The active Student Ministry of Mendham Hills
Community Church
By Steve Sears

When John Isemann first attended services at Mendham Hills Community Church in Chester 34 years ago, he was not that much older than some of the congregation’s Student Ministry members are now.
Isemann, who has been on staff since 2002 and Pastor since 2012, said of the wonderful ministry, “There are two main focuses. One is a Sunday morning Sunday School dynamic, where we have middle schoolers and high schoolers. And then Sunday night is what we call Mendham Hills Youth, and they have their Sunday night meeting.”
“Our Sunday night, that is our huge night,” Matthew West, the new Student Ministry minister since July, said.
West grew up in a small town known as Palmyra, New Jersey. His mom and my dad were believers, and he had a strong foundation in the faith, and came to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when in middle school age. A K – 12 teacher in Graphic Design prior to entering ministry, he after a period of being a campus minister in both Maryland and Pennsylvania entered Princeton Theological Seminary. While there, he earned both a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation
There are 14 youth sponsors that attend every Sunday night and volunteer. The Student Ministry takes part in games, and then the junior and our senior high members split off into separate groups and spend time together prior to West doing a talk or sermon.
The Student Ministry also does one or two retreats a year outside the regular Sunday morning services and evening get togethers. Isemann said, “There is something they have worked on for years called 30 Hour Famine, where kids participate. It is sponsored by World Vision. The kids will not eat for 30 hours to get a sense of what it feels like to not have food. The church will raise money as part of that, and then the money goes to World Vision for world hunger. It usually also involves a service project, and the last bunch of years, the kids have gone to various food banks and packed meals”
And then there is the Lake Champion event. a denominational retreat that is held at Lake Champion Young Life Camp in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
Isemann said, “It is a very profound time for the kids. I think that they would all say that is the highlight of their year, unless there is what we call the Christian & Missionary Alliance LIFE Conference, a national event where thousands of high schoolers come together.”
For West, he looks forward to the weekend, where he says he is inspired by the teens and younger who attend Student Ministry perhaps more so than he inspires them.
He said, “We have had between 90 to 100 members on a usual Sunday night since September, and they come with such energy.”
Photo: Youth Minister Matthew West and the Mendham Hills Community Church Student Ministry enjoying their Fall Party (credit: Mendham Hills Community Church)

West Morris Mendham Girls Tennis Achieve State Runner-Up
Team excels to surprise Demarest in post-season tournament
by Jeff Garrett
It was an amazing Fall for the girls’ varsity Tennis team at West Morris Mendham High School by finishing oh so close to winning it all in the NJSIAA Group
Tournament, Final Round, Group 2 post-season tournament. While the girls were edged 3-2 in individual match play vs Holmdel in the championships
on Oct. 16 at Mercer County Park, their collection of 14 wins to just 3 losses outdid their final match result of its star-filled season.
Mendham won the N2G2 title this season for its first tournament crown since in 13seasons. The Minutemen, seeded #3 upset Demarest, seeded #2, in the Group 2 semi-finals before the defeat to Holmdel at Mercer County Park on Thurs, Oct. 16. Mendham only lost two matches to rival and division champion, Chatham, by one-match margins (3-2) in both meetings.
The team simply dominated most area opponents in September often winning matches 5-0 or 4-1. They won the Blue Devil Invitational at Hillsborough on Sat, Sept 13, 4-1 before going on a run of wins over Morris Hill (5-0), Morristown (4-1), Parsippany Hills (3-2), Montville (5-0) and Morris Hills in a second clash (5-0).
For their outstanding efforts, Mendham junior Sofia Cicarone made Group 2 Second Team in the #2 Singles slot while classmate, junior Maya Vinu and freshman Dakota Hanson earned the same distinction, only in First Doubles play.
Finally, second-year coach Jon Cataldi was named Coach of the Year in Group 2 play. Mendham returns a bunch of players from this year’s squad and will be helped by a talented JV program and newcomers as it looks to repeat on this year’s successes in Fall 2026.

Festival of Trees

The Senior Resource Center in Chester hosts the Festival of Trees, a community-wide event in December each year as its major fundraiser and draws in thousands of people from across the region. The Festival takes place at the Highlands Ridge Barn in Chester, NJ.  Decorated trees are sponsored and then sold to the public or donated to senior housing, transitional housing, nursing homes, and homeless shelters in the area.  The Festival has a popular holiday items sale table, and over the course of the week special events are offered.  All participants can cast their vote on their favorite trees based on various themes.  The Festival of Trees will run from Saturday, December 6-13.  For more information and hours or operation, please visit the SRC website: www.srcnj.org

Museum Spotlight: Nokia Bells Labs
Technology Showcase (Murray Hill)
By Steve Sears
The Nokia Bell Labs Technology Showcase is a place you must visit more than once. In fact, multiple visits may be needed to digest the accomplishments via discovery and creation of those who have worked for Bell Laboratories.
Consider this “Museum Spotlight” just a nibble. The menu onsite is of vast variety, so a visit is encouraged.
Located off exit 43 on Route 78 West, there are no tours offered, but the exhibit is open for self-tours Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Large groups of five people or more should call and plan a visit in advance. Park in the visitor parking lot on the right of the building and enter the lobby. The showcase is on the right as you enter, although there may be some interesting artifacts on display in the lobby itself. However, the actual showcase is the focus here.
The first spot visitors should visit is the interactive screen that presents a timeline of Bell Labs innovations up to 2025. The board mirrors what can be found on the Nokia website if you want to do some homework prior to your visit. Once you have done that, you are ready to tour the showcase.
Bell Labs this year has been celebrating the official 100-year anniversary of its 1925 founding, although initially there were engineers and technicians in a Greenwich Village Western Electric telephone factory building and improving telephones and telephone service as early as 1896. Those engineers in 1925 were named Bell Labs researchers as a separate entity. Bell Labs eventually moved to their Murray Hill location, and there has been some sort of showcase display in the current building since 1947.
A replica of Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone can be found here, as well the first transistor ever made on the fourth floor of the building you are standing in. Bell Labs through the years has been the recipient of Nobel Prizes, Academy Awards, and Grammy Awards, a few of which are on display here. If you are a fan of early motion picture production, cameras and microphones from the era can be viewed, as well as a 1920’s television.
Details about the digital age innovations of Claude Shannon can be enjoyed at The Information Theory panel. You can move at your leisure and read about what you are seeing. An original car phone, which first was used in 1946, can also be found here. Also, as you move through the showcase, glance up and you will see an original Telstar satellite.
The Nokia Bell Labs Technology Showcase is located at 600 Mountain Avenue in the Murray Hill area of New Providence. For more information about the showcase and the 100^th anniversary of Bell Labs, visit https://www.nokia.com/bell-labs/100/.
Photo credit Steve Sears

