EAST HANOVER — Ray and Cathy Donovan and the Donovan Family were honored with the Making a Difference Award for their 50 years of helping inner-city children in New Jersey, and for supporting several Catholic schools and religious orders. “Ray and Cathy Donovan and their family exemplify everything that Tri-County stands for in their work to help children from underprivileged areas by providing educational opportunity at better, safer schools,” said TCSF President, Prudence Pigott.
700 business people, friends and family, clergy and religious attended the Tri-County Scholarship Fund (TCSF) Annual Awards Dinner at the Hanover Marriott on October 28 where a record breaking $1.3 million was raised to provide partial scholarships for financially disadvantaged children in Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties, enabling them to attend accredited K-12 values-based schools. Tri-County Scholarship Fund recognized three honorees who believe in and support the TCSF mission at the dinner, which is the largest fundraiser for TCSF.Also honored at the TCSF 38th Annual Awards Dinner were Eric Andersen, Co-President of Aon, who received the Hall of Fame Award, and Douglas Kennedy, President and CEO of Peapack-Gladstone Bank who was presented with the Leadership Award, after his over 20 years of supporting scholarships through TCSF.
“We are thrilled that we raised more than $1.3 million toward scholarships, and had the opportunity to honor such accomplished individuals, who are revered in their industries and admired for their commitment to the community, and to our mission,” said Pigott.
TCSF has provided more than $27 million for more than 32,000 scholarships to deserving K-12th grade children, since its inception in 1981 by Edward Hennessy, and the late Bishop Frank Rodimer, of Paterson.
EAST HANOVER — As part of their Grand Opening Celebration, Capital Craft donated $1,000 to the East Hanover Fire Department.
Accepting the donation from owners Erika Desimone and Oscar González was Chief Carmen Davino.
Capital Craft combines the warm, relaxed atmosphere of a neighborhood tavern with a menu to impress the palate. Our chef puts an eclectic, flavorful spin on what you’ve come to expect from a gastro pub. Offerings are freshly prepared, with superior ingredients like locally sourced meats, organic produce and artisan cheeses. Enjoy creative appetizers and small plates, chef-curated specialties, premium steaks and burgers, handcrafted coal-fired pizza and more.
Capital Craft offers the finest array of craft beers in the area, with 24 taps rotating daily. Choose from seasonal selections and exclusive labels hailing from the top brewers in New Jersey, the U.S., and around the globe. Don’t miss special events including tap takeovers, celebratory keg tappings, and gourmet beer dinners where you’ll have the opportunity to sample unique tastes and rare varieties. At Capital Craft, you can even selectively pair your own beer flights, making us the ultimate destination for beer lovers everywhere. For East Hanover Tap list, click here.
Capital Craft is located at 138 State Route 10, East Hanover. Click here for more information.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Realty is constructing a new Panera Bread in the Wegmans Shopping Center on Sylvan Road. The new Panera Bread will be located in front of the 24 Hour Fitness which will be holding its grand opening late June.
Panera Bread Company is an American chain store of bakery-café fast casual restaurants with over 2,000 locations, all of which are in the United States and Canada. Its headquarters are located in Sunset Hills, Missouri.
Panera Bread has locations in East Hanover, Denville, Florham Park and Parsippany.
Saturday, October 5 was a beautiful day with spring like temperatures when 126 registered car enthusiasts entered their vehicles into competition at our 27th Annual Chamber of Commerce/PBA #92 Car Show at Bottle Hill Day.
The caliber of cars is always of the highest standard and 77 special awards were presented in various categories.
The judges unanimously awarded this year’s Best in Show Award to Joe Goceljak of Sparta, NJ with his custom restored 1968 Pontiac Firebird. The Best in Show Award was sponsored by Sal Toto of Pine Manor Associates, Green Village.
Second place was awarded to Wayne Boyd of Ridgefield Park, NJ with his black & silver custom 1955 Dodge Station Wagon.
Third place was awarded to Pat Ureivoli of Butler, NJ with his restored and highly detailed blue 1967 Chevy Camaro.
DJ Jimmy Givens, “The Oldies Maven”, provided music of the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s. Artists and pin stripers, Glen Design and Paul Weisgerber were there with their talents to pin stripe and letter vehicles.
Thank you to the event sponsor, John Kirwan of Madison Tire & Auto Repair and to the Fleming Family of Garden Terrace Nursing Home, 361 Main Street, Chatham, Kim Eppel of Madison Honda, 280 Main Street and Dr. Allison Adams of Adams Dental, One Kings Road.
