The Women's Center at County College of Morris empowers individuals to achieve financial independence.  Are you or someone you know, planning to re-enter the workforce?  Contact Kathy Vicente at womenscenter@ccm.edu or 973-328-5025 or scan the QR code on the flyer below.  

 

 

Pictured left to right are Diane Vezzuto, President Elect, Kathy Vicente of the Women's Center and Betsy Roberts, Co-President

Meet Makayla from the New Jersey Sharing Network.  What an amazing non-profit organization.  Mikayla spoke about their mission and shared some very touching stories of donor recipients and donor families.  Team members, volunteers and community partners work together to save lives through organ and tissue donations and provide support to families of those who gave the gift of life.  Visit www.njsharingnetwork.org to learn more about how NJ Sharing Network saves live, gives hope and restores physical function.  Makayla is pictured here with Denville Rotary's Co-President Betsy Roberts.

 

 

Dementia is a general term for a decline in memory, reasoning skills or other thinking skills severe enough to interfere with daily life.  Alzheimer's is a specific brain disease and is the most common cause of dementia accounting for 60-80% of all dementia cases.  Dementia is not a normal part of aging but is caused by damage to brain cells which affects communication, thinking, behavior and feelings.  Thank you to Melissa Burside and Kevin Roman of the Alzheimers Association for educating us.  Please visit alz.org to learn about the warning signs, stages, and so much more.  You can sign up for their newsletter or call the hotline 800-272-3900 to speak with a professional.  You can also participate in "Walk to End Alzheimer's" on October 20th (see flyer below).  Pictured from left are Betsy Roberts, Co-President Denville Rotary, Melissa Burside, Kevin Roman and Diane Vezzuto, President Elect Denville Rotary.

 

 

As we enjoy our cookouts, star-spangled parades and skies bright with fireworks, let us not forget, this day, July 4, 1776, commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress establishing the United States of America.  Have fun and be safe!

 

 

Another two new members were recently officially installed into our Denville Rotary Club Family.  Welcome Mary Carri!  Mary is a Denville resident working in Parsippany as a Client Financial Manager for a health care company, is Co-President of Morris Knolls High School Booster Club and a member of the Morris Knolls High School Home and School Association.  Angelo Faillace is transferring his membership from the Phillipsburg Rotary Club as he has relocated to Rockaway to be closer to family.  Angelo has served as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer while he was a member in Phillipsburg.  We're sending out a warm welcome to Mary and Angelo and look forward to your participation in service and fellowship! Pictured with Mary is Membership Chair Tony Toriello and with Angelo is President Rick Rafferty.

 

Our Annual Memorial Day Rememberance.  We honor all who served this great nation of ours, but especially those who gave all.  Past President Joe Paci lays the memorial wreath while Past President Bill Kader raises the flag.  

 

 

 

 

 

Denville Rotary exists with a true spirit of giving to help others and here's a fine example of just that.  Through a grant and generous monetary gifts, we were able to donate two fire blankets and an emergency plug to the Denville Fire Department.  The blankets will contain electric vehicle fires in order to prevent spreading and the plug will be used to neutralize an electric vehicle so it can not move.  This is especially important if passengers are trapped inside the vehicle.  First Aid Captain, Bill Keating, center, and his crew received the donations.  Click on Read More for additional photos.

 

 

Join us for our second Meet and Greet gathering at El Mejicano on April 4, 2024.  Enjoy some apps and chat with Denville Rotarians to learn about all we do to create lasting change both locally and globally.  Details below: 

 

Tony deserves a nice round of applause as Denville Rotary President, Rick Rafferty, presents him with the prestigious Paul Harris Recognition.  After almost twenty years of membership with unwaivering dedication and outstanding contributions to Denville Rotary and to the community, Tony earned this award for the sixth time.  Congratulations Tony and thank you for all you do!   

 

It's plain to see that Jesus is very happy to be the newest member of Denville Rotary and we are all equally as happy that he has joined our Rotary family.  Jesus is the owner of  El Mejicano Restaurant located on First Avenue in Denville where he recently hosted our successful first Meet and Greet gathering.  We look forward to working together to further our endeavors in the community.  Welcome Jesus!