    Celebrating Ameica’s Esquicentennial    
By Henry M. Holden
America’s Sesquicentennial commemorates 250 years since the United States of America declared its independence. Commonly referred to as Independence Day, July 4 marks the anniversary of the approval of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which established the nation as the United States of America.
The founding of the United States resulted in a significant geopolitical change and contributed to the adoption of Enlightenment principles such as democracy, human rights, free speech, and representative government.
The American Revolution was a significant, world-changing event that took place in the British Colonies in North America from 1763 to 1774.
Over the following two-and-a-half centuries, the United States became a highly influential and powerful country. The American Founding is viewed as an important historical event with considerable impact on global history, both in political and other contexts.
As Americans from the Revolutionary War era faded into history, they established traditions of celebrating and welcoming immigrants, fostering social and economic growth. Global conflicts became common ways to resolve differences, with America involved in many such disputes. Some critics of the Revolution may acknowledge these aspects but struggle to accept its significance. The rebels themselves were passionate about issues like taxes and trade—interests often seen as unconventional, much like those who celebrate the founding today.
Many history books reference events and celebrations planned for the Declaration’s 50th Independence Day anniversary on July 4, 2026.
Most people, including critics of the American Revolution, agree on certain points but struggle to accept its necessity. Western culture often views rebellion and revolution as heroic or romantic, even though advocacy for violent change was once heavily censored.
In 2025, President Donald Trump established the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday to promote and coordinate related events. The Fourth of July is traditionally associated with activities such as fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches. Independence Day is recognized as a national holiday due to its significance in American history.
Historically, American colonists wore powdered wigs and various types of clothing and spoke with regional accents; discussions often focused on topics like taxes and trade. Today, these historical elements are less central in mainstream celebrations, and some individuals commemorate the American Founding in different ways.
The official planning for commemorating 91,250 days of independence began in 2015 with the creation of the non-partisan United States Semi Quincentennial Commission by Congress. While the United States was founded upon democratic principles, initially only a minority of the population—specifically white landowning males over the age of 21—had the right to vote.
The resolution of conflict within the United States required a devastating civil war that claimed up to 750,000 lives, as estimated by some historians. Subsequently, four Constitutional Amendments were enacted to secure universal freedom for all individuals in the country.
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Ratified on December 8, 1865, it granted Congress the authority to enforce this abolition, ensuring that slavery would no longer be legally permissible in the United States. In effect, this amendment prohibited the ownership of slaves or compelling individuals to work against their will, unless convicted of a crime.
The 14th Amendment, ratified on July 28, 1868, conferred citizenship upon all persons born or naturalized in the United States once it received approval from three-quarters of the states.
The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, barred federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. While this gave African American men the right to vote, various suppressive measures such as poll taxes and literacy tests continued to restrict suffrage in the South for many years.
The 19th Amendment established the fundamental legal principle that all citizens, regardless of sex, have an equal right to participate in elections. This constitutional provision removed a major barrier to political participation and broadened the definition of eligible voters under federal law. Its passage ensured that women could exercise their right to vote, although the struggle for voting rights persisted for many African Americans, particularly in southern states.
During the American Revolution, the formal separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress approved a resolution of independence proposed in June. Following the vote for independence, Congress focused on drafting the Declaration of Independence, a document explaining the decision, which was prepared by the Committee of Five with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.
Tensions between the American Colonies and Great Britain escalated in 1774 after Parliament enacted the Intolerable Acts, designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party and to curb unrest by closing the port and imposing martial law. In response, the colonies organized the First Continental Congress and formed the Continental Association, instituting a colony-wide boycott of British goods—one of several actions that precipitated armed conflict between Great Britain and the colonists.
These measures reflected a broad socio-political reaction against British taxation and policies, ultimately leading to the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the creation of the United States as an independent nation.
Throughout North America, colonists expressed solidarity with Massachusetts, sending aid from places as distant as Georgia. By late spring 1774, nine colonies had called for a continental congress, with Virginia’s Committee of Correspondence initiating the invitation and Connecticut being the first to respond. Colonial legislatures empowered delegates to participate, electing representatives through legislative bodies or committees of correspondence.
The First Continental Congress convened at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 5, 1774, with delegates from all thirteen colonies except Georgia, which abstained due to ongoing conflict with Native American tribes and a reluctance to compromise British assistance.
On October 14, 1774, the Congress adopted the Declaration & Resolves, expressing opposition to the Coercive Acts, affirming colonial rights, and detailing grievances concerning British governance beyond the Intolerable Acts. The document asserted that colonists were “entitled to life, liberty, and property,” and emphasized that “the foundation of English liberty, and of all free government, is a right in the people to participate in their legislative council.”
At the conclusion of the First Continental Congress, delegates submitted a Petition to “The King’s Most Excellent Majesty” on October 26, 1774.
Many delegates expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of altering the king’s stance towards the colonies but also agreed that all avenues should be explored to deescalate the conflict before considering more drastic measures. When Congress reconvened, hostilities had commenced; consequently, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander.
There is a misconception among some today that oversimplifies the American Revolution, reducing it either to tax disputes or dismissing it as an insincere quest for freedom and equality.
Holt’s Journal noted, “The synod of New York and Philadelphia, at their recent meeting in the former city, designated the last Thursday in June as a day for fasting and prayer across all congregations under their care due to the grave condition of public affairs.” The initial response from the colonists was through the Continental Congress, which urged congregations to “spend the afternoon of the last Thursday in every month in public prayer during the continuation of current troubles.”
The principal tasks included drafting a letter of grievances to Parliament and organizing a colonial boycott. Another significant achievement was the development of an alarm system to quickly disseminate news of key events throughout the colonies.
Samuel Adams of Boston played a crucial role in establishing the Massachusetts Committee on Correspondence in 1772, aimed at facilitating communication across towns. Express riders would travel between communities to mobilize local militia leaders as needed, with provisions for fresh horses to support their journeys. Signals such as ringing bells and firing muskets were used to alert militias to assemble at prearranged locations.
The first use of this alarm system occurred in September 1774 when General Gage dispatched 250 troops from Boston to Cambridge to remove 250 barrels of gunpowder stored for both British and Militia use. This event, known as The Powder Alarm, was notable because the Parliamentary decree had prohibited the import and sale of gunpowder to colonists.
In December 1774, Paul Revere was sent by the Massachusetts Provincial Government on a 66-mile journey to Portsmouth to warn of similar actions planned at Fort William and Mary, located at the mouth of the Piscataqua River (now New Castle Island). These actions led local militia to seize the fort and confiscate cannons and gunpowder, later employed at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
June 17, 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill
British forces under Generals Howe and Pigot engaged American troops at Breed’s Hill. Though Americans repelled two assaults, they exhausted their ammunition and lost the position on the third attack. Despite their victory, the British incurred substantial casualties, underscoring the determination present on both sides.
A major test of the alarm system came in April when General Gage ordered Colonel Francis Smith and 1,000 troops to “seize and destroy all artillery, ammunition, provisions, tents, small arms, and military stores” on April 18th. Riders including Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott set out to warn local militia and alert Sam Adams and John Hancock about imminent arrest and deportation for trial on charges of treason. Only Prescott reached Concord; Revere and Dawes were detained and released without horses.
Israel Bissell, another rider, carried urgent messages from General Joseph Palmer, reporting British reinforcements. Bissell traveled a considerable distance, stopping at Worcester, Hartford, and according to legend, as far as Philadelphia, where messengers relayed updates southward. News was published in newspapers in Baltimore, Annapolis, Williamsburg, New Bern, and, by May, Charlestown, South Carolina.
The rapid dissemination facilitated by The Lexington Alarm enabled militia forces to respond swiftly, surprising British troops. According to the American Battlefield Trust, colonial militia outnumbered the Redcoats nearly 4,000 to 1,500, with 300 British casualties compared to 93 Colonial wounded or killed.
By 1775, approximately 7,000 British soldiers were stationed in America, with 4,000 in Massachusetts alone. Governor Thomas Gage had received expanded powers, and unrest prevailed. Based on intelligence regarding militia armaments, Gage instructed Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith to march to Concord for seizure operations. Intelligence networks suggested an additional objective: the capture of Samuel Adams and John Hancock. However, the size of the British force implied broader intentions. Both forces converged on Lexington Green at sunrise on April 19, where Captain John Parker led 80 militiamen—primarily farmers and tradesmen—armed with diverse firearms.
After order was restored, British troops advanced to Concord. Casualties totaled 95 Americans and 273 British. The Battles of Lexington and Concord galvanized New Englanders to initiate the Siege of Boston, culminating in the British withdrawal the following March. These confrontations strengthened American resolve, demonstrated the viability of citizen soldiers against professional troops, and marked a pivotal moment in the formation of the United States of America.

