T

No. 2 Vol. 2

mypaperonline.com

February 2016

Animal Author Rolls Over New Childrens Book About Pet Therapy Dog

By J. L. Shively
he story of Bentley, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
and beloved pet therapy dog, is sure to warm the hearts
of animal lovers everywhere.
Written by local animal author, Loren Spiotta-DiMare and
collaborated with Bentleys owner and Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel breeder, Diane Zdrodowski, the childrens picture
book Because of Bentley explores the special life of a small
dog who made a big difference.
Spiotta-DiMare grew up in Short Hills and was surrounded by animals such as a dog, a few rabbits, some parakeets and goldfish. Spiotta-DiMare even recalls ponies near
her local school stating, I often ran through the woods to
visit them.
Beginning to take riding lessons at age seven and then
owning her first dog at age 10 it is no wonder that SpiottaDiMare began publishing her works about animals even as
young as 19. Bentley author recalls her favorite authors as
a child were dog and horse stories written by authors such as
Marguerite Henry, author of classics such as Misty of Chincoteague and Walter Farley, famous for his Black Stallion
series.
Now living in Tewksbury, Spiotta-DiMare draws her inspiration from her own menagerie at home, including her loving quarter horse, Elwood, who appeared on the cover of her
book Therapy Horses. With all the animals that surround
her it is no surprise Spiotta-DiMare has stated in a press release that theres no lack of inspiration around here.
Bentley is the story of Zdrodowskis journey with her
Blenheim (chestnut red and white) spaniel when she first
brought him home knowing from the beginning there was
something special about Bentley, as stated in the opening of
the book.
The story of how Bentley was trained hands on with
Zdrodowski and eventually taken to pass a test for therapy

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work unfolds, colorfully illustrated by Jude Delaney.

Zdrodowski is stated in the book as saying, Bentley seemed
to want to be a therapy dog not all dogs do.
Indeed Bentley touched the hearts of many as his legacy
is told of helping children from a sick girl inspired to draw
again to a young boy speaking his first words in months to
Bentley, all because of the awesome love Bentley showed
them all.
The inspiration for Bentleys story arose when Spiotta-DiMare was doing research for a reference book on Cavalier
King Charles Spaniels. In her research, Spiotta-DiMare met
Bentleys owner, Zdrodowski, who was an established Cavalier breeder by that time. Spiotta-DiMare recalls that when
her research was complete for the reference book she and
Zdrodowski wanted to work together again and decided to
write a childrens book about her first Cavalier, Bentley.
Bentley, the dog who inspired this true story, lived a long
and full doggy life but has since passed on. During his lifetime however, Bentley was recognized with many awards including Cavalier Therapy Companion Award, Therapy Dog
of the Year Award from the NJ Veterinary Medical Association as well as awards in agility and obedience.
Zdrodowski continues to own, breed and train Cavaliers
but is stated in the biography in Bentley as saying owning
and breeding champion dogs is great, but nothing is more inspiring and magical than seeing a smile on a sick childs face
and all because of a dog like Bentley coming to visit.
Pet therapy is becoming quite common and Bentley obviously enjoyed his job, says Spiotta-DiMare. He brightened the lives of many people throughout his career and I
enjoyed telling his story.
Bentley is Spiotta-DiMares seventeenth book, having

Author Loren Spiotta-DiMare with a Cavalier King Charles

Spaniel of Gladstone who works as a pet therapy dog like Bentley.

written a number of other adult and childrens books all on

her favorite subject: animals. Bentley was published by J.
Pace Publications and is available to be ordered through the
authors website at www.LorensReadingRoom.com for $18.

Teens Meet At Library For Reading,

Games, Movies And More

he Millburn Free Public Library has several upcoming events planned for teens.

On Wed., Feb. 24, at 3:30 p.m., make Paracord Survival

Bracelets for US Troops Paracord. Survival Bracelets are
made of braided paracord known as parachute cord, which
can hold up to 550 pounds. These bracelets not only look
cool, but can also be unraveled in an emergency situation
to provide 7.5 feet of super strong rope or string if needed.
The meeting will be held in Meeting Room B. Pizza will
be served!

