Lt. Governor Guadagno and choir member Jessica Evans.

As members of Matheny’s choir prepared for their appearance with Holiday Express at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark on December 20, they received good luck wishes from an unexpected visitor. “You guys are going to be great!” exclaimed New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. She stopped backstage and chatted with each choir member. Guadagno even promised adult patient Jessica Evans that she’d soon visit Matheny.

During the concert, Holiday Express founder and leader Tim McLoone welcomed the choir members, saying, “We go to a wonderful place every year called Matheny.” After the choir performed “Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You” and “Little Drummer Boy,” McLoone introduced Geri Brewer of Somerset, NJ, who sang “One Little Christmas Tree” to her daughter Rasheedah Mahali and the other students and patients from Matheny.

Tim McLoone, choir member Paul Santos and Lt. Governor Guadagno.

Holiday Express’ mission is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those in need during the holiday season. The band presents a holiday concert every year at Matheny and also plays at our prom in the spring.

Reporter Matt Brody interviews speech-language pathologist Christine Mayercik and Matheny School acting principal Sean Murphy. Student Lee Lubin demonstrates how the system works.

Student Shane Szott and recreation therapy intern Monica Campbell

Recreation therapy at Matheny provides our students and patients with a variety of recreational opportunities and resources to improve their physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being. Activities can range from participating in adaptive sports to taking simple shopping trips to more adventurous camping trips.

Anika Brown-Dyer, a recreation assistant, noticed that several of the Matheny residents had a special interest in fashion, so she decided to help them stage a fashion show that would also include staff members and family members. The show, held last month in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center, offered Matheny students and patients the opportunity to choose their own clothes and pick the accompanying music. “I strongly believe,” says Brown-Dyer, “that when you look good, you feel good.” Who can really argue with that?

Student Deborah Eike and her father Russ Eike

The Matheny School will be closed Monday, November 5, and Tuesday, November 6. A decision about the rest of the week will be made by noon on November 6. Parents of day students will be notified via the phone chain. Parents of students residing at Matheny will be able to access information on the Matheny website and Facebook page.

On Wednesday, July 11, the instrument of choice was the drum, and several of the music therapists performed in a drum circle located in the rotunda section near the dining rooms. Everyone was invited to “please stop by, play an instrument, if even for a minute or two.” Adult patient Cindy Shanks, shown above, took up the challenge, playing the drums with her feet, accompanied by music therapist Megan Chappius.

Music therapists use various types of music to positively impact students’ and patients’ cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills, helping them realize their potential in society. Activities and techniques include improvisation, rhythm, songwriting, songs, chants, instrumental activities, live music and recorded music.

Karen Weber, left, with Matheny teacher Peggy Zappulla and student James Wild.

Karen Weber is a third grade teacher at the Bragg School in Chester, NJ, and is currently pursuing an MA in Special Education at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ.  As part of her summer course work, Weber wants to learn about the resources and/or agencies that serve the special needs population.

So on July 11, she visited Matheny, observing all the classrooms and activities. She has a special interest in assistive technology, fueled by one of her College of Saint Elizabeth professors, Dr. Brian S. Friedlander, who is coordinator of the MA in Special Education program and teaches several courses dealing with assistive technology.

Matheny School vice principal Sean Murphy guided Weber on her tour, and they stopped to visit with some students and faculty members who were outside by our organic garden. While Weber, a resident of Rockaway, NJ, is not planning a shift into special education, she believes the special education knowledge will help her with all her interactions in the classroom. She admitted to being somewhat familiar with Matheny by reputation, but was surprised, she said, to learn that we care for and educate adults as well as children.

Michael Martin, at an opening reception on July 9 with his parents, Alan and Linda Martin of Morris Plains. Behind them is Michael’s untitled painting.

Michael Martin can’t speak or walk, but he can communicate, using his eyes and head. For nearly 12 years, as an adult medical day student at Matheny, he has been participating in the Arts Access Program, which enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators.

Martin is one of 15 Arts Access artists displaying paintings through the end of July at the Bernardsville Library in an exhibition entitled “Amalgamation.” Twenty paintings are on display. All proceeds from artwork sales are split 50/50, with half the funds going directly to the artist and the other half going to Matheny to cover the cost of art materials, stretching and framing of the work.

From left, Kelly, Kara, Sue and Matthew McDermott, with Matheny student Bryan Desatnick.

Eleven-year-old Matthew McDermott of Basking Ridge, NJ, has made Matheny students the beneficiary of his birthday for the second consecutive year. He asked his friends and relatives to give him games and toys that he could donate to Matheny, and he, along with his sisters, Kelly and Kara, and mother Sue, delivered the presents on Friday, June 29.

Thank you, Matthew!