Guide Me Home to North Jersey

The Mendham Junior Women’s Club (MJWC) will hold a membership drive with a ‘Girl’s Night Out’ at Jane’s Nails, Main Street, Mendham on Thursday, February 24th at 7:00 pm. Come out and get a manicure, pedicure and have a glass of wine while you learn about the exciting things they have lined up for this year.

The MJWC is a great way to get involved in the community and meet some fun, interesting women. Founded in 1957, the non-profit organization has brought the young women of Mendham and the surrounding areas together to host educational, charitable and civic activities. When I first moved into town, I found the MJWC a terrific way to meet like-minded moms. It was a great way to combine the need for a social outlet with the satisfaction of community service. Between the many community based events, from running the sack races on Labor Day to hosting our annual blood drive, I fostered a real connection to our town and the needs of others, while making some great friends in the process!

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

In these uncertain political and economic times, it is not unusual for the stress of life to start to get you down. Families and individuals are under more pressure to keep it all together and stay afloat. The demands of work and school, as well as social pressures, can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed.

Kathleen Andrews, a licensed clinical social worker with a MA in Social Work, is the mother of two boys who lives in Mendham and has started Therapy-Core, a private counseling practice that has two main areas of focus. Through individual therapy, offered to children, teens or adults, Kathleen hopes to offer some relief of some such issues as stress, anxiety, anger, and sadness, and assist with living a more rewarding life.

In couples therapy, Kathleen tries to deal with specific issues like communication, financial conflict, family values, intimacy or parenting issues, to name a few.

With offices in Morristown, Cedar Knolls and Chatham, she is easily accessible. Check out her website/blog above or call 973-270-5757 for more information.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

It’s hard to think about summertime when it’s 25˚ outside, the wind is howling and there are a few inches of snow on the ground, but now is the time of year that many summer camps and programs begin registration. Depending on where you live, there are several good programs to choose from. Here are some of my favorites in the North Jersey/Mendham area:

Schiff Summer Nature Program - Schiff Nature Lands Trust in Mendham, NJ

Children ages 6 (entering first grade) to 12 are given the opportunity to play, explore and learn while developing a sense of community, self confidence and appreciation for the natural world. With almost 600 acres of forest and meadow and 14 miles of hiking trails, projects are designed to motivate and inspire as well as encourage environmental awareness. The Schiff Summer Program is a local favorite which often boasts a waiting list. For more information, visit their website or call 973-543-6004.

Art of Dance, Summer Dance Intensive - Chester, NJ

The Art of Dance features the most up-to-date dance styles and currently performing teachers. Dancers aged 5-20 can choose from a variety of dance styles that run in one or two week sessions. Whether you are a beginner or advanced dancer, you will be excited and motivated by this camp experience. For more information, visit their website or call 908-879-4919.

Oasis in Madison - Drew University in Madison, NJ

Oasis offers an amazing summer experience for children ages 4-11 and teen travel for ages 12-14. This camp offers sports and recreation, visual and performing arts, swimming, field trips and so much more. Visit their website or call 646-519-5059 for more information.

Junior Golf at Clubhouse Golf Center - Randolph, NJ

Individual instruction and lesson packages are available at the Golf Center. Camps and clinics are offered for ages 6-16 and all levels are welcome. Check out their website, or call 973-584-1504.

Gill St. Bernards Summer Programs - Gladstone, NJ

The beautiful 72 acre campus offers a wide variety of exciting and challenging opportunities for children aged 3-17. With over 41 years of well-supervised, creative camping there is something to keep every camper happy. The Hi Hills Camp is located here too.

