Clifton Merchant Magazine - February 2012

629 Clifton Ave Clifton

973-777-7364459 Chestnut St U

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Clifton Merchant February 2012 3

It was a prime location that Henry Fette,

founder of Fette Ford, was interested in buying

for his growing car dealership back in the

Sixties. Started in 1952, on Main and Madison

Avenues, Fette soon moved to the Allwood

Circle. As the business grew, Fette knew that

he would need more space to display an

ever-expanding line of cars.

He and son Larry started looking around

for appropriate space. On an impulse one

day, the senior Fette called the owners of

the landmark bowling lanes, Bowlero,

asking them if they wanted to sell the

property, at the intersection of Routes 3

and 46. The deal was made soon

enough and the Fettes got to work to

build their dream dealership.

Since that time, the building has

been renovated and in 2012, anoth-

er addition is underway to accom-

modate the popular Infiniti line up.

Third generation owner John

Fette said he and his family are

proud to grow with and invest in

Clifton... their hometown.

February 2012 Clifton Merchant4

WeProudlyAnnounceourSeptemberAwardWinners...

WeProudlyAnnounceourOctoberAwardWinners...

WeProudlyAnnounceourNovemberAwardWinners...

WeProudlyAnnounceourDecemberAwardWinners...

Kenneth Hauser

Top SalesMary JeanCetinich

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Ellen Weiner

Top ProducerAlma Billings

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16,000 Magazines

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Editor & PublisherTom Hawrylko

Business ManagerCheryl Hawrylko

Graphic DesignerKen Peterson

Staff WriterJoe Hawrylko

Contributing WritersIrene Jarosewich, CarolLeonard, Rich DeLotto,Don Lotz, Jack DeVries 2012 Tomahawk Promotions

1288 Main AvenueDowntown Clifton, NJ 07011

From the Editor

This months cover features Jerryand Jane Declet, a warming taleabout a couple whose first 19months together were spent bywriting thousands of love letterswhile Jerry was abroad. Theirson, Jerry, who tipped us offabout his parents tale ofromance, has a romantic story ofhis own. Four years ago, he met

Amanda, then a coworker at theNewark Port. The two went on adate and immediately hit it off,bonding over their love of sports.But really it was much more thanthat. It was her wholedemeanor. Shes just a greatlady, he said. Jerry found the girl that he could have a life long

relationship with, just like the marriage his parentshave and whom he admires so much. My parents,theyre like an old time romantic movie, he said.Even after 43 years, theyre still in love. Amandahad always said that she wanted to be engaged by

30, and on the eve of her birthday, at her parentshouse with family all around, Jerry pulled her asidejust before midnight and proposed. It was great,he happily recalled. The two were wed on March26, 2010, and now reside in Dutch Hill. On the following pages, youll find more tales of

romance featuring your Clifton neighbors.

Its all about Love...Jerry, Jr. & Amanda Declet


Community Comments

Ed MacDonald and his wife, Izzy, haveaspecialwaythattheyvecelebratedValentinesDayforthepast15

years.Itsa traditionforus. Everyyear,shepostsa

question for the familywhat do you love most

aboutyourfamily,whatisyourbestmemoryfrom

childhood, he said. She puts it all on heart

shapedpaperandputsitinaheartshapedbas-

ketonthekitchentableandthenshesavesit.

Theactualdinnerisalsofestive.

The traditional meal is meatloaf, cut into

heartshapedportions.Thereisalsothesalad,

whichfeaturesheartshapedcucumbers.

The drink of choice is 7-Upwith red food

coloring.

Shesbeenmakingmeatloaf, redmashpota-

toesandallthatforawhilenow,butherideaabout

making notes together came up about 15 years ago,

saidMacDonald. Itseemslike

the boys and I have ulterior

motives to see who can make

mommie cry first. Shes very

soft. She likes to hear all nice

stuffaboutherfamily.Wearea

veryclosefamily.

Ourlifeisourfamily.Thatis

what our life is all about, he

said.Asfarasromance,wejust

havethatintheeverydayhustle

and bustle of life. Its just that

little peck on the cheek or the

hug while youre washing the

dishesthats what I live for.

Thatsthebeautifulnessofatight

family.

Ed and Izzy MacDonald with their children Jeremy and Rory froma recent Christmas. Pictured below is Izzys love salad.

Family, Food & Love at The MacDonalds

What are you doing for

Valentines Day?


Bill belongs to the Union League Club in New York, and weusually go there on Tuesdays so maybe well do that, musedBarbara. She and her husband Bill, the noted land use attorney who

grew up in Botany, celebrated their 48th wedding anniver-sary on Jan. 18.The couple, who still work together at their Parker Ave.

storefront office, have two children and four grandkids. Pressed on their plans for Valentines Day, Barbara

laughed: When youre married to the same man for 48years, you dont tend to plan anything extraordinary. Nonetheless, the couple, almost six decades later, seems to

have a good partnership as they can often be seen, socializ-ing or dining around town together. How did they meet?In Newark, where I grew up. We dated for eight years

first, she recalled, adding to the legal 48. Billy was goingto school there. He always tells me that he promised to getme out of Newark. Sure, she says dryly, adding:but into Botany Village?

48 plus 8 for Barbara & Bill Sala


Community Comments

Name: __________________________________________________________________________Address: ________________________________________________________________________City: _______________________________________State:____________________________________Zip:______________________Phone:_____________________________________________Email:________________________________________________________________________PLEASE MAKE CHECKS TO TOMAHAWK PROMOTIONS, 1288 MAIN AVE., CLIFTON, NJ 07011

Have Clifton Merchant Mailed.$27/YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONSorrybutduetoproblemswithBulkMailDeliverywenolongeroffera$16rateforCliftonSubscribers.

Come Valentines Day, Bob andCathy Ventimiglia will be rehearsingwith the Clifton Community Band.Very fitting, noted Cathy. We metin CHS in the Mustang Band.

Its a Tuesday and a school night so making dinner for my hubby(Jim Byrne) and my son and probably a heart shaped cake!

Lynne Bessell Byrne

Michele Noblett and I willbe celebrating our one yearanniversary of meeting onMatch.com.

Keith Oakley

Unfortunately, I need toattend an evening meetingfor work. So I will professmy love for my beautifulwife of 39 years, Linda,right here in the CliftonMerchant.

Russell Triolo

I am planning on taking my girlfriend, Lindsay Dueben, back tothe place that we had our first date, Naunas in Montclair. Thedays are slow until you reflect on the first date and see how muchyouve grown together over the years. Its been amazing. I loveyou more today than yesterday and its been that way for fouryears. This will be the best Valentine's Day until next year.

Joe Shackil

Anabela Castro Carrino says she will bespending quality time with her favoriteguy...her hubby, Tommy Carrino.


Ok, sure their names rhyme (Cassie and Bassi) butwhat else does this couple have in common?Bradley is a retired cop who worked with kids...we like the simple things and each others compa-ny. Life is good here in Salt Lake City, pro-claimed Craig who taught at CHS for 39 years. She contacted us through Facebook and offered

congratulations on the January edition which fea-tured Marching Mustang Director Bob Morgan.Craig was a mainstay on the band staff fordecades. Her updates continues: Im enjoying theweather and my granddaughters here in the west.As for Valentines Day? Going to LaCaille, a

premier French Provincial style restaurant, here inSalt Lake City for a wonderful dinner with mybeautiful man. Well let you know if she sends aFeb. 15 update... Bradley Bassi and Cassie Craig in Salt Lake City.

Cassie Craig & Bradley Bassi

What are you doing for

Valentines Day?We do about 15 weddings on Valentines Day, said Kristin Corrado, thePassaic County Clerk. Marriages are on a first come, first serve basis.No appointments. We decorate the Freeholder room. People tend to befestive. We have a lot of brides come in wedding gowns and people whospecifically want that day and take pictures.


