Mountain Lakes November 2025

Mountain Lakes

& BOONTON TOWNSHIP

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wNOVEMBER, REALLY?

WELL, THAT WAS QUICK! Already?

Apparently so, at least that’s what the calendar says. Plus, there’s tell-tale signs such as the last of the Halloween candy having lost its appeal and the presence of more leaves on the ground than in the trees. So, what’s next?

There’s the annual Turkey Trot, conveniently slotted for Thanksgiving Day morning, making that slice of pumpkin pie that much more worth it.

November is also the last hurrah for the Boonton Farmer’s Market, which will close up shop Nov. 22. Some unseasonably warm days may provide one last opportunity to dine outdoors, and we have just the place for seasonal fare with flair right inside this issue.

While out and about, we investigated who and what is driving the hustle and bustle of Main Street in Boonton, so flip to page 22 for a behindthe-scenes look at this vibrant downtown.

Lastly, we went to the Mountain Lakes Public Library, home to Makerspace, an innovation lab where rocket science is true to form and students get to tap into their inner inventor.

We’d love to hear from you, especially if you go all out with holiday decor and would like to be featured right here in Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township magazine. My inbox is always open, and I welcome photos and story ideas at all hours. Ellen.Wilkowe@wainscotmedia. com.

Ellen S. Wilkowe Editor

Mountain Lakes

& BOONTON TOWNSHIP MAGAZINE

Publisher Thomas Flannery

thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com (201) 571-2252

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Maryam Taghipour

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Editor Ellen S. Wilkowe

Photographer Antonietta Henry

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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 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Get in on the Scenery

Fall is at its finest in Mountain Lakes, Boonton Township, and Boonton.

BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE

WHAT’S NEW

Don’t let daylight savings time get you down. Use it as motivation to get out around town. The leaves are showing off at this point, and there are scores of trails to scale. We recommend The Tourne in Boonton Township, or for the road more traveled, The Boulevard. November is also last call for the Farmer’s Market, and the last of the harvest is a great way to win over your relatives at Thanksgiving Dinner.

READY, SET, RACE

Make pumpkin pie more rewarding by breaking a sweat before Thanksgiving dinner by participating in the Mountain Lakes Annual Turkey Trot.

Sponsored by the Lakeland Hills YMCA, the race takes place at Wildwood Elementary School at 51 Glen Rd. in Mountain Lakes. Entry fee is $35 through Nov. 19 and will increase thereafter. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Register by Nov. 10 to secure a commemorative T-shirt. Proceeds benefit programs at the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA. For details and registration visit: www.lakelandhillsymca.com/turkey-trot.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Katie Burke, VP Fund Development at KatieB@lhymca.com, or Dante Gonzalez, DanteG@lhymca.com.

BLOOM WITH A VIEW

Channel your inner florist and create the perfect center and conversation piece designed to deliver on color and compliments. The floral arranging workshop is made possible by the Mountain Lakes Public Library and Mountain Lakes resident and floral designer Amanda Cali. So, save the date, Nov. 10, from 7 to 8 p.m., and head on over to the Mountain Lakes Public Library, where local resident Cali will provide the blooming inspo and hands-on expertise to help you design flora with an aura.

Cost is $50 and includes all materials and guidance. Space is limited so reserve your spot at: www. mountainlakeslibrary.org.

A SLICE OF HISTORY

Want to walk off Thanksgiving dinner and dish up some history over dessert? Well, bundle up, grab your smartphone, and head back in time through the Historic Walking Tour of Mountain Lakes. Developed by the Historical Preservation Committee, the narrated tour steps off on Elm Street across from the train station and takes travelers on a 2.1-mile journey into the people and landmarks who put Mountain Lakes on the National Historic Register. The tour takes about two hours to complete. Short on time? There’s no cut-off date, so feel free to return at your leisure. Our pick: The Luellen House, which claims to fame the inventor of PlayDough. Find more information at: www.mountainlakes.gov/about-mountain-lakes/historic-walking-tour.

