The Morristown Neighborhood House inches closer to saving after school program
Generous donors have given Morristown’s Neighborhood House hope for salvaging a popular after-school program imperiled by state budget cuts, according to the organization’s director.
Over the summer, foundations and individuals have contributed $57,000, enough to get a bare-bones STARS program up and running after Labor Day, said David Walker, executive director of the Neighborhood House.
“STARS will continue to rise,” David vowed on Friday, expressing thanks for a $7,500 donation this week from the TD Charitable Foundation of TD Bank.
Another $43,000 is needed to keep the Smart Talented Athletic Responsible Students program in operation for its sixth year, he said.
The TD Charitable Foundation presents $7,500 check to the Morristown Neighborhood House to help replace state cutbacks to a popular after-school program called STARS. Front row, L-R: Lane Modeste, Jaquorah Marrow, Taylor Martin (all STARS participants) Back row left to right: David Walker (Executive Director, Morristown Neighborhood House), Richard Sandillo (TD Bank Morristown Store Manager), Ruth Wilson (TD Bank, Vice President Retail Market Manager, Morris County), Jennifer Huber (STARS Site Director, Morristown Neighborhood House).
David said he hopes most of the gap will be covered by New Jersey After 3, a nonprofit umbrella organization that had been the primary sponsor of STARS until Gov. Chris Christie eliminated its state funding earlier this year.
One-third of the New Jersey After 3 budget has been restored, and the Nabe is applying for some of it.
This fall will mark the first September opening for STARS, which usually starts in October. But the program will be conducted at the Neighborhood House, for only 30 students, until funding is resolved, David said.
STARS served 150 middle school children last semester. Many hail from low-income and single-parent households that cannot afford daycare, David said.
The Neighborhood House raised $50,000 to get through that semester, to make up for cuts by New Jersey After 3. Enrollment had to be pared from 200 students the year before.
Established in 1898 as a settlement house for Italian immigrants, the nonprofit Neighborhood House continues striving to help economically challenged new immigrants find their way.
“We believe the opportunity to enrich our communities is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Don Buckley, TD Bank market president for northern New Jersey, said of the TD donation in a statement.
Other contributors this summer have included Novartis, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Victoria Foundation, and individual donors affiliated with the Community Foundation, David said.
“With help from TD Bank and other supporters, we’re certain we’ll be able to run a program,” David said.
How large a program is the question.
Students at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown Have a Busy Summer Full of Opportunities to Serve
The Youth Ministry at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown had a busy summer! The last week in June, 3 leaders and 8 middle school students went on a mission trip with YouthWorks to Niagara Falls. During our week there, we had the opportunity to serve God by organizing shoes that will be sent to those in need, by helping around the community through painting, cleaning, and other projects, and by interacting with those who are different from us. Our week in Niagara Falls was a fun week filled with serving God together, building relationships with each other, and enjoying the city of Niagara Falls!
A week later, the High School students left for their mission trip! July 11-17 a group of 18 youth and 6 leaders spent a week on RISE serving in Hammondsport, NY along with Christ Church from Summit, NJ and Calvary Baptist Church from Morristown, NJ. During our week, our church was able to redo two roofs that needed repair, as well as demolish and rebuild a porch. It was amazing to see students working long hours every day to serve these people and the sense of accomplishment they felt when they finished their projects. Our week was full of memories and impacted the lives of people in Steuben County NY.
Two days after RISE, 2 students and I hopped aboard a plane to Indiana with 22 other members from our Presbytery for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. It was an amazing week, and it was so awesome to see God at work in the lives of students! Here is a glimpse of what these students experienced:
Triennium was a motivating experience for me and the rest of the 5000 participants. The theme for the week, “For Such a Time as This”, focused on how we, the youth of PCUSA, are needed to make a change in the world. The jaw-dropping worship services, as well as the eye-opening small groups, left me feeling empowered and ready to save the world. In both large and small settings, we explored the book of Esther. After learning of Esther’s struggles, her courage and willingness for change allowed us to dream of what we are capable of. The story of Esther was then compared to Jesus’ betrayal.
With little down time, meeting people from all over the country was not hard to do. There were parties every night with huge board games and live music. As I liked to describe it, we were “clubbin’ with Jesus” all week.
and from another student:
Triennium was something that I am never going to forget. From worshiping with about 5,000 teenagers, to sharing some of my life experiences in my small group with 30 other people, it was all just amazing.. The activities included going to a college fair, worshiping with about 8,000 people, hanging out with friends and dancing, energizers, having a big surprise party at the huge hall of music, and so much more.
