Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • December 2, 2009 Mahwah Minutes Board of health to meet The Mahwah Board of Health will meet Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Mahwah Municipal Building, 475 Corporate Drive. December Bag Sale set The Clothing Closest ministry of the Ramapo Reformed Church will hold a Pre-winter Bag Sale on Saturday, Dec. 5.The church is located at West Ramapo Avenue and Island Road in Mahwah. Phone (201) 529-3075. Tree Lighting Festival set The Township of Mahwah will hold its Annual Tree Lighting Festival on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Mahwah Township Municipal Building, 475 Corporate Drive. Santa Claus has made special arrangements to fly in and light the tree in front of town hall. After the lights go on, Santa will be in the senior center to hear requests holiday gifts from Mahwah children while his elves serve refreshments. The choir from Joyce Kilmer School will entertain with a medley of favorite holiday songs beginning at 4:45 p.m. at the senior center. Library offers ‘Happy Holiday’s 1950’ Sue Ann and Marty Kogan will bring “Happy Holidays 1950” to the Mahwah Public Library on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The interactive show will feature authentic vintage holiday gifts for every member of a ‘50s family. Walk down memory lane with this unique selection of period collectibles. “Happy Holidays 1950” is free. No tickets are necessary. Seats are available on a “first come” basis. The library is located at 100 Ridge Road. Call (201) 529-READ. Value-Packed Parenting series continues Grace and Truth Chapel will continue its “ValuePacked Parenting” family video series on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. with “Discipline Isn’t Spelled P-U-N-I-S-H-M-EN-T.” Speaker Dr. Kevin Leman has authored more than 30 books and has spoken about family issues for several decades. He is also known to morning television viewers as a contributor to ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CNN’s “American Morning.” This presentation will help equip families to raise rocksolid kids in a pleasure-driven world. The presentation will combine Bible verses, humor, and practical, specific points that support children and families in today’s challenges. Grandparents and other family members are welcome. No monetary collections will be taken. Directions and more information are available online at www.gtchapel.org or by contacting the chapel by phone (201) 327-6226 or e-mail gtchapel@juno.com. Grace and Truth Chapel is a non-denominational group of Bible- believing Christians, located at 131 Fardale Avenue, Mahwah. Weekly services include Family Bible Hour each Sunday morning, beginning with coffee and refreshments at 11:15, and a meeting for prayer and Bible study each Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. Learn to cope with holiday stress The Mahwah Public Library will present “Coping with Holiday Stress” with Maia M. Rahill, LCSW, LCADC, LMFC on Wednesday Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Rahill, a licensed clinical social worker, has led corporate training sessions and helped people manage stress and take control of their situations. She will help participants learn how to prioritize tasks, avoid overload, adjust to change and loss, and create joyful memories. Get tips on dealing with the pressure of gift buying, social gatherings, and family expectations. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. This workshop is free. No tickets are necessary. Seats are available on a “first come” basis. The library is at 100 Ridge Road. Call (201) 529-READ. Chamber to dedicate Veterans Tree The maple tree in Veterans Memorial Park, located in historical downtown Mahwah, will be lit by the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce at the WinterFest Opening Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. The Chamber has dedicated this tree to all local veterans, and to those currently serving in the armed forces. The tree will be lit on the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Wrapped in 150 strands of dazzling white LED lights and funded by donations from local businesses, organizations, and families, the lights will not be taken down at the end of WinterFest. Instead, they will stay on the tree and be lit for other events throughout the year. Because the lights are energy efficient and low voltage, they won’t harm the tree in any way. Become a WinterFest sponsor online at www.mahwah. com or by calling the Chamber office at (201) 529-5566. Celebrate the season at a Holiday Luncheon On Dec. 8, the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a Holiday Luncheon at the Sheraton Mahwah Hotel at One International Boulevard, Mahwah. Doors will open at 11:45 a.m. Luncheon will begin at noon. The Chamber will be honoring the Citizen of the Year, the Company of the Year, and the Organization of the Year at this event, which is being sponsored by ServPro of Northeast Bergen County. Music will be provided by Select Strings of Mahwah High School, under the direction of Wendy Campbell. This festive event is the Chamber’s largest luncheon of the year. Over 250 attendees are expected to join this celebration. Event organizers encourage everyone to attend with their staff members and make this holiday celebration their own companies’ holiday event. Register online at Mahwah.com or call (201) 529-5566. Creating a sensation Mahwah’s George Washington Elementary School second graders Conor Boyle, Jasmine Hazar, Thomas Ferman, and Isabelle Garino are pictured with Rosemary Sblendorio at a ‘Go Green’ assembly presented by Sensational Science and funded by a Mahwah Schools Foundation grant. Fundraising (continued from page 4) each Mahwah school student to contribute to the organization. He is now a student at Villanova University where he is a member of the Marine ROTC program. His sister Kristin, a junior at Mahwah High School, has since assumed the responsibility for the annual fund drive, and Montesano suggested this year that it be expanded to all the county’s school districts. Montesano brought the suggestion to a meeting of county superintendents, and Maria Gonzalez, mother of Marine Corporal Visnu Gonzalez, a paralyzed war veteran who recently moved into a home in Hillsdale that was built under the auspices Homes for Our Troops, attended the meeting to explain the personal value of contributing to the organization. In 2004, a sniper’s bullet struck Gonzalez while he was fighting in Fallujah, Iraq. It was the second tour of duty for the Dominican-born soldier who grew up dreaming about becoming a Marine. He survived, but lost the use of his legs and has limited use of his hands. The elder Kosch and his son helped to build the house which is customized to accommodate Gonzalez’s needs and features wheelchair access throughout, an elevator, lowered countertops, solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and LED lighting. Kristin Kosch, who was recognized as the “2009 Kids for Our Troops” award recipient last June, has gotten to know Gonzalez and his mother through her experience with this fundraising effort. She says she has learned from them firsthand how this new home will improve the veterans’ quality of life. “The challenges they face are incredible,” Kristin wrote in her fundraising letter to students and parents, “and I know we must do whatever we can to help them and let them know that their service and sacrifice are greatly appreciated.” In reaction to the success of this year’s fund drive, which is always conducted in conjunction with Veteran’s Day, she voiced her thanks to all those who contributed. “It’s just great that everyone is so generous and that there are kind people who are willing to donate,” Kosch said. “It’s just a good cause. The veterans risked their lives for us so it’s just a little thing we can give back to them.” Home Decorating Deals at Home Hardware Early Decorating Special 10% OFF* all holiday decorating supplies Limited time offer *excludes GE Pro-Line 150 light set GE Pro-Line® 150 Outdoor Mini Light Set Buy 3, get 1 FREE* Reg. $14.99 each • • • • Clear bulbs 5” spacing between bulbs Can string up to 6 sets together for total 62-ft. lighted length Professional grade *10% discount does not apply Large variety of LED light sets in stock to choose from 27 Franklin Turnpike • Waldwick www.homehardwaresupply.com 201-652-5666 OPEN SUNDAY 9-3 Mon-Wed 7:30-6, Thurs & Fri 7:30-8 Sat 8-5