GET ON THE TOURNE

Take it or leaf it, autumn is here, but for a limited time only. That is why we suggest harvesting your best photos at The Tourne County Park. Tucked away in Boonton Township, the 550-acre park boasts 12 miles of trails with off-ramps into forests, wetlands streams, and soaring heights, courtesy of Top of the Tourne, which offers panoramic views of New York City. Take a tour by oar and load up your kayak or canoe. The park offers access to the Rockaway River for non-motorized watercraft. Even equestrians can saddle up for a ride into the woods. The park is accessible from MCaffrey Lane and Old Boonton Road.

For a complete list of access points go to: www.morrisparks.net/parks_trails/tournecounty-park/. The park is open year-round from and open from dawn to dusk.

LAST CALL

The Boonton Farmer’s Market will offer up its final harvest for the season on Saturday, Nov. 22. Stop by the Upper Plane Street parking lot from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.

SHOP SMALL

Get a head start on holiday shopping and show some love to Boonton Main Street by putting it in park during First Friday. The next opportunity to eat, shop, and play is Nov. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. when all of Main Street shuts down in the name of opening up for communal, pedestrianfriendly immersions.

A Cause for PAWS

At Northstar Pet Rescue, every dog has its day.

BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE

TAMMY PROBST ANSWERED her calling, and it sounded like “woof.”

As executive director and founder of Northstar Pet Rescue, Probst devotes her time to rescuing dogs and placing them in foster homes in hopes of finding them their fur-ever homes. The small nonprofit has no borders, and the magic happens in the homes of volunteers who welcome the rescues with open arms and open hearts. As a proud dog mom to Grayson, Shelden, and Marvin, she also doubles as a foster parent and currently cares for six dogs at her Boonton home.

The name references the North Star navigation that dogs—and past humans —use to find their way home. It also spotlights the migration route from south to north, a tribute to the dogs she

rescues from Texas and a subtle play on the Lone Star state.

Since its inception in 2017, the nonprofit boasts adopting thousands of dogs made possible through a revolving door of volunteers.

Probst, who also works a full-time day job, never set out to establish a nonprofit, never mind one that caters to canines, but it took just one fur baby to unleash the mission at hand. As a young first-time dog owner, she got a Rhodesian from a breeder. Around the dog’s tenth birthday, he became paralyzed and required Probst’s undivided attention.

“We had a bond, and this took a toll on me emotionally,” she says. “After he passed away, I needed something to do to fill my time.”

A random Google search led her to 11th Hour Rescue, a Randolph-based nonprofit that serves both dogs, cats— and apparently humans.

Probst had found a second home, and a purpose, which helped her process the grief. She volunteered with the organization for 13 years and left on excellent terms.

THE

NEXT CHAPTER

“I had no interest in starting my own rescue,” she says.

The origin story of Northstar Pet Rescue is told through the lens of necessity as the motherhood of invention. Moved by the conditions of overcrowded shelters and with a loving nudge from her husband—a co-founder and vice president of North

Star—she moved full speed ahead, and Northstar came into light.

What distinguishes them from other rescues is their commitment to saving dogs from the American South, namely Texas, and no breed is off the table. With Texas at the rescue helm, Northstar has definitely seen its fair share of Chihuahuas, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, Italian Greyhounds, and the more challenging in terms of placement, Shepherds, which Probst tends to favor.

“In the South, dogs are treated more like property instead of a family member,” she says. “And it’s amazing to me how many dogs are in the shelters. I walked through a shelter in Forth Worth and there were like 600 to 700 dogs, and it was deafening. It’s very sad,” she says.

That is where Northstar steps in, and it’s an all-paws-on-deck venture. First there is a vetting process, for both dogs and humans. Foster volunteer candidates apply online and then are

further screened by Probst.

After receiving clearance, the pooch is placed in available fosters throughout Texas and his or her length of stay is dependent on the overall health of the dog.

New Jersey-bound dogs are transported by a specialized pet transportation service or a team of volunteers and placed in volunteer homes throughout the state accordingly.

“I only take just enough dogs that we can handle,” she says. “Every dog that comes to us stays with the foster until they have a home.”

Volunteers hail from mostly Morris County, but locations often vary according to availability. “It’s not a requirement that you be in the area, but fosters do need to be available to drive for a meet and greet,” she says.