Study, Snack & Relax Teen Caf and Study Hall! Come
study or relax with friends and enjoy free snacks! Mon.,
Feb. 22, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., in Meeting Room B.
Gaming Afternoon Wed., Feb. 17, 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Come play Wii U games including Mario Kart, Super
Smash Bros., and Just Dance as well as Apples to Apples,
Risk, Trouble, a life-sized edition of Sorry, and much more!
Teen programs are generously supported by The Friends
of the Millburn Library.
Questions? Call or email Jen at jen@millburnlibrary.org
or stop by the reference desk.

Page 2, February 2016, Tell Them You Saw It In The Millburn/Shirt Hills News Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline

Editor Wraps Up Top 2015 Stories;

Welcomes More Shining Times For New Year

By Cheryl Conway
year has come and gone since I have taken the
reins as editor of New View Media Group Newspapers and what a positive journey it has been.
Being part of a company that has doubled in size, from
eight monthly papers to 17, has been so exciting but the
greatest joy for me has been being on the forefront of so
many wonderful stories that surround us every day. Most
other newspapers will fill their pages with police stories,
obituaries, car accidents, suicides, murders, disasters, law
suits, political battles and controversial issues that busy municipal governments and school boards.
While every journalist craves that news breaking story
or that shocking incident for that hard-nose reporter to capture all those details whether gory or devastating, there is
nothing quite refreshing or satisfying than covering a feel
good story that tugs at heart strings and puts a smile on
ones face.
My days this past year have surrounded me with stories
about the kindest people who have given their time, mind
and spirit to help others in need; who have gone above and
beyond in their endeavors or jobs; who have put other peoples lives before theirs; or about events that bring joy to
the community or raise needed funds or supplies for a particular issue or charity; and even about communities and

school districts that continue to work together to improve

their surroundings through new programs and resources; as
well as businesses that continue to keep hard workers employed while providing the best services to customers.
While New View Media Group is an unaffiliated paper,
meaning it remains untied to any particular religion or political group, it upholds similar virtues and ethics like being
kind to others, helping thy neighbor, giving tzedaka or charity, doing a mitzvah or kind deed, volunteering time and
sharing generously and unselfishly with those in need.
Looking back through the twelve months of 2015, so
many stories of genuine kindness fill my mind that it would
be wrongful of me to not reminisce before jumping in to
share the positive moments unfolding for 2016.
For Millburn and Short Hills News readers, the stories
that took center stage since the first issue came out in April
2015, included two eighth graders host catwalk to raise
money for pediatric cancer; Short Hills woman established
an organization to raise funds for organ donation awareness
and scholarships to students who are organ donors or recipients; Millburn clock ticked in ten years as iconic meeting place; Short Hills resident partnered with two
Livingston friends to provide comfort to cancer patients at
Saint Barnabas Medical Center; NCJW hosted children
shop to disadvantaged youth in need of school supplies and

clothes; Andrews Cookie Cup was held at Millburns Taylor Park to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer;
Millburn schools welcomed new superintendent; Millburn
High School ranked number one in state for having best
teachers in NJ and scored in top 15 for best schools in the
country; non-profit resale shop in Short Hills supported
eyewear for needy; Millburn High School Disability
Awareness Group held a cycling event to raise awareness
to autism and other disabilities.
The positive stories are endless and contagious really.
Shared each month to inspire, motivate, reflect and channel
others to get involved, donate, give back, participate or
even just turn negative energy into one filled with optimism
and hope, each community stands stronger and united
knowing that there are people out there who do care and
are making a difference every day.
Nothing wrong with being humble, but do not let that
stop you from contacting New View Media Group to share
your contribution of how you helped to make the world a
brighter place. There is nothing wrong with shining and
patting yourself on the back for some well-deserved recognition.
Send your press releases and story ideas to me at editor@newviewmg.com. I look forward to hearing from you
in 2016until then happy, healthy New Year to all readers.

