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Table of Contents
What’s Inside? 6
City Green, Clifton Roots The Papa & Knors Families
14 Clifton Expands Recycling Collects Plastics Curbside
Our June edition will celebrate Clifton residents of the Class of 2014 as they graduate our public and private high schools. Tell us about your grad. Find our survey at cliftonmerchant.com
Hiring Writers Clifton Merchant Magazine and Tomahawk Promotions has part time job openings. Send your resume and explain how you would contribute to our team: Writer / Editor Help us tell Clifton’s story Librarian / Historian Organize our archives Send resume and a letter: tomhawrylko@optonline.net
16 History of Schultheis Farm Father & Son Now in Tabernacle
20 Downtown Clifton Joes Winning Poet, Music Composer
34 Jack DeVries at Table 4 A Basketball Fan Comes of Age
42 The Ukrainian Pysanky Natalka Warchola’s Designs
48 Mustang Spring Sports CHS Season Preview 16,000 Magazines
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4 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Editor & Publisher Tom Hawrylko Business Manager Gabriella Marriello Graphic Designer Ken Peterson Contributing Writers Domenick Reda Carol Leonard Jack DeVries Irene Jarosewich Michael Gabriele
68 Passaic County Film Festival Free Screening at the Fabian April 26
72 An Original Clifton Charmer Steve Meyers Built A Softball Dynasty
78 Immedicenter: A National Model Dr. Basista Still Innovating After 30 Years
82 Clifton Firefighter’s Ball A Tradition Returns for Clifton’s Bravest
88 Birthdays & Celebrations Your Friends & Neighbors at Milestones
Clifton Merchant writer Jack DeVries, at right, was named a 2013 Finalist in the National Table 4 Writers Grant Award. He is pictured with Chazz Palminteri, star of A Bronx Tale, at the March 27 event. The story that won the honor begins on page 34.
This 1975 photo of Grade 3 in School 8 was provided by Susan Maloney-Romeo of Kaleidokuts on Van Houten Ave. Many of these kids went on to graduate CHS in 1984. We are using the photo as a reminder to readers that in July, we will publish our annual Where are These Mustangs Now? This year, with your help, we will connect with Mustangs who graduated CHS in 2004, 1994, 1984, 1974, 1964,1954 and 1944. Write to us at tomhawrylko@optonline.net. Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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City Green
By Michael C. Gabriele
At Clifton’s Schultheis Farm, Jennifer Papa, Claudia Urdanivia and Todd Gustafson.
Two decades ago, while traveling through inner-city New Jersey landscapes, Jennifer Papa saw vacant lots, a lack of green space, food insecurity for those in need, and blighted neighborhoods. She also saw opportunities to empower residents of neglected urban areas. “I believe in the power of beauty,” Papa declared. “I believe in the idea of food justice and sustainably produced food. When I saw these neighborhoods, I saw possibilities and the potential to create something beautiful.” Something beautiful meant harnessing both the nutritional abundance and aesthetic beauty of nature—in effect, said Papa, reclaiming the “garden” heritage of the Garden State. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1991, she worked for her mother’s advertising and public relations company. By 2002 she decided to explore a different career path and began to do research and attend seminars on community gardening and environmental activism. Her interest in the “green movement” soon became a passion and 6 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
a mission. As a result, in an entrepreneurial burst of energy, she started City Green Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, located on the five-acre Schultheis Farm at 171 Grove St. in Clifton, now in its 10th year. City Green staff also works the land at a smaller organic farm in Eastside Park, Paterson, and manages a range of community-based gardening and environmental programs, while encouraging volunteerism. Over 800 youth, ages 6 to 17, are in City Green educational initiatives and another 2,500 students participate in school garden projects. Plus more than 200 adults are in the group’s community gardening and horticultural therapy. Papa, the executive director of City Green, maintains an “asset-based” perspective when it comes to community/urban farming. For Papa, an abandoned city lot isn’t an eyesore, but rather an asset waiting to be transformed into fields of vegetables, fruits and flowers. She sees beyond the obvious and imagines potential benefits, a philosophy embedded in her organization.
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City Green A 2004 CHS grad, her career at City Garden Beds in Clifton and Beyond Green began when she worked as a volunCity Green “plants the seeds”—training teer in 2010-2011. She was soon hired to local residents to establish and maintain be the leader of a summer internship for successful city gardens. This includes teens, which involved team-building coninstruction on building raised vegetable cepts on farming and local food systems. beds and installing irrigation systems. For Urdanivia, “community” is the key The goal is for residents to take ownerword that guides her environmental advoship of the projects. While the urban garcacy efforts. dens provide a substantial amount of food, “Being an advocate means making peoPapa acknowledges the harvest also yields ple aware of pressing issues,” she said. “It a sense of community pride. Claudia Urdanivia is a 2004 CHS Grad. means educating volunteers so that they City Green’s newest initiative, “Dig In!” can participate in local efforts to improve will create and manage 16 community garthe environment. These are things that develop a sense of dens in Clifton, Passaic, Paterson, Little Falls, North community and bring people together.” Haledon and other Passaic County municipalities thanks This spring, in a partnership with Clifton Recreation, to funding by the Passaic County Freeholders. City Green will open a 20-bed tract of land for commuDig In! will consult with community groups to select nity gardening. Other outreach efforts include “New garden locations, offer classes to teach the basics of Ground,” an adult education program that promotes the health soil, natural pest management and plant care, and development of community gardens, green spaces, beaupromote a zero-waste policy—donating unused produce tification projects and community collaboration. to local food pantries. Claudia Urdanivia, City Green New Ground also helps bring fresh produce to urban program operations manager, will oversee the Dig In! neighborhoods, working in conjunction with established campaign. Urdanivia was born in Peru and came to the county and municipal food assistance networks. United States with her family in 1994.
8 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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Weichert President’s Club
Weichert Director’s Club
Alma Billings NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2013 - Silver Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club
Weichert Ambassador’s Club Lesia Wirstiuk
Kaitlyn Barbagallo NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2013 – Bronze Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club
Gregorio “Greg” Manalo NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2013 – Bronze Weichert Sales Club
Arthur “Artie” Rubin Weichert Marketed Club
Tania Hernandez Faria Weichert Sales Club
Valdemar Studzinski Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club
Ellen Weiner Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club
Weichert Million Dollar Club
NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2013 - Bronze Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club
Hilda Ferro NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2013 – Bronze Weichert Sales Club
Paula Benus Weichert Sales Club
Kevin Carpenter Weichert Marketed Club
Jeannette Castro Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club
Mary Jean Cetinich Weichert Sales Club
Donna Freeswick
Marianna Gozdz Weichert Sales Club
Mary “Chyna” Hilger Weichert Sales Club
Mary Pat Holt Weichert Marketed Club
Kathleen Perow Weichert Marketed Club
Marsha Ryaboy
Weichert Executive’s Club Carlito Chi NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2013 - Bronze Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club Elena Schwartz NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2013 - Bronze Weichert Sales Club, Marketed Club
10 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Jayne Urgo Weichert Sales Club
Jerry Sanders
Sandra Vasquez Weichert Sales Club
James Steccato Weichert Marketed Club
January 2014 Award Winners
Kevin Carpenter
Top Lister
Hilda Ferro
Hilda Ferro
Hilda Ferro
Top Producer
Agent of the Month
Tania Hernandez Faria
Tania Hernandez Faria
Top Sales
Ryan Carbone
Weichert Pride
February 2014 Award Winners
Kevin Carpenter
Top Lister
Kaitlyn Barbagallo
Top Sales
Top Producer
Agent of the Month
Lesia Wirstiuk
Weichert Pride
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City Green “City Sprouts” is an education and recreational venture that gets kids into community gardening so they can learn about our ecosystem and the importance of eating healthy foods. There will be outdoor activities for children, working in partnership with community organizations, city recreation departments and summer camps. “Growing Strong” offers paid summer employment to high school students who work on the two City Green farms, organic farm stands and in the City Sprouts Learning Garden Summer Camp. “School Grounds” supports the creation of school garden projects and environmental clubs throughout northern New Jersey, while teaching students the benefits of locally grown and organic food, as well as the impact of food choices on their health. Nurtured and Grown Here Operating City Green is a homecoming for Papa, as generations of her family grew up here in Clifton. Her parents, Tom and Elaine Papa, were Mustangs who graduated CHS in 1962. And while they have both played a role (and continue to do so) in making City Green what it has become today, Papa said her environmental muse goes back another generation. Papa’s love of nature was inspired by her late maternal grandmother, Charlotte Knors, who was active as a volunteer at the Clifton Arts Center and the Clifton Public Library. “It was really her appreciation of nature,” said Papa. “Even though she grew up in Jersey City and then moved to Clifton, she taught me little things about nature and beauty. Like clipping Forsythia branches in March and bringing them indoors and forcing the bloom. And despite the fact that she had a manicured landscape, she had a surprising variety of plants. When she died I dug up here favorite rose bush and brought it to my home. It still blooms like crazy every spring.” 12 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Grandmothers Charlotte Knors above and Clementine Papa.
Parents Elaine (Knors) and Tom Papa.
Papa’s motivation for giving back and community service was inspired by Grandma Clementine, who also passed. “She was the quintessential Italian grandma. We often had Sunday dinner with family and so I think she installed in all 21 of us grandkids to be selfless, to share and to give of yourself. I think they were one of the first families in Aquacknanonk Gardens,” Papa continued, referring to what was then veteran’s housing off of Van Houten Ave., near Valley Rd. “So on Sundays when we came to visit we would get off the Parkway at the Grove St. exit and go right past Ploch’s and Schultheis Farms. I think it’s ironic that now I am stomping around Clifton, basically walking in both of their footsteps.” Keeping It Green in Clifton Cliftonites appreciate the concept of access to locally grown produce. Ploch’s Farm, a City Green neighbor has some 17 acres and grows and sells delicious summer and fall vegetables at its farmstand. Richfield Farms, on Van Houten Ave. near CHS and the Paterson Farmer’s Market on the Paterson and Clifton city line along Crooks Ave. also offers green options. On a statewide basis, New Jersey remains a major producer of tomatoes, white corn, blueberries and cranberries. Todd Gustafson, City Green’s farm manager, said the concept of urban farming gets locally grown food closer to the people who want it. Gustafson is the steward of City Green’s three-and-a-half acres here and the half-acre in Paterson. Aside from the nutritional advantages and quality of seasonal produce, he said urban farming creates jobs, requires fewer pesticides, and reduces the cost of logistics needed to ship and process food. What’s needed to make the concept work, he said, is a “spark” like City Green, which allow urban farming to root and prosper.
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City Green Other City Green staff members include Jasmine Moreano, director of community engagement; Josh Kane, director of youth programming; and Tom Fox, production coordinator. To mark its 10th anniversary, City Green is planning a gala on Sept. 20 with music, workshops and a farm-to-table supper with “lots of good food,” Papa said. Beginning in June and through October, the group will sell its organic produce— tomatoes, lettuce, arugula, kale, leeks, peppers, broccoli and cut flowers—at its market farm stand on Grove St. on Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm. Earth Day is April 22 and the focus on “green cities,” aligns well with the stated goals of City Green. For Clifton residents, the most important message from the annual celebration is that every contribution matters. The small-scale efforts of individuals, when weighed collectively, have an impact locally, regionally and across the globe, according to Papa. She praised the efforts of city residents who faithfully recycle their bottles, metals, papers, plastics and more. Plus, family friendly backyard gardens and planting trees “all add up,” she said. To participate, volunteer or contribute to City Green, call 973-869-4086 or go to citygreenonline.org.
14 January 2014 • Clifton Merchant
The City of Clifton began the curbside collection of plastic bottles and containers on April 1. Only plastic labeled with #1 and #2 will be collected. To locate the label look under the bottom of the bottle or container and find a number within a triangle. Above, Victor Campolattaro loading a DPW truck in Rosemawr. For questions regarding plastic collection or recycling, call Clifton Recycling Coordinator Al DuBois at 973-470-2237.
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Schultheis Farm
It’S
Place In HIStory
Al Schultheis and Al Schultheis Jr. in 2004.
