By Jim Giannaros

The Newton Theatre will be hosting the “Big Apple Comedy Club V” to showcase some of New York’s best professional comedy acts on May 19 starting at 8 p.m.

The show will make you laugh with raw and eccentric routines, the same acts used in comedy clubs in New York City. The performers in the show are not amateurs; every one has appeared on Comedy Central, NBC and/or HBO.

Featured in this show are comedians Tom Cotter, Michele Balan, Moody McCarthy and Jessica Kirson.

“I am very excited to go to the show, being a big fan of comedy it was awesome to hear that there was a New York show happening just minutes from the school,” said Corey Rosta, a student at SCCC.

Prices for the show are $25 for orchestra and $20 for balcony. There are no age restrictions to the show, but bring your ID just in case.

By Dieter Unrath

When Nathan Shatsoff was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2009 at the age of 22, he was the youngest case that the doctors had ever seen.

Colon cancer usually affects those older than age 50. Nathan passed away in 2011, but not before founding one of the best new cancer organizations around.

“I’m living proof that cancer does not discriminate; it affects young and old. We donate our time and money to find a cure. A world without cancer is our goal. We will not stop until this happens,” Nathan said before he died.

Relentless Against Cancer, based in Hamburg, is a federally registered, nonprofit organization.

“Our goal is to raise funds in support of cancer research for the development of treatments that will ultimately eradicate all cancers,” said Becky Shatsoff, Nathan’s sister and director of marketing.“We hope that our efforts will lead to the elimination of cancer, and eliminate a reason for us to exist as an organization.”

Some of the specific things they help include: improving cancer treatment methods, developing new treatments, developing new testing techniques and improving the quality of life for all cancer patients.

Since Nate’s passing, his family has continued to run the organization.

“It’s definitely been difficult to go on without him, but we also take comfort in knowing that we are working on his dream,” said Becky. “We hope that our continued efforts are making Nate proud.”

Relentless has been organizing various community events to help benefit the cause since their founding. They most recently had their third “Bowling for the Battle” at Sparta Lanes, which raised more than $6,000. They’ve also sponsored booths at various Relay for Life events as well as the NJ State Fair.

The newest event to be announced is a bike rally and family day on September 29^th. The event will be held at the Hamburg Fireman’s Pavilion and will feature games, arts and crafts and food, all kicked off by a motorcycle ride. Relentless will again have a booth set up at the Sussex County Farm and Horseshow in August.

One does not need to be part of the organization to be involved.

“We are always looking for volunteers at our events, and a great way to get info on this is to subscribe to our newsletter,” Becky said.  “Our first newsletter will be coming out in May and we’ll have a few volunteer opportunities listed. There is no dollar amount or volunteer time too little. We are all doing our part in this fight as best as we can.”

The charity has logo apparel available on their website, along with a donation link. For more information on the organization, events or to donate, please visit relentlessagainstcancer.org or facebook.com/relentlessagainstcancer

By Allie Shubert

If you have a passion for fly tying and casting, Fly Fishing Day in Succasunna, presented by Ramsey Outdoor in March, was the place to be.
They may be a small chain with only three locations in Paramus, Ramsey and Succasunna, but for more than 50 years Ramsay Outdoor has staged numerous outdoor related events for their customers. Fly Fishing Day took place on Saturday, March 10.  The event consisted of a series of seminars starting at 10 a.m.
The vendors and organizations were some of the biggest names in the fly fishing industry.

Nick Cambra, 15, discovered the organization “Kids on the Fly” two years ago through a previous Ramsey event.  He immediately became hooked and now serves as a junior mentor who teaches the younger generation how to tie the perfect fly. He passed his interest onto his good friend Ryan Snarski, 14, who joined the organization last month.
Kids on the Fly was formed to teach people of all ages to tie flies and fly cast.  The supplies are donated from companies who want children to pass along their knowledge on the sport of fishing.
“It is great because it’s a lot of money to restore supplies so it’s easier when donated,” Cambra said, “It is an organization I want to stay a part of for a long time.”

Wearing dark glasses, and a black and white bandana, puffing on an electronic cigarette and covered from head to toe in tattoos, sat Mike McAuliffe.

