MADISON — The Madison Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to purchase yellow mums to decorate their storefronts this fall.
In addition to beautifying Madison’s downtown each fall, the Garden Club of Madison holds a merchant mum sale that helps fund the hanging baskets that line borough streets in spring and summer and the seasonal plantings at the Waverly clocktower.
A 12-inch pot of yellow mums, supplied by local merchant J&M, costs $28.00 and can be ordered and paid for online by clicking here.
Orders must be completed by Friday, September 18, and will be delivered Tuesday, September 22, in time for Bottle Hill Day.
Aadhira Venugopal, 9, of Parsippany, competes at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she defended her national titles with a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures, a bronze medal in Primary A Girls Loops, and a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures/Loops Combined.
FLORHAM PARK — Ten skaters from the Florham Park Figure Skating Club competed at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships, held in Lincoln, Nebraska. Seven skaters earned a combined 14 medals, with two athletes qualifying for Team USA.
Lydia Castelblanco, 18, of Chatham, captured the Senior Ladies Figures national title in her 10th and final U.S. Nationals appearance. The victory secured her fourth consecutive Team USA qualification, which she has deferred as she prepares to begin college.
Over her career, which began more than a decade ago, Castelblanco earned 22 national placements across figures, loops and free skating. She also placed in the top 10 in all three of her appearances at the World Skate World Figure Cup and has competed internationally in Germany, Italy, Argentina, China and Colombia.
In addition to her gold medal, Castelblanco received the USA Roller Sports Elmer Ringeisen Sportsmanship Award, recognizing exemplary character, humility and respect in competition. She served as club team captain for four seasons and was co-captain of Team USA at the World Figure Cup in Buenos Aires.
Iris Acuña Salazar, 14, of Newark, earned a silver medal in Cadet Ladies Figures qualifying for Team USA for the first time. She will compete at the World Skate World Figure Cup in Lynwood, Illinois, this September. Acuña Salazar went on to earn three additional silver medals in figures, loops and combined events, finishing the championships with four total medals. During Nationals, she also succeeded Castelblanco as club team captain.
Aadhira Venugopal, 9, of Parsippany, defended her national titles from the previous year by earning a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures, a bronze medal in Primary A Girls Loops, and a gold medal in Primary A Girls Figures/Loops Combined.
Shrinidhi Bingi, 12, of Parsippany, competes at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she earned a silver medal in Elementary A Girls Figures and was also a finalist in the Elementary B Girls Free Skating event.
Also in the Primary A division, Samhita Aniruddh, 7, of Livingston, earned a silver medal in Primary A Girls Figures. Adya Poddar, 10, of Morris Plains, earned a silver medal in Juvenile A Girls Figures and a bronze medal in Juvenile B Girls Loops. Shrinidhi Bingi, 12, of Parsippany, earned a silver medal in Elementary A Girls Figures and was also a finalist in the Elementary B Girls Free Skating event.
Srinika Janardhanan, 10, of Randolph, earned her first national title placing first in Juvenile B Girls Figures. She also placed third in the Juvenile B Girls Figures/Loops Combined event.
Samhita Aniruddh, 7, of Livingston, competes at the USA Roller Sports United States National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she earned a silver medal in Primary A Girls Figures.
All of the athletes represent the Florham Park Figure Skating Club, based at the Florham Park Roller Rink, which has operated continuously since 1937. Skaters train under coach Scott Bartell in figures and loops. Also coaching at the club is current Team USA member Courtney Kennedy and former club competitor and 2021 Team USA member Gillian Muldoon.
Bartell, a lifelong resident of Hanover Township, has coached at Florham Park Roller Rink for nearly 30 years and currently serves as head coach and director of competitive skating at the rink. Since 2023, he has served annually as Team USA coach for USA Roller Sports at the World Figure Cup and also serves as chairman of the board of directors for USA Roller Sports.
Roller figure skating demands that skaters combine precision, strength and artistry into a single performance. Figure skating requires tracing accuracy, body control and concentration, as each skater retraces a series of figure patterns on a set of circles painted on the skating surface. Free skating requires creativity, technical agility and virtuosity, blending jumps, spins and footwork with music.
