Clifton Merchant Magazine - December 2015

Clifton Merchant • December 2015 3

December 2015 • Clifton Merchant4

Celebrate the SeasonThe Diversity of Our Hometown

Traditions and MemoriesNeighbors Share the Holidays

2015 Optimist CupMustangs & Indians on Turkey Day

Sharing and CaringVolunteer, Donate and Help Out

Mustang Winter SportsPhotos & Preview of the Season

History and The ArtsReady for Clifton’s Centennial?

18

26

40

53

62

80

108

Gondolier Mike NovackHe Also Founded the Santa Tour

94Veterans Parade

Along Van Houten Ave.

Editor & PublisherTom Hawrylko

© 2015 Tomahawk Promotions

Visit cliftonmagazine.comfor current & past issues

973-253-4400 • [email protected]

Art DirectorKen Peterson

Graphic DesignerAly Ibrahim

Business ManagerGabriella Marriello

Editorial InternsAriana Puzzo Madison Molner

1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton, NJ 07011

Douglas John Bowen,Jack De Vries, Joe Hawrylko

Irene Jarosewich, April Lewandowski

Contributing Writers

16,000 Magazinesare distributed to hundreds of

Clifton Merchants on the first

Friday of every month.

Subscriptions by Mail

$27 / year / $45 for 2

Call 973-253-4400

What’s Inside?


Paid for Berdnik for Sheriff

My family and I want to thank you for your support and we wish you all a Happy Holiday and a safe and healthy New Year.

Thank you and God Bless!

Monica and Richard BerdnikRyan, Kevin, Ashley and Alyssa

SHERIFF RICHARD H. BERDNIK

Happy Holidays!Happy Holidays!


Ha

pp

y H

olid

ays

Fr

om A

ll o

f U

s a

t...

79

1 P

ass

aic

Av

e.C

lift

on

•9

73

-77

9-1

90

0K

eep

sea

rch

ing

on

weic

hert.

co

mo

ne c

lick

co

un

tless

ho

mes

Wis

hing

You

and

You

r Fa

mili

es A

Joy

ous

Hol

iday

Sea

son

and

a Pr

ospe

rous

New

Yea

r


Due to the holidays we'vemoved the publication dateof our January 2016 edi-tion. Rather than the usualfirst Friday of the month, forthis month only, look for uson January 8.

2015 was our 20th year of publication. Thanks to your readership and

advertising support, Clifton Merchant Magazine is firmly planted in our

hometown. We continue to grow and evolve with Clifton and try our best to

publish a magazine that reflects our community.

As it has been a tradition for nearly two decades, the kids—now adults—

are pictured. Here is an update on where they are: Nick, 20, is studying

theater production and design at Montclair State, specializing in sound and

lighting. Casey, 25, is enjoying teaching first grade at the Brookdale School

in Bloomfield after her return from living in Australia. Tom Jr., now 28,

runs Tomahawk Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning and it too has turned into a

household name. Joe, 30, works in the advertising department of the JewishNews of Greater Metro West and still often writes wonderful stories for us.

Support from the community has allowed us to remain an independent

and successful small business. Thank you for your trust, and God bless.

—Tom Hawrylko

The Hawrylko kids: Nick, Casey, Tom Jr. and Joe.


Don’t fall for the Hallmark Channel’s various

explanations of where Santa Claus lives and works.

He can be found right here in Acquackanonk

Gardens – at least when he’s not making his globe-

trotting journey on Christmas Eve which begins with

the 45th Annual Tour De Clifton on Dec. 24.

And much like Superman has an everyday cover

identity as Clark Kent, the real Santa, most days, poses

as lifelong, hard working and jolly Cliftonite Patrick M.

Doremus, a 48-year-old veteran employee of the city’s

Department of Public Works.

Santa, aka Patrick to unsuspecting neighbors, col-

leagues, and townfolk, calls Acquackanonk Gardens

home along with his wife, Lee Ann, and their two sons,

Patrick Jr., CHS Class of 2017, and David, who is i nthe

fifth grade at School 2.

Lee Ann was born in Acquackanonk Gardens, nes-

tled near the sloping hills of Valley Rd., just off of Van

Houten Ave., and has lived virtually her whole life

there, save for a few brief months. Her mother, Arlene

Bross, lives immediately next door.

Lee Ann’s husband, by contrast, spent his early life

in Delawanna, or “the wrong side of the tracks,” more

than one family member asserted with a smile.

In short, it’s a convincing cover story, complete with

official records and not a single verbal slip from any of

the Doremus family. And to be sure, on a recent visit

to Van Wagoner Ave., Santa’s sleigh and reindeer were

hidden from sight amidst several functioning sheds and

tool houses. Meanwhile, somethng akin to a thinly dis-

guised runway in Acquackanonk Park blended

By Douglas John Bowen

Think you feel the powerof the holiday spirit whenyou’re in your home town?One source might be closerto you than you think.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus with two of their favorite elves,CHS Junior Patrick Doremus and his School 2 fifth

grade brother David.


into autumn invisibility amidst the adjacent baseball

field, basketball court, and toddlers playground. The

ruse was nearly perfect.

Caught in dress rehearsalBut Publisher Tom Hawrylko, with amazingly quick

camera reflexes, captured Santa/Patrick and some

helpers running through an early dress rehearsal in

November – undoubtedly part of Santa’s annual prepa-

ration schedule.

Caught on camera, Santa disappeared in the leg-

endary blink of an eye. He shortly reappeared as

Patrick Doremus in civilian clothes, and modestly – but

merrily – consented to a living room interview. A

steady, almost magically consistent fire in the real fire-

place, fueled by ash wood, lent a holiday atmosphere to

the discussion.

Even before Santa was asked his first question, he

fired off one of his own, inquiring if Hawrylko had

brought his Christmas wish list. Then, with a laugh, he

warned that the publisher had better behave.

“I’ll be watching you,” he said as Hawrylko departed.

Canvassing Clifton“So when did you know you were Santa Claus?” the

visitor inquired, getting the interview under way.

“I was walking through [Clifton] City Hall last

November,” Santa recalled, referring to 2014. “Mayor

James Anzaldi walked out of his office. He looked me

up and down and said, ‘You would fit.’”

“‘Fit for what?’ I asked,” Santa said.

“‘We’re looking for Santa,’ the mayor replied.”

“‘There already is a Santa,’ I protested,” Santa

recounted to his guest. But he also told the mayor, “’If

you’re in a jam, I’ll take the job.’ The mayor told me to

call home and ask my wife.”

Mrs. Claus (Lee Ann) was enthusiastic. “I was all for

it, 100%. It was perfect for my husband,” she said. Mrs.

Claus also provided a transitional bridge; I went to

school with Tom Insinga’s daughter, Karen,” she noted,

allowing Cliftonites to connect the dots involving 44

years (now 45) of city holiday tradition, founded by

Insinga and Mike Novack in 1971.

But if the offer was “perfect,” it was also short

notice, giving Santa only one month to prepare for the

45th annual Christmas Eve tour. Still, Santa was ready

in time, fitting his Clifton appearance into his global

schedule, ready to carry on Clifton tradition.

Each year Santa appears on his float, provided by

Bond Parade Floats & Displays Co. A police car leads

the procession, generally followed by a fire truck

sounding its siren and a well-amplified, trademark

Santa “Ho, ho, ho” coming from the float’s sound sys-

tem, alerting all to Santa’s approach.

Last year, “I suited up around 3 pm, and we got start-

ed at roughly 4. That got me back to the house at about

11 o’clock,” he said. “I just covered the whole town.

We first covered the lower side of the city, then stopped

at City Hall to drop off anyone who needed to leave,

and then continued on.”

“In a nutshell, they put me on the float, told me to

hold on, and I had to say ‘Merry Christmas.’ I can do

that,” he said.

Son Patrick Jr. accompanied his dad for the entire

trip, training for the future. “I had a blast,” Patrick Jr.

said. Added his dad, “He waved to everyone for the

entire trip, just as I did. But he wasn’t ready to bellow

‘Merry Christmas’ just yet.”

For the most part, Mrs. Claus kept the home fires

burning with son David. “I did follow the float for a lit-

tle while because Patrick Jr.’s girlfriend wanted to hop

on the float,” Lee Ann said. “ I was there at the

Santa in Acquackanonk Gardens last Christmas Eve.


City garage, making sure all was

well, but once the float left I

came home,” tending to other

critical Christmas Eve family

agenda items.

Given Santa’s grueling

schedule, many have asked if

even Santa gets to take a break.

The answer: Bathroom breaks

are scheduled. “But they don’t

feed Santa,” Santa said, patting

his stomach gently. His visitor

expressed sincere annoyance at

this slight; Santa just smiled.

“You do get a little tired,”

Santa resumed. “But the wear

on your voice is the main con-

cern. Still, I made it all the way

through the city and the evening

saying my signature line, ‘Merry Christmas to all and

to all a good night,’” acknowledging one of Santa’s

early speechwriters, Clement Clark Moore.

Strong family tiesSanta also acknowledged his support staff, especially

his wife. “There aren’t too many people who would let

him do this – except Mrs. Claus,” he says, beaming.

“It’s an honor to be asked, since my father was

Santa, so it really is a family tradition, pretty much,”

Santa said humbly.

Mrs. Claus, aka Lee Ann Doremus, affirmed with

pride that the spirit of Santa has been an important

touchstone through family generations, on both a large

level and, even more significantly, in more intimate

family terms.

“Patrick’s dad, Eugene, was an extremely impor-

tant person in his life,” Mrs. Claus said emphatically.

“He lost his dad in October, 2014. Mayor Anzaldi

approached Patrick about being Santa in November,

2014. It was only six weeks after Eugene died.

“For the last three or four months of his dad’s life,

Patrick took care of him,” she continued. “He pretty

much moved back home during those months, slept

there most nights, helped with doctors, feeding,

bathing, taking him outside, out for drives. Everything

and anything that his dad needed, Patrick was there.

“One story I will never forget,”

she recalled. “Patrick’s father’s

license was set to expire. Even

though we all knew he would never

drive again, he insisted on getting

his license renewed. Patrick

planned the whole trip all the way

down to calling DMV [Department

of Motor Vehicles] in Wallington so

he can get his dad in quickly for his

picture. That happened exactly one

week before he died.

“Patrick is a rare breed. I’m not

sure how he was able to be Santa so

soon after all of that, but I have to

say, they couldn’t have picked a

more perfect person,” Mrs. Claus

said. Indeed.

Coping with an injurySanta Claus may not be a mere mortal, but even he is

not immune from accidents or injury.

“Years ago – I can’t remember exactly, but at least a

decade ago – a bunch of platform tables fell on me,

roughly 500 pounds of weight,” Santa recalled. The

incident, occurring at the Clifton Rec Center, seriously

injured his left leg, resulting in a trip to the hospital,

extensive physical therapy, and “five-and-a-half

months out of work,” he said. “I had to learn to reuse

my leg. I wasn’t able to move. I was worried that I

wouldn’t walk.”

The injury still lingers, though Santa made it a point

to stay on his feet while visiting every Clifton neigh-

borhood. “Every once in a while I have a shooting

pain,” he observed, and the leg “will buckle on occa-

sion. It gets tired. Just fatigue, that’s all. You have to

overcome.” Santa spurns any pharmaceutical assistance

to deal with the injury, but, with a laugh, he allowed,

“Milk and cookies go a long way.”

Perennial fan favoriteMilk and cookies are part of the formula for Santa’s

ongoing appearances and rock star status, even as his

Clifton audience changes over the decades. Last year

families poured out of their homes despite persistent

rainy weather that would have dampened the

Eugene Doremus, Patrick’s father.


spirits of most on any other day.

Santa has a knack for bringing out

the best part of anyone, even when

the weather doesn’t cooperate.

“The response was great, really

good,” Santa reported. “People in

every neighborhood, people from

many different walks of life, they

all were laughing, smiling, bring-

ing their children along, holding

them up for a better view, just hav-

ing a good time.”

Both Santa and son Patrick Jr.

note the upbeat response included

those who might not celebrate

Christmas within their homes. “There were no bad

vibes,” Santa said. “The Christmas spirit is something

anyone can understand, regardless of a personal con-

viction.”

Different neighborhoods posed different challenges

As one example: Down in Botany Village, amidst nar-

row streets and tight corners, at one point “we got

stuck. So we got off the float while people worked to

get us back on the road, and we started talking to all the

children and people there, meeting as many people as

we could. Everyone had a great time,” Santa said.

“They hit every neighborhood, even if they can’t hit

every street,” added Mrs. Claus, who as Lee Ann

Doremus works as a medical biller for a urology group

in nearby Bloomfield. Son Patrick Jr. chimed in, “We

didn’t miss much.”

Ready for action againA month after landing the job, and only two months

after his father died, what was the end result of a hard

evening’s work?

“The mayor was pleased,” Santa said. “After we

were done, he said thank you, and he said I had the job

for the next 40 years, if I wanted it. I was exhausted,”

Santa added, almost as an afterthought. “But I’m ready

for this year.”

Santa, of course, had a whole globe to travel before

a very well-deserved nap. “My son David tried to wake

us up at 6 am Christmas morning,” he said, and both

Santa and son Patrick Jr. slowly sprung into action.

Said Mrs. Claus, laughing, “He’s gotta get up. That’s

the payback for staying up late all night. His own kids

have to get their own presents.”

Mrs. Claus said Santa can handle the schedule. “He’s

got a very high energy level. He’s like that every day.”

If that energy level ever flags, Patrick Jr. is ready to

carry on the family tradition for future generations of

Santa seekers. Jr. When not attending CHS, Patrick Jr.

spends time with the Woodland Park Fire Department,

ostensibly training to become a firefighter. He also

plans to study to qualify as an Emergency Medical

Technician (EMT). Either or both would provide a con-

venient cover story, beyond gainful employment, to

obscure one’s true identity if one’s future includes

piloting a sleigh around the world.

Asked about the possibility of a future succession of

Santas, Patrick Jr. answers politely, if a bit evasively,

“I’ll do the job in the future, if I’m asked.”

For now, though, Santa – again, under the moniker

Patrick M. Doremus – has the situation well in hand,

aided by family and by the hardworking crew of elves

from City Hall, Clifton Fire Department, and Bond

Parade Float Co., among other contributors.

But he did express concern about Santa’s meaning

and standing, as sometimes shaped by forces beyond

even his control. “I just read in the paper it will cost $50

at Macy’s just to sit with Santa,” he said, shaking his

head at the concept, unhappy about how it might reflect

on the spirit of the holiday.

What advice might he have for “other” Santas, the

stand-ins, positioned on a street corner or on their own

floats in cities and towns across America?

“Just be jolly,” Santa said. And to all, a good night.

Lee Ann and Patrick Doremus and family at their wedding on May 19, 1990.


It’s an event. It’s an institution. It’s an outpouring ofcommunity spirit. And mostly it’s lots and lots of old-

fashioned fun. We’re talking about this year’s 45th

Annual Tour De Clifton on Dec. 24, which is Christmas

Eve. If you are new to town get ready, because you’ll

first hear it off in the distance...

Beginning at 3 pm and lasting for six to eight hours —

after which children should be safely tucked in their beds

anyway—Santa does his annual circuit of the city,

escorted by the wailing sirens of police and fire vehicles.

