggings, amazing jeans, boots, cardigans and sweaters and so much more!” says Goncalves 

.As far as community outreach, Goncalves says, “We are looking forward to doing all that we can in our community.  Our plans are to help with fundraising for our children’s school, our son’s cub scout troop as well as our daughter’s dance school and any other opportunities that come our way.”

The Goncalves have two kids.

“Our son Ryan is 10 and going into 5th grade at Mountain View," she says.  "Our daughter Riley is 4 and starting pre-k at Mountain View.”

They help when they can.

“My husband is greatly involved with our son’s Cub Scout Troop and I help whenever needed at my children’s school,” she says. 

Store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information or questions about Sparkle Couture Boutique, email: liliana@sparklecouture.com; call 973-500-3470; and visit www.sparklecouture.com. 

The Seward House located at the entranceway of Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake is one of 27 historic sites recently approved for preservation funding by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.

The historic property was approved to receive a Construction Grant in the amount of $178,640. Mt. Olive Twp. Had applied for Partial Exterior Restoration for the 1800-year-old site with an 1860 addition.

The Seward House currently sits on 270 acres of park land and is unoccupied, according to a description of the property on the county website.

“The prominence of the Seward family in the area, and the size and Italianate design of the building makes it the most significant home built in Mt. Olive previous to the 1900's,” as stated on the site. The grant will provide for exterior restoration including restoration of masonry, stucco, windows, exterior doors.

In early July, The Morris County Board of County Commissioners  approved $2.65 million in grants from the county’s Preservation Trust Fund to help restore, preserve and further protect 27 historic sites in Morris County.

To date, Morris County has spent $43.3 million on preservation efforts at 117 historic locations since 2003, after voters overwhelmingly approved establishing a funding source for restoring and protecting historic properties.  The properties have benefited through 482 grants, with some properties receiving multiple grants over the years to conduct planning, acquisition and construction projects.

“We cherish our quality of life in Morris County, and this is just one of the reasons why,” says Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw. “We take great pride in preserving our rich history, as we do our open spaces and our best-in-New Jersey park system. It’s also why we ranked again two weeks ago as one of the healthiest places in the nation to live.

“But, for all of this, we really must thank our residents -- our taxpayers -- because they overwhelmingly approved the preservation trust fund that has made protecting our history, greenways and open spaces possible,” he adds.

One grant for $159,374 will assist in the acquisition and preservation of the Morristown Post Office.

The building has served as a U.S. Post Office since its construction in 1916 and represents Classical Revival architecture. It was designed by Oscar Wenderoth, an American architect who served as director of what was known as the federal Office of the Supervising Architect.  The office guided the construction of federal buildings in the late 19th Century and early part of the 20th Century.

Several of Wenderoth’s projects are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Morristown Post Office currently is listed as “contributing” to the significance of a historic district listed in both the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.

Application Review Process

 The Review Board initially received 29 applications for consideration in 2021, amounting to $3.8 million in grant requests. They were initially reviewed for their conformance to the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s “Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties,” which promote historic preservation best practices.  Remote site visits also were conducted by the board via Webex conferencing and reviewing videos of each site.

 After a final presentation was made by the grant applicants, the Review Board deliberated on the funding recommendations.

Morris County unveiled the first of eight new historic markers earlier this month Morristown with a small ceremony that included a host of Morris County officials, including members of the Morris County Heritage Commission and the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.

“There are about 155 of these markers throughout the county and they recognize Morris County’s rich history and heritage going back to the Revolution, and I think it’s quite fitting that we are doing this right after our July 4th celebration,” said Stephen H. Shaw, director of the Morris County Board of Commissioners.

“So much of our American Revolution history took place here in Morris County.”

The new marker was installed at what is known as the Morris County “pocket park” on the corner of Washington Street and Schuyler Place.

Lawrence Fast, vice president of the Morris County Heritage Commission, said the new markers, as with the historic markers previously installed at historic sites since the mid-1970s, recognize historic buildings, districts, notable people and important events that are part of Morris County’s history.

“They highlight the county’s cultural and technological historic impacts as well,” Fast explained.

The new markers are intentionally larger than those previously installed, he said, to allow for much more information to be included. They also are part of a celebration of the Heritage Commission’s 50th Anniversary, which was delayed by the pandemic.

The marker unveiled today sites six historical facts about Morris County, and is among four new markers to be installed this year. Four others will be installed in 2022.

“These markers will be placed along various county roads welcoming visitors from our neighboring counties,” Fast said.

Morris County Commissioner John Krickus and Heritage Commission members Marty Kane, Joseph Macasek and Martha Wells joined the unveiling with county and heritage commissioner staff. 

Also in attendance were Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling and Morris County Deputy County Clerk Anna McMahon.

