Clifton Merchant Magazine - October 2010
-
Upload
clifton-merchant-magazine -
Category
Documents
-
view
226 -
download
2
description
Transcript of Clifton Merchant Magazine - October 2010
Clifton Merchant Magazine • Volume 14 • Issue 7 • July 3, 2009
629 Clifton Ave • Clifton
973-777-7364459 Chestnut St • U
nion
908-686-5868
DEN
TAL C
AR
E FOR
CO
WA
RD
S
THE A
PP
REH
ENS
IVE PATIEN
T
DEN
TIS
TR
Y W
HILE Y
OU
SLEEP
PO
LLER D
ENTA
L GR
OU
P
470 Clifton Ave • Clifton
973-546-6977
EXP 10-15-10
EXP 10-15-10
EXP 10-15-10 M
y Mow
imy
Po P
olsku(D
entystka)
Follo
w The A
pp
rehensive Patient of C
liftonon
&
Clifton Merchant Magazine is published the first Friday of every month at 1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton • 973-253-4400
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 4
16,000 Magazines
are distributed tohundreds of Clifton
Merchants on the firstFriday of every month.
Subscribe Page 12
$27 per year $45 for 2 years
Call 973-253-4400
Editor & PublisherTom Hawrylko
Business ManagerCheryl Hawrylko
Graphic Designer
Rich McCoy
Staff Writer
Joe Hawrylko
Contributing WritersIrene Jarosewich, CarolLeonard, Rich DeLotto,Don Lotz, Jack DeVries© 2010 Tomahawk Promotions
1288 Main AvenueDowntown Clifton, NJ 07011
I love eating apple pies. And for the last 10 or so years
I have been given one of the best jobs in Clifton—to
judge the annual Apple Pie Baking Contest presented by
the Recreation Department. It’s part of the annual
Halloween Parade & HarvestFest, which is on Oct. 24.
But this year I won’t be a judge as I will be at the 100th
anniversary celebration of my parish, St. Nicholas
Ukrainian Catholic Church, in Passaic.
But if you have kids, don’t miss it. The Parade begins
at noon on Lakeview Ave. and East 4th St. From there,
kids, parents and even animals in costumes proceed to
Nash Park, where the costume judging will take place.
It’s free to enter and prizes are awarded. HarvestFest
continues untill 4:30 where kids can take a hayride, paint
pumpkins, visit the petting zoo and explore carnival
booths, rides and food stands. Games and rides range in
price from a quarter to a dollar. Pre-purchase $5 bags of
tokens at the Rec. Dept. and beat the lines.
And if you see Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man or the
Cowardly Lion from our cover, tell them I said hello.
by Tom Hawrylko
2010 Halloween Parade & HarvestFest
2008 Apple Pie BakingContest Blue Ribbon win-ner Lilyan Borrelli withher son Vincent. Will shemake a comeback in thisyear’s bake-off? Judges atleft include Ray Mauro,Stella Madey, John Biegel,Anna Rose LoPinto andPaul Oliver. Not picturedis Myrt Petty. For info onthe contest and the parade,call 973-470-5956.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 5
Free PumpkinGiveaway!
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________________
E-mail: ___________________________________________________________
Color the pictureand bring to
Coldwell Banker789 Clifton Ave.
Clifton, N.J.after October 21
to receive your:
Free Pumpkin &Trick or Treat Bag
1 per child under(10 years of age).*While Supply Lasts
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 6
Clifton Merchant Magazine1288 Main Ave. Clifton 07011
to theEditor
2010
VFW 7165 sends thanks to all who supported the Brooke Van Beveren
Benefit on Sept. 19. Over $8,000 was raised for Brooke, who is battling
Hodgkins Lymphoma. Additional donations can be sent to the VFW Post
7165, 491 Valley Rd., Clifton 07011 and it will be forwarded. Please
remember the Boys & Girls Club is also holding a Beefsteak for Brooke on
Nov. 12. The $40 ticket includes food, soda, beer and entertainment.
VFW 7165 Veterans & Canteen Club
It’s been almost a year now since we moved to our retirement home.We especially look forward to receiving the magazine each month and
reading about friends we’ve made and notable places in Clifton – over the
last 39 years.
And the July 2010 issue – we were really surprised to read the “Top of
the Class of 1980” story! Our son John had not told us about his interview
with Carol Leonard – only that (on about July 1st) he would like to see the
Clifton Merchant Magazine after we’ve finished reading them.
John is our oldest of five children, all CHS graduates, and, all of whom
we are very proud. Incidentally, John’s brother Chris also became a doctor
and they live only minutes apart. Our three girls also live close together in
the Randolph-Rockaway area. Thanks for keeping us connected.
Bill and Judy Taylor, Highland
October is Breast Cancer AwarenesssMonth and no one knew this better
than our Donna, who lost her battle on
July 7, 2009. Courageous and humble,
she lived her life, supported her family
and never complained. Every October,
Donna would send a gift to signify her
fight and determination to end breast
cancer, with this simple note: Don’tForget to Get Your Mammo, Love Me!It is a message we hope you’ll share.
Joan and Marty Neville
Donna (Neville) Pizzimenti “Don’tForget to Get Your Mammo... Love Me!
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 7
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 8
by Christopher de Vinck
You just have to know where to look, and to know
exactly how to prepare yourself for the harvest moon and
for the witch’s arrival on Halloween.
As is our routine in the autumn season, my wife Roe
and I drove to Warwick, New York to pick apples a few
weeks ago. After collecting a bag of Red Delicious, and
Macintosh apples, we had a picnic on the orchard grass,
and headed home.
As we re-entered New Jersey, as we drove down
through the northern tip of Sussex County, we came
across a small, brown sign with black letters: Fresh Eggs.
We drove by, and on second thought, we turned the
car around, returned to the little sign, and pulled left into
a narrow driveway.
There, on a small hill, sat a small red barn like a happy
rooster bathing in the afternoon sun. Outside the barn
was a wide table filled with pumpkins, apple cider, and
surrounded with pots of yellow and red
chrysanthemums. Roe wanted a dozen fresh eggs. I
wanted a fat, orange pumpkin and to follow the poet
John Greenleaf Whittier’s suggestion. He was the
influential Quaker poet of the 1800’s who wrote in his
poem Pumpkins about the fruit that he loved as a boy, the
“ugly faces we carved in its skin, glaring out through the
dark with a candle within!”
The woman who owned the property walked out to
greet us, and when we asked if there were any more
eggs, she said, “Yes. I’ll pulled them from the nests and
wash them for you.” We spoke a bit, I saying how she
discovered paradise; she saying that she had six children,
that her husband was a carpenter, and that she
maintained the seasonal roadside stand as a hobby.
As the woman in her black boots and long, lovely hair
walked to the hen house, Roe and I stepped into the barn
where, just for the fun of it, there were haystacks and
pumpkins, cornstalks and chrysanthemums arranged, it
seemed, for the cover of the old Saturday Evening Post.On the barn door was a poster from the 1950’s of an
illuminated pumpkin that looked, also, like the moon.
The moon is a bright orange pumpkin in autumn, the
harvest moon hanging in the darkness like a Japanese
lantern on a stick, looming down on us.
Autumn in New Jersey is just as charming, and just as robust as autumn in New England.
Sweet Cider...
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 9
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 1010
Each Halloween the street lights on our dark road, like
little moons, guide trick-or-treaters up the narrow,
concrete walk that leads to our front door. I like watching
tiny hands reaching out of their devil or witch costumes
as I offer a bowl filled with chocolate Milky Ways and
Hershey bars.
Twenty years ago, when my daughter was five-years-
old, she was a witch for Halloween. Roe sewed the
costume, and searched the stores for just the right
pointed hat. My favorite part of the costume was Karen’s
red sneakers visible under the long, black skirt decorated
with moons and stars.
Perhaps the reason we like Halloween so much is
because it is the day that reminds us of our own youth,
when we could all pretend to be something other than
who we are, when we could be a little mischievous, toss
eggs, soap windows, and join Huckleberry Finn and Tom
Sawyer out behind the old school building and smoke
acorn pipes and feel just fine.
Whittier reminded us about ourselves in his little
poem: “When we laughed round the corn-heap, with
hearts all in tune, our chair a broad pumpkin, — our
lantern the moon, telling tales of the fairy who traveled
like steam in a pumpkin-shell coach, with two rats for
her team!”
It has been reported that New Jersey farmers
experienced a bumper crop of pumpkins this year
because of the heat and well-timed rainfall.
I like autumn and Halloween because it makes me
think of paradise: a sumptuous roadside stand, the little
sneakers in the attic that once fit my grown daughter,
pumpkins on a door sill
The 19th century American novelist Willa Cather
wrote in her famous novel My Antonia, “I was something
that lay under the sun and felt it, like the pumpkins, and
I did not want to be anything more. I was entirely happy.
Perhaps we feel like that when we die and become a part
of something entire, whether it is sun and air, or
goodness and knowledge.”
I like autumn in New Jersey because it makes me feel
happy, as if I am a part of something good as the cold air
swirls around us and the apple cider is sweet.
Dr. Christopher de Vinck, a graduate from Teachers College,
Columbia University, is the Language Arts Supervisor at
Clifton High School; an adjunct professor of English
Education at Montclair State
University, and the author of 12 books.
His best know work is The Power of the
Powerless (Crossroad Books) a book
on the struggles and joys of loving his
severely disabled brother. This essay is
from his upcoming book ‘Moments of
Grace: Days of a Faith Filled
Dreamer.’ to be published next Spring.
But I am done with apple-picking now.Essence of winter sleep is on the night,
The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.Robert Frost from After Apple Picking
What was once the site of a controversialplan to build a McDonalds restaurant
will soon be home to the new Allwood Diner.
Brothers George and Gus Logothetis and
George’s wife Anastasia purchased the Jubilee
Park Diner on Allwood Road in April from
previous owner Tony Prekas. They have been
renovating the building since mid-July and
expect it to be ready for a grand opening under its
new name later this month.
Wanting to retire, Prekas had signed a 20-year
lease agreement with McDonalds last year. But
following an outpouring of objection from
community residents to its plans to operate a 24-
hour drive-through business, McDonalds
withdrew its application for approval from the
city’s Board of Adjustment in January.
Photos and story by Carol Leonard
From Corporate Controversy
to Familial Opportunity
Gus Logothetis with Anastasia and George Logothetis.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 11
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 12
A clause in the lease allowed Prekas to terminate if
McDonalds did not get city approval for the project
within a year. Meanwhile, the Logothetis brothers had
been looking around to purchase a diner in the area for
about two years.
Their father, Jimmy Logothetis, has been in the diner
business all of their lives. He currently owns the State
Street Grill in Bloomfield, which they have helped him
manage. Their cousins are the owners of Rutts Hut.
“I grew up in the diner,” said George, 29, who holds a
marketing degree from Seton Hall University. “Owning
my own diner is something that I always wanted to do.”
George said that he would pass by the Jubilee Park
from time to time and would think to himself what a nice
spot it was for a diner.
So, when the McDonalds deal fell through, he and his
wife and brother began negotiating with Prekas to buy the
business. They closed on the purchase on April 4.
The Logothetises knew that they wanted to renovate
the diner and change its name, but they decided to run the
business under the Jubilee Park name for a few months
before they started making the changes.
“We wanted to get to know the customers and for them
to get to know us,” George said. “A lot of people were
very ecstatic that we were taking over. They wanted to
keep a diner here.”
The Logothetises had a large rendering on display of
what the new diner would look like and they received a
lot of positive feedback, especially from some of the
longtime customers.
On July 16 the Jubilee Park Diner officially closed and
construction was soon underway.
Workers gutted the inside of the building and started
putting up a whole new outside facade. Anastasia, 29,
who grew up in Greece and holds a degree in interior
decorating, is the main influence behind the new design,
which will include earth tone colors inside and outside.
She worked in collaboration with architect Giuseppe
Munafo to incorporate her own ideas into the plans,
which she describes as a combination of American and
European styles. “We wanted to get away from the
stainless steel look and do something more modern,” she
said. “I wanted to make it warm and cozy.”
Younger brother Gus, 26, who graduated with a degree
in business management from Berkeley College, is very
happy about the new venture.
“We have very high standards and we’re determined to
do well here,” he said. “We’re in this for the long run.”
The new Allwood Diner will offer “a typical diner
menu,” George said. “But it will be very good quality
food.” The Logothetis brothers are confident that their
customers will like what they’re served because their dad
and their uncle Tommy will be in the kitchen as the
executive chefs.
They hope to bring back the regular customers who
came to the diner when it was the Jubilee Park as well as
attract new ones from the residential and business
communities. They also expect to expand their hours.
The past few months have been a bit of a whirlwind
time for the young Logothetises, who admit that they
been feeling a bit overwhelmed. They originally expected
to complete renovation and have the new diner opened by
mid-September, but construction delays have caused
them to bump back their opening about a month. On top
of that, George and Anastasia, who just celebrated their
first wedding anniversary on Aug. 28, are expecting their
first child in February.
“It’s all happening so fast,” George said.
The Logothetises are planning to have two grand
opening celebrations, one which will include a ribbon-
cutting ceremony with the mayor and other officials from
city hall, and another for family and friends.
Name: __________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________________________________State:_________________________________________
Zip:______________________Phone:_____________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS TO TOMAHAWK PROMOTIONS, 1288 MAIN AVE., CLIFTON, NJ 07011
Have Clifton Merchant Mailed.$27/YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
Sorry but due to problems with Bulk Mail Delivery we no longer offer a $16 rate for Clifton Subscribers.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 13
For such a little plot of real estate, theFierro and Sons lot sure holds a lot
of memories. The triangular swatch of
land, located on Marshall St. in Paterson,
a stone’s throw from where Hazel Ave.
and Broad St. intersect, has been in the
family since 1957, when Robert Fierro
purchased it.
“We just sold gas back then,” said Bob
Fierro pictured below right with his broth-
er Joe and their dad, Robert. “It used to be
a park years before that and then it became
a dumping ground. My grandfather Rocco
bought it and then dad and Uncle Pete
helped him built a gas station here.” Now,
a half century later, the pumps are long
gone, removed sometime in the 70s.
Story by Joe Hawrylko
Making it on a Triangle
3 Generations of Fierros
Joe and Bob Fierro, with their dad Robert. Top, Robert’s brother Pete in a1960 photo. At left, founder Rocco Fierro in the 1950’s.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 14
Since that time, some four decades later, it has been a
used car lot, featuring 30 or so vehicles which seem to
fill every inch of the macadem and concrete, sans a little
house where the three men share an office. “I started
working here when I was young, around 15,” recalled
Bob. His brother, Joe, helps run the store and has been
there for just under three decades as well.
“I’m fond of saying that I bought cars before I even
drove them,” continued Robert. “I’d be at the high
school and I’d call my dad, ‘Hey, I just bought you a car,
come and get it.’”
But the used car market has evolved since those days.
The buyers have changed, the cars on the market are dif-
ferent, and people expect more for less.
“The problem with low end cars now is that people
want you to stand behind a car that has all these miles,”
he said. Times have changed as well, especially for
younger first time car buyers. Bob said kids have
become more picky, and parents more apt to spend a bit
more for newer car with more safety features.
“I had a 69 Camaro, with different primer color
everywhere,” he chucked of his days with a first car, as
a high school senior, back in 1975. “That was the clean-
est rust bucket on the block.” But despite the changing
tastes, the Fierros have stuck with what the old stand by:
Detroit-made vehicles. “We deal with mostly American
cars because of the price,” he explained.
Fierro said the vehicle price range is between $500
and $5,000. “I don’t do much of the auctions. We do get
new car dealer trade-ins a lot. We try to fill orders if we
can, but it’s mostly family type vehicles. But we’ve real-
ly found our niche with blue collar American models.”
“We get a lot of second car buyers, workers looking
to make a dollar stretch. I get a lot of people saying that
they want a car that gets from point A to point B. Well
how far is point A from point B??” he laughed. “We
also have buses, pick-ups, commercial vehicles...”
Dealing with the Fierro father and son team is a love
it or leave it experience and return customers appreciate
it that not much has changed at this family enterprise.
“We still get people saying, ‘Oh, my grandfather
bought his first car here!’” laughed Bob. “Or, ‘I remem-
ber when you were this small and I bought a car from
your father. It’s name recognition. We make it comfort-
able. Easy. No heavy sales pressure.”
That might sound like hyperbole, but consider this:
The company has survived with no internet marketing
and no advertising. And it’s not the aesthetics of the
place that draw customers either—Bob readily admits
that the 70s era wood paneling in the sales office is
probably only appealing to him.
It’s a business built on a good family name, friendly
service and trust. “It’s like a time warp,” he laughed.