Santa will be easy to spot, since he’ll either be atop a

fire engine or riding his own personal float all around

town, courtesy of Bond Parade Floats & Displays

Company of Clifton.

The Santa Tour is preceded by a raft of tree lightings

in most every neighborhood which happen early in the

month, each of them packed with more holiday wattage

than Rudolph has on his nose, and by additional Santa

sightings. Thus, you’ll have plenty of other opportuni-

ties to share in the holiday spirit at numerous gatherings.

Turn to page 75 for a list of tree lightings, accurate

as of press time, follows, thanks to a friendly rein-

deer—no names, but his first initial is ‘R’— who tells

us that Santa and his team of reindeer always looks for-

ward to visiting Clifton since he, the elves, and the

team of reindeer can’t get their beloved Hot Texas

Wieners up at the North Pole. For additional info, call

Mayor Jim Anzaldi at 973-470-5757.

Traditions & Memories

45th Annual Tour de CliftonGet Ready for Wailing Sirens & a Mini Parade


DiwaliCalled the Festival of Light, Diwali

is celebrated by both Hindus and

Sikhs. The festival is held during

the new moon in late October or

early November (this year it began

on Nov. 11) when darkness is

pierced by the light from small

lamps or candles. Since Diwali is,

for some Hindus, a New Year’s fes-

tival, many celebrate with rituals to

honor Lakshmi, goddess of pros-

perity. A central part of the Diwali

celebration for Hindus is the

retelling of the Ramayana. This

story celebrates the return of Rama

and Sita to the village of Ayodhya. The Lights of Diwali

represent the candles that were lit to guide Rama and

Sita safely home.

RamadanThe season began this year on June

17, and it commemorates the day

when the Koran, the holy book of

Islam, was given to the prophet

Muhammad by the archangel

Gabriel. After receiving the vision,

Muhammad preached in the city of

Mecca that there was only one

God. Many did not like his idea

and he and his followers fled to

Medina. They formed an army and

in A.D. 630, they marched back to

Mecca to spread the religion of

Islam. During the entire month, no

one eats any food or drinks any

water from sunrise to sunset. People fast to teach them-

selves self-discipline and to defeat Satan. During

Ramadan, followers read the entire Koran.

It’s something to be proud of and to learn from.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the many cultural and ethnic

celebrations that some Clifton families observe to Celebrate The Season.

Clifton is a mosaic of cultures

Varieties• Potatoes & Cheese• Potato • Sauerkraut• Pot Cheese• Mushroom• Pot Cheese & Potato• Broccoli• Spinach• Pizza • Apple• Prune • Cabbage• Apricot & Cheese• Broccoli & Spinach

HOMEMADEPIROGI

Come to The Famous & Original (from Lexington Ave)...

Call forHours

1295 Main Ave • Downtown Clifton 973.340.0340

WWW.HOMEMADEPIROGI.COM

Across from DeLuxe Cleaners

NEW! Great for Parties... Hot, Homemade Empanadas!

Don’t Wait Until Friday to Eat Pirogies !!!


• Pork, Beef &Meat Products

• Home Styled Smoked Sausage

• Salami & All Kinds of Cold Cuts

• Holiday Hams &Traditional Foods

• Hungarian Delicacies• Spices & European& Hungarian Sweets

We’ll Mail Your Order!

Since 1988, my family and I have runour meat market at 189 Parker Ave.Using traditional recipes, we prepare pork,beef and meat products, home-stylehickory smoked ham, sausage, salami andall kinds of cold cuts. We also sell groundpoppy seeds and ground walnuts and manytraditional Hungarian food ingredients.All our products are prepared with know-how and tender love and care. In mystore, or via UPS delivery, you will receivethe best— foods which praises the tastesand inspires the soul.

The Rozsa Family Marika & Andrew


HanukkahA time when Jews celebrate their victory for religious

freedom with the eight day Festival of Lights, which

begins on Dec. 6. Thousands of years ago, Israel was ruled

by Syrians, who worshiped many gods, while the Jews

worshiped only one. A Syrian ruler decreed that Jews must

worship Greek gods, then destroyed Jewish temples and

demanded the Jews break their dietary laws. One family,

the Maccabees, refused and led an uprising before fleeing

to the hills, where many other Jews followed. They built

up a great army and returned to the city where they fought

four major battles against the Syrians. They lost the first

three but won the last. After the battle, Judah Maccabee

led his followers to Jerusalem where they tore down the

statues of the Greek gods and rededicated the Temple to

God. Their celebration is considered the first Hanukkah.

Today, the menorah, which has branches for nine candles,

is the most important symbol of Hanukkah. Eight of the

candles represents the days of Hanukkah. The ninth can-

dle is the shammes, or servant. It is responsible for

Jersey Girls ‘Go-To’SILVER STORE!


lighting all the others. Most peo-

ple set aside one day for

exchanging gifts, which are

wrapped in blue and white paper.

At the party, people sing songs,

give small gifts of money called

gelt and play dreidel, a tradition-

al game.

ChristmasObserved annually on Dec. 25

by Christians, it celebrates the

birth of Jesus Christ, the

Messiah. As the Light of the

World, Jesus is represented by

the lights of Christmas. Before

Jesus was born, his parents,

Mary and Joseph, traveled to Bethlehem to pay taxes and

to be counted in the census. On the night that Mary knew

she was going to give birth, they searched for shelter. All

the inns were full. Finally an innkeeper allowed the cou-

ple to stay in his barn. Jesus was born that night among

farm animals. Angels told shepherds of his birth and they

immediately visited the infant Jesus. A star appeared

above the stable, leading Three Wise Men to the place.

They came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Orthodox ChristmasOn Jan. 7 because it is observed

by following the Julian calender.

On Christmas Eve, Jan. 6,

Ukrainians, Russians and others

of the Orthodox faith celebrate

with a traditional holy supper of

12 courses, including varieties

of fish, as well as non-dairy and

meatless dishes. Upon comple-

tion of the holy supper, depend-

ing upon the tradition of the

local parish, evening church

vespers are held.

KwanzaaA holiday which intertwines

African traditions with American customs, celebrated

Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. It is based on six criteria of a peo-

ple—history, mythology, creativity, social structure,

political organization, and economics. The core princi-

ples of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles),

which are expressed in Swahili, a language of East

Africa, are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determina-

tion), Ujima (collective work and responsibility),

Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose),


Kuumba (creativity), and

Imani (faith). The seven sym-

bols associated with Kwanzaa,

also expressed in Swahili, are

mazao (fruits, vegetables, and

nuts), mkeka (place mat),

kinara (candleholder), vibunzi

(ear of corn), zawadi (gifts),

kikombe cha umoja (commu-

nal cup of unity), and mishum-

baa saba (seven candles).

The Baha’i FaithCelebrates Nov. 12, the Birth

of Baha’ u’ llah, the Founder of

the Faith. Baha’ u’ llah was

born in Tihran, Persia (Tehran,

Iran) in 1917. His father, a

nobleman, held a high position at the king’s court and

was loved and trusted by the people. As a child, Baha’

u’ llah was different from other children. Though untu-

tored, He surprised all with His wisdom and understand-

ing. It was not only His physical beauty that attracted

people, but His deep love and concern for people. He

soon became known as the “Father of the Poor.” He was

imprisoned and exiled during the last 40 years of His

Ministry and passed away in the

prison-city of Akka in Israel.

Baha’ u’ llah has over 100 vol-

umes of revelation in which He

has introduced a prescription for

world peace. Among His teach-

ings are: the unity of God’s

Prophets, the oneness of the

human race, the search after

truth, elimination of prejudice,

harmony of science and religion,

and equality of women and men.

New Year’s DayThe only secular holiday that the

entire world observes regardless

of race or religious beliefs, it is

based on the solar calendar

established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and adopted

by most countries. However, the Orthodox Eastern

churches use the earlier Julian calendar with the New

Year falling on Jan. 14. Some, including Jews, Chinese,

Hindus and Muslims, use a lunar or some combination

of a lunar and solar calendar. The date of the Chinese

New Year may fall between Jan. 21 and Feb. 19. Jewish

New Year begins on the first day of Tishri.

Tel: 973-778-1604Fax: 973-778-0334

Happy Holidays!

POGORELECLAW OFFICES

Concentrating in the areas of...Medicaid/Elder Law, Real Estate, Wills,

Probate & Landlord/Tenant

John D. Pogorelec, Sr.John D. Pogorelec, Jr.

840 Van Houten Ave., Clifton


IF IT’S NOT THE FEDERLE FAMILY, IT’S NOT

26

While Ernest Scheidemann hasfond memories of being theGrand Marshal of the 2001Downtown Clifton ChristmasParade, he reminds readers tocherish family most of all.Also pictured at top right areRafael Vilorio (his commentsare on page 34) and some ofthe angelic ballerinas whorecently performed at theNorth Jersey ElksDevelopmental DisabilitiesAgency on Main Ave.

How do you mark the holidays, the holy days, the passing of seasons?

We asked Cliftonites to share some of their memories and traditions as

December and the holidays greet us...

Neighborhood to NeighborhoodT raditions & Memories

December 2015 • Clifton Merchant


As an interfaith family, Ricky and Rosy Bagolieblend cultures that comes together in a unique and

harmonious way during the holidays. “She’s

Dominican and we are both Jewish,” explained

Bagolie, who was raised as a Jew of Italian heritage.

He is also a former President of the Clifton-Passaic

UNICO, and Italian-American service organization.

“Rosy’s family is Catholic, so we celebrate

Hanukkah at home and participate in Christmas with

her family,” said Bagolie, who is an attorney with

offices in Clifton, Jersey City, New York, and

Florida.

“Rosy’s really an American success story,” he

continued, proudly. “She came here from the

Dominican Republic at age 10 with her family who

had nothing and did not speak English. They settled

in Elizabeth where she eventually became class

president. She finished her college degree at Seton

Hall in three years, her masters in one, and then

obtained her doctorate in educational leadership, all

while teaching public school back in her hometown.

She is an expert in autism and is now the Director of

Special Services in Bogota,” he concluded, then

added with a laugh: “Oh, and she married me.”

When it comes to raising their three sons, Frank,

Aaron, and Jacob, the Bagolies bring them up in the

Jewish faith but integrate aspects from Rosy’s

Dominican background.

“The oldest one is nine, and I already have papers

to schedule his Bar Mitzvah when he is 13,” he

explained. “All of the boys are on track to have their

Bar Mitzvah.”

“At the holidays, we have a Mensch on a Bench,

a Hanukkah Bush, The Festival of Lights, there’s

gifts being wrapped and all that,” Bagolie continued.

“For the Festival of Lights we fry potato pancakes

called latkes. We also make a Dominican dish using

cassava. It’s a root vegetable that’s a little bit sweet-

er than a potato. Recently, we’ve been experiment-

ing with making latkes with the cassava.”

Rosy and Ricky Bagolie with Frank, age 9, at left,and 7-year-old twins Aaron and Jacob.

T raditions & Memories

Attorney

Ricky Bagolie

“They’re my family here, my kids,” saidAnne Foster, referring to the developmen-

tally disabled students served in three facil-

ities NJEDDA manages in Clifton. They

include the grade school/headquarters on

Main Ave. with about 120 kids, the high

school on Union and Main Ave. with

another 100 or so and the Adult Training

and Medical Day Care Program on Route

46 at Hazel St. which services another 40

adults, all grads of the Center and other

specialized schools.

Founded here in Clifton in 1947 at the

height of the post-WWII baby boom,

NJEDDA (the former CP Center) has done

much to help special needs students and

their families. While financial support

comes from sending school districts, con-

siderable aid is provided by members of

five Passaic County Elks Lodges which place a

special emphasis on cerebral palsy and the develop-

mentally disabled. The lodges pinpoint their activ-

ities towards charitable support of the CP Center.

While the Elks members focus on the fundrais-

ing, it is Foster and her colleagues who concern

themselves with fun raising activities:

“One of my favorite things involves the

Thanksgiving celebration we have for both the ele-

mentary school,” Foster said. “We have a turkey din-

ner for staff and students. At our high school we also

hold a football game, generating two teams, that’s an

annual event. Some of the girls are cheerleaders and

we also have a pep squad.

“We also are fortunate that Holiday Express, a

nonprofit group that entertains, a musical group, vis-

its each year. The kids just love them. The group gets

the kids involved, and it brings gifts for the kids, too.

“It’s a very happy time,” Foster said.

“For the holidays, we also have a sing-along with

a woman volunteer who plays guitar. We have a hol-

iday boutique that our occupational therapist runs.

We have enough items ‘for sale’ so that all the kids

can shop and buy something for their families. Kids

try to think of something their family members

might like, to think of others,” Foster said.

“As well, UPS generously buys gifts for the stu-

dents every year, so we give UPS a list of the stu-

dents, with teachers making recommendations on

what gifts might be nice for them. UPS comes with

Santa, and they distribute a gift per student. And the

student gets a picture with Santa, too,” Foster said.

For readers looking to support a local charity,

NJEDDA certainly meets that bill. To find out

more, talk about ways to support the programs

here, call Executive Director William Weiss at 973-

772-2600 or write him at [email protected].

Coordinator of Therapies,North Jersey Elks DevelopmentalDisabilities Agency (NJEDDA)

Anne Foster



Joseph M. Shook, Sr., Founder1924 - 2008

Nancy Shook Garretson,President

NJ Lic. No. 3657

Roy B. Garretson, ManagerNJ Lic. No. 3550

Thomas J. Garretson, DirectorNJ Lic. No. 4988

Kevin V. White, DirectorNJ Lic. No. 4964



Since 1983, Biegel’s clan has met every Thanksgiving

morning, at about 9 am to break bread. “We would meet

for breakfast at Calico Kitchen, “ he said. “For 21 years

we met there. It closed down, so we had to find a new

place – first the Lexington Diner, then the Tick Tock

Diner. The last four years it has been the Allwood Diner.

We started with seven people. We now have 13 adults and

four great-grandchildren, including last names of Biegel,

Fieldhouse and Romadon. This Thanksgiving, pictured

above, we just celebrated 27 years of doing this, and we

hope to keep going. I recently moved, so that’s changed,

but our tradition hasn’t—Thanksgiving for our family

begins together, talking, laughing and having fun.”


Avenue of Flags Chair

John Biegel, Jr. “My wife Mary died in 1981. I had my two sons, John III and Jeffrey, liv-

ing with me then, but my daughter Kathleen was married and on her own

with her husband, Tom. After two years had gone by, I came up with the

idea to go for Thanksgiving Breakfast.”


“Since our parents have passed, ourfamily now consists of first, second,

and third generation Americans.

Honoring our cultural roots is more

than a date on a calendar; it is what

makes us who we are and whom we

represent in this vast melting pot.

“Our entire family continues all of

the culinary, religious and yes, the associated pagan

traditions of celebrating Christmas with all of

Ukraine in January: Christmas Eve January 6th,

Christmas Day January 7th, following the

Ukrainian Byzantine Christian Calendar which has

no spiritual exclusion but rather spiritual inclusion.

“Our family usually decorates our

Christmas tree around the feast of St.