In April 2004, the Schultheises weren’t saying too much. And who could have blamed them? Al Sr., then 63, and Al Jr., then 38, found themselves at the center of the Clifton school controversy. The 5.8 acre family farm, some land along Broad St. and an adjacent home— some 7 acres in total—was a particularly hot commodity since the City Council and Board of Education decided that a middle school should be built there. When we went to press with the May 2004 edition, the farm was still owned by the Schultheises, though, and for all their reticence about discussing their plans, it’s apparent that past dealings with the City of Clifton and the State of New Jersey had left a bad taste in their mouths. With its roots in the 1800s, the Schultheis family was prepared to work their Clifton farm into the 21st century. Five years earlier in 1999, they wanted to order a $250,000 state-of-the-art greenhouse from The Netherlands. It was then that the Schultheis family first experienced bureaucracy at its most frustrating. “The City gave us the runaround,” Al Schultheis Sr. said. At first, the city’s zoning officer gave approval for construction of the new greenhouse—no variances. Thus, Schultheis forwarded a down payment and ordered the greenhouse. 16 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Soon, officials decided that a sophisticated drainage system would indeed be needed and that Schultheis would, in fact, need Zoning Board approval. He ended up having to hire a lawyer. He got the approval but it took months, delayed plans and cost thousands. Next, the State announced plans to shave off some of Schultheis farm to improve Route 46. More stalling and another runaround with state bureaucracy. So back in May 2004, there was a lot of talk about the family having a multi-million dollar deal from a developer? Were they ready to sell? The Schultheises claim to be in the dark about their farm’s future and anyone’s plans to buy it. “We don’t get any straight answers,” Al Schultheis Sr. said. “All we know is what we read in the papers.” Father and son worked their chores as dad concluded: “The city can buy it at the going rate.” In 2005, with NJ Green Acres funds, Clifton did purchase and forever preserve the farm for $4.25 million. Father and son Schultheis and their families have relocated to Tabernacle, in farm friendly South Jersey, where they continue to grow all types of produce.
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18 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
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Two Joe’s
TWO (NOT-SO-AVERAGE) JOES Two Joes from Downtown Clifton, Each Awarded $8,500 Fellowships By Irene Jarosewich
Joseph Turrin and Joe Rathgeber.
20 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Every year for the past 17, the NJ State Council on the Arts has awarded 20 Artist Fellowship Awards in the categories of Sculpture, Poetry, Choreography, and Music Composition. Every year, the submissions for the fellowships undergo independent peer review based on samples of work submitted by each artist. This year awards were presented February 25 at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. Two of the 20 winners are Joseph Rathgeber for poetry and Joseph Turrin for music composition. Both winners are named Joe; both winners are from Clifton. They live only blocks apart, yet met only after learning that they had each won. Two winners of a coveted arts award in the same year from the center of the same town? Some might say those are steep odds to have beat. Or some might say it’s simply another example of that Jersey truth: it’s in the water. Not long after I moved to New Jersey several decades years ago, I heard a radio DJ on 101.5 announce basso profundo, “Not Philadelphia. Not New York. Proud to be New Jersey.” Whooshing past Exit 12 on the NJ Turnpike, I thought, “Now really, where am I? What other state goes around saying they’re proud to be a state?”
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Two Joe’s Poet Joe Rathgeber Joe Rathgeber does the DJ one better. “North Jersey is the center of the universe,” says Joe. He pretty serious about that. “I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else,” he continues, “I love that I have everything I want within an hour. And for a state that gets ripped on, it’s produced a lot of great minds.” Among those great minds are two of the most influential American poets of the 20th century, Alan Ginsberg of Paterson and William Carlos Williams of Rutherford, both born and raised in towns along the Passaic River, only a few miles apart. Joe Rathgeber would never presume to be in the same league with the other two North Jersey wordsmiths, although he does get a kick that his town is in between theirs and on the same river. Rathgeber remembers that since he was a child, he liked being creative. There was no one Aha! moment for him when he realized that he wanted to be a poet. Rathgeber absorbed many artistic genres and simply grew into his writing over the years. “In high school, I listened to hip-hop and would scribble lyrics on notebooks. I expanded through music, at first Bob Dylan, and by the end of high school, I was reading a lot. But I never thought about it. I never had a teacher that said ‘you’re good,’ – I just knew I enjoyed doing it and wanted to keep
Twelve Labors by Joe Rathgeber Dad gets home late—a transmission job was keeping him— he’s filmed with grease, and I define demigod. Out at the shed he red rag cleans the snowblower carburetor of last winter’s gunk. It’s August and he’s replacing the augur belt. He rigs up a lattice of ropes and pulleys to operate a pole saw and prune the brown branches on the spruce out front. Steady-handed, he solders a signal diode onto the remote control circuit board. He power washes the pool liner; he scrubs the algae off. Aunt Gina left her lights on and needs a jump: connect the red cable first—the black is the ground. Never too early in the season to bleed the radiator valves. He climbs a ladder to the roof, crouches at the corner like a gargoyle, and cleans a gutter with the garden hose. Spackle and sand the hole that my head put in the drywall, inadvertently. Inspect the washing machine agitator. Asphalt and coarse-aggregate patch the potholes and cracks— tar the driveway. Pull weeds and scuffle hoe the soil. I tell my dad Heracles was a madman who slew his sons, completed twelve tasks, and was unpaid for his labor. The guy washed mounds of cow dung from the stables, I say, and in nothing but a loincloth. Augeas, the owner, refused to provide compensation, so Heracles killed him for the principle of the thing. “Seems fair,” my dad says.
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Two Joe’s doing this. It was natural. I was self-motivated to write poetry. For example, my wife was in a creative writing class at Clifton High. I didn’t know it even existed.” Rathgeber, 31, met his wife Michelle Primavera while at Montclair State in creative writing workshop. Today, they reside on Washington Ave. and the couple has a two-year old daughter Joleen and a second daughter due in June. They are teachers; Michelle teaches 7th grade English in Ridgewood and he teaches AP English to juniors at Bergen Catholic. The timing of the fellowship is fortuitous. “I’ll be able to take next year off from teaching, an extended paternity leave, and will be home with the new baby.” And thanks to the fellowship, Rathgeber will be able to continue to write his poetry. Michelle has stopped her writing for now, however she is, as Rathgeber says, “his best critic” and offers him insight into his own work. “I write first and foremost for me,” said Joe, “but I do have this outside vision of who would be reading my work. And actually, it sounds selfish to say I write for myself, not totally true, otherwise why would we try to publish? Although I also know even if I publish, only a slim number of people are reading poetry.” Like many, Rathgeber is frustrated with the push in education to move away from reading fiction to nonfiction with a focus on an economic end goal, not a focus on what you gain as a person. “Recently, a scientific study was published that reading literary fiction makes you more compassionate, more sympathetic,” he said, continuing, “you forge connections with the world. Readers make better people. And as you mature, your reading should mature, something after the Hunger Games. But we’re losing the value in reading.” Rathgeber often tells his students that language is power and to use their language ability critically. “I say to them that you are almost forsaking one of your human rights when you don’t choose to do that.” For Rathgeber, who received an honorable mention in the 2014 Alan Ginsburg Poetry Award (see our February edition), being award the fellowship was not only an honor, but a validating experience. “I was shocked, actually, that I won. I’m not the type to win things. So it was good to know that anonymous peers consider my work to have artistic merit.” 24 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
COMPOSER
JOSEPH TURRIN
Joseph Turrin was an NYU freshman, just a year out of CHS when singer and songwriter Paul Simon told him “there’s nothing more I can teach you.” Turrin, who was attending Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York at the time had come to Manhattan to audition for Paul Simon at the urging of his buddy and fellow Cliftonite Ron Maxwell. “Ron was at NYU,” recalls Turrin, “and heard that Paul Simon would be teaching a songwriting course there. Ron said ‘let’s see if we can get in. If Simon likes our work, maybe he’ll get us auditions with producers.’ I told him that I thought it was a good idea, so we signed up.” The two friends had met at Clifton High School. Maxwell was a real go-getter, recalls Turrin, and was already writing and producing shows and plays.
“Ron was a year older and heard about me through the grapevine. He had written a show and needed some music. I was sitting in what we called the little theater back then, in Clifton High School. It was 1965, the first year the new school was open. I was playing piano and in walks Ron Maxwell. He says ‘I hear you’re a composer’ and I say ‘yea, I dabble in it, play the piano some, play trumpet in the (Mustangs Marching) band.’ He asked if I wanted to collaborate with him on a show. I said sure.” From that simple conversation began a friendship that continues to this day. The first show, Pillars of Carthage, died a natural death, but the two young men, who were not even old enough to drive when they began their creative collaboration, went on to write and produce several more shows together. Maxwell organized the Garden State Players and sold company stock to finance their productions, among them Funny Girl and an original show titled The Barricade based on the riots in Paris in 1962. Maxwell directed and Turrin wrote the music. The Barricade was a hometown success, staged first at the former Jewish Community Center, which was in Passaic then and now on Delaware Ave in Clifton, among other venues. Turrin and Maxwell decided to try for the footlights in Manhattan. “We have this show The Barricade and we were going to off-Broadway producers trying to get them to do our show. We went to Al Carmines, who was based in a little church on Washington Square, to other producers. Ron and I were
a team. We would sit down at a piano and begin to play and sing. We probably sounded terrible, but we had guts.” Fearless ambition is what got them in the door to meet with Paul Simon. “So we went to the audition,” recalls Turrin, “and we showed up at the appointed time. We were sitting, waiting and out came Paul Simon, introduces himself and asks ‘are you Mr. Maxwell, Mr.
Turrin?’ and asks us to come in. So here we were, the three of us in Simon’s classroom downtown in the Village and Ron and I sit down at the piano. We went into our routine. I’m playing away and Ron is singing.” Suddenly Turrin felt a warm breath on the back of his neck and turned around briefly to see Paul Simon staring intently at the music score placed on the piano in front of Turrin.
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Two Joe’s “I thought to myself,” continues Turrin, “Holy smokes! This is Paul Simon and he’s really scrutinizing my music score.” Turrin and Maxwell play to the end of the score. Turrin remembers how Simon then turned to him and said “Joe, I didn’t mean to rattle you or anything. I’m just fascinated that everything you’re doing is on this page. The way you notated it. I can’t read or write music.” Maxwell and Turrin were completely dumbfounded. “We said something like ‘uh, OK,” laughs Turrin. “Then Simon continued ‘I can’t teach you guys anything, you’re too advanced. This course is for guitar players Joseph Turrin with Larry Gareau and his wife Joanne. Gareau was and folk singers. You guys are almost writing his first music teacher (5th grade at School No.11 in Clifton) and the first to encourage Turrin’s musical abilities. operas. I wouldn’t know what to do for you.’ He gave us a contact at the Fillmore East, long and varied career as a composer for film and thesaid good bye, thanks and we left.” The memory still ater, as well conductor and music professor. He continmakes Turrin grin. ued to work with Maxwell, including on the music score for Maxwell’s first Hollywood movie Little Working With A Mustang Darlings, as well as with film star Alan Alda, jazz From this precocious beginning, Turrin, winner of a musician Wynton Marsalis, conductor Kurt Masur with New Jersey State Council on the Arts 2014 Artist the New York Philharmonic and legendary theater Fellowship Award in Music Composition, went on to a director and producer George Abbott.
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Two Joe’s Honoring A Mentor Although Turrin was already in his early 40s when he met George Abbott in 1990, and Abbott was 102, it is Abbott that Turrin credits as his mentor and the individual who most influenced his further creative development. Turrin recalls receiving a call from a choreographer who was working with Abbott. “He told me that Abbott had just finished writing a show and was looking for a composer. Abbott was living in Florida,” said Turrin, “so I called him and he sent me a script, asked me to send twothree songs. The next time he was in New York we met and he said ‘Let’s do a show together.’ Joseph Turrin and jazz great Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center. We did. We wrote an off-Broadway show titled ly made, negotiating its constant changes of speed and ‘Frankie.’ That’s how our friendship started.” pulse with grace. Mr. Turrin's music is young: no past, Turrin remains inspired by Abbott, by his work ethic, only future.” by his persistence and Abbott’s insistence that everyBesides the commission for Masur’s final concert, thing was open for a rewrite. Turrin has had a long-standing relationship with the “He was known for his conciseness, never spoke New York Philharmonic, composing for the ensemble, unless he had something to say. One thing he did have as well as for individual artists. Besides the New York to say was ‘it can always be better’.” Philharmonic, he has conducted with, and composed Countless people got their start because of Abbott, for, more than two dozen orchestras worldwide. said Turrin, Bob Fosse, Carol Burnett are just a few. His music has allowed Turrin to live in several “Hal Prince used to bring Abbott coffee,” said Turrin, places and travel extensively, composing, conducting, “Abbott was offered West Side Story to direct. He did and performing. He now calls his hometown of Clifton not want to do it and told the producer ‘have my friend home again, living near the old downtown. Jerry (Jerome) Robbins do it’.” West Side Story went on to be a huge success, bringing fame to Robbins. Clifton Teacher Makes a Difference After Abbott passed away at 107, the marquee lights The oldest of seven children, Turrin remembers that on Broadway were dimmed for a half hour in respect of his parents were always supportive of his creativity. his memory, and a service was held for Abbott at a large While there was music in his Clifton home — his moththeater. “I was honored to be asked to sit with his famer sang and his father played the piano — it was ily,” recalls Turrin, “and remember as Jerome Robbins Turrin’s music teacher Larry Gareau that helped Turrin came on stage to speak. Here was this big man with this understand his talents. big reputation and the first thing is said was how in awe “Gareau once paid me the greatest compliment,” he always was of George Abbott.” Turrin said of his fifth grade teacher, “When we met Another legendary figure with whom Turrin has when I was a kid, he had just started as a music teacher worked is conductor Kurt Masur. Among Turrin’s many and it was my first year playing trumpet. Many years compositions is Hemispheres commissioned for later, Larry told me, ‘Joe that was my first year of Masur's final concert with the New York Philharmonic teaching. I always thought that I would have another in May 2002 and then taken on tour by Masur and the student like you. I never did.’” orchestra to Europe and Asia. Turrin and Gareau meet about once a year when his About his work Hemispheres the New York Times former teacher, now retired in Georgia, comes back to wrote, “Mr. Turrin's music is nervous, loud, swift and New Jersey to visit family and friends. aggressive to the point of violence. It is also beautiful28 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
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Two Joe’s A professor at Montclair State, Turrin hopes that he can help guide some of his students the way his mentors and teachers helped him. “I’m a schooled musician, I’ve learned the process,” said Turrin, “I’ve learned the language of notes and the language in my head is notes, not letters. For composing classical music you certainly need to have these skills of notation, of having the craft down ... and when it comes to inspiration, sometimes it’s simply guided by what was In 1978, Joe Turrin; Sally Kellerman, Ron Maxwell, Howard DiSilva, Sissy commissioned – but I always have Spacek and an unidentified individual on the set of Verna, USO Girl. a loose idea in head.” The importance of craft, and of ing to a common denominator. I speak about ideas that how you use this idea in your head, what you do with are springboards for compositions in writing and in it, is the message that Turrin tries to impress upon his music. An example I give is “Call me Ishmael” from students. Moby Dick. That phrase, that idea is not really impor“In my music and film class, I have about 122 kids tant by itself. But look where Melville went with it. It’s each semester. It’s a general ed course and there are become iconic because of what Melville did with it. very few music students, mostly biology, phys ed, eduThe matter is not just in the idea, but what one does cation majors. So I need to reduce this process of creatwith the idea. That’s where genius lies.”