For the past nine years, he has been a certified guide and fly-tying instructor. At 10, McAuliffe learned the art of fly-fishing, which he has made into a full-time job. About five years ago, McAuliffe founded Rise Form Studios.  He was the first in the industry to share a series of fly-fishing technique videos featured on iTunes and YouTube.
“I want people to be aware that this is not the Mike McAuliffe show,” said McAuliffe. “I feature famous people in the industry as well.”

The job did not start out of nowhere.

“At first, I was a college art professor,” said McAuliffe. “I was taking on clients for fly fishing on the side, but after my father passed away and the dust settled, I got involved more.”
Along with the podcast, McAuliffe instructs a six-week course through the Regal Vice Fly Tying School, presented annually by Ramsey Outdoor. He took a break from instructing and presented a seminar titled “Twelve Months of Fly Fishing in New Jersey.”
The seminar told guests what trout are eating each month of the year, their primary food source and specific fly tying techniques.

Chuck Hoppe, from Lincoln Park, sat along with a crowd of guests on fold out chairs to view every seminar. Every April to October, whether in the quiet waters of the Catskills or Pequest, Hoppe prefers getting in the stream in order to catch fish. Fishing does not always come easy, and Hoppe thanks his favorite rod, manufactured by Sage, for helping him with his greatest captures.
“It feels good on my hand and it is light,” says Hoppe.  “I caught a 26 and a half inch rainbow trout in Pequest with it.”
“Each (seminar) had something different to offer, different techniques and fly patterns for NY, NJ, and PA” — his favorite destinations.
“I always figure I can learn something new even after fishing for 50 years,” said Hoppe.
Kevin Campbell, event organizer for Fly Fishing Day,  has been an active fly fisherman for more than years.

“It promotes fly fishing and brings in customers in the winter when business slows down,” said Campbell.  “It’s informative and a good opportunity to compare stories, flies and streams before we head out for the fishing season.”
Other seminars were presented by Paul Healy of Jim Thorpe Fishing Co and Ken Tutalo of The Baxter House.

By Madisyn Jackman

Surrounded on two sides by stacks of kennels containing crying canines of various sizes, colors and breeds, a man walks through with a dog in his arms.

The barking and yapping from the kennels echo off the walls, creating a cacophony of sound, begging to get the attention of anyone who passes by.

The man ignores the cries, stops in front of an empty kennel and opens it. He admits the shelters’ newest resident, who only moments before had everything that a dog could possibly want.

This scene, the one that happens just after a pet is abandoned at a shelter, is increasingly common as more numbers of pet owners are forced to give up their pets due to the bad economy.  The current unemployment rate in NJ is nine percent, the highest it has been in nearly three years.  The high unemployment rate, and several other factors, have contributed to making it difficult to now own a pet.

Not only has the slump affected pets and their owners, but it has affected others involved in the care and welfare of animals.

The number of dogs given up for adoption at the shelter has increased by thirty percent since August, according to Jan Hewitt, a staff member at Father John’s, a local animal shelter.  Jan said the number of impounds (dogs that need to be picked up) at the shelter has also increased as more and more pet owners hit hard times. Some let their pets go and hope that they get rescued by animal control before anything bad happens, she said.

Expenses also play a role in why so many animals have been given up, according to those employed in veterinary care.

Lisa Grau, a receptionist at Fredon Animal Hospital, said that more and more people have been skipping regular checkups because vet visits can range in price from $100 to 200, plus the price medication, which can add up over time.

She said that some shelters are offering coupons that can be used to lower the price of having any dog spayed or neutered when they adopt. Fixing a dog is also considered a big expanse for any responsible pet owner.

All of this amounts to a bad situation for not only dogs, but people too.  The bond between a person and their pet is a strong one.

“A person came into the shelter to surrender one of their dogs; this person had been living in their car with this dog and another one. It had become so crowded in that car that the owner had decided to surrender the larger of the two.

When this person surrendered their dog over to us they were in tears,” said Amy Richards, the receptionist at Father Johns.

Last Night the men’s and women’s basketball team pulled off a sweep of Passaic County Community College.  The men’s team won 72-70 with a game winning shot scored by Mike Fonseca with four seconds left.  Fonseca and Seth Kott led the team with 23 points and 22 points respectively.  Kott also earned a double-double collecting 12 rebounds.

