SUMMER Specialty Camps Clifton Recreation Presents:

June Camps

Martial Arts: June 19-29, 3:50 to 4:50 pm, Ages 7-14, $70R / $80NR, M-Th Learn the basics of Karate and Ninjutsu in 8 lessons.

Outdoor Basketball Camp: Info and details to come.

July Camps

Fun on the Farm: July 5-14, 9 am to 11 am, Ages 5-8, $125 R/NR, M W F Care for animals, plants and gardens on the City Green Farm.

Baseball/Pitchers/Catchers: July 10-13, 9 am to noon. Ages 7-17, $125 R/NR, M-Th Train on the WWMS field with CHS Mustang baseball coaches.

Underground Explorers: July 10-14, 1-4 pm, Ages 6-12, $215 R/NR Study bones fragments, pottery shards, amber deposits and fossils.

Gross Out Science: July 10-14, 9 am to noon, Ages 6-12, $215 R/NR Learn about burping, boogers, gas, germs and other gross fun stuff.

Volleyball Camp: July 10-14, 6:30- 8 pm, Ages 8-15, $80 R/NR Develop individual skills and learn more about the game.

Our Planet, Our World, Steam Art: July 17-21, 9 am to noon, Ages 5-10, $215 R/NR Design wind sculptures, sea globes, explore STEAM concepts & Earth care.

Fun on the Farm: July 17-28, 9 am to 11 am, Ages 5-8, $150 R/NR, M W F Care for animals, plants and gardens on the City Green Farm.

Baseball Skills: July 17-20, 9 am to noon, Ages 7-17, $125 R/NR, M-Th The basics are drilled at WWMS field with CHS Mustang baseball coaches.

Game Design Coding: July 24-28, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-12, $215 R/NR Build, code and play with robots as part of STEM studies.

Ninja Warriors: July 24-27, 9:30 am to noon, Ages 5-12, $215 R/NR, M-Th Aspiring Ninjas climb, swing, jump and train on an obstacle course.

Descriptions, locations and registration: cliftonrec.com

Fun on the Farm: July 31 - Aug. 11, 9-11 am, Ages 5-8, $150 R/NR, M W F Care for animals, plants and gardens on the City Green Farm.

Broadway Camp: July 31- Aug 4, 9 am to 3 pm, Ages 6-9, $215 R/NR

Learn the songs and score of Encanto & Moana with a last day performance.

Pickleball for Kids: Info and details to come.

August Camps

Future Engineers: Aug. 7-11, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-12, $155 R/NR

Build up to 8 working models with STEM teachers using your own engineering kit.

Puppet Theater: Aug. 7-11, 9 am to noon, Ages 4-7, $155 R/NR 1 to 4 pm, Ages 8-11, $155 R/NR Mix visual arts with performance and bring puppets to life.

Teen Entrepreneurs: Aug. 7-11, Noon to 3:30, Ages 13-16, $155 R/NR, Brainstorm with others and create your own e-commerce business.

Aug. 14-18, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-12, $155 R/NR

Construct 14 different solor powered robots using your robot kit!

Aug 14-18, 9 am to noon, Ages 5 - 10, $215 R/NR

The solar system, meteors, meteoroids, constellations and more!

Redbulls Soccer Mini Bulls Aug 14-18, 9-10:30 am, Ages 4-5, $215 R/NR

Redbulls Half Day: Aug 14-18, 8:30 am to noon, Ages 6-14, $260 R/NR

Redbulls Full Day: Aug 14-18, 8:30 am to 3 pm, Ages 9-12, $315 R/NR

All players receive t-shirt, ball, scorecard and ticket to Red Bulls game.

Intro to Sewing Machine: Aug 21-25, 1 to 4 pm, Ages 7 to 10, $155 R/NR On a real sewing machine, make useable and wearable items!

Jewelry Design: Aug 21-25, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-13, $155 R/NR

Use beads, materials and tools to create one-of-a-kind jewelry!

Team P.R.A.I.S.E. was honored to be chosen as JAGONE Youth Team of the Year. The Clifton team received free Seton Hall Men’s Basketball tickets to the Feb. 24 game against No. 16 Xavier. Despite a 60-82 loss at Newark’s Prudential Center, P.R.A.I.S.E. leader Gabriella Marriello said it was a fun night for all.

