MORRIS COUNTY — Leslie T. Bensley, who built the Morris County Tourism Bureau from a mere idea in 1997 into a driving economic force in the region, was honored by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners upon the announcement of her retirement as Executive Director of the agency after 24 years.

Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw presented her with a framed Resolution of Honor on behalf of the board, followed by state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, who issued a state honor during the board’s public meeting.

“We are forever indebted. You put Morris County on the map and helped the local economy. It is phenomenal what you have done. Once again, on behalf of this board, and all the residents of Morris County and all the people who visit Morris County, it’s my privilege and honor to present you with this resolution, and to thank you,” Shaw said.

The Beginning
Bensley has been at the helm of the Tourism Bureau since it opened its doors across the street from the historic Morris County Courthouse with the support of the board, then known as the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and particularly then-Freeholder Frank Druetzler.

“I am very humbled and honored to have been the executive director for nearly a quarter-century,” said Bensley, praising Druetzler for having the foresight to invest in the Tourism Bureau.

“I remember when Frank hired me in 1997, he did something so remarkable. He saved and salvaged tourism because when it had started before, it had petered out, and he felt it was too important to this county not to do something,” Bensley explained.

Shaw noted that Bensley initiated the Bureau’s efforts to promote Morris County’s exceptional historic, cultural and recreational opportunities, helping Morris County tourism to grow four-fold and generate more than $2.3 billion in annual economic activity in 2019. The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism estimates the county averaged 6.5 million annual visitors at the time.

Bensley initially focused on Morris County’s historic links to the Revolutionary War in luring visitors to the area through “heritage tourism.”

“That’s been my guiding star. That’s my loadstar. It says, tell the destination story,” Bensley explained. “No matter who else has American Revolutionary history, or Gustav Stickley history, or Thomas Nast history or the magnetic telegraph history, our story is unique to us. So as long as you are true to that, you will find an audience because it is worthy.”

Force of Nature
Bensley’s heritage tourism focus was so effective, she was appointed in 2010 to the Governor’s Task Force for Heritage Tourism, where she served as vice-chair and worked on the publication of the Heritage Tourism Plan for New Jersey. The document served as a roadmap for heritage tourism development throughout the state.

“Leslie is a force of nature. She can move anything, and she could probably solve climate change,” said Druetzler, who attended the meeting. “What was the visitor’s center before she came? In the lobby was a bulletin board with some flyers on it. That was it. … Morris County is really the true capital of the American Revolution and she made people realize that.”

Number One Cheerleader
Bucco referred to her as “the number one cheerleader of Morris County.”

“Not only did you represent millions of people that were coming into the county, but billions of dollars in economic revenue that your office helped to generate around the county — and that is so important for the economic growth of this area,” Bucco said. “So tonight I’m honored to also present a Senate and General Assembly Citation recognizing your work. I also have a Senate resolution which will be adopted on the floor of the Senate and the Assembly recognizing all of your achievements, so good luck and God bless you.”

The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism honored the Morris County Bureau of Tourism’s marketing campaigns on many occasions over the years. Bensley was additionally honored with the 2013 Award of Recognition by the New Jersey Historical Commission for her many years of support, advocacy, and promotion of Morris County’s history and historic sites.

A Tour of the Tourism Bureau
Under Bensley’s tutelage, the Bureau grew by creating a membership program and obtaining grants beyond the county contributions. She also established historic kiosks and walking tours, as well as destination signs to guide visitors, and frequently created public events to attract attention to Morris County’s historic locations.

During her tenure, Bensley also served as the Treasurer of the Advocates for New Jersey History, co-founded the Coalition of New Jersey Destination Marketing Organizations, and served on the boards of both the Crossroads of American Revolution Heritage Area and the New Jersey Travel Industry Association.

Bensley lives in Morris Township with her husband of 36 years, Charlie, with whom she had two children, Eliza and Sam. She said she plans to spend more time in retirement being a tourist as well as spending time in Morris County with a new addition to her family: grandson, Graham McKenzie Folsom.

Visit the Morris County Tourism Bureau website.

