Hopatcong-Sparta, NJ|News|
Gala Friday Aims to Help Haiti, Honor Volunteers
The Hands of Mary for Haiti is hosting annual celebration on April 19 at Perona Farms in Sparta.

Kim(at)patch.com (Sorry, the at symbol is not appearing correctly, along with other symbols, hyphens, apostrophes, etc ... in the bio section)
845-891-6816
Originally from: Houston and Dallas, Texas
Birthday: December 16
Bio: Before becoming Nanuet Patch editor, Kim Tran attended the University of Missouri's Journalism school. She graduated with two bachelors: B of Journalism in print/digital news and B of Arts in English. While in school, she was a journalist for the daily newspaper, the Columbia Missourian, as a reporter and copyeditor. She also worked for the university's newspaper the Maneater and freelanced for Vox Magazine and Inside Columbia Magazine.
Kim was born in California and raised in Texas before going to college in Columbia, Missouri. She moved to Congers, NY after graduating to live with her grandparents. Her parents and siblings now live in Seattle, WA.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
My beliefs are moderate
Are you registered with a certain party?
No
Religion
How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?
I was raised Roman Catholic and although I am not a member of an individual church or congregation today, I still think that faith is an important aspect of everyday lives. Everyone should have faith in something, even if that something is oneself.
Local Hot Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
The economy, education and the environment.
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
Economy:
With so many businesses in Morristown, the economy is key in its influence on which businesses stay and go; and indirectly, which jobs stay and go. Everyone's budget sways with the economy from taxes to what you buy at the grocery store.
Education:
The generation of today face many more challenges than those of preceeding generations. From healthier lunch menus and new technology to faculty cutbacks because of the economy, the kids today are growing up very differently than those of an earlier generation.
As the world seems to change a lot faster today, children also need to change and adapt more quickly to prepare to become our world's future.
Environment:
Morristown is very forward in terms of "green" thinking and sustainability efforts. I support the idea that a change in the environment around us needs more than just one person switching to organic foods. It needs multitudes and communities to make environmentally-concious decisions at the individual level.
I started my own vegetable garden this summer as one of the many things I do that hopefully better this earth.
The Hands of Mary for Haiti is hosting annual celebration on April 19 at Perona Farms in Sparta.

The Hands of Mary for Haiti is hosting its annual gala on Friday, April 19 at Perona Farms in Sparta.
Impact 100 will award a $133,000 blue-sky grant to one qualified nonprofit applicant in 2013.
Rocio Navas made it to the honor roll at Dover Business College for the Winter 2013 quarter
Eleven students from Morristown made it to either the Dean’s List or honor roll for the Winter 2013 quarter.
Drive 80 Studios hopes to 'create clarity' for businesses via animated storytelling.
Morristown ABC board members had differing opinions on what time Tashmoo should stop alcohol sales. The liquor license transfer was approved 6-1 with certain conditions such as last call at 11 p.m.
Thomas Jefferson School Teacher is collaborating with Sarah Price to get the students' works published in 'Musings from Fifth Grade Thomas Jefferson 2012-2013: An Anthology of Fictional Narratives.'
The food drive will benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry. The drive will be this Saturday to coincide with the league's opening day
Drive 80 Studios hopes to 'create clarity' for businesses via animated storytelling.
Thomas Jefferson School Teacher collaborating with Morris Township author to get students' works published in 'Musings from Fifth Grade Thomas Jefferson 2012-2013: An Anthology of Fictional Narratives.'
Grassroots Natural Market plans to open in about two weeks; check out the video to see what the owner and Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty had to say.
Ticket purchased at Pro Haircutters; Powerball now rolls up to $60 million.
AAA is the highest rating possible for a governmental entity.
The official results were announced Monday. According to Bike and Walk Morristown's Facebook page, they won with 645 votes. The bike corral will be at Kings Food Market
Three homes were sold in Morristown, four in Morris Township and three in Morris Plains this past week.
The council announced that April 7-11 will be Barbershop Harmony Week in Morris Plains
Here is some advice from experts on how to get the most cash for your stuff by hosting the ultimate garage or yard sale.
Here is some advice from experts on how to get the most cash for your stuff by hosting the ultimate garage or yard sale.
The ride left Drip Coffee on the Green at 6:30 p.m. and headed over to Carmel Haifa in Morris Plains.