Love Stories

It was a chance meeting at the St. Marys HighSchool prom that first broughtAshley Terhune andDean Veres together. Five years later, theyre now

bondedinmarriage.

Ashley, a 2005 graduate of CHS, was at the

Rutherford school prom in 2006with her boyfriend,

whoattendedSt.Marys.Aftershespilledadrinkon

her dress,Ashley ran off and bumped into Dean, a

classmateofherboyfriend,whowasatthedancewith

hisexasfriends.

Iwassittingatthehorsdoeuvrestablewithsome

friendsbecausemyboyfriendwasbeingajerk,plusI

hadspilledsomethingonmydress,Ashleyexplained.

I lookedup and saw thesegorgeous light blue eyes

lookingatme,soIasked,Canyouseeastain?He

lookedatmeand said, Nope. I immediatelydisre-

gardedhisopinionbecausehesaguyandmostguys

dontnoticestainsanyway,butfortherestofthenight,

Ikeptthinkingaboutthoseeyes.

IhadseenAshleybeforeandrememberedwhoshe

was,Deansaid,butIdidnthaveanyindicationafter

sheaskedmeaboutherdressthatshewasinterestedin

me.Itwasntuntillaterthatweek,whiletalkingon

thephonewithoneofherfriends,thatAshleylet the

newsslip.

Iaskedmyfriend,whohadbeenatthetablewith

Dean and Ashley Veres

Once Upon a Time: A Modern-Day Fairy TaleBy Tania Jachens


me,whowastheguywiththeblueeyes,Ashleysaid.

IadmittedthatIthoughthewasreallycute.

Her friend stirred the pot a bit by secretly having

DeanonspeakerphonewhilespeakingwithAshley.

Iwas so embarrassed, so I tried toplay it off by

joking thathe should takeme tomypromatClifton

High,Ashleysaid,laughing.

Later on,Dean contactedAshley on the computer

viainstant-messenger.

It was quite a bit of a shock, said Dean, who

recalledhowthe twostayedupallnightspeakingon

thecomputer. Itwas the last thing Iwasexpecting

since shehad a boyfriend at the time, but then I got

excitedandlookedforwardtogettingtoknowherbet-

ter.Ididntjumpattheopportunitytotakehertoprom

because theonly timewehadever talkedwasatmy

promIwasntcomfortableyet,plusshewasstilldat-

ingherboyfriend.

A few days later, Ashley broke up with her

boyfriend and began datingDean after amemorable

firstdate.

Mybrotherandhiswifedorescueworkwith the

Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League and they

weresettingupameetandgreetforadoptingdogsin

Ringwood,Ashley explained. I asked him to take

thedrivewithme.

I didnt really consider it a date at first I just

wantedtohangoutwithher,Deansaid.Iwasexcit-

ed and nervous because it was the first time I went

somewhereunknownwithacompletestranger.

The tensionwaseasedoveramutually shared tal-

ent: sign language. Dean,whoseparentsarehearing

impaired, is fluent inAmericansign,andAshleyhad

studiedinhighschool,soduringthedrive, theentire

conversationwas conducted in sign. After spending

timewiththedogs,AshleyandDeanwenttoanearby

RiteAid,whereAshleypretended tobedeaf so they

couldwalkaroundthestoreforhoursandpracticeher

signing.

Followingtheirfirstdate,DeanandAshleycontin-

uedtoseeeachother.However,theirblissfulromance

wascut short. Deanandhisparents,whoover from

Hungary in the 70s, were to travel to their native

countrytovisitfamilyforfiveweeks,leavingbehind

hisnewgirlfriend.

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Love Stories

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planinmindwhileattheairportleavingforHungary,

Deanexplained.IrealizedthatIwasmakingamis-

take by going to Hungary then and leaving Ashley

behind.

The day after he

arrived, Dean schedule a

flightbacktoAmericafor

twoweekslater

When a 17-year-old

boy will fly halfway

aroundtheworldtocome

home early for you, you

know hes the one,

Ashleysaid.

Later on that year, the

couple went on vacation

with Deans father and

sister to Cancun, where,

befitting their whirlwind

romance,Deanproposed.

Hewaspacingon the

balconyoutsideourroom

and acting weird, so I

askedhimwhatwaswrong,Ashleysaid.Hestarted

tellingmehowspecialIwastohimandthenIrealized

thatyouonlyget this spielon twooccasions:youre

eithergettingdumpedorproposedto.

I was trying to stay calm, Dean explained. I

knew,morelikelythannot,itwouldturnoutOK,but

Iwantedtogetthepresentationright.

On thebalcony,with a sweepingviewof the city,

pool and ocean lit up

below,DeanaskedAshley

tomarryhim.

Iwassoexcited that I

didnt even look at the

ring, Ashley said. I

flungmyarmsaroundhim

and almost knocked it off

thebalcony.

However, the union

would not take place for

severalyears,asbothDean

and Ashley mutually

agreed to complete their

studiesfirst.

The wedding finally

took place on May 27,

2011, two weeks after

Ashleys graduation from

MontclairStateUniversity

(DeanhadgraduatedtheyearbeforefromSetonHall

University.)Itwasalmostexactlyfiveyearssincethe

daytheyfirstmetatDeanshighschoolprom.

Optingforsomethingmoreuniquethanatradition-

alchurchceremony,AshleyandDeanwerewedinan

y.


intimate, outdoor ceremony at Lambert Castle on

ValleyRoad.

The flowers and trees were in bloom, so it was

beautifulandsoperfect,Ashleysaid. More than I

couldhaveeverdreamedofasalittlegirl.

After a small lunch reception with their guests,

Ashley and Dean went home to their two dogs, got

changed and were watching TV, when they realized

they were hungry. Where do two newlywed

Cliftonitesgoforabitetoeataftertheirwedding?To

theHotGrill,ofcourse!

WewalkintoHotGrill,ourcarissittingdecorated

in theparking lot, I havemyhair andmakeupdone,

butIminsweats,laughedAshley.Weorderedthree

allthewayandfrieswithgravy.

For their mini-moon, Ashley and Dean went to

Bostonfortwonights.There,theywenttoaRedSox

gameasAshleysweddingpresentforDean,whoisa

die-hardfan.AshleysfavoritepresentfromDeanisa

book, entitled What I LoveAboutYou, which he

gaveherseveralyearsagoforChristmas.

Itsablankbookwithquestionsandhefilledthem

all out, Ashley said, flipping through the book.

Ninety-fivepagesworthofthingsthatareimportant

tohimaboutme. It stillmakesmecryevery time I

readit.

What makes me smile is knowing that I get to

wake up and have such an amazing person by my

side,Ashleysaid. Someonewholovesmeforme,

someonewhohasmyback100%ofthetime.Itsan

amazingfeelingknowingyoufoundtheotherpieceto

yourpuzzle.

Likesomanyothercouplesbeforethem,Deanand

Ashleyhavelearnedthatsacrificeandcompromiseare

necessary.

The most important element in a relationship is

knowingwhentogivealittle,andIdontmeanmate-

rialthings,Deanexplained.Ithastobespiritually,

mentally,emotionally,plusknowingwhentocompro-

mise.

Being honest is also very important, Ashley

added.Donttakeyourselvestooseriouslyanddont

forget to have fun. Nomatterwhat, put that person

above everyone else, including yourself. Always be

supportive, whether theyre right or wrong, because

youregoingtowantthatfromthemtoo.

