Clifton Merchant Magazine - February 2014

Clifton Merchant • February 2014 3

February 2014 • Clifton Merchant4

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Contributing WritersRichard Szathmary

Domenick RedaCarol Leonard Jack DeVries

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Table of Contents

The Zelenka’s AdventureWildlife at their Rosemawr Home

The Frugal YaremkoJazz Guy is a Savvy Shopper

The Barans of RichfieldThey are a Valentine Trio

Lakeview’s SotambasSweetness at Home & Work

Robin Hood Park, 1964The Kocsis & Schmidt Chemistry

Hunkele on the DiamondLove Found on Eddie Mayo Field

What’s Inside?

Krygsmans are FlyingSilky Music in this Marriage

6

10

14

20

28

34

40

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Three Clifton PoetsWin Ginsberg Awards

Sculpture Park GrowsOld Metal, New Designs

Arts, Culture, EventsGet Out & Enjoy Clifton

Happy 100th Birthday Helen Braviak Horack

Clifton B-Ball HistoryOur NBA Hall of Famer

44

58

63

68

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On Valentine’s Day eve, Laura Zelenka will be pack-ing her bags. No,� she’s� not� bailing� on� her� 42-year-marriage�to�husband�Gerald.��

Their�marriage�is�strong�and�things�are�stable�at�their

Rosemawr� home—despite� managing� a� menagerie� of

animals�in�their�basement,�taking�care�of�aging�parents

and�helping�out�with�some�babysitting�for� their�almost

3-year-old�granddaughter�Isabel.�

From� Feb.� 15� to� 22,� Laura�will� be� using� vacation

days�from�her�job�teaching�4th�and�5th�grade�science�in

West� New�York� so� she� can� volunteer� her� time� at� an

orphanage�in�Haiti�as�part�of�Free�the�Kids.��

This�somewhat�solo�excursion�fits�into�their�marriage

well.��That�is�because�she�and�Jerry�(whom�readers�may

remember� as� a� longtime� CHS�Science� teacher)�have

shared�an�adventurous�life.��

They� and� their� kids� (Michael� 36,� Chrissy� 33,� and

John� 26)� have� spent� summers� on� cross� country� trips,

camping�in�Canada�and�on�frequent�wildlife�vacations.

Before�kids,�Jerry�and�Laura�backpacked�across�Alaska

and� driven� the� Alcan� Highway� there� before� it� was

paved.�Then�there�is�his�solo�wildlife�photography�trips

which�have� taken� Jerry� across� the�globe.�Add� to� that

her�volunteer�excursions�and�Laura�and�Gerald�seem�to

be�trotting�off�to�different�ends�of�the�globe.��

So�how�do�they�make�their�marriage�work?

“The�secret� is�we�spend� time� together�but�we�give

each�other�enough�space�to�grow,”�she�explained.�“We

travel� a� lot� together� but� sometimes� one� of� us� stays

home�to�maintain�the�critters.”

The�critters�she�speaks�of�is�literally�a�basement�full

of�birds,�lizards,�snakes�and�other�furry,�slimy�and�cud-

dly�creatures.�For�over�30�years,�the�Zelenkas�have�been

bringing�animals�into�homes�and�other�public�spaces�so

people�of�all�ages�can�see�wildlife�up�close�and�person-

al�as�part�of�their�Touch�of�Nature�Animal�Show.��

“Our�family�works�in�the�nature�show,�I�support�his

photography�trips�and�he’s�really�good�about�all�that�I

want�to�do,”�she�said.��“It�works�both�ways.”

Much� like� her�marriage,� Laura� said� she� has� to� be

flexible�for�this�excursion�with�Free�the�Kids.��To�get

medically�ready�for�her�trip,�Laura�has�been�receiving

a�series�of�immunizations�and�taking�a�regimen�of�pills

to�ward�off�typhoid�and�malaria.

Then�there�is�the�packing�and�planning�for�her�time

at�the�orphanage.��Not�only�does�she�and�her�traveling

partners�have�to�each�spend�about�$1,500�of�their�own

money� to� get� to� Les� Cayef,�Haiti,� but� they�will� also

bring�along�10�computers,�household�items,�hair�clip-

pers,�clothing,�flips�flops�and�Crocs.��

“I� get� it� back� in� a� different� way,”� she� said.

“Volunteering�is�a�very�rewarding�way�to�spend�some�of

your�life.��It�gives�a�greater�sense�of�purpose�other�then

simply� existing.”� Last� year,� Laura� went� with� another

group�to�South�Africa�to�work�in�an�AIDS�hospice.��

For�the�last�few�Wednesday�evenings,�she�and�other

fellow�travellers�have�been�meeting�for�elementary�les-

sons�in�Creole,�the�French-based�language�of�Haiti.��“A

lot� of� the� people� there� speak� English� but� we� practice

common�phrases,�hello�and�thank�you.”

Different Directions, Same AdventureBy Tom Hawrylko

Laura and Gerald Zelenka


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What�drives�Laura�to�this�volun-

teer� mission?� “I’ve� been� blessed

with� three�wonderful�kids,�so� I�am

giving�back�to�those�less�fortunate.

It� deepens� my� own� spiritual� and

personal�growth,”�she�said.�“Seeing

kids�who�have�no�shoes�gives�you�a

greater� appreciation� of� what� we

have�in�America.”

One� of� the� waivers� she� signed

made�a�point�of�the�need�to�be�flexi-

ble.� � In� the�mornings� they�may� be

working�with� toddlers.� �Afternoons

teaching� elementary� children

English�and�Science.��But�that�may

all�change�when�they�hit�the�ground.��

“We�will�be�setting�up�computers.��We�are�bringing�cur-

tains�so�there’s�kitchen�duty�too.��If�they�need�us�to�paint

or�work�in�the�garden,�that�is�what�we�do,”�she�said.��“We

go�with�a�leap�of�faith�and�you�put�it�in�God’s�hands.”�

While�she�and� the�family�attend� liturgy�and�receive

sacraments�at�both�St.�Andrew’s�and�St.�Philip’s�here�in

Clifton,� Free�The�Kids� is� an� outreach� program� of� the

Glen�Ridge�Congregational�Church.��

Free�The�Kids� is� a�non-

denominational,� non-sec-

tarian� foundation.� � Its�mis-

sion� is� to� alleviate� the

effects� of� poverty� on� the

youth� of� southern�Haiti� by

providing�a�home�for�some

450�orphaned�and�vulnera-

ble�children,�aged�9�months

to� 20� years,� with� another

150� non-residents� depend-

ent�for�food�and�clothing.��

When� she� returns� to

Clifton,� Gerald� may� be

headed�off�to�a�photo�trip�in

Florida.� �Laura� says� that� is

how�their�marriage�works:�give�a�little,�take�a�little.��

“A�marriage�is�never�equally�half�and�half.��Sometimes

you�can�feel�you�give�more�and�more�and�then�you�turn

around�and�you�get�and�get,”�she�explained.�“That�what

make�for�a�strong�partnership.”�

To�learn�more�about�the�mission�or�contribute�to�the

Free�The�Kids,�go�to�freethekids.org�or�write�to�Laura�at

[email protected].

The Zelenka kids atop Grand Teton,Wyoming: John, Christine, Michael.


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For Valentine’s Day, jazz musician Craig Yaremko and his wifeAndrea will lay low. “We�dont�buy�into�the�commercial�factor�of�theday,”� said�Yaremko,�who,� along�with� his� bride,�Andrea�McNamara,

was�named�the�1997�CHS�Class�Couple.��“In�fact,�I�go�out�the�day�after

and�buy�flowers�and�chocolates�when�it’s�a�lot�cheaper.”

Yaremko,�who� is�also� the�director�of� the� instrumental�music�pro-

gram�at�a�middle�school�in�River�Vale,�has�a�reason�for�his�frugality.��

“We�are�expecting�our�first�child,�a�little�girl,�at�the�end�of�March.

What�can�I�say?��I�am�a�hard�working�jazz�musician.”��Yaremko,�who

earned� his� chops� as� a� Marching� Mustang,� got� his� M.A.� in� Music

Education�from�Montclair�State�University�and�his�B.F.A.�in�Jazz�and

Contemporary�Music�Performance�from�the�New�School�University.

Andrea�McNamara�is�a�Doctoral�Candidate�in�Psychometrics�in�the

Psychology� Department� at� Fordham� University.� The� couple� still

resides�in�Clifton’s�Lakeview�section�and�both�are�35�years�of�age.�

Over�the�decades,�Yaremko�has�gained�notice�in�the�world�of�jazz

for�his�work�on�saxophones,�flutes�and�clarinets.�Since�2001,�he�has

been�leading�his�own�groups�and�played�with�some�big�names�in�not

only� jazz� but� also�with� the�New� Jersey� Symphony�Orchestra,�New

York�City�Symphony�and�numerous�Broadway�and�Off-Broadway�pit

orchestras.� � But� it� is� his� latest� project,� the� Craig� Yaremko� Organ

(CYO)�Trio,�that�seems�to�be�gaining�the�most�notice�these�days.�

“I’m�playing�the�next�week�if�you�want�to�bring�your�Valentine’s

Day�IOU�on�Feb.�19�at�Somethin’�Jazz�Club�in�NYC�or�on�Feb.�20�at

Maxfield�on�Main�in�Boonton,”�said�Yaremko.��

Find�out�more�at�craigyaremko.com

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At their 8th grade dance in 1993 andat their 2004 Wedding, Craig andAndrea (McNamara) Yaremko.

Valentine’s Day in the Key of Frugal

Craig and Andrea Yaremko


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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

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

Corbo Jewelers (973) 777-1635

CVS Pharmacy (973) 778-7630

Dollar Tree (973) 249-7530

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Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins (973) 473-9631

Footnotes Bookstore (973) 779-6122

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Kim’s Nail Salon (973) 471-8118

Largo House Nail & Spa (973) 777-9784

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Moda Shoes & Co. (973) 777-4700

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Great stores & servicesat the Allwood Circle

Morillo Eye CareComplete Frames & Lenses

“Emily� Kohout� (whom� I� knew� from

SS�Cyril’s�Church)�asked�if�I�would�be

interested�in�an�after�school�job�at�the

Kohout’s�Family�Bakery�on�Lakeview

Ave.,� selling� in� the� store� and� helping

care� for� some� of� the� Kohout� young-

sters.�I�was�delighted�to�earn�money,�so

I� quickly� accepted.� � Not� long� after

starting� to� work� at� the� bakery,� Rudy

and�I�began�to�find�excuses�to� talk�to

each�other.�He�worked� in� the�back�of

the�shop�as�an�apprentice�baker.�As�our

friendship� grew,� we

began�dating.��Since�nei-

ther�of�us�drove,�,�we�did

a� lot� of�walking.� �After� four�years� of

dating,� Rudy� and� I� married� in� 1957,

and� that� year� we� visited� Florida.

While�there,�we�learned�that�the�Glenn

L.�Martin�Company�was�in�the�process

of� relocating� from� Baltimore� to

Orlando�and�were�recruiting�engineers.

Rudy�applied�and�was�hired.�We�drove

back� to� Clifton,� packed� our� belong-

ings,� and� returned� to� Florida,� where

Rudy� had� always� wanted� to� live.

We’ve�been�here�ever�since.�We�raised

our� three� children� in� Orlando,� and

have�been�able�to�enjoy�our�grandchil-

dren,�while� living�on�a�beautiful� lake

front,�first�in�Orlando,�and�now�that�we

retired,�in�Leesburg.”�


Isabel and Ricky Farfan

“For�Valentine’s�Day,�we’ll�go�out�to�dinner�at�a

nice�Italian�restaurant,�and�I�will�tell�Isabel�how

much�I�appreciate�what�she�does�for�our�children

and� me.� �We� were� married� in� 1999� but� we’ve

been�together�for�24�years.��Listening�and�being

patient� are� the� secrets� to� a� good�marriage.� �We

keep�our�love�alive�by�sharing�our�thoughts�and

our�accomplishments�and�look�forward�to�shared

dreams.��For�a�marriage�to�succeed,�you�have�to

have� shared� goals,� listen� and� respect� the� other

person’s�decisions.�And�I� thank�God�for�putting

me�on�the�same�path�with�my�wife.”

Love & Marriage

How

wE MEt

Rudy and Maryann Andrascik

By Carol Leonard Imagine being suspended 30 feet in the air with only a silk ribbonwrapped around your leg to keep you from falling on your face – oranother equally damageable body part.Now imagine playing a trombone at the same time that you’re sus-

pended upside down. And that’s not all. You need to add an audience tothe picture. The average right-minded person would probably call theprospect of such a scene crazy, but Julie Krygsman thinks it’s so awe-some that she hopes to one day make it a full-time job.Aerial silk is a form of acrobatics in which performers climb the sus-

pended fabric and then wrap, fall, swing and spiral their bodies into andout of different positions, all without the use of a safety line.

