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Top Doctor
Features
Attention, Weekend Warriors 12
Play hard on Saturday and Sunday for peak gains, not peak pains. A local doctor shares tips.
6 9 8 ON THE COVER
Gift Guide 2025 15
From stylish to sentimental, these 30 ideas will make every name on your list sparkle.
Shaken, Stirred And Styled 22
Why not celebrate the season with an unforgettably chic martini soirée?
Departments
Morris/Essex Buzz 6
Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the counties.
Friends & Neighbors 8
9
With Anne Mernin at the helm, a Montclair food bank fights food insecurity—including the food insecurity we don’t see.
Style Watch 9
Feel good and stay cozy with these stylish coats and accessories.
Home Front 10
These picks bring cheer, shine and a dash of drama to your December table.
Escapes 26
Each of five charming places presents a Christmastime that honors tradition and brightens the spirit.
Tastes 28
Celebrate the season with rich, hearty dishes that take center stage on your holiday table.
Gatherings 54
Morris and Essex residents always show up to support their neighbors.
A Morris/Essex Moment 56
A Madison mother captures her kids sharing the holiday spirit at a Christmas tree farm in Mendham.
Special Advertising Section
The Counties’ Top Doctors 33
Entertaining expert Stephanie Nass hosts a memorable martini party. Photography by Rommel Demano.
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 Editor’s Note
Health News
46 Where to Eat 52 Be There
Just What You’ve Always Wanted
Raise your hand if you’ve never faked a reaction. Never, on unwrapping a gift, exclaimed in faux rapture, “How did you know I’ve longed for a paperweight shaped like the Leaning Tower of Pisa?” or “How wonderful—a sweater with tassels! And it’s just my size!”
If your hand is up, you’re not unusual. Most of us accept that, in the ritual of gift giving, part of the job is ours as gracious recipient. Someone has thought of us generously, and that fact alone demands a warm smile of gratitude, whether or not it’s fully sincere. We may even utter that old cliché: “It’s just what I’ve always wanted!”
But let’s drill down on that. Holiday time is a great time to ask: Just what have we always wanted? If it’s one of the presents in this issue’s Gift Guide (and we do think they’re winners), leave the magazine open, as if by happenstance, somewhere near pages 15 through 19, as a subtle hint to loved ones just before shopping day.
Or if what you crave most is simply a chance gather with treasured friends, we’ve got you covered too. The martini party we showcase starting on page 20 is a smart, sophisticated way to do so—and it can be a low-stress event you actually enjoy. For a traditional dinner, the two scrumptious recipes starting on page 28 will warm the hearts and fill the stomachs of all your guests. Decorating a festive table? Our Home Front section on page 10 has ideas you.
In our Buzz section beginning on page 6, you’ll learn about five workshop classes in which you can develop a creative skill—and carry away the gift you’ve created. There, too, we describe six kinds of local holiday-break fun and four nearby New Year’s Eve parties that help us mark the season.
What else is in this magazine? You’ll find Christmas-themed travel destinations on page 26 and advice on the benefits and risks of “weekend warrior” exercise on page 12. And on page 8, meet Anne Mernin of South Orange, the executive director of Toni’s Kitchen who helps feed our neighbors in need all year long. She’s been giving back through the Montclair food bank since 2010.
After all, they say it’s more blessed to give than to receive, and of course they’re right— although sometimes receiving can be pretty darn blessed as well.
Enjoy the holidays—and this holiday issue!
Rita Guarna Editor in Chief rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com
Morris &Essex
Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA
Creative Director
STEPHEN M. VITARBO
Senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS
Assistant Editor
KIRSTEN MEEHAN
Contributing Editor PAUL RANCE JR.
Contributing Photographer DAN SPRINGSTON
PRODUCTION
Production Manager FERN E. MESHULAM
Production Artist CHRIS FERRANTE
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Morris & Essex Magazine (Volume 23 Issue 6 Dec. 2025/Jan. 2026) (ISSN# 30670888 USPS 25840) is published bimonthly (Feb./March, April/May, June/July, Sept., Oct./ Nov., Dec./Jan.) by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Dr., Ste. 2104, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Periodicals postage pending at Mahwah, NJ, and additional mailing offices.
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Morris & Essex Buzz
OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTIES.
6 KINDS OF HOLIDAY-BREAK FUN
Looking to make the most of the week between Christmas and New Year’s? Morris and Essex counties offer plenty of seasonal experiences to help you wrap up the year in style:
• Bright nights. Turtle Back Zoo’s annual holiday lights display is open through Jan. 3, so you’ll have a few days after Christmas to see this year’s exhibit and continue the spirit of the season. Remember: Admission is free, but visitors can donate new or gently used coats that will be distributed to individuals and families in need.
• Skate date. Now’s the perfect time for some open-air ice skating. Enjoy the open sky and throw-back vibes at Madison’s Rosedale Pond, Chester’s Chubb Park or Mendham’s Mountain Valley Pond (aka the Mud Hole). Ice skating (bring your own skates) is available at these outdoor sites—look out for signs and alerts announcing when ice is thick enough and safe.
• See the birds. You’ve been singing about turtle doves and partridges all season, so why not see some of New Jersey’s best winter birds?
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Basking Ridge teems with wildlife, and there are educational markers along the paths to guide veteran birders and newbies alike.
• Ski the sights. On a snowy day, Tourne
KUDOS TO…
County Park in Denville is a true wonderland, and seeing the woods while cross-country skiing is a memorable experience. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to try snowshoeing?
The flat trails at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson are an ideal place to start.
• Take a hike. Summer hiking at Schiff Nature Preserve in Mendham or South Mountain Preserve in West Orange is a treat, but it’s just as magical in winter. Grab your trekking poles, strap micro-spikes to your boots and head to either destination for peaceful retreats amidst snow-covered trees. Whether they’re flowing or frozen, the waterfalls at South Mountain are majestic this time of year.
• Hit the water. You may not be thinking about swimming in the middle of winter, but you and your family can take a dip at an indoor pool in our counties. For instance, daily passes are available for open swim sessions at Five Star Swim School in East Hanover and the John F. Kennedy Recreation & Aquatic Center in Newark.
…Sam Lewis and Laura Roth of West Orange, who each earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization’s highest honor. This award recognizes Scouts who design and lead projects that address important community needs. Sam supported the Holy Trinity Food Pantry in West Orange by creating a website and mobilizing local Scout troops and community members to increase donations. Laura revitalized the blacktop at Redwood Elementary School in West Orange and promoted the importance of exercise for both physical and mental health, especially among children.
SANTA CLAWS
Making holiday memories includes loved ones, and furry family members are surely loved. Thus local spots are rolling out the red-and-green carpet for photos with Santa, giving you the chance to capture that perfect festive snapshot.
• Christmas Festival, Morristown. Visit the Morristown Green any weekend through Dec. 21 for photos with Santa.
• Paws & Claus at PetSmart, multiple locations. Make your reservation online free pet photos with SC on either Dec. or Dec. 14.
• Rockaway Townsquare, Rockaway. The big guy in red will be available for photos through Dec. 24.
CULINARY CORNER
Need a break from cooking this holiday season? Check out these newly opened spots in our two counties:
Veggies triumphant
What does Montclair-based Sam’s Table mean when it calls itself “vegetable-forward”? It means every dish puts the freshest local produce center stage. For example, charred leeks, duck with fermented blackberry, baby gem salad with candied pistachios and panna cotta with candied fennel. The menu evolves with the seasons, and the intimate, cozy dining room enhances the experience.
CAMP TIME? (YES, NOW!)
Your children get a break from school between Christmas and New Year’s—and deserve some fun. Don’t you, perhaps, deserve a break from them? Whether you’re raising athletes, naturalists or cooks—or just kids—a holiday-break day camp may be what all can agree on:
• At the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham, Morris County Park Commission hosts a winter mini-camp Dec. 29–31. Kids will enjoy walks, crafts, stories, games and activities; specific days focus on different animals such as owls or wild turkeys. More info: morrisparks.net
• Also from Dec. 29–31, kids can head over to West Orange’s Turtle Back Zoo for a special zoo camp. Activities include games, teacher-led lessons, behind-the-scenes visits, up-close animal encounters and hands-on science demonstrations.
From Mumbai to Morris Plains Mumbai Tadka celebrates India’s rich culinary traditions through dishes that will have you reaching for seconds. The menu offers familiar favorites—from fragrant curries to spicy vindaloos—alongside new tastes to discover. Whatever you order, be sure to save room for dessert: The ras malai, soft-fried patties soaked in sweet saffron milk, is not to be missed.
Genius Gems in Millburn holds a camp Dec. 22, 23 and 26, and then from Dec. 29–Jan. 2. Kids will practice science, math and engineering skills through games, crafts and activities, including “mad science” labs and “code and create” robotics programs.
• For kids who love to move, look no further than camp at MyGym in West Orange, held Dec. 26–31. Fitness games and noncompetitive gymnastics are priority one here, but kids can also take part in arts and crafts, music and more.
GIFTS OF CREATION
What do you give the person who has everything? You’ll see ideas on page 16, but how about one more—the chance to develop a new skill? Tickets to a workshop or class give your loved one more than just a fun night out: The lucky recipient will leave with something he or she made and, just maybe, a budding new hobby. Possibilities:
No ball drop? No problem! You don’t have to head into Manhattan to celebrate—our counties are lighting up New Year’s Eve with events and parties close to home:
• Montclair, Dec. 31: Montclair Brewery hosts its annual New Year’s Eve Party. Enjoy craft beers, music, indoor and outdoor seating, and firepits. Guests may bring their own food. Info: montclair brewery.com
Big feasts are de rigueur for the season’s big days, but that needn’t mean a big mess in the kitchen. For this year’s celebration, why not let someone else do the cooking? The restaurants below will be happy to serve you and your crew for any occasion, including two very special ones:
• Fialkoff’s, 99 W. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, 973.533.1424; fialkoffs kosherpizza.com
…the Glen Ridge 7th and 8th Grade History Club Academic Team, which qualified for the History Bowl national championships scheduled for May 23–27 in Orlando, Florida. The team clinched its spot in the nationals after taking second place at January’s state championship in Ridgewood. A month later, the students won the state southern regional title in Toms River. History teacher David Majewski served as club advisor throughout the process.
mikkiandals.com
• Reuben’s Glatt Spot, 659 Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange, 973.736.0060; reubens glattspot.com
• Morristown, Dec. 31: First Night Morris celebrates its 34th anniversary featuring more than 20 venues and 80 performances. Info: firstnightmorris.org
• Parsippany, Dec. 31: The Sheraton Parsippany Hotel hosts a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. It features an open bar, a three-course dinner, a cocktail hour and desserts, dancing and live entertainment. Info: newyearsnj.com
• Whippany, Dec. 31: Count down to the new year at Marriott Hanover Hotel’s New Year’s NJ party, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The celebration includes a three-course dinner, dancing and entertainment by Audio Riot, which will play classics and top hits. Info: newyearsnj.com
FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
Feeding All The Hungry
With Anne Mernin at the helm, a Montclair food bank fights food insecurity—including the food insecurity we don’t see.
How’s this for a Christmas-movie premise? A management consultant whose work has included training day traders and establishing a “global project management office” for a French bank takes a new position at a small local soup kitchen. Under her leadership it flourishes—and finds new people to help.
Far from fiction, this is the life path of Anne Mernin, 66. She is the executive director of Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair, the food ministry of St Luke’s Episcopal Church, a position she took over in 2010. She grew up in Montclair, and returned there with her now ex-husband to raise three children. She moved away two years ago and currently lives in South Orange.
How did you come to Toni’s Kitchen?
Very circuitously. My ex-husband and I adopted our third child, and she had medical issues. I thought I would be home from work for a year—it was much longer. When she was more stable, I was itching to go back to work, but I needed something close to home. My mother kept bothering me to apply for this position. There was no real reason for me to apply—I’m not a cook and I had no nonprofit experience. But I did, at first just so my mother would stop telling me to. When I started interviewing, I became curious. By the time I was hired, I was passionate.
Tell us about Toni’s Kitchen’s mission. It started out just over 40 years ago as a soup kitchen. Soup kitchens serve a very particular population, generally people who are unhoused. These people often have mental-health challenges, and the soup kitchen becomes a place where they gather and form friendships. When trust is established, you bring in other services they need. But over the years, we realized there are other food-insecure populations, and their needs are different.
