West Milford Arguably the most influential person in our lives is the person who gives birth to us, our mother. And if you are blessed with a good one, it is the greatest gift you can have. A mother handles with care the little stuff that is monumental to a small child; she wipes the tears of the pre-teens dealing with their friends, holds her breath and continues to guide through the teenage years, and glows with pride as their children grow into happy, productive adults. And through it all, she knows that no matter what job is paying the bills, the most meaningful one is right here at home. We gave some of West Milford’s residents the chance to showcase their moms here. And whether their moms are still with them or have passed away, each shows the respect and love for the woman who taught them to be who they are. So our hats are off to all the mothers this Mother’s Day. Whether adoptive or biological, a special grandma or a mother figure, take pride in how you have shaped your children. It may be the toughest job out there but it is also the most rewarding. Marilyn Lichtenberg West Milford Town Councilwoman Mom was a stay at home mom like most moms were in the 50s and 60s. In fact dad worked nights and mom kept house and handled our family schedules. As kids, we played outside during the day as dad had to sleep during the day. There were no video games, Wii, etc. We played softball, football, tennis or went swimming in Mt. Laurel Lake. My mom was a very caring person and did the best with what she had. She would always help out a neighbor and in the late 1960s she actually ran the restaurant kitchen in Mount Laurel Inn (formerly Moe’s Tavern) for friends. Mom professed that we follow the “Golden Rule”: do unto others as you wished others to do unto you. I wish all moms in the world a Happy Mother’s Day. Liam Glinane West Milford Fire Fighter At the spry, active age of just turning 85, my Mom, Gloria L. Glinane, is still so amazing to me. She has been there back from day one. She was always there to greet my brother and me on our return bus ride home from school throughout all the years. She provided the best meals, the best home health care and priceless advice on every topic there is in a person’s life. She taught me over the years to be the person I am today; a person who is respectful and honest with strong feelings towards family, faith and country. She still keeps me on point today. I was always so amazed on how she was always right on everything even back when I thought I knew it all. I am grateful to be able to get out and play 18 holes of golf with her today down at her Central Jersey golf club where she lives. I still find her at times telling me to keep my head down and stop trying to kill the ball. We still enjoy our company together after all these years. Hey, Mom, thanks for all the right answers and all the love - Happy Mother’s Day. Joseph Smolinski West Milford Town Councilman My mom was a terrific gal. I am especially proud of her service in World War II. She worked in Washington D.C. at the Defense Department. She was a Yeoman 1st class. I’m proud of her for that. We always had Christmas at her house in Rutherford. At one time, we counted 15 kids under five years old there, between my kids, my sister’s and cousins’ kids. But she always had the time to do a full dinner. Christmas was always very special. When we were growing up, we always went to the Jersey Shore for vacation. A few years ago, I asked her if she wanted to go to the beach and she said no, she hated the beach. I was so surprised because all those years we went to the Jersey Shore. I asked her why and she said because we all loved it, my dad and us kids. My mother led a very good life. She was strong and spoke her mind. Sally Malatras Co-owner Harvest Moon Health and Nutrition My mom, Verna Terhune, was born and raised in Southern California but moved east after marrying my dad. They moved to West Milford and lived here the rest of their lives. My mom was a very giving person. She was of that era where mothers did everything. Because we lived on the apple farm, we had a cow. She’d make butter and cheese, she canned fruits and vegetables. And she was a beautiful sewer. She made our prom gowns and clothes. She was talented in so many ways. She went to work full time in the school district when I was about 10 as a secretary for Maple Road and Marshall Hill. She loved and really enjoyed her grandchildren. She got to spend lots of time with them since we all live in the same town. I always remember, even when I was a kid, that I wanted her to take some time and relax. She was always doing something. I never saw her in the lounge chair. There was always something to do. When she retired, she joined the Garden Club and the library. She loved to garden. Everyone liked my mother. She was just a nice person. Paul Schreiber Owner, Bagel Town Café, West Milford I would like to say a few words of what my mother means to me and why we should celebrate Mother’s Day. My mother is the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful example of a mother you could ever meet. She has always been there for me and would do anything in her power to make my life better. My mother drives an hour twice a week to work in my store to help me out by making all of our fresh, delicious soups and a few of our salads. If you had to rate my mom on a scale of how much she means to me it can’t be done because no scale has readings high enough. I love my mom so much it hurts; she is such a beautiful person.