2008 Mount Olive Chamber Awards

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - Anna Cirilli and Sabine Elsasser have long been essential to the greater Mount Olive community, each in their own way. On September 16th, they were honored for their efforts by the Mount Olive Chamber of Commerce at the organization's 14th Annual Awards Night, held at Silver Springs Farm Restaurant.



Anna Cirilli, Branch Sales Manager of Valley National Bank's two Mount Olive offices, was named the chamber's Businessperson of the Year. Sabine Elsasser, a longtime member of the chamber, was given the Tom Klecka Humanitarian Award for her extensive volunteer work.

Cirilli is an Assistant Vice President at Valley National Bank and the Branch Sales Manager of Valley's Mount Olive office located at 342 Route 46 West and the Budd Lake office located at the corner of 202 Route 46 and Mount Olive Road.

Cirilli's responsibilities at the bank include developing new commercial and consumer business through a variety of sales efforts. Known for her warm personality and commitment to personalized service, she has consistently been recognized as one of the bank's top performers over the past 25 years.

Since starting at Valley National Bank, Cirilli has managed customer accounts for hundreds of Mount Olive businesses. Early in her banking career, she was a Customer Service Representative for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in 1970 and in 1972 she served as the Secretary to the Manager at Commercial Trust Company. In 1973, Cirilli took some time off to raise her two daughters, Brigitte and Daniela, and then returned to the banking industry in 1983. Through a merger of Lakeland Savings Bank, Cirilli joined Valley National Bank in 1995.

Indeed, Cirilli has earned a well deserved reputation as a successful business woman who genuinely cares about her community. Presently, she serves as the corresponding secretary of the Mount Olive Chamber and is also the President of the Mount Olive Rotary Club. She resides in Green Township.

"Budd Lake has become a second home to me," said Cirilli. "I've really enjoyed every minute of my time working in this community."

Sabine Elsasser first became involved with the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce while working for Dr. Brenda Rooney, Optimal Family Chiropractic, LLC in Flanders. Elsasser, recently accepted a position with the Law Office of Jonathan Stone in Washington Township, serves as Program Chair for the Chamber. Elsasser also has the distinction of having the title of "Chamber Hostess", greeting and welcoming members and guests.

As well as being a wife and mother of four, Elsasser still finds time to be actively involved in her community. She is a member of the Washington Township Municipal Alliance. She also directs a division of the Police DARE program, T.A.C. - Teens Against Crime, where youth 5th grade - 12th grade present educational puppet shows and volunteer at community events.

"This is truly an honor," said Elsasser. "I enjoy being a part of this chamber, a chamber that is warm and welcoming."

Elsasser and her family have lived in Washington Township for the last 24 years.

For more information about the Mount Olive Chamber of Commerce, visit www.mtolivechambernj.com or call 973-691-0109.

GBW makes teacher donation

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - At the Morris County Council of Education Associations representatives meeting on September 10th, Glenn Tippy of GBW Insurance in Flanders presented a check toward the organization's scholarship activities to MCCEA VP Christine Hammerschmidt (on right) as MCCEA President Susan Vigilante looks on. GBW Insurance has been a recipient of the MCCEA award for corporate support.

2nd Annual Mount Olive Shop N' Rock

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - The Mount Olive Fraternal Order of Police #122 and the Kiwanis Club of Mount Olive are hosting the 2nd Annual Mount Olive Shop N' Rock.

The event will be held on Saturday, October 4th 2008 at the Budd Lake Fire House on Route 46 from 1-6pm. Pace Karate of Flanders, NJ is sponsoring the event and will be on hand for a Martial Arts demonstration.

Come enjoy music, shopping with vendors and crafters, kids activities, and Mad Science experiments.

For More Information, Please visit www.mopd.org >>

Wyndham Hotel’s End-of-Summer Music Series

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY – The Billies, a Jersey shore duo, and Northwest Jersey-based Moonlight Drifters, will highlight the Wyndham Garden Hotel’s end-of-summer Happy Hour music series which takes place every Wednesday in September from 5-7pm.

In addition to the live music, special drinks and free appetizers, attendees have a chance to win weekly prizes and be eligible for a grand prize drawing held on Wednesday September 24th for a flat screen TV.