Such as?
Some people we serve are working families; people who have two and three jobs, often shift
jobs, but no reliable hours. If you open a food pantry for only six hours a week on weekdays, they can’t get there. We find solutions. Maybe we can reach out to their child’s preschool and put a pantry there, or put one in their neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon, or set up a home delivery.
When did this broader needy population become apparent?
COVID really lifted the veil on food insecurity in suburban communities. We saw the number and diversity of people living close to the edge. But they hide it. There’s a lot of shame. We live in a beautiful place with a lot of wealth, so people don’t look for it. COVID made us ask the right questions. We went into the pandemic doing about 240,000 meals a year; now we do over two million. What makes Toni’s Kitchen different from other programs?
We really try to find the gaps where food insecurity hides and fill them. For example, there are kids at Bloomfield
College, first-generation college students, who work multiple jobs to feed themselves. That makes them a dropout risk. That’s a population we try to support. Is your family involved with Toni’s Kitchen?
My kids grew up volunteering and spending Christmases here.
A memorable moment with a patron?
A charming older woman—let’s call her Beth—was very guarded. She would chat, but never tell you anything personal. She got hit by a car and broke her leg very badly. The doctor put her in a cast and told her to see an orthopedist. But going to the orthopedist was not something she could navigate herself, and she wouldn’t let the onsite social worker help her. At the time, we hosted writing workshops after meals, where people would write about themselves. Beth used to watch, but never participate. After several weeks, the workshop leader asked if she would participate if she didn’t need to write herself—if she could dictate and have her words written down. Beth said yes and shared parts of her story. The next week, she let the social worker connect her with an orthopedist.
I think it was because the people in that group valued her story.
Favorite thing about Montclair?
I grew up here when the country was facing many challenges on the issue of race. I went to a naturally integrated elementary school. I never forgot growing up with friends from so many walks to life—it still shapes how I see the world. Montclair has always had challenges, but I think what makes it special is struggling with those challenges in the open and out loud.
Parting thoughts?
Food insecurity can feel like an unsolvable problem, like Sisyphus pushing that boulder up the mountain. But it’s not. Of all the big, systematic issues we face, it’s the most easily solvable. And everyone can help.
Quilted Velvet Table Runner Williams Sonoma, Montclair, 973.783.1799 Dior Gold-Tone
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Glasses:
Collection Red Cloth Napkins amazon.com
HEALTH NEWS
EARLY BREAST CANCER NEWS
For women diagnosed with early breast cancer, the longterm risk of developing a second primary cancer is low— around 2 percent to 3 percent greater than women in the general population, according to a recent study. These findings should help reassure breast cancer survivors who believe their risk of a second primary cancer is much higher than these results suggest.
—The BMJ
DOES VAPING LEAD TO SMOKING, ALCOHOL USE?
Vaping, common among young people, is consistently linked to subsequent smoking, marijuana and alcohol use, finds a recent review of evidence. And it’s associated with heightened risks of asthma, cough, as well possibly pneumonia, bronchitis and other health issues.
—Tobacco Control
ADHD MEDS LINKED TO REDUCED RISK OF SUICIDE, DRUG ABUSE
Drug treatment for people with newly diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) associated with significantly behaviors, substance The disorder of children worldwide.
MILLION
kids with hypertension, found
Academy of
—Compiled by
FRENCH FRIES LINKED TO HIGHER DIABETES RISK
Eating three servings of french fries a week associated with a 20 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but eating similar amounts of potatoes cooked in other ways— boiled, baked or mashed— does not substantially increase the risk, according to recent study.
—The
DOC’S WHITE COAT SEEN AS SYMBOL OF TRUST
Patients are more likely to trust doctors and consider them more professional when they wear white coats, although women doctors in this attire are often misidentified as nurses or medical assistants, according to a review of available research. Patient preferences for doctors’ attire appear to be influenced by clinical context and medical specialty, with a
Attention, ‘Weekend Warriors’
PLAY HARD ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOR PEAK GAINS, NOT PEAK PAINS. A LOCAL DOCTOR SHARES TIPS.
Joseph Cappadona, M.D., Orthopedic surgeon, Summit Health, Montclair
Between powerful kicks and flashy footwork, the action during the Sunday morning adult pick-up soccer games in Montclair sometimes comes to a sudden stop. But it’s not always to admire a slick move. Sometimes it’s because someone’s down, nursing a sudden injury. For many busy adults, carving out time for regular exercise during the work week feels impossible. Commutes, deadlines, business Zooms, school dropoffs and late-night emails interfere with structured daily workouts. But two obvious remedies pop up in the minds of those who aspire to stay active and fit: Saturday and Sunday. These individuals personify what’s called the “weekend warrior” syndrome. MORRIS & ESSEX spoke about it with Joseph Cappadona, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Health in Montclair.
• WARRIORS’ GAINS. “The weekend warrior phenomenon is very common as people are becoming more and more health conscious,” says Dr. Cappadona. Indeed, the National Institutes of Health says between 1 and 3 percent of American adults can be classified as weekend warriors. They follow a largely sedentary Monday-through-Friday schedule, then one or two days crammed with intense activity: autumn hikes, 10K runs, group cycling rides, pickup football games. Even raking clean a large, leaf-filled yard can qualify as a burst of activity that would be foreign to their weekday selves.
While it may seem like a compromise, recent research suggests that this condensed approach to exercise isn’t just better than nothing—it can deliver serious health benefits. A study in the September 2024 Circulation, a journal from the American Heart Association (AHA), associated weekend warriors with lower
risks of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea, among other ailments, when compared with less active folk. The AHA recommends 150 minutes of moderateintensity physical activity each week.
Muscle building also can benefit from a weekend-focused approach, especially when workouts include compound movements such as squats, lunges, pushups and deadlifts. High-intensity strength sessions with adequate rest between them can still promote muscle growth, bone density and improved metabolic health— even if they’re limited to weekends.
Still, there are risks.
• WARRIOR WOES. Though strenuous weekend-only exercise may meet AHA guidelines, it’s not without downsides, particularly for those jumping into intense activities without proper preparation. Sudden bouts of high-intensity exercise can lead to strains, sprains or overuse injuries, particularly in joints such as the knees, shoulders and lower back.
Dr. Cappadona notes that “high-impact activities that require running, jumping or pivoting as well as overhead-throwing sports or racquet sports” pose the greatest risk for injury among weekend warriors such as the Montclair soccer crew.
“I commonly treat weekend warriors for ailments and injuries, particularly on Mondays,” he adds. “These injuries range from minor sprains and strains that typically respond well to conservative treatment to tendon and ligament ruptures or fractures that could require surgical intervention.”
Dr. Cappadona’s past weekend-warrior patients have been treated for ankle sprains, knee sprains (ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, injuries) or meniscus tears, aggravation of knee arthritis, rotator-cuff strains or tears, Achilles tendon ruptures and biceps tendon ruptures.
There’s also a higher risk of cardiac events in sedentary individuals who suddenly engage in vigorous physical
activity. Although regular exercise is protective for heart health in the long run, sporadic intense exertion—particularly in middle-aged or older adults with existing risk factors—can pose a danger.
• SAFE WEEKENDS. If the weekend warrior lifestyle is one’s best option for staying active, it can absolutely work. Even if one has little time for exercise during the week, Dr. Cappadona says, regular body maintenance is a must.
“Maintain a healthy diet during the week and control your weight,” he says. “Stay flexible with stretching and maintain good core strength. Try to get a good night’s sleep each night even when the stresses of a job try to get in the way.”
And when it’s time for that weekend activity, it’s imperative to hydrate before, during and after exercise and warm up the body. Our expert recommends sleeper stretches for the shoulder, planking for core strength, leg lifts for quadriceps strength as well as calf stretches and light jogging in place.
Rest and recovery are important after exercise, especially as one ages. “Fifty-yearolds will typically not recover as quickly as they did in their 20s,” the doctor says. “Replace fluids and electrolytes after vigorous activities, and control inflamed or irritated joints with rest, ice, compression, elevation and gentle stretching.”
His most important tip for weekend warriors: Know your limits.
“It is important to avoid pushing through painful exercises or activities as this can exacerbate underlying problems such as knee arthritis,” he says. “The biggest myth is ‘I can still do everything I did in high school.’ While there are certainly some people who are in better shape in their 40s than they were in high school, bodies change, and we have to realize that. Do not be afraid to push yourself, but know your limits. With a little wisdom you can still go nuts on the weekends and burn off some stress and calories.”
GIFT
Tudor 1926 Luna London Jewelers, Short Hills,
Mova Globe In Antique Terrestrial White Pazzazed, Montclair
Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun Walmart, multiple locations
Why not celebrate the season with an unforgettably chic martini soirée?
Shaken, Stirred & STYLED
As end-of-the-year holidays approach, the moment calls for celebration—with style, sophistication and just the right pour. Thus it may be time for a martini party. Equal parts elegance and indulgence, it’s the perfect way to gather a well-dressed crowd, shake up tradition and raise a glass to the year that was. From crisp, minimalist glassware to top-shelf spirits and fashion-forward flair, the modern martini soirée is less about formality and more about effortless glamour.
The keyword is “effortless”—this bash need not add to holiday stress. “As elegant as it sounds, a martini party can be an easy celebration to plan and host,” says Patricia Rosner, founder of Parties With Patty in Morristown. “It starts with a classic cocktail that almost
everyone enjoys, and everthing else—the menu and décor—can be inspired by the drink. It will feel elevated and sophisticated.”
Want to host your own martini party? “Go for a classic, chic vibe,” Rosner says. “Colors like silver and gold, black and white are timeless and have a speakeasy feel. Lighting also is important—keep it dim and use candles on tables to make it feel like a lounge.”
Explore the following pages for more tips from Rosner and images from Swing By! Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering (Rizzoli New York, 2024), in which author and entertaining guru Stephanie Nass used the idea to turn a get-together at Manhattan’s Salmagundi Club into an extraordinary occasion.
PRETZEL CIGARETTES
Serves 8
“In a nod to a former time when cigarettes accompanied martinis, I wanted to create the closest thing: a trompe l’oeil cigarette made with pantry ingredients,” says entertaining guru Stephanie Nass. “Guests appreciated the humor and, ultimately, the toothsome confection.”
I N G R E D I E N T S
4 Oreo cookies, white filling discarded and cookies blitzed in a food processor until dusty
1 Tbs. sugar
16 (4-inch-long) pretzel rods
1 (12-oz.) bag white chocolate chips
D I R E C T I O N S
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
2. Mix the Oreo dust with the granulated sugar in a small bowl. This will be used for the “ashes.”
3. Put the chocolate chips in a tall microwave-safe drinking glass and melt in 30-second increments on normal power, stirring well after each increment, until fully melted.
5. Dip the tip of the chocolatecoated pretzel into the “ashes.”
6. Lay each coated pretzel on the prepared baking sheet and allow to cool. Once cool, arrange the rods on a serving platter or in a jar.
If you like, put any remaining Oreo “ashes” in a small dish to be the “ashtray” and place beside the “cigarettes.”
4. Dip the rod into the melted chocolate three quarters of the way up the pretzel. Shake off any excess chocolate so that the chocolate generally maintains the shape of the pretzel.
This page: As host of a swanky soirée, entertaining expert Stephanie Nass channeled the spirit of 1970s Cher and wore gold head to toe. “For a true swanky vibe, have guests dress to the nines for the event,” says Morristown event planner Patricia Rosner. “A little black dress or similar cocktail dress with a statement necklace and earrings is perfect for women. For men, a dark suit or a sport jacket and trousers are refined looks.”
Opposite, from left: Before they’re used as garnish for cocktails, neatly stacked martini olives can serve as festive décor. Keep food options refined, bite-sized and fun, such as pretzel cigarettes. Says Rosner: “Save wings and pigs in a blanket for your Super Bowl party, and come up with hors d’oeuvres like cocktail meatballs, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms or a selection of gourmet cheeses and crackers.”
CACIO E PEPE
Serves 8
“I love dishes that are theatrical and incorporate their preparation into how they are presented,” says Nass. “Preparing this pasta dish in a giant wheel of cheese in front of guests is a wow. You can source the wheel online, from a food distributor, or (with enough advance notice) potentially from your local grocer. After the event, you can grate and freeze the cheese for future use.”