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Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Celebrates 20 Years In Short Hills

oldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in

New Jersey and
Rockland, N.Y. recently celebrated the 20th anniversary
of the dedication of its office
at 545 Millburn Avenue in
Short Hills. On Oct. 28, the
real estate office hosted a
buffet luncheon for colleagues, clients and other
friends from the local community to celebrate the occasion.
The sales associates affiliated with the Short Hills
office have helped so many
local residents capture their
homeownership dreams during the last two decades. We
are honored to be a part of
this wonderful community,
said Dan Mancuso, Regional
Vice President, Region three,
of Coldwell Banker Residen-

tial Brokerage in New Jersey

and Rockland County.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Short
Hills regularly hosts or takes
part in Short Hills community events, such as its Fall
Festival complete with a
pumpkin patch, summer ice
cream socials and its partici-

pation in the Nov. 1 Short

Hills/Millburn Street Fair
and Craft Show with a table
offering free goodies.
For more information,
contact Coldwell Banker
Residential Brokerage in
Short Hills at (973) 3765200.

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he Education Foundation of Millburn-Short Hills is selling tickets for

Millburn Schools Rock.
This year, Millburn Schools Rock is
taking on the Boardwalk, a Jersey icon and
symbol of the fun in the sun most look forward to throughout the year. The event is
set for Fri., March 18, from 7 p.m.
11p.m., at Crestmont Country Club in West
Orange. The evening will feature favorite
boardwalk finds, such as casino games and
prizes, poker tournament, 1920s-erca cocktails, live music and dancing, silent auction

and much more!

Proceeds from MSR 2016 will help the
ED Foundation continue to fund innovative
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enhancing the Millburn Public School Curriculum.
The district is seeking additional support from families, corporations and community businesses to either donate auction
items, corporate giving or sponsor a casino
table.
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Millburn Public Library Requesting

Community Input

he Millburn Free Public Library is

working on a three-year strategic
plan for years 2016-2018 and is
seeking community input. It doesnt matter
if patrons use the library every day or have
not used it in a while.
The library wants to know what residents think, what its doing right and where
improvements are needed. Feedback will
help make sure the library meets the communitys needs. The survey is brief and
should only take about 10 minutes to com-

plete.
To take the online survey, go to the library website www.millburnlibrary.org and
click on the survey link in the middle of the
page. If a paper survey is preferred, the
exact same questionnaire can be picked up
at the library.
As a thank you for participating, each
completed survey will also be an entry into
a drawing for a new iPad Air 2. One entry
per person; include name and contact information to be entered in the drawing.

Attention Schools, Churches,

Organizations Send Your Press Releases
to editor@newviewmg.com

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Page 4, February 2016, Tell Them You Saw It In The Millburn/Shirt Hills News Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline

Garden State Yacht Club Enhances Recreation On Lake Hopatcong

Equity Members enjoy the whole complement of club events and facilities, taking
full advantage of the clubs recreational and
social activities. These include the newly
redecorated clubhouse, heated swimming
pool, tennis courts, childrens playground
and dock space for 55 boats. Social activities include dinner and dancing, parties,
deck dining, entertainment, lectures, and
trips and other events throughout the year.
New this year, the Associate Membership is a non-ownership and value-priced
alternative. Associate Members are entitled to the use of the pool, locker rooms,
tennis courts, playground and optional dock
slips, and enjoy weekend poolside food
service and the frequent weekend poolside
entertainment.
Whether outdoor interests run to tennis,
boating (power, sail, or kayaking), card

loween Party, and Theater Parties, cabarets

and comedy nights.
Summer weekends for Equity Members
begin with Friday night entertainment that
varies from jazz concerts to wine tastings.
Saturday nights are the time for dining,
dancing, theme parties, and entertainment.
Sunday evening is capped off with a poolside barbeque, which is also open to Associate Members.
In season, activities for Equity Members
are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday
evenings, with ladies luncheons every
Tuesday afternoon in season. The luncheons offer a variety of programs from cards
to book reviews.
Additionally, lunch, dinner, and cocktails on the clubhouse deck, with its breathtaking, elevated views of Lake Hopatcong,
are reserved for Equity Members and their
guests.
For those who enjoy having fun in the
company of warm, congenial and caring
friends, the Garden State Yacht Club welcomes new members. For more information or to set up a tour, call 973-398-0022;
go to gsyc.org; or on Facebook.

