2024 Holiday Issue

INFORMING, SERVING AND CELEBRATING THE LAKE REGION 

ake Hopatcong News 

HOLIDAY 2024 VOL. 16 NO. 7 

Celebrating 

Children 

Housed in the original Nolans Point School, 

Jefferson Child Care and Education Center turns 50 

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4 


From the Editor 

About a year ago, I met a woman who introduced herself as a loyal reader of this magazine. She 

was very complimentary, letting me know how much she enjoyed all the stories and photos, 

and how she looked forward to each new issue. Then she mentioned this column and how much she 

enjoyed reading it. “It’s like I know you,” I remember her saying. 

I guess I can understand why. 

Over the years, I’ve often included anecdotal tales of my life and related them to one or two 

stories in each issue. 

I did not get to that easily, but I appreciate that what I write might connect with a handful of you. 

I’ve always considered myself a photographer, not a writer. As such, I thought my photos would be 

that connection. It’s nice to know that struggling through this column and the few stories I write 

does not go unnoticed. 

Which gets me to this. 

Over the years, I have often mentioned my mom when writing this column, most times referencing 

her on the sly, often speaking directly to her and appealing to her sense of humor. In the Labor Day 

issue in 2018, I was a bit more attentive, acknowledging her 90th birthday with a tribute-like message. 

Throughout the years, mom would dutifully read every issue and often we would talk about some 

of the stories in each issue, and I would fill her in on the back story, if one existed. 

And we’d always share a laugh at one of my references to her. 

In September of last year, I wrote about mom celebrating number 95. I can recall seeing that 

magazine on her coffee table, open to this page, with a magnifying glass laying on top. It had 

become increasingly difficult for her to read anything. Age was robbing her. The really good days 

were replaced by good days, which most recently became not-so-good days, and those were 

becoming more frequent. 

My mom passed away toward the end of August, just a month shy of number 96. 

This is the last photo we took together. It was August 21, sunny and warm. I got to her house 

midday and when I walked through the door, she greeted me with a smile and what used to be her 

signature welcome: “Hiya, babe.” I hadn’t heard that in a while. 

I convinced her to join me out on her deck, where we enjoyed the birds and the breeze. Mom 

was alert and happy. I remember calling my brother and sister on the way home to let them know 

“today was a good day.” 

In September, on what would have been my mom’s 96th birthday, my siblings, our spouses, the 

grandkids and their families took part in a guided food tour on Central Avenue in the Heights section 

of Jersey City, hometown to both of my parents. 

Our guide, a young chef who was born and raised in the Heights, and, until recently, owned her 

own restaurant in the downtown area, was delighted to find out we had such a strong connection to 

her neighborhood. We were pleased when we found out the eateries we would visit were located 

directly between Bower Street, where my dad had lived, and South Street, where mom had lived. 

It was a bittersweet day and brought back so many memories of our childhood. It was a fitting 

tribute to our parents. 

Everyone talks about facing “firsts” after a loved one 

passes away. The hardest first (and second and third…) 

has been going back to her house, my childhood home, 

and not hearing her greet me as I walk through the door. 

September 28 was our first significant “first” day, her 

birthday. So many more firsts await us. 

I struggled with whether to write about this or not. It 

makes sense, though, to give mom one more tribute. It’s 

like you knew her. 

— Karen 


UNIQUELY ENTERTAINING 

BRUINS ABOUND 


HOLIDAY 2024 VOL. 16 NO. 7 

Celebrating 

Children 

Jefferson Child Care and Education Center turns 50 

TEACHER OF THE YEAR 

BIKE, RUN, PADDLE 

ON THE COVER 

Top photo: Thomas James Willis and 

Raymond Reuben Willis stand in front 

of the original schoolhouse, circa 1908. 

(Photo courtesy of Richard Willis.) 

Bottom photo: A group of current staff 

and students stand in front of the 

daycare center. 

—photo by Karen Fucito 

KAREN FUCITO 

Editor 

editor@lakehopatcongnews.com 

973-663-2800 

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Lake Front Homes by Christopher J. Edwards 

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Hopatcong, N.J.: ‘We Call It Lake Life’ 


Roxbury Arts Alliance Expands Vision 

With Unique Entertainment 

6 

Story by JOE WOHLGEMUTH 

Photos by KAREN FUCITO 

rt isn’t easy.” 

“A Stephen Sondheim may have put 

these words to music, but for most artists these 

simple lyrics represent a profound truth. One of 

the trials an artist faces is reaching a large enough 

audience to ensure sustainability. 

This sentiment is not lost on the board 

members of the Roxbury Arts Alliance and one 

of their upcoming guest artists, Patrick Dunning. 

Dunning is bringing his performance art show, 

“The Signature Project,” to Succasunna on March 

8, as the nonprofit forges into the future under 

new leadership and an expanded vision. 

The RAA was founded in 1997, performing 

in local spots around Roxbury until finding a 

permanent home at the Roxbury Performing Arts 

Center in 2009. Nestled in the Horseshoe Lake 

Recreation Complex, the theater naming rights 

sponsor was Investors Bank until it was acquired 

by Citizens Bank in 2023. Coincidentally, the newly 

minted Citizens Bank Theater was an antecedent 

to a transformational period for the arts alliance. 

In March of 2024, the RAA board was 

restructured to include a part-time executive 

director position, hiring Lisa Church for this newly 

created role. One month later, Linda Kosnik was 

elected as the organization’s new president and 

Genevieve Schmidt was named interim treasurer, 

after both positions were vacated. The board 

also expanded the number of trustees, adding 

an artistic director, sponsorship coordinator and 

volunteer coordinator. 

According to Church, the organization’s 

restructuring was more of a lift than a total 


makeover. 

“We’re not going off the mark of what our 

mission is. Our mission is really to bring the arts 

to the community and really share the arts in all 

sorts of forms,” she said. 

Church said the organization was mostly known 

for concerts and typically produced one show per 

month, but the company was struggling to reach 

a wider audience. 

Church worked for the previous board for 

about two years as a publicity consultant, 

handling social media and getting RAA events 

included on town calendars. 

“I was very impressed with what was here … and 

I started lending a little bit of business expertise,” 

she said. Having worked in retail management and 

advertising for a long time, Church understood 

that in order to keep bringing high quality 

performances and art shows to the community, 

the board needed to make smart fiscal decisions. 

“People who have run businesses before look at 

things from more of a financial perspective,” she 

said. “If we had no need to worry about money, 

we could do whatever we want, but the truth is, 

performers cost a lot of money. Some people 

would be surprised how expensive good quality 

performances are.” 

Church recognized that Horseshoe Lake is 

a heavily trafficked area and had discussions 

with the board on how to get all those families 

sitting on bleachers watching sports in seats 

of the theater. “We’re in a hub where probably 

thousands of people come in and out of this 

complex a week. Why don’t people know we’re 

here? And we want to change that. We love the 

fact that we’re a gem — we don’t want to be the 

Lisa Church and Linda Kosnik on stage at 

Citizens Bank Theater in Succasunna. 

Left to right: Patrick Dunning 

reveals a self-portrait hidden 

within a painting used in his “The 

Signature Project” show. Dunning 

at Citizens Bank Theater, where 

he will perform March 8 and 9, 

2025. 

hidden gem anymore,” she said. 

The new board is focused on looking at who is 

in the community and what they want. 

“We started to look at it from a demographic 

perspective. We serve a very local area — 

Roxbury is huge — but we’re not drawing a huge 

crowd from very far outside the community,” 

Church said. 

One way to expand audiences, Church believes, 

is to offer more lively performances with broad 

appeal. “I want the families to come in. We want 

shows here that you can bring your kids and learn 

something.” 

To help expand the theater audiences, the 

new board reached out to Darlene Yannetta 

to see if she wanted to be involved on a more 

formal level. Yannetta had worked as a director 

and musical director for several productions with 

the previous board, and the new board brought 

her in as a trustee and artistic director of theater 

productions. 

Yannetta, like Church, believes that not enough 

people know RAA exists and supports the new 

board’s commitment to community outreach.

Left to right: The cast of “Back to the 80s” performs to a sold-out audience during a murder mystery dinner at Citizens Bank Theater in April. A teacher 

at Sicomac Elementary School uses a light blue pen and adds her signature to a panel. 

“The challenge is trying to get that name out 

there and let people know there is a theater, there 

is an organization and they’re doing good things,” 

Yannetta said. 

Yannetta is up to the challenge of getting RAA’s 

name out there and is expanding theater offerings 

beyond one musical and one drama per year. She 

booked a murder mystery and an evening of 

monologues this season and is hoping to start 

up an improv group. With the addition of new 

board members, Yannetta is optimistic about the 

organization’s future. 

“Bringing new faces, new ideas and new eyes 

to enhance everything that the Roxbury Arts 

Alliance is trying to do is a very positive thing,” 

she said. 

Along with theater performances, Church is 

committed to celebrating local, up-and-coming 

visual artists. “We have a lot of really talented 

people in the area,” Church said. “We’ve rolled in 

more free events for people to come and look at 

the art shows.” 

As a bonus, select artists’ work is hung around 

the theater and can be purchased by theatergoers 

and visitors. 

Like the RAA, Dunning grappled with exposing 

a larger audience to his artwork. Dunning, 69, 

was a successful artist in Ireland, having gallery 

exhibitions and selling his “biggish” abstract work 

from the age of 18. 

“But so few people got to see it in the gallery 

… I wasn’t reaching a larger audience, and I began 

thinking, ‘How do I create stuff that has a wider 

audience?’ You do that by doing something very 

dramatic or you do something that’s inclusive of 

people — so they become part of ‘The Signature 

Project,’” Dunning said. 

Now residing in Portland, Oregon, Dunning 

conceived “The Signature Project” in the late 

1980s as digital scanning was becoming more 

commercially available. He said he saw digital 

scanning as a tool to break down an image of his 

creation into as many pieces of information as he 

wanted, and he chose a million. 

“Then I could rebuild each piece of information 

by substituting a pixel for a signature,” Dunning 

said. 

He settled on painting a picture of the sun, the 

moon, the Earth, the stars and the galaxy. 

“I needed to create an image that communicated 

with everybody — that somebody could look at, 

a child or somebody from another country … they 

could look at it and relate to it in terms of the 

world, regardless of language or culture,” he said. 

Dunning explained that he photographed the 

painting — in which he used just 10 colors — and 

scanned the image into a computer. The computer 

broke down the image as if it were a million 

pixels of information, re-creating the image into 

data. That data was transferred onto a canvas, 

setting up a grid of small boxes — what could be 

compared to a knitting pattern. It’s within these 

boxes that participants add their signature using 

colored markers reflecting the original 10 colors. 

The finished piece — made up of 171 4-by-4 

panels — will measure 76 feet by 36 feet when 

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complete. Dunning said he has collected about 

330,000 signatures, with his goal of a million 

signatures well in the future. 

Realistically, Dunning knows this project might 

never come to fruition. 

“It’s about one third finished and that’s after 

nearly 28 years,” he said. 

Audiences who attend “The Signature Project” 

at the Citizens Bank Theater will be invited to add 

their signatures to the piece. 

“The signatures are the first layer of the new 

image — the signatures are creating the original 

painting,” Dunning said. “The layer of signatures 

is just one layer of the painting because the 

world that we live in has many, many different 

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Arts Alliance (cont’d) 

dimensions to it.” 

Typically, he brings one, maybe two panels to 

each performance to be signed. 

During the performance, Dunning uses 

ultraviolet light, X-rays and infrared cameras 

to reveal alternative images hidden within the 

primary image of the sun, moon, Earth, stars and 

galaxy. 

“There’s a lot of stories woven into those 

hidden images,” he said. 

Dunning described the project as weaving 

through life, through technology, through science 

and through the world. He has collected a lot of 

stories in the process and has incorporated them 

into the presentation. 

“It’s about people, really, it’s about life and 

the world,” he said. “It’s all very human, it’s not 

highfalutin stuff … most people relate to it.” 

Coincidentally, Brooke Donaldson, daughter 

of RAA Vice President Cindy Donaldson, saw 

Dunning’s show when she was a high school 

student at Gill St. Bernard’s School in Gladstone. A 

2008 graduate, Donaldson, of Byram, overheard a 

phone conversation her mother was having about 

the RAA season and heard her mention “The 

Signature Project.” Donaldson enthusiastically 

encouraged her mother to support bringing 

Dunning to the RAA because she remembers his 

performance as being riveting and spellbinding. 

“He’s an amazing storyteller … his combination 

of multimedia, art, technology and the way that 

he links the stories together is unlike anything I’ve 

ever encountered before,” she said. “The arching 

theme of it was really human connection, and he 

just did it in a way that captivated a whole group 

of high school students.” 

