Issuu

D E C E M B E R 2 02 0

Happy Holidays!

LIFESTYLE LETTER

DECEMBER 2020 PUBLISHERS

John Meyer | john.meyer@lifestylepubs.com Ana Meyer | ana.meyer@lifestylepubs.com

Joy and Cheer this Holiday Season!

EDITOR

Ana Meyer | ana.meyer@lifestylepubs.com SALES DIRECTOR

John Meyer | john.meyer@lifestylepubs.com

AS THIS YEAR COMES TO AN END, MORE THAN EVER, WE REALIZE HOW

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND CELEBRATE

Ben Meyer

AND EMBRACE EVERY DAY AS A GIFT. Let’s make this holiday season extra special

AD DESIGNER

and keep making unforgettable holiday memories with those that you love the most.

Matthew Endersbe

We are here to help you! This month’s issue includes an inspirational story about a local town kid who grew up to be a six-time Daytime Emmy Award® winning artist, along with whimsical and fun home holiday decorating ideas, one of a kind trend setting jewelry designs, a perfect place to travel with the family and experience a winter wonderland and more!

L AYO UT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ana Meyer, Sue Baldani, Nish Verma CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Chris Jorda

This holiday season is going to be wonderful! Just remember to find time for yourself too. Happy Holidays, Chatham & Short Hills! We can’t wait to see you around town next year! John and Ana Meyer, Publishers On The Cover: What better way to end the year and start 2021 then with Ben Bailey, 6-time Daytime Emmy-Award® winning celebrity, comedian, actor, musician and

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

humanitarian who grew up in Chatham, NJ. Before he got behind the wheel of “The

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

Cash Cab”, Ben began his career as a Stand-Up comedian. As a young man Bailey

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

left his home in Chatham and headed to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of a career

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

in show business. Just a few weeks later he found himself onstage at The Comedy

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

Store on the Sunset Strip and knew right away that he had found his calling. He

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

has since performed at all the major festivals including Montreal and Chicago, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and at clubs and theaters around the world. In 2019 Ben’s hit TV gameshow “Cash Cab” returned to BRAVO. Bailey and his cab are back on duty, returning to the infamous streets of New York City to take unsuspecting passengers on the ride of their life. Ben has been in commercials, TV shows, Netflix spe-

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

Proverbs 3:5-6 Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Chatham & Short Hills areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE DECEMBER 2020

FEATURES 12 A Local Gem Add Some Sparkle To Your Every Day Style

18 Chatham Kid Cashes In Get to Know the Real Ben Bailey

26 Holiday Sparkle Modern, Fun & Whimsical Holiday Home DÃ©cor

18 12

30 Holiday Magic Experience A Winter Wonderland At The Inn

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Around Town

Trend Setter

Travel Destination

Back Stage

22 Giving Back 26 Renovate & Refine 30 Hot Spot 34 Lifestyle Calendar

GOOD TIMES

Holiday Fun at The Farm At Green Village A great big pumpkin patch filled with skeletons, spiders on hay, colorful yellow mums, beautiful orange and white pumpkins helped folks celebrate the fall in style and fun. Holly plants and evergreens gave an early start for the winter holiday season.

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

AROUND TOWN final inspections from the building department. They are offering “Grab and Go” items, deli sandwiches, crumb cakes, apple turnovers, croissants and of course their delicious bagels. All items are prepared, made, and baked in the bagel store.

WENTWORTH GALLERY PRESENTS FAMED STREET ARTIST, MR. BRAINWASH! For more than a decade, Thierry Guetta, under his moniker “Mr. Brainwash”, has been pushing the envelope of contemporary art. His rise to fame began in 2008 with his first solo exhibit entitled “Life is Beautiful”. He combines Pop Art and Graffiti styles to create an edgy feel, driven by a positive vibe. His works include iconic and

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LOCAL RESTAURANTS & BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

nostalgic imagery collaged with bright colors and

Local restaurants donated meals to support

textures. He has done commissions for album

our local heroes at Saint Barnabas, during the

covers, Olympic commissions, 9/11 Memorial

Covid-19 outbreak. As part of a breast cancer

Murals, and more, including a recent memorial

campaign,

mural to Kobe Bryant. "Batman" shown.

distributed 10,000 cute, pink Breast Cancer

Saint

Barnabas

Medical

Center

Awareness bags to ten local restaurants (1,000 each), including La Strada in Millburn, for their support. These beautiful bags are used for takeout orders. Their message is a great one, reminding women that cancer awareness needs to go beyond October. Visit the Breast Center at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center for your mammogram, clinical trials, and more.