January 2014 • Clifton Merchant14


Office: 973-778-4500789 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013

IF YOU ARE READY TO BUY OR SELL A HOMEPina Nazario

Sales AssociateClifton’s #1 Agent

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Direct (973) 594-4312Email: [email protected]

www.PickPina.com

The�30�year-old�former�Clifton�Mustang�Band

drum�majorette,�who�was�known�in�high�school

as�Julie�Passaro,�didn’t�always�envision�herself

pursuing� such� an�unusual� career.� In� fact,� up

until� a� little� over� a� year� ago,� she� had�what

most� would� describe� as� a� pretty� normal

work�life.�

After� graduating� from� CHS� in� 2001,

Krygsman� went� on� to� William

Paterson� University,� where� she

majored� in�music.�After� earning� her

bachelor’s� degree,� she� worked� her

way� up� from� sales� associate� to� store

manager� for� a� bridal� and� formalwear

company.�

When� she� reached� the� point� where

she�felt�there�was�no�further�growth�for�her

in�the�business,�Krygsman�accepted�an�inside

sales�position�with�another�company.

Needing Something MoreAside�from�her�day�job,�she�continued�her�interest�in

music,�giving�trombone�lessons�to�private�students�and

performing�with�her�husband�Wes,�a�tuba�player,�in�the

Clifton� Community� Band� as� well� as� other� musical

ensembles.

Krygsman� said� she�was�always

aware� of� the� financial� challenges

of� trying� to� pursue� her� love� of

music� and� performing� as� a� career,

which�is�why�she�settled�for�a�job�in

the� business� world.� But� somewhere

deep�within� the� passions� of� her� heart

and�soul,�she�knew�that�there�had�to�be

something�else�for�her.

While�recovering�from�an�illness�in

between�leaving�her�first�job�and�start-

ing�with�the�new�company,�Krygsman

came� across� some� photos� online� of

aerial� silk� performers� and� showed

them�to�her�husband.�“I� just�randomly

mentioned� it� to� Wes� as� something� that

looked�interesting�to�me,”�she�said.

A�short�time�later,�Wes�came�back�to�his

wife� with� information� about� a� place� in

New�York�where�she�could�receive�train-

ing�in�the�art.

In�January�2012,�Krygsman�began�her�new�sales�job

and� started� attending� classes� and� workshops� once� a

week� in� the� evening� at� Heliummm�Aerial� Dance� &

Entertainment,�a�production�company�in�Brooklyn.� “At

first�I�looked�at�it�as�being�recreational,�but�then�I


Flying Mustang

got�hooked,”�she�said.�“I�kept

striving�to�learn�more.�I�had�a

dance� background,� so� that

helped.”

Krygsman�performed�in�her

first� student� showcase� about

three�months�into�her�training.

“You� could� tell� that� I� was

green�and�new�at�it,”�she�said.

“But�then�I�got�much�better.”

After� mentioning� that� all

she� wanted� to� do� was� play

trombone�and�take�aerial�class-

es,� Krygsman’s� best� friend

kiddingly�Photoshopped�a�pic-

ture�of�her�horn�into�one�of�her

aerial� performance� photos.� “I

knew�it�was�a� joke,�but� that’s

when�I�decided�that�no�matter

how�insane�it�sounded�I�was�going�to�play�my�trombone

in�the�air,”�she�said.

It�took�Krygsman�four�months�to�condition�her�body�to

be�able�to�do�her�aerial�act�and�play�her�horn�at�the�same

time.�“I�actually�think�that�it�improved�my�trombone�play-

ing,”�she�said.

She�premiered�her�act,�entitled�Jump�in�the�Line,�at�her

second�student�showcase�in�December�2012.��It�included

a� four� piece� band� performing� on� the� ground,�while� she

played�the�trombone�in�the�air�upside�down�on�the�silk.

Around� the� same� time� of� this� major� performance

accomplishment�in�her�new�personal�venture,�Krygsman

was�abruptly�laid�off�from�her�job.�Her�position�was�elim-

inated�after�only�one�year�at�the�company.

Needless� to� say,� the�high�achieving�Krygsman�didn’t

take�the�news�very�well.�Although�the�type�of�work�she

was� doing� was� not� something� she� wanted� forever,� she

expected�her�life�to�play�out�under�her�terms,�not�someone

else’s.

A Blessing in Disguise“After�the�dust�settled�and�I�was�wearing�my�pajamas

until�four�o’clock�every�afternoon�the�first�few�weeks�of

unemployed�life,�I�realized�that�I�no�longer�had�a�noose

around�my�neck,”�she�said.�

Krygsman� stood� up� on� her� tissue� littered� couch,

screamed�out�an�expletive�and�proceeded�to�write�a�long

e-mail� to� her� aerial� coach.� “I

basically� asked� her� if� I� was

cracked�to�think�that�I�had�the

talent�to�pursue�this,”�she�said.

“Her�answer�was�to�go�for�it.”

With� the� added� encourage-

ment� of� her� husband,

Krygsman�auditioned�and�was

accepted� into� the� professional

program� at�Circus�Warehouse

in� Long� Island� City� last

February,�where�she�is�training

full-time.� In� addition� to� silk,

she�takes�classes�in�trampoline,

flying�trapeze,�ballet,�tightrope,

contortion� and� lyra,� a� type� of

aerial�hoop.

“It’s�an�unbelievable� facili-

ty,”�she�said.�“It’s�the�place�to

be� if� this� is�what�you�want� to�do.� I� train�with� the�most

inspiring� professionals� including� Olympic� medalists,

Cirque�Du�Soleil�performers,�professional�ballet�dancers

and�circus�stars.”

Krygsman� trains� four� days� a� week� at� the� Circus

Warehouse,�spending�about�20�hours�in�classes�and�inde-

pendent�practice.

It�has�been�a�lot�of�hard�work,�requiring�a�great�deal�of

physical� stamina.� Krygsman� has� come� home� with� her

share�of�silk�burns�and�bruises�as�well�as�a�couple�of�more

serious�injuries,�but�through�it�all�she�feels�she�is�living�the

life�for�which�she�was�intended.

Emotional Transformation“There�has�been�a�significant�change�in�the�size�of�my

biceps�and�lats,�but�the�biggest�transformation�has�been�in

my�head,”�she�said.�“I’m�truly�happy�now,�but�all�of�this

would�never�have�happened�if�the�bottom�hadn’t�fallen�out

of�my�status�quo�life.”

Aside�from�dealing�with�the�emotional�turmoil�of�los-

ing�her�job,�Krygsman�said�that�over�the�past�year�she�has

also�finally�come�to�terms�with�the�deaths�of�her�mother

and�grandfather�when�she�was�a�teenager.

Krygsman’s�parents�were�divorced�when�she�was�very

young�and� she�hardly�knew�her� father.�Her�mom�had�a

severe�form�of�multiple�sclerosis,�so�she�was�essentially

raised�by�her�grandparents.


Looking�back,�she�realizes�that

it�was�her�grandfather�who�lit�the

spark�in�her�and�inspired�her�love

of� music� and� the� arts.� The� two

used� to� watch� videos� of� the

Tommy� Dorsey� band� together

when�she�was� little.� “He�was�an

artistic�spirit,”�she�said.

Krygsman’s� grandfather

passed� away� when� she� was� a

freshman� in�high� school� and�her

mom�died�just�before�she�graduat-

ed�from�CHS.

“I’ve�come�to�realize�that�a�lot

of�what�I�do�is�because�my�mom

couldn’t�do�it,”�she�said.�“She�was

always� in� a�wheelchair� and� then

bedridden�by�the�time�she�was�my�age.�Thinking�about�her

has�motivated�me.�I�do�this�for�her�and�for�my�grandfather.”

Krygsman�knows�that�she�still�has�a�lot�of�work�ahead

of�her�before�she�can�call�herself�a�pro�at�aerial�perform-

ing,�but,�with�the�help�and�support�of�her�husband,�she�is

willing�to�endure�the�sometimes�grueling�days�of�training.

Lessons From Band Days“You�learn�to�push�through,”�she

said.�“There�are�a�lot�of�lessons�from

band�that�I�apply�to�my�life�now.�Mr.

Morgan� (CHS� Band� Director� Bob

Morgan)� was� a� huge� influence� on

me.�When�I�feel�exhausted,�I�think

of� the� four� Ds,� dedication,� drive,

desire�and�discipline,�he�ingrained�in

me.�As�much�as�I�would�like�to�cred-

it�my�years�of�dance�classes,�I�know

I�developed�strong�pointed�feet�from

the�famous�Clifton�band�high�step.”

When�not�in�training,�Krygsman

has� done� paid� freelance� aerial� silk

performances,� trombone� gigs,� and

private�music�lessons.�She�feels�that

her�experiences�over�the�past�year�have�made�her�a�better

teacher.� In� fact,�one�of�her� students,�CHS� junior�Nathan

Santelli,�recently�made�All-State�Symphonic�Band.

She� and� her� husband,� who� is� an� instrumental� music

teacher�at�School�13�and�School�17,� live� in� the�home�in

which� she�grew�up� in� the�Dutch�Hill� section,�with� their

black�pug�Sammi�and�cats�Mozart,�Loki�and�Baer.�

They�have�set�up�a�custom�music�studio�in�one�of�their

spare�rooms,�where�they�do�their�private�lessons,�she�on�the

trombone�and�he�on� the� tuba.�The� room�also� includes� a

piano�and�their�sheet�music�library�as�well�as�a�variety�of

other�musical�instruments.

The�couple,�who�met�in�band�camp�in�1999,�decided�a

while�ago�that� they�needed�to� live�financially�smart,�and

they�built�up�an�emergency�fund,�which�has�taken�the�edge

off�the�loss�of�a�second�full-time�income.

Krygsman�hopes�that�within�five�years�she�will�be�per-

forming� full-time,� perhaps� with� a� company� like

Heliummm�Aerial�Dance�&�Entertainment,�where�she�has

gotten�her�start�in�the�business.�The�company�provides�aer-

ial�acts�for�corporate�events�and�promotions.�

In�the�meantime,�she�couldn’t�be�more�content�with�the

life�she�is�living.�“I’m�truly�happy�now�and�glad�that�I�took

the�risk,”�she�said.�“I’m�focused�on�my�artistic�side�and�my

husband�got�to�reunite�with�the�little�whippersnapper�he�fell

in�love�with�almost�14�years�ago.”

Sometimes�in�life,�things�take�an�unexpected�turn.�How

you�respond�to�the�change�can�make�a�big�difference�in�its

outcome.�Just�ask�Julie�Krygsman.

Flying Mustang


Dr. Michael DelGiodice is an author on ocular disease and

Vice President of the NJ Chapter of the American Academy of

Optometry. His specialities includes laser eye surgery, dry

eye syndrome, contact lenses and neurologic eye disease.

He is also a consultant for Bausch + Lomb pharmaceuticals.

Welcome toour Practice

Attefa Sultani, O.D., focuses on compre-

hensive eye care, from diagnosis and man-

agement of eye disease to contact lenses

and post-operative care and can perform

exams in Spanish, Hindi and Farsi.

Ceaser Pitta, M.D., specializes in

diseases of the retina including Macular

Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy,

Macular Holes, Macular Pucker as

well as Detachment surgery.


Michael Baran held open the door to his home in

Athenia with one hand, while the other held a bouquet.

“Just a few flowers to brighten the house,” he said when

he let me in and then placed a vase in the dining room,

giving me the first clue about his instinct for aesthetics

and his artistic nature.

A drama instructor in Jersey City, Michael grew up in

a family whose lives were filled with the arts – his moth-

er was an actress, his father a musician, his brother is a

concert violinist, his uncle was a painter and he had a

grandfather who was a master craftsman.

“A stained glass maker, my grandfather came from

Slovakia brought to America by the Pittsburgh Glass

Company,” said Michael, “at the time, the company went

looking to Slovakia, Germany where people had been

making stained glass for centuries and then brought the

craftsmen here to work.”

East European on his father’s side, on his mother side,

Michael, 56, who was born and raised in Georgia, is pure

Southern. Having finished Vanderbilt University, his

mother, originally from Nashville, met Michael’s father

while he was studying in Miami, Florida. She was a

young stewardess then, working for Pan Am in the early

1950s when air flight was still a rare event. They decid-

ed to stay in the South when Michael’s father found a job

near Atlanta.

Michael’s dual heritage has produced some tasty

results; for Christmas Michael prepares rich, sugar-

encrusted Slovakian crescent cookies – rosky for all to

enjoy, followed by a traditional Southern-style good luck

meal of black-eyed peas, some type of pork and collard

greens (or spinach for the faint of stomach) on New

Year’s Day.

Born and bred a Clifton girl, Rosemary Trinkle’s fam-

ily history in Clifton dates to the mid 1800’s, when the

city was still Acquackanonk Township.

Among her family are the Thomases, who once

owned a quarry off Valley Rd. and after whom Thomas

St., a small road near Fenner Ave. on Clifton’s far west

side at the very edge of Garrett Mountain is named.

Growing up with three younger sisters, Rosemary,

52, who now is an organizational consultant with

Rosemary and Michael Baran

Idea Guy, Action GalBy Irene Jarosewich


New York Presbyterian Hospital,

fondly remembers growing up near

her grandparents’ home on Valley

Rd., a meeting place for the extend-

ed family.

Many members of her extended

family are well-known in the

Clifton community; her paternal

grandmother, Florence Trinkle was

a long-time teacher, having taught

among others, Clifton mayors

Gerald Zecker and James Anzaldi.

Rosemary’s father, George

Trinkle III, a union man, was an

active Democratic Party organizer

and seems to have instilled civics in

his daughter’s blood.