The women’s team also won in a thrilling encounter 48-47.  Samantha Paulson hit a clutch three-pointer with six seconds left to secure the Skylanders their 4th win of the season.  The evening was highlighted by Katie Hartigan breaking the school record for most career points for women’s basketball.  The record was previously held by Kristen Cenicacelaya with 568 points.  Katie scored 24 points to bring her total to 571.

Last night was the last home double-header of the season as well as the last home game for the women’s team.  The next home game is Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 against Rockland.  This is also the last game for the men’s team.

Matt Ciuffitelli as Oscar Madison and Tommy J. Wright as Felix Unger

You’ve seen them in the movies, you’ve watched them on TV, now come and experience Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” on SCCC’s Performing Art Center’s stage. 

Let us entertain you as Tim Chenard directs his first ever student product with an amazing cast including Matt Ciuffitelli as Oscar Madison and Tommy J. Wright as Felix Unger. 

Tickets are being sold at the SCCC Box office and online at www.sussex.edu.  Just $5.00 for students and staff, $10.00 for the community. So bring a date or the whole family on Friday February 24th at 7 pm and Saturday the 25th, 2 pm matinee or 7 pm.

   The Loving Hut, a Vegan restaurant located in Ledgewood, NJ is offering a 10% discount to SCCC students who present their school IDs.

   The Loving Hut is an international chain, with each location having a unique menu and atmosphere.  All the food served at Loving Hut locations is Vegan (meaning it is strictly Vegetarian, containing no animal-derived ingredients).

   Some people (like myself) have chosen Veganism for moral reasons, as it saves the lives of animals and makes an exponential difference.  Others choose Veganism for environmental reasons, or health reasons (it has been proven that meat can cause heart problems, obesity, and even cancer [a Vegan diet contains no cholesterol and is without many of the other dangerous things found in animal-based products]), and some choose Veganism for purity or religion.

   Not everyone who eats at the Loving Hut is a Vegan, but it is a great place for those who are, and for those who want to enjoy good food that won’t weigh on their conscience.

   The Ledgewood Loving Hut has a mostly Asian-based menu, but includes a variety of other things, including a popular “children’s menu” with things like Vegan “mac-n-cheese”.  It, also, has a much-requested banana-berry smoothie, as well as an array of interesting and popular entrees and appetizers.

   The staff of The Loving Hut is friendly and compassionate, and accommodates special requests with ease.

   Hero Zhou, one of the managers of The Loving Hut was a student at Sussex County Community College last year, and has agreed to offer a discount to SCCC students.

   It is a lovely place to go, has affordable food, pleasant service, and is one of the few Vegan establishments in the area (though the number is growing, with a variety of compassionate businesses emerging throughout the state, country, and world).

   So, whether you are a Vegetarian or Vegan, or not, The Loving Hut is a great place to go, where you can get good food, and engage in compassionate action.  Veganism is a wonderful, life-saving thing, and is a much easier lifestyle to adopt than some might think.  Whatever your story, stop in the Loving Hut, and enjoy a suffering-free meal, today.

By Timothy Profeta

         At Windy Brow Orchard in Fredon recently, the sun sifted and danced through the trees, providing that poignant autumn coloration. The orchard provides an escape from entertainment dominated by technology and gives a true feel of the land that many call home.

         For $9, visitors can pick a peck of apples, about 10-12 pounds.  Some visitors make long trips to pick their apples at Windy Brow.

           “We came up from Denville to enjoy the beautiful land and have something fun for the kids to do,” said Denville resident Michael Cleveland.

         Embracing the beauty of the land in Sussex County is a relief from fast-paced, non-stop media and a fun activity for the weekends.

           “It was like being in a Steinbeck novel. I got to spend time with people I enjoy being around in a truly beautiful place,” said SCCC student Taylor Constantine of Hampton.

Rutgers student Brittany Metsopulos of Hampton commutes home for the weekends and chose to go apple picking.

“I genuinely love apples,” said Brittany, “and it’s also good to support local economies.”

          A good number of young adults seem to enjoy the outdoors.

            “It’s affordable, close to home, and feels great to be outside, as opposed to going to see a movie or watch a game,” said Rutgers student and Stillwater resident Chris Profeta.