To date, the rescue has four volunteers and 20 adoptable dogs, including the three pups at Probst’s home. On the foster front, a placement

can range from a week to a month, and in some instances even years.

The dogs stay strictly in foster until they find a home, unless the bond between foster and dog dictates otherwise, and an adoption ensues.

“Whenever I put a dog in foster, I hand pick the dog for that person,” she says. “It’s a matchmaking process because I want my fosters to have a safe and enjoyable experience. But if a foster tells me that they can’t give up their dog, we need them to tell us before an application comes in.”

Adoption costs $250 and includes up-to-date shots and spay or neuter. Northstar works with local vets in Morris County and around Texas. While its own entity, the organization collaborates with other rescues and shelters in the surrounding areas. ‘“I’m here to help everyone, and we all have the same mission of helping dogs,” Probst says.

home is the “shelter,” so to speak.

DOING GOOD

Northstar stays afloat through donations, adoption fees and fundraisers.

Their most recent? An evening at the Boonton Township Fire House, featuring psychic medium Debra Derosa. The event fetched in the neighborhood of a few thousand dollars. The organization further depends on its annual 50/50, holiday-themed events, and individual donations—including crypto.

“What people don’t realize is that it costs about $1,000 to nurse a dog back to health,” Probst says.

That is why donations are that much more important. The perk of a rescue is that supplies such as food, leashes, and collars are, for the most part, taken care of by the individual foster, and their

The organization recently surrendered their lease on a space in Boonton, where meet-and-greets were held between potential adoptees and dogs.

“It just didn’t make sense to spend the money on rent,” Probst says. Instead she partnered with Mutts on Main in both Denville and Montville to use their space for introductions.

Prior to the pandemic, Northstar was home to a solid base of volunteers and adopting out or fostering about a hundred dogs per year. As the world returned to somewhat normal, the number of foster volunteers took a hit and donations have been down. The rescue changed course and has been mostly taking in senior dogs.

Some dog parents chose to keep in touch, sharing happy tales or bittersweet moments of love and loss.

One such case involved Bubba, a 120plus pound Great Pyrenees, who despite a

out Sam to her landlady.

severe case of separation anxiety, still managed to find his forever home by way of his dog sitters.

“We had him for like two, maybe three years, but he ended up being adopted by our neighbors,” Probst says. “He would hang out at their house for a few hours, mostly with their special needs daughter. They were inseparable, so when one of her first words was Bubba, they decided to adopt him.”

Moving forward, Probst is always in search of volunteers to foster or even manage behind-the-scenes fundraising endeavors.

For more information on fostering or adoption go to www.northstarrescue.org.

Ellen S. Wilkowe is a freelance writer and former journalist living in neighboring Denville.

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A Touch of Italy

MMOUNTAIN LAKES NATIVE Gabi Lombardi is as homemade as the Italian food she serves up fresh in her four Italian-themed restaurants. The restaurantrepreneur’s latest addition is in Boonton and is named Nostrana, which translates from Italian into, what else? Home.

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

The stately residential-like building currently features a festive falldecorated wraparound porch, a welcoming invitation for approaching diners to make them feel at home.

Situated on the border of Mountain Lakes and Boonton, the Elcock Avenue

BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE

property boasts history to the tune of 150 years ago, when it actually did serve as a private residence.

According to Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee Chairman, Ranjan Bose, the house was constructed in 1900, and the land behind it, where the Brae Loch houses are located, functioned as a working peach orchard.

Since its inception last century, the establishment has tried on different identities including “Park House Tavern,” a.k.a. “Park House,” which became a popular watering hole for college Lakers returning home on Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.

“It was home to cheap beer and wooden cable spool tables,” says Bose.

A further change of hands eventually transitioned the space into Michelangelo’s, which featured upscale Italian dining. Then, Lombardi came back to town and made it her own, leveling up by way of a massive renovation and her own personal takes on Italian cuisine.

Michelangelo’s played a pivotal role in helping shape Lombardi’s career, serving as a training ground of sorts for her to hone her culinary chops. Then there’s the personal piece.

“My family has been close with the owners for many years,” Lombardi

says. “Throughout my culinary and sommelier courses, I spent time working in the kitchen helping with prep and holiday catering orders.”

