Mountain Lakes May 2026

Mountain Lakes & BOONTON TOWNSHIP

BEAUTY IN BLOOM

THE WILDFLOWER TRAIL  PURRFECTLY CAFFEINATED  CATFIGHT COFFEE

The Flynn Field

Makeover HONORING COACH TIM FLYNN

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

MA MONTH OF JOY

MAY IS FINALLY here, and with it, the sun, fun, and excitement of a wonderful summer ahead.

This month, we introduce our new editor, Lisa Kintish. Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township. And in her first feature as editor, she takes us inside the natural oasis that is the Wildflower Trail.

Maintained by volunteers and nature enthusiasts, the Wildflower Trail is one of the best gems in the state. You’ll feel like

you can smell the flowers with Lisa’s crip storytelling and stunning photography by Antonietta Henry, but make sure to visit the garden in person to get the true experience.

While you’re at it, take a trip to the newly unveiled Flynn Field, named after beloved lacrosse coach Tim Flynn. The field embodies everything we love about high school sports—the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and competition—that coach Flynn nurtured for years before his retirement. As you soak up the last few weeks of spring before summer officially kicks off, take a moment to stop, smell the flowers (literally!), and sit in the joy that arrives with May. We know we will be.

Warmly,

Mary Lima Publisher

Mountain

Lakes

& BOONTON TOWNSHIP MAGAZINE

Publisher Mary Lima mary.lima@wainscotmedia.com 917-969-0924

Editor Lisa Kintish

Writers Antonietta Henry Rich Luttenberger

Photographer Antonietta Henry

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO Mark Dowden

SVP, Regional Magazines

Thomas Flannery thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com 201-571-2252

Regional Publisher Jodi Bruker

VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan

Creative Director Kijoo Kim

Art Director Rosemary O’Connell

Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director Catherine Rosario

Production Designer Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

Mountain Lakes + Boonton Township magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

DISCOVER EXCEPTIONAL LIVING

Mountain Lakes & Boonton Township’s Premier Properties

18 Ball Road | Mountain Lakes | Now Showing

Set in one of Mountain Lakes’ most desirable locations, this beautifully maintained home offers timeless appeal and modern comfort. With thoughtfully designed interiors and inviting living spaces, this property is ideal for both everyday living and entertaining.

Enjoy the charm of Mountain Lakes living with close proximity to top-rated schools, scenic lakes, and a vibrant community atmosphere. A rare opportunity to own in this sought-after neighborhood.

Coming Soon

6 Wildlife Run | Boonton Township | Now Showing

Nestled on over 2 private acres in the prestigious Hawk Hill community, this stunning residence offers a rare blend of sophistication and tranquility. Featuring 4 bedrooms and 7 baths, the home is thoughtfully designed with beautifully scaled living spaces, custom millwork, and four fireplaces throughout.

A gracious foyer welcomes you into a home that seamlessly balances everyday living with elegant entertaining. Highlights include a chef’s kitchen, formal dining room, music room, and multiple indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. The expansive lower level offers incredible flexibility—ideal for an in-law suite, recreation, or extended living.

Step outside to experience two private patios and serene, wooded surroundings—perfect for both quiet moments and entertaining.

95 Kingsland Road | Boonton Township

An exceptional opportunity to own a true lifestyle property in Boonton Township. This unique offering is designed for elevated everyday living and unforgettable entertaining. Featuring a resort-style pool with a stunning waterfall, a dedicated pool house, and a barn, the property delivers a rare combination of luxury and versatility. Whether you’re envisioning a private retreat, hobby space, or the ultimate staycation setting, this home offers endless possibilities.

SO MUCH TO DO!

BY LISA KINTISH

THE FLOWERS are blooming, and the birds are singing! It won’t be long before spring turns to summer. These are the days to enjoy.

THE FESTIVAL OF COLOR!