Dunning, in fact, has been captivating students 

throughout New Jersey for almost 30 years. “New 

Jersey is the biggest supporter of ‘The Signature 

Project,’” he said. “There are so many schools. 

Schools are my bread and butter — that’s how I 

pay the bills.” 

“The Signature Project” is literally a one-man 

show, and Dunning admitted it’s not easy doing it 

all alone. “Physically I’m hurting from the load-in 

and load-out … I have over a ton 

of equipment,” he said. 

Dunning had ample 

opportunities to butter his 

bread as he spent this fall touring 

a dozen schools in New Jersey, 

including Sicomac Elementary 

School in Wyckoff where he 

performed on October 10. 

Throughout the performance, 

there was plenty of laughter and 

applause and “oohs” and “aahs” 

from students and teachers 

alike. At the conclusion, Dunning 

invited the adults to sign one of the large panels. 

No one refused. 

“Amazing. Best program I’ve seen. It showed 

kids how many ways you can approach art,” said 

Tricia Pricken, who teaches special education for 

fourth and fifth grades. 

Church admitted she’s “jazzed” about “The 

Signature Project” coming to the RAA. “It really 

encompasses everything we’re trying to do here, 

and the community aspect and the conversational 

aspect are just on target,” she said. “This is where 

the family connection comes into play for me. 

Maybe the adult is inspired by the storytelling and 

the kid is wowed by the technology end of it.” 

“The Signature Project” on March 8 at Citizens 

Bank Theater will be similar to Dunning’s 

school presentations but will be a little more 

conversational and include a few more visuals and 

more of the stories he has heard. 

On March 9, Dunning will perform “The 

Backstories of The Signature Project,” which 

he wrote specifically for this RAA event. This 

performance includes more stories of the people 

he has met who have signed his canvases. 

Art may not be easy, but it is easy for the local 

community to experience high quality shows 

and unique entertainment right in the heart of 

Roxbury. 

To purchase tickets for Dunning’s events, 

other events or season memberships, visit 

roxburyartsalliance.org 

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Top to bottom: Patrick Dunning shows what one 

panel looks like when all signatures have been 

added. Dunning instructs Sicomac Elementary 

School employees where to sign. 

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Frank Sarinelli sprints away from the pack of runners at the start of the Running With Rotary 5K. 

Lake Hopatcong Rotary Hosts 5K Fundraiser 

Story and photo by KAREN FUCITO 

Runners and walkers took to the streets of Mount Arlington in early October for the annual Running With Rotary 5K, hosted by the Rotary Club 

of Lake Hopatcong. 

This year’s event drew 74 participants and 20 sponsors, raising just over $5,000. Proceeds went to the Mount Arlington eighth-grade class to offset 

the cost of their year-end trip, said Frank Sarinelli, Rotarian and event coordinator. 

The Rotary has been hosting the 5K fundraiser since 2018. Prior to 2023, proceeds went to Mallory’s Army Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit focused 

on ending bullying, said Sarinelli. The run is in memory of Officer Joe Wargo, a Mount Arlington police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2011. 

“I think the 5K not only helps to raise money for the eighth-grade class but also teaches the kids what it means to give back to the community,” said 

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12 

Never Still 

Story by ELLEN WILKOWE 


At 91 years old, Janet Zymroz of 

Succasunna abides by the philosophy of 

“if you rest, you rust.” 

It was advice imparted to her by her mother, 

Josephine, who lived until she was 98. 

A retired educator and principal, Zymroz 

continues to take her mother’s adage to heart. 

Skiing, tennis and worldly adventures like 

working as an umpire at Wimbledon have all 

helped shape her life, she said, especially her 

decades-long career in education. 

“As a teacher, you are teaching the next 

generation and as a principal, you’re helping 

teachers become better teachers,” she said 

regarding her two roles. 

Zymroz has had just as many roles in the 

schools as she has had out of the schools, and 

it all started with earning multiple degrees. 

Raised in Irvington and Springfield, she 

graduated high school in 1959 and attended 

Upsala College in East Orange. 

In between classes she picked up a gig as a DJ 

for the school’s radio station, where she hosted 

a program called “Rhythm Caravan.” 

In addition to college radio, Zymroz 

discovered tennis and skiing, and the two 

sports became as much a part of her passion 

as education. 

Following graduation, she became a fourthgrade 

teacher in West Orange but always had 

her sights set on the principal’s office. 

“There were no female principals at that 

time,” she said, referencing the 1960s. 

She returned to college and earned a 

master’s degree from what is now Kean 

Left to right: Janet Zymroz shows off her 

USLTA jacket that she got in 1965. Janet 

Zymroz in the umpire’s chair at Wimbledon in 

1968. 


Left to right: Janet Zymroz in Aspen in 2005. 

Janet Zymroz relaxes in her home. 

University. She received her administration 

and supervision certificate from Seton Hall 

University. 

Zymroz then landed a job in the Mount Olive 

school district as a learning disability teacher’s 

consultant, a position she held for two years. It 

was in the Mount Olive school district where 

she attained her principal post. She served as 

principal of Mountain View Elementary School 

from 1972 to 1992. 

She took an early retirement at age 59 

but kept her hands in academia, lending her 

expertise as a college supervisor for then 

Centenary College in Hackettstown. “I would 

observe student teachers and help certify 

them to become teachers,” Zymroz recalled. 

She is past president of the Morris County 

Association of Elementary and Middle School 

Administrators, but recently returned to the 

position after the president retired to Florida, 

she said. The organization assists principals 

with their concerns and holds workshops 

throughout the year. 

A distinguished service award from the 

organization is one of many awards on display 

in her home. 

An even further glimpse around Zymroz’s 

home tells the story of a life well-lived and 

well-traveled. 

There’s the picture of her atop an umpire’s 

chair at Wimbledon, another shot of her on 

skis, a racing bib front and center. There’s the 

letter, circa 1979, that contained two tickets to 

be part of an audience before Pope John Paul II, 

jackets from the Indy 500 and Kentucky Derby, 

not to mention her navy blazer embroidered 

with the United States Lawn Tennis Association 

logo. 

So, how did Zymroz wind up serving as an 

umpire at Wimbledon while still working as a 

local principal? 

“It was just something I wanted 

to do,” she said. 

It all started at the then East 

Orange Tennis Club where she was 

a member. 

“At that time, there were only 

male umpires [at Wimbledon] 

so another member, a man, 

suggested that I apply,” she said. 

It was also the time when tennis 

greats Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, 

Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe were 

household names. 

In 1972, she received a letter of acceptance 

from Wimbledon, but there was a rigorous 

training and observation process stateside to 

endure before making her official. This landed 

her courtside in many area tennis venues, even 

the U.S. Open in Forest Hills, Queens. 

Properly trained and raring to go, Zymroz 

needed to check one more box: permission to 

take leave from work. 

“I was a principal in Mount Olive, and the 

last week in June through the first week in 

July, I had to help close the school,” she said. 

She was fortunate to have an understanding 

superintendent who granted her the time off 

— as long as the end-of-year process at her 

school did not suffer. 

With a plan in place at school and a selfpurchased 

ticket to England in hand, Zymroz 

headed to Wimbledon. 

Where compensation fell short — pay was 

minimal, she said — the experience of sitting 

high up in the umpire’s chair and keeping tabs 

on the ball, players and scores, made up for it. 

“It’s a difficult job,” she said. “You have to 

concentrate and keep track of the score, when 

the ball comes close to the service line, make 

sure that the players are on their proper side of 

the court.” 

She would soon learn that rules don’t only 

apply to players, but umpires as well. 

During one rainy day, she attempted to take

her position on court wearing a red raincoat 

over her treasured USLTA blazer, which at the 

time was her uniform while in the umpire’s 

chair. 

“I was told that I couldn’t go with a red 

raincoat and a soldier gave me his blue/gray 

raincoat,” she recalled. 

Balancing the classrooms and the courts, 

Zymroz would serve as an umpire for seven 

years. 

While she has since retired the USLTA jacket, 

she has not retired the racket. She continues to 

play tennis at clubs in Cranford and Morristown. 

Come winter, Zymroz trades in her racket for 

ski poles and her collective experiences have 

given new meaning to cross-country skiing. A 

tabletop assortment of ski patches highlights 

the slopes she has traversed stateside and 

abroad. 

Her favorites? 

Switzerland “for the ambiance,” and stateside, 

Deer Valley in Utah, as well as Lower Granville, 

Vermont, where the Short Hills Ski Club, which 

she helped found in 1953, has a lodge. 

Zymroz has also spearheaded trips to resorts 

in Montana, New Mexico and Colorado, and 

organized trips to Austria, France and Italy. 

In paying homage to her ski adventures, she 

painted a portrait of herself in action that hangs 

on a wall in her living room, next to another of 

her paintings of a trees in full fall colors. That’s 

right, she also used to paint, a hobby she started 

in college. These days, her brushes remain dry, 

as she’s “way too busy,” Zymroz said. 

Her artwork keeps good company in the 

presence of photographs of family members, 

including her parents, Stephen and Josephine 

Zymroz; her sister and brother-in-law, Elayne 

and Jay Warman; and her late nephew, Scott 

Warman, who was a professional golfer. 

Adding to the collection are photos of the 

next generation: grandnephew, Scotty and 

grandnieces Alexandra and Madison. 

Zymroz is the first to tell you she never 

married or had children because the “timing 

was never right,” she said. 

“I wanted to get my degree.” 

That’s not to say there weren’t opportunities, 

she added, but, overall, she’s content with the 

way things turned out. 

“I’ve enjoyed my life and am happy with my 

accomplishments,” she said. 

In addition to her skiing and tennis adventures, 

Zymroz has attended the Kentucky Derby and 

made her way to the Indy 500, securing pole 

position seats, to boot. 

She also has bragging rights to having 

seen Pope John Paul II, courtesy of a former 

boyfriend. 

“I couldn’t imagine how I would feel in 

his presence,” she said. “It was great and 

wonderful.” 

Travel and athletic adventures aside, Zymroz 

takes the most pride in her role as an educator. 

She credits many of her accolades to the 

values instilled in her by her parents. 

“They didn’t have much, but they instilled 

family values and life values,” she said. “If you 

have those two things, then you will turn out 

to be a good person.” 

She employed those values in the education 

arena and offered her own insight. 

“If one person could take care of another 

person, then maybe it would be a better 

world,” she said. 

Always the educator, Zymroz hopes to impart 

some wisdom to current and future educators. 

“If you want to become a teacher, you have to 

love children and be compatible with different 

people who come your way — parents, other 

teachers, board members,” she said. “And be 

flexible.” 

Skiing and tennis are optional. 

One of Janet Zymroz’s many paintings, which 

hangs in her home. 

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A retired electrical engineer, Carlos Robert Mederos (known to everyone as Bob) is committed to 

keeping his beloved Roxbury Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2833 relevant and active, despite no longer 

having a space of its own. Dwindling membership and mounting bills forced the sale of the organization’s High Street 

headquarters back in 2022. At 74 — he said he thinks of himself as a 30-year-old — Mederos is once again post commander. It’s 

a role he held for five years pre-pandemic. “The majority of our members are ages 70-plus, with less than a handful near 40. The 

youngest members are still working, which made it very difficult to keep the post home open,” he said of the tough decision to sell. 

WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? 

I grew up in Jersey City. I came to America in 1955 from Cuba. I’m an American citizen and an Army veteran. I have lived in Ledgewood 

for 38 years. It’s a great town with great people. I’m very proud to be part of this community. 

WHO MAKES UP YOUR FAMILY? 

Wow, I have a big family. My 96-year-old mother, Yolanda. My wife, Christine; my son, Robert; his wife, Sarah; granddaughters Avacyn 

and Reiya. My daughter, Jeannette; her husband, Charlie; grandchildren Athena and Leo. My daughter, Christine Amanda. My four sisters 

and their husbands, my wife’s sisters and their husbands and nieces and nephews. My cat, Cinders. 

HOW MANY MEMBERS MAKE UP VFW POST 2833? 

There are 98 members. We also have an active auxiliary, with about 32 members, both women 

and men. 

HOW HAS POST 2833 STAYED TOGETHER AFTER THE SALE OF THE BUILDING? 

Thanks to the generosity of Roxbury, the mayor and the town council, we were able to meet at 

the Roxbury recreation center in Succasunna. Just recently, we worked out an agreement with 

the Shore Hills Country Club in Landing to use their facility every other Friday night. 

WHAT IS THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE POST? 

