The 32nd Anniversary of First Night Morris County will take place on December 31 in Morristown.
MORRIS COUNTY — The 32nd Anniversary of First Night Morris County will take place on Sunday, December 31 in Morristown. First Night Morris County is an alcohol-free and substance-free celebration of arts and culture.
This year there will be over 70 live performances, 20 venues, and 50+ on-demand films taking place from 4:00 p.m. to midnight in downtown Morristown.
Events include:
•Theatre, music (rock, jazz, classical, opera), visual arts, film festivals, children’s programs, and so much more. •Fireworks at 9:15 p.m., and the program concludes with a Midnight Countdown Featuring Fireworks to Welcome in the New Year. •Complimentary Shuttles Start at 4:45 p.m. •Children’s Fun Festival at Morristown High School from 4:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. •Film Festival Starting at 6:00 p.m. •Complimentary Parking at any Morristown Parking Garage Starting at 4:00 p.m. •Complimentary Mobile App & Print Program •On-Demand Access from 4:00 p.m. on December 31, 2023, to 4:00 p.m. on January 1, 2024
Your First Night Morris County admission button (ticket) gives you access to innovative, diverse, and high-quality performances ideal for participants of all ages.
In-person venues are within close walking distance of one another, and virtual programs are accessible through the mobile app or website. For one affordable price, you and your friends and family will enjoy unlimited access to all performances in person, streaming, or on-demand.
Prices are $30.00 per ticket and $23.75 per ticket for a family of 4 packs.
Brian J. Cahill, Michael A. Mihalko, Ronald F. Francioli, John L. Ferramosca, and Thomas "Ace" Gallagher
HANOVER — The Hanover Township Committee is set to convene its highly anticipated 2024 Reorganization Meeting on January 4, 2024, commencing at 6:00 p.m. The gathering will take place at the Main Meeting Room, located within the Municipal Building at 1000 Route 10 in Whippany.
The primary objective of this meeting is to restructure the Hanover Township Committee for the year 2024. In addition to this pivotal reorganization process, the meeting will also serve as a regular session dedicated to addressing essential matters on Municipal Government affairs.
The public is cordially invited and strongly encouraged to participate in this significant event. The Township Committee places great value on the input and engagement of the community during this essential phase of organizational transition.
FLORHAM PARK — On the morning of Friday, December 29, around 4:50 am, a serious security incident occurred on Riverside Drive. A home invasion took place while the homeowners were asleep upstairs. Two intruders broke in through a kitchen window and searched the house, possibly for car key fobs. They activated a living room motion sensor, setting off an alarm, and fled before police arrived. Security footage shows two suspects, one in a vest resembling those worn by delivery workers.
Florham Park Police is asking residents near Roosevelt Boulevard, Hillside Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Riverside Drive, and West End Avenue to check their security cameras for any activity from 4:30 a.m. to 5:15 a.m. that might help identify a vehicle related to this crime.
Please contact Detective Sergeant Frank Pietropinto with any information at (973) 410-5424. For community safety, we advise against scheduling overnight deliveries, recommend keeping exterior lights on, and suggest installing alarms with window breaks and motion sensors.
Report any suspicious activities, individuals, or vehicles to the police immediately.
The suspects are believed to be connected to similar crimes in Livingston and Chatham. With an increase in home invasions, we encourage not leaving valuables or key fobs visible in your homes. Keeping items like purses, wallets, and keys hidden, especially near windows and doors, can help prevent such incidents.
BOONTON TOWNSHIP — A Boonton Township man who used an axe and battery-operated pole saw to kill his dad had been battling addiction and mental illness, according to family and police paperwork. The family now set up a GoFundMe Account to help with expenses.
Around 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, December 24th, a blood-soaked axe and a battery-operated pole saw were discovered near the lifeless body of 61-year-old Gregory Meyer. This grim discovery occurred at the residence on Old Denville Road, where he lived with his 33-year-old son, Kyle.
“In losing Greg on Christmas Eve, our family lost a son, brother, uncle, and father. Along with our extended family and friends, we are grieving the death of a man who brought music, laughter, and love to our lives,” said Matthew Meyer, organizer of the GoFundMe page.
“We are grieved beyond words that Greg was taken from us by his own son, who for many years has been lost in the darkness of mental illness, alcoholism, and abuse of drugs legal and illegal. Our family is suddenly faced with many burdens from this unbearable tragedy. We appreciate your prayers, your well-wishes, and whatever assistance you may be able to share.”