Holi, often called the “Festival of Colors,” is a vibrant and joyful Hindu festival that marks spring’s arrival. Join the Mountain Lakes Public Library on May 8 at 3:30 p.m. (rain date is May 15,) in a traditional celebration, throwing colorful Holi powder.

For a $10 registration fee, you will be supplied with a child’s white T-shirt, goggles, and colored nontoxic cornstarch powder. This event is open to ages 10 and under.

For more information, visit mountainlakeslibrary.org.

Plant Sale

A May tradition returns on May 9, 8 a.m. to noon when the Rockaway Valley Garden Club holds its annual plant sale. They’ll be offering a large selection of native perennials from local gardens as well as deer resistant plants, hardy perennials, vegetable and herb seedlings and Mother’s Day teacups. It takes place rain or shine at Boonton United Methodist Church, 626 Lathrope Avenue, Boonton.

For more information, visit rockawayvalleygardenclub.org.

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Bring your child, two-and-a-half to five years old, to meet the staff and Child Care Directors at the Early Childhood Learning Center Preschool Open House at Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.

On May 16, 10 a.m. to noon., you can explore the classrooms and learn about the curriculum while your youngster engages in activities.

For more information, visit lakelandhillsymca.com

CELEBRATING THE TREES

The Mountain Lakes Public Library and the Shade Tree Commission invite the public to an Arbor Day Celebration on May 1 at 3:30 p.m. There will be activities, crafts, games, light refreshments and a sapling to take home. You can also enjoy the Wildwood Poster Contest.

For more information, visit mountainlakeslibrary.org.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

Take a break from the beach and barbecues to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country. The Mountain Lakes Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Service will be held on May 25. First, the parade, which starts at 10 a.m. in front of Wildwood Elementary School and ends at Memorial Park on Lake Drive. At this time, there will be a Remembrance Service, which is a solemn event.

Visit Catfight Coffee, a one-of-a-kind experience in creative brews on Boonton’s Main Street.

BY ANTONIETTA HENRY

“WE’RE NOT JUST a coffee shop,” says Catfight Coffee owner Acey Slade. Along with his lovely wife and fellow owner, Meiling, the coffee creatives pride themselves on high-quality beans in a unique venue. In 2024, the two opened their feline-themed, alternative-style store on the bustling Main Street of Boonton. Why cats?

“Cats embody who we are,” says Meiling. “Cats are tenacious, playful, independent, and curious,” she offers with a grin.

It all began in cosmetology school, Aveda Institute in New York, where Acey and Meiling shared their first chat over coffee. Acey, a career musician with a resume including The Misfits, Dope, Murderdolls, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, to name a few, and Meiling, a makeup artist, knew they were the perfect blend. As their music and makeup artist careers were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, they pursued selling quality coffee via e-commerce. When travel became possible after the pandemic, their first

trip was to coffee farms in Mexico. Their creative careers intertwine with the coffee business. “I treat each coffee or drink we release like an album or song,” says Acey. “I put equal value and heart into each shot of espresso or bag of coffee as I do with music. I love when I hand off a drink to someone, and they sip, then smile and nod. I just made them feel good with that drink, like when someone is moving to music.”

“We have a commitment to quality, and we want our customers to feel immersed in creativity, giving them a unique experience while they enjoy their coffee, a time to reset,” Meiling says. Mindful of providing customers with not just caffeine, but also bang for their dollar, Acey says, “I am keenly aware that someone could come to our shop and spend $15.00 easily. For some people, that’s one hour of their 40-hour work week, 1/40th of their pay! I have to make sure it’s worth it because I value that they came to us to spend that hour.”

SETTING THE VIBE

With the lively decor and punk rock feel, there is no shortage of eye-catching fun at Catfight Coffee. The wall display of funky merch will draw you in, ranging from coffee, pajamas, lunchboxes, mugs, hoodies, hats, and patches. Rather than a table number, a cat tarot card is given to patrons. You can look up at the marquee-style menu and order a Blackheart Activated Charcoal Coconut Latte or Cereal Killer Cold Brew and grab a coveted spot at one of the cozy front window booths, complete with red velvet drapes. The secret bookshelf door to the bathroom may fool you, and once inside, peek through the wall at the tiniest art gallery. Breathe in the scent of coffee from an aroma bubble added to your beverage, a true stand-out experience!