Several Olympic figure skaters began their careers in roller skating, including 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski and 2010 Olympian Caydee Denney, both of whom competed at national roller skating events early in their careers.
A member of the Class of 2026 celebrates during the NewBridge JobsPlus commencement ceremony, where 25 graduates received their high school diplomas and prepared for careers in health care, the trades, the arts and beyond.
MORRIS COUNTY — Future health care workers, scientists, tradespeople and artists were among 25 NewBridge JobsPlus graduates who celebrated earning their high school diplomas at a commencement ceremony.
“I stand here today as a product of making it back,” said Kasiem Mollette, who spoke openly about battling depression and surviving attempts to end his life. He urged classmates to prioritize their mental health and never give up.
A member of the Class of 2026 celebrates during the NewBridge JobsPlus commencement ceremony, where 25 graduates received their high school diplomas and prepared for careers in health care, the trades, the arts and beyond.
Sisters Mariana Matos and Virginia Leal came to NewBridge JobsPlus after being homeschooled. Matos, a pharmacy technician, plans to study environmental science at County College of Morris. Leal had struggled to pass the high school exam on her own before receiving the academic support she needed and has since joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
A member of the Class of 2026 celebrates during the NewBridge JobsPlus commencement ceremony, where 25 graduates received their high school diplomas and prepared for careers in health care, the trades, the arts and beyond.
Yasell Castillo, 16, once dreaded going to high school and began skipping classes. At NewBridge JobsPlus, he flourished with support from staff and the friendships he formed.
“The time in NewBridge was some of the best time of my life,” said Castillo, who plans to train as an electrician. “It made me love school.”
Other members of the graduating class are pursuing nursing, fashion design, music production, HVAC and careers working with animals.
A member of the Class of 2026 celebrates during the NewBridge JobsPlus commencement ceremony, where 25 graduates received their high school diplomas and prepared for careers in health care, the trades, the arts and beyond.
For 43 years, NewBridge JobsPlus has helped Morris County young adults overcome challenges, earn their diplomas and prepare for college and careers through academic support, coaching, skills training and counseling. NewBridge JobsPlus is funded by the Workforce Development Board, Morris-Sussex-Warren Employment Training Services and NewBridge supporters.
Graduating class honors went to Kasiem Mollette, Perseverance Award; Virginia Leal, Associate of the Year; Mariana Matos, Parker Endowment Scholarship; Justin Lopez, James Ryan Memorial Scholarship Award; Natali Quintuna, Isobel Wayrick Memorial Scholarship; Christian Garcia Martinez, Parker Endowment Scholarship; and Sal Hildebrand, Alumni Appreciation Scholarship Award.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus attended a formal signing ceremony this week celebrating the County College of Morris’s acquisition of The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. Classes begin this fall.
Building on The Joe Kubert School’s 50-year legacy of artistic excellence, the acquisition brings an iconic name in comics and graphic art education to CCM and creates new career pathways for aspiring artists, illustrators and visual storytellers. CCM President Anthony Iacono was joined by The Joe Kubert School Director Anthony Marques and Associate Director Jaclyn Marques for the signing ceremony.
“Investing in CCM is an investment in Morris County’s future workforce and economy. The more opportunities we create for students to gain specialized, career-ready skills, the stronger our communities and local businesses become,” said Deputy Director Krickus.
MORRIS COUNTY — In recognition of national “Make a Will” month, Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling continues to deliver in-person seminars across the county. “It is my focus to raise awareness about estate planning and to encourage Morris County residents to create a will or update the one they have,” said Surrogate Darling.
Darling recently met with the Mine Hill “Good Years Club” senior group, where she discussed the probate process and answered questions from attendees. Darling reinforced that estate planning is vital because it ensures a person’s property goes to the people they choose and, most importantly, names guardians for minor children. “Without a plan, state laws may control your assets,” Darling said.
