IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Marilyn Giordano Wegman

She holds the elderly in her heart, By Rose Sgarlato Hairdresser and long-time Sparta resident Marilyn Giordano Wegman has finally reached a point in her life where she can give back. And her new business — Marilyn’s Place — is doing exactly that for the elderly in Sussex County. “I have a special place in my heart for older people who cannot get out. When you don’t feel good about yourself, a haircut can give you a lift, and older people need that,” said Giordano Wegman. Marilyn’s Place provides salon services at home catering to the elderly focusing on haircuts and coloring. Giordano Wegman knows all about needing a lift having raised three children as a single mother: “When I was a single mom, I lost a job at United Telephone Company. I was fortunate enough to have Project Self Sufficiency sponsor me. They paid for an office systems technology course at Sussex County Community College which led me to a job at Warner -Lambert, now Pfizer, where I stayed for 20 years.” But in September of 2007, she lost her job to downsizing. Pfizer partially paid for her to be retrained for a different career. This time around she chose hair. “When my three sons were young, I used to cut their hair. It was relaxing and rewarding — you could see the before and after,” she said. “I always had an art side to me — you have to have a creative flair.” With that in mind, Giordano Wegman attended the Christine Valmy Institute in Pine Brook where she became a licensed hairdresser in the state of New Jersey. “Pfizer helped pay for cosmetology school for which I was grateful. It took me seven and a half months -I never missed a day,” Giordano Wegman explains. “It was there that I was first introduced to this idea when practicing on older people. Some are losing their hair, and you have to make them feel good.” After her first job at Supercuts in West Orange ended, she decided it was time to branch out. She contacted nursing homes and retirement complexes leaving her name and number but had no luck. Finally, there was some action from people living at Knoll Heights Village and Sparta Commons. “Many of these people don’t drive, so I go to their homes. I am building it up — it has been a couple of months, and its all word of mouth,” she said. Haircuts range from $15 to $20 with color and perms costing $35 to $45. “I am a survivor. I was fortunate and want to give back. I want to be happy,” explained Giordano Wegman. “The corporate world treated me well, but I don’t ever want to deal with it again. I am in a different place now.” “My mother taught me to be compassionate and respect older people. They deserve it and don’t always get it. My motto is I will come to you and pamper you.” For an appointment call Marilyn’s Place at 973-726-8025. My Mom’s Vanilla Cake 2 cups of flour 2 sticks of margarine (room temp.) 1 egg 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup of milk Preheat oven to 350. Blend all liquid ingredients with a mixer. Add the dry ingredients and mix well for about two minutes. Pour into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. or until top is golden brown. If you don’t want to ice the cake, you can add sliced apples with sugar and cinnamon. When the cake cools add powdered sugar.