Special thanks to the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps and their President Kevin DeBiasse for the use of their building and to the Madison Fire Department and their numerous volunteers for working the barbeque grills and serving delicious food throughout the event.
Our gratitude goes to the Madison Police Department, with special thanks to Police Chief Darren Dachisen, Lieutenant Joe Longo, Lieutenant John Miscia, Corporal & PBA President Vinny Dellavalle, Patrolman Joe DiRocco, Patrolman Ryan Dunn, John Rafter and Connie Phillips. Thank you to the Auxiliary Police for their traffic control.
Once again many thanks to John Morris, Karen Giambra, Matt Lincoln, Fred & Mary Ann Damiano, Jerry Amato, John Torrani, Dan Phillips, Dave Hanrahan, Frank Zarra, Tom Serpico, Tom DeBiasse, Mike Bower, Helene Corlett, Toni Collett from J& M Home & Garden and Carmen Toto.
Behind the scenes, our debt and gratitude goes to Ken O’Brien of the Public Works Dept. and all of the assigned borough workers.
This long list of volunteers is indicative of the dedication and support which makes this Madison event truly spectacular. Without them, and the generosity of our sponsors and town merchants, the car show cannot enjoy the success and enthusiasm it experiences each year at Bottle Hill Day.
Thank you,
Peter Daniele, Chairperson, Car Show 2019 V.P. Madison Area Chamber of Commerce
MORRIS COUNTY — The Department of Information Technologies at County College of Morris (CCM) hopes to draw more women to its degree and certificate programs, while encouraging and supporting current students, thanks to a new partnership and grant award.
The college has become a partner in the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Learning Circles program. Each “circle” consists of three computing departments and representatives from NCWIT. The designation includes a $10,000 award and funding for conference travel.
“The goal is to work with other educational institutions to establish a CCM plan for sustainable departmental and institutional practices that will attract and retain more women to our information technologies programs,” says Information Technologies Professor Nancy Binowski. NCWIT will assign the other two computing departments that will be working with CCM.
In the last decade, enrollment in CCM’s computing and technology courses of study has tripled, Binowski says, but the percentage of female students has remained unchanged.
“We’ve tried a lot of different things in our department and campus wide, and nothing we’ve done has made a dent,” Binowski says. “We’re hoping with this learning circle that we will learn what’s going to work for us.”
Currently about 16 percent of students enrolled in Information Technologies at CCM are female. Degrees are offered in Information Technology, Computer Science, Game Development, Technical Studies in Information Technology and Digital Media Technology. Certificates also are offered in Information Security, Media Technology and Web Development.
“Women are underrepresented. We make up more than half the population and we have men dictating the technology that we use,” Binowski says. “We need a place at the table so that technology reflects our wants, our needs, our designs and not somebody else’s.”
Binowski is assembling a cross-functional CCM team of faculty and staff from admissions, advising, academic success and student affairs.
Initiatives will include the establishment of a Women in IT Club to provide a network of female peers who can connect and support each other. Other goals include additional outreach to local high schools and middle schools to foster girls’ interest in technology, potentially through interaction with female college students on research or other projects.
CCM was one of 15 institutions chosen this year from 36 applicants nationwide. CCM members will begin meeting monthly with Learning Circle participants in 2020 to develop a plan that can be implemented in the second year of the program.
NCWIT, chartered in 2004 by the National Science Foundation, improves awareness and knowledge of computing fields with a three-prong approach. The organization sponsors an annual summit, provides free online resources and inspires young girls and women to pursue their interest in information technology.
MADISON — The Madison Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting children to participate in a month long search to Find Rosie the Rose City Reindeer this holiday season.
Beginning Saturday, November 30, more than 50 Chamber-member businesses will participate in this creative and fun activity to help highlight the holidays and all that is wonderful about shopping in Madison this season. This is a free event, open to the public and for children only. For a list of participating business please visit the Chamber website by clicking here.
How does it work?
Pick up a participation card at Tons of Toys, 64 Main Street, the Madison Pharmacy, 66 Main Street or at any one of the participating businesses.
When you spot Rosie at any one of the businesses, collect a store stamp or signature on the card.
When at least 15 different store stamps/signatures are collected, bring the game card to Tons of Toys or Madison Pharmacy where a special prize can be collected. Prizes are being donated by Tons of Toys.
When at least 25 store stamps/signatures are collected, bring the game card to Tons of Toys or The Madison Pharmacy where you will be entered into a drawing.The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $100 Madison Chamber Gift Check and 2nd and 3rd place winners will each receive a $50 Madison Chamber Gift Check.
