News Archive

Dr. McDonald has long supported Special Olympics New Jersey’s (SONJ) mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Since 2021, he has served as a member of SONJ’s board of trustees, most recently as secretary of the board. “I am deeply honored to serve as chair of the board of trustees …

Planning for lasting retirement income requires a thoughtful strategy, especially with factors like longevity, market volatility and evolving lifestyle needs in play. As retirement approaches, one of the most common questions people face is: “How much can I safely withdraw from my savings each year?” For decades, the 4% rule has served as a widely accepted guideline. The premise is straightforward: withdraw 4% of your total savings in the first year of retirement, then adjust that amount annually for inflation. While the 4% rule offers a straightforward framework, it doesn’t account for …

By Katherine De Vito The Westfield High School Band and Choir held their annual Christmas Tree Pick-Up fundraiser on Jan. 11, collecting nearly 600 trees from homes throughout Westfield. The longstanding community event brought together dozens of student musicians, families and volunteers who worked throughout the day to collect and recycle trees while raising funds in support of the school’s music programs. Proceeds from the fundraiser directly benefit the Westfield High School Band and Choir programs, helping to support musical opportunities, equipment needs and educational experienc…

February’s focus on love can provide an opportunity to reflect on all relationships in our lives. We often believe that romantic relationships are the most important for our overall health and happiness, but data has shown that all types of healthy relationships are critical not only for comfort but also the foundation for long term well-being, happiness, and even physical health. Social and family connections as well as romantic ones shape our lives in more ways than we realize. In their book The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, Robert Waldinge…

In Fall 2025, The Summit Foundation awarded $314,705 in grants to local nonprofit programs that strengthen food and housing security, enrich arts and culture, support people with disabilities, improve healthcare services, and promote well-being for people living in the Summit area. Programs and services supported by fall grants: Civic & Community Resources — $152,452 Addressing hunger and housing stability, bolstering youth programs, and enhancing civic engagement through local media: Bridges Outreach — $36,300 for early intervention and housing stabilization services prev…

At St. Patrick School, faith is not only taught—it is lived through service A Culture of Giving: Service at the Heart of St. Patrick School The school’s ongoing commitment to helping others is woven into daily learning and brought to life through meaningful service opportunities for students of all ages. This spirit of giving was especially evident during the Advent season, as students embraced the call to serve with compassion, generosity, and joy. Service is an integral part of the St. Patrick School experience throughout the year, encouraging students to put their faith into act…

Elevate to Even Plus (Elevate+), a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to transformative, paid internship opportunities for underserved students, is proud to announce the appointment of Miriam T. Nelson, Ph.D. to its Board of Trustees. Dr. Nelson is a Senior Partner at Korn Ferry and an accomplished Industrial-Organizational Psychologist specializing in leadership assessment, selection, and talent strategy. She has spent her career helping organizations make sharper, fairer decisions about people through evidence-based, real-world assessment approaches. A lifelong New Jersey native, sh…

Chatham, NJ — St. Patrick School is pleased to announce its upcoming Faith & Community Service Fair, a new event designed to connect community members with meaningful volunteer opportunities offered by local nonprofit organizations. The fair will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 9:00–10:30 AM in the St. Patrick School Gym, Fr. Ed Parish Center (45 Chatham Street, Chatham, NJ). The Faith & Community Service Fair will provide a central space for residents—including students, families, parishioners, and the wider public—to learn about local service opportunities and discov…

Chatham High students Patrick Platek, Jonathan Monks and Brooks Loftin have established a new club — the Real Estate Special Interest Group at CHS. Mary Weichert of Weichert Realtors served as the inaugural guest speaker for the new club at Chatham High School. Weichert expertly set the stage for its launch. She provided a fascinating overview of Weichert Realtors—from its founding by Jim Weichert in 1969 to its impressive growth as a network of over 350 franchises across 40-plus states. Weichert shared her firsthand experiences as a realtor, highlighting both the challenges and im…