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Clifton History
A BASKETBALL FAN
Comes of Age
Frequent Clifton Merchant contributor Jack DeVries received a finalist award at the prestigious Table 4 Writers Foundation gala, held at the New York Athletic Club on March 27. His entry, A Basketball Fan Comes of Age, is the story of discovering the game as a 13 yearold in Clifton during the 1970 New York Knicks championship season. At left, Willis Reed and Wilt Chamberlain.
Story by Jack DeVries Every year there are championship teams, but some are different. Some are timeless. The 1969-70 New York Knickerbockers were one of those teams. Basketball was not brash and loud back then, jammed with commercials, deafening sounds and slam dunks. Instead, it was a smaller game, a city game, played in a warm gym oasis braced against an urban winter. The game was descended from peach basket goals and once played in dance halls and church basements by dirt poor athletes. During that season of the Knicks, you could still see its historic bloodline, played by players wearing short shorts and canvass and rubber sneakers. The three-pointer was unknown, dunks were unusual events, and the game flowed below the rim. Was it better then? It was different. We loved it, and we loved the Knicks. Outside Madison Square Garden – a circular building 34 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
below Times Square so unlike its blocky neighbors – chestnuts and big pretzels roasted in vendors’ carts before games, filling frigid air with aroma mixed with the diesel exhaust smell of buses. Ghosts walked by muttering, “Tickets, who’s got tickets?” and cops pretended not to notice. Before every game, the familiar voice of announcer John F.X. Condon would greet everyone, saying, “Good evening, everybody. Welcome to Madison Square Garden.” Cigar and cigarette smoke would hang in clouds over the court, sometimes wafting over the trapeze and high wires suspended above when the circus was in town. A simple buzzer would sound, signaling the game’s start. There were no dancers, no halftime stunts, and no mascots. Every game, a constant buzz sounded from a brotherhood of Knicks fans, people who knew basketball
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Clifton History so well they could referee games from their seats. They were right on every call. Basketball might have been born elsewhere but its home was New York City – on every asphalt playground, in every gym and, especially, inside the Garden. And when the Knicks’ game was good, as it usually was, it was spiritual – five players connected as one, circling a goal, a fluid dance of improvisation and planned movement.
trainer Danny Whelan in his orange team shirt. Red preached unselfishness. Basketball was a team game, but he brought his players to a higher level of understanding. As individuals, the Knicks were good players, some All-Star caliber. But together – thinking and moving as one, connected by an invisible rope – they eschewed individual glory and became a true team of one. “See the ball!” Red Jack DeVries with wife Lisa at the Connected by Invisible Rope would scream from the Table 4 Writers Foundation gala. The team was led by Coach sidelines, imploring his Red Holtzman, a Jewish kid players to focus on the balfrom Brooklyn who played professionally in basketlet. “Hit the open man!” was his other frequent comball’s dark ages, before Wilt Chamberlain and Bill mand. Through passing and constant movement, he Russell. Unlike today when 10 or more assistant coachknew one of his five players would become free of his es sit on an NBA bench, there were only two non-playdefender, giving him an open shot. ers on the Knicks’ side: Red in his dark suit and pudgy Unlike most teams, every Knick could shoot
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Clifton History flow and space. Fatigue didn’t from anywhere on the floor, includexist for Bradley. ing their stalwart Louisiana-bred Power forward Dave center Willis Reed. They also DeBusschere was the catalyst, a defended their basket better than player traded to the Knicks from any team, spurred on at home by the Detroit Pistons the year before. the Garden’s organ player and the He proved to be the missing piece crowd’s unison chant of “DEEof a championship team. He was fense!” also a leader by example. At 24, I was 13 that season, a time DeBusschere became player-coach when I left childhood behind. For of the Pistons. He was also a giftme, a baseball kid who grew up ed athlete who pitched briefly in worshipping Mickey Mantle, rootthe major leagues with the Chicago ing for the Knicks was life-changWhite Sox. DeBusschere was ing. When I became a basketball strong, uncomplaining and fearfan, I became part of a tribe – one less, breaking his nose during the with millions of members throughseason, but continuing to play with out the world. We knew the true a mask of metal and white tape. beauty of a perfectly launched Walt “Clyde” Frazier He later became commissioner jump shot, the screech of sneakers, of the ABA and a member of the Knicks front office, and a well-executed bounce pass on a fast break. We dying from a heart attack at 62, far too young. yearned for these things, hungered for them. Reserves included Cazzie Russell, more offensively Instead of worshiping one special player as I’d done talented than Bradley, but who Red brought off the with Mantle, each Knicks player was my favorite, espebench to provide instant scoring; back-up guard Mike cially the starting five. Riordan, who looked more like a New York City cop than basketball player; bony center Nate Bowman; and One Colorful Starting Five Dave “the Rave” Stallworth, a courageous forward who Guard Walt Frazier, nicknamed “Clyde” for his overcame a heart condition to play. Bonnie and Clyde fashion look, personified absolute Also on the Knicks’ bench was Phil Jackson, injured and unshakeable cool. He was famous for wideand unable to play, but developing his now-famous Zen brimmed hats, fur coats and tailored suits – a Super Fly coaching philosophy he’d use to win more NBA games in sneakers. Opponents feared him for his cat-like than any man. quickness, often poking the ball away as fast a viper’s Finally, there was indomitable Reed, the Knicks’ best tongue and gliding to the basket for a lay-up. player and the team’s heart and soul. It was Willis who Frazier’s wingman was guard Dick Barnett, 33, the taught us the most. He was an athlete who oozed dignisad-eyed old man of the team. Barnett was known for ty and quiet confidence. Since Lou Gehrig, no athlete his ugly “fall back, baby” jump shot, folding his legs better epitomized the title of team captain. and nearly kicking himself on his jumper, while telling Each game, Reed would guard the opposing center, teammates to fall back on defense because the shot was all-time greats like Wes Unseld, New York City’s Lew good. Barnett didn’t care about cool. Later, he would Alcindor (before he became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and become Holtzman’s assistant coach and earn a PhD the Goliath Wilt Chamberlain. Each game, he’d bang from Fordham University. his 6’8” body (listed at 6’10”) against the strongest Bill Bradley was the Knicks shooting forward and a opponent on the floor, drawing them outside with his Rhodes Scholar. Back then, every fan knew he would someday run for president, which he did in 2000. A jump shot and becoming an unmovable wall under the graduate of Princeton University and later a New Jersey basket on defense. senator, Bradley was the ultimate team player, a perpetDuring the season, the Knicks raced to a 60-22 ual-motion dynamo, weaving through traffic to create record, complete with a 19-game win streak (then an 38 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Thankfully, having the NBA’s best record, if there was to be a seventh and deciding game, it would be played at Madison Square Garden, where the New York tribe would be in full voice. But during the first quarter of Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, disaster struck. With New York trailing 25-15, the invincible Reed collapsed like he’d been shot. Pain seared through his right thigh with a muscle tear. He rolled over on his side and grimaced in agony, limping to the locker room soon after, seemingly with the hopes of a championship season leaving with him. Bill Bradley Without the captain, the Knicks dropped behind by 20, but regrouped and closed to within 13 by the end of the second quarter. At halftime, the Knicks learned Reed would be out for It’s East vs. West in the 1970s Finals the game, if not the Series. Knowing they would be playIn the NBA Finals, our Knicks would face the Los ing small against the 7’1” Chamberlain, the whip-smart Angeles Lakers. Bradley suggested the Knicks use a 1-3-1 zone offense, The Series was a battle of East versus West Coast – unusual for a pro team. One player would run the basegritty New York against sunshine L.A. It pitted the line behind Wilt, while three would play in front of him. Knicks’ team-first philosophy against the Lakers’ indiThe plan was so desperate, it worked. The zone vidual stars – players like shooting guard Jerry West, offense confused the Lakers, and the Knicks began to who later became the silhouette of the NBA logo; highclose the gap. With the 6’6” DeBusschere and 6’7” scoring Elgin Baylor; and man-god Wilt Chamberlain, Stallworth guarding Wilt on defense, the Lakers’ offense until Jabbar and Michael Jordan, the greatest scorer in basketball history. stalled. With five minutes to play, the Knicks moved After four games, the Series was knotted at two wins ahead, 93-91. each with two contests having been decided in overtime. The Garden crowd roared, urging the Knicks NBA record), winning the streak’s final game against the Cincinnati Royals, coached by the immortal Boston Celtics guard Bob Cousy. Sports Illustrated christened the Knicks the team of the moment on its cover. In the NBA playoffs, the Knicks fought three epic and exhausting battles. They beat the Baltimore Bullets and Earl “the Pearl” Monroe – a whirling dervish of offensive talent – in seven games, winning four at the Garden. Even Clyde could hardly contain Monroe. In the next series, New York and Reed conquered the dominating rookie Alcindor and his young Milwaukee Bucks in five games.
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Clifton History gle-minded focus. This was the game of my life. on. New York’s swarming defense was magnificent, The Knicks and Lakers took the floor. “There is no forcing 19 second half turnovers, many on errant passes sign of Willis Reed,” Marv told us. Inside the locker inside to Wilt. The Lakers looked stunned and confused room just 10 minutes before game time, Dr. James – without Reed guarding Chamberlain, losing to the tiny Parkes took a six-inch needle filled with carbocaine and Knicks wasn’t possible. But it was. cortisone and jabbed it into Reed’s injured thigh. Willis New York won, 107-100, to take a 3-2 Series lead. hated needles. He’d get another Back in L.A., no gimmicks shot at halftime. could save the Knicks. With Reed dressed in a brown suit sitHere comes Willis ting next to Holtzman, the Just before the game started, Lakers destroyed the Knicks. like a savior in white warm-ups, Chamberlain took revenge on Willis walked out of the Garden the Lilliputians, scoring 45 tunnel, leading to the floor. The points and adding 27 rebounds. crowd – whose eyes were The Lakers won, 135-113, sendtrained on the entrance, hoping ing the Series back to the and praying to spot him – began Garden for the deciding Game 7. to roar. On Friday, May 8, I didn’t “Here comes Willis,” Marv remember a word of what was announced, “and the crowd taught in school that day. Every goes wild!” Knicks fan was consumed with “He’s gonna play!” I a single thought: Would Willis screamed, jumping up and play? Would he be able to take down. the floor and give our Knicks a After each of Reed’s warmchance to win? Even his teamup shots, the crowd cheered. mates weren’t sure, though Reed The Lakers stopped shooting, was in uniform and had taken and stood and watched Reed warm-up shots 90 minutes Lew Alcindor and Willis Reed move about as he hit jumps before game time. shots, trying not to look injured. The Knicks made On that night, I became a true sports fan. I wasn’t believe they were unaffected, but there was energy following basketball because my parents loved it like I shooting through them. Our captain was back. had done with the Yankees; the game, the Knicks, The game began and Willis hit the Knicks’ first two belonged to me. shots, pain filled-jumpers from the outside, the only With no hope of a ticket, I put on my white Knicks Tpoints he would score that night. After his shots whisshirt and stood at my parents’ stereo in the dinning tled through the net, the energy in the Garden grew to room, the best and loudest radio in the house (incredilevels never experienced before, and the hairs on my bly, the championship game wasn’t televised in New arms stood as if electrified. York). I refused to listen to this game on my little For 27 minutes, Reed dragged his body up and down Emerson radio in my room. I hunched over the stereo the floor, leaning his bulk on Chamberlain, his will to listening to the guttural and rhythmic voice of Marv compete awesome and inspiring. There was no more Albert, who once sat in the rafters of the old Garden as pretending to be healthy; he was playing on one leg, a kid broadcasting games to an imaginary audience. Marv learned his craft well. His signature call of “Yes!” gimping up and down the floor. But it was enough. On punctuated every New York basket that season. I didn’t that night, Willis would hold the Goliath Chamberlain to care how silly I looked in my Knicks shirt hunched over just 21 points. that stereo. My family had never seen me with such sinNew York’s players and fans fed off his strength. 40 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Frazier was superb, scoring 36 points and handing out 19 assists. In addition to his 17 rebounds, Debusschere contributed 18 points and Bradley added 17. The rest of the Knicks were also terrific, swarming the ball and running the Lakers off the floor. And the crowd’s roar was never louder, including from the kid cheering back in Clifton, N.J. The final score was the New York 113, LA 99.