Spiritually, Triennium made me ask some of the tough questions that I had never asked myself before. My small group consisted of 5 leaders and 25 kids who tried to help get me through spiritual hurdles. Overall, my entire group helped me find out things about myself that I never knew! I love meeting kids and adult leaders from around the country. Triennium has forever changed the way I look at religion and my life
Hampton man critical after bike mishap
GLEN GARDNER -- A Hampton man is in critical condition today after losing control of his bicycle Thursday and hitting his head, police said. Michael Weiler, 58, lost control of the bike at about 5:23 p.m. at the intersection of...Judge dismisses lawsuit against Morris County from officer who refused to fire gun while pregnant
MORRIS COUNTY — A judge today dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Morris County sheriff’s officer who claimed she was discriminated against while pregnant when she was required to shoot a gun for periodic firearms qualifications. Superior Court Judge Stephan...And the winner is…’Good for the Earth,’ as voted by spectators at the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Festival
It’s hunting season for Litterbugs!
We saved the best for last–on the program, and online.
Good for the Earth was the overwhelming spectator choice for Best Picture at last week’s Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest. This short comedy by Eric Ruhalter made everyone laugh with its riotous sendup of overzealous environmentalists.
We’re not sure if all the prescriptions in this film are good for the earth. But they’re certainly good for the funny bone, and that’s a start.
Congratulations to Eric and his cast for an inspired bit of whimsy that delivered food for thought in a tasty serving.
READ MORE:
Eric Ruhalter’s ‘Good for the Earth’ wins Best Picture at Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest
Morristown native Eric Ruhalter makes a serious message fun for Friday’s Morristown Film Fest
Complete coverage of the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest
Playlist of all the videos from the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest
A scene from Eric Ruhalter's 'Good for the Earth,' voted Best Picture at the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest, Aug. 20, 2010. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Former Morristown High football star sentenced in drug plea
Ovie N. “Tony” Lattimore, a star on the Morristown High School 1975 championship team, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison on drug trafficking charges, reports The Daily Record.
In a plea deal with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Lattimore, 53, was sentenced for second degree crimes although he admitted to first-degree offenses. As a result, he will be eligible for parole in three years, the paper reports.
He was arrested in 2007 at his home in Kissimmee, Fla., on charges that he conspired to distribute cocaine and painkillers, according to the paper. Lattimore’s late father, Norman Lattimore, led the Morristown Housing Authority in the 1980s.
‘Elegiac Dance’ remembers a fallen friend; from the MorristownGreen.com Film Fest
Today we post the final two entries from the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Festival.
Elegiac Dance was conceived as a tribute to Lauren Failla, a lovely young woman who left us too soon.
For this year’s festival theme, I asked filmmakers to incorporate music from local artists. When I heard composer Jim Hicks’ hauntingly beautiful submission, Elegiac Dance, it instantly reminded me of a dance piece by Daniel Knapp.
Danny now is famous for his Morristown High School rap valedictory. But he also is a champion ballroom dancer. At a scholarship presentation earlier this spring, the Arts Council of the Morris Area showed video of Danny and his instructor, Adriana Chessa, performing an original waltz routine.
They were elegant and lyrical–just like Jim’s piano piece.
When I matched rough video of the dance routine with a fuzzy 1993 cassette recording of Jim’s composition, it was eerie how well they matched.
On a muggy July day, Jim patiently re-recorded several takes of Elegiac Dance inside the Morristown Presbyterian Church on the Green, where he will celebrate 25 years as music director next month.
The next stop was the Nash Dancenter in Randolph. Brian and Jennie Nash generously allowed use of their pristine studio on a Friday night/Saturday morning.
Brett Glassberg composes a shot in 'Elegiac Dance,' with dancers Adriana Chessa and Daniel Knapp. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
I was fortunate to collaborate for the second straight year with Brett Glassberg, a Chester resident who is studying film at the University of Texas at Austin. (Watch for his transition sequence between the ballerina and ballroom segments.)
The Nash Dancenter is a busy place, and our shooting time was limited. So Brett and I set up two cameras to capture multiple angles as quickly as possible.
