Pastor Neil Lines Celebrate 35th Anniversary
Elsie Walker This year, Neil Lines marks his 35th anniversary as the pastor of the Mt. Olive Community Bible Church, 200 Flanders Drakestown Road in Mount Olive. “I’ve been humbled and grateful that God has sustained me in ministry…that all of these things are by God’s grace,” shared Lines. Even having a brain tumor 22 years ago did not stop Lines’ ministry. Recently, he reflected on what drew him into the ministry, some highlights of his ministry, and what about it brings him joy. Lines went into the ministry because he saw a great value in helping people understand the Bible. Being a minister would allow him to teach it publicly (Sunday worship) and privately (Bible studies). “I teach the Bible from a Jewish perspective.” He helps people see it through the eyes of a Jewish interpretation. He noted that the writers of the Bible were Jews and understanding the Jewish culture and customs makes it easier to understand what the Bible is saying. He noted that that the purpose of what he shares with people is not to give them “head knowledge” but so they can apply the teachings in the Bible to their lives. That helps them to make good decisions and live better lives. Lines attended Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Besides having a good reputation, it was his father’s alma mater. His dad had attended there in the 1950s. The younger Lines did a number of internships during school, but his heart was drawn to the Mt. Olive area. After graduating, there was a position open for an assistant minister to his dad at what is now the Mt. Olive Community Bible Church. Lines took the position in 1991 and assumed his dad’s position after his death. Lines will tell you that when he thinks of the highlights of his 35 years in ministry, they are not things like physical additions to the church or the numbers in the seats. “I think of the people who have grown in their walk with God. What encourages me as a pastor is people growing spiritually, God at work in people,” he shared. A favorite yearly event is Vacation Bible School (VBS). This year the church did something different and made it a sports VBS. “We make it fun, from teaching the Bible to game to skits, etc. It was really unbelievable.” It gives Lines joy seeing people significantly growing in God. Doing wedding and funerals both involve a type of joy for Lines. With weddings, the joy comes not just from the celebration during the reception, but from seeing two people commit their lives to each other. It shows God’s plan in marriage. With funerals, he noted there is a different mood and purpose, but still there is a deep joy. That joy comes when he knows that the person has known the Lord and is now in a better place, a place where there will be no more suffering. Now, marking his 35th anniversary as pastor at Mt. Olive Community Bible Church, Lines feels that it doesn’t seem like that long at all. He noted that even after so many years, he’s not burnt out but is full of energy and enthusiasm. “I feel like I’m just starting,” said Lines.
Tinc School Rededicates Memorial to Flight 93 Hero
By Cheryl Conway September 11 will always be a somber day of remembrance, especially at Tinc Elementary School in Flanders. Twenty-five years after Flight 93 fell from the sky on Sept. 11, 2001, the Tinc Road school community gathered Friday at 8:45 a.m. to remember one of its own — longtime paraprofessional Hilda Marcin. In her memory, the school rededicated the memorial gazebo built in her honor. The 25th Anniversary Memorial Event was held in front of the school with hundreds in attendance for the re-inauguration of her memorial gazebo. Tin Road School Principal Mark Grilo describes Marcin as “a former beloved paraprofessional who worked here at Tinc Road school and who was one of the brave souls who we lost on Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. “Our own hero from flight 93, who we lost on 9/11.” Located right in front of the main entrance at Tinc Road school, the Memorial Gazebo was first built in 2011, in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the passing of Marcin and those lost on Sept. 11, 2001. On th e morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Mrs. Marcin had been retired from Tinc Road School for just three months when she boarded United Airlines Flight 93 at Newark International Airport. She was traveling to Danville, Calif., where she planned to live with her daughter, Carol O’Hare, and son-in-law, Tom, during the winter months. Shortly after takeoff, the flight was hijacked by terrorists. As the passengers and crew learned of the hijacking and the plane’s believed target in Washington, D.C., several attempted to regain control of the aircraft. Flight 93 ultimately crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pa. Marcin, 79, and the other 39 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93 died that morning. In her honor, the memorial was built 10 years later with money donated