ADOPT OR GIVE TO ST. HUBERT'S ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER Adopt a pet or give a gift via St. Hubert’s Amazon Wish list www.sthuberts.org/wishlist this holiday season. St. Hubert’s provides a variety of community services including pet adoption, humane education,

CHATHAM BAGEL

a pet food pantry, low-cost spay/neuter of community cats and a professional education series. They

Chatham Bagel is opening a new and bigger

advocate for animal welfare legislation and work

location on the other side of town at 650 Shunpike

to engage communities to help protect animals in

Road at the Chatham Mall. The tentative opening

N.J. and beyond. Their nationally renowned Training

date is in December before Christmas, pending

and Behavior Center, in Madison, offers training and

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

Divorce Custody & Timesharing Child Support Alimony Equitable Distribution Complex Financial Issues Mediation Arbitration Discovery Master Prenuptial Agreements

Charles F. Vuotto, Jr., Esq.

Phone: (973) 403-9200 www.starrgern.com | www.vuotto.com 105 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 401 Roseland, NJ 07068

Assertive Representation behavior consultations. They provide animal con-

With Compassion

trol services to municipalities in Somerset and Morris counties. www.sthuberts.org

Charles F. Vuotto, Jr., Esq., Of Counsel with Starr, Gern, Davison & Rubin, PC in Roseland, New Jersey, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Family Law. The 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America has been publicly released and is now available at www.bestlawyers.com

Starr, Gern, Davison & Rubin, PC also provides the following legal services: • Business & Commercial Litigation • Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice • Employment & Labor Law & Litigation • Estate Planning, Administration & Litigation • Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation & Arbitration

CHATHAM + SHORT HILLS LIFESTYLE PUBLICATION Do you have an interesting, fun, or meaningful story to share of growing up or living in town? Are you a business looking to grow within our community and the surrounding area? We would love to hear from you! Contact John.Meyer@lifestylepubs.com for partnership opportunities and reach out to Ana. Meyer@lifestylepubs.com for editorials. You can call our office at 973.944.1440.

Would you like to get in touch with us? We would love to hear from you! Contact us at CityLifestyle.com/ ChathamandShortHills using the Get In Touch link and let us know what you think.

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

TREND SETTER

A Local

GEM

ADD SOME SPARKLE TO YOUR EVERY DAY STYLE

ITEM DETAILS

ARTICLE SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS JORDA

ITEM DETAILS Cocktail rings with three variations of semi-precious stones (tsavorite, garnet, and labradorite) surrounded by white diamonds and set in 14K yellow gold. A real fashion statement. Matching pendant also available.

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

Necklace with rectangular pendant and matching earrings of white diamonds and 14K gold. A classic Italian look and very bold, but not overpowering. Straight-line pendant with diamonds also shown.

3 ITEM DETAILS

AVNI PATEL, OWNER OF THE HERA JEWELERS IN SUMMIT, IS A THIRD GENERATION WHOLESALE JEWELER. He now uses his years of experience and connections in order to source exclusive gemstones typically available only at high-end luxury

Necklace with rare natural fancy yellow diamonds set in 14K white gold with a border of diamonds. Necklace of white diamonds surrounding 14K white gold brushed to look like platinum.

stores and bring them directly to his retail customers. Avni takes a lot of pride in the personalized customer service he offers, the quality of his gems,

For inspiration and to stay on-trend, Avni attends

and in the unique designs of his pieces. Since his

fashion and award shows, and keeps an eye on

diamonds sparkle so much on their own, Avni says

what celebrities are wearing. The store continually

he doesn’t need a lot of lighting in his cases. One

changes its selection, so when something is sold,

customer, when trying on a ring, mentioned that she

it’s usually not replaced by the same thing. Instead,

couldn’t believe how much the stones shined.

something new is added.