“We just got rid of the rotary phone.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 15
Story by Joe Hawrylko
It’s a small place that seems as if it hasn’t changed abit in the past decade or so, besides the new screen
door out front and the fresh paint on the facade. Inside
this Clifton Ave. deli it is tight—if there’s more than a
half dozen people inside it’s going to be crowded.
“We’ve had the place for 31 years,” said MaryAnn
Haring, who owns the store with her husband, Harry.
“We just were looking around and noticed that this place
was for rent. We thought it was an excellent piece of real
estate.”
Located just a few blocks from CHS and directly
across the street from the Board of Education office, the
deli is in the perfect area to support a business. Teachers
and education administrators heading into the high
school or BOE building often stop by for breakfast.
“Everyone wants something on the way to work,”
MaryAnn stated. The store gets a lunch rush and then
the day ends. That means mornings at MaryAnn’s Deli
begin before sun up. Harry is the morning man, up at the
store by 5 am to do prep work. MaryAnn comes in a bit
later, but she also stays to close. It’s a bit of a compro-
mise for the couple, who have been married 25 years.
The store’s location means that it draws in students
leaving Clifton High School later in the afternoon during
the school year. Lunch is also popular with workers in
the area.
“It’s more from local businesses,” she added. “Some
are just local people as well.”
“A lot of people have been coming here for 20 years
or more,” added Harry.
But building up that pool of faithful customers takes
years. The most basic component to success starts in the
kitchen.
“I come from an Italian family that loves to cook and
loves to bake,” smiled MaryAnn. “My mom is a great
cook and great baker.”
But there is certainly a business element, and without
that, even the best chef in the world will have trouble
staying afloat.
“You just find good ingredients, see how much you’re
paying and figure in room for profit,” said MaryAnn.
Though the couple said they did originally scope out
some competitors to see pricing, they said it mostly relies
on trial and error.
“Other stores probably look at our menu now because
we’ve been here so long,” Harry quipped.
Though they were a bit apprehensive when first open-
ing the store, the Harings found that it really wasn’t an
exact science behind figuring out how to price food.
The couple has found that a far greater challenge is
introducing new meals to satisfy different tastes and
diets. Just like clothing, there’s fads in the food industry.
“Harry has taken over a lot of the cooking,” admitted
MaryAnn.
“How many ways can you do turkey?” Harry asked
rhetorically. “Years ago, there wasn’t wraps and now
everyone is health conscious. Twenty years ago, no one
had paninis and now you have to have them.”
It may not look like it at first glance, but there is a lot
more going on behind the counter than it seems. Sure,
getting up early can be tiresome, but when you do
something you enjoy, it really doesn’t matter. “I just
love to cook,” smiled MaryAnn.
30 Years & Evolving
Changing with Tastes
If you are looking for a new shopping experience,
then stop at 259-161 Crooks Ave. in Clifton. You
can’t miss it—just look for the window display, com-
plete with statues of saints and deities. Inside is a
warehouse-sized retail shop and wholesale showroom
with a large selections of herbs, bath salts, candles,
crystals, jewelry, books, incense and other spiritual and
magical paraphernalia. The products are both high
quality and affordable. What is this new retail establish-
ment? Or should we say old retail establishment?
You would have just discovered Botanica San
Lazaro and the Inner Peace Center, which has served
the spiritual needs of Clifton and the surrounding
region for the last half century.
Founded in downtown Paterson in 1959 by Lupe
Jiminez, a door-to-door jewelry salesman who decided
to focus on his religion and passion for helping the poor
and elderly, Botanica San Lazaro was from the begin-
ning a family venture.
Lupe and his wife, Rose, started the Botanica in
Paterson, where it became not only a store, but a tem-
ple. Every Sunday, Lupe offered prayer services at
which all were welcome. Today, Rose, her daughter,
Maggie, and grandsons Orlando and Lorenzo run the
business since Lupe’s passing 16 years ago.
Although the Botanica now operates in Clifton, it
remains a regional landmark and a home of tradition—
offering prayer, teaching and healing services to those
in need, just as Lupe did. “Our grandfather was very
spiritual,” Orlando explained. “His gift was the power
of prayer.”
Like Grandfather Lupe, the family continues to edu-
cate and guide their customers based on their individual
needs. “It’s a family atmosphere here,” added the
founder’s daughter, Maggie. “People enjoy the positive
energy and the personal and private touch we offer.
Many customers are so loyal and appreciate us and we
feel the same about them. We always consider our
clients’ input and feedback.”
This personal touch helps contribute to the close
ties that the Botanica enjoys with its customers, many
of whom have been visiting the store for decades.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 16
Story by Joan Velardi
At the Inner Peace Center...
They Made it on a Prayer
Top, the late Lupe Jiminez, and above, from left, hisgrandson Orlando Martes, CHS 1992, Maggie, Rosaand Lorenzo, CHS 1998.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 17
Call Clifton’s Brian Kulesa today and install a new & affordable underground sprinkler system at your home or business!
Since the move, the business has grown to include the
Inner Peace Center, which hosts classes and events on
the second floor of the building. Current ongoing
classes include 21 Divisions, Yoga, meditation, Feng
Shui, Hinduism, and how to create an altar.
And in line with the family’s mission to support all
beliefs, the Botanica sells religious items from a wide
variety of religions including Christianity, Hinduism,
Wicca, Santeria, Palo, Buddhism and ancient spiritual
faiths from Central America to Egypt. The Inner Peace
Center hosts an annual puja in appreciation of clients,
family and friends. The puja brings peace and protec-
tion to those in need and is lead by a Hindu priest who
travels to Clifton from Queens.
Orlando says this openness is an integral part of the
Botanica. “We keep our doors open to everyone, so all
can gather and shop comfortably regardless of your
beliefs or spiritual paths. We strive to maintain that
vision.” And the two CHS grads are also expanding.
The brothers now offer embroidery and printing
services and have also introduced a new line of cloth-
ing called Forever Flyy. Clients can custom design T-
shirts and clothing for their individual faith.
For customers seeking guidance, Orlando offers
spiritual readings on-site. “Since moving to Crooks
Ave., we may have lost some of our old customers.
Perhaps, they haven't realized that we had just moved
locations,” said Rosa. “We are excited about our store
and enjoy seeing new faces that discover Botanica San
Lazaro’s Inner Peace Center. It’s not only a store—it’s
a gathering place.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 18
Residents of Allwood and nearby neighbor-hoods don’t have far to travel anymore to
pick up a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The new Market Street Farm store opened last
December in the storefront that, for many years,
was home to the Allwood Pharmacy.
Located next to Allwood Dentistry and two
doors down from Quick Chek, the market has
become a favorite place to shop for many resi-
dents of the Styertowne Apartments as well as
parents with children at School 9.
Owner Jennifer Lee (at right) and her husband
James have been in the produce business for more
than 25 years. The couple owns another farm mar-
ket store in NYC and they had been looking
around for a second location in the Clifton area
when they came across the vacancy on Market St.
“The rent was acceptable and it looked like a nice
neighborhood with good opportunities to develop
the business,” Lee said.
Story by Carol Leonard
They keep if fresh...
The Allwood Farmers
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 19
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 20
The smell of fresh fruits and vegetables permeates the
air as you enter the store, and the rainbow of colors of
everything from red ripe strawberries and tomatoes to
green, yellow and orange peppers, purple eggplants and
a variety of lettuces, spinach and bunches of fresh herbs
is a sight to behold.
A small dairy section includes milk, eggs and cheeses
as well as yogurt, kefir and hummus. You can also pick
up fresh rolls and bread, dried spices, jarred sauces,
honey, pasta, bottled juices or a fruit cup or vegetable
platter that Lee cuts up fresh each day. They even have
bouquets of fresh flowers.
Lee’s husband does all of the shopping for the pro-
duce, traveling to the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx
about four to five times a week, and to local farms dur-
ing the growing season.
Lee oversees the operation of the store and tries to
meet and talk with the customers as often as possible.
“I want them get to know me and my workers,” she
said. “I try to make it a comfortable and cozy place to
shop.” Lee feels that the friendly atmosphere and person-
al attention that she provides helps her compete with the
larger supermarkets for business.
“It’s a tough time in the economy,” she said. “This
was the worst year in all of the 25 years we have been in
the business, so we have to do what we can to increase
cash flow.”
Recently, she has been trying to expand her stock of
convenience grocery items that some of her customers
have requested.
“They tell me that they want to be able to come here
for more of their groceries instead of traveling to the
malls and big supermarkets,” she said.
Lee also packages up some of the produce to discount
for a quick sale, which is a benefit to customers who may
be on a fixed income or are looking to get the most for
their money.
Longtime Allwood resident Leslie DePoto was happy
to see the farm market move into the storefront space
that had been vacant on Market Street for more than two
years after the pharmacy closed.
DePoto often stops by the market on her way home
from work to pick up fresh vegetables to use for dinner.
“I like to support the local businesses, and their prices
are fabulous,” she said. “You can’t beat it.”
DePoto also likes the fact that she can often find
unusual fruits and vegetables such as celery root and dif-
ferent types of eggplants and melons in the store that
aren’t available in the produce aisles of the larger chain
supermarkets.
The Market Street Farm store is open seven days a
week, from 8 am until 8 pm.
Lee is at the store for part of every day and she said
she plans to keep the market open 365 days a year.
“It’s a demanding kind of business, but it’s what we
know,” she said, waving her hands across the aisle. “My
husband’s family has been in the business since his
uncle came to this country many years ago.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 21
f
Montclair Cosmetic Surgery is a beauty caremedical practice founded by Dr. Susan Palmer (pictured below) and Dr.Michael Basista (at left) to bring affordable medical beauty care to averagepeople. Conveniently located in ImmediCenter of Clifton, Bloomfield, andTotowa, MCS specializes in the administration of in-office painless, non-invasive procedures such as:
•New Juvéderm® XL, to remove facial lines and wrinkles. In2010, the FDA approved Juvéderm® XC with local anesthetic lidocaine togive patients a more comfortable injection experience and less in-officetime. Juvéderm® is now safe for patients with dark skin, who aresusceptible to keloids.
•Botox® Cosmetic Injections for quick, safe facial rejuvenation.It is FDA approved for temporary treatment of moderate to severe frownlines between the brows in men and women from the age of 18 to 65.
•Chemical Peels for skin rejuvenation—and giving you that actress’facial glow—is a technique used to improve the skin's appearance byremoving the damaged outer layer. A chemical solution is applied to theskin for 1 to 2 minutes, causing the skin to slightly peel 2 to 3 days later.
•IPL (Interval Pulse Light) for hair removal, repairing sundamaged skin, and removing pigmented lesions. IPL is not just limited tothe face, it can also be used on the neck, chest and even the back of yourhands. A clear complexion can be yours in just a few minutes.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 22
Maybe it’s the shaggy beard,or the lack of a sharp suit, but
Neil Sabatino sure doesn’t seem
like the head of a record label. And
that’s exactly why his two year old
business, Mint 400 Records,
already has some 20 up and coming
bands signed.
Artists trust him, because years
ago, he was in the same position.
“I’ve been in the music industry
since 1994,” said Sabatino, who
also works as a teacher in Bergen
County. “Once of the bands that I
was in, Pency Prep, ended up mov-
ing about 100,000 CDs when we
released in 2000.”
And the Cliftonite is still a musi-
cian, going on over a decade with
his band, Fairmont, the group that
spawned the label.
“Two years ago, I originally just
wanted to put stuff our for my band
we saw that there was a need for a
local label,” he said. “There was a
lot of great bands that we were
playing with. We’re dealing with
every aspect of what a record label
would have to deal with for my
band. For other bands, it’s kind of
like a management label. We’re
trying to keep it as low cost as pos-
sible and to be as economic as pos-
sible.”
Sabatino first decided to explore
the other side of the music industry
after some unpleasant experiences
with more prominent record labels.
According to him, the bottom
line was the motivating factor in
every decision. You could have all
the talent in the world, but if you
aren’t playing the ‘in’ genre at the
Story by Joe Hawrylko
Music is the business...
Mint Records Still Spinning
We Keep the Fleet on the StreetProud to serve the Clifton, Passaic & Nutley Police & Fire Departments
• Light/Medium Trucks• Antiques & Classics• 4 Wheel Drive Service• A/C Systems & more
• Domestics/Foreign• Automatic/Manual• Commercial Fleets• Differentials,Clutches
Present this ad and save $100 off any overhaul
45 Atlantic Way
(790 Bloomfield Ave)
Call 973-472-2075
ask for Mark or Brian
Sabatino’s band, Fairmont. From left: Sam Carradori, Neil Sabatino,Christian Kisala and Andy Applegate. Visit www.mint400records.com.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 23
m
moment, good luck. Labels also
determined everything from album
listings to the frequency of shows.
At Mint, Sabatino only takes on
projects that interest him—most of
the signed bands have an indie rock
sound like Fairmont. And when a
band is signed, his involvement in
the project is up to the artists.
“We’re just trying to be a man-
agement label that’s taking on all
aspects and just pointing them in
the right direction. It’s kind of like
a stepping stone for smaller bands
to get them to the level they need to
get signed by a bigger label,” he
said. “We try to cut our artists a
check every time we’re getting
money, even if they’re not getting
much. We’ve been on labels where
we’ve had to wait a year, a year and
a half for a check.”
“They know they can trust us,”
continued Sabatino. “They know
we will show our bank statements if
they ever don’t trust us for some
reason. We’re on top of every
aspect of their career, with recom-
mendations for what to do next.”
And due to his many years in the
industry as a musician, Sabatino has
a number of connections in the
North Jersey music scene. As his
stable of artists grows, he’s able to
do showcases at a number of venues
to gain exposure.
“We’re creating a community of
local bands to trade shows with and
trade fanbases with,” said Sabatino.
“Fairmont does really well at The
Clash Bar, so we can pull bands
from Jersey City to play with us
there and they can take us to Jersey
City where they draw.”
Because his label releases its
music almost exclusively online—
pressing albums only on request—
Mint required almost no start up
money. Sabatino relied on his expe-
rience within the industry (and part-
ner AJ Tobey) and connections to
create an environment that supports
artists. He’s identified a niche for
emerging local bands, and can help
them navigate the tricky areas of the
business.
“We’re succeeding right now
because bigger labels put out to
publishers two or three months in
advance,” he said. “It gets reviews
and people start instantly uploading
your stuff and sharing it. We’re not
doing full scale publicity campaigns
for them. Most people won’t
upload smaller bands that are just
getting out there. If they want our
stuff, they have to buy it.”
“As the music market keeps get-
ting more and more saturated, I feel
like a lot of labels are putting out
utter crap,” said Sabatino. “I’m
hoping that, because we’re really
picky with who we put out there,
maybe it’s not going to be this year
or the next, but someone’s eventual-
ly going to look back and say, hey,
they have a stellar catalog that we
really should listen to.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 24
Krystyna Bladek’s journey to America fromMaziarnia, Poland began in 1971 with a
steamship ticket she had worked to pay for, and a five
dollar bill that her mother had managed to save. The
two-week visit she planned with her aunt in Passaic
turned into a 30-year love affair with America that con-
tinues today.
Along the way, Krystyna’s passion for her new coun-
try and her strong will and resolute determination
resulted in a successful business, as well as citizenship
for herself and her four younger brothers and one sister.
“I was 19 and quite fearless when I decided to visit
the US,” she recalled. “It didn’t bother me at all that I
had only $5 to my name. I wanted to have souvenirs of
my travel, so when the ship docked in London, I took a
$2 sightseeing tour and bought six postcards for
another $1. I ran out of shampoo and spent another 75
cents to buy some on the ship. I eventually landed in
New York with $1.25,” she said, matter-of-factly.
Shortly after arriving, she met her husband, John,
who hailed from the same hometown as Krystyna.
“I knew his family, but not him,” Bladek recalled. A
week before the wedding, John’s car was stolen so, “we
really started out with nothing,” she said, and when
their son was born nine months later, the young family
knew life would not be easy. Krystyna was deter-
Krystina Bladek leaving Poland on October 29, 1971 and pictured on the following page in a recent photo.
Story by Joe Torelli
From Poland to Passaic...
Held Up, then Motivated
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 25
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 26
mined, however, to meet the challenges.
Within six months she acquired her
Green Card and worked the second shift
at the Royal Paper Company, a job she
held for the next 15 years while John
worked the dayshift in area factories.
To save money, she learned to sew
and made most of her family’s clothes.
She also attended ESL classes for a
year at CHS, earned a GED diploma,
and became a US citizen in 1977. Just
prior to that, in 1976, she and her hus-
band were able to make the down pay-
ment on the Clifton house in which
they still live.