I N G R E D I E N T S
60-lb. wheel Pecorino Romano, hollowed out at the top to form a bowl shape (approximately 2 to 4 inches deep; use pieces removed to grate)
3 lbs. spaghetti, cooked until almost al dente and tossed in olive oil
salt
2 cups Pecorino Romano, freshly grated black pepper
D I R E C T I O N S
1. Move your cheese wheel so it is beside your pasta pot and visible to guests.
2. In a pot of boiling salted water, reheat individual servings of cooked pasta for 1 to 2 minutes. As the pot boils down and water runs lower, you can add additional water (and salt).
3. Using tongs, transfer the reheated pasta to the well of the cheese wheel. Add ½ cup pasta water and a sprinkle of the grated cheese. Toss the pasta around the well until it is coated with a slippery cheese sauce.
4. Transfer the pasta to a plate and freshly crack black pepper over the top. Serve immediately. Continue this process until all guests are served.
HOMEMADE ESPRESSO MARTINI
Serves 16
“Bartenders are generally well equipped to make perfect, artisanal espresso martinis with fresh foam,” says Nass. “At a party, when you want to pre-batch and prepare as much as possible in advance, it’s a different story. Use cold brew concentrate if you are batching this or freshly pulled espresso if you are making everything à la minute.”
I N G R E D I E N T S
2 cups plus 2 Tbs. vodka or coffee-infused vodka
1 cup plus 2 Tbs. fresh espresso or cold brew concentrate
1 cup coffee liqueur
½ cup plus 2 Tbs. Demerara syrup
2 Tbs. vanilla extract
ice
16 coffee beans for garnish
D I R E C T I O N S
1. Before guests arrive and to batch prepare this recipe, combine the vodka, cold brew concentrate, coffee liqueur, syrup and vanilla. Refrigerate up to 12 hours in advance.
2. When making each drink to serve, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, stir the mixture and add 2½ ounces to the shaker.
3. Shake for 20 to 30 seconds so that the natural oils from the ingredients combine with air bubbles and form foam. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with coffee beans, simply sprinkled on top.
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All recipes and images are reprinted with permission from Swing By! Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering by Stephanie Nass (Rizzoli New York, 2024). Photography by Rommel Demano.
DESTINATION: ESCAPES
Each of five charming places presents a Christmastime that honors tradition and brightens the spirit.
Home is the classic locale for celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s, with chestnuts roasting on an open fire. But home has no monopoly on celebration—you’d be surprised what a brief trip can do as a change-up to bolster a mood of celebration. The five places here pull out all the stops for holiday splendor, old-fashioned charm and pure fun:
SENECA FALLS, N.Y.
Tucked between Syracuse and Rochester in central New York, this town is a must-stop by if you’re a history buff (the women’s suffrage movement was born here in 1848) and filled with small-town charm. It also has a serious Christmas claim to fame—it’s the main inspiration for the fictional town of Bedford Falls, where the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life takes place. That’s fully embraced with the yearly It’s a Wonderful Life Festival, this year on Dec. 12–14, which transports guests back to that snowy day in 1946. Snap a picture on the bridge from the iconic opening scene and enjoy actor meet-andgreets, themed family activities, lots of vendors, costumed reenactors and a traditional ringing of the bells to close out the celebrations (and to give many, many angels their wings). Once you’re done there, you can check out nearby Wagner Vineyards and Wagner Valley Brewing Co. in Lodi, which boasts a warm, enclosed brew deck for stunning views of the freezing Seneca Lake while you sample craft beer and smallbatch wine.
Where to stay. The family-owned Barrister’s Bed & Breakfast looks like something plucked out of a Christmas picture book—distinctive Victorian architecture, cozy nooks, stained-glass windows and crackling fireplaces abound here. Gather with the other guests for breakfast in the chestnut-paneled formal dining room and stay in richly decorated suites with names like The Yellow Rose Room, Grandmother’s Room and Erin’s Retreat.
Where to eat. For award-winning food and service, stop by The Perfect Pair Hospitality. This spot takes comfort food to the next level with a menu filled with loaded baked potatoes, smoked brisket, legendary sausage gravy and biscuits and fun takes on crepes. Dessert options include bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake and house-made marshmallows. More info: discoverseneca.com
Where better to experience a Victorian Christmas than the town with the most Victorian homes in the state? Seaside glamour, fragrant garlands and trees, twinkling gaslights and warm hospitality combine here for a visit that’s both magical and transportive. On Dec. 13 and 20, Cape May Museums, Arts and Culture (MAC) holds its yearly candlelit walking tours of Victorian Cape May, America’s only National Historic Landmark City, where you can stroll along gaslit streets and visit homes, inns, bed-and-breakfasts, churches and hotels, with interiors decorated for the season and bursting with holiday warmth. The same organization creates an annual Old Fashioned Christmas display at the Carrol Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate, where a miniature town complete with moving trains spreads out under the boughs of a giant Christmas tree. Where to stay. You’ll find even more holiday cheer at the Congress Hall Hotel, which bills itself as American’s first-ever seaside resort. It transforms into a “winter wonderland” during the holiday season, featuring a vendor village, a carousel done up in dazzling lights and a charming train for all to ride. On weekends, guests can have breakfast with Santa in the sweeping grand ballroom.
Where to eat. The mind behind the Ebbitt Room is Executive Chef Jason Hanin, winner of The New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association’s 2025 Chef of the Year Award, and you can taste that expertise in every bite. The menu is innovative (rabbit ragout, purple sweet potatoes with local honey and miso halibut are all featured), the ambiance is incredible (think dark wood paneling and leather seats) and the cocktails are seasonal and festive. More info: capemaymac.org, capemay.com
CAPE MAY, N.J.
HOLIDAYS!
WILLIAMSBURG, VA.
This restored colonial village, one of the country’s most famous “living history” museums, will whisk you back to holiday time in the 17th century. In Colonial Williamsburg, garlands drape across doorways, madrigals fill the air and costumed actors model the daily life in the American colonies. Nearby, Jamestown Settlement’s “Christmastide in Virginia” shows the English origins of holiday traditions as they developed on this continent. It includes a Lord of Misrule, an individual chosen to preside over wild revelries, in a tradition that dates back to the Renaissance. About a 23-minute drive from Jamestown is Historic Yorktown, which looks like a living Christmas card during the holidays. Dec. 12 is the town’s Enchanted Evening on Main Street, where you can enjoy ice sculptures, holiday carols, roasted chestnuts and strolling musicians. Also nearby: Busch Gardens Christmas Town, the largest Christmas light display in Virginia. Where to stay. You’ll be in good company if you stay at the Williamsburg Inn. It’s the only hotel in the county that has housed the Queen of England—and it hosted her twice. Planned and designed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and in operation since 1937, the inn features Regency style décor, a crackling fire in the reception room and a long legacy of luxury. If you book for the Christmas season, you’ll arrive to a bottle of wine and a plate of Christmas cookies in your room.
Where to eat. For even more refinement, try The Fat Canary, an upscale bistro known for its fine wine list, rotating seasonal menu and world-class service. Enjoy pork chops with goat cheese bread pudding and golden applesauce, duck breast with celery root and a cherry demi-glace and macadamia nut pie for dessert.
More info: visitwilliamsburg.com
MYSTIC, CONN.
Tucked alongside the Mystic River and home of the largest maritime museum in the United States, this town is all old New England charm, and that charm shines bright during the holidays. You can head over to the Mystic Seaport Museum, which undergoes a holiday makeover every weekend in December with its Lantern Light Village. This year, taking inspiration from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, it invites visitors to climb aboard horsedrawn carriages and warm themselves by crackling outdoor fires besides meeting Saint Nick and encountering the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Olde Mistick Village, a shopping destination made to look like an 18th-century New England town and filled with small boutiques and local artisans, also holds a Holiday Lights Spectacular to transform an already special shopping experience into a dazzling display. Then walk through picturesque downtown Mystic, also done up in holiday décor and filled with even more shopping and waterfront views.
Where to stay. Warm and rustic, the Stonecroft Country Inn Bed and Breakfast in nearby Ledyard is a treat in December. You may opt for a contemporary setup or stay in one of the inn’s historic rooms (with names like The Briar Rose Suite and The Sarah Master Suite), with fireplaces tucked into corners and views of the sprawling grounds. This is a place designed to help you unplug, slow down and enjoy the season.
Where to eat. Keep the maritime vibes going at The Shipwright’s Daughter, a restaurant led by James Beard award-winning chef David Standridge. Breakfast, brunch and dinner are all served here, and menu options include roasted seacoast mushrooms, beet-picked deviled eggs and five-spiced yellowfin tuna. Everything is made with locally sourced ingredients and the menu constantly rotates, so there’s always something new.
More info: thisismystic.com
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.
Famous for the Baseball Hall of Fame (which is well worth a visit, whatever the time of year), this burg offers much to love during the holiday season. Downtown is transformed into something out of a postcard or a Hallmark Christmas movie with brick-front buildings in 19th century Italianate and Colonial Revival styles against Otsego Lake. Santa and Mrs. Claus set up a month-long residence in the Christmas Cottage in Pioneer Park, with a mailbox for kids to drop their letters to the portly gent himself. Fenimore Farm & Country Village, a working historical farm, hosts its Glimmer Nights event until January—the whole estate is done up in glittering lights for you to explore at your leisure. Or you and the kids can board a real-life Polar Express with the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad in nearby Milford for holiday music, goodies, visits from Santa and holiday spirit galore. Where to stay. The Inn at Cooperstown is spectacular to look at—it was built by Henry J. Hardenbergh, who also built the Plaza Hotel in New York City, and is a historical landmark example of Second Empire architecture. (The beautiful wraparound porch speaks for itself.) Rooms are brightly colored and full of personality, and common areas are cozy and vintage. Breakfast is served every morning in the lovely formal dining room, where you eat in front of a roaring fire.
Where to eat. With its exposed brick dining room and a spread of Italian favorites, Toscana of Cooperstown keeps the rustic vibes going. Grab a plate of your favorite—eggplant or chicken parmesan, chicken marsala, grilled veal chops—or opt for house specialties such as lobster ravioli. To end your meal sweetly, you can try some pistachio ricotta cake for dessert. More info: thisiscooperstown.com
—Kirsten Meehan
The Main Event
Celebrate the season with rich, hearty dishes that command center stage.
TASTES
FILET MIGNON AU POIVRE WITH PEPPERCORN SAUCE
Yields 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
4 (6- to 8-oz.) boneless medallion steaks, such as filet mignon kosher salt
1 oz. whole black peppercorns, plus more as needed, divided
3 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 thyme sprigs
1 medium garlic clove
1/2 large shallot (about 11/2 oz.), minced
2 Tbs. brandy or cognac
3/4 cup homemade chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup heavy cream or 6 Tbs. crème fraîche
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS
Season steaks all over with kosher salt. Place on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and allow to air-dry, uncovered, in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, crack peppercorns using a pepper mill set on its coarsest setting.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread cracked peppercorns on a plate or in another shallow dish and firmly press one side of each steak into the pepper to encrust it in an even layer. Set each steak aside, peppercorn side up. Reserve any remaining cracked peppercorns.
In a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet, heat oil on medium high until shimmering. Add steaks, peppercorn side down, and cook until peppercorns are well toasted, about 3 minutes. Carefully turn steaks, trying not to break the peppercorn crust. Add butter, thyme and garlic and cook, basting steaks with a spoon, until steaks are well seared on the second side. Remove from heat.
Transfer steaks to a rimmed baking sheet. Using an instant-read thermometer, check the
internal temperature of the steaks; if they’ve reached 125°F, they’re ready to be served medium rare. Allow steaks to rest for 5 minutes once the final doneness temperature is reached. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet and discard garlic and thyme. Add shallot and any reserved cracked peppercorns, return to medium heat and cook, stirring about 2 minutes until shallot is tender.
Add brandy or cognac. (To prevent an unexpected flare-up if working over gas, you can turn off the burner, add the alcohol, then reignite the burner.) Cook until raw alcohol smell has burned off and brandy has almost completely evaporated.
Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer, stirring and scraping up any browned bits. Whisk in cream or crème fraîche, then simmer, stirring often, until sauce has reduced enough to glaze a spoon. Whisk in mustard. Season with salt.
Arrange steaks on plates and pour sauce on top. Serve with french fries, mashed potatoes, or other sides of your liking.
“I’d suggest swapping vegetable oil for avocado oil—it’s less inflammatory and more stable at high heat. In addition, replacing stock or broth with bone broth will boosts collagen and minerals for joint and gut health.”
—Sara Rivera, registered dietitian, Whole Nutrition Center, Rockaway
TASTES
PORK STUFFED WITH ARUGALA, BASIL AND MOZZARELLA
Yields 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. pork tenderloin
1 cup arugula salad
6 slices mozzarella cheese handful of basil salt and black pepper, to taste
1 Tbs. olive oil
For The Sauce
2 shallots, finely diced
1 Tbs. parsley, chopped
½ cup red wine
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
¼ cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS
Remove all the outer extra fat and pork filaments from each tenderloin. Butterfly each tenderloin once in the middle, making sure you leave about ½ inch of meat space between the knife and the cutting board and don’t go through. Once the tenderloins are halved, butterfly it three more times from each side, starting in the middle. You must cut down alongside the tenderloin seven times, ensuring you never cut through the meat. Each piece of pork tenderloin will be 7 to 8 inches wide. Pound the pork lightly. Season with salt and pepper generously on the inside. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Arrange the arugula on top of the cut side of each tenderloin and grind a generous amount of pepper over it. Arrange the slices of mozzarella over the arugula and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the basil leaves and again sprinkle with a generous amount of pepper.
Roll each tenderloin, ensuring the arugula and mozzarella are nicely tucked in. Using cooking twine, tie in 4 to 5 places. Place a couple of toothpicks at each end to seal them. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt and pepper all over them. You will have two pork tenderloin rolls.
Place a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high
heat and add the olive oil. Once hot but not burning, add the pork tenderloin rolls and sear each side until a nice medium brown crust is formed. Do not always turn as you want a nice searing to take place.
Once all the sides are golden, 5 to 8 minutes, place the skillet in the hot oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
Remove the tenderloins from the oven, place them on a plate with a high border to catch any juice rendered, and cover them with aluminum foil.
Return the skillet to the stove, and add two tablespoons of butter, the shallots and parsley. Sauté the shallots for a couple of minutes until slightly translucent. Lower the heat and add the red wine, deglazing by scraping the pan for any bits. Raise the temperature back to medium and reduce the wine to 1/3.
Add the heavy cream and stir the sauce together. Add the remaining butter to the skillet and continue to stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add any juices rendered by the tenderloins.
Cut the pork tenderloin into 1-inch-thick slices and serve with the sauce over it or alongside.
“I love this balanced recipe—especially the arugula. Dark leafy greens are rich in antioxidants, support heart health and provide a great source of folate. Also, be sure to use grass-fed butter for its higher levels of omega-3s and vitamin K2.
—Sara Rivera, registered dietitian, Whole Nutrition Center, Rockaway
MORRIS AND ESSEX MAGAZINE’S BRAND NEW MUST-READ MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!
Morris & Essex Buzz is Morris & Essex magazine’s exclusive monthly peek into the people who shape our communties, the places that generate excitement and buzz (including restaurants, shops and other hangouts) and the can’t-miss events residents will want to attend.
Sign up now for your free subscription at morrisandessexmag.com! For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Tom Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.
TOP DOCTORS MORRIS COUNTY’S 2025
MORRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT AND SOUGHT-AFTER PHYSICIANS IN THE COUNTRY.
To help you find the best of the best, across more than 50 specialties, Morris & Essex magazine commissioned Professional Research Services (PRS) of Troy, Michigan to conduct a peer-review survey of thousands of practicing and active physicians across the county. Doctors were asked to select peers whom they deem are the best within their practice areas and whom they would seek out for particular procedures.
All the final honorees were fact-checked with the State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification System. The highest vote getters within each specialty who are in good standing with the state are included here in the 2025 “Morris County’s Top Doctors” list.
While not every outstanding area doctor is listed in the 2025 “Morris County’s Top Doctors” list, we think you will find it to be a valuable resource in the future for all your physician needs.
ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
ERIC S. APPLEBAUM, M.D., FACAAI
Allergic & Asthmatic Comprehensive Care of NJ 3799 Route 46 East, Suite 205 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-335-1700
LISA BARISCIANO, M.D.
Pediatric and Adult Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, LLC
15 James St., Suite 4 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-503-0600
SUNITA KANUMURY, M.D., FACAAI
Asthma & Allergy Care, PC 16 Pocono Rd., Suite 307 Denville, NJ 07834
908-813-0230
ALEXANDER MAROTTA, M.D.
Impact Medical Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
44 Route 23 North, Suite 6 Riverdale, NJ 07457
973-248-9199
ARCHANA MEHTA, M.D.
ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP
900 Lanidex Plaza Floor 3, Suite 300 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-394-1818
JOHN J. OPPENHEIMER, M.D.
Atlantic Medical GroupPulmonology, Sleep, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine
8 Saddle Rd., Suite 101 Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
973-267-9393
ANESTHESIOLOGY
CHAD ITZKOVICH, M.D.
Synergy Anesthesia 1 Gatehall Dr., Suite 206 Parsippany, NJ 07054
JORDAN G. SAFIRSTEIN, M.D., FACC, FSCAI Cardiology Consultants of North Morris 356 Route 46 Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 973-586-3400
JASON SALAMON, M.D. Cardiology Associates of Morristown, LLC 60 Columbia Rd., Building A Morristown, NJ 07960 973-889-9001
NAZIR SAVJI, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemMorristown Cardiology Associates
435 South St., Floor 1 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-267-3944
CLINICAL GENETICS
DARIUS J. ADAMS, M.D.
David Adams, M.D.
101 Madison Ave., Suite 201 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7634
COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY
DANIEL HENRY HUNT, M.D.
Atlantic Medical Group Colorectal Surgery 95 Madison Ave., Suite A10 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7200
RICHARD L. MOSKOWITZ, M.D., FACS
Richard L. Moskowitz, M.D., FACS 111 Madison Ave., Suite 312 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-267-1225
DERMATOLOGY
MARC ABBATE, M.D.
Schweiger Dermatology Group
44 Route 23 North, Suite 213 Riverdale, NJ 07457
973-434-1405
LAILA ALMEIDA, M.D.
Dermatology Associates of Morris
199 Baldwin Rd. Parsippany, NJ 07054 973-335-2560
RACHEL S. ALTMAN , M.D.
Schweiger Dermatology Group
310 Madison Ave., Suite 206 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-200-7386
MARC GLASHOFER, M.D.
Schweiger Dermatology Group
310 Madison Ave., Suite 206 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-200-7386
BRIAN C. MACHLER, M.D., FAAD
Center for Dermatology
128 Columbia Tpke., Suite 200 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-736-9535
SUBHADRA SHAH, M.D.
MOHS Surgery of Morris
199 Baldwin Rd., Suite 200 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-335-2560 ext. 402
ERIC STRAUSS, M.D.
Dermatology Associates of Morris
199 Baldwin Rd. Parsippany, NJ 07054 973-335-2560
EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT
AGATA K. BRYS, M.D.
ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP
900 Lanidex Plaza Floor 3, Suite 300
Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-394-1818
SETH J. KANOWITZ, M.D., FACS
Advocare Ear, Nose & Throat
Specialists of Morristown
95 Madison Ave., Suite 105 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-644-0808
BRIAN L. LEBOVITZ, M.D.
ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP
900 Lanidex Plaza Floor 3, Suite 300
Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-394-1818
TOM THOMAS, M.D.
Atlantic Health System -
Atlantic Head & Neck Surgery
100 Madison Ave., Floor 1 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-7355
KAREN WIRTSHAFTER, M.D.
ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP
900 Lanidex Plaza Floor 3, Suite 300 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-394-1818
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
LANI MEI LEE, M.D.
RWJ Barnabas HealthEmergency Medical Associates
3 Century Dr. Parsippany, NJ 07054
877-692-4665
PETER Q. LEE, D.O.
RWJ Barnabas HealthEmergency Medical Associates
3 Century Dr. Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-740-0607
ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES, AND METABOLISM
CARYN BORGER, M.D.
The Endocrine CenterCaryn Borger, MD 15 James St., Unit 2 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-377-6868
HEALTHER E. GREENBERG, M.D.
Summit Health - Endocrinology
95 Madison Ave. Floor 4, Suite 411 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-210-4962
ANNA KISSIN, M.D.
Endocrine Consultants of Morris County 10 James St., Suite 140 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-665-8100
DEBRA MARGULIES, M.D., FACE
Summit Health - Endocrinology
95 Madison Ave. Floor B, Suite B00 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-775-5115
SHARI N. MINTZ, M.D.
North Jersey Endocrine Consultants, LLC
3695 Hill Rd., Suite 2A Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-625-2121
CHERYL R. ROSENFELD, D.O.
North Jersey Endocrine Consultants, LLC
3695 Hill Rd., Suite 2A Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-625-2121
SWATI SHARMA, M.D., FACE
New Jersey Endocrine Consultants, LLC
3695 Hill Rd., Suite 2A Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-625-2121
SHEERA SIEGEL, M.D.
Endocrine Consultants of Morris County
10 James St., Suite 140 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-665-8100
FAMILY MEDICINE
ANGELA F. CHUNG, D.O.
Atlantic Health SystemBlair Medical Associates
261 James St., Suite 2A Morristown, NJ 07960
973-539-2468
ALYSSA HUNCKEN, M.D.
Changebridge Medical Associates 170 Changebridge Rd., Suite C3 Montville, NJ 07045
973-575-5540
NANCY LEE, D.O.
Atlantic Health SystemMorristown Medical Center
Family Medicine
435 South St., Suite 220A Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-4222
JAMIE PIETKA, M.D.
Lakeview Medical Associates 125 Route 46 Budd Lake, NJ 07828
973-691-1111
ARIE DAVID RENNERT, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemMorristown Medical Center
Family Medicine
435 South St., Suite 220A Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-4222
CHRISTOPHER P. ZIPP, D.O.
Atlantic Health SystemMorristown Medical Center
Family Medicine
435 South St., Suite 220A Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-4222
GASTROENTEROLOGY
JOHN DALENA, M.D.
Summit HealthGastroenterology
150 Park Ave. Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-401-0500
DENNIS HAN, M.D.
Summit HealthGastroenterology
140 Park Ave. Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-401-0500
ARI S. YOUNG, M.D.
Atlantic Medical GroupGastroenterology
435 South St., Floor 2, Suite 230 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7507
GENERAL SURGERY
SAMUEL D. ECHEVERRI, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemMorristown Surgical Associates 95 Madison Ave., Suite A09 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-267-2838
IH-PING HUANG, M.D.
St. Claire’s Health Medical Group - General Surgery 16 Pocono Rd., Suite 100 Denville, NJ 07834
973-784-6868
JENNIFER MURPHY, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemPediatric Surgery at Goryeb Children’s Hospital 100 Madison Ave., Floor 2 Morristown, NJ 07960
908-522-3523
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
JASON N. PRAGER, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemGeriatric Assessment Center 435 South St., Suite 390 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7022
GEORGE C. WANG, M.D., PHD, FACP
Wisdom Health and WellbeingGeorge Wang, M.D., PhD, FACP 16 Pocono Rd. Denville, NJ 07834 973-671-1868
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
RICHARD SCOTT, M.D.
Summit HealthGynecologic Oncology 150 Park Ave., Floor 4 Florham Park, NJ 07932 973-679-4546
NANA TCHABO, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Women’s Cancer Associates
100 Madison Ave., Floor 2 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-5900
DANIEL HENRY TOBIAS, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Women’s Cancer Associates
100 Madison Ave. Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Floor 2 Morristown, NJ 07962 973-971-5900
HAND SURGERY
ROSS FOX, M.D., FAAOS
Summit Health - Hand Surgery 75 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 102 Denville, NJ 07834 973-664-9899
ABRAM KIRSCHENBAUM, M.D., FAAOS
Summit Health - Hand Surgery 75 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 102 Denville, NJ 07834 973-664-9899
DAVID RATLIFF, M.D., FAAOS Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey 3799 Route 46, Suite 207 Parsippany, NJ 07054 201-751-2301
HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
ELLEN M. EARLY, M.D. Atlantic Medical GroupHematology OncologyMorristown Medical Center, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center 100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7960
WILLIAM RAFELSON, M.D. Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Medical Group Hematology Oncology 100 Madison Ave. Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Floor 2 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7960
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
DANIEL HART, M.D.