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Love Stories

In addition to chemistry, love is also about timing.Eventhemostpassionaterelationshipcanfizzle if the

conditionsarenotright.Butoccasionally,thingssome-

times pick up at a later date as it didwith Lenn and

MarieElenaFeldmann,whometagainatareunionin

1990,30yearsafterdatinginCliftonHighSchool.

HemovedtoCliftoninsophomoreyearandImet

him the next year, saidMarie Elena, whose maiden

nameisResitano.Agirlfriendofminebroughthimas

adatetomysweet16party.

Wehavephotographstoprovethatweweresitting

together, dancing and chatting the whole time. So I

guess I stole her away, she laughed. But I wasnt

allowedtodateuntilIwasasenior.Icamefromavery

strictItalianfamily.

When that day finally rolled around, Lenn asked

MarieElenaoutimmediately.Thecouplecontinuedto

datethroughouttheirfinalyearatCHSandattendedthe

1960promtogether.

But then our parents got scared that wewere too

serious, said Marie Elena, who was headed off to

Montclair State College. Lenn, who studied at

VanderCookCollegeofMusicinChicago,dumpedhis

girlfriendaftermuchprodding fromhis father. Marie

Elenawasheartbroken,andthetwodidntspeakagain

formorethanthreedecades.

Lenn and Marie Elena Feldmann

It Was Meant to BeBy Joe Hawrylko


Love Stories

Wehadourseparate lives. Webothgotmarried,

she said. However, bothMarieElena andLennwere

singleagainfortheCHSClassof196030yearreunion,

whichwasheldattheSheratonHotelin

FairfieldinOctoberof1990.

I remethimclose tomidnightand

wejusttalkedforever,recalledMarie

Elena.Thethingendedattwoandwe

justtalked.Wewerebothprettyoutgo-

ingandcheeryandthatsprobablywhy

weconnected inhighschool. Artistic

too.

Lenn,whowas living inFlorida at

the timemaking a living as an accor-

dionperformer,decidedhewasgoing

to stay inNewJersey for abit longer

afterrunningintohisoldflame.

Idecidedtostayandwecontinued

dating,hesaid.Afriendofmineup

herehadabusinessthatIstartedworkingat. Healso

hadaclientthatownedamotelinParsippany,soIgota

roombythemonth.

NeitherMarieElenanormyselfwerereallylooking

foranyoneelse,explainedLenn.Wekindofresigned

ourselvestofate,whatlifehadgivenus.

Myself, I enjoyed being single, saidMarie Elena.

Butatthatpoint,wejustremetanditclickedsowell.I

hadsaidtomysonduringthesummer

before that Im never getting married

again and he was so shocked when I

toldhimthatIwasgettingmarried.

The ceremony has held on

Valentines Day in 1991. We didnt

havealotofyearslefttowait,laughed

Marie Elena. It was very romantic.

Weretraditional. Wegotmarriedand

thenhemovedinwithme.

Shehadwellestablishedrootsand

mymottowas, Have accordion,will

travel,Lennlaughed.Iwasagypsy

ofsortsandthissettledmedown.

If itwas someonewhoyouwere

friendlywith, if youmeet themyears

later you just pick up right where you left off, said

MarieElena.Itsabouttherighttiming.Itjustwasnt

therighttimeyearsago.Butwhenwegooutandsee

people thatwe knewyears ago, they always say, you

see,itwasalwaysmeanttobe.


PODIATRYThomas Graziano, DPM, MD

1033 Clifton, Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-473-3344

Jeffrey Miller, DPM

1117 Route 46 East, 2nd Floor

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-365-2208

Eugene A. Batelli, DPM


Clifton, NJ 07013

973-365-2208

Zina Cappiello, DPM

886 Pompton Ave, Suite A-1

Cedar Grove, NJ 07009

973-857-1184

Glenn Haber, DPM

140 Grand Ave.

Englewood, NJ 07631

201-569-0212

John Mc Evoy, DPM

152 Lakeview Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-340-8970

Kevin Healey, DPM

152 Lakeview Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-340-8970

Matthew Welch, DPM

6506 Park Ave.

West New York, NJ 07093

201-662-1122

Anas Khoury, DPM235 Main Ave.

Passaic, NJ 07066

973-473-6665

PAIN MANAGEMENTLadislav Habina, MD


Clifton, NJ 07013

973-357-8228

Kazimierz Szczech, MD

1033 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-473-4400

Binod Sinha, MD


Clifton, NJ 07013

973-777-5444

Todd Koppel, MD

721 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-473-5752

ENDOSCOPYPiotr Huskowski, MD

1005 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-778-7882

CHIROPRACTICMichael Gaccione, DC

26 Clinton St.

Newark, NJ 07012973-624-4000

Terry Mc Sweeney, DC

600 Mount Prospect Ave.

Newark, NJ 07104

973-485-2332

ENTStephen Abrams, MD

1070 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-773-9880

ORTHOPEDICSKent Lerner, MD

17 Jauncey Ave.

North Arlington, NJ 07031

201-991-9019

UROLOGYDaniel Rice, MD

1001 Clifton, Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-779-7231

OPHTHALMOLOGYCharles Crowley, MD

1033 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-472-6405

GENERAL SURGERYKevin Buckley, MD

1100 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-778-0100

Edwin Kane, MD

1100 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-778-0100

Ramon Silen, MD

1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-779-4242

Call your physician about schedulingyour surgery at Clifton Surgery Center.

Meet some of our Physicians...

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Dr. Kevin Buckley

Dr. Thomas Graziano,

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Schedule your surgery at Clifton Surgery Center. We are athree room state of the art, nationally accredited, physicianowned facility. Smaller and more service oriented thanhospitals, patients and theirfamilies benefit from theconvenience and lower cost.


Love Stories

Whats an Emil? Perhaps a more uptight person would takeoffense to a joke about their name from a blind date they just

met, but Emil Ihle saw it a sign of a good sense of humor in

the girl who would later become his wife.

Relative strangers for most of high school, Emil met Dawn

during their junior year in 1980 after being set up by mutual

friends.

Jimmy Monaco, a good friend of mine, was trying to date

her sister, Kim, and he said I just had to go, laughed Emil.

He was taller than me, so we would be walking through the

hallways and hed be like there she is but I never could see her.

The two never met face to face until May 11 of that year,

when Emil and Dawn joined Jim and Kim on a double

Dawn and Emil Ihle

Same Birthdays, Different Hospitals...By Joe Hawrylko


Love Stories

date at the Allwood Theater to see The Naked Bomb.

The movies are always a safe date, laughed Dawn.

We just hit it off right away, bonding over many things.

We were both born on April 29. Same birthday, but dif-

ferent hospitals.

Though Kim and Jim

never clicked, the other

couple shared immediate

chemistry and continued

to see each other through

years end before Dawn

cut ties with Emil.

Everything was fine

until she broke up with

me, laughed Emil. It was

simply at matter of practi-

cality. As a child, Dawn

would spend summers in

Connecticut with her

grandparents. With so

much distance between

them and no facebook or

cell phone to keep up on communication, she made the

choice to break things off for the summer.

I called him as soon as I got back home! added

Dawn. This time, the relationship would last. The sen-

iors dated throughout the their final year at CHS, being

crowned Class Couple. They continued to see each

other in college, with Emil attending FDU and Dawn at

the Capri Institute.

He wanted to get serious before I did, laughed

Dawn, who now works at Valley National Bank.

When it finally came time to propose, it didnt go

smoothly for either party.

His uncle had a jewelry store and we went to go

check out rings, she recalled. I was holding on to a

diamond with tweezers and I squeezed it and it just goes

ping and flies across the room.

The actually presentation didnt go down as smooth-

ly as Emil had envisioned

in his head. We were

engaged in the bathroom,

laughed Dawn. Emil had

stuffed the ring at the bot-

tom of a pair of Candies

shoes he bought for his

girlfriend. Unfortunately,

Dawn had no interest in the

shoes, and became upset

when Emil kept attempting

to get her to try them on

before finally finding the

prize at the bottom.