Bladek got into the travel agency business after
injuring her back at work. Unable to continue at Royal
Paper, she entered into a partnership in Passaic Park
with a close friend. After a harrowing holdup at knife-
point, she wanted to move the agency to Clifton. When her partner balked at the idea, she struck out
on her own and opened Krystyna’s Travel which is now
located at 542 Van Houten Ave. in Athenia.
“I always believed the one thing you can’t make up
for in life is lost time,” Bladek said. “You have to seize
opportunity when it becomes available. I wanted to stay
in America, be successful, and raise
my family here, so I did everything I
had to do as soon as I could do it to
make sure that would happen.”
The real turning point in her life, she
said, was the day she became an
American citizen. “I felt so good,” she
recalled. “I remember feeling that
America is now my country. You are a
different person when you become a
citizen, and since that day, I encourage
every permanent resident I meet to
apply for citizenship.”
Bladek feels so strongly about citi-
zenship that she said any immigrant
who stays in America for five years should not be
allowed to remain unless they have applied to become
a citizen. “It is better for us as a society for people to
become citizens,” she said, adding, “to remain strong
and safe, we need citizens who have invested their lives
in this country.”
But she also believes the government needs to be
more sensitive to immigrants who apply for citizenship
than it is today. Referring to the many immigrants she
knows, and to the many reports of widespread indiffer-
ence by INS agents, Bladek said, “People who apply
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 27
Klimek105 Avondale Ave. Clifton
Siding
Pettke333 Harding Ave.
Roofing
Nolasco430 Terhune Ave. Passaic
Roofing
Wurch375 Colfax Ave. Clifton
Siding & Windows
Cervone215 E. Park St. Moonachie
Siding & Blown in Insulation
Call James, Ron, Jim or John for a Free Estimate!
for citizenship are already perma-
nent residents. This is their socie-
ty; they are already contributing to
America. If they care enough to
take their investment a step fur-
ther by becoming citizens, the INS
should help them instead of treat-
ing them so poorly.”
Bladek’s own investment in
America and her steadfast deter-
mination apparently have set a
good example for her two chil-
dren. Her son, Chris, holds a
Master’s Degree from NJIT, and
daughter, Alina, attended graduate
school at night while holding a job
at the Preakness Health Care
Center during the day.
Back in 2002, Alina, then just
24 years old, also mounted a spir-
ited, though unsuccessful, cam-
paign for a seat on Clifton’s City
Council. Her mom was campaign
manager. “Young people have the
time and energy to make a differ-
ence in America,” Bladek said.
“There are opportunities available
here that don’t exist anywhere
else. They need to study and work
hard to make sure that they will
continue to be available always.”
1232
Benjamin Moore Paints and much more...
Able Hardware745 Van Houten Ave.
973.773.4997Mon.-Fri. till 7pm
Sat. till 5pm
Meet Charles D. Crowley, M.D. and his AssociatesToday’s lifestyles require good eyesight, 24/7. That’s why it makes sense to have your eyes care-
fully examined regularly. At Associated Eye Physicians, we take the time to thoroughly examineyour eyes, test eye function and diagnose eye problems.
What distinguishes Associated Eye Physicians? For starters, we offer all your vision needsunder one roof, from contacts to cataracts. Next, we are renowned for our eye care and offer oneof the finest private practices in northern New Jersey. Finally, expert physicians and personalizedcare. Our doctors have more than 60 years combined experience in vision care and will make yourvisit a positive one. —Dr. Charles D. Crowley
All you need is at AEP—Associated Eye Physicians
Ceaser Pitta, M.D., specializes
in diseases of the retina includ-
ing Macular Degeneration,
Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular
Holes, Macular Pucker as well
as Detachment surgery.
• Board Certified Surgeons• State of the Art Diagnosis &Treatment of Eye Diseases
• Great Choice of Eyeglass & Sunglasses• Contact Lens Fittings & Teachings
MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED
Michael Landolfi, D.O., offers
expertise in cataract surgery
including no-stitch cataract surgery
and multi-focal intraocular lens
implantation which reduces the
need for glasses after surgery.
Attefa Sultani, O.D., focuses on
comprehensive eye care, from
diagnosis and management of eye
disease to contact lenses and post-
operative care and can perform
exams in Spanish, Hindi and Farsi.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 28
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 29
A future star player taking some swings in one of the batting cages. Debbie and Joe LoCarro in the pro shop.
In today’s economy, many small businesses inClifton and elsewhere are struggling to make ends
meet. But at Lefty’s Sports Academy, which specializes
in training baseball and softball players, business is
booming.
Located in an old warehouse building on Bloomfield
Ave., the facility includes five batting cages, training
tunnels for pitching, hitting, catching and fielding les-
sons, and a pro shop.
Owner Joe LoCarro and his wife Debbie opened
Lefty’s seven years ago. LoCarro’s father had owned
the building since the late 1960s, operating a toy distri-
bution business for a while in part of the facility and
renting out the rest of the 45,000 square foot warehouse
space, before retiring in 1993.
With a degree in psychology from Widener
University in Pennsylvania, LoCarro had worked as a
youth counselor for a number of years in Pennsylvania
and Delaware before returning to the area to join his
father in the warehouse business.
Before opening Lefty’s, LoCarro said he and his wife
were exploring some ideas for starting a new business at
the site.
“I really enjoy working with kids and I was looking
for a way to get back to doing that in some kind of busi-
ness,” he said.
While they were growing up, LoCarro’s two daughters
were softball pitchers and his son was a talented baseball
player, so he spent a lot of time taking them to pitching
and hitting lessons at other training facilities in the area.
With more and more youth players getting involved
in travel teams and higher level play in recent years,
LoCarro felt there would be a growing need for this type
of business.
It took some time for him to get approval from the
city’s zoning board to proceed with his idea for a sports
academy, but LoCarro was determined to make it hap-
pen. Lefty’s opened in June 2003 and LoCarro and his
wife have never looked back on their decision to start
the new business.
Within the first year, the demand for use of the train-
ing tunnels in the rear of the facility for individual and
group lessons and rental by Little League, high school
and travel teams for indoor practice had grown beyond
what LoCarro expected. He decided to expand the orig-
inal 6,500 square foot area back another 3,500 feet
Story and photos by Carol Leonard
Game Changer took them from..
Warehouse to Batting Cages
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 30
into the empty warehouse space. And he still has more
room for growth.
LoCarro contracts with 10 baseball and softball
instructors, most with playing experience at the college
level, and even a few who have played in major league
baseball. Clifton’s own Joe Rivera, head baseball coach
at Clifton High School, is among those on the Lefty’s
staff. The coaches set their own fees for lessons.
LoCarro gives a great deal of credit to his instructors
for the success of his business. “First and foremost,” he
said, “I wanted to bring in coaches who were good
working with kids and families and who cared about the
kids they were coaching. They’ve all been great in
developing a following and bringing in new business.”
Lefty’s is open year-round, but its busiest time starts
in January, when players are training with their teams or
taking lessons to get ready for the spring season. During
this peak time, LoCarro said, up to 500 players per week
make use of the facility.
The success of the pro shop, located in the front of
the building, is also something that has surprised
LoCarro. The store is stocked with a variety of baseball
and softball equipment, from bats and balls to gloves,
helmets, catcher’s equipment and apparel.
“We try to keep our prices competitive,” LoCarro
said. “We usually offer a better deal than you can find in
the big box stores or on the internet.”
Last year Lefty’s was designated as a Wilson
DeMarini Demo House, one of only 35 in the country,
LoCarro said. Customers can pick out a Wilson
DeMarini bat in the pro shop and try it out for free in
one of the batting cages or during a hitting lesson before
deciding if they like it enough to buy it.
Asked why he thinks that Lefty’s has continued to
thrive while other businesses in the area have been fal-
tering, he commented that even when money is tight
parents always put their children first and do what they
can to help them reach their goals.
Lefty’s sponsors Little League teams in Clifton and
Bloomfield as well as baseball travel teams in the 13-
and-under, 15-and-under and 18-and-and under age
groups. Known as Lefty’s Lightening, the travel teams
play in leagues and competitive tournaments throughout
the summer and fall.
LoCarro usually travels with the 18-and-under team,
many of whose players have aspirations of continuing
to play in college. He said he often reaches out to
coaches at schools that players on the team are interest-
ed in and counsels the youngsters on their academic
and athletic plans.
Even if you’re not a diehard baseball or softball
enthusiast, there’s something for everyone at Lefty’s. A
lot of young Little Leaguers and weekend warrior adult
softball players often stop in just to take some swings in
the batting cages.
Tokens for the cages are $1.25 for 12 pitches or you
can get 10 tokens for $10. The facility also hosts birth-
day parties, which include use of the batting cages, and
offers a program for strength and agility training. And,
there are special camps during school vacation breaks.
For more information about Lefty’s, stop in most any
day or go to www.leftyssportsacademy.com.
973-772-8451Roofing • SidingSeamless Gutters
Additions • Alterations
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 31
ELECTION DAY is November 2
Profiles on Candidates forPassaic County Sheriff & FreeholdersVoters will head to the polls acrossthe nation on Nov. 2. Here in
Passaic County, local races could
vastly alter the political landscape.
With the departure of long time
Sheriff Jerry Speziale, the door is
open for a change in power. The
Democrats have pinned their hopes
on a career cop and political new-
come in Cliftonite Richard Berdnik.
Meanwhile, the Republicans will go
with Felix Garcia, a former employ-
ee of the Sheriff’s Dept., who left
under a cloud of controversy and
later sued his former boss, Speziale.
In the Freeholder race, two seats
are open and the Republicans have
an opportunity to swing the balance
of power on a body that has been
under Democrat control for years.
Republican challengers Walt Garner
and Tomas Gomez will face incum-
bents Terry Duffy and Pat Lepore.
The race for Congress is a
rematch of the 2008 election, in
which Bill Pascrell Jr., a Democrat
with 14 years of tenure, defeated
Roland Straten by a 72 to 27 percent
margin. Due to space limitations, we
were not able to conduct
Congressional interviews.
Candidates for Congress: Roland Straten and William Pascrell
With the sudden departure of longtime Sheriff JerrySpeziale just over a month ago, Passaic County
Democrats had to quickly come up with a replacement
candidate. After securing the backing of Passaic County
Democratic Chair John Currie and Congressman Bill
Pascrell, 30 year Clifton officer Richard Berdnik has
emerged as the party’s selection.
“I was active in the PBA but I never held office,” said
Berdnik, a Clifton Police Lieutenant. “It’s been some-
thing I’ve really always thought about. It’s considered an
honor to be sheriff. It’s something I’ve always aspired to
do. When former Sheriff Speziale left, the opening was
created and I just put my name in.”
The Democrats’ bid to retain its hold on the Sheriff’s
position rests on the shoulders of political newcomer.
“I guess the fact is I’m running on my qualifications.
It is very clear I’m not a politician,” said Berdnik. “This
is my first time running for public office. My concern is
the taxpayers and the citizens of Passaic County. I expect
to represent their interests.”
Given the state of the nation’s economy, smart spend-
ing will likely be the focus in November. In the months
leading up to the election, the Sheriff’s Department
spending has come under scrutiny, with calls to scale
back funding. Berdnik said he’s heard these complaints,
adding that he plans to continue to explore cutting efforts
that started in 2008.
“We’re in tough economic times, that’s clear. We must
balance between public safety and fiscal responsibility,”
explained Berdnik. “The way I plan to do that, if elected,
is to go in there and do a full assesment of each and every
division in the Sheriff’s Dept.”
The candidate also said that would like to reestablish
the role of the Sheriff’s Dept. “Maintaining the jail,
maintaining the safety of the court house,” he stated.
“There’s a civil process too. Warrants and serving papers.
There’s also an enforcement bureau and a community
policing aspect of that.”
Though the presence of Sheriff units at County parks
like Weasel Brook or on County roads like Main Ave. has
been criticized in the past, Berdnik feels that having addi-
tional officers is generally beneficial.
“By patrolling the County parks and the handling of
responsibilities there allow Clifton, Passaic or whatever
municipality to focus their efforts elsewhere,” he
explained. “Some of the things the County is involved in,
like crime scene investigations, that allows for cities to
put an additional officer on its streets. It’s important that
the sheriff be able to communicate effectively with city
officials, city leaders and, of course, local police chiefs.”
Though he acknowledged that review is necessary to
make sure that municipal and county services do not
overlap, Berdnik said mosts times the units coexist and
benefit residents.
“It’s only fair that you have a period of time for
reviewing what’s being done and how things are being
done,” said Berdnik. “To implement positive change,
you require an assesment period to see where you can
combine services or do other changes.”
Such reorganization may free up bodies or funding to
bolster special programs like the internet crimes unit.
“They seek to arrest people that prey on our children,”
the candidate explained. They have an excellent record,
150 arrests at least and they haven’t lost a case.”
Berdnik said that a department-wide reorganization
will put money and manpower where it is most needed,
supporting street crimes and narcotics units, and pro-
grams for seniors to create awareness about internet
scams, identity theft and other issues.
“You can either be proactive and attempt to stop crime
before it happens, or you could be reactive,” said
Berdnik. “Unfortunately, being proactive is hard to
measure. It’s hard to say what you’re trying to prevent.
It’s hard to measure, but [taking a proactive approach] has
definitely had an impact.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 32
CANDIDATE FOR SHERIFF
Richard Berdnik
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 33
Felix Garcia has over 30 years of experience in thefield of law enforcement, and the former Passaic
County Sheriff’s employee hopes that will entice voters
looking for a change this fall.
“During the campaign, I’ve been speaking and saying
that the jail was neglected by the administration,” he said
of the Paterson based facility.
“[Former Sheriff Jerry Speziale, who recently
dropped out of the race] wanted a brand new jail and in
today’s economy, we cannot afford that brand new jail,”
he continued. “It would cost $300-400 million dollars,
and then it’s an issue of where do you put it?”
Garcia said he has an intimate knowledge of the jail,
having served there for 14 years as Underwarden, and
six more as Warden. However, his departure, nearly nine
years ago, was not smooth.
Garcia was terminated by Speziale in 2003, not long
after he was the focus of a corruption probe headed by
the Attorney General’s Office. No chargers were
filed—the investigation was due to allegations that he
used inmates for his own personal work—but Garcia
never got his job back. He later successfully sued his
former employer and was awarded a settlement.
But despite the manner in which he lost his job,
Garcia is adamant that the jail, which is the focus of a
current lawsuit due to the deplorable conditions, was in
great shape when he left it.
“When I was there, everything passed inspection with
flying colors,” he said. Garcia went on to identify the
problems at the facility.
“The conditions of the jail, in general, ...the plumbing
has to be fixed, the electricity, the fire sprinklers.... num-
ber one has to be safety, both for the men and women
working there and our inmates,” he continued. “Also,
the food. One of the main concerns is the food. When a
man is hungry, you got to feed him. You can’t mess with
the food, it’s got to be brought up to standards.”
After the jail has been brought up to acceptable stan-
dards, Garcia said he’d like to explore the practice of
accepting out-of-county inmates to create revenue.
The candidate said the County lost $15-20 million in
state funding because the jail was overburdened due to
the conditions of the facility. With improvements, he
said the County can accept state and federal inmates
again and add to Passaic County coffers.
“The more money we bring back, the less money the
Freeholders have to raise from taxpayers,” said Garcia.
“When I was there in 2001, our budget was $45 million.
We had over 2,100 prisoners and 500 employees.
Compare that to the previous administration: The budget
was always close to $100 million, with 900 prisoners and
800 employees.”
“We have to do more with less in today’s economy.
Taxpayers can’t afford it,” he continued. “This depart-
ment cannot afford to be run the way it has in the past.”
Garcia said he’d like to review the budget and find
areas to save money.
“The main goal is once I get in there, I want to change
the budget,” he explained. “The current budget is gen-
eral. I’d like to see one for the jail, for Sheriff’s officers
and a budget for non-essential services. It allows you to
break it down easier, and that’s how you make cuts.”
Garcia said he’s reluctant to talk about any of his pro-
posed cuts this early in the race. However, he reiterated
his commitment to protecting the courts, running the jail
and maintaining County roads and parks.
“I will assist any department that needs help from the
Sheriff at any time,” Garcia said of the role of the office.
“I’m not just going to come into Clifton and put men
there without the Chief of Police knowing about it.
We’re there to assist, not to take over.”
All Candidate Profiles by Joe Hawrylko
CANDIDATE FOR SHERIFF
Felix Garcia
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 34
Even though he’s running for his third term asFreeholder, Terry Duffy doesn’t really see himself as a
politician. He views himself as an independent thinker
and entrepreneur who is elected to solve problems.
“I’m a conservative Democrat in a Democrat area,”
explained Duffy, who makes his living as the owner of
Duffy’s Riverside Grill and its neighboring bar in
Paterson. “Over time, I’ve learned that the solution to
many of our problems are just a phone call away.”
