Clifton Merchant Magazine - November 2007 by Clifton Merchant Magazine

Clifton Merchant Magazine • Volume 12 • Issue 11 • November 2, 2007

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November 2007 â&#x20AC;˘ Clifton Merchant

Replacing Matt Ward now would be the equivalent of pulling the emergency Commentary by Joe Hawrylko brake while merging onto the highway.

Vote for Matt Ward

It’s that time of the year again. The leaves are turning, the air is getting cooler and political signs dot our yards and streets. Election Day is almost here. On Nov. 6, voters will have a chance to give incumbent politicians a proverbial pat on the back or a swift kick from office. But besides the scheduled county and state races, Clifton voters must select—in a non-partisan special election—a permanent replacement to fill out the remainder of the departed Councilman Tony Latona’s term, which expires in 2010. Last November, Matt Ward—who finished eighth in the May ‘06 race—was appointed by the six Council members as an interim one year replacement for Latona. Joining Ward in this month’s contest are two other candidates from the May ‘06 election—Joe Chidiac and George Silva—and newcomer Beverly Carey. So why should you care and who should you vote for? The consensus here at Clifton Merchant Magazine is that there’s no reason to fix something that isn’t broken. Critics may say Ward hasn’t accomplished everything he said he would during his May 2006 campaign. The truth is, Ward’s patience in waiting to be elected by the people before pushing forth his initiatives shows integrity. When appointed to the one year term, Ward said he considered his role as that of a caretaker and that he wanted to wait until this election to earn the support of voters before pushing his forward vision for Clifton. But that doesn’t mean he’s sat on his hands and kept his mouth shut these past 12 months. Matt has been an honest voice on the Council, saying what people may not want to hear—the fact that Clifton is becoming a divided city and that a change is needed. With this type of progress, it would be foolish to head back to square one with a new Council member. The progression in Clifton government is sequential: you can’t get to the high gears without going through all of the low ones first. These wheels of change have been in motion since May 2006 when four incumbents were voted out—replacing Ward now would be the equivalent of pulling the emergency brake while merging onto the highway. To get moving again, you would have to shift back into first gear, thus killing all your momentum. 4

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Clifton Merchant Editor & Publisher Tom Hawrylko, at right, with Matt Ward. This magazine and the Hawrylko family supports Ward and we are asking our friends and readers to please consider casting your single vote for him.

That being said, you can punch in four votes—Tom, Cheryl, Tom jr., and Joe Hawrylko—for those supporting Matt Ward in his bid for an extension of his term through 2010. We strongly believe that one year on the Council is not enough for anyone to truly make an impact and more time is not only needed, it’s deserved. And these sentiments are shared by others than just those at our Main Ave. office. Clifton Firefighter and former Councilman Tony Latona contacted us back at the end of September to give his vote of confidence for Matt Ward. In Latona’s eyes, he and the interim Councilman share a key characteristic necessary in today’s Clifton — a mentality that won’t allow them to be swayed by political pressure. Latona was one of the many who were appalled last month, when Freeholder and City of Clifton Democratic Committee Municipal Leader Bruce James solicited party faithful for a $300 per-plate cocktail party to “change Clifton’s government into a partisan one.”

On Nov. 6, the people pictured above are voting for Matt Ward and urge you to consider supporting him as well. Standing from left, Steve and Ellen Corbo, Board of Education VP Michael Urciouli, BOE Commissioner Kim Renta and Botany advocate Karen Rega. Sitting, from left, Clifton Firefighter Tony Latona and Councilman Joe Cupoli.