Nicholas on Dec. 19, which is pretty dif-

ferent from most Americans.! Our fami-

ly tree is especially themed. It is adorned

with ornaments that were all either cher-

ished heirlooms brought to the USA by

our parents and grand-parents after

World War II liberation, sent from

Ukraine by our relatives, made in

Ukraine, or keepsakes by our family

members and friends through the generations.

“The tree is finished with a traditional brightly lit

eight-pointed Star of Bethlehem, customary in

Ukrainian folklore. (By the way, that eight-pointed

pattern is repeated on Pysanky, Ukrainian Easter

eggs. But that’s another tradition.”)


“We usually go to 5:30 pm mass on Christmas Eve, and then usual-

ly have a Christmas Eve dinner, which is always different and not a set

standard. We’re more involved on Christmas Day. But the kids are mar-

ried now, with families of their own, so it’s difficult to plan in advance

or to do the same routine each year. We adjust for the situation every

year. The new tradition is no tradition, at least in terms of rote.”

“My favorite holiday tradition is on Valentine’s Day, the birthday of

my grandmother Lola Canario. For decades my family would rent a

hall here in Passaic or back in New York City for a humongous celebra-

tion. We were 42 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren on the last

one we did before she died at the age of 92 in June of 2012.”

“On Thanksgiving I’m going to sleep on the couch and let otherscook. That’s luxury! We lost our son eight years ago when our son was

a senior in high school. It changes things. Most of the things we do are

traditional; it’s just we always have Jimmy on our minds. It’s not that

we’re not happy; it’s just that we have bittersweet overtones. It’s just

knowing of the somebody who is not there that affects things.”

On our first Christmas togeth-er, my wife Kathleen, whopassed away five years ago...both of us had forgotten tobuy a tree and we wound upwith the original CharlieBrown tree. There were othertrees throughout our mar-riage, both real and artificial,but that one, of course, hasthe most significance of all.

Lillianna Chuddolij

Clifton Post Office

Fred Seidler Eileen Keating

ADT Security Consultant

Rafael Vilorio

Jeff Hoey


The generational Rowan clan as seen last year, from left: Mike Rowan with Shawn and Felicia, Kerry and JamesBaker with Aoife, Jimmy, and Liam, Father Eamonn O’Brien, Joyce and Bob Rowan.

Liturgy in the living room: Not every family or

congregant can expect a priest to make a liturgical

“house call” at Christmas. But the Rowan family

can, at least now and again.

It’s what retired Clifton Police Department

Detective Captain Robert Rowan calls “an interest-

ing wrinkle” amidst a holiday schedule that, in

many respects, “is pretty similar to that enjoyed by

so many others.”

The family’s edge? It has a priest as a member of

the family. “I have a cousin, Eamonn O’Brien,

who’s a missionary priest from Ireland,” Rowan

said. “He’s stationed in China now, traveling

around, meeting with different groups throughout

the country. That’s significant in itself, since at one

time priests weren’t allowed into China, let alone

travel anywhere within it,

“Eamonn travels back and forth between China,

Ireland, and England. If he’s en route, especially on or

around the holidays, he usually stops off here in

America – not every Christmas, of course. Last year

we welcomed him as he stayed with us for a few days.

“On Christmas Day, he said mass in the living

room. We have three children and seven grandchil-

dren; they all came over for Christmas Day.”

Eamonn’s Christmas Day work followed plenty

of warmup activities the previous evening, Rowan

added. “Generally what we’ve done for years on

Christmas Eve is go visit friends. We often visit the

owners of Wheels and Troops Subs, on Van Houten

Ave.,” he said, referring to Laurie Mocek, owner of

Wheels, a jewelry store, and her brother Bill who

owns Troops Subs right next door. “Laurie usually

has a little gathering at the shop, so last year we

brought Eamonn with us to see them.”

“Later on we went to the Grabowskis and of

course we told them Eamonn was a priest. Ray

Grabowski asked for a blessing of his brother Matt,

who was very ill at the time. Eamonn in fact did that,

and I think Ray felt rather comforted with that. That

made it interesting—and very moving.” Clifton

Councilman Matt Grabowski a Realtor and lifelong

resident of Athenia, passed away on Feb. 25, 2015, at

the age of 53.

“On Christmas Day, Eamonn wore a jacket he

had brought from China, a kind of red silk. He said

it was the only thing he had that was red that would

fit into Christmas,” Rowan recalled.

For the family, the fit was a perfect one.

Retired Clifton Police Captain

Robert Rowan



These Mustangs get together monthly in South Jersey. All are invited to the next event on Dec. 15. Front row:Marlene Vandenberg, Diane Vernarec, Belle DiFalco, Barbara Szijas, Linda Fillipone, Pam Polyak. Middle row:Hank Vandenberg, Joe Vernarec, George DiFalco, Allen Seijas, Rich Fillipone, Carole Brierley, Jeff Polyak. Backrow: Emil Koenig, Rich Belli, Matt Bajek, George Kulik, Holly Kulik, Rich Brierley, Jim Brierley.

George Kulik and classmates from 1960 hold a

lunch every six weeks at the Lamppost Inn, Route.

9, Pine Beach. They’ve been doing so for the past six

years. The schedule includes a Christmas party, to be

held this year on Dec. 15.

It’s open to all CHS grads, not just the Class of

1960, Kulik said. “One or two do show up from

other classes, like Jimmy Brierley’s brother, who

was a couple of years after us. We don’t care too

much about that.”

The core group consists of Toms River and

Ocean County residents, numbering about 20 and

mostly CHS grads from 1960, “except for some of

the wives,” Kulik said. Attendance fluctuates meet-

ing to meeting, depending on the time of year and

other variables. “It’s funny; we get people that’ll

come for a month or two, then they’ll have some-

thing to do, such as during the summer. We’ll get

only 10. Then suddenly we’ll get 20 or more,

including people from up north,” Kulik said.

“It’s a continuous thing. We talk about, or lie

about, the old times. We talk about people’s lives, or

people who have died, sadly. Some of us see each

other regularly; the rest show when they want to.”

The friendships have been nearly lifelong. As

one example, Kulik cites the Vernarecs. “I’ve

known Joe Vernarec and his wife Diane since high

school, in fact I’ve known Diane since junior high,”

Kulik said. “All are welcome to join in the fun.”

That includes former CHS teachers overseeing

the Class of 1960, Kulik pointed out. “George and

Belle DiFalco were our teachers; they’re in their

80s and they show up during the summer and fall;

they winter in Florida,” he said. “George DiFalco

was the favorite teacher of almost anybody. Any

time you had a problem you’d go to George or

Belle. I don’t know how many other teachers from

our era are still around.”

At Christmastime, “We embarrass ourselves by

dressing up as elves or reindeer; we just blame that

on senility. Matt Bajek is a one-man band with the

accordion; he performs for us, and we just have a

good time.” Call George Kulik at 848-333-8761 or

email [email protected] to attend.

CHS Class of 1960

George Kulik



“I started the Christmas Santafloat parade more than 40 yearsago,” Novack stated. “Tom Insigna

[who was Santa Claus] was my

neighbor and we put it together. I

went to different store owners, at

least 20 merchants, and I told them,

“Contribute some money and I’ll

give everyone flyers on Santa’s

route. We’ll get a crowd.”

How much money? “It was

$250... or $500... that’s what they

would give. It was a lot of money,

but we did a lot with that money. We’d

give out sandwiches, we bought toys for the kids; we

had designated stops. It was a very big deal,” he said.

The pre-mall Clifton of the 1970s was different.

Main Ave. was full of well-known locally owned

stores, as were Botany, Athenia, and Valley Road.

Santa’s float, crafted in the 1970s, was put togeth-

er with Department of Public Works equipment in a

body shop owned by Joe Podolak and Tom Insigna,

who had a personal interest in making sure the lay-

out was comfortable and conducive to Santa’s needs.

“We also used to get and give donations from toy

companies,” Novack said. We’d put a sign up in a

merchant window with all the stops listed. Each

merchant would get a flyer. Everyone would get

advertising, with all the merchants on it. That’s how

it really grew into a Clifton tradition.”

Novack said the Santa float started with the back-

ing of the Athenia Business Association, Ploch’s, Al

Sabah, Joe Podolak, Frank Mileto, Chuck Ranges,

and Jerry Zecker, among others. Tom Insigna stayed

with the tradition and held down Santa’s reins for 43

years, relinquishing his duties after 2013.

When not focusing on Clifton, Novack also

enjoyed holiday traditions on the family level. “We

used to go to the Marble Collegiate Church on Fifth

Ave. and 29th Street in New York. Dr. Norman

Vincent Peale used to be the pastor there. It’s a great

tradition for Christmas Eve. They always have a big

choir there; it’s really something to see,” he said.

For the last few years, Novack’s other occupation

is as a gondolier on the canals of Ft. Lauderdale and

in the waters of the Hackensack River. Seriously.

See more at lasolasgondola.com.

Mike Novack and Crew, Circa 1971


Founder, Santa Tour de Clifton

Mike Novack



“Parades,” Bobby DeVito says simply. “We do

parades up until two days before Christmas. It really

picks up around the holidays,” as Bond Parade Float

Co. goes into high gear to serve its business clients.

Since DeVito’s wife, Marge, and two sons,

Robbie and William, are involved in the business, the

family “tradition” is pretty much a working one.

“My two sons have taken over, but I’m still pretty

active,” DeVito said. Make that 41 years of “pretty

active,” since DeVito began work with the company

in 1974 and never looked back.

“I don’t do anything on Christmas Day itself; I

refuse to. We do a little Christmas Eve work – one

float, that’s all,” DeVito said. “The rest of December

is pretty much dead, but then in January we gear up

again to get ready for Chinese New Year,” with the

exact date varying year by year.

In 2016 Chinese New Year, also known as the

Lunar New Year, begins on Feb. 8.

Robert DeVito and his crew of craftsmen make

moveable, magical art out of wood, styrofoam, tinsel

and other trimmings. You’ve seen his work along

parade routes here in town and all over the Northeast.

While DeVito is now 64, he and his staff have

been dressing parades for decades. This Clifton

Boulevard firm has been in the business of making

floats since 1942. It was then that company founder

Gilbert Bond began selling War Bonds at the celebri-

ty filled rallies in Times Square. In the early ’60s,

employee Rudy Ehrlich took the helm of the firm.

Current owner and Mt. Prospect Ave. resident

Robert DeVito, pictured above with his wife Marge,

purchased the company in 1984 but has worked there

since 1973. Over the years, the company has ‘Made

in Clifton’ some memorable pieces of work which

have been in some major parades.

Among DeVito’s all time favorites: a massive

two story float with the Lion of St. Mark’s Square in

Venice atop of it, which was created for Perugina

Chocolates. Here in Clifton, DeVito annually

donates the float which carts Santa throughout the

city on Christmas Eve. He has also donated his serv-

ices to a number of other causes.

So what is the secret to his moveable art?

“That’s a good name for it,” responded DeVito, a

’73 grad of William Paterson. “Because by the time

you can notice our mistakes, our floats are down the

road. But seriously? It’s creating a good contrast of

colors and graphics because the art is viewed best

from afar.”

Owner, Bond Parade Float Co.

Bobby DeVito


AC Moore (973) 470-8885

Antonio’s Hair Stylist (973) 472-1011

Avant Garde Salon (973) 778-0557

Bertelli’s Liquors (973) 779-0199

C2 Education Center 973-778-7300

Chiropractic Center at Styertowne (973) 777-6995

Cleaners 2000 (973) 614-1400

Dayton Homemade Chocolates (973) 574-0444

F.Y.E. (973) 778-8759

Corbo Jewelers (973) 777-1635

CVS Pharmacy (973) 778-7630

Dollar Tree (973) 249-7530

Dress Barn (973) 249-0233

Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins (973) 473-9631

Footnotes Bookstore (973) 779-6122

GNC (973) 779-1500

Kim’s Nail Salon (973) 471-8118

Largo House Nail & Spa (973) 777-9784

Lucille Roberts (973) 249-2966

Modells (973) 779-5253

Morillo Eye Care (973) 594-0020

Muscle Maker Grill (862) 899-7111

Radio Shack (973) 777-7931

Sherwin-Williams (973) 773-1738

Styertowne Bakery (973) 777-6193

Subway (973) 685-9992

Taste of Tuscany (973) 916-0700

The Season’s Fine Chinese Cuisine (973) 777-8073

US Post Office (973) 473-4946

Valley National Bank (973) 777-6283

Great stores & servicesat the Allwood Circle

Corbo JewelersGold • Silver • Precious Metals & Gems

Largo House Nail & SpaManicure, Pedicure, Facial Care, Waxing, Body Treatment

Cleaners 2000Cleaning • Laundering • Alterations


Anna Mariano wanted to see if she could handle

the experience, even if it was temporary. “You

always see homeless people on the streets, but you

never really know what they are going through,”

she said. Her 24 hours in the program’s Tent City,

she said, at least allowed her to be in “a similar sit-

uation for a short period of time.”

And, she noted, at least she had a shelter of some

sort, no matter how primitive. “It can be below

freezing and the homeless may not get a place to

stay,” she said. “It can be so hard to live your life if

you don’t have a home.”

Though some might think food or cleanliness

were primary issues, for Mariano the chief enemy

was the cold. “My head and feet were freezing. I

couldn’t imagine living like this for more than 24

hours, but there are thousands of people who do it

every single day.”

Being exposed to the cold also registered with

Henrique Schulz. “I didn’t think it would be that

bad,” he recalled, “but at times I thought about the

homeless people who go through this every day. I’m

fortunate to have a home to go to and only have this

be a 24-hour experience.”

Perhaps as important, Schulz realized that treating

the homeless with kindness and caring – and as real

people – was an beneficial intangible for him and the

homeless alike. “Helping doesn’t only involve giving

food and donating time. I can also strike up conversa-

tion when doing community service at a soup kitchen

with the homeless. They are people who are going

through rough times, so to just talk to them really

seemed to put a smile on their faces.”

“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” he

added. “It really made me more aware of what thou-

sands of people are going through in our country. I’m

glad Paramus Catholic gave me this opportunity.”


Paramus Catholic HS Senior

Anna Mariano

As part of their studies, Paramus CatholicHigh School students recently lived for 24hours as the homeless do. Here is what two Clifton seniors had to say about theirout-of the-classroom learning experience:

Paramus Catholic HS Senior

Henrique Schulz



For Bohdan Gojnycz, last Christmas was especial-ly sweet. Along with fellow parishioners at St.

Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in

Tucson, Ariz., he unveiled a new ikonostas –

a ornate and traditional icon wall – highlight-

ing the congregation’s rehabilitated home.

Common among Eastern Orthodox denom-

inations, an ikonostas is also a key element in

Ukrainian Catholic churches. Gojnycz was

determined parishioners would have one, with

ornately carved wood a key element in its making.

Gojnycz, CHS ’57, grew up in Dutch Hill and

attended St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.

CHS grads may recall Gojnycz’s 25-year stint teach-

ing Business Education. “I taught a lot of accounting,

law, consumer education, typing, economic geogra-

phy, business math, anything in that area,” he said,

adding that he was at CCMS for five years, too.

That knowledge came in handy after he retired in

1993 and, with his wife Maria, moved to Arizona in

2004. St. Michael’s welcomed him and his skills,

naming him Facilities Manager overseeing volunteers

to furnish and upgrade a new ‘home.’ “We celebrated

our first Christmas in 2008,”Gojnycz recalled. “We

were a small group – we’re still a relatively small

group – but we needed the space.”

