One might expect to see a calculator, some pens, paperclips and important-looking papers in a banker’s office.  But, what about a wall lined with brightly colored t-shirts?  Well, if you step into Provident Bank manager Mara Johnson’s office, that’s exactly what you’ll see. Hanging on the back wall, not far from the pens and paper, are t-shirts celebrating Madison’s May Day, an annual day of town beautification. Each t-shirt represents a different year of volunteering on this special day of clean-up.  So, it’s no surprise that Johnson’s wall is covered.  She has volunteered for May Day for …

Nineteenth-century author and clergyman Henry Giles was quoted as saying, “A song will outlive all sermons in the memory.” Obviously, his faith in the power of song was strong. And though much has changed since Giles’ time, songs still seem to serve as  memorable messengers today.  Just ask Madison’s Diane Higgins. As the special projects coordinator for the non-profit Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), Higgins coordinates “New Jersey Shout Down Drugs,” a statewide high school music competition that invites students to perform original songs with a drug prevention message. The …

Madison High School History Department Chairman Mark DeBiasse stood before an assembled group of high school students last Friday ready to reveal the results of a “class clash,” a competition between the classes. All sat poised, ready for victory. As DeBiasse called out the results one grade at a time, each class cheered with vigorous enthusiasm. The students applauded as if they were at a schoolwide pep rally vying for the title of “most spirited.” But they weren’t. Rather, they were in the auditorium vying for an award celebrating another kind of spirit…community spirit! The class that …

Heading someplace warm for spring break?  Got your sunscreen?  Shorts?  Work boots? Huh? Who needs work boots for a warm weather vacation? Well, you do, if your vacation is like the one taken recently by three Madison families.  During a long weekend in March, the Wynnes, the Hollanders and the Blounts joined 60 others from nearby towns and traveled to Mexico. Though they were near the beautiful Pacific Ocean, they were not there to build sand castles. Instead, they were there to build homes for impoverished families in the Baja region. For some, like the Blounts, it was the first time making…

There’s rarely a day that goes by without news about the economy.  Some of it’s good but most of it tells a story we’ve been hearing for a while now, one about struggling businesses and persistent unemployment. It's a story the non-profit Dress for Success (DFS) Morris County knows all too well.  Since 1998, Madison’s DFS Morris County has helped thousands of disadvantaged women conquer unemployment and find success in the workplace.  In both good economic times and in bad, DFS Morris County helps women find and keep jobs.  These women are referred to DFS by local social service agencies; …

A few years ago, young Kathryn McManus thought it would be amazing if her favorite doll story could be turned into a play. When her mother Mary shared this wish with Constance Bizer, then Madison Public Library’s program and public relations coordinator, Bizer took it upon herself to rewrite the story as a play for Kathryn. This was an act of kindness the McManus family never forgot; one made even more poignant by the unfortunate passing of Constance Bizer in 2008.  And, it was a gift that they are paying forward. Kathryn, along with her younger sister, Kristin, and 22 other mostly 8- to 12-…

Hanging beneath an imposing elk's head on a wall in the lodge room of Madison Elks Lodge 1465 hangs a bronze plaque that reads “charity."  This simple image seems to sum up perfectly what the fraternal organization does: The Elks help those in need whether it’s hosting pancake breakfasts for youth groups, buying an electric wheelchair for a senior citizen, or playing bingo with veterans.  So what are the Elks?  The Madison Elks are part of a national organization that got its start in New York City in 1868 when a group of entertainers, the “Jolly Corks,” wanted to do more than enjoy each …

Long-standing piles of snow are finally gone; days are longer and hint at warmer temperatures ahead. It won’t be long before “play ball” rings out on baseball diamonds across town. And, thanks to Madison High School’s baseball players, Madison’s Little League will be ready. As part of a program run by varsity baseball coach Mickey Ennis, more than 20 MHS baseball players have volunteered to help prepare little leaguers for the season.  Since Feb. 6, they have spent early Sunday mornings passing down what they’ve learned about the sport to the young players.    Frigid days haven’t kept more …

Want the secret to staying young?  Talk to Madison’s Al Garreffa.  At 81, he’s not slowing down. He spends time with friends and family. He exercises regularly. And he volunteers…a lot! Studies say volunteering keeps you young. Looks like they may be right. Garreffa was born and raised in Madison.  He remembers a Madison with more fields dotting the landscape than buildings. Though times are different now, Garreffa is as firmly rooted in this town as he ever was.  He raised his family here and is now retired in Madison. Through the years, Garreffa has given back to the only town he’s called …

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."  This Charles W. Eliot quote stands at the end of every e-mail Pat Tagg sends.  Clearly, books are important to Tagg.  And, she shows her appreciation for them not only with this quote.  She serves as the Board Chair for the Madison non-profit Friends of the Madison Public Library.  It turns out that books have friends, too.  And, during these times of limited resources, these friends are needed more than ever.    Since 1938, the Friends of the …