Lombardi always held Michelangelo’s close to heart, so when the opportunity to take the helm presented itself, the former protegee pounced and made it her own.

WELCOMING FOR ALL

A glimpse inside reveals an open floor dining plan, stained oak furnishings complemented by drop-down chandelier lighting, and alcoves that give way to nooks and crannies for more intimate dining.

“The renovation was essentially a complete interior remodel, which also included an addition to the building to create the bar on the first floor and the entryway,” Lombardi says.

The upgrade also features The

Second Story Bar & Lounge, a cozy space upstairs that features lowback cushion bar seating and comfy couches. The lounge also boasts its own menu and live entertainment every Saturday evening.

The makeover took over two years to complete, and that includes the enclosed and heated wraparound porch, that allows for diners to linger outside longer, even in the cooler months.

Seasonal ingredients shine here, and the menu changes according to the calendar. Right now, fall is in full effect on the menu: Squash tortellini, anyone? Homemade pumpkin spice tiramisu? The restaurant also features an extensive Italian-forward wine list including Franciacorta (Italy’s Champagne), Lombardi’s go-to, and for this time of year, an elegant Barbaresco or a bold Aglianico.

“No matter what the season, what’s in my glass will be from Italy,” she says.

BEGINNINGS

So, how did this native Laker create a successful namesake—as in Lombardi Hospitality Group—restaurant empire?

Lombardi’s origin story pays tribute to her large Italian family, where meets, greets, and eats were at the heart of the home.

“We would have, like, 70 people over for Christmas,” she says. “And I was always decorating and helping my mom out.”

After attaining a degree in economics from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, she followed her heart to culinary school at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. She took it a step further and received a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. No matter

where she lived, she stayed true to her hospitality roots, carrying on the family tradition of gathering over food and drink.

A business know-how, a pedigree in fine dining and wines, plus a passion for people provided a springboard to launch her career, selecting Hoboken to make her initial splash.

In staying true to her Italian heritage, Lombardi offers different takes on regional fare and provides companion wines for each dish. She also selected purposeful and whimsical names—in Italian, of course.

In 2016, she debuted Hobokenbased Sorellina, which translates to “little sister,” and pays homage to just that. “I’m the youngest of three,” she says. The Hoboken-based venue bills itself as an Italian kitchen and wine bar with a focus on simple, seasonal ingredients.

Four years later, Lombardi unveiled Sirenetta, also in Hoboken, which translates to “little mermaid,” and is a seafood and raw bar, which also features Backstage, a cocktail lounge complete with its own menu and builtin entertainment.

In 2023, Lombardi unleashed Ombra Salumeria and Bar, an ode to the dual translations meaning “shadow” in Italian and “small glass of wine,” in Venetian. The venue serves Venetianinspired small-plates and wine pairings on Main Street in Boonton.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

The Lombardi family boasts a number of entrepreneurs who have made their mark in neighboring towns. Her sister Nikki owns Mutts on Main, which has locations in Denville and Montville. Her other sister, Christine, branded her own line of shoes, and her mom serves

confections in Sweet Expressions in Denville.

As a mother to 20-month-old Chase and with another one due in January, Lombardi is ever in pursuit of work-life balance. Having a fully cross-trained staff helps put her mind at ease, as does disciplined time management, which allows her to split her time between Hoboken and here. Plus, she lives almost within walking distance of Nostrana.

As for future endeavors? She takes a never-say-never approach.

“There aren’t any new openings on the horizon, but those who know me know that I am always dreaming up the next adventure,” she says.

Nostrana is located at 91 Elcock Ave., Boonton Township. Check online for specials, entertaining and tasting events: www.nostranaristorante.com

What’s the Big Idea?

The Makerspace science lab at the Mountain Lakes Public Library is home to big ambitions and even bigger ideas.

BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE

TTHE SCENE: It’s a crisp Wednesday night, the stars are out, and a small parachute materializes from out of thin air, landing on the side of the Mountain Lakes Public Library. The egg has landed.

A rush of students pounce to retrieve it. “Is it safe?”

