Palma, Christian take top prizes at ITCA Leprechaun Leap

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY - Over 350 runners competed in this year's ITCA Annual Leprechaun Leap at the International Trade Center, many of whom competed last year. But when it was over this time, the top finishers were a whole new crew.

Despite some heat from a handful of competitors, Lou Palma of Clinton, 27, was the overall champion, taking first in 16:31.3, ahead of 15-year old Joseph Presetifilipp of Hopatcong and Peter Kashulines, 45, of Mountain Lakes. Scott Chamberlin of Allamuchy Township, another 15-year old, came in fourth, just ahead of last year's winner, Mark Bahnuk of Hackettstown, 26, who was fifth.

Mary Christian(pictured right) of Flanders won the women's end of it, finishing in 19:06.3. She was trailed by Janine Neill of Andover, Alison Jeffs from Chester, and Bailey Ott of Pompton Lakes. Last year's female winner, Christine Scheuch, like her male counterpart winner last year, came in fifth place. Ott, at 15, was the youngest finisher on the female side.

The 12th Annual Leprechaun Leap 5K, sponsored by Picatinny Federal Credit Union and held on March 22nd, featured runners from throughout the region, many of whom wore "green" in post St. Patrick's Day honor. Proceeds from the charity race will be going to the Unit Fellowship Fund, which supports families of Morris County soldiers who are deployed overseas.

"We are thrilled to have the proceeds go to such an important group of people," said Tom Quigley, Business Development Manager for Picatinny Federal Credit Union. "Life is tough enough on these families and if we can help ease the strain even a little bit it goes a long ways in making things better."

Rounding out the Top 10 for the men were Zachary Miller, Budd Lake, Glen Oakley of Blairstown, Antonio Massa, Denville, Kevin Mulvihill, Long Valley, and Ryan Fischlein, Succasunna.

Finishing out the Top 10 for the women were Nirmala Alcapeddt, Randolph, Andrea Lovas, Oxford, Sarah Masukewicz, Flanders, Kristen Girondi, Hamburg, and Wendy Kerr, Hawthorne.

The race was presented in partnership between the ITCA and the Mount Olive Mayor's Wellness Council. The goal of the Mayors Wellness Council is to increase opportunities for New Jersey residents to participate in daily physical activity with a long-term goal of reducing personal and health care costs secondary to obesity.

For a full listing of racing results, visit www.bestrace.com.

To find out more about events hosted by the ITCA go to www.ITCAevents.org or call the ITCA at (973) 347-3088.

ABOUT PICATINNY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Picatinny Federal Credit Union was established in 1939 at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey. The Credit Union started as a small financial institution offering basic savings accounts to civilian members and later included both active and retired military personnel.

Today, Picatinny Federal Credit Union is a full service financial institution with 4 branches in Morris County, more than 15,000 members, over 200 businesses and more than $200 million in assets. In 2005, the Credit Union was granted a Community Charter, which allows anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Morris County, N.J. to become a member of the Credit Union and take advantage of all the financial services provided such as savings, checking, money markets, IRA's, loans and on-line banking with free bill payer.

Picatinny Federal Credit Union has been committed to its members' needs above all else since 1939. The Credit Union currently has over 15,000 members, with total assets exceeding $200 million. Well over 200 local companies offer the benefit of credit union membership to their employees.

To learn more about Picatinny Federal Credit Union, visit www.picacreditunion.com.

Holocaust Memorial at Temple HaTikvah

FLANDERS, NEW JERSEY - Temple HaTikvah of Flanders will be observing Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day through traditional prayers, readings and reflection honoring the memory of the Six Million and affirming the continuity of Jewish life. The theme this year will be an exploration through discussion of Affirmation and Rebellion: Faith After the Holocaust. The program will begin at 7:30 PM, Monday, April 20th at Temple HaTikvah in Flanders, New Jersey.


ABOUT TEMPLE HATIKVAH
Temple Hatikvah is a family-oriented conservative Jewish Center with an active youth program. Since the beginning, Temple Hatikvah's mission was to represent strong Jewish values with emphasis on education and social action while providing a warm environment for social activities and celebrations.

Temple HaTikvah is located at the intersection of Flanders-Bartley and Pleasant Hill Roads in Flanders, just a mile from Route 206. For more information, call (973)584-0212 or visit templehatikvahnj.org.

Zoe Weil to speak at Oasis Cafe

LONG VALLEY, NEW JERSEY - Zoe Weil, author of Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and a Meaningful Life will be appearing at the Oasis Cafe in Long Valley for a book signing and lecture on Monday, April 20th.

Oasis Cafe is located at 18 Schooley's Mountain Road, Long Valley, New Jersey. Weil will be giving a lecture about her new book and the MOGO (Most Good) Principle, beginning at 7:30pm.

ABOUT ZOE WEIL
Zoe Weil speaks regularly at universities, conferences, schools, churches, and in communities around the United States and Canada.