This difference in upbringings

could be one of the reasons, muses

Rosemary, that brought the couple

together.

“He had this small, immediate

family, very artistic, something I

wasn’t familiar with,” says

Rosemary. “I found that intriguing.

I had this big, expansive family,

which was something that he wasn’t

used to.”

Like all relationships, theirs has

evolved over the years, she says, but

she frankly states that she is still the

action gal, while he is the idea guy;

she is just-the-facts, while he is

more ephemeral.

Her family is filled with active

Democrats, and while a registered

Democrat now, Michael was a Newt

Gingrich Republican when they first

met.

“Of course, when I first brought

Michael home, I had to tell my

father and grandfather who he was,

and they were, of course, less than

thrilled at the time.”

After listening for a while about

how different these two were, I

began to think to myself, “Now just

hold on. Seriously. Who are they

kidding? These two are like peas in

a pod.”

Talk. Pray. Love.Rosemary, or Roe as she is often

called, and Michael, or Mike, may

have started out as opposites attract,

but spend even a short time with

them and it is soon clear what they

have in common.

They are talkers. Both of them.

Good talkers. They tell great stories.

No introverts, here. They are funny.

They laugh. They make others

laugh. Often. And, the body lan-

guage! Rosemary moves her hands

and head, even her entire body for

emphasis as she springs out of a

chair; Michael is more subtle, the

furrowed forehead, raised


eyebrows, the wry, slow grin – the training of an actor.

Central to their lives is their Catholic faith. They met

during a singles event at the Cathedral of Christ the King

in Atlanta. Michael had returned to the city to help his

father with the family’s music business; he had been liv-

ing in California and Rosemary was working as a man-

ager at the Hyatt Regency.

In 1993, they married at St. Agnes Church, in

Paterson, the church where generations of Rosemary’s

paternal and maternal grandparents and great grandpar-

ents, aunts and uncles had been married.

They returned to live in Atlanta, then lived outside

Washington DC for several years before coming to live

Clifton in 2001. Here they joined St. Andrew’s Roman

Catholic Church, where they have become active in the

parish.

Rosemary and Michael are people people. They love

people. Their families, their community. Michael loves

to teach. Rosemary and their daughter Patricia (Tricia),

14, love to volunteer.

When they were younger, the Barans were a

Presenting Couple for Catholic Engaged Encounter, a

forum where young Catholic couples planning to wed

meet with older couples to learn about the foundations of

a solid marriage. This desire and ability to share with

others, whether time or skills or knowledge or talent, it is

a gift that Rosemary and Michael both have.

A Valentine TrioAsked what they like to do as a couple, Roe and

Michael paused, maybe caught a bit off guard. “I guess

that maybe we should be thinking about doing something

alone ...” she began to say slowly glancing towards

Michael. They looked at each other, their eyes meet, and

then they laugh. Nah, they shook their heads. Just the

two of them? Now, where would be the fun in that?

“We really do things as a family,” said Michael. “A

threesome” added Roe, “if not more.”

Rosemary again emphasizes how volunteering and

community involvement is an important part of their

lives. She recently moved up from an Alternate to a

Commissioner for Clifton Recreation, a position once

held by her grandmother Florence.

“I remember Youth Week from when I was a child,”

she laughs. “It was always a time of excitement. She ran

the first Youth Week in Clifton and in some ways, I feel

as though I’m continuing her legacy. I now have the time

to do this and it still gives me a thrill.”

0003079473-0

1

Day & Evening Classes Available!


Immedicenter is now a Patient-Centered Medical Home, or PCMH.To achieve this national recognition, we met a number of stan-dards, including having a dedicated team of care coordinators pic-tured below. Along with our medical providers, they will helpmake sure you get the care you need, at the right time and place.This leads to safer, higher quality of care, more empowered

patients and a renewed relationship between physician and patient. We are proud ofour national recognition and welcome the opportunity to get to tell you more about PCMHduring your next visit.

• Monday - Friday 8am to 9pm • Saturday and Sunday 8am to 5pm

• Walk-in Medical Care • Weekday Appointments Available

• Monday - Friday 8am to 8pm • Saturdays 9am to 5pm.

Immedicenter1355 Broad St., Clifton • 973-778-5566

557 Broad St., Bloomfield • 973-680-8300

A Family Practice for Wellness,Urgent Care for Ills, Chills & Spills

A National Model forCare CoordinationA National Model forCare Coordination

Health Care that Revolves Around You...Health Care that Revolves Around You...

www.immedicenter.com

Dr. Michael Basista, Immedicenter Medical Director

Our care coordinators,from left,Jessica DeVoogt,Doreen Sestilio,Idina Merz,Wanda Ruiz andMaria Squirlock.


Tricia, who went to St. Andrew’s

RC School and is now a Freshman

at Immaculate Conception Catholic

High School in Lodi, often joins her

mother in helping with Clifton

activities, as well as helping her

mother with events at their church.

“Roe is an amazing organizer, I

tell people,” says Michael admiring-

ly, “she’s a pro. Whenever she’s

involved in an event, like a beef-

steak, or a banquet, I tell people, to

just get out of her way, to sit back,

relax, and enjoy the show. She

always puts on a good show.”

From her father, Tricia has picked

up the art of baking and the house

was filled with delicious scents from

her recent turn in the kitchen. She is

also becoming a bit of an informa-

tion junkie like Michael, whom

Rosemary and friends call The

Discovery Channel. “No matter if it

was local or national news, histori-

cal events, or political philosophy,

Mike knows everything,” said Roe.

Michael admits to being a vora-

cious reader as a child, once having

read an entire multi-volume set of

the Golden Book Encyclopedia. He

retains the information he reads.

“When we were living in

Washington and were traveling to

Rehoboth Beach one time, he sud-

denly just veers off onto this side

road in a different direction. I asked

him where he thought he was going,

and he said wanted to show us a his-

toric marker in Delaware that he had

read about and was nearby, one that

was posted on the old Mason-Dixon

Line,” said Rosemary with mild dis-

belief as she shook her head.

Having grown up in the South,

Michael not only knew of the

Mason-Dixon Line, but of the line’s

historical origins and political

importance. He started to explain

more about who was Mason and

who was Dixon until Rosemary said,

“Stop!” and shook her head again.

“In our travels with Trish,” she

noted, “we’ve veered off and read

many a historic marker. I think he’s

going to quiz her when she turns 18.”

PAIN HOLDING YOU BACK?

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Above,Steven D. Gronowitz, MD, FACGand Dr. Andrew Boxer, M.D.

After completing his fellowship at NYU and a res-idency at Mt. Sinai, Dr. Boxer will take over the careof Dr. Beduya’s current practice, including theNorth Hudson Community Clinic in Passaic,ensuring uninterrupted continuity of care to thepatients. He will be available at our office in Clifton for

consultation. In addition, he will see inpatients atboth St Mary’s Hospital and Hackensack UniversityMedical Center. Andy’s special interests include obesity,

endoscopy as it relates to pre and post bariatric sur-gery, as well as Liver Disease.I would also like to wish Dr. Dino Beduya a

heartfelt farewell on his departure from our team.Dino has provided a valuable service to the commu-nity over the past three years. We wish him luck inhis pursuit of an Advanced Fellowship position inNew Mexico and then on to North Carolina for hisnew practice. They are lucky to have him.

Best Wishes,Steven D. Gronowitz, MD, FACG

I am proud to announce the arrival of Dr. Andrew Boxer to our Clifton practice.

Office Hours:Mon: 9 am-5 pmTues: 9 am-7 pmWed: 9 am-3 pm

Thurs: 9 am-6 pmFri: 9 am-3 pm


Carlos Sotamba was waiting at an intersectionin Passaic one hot summer day, when a young

woman with a small child leaned into his car to

ask a favor. The temperature had hit 100 degrees

and she was standing at a bus stop. She did not

live far away, and was worried about keeping the

child in the scorching heat for much longer.

Could he drop her off near her home?

As he opened the door to let in the woman

whose name was Janet, Carlos had no way of

knowing that one day she would be his sister-in-

law. During the short ride to her house, Janet

asked Carlos a lot of questions.

“Apparently, she thought I was OK,” said

Carlos, because Janet then told him that she had

a younger sister, Dayana, whom she would like

for him to meet. She gave Carlos Dayana’s

phone number.

Carlos called. He and Dayana called each

other for more than three months before Dayana

agreed to go on a date. Playing it safe, they

decided on a movie at Clifton Commons.

Carlos came to pick up Dayana at her home.

“When I saw her, my heart stopped. She was

beautiful,” he recalls. Proving once again that

there is love at first sight, Dayana agrees. The

attraction, she said, was instantaneous.

“For a year and a half, my sister would tell me

every day ‘I found you a boyfriend! I found youa boyfriend!’” reminisced Dayana with a smile.

Since Dayana was quite young when they met,

and Carlos several years older, her parents were

concerned and insisted that they date for a while.

“I knew she was the right one from the begin-

ning,” said Carlos, who is patient and diligent by

nature, and was willing to wait. After several

years, Dayana felt ready. Carlos wanted to pro-

pose, but also wanted Dayana to have the ring

she wanted, and not one he had chosen.

Diana & Carlos Sotamba

Sweet Ingredients for Lifelong LoveBy Dmitri Lenczuk


On a routine visit to the

mall, he led her into a jewel-

ry store, to the counter with

engagement rings. “Pick the

ring you love the most,” he

told her, “because I want to

marry you.”

After their engagement,

the handsome couple wasted

little time. In less than a

month, Diana had planned

the wedding. Carlos, the

owner of Lakeview Bakery,

created his own wedding

cake, which the couple agreed,

“was delicious!”

Feel The Home FiresMarried five years, visitors can

feel the love between Carlos, now

36, and Dayana, now 29, sensing it

from the moment one walks into

their home off of Valley Rd.

Their glowing eyes and beaming

smiles are a testament to their love

for each other, and for their chil-

dren, who reciprocate the love with

infectious giggles. Walls in their

home our hung with photographs,

pictures of their wedding, of their

families. Parents to Angely, 2, and

Daniel, 6 months, the Sotamba’s

definitions of love are very similar.

“My definition is to create a bet-

ter future with my partner,” Dayana

beams, as her husband plays with

their young son. “It still feels like

we’re boyfriend and girlfriend, but

better!”

Carlos agreed with his wife,

adding, “Meeting and being with

the right person is the definition of

love. And kids. Nothing compares

to having kids!”

Making time for the family is

among their top priorities. They

spend as much time together as

they can, although balancing work

at Lakeview Bakery and a family

with young children can be diffi-

cult, they admit.

“Between Carlos leaving for

work at 2 am, and me rising

throughout the night to feed the

baby, we really don’t get much

sleep around here,” said Dayana.

Carlos, who immigrated to the

US from Ecuador, began working at

Lakeview Bakery almost 20 years

ago, while still a teenager, sweeping

floors, cleaning cases.

Over time, he asked

for a chance and soon

learned to bake, deco-

rate the cakes. Next he

became a manager.

Then in 2001, when

the original owners

decided to sell, he

bought the bakery.

While he has pre-

served many of the old

East European recipes

for pastries and breads,

as well as specialties

such as babka and pop-

pyseed cake and other holiday

favorites, he has also expanded to

include many Latin sweets, such as

flan and torta de tres leches.

The bakery continues to provide

a wide variety of fresh-baked bread

daily, as well as cookies and cup-

cakes for walk-in clientele, and

wholesale baked goods to diners.

However, specialty decorated

cakes has become one of the bak-

ery’s signature services.

Sweet Wedding CakesAlthough, maybe not as big and

elaborate as some of Hoboken’s

Cake Boss creations, the cakes dec-

orated by Carlos are no less artistic

and done with meticulous care and

attention to detail.

His particular specialty is wedding

cakes, the centerpiece of a couple’s

reception, which Carlos believes

must be perfect so that the couple’s

memory will always be sweet.

Along with the wedding cakes, cus-

tomers can choose from existing

designs or custom designed cakes

for birthdays, anniversaries, engage-

ments, and graduations, cakes for all

and any occasions.

At home with Angely, Carlos, Dayana and Daniel.


For Valentine’s Day, Carlos

promises heart-shaped cookies and

cakes decorated with love.

Although Dayana, whose family

came here from Chile, now stays

home with the children, she has

training to be a medical assistant.

However, if Carlos needs it, she

lends a helping hand at the bakery

in whatever capacity is needed.

Carlos admits that maintaining a

business is hard work, especially in

what is still a rough economy.

“The economy has affected the

business, especially the competition

with big companies,” says Carlos.

But, no complaints. Carlos

believes that setting an example of

success by working hard is vital to a

small business. “The only way to

have success is to be a hard work-

er,” Carlos says. “You can’t expect

people to do everything exactly the

way you do it, but they will try.”

Hard Work at Home, TooFor the Sotamba family, hard

work does not stop with the bakery;

hard work defines the very nature of

their family relationship.

Devotion to one another and ded-

ication to their family is valued

above anything else. This Carlos

believes to be the secret ingredients

not only to a good business, but to a

happy marriage.

His wife believes that the secret

ingredient to a good marriage is the

understanding that there will be

good days and bad days in any rela-

tionship, business and personal.

Part of being in love is being

willing and able to take the good

with the bad.

Understanding, and then Dayan

adds another ingredient. “Patience.

