Still Time for Joy

There's a movement underway to educate homeowners and landscapers on the benefits of leaving leaves, rather than removing every leaf that falls from trees. Decomposing leaves improve soil health, and a vast array of plants, insects, birds, and mammals depends on leaf litter to survive. 
Jean Epiphan holds a Master of Science degree in Ecology from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is an agriculture and natural resources agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County, and an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. 
Epiphan is passionate about educating people on why leaf litter is so important for bees, fireflies, moths, and more. Birds forage for food in leaf litter. Toads, snakes, and turtles live among the leaves which serve as camouflage. 
Leaves can be removed from lawns and spread in garden beds, and excess leaves can be placed in a compost pile. Putting leaves in the trash destroys habitat (and the insects in those leaves), and pollutes the environment as trucks travel to the landfill.
Gas blowers also pollute, and can be harmful to the workers who use them.

"Why Leave the Leaves & How to Do It" https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1369/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/

Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd 

A Need We Feed is a small, but mighty nonprofit at the New Jersey Shore whose volunteers bring meals to Ocean County residents living at the federal poverty level, who don't qualify for help from other programs.  Many of the organization's clients are veterans, homebound elderly, and families living in motels. 
From local restaurants, A Need We Feed purchases boxes of individually packaged meals which volunteers then split up into bags for delivery. 
A Need We Feed began in 2012 after Superstorm Sandy devastated much of the Jersey Shore, by providing meals to first responders. 
The cost of living is already high in New Jersey, and the recent rise in the price of groceries has meant more residents are struggling to put food on the table.
To help fight hunger and food insecurity, A Need We Feed welcomes additional restaurant partners, monetary donations, and volunteers.  
A Need We Feed  https://aneedwefeed.org/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/

Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Caregiving for a loved one with a serious, longterm illness can be stressful, isolating, and overwhelming. The Caregiver Action Network, or CAN, provides a wealth of free resources, including webinars and a helpline. 
CAN is the lead organization celebrating National Family Caregivers Month in November.
Caregiver Action Network https://www.caregiveraction.org/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/

Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Thomas "Tommy Duck" Lewis, who began carving wooden objects as a very young boy, today is an award-winning decoy artist. He creates wooden decoys as well as nautical folk art from his studio near the Delaware River in New Jersey. He carves decoys in both the Delaware River and Barnegat Bay traditions.
Lewis has volunteered or been employed as a first responder for more than 35 years; today he is a corporal in the Moorestown Township Police Department.
Lewis says carving is a healthy outlet for relieving the stress that so often comes with working in law enforcement. In addition to spending time in nature and finding a hobby, he encourages anyone who is struggling with mental health challenges to seek professional therapy.
Cop2Cop Peer Support Program for NJ Law Enforcement Officers & Their Families: https://njcop2cop.com/
Tommy Duck Decoys: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.lewis.376
https://www.instagram.com/tommy_duck_decoys/
Sandra Levine Productions: https://sandralevine.com/

Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

On Halloween,1999, Sandra Levine's husband, Michael, was rushed by helicopter to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania due to Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, or ADEM. Michael nearly died -- twice. His recovery was long and very difficult, lasting many years.
And while Michael eventually made a remarkable recovery, even after 26 years, challenges remain. Both Sandra and Michael say while some of the memories are painful, looking back on how far they've come, sparks deep feelings of gratitude.
Sandra presents public speaking programs on brain injury recovery, caregiving, grief, and reconnecting with joy once the worst of a crisis has passed. Learn more by visiting Sandra Levine Production's website, https://sandralevine.com/

Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Staying active and exploring the arts is good for the mind, body, and spirit for people of all ages. Sherri Ehrlich, founder of Vibrant Activities, brings creative programs into senior facilities in several New Jersey counties, keeping residents engaged, and boosting joy.
Ehrlich is an accomplished singer and artist, who encourages seniors to let go of judgment and enjoy the process. In this interview, she also provides great suggestions for family caregivers about how to involve their loved ones in creative activities.
Vibrant Activities https://www.vibrantactivities.com/
Sandra Levine Productions  https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

The annual Pine Barrens Jamboree was held in Wells Mills County Park in Waretown, NJ, October 11, 2025. The joyful day was filled with old-time music, canoe trips, nature walks, arts and crafts, and informational displays about the history and culture of the Pinelands. Visitors learned about the restored "Piney Queen" boat, and an old, working train, while children tried archery and painted pumpkins.
Wells Mills is Ocean County's largest park, at more than 900 acres.
The event is sponsored by the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.
https://www.oceancountyparks.org/
Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

With his owner and handler, Mark Stanish, who works part-time as a community service aide for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office in Toms River, NJ, K9 Jager provides comfort and calm during crises. Stanish and K9 Jager also assist in crisis intervention training, wellness programs, and attend veterans' support groups, and many community events. 
Through the volunteer group, Crisis Response Canines, Stanish and Jager also respond to provide support following  mass shootings and other tragedies. Jager, a 181-pound Boerboel, is a gentle giant, whose presence has a calming effect.
K9 Jager is a semi-finalist in the therapy dog category in the American Humane Society's Hero Dog Awards. Winners are expected to be announced in mid-October 2025.

Sandra Levine Productions: https://sandralevine.com/

Watch "Still Time for Joy" as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Waterfowl hunting displays, skeet shooting, decoy carving, duck calling, retrieving contests, and more drew crowds to the 43rd Annual Old Time Barnegat Bay Decoy & Gunning Show in Tuckerton at the New Jersey Shore, held at the end of September 2025.
Visitors to the two-day show saw carvers creating decoys, listened to duck calling competitions, tried skeet shooting, and enjoyed watching exuberant dogs who - usually, but not always - retrieved the duck replicas. The Delmarva DockDogs also put on a show.
The annual event, which attracts about 10,000 people, showcases the culture and history of life on the Barnegat Bay, and teaches visitors young and old about local traditions, and the importance of protecting the natural environment.
Held at Stanley H. "Tip" Seaman County Park and the Tuckerton Seaport, the free show is sponsored by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and the Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation.
In this podcast, Mary Jane Bavais, director of the Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation talks about the popular show, which she has helped run for more than four decades.
Ocean County Department of Parks & Recreation https://www.oceancountyparks.org/
Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Just looking at beautiful sunflowers bursting with vibrant colors can boost happiness and joy, and conventional wisdom says the plants are easy to grow. But if you live in an area with birds, chipmunks, rabbits, and squirrels, plus cutworms or other pests, that's actually not true. Suburban wildlife often eats the seeds as soon as you plant them, or mows down young seedlings before they have had a chance to take root.
In this video Sandra Levine outlines some of her new tips for growing gorgeous sunflowers in her New Jersey yard. Her solutions may not look pretty, but they work. (You're going to needs LOTS of cloches and chicken wire!)
Gardening is beneficial to your physical and mental health. You might also try growing other types of flowers, or delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd