MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders asks all county residents to take a few moments this week to recall the events that occurred on September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked our nation.

On Sunday evening, the freeholders held the county’s 18th Annual Remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Representatives of fire and police departments from across the county joined families of 9/11 victims, elected officials, scouts, clergy, and county residents at the Morris County September 11th Memorial in Parsippany for a special ceremony that recalled that tragic day but also spoke of hope and love and recovery.

Alison Crowther and Honor Fagan, the mom and sister of Welles Crowther, who gave his life to save others at the World Trade Center, spoke at the event. Expedito C. Santillan, father of the late Maria Theresa Santillan of Morris Plains, who perished on 9/11, was the flag bearer at the ceremony.

The observance included an invocation by Pastor Sydney Williams of Bethel AME Church in Morristown, a lighting of candles, reading of the names of the Morris County victims, a 21-gun salute, Taps by Bugles Across America, and music by the Morris Choral Society, Bethel AME Church Ensemble, and Police Pipes and Drums of Morris County.

Said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana: “We gather here this evening to as a vivid reminder of the importance of occurred 18 years ago and to remember those who perished and their loved ones, and to let them know that WE WILL NEVER FORGET.’’

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County 4-H clubs are gearing up this month for another year of fun, friends and learning, with 4-H clubs across the county now reorganizing and enrolling new members.

Youth in Kindergarten through Grade 13 (one year out of high school) can join a 4-H club.

In 4-H, youths develop and practice valuable skills, such as decision-making, critical thinking, record keeping, cooperation, goal setting, problem solving, communication, public speaking, and leadership, according to a release issued by the county.

4-H in Morris County has created a new club focused on robotics this fall. The club will meet at the North Jersey STEM Enrichment Center located at One Romaine Road, Mountain Lakes. Click here for more information.

4-H provides real-life, positive youth development experiences. Members learn “life skills,’’ how to do tasks and make decisions similar to those in adult life.

“Using life skills, members learn how to manage their resources, work together in groups, develop critical thinking skills and communicate with others,” said Kelly Dziak, program associate of Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Morris County.

Families are an important part of the 4-H Youth Development Program. Parents, brothers, sisters and other members of the family can learn new skills and adopt new ideas by being a part of the 4-H program experiences and educational opportunities. 4-H is adaptable to each individual, each home and each community.

4-H clubs also get involved in service learning or community service activities designed to improve the circumstances in their community.

Through activities like cleaning up neighborhoods or assisting with local food pantries, 4-H members learn civic engagement, citizenship, and leadership skills.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

For more information about the Morris County 4-H Program call the 4-H office at (973) 285-8301 or visit the Morris County 4-H website by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted this week to protect New Jersey’s 130 miles of coastline and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Coastal Marine Economics Protection Act (H.R. 1941) passed in the House last night with bipartisan support. It would establish a permanent moratorium on oil and gas leasing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act (H.R. 1146) that passed today is a bipartisan proposal to repeal a provision of the 2017 tax bill that opened the coastal plain of ANWR to oil and gas leasing developments.

“New Jersey’s coastline is a precious resource that sustains our environment, fishing industry, and tourism economy,” said Representative Sherrill. “Offshore drilling puts all three of those things at risk. Congress needs to focus on growing our clean energy economy and following New Jersey’s lead by investing in a clean energy future.

“New Jersey residents recognize that opening up protected and delicate ecosystems to drilling presents serious concerns that extend beyond the Jersey shore. The first question I ever answered from a resident in our community was about ANWR. I will continue to work hard to safeguard our public lands.”