Old Guard | 2024 Programs

June Program Chair - Bob Ferguson

June 3, 2025 – Get the Lead Out – Our speaker Mitch Ericson is retired from the Department of Homeland Security where he served as executive scientist. He is a fellow SOG member. He will speak to the use of lead and the polluting of our environment for thousands of years. Mitch will talk about lead mining, use, and exposure. He will review the efforts to remove lead from our environment over the past half-century, notably leaded gasoline, paint, and lead piping. We have improved all human’s lives and IQs, but there are still challenges ahead. [in-person and on Zoom]

June 10, 2025 – Saving Radio City Music Hall – Guest presenter Rosie Novellino-Mearns is a retired Radio City ballet dance captain and formerly president of the Showpeople’s Committee to Save Radio City Music Hall. She is also an author and lyricist. Rosie will tell the story of how she organized the gargantuan effort in the spring of 1978 to save Radio City. We will be shocked by the “no good deed goes unpunished” climax of the story in which she reveals her reward for spearheading the movement to save “The Showplace of the Nation.” [ON ZOOM ONLY]

June 17, 2025 – World Oil and Gas Trading – Speaker Steve Villas graduated from Lehigh University with a BS degree in engineering and obtained his MBA in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He worked his entire 45-year career in the petroleum industry, holding positions with Exxon, Standard Oil of Ohio, British Petroleum, and Hess Corp. He has experience in and will speak on chemical plant design, advertising and promotion, supply and logistics, government affairs, oil and gas trading, financial hedging, oil and gas marketing, and more current topics of interest in the world oil markets. [in-person and on Zoom]

June 24, 2025 – Current Challenges in Secondary Education – Our guest speaker Mike McTernan is currently teaching history at Ridge High School and is also serving as president of the Summit Common Council. He previously spent almost 30 years working in corporate finance / banking. Mike will address current issues facing secondary education, including his subjects of Global History and Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, and the challenges of second mid-career transitioning, which required him to attain his EdD from Seton Hall University. He is happy to entertain questions about these challenges as well as those concerning local government issues. Mike lives in Summit with his wife and four children. [in-person and on Zoom]

May Program Chair - Tom Mulligan

May 6, 2025 – History and Stories About the Football Giants, Jets, and Patriots – Come and relive the championship history and some of the weird and funny stories of the football New York Giants, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. Vin Femia is the noted author of three books about pro football and baseball. His entertaining presentation will describe the sometimes successful and sometimes turbulent history of these teams, which are some of the most popular and fascinating teams in all of sports. Vin will enliven his presentation with a visual slide show. He will also talk about his experiences with interviewing former NFL players and coaches. [in-person and on Zoom]

May 13, 2025 – How to Live Better and Longer – Our speaker Jessica Brodkin is a former member of the CIA who has moved into the area of alternative healing. Jessica will speak to us about several methods of healing ranging from early East Asian techniques to modern alternative methods. Her focus is on longevity training that is particularly helpful to seniors, including acupuncture and Reike. Reike is a Japanese healing technique that aims to promote relaxation, reduce stress and encourage healing, and improve sleep. And who among us doesn’t want better sleep? Jessica is a multi-talented woman who has also performed a one-woman show entitled, A Spy’s Awakening. Jessica is the daughter of Old Guard member Phil Brodkin. [in-person and on Zoom]

May 20, 2025 – Revisiting World War II: A Modern Gathering – The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s World War II Weekend is a gathering of warbirds and much more. It has become the premier event of its kind commemorating events of WW II and the people and machines that led to allied victory. For three decades, the museum has honored our history through D-Day remembrance, vehicle & aircraft displays and shows, war veterans & speakers, battles & flights education, re-enactors at war and at home, and big bands & swing dancing. Ron Weinger, a member of Old Guard, attended the recent event and will give us a first-hand look at the weekend activities, illustrated with photos and video. [in-person and on Zoom]

May 27, 2025 – How Prescription Drugs Come to Market: An Insider’s View – Our speaker Kathleen Waldron is vice president of regulatory affairs at AbbVie which is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company focused on immunology, oncology, aesthetics, neuroscience, and eye care, with a mission to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that enhance people’s lives. Kathleen has a degree in psychology/pre-med from The College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Kathleen has a long career in the pharmaceutical industry beginning in 2002 with a start-up company, Eyetech, that developed the first treatment for macular degeneration. Kathleen will trace the drug development process for us from R&D, through clinical trials to FDA approval and ultimately product launch, and she will reflect on how today’s technology impacts the process. Kathleen is the daughter of Old Guard member and May MPC Tom Mulligan. [in-person and on Zoom]

