Guide Me Home to North Jersey

Summer is almost here and what better way to kick it off than a good, old fashioned carnival!

The Chester Volunteer Fire Company #1 will hold their annual carnival at Chubb Park in Chester, New Jersey from June 22nd – 26th.

The carnival opens at 6:30pm and runs until around 10pm. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are wristband nights, with the purchase of a wrist band, you receive unlimited rides!

On Friday, June 25th, a fireworks display will begin at 10pm.

Posted by:  Nicole Atorino

Morris County has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the country for golf enthusiasts.

Roxiticus Country Club The Club property is located within the boundaries of both Mendham and Bernardsville. The Club has a challenging 18-hole Hal Purdy designed golf course. The course stretches to 6,521 yards with a 72.5/135 course rating. A driving range, two putting greens, lob wedge area, and indoor range “tech center” are available.

Mendham Golf and Tennis Mendham Golf and Tennis Club has 320 full golf memberships. There are no required tee times, but portions of weekday mornings are set aside for certain Men’s and Women’s groups. The Golf Committee runs several tournaments per month and governs the rules and policies for equitable and enjoyable play for the members.

Morris Country Golf Club Founded in 1894, the Club was unique from the beginning as it was planned, organized and operated by women. The Club was an early member of the USGA, joining in 1895, and was the first club in New Jersey to host national championships, the US Women’s Amateur in 1896, followed two years later by the US Men’s Amateur in 1898. The present 18-hole course was laid out by the highly respected golf course architect, Seth Raynor, in 1916.

Spring Brook Country Club Spring Brook’s magnificent 18-hole golf course, sits on top of a hill overlooking Armstrong Pond. Its golf amenities include a driving range, putting green, and a fully stocked Golf Pro Shop. Established in 1921, Spring Brook’s golf course was designed by golf legend, Walter J. Travis. The championship course is enhanced by a variety of trees and foliage, which add to the natural beauty of the grounds. Its three par 3’s in a row around the pond add an unusual and interesting challenge to this magnificent course.

Turpin’s Mendham office, 973-543-7400, has listed a lovely ranch home at 230 Mountainside Road, Mendham, on 9± acres which includes a Ken Dye designed golf course with 2 greens, 4 tees, sand traps and bunkers. This allows a number of combinations, including two par 4’s. Hope to see you out on the links!

Posted by:  Nicole Atorino

Come to the Mendham Juniors Electronic Recycling Day!

Just bring your old and dated electronics to Mendham Borough Public Works at 37 Ironia Road in Mendham this Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Acceptable items include:
-  Computers (Hard drives erased by: Supreme Electronics)
-  Small Electronics
-  Desktop & Laptop Computers, Copiers,
-  Hardware, Printers, Monitors,
-  Small Household Appliances
-  Tape Recorders & Radios
-  Typewriters & Fax machines
-  Televisions of All Kinds

For answers to questions, to volunteer, or for more information, please click here.

Posted by:  Nicole Atorino

Help support the Women’s Association of Morristown Memorial Hospital.

The Women’s Association of Morristown Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce its 15th Mansion in May Designer Showcase and Garden at Fawn Hill Farm in Harding Township, New Jersey throughout May, 2010. Proceeds will be directed toward a $25 million expansion of the Emergency Department at Morristown Memorial Hospital.

Harding Township is a quiet community heralded for its privacy and true country living. Its convenient location makes it attractive for those who seek an oasis away from the city with a manageable commute. I currently have a terrific home listed in Harding Township, at 2 Fawn Hill Drive.

Details can be found by clicking on the link above, or by contacting me directly at natorino@turpinrealtors.com.

Posted by:  Nicole Atorino

Come down to the Brookside Community Center in Mendham Township on Saturday, April 24, 2010 to support the Mendham Little League at their annual fundraiser. Tickets are $60 and with your purchase you receive three drink tickets, dinner and entertainment, The Meathooks . There will also be a silent auction with many terrific items to take your chance at winning.

Mendham Little League has been in operation since 1998, when the league was created to fill the desire for organized play for girls and boys over the age of 13 in Mendham Borough and Township. Prior to this, children played in the Babe Ruth league, which offered a limited number of teams. Over 350 volunteers run this program which benefits more than 750 children. This includes managers, coaches, team parents, players, umpires and board members.

