Home Care In Mendham, NJ

It’s a balmy July night. My Oak Knoll neighbors are having a party in the house you used to own, your ghostly voice dancing on the breeze. They’re playing “Saving All My Love,” paying homage beside the swimming pool that, I suspect, still shimmers with massive, curliqued initials WH, for Whitney Houston. I’m wrapped in bittersweet nostalgia. Damn, you were good.

“I Want to Dance With Somebody” begins, and I yank my teenage daughter from her TikTok haze to dance down the street in our pj’s. “Mom, you’re so embarrassing,” Sophie says, as I twirl through the darkness.

I always thought it was a random spot, here in the backwoods of Mendham, for a superstar to live. Yet you did, for more than 15 years. You married Bobby Brown here in 1992. In 1994, you brought home seven American Music Awards. I have an old copy of the neighborhood directory that lists, on North Gate Road, “Houston, Whitney/Brown, Bobby.” My address also lists a husband who is no longer mine.

Tonight, cars are parked up and down North Gate Road. I stand facing your circular house. I can’t see it from the street—it’s hidden behind a privacy screen. But it was on the news when it was for sale a number of years ago, a time-capsule ’80s house with shoulder-pad curves.

The song ends, and I consider the parallel lives we lived in this neighborhood. While our circumstances were different, we were both newlyweds, bore children, and suffered marital strife here.

My need to dance sated, Sophie and I head home. Suddenly, I hear the opening strains of “I Will Always Love You,” your iconic song from The Bodyguard. I’m transported back to an April day 20 years ago. It’s the song I once sang to you.

On that day, I turned into the neighborhood as the same song came on the radio. Turning it up, I sang along. I cruised up Oak Knoll, grateful for the blue sky and pops of yellow daffodils sprinkling the muddy earth and winter-faded grass.

Time slowed as your limo passed. You were in the back seat, being chauffeured like the superstar you were. Your windows were also down, because it was a windows-down kind of day. I was caught red-handed, singing your song to you. Big, black sunglasses partially obscured your beautiful face, and a yellow scarf, the same hue as the daffodils, covered your hair. You must have caught your song coming from my car, because you flashed that blinding smile of yours and nodded at me. I inhaled quickly, swallowing your lyrics.

The news said you’d been going through a rough spell, but on that day, you wore a veneer of exquisite grace.

Nine years later, you were gone. I cried when the news flashed across my TV screen.

It’s dark tonight on North Gate Road. Sophie and I walk home, moon lighting our way, as the song wanes. It will always transport me to the day our lives intersected, the moment your smile was just for me.

This month marked the 13th anniversary of your death. We didn’t walk the same road, you and I, even when our paths crossed in our shared neighborhood. Your legacy remains, though, in your circular home with the monogrammed pool. We remember you here.

Lisa VanderVeen’s recent work has been published in the Saturday Evening Post, River Teeth Journal and Panorama UK.

[RELATED: New Jersey Monthly’s 1986 Profile of Whitney Houston]

No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one of our free newsletters here. Want a print magazine mailed to you? Purchase an issue from our online store.

Morris County is still under a wind advisory, with gusts potentially reaching up to 60 miles per hour on Monday.

Vianella Burns, Patch Staff

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — High winds caused power outages for hundreds in Morris County on Monday, with gusts of 60 miles per hour or higher expected as part of the ongoing winter storm.

As of early Monday morning, more than 1,000 Jersey City Power & Light households in Morris County don't have power, according to First Energy's outage map.

This includes over 100 in Chester Township, more than 200 in Washington Township, over 400 in Denville, and around 230 in Rockaway Township.

JCP&L has not provided an estimated restoration time yet, but the company has confirmed they are aware of the severe weather causing power outages in the area. Restoration times will be available once crews assess the damage.

The National Weather Service placed Morris County under a wind advisory until 6 p.m. Monday night.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult," forecasters said. " Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive."

The strong winds are also forecast to bring much colder air, with temperatures in the 20s and 30s, and wind chills plunging into the teens.

A high wind warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of the state, with wind speeds reaching up to 71 mph reported in some parts of New Jersey.

