CNJ+ April 2026

APRIL 2026 ISSUE 181

FORMERLY THE MILLSTONE TIMES WE ARE CONTINUING TO GROW TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS

New Jersey Youth Soccer’s Director of Coaching is Celebrated at the 2026 NJYS Awards

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APRIL 2026

I REMEMBER DAD: HOME FROM THE WAR By Richard Mabey Jr.

At the age of 18, my father enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, during World War II. What inspired my father to sign up for the Air Corps, is in itself, an in spiring story. Dad’s older brother, Ed ward, was serving in the U. S. Navy, aboard a ship, not far from the coast of dear old En gland. The ship was sunk by a German war ship. Uncle Ed bobbed up and down in the Atlantic Ocean for at least one full day and one full night. He was saved by a British ship. I think that the sinking of Un cle Ed’s navy ship, had a deep ly profound effect upon my father. It inspired him to join the service, at such a young age. My father grew up in the shadows of the maple, the elm, the oak and the pines, at the end of Mabey Lane. It was there that his father had built a two-story home. To the west, the north and the east of this dear home, lied a thick forest. To the south, lied a big, open field. My grandfa ther named the big field, Earl’s Meadow. For it was on this

A rare photo of Dad and Grandma taken at the end of Mabey Lane, upon Dad’s return home from Hickam Airfield. In the background, on the right hand side of this picture, you can see the garage that Grandpa built. Dad’s old homestead still stands beside that garage. To the best of my knowledge, the old garage is also still standing.

My father told me, on several occasions, that there was always the fear of another Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor and Hickam Airfield. The servicemen at Hickam were always on alert, for another attack. My grand mother, Bertha Mabey, was a very devoted, religious woman. She once told me that she prayed many times a day, that the Japanese would never again attack Pearl Harbor and Hickam Airfield. During the early Summer of 1946, Dad received an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Army Air Corps. He had served his country well. Dad re turned home to Lincoln Park, to his hamlet homestead at the end of Mabey Lane. He began dating Janet Kemmerer, from Boonton. The girl who had sent him cookies and wrote letters to him during his stay at Hickam. The very girl that Dad married and was destined to became my Mom. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

beautiful field that Grandpa’s brother, Earl, was going to build a home, when he came home from World War I. Sadly, my Great Uncle Earl was killed in battle in France. After his basic training was completed, Dad was shipped to Hickam Air field in Hawaii. Hickam bordered Pearl Harbor. At first Dad had the job of driving a big fuel truck, to fuel up war planes in the open fields of Hickam. Later, Dad would work on P-51 Fighter Planes. Specifically, Dad had the responsibility to change spark plugs in these Mighty Mustangs, as they were also called. An interesting side note of Dad’s stay at Hickam Airfield is that he became acquainted and became friends with the late, great Jerry Siegel. The man, whom with the help of Joe Shuster, created Superman. Jerry wrote for Hick am Highlights, the official newspaper publication of Hickam Airfield. Dad had the high honor of once being interviewed by Jerry.

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Yeah, we all want to be rich and famous, but we do not do any thing deceitful to get there; however, some people act on these thoughts and end up losing the ones they care the most about because of it. Your Trusted Partner For Digital Marketing Brian Desai #Local SEO Your Trusted Partner For Digital Marketing Brian Desai #Local SEO #Google Ads Your Trusted Partner For Digital Marketing Brian Desai #Local SEO #Google Ads Your Trusted Partner For Digital Marketing Brian Desai #Local SEO #Online Reputation #Google Ads #Customer Engagement #FaceBook Ads #Website Production $ 5 OFF #Online Reputation #Customer Engagement #Website Production #Brand Awareness #Customer Engagement #Website Production #Brand Awareness #Brand Awareness #Google Ads #FaceBook Ads #Get More Leads #FaceBook Ads #Get More Leads #Online Reputation DO YOU NEED A LAWYER IN MUNICIPAL COURT? 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As most citizens of New Jersey know, municipal prosecutors will, generally, as a matter of course offer a “no point” or “zero point” violation as part of a plea bargain if you are charged with one of these low-level motor vehicle violations. The monetary cost of these “no point” or “zero point” violations are rather excessive in that you are required to pay a $250.00 surcharge for this “privilege.” The statute which provides this “no point” plea is called the unsafe driving statute. The basic theory in accepting a “no point” or “zero point” plea bargain is to potentially avoid motor vehicle points on your license in order to keep your auto insurance premiums lower and, potentially, to avoid the suspension of your driving privileges where you are in danger of accumulating 12 motor vehicle points which will result in a temporary suspension of driving privileges. 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PRECIOUS BE, THY ELDER FAMILY MEMBERS By Richard Mabey Jr.

