Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Thank You To The 'Angel from Summit '

Danielle Olesnyckyj wants to thank the Summit resident who made it possible for her to receive a Christmas gift from her husband in Afghanistan.

To the Editor: The following happened to me and my husband this Christmas and I'd like my sincerest thanks to reach this person. My husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan.  Since he wasn't going to be here for Christmas, he wanted to be able to purchase a gift for me with a call from Afghanistan so I would have something to open.  I know how difficult calls are from there, but I told him, anyway, about a bag I'd see in Lord Ivy in downtown Summit.  I told him not to worry about it, but he was adamant that he'd like to call.  I forgot about with the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  When I received the bag, you can imagine my surprise at his pulling it off and being able to get through to the store.  That alone left me appreciative, …

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Top Kid Toy Picks for 2012 Holiday Season: Gift Guide

A look at the hot toys for tots this holiday season.

Every holiday season, the mailbox fills with the latest toy catalogs. Children peruse the pages as they scribble their lists, daydreaming about what they will find under the tree come Christmas morning. Parents pull out their pocketbooks, spending hard-earned cash as they anticipate the joy on those little faces. What will be the runaway favorites this year is always a guess, but here are some of the latest trends, mixed with tried-and-true perennial favorites.  jChews Smartphone teether by Jellystone No tears for parents or babies. Babies love nothing more than to gum Mom and Dad’s cell phone, but now they’ll be too intrigued with their own smartphone to chew on. The Jellystone smartphone teether comes in seven funky colors and is BPA …

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Advent and Christmas Worship and Classes at Willow Grove Church

Willow Grove Presbyterian Church offers worship and adult classes during the month of December.

  In the season of Advent when Christians prepare their hearts and homes for Christmas, Willow Grove Presbyterian Church invites the community to worship and to adult classes during the month of December. Sunday morning worship services at 10:00 am include Christmas carols, a time for children, lighting the Advent wreath, classes for all ages and special music.  Rev. Cynthia Cochran-Carney will be preaching a series of sermons based on the book “God is in the Manger:  Reflections on Advent and Christmas” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Childcare is provided for young children.  After worship there is a time for refreshments.   On Sunday, Dec. 16, the children and youth of the church will present a modern Christmas pageant at 10:00 am.  The story …

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Video: The Holidays at Brayton Elementary

Just before winter break began this is how school spirit mixed with the holiday spirit.

Here's video of Brayton Elementary's holiday spectacular.

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Christmas Carolers and Other Merry Activities Top Weekend Things To Do

Celebrate the holidays at an event with your family.

  SUMMIT: Hickory Tree Chorus When/Where: Friday, Dec. 23 from 3p.m. to 7p.m. and Saturday Christmas Eve from 10a.m. to 1p.m. Downtown Summit. Why go: Celebrate the holiday spirit through traditional songs as you go shopping downtown.  Cost: Free (Brought to you by Summit Downtown Inc.)   LIVINGSTON: Hanukah Celebration When/Where: Saturday, Dec. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Beth Messiah Congregation  Why go: Learn about Hanukah, the festival of lights, and spin the dreidel. Contact info@beth-messiah.com for more information. Cost: Free   MADISON: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol When/Where: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 23, 24 and 25, 8 p.m. at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 36 Madison Ave, Madison. Why go: What's Christmas without …

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Jay Isherwood is a Certifiable Christmas Nut!

Radio host parlays his passion for the holiday into a year-round job.

For most of us, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Jay Isherwood’s Christmas spirit lasts all year long. And, apparently he isn’t the only one who feels this way. He is the host and program director of an Internet radio station, www.MerryChristmasRadio.com, which plays Christmas songs every day, 365 days a year.  As his station boasts, he is a certifiable Christmas nut. Last December, 70,000 listeners from all over the globe tuned into www.Live365.com to listen to the station and somewhere between 2,000 to 3,000 people were still listening in July, and throughout the off season. Isherwood anticipates the numbers will be even higher this year. This former Livingston resident always had an interest in entertainment, but it wasn’t …

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Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony Rings in the Holidays

The 2nd annual event topped the arrival of Santa Claus to the YMCA

There were ice sculptures, free coffee and cocoa by the Summit P.A.L at the Village Green on Broad Street and Maple Avenue.  Summit Downtown sponsored the event for local parents and children. The crowd enjoyed the carols of the Summit High School Chamber Choir.   Take advantage of all the holiday events this month.

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Local Flavor

Company's Coming? Here's an Hors D'oeuvre for That

Parmesan puffs for now and to freeze for later

As we bid farewell to Thanksgiving, we welcome with open arms the "silly season." You know, a few weeks of mad shopping, parties and revelry followed by Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's Eve.  It's the party season at full tilt and it's fun as long as you're organized.   Taking that first step to managing all the silliness is having an hors d'oeuvre in the freezer that's ready to go. We're not talking pigs-in-a-blanket from Costco. Don't waste your freezer space unless it's catering-quality homemade yet easy, unfussy and tasty. Parmesan puffs are just the ticket. It's amazing what a few well chosen ingredients can do: Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, a small onion and thin sandwich bread. These four flavors create an addicting little bite. …

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Summit Boosters Hold Annual Shopping Event Nov. 15

The Hilltopper-themed holiday event kicks-off at 7p.m.

The Summit Boosters Association hosts its annual Holiday Shopping Event Tuesday, November 15th, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.   The event is an opportunity to buy an array of spirit wear and Summit-themed gifts. This is the perfect time to shop for all the important Hilltoppers in your life. Come early to take advantage of the special event-only discount pricing and gifts, with purchase. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The event will take place at Westy Self Storage, 15 River Road in Chatham. Through Booster fundraising and the profits from the sales of merchandise, the Boosters raise money to enhance the athletic programs at the LCJSMS and Summit High School. Please email shs.boostersnj@gmail.com for more information.

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Summit Sports Its Christmas Cheer

One resident shares his personal view of others' artistic expression.

As I drove around Summit a few nights ago, taking pictures of holiday-decorated houses I liked, one of the homeowners asked my why I wanted to photograph her house. I said I appreciated her art.   She looked confused, so I explained:  You put a great deal of effort into decorating your house.  It's a personal and public expression of how you feel – and why your house is different from others. I said there was something, or many things that I liked, and wanted to share with others during this holiday time.  She said 'OK'.  And I took a few pictures. First, my thanks to her and the other people who knowingly or unknowingly have contributed to this work through their own efforts.  A special 'Thank you' to the lady who pulled up next to me, at…

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