MOUNTAIN LAKES — Healthy Living Movement classes and lectures help you discover how to live well and equip you with the tools needed to improve your life. All classes are free and are open to Y members and non-members as well. No registration is needed for the series; just drop in. Bring a friend and share in this informative series, which takes place on the following Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
Thursday, November 10: Total Mobility
Healthy Living Director Darlene Kievit leads you through movements that focus on taking your joints through their full range of motion. Dress in comfortable clothes.
Thursday, November 17: Nervous-System Regulation
Integrative Yoga Health Coach Ivette Desai hosts this program on learning how to manage stress and anxiety using nervous system regulation tools such as rhythmic breathing and meditation.
For more than 100 years Lakeland Hills Family YMCA Y has been the leading community organization serving thousands of people, with its focus on Healthy Living, Youth Development, and Social Responsibility. For more information on Lakeland Hills Family YMCA please visit their website at www.lakelandhillsymca.com or email Kelly Horvath at [email protected]. No one serves the community as powerfully as the Y does every day.
Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is located at 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.
MORRIS COUNTY — As the weather begins to get colder, the Market Street Mission in Morristown is preparing for its 32nd annual Coat Giveaway event. On Saturday, November 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. they will be handing out free winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves on the Morristown Green.
Men’s, women’s, and children’s coats will be available, and anyone in need of winter gear is free to join us.
As they lead up to the giveaway, they are collecting new and gently used winter coats, as well as hats, gloves, and scarves, from now through the end of October. Winter gear can be dropped off at our thrift store at 25 George Street, Morristown. Donation hours are Monday to Saturday (except Wednesdays) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Our Coat Giveaway is a great opportunity for community outreach, and are expected to serve hundreds of people on Saturday, November 5. They are grateful to everyone who donates and participates to make sure families have what they need to stay warm this winter!
For more information on our coat collection and giveaway event, please visit their website by clicking here.
The Market Street Mission and its Jersey Shore Rescue Mission location are an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, substance abuse, hunger, and homelessness in northern and central New Jersey. As a private non-profit we rely on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide more than 110,000 meals and 30,000 nights of shelter per year. For more information on our emergency services, free addiction recovery program, community counseling services, and thrift stores please visit by clicking here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Help would be a phone call away for state residents who struggle to complete New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission transactions online under legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and endorsed by the Senate Transportation Committee.
“In an effort to re-establish credibility with New Jersey drivers, MVC has transitioned many of its services to the internet,” said Bucco (R-25). “Unfortunately, many residents have found the process confusing and annoying.
Senator Anthony Bucco
“By requiring the commission to provide a call center where live representatives are standing by to help, this bill will alleviate much of the public’s frustrations,” the Senator added. “The hotline will ensure a higher level of customer service.”
The bipartisan bill, A-3663/S-1633 would require MVC’s call center to be available to the public on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at a minimum.
In addition, Bucco’s bill would require MVC to collect and publish online its quarterly performance reports, including information on the number of calls and wait times.
“MVC was roundly criticized for poor performance during the pandemic. Drivers felt abandoned and disrespected as long lines wrapped around facilities and agencies frequently closed for extensive sanitization and cleaning,” Bucco said. “With the creation of a responsive, effective phone center, this bill will help restore some of the public’s trust.”
Since introducing an online system for customers to make appointments for in-person services at motor vehicle agencies two years ago, MVC has expanded the site, adding options for getting licenses, registrations, and titles; and commercial driver’s license renewals. The commission now boasts that 80 percent of its motor vehicle services are available through its website.
Marlene Zwigard cuts the ribbon to Little Village Country Day Shcool
MORRIS COUNTY — Little Village Country Day School celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of its new location, on Wednesday, October 26.
Little Village Country Day School is located at 1447 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph.
Marlene Zwigard, Rosalie DeMassi & Annette Steele
Their educational curriculum fosters children’s development to enrich their knowledge and love of learning using developmentally appropriate lessons and hands-on, unique experiences.
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Marlene Zwigard, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, and Lou Nisivoccia
Marlene Zwigard has owned and operated childcare facilities for over 40 years. Rosalie has worked closely with Marlene as Co-Director for 15 years. Annette came on as another Co-Director and Music Director over 10 years ago.
Marlene, Rosalie, and Annette are actively involved in their parents and children’s lives and always strive to give their best.
They offer both full-time and part-time care for children ages two through six and are open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Marlene has recently been honored with New Jersey’s distinguished Columbian Foundation award for outstanding achievements in the cultural, educational, economic, and social welfare of New Jersey citizens and institutions.
Their comprehensive, full-year program including Summer Camp, strives to give your children the best quality education possible. Their lively and educational atmosphere allows your child to learn and make decisions as they relate to the world around them.