“That made me happy,” he says. “It feels good when you use good quality stones and they look so nice.”

The tiny works of art pictured here are just a few of the high-quality offerings available. These

Besides diamonds, The HERA Jewelers offers

pieces can be worn to a holiday get-together for an

a wide variety of precious and semi-precious

elegant and festive look, or worn with jeans and a

stones. Avni and his in-house designer offer many

button-down shirt for a more fun effect.

one-of-a-kind pieces such as the stunning necklaces pictured above. “We try to offer one-off pieces so that no one else will have what you have,” he says.

Developing a relationship with a jeweler allows him or her to choose and design custom pieces for you. Stop in The HERA Jewelers, and let Avni get to know your particular personality and style. CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

TRAVEL DESTINATION

ARTICLE NISH VERMA PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

holiday m a r ke t s

THREE MUST-VISIT DESTINATIONS TO EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF THE SEASON

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

S AUTUMN MAKES WAY FOR WINTER, THERE COMES ALONG A MAGICAL FEELING. You know the one – it adds a spring to your step, a smile to

your face, and a joy that you just can’t help but spread. Here’s to some magical holidays – the breathtaking surroundings, the pampering, the blissful journey, the savory food, and the fun you’ve been craving.

If you want to experience the deep-rooted holiday traditions and elegant pageantry of Europe, travel across the Pond and visit the world’s most timeless Holiday Markets at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the pageantry . Let iconic capital cities of central Europe —Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna—decked in holiday finery with glittering Christmas trees illuminated by thousands of lights, bells pealing from cathedral towers and children dressed as angels singing carols, dazzle you. Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Holiday Markets, including

Regensburg

Europe #1

and

Salzburg, and enjoy shopping for handcrafted toys and gifts, sipping hot mulled wine and inhaling the fragrance of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Moving west, warm up with a mug of steamy glühwein while at the Cologne Market located in front of its UNESCOdesignated Gothic cathedral. Let the “Capital of Noël,” Strasbourg, the oldest and largest Christmas Market in France, captivate you as it has for centuries. Meander through Heidelberg’s majestic Christmas Market nestled idyllically amongst the historic squares of the Old Town. And while in Gengenbach, marvel at the world’s largest Advent calendar, where every evening at 6:00 PM, the brightly lit windows of the neo-classical town hall open to reveal a picture behind each one by a famous artist, such as Andy Warhol. Cherish all the glory of the season in grand European style. These markets generally run from late-November until after Christmas. There are various modes of travel that can enable you to visit most of these locations in one visit. Here’s a toast to Kellemes ünnepeket, joyeuses fêtes and, šťastné svátky! (“Happy Holidays” in Hungarian, French and Czech.) Honorable mentions: Holiday Markets in London, Bath, Stockholm and Milan are not to be missed either! CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

TRAVEL DESTINATION (CONTINUED)

“A s t h e a i r becomes crisp and snow begins to fall, Old Québec transitions into a stunning winter w o n d e r l a n d .”

Fancy a car ride (or a quick flight) in the heart of winter to our northern neighbors? If so, be sure to enjoy the German Christmas Market in Québec City, Québec, Canada. As the air becomes crisp and snow begins to fall, Old Québec transitions into a stunning winter wonderland, with snow-capped 17th and 18th-century buildings, and festive lights strung along doorways and roofs. Visit close to 100 kiosks, lined with a great selection of succulent German treats, such as bratwurst, mulled wine, hot chocolate, Nuremberg gingerbread, German Christmas cake, Feuerzangenbowle (a flambé hot wine), and much more. Check

Canada #2

out

delicious

products, Christmas ral

gifts,

singing,

indoor

terroir exquisite

and

outdoor

performances, the

cho-

shows, and

much-anticipated

WinterBar to get into the true spirit of the holidays. Kids will also get to visit a special Santa zone. After the Market, walk up to the top of PierreDugua-De-Mons Terrace, and capture the festive lights strung along rue du Petit-Champlain. Then, ride the ferry across the St. Lawrence River to Lévis for a beautiful view of the Québec City skyline. These markets generally open the third week of November and run until just before Christmas. Frohe Weihnachten! (“Merry Christmas” in German)