When I was a little boy, under the age of five, we lived in Clifton. My dad and his brother, Edward, owned their own truck ing company, which was based in Paterson. Every Saturday morning, Mom, Dad, my sister Patti and I would visit the old Mabey Homestead in Lincoln Park. It was a very spe cial time, a magical era, enchanted years of joy, wonder, charm and at times the sorrow of the passing of an elderly fam ily member. I was a sensitive child. I was painfully shy. I re member, oh so well, how much I loved those visits to the old Mabey Home stead. My great grand mother, Dora Mabey, was a great influence upon my thinking and developing, as well as in helping me to understand what is re ally important in life.

ways look over me. I remember that I would instinctively know when Grandma Dora was coming to a close with her earnest prayer. For we both would shout “Amen” when Grand ma finished her prayer, with the words, “in Jesus’ name I pray.” I am immensely grate ful to all the veterans who gave of their time, their talents, and to those brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our great na tion. When I turned 18, I had intended to join the service. Even if I was going to college, to join the National Guard. But my childhood bout with Rheumatic Fever left me with a severe heart mur mur, from having a dam aged Mitral Valve. Now at 72, and fighting this horrible heart disease known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, I find myself dreaming about Great Grandma Mabey, quit a lot. I believe Great Grandma Dora is one of my angels, preparing me for my journey Home to be with the Lord. If I may share these words with you, my friends. Love the ones that God has given unto you, in your family. For give, forgive, forgive and then forgive again the

Great Grandma had a set of Lincoln Logs, that legend had it had belonged to my dad. I remember sitting at the floor of the great big, enclosed front porch of the old Mabey Home stead, playing with those Lincoln Logs in my very early childhood. Great Grandma would be near me, rocking on her big rocking chair. Grandma Dora, as we all called her, would knit or crochet as she slowly rocked on her rocking chair. She would beautifully sing the old hymns to me.

Yours truly at three years old, sitting upon the outside side steps of the old Mabey Homestead.

wrongs that family members may have done unto you. Love your family with all your heart, mind and soul. Life is short. None of us have a guaran teed that we will see tomorrow’s morning sun. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books pub lished. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Pres ents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

I was only about four years old at the time, but Grandma Dora would tell me about how her son, Earl, had been killed in action in France during World War I. I remember this, oh so very well, as if it were just yesterday. Grandma Dora would pray over me, as I played with my Lincoln Logs. She would pray that I would never have to go to war, ever. That God would al

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NEW JERSEY YOUTH SOCCER’S DIRECTOR OF COACHING IS CELEBRATED AT THE 2026 NJYS AWARDS

New Jersey Youth Soccer (NJYS) honored leaders and championship youth soccer teams from across the state at the 2026 NJYS Awards Celebration presented by RWJBarna bas Health, held at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford. Youth Soccer Leadership: One of the eve ning’s most meaningful moments came during the Hall of Fame ceremony, as Rick Meana, NJYS Director of Coaching, was rec ognized as a New Jersey Hall of Fame Every day Hero. The Everyday Hero recognition is New Jer sey’s way to say, “Thank you” to those in the state who go above and beyond to make a dif ference in other people’s lives. The honor recognizes Meana’s long-stand ing impact on youth soccer in New Jersey and his role in shaping coaching education and player development. Nearly 30 Years of Leadership Rick Meana joined New Jersey Youth Soc cer in 1998. Since then, he has played a cen tral role in how the game is taught and un derstood at the youth level. As Director of Coaching, Meana has helped educate thousands of coaches while guiding the overall development philosophy of NJYS. His influence has extended well beyond the touchline. When asked how youth soccer in New Jer sey has changed since 1998, Meana pointed first to opportunity.