Watch the live feed of the Grand Prize drawing on the ILoveMadisonNJ Facebook page on Monday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m.
The Find Rosie the Rose City Reindeer program was designed to bring customers into our downtown business district while promoting our “Shop Local” message,” said Chamber executive director Karen Giambra. “The program reinforces our shared sense of community and it’s a fun way to bring everyone together during the holiday season. It has been tremendously successful.”
Editor’s Note: This article was written and submitted by Dr. Chrystina A. Dolyniuk, UAYA Youth Educator & Member of UAYA Whippany Chapter
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) recently gathered at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey to make a difference in the lives of children in Ukraine. The feast of Saint Nicholas the Miracle Worker is one of the most highly anticipated holidays for children of Ukrainian heritage. It symbolizes the start of the holiday season and is the day when Ukrainian children traditionally receive gifts.
For children living in today’s war-torn Ukraine, giving and receiving gifts during the holiday season may be an elusive reality since many have been forced from their homes or have lost a parent due to war. In fact, according to the international organization UNICEF, three million people currently living in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance, with at least 500,000 of those being children. Additionally, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees recently reported that the government of Ukraine has identified at least 1.5 million internally displaced persons since the start of the conflict.
Since Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, and subsequently invaded the Donbas and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine, members of the Ukrainian Youth Association, have been involved in a global effort to lessen the burden for Ukraine’s children. Under the call “Warm the Heart of a Child”, members of the organization across the globe have taken action at their local chapters to collect donations and prepare backpacks for children that include warm winter clothes, school supplies, small toys, and handwritten holiday greetings.
This year members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) chapter in Whippany, New Jersey, participated in this effort for the fifth year in a row. Families volunteered to sponsor children who were typically the same age and gender as their own children, providing a teaching opportunity for both UAYA counselors and parents to discuss how Ukrainian-Americans can embrace and support their brothers and sisters in their ethnic homeland. Additionally, members of the broader Whippany community were invited to participate including parishioners at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church and members of Plast, the Ukrainian scouting organization. In total, the Whippany chapter collected 102 backpacks this year, which were sent to children in Kalush, Ternopil, Kyiv and Khmelnytsy Regions. Over the last five years, members of UAYA Whippany have donated, packed and shipped over 600 backpacks to children in war-torn Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Youth Association was first founded in Ukraine in 1925 and has established chapters in twelve different countries around the globe. The Whippany chapter of the Ukrainian American Youth Association has been in existence since 1991 and operates under the Ukrainian Youth Association’s motto “God and Ukraine.”
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Member Frank Cahill presented New Jersey Small Business Development Center of Northwest Jersey Director Mary Adelman with a membership plaque upon joining the chamber.
New Jersey Small Business Development Center of Northwest Jersey represents an interesting mixture of rural, retail, professional and industrial businesses. Their staff is prepared to handle the diverse skill/experience of the business owners participating in industries ranging from agriculture to biomedical research to consumer products/services.
These services are available to all small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) in all industry categories. So even if your business generates millions in revenue or has several hundred employees, your business may fit into the SMB definition and can obtain advice, professional development and business intelligence from our experts.
Northwest NJSBDC (Serves Morris, Sussex & Warren Counties) and is located at 150 Mountain Avenue, Mountain Business Center, 2nd Floor, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — It’s that time of year again! Come celebrate the holiday season with the Cedar Knolls Fire Department as Santa lights the tree on Saturday, November 30. Festivities will start at 6:15 p.m., and Santa is scheduled to arrive from the North Pole at 6:45 p.m.
Refreshments will be served.
Cedar Knolls Fire Department is located at 82 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls.
FLORHAM PARK — The 2019 Boy Scout of America Tribute to Women and Mary A. Mullholland Service awards luncheon was held on Friday, November 15 at the beautifully newly renovated Morris Golf Club in Florham Park, honoring outstanding women who have contributed to the local community.
Nicole Barone
Peak Performance Strategist; Certified Health Coach; Strategic Agility Group
Nicole Barone, partner and founder of Strategic Agility Group, is a Peak Performance Strategist and Certified Health Coach. Nicole has over 20 years of health and wellness experience. After enjoying a successful career at Johnson and Johnson, she saw the need and lack of individual support in the health and wellness industry. She followed her passion, leaving her corporate job behind, after more than a decade on the fast track. She developed a unique, customized, high engagement approach, that ensures individuals surpass nutrition and fitness goals. Teaming up with a network of the best doctors and nutritionists around the country, Nicole designs solutions that meet the needs on an individual basis, one client at a time. Individuals ranging from 18-months to 82 years of age have benefited from her nutritional support and guidance.