Specifically, we need help to:
provide Greg a burial in the same cemetery where his father was laid to rest (~$10,000);
pay for all the related costs of casket, funeral home, transportation, etc. (more than $10,000);
provide for future support for Greg’s 94-year-old mother and other needs the family faces in this ongoing trauma.
According to records, Kyle’s grandmother, who was also a resident of the same home, reported being alone with both Gregory and Kyle at approximately 12:50 p.m. She recounted hearing a heated argument between the father and son, which escalated into shouts, followed by screams, and then an eerie silence.
In response to the unsettling events, she reached out to Kyle’s aunt, another member of the household, who promptly returned home. It was upon her arrival that she witnessed Kyle hastily leaving the premises. She proceeded to investigate the situation further and discovered Gregory’s lifeless body in the basement, as indicated in the complaint.
Police documentation reveals a trail of blood leading from the basement where Gregory Meyer’s body was found, up the staircase, and into Kyle’s bedroom, adding to the disturbing details surrounding the incident.
As of Thursday, December 28, over $7,750 had been raised.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200, the Boonton Township Police Department at (973) 402-4000, or Morris County Crime Stoppers at (973) 267-2255.
Persons reporting any information may remain anonymous. Information on how to leave an anonymous call or text message can be found at the Crime Stoppers Program website at www.morriscrimestoppers.org.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the individual(s) are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HANOVER — The New Jersey Coalition for Education and Positive Choices, in partnership with Mennen Arena, is spearheading a highly acclaimed initiative, “Friday Nights at Mennen.”
This endeavor offers families, particularly children, the chance to enjoy a safe, supervised, and healthy environment while having fun with friends, all free from the influence of drugs.
Many of the scheduled nights will feature diverse themes, with the dual purpose of keeping our children entertained during a season when outdoor options are limited and fostering their curiosity in new and engaging activities.
The cost of each night will be $9.00 per person (normally $15) and includes skate rental from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. while enjoying a night of music by the great DJ Earl. This program begins on Friday, January 5 and runs through Friday, March 8.
Mennen Arena has a snack bar which will be open throughout the evening.
Mennen Arena is located at 161 Hanover Avenue, Morristown.
Many of the nights will have different themes with a goal not only to entertain our children at a time of year when outdoor activities are limited, but also to create interest in activities, hobbies, and possible future career opportunities that they might not have otherwise been exposed.
Future highlights include Law Enforcement Night. Firefighter Night. Martial Arts and Fitness Night. Dance Night. Many township police departments and law enforcement agencies will be on hand to display equipment explain its purpose and most importantly, allow the youngsters to meet and greet true heroes. Photo IDs supplied by the Morris County Sheriff’s Department are free to any child who would like one. For more information click here.
For additional information email Thomas “Ace” Gallagher at [email protected].
HANOVER — The Mental Health Symposium, organized by Hanover Township Mayor Thomas Ace Gallagher, provided interested family members and friends with crucial information about where and how to receive information about addiction services, crisis hotlines, and primary and elder care services. This Mental Health Symposium, organized and designed to help raise mental health awareness, will be replicated throughout several participating municipalities.
Although the pandemic may be over, the impact of this once-in-a-lifetime event lingers. Begin you and your family’s journey to mental wellness here.
Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, one of the founders of the N.J. Coalition 4 Education & Positive Choices, invites you to watch this video recap of a recent ground-breaking Symposium on Mental Health where you will be introduced to professionals from all walks of life. The members of the Symposium, and authorities in their respective fields, are working together to provide you with a better understanding of how mental wellness can be improved in individuals of all ages. Included in the video is crucial information on resources that are available to you at no cost.
This Symposium on Mental Health is the first of a series of Symposiums that will be scheduled in communities throughout North Jersey. This video is an opportunity for you and your family to take that first step toward improved mental health and wellness.
The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
HANOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Hanover Township Police Chief Michael Loock confirmed the filing of a first-degree Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death charge against Anthony Q. Dello-Russo, 26, of Cedar Knolls. The charge arises from a fatal drug overdose that occurred in Whippany in February 2023.
On February 16, law enforcement responded to a residence in Whippany on a report of an unconscious male. The male victim, later identified as T.H., 28, was pronounced deceased on scene. The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office has certified the cause of T.H.’s death as combined toxicity of cocaine, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl.