The wedding was held

on Oct. 19, 1988the

shared half birthday for

both Emil and Dawnwith the reception at The Fiesta on

17. We wanted surf and turf, she explained, adding that

Emil may have spent more time eating than socializing.

The Ihles now reside in the home that Emil grew up

in after his parents moved to Clifton from Palisades

Park in 1977.

They have two children who also happen to be

Marching Mustang Alum: Melissa, a 2009 grad, and

Christina, who graduated in June 2011. Our kids going

to CHS was a no brainer for us since we went there, he

explained. I married my best friend, explained Emil.

High school sweethearts can last.

Previous page the Ihle family, from left Melissa, Christina,Dawn and Emil. Above, the couple in the CHS yearbook

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Love Stories

It wasnt a typical courtship, but Jerry and Jane Decletwouldnt have had it any other way. Rather than a series

of dates and dinners to get to know one another after

meeting in the Summer of 1965, the couple spent their

first 19 months writing thousands of letters to each other

while Jerry was stationed in Okinawa, Japan while serv-

ing in the Air Force.

Its a real love story that lives on, Jane smiled.

Though the two started dating in 1965, they had first

been introduced two years prior.

After graduation years ago, everyone goes to the

shore the next day, explained Jane, who met Jerry in the

Summer of 1963. I was going steady with this fellow,

and were sitting on the beach and I see Jerry on the

beach playing volleyball. Janes boyfriend recognized

Jerry from his homeroom, and introduced the two.

We saw them later and he said to Jerry, I want you to

meet my girlfriend Jane Lewis, she recalled. As Pete

and I are walking away, I said to him, If its the last thing

I do, Im going to marry that guy.

Jane and her boyfriend did end up splitting, but she

didnt see Jerry again for two whole years. It was 1965

and I was with my friends at a park and Jerry pulled up in

his little Fiat, she said. He was home on leave. He got

out of the car and I just went whoa! I walked up to him

and asked him if he remembered me and he did.

Jerry and Jane Declet

Letters of LoveBy Joe Hawrylko


Love Stories

Jerry asked the newly single Jane to go out with him,

and the couple saw each other frequently over the next

two weeks. However, the Air Force recruit was slated to

return back to service half way around the world in

Okinawa, Japan.

I went with his family the day after Thanksgiving

and brought him to the airport, she recalled. There, he

asked me if Id wait for him and I said absolutely.

For 19 months, the two would write each other daily,

amassing several thousand letters that Jane still keeps

hold of to this day.

Thats how we got know each other and made prom-

ises to each other, she said. And we both wrote to each

other that if the feelings werent the same when we got

home then wed understand and it would be a mutual

agreement.

Not a day went by without a letter, Jerry recalled.

Jane also sent his a Christmas tree for their first holiday

together. And each letter that I received from here

contained a stick of Wrigleys spirit gum.

It was just another place for me to write I love you,

she said. He went through a lot of gum in his 19

months. I also had a GI Joe doll in an Air Force uniform

at my house. If I didnt get a letter from Jerry that day,

my grandfather would hang him from the door.

While the two built a strong relationship through the

letters, there was still the creeping doubt in each of their

minds that the bond might not be as strong in person.

Both Jerry and Jane agreed in writing to mutually end the

relationship should that fear become reality, which creat-

ed some anxiety when he returned home in June 1967.

I had taken off to go on Thursday to go with Jerrys

parents to pick him up, but the flight was so delayed that

they werent coming in until Friday morning, she said.

Man, when he got off that plane he looked so good, so

handsome. We just sat in the back seat of his parents car,

Previous page are the Declets on their wedding day, an undated photo and Jane and Jerry reviewing lettersfrom his time in Okinawa, Above standing: Jerry Jr., Amanda, Liz and Jason. Sitting is Samantha, Jane,Jayden, Juliet and Jerry. Not pictured is Granddaughter Carlie.


holding hands. We wanted to kiss but of course we

wouldnt dare.

I was nervous, said Jerry. Youve been away for

19 months and the one that youve fallen in love with

is going to be with your parents. But when I actually

saw her and my parents, that feeling just came back.

It was just a great feeling.

Jerry took a job at the Givaudan Clifton plant to

satisfy her fathers demands and soon proposed to

Jane. They wed the following year on Aug. 25, 1968,

and soon after had two sons: Jerry and Jason.

Jerry would later go on to become a member of the

Clifton Police Department, enjoying a 27 year career,

serving 14 in the juvenile detective bureau. Jane

worked for Sun Chemical which became US Ink for a

total of 32 years. Now both retired, they enjoy one

anothers company, New York sports and their many

grandchildren.

What a compliment it is when your kids are at the

age that theyre getting married and they say we just

hope our marriage is as good as yours, said Jane.

You cant have a better compliment than that from

your kids.

Were very proud of our boys, said Jerry.

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Love Stories

Its not often that high school romances work out.Immaturity and a general lack of life experience tend to

make sure of that. However, if those two same individ-

uals were to give it a second shot years later, would the

results be the same?

For Warren and Linda Orey, that second chance at

love worked. The Clifton High School graduates first

started dating in high school before splitting and coming

together a few years later after bumping into each other

one again.

We met in August 1974 at band camp, he said. Linda

went to Christopher Columbus and I went to Woodrow.

She was a majorette and I played sax.

Top: The Orey family, from left: Michelle, Warren, Lindaand Doug. Middle. Warren and Linda in a recent picture,and two takes of the couple in band camp at top right andabove, with friend Nancy Terry.

Warren and Linda Orey

It Began in Mustang Band CampBy Joe Hawrylko


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Love StoriesWhat happened is on the last day of school, Linda,

being the nice person she is, said to keep in touch with

me over the summer, said Orey, whose father, Emil,

was the principal of CCMS, and knew his sons future

wife when she attended the middle school. I called her

the very next day and said what are you doing, and she

said, well its summer...

After some talking, Warren convinced Linda to go on

a date with him to Berterand Island, an amusement park

near Lake Hopatcong.

It was love at first sight

for him, she said. For me,

it was the son of my junior

high school principal.

The two started dating

before junior year during the

summer of 1975.

We went to senior prom

together, but Ill be honest, I

had dumped him before

that, she said. Before we

were even dating in high

school, he said he wanted to

ask me to senior prom. Even

though we broke up I didnt

break my promise.

During high school,

Warren and Linda had a

tumultuous relationshipa

fact that was well known

amongst friends.

At the bands Christmas Dance (now known as the

formal) seniors always get gifts from Santa, said Linda.

We were given the record Breaking Up is Hard to do.

Our reputation preceeded us... it was the typical type of

high school sweetheart relationship. I hate you, no, I

hate you. Senior year, I felt, and it was more me, that

we needed to explore different avenues to see if it was

really true love.

And as seniors in high school, Warren and Linda

went their separate ways. It would be more than two

years before they reconnected again.

My dad had left CCMS and was principal of School

3. Every spring, hed take the third grade class on a

field trip. Theyd get on at Clifton Blvd., take the train,

take the ferry over to Manhattan, he said. I was a

chaperone, and I was working the night shift at the time.

I got off of work at 7 am and I was going to meet my

dad at the train station.

Driving on Paulison Ave., Warren ended up crossing

paths with his old flame.

I was on my way to the train station and she was on

the way to work. We had not so much as crossed paths

in two years, said Warren of the meeting which took

place in May 1979. A month later, I am at a grad party

for a friend of mine that lived up the street... and Linda

shows up with a girlfriend and

she came up to me and said

hello.