MORRIS COUNTY — DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, is pleased to announce it has bolstered its law practice with the addition of thirteen new legal professionals, effective on December 1. This expansion provides the firm with additional expertise in existing practice areas such as complex litigation, labor and employment, land use, real estate, and banking as well as extends the firm’s purview to a new practice area, namely, personal injury law. With more than 100 attorneys and staff, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, will continue to exponentially grow its footprint across New Jersey, with offices in Paramus and Parsippany.

Co-Managing Partner Michael R. DeCotiis remarked on the milestone, “This expansion combines a wide variety of skills and expertise across multiple practice groups that enable DeCotiis to continue to provide sophisticated and comprehensive solutions to our clients in both the public and private sectors. I am incredibly proud to uphold the legacy and continued growth of the firm.”

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP’s, current expansion involves the addition of nearly all of the preexisting attorneys from Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman, LLP, including two of the principals, Paul C. Kaufman, Esq. and Mark J. Semeraro, Esq. “As attorneys practicing in New Jersey for over 70 combined years, we are eager to join DeCotiis to expand the resources available to our clients. Our experience with that of DeCotiis means the continued growth of our practice areas and depth of expertise,” Kaufman and Semeraro shared.

Named Equity Partner Vincent Giblin acknowledged, “The addition of Paul and Mark along with the seven attorneys joining the firm will contribute to DeCotiis’ long list of accomplished attorneys barred across the United States, fortifying our national presence and delivering more than exceptional solutions to complex legal problems for our clients.”

“I am honored to be a third-generation DeCotiis at DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP,” stated Joseph M. DeCotiis III. “The legacy of our firm is that of excellence and commitment to high-quality representation. I look forward to learning from and working alongside this new group of legal professionals.”

In addition to Mark Semeraro and Paul Kaufman, the seven other new attorneys joining DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, are Deena B. Rosendahl, Justin D. Santagata, Scott Fahrney, Jaime R. Placek, Gregory K. Asadurian, Danielle M. Federico, and Avi Meger.

Founded in 1986, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP,  has become a leader in New Jersey government, legal, and business communities. As demonstrated with this expansion, the firm has continued its growth, expanding its scope of work and bringing on top legal talent. Continuing with the firm’s tradition of upholding professional identity and excellence, the incoming attorneys will join a large group of attorneys within the firm who have earned Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ and who have earned AV Preeminent® Ratings, the highest peer rating standard.

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, added a second location at 90 East Halsey Road, Suite 385, Parsippany.

For more information about DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, click here or call (201) 928-1100. municipal law, government, and regulatory affairs, healthcare law, corporate law, banking, and bankruptcy.

PARSIPPANY — Athos is a Sato — a mutt from Puerto Rico who is similar in body type to a Shiba Inu/Chihuahua mix! He is eight months old.

Athos is searching for a loving, patient family who takes their time letting him adjust to their home as he can be a bit fearful. He craves affection but needs to be taught that it’s safe and ok! He would thrive with a canine companion to help show him the ropes.

He gets along with other dogs but is not sure about cats. He is house trained and has good leash manners.

He is up to date on all of his vaccinations and is very healthy.

Athos is five years old and weighs forty pounds. Athos likes children above the age of 16 because sometimes he gets spooked by loud noises or fast movements.

If you are interested in adopting Athos click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Elected were Jeffrey M. Advokat, Esq. as chair; George J. Milonas as vice-chair; Jack N. Frost, Esq. as treasurer; and Dr. Barbara L. Hadzima as secretary.

Appointed to the CCM Board of Trustees by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners were Devanshu L. Modi, Esq. and Cathleen M. Paugh.

Continuing their service on the board are George E. Dredden III, Lauren C. Inganamort, Paul R. Licitra, Morris County Interim Executive County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, and Dr. Joseph S. Weisberg.