by the community. With the 25-year anniversary approaching, Tinc Road leaders knew they wanted to host a special tribute of their beloved employee. “We have been planning this renovation and memorial for over a year,” shares Grilo. “Our entire school community and Dr. Bangia and district leadership attended the ceremony,” says Grilo, totaling 475 people. Marcin was from Mt. Olive and worked as a bookkeeper and teacher’s aide at Tinc. After emigrating with her parents from Germany when she was 6 years old, Marcin, settled in Irvington. She married Edward Marcin in 1943 and had two daughters. Marcin worked for 20 years as a fund manager for a waiters’ and waitresses’ union in Newark. After moving to Mt. Olive, Hilda began a new career as an instructional aid for special needs children at Tinc Road School. The energetic grandmother, widowed in 1979, loved to cook and entertain and is remembered as strong, independent and organized. Marcin was the oldest passenger on Flight 93. Grilo led the 15-minute ceremony, which included a welcome address and a remembrance of 9/11 and Marcin. Students and staff wore red, white and blue, with younger students holding flags while students in grades two through five sang “God Bless America.” Grade-level representatives also placed flowers at Marcin’s memorial inside the gazebo, with the song led by choral music teacher Jessica Pomeroy. “The day was not over and the fight was not lost, For terrorists had vowed to strike D.C. at all cost. The heroes of Flight 93 formed a plan, In the Pennsylvania skies they took one final stand.”~ excerpt from Lt. Dan Marcou’s poem “That Day in September.”
Mt. Olive Moms Find Their Village
By Cheryl Conway Transitioning from the professional world into the mommy world can sometimes be daunting and lonely, especially for new moms. But it does not have to be that way. Playgroups and clubs are the best remedy for moms looking to connect with other moms so they no longer have to walk their carriage alone. The Mount Olive Moms Club is one group that has organized itself into a well-established group. Founded seven years ago, the club took a pause after COVID hit but is now back in action. “We wanted to start with moms since we saw a need for community and support,” says Kimberly Lopez of Budd Lake. “We have a lot of stay-at-home moms with little kids that need a little support to get through the hard days! “The group is made up of all types of moms (working, stay at home, moms with older kids, grandmas) we welcome everyone!” she adds A resident of Mt. Olive for five years, Lopez serves as the club’s president. This past June, a few of the club’s leaders established a board to stay organized. The other four board members include Jessica Cascalheira, vice president; Leanne Borenius, treasurer; Lynnae Failla, membership; and Lucie Cordova, secretary. “We have all been involved for the past four years and are now the new board members since June,” says Lopez, a mother of two who works remotely in marketing. “This group is different because we tie in moms’ activities with community service and giving back to the community,” says Lopez. “We collect a yearly fee that goes towards all our different initiatives.” The club has grown to 45 members and welcomes any mom who is a resident of Mt. Olive to join. “Requirements to join is to request access of our FB group,” she explains. “Lynnae (our membership coordinator) will reach out to you with all the details of the club, paperwork to fill out and then we collect the yearly fee of $20. Once all of that is done, we welcome you with open arms.” The club is more than just a group of moms who meet with their children for social time, camaraderie and activities. “The purpose of the group is to help moms find a community and a village,” says Lopez. “Give back to the community and have other moms we can rely on, count on and be there for each other.” With meetings held throughout the year and an abundance of activities, moms can count on never being bored. “We meet at least once a month but encourage moms to plan their own events and meet ups such as stroller walks, park hang outs,” says Lopez. “Meetings are held all over (members houses, the library, the park etc.).” Finding time for just moms and supporting the community are other objectives of the club. “We plan a once-a-month moms’ night out activity such as Smores Night,” describes Lopez. “Halloween Pajama Night etc. and we also do community service like adopt a family during Christmas time and a school supply donation during back-to-school month. “We have so many activities planned for this year, and we would love to have you join us!” Lopez says. For Lopez, the moms’ club has made such a difference in her chapter as a parent. “I enjoy the friendships that have been made, the community and village that we foster,” she adds. “That I can call these moms friends for life! “Please spread the word and help us reach new moms,” says Lopez. “You can sign up via requesting access to our FB group.”