That brief encounter was all

that was needed to rekindle

their relationship. Early the

next morning, Warren and

Linda set out for Point

Pleasant together and caught

the sunrise. Almost a year

later, they were engaged on

May 21, 1980. On July 11,

1981, the couple was married.

I bought the diamond at

Lackis on Van Houten, he

said.

He already put a deposit on

that diamond in December,

added Linda. The Oreys

would go on to have two chil-

dren. Their son Doug, a 25

year old musician, currently

lives in Boston and was profiled by the CliftonMerchant in Aug. 2010 while he was living in Clifton.Daughter Michelle, 27, is a teacher in Manhattan.

Though the couple is originally from Clifton, they

left the region to pursue job opportunities in Fredrick,

Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC, where the

Oreys eventually stayed to raise their children. Warren

was originally with Hilton Hotels and is now in the

radio business. Linda is the executive assistant for the

Director of Transportation of Fredrick County Public

Schools, where she has been for 18 years.

My mom and dad still live on Highview Dr., said

Warren. All of our family is up in the New York, New

Jersey area, so as soon as the opportunity permits, we

will be back up since theres nothing like Hot Grill and

White Castle.


Love Stories

When she first met Clifton Police Officer John Burkein November 1979, attraction was the furthest thingfrom Cathy Latteris mind. Instead, she was more

focused on making sure the person who just hit her new

car was brought to justice.

I had an accident at the corner of Clifton Ave. and

Lakeview. I was coming from my dads restaurant, The

Dayton Restaurant, where I worked, she recalled. A

young kid in a pick up truck threw a bottle out the win-

dow. He had been drinking and when he did that he lost

control of the truck and slammed into my new car... then

he lost control a second time and smashed right into the

front end of my car.

The two pulled into the gas station at the corner and

not long after, a cop car arrived with John and another

officer inside.

He showed up with his partner and I was a raving

lunatic. I felt he should have gone into the middle of the

street and retrieved the bottle, laughed Cathy. He just

kept on telling me, Go talk to my partner, go talk to my

partner. That was just getting me all the more angry.

I said to her that Im just driving, hes writing the

report. Go talk to him, recalled John with a laugh.

Cathy almost found herself in trouble when she was

unable to find the proper documents for her car when

John asked for them.

Cathy and John Burke

Five-O... In Pursuit of LoveBy Joe Hawrylko


Love Stories

And as a usual, typical woman, in the glove com-

partment are all the expired insurance cards. I must

have had 15 in there, she said. And then I start get-

ting nervous, I know its in here and he starts pulling this

attitude.

Later on that night, a

friend, also a cop in anoth-

er town, advised Cathy to

go file a complaint the next

day at City Hall.

I had firm resolve

going in there and Im

almost at the chiefs door,

but who comes walking

down the hallway, she

laughed. He was so sweet

I couldnt go through with

it and I kind of turned

around and walked out.

Cathy suddenly found

herself constantly thinking

about John, and pressured her friend, Kenny DalPos, a

beat cop in Botany Village, for more information.

However, she assumed that was the last she had seen of

John. But just a few weeks later, fate brought him down

to Botany Village.

One evening, an alarm went off at the jewelery store

next door to The Dayton Restaurant. Cops cleared the

building, but the owner could not be contacted, and John

went inside to see if they

knew the owner.

The minute he walked

in, I was like, here we go

again, Cathy recalled.

But when he came in, he

was just so very sweet to

my mother. I just kind of

melted so to speak and

then I couldnt let it go

after that.

This time, she got

Johns address from

Kenny and went to leave a

note on his car, only to

realize a few weeks later

that she had placed it on an identical car on the same

street. Cathy then tried a more direct approach, going

through Kenny.

John and Cathy Burke, with their daughter, Erin, in a recentphotograph. Cathy is a history teacher at ChristopherColumbus, and John is a retired lieutenant in the CPD.

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Check with your Cable Provider

for Other Listings


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I wrote my name and number on a paper and gave it

to him, she recalled. But then his wife found the num-

ber in his pocket and then Kenny comes to me and says

that Ive got to explain it to her because shes not going

to believe me.

After many hang ups in trying to contact John, he

finally got the message and the two went on their first

date on Dec. 7.

We went on our first date to New York City to see

the tree, said Cathy. That night I happened to mention

I had season tickets to the Giants, and that in my heart

of hearts is what got him. Plus, my father owning a

restaurant.

I only tell her that part of the story when I want to

harass her, John added.

Both Cathy and John had previously been married,

which made them approach the new relationship in such

a way that they easily connected.

We both knew what we were looking for, said

John. I was madly in love. At the beginning, there was

a miscommunication, I didnt even know about the

things with Kenny at first. Our relationship started off

slow, but once we went out, I think I fell in love with her

that night.

Sensing that he had found his true love, John wasted

no time and proposed on Nov. 6, 1980, exactly a year to

the day of the accident. He said were going to see my

mother, hurry up, hurry up, she recalled. On the way,

John stopped at the same gas station that he met Cathy.

He stopped the car, handed me the accident report and

reached in the back seat and he had a box all wrapped

up with a ring in it.

Just a year later, the two were wed on April 25, 1981.

However, in those early years, married life was some-

times difficult. At the time, Clifton officers worked

rotating shifts, and Johns hours were unpredictable.

Cathy worked as a teacher, and was also studying for

her Masters, But the two agree that the early adversity

helped build their relationship, create understanding and

made them appreciate each other and personal space.

What it all boils down to is what we agreed upon a

long time ago, said John. People get married and its

for life. Somehow that becomes a stumbling block. We

said were getting married for 100 years with the option

to renew.

I think the best compliment my daughter has given

us is that she hopes she can find herself in a relationship

like the two of us have one day, said Cathy.

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Love Stories

More than 20 years ago, as a young gay man,Courtney Coleman was cautioned by a friend not to

worry about trying to change everyones perception

of his sexual orientation. He told me to just live my

life with integrity and truth, Coleman said. That

advice became my driving force.

While growing up, Coleman, now 45, lived with

his parents and two siblings in California and

Hawaii before the family moved to Washington

State.

After graduating from high school, he attend-

ed culinary arts school in Seattle and landed a

job for Exxon, cooking on ocean-going tugboats.

After a few years, he was transferred by the

company to a position based out of New York.

Coleman and his dad packed up his car with

all his belongings and two cats, and drove

across country, where he settled in North

Haledon.

It was a bit of culture shock for me when I

arrived, he said. The East Coast was complete-

ly alien to me, but the job worked out well, so I

stayed.

About a year-and-a-half after starting his new posi-

tion, Coleman was laid off. He worked a few odd jobs

here and there for a while, but he felt unsettled. I

wasnt having much success with dating and meeting

people, so I planned to go back to Seattle, he said.

Then, in June 1994, Coleman met Russell

Schneider at an event sponsored by a gay social net-

working organization. The group arranged gatherings

at private homes to enable gays to meet in places

other than bars.

We went out on a couple of dates and really hit it

off, Coleman said. I called my dad and told him

that I met someone and that I decided not to come

back home.

Russ Schneider & Courtney Coleman

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Love Stories

Coleman had come out to his family in his early 20s,

so his father knew that the special someone to whom he

was referring was another man.

Eleven years older than Coleman, Schneider, now

56, had grown up and lived most of his life in Clifton

in a home attached to his parents Clifton Ave. floral

business, Schneiders Flowers.

After graduating from CHS, he attended Baldwin-

Wallace College in Ohio and, upon completing his

bachelors degree, took a job in the schools admissions

office, where he stayed for another four years. In 1981,

he returned home to take an administrative job with the

Chamber of Commerce and continued to work for the

Chamber in various positions for 18 years.

Before meeting Coleman, Schneider had previously

been in a seven-year relationship that had ended. It was

during that time, when he was about 28 that he came

out to his family.