Bohdan Gojnycz in 1988 (at left) andwith wife, Maria, and icon wall in 2014.

Former CHS Teacher

Bohdan Gojnycz

1916 NOW

CHEIDEMANNERNEST T.

AGENCYS1297 MAIN AVENUE • CLIFTON

973-478-5967 or 800-43-HOUSEYour trusted Independent Insurance Agentssince 1916. Let us evaluate your coverage!

“Own Your Own Home and Protect It”

✓Homeowners Insurance✓Renters Insurance

✓Personal Auto✓Commercial Auto

Call our agency for all of your insurance needs:

Bonds for Administrators, Custodians & Executors

Check Us Out on Facebook!

We Honor America’s Veterans

Ernest J. Scheidemann

973-478-5967800-43-HOUSE

Real Estate &Insurance

What does it take for a Family Business to survive for 100 Years in a ‘Big Business’ environment?

Service • Honesty • TrustProductivity & Wonderful Clients & Friends

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays To All!



Raising sufficient funding proved a challenge, but

dedicated parishioners began work in March 2014, with

Gojnycz focusing on the ikonostas first to get it ready for

the following Easter. It was ready by last Christmas.

“We finished the icon wall in three months,” he noted,

“but the rest of work took a year or more. Some of it, in

fact, is still ongoing.” Funding remains an issue.

“Most of the other volunteers were far less experi-

enced; one might think some of them had never picked

up a hammer. But everyone worked hard, and had fun,

while we worked toward a common goal,” Gojnycz said.

An ikonostas, or icon wall, consists of a wall of icons

and religious paintings, separating the nave from the

sanctuary in a church. It usually does not sit directly on

the edge of the sanctuary, but is usually set a few feet

back from the edge of the top step. This forms a walk-

way in front of the iconostasis for the clergy.

The new church is handling a growing congregation,

Gojnycz said, capably led by Father Andriy Chirovsky, a

native of Newark. “He’s a Jersey boy, too,” Gojnycz

quipped. Some people strive to be icons. Others, like

Bohdan Gojnycz, strive to give icons the proper home.

Want fabulous designer or vintage clothing?Linens, dishes or bric-a-brac for the home?

We are a Bargain Hunter’s Dream!

Shop Mon, Wed & Fri, 10am-3pm

DMC

@

at Daughters of Miriam CenterThe Gallen Institute

155 Hazel St., Clifton 973-253-5377

DAUGHTERSOFMIRIAMCENTER.ORG

To View the Collections, Visit Us on Facebook


This Belgrade Ave. residentand CHS 2002 grad offered

her thoughts concerning the

holiday season. Below are a

few of her comments...

ThanksgivingWhen the annual Passaic-

Clifton Thanksgiving Football

game is at home, my Aunt

Naomi (Huck) Horsky (CHS

’63) will drive down and go to

the game with me before

heading over to her daughter’s

house for dinner. My cousin

Amanda (Rice) Randle (CHS

’04) will sometimes join in.

Christmas EveWhen I was little, my sister

Jilian and I, as well as our

friends Kristy and Nick Link (pictured) who lived

up the block from us, would run after Santa when

he went by on the float, waving and shouting

“Merry Christmas” from Fenner Ave. to Dumont

Ave. along Maplewood Ave. After Santa, my moth-

er, sister, and I would head off to 10 pm service at

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to sing. Following the

service, my friend Lauren (Read) Koslow and I

would wait for the clock to get as close to midnight

as possible and we would shout “Merry Christmas

Everyone!” at the top of our lungs while standing

out on the front steps of our church on Clifton Ave.

Christmas DayNo matter how old we get, my sister Jilian and I, as

well as Dana Cannizzaro (CHS ’03) who is like a

sister as well), will spend Christmas morning in my

parent’s living room in our pajamas opening pres-

ents. It’s only after presents are unwrapped that we

go and get dressed and help get everything ready

for family to come over for Christmas dinner.

Broadway or bustEvery year we have everyone put in their top choic-

es for Broadway shows and availability, and then

Mom chooses the date and the show.


History Professor, WPU

Tara M. Fuesko

Nick and Kristy Link with Tara and Jilian Fuesko as kids and in high school.Nick graduated CHS in ’02, his sister in ’98 and Jilian in 2004. Below, that’sTara Fuesko with her Aunt Naomi at this year’s Thanksgiving game.

Seifullah Ali Shabazz said he regularly attends the

Clifton Passaic Thanksgiving game since it’s a

great way to keep in touch with the people in his

community. “I’m not a sport person, but I go

because I see my friends at the game. I was disap-

pointed there weren’t more people there this year.”

The Lakeview resident and concert promoter said it

is a way to stay connected in a busy world. “You

go because you see people come to the game that

you otherwise wouldn’t see too often.”

Afterwards, Shabazz’s tradition is to cook the

bird. “Thanksgiving... I don’t really celebrate per

se, but I recognize it and appreciate and respect

people who do celebrate it. I just like the spirit of

the holidays. I feel bad for all the people who have

to work. They should be enjoying the holiday. I’ll

cook a turkey because I get it for free and I give

some to my brother. I also baked a few pies too.”

Shabazz organizes his own tradition later on this

winter. With his Shabazz Productions, he will pres-

ent the 21st Martin Luther King Jr. Jazz Festival

and Dinner on Jan. 16. The concert is at the Church

of the Assumption, 35 Orange Ave., Clifton, from 6

pm to midnight. Performers include Jazzy Bear

and Friends, Mark Turner and Jasphere, Mista B

and The Boys, Choice, Madame Pat Tandy and

Jazz Ensemble, and Sieedah Songbird and Trio.

Tickets are $40 in advance; $45 at the door. Call

Shabazz at 973-478-4124.



“We have friends in Philadelphiaand we celebrate ThanksgivingDay at their home. On Christmas,

everybody comes to our house.

Originally just four people were

involved; now it’s up to 24. It was the

adults; now we have children and

grandchildren included. No matter

where the kids are, they always seem

to come home, whether from Boston

or Maryland or Colorado.”

Operations Director,Clifton Boys & Girls Club

Joe & Roberta Holmes

Rachel, Joe, and Roberta and Joe Holmes.

Owner, Shabazz Productions

Seifullah Ali Shabazz


Coach Ralph Cinque and his wife Lindsey with their children Dominick and Emmalyn. Clifton MVPs Joe Santillo andOtto DeLeon with Passaic MVPs Yonathan Martinez and Tyshawn Bunting.

On Thanksgiving Day, Mustang faithful gathered atJoe Grecco Field to watch the Clifton Mustangs defeat

the Passaic Indians by a score of 35-12. Led by a

steady rushing attack, Clifton controlled the pace of the

game throughout.

But despite the score, both teams showed good

sportsmanship after, as they gathered at the 50-yard line

for the presenting of the Optimist Trophy by Clifton

Optimist Club President Mike Gimon. Speakers from

both teams reminded the players to honor the lengthy

tradition of the Clifton-Passaic game by battling hard

and respecting their opponents, who they met the week

before at the annual Optimist Clubs Hot Dog Night.

While fans gathered before the game, we asked our

readers what Thanksgiving traditions and memories

they would be participating in this year:


Josh Texidor (left) with fellow alumni Mustangs.


CHS 2007

Josh Texidor

A former Marching Mustang Drum Major, KellyWilliams attends the games to participate in the

Alumni Band performance after the game. When

Clifton is home, the Marching Mustangs are always

complemented by more than 100 alumni, and the

joint bands perform some of the staples.

“The Clifton Band Alumni has a huge presence

at that game and year-round. It’s really unique,

even in the United States,” she bragged. “We have

a lot of people come out. It’s larger than some col-

legiate homecomings.”

The night before the game, Williams organizes a

band reunion at The Clif Tavern, where she has bar-

tended for many years. For more than five decades,

these pre-feast festivities have drawn in hundreds

of band alumni is the early part of the evening.

“The Clif Tavern has been proud to support the

Clifton Mustang Band & Alumni Association since

1964,” said Skip Kazer, owner of The Clif. “We

are happy to host our friends here for the

Thanksgiving game, Thanksgiving Eve, and all

throughout the year!”

1984 CHS Drum Major

Kelly Williams

Two former MarchingMustang Drum Majors,Kelly Williams and JulieKrygsman, and, at right, theGuru of Brew, Skip Kazer,owner of the Clif Tavern.

The annual Thanksgiving Day game has been atradition before the turkey for Texidor since he was

in high school. A graduate of the Class of 2007, he

was a star running back and linebacker for the

Mustangs when they won the State Championship in

2006. Now he returns to the games as a fan to catch

up with other former Mustangs. “I come here every

year with family,” he said. “There’s a lot of people

from the Class of 2007 that I saw here too. It’s nice

seeing everyone at these games since you don’t nec-

essarily see everyone else during the year.”


Keeping it generational: Miriam Eisenmenger with Nathan,Luke, and Jack Eisenmenger, Jonathan Eisenmenger.

We too begin the ‘odd’ years with Clifton football and Alumni Band home-

coming (for all intents and purposes!). An alum from my class marched with

his adult son, and one of my sons brought his three sons to watch their aunt

march with the ‘big kids.’ It’s awesome having 40+ years of band gather, espe-

cially when the team is doing so well! We then gather as many relatives as

available, host it in Clifton, and share a traditional meal... my father’s stuffing

and gravy, grandma’s corn souffle and apple pie, my chocolate pecan pie,

pumpkin pie, and green bean casserole with recipes off the cans! Everybody

contributes and we give thanks to God for family and His many blessings!

Elizabeth Riley Eisenmenger


Lisa M. Caruso

The family was together, except forone younger brother who was away.We make the family gather all in the din-

ner room, and we eat turkey, stuffing,

mash potatoes, green beans salad, and a

glass of wine. All of us are blessed.

Every year my Christmaspresent to my nieces is afamily day in New York

City, creating and adding to

memories and life experi-

ences. It’s something no

“Made in China” toy under-

neath the Christmas tree can

do.

We usually take the ferry over and get a view of

New York City on their way, We’ll take a walk

through Times Square, and see a Christmas-

themed Broadway show.

Then we head over to Rockefeller Center to see

the tree there that’s all lit up and enjoy the

Christmas ambience. And all along the way the

talented acts and creativity of musicians and artists

displaying their talents.

Overall it teaches the kids what Christmas is all

about – the birth of Christ, and the value of fami-

ly and being together, and not the commercialized

holiday it has turned into.

But the tradition also helps bring life experi-

ences to the kids, everyday things such as learning

to purchase ferry tickets, buy subway MetroCards.

Or learning how to read the route maps on where

to go and what time things run.

Norm Tahan

Spent another great day with the family atSt Anne’s hall in Woodland Park. This year 92

guests. Glad Uncle Albie could make it after

having a pacemaker installed on Tuesday. Big

year coming up, so next year will be monu-

mental. Happy to have the family that I have.

Anthony Latona


Lakeview Residents

Maritza & José Morales

On Thanksgiving, Jose Morales watches as afan, but many of the Mustangs on the field coach-

ing and playing still know him as Coach.

Morales was a long time youth football coach

for the Clifton Mustangs, retiring 6 years ago. He

started coaching more than 20 years ago when his

own boys, Jose Jr. and Josh, were coming through

the program, and continued after they left.

“I started in Paterson, and then we came here,”

he explained while watching with family in the

stands. “We won a lot of championships along the

way and the kids had fun. Just today, I must have

seen at least 8 kids I coached at the junior level. A

lot of them are in college or out in the world now.

It’s nice to see everyone doing well.”

After the game, Morales and his wife, Maritza,

head back to their home in Lakeview for dinner

with the rest of the family. “Every year, we’ve

been having it at our house for 16 years now,” said

Morales.


Since 1997, the Annual Turkey Bowl has taken place at Mt. Prospect Park after the turkey hangover has worn offon Friday morning. The group is all Clifton locals, with most from the CHS classes of 1999 and 2000. “We allcelebrate Thanksgiving with our families the day before the game,” explained Freddie Nouri, a 2004 grad. “Afterthe game, we pick a dinner spot to eat.” From left is Fred Nouri Sr., Hany Hamman, Daniel Neyra, Chris Turano,Anthony Khiami, Christian Guglielmini, Mike Edreos, George Noury, Andrew Jaeger. Bottom Row: Dan Poupart,Freddie Nouri, and Gianna Neyra. Not pictured is Bill Colligan, who also teaches at CHS.


53 YearsON VAN HOUTEN AVE.

973-471-4075625 Van Houten Ave.Tues. - Fri. 12 - 6pmSat. 11am - 4pm

For jewelry and gems, watches and rings, visit the LackiFamily, a cornerstone in Athenia, founded by Frank andhis wife Alberta. While they are there daily, sonGregory, (left) is a certified GIA graduategemologist who has added much to thestore. Jewelry of gold, silver and otherprecious metals with a variety of gem-stones can found or made to order. As a GIA graduate, Greg also can provide written appraisals for your jewelryto meet all insurance needs.


Dr. Michael Basista, Medical Director of Immedicenter

Immedicenter1355 Broad St. • Clifton • 973-778-5566www.immedicenter.com

•ChristmasEve8am-5pm•NewYear’sEve8am-5pm

•ChristmasDay8am-4pm•NewYearsDay8am-5pm

from All of Us at Immedicenter... We hope we don’thave to see you, but just in case, we will be here...

Our Regular Hours & Services...

• Monday-Friday8amto9pm

• Saturday&Sunday8amto5pm

• Walk-inMedicalCare

• WeekdayAppointmentsAvailable

Happy Holidays!


Rich Meade

Class of 2003 alumni Rich Meadestopped by the game with his brothers,Matt (2006) and Kevin (2010), to meet

up with some old friends. The Meades

are all former Clifton football players,

so it was an extra bonus to see Clifton

secure another win to cap off a success-

ful season. “It’s nice coming here and

seeing everyone before turkey,” he said.

“I’m usually here at the games every

year with my brothers. After, we go to

my mother’s in Delawanna.”

Nina Sennert Klett

The perfect day. Get up early. Get to the Mustang Band alumni practice. March

with all the band kids, past and present. Sit in the stands, watching football, singing

and cheering with the band and the cheerleaders. Clifton winning! Saying goodbye

for two years, till the next home game. Be safe everyone. Now it’s turkey time! Yum.

Family and friends, the best day ever.

Jeff Laux, Tim Laux, John Glass, Nick Surgent, Mark Surgentand Michelle Shackil. “It’s really a blessing in disguise to beable to come back every other year to play, reminisce, and catchup with old friends,” said Shackil, a 2013 graduate. “This bandreally is one giant family.”

Michelle Shackil

December 2015• Clifton Merchant62

If you are spent withthe commercialism ofthe holidays, then look

around to see ways in

which you can assist a neighbor, friend or those in need.

A gift does not have to be a present or a monetary thing.

It can be as simple as a visit to a homebound relative or

neighbor. You can also pitch in and help out the

community by being a volunteer at one or more of the

Clifton organizations which provide an array of services

for youth, seniors, cultural, or religious groups and other

service organizations.