                                          
Amelia’s Last Flight
By Henry M. Holden
There were dozens of giants among women pilots in the 1930s who showed skill and endurance equal to and better than many men. The most popular and the most controversial figure was Amelia Earhart. No history of women in aviation would be complete without her Earhart’s involvement. She lasted only 10 years, but she created a legend to which her death added an unsolved and mysterious element.
At twenty she had worked as a nurse in a Toronto, Canada hospital. There she developed a strong pacifist attitude. She  left nursing after the war saying that only positive outcome of the war was the inevitability of flying.
By the time she started flying at the age of 23, she had developed strong convictions on the independence of women in aviation, and an aversion to alcohol and believed that women’s place was not always  in the home.
Researchers from Purdue University will join an Archaeological Legacy Institute expedition to the South Pacific this month. They will be investigating a visual anomaly in Nikumaroro Island’s lagoon that could be Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10E aircraft piloted by Amelia Earhart during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe as the first female aviator.
Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in aviation whose achievements opened doors for women in flight and leadership.
Earhart was a major figure in aviation, achieving key milestones and paving the way for future women in flight and leadership. Her legacy is often cited as an example of perseverance and progress.
Earhart broke aviation records and challenged early views about women’s abilities, inspiring others to follow their goals regardless of gender or background. Her disappearance remains a well-known unsolved mystery in aviation, attracting ongoing interest from historians and the public.
The question of what happened to Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan remains unresolved. Although technology has improved and several  searches have been conducted, there is no definitive evidence regarding the aircraft or their last known position.
Earhart and Noonan’s aircraft disappeared over the Pacific on July 2, 1937, with no further contact. The absence of clear evidence continues to fuel investigation and speculation.
Ongoing interest in Earhart’s disappearance has prompted multiple research efforts, including a current collaboration between Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute.
For almost ninety years, different theories have been proposed regarding the disappearance, but none have been conclusively validated.
Amelia Mary Earhart was born July 24, 1897; and disappeared July 2, 1937. She was declared dead January 5, 1939. She would have been forty . The search for Earhart and Noonan has engaged both professionals and amateurs internationally. New theories or search activities regularly renew interest in the case.
She accomplished several milestones, such as being the first female pilot to complete a solo nonstop transatlantic flight, writing books on aviation, and contributing to the establishment of the Ninety-Nines, an organization for women pilots.
Amelia Earhart, originally from Atchison, Kansas, demonstrated an early interest in adventure and aviation. In 1928, she gained recognition as the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by airplane. She further distinguished herself in 1932 by completing a nonstop solo transatlantic flight, for which she received the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1935, Earhart joined Purdue University, serving as an advisor in aeronautical engineering and a counselor to female students. Committed to advancing women’s rights, she was actively involved with organizations such as the National Woman’s Party and advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment.
In 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared near Howland Island in the central Pacific Ocean while attempting a worldwide flight aboard the Lockheed Model 10-E Electra. Their final confirmed stop was Lae, New Guinea. It is widely accepted that the aircraft likely exhausted its fuel supply prior to reaching Howland Island and subsequently crashed in the vicinity.
Her disappearance led to speculation and many tributes, including posthumous honors and memorials. Earhart has inspired films, documentaries, books, and is recognized as a prominent figure in aviation. But, she had  a life before aviation.
In December 1917, Earhart volunteered as a nurse’s aide in Toronto after seeing World War I soldiers return and became interested in aviation through pilots’ stories. Her fascination grew after attending an air show in the early 1920s, leading her to consider flying herself. On December 28, 1920, after experiencing a passenger flight in Long Beach, California, she decided to start lessons with instructor Neta Snook. She completed twelve hours of instruction.
Throughout her life, Earhart was involved in celebrity culture and advocated for women’s rights; since her disappearance, she has remained a topic of international interest. Earhart was also among the early aviators to promote commercial air travel, authored books about her flying experiences.
Her involvement with aviation increased in the early 1920s after attending an air show in Toronto and observing a demonstration by a World War I pilot.
On December 28, 1920, after attending an aerial event in Long Beach, California, and taking a short passenger flight with Frank Hawks, Earhart began flying lessons. In the following month, she engaged Neta Snook as her instructor and completed twelve hours of instruction.
Earhart was born and raised in Atchison, Kansas, where she developed an interest in exploration from an early age and gradually accumulated flying experience during her twenties. In 1928, she came to public attention as the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by airplane. In 1932, she became the first woman to complete a nonstop solo transatlantic flight. She received the Distinguished Flying Cross for her achievement.  In 1935, she joined Purdue University as a visiting faculty member, serving as an advisor in aeronautical engineering and a career counselor to female students. She was affiliated with the National Woman’s Party and supported the Equal Rights Amendment. Her career is often compared with those of early aviator Charles Lindbergh and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, reflecting her association and influence within women’s advocacy.
On March 17, 1937, Earhart and her navigator set out on the first leg of her round-the-world flight, but they abandoned this attempt after a non-fatal crash. On the  second attempt, the propeller hubs’ variable pitch mechanisms had problems, so the aircraft was taken to the U.S. Navy’s Luke Field facility at Pearl Harbor to  repair the damage.
The cause of the crash is not known; some witnesses at Luke Field, including an Associated Press journalist, said they saw a tire blow.
Three days after arriving at Luke Field, Earhart, Noonan, attempted to take off for Howland Island. During takeoff, the plane ground-looped, collapsing the landing gear.  The exact cause is unclear; some witnesses reported a blown tire, while others cited pilot error. With the aircraft badly damaged, the attempt was abandoned, and the plane was shipped to Lockheed in California for repairs.
Earhart welcomes a new partne, publisher George Palmer Putnam (September 7, 1887 – January 4, 1950) an American publisher, writer, and explorer. Known for his marriage to (and being the widower of) Amelia Earhart, he also achieved fame as one of the most successful promoters in the United States during the 1930s.
A  significant event in Putnam’s personal and business life occurred in 1928. Because of his reputation for working with Lindbergh, he was contacted by Amy Phipps Guest, a wealthy American living in Londen who wanted to sponsor the first-ever flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean.
Guest asked Putnam to find a suitable candidate, and he eventually came up with the then-unknown aviator, Amelia Earhart. As it turned out, they shared many common interests: hiking, swimming, camping, riding, tennis and golf. After she completed her flight across the Atlantic, Putnam offered to help Earhart write a book about it, following the formula he had established with Lindbergh in the writing of “WE”. The resulting Earhart book was 20 Hrs. 40 Min. (1928).
The trip started out well, for 40 days and over 22,000 miles until the longest and most dangerous leg a 2,556 mile hop from Lae, New Guinea to Howland Island which was a one mile by two-mile strip of sand near the equator. To ensure her safety the US Navy had ships along the route with the radio latest radio device direction finding equipment. President Roosevelt ordered a massive 60,000 square mile area search costing over $4 million but failed to turn up the plane or the pilots. On October 23rd, the US Navy declared Noon and Earhart  Noonan lost at sea. The subsequent investigation found that carelessness had led to the tragedy. Earhart had left emergency flares in a hangar and had removed some radio equipment to reduce the plane’s weight. In doing so, she had reduced the range of the equipment. The aircraft also lacked  emergency portable radio equipment, and the official report said the combination was that the crew’s lack of expert knowledge in radio. No one appears to have told Earhart  about another radio frequencies available, or the high frequency radio direction finding equipment on Howland Island.
Yet, her  mysterious disappearance still generates speculation. Many rumors persist, the strongest being that she was a spy for the United States and executed by the Japanese because she had discovered the military buildup in the Pacific. While that rumor persists, it is unlikely since Earhart was an ardent pacifist and not trained in spy activities. As for spy equipment all she carried was a tourist type camera.
Let us say Earhart was a spy. It made more interesting reading then to say she and Noonan simply ran out of gas and were lost at sea.