Based on subsequent investigation, it is alleged that Dello-Russo distributed controlled dangerous substances to T.H. on February 15, 2023, in Hanover. It is further alleged that T.H.’s death resulted from his ingestion of the substances distributed by Dello-Russo. (Click here to read the article)
Dello-Russo has been charged with first-degree Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-9 on December 26, 2023. This statute provides that any person who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any of many controlled dangerous substances is strictly liable for a death that results from the injection, inhalation, or ingestion of that substance. This is a first-degree crime, which is punishable by up to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison and is subject to the eighty-five percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act. In connection with the fatal overdose, Dello-Russo has also been charged with two counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
Dello-Russo was previously charged on December 8 with second-degree Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute; third-degree Possession of Cocaine; second-degree Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute; third-degree Possession of Marijuana; and third-degree Money Laundering. Those charges relate to the seizure of over one-half ounce of suspected cocaine, over five pounds of marijuana, and over $51,000 in cash from Dello-Russo’s residence.
Under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Dello-Russo has been detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.
Multiple law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation, including the Hanover Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Enforcement Unit.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “Drug dealers should be on notice that we will not hesitate to charge them with the first-degree Strict Liability Drug-Induced Death statute when the facts support the connection between the dealer and the death of their user/victim..”
If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the individual(s) are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
DOVER — The Town of Dover’s Inauguration Ceremony for New Council Members and Mayor James Dodd will take place on Monday, January 1st, at 3:00 p.m. The event will be held at the American Legion, located at 2 Legion Place in Dover and it is open to the public.
Following the Inauguration Ceremony, the new administration will convene for a reorganization meeting.
“Mpulse”, a new Montville Township High School competitive a cappella singing ensemble, has launched this year. The nineteen members of the grade 9 to 12 group performed for the Montville Township Board of Education on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. The group was created by Theodore “Ted” Cherney, the Montville Township High School Director of Choirs. “Mpulse” will be competing in the ICHSA competition on January 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Northern Highlands Regional High School. The competition school is located at 298 Hillside Avenue in Allendale, New Jersey. The January event will be the first competition for the MTHS “Mpulse” singers. Photo by Susan Marinello
MORRIS COUNTY — A new Montville Township High School music ensemble, “Mpulse”, was introduced to the Montville Township Board of Education, by Theodore “Ted” Cherney, on Tuesday, December 5. Cherney, the Montville Township High School Director of Choirs, launched the cappella group this year as part of the district’s award-winning music education program.
A competitive a cappella group, “Mpulse” will be taking their musical stylings to ICHSA in January. ICHSA is an a cappella singing competition. ICHSA stands for International Championship of High School A Cappella. The Montville BOE invited the ensemble to a command performance before the new group’s first official contest.
Nineteen “Mpulse” singers presented a powerful performance to the Montville BOE with a sampling of the music and choreography the ensemble will perform in the upcoming competition.
Soloist Meghana Neelisett, a sophomore, was accompanied by “Mpulse” with a four to six-part harmony backup. The MTHS singers of “Mpulse” are students in grades 9 through 12. Neelisett sang the lead vocals to a cappella adaptation of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
Smiling, the nine-member board of education, along with the MTPS administrators on the dais, tapped their feet and listened intently to the “Mpulse” performance.
Following the group’s rendition of the fast-paced and upbeat selection, the Montville BOE burst into thunderous applause.
“That was wonderful,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas A Gorman. “That was just a little tease with more to come. Can’t wait to see you compete and put on more performances for us. Thank you so much.”
The December 5 BOE meeting was also attended by several members of the public who joined in the enthusiastic response to the students’ a cappella performance.
“I am very happy to introduce ‘Mpulse’, our brand new a cappella group that I started this year,” Cherney said before the performance. “’Mpulse’ is different from some of the vocal ensembles we have at the high school. ‘Mpulse’ is a group that specifically studies and performs contemporary a cappella music.”
Made popular by movies like “Pitch Perfect” and other innovative cappella entertainment, contemporary cappella music is a highly competitive art form at both the high school and college levels.
“Something awesome about this group,” Cherney continued, “is that we are going to be competing in annual competitions.”
Cherney, who competed during his college years in a cappella competition, had set a goal, as the Director of Choirs for MTHS, to implement a competitive cappella group in the MTPS district. “Mpulse” marks the start of this new initiative in the MTPS music curriculum.
“For eight years in a row Montville Township Public Schools has received the Best Communities for Music Education from the National Association of Music Merchandisers (NAMM) Foundation,” said the district’s Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts Edward Fleischman. “The NAMM award recognizes the commitment of teachers, students, school administrators, BOE members, and parents who believe in the value of music education and are working to ensure that it is part of a complete education for all children. I am very proud of Ted’s contribution to the district’s ever-expanding music program, and I want to thank the Montville Township Board of Education and administration for providing the support that leads to outstanding music education.”
