Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Dear Patch Editor:



Dear Patch Editor,
Thank you so much for the acknowledgment the other day in the Patch article.  As President and CEO of Real Short Hills with Keller Williams Luxury, I am pleased to report that the amount donated to the district reflected in the article was only half the amount raised. 

The discrepancy was merely that the 2019 Annual Short Hills Architectural & Real Estate House Tour, raised money throughout the year and provided separate donations to the district at different times. The total amount raised, by this year’s tour, was approximately $6500. The amount donated to date, has been around $45K. 

Autism affects 1 in 34 children in NJ. 

The tour is meant to promote Autism Awareness; and then showcase architecture and design, while providing a pulse on our local real estate market. 

The proceeds from this event help assist the Director of Special Services of Millburn Township Public Schools, Jennifer Sowa, further fund parental and professional development opportunities. 

The money specifically is utilized for 4 key district professionals to attend the Autism NJ‘s official state conference, as well as sending 2 special educators to their main Transition Conference. 

The amount raised each year continually has exceeded the Autism NJ conference fees. Now with these greater funds raised, Sowa provides a speaker series. The topics and reach of this programming goes beyond individuals served by special services, as she invites the entire school district. 

Participates of the tour visit available mansions in Short Hills, and receive a light lunch, other treats, giveaways/door prizes along with literature about autism.  

At this past tour, Sushi was served at one of the houses by Jon Lamkin, from Guaranteed Rate, and all of the literature provided on autism came from the official state autism organization, Autism NJ.

Gold level sponsors of this event included Cara Moxley and Melanie Rosenbaum with Keller Williams, Anthony Verducci with Sotheby’s Prominent Properties, Arlene Gonnella with Weichert Realty, Jon Lamkin of Guaranteed Rate and Matthew Rosenbaum of Simonian Rosenbaum Architects. 

Thank you so much for your interest and acknowledgement.  

Best,
Melanie Rosenbaum
Tour Organizer and Sales Associate
Keller Williams Luxury
President/CEO

Autism NJ is the official state organization while Autism Speaks is the official national organization. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Short Hills House Tour Benefiting Millburn Township Special Services and Promoting Autism Awareness

House Tour: Saturday, April 27th from 1pm - 4pm, $25 Ticket
Autism affects 1 in 34 children in New Jersey.

It’s an ​Architectural and Real Estate House Tour that showcases architecture & design while providing a pulse on our local real estate market.  There are six fabulous, available houses in Short Hills on the tour. It is on Saturday, April 27th from 1pm - 4pm, and you can purchase tickets at ​Eventbrite​/Short Hills House Tour.  The ticket price increases two days before the tour, so buy your tickets today!

The proceeds from this event help assist the Director of Special Services of Millburn Township Public Schools, Jennifer Sowa, fund further parental and professional development opportunities.  The reach of this program goes beyond special services, and usually includes the entire district.

Last year’s fundraising efforts helped provide the following professional and parental development opportunities:
  • Four full paid grants to the Autism NJ Official State Conference and two to the Autism NJ Transition Conference
  • Guest author/speaker from Harvard, Dr. Robert Brooks, on his book “Raising Resilient Children" and "The Power of Mindsets, Nurturing Engagement, Motivation, and Resilience in Students"
  • Seminar on "A Parent’s Guide to Signs and Strategies to Help Reduce Anxiety in Children"

This year, one of the houses featured on the tour is a historic Old Short Hills numbered Stewart Hartshorn house.  The home was named the “Sunset Cottage”, and will be hosted by Cara Moxley, Operating Partner/Broker of the Summit, Short Hills, & Westfield Keller Williams Realty offices.  This home is for sale and she serves as the listing agent for the property. In addition to Moxley, the curator of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society museum, Lynne Ranieri, will be present to share stories, show pictures, tell facts and provide (for a $5 donation) five historic walking tour.   

12 The Crescent

With a realtor’s prospective, Moxley describes the house as “one of Short Hills’ treasures and rare opportunity to own. This historic colonial was designed and built in 1881-2 by the well-known NY architecture firm of Lamb and Rich and has been noted as one of the finest examples of Shingle Style in the area and has been featured in many architectural publications. It was expanded in 2000 and has continued to adapt to suit the modern lifestyle. The home has been both restored and updated with careful attention to its structure and systems. The possibilities to define the next chapter of this prestigious gem await…”

During a recent walking tour of the historic Short Hills Park, Ranieri pointed out architectural features of this home such as how the home got its name, and the words “Sunset Cottage” in a plaque on the house.  The current home’s owner replicated the plaque, from a picture in an early article about the house. The historical society has lots of background information on local architecture, and the museum collection has old or original photos of the many of the homes in Short Hills, not to mention a wealth of information about the history of Millburn Township.

From the tour organizer’s perspective, the tour is a great opportunity that provides participants with a nice day out, while creating an event where people can learn about and see the fine architecture, building, local real estate values, and design in our community though viewing local high-end homes, all in one day.  The homes on the tour never disappoint, with the prices typically ranging from $1M - $5M including historic, renovated, new construction and even some that are needing updating. It’s an interesting view to see the architecture and real estate in town.

Gold level sponsors of this event include Cara Moxley & Melanie Rosenbaum with Keller Williams Realty, Anthony Verducci with Sotheby’s Prominent Properties, Arlene Gonnella with Weichert Realty, Jon Lamkin of Guaranteed Rate and Matthew Rosenbaum of Simonian Rosenbaum Architects.  At each mansion, participants will receive a light lunch, other treats, giveaways or door prizes along with literature about autism.  Sushi will be provided at one of the houses by our very own Jon Lamkin, from Guaranteed Rate, and all of the literature provided on autism comes from the official state autism organization, Autism NJ.

Unable to attend?  Not a problem! You can still support a great cause and win amazing prizes.   With a $20 raffle purchase, you will receive 5 raffle tickets.  Raffle prizes include, but are not limited to a consultation with an interior designer, architect, financial planner, family photo shoot, manicure & pedicure, pottery by a local artist, beauty products, stationery, restaurant gift certificate, tennis lesson, and music lesson to name a handful. Winner need not be present to win, however you will be contacted by the tour organizer to make your selections.  Drawing will take place on April 28th. Raffle prizes can be picked up or delivered.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 27th from 1pm - 4pm for this special fundraising open house time and day. Purchase tickets at ​Eventbrite​, or for more information please contact the tour organizer, Melanie Rosenbaum at (973) 768-1818 or Melanie@RealShortHills.com​.  If you are unable to attend this event, consider buying a ticket anyway as the proceeds are alloted towards important community events.