It had become pretty obvious to them, he said. I

think most already knew or assumed that I was gay, but

it was hard for me to actually come out to them.

Eight months after they met, Coleman and Schneider

decided to solidify their growing relationship with a

service of unity. They flew out to Seattle for the cere-

mony, which was held in a Unitarian church on

February 19, 1995.

It was at a time before the passage of laws in some

states allowing civil unions or gay marriage, so the cou-

ple only received a Certificate of Holy Union from the

church. It had no meaning under the law, Coleman

said, but it meant a lot to us.

About 30 family members and close friends of the

couple attended the service, and Colemans brother

served as best man.

Among those not attending was his father. I knew

that he loved me and wanted me to be happy, so I just

had to accept his decision not to come, Coleman said.

At first, his mother also said that she would not attend,

but surprised him when she showed up and walked him

down the isle. That was pretty cool, he said.

Coleman also received a number of hurtful replies

from extended family members he invited who not only

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t

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m

s

y

declined the invitation, but also sent

notes expressing their disgust with

the idea of a gay union.

Most disappointing to Coleman,

though, was the absence of everyone

from Schneiders family. He didnt

invite them, Coleman said. I didnt

think that was fair.

For Schneider, it was a difficult

decision to exclude his family, but at

the time, he said, he just didnt feel

comfortable with telling them about

the ceremony.

When the couple returned home,

Coleman framed a photo of them

walking down the isle together and

proudly displayed it in their home.

As the laws in New Jersey

changed, the couple later entered

into a legal domestic partnership and

on April 22, 2007, they renewed

their vows again in a civil union

service. This time, 120 of their

friends and family members from

both sides attended the ceremony.

During the early years of their

partnership, Schneider continued in

his job with the Chamber of

Commerce and Coleman got a job

working for Nordstrom, first in sales

and later in management and human

resources.

In 1998, they took over the floral

business, which was being run at the

time by Schneiders mother and sis-

ter-in-law after the deaths of his

father and later his brother.

On a wing and a prayer I learned

how to do flower arranging,

Coleman said. We bought into the

business on the assumption that I

could learn to do this. It wasnt as

easy as I first thought.

Hes actually very good at it,

Schneider chimed in. Hes has a

very good eye. Its not something

that I could do.

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Love Stories

Instead, Schneider has always handled the financial

and marketing end of the business, while Colemans

role has been the creative one.

The downturn of the economy has taken its toll on

many small businesses, including the floral business, so

a few years ago, the couple started looking for jobs that

one or both of them could do to supplement their

income.

Coleman started working a few days a week prepar-

ing meals for another gay couple. That has since

expanded into a more full-time role, which includes

cleaning and planning parties for the couple at their

home. Schneider sometimes helps out as well.

Coleman continues to assist the full-time designer at

the floral shop with flower arrangements on the week-

ends, so the couple leads a very hectic life.

In their free time, they like getting together with

friends, many of whom they know through their

church, or going to the theater. Weve always pretty

much been homebodies, Schneider said.

Schneider is active in town in the Rotary Club and

serves on the Board of Directors at the Boys & Girls

Club. Coleman often accompanies him to dinners and

fundraisers for the organizations.

We also do a lot with family, Coleman added. My

relationship with Russ gave me a wonderful extended

family, which I enjoy a lot.

Coleman and Schneider recently rented out their

own home to move in with and help watch over

Schneiders 90-year-old mother. It has worked out

very well for all of us, Coleman said.

Over the years, the couple admits that theyve had a

few tiffs, but they usually get along very well and com-

plement each other.

Housework and chores, for instance.

Coleman does almost all the cooking, while

Schneider, whom both describe as the fussier one, han-

dles the cleaning.

He does the things that I cant do, like throwing a

great party, Schneider said of his partner. He knows

how to make people feel comfortable. I was never good

at that; Ive always been the shy one.

Coleman responded, Im more outgoing, but he

keeps me grounded. I have a tendency to go off in five

different directions, but he pulls me back in. Its a good

balance. He makes me feel comfortable in my own

skin.

In their younger years together, Coleman and

Schneider discussed the possibility of adopting chil-

dren, but decided against it.

Theres a lot of stress in raising children and being

in the minority group of being gay is stressful enough,

Schneider said. That was true even more so 18 years

ago when we first met.

We have a great relationship with our nieces and

nephews, Coleman said. Weve been a big part of

their lives.

Asked what they else they want people to know

about their partnership, Coleman and Schneider

stressed that they have the same hopes and dreams as

heterosexual couples.

Were just two guys who love each other and have

been faithful to each other for a long time, Schneider

said.

Being gay is not a choice, Coleman added. The

only choice is to live it out or live it in the closet. Weve

chosen to live our lives in truth as contributing mem-

bers of the community.

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Instead, Schneider has always handled the financial

and marketing end of the business, while Colemans

role has been the creative one.

The downturn of the economy has taken its toll on

many small businesses, including the floral business, so

a few years ago, the couple started looking for jobs that

one or both of them could do to supplement their

income.

Coleman started working a few days a week prepar-

ing meals for another gay couple. That has since

expanded into a more full-time role, which includes

cleaning and planning parties for the couple at their

home. Schneider sometimes helps out as well.

Coleman continues to assist the full-time designer at

the floral shop with flower arrangements on the week-

ends, so the couple leads a very hectic life.

In their free time, they like getting together with

friends, many of whom they know through their

church, or going to the theater. Weve always pretty

much been homebodies, Schneider said.

Schneider is active in town in the Rotary Club and

serves on the Board of Directors at the Boys & Girls

Club. Coleman often accompanies him to dinners and

fundraisers for the organizations.

We also do a lot with family, Coleman added. My

relationship with Russ gave me a wonderful extended

family, which I enjoy a lot.

Coleman and Schneider recently rented out their

own home to move in with and help watch over

Schneiders 90-year-old mother. It has worked out

very well for all of us, Coleman said.

Over the years, the couple admits that theyve had a

few tiffs, but they usually get along very well and com-

plement each other.

Housework and chores, for instance.

Coleman does almost all the cooking, while

Schneider, whom both describe as the fussier one, han-

dles the cleaning.

He does the things that I cant do, like throwing a

great party, Schneider said of his partner. He knows

how to make people feel comfortable. I was never good

at that; Ive always been the shy one.

Coleman responded, Im more outgoing, but he

keeps me grounded. I have a tendency to go off in five

different directions, but he pulls me back in. Its a good

balance. He makes me feel comfortable in my own

skin.

In their younger years together, Coleman and

Schneider discussed the possibility of adopting chil-

dren, but decided against it.

Theres a lot of stress in raising children and being

in the minority group of being gay is stressful enough,

Schneider said. That was true even more so 18 years

ago when we first met.

We have a great relationship with our nieces and

nephews, Coleman said. Weve been a big part of

their lives.

Asked what they else they want people to know

about their partnership, Coleman and Schneider

stressed that they have the same hopes and dreams as

heterosexual couples.

Were just two guys who love each other and have

been faithful to each other for a long time, Schneider

said.

Being gay is not a choice, Coleman added. The

only choice is to live it out or live it in the closet. Weve

chosen to live our lives in truth as contributing mem-

bers of the community.


Love Stories

Roland Krygsman with his wife of59 years, Lena. Below is the coverof his book, A Boy From Flakkee.

Meet Krygsman at a book signingand for coffee and conversation on Feb. 11 from 1 to 3:30 pm

at ANT Book Store, near the intersection of

Clifton and Main Aves.

In 84 years, Roland Krygsman has lived

through The Great Depression, the German

occupation of The Netherlands and an emi-

gration to America in 1955. These memories

and more can be found in his book, which is

now on sale. Recently, we spoke with Roland

to get some of his thoughts and opinion on a

number of topics...