Latona, a Republican, e-mailed us a scathing reply, claiming that partisan government causes problems, as opposed to fixing them. In keeping with his stance on political parties, Latona went on record in our October edition saying that Ward—a Democrat—is the best candidate to keep Clifton free from the county’s grasp, while helping the city evolve smoothly. “He has a long history of showing his leadership skills and that is what Clifton needs — elected officials who are willing to tackle tough issues and are not controlled by political agendas,” said Latona, adding: “With Matt, there are no strings attached.” 16,000 MAGAZINES are distributed to hundreds of Clifton Merchants the first Friday of every month. SUBSCRIPTIONS $15/year in Clifton $25/year out of town CALL 973-253-4400 entire contents copyright 2007 © tomahawk promotions

Above are some of your friends, neighbors and elected officials who are also supporting Ward. Councilman Joe Cupoli said: “I look forward to working with Matt in solving our school problems, quality of life issues and exploring a change of government.” The Corbos and Board of Ed Commissioners Urciouli and Renta agreed that Ward offers vision for the entire community, incorporating the schools and neighborhoods. Karen Rega, a Botany advocate, perhaps sums it up best: “Matt Ward is the candidate that I believe will make changes in the City of Clifton that we need and have been eagerly awaiting for a very long time.”

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Tom Hawrylko BUSINESS MANAGER Cheryl Hawrylko STAFF WRITERS: Joe Hawrylko, Jordan Schwartz Tomahawk Promotions CONTRIBUTORS: 1288 Main Avenue Jack DeVries, Downtown Clifton, NJ 07011 Cheryl Hawrylko, Joe Torelli, John Bendel 973-253-4400 • tomhawrylko@optonline.net November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Letters to the

A trip down memory lane: My lifelong best friend George Avrov recently ran across a class photo of my 1973 eighth grade class from Sacred Heart School in Botany on pg. 71 of the Feb. issue of the Merchant (pictured above). I wish I

had the words to adequately express the overwhelmingly warm and rich recollections it triggered of that time in my life and those classmates who made that period so very special. The first thing I did was start at the top row and try to see if I

Clifton Merchant Magazine 1288 Main Ave. Clifton 07011

tomhawrylko@optonline.net

Editor

could remember the names of each and every person. Of the 23 pictured, I only missed one. Then it was as if I had been transported back in time as memories of each classmate flooded in. My heart literally fluttered and my stomach was filled with butterflies as I remembered my first loves. Then I began on the first page and flipped through your entire magazine. White Castle, Clifton Pool, MidTown Grill and all those precious childhood memories that I associated with those places came to life. I know your magazine is a great resource for the area’s merchants and citizens, but for me, it was a wonderful, nostalgic trip down memory lane. Dinin M. Lopez Charleston, SC

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CHS Project Graduation will benefit greatly from you getting the word out about the need for fundraising for this year’s event. Last year was a great success because of people like you and I am sure this year’s will be even better. To support Project Graduation, readers can call me at 201-341-4602. Maryann Cornett Project Graduation Chair

Drop off Thanksgiving food for the needy at St. Peter’s Haven on Clifton Ave. Nonperishable food can be delivered between Nov. 5 and Nov. 8 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Complete turkey baskets (with perishable food) can be delivered Nov. 18 from 1 to 3 pm. Volunteers are needed for sorting food. Baskets will be distributed Nov. 19 from 10 am to noon and 6 to 7 pm. For more info, call 973-546-3406.

Thanks for your long-standing commitment to the Summer Sunset Blues Cruise Sails, which has been one of the most anticipated events in our area. The enormous popularity of the Sunset Sails is a credit to your outstanding community involvement. All of us at St. Peter’s Haven for Homeless Families in Need appreciate your support of our annual fundraiser. The help from you and so many sponsors allowed the Haven to net a profit of almost $4,800 that will be used to maintain the food pantry and community outreach programs that are so desperately needed. We applaud your dedication to so many community services and organizations throughout Clifton and Passaic County. We hope that more businesses and organizations become sponsors for the 2008 Blues Cruise. Thanks again for all your efforts. John Muller, St. Peter’s Haven Blues Cruise Sails Coordinator

George Silva endorsement: Tony Latona was correct when he said that George Silva was a good and honest man. Silva does not approve of the County trying to change Clifton’s form of government but does believe in doing what is right for the residents of Clifton: term limits, curfews and quality of life issues. I urge everyone to exercise their right to vote and elect a good and honest man, George Silva. Donald J Phillips Clifton

Editor’s Note: In the October edition of Clifton Merchant Magazine, there was an article about former Councilman Tony Latona (page 14) in which it was stated that George Silva was a Republican. Silva called to say that while he was a Republican, he became a Democrat within the past year and is endorsed by Passaic County Sheriff (and fellow Democrat) Jerry Speziale.