For more information and to purchase tickets, or to preview The Meathooks, please click on the links provided above. It’s going to be a great night of good food, good music and good friends, all for a good cause. Hope to see you there!

Posted by:  Nicole Atorino

On Saturday, April 3, 2010, at 2PM at the Mennen Arena in Morristown, New Jersey members of the former Delbarton and St. Joseph Regional High School hockey teams will reunite to play “the game that never was”.

The original game, to be played in 1989, was canceled due to a measles outbreak and was never rescheduled. Both teams were ultimately declared co champions. However, the debate continued as to which team would have won.

Thirty-five of the forty original players that were scheduled to compete in the 1989 NJ State championship game will reconvene to determine who deserved the title. The event, called ”Frozen Flashback” is more than just a hockey game. It is a fundraiser for the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer charity. Through this organization, the NHL assists community organizations and medical centers who focus on cancer research and directly assist families affected by the disease. To date, Frozen Flashback has raised over $55,000 for their cause.

For more information and to obtain tickets, visit the website link above. I am looking forward to attending with my children to reconnect with old friends, see some great hockey and support an important cause.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Bring your best poker face and come out to support Mendham Borough Schools at the Home School Association’s Annual Spring Fundraiser, “Casino Royale”. The event will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010, from 7:00-11:00 pm at The Skylands at Randolph.

Tickets cost $60 per person and guests will enjoy a cocktail buffet and cash bar. There will be game tables to try your luck and tickets will be sold for the Silent and Chance Auction. Class donated baskets and teacher donations are a big hit and a great way to participate in the action in case lady luck leaves you flat!

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

The students at Hilltop Elementary School in Mendham Borough will put on a special performance for parents and friends on Friday, March 19, 2010. The theme is “Green, What can we do? What can I do?” and will feature a magical black light show using puppets, masks, music, rhythm and dance to raise awareness of some environmental issues such as recycling, saving trees, alternative energies, and reusing things in a creative way.

The students and teachers have been working hard to create a memorable experience and are excited to have the opportunity to show off their efforts. It’s so nice to know that our children have recognized that caring for the Earth is a serious mission for us all and are anxious to spread the word.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Mountain View School in Mendham Borough has been selected as a “New Jersey Middle School to Watch” in the state’s selection of just THREE schools statewide. This program is used ‘to highlight middle schools that make an extra effort to support sustained learning.’ The school’s programs will now be shared with schools in New Jersey as well as on a national scale to promote inventive approaches to grade school, middle school, and classroom education that focus on creative models that help all students achieve better results.

The schools were judged on three sets of criteria:

Social equality - do the programs provide every student with high caliber teachers and resources and offer fair opportunities for all?; academic excellence – do the school programs challenge all students?; developmental responsiveness - are the programs perceptive to the unique needs and developmental challenges of early adolescence?

Mountain View was recognized for high achievement in all three of these areas! Visit the official Schools to Watch website to learn more! As the mom of two Mountain View students, I couldn’t be more proud!

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

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

If you’re out and about in Chester or Mendham this weekend, check out The Meathooks, a great local band that is creating a lot of buzz. Formed in 2003 by James Vilade and Brian Wilson from Mendham, the band has a great sound- think ‘Grateful Dead meets Tom Petty, in the form of Soundgarden’. They have a new album in the works so come out see what all the buzz is about! On Friday, Jan. 29th at 7pm, Brian and James will perform an acoustic set at The Publick House, 111 Main Street in Chester. The Publick House is a great spot, the bar area is cozy and their brick oven pizzas are terrific. Saturday, Jan. 30th at 9:30pm, they come home to The Pub at the Black Horse Tavern, 1 W. Main Street in Mendham. The Pub has great atmosphere, great food and is always a good time. For more info visit: www.chesterpublickhouse.com, www.blackhorsenj.com, and www.themeathooks.com.

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 Mendham Borough Integrated Preschool Program is located in the Mountainview Middle School at 100 Dean Road in Mendham. They are currently offering morning and afternoon sessions for 3-5 year olds. The program is very closely aligned with the Kindergarten curriculum, and the strong teaching staff ‘work closely with individual children to meet their needs in a developmentally appropriate manner’. Many parents who have children with summer birthdays love this program and feel it is an ideal prep for Kindergarten. I have seen many situations where being one of the ‘older kids’ lends a tremendous advantage socially, academically, and physically.