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

United St ates #3 It would be hard not to mention one closer to home that draws about a million visitors every year – the internationally renowned Union Square Holiday Market in New York City, NY. With 100+ vendors, you can find unique handmade wearables and jewelry, children’s toys and Christmas ornaments, handcrafted bowls, winter accessories, artwork, candles, and much more. Many artisans sell certified organic and fair-trade goods as well. Feeling chilly? Take advantage of the warming station while savoring a cup of hot chocolate. With food being an integral part of NYC, the market would not be complete without the many food stalls serving everything from pizzas and empanadas to soups, hot chocolate and more. Hop on the subway or take a drive to visit this splendor in the heart of the City. Honorable Mention: The Columbus Circle Holiday Market, also in NY, isn’t far behind when it comes to an elegant and unique holiday shopping experience. A must see while in NY! These two markets run from mid-November to the end of December. Other Special Mentions: Holiday Markets are huge in Mexico and Latin America as well, with a variety of delicious, mouth-watering dishes to savor, drinks to wash them down, and celebrations that run for days on end. A must-visit! Please note that in 2020, events worldwide are subject to change. In conclusion, the Holiday season is a time to cherish, reflect and be merry, and there is nothing more special than spending the holidays with your family and loved ones at many of these Holiday Markets. About the Author: Nish Verma is a Luxury Travel Planner based in Berkeley Heights, NJ, serving travel enthusiasts and experience seekers globally. To find out more about various travel options, best places to visit, stay and eat, and to plan a vacation in 2021, please contact him at 908-517-1107. Visit his website http://www.LetsGlobetrot.com for travel inspirations, and don’t forget to follow him on Facebook and Instagram via @letsglobetrotcp. Happy Holidays!

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

BACK STAGE

C h at h a m K i d CASHES IN 18

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

ARTICLE ANA MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? When I was a kid, If you asked me that, I would’ve said “happy.” I’ve kind of lived my life that way, but it’s not always easy. My mom told me when I was in 7th grade, ‘’If you believe it, you can do it,” and I believed her. I still believe that wholeheartedly. When I moved to L.A., I wanted

GET TO KNOW THE REAL BEN BAILEY

to get into film. I didn’t know it was going to be comedy until I stumbled into it. I had gotten a job answering the phones at The Comedy Store. I remember thinking -“go through the doors that open to you.” WHAT MEMORIES DO YOU HAVE OF GROWING UP IN CHATHAM? We moved to Chatham in ’79; I was 8. I swam in the Fish & Game Club. I was a swimmer, a diver, a vaulter, and a county champ. The joke is that I worked in every business in town. If I didn’t like the job, I would quit and get another one. I had a paper route, worked at the library, the ice cream shop, a pizzeria, and at both swim clubs in town. I was 14 when I got my first one! DO YOU HAVE ANY FRIENDS IN THE ARTS? There are a few other Chathamites that I know of. Mike Rex is a children’s book author, Ross Gibby is an actor, and Scott Hallock and Bill Mutchler are musicians. Bill actually plays drums in my band “From This World.” We have an album out called “Variations on a Dream.” It’s a fun thing. People know me as the “Cash Cab” guy and I wanted the music to live on its own, so I just released it last year without saying anything. I’ve actually been a musician longer than I’ve been a comedian. The arts, music and comedy just kind of came naturally to me, and seemed like the best fit. FAVORITE HOLIDAY MEMORIES? Garden Avenue and the roads that branched off it… maybe the whole town actually? …for the week around Christmas/New Year’s Eve. Everyone would put out luminaries, and all the streets would be all lit up. It would really feel special. We would also have a neighborhood block party once a year, fireworks on the 4th, and of course, Fishawack. All the kids…we loved it. WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO BE SO HAPPY? Seeing the negative side of things doesn’t get you anywhere. Comedy to me is meant to be an escape from all that stuff. It’s supposed to be fun. I do a live-streaming show on social media(@realbenbailey) every Sunday at 9:00 pm to raise money for charities like Feeding America

WHEN YOU THINK OF BEN BAILEY,

and No Kid Hungry. A friend in the food service industry told me of the

MAYBE WHAT COMES TO MIND IS HIS

situation that “free and reduced” students were facing “…the schools are

SIX-TIME DAYTIME EMMY AWARD®

closing and they’ll have no food.” Through our Sunday show, we’ve been

WINNING SERIES “CASH CAB,” OR

able to provide food for many of these kids.