Summit Health - Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine 150 Park Ave. Florham Park, NJ 07932 973-436-1719
EDWARD J. MCMANUS, M.D., FACP ID Care
765 Route 10 East, Suite 201 Randolph, NJ 07869 973-989-0068
MANAL
YOUSSEF-BESSLER, M.D.
Infectious Disease Center of New Jersey
568 Route 10 Whippany, NJ 07981
973-535-8355
INTERNAL MEDICINE
SOPHIA NAA-ABIA
CASELY-HAYFORD, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemInternal Medicine
Faculty Associates
435 South St., Suites 210 & 350 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-6700
ROBERT G. COLLUM, M.D.
Skylands Medical GroupDenville Associates of Internal Medicine
16 Pocono Rd., Suite 317 Denville, NJ 07834
973-627-2650
JOSELYN GONZALEZ, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemInternal Medicine
Faculty Associates
435 South St., Suites 210 & 350 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-6700
MINDY S. HOUNG, M.D.
RWJ Barnabas Health - Center for Asian Health and Wellness
222 Columbia Tpke. Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-261-9077
JEAN PATRICIA RANDAZZO, M.D., FACP
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Medical Group
Primary Care
95 Madison Ave., Suite A00 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-538-1388
MATERNAL AND FETAL MEDICINE
ASHA SUDERSHAN
RIJHSINGHANI, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Maternal Fetal Medicine
435 South St., Suite 380 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7080
NEONATAL AND PERINATAL MEDICINE
JOHN F. LADINO, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemMidAtlantic Neonatology Associates
100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-5488
NAUREEN MEMON, M.D.
Mid-Atlantic Neonatology Associates
140 E. Hanover Ave. Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
973-971-5488
NEPHROLOGY
KEZIA ALBERTO, M.D.
Nephrological Associates
83 Hanover Rd., Suite 290 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-736-2212
NEIL LYMAN, M.D.
Nephrological Associates
83 Hanover Rd. Suite 290 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-736-2212
ROBERT ZENENBERG, D.O., FACP
Nephrological Associates
83 Hanover Rd., Suite 290 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-736-2212
NEUROLOGY
CALVIN NATANZON, M.D.
Summit Health - Neurology 150 Park Ave., Floor 4 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-718-5800
NEUROSURGERY
JOHN KNIGHTLY, M.D., FAANS Maxim Health
197 Ridgedale Ave., Suite 225 Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
862-356-5442
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
MARK-ROBERT AJALA, D.O.
Atlantic Medical GroupWomen’s Health - Morristown Medical Center Health Pavilion
333 Mount Hope Ave., Suite 250 Rockaway, NJ 07866
973-891-3680
ROBERT L. STEER, M.D., FACOG
Robert L. Steer, M.D., FACOG 60 Franklin St. Morristown, NJ 07924
Atlantic Health SystemPrimary Care PartnersFranklin Pediatrics, PA 91 S. Jefferson Rd., Suite 200 Whippany, NJ 07981
973-538-6116
SUSAN D. SCHERER, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Medical Group Pediatrics
435 South St., Suite 200 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-822-0003
JENNIFER SHAW, M.D., FAAP
Touchpoint Pediatrics, PA 17 Watchung Ave., Suite 201 Chatham, NJ 07928
973-665-0900
JAMI BLAIR ZARETSKY, M.D.
Atlantic Medical GroupPediatric Hospitalists
100 Madison Ave., Suite 89 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-7550
PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
FRANCISCO G. COLÓN, M.D.
The Peer Group
124 Colombia Tpke. Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-822-3000
RENEE COMIZIO, M.D.
Renee Comizio, M.D.
101 Madison Ave., Suite 200 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-775-9248
JOSEPH FODERO, M.D.
NorthEastern Plastic Surgery
83 Hanover Rd., Suite 200 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-295-6565
BRIAN S. GLATT, M.D., FACS
Premier Plastic Surgery Center of New Jersey
310 Madison Ave., Suite 100 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-889-9300
DANIEL PYO, M.D., FACS
Summit HealthPlastic Surgery
131 Madison Ave., Suite 120 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-540-9055
ISAAC STARKER, M.D.
The Peer Group
124 Colombia Tpke. Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-822-3000
PODIATRY
ELLIOT T. JOSEPH, D.P.M., FACFAS
Parsippany Foot & Ankle
50 Cherry Hill Rd., Suite 206 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-334-1770
KIRAN D. POYLANGADA, D.P.M., FACFAS
Parsippany Foot & Ankle
50 Cherry Hill Rd., Suite 206 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-334-1770
EMILIO A. PUZO, D.P.M., FACFAS
Parsippany Foot & Ankle
50 Cherry Hill Rd., Suite 206 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-334-1770
SHYAM A. SHETH, D.P.M., AACFAS
Parsippany Foot & Ankle
50 Cherry Hill Rd., Suite 206 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-334-1770
JORDAN STEINBERG, D.P.M.
Curalta Foot + Ankle
83 Hanover Rd., Suite 250 Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-922-0464
BRIAN SULLIVAN, D.P.M. Foot and Ankle Physicians of NJ
290 Madison Ave.
Building 5, Ground Floor
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-397-9600
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
YANA P. GOLDBERG, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemMorristown Medical Center
100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960
973-951-5329
JAMES R. WONG, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemMorristown Medical Center
100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-5329
RADIOLOGY
PAUL FRIEDMAN, D.O.
Atlantic Medical GroupRadiology
100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-5370
DANIEL S. LEVY, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Medical Group Radiology 97 West Parkway Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
855-862-2778
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY / INFERTILITY
KATHLEEN H. HONG, M.D., FACOG, HCLD/TS
Reproductive Medicine Associates
60 Columbia Rd.
Building B, Suite 140 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-4600
JAMIE MORRIS, M.D.
Reproductive Medicine
Associates
60 Columbia Rd. Building B, Suite 140 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-4600
RHEUMATOLOGY
JANET B. BARTOV, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Medical Group Rheumatology
435 South St., Suite 240 Morristown, NJ 07960
973-540-9198
SHARI FLOWERS, M.D., FACR Skylands Medical GroupRheumatology
66 E. Main St., Floor 2, Suite 2 Rockaway, NJ 07866
973-895-7676
ELIZABETH A. HAWRUK, M.D. North Jersey Center For Arthritis and Osteoporosis
45 Carey Ave., Suite 3 Butler, NJ 07405
973-283-2700
DAVID WIDMAN, M.D.
Allergy and Arthritis Associates - Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center
197 Ridgedale Ave., Suite 105 Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
973-989-0500
SPORTS MEDICINE
CLAUDIA L. GINSBERG, M.D.
Tri-County Orthopedics
197 Ridgedale Ave. The Advanced Medical Center, Suite 300 Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
973-538-2334
DAMION A. MARTINS, M.D.
Atlantic Health System -
Atlantic Sports Health
111 Madison Ave. Floor 4, Suite 408
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-6898
DEAN W. PADAVAN, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Sports Health
111 Madison Ave. Floor 4, Suite 408
Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-6898
THORACIC SURGERY
FEDERICO A. STEINER, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemNorth Jersey Thoracic Surgical Associates
100 Madison Ave.
Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Suite 4101
Morristown, NJ 07960 973-644-4844
BENJAMIN S. VAN BOXTEL, M.D.
Mid-Atlantic Surgical Associates
100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-7300
MARK D. WIDMANN, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemCarol G. Simon Cancer Center, Morristown Medical Center
100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960
973-971-5008
UROLOGY
SANDIP M. PRASAD, M.D., M.PHIL
Garden State UrologyMorristown Urology Adult
Pediatric Group
261 James St. Suites 1A, 2G, 3A, 3D Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0333
LEE PRESSLER, M.D.
Garden State UrologyMorristown Urology Adult
Pediatric Group
261 James St. Suites 1A, 2G, 3A, 3D Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0333
BENJAMIN TAYLOR, M.D.
Garden State UrologyMorristown Urology Adult
Pediatric Group
261 James St. Suites 1A, 2G, 3A, 3D Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0333
DAVID TAYLOR, M.D.
Garden State UrologyMorristown Urology Adult
Pediatric Group
261 James St. Suites 1A, 2G, 3A, 3D Morristown, NJ 07960 973-539-0333
VASCULAR / INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
SEAN K. CALHOUN, D.O. Atlantic Medical GroupRadiology - Morristown Medical Center
100 Madison Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960 973-971-5370
VASCULAR SURGERY
ANDREW CHA, D.O., FACS
The Cardiovascular Care Group
3155 Rte. 10, Suite 100 Denville, NJ 07834 973-759-9000
MICHAEL OMBRELLINO, M.D., FACS
The Cardiovascular Care Group 95 Madison Ave., Suite 109 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-759-9000
AMIT V. PATEL, M.D.
Atlantic Health SystemAtlantic Vascular 65 Madison Ave., Floor 5 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-540-9700
COMBIZ REZAYAT, M.D., FACS
The Cardiovascular Care Group 95 Madison Ave., Suite 109 Morristown, NJ 07960 973-759-9000
SCOTT A. SUNDICK, M.D., FACS
The Cardiovascular Care Group 3155 Rte. 10, Suite 100 Denville, NJ 07834 973-759-9000
DR. HUANG IS A BOARD CERTIFIED GENERAL SURGEON WITH FELLOWSHIP TRAINING FROM EMORY UNIVERSITY in advanced minimally invasive surgery, robotic laparoscopic surgery, and endoscopy. Dr. Huang and his group specialize in foregut surgery such as anti-reflux, hiatal hernia, achalasia, inguinal, ventral, umbilical, incisional hernia surgery, and GI surgery: stomach, small bowel, colon, gallbladder, appendix for benign and malignant disease. Dr. Huang also performs colonoscopies.
Patients praise Dr. Huang for his exceptional skill, compassion, and dedication. One patient shared, “Dr. Huang saved my life—twice!”
Others commend his thoroughness and genuine care, saying he listens, finds solutions when others cannot, and delivers excellent surgical results. Families describe him as professional, friendly, and truly committed to his patients’ well-being, encouraging others not to hesitate in choosing him as their surgeon.
Another patient said, “Dr. Huang is a great doctor. He really listened to me and was thorough. He found the problem and surgery went well. Other doctors brushed me off. It felt great to be heard and Dr. Huang was very kind, professional and caring.”
John Knightly, MD, FAANS
Maxim Spine
197 Ridgedale Ave., Suite 225, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 | 310 Madison Ave., Suite 300, Morristown, NJ 07960 33 Upper Overlook Rd., Suite 405, Summit, NJ 07901 | 862.284.6935 | maximspine.com
WHEN IT COMES TO SPINE SURGERY, choosing a surgeon with extensive experience and expertise is paramount. John Knightly, MD, FAANS, is one such surgeon and, according to his peers and patients, one of the very best. A board-certified, fellowship-trained, nationally and regionally recognized neurosurgeon who has been designated a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly multiple times, Dr. Knightly has 30 years of experience and a subspecialty interest in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery.
Dr. Knightly has a simple treatment philosophy that has served his practice—and his patients—well over the years. “Understand what your patients need and do the right operation on the right patient at the right time,” he says.
According to Dr. Knightly, not every patient needs surgery, so it is important to do a thorough physical examination, discuss a patient’s symptoms, and order imaging tests, such as MRIs and x-rays. “The imaging study, the exam, and the symptom history should align,” Dr.
Knightly says. “Sometimes, a patient’s symptoms can be handled with pain management, a minimally invasive procedure, or a combination.” Among the minimally invasive procedures Dr. Knightly performs are laminectomies, discectomies, and spinal fusions.
Dr. Knightly graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed his residency at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD, and his fellowship at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. He is a past Chairman, Board of Directors, for NeuroPoint Alliance and a founding member of the executive committee of the American Spinal Registry (ASR). He is a former Vice-Chairman and Director of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons (ABNS) and has had appointments on several committees within the AANS, American College of Surgeons, and the National Quality Forum. He also serves as Chair of the Neurosurgical Quality Committee in Washington, DC. His primary interest in healthcare policy is in maximizing patient policy and improving access to appropriate care for patients.