Lots and lots of patience.”

Devotion and dedication,

patience and understanding, these

are the ingredients for lifelong love

according to the Sotamba family

recipe.

When they first were married,

Carlos and Dayana continued to go

out on dates as they did when they

were just a young couple.

Now with children, they do not

date as often as they would like, but

they still have made plans for

Valentine’s Day. “We are going to

Atlantic City,” said Carlos. “Of

course the kids are coming, too!”lakeviewbakeryonline.com


On a warm summerday in Robin HoodPark in 1964, Dan

Kocsis just didn’t see the

chemistry between

Nancy Schmidt and

Jeffrey Hasselberger.

Still, the ‘64 Pope Pius

XII HS grad doubted he

could compete with a star

hurdler at DePaul

Catholic, especially

Hasselberger who was

driving a shiny Chevy

convertible and headed to

Villanova that fall.

But in the end Dan

got the girl of his

dreams.

“She was walking her

dog; a German Shepherd

named Heidi,” Dan

recalled. “She had on

these burgundy Bermuda shorts, Bass Weejun shoes and

a pink blouse. She had the greatest legs.” That was the

first time Dan saw Nancy; a then 16-year-old aspiring

teacher, who grew up on Greenwald Ave.

For Dan, who lived in Athenia, it was love at first

sight. As far as Nancy, well, she didn’t really notice Dan.

“At that point I didn’t know Dan that well,” Nancy

said. “There were male and female park directors. and I

knew he was one of them.”

Everyday at Robin Hood, Dan would see that girl with

the great legs walking her dog. Then one day, he spotted

something else. Something that might break his heart -

the hot shot athlete with the fancy car talking to his girl.

Because of his athletic exploits, Hasselberger was, in

a way, famous to many of the kids in Clifton.

“I saw her talking to this other guy in a convertible,”

Dan said. “One of the

other kids at the park said

to me, ‘oh that’s her

boyfriend. He goes to

Villanova.’ As soon as I

heard the name, I knew

who he was. I figured I

didn’t have a chance.”

Nancy, a ‘67 Clifton

High School grad,

remembers the day very

well.

“He was a fella my

family knew for years,”

Nancy explained. “We

went out a couple of

times. I used to walk my

dog at the park. On one

of those days he —

Hasselberger — was

looking for me. Then he

left.” But as far as Dan

knew, Hasselberger was

her steady boyfriend.

Then Dan noticed something else, something that

gave him hope. “She was kind of just standing there by

the car. I didn’t see any kind of chemistry.” Soon after, he

continued, “the guy was not coming around anymore.”

Still Dan had his doubts.

“Nancy came by everyday, but I didn’t talk to her,” he

recalled. Then one day Dan noticed Nancy sitting on the

grass in the park. Emboldened by two tickets he had for

an upcoming Johnny Mathis concert and his big $1.25

park an hour park director salary, Dan approached his

crush. “I finally got up the nerve after about two weeks.”

“He did not seem nervous,” Nancy said.

“I had nothing to lose,” Dan recalled. “Plus I had

something good — two tickets to a Johnny Mathis con-

cert. He was a big deal back then.”

Nancy and Dan Kocsis

He Married An AngelBy Domenick Reda


Nancy’s response was not really

what Dan expected. “He told me he

had two tickets, but that his sister

had canceled on him,” she said. “I

said ‘yes’ right away.”

Midnight SwimDan admitted, “I was surprised

she said yes,”

Then she did something even

more surprising.

“She asked me, ‘Do you want to

come over my house for a swim?’” he recalled. “She had

a pool at her parent’s house. So that night that night I

went for a swim.”

The concert, which was still two weeks away, would

be their first unchaperoned date. In the meantime, they

talked on the phone, ate ice cream together at the park,

swam in the pool and rode on his Vespa motor scooter.

“Once we went on the date, toward the end of the con-

cert, she put her head on my shoulder,” he recalled. “I

remember thinking; she is a pretty nice girl. I liked her

because she was quiet. She didn’t have a lot of girl-

friends. I was kind of the same way.”

After working the summer at

the park, Dan started to work for

Nancy’s father at the family busi-

ness - Hazel Road Service Station.

“She would come there and bring

me a hot dog and a soda,” he

remembered.

But even when they took their

relationship to the next level, there

were limits.

“Even when we were engaged I

couldn’t have her out past mid-

night,” Dan laughed. “One night I was giving her a kiss

goodnight by the car and her mother came out of the

house and said, ‘it’s past midnight.’” We were engaged!

But they were good to us.”

Nancy said that’s just the way it was then.

“Back in those days you had to check with your par-

ents,” she recalled.

But like Dan, Nancy said it was the concert that made

her realize they had a real connection.

“It was a nice night,” she said. “He picked me up at

my house. During the concert I rested my head on his

shoulder.”


It was not until later that Nancy realized how much

that date meant to Dan.

“I didn’t realize how happy he was,” she said. “And

how much he liked me. After that first date, it just felt

like a natural thing for us to be together.”

‘I Married An Angel’Nancy and Dan dated for four years before tying the

knot on June 29, 1969 at First Lutheran Church on the

corner of Van Houten Ave. and Grove St.

Each went on to college to pursue careers in educa-

tion. After they got married, they lived with her grand-

parents who had a house on Vernon Ave. Nancy and Dan

stayed there until they bought their own house in New

Hampshire in 1978.

Today, loving life in New Hampshire, the couple

never had children and Dan is still a teacher while Nancy

works in management for a sales and marketing firm.

Nearly 50 years after their first meeting, Nancy, 65

and Dan, 66, still enjoy each other’s company as much

as the day they first met.

“My wife is a tremendous cook and every night we eat

a fabulous meal with candlelight and a bottle of wine and

a flower on the table,” he said.

They also share a love for running. Dan has run in

many events, including the New York and Boston

marathons. But when he talks about his wife, he cannot

help sounding like a love-stricken teenager.

“Her legs are as good now as they were back then,” he

said. “She looks like she is 25.”

But for Dan the continued love for Nancy goes well

beyond the physical attraction.

“She is so easy to live with,” he said. “She is very

calming. It’s a real gift she has. We never go to bed angry

at each other. She is a very loving woman.”

Dan credits Johnny Mathis and Robin Hood Park for

bringing them together.

“Now as an adult I can more fully appreciate what a

wonderful town Clifton was to grow up in,” he said.

While Robin Hood Park has a role in this love story,

both Nancy and Dan point to the Johnny Mathis concert

as the pivotal event that catapulted their relationship.

“He kind of brought us together,” Dan said of the

singer and his music. “He was famous for ‘Chances Are,’

which he sang at the concert,” continued Dan. “But there

is another song called I Married An Angel. He didn’t play

that one at the concert, but I hum it a lot when I think of

my wife.”

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Matt Hunkele vividly remembers the first time hemet Maria Amoroso, the young lady who is now his

fiancée. On Sept. 11, 2011, Matt had gone out to play

ball with a local men’s league at the Eddie Mayo base-

ball diamond on the Clifton Ave. Extension.

Maria’s girlfriend had come to watch her boyfriend

play. Maria decided to join her. The boyfriend, as it

turned out, was a friend and teammate of Matt’s and

before long, Maria and Matt were being introduced.

“When I saw her,” said Matt, “it was hard for me to

concentrate because I couldn’t keep my off eyes of her.

Since the day that I met her, I knew she was the one.”

And, so a sad day for history turned out to be a good

day for Maria and Matt.

Maria was soon smitten with Matt, an athlete and no

slouch in the looks department himself (He does share a

passing resemblance to George Clooney in O Brother,Where Art Thou?). They dated for more than a year.

Then last December, a week before Christmas, Matt

decided that he wanted to act – he wanted to turn that

first moment at the baseball diamond into a real dia-

mond for Maria.

“By that time,” said Matt “I had fallen in love with

her not only for her beauty, but for her intelligence and

personality.”

Matt plotted a surprise proposal. There was fresh

snow on the slope behind his house. When Maria

stopped over after getting her nails done, he convinced

her to let him blindfold her and lead her outdoors.

“It was great,” giggled Maria, “he hung lights and

ornaments on the trees outside and carved out a heart in

the snow and surrounded the heart with candles. Inside

the heart, he wrote ‘will you marry me?’”

Yes, she said, I will.

Happily engaged, the couple immediately began to

make wedding plans. More accurately, Maria has. Matt

is participating, but laughs, “it’s really her wedding

ideas. I want her to have whatever she wants.”

Hunkele’s Different DiamondBy Irene Jarosewich

Matt Hunkele & Maria Amoroso

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An Outdoor WeddingThe wedding will be in May 2015 at

the Tides Estate, a place they chose for

the beautifully renovated space.

“For both of us, it was really impor-

tant to have an outdoor ceremony,” said

Matt as Maria added, “and it will be

spring and the garden will be just beautiful.” Most of all,

they both agreed, they really want the wedding to be fun.

The year will be busy for the young engaged couple.

Matt, 24, will be graduating William Paterson University

with a double major in Accounting and Financial

Planning in May. He also works for Angelo’s Pizzeria &

Restaurant on Market St. Maria, 25, will be receive her

master’s degree in School Psychology from Farleigh

Dickinson this May, as well.

Currently, Matt lives in Clifton and Maria in

Elmwood Park and although they would like to stay in

the area after they marry, they suspect that they will live

closer to Matt’s job in central Jersey.

However, since their families are here, the couple

will come back often.

Matt, who grew up in Clifton, is the youngest child

and the youngest brother to three older sisters. A 2008

CHS grad, Matt is an accomplished athlete. The

Mustang played on both the varsity football and base-

ball teams. He continues to love both sports and contin-

ues to play with the New Jersey Amateur Baseball

League for the Linde-Griffin Pile Drivers.

The New Jersey Amateur Baseball League is less

than a year old, having had their inaugural season in

spring 2013. Clifton fields two teams in the 16-team

association, the Pile Drivers and the Slates, both com-

prised of mostly CHS varsity players.

Maria was born in Ecuador and

when she was 12, her family came to

New Jersey. One of three children, she

has both a brother and a sister. Travel is

one of the ways that the couple enjoys

spending time together and she hopes

that she and Matt will be able to travel

a lot more together.

“I would like for us to go to the country I came from,

Ecuador,” said Maria, continuing, “so that Matt can see

it and not just hear my descriptions of my homeland.”

Their love of the outdoors is one of the reasons the

couple wanted an outdoor ceremony and is one of the

reasons they like being together. Hiking the trails in the

nearby Ramapo hills is a favorite place.

However, said Maria, just hanging around each other

is probably one of their most favorite activities. This

couple really likes each other’s company.

Asked about plans for Valentine’s Day, neither Matt

nor Maria had a quick answer.

“We’ve been so busy with work, and school, and

planning the wedding,” Matt began to say, “that we just

haven’t had much time to think about that, to plan that

far ahead. It’s Maria’s birthday next week, so we’ll do

something special for that ...” he trailed off, maybe feel-

ing hesitant or perhaps secretive about his plans for the

big day of romance.

Maria jumped in. “We really don’t know yet. We

might just stay in. We like movies. We might just be

together and watch a movie.”

Cuddling up and watching a movie – now that does

sound romantic!

So pick a love story that will be perfect to celebrate

Valentine’s Day with the one you love.


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In 1920-21, Clifton’s NBA Hall of FamerBennie Borgmann, at right, played forthe Manhattan Rubber Team. Abovefrom left are coach Magee, Fenlon,Borgmann, Grayson, White, Clapp andan unknown individual.

Though Clifton is known for its great football teams,along with its champion hockey, soccer, and baseball

squads, basketball also plays an important part in the

city’s history. The following stories are a few treasures

from Clifton’s hoop dreams past. Lace up your high-top

Cons, slip on your sweat bands, and read along.

The Hall of FamerLarry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Dr. J are all members of the

Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. So is a player from

Clifton, the unstoppable Bennie Borgmann.

Though he never played for Clifton High, Borgmann did make the

city his home. When Bennie was young, his mother died and his father

moved from Haledon to Rhode Island—sending his son to live with an

aunt in Clifton. Bennie spent much of his time in his new town learning

to play basketball at School 15.

And other tales of Mustang Round Ball

Clifton’s Basketball

Hall of famerBy Jack De Vries


By the time he reached high school age, Borgmann

was already playing against top local semi pro competi-

tion, performing in places like Paterson’s Entre Nous

court or Passaic’s Kanter’s Auditorium. A 5’8” 160-

pound dynamo with a shoot first, pass later game, Bennie

began his pro career after the 1921 season, agreeing to

play for the mighty Kingston Colonials for $25 a game.

For over two decades, Bennie starred for a host of

great teams including the Original Celtics scoring over

25,000 career points. He became one of the most popu-

lar area athletes of the twenties (future comedian Lou

Costello often carried Benny’s bag into gymnasiums for

him), earning up to $10,000 a basketball season.

Speed and endurance were his greatest assets. “I could

run all day and night,” he said after his playing days

ended. He was also an excellent shortstop, playing for

the Doherty Silk Sox, a Clifton semi-pro baseball team

that often beat major league teams—including Babe

Ruth’s Yankees. He also played and managed in the

minor leagues, and later scouted for many major league

teams.

In 1961, Clifton’s Bennie Borgmann was inducted

into the Basketball Hall of Fame.