Darling focuses her talks on the Morris County Surrogate’s office and its services, including new service methods, to help residents understand the importance of creating a will and keeping their planning in order. Attendees are provided with both “A Citizens Guide to Wills, Trusts and Estates” and a “Personal Record” created by the Morris County Surrogate’s Court for individuals to document important personal information in the event of an emergency. The Personal Record serves as a road map for family members or an executor when needed. Both booklets are available to download on the Surrogate’s website.
Darling will continue to provide seminars on estate planning and other topics. For more information, visit www.morrissurrogate.com.
Newmark Associates CRE President and CEO Susanne Newmark joins Newark high school students and program mentors during the company's third annual summer mentorship program, which gave students hands-on exposure to the commercial real estate industry through site visits, deal simulations and mentorship from industry professionals.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Newmark Associates has completed its third annual summer mentorship program for high school students in Newark Public Schools, offering hands-on exposure to the commercial real estate industry beyond the classroom.
The program was led by Newmark Associates CRE President and CEO Susanne Newmark, Vice Presidents Jeannette Melillo and Ebony Parham, and Sales Associate Jack Maier, in partnership with Ernest Pope, an English teacher at University High School. Organizers also credited Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Maria Ortiz for supporting initiatives that create pathways for Newark students.
Throughout the program, the Newmark Associates team hosted weekly sessions built around this year’s theme, “Believe, Behave, Become,” challenging students to believe in their potential, behave with professional discipline, and become leaders in their communities.
The four-week program began in Newark, where students toured 915 Broad Street and had lunch at Cornbread with developer Adenah Bayoh, a Newark Public Schools graduate, who spoke about hard work, commitment, and gratitude for the mentors who guided her. The students then visited the Newmark Associates CRE office for a hands-on deal simulation, role-playing as buyers, sellers, brokers, attorneys, lenders, zoning officials and tradespeople to learn how a commercial transaction comes together.
Students also visited the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Hillier College of Architecture and Design to learn about architecture, environmental impact and college pathways connected to commercial real estate. The final session featured guest speaker Spencer Pascal, an industrial commercial real estate leader, who shared his entrepreneurial journey and spoke about how drive, discipline and mentorship build lasting success.
“Our mission is to contribute to the communities around us,” said Susanne Newmark. “This program reflects our belief that real transformation happens when we provide young people with access, education and mentorship. We were excited to welcome Newark’s future leaders into our offices and help shape their paths forward.”
Newmark Associates CRE, located in Cedar Knolls, is certified as a woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and is an affiliate of the Commercial Real Estate Supplier Diversity Alliance, servicing the supplier diversity requirements of Fortune 100 companies nationwide. Celebrating more than 35 years in the commercial real estate industry as one of the top brokerage companies in the state, Newmark Associates has been recognized repeatedly with awards from both NJBIZ magazine and the CoStar Commercial Real Estate organization. The firm specializes in lease and sales transactions of office, industrial, retail, land, healthcare and mixed-use properties.
RANDOLPH — Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of County College of Morris, has been named the 2026 Chief Executive Officer for the Northeast Region by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).
The award recognizes exceptional leadership among community college presidents throughout the Northeast, honoring Iacono’s commitment to expanding pathways to higher education and career advancement.
“I am truly humbled and honored, considering the many exceptional presidents throughout the region, to be selected as ACCT’s CEO of the Northeastern region,” Iacono said. “My deepest gratitude to CCM’s Board of Trustees for their nomination, trust and continued support.”
Paul R. Licitra, chair of CCM’s Board of Trustees, said Iacono’s leadership has elevated the college while keeping students at the center of every decision, and that his ability to expand academic opportunities and build partnerships has strengthened the college’s impact throughout Morris County and beyond.
Under Iacono’s leadership, CCM has connected students to degree and certificate programs while helping ensure businesses have access to needed talent, through initiatives including College Promise Programs that create pathways to college for local high school students. CCM graduates rank among the highest paid alumni from community college graduates in New Jersey.
The college continues to expand its facilities and partnerships, including the soon-to-open 80,000-square-foot Center for Health Professions, an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center, and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Culinary Science, developed with the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and home to the Culinary and Hospitality Arts Institute of New Jersey. The Morris County Career Training Center, operated by the Morris County Vocational School District, opened on the CCM campus last year, further expanding opportunities for high school students.