Little Village employs fully trained, caring, certified teachers who teach your children academics as well as personal skills in a loving, nurturing environment. Their educational curriculum fosters children’s development to enrich their knowledge and love of learning using developmentally appropriate lessons and hands-on, unique experiences.
They offer both full-time and part-time care for children ages two through six and are open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They are currently scheduling tours and registering. Come in for a tour today!
Republican challenger Paul DeGroot and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11
MORRIS COUNTY — The three candidates running to represent the 11th Congressional District held a candidates forum on Tuesday, October 25, moderated by the League of Women Voters of New Jersey at Drew University in Madison.
The forum featured Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11, and Republican challenger Paul DeGroot. Sherrill, who lives in Montclair, is seeking her third term. DeGroot, a Montville resident, and former Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor is seeking elected office for the first time and third candidate on the ballot, Libertarian Joseph Biasco of Lincoln Park, a retired Cliffside Park police captain.
The in-person early voting period starts from October 29 to November 6.
After the redistricting based on the 2020 Census, the 11th district now covers these communities:
Morris County – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Township (partial), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens.
Essex County – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (partial), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell.
Passaic County – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (partial), Woodland Park.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Councilman Daniel Happer, Jane Hayward, and Lucas Stelling are reaching out for community support as they seek donations for a food drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry serving Morris County.
Happer, Hayward, and Stelling are asking members of the extended community to bring nonperishable food to the parking lot of St. Catherine of Siena, 10 Pocono Road, Mountain Lakes on Saturday, October 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All non-perishable items are graciously accepted- canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, peanut butter, canned chicken, and tuna, along with baby formula and baby food- are in high demand.
This is the second food drive Jane Hayward has hosted. “Mountain Lakes is a tight-knit community and we come together in times of need. Many people in Morris County are suffering now due to economic circumstances beyond their control- and we want to come together to lend a hand” shared Hayward. “Lakers have always been generous – we are happy to organize a way for our community to help others.”
If you would like to contribute but are unable to attend the food drive or need assistance delivering a donation, please email: [email protected]. To learn more about Jane Hayward, Councilman Dan Happer, and Lucas Stelling, visit their campaign by clicking here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Harmonium Choral Society’s concert A Child’s Christmas will be performed on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, 57 E. Park Place, Morristown, and will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their commissioning of Matthew Harris’s setting of Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales for chorus and chamber orchestra.
The first half of the concert celebrates diverse childhood winter experiences from Haiti to Sweden, Brazil to Wales, and features many women composers including Ysaye Barnwell, Misty Depuis, Flory Jagoda, Caroline Mallonee, Tracy Wong, and Grace Williams. Artistic Director Dr. Anne Matlack says, “I am so excited to re-visit this wonderful work which is full of humor and joy. We’ll use piano, harp, flute, oboe, cello, and percussion for lots of colors! The rest of the concert includes some ‘Harmonium surprises’ such as folk dance and audience participation. Bring the whole family.”
Tickets to A Child’s Christmas may be purchased for $30.00 for adults or $25.00 for students and teachers by clicking here. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Harmonium Choral Society is dedicated to ensuring that all of our patrons are able to enjoy the arts equally. If you have accessibility needs, questions, or concerns, please contact us at least two weeks prior to the scheduled performance and we will assist you in the best manner we have available. For more information, please contact Jody Marcus at (973) 538-6969. Doors open one-half hour before the concert begins, but concertgoers are advised to leave plenty of time for parking.
COVID Guidelines for Harmonium Performances
All Harmonium singers are vaccinated and will remain masked during performances except for occasional solos. We will require proof of vaccination presented at the door for entry. Audience masking is now optional as long as that remains the policy of our host venues.
Funding has been made possible in part by Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Harmonium Choral Society, based in Morris County, is one of New Jersey’s leading choral arts organizations. The 100-voice choral society has been recognized for its musical excellence and innovative programming and has commissioned and premiered works by Amanda Harberg, Matthew Harris, Elliot Z. Levine, Harmonium’s composers-in-residence Mark Miller, Martin Sedek, and others.
Dr. Anne J. Matlack
Directed by Dr. Anne J. Matlack of Madison, Harmonium’s 2022-23 season consists of four subscription concerts held in December, March, May, and June, as well as numerous special events and partnerships. Harmonium, known for its eclectic programming, choral excellence, and community spirit, sponsors commissions and musicianship workshops, as well as an outreach chorus that performs in schools, nursing homes, and other venues. Harmonium sponsors an annual High School Student Choral Composition Contest, which is celebrating its 26th anniversary this season. This innovative program won the prestigious Chorus America Education and Outreach Award. Harmonium has also toured internationally, most recently to the Balkans in the summer of 2022.