April Program Chair - Gabe Gruber

Apr 1, 2025 – Speaking Up, Standing Together: Starting the Conversation on Domestic Violence – Our speaker Marianne McCrone is a licensed professional counselor and the clinical director of child and adolescent services at the Rachel Coalition, within the Domestic Violence Counseling Program at Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, New Jersey. She will present an overview of the dynamics and prevalence of domestic violence, with an emphasis on violence in our local community, and services provided by JFS/Rachel Coalition. The session will be geared toward engaging men in the conversation around domestic violence, highlighting the important role men play in gender-based violence, and understanding the experiences of survivors. [video to appear]

Apr 8, 2025 – What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? – Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective form of treatment for a variety of mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and others. Dr. James Korman, a clinical psychologist, is chief behavioral health officer at Summit Health. He is a fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a certified cognitive behavioral therapist. He will discuss the process of CBT and how it effects change, as well as its potential benefits for mental health and physical health outcomes. [video to appear]

Apr 15, 2025 – The Cali School of Music at Montclair State University – Invited speaker Kathryn Lockwood is a professor of music at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University and a violist. She serves as the curator of the Immersive Residency Program at the school and oversees weeklong residency visits of internationally renowned artists and groups. She will discuss the Cali School and its programs, which include graduate level music education and music learning for high school students intending to major in music. Kathryn will enliven her presentations with clips of musical performances by faculty, students, and groups. [no video]

Apr 22, 2025 – Managing Medication Mayhem – Our presenter Laura Balsamini holds a doctorate in pharmacy and leads the clinical and operational pharmacy management services for all Summit Health clients. Managing one’s own complex medication coverage or that of a loved one can be challenging and even overwhelming. She will cover issues of medication coverage and affordability, high risk medication in older adults, as well as tips on assessing timing for taking certain medications. She will also address side effects and adverse events, improving adherence to prescribed regimens, and maintaining up-to-date medication lists. [video on request by members]

Apr 29, 2025 – The Refugee Community of World War II in Shanghai, China – Old Guard member and April MPC Dr. Gabriel Gruber is the son of parents who were forced to flee from Vienna, Austria in 1939 and spend the war years in Shanghai. Dr. Gruber will discuss historical events leading up to his parents’ need to leave Vienna, facts about life in Shanghai during the war years, and the challenges faced by the refugees, as well as personal stories regarding his parents’ experiences. [video to appear]

March Program Chair – Steven McCabe

Mar 4, 2025 – A Legacy of Faith – Celebrating the History of the New Providence Presbyterian Church: We are fortunate to have the NPPC as our host, and Mike Ohlson, its unofficial historian, will share its history since its founding in 1737. He will present its milestones, memories, and mission. The church played an important role during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and has become a provider of community services as part of its faith mission during its nearly three centuries in New Providence. [video]

Mar 11, 2025 – The Summit Foundation – Fostering Community Philanthropy for over 50 Years – The president of the foundation, Dana Turk, will review its goals and actions in strengthening and enriching the Summit area since its founding in 1972. In the past decade, the foundation has invested $10 million through 380 grants to nonprofits and 360 scholarships. It is also involved with special-purpose and donor-advised philanthropic distributions. Dana Turk will examine examples, large and small, of the good the foundation does. [video]

Mar 18, 2025 – What’s Your Legacy? – Distinguished professional genealogist Randi Koenig will present an interactive genealogical lecture. She will cover tips, tricks, working with common names, overcoming brick walls, and strategies for success equally suitable for an advanced genealogical researcher or the casual researcher working on a family tree. Koenig is a principal of Legacy Genealogy Services and is a professional forensic genealogist with more than 15 years of professional experience in the Greater Metro NYC area. She often provides expert witness testimony in New York and New Jersey and conducts research around the globe. [video to appear]

Mar 25, 2025 – How Has The Westfield Leader Newspaper, Founded in 1890, Managed to Survive and Thrive? – Our speaker Lauren S. Barr is the owner and editor of The Westfield Leader which was founded in 1890. The Leader has survived for 135 years while 64% of local newspapers have failed. Barr also publishes a second print newspaper, the Union County Hawk. She began writing articles for the Leader, and will relate how she came to own it, and helped it to continue to serve its community. Barr will also address recent changes to New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA), which can be a vital tool for journalists and transparency in government. [video]