The Wonder Team’s StreakNearly Ended in Clifton

Known by the well-deserved nick-

name the Wonder Team, even a centu-

ry later, the accomplishments of the

Passaic High School basketball squad

are still hard to fathom. They won 159

straight games during a streak that

stretched over five years.

The Wonder Team beat high school

teams, schoolboy all-star squads, prep

and business schools, and more than a

few college teams. During their

streak, they rang up 9,472 points—in

a game that featured no three pointers,

no shot clock, and no tomahawk jams.

The Wonder Team began winning

in 1919 with a December victory against Newark Junior

College, 44-11. A little more than four years later, Passaic

got its biggest scare of the streak during game No. 113—

courtesy of Clifton High School.

On February 28, 1923, Passaic met Clifton on the floor

of the Paterson Armory before one of the smallest crowds

ever to see the Wonder Team play in that building.

Many stayed home expecting another rout by Passaic,

who had beaten Clifton a few weeks before by a 67-29

score for their 103rd straight win.

Though the Wonder Team was missing two of its

starters, they seemed more than a match for Clifton,

jumping out to a 21-4 lead. Then the Maroon and Gray

erupted. Paced by team captain Ray Bednarcik and Joe

Tarris, who combined for 26 points, Clifton blazed back

into the game.

Passaic Herald writer George H. Greenfield described:

“Passaic’s morale was completely destroyed, crushed,

and swept away by the onrushing Maroon and Gray

cohorts of Coach (Harry) Collester. With visions of a pos-

sible victory over the far-famed Wonder Team before

their eyes, they made shots they had never made before,

played a floor game that they never dreamed themselves

capable of, and, in general, proceeded to throw a monkey

wrench into the Passaic machine.”

At halftime, Clifton had closed to a 21-19 score and

tied the game at 22 early in the third quarter on a

Bednarcik steal and outside shot. The teams played close

basketball throughout the second half and, at the start of

the fourth quarter, the Wonder Team led, 28-26.

Two Mike Hamas foul shots gave Passaic a 30-26 lead,

but Clifton’s Larry De Mattia hit for a bucket and

In 1923 these Mustangs almost beat the Wonder Team. Top: Coach HarryCollester, Morris Karp, Larry DeMattia, Manager Donald Welenkamp,George Reasor, Principal Walter Nutt. Bottom: Emil Bondinell, Joseph Tarris,Ray Bednarcik, Vincent Chimenti, Art Argauer, mascot Pete Wilhovsky.


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Tarris hit two foul shots to tie the

score again. The Wonder Team

countered with another basket by

Hamas, who scored 21 for the

game, to pull ahead, 32-30.

With time running out, Clifton

made one last run. Clutch baskets

by Vince Chimenti and another by

Tarris, gave the Maroon and Gray

a 34-33 lead. The Passaic Daily

News wrote: “It was the first time

in four years that Passaic was

down with one minute left to

play.”

Here’s where the story gets interesting. Legend says a

lot less than one minute was left—probably closer to 10

seconds. In a 2000 interview with the Herald News,

Clifton sports historian Harry Murtha said, “Art Argauer

(a guard on the Clifton team) told me they were robbed.

He said the timekeeper was someone from Passaic and

made sure the game lasted until Passaic took the lead.”

Though other fans confirm the story, the Passaic news-

papers make no mention of the infamous “long clock.”

There is also another story (not reported in the game

accounts) that Bednarcik missed a lay-up that would have

given Clifton the game.

In whatever time remained, Hamas got the ball and

scored, giving Passaic a one-point lead. Fouled on the

play, he stepped to the line and made the shot, just before

the final whistle sounded, giving the Wonder Team a 36-

34 victory. Passaic had survived—but had the slow hand

of a timekeeper helped keep the streak alive?

No one knows for sure. Win No. 113 remains.

Domyon’s HallDomyon’s Hall plays a prominent role in Clifton’s

basketball history.

Located on 66 Center St. in the Botany section (now

known as Courtside Pub), the tavern features a basket-

ball court in the back that has drawn players from all

over North Jersey, beginning in the 1930s.

“I loved playing there,” says John Kostisin, a former

player and head coach at Clifton High. “The rims were

very forgiving and the ball often went in. I made sure my

paper route started and ended at Domyon’s so I could go

inside and shoot when I was finished. It would cost five

cents a half-hour to play, a dime for an hour.”

Kostisin wasn’t the only one who loved Domyon’s.

Besides the many Clifton players, teams from all over

the area competed on the court. Stars like Paterson’s

Larry Doby and Orange’s Monte and Cal Irvin played at

Domyon’s, as did NBA players Bob Davies, Pep Saul,

and York Larese.

In 1947, the St. Francis Club from St. Cyril’s Church at Domyon’s: Front: JohnPavlica, John Pavlik, Bob Adams, and Jim Lotzer. Rear: John Bigos, DanPetrasek, Lou Pashinsky, Steve Mihalovich and Ed Kostic.

When the court first opened, fans not only got to

watch a basketball game, they could dance in front of a

live band at halftime and after the game. Players had to

put up with the smoke from cigarettes and cigars that

ringed the court.

“Breathing the air at Domyon’s,” says Kostisin, “con-

ditioned me for playing in places like the Paterson

Armory that were just as smoky.” Bill Domyon, who ran

the basketball court for 55 years before selling the busi-

ness a decade ago, said in a 2001 interview that he

enjoyed his business immensely. “I was too busy work-

ing to watch the games,” he says, “but I loved meeting

the people. I have wonderful memories.”

The “Almost” State ChampionsPerhaps the greatest Clifton basketball team ever was

the 1946 squad that finished with an incredible 22-1

record. After capturing the Passaic Valley Conference

championship, the Mustangs only defeat came when

they were upset by Newark Central in the state tourna-

ment. The loss was especially heartbreaking because

Newark Central went on to lose to Thomas Jefferson, a

team Clifton had already beaten.

“It was overconfidence, as simple as that,” says Ray

Van Cleef, the team’s point guard. “We were flat and did-

n’t come out with fire like we had in other ball games.

They surrounded Hal Corizzi, who was our leading scor-

er, and that put the pressure on Ted Dul and Elmer Gall

to score.

“At the end, we were stunned. They were a good

team, but we had beaten better teams than Newark

Central. It’s hard to explain, but at the end of that game,

I felt like I hadn’t even played at

all.” Despite their heartbreaking

loss, Coach Emil Bednarcik’s

boys enjoyed a stellar season.

One of their greatest wins

was over a powerful Emerson

team (22-2) in a state tourna-

ment game prior to the Newark

Central contest.

Down 27-20 at the half,

Clifton came back with 6’5”

Don Parsons fronting

Emerson’s giant center

Steinmentz and preventing the

ball from entering the post. On offense, Van Cleef

orchestrated the Clifton attack, running the Emerson

team ragged trying to stop him. Corizzi, the state’s lead-

ing scorer that season, paced the team with 24 points as

the Mustangs advanced with a 58-50 victory.

“Though Hal was only about 6-foot tall,” says Van

Cleef, “he scored all his points from inside the foul line.

The reason was that he couldn’t see very well. Even

though we had a big scoreboard, he used to come into the

huddle during timeouts and ask, ‘What’s the score?’ We

kidded him a lot about that.”

The 1946 team continued to make their city proud fol-

lowing graduation. During the 1950 season, the trio of

Van Cleef, Corizzi, and Parsons went on to start for

Rutgers University, with Parsons scoring over 1,000

career points for the school.

“Don was the first to go to Rutgers in 1947,” says Van

Cleef, who became a baseball All-American in college.

“I joined him in 1948, and when Hal got out of the serv-

ice, he came to the school. Hal also played football for

Rutgers and became an outstanding end.”

One who remembers their play at Rutgers was fresh-

man basketball coach Bob Sterling.

“I can’t say enough superlatives about the three of

them,” says Sterling. “What an endorsement for Clifton

High School they were. Emil (Bednarcik) did a fine job

preparing them, and they were all tough competitors.

Corizzi was a bull, Parsons was our center, and Van

Cleef was the type that would annoy the opposing

team—he never stopped.

“They were the kind of kids you live to coach, the

ones who gave every ounce of effort.”

At Domyon’s Courtside Pub in Botany Village in 2003, just for the memories, fromleft: Tom Cupo,. Walt Caligaro, John Kostisin, Dan Petrasek (see him in 1947 on theprevious page), Joe Scancarella, Tony Glodava and Al Mardirossian jr.


Not Just FootballWhen you mention winning Clifton

basketball teams, Coach Emil

Bednarcik’s name comes to mind. But

another basketball coach also had an

outstanding record. Before becoming

Clifton’s head football coach in 1964,

Bill Vander Closter led the Mustangs

JV basketball team to over 220 wins.

Though he led Clifton to five state

football titles, Vandy always consid-

ered basketball his best sport, earning

All-Navy honors while playing in the

service.

Hoopin’ in the Age of AquariusIn the sixties, Clifton boasted incredible individual

talent as evidenced by the five players selected for the

Mustangs All-Century Team by Clifton MerchantMagazine. The Woodstock Generation’s Fab Five— Ken

Van Dalen, Dennis Cesar, Al Yuhas, Ed Monks, and

Larry Kondra—gave the sixties the most players on the

team of any decade.

Each was a special player.

The 6’4” Van Dalen averaged 16

points a game and was the Mustangs’

top rebounder in 1963, later playing for

Rutgers on the same team as legendary

North Carolina State coach Jim

Valvano. Cesar, now a doctor in

California, averaged 28.6 points a

game in 1964, while Yuhas became the

school’s first 1,000 point scorer, aver-

aging 21.4 points a game in 1966. He

was later selected to The Record’s All-

Century Team for Passaic County, the

Mustangs’ lone representative.

Monks, now an attorney in Oregon,

helped lead the 1967 Mustangs to a

17-6 record, averaging just under 20

points a game. He later played for Columbia University

and was a member of the nationally ranked 1969 Ivy

League championship team. Kondra, today a physician

in California, was also a 1,000-point scorer and averaged

over 20 points a game in both his junior and senior years.

He earned All-County, All-Metropolitan, and All-State

honors and was an Honorable Mention All-American

selection as a senior.

The late Coach Bill Vander Closterwas a familiar sight on the grid

iron but he also had an impressiverecord on the basketball court.

The 1945-46 CHS Basketball team who went on to be North Jersey Group 1V & Passaic Valley Conference Champions.From left standing, Coach Bednarcik, Van Cleef, Torcivia, Atkinson, Bulyn, Hatala, Dull, Olson, Gall, Corrizzi, Parsons,& Dr. Gerow. Sitting, DeLotto, Wolf, Donall, & Gibnavdi.



The All-Century TeamIn 2000, Clifton Merchant

Magazine asked a panel of Mustangs

basketball experts to select the

school’s All-Century Basketball

Team. Here are the 15 players who

were chosen as “best of the best”:Ed Bednarcik - 1975,Bud Campbell - 1975,Dennis Cesar - 1964,Hal Corizzi - 1946,Ed Monks - 1967, Al Yuhas - 1966,Ray Van Cleef - 1947,Sam Poulis - 1991,Billy DeGraaf - 1952,Bill Shaughnessy - 1988,Rich Fincken - 1956,Ken Van Dalen - 1963,Jerry Manning - 1959,Larry Kondra - 1969,Rich Conrad - 1971.

Mustangs Inspiring MustangsAfter winning the state champi-

onship, the 1966 Clifton football team

continued to inspire others—especial-

ly basketball players. Football team

captain Bob Csuka recalls a game

against powerful Lodi when the

Bergen County school was trying to

gain entrance into the Passaic Valley

Conference. “Lodi’s admission into

the PVC was something (football)

Coach Bill Vander Closter was dead

against,” Csuka remembers. “When

Lodi came to our gym, their fans

hung a sign saying they deserved to

be part of the PVC.”

Knowing a Lodi victory would

bolster their case for joining the

PVC, the football team tore down the sign at halftime

and charged into the Clifton locker room during Coach

Emil Bednarcik’s pep talk. “We showed the players the

In March, 1993, these 11 and 12 year old Clifton kids became the New Jersey State Biddy League Champions: (kneel-ing left to right) Erik Dobkowski, Mike Rivera, Andrea McCormick, Omar Caccares-Marzon, Ryan Mikula and BryanMemen. (Standing) George Hayek (Coordinator), Jesse Smith, John Chestnut, Joey Haro, John Antonucci Sr. (Coach),John Antonucci Jr., Joey Labruzza, Pablo Castro and Henry McCormick (Video Technician). Their story is on page 54.


1301

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sign,” Csuka says, “and then ripped it up

in front of them. They were so fired up

that they ran Lodi off the floor in the sec-

ond half. At the end of the game, we car-

ried Coach Bednarcik off the floor.”

Clifton’s Greatest OpponentHe was their greatest rival, and his

team brought out the competitive best in

the Mustangs. From 1971 to 1975, Passaic

Valley’s John Gerdy ruled area courts,

becoming Passaic County’s top career

scorer with 2,614 points. Though Gerdy put on some

great performances against other teams—including a 48-

point effort against Rory Sparrow’s Eastside squad—

Clifton games were legendary.