At the same time as the egg drop, a 3D printer hums dutifully, processing the task at hand, a layer-by-layer slow roll, which will take on average about 10 hours to complete.

This is just another ordinary weekday evening at the Mountain Lakes Public Library, where young minds are as open as books and projects in progress come to life for testing, tinkering, and toiling to make them just right. Welcome to the Makerspace: The location might be small (only 250 square feet), but the innovations in this imagination station stretch beyond borders.

Think Edison laboratory but powered by cutting edge technology and the creative juices of burgeoning scientists. Bonus score for owning their own podcast.

TECH FOR ALL

“We’ve been called an incubator,” says Ian Matty, who cofounded Makerspace along with his wife Christina Kelly and Nish Kolonne, neither of them quite sure, much like the student-powered rockets, how exactly this venture would land.

Since its inception almost a decade ago, Makerspace remains laser focused on providing the community with technological resources such as 3D printing, robotics, software, and programming. The partnerships with the library, school system, and community groups immerse students of all ages from kindergarten through high school.

For example, there’s the Maker Club for students in grades first through sixth, that constructed a reading castle

using 200 pieces of cardboard and 400 Makedo screws in just five hours.

A recent Wednesday night, however, belonged to the high schoolers. Under the direction of lead designer and Makerspace alum Richard He, they commanded the space both inside and out. A 3D printer droned in its pursuit to manufacture a conical rocket nose, while students again headed outdoors to sample colors by way of spray point.

With Mountain Lakes as ground zero, Makerspace serves as a springboard for universal accessibility that bridges technology across all subjects including art, literature, science, and sports. The lab within a lab continues to make a name for itself across the country and around the globe, sharing resources, collaborations and products.

This gels with Matty’s philosophy that

“Innovation is born out of a need you didn’t know you had,” he says.

Rocket launches are as common a sighting around here as the drones that have helped launch them. The Makerspace even boasts its own team, Team Tungsten, and their postings on the Makerspace website speak to their many successes.

This is not to discount the power of paper and pen, which was very much at play as a group of young men pored over a sketching of a human eye, fine tuning a blueprint of an educational game called Eye Spy.

FROM GROUND ZERO

How did this small space dedicated to big ideas become a nationally recognized technological hub?

It started over a monthly game of

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

A lab inside a lab

Makerspace runs on the concept of universal design and abides by the philosophy of “accessibility for all.”

The mighty staff of three and the grassroots efforts made possible the launch of the Universal Design Lab, home to the Braille Forward initiative, which incorporates 3D printed resources to assist the vision-challenged community. With collaborations spanning the country and the globe, the design lab has manufactured a number of products that serve the overall mission of accessible reading and even gaming.

“The purpose of technology is to make the world a better place,” says Makerspace cofounder Ian Matty.

The initiative took flight following a Build a Better Book conference at the University of Colorado in 2019, where their team helped solidify “meaningful making” culture.

“I knew that we could make the world more user-friendly for kids who are blind or low vision through technology, creativity and collaboration,” Matty says.

One such collaboration involved a young author based in New York City, who worked with the design lab and Clovernook Center in Ohio to publish her book “Juniper” and the “Red Swoosh,” which hit shelves earlier this year. Coauthored by her mom, Chi Hoon Kim, the book is accompanied by an abacus featuring a “click and bump,” system, designed by Makerspace alumnus and lead designer Richard He. The abacus fits the bill of the overall mission of accessibility, as does the audio component.

“Reading is a universal right,” says Matty. “And libraries are great resources for literacies in terms of reaching people and community engagement.”

In addition to the abacus, the lab has produced other tactical experiences including Letter Farm, a word game boasting large text, high-contrast colors, and Braille. A dyslexic font is also in the works.

“The work they do is very compelling, and touches real lives,” says Mountain Lakes Library Director Jennifer Lynch.

To learn more go to www. mountainlakesmakerspace.substack.com.

chess at Hapgoods, organized by Matty and Kelly. The interest grew, as did the crowd. The group relocated to Wildwood Elementary School before their final destination: the library.

An all hands-on deck venture, word spread, and the community wanted in: The Mountain Lakes Garden Club, educators, and parents all contributed to the experiential space.

Makerspace is always a home away from home for Matty and Kelly’s own two sons.