“I think it’s important to also note, we would have nothing to mark if not for our historic preservation program and, coincidentally, next week we’re going to be acting on a recommendation from our historic preservation folks for $2.65 million in grants to preserve 27 historic sites in 17 towns,” said Shaw. “That program has been supported by a lot of volunteers and, most importantly, the taxpayers of Morris County.”

Morris County has approved 454 grants, amounting to more than $40.6 million, to assist in the preservation, protection and restoration of 113 historical properties since 2003, when preservation grants were first issued through the voter-approved Morris County Preservation Trust Fund.

Historic site markers may be requested by municipalities, history organizations and other nonprofit groups. To learn more and to find maps, GPS coordinates, photos and descriptions of where markers already have been placed, go to the Historic Marker webpage of the Morris County Heritage Commission.
 

Looking to get a better job, get better in the job or grow a skillset? The Center for Workforce Development (WFD) at County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph has released its new schedule of classes for the Fall Semester. WFD is accepting new students for its fall classes and also invites companies looking for a professional partner to develop their employees.

As labor demands continue to change and the demand for certification grows, WFD has continued its focus on industry recognized credentials. Its programs include MS Office, QuickBooks, Project Management, Data Analytics and Visualization, Custom Business Training, English Language Learning and more.

A leader in apprenticeship opportunities, WFD has expanded its offerings to include Pharmacy Technician and Certified Nurse Aid apprenticeships, adding to its extensive selection of Career Pathway Healthcare programs. The Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center at CCM also has advanced manufacturing apprenticeships

available this fall.

To increase potential for a successful career, join WFD at one of its Virtual Open Houses, set to take place September 8, 9 and 10, from 7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. WFD also plans to host “Focus on the Workforce,” a live, on-campus event on Saturday, September 18, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Davidson Conference Rooms in the Student Community Center. For more information and to register, go to www.ccm.edu/workforce/.
 

"Urania's Mirror," 2021, oil and collage on canvas, 9" x 12" by Joseph Losavio 

Joseph Losavio, a contemporary, visionary painter, is exhibiting, ‘Urania’s Mirror’ at the County College of Morris (CCM) Art & Design Gallery in Randolph.

The collection of 32 astronomical star chart cards incorporates illustrations based on Alexander Jamiesons’s “A Celestial Atlas,” also known as “a view of the Heavens.” Losavio’s works will be exhibited through September 23.                                     Losavio lives and works in Sussex County. He connects on a deep level with the environment and finds the earth to be “an extension of self, with its glorious diversity and mysterious inner force.” After teaching art in public schools for 27 years, he now pursues painting full-time, “exploring the realms of art, psychology and spirituality.”

A reception is set for Thursday, September 9, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Admission to both the reception and gallery is free.

For more information about the Art and Design programs offered at CCM, go to http://bit.ly/CCMArtandDesign/.
 

County College of Morris (CCM) is Randolph is getting ready to welcome students back on campus this fall and encouraging individuals not to delay enrolling so they can get the best choice of classes.

Enrollment is now taking place for the fall semester, which begins September 8.  Nationally ranked and affordable, CCM is offering classes on-campus and online, providing students with the flexibility to best fit college into their schedules. Students can search for courses on the days and at the times they prefer at  https://titansdirect.ccm.edu/Student/Courses/. Use the Advanced Search feature to select one of the terms being offered this fall:

15 Week – September 8 – December 23

Early Start 2 Week – September 8 – September 21

Early Finish 7 Week – September 8 – October 26

Mid Start 2 Week – September 22 – October 5

13 Week – September 22 – December 23

Late Start 2 Week – October 6 – October 19

Late Start 7 – November 3 – December 23

New students first need to apply to the college before registering for classes. Applications can be submitted at www.ccm.edu/admissions/. Continuing students should talk with their advisor before registering.

An Affordable Education

Each year, CCM awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to its students, allowing them to pursue a high-quality college education at an affordable price. Graduates of CCM realize a $14 to $1 ROI, making the college an invaluable investment for a successful future. Free funds also are available for qualified individuals to cover the total cost of tuition. To find out more, go to www.ccm.edu/admissions/financialaid/. 

Transfer or Gain Employment Upon Graduation

At CCM, students can choose from more than 100 programs of study. A number of degree programs, such as those in computer science, engineering, and hospitality and culinary science, are designed so students can seek employment immediately upon graduation. Numerous others are specifically designed so students can transfer their credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. CCM holds more than 125 agreements with colleges and universities across New Jersey and the nation to simplify the transfer process. A listing of those agreements can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ybpy9qqy/. In addition, the college offers numerous industry recognized certificates for rapid entry into the workforce for those looking for a rewarding career, looking to change careers or wishing to advance in their existing career.

To learn more about the college’s return to campus plans, visit www.ccm.edu/covid-19-information-center/.