Keep your eyes peeled for fun seasonal menu items, like Meiling’s April Fools’ Day idea, a Ketchup and Mustard Latte with a corn dog! In reality, this was a red velvet cake pop and Ruby Chocolate Latte! Inspired by

plays on food from her native Taiwan, Meiling brings extra creativity to Catfight Coffee.

“Watching her navigate this business and how hard she has worked is amazing,” says Acey.

You can also sample the cat-themed coffee shop creations at farmers’ markets and flea markets. The company is introducing a trailer for such events this spring. In addition, Catfight Coffee supports many local charities and businesses through various events they host. The Food Drive for Luna Fair, Blind Date with a Book Night, Ghoul Group, Punk Rock Saves Lives Bone Marrow Registry Drive, and Stitch and Destroy are just a sampling.

Acey still performs as a musician, and Meiling loves to work as a makeup artist when able, but the focus for both is the coffee business. “Catfight is our baby, and it’s in the growing stages,” says Acey.

The couple loves being a part of the Boonton community. “With the events we do, we bring in a lot of out-of-town traffic, people who haven’t heard of Boonton,” says Acey. “Then they walk around and spend money at the other

businesses, it’s very rewarding. Between the used bookstore, record store, tattoo shops, alternative clothing and gift stores, restaurants…there are a lot of good coffee shops in town too.”

When the couple is not running their business, they enjoy spending time at home with their three cats, Tura, Vampey, and Frankenstein. They are passionate about supporting other coffee shops and small businesses and traveling to coffee farms. For this dynamic duo, it’s all coffee, all the time!

Visit Catfight Coffee at catfightcoffee.com and follow the links to their social media accounts/online merch shop! Located at 616 Main Street, Boonton. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sundays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Meow!

Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about the wonderful people and businesses of Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township!

The FLYNN FIELD Makeover

How the Mountain Lakes community came together to upgrade a field and honor a local icon.

BY RICH LUTTENBERGER

LLAST MONTH, the Mountain Lakes community honored the patriarch of the Lakers lacrosse family by dedicating a newly turfed field to longtime high school coach Tim Flynn.

The Flynn Field weekend celebration began Friday evening, April 24, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony after the high school lacrosse practice. Numerous Laker alumni were on hand along with distinguished members of the Board of Education, the school administration, and the community at large.

The festivities continued with Laker Lacrosse Saturday, which included a varsity lacrosse game on Wilkins Field with youth teams and alumni in attendance, as well as youth lacrosse games on Flynn Field. The schedule of events concluded with a gathering at Hapgood’s, a local favorite.

A LASTING LEGACY

The winningest coach in New Jersey history, Flynn is the first and only coach of the Mountain Lakes High School lacrosse team, taking the position when the program was created during the 1979–80 school year. His accomplishments are eye-popping: he entered this season with 759 career wins, most in the state, including 16 state championships, 14 Morris County championships, and a few dozen league titles, all with the Lakers.

However, despite this incredible success, if you ask Flynn to talk about his program, he will quickly deflect attention away from himself and instead focus on the Laker family. From the players to their families to his assistant coaches to the youth program, Flynn credits their collective efforts and the sense of community and alignment that is in place.

And that community and alignment

were on full display during the returfing of Flynn Field.

This particular tract of land was first cleared from the woods in the early 1980s because of the lack of available space for the high school and youth sports programs. Originally a grass surface, the practice field was a great addition, but it was not without its shortcomings.

As Flynn noted, it was somewhat rocky and rutted, and after the rain, the pitch was rather muddy. No wonder it was called “The Pit.”