“I’m just a blue collar worker trying to represent the
middle class,” he added. The candidate, a resident of
West Milford, said his ability to work with members of
both parties and reach consensus is his greatest asset. It’s
allowed him to address issues in a timely fashion.
“I like to think that I stand proudly by my record,”
said Duffy, who was first elected in 2004. “We made
cuts, starting in 2007, all the way through. We’ve been
ahead of the curve with the governor.”
The candidate said that the Freeholders cut nearly 18
percent of the County workforce—much of it in the
Sheriff’s Dept.—more than 400 jobs in total.
“We were beaten up and still beaten up for that,” said
Duffy, adding that the County has had a hiring freeze for
nearly six years. “It saved $10 million. We had to do
that. It just made sense for the County.”
And that candidate said he’s still looking for ways to
trim fat. Recently, Duffy called for a bi-partisan review
of the Sheriff’s Dept. He said such aggressive measures
are necessary have allowed the Freeholders to keep tax
hikes under 4 percent annually. Duffy expects this year’s
to come in at around 3.3 percent.
It’s not just the candidate saying that the Freeholders
have been more fiscally responsible. Moody’s Investors
Service recently upgraded Passaic County’s bond rating
due to recent maneuvers to better manage the budget,
debts and assets, such as the County Golf Course.
“If you’re going to be in the golf course business,
you’ve got to be competitive,” said Duffy. At the begin-
ning of his last term, the Freeholders had considered sell-
ing to course to cover a budget shortfall. However, the
County instead chose to begin layoffs, and reinvested in
the course, boosting profits and at the same time, provid-
ing a unique and affordable course for the public.
“If you can come on board and make it a little bit for
everyone, you’ve been successful,” Duffy said of his
motivations to seek relection. “But there’s still projects
on the table.” He cited the Preakness Healthcare Center
in Wayne. “It was a dilapidated, old building. We had to
get them out of there. The State said fix it or close it,”
said Duffy. “As beds fill up, it will pay for itself in the
not so distant future.”
Duffy did take issue with claims that Preakness was ill-
conceived and build inefficiently. “$60 million, I never
saw that number,” said the Freeholder, refering to claims
that the project was budgeted at that number and bal-
looned to $90 million. He did note the State signed off on
the original plans, but prior to opening, raised issues about
okayed amenities, delaying completion and raising costs.
Duffy said he’d like to continue championing open
space upon re-election. The Open Space and Farmland
Preservation Trust Fund has awarded some $10 million
to aid local municipalities.
“Our senior services program is second to none,” he
added. Duffy also expressed his pride in Camp Hope,
located in West Milford, “Government goes at its own
pace. It’s not just me voting up there,” he said of the nine
member board. “You’d like to run it like a business, but
with all the parts, it’s not that simple.”
And where can the elected body find savings? Most
every division of government. “Any department needs to
be looked at periodically,” Duffy said of the Sheriff’s
Dept. “But I think Rich Berdnik is the best guy for the job.
We work well together. We take his advice seriously.”
FREEHOLDER CANDIDATE
Terry Duffy
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 35
r
r
o
”
e
r
n
t
n
d
n
e
n
e
t
t
o
Like his running mate Tomas Gomez, Walt Garnerisn’t approaching this race as a politician, but as a busi-
nessman with more than three decades of experience in
sales management. “I understand what a good business
climate is and what a small business has to do to survive
in this economy,” said Garner, who owns a computer
maintenance company based in Hawthorne.
In his mind, that makes him an ally of other entrepre-
neur in the County, and it makes him a perfect candidate
to come in and clean up what he views as wasteful spend-
ing by the current crop of Freeholders. “Government and
business are not the same thing, but business principles
have a spot in politics,” explained Garner.
The most immediate problem is the wild spending,
which has elevated the County’s tax rate to astronomical
rates. But Garner said that the issue extends beyond just
today or tomorrow. What about the future of Passaic
County? To illustrate his concerns, he explained a meet-
ing he had while still an employee of Bell Atlantic.
“Our business problem then was our cost of service is
high and at some point, people start using less of your
service out of necessity, affordability or other options,” he
said. “If we want to be viable, we have to look at our
costs, all of our productivity tools and the whole organi-
zation, up, down, left, right. We have to squeeze out inef-
ficiencies and look for cost savings, while always remem-
bering that we have to provide quality service.”
“We’re at the backs against the wall time,” Garner said
emphatically. “We’ve been making serious mistakes for
40 years and it’s all collapsed right around the same time.
We’ve made unsustainable economic decisions at all lev-
els that hampered job creation.”
“What I want to do is get the County government back
to the point of just focusing on the government services
at an affordable price,” he said. “What are the core gov-
ernment services that the city can deliver efficiently, and
what is the best cost? Running the Sheriff’s office, pro-
tecting the jail and court rooms, PCTI, PCC and then
we’ve got the various social services that are the safety
net that we’ve got to maintain.”
Beyond that, everything is up for review. One of the
main projects that Garner would like to evaluate is the
controversial Preakness Healthcare Center.
“Is that a service that wouldn’t be addressed better in
the private sector?” he asked rhetorically. “It was sup-
posed to be $50 or $60 million—I am not sure of the exact
total cost—but it’s coming in closer to $100 million. It’s
like the Schools Construction Corporation—was it $1 or
$2 billion that we lost? No one knew for sure.”
“You can’t foresee everything, but double the money?
You’ve got to hold people accountable,” he continued.
“Everything is wide-eyed optimism, everything was a
best case scenario. We have complete uncertainty in
Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.”
“The problem with government is that it has no natural
competitors,” Garner asserted.
The candidate also said he’d like to put pressure on
politicians at the State level to change the way that
education funding is handled.
The candidate said he’s willing to look at any means of
cutting costs. “We’re at $420 million a year now, but
because we bond for operating expenses, you’re not sure
exactly what those operating costs are because it’s buried
in a debt payment,” Garner continued. “The American
can only afford to spend a certain amount on government,
and we’ve not only met that, we’ve exceeded it.”
Part of the recovery is attracting businesses and jobs
back to the County. Garner said that businesses will
return, due to the County’s ideal location to highways and
New York City, but only once taxes are lowered. That, he
says, will take strong, innovative leadership. “I hate small
ideas—I love big ideas. Maybe if they don’t work out,
five small ideas will come out of it,” said Garner.
FREEHOLDER CANDIDATE
Walt Garner
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 36
For Freeholder Pat LePore, his ideals shape his policies.
That’s why he’s so bothered by critics who deride the
Preakness Healthcare Center as a waste. It goes against
what he believes the role of the government is.
“It says a lot about us as people, what we call the
human race, “ said LePore. “As a government, we have
an obligation to take care of people who can’t take care
of themselves. We’ve got to supply a quality of life for
people who need it the most.”
“Did we have to do it? No, but caring others is a
requirement that goes beyond dollars and sense,” he con-
tinued. “We spend billions of taxpayer dollars on stadi-
ums and other projects. I think we can find a little for
Preakness.”
LePore also derided critics who said the project budg-
et was misleading, or that the plans were shortsighted.
“I wish people had an opportunity to see the condition
of Unit 1 and then to see the finished building today,” he
said. “The old one would have never complied with stan-
dards.”
“Give me a project of that magnitude that doesn’t
have a change order. You can’t find any,” he continued.
LePore added that preliminary testing did not reveal
water under the facility, which later altered plans. And
noted that the State, which had signed off on original
plans, forced the County to make many last minute
changes.
But as much as he views the government as a body
designed to care for its constituents, LePore realizes that
he must also practice fiscal responsibility. The candidate
says that he track record proves he is capable of making
necessary, tough decisions on budgets.
“The operating budget has been flat for six years,” said
the Freeholder. “If you add in inflation, it has actually
decreased. We use bonding as a tool. We’re trying to get
a way from a yo-yo budget. Interest rates have been his-
torically low, so bonding can cost the taxpayer very little.”
LePore was adamant that County layoffs two years
ago, which trimmed nearly 18 percent of the workforce or
some 400 employees, trimmed personnel to near bare-
bone levels.
“With a 2 percent cap in place, no you cannot make
additional cuts without devastating services,” he said.
“You can cut whatever, but at the end of the day, you are
cutting services.”
LePore also referenced Moody’s Investors Service,
which looks positively on the County’s actions.
“An independent agency realizes what we’re doing.
Our bond rating went up twice in the past 18 months,” he
said. “Before it was fashionable to cut, we were doing it.”
The majority of those cuts were in the Sheriff’s
Department, which oversees the County Jail, another
point of concern for LePore. The facility has come under
fire in recent years for overcrowding and unhospitable
conditions. Step one to addressing the issue was ending
the practice of accepting out-of-area inmates for money.
“We realized early on that we had to ween ourselves
off of generating money from inmates,” said LePore, who
is not in favor of a new building, but said repairs are nec-
essary. “It’s irresponsible. It shows how out of touch he
is,” said the Freeholder. “The candidate [Republican
Felix Garcia] running for the top law enforcement posi-
tion in the County is advocating breaking the law.”
LePore said he’d like to bring change on a State level.
“I’ve asked our State government to consider taking
over the prosecutor’s office,” he explained. The office is
funded by the County, but the prosecutor does not answer
to the Freeholders. “We’re looking for ways to reduce
County government.”
The Freeholder said skeptical voters can look at his
track record. “I’m a full time public servant,” said
LePore, who is also the Mayor of Woodland Park. “I
think I’ve had a good impact for the last few years.”
FREEHOLDER CANDIDATE
Pat LePore
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 37
Tim and Toby with their dad Tom.
“As we reflect on the past &consider the future, we hope
you find peace & health.”
1313 Van Houten AvenueClifton, NJ 07013
Phone 973 546-2000Timothy J. Bizub, Mgr.
NJ Lic. No. 4022
515 Lexington AvenueClifton, NJ 07011
Phone 973 777-4332Thomas J. Bizub, Mgr.
NJ Lic. No. 2732www.bizub.com
Founder Joseph T. Bizub who in 1923established Bizub's Funeral Home at 205 Third St. in Passaic. For three generations, our family has proudly served our community.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 38
Tomas Gomez may not have political experience buthe believes that his background in business is far more
important, given Passaic County’s infamous standing in
the country. “We hold a record and I’m not proud of it,”
he said. “We have the highest property tax per capita in
the nation.” But the native of the Dominican Republic,
who emigrated to the country in 1973, thinks his expert-
ise can help reverse that dubious record.
“In 2001, I became the general manager of the Essex
County Airport. When I took it over, it was in economic
distress,” said Gomez, who served three years in the
Army and 19 years in the Air Force Reserve. “They were
three quarters of a million in the red and that was due to
previous debt the airport incurred to build it up. Those
bonds have been completed and paid, and now the airport
is up by over a million dollars, and I’m proud to be a part
of the reason why.” It all comes back to a simple
philosophy for Gomez: Being fiscally responsible.
“Today, with the downswing of the economy, we
have to implement the attitude of doing more with
less,” he explained. “We have to be more efficient in
the utilization of our resources.”
The candidate said that the incumbent Freeholders
haven’t been doing that. “The primary issues in Passaic
County the past eight years are that the Board of Chosen
Freeholders have gone into a wild spending mode, getting
money from everywhere and spending it,” he explained.
“But we have not seen any quality of service increase, or
any service being added.”
FREEHOLDER CANDIDATE
Tomas Gomez
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 39
Cont’d on page 45...
ACME (973) 594-0590
AC Moore (973) 470-8885
Antonio’s Hair Stylist (973) 472-1011
Atlanta Bread Company (973) 777-2211
Avant Garde Salon (973) 778-0557
Bertelli’s Liquors (973) 779-0199
Chiropractic Center at Styertowne (973) 777-6995
Cleaners 2000 (973) 614-1400
F.Y.E. (973) 778-8759
Corbo Jewelers (973) 777-1635
Crystal Optics (973) 594-0020
CVS Pharmacy (973) 778-7630
Dollar Tree (973) 249-7530
Dress Barn (973) 249-0322
Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins (973) 473-9631
Exchange Florist (973) 594-0700
Footnotes Bookstore (973) 779-6122
GNC (973) 779-1500
Kid City (973) 614-1111
Kim’s Nail Salon (973) 471-8118
Largo House Nail & Spa (973) 777-9784
Lucille Roberts (973) 262-3802
Moda Shoes & Co. (973) 777-4700
Modells (973) 779-5253
Pet Stuff (973) 778-1617
The Season’s Fine Chinese Cuisine (973) 777-8073
Radio Shack (973) 777-7931
Shereeds Ladies & Mens Clothing (973) 773-1673
Styertowne Bakery (973) 777-6193
Subway (973) 685-9992
Taste of Tuscany (973) 916-0700
US Post Office (973) 473-4946
Valley National Bank (973) 777-6283
Great stores & servicesat the Allwood Circle
Offices at Styertowne • Heat & A/C
• Electric
• Daily Janitorial
• Free Parking
• 24 Hour Access
• Elevator
Your monthly lease in our office suites on the
second floor include the amenities at the right
plus Express Bus Service to NYC and easy
access to Route 3. On the ground floor, you are
steps from great restaurants, shopping, banking
and the Post Office. Call Jamie Wohr: 973-591-5222 x 16
Offices at Styertowne
c
n
g
r
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 40
“There’s nothing concrete, nothing that reimburses the
taxpayer expenses,” continued Gomez. He took aim at
the Preakness Medical Center in Wayne, which critics
have derided as an unnecessary project that was poorly
designed and plagued with delays that inflated the cost.
Gomez explained that private company rivals are
already in the vicinity of Preakness, and that there is noth-
ing at the facility to entice someone to choose the
County’s option over a private facility.
“I don’t think they did a feasibility study to see if
there’s a real need,” said Gomez, who claims that the pro-
jected was budgeted for around $60 million and rapidly
ballooned to $90 million. “They just started building.
And now we need to lease or sell it to a private corpora-
tion that will really make it profitable. The government
will probably take too long to recoup the money that the
Passaic County taxpayers have to pay for.”
The candidate would like to do a county-wide review
of departments to identify problem areas. He would then
address issues or take proper measures to cut the losses if
a department is inefficient. The candidate said that the
Sheriff’s Dept. has been among the worst offenders for
wild spending.
“There’s always been a little friction due to the lack of
identification of the real job and responsibilities of the
County Sheriff,” he said. Gomez noted that the County
patrols its parks, but questioned if a cop patrolling a park
in West Milford could be better used in Paterson, where
crime is higher. He would also like to understand where
the Sheriff’s money is spent, and have the Freeholders
exercise more control over department’s spending.
“It’s not just to go out and buy toys. I think you can go
ask any Freeholder: Have we done an inventory of what
the Sheriff owns? No,” said Gomez. “Maybe we could
spend more money on prevention. I don’t know. There’s a
$94 million budget and the Sheriff spends it at his leisure.”
“Any time they needed an injection of revenue, they
go grab whatever resources the County has and see how
they can sell it or do construction or something along
those lines instead of thinking, is this the right thing to do
at this time?” he said, referencing the plans (which have
been since scrapped) to sell the County golf course. “You
get an injection of $2-3 million, but you lose that source
of revenue.”
Gomez said that the spending by Freeholders also
affects business in the County. He said that companies
are aware of the logistical benefits of setting up shop in
Passaic County, but are reluctant due to the high taxes.
“If you see that the body that controls the County is
raising taxes out of control and is not financially stable,
you think, can my people afford to work for me in Passaic
County? Can I?” said Gomez. “We’ve got to keep it sta-
ble. People have to be able to know what the raise is
going to be each year.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 41
October Specials2 Eggs on a Bagel & Med Coffee......................$1.99
Any Specialty Wrap w/ Side of Salad & Soda*$5.99
Falafel Sandwich on Pita & Soda* .....................$3.99
Hot Dog, Soda* & Chips.......................................$2.49
Cappuccino (med) ..............................................$1.50
Large Coffee..............................................................99¢
Greek Salad w/ Grilled Chicken & Soda* ........$5.49
Tabouleh Plate........................................................$2.99
Tray of 8 Wraps, 8 Chips, 8 Sodas*....................$47.99
Boar’s Head 6 Foot Subs..................$10.99 (per foot)
Buy One Dozen Bagels, Get a FREE POUND OF PLAIN CREAM CHEESE! *cans. All prices subject to sales tax. Not valid after 3PM
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 42
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 43
At The Magical Palace of KnowledgeEarly Learning Center, we believe thata child’s first educational experience is thefoundation to build upon. And that is whywe encourage your children to achieve...to do things they never thought they could.Our staff of highly trained and experiencedteachers always strive for excellence.From our homemade meals to our warm,loving and challenging learning environ-ment, our goal is to provide quality carefor your child.