“As a sophomore in 1973,” says then Clifton head

coach John Kostisin, “Gerdy came back from mono and

still scored 40 against us. I remember running three dif-

ferent guards at him the entire game and not stopping

him.” Averaging nearly 25 points as a freshman, Gerdy

totaled over 22 points per game as a sophomore, 26 as a

junior, and a career high 30.1 during his senior year. A

6’4” guard, the Hornets star scored most of his points

from long range.

“He’d do things during a game that

were so amazing,” says Clifton’s Larry

Gibson, a starting forward on the 1975

team, “that I had to remind myself to pay

attention and not get distracted. If the 3-

point rule had existed, he would have aver-

aged 55 points a game.”

By 1975, the Hornets and Mustangs had

become a mirror image of the other. To

counter Gerdy, Clifton used high-scoring

guard Ed Bednarcik. To offset PV’s rugged

Mike Suglia, the Mustangs featured the energetic Bud

Campbell. Both teams boasted loud, passionate fans.

“What I remember about all our games was how the

gyms rocked,” remarks Kostisin. “At the end of the

games, it was one side or the other singing ‘Good bye,

Gerdy’ or ‘Good bye, Clifton.’”

Gerdy, now an author and college professor living in

Pennsylvania, vividly recalls PV’s battles against

Clifton. “Those games were fun,” he says. “The gym

was always filled, the atmosphere electric, and the teams

evenly matched. While everyone competed fiercely, we

had great respect for each other.”

John Gerdy


The Mustangs, who would win the 1975 Northern NJ

Interscholastic League title, met the Hornets three times

that season. Their first battle came during the Passaic

Valley Holiday Tournament on the Hornets’ home floor.

Gerdy started off the game cold, watching his long

shots clang off the back rim and hearing the Clifton

crowd count each miss. Kostisin had Campbell, his long-

limbed center, chase Gerdy along the outside. The plan

worked until Campbell got into foul trouble. With

Campbell on the bench, Gerdy rediscovered his jumper

and scored 45 points in PV’s 86-74 victory.

In January, over 2,000 loud fans packed the CHS gym

and saw the rivalry at its best.

Gerdy led PV to a one-point lead with six minutes to

play, but the Mustangs fought back. Twice during the

final minutes, Clifton’s Rick LaMonica scored on put-

backs for crucial points. His efforts, along with

Campbell’s 32 points and Bednarcik’s 23, sparked the

Mustangs to a 75-72 win. Gerdy had 26 points for the

losing Hornets.

The final meeting between the schools came in

February.

The game was close into the fourth quarter. Down by

six, Clifton fought back with eight-straight points by

Bednarcik and Campbell to give the Mustangs a 60-58

lead. But PV refused to lose on its home floor.

The Hornets outscored the Mustangs 16-4 through the

final minutes for a 76-65 win. Gerdy led PV with 35

points, while Bednarcik topped Clifton with 34.

The rivalry was the high point of both teams’ seasons

as each lost in the state tournament. Clifton (20-3) bowed

to North Bergen, while PV (22-5) was upset by Bayonne.

She Got GameFormer Clifton head coach John Kostisin is a keen

judge of basketball talent, having seen every great

Clifton player since the early forties. During his 1984

basketball clinics for middle school students, the coach

knew he was watching a great player—one better than

any on the court.

However, this athlete would never play for Kostisin

on the high school team. The best player on the court

that year was a girl—Janet Domino. “She was better than

any of the boys,” say Kostisin. “She was a tremendous

athlete in both softball and basketball.”

Though she stopped beating the boys on the court

after the eighth grade, Domino continued to impress

Clifton coaches. She played four years for the Lady

Mustangs basketball and softball teams, becoming an

All-County player on the hardwood. Domino was elect-

ed to the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

Third in the WorldIn 1993, the best team in the city was probably its

smallest. After winning the Division I-A state champi-

onship, Clifton’s Biddy Basketball Team journeyed to

Abbeyville, La., to compete for the world title. The boys

from Clifton did well, finishing third.

“The team was organized through the Recreation

Department,” recalled the late Bob Potts in 2000.

“George Hayek and I helped put the team together, and

they were coached by John Antonucci Sr., whose son

John played on the team. Biddy basketball teams com-

pete on 8.5 foot baskets and players cannot be taller than

5’8”.

In 2002, senior Albert Torres, at left,finished his career at CHS with 1,081

career points. He is pictured withCoach Pete Vasil and sophomore

Devon Moffatt. Moffatt went on toscore 1,228 midway throughhis junior year before leav-

ing CHS in 2003 for St.Patrick’s in Elizabeth.

Devon Moffatt1,228

Albert Torres1,081


Clifton formed its Biddy team only three weeks

before the state tournament. However, because three of

the team’s stars—Antonucci Jr., Andre McCormick, and

Joe Haro—had played together on the Clifton Boys Club

team, the squad quickly jelled. Accompanied by many of

the parents, and Potts, Hayek and Antonucci Sr., the

Clifton team won twice in the world tournament before

losing to Puerto Rico. “It was a great experience to trav-

el,” says Ryan Mikula, a player on the team. “We were

all from different schools, but we came together. What I

remember most was the camaraderie we had.”

Kostisin’s Mustang FiveThough he says he’s “going to get a lot of flack for

this,” former coach John Kostisin agreed to provide his

all-time starting five for Clifton High.

After mentioning great players like Larry Kondra,

Bud Campbell, Rich Fincken, Ken Van Dalen, Bill

Shaughnessy, Sam Poulis, and “many others,” Kostisin

named his all time starting Mustang Five: Guards Devon

Moffatt and Ed Bednarcik, Forwards: Hal Corizzi and

Rich Conrad with Center Al Yuhas.

The 1000 ClubDuring the winter season of 2002, two CHS boys’

basketball players passed the 1,000 point milestone in

their careers and joined an exclusive club, which still

numbers eight Clifton Mustangs.

For senior guard Albert Torres, the 2002 season

marked the end of a brilliant high school career. For

sophomore guard Devon Moffatt, it looked like it was

just the beginning. Together, they formed what Mustang

basketball coach Pete Vasil called the greatest back court

Clifton has ever seen.

Torres, who was named to the All-Passaic County

Second Team, finished his career at CHS with 1,081

career points. “He’s a great open floor player and very

explosive,” the coach said.

Devon Moffatt, an All-County First Team selection,

had two years left at CHS when he made the club. His

1,003 career points as a sophomore meant that by mid-

season in his junior year, Moffatt was going to simply

shatter—and most likely obliterate—the school record of

1,258 career points netted by 1991 grad Sam Poulis.

After his first two seasons, Moffatt had already earned

the reputation as a big game player.

In Clifton’s 2002 State tournament victory over

Teaneck, Moffatt scored 24 points and hauled down 11

rebounds. During the regular season, he was a consis-

tent producer and a leader on the floor.

In the following year, Vasil named Moffatt, then a jun-

ior, his captain and the Mustangs were on to their best

season since 1977.

But despite mentoring, Moffatt left CHS midway

through the season to attend St. Patrick’s High School in

Elizabeth. “It was unfortunate,” is how Vasil summed it

up. The 2003 Mustangs finished 15-9 and went into the

second round of the states.

In 2002, Moffatt and Torres joined six other

Mustangs who have filled the CHS trophy case with

those brightly painted balls, each marking the memo-

rable day in their lives when they became a member of

the Mustang 1,000 Club.

Sammy Poulis1,258

Dori Breen1,180

Al Yuhas1,143

Ed Bednarcik1,120

Bill Shaughnessy1,019

Larry Kondra1,015


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Renowned as the author of a ‘dirty’ poem whose first public reading

in a West Coast gallery was said to have turned the 1950s into the ’60s

in a single night, Allen Ginsberg embodied, as a figure, some great cold

war climax of human disinhibition,” wrote Walter Kirn in a Nov. 19,

2006 essay in The New York Times.

The legacy of Paterson-born Ginsberg as the poet laureate of the

Beat generation was burnished in 1956 with the publication of Howl

and Other Poems. Shortly after its release in print in San Francisco,

and because of the graphic sexual language of the poem, the book was

banned for obscenity. The work overcame censorship trials, however,

and Howl became one of the most widely read poems of the century,

translated into 25 languages.

As the leading icon of the Beats, Ginsberg studied under gurus and

Zen masters and was involved in countless political activities, includ-

ing protests against the Vietnam War, and he spoke openly about issues

that concerned him, such as free speech and gay rights agendas.

Joe Rathgeber, Michael Lupi and Jim Gwyn. Below, Paterson’s Allen Ginsberg. The three Cliftonmen received honorable mention awards in the Poetry Center’s Allen Ginsberg Poetry competition.

Bards of CliftonThree Clifton Poets honored with Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards

CLIFTON POETRY


Ginsberg went on to publish numerous collections of

poetry, including Kaddish and Other Poems (1961),

Planet News (1968), and The Fall of America: Poems ofThese States (1973). Until his death in 1997, he lived a

life fit for the gossip pages and came to love his home-

town, returning to read his work at the Poetry Center.

For many, due to his Paterson connection and the

fact that his mentor was the Rutherford physician and

poet William Carlos Williams, Ginsberg continues to

serve as a genuine inspiration to generations of writers.

Which is why it makes literary sense that the Poetry

Center at Passaic County Community College presents

the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards, honoring Allen

Ginsberg’s contributions to American Literature.

The top three winners received cash prizes and along

with other poets read their works on Feb. 1 and are pub-

lished in the Paterson Literary Review. We’re happy

about this year’s award winners because three poets

who received “Honorable Mention” are in fact from

Clifton. No other town, in Jersey or elsewhere, which

produced a prize winner or an Honorable Mention, had

more than one. While they did not receive cash prizes,

Clifton’s three bards were honored at the reading. Here

is a little background on our three Clifton poets.

He Even Looks Like a PoetJames Gwyn, the one with the twirled mustache and

beret to the left, has, fittingly, a general air of jauntiness

about him. His winning poem is Real Men Read.

Gwyn grew up in Medina, in upstate NY, majored in

English and Creative Writing at what is now SUNY

Binghamton and has resided in Dutch Hill since 1991.

He works for the College Entrance Examination Board

or CEEB, which administers nationally the SAT’s.

“People in general” is how Gwyn sums up his inspi-

ration for his writing of verse.

“I observe people on the train while going to work in

New York City,” he explains. “I watch them on the

subway too. Trains are great places for inspiration.

They’re great places to write and they’re great places to

read poetry. You can read a poem between stops. The

doors open and you stop reading for a moment. The

doors close and you read some more. It’s fun and it

develops a rhythm of its own.”

One poet that Gwyn recommends is Billy Collins,

who was in fact Poet Laureate of the United States from

2001-2003. “Accessibility is important for poets,”

Gwyn continues. That’s one reason he thinks old Allen

Ginsberg himself was “a very good poet. He made

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poetry accessible and wrote in language that everybody

could understand.” Gywn is a frequent visitor at the

podium for the Ginsberg Award. He has numerous hon-

orable mentions and in 2008 he won the top prize along

with $1,000 for his poem The Burning Bed.“I really endorse going to poetry readings,” Gwyn

suggests to readers. “They’re a way to hear poets them-

selves play with words. And to let their words move

you in real time.”

Most of Gwyn’s own poems are published in sever-

al volumes of what he terms “chapbooks.” In the 17th

and 18th century these were inexpensively printed

pamphlets often used to make political statements.

Today’s versions are generally collections of poems,

no more than 48 pages. Gwyn himself laughs, howev-

er, when he points out that “almost all of my chapbooks

are out of print today. Although I may have some at

home, the old ones are pretty hard to find now.”

Since this is a month of romance, too, we of course

asked which poet Gwyn might recommend for lovers to

read together. He suggested John Donne from the 17th

century, a man who wrote some of the most sensuous

lyrics out there. There’s romance in Gwyn’s own life,

too: a long, happy marriage which has resulted in twin

sons who themselves graduated from CHS last year and

now both attend local colleges.

There’s also a puckish sense of humor. Asked his age,

Gwyn replies that he’s “as old as Benjamin Button.”

This is a reference to an F. Scott Fitzgerald story (and

subsequent flop Brad Pitt movie) about a man who is

born old and progresses through life getting younger.

Perhaps that’s simply the magic of being a practicing

and prize-winning poet, of feeling younger all the time

even as you burnish your considerable talents.

The English Teacher Who Loves LanguageJoseph Rathgeber does give his age—30—and while

he and Gwyn were Dutch Hill neighbors for a few

years, Rathgeber is a home-grown Clifton product. He

went to Grove Hill Nursery for pre-school, then attend-

ed School 15, Woodrow Wilson Middle School and

CHS. He also proudly participated in that uniquely-

Clifton rite of passage called the Mustang Marching

Band. His winning poem is American Poetry.

Today, Rathgeber is a high school English teacher.

He moved from Dutch Hill and purchased a home in

Clifton Center with his wife, the former Michelle

Primavera, whom he graduated CHS with in 2001.

They have one daughter Joleen and are expecting

another soon.

There are three main influences on his own rather

considerable body of work to date: “Clifton’s diversity,

my connection since childhood to Dutch Hill and the

city’s position between Paterson and Passaic.” And he

also stresses his love of “New Jersey’s own great poets.”

CLIFTON POETRY

Gwyn family: Gregory, Matthew, James, Emily Rose.