For years, members of the community verbalized the need for a synthetic turf to be installed on the Pit, but nothing ever materialized because of the excessive cost.

However, the state of New Jersey offers funding through various grants to help projects like the one needed in Mountain Lakes. Luckily, former U.S. Senator George Helmy lives in the

Borough, and he had knowledge of specific grants that could help.

In a casual conversation in September 2024, Helmy shared information about a post-COVID outdoor space grant with current Mountain Lakes football coach Darrell Fusco. Since Wilkins Field at the high school was the only turf surface in town, the need for another synthetic field was significant, and this grant could provide the funding to make over the Pit.

Fusco and Mountain Lakes Alumni Association president Jamie Rodgers secured the grant from the state, and the project began.

According to Sara Forman, who is a Mountain Lakes Board of Education member, the chair of their facilities committee, and a lacrosse parent herself, the timeline was strict. If deadlines were not met, they would lose the grant.

Complicating matters was the fact that the school district did not own the land outright, as it was shared with the town. Superintendent Dr. Brad Siegel and the Board of Education met with the Borough to discuss the transfer of ownership, a legal process that needed to follow a specific protocol.

Current mayor Melissa Muilenburg, who was Deputy Mayor at the time and participated in those meetings, was very pleased with how quickly and smoothly the process played out.

“We knew the urgency. Before (the BOE) could do their part, they had to know that we would convey the land,” she says. “We wanted to support the project. It is an investment in the district, the Board of Education, and all of our kids.”

After the initial joint meetings between the Board of Ed and the Town Council, the Borough acted quickly, and it only took one month and three

additional meetings to legally convey the land to the district. Muilenburg remarks, “It was government at its best.”

After the transfer of land, the Mountain Lakes Lacrosse Association approached the Board of Education and asked to name the field after coach Flynn, a request that was well-received by Dr. Siegel and the Board.

“There are few people who invest in kids’ lives the way someone like Coach Flynn does,” says Forman.

That investment by Flynn has resulted in generations of success and brotherhood among his players.

“Tim has always preached family. It is one of the things that impresses me most,” says Mark Walters, who is the son of John Walters, the man who built the Mountain Lakes youth program in the 1970s. The younger Walters scored the first varsity goal in school history and is a longtime assistant to Flynn.

“It is always ‘we’, not ‘me’,” he says of

the coaching icon.

Part of that “we” includes Flynn’s wife, Betsy, who has been a pillar of support and a motherly figure from the start.

Betsy Flynn has cooked countless team dinners and made dozens of baby blankets for former players. She performed wedding ceremonies for Laker alumni and is the godmother of several of their children. “Without her, it all wouldn’t work the way it does,” the coach says about his wife.

A distinction leader and pillar of the community, Coach Flynn has been the heart of this lacrosse family for 46 years, and despite his humility, he does acknowledge this well-deserved recognition. “I can’t even begin to say what a humbling honor it is that the

Laker family recognized the Flynn family,” he admits.

But in true Tim Flynn character, he was quick to turn the attention back to others when talking about the field.

“My name is on it. But it is a family heirloom,” he says. And like any other heirloom, the field is being passed on to the Mountain Lakes community for all to enjoy.

Rich Luttenberger is a lifelong Morris County resident and a recently retired teacher from Morris Knolls High School. He is also a writer and occasional podcast host for the “Sons of Saturday,” a multimedia platform focused on Virginia Tech sports.

MORE WORK TO COME!

Additional funding is needed to complete the project. Upgrades not covered by the grant include a new scoreboard, bleachers, a paved walkway, a stone recognition wall, and a stairway reconstruction.

For more information/ to support the upgrades, contact Jamie Rodgers at support@ mountainlakesalumni.org.

Wildfower Trail BLOOMS

BY LISA KINTISH

MMARCH WINDS AND April showers bring forth May flowers,” is a familiar adage. Now that May is here, we’re certainly enjoying nature’s bounty. In Boonton Township, an excellent place to gaze upon the blooming landscape is at the Emilie K. Hammond Wildflower Trail at Tourne Park.