Weil received a Master’s in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School (1988 ) and a Master’s in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania (1983). Zoe is certified in Psychosynthesis counseling, a form of psychotherapy which relies upon the intrinsic power of each person’s imagination to promote growth, creativity, health, and transformation.

For additional information, visit http://zoeweil.com

Alzheimer’s outreach Lunch & Learn

HACKETTSTOWN, NEW JERSEY - The Neuro Rehab Institute of Mt. Arlington, New Jersey extends an open invitation for a free Alzheimer’s presentation, discussion and Q & A session on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009.

This informative Lunch & Learn has been developed for those who have been diagnosed or have concerns, as well as for caregivers, family members and health care professionals.

Join Dr. Gerald Tramontano, PhD from 12:00pm - 1:15pm in the West Wing Conference Room at the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, 651 Willow Grove Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey.

RSVP Requested.
For additional information or to RSVP for this event, Call (877) 307-8839 or email lwall@mmgct.com. Complimentary lunch will be served.

2009 Valor and Meritorious Award Winners

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY - Thirty-eight Morris County Police Officers, Firefighters, First Aid Squad/Ambulance Corps members and Morris County based New Jersey State Police will be honored on April 30th when the 200 Club of Morris County hosts its 2009 Morris County Valor and Meritorious Awards Dinner.

Hailing from Rockaway Township, Morristown, Lincoln Park and towns around and in between, these men and women will be feted for their efforts in 2008 at The Villa in Mountain Lakes. The individuals who will be honored performed above and beyond in the fulfillment of their sworn duties for the people of Morris County, New Jersey.

"We owe a great deal to our public safety community," said Tom Guglielmo, President of the 200 Club. "They are there for us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Many times, they must go beyond the call of duty, often putting their own life at risk for us. It is our honor to be able to recognize these individuals for their dedication and service."

View the full listing of the recipients and descriptions of their acts of bravery »

The 200 Club in Morris, established in 1971, defines an act of Valor as an extraordinary event in which a person puts their own safety aside. It is an act of courage that goes above and beyond the call of duty. Very often, one's life is at risk in the process. Meritorious awards recognize individuals whose professional or volunteer activity rises above the expected norm for their profession, but does not necessarily involve an extreme safety situation.

There are still some tickets available for the dinner, which runs from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $70 each. The Villa is located at 90 Route 46 East. To purchase tickets contact: Lori E. Richmond, Club Administrator, 732-279-4258 or email dwp.inc@comcast.net.

In addition to honoring Morris County's finest, the 200 Club of Morris County is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to the dependents of Morris County Police, Firefighters, First Aid Squad/Ambulance Corps and State Police of New Jersey who lost their lives in the line of duty. Since its inception, The 200 Club of Morris County has distributed more than $2.5 million to families who have lost a spouse in the line of duty, and also distributes thousands of dollars each year to worthy high school seniors who either serve in a branch of public safety or whose parent is actively serving in or retired from a public safety capacity in Morris County.

To learn more about The 200 Club of Morris County and how you can get involved and be a part of something special, please visit www.200clubofmorriscounty.com.

Mt Olive Recreation Winter Photo Contest Winner

by Noelle Kehrley
Managing Editor

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY - The Mount Olive Township Recreation Department held it's 1st Annual Winter Photo Contest celebrating what makes Mount Olive Township a Great Place to Live, Work and Play!

The 1st Place, Best Over-all award winner is Kristina Ailara, who entered as an Amateur Adult with her photo titled 'Berries at Turkey Brook Park'. Besides bragging rights, Ailara won a prize packet valued at $100 with donations from Branda's Italian Grill, The Market Place & Instant Imprints.

The winners, who were honored at a reception at the Mount Olive Bar and Grill, also included Linda Spaet, Best Amateur Adult Award; Paul C. Pomel, Amateur Adult Runner Up; and Timothy Maio, Best 18 & Under.

Pictured left to right: Kristina Ailara, Linda Spaet, Timothy Maio, and Marie Calvo of the Mount Olive Recreation Department.

“Our first competition was very successful, and we’ll continue staging one for Spring & Winter each year,” said Jill Daggon, Recreation Supervisor, sponsor of the contest. “We have a lot of great photographers around our town, and we’re glad to recognize them.”

The 2008-2009 Winter Photo Contest ran from November 20th, 2008 through March 1st, 2009. Each photo was judged based on technical quality, creativity, and the effectiveness of conveying the beauty or unique character of our town during the winter months.

The judges panel included Joe Gigli, professional photographer; Noelle Kehrley, Managing Editor of Flanders NJ News, and Dan Kehrley, President YFM Media; Megan Boyd, a Mount Olive High School photography teacher; and Jennifer and Mike Rousseau, of Our Town Magazine.

Winning photos will be displayed on the mountolivetownship.com "Township Recreation" page. Printed, mounted photos will be displayed at the Municipal building and at prize sponsors' place of business.

Details for the Spring Photo Contest will be coming soon, check the Mt. Olive Recreation web site for more information.