Our Knicks were world champions. That Knicks team would win one more championship in 1973 before injuries and time resigned them to history. But the team would keep me forever – through every new collection of players and as the game grew above the rim and stood equal to other sports. I would be ever loyal to my Knicks. And it started with that team.
Clifton Police Department Police Unity Tour
Contribute and Win
Buy a $5 ticket and win: • PS4 w/ controller & game • 40” LED TV w/ Bluetooth Soundbar • Fuji Mountain Bike. Your donation to the Clifton PBA will help fund our 300 mile bicycle ride to Washington on May 9.
To Contribute, call Bicyclist Tom Hawrylko 973-253-4400
Bicyclists: Daniel Ishak Andrew Alvarez Patricia Katz Robert Bais Randy Colondres
Richard DiBello Brian Fopma Tom Hawrylko John Kavakich David Kishbaugh Michael Adamo
Jose Padilla Kristofer Eliasz Joseph Klein Christopher Kelly Gerald Wyhopen Gabriel Zirpolo
Motors: Vincent LaRosa William Bais Derek Fogg Darren Brodie Robert Bielsten
Support: Gary Giardina Tara Berberich Drawing & Send Off, April 25 at Pub 46
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Pysanky Maker
Natalka Warchola
In 1962, a young Natalie Warchola came to the United States with her family from Argentina to the small Ukrainian neighborhood that is centered around St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Passaic. Not only did she learn to speak English there, but continued to practice her Spanish, as well as her native Ukrainian. A warm and cheerful person who now lives in Clifton, she continues to be happily tri-lingual. Known to everyone as Natalka, the affection nickname in Ukrainian for Natalie, she remembers the counselors in her youth group at the Ukrainian Center on 42 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Hope Ave. from whom she learned Ukrainian traditions, among them the art and craft of making pysanky, the lovely Ukrainian Easter eggs that have decorated homes and Easter baskets for generations. While coloring and decorating eggs is a fun tradition in many countries, the elaborately designed and crafted pysanky are unique to Ukrainian culture. “This method of decorating eggs is done by drawing designs with melted wax on successive layers of colors that have been applied to the egg, a method known also known as batik,� said Natalka.
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Pysanky Maker The word for the decorated eggs comes from the Ukrainian word “to write” or “pysaty” since the designs are written on the egg with hot, fluid beeswax using a special tool called a “kistka,” or bone, harkening back to the ancient origins of the pysanka when a sharpened animal bone was likely the tool used to draw the designs. As the beeswax design hardens, protecting the color underneath, the egg is dipped into a succession of dye baths, beginning with the lightest color to the darkest. After each dye bath, additional designs are added. By the end of the process, the entire egg is covered in beeswax. The wax is then gently melted off by candle flame until all the underlying layers of colors and designs are revealed. More than 2,000 years ago, making pysanky was a pagan spring ritual, part of the Trypillian culture that lived on the land that is now Ukraine. This ritual was later adopted as an Easter tradition throughout Ukraine, passed from generation to generation. The elaborate designs found on the pysanky, both pagan and Christian, such as floral motifs, crosses, and
fishes, animals, geometric shapes, all convey a certain message. The designs and colors communicate messages of fertility, protection, health, prosperity salvation, hope, love and resurrection. Pysanky are exchanged as gifts during Easter week, so parents might give newlywed children pysanky covered with symbols of fertility and prosperity, an ill person would be given one with symbols of good health and a long life. As a professional floral designer, creating pysanky is part of Natalka’s artistic nature and she added that creating these small works of art is one of her passions. She is also an expert in teaching the art of making pysanky, which she has been doing since her days in CHS, where she taught her first class. Natalka is conducting a three hour class at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 217 President St. in Passaic on April 12 at 2 pm. The $35 materials fee is payable at the door. The class will meet by the museum, in the lower level. It’s best to email her in advance if you’d like to attend: tatstoy3@optonline.net.
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Baseball • Softball • Track • Lacrosse • Volleyball • Tennis • Golf
MUSTANG SPORTS
CHS
Baseball April 1 @ Passaic Co. Tech
Back from left, Tyler Lavin, Kyle Chupick, Kishan Patel, Kevin Lord, Justin Bennion, Thomas Linker and Luis Torres. Front, kneeling, Sean Canfield, Jose Rosado, Michael Valido and Luis Ramos. Mustang Sports by Tom Szieber
T
he loss of 12 seniors to graduation might signal that it is time to rebuild for most high school baseball teams, but veteran Clifton Coach Joe Rivera believes that despite his 2014 group’s relative inexperience, his roster of Mustangs are very capable of improving on last year’s 14-13 finish. Rivera knows how important pitching is at the high school level, and it has worked out that his only three seniors are one, two, and three in the rotation. “I always have high expectations, the kids always work hard,” Rivera said. “Sometimes, inexperience is OK. Our pitching staff is a big reason why I am optimistic, because if the other team doesn’t score, they can’t beat you.” Senior ace Luis Ramos leads the staff, having won six games in both his sophomore and junior years. A finesse pitcher, he possesses a potent changeup and sinker, and has great control. He also has some big game heroics on his resume, having beaten Don Bosco Prep twice in his career, and led the Mustangs to a playoff win over North Bergen last year. 48 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
4pm
April 2 @ Teaneck
4:15pm
April 3 John F. Kennedy
4:30pm
April 5 @ Ridgewood
11am
April 7 @ Eastside Paterson
4:30pm
April 9 Passaic
4:15pm
April 11 @ Bergen Co. Tech
4:15pm
April 12 @ Kearny April 14 DePaul Catholic
11am 4pm
April 16 @ Fair Lawn
4pm
April 19 Montclair
3pm
April 21 Wayne Valley
4pm
April 23 @ Wayne Hills
4pm
April 25 PCTI April 26 Belleville
4:15pm 11am
April 28 @ John F. Kennedy
4:30pm
April 30 Eastside Paterson
4:30pm
May 2 @ Don Bosco Prep May 3 @ Marist
4pm 11am
May 5 Bergen Co. Tech
4pm
May 7 @ Passaic
4pm
May 8 Bloomfield
4:15pm
May 9 West Milford
4pm
May 12 @ Lakeland
4pm
May 14 Passaic Valley
4pm
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MUSTANG SPORTS Baseball “When you have a pitcher like that, he is going to keep us in games,” said Rivera. “We have to score in scoring position to support it, but we have some solid pitching.” Jose Rosado and Tyler Lavin will both pitch on Ramos’ off days, but will be key defensive cogs when Ramos is on the mound. Rosado, a shortstop, has started since the end of his sophomore year, and had just a handful of errors a season ago. He is also a great contact hitter and overall player. Lavin missed last season with an ankle injury, but was Clifton’s starting designated hitter as a sophomore. He’ll play the outfield this year. The rest of the Mustangs’ lineup will be junior-laden. In the infield, Justin Bennion will start behind the plate, while Luis Torres will play second and Kevin Lord (who saw varsity time last year) will start at third. Tommy Linker and Kishan Patel will split duties at first base. In the Clifton outfield, meanwhile, Lavin will be joined by classmates Mike Valido and Kyle Chupick. The latter earned a varsity uniform toward the end of last season, and could be the Mustangs’ leadoff hitter, as
50 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
well. “Kyle is a really good hitter,” Rivera said. “He has great speed, and is a great fielder, as well. I expect some good things from him this year.” Junior Sean Canfield will act as a utility player and pitcher, while sophomore Carlos Pineda will provide some additional support from the bench. Clifton is motivated by the task of making it back to the North 1, Group 4 tourney to avenge a heartbreaking 3-2, last-inning postseason loss to Memorial of West New York a year ago. In all, the Mustangs’ youth may be a bit deceiving, as much of Passaic County is in restocking mode, as well, giving Rivera more confidence that his squad can compete in tournament action. “Last year was the second consecutive year we beat Don Bosco,” Rivera noted. “That win actually started us winning some more big ball games. We had quite a few losses by less than two runs, so we were in just about every game. And from what I know, the rest of the county is a lot like us [in terms of youth]. I definitely think we can compete.”
MUSTANG SPORTS Softball
CHS
Softball April 1 PCTI
Standing from leftr rear: Kayla Vance, April DiAngelo, Rachel Abill, Kim D’Agosta, Karen Friedman, Megan Ingwersen. Middle, Jasmine Melendez, Caroline Shukaitis, Karleigh Davila, Ava Genardi. Kneeling, Rachel Plaskon, Dylan Amico, Jaclyn Hanrahan.
C
HS softball has some holes to fill following the graduation of 10 seniors, but head coach Ron Shekitka believes there is enough talent on his roster to put together another solid season. “We are Clifton High School, and I wouldn’t expect anything less,” stated the second-year head coach. “I see improvement everyday. I have no doubt that once we get through some of these obstacles, we can compete at a high level.” The Mustangs were 15-12 a year ago, making magical runs to the North 1, Group 4 semifinals and the Passaic County finals. They also won a Big North Liberty Division title. But with the graduation of ace Amanda Marakovitz, the Mustangs will now need to turn to more youthful personnel on the hill. Sophomore Jaclyn Hanrahan and freshman Kayla Vance will both see considerable starts, and both make up for a lack of varsity-level experience with abundances of talent. “They both throw hard and they move the ball around,” Shekitka
4pm
April 3 @ John F. Kennedy
4:30pm
April 4 @ McNair Academic
4:15pm
April 7 Eastside Paterson
4:30pm
April 9 @ Passaic
4pm
April 11 Bergen Co. Tech
4:15pm
April 12 @ DePaul Catholic
2:30pm
April 14 @ DePaul Catholic
4pm
April 16 Fair Lawn April 17 West Orange
4pm 4:15pm
April 21 @ Wayne Valley
4pm
April 23 Wayne Hills
4pm
April 25 @ PCTI April 26 TBA
4pm 10am
April 28 John F. Kennedy
4pm
April 30 @ Eastside Paterson
4pm
May 2 @ Immaculate Heart May 3 @ Union City
4pm 11am
May 5 @ Bergen Co. Tech
4pm
May 7 Passaic
4pm
May 9 @ West Milford
4pm
May 12 Lakeland
4pm
May 14 @ Passaic Valley
4pm
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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MUSTANG SPORTS Softball said. “They have to hit their spots and change speeds. They have to pitch to contact. We want to also throw some strikes and have our defense make plays. But I’ve seen an improvement already in both of them.” Clifton will find leadership in senior Dylan Amico, a talented three-year starter at catcher. Hampered a bit by injuries last season, Amico at full strength is outstanding as both a hitter and defensive player. She will also see time at third base when necessary. The Clifton infield is led by hardworking junior shortstop Kim D’Agosta. As a sophomore, D’Agosta
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was superb at the plate, and continually improved throughout the season in the field. Junior Rachel Abill has the inside track on the starting job at first base. A powerful hitter, Abill has considerably stepped up her defensive game. Senior Karen Friedman will also see time at first. Senior third baseman Brittany Meneghin will start for the Mustangs at third, though she has battled injuries during the preseason. Amico, junior Karly Davila and sophomore Ava Genardi have provided relief when Meneghin was unable to compete. At second, Davila, senior Caroline Shukaitis and junior Jasmine Melendez will vie for playing time. The Clifton outfield figures to feature juniors Rachel Plackson (left), April DiAngelo (center) and Meaghan Ingwersen (right). “We have talent,” Shekitka said. “It’s just a matter of how quick the pitching and fielding comes around. We have some experience, and if the younger kids step up and do what they are capable of, we should be OK. The kids have great attitudes and work hard every day, and that is all we can ask of them.”
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MUSTANG SPORTS Track
At the Clifton Schools Stadium, top row from left: Mahmoud Soliman, Jeremy Castro, Mohammad Abdelkarim, Tim Bryant and Brandon Donaldson. Middle row: Ryan Downes, Justin Mascardo, Adib Haque, Octavio Sanchez and Jeremy Hernandez. Front from left: Metul Rana, Steve Diaz and Maurice Marsilla.