To establish a post space for all veterans’ organizations that cannot keep up with their post homes 

and have it known as the Roxbury Veterans Hall. To encourage the youth living in Roxbury 

Township to participate in patriotism with VFW scholarship programs. To strengthen the 

camaraderie of veterans in Roxbury Township. Let all veterans know that fellow 

veterans are here to assist with military issues, present and past. 

DESCRIBE YOUR HISTORY IN THE ARMED FORCES. 

I served in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 

101st Airborne Division and Company L Rangers, 75th Infantry, 101st 

Airborne Division in the U. S. Army from 1969 through 1971. 

DESCRIBE THE TYPE OF PERSON YOU ARE. 

(Question was answered by friend and Senior Vice Post 

Commander, Chuck Argenziano.) 

Seven years ago, my wife died. If he wasn’t around, I wouldn’t have 

made it. He always thinks of others first. There is not a selfish bone 

in his body. 

DESCRIBE A TIME IN YOUR LIFE OR A PERSON YOU KNOW 

WHO HAS HAD THE MOST INFLUENCE ON YOU. 

My wife, Christine Mederos, my high school sweetheart. She wrote to 

me every day in Vietnam, which gave me the strength to stay alive. 

DO YOU VOLUNTEER WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS? 

I strongly focus on the VFW and veterans’ needs, my religion and 

my family. I like hunting, my antique car, my fishing boat, shooting 

my rifles, golfing with veterans and checking off items on my 

bucket list. 

IS THERE ANYTHING MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE 

SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU? 

I ran the Marine Corps marathon in Washington, D.C. at age 

63. I’ve been married for 52 years to the same woman. Now 

that’s what I call strong … lol. 

I AM original I AM creative I AM funny 


Next-Door Neighbors 


Eileen Carlson had a visitor in the backyard 

garden of her home on Berkshire Valley 

Road in Jefferson. 

The kind of visitor one does not forget. 

Three days in a row. 

A 300-to 400-pound black bear. 

Carlson said her neighborhood near Alstede 

Fresh at Lindeken Farms is home to numerous 

bears. Her wooded property runs up the hill 

to the east toward the boundary of Picatinny 

Arsenal, one of Jefferson Township’s many 

protected landscapes. 

She said she used to find her trash cans in 

the woods, before storing the containers in a 

protected area. 

“The bears would come into the yard and 

take the trash cans into the woods,” she said. 

Carlson said she is used to the presence of 

the bears but is cautious. 

“I’m not afraid of the bears,” she said. “But 

the bears aren’t afraid of humans, either.” 

In a nutshell, Carlson’s story of life with bears 

is central to the renewed annual New Jersey 

bear hunt. As the human population of the 

region has grown, so has the bear population. 

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife 

estimates New Jersey’s black bear population 

at about 3,000 in the core counties of 

Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren, up from 

an estimated 1,500 in 2018. The population is 

expected to reach 4,000 by 2027. 

Mostly what has grown — a point agreed 

upon by both hunt proponents and opponents, 

and municipal and state officials — is the 

opportunity for bears to get into human trash. 

Where the disagreement comes in is 

choosing which method of bear control — 

lethal or non-lethal — is most effective. 

18 

Story by MICHAEL DAIGLE 


Angi Metler, director 

of the Animal Protection 

League of New Jersey, 

said “bears are selfregulating. 

When food 

and habitat are plentiful, 

the population grows. 

The population will 

shrink when adverse 

conditions exist.” 

Hunting encourages 

the bears to reproduce, 

she said. The hunt 

mainly produces trophies for the hunters with 

little increase in public safety. 

What’s needed is an extensive program to 

educate humans to use measures that reduce 

the chances for bear encounters, such as trash 

management with bear-resistant containers, 

Metler said. 

Meanwhile, in a release supporting the bear 

hunt, 24th District Assemblywoman Dawn 

Fantasia complained that some legislators are 

“clinging to ineffective non-lethal measures … 

like bear-proof trash cans, electric fences and 

adverse conditioning.” 

Cliff Riker, who, with wife Terry, has owned 

Skylands Sport Shop in Augusta for 15 years, 

lands in the middle. He supports the annual 

bear hunt but also said more public education is 

needed to help humans avoid bear encounters. 

“Bears generally don’t want anything to do 

with humans,” Riker said. 

He listed several of the bear aversion 

techniques that can be found on state and 

town websites that offer information about 

the bear hunt or wildlife encounters in general. 

Such bear aversion techniques include trash 

control, making noise if encountering a bear 

and other self-defense methods. 

Riker said he sells hunting equipment and has 

handled numerous requests for bear-hunting 

permits. Bear bait is also available at the shop, 

said Terry. They also sell pepper spray, not 

much of a deterrent, said Cliff, mostly because 

of the small size of 

A mama and her three cubs enjoying a garden in Jefferson. 

the canister and the 

ineffectiveness of 

Left to right: Eileen 

Carlson sits on a 

boulder in the woods 

behind her house, 

where her property 

line ends at Picatinny 

Arsenal. A black 

bear drags one of 

Carlson’s garbage 

cans up a steep hill, 

away from her house. 

(Photo courtesy of 

Eileen Carlson.) 

its contents. He stopped selling bear-repellent 

spray, he said, due to a New Jersey state law 

that states “because bear spray devices contain 

much more than three-quarters of an ounce of 

a chemical substance, current law effectively 

prohibits the possession of bear spray.” 

He said his hunting customers participate in 

the hunt for the sport of it. 

Riker said he noticed a dearth of bears in his 

neighborhood and a lack of bear complaints. 

The last bear he saw was a few weeks ago, 

and it was making like an acrobat, climbing over 

his neighbor’s fence. 

While the bear hunt is ongoing, the state is 

also trying non-lethal methods of bear control. 

In the spring of 2024, the state Department 

of Environmental Protection, supported by 

a $500,000 grant in the state budget, started 

a pilot program in six Northwest New Jersey 

towns to implement the use of bear-resistant 

trash containers. The heavy-duty containers 

are equipped with a lock that makes it harder 

for bears to open them. 

This type of program has been instituted in 

several U.S. cities, including Colorado Springs, 

Colorado; Sierra Madre, California; and now 

flood-damaged Asheville, North Carolina. 

Run with trash hauler Blue Diamond Disposal 

in Mount Arlington, the New Jersey pilot 

program is taking place in Jefferson, Sparta, 

West Milford, Rockaway Township, Hardyston 

and Hampton. 

The six towns comprise 236 square miles or 

15,104 acres. 

The combined human population is 103,916. 

The black bear population in those towns is a 

majority of the 3,000 bears the state estimates 

live in New Jersey. 

What are the odds you will run into a bear or 

a bear will run into you? 

In March, when Jefferson announced 

participation in the trash can program, it also 

released bear encounter data from 2018 to 

2023. 

The data listed 55 encounters: 26 were 

termed “general observations;” 13 were listed 

as “harmed bears;” seven involved bears and

garbage; five were reports of aggressive bears 

and four were agriculture or property damage. 

Many of those encounters, said Jefferson 

Mayor Eric Wilsusen, were around Lake 

Shawnee. 

“We’re a residential community surrounded 

by hundreds of acres of open space,” he said. 

That was one reason he pitched Lake 

Shawnee as a site for the pilot program. 

Eventually, the program was opened to all areas 

of the township, he said. 

He noted that of late, he has seen few bears. 

It could be a seasonal shift, he said, because it 

is too soon to say the new trash cans impacted 

bear behavior. 

Surveys from residents who are participating 

in the six-town pilot program are yet to be 

tallied. 

In 1953, New Jersey declared the black bear a 

“game animal,” according to Fish and Wildlife, 

allowing protecting the native animal from 

indiscriminate killing by farmers, ranchers 

and citizens, activity that since the 1880s had 

decimated the bear population. 

The first of 13 regulated hunts began in 1958 

when the population estimate was between 56 

and 71. In 1971, the hunting season was closed 

because the population declined to less than 

25 due to regulated hunting, said the Animal 

Protection League of New Jersey. 

In 1950, the state’s population was 4.8 million, 

and the population of “bear country” — 

Morris, Sussex, Warren and Passaic counties 

— was 591,631, with the bulk of the population 

centered in towns and cities like Morristown, 

Dover, Phillipsburg and Paterson. 

In 2018, when the bear population was 

estimated to be approximately 1,500 bears, 

most in the same four counties, Gov. Phil 

Murphy ordered all bear hunting on state land 

to cease. 

In 2022, he rescinded that order after the 

bear population more than doubled in four 

years. In allowing the hunt again, Murphy 

also cited these statistics: 237 percent more 

incidents reported from January through 

October 2022 compared to 2021, including 

84 instances of property damage exceeding 

$1,000; 62 aggressive encounters with humans; 

52 attacks on protected livestock; 15 attempted 

home entries; 12 home entries; five dog attacks; 

and one human attack. 

This year, an archery and muzzleloader 

season ran from October 14 to 19. A total of 

392 bears were killed. 

A second season for shotgun and 

muzzleloader is scheduled from December 9 

to 14. 

According to the Division of Fish and 

Wildlife, if the hunt produces a 30 percent kill 

rate, (approximately 900 bears) the hunt would 

come to an end. If the kill is less than 20 percent 

(about 600 bears), the hunt would be extended 

to another season, December 18 to 21. 

Data released by the New Jersey Department 

of Environmental Protection, which oversees 

the Division of Fish and Wildlife, showed how 

the bear incident numbers can vary. 

Between January and December 2023, the 

department reported a decline by 37 percent 

in the number of incidents reported to the 

department, not including those reports to 

police departments. These incidents included 

sightings, nuisance and damage reports, all of 

which dropped from 2,214 in 2020 to 1,377 in 

2023. 

But in the period from January 1 to September 

21, 2024, the total number of incidents had 

risen roughly 8 percent over 2023 to 1,499. 

Of the 2024 incidents, 646 occurred in 

Sussex County, 271 in Morris County, 165 in 

Warren County and 78 in Passaic County. The 

remaining incidents were from the rest of the 

state. 

The largest cause of all incidents all three 

years was garbage: 388 incidents in 2022; 214 in 

2023 and 301 in 2024. 

The debate over lethal and non-lethal 

bear control is not new, nor has it changed 

very much, pitting lethal and non-lethal bear 

control methods against one another. 

In 2005, Edward A. Tavas, a Rutgers professor, 

presented a detailed report to the New Jersey 

Fish and Game Council, which at the time was 


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Bears (cont’d) 

debating a bear hunt. 

In the end, Tavas argued non-lethal methods 

provide better bear control results and reduce 

potentially bad bear/human encounters. 

Here is a summary of his report: 

“Historically, the Council has adjusted 

hunting and trapping seasons to control these 

species [bears] in order to minimize agricultural, 

residential or environmental damage…the 

Council recognizes that the most costeffective 

method of population control for 

[bears]…is provided through regulated hunting 

and trapping seasons. Past history has shown 

that some problem bears are eliminated during 

such [regulated hunting] seasons, thereby 

reducing bear related problems…” 

The Council also supported an expanded 

non-violent program to meet this objective. 

This program includes educating the public 

about a bear’s propensity to eat garbage, bearproofing 

garbage containers and enforcing 

ordinances regarding garbage, to name a few. 

“Bears locate food using their incredible 

sense of smell. They are primarily vegetarians. 

About 90 percent of their diet consists of 

skunk cabbage, berries and nuts. In New 

Jersey, however, their easiest source of food 

is garbage. Bears have discovered that garbage 

is widely available, regularly replenished and 

a nutritious source of food. 

Why wander around the woods 

looking for berries when highcalorie 

and quality food awaits 

at every house?” reported Tavas. 

“The Council believes that 

there is a continued need to 

educate New Jersey residents 

and visitors on how to coexist 

with black bears,” Tavas’ report 

added. 

In 2005, Tavas presented his 

findings to the New Jersey Fish 

and Game Council at a public 

meeting, stating that while 

hunting reduced the population, 

non-lethal actions reduced the number of 

human/bear conflicts. 

Why is the effect of hunting so weak? 

One possible explanation might be related 

to where the hunting takes place versus where 

the nuisance bears reside. Hunting is required 

to take place in the interior of a habitat, away 

from the human population. However, nuisance 

bears reside on the periphery of a habitat, 

at the interface with the human population. 

Therefore, it’s possible that hunting kills the 

“good” bears, while the “bad” bears continue 

to thrive. 

Yet another possible explanation of why 

the effect of hunting is so small is related to 

the possible dominant factor of the quantity 

Cliff and Terry Riker in their shop in Augusta. 

of garbage available to the bears. Perhaps the 

quantity of nuisance bears eating garbage is a 

function only of the quantity of garbage and 

not the quantity of bears. Hence, decreasing 

the bear population would have no effect on 

the number of nuisance bears. 