He cites Rutherford’s William

Carlos Williams (who for most of

his life was a practicing obstetrician

and pediatrician there), Ginsberg of

Paterson, Walt Whitman of Camden

(he spent the latter decades of his

life in Jersey no matter that the mall

named after him is on Long Island)

and the recently deceased and high-

ly controversial Amiri Baraka of

Newark.

“All of them,” Rathgeber feels,

“worked very hard at language. All

are poets who really cared.”

Ask Rathgeber which poets he

personally likes to read and he’ll

rattle off 20 or so names in machine

gun-like bursts: Matthew Dickman,

Robert Frost, Charles Bernstein,

Wallace Stevens (a career employee

of an insurance company... proof

that poets are often rooted firmly in

the “real” world), and the Italian

poet and 1975 Nobel Prize winner

for literature Eugenio Montale.

He even adds someone whose

way lengthy poems about Arthurian

knightly deeds and laments for lost

friends have been putting high

school students to sleep for over

160 years: Alfred Tennyson. “All

are worth reading, and taking seri-

ously,” Rathgeber believes.

“Poetry is a very flexible art

form,” he says. “You can even write

it very quickly. Yes, too, it’s not to

everyone’s taste, but that’s maybe

where good teachers come in. It’s

probably taught more easily one-to-

one or in small groups rather than

large classes. You have to pay atten-

tion and you have to appreciate the

possibilities of language.”

Asked which poets’ romantic

lyrics he’d recommend, however,

seemingly without thinking hard

about it, Rathgeber rattles off Rita

Dove and Gwendolyn Brooks.

“Both seem to have a real appreci-

ation of how difficult love can be,”

says Rathgeber, adding: “And of

how rewarding it is, too.”

The curious can also Google

Rathgeber and actually read his

master’s thesis for his MA in

Creative Writing at Seton Hall.

It’s a story about a boy of

Palestinian descent growing up in

Clifton and it’s pretty doggoned

interesting. And localized. So much

so that there’s even a discussion in it

of the proper Cliftonite’s pronuncia-

tion of Piaget Ave. Which has noth-

ing to do with what people who took

French in school might assume,

wherever they come from.


And This One Sounds Like A Poet The first thing one notices about Michael Lupi, yet

another Clifton schools-schooled poet who graduated

CHS in 2000 after passing through School 5 and

Woodrow Wilson, is his voice.

It’s good. And rich. (The word “mellifluous” comes

to mind.) This is no Bob Dylanish nasal whine or the

ranch hand’s twang that Bruce Springsteen seems to

affect and certainly didn’t pick up even living in either

Colt’s Neck or West Long Branch, to cite two rockers

hailed as poets.

Lupi’s is a voice meant for reading poems out loud.

Those of others as well as his own. And it’s well suited

to a classroom and to commanding attention there, too.

The 31-year-old teaches English at both Bergen

Community College and a private learning center in

Bergen County.

“The poem of mine that was selected for Honorable

Mention is called The Source Code In The Snow Driftand its themes include family legacies, self-determina-

tion and tragedy.” Some of the poem, he notes, is also

organized around motifs of computer programming.

That’s in large part because both his parents in fact

studied computer programming.

The first lines of said poem are She jumped head-long from a second-story window into a snowdrift —my mother as a child.

“And she really did that,” Lupi adds in a tone that

shuts down further questioning, tells you to go read the

resulting poem instead.

Another source of inspiration he cites for his work is

his girlfriend from Clifton “and I’ve written about her.”

But he wasn’t in the Marching Mustang Band.

“I played basketball in high school,” he replies, giv-

ing him a surprising sort of affinity with the deceased

poet Jim Carroll, whose early acclaimed work TheBasketball Diaries was made into an early Leonardo

DiCaprio movie.

Poets he likes are also somewhat surprising.

“Shelley is my personal favorite,” he says. “There are

always little pockets of revelations in his work.”

He also mentions, from the same period, both Byron

and Keats. All three, he assures, “are perfect for the

general purposes of romance.”

Ask Lupi as to why he writes poetry, he explains:

“In my teens I showed some inclination for it, and was

encouraged. It’s a very difficult art, and requires

patience, dedication and a tolerance for frustration.”

CLIFTON POETRY

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Look up in a maple and see the six foot wide Big Bug.Sigmund stands naked in a field. And near the well—

but where else?—discover the 20 foot-long-Under the

Sea. Created by Jodi Carlson using discarded reflective

street signs, (see more at Jodicarlson.com ) these three

join others on the grounds of the Clifton

Sculpture Park and can be seen for free seven

days, from dawn to dust.

Art literally pops up all over the park, locat-

ed at Clifton and Van Houten Aves. About

three dozen sculptures can be found on the 25-

acre campus surrounding city hall and the

Clifton Police Station. Several times a year, the

park’s roadways are transformed to the Avenue

of Flags, with 1,800 American Flags honoring

veterans, living and deceased. There is also the

Clifton Arts Center Gallery, which stages art

exhibits and presents cultural events.

Admission there is $3. Details: cliftonnj.org.

Sculpture park

Next time you go to city hallto recycle, consider how artistJodi Carlson gave new life toolds metals and sculpted art.

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The Clifton Arts Center opens InThe Style of… an art exhibit and

sale by members of the Clifton

Association of Artists (CAA) on

Feb. 26. A reception, open to the

public, is on March 1 from 1 to 4

pm. This year’s theme has mem-

bers choosing a famous artist and

creating their own composition in

the style of that artist. Write to

[email protected] for info.

Clifton’s ATC Studios’ 2014Young Playwrights Project is

open to middle and high school stu-

dents and is accepting 10 minutes

or under one-act scripts that reflect

the concept Believe! This may

include realistic points of view, and

those from the student’s imagina-

tion. Scripts should reflect the

writer’s direct experience or cre-

ative exploration. Send submis-

sions to [email protected].

The deadline is March 15. More

details at atcstudios.org.

Don Sheffrin, Mike VanLuvender, Gus Ferrari, Victoria Waumans and RobinEdinger are cast in Murd –ARRRR! Pirates of the Salty Dog, a murder / mysterydinner and show by the Theater League of Clifton. Six show dates in March arescheduled at Mario’s and the price is $40. Call 973-928-7668 to purchase tick-ets or go to theaterleagueofclifton.com. Hurry, shows sell out quickly.

The Feast Day of St. Joseph—the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary—is

on March 19. In Sicily, where St. Joseph is a Patron, and here in many

Italian-American communities, thanks are given on that day to St.

Joseph—San Giuseppe—for preventing a famine in Sicily during the

Middle Ages. Keeping that tradition alive, the 84th Geraci Citizens League

St. Joseph’s Dinner Dance is on March 15 at The Brownstone at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are $90. Coordinated by Nina Corradino, those who attend will

enjoy traditional pasta dishes, finocchi and zeppoli, dancing and music.

For tickets, call Corradino at 973-278-0356 or 973-470-8982.The Geraci Citizens League’s St.Joseph’s Day Gala is on March 15.

The Woodrow Wilson Middle School SymphoniquesOrchestra Ensemble is under the direction of Elise White. Their Spring Concert is on May 19 and 20.

Arts & Culture


The Tenth Annual Passaic CountyFilm Festival on April 26 is a juried

exhibition of students’ and inde-

pendent filmmakers’ work which

showcases projects created by film-

makers who live, attend school, or

work in Passaic County. All 10-

minute entries are the sole effort of

those submitting the work. There is

free admission to the festival and

screenings will take place at the

Fabian 8 Theater in downtown

Paterson. Call 973-569-4720 or

write to [email protected].

Clifton Recreation offers a Dinnerand a Movie on Feb. 20 at Main and

Washington Aves. Dinner will be

served at 5 pm and the movie, FreeBirds is at 6 pm. For $5.50, get a

choice of hot dog or hamburger plus

French fries, a soda, the movie, pop-

corn and candy. Seating is limited.

Buy tickets at clifonrec.com or call

973-470-5956.

The Friends of the Clifton PublicLibrary seek to raise funds to

enhance library services, sponsor

special events for children and teens

and encourage community aware-

ness of services offered at the Main

Library on Piaget Ave. and its

Allwood branch on Lyall Rd..

Government funding pays only a

portion of the Library’s operating

expense. The Friends, a 501(c)3

non-profit organization, is a volun-

teer group who essentially want to

add some extras and stretch tax dol-

lar with books and programming.

Membership with the Friends of

the Clifton Public Library is a great

way to support and expand the free

and vital services including literacy

training, internet access and job

search resources.

The Friends was originally

formed in 1985 and new member-

ship incentives will soon be offered.

There is an additional benefit when

Corporations make matching gifts.

Officers, pictured above, were

elected this past December and said

they are looking forward to adding

members and expanding program-

ming. The next meeting, open to all,

is on March 12 at 7 pm at the Main

Library. A representative of City

Green will present a program on

their efforts at Schultheis Farm.

This 5-acre site on Grove St. is

producing organic food and City

Green was instrumental in teaching

gardening to volunteers so as to fos-

ter a sense of community.

Refreshments will be served.

Learn more about the Friends.

Go to cliftonpl.org and click on

Support Us or call 973-772-5500.

Officers of the Friends of the Clifton Public Library: Colleen Murray, Vice-President; Vivian Semeraro, President; Roberta Silverberg, Secretary; MaryRogers, Treasurer; and At-large Members Joan Sanford and Fran Warren.


Community Events

School 16’s Tricky Tray is March 26 at the Brownstone.

Tickets are $45 and include a beefsteak with antipasto,

pasta, beer, wine, soda and dessert. Doors open at 6 pm.

Prizes include designer hand bags, home electronics,

jewelry, home goods and more. For tickets and details,

call Michelle Genardi at 973-417-2704.

St. Paul Church Fat Friday Beefsteak is a fundraiser

to help pay for the installation of an elevator before this

year’s centennial celebration in June. The Mardi Gras

style Fat Friday Beefsteak is in the Church Hall, 124

Union Ave., on Feb. 28 at 7 pm. The BYOB affair is

$35; purchase by Feb. 24. Call 973-340-1300 for info.

Liberty Tax Service—Allwood wants to take care of the

veterans, active military and their immediate family

members with free federal tax preparation during

“Military and Veterans Appreciation Week.” First time

customers who fall into these categories can get a free

Federal Return from Feb. 10 to Feb 17. Just bring mili-

tary or a VA id card, along with a driver’s license to get

the free return. “We want to give something back to

those who served,” said Maryann Bowen, owner of

Liberty Tax Service in the Richfield Shopping Center.

Their office is at 1344 Clifton Ave. (next to Boston

Market). Find out more; call them at 973-778-0700 or

email [email protected].

Assemblyman Tom Giblin heard about Bobby Turcicbeing a huge Jets fan in late December. So he visitedthe Rowland Ave. resident and his mom Diane Wrighton Jan. 15 with a belated Christmas gift—an authenticJets football. Turcic, who turned 40 on Nov. 24, worksat the Clifton Adult Opportunity Center.

Clifton Cares, agroup of volunteerswho have been sending supplies of‘goodies’ to US Armytroops serving over-seas, shipped 66packages on Jan 24.

On the night before,packing decks ofplaying cards donat-ed by the SandsCasino in BethlehemPA for the troops,are from left, ChrisLiszner, LizzGagnon, DonaCrum, CathyReynics, JoeLauritano, andDennis Reynics.

Kevin O'Neil, left, owner of Clifton’s IHOP onRt. 3, with Damien Burke, notes National PancakeDay is March 4. Stop in for a free stack of pancakesand donate to the Children’s Miracle Network, thebeneficiary of this nationwide fundraiser.


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At the opening of Powerflow Hot Yoga on Van Houten Ave onJan. 11, are owners Jerry LePore and his nephew Brian, withmanager Meghan Hunter. The newly constructed studio locatedbetween School 2 and Grimaldi’s offers classes 7 days a weekand is the fourth location for Powerflow. See powerflownj.com.


Meet our CHS Students of the Month,selected by the VP’s of each wing.

Gabriella Has The GradesGabriella Varano, a ninth grader in the

East Wing, says that “there are only a hand-

ful of teachers who can make an indelible

mark on your first year of high school.” For

her that’s Mr. Michael Rogers.

“He has an uncanny way of making the

mundane and pedestrian seem exciting and

vital,” Gabriella notes, terming Rogers

“the only person I know who can make the

Black Plague compelling instead of

repelling.” Her best friend is Kassandra

Velez, who she’s known since 6th grade at

CCMS and has “a unique sense of humor.

She’s a constant reminder I shouldn’t take

everything too seriously.”

After just two marking periods at CHS,

Gabriella’s day is pretty filled with post-

class activities, too, including the Mustang

Marching Band, the CHS Orchestra and

Brass Band and Pit Orchestra, the AV Club

and the Italian Club. She’s also recently

joined the Clifton Community Band.

Down the line, however, she hopes to pursue a career

in law, not music, “with an emphasis on defending and

advocating for Special Needs students.”

And she definitely enjoys school. “Being an honors

student can be difficult,” she admits. “However, I enjoy

the challenges and value the opportunity.”

“There are many other deserving students” who could

just as easily be Students of the Month, Gabriella adds.

Nonetheless, she’s “extremely grateful for this

acknowledgement and trust that my hard work, curiosity

and diligence will always stay in the forefront through-

out my academic career.”

Hanyel Has At ItThe Annex’s very own Hanyel

Reyes says that both Mr. Alvarado

and Mrs. Allen there “are great

and have cool styles of teaching.”