Pearls of Wisdomfrom a Boy from Flakkee


Pearls of Wisdomfrom a Boy from Flakkee

What makes a marriage last?

Ill tell ya... honesty and love. The most impor-

tant thing is love, through all things good and bad.

You stay together and show genuine love and that

overcomes everything in the world. Sometimes you

have situations in your life where you dont know

whether to turn left or right and the best thing to

do is to take the middle way, which is mostly the

honest way. If youve done something wrong, be

honest about it. If youve hurt someone, make up

for it. Theres way too much hate in this world. If

they can turn that hate into love, the situation

would be 100 percent better.

What are you doing for Valentines Day

Weve got nothing special planned. Its just

another day. We live from day to day, do our week-

ly shopping, watch a little television and talk about

the good old days with my wife. It sounds simple

but it is beautiful. Simply beautiful...

Tell us of your scariest moment?

When the dikes broke on Feb. 1, 1953. We had a

very bad storm and the water kept on rising and ris-

ing on a Saturday night. The dike watchmen were

alerted, but no one expected that water would come

so high that the dikes just washed away. Whole vil-

lages and farms were flooded. That was the most

dangerous time in my life, more dangerous than the

war. I was celebrating my future wifes birthday

she was born Jan. 31and I came on motorbike to

her home. She lived about 10 miles away. It was a

big struggle to keep it on the road due to the strong

winds. Afterwards, I was planning on going home

but her father said youre not going home in this

weather. I went to move my motorcycle to safety

and I got surprised by a big wall of water that came

from no where after the dikes broke. I was caught

on top of the road by the dike in the middle of the

night, pitch dark, in a big storm with rising waters.

Recall your happiest moment?

When I first saw my girlfriend Lena again after

being separated for three days following the flood.

The reunion was in Rotterdam, in a big hall where all

the evacuees were. I was brought in on a stretch-

er because I was in the water for so long that I

couldnt walk anymore. My legs were swollen to

twice their size. I woke up the next morning and my

lovely Lena came over. She was there helping

everyone and I had the surprise of my life.

What role does religion play in your life?

Religion plays a big role. All of the religions, they

all tell you to believe in God and God tells you to

love each other and to help each other, not hate

each other and shoot and kill and all that violence.

You put that teaching and what your parents taught

you, love your fellow human being and try to help

them all you can with deeds or words and youll

come a lot further in this world.

What was the most important day in your life?

Surviving the war. When it ended, we were all

together. Many were missing. Fathers, sons or

even whole families that were wiped out by bombs.

But we survived without a scratch. We were hun-

gry, but we made it. No more fear of being bombed

at night. No more fear of being arrested by the

German SS. No more fear...

How did the Depression shape your life?

We were not the only ones who were poor.

About three fourths of the town was as well, we

had no jobs or no food. The men usually worked on

the farms in the summer and in the winter, there

was no work. They were unemployed and there was

no welfare. You had to help each other with what-

ever. If you had one loaf of bread, youd try to

divide it between many more people than you usu-

ally do. One slice of bread is better than none at all.

It wasnt generosity. It was a question of surviving.

If you knew the people next door had a big family

with young children and no food, and you were

lucky enough to have potatoes or vegetables, you

did whatever you could to help your neighbor.

Over your decades, how has Clifton changed?

Dutch Hill has no more Dutch people! Theres

now mostly Spanish families in the area. Like us

Dutch, some are good and some are bad. But in the

end, we all want to be loved... Life is simple!


How Can You Help?

ATTEND A FUNDRAISER:Feb. 17, 2012 5 - 10 pm

Kick Off Nightat Bliss

March 16, 2012

Pub Night Fundraiserat Pub 46

May 6, 2012 4 - 8pm

Pasta Dinner at The Boys & Girls Clubof Clifton

BUY A RAFFLE TICKET:Win a TV or a Bike

MAKE A CONTRIBUTION: Officer John Kavakich973-470-5897

Tom Hawrylko973-253-4400

Our 16 man team leaving Clifton on May 9 in thePolice Unity Tour has an arduous task ahead ofthem... besides the 300 mile bicycle trek toWashington D.C., the group must also raise more than$28,000 to help build a monument and museum in thenations Capitol.

The Police Unity Tour is an annual bike ride toWashington D.C. in memory of fallen officers. Nearly19,000 cops have given their lives in the line of duty,and their names are etched on the National Law Enforcement OfficersMonument and Memorial in Washington D.C.

Each name represents a sad story of an officer from across the U.S.killed in the line of duty, including Clifton Police Officer John Samra, whodied in the line of duty on Nov. 21, 2003.

Go to www.policeunitytour.com for details or www.cliftonpba36.com.To help out, call Clifton Police Officer John Kavakich at 973-470-5897 orTom Hawrylko at 973-253-4400.

Meet us at Bliss on Feb. 17 to kick off the 2012 Police Unity Tour

We Ride for Those Who Have Died


Worth over $500No monetary value. Winner has option of male or female bicycle.

Proceeds from these raffles benefit CliftonPBA members who participate in the 2012Police Unity Tour. This annual 300 mile

bicycle ride leaves NJ on May 9 in an effort

to raise awareness of police officers who

have died in the line of duty and to raise

funds for the National Law Enforcement

Officers Memorial. The group must raise

$28,000 and asks the community to support

the effort by purchasing raffle tickets or

sending a donation.

To purchase tickets, call Clifton

Police Officer John Kavakich at

973-470-5897, or via e-mail sgt-at-

[email protected] or call

Tom Hawrylko at 973-253-4400.

Both Drawings to be held on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 8 pm at the Clifton PBA 36 Unity Tour Pasta Dinner

We Ride for Those Who Have Died

55 ToshibaValue: $2600

42 Sharp Value: $700

201-636-23558 Franklin Pl., Rutherford


Love Stories

If it were a movie poster, the tale of Sylvia and AlexisSainz may scream: The American Dream & Coming toAmerica. Sainz, whose family came from Mexico in

1992 when she was just 10 years old, had to return to

their native country in 1998 as punishment for overstay-

ing their Visaa penance that would ultimately grant

them the coveted Green Card.

While she was initially upset that she was forced to

move from the country she was raised in, Sylvias

despair soon turned into elation when she met the young

boy in a computer class at a local school who would

later become her husband.

I was going to pay my tuition and I turn around I see

him and hes grabbing this girls leg, she recalled. She

was in my class and she introduced me to him later. In

the beginning, he didnt think I liked him and I didnt

think he liked me.

Sylvias cousin ultimately passed along the world to

Alexis, who then proceeded to break the ice.

He came up to me and asked me to marry him. He

gave me a lollipop, she laughed. And instead of me

giving him an answer, he gave me a kiss. And we start-

ed dating from there.

Right from the start, Sylvia and Alexis dealt with

adversity in their relationship. Shortly after meeting,

Sylvias moved to the state of Morelos, nearly four

hours away from Toluca, where Alexis lived.

Wed call each other every day and he used to visit

every two weeks, she recalled.

The relationship continued in this manner for six

months until Sylvias immigration documents were

finalized and she returned to the United States.

We didnt see each other for about six more months.

Everyone was like, oh, youre not going to last, long dis-

tance relationships dont last, she recalled. My phone

bill started to get really expensive. It was $1,000 that

first month.

That first bill prompted Sylvia to get a job at the

Midtown Grill so she could keep in contact with Alexis,

while he prepared to leave his family and move to

America to be with her.

He had to beg his parents for all the papers to come

up here, she said. He had broken his leg just before

he was supposed to come, and kept the cast on only for

20 days because he didnt want to wait.

The Sainz family: Alexis, Alexis Jr., Sylvia and Johan.