“There are simply more ways for players to play today. More leagues. More youth soccer clubs. More programs. All of this together provides pathways and opportunities,” said Meana. “Players now have access to a wider range of development options than ever before.” The Rise of the Individual Player Since Meana began his work with NJYS, coaching education has evolved significantly. The focus has shifted away from systems and tactics alone. Today, the em phasis is on the individual player. Modern coaching education prioritizes clarity, understanding, and deci sion-making.

The philosophical approach has changed as well. “Youth soccer today is about the individual player,” said Meana. “The player is now the protagonist,” added Meana. Players are encouraged to think, solve problems, and take ownership of their development. Coaches guide the process rather than control it. Another major shift has been parent education. Helping families under stand long-term development and realistic expectations has become an es sential part of youth soccer. “Parents can be misguided by getting their kids involved in competitive sports too early, believing it will help them succeed in the long run,” said

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Meana. “When you have 6 year olds play ing in a league where results matter more than enjoyment and passion — where the child’s needs are not really being met — when parents expectations differ from that of the child, then you have burn out which is something we want to avoid.” “It is simple. League play where results matter at too young an age is damaging. We want to keep players in the game … discovering the passion of the game,” Meana. The Modern Soccer Game is a Young Player Landscape Why Early Youth Soccer Experiences Matter: According to U.S. Soccer participation trends, players under the age of 12 now account for roughly 70 percent of all soc cer players in the United States. The data highlights how heavily the sport relies on its youngest participants — and how significant the drop-off can be once players move beyond those early years. For Meana, that reality makes early coaching and player development espe cially important. How players experience the game at

That belief began in his childhood in Baltimore, playing at St. Anthony’s Grade School. His earliest coaches were college players, former professionals, and parents who volunteered simply because they loved the game. “They shaped my love for coaching,” Meana said, “and the person I became.” ““When you call me a hero, I don’t feel like a hero. I have always just been doing my job. The real heroes don’t get paid,” Meana added. Quoting Aristotle, Meana reminded everyone that “He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.” He described himself not as a leader, but as someone who learned by following oth ers. For the past 28 years, he said, that ap proach has guided his work as Director of Coaching for New Jersey Youth Soccer. When he first joined NJYS, Meana re called being asked to focus heavily on the recreational side of the game. Along side Nelson Ramirez, he helped cre ate the Celebration of Soccer program, bringing the game into inner cities and centering the experience around players and volunteers. It was simple. It was joyful. And it mat tered.

young ages often determines whether they stay in the sport long-term. Mea na believes this places more responsibility on those coaches working with our youngest youth soccer players. A Hall of Fame Honor – Everyday Heroes In accepting the Hall of Fame honor, Meana expressed gratitude to the New Jersey Youth Soccer community, the coaches he has worked alongside, and his family for their continued support. He began by honoring the late Al Sinclair, who first hired him at NJYS. Meana credited Sinclair with believing in him, trusting his vision, and giv ing him the opportunity to pursue his goals. Standing among past and present Everyday Heroes, Meana was clear about where he believes the true recognition belongs. The everyday hero, he said, is the youth soccer coach who volunteers their time.

Speaking to young professional coaches across the country entering the game today, Meana closed with advice shaped by decades of experience. The players are not yours, he said. You are there for them. Their needs come first — fun, development, belonging, and freedom. “I have had the privilege of working with Rick for more than a decade. I can’t imagine a person more committed to the soccer development of youth players. When he steps onto the field his passion and energy is unmatched,” said Evan Dabby, Chief Executive Officer of NJ Youth Soccer. All of New Jersey extends a huge round of applause to NJYS Director of Coaching Rick Meana, who is now forever etched into the New Jersey Hall of Fame as an Everyday Hero. Awards image: Alecko Eskandarian, Denise Reddy with Rick Meana at the NJ Youth Soccer Hall of Fame awards presentation courtesy of New Jersey Youth Soccer.