February Program Chair – DJ Peron

Feb 4, 2025 – The State of Energy Markets in New Jersey – Invited speaker Erick Ford has served at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and has made significant contributions to energy policy, cybersecurity, and alternative vehicle development. He will share his experience regarding energy markets in New Jersey, which may include utility policies, energy efficiency, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles, hydrogen, nuclear energy, renewable natural gas, fuel cells, and incentive programs, among various other critical emerging topics. [no video]

Feb 11, 2025 – The Surrealist Art Movement – Our speaker Dr. Didier Peron will describe the Dada and Surrealist movements of the 20th century, which have been the subjects of his fascination and research. He will show how Dadaism emerged during World War I as a rebellious movement against the war and the establishment, and how surrealism came to be born. These two movements have been of extreme importance in the evolution of art from post-war modern art up to our present days. The presentation will be like a stroll in a museum with many art representations shown. [video]

Feb 18, 2025 – Current and Future Trends in Summit – Invited speaker Elizabeth Fagan, MD, is the mayor of Summit, NJ, and has been an active resident there for more than 20 years. She will discuss recent and future projects for Summit. Some of her updates will be about the coming old firehouse land project and street blockage for restaurant dining. State regulations for affordable housing is a topic that affects all municipalities in New Jersey. Bring your questions about Summit and trends among many NJ cities and towns. [video]

Feb 25, 2025 – Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids – Our guest, Marykate Vaughn, AuD, CCC-A, is a doctor of audiology affiliated with Summit Health. She will speak about the various ways to test hearing in children and adults. She will discuss the large variety of hearing aid devices on the market with their pros and cons. She will also discuss the common reasons why people end up not using their hearing aids and the remediating solutions. Dr. Vaughn has over 30 years of experience in audiology. Bring your questions about hearing and aids. [no video]

January 2025 Program Chair – Bob Beller

Jan 7, 2025 – Steal a Pencil for Me: A Compelling Love Story about Two Holocaust Survivors – "Steal a Pencil for Me" is a memoir written by Jack and Ina Polak, that was also made into an award-winning documentary feature film. It recounts the story of the couple's love nurtured through exchanging letters while both were held in German concentration camps. After liberation they married and moved to the US. Jack became a founder and long-time president of the Anne Frank Center USA and lectured extensively throughout the world on the lessons to be learned from the Holocaust. Our speaker Fred Polak is Jack and Ina’s eldest son. After Jack’s death at the age of 102, Fred dedicated himself to retelling his parents’ story and carrying forward their lessons from the Holocaust. [video]

Jan 14, 2025 – How Rutgers Provides Academic Support Services to Student Athletes – Our speaker Scott Walker is the executive director of the Rutgers’ Academic Support Services for Student Athletes program (ASSSA), and a Princeton graduate. Services provided by ASSSA are available to all student-athletes at Rutgers. During his tenure, which includes entry of Rutgers into the Big Ten, Scott has overseen the expansion and modernization of the program and the unprecedented academic success achieved by individual student-athletes and team sports. Scott will provide an insider’s view of services provided by ASSSA and how it has evolved over the years. [no video]

Jan 21, 2025 – How Invisalign® Revolutionized Orthodontics and Expanded the Use of Clear Teeth Aligners – Speaker Dr. Stanley Gersch has been a practicing orthodontist in Westfield, Cranford, and Linden for over 35 years and is the director of Invisalign® training in NYU’s post graduate orthodontic department. Stan was one of the first orthodontists in the U.S. to use Invisalign® in his practice and has been nationally recognized and awarded for his Invisalign® treatment and expertise. Stan will talk about his early interest in how new technologies could enhance treatment for his patients, his early-stage introduction to Invisalign®, and how Invisalign® grew to become the leader in clear teeth aligners. [video]

Jan 28, 2025 – Changes in Traditional Concepts of the Law in the U.S. – Our speaker, the Hon. Joel B. Rosen, will speak about the changing landscape in U.S. law, including the notion of the rule of law, federal prosecutions, judicial review, and ethics. Judge Rosen is a former United States magistrate judge and, as a former partner of the law firm Montgomery McKracken, was a nationally recognized leader in the practice of alternative dispute resolution. Over the course of his career, Judge Rosen has overseen thousands of state and federal legal matters, lectured extensively on constitutional principles, and was an adjunct faculty member of Rutgers Law School. [no video]

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