Consider the efficacy of the non-violent 

program via experiences of other states: 

Visits by black bears to residential homes 

result in complaints/conflicts between humans 

and bears. 

Complaints about bears from New Jersey 

— data provided by the New Jersey Division 

of Fish and Wildlife — increased sharply 

from 1995 to 1999. At the end of 1999 or early 

in 2000, an aversive conditioning program 

began. In addition, the non-violent program 

involving educating the public, use of bearproof 

garbage receptacles, and ordinances was 

enhanced. The complaints/conflicts decreased 

from 1999 to 2005. 

Data that measured the results of bear hunts 

and non-lethal programs from Yellowstone, 

Yosemite and Great Smoky National Parks, as 

well as data from the communities of Juneau, 

Alaska; Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada; and Lake 

Tahoe Basin, Nevada, (and New York State, 

Minnesota and Virginia) and the state of 

New Jersey, consistently demonstrate that 

implementation of the non-violent program 

results in a substantial reduction in the number 

of human complaints or conflicts. 

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Jefferson Child Care and Education Center Marks 50 Years 

The non-profit occupies what used to be a two-room schoolhouse on Nolan’s Point Road, built in 1838. 

Story by MELISSA SUMMERS 


Lake Hopatcong child care provider, 

A housed in a building with a long history 

of education, is celebrating its 50th year since 

opening its doors to the community as a 

private nonprofit. 

Jefferson Child Care and Education Center, 

located in a building on Nolan’s Point Road that 

was once used as a two-room schoolhouse, 

provides in-house infant care and toddler care 

and is a preschool. 

The center also offers before- and aftercare 

programs to all four Jefferson Township 

elementary schools, according to its executive 

director, Lisa Scognamiglio. 

A multi-generational tradition makes the 

center unique, with countless families having 

attended, worked or brought their own 

children there. 

Scognamiglio, a mom to two boys ages 7 and 

8, has been the director since April 2022. She 

said it’s the home-like feel that draws parents 

in. “Working with small children you become 

part of their family. We are involved in their 

lives as much as we can and help them every 

bit of the way.” 

The child care center also has several staff 

members who have been with the center for 

decades, including Lisa Tovo, who grew up on 

Nolan’s Point Road. Both she and her sister 

attended the center and later worked there. 

“We have at least five people who have been 

here 20-plus years, which is uncommon,” she 

said. 

Tovo has been on staff since December 

1988. She currently teaches in the “Minnow” 

room, educating children ranging in age from 

18 months to 2 ½ years. 

The facility wasn’t always a daycare. The 

building was home to the Nolan’s Point 

School beginning in 1838, when the two-room 

schoolhouse was built and was used to teach 

first through eighth grade, said local historian 

Richard Willis, 82. 

“My father [Raymond] and his four brothers 

attended that school. I did not, but some of 

my cousins did,” he said. 

Willis lives in his grandparents’ house, built 

in 1919, located just yards from the building. He 

inherited the house from his uncle, Wilbur Willis, 

in 1977 or thereabouts, he said. He remembers 

hearing a story about a time his uncle butchered 

one of the family pigs. It was such a big deal, the 

schoolhouse closed so the children could watch 

the process. 

He’s not sure of the timeline but at some point, 

the building was no longer suitable for students. 

The board of education moved in for a time, he 

said, then the kids came back, but there were 

problems with not enough water coming from the 

original hand-dug well. 

Despite being very young during WWII, Willis 

also remembers hearing stories about the students 

collecting scrap metal to help the war effort. 

Tovo’s aunt, Cathy Nudge, 86, moved from 

East Orange to a home on Nolan’s Point Road in 

1944. She was a student in the then two-room 

schoolhouse from second grade until graduating 

eighth grade in a class of 15 students. 

Although Nudge had a relatively short walk, 

some students trekked there from over a mile 

away, she said. 

“You walked in the front door, on the left on 

the wall were a bunch of coat hooks, you hung 

your jacket there,” Nudge recalled. “At the end of 

the hall, you made a quick left and down 

Left to right: A class picture from the 1920s at 

The sixth-grade report card of Raymond Willis 

sitting at desks in the Nolan’s Point School, ci 

22 


Left to right: Parker Esposito plays on the 

wooden train in the center’s yard. Viviana 

Hecker and Stephen Secola join center 

employees Diane Havemann, Noreen O’Neill, 

Callie Wycha, Lisa Tovo, Meg Paschitti, Lisa 

Scognamiglio, Debbie Kastner and Melissa 

Quick in a classroom. Freyja Franco and Adrian 

Ojeda sit on two original school desks on 

display in the foyer. Aubrey Bullock uses a toy 

car to help walk. 

the steps; that’s where they had the wood for the 

stoves. That was our only heat.” 

Her teacher and the school principal at the 

time was Ellen T. Briggs, whom Jefferson Township 

would later honor by naming one of their 

elementary schools after her. 

Nudge said the two rooms separated the older 

grades from the younger grades. Which grades 

were in each room depended on how many 

students were in each grade. 

“Mrs. Briggs would start from one end of the 

room, do a lesson with them, give them work to 

do, move to the next aisle,” Nudge said. 

Sometimes, when it was cold, the children were 

happy for the warmth of the small schoolhouse, 

according to Nudge. “We would all pull our chairs 

closer to the stove and sometimes she’d do some 

lessons. I loved it.” 

Nudge said the girls and boys each had certain 

jobs to do. The boys were often sent downstairs 

for wood for the stoves. The girls were tasked 

with answering the telephone. 

“We had to learn how to answer the phone, be 

very polite. Had to say what we were told to say. 

‘Nolan’s Point School. Cathy speaking. May I help 

you?’” said Nudge of the etiquette required. 

Nudge is glad to see the building is still a place 

for educating young children. “It’s good that they 

made that kind of use out of it, rather than turn it 

into an office space.” 

When it opened in 1974, Jefferson Child Care 

and Education Center offered only preschool 

classes to children ages 3 to 5. It began providing 

before- and after-care 

for Jefferson Township 

schools in 1983. 

Currently, preschoolage 

children from 

Cozy Lake Elementary 

School and Ellen T. 

the Nolan’s Point School. 

, 1910. A class of students 

rca 1920s. 

Briggs Elementary 

School are bused to the 

center for before- and 

after-care, according to 

Scognamiglio. Beforeand 

after-care for 

kindergarten and older 

students are offered 

on-site at both White Rock Elementary School 

and Arthur Stanlick Elementary School. 

Jefferson Child Care and Education Center 

opened rooms for infant and toddler care 

between 2007 and 2008 and now has a total 

capacity of 102 students, Scognamiglio said. 

This includes the option for private 

preschool, according to Preschool Coordinator 

Debbie Kastner, who has been at the center 

for more than 25 years. She teaches in the 

“Guppy” room, with kids 2 ½ to 3 years old. 

“We focus on the social/emotional 

development of the child throughout all the 

programs because we feel they need to be 

ready to go to kindergarten — being able 

to sit and do their work and get along with 

all the other children,” Kastner said. “We try 

to promote kindness and getting along and 

sometimes it’s difficult. They learn through 

play.” 

The center prides itself on the high-quality, 

affordable education it offers, according to 

Scognamiglio. 

“We use Creative Curriculum, which is a 

research-based curriculum, throughout the 

whole building,” said Kastner. 

The center is accredited by the National 

Association for the Education of Young 

Children, or NAEYC, and participates in Grow 

NJ Kids, a state-sponsored initiative to raise 

the quality of child care and early learning, 

according to Kastner. 

School-age Program Coordinator Callie 

Wycha, who has worked at the center for 

more than 11 years, oversees the before- and 

after-care program and coordinates and runs 

another popular program: summer camp. 

Generally run in the all-purpose room and 

several classrooms at Stanlick Elementary, 

the camp features field trips, themed weeks, 

sports, arts and crafts and a field day called 

Color Wars. 

“Since we are a nonprofit, we’re all-inclusive. 

There’s no hidden fees, and we don’t charge 

parents extra to do certain activities like go on 

field trips,” Wycha said. “For what we offer and 

what we provide, we run a pretty good show.” 

Last summer’s camp had about 60 campers 

registered, with an average daily attendance of 

45-50, according to Wycha. 

Stephanie Mackin, 35, of Lake Hopatcong, 

is another lifelong friend of the center. She 

attended preschool there, was part of the 

before- and after-care program and began 

working there when she was in high school. 

After graduating from Jefferson Township 

High School in 2007, she worked in the beforeand 

after-care and filled in at the daycare while 

enrolled at then Centenary College. 

“It’s not a typical job,” Mackin said of the 

center and its flexibility. “There weren’t many 

jobs that understood and respected that 

moms have to be moms and have a career. It 

was just a great experience having all those 

tight-knit people together.” 

Mackin said it’s the idea of investing in 

what’s important that sets Jefferson Child 

Care and Education Center apart. “The money 

going back into the building, the kids and 

the employees … I think that also helps keep 

everybody around,” she said. “It’s not one 

person worrying about putting money in their 

pocket. It’s everyone working together to 

make it work.” 

Now her two boys, 19-month-old Joey and 

5-year-old Eddie, are part of the Jefferson Child 

Care and Education Center family, and Mackin 

serves on the center’s board of directors. 

“Because it is a family-oriented facility, there’s 

lots of loving and caring going on,” Mackin 

said. “I know that my baby is being taken care 

of and getting the love, the affection and the 

attention that I can’t give him at that time.” 

Haley LaPlatte, 20, is both a product of that 

environment and a provider. She attended the 

before- and after-care program as well as the 

summer camp. “It was one of the best parts 

of my childhood,” she said of the experience. 

“I made so many friends that I’m still friends 

with.” 

During her junior and senior years at 

Jefferson Township High School, she took child 

and education development classes. Jefferson 

Child Care and Education Center reached out 

to her teacher in search of new employees and 

LaPlatte jumped at the opportunity when she 



Day Care Center (cont’d) 

graduated in 2022. 

“I used to go there, and I know a lot of those 

people still. Yeah, I’ll try it,” she recalled saying 

to herself at the time. “And I’ve been here for 

two years now.” 

LaPlatte loves her role with the Minnows. 

“When you walk in, they’re so happy to see 

you,” she said. “When they come into our 

room at 18 months until when they leave at 

2 ½, they’re completely different kids. They 

learn so much in our room and I think I enjoy 

that most, seeing how much they learn with 

us.” 

As a nonprofit, Scognamiglio said the facility 

maintains competitive tuition rates and 

participates in several reduced-cost programs, 

such as child and family resources. They are 

also a provider for Child Care Aware, a program 

where families from Picatinny Arsenal can 

send their children to Jefferson Child Care and 

Education Center if they don’t have space in 

their program, she added. 

The center also works with Preschool 

Advantage, a nonprofit that accepts 

applications from anyone in Morris and 

Somerset counties struggling to afford early 

education and offers to pay the tuition of 

certain providers, like Jefferson Child Care and 

Top to bottom: Henry Zimmerman blows a soap 

bubble with the help of Sandy Smith. Haley 

LaPlatte in the yard at play time. 

Education Center. 

Scognamiglio admits there’s a lot more 

work that goes along with being involved 

in these programs year-round. For instance, 

other summer camps don’t have the same 

requirements in order to receive state funding, 

she said. “We have to fingerprint, do all their 

background checks and everyone needs to be 

first aid and CPR certified.” 

“A lot of people do pick us because they say 

it feels like home here, as opposed to other 

places that they tour,” said Wycha. Enrollment 

at the summer camp is only limited by available 

staff. The center has waiting lists for all their 

infant/toddler rooms, but strives to fill spots 

with interested families as soon as there are 

openings. 

“We’ll accept anyone with open arms,” 

Wycha added. 

For more information about Jefferson Child 

Care and Education Center or to arrange a 

tour, visit jeffersonchildcare.org/ or call 

973-663-2704. 

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REVIEW 

“The Teacher” by Freida McFadden • Reviewed by Regina Bohn, E. Louise Childs Library 

Freida McFadden is a master at what she does. In a very short time, her name has become synonymous with the very best 

of the contemporary thriller genre. “The Teacher” unfolds via alternating voices. Addie is a student at Caseham High School. 

The previous year, she found herself in the center of a rumored scandal that resulted in the premature resignation of a beloved 

teacher. As a new year begins, the scandal continues to haunt Addie and taint her reputation with underlying gossip and mistrust 

from both students and teachers alike. Most believe Addie can’t be trusted; that she lies, manipulates and hurts people. That 

is what we’re led to believe. Meanwhile, we get to know Eve, who is living the good life alongside her husband, Nate, a math 

teacher at Caseham High School. Eve is aware of the scandal that rocked Nate’s school and suspects there is much more to 

the salacious events than anyone is willing to admit. McFadden piles on the secrets and lies, layer by layer, culminating in an 

explosive twist that keeps the reader on the proverbial edge of their seat to the very end. “The Teacher” is a page-turner worthy 

of the designation “thriller.” 