Advokat is a senior partner of Advokat & Rosenberg, Esq. in Morristown, and a former Morris County Assistant Prosecutor. Professionally he has tried thousands of matters in all levels of court throughout his 41-year career and has garnered a 95 percent rate of success. He has experience in the classroom having taught business law at Caldwell University, the American Institute of Paralegal Studies, the New Jersey Assistant Prosecutor’s Association, and the New York Chiropractic College. He earned his law degree from Hofstra University, his master’s Fellowship in Government from the Eagleton Institute of Rutgers University, and his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers. He has served on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Communications and Education Committee and is a frequent lecturer for ACCT on the topic of board ethics. Advokat has published on a number of topics, is a regular talk-radio guest, and has appeared on television, including the Phil Donahue Show. Advokat also serves on the New Jersey Council of County Colleges Executive Committee, and State and Federal Policy Committee.

Milonas is a corporate sector leader, with experience in working with multinational companies specializing in the strategic design, implementation, and oversight of global enterprise compliance and risk management programs. He began his higher education at CCM earning an associate in science degree in Criminal Justice. He received his master’s in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor’s in Sociology from Centenary University.

Frost is an attorney with Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He earned his law degree from Seton Hall School of Law, and his bachelor’s and master’s in Philosophy and International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, U.K.

Hadzima is a retired middle school administrator and college adjunct. She has participated in the Chinese Bridge Delegation (Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters) to Chinese Universities which focuses on school visits, cultural activities, and educational workshops. She contributed to the New Jersey ALPHA Peace/Reconciliation Program in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Additionally, she was sponsored by New Jersey for program studies at European concentration camps and at Yad Vashem in Israel. Hadzima then assisted with the development of the New Jersey State Curriculum Guide to teach Holocaust/Genocide. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University, her master’s degree from Kean University, and her undergraduate degree from the College of St. Elizabeth.

Modi is a founding member of the Morris County law firm of Lyon, Glassman, Leites & Modi, L.L.C. and was recently selected by the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program to serve as a Subchapter V Trustee under the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019. He is a former Deputy Attorney General in New Jersey and previously served as an investigator with the Bureau of Securities. He served on the Harding Township Board of Education and, subsequently, on the Harding Township Committee. He earned his law degree from Seton Hall School of Law and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Delaware.

Paugh began her higher education at CCM, which she credits for connecting her with her first professional job at Prudential Financial that turned into a successful 34-year career. She retired last year from Prudential after serving in several senior roles within Prudential’s finance organization, most recently as the Head of Global Reinsurance Strategy. She is a sought-after advisor to boards and executives in corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, capital markets, strategic planning, deal execution, and regulatory compliance. Her community involvement includes serving as a board member and advisor for a nonprofit specializing in child abuse and family service and running various mentoring programs in startup organizations and other not-for-profit groups. She earned her master’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University and her bachelor’s in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Dredden is the chief of staff to Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Drew University’s Theological School and bachelor’s in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Weisberg is professor emeritus of Geoscience at New Jersey City University. He earned his Ed.D. from Columbia University, his master’s in Science Education from Montclair State University, and his bachelor’s in Science Education from Jersey City State College, now New Jersey City University. He is a recipient of the Ronald D. Winthers Trustee Leadership Award from the New Jersey Council of County Colleges for his many years of service to CCM as a trustee and former board chair, and to New Jersey’s higher education community through writing and co-authoring three college texts. Weisberg was the former mayor of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

Inganamort served as manager of Global Compliance at Tiffany & Co. in Parsippany, where she was responsible for the development, execution, and management of compliance programs and risk assessments. She received the company’s Finance Achievement for Commitment to Excellence Award for exceptional dedication and service. Inganamort serves as a trustee for the Educational Foundation of the Chesters and on the Advisory Committee of the New Jersey Governor’s STEM Scholars program. She is the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her work on behalf of military families whose loved ones were receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She earned her master’s in Engineering Management and holds two bachelor’s degrees in Engineering from Dartmouth College.