But if sending a check is what you want to do, there

are many organizations worthy of your support. Thus,

when creating your holiday shopping list this year, con-

sider adding a small donation to a local non-profit

organization, such as

the Boys & Girls Club

of Clifton—that’s their

pre-school students

pictured above in a file photo at the Avenue of Flags on

Veterans Day. The Club provides a variety of services

for Clifton kids from every neighborhood and is still a

great place for social events, athletic programs, and

after school activities.

There are plenty of other ways to assist the needy.

Several groups conduct toy and food drives during the

first few weeks of December so that unfortunate families

are able to celebrate, no matter their financial situation.

Other charities are year-round programs, constantly in

need of support. On the following pages, we’ll tell you

about more ways you can give funds or volunteer.

Proud Official Transmission Supplier to Jolly Drivers

45 Atlantic Way (790 Bloomfield Ave)

973-472-2075 Mark or Brian


The 37th Annual Weichert Realtors ofClifton Toy Drive will continue through mid-

month. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy at their

offices at 791 Passaic Ave. at the Allwood Rd.

intersection. Pictured at right are Tony

Sanchez, Maureen Setteducato, and Frank

Gorga. Toys and gifts will go to agencies serv-

ing underprivileged children in Clifton and the

surrounding area. For info, call 973-779-1900.

Deadline is Dec. 15 at 8 pm, so don’t delay.

Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver andAssemblyman Thomas P. Giblin have coordi-

nated their 6th annual holiday toy and book

drive. Last year, children ages 3 to 15 were

given more than 300 toys and books.

Donations are being accepted through Dec. 15.

Gifts should be unwrapped and will go to kids

in programs at St. Peter’s Haven, the Clifton

Boys & Girls Club and other facilities. Drop-

off hours at Giblin’s office, 1333 Broad St., are

8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

For info, call 973-779-3125.

which meansTomahawk Jr. is trainedand nationally certifiedin restorative water drying methods by theInstitute of Inspection,Cleaning andRestoration Certification,also known as IICRC.

We Now Clean& Polish

Hardwood Floors

Before After


The Clifton Martial Arts Academy raised more than$2,400 last month for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital with

its 2015 Kick-a-thon in Chelsea Park, with some late

donations reportedly still coming in as December began.

Every year, CMAA students do 500 kicks in an hour

for the annual kick-a-thon. Participants get pledges by

collecting 1, 2, or 5 cents per kick and all of the funds go

to St. Jude’s for children’s cancer research and treatments.

The Nov. 7 event was the fifth year CMAA has spon-

sored, with donations increasing more and more each

year despite the sluggish economic recovery that’s coin-

cided with the annual event.

“When I was a kid, I participated in events like this and

it made an impression on me,” said Jim Meghdir, owner

and chief instructor of CMAA on Bloomfield Ave.

“These kids will remember days like today and pay it for-

ward in the future as well. We are martial artists on and

off the mat and this is our way of giving back to the com-

munity. I’m very proud of all the kickers, their families,

and those that helped out but couldn’t be at the event.”

Clifton Firefighters FMBA 21 Annual Coat Drive has concluded, and hundreds of coats were collected then launderedby Deluxe Cleaners on Main Ave. and Saveway Cleaners on Allwood Rd. Once delivered to St. Peter’s Haven, the out-erwear is finding a new use warming local men, woman and children. For those interested in helping further, the mem-bers of FMBA 21 and PBA 36 are now conducting their annual toy drive. Drop new, unwrapped toys at any firehouse.

500 Kicks for St. Jude’s


22 V

are

ttoni Pl.,

Clif

ton •

973-7

72-2

330

1293 B

road S

t.,

Blo

om

field

• 9

73-3

38-8

300

rainbowmontessori.com

Jack

ie L

icat

a-A

lect

orid

is &

Jan

e M

affu

cci

Infants •Pre-School •Kindergarten •Full D

ay & Half Day

The Montessori M

ethod

“Whoever touches the life of the child

touches the most sensitive point of a whole,

which has roots in the most distant past

and climbs toward the infinite future.”

-Dr. Maria Montessori


Kim Castellano believes that things canstart with the Power of One. Over the

last few years she has inspired many other

Cliftonites to share that mantra and get

involved.

Through her Back2School Outreach

and the Minds in Motion after school pro-

grams at School 12 on Clifton Ave., she is

now running a food drive.

Together, the two programs will provide a

school pantry to help meet the basic needs for chil-

dren in grades K to 5, so they can come to school

after a healthy breakfast and be ready to learn.

“Help by donating non-perishable food items,

organize a food drive, or host a drop- off location,”

said Castellano, who is also a Certified Life

Coach.

Donations of non-perishable food items and

supplies run the range: hot or cold cereal, soup,

canned fruit, healthy snacks, mac and cheese,

meals in a can, juice boxes, toiletries, even school

supplies.

Donations can be dropped off during school

hours at the pantry at School 12, 165 Clifton Ave.,

near Lexington Ave. Another drop off site is City

Hall.

To date, the Power of One outreach has spon-

sored more than 500 children in Clifton schools

with back packs filled with supplies. This

Thanksgiving, thanks to sponsors A-1 Affordable

Construction and Amerigroup Real Solutions, the

Back2School Outreach provided 20 families with a

complete Thanksgiving dinner.

“With your support this year,” said Castellano, “we

will be able to create a ‘School Pantry’ and reach more

children in need.” Power of One CCOM, Inc. is a

501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

If your business or organization would like to help,

contact Kim Castellano at 201-328-2326, or email her

at [email protected]. A supply list with

instructions are at powerofoneccom.org.


Girl Scout Jr. Troop 95322 organized and prepared thedonated food items for the Thanksgiving Outreach. Picturedis Casey Wellins from School 14, Maria Calvi from St. PhilipsPrep, Sofia Carroll from School 13, and Kristy Wellins, TroopLeader. In the second photo, that’s Kim Castellano fromPower of One with Councilwoman Lauren Murphy.


Attend, sponsor, or volunteer for the Clifton SuperBowl Family Day, which is Feb. 7, 2016.

Now in its 19th year, the event is an alcohol, tobacco

and gambling-free event held at the Boys & Girls Club.

Prior to the game, there are parent/child games, an open

gym, swimming and two really large tv screens to view

the Super Bowl. And while you watch the champions

from the AFC and NFC duke it out for the Lombardi

Trophy, enjoy pizza, hot dogs, chips, soda and more.

Admission is a bargain: to get in, bring a donation of

canned goods, which will go to the St. Peter’s Haven

food pantry. Volunteers are needed to set up and coordi-

nate the event. To make all this happen, close to $4,000

needs to be raised and thus sponsors are needed.

Since it began over a decade ago, Clifton Against

Substance Abuse or CASA has been a donor, as have the

PBA, FMBA, and the Optimist Club, as well as families,

individuals, groups and businesses. In total, we need to

raise an additional $2,100 and we do that by asking 21

groups and individuals to donate $100.

Make checks to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, note:

Super Bowl Party. To become a sponsor, call Tom

Hawrylko at 973-253-4400. Mail or drop of your check at

1288 Main Ave., Clifton, NJ, 07011.

Mountainside Inn 509 Hazel Street • Clifton • 973-772-1333

in our banquet center or call forCOMPLETE DROP-OFF BUFFET

Mention this coupon for...

4 hot entrees, potato,vegetable, rolls, butter

and tossed salad.All paper goods, utensils,

wire racks, sterno included.Call for complete menu

+TAX/PERSON$1395 MIN 25 PEOPLE

Catering for all Occasions • mountainsideinn.com

With This Advertisement (10 mile radius)

OfficeOfficePartiesParties&

Book now for

Plus Homemade Crumbcake!

Also Available,

Individual

Pan Items!

FREE Delivery

Rev. Peter DeFranco with staff at St. Peter’s Haven.

St. Peter’s Haven, at 380 Clifton Ave., has been serving

the community since 1986, when it was founded by

members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The Haven

provides a number of services, including shelter for 6 to

12 families annually. St. Peter’s also serves as Clifton’s

food bank, providing hundreds of families with food

staples. Food drives, charity events and donations make

sure that the shelves are always fully stocked. The next

time you go to the supermarket, make a bag or two of

items such as peanut butter, tuna fish, pasta and sauce

and other items which can provide those in need a

sustaining meal. The folks at St. Peter’s also do a great

job of purchasing items in bulk, so a financial

contribution also goes far. Volunteers are needed to help

unload a truck of dry goods, which comes in monthly.

Call 973-546-3406 or go to www.stpetershaven.org.


Maria Sokolina, DDS of Harmony Dental Arts on Clifton Ave.,pictured left with Lina Arias, collected 323 pounds of candy aspart of Operation Gratitude. Like Clifton Cares, the group annu-ally sends more than 150,000 care packages filled with snacks,entertainment, hygiene, and hand-made items, plus personal let-ters of appreciation, to US service members deployed overseas.

Close to 8,000 boxes of everything from can-dies to toiletries have been shipped by Clifton

Cares to our troops overseas during the organi-

zation’s five years of existence. The latest

drive, which ended on Dec. 1 (see photo

below), collected plenty of treats to be deliv-

ered just in time for the Christmas holiday.

Thanks to the generosity of Cliftonites, the

troops are appreciative, said Lizz Gagnon.

“They go crazy for everything from Pringles to

Wet Wipes and lip balm,” she noted.

Clifton Cares has begun collecting for its

Valentine’s Day delivery. The collection box is

at City Hall.

While chocolates and candy are appropriate

donations for Valentine’s Day, financial contri-

butions covering the costs of delivery are

equally valuable.

Mailing a package costs $15.90, so consid-

er making an end-of-year postage donation,

made to cash or to Lizz Gagnon. Mail dona-

tions to her at Clifton City Hall, 900 Clifton

Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013.

If you have questions, or would like to help

in some other way, email [email protected]

or call Lizz Gagnon at 973-818-8141.


80

95

95

3

21

46

46

Wayne

WestOrange

Montclair

Clifton

Rutherford

Hackensack

Englewood

FortLee

NewYorkCity

ElmwoodPark

777 Passaic Avenue Clifton, New Jersey www.777PASSAIC.com

Available Now

• • On-site security &

ailable NovA

wailable No

46

Cl

ailable NovA

if

Ruth

4

80

ackensack

wailable No

herford

46

assaic A777 P

enuevassaic A Clifton, Ne

yseerw JClifton, Ne www

• • On-site security &

95

.www ASSAIC777P .com

• On-site security &

95

95

.com

Contact Bill Martini at 973-643-3333 Available Suites: 1,250 SF, 2,500 SF, 5,000 SF, and 10,000 SF

The Clifton EducationFoundation seeks donations

to benefit several programs

in the public schools. The

Marie L. Hakim Scholarship

for Future Educators, named

after the late Board of

Education commissioner and

former educator (inset), is

given to a CHS student who

plans to pursue a career in

teaching. The Foundation also awards grants to staff,

student groups and HSAs. To make a contribution,

apply for a grant or get involved, call 973-470-2260.

St. John’s Lutheran Church congregation memberspresented toiletries, personal care products and snacks

to Clifton Cares to be packaged and sent to American

military personnel serving in Afghanistan. The congre-

gation made its presentation after the Nov. 1 worship

service in the church’s Fellowship Hall, at 810 Broad

St. The St. John’s congregation also donated money to

defray the cost of shipping the varied items overseas.Twins Natalie and Angely Quirino shown here beforethey got haircuts in the 10th Clifton Locks of Love.


The 11th Annual Clifton Locks of Love Cut-A-Thonis on May 23 at Christopher Columbus Middle School.

The event will be held in the CCMS Media Center from

8:30 am to 3 pm and is open to the public. Organized

by CCMS teacher Kim Dreher, Locks of Love is a pub-

lic non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to

those under age 21 suffering from long-term medical

hair loss from any diagnosis. Want to shed your locks?

Get involved: call Kim Dreher at 973-769-0500 or

email [email protected] to save a seat.

The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton has opened its doors

to thousands of local youth since it beginnings in Botany

Village over six decades ago. Today’s programs at the

Clifton Ave. Club still include plenty of pool time, sports

and social activities while a whole new educational

aspect has been added. To continue their programs, the

Club relies heavily on generous donations. The Annual

Giving Campaign allows individuals to gift money to

the Club, and also features an option for a company to

match your donation. Call Development Director John

DeGraaf at 973-773-2697 x111, write to him at

[email protected], or go to www.bgcclifton.org.

Name: ________________________________

Address: ______________________________

City: __________________________________

State: _________________________________

Zip:______________________

Phone:________________________________

Email:_________________________________PLEASE MAKE CHECKS TO TOMAHAWK PROMOTIONS, 1288 MAIN AVE., CLIFTON, NJ 07011

HaveClifton Merchant

Mailed.$27/YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONMailed via first class to your home.


They Perform A Capella in a Beautiful Voice

Thanks Neighbors& Clients, from

the Genardi family!


CHS’s very own Madrigal Singers are set to addmagic to this year’s holiday festivities throughout

Clifton, performing in the style and spirit of the

Renaissance period.

These talented students learn and perform selections

of music from the Renaissance and into other classical

eras. Founded in the 1970s by Pearl Anderson, the

Madrigals—notably under the direction of Barbara

Novak for over two decades and now led by CHS

Choral Director Christina Paulin— perform a capella.

What makes their ‘voice’ so unique is that they do

not perform in sections. Rather, they stand as a mixed

group to create a blend of sounds and harmonies. Their

Renaissance sensibility is carried through in their

gowns, belts and hairpieces and you can see or hear

them at tree lightings and concerts.

On Dec. 4, the Madrigals have a hectic schedule of

tree lightings with Santa: Lakeview at 5 pm, Botany

Village at 6 and Downtown Clifton at 7. And then, pret-

ty much without even a restorative mug of hot chocolate,

it’s over to the Hamilton House at 8 pm with St. Nicholas

for tours by period-appropriate candlelight.

On Dec. 6 at 5 pm, the help set the sound track for

the official lighting of the city tree in front of the

municipal building. It is a large and loud affair as Santa

arrives on a fire truck and it goes on whatever the

weather. Come Dec. 10 at 7:30 pm, the Mads have

their Holiday Choral Concert in the CHS auditorium.

Tickets are $2. Call 973-470-2311 for details.

They go back on the road on Dec. 17 and 18 as the

group will perform at various elementary schools and

the two middle schools – potential future Madrigal

members, no doubt.

Some of these events listed here are outdoors, adding

some winter stress on one’s voice. Since we think the

Madrigals, pictured at left, are deserving of praise, we

list them here, in alphabetical order: Mehmet Eroglu,

Angelica Espinosa, Lillian Figueroa, Anthony

Gonzalez, Maura Huelbig, Connor Mancini, Krystal

Munesar, Marc Pannullo, Crista Pena, Steffanie Peralta.

Madison Potash, Nerissa Rios-Garcia, Stephanie Rojas,

Renuka Rupee, Roberto Sanchez and Mercedez Zea.

To all the Madrigals, including the newest performers,

our profound thanks.


Dance is as much of the holiday season assong is. At CHS, there is plenty of both.