Incorporating values and traditions withmodern safety and cleanliness programs, weare not just a daycare center—we are, asour names suggest, The Magical Palaceof Knowledge. Our teaching philosophyis to nurture a special place for your child’sgrowth and development... to let themknow they have powers they never dreamedof... to help them find their possibilities.We welcome you and your family to TheMagical Palace of Knowledge. Call orvisit us to find out more!
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 44
Botany Has It All...Hair Stylists and SalonsAngel’s Unisex (973) 772-4408
Jay’s Hair Sensation (973) 546-0730Kiara Beauty Salon (973) 546-3290Ozzie’s Barber Shop (973) 546-5647Perfection Unisex (973) 546-4662Puebla Beauty Salon (973) 772-3733Wanda’s Beauty Salon (973) 478-6665
Health, Beauty & Healing NaturalNew Age Store Leecatzin (973) 546-8647 Nature Health and Beauty (973) 772-5040
Clothing for Mom & the FamilyFashion Bargains (973) 772-4010Fashion Bug (973) 458-9265
Dollar StoresDollar Mania (973) 340-2063Dollar Rite (973) 340-5727
Bars and TavernsEl Dorado Restaurant and Lounge (973) 246-1856
Italian American Coop (973) 546-9737Juan Aldos Bar (973) 778-4114
Johnny’s (973) 546-9813Macedonia Bar (973) 478-2778Rossi’s Tavern (973) 546-9843
And Welcome to the Village...The Line-Up, The Ultimate Sports Bar
(973) 928-3481
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 45
Victor Stojanow, (1992), Robbie Vargo, (2001), Lou Poles, (1951) Bob Knight, (1958), Scott Orlovsky, (1994).
These Mustangs pictured above, plus members of the
1972-1973 Football Teams and the 1997-1998 Girls
Softball Squads, will be inducted into the CHS Athletic
Hall of Fame at a banquet on Oct. 17 at noon at the
Brownstone. In last month’s magazine we profiled the
inductees and told more of their glory days and their
lives since CHS. Come to the banquet to help them
relive the old times. Tickets are $40. Installation din-
ners are held about every year and a half and the selec-
tions are made by a committee based out of the CHS
Athletic Department. For tickets or more details on the
Hall of Fame, call 973-470-2282 or 973-470-2324.
CHS 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Ralph Cinque Jr., (1993), Eddie Joe Curreri, (1961), Jamie Farley, (1992), Nikki Krzysik, (2005), Lester Lembryk, (1994).
Some Samples from our Menu...
enter from Allwood Rd. www.ihop.com
Monday Tuesday Wednesday ThursdaySeniors BuyOne Dinner
Get One FreeFor guests 55 andover with purchase
of 2 Beverages
$7.99 DinnerYour choice of 7Entrees at $7.99,including 3 sides
and a drink
$7.99 DinnerYour choice of 7Entrees at $7.99,including 3 sides
and a drink
Kids Eat Free!One FREE Kids
Meal with purchaseof one adult meal & a kids drink
Good 4 to 7 pm Good 4 to 7 pm
Special Nights at Clifton’s IHOP 680 Rt. 3 West • 973-471-7717
T-Bone Steak & EggsFresh Fruit Bowl
Create-A-Face Pancake
FridayKids Eat Free!
One FREE Kids Meal with purchaseof one adult meal & a kids drinkGood 4 to 10 pmGood 4 to 10 pm Good 4 to 10 pm
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 46
Clifton CupBy Jack De Vries
The
Which Fighting Mustang team was better—the legendary 1946 squad coached by Joe Grecco
or the powerful 1973 team led by Bill Vander Closter?Our story brings Fantasy Football to a whole new level!
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 47
Thanks to a crack in time or a
bit of magic—pick any
explanation that fits—the
game played in Clifton School
Stadium that afternoon was one
straight out of the Twilight Zone,
involving players as unlikely as
Shoeless Joe Jackson gliding across
the Field of Dreams.
On that day, Bobby Boettcher
ran again and Denny Kleber was
determined to stop him.
Only a chosen few remember the
game that was truly played that day.
They tell the story quietly, expect-
ing not to be believed. They start by
describing a blue sky that began to
change as the game approached,
and then hearing thunder rumble in
the distance.
Here’s how they describe what
really happened:
It starts as a beautiful fall after-
noon, an ideal day for football.
Then, from the west, the wind picks
up and blows cold across the field,
up through the concrete stands and
through the press box. Announcer
Bob Zschack feels the chill and
wishes he had put on the extra pair
of socks his wife Marlene told him
to wear.
The buzz usually preceding a
game grows quiet and uneasy; fans
sense something strange about to
happen.
Time stops. The shadows grow
darker. Thunder crawls closer, and
the Clifton and Passaic players and
fans stare at the sky, watching a
large dark cloud rush over the old
Doherty Silk Mill on Main Ave.
and settle over the field.
Suddenly, a single lightning bolt
shoots through the clouds, striking
the middle of the gridiron—scorch-
ing the grass at midfield and send-
ing a charge through the long-for-
gotten sprinkler system buried
underneath the grass. Like every-
one, Coach Bill Vander Closter is
shocked by the lightning—his eyes
fixed where the bolt landed.
When he raises them, he cannot
believe what he sees—or doesn’t
see—across the field.
“Passaic,” Vander Closter says,
gazing across the empty gridiron,
“they’re gone—the entire team’s
disappeared.”
Visitors from the PastAs Passaic vanishes, an old
school bus makes a right turn off
Route 46 into the stadium parking
lot. It slows as it gets close to the sta-
dium’s brick wall, as many teenage
faces press against its windows.
Bob Zschack
—
What people remember of that Thanksgiving Day in 1973 was watching a 75-12pasting of Passaic High Indians by the Mustangs. The win capped off Clifton’ssecond consecutive undefeated season and featured four touchdowns by runningback Jim Jenkins and three by Ken Ritoch. That’s if you listen to what the fans,players, and coaches think they saw happened or believe what was written in thenewspapers. What took place is a far different story.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 48
“Ditch,” sophomore Jimmy
Haraka whispers to teammate Ray
Malavasi, “somebody built a stadi-
um while we were in Virginia.”
“It ain’t possible,” says Malavasi,
his eyes wide. “Hey, Jim… I don’t
remember driving here after the
Oyster Bowl ended.”
Incredibly, the entire Mustang
team has been plucked from 1946
after losing to Granby High, 6-0.
Though the exhibition game is their
first defeat of the season, the play-
ers feel like winners, knowing their
victory was stolen after an official
waived off an obvious touchdown
by running back Bobby Boettcher.
The bus pulls to a stop near the
field house. The bus door opens.
Joe Grecco, the 32-year-old coach
of the Mustangs, leads his players
through the gate and onto the field.
“Stay close, men,” he says to
his 1946 team, already in uniform
and pads. “I don’t know why were
here or how they finished building
the stadium, but we’re going to
find out.”
Over the PA system, a stunned
Bob Zschack says, “Ladies and
Gentlemen… don’t ask me where
the Passaic team’s gone, but… a
small herd of the 1946 Clifton
Mustangs have just taken the field.”
The two Clifton head coaches
meet at midfield as the players stare
at each other. There are 37 Mustangs
from 1946; over 100 Clifton players
from 1973 face them—a white,
maroon, and gray wall.
“If I didn’t think I was seeing
things,” says Vander Closter, “I’d
swear you really are Joe Grecco.”
“Who are you,” asks Grecco, “and
what is that team doing on our prac-
tice field? Who built this stadium?”
Thunder rumbles in the distance
as the storm moves away. The sky
brightens again.
“I’ll answer your questions, but I
think we’re supposed to settle this,”
says Vandy, peering over Grecco’sBobby Boettcher’s hundred yard stare.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 49
shoulder at Bobby Boettcher hold-
ing a football. Grecco looks past
Vander Closter, noticing the many
players—bigger than his bunch,
their helmets shinning and shoulder
pads bursting from their jerseys.
Big, Grecco thinks, and maybe big
and slow. His dark eyes sparkle as
he imagines them trying to catch
Boettcher.
“Nineteen-forty-six has been a
hell of a year,” he says, grinning
at Vandy. “Why should it end?
We’ll kick-off.” The coaches
return to the sidelines, gathering
their players around them.
“They call that team across the
field Clifton’s greatest,” says
Vandy. “Even now, the old-timers
say they would’ve beaten us. Let’s
show why we’re the best Mustang
team ever and send them back in
history where they belong.”
On the other side, the 1946
Mustangs gather around Grecco.
“I don’t how this stadium got
here, but I have a feeling what you
men did this year—in our confer-
ence and in Norfolk, Virginia—has
something to do with it. At the ban-
quet before the Oyster Bowl, Mr.
Gacy said he’d get you this field—
though I don’t know how he got it
built so fast.
“But I do know this: that team
on the other side has a Mustang
painted on their helmets. As we
take the field of battle, let us show
them why only one team should
have that honor. When the dust set-
tles, we’ll show why only one team
is worthy of being called the
Fighting Mustangs!”
The players run on to the field,
lining up across from each other.
Zschack looks around to the
stunned faces around him. Herald-
News writer Augie Lio says, “Bob,
they’re gonna play.”
Over the PA system, Zschack’s
announces, “Ladies and gentleman,
I never imagined myself saying this
but… Bob Cisternino to kick off
for the 1946 team. Jim Jenkins
back to receive for the 1973
Mustangs.”
“Joe,” says assistant coach Juk
Porter to Grecco, “we ended up in
the future—that’s why this stadium
is here.”
“Then we’ll show them why it
was built,” Grecco bellows back.
Cisternino’s kickoff is a long
end-over-end boot that Jenkins
fields on the 25 yard line. He
shakes one tackler before Ted
Kukowski knocks him out of
bounds at the home team’s 36.
Dale Oosdyk leads his team out
on the field. At 6'4", he towers over
the old school Mustangs. In the
defensive huddle, the 5'5" Russ
Calo says about Oosdyk, “High
pockets is about to get a lesson.”
“Watch No. 32,” says team cap-
tain George Tahmoosh, eyeing
Jenkins, “he looks fast.”
While the 1946 squad expects a
hand-off to Jenkins, Oosdyk fakes
to his running back and drops
back to pass. The 1973 offensive
line holds, giving their quarter-
back time. Oosdyk fakes once to
end Jerry Andrewlavage, freezing
defensive back Skippy Del
Favero, and then floats a long
bomb down the sideline.
Andrewlavage runs under it and
catches the pass 20 yards from the
end zone, racing in for the touch-
down. His extra point gives the
1973 Mustangs a quick 7-0 lead.
The score ignites the crowd,
which temporarily forgets the
game’s supernatural conditions
and roars its approval.
“Del Favero, pay attention out
there,” Grecco roars. “No mis-
takes!” Later, Del Favero tells
equipment manager Dominick
Cammaroto, “I didn’t believe he
could throw the ball that far.”
Return of the Single WingBefore kicking off, Vandy gath-
ers his defensive team, knowing
how the 1946 team will attack.
“Remember last year when Passaic
Valley ran the old single wing
against us?” he asks. “That’s what
those boys will do.”
In 1972, PV coach Steve Gerdy
had dusted off the ancient single
wing offense against the Mustangs,
hoping to confuse Vander Closter’s
4-4-3 Notre Dame-inspired
defense. The results were disas-
trous as Clifton crushed the
Hornets, 44-0.
“And watch No. 41,” Vandy
warns. “That’s Bobby Boettcher—
he’ll get the ball most of the time.”
The 1973 Mustangs line up, and
Andrewlavage kicks off. Boettcher
fields at the 11 yard line, shakes a
tackler at the 20, and jukes his way to
his 29 yard line before being buried
under an avalanche of tacklers.
James Jenkins
o
d
d
e
a
n
s
e
s
s
,
g
d
d
-
e
y
I
”
s
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 50
“Alright, fellas,” quarterback
Jack Lennon says in the huddle.
“Let’s run 43.”
Grecco’s single wing offense
depends on deception and misdirec-
tion, with linemen rushing to a single
point of attack to block and spring
the ball carrier. Vander Closter’s
defense aims to disrupt the other
team’s attack, blitzing often and
striking before the offensive team’s
plays develop.
On the first play, Boettcher takes
the ball and slips between tackle
Doug Lawrence and guard Calo.
Ritoch flies from his linebacker
spot, but Boettcher sees him, mov-
ing his hip just enough to slip past.
He crosses midfield before being
pulled down by Greg Wichot.
In the stands, fan Harry Murtha
rises, now openly rooting for the
1946 team. “Let’s go, Bobby!” he
yells. “Show them what you can
do!” He’s soon joined by other fans
who watched the 1946 Mustangs in
their youth, and the crowd becomes
divided in its loyalty.
Though many of the 1973
Mustangs have faced the single
wing offense once before, the 1946
squad runs it to perfection—the
result of hours spent directed by
Grecco’s booming voice. With each
play, the line jumps and Boettcher
knifes through like a slippery eel,
growing closer to the goal line.
Though not as fast as Jenkins,
Boettcher possess incredible field
vision, anticipating the 1973
defenders and avoiding them with a
half step or twist.
The 1946 Mustangs drive down
to the 3-yard-line, with Boettcher
carrying the ball each time. On
first and goal, he carries right and
attempts a jump pass to a streaking
Cisternino in the end zone.
Boettcher releases and is drilled
by a blitzing Ritoch, who pounds
the 1946 star into the turf. The
pass ticks off Cisternino’s hands,
with Bob Bel Bruno defending on
the play.
Ritoch pins Boettcher to the
ground, glaring into his eyes.
“You relics are going down
today,” he snarls.
In an instant, fullback Bob Pityo
pulls Ritoch off, joined immediate-
ly by Tahmoosh, Calo, and the rest
of the 1946 team.
“Get off him, bird-cage face,”
Pityo screams at Ritoch, taking note
of the gray face mask bars the 1973
team wears on their helmets. “You
want to go at someone, try me!”
As Ritoch starts to leap at Pityo,
he’s grabbed by Kleber, who wres-
tles him away. “Calm down,
Truck,” Kleber says. “We need
you—don’t get thrown out.”
On the next play, the 1946 squad
goes back to the run, with the deter-
mined Pityo opening a hole for
Coach Grecco with his Fighting Mustangs of 1946.
18141814
Proud to Represent CliftonAssemblyman Thomas P. Giblin1333 Broad St., Clifton, NJ 07013office: 973-779-3125www.assemblymangiblin.com
View The Giblin Report Thursday at 9 pm, Channel 76
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 51
Boettcher, who races in for the
touchdown. The extra point by
Boettcher is good, and the game is
tied, 7-7.
The game remains knotted until
halftime. Despite two long drives,
the 1973 Mustangs cannot score.
After a 66-yard run by Dom Fego
to the 1946 team’s ten yard line,
Oosdyk drops the snap where it is
recovered by Kukowski.
After stopping the 1946
Mustangs on their next drive—the
highlight a bone-jarring hit of
Lennon by Paul “Mooch” Millar—
the 1973 team is again halted by a
tipped pass interception by Del
Favero.
At halftime, the coaches meet
with their teams. Outside of the
mistakes, Vander Closter is
pleased with his offense, but wor-
ries that his defense has not yet
adjusted to stopping the single
wing (Boettcher already has 147
yards rushing). Vandy again
explains stopping the offense, his
chalk breaking several times on
the blackboard as he pounds out
where his players must attack.
Grecco knows his boys are in for
the fight of their athletic lives. He
now sees the 1973 team is big,
strong, and fast, and knows only a
methodical ground attack chewing
time off the clock will give his
team a chance.
“Men,” he says, his voice rising,
“when you look across that field,
know you are the inspiration for
their power, their numbers, and this
field. But also know there can be
only one victorious team.
“Will it be you? Will you show
them why we are the real Fighting
Mustangs?
The 1946 team lifts their chins,
forgetting their fatigue. They rise as
one and begin to cheer, running
past their coach onto the field. One
of the hinges on the visitor’s locker
room door gives way, and the door
hangs crooked after the team rushes
through. Grecco smiles and
whispers to himself, “Maybe that’s
a good omen.”
Unwelcome GuestWord has spread through the city
of the strange game going on, and
fans rush to the stadium. More tick-
ets are sold during halftime than
before the game. The fans fill up
the stands and ring the field before
the Clifton police finally shut down
the ticket windows for the day.
Over 15,000 are there now—
many to cheer the Mustangs of the
past. Outside the stadium, fans ring
the stadium, some climbing its
brick walls and sitting on top to
watch.
With the crowd now split almost
equally behind each team, the 1946
Mustangs take the kickoff and
begin another drive. Spurred on by
the fans’ cheers, Lennon directs his
team down the field with Grecco
and the rest of the 1946 players
roaring from the sideline, urging
them on.