W
ith all the recent successes of Clifton girls track and field, its fifth place finish in Passaic County last year was somewhat surprising. Like all great athletic programs, the Mustangs are intent on bouncing back in 2014, and emerging as contenders in the county aand region once again. “We haven’t finished fifth in the county in a while,” said third-year head girls coach Mike Rogers. “We are just a young team. We do have depth, and we have a lot of solid athletes. They know the tradition and they know what they are a part of.” The 2014 girls squad is led by senior Cassidy Cardone, a three-season track athlete who competes in hurdles, the pole vault, and the 800-meter. In addition, sprinter Tanairy Pomales improved consistently throughout the indoor winter season, and is poised for a big spring. “Over the years we have had girls who would run through the wall to win, and Cassidy he is one of them,” Rogers said. “She is an all-out competitor, and she gets everything out of her skills and abilities. Tanairy has been getting better and better, and I think her last year will be by far her best.” The Mustangs have a strong junior contingent, including Sofiya
CHS
Track April 2 Bergen Tech/Eastside
4pm
April 7 Passaic
4pm
April 12 @ Passaic Valley
9am
April 14 PCT
4pm
April 19 @ Hackensack
9am
April 21 Kennedy
4pm
April 26 @ Randolph
9am
April 30 @ Passaic Valley(Big Nrth) 4pm May 13 @ Wayne Hills
3:30pm
May 14 @ Wayne Hills
3:30pm
May 23 @ Randolph (States)
3:30pm
May 24 @ Randolph (States)
10am
May 30 @ Egg Harbor (States) 2:30pm May 31 @ Egg Harbor (States) June 4 @ South Plainfield
11am 2:30pm
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
53
MUSTANG SPORTS Track
More Mustang Harriers, from top left: Natalie Sroka, Maria Barbieri, Danielle Celestin, Cassidy Cardone, Daijah Smalls. Bottom from left: Isam Boukattaya, Britney Basit, Asma Baker, Valeria Montoya, Tanairy Pomales, Justin Mascardo.
Nedelcheva, who will bolster Clifton’s efforts in distance events. Another, Michelle Aplogan, is a jack-of-alltrades type who can hurdle, high jump, long jump, triple jump, hurdles and sprint. Other eleventh-grade standouts include Verona Ebanks (shotput, discus, javelin), Olivia Rosenberg (800 meter) and Daliyah Pierson (sprinter). Senior all-county soccer player Danielle Celestin will bring her talent and athleticism to the track as well, and should contribute as a sprinter right away. On the boys side, second-year coach Kareem West will look to a talented group of returnees to lead it to another successful season. “It is like a chess game,” West said of the process of settling on a lineup. “You try to get the right pieces in the right spots.” Senior Jeremy Hernandez, a consistently productive, hardworking runner, will lead the boys in the 800m, 1600m and 4x400 relay. Seniors Dwyer Halliburton, Jeremy Castro and Octavio Sanchez (also a skilled pole vaulter) are among the other returnees from the Mustangs’ all-county relay squads from a year ago. The Mustangs have several talented jumpers in sen54 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
iors Timothy Bryant and Ryan Downes. Bryant will compete in the long jump, triple jump, high jump and 100m, while Downes will represent the squad in the long jump, triple jump, 4x400 relay and 200m. Senior Justin Tanayan is one of the county’s best distance runners, and will compete in the 1600m and 3200m this spring. His classmate, Isdael Leo, will throw the shot, discus and help out in the 100m after missing a great deal of time since an injury last outdoor season. Speaking of outdoor, several athletes have jumped onto the radar for spring based on outstanding winter seasons. Among them are senior Mohammed Abdelkarim and sophomores Otto DeLeon and Arianit Sazimani. There is unquestionably an abundance of talent on both Mustang track teams, and each head coach is understandably optimistic about the prospects for 2014. Perhaps Rogers expresses his confidence best. “[Both the girls and the boys] know that regardless of the wins or the losses, they are part of a family,” he said. “I say it every year, we have plenty of great athletes on this team. They give it their all, and they are just tremendous. I think they are going to surprise people this year.”
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MUSTANG SPORTS Boys Lacrosse
From left, top: Kevin Perez, Antonio DeChellis, Ryan Trombitas, Jared Solorzano, Luis D. Ramos, Amro Assaidi, Brendan Schreiber, Edward Myers. Front, Mohamed Tarakji, George Balkjy, Michael Kommer, Luis Lopez, Adam Kopitar,
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lifton was one quarter away from a Passaic County championship last season, losing an 8-6 final round game to Lakeland after leading at the end of the third. Despite its youth, coach George Cowan believes it can surprise a lot of folks and compete again for that elusive title in 2014. “I think a lot of teams will look past us this year in the county, but I really think we are going to surprise a lot of people,” said Cowan, now in his sixth season leading the Mustangs. “Our guys have played together a lot in the offseason, and they are ready to play.” Senior Edward Myers will man the cage for the Mustangs. A big, burly presence in the goal, Myers is deceptively fast, and is nicknamed “the big cat.” Providing him protection will be the defensive unit of seniors Brendan Schreiber and Louis Lopez and junior Brandon Nunez. Junior Christian Duffy will also see time. The defensive corps is a physical group whose individual components, much like Myers, individually possess uncanny speed for players of their size. The midfield will be led by junior Billy Gibson, who will start alongside sophomore Anthony Rodriguez and senior Michael Kommer. 56 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
CHS Boys
Lacrosse March 26 @ Scotch Plains
4pm
April 1 @ New Providence
4pm
April 3 Wayne Valley
4pm
April 8 North Valley - Old Tappan 4pm April 10 @ Union City April 12 River Dell
4pm 11am
April 15 @ Newark East Side
4pm
April 17 Lakeland
4pm
April 22 Oratory Prep.
4pm
April 24 @ Saint Joseph Regional 4pm April 26 @ Newark Academy
11am
April 28 Pascack Hills
4pm
April 30 Verona
4pm
May 1 North Valley - Demarest May 3 TBA (County Tourn.)
4pm 11am
May 9 Governor Livingston
4pm
May 10 TBA (County Tourn.)
11am
May 13 @ Nutley
4pm
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Open House Wed. April 30 7-9pm
Become a
“Gael For A Day!”
We’re St. Mary High School, a/k/a “The Gaels,” and we proudly term ourselves “Small, Personal and Catholic” If you’d like to find out for yourself what that really means, and how our complete commitment to those words can help your child achieve his/her own best, then please consider our “Gael For a Day” program. Prospective students spend a day “shadowing” a Gael throughout an “average” school day at St. Mary. The objective is to explore the special bond that develops between our students and all of us at our nearby small, personal, Catholic high school. For further information, and for the opportunity to explore firsthand how being a “Gael For A Day” can lead to a lifetime of academic and personal achievement, call Mike Sheridan, our Admissions Director, at 201-933-5220, x270. Clifton Merchant • April 2014
57
MUSTANG SPORTS Boys Lacrosse Two talented underclassmen, sophomore Patrick DePasque and freshman Kevin Buttel, will round out the group. “We have a real good group at middy,” Cowan said. “Billy is a strong defensive middy, Anthony has great stick skills and Michael has good speed. Patrick is a strong dodger, as is Kevin, who can go left, right, and dodge.” Leading Clifton’s offensive attack will be senior George Balkjy. Balkjy broke into the varsity lineup last year, and figures to be one of the team’s primary scorers in 2014. He will be flanked by senior Ryan Trombitas and sophomore Brett Ranges. Trombitas will be especially valuable near the crease, while Ranges is a lefty that adds a dimension to the Mustangs scoring ability. “I’m real confident in this group,” said Cowan, who led the Mustangs to a 13-5 record and a playoff berth a year ago. “Clifton has always had good lacrosse. Even in tough seasons, Clifton lacrosse has always played good opponents tough. I expect the same out of our team. I think we can accomplish a lot.”
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MUSTANG SPORTS Girls Lacrosse
Back top from left: Tatjana Petrovic, Gabriela Garcia, Brittany Morales, Tayana Castro, Yasmine Oviedo, Nikki Guzman, Nicole Roncancio, Tiffany Richards, Meghan Sekanics. Kneeling, Kayla Ware, Jennifer Koppers, Elizabeth DeMuro, Olivia DeMuro, and goalie Shannon Christie.
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ifth-year head coach Amanda Gryzkin knows that her Mustangs have some work to do after winning just one game last season, but she is confident that a difficult 2013 will be what guides her squad to a better year this spring. “The girls know what I expect, and after going through a season like last season, they want to improve and want to get better,” Gryzkin said. “Hopefully that is enough motivation to get us to take the next step. We have worked hard to get the basics down. We know our opponents, as well. It’s just a matter of getting it done.” If Clifton is to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2010, it will need its top players to carry it there. Offensively, that responsibility falls first on the shoulders of talented sophomore Olivia DeMuro, a second-team All-Passaic County player last season. DeMuro played in the midfield last season, but will likely serve in an attack role going forward. “She knows the game a lot more now,” Gryzkin noted. “She has the instinct to get the ball and go to goal. She wants the ball, she wants to learn the game and continue to get better.” Junior middy Nicole Roncanio will be another cog in the Mustangs’ offensive efforts. Roncanio boasts good stick skills and exceptional aware-
CHS Girls
Lacrosse March 27 Bergen Co. Tech March 29 @ Old Tappan
4:30pm 11am
April 1 Wayne Valley
4pm
April 3 @ Dwight Englewood
4pm
April 5 Fair Lawn
10am
April 8 River Dell
4pm
April 10 Mary Help Academy April 12 @ Demarest April 17 @ DePaul Catholic
4pm 11am 4pm
April 22 @ Westwood Regional
4pm
April 24 Paramus
4pm
April 26 @ Wayne Hills
11am
April 28 @ Pascack Hills
4pm
April 29 @ Waldwick
4pm
May 1 Lakeland
4pm
May 5 Passaic Valley
4pm
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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MUSTANG SPORTS Girls Lacrosse ness on the field. One of the better stick handlers on the team, Gryzkin hopes Roncanio will take a more aggressive approach in going to the goal this season. Sophomore Brittany Morales will be a midfielder this season after playing defense as a freshman. “I think having Brittany in the midfield will add a dimension to our team,” said Gryzkin. “I think having her there will give us a little spark between our offense and defense.” Speaking of the Clifton defense, that unit will be led by senior Jenn Koppers, a multi-sport athlete who will become a three-year starter at the varsity level this season. Koppers’ leadership and field smarts are valuable assets, as is her anticipation, which make her a frequent receiver of opponents’ passes. Gryzkin still has some shuffling to do before deciding on a final lineup, but expects to get contributions from four skilled juniors in Kyana Castro, Tiffany Richards, Tatjana Petrovic and Gabby Garcia (who missed all of last season with an injury). Senior Shannon Christie will man the goal for the Mustangs once again.
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60 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Members of the Class of 2013 earned about $33 million in scholarships and grants. Clifton graduates earned over $2.75 million of those scholarships and grants.
Come and see why over 145 students from Clifton are making PC their high school of choice! • New Tablet Program & Online Classes • 133 Courses, Including - 24 Honors Classes - 19 AP Classes • New Track & AstroTurf Stadium Field • Full Music Program & Marching Band • Stable, Strong, & Future Focused • Cost Effective Tuition • Large School Offerings, Small Class Size • Fully Wireless Facility Scan the QR code for more information
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
61
MUSTANG SPORTS Boys Volleyball
CHS Boys
Top left, Nabil Jamhour, Kamil Garbowski, Francis Lisdema, Patrick Kowalcyk, Andrew Harhaj. Kneeling, Abraham Zeidan, Andrew Pica, Raj Patel, Matt Miller, Steven West. Not Pictured, Leon Simpson, Ben Shahar, Fredy Talavera
I
n its first season under head coach Nick Romanak, the Clifton boys volleyball team went 15-6 and qualified for the state playoffs. The Mustangs will be a much younger group in year two, but Romanak feels there are pieces in place that will allow them to remain a contender in Passaic County. “We’ve been working a lot on passing and ball control,” Romanak said. “We need to get those skills up before anything else. If we can’t do that and get the ball to the setter, the offense kind of gets wasted.” The Clifton offense will run through a pair of big juniors, outside hitter Nabil Jamhour and middle hitter Kamil Garbowski. Each was a bit raw going into their sophomore seasons, but have impressed Romanak with how much they have progressed in a year’s time. “Early last year, I was working a lot with Nabil a lot on timing and footwork, but he came into this season with that already down,” said Romanak. “Now we can work on changing up his hitting a bit. He is real athletic and a quick learner. Kamil is about 6-5, 6-6, and is very nimble for a guy his size. His arm swing is a lot more fluid than last year.” Senior Raj Patel, junior Andrew Harhaj and sophomore Steven West will vie for the second opposite hitter spot, and all three should see the floor. 62 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Volleyball April 1 @ PCTI
4pm
April 3 John F. Kennedy
4pm
April 4 Belleville
4pm
April 7 @ Eastside Paterson
4pm
April 9 Passaic
4pm
April 11 @ Bergen Co. Tech
4pm
April 16 @ Fair Lawn
4pm
April 17 Hackensack
10am
April 21 Wayne Valley
4pm
April 23 @ Wayne Hills
4pm
April 25 PCTI
4pm
April 28 @ John F. Kennedy
4pm
April 30 Eastside Paterson
4pm
May 2 @ Don Bosco Prep
4pm
May 3 @ Fair Lawn
3:30pm
May 5 Bergen Co. Tech
4:30pm
May 7 @ Passaic May 8 @ Harrison May 9 Teaneck
4pm 4pm 4:15pm
May 12 @ Lakeland
4pm
May 14 Passaic Valley
4pm
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
63
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MUSTANG SPORTS Boys Volleyball Junior Leon Simpson figures to play opposite for the Mustangs, and has demonstrated athleticism, jumping ability and a strong arm swing this preseason. The Mustangs will likely run a two-setter offense, as junior Andrew Pica and sophomore Matt Miller have both looked good throughout training camp. “Andrew is a very vocal kid,” said Romanak. “He can be good as a setter because he has shown leadership qualities and a level of comfort with talking to the team and setting up the offense. Matt has been a nice surprise in tryouts, and looks real comfortable with his hands.” Senior Ben Shahar will figure in as a Libero/defensive specialist. Shahar is quick and experienced. He is also an accurate passer and willing to lay out and hustle for balls. The Mustangs will hope to build on a 2013 campaign that saw them lose to Lakeland in the county semifinals and Montclair in the first round of the state playoffs. “Our first goal is just to focus on the county,” said Romanak. “We are a very young team. We graduated most of our starters, and we’ll be rebuilding. But with the talent we have, we should still be pretty competitive. I’d love to get us back in the picture of reaching state finals like [former coach] Mike [Doktor] did sooner than later.”