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or the past 60 years, area residents

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they enjoy swimming, boating, tennis, dining, dancing and more. While some members live on the lake, the vast majority of
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Located on the west shore of beautiful
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games, shuffleboard with the kids, or just

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A boat is not needed to be a member of
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The marina hours are unlimited, with ample
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Children are, of course, welcomed!
There is a playground with swings and
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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline Tell Them You Saw It In The Millburn/Shirt Hills News, February 2016, Page 5

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Page 6, February 2016, Tell Them You Saw It In The Millburn/Shirt Hills News Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline

Specialists Step Up Concussion Study

As Players Ready To Hit Soccer Pitch Under New Head Rules

By Cheryl Conway
occer season will be kicking in again soon and with that
more cases of kids getting hit with head injuries due to
heading the ball, running into posts or even another
player.
Measures have been taken by the United States Soccer
Federation to create a policy to limit head balls by youth players. The new guidelines which may begin in the fall of 2016
are expected to prohibit players 10 years old and younger
from heading the ball. The regulations also aim at reducing
headers in practice for players who are between the ages of
11 and 13.
Soccer organizations are not alone in taking initiatives
when it comes to concussion, whether it involves minimizing
or placing greater awareness on the impact a concussion can
have on an individual, especially if the brain is not allowed
enough time to rest.
Dr. Catherine Mazzola, the director of Pediatric Neurological Surgery at Morristown Medical Center and Dr.
Richard Servatius at the Rutgers Stress and Motivated Behavior Institute (SMBI) are conducting a study to understand
how head injury affects brain functions such as attention,
learning and memory.
Every year we see hundreds of kids with traumatic brain
injury (TBI), says Mazzola, who has been treating children
with TBI since 1995.
Several young patients have come in to Mazzolas care

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have multiple concussions, says Mazzola. We have more

awareness of long-term effects of concussion. A child with
a concussion will almost show signs of slow processing. After
time their cognitive performance will function.
Weve realized how important and damaging, how repetitive or mild, brain damage is on the young brain, she explains. Mild brain injury can affect that childs cognitive
long-term outcome. The younger the child, the more vulnerable because the brain is not fully developed yet.
Younger children who head a soccer ball also have neck
muscles not as strong as older children and can therefore face
some whiplash, she adds.
The younger they are the more they are at risk for injury,
says Mazzola, co-founder of the New Jersey Concussion
Center.
With the implementation of the ImPACT Test, a mini IQ
test that can be taken online to measure a persons performance in certain areas - such as visual memory, auditory performance, accuracy and speed of processing informationspecialists are more accurately able to realize if a persons
brain is healed enough to return to an activity.
All high school athletes are required to complete an ImPACT test online, usually before their season begins so if
someone gets a concussion while playing a school sport they
can retake the test and measure any improvement over time.
Players are not supposed to return to play until previous
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that were concussed from heading a soccer ball or injured

during the game. Restricting head balls to younger players
may protect those young brains, she agrees.
I think thats a good thing, says Mazzola. You only
have one brain; its a good idea to take care of that brain.
The safety initiatives were brought on as a resolution from
a class-action lawsuit filed by parents and players in 2014
against U.S. Soccer, FIFA and the American Youth Soccer
Organization regarding negligence in treating and monitoring
head injuries sustained from playing soccer.
According to that case, nearly 50,000 high school soccer
players sustained concussions in 2010- more players than in
baseball, basketball, softball and wrestling combined, according to a New York Times article.
That kind of contact with a ball can do damage to the
brain tissue, says Mazzola, and may only be apparent on a
microscopic level.
One of the main obstacles in dealing with concussion is
that doctors can not diagnose a concussion based on a catscan
or MRI, says Mazzola. A person may have no signs of a fracture or bleeding, but that does not mean a childs brain has
not suffered an injury.
Mazzola says more attention has been given on the issue
of concussion than it has in the past based on more studies
on the impact that concussion can have on a persons brain,
especially when not given enough time to heal or rest.
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Concussion Study...