The snake-hipped Boettcher is
like a ghost—weaving his way
through the 1973 line, earning five,
six, and seven yards with each
carry. Near midfield, he fires a pass
to Rope deVido, who eludes defen-
sive back Ed Evers to make the
catch and run to the opposing 10
yard line before being caught by
Mike Molner.
The 1946 offense is stopped on
the next three downs, with Kleber
and Allan Kanter making big plays
to stall the drive. On fourth and
goal, believing his team will need
more than three points to win,
Grecco decides to go for the
touchdown.
Coach Vander Closter lays down new strategy for the 1973 Mustangs.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 52
With the stadium roaring as
one—half the fans cheering for a
stop, the other half cheering for a
score—Boettcher takes the pitch
from Lennon and runs wide, sprung
by a block by Pityo. He slips two
tacklers before sprinting to the cor-
ner of the end zone.
Across the field, Wichot, one of
the fastest of the 1973 Mustangs,
bolts toward Boettcher, gaining
with each stride. With the 1946 All-
American about to cross the goal
line, Wichot leaps, hurling his body
like a missile at the ball carrier. He
catches Boettcher at the goal line,
driving him down into the turf.
The stadium goes silent, waiting
to see the official’s call. He stands
over the fallen players, staring
down at the goal line. For a second,
his arms seem to twitch upward…
but freeze. Boettcher stares up,
waiting for the official’s arms to
signal a touchdown.
The signal never comes.
In an instant the stadium erupts
in howls and cheers. The 1946
team is denied—Boettcher is down
at the one, giving the ball back to
the 1973 team.
As Boettcher rises, the howls get
louder. Across his midsection is the
white chalk of the goal line.
Grecco is livid, screaming at the
official, “How can you make that
call,” he yells, saliva shooting
through the gap is his front teeth.
“He was in—look at his uniform!”
The official turns and walks
away from Grecco. As he goes, the
1946 coach remembers where he
has seen the official before.
“Looks like our friend from the
Oyster Bowl followed us back
through time from Virginia,” he
says to his team on the sidelines.
The score remains knotted at 7-7
through the third quarter and into
the fourth. Though the ‘73 team
moves the ball well, they are
stopped in the red zone twice by an
inspired 1946 Clifton defense.
Last DriveBut on offense, the 1946 team’s
attack stalls, with the larger 1973
defenders adjusting to the single
wing’s misdirection and swarming
to the ball. Only third-down quick
kicks by Boettcher avert disaster by
pinning the 1973 team deep in its
own territory.
With seven minutes remaining in
the game, Oosdyk leads the 1973
Mustangs out on the field. A wind-
driven Boettcher punt traveling
over 60 yards has pushed the ball
back to the 1973 team’s 15 yard
line. Passing against the wind will
be tough, and Vander Closter
knows that his team will have to
run the ball to win.
As the teams line up for what
will be the game’s final drive, 1973
captain Joe McGonigle looks
across the and studies the 1946
players. “They’re tired,” he says,
“bone tired—they’ve all been play-
ing both ways.
“Alright, guys,” he yells to the
rest of the offensive line, “let’s
drive them back into history.”
McGonigle’s line mates Charlie
DiGiacomo, Chris Conrad, Bob
Lucas, and Chet Stuphen nod to
their captain and prepare for their
final push. On the other side of the
ball, Malavasi settles into his wide
stance and growls, “Ain’t gonna
happen!” Despite Malavasi’s best
efforts, it does.
Oosdyk unleashes Jenkins and
Fego on the ‘46 Mustangs and only
saving tackles by Boettcher,
Lennon and deVido prevent touch-
downs.
On the field, the cold wind
picks up, sweeping around the
players and chilling the fans ring-
ing the field. The sky turns gray
and thunder again rumbles.
With two minutes remaining, the
1973 Mustangs are on their oppo-
nent’s 25 yard line. The wind blows
stronger.
On the sideline, Vandy tells
assistant coach Emil Chaky, “No
field goal with this breeze. We’re
going to have to take it to them—
right to the end zone.”
After a run by Jenkins brings the
ball to the seven yard line, Vandy
calls time out, setting the 1973
Mustangs up for their final plays.
Less than a minute remains. On
first down, Oosdyk pitches to Fego,
who runs to the one yard line
before being tackled by Malavasi.
With seven seconds left in the
game, the teams walk to the line for
one last play.
Thunder rumbles closer and the
sky turns a gunmetal color. Oosdyk
barks signals and the 1973
Mustangs spring to life. Jenkins
takes the hand-off and flies up and
over the line, met by Malavasi and
Cisternino, who has sprung from
the weak side to hit the ball carrier
Ken Ritoch
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 53
m
in midair. The three come crashing
down—a tangle of arms, legs, and
torsos.
The official runs from the side to
make the call. Peeling back
Cisternino’s shoulder, he sees
Jenkins holding the football, lying
across the goal line. The official
shoots his arms upward signaling
touchdown as the gun sounds.
The 1973 Mustangs have defeat-
ed the 1946 Mustangs, 13-7.
As the teams move to their side-
lines—one ecstatic with victory,
the other downcast and defeated—
Vandy beckons Grecco to meet him
at midfield. “Coach,” Vandy says,
“your boys played an incredible
game. Now I understand why your
1946 team is so special to many
people.”
“I’ve never seen so many great
players,” Grecco replies, pointing
to the 1973 Mustangs. “You could
field three teams. We never played
a better opponent.”
“Look around, Joe,” Vandy says,
gesturing to his sideline and the
thousands packing the stands. “You
had a lot to do with this.”
“It seems that someday in the
future,” says Grecco, looking back
at Vandy, “that I’ll leave my team
to a good coach.”
After they shake hands and begin
walking back to their sidelines,
Vander Closter stops and calls out
to Grecco. “Coach,” he says smil-
ing, “don’t get discouraged against
Montclair. It will take time, but
we’ll get them.” Grecco, unsure
what he means, nods and smiles.
The fans are standing and cheer-
ing for both teams.
The 1946 players remain hud-
dled around Grecco, not knowing
what will happen next. Vandy sees
this, and directs his entire team to
spread across the sideline. The
1973 Mustangs cover the length of
the field from end zone to end zone.
Vandy begins to applaud, quick-
ly joined by his players—a tribute
to Clifton’s first great team of the
Grecco-Vander Closter era. Across
the empty gridiron, Kukowski rais-
es his helmet to the sky. The rest of
the 1946 Mustangs do the same,
saluting the great 1973 team they
would help inspire.
Suddenly, a dark cloud again
races over the old Doherty Silk
Mill and settles over the stadi-
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 54
um. Like before, a bolt of lightning
leaps out of the cloud and strikes
the center of the field—stopping
the cheering and pushing the 1973
players back.
When they look back across the
field, the 1946 Clifton Mustangs
and their coach are gone, replaced
by a defeated Passaic team.
And the papers wrote...The players have no memory of
what took place that day. The news-
paper stories say Clifton pounded
Passaic, 75-12, the perfect end to a
perfect season. There is no account
of the hard-fought victory against
an opponent that gave the ‘73
Mustangs all they could handle.
Yes, there is no written memory
or recollection of that day… except a
curious note in a Clifton policeman’s
record. He writes of an abandoned
bus that looked like it came straight
out of the forties, which remained
parked next to the Clifton School
Stadium long after the fans had gone
home that Thanksgiving Day.
The bus was later sold by the
city after no one claimed it. The
buyer, Chuck Ranges, drove it to
his junkyard, where it was turned
into scrap metal. And a door to the
past was forever closed.
Friends: I am supporting Felix Garcia for Sheriff—Here’s Why:
As a proud member of the Clifton Police Department for almost 30 years, I have had the great fortune
of serving with many individuals of impeccable character who put their lives on the line for the public good on
a daily basis. One of the best at protecting the interests of our fellow citizens of Passaic County is my friend,
Felix ‘Phil’ Garcia, the Republican candidate for Sheriff.
Felix is the only candidate running for Sheriff with experience in corrections. Having served in the leader-
ship of the Passaic County jail for eighteen years of his thirty-one year career, ultimately rising to the position
of Undersheriff, after serving as Warden. He also understands the needs of local police departments, having
started his career as a Paterson Housing Police Officer. He is the only candidate in the race with experience
in managing a multi-million dollar operation and a seven-hundred plus member law enforcement agency.
Over the past decade, Passaic County has been beset by fiscal mismanagement. This lax approach to
spending has resulted in the highest county tax-levy in America, according to Forbes magazine. Under the
leadership of Felix Garcia, the citizens of Passaic County will have a ‘watchdog’, yet someone who will con-
tinue to provide the professionalism and security that we have come to expect from our enforcement officials.
We are at a crossroads. There is only one man in this race that can truly ameliorate the Passaic County jail,
and the Sheriff’s Department as a whole. That man is Felix Garcia. Please vote Row ‘A’ on November 2nd.
paid for by Lieutenant Patrick J. Ciser, (retired CPD)
Chuck Ranges who collected the
abandoned bus (at left) and years
later, turned it into scrap metal.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 55
Among the honorees, top, from left, Al Carline, John Gogick, Kent Bania, Ed Welsh. Bottom row: Rob Haraka, MaryAnn
Goodwin, Nicole Krzysik, Chris Karcz. At right is our favorite Boys & Girls Club cover from September 1999.
Like scores of kids growing up in Clifton, TomDiDonna found a place he could call home at the Boys
Club. On the following pages, we tell more about his
times at the Club as he is among the Class of 2010
inductees to the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame. Others,
by decades, include: 1950’s: Al Carline and John Gogick.
1960’s: Kent Bania and Ed Welsh. 1970’s: Tom DiDonna,
and Gary Hughes. 1980’s: Rob Haraka and MaryAnn
Goodwin. 1990’s: Jennifer Paci and Steve Sokolewicz.
2000’s: Nicole Krzysik and Chris Karcz. They will be
feted at the Club on Oct. 22 from 7 to 11 pm in a catered
affair with music, food, beer, wine, nostalgia and more
than a few tales from the past. Advance tickets, at $40,
are a must. Call 973-773-0966 for info.
Boys Club Hall of Fame & Fun Night Oct. 22
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 56
Many people today don’t know a lot about Tom
DiDonna’s years as coach of the Clifton Boys
Club Junior Varsity basketball team. A few old pictures
remain showing him and his team.
But Tom DiDonna remembers.
He recalls the 16 winters spent driving his players to
games throughout New Jersey in the old Boys’ Club
van. He can visualize himself stalking the sideline at
the Clifton gym, as fans pounded on the steam radiators
behind their seats to make noise.
And he can still see the scoreboard—minus a few
lights—telling if his team was ahead or if he should call
for the full-court press. But most of all, DiDonna
remembers his players—the kids that made the years
worthwhile.
“People don’t realize how long I coached,” says
DiDonna, who lives in Clifton’s Maple Valley section
with his wife Karen and daughters Kim, 28, and
Kristina, 20. “Sixteen years is a long time.”
“Led by John Haraka, this might have been one of my most physical teams,” Tom DiDonna recalled of the 1979 squad.“What they lacked in style, they made up for it with an strong inside game. As you can see by the picture, they also gotalong with the Cheerleaders.” Below, DiDonna in 1973 with a Carlos Santana ‘fro and Bob Holly, a future WashingtonRedskins quarterback. Tom DiDonna is being inducted to the Boys Club Hall of Fame on Oct. 22.
Story by Jack DeVries
As a Kid, then Coach, Tom DiDonna at the Boys Club
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 57
a
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 58
DiDonna was born in Paterson in 1952.
When he was in the third grade, he and his
mother, brother, and sister moved to Clifton.
“We lived at 944 Van Houten Avenue, next
door to the Grande Saloon,” DiDonna, 58,
says. “Moving there was probably the best
thing that ever happened to me—that’s when
I joined the Clifton Boys’ Club. I was
exposed to athletics, swimming, the game
room—it was a great place for a kid to
belong.”
After sixth grade DiDonna moved back to
Paterson and attended John F. Kennedy High
School. But he continued going to the Boys’
Club, taking two long bus rides from
Paterson to get there.
“(Executive Director) Al Abruscato let me
maintain my membership after I moved,” he
recalls. “I had such strong ties to the club. Friends like
John Glowacki and Jack Marshall were like brothers to
me.”
“In my junior year of high school, I got involved
with the Boys’ Club’s overnight camp, Camp Clifton. I
started as a counselor-in-training, an unpaid position,
and the next summer, I became a counselor. Al took a
chance on me—I was a little rough around the edges.”
As a counselor, DiDonna earned $33 every two
weeks and ran the camp’s athletic department—his first
coaching experience. He also developed his basketball
skills, playing in a before-breakfast league with other
camp staff, including former Clifton Councilman Ed
Welsh, and friends Gary and Bob DaGiau.
In 1971, Abruscato asked the 19-year-old DiDonna
to work in another unpaid position—that of JV basket-
ball team coach for the 12-13-year-olds.
DiDonna as a counselor at the Boys Club back in the 1970’s.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 59
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 60
“I thought it was a joke
when Al and gym director Vic
DeLuca asked me,” DiDonna
remembers, “but they saw
something in me that I didn’t
see myself. And I realized
coaching was a way to give
back to the Boys’ Club—a
place that had given me so
much.”
DiDonna got a baptism of
fire that first season.
“We took our lumps,” he
says. “I didn’t know about
breaking full-court presses or
things like that.”
In one game, Dave
Pignatello got leveled at
Newark’s South Ward Boys’
Club. “The referee, who they
pulled out of the stands, didn’t
call a foul. When I saw that, I
got whistled for a technical,
then almost thrown out of the
gym. I wasn’t going to let my players get hurt, and the
kids respected that.”
The next season, DiDonna’s team featured athletes
like Mike Bednarcik and Walter Munk, a player he
remains close to. After the 1972 season, Munk recruited
a group of Clifton Biddie League Champions for the
Boys’ Club team.
“The 1973 team was my best,” DiDonna states. “We
went 29-3 behind the likes of Bob Holly, Dennis Tarrant
(son of former CHS and college coach Dick Tarrant),
Scott Oosydyk, Brian Murphy, and Carl Williams. We
won the Greater Newark Tournament and beat South
Ward to do it.”
DiDonna’s teams rarely had a losing season. Over a
decade later, his 1985 squad won the North Jersey
Junior Basketball Championship.
“Recruiting wasn’t easy,” DiDonna remembers. “We
competed against the CYO and recreation leagues for
players. But the Boys’ Club offered better competition.
A kid might score 30-40 points in the rec league, but
he’d work for his 10 points against the Passaic and
Newark teams we faced.”
DiDonna quit coaching after the 1987 season. After
spending four nights a week out during the season, he
wanted time for family, which now included daughter
Kim, then age five.
“This talented 1973 team went 29-3 while taking on the best from Paterson,Passaic, Newark, Hoboken,” said DiDonna. “Bob Holly, the team leader, went onto be a three sport star at CHS, Quarterback at Princeton University and a mem-ber of the Super Bowl Champ Washington Redskins.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 61
One former player, John Haraka, who went on to
coach at Passaic Valley High School, admires
DiDonna’s legacy.
“Tom should be remembered and it’s about time he
got some recognition,” Haraka says. “All those years,
he taught and groomed players for Clifton High’s
basketball team for no salary and little recognition.”
DiDonna also influenced Harraka’s own coaching
career. “He was well-liked by the players and so
dedicated—Tom was always at the gym. As a coach
today, I still use things I learned from Tom, especially
his positive approach in working with players.”
In the years following, DiDonna became active in
Clifton’s Central Division athletic program through
daughter Kim’s teams.
“I coached Kim’s basketball team when she was in
fifth grade and did that four years,” DiDonna says.
The difference between coaching the sexes?
“This team could beat you inside or out,” DiDonna wrote of his 1986 squad, led by Sam Poulis. “An extremely closeknit group. Knowing that this would be my 15th and final season, they sent me off with my first NNJBL Championship.”
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 62
“Girls are a bit more tem-
peramental,” he explains,
“but they’re coachable—easy
to work with.”
DiDonna treasures the
friends he made coaching the
Boys’ Club team.
“People like Bill and Brian Shaughnessy and their
family, Tim O’Brien and his dad, John Fego, Sam
and Mike Poulis, Carl Williams, Bob Holly and his
late father, Walter Munk, John and Robbie Haraka
and their mom and dad, so many others—these
players and parents remain very special to me.”
During his girls’ elementary and high school
years, DiDonna, who works for a courier agency,
had coached daughter Kristina’s soccer team as part
of the Clifton Stallions rec and travelling programs.
And recently, while
his daughters are way
past those youth and high
school days, DiDonna is
a volunteer on the side-
lines again, coaching rec
programs and also shar-
ing coaching duties at the
club’s indoor league.