Clifton Family Super Bowl Party sponsor: St. Andrew’s R.C. School would like to be a sponsor of the annual Super Bowl Party (Feb. 3, 2008) at the Boys & Girls Club. In addition, our older high school children would like to volunteer. Rosemary Trinkle Baran Clifton

Details on the Family Super Bowl will appear in December’s edition.

Thank you for printing the picture of Chief Dubravsky and my husband Emil (below), which accompanied the article on chief’s retirement. Chief has spoken to me expressing his feelings toward Emil as his mentor, especially when he was a young fireman and Emil was a Clifton Fire Lieutenant. We recently moved from our Allwood Rd. home to be near our daughters and family in our old age. Wishing you well in your publication, from two old Cliftonites. Belle M. and Emil Krompasick Woodstown, NJ

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Thinking What are they

Election Day is Nov. 6, so to help you make an informed choice at the polls, we asked the four candidates in the Clifton City Council Special Election a series of questions regarding topics facing our community. Here are their responses...

––––––––––––––––– Interviews by Jordan Schwartz and Joe Hawrylko –––––––––––––––––

1. While the Board of Education is an know; perhaps there isn’t overcrowding. autonomous body, the Council can Like everyone, I’m an outsider looking greatly influence voter approval of a in. It’s a very complex question for referendum. Do you feel schools are everybody and that’s why it’s taken so overcrowded? If so, what should be long. But we all need to work together done to relieve this problem? for the betterment of Clifton’s children. Matt Ward: The Clifton school system Beverly Carey: As an educator, I’m and the city have to remain competitive. fully aware of how important it is to If we’re not competitive, people who have a strong education system in the are here, won’t stay here, and people city, and that being said, I think there is who might come here, won’t come an overcrowding issue. But the steps to Beverly Carey here. I believe we need a third middle take to remedy the problem, that’s the school. We cannot stay with the present two middle Board of Education’s decision. However, if I was schools, and we can’t just build additions onto those elected to Council, I’d be more than happy to work existing schools. Other towns have remained more cooperatively with them on any issues they are facing. competitive. We have to bring people back to this city Joe Chidiac: The School Board has their responsibiliin addition to keeping the people we have now, and the ty and I hope to have my opportunity to serve on the schools are the linchpin that does that. Council. My agenda will begin by resolving the illegal students issue. They will be offered the opportunity to 2. Do you support the municipal question on the surrender themselves or be charged with “theft of servNovember ballot that would establish an open space ices.” I will not play with this issue. This topic will fund in Clifton. end. I will then proceed with all the facts available to me and bring to light new ideas and suggestions never Beverly Carey: Yes. I support the open space fund, even mentioned before or discussed. not just for Clifton, but for the state as well. I’m an George Silva: Basically, there’s been an unending conadvocate for preserving open space. flict with the Board of Ed and the City Joe Chidiac: I would be in favor of it. Council for many years. This is the first I’m looking at it long term, not just for year that the Council stepped up to the my sake, but for my children. I recogplate and started this joint committee. I nize the need for it. think it’s a good start to get an informed George Silva: Without a doubt, yes. I idea and results without any personal want redevelopment, not overdevelopagendas. We’ve got over 50 different ment. This will benefit our tax fund. languages spoken in our schools, a lot of Matt Ward: I support it because if you special education classes, so yes, perapprove the question, you’ll be able to haps there is overcrowding. Maybe we leverage that money with additional could build onto the structures we money from grants and other support already have. But really, we just don’t players out there in open space. Joe Chidiac 8

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Election Day Nov. 6th Polls Open 6am-8pm 3. There has been a lot of talk about a change of government in Clifton. Is one necessary, and if so, what should it be?

the form of government changed here in Clifton. I would put it on the ballot next year because it coincides with a presidential election, so you would get the biggest voter turnout. I, personally, would like to see a combination of at large and district seats in the city with staggered terms and with a real examination of whether or