05/29/2026
Warren County celebrated May as Older Americans Month and presented the 2026 Mary Louise Christine Outstanding Senior Citizen Award to Allamuchy Township resident Ann LaPadula.
“She may be petite in stature, but her support and dedication is amazing,” one of her nominators, Candy Church, wrote in her letter of recommendation for LaPadula.
LaPadula and fellow nominees Bill Scurato of Phillipsburg and Frank Van Horn of Knowlton Township were recognized by the Warren County Board of County Commissioners during a luncheon held at Harkers Hollow Golf Club in Harmony Twp., NJ, on May 28, 2026.
As part of the event, Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla and Commissioners James R. Kern III and Jason J. Sarnoski presented an Older Americans Month proclamation accepted by Robin Ennis, who chairs the Warren County Aging Services Advisory Council. The theme for Older Americans Month 2026 is “Champion Your Health,” which focuses on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging.
It encourages taking an active role in managing your own health, advocating for yourself, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions that support independence, said Steve Unger, Executive Director of the Warren County Division of Aging and Disability Services.
The outstanding senior award has been given since 1984 but was renamed in 2007 to honor Mary Louise Christine shortly before the 85-year-old community activist from Washington Township passed away. The county Aging Services Advisory Council conducts a search and identifies one older adult who characterizes the true spirit of the award, with nominations accepted in the Spring each year.
LaPadula’s husband, John, was named the Outstanding Senior Citizen in 2021, making this the first time both members of a married couple have been recipients of Warren County’s annual recognition.
This year’s honoree has served on the Board of Directors of Rutherfurd Hall, the historical mansion in Allamuchy, and of the Allamuchy Senior Citizens Club (OWLS), which she joined shortly after moving to the township in 2009. In her first year with the OWLS she volunteered to co-coordinate the annual picnic, a responsibility she has continued to fulfill every year. She also coordinates other events for the group, and spends hours researching and securing engaging guest speakers and presenters. She is active in a wide variety of other local organizations, projects and fundraisers.
LaPadula’s volunteer spirit has included family-oriented events such as Bunny Breakfasts, Breakfasts with Santa, and Easter Egg Hunts, where she has assisted with photography and child safety. She has supported the Allamuchy Day celebration, the Shades of Death Half Marathon, the inaugural lighting of the township’s Christmas Tree, and has walked the lanes of the Panther Valley neighborhood singing carols to homebound seniors.
Scurato was recognized for more than five decades of service to the Warren County community through theatre, education, and mentorship. In 1972, he co-founded the Country Gate Players non-profit community theater in Belvidere, creating what would become a cornerstone of not only Warren County’s arts community, but also the community at large. What began as a grassroots effort to bring theater arts to Warren County grew into a 50-year-old community institution in that has provided thousands of residents, children, families, and seniors alike, with access to live theatre as both participants and audience members.
Generations of performers who first stepped onto the stage at Country Gate have gone on to careers in television, film, and even Broadway. For many, that first experience, often under his direction, was the spark that shaped their future. Meanwhile, over a 40-year career in New Jersey public schools, Scurato served as a speech therapist, teacher, adjunct professor, and district administrator, demonstrating a deep commitment to helping others find their voice, both literally and figuratively.
Van Horn is a long-time volunteer locally and county-wide, and received the Mary Louise Christine Outstanding Senior Citizen award in 2015. A life member of Knowlton Fire and Rescue, he also is active in Knowlton Lions Club and the Warren County Farmers’ Fair, and has served on the Knowlton Township Committee and as township mayor. He is a member of Warren Grange #110.
Van Horn’s many projects have included creating soccer fields and placing lights at North Warren football field to enable night games; coaching baseball and midget wrestling; umpiring games; and serving as a resource for area organizations, helping to bring people together for local causes.
Warren County with a population of about 110,000 includes a thriving community of more than 33,500 residents age 60 and older. The Warren County Commissioners continue to encourage and support local programs and initiatives that promote healthy aging and independent living for older residents, and the county Division of Aging and Disability Services is Warren County's designated lead agency and administrator of Federal, State, and Local funds to assist the county's older adults. All services and information are directly provided, purchased (through contract agreements), and coordinated by the Division’s professional staff. The Division is also the county's lead agency for the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) initiative, which provides information and assistance to older persons, adults with physical disabilities, caregivers, and professionals looking for services or programs. Through a comprehensive intake and screen for community services, Division staff can assist in identifying needs and determining the best options for assistance.