continued from previous page

score is within 10 points from baseline, explains Mazzola.
Its a timed test, Mazzola explains. You can see
sometimes that people have a problem with visual
learning, or verbal skills, reaction time can be slower.
Then in two months, when they retake the test, the individual may improve.
Five to ten percent of kids do not get better after concussion, Mazzola says, and therefore need cognitive remediation, which requires them so seek a specialist for
monitored care. Students can experience learning problems after faced with a concussion, especially if the
brain is not given enough time to heal.
There is a period of rest and rehabilitation for those
with concussion, says Mazzola. That message needs
to get out to teachers, parents and coaches that these individuals need to be given adequate time to rest.
You have to give your body and brain time to heal,
says Mazzola. Coaches would say you just got
dinged, but people are really realizing that even mild
brain injury is important. Its just as important as having
an ankle injury or arm injury.
They may look alright but they may not be acting
alright, she continues. When in doubt sit them out,
and have them be seen by a medical doctor or concussion specialist. If you have any question, best thing is
to pull them out and let them rest no matter what you
do.

Volunteers Needed

ew Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center,

Putting a child back in a game puts the player at
which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals
risk of having a second impact injury which can be
throughout the state, is in need of volunteers at blood drives. The
lethal in some cases, says Mazzola.
To measure when a child is ready to go back into a blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team
game, players must complete a Return To Play (RTP) whose task it is assist donors with registration, escorting and canteen duprotocol to make sure their balance and coordination ties, and to watch for post donation reactions. Volunteers should have the
are up to par; that they are cognitively performing well, ability to relate to the public, be able to perform different jobs as needed
brain is performing well; and to make sure they are and have the willingness to follow the rules. For additional information
headache free, she says.
contact, Manager of Community Relations, R. Jan Zepka at 732-616Some students, however, do not play a sport and 8741 or zepka@nybloodcenter.org.
may miss the opportunity of having a baseline ImPACT
Test conducted. Mazzola is offering this supervised
timed test for free through her office at the NJ Pediatric
Neuroscience Institute for any child who has had a conen and women over 50 who are considering returning to school
cussion within the past six months.
may be eligible for financial assistance through various proTesting began in July 2014 and will continue
grams. According to the American Association of Retired Perthrough Nov. 2016. The approved study will then be sons, older men and women who want to go back to school do not
used to determine how quickly children recover from
necessarily have to bankroll that expenditure on their own. AARP notes
concussion and how their response time improves after
that the Internal Revenue Service offers tax breaks such as the American
concussion.
Participants can also get a copy of their test results Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit that older
to share evaluations with teachers and coaches so they students can take advantage of to lessen the blow of tuition costs, which
can understand if a child needs more time for brain rest. have risen considerably since todays men and women over 50 were in
Anyone interested in participating in the Rutgers college. Older men and women may also be able to take advantage of
Concussion Study and wants a free ImPACT Test, 529 college savings accounts they opened for their children that their kids
should call Mazzolas office at 973-326-9000. The test did not end up needing. AARP also notes that men and women over 50
is being offered to youth between the ages of 11 and 18. who want to apply for financial aid must be prepared to enroll in more
For more information on concussion, go to www.nj- than one class and in more than just a continuing education program.
More information is available at aarp.org.
conucssioncenter.com.

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Page 8, February 2016, Tell Them You Saw It In The Millburn/Shirt Hills News Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline

High School Students Invited To Enter

Choral Composition Contest

armonium Choral Society invites

high school students to participate
in its 19th Annual New Jersey High
School Student Choral Composition Contest.
The contest is open to all students enrolled in grades nine through twelve in any
public or private school in NJ. It is also
open to all students who are legal residents
of NJ participating in home schooling at the
high school level. Student composers are
encouraged to submit their original choral
compositions to Harmonium no later than
March 15. Compositions must be five minutes or less in length and based on selected
texts found on the contest website.
The winning compositions will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of
professional musicians, composers and
music educators. All contestants receive
written comments from the judges.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a

cash prize of $1,000 and $250 will be
awarded to a runner-up. In addition, the
sponsoring teachers of the winning student
composers will receive a monetary award.
The winners will be notified by late March
or early April. The winning compositions
will be performed and recorded live during
the Harmonium June concerts "Magic and
Mysteries, Sat., June 4, and Sun. June 5,
both at 7:30 p.m., at Grace Episcopal
Church in Madison.
The concert presents an eclectic selection of choral works from around the world,
from the sacred and mystical to the secular
and magical.
To view the list of texts, guidelines and
additional contest materials, visit
http://www.harmonium.org/contest.shtml
or contact contest coordinator Crary Brooks
at ccc@harmonium.org.