MOHS Students Paint Their Way Into Senior Year
By Cheryl Conway Photos Credit: Richard Maggio The parking lot at Mt. Olive High School in Budd Lake has gotten a colorful makeover, with about 100 students turning their assigned spaces into personal expressions of school spirit, creativity and the excitement of their final year. The Senior Parking Spot Painting Initiative, introduced for the first time this year, was the idea of members of the Class of 2027. A group of seniors brought the concept to school administrators after seeing similar projects at other high schools. How inviting it is pulling into their spot self-created by their own hands. Students “thought it would be a fun way to build excitement and community around their senior year,” explains Dr. Sumit Bangia, superintendent of the Mt. Olive Township School District. The planning for this creative initiative took place over the summer, with the painting occurring just before the start of the 2026-27 school year, says Bangia. Approval by the Mt. Olive Board of Education was not required. “It was handled as a school-level initiative and reviewed administratively, including the logistics, supervision and requirements necessary to safely use the parking lot,” she says. How it worked “Students who had an assigned student parking space were given the opportunity to personalize their space by painting an approved design,” says Bangia. “The goal was to give students a creative way to celebrate their senior year while adding some personality and school spirit to the student parking area.” Not all seniors were granted permission to paint a parking spot. Approximately 100 students participated. “Seniors with a paid parking space were eligible to participate,” notes Bangia. “Students who did not have their own parking space also joined friends and helped them paint their designs.” “We are still confirming the exact number of individual spaces that were painted,” she says. Anyone who drives through the MOHS parking lot will see the scattered designs through the campus. Students painted during two designated days during the final week of August, just in time before the hectic first days of school began. Not any old paint would do and designs required approval. Students were required to use exterior, water-based paint appropriate for the parking surface, notes Bangia. To avoid costs to the school district, students provided their own paint and supplies. “Students were required to submit their designs for approval before painting,” notes Bangia. “For safety purposes, students were also instructed not to include names or other personal identifiers in their designs.” No two spots are alike! “There is a tremendous variety,” details Bangia. “Students incorporated interests such as music and sports, while others included handprints from friends or designs inspired by ideas they found online. Some included humorous sayings, such as “If You Are Reading This I’m Running Late.” The end result really reflects the different personalities and interests of our seniors.” Bangia is loving the parking lot makeover. “I think it is a great example of what can happen when students bring forward a creative idea and our staff finds a way to make it work,” says Bangia. “Walking through the parking lot and seeing all of the different designs, you immediately see the students’ personalities coming through. “One of the things I especially like about this initiative is that it came from the students themselves,” she continues. “It gave our seniors an opportunity to take some ownership of their school experience, express themselves creatively and start their final year at Mt. Olive High School with something fun and community-oriented. It was also nice to see students helping one another with their spaces and making the painting days a shared experience.” With such positive vibes from school staff, administrators, BOE members and students, the initiative may be one for the books that will be repeated each year. “Given the enthusiasm we saw this year, I would certainly be supportive of continuing it,” notes Bangia. “As we do with any new initiative, the high school administration will review how the first year went and determine whether any adjustments should be made before next year.” While it may seem simple to paint a parking spot, there were some obstacles, she admits. “A project like this looks simple when you see the finished parking spaces, but it required coordination among our high school staff, security and buildings and grounds so students could safely work in the parking lot during designated times,” says Bangia. “I appreciate everyone who helped make the students’ idea possible.”
Local Initiative Tackles Financial Barriers in Wrestling
By Cheryl Conway Those wrestling with financial circumstances to be successful on the mat no longer have to face those barriers alone. A nonprofit organization established five years ago was recently launched nationally so wrestlers near and far can tackle the sport with financial and development support. Mat Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting promising middle-school, high-school and early collegiate wrestlers. The organization was founded by a local family who understood firsthand the financial and developmental challenges young wrestlers can face while pursuing the sport competitively. “Competitive wrestling can be extremely expensive,” says Elaine “Ellie” Murtagh of Chester, founder and CEO of Mat Angels. “Travel, tournament fees, training, equipment, nutrition, medical treatment and academic demands can quickly become overwhelming for families. Many talented athletes are forced to miss important opportunities simply because the resources are unavailable. Mat Angels exists to help close that gap.” Established as a non-profit in October 2021, the organization took several years to blossom. “Following several years of development and planning, we officially launched nationally on June 1, 2026,” says Murtagh. “Mat Angels was created by our family and inspired largely by our son Anthony’s wrestling journey,” she explains. “Through his experiences, we saw firsthand that talented and hardworking young athletes do not always have equal access to the resources and opportunities necessary to reach their potential. “Our purpose is to ensure that financial circumstances do not determine how far a deserving young athlete can go,” she adds. “Our mission is summarized by the statement: “Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.” Mat Angels works with both female and male athletes. Its focus is “on removing financial and developmental barriers that can prevent them from progressing in the sport and in life,” says Murtagh. How does it work? According to Murtagh, athletes may be nominated or referred to Mat Angels by coaches, families, wrestling programs and members of the wrestling community. “We learn about each athlete’s individual circumstances and determine how we can assist through five primary areas: Competition access; health, recovery and injury prevention; academic continuity; nutrition and performance sustainability; and mindset and personal development,” she explains. “Support is based on each athlete’s particular needs and may include direct assistance, mentorship, guidance, access to resources or connections within the wrestling community,” she adds. Passion Driven Through Experience Murtagh’s involvement in the wrestling world began as the mother of a competitive wrestler. “Our son Anthony has competed nationally for many years and currently attends and wrestles for Blair Academy,” she explains. “Traveling through the wrestling community and meeting athletes, families and coaches allowed us to see both the extraordinary commitment the sport requires and the significant financial challenges many families face.” With hundreds of thousands of young athletes participating in wrestling nationwide, the need for financial and developmental support can extend from middle school through college. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, more than 374,000 high school students wrestled nationwide in 2024–25, including more than 74,000 girls. These statistics do not include student athletes that wrestled while in middle school. How does one qualify as a recipient of financial assistance through Mat Angels? “Athletes are considered individually based on demonstrated need, commitment to wrestling, character, academic responsibility and potential,” says Murtagh. “A nomination does not automatically guarantee financial assistance. Each situation is reviewed based on the athlete’s circumstances, the type of support requested and the resources available to the organization.” The non-profit raised its funds to support these athletes through individual contributions, corporate sponsorships, Founders Circle, community partnerships, wrestling clinics and ambassador-led fundraising initiatives, explains Murtagh. “We are also developing relationships with businesses and individuals who share our belief in expanding opportunities for young athletes,” she adds. “Since our national launch, Mat Angels has raised more than $150,000 through the generosity of our founding supporters, donors, sponsors and community partners,” she shares. “Our immediate goal is to raise approximately $1 million over our first 12 months of national operation, with the majority of those funds directed toward our five areas of athlete support,” she breaks it down. “Our broader goal is to build a sustainable national organization capable of helping young wrestlers for generations.” Just three months into its national status, Mat Angels already has support by a dozen states. “We are continuing to organize community wrestling clinics, athlete-led fundraising initiatives and partnership events as we currently have representation in 12 states in under three months since launch,” says Murtagh. “Upcoming dates and locations will be announced through our website and social-media channels as they are finalized.” In the meantime, Mat Angels welcomes financial contributions, corporate sponsorships, athlete nominations, introductions to potential partners, volunteer involvement and help sharing its mission. “Support at every level can make a meaningful difference,” says Murtagh. “Mat Angels is supported by a growing leadership team, board, strategic partners, volunteers, donors, coaches and Athlete and Community Ambassadors. It has truly become a collaborative effort involving people from throughout the wrestling and business communities who believe in the mission.” Murtagh is pleased with the progress so far. “The response has been incredibly encouraging,” she says. “Since our June 1 launch, we have received more than 25 athlete nominations and referrals, directly engaged with 14 athletes through individualized assistance, mentorship and guidance, and reached more than 350 athletes through clinics and team-building activities. Our growing ambassador network now represents wrestling communities across numerous states. What has been most meaningful is hearing from families, coaches and athletes who tell us that Mat Angels is addressing a genuine and often overlooked need within the sport. “We are proud of what has been accomplished in such a short period, but this is only the beginning,” she concludes. “My goal is to ensure that Mat Angels becomes a lasting resource for the wrestling community and helps deserving young people realize that their circumstances do not have to define their futures. Additional information is available at www.matangels.org.
Local Couple Hops to Breweries to Help Rescue Pets Find Homes
By Cheryl Conway A pint of beer may bring people through the brewery doors, but for this local non-profit pet adoption service, the hope is that a four-legged friend will leave with a new family. Organized by Carola “Cookie” Gremlich and Paul Duerk of Hackettstown, Hops for Hounds has been bringing multiple animal rescues together at local breweries since 2019, giving adoptable dogs and cats another chance to meet their forever families. With adoption events planned all year, the next one is coming up at Czig Meister Brewing in Hackettstown. Planned for Sunday, Oct. 11 from noon to 4 p.m., Hops for Hounds will be at Czig Meister Brewing along with several rescues including: Cold Nose Warm Heart Animal Rescue, Eleventh Hour Rescue, KBS Danes Rescue, Best Friend Dog Rescue and One Step Closer Animal Rescue (O.S.C.A.R.), which will be joining in the fun for the first time The event will also feature Barkitecture 2026 in collaboration with AIA Newark and Suburban Architects. Barkitecture is a pet architecture competition inviting architects, designers, contractors and other creatives to design and build innovative homes for animals. On exhibit will be 16 creative animal-home entries spotlighted and auctioned to raise money for animal rescues. “The project adds yet another creative element to the Hops for Hounds mission and demonstrates how people from very different parts of the community can come together to support animal rescue,” says Gremlich. “The events have become about much more than adoptions,” she adds. “They bring together local breweries, rescue organizations, businesses, volunteers, community organizations, adopters and animal lovers — creating a community around helping animals in need.” Another Hops for Hounds event is planned for Jersey Girl Brewing, with the date still to be announced. Looking back at the past seven years, Gremlich is enlightened by its progress. “What started as an idea at a dog-friendly local brewery in 2019 has grown into a community effort helping dogs and cats find their forever homes while bringing together local breweries, animal rescues, businesses, volunteers and animal lovers,” she describes. How It Started The concept was initially suggested by Czig Meister Brewing. It wanted to find a way to help as many animals as possible rather than partnering with just one rescue, she explains. The idea came about after Gremlich fostered a dog through a rescue based in Passaic County. At the time, she was also volunteering with the rescue by helping process medical records, conduct home visits for potential adopters and complete reference checks. Knowing how dog-friendly Czig Meister was, Gremlich and Duerk approached the brewery to host an adoption event. “We had a meeting, the idea took off, and Hops for Hounds was born,” she shares. Since then, Hops for Hounds has worked with numerous local rescue organizations, including Cold Nose Warm Heart Animal Rescue, Eleventh Hour Rescue, KBS Danes Rescue, Best Friend Dog Rescue and many others. Over the years, dozens of dogs and cats have found their forever homes through these events. Hops for Hounds then connects the local rescues to breweries with events planned throughout the year. “The participating breweries don’t just open their doors to the rescues” says Gremlich. “Many have gone above and beyond to support the animals and the organizations caring for them. “Breweries have shown their generosity by creating special brews and giving taps, with funds raised going directly to participating animal rescues,” she adds. Czig Meister has supported the rescue community in another creative way during its very popular annual Oktoberfest when it hosts its Wiener Dog Race, with proceeds that benefit animal rescue. “Most recently, Jersey Girl Brewing took the idea of supporting rescue to an entirely new level,” she says. “They created a special beer for Hops for Hounds and designed a special can featuring rescue dogs who were looking for their forever homes. There was an especially happy ending to that story: Every dog featured on the can has since been adopted! “These collaborations demonstrate how local breweries have embraced the mission and found creative ways to help shine a spotlight on animals in need.” More Than Adoption Events Hops for Hounds events have also become a place where other local, animal-related businesses and organizations can get involved, continues Gremlich. “Local vendors often join us at the events, offering products and services such as