64 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
MUSTANG SPORTS Tennis
The Mustang Varsity team includes, from left, Akshay Mandania, Tejeshi Mehta, James Caporaso, Sebastian Luna, Richard Rangga, Giancarlo Osnato, Shea Harris and Benedick Galan.
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or the first time in coach Andrea Bobby’s nearly quarter-decade tenure as Clifton High School’s tennis coach, the Mustangs head into the spring as the defending Passaic County champions. Nevertheless, they will look much different than the team that tied Wayne Hills for last season’s county title, as five of its seven players graduated in June. The Mustangs will have a good chance to be competitive once again, though, thanks to the presence of first singles star Richard Rangga. A state quarterfinalist last season, Rangga won the Passaic County first singles tourney in 2013, and was an All-Big North Liberty honoree, as well. “Nobody in this area can really beat him,” Bobby said proudly. “He has been playing for a very long time, and he plays tournament tennis. He is a whole caliber above players who only play the high school game.” The senior boasts a powerful swing, and a calm demeanor on the court. He often overpowers his opposition, and is tactically good enough to outlast equally skilled players. Junior Sebastian Luna, a second doubles county champ a year ago, will play second singles this season. After immigrating from Peru a year and a half ago, Luna joined the Mustangs before even learning to speak English. He became a great fit on the squad, and won all-league and all-county honors with partner Tim Laux. Juniors Giancarlo Osnato, Akshay Mandania, Shea Harris, Benidick Galan and Tejesh Mehta and sophomore James Caporaso will round out the Clifton roster.
CHS
Tennis April 1 @ PCTI April 2 @ Kearny
4pm 4pm
April 3 John F. Kennedy
4:15pm
April 7 @ Eastside Paterson
4:15pm
April 8 @ North Bergen
4pm
April 9 Passaic
4pm
April 11 DePaul Catholic
4pm
April 16 @ Fair Lawn
4pm
April 21 Wayne Valley
4pm
April 23 @ Wayne Hills
4pm
April 25 PCTI
4pm
April 28 @ John F. Kennedy
4pm
April 30 Eastside Paterson
4pm
May 2 @ Don Bosco Prep
4pm
May 5 Bergen Co. Tech
4pm
May 7 @ Passaic
4pm
May 9 West Milford
4pm
May 12 @ Lakeland
4pm
May 14 Passaic Valley
4pm
May 16 Kearny
4pm
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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MUSTANG SPORTS Golf
Heading to the Upper Montclair Country Club, Nick Flaherty, Gabe Larkey, Stephen Mawker. Center: Keith Barcelona, Piotr Paluch, David Buonafina, Bryan Cammerino. Rear: Dillon Keenan, Dave Korty, Jordan Dunleavy and Ed Castillo.
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HS golf may just have the formula necessary to contend this season. With a combination of leadership and experience and some young, hungry newcomers, head coach Chad Cole and the Mustangs look like they have a solid foundation in place. Senior Gabe Larkey will hit the links as the number one golfer for Clifton, having put in a full offseason honing his skills. “Gabe has practiced every day,” said Cole. “He played every day in the summer. He just absolutely loves golf.” Larky will be supported in the lineup by seniors Nick Flaherty and Dave Korty. Flaherty has improved his game a great deal after spending a year as the sixth golfer on the Mustang roster, while Korty is a returning starter. Several youthful Mustangs figure to contribute, as well, including three sophomores: Stephen Mawker, Jordan Dunleavy and Bryan Cammerino. All three have impressed Cole, and each has shown a high upside. In addition, freshman Keith Barcelona will round out the squad. “I expect good things from all the guys,” Cole said. “It is hard to tell how quickly we will come along because the whether has prevented us from getting outside as much as we would like. But I am looking forward to the future. They are really nice kids. They are eager to learn.” 66 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
CHS
Golf April 1 Eastside
4pm
April 2 Eastside
4pm
April 3 @ Bloomfield
4pm
April 4 Passaic
4pm
April 7 @Ridgefield Park
4pm
April 8 Passaic Valley
4pm
April 9 Kennedy/Bergen Tech
4pm
April 10 Hackensack/Ramapo
4pm
April 23 Wayne Valley
4pm
April 24 @Fort Lee
4pm
April 28 @West Milford
4pm
April 29 Passaic Valley
4pm
April 30 @West Milford
4pm
May 1 Lakeland
4pm
May 5 Big North Div
4pm
May 7 @Nutley
4pm
May 8 Big North Tourn
4pm
May 14 Passaic Co. Tourn
4pm
May 16 P.C.T.I.
4pm
Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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Filmed & Celebrated in
Passaic County
Above is Freeholder John Bartlett with winners from last year’s film festival. Below, from left, Passaic County Film Festival Director Deborah Hoffman, Film Commissioner Bob Nicholson and Bill Cress, chair of the Passaic County Film Commission, along with additional winners. Call 973-569-4720 for more details.
68 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Enjoy free admission to the 10th Annual Passaic County Film Festival on April 26 at 10 am at the Fabian 8 Theater in historic downtown Paterson. Films were produced by students and independent filmmakers who live, attend school, or work in Passaic County. The films were judged by members of the Passaic County Film Commission in February and one will be named as the best film of the festival with other awards given by category. To celebrate the 10th year of the festival, the North Jersey Federal Credit Union (NJFCU) will present $1,000 to one film maker selected by NJFCU representatives. That film maker will also work with the NJFCU to create a 30-second commercial promoting the Credit Union. This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Support also provided by the Passaic County Freeholders, Bascom Corporation Investors Bank, M&T Bank, Register Lithographers and the PCCC Foundation. Call 973-569-4720 or write to film@passaiccountynj.org for details.
By Domenick Reda Meet our CHS Students of the Month, selected by the VP’s of each wing. A Ray of Sunshine, A Helping Hand Guidance Counselor Kathy Speiser said Central Wing senior Tiffany Sheppard just may be the happiest student at Clifton High School. Tiffany Sheppard Robert Lupo “She is like a ray of sunshine to those who know her,” Speiser said. Sheppard seems to get that kind of The 3 Ds reaction from many of the students and For senior Robert Lupo, it’s his teachers she meets at CHS. She is a posidiligence, dedication, and tive person and also prides herself on discipline that has earned him working hard at everything she does and recognition as one of April’s loves helping others. She believes that is Students of the Month. why she was chosen as one of the “I also ranked 25th in my class Students of the Month for April. while keeping up my extracurricHer favorite class is Period 7 Biology ular activity,” the East Wing stuwith Mr. Ralph Casale because he “helps dent proudly proclaims. her a lot” and returns her kindness. She Lupo participates in his fair said the class work is special to her share of activities at CHS. because it gives her the opportunity to He is also Student Council Ahlam Tamimi work with other students. Association president, a member For fellow students—including her best of the Mustang Marching Band friend Vanessa—and teachers at CHS, it’s her warm, and editor-in-chief of The Clifton Hub, CHS’s studentfriendly personality they love the most. created newspaper. “Being her guidance counselor has been a joy,” Besides that, Lupo is president of the French Club Speiser added. “She stops in my office each morning to and considers French with Lindsey Cinque to be his say hello with a smile.” favorite subject because “I like the French culture and Another source of enjoyment for Sheppard, and her Mrs. Cinque makes learning fun,” he said. family, is her participation in the Special Olympics. Lupo is also working hard theatrically and will be Known by the teachers for her dependability, participating in the school’s spring musical production Sheppard often does work study during Period 8. of Shrek, beginning May 21. He looks forward to the Despite having one eye on the future, Sheppard said next chapter in his life after he graduates in June. she will miss all her friends and teachers at CHS. She “I will be studying at The College of New Jersey expects to find work after graduation, and hopes to next year, majoring in psychology and minoring in work filing, answering phones and clerical assistance. either philosophy or French,” he said. “I then Clifton Merchant • April 2014 69
hope to pursue a career in either law A Mother’s Love or psychiatry.” When sophomore Ahlam Tamimi Despite keeping so busy, Lupo valwas ill recently, it was her mother who ues the friendships he has made at was there for her every step of the school–something he will greatly way. miss after he graduates. “My best friend is my mother,” “Although I take my education Tamimi explained. “She was with me seriously, having my friends in my everyday when I was sick and will classes makes learning more enjoyhelp me with anything, anytime I need able,” Lupo said. “My favorite part of her. I can trust her with anything.” school would be the social aspect of Tamimi points to her triumphant Rachel Egyed it. Although I have a handful of really return to school, coupled with her hard close friends, I would have to considwork, as reasons she was named as er Michael to be my best friend. I have known him for one of the Students of the Month. all 18 years of my life and couldn’t have asked for a “I recently went back to school and I’ve been trying better companion.” hard all month,” she said. “I have been getting good grades.” Tamimi has also been active in Mustang sports. “I’m currently on the track team and I will be playing soccer in the fall,” she said. “I really enjoy being a part of a team because everybody is like your second family.” Apart from athletics, Tamimi takes her school very seriously. “My favorite subject is biology because it is the study of life and everything I learn in that class... I get to use in everyday life,” she said. “I plan on becoming an optometrist in the future because I’ve been going to eye doctors my whole life and I enjoy what they do.” Getting A Kick Out Of Academics Being a competitive athlete who travels, and a distinguished honor roll student for the last two marking periods, is not easy, but don’t tell that to senior Rachel Egyed, a North Wing student who is convinced her consistent academic efforts got her named as one of April’s Students of the Month. “I think it’s because I have been getting good grades,” she said. “I was 70 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
invited to the Academic Awards dinElizabeth DeMuro because she’s been ner for the first time in my four years my oldest friend and we’ve been best here.” friends since we were about 8 years But Egyed credits good teachers, old. Playing soccer together for 10 like Karen Slinger, with making years has gotten us very close.” things easier for her. “My favorite class and teacher is Art Imitating Life calculus with Mrs. Slinger because The four years Elizabeth Wojcik she has made math easy to understand has spent at CHS have opened her and she has been the most helpful eyes to the beauty of art, as has Art math teacher I’ve had at Clifton Teacher Angela Carozza. High,” Egyed said. “My favorite class is art with Mrs. Elizabeth Wojcik But what Egyed really loves is Carozza,” said the senior Annex stucompeting, especially in athletics. dent. “I love the creative projects we do. Art is so beau“I’m attending the University of Maryland, College tiful.” Park in the fall to continue my soccer career,” she said. That enthusiasm has helped Wojcik to steadily “I will be majoring in kinesiology to study towards a improve her grades during her tenure at CHS. sports medicine or physical therapy major.” “I think I was chosen for Student of the Month And although she is looking forward to the next because I have improved my grades tremendously and challenge, Egyed is going to miss all the friends she I have been working extremely hard,” said Wojcik, who made at CHS, both on and off the field. plans on eventually pursuing a graduate degree but is “I enjoy the social and athletic aspect of school the still undecided about a major. “I am really trying my most,” she said. “I loved being able to play soccer for 4 best in all of my classes because in the future I want to years with the girls I grew up with. My best friend is go to a really great college and get a master’s degree.”
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A Clifton CHARMER State Honors for Girls Softball Legend By Carol Leonard Nearly 25 years after starting the Charmers, a program that grew into one of the most successful girls travel softball programs in the Northeast, Clifton’s Steve Meyers was inducted last month into the New Jersey ASA (American Softball Association) Hall of Fame, on March 2 at Martell’s in Pt. Pleasant. Like a lot of parents of kids who play sports, Meyers got involved as a volunteer in the Clifton Little League softball program back in the 1980s, coaching his two daughters, Kim and Randi, and later his stepdaughters, Lauren and Amy. Meyers had played fast-pitch softball in his younger days, so coaching gave him an opportunity to not only spend more time with his kids, but to continue his passion for the game, he said.