Attention Schools, Churches, Organizations Send

Your Press Releases to editor@newviewmg.com

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SOS- Women And Children Looking For An Angel To Save Shelter

By Cheryl Conway
or those who agree its better to give
than receive, there is an opportunity
banging on the door of a shelter organization that could help hundreds of
women and children who may be left on the
street if the mortgage is not paid.
Secret Santas may be long gone, but
there has to be an angel out there willing to
hold the mortgage of Strengthen Our Sisters, a grassroots, community based nonprofit, program serving homeless/battered
women and children for more than four
decades. Faced with mortgage conflicts, the
shelter has to come up with $30,000 by Jan.
15 to avoid foreclosure.
Established in 1977 as Shelter Our Sisters - the first shelter for battered women in
North America- the organization changed
its name to Strengthen Our Sisters (SOS)
and grew to eight houses, two day care centers, a food pantry and a thrift store. The
properties value a total of $2.5 million,
with just under $600,000 left to be paid.
With restricted monies coming in, the organization is at risk of closing its doors to

hundreds of women and children with no

other safe place to go.
I dont know what would happen to
these people, says Sandra Ramos of Ringwood, founder and executive director of
SOS. If we dont get help with the mortgage people will be on the street. If someone wants to be an angel and save our
mortgage that would be great.
Ramos explains if we had the $30,000
it would be the drop down money if someone could give it.
Rialto Capital Management Advisors in
Florida, the company that is holding the
mortgage bridge loan, did not return phone
calls to New View Media Group as of press
time. Valley National Bank had sold the
mortgage to Rialto when SOSs funding
was reduced, says Ramos.
During this year and one half, they
have seen our reliability and commitment
to avoid foreclosure by paying $30,000
every three months, which is directly applied to the principal, along with a monthly
payment of $7,000, says Ramos. SOS has
done this faithfully, although it has been

challenging.
Ramos, a pioneer advocate for battered
women, started her first shelter in 1970 in
her three bedroom home in Hackensack.
She had three small children at the time,
was facing divorce after ten years of marriage and was in need of a roommate, she
explains.
I wanted a roommate, says Ramos, so
she put the word out that she wanted to
share her house. The ones who came to me
were the ones who got battered, says
Ramos. Women called to say I cant stay
in my house.
One roommate turned into 23 women in
her house at one point, she admits. Her children would sleep with her in her waterbed;
there would be some guests on the floor, in
the bathtub, in the basement.
I would get a call and say Im sorry I
have no room. But it was difficult to turn
people away who would say I finally got
the courage to leave; if you dont take me I
will die.
Ramos says, My neighbors said they
didnt want battered women on their block,

and I told them, they are already here, the

question is do you want them living with
pain, suffering and horror or do you want
them living with peace, dignity and respect?
When the town found out that Ramos
had too many people at her house they
threatened to put me in jail, she says. The
town cited her for overcrowding because
she had three or more unrelated people living together.
I told the town If you want a place for
them you have to drag them out kicking and
screaming; so they put them in a motel,
Twin Lakes Motel in Paramus.
Ramos did not turn her back on them
and instead continued to help them.
We would have to pick them up and
take them to look for housing, counseling,
says Ramos. They [the town] didnt give
them food or services, counseling.
The Catholic Church would bring food
and battered women would work together
to help other women.
Over the years, in 1977, her initiative becontinued on next page

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Page 10, February 2016, Tell Them You Saw It In The Millburn/Shirt Hills News Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline

Looking For An Angel...