Kathleen H. Hong, MD - Morristown, NJ
Jamie L. Morris, MD - Morristown, NJ
Marcy F. Maguire, MD - West Orange, NJ
Reproductive Medicine Associates
60 Columbia Rd. Suite 140, Building B, Morristown, NJ 07960 475 Prospect Ave., Suite 101, West Orange, NJ 07052 rmanetwork.com | 866.762.3140
AT REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES (RMA), every success story begins with a shared commitment to science, compassion, and innovation. For over two decades, RMA has helped bring dreams to life through cutting-edge fertility treatments and individualized care—all designed to create a healthier future for families around the world.
Patients at RMA experience a supportive, inclusive environment where world-class fertility care is guided by renowned specialists who combine clinical expertise with personalized attention at every step of the journey. This dedication to excellence has earned RMA a reputation as a global leader in reproductive medicine and has led to multiple physicians being recognized as Top Doctors in their field.
With several state-of-the-art IVF centers throughout New Jersey, RMA continues to set the standard for fertility outcomes through evidencebased medicine and groundbreaking research. As part of IVI RMA North America, the practice belongs to one of the world’s largest and most
respected fertility networks. Collectively, the organization operates 23 world-class IVF laboratories and has helped bring more than 220,000 babies into loving families.
RMA’s comprehensive services include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Ovulation Induction, Genetic Testing (PGT-A), Fertility Preservation, and options for Donor Egg, Sperm, and Embryo treatments. The team’s pioneering research has advanced the field, including innovations such as preimplantation genetic testing and single embryo transfer, both of which have significantly improved the safety and success rates of fertility treatments.
Beyond the science, RMA’s mission remains deeply personal: to help individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthood with empathy, expertise, and integrity. Every patient journey is unique, and every success reflects RMA’s unwavering belief that family is possible—no matter the challenges.
Zachary Mendelson, MD
Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey
16 S. Jefferson Rd., Whippany NJ 07981 | 973.325.3300 | lasikcenternj.com
a graduate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, has been in practice for four years and is already making a positive impact on the eye health of his many satisfied patients. “I’m a comprehensive ophthalmologist, covering a wide range of eye care,” he says, noting that he enjoys comprehensive ophthalmology because it allows him to care for patients with many different needs. “My practice includes cataract surgery, refractive surgery like LASIK and PRK, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, eyelid and periocular procedures, medical retina care, and advanced dry-eye treatments.”
Dr. Mendelson was drawn to medicine because he’s always loved learning and wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. “Ophthalmology felt like the perfect fit because the results are so tangible,” he says. “Vision impacts nearly every moment of our waking lives and when you help someone see clearly again, their quality of life improves instantly. That immediate, visible impact is incredibly rewarding.”
Procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery, for instance, can completely change someone’s daily experience. “Suddenly, they’re seeing better than they ever have, often without needing glasses,” says Dr. Mendelson. “Sharing that joy with them is the best part of what I do.”
Dr. Mendelson believes that trust and open communication are key to a great doctor-patient relationship. “Communication is everything,” he says, which is why he takes time to explain each patient’s diagnosis and treatment options, and to answer their questions and address any concerns.
“I’m very proud to be part of the Laser Vision Correction Center of New Jersey,” says Dr. Mendelson. “We’ve built our practice around patient satisfaction and cutting-edge technology. Every detail from your first phone call to your follow-up has been designed with your comfort and care in mind. Your vision truly matters to us.”
TOP DOCTORS ESSEX COUNTY’S 2025
ESSEX COUNTY IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT AND SOUGHT-AFTER PHYSICIANS IN THE COUNTRY.
To help you find the best of the best, across 48 specialties, Morris & Essex magazine commissioned Professional Research Services (PRS) of Troy, Michigan to conduct a peer-review survey of thousands of practicing and active physicians across the county. Doctors were asked to select peers whom they deem are the best within their practice areas and whom they would seek out for particular procedures.
All the final honorees were fact-checked with the State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification System. The highest vote getters within each specialty who are in good standing with the state are included here in the 2025 “Essex County’s Top Doctors” list.
While not every outstanding area doctor is listed in the 2025 “Essex County’s Top Doctors” list, we think you will find it to be a valuable resource in the future for all your physician needs.
ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
DAVID A. FOST, M.D.
Allergy Consultants, PA 197 Bloomfield Ave. Verona, NJ 07044
973-857-0330
SATYA NARISETY, M.D.
NJ Allergy M.D., LLC 622 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite G3 West Orange, NJ 07052 973-424-1300
ARTHUR J. TORRE, M.D.
Dr. Arthur J. Torre 25 Hollywood Ave. Fairfield, NJ 07004 973-882-0880
ANESTHESIOLOGY
ROBERT B. CIOLINO, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthDepartment of Anesthesiology 94 Old Short Hills Rd. Livingston, NJ 07039
973-322-5512
RICHARD A. MONTI, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthDepartment of Anesthesiology 94 Old Short Hills Rd. Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-5512
BREAST SURGERY
SARAH FUZESI, M.D., M.S.
Summit HealthBreast Care Center
375 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Floor 2, Suite 206A West Orange, NJ 07052
973-339-5540
CANCER SURGERY
M. MICHELE BLACKWOOD, M.D., FACS
RWJBarnabas HealthCenter for Breast Health & Disease Management
200 S. Orange Ave. Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-7020
CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
JOAQUIM J. CORREIA, M.D. Joaquim J. Correia, M.D. 243 Chestnut St., Suite 2L Newark, NJ 07105
973-589-8668
DAVID P. DOBESH, M.D.
New Jersey Cardiology Associates 375 Mount Pleasant Ave. Suite 102 West Orange, NJ 07052
973-731-9442
CARDIAC SURGERY
JESUS A. GOMEZ
ABRAHAM, M.D.
Newark Beth Israel Medical CenterNorthern Region Department of Cardio Thoracic Surgery 201 Lyons Ave., Suite G5 Newark, NJ 07112
973-926-6938
ARASH SALEMI, M.D., FACS
RWJBarnabas Health - Newark
Beth Israel Medical Center 201 Lyons Ave. Osborne Terrace, Suite G5 Newark, NJ 07112 973-926-6938
Amirata Surgical Associates 5 Franklin Ave., Suite 406 Belleville, NJ 07109 973-759-4499
GORDON LUTCHMAN, M.D.
Nirvana HealthcareNorth Ward Medical Arts 485-491 Mount Prospect Ave. Floor 1 Newark, NJ 07104
866-525-9018
HARVEY RAINVILLE, M.D., FACS, FASMBS
New York Bariatric Group 230 Sherman Ave., Floor 2 Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 973-750-0104
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
EMILY S. BAHLER, D.O.
RWJ Barnabas Health - Geriatric Health Center at SBMC
200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 12 Livingston, NJ 07039
973-322-7636
THERESA M. REDLING, D.O.
RWJ Barnabas Health - Geriatric Health Center at SBMC
200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 12 Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-7636
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
PATRICK S. ANDERSON, M.D.
South Orange GYN Oncology 120 Irvington Ave. South Orange, NJ 07079 973-762-7270
THAD R. DENEHY, M.D., FACOG, FACS Gynecologic Cancer and Pelvic Surgery, LLC 101 Old Short Hills Rd. Atkins-Kent Building, Suite 400 West Orange, NJ 07052 973-243-9300
HAND SURGERY
IRFAN H. AHMED, M.D.
Rutgers HealthAmbulatory Care Center 140 Bergen St. Newark, NJ 07103
973-972-9000
EVAN FISCHER, M.D.
Summit Health - Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
1 Seymour St., Floor 6 Montclair, NJ 07042
973-302-6025
MATTHEW H. ZORNITZER, M.D.
Summit Health - Orthopedics and Sports Medicine 1500 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange, NJ 07052 973-669-5600
RWJBarnabas Health - Medical Oncology Associates 94 Old Short Hills Rd. Floor 2, East Wing Livingston, NJ 07932 844-226-2376
SARI H. JACOBY, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthNewark Beth Israel
Cohen Cancer Center 201 Lyons Ave., Suite E2 Newark, NJ 07112
973-926-7230
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
CHRISTIAN A. ENGELL, M.D.
RWJBarnabas Health - Newark
Beth Israel Medical Center 201 Lyons Ave. Osborne Terrace, Infectious Disease Newark, NJ 07112 973-926-5212
WANDA FIGUEROA, M.D.
Ryan White Specialty Care Clinic 110 William St. Newark, NJ 07102 973-733-5300
VINIT K. GUPTA, M.D.
Vinit Gupta, M.D. 388 Pompton Ave., Suite 4 Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 973-866-5070
THERESA SOROKO, M.D.
Essex County Infectious Disease, PC 199 Broad St., Suite 2A Bloomfield, NJ 07003 973-748-4583
CHRISTOPHER L.
VINNARD, M.D.
Rutgers HealthAmbulatory Care Center 140 Bergen St. Newark, NJ 07103 973-972-9000
INTERNAL MEDICINE
DONNA J. ADAMOLI, M.D.
Summit HealthInternal Medicine 75 E. Northfield Rd., Floor 2 Livingston, NJ 07039 973-436-1460
JAMES A. ROMMER, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthJames Rommer, M.D. 200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 203 Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-7977
ALEXANDRE SHEHATA, M.D.
Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical GroupPrimary Care 622 Franklin Ave. Nutley, NJ 07110 973-661-1900
MATERNAL AND FETAL MEDICINE
MARGARET DZIADOSZ, M.D., FACOG New Jersey Perinatal Associates
94 Old Short Hills Rd. Suite 402, East Wing Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-5287
MARTIN L. GIMOVSKY, M.D. RWJBarnabas Health - Newark Beth Israel Medical Center 201 Lyons Ave. Osborne Terrace, OB/GYN, Suite C9 Newark, NJ 07112 973-926-5508
KATHY C. MATTHEWS, M.D., FACOG New Jersey Perinatal
Associates
94 Old Short Hills Rd. Suite 402, East Wing Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-5287
RICHARD C. MILLER, M.D., FACOG New Jersey Perinatal
Associates
94 Old Short Hills Rd. Suite 402, East Wing Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-5287
Eye Institute of Essex 5 Franklin Ave., Suite 209 Belleville, NJ 07109
973-751-6060
LARRY P. FROHMAN, M.D.
Rutgers HealthDoctors Office Center (DOC)
90 Bergen St. Newark, NJ 07103
973-972-2065
PATRICK M. HIGGINS, M.D.
Retina Center of New Jersey, LLC
1255 Broad St., Suite 104 Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-707-5632
PAUL D. LANGER, M.D., FACS
The Institute of Ophthalmology - Rutgers New Jersey
Medical School
90 Bergen St., Floor 6 DOC Newark, NJ 07103
973-972-2065
ANDREW MILLER, M.D.
Associates in Ophthalmology 22 Old Short Hills Rd., Suite 102 Livingston, NJ 07039
973-992-5200
ROGER E. TURBIN, M.D.
Rutgers HealthDoctors Office Center (DOC) 90 Bergen St. Newark, NJ 07103
973-972-2065
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY PRAVEEN
KADIMCHERLA, M.D.
Atlantic Spine Center
475 Prospect Ave., Suite 110 West Orange, NJ 07052
877-727-6272
MICHAEL SEIDENSTEIN, M.D.
Michael K. Seidenstein, M.D., PA 345 Main St. West Orange, NJ 07052
973-736-8080
PAIN MEDICINE
DAVID CONYACK, M.D.
The Livingston Surgery Center
200 S. Orange Ave. Livingston, NJ 07039
973-577-4056
SHAILENDRA HAJELA, M.D.
Jersey Rehab 15 Newark Ave. Belleville, NJ 07109
973-844-9220
URI NAPCHAN, M.D.
Brain Wellness M.D.
22 Old Short Hills Rd., Suite 106 Livingston, NJ 07039
973-400-9040
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
JOHN FERNANDES, M.D., FACC
John Fernandes, M.D., FACC
101 Old Short Hills Rd., Suite 405 West Orange, NJ 07052
973-533-1031
PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY
MARIA ISABEL ROBERTI, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthChildren’s Kidney Center 101 Old Short Hills Rd., Suite 505 West Orange, NJ 07052
973-322-6767
SHEFALI VYAS, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthChildren’s Kidney Center 101 Old Short Hills Rd., Suite 505 West Orange, NJ 07052
973-322-6767
PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGERY
LUIGI BASSANI, M.D.