ABOUT THE NJHOF: Because everyone needs a hero, the New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey, and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 17 ceremonies for more than 260 notable individuals and groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. The NJHOF endeavors to present school children with significant and impactful role mod els to show that they can, and should, strive for excellence. The New Jersey Hall of Fame opened its flagship location at American Dream in June of 2024 and features 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art interac tive exhibits for guests to create memories and leave inspired. For more information, go to www.njhalloffame.org.

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DO YOU HAVE UMBRELLA COVERAGE ? By John Bazzurro Over the past several weeks, I have had two unfortunate situations that have arose in my prac tice that have prompted me to write this article concerning something called “umbrella coverage.” Despite its name, this type of insurance coverage has nothing to do with protection from weather events. As will be seen below, “umbrella coverage” is another layer of insurance coverage that is rec ommended in order to properly protect you and your family against judgments and lawsuits arising out of your negligence or the negligence of a family member within your household. In one case, my client was significantly injured in a motor vehicle accident with a 17-year-old boy who had only recently received his drivers’ license. The automobile insurance policy on the young man’s vehicle had policy limits of $250,000.00 for the benefit of parties injured as a result of the negligent operation of the vehicle. The young man and his family live in a large home in an upper class Township within Monmouth County and, as such, it would seem that he and his family would have a reason to protect their assets over and above the $250,000.00 policy limits of their automo bile insurance. Unfortunately, they did not have additional insurance coverage and, as such, given the significant nature of my client’s injuries, their personal assets could now be in jeopardy in the litigation. In another case, a client of mine caused a significant accident in which a number of people were injured. Although I only represented her on the traffic tickets she received, both her and her hus band inquired as to whether or not it was likely that they were going to be sued for personal injuries arising out of the accident. Similar to the family above, my client and her husband only had automo bile insurance with $300,000.00 in policy limits to cover the injuries sustained by the other individ uals involved in the accident. The client’s husband was a medical professional and, once again, had significant assets over and above the $300,000.00 policy limits which he and his wife should have protected. When I asked them if they had “umbrella coverage” to further protect them, they did not know what it was. At a minimum, if you own a home and an automobile, you should have an automobile insurance policy that protects you against injuries you cause in a motor vehicle accident as well as homeowners’ insurance which protects you against injuries caused by you and your resident family members for negligent acts (other than an automobile accident) that cause injuries to others. All homeowners’ insurance policies contain an “automobile exclusion” for which the homeowners’ policy will not cover injuries to others as result of the operation of an automobile. If either of these policy limits are insufficient to “pay for” the injured parties’ injuries, “umbrella coverage” is intended to supplement your policy limits. Typically, “umbrella coverage” is purchased to supplement the above referenced automobile insurance policy limits and homeowners’ coverage policy limits; often at a reasonable rate. Such “umbrella coverage” is utilized and necessary to protect assets when your assets are greater than the policy limits afforded by either your homeowners’ policy or motor vehicle policy. Unlike homeown ers’ coverage, “umbrella coverage” does not contain an “automobile exclusion” and, as such, would be available to supplement automobile insurance coverage in the two scenarios described above. Accordingly, while it is a good idea to review your insurance coverages on a regular basis with a qualified insurance agent or broker, you should always be cognizant of the amount of your automo bile coverage and homeowners’ coverage in relation to the amount of assets you intend to protect. Importantly, regardless of the amount of assets you presently have, a judgment against you arising out of your negligent acts may last for 20 years or more and, therefore, assets which you accrue in the future may also be in jeopardy. So, regardless of the level of your present assets, it may be a good idea to protect your future with such “umbrella coverage.” Should you have any questions concerning this article, please feel free to contact my office or, alternatively, immediately discuss these issues with a qualified insurance agent or broker.

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JOHN T. BAZZURRO, Esq.