Enter through the gate, and it’s as if you stepped into a secret garden. The 2.2 acres boast over 200 wildflowers and shrubs. This month, look for rue anemone, Virginia bluebell, Eastern red columbine, Jack-in-the-pulpit, yellow marsh marigolds, violets, wild geranium, trillium, shinleaf pyrola, flowering wintergreen, mayapple, Solomon’s seal, False Solomon’s seal, wild ginger, pinxter azalea, and Mapleleaf viburnum.

Truth be told, the trail is beautiful throughout the year. It is lovingly

tended to by volunteers from the Rockaway Valley Garden Club, RVGC, who maintain it in conjunction with the Morris County Park Commission. Lee Gaitskill, RVGC member and co-chair of its Wildflower Trail Committee, rhapsodized the joys of the trail in every season.

“When you walk in the forest in the summer, you may think you are in a tropical rainforest with the lush green growth of ferns, skunk cabbage, fully leafed out trees and shrubs,” she notes. “On beastly hot days, the woods are always a few degrees cooler. If you are very observant, you may see wood frogs, toads, box turtles, or snakes. They are helping to maintain the forest, too.”

Gaitskill continues, “Autumn is the time of warm colors and masses of Aster and Goldenrod flowers filled

with nectar and pollen. They provide food for those overwintering insects that ensure next year’s pollinators and food for bird nestlings. Falling leaves provide protection for insects, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, and as the leaves break down, they provide the forest with nutrients. Winter is a living Ansel Adams image of blacks, greys, and whites interrupted occasionally by the greens of Christmas ferns and Rhododendrons.”

The RVGC volunteers are always busy recording species and blooming times, removing non-native invasive plant species, removing hazards from the paths, such as leaves and fallen branches, ensuring the deer fence hasn’t been breached by fallen trees or limbs, maintaining signage, and educating the public through tours and lectures.

65 HAPPY YEARS

This year marks a milestone: The trail is 65 years old. Hammond was a naturist who asked the park commission for some property to use as a preserve for local species. She selected the area in the Tourne because of its geographical diversity. There are wetlands, dry areas, severe slopes, and gentle slopes, allowing for many varieties of native plants.

The trail is a living classroom that teaches visitors the importance of native species and warns of the threat from invasive species. Take bird migration, for example. Migrating birds coordinate their migration with the blooming schedule of native plants, but if those plants are not available, the birds’ success is reduced.

Hemlock trees offer another example of how flora and fauna interact. Providing the correct environment for the growth of these trees along the streams improves trout fishing. Why? Because the Hemlocks shade the water, keeping it colder and allowing for more oxygen, which impacts the trout.

Gaitskill explains, “There are few places in New Jersey that are not choked out by a multitude of invasive non-native plant species. One of our major goals is to identify and remove all these invasive species, giving the native species unfettered space to proliferate.”

RVGC added extra protection by installing a deer fence in 1998, which encloses the entire Wildflower Trail.

“Although deer are native to New Jersey,” says Gaitskill, “their population has increased tenfold. Since the fence went up and the hungry deer were excluded, numerous tree and shrub seedlings have filled in the understory, and new species of forest floor plants have sprouted up.”

THE JOYS OF VOLUNTEERING

Becoming a volunteer doesn’t require formal botany education. General knowledge suffices.

“Involvement requires first and foremost the love of nature and with that a willingness to learn the secrets of our state forests’ flora and fauna,” Gaitskill says. “As a group, we meet weekly, weather permitting.”

A volunteer for over 30 years, Gaitskill enjoys maintaining the trail because, as she notes, “Each week the forest gifts us a new experience, a flower that was never there before, a large hole in a dead snag dug out by a resident pileated woodpecker, a weird mushroom that we need to identify. But the best part is

experiencing and sharing these wonderful gifts with friends.”

