MORRIS COUNTY — Morris Music Men offer free men’s singing lessons at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings from May 30 to July 12 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 300 Shunpike Road, in Chatham Township.
A chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Morris Music Men have performed since the 1950s. They are based out of the Chatham Township and are open to men of all ages.
Sign up by calling (877) 808-8697 extension 3 or emailing [email protected].
MORRIS COUNTY — The Board of County Commissioners presented two framed resolutions at its Thursday, May 11, work session meeting to recognize the dedicated support of Morris County service providers during Mental Health Awareness Month.
“Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and start an open and honest conversation about mental health … This month is also a time to celebrate and recognize the people who play a critical role in providing services that aid in prevention, effective treatment, and the management of mental health, enabling others to live full and productive lives,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Christine Myers, liaison to the Morris County Human Services Department.
She handed a framed proclamation to Amy Archer, mental health administrator and division director of Community and Behavioral Health Services, Anna Marie Hess, administrative professional for the Office of Community and Behavioral Health Services, and Christopher Chernick, chair of the Mental Health Addictions Services Advisory Board (MHASAB), who expressed gratitude and spoke.
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of NewBridge Services, whose mission is to bring balance to people’s lives through counseling, housing, and education. NewBridge Services’ CEO Michelle Borden and trustee Betty Cass-Schmidt provided some updates about their organization and how purposeful their work has been to the mental health community.
The group took a brief break for photos in the Public Meeting Room before the regular work session resumed. During the meeting, the Commissioners also adopted a resolution to observe Older Americans Month in May, with plans to present a proclamation at the May 24 work session formally.
EAST HANOVER — As a restaurant reviewer, one of the joys I experience is stumbling upon hidden gems in our local area. A fellow food enthusiast recently suggested a remarkable yet often overlooked establishment, leading my friends and me to discover A & J Bistro. Nestled inconspicuously on Route 10 West in East Hanover, this delightful Taiwanese eatery proved elusive to locate initially. However, tucked away at the rear of the Castle Ridge Plaza shopping mall, adjacent to Best Buy and amidst the bustling Route 10, we were fortunate enough to stumble upon one of Morris County’s finest Taiwanese restaurants. Look for the cream-colored frontage with the restaurant’s name in large, bold, blue lettering. I don’t believe you will find anything more culturally authentic or delicious than A&J, even in Flushing, N.Y.
A good sign of an exceptional ethnic restaurant, which I always look for, is if the clientele is primarily individuals associated with that cuisine’s ethnicity. In the case of A& J., on entering, I observed that the tables were filled with people of Asian descent and speaking either Mandarin Chinese or one of the other sixteen or so languages indigenous to Taiwan. Another positive sign was that the entire restaurant staff speaks Chinese, with just enough English to avoid confusion and make your visit enjoyable. The Chinese language menu (with plenty of pictures) also adds to that authenticity. Don’t worry about any lack of familiarity with the menu. The wait staff are very friendly and personable and seemed to enjoy helping us with all our questions regarding our choices. We had a lot of fun bantering with our server, Ben, over our selections of appetizers and entrees from the highly interesting menu.
A&J is a family-owned and independently operated business started ten years ago by owner Josephine Lin. Ms. Lin was kind enough to visit us at our table and provide some background on the business. Arriving in the U.S. in 1997 from Taiwan and having some background in the restaurant business, Ms. Lin decided to open A&J Bistro; when I asked why A&J Bistro, Ms. Lin explained that her father-in-law, Duen Min, owned a restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan named A&J Restaurant and that she wanted to keep on the tradition.
The interior is appropriately low-key, as is common in authentic Asian restaurants. Who needs that corporate or chain restaurant look? Approximately 18 wooden tables are comfortably situated around the room, separated by a bamboo-style divider. It is Immaculately clean and organized, with soft relaxing colors, appealing wall artwork, and nice ambient lighting creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. Of course, there are the expected Buddhist shrines and various Asian artifacts at the forefront of the restaurant. Cozy, comfortable, welcoming, and relaxing would be a fair description.
When discussing Taiwanese vs. Chinese cuisine with Ms. Lin, I learned that it is tough to define Taiwanese cuisine and almost impossible to answer that question. There are eight culinary regions in China, each having its own cooking style. Taiwanese cuisine is heavily influenced by the dishes originating from those various parts of China. One thing is for sure, Taiwanese food offers intense, unique flavors, loaded with fresh meat, fish, and vegetables, with lots of broths, noodles, bold flavors, and various textures. The spice level can range from mild to spicy, and very spicy, which will stimulate your appetite. The choice is yours, and a vast range of incredible, new dishes are available that you may have never heard of. Go for it!