A couple of experiments–notably, a hastily rigged wheeled contraption for a rolling “trucking” shot–ended comically. (Look for the blooper outtakes in a subsequent posting.)
Our dancers were a dream to work with.
Ballerina Alice Nemecek, who was recommended by MorristownGreen.com contributor Diego Ortiz, choreographed her routine and performed it for our cameras several times, on a steamy evening (even with air conditioning), after a long week at her day gig.
The following morning–another sweltering day–Danny and Adriana donned costumes and cheerfully repeated their three-minute routine for an hour as Brett and I repositioned cameras.
Archival footage was shot last September at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown.
Our thanks to everyone who helped us on this project.
A scene from 'Elegiac Dance,' from the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Festival. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
…and Saturday night, Dicey Riley kisses summer goodbye at Morristown’s Dublin Pub
That’s right, everyone’s favorite feel-good Irish band, Dicey Riley, wants to send out the summer in style with traditional jigs, reels and sing-alongs.
Kevin Johnson, Tommy Johnson, John McGoldrick and Lou Timney take the stage at Morristown’s Dublin Pub at 10 p.m. Saturday. The question is: Will they give it back?
Morristown music scene: Cliff Eberhardt, Universal Rebel, tonight
Here’s a doubleheader for you: Catch the well crafted musical stories of singer-songwriter Cliff Eberhardt at 8 p.m. at The Minstrel in Morris Township. . .then switch into dance mode at Morristown’s Dublin Pub for a nightcap with Universal Rebel.
Cliff Eberhardt performs tonight at The Minstrel in Morris Township. Admission is $7.
The hip hop band, showcased in movies from last week’s MorristownGreen.com Film Fest, cranks up the volume at 10 p.m.
Cliff Eberhardt learned the art of songwriting from some of the masters. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, he was part of a New York club scene that included John Gorka, Suzanne Vega, Lucy Kaplansky, Julie Gold, Steve Forbert, Christine Lavin and Shawn Colvin. He also toured as guitarist for Richie Havens and Melanie, among others.
His songs have been covered by many artists–Dar Williams and Buffy Sainte Marie, to name a couple–and even if you have never heard a Cliff Eberhardt song, you have heard Cliff Eberhardt. He was the voice behind Chevrolet’s “Heartbeat of America” campaign.
Universal Rebel, meanwhile, has become a Morristown favorite thanks to an upbeat message, polished musicianship and the warm vibes of front man Brandyn “Adeo” Heppard, who teaches philosophy when he’s not rapping.
The band–featuring Matt McCormack on keys, Rich Collins on bass, and Steve Honoshowsky (also featured at the film fest) on drums–recently released its first CD, On the Shoulders of Giants.
Universal Rebel, photographed last year. The band plays tonight at the Dublin Pub. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Stanley Cup pays a visit to the Grasshopper in Morristown
These days, Morristown hockey fans will take the Stanley Cup any way they can get it–even if it comes by way of Chicago.
The Stanley Cup parked upstairs yesterday at Morristown's Grasshopper Off the Green, where former Devils favorite John Madden had a private party. John helped the Chicago Blackhawks win hockey's greatest prize in June.
The fabled trophy came to town yesterday courtesy of former New Jersey Devil John Madden, who in June helped the Chicago Blackhawks win their first National Hockey League championship in 49 years.
John showed off the 34 1/2-pound Cup at a private party at Grasshopper Off the Green during the afternoon.
Earlier, his Cup caravan stopped at the Twin Oaks rink off Columbia Turnpike, and at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston.
Next stop: Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Memorial Hospital on Saturday at 11 a.m.
The former University of Michigan star also won the Cup twice with the Devils, where he skated for a decade. John still makes his summer home in the Garden State.
The Stanley Cup dates to 1893. Since 1995, members of Stanley Cup-winning teams have been given some personal time with the trophy during the off-season.
John, who is known for his defensive skills and penalty killing, won’t get a chance to repeat with the Blackhawks this season.
Facing salary cap constraints, Chicago has unloaded at least nine members of its championship team, including John.
The 37-year-old center has signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Wild.
Former Devil John Madden swung through Morristown with the Stanley Cup on Thursday. This time, he won the trophy with the Chicago Blackhawks. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
| John Madden brings Stanley Cup to Saint Barnabas Medical Center |
