MORRIS COUNTY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher had the honor of presenting Touch-A-Truck Chairman Nicolas Limanov with a certificate of Recognition from New Jersey District of Kiwanis.

Every year, all clubs throughout the world submits their signature project to their District.

A signature project is one that includes all of the following criteria:

• Recurring: At a minimum, the project should take place annually.
• Brand enhancing: The project should be designed to elevate the Kiwanis brand in the local community with opportunities for public relations activities, such as using the Kiwanis name on the project, media mentions, etc.
• High impact: The project should have a demonstrable positive impact on the community; this impact should be measurable in monies raised, children served, flags hung, playgrounds built, etc.
• Membership focused: The project should support opportunities to strengthen membership and develop new partnerships.

New Jersey District of Kiwanis has chosen Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Touch-A-Truck as the #1 signature project this year, from all the clubs submitting in New Jersey.

Touch-A-Truck is an annual event held every June. This year, Touch-A-Truck will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 1515 Route 10 East, Parsippany, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The committee will have over 50 displays including fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, New Jersey State Police Helicopter, cranes, busses, taxi’s, dump trucks, and more. There will be child fingerprinting, DJ, face painting, balloon artists.  Every child will receive a free ice cream cone from The Dairy at Lake Hiawatha, and also receive a “goody” bag provided by local merchants.

The area children will have an opportunity to talk to firemen, police officers, truck drivers and learn the different services they provide in our community.

Last year over 1,100 children attended the event.

For more information on Touch-A-Truck, contact Nicolas Limanov at (917) 499-7299 or click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Sunday, May 5 may have been a wet and soggy day at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, but the downpour couldn’t keep away the “outpouring” of support—an estimated 1,000 people, in fact, braved the weather and came out to participate in the annual Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure.

ABC-TV Eyewitness News Reporter Anthony Johnson served as Emcee; and there absolutely was singing and dancing: as part of the Survivor/Forever Fighter Celebration, survivors sang the traditional “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and scores of young dancers from the Lois Allen School of The Dance literally danced in the rain to entertain Race Day participants.

The annual event, which includes a 5K Fun Walk, USATF Timed Race, and other activities, raises money for the fight against breast cancer.

The mission of Susan G. Komen North Jersey is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Through the annual Race for the Cure® Pink Tie Party and other events and activities, Komen North Jersey raises funds to provide screening and diagnostic services, breast health/breast cancer education, treatment support, and survivorship programs for underserved women and men in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. Since its founding in 1997, Komen North Jersey has awarded over $19 million in local community grants, and has directed more than $7 million to national research programs in pursuit of new breast cancer screening techniques, better and more effective treatment options, and ultimately, the causes and cures to eradicate breast cancer forever.

Susan G. Komen North Jersey is located at 4 Campus Drive, Parsippany. For more information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) presented diplomas to the Class of 2019 on Friday, May 24, at Mennen Sports Arena during its historic 50th Commencement, with nearly 500 graduates participating in the 50th Anniversary ceremony.

The Class of 2019 includes approximately 1,400 students, many of who are transferring to top four-year institutions in New Jersey and across the nation to earn their bachelor’s degrees. The graduates received their diplomas in one of four degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science. The graduates consisted of those who completed their studies between August 2018 and May 2019, and those who will complete their studies this coming August.

Trish O’Keefe, Ph.D., RN, president of Morristown Medical Center (MMC), served as the keynote speaker. “The day I started at MMC as a bedside nurse, if someone had told me I would become president, I would not have believed it, but it only proves that hard work, committing to your goals one step at a time, dedication, and very long hours pay off,” said O’Keefe. “I know life will present each one of you with a series of opportunities – one step at a time. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself – commit to your journey.”

Also providing remarks was Douglas Cabana, director of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “Today, as we look back at CCM at 50, this special day is a beginning for you of many special days as you move through life, whether you choose to continue your education, begin a career, become an entrepreneur, explore new territories, or try your hand at other new experiences,” said Cabana.

During his remarks, CCM President Anthony J. Iacono spoke to the graduates about courage as he highlighted several students who completed their studies despite life’s challenges and obstacles.

Included among the students he highlighted were:

Amy Albin, of Morris Plains, who came to CCM from the Morris School District in the spring 2018 and in a year-and-a-half earned her associate degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA. A visually impaired student, she accomplished that, while “finding her way across CCM’s 220 acre campus, through more than a dozen buildings in good and bad weather.”

Paul Michael Corrente, Jr., of Roxbury, who earned his degree at the age of 15 because his mother recognized early on his advanced academic abilities and enrolled him at CCM first in the Challenger Program for high school students and then full-time as a college student.

Alejandra Linares Martinez, of Livingston, who came to CCM from Mexico on a student visa to study in the CCM’s design program. As a CCM student, she was inducted into the New Jersey All-State Academic Team for her success in the classroom and her contributions to the community.