Clifton Parents Requiring Assistance In Special Education is a non-adversarial support group for parents/families of disabled children and adults. Founded by Board of Education Commissioner Judy Bassford, she asked Mar- riello to lead the group after her election to a seat. Marriello has led the group for the last 12 years. Alongside her husband, Robert, they manage baseball and bowling seasons that are inclusive for all children.

The Clifton P.R.A.I.S.E. 2023 Spring Baseball season kicked off April 2 at Albion Field 1, located at 237 Maplewood Rd. For the season’s full schedule, email cliftonpraise@gmail.com.

Join the private group “Clifton P.R.A.I.S.E.” on Facebook for the latest updates.

Helping others is second nature for Terry Contrino Putignano. Yet she felt honored on March 21 when recognized with five additional women by the City Council for the Clifton Woman of the Year 2023.

Councilwoman Lauren Murphy chose Putignano (CHS 1975) for helping over 75 people secure COVID-19 vaccination appointments in 2021. Putignano saw the difficulty that many people faced with appointment access and wanted to make the experience easier.

“My mother [Rose Contrino] had the saying, ‘Do good and then forget it’. I did it, and I forgot it,” said Putignano, 65. “I never expected anything in return because I live by her motto.”

An RN for over 40 years. Putignano retired early due to a physical disability in the early 2020s. Prior to retiring, Putignano was a surgical operating room nurse at Morristown Medical Center.

By Ariana Puzzo

Five of the six remaining Council members nominated the following women for their citywide, community-oriented contributions.

Councilman Tony Latona nominated Cathy Murtha, who runs the Columbiette Blanket Ministry of Saint Philip the Apostle Parish. Murtha collaborates with the local community to donate items such as hats and blankets to those in need.

Councilman Joseph Kolodziej nominated Tova Felder. Unable to attend the meeting, Kolodziej’s prepared remarks acknowledged Felder’s 20-year residency in Clifton and creation of the Clifton News and Community group on Facebook. Kolodziej lauded Felder’s commitment to keeping an online space informed of local news and noted her contributions as editor of The Clifton Times.

She used a decades-long inclination to help others and her tech savviness to find new purpose during that transition. One way was by connecting with the “Northern New Jersey Covid Vaccine Angels”. Although she wasn’t a group member, Putignano said that she used many of their tips and tricks to secure appointments, anywhere from the Meadowlands to CVS stores. Sometimes staying awake as late as midnight or waking up at 6 am when there were new openings.

“Some family members and a lot of neighbors and friends of family were not going to have the motivation to do the work that I was doing almost joyfully,” said Putignano about what motivated her. “I enjoyed the challenge and decided to share it … because I found it almost kind of easy.”

She added that many people reacted as though they “won the lottery” when she gave them their appointment confirmations. Putignano also saw the effect it had on her own well being.

“I was so glad to be functioning in some helpful way related to the health field,” said Putignano. “It did me as much good as everyone else.”

Councilwoman Rosemary Pino nominated Ruth Dippe, who has served as a leader for over 35 years in Clifton’s Latino community. Dippe was the first Latina in Clifton to run for a seat on the Board of Education. Although ultimately unsuccessful, her other community efforts have resulted in the now 13-year tradition of the Colombian Flag Raising. She is the secretary of the Latino Leaders of Clifton.

Councilwoman Mary Sadrakula nominated Gabriella Marriello, who has led the Clifton Parents Requiring Assistance In Special Education (P.R.A.I.S.E.) support group for 12 years. During the school year, Marriello organizes monthly meetings on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 pm. For info, email cliftonpraise@gmail.com or join the private group “Clifton P.R.A.I.S.E.” on FB.

Mayor Ray Grabowski nominated Margaret Beissel, who has served our children and families as a crossing guard for 48 years. Beissel was an active voice in the unions and has consistently worked in the best interest of other crossing guards. Grabowski acknowledged how she always watches out for children and often kept dog treats on hand for our city’s leashed friends.

Mayor Ray Grabowski and Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett, who is also Chair of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, with Congressman Pascrell and Fr. Milton Camargo, administrator of St. Brendan Church, which is on the corner of Lakeview and Crooks Aves., on March 16. A mile of Lakeview, from Crooks to Clifton Ave., will get a redesign to improve safety using a $5.8 million federal grant awarded to Passaic County. Pascrell recalled how since 1998, he has been fighting to bring road improvement funds to Clifton and the region, beginning with the redesign of Route 21.