Alexis and Sylvia Sainz

Finding Love & The American DreamBy Joe Hawrylko


Love Stories

Alexis arrived in Clifton in

February 1999, and began living

with Sylvia.

I was in high school and I was

working. I gave birth to my son in

April 2000 and then I graduated that

same year, said Sylvia, who attend-

ed night school while working to

make sure she could graduate on

time. After I got off the field, he

proposed in front of everyone.

But growing up so fast immediate-

ly created troubles for the young cou-

ple. When I gave birth to my first

son, Alexis, I had $35 in my bank

account. And on the way to pick me

up at St. Joes, he got a flat tire and

had to spend that money, recalled

Sylvia. Youre young and you think

life is easy. When something like

that happens, you realize it really

isnt. I went from teenager to parent,

and I didnt have the learning

process. The first three years were

very hard. We worked it out by set-

ting goals. I put up the goals and he

gives me the support. Thats why

weve accomplished goals together.

Everything is because he helped me.

The couple worked long hours in

the early years, holding multiple jobs

to make ends meet, and Sylvia went

to school for medical billing to get a

better job. Gradually, their plans and

goals began to flesh out.

After saving their money for sev-

eral years, Sylvia and Alexis put

themselves in the position to have

the wedding they had always

dreamed of.

Ours was really small, she

recalled. The couple was wed on

April 1, 2001. We didnt have any

money and we didnt have a party.

We went to a buffet after with just

my family.

But those plans were put on hold

when, one day after school, Alexis,

asked his mother why they still lived

with grandma.

Its the American Dream to own

a house, she said. When our kids

asked, we wanted to provide them

with that dream.

After pooling together their

money, and with help from her

mother, Sylvia, the couple closed on

their first house on Aug. 18, 2011.

My mom, she supported us a

lot in the beginning. The kids were

so excited, she recalled. The

kids were the ones who opened the

house and they started screaming.

It is our dream house. Its not big,

but it is a good size, with a finished

basement, hardwood floors and its

near the park. I think this house is

meant for us.

I think we became very good

friends, she said. We always told

each other the truth. In the begin-

ning, it was a bit of a challenge. No

one thought we were going to last.


Love Stories

When Martha Seminario Llong came to America inMarch of 1995, it was supposed to be a one month tripto New Jersey to help prepare her thesis on designing

toys for children with physical disabilities.

I came with $60 in my pocket. My friend lent me the

money for the ticket, recalled the graduate of the

Catholic University of Peru. It was supposed to be an

adventure trip and Id come home in a month. Go make

a couple of bucks, do my research and go home.

But those plans quickly changed once Martha settled

down in Montvale with her sponsor family, the

Diamonds. Unable to find jobs in her intended field, she

extended her stay, which later stretched to six months

after two of her friends were involved in a serious acci-

dent, Martha volunteered to help with their care.

But even after all of the unexpected hiccups, Martha

was steadfast in her decision to return home to Peru until

the day she met a worker who had come to install a wall

unit in the Diamond home. It was the day after Labor

Day in 1995, recalled Ken. We went to install a custom

wall unit and thats when I met Martha.

The two struck up a friendly conversation over a cab-

inet that Martha used to store her possessions.

He came back the next day and Mrs. Diamond

(Mindy) was so concerned that I didnt go out for all of

those months that I was there, she said. At the end of

the second day, Ken asked for Marthas number. She

told him that I never go out, and shes like go, go, go!

However, after that first date, Martha and Kens rela-

tionship was kept to the phones, as she tried to keep her

distance since the plan to return to Peru was still in place.

In December, Ken returned to the Diamond household to

repair a cabinet and was surprised to see Martha, who

once again extended her stay.

Going clockwise: Martha and Ken on their honeymoon, the couple at their wedding on June 27, 1997 and at Machu Picchu.

please turn to page 52

Ken and Martha McGowan

Pursuing Dreams... and LoveBy Joe Hawrylko


1301

Brothers Don and Rich Knapp

We now doGutter Cleaning Roofing Siding Gutters & Leaders Windows

We are the sons of the found

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R.F. Knapp Construction, a family

owned business founded in Clifton

nearly 50 years ago. Since the beginning,

we have been using Alcoa Siding prod-

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We specialize in roofing, siding, gutters,

leaders and windows. Give us a call and

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Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin

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Tom Siso, Sr.

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Frances Rosado

Gina Torres

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Pub 46

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St. Marys Hospital

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Passaic County Community College

Passaic County Elks Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center


Love Stories

I asked him what he was doing for New Years Eve and

he said he didnt do much, so I was thinking that hes

ditching me, she recalled. He said why dont we go

out Saturday and then he asked me for a Christmas kiss

and that was the beginning of the end!

Sixth months later, Martha moved in with Ken in July

1996. I really began to integrate into the American cul-

ture, she said. I started learning about football too.

Actually, our first date was all about football. I taught

him about soccer and he taught me about football.

But a new immigration law that was to go into effect

in August 1997 hung over the relationship. If Martha

were to return home as intended, she was not able to

come back to America for 10 years.

I said to him I like you very much, but you dont

want to stay with someone that cant go ahead, she said.

And then he just says dont go, lets get married. No

kneeling, no ring, no love story, just dont go and lets get

married. I said, are you serious? And he said yes. But

the problem was that we had to tell our parents.

Marthas family was already unhappy that she had

stayed for so long and was living with her boyfriend out

of marriage, and Kens parents were still recovering

from the surprise of their son showing up with a steady

girlfriend at the regular McGowan Sunday dinner just a

month prior when they revealed their plans.

We had to get married in three months and the first

thing everyone thought was that I was pregnant, she

laughed. The pastors at St. Andrews Church where the

couple attended and planned to marry were also unsure

of what to make of it, and only accepted their intentions

as legitimate after Mr. Diamond vouched for the couple,

who were wed on June 27, 1997.

Marthas mother, Sara Llong, and some relatives did

make it up from Peru to meet her husband at the ceremo-

ny, as did Marthas penpal of 16 years, Gina

SunderPalssmann Weiland, who flew in from Germany

to meet Martha for the first time. Eventually, the Ken

and Martha did make it down to Peru to visit Marthas

large and diverse family that could not make the trip.

Its like the United Nations, laughed Ken. Marthas

family includes people of Peruvian, Chinese, French,

Dutch, Spanish, Chilean and Argentinian backgrounds.

When Ken and Martha welcomed their two children into

the world a few years later, the briefly considered vari-

ous traditional names from their backgrounds before set-

tling on two choices that had a more significant meeting.

Y means and in Spanish, so Kym was for Ken and

Marthano more discussion there, she laughed.

Patrick was because he loves St. Patricks Day. On our

first St. Patricks Day, we joked that if we had a son, his

name would be Patrick. Kym, 10, and Patrick, 7, both

attend St. Andrews School, where their mother has been

a fixture eve since coming to this country.

She does everything but park the cars in the parking

lot, laughed Ken. Martha has volunteered for numerous

positions, and worked for some time as an art teacher.

She said her friend and fellow parishioner, Rosemary

Trinkle Baran, is the one who got her involved in the

church community. She was my sponsor when I first

came to St. Andrews, recalled Martha. The best part

is Im very involved with my kids school.

However, her involvement at the parish has been put

on hold recently, as Martha pursues the thing that

brought her to America in the first place: her Masters in

industrial design. Though she has freelanced in the field

over the past decade, Martha took a break and has been

taking courses online at the Academy of Art University

in San Francisco, and will graduate this coming fall.

Its never too late to pursue your dreams, smiled

Martha. Im 45I still have plenty of time.

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Clifton Merchant Magazine - February 2012

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Transcript of Clifton Merchant Magazine - February 2012