To his former players,
DiDonna says, “I’d tell
them, ‘Once you leave
the team, it doesn’t end
there.’ They might not
know it, but I still think of
them. Before my daugh-
ters, those kids were like
my own children.”
Tom’s home team today above in a recent photo: Tomwith Kristina, 20, wife Karen and Kimberly, 28. At leftin 1970 at Camp Clifton, from left, Bob Da Giau,Frank Berkey, Tom DiDonna and Ed Czyganowicz.Below, in last season’s Boys Club Indoor SoccerLeague with co-coach Will Rubio and the team.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 63
From candy, chocolates & costumes,
to pumpkins, mums & fall produce,
there is one neighborhood store
that offers all of your family’s
Halloween needs under one roof—
the Paulison Avenue ShopRite!
Although he was born in Nutley, JonathanKotulak considers Clifton his hometown. Jon
was only three years old when he moved with his
family to Clifton and his first memories growing up
began at Grove Hill Pre-School. Jon then attended
School #2 and Woodrow Wilson Middle School, both
of which were only a short walk from his house. Since
there is no shortage of sports opportunities for Clifton’s
youth, Jon was able to play Little League baseball on a
team that won the 1992 City Championship, Clifton Jr.
Mustangs football, and Clifton City’s Western Division
basketball on a team coached by his dad.
“I met my best friends at School 2 and Woodrow –
people I’m still friends with today,” Jon said. He
attended Seton Hall Prep, an all boys high school in West
Orange, “I still kept in touch with my Clifton friends and
ended up integrating them with my Seton Hall friends, so
now we all hang out together,” Jon explained.
Looking back, some of his best memories of growing
up in Clifton revolve around spacious Robin Hood Park,
which was conveniently located down the street from his
house. “We would all get together to hang out there and
as we got older, we would drive around the Clifton
Commons. We also played football behind School 2, but
mostly we would hang out at people’s houses all over
Clifton,” Jon reminisced.
He attended Stonehill College, in Easton, Mass.
where, during sophomore year, he met Kristin Felice.
Since Kristin lived in Derby, Connecticut, they
managed the one and a half hour drive between Derby
and Clifton to see each other during the summers. Jon
and Kristin dated for seven years, became engaged in
2007, and started looking for a house to call their own.
“I like going to places that are familiar to me, like
Verona, Nutley, North Caldwell, and Cedar Grove,” Jon
said, “But since I grew up here, I had always liked the
Richfield and Montclair Heights sections. There are good
parks and a good school system, like Holster Park and
School 16, which are just a few blocks away from us.
Clifton’s also conveniently located close to fun places
like the city, Giants Stadium, and Hoboken.” Jon then
added, “I also wanted to stay near my family and a lot of
my friends still live in the area.”
When asked about her feelings regarding their move to
Clifton, Kristin answered, “I had always lived far away
from home, so this wasn’t a difficult adjustment.” While
Jon is her main basis for Clifton, it was important that
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 64
Why Clifton?So Many Talk of Moving On...This Couple Just Bought Here
Story by Tania Jachens
$1Off $3OffExpires 12/31/10. Limit one coupon/person. Not valid withany other offer or promotion. Clifton store only.
Expires 12/31/10. Limit one coupon/person. Not validwith any other offer or promotion. Clifton store only.
AnyCake Deep
Dish Pie
AnyMenuItem*
or Excludes Kiddie Cups & Cones, Quarts, Cakes & Pies
“Clifton has enough transportation options to make my
daily commute to New York City reasonable. It’s also nice
having his family nearby, in case we need something.”
Jon’s job is also conveniently located close by. “I
currently work two minutes down the road on Route 46.”
Having been coached by his father as a child, Jon has now
come full circle by working as an accountant alongside
his dad at Kotulak & Company, PC.
With proximity to their respective jobs in mind, Jon
and Kristin worked with realtors, Ralph and Fran Sinisi,
to find a home. “We looked at almost 150 houses, so they
were saints in terms of patience,” Jon said, smiling.
“We didn’t really know what we wanted and we were
unfamiliar with the process,” Kristin said. “We were
proactive in the search, but almost every house we looked
at had something wrong with it, whether price, condition,
backyard...” Jon added. “We finally chose this split-level
because we liked the corner property and its immaculate
landscaping gave a good first impression.”
When asked if home ownership is everything they had
imagined it to be, both Kristin and Jon laughed. “We
were a little overambitious in our initial plans. We got
married on October 24, 2009, went on an immediate
honeymoon, closed on the house five days after that, and
immediately ripped up the entire thing,” Jon said. “We
lived with Jon’s parents for three months while we
worked on it and finally officially moved in on New
Year’s Day 2010,” Kristin said. During that time, they
tore up all the carpets and trim in the house, replaced all
the doors, fixed the wood floors, and painted all the
rooms. “All the manual labor that wasn’t a skilled job,
we did on our own,” Jon said. “With the help of friends
and family, we managed to do all that while both working
full-time jobs,” Kristin said.
While considering their overall experience as first-
time home buyers, Jon said, “It was a lot of work and
very challenging, but in the end, definitely worth it.
There’s still a lot that needs to be done, but we’re waiting
to save up for our next big project.”
Since their one year wedding anniversary is quickly
approaching, Jon and Kristin summarized their year
together as “very active and very busy.” “We could have
had a lot more fun and less stress by just getting an
apartment, but it’s a good investment and something to
grow into,” Jon said. “My only advice is: Don’t try to do
everything at once!” Kristin added.
As far as their plans for the future, Jon and Kristin
hope to stay in their new house for at least five to ten
years. “We’ll stay until we outgrow these three
bedrooms,” Kristin said, alluding to children in the future.
Since Kristin hopes to eventually work in New Jersey to
avoid commuting and Jon plans to continue working with
his father, they have a bright future ahead of them living
in the town of Clifton.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 65
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 66
With the economy still turbulent, it’s understand-
able that many are reluctant to spend money
unless it is absolutely necessary. If you’re one of these
people and you’re looking for a home, you’ve perhaps
already considered forgoing a realtor and listing the
house yourself.
Did you know that you’ll probably end up costing
yourself much more in the long run?
Tony Sanchez, broker and manager at Weichert
Realtors of Clifton on Passaic Ave., said that by not
understanding the real value of your home, you run the
risk of either listing it at too low of a price, or setting it
so high that people don’t even come visit.
“We always hear people say that their home is worth
this much because that’s what they read on some web-
site. Most of those sites aren’t accurate; they just look
at overall sales,” he explained. “They don’t go into the
house as we do as agents. We see houses every day.
We see the upgrades that may or may have not been
made. And we can compare the seller’s house to others
in the neighborhood, as well as other recent sales.”
Sanchez has been in the industry for a decade, and
has a number of accolades to his name, including a
2009 NJAR Circle of Excellence Silver Award, and
while he was ana agent, he was number one for sold
listings in Bergen and Passaic Counties.
That’s the kind of experience you can’t get from a
website: The knowledge of all the nuances in pricing a
home. It’s not just location, location, location, but it’s
also the age of the home, the local market, the quality
of the neighborhood and its schools and much, much
more. And a good realtor will work to meet your
demands.
“What I like to do is engage in brainstorming with
the owner,” said Nicholas Tselepis, owner of Nicholas
Real Estate. “Where do I think the market is going to
go, and where do they think it’s going to go? And
where do they want to be in a year or two from now?”
After putting a home on the market, if the property
doesn’t receive any interest in those first few, crucial
weeks, it’s likely because the seller is asking too much.
And taking extra time to move a home costs—a lot.
“If it’s on the market for four, maybe five or six
months, it can depreciate as much as half a percent a
month,” said Sanchez. “Now a property that’s worth
maybe $350,000 if it was priced right is now work
$340,000 or $345,000. People think they need buffer
room to negotiate, they don’t want low ball offers.
Sometimes I’ll tell them that I’d rather see them turn
down ten offers than never see one. You can’t negoti-
ate an offer that you don’t get.”
And it’s also beneficial to have a realtor once you’re
trying to hammer out a deal.
“We negotiate, but we remove the emotional factor,”
said Tselepis. “If you call a potential buyer, you give
up bargaining power because you look desperate.
We’re professionals, we don’t get paid unless we sell,
so we make the call from a professional point of view.”
Juan Rivera, the Broker and Manager at the
Coldwell Banker located at Clifton and Colfax Aves.,
agreed with his peers.
Selling without a Realtor?Some have tried that way but in today’s market, experience pays
Story by Joe Hawrylko
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 67
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 68
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 69
“We see examples of this every single day: Price the
property right and it goes in a week or two. Price it
wrong and you miss the boat and you’re stuck for three
to four months,” he said. “Pricing right now is key.
Before it was all location, location, location. Now it’s all
price, price, price.” He said that people sometimes try to
sell a home on their own try to save commission fees
and weed out lowball offers, but it generally backfires.
“Time is of the essence. When a property that is for
sale by owner is at a price that it’s not going to move, it’s
costing them money,” added Rivera. “By the time they
get to us, the price is even lower than it was—it’s cost-
ing them even more money; ten, fifteen... maybe
$20,000 more.”
The notion that doing your own listing will ensure
good offers from legitimate buyers is also misleading.
“The reason to go to sell on your own is to save the
commission and they’re trying to save money too,”
explained Weichert’s Sanchez. “Well you both can’t get
the commission, so someone is losing out in the long
run.” He noted that the types of homes on the market has
drastically changed over the course of the decade, making
it even more important to get your house sold quickly.
“In 2003, 2004, 2005, you were competing against
your neighbors who were selling,” explained Sanchez.
“Now it’s all bank-owned properties and short sales. It
drives the market down because they just want to sell
and the longer you have to wait to sell, the larger the pos-
sibility that these kind of houses can be on your block.”
Utilizing a real estate agency also allows for unparal-
leled exposure. An agent can show a home while you
work, and can it on multiple listing services.
“What it really comes down to is the condition of the
home, the price and the realtor you chose,” said Tselepis.
“If you’re doing it for sale by owner and you’re
working your own job, you’re not marketing the
house,” said Sanchez. “We’ve got 85 agents and we’re
here at the office seven days a week. People call on a
house and we have all these agents that can help get it
sold. People can’t get their house sold if they’re work-
ing and can’t show it.”
“We can negotiate, but remove the emotional fac-
tor,” said Tselepis, explaining another pratfall of selling
on your own. “If you call a potential buyer, you give
up bargaining power because you look desperate.
We’re professionals, we don’t get paid unless we sell,
so we make the call from a professional point of view.”
“Houses that are priced right sell typically sell with-
in 95 to 98 percent of the asking price,” stated Sanchez.
Those homes typically move fast too. “The most activ-
ity is when you first list a home, the first three weeks.
It’s new inventory, everyone wants to see new stuff.”
Sherry & Barry Rosenfeld are the 2nd generationowners of Dundee FloorCovering.
Family Owned since 1927
Call us for an
estimate on:
• Carpet
• Ceramic
• Vinyl
• Linoleum
• Wood
• Cork
• Laminates
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 70
Dominic V. Caruso has beennamed the Professional Lawyer ofthe Year by the Passaic County andNew Jersey State Bar Associations.Given annually to attorneys who,by virtue of their conduct, compe-tence and demeanor, set a positiveexample for the legal profession,the award luncheon is on Oct. 6 inNew Brunswick. Keynote speakeris US Attorney Paul J. Fishman.
Caruso attended St. Philip’s R.C.grammar school and was a memberof the Charter Class (1971) at PaulVI High School. He is a graduate ofMontclair State and attended SetonHall School of Law in Newark wherehe served as Notes/ CommentsEditor of the Seton Hall Law Review.He was admitted to practice law inNew Jersey in 1979 and has been inprivate practice since.
He started his legal career at amajor defense litigation firm inNewark and later gained trial expe-rience at a smaller firm in PassaicCounty. Since 1989 he has special-ized in civil litigation, practicing asa solo in his Route 46 Clifton office.
Caruso served as President of thePassaic County Bar Association in2005 and now serves as a trustee ofthe NJ State Bar Association. Hehas been certified by the SupremeCourt of New Jersey as a TrialAttorney. Fluent in Italian andSpanish, he resides in NorthHaledon with his wife of 30 years,Eileen, and their son, Justin.
Mustang Pride Inc. is a 501C3 not-for-profit charity dedicated toorganizing fundraising events andsoliciting corporate and individualdonations to upgrade and improveschool facilities throughout theClifton Public School District.
“While we will certainly intendto accept private donations,Mustang Pride hopes to acquire thebulk of our funds through corporatesponsorships and/or grants,” wroteKim Renta. “Our hope is to be ableto improve our school facilitieswithout further burdening the tax-payers of Clifton.”
She said Mustang Pride isfocused on raising funds to installartificial turf at the high school sta-
dium and supplement moneyalready designated by the CliftonBOE to upgrade the KennedyAuditorium at CHS
The group’s first fundraiser is aWalk-a-Thon on Nov. 27 at MainMemorial Park. Form a team but firstget an entry form and more details bywriting to [email protected].
The Coalition for Brain InjuryResearch is sponsoring its annual
“Cure for Traumatic Brain Injury
Walk-a-thon” on Oct. 17, dedicated
to Clifton’s Dennis John Benigno.
Registration for the 3-mile walk
will start 9 am at the Clifton City
Hall Campus and follow a route
through the surrounding neighbor-
hood. Proceeds will benefit the
search for a cure. Walkers, sponsors
and donations are welcomed. Brain
injuries strike without warning
causing a lifetime of suffering for
victims and families. For further
information, call 973-632-2066.
Dominic Caruso will receive the2010 Lawyer of the Year Awardon Oct. 6 in New Brunswick.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 71
Clifton Savings Bank hosted a contingent of Japanese bankers from JA Bank on Sept. 21 at 2:00pm at its Van HoutenAve. headquarters. This was the Bank’s third occasion of welcoming groups of bankers from Japan who wish to seethe operation of a successful community bank, noted John A. Celentano, Jr., Chair.
The 2nd annual Kick-A-Thonpresented by the Clifton Martial
Arts Academy is at noon at Chelsea
Park on Oct. 16. “The goal is to do
500 kicks in an hour,” explained
Jim Meghdir, Sensei of the
Academy, at 891 Bloomfield Ave.
“Our students go to friends, fami-
lies, teachers and neighbors to solic-
it donations. If some one pledges 1
penny per kick, they give $5.
If some one else wants to pledge 3
cents per kick, that’s $15, and so
on.” This year’s beneficiary is St.
Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Last
year, the events raised over $1,500
for the Clifton-based Cure Breast
Cancer Foundation. The event is
open to all. In case of rain, the
event will be held in the Academy.
To contribute or participate,
call Meghdir at 732-763-5696. The Walk for the Cure for Diabetesis Oct. 17 at Medco Healthcare in
Franklin Lakes. Registration is at
9:00 am and the 5K walk begins at
10:00 am. “This is our 6th year
walking for Hannah (pictured above)
since she was diagnosed at the age of
6,” wrote mom Ellen Anolik. “It is
free, open to the public, kid friendly
and food is provided.” The person
who raises the most money this year
will receive four AMC movie passes
courtesy of team Hannah’s Bananas.
Join the team and get a ‘famous’
Hannah’s Bananas tee shirt. To get
involved, email Ellen Anolik at
Jodi Neumann and Grace Lisbona of the Clifton Adult Opportunity Center,and Disabilities Event Chair John Filippone and Grand Knight CarlosRoco of the Knights of Columbus St. Philip The Apostle Council 11671.The group was recently presented with a $3,000 check by the Knights.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 72
ATHENIA Street Fair: September 19
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 73
Assumption of the Holy VirginOrthodox Church parishioners, at
35 Orange Ave. will celebrate the
75th Anniversary of the founding of
their parish on Nov. 6 and 7. Great
Vespers and a Memorial Service
will be served on Nov. 6 at 5 pm,
followed by refreshments and fel-
lowship in the Fr. Lucas Olchovy
Memorial Hall.
On Nov. 7 at 9 am, His Grace,
The Right Reverend Michael,
Bishop of New York and the
Diocese of New York and New
Jersey, will celebrate the
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy which
will be followed by a Banquet at
The Brownstone.
Established in Clifton in 1935,
under the leadership of its founder,
the Very Rev. Lucas Olchovy, as
well has his successors, the Very
Rev. Stephen Kachur and the Very
Rev. Dimitri Oselinsky, the parish
continued in its mission, striving to
be a haven of peace, hope, charity
and love. “I am only the fourth priest
in the 75 year history of this parish,
which is a true testament to the lov-
ing, charitable spirit of our parish-
ioners,” said the current Pastor, the
Rev. Stephen Evanina. “It’s a won-
derful parish in a wonderful city.”