St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church, at 81 Washington Ave., hosts a sale on April 22, 10 am to 4 pm to support Ukrainian soldiers and their families. Handmade jewelry, Ukrainian art and baked goods as well as household items, used clothing, tools, toys and furniture will be for sale. No pets or strollers and small children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own bags. For more info, call the church at 973-546-2473.

A Fish & Chips Dinner is April 7 at the Clifton Masonic Lodge, 1484 Van Houten Ave., from 5-7 pm. Tickets for adults are $18 and children (under 9) are $13. Dinners will be served in to-go containers and chicken dinners are available upon advanced request. For info/tickets, call Bob at 973-779-4296 or call/text Jim at 973-766-6046.

Learn about managing stress, anxiety, and grief with Power of One’s Kim Castellano. Upcoming dates are April 13, May 18 and June 15, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Senior Barn, 900 Clifton Ave. Register for the free series by emailing info@powerofoneccom.org or calling 862-239-5905. The series is open to people of all ages who want to learn about stress, anxiety, and finding hope. Call Castellano at 201328-2326 or email kim@powerofoneccom.org.

Clifton Rec and MSU’s Department of Rec host a Safety Rally on April 15 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at MSU. The event is $50 per person and includes a CPR Module, First Aid Module, and written test. To earn your American Red Cross Certification, pre-register at cliftonrec.com. Online registration ends April 13.

Michael Salerno and Tanya Rudd, CHS 1983. Their Nov. 18 reunion is at the Grande Saloon. Find out details on FB. Don’t forget, in July we’ll be featuring the “Where are these Mustangs today” edition, which will take us back to, 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973, 1963 and maybe more!

Clifton Rec and Ivy Rehab Workshops offer free “Balance and Fall Prevention” workshops for adults 65 and up. on April 18 from 2-3 pm on the 2nd Floor of 1011 Clifton Ave. Register at cliftonrec.com. For more info, call the Rec Dept. at 973-470-5956.

“My Favorite Things” is displayed through April 29, Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 1-4 pm, a the Clifton Arts Center. The Clifton Association of Artists (CAA) members favorite things include art in oil, acrylic, pastels, photography, watercolor, and sculpture from amateur and professional artists. As visitors tour the gallery, they can consider what some of their own favorite things are to appreciate. Call the Arts Center’s office at 973-472-5499 or visit cliftonartscenter.org.

Play Bingo, Eat Sundaes on April 23 from 3-5 pm, at 1232 Main Ave. Cost is $6. All attendees must have a ticket even if they do not choose to play BINGO. Participants of all ages can win prizes while enjoying ice-cream sundaes and friendly competition. Pre-register by April 21 at 2 pm at cliftonrec.com.

Passaic County 200 Club’s Valor Awards is May 9 at 6 pm to honor Passaic County’s heroic Police, Fire, and EMS First Responders at The Brownstone, Paterson.

Tickets are $75 and will not be sold at the door. Buy tickets at: pc200club.org/valor/tickets.php.

If you choose to make a donation or purchase tickets the old fashioned way, make checks payable to: Passaic County 200 Club, and mail to: 41 Chestnut Ct. Cedar Grove, NJ, 07009. For info, call President Christine Schultz at 973-202-3295.

The Passaic County 200 Club was founded in 1989 thanks to Robert Lieb, one of about 200 similiar organizations across the US. Their main mission is to present a check in the amount of $10,000 to a family within 48 hours of the death of their loved one who served either as a police officer, firefighter, or EMS professional.

The PC 200 Club will also provide support for the college educations of children affected by the loss.

Though incomparable to the value of a life, the organization hopes to help the families navigate the difficult times that accompany such a loss.

Find out more at pc200club.org.

Clifton Cares (high school volunteers above) is collecting items to ship to service people across the globe. Through April 30 bring Ramen noodles, beef jerky, crackers, gum, power bars, and all kinds of cookies and candy to city hall. Notes from kids and adults written to those in service are always appreciated. Monetary donations to Clifton Cares are needed since packages cost $20 each to mail. Make checks to Clifton Cares Inc., and mail to City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013. To tell of deployed military members overseas, call Chris Liszner at 973-650-2719.