Her co-chair, Sue Salsberg, also a volunteer since the early 1990s, says, “I especially enjoy being with the RVGC members, maintaining the trail together. I love seeing the spring flowers emerging and enjoy giving tours so others can see the beautiful flowers.”

Additional thoughts were provided by David Landry. “Many casual visitors to the Wildflower Trail enjoy a brisk walk, not really noticing all the action at their feet,” he says. “I love the trail because tending it has taught me to slow down and really observe the week-to-week changes in the forest. It is most magical in

spring, when ephemeral wildflowers, some as small as your fingernail, suddenly emerge with intricate and colorful displays. The fragile petals may last only a few days, but then a different wildflower often blossoms just a few feet away. The tree leafing out signals the end of the too-brief ephemeral display, but then the hardier summer wildflowers begin to emerge.”

Andrea Zugale, another volunteer, shares, “Protecting the trail and helping the public learn about it through signs, tours, and the kiosk remains at the heart of what we do. But it’s the sense of place we share, observing the trail together through the seasons that stays with me.”

PLANTING YOUR OWN NATIVE GARDEN

For those who want to install their own native plant garden, Gaitskill says, “Remember, through millions of years of evolution, plants and animals have co-evolved. So, for all the different shapes, colors, and scents of flowers, there are pollinators that have coevolved to accommodate these variations. Plant a variety of native trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses, preferably straight species. Try to plant for successive blooming times throughout the growing season.

The New Jersey Native Plant Society is an excellent resource: npsnj.org. Another resource is from Doug Tallamy: homegrownnationalpark.org. On the

sites, you will find native plants for our area, their growing requirements, local native plant nurseries, and garden designs. New Jersey has its own helpful website: jerseyyards.org.

Once established, our native plants require less care, less water, no fertilizer; after all, this is where they have evolved to live. Do not use pesticides or herbicides, remember, besides providing us with their beauty, we want our plants to do their jobs, providing food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for other organisms,” Gaitskill says.

For more information, visit rockawayvalleygardenclub.org.

Your Trusted Local Real Estate Expert for 28 Years

With 28 years of experience, Mary Menard is the trusted name in local real estate— consistently ranked as the #1 agent in Mountain Lakes and with a strong track record in Boonton Township as well. Mary and her full-time team specialize in relocation, guiding first-time home buyers, senior transitions, and representing sellers in the luxury market. Whether you’re curious about your home’s value or ready to find your next property, contact Mary for expert insight and personalized service every step of the way. Let’s start a conversation!

M: 973.879.2860

O: 973.315.8180

mary.menard@compass.com themenardgroup.com

me today

Recent YTD Statistics

Recent YTD Statistics

Recent YTD Statistics

Recent YTD Statistics

Recent YTD Statistics

Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township

*GSMLS Data 1/1/26 - 4/10/26

*GSMLS Data 1/1/26 - 4/10/26

*GSMLS Data 1/1/2026 - 4/10/2026

*GSMLS Data 1/1/26 - 4/10/26

Recent YTD Statistics

Boonton Township *GSMLS Data 1/1/2026 - 4/10/2026

The

The

Market is Moving...are you?

Market is Moving...are you?

The Market is Moving...are you?

The Market is Moving...are you?

The Market is Moving...are you?

Buyers: Limited inventory and strong demand mean you should act quickly. Mortgage rates have shown slight volatility with a general trend of holding steady or nudging upward from recent lows, with the 30-year fixed rate hovering in the mid-6% range.

Buyers: Limited inventory and strong demand mean you should act quickly. Mortgage rates have shown slight volatility with a general trend of holding steady or nudging upward from recent lows, with the 30-year fixed rate hovering in the mid-6% range.

Buyers: Limited inventory and strong demand mean you should act quickly. Mortgage rates have shown slight volatility with a general trend of holding steady or nudging upward from recent lows, with the 30-year fixed rate hovering in the mid-6% range.