There are so many options out there today to fit the needs of kids and parents. Don’t forget to check out your own local recreation departments and town clubs for summer programs as well.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Come down to Fabrizi Cosmetics, 6 E. Main St., Mendham, NJ on February 10 from 1 - 7 pm for the ‘Come in from the Cold’ Benefit, fundraiser for the Haiti Relief Fund. For a donation of $25, you will be able to preview the hottest trends for Spring 2010 in make up and fashion while enjoying drinks and appetizers. A 15% discount on all products will be offered for this special event. And the first 40 reserved guests receive a gift bag with gift certificates and merchandise valued at over $100 from local participating sponsors Vaz Florist, Para L’Elle Boutique, and Body Secret Personal Training to name a few.

Meaghan’s Meals will be providing a sampling of healthy, low-fat foods from their menu of meals that can be delivered right to your door! There will also be a drawing to win a Vitamin Peel from Etolie Cosmetic Medicine and a stunning piece from JoEllen Jewelers. For more information or to make your reservation, stop in or call Fabrizi Cosmetics at 6 E. Main Street, Mendham, NJ, 973-543-6220.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

The Newcomers and Neighbors of the Mendhams is having an Open House Coffee on January 28th. Why not join them for some coffee and conversation?

Originally formed in 1967 as the Welcome Wagon, this social organization seeks to assist current and new residents of both Mendham Borough and Township in developing friendships and getting acquainted with the community. There are several regularly scheduled activities, either weekly or monthly. They have had a thriving children’s playgroup, Bunco group and Book group and have had some really fun Ladies Nights. They have also hosted such seasonal events as Santa’s Breakfast and a Halloween party. The wine tasting and dinner groups for couples are always well attended

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

The Westmont Montessori School is located at 577 Route 24 in Mendham. It offers the Montessori method of education, which ‘fosters children to build upon their own successes, thus building a foundation for future exploration and a love of learning’. Their focus is on fostering a child’s self esteem and independence, with each child progressing at their own developmental level.

The program has been in operation in Mendham since 1964, but moved locations twice before settling in their current facility on Route 24. The building is beautiful, light filled and spacious, with two levels of classroom and activity space, as well as two large areas for outdoor play. In addition to the traditional preschool program, Westmont offers many enrichment programs, such as Movement, Spanish, Music, Science, Art and Cooking. There is also an Extended Day program for parents looking for extra time. A new program being offered is ‘Montessori & Me’ for children 18 months and up.

Westmont is having an Open House on January 23, 2010 from 10:00am-12:00pm. They also offer private tours of the facility. Check out their website by clicking here or give them a call at 908-879-6355.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

St. Mark’s Preschool is affiliated with St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mendham. In operation since 2000, it is their goal to ‘support the development of each child within the Christian faith, offering a curriculum to help them grow into socially, emotionally and spiritually whole people.’ Classes are offered for 2 ½, 3 and 4-year olds in morning sessions or afternoon sessions.

St. Mark’s also offers a Pre-K program for children who turn 5 by the end of October and miss the kindergarten cut off. It is academically based and a great prep for the kindergarten curriculum yet still offers a very nurturing, faith-based environment.

St. Mark’s prides itself on their low student-teacher ratio, with a teacher and assistant in each class. Various enrichment activities are offered in addition to the program, such as; Little Scientist, Kiddie Soccer, Music and Art and the kids love them! The kids also participate in a Thanksgiving feast, Christmas pageant and many local field trips.

The Parents Council is very active and for those parents that want to be more involved in the school and make some new friends! St. Mark’s offers a Lunch and Extended Day Program for the 3 and 4 year olds. My daughter is enrolled in an afternoon session but often enjoys going in for lunch at 11:30. When I need it, I can drop her off at 9 for the morning extended day, she then stays for lunch, goes to her afternoon class and is picked up at 3.

St. Mark’s is located at 11 East Main Street in Mendham. For more information, contact the Director, Caryl Merchiemer at 973-543-7000, or click on the link above.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Deciding to send your toddler to preschool and where to send them can be a daunting process. In Mendham, there are five very good preschool programs to choose from and it is my goal to educate you on each of them so you can make an informed decision and feel comfortable in choosing the best program for you and your child. As a mother of four, I have had a lot of experience with children and various preschool environments and hope to pass on some of that knowledge to you.