The Billies, scheduled for September 10th, are Chrisie Lynn Santoni (Lead Vocals, Guitar) and Cornelius Catfish Turtle (Percussion, Vocals, Guitar). Chrisie is an award-winning songwriter who has won Grand Prize in the Unisong Songwriting Contest and placed 1st Runner-Up/Adult Contemporary in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, both for her song 'Mona Lisa'. In October of 2004, Chrisie was the lone American chosen to go to Prague to sing her song 'It's All Inside' as part of the Universetalent Songwriting Tour. Chrisie and Cornelius have played together since 2004.

The Moonlight Drifters, set for September 17th, is an extremely talented group that has appeared throughout the tri state area singing cover songs like nobody else. Whether playing tunes from the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s, The Moonlight Drifters have an upbeat sound that excites audiences.

Perennial favorite Jack Tannehill is set to close out the month on September 24.

The Wyndham Garden Hotel in Mount Olive Happy Hour is open to the public every day from 5-7pm. with live music on Wednesdays.

Beginning Wednesday October 1st, the Wyndham will present its weekly Harvest Music Series through November 12 featuring the Philadelphia Funk Authority Masquerade Bash proudly presented by Black Potatoe and the Wyndham Garden Hotel on Friday, October 31st.

If you would like to learn more about the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Mount Olive, please call (973) 448-1100. The Wyndham is located at 1000 International Drive North, just off of Routes 46 and 80 (exit 25).

MOHSBBA Big Bucks Raffle - Win $5000

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - The Mount Olive High School Band Boosters Association in selling Big Bucks Raffle tickets to benefit the Mount Olive High School Band Program.

MOHSBBA Big Bucks Raffle - Win $5,000
$10.00 per ticket for a chance to win one of 17 cash prizes.
Only 2500 tickets will be sold.
All donations are tax deductible.

The drawing will be held at Mount Olive High School on Saturday, October 18, 2008 @ 9pm. Winner need not be present.

For more information, please contact JoAnn 908-813-9702 or Faith 973-691-0386.

About the Mount Olive High School Band Booster Association
The Mount Olive High School Band Boosters Association (MOHSBBA) is the advocate for the Mount Olive High School Marching Band.

Personal Trainers for ITCA Kids Express Triathlon

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - When children ages 6-11 participant in this year's ITCA Kids Express Triathlon on Saturday September 27th, they will have the added benefit of "personal trainers" helping them compete.

The West Morris Area YMCA, based in Randolph, will have several trainers assisting the children on race day. This year’s race offers three different courses for three different kinds of athletes; Elite Triathlon, Tri it On Triathlon, and the Kids Express Triathlon. The Kids Express kicks off at 9:00 am.

All three Tri events start and finish at the Activities Field in the International Trade Center, with biking, running and canoeing for the adult races, and biking, running and obstacle course for the youngsters.

"The YMCA's involvement this year brings the Kids Express Triathlon to a new level of excitement," said Laura Rimmer, president of the International Trade Center Alliance. "Their trainers bring an expertise we've never had before on site for the event. Indeed, while there is competition during the race, it is more important for the kids to have fun and be more aware of their health, and the YMCA's trainers will help bring that point home."

This year's 12th Annual ITCA Triathlon is being presented by Atlantic Sports Health, a division of Atlantic Health at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Proceeds from the event go to Special Olympics New Jersey, a non-profit organization that provides athletic training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Children ages 6-11 wishing to sign up for the Kids Express Triathlon should do so as soon as possible. A limited number of openings still exist for all three competitions.

For registration and other information, such as race day volunteers for the ITCA Triathlon, please visit the ITCA website at www.ITCAevents.org or call 973-347-3099.

To learn more about Atlantic Sports Health, visit www.atlanticsportshealth.org >>

Back to School for Mount Olive NJ

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - School opened for various school districts throughout New Jersey today including Mount Olive. Aahh, the end of summer and back to routines and schedules.

From calculators to sticky notes, binders and backpacks - we saw some good deals at the Staples of Mount Olive last night. Five cent folders and free calculators, hurry while supplies last.

The 2008-2009 school calendar will probably come home with your student today. If it gets lost in the shuffle, try a visit to the Mount Olive Board of Education website >>