Something to look for on the menu (by the way, you circle your selections on a paper menu which you give to your server to complete your order) are a few dishes that you will never find in an Americanized/Taiwanese-style restaurant. Again, we are talking about quality and authenticity! Braised Pig’s Feet, Sliced Beef and Tripe in Chili Sauce, Braised Pig’s Intestine, and Black Fungus Salad are a few choices. Although I am sure they are delicious, they may be for the more adventurous gourmet.
For our appetizers, we shared the Yan Su Ji (popcorn chicken), Ma La Huang Gua (cucumber salad in hot red sauce), Xiao Long Tang Bao (steamed soup dumpling w/pork & crab meat), Gue Tie (pan-fried pork dumplings/pot stickers), Da Bing Juan Niu (big pancake/sliced beef), and Gong You Bing (scallion pancake). Everyone at the table agreed that every one of the appetizers was a home run. Mouth-wateringly delicious! A wide variety of taste sensations with every bite.
For an entrée, I ordered the Chao Mian w/Beef (pan-fried noodles with beef). I ordered mine extra spicy, as I always do. The noodles were perfectly prepared, seasoned, and textured, while the beef was soft, juicy, tender, and savory. Add in the fresh and crispy vegetables, and you have one heck of a meal. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite! Bob ordered the Fu Qi Fei Pan (sliced beef & tripe in chili sauce). The tripe was sliced very thin and was some of Bob’s tastiest tripe, and he is a true tripe fan. Others ordered the Lu Rou Fan (braised pork on rice with a braised egg), the tender, succulent pork was a perfect complement with the accompanying bed of rice, and the Qing Zheng Long Li Ui Pian (steamed flounder filet), which was a substantial sized portion of mild tasting, slightly sweet fish, covered with a blend of Asian sauces. Again, each dish was given a thumbs-up.
Desserts are not a big part of authentic Taiwanese cuisine, but ample hot tea was on the table throughout the meal. A&J is a BYOB, so we brought our usual wines and beer. Of course, they offer Bubble drinks, Fresh Soy Milk, Slushies, Smoothies, and hot coffee with hot tea, juices, and sodas to finish your meal.
Thank you, Josephine and staff, at A&J Bistro, for a wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable dining experience. Great food, great people, good friends, and fun times. Also, very reasonably priced. Another great place to visit is Morris County, do yourself a favor and stop in and enjoy your brief visit to Taiwan.
zhù nǐ chéng gōng
Dine In * Take Out * No Delivery * BYOB; Ample Parking * Reservations Taken for Parties of Six or More. Open 7 Days from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A & J Bistro, 352 Route 10 West, East Hanover. Tel: (973) 506-9066.
MORRIS COUNTY — The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is asking homeowners to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance of their mailbox this week.
Your mailbox keeps you connected to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). It’s where your carrier drops off your mail and picks up any outgoing letters—allowing you to avoid a trip to the post office. But the USPS is serious about mail security, so it won’t deliver your mail unless certain conditions are met. The agency has strict mailbox regulations, and you may need to make some modifications to meet current standards. Read on to learn more about the mailbox changes the USPS requests starting Sunday.
If you don’t get mail on a given day, it’s generally not cause for alarm—but in some cases, your house was skipped on purpose.
As the USPS warns on its website, blocked or full mailboxes may prevent your mail from getting delivered. This can also happen if your mailbox is damaged or broken. Property owners are responsible for their personal mailboxes—which means they must maintain them and make any repairs when necessary, according to the agency.
Not doing so could prevent you from getting your regular deliveries. If you don’t correct issues, you “risk having your mail service suspended until the problems are resolved,” the Postal Service says.
The Postal Service is gearing up for its own spring cleaning through Mailbox Improvement Week, which it holds every year in the third full week of May. This annual campaign from the USPS is meant to “encourage customers to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance of their mailboxes,” the agency explained.
Mail Improvement Week runs from May 21 to May 27 this year. To honor this annual event, the USPS asks homeowners to inspect their mailboxes at the start of the week. Your mailbox should be safe to use, designed to protect the mail from weather, conveniently located, neat in appearance, and in-line with approval regulations from the Postmaster General, according to the agency.
If not, you’ll need to take action to avoid losing your delivery service.
HANOVER — The Superior Court has temporarily prohibited the Hanover Township Board of Education from implementing its policy requiring school staff to out LGBTQ+ youth to their parents. That prohibition will remain in effect until the court can hear argument from the parties on May 30.
On May 16, the Hanover Township Board of Education passed Board Policy 8463, Parental Notice of Material Circumstances.
On May 17, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin confirmed the filing of a Division on Civil Rights (DCR) complaint challenging an unlawful policy enacted by the Hanover Township Board of Education. The policy requires school staff to notify parents of the gender identity and sexual orientation of LGBTQ+ students. Attorney General Platkin and DCR have also filed an emergency motion in Superior Court, requesting a preliminary injunction and temporary restraints to prevent the policy from going into effect. In contrast, DCR’s challenge to the policy remains pending.