“Precipice” by Robert Harris • Reviewed by Seth Stephens, Jefferson Township Public Library 

“Precipice” is a novel of historical fiction that reads more like history. The story is based upon the real-life love affair between 

Herbert Henry Asquith and his mistress, Venetia Stanley. Asquith served as prime minister of Great Britain from 1908-1916. 

According to author Robert Harris, excerpts of letters in the book come directly from Asquith’s correspondence with Stanley 

from the spring and summer of 1914, as Europe explodes into World War I. The book details Asquith’s growing dependence on 

Stanley’s wisdom and guidance as Great Britain’s entrance into the war becomes inevitable. Rather than focusing on salacious 

details, Harris shows how the relationship changes as the war grows. A subplot of the story is Asquith’s carelessness with 

top secret documents. In one scene, after sharing a confidential document with Stanley during a car ride, he simply tosses 

it out the window. Asquith becomes more dependent on Stanley, who ultimately ends the relationship. She discovers her 

independence and realizes the impossibility of a romantic relationship with the married prime minister. As a woman, Stanley 

has little ability to engage and influence the world outside of the small aristocratic cadre she inhabits. By the end of the story, 

Stanley has forsaken her relationship with Asquith to become a nurse on the war front in France. The highlight of “Precipice” is 

the author’s weaving of Asquith’s letters and his imagined response from Stanley into a meaningful story about two people witnessing one of history’s 

most tumultuous events. 

“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz • Reviewed by Tina Mayer, Mount Arlington Public Library 

Ever feel like technology and social media consume so much of our daily lives that we have lost the sense of self, meaningful 

social connections, faith and common sense? Who wouldn’t want to live a better life? “The Four Agreements” is a very clear and 

straightforward self-help book that outlines four principles for living a meaningful life. It encourages readers to be impeccable 

with their words, not to take things personally, never make assumptions and always do their best. The author takes readers 

through a series of four self-agreements that are easy to understand and put into practice. If all agreements are put into 

action, Don Miguel Ruiz writes, the reader will find personal happiness and develop a new map that simplifies their navigation 

of life’s landmines of distraction. Ruiz incorporates into his teaching his knowledge of the ancient Toltec people, who were 

very spiritual and settled in what is now central Mexico. The author is truly a soothing source for the soul and a must-read in 

anyone’s journey to achieving peace and humility. 

“Go as a River” by Shelley Read • Reviewed by Marilyn Kahn, Roxbury Public Library 

Set in Iola, Colorado during the 1940s, the novel “Go as a River” paints a grim picture of life for 17-year-old Victoria. After 

enduring multiple losses, Victoria — the only female member of the household — essentially becomes a servant to those 

living on her family’s peach farm. She is living a lonely existence when she meets and ultimately has a relationship with a Native 

American man, Wilson Moon. Through her association with Wilson, Victoria can see beyond the boundaries of the peach 

farm where she has spent her entire life. Then, tragically, things go very wrong, and Victoria chooses to survive on her own in 

the wilderness. Eventually she is drawn back to her family’s home and all its challenges. Just as a river must change its course, 

Victoria ultimately carves out a new and better life for herself. The book’s focus is on Victoria, whose resilience and strength 

help her endure difficult circumstances. But the novel also brings to the forefront tumultuous events that occurred in 1960s 

Iola, when residents were forced to relocate to make way for the Blue Mesa Dam. 

26 


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Jefferson Teacher Chosen Best in Morris County 

Story by KATHLEEN BRUNET 


If Alyssa Guagenti, the 2024-2025 Morris 

County Teacher of the Year, has a 

superpower, it’s unleashing the confidence of 

middle school students. 

As a teacher at Jefferson Township Middle 

School, she has taught both special education 

and gifted and talented students. But she’s not 

just teaching classes. 

As Karen Roccisano, the middle school’s antibullying 

specialist, explained, “She’s very aware 

of how to navigate students individually rather 

than just as a class. She connects to them oneon-one.” 

In a video about her winning the Teacher 

of the Year award, Guagenti noted: “Every 

student’s story matters. Teaching isn’t just about 

imparting knowledge; it’s about understanding, 

growth and empathy. With every student, I am 

reminded of the power teachers have and the 

power of education to shape futures.” 

The goal has always been to identify each 

student’s special gifts and abilities, explained 

Guagenti, who has made her home with her 

husband and two sons in Oak Ridge where she 

grew up. 

“Everyone learns differently. Everyone can be 

successful,” she said. “It’s worth the time and 

effort to find what works. Once you have that 

relationship and rapport with students, they 

want to do better work. It’s about listening and 

forming connections to see what works.” 

And her students do succeed, personally, 

in the classroom and at the local, regional 

and state levels. Last year, students in her 

GATEways (gifted and talented) program 

participated in the New Jersey Consortium 

for Gifted and Talented Program’s “Do You 

Want To Build a Hero?” engineering challenge. 

Students were asked to build their hero out of 

recycled materials, including cardboard boxes. 

Out of 28 districts, seventh-grader Trevor 

Zorzi won first place, the three-member 

eighth-grade team of Veda Igleski, Arya Malavia 

and Nina Christine Maniago came in second 

place and eighth-grader McKenna Vasquez 

received an honorable mention. 

Although she was on maternity leave when 

teaching went virtual during the pandemic, 

Guagenti noticed the impact that it had on 

students. As mentioned in the KIDS COUNT 

Data Book, remote learning has hindered 

student learning and disrupted their social and 

emotional development. 

At the middle school, Guagenti and her 

colleagues work hard to provide students 

with a wide range of opportunities to grow 

and develop as they increase their academic 

understanding, recognizing the effects the 

pandemic had on learning and personal 

development. 

There are group clap outs in the hallway, 

dress up or down days and pre-test snacks. 

And, before last year’s winter break, Peggy 

Widgren, principal, even became an “Elf on the 

Shelf,” all to build connections and confidence, 

while adding some fun to the day. 

In her classroom, Guagenti places a strong 

focus on her students’ social and emotional 

health. 

“They have so much going on. If they need 10 

to 15 minutes to vent, their project isn’t going 

anywhere; they need to let it out,” explained 

Guagenti. “They say this is their safe place.” 

One student in Guagenti’s gifted and talented 

class relayed how Guagenti has instilled in her 

the confidence to step forward as a leader. 

“She inspired me to do better and to work 

my hardest and do things I didn’t want to do,” 

said Isabel Dominguez, 13, explaining she had 

been lacking in confidence. “I’m running for 

vice president [of the student council]. She 

inspired me and supported me to do that.” 

Yet another student credits Guagenti for 

teaching him how to work well with others. 

“I’ve learned how to collaborate with others, 

and I learned how to problem solve and take 

others’ ideas and combine them with mine,” 

shared Garrick Riena, 13. 

This school year, Guagenti is teaching 

GATEways classes for sixth-, seventh- and 

eighth-grade students. Last year, she also 

taught special education students, along with 

the gifted and talented classes. 

That was also when she spearheaded the 

launch of Jefferson Java, a coffee shop where 

Alyssa Guagenti in her classroom. 

general education students and special 

education students work together during 

school hours about three times a week to 

provide the school community with affordable 

beverages. The students are responsible for 

all aspects of the business: taking inventory, 

ordering supplies, making and serving drinks, 

and sales. Guagenti is currently working with 

a group of students to launch this year’s café. 

“What makes her stand out is that she 

does so many initiatives that bring students 

together, no matter what their level or what 

classes they are in,” said Widgren. 

“It was so neat how she brought both ends of 

the spectrum together to benefit everybody,” 

said Roccisano. “It sent the message of 

inclusion to the whole school.” 

Last year, Guagenti and Roccisano adopted 

the school-wide theme “Your Story Matters” 

to raise awareness about mental health issues. 

A kid-friendly, family color run and 5K were 

held in April at the middle school with great 

success, said Guagenti. 

On the school’s website homepage, a letter 

from Widgren states: “Every individual has a 

unique story to tell, filled with experiences, 

emotions and lessons learned. These stories 

shape who we are and have the power to 

inspire others. We believe that your story 

matters because it is a testament to every 

individual’s resilience, strength, and growth …” 

Along with conveying that to her students, 

Guagenti has another message she shares with 

the young people in her class, along with any 

visitors who might stop by. Posted throughout 

her classroom on just about every wall are 

signs encouraging kindness. There is a neon 

“Be Kind” sign, a “Be Kind” sign with each letter 

printed on white triangles flanked by colorful 

yarn tassels and a “Be Kind” with a rainbow 

above it, to name a few. 

“I tell them, ‘It means more to me that you 

are a good human, than being good at math 

or reading,’” said Guagenti. “I ask them, ‘What’s 

the theme of this room?’ and they say, ‘We 

know. Be kind.’ It’s more than just teaching 

28 


Left to right: Guagenti with some of her 

students. One of the many colorful and positive 

sayings posted in Guagenti’s classroom.

them. It’s about giving them skills, being part of 

a community and supporting each other and 

being able to use all that and do well outside 

these walls.” 

Along with teaching, Guagenti is a highly 

involved member of the middle school faculty. 

She heads the debate team, oversees student 

council and chairs the Positive Behavior 

Support in Schools committee. 

She has hosted a family STEM night of 

computer coding and collaborated with the 

school’s media center to create a Learning Lab, 

where students teach others their special skills, 

such as chess and origami. 

She also organizes pep rallies, faculty 

competitions, food drives and guest speakers, 

and launched a Million Penny Challenge to raise 

funds to reconstruct a courtyard at the school. 

“If you give Mrs. Guagenti a seed, she will 

grow it into a forest,” noted Widgren. 

Last school year, Guagenti was nominated 

Teacher of the Year by her peers at the middle 

school, which made her eligible for the Morris 

County Teacher of the Year award through the 

Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. 

“It’s still so unreal to me,” said Guagenti 

about being chosen the county’s teacher of 

the year. “This is what I do on a daily basis. To 

get an award for that is really rewarding. I don’t 

think I could do anything else. I love teaching 

middle school students, but it’s more than 

just teaching them; it’s really about building 

relationships.” 

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Hundreds Walk for a Cure 

Story and photos by KAREN FUCITO 

More than 600 walkers raised just over $127,000 dollars at the annual 2024 Northwest 

Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Horseshoe Lake Park on Sunday, October 20. 

Kevin Roman, walk manager for the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s 

Association, said the crowd at the fall event was “high energy” and that there were many 

families affected by the disease and many caregivers in attendance. 

Like Colleen Baxter, who walked with her two young granddaughters, Shauna and Mary 

Maxwell. Baxter, who lives in Branchville, has a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. Her father, 

who succumbed to the disease, had nine siblings. Of the 10 children in her father’s family, seven 

of them died of Alzheimer’s disease, she said. 

The money raised at the October event will stay in New Jersey for care and support 

programs, said Cheryl Ricci-Francione, executive director of the Greater New Jersey Chapter of 

the Alzheimer’s Association. 

As part of the opening ceremony, participants were given large, whimsical fabric flowers that 

were blue, purple, yellow or orange. Known as Promise Garden flowers, each color represents the 

connection to Alzheimer’s: living with the disease, losing someone to the disease, supporting 

or caring for someone with the disease or supporting the vision to find a cure. 

“It means so much for them to know they aren’t alone in this journey, and that we, the 

Alzheimer’s Association, and your community are with you every step of the way,” Roman said 

after the event. 

Left to right, top to bottom: Jennifer Kluft, Ben Kluft, 

Andrew Kluft, Hannah Kluft and Dylan Santucci. 

Nicole Linnartz and Nick Palatucci. Mariane Smith, 

Taylor Smith, Linda Smith, Stacy Mignenult, Lori 

Fabiano, Marifrances Ellis and Lori Klapmuts. Lisa 

Schwarzmann, Kyle Schwarzmann and Sarah Braine. 

Jen Sanchez, Katy Lido, Bridgit Graham, Kevin Roman, 

Bruce Sisler, Cheryl Ricci-Francione and Emilie Pulecio. 

Abby Chan, Emmy Chan, Johnine Chan and Olivia 

Chan. Shauna Maxwell, Colleen Baxter and Mary 

Maxwell. Kathy Kant, Martha Costa and Robin McGee. 

Participants make their way around Horseshoe Lake. 