Buyers: Limited inventory and strong demand mean you should act quickly. Mortgage rates have shown slight volatility with a general trend of holding steady or nudging upward from recent lows, with the 30-year fixed rate hovering in the mid-6% range.

Buyers: Limited inventory and strong demand mean you should act quickly. Mortgage rates have shown slight volatility with a general trend of holding steady or nudging upward from recent lows, with the 30-year fixed rate hovering in the mid-6% range.

Sellers: It’s a strong seller’s market with homes selling quickly and often above list price. Buyer’s are looking for their dream home, yours might be the one!

Sellers: It’s a strong seller’s market with homes selling quickly and often above list price. Buyer’s are looking for their dream home, yours might be the one!

Sellers: It’s a strong seller’s market with homes selling quickly and often above list price. Buyer’s are looking for their dream home, yours might be the one!

Sellers: It’s a strong seller’s market with homes selling quickly and often above list price. Buyer’s are looking for their dream home, yours might be the one!

Sellers: It’s a strong seller’s market with homes selling quickly and often above list price. Buyer’s are looking for their dream home, yours might be the one!

Friends of THE ARTS

Parents, teachers, and administrators boost student art endeavors at the Mountain Lakes Boonton Township school districts.

BY LISA KINTISH

THE MOUNTAIN LAKES and Boonton Township school districts can boast a thriving arts program with musical education, a strong theater program, and visual arts classes. For 25 years, Friends of the Arts, FOTA, has been cheering on this creativity.

Laura and Raymond Menards established FOTA, believing the arts deserved as much attention as sports programs. Laura recalls, “The sports programs get enormous support, and our efforts to have something for the arts kids. We simply wanted to raise awareness and help these kids feel equally supported.

arts. Starting in fourth grade, students may choose to learn an instrument and can join the school band, as well as join chorus. As students move up in grade, more musical doors open, including jazz band, chamber choir, bell choir, and Pop to name a few. Theater is also recognized with fifth grade, middle school, and high school productions. Visual arts are well represented with classes in 2-D Drawing and Painting, 3-D Design and Ceramics, Contemporary Crafts, Digital Media and Design.

INTERVIEW WITH

PAUL HENRY AND EMILY KAHN

In Mountain Lakes, all students from kindergarten to eighth grade enjoy weekly music classes and study a curriculum that meets New Jersey state standards for visual and performing

Paul Henry, FOTA Administrative Liaison and Supervisor of English Language Arts and Fine and Performing Arts for the Mountain Lakes School District, and Emily Kahn, FOTA President, offered insights into the nonprofit organization comprised of teachers, parents, and administrators.

What is FOTA’s mission, and how has it achieved this?

FOTA strives to create awareness of the benefits derived from student participation in arts programs and recognizes the achievements of individual and group efforts. Over the years, FOTA has raised money through membership, sponsorship, and community member donations. They award multiple $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors and provide thousands of dollars a year in the form of grants to teachers in Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township to support arts programming. They sponsor coffee houses, provide meals for student performers on concert and performance nights, and award the FOTA Robe, a unique and muchcoveted honor, to the unsung hero of the MLHS Spring Musical.

What is the value of arts for students?

Participating in the arts in school helps students grow in ways that go far beyond creativity. It strengthens communication skills, builds confidence, and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. Students learn to collaborate effectively, develop discipline through practice and performance, and express emotions in healthy ways. These experiences often lead to improved academic performance and make students more well-rounded and competitive for college. Perhaps most importantly, the arts create a sense of belonging and community, giving students a place to connect and feel valued. As we increasingly realize that all people, particularly young people, need to pursue social and emotional wellbeing, the arts provide tremendous personal benefit.

How does participation in the arts carry over to other subjects?

Arts participation is associated with higher engagement, motivation, and enhanced cognitive skills. There is even evidence that there is a positive relationship between music training and math, and drama participation has been proven to increase reading comprehension. Participating in the visual arts is known to improve observation and interpretation skills.

Have students pursued post-high school life in the arts?

