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4<br />
LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS <strong>Memorial</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
From the Editor<br />
Ever read something that resonates with your own life experiences, makes you laugh or has<br />
you nodding in agreement? Barbara Simmons’ column in this issue does all of that and more.<br />
I found it funny and relatable, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to lead to many discussions—and<br />
maybe a small number of disagreements—among family and friends.<br />
After reading Barb’s first draft, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at my own experiences—from<br />
childhood to the present day—on the topic she covers.<br />
It’s an issue that I imagine has been around for a long time, maybe even dating back to cave<br />
dwellers, which might give you a bit of a hint as to the subject matter.<br />
The cover story this month is about a relatively new program offered to Roxbury High School<br />
students that involves flight simulators, drones and one large aeronautical chart, which is<br />
essentially a map showing the air space for the tri-state region.<br />
Writer Melissa Summers introduces us to a group of students who are taking part in a course<br />
of study in aviation and aerospace. The program offers a diverse amount of instruction and has<br />
produced its first pilot, Tyler Benedetto, featured on the cover. (See page 22.)<br />
The aviation room at Roxbury was impressive. The day Melissa and I visited the school for<br />
interviews and photos, each student was at a simulator practicing landings, which are rated from<br />
zero (bad) to 100 (nailed it). I wanted to give it a try but after hearing one student proclaim, “Well,<br />
at least I didn’t crash” after receiving a score in the 70s, I thought it best to stick with the camera<br />
and leave the flying to the soon-to-be experts.<br />
Another story found within this issue is inspired by an idea I’ve had for quite some time now.<br />
As I’ve said in the past, I have a notebook (actually, two now) full of story ideas that I’ve collected<br />
over the years. Sometimes an idea is written down in the notebook, then followed up quickly<br />
with a published story. Other times, the idea remains untouched from year to year.<br />
Such was the case with this story about the Art Association in Roxbury. I don’t know what took<br />
me so long to get to the story—it’s been a good eight or 10 years that I’ve had the group on my<br />
list. But here it is. (See page 26.)<br />
What an impressive group of individuals. I am continually amazed at the amount of talent some<br />
people have—whether it be musical, athletic, intellectual or, in this case, artistic.<br />
To get to the finish line with this story I spent a bit more time with the group than I usually do<br />
with other stories. It was not a hardship—it was inspiring. And, if it weren’t for this little job I have,<br />
I know where I’d be spending the first Tuesday of every month.<br />
Also in this issue is a story by Mike Daigle about a somewhat unique trails project underway in<br />
Jefferson. (See page 12.)<br />
While many towns have upped their game when it comes to passive recreation access—<br />
building and blazing miles of trails in forests and such—Jefferson is taking it one step further by<br />
connecting local neighborhoods not with sidewalks but with trails,<br />
getting people off the roads and into the woods.<br />
Many of these short trails and paths are in my neighborhood<br />
(Nolan’s Point) and have become quite popular with the walking<br />
crowd, of which I am one of many. The project is in its infancy, but<br />
the plans are big—yes, there will be miles and miles of new trails in<br />
the forested areas in town as well as the connecting trails between<br />
neighborhoods.<br />
I plan on exploring them all.<br />
If I’m not in the woods, then I’ll be with the artists. Either way,<br />
you’ll know where to look for me.<br />
—Karen<br />
ake Hopatcong News<br />
INFORMING, SERVING AND CELEBRATING THE LAKE REGION<br />
Te Sky’s Te Limi<br />
WATER SAFETY INITIATIVE<br />
NEW TRAILS FOR JEFFERSON<br />
Roxbury High School’s Aviation Program Takes Flight<br />
YOUTH GROUP STEPS UP<br />
ART ASSOCIATION INSPIRES<br />
MEMORIAL DAY <strong>2023</strong> VOL. 15 NO. 2<br />
ON THE COVER<br />
Tyler Benedetto at the controls over<br />
Round Valley Reservoir on his first solo<br />
flight from Morristown Airport to Reading<br />
Regional Airport in September of 2022.<br />
(Photo courtesy of Tyler Benedetto)<br />
—Cover illustration by Randi Cirelli<br />
KAREN FUCITO<br />
Editor<br />
editor@lakehopatcongnews.com<br />
973-663-2800<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Michael Daigle<br />
Melissa Summers<br />
Ellen Wilkowe<br />
COLUMNISTS<br />
Marty Kane<br />
Heather Shirley<br />
Barbara Simmons<br />
EDITING AND LAYOUT<br />
Maria DaSilva-Gordon<br />
Randi Cirelli<br />
ADVERTISING SALES<br />
Lynn Keenan<br />
advertising@lakehopatcongnews.com<br />
973-222-0382<br />
PRINTING<br />
Imperial Printing & Graphics, Inc.<br />
PUBLISHER<br />
Camp Six, Inc.<br />
10 Nolan’s Point Park Road<br />
Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849<br />
LHN OFFICE LOCATED AT:<br />
37 Nolan’s Point Park Road<br />
Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849<br />
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