pet sitting, pet accessories and other animal-related goods and services,” she says. Gremlich makes it a point to note that “an important part of our mission is that Hops for Hounds does not take monetary donations directly. When money is raised through our events, special brews, giving taps or other activities, the funds go directly to the animal rescues.” Every event leads to a happy ending and a furever home for the four-legged attendees. “One of the most rewarding parts of Hops for Hounds is seeing the transformation that happens when the right person finds the right animal,” says Gremlich, who shares some stories below. “Lilly, a young Pit Bull who had recently become a mom, was rescued from a kill shelter in Virginia and taken into rescue. She was given a second chance at the life she deserved when she met her new mom at a Hops for Hounds adoption event at Czig Meister Brewing — and it was a perfect match. Lilly went home with Melanie and began a new chapter of her life. Now known as Penelope, she is loved, spoiled and very much part of the family. Another memorable adoption was Frankie, a young Sato dog rescued from a beach in Puerto Rico. Frankie was very skittish and understandably unsure around people. She needed time and patience to warm up, and she wasn’t the kind of dog who would immediately run up to a stranger with a wagging tail. At an adoption event at Jersey Girl Brewing, a young couple approached her gently. Instead of passing her by for the puppies or the dogs who immediately greeted everyone with wildly wagging tails, they took the time to get
Calvary Bible Chapel
by Elsie Walker Calvary Bible Chapel’s congregation lets its light shine whether it is helping each other, helping its neighbors, or helping missionaries abroad. The church, located at 76 Main Street Flanders, offers weekly worship and chances for those attending to gather together and not be strangers, but get to know each other. Recently, the church’s pastor, Donn Heinrich, shared some information about the church, himself, and how Calvary Bible Chapel touches others. Calvary Bible Chapel is an independent Baptist church. It began in 1983 when a group in Mt. Olive wanted to start a church. Originally, they met at the Tinc Road Elementary School. In 1985, the congregation acquired the building on Main Street when a Presbyterian church moved from there to a new building. Heinrich came to the church in 1997. He has a bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University and earned a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies and a Master of Science degree in Counseling. What inspired him to be a pastor was growing up in the home of a man who had been saved. “Just seeing what the word of God can do, how it changes and transforms life, the difference it makes” are the things made Heinrich realize he wanted to become a part of that and be a pastor. Heinrich is married with three grown children: a mechanical engineer, a nurse, and a music education major in college. The family has an English Labrador named Winston. The pastor likes to watch the Jets and Formula 1 racing. Sunday worship at Calvary Bible Chapel is at 10:45am; Sunday School for adults and youth is at 9:45am. The style of Sunday worship is traditional; the music is joyful and reverent. The church is blessed with a variety of talents and on Sunday, music may be provided by a duet, a trio or ensemble featuring cello, violin, trumpet, piano or singing. The service is also streamed live on Facebook. Before the service, there is a time for fellowship and people can bring their lunch and fellowship after worship around a table as they eat. There are also informal gatherings during the year which give people the opportunity to get to know others. The congregation reaches out to others in different ways. There is a Wednesday night prayer meeting. Here people come and pray for various needs. Those who can’t come in person to attend can share in the meeting via Zoom. Also, the people in the church informally share their faith by helping each other and people in their neighborhoods when they see a need. In addition, once a month, a group from the church visits Mt. Olive Manor and shares worship there. “[They are] letting their light shine,” said Heinrich of the congregation. That can include sharing their faith by giving out tracts about it. “[The congregation] realizes our world is bigger than Flanders,” noted Heinrich. In addition to shining their light locally, they support missionaries in Uruguay, France/Luxemburg, Puerto Rico, and through Gospel Fellowship Association Missions. This year, a group from the church visited the missionary in France/Lumemburg. There they helped with Bible camp and outreach. Calvary Bible Chapel 76 Main Street Flanders, New Jersey 07836 973-.927.0374 Website: http://www.calvaryflanders.com/ Email: office@calvaryflanders.com