Clifton High School’s Dance 3 Advanced

Intermediate class and Dance 4 (both are

pictured here) will tour the Clifton

Elementary and Middle schools Dec. 17 and

18. Choreography is by CHS Dance Teacher

Lois Manzella-Marchitto. Students are led

by senior Dance 4 students Heather Pastor

and Dhiti Kapadia, among others. The per-

formances give students the opportunity to

give back to the community and give them

experience with various audiences.

The Mustang dance program consists of

68 young women and five young men. The

dance program is made up of students of

varying ethnic backgrounds. It includes

beginner students, who have never stepped

foot in a dance class, and professional level

students who perform all over the world.

The Dance Club focuses on student cho-

reography, where students create their own

pieces and then set them on their peers. The

Dance Recital Club focuses on behind-the-

scenes work of the Dance Concert including

lighting design, costumes, music, props,

advertising and fundraising.

A dance concert featuring a Broadway

theme is scheduled for May 25, 2016.

Good Neighbors, Great Rates

Thomas Tobin

973-779-4248Bill G. Eljouzi,

973-478-9500


Aided by the AnnexKhadicha Atamuratova’s adjustment to American

norms has had its ups and downs, but she credits

Clifton High School Annex for making things easier.

“The best thing about it is the teachers. They are really

nice and fun and give off good energy,” said

Atamuratova, a freshman at the Annex.

Raised in Uzbekistan, Atamuratova arrived in

America at age nine, where she entered School #13 as

a fifth grader, speaking virtually no English. “But mid-

dle school was great. I went to Christopher Columbus

Middle School and passed sixth grade with somewhat

good grades,” she said. Her English improved in tan-

dem with her grades as she completed Middle School

and headed for CHS.

Academics remain her priority. “I decided to join

only one club for my freshman year and I selected Key

Club,” she said. “I have also been playing tennis for the

past seven years and decided not to join the team this

year. “I knew that I would have a lot of schoolwork and

no time for tennis, so I didn’t even try. I have a lot of

work for my classes and I find them challenging. My

favorite class is History.

“My future aspirations are to graduate high school,

go to a good college and become a veterinarian. I know

there will be challenges for me on my way to becoming

a vet, but I am ready to take them on,” she said.

Adding a dose of optimism, she added, “In the end I

think the good times will outweigh the bad ones.”

The sporting lifeShannon Leishman makes no effort to hide her enthu-

siasm for sports. “The best thing about Clifton High

School for me would have to be the sports,” she said.

“If I could talk to younger students, I would encourage

them to play any sport and get involved around the

school.”

So far, Leishman, a CHS East freshman, has fol-

lowed suit. “My best experience in school was playing

on the soccer team. It has opened up so many opportu-

nities, given me so many new friends, and taught me

discipline.”

Logically enough, during the academic school day

itself, “My favorite subject is Phys. Ed. It is my favorite

part of the day and it always has been,” she said. It has

taught me many different skills I use outside of

school.”

And when not in school? “I dance and I love to

babysit,” Leishman said. “I don’t know what I want to

become when I grow up, but I know that I definitely

would like to do something with kids.”

Leading the wayCHS Central senior Pooja Patel asserted, “I have been

in the marching band since freshman year. Band is a big

part of my life. As majorette sergeant, I have built

Khadicha Atamuratova

Shannon Leishman

Each month Vice Principals from each wing of

Clifton High nominate select students to receive

recognition as a Student of the Month. Profiles for

this month are featured below.


leadership skills and challenged myself

physically and emotionally. The band is

really my second family, and it’s bitter-

sweet knowing this is my last year in it.

“I am also in Girls Learn

International. We advocate education

and rights for girls in developing coun-

tries around the world. This club is what

inspired me to pursue a career in human

rights law,” she said.

“I would like to attend a four year uni-

versity and then law school to become a

human rights lawyer and fight for

women’s rights and educational rights in

third world countries,” she said.

“Outside of school, I am in an organi-

zation called Uplift Humanity India.

Through Uplift, I joined 30 teenagers in

a volunteer program in India. We taught

character building/life skills to children

at orphanages and juvenile detention

centers. “The diversity among the stu-

dent population is the best thing about

CHS. We accept the differences and

coexist among each other. It’s really

unique; I love that about Clifton High,”

she said.

Major and minor aspirations“I aspire toward completing a college

education, majoring in Molecular

Biology, then working my way toward a

career in the field of medicine, either as

a pharmacist or a doctor,” said Rama

Moulayes.

“I also hope to minor in either

Journalism or Women and Gender

Studies,” said Moulayes, a senior at

CHS North.

“English class has helped me to grow

as an individual during high school

because I was able to develop analytical

skills and broaden my perspective

through reading and writing,” she said.

Moulayes added, “I feel passionate

toward science as well because I grewRama Moulayes

Pooja Patel

Students of the Month


to appreciate the positive outcomes it’s

had on society, and medicine.”

“I enjoy volunteering outside of

school at Compassionate Care Hospice,

where I help with tasks where I’m need-

ed. I help out in the intake Department,

medical billing and coding, as well as

Bereavement, where we offer condo-

lences and grief counseling to families

of deceased patients of the hospice,

through our Bereavement Support Group,” said

Moulayes.

Broadway bound?The bright lights beckon to Maura Huelbig.

“My future aspirations begin with me attending a

four year college/ university, to major in Theatre/

Musical Theatre. I plan on graduating in the allotted

time and then going to work on the stage. Eventually I

hope to make it on to a Broadway stage and be in a

show,” she said.

“To date, my best experience in Clifton High School

occurred in the spring of my freshman year, when I was

the only freshman accepted into the

musical. My success in this endeavor has

caused me to participate in all of the

shows to follow during my time here at

Clifton High School, says Huelbig. a

senior at CHS South.

Besides Drama Club, Huelbig also

belongs to Dance Club and the Dance

Recital Club, adding, “I am also the

manager of the CHS Swim Team.”

In class, Huelbig enjoys History, crediting her fami-

ly’s journeys to numerous historic sites over several

years, including trips to Philadelphia and Washington,

D.C., for spurring her interest.

She noted, parenthetically, “Another factor that has

contributed is the influence of certain media. The

media’s influence extremely contributed to the love I

hold for my favorite period in history, the

Revolutionary War.

“History holds such a place in my heart because of

my desire to look into the past and learn how I may bet-

ter my future and to compare whether or not we are

moving forward or backwards as a society,” she said.

Maura Huelbig

Lauren MurphyCouncilwoman

paid for by Lauren Murphy for Clifton Council

[email protected]

Merry Christmas&Happy Holidays

Thank you for your support!


Clifton wrestling wasn’t able torepeat as North I, Group 4 state sec-

tional champions last year, but it

came very, very close. With a youth-

ful roster comprised of exactly zero

seniors, the Mustangs finished 18-5

and advanced all the way to the sec-

tional final before falling to North

Bergen.

Nearly all of last year’s sectional

runners-up are back for Clifton this

winter, pictured above, with a strong

belief that the team has a shot at

recapturing the sectional crown it

won just two seasons ago.

“I think we are definitely all in,”

said Clifton head coach Dan Geleta.

“We are going to go and try to win it

all again.

“At the end of the day, I don’t

think any of the kids are going to

have any regrets,” Geleta added.

They have the same common goal.”

As was the case a year ago, the

strength of the Clifton lineup will

come in the middle, anchored by

senior 145-pounder Moe Farhan,

who went 43-2 in 2014-15. Farhan

figures to be a legitimate state title

contender after finished fourth in

New Jersey last year. He comes into

the season a defending county,

region, and district champ.

Similarly, senior 160-pounder

CHS

WrestlingDec 19 Invitational Tournament 10amDec 21 @ Bergen Catholic 7pmDec 23 @ Union City 5pmDec 30 @ Bloomfield Xmas Tourn TBDJan 6 @ River Dell 7pmJan 8 @ Passaic Valley 7pmJan 9 @ Ridgefield Park 10amJan 13 @ PCTI 6pmJan 15 Becton 5pmJan 16 @ West Orange 10amJan 23 @ West Milford TBDJan 27 JFK 6pmJan 29 @ Lakeland 7pmJan 30 @ Kearny 9amFeb 3 Passaic 6pmFeb 5 @ Bloomfield 7pmFeb 6 @ Watchung Hills 9am

Wrestling • Basketball • Hockey • Track • Bowling • Swimming

MUSTANG SPORTS

Mustang Sports by Tom Szieber


MUSTANG SPORTS Wrestling

Patrick DePasque and junior 132-pounder James

Murdoch come into the season with real ambitions of

medaling in Atlantic City, as both put forth spirited

efforts there last season.

DePasque finished second in the county, district, and

region last year, while Murdoch took second in Passaic

County and District XV, and third in Region IV.

“I hope we can have several guys medal this year,”

Geleta said. “But before we get to that point, they are all

aiming to reach the team goals first.

“This year’s captains want to be the leaders in the

room and capture a team championship first, and once

they do that, then yes, it is all about reaching those indi-

vidual goals,” the head coach said.

Several other Mustangs, including junior A.J. Tudda,

will look to make bigger impacts this season, as well.

The 126-pounder took second-place honors in District

XV and Passaic County last year. Tudda is expected to be

one factor bolstering the Clifton lineup at a heavier class.

The same can be said for senior 170-pounder Tibi

Rizea, and also for junior 285-pounder Jacob Abill, who

are now seasoned veterans.

For the Mustangs to stay competitive at a high level,

they’ll need more production at the light weights.

To that end, they are hopeful freshman Cole Ceneri

and sophomore Matthew Perez can achieve that at 106.

Sophomore Matthew DePasque, senior Chris Zaccone,

and freshman Ricky Moultrie will fill in the 113- and

120-pound slots.

Clifton also needs production from the heavier class-

es, as well, from the likes of 182-pound sophomore

Hunter Flores, junior 195-pounder Anaes Allan, and sen-

ior 220-pounder Dan Parra.

Last year’s season paled only by comparison to the

stellar 2013-2014 season, when the Mustangs went 19-3,

won the North I, Group 4 championship, and sent seven

grapplers to the NJSIAA individual state tournament in

Atlantic City.

Despite the disappointment of coming three points

shy of a second straight title sectional title last season,

Clifton has a myriad of weapons returning to the mat

who are battle-hardened and hungry.

With so much experience from so many talented ath-

letes, it is no surprise that Geleta and crew believe there’s

a good chance they’ll be raising hardware once again

come season’s end.


Clifton girls basketball may have lost its biggest star in recent program

history to graduation, but head coach Craig Alfano and the Mustangs have

laid the groundwork during the last three years for continued success. Kelly

Douglass and her record 1,375 points have made their way to the University

of Hartford, but a rising sophomore and a crop of talented seniors hope to

fill the void and make another trip to the North 1, Group 4 playoffs.

“Realistically, athletically, we will hang with everybody,” said Alfano.

“We may struggle a bit putting the ball in the basket, and in our league, you

have to score. I think opening night against Bergen Tech will be one of the

most important games, so we can see where we are. But the program is in

good shape.”

Much of Alfano’s optimism comes from the presence of 5’10” sophomore

Jordan Rivera. A left-handed point guard, she is pegged to be Clifton’s go-

to threat with Douglass gone. Rivera was an Honorable Mention All-Passaic

player a year ago, and a 2nd-Team All-Big North Liberty honoree.

Dec 18 Bergen Tech 4:30pmDec 22 @ Passaic 4:30 pmDec 28 @ PV Tourn 2:30pmDec 29 Lakeland Tourn 11 amDec 31 @ Wayne Val @ PVHS 11 amJan 5 PCTI 4:30pmJan 7 @ JFK 7pmJan 9 @ Fair Lawn 1pmJan 12 Eastside Paterson 4:30pmJan 14 @ Wayne Valley 7pmJan 16 @ Dickinson 1pmJan 19 @ Holy Angels 7pmJan 21 Wayne Hills 4:30pmJan 23 @ Kearney 2pmJan 26 West Milford 4:30pmJan 28 @ West Essex 7pmFeb 1 @ Bergen Tech 7pmFeb 4 Passaic 4:30pmFeb 9 @ PCTI 4pmFeb 11 JFK 4:30pmFeb 16 @ Eastside 7pmFeb 18 DePaul 4:30pmFeb 23 West NY Memorial 6pm

MUSTANG SPORTS Girls Basketball

CHS Girls

BasketballFrom left front: Arianna Riley, Angelina Tejeda, Brittany Morales and Cat Jordan. Fromrear left: Ariella Morrison, Yehsehn Henry, Emily Ulczak, Jordan Rivera, Hannah Hirstand Stephanie Arroyo.


MUSTANG SPORTS Girls Basketball

“I think she is ready to take the

next step,” said Alfano. “If she con-

tinues to improve, she will score

1,000 points in her career. She has

a knack for getting to the basket.

She has to improve her outside shot

and some other aspects of her

shooting, but she knows that and

she is already working hard.”

Senior Brittany Morales pro-

vides depth and leadership, as she

can play the point as well as the

two. At 5’7” with three years of

experience, she is a major asset and

is in great shape. Morales is an All-

Passaic soccer player, as well.

Playing the inside will be senior

Emily Ulczak, now a three-year

varsity starter. Capable of playing

center and forward, Ulczak is a

presence on the court at six feet

tall, but has the athleticism of a

much smaller player. “Emily has

developed a nice outside shot,” said

Alfano. “She needed to work on

physicality and post play, as well as

scoring on post, and she’s done

that. She has a nose for the ball and

rebounds well.”

Clifton also has a superb athlete

in senior Catherine Jordan, who

transferred from Immaculate Heart

Academy as a sophomore. At 5’9,”

she is one of the fastest players and

off-the-ball defenders on the

Mustangs’ roster.

Clifton thus seems poised to

build on last season, when it went

15-14 (its most wins since 1991-

92). and qualified for the North 1,

Group 4 tournament before bowing

out against Morris Knolls.

“I think the program is in good

shape,” Alfano said. “Because with

a player like Jordan, if we can put

some good players around her, I

think we [can do some good

things].”


Come and see why so manyClifton students are making PC

their high school of choice!

• 140 Courses, Including 20 AP Classes

• STEM Program with over 40 courses

• New Music Conservatory for the

Marching Band and 80-Member Orchestra

• Vibrant Campus Ministry, Retreat,

and Community Service Programs

• Numerous educational trips across

the nation and around the globe

• Cost Effective Tuition

• Bus Service provided

Clifton students from these classes earned over $6.5 million in scholarships!


MUSTANG SPORTS Boys Basketball

In his third year at the helm of the Clifton boys basketball team, head

coach Mike Rivera finds himself with a young but talented squad that he

hopes can improve on a rough 2014-15. The Mustangs have seemingly been

in a rebuild for quite a while, but Rivera feels the team’s attitude has

changed enough that it may be able to will its way to several additional wins

this winter.

“The competition that we have in our practices, with these guys pushing

each other, shows me how intense they can play,” Rivera said. “Ultimately,

size and talent wins, but if you can match the intensity and work on your

skills, you can hang with people.”

Leading the effort on the floor will be junior small forward Sean Lyons.

Clifton’s best shooter, he has expanded his repertoire from a year ago.

Previously a player who was heavily reliant on spot-up attempts, the 6’3”

Lyons has worked at driving to the basket and getting to the free throw line.