Early day Charmers, from left, Laura Tynio, Lisa Caruso, Lauren Dickinson, Jen Carlo, Jen Prawetz, Jen Bandurski, Chistina Aloia, Amanda Bongiorno, Megan Doczi, Tracey Collins, Jaime Anzaldi, Jen Mcintyre, Bill Doczi, Sal Anzaldi.
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April Edition
John Vnenchak, Susie Vnenchak, Melissa Crombet, Susan McNamara, Laura Gurgick, Jodiann Palmieri, Kelly Crossen, Julie Ulbricht, Frank Venezia, Kneeling Jim McDonald, Kelly Powers, Melissa Kern, Gianna Caruso, Jill Romanowski, Chrissy Didieo, Vanessa Ortiz.
Over the years, Meyers observed the talent and interest in the sport of many of the girls and he wanted to take them to the next level. “I didn’t feel that the competition in the Little League program was challenging enough for them,” he said. Along with fellow Central Division coach Tom Acton, Meyers decided to enter a team of girls from the Central and Western division programs into a 14-and-under tournament in Parsippany in 1989. To his and Acton’s surprise, the Clifton girls won the tournament, their first ever outside of the Little League environment. “One of the umpires suggested that we enter the
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upcoming ASA tournament to be held in Sparta,” Meyers said. “She explained the ASA program to us and, as they say, the rest is history. We went on to win the state tournament and were told we were going to Buffalo in two weeks. With no money at our disposal, the girls got donations and, with the town’s help, we had a bus and were on our way to the regionals.” Three weeks later, after winning the regional tournament, the team continued on to Chatanooga, Tennessee for the national tournament. “Again, we had to raise money, but the girls did a great job getting donations and we flew to Tennessee,” Meyers said.
Learning From Losing At nationals, the team got an education, winning one game and losing two to be knocked out of the tournament. But the experience gave the girls the incentive to continue playing at a more competitive level and gave Meyers the inspiration to gradually expand the program to include teams at every age group, from 10-and-under to 18-and-under. Participation on the Charmers involved a three month commitment, from mid-May through mid-August, with two nights a week of practices and weekend tournaments, many of them out of state and requiring overnight stays. “We were able to play against the highest level of competition,” Meyers said. “It gave the girls an opportunity to meet other players from all over the country and develop lasting friendships.” As the program expanded to more age groups, girls from other towns who were interested in playing more competitive softball wanted to be part of the Charmers, so Meyers opened tryouts for the teams to these other players. The program, originally called the Clifton Charmers, became known as the New Jersey Charmers. In addition to winning countless local tournaments
throughout the Northeast, over the years Charmers teams were also very successful at ASA state, regional and national tournaments. A 10-and-under team coached by Sal Anzaldi, who spent many years coaching with the program, traveled all the way to California, finishing seventh in the country in ASA competition. Anzaldi’s 12-and-under Charmers won back-to-back mid-Atlantic regional championships. Other notable accomplishments in the Charmers organization included the 14-and-under team finishing ninth in the nation in 1990, and that same basic team also finishing ninth in national competition as a 16-and-under team in 1992. The 18-and-under team, which was formed in 1993, was also very successful, with players coming up from below. Meyers gives added credit to the coaching of Jim MacDonald and Frank Venezia, both former St. Mary’s High School coaches. “They had no children in the program, but coached for the love of the game and to help these young women,” he said. “College coaches would call Coach Mac and Coach V about certain girls, sight unseen, and would respect their opinions about playing in their programs.”
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Support the good work of St. Peter’s Haven. To donate food items, call 973-546-3406.
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April Edition Charmers Create CHS Dynasty The Charmers program is regarded by many as an important contributor to the development of the CHS program as a softball powerhouse during the 1990s, winning Group IV state championships in 1993, ’97 and ’98 as well as numerous league and county titles. Outstanding CHS players of the ‘90s who got their start with the Charmers were Meyer’s daughter, Randi, along with Gianna Caruso, Danielle Fischer, Cara Kling, Vanessa Ortiz, Kim and Jamie Anzaldi, Allison Gavasi, Kim Artim, Laura Tynio, Dana Jeanetti, Amanda Bongiorno and Megan Dozci. Brianne Moore, a pitching standout from 2003-2006 honed her skills as a Charmer.. Other Charmers players from Clifton had successful softball careers at St. Mary’s High School in Rutherford, including Meyer’s stepdaughter, Lauren Dickinson, along with Val Esposito and Jessica Perez. Many of the girls went on to play softball in college, some receiving athletic scholarships. Among them were Caruso at Long Island University, Bongiorno at Wagner University, Perez at St. Peter’s College, Artim and Dozci at Drew University, Jeannetti at Georgian Court University, Dickinson at Robert Morris University, Kim Anzaldi and Esposito at Felician College, Jamie Anzaldi at Ramapo College and Brianne Moore at Bloomfield University. Long-time softball umpire Joe Massaro, who nominated Meyers for the award, got to know him when the Charmers first became involved in tournament play. “He was a great contributor to the game for all that he gave to the girls who came through the organization,” Massaro
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said of Meyers. “When you do this for as long as I have, you get to see all kinds of coaches. Steve always conducted himself with class and his teams always came to play. They played hard and they played fair.” A Humble Kind of Guy Those who coached in the Charmers organization also have high praise for Meyers. “He got coaches for every level and gave them the leeway to run their teams and make decisions about what tournaments to enter and who would play,” Sal Anzaldi said. “It was never about him. He always had the best interest of the kids at heart.” Meyers was presented with a Charmers memory book at the awards dinner, which included congratulatory well wishes from many of his former players that, he said, brought tears to his eyes. “Many of these girls are giving back to the community as coaches and teachers,” he said. In accepting his award, Meyers said he felt humbled. “The plaque has my name on it, but it was received because of a great many other people,” he commented. “I may have started the organization, but there were a lot more who contributed to make it a success.” Meyers continued to coach in the Charmers organization through the 2003 season and remained active in an administrative role until the program disbanded after the 2005 season. Among the final players to wear a Charmers uniform were Clifton High School battery mates, pitcher Diana Giordano and catcher Jill Leonard, whose 2007 team won the last state championship for CHS during their senior year. Giordano went on to star in the pitching circle at Ramapo College, and Leonard, after briefly playing at Montclair State, took an assistant coaching job at Hackensack and now teaches and coaches the freshman team at Passaic High School. Meyers continues to love softball, but currently spends his time viewing the game from the stands. He and his wife Beverly enjoy going to see his stepdaughter Lauren coach at her college alma mater, Robert Morris, and watching their 10 year-old granddaughter Morgan pitch in the now unified Clifton youth softball league.
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Health & Medicine
FROM
Urgent
By Carol Leonard
TO
A LL ImmediCenter Now a National Model Medical Home
What started out 30 years ago as place where adults and children could go for nonlife-threatening medical treatment, perhaps on a weekend, a holiday or another time when their regular doctor was unavailable, has evolved into a comprehensive center for primary patient care. The Clifton ImmediCenter, along with its affiliate sites in Bloomfield and Totowa, has been certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a patient-centered medical home. The model program is Doreen Sestilio of Immedicenter with patient Joe Carlucci. intended to improve patient outcomes and Over the years, the ImmediCenter has transitioned satisfaction as well as reduce the growing cost of from being just a walk-in center for episodic illnesses healthcare. and injuries into a more full-service primary care facilFounded by three family care and internal medicine ity, where patients could also schedule an appointment physicians, Drs. Michael Basista, Dan Bernheim and with a particular physician and receive on-going care. Stephen LaPoff, the Clifton ImmediCenter opened its “Some of our patients didn’t have a primary care doors on June 4, 1984 across from its present location physician and they were looking for better follow-up at 1355 Broad St. It was the first urgent care center of care for chronic conditions,” said Dr. Basista, who its kind in this part of New Jersey, offering patients an serves as director of the ImmediCenter practice. “They alternative to more expensive hospital emergency room liked the convenience of our offices and the fact that visits in a friendlier community setting, with extended we’re open weekends and evenings.” hours. 78 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
The ImmediCenter patient care staff includes six full-time physicians, all board certified in internal medicine or family practice, two physician assistants, four nurse practitioners and five registered nurses, the latter all recently trained as care coordinators under the new patient care model.
insurance plans. This includes eliminating exclusion of coverage for pre-existing conditions, allowing grown children to stay on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26 and covering the expense of certain preventive services without a copay or deductible. The law also eliminates lifetime payment caps and requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of the premiums they collect on covered medical expenses for their customers. But other parts of the extensive new healthcare law focus on improving delivery and efficiency of care, with the goal of reducing cost and providing better outcomes for patients and their
New Healthcare Law The concept of patient-centered medical homes predates passage of the federal Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare. In New Jersey, Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield has been a Dr. Michael Basista, leader in promoting the concept Medical Director of Immedicenter for a number of years, but the initiative has gained more momentum under the new fedfamilies. eral healthcare law. At the heart of the patient-centered medical home Most of the media attention on Obamacare has cenare the care coordinators, whose role is to closely foltered on its efforts to expand health insurance coverage low-up on patients, particularly those with chronic for more Americans and improve the quality of health medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood
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Health & Medicine pressure and other issues requiring continuing care and treatment. At the ImmediCenter, all of the care coordinators are nurses who have been on staff for a number of years and “who had a special interest in this new innovative way to practice,” Dr. Basista said. Two of the care coordinators, Idina Merz, who serves as lead care coordinator, and Doreen Sestilio, who works out of the Clifton office, attended a training program funded by Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield at Duke University to learn about case management, using community resources to help patients and working with specialists. Improving Primary Care “The best way to handle patient care is through primary care,” Dr. Basista said. “But in the past we hadn’t done as good a job as we should have in following through with our primary care patients. Under this new model of care, we’re more proactive, especially with patients with chronic problems. Our goal is to keep people out of the ER (emergency room) and out of the hospital.” Care coordinators maintain close contact with their patients, calling to remind them to come in for regular visits to their doctors, checking to see how they are doing on their medications and assisting with communication between patients and physicians. They also help patients set up appointments with medical specialists, recommend resources in the community such as referrals for nutritional counseling, and help educate patients about ways to maintain good health and prevent illness.
Clifton resident Joe Carlucci, 61, who is diabetic and has been a patient of Dr. Basista at the ImmediCenter for many years, is pleased with the new model of care. “I think it’s great that Doreen (Sestilio) is now part of my medical team,” he said. “She always keeps me abreast of my lab work and, if I have a problem or question, I know when I call I can ask for Doreen. She knows me and it makes me feel more comfortable.” As part of enhanced coordination of care and the goal of reducing unnecessary costs, Dr. Basista said that he is playing a more active role when ImmediCenter patients need to see outside specialists. “We’ve been moving more toward the use of less expensive generic prescriptions and I request the specialists to do the same with our patients. We also coordinate to avoid unnecessary or duplicate testing.” Expanded use of electronic medical records, another provision of Obamacare, is also an important feature of the new patient care model. When completely in place in the coming years, Dr. Basista expects that this will further improve communication between the ImmediCenter’s primary care doctors and the hospitals and specialists who also treat its patients. Later this spring, an online patient portal will be up and running at the ImmediCenter, which will enable patients, using a secure password, to access their lab work and other screening test results on their home computers, smartphones and other electronic devices. They will be able to request appointments and medication refills as well as communicate with their primary care providers and care coordinators.
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Patients as Partners in Healthcare Dr. Basista believes that this feature will help enhance the dialogue and partnership between patients and medical care providers, which he feels is very important to improved healthcare. “Like the slogan from the old Sims clothing store ads, ‘an educated consumer is our best customer,’ I like patients who come in with knowledge and who ask questions,� he said. “Patients who feel more involved in their treatment are more likely to be compliant in taking care of their health.� One of the requirements for designation as a patientcentered medical home is expanded access to care by patients, such as with the kind of extended hours that the ImmediCenter has always provided. The facility is open weekdays from 8 am until 9 pm and on weekends from 8 am until 5 pm, including all holidays. “We’re also doing primary care days, where certain doctors focus on seeing only primary care patients,� said lead care coordinator Idina Merz. “On those days, we have a team meeting with the care coordinators and physicians to go over issues about the patients we will be seeing.�
In addition to Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the concept and goals of the patient-centered medical home model have been supported through financial incentives by Medicare and a number of other private health insurance companies, including Oxford and United Healthcare. According to Dr. Steven Peskin, senior medical director & director of clinical innovations for Horizon Healthcare Innovations, designated patient-centered medical homes receive payments from Horizon to support patient care coordination and for meeting certain quality and efficiency goals in addition to the regular fee-for-service payments. “It’s about changing the payment model to reward outcomes and values,� Dr. Pleskin said. “The triple aim focus of this model is better health, better experience with care and lower cost of care.� Dr. Basista predicts that in the coming years, the traditional fee-for-service concept in medical care will be history. “It has to change,� he said. “We can’t continue to spend as much as we have been on healthcare without better outcomes. We need to make the population healthier at a lower cost.�
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Firefighter’s Ball
The last Clifton FMBA 21 Firefighter’s Ball was in 2008. Organizer Tony Latona and his committee of Gayle and Mike Turi, Krystina and Brian Reilly and Sue and George Spies said too much time had passed. So on March 21 they remedied those lapsed years and set precedent for what will no doubt again be an annual tradition. Held at the Royal Warsaw in Garfield, it was an evening to celebrate Clifton Firefighters and their families. On these pages are photos from just some of the tables, the dancing and the great food and beverages served up during the night. Best of all, it was a time to reconnect with some of the retired officers and their spouses. Top of this page shows a reunion of brass with Chief Joseph Colca who led the department from Nov. 12, 1980 to May 1, 1985. He is pictured with Deputy Chief Alex Beattie along with DC Lyons. DC Loder, DC Sauer, DC Spies and DC Tahan.