Nicole’s success has been fueled by Isagenix, the world’s best nutritional product line, proven cutting edge, high-quality nutrition, and supplementation. She has improved the quality of life and confidence of hundreds of individuals, helped athletes achieve their personal best and received numerous awards for her efforts in the community. Over her health-journey, Nicole learned that the benefits of better nutrition can start with small steps, that lead to big gains. In addition, leveraging good nutrition can start at any age and the second half of
your life can be the best half of your life!”
Over the past 10 years, Nicole has coached hundreds of clients and speaks her passion at corporate offices, such as M&T Bank, AIG, KPMG and ADP to name a few partnering along with the American Heart Association. She is passionate about giving back and the true importance of volunteering to build better communities. As an active member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Nicole has led 5k run teams as well as supported a children’s fitness program for the Morris School District. As past president of Toastmasters International, she leads and mentors individuals to become better business leaders. Nicole is also a spin instructor, leading classes at local gyms. Her free time is filled with group fitness classes, hiking, skiing and world travel with family and friends. Nicole has been a member of Assumption Church, spreading her faith as a youth educator for over a decade. Nicole calls Morristown her home for the last twenty years, where she is married and has raised two teenage boys, both active Boy Scouts in Troop 39 of Morris Plains.
2019 Tribute to Women Award Recipient
Karolina Dehnhard, Esq.
Chair, New Jersey Matrimonial & Family Law Group at Norris McLaughlin
Founder, Divorce Dynasty
Karolina A. Dehnhard, Chair of the firm’s New Jersey Matrimonial & Family Law Practice Group, devotes her practice to matrimonial law including divorce, prenuptial agreements, child custody, parenting time, alimony, child support, and domestic violence issues.
Karolina assists with complex financial issues, including valuation of businesses both domestically and abroad; international custody rights; the impact of immigration status on divorcing spouses and their children; enforcement of foreign divorce decrees; and the complexities associated with alimony rights and post-judgment cohabitation.
Karolina has appeared on various TV shows and news programs, as well as published articles on family law topics in numerous print publications including North Jersey Woman Magazine, Industry Magazine, VUENJ, and numerous Polish publications. In addition, she co-authored a chapter in “Understanding the Legal Issues Surrounding Same-Sex Marriage.” She is the co-host of two radio shows, “The Law Matters,” on WMTR Radio, and “There’s Always a Way Out,” hosted in Polish, on Radio RAMPA.
Karolina has been a featured presenter at numerous women in business events on topics including women protecting their assets, becoming the CEO of your home, planning for the future, and promoting financial awareness before and during divorce.
She has also taken part in U.S. delegations to Ireland, Cuba, and Spain, to develop international business relations among women in business. She was recognized by the Trade and Investment Section of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland for her influence and leadership in integrating women-owned businesses in both Poland and the United States. In 2018, Karolina launched the Polish-American Chamber of Commerce, North East (covering Maine to Florida) as well as Poland, with a focus on creating business opportunities for both American and Polish businesses.
Karolina was named in the “Top Women in Law” in 2018 by the New Jersey Law Journal and one of the “Top 25 Leading Intrapreneurs in New Jersey” in 2016. She has also been selected as a “Rising Star” by New Jersey Super Lawyers® and received the 2018 Leadership Award presented by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, a
charity she has supported for more than a decade.
Recognizing that her clients often require the services of various professionals during, and after, their divorce, Karolina created Divorce Dynasty, a self-standing concierge service platform, to provide them and others with access to a network of professionals who have specific roles in the divorce process, including realtors, bankers, accountants, financial advisers and mortgage brokers, doctors, private investigators, and even a
matchmaker. Keeping her footprint in Short Hills and the geographic area, Karolina was recently named as the Ambassador of the Leading Women Entrepreneurs Short Hills Leadership Lounge, a platform dedicated to the advancement of women globally.
Before entering into private practice, Karolina clerked for The Honorable Rosemary E. Ramsay, J.S.C., Morris County Superior Court, Family Part and Civil Part. While in law school, she interned for the Honorable Michael Ambrecht, J.S.C., in the Supreme Court, Criminal Part, Manhattan, and the Honorable Raymond T. Lyons, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of New Jersey.
Casey Gocel
Partner, Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C.