Neurosurgeons of New Jersey
200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 265 Livingston, NJ 07039
973-577-2888
PEDIATRIC SURGERY
COLIN BETHEL, M.D.
St. Joseph’s HealthPediatric Surgery 123 Highland Ave., Suite 302 Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-313-3115
PEDIATRICS (GENERAL)
YIE-HSIEN CHU, M.D.
Healthy Kids Pediatrics 675 Franklin Ave. Nutley, NJ 07110 844-437-5455
JOHN KINTIROGLOU, M.D.
Kintiroglou Pediatrics 745 Northfield Ave., Suite 7 West Orange, NJ 07052 973-243-0002
JOSHUA ROSENBLATT, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthPediatric Health Center 166 Lyons Ave., Floor 1 Newark, NJ 07112
973-926-7282
PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
ARLINE EDMOND, M.D.
Rutgers HealthDoctors Office Center (DOC) 90 Bergen St. Newark, NJ 07103
973-972-2800
PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
VALERIE J. ABLAZA, M.D.
Plastic Surgery Group of New Jersey 37 N. Fullerton Ave. Montclair, NJ 07042
973-233-1933
CHARBEL CHALFOUN, M.D.
East Coast Advanced Plastic Surgery 33 N. Fullerton Ave. Montclair, NJ 07042 201-449-1000
BARRY S. CITRON, M.D., FACS
Citron & Citron 101 Old Short Hills Rd., Suite 503 West Orange, NJ 07052 973-243-2300
BARRY E. DIBERNARDO, M.D.
New Jersey Plastic Surgery 29 Park St. Montclair, NJ 07042 973-397-5190
SEAN HERMAN, M.D., FACS
The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction 1 Bay Ave., Suite 4 Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 855-980-6981
ALLEN D. ROSEN, M.D.
Plastic Surgery Group of New Jersey 37 N. Fullerton Ave. Montclair, NJ 07042 973-233-1933
PODIATRY
VINCENT COPPOLA, D.P.M.
Nutley Foot & Ankle 242 Washington Ave., Suite A Nutley, NJ 07110 973-667-3412
PSYCHIATRY
CECILIA FLESER, M.D.
East Orange VA Medical Center 385 Tremont Ave. East Orange, NJ 07018 973-676-1000
ROBERT M. GREENBERG, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthAmbulatory Care Center 200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 203 Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-0220
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
ALISON GRANN, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthThe Cancer Center 94 Old Short Hills Rd. Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-5630
BRETT ERIC LEWIS, M.D.
Hackensack Meridian HealthJohn Theurer Cancer Center 1 Bay Ave. Montclair, NJ 07042 973-429-6060
DOLLY RAZDAN, M.D.
RWJBarnabas Health - Clara Maass Medical Center 1 Clara Maass Dr. Belleville, NJ 07109 973-450-2030
RAQUEL T. WAGMAN, M.D.
RWJBarnabas HealthRadiation Oncology 94 Old Short Hills Rd. Radiology Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-5630
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY / INFERTILITY
NATALIE A. CEKLENIAK, M.D. Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science (IRMS) 94 Old Short Hills Rd. Suite 403E, East Wing Livingston, NJ 07039 973-548-9900
SERENA H. CHEN, M.D. Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science (IRMS) 94 Old Short Hills Rd. Suite 403E, East Wing Livingston, NJ 07039 973-548-9900
MARCY F. MAGUIRE, M.D. Reproductive Medicine Associates 475 Prospect Ave., Suite 101 West Orange, NJ 07052 973-325-2229
RHEUMATOLOGY
ELIZABETH C. CHALOM, M.D. RWJBarnabas HealthThe Pediatric Specialty Center at Saint Barnabas 375 Mount Pleasant Ave. Suite 105 West Orange, NJ 07052 973-322-6900
JILL M. RITTER, M.D. RWJBarnabas Health - Arthritis and Rheumatology of Essex 200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 107 Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-0234
SPORTS MEDICINE
MICHAEL KELLY, D.O. ProCare Medical Associates, LLC 776 Northfield Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052 973-736-1939
THORACIC SURGERY
ARASH SALEMI, M.D. RWJBarnabas Health - Newark Beth Israel Medical Center 201 Lyons Ave. Osborne Terrace, Suite G5 Newark, NJ 07112 973-926-6938
UROLOGY
RAHULDEV S. BHALLA, M.D. RWJBarnabas HealthRahuldev Bhalla, M.D. 200 S. Orange Ave. West Wing, Suite 228 Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-0133
MICHAEL D. LASALLE, M.D. RWJ Barnabas HealthUrology Department 200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 228 Livingston, NJ 07039 973-322-0133
VASCULAR / INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
PETER L. SMITH, M.D. USA Vein Clinics - Orange 272 Main St. Orange, NJ 07050 862-212-1084
Margaret Dziadosz, MD, FACOG
Kathy C. Matthews, MD, FACOG
Richard C. Miller, MD, FACOG
Linda Pelaez, MD, FACOG
Leon G. Smith, JR., MD, FACOG
Edward J. Wolf, MD, FACOG
New Jersey Perinatal Associates
94 Old Short Hills Road, Suite 402, East Wing, Livingston, NJ 07039 | 973.322.5287
8 Mountain Boulevard, Suite A, Warren, NJ 07059 | 908.668.9400
560 Springfield Avenue, Suite 102, Westfield, NJ 07090 | 973.322.5287
650 From Road, Suite 160, Paramus, NJ 07652 | 972.322.5287
299 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 103, Parsippany, NJ 07054 | 973.322.5287 | www.njperinatal.com
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF PREGNANCY THROUGH LABOR AND DELIVERY, New Jersey Perinatal Associates (NJPA) provides high-risk pregnancy care for women and families throughout New Jersey. “Our goal is to guide every patient safely through pregnancy, no matter how complex,” says Edward J. Wolf, MD. The team of maternal-fetal medicine specialists combines compassionate, patient-centered care with industry-leading diagnostic technology to ensure the best possible outcomes for mothers and babies. Their commitment extends beyond medical expertise offering reassurance, education and support every step of the way.
At NJPA, pregnancy care focuses on three areas: ensuring the baby’s wellbeing, optimizing outcomes when the mother has a medical condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes or lupus, and providing specialized attention for complications like preeclampsia. “We work closely with each patient’s OB/GYN because a patient shouldn’t have to be the messenger between specialists,” notes Margaret Dziadosz, MD. “It is essential that everyone involved is well informed and the patient never feels alone in her care.”
The practice is distinguished by its hands-on practical approach. “We’re not just reading radiology reports,” explains Kathy C. Matthews, MD. “We’re directly involved in seeing every patient, reviewing ultrasounds and adjusting the plan in real time.” Richard C. Miller, MD adds, “We rely on evidence-based medicine to determine the safest and most effective path for every pregnancy.”
“Advances in perinatal medicine allow us to identify and manage complications before they become critical,” says Linda Pelaez, MD. With one of the largest multidisciplinary counseling teams in the state, the perinatologists work closely with perinatal nurses, genetic counselors and expert ultrasound sonographers. “Our philosophy is collaboration between the patient, her OB/GYN and our team in support of coordinated decision making and a unified approach to managing each patient’s maternal and fetal health,” says Leon G. Smith, Jr., MD. “That partnership is what ensures healthy mothers and healthy babies.”
John Kintiroglou, MD, FAAP
Lisa Pivawer, DO, FAAP
Elina Nachevnik, MD, FAAP
Kintiroglou Pediatrics
745 Northfield Avenue, Suite 7, West Orange, NJ 07052 | 973.243.0002
7 James Street, Florham Park, NJ 07932 | 973.295.6226
33 Main Street, Suite 200, Chatham, NJ 07928 | 973.507.9663
KINTIROGLOU PEDIATRICS WAS FOUNDED BY CONSTANTINOS KINTIROGLOU, MD, FAAP, IN 1981. Since then, the practice has grown to four New Jersey office locations with 11 providers—and scores of loyal patients.
According to Dr. Kintiroglou, who joined his father’s practice in 2000 and is known as “Dr. John” to his patients, Kintiroglou Pediatrics is still a familyrun practice at its core. “As such, we strive to form close relationships with the families and children we take care of while providing the highest quality pediatric care,” he says.
Kintiroglou Pediatrics provides a wide array of pediatric services including well child visits, sick child visits, and telehealth. In addition, the practice offers ADHD/ADD evaluations, asthma care, behavioral health evaluations, and convenient day and evening hours to accommodate busy parents.
Going the extra mile for patients and families is par for the course at Kintiroglou Pediatrics, which is why parents continue to bring their children back, with many coming throughout their teen years. “The most rewarding part of my work is getting to watch my patients grow up,” says Dr. Pivawer (“Dr. Lisa”). “It’s a joy to see children I cared for as newborns come back years later as confident, healthy teens.”
Uri Napchan, MD
Brain Wellness MD
22 Old Short Hills Road, Suite 106, Livingston, NJ 07039 973.400.9040 | brainwellnessmd.com
DR. URI NAPCHAN IS A BOARDCERTIFIED NEUROLOGIST and the Founder and Medical Director of Brain Wellness MD, a neurology practice offering in-person and telemedicine consultations. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Napchan specializes in headache medicine, the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, general and concierge preventive neurology.
A highly respected leader in his field, Dr. Napchan integrates the latest advances in migraine therapies and anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, combining cutting-edge medical expertise with a strong commitment to personalized care. The philosophy at Brain Wellness MD centers on attentive listening, proactive prevention, and the promotion of long-term brain health. Dr. Napchan is inspired by the rapid innovations in neurology that are transforming care for patients with headaches, cognitive decline, and dementia.
ON THE TOWN
Where To Eat
Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Morris and Essex counties are home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.
BELLEVILLE
Solar Do Minho
15 Cleveland St. 973.844.0500 solardominhobelleville. com
Topaz Thai
137 Washington Ave. 973.759.7425 topazthainj.com
BLOOMFIELD
Bella Napoli
1640 Broad St. 973.338.8500 bellanapolinj.com
Binh Duong
61 Belleville Ave. 973.680.8440
Bloomfield Steak & Seafood House
409 Franklin St. 973.680.4500 eatbeefgethooked.com
Stamna 1055 Broad St. 973.338.5151 stamnataverna.com
A top-performing Realtor based in East Hanover, New Jersey, Gloria La Forgia turned a casual interest in house hunting into a thriving real estate career. Starting part-time at Weichert’s Rental Division, she quickly discovered her talent for selling homes and has since earned the Circle of Excellence, Five Star, Distinguished Sales, and Morris County Elite Awards—ranking among the top 1% of Weichert Realtors nationwide. Known for achieving record-breaking sales and maximizing results for clients, Gloria combines strategic marketing expertise with an unwavering commitment to excellence, earning respect from colleagues and clients alike throughout her successful, award-winning career.
Tremain L. Stanley
Chair & Practice Group Leader, Family Law Group, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Highly respected in her field, Tremain is a trusted litigator and mediator with more than 25 years of experience handling family and matrimonial disputes. Her clients rely on her counseling on a variety of family law and related matters including pre-marital agreements, divorce, adoptions, custody, domestic violence concerns and enforcement of divorce judgments and appeals.
Tremain is the Co-Founder and Director of the North Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Divorce Professionals, which brings together professionals in the legal, financial, mental health and residential industries for monthly programs aimed at positively impacting the divorce process.
Since
Sandra has dedicated her legal career to the thoughtful and diligent representation of clients in divorce matters. She uses her experience to show clients that the divorce process does not have to be frightening or frustrating. With both an extensive knowledge of the law and the process to guide her clients, Sandra employs those tools to reduce the emotional distress that may accompany the experience. Sandra knows that every family’s situation is unique and works with clients to find appropriate solutions to fit their needs.
Lazor Rantas, PC
Divorce & Family Law Attorneys
20 South St., Third Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960 973.755.2250 | www.lazorrantas.com
Lazor Rantas, PC – Advocates for Resolution and Renewal in Family Law. With nearly 40 years of combined legal experience, attorneys Jennifer Lazor and Erin Rantas of Lazor Rantas, PC bring big law expertise to their boutique family law practice in Morristown, New Jersey. Dedicated exclusively to family law matters, the firm provides thoughtful, results-driven counsel to individuals navigating emotionally charged issues such as divorce, custody, asset division, and support.