A COMEDY, TELEVISION SHOW, OR FILM YOU’VE SEEN HIM IN. But what

Ben’s “Road Rage and Accidental Ornithology” is streaming on

you didn’t know is that at heart, Ben is a

Netflix. Next year, catch Ben live at the Mayo PAC in Morristown, per-

down-to-earth local town guy who grew

forming his latest stand up set. Ben can also be heard on his popular

up on Garden Avenue in Chatham. He’s

podcast, “Tall But True.”

happy to see that the house number he made in shop class in 7th grade is still up

You can see many stand up videos, as well as Ben’s web series and short films,

when he drives by. Ben appreciates the

on YouTube at Ben Bailey Comedy. If you’d like to support him, you can do so

simple things in life and still plays hockey

on his Patreon page - Ben Bailey Comedy at https://www.patreon.com/user.

and golf with his childhood friends. Let’s get to know the real Ben Bailey!

www.TheRealBenBailey.com @realbenbailey on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook

CONTINUED >

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BACK STAGE (CONTINUED)

Favo r i t e H O L I DAY S O N G S

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

01 02 03

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

ELVIS’ BLUE CHRISTMAS

GIVING BACK

GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE

THE EMOTIONAL AND MIRACULOUS BENEFITS OF LIVING ORGAN DONATION

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

RAYMOND BRUNELL AND GWENN WIERZBICKI, HAVE

ARTICLE SUSAN BALDANI

ALWAYS CONSIDERED THEMSELVES TO BE COMPATIBLE.

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS JORDA

Together for 28 years, they still make each other laugh. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that the couple found out they were compatible in a way they could have never imagined. At the age of 42, when Ray started experiencing fatigue and leg and muscle cramps, he went to see his doctor. It was then that he was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. “Polycystic kidney disease is a very common inherited disease,” says Dr. Francis Weng, chief of the Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. “If one parent has this disease, the kids have a one out of two chance of getting it. The kidney’s develop cysts. As the cysts grow, the kidneys become larger and at the same time actually function less and less.” Ray, along with his two brothers, inherited it from their mother. His oldest brother died from complications of the disease, and his other brother has been on dialysis for 13 years. Dr. Weng states that some people don’t have signs of kidney disease, such as high blood pressure and swelling of the ankles, until it’s more advanced, so it’s important to have regular physical exams to get your blood work and urine checked. Treatment today is much better than it was even a few years ago, so catching it early is imperative. Six years after being diagnosed, Ray was referred to a nephrologist, or kidney doctor. “He told him, ‘It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when you’re going to be on dialysis or need a new kidney,’” says Gwenn. When she heard that, she immediately volunteered to give Ray one of her kidneys. The nephrologist recommended a few places for transplant surgery, and after doing research, they felt confident in choosing Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “We are one of the largest living kidney donor programs in the United States,” says Marie Morgievich, director of clinical services and Living Donor Institute at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “This whole journey has been filled with emotions,” says Gwenn. “One of which will always remain is my gratitude for all of the love and support that Ray and I received from our team at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and the Living Donor Institute.” Even though Gwenn was a compatible match for Ray, the Institute suggested that there may be an even better match for Ray, and asked if Gwenn would consider being a better match for someone else. After some discussion, Ray and Gwenn agreed to it. “Besides getting a kidney that is a better match, pairs may do this to help other pairs who are not compatible,” says Morgievich. “And the compatible pairs who do this are really special because they help unlock transplants for other people.” The night before surgery, Gwenn packed a bag of things she thought she’d need during her hospital stay, such as pajamas, a phone charger, and snacks.