We have quite a few students who pursue post-high school study in the visual and performing arts. In addition, many of our students continue to be involved in co-curricular activities in college, including clubs, bands, and ensembles. There have been a few actresses on Broadway. These are lifelong activities that continue to provide joy, health, and well-being far beyond high school.

Warm Days and HOT BOOKS

MAY’S WARMER days are perfect for sitting outside. The Mountain Lakes Public Library has several great suggestions, from a train ride to the past to the humor of David Sedaris that are sure to whet your reading appetite.

FICTION

JOHN OF JOHN

by Doughlas Stuart

From bestselling author Doughlas Stuart, comes a moving novel following a young man’s return home. With no money and little to show for his art school education, John-Calum Macleod takes the ferry back to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides to find that little has changed except for him. The two pillars of his childhood are his father John, a sheep farmer, tweed weaver, and lay preacher, and his maternal grandmother Ella, a profanity-loving Glaswegian whose steady warmth helped him through the sudden departure of his mother.

HOMEBOUND

by Portia Elan

This is a dazzling adventure across centuries and continents in search of the things that hold us together. It’s 1983, and 19-year-old Becks can’t wait to get out of Cincinnati. First, she must cope with her beloved uncle’s death, the only person who understood her. He leaves her one last task, a half-finished game to complete, a last collaboration to find her way out of loneliness.

THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN

by Matt Haig

If you could travel back to a moment in time, when would you go? After a near-fatal heart attack, one man is given the chance to relive both his brightest

BY LISA KINTISH

moments and his deepest regrets. No one can change the past, but the Midnight Train can take you to re-live the moments that meant the most and learn what kind of person you really were.

TAKE ME WITH YOU

by Steven Rowley

College professor Jesse del Ruth has been abandoned. 30 years into their relationship, Jesse witnesses his husband, Norman, get out of bed late one night, walk into their backyard, step into a strange beam of light, and disappear. How could Norman desert him after a lifetime together? Where did he go? And, most confoundingly, will he ever return?

THE FORGOTTEN MIDWIFE

by

Laura Anthony

Set in present-day New Jersey and 1950s Ireland, this novel is based on historical events and evokes sisterhood, family secrets, and resilience. Both haunting and hopeful, it is about the strength of women, the meaning of family, and the power of friendship.

NONFICTION

INSIDE THE BOX

by David Epstein

From the author of “Range,” this book shows how to do more with less and use limits to stimulate creativity, innovation, and collaboration. Epstein reveals how boundaries create breakthroughs and how setting the right constraints can help you become the most creative, productive, and satisfied version of yourself.

THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE: ESSAYS

by David Sedaris

Humorist David Sedaris investigates what it means to be a traveler, a brother, and a lifelong friend. He both succeeds and fails in the role of caretaker after his boyfriend Hugh’s hip-replacement surgery. He covers ground with his friend Dawn and challenges her to eat a truck tire. Adding to his list of “Countries I Have Been To,” he rides a horse named Tequila in Guatemala and buys a bespoke priest’s cassock in Vatican City.

DOWNRIVER: MEMOIR OF A WARRIOR POET

by Ryan McDermott

Downriver is a powerful story about leadership, trauma, and the long journey home as told by an officer who fought in some of the most consequential battles of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Ryan McDermott was a platoon leader in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. These rarely captured frontline moments, now studied by military historians and students of modern warfare, are presented with clarity and emotional depth.

TRUE CRIME: A MEMOIR

by Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell is best known for her international bestselling thriller series about forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta. In this memoir, she details her traumatic childhood. Her father abandoned the family on Christmas day, and her mother was institutionalized twice. There was an abusive foster family, and the parental relationship with evangelist Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth. Cornwell shares overcoming obstacles to becoming an award-winning police reporter and a worldwide publishing phenomenon.

HORSE in a field in Boonton Township takes in a lovely spring day. PHOTOGRAPH BY LISA KINTISH