Diane Mann has a story to tell.  It’s a story about a “place for everybody."  A place where people can find “purpose and meaning."  A place in her hometown…the Madison Area YMCA. As the Madison Area YMCA’s chief executive, Mann knows a thing or two about “the Y."  New to the job in July of last year, Mann arrived from California at the same time the national YMCA introduced a new brand strategy. New logo, new colors and even a new, yet familiar, name—“the Y”—were created to help the non-profit better tell its story.  And, telling the story is important to Mann; it’s a way, she said to help …

Madison is chock-full of interesting people. There are world travelers, accomplished writers, award-winning teens, and rock stars. OK, so there might not be too many rock stars but there’s at least one. It’s Fiona Flanagan. During the late '80s and early '90s, Flanagan lived the life of a rock musician; she made albums, toured the country, wrote music, starred in music videos on TV and even in a movie.  And, now she’s sharing her talent with Madison.  For the second straight year, she has volunteered to sing at the Torey J. Sabatini  Elementary School Adult Social fundraiser. The fundraiser …

Catch a glimpse of Emma Dark helping young children learn to dance at the Madison YMCA and you’ll know she is exactly where she wants to be. She exudes happiness. Her enthusiasm is palpable and her ear-to-ear smile contagious.  It’s no surprise to learn that Dark loves bringing her love of dance and volunteering together. “I love volunteering," she said. "I feel like I’m getting my calling.” The Madison High School senior, who participates in the Pathways program for students with special needs, spends 10 hours every week as a volunteer dance assistant at both the YMCA and the Madison …

What’s not to like about a place where Mr. Clean and Audrey Hepburn meet you at the door?  Gracious enthusiasm, and wide-eyed interest welcome you warmly. That, and a whole lot of purring!  Yes, Mr. Clean and Audrey Hepburn are cats. And, their home is St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, Madison’s loving shelter for animals in need of homes.  Since 1939, St. Hubert’s has sheltered countless homeless companion animals, helping them find loving homes willing to adopt them. Today, its cause extends well beyond shelter and adoption. During the past 72 years, it has expanded its mission to include…

Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a disaster that brought unimaginable grief to the small nation. Last week also marked the anniversary of a conversation between a Madison daughter and mother, one that eventually inspired many in our community to help Haiti heal. Today, nine-year-old Elle Cantor and her mother, Lauren, still talk about Haiti and its continued desperate situation. And, like a year ago, they are determined to do what they can to make a difference. After watching news coverage of the Jan. 12,2010 earthquake, Elle, a third grader at…

Scores of studies show that music in a curriculum helps enrich student learning and social skills. This is good news for Madison students. The district’s commitment to the arts gives students an abundance of ways to explore their musical interests. These include bands, orchestras, ensembles, musicals, and music theory classes. More good news? The non-profit Madison Music Association enhances the music-rich program; it both supports teachers’ efforts and shares the many high notes with the community.    Chances are, if you’ve lived in Madison for just a few months, you’ve seen evidence of the …

Madison’s Les Hollander felt helpless. During the spring of 2009, his next-door neighbor and close friend, Fred Wynne, had been dealt a crushing blow: His wife Kelli, the love of his life and mother to their four children, had lost her valiant battle with cancer. Hollander was determined to find a way to help Fred and his children, Elizabeth, Freddie, Natalie and Lily. He did. He found Good Grief, a local non-profit that helps children coping with loss. Since then, Good Grief has been an important part of not only the Wynne’s family life; both Hollander and fellow Wynne friend Jim Topor have …

You don't have to live in Madison long to see Mayor Mary-Anna Holden. The life of mayor is a busy one. Whether it's at a Borough Council meeting, a business opening, a football game or a charity event, Holden spends thousands of hours a year working on behalf of the town. And, the paycheck?  Just like it is for the rest of the Borough Council, zero dollars and zero cents. So, the question is…why? What drives Holden to be on call for Madison 24/7? Here are some possible answers: North Tarrytown, N.Y. Childhood Driving through Madison for the first time in the late 1980s, Holden said she felt …

It was early in the morning but the West Orange Richard J. Codey Ice Skating Arena was filled with young boys and girls from World Impact's Newark Christian School, squealing with delight as they made their way round and round the rink.  They were getting a free ice skating lesson from two-time Olympian JoJo Starbuck. For many, it was their first time on ice skates. Some clung to the side wall. Others cast caution aside, propelling themselves to the center of the rink. All spent the morning with ear-to-ear smiles on their faces. And, thanks to Starbuck, they left with stories of an Olympic-…

It's a busy time of year.  To-do lists are long and time is short. A day with nothing to do but sit around and watch TV sounds dreamy. Yet, for some seniors in our community having nothing to do is a burden. They are no longer independent but they are still able to be active.  For them, a day in front of the TV is not a dream but an everyday possibility; a lonely and isolating possibility.  For these seniors and their families, the Family Service of Morris County's (FSMC) Adult Day Center in Madison provides a solution.  Formerly known as "Time Out", the Madison Adult Day Center offers …