See 2021 Uplifting Stories That Made Chatham A Special Place

CHATHAM, NJ — Now that 2021 is in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to look back at what was positive about it.

While Ida, COVID and pandemic problems caused heartache for many, there were glimmering moments sprinkled throughout the year that took the spotlight from the difficulties.

Read some of them below and stay tuned to Patch in 2022 for more. Hit the “follow” button on Chatham Patch here if you haven’t already, to read Chatham’s stories in the coming year and beyond and the “like” button here to stay connected on Facebook.

Chatham Girl Part Of Historic 'Sesame Street' Thanksgiving Show - Rachael Dutta ended up being a part of an episode on Sesame Street, where Asian-American Muppet, “Ji-Young,” was first introduced. This heartwarming episode, “See Us Coming Together,” which debuted on Thanksgiving Day, teaches about the customs and gifts the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have brought to the United States.

Chatham Heads To Hollywood For Film’s World Premiere - “Generation Wrecks,” which had some scenes filmed in Chatham and other communities throughout the region, made its way to the red carpet in Hollywood for a film festival at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. The film stars Chatham native Bridget McGarry, who helped conceptualize the film with her friend, Victoria Leigh. Members of McGarry’s family and friends also worked on and in the film.

Telling A Gamer’s Story In Chatham - Tonya Horton said she and her husband Leonard Gicas wanted to make sure their children Kennedy and Noah Gicas, were each doing something productive with their time in the lockdowns. Her son Noah had an interest in creating a podcast, with mother and son having taken a course together, that led to the development of his series, “A Gamer’s Story.”

Chatham Eagle Scout Project Benefits Dogs Rescued By St. Hubert's - Lucine Basralian loves animals and helping in the community. Through her love of both, she and fellow scouts with BSA Troop 280, designed a boardwalk that bridged a path to sensory gardens as part of her Eagle Scout Project, that can help dogs with St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, who may have been previously confined, to experience more of the outdoors.

Chatham ‘Soup Sisters’ Stir Up Soup For ‘Homeless Solutions’ - Moms from the Long Hill Christian Preschool, rolled up their sleeves during a ladies’ night out for a good cause. As part of the evening, they made homemade soup at Healthy Italia - La Buona Cucina in Madison, for Homeless Solutions, a Morris County-based group that provides shelter, services and supportive housing to the county’s homeless and working poor.

Have an upbeat and inspiring adventure of your own to tell in 2022? Reach out to me at jennifer.miller@patch.com to share your story.