The administrative complaint and the motion for a preliminary injunction allege that the Hanover Township Board of Education policy violates the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination’s (LAD) prohibition against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
“Contrary to the Attorney General’s Office’s erroneous assertions, Policy 8463 does not unlawfully discriminate against any student based on any protected status. Rather, a simple reading of Policy 8463 reveals that it requires school staff members to notify appropriate school administrators and a student’s parents whenever the staff member is made aware of any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact on a student’s physical and/or mental health and/or social/emotional well-being, including but not limited to the following issues: substance use; tobacco/vaping use; alcohol use; firearms; peer/academic/athletic pressures; school performance; eating disorders; suicide; self-harm; anxiety; depression; fatigue; isolationism / anti-social behaviors / social withdraw; truancy; theft; vandalism; unlawful activity; violent or aggressive behavior; preoccupation with anti-social music; pornography; sexual activity; sexuality; sexual orientation; transitioning; gender identity or expression; gang affiliation; obsessive-compulsive behaviors; familial/cultural challenges; harassment; intimidation; or bullying,” in a press release from the Hanover Township Board of Education.
Board Policy 8463 requires that staff members “say something to the parents and appropriate school administrators” if they “see something that could adversely affect the social/emotional well-being of a child.” The Hanover Township Board of Education believes that parents need to be fully informed of all material issues that could impact their children so that they – as parents – can provide the proper care and support for their children. The Board will vigorously defend this common-sense policy that protects parental rights and ensures the safety of all school children.
“We will always stand up for the LGBTQ+ community here in New Jersey and look forward to presenting our arguments in court,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We are extremely proud of the contributions LGBTQ+ students make to our classrooms and our communities, and we remain committed to protecting them from discrimination in our schools.”
In addition to filing an administrative civil rights complaint, DCR has filed a motion in Superior Court requesting temporary restraints and a preliminary injunction against the policy’s implementation. In contrast, the administrative complaint is being adjudicated by DCR.
The policy challenge was enacted by the Board of Education on May 16, 2023. It provides that all school staff members shall “immediately, fully and accurately inform a student’s parent(s) whenever such staff member is made aware of, directly or indirectly, any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact on the student’s physical and/or mental health, safety and/or social/emotional well-being,” including, among other things, a student’s “sexuality,” “sexual orientation,” “transitioning,” and “gender identity or expression.”
The complaint filed does not challenge other aspects of the policy that, on their face, do not violate the Law Against Discrimination, such as the requirements for parental notification related to “substance use,” “alcohol use,” “firearms,” or “unlawful activity.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Sheriff James Gannon, and other investigative members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, along with Lt. Joseph Waters of the Division of Criminal Justice, joined executive members of the Morris County Chapter of the NAACP for their semi-annual summit on Tuesday, May 16.
Participating for the Morris County NAACP Chapter was First VP Ottawanna Anderson, NAACP Branch 2092B President Vanessa Brown, Public Relations Committee Chair Athena Johnson, Chair of Legal Redress Robert Warrington, Esq, and Morris County Correctional Facility Chaplain and Chairman/Criminal Justice for the Morris County NAACP Rev. Herman Scott.
These meetings are part of a continuing effort to build community rapport and maintain an open dialogue on progressive law enforcement matters and the criminal justice system. During the meeting, a PowerPoint explaining the internal functions of the MCPO was presented, and questions regarding changes in the various criminal laws and criminal procedures were responded to.
Prosecutor Carroll and Sheriff Gannon jointly stated: “In our ongoing reach out to community leadership, these substantive meetings enable our ability to provide important information about the many advancements and changes in the criminal justice system and to answer questions from the NAACP leadership. We look forward to providing additional information to continue this mutually beneficial exchange of thoughts and ideas on improving community communication and building lasting relationships.”
Last November, NAACP executive members joined the administration of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Morris County Sheriff’s Office for a tour of the Morris County Correctional Facility.
MADISON — On Friday and Saturday, May 26 and 27, volunteers from American Legion Auxiliary Unit 43 in Madison and Florham Park will distribute poppies and accept donations to support veterans in need. The American Legion Auxiliary has been entrusted with the Poppy Program since 1924, and the funds raised through poppy donations directly benefit veterans and their families.
National Poppy Day, observed on May 26 this year, is a precursor to Memorial Day. The red poppy flowers, which symbolize resilience and the sacrifice made by servicemen and women, flourished amidst the war-torn soils of France and Belgium after World War I. The poppy represents the hope that the sacrifices made by those who have lost their lives in the war were not in vain.
During World War I, Lt. Col. John McCrae penned the iconic poem “In Flanders Fields,” which vividly depicted red poppy fields among the battlefields of fallen soldiers. For over a century, the American Legion family has carried on the tradition of distributing handmade memorial poppies in communities the week before Memorial Day.