Cherney also explained that “Mpulse”, and the performance of a cappella music, provide students with “opportunities that they would not normally have in a normal choral setting.”
“We have a lot of wonderful soloists in this ensemble,” Cherney noted, pointing out that many singers will have an opportunity to sing lead.
“And,” Cherney added, “When you are competing in a cappella, you do so with full choreography. Choreography that I have put on the students to create themselves.”
“Mpulse” has identified the members of the ensemble who serve as their choreography team. This team develops the dance steps and teaches the movements and timing to the full “Mpulse” ensemble.
“This group [“Mpulse”] gives students ownership,” Cherney emphasized. “It has been really rewarding this year to watch this group grow and to watch them just enjoy this contemporary a cappella singing.”
Montville Township High School is one of seven schools in Morris County, New Jersey’s Montville Township Public Schools pre-k to grade 12 district.
“Mpulse” will be competing in the ICHSA competition on January 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Northern Highlands Regional High School. The regional school is located at 298 Hillside Avenue in Allendale, New Jersey.
The attention-grabbing artwork adorning the front of the serving counter, coupled with the imaginative and playful art installations and embellishments thoughtfully scattered throughout the interior space.
BOONTON — We all know that within the area of this publication, there are a multitude of diverse international and regional cuisines that would satisfy even the most fastidious tastes. One style of cooking that I have found missing is some good North American BBQ. As you may know, American BBQ is extremely popular in locations such as Texas, Carolina, Memphis, and Kansas City, all of which claim their particular style. One thing in common with whichever style you prefer is that BBQ utilizers low temperatures, usually somewhere between 180 and 250 degrees, along with a long, slow cooking process (sometimes involving many hours), where beef, pork, roasts, chicken, wings, and more, is cooked over indirect heat using a variety of wood and/or charcoal, then marinated or rubbed with a mixture of spices and sauces, creating a wonderful mouthwatering, tasty, smokey flavor. It’s amazing how once tough cuts of meat, like a brisket or belly, are transformed into tender, moist, succulent pieces of meat that seem to melt in your mouth.
Attention, food enthusiasts! Your culinary landscape is about to undergo a smoky transformation. Nestled at 811 Main Street, a new star has risen on the gastronomic scene – Embark Smoked Meats, the go-to destination for authentic North American BBQ.
I would rate BBQ as one of my favorite foods, and when the opportunity has presented itself, I have enjoyed some excellent BBQ throughout the United States. I would not call myself a BBQ aficionado, but being a carnivore, a properly done BBQ is like mouth candy for me.
I was excited to see that this past December 6th Embark Smoked Meats opened their doors for business at 811 Main Street in downtown Boonton, formerly the site of Thai Ping. Main Street presents a busy, bustling, old-school American type of setting with a youthful vibe, which seems a perfect fit for this classic American classic cuisine.
As my usual foodie group and I arrived I was fortunate to find a parking spot right in front of the restaurant. There is street parking only at this location. As we stepped inside, we were met by a bright, airy, energetic, vibrant ambiance that was appropriately designed for this type of venue; carefully planned out décor, immaculately clean, attractive, and welcoming. The initial impression you get is one of a fast-food type of eatery, but a spacious, thoughtfully decorated side room, with multiple tables, provides a comfortable setting where you can relax, meet with friends, and enjoy your meal. I should mention that Embark is also a BYOB, so bring along your favorite brew. I enjoyed a bottle of Modelo beer with my order of burnt ends. Menus featuring a wide array of your standard BBQ fare are posted on the wall, along with printed menus should you want to sit down, as my group did, and ponder your choices. The counter is manned by a very personable and friendly staff, who go about their work behind a sparkling, glass-fronted counter, where you can watch some of that beautifully barked meat being sliced, pulled, and prepped for outgoing orders.
The full menu, in addition to brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, St. Louis spare ribs, half chicken, and smoked wings, also offers burgers, (a special blend of meats prepared by owner, Jasmine Gomez), hot dogs, chicken bites, mac & cheese, loaded fries, signature beef chili, Kale sprout salad, baked beans w/rib tips, along with other sides, and even breakfast options. Embark will shortly be offering the owner’s own specialty BBQ sauces for purchase, allowing you to customize your BBQ. Of course, the Chef, despite being asked, wasn’t about to reveal the secret blend in her sauces.