 

The Joey Bella Memorial Fund, an all volunteer organization, was founded in 1988.  It was established in honor of young Joey who left us way too soon.  The fund helps individuals and families in and around the Denville area who need assistance covering health care and related expenses of a seriously ill child.  They also help families obtain assistance through the NJ Children's Catastrophic Illness Act.  Thank you Richard Yobs, who has worked with the organization since its inception, for sharing the history and some very heartfelt stories.  Please help spread the word about the Joey Bella Memorial Fund and perhaps consider becoming a volunteer.

The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 with 18 officers pedaling over 300 miles to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC bringing awareness to Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices.  May 9th, 2024, marks the 28th anniversary with well over 3,000 police officers participating in this rigorous and emotional event.  Among the riders will be Denville Police Department's Officer Michael Ambrose, Officer Julian Melahn, Officer Vincent Fisher and Sgt. Dennis Subrizi.  Denville Rotary commends their valient efforts with a generous donation in support of "Denville's Finest".  Gentlemen, have a safe and memorable ride!  Pictured on left is Ofc. Michael Ambrose and on the right is Ofc. Julian Melahn.

It was such a pleasure and an honor to have Jeannie visit Denville Rotary.  She always brings her smile, sense of humor and a wealth of knowledge wherever she goes. Accompanying her was Herb Hamilton, Assistant Govenor.  Jeannie joined Madison Rotary in 2007 serving in many leadership positions including president.  She has served in numerous district leadership positions including Assistant Govenor and she is the recipient of many awards and recognitions.  Jeannie is currently serving as District Govenor Elect.  To learn more about Jeannie's very impressive service to Rotary and community, please visit https://njrotary.org/documents/en-us/cccca203-37af-464b-9103-458770783ae4/1

OH WHAT FUN IT IS .. to party with Denville Rotary!  We packed the house at Ravello's with good food and spirits, amazing dance moves, awards and most importantly, good friends and friends of friends.  Let's not forget the highlights of the evening.  Mayor Tom Andes was presented with Rotary's highest award, the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Recognition, for his years of many outstanding contributions to the community and his unwavering support of Denville Rotary.  Also, Deacon Frank Vezzuto was presented with Rotary's Vocational Service Award for promoting high ethical standards and furthering the ideals of community service.  Both of these honors are very well deserved and we thank them for their many years of service.  (Please take a look at the Holiday Gala photos under the Photo Album tab below.)

 

Pictured are President Elect Betsy Roberts and Past President Tony Toriello (aka party planners)

Pictured below is Mayor Tom Andes, Mrs. Sharon Andes and Rotarian George Hrobuchak

Pictured below is Rotarian George Hrobuchak, Deacon Frank Vezzuto, Rotarian Mrs. Diane Vezzuto

Not only is Denville Rotary all about service to others, service to community, networking, fundraising, caring and kindness, we also like to share fellowship and fun times!  Are these things important to you?  If you have an interest in joining us, contact Tony Toriello at ttoriello@yahoo.com to chat about how you can become involved.  (The men had their party too.)

 

THIS IS YOUR REMINDER ... 

Don't miss out on the festivities at Denville Rotary's Annual Tree Lighting Event this Saturday, November 25th, at 6pm.  Santa Land is all decked out and ready for Santa's arrival on Sunday, November 26th, following the Holiday Parade.  On December 2nd and 3rd and then December 9th through the 23rd, Santa will be sitting in his chair waiting for all the children to visit him on weekdays from 4-7pm and weekends 1-6pm.  Happy Holidays To All!

 

It's that time of year already!  We're only two weeks away from the formal opening of Denville Rotary's iconic Santa Land so Santa's helpers are hard at work.  Mark your calender for Saturday, November 25th, 6:00pm and join us for our traditional Tree Lighting ceremony with carollers, hot chocolate for the children, local dignitaries, Morris Knolls Academy of Performing Arts Vocal Group and of course the count down and tree illuminaton.  See you all there!  (Here's a special thank you to the Morris Knolls High School Interact Club for lending a helping hand with our preparation.)

  

This past weekend was a spooky fun time at the Morris Knolls High School Interact Club's Trunk or Treat event. President Rick Rafferty and Rotarians Bernadette Lindsay and Jessica Lindsay participated handing out treats to little ones from Rick's spidery trunk.

 

 

 

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Your very thoughtful donation can play an important role to women receiving breast cancer therapy.  Please give if you can on October 18th at Denville Municipal Building.  See details on the flyer.  Appoints are preferred but walk-ins are welcome! 