For more on the anniversary, go to
www.holyassumptionclifton.org.
Rick's American Bar & Grill is finally being torn down after years of specu-lation. Demolition crews are pictured here on Sept. 24. In recent years, cityofficials said another chain drugstore will replace the iconic watering hole,once known as the Penguin Inn. Photo by A.J. Sartor.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 74
Clifton celebrated Homecoming on Sept. 24 with a 33-12 winover Eastside. This year’s King and Queen are Itati Aburto andChristopher Alvarez. The court included Linette Genao andMichael Ciappi, Victoria Pugliese and Alvro De La Barra, EktaaRana and Max Egyed and Lelya Zeidan and Oscar Gonzalez. Atright, that’s a Clifton touchdown on the way to a 34-6 victoryaway at Teaneck on Sept. 16. Photos by Graeme Carmichael.The next Mustang homegame is on Oct. 29 against Kennedy.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 75
Music has been a life long
passion for Justin Noll.
Growing up in a home that did not
have cable TV, he spent his time
listening to music as he played with
his toys.
Perhaps Noll’s most poignant
memory of his childhood was when
he first discovered The Beatles
Yellow Submarine movie.
“I grew obsessed with the sheer
color, vibrance and happiness it
bestowed upon my world,” he said
of the film and its score. Noll
found his passion, and just a few
years later, picked up the violin in
the fourth grade.
“My world changed so much
after that,” he recalled. “I suddenly
started appreciating more than just
a guitar, bass and drums in a song.
I found classical music quite
appealing. My musical interest
skyrocketed when I learned that I
could play the music from my
favorite video games on the violin.
My mind was blown.”
It wasn’t until he reached CHS
that his musical tastes matured. A
friend introduced him to
orchestrated video game music, and
from there, he began exploring other
genres.“Up until then I listened to,
at most, ten bands,” said Noll.
“I started listening to ska, pop,
synthpop, rap and hip-hop. In high
school, I found so many others who
listened to more than just what was
playing on Z100,” he continued. “I
could finally have a conversation
about the trumpet part in a Reel Big
Fish song or how the Red Hot Chili
Peppers created a unique sound that
nobody could replicate. I was
finally among people who
understood what music really
meant to me.”
To the CHS senior, this month’s
Student of the Month, every song
has a deep, personal meaning.
Cake’s Friend is a Four Letter Wordinvokes memories of unreliable
friends from his past. The iconic
Beatles tune With a Little Help FromMy Friends makes him think of all
the true friends he has made.
“Music personifies and
encompasses all aspects of me,”
Noll wrote in an email. “Ranging
from the highs and lows of my life
to the beauty and flaws in my
personality.” This year, his peers
recognized his unique personality
in naming him Senior Class
President. To get there, he needed
a little help from his best friend
(and Vice President) Edd Flor.
“It was as if all our childish
thoughts of taking over the world
had manifested themselves through
these results,” Noll laughed. “If
following my maxim has gotten me
here, I guess I can get anywhere I
want to with it.”
CHS Student of the Month Story by Joe Hawrylko
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 76
Eleanor Roosevelt was the first President’s wife to hold
press conferences, write a newspaper
column and travel widely. She was
admired and criticized by many. In
Meet Eleanor Roosevelt hosted by
Clifton’s Hamilton House Museum
at noon on Oct. 16, she steps out of
history to share with frankness and
humor some of the struggles and
experiences of her extraordinary life.
In Elena Dodd’s portrayal (inset), Mrs. Roosevelt’s dis-
tinctive speech and dynamic personality enliven this inter-
active program, which include tea and luncheon. Visitors
will interact with Mrs. Roosevelt as this carefully
researched program is based on Mrs. Roosevelt’s autobi-
ography, letters, speeches and articles. Clifton’s Hamilton
House Museum is an 18th Century Dutch gambrel-roofed
homestead, which is located at 971 Valley Rd. Advance
tickets only, which are $25. Call 974-744-5707.
The 10th anniversary of the Clifton Arts Center andSculpture Park will be marked at a gala on Oct. 17 at 4
pm at the Upper Montclair Country Club. Built in the
early twentieth century and listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, the CAC is housed in a former US
Animal Quarantine Station which was skillfully updated.
Tickets are $70 or $135 per couple; children ages 5
through 12 are $30. Call 973-473-8122 or 973-472-5499.
Blue State Productions, theater in residence at St. Peter’s
Episcopal Church on Clifton Ave., announced it will pres-
ent the Tony Award winning Broadway drama HavingOur Say Feb. 11-26 as part of Black History Month. This
will be followed by the musical Godspell in April.
Auditions for Having Our Say are Dec. 3 and 4. Godspellauditions are Jan. 7 and 8. Volunteers for behind the scenes
are also needed. No pay, non-equity. Call 973-472-9445 or
email [email protected] for more details.
The Empire Brass will perform at the JewishCommunity Center on Scoles Ave. on Oct. 24 at 3 pmfor the 3rd Annual Sequoia Concert. Information aboutSequoia and tickets for the concert are available atwww.jfsclifton.org or call 973-777-7638.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 77
Kathleen Kellaigh, Betsy Newberry, Jack Pignatello, Sandy Robertson, Charles G. Timm, John Bertrand
Arsenic & Old LaceTheater League of Clifton Presents:
Arsenic and Old Lace, a comedy by Joseph Kesselring, will be presented
by Theater League of Clifton, TLC, at School 3 on Washington Ave., on
Oct. 15, 16, 17 and 22, 23 and 24. On Fridays and Saturdays the show
begins at 8 pm and on Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $15 and $10 for stu-
dents and seniors. There will be a two
for one opening night special, Oct. 15
only. The Clifton cast is pictured here.
Written in 1939, Arsenic and Old Laceis best known through the film adapta-
tion starring Cary Grant and directed
by Frank Capra. For info on TLC and
its programs, call 973-458-9579 or
visit theaterleagueofclifton.com.
Stephanie Peterson, Geoffrey Waumans
Christian Scott, George M. Morgan, Gerard Scorziello, John M. Traier
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 78
Susan Borthwick ate 1.09 pounds of chicken wing meat ineight minutes on Sept. 5 in the ninth annual NationalBuffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, NY. She came back toher Highview Ave. home with the title of Amateur ChickenWing Eating Competition Champ and is pictured herewith Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, another world renown titleholder. Who knows where this title will take her?
Dr. Barry Raphael is the local advocate for SmilePink, a campaign to encourage women and men to
show their support of early breast cancer testing by
adding a stylish Pink Swarovski Crystal to their smile.
The facts are sobering. Every two and a half min-
utes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. One
in eight American women will be diagnosed with
breast cancer in their lifetime. Over 200,000 will be
diagnosed this year and 40,000 of them will die from
the disease. Breast cancer also occurs in men. In fact,
over one thousand men will be diagnosed this year.
The Pink Swarovski Crystal is applied to the tooth
with a temporary dental adhesive. It is safe, and
takes less than a minute to apply It is just as easy to
remove and will be done free of charge.
The Smile Pink campaign was developed by Dr.
Anthony Vocaturo from New Jersey Center of
Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry in Bayonne after
his family was impacted by the disease.
It is part of Smile for the Cause, a program that
offers hope, strength, and encouragement to sur-
vivors and their families
Smile Pink will contribute 100% of donations it
receives to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Call Dr. Barry Raphael at 973-778-4222 for details or
visit http://www.smilepink.com.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 79
Clifton FMBA Local 21thanks the following sponsors
• Athenia Mason Supply
• The Apprehensive Patient & Poller Dental Group
• State Farm Agents Tom Tobin & Bill G. Eljouzi
• Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
• Joseph Lauritano Landscaping
• Tenafly Pediatrics
• Wee Care Child Care Center
• The New Bairn School
• Shook Funeral Home
• Thomas P. De Vita, Esq.
• IHOP Restaurant of Clifton
• Carl G. Zoecklein, Esq.
• Clifton Moose Lodge Chapter 657
• P&A Auto Parts
• Assemblyman Thomas Giblin
• Members of Clifton PBA Local 36
10,000 copies of this book are being distributed to students in
Grade 3 and below during October, Fire Safety Month. To receive
a copy, visit Fire Headquarters in City Hall or call 973-470-5801.
You’re a Neighbor,Not a Number.
Thomas Tobin973-779-4248
Bill G. Eljouzi973-478-9500
The Ocean County male alumni of CHS 1960 will
hold a luncheon at the Lamp Post Inn, Route 9,
Bayville, on Oct. 26 at 1:30 pm. Recent get togehters
have been held and attract a dozen or so alumni, some
who even travel from North Jersey and the Philadelphia
area. For info on this and other events, call George
Kulik at 848-333-8761 or email [email protected].
The CHS 1961 50th class reunion is on Oct. 14, 2011.
To attend and for more details, write to CHS Class of
1961, PO Box 3749, Wayne, NJ 07474, call 973-650-2719
or email [email protected].
CHS classes from 1971 through 1974 host a reunion on
Oct. 30 at the Regency House Hotel in Pompton Plains. The
$85 ticket includes buffet, dessert, entertainment and open
bar from 7 pm to midnight. For info, call Bill Geiger
(973-557-3613) Diane Gangi Ohland (973-284-1054).
The Passaic High School Classes of 1964 and 1965have a combined reunion on Oct. 9 from 7 to 11 pm at
the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fairfield. Call Charles
Cannata, PHS ‘64 at 973-773-7769 or Paula Rudolph,
PHS ‘65 at 973-339-9102 or [email protected].
On Columbus Day, Oct. 11, the Passaic-Clifton Chapter
of UNICO National will raise the Italian flag on the
lawn in front of Clifton City Hall at 5:45 pm. UNICO
Chapter President David D’Arco said NJ Supreme
Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner will be the Keynote
Speaker. The Chief Justice is a 1978 graduate of
Passaic High and also a recipient of the UNICO
Chapter Scholarship Award that year. After speeches,
pastries and coffee will be served. The event is free and
open to all; anyone wishing to obtain more information
can call Dave D’Arco at 973-685-7479.
J
J
J
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 80
Sarah Bekheet . . . . . . . . . 10/1Melissa Szwec. . . . . . . . . 10/2Awilda Gorman. . . . . . . . 10/3Ashley Messick . . . . . . . . 10/3Charlene Rivera. . . . . . . . 10/3Grace Robol . . . . . . . . . . 10/3
Frank Antoniello. . . . . . . . 10/4John Brock Jr. . . . . . . . . . 10/4Kimberly Ferrara . . . . . . . 10/4Kayla Galka . . . . . . . . . . 10/4Lisa Junda . . . . . . . . . . . . 10/4Alan Merena. . . . . . . . . . 10/4
George Hayek turns 84 on October 1. Michael Biondi will be 18 on October 10. The Angello twins,Renee Kimiko and her brother Jeffrey Joseph, say it is fine to be 9 on October 4.
Birthdays & CelebrationsSend dates & [email protected]
Frances & Saverio Greco, celebrate their 19th wedding anniversaryon October 26. Congratulations to Jim & Anna Schubert whocelebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on September 11. HappyAnniversary to Orest & Barbara Luzniak who will be married 30years on October 11. Charlie & Dana McCarrick weddinganniversary is October 23. Luba Voinov married David Rees onSeptember 25 at Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Bruce Merena . . . . . . . . . 10/4Rosalie D. Konopinski. . . . 10/5Kyle Takacs . . . . . . . . . . . 10/5Gene D’Amico. . . . . . . . . 10/6Tom Marshall. . . . . . . . . . 10/6Nicole Nettleton . . . . . . . 10/6 Christopher Phillips. . . . . . 10/7Jilian Fueshko . . . . . . . . . 10/8Nick Kacmarcik . . . . . . . . 10/8Rich Montague . . . . . . . 10/10Kyle Zlotkowski . . . . . . . 10/10Eileen Patterson . . . . . . . 10/11Anthony Shackil. . . . . . . 10/11Gunnar Kester . . . . . . . . 10/12Michael D. Rice . . . . . . . 10/12Stepanie M. Palomba. . . 10/13Kimberly Beirne . . . . . . . 10/14Lil Geiger . . . . . . . . . . . 10/14Mary Anne Kowalczyk . . 10/14Andrea Kovalcik . . . . . . 10/15Stephen Kovalcik . . . . . . 10/15Marianne Meyer . . . . . . 10/15Rachol Pong . . . . . . . . . 10/16Nicole Zlotkowski . . . . . 10/16Nancy Hromchak. . . . . . 10/17Devin DeVries . . . . . . . . 10/18Matthew Fabiano. . . . . . 10/18Edward Holster, Sr. . . . . 10/18Jamie Norris . . . . . . . . . 10/18Brian James Grace. . . . . 10/19Kristen A. Hariton . . . . . 10/19Rocky S. Angello (woof!) 10/20Joan Bednarski . . . . . . . 10/20Jean Chiariello . . . . . . . 10/20
Elizabeth Feinstein marriedGreg Gardner on September 24at Westmount Country Club.
Smile Pink!
See Dr. Barry Raphaeldetails on page 78.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 81
1036
Lea Dziuba . . . . . . . . . . 10/20Patrick M. Doremus Jr. . . 10/21Eugene Osmak . . . . . . . 10/21Katelyn Smith . . . . . . . . 10/21Toni Van Blarcom . . . . . . 10/22Daniel Atoche . . . . . . . . 10/23John Bross. . . . . . . . . . . 10/23Allison Beirne . . . . . . . . 10/24Sandra Kuruc . . . . . . . . 10/24Heather Sito . . . . . . . . . 10/24Paul G. Andrikanich. . . . 10/25Matthew McGuire . . . . . 10/26Peter Salzano . . . . . . . . 10/27Kristofer Scotto . . . . . . . 10/27Nicole Keller . . . . . . . . . 10/28Ashley Gretina . . . . . . . 10/29Joan Statzer . . . . . . . . . 10/29Lindsay Berberich. . . . . . 10/30Raymond Romananski . . 10/31Josef Schmidt. . . . . . . . . 10/31
Noel Oliver turns 6on October 16.
Nancy Csaszar celebrates abirthday on October 3.
October 2010 • Clifton Merchant 82
US Army 2nd Lt. Stephen Messineowas Killed in Action on Feb. 18, 1944,in Italy, at the Anzio Beachhead. Over
six decades later, Anita Scangarello
stopped in our office to ask us to
remember her uncle, a 1935 CHS
grad—and all those who served our
nation during times of war and peace.
With this photo at the right, we do
that and ask that we all turn out along
Main Ave. on Nov. 7 for Clifton’s
Annual Veterans Parade. Step off is at
2 pm from Sylvan Ave., with the CHS
Marching Mustangs at the lead.
As a cavalcade of veterans, antique
military equipment and other bands
and performers follow, the parade con-
tinues along Main, ending with servic-
es at the War Monument in Main
Memorial Park. Those who served in
the military are invited to march.
Come out and support those who
served. For info, call John Biegel or
Keith Oakley at 201-774-6666.
The Messineo siblings in Dutch Hill,back in 1943. From left: Eleanor,Josephine, Stephen and Angeline.
Everyone wants to put their bestfoot forward, but people withtoenail fungus go to great lengthsto keep their feet under wraps.Not only is toe fungus ugly andembarrassing, it's also easy tocatch. It thrives in wet environ-ments such as nail salons andlocker rooms, even in the privacyof your own shower.
An Alternative to Topical and Oral Treatments, Laser Kills Fungus Instantly
New Treatment for Fungus-Free Feet Thomas Graziano, MD, DPM,FACFAS, a Clifton foot andankle surgeon, said once thefungus gets under a toenail, it'sdifficult to treat. Topical solu-tions don't always work and oralmedications carry a risk of sideeffects which can be hard on thebody.
Dr. Graziano is offering newpainless and effective lasertechnology to treat toenail fun-gus introduced recently at theAmerican Podiatric MedicalAssociation Annual Conference.
The laser passes through thenail without damaging it andvaporizes the germs, killing thefungus that lives under the nail.It had been utilized by top podi-atric surgeons in California butis now available here in Cliftonby Dr. Graziano.
“This new laser is much moreeffective than lasers I used yearsago. It travels through the nail tothe level of the nail fungus andkills the fungus instantly,” said Dr.Graziano. “We go in certain pat-terns to make sure we get everylittle millimeter of the nail plate.”
The procedure takes less thana half hour and, while resultsaren't immediate, the toenail willgrow out normally in nine to 12months, in most cases. Reportsshow the laser is 88% effective,better than anything else on themarket, said Dr. Graziano.Call 973-473-3344 for details.
Tomahawk Promotions
1288 main avenue
Clifton, nJ 07011
PRSRT STDUS Postage
PAIDPaTeRSon, nJPeRmIT no. 617