5 Things To Know Before Getting Dental Implants

When a person is missing one or more teeth, dental implants can be an excellent method to replace them.  Here are some things to consider when evaluating your options.
Will there be one or more offices treating you, and are you OK with that?
There are two phases of treatment when it comes to dental implants.  A Surgical Phase, and a Restorative Phase.  In the first phase, a dentist will perform surgical procedures: extractions, grafting, and / or implant placement.  In the second phase, the implant will be restored with a crown, denture, or some other prosthesis.  Some dentists will only do the first, some will do only the second, and some will do both.  If you work with an office that does only one of these two phases, you will have to bounce between offices.  This can lead to a lack of proper communication during the process, or finger-pointing if there are problems afterwards.  Are you OK with this?  At Morris County Dental Associates, we perform all phases of implant treatment under one roof, so you do not have to contend with these issues.
Do Your Homework.  Selected a skilled doctor or office.
Any dentist can place and/or restore implants.  They do not have to have any specific training.  But what experience level does the dentist have?  Or if you are seeing multiple doctors or offices (see #1 above), are they coordinated so that your experience is smooth and enjoyable?  Dr. Goldberg performs all phases of implant dentistry in one location, and has been doing so for 30 years.  He teaches other dentists about implants, and has a whole section of his office dedicated to implant treatment.  He has many pieces of equipment to make your treatment smooth, efficient, comfortable, and accurate.
Have you explored other options?
Dental implants may not be your only option to correct a problem.  Root canals with crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and complete dentures are common alternatives.  Be sure your dentist has provided you with options for your particular situation.
Cost of dental implants:  don’t compare to what your friend had done!
Not all dental implants will be priced the same: there are many variables.  Do you need an extraction? Do you need grafting?  What kind of grafting do you need?  Can stock parts be used, or are custom ones required?  For all of these (and more) reasons, trying to provide someone with an estimate is impossible without a physical evaluation and discussion.  Furthermore, be careful when comparing costs with friends: what they had done is likely to be different than what you need.  Therefore, it is safe to assume your cost will be different than theirs.
Don’t rush things.
Everyone wants things done yesterday.  Faster, faster, faster.  Time is short, and you have better places to be.  At times it is possible to speed up implant treatments, but it’s not always in your best interest.  Implants have a very high success rate.  But the more you push the envelope, meaning the faster you rush the process, the greater the chances of having problems and complications. Sometimes slower is better.  Again, your implant dentist will be able to guide you accordingly.
Do you have questions?  Visit Dr. Goldberg’s website, or contact us for a free consultation.
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About the author:  Dr. Ira Goldberg has been performing implant procedures for 30 years.  He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry, a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  He performs all phases of implant dentistry at his office in Succasunna, NJ.  He lectures to dentists in the field of implantology.  For a free consultation, including a free 3-D scan (if necessary), please call his office at (973) 328-1225 or visit his website at www.MorrisCountyDentist.com  Dr. Goldberg is a general dentist, and also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Great Grandma’s Last Thanksgiving

By Richard Mabey Jr.

My great grandmother, Dora Dolson Mabey was born on the fourteenth of October of 1873. As a little boy, I was very close to Great Grandma Mabey. She was, in a very real way, the link to my family heritage. I would often sit upon the porch floor of the old Mabey Homestead and play with an old set of Lincoln Logs, while Great Grandma would sit upon her rocking chair and knit, or snap green beans, or simply hum an old hymn.