CONTINUED >

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GIVING BACK (CONTINUED)

“And for whatever reason, I packed a strip of fake mustaches,” she says. “I know, completely nutty! Funny enough, I didn’t use any of it. The phone charger came in handy, but the most significant item packed was the strip of mustaches!” After Ray went into the operating room, Gwenn was awaiting her turn. With her sister Karen there, she reached into her bag and pulled out the mustaches. “We began laughing and taking selfies. After all, isn’t that what everyone does while waiting for surgery? Shortly after, my niece, our sister-in-law, and one of my childhood friends joined us in my pre-op room. There was a mustache for everyone.” After the surgery, Ray’s recovery was relatively quick. Now a little over two years post-surgery, Ray, 58, noticed major changes right away. “My face was glowing; my hair and nails felt better,” he says. “I could sleep better, and my energy level went through the roof.” Gwenn also recovered quickly. “I was back to work in about four weeks. I’m a fitness professional and specialize in Classical Pilates. It’s done so non-invasively, and the little scars that I have are barely noticeable.” Gwenn’s kidney also made a huge difference in the life of her recipient. Although it was supposed to remain confidential, she met her recipient by chance when she heard him speaking to his family in post-op. “The man reached out his hand for mine and said, ‘Thank you, I feel amazing,’” she says. “He looked at me with such sincere gratitude. It was a beautiful, emotional moment that will remain with me always. And, would you believe, he had a mustache?” She and Ray are thankful that everything worked out so well. “I did it for us. I love him, and I like him, and 28 years later, I couldn’t imagine my life being shared with anyone else. Ray deserves to live his best life. “Saint Barnabas Medical Center alone has about 1500 people waiting for a kidney transplant,” says Morgievich. Besides living donations, if someone would like to donate upon their death, they should designate that, she says, and speak with their families about their desires. “I feel like this story is about giving a gift,” says

CONTACT INFO

Living Donor Institute at Saint Barnabas Medical Center

Gwenn. “If people really do want to make a difference in

973-322-5938

someone’s life, have more faith than fear.”

https://www.rwjbh.org/ldi

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

HOLIDAY RENOVATE & REFINE

SPARKLE

ARTICLE ANA MEYER

HOLIDAY DESIGNS CAN BE WARM, TRADITIONAL, MODERN AND BOLD. Olga

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS JORDA

Sahraoui, professionally trained in Holland and the owner of SaholaFlowers.com, draws inspiration from the world of fashion, art, design, architecture, photography and beyond. Here, she’s designed three, one-of-a-kind holiday floral designs for a traditional Tudor home. Thank you, Robert Northfield, KELLERWILLIAMS Broker & Realtor, and the Peterson family for sharing your home to make this holiday design makeover possible!

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

such as birch. “Purple blends with nature,” Olga notes. “Orchids bring in a modern relaxed feel. They symbolize love, beauty, friendship and wealth.” Traditional roses are blended with ferns dyed in tones of pink and purples. These are then intertwined with natural elements like spruce and pinecones and nested in the design. Christmas ornaments add holiday shimmer. The look is completed with elegant vanilla colored candles, lit for a warm holiday experience. All of these modern and natural elements are brought together in a birch wrapped vessel. Modern Scandinavian design combines natural elements with modern textures and colors. Take natural dark green succulents, spray them with floral grade glitter to compliment your color story and place them on birch coasters to anchor the look. Set two or three around your table setting and throughout the dining room to continue to combine modern elements and textures with natural organic floral designs.

MODE RN SCANDINAVIAN

This holiday tablescape brings together the warm color story of purples and natural materials,

STYLE TIP Carry these design elements over to the place settings and décor in the room to bring the room together for that special holiday feel. Bring a few natural floral elements to your plate settings to extend the color story to your guests.