The rush of support keeps the engines revving, and public interest at home and abroad continues to flourish.

“It’s unusual to see a library operate at such a high level in these tech spaces, but we are doing it and getting national recognition for it,” says Mountain Lakes Library

Director Jennifer Lynch. Matty echoed those sentiments in gratitude for the movers and shakers from behind the scenes:

“It is very rewarding when parents get involved because they love the positive vibe of the programs, space, and all the wonder that the library represents,” he says.

As for the future of Makerspace? To infinity and beyond! The future is here and it’s right now.

Oh, and the egg launch? The egg is safe. Credit to the students who designed the 3D printed untangling device.

in neighboring Denville.

INTERVIEW WITH NATALIE SPINGOLD

Boonton Means Business

Volunteers put Main Street on the map.

BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE

A MEANDER DOWN Main Street boasts a burgeoning arts scene as evidenced in the numerous galleries that call Boonton home. There’s a slew of specialty shops that cater to nostalgia, and all matters related to self-care or self-expression can be found in hair, nail, and tattoo studios.

A former antiques mecca, the town of Boonton has blossomed into an engaging and expansive community that the owner of Hidden Track Records describes as “welcoming and artistic.”

On the cusp of the holiday season, when small businesses often provide whimsical alternatives to traditional retailers, we flagged down the powerhouse igniting the hustle and bustle on Main Street.

Meet Natalie Spingold,

executive director of Boonton Main Street. She heads the volunteer-driven nonprofit behind-the-scenes street team creating exciting events such as Brewfest, the Farmer’s Market, and First Friday.

The mighty team of eight casts a wide net across town in the name of small business livelihood.

Spingold, a Kinnelon native, scoped out Boonton specifically for its small-town charm, accessibility, and “funky vibe” that brings her back to her previous residence in Newport, Rhode Island.

In throwing a shoutout and suggested slogan to Boonton, Spingold christened her adopted town as the “hidden gem of Morris County.” here, too..

So, is Boonton the new Hollywood?

In the past few months alone, we’ve witnessed a lot of lights, camera, and action here. Is Boonton Main Street (BMS) involved at all?

That’s definitely the town, but it’s been phenomenal. The town has a relationship with the Movie Alliance of New Jersey, and they like the historic element of Boonton. And it’s not just movies. There’s been some shows filmed.

What do you think distinguishes Boonton from other New Jersey towns? What is its flavor?

The quaintness, the history, the accessibility. I also love that we have hiking and nature in our backyards. But what really makes Boonton so unique is the diversity. We have our anchors: businesses that have been here a long time and have invested in their properties, and then we have new businesses opening up.

How does BMS differ from a Business Improvement District (BID) or a Special Improvement District (SID) BMS is more of a partnership and is a

complete volunteer effort on behalf of community members. There are no memberships or fees, but we promote businesses and collaborate with them for events.

How and why did you first become involved in Boonton Main Street?

I started as a volunteer a few years ago, but I’ve always been interested in Main Street and how it builds a community. It really becomes the anchor to a small town as well as its heartbeat. My full-time job in wholesale and retail speaks to this in terms of working with robust retailers that make Main Street thrive.

In addition to the eight board members, how many other volunteers do you have?

There’s a rotating door of them, but including us there’s about 18.

Do you collaborate often with the actual town of Boonton?

We meet with them every week, but we are separate from them. For example, the town has its own events like the scarecrow contest, and then

we have events that are unique to us, like First Friday. But the end goal of all partnerships is to work toward creating a better Boonton.

What is a First Friday?

Just as it sounds. The first Friday of the month we close down Main Street in the evening for pedestrian traffic and the businesses who participate have their doors open, and there’s also family activities going on.

What are some of the biggest accomplishments of BMS?

The farmer’s market has been phenomenal this year. It’s doubled in size, and people are coming in from neighboring towns. And then there’s Brewfest, which is our largest fundraiser of the year, and that always draws a following. We’re also working on a Canal Side Park beautification program in terms of removing invasive species and putting in native plants. A lot of volunteers from the businesses help out with that. And there’s also the planter program in which we install 50 ball plants along Main Street.