I was only four years old, when Great Grandma would talk to me about her son, Earl, who was killed in action during World War I. I remember there were times, when Great Grandma would often break down in tears as she told me her remembrances of my brave Great Uncle Earl.
I was five years old upon the Thanksgiving of 1958. I still  remember how grand and glorious Thanksgivings were at the old Mabey Homestead. There was the dining room table and then along the foyer by the front door, and into the formal living room, plywood boards were placed upon wooden saw horses. There would often be 30 to 40 guests, uncles and aunts, cousins, grandparents and family friends, who would sit down for the big turkey feast.
Great Grandma would always sit at the head of the dining room table. She would always say grace. Great Grandma’s blessing would be spoken with a most wonderful poetic cadence.
Great Grandma Mabey was married to William H. Mabey. Great Grandpa Mabey was born in 1868 and went Home to be with the Lord in 1936. I distinctly remember how often Great Grandma Mabey spoke about her late husband.

Because I was a very sensitive child, I could sense on that Thanksgiving Day of 1958 that Great Grandma knew in her heart and soul, that this would be her last Thanksgiving. In the midst of the talking and the laughter and all the story telling that my uncles and aunts clumsily shared with each other, I could see a certain sadness in Great Grandma’s eyes.
I remember that before we left to drive home to our home in Clifton, Great Grandma Mabey gave me a little ceramic pilgrim. When I got home, I remember placing it atop my bureau in my bedroom. I dearly cherished that little pilgrim figurine.
In early May of 1959, Great Grandma Mabey went Home to be with the Lord. I often think of my dear great grandmother. I loved her very much. She had a profound affect upon my early childhood. She taught me to be proud to be a Mabey. Even at a very young age, I learned how dearly and deeply she mourned for her son Earl, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
Each and every one of us have a family heritage. It truly is something to guard, to cherish and to pass on to younger family members. And truly, love is the thread that holds together the story squares of a family quilt.
Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently has a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.
Photo: A most wonderful photograph of my beloved, late great grandmother, Dora Dolson Mabey.

National Fire Radio:
Sharing the Stories That Keep the Fire Service Strong
By Megan Roche
Around every firehouse kitchen table, stories are told. They’re stories of long nights, close calls, lifelong friendships, and the kind of teamwork that defines the fire service. For Jeremy Donch, a New Jersey firefighter and entrepreneur, those stories were too important to stay within four walls. In 2018, he turned that idea into National Fire Radio, a podcast and media platform dedicated to capturing the heart of firefighting culture.
What began as a small side project quickly caught fire—figuratively speaking. Today, National Fire Radio has built a loyal following across the country, giving firefighters a place to share their experiences, learn from each other, and celebrate the traditions that make their profession so unique.
When Donch launched National Fire Radio, his goal was simple: to preserve the heritage and camaraderie that have always been the backbone of the fire service. With microphones set up and stories to tell, he and his team began interviewing firefighters, chiefs, and instructors from across the nation.
“The mission has always been about passion for the job,” Donch has said in past interviews. “We want to remind people why they joined the fire service in the first place and keep that enthusiasm alive.”
Episodes of the National Fire Radio Podcast feature unfiltered conversations about everything from fireground tactics to leadership challenges and mental health. Guests speak candidly about their experiences—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the brotherhood that holds it all together. The show’s relaxed, conversational style makes listeners feel like they’ve pulled up a chair at the station kitchen table.
What started as a podcast soon became much more. National Fire Radio expanded into YouTube, producing videos that spotlight the tools, trucks, and training that firefighters rely on. Their “Apparatus Innovations” series, for example, takes viewers inside fire trucks from departments around the country, highlighting creative designs and practical modifications made by firefighters for firefighters.
On social media, the brand connects with thousands of followers daily, sharing short clips, motivational posts, and glimpses into firehouse life. Donch and his team have also traveled to events and conferences nationwide, interviewing firefighters on location and helping departments share their stories with a broader audience.
Through it all, the focus remains the same—honoring tradition while embracing progress. “We want to educate, entertain, and inspire,” Donch says. “If a story helps one firefighter feel more connected to the job, then it’s worth telling.”
National Fire Radio’s success lies in its authenticity. In a time when the fire service continues to evolve with new technology and modern challenges, the platform keeps the focus on people—the men and women who put on the gear, answer the calls, and support one another through it all.
Donch believes preserving the culture of the fire service is just as important as mastering the latest equipment. “We can’t lose the kitchen table conversations,” he says. “That’s where you learn the most—not just about firefighting, but about life, teamwork, and humility.”
For many listeners, that message hits home. National Fire Radio has become a reminder of why firefighters do what they do and how the lessons of one generation can continue to guide the next.
Beyond the firehouse, National Fire Radio has built a bridge between firefighters and the communities they serve. By offering an inside look at the dedication, humor, and humanity of the fire service, the platform helps the public see the faces behind the helmets.
Local departments have even used the podcast and videos as training tools or morale boosters, playing episodes during downtime or using clips to spark discussions about leadership and communication. It’s storytelling with purpose—strengthening bonds within the ranks while helping residents understand what firefighting truly entails.
As National Fire Radio continues to grow, Donch and his team show no signs of slowing down. They’re developing new series, forming partnerships with fire service organizations, and exploring ways to reach even more listeners.
Yet no matter how big it gets, the mission remains rooted in that original idea: to celebrate the fire service, one story at a time.
“Every firefighter has something to share,” Donch says. “Whether you’ve been on the job for thirty years or three months, your story matters—and it deserves to be heard.”
From its humble beginnings in a New Jersey firehouse to its widespread following across the country, National Fire Radio proves that the brotherhood of the fire service doesn’t end when the shift does. It lives on in the stories told, the lessons passed down, and the unwavering pride in a job unlike any other.
To learn more, visit www.nationalfireradio.com.

Eleventh Hour Rescue
Eleventh Hour Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter, will hold at its annual Winter Wonderland holiday bazaar and adoption event on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, in Augusta, NJ.

Winter Wonderland is one of Eleventh Hour Rescue’s largest adoption/vendor events, featuring adoptable dogs and cats, a food truck, photos with Santa, a tricky tray, and other holiday fun. Over 60 vendors will be in attendance, selling holiday gifts and crafts, pet merchandise, household services, and more. Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome at Winter Wonderland.

Sponsors include RE/MAX Heritage Properties (Purrfect Partner Sponsor); K9 Resorts (Compassionate Companion Sponsor); Mills & DeFilippis, CPAs, LLP, Exit Cornerstone Realty, and Cornerstone Krafts (Area Sponsors); and AG Pizza and The Bagel Station (In-kind Sponsors).

Admission is $5 per person and $10 per family (up to five people). Purchase your pre-admission ticket online and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a door prize valued at $100 (one entry per ticket). To buy tickets, become a sponsor or vendor, or to learn more about Winter Wonderland, please visit ehrevents.org

The late founder of Eleventh Hour Rescue, Linda Schiller, started the shelter in 2004. In the 20+ years since then, Eleventh Hour Rescue has saved more than 50,000 animals, and plans continue its mission “until all the cages are empty.”