30 


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Annual Lake Loop Brings Out the 

Hikers, the Bikers and the Paddlers 

Story and photos by 

KAREN FUCITO 

The Lake Hopatcong 

Foundation hosted its 12th 

annual Lake Loop fundraiser on 

Sunday, October 6. The cycling, 

hiking and kayaking challenge 

brought nearly 170 participants 

to Hopatcong State Park in 

Landing. 

As in the past, cyclists — 

there were just over 100 — 

chose between three distance 

challenges: 62 miles, 40 miles 

and 20 miles. All three challenges 

took cyclists past scenic views 

around Lake Hopatcong and 

north into Sussex County. 

Sunny skies and no wind made 

conditions ideal for the three 

dozen kayakers and stand-up 

paddle boarders who left the 

beach at the state park and 

paddled to Bertrand Island and 

back for a total of 2.5 miles. 

Replacing the traditional 5K 

run held in previous years was a 

3-mile hike that included environmental and 

historical education stations. More than two 

dozen participants took part in the hike. 

“The hike not only showcased the beauty 

of Hopatcong State Park, but adding the 

educational stations along the trail, participants 

learned about the various areas from 

foundation educators,” said Kari Constantine, 

events coordinator for the foundation. 

The event raised more than $50,000, which 

will be put toward the foundation’s ongoing 

initiatives and programs, said Constantine. 

Along with the Lake Loop, the foundation 

hosts two additional fundraising events each 

year: the Lake Hopatcong Block Party in May 

and the LHF Gala & Auction in July. 

Frank Kobola, a cyclist from Mount Arlington, 

chose to ride the 20-mile course, something 

he’s done at past Lake Loop events. Kobola 

said he loves the scenic lake route and finished 

in just over 1 hour and 7 minutes. The biggest 

challenge he said, was the hill on East Shore 

Road in Jefferson, about 6 miles from the finish. 

“That hill sucks the life right out of you,” he 

said while leaning on his bike at the finish line. 

Early in the ride, Kobola, 67, and fellow rider 

Brent Schlotfeldt, 30, pulled away from the pack 

of cyclists and shadowed each other through 

Clockwise from top right: Kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders leave the beach at Hopatcong State Park. Marylee Reynolds and Carolyn Smith hike 

the woods at the park. Frank Kobola separates himself from the rest of the pack to start the 20-mile bike ride. Stacey and Mike Hornick walk from the 

dam to the fountain. Riders on Maxim Drive in Hopatcong are on their way to finishing a 62-mile bike ride. 

32 


the course. For Schlotfeldt, the Lake Loop was 

only his second time riding in an organized 

event. He was grateful for the companionship 

and the encouragement from Kobola. 

“There were some pretty good hills but that 

adds a lot of fun to the ride,” he said. He will be 

back again next year, he added. 

Standing next to the newly renovated 

fountain located below the dam in the park, 

Gay Bucci, a longtime foundation educational 

volunteer, chatted with hikers about the 

history of the fountain and the park as they 

made their way along the route. Bucci, a lifelong 

lake resident, recalled her childhood summers 

dipping into the shallow pool beneath the 

fountain and the importance of its existence in 

relationship to the lake. 

Attending the Lake Loop for the first time 

were husband and wife Mike and Stacey 

Hornick from Hopatcong. 

“The people around the hike were 

great — so informational,” said Mike 

Hornick, who grew up in Hopatcong 

but never hiked the nearby trails. 

“I was like a child. It was really fun,” 

said Stacey Hornick with a smile. 

According to Constantine, 

40 volunteers, members of the 

foundation staff and nearly 50 

businesses, organizations and 

municipalities were involved with this 

year’s event. 

“The collaboration between the 

municipalities, sponsors, volunteers 

and staff is what makes the Lake Loop 

successful,” she said in an email. “The 

LHF staff’s dedication is unmatched, 

and I’m so appreciative of their 

behind-the-scenes work to ensure 

a smooth event.” 

Top to bottom, left to right: Christy 

Johnston-Artiglere heads through 

Hopatcong during the 20-mile bike 

ride. Educational volunteer Gay 

Bucci speaks with Colleen Lyons 

(who brought along son, Owen) 

and Michael Leo about the park’s 

fountain. 

Randy Artiglere finds himself 

riding all alone on Maxim Drive in 

Hopatcong. Valerie Pawlowski on 

a stand-up paddle board with her 

two dogs. 

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HISTORY 

Fun Facts for the Holidays 

by MARTY KANE 

Photos courtesy 

of the 

LAKE HOPATCONG 

HISTORICAL 

MUSEUM 

As you prepare for the upcoming holiday 

gatherings, why not load up on some 

interesting Lake Hopatcong facts? You’ll be 

ready to amaze and entertain family and friends 

with your vast knowledge of our lake. Enjoy! 

Is Lake Hopatcong a natural lake? 

The answer is both yes and no. There was 

always a body of water here, but it was originally 

about half the size of the lake we know today. 

It appears on early maps as Great Pond or 

Brooklyn Pond. 

In its natural form, this lake was approximately 

12 feet lower than today and ran roughly from 

Point Pleasant to just north of Nolan’s Point. 

From there, a stream connected it to a smaller 

body of water (known as Little Pond) located in 

the area we know as Woodport or Lake Forest. 

Between the 1750s and 1840s, the lake was 

raised three times: once to power a forge in the 

area where Hopatcong State Park is today and 

twice more to obtain the large amount of water 

needed to operate the Morris Canal. These 

elevations of the water level caused the two 

bodies of water to join, forming what we know 

today as Lake Hopatcong. 

It is interesting to note that even in its original 

size, Great Pond would be the largest lake in 

New Jersey. 

Since Bertrand Island is a peninsula, why is it 

called Bertrand Island? 

The area on the west side of Lakeshore 

Village (where the Lake Hopatcong 

Yacht Club is located) was indeed once 

an island separated from the mainland 

by a small channel. Over the years, the 

channel was partially filled so that only a small 

bridge was needed. The bridge was removed, 

and the channel filled completely during 

construction of the Bertrand Island Park roller 

coaster in 1925. 

Why is the name Brooklyn seen around the 

lake? 

This word appears in the name of two 

major local roads: Brooklyn-Stanhope Road 

and Brooklyn Mountain Road. The name 

originates from the Brookland Forge, which was 

constructed in the 1750s at the site of today’s 

Hopatcong State Park. 

Around 1810, a tax assessor incorrectly 

recorded the property as “Brooklyn” Forge. The 

general area then retained the name Brooklyn for 

many years. In fact, the Borough of Hopatcong 

was originally called the Borough of Brooklyn 

when it broke away from Byram Township and 

incorporated in 1898. 

Because of confusion with the famous 

Brooklyn in New York, the Borough of Brooklyn 

officially changed to Hopatcong in 1901, but the 

name still survives on some of our roads. 

Why was Brady Bridge built in a manner that 

impedes movement at the lake? 

In the 19th century, much of the northern area 

of Lake Hopatcong was owned by the Brady 

family of Bayonne, which operated Consumers 

Coal and Ice Company. The Bradys owned some 

2,750 acres on and around Lake Hopatcong and 

ran four ice houses on the lake, plus a fifth on 

neighboring Duck Pond (now Lake Shawnee). 

During the winter of 1924, the lake was 

dropped 7 feet to facilitate the removal of the 

Morris Canal lock and the construction of a new 

The Bertrand Island bridge, cicra 1909. 

dam at what is now Hopatcong State Park. As 

this drop threatened the ice company’s business, 

Jerome Brady constructed an earthen dam to 

keep the Woodport area of the lake filled with 

water. The following spring, a bridge was built 

across the dam with an opening to allow for 

navigation. The bridge allowed easier access to 

Prospect Point, where Brady then developed 

land. 

Safe to say, it was a time when few approvals 

were needed to undertake major projects! The 

bridge, as well as Brady Boulevard and Brady 

Road, all carry on the family name today. 

Why are there Napoleonic Era-related 

names like Bonaparte Point and Elba Point in 

Hopatcong? 

Joseph Bonaparte was the elder brother of 

Napoleon and served as King of Naples and Sicily 

and later King of Spain. Following his brother’s 

final defeat at Waterloo, Joseph Bonaparte fled 

to America. 

Upon arriving in New York in 1815, he looked 

for an appropriate estate at which to live, 

searching throughout northern New Jersey. He 

supposedly camped on the west shore of Lake 

Hopatcong before eventually buying a large 

estate farther south in Bordentown. One legend 

holds that a silver pot belonging to Bonaparte’s 

party was found in the area around Davis Cove 

during the 1930s. 

The names of Bonaparte Point, Bonaparte 

Landing, Elba Point, Elba Avenue, Waterloo 

Avenue and Waterloo Road are all said to derive 

from Bonaparte’s brief encounter with Lake 

Hopatcong. 

Were there any large Native American 

villages at Lake Hopatcong? 

Evidence of a Lenape presence has been 

found in most areas of the lake. The written 

accounts of early European settlers, along with 

artifacts found in the area, indicate the largest 

Lenape settlement was in the vicinity of Halsey 

and Raccoon Islands, in a part of the lake which 

is largely under water today. During the Lenape 

era, these islands were all part of the mainland, 

connected to the area we know today as 

Prospect Point. Such a large settlement would 

probably have been home to under 200 people. 

Was there really once a bridge to Raccoon 

Island? 

Yes! The Chincopee Bridges, opened with a 

ceremony on July 15, 1891, was a continuation of 

34 


Passenger launch in the Morris Canal lock 

at today’s Hopatcong State Park, circa 1910. 

Locktender Rube Messinger can be seen 

standing the in background.

today’s Chincopee Road. Constructed of roughhewn 

timber, it was high enough in the middle to 

allow most boats operating on the lake to pass 

underneath. The bridge collapsed after being hit 

by an ice floe in the winter of 1898-1899. 

Although residents expected it to be quickly 

replaced, the Morris County Freeholders 

resisted financing a new bridge. When they 

finally relented and approved construction of 

a new bridge in 1929, the timing proved to be 

poor. 

The stock market crash and onset of the 

Great Depression caused the cancellation of 

construction plans. The new bridge was never 

built. Ferry service between the island and the 

mainland began in 1932 and continues today. 

Have any United States presidents visited 

Lake Hopatcong? 

While none have visited during their time in 

office, Richard Nixon paid a call at his namesake 

school in Landing as a former president in June 

1989. Garret Hobart, who served as vice president 

under President William McKinley, visited the 

lake during the 1890s both before and during his 

term in office. Reportedly, he planned to host 

President McKinley and his wife at the lake in 

the summer of 1898. Alas, the Spanish-American 

War broke out and the trip never occurred. 

Where did we ever get the name River Styx? 

According to Greek mythology, souls must 

cross the River Styx in order to get to the 

underworld after death. The name River Styx 

is seen on maps of New Jersey as early as the 

18th century. In his 19th century journal, lake 

resident Stephen Shaffer attributed the name 

to the gnarled appearance of the trees on the 

shoreline of this area that early European visitors 

encountered. The unique name stuck and has 

been with us ever since. 

When the Morris Canal existed, how far could 

one travel by water from Lake Hopatcong? 

Literally anywhere in the world! During the 

operation of the Morris Canal, one could travel 

from Lake Hopatcong westward to the Delaware 

River and down to Philadelphia, Delaware Bay and 

the Atlantic Ocean. Heading east on the canal, 

one would reach the Hudson River and New 

York Harbor at Jersey City, once again having 

Left to right: An 1891 announcement of the opening of 

Chincopee Bridges. The bridge, circa 1895. 

access to the Atlantic Ocean. Early steamboats 

and vessels to be used on Lake Hopatcong often 

arrived at the lake in this manner. 

Is it true there was once a sea serpent 

reported at Lake Hopatcong? 

In the summer of 1894, the New York 

World newspaper reported on such a creature 

being seen by many parties in River Styx. 

Other newspapers could not find anyone to 

corroborate the story. The World was a pioneer 

in “yellow journalism,” capturing readers’ 

attention with sensational stories. The 1894 

account of “Hoppie” reappears periodically in 

publications like Weird NJ. 

Happy holidays to all! 

Support a vibrant and 

healthy Lake Hopatcong 

and surrounding 

community! 

Learn more, register to volunteer, 

or become a member today 

at lakehopatcongfoundation.org 

125 Landing Road, Landing, NJ 07850 973-663-2500 


COOKING 

WITH SCRATCH © 

“Dirndlhosen” 


Family photos courtesy of the author 

It will be Christmas before you know it and 

cookie baking season will be upon us. I’m 

looking forward to my annual holiday baking 

spree and getting the cookies shipped off to 

friends and relatives here and abroad. 