CCM will soon launch Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and Dental Radiography programs in its Center for Health Professions, supported by a $1 million grant from the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. The college was also selected as one of only two New Jersey community colleges to partner with the AI Hub at Princeton University and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges for the state’s first U.S. Department of Labor Registered Data Scientist AI Apprenticeship grant. Among its newest initiatives is CCM’s Cyber Security Center and Ethical Hacking Lab, the first in New Jersey to be endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security.
During Iacono’s tenure, CCM has earned one of the highest graduation and transfer rates among New Jersey’s community colleges. College officials say the growth in facilities and programs has strengthened CCM’s role as a partner to local businesses and industries, supporting workforce development and economic mobility throughout Morris County.
Iacono also thanked CCM’s faculty, staff and administration, as well as ACCT, for their roles in the college’s work. The Association of Community College Trustees is a nonprofit representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,000 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.
BOONTON — A Boonton family is raising funds for a wheelchair-accessible van for their daughter, Ellie Cooper, who lives with cerebral palsy and three rare genetic disorders.
Ellie was born at 26 weeks and spent her early weeks in the NICU. She is a primary wheelchair user and is also autistic. As she has grown, transferring her into a standard car seat has become increasingly difficult, and her family says a standard vehicle can no longer safely accommodate her, her wheelchair, and the medical equipment she requires.
The family’s need became more urgent after Ellie’s father, Josh, and their three oldest children were involved in a car accident during school drop-off. Everyone involved was uninjured, but the financial strain of maintaining two vehicles alongside Ellie’s medical expenses became unsustainable. The family, which has six members, is now relying on a borrowed vehicle that cannot safely transport everyone along with Ellie’s wheelchair and gear.
The family has partnered with Help Hope Live, a national nonprofit that specializes in medical fundraising, through its Mid-Atlantic Catastrophic Illness Fund. As of August 21, the campaign has raised $48,700 toward its $100,000 goal. Organizers say the funds will go toward purchasing a reliable wheelchair-accessible van, ensuring the family can travel together safely, and bridging costs that insurance and traditional financing do not cover. All donations are tax-deductible and managed directly by Help Hope Live.
Those interested in donating can visit the family’s campaign page at helphopelive.org, or mail a check payable to Help Hope Live, noted in memory of Ellie Cooper, to Help Hope Live, 2 Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 100, 100 Matsonford Road, Radnor, PA 19087.
MORRIS COUNTY — The 44th Annual Lead East Classic Car Show and Festival will take place Thursday, September 3, through Sunday, September 6, over Labor Day weekend at the Hilton Parsippany, 1 Hilton Court.
Billed as the largest oldies party around, the festival features concerts, classic cars, specialty cars, vendors and special guests. The event celebrates decades of legendary rock ‘n’ roll music with more than 34 live bands and musicians, plus five DJs performing both indoors and outdoors. Organizers say more than one million people have attended Lead East events over the years.
As part of the weekend’s lineup, American Music LLC presents The Doo Wop Project on Saturday, September 5, with opening act Memories Music. Radio personality Alan David Stein will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening. Tickets for the concert can be purchased by clicking here.
Since 1982, Lead East has offered a full weekend of classic cars and music, with two indoor stages, an outdoor stage and additional performance areas. The event includes drive-in movies, indoor films and cartoons for children, a clown brigade, and vendors selling food, refreshments, vintage clothing and other goods both indoors and outdoors. Food trucks and restaurant vendors offer a range of dining options, and the Hilton sells alcoholic beverages inside the hotel, with beer also available in the parking lot.
Weekend spectator wristbands cost $55 for adults and $45 for juniors ages 12 to 16. One-day admission is $20 for adults and $15 for juniors, with daily rates varying: $10 for adults and $5 for juniors on Thursday, $15 and $10 on Friday, $25 and $20 on Saturday, and $20 and $15 on Sunday. Children under 12 are admitted free. A one-day family plan, which includes two adults and all children up to age 16, costs $50. One-day car plans are $50 for a driver and passenger, or $35 for a driver with no passenger.