The Integrated Preschool also offers lunch bunch and extended day for parents looking for a full-day program. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact the preschool teacher at 973-543-7075, ext. 247.

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

The Mendham Borough Fire Department will host its annual Twelfth Night Celebration and Christmas Tree Bonfire on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 6:30pm. Mendham Fire Department members will collect Christmas trees from residents’ homes for a donation to the Department. You can also drive your tree down to the Borough Park yourself and add it to the pile. It’s a great family event that also offers an opportunity to catch up with neighbors and friends after the holidays. Hot chocolate and cider will be served.

Please click on the link above to download the pick-up form or contact the Department at 973-543-4682 for more information.

You can also head down to the Mudhole for some ice skating. The pond, just down the road on Mountain Avenue, is lit until 10:00 pm, so bring your skates and hockey sticks! There is also an opportunity to swap skates with an informal skate exchange throughout the weekend.

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

Come on down to the Hilltop Elementary School in Mendham Borough on Saturday, November 14th from 4-7 pm and put your recipe to the test at the HSA’s Chili Cook Off. Judges for the event are Mendham Borough Fire Department Chief, Ed Tenza, former Managing Partner of Chili’s Restaurants, Rick Caminiti, and local celebrity chef, Francis Kennel.

If baking is your thing, enter the best decorated dessert contest. There are also kids’ categories for the budding chefs in your family. A special ‘People’s Choice Award’ will be sure to heat things up–bring your quarters to place your votes!

There will be live music by The Simplest Thing, as well as face painting, relay races, hot dogs, root beer and other fun family activities.

To enter the cook off, go to www.mendhamboro.org for a registration form and guidelines or to RSVP to the event. It’s sure to be a great event, so come hungry!

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

The members of Mendham’s own theater group, The Hexagon Players, are extremely proud to be participating in their 39th consecutive year of productions! This November, the Hexagon Players will perform Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka” at the Delbarton School.

Hexagon seeks to provide a high quality community theater experience for both its members and all the residents of the Morris County area. The not-for-profit organization has presented approximately eighty-three productions over the years, with productions being staged at various locations. The Hexagon Players have received many NJACT nominations over the last three years and have recently been awarded the honor of winning “Best Ensemble Actor” in the recent production of “Drop Dead”.

My daughter has enjoyed being featured in some recent productions; Peter Pan and Seussical, and is very excited about her role as an oompa loompa in the upcoming Wonka.

Dates, show times and ticket information for “Willy Wonka” can be found by clicking here. Hexagon strives to provide high quality entertainment and opportunities, both onstage and behind the scenes, for all those interested in the arts. We love having them right here in Mendham and encourage you to come out to see the show!

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

On Sunday, November 1st at 3pm, Kids Care and the Mendham Borough Home School Association (HSA) are sponsoring a two-mile walk for Doyle Hagany, a 10-year old Mendham boy who has recently been diagnosed with T-cell leukemia. The walk will commence at the Mendham Borough Gazebo, at Borough Park. Donations to support Doyle’s treatment fund will be accepted by Dare to Care Alliance for Children. All donations from this event will support Doyle and his family during the course of his treatment and recovery. In addition to direct donations, t-shirts and bracelets are being offered for sale and Girl Scout Troop 1073 will be hosting a bake sale and lemonade stand to raise money for Doyle.

Kids Care is a committee of the HSA where parents and children can participate in community service projects that reach out to members of the local community and beyond. Other successful events sponsored by Kids Care include a drive for soccer equipment distributed to Iraqi children by U.S. soldiers, food, candy and clothing drives for various local shelters and Thanksgiving pie baking and donations to local community soup kitchens.

I am personally participating in the walk for Doyle event with my children and I am so grateful to be part of a community like Mendham where there is so much love and support.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Mountain View Middle School, in Mendham Borough, recently embarked on their 6th grade Environmental Education Trip. A 24-year tradition, this trip is a real highlight for the 6th grade class. Students and teachers make their annual trek to Fairview Lake Camp, outside of Stillwater, near Newton, NJ for a three-day expedition into the wild. Fairview is a 600-acre YMCA camp, nestled at the foot of the Kittatinny Mountains in scenic Sussex County and adjoins the 12,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. For three days and two nights, students are given the opportunity to increase their awareness of the natural world, learning through hands-on activities and classes. One of the main goals is for them to grasp the shared responsibility for care of the environment and another is to foster a connection between themselves as individuals and as part of the natural community. This trip is not only great fun for the kids but also presents the opportunity for them to build appreciation of talents, abilities and character among their peers, something that is not always apparent in the classroom.