How does BMS approach the holidays?

In November, we bring out classic wooden decorations, and we also partner with the high school and get the students involved in painting a few store fronts in holiday themes. Then the town does their tree lighting in the beginning of December.

With a new year on the horizon, does BMS have any specific goals in mind?

We want to continue building on our vision for Main Street, highlighting the shopping, and also focus on our Canal Side Park project. It’s always an added benefit to having another beautiful park here in town.

What is Boonton’s claim to fame or “wow” moment?

Boonton was well-known in the ’50s and ’60s for Boontonware, which were dishes made from melamine plastic. The Boonton Molding Company that manufactured them was located here on Myrtle Avenue. They’re a collector’s item now, and the historical society actually has a collection of them.

The Gift of Greenery

Plants add beauty and health benefits to your space. Green thumb optional.

BY JENNA GALLETTI

THERE’S A REASON plant parents never stop at just one. Even if every single leaf in your home is technically green, the variety is endless. Think about it: a monstera’s glossy, hole-punched leaves look nothing like the trailing strands of a pothos, or the spiky drama of a snake plant. Some grow tall and upright like proud little sentinels, others drape elegantly from shelves or cascade out of hanging baskets. Even the shades of green tell a story—soft sage, deep emerald, chartreuse, nearly black. It’s all proof that green is anything but boring.

CATS VS. PLANTS (THE SHOWDOWN)

If your cat friends think plants are a salad bar, don’t give up on greenery just yet. Instead, get creative with placement.

Floating shelves are perfect little stages for trailing plants, and ceiling hooks with decorative macramé hangers let you hang plants safely out of paw’s reach. The result?

Your cats stay safe, your plants stay whole, and your home looks like an urban jungle. Win-win-win.

CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE

Not everyone has the time (or patience) to mist exotic orchids twice a day. Luckily, plants come with different care levels, and some are basically foolproof. A few of the most “goof-proof” options:

• Snake plant: practically thrives on neglect

• ZZ plant: glossy, low-maintenance, and nearly indestructible

• Pothos: grows like crazy in almost any light

• Philodendron: forgiving and fastgrowing, perfect for beginners

If you want a little more of a challenge, consider ferns or fiddle leaf figs, but only if you’re ready for the commitment.

DRESS THEM UP

Plants may bring the green, but pot brings the personality. A snake plant in terracotta feels earthy and relaxed, while the same plant in a glossy white ceramic looks modern and polished. A bold glazed planter can add a pop of color, while a woven basket creates an easy, laidback vibe. Switching up planters is a simple way to refresh your space and make your greenery feel even more intentional.

REAP THE BENEFITS

Yes, plants look good in every corner of the house, but they’re also good for you. Studies show that being surrounded by greenery

can reduce stress, boost focus, and even improve air quality. They add humidity to dry winter air and create a sense of calm in busy spaces. Simply put, plants make us feel good, and who doesn’t want a little more of that at home?

Adding plants to your home doesn’t mean becoming a full-time gardener. Whether you’re building a shelf full of lush trailing vines, hanging a statement in green from the ceiling, or sticking to a single low-maintenance snake plant, there’s a plant friend for every personality and lifestyle. With a little creativity (and maybe a floating shelf or two), you can turn your space into a vibrant, living sanctuary, no green thumb required.

Compass RE, it’s more than just a transaction!

For Buyers:

Compass Collections: Helps organize & compare potential homes collaboratively with your agent.

Compass Coming Soon: Gives early access to new listings.

Compass Mobile App: Keeps buyers updated on-the-go with the latest listings & market changes.

For Sellers:

Compass One: Online platform for seamless communication with your agent throughout the process.

Marketing Center: Creates tailored campaigns with high-quality content.

Compass Coming Soon: Builds early interest in properties.

Insights Dashboard: Analytics to track a listing's performance & optimize marketing strategies.

Lovely lakefront property! Over 10,000 square feet of living space. Ideal for multigenerational needs! Plenty of room for everyone!