CONTINUED >

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RENOVATE & REFINE (CONTINUED)

DUTCH INS PIRE D HOLIDAY DECOR “Gold is one of the main traditional colors for holiday decorations and it represents luxury,” says Olga. “Dutch design in floristry is very structural. They tend to use branches.“ The color story was inspired by the gold mirror and the architectural elements of the room. Rather than going with one traditional piece above the fireplace, the design starts with a tall standing gold metal vase. Using twigs, branches, garland, gold painted chicken wire, and peacock feathers combined with branches of cotton flowers accented with gold butterflies, the design frames the fireplace opening and mantle. “It’s a striking look, she says. 28

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

STYLE TIP Combine natural earthy floral elements with gold décor to soften the design.

of black, blended with other elements for whimsical and fun

STYLE TIP

design,” says Olga. White ferns, sparkly white elements, icicles, and textured ornaments are blended with black garland cov-

Bringing in whimsical

ered in miniature crystals. “Three Frosty Fairies from the North

unexpected elements into

Pole were our whimsical and main décor elements placed at

a design creates a fun

different parts of the stairs for a playful holiday surprise.”

holiday relaxed feel.

WHIMSICAL FROST Y FAIRIE S

“Modern holiday color schemes use white, silver and tones

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

holiday

ARTICLE SUSAN BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

HOT SPOT

magic EXPERIENCE A WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE INN

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

MIRROR LAKE INN RESORT & SPA OFFERS

“Two of the most common compliments we receive

THE BEST IN LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS

are about the staff and the level of service they provide,

AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCES FOR ITS GUESTS.

and the cleanliness of the establishment,” adds Andrew.

Located in Lake Placid, NY, the Inn has been a popu-

“Even pre-COVID, we have always been obsessed with

lar destination since it opened in the early 1920s.

providing a clean, welcoming environment.”

Ed and Lisa Weibrecht, who bought the Inn in the

The Inn has 128 rooms, which can comfortably

mid-70s, have made major renovations over the years

accommodate couples as well as large families,

to provide up-to-date amenities and modern design,

and all have spectacular views. Guests may not be

while still keeping the classic Adirondack charm. For

spending much time inside though. The Inn and the

the last three decades, it has been given the AAA

town offer plenty to do outdoors.

Four-Diamond Exceptional award, and is a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The Inn is beautiful all year round, but the holiday décor is really spectacular. This is when they go all out to provide a true winter wonderland full of holiday magic for their guests.

Mirror Lake is a hub of activity and is just steps from the Inn’s front doors. When the lake is frozen enough, there’s ice skating and dog sled rides for families to enjoy. In the years they haven’t had snow, they’ve blown snow on the hills so kids can go sleigh riding. Local

“It’s a special place to be during the holidays,”

farms also have horse-drawn sleigh rides, and North

says son Andrew Weibrecht, who, along with his

Pole, NY, the home of Santa and his reindeer, is not

wife, Denja, helps run the Inn. “My mother, Lisa, has

far from the Inn.

decorated the hotel since the late ‘70s and she tries

“We try to think of every little thing that people

to outdo herself every single year. We have hundreds

could want or need out of the holiday experience,”

of thousands of bulbs and Christmas lights on the

says Andrew. “It’s pretty magical.”

exterior of the property. We have Christmas trees

The resort is also a short drive from White Face

throughout the lobby, the dining room, living room,

Mountain, says Andrew, which is a prime destina-

and everywhere else in between.”

tion for skiers.

Before COVID-19, Lake Placid traditionally held a

Andrew knows all about skiing. He competed in

Holiday Village Stroll, and the Inn offered a package with

three Olympic games and medaled in two in alpine

this that included breakfast with Santa and a personal

skiing. In 2010 in Vancouver, he received the bronze

visit from him and his elf. There would be magic tricks,

medal, and in 2014 in Sochi, he won the silver medal.

holiday singalongs, and a snack of cookies and milk. It was always a special treat filled with holiday cheer for the kids and their parents right in their own rooms.

“His medals are on display at the front desk and guests like to have their pictures taken with them,” says Chris. Last year, Andrew and his brother, Ethan, who was a

“Christmas at Mirror Lake has become a tradition for

professional big mountain skier for many years, started

a lot of families, and they come every year, one family for

a ski rental business as a convenience for guests so

over 20 years, so it’s been great to see the different gen-

they wouldn’t have to wait in lines at the mountain or

erations visiting,” says Chris Jarvis, the director of rooms.

go downtown to one of the ski rental shops.