Licitra currently serves as an office administrator for Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblyman Hal Wirths, and serves as the Sergeant of Arms for the New Jersey Senate. He also possesses extensive experience in insurance spanning more than 45 years, covering all aspects of risk management for large domestic and international clients. In the public sector, he served as mayor of Mount Olive from 2000-04 after serving eight years on the Township Council. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, where he also taught as an adjunct professor in the Tobin College of Business. He also served on the Association of Community College Trustees Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, charged with reviewing public policy issues and recommending positions, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) State and Federal Policy Committee, and the board of directors for the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Licitra currently serves on the NJCCC State and Federal Policy Committee.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, the early 20th century historic home of Gustav Stickley, is hosting a free Crafts-Mas Open House and Pop-Up Shop on Saturdays, December 4 and 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum’s doors were closed for tours in March 2020. Then in August of that same year, the museum suffered a further setback when a destructive tropical storm severely damaged a building on the property, forcing the museum to remain closed, except for grounds tours, ever since. Now, before rebuilding begins in 2022, the museum will open temporarily for two special holiday events in December.

The Open House will take place in the Log House at Craftsman Farms. This structure, completed in 1911, is one of the most important architectural achievements of the Arts and Crafts movement in America. Designed to be a clubhouse, it became the Stickley family home and remains the heart of the property today. For this special event, the Log House will be decorated for the holidays in Arts and Crafts style, taking inspiration from Gustav Stickley’s ideas about the season—as expressed in his magazine The Craftsman—and from early 20th century Christmas traditions. Visitors will be invited to view the Log House interiors at their own pace. Docents will be stationed throughout to share more about the Christmas décor and the history of the site.

The Crafts-Mas Pop-Up Shop will take place in the lower level of the museum’s Education Center (the museum’s shop was displaced by the August 2020 tropical storm). The Shop will feature custom, new holiday items, including Motawi’s Christmas Tree tile in a custom colorway, and old favorites, which will be deeply discounted. Museum Members will receive an additional 10% off their entire purchase. All sales benefit the museum and support its operations as it moves forward following two challenging years.

The events will be held on December 4 and 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Advance registrations are not necessary for this free event. Because of the close quarters inside Craftsman Farms’ historic buildings, masks will be required regardless of vaccination status.

Craftsman Farms, the former home of noted designer Gustav Stickley, is owned by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills and is operated by The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Inc., (“SMCF”) (formerly known as The Craftsman Farms Foundation, Inc.). SMCF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of New Jersey. Restoration of the National Historic Landmark, Craftsman Farms, is made possible, in part, by a Save America’s Treasures Grant administered by the National Parks Service, Department of the Interior, and by support from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust, The New Jersey Historic Trust, and individual donors. SMCF received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State and a grant from the New Jersey Arts & Culture Recovery Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. Educational programs are funded, in part, by grants from the Arts & Crafts Research Fund.

MORRIS COUNTY — Market Street Mission in Morristown along with our Jersey Shore Rescue Mission location in Asbury Park gave out thousands of coats to members of the community in our annual Coat Giveaway events. The Market Street Mission has been giving out free winter gear every November for the past 31 years, and the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission for about 15 years.

This event is a great opportunity to reach out and care for our local community, making sure that families have the clothing they need to stay warm throughout the winter.

During the month of October, we received an outpouring of support from the community who donated the coats for us to give away. Thank you to the local individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations who worked together to collect thousands of winter clothing items for our neighbors in need!

On Saturday, November 6, more than 400 people visited Morristown Green to receive 1,800 coats, along with hats, gloves, and scarves for themselves and their families. Volunteers provided goody bags for the children in attendance as well. Two weeks later, on Saturday, November 20, they were able to serve 375 people at our Mission at 701 Memorial Drive in Asbury Park, providing them with 1,100 coats as well as hats, gloves, and scarves.they

We are so grateful for our volunteers who helped each Coat Giveaway run smoothly! The 75 volunteers at Market Street and 80 volunteers at Jersey Shore assisted the community members in choosing their coats and winter accessories, managed the lines to keep things running smoothly, and handed out refreshments to our guests.

One of our community guests said of his experience: “I have been coming to the Coat Giveaway for many years with my entire family. It’s been a blessing to be able to get my kids warm coats for the winter. We are so grateful the Mission is here!”

As the weather begins to turn colder, we are blessed to be able to provide for the needs of our neighbors, and we are grateful for the community support that makes our Coat Giveaways possible each year!

The Market Street Mission and its Jersey Shore Rescue Mission location are an experienced organization with a proven method of helping 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  www.marketstreet.org or www.jerseyshorerescue.org.