You know the big-box stores already have 

their Christmas decorations on display, and, at 

this writing, Halloween hasn’t happened yet. 

We are in the midst of one of the most beautiful 

autumns I can remember, and my husband and 

I just finished putting everything away from our 

annual German October festivities. 

This fall I realized I have a such treasure trove 

of German “trachten” (traditional) clothing 

that I’ve accumulated over the years. I need to 

preserve it as best as I can so that it can be 

passed down to my children. 

It seems I have every dirndl (a woman’s 

bodice and skirt with a puffy white blouse and 

an apron) that I’ve worn since beginning at age 

3. I also have the lederhosen (leather shorts) 

from my son, Fran, when he was 2; my brother’s 

from when he was about 20; and my father’s 

last pair. 

I’m usually able 

to put together an 

outfit for anyone 

who needs one. 

I remember 

wearing lederhosen 

and dirndls as 

a child with my 

36 

Story by BARBARA SIMMONS 

The author and 

her brother, Frank 

Kertscher, in 1959. 


Left: Barbara Simmons poses in her 

garden wearing a traditional dirndl. 

brother, Frank. I just came across a 

snapshot of us squinting into the sun on 

the sidewalk in front of our Montclair 

home, ages 5 and 3, holding hands and 

looking cute as heck. 

The lederhosen were virtually 

indestructible and saved us from scrapes 

and scratches in the yard and on the 

playground. Once, mine saved me from 

being seriously bitten by a dog! Old Fido 

got my lederhosen, but not my butt! 

My grandson, Julien, and my 

granddaughter, Sadie, were a hit at 

our Octoberfest this year. Julien looked so 

handsome in his father’s (my son, Fran) black 

suede lederhosen and Sadie was beyond 

adorable in a little light blue dirndl that was 

bought for a friend’s baby 35 years ago. 

I was the happiest Oma (grandmother) ever! 

My daughter-in-law, Brittney, and my 

daughter, Erika, have worn my vintage dirndls 

at family parties, and they fit like they were 

custom made for them. 

My mother, Gertrude Kertscher, taught 

German at Dover High School and her 

trachten collection went back and forth to 

her classroom for plays, parties and cultural 

festivities. She was also active in a local folk 

dancing club and the outfits often went out 

on loan to her fellow dancers. 

Dirndls and lederhosen are built to last and 

be handed down through the generations. 

They evolved from clothing traditionally 

worn by peasants and were constructed for 

durability and long wear. 

Leather, as I mentioned before, is fairly 

bulletproof and almost never wears out. The 

length of the suspenders can be adjusted as 

the child grows taller and the waistbands often 

have an adjustable belt. 

Dirndls are sewn with extra fabric in the 

seam, and the skirts and hems of the aprons 

have horizontal pleats that can be let out as 

the “mädel” (young girl) grows. 

The suspenders of the lederhosen and 

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Left to right: Brittney Simmons with daughter, Sadie, 

who is wearing a dirndl. Julien Simmons shows off his 

lederhosen and Spiderman boots. 

bodices of the dirndls are often embroidered 

with alpine motifs like edelweiss and gentian 

flowers or silhouettes of deer. 

In the German-speaking world, especially in 

southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria, 

it’s not uncommon today to see folks in this 

traditional dress. Waitstaff in restaurants wear 

these practical, durable outfits to work every 

day. On Sundays and for special occasions, 

people go to church in their very best 

trachten – dirndls made of silk and satin, men 

in “bundhosen,” below-the-knee lederhosen 

decorated with beautiful embroidery. 

I was so tempted to buy myself a new dirndl 

during our last visit but managed to hold myself 

back. I would have never been able to decide. 

There were so many beautiful ones we saw. 

We did leave Germany last summer with 

new gray and green lederhosen with the 

traditional red-checked, long-sleeved shirt for 

my grandson in a size 4 that my cousins Jutta 

and Andreas bought for him. 

Every year after cleaning everything up and 

doing any necessary mending, I put away the 

“dirndlhosen” (a term Brittney coined a few 

years ago referencing dirndls and lederhosen). I 

always feel genuinely grateful to have all of this 

trachten clothing that we wear and enjoy from 

year to year. 

So, until next year, I wish you “ein frohes 

Fest und guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr” (happy 

holidays and slide well into the New Year). 

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Starry, Starry Night Cookies 

Below is another recipe to add to your holiday cookie repertoire. It is adapted 

from one of my favorite books: “Confections of a Closet Master Baker,” by Gesine 

Bullock-Prado. 

Yes, she is Sandra Bullock’s sister. 

This is a delightful, funny, touching memoir with recipes. It’s a book you should 

definitely consider adding to your cookbook collection. 

These are some of the densest and most decadent chocolate cookies you will 

ever taste and, surprisingly, they are gluten-free. 

I like to give an assortment of cookies in the tins I ship to my friends and 

relatives at Christmastime. I try to have at least one of each cookie type: nutty, 

fruity, spicy, pretty and chocolate. 

This recipe has risen to number one in the chocolate category, beating out 

chocolate crinkle cookies, Baker’s 1-bowl brownie cookies and even the old 

standby, Nestle’s Toll House cookies. 

Top-notch chocolate is a must here; my friend and baker extraordinaire, Rita Earle, often 

gifts me a bag of Dick Taylor 70% Belize baking chocolate. It is deep, dark and just out of 

this world. Use it if you can find it (check online!). If not, Ghirardelli 60% or 72% cacao 

premium baking chocolate chips work. 

Yield: 40 made with a 2-teaspoon cookie scoop 

Ingredients: 

1 cup excellent bittersweet chocolate chips, such as Dick Taylor 70% Belize, 

Ghirardelli 72% cacao dark chocolate premium baking chips, or a combination of the two 

3 tablespoons butter 

2 large eggs 

4 ½ tablespoons sugar, plus additional for dipping 

1 tablespoon honey 

2/3 cup almond flour, such as Bob’s Red Mill super-fine 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 tablespoon non-Dutch processed cocoa powder (natural cocoa) such as the Lindt, 

Ghirardelli or Hershey brand 

Procedure: 

1. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, or 

microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring to combine until fully melted. Let this mixture cool 

slightly. 

2. While the chocolate-butter mixture is cooling, combine the eggs, sugar and honey in the 

bowl of an electric mixer mix on high speed until the mixture gets thick and ribbony. 

3. Add the almond flour, salt and cocoa powder into a separate bowl, stir until well 

combined. Add to the melted chocolate and butter and mix thoroughly. 

4. To lighten the chocolate mixture, add a quarter of the whipped egg mixture. Stir until 

no egg is visible. Gently fold the remainder of the egg mixture into the chocolate until well 

combined, being careful to not overbeat it and to maintain the fluffy quality of the eggs. 

5. Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours until fairly solid. 

6. Place a few tablespoons of sugar into a small bowl. Using a 2-teaspoon cookie scoop 

(about the size of a melon baller) to evenly portion out the dough, scoop out individual balls 

of dough. Roll them in the sugar and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan ½-inch apart. 

Refrigerate dough if it becomes too soft to work with. 

7. Freeze the cookie balls, uncovered, for about an hour. 

8. Preheat the oven to 350°. Just before baking, take the cookie balls out of the freezer, then 

roll each cookie in sugar again. Don’t be shy. 

9. Coat them well. Bake 10 minutes, rotating the pan after 5 minutes to ensure even baking. 

Cookies should be slightly crackled, but the sugar should not be browned. 

10. Cool on a cooling rack. Then pack into tins between layers of parchment paper (re-use 

what you baked them on). 

Make ahead: After freezing the cookie balls, place them in a sealed plastic bag and store in 

the freezer. To bake, remove as many as you’d like to have, roll in sugar and bake as per the 

directions above. 

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WORDS OF 

A FEATHER 

Fish, Fish, Got My Wish 

38 

Story and photos by HEATHER SHIRLEY 

One of my annual highlights is an autumn 

trip to visit my favorite uncle in the Finger 

Lakes region of New York. 

Despite the boast that our beloved Lake 

Hopatcong is the largest in New Jersey, it is 

absolutely dwarfed by Seneca or Cayuga Lake, 

or really any of the Finger Lakes. They are aweinspiring. 

Of course, it helps that there are many wineries 

perched on hillsides overlooking the lakes! There 

is so much to explore in the region, and we delight 

in checking out new sights. 

This year we went to the Salmon River Fish 

Hatchery in Altmar. Run by the New York State 

Department of Environmental Conservation, this 

astounding facility offers the chance to see wild 

salmon hurling themselves upstream. You can 

also tour the facility and learn about the fish and 

their spawning and egg harvesting process. It’s 

impressive! 

The oldest known salmon fossil is 50 million 

years old. From the beginning, salmon used their 

size and speed to explore their waterways. As a 

result of eons of forays into brackish water, they 

became what is known as anadromous. This 

means they can live in both fresh and salt water. 

In salt water, they pump sodium out of their 

blood, over their gills and into the water. In fresh 

water, they do the reverse. Similarly, salmon drink 


lots of salt water, but never drink fresh water. 

In these ways they manage and maintain their 

unique balance of salinity. 

These adaptations allowed them to migrate 

and establish populations thousands of miles 

from their original oceanic boundaries. There is 

one record of a salmon migrating almost 2,400 

miles. 

But no matter how far they roam, eventually 

they return to the exact freshwater location 

where they were born to lay eggs. This is why 

salmon swim upstream in the fall, and it’s why 

New York’s Salmon River is a mecca for salmon 

fishing. 

There are seven species of salmon in North 

America, six from the Pacific Northwest and just 

one from the Atlantic. Native Atlantic salmon are 

quite rare, having been extirpated from most of 

the Northeast. Pacific species are stocked and 

thrive in New York’s waterways. The primary 

species are chinooks, also called king salmon, and 

coho, also known as silver. 

The chinook Great Lakes record was caught in 

the Salmon River, weighing in at an astonishing 47 

pounds. The coho world record, at 33 pounds, is 

also from this river. Steelheads, mature rainbow 

trout, are also a prized stocked species. 

During the summer, the fish leave the rivers and 

move to shallow waters in Lake Ontario. Starting 

in August, they begin to congregate at the mouth 

of the Salmon River. Come September, the fish 

start moving upstream to reach their natal waters. 

Some Native American words for salmon 

translate as “lightning following one another,” 

and that’s exactly what they look like. The English 

word “salmon” is derived from the Latin salire, 

which means to leap. What perfect etymology! 

Huge fish shine silver as they leap out of the 

water to overtake rocks and climb the river. 

Salmon can jump 6 feet into the air as they 

struggle up the river. Their numbers are so thick 

their sides heave against each other as they dart 

upstream. 

Top to bottom: A 

salmon tries to 

swim upriver but 

gets blocked by a 

fence, redirecting 

itself to swim to a 

hatchery instead. 

A salmon leaps 

“upstream” into the 

hatchery. 

As they struggle 

for the chance to 

spawn, they face 

walls of anglers 

eagerly vying to land one of them. Many fish 

escape hooks and channel instead into the 

passageways of the hatchery. 

The hatchery is a highly scientific operation. One 

section is dedicated to egg fertilization. When the 

eggs hatch into sac fry, they are relocated to tanks 

that mimic the gravel beds they’d live in naturally. 

They will move again through the hatchery as they 

grow to fingerling size. Depending on the species, 

this can take between five to 15 months. 

When they are big enough, the fingerlings are 

transported to stock 1,200 public streams, rivers, 

lakes and ponds across the state. Almost 1.5 million 

chinooks, 150,000 coho and 750,000 steelheads 

are stocked from this hatchery. 

What’s even more impressive is that the 

hatchery is only responsible for a fraction of the 

fish population. It’s estimated that 70 percent 

of angler-caught chinooks are wild, meaning 

not born in the hatchery. Quite a lot of fishing 

opportunities! 

That’s the other remarkable thing about salmon. 

Since humans and salmon have coexisted, entire 

economies have centered around the spawning 

cycle. Humans have depended on them for food 

and business. 

They are also a keystone species, with 22 

different animals depending on them as a critical 

food source. Everything from bears to tiny winter 

wrens feast on salmon. 

They are yet another true marvel, and I 

encourage you to go see them, catch them or at 

least enjoy them on your dinner plate — wildcaught 

only, please!