He describes both as “letting

themselves be open to questions

and constantly explaining the les-

son until everyone in the class has

understood it.” He leaves all their

classes “feeling prepared.”

Hanyel cites a septet of special

friends as “great influences” on his

life: Anthony C., Brandon S.,

Brittany C., Hiral S., Prince H.,

Angie M. and Briana S. (“You guys” all know who you

are sans surnames, in other words.)

“One of my favorite things about going to school,”

Hanyel adds, “is being able to talk to friends you do not

always get a chance to otherwise see.”

He’s also refreshingly stays very much in the relative

“now” when it comes to his future aspirations, which

“would be for me to remain at a high level of performance

throughout high school and hopefully college years.”

Hanyel also feels there’s one simple reason he’s rep-

ping the Annex this month. “Because I never give up.

Raising my hand is the chance to understand the lesson.

I try to never miss a homework assignment and I study

Pamela Prandy Hanyel J. Reyes

Jill Desai

By Richard Szathmary

hard to reach the highest grade I possi-

bly can.” Hanyel also nicely and

prominently adds one thing we don’t

perhaps hear as often from Students of

the Month as you might imagine: a big

heartfelt “Thank you!”

Jill Celebrates “Sisterhood”Jill Desai from the North Wing has

two fave pedagogues, Mr. Chilowicz

and Mr. Henry. “‘Mr. Chil’ taught us

skills for the real world as well as

about chemistry, and he’s the reason I

love the subject so much today. And Mr. Henry’s pas-

sion about history transferred to me and made me avid

about his class. The work ethic I developed there will

stay with me for the rest of my life.” (And when, come

to think of it, was the last time you heard of a high school

avid about...well...avid’ about anything?)

Her best friend is the intriguingly named Pooja,

because “over the years we have become like sisters.

She’s become my shoulder to lean on and my pillar of

strength.” Jill is president of the Asian Club at CHS and

secretary of the Key Club, positions she’s “very proud

to hold.” She also played tennis this

past autumn for the Mustangs. She’s

considering becoming a pharmacist

after-graduation and the requisite

course of college science -focused

study.

“I love that my teachers, both past

and present, have been very supportive

and motivating, and made their classes

interesting and engaging,” she adds

charmingly.

As to why she was selected to rep

her wing this month, she modestly

demurs with “It’s an honor and a wonderful reward.” She

allows, too, that it took “continuous hard work and ded-

ication.”

Ella Dances On Through LifePamela “Ella” Prandy” from the Central Wing in no

uncertain terms proclaims that Dance is her favorite class

of all. “It’s where I gain energy to go throughout the rest

of my day. Where I can express myself without writing

or speaking.” That in turn means Mrs. Lois Manzella is

her favorite teacher, a woman she cites as one

Gabriella Varano



Students of the Month

“who’s always letting students know

that nothing is impossible.”

Her best friend is Juan Adames.

“Since the beginning, we’ve always

had each other’s back,” she says. “We

always push one another to do the best

we can and we don’t let each other set-

tle for anything less than our dreams.”

For extracurrics, “This year I joined

the French and Dance clubs and had a

part in the musical ‘Shrek.’” Come

spring sports tryout time, she’s also

going for Mustangs girls’ softball.

After graduation, she subsequently

hopes to go on to college to eventually

become a dentist. And then, along with

developing a dental practice, “continue doing what I

love by opening a dance school for kids.”

“What I enjoy most about school,” she continues, “is

the electives which allow students to purposely choose

courses they know they’ll enjoy. I also like that school

is just a taste of what life can be after graduation.”

As to why her s Student of the Month, Ella Prandy

says “it’s because I made my school work my number

one priority. I did not allow myself to be satisfied with

just a passing grade. I believe that with a little hard

work, anything is possible.”

Felicia Is ForcefulFelicia Selvakumar in the South Wing cites Mrs.

Adibzadah as her favorite teacher. “She is kind, patient

and has an admirable sense of humor,” Felicia declares.

Her best friend is Monique Castro, “who never abandoned

me. I will always be indebted to her for

that. Plus, she’s really fun to be around.”

Felicia also particularly savors

“socializing with my friends and teach-

ers at school. It’s a home away from

home” for her, she gladly admits. But

watch out, too! For this young lady

has earned her black belt in Tae Kwon

Do. She says she’d also “like to pub-

lish a best-selling and award-winning

book.” And then go on to a career in

criminal justice.

“Frankly,” she concludes self-dep-

recatingly, “I don’t know why I was

chosen as the Student of the Month but

I won’t jinx it because it makes me

proud even if it was a mistake.”

A Local Remedy For SAT-Borne Stress? CHS’s own

fine faculty has jumped into the crowded college admis-

sions marketplace with its SAT prep course.

Courses are held on convenient Saturdays from 8 am

to noon and weekdays from 7 to 9 pm, beginning late

February for the May round.

They’re also reasonably priced ($295) vs. the com-

petition, and vow to expose attendees “to what a real

test is like” and to teach them “how to construct a pow-

erful essay.” They also promise to “deconstruct” and

clarify the math section of the SATs where so many tra-

ditionally stumble and/or get very angsty.

For info or to register for the courses, call Louise

Iuele at 973-470-2310 or contact Steven Spota, SAT

Prep Supervisor, at [email protected].

Felicia Selvakumar

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School News

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

Passaic County CommunityCollege (PCCC) invites students and

families who need money for college

or other post-high school education

to attend NJ College Goal 2014, a

free financial aid open house to be

held on the PCCC Main Campus,

One College Blvd. in historic down-

town Paterson on Feb. 8 from 1 to

2:30 pm; and Feb. 20 from 5 to 7 pm.

To register or for more info, go to

www.njcollegegoalsunday.org.

CHS Project Graduation hosts a

Beefsteak on March 14 at 7 pm at

the Boys & Girls Club. It’s a BYOB

event for adults catered by Geresi’s

and tickets are $35. Call Valerie

Riggi at 973-981-7555 to purchase

tickets. Entertainment, great prizes

and a 50/50 raffle will benefit the

Class of 2014 and subsidize the cost

of their all night party on June 26.

Audition for Fiddler on the Roofpresented by the Theater League of

Clifton on Feb. 12 or Feb. 16. There

are 15 roles for males and females

ages 18 to 70 and for kids ages 6 to

13. Show dates are May 9, 10, 11, 16,

17 and 18. Details what to prepare

for at theaterleagueofclifton.com or

call 973-928-7668.

The CHS Prom Fashion show is Feb. 9 at 2 pm at the JFK Auditorium.Above, some of the models, from left, Emily Choque, Robert Lupo, MeganMontanez, Sarah Fusco, Alex Figueroa, Natalia Dymora, Chris Arrazola.

The CHS Prom Fashion Show is Feb. 9 at 2 pm. The event is at the JFK

Auditorium and is a major fundraiser for the Class of 2014.

Models will be styling tuxedos donated by Deluxe Formal Wear of

Clifton with gowns by Group USA in Secaucus, Vesa in Nutley, BouBou’s

Collections in Garden State Plaza and Sisters Bridal Boutique in Garfield.

Clifton hair salons contributing services are Hair Craft, Sante Fe Hair &

Nail Salon, Hair Expressions, Artistic Hair Design, Gallery Beauty Salon,

Michel’s Hair Salon, Lon's Cuts and Beauty Plus Salon. Tickets were print-

ed by Allwood Funeral Home.

Funds raised go to help pay for Project Graduation which will take place

right after the CHS Class of 2014 commencement. Project Graduation is

the lock-in at an undisclosed location to keep our graduating seniors safe

from alcohol and drugs in a party like atmosphere.

The seniors meet at CHS and are taken by bus to the party place at 10

pm. They remain at the location where there is plenty of food and frolic

with doors locked until 5 am when they are returned to CHS.

Call Maryann Cornett at 973-779-5678 to support Project Graduation.


Birthdays & Celebrations - February 2014

Alison Degen.......................2/1Robyn Feldman................... 2/1Jack Houston ...................... 2/1Kristin Reilly........................ 2/1Mary Jane Varga................ 2/1Emil Soltis, Jr ...................... 2/2Joseph Fierro ...................... 2/3Bob Naletko....................... 2/3Catherine Grace Burns ........ 2/4John Nittolo........................ 2/5Courtney Carlson................ 2/6

Joseph DeSomma ............... 2/6Robert D’Alessio ................. 2/7Nicole Tahan...................... 2/7Tara Fueshko ...................... 2/8Jamie Carr ......................... 2/9Craig Grieco...................... 2/9Steven Becker ................... 2/10Bryan Kelly....................... 2/10Matthew Seitz .................. 2/10Valentine Le Ster ............... 2/11Sarah Mikolajczyk ............ 2/11

Nick Zecchino .................. 2/11Joseph Hilla...................... 2/12Anthony Musleh................ 2/12Dolores Rando.................. 2/12John Hodorovych.............. 2/13Amin Zamlout................... 2/13Mark Gallo ...................... 2/14Jeanette Ann Saia............. 2/14Orest Luzniak ................... 2/14Christine Canavan ............ 2/15Chickie Curtis ................... 2/15Frank Klippel .................... 2/15M. Louis Poles .................. 2/15Ashley Brandecker ............ 2/17Leann Perez...................... 2/17Lorraine Rothe .................. 2/17Michael Del Re................. 2/18Richie Bandurski ............... 2/19Michael Papa................... 2/20Robert Mosciszko.............. 2/21Taylor Jesch ...................... 2/22Diana Murphy .................. 2/22John T. Saccoman ............. 2/22Robert Adamo.................. 2/24

Natalie Pychwith ‘Big Sister’Casey Hawrylko

turns 13 on Feb. 8. On Feb. 11, Caseyleaves for Australia for a year of study.

She’ll be 24 on March 2.

Happy Birthday to...Send dates & [email protected]

Ashley Rose Montague is 8 on 2/6. Happy Birthday toDonna Hawrylko on 2/25. Angely Sotamba turned 2on 1/26. Happy Birthday Lux siblings. Eric turns 18 on2/3 & Renee turns 12 on 2/14. Happy Birthday on2/14 to Orest Luzniak.


Goofy Bob De Libertocelebrates 50 on 2/11.

Eileen Feldman................ 2/24Kimberly Mistretta............ 2/24Kimberly Gasior .............. 2/26Brittany Helwig................ 2/27Joyce Penaranda ............. 2/27Brittany Pinter .................. 2/27Lauren Ricca.................... 2/27Charlie Galluzzo ............. 2/28Mark Zecchino ................ 2/28

Knapp Brothers birthdays...Don celebrates on Feb. 6and Richard on Feb. 22.

Congratulations to Mary andBob Henn who celebrate theirwedding anniversary on 2/3.


Clifton Milestone

Only about 55,000 people in the entire United Stateshave lived to be a 100 or older. On Feb. 4, Clifton’s

Helen Braviak Horack joined those ranks and marked

that milestone with a party at the Valley Regency.

A teacher in Clifton Public Schools for more than

five decades, she was joined not only by family and

friends, but by many of her former students. Mayor

James Anzaldi and other elected officials were there to

read a resolution from the Clifton Board of Education

presented in Helen’s honor.

Helen also received a Papal Blessing, a lovely and

elaborate parchment document from the Vatican that

was presented by Fr. Richard Bay, Paterson Dioscese

Vicar and a long-time family friend and Cliftonite.

The youngest of seven children of Anna and Joseph

Braviak, Helen was born in Clifton on Feb. 4, 1914.

Helen, who attended Clifton’s then-fledgling public

schools, knew from an early age she wanted to be a

teacher. She received her certificate in 1935 from the

New Jersey State Normal School at Paterson then com-

pleted William Paterson College in 1973 with a

Bachelor of Science in Education.

In 1935, Helen began her career thanks to a program

sponsored by President Franklin Roosevelt’s Works

Progress Administration. The WPA was an extensive

federal government project that funded jobs throughout

the United States during the Great Depression and

Helen first taught English and Math to immigrants at

the Adult Evening Program in Clifton.

John Horack and Helen Braviak married in 1940 and

Helen continued to teach at Clifton School 3 until 1951,

when daughter Cathy Ann was born.

Helen returned to teach full time in 1958 at Clifton

School 16. When she retired in 1984, Helen was hon-

ored with a proclamation from the Clifton City Council

for her life-long dedication to education and to the

community. In 1994, she was accepted into Who’s WhoAmong American Teachers.

Helen participated in several teacher’s associations,

and was active throughout her life in community organ-

izations, as well as with her parish, Ss. Cyril and

Methodius in Botany Village. Helen’s family is well

known in Clifton. Like her mother, daughter Cathy Ann

was a Clifton schoolteacher. Helen’s brother Joseph was

a Clifton police captain and brother Thomas served on

the city’s Planning Board for many years.

Although all her siblings and husband have passed,

Helen continues to enjoy an extended family that

includes daughter Cathy Ann Kartanos and husband

Nicholas, grandchildren, two great grandchildren, many

nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great

nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Mica.

Helen with her siblings, Marie, Thomas, Anna, Joseph and Rose ( allborn and raised in Clifton on Arthur St.). At right, Helen today withher daughter Cathy Ann Kartanos and her husband Nicholas.

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Clifton Merchant Magazine - February 2014

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