Eleventh Hour Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, 100% no-kill, volunteer-based organization dedicated to saving the lives of innocent dogs and cats on death row. They give their dogs and cats all the medical attention they require, a place to live, and, through their extensive adoption services, a second chance at a happy and fulfilled life. They largely rely on the generosity of volunteers, the community, and animal lovers everywhere.

Charles Augustus Lindbergh – Lucky Lindey
By Hennry M. Holden
Charles Augustus Lindbergh, known to the world as “Lucky Lindy,” was a pioneering aviator whose feats captivated the public imagination and changed the course of aviation history. His solo transatlantic flight from New York to Paris on May 21, 1927 propelled him to international fame, making him one of the most celebrated figures of his era. Lindbergh’s accomplishments not only advanced the field of aviation but also inspired a generation to dream beyond the horizon.
This remarkable achievement is a significant chapter in the history of aviation that unites two countries. At the time, France and the United States are the two pioneering nations of aviation.
Lindbergh’s achievement in crossing the Atlantic solo not only demonstrated remarkable skill and courage, but also highlighted the potential for aviation to bridge continents and connect cultures. The public’s fascination with his journey sparked a surge of interest in air travel, leading to rapid advancements in airplane technology and commercial aviation during the following decades. His legacy endures as a symbol of innovation and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges.
Lindbergh’s groundbreaking flight in the Spirit of St. Louis not only captured headlines but also earned him the Orteig Prize, ($25,000) awarded for the first nonstop flight between New York and Paris. The feat required immense preparation, including custom aircraft modifications and meticulous planning to ensure the journey’s success. Upon landing at Le Bourget Field near Paris, Lindbergh was greeted by an ecstatic crowd, solidifying his reputation as a global hero.
Both nations had contributed significant advancements to the field, fostering an environment of healthy competition and collaboration. Lindbergh’s daring flight further solidified the transatlantic bond and underscored the spirit of innovation shared by France and the United States.
From an early age, Charles Lindbergh had exhibited an interest in the mechanics of motorized transportation, including his family’s Saxon Six automobile, and later his Excelsior motorbike.
Before his legendary flight, Lindbergh had shown an early fascination with mechanics and flight, often tinkering with engines and dreaming of the skies. This passion led him to seek opportunities that would pave the way for his future in aviation, even as he faced financial and practical obstacles along the way.
When Lindbergh began college as a mechanical engineering student, he was already interested in flying, despite never having touched an airplane.
His determination and innovative spirit kept him moving forward despite setbacks, and he soon found himself immersed in the world of aviation. Lindbergh’s journey from a curious young enthusiast to a trailblazing pilot serves as a testament to the power of persistence and the allure of flight.
He didn’t appreciate the place in society for a would-be engineer so he  quit college in February 1922.
Lindbergh’s path to becoming an aviator was shaped by both his resourcefulness and his willingness to take risks. After observing airplanes from a distance and pursuing his mechanical studies, he finally had the chance to fly as a passenger, an experience that solidified his resolve to become a pilot. To finance his training, he eagerly accepted odd jobs and saved every dollar, demonstrating the same determination that would later define his historic achievements.
He enrolled at the Nebraska Aircraft Corporation’s flying school in Lincoln.
Lindbergh’s unwavering commitment to his dream led him to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he finally began his formal flight training. Although financial constraints prevented him from immediately soloing, his experiences during this period laid the groundwork for his future accomplishments in aviation. The challenges he faced only fueled his determination to succeed, and he continued to seek every opportunity to learn and advance his skills as a pilot.
He experienced his first flight as a passenger on April 9, riding in a two-seat Lincoln Standard “Tourabout” biplane trainer. Shortly after, Lindbergh began his initial formal flying lessons using that same plane, but he was unable to solo because he lacked the funds for the required damage bond. To build his flying experience and earn money for further training, Lindbergh left Lincoln in June and spent time barnstorming across Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana as a wing walker and parachutist. He also briefly held a position as an airplane mechanic at the municipal airport in Billings, Montana.
Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the son of Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh (an aviator and author), was born on June 22, 1930. When he was 20 months old, he was tragically murdered after being abducted from his crib on the upper floor of the family’s home in East Amwell, New Jersey.
Around 9:00 p.m. on March 1, 1932, the Lindberghs’ nurse, Betty Gow, discovered that young Charles Jr. was missing after Anne Morrow Lindbergh had finished her bath. Gow informed Charles Lindbergh, who then checked his son’s room and found a poorly written ransom note on the windowsill. Armed, Lindbergh searched the property with their butler, Olly Whateley. They discovered marks in the ground under the baby’s window, parts of a broken wooden ladder, and the child’s blanket. Whateley contacted the Hopewell police department.
After midnight, a fingerprint expert examined the ransom note and ladder but found no usable prints or footprints, suggesting the kidnapper(s) wore gloves and covered their shoes. No adult fingerprints appeared in the baby’s room, even where witnesses said they touched. The baby’s fingerprints were unusable. The ransom note, brief and full of errors, helped identify a suspect. .
On May 12, the child’s body was discovered by a truck driver by the side of a nearby road in adjacent Hopewell Township.
A German immigrant carpenter named Bruno Richard Hauptmann was taken into custody for the crime in September 1934. Following a trial conducted between January 2 and February 13, 1935, he was convicted of first-degree murder and received a death sentence. Although Hauptmann maintained his claim of innocence, all subsequent appeals were unsuccessful. He was executed in the electric chair at the New Jersey State Prison on April 3, 1936.
Nearly a century later, Hauptmann’s guilt remains debated. Journalist H. L. Mencken dubbed the trial “the biggest story since the “Resurrection,” while American media called it the “crime of the century.” Legal scholars have also labeled it a “trial of the century.”
The crime prompted the United States Congress to enact the Federal Kidnapping Act, commonly known as the “Little Lindbergh Law,” which classified the transportation of a kidnapping victim across state boundaries as a federal offense. Lindbergh, having demonstrated exceptional skill as an aviator, gave serious consideration to participating in the non-stop New York to Europe air race, with the winner eligible for a $25,000 prize funded by a prominent hotelier.
“The morning fog was as thick as pea soup,” Lindbergh recalled. His fuel-heavy plane barely cleared the runway and telephone wires at Roosevelt Field. Once airborne, the Spirit of St. Louis quickly disappeared from view as it climbed out of sight.
Despite varying weather, Lindbergh landed at La Bourget Airport near Paris on May 21, just over 23 hours after leaving New York, instantly becoming a global hero. His solo feat captivated the world; even Wright engine company workers in Patterson were given a day off to celebrate. A Time Magazine article described his mindset: entering the cockpit felt like a death sentence, but arriving in Paris felt like a pardon. While other contestants requested large meals and disappeared, Lindbergh brought only four sandwiches, emergency rations, and water for his journey.
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh sudden fame opened doors to influence in America, but also brought unwanted attention, leading to personal tragedy and eventually causing him to withdraw from public life.
Charles Lindbergh, a private citizen, flew over 50 combat missions in the South Pacific, including bombing runs and one confirmed aerial victory against a Japanese plane. As a civilian, he joined US forces to assist with engine performance and ended up actively participating in combat.
Lindbergh recorded in his diary the day he downed an enemy fighter. He was flying with four P-38 “Lightning” fighters to attack a Japanese airfield near New Guinea, where they spotted two enemy aircraft below and began their assault.
We drop our fuel tanks, ready our guns, and dive to attack. One enemy plane turns for cover near the airstrip, while the other disappears into the clouds. Captain Danforth his wingman fired, with little impact. As I shoot at the turning plane, my rounds hit, but it straightens out and heads toward me.
“I held the trigger down and my sight on his engine as we approach head on. My tracers and my 20’s spatter on his plane. We are close – too close – hurtling at each other at more than 500 miles an hour. I pull back on the controls. His plane zooms suddenly upward with extraordinary sharpness.
I pull back hard—are we about to collide? The plane looms larger, and in seconds, I can see its engine fins. He rushes past behind me, missing by maybe ten feet. Instinctively, I climb, start banking left toward enemy fire, then quickly switch right—all within moments.
I scan the sky for aircraft—just P-38s and the one I shot down. It spirals out of control, nose-first, gaining speed toward the sea. The impact creates a splash and foam that quickly blend into the waves, leaving the surface unchanged.