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Hopatcong, New Jersey 07843 

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MAKING MERRY MUSIC 

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Vol. 8, No. 7 

Page 6 

Page 16 

Page 24 

Family reunion 

Page 30 

Vol. 9, No. 5 

Page 6 

Holiday 2016 

Looking skyward 

Page 14 

Page 2 

Charity on wheels 

Pages 28 

Labor Day 2017 

FOURTH OF JULY 2023 VOL. 15 NO. 3 

SPRING 20 2 VOL. 14 NO. 1 

FA L 2021 VOL. 13 NO. 6 

MIDSUMMER 2021 VOL. 13 NO. 4 

Garden State Yacht Club hosts 

stre s-fr e sailing Saturdays 

MIDSUMMER 2020 VOL. 12 NO. 4 



Vol. 1, No. 1 

FOURTH OF JULY 20 2 VOL. 14 NO. 3 

Spring 2019 

Vol. 10, No. 3 

Fourth of July 2018 

• American picker 

• Olympic spirit 

• Passion for golf 

FA L 20 2 VOL. 14 NO. 6 

directory 

CONSTRUCTION/ 

EXCAVATION 

Al Hutchins Excavating 

973-663-2142 

973-713-8020 

Global Contracting 

800-292-3268 

globalpaving.com 

Lakeside Construction 

151 Sparta-Stanhope Rd., Hopatcong 

973-398-4517 

Northwest Explosives 

PO Box 806, Hopatcong 

973-398-6900 

info@northwestexplosives.com 

Robertson Excavating 

973-398-9476 

ENTERTAINMENT/ 

RECREATION 

Lake Hopatcong Adventure Company 

37 Nolan’s Pt. Park Rd., LH 

973-663-1944 

lhadventureco.com 

Lake Hopatcong Cruises 

Miss Lotta (Dinner Boat) 


973-663-5000 

lhcruises.com 

Lake Hopatcong Mini Golf Club 


973-663-0451 

lhgolfclub.com 

Roxbury Arts Alliance 

72 Eyland Ave., Succasunna 

973-945-0284 

roxburyartsalliance.org 

HOME SERVICES 

Ashley Grace Builders 

Randolph 

973-476-2500 

ashleygracebuilders.com 

Central Comfort 

100 Nolan’s Point Rd., LH 

973-361-2146 

Evening Star 

LED Deck/Dock Lights 

eveningstarlighting.com 

Homestead Lawn Sprinkler 

5580 Berkshire Valley Rd., OR 

973-208-0967 

homesteadlawnsprinkler.com 

Jefferson Recycling 

710 Route 15 N Jefferson 

973-361-1589 

jefferson-recycling.com 

The Polite Plumber 

973-398-0875 

thepoliteplumber.com 

LAKE SERVICES 

AAA Dock & Marine 

27 Prospect Point Rd., LH 

973-663-4998 

docksmarina@hotmail.com 

Batten The Hatches 

70 Rt. 181, LH 

973-663-1910 

facebook.com/bthboatcovers 

Lake Management Sciences 

Branchville 

973-948-0107 

lakemgtsciences.com 

MARINAS 

Katz’s Marinas 

22 Stonehenge Rd., LH 

973-663-0224 

katzmarinaatthecove.com 

342 Lakeside Ave., Hopatcong 

973-663-3214 

antiqueboatsales.com 

Lake’s End Marina 

91 Mt. Arlington Blvd., Landing 

973-398-5707 

lakesendmarina.net 

South Shore Marine 

862-254-2514 

southshoremarine180@gmail.com 

West Shore Marine 

453 River Styx Rd., Hopatcong 

973-398-8500 

NONPROFITS 

Lake Hopatcong Commission 

260 Lakeside Blvd.,Landing 

973-601-7801 

commissioner@lakehopatcongcommission.org 

Lake Hopatcong Elks 

201 Howard Blvd, MA 

973-668-9302 

Lake Hopatcong Foundation 

125 Landing Rd., Landing 

973-663-2500 

lakehopatcongfoundation.org 

Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum 

260 Lakeside Blvd., Landing 

973-398-2616 

lakehopatconghistory.com 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 

Barbara Anne Dillon,,O.D.,P.A. 

180 Howard Blvd., Ste. 18 MA 

973-770-1380 

REAL ESTATE 

Kathleen Courter 

RE/MAX 

131 Landing Rd., Roxbury 

973-420-0022 Direct 

KathySellsNJHomes.com 

Robin Dora 

Sotheby’s International 

670 Main St., Towaco 

973-570-6633 

thedoragroup.com 

Christopher J. Edwards 

RE/MAX 

211 Rt. 10E, Succasunna 

973-598-1008 

MrLakeHopatcong.com 

Jim Leffler 

RE/MAX 

131 Landing Rd., Roxbury 

201-919-5414 

jimleff.rmx@gmail.com 

RESTAURANTS & BARS 

Alice’s Restaurant 


973-663-9600 

alicesrestaurantnj.com 

Big Fish Lounge At Alice’s 


973-663-9600 

alicesrestaurantnj.com 

The Windlass Restaurant 

45 Nolan’s Point Park Rd., LH 

973-663-3190 

thewindlass.com 

SENIOR CARE 

Preferred Care at Home 

George & Jill Malanga/Owners 

973-512-5131 

PreferHome.com/nwjersey 

SPECIALTY STORES 

Alstede Fresh @ Lindeken 

54 NJ Rt 15 N, Wharton 

908-879-7189 

AlstedeFarms.com 

CatCrap 

@catcraphq 

Hawk Ridge Farm 

283 Espanong Rd, LH 

hawkridgefarmnj.com 

Hearth & Home 

1215 Rt. 46, Ledgewood 

973-252-0190 

hearthandhome.net 

Helrick’s Custom Framing 

158 W Clinton St., Dover 

973-361-1559 

helricks.com 

Italy Tours with Maria 

ItalyTourswithMaria@yahoo.com 

JF Woodproducts 

973-590-4319 

jfwoodproducts.com 

Main Lake Market 

234 S. NJ Ave., LH 

973-663-0544 

mainlakemarket.com 

Steve Lindahl, author 

stevelindahl.com 

Orange Carpet & Wood Gallery 

470 Rt. 10W, Ledgewood 

973-584-5300 

orange-carpet.com 

STORAGE 

Woodport Self Storage 

17 Rt. 181 & 20 Tierney Rd., LH 

973-663-4000 

FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT 

WWW.LAKEHOPATCONGNEWS.COM 

Informing, Serving and Celebrating The Lake Region 


Memorial Day 2019 

Answering 

The Call 

Firefighter honored for 70 years of service 

with Roxbury Engine Company No. 2 



Happy Campers 

Sixteen years in and Camp Je ferson is sti l a l about good ole’ fashioned outdoor fun 



INFORMING, SERVING AND CELEBRATING THE L AKE REGION 


Independence 

Day 

Mo ris Habitat helps the 

Tesfaye-Tade se family 

become homeowners 



Witch You Were Here! 

October is a bewitching good time for these ladies in Lake Rogerene 


•Qua ry Silt S eps into Lake Hopatcong: DEP Slow to React 

•Working Sma l Proves Big for Local Artist •Girl Scouts Tackle Trail Maintenance 

•New Fireboat for Lake Hopatcong 

Home Sweet Homestead 

A visionary Jefferson couple turn their dream into reality for their ‘differently-abled’ adult daughter 



For the Birds 

Andrew Eppedio (and his mom’s) great avian adventure 

• Algae Invades Lake Hopatcong 

• Volunteers Drive 1th Hour Rescue 

• Wiffle Ba l Game Helps Raise Funds 

• Sharing Books One Li tle Free Library at a Time 



Christmas 

in the village 

Annual holiday celebration in Je ferson 

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign 



Local DAR honor soldiers 

LOCALLY 

GROWN 

Je ferson farm comes alive 

thanks to third-generation 

farmer 

The tradition of telling the stories of the lake community 

continues thanks to all the advertisers. 



THRIFT SHOP BARGAINS 

STAR GAZING 

All Their Children 

Over 2 Decades, A Landing Couple Welcomed 39 Foster Children To their Home 

CARVING OUT A NICHE 

DESIGNING STUDENTS 



Catch 

Report 

Release 

Thr e-year study underway to s e if brown 

trout can “hold over” in Lake Hopatcong 

LAKE COMMISSION 

TAKING CONTROL 

ROAD SALT PROVING 

HAZARDOUS TO WATERWAYS 

NONPROFIT HELPING 

LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS 

BELTING OUT A 

TUNE WITH KIP 


INFRASTRUCTURE 

WISH LIST 

BOOK CLUB PUTS 

ON THE MILES 


On the Water 

Come Along with Outdoorsman Jeremy Travers 

as He Explores the Areas Waterways 

THEATER PRODUCTIONS 

BEGIN AT ROXBURY PAC 

AREA EMS SQUADS 

MEETING THE CHALLENGE 



NATIONAL DESIGNATION 

FOR LOCAL TRAIL 

VOLUNTEERS HELP 

HOMEOWNERS IN NEED 

Summer’s 

BOUNTY 

Organic, self-sustaining mini-farm 

springs to life in Jefferson 

CUTTING COSTS BY 

GOING SOLAR 

VETERANS HONORED 

WITH BOAT RIDE 


Easy 


Breezy 

FINDING A NEW FAMILY 

GRANT MONEY 

HELPING FIGHT HABS 

HEROES HONORED IN 

HOPATCONG 



Helping Hands 

A l across the area, legions of people are working 

the front lines and volunteering their time 

FINDING NEW WAYS 

TO DO BUSINESS 

BLOSSOMS IN 

THE PARK 


STUDENTS PARTNER WITH 

SMITHSONIAN AND LHF 

GREAT-GRANDSON OF 

JOE COOK OFFERS GIFTS 

AREA NURSES VOLUNTEER 

AT VACCINATION SITES 

ONE FAMILY’S 

PANDEMIC JOURNEY 


Building a 

Community 

Mo ris Habitat for Humanity finds 

a way forward despite the pandemic 


•We lne s center opens in Hopatcong 

•Children’s author penning third book 

•Bridge to Liffy Island taking shape 

•DEP says no to carp in Lake Hopatcong 


ICE JOB 

HISTORY MADE IN HOPATCONG 

AND THE BANDS PLAYED ON 

MEMBERSHIPS IN DECLINE 

CASHING IN ON COINS 

Volunt ers, including two from Hopatcong, take part in a 

century-old tradition at Raque te Lake in the Adirondacks 



RACING AROUND 

STATE BY STATE 

A LIFE IN MUSIC 

‘Study Hull’ 

makes maiden 

voyage 

WINNER, WINNER, 

CHICKEN DINNER 

BEACON OF LIGHT 

Local students schooled on fresh water aboard the Lake Hopatcong Foundation’s floating cla sroom 

• LHC budgets for weeds 

40 

• Markets are open, bounty is fresh 

• Smithsonian exhibi to open 

• King House expands offerings 

• 4H standout leading the way 

Community garden turns 5 

Hiking the Appalachian Trail 

Not your average summer camp 


973-663-2800 • editor@lakehopatcongnews.com

Left to Right: Scott Reid carries bundles of donated paper towels. Knights of Columbus member Jim Zajdel helps organize donated goods. 

Jefferson Residents Donate to Hurricane Victims 

Story and photos by KAREN FUCITO 

The Knights of Columbus Council 5510 

from St. Thomas the Apostle Roman 

Catholic Church in Jefferson Township was 

one of many area councils that participated in 

a collection of goods for residents of North 

Carolina affected by the recent hurricanes. 

According to Scott Reid, a 5510 council 

member, a handful of volunteers helped 

unload goods from about 100 vehicles that 

came to the township municipal complex on 

Saturday, October 18. 

Reid said the amount of goods collected 

filled “the fire department trailer, a pickup 

truck and three SUVs,” and was transferred 

Handmade by a Local Craftsman 

Taking your ideas and designing and crafting a finished piece you can be proud of 

JF Wood Products 

Custom Furniture and Woodworking 

Joe Fucito - owner/craftsman 

Oak Ridge, NJ 

Joe@JFWoodProducts.com 

973-590-4319 

to the RGTX Logistics Solutions warehouse 

in Sparta that day. The New Jersey company 

transported the goods from Sparta to a 

Tennessee warehouse, which acted as the 

distribution hub for residents in North 

Carolina. RGTX was also able to provide 

helicopter drops to areas not accessible by 

ground transportation said Reid. 

Custom Wood Furniture in the 

Adirondack, semi-rustic, and 

shaker styles. 

Tables, sideboards, benches, cabinets, Desks, 

and more. 


42 



BUILDING A STRONGER TEAM, ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME 

TEAM 

BUILDING 

COMING TO 

2025 

THE LAKE 

PLAN YOUR 2025 CORPORATE EVENT 

ON LAKE HOPATCONG. 

From boosting morale to sparking innovation, 

team building plays a key role in aligning 

individual efforts with your organization’s goals. 

TO LEARN MORE EMAIL US AT INFO@LIVETHELAKENJ.COM

2024 Holiday Issue

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