Here is the latest forecast:

Washington's Birthday: Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a west wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as zero. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 29.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: Snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Being one of New Jersey’s oldest restaurants comes with glory. But cooking, serving and entertaining in a nearly 300-year-old building is also saddled with its own set of challenges.

So when the Black Horse Tavern & Pub in Mendham—the state’s oldest continuously operating restaurant—embarked on a massive multimillion-dollar renovation last March, there was no shortage of hurdles to overcome: from improving the condition of the building itself, which dates back to 1742 (when George Washington was a customer), to striking a balance between modernizing the restaurant and preserving its history, to pleasing the loyal legion of diners who were eager to return when it finally reopened its doors in January.

“The Pub has always been this very iconic and emotionally driven restaurant for Mendham and in the surrounding communities,” says Kevin Felice, vice president of 40North Restaurants, which has owned the Black Horse since 2007. “And we want to make sure that we can maintain that for decades to come.”

The Black Horse has two buildings on its property in downtown Mendham—the Pub, a hospitality-driven, family-friendly eatery and bar, and the Tavern, a higher-end restaurant that in recent years had only been open for private events. The nearly 10 months of renovations only focused on the Pub; work on the Tavern, which unfortunately experienced a fire and subsequent damage during renovations, is expected to begin later this year.

The most significant upgrades were to areas that guests will never visit. The kitchen and back-of-house facilities were gutted to the studs; the basement (which, in past incarnations, had been a bar and even a furniture-restoration shop) now has a full prep kitchen, storage and more. The roof and siding were redone a couple of years ago.

The dining room, which was completely rebuilt, has a refreshed, modern-rustic look. It’s on-trend, but not sterile. Think: vaulted ceilings, cozy yet sleek-looking booths with brass accents, and vintage artwork, much of it equestrian themed. The booths are meant to resemble horse stalls, as what’s now the Pub served as the stables for guests’ horses back in George Washington’s day.

Some touches of the Black Horse of yore were intentionally incorporated into the new design, like the beloved Clam Bar sign and much of the artwork. The check presenters and coasters are made from wood that used to be on the walls in the back room, now cutely dubbed the Fox’s Den. And the ceiling beams in the beautifully renovated Fox’s Den are made of the original wood floors.

The menu, helmed by executive chef Dan Zappula, is filled with American classics, burgers and sandwiches, but with a level of elevation. Standout starters include the smashed avocado, served with warm tortilla chips, and the delightful burrata, which comes with slow-roasted tomatoes, fire-roasted peppers, prosciutto and basil. A gooey crock of French onion soup is always a great way to start a meal, too.

Entrées include a juicy brine-roasted chicken, steak frites, and crispy fish and chips.

But the buzziest item isn’t even on the menu. The 1742 burger, which locals have dubbed the “secret burger,” is a $29 patty made of a proprietary blend of meat the restaurant spent months perfecting. So why not list it?

“We wanted it to be a Mendham secret; we wanted it to be for our guest base,” Felice says. The burger is simple, without frills, so if you prefer your burger with lots of toppings and sauces, order the on-menu Black Label burger, a smash patty with American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickle, barn sauce and shaved onion, served on sesame challah.

“The menu is very straightforward,” Felice says. “It’s food that you understand.” He adds, “It was very important to us to still be your local place where you can feel comfortable coming with your kids and having an after-soccer-game meal, but also a space that’s perfect for date night and business meetings, and a menu that gives you the ability to kind of hit all those areas.” A kids menu is also available.

Dinner is served daily, while lunch is available on weekdays (except for Tuesdays), and brunch is offered on weekends.

Photo: Strix Media

With any reimagining of a classic, critics inevitably pop up. But the Black Horse is taking any snipes in stride, even posting a video to social media that, with humor, brushed off customer complaints about everything from the food to the “Chip and Joanna Gaines” style of decor.

Critics aside, the restaurant has been packed since reopening on January 13. On a recent Friday night, when my family and I had an early 5:30 pm reservation, there was a two-hour wait for walk-ins (We were seated promptly!). A later Thursday night out with girlfriends was buzzing with couples and groups toasting with the Black Horse’s selection of playful cocktails.

Next up, the Pub plans to complete renovations of its improved outdoor space this spring, adding a sectioned-off area with retaining walls and stone.