Casey Gocel is a Shareholder at Mandelbaum Salsburg, a full-service law firm, where she specializes in corporate transactions and estate planning. She focuses on business mergers and acquisitions, start-ups, corporate governance, asset protection planning and sophisticated estate and family wealth transfer planning. Casey often serves as outside general counsel to her clients and advices them on issues concerning contract negotiation and drafting, mergers and acquisitions, strategic tax planning, choice of entity, general commercial relationships, complex buy-sell arrangements, succession planning and other legal matters. Casey’s clients include small and middle-market companies and executive employees, often in the areas of retail, manufacturing, industrial, consumer services, healthcare and dentistry.
In 2019, Casey was named to NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business List and named by Leading Women Entrepreneurs & Business Owners as a Top 25 Leading Intrapreneur. In 2017, Casey was named as one of NJBIZ’s “Forty under 40” for her commitment to business growth, professional excellence and community service. In 2016, Casey was selected as a “New Leader of the Bar” by New Jersey Law Journal. She was also included by Super Lawyers, New Jersey among one of its “Rising Stars” from 2015 to 2019. Casey co-authored the book “Buy Sell Merge: How to Navigate Successful Dental Practice Transitions for the Entrepreneurial Dentist.” She earned her LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 2008 and her J.D., magna cum laude, in 2007 from Whittier Law School.
Marisa Spagnoletti Founder The Maurice J. Spagnoletti Foundation Owner, Lucy’s Gift
In 2011 Marisa Spagnoletti’s life as a loving wife, mother, and banking executive was shattered in a hail of bullets when her husband – Maurice J. Spagnoletti, a prominent N.J. banker – was tragically killed. Maurice was an honest man with a sincere desire to help others. Marisa ensured his legacy lives on by founding the non-profit Maurice J. Spagnoletti Foundation (mauricejspagnoletti.com) in 2014. MJSF helps children in need, crime victims, strives to end violence, and honors those who serve and protect us. Marisa opened Lucy’s Gift boutique in 2015 and an online e-commerce site – lucysgift.org – in 2017, with all net profits donated to charity.
Despite her terrible tragedy, Marisa’s message is not one of despair. She has enormous respect for those who serve and protect us and is confident that the FBI will provide her with justice. She’s been honored to share her mission as: 2019 Keynote Speaker, NJ Association of School Administrators, 2017 Italian American Woman of the Year, 2015 Award of Hope, 2014 National Professional Woman of the Year, 2014 Proclamation from the State of NJ, and SAFE in Hunterdon Advisory Board member. Marisa extends her sincere thanks to the Boys Scouts of America (BSA) for being honored at the 2019 Tribute to
Women and Mary A. Mulholland Service Awards Luncheon. With the help of organizations like the BSA, The Maurice J. Spagnoletti Foundation lives on as testament to the fact that love, support and hope makes a real difference, one life at a time.
Shari Verrone Boss Lady! President; Stackable Sensations
Stackable Sensations is an award-winning, women-owned, WBENC-certified promotional product expert. Since 2003, company founder, Shari Verrone and her elite team of dedicated marketing specialists (who collectively have more than 110 years of combined industry experience) have built the company into a multi-million dollar, global go-to source for unique, logo-branded giveaways of all kinds.
Shari believes in giving back to the community. She encourages her staff to volunteer at an organization that has meaning to them by offering them a paid day to spend volunteering once a month in the summer months. Shari and her team have helped with Habitat for Humanity projects and she even went to Guatemala with her daughter to help build houses for a week. She is an active mentor and leader to other businesses in the promotional product industry.
Shari was recently honored with a Best Boss Award from the nation’s largest promotional product association, PPAI. She also won the most done deals for 2019 with women owned businesses, making it the fourth year in a row to receive the honor. Shari co-authored a book focusing on entrepreneurialism for women. She has won numerous other awards such as a National Pyramid Award for successful solution-based selling combined with creative inspiration for a Microsoft project and selected as a 2018 Enterprising Women of the Year Champion, to name a few. Stackable Sensations was also named “One of The Best Places to Work” by two different publications within the promotional industry.
Shari is a highly regarded matrimonial attorney, representing clients in all aspects and stages of matrimonial litigation. As part of her practice she offers mediation services to her clients. As a trusted and concerned divorce attorney she also assists with domestic abuse, adoption, child support, alimony, custody, and paternity matters.
Shari has practiced exclusively in the area of family law throughout her entire career. She is a skilled divorce attorney and handles complex matrimonial matters involving the engagement of variety of experts, including forensic accountants, vocational experts, real estate and personalty appraisers, and custody and alcohol evaluators. In addition, Shari helps clients with the valuation and distribution of complex business and professional assets and executive benefits, such as stock options and restricted stock.
Shari loves to travel, when she has the time, and to explore the latest restaurants. She also enjoys reading and playing board games with her friends and family.