Students participate in various workshops and enjoy hiking, boating, crafts and the overall experience of communing with nature. Sleeping in cabins and dining in the mess hall, as well as campfire songs and team skits are some of the things the kids look forward to most. This unique opportunity is one of the many ways that Mendham Borough schools offer a superior educational experience. It also contributed to Mountain View being named a “New Jersey Middle School to Watch” by the New Jersey State Department of Education, an award given to only three middle schools in the entire state.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Enjoy a great evening of Family Fun at Alstede Farms in Chester, NJ. On October 16th & 17th and again on October 23rd & 24th Alstede is offering Harvest Moon Hayrides and their famous Night Time Corn Maze! For $14.95 per child, $16.95 per adult, you can come out and try your luck at the corn maze (remember to bring your flashlight). A country music DJ, campfire and unlimited hot and cold cider are also included. The pumpkin patch is open as well and you can roast s’mores over the fire.

The theme of this year’s corn maze is the New Jersey Devils, with the maze depicting three players and the NJ Devils logo. There is also a smaller “Goalie” maze for young children and a more challenging “Defensemen and Forward” maze for adults and older children.

The farm is open daily from 10-6pm, and offers a moonbounce, farm animal feeding, and pony rides. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch for pumpkin picking run from 12-5:30pm on weekdays, 10-6pm on weekends. I can’t think of a better way to spend some ‘Fall Family Fun’ than at Alstede Farms.

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

A great way to spend a beautiful fall day is apple picking! Riamede Farm, located in Chester has 35 acres of apple trees ready for picking. With over 30 varieties to choose from, such as Gala, Red and Golden Delicious, Macintosh and Fuji, you’ll be sure to find the perfect apple for your favorite apple pie or apple crisp recipe.

Riamede is open seven days a week, from 9:00am to 4:30pm and offers free hayrides through the orchard on weekends. You can purchase apple-picking bags or bring your own. Riamede also hosts school, youth and other organized groups during the week.

Riamede Farm participates in the Farmers Against Hunger Program as well. Through volunteers, surplus fruits and vegetables are collected and distributed to local organizations serving the needy. Each year nearly 1,000 volunteers come out to the fields to help collect the fallen apples on the ground, a process called gleaning. What a great way to give to the needy and foster a sense of volunteerism in the community. Open since 1974, Riamede farm has been the place to go to get the best apples, so head out to Chester today!

Posted by:Nicole Atorino

Mendham Office
8 East Main Street
Mendham, NJ 07945

Phone: 973-543-7400 ext. 138

Email: natorino@turpinrealtors.com

View Nicole’s Listings

In order to be successful in today’s real estate market, Nicole is passionate in her belief that a real estate firm must provide a unique marketing approach, a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and unparalleled customer service. She found all those qualities and more at Turpin Real Estate.

Committed to delivering outstanding service while paying close attention to all the details, Nicole brings a sales and marketing background to her real estate career. In addition, she has many years of successful interior design experience. This well-rounded approach allows her to provide a strategic marketing plan for properties, while her artistic eye visualizes the untapped potential in any home. Nicole is known for putting the best interests of her clients first; she is both tenacious and enthusiastic about the transaction process.

After graduating from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Nicole was eager to return to her native New Jersey. She studied marketing at New York University, and began a career with F. Schumacher & Co. in the marketing department of FSC Wallcoverings. After several years, she moved to the Waverly Home Division and worked closely with customers decorating their Princeton area homes.

A lifelong resident of the Garden State who grew up in Chatham and New Vernon, Nicole is currently living in Mendham with her four children. Nicole is actively involved in many local organizations including the Hilltop School Parents Association, St. Joseph’s Church, Mendham Junior Women’s Club, Mendham Newcomers and Neighbors, and The Noe Pond Club. An avid skier, she enjoys tennis and paddle tennis and long walks with her yellow Lab, Paola.

When you meet Nicole, you meet a sales associate who is dedicated to helping you achieve your housing goals. Her familiarity with the marketplace is a valuable asset to buyers and sellers who rely on her firsthand knowledge of the area. She looks forward to assisting you with all your real estate concerns.

Provided by the real estate site HGTV’s www.FrontDoor.com