Close to 70% of their business is either guests

“We set it up so that we take the guest information,

who have stayed with them before, or those who

bring the equipment to their rooms and fit them right

have been referred.

there,” says Andrew. “We have everything ready and

“Our goal is when someone leaves, we don’t want

waiting for them in the morning.”

them to go home and just feel like they want to come

Lake Placid is unique in that it has hosted two

back; we want them to feel like they have to come

winter Olympic games. During the winter, all of the

back,” says Chris. “And a huge part of that is our staff.

Olympic venues are operational, and people have

They’re warm, genuine and friendly and truly care

the opportunity to go on bobsled rides down the

about the guests’ experience.”

Olympic bobsled track.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

HOT SPOT (CONTINUED) “The Olympic arena, where the ‘Miracle on Ice’ game happened, is open, as well as the 1980 Olympic Oval,” says Andrew. “They have skating there every night. The Nordic ski venue just added snow making and is going to be a fully operational world-class venue this winter.” Back at the Inn, there is a European spa offering all types of massages and other upscale services. The Maple Sugar Body Scrub is one of the most sought-after experiences, along with the Vichy shower and Dry Float European Soft Pack. “One new offering is a salt room for salt therapy which helps with respiratory health,” says Chris. For dining, there are two restaurants on the property. The View, which is AAA Four Diamond rated and a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winner, is their fine dining restaurant. The other is the Cottage Café, which offers more casual fare. Whenever possible, most of the food and drinks at the Inn are locally sourced. “We get a lot of our meats and produce from local farms, and a lot of the liquors and draft beers come from regional local breweries,” says Andrew. The Inn takes every precaution to keep guest and its staff safe. Andrew says that they have invested about $400,000 in equipment and upgrades to the property since the pandemic started. They’ve also expanded their outdoor areas and put in several fire pits to keep guests comfortable and allow them to stay distant from others. “We have over seven acres, so we’re really driven to use every bit of that and let people spread out,” says Andrew. To find out more or to book a stay, go to https://mirrorlakeinn.com/.

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

CityLifestyle.com/ChathamandShortHills

DECEMBER

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

prediabetes, nine out of 10 people do not

THE SICILIAN TENORS: CHRISTMAS AMORE!

prediabetes reduce their risk of developing

even know they have it. Research shows this program can help participants with type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. Prevent or

DEAD ON LIVE – CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF AMERICAN BEAUTY

Morristown, NJ

delay Type 2 Diabetes with the PREVENT

The Sicilian Tenors – Aaron Caruso, Elio

T2 Program. Sessions run from 10:45 am

Dead on Live performs the classic album

Scaccio and Sam Vitale -- bring together

– Noon. Register at https://www.rwjbh.

American Beauty in its entirety, along

three marvelous tenor voices backed by

org/events/event/?event=7883

with other Grateful Dead favorites in

a pianist, each performing their favorite holiday music and other popular songs that audiences of all ages will love. Limited capacity 150 people socially distanced seating $49-$59 or Livestream available for $20. www.mayoarts.org

8, 22 VIRTUAL DIABETES PREVENTION SEMINAR, BARNABAS HEALTH AMBULATORY CARE CENTER

19 Morristown, NJ

a freer, looser more interpretive style.

Rather than having the band play the

MICHAEL GODARD: IN PERSON APPEARANCE, ART EXHIBIT, WENTWORTH GALLERY

socially distanced seating $39-$59.

songs, they’re letting the songs play the band! Limited capacity 150 people Livestream: $20 www.mayoarts.org

Short Hills, NJ

Artist, Michael Godard, known as the “Rockstar of the Art World”, is making an in person appearance and having an art

Would you like to get in touch with

exhibit at the Wentworth Gallery Short

us? We would love to hear from you!

Hills on Saturday, December 12th from

Contact

Virtual

4:00 to 8:00 pm. Call the gallery for details

ChathamandShortHills using the Get In

An estimated 86 million U.S. adults have

and to RSVP for the event.

Touch link and let us know what you think.

Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle | December 2020

CityLifestyle.com/