National Night Out Celebrated In The Chathams

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Borough and Township were each sites for National Night Out community celebrations this past Tuesday night.

The celebrations in the Chathams were just two across Morris County, after the majority of National Night Out events throughout the country - normally celebrated each year in August - were sidelined in 2020 because of COVID-19.

Hosted by the Chatham Borough Police Department for Chatham Borough at Memorial Park, swimming, games, giveaways, live music, free ice cream and food trucks were among the fun.

Chatham Township’s celebration with the Chatham Township Police Department at the Colony Pool Club and Green Village Fire Department’s firehouse, included swimming, McGruff the Crime Dog, games, food, giveaways and more.

Bert Abbazia, now 94 and recently honored as Colony Pool Club's first lifeguard, additionally joined the festivities.

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, as well as officers with the Sheriff’s Office, mingled with people at multiple celebrations across the county, in Madison, Chatham Township, Florham Park, Mount Olive Township, Rockaway Borough, Denville and Butler.

“So very proud of the men and women of the Morris County Sheriffs Office and all the local PD’s,” Gannon said, calling National Night Out 2021 “an awesome success in Morris County.”

“Kudos to all the Police Chiefs for the leadership and professionalism demonstrated,” Gannon added.

“Equipment was displayed, safety information provided, programs discussed and best of all, interaction with our county residents in a fun, positive environment,” Gannon also said in a post for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

Chatham Emergency Squad thanked the organizers in both Chatham Borough and Township, saying overall, “Chatham does National Night Out so well,” giving a shout out to “everyone who stopped by to say ‘hello’ and maybe get a tour of our rigs.’”

Chatham Township Mayor Stacey Ewald and Deputy Mayor Kathy Abbott, attended in the township with Committee Member Celeste Fondaco, Ewald recapping it as a “wonderful community event.”

“Thank you Chatham Township Police Department, Chatham Township Fire Department, Chatham Emergency Squad and the Green Village Fire Department for a wonderful National Night Out,” Ewald said. “Really great job.”

“National Night Out is a great tradition,” said Abbott. “I think the police play such a key role in community building by running this event."

"Everyone clearly has a good time and also becomes aware of who our first responders are,” Abbott said.

"I hope the law enforcement and first responders shared in the joy they generated, they truly deserve it,” said Mark Lois, Colony Pool Committee Chairman, who announced the previous week he was putting his hat in the ring as the Republican candidate for Chatham Township’s Committee.

“Having Colony Pool Club open to all Township Residents on National Night Out is such a great opportunity to share its renewed vibrancy,” Lois also said about the celebration.

He said it was touching too that Abbazia was invited to events in both New Providence and Chatham, making it to both on Tuesday night.

“Our police, fire, EMS and Sheriff's Office truly showed up for our community, once again,” said Ashley Felice, Township Committee Member and Colony Pool liaison, who was additionally there for the festivities.

“This is another example of why our support for them should match the reliable, dependable and selfless service they provide,” Felice said.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.