        Windy Brow can also offer a sense of discovery to people who go.          

        “It was a beautiful, fun-filled day with new and different experiences. We got to pick all sorts of apples and I got to discover new kinds apples that I like,” Taylor said.

        Windy Brow Orchard is something unique, leisurely and affordable to do on weekends.

         “It was fun, I would definitely do it again,” said Taylor

                                          Trick or Treat: Are You Too Old?
By Michelle Achtau
      “Trick or treat!” A little boy is dressed in a Batman costume while holding out his candy bag. As he receives his Halloween treat, the smile on his face widens. “Thank you!” he yells as he takes off.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rings again.  This time, the trick or treater is not a child.  He is a teenager who looks like he can be eighteen or nineteen years old. He isn’t friendly and has a look on his face that says “give me candy.” The candy drops in their bag and they run off to the next house.

There is no age limit rule for trick or treaters, but sometimes we wonder, how old is too old?
      It’s three o’ clock on Halloween. The streets are somewhat dead with a few early bird trick-or-treaters. Mothers are pushing their toddlers in strollers as they go from house to house.  As the night progresses, more people swarm the streets. The darker it gets, the more the teenagers and older crowd comes out.

          Halloween is a holiday that can be enjoyed by all ages, but sometimes there’s a point where the line should not be crossed. If people are polite by saying thank you then they get candy, they should get the hand-out, but often teenagers have no manners or awareness of the clock when it comes to Halloween.

Some neighbors have the best Halloween treats on the block, so their doorbell is always ringing.

           “I love having trick or treaters. But having the doorbell go off for hours can be exhausting. By eight thirty, I’m ready to wind down. Unfortunately, around nine or nine thirty, I get the older crowd is still coming to the door,” Michelle Lipari said.  “I personally think if you are still in high school, it’s a little old to be trick or treating.”

            Costumes, candy, and spooky decorations—who doesn’t love Halloween? Everyone can enjoy this holiday, as long as they’re polite and don’t stay out too late.

“A lot of people I know get really angry at older kids trick or treating. I think it’s great,” said Sam Desande. “It seems like our society just wants teens to not exist. I would much rather have teens come to my door for some free candy then come later with toilet paper. Usually the older kids we get are super polite. And I could care less if they are in costume. As long as they ring the bell they can have candy.”
            There is no rule saying if you are a teenager you are too old, but some people may think otherwise. Halloween is a holiday for people to let out their inner child—but perhaps some rude teenagers should draw the line.

The Student Government Association and Clubs at SCCC on Friday night hosted a scary haunted hayride and Halloween Party for the community on October 28. The hayride started at 6 pm and went until 10 while the party was from 6 pm to 9 pm.

According to Heidi Gregg, Associate Director of Student Services, the turn out at the college was wonderful and the weather helped out a lot. “I feel we had over 500 people attend the event this evening. All the students did a terrific job.”

Inside the cafeteria and corridor was a variety of games plus activities, along with a Bounce House for the children’s party including a pumpkin patch with hay. Kids could go into the pumpkin patch, pick out there own pumpkin and color it at a table to take it home. Games included beanbag toss, pin the tail on the human body, along with face painting, tattoos, coloring and more.

Refreshments included candy, popcorn, cookies, cupcakes, soda, juice, hot chocolate and don’t forget the coffee for the parents chasing after the youngsters.

The Haunted Hayride was based on a first come-first serve basis, with colored tickets leaving every ½ hour starting at 6 pm and the last ride leaving at 9:30 pm. The tickets went fast and by 8 pm they were all gone for the night since there is only a limited number of seats per ride.  People of all ages went on the ride as students from the Business Club, Anime Club, Gamers Chalice, Performing Arts Club and other Volunteers acted out a horror story along the rides route around the campus, especially up through the dark and creepy woods.

According the Mr. Jerry Smith of Newton, he didn’t know the college did anything like this until he read it in the NJ Herald. His eight-year-old son Austin had a terrific time and can’t wait to come back here next year. “Not only is it free but it’s safe for the kids and such a variety of things for them to do inside and now a days safety is my wife’s and mine main concern.”

Congratulations to all that helped make this an enjoyable night for the kids to remember who came.

Link for photos of the Halloween Party and Hayride go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sussexnj/sets/