continued from previous page

came Shelter Our Sisters. She moved out of her house to
Bergen County in a house located on a churchs property
in Bogota. About 10 to 15 women in children lived there.
Her organization grew, and established a board of directors, but after a disagreement, the board fired Ramos in
1986.
Ramos separated and formed SOS a year later. With her
children grown, she moved to her house in Ringwood and
people started calling me. I let some people stay in my
house. We knew we had to get a shelter.
They opened a thrift store in Haskell. We raised more
money, and even the board from her first organization
would send her people to help.
With a state regulated budget of up to four million dollars, Ramos was able to manage her organization but as
state regulations got stricter, operations got tougher such as
paying the mortgage.
Ive always been an advocate for women and children,
says Ramos, who teaches social issues and dynamics of domestic violence at Ramapo College in Mahwah as an adjunct professor. Everybody has been touched by domestic
violence in one way.
One woman was going to be killed by a gangster guy,
explains Ramos. Other women and children she brought
into her shelter were rich but their husbands were moles-

ters and child abusers. No one would take them. We reach

out to people who need help. We help a lot of pregnant
women and children.
Through her shelter program, Ramos says thousands
have been saved during the past 46 years. With two hotline
numbers, Ramos has made herself available to help others.
The mission of SOS is to break the cycle of domestic violence, poverty and abuse by restoring balance and harmony through individual empowerment.
She currently helps 155 women and children in seven
shelters located in New Foundland, Wanaque and West Milford; two daycare centers in Wanaque and West Milford; a
thrift store in a church; and one food pantry in Wanaque.
To support her organization, Ramos receives some
money from the Passaic County Dept. of Human Services,
private donations, counties and social services, but not
enough to keep it going. We have a transportation grant but
they took it away. We have five vans; we need help. Weve
been running for three and a half years with a non-paid
staff, down from a paid staff of 55 that were let go when
SOS lost funding, she says.
Ramos says she currently has 17 non-paid volunteers
who drive the shelter residents to look for jobs, to court,
doctor appointments, social services, schools; they fix
things, watch children.
They are exhausted but they believe in the shelter, says

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Ramos, just like she does.

I have seen women that have come to me and their lives
are a wreck, depressed, suicidal, she says.
People are still calling, continues Ramos. Every day
I get four or five calls. We take almost everybody. We take
people who no one else will take. We take people without
welfare vouchers. We dont want to see them killed, beaten
or frozen to death.
Yesterday, a 70-year old woman had no heat, we took
her, adds Ramos. She also took in another woman with
five children, who would be out in the street forced to live
with child molesters.
One of her houses is for all older women, some in
wheelchairs, others with oxygen. Nobody will take them.
Many of the women and children her organization helps
dont have families, are on section eight, have families
or friends who dont like them; who dont want to help
them. We have a lot of dysfunctional families.
Ramos explains, I see them heal, get strong and get
their lives together. We live in a violent society; theres a
lot of violence. The work Im doing I feel its a mission but
right now I need an angel. I just need someone to pay off
the mortgage or hold it. We just really need someone to
help.
To make a donation or to help, call Ramos at 973-8310898.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline Tell Them You Saw It In The Millburn/Shirt Hills News, February 2016, Page 11

Jazz Quartet To Perform Release Concert At Caldwell University

he Eric Olsen ReVision Jazz Group

plans to perform the release concert
for its CD Sea Changes at Caldwell University 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 18, in
the Alumni Theatre.
The album combines classic melodies
with jazz improvisations, creating an exciting new art experience that transcends musical boundaries, says Olsen, a jazz and
classical pianist and composer. It gives familiar and beautiful melodies a new framework from which listeners can find their
own deeply musical connections.
Concert series director Laura Greenwald
says Olsen is a superb musician whose joy
of performing is contagious. His introductions are interesting and engaging, and his
playing is brilliant.
The jazz group is known for fusing the

emotion of classic melodies with the fun of

jazz improvisation, transforming music
from Chopin to Grieg to George Harrison
in an innovative way.
As music director at Union Congregational Church in Montclair, Olsen has conducted and performed many staples of the
classical choral literature and leads a jazz
ensemble in his own unique arrangements
of hymns and original works for jazz services.
The snow date is Thurs., Feb. 25, at 8
p.m.
General admission for most concerts is
$20; tickets for students and seniors are
$10. Tickets will be available online,
through mail order and at the door. For
more information, contact Greenwald at
973-618-3520.

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