Following his son’s death and the high-profile trial, media scrutiny of the “Lone Eagle” intensified. To avoid constant attention, the Lindberghs left the United States for England in December 1935. After six months, they visited Germany, where Charles observed military aviation developments and Anne received a warm welcome in Berlin.
Charles Lindbergh flew over 50 combat missions in the South Pacific, including bombing runs and strafing attacks, and shot down one Japanese aircraft despite being authorized to fire only in self-defense. After this incident, General George C. Kenney ordered him to cease combat missions.
Postwar, Lindbergh became a consultant for the US Air Force and Pan American World Airways and continued to travel regularly.
Charles Lindbergh passed away from lymphoma at his Maui, Hawaii home on August 26, 1974, aged 72, with his family by his side.
Diagnosed with lymphoma two years before his death, Lindbergh only shared the seriousness of his illness with his family shortly before he died. During the summer of 1974, as his condition worsened, he chose to leave the hospital and return to Maui, a place that meant a great deal to him. According to his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, he wished to spend his final moments in a beloved location, surrounded by family and the beauty of the ocean.
“I would rather live one day in Maui than one month in New York” he said.

The Tuskegee Airmen:
Breaking Barriers in American Military History          
By  Henry M. Holden
In the United States in early 1940 most Americans knew a world war was coming. In March 1941, the 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated. On June 4 of that year, six aviation cadets reported for specialized training in maintenance engineering and communications, forming the initial cadre of the Army Air Corps’ first all-Black pursuit squadron. During this period, racial segregation and Jim Crow laws remained prevalent in the United States.
This historic milestone marked a significant step forward for African Americans seeking to serve their country in military aviation roles. Despite facing systemic barriers and widespread discrimination, these pioneering cadets demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination, paving the way for future generations of Black military aviators.
Before the Tuskegee Airmen had fought and won their wings, a young  black woman who wanted to be a pilot achieved her goal. As a black woman no flying school in the  United States would accept Bessie Coleman as  a student.  Colman endured racial segregation, and two trips to Europe to become the first African American to be licensed by the Aeronautic International, on June 15, 1921.
Coleman like other early aviators had several accidents.  One was fatal. She was in the air about fifteen minutes. The plane suddenly went nose down in a power dive. Coleman, who had not been wearing a seat belt fell from the aircraft and died on impact on April 30, 1926.  While the media called it pilot error, a carelessly tossed cigarette ignited the wreckage and destroyed any evidence as to what happened.
Unfortunately, most blacks did not pay much attention to Coleman’s death. Black leaders had been advocating for an end to discrimination in national defense as early as 1938. After nearly two years, the Army and the Navy changed their policies, though the Army Air Corps continued to exclude Black men and women.
In January 1941, a threatened lawsuit by the NAACP and support from Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded officials to reconsider. By April, plans were announced to establish an air unit. The 99th Pursuit Squadron, formed in 1943, joined the 33rd Fighter Group in North Africa.
In April, the War Department announced that it would establish an air unit at the Alabama Institute where black admin would be trained. Thus began the Tuskegee experiment. In July 1941 the first class designated to see, began with 12 cadets and one black officer, Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr, a 1936 West point graduate. Immediately after Pearl Harbor attack the ground Support cadets who had completed their training at Chanute or transferred to the Tuskegee Army Air Force base that have been constructed in less than five months. Nearly all 2,000 black pilots who fought and flew in World War II were graduates of Tuskegee.
Due to the Jim Crow Laws, all African Americans were segregated to Moton Field, and the Tuskegee Army Airfield close to  Tuskegee, Alabama, hence their name came from the town.
Jim Crow refers to a system of state and local laws enacted in the late 19th and 20th centuries to enforce racial segregation and disenfranchise Black Americans. These laws mandated separate and by default unequal facilities for Black and white Americans in schools, public transportation, and nearly every other aspect of public life. The Jim Crow system was dismantled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The 99th Fighter commanded by Davis began flying stretching missions on June 2, 1943, in North Africa. Later they, were joined by three other group squadrons that were combined into the 32nd Fighter Group.
The February 1944, Tuskegee began operating in Italy. They played a vital role at Anzio where in aerial dog fight with Hitler’s master race pilots they shot down eight enemy airplanes in one day and 17 others over the course of the hard-fought invasion.
Later,  the 332 Fighter Group  earned a  Distinguishing Unit Citation for, extraordinary bomber resort missions into Berlin.
The Tuskegee airmen  earned a Distinguished Unit  Citation for “Extraordinary Heroism” By wars-end 450 Tuskegee Airmen had accumulated 150 distinguished flying crosses and Legions of Merit. Sixty-six were killed in action and thirty-two others were shot down and held prisoners of war.
Calvin Spann flew twenty-six missions in the P-51 aircraft, on later  a 1,700-mile flight from Italy to Berlin and back. It was the longest mission in  the history of the 15th Strategic Air Force.
The Tuskegee Airmen were called Schwartz  Vogelmenchen (Black Birdman) by their German enemies. Our B-17 and B-24 bomber crew reverently respected them and called them “The Black Redtail Angels.
In 2025, there were approximately 13 Tuskegee Airmen still alive.
Due to privacy laws a complete list of  pilots and ground personnel is not available. This count was gleaned from open sources. At least 28 pilots hailed from New Jersey, and at least 20 ground personnel hailed from New Jersey, also.
Their skill and bravery earned them respect, with the Red Tails developing a reputation for being expert bomber escorts who never lost a bomber they were assigned to protect. Beyond their combat achievements, they were instrumental in challenging racial barriers and helping to pave the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military, which President Truman ordered in 1948.
Airman Coleman Young (Second Lieutenant), later the first African American mayor of Detroit, told journalist Studs Terkel about the process:
“They made the standards so high; we actually became an elite group. We were screened and super-screened. We were unquestionably the brightest and most physically fit young Black people in the country. We were super-better because of the irrational laws of Jim Crow. You can’t bring that many intelligent young people together and train ’em as fighting men and expect them to supinely roll over when you try to fuck over ’em, right?”
Senator Charles Alfred Anderson, the first African American to earn his pilot’s license, became the first flight instructor when the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) was organized at Tuskegee Institute in October 1939. The army decided to model its training program on the CPTP and hired Anderson to teach the Tuskegee pilots.
When Eleanor Roosevelt (ER) visited Tuskegee Army Airfield in 1941, she insisted on taking a ride in an airplane with a black pilot at the controls. ER’s pilot was Charles Anderson. ER then insisted that her flight with Anderson be photographed and the film developed immediately so that she could take the photographs back to Washington when she left the field. ER used this photograph as part of her campaign to convince FDR to activate the participation of the Tuskegee Airmen in North Africa and in the European Theater.
In June 1943, the Tuskegee Airmen entered combat over North Africa. The airmen exemplified courage, skill and dedication in combat. They flew P-39-, P-40-, P-47- and P-51- type aircraft in more than 15,000 sorties, completing over 1,500 missions during the war. They never lost an escorted bomber to enemy fighters (a debate still goes on after more than 80 years later about this issue. No other escort unit could claim such a record. When the war ended, the Tuskegee Airmen returned home with 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legions of Merit and the Red Star of Yugoslavia. The group was deactivated in May 1946, but its success added to the eventual integration of the United States military. The fruit of the efforts of the airmen would be harvested in the eventual 1948 desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces.