“From a style and growth standpoint, Sean reminds me a lot of [current

Los Angeles Clippers and former Duke University guard] J.J. Redick in col-

lege,” Rivera said. “I see his game in Sean. Instead of just settling for threes,

From left: Tyler White, Delano Dixon, Chris Bonaparte, Luis Rodriguez,Brandon Sanchez. Second row: Danny Santana, Sean Lyons, Harton

Stephenson, Muhammad Mustafa.

CHS Boys

BasketballDec 18 @ Bergen Tech 7pmDec 22 Passaic 4pmJan 5 @ PCTI 4pmJan 7 JFK 4:15pm Jan 9 Fair Lawn 1pmJan 12 @ Eastside 7pmJan 14 Bergen Catholic 4pmJan 16 Dickinson 2pmJan 19 West Milford 4:15pmJan 21 @ Wayne Hills 7pmJan 23 Kearny 2pmJan 26 @ Wayne Valley TBDJan 28 West Essex 4:15 pmFeb 1 Bergen Tech 4:30pmFeb 4 @ Passaic 4pmFeb 9 PCTI 4pmFeb 11 @ JFK 7pmFeb 12 Ferris 4:30 pmFeb 16 Eastside 4:30pmFeb 18 @ DePaul 7pmFeb 20 Nutley 1pmFeb 25 Paramus 6pm


he has moves to the basket, countermoves, and

a lot more now.”

The Clifton backcourt will feature sopho-

more point guard Tyler White. He headlines a

trio of skilled players at that position, including

junior Luis Rodriguez and freshman Dallas

Strickland.

White is a player Rivera lauds for his coach-

ability and leadership, and has been impressed

with his “student of the game” mentality.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, is one of the Mustangs’

most skilled and athletic players, and

Strickland is one of best raw talents to step on

the Clifton hardwood in some time.

The frontcourt is small, but junior power for-

ward/center Harten Stephenson is a long, phys-

ical player that can jump for rebounds. He will

be Clifton’s go-to guy on the inside, but the

Mustangs are hoping a duo of senior football

players—Maurice Greene and Chris

Boneparte—can provide some depth and mus-

cle down low.

Speaking of football players, junior wide

receiver Delano Dixon will play both point

guard and shooting guard for CHS basketball

once he has fully transitioned over from his fall

playoff season. Dixon and junior forward

Danny Santana figure to be wild cards for a

team looking for as many weapons as possible.

Realistically, Rivera knows that wins will

come as a result of hustle and smart shooting,

as Clifton lacks the brute force in the paint to

compensate for bad shooting. Still, he believes

he has seen enough promise in his young group

to believe that progress will be obvious in his

third campaign.

“Having had these guys for a year already, I

don’t have to teach from step one,” Rivera said.

“Now, these kids already know it. It’s about

teaching them details. It is tough without a true

big guy, but I am hopeful that they can mini-

mize turnovers, realize they can’t miss a box-

out, dive for balls. We have guys who can shoot

the ball, so if we can do that, we can surprise

some teams.”

There is a lot of youth on the Cliftonice hockey team, and although there

will surely be some growing pains, the

Mustangs should be a fun team to

watch. Competing in a difficult Big

North Patriot Division with the likes

of Ridgewood, Paramus Catholic,

River Dell, Fair Lawn, and Passaic

Valley, Clifton will have its work cut

out for it, but a 3-3 tie against an expe-

rienced Millburn squad on opening

day shows that they are ready to com-

pete.

“We are rebuilding a bit,” said

head coach Tom Danko. “We mostly

have a freshman and sophomore

group. We are a fairly young team,

but we have something we can work

with and develop it into something.”

Junior Tyler Gibson, who is com-

ing off a fairly strong year last year, enters his third year

as Clifton’s starting goalie. Always solid, Gibson was a

second team All-Passaic County player last year.

Providing him with support will be defensemen

Shawn Meneghin, a junior, and Brett

Finan, a senior. Meneghin was a sec-

ond team All-Passaic player last win-

ter, and Finan was a forward last year

but will move back to defense this

year. The two are what Danko calls

“the backbone of [Clifton’s] defense.”

Sophomore right wing Nick

Petriella (who scored a hat trick in the

opening day tie against Millburn) will

provide scoring for the Mustangs, and

has shown a knack for getting the puck

to the net. He will be buoyed by a duo

of talented freshmen in center James

Fusaro and left wing Jason Finan.

“Nick last year got better as the sea-

son went along and finished strong,”

Danko said. “We are looking for him to

continue that trend. James and Jason

look good early on and look like they

are going to contribute. They are all dangerous players

around the net. Depth might hurt us a little bit, but the

guys are working hard and I think we will be able to

manage just fine.”

CHS

HockeyNov 28 Millburn 5:30pmDec 4 River Dell 7:10pmDec 5 @ Ridgewood 9:15pmDec 9 @ Jefferson 8:15pmDec 11 Bayonne 5:30pmDec 18 @ Passaic Valley 5:30pmDec 19 West Orange 7:10pmDec 21 @ Fair Lawn 7:50pmDec 23 Lenape Valley 12:30pmDec 29 Wayne Valley 2:50pmJan 2 Ridgewood 7:10pmJan 8 Paramus Catholic 5:30pmJan 11 @ Bayonne 3pmJan 22 Fair Lawn 4:20pmJan 23 @ Millburn@Cody 6pmJan 29 Vernon 7:10pmJan 31 @ Paramus Catholic 7:15pmFeb 5 @ River Dell TBDFeb 6 Passaic Valley 7:10pmFeb 12 @ Hillsborough 7:20 pm

MUSTANG SPORTS Hockey

From left, Brett Finan, Jason Finan, Tyler Gibson, James Fusaro, Nick Petriella, Shawn Meneghin.



It is another year, another set ofhigh expectations for head coachMike Rogers and the Clifton indoor

track teams. The Mustangs girls and

boys took second and seventh place

in Passaic County last season, and

come into this winter hoping to

maintain the standard of excellence

they have held for so many years.

As far as the Mustang girls go,

the foundation for another run at the

county crown is certainly there.

Junior Meghan Jozefczyk will be

Clifton’s top athlete despite never

before competing during the indoor

season. As a sophomore last year,

she was the girls individual cross

country Passaic County champion,

but suffered an injury near the end

of the fall that prevented her from

competing in the winter. Now

healthy, she will be a fixture in the

800-meter and 1600-meter heats.

“I’m pretty interested to see what

she can do,” Rogers said. “When we

saw her in the spring as a freshman

we realized what she could do, and

it’ll be exciting to watch.”

Senior Monika Dlugosz will

throw the shot put for Clifton, and

has great success in that event out-

doors. She should be able to com-

pete for league, county, and state

titles. In addition, seniors Kristen

and Samantha Wong—both stand-

out gymnasts—will be key mem-

bers of the squad, competing in pole

vault, hurdles, and jumping events.

Senior Allison Proszowski is a

pole vaulter and distance runner,

while senior Chelsea Robinson will

compete in the 55-, 200-, and 400-

meter. Senior Megan Davey will run

distance events, and her classmate,

Kamila Ivashka, will jump.

Sophomores Hadeel Alshujaieh and

Alenys Morales will both be part of

the lineup, as well.

“We expect the girls to be in a

similar spot as last year,” Rogers

said. “I think they definitely have a

strong senior class, a very strong

sophomore class. We have a lot of

depth in a lot of events.”

On the boys side, seniors Ken

Herrera and Alex Zapata will spear-

head the effort in distance events.

Junior Carlos Polanco will run dis-

tance, as well, while sophomore

Kevin Heredia will represent the

Mustangs in the 400, 800, and 1600.

Sophomore Sunny Ruiz will throw

shot, and Adrian Echeverria will

high jump and long jump.

“We want to finish in the top

three in the league and the top three

in the county,” said Rogers of the

Mustangs’ goals. “It’s hard to deter-

mine on paper, but we should be

right in it.”

MUSTANG SPORTS Track

CHS

TrackDec 20 @ Rothman Center 9amDec 22 @ Rothman Center 4:30pmDec 30 @ 168th St. Armory 10amJan 5 @ Rothman Center 4pmJan 8 @ Rothman Center 4:30pmJan 9 @ Garfield High School 10amJan 12 @ Rothman Center 4:30pmJan 13 @ Rothman Center 4:30pmJan 18 @ Garfield High 6pmJan 20 @ Rothman Center 4:30pmJan 22 @ Rockland Cty CC 4:30pmJan 24 @ 168th St. Armory 5pmFeb 1 @ 168th St. Armory 6pmFeb 4 @ Rothman Center 4:30pmFeb 9 @ Rothman Center 4:30pmFeb 14 @ Bennett Center 9am


Facing page from left front: Vanessa Acevedo,Deena Khandakar, Joanna Szewczyk, ChelseaRobinson, Emily Ibarra. Back row from left: ChinueThompson, Kamila Ivashka, Monika Dlugosz,Megan Davey, Hannah Anolik, Aarian Weekes.

On this page from left front: Samantha Wong,Kristen Wong, Allison Proszowski, Nee-YahCorbin, Kenneth Herrera. Second row from left:Michael Louie, Suraj Patel, Ryan Murphy, JoseSoso, Julio Moreno.


Last season, the Clifton girls bowl-ing team surprised observers with

a 12-2 record, a second-place finish

in the Passaic County Tournament,

and a berth in the North, Group 4

state tournament.

This year, with a solid core return-

ing, the Mustangs won’t be sneaking

up on anybody. “We should be com-

petitive again,” said veteran head

coach Brian Small. “If everybody

bowls what they bowled last year,

then we should be just fine.”

The Mustang girls will be led by

junior Gabby Pangaro, a first-team

All-Passaic County bowler last year.

She finished second individually in

the Passaic County Tournament, and

bowled a 575 series in the North,

Group 4 tourney.

The latter earned Pangaro a spot

in the individual state tournament.

She’ll be flanked by senior Veronica

Viera, senior Glorimer Obando, and

junior Natalie Valdez—who Small

praises as a terrific leader.

Meanwhile, the boys will look to

follow the girls’ lead, with several

veterans returning in a quest to

improve on a ninth-place finish in

the county.

Among them is senior Nick

Vilardi, who bowled a respectable

540 series in the county tournament

a year ago. Vilardi will be joined in

the lineup by another senior, Bryan

Cammerino.

Two freshmen will round out the

Clifton boys lineup—Johann Gamo

and Joe Taolillo. Small is high on

these two newcomers, who aver-

aged a 198 and 206, respectively,

this preseason.

“If things continue, we should be

up there,” Small said of the

Mustangs’ ability to compete for a

division title.

“And for them (Gamo and

Taolillo) to come out in their first

year and do that, along with several

other freshmen, is great for us and

our future,” Small said.

MUSTANG SPORTS Bowling

CHS

BowlingDec 9 Bergen County Tech 4pmDec 10 Passaic 4pmDec 16 John F. Kennedy 4pmDec 17 PCTI 4pmDec 21 DePaul 4pmJan 4 Wayne Hills 4pmJan 7 Fair Lawn 4pmJan 11 West Milford 4pmJan 15 Eastside Paterson 4pmJan 19 Bergen County Tech 4pmJan 21 John F. Kennedy 3pmJan 22 Passaic 4pmJan 28 Eastside Paterson 4pmFeb 1 PCTI 4pm

In front, Nicholas Vilardi and Bryan Cammerino. Standing from left, EmaniJohnson, Joseph Paolillo, Johann Gamo, Glorimer Obando, Marvin DeGuzman,Natalie Valdez, Veronica Viera and Gabby Pangaro.


Both Clifton swimming squadslast season were in the middle of the

pack in both Passaic County and the

Big North Liberty Division. Head

coach Craig Casperino is hopeful

that a bigger roster and some strong

swimmers in the underclass will pro-

pel the Mustangs into contention this

year.

“As a whole, our team is a lot

stronger,” said Casperino, who took

over the team a year ago from his

former high school coach at CHS,

Andrea Bobby. “We have about six

more swimmers. We have depth, and

the sophomore and junior classes are

much bigger. I think we definitely

can turn some heads this year.”

The girls, who took third place in

both the league and county a year

ago, will follow the lead of

Stephanie Bienkewitz, who usually

swims the 200-yard individual med-

ley. Bienkewitz earned Honorable

Mention All-Passaic County honors

last season, and figures to improve in

her senior campaign. Fellow senior

Janice Costa will be another key

Mustang in the pool, her specialty

being the 100-yard butterfly.

Among the other senior girls

standouts will be seniors Dana

Wehman—primarily a 100-yard

backstroker—and Nicole Toxtli.

“Dana is an asset because she is

easy to coach and always in good

spirits,” Casperino said. “And

Nicole has improved by a ton over

the last several years. She is coach-

able and never misses practice.”

On the boys end, several All-

Passaic swimmers return. Among

them is junior David Herrera, who

competes in the 100-freestyle 100-

butterfly, 400-freestyle relay and

200-freestyle relay. Herrera was an

Honorable Mention All-Passaic hon-

oree in 2014-15.

“David has always been a strong

swimmer,” said Casperino. “We are

hoping he will break the CHS record

for the 100-yard butterfly (:58.61).”

Herrera will be joined by junior

Daniel Loukachouk, a fellow

Honorable Mention recipient, who

competes in the 100-backstroke and

100-butterfly. Senior Brian

Kommer, an A-lane swimmer who

ended up on the All-Passaic second

team last year, will be back, as will

sophomore Antonios Stolopous.

MUSTANG SPORTS Swimming

Dec 1 @ PCTI 3:30pmDec 3 Mahwah 3:30pmDec 7 @ PCTI 3pmDec 10 @ West Essex 7:30pmDec 15 Passaic 3:30pmDec 17 Montville 3:30pmDec 18 @ DePaul@PCTI 6pmDec 29 @ Union City 10amJan 6 @ Fair Lawn 3:45pmJan 7 @ Hackensack 4pmJan 14 Wayne Hills 3:30pmJan 19 Wayne Valley 3:30pmJan 22 @ Kearny 3:45pmJan 26 Ridgewood 3:30pmJan 27 Big North Tourn TBAFeb 2 @ Paramus Catholic 4pm

CHS

SwimmingFrom left front: Nicole Toxtli, Steph Bienkewicz, Dana Wehmann. Rear left:Oliver Quizon, Dean Manomat, Brian Kommer, Patrick Kowalczyk, Bryan Ferro.

SUPPORTTROOPSTHE

HONORVETERANS

OUR


Honoring veterans is a legacy inClifton as the Nov. 8 parade along Van

Houten Ave. illustrated. Hundreds of

marchers, including Grand Marshal

Mario, at left, were honored, as festivi-

ties concluded with a march into the

Avenue of Flags. Enjoy the photos!


Nov8

Veterans Parade


CelebrateClifton!Our community’s diversity is truly our strength.Celebrate Clifton. Merry Christmas,

Happy Holidays.Councilman Steve Hatala


Veterans ParadeNov8


As 2015 comes to an end and the holiday season is uponus, I want to express my gratitude for your support.

Being elected to the City Council has been an honor andI look forward to serving with my six colleagues.

My family has been blessed to be involved in Clifton inmany ways and it is a tradition I am proud to continue.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!Ray Grabowski

Clifton City Councilman


Nov8

Veterans Parade


Merry Christmas & Season’s Greetingsfrom The Gibson Family

City Councilman Bill Gibson & his wifeRobin with 2015 CHS grad Billy Jr.who is in Air Force Boot Camp,

& Tyler, a CHS Junior.