As for the Tavern, Felice says plans are still being worked out, and were impacted by the fire, but that construction is slated to start later this year.

He declined to say whether the space would once again be open beyond private events, but did say, “We are looking forward to bringing that building back to what it once was and what it needs to be.”

No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one of our free newsletters here. Want a print magazine mailed to you? Purchase an issue from our online store.

The Borough Council president has assumed mayoral duties after Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner resigned for a White House position.

Vianella Burns, Patch Staff

MENDHAM, NJ — It's official: Mendham Borough has a new temporary leader.

The Borough Council president has taken on mayoral duties after Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner resigned for a White House position, the council said in a Monday evening message to the community.

In a memo, the all-Republican, six-member council announced that Council President Neil Sullivan "will immediately assume the administrative duties of the mayor" in accordance with state and borough administrative codes.

This will be temporary, as the Borough Council will begin the legal process to fill the mayor’s vacancy, ensuring democratic principles are upheld and the borough’s governance remains stable and effective.

The council also invited residents to attend this week's meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Garabrant Center, 4 Wilson St., as well as future meetings, to ask questions about the upcoming selection process.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Transparency and open communication are the cornerstones of our governance. We are committed to keeping you informed throughout this transition period and beyond," the council shared.

In the meantime, all personnel will remain in place, working to maintain the services and operations residents rely on. The council emphasized its goal to ensure Mendham Borough continues to operate efficiently and without disruption.

The council also assured community members that it remains focused on several key priorities, including:

"Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we will navigate this transition and continue to build a strong and vibrant future for Mendham Borough," the council wrote.

Mayor Serrano Glassner, who served for more than six years, announced her resignation in a letter posted on the borough’s website this past weekend. With her current term running through the end of 2026, a special election will be required to select her successor.

Serrano Glassner, whose husband, Michael Glassner, was Donald Trump’s deputy campaign manager, did not specify the role she will be taking and could not be reached for comment. However, a report by the New Jersey Globe, said she is reportedly set to join the White House's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

CHESTER, NJ —Chick-fil-A might be looking to expand its Morris County presence.

A new location of the popular fast-food chain was included in a proposal presented to the Chester Borough Council last month as part of efforts to revitalize the Larison’s Turkey Farm property.

The Chester Borough Council previously indicated that they were considering a development plan for the property, which would include dozens of new homes, thousands of square feet of retail, office, and medical space and a new restaurant.

Under a plan submitted by the turkey farm tract owners, Global Acquisitions LLC, in 2018, 20 townhouses and 36 affordable housing units were proposed for the property, a significant reduction from the original plan for 144 units.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Global Acquisitions was unable to fulfill the 2018 agreement. Over the past year, the developer has presented several new ideas to the mayor and council for consideration.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The latest proposal, presented by attorney Anthony Sposaro and affordable housing attorney Dan Steinhagen, includes plans for Alstede Farms to open a country store and a new Chick-fil-A restaurant on the 27-acre site, which borders Routes 206 and 24.

The proposal also includes the development of 24 affordable housing units, 66 market-rate townhomes at Larison's Corner, to be developed by K. Hovnanian Homes, and 20 luxury market-rate townhomes on Mill Ridge Lane, officials said.

According to official documents, the proposed Chick-fil-A would span approximately 5,383 square feet, with seating for around 92 guests. The proposal also includes plans for approximately 80 parking spots dedicated to the new fast-food restaurant.

The council voted to move the plan forward. Once the agreement between the developer and the Borough is finalized and approved by the court and the Fair Share Housing Center, which advocates for affordable housing in NJ courts, the developer will then present the plan to the Borough’s Land Use Board for review.

The borough noted that this process will take some time, with expectations that it could take at least a year, if not longer.

The owners of the farm, located at the intersection of Rt. 206 and Main Street, have been working to redevelop the property since 2002. In 2008, the property expanded with the purchase of adjoining land on Mill Ridge Lane, where the owners attempted to build single-family homes.

The initial proposal for affordable housing called for a 144-unit apartment complex, including 28 affordable units. Earlier discussions with the borough also considered adding a hotel or convenience store to the property, but those ideas have yet to come to fruition.