 I REMEMBER MOM:

Mom’s Last Batch of Oatmeal Cookies

By Richard Mabey Jr.
In early September of 2019, my late mother (Janet Kemmerer Mabey) asked me to help her bake some oatmeal cookies. I was rather honored. My mom was an incredible baker. For many years, Mom served as the Bakery Manager at the A&P in Boonton, before she married my father. And, while my dad was stationed at Hickam Air Field, during World Wat II, Mom sent oatmeal cookies to Dad, every week.
Dad’s brother Earl, lived across the street from the Kemmerer Homestead, with his lovely bride, Eleanor. It was Aunt Eleanor who encouraged Mom to send cookies to her shy and homesick brother-in-law, stationed in Hawaii. The tie of oatmeal cookies was a connection that Mom and Dad had all throughout their marriage. You see, Mom would bake several batches of oatmeal cookies every week. When she packed Dad’s lunch for work, the night before, Mom would always include three oatmeal cookies in his paper sack.
It was a most strange and bewildering thing for me, as Mom and I baked oatmeal cookies, that fateful day in early September of 2019. As Mom was mixing the dough, with her electric mixer, she whispered to me that Dad was going to love these cookies when he came home from work. It was a moment. Just an odd moment. Wiothin a few seconds, Mom looked up to me as simply said, “I know your dad is in Heaven. I just had a moment.”
I told Mom that I understood. A solemn quiet fell between us.
A couple of weeks later, in mid September, Mom had terrible chest pains. My sister called the ambulance. Within a very short time, Mom was in the hospital. Sadly, the doctors told us Mom definitely needed to have her Aortic Valve replaced.
On the nineteenth of November, Mom had surgery and had her Aortic Valve replaced. Sadly, the surgery was not a complete success and Mom went Home to be with the Lord on the night of the twenty-third of December.
Life is painfully short. This Christmas will mark six years since Mom passed away. I miss her very much. In all so many ways, love is the most powerful force in the universe. Looking back, I wonder if Mom knew her time left upon this earth was short, that fateful day when Mom and I made oatmeal cookies for the very last time. I wonder if she deeply know that soon she would be with Dad once again.
Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.
Photo: My mom (Janet Kemmerer Mabey) and I baking oatmeal cookies.

Hold Dear To Heart This Precious Truth:
God Loves You More Than You Will Ever Know

By Richard Mabey Jr.

No matter what it is happening in your life right now. No matter how bleak things may look. Please know that God loves you with an immense and intense love that reaches beyond human comprehension. God loves you more than you will ever know.
Perhaps you’ve just lost your job. Or, a romantic relationship has fallen apart. Or, you suffered the betrayal of a dear and close personal friend. Or, perhaps a close relative or dear friend has recently passed away. Whatever the thing is that you are enduring right now, please know that God loves you more than you will ever know.
When I was first diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, about two years ago, I was crushed. I cried. I felt all was hopeless. I was emotionally broken. I cried myself to sleep, every night, for about two or three months. Then it came to me, in a most illuminating realization, God loves me more than I will ever know.
I then began a very serious regiment of prayer. Four or five times a day, I would intensely pray for God to heal me. And, at the same time, I prayed for God to heal the sick, help the poor and for the homeless to find shelter. I read the Bible with laser beam focus. I concentrated on the Book of John. I read and reread and reread the Book of John. Reading this sacred writing, so many times that it became, not an intellectual process, but a very real and deep way of communicating with God’s holy scripture.
In the side of my yard, where I am now living in Florida, stands a shed. I affectionately refer to it as my clubhouse. I have filled the walls with pictures, that my dad had taken over the years, of forests, babbling brooks, landmarks along the Appalachian Trail, perspectives of the Jersey Shore and the flower gardens that once graced the landscape of the old Mabey Homestead.
I look to my clubhouse as being my retreat, my little place to read the Bible, to pray, to contemplate and to research cutting edge treatments for HCM. I earnestly study about vitamins, minerals and herbs. I diligently research which of these vitamins, minerals and herbs have had success in healing heart conditions. I refuse, absolutely refusse, to spend one second feeling sorry for myself.
Please, please, please know that God loves you more than you will ever know. Pray, with all your heart and inner being, for God to help you rise above your present situation. Stay true to the straight and narrow path. Take time to sit down, be still, clear your mind, pray and feel the immense flow of God’s infinite love flowing through the chambers of your heart.
I just cannot stress it enough. No matter what mountain lies in front of you. No matter what life struggle you are presently enduring. Please deeply contemplate on this concept, God loves you more than you will ever know.
Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.