Shown here are Christmas Cards highlighting the strikingwintertime beauty of Soyuzivka, nestled in theShawangunk Mountains in Kerhonkson, NY, evocative ofUkraine’s Carpathian Mountains. The UkrainianNational Foundation (UNF), working with TomahawkPromotions of Clifton, produced packets of 12 cards andenvelopes, and distributed them to UNA membersthroughout the US. Recipients are asked to send a dona-tion of $25, to fund ongoing work maintaining andupgrading the facility for future generations. To purchasecards, call 800-253-9862, ext. 3071.


Ukrainian Famine

A deep trauma in Ukrainian history, one that theworld knows very little about, is the politically moti-

vated famine of 1932-33, the Holodomor. Millions of

Ukrainians were brutally starved to death, dying at the

rate of 28,000 per day.

Soviet dictator Josef Stalin executed a strategy of

mass and forced starvation to destroy Ukrainians, in

particular peasants, who were fiercely resisting the

Communist Party takeover of their land. Then for

decades, the Soviet regime attempted to cover up this

genocidal famine.

Now a memorial to the victims of the Holodomor

stands in Washington, D.C. More than 50 members of

the Ukrainian community of Clifton-Passaic traveled

there on Nov. 7 to join thousands of other guests at the

memorial dedication ceremony.

Congressman Bill Pascrell was one of the key sup-

porters of the legislation that authorized the construc-

tion of this memorial on Federal land, built as a

reminder that starvation must never be used as a politi-

cal weapon.

Speaking at the dedication, memorial architect

Larysa Kurylas said: “My hope is that people will

pause to reflect on the Holodomor, a famine of sinister

proportions, a famine deliberately executed and cyni-

cally denied, a famine in which millions of innocent

victims perished ... a deliberate famine, one intended to

cripple an entire people.”

After the dedication, the visitors from Clifton-

Passaic (above) met with Air Force Attaché Colonel

Serhij Panchenko, from the Embassy of Ukraine, and

with several Ukrainian soldiers currently undergoing

rehabilitation treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical

Center in Bethesda, Md. These soldiers were injured in

eastern Ukraine, casualties of the current conflict

between Russia and Ukraine that began in 2014.

At a fundraiser organized by the group New

Ukrainian Wave-Passaic in October, held at the church

center of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, sev-

eral thousands of dollars were raised to donate to the

soldiers and their families. The donations were given to

the soldiers on Nov. 7.

The Holodomor


The Chopin Singing Society (in a file photo) will perform in Passaic on Dec. 6 in memory of past Society presidents JohnA. Budzinski and Stanley A. Kobylarz. The choir was founded in 1910 in honor of Fryderyk Chopin’s 100th birthday.

The Chopin Singing Society will

hold its annual Christmas Concert

on Dec. 6 at 3 pm in the Polish

Peoples’ Home, 1-3 Monroe St.,

Passaic. The concert is in memory

of past presidents John A. Budzinski

and Stanley A. Kobylarz.

Tickets are $30 and include a hot

buffet. For tickets or information,

call 973-546-3568.

The chorus, currently under the

direction of Anthony Tabish, was

founded on March 10, 1910 to

honor the 100th anniversary of

Fryderyk Chopin’s birth. The

group’s first performance was a

commemorative for Polish veterans

of the 1830 revolt against Russian

occupation.

Some of the Society’s highlights

include achieving the highest score

at the international choral competi-

tions of the Polish Singers’ Alliance

of America. That earned the group

the traveling Cardinal Hlond

Trophy, making them the choir to

win the award three times, twice in

succession. In 1997 and 1998, the

Society was featured in the Jimmy

Stuff Christmas show tour, which

culminated in a performance at the

Taj-Mahal in Atlantic City.


History & Arts

The Theater League of Clifton (TLC) and theClifton Arts Center present Waiting forChristmas on Dec. 5 and 6, at the Clifton Arts

Center, 900 Clifton Ave., on the City Hall cam-

pus, and sponsored by Clifton Savings Bank.

Tickets at www.theaterleagueofclifton.com, or

by phone at 973-928-7668. Tickets to the Dec. 5

show at 7 pm are $55, and guests will also enjoy

wine, beer, and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. The

Dec. 6 matinee at 3:30 pm is scheduled to end

prior to the Clifton Christmas Tree Lighting cer-

emony at City Hall. Tickets Dec. 6 are $10, with

children under 12 free.

The Theater League of Clifton will hold audi-tions Dec. 15 and 16 for its annual murder-mystery

dinner theater. Tryouts are 7:30 pm to 9 pm each

evening at the Clifton Arts Center in the City Hall

Complex. The Multiple Mystery Murder, by Kirk

Woodward, features a cast of seven. Adults of any

age or gender can try out for any of the roles. Show

dates are Feb. 26, 27, and 28, and March 4, 5, and

6, 2016. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 pm;

Sunday shows commence at 4 pm. Mario’s

Restaurant, 710 Van Houten Ave., will be the stage

setting for all shows. Call 973-928-7668.

The second annual Gingerbread HouseCompetition features homemade gingerbread

house submitted by contestants age 6 to 16. Entries

can be brought to Lambert Castle, Tuesday Dec. 8

through Friday Dec. 11, between the hours of 9 am

and 3 pm. Call 973-247-0085, ext. 207 to arrange a

delivery time. All houses entered will be on display

in Lambert Castle (home of the Passaic County

Historical Society) at 3 Valley Rd., Paterson, from

Dec. 16 to Jan. 3. All houses will be accepted.

Children aged 10 and under and their familiesare welcome to Lambert Castle for Story-tellingand Sing-a-long with Santa and Mrs. Claus on

Dec. 13 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Join the two as they

read holiday stories and sing holiday songs.

Refreshments will be served. Admission is $15

for one child and one adult. Additional children

and adults are $5 each. Call 973-247-0085.


Clifton City Historian Don Lotz visited School 9 onNov. 12, giving third graders advance notice of Clifton’s

centennial in 2017 and teaching them some of the city’s

vibrant and significant history during the past 100 years.

For those adults seeking to keep up with their chil-

dren, Clifton’s Walk through History Part III features

historical photos and memorabilia and remains on dis-

play at the Clifton Arts Center Gallery through Dec. 5.

Curated by Lotz, the exhibit conveys Clifton’s story

from the end of World War II to the celebration of our

Nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. Photographs and arti-

facts provide a visual story and a glance from 1945

through the bicentennial year.

Visitors are encouraged to share their stories of this

era with Clifton Historical Commission members. The

Gallery is open 1 to 4 pm, Wed. to Sat. Admission is $3

for non-members.

Plans for the city’s centennial celebration already are

under way, arriving sooner than many might think.

Clifton Centennial’s first event will be on April 17,

2016. While our hometown actually turns 100 in 2017,

efforts are already under way to raise funds.

Chairs Vivian Lalumia and Elaine Yaccarino are

organizing a kickoff family dinner and beefsteak at the

Boys & Girls Club.

A sampling of events from April 2016 to November

2017 include a cultural picnic, trips to Ellis Island, con-

certs and, of course, a fantastic parade. Fundraisers

being planned include a calendar, remembrance sun

catchers, plates, and an ad journal.


Events & Briefs

Valley National Bank’s homeownership seminar on Nov. 17

was held at it branch in Styertowne

Shopping Center. Territory Sales

Manager Sonia Amorim and

Realtor Sham Mazejy presented

steps to the home buying process,

from what first-timers can expect

during the application process, to

advantages of home ownership as

well as fees and mortgage products.

Other free seminars are planned.

Visit valleynationalbank.com or

call 800-522-4100.

Save A Life: Prevent a Heroin/Opioid Overdose is a free training

and education class at St. Joseph’s

Regional Medical Center, 703 Main

St., Paterson on Dec. 16 at 7 pm.

If you or a loved one is struggling

with opioid use, the class may help

save someone’s life. On average, 46

Americans die each day from pre-

scription opioid overdoses, accord-

ing to the American Society of

Addiction Medicine (ASAM).

Through this training for people

of any age, one can the learn signs

and symptoms of an overdose, the

importance of calling 911 immedi-

ately, how to perform rescue breath-

ing, and also how to administer

NARCAN (Naloxone), the over-

dose reversal medication. In addi-

tion, attendees will receive a free

Overdose Prevention Kit, including

NARCAN. Class size is limited. To

attend, call 973-754-3000.

On Nov. 17, Valley National Bank held a seminar for first time home buyersat its Styertowne Shopping Center brnach. From left, Candice Surace andSonia Amorim of Valley with Coldwell Banker Realtor Sham Mazejy andValley’s Lina Martinez.


Known for its involvement with special needs chil-dren, the Clifton Elks are one of the foremost charita-

ble organizations in Passaic County. Now the Elks are

looking to bolster membership through a youth organi-

zation, the Clifton Antlers.

On Dec. 11, the Clifton Elks will hold an open house

at 775 Clifton Ave., from 7 to 9 pm. The only stipula-

tion is that members be young men between 12 and 20.

Jim Smith, 51, past exalted ruler (1992) and current

treasurer, hopes that by recruiting during the holidays,

young people who don’t normally volunteer during the

rest of the year might be interested.

“It’s the holiday season, it’s a time of helping and

giving. Also at this time, we’re going to get a lot of

kids who are in college that aren’t 21 yet who will be at

home,” he said. “There’s no stipulations; they can be

as active as they want to be if they have school or other

commitments. However, it would be great if someone

saw what how great this is and became more active, or

their parents became active.

“This program started at least 30 years ago, and then

went through a lull. A lot of lodges either dissolved

their programs or they weren’t active,” said Smith.

“Over the last five years there has been a big push to

start these up and we will be the 29th in the state.”

The main Clifton Elks organization currently has

more than 145 members. Smith, a Phys. Ed. and tech-

nology teacher at St. Andrews for more than 17 years,

said the best way to get new members is to get young

people interested in charity early on. “My brother, Pete

Smith, was involved and asked me to get involved as

well,” he said. “Twenty-nine years later I am still here.

“Special needs children and veterans are our two main

areas, and we’d like to restart things like our Christmas

party. But at the same time the Antlers will be able to

make their own traditions, and there will be fun activities

and trips for the group as well,” he said. “I started out real

young, coaching Little League and all aspects of recre-

ation sports in town, so I felt this was a good fit for me,

especially with how active the Elks were in youth sports.”

“One of the members is a former student of mine,

Matt Wangrycht, who is from Clifton and currently

attending Seton Hall University,” Smith said. “Matt

has been involved with us the last six or seven years,

and he’s brought friends to help out, and many have

joined us now.”

For more information, contact Jim Smith at 973-

473-9752 or [email protected].

On Nov. 18, the Clifton and Passaic Optimist Clubs sponsored a hot dog night as a prelude to the Thanksgiving Game.Football players, cheerleaders and band members from both schools attended the event, held at the Athenia Vets Hall. Fromleft are Passaic Coach Doug Dudek and Indian captains Quamir Williams, Genaro Delgado, Royce Fransisco, YonathonMartinez and Tyshawn Bunting. Mustangs are Otto DeLeon, Maurice Greene and Adam Miranda with Coach Ralph Cinque.

Elks Growing Antlers on Clifton AvenueBy Joe Hawrylko


Birthdays & Celebrations - December 2015

Christina Kedl celebrates on Dec. 13. That Athenia gem Greg Lacki is 59 on Dec. 5. Anthony ‘Tony’O’Connor is 71 on Dec. 4 and his granddaughter Vivian Margaret Taras will celebrate her 3rd birthday onDec. 16. Noelani Coronel turns 16 on Dec. 9th.

Marc Fazio ......................12/1Ann W. Kissel...................12/1Corinne Miskowsky ...........12/1Mannan Amin ..................12/2Mike Gerardi ...................12/2Lauren Lawler ...................12/2Bryan Nolasco .................12/2Allison Ahdieh ..................12/3Patrick Lotorto...................12/3Bridget Rice......................12/3Sharon Tichacek ...............12/3Phyllis Galambos ..............12/4Timothy Gumann...............12/4Michael Kester..................12/4Dave Sternbach ................12/4Michael Vinciguerra ..........12/4Rosemary Kuruc................12/5Gregory Lacki...................12/5Laura Mikolajczyk.............12/5Michael Ressetar...............12/5Pat Collucci ......................12/6Debbie Gorny ..................12/6Marilyn Gossinger ............12/6Noel Coronel ...................12/7Margaret Kungl ................12/7Mark Mecca.....................12/7Robert Raichel ..................12/8

Chris Sadowski.................12/8Jamie Osmak....................12/9Daniel Fonesca Ramos.......12/9Mark Surgent ...................12/9Andrew Tichacek ..............12/9Tyler Roger Vandenberghe....12/9Michael McEnerney ........12/10Bob Snelson ...................12/10Joey Cofone ...................12/11Kathleen M. Marshall ......12/11Diane Meyer ..................12/11Joseph Rutigliano ............12/11Richard Peterson .............12/12Andy Kent ......................12/13Danny La Gala ...............12/13Ray Capilli .....................12/14Mary Kate Kuruc.............12/14Michael Murolo ..............12/14Basil Worhach ................12/14Steven Crawford .............12/15Marie Visicaro................12/15David Brock ...................12/16Michael Hrina ................12/16Hannah Grace Kulesa .....12/17Jacqueline Gencarrelli .....12/18Anne Gerardi .................12/18Samantha Bassford .........12/19

Nick Link ...................... 12/19Jayen Montague .............12/19Jessie Ducos ...................12/20Amy Marino...................12/21Michelle McEnerney ........12/22Suman Pinto ...................12/22Joey Cristantiello.............12/24Soumya Gunapathy ........12/24

Birthdays & CelebrationsSend dates & [email protected]

Zora Molnar is celebrating her90th birthday on Dec. 14 inColumbia, Mo., with daughterVera, granddaughter RamonaWeidel Huckstep, her husbandScott, and their daughtersLogan and Savanna.


Vincent and Mary Colavitticelebrated their 50th weddinganniversary on Nov. 6 with theirthree sons and four grandchildren.

Caroline Jane Hanlon ......12/24Luba Rembis ...................12/24Ryan John Hariton ...........12/25Eric Soltis .......................12/25Thomas Montague...........12/26Venessa Collucci .............12/27Melissa Cordes ...............12/27James Mazza .................12/29Steven Bivaletz................12/30Hunter Conklin................12/30Courtney Pinter ...............12/31

Sarah Lombardo, who many willremember as the welcomingvoice of Clifton City Hall, turns 88 on Dec. 9.


Mustang Arts

Senior Michael Tejada and Sophomore Amanda Stetz were putting the finishing touches on the Mustang Soccer muralnear the upper gym at CHS on Dec. 1. Mural Club advisors Lauren Fox and Barbara Mack said the project was creat-ed to coincide with the Alumni Soccer Game in honor of the late Coach Fernando Rossi. The design took a behind-the-bench perspective and the returning players will be asked to sign the mural as a tribute to their late coach.

Tomahawk Promotions

1288 main avenue

Clifton, NJ 07011

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPhila Pa 191PeRmiT No. 7510

Clifton Merchant Magazine - December 2015

Documents

Transcript of Clifton Merchant Magazine - December 2015