MORRIS PLAINS — Rose House, a Morris Plains-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and care for community members with developmental disabilities, announces a partnership with Calabria Restaurant & Pizzeria. On Monday, November 14, 2022, the Livingston, New Jersey establishment will donate 10% of its sales generated from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at its “Autumn Charity Event.”
“This event marks our third restaurant partnership of its kind, but our first in Essex County,” said Rose House CEO Tom Mitchell. “Although all our homes are located in Morris County, we believe Calabria’s positive, 40-year reputation in the Livingston community will be the best location to expand our range of recognition and support.”
Mitchell noted that the pizza’s high quality was also a factor in working with Calabria. It was recently visited by Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy who rated the restaurant’s pizza at an astounding 8.9 during his 1,000th review.
Takeout and delivery options will be honored at the event. Rose House will have an information table to learn more about the organization, as well as an opportunity to meet a resident of its Hanover, New Jersey independent living apartments. Calabria is located at 588 South Livingston Avenue. For more information click here.
Rose House, a non-profit organization based in Morris County, creates forever homes that make dreams come true for those with special needs. It offers customized, self-directed programs to meet every need. The organization’s vision is a future-inclusive community, where everyone has a loving home. For more information click here.
Lehigh University is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. The university was established in 1865 by businessman Asa Packer and was originally affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
MORRIS COUNTY — Lehigh University is thrilled to officially welcome the Class of 2026. The incoming class represents an accomplished, diverse group of students who represent 44 U.S. states and territories and 32 countries. Congratulations to these students on their enrollment at Lehigh – we are proud to call them Mountain Hawks!
These 1,200+ students are welcomed into an academic environment that thrives on creativity, innovation, and hard work. Lehigh has a vibrant campus community offering 150+ clubs and organizations. Students are also invited to explore the local Lehigh Valley and get to know the residents and business owners that will be their neighbors for the next four years.
Elizabeth Bozza of Morris Plains, 07950
Molly Culligan of Madison, 07940
Will Sgro of Boonton, 07005
Ava Lorette of Florham Park, 07932
Laila Dages of Mountain Lakes, 07046
William Geiger of Morris Plains, 07950
Charlie Petro of Florham Park, 07932
Kleon Voliotis of Madison, 07940
Daniel Batrachenko of Florham Park, 07932
Meghan Young of Morris Plains, 07950
James Crowley of Florham Park, 07932
Renato Febbi of Boonton, 07005
David Hercek of Boonton, 07005
For more than 150 years, Lehigh University (lehigh.edu) has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. The institution is among the nation’s most selective, highly-ranked private research universities. Lehigh’s five colleges – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Health, and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science – provide opportunities to 7,000+ students to discover and grow in an academically rigorous environment along with a supportive, engaged campus community.
Allison Larena with Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus
MORRIS COUNTY — Allison Larena, President & CEO of Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in Morristown, was honored Friday night, October 14, by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners for her 20 years at the helm of the arts organization.
Allison Larena with Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus
Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus presented Larena with a framed “Resolution of Honor” inside MPAC’s Starlight Room just prior to the performance of “Croce Plays Croce” at the theater on South Street.
“I am grateful for the recognition by the Morris County Board of Commissioners in honor of my 20th anniversary at MPAC. MPAC is fortunate to be located in a county that recognizes the value of our cultural institutions and how they contribute to the quality of life for our residents. The Commissioners’ support of our education programs this past year has been a vital lifeline to helping these programs return to enrich the lives of thousands of children every year,” said Larena.
The resolution notes that Larena has been instrumental in transforming the Morristown-based theater into a world-class performing arts center and for growing its annual operating budget from $1.5 million to more than $13 million. Under her tutelage, MPAC operations grew from about 50 events annually to over 250 events, welcoming more than 240,000 patrons each year and generating over $9 million in ticket sales, while simultaneously having an estimated impact of $15 million dollars on the local economy.
“On behalf of the Morris County Commissioners, We are pleased to present you with this resolution recognizing your 20 years of leadership of Mayo Performing Arts Center. MPAC is a crown jewel for Morris County,” said Deputy Director Krickus.
“Morris County was proud to provide MPAC with $600,000 of funding for education programs as part of the recovery from COVID, and also recently approved $24,000 of historic grant funding for the plans to renovate the historic facade to the theater,” he added.
MPAC, which operates out of a 1937 theater designed by Thomas Lamb, has served more than 40,000 children through education and outreach programs, and Larena is credited with launching innovative programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the arts accessible.
Among the programs were the first outdoor drive-in concerts, the first limited-capacity concerts, and the first live streams in New Jersey as she kept the theatre active and relevant while creating a safe environment for people to enjoy an indoor art experience.
To learn more about MPAC and upcoming events click here.