Clients turn to Lazor Rantas, PC during some of life’s most difficult transitions. The firm’s attorneys focus on helping clients move past the emotional weight of family disputes and toward practical, lasting resolutions. Whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation, Jennifer Lazor and Erin Rantas tailor their approach to meet each client’s specific needs and goals.
The firm is known for handling both complex and straightforward cases with equal diligence. From high-net-worth divorces to sensitive custody matters, no two cases are alike—nor should they be treated as such. Lazor Rantas, PC emphasizes a personalized legal strategy, believing that a one-size-fits-all solution has no place in family law.
Beth G. Baldinger, Esq.
Mazie
Slater Katz & Freeman, LLC
103 Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland, New Jersey 07068 973-228-9898 | www.mazieslater.com
The call comes unexpectedly. A medical error. A devastating injury. A loved one lost. Suddenly, you’re navigating a world you never imagined, facing an uncertain future.
Beth Baldinger understands that in these moments, you need more than just a skilled trial attorney. You need someone who will fight tenaciously for justice while helping you navigate what comes next.
As a partner at Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman in Roseland, she represents victims of medical and psychiatric malpractice, police misconduct, civil rights violations, defective products, inadequate security, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
Named by Forbes as one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers and to America’s Best-InState Lawyers, Beth brings extensive trial experience and a proven track record of securing significant results, including a $10 million settlement, the largest for police brutality in New Jersey history. But what sets Beth apart is her commitment to being fully involved throughout your journey. She’s proactive and dedicated to ensuring clients are supported during one of the most difficult chapters of your life.
When you’re facing the unthinkable, you deserve an advocate who stands with you every step of the way.
HAPPENINGS
Be There
The holiday season is in full swing here in Morris and Essex with festive shows, spectacular historical houses, seasonal markets and much more.
DEC. 12–14
Pick up something for everyone on your list in Morristown at one of the best holiday craft markets in the state.
HOLIDAY CRAFT MORRISTOWN is back for another year, bringing over 174 craft artisans from all over the country for you to browse. Check out original fashions and jewelry, ceramics, fine art and more, plus gourmet food and beverages. The fun starts at 4 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, and morristourism.org.
THROUGH DEC. 21
Take the kids to The Growing Stage in Netcong and see RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER live! An adaptation of the beloved 1964 TV special, this show is filled with all your favorite characters—Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph himself. Sing along to holiday favorites and learn the timeless lesson: What makes you different also makes you special. Multiple seatings are available. For tickets, visit growingstage.com.
DEC.
13
DEC. 20
Head over to Morristown’s Morris Museum and listen to THE WATER GAP JAZZ ORCHESTRA as they play through Duke Ellington’s iconic “Nutcracker Suite” in addition to its own “Grinch Suite.”
Not only does this 17-piece band include some of the top musicians in the area, but it also will be joined by Nancy Reed on vocals and Duke Ellington’s grandson, Edward Ellington II, as narrator. There will be two shows, one at 3 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found at morrismuseum.org.
DEC. 31
Lace your sneakers, bundle up and look forward to something sweet at the MORRIS HOT COCOA 5K AND 10K in Parsippany-Troy Hills. Run this scenic course and at the finish line, you’ll be rewarded with delicious bundt cakes and a warm cup of cocoa. It’s also for a great cause: This race supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Everything starts at 10 a.m. For registration and more information, see runsignup.com.
Dance your way into 2026 with The Folk Project, which presents A SWINGIN’ TERN NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE in Chatham. The night includes a potluck dinner and dessert spread (so bring your best treat!), great live music, contra dancing, a midnight toast and fantastic vibes. Everything kicks off at 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, see folkproject.org.
see Frelinghuysen mansion done up in its the annual FESTIVAL
See festive Christmas decorated by scout artistic families, floral and garden clubs, all and twinkling inside 134-year-old historic building. The festival opens a.m. each day. For tickets, registration and more information, visit morrisparks.net.
DEC. 20
Montclair History Center opens up the 229-yearold Crane House for the ever-popular WINTER WONDERLAND OPEN HOUSE The Garden Club of Montclair decks out the house in festive period decorations and the past comes to life. Enjoy a self-guided tour at your own pace, cozy up by the hearth and discover the rich history of holiday food traditions. Doors open at noon. For more information, check out montclairhistory.org.
DEC. 14
Want even more historic charm and holiday cheer? Maplewood’s Durand-Hedden House & Garden hosts its OPEN HOUSE AND GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST Take part in this annual tradition and see spectacular gingerbread houses made by amateurs and professionals alike, plus a Victorian Santa, music and shopping in the house’s charming country store. The fun begins at 1 p.m., and more information can be found at durandhedden.org.
DEC. 15
DEC. 18
DEC. 16
Celebrate the Festival of Lights in Verona with a MENORAH LIGHTING In front of Verona Town Hall, town officials and the community will gather to celebrate Hanukkah and light the first candle on the outdoor menorah. This event is free and begins at 6 p.m. For details, see veronanj.org.
For a different kind of holiday celebration, check out Newark’s New Jersey Performing Arts Center where you can see a special screening of NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, including a live conversation with “Clark Griswold” himself. Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni will stop by to share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the making of the movie and take audience questions. The movie starts at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, head over to njpac.org.
DEC. 27
Learn how to make your shoes truly unique at the Newark Museum of Art’s hands-on FRESH KICKS: UPCYCLE YOUR SNEAKERS WORKSHOP Led by style and maximalist expert Libre’ Ojeda, known for her work with luxury brands such as Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, you’ll learn how to personalize your sneakers with creative flair in the style of artist Aminah Robinson. own sneakers; all other materials provided. For registration and more information, check out
Grab the grandkids and stop by NUTLEY’S CHRISTMAS COOKIE DECORATING with Grandma & Grandpa (and Santa too!). The intended for Nutley residents, will include cookie decorating, light refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus. This is a perfect opportunity photos, family bonding and lots of laughs. The fun starts at 6 p.m. details can be found at nutleynj.org.
Gatherings
Morris and Essex residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors.
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1. NORTHERN NEW JERSEY CHAPTER OF WOMEN’S CONNECTION
The Northern New Jersey Chapter of Women’s Connection celebrated the 25th anniversary of the nonprofit women’s group at Nanina’s In the Park in Belleville. Guests enjoyed a festive and educational brunch.
2–3. MEND
MEND, a hunger relief network in Essex County, held its annual Green Bean Gala at the Maplewood Country Club. This year’s event raised more than $385,000 in support of healthy hunger relief efforts in the community.
4–5. MONTCLAIR FILM FESTIVAL
The 14th annual Montclair Film Festival kicked off with a screening of Jay Kelly, directed by Oscar Award winner Noah Baumbach. The festival was eight days of incredible films, panels, parties and conversations.
6. NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
NJPAC and the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine presented Creating Healthy Communities Convening. The program promoted connections and collaboration through the arts.
7. WYNONA’S HOUSE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER
Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center secured $575,000 in restored state funding. The funds will support the group’s advocacy and support programs for children and families in need across Essex County.
8–9. WEST MORRIS AREA YMCA
West Morris Area YMCA in Randolph held its third annual golf outing at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club. Staff, volunteers and golfers enjoyed a great day on the course to support the YMCA’s programs.
Joseph M. DalBon, DMD, MAGD, FALD
New Jersey Center For Laser And Cosmetic Dentistry
1019 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 1A & 1B
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
973.244.2424 | NJLCD.com
Founded in 1998 by Dr. Joseph DalBon, The New Jersey Center for Laser and Cosmetic Dentistry (NJLCD) blends the warmth of small-town care with the precision of modern technology. A proud West Caldwell native, Dr. DalBon has spent over 25 years building lasting relationships with families who appreciate his genuine, patient-first approach. From greeting patients by name to treating generations under one roof, NJLCD embodies the trust and comfort of a true hometown dental practice.
While deeply rooted in the community, NJLCD stands at the forefront of dental innovation. The practice features digital X-rays that reduce radiation by up to 90%, laser dentistry for gentle, anesthesia-free procedures, and advanced 3D scanners for precise digital impressions and customized smile design. NJLCD also offers effective treatments for sleep apnea and snoring using oral appliances, as well as Invisalign® clear aligners for confident, wire-free smiles. Dedicated to continuous improvement, Dr. DalBon and his team pursue ongoing education and invest in emerging technologies to deliver the highest standard of care. At NJLCD, patients enjoy the best of both worlds—state-of-the-art dentistry delivered with the personal touch of a trusted neighbor.
Meeta Grewal, DDS
Canoe Brook
Pediatric Dentistry
301 South Livingston Ave., #104, Livingston, NJ 07039
973.577.7716
canoebrookpediatricdentistry.com
Dr. Meeta Grewal is the founder of Canoe Brook Pediatric Dentistry, a modern, prevention-focused practice serving children of all ages. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Grewal is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. She serves as Director at the NYU Langone pediatric residency program and frequently speaks at dental conferences nationwide. Her practice combines cutting-edge technology with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, making dental visits engaging and educational. Known for personalized care, a compassionate team, and convenient weekend hours, Canoe Brook emphasizes long-term oral health through prevention.
As a local Essex County mom, Dr. Grewal understands the needs of families and is deeply trust-ed by the community. Her mission is to help every child feel confident about their smile in a calm, supportive environment.
Caryn Miller, D.M.D.
Caryn Miller, DMD, LLC Specialty # 3529
300 Main St., Chatham, NJ 07928 973.635.4960 drmillerperio.com
Dr. Caryn Miller, a Board Certified Periodontist, has been in practice for over 25 years. She works with an exceptional staff to build relationships with both dentists and patients in a caring, relaxed atmosphere.
Dr. Miller utilizes the latest technology that allows regrowth of bone and gum tissues. Office procedures include implant surgery, gum grafting, cosmetic procedures, and preventive treatment for gum disease. She is the director of Periodontics at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and Overlook Hospital Residency programs.
“My family has been getting our Christmas trees from Hidden Pond Tree Farm in Mendham for a few years. Initially, we picked the farm because we wanted to cut down our own tree. This year the kids insisted on a pre-cut Fraser. They were so proud of the tree they picked. Later, we roasted marshmallows around the campfires the farm provides, and the kids got it all over themselves. But the mess is part of the memory.”
—Amanda Mantes, Madison
GYN Cancer and Pelvic Surgery: Compassionate Care for Women’s Health
At GYN Cancer and Pelvic Surgery, LLC, women receive expert, compassionate care for gynecologic cancers and complex pelvic conditions. Led by Dr. Thad Denehy and Dr. Brooke Meelheim, the practice provides personalized treatment focused on comfort, healing, and hope.
The team specializes in caring for women with cancers of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, as well as rare conditions such as gestational trophoblastic (molar) disease. They also help women manage abnormal Pap smears and precancerous conditions through gentle, precise procedures like colposcopy, while offering consultations for hereditary gynecologic cancer syndromes.
Whenever possible, Dr. Denehy and Dr. Meelheim perform minimally invasive surgeries using advanced
Gynecologic Cancer and Pelvic Surgery, LLC
101 Old Short Hills Rd., Suite 400, West Orange, NJ 07052
973.243.9300 | www.njgyncancer.com
TOP DOCTORS ESSEX COUNTY’S 2025
laparoscopic and Da Vinci™ robotic techniques. These state-of-the-art methods allow for smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery, and a quicker return to normal life—all without compromising the quality of care.
Recognized as a regional referral center for both gynecologic cancer and reconstructive pelvic surgery, the practice welcomes patients from across New Jersey and the tri-state area. With decades of combined experience and a reputation for excellence, Dr. Denehy and Dr. Meelheim are dedicated to providing women with the highest level of surgical skill, compassion, and support.
At GYN Cancer and Pelvic Surgery, every woman is treated with dignity, understanding, and the reassurance that she’s in the hands of experts devoted to her health and recovery.
Left to right: Deborah Greengrass, APN, Thad R. Denehy, MD, Brooke Meelheim, DO, Marisa Buonanno Hamrah, APN