Joaquin Mould, of Randolph, president of CMM’s chapter of the national honor society Phi Theta Kappa, who has lived and traveled around the world and “understands the meaning of courage by continuously embracing new cultures and people . . .”

“Be fearless in the pursuit of your goals and uncompromising of your values,” Iacono told the graduates. “Never stop learning and remember that success is not simply about doing things right but, more importantly, success requires the courage to do the right things. Your success is not for you alone – it is yours to help others through knowledge, skills, compassion and courage. Build a life, not a career.”

Trustee Chair Paul Licitra noted, “The awarding of your degree or certificate today is the result of your determination to live a life of meaning and contribution.”

Now-retired Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen was presented with an honorary degree for his many years of service to the community and his support of education.

Standing with college tradition, the CCM Peace Prize was awarded at commencement. Nora Anton, of Randolph, was presented with the prize for the tile mosaic she created commemorating the “Survivor Tree” found at Ground Zero. The faculty mentor for her project was Professor Dorothy Salinas, Department of Biology and Chemistry. The creator of the winning entry each year receives a $1,000 award, provided by the CCM Foundation.

This is the 18th year the college has awarded its Peace Prize, which was administered this year by Professor Laura Driver from the Department of English and Philosophy.

Included among the colleges and universities members from the Class of 2019 will be attending next are Columbia University, Cornell University, Drew University, John J. College of Criminal Justice, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology,  Rutgers University, and other top schools across New Jersey and the nation.

Along with numerous 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Class of 2019 saw many significant accomplishments at the college during their educational journey. PayScale, three years in a row, has rated the college number one in New Jersey based on the earnings of CCM graduates. Professor Venancio “Venny” Fuentes, chair of the Department of Engineering Technologies and Engineering Science, was selected as the sole recipient of the 2018 Northeast Faculty Award from the Association of Community College Trustees. The college received a Best Practice Award from the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and a Business Achievement Award from Randolph Township. Additionally, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges presented CCM Trustee Joseph Weisberg with its Trustee Leadership Award.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Thursday, May 23 Officer William Stone visited Mrs. Hirsch’s eighth period Advanced English class at Central Middle School to honor eighth grader Albin Mullan for his stellar spelling abilities.

Albin, champion speller of the 2019 CMS Spelling Bee, is on his way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee which will be held right outside of Washington, DC.

There are 565 contestants, but Albin is only one of five from New Jersey. As he presented Albin with a check from Parsippany PBA Local 131, Officer Stone said, “Albin, we want you to know that the entire Police Department supports you and is behind you 100%. We are very proud of the fact that you are representing not only Central Middle School, but the entire school district, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills and the State of New Jersey.”

While he was there, Officer Stone also shared with the class the trading card program whereby students can obtain trading cards simply by amiably approaching police officers in town and introducing themselves. The program is designed to foster more comfortable, congenial relations between young people and law enforcement. Prizes will be awarded to those young people who have accumulated the most cards. For more information click here.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee competition starts on Monday, May 27 and will continue through Thursday, May 30. Tuesday and Wednesday’s onstage competition will be televised on ESPN 3 and Thursday’s final round will be televised on ESPN 2. Go, Albin, Go!!

Dear Editor:

My name is Ray Tahan. I have been a good friend of Heather Darling for many years and am also the President of the Rockaway Republican Club. I thought I had seen it all in politics, but the mean spirited and deeply personal attacks against Heather, by her opponent Isabella Alfano is a new low for Morris County.

I would like to set the record straight, since I was named in her attacks. Alfano’s entire campaign is nothing more than a distraction from her complete and utter lack of qualifications to be our Surrogate. From attacking Heather in a personal manner, to dragging Sheriff Rochford and myself into this, she has acted in a manner completely unbecoming of an elected official, or even a candidate worthy of consideration.

Further disqualifying her is the fact that she is also lying to the people of Morris County. She claims to have experience in Trusts and Estates by virtue of working for a specific employer when in reality she only worked in the travel department handling accounts payable. She confirmed to me she parted ways with the employer about a week before she entered the race and is currently unemployed. She has no bachelors or law degree or anything in her background that would lead a logical person to conclude that she would make a good Surrogate.

I know Heather to be a good and decent person, who is running for Surrogate to help the most vulnerable among us. She will work tirelessly and be a champion for the elderly and those with special needs and continue to be a constant presence in the community at events. I hope you will join me in voting for Heather Darling on Tuesday, June 4th.

Ray Tahan
Rockaway Township
May 24, 2019

MORRIS COUNTY — The following local residents were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.

Amalia Zea of Boonton, was initiated at Kean University.

Sara Davidson of Boonton Township, was initiated at The College of New Jersey.

Christopher Roser of Florham Park, was initiated at The College of New Jersey.

These residents are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization’s notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, click here.