200 Meco Drive, Millstone Twp., NJ jtbazzurro@bazzurrolaw.com • BAZZURROLAW.COM Joseph Fattorusso, Esq. Associate Attorney Member New Jersey and New York Bars

Member of New Jersey and New York Bars

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I Remember Dad: REMEMBERING THE UNKIND LETTER By Richard Mabey Jr.

In early September of 1971, I turned 18 and began my college studies at County College of Morris. At that point in time, my father was a bit short handed for scout leaders, in his role as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170. Mr. Jack Floyd Sr. was the only one Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 170. At the time, the troop only had about three or four Committee man. Dad had asked me to help me lead the scout troop as an Assistant Scoutmaster. I gladly accepted my fa ther’s vote of confidence in my role as a scout leader.

Executive was there. When we walked into the room, the Scout Executive asked Dad if he could talk to him out side, alone. Mr. Floyd and I were very con cerned about what the Chief Scout Executive could be telling Dad. I re member looking outside the meeting room window and seeing Dad and the Scout Executive walking around the green grass. When the two men came back into the meeting room, they both looked very happy. After the District Round Table Meeting, Dad told Mr. Floyd and me what the Scout Executive told him. Dad was so happy to tell us that the Scout Executive told Dad that he was one of the best Scoutmasters in the entire Morris-Sussex Area Council. Then, Dad showed Mr. Floyd and I a copy of the letter the Scout Executive had written to the disgruntled scout father. The letter praised my father to the end of the earth. The Scout Execu tive’s letter made it clear as day, that he strongly felt that my dad was one of the best Scoutmasters in the entire council. In a subtle way, the Scout Ex ecutive kind of scolded the scout father for not seeing the forest for the trees. And, for not seeing how fortunate his

It was in mid-September that the fateful letter was written by one of the scout fathers in the troop. The letter was written to the Chief Scout Executive of the Morris-Sussex Area Council. The letter basically stated that this father felt my father should be removed as the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170. This scout father’s entire reason, for writing this terrible letter, is that my father used improper English when talking to the scouts. This scout father was not accusing my father of using curse words. In all my life, I had never heard my dad ever use a curse word. Rather, this scout father had kept track of the number of times that he heard my father said the word “ain’t” and used double negatives in a sentence.

A very rare photograph of my beloved father, from when he was a young man.

son was to have such a wonderful Scoutmaster like Richard Mabey Sr. The long and short of it all, it was a most beautiful letter that the Chief Scout Ex ecutive had written, praising my father’s dedication as a Scoutmaster. My father served as dedicated Scoutmaster, of Boy Scout Troop 170, for 30 years. I loved my father with all my heart. He was one of the wisest men I have ever known. It’s been almost 20 years since Dad went Home to be with the Lord. I still miss him, all so very much. Now at 72 and battling this horrible heart disease known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, I am fully aware that my time on earth may soon be end ing. If there are some words I can share with my readers, it is these words. Be kind to one another. Do not be too quick to find the fault in other people. Forgive, forgive and forgive those who have done you wrong. None of us have a guarantee that we will see the sun rise tomorrow. Cherish each and every moment of life. Love one another. Simply put, love one another. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books pub lished. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Pres ents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

This scout father was very bold in writing the Chief Scout Executive, be cause he mailed a carbon copy to Dad. I will never forget this moment. It was a Saturday afternoon. I climbed the stairs down to the basement of the old Mabey Homestead. There was Dad sitting at his workbench. He wasn’t tinkering, fixing a toaster, he wasn’t building a birdhouse, he wasn’t organiz ing his hand tools. Dad was sitting on his work bench crying. At 18, the only other time I had seen my dear father cry was the fateful day in mid-May of 1968, when he got the telephone call that his father had passed away. I felt Dad’s pain as he showed me the horrible letter that the scout father had mailed to the Chief Scout Executive. My father had spoken words of comfort to me dozens of times. From the time I got cut from my high school baseball team, till the time Penny Lan caster wrote me from Rutgers University that she had begun dating another boy. Now, it was my time to speak words of comfort to my beloved father. Fast forward two weeks later, in late September of 1971. Dad, Mr. Floyd and I were attending the District Round Table Meeting. The Chief Scout

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