Traditionally, poppies are not sold but offered in exchange for donations. The funds raised through local distribution efforts have enabled volunteers from Auxiliary Unit 43 to provide various activities and support to service members at Lyons Veterans Affairs Hospital, as well as the veterans’ nursing homes in New Jersey (Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland). Financial assistance has also been extended to Veterans Haven North and Veterans Haven South, which offer shelter to homeless veterans.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Michaela Buckley, a resident of Mountain Lakes, was among over 700 students who graduated from Bob Jones University Friday, May 5.
Buckley graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Kinesiology.
In addition to 570 students earning bachelor’s degrees, 94 students received master’s degrees and 58 students received associate degrees. Three candidates earned doctorate degrees.
Since its founding in 1927, BJU has conferred over 52,500 degrees.
Located in Greenville, South Carolina, Bob Jones University provides an outstanding regionally accredited Christian liberal arts education designed to inspire a lifelong pursuit of learning, loving, and leading.
BJU offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in religion, education, fine arts and communication, arts and science, health professions, and business.
BJU has over 3,000 students from nearly every state and more than 40 countries. We are committed to the truth of Scripture and to pursuing excellence in all we do.
HANOVER — Hanover Township Public Schools 2023-2024 Budget Presentation.
Lisa Bomengo, President
Marc Amoresano, Vice President, Finance Committee Chair
Jeffrey Basile, Finance Committee Member
Christine Egbert
Gina Johnston
Gregory Skiff
Marcella Wilson
Gina Marie Winkler
Lynda Wright, Finance Committee Member
Click here to view the presentation.
HANOVER — On May 16, 2023, the Hanover Township Board of Education passed Board Policy 8463, Parental Notice of Material Circumstances.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin confirmed the filing of a Division on Civil Rights (DCR) complaint challenging an unlawful policy enacted by the Hanover Township Board of Education. The policy requires school staff to notify parents of the gender identity and sexual orientation of LGBTQ+ students. Attorney General Platkin and DCR have also filed an emergency motion in Superior Court, requesting a preliminary injunction and temporary restraints to prevent the policy from going into effect. In contrast, DCR’s challenge to the policy remains pending.
The administrative complaint and the motion for a preliminary injunction allege that the Hanover Township Board of Education policy violates the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination’s (LAD) prohibition against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
“Contrary to the Attorney General’s Office’s erroneous assertions, Policy 8463 does not unlawfully discriminate against any student based on any protected status. Rather, a simple reading of Policy 8463 reveals that it requires school staff members to notify appropriate school administrators and a student’s parents whenever the staff member is made aware of any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact on a student’s physical and/or mental health and/or social/emotional well-being, including but not limited to the following issues: substance use; tobacco/vaping use; alcohol use; firearms; peer/academic/athletic pressures; school performance; eating disorders; suicide; self-harm; anxiety; depression; fatigue; isolationism / anti-social behaviors / social withdraw; truancy; theft; vandalism; unlawful activity; violent or aggressive behavior; preoccupation with anti-social music; pornography; sexual activity; sexuality; sexual orientation; transitioning; gender identity or expression; gang affiliation; obsessive-compulsive behaviors; familial/cultural challenges; harassment; intimidation; or bullying,” in a press release from the Hanover Township Board of Education.
Board Policy 8463 requires that staff members “say something to the parents and appropriate school administrators” if they “see something that could adversely affect the social/emotional well-being of a child.” The Hanover Township Board of Education believes that parents need to be fully informed of all material issues that could impact their children so that they – as parents – can provide the proper care and support for their children. The Board will vigorously defend this common-sense policy that protects parental rights and ensures the safety of all school children.
“We will always stand up for the LGBTQ+ community here in New Jersey and look forward to presenting our arguments in court,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We are extremely proud of the contributions LGBTQ+ students make to our classrooms and our communities, and we remain committed to protecting them from discrimination in our schools.”
In addition to filing an administrative civil rights complaint, DCR has filed a motion in Superior Court requesting temporary restraints and a preliminary injunction against the policy’s implementation. In contrast, the administrative complaint is being adjudicated by DCR.
The policy challenge was enacted by the Board of Education on May 16, 2023. It provides that all school staff members shall “immediately, fully and accurately inform a student’s parent(s) whenever such staff member is made aware of, directly or indirectly, any facts or circumstances that may have a material impact on the student’s physical and/or mental health, safety and/or social/emotional well-being,” including, among other things, a student’s “sexuality,” “sexual orientation,” “transitioning,” and “gender identity or expression.”
The complaint filed does not challenge other aspects of the policy that, on their face, do not violate the Law Against Discrimination, such as the requirements for parental notification related to “substance use,” “alcohol use,” “firearms,” or “unlawful activity.”
Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
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