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Diamond Memorials 973-471-5008 • 800 Broad St., Clifton We’re Here to Discuss Your Needs Mon-Fri: 10 am- 4pm • Sat: 10 am-3 pm • Bronze Plaques • Monuments • Porcelain Photos • Benches • Mausoleums • Cemetery Lettering • Cremation Urns • Pet Urns Shana and Ed Polak
Find our selection online!
diamondmemorialsinc.com Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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Around Town
Clifton’s Nick Tselepis, of Nicholas Real Estate Agency, representatives from Alma Bank, clergy and community members met at Paterson City Hall on March 25 to raise the Greek flag and mark that nation’s Independence Day.
Join the Fight Against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and join Team Najda (in support of Clifton’s own Mike Najda) at the Saddle River County Park in Saddle Brook. There are three ways to support the cause: t-shirt sponsor, virtual walker or get out and walk on June 8 at 9:30 am. Go to www.alswalks.org and look for Team Nadja. Join Clifton’s Mike Najda and his wife Patricia in a walk to raise funds to fight ALS.
A Good Friday White Breakfast hosted by the Women’s Ministries of the United Reformed Church of Clifton and Passaic, 352 Clifton Ave., is on April 18 at 9:30 am. The topic is Last Words—The Unexpected. Call 973-365-1666. The St. Andrew Gala Awards Dinner is May 8 at 6:30 pm at the Brownstone to honor individuals who embody the values of the church and the namesake of the awards. To be feted are Michael and Jayne Cerone (St. Andrew Family Faith Award), Friends of the Clifton Animal Center (Gloria Kolodziej Community Enhancement Award) and Robert Morgan (Mayor James Anzaldi Community Service Award). Tickets are $60. RSVP by April 15 to 973-473-3711 or 973-779-6873. On March 15, the Clifton Passaic Ukrainian-American Youth Association and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America protested the Russian invasion of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine by calling for a boycott of the purchase of gas at Lukoil’s stations, Russia's second largest oil company.
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The Marching Mustang’s first Drum Majorette, Marie (Vullo) Giunta, passed at the age of 90 on March 18. Pictured high stepping on the cover of our August 2006 edition, Marie led the Marching Mustangs from 1938 to 1942 and went on to perform with big bands. She and her late husband Mario were parents to Clifton’s Angela G. Williamson and grandparents to Alexandra and Spencer. Clifton’s Rotary Club hosts a Ladies Only Comedy Night to Benefit Autism Awareness on April 25 at 7 pm at the Mountainside Inn. Tickets are $40. Call 973-557-3886.
The Friends of the Clifton Public Library are making note of the religious holidays of the Jewish Passover, which begins April 14, and Easter, celebrated by Roman, Byzantine and Orthodox Catholics on April 20. Colleen Murray is pictured at a display of Passover books and items which help explain traditions on the second floor of the Main Library on Piaget Ave.
The 14th Annual Savor Food & Wine Experience is on April 7 at the Preakness Hills County Club from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The $50 ticket allows patrons to sample great and eclectic foods from dozens of area restaurants. Visitors will also enjoy sampling fine wines, entertainment, networking and a cash bar. Presented by the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce, call 973-470-9300 or register online at northjerseychamber.org.
The Passaic County Community College Foundation Gala on April 24 raises funds to provide scholarships to financially challenged students at PCCC. Held at the stately Hamilton Club on the Paterson campus, the gala honors Kevin P. McCabe, President of the Carpenter Contractor Trust. Tickets to the gala are $100 and various sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are also available. To find out more, call Todd Sorber at 973-684-5656.
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Around Town City Council candidate Lauren Murphy is the guest speaker at the April 21 Clifton Democratic Club meeting. The club is open to all and the meeting is at 7 pm at the Main Library. Call Club President John D. Pogorelec, Jr., at 973-778-1604. Knights of Columbus Regina Mundi Council 3969 Beefsteak at St. Andrew’s Church Hall, 400 Mt. Prospect Ave., is on May 17 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $35; table of 10 for $340. BYOB. Call 973-772-2727.
CHS Project Graduation Chair Keith Bassford accepts a $500 check from St. Philip the Apostle Knights of Columbus Council 11671 members David Cordero, Jack Paparella, and Ray Lill. The money helps send the 2014 grads off to a safe and secure party on the night they gradaute CHS.
Meltzer’s Sporting Goods presents NRA Home Firearms Safety Courses in April. New or prospective gun owners or hunters of all ages and expertise will learn general firearms safety, from storage and proper handling of ammunition to firearms cleaning, maintenance and function testing. Prices or either $50 or $100 for one of the three dates. Classes are at 118 Outwater Lane, Garfield. and led by Richie Pometti, Meltzer’s in-house NRA certified instructor. To register, call Billy or Lisa Meltzer at 973-478-7647. Girls Scouts of Troop 44 touring and tasting at Sweet Sister’s Cakes.
Girl Scout Troop 44 hosts the first All City Clifton Girl Scouts Awards and Recognition Dinner on June 3, from 6 to 8:30 pm at Mario’s Restaurant on Van Houten Ave. Organizer Janet De Stefano said girls of all ages are invited to share, learn and celebrate their scouting experiences. “Every level of scouts learn from each other,” said De Stefano, a Registered Nurse at CHS and a 1980 CHS grad. She was also a Girl Scout in her youth with a troop at Bella Vista Church and First Presbyterian Church on Maplewood Ave. where Troop 44 now meets every other Wednesday. “Like the kids, we leaders learn and share with each other.” Scouts who have earned the highest awards in the Bronze Award (4-5th grades) Silver Award (6-8th grades) or Gold Award (equal to Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts) are invited to tell about their projects. “This is not just about awards but really an opportunity to help grow Clifton Girl Scouts,” said De Stefano. Call 973-694-1445 or write jklikr@aol.com for more details. 86 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Do you know, teach, or love a child or adult with autism? Then join the Walk-a-Thon and Free Family Carnival on June 8 at 11 am at CHS. That’s last year’s photo at right. Presented by Parents of Autistic Children, the group also offers a free workshop on Engaging Your Child through Game, Play and Ipad Activities at the Allwood Library on May 19 at 6 pm. For more info on the group, the walk, or to connect with Clifton families already involved, go to www.poac.net or call 732-785-1099. Clifton Parents Requiring Action and Information for Special Education (P.R.A.I.S.E.) is a non-adversarial parent support group for parents and families of special needs children. Meet at the Allwood Library on the fourth Monday of every month, September through May. On April 28 at 7 pm, Dawn Monaco of the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network will present a workshop on Least Restrictive Environment. For more details, write to cliftonpraise@gmail.com or join the Facebook page.
Sandee Augusto, with sons PJ and Richie, owner of Caselerno Salon, now at 707 Van Houten Ave., hosted a grand reopening on March 30.
The Clifton Community Band performs the 13th Annual Lollipops & Roses Intergenerational Concert on May 17 at 2 pm in the CHS Auditorium. Under the baton of Marching Mustang Maestro Bob Morgan, proceeds benefit the Clifton Education Foundation and the Clifton Community Band. Admission is $7. Kids under 12 are free. Info at cliftonband@optonline.net.
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973Roofing • Siding Seamless Gutters Additions • Alterations Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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Birthdays & Celebrations - April 2014
The Hawrylko brothers, Tom Jr. is 27 on April 16 and Joe turns 29 on April 27, with their pal Bob Marley who turns 10 on April 4. Pete & Eileen Fierro will be married 38 years on April 18. Belated Birthday Greetings to Dana Aref who turned 9 years old on March 10.
Birthdays & Celebrations
Send dates & names...tomhawrylko@optonline.net Karen Goldey..................... Timothy Hayes .................... Stephanie L. Magaster......... Hetal Patel.......................... Karen Schwartz .................. Raymond DeDios ................ Carl DiGisi ......................... Eric Homsany ..................... JoEllen Kenney-Illenye ..........
4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3
Happy 35th Anniversary to John & Donna Hawrylko on April 28 88 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
Kevin John Lord .................. 4/3 Greg Alexander.................. 4/4 Joey Scotto ......................... 4/4 Bo Franko .......................... 4/5 Sabrina Greco.................... 4/5 Wafa Othman .................... 4/5 Mark Peterson .................... 4/5 Bob Tanis ........................... 4/5 Joe Franek.......................... 4/6 Sharon J. Koribanics ........... 4/6 Jessica Mondelli.................. 4/6 Luke Kulesa ........................ 4/7 Donna Mangone ................ 4/7 Patricia Colman .................. 4/8 Sheryll Franko .................... 4/8 Jackie Henderson................ 4/8 Jeff Murcko......................... 4/8 Emma Gretina .................... 4/9 Kathy Krisinski .................... 4/9 Brian Firstmeyer ................ 4/11 Leila Gasior...................... 4/11 Felipe Rivera .................... 4/11 Erin Smith......................... 4/11 Debbie Tucker .................. 4/11 Alice Shanley Babinski ...... 4/12 Josh Ontell ....................... 4/13
Roland & Lena Krygsman celebrate 61 years of marriage on April 24. Alexander John Mosciszko. Lisa Kulesa ....................... Adam Pienciak ................. Kurt Irizarry...................... Robert Monzo .................. Linda Humphrey ............... Joseph P. Koribanics.......... Peter Fierro....................... Jason Dubnoff................... Jennifer O’Sullivan ............ Bryan Rodriguez............... John Anderson.................. Jeff Camp......................... Greg Nysk ....................... Alicia Rose Aste................ Lori Hart........................... Mike Tresca......................
Daniel Leigh Magaster April 7, 1985 - Oct. 16, 2003
4/14 4/15 4/15 4/16 4/16 4/17 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/19 4/19 4/20 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/22 4/22
Happy 8th Birthday to Damian Calvo on April 13. Alyssa Tucker .................. 4/22 Bobby Ventimiglia ........... 4/22 Danny Gorun .................. 4/23 John Pogorelec, Jr............ 4/23 Marc Scancarella ............ 4/23 Katie Michelotti ............... 4/25 Brianna A. Pastore .......... 4/25 Klondike Tresca ............... 4/25 Buddy Czyzewski............ 4/26 Stephanie Magaster ........ 4/26 Jillian Mangone............... 4/26 Annie Pogorelec.............. 4/26 Elise Termyna .................. 4/26 Mike Grimaldi................. 4/27 Michael Press.................. 4/27 April Graham.................. 4/28 Stephen Camp, Jr. ........... 4/29 Paul Colman ................... 4/29 Heather Halasz ............... 4/29 Christine Klein ................. 4/29
Peter Chudolij is 19 on April 28. Clifton Merchant • April 2014
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Shop Class
Above at CHS Auto Shop, Dennis Mendez, Jose Rosado, Tyler Nasr, Jayson Santana, Michal Tomon and Andy Manchego.
CHS students are getting scholarships to attend technical schools and heading into a career in the auto technology field that pays $36,000 per year to start. Students at CHS have have been touring Lincoln Technical School and Universal Technical Institute as instructors familiarize them with the thriving field of gas and diesel engine repair and the future it holds for them. “The kids are exposed to various campuses via field trips funded by the trade schools,” said CHS Auto Technology Instructor Richard Alberghini. “The initiative offers a higher education alternative for these students after graduation. We’ve established a rapport with these schools and they know Clifton kids are motivated.”
Alberghini credits the CHS Adminstration and Board of Education for supporting the shop which he said was in “disrepair” when he took over three years ago. “These kids need opportunities other than college and it shows them another way.” Alberghini said. The basic curriculum offered by LTI and UTI is one year plus an additional four months in specialized training. Many students have received partial scholarships to attend. Some Clifton seniors who are taking advantage of the program include Diego Carmona-Bermejo, Florencio Guevara, Alex Isidro-Chavez, Dennis Mendez, Andy Manchego, Erinn Mangual, Tyler Nasr, Michael Tomon and Jayson Santana.
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Present this ad and save $100 off any overhaul 90 April 2014 • Clifton Merchant
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