Pitmaster, owner, and Chef, Jasmine Gomez, a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education, along with a background in the food industry, showcases her personal history and passion for BBQ with several painted murals that adorn the dining area of Embark. This was in addition to the eye-catching painting along the front of the serving counter, as well as the clever and whimsical related art pieces and ornamentations that are placed throughout the interior. One mural, a picture of her first smoker, a huge 8-footer, that peaked her passion for cooking when she as a child would BBQ with her father every Sunday in their backyard in Montville; the second mural, her former BBQ Food Truck, where she practiced her craft for the past three years; and finally a third mural, a painting of Embark, her first and present business, with a clear message announcing, “Now we’re Heating Up”!
An impressive unit, utilizing different selections of woods that create the smoke, which is then filtered into a gas-heating section where the meats are slowly cooked. Different meats require different cooking times in the smoker to achieve the right flavor profile.
Chef Gomez, a very affable individual who is very enthusiastic about her new endeavor, told me everything at Embark is made fresh every day using only the freshest, highest quality meats and produce, and that most ingredients are locally sourced. Embarks meats are also free of steroids and hormones. She also creates a variety of special seasonings, rubs, sauces, and cooking techniques, including which high-quality wood she chooses to use in her smoker, which as I stated earlier, are secrets that she wasn’t about to share with this writer. Chef Gomez was kind enough to allow me into her spotless kitchen to show me Embarks smoker. An impressive unit, utilizing different selections of woods that create the smoke, which is then filtered into a gas-heating section where the meats are slowly cooked. Different meats require different cooking times in the smoker to achieve the right flavor profile. Brisket usually takes 12 hours, pulled pork requires 14 to 16 hours, while spare ribs and chicken take 3 to 4 hours.
Indulge in a savory delight: succulent burnt ends generously heaped atop a bed of Embark’s signature Mac and Cheese. Our three-cheese macaroni, lovingly prepared, is smothered in a creamy blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan, creating the perfect canvas for a rich and flavorful experience
When asked what the origin of the restaurant’s name is, the Chef replied, “It is a combination of embarking on a new culinary adventure and a recognition of the trademark, visually appealing, flavorful bark crust that develops on the surface of smoked meat during barbecue.”
I ordered my favorite BBQ dish, burnt ends. Burnt ends are cut from the point of the smoked brisket. They have a rich, smokey bark and crunchy texture. Cut into cubes (like little candies), mopped in BBQ sauce, and caramelized. Don’t be distracted by the name, burnt ends, originating out of Kansas City, are not burnt. They are just cooked to the point of the bark being predominant. Super flavorful! My dish came with the burnt ends served over Embarks Mac and Cheese; 3 cheese mac, covered with panko breadcrumbs. For a side I tried the Signature Beef Chili; it was very tasty.
The attention-grabbing artwork adorning the front of the serving counter, coupled with the imaginative and playful art installations and embellishments thoughtfully scattered throughout the interior space.
Others in the group went with the Pulled Pork Sandwich; which Embarks 14-hour smoked pulled pork, with their house pork rub and served between two sweet buns, along with a choice of BBQ sauce and coleslaw. Bob A. went with a half rack of the St. Louis Spare Ribs, which he enjoyed and called a generous portion. While the rest, like me, went with the burnt ends. Not surprisingly, no one in this group opted for the Kale Sprout Salad!
Smoked brisket isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s a testament to the art of patience, the mastery of flavor, and the joy of savoring every delicious bite. Whether you’re at a barbecue joint, a backyard cookout, or a festive gathering, smoked brisket is a centerpiece that never fails to delight the senses and bring people together.
It was a fun dining experience with this “new kid on the block.” Next time around I’ll have to give either their pulled pork or signature burger a try. When you’re in the area stop in and give them a try, and maybe pick up a bottle or two of one of their carefully crafted BBQ sauces. I think your taste buds will appreciate it. Let’s all help support local businesses.
The magic of St. Louis spare ribs lies in their preparation and slow smoking. They are generously coated with a dry rub, which is a blend of various spices, herbs, and seasonings. This rub forms a flavorful crust on the surface of the ribs and infuses them with a delicious blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.
Embark Smoked Meats, 811 Main Street, Boonton. (973) 934-9263.
Open Wednesday – Friday: 1030 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Take Out – Indoor Dining – Catering – Private Events – BYOB. Woman-Owned, Local Operated Business
Pulled Pork Sandwich; which Embarks 14-hour smoked pulled pork, with their house pork rub and served between two sweet buns, along with a choice of BBQ sauce and coleslaw
Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine, January 2024. Click here to view.