Hilltop Christian Nursery School (HCNS) is a preschool program that has been in operation since 1994 through The First Presbyterian Church of Mendham. It is licensed with the State of New Jersey and each class has one state certified teacher and an assistant. It was created out of the ‘desire to provide the community’s children with a strong educational foundation enriched by Christian values’. HCNS offers programs for 2 ½, 3, and 4-year olds in either a morning session or an afternoon session. For 3 and 4-year olds, there is an opportunity to participate in Lunch Bunch, where the child brings lunch and eats with their friends at school. HCNS offers many additional activities as part of their program, such as a Halloween Parade, Thanksgiving Feast, PJ Pancake Party, Donuts with Dad, Christmas Pageant, Computer Program, Musically Together as well as various field trips throughout the year in and around town. There are plenty of opportunities for parent involvement as well. HCNS has a wonderful playground and is conveniently located right next to Hilltop Elementary School in the heart of town, which makes pick up and drop off so easy.

For more information, contact the Director, Rhona Buzbee, at 973-543-0054.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Come to the Friends first fashion show, Looks for Books, on Thursday, December 3rd. See the new looks for the holiday season from local boutiques Windswept and Para L’elle. Sportswear from Mendham Racket Club’s Pro Shop, Courtside, and new yoga studio, Ecco Life will also be featured. Make-up from local celebrity make-up artist, Carla Fabrizi, jewelry from Red Tops and accessories from Beryl’s Belts are also going to be included. Ticket proceeds and a portion of the sales will benefit the Friends. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm and will be held at a Mendham estate, where champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served. There will also be a basket and live auction. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at Windswept, Para L’elle and the library for $45.

Mendham has been fortunate enough to maintain a public library since 1797. Begun as the Mendham Library Company, and then transformed into The Literary Club and the Book and Thimble Club, the generous and supportive Mendham community has always made the library a top priority. The Book and Thimble Club was so named because a member of the club would read while others would sew items for a yearly bazaar the funded the library’s collections.

Come out to support the library, it’s sure to be a great event!

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Mendham Office
8 East Main Street
Mendham, NJ 07945

Phone: 973-543-7400 ext. 29
Cell: 973-699-1615

Email: bhays@turpinrealtors.com

View Brian's Listings

The decision to join Turpin was an easy one for Brian, as he explains in his own words, "This is a firm I have known since it was founded, and it has always set the standard for quality, integrity and service." Entering the real estate industry was a natural progression for Brian, having enjoyed a 20-year career on Wall Street in sales and sales management for the national mortgage markets.

During his Wall Street years, Brian served as chairman of the board of the Bond Market Association, and has also been a consultant to commercial and mortgage banks. He co-managed a NatWest Bank unit, gaining even more mortgage and lending experience in that position. Additionally, he has worked in commercial real estate, where he became skilled in contract negotiation and securing property management assignments for the New Jersey court system.

This strong professional background is coupled by Brian's focus on his relationships with buyers and sellers. He brings high levels of professionalism and attention to individual needs, resulting in high quality service. Clients have described him as an optimistic, energized problem-solver.

Brian is a graduate of Brown University. He has lived in Mendham Township for over 40 years. Always active in the community, Brian has been chairman of the Mendham Township Tree Protection Committee for the past three years, and has been a trustee of Macculloch Hall in Morristown for over three years. He is a 30-year staff member of the Tewksbury Foot Bassets, and is a past tennis chairman of the Mendham Golf and Tennis Club.

The active life appeals to Brian, who enjoys mountain hiking in the Adirondacks and Utah’s canyon country, fresh and salt water fly fishing, and visiting art museums both here and abroad. He is married to Patricia A. Hays, an elementary school teacher at the Peck School. They are the prime babysitters for their three grandchildren.

With a wealth of financial, mortgage and real estate experience to share with his clients, Brian welcomes your call to the Mendham Office. He looks forward to assisting you with all your housing concerns.