Recent Home Sales

Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township

THE REAL ESTATE landscape today is less predictable than it once was. Although traditional cyclical patterns still exist, various factors now influence where individuals decide to list or purchase a home. Key considerations include economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, and job security, which often take precedence over typical concerns like location or seasonal timing. Sellers are eager to list and frequently achieve

or exceed their asking prices. Reach out today to discuss your real estate needs—discover what might inspire you to take the next step! In Mountain Lakes, inventory remains consistently low (currently five active listings), with buyers on the lookout for “the perfect home.” Boonton Township offers more active listings (currently 13) but remains below the threshold. Both markets remain favorable for sellers.

BOOK NOOK

A Buffet of Books

RECOMMENDATIONS COURTESY OF THE MOUNTAIN LAKES PUBLIC LIBRARY;

WORDS BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE

FICTION

WELCOME TO THE official unofficial season to curl up with a book. The forecast calls for a cornucopia of reads including a very appropriate foodforward, recipe-meets-culture compilation, a mystery thriller, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a fashion icon. So, grab a cup of warm cider, your favorite blanket, and dive right in.

NONFICTION

GOOD THINGS

By Samin Nosrat

The Sunday Times Book of the Year author is back with “Good Things,” which pays tribute to the joy of cooking and the shared meal experience. The book features more than 125 recipes that Nosrat herself loves to cook.

THE

WATERBEARERS

– A MEMOIR OF MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

by Sasha Bonet

Three generations of Black mothers tell their stories of coming of age in America. There’s the youngest, Sasha Bonet, who grew up in 1990s Houston, far-removed from the Louisiana cotton plantation

that shaped her grandmother and mother. While each generation speaks to different experiences, they are collectively bonded by the complexity of Black motherhood that is very much rooted in slavery. “The Waterbearers” asks us as a collective to reflect on ourselves as individuals, as parents, as community, and as a nation.

IT GIRL: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JANE BIRKIN

by Marisa Meltzer

Jane Birkin, as in the Hermes Birkin bag, is brought to life as style icon, actress and singer by New York Times bestselling author Marisa Meltzer. The “It Girl” takes a deep dive into Birkin’s complex life and explores her influence that spans across the generational divide. Meltzer uses her seasoned fashion-cultural savvy to reveal a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Birkin’s many sides.

LETTER FROM JAPAN

by Marie Kondo & Marie Iida

Marie Kondo best known for “tidying up” and “sparking joy” delivers a tell-all into how her Japanese culture and customs played essential roles into who she would become. “Letter from Japan” draws from the questions posed by her audiences as to the force behind the tidying up, the art of tending to gardens, and the power of passing seasons.

A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF

by Megha Majumdar

In a not-so-distant future, Kolkata, India remains scarred by the impact of climate change and food scarcity that brings two families to battle in a case of survival of the fittest and protection of their children. This story puts a lens on two families, motivated by love and hope and the boundaries they will cross in order to secure their children’s future, while staying afloat in catastrophic conditions.

OUR EVENINGS: A NOVEL

by Alan Hollinghurst

Meet Dave, a working class kid who tries to carve out an identity in a white-dominated society. His coming-of-age process is further complicated by his encounter with queer culture that indulged his formative love affairs. Romance aside, Dave’s persona is further shaped by his life on the road as an actor in an experimental theater company as well as an older Londoner who speaks to marriage later-in-life.

THE WIDOW

by John Grisham

The legal eagle is at it again, and this time he’s unleashing his first whodunnit that promises to be even more anticipatory than his trademark courtroom dramas.

HERD

Mountain Lakes High School Class of 1975 recently celebrated their Golden Anniversary, drawing alumni from across the country and the globe. In pulling out all the stops for the big 50, classmates reunited over three events including a cookout at Island Beach, a private home, and the main event, a dinner at the Rockaway River Country Club.

Alumni included a few stars from the 1974 Herd as well as Mountain Lake’s own Emmy award-winning set designer Bob Shaw, whose decorated career includes “The Sopranos,” “Mad Men,” “Gilded Age,” and “Boardwalk Empire,” to name a few.

The weekend even lured basketball star Sandy Stewart from Norway to get in on the action. Stewart played professionally in Sweden and put his stamp on Chevrolet commercials.

Have a great image for Photo Op?

Submit your high-resolution shot to ellen.wilkowe@ wainscotmedia.com