Aqualis: Sustainable Water Engineering Solutions
Mayor Nicastro recently had a meeting with Christian Peters and Daniel Flynn from AQUALIS, a leading nationwide provider of sustainable water engineering solutions. AQUALIS specializes in a wide range of services including stormwater management, wastewater treatment, water quality testing, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Their focus is on creating innovative and environmentally responsible solutions to address water-related challenges faced by communities and industries. AQUALIS is committed to promoting sustainable practices that protect water resources and improve overall water quality. Their team of experts works closely with municipalities, businesses, and government agencies to develop customized strategies for effective water management. They are dedicated to integrating cutting-edge technology and environmentally friendly methods to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while minimizing ecological impact. The company’s headquarters is located at 350 Clark Drive in Mt. Olive, where they operate a state-of-the-art facility equipped to handle a wide range of water engineering projects. The meeting with Mayor Nicastro likely focused on potential collaborations or projects that could benefit the community, enhance water sustainability efforts, and address local water management needs.
25 Years .911 Remembrance
Mount Olive Township held a heartfelt and solemn 9/11 memorial ceremony, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and steadfast dedication of first responders and community heroes. The event brought together residents, dignitaries, and first responders to pay tribute to those who serve and remember the fallen. The ceremony featured a moving series of prayers led by Pastor Matt Jones and Chaplain Bruce Gallagher, along with heartfelt prayers from firefighters and EMS personnel. The community gathered with reverence as honor guard members ny the Mount Olive Police Department, bagpiper Robert Herzog, and AFJROTC cadets under the direction of ROBERT S. BEDELL, CMSgt (Ret.), USAF AFJROTC Senior Aerospace Science Instructor opened the event with dignity and pride and the National Anthem sung by Jack Scari. Mount Olive’s Mayor, Joe Nicastro, welcomed attendees and recognized local dignitaries, setting the tone for a deeply meaningful occasion. Speakers included Mayor Nicastro, Deputy Director John Krickus, former Mayor Paul Licitra, former Councilman Ray Perkins, Council President Alex Roman, Heather Darling, Morris County Surrogate, Assemblyman Mike Inganamort, the Mount Olive Council . A highlight of the ceremony was the introduction of guest speaker Jim LoFaso, a distinguished retired NYFD lieutenant. Born in Queens in 1962, Jim’s career spanned more than three decades of heroic service, including responding to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. His experiences also include major disaster responses such as Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Jim’s dedication and bravery exemplify the true spirit of service. Following his moving remarks, Nico Longhi, Congressional Advisor, performed the Veterans Affairs Flag Dedication, symbolizing respect and remembrance for our veterans and fallen heroes. And reading a letter by Congressman Ton Kean. The event concluded with Mayor Nicastro expressing gratitude and appreciation, followed by a soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace” by 15-year-old Yireh Sastre with a closing benediction prayer by Pastor Kody Vagle. A poignant flower-laying ceremony honored 25 fallen heroes, with children and adults placing flowers on the memorial, each flower representing a year that has passed since that tragic day. The community’s resilience and unity shone brightly, as residents, first responders, and leaders paid tribute to those who have given so much. The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors Byrnes Electric, Schaible’s Plumbing and Heating, Holiday Inn of Budd Lake, HTV Media Production, and the dedicated first responders from our community. Special thanks also go to Congressman Tom Kean and Nico Longhi for the presentation of flags that were flown over the capital. WE WILL NEVER FORGET !