 

 

 

  

What a pleasure it was to have Dr. Steven Forte, Superintendent of Schools, join us for an afternoon meeting!  Dr. Forte has served as Superintendent of Denville Township Schools since 2014 and he has much to be proud of.  Our schools rank in the top 20% of NJ schools for math and reading proficiency with a student/teacher ratio of 10:1.  Dr. Forte spoke about the updated curriculum, woodworking program, building improvements, the operating budget and reserve funds, maintaining faculty and staff and recruiting new hires, class three resource officers, how the district is planning for the possible increase of students as a result of the new housing developments currently under construction and those planned.  This is just a sampling of Dr. Forte's discussion.  If you missed this meeting, you missed a lot.  Thank you Dr. Forte!  (To sign up for the school newsletter email sforte@denville.org.  Please click on Read More to view Denville Public Schools Fact Sheet.) 

 

   

The weather could not have been better with a clear blue sky and mild temperatures.  It was the perfect day for an off-site outdoor meeting at Diamond Spring Brewing Company (thank you for hosting us)!  It's nice to spice it up a bit and do something a little different.  Pizza and salad were ordered from Denville Pizzeria and of course individual beverages from the brewery were a real treat!  We love supporting our local businesses. Thank you to new members Bernadette Lindsay and Jesse Lindsay for introducing us to their business, North Capital Funding.

 

  

    

 

Exciting things happened at Denville Rotary on June 24, 2023.  We joined together at Navona Restaurant celebrating the installation of incoming President Rick Rafferty and his Board of Directors serving the 2023-2024 Rotary year with PP Diane Vezzuto serving as Master of Ceremonies.  As tradition holds, this is a very special time for us!  That's not all though.  Denville Rotary awarded Rotarian Dr. Andy Smith with the prestigous Paul Harris Recognition for his contributions and service to Rotary and to our community.  A second Paul Harris Recognition was awarded to Dave Sipple, Chairman of the Denville Beautification Committee, for his nonstop efforts to keep Denville "flowering" season after season.  A special thank you to Dave and his volunteers for literally getting down and dirty so our community remains bright and beautiful!  To show our appreciation, we presented the DBC with a $1,000 donation to help with their ongoing plans.  As things wind down, we offer a very special thank you to President Joe Paci and his Board for their leadership and dedication as we continued to grow and prosper.  Looking forward, we wish the best to incoming President Rick and his Board of Directors in keeping the momentum going for another prosperous year!

(Please take a look at the Installation Photos under the Photo Album tab below.)    

 

   

Our 40th Anniversary Street Festival was a huge success!  We had perfect festival weather, thousands of visitors, over a hundred vendors, numerous sponsors, a very lucrative 50/50 raffle, live music all day long, dancing in the street, a very busy beer garden, a variety of yummy food and treats, rides for the kiddies, and balloons, cotton candy and zeppoles.  All this topped off with lots of smiles, laughter and the joy of children of all ages!  Thank you to all who visited and enjoyed the day with us.  Your support contributes to the many Denville Rotary community projects and donations delivered over the course of the year.  Also, a special thank you to our club members, club families, club friends and all volunteers who worked so hard for many months.  We want to give a very special thank you to Mayor Andes, Denville Police Department, Denville Fire Department and the Denville Department of Public Works.  Please visit the Photo Album area below and click on Sreet Festival 40th Anniversary 2023 to view the photos.

 

 

Rotary would not be in existence today if not for the vision of one man, Paul Harris, born April 19, 1868, he died on January 27, 1947.  Paul was born in Wisconsin, grew up in Vermont, attended the University of Vermont, Princeton University and the University of Iowa where he received his law degree.  He ultimately settled in Chicago where he opened his law practice.  During a walk along the streets of Chicago's North Side with a fellow attorney, Paul was very impressed by the comaraderie among businessmen and wanted to find a way to channel it.  He had a vision and on February 23, 1905 Paul met with three business associates to discuss forming a networking organization for local professionals.  This became known as the first Rotary meeting.  To learn more about the history of Rotary and it's evolution, seach rotary.org/history.  You'll find Rotary's very first service project very interesting!  Thank you Paul Harris!  (Graphic credit Debbie Vance, Graphic Designer)

 

  

Denville Rotary's annual Joint Service Club Meeting is being held on April 20, 2023 at the Village Restaurant in Morris Plains.  Our featured speaker is Lt. Col. Alexander Burgos who is second in command at Picatinny Arsenal.  This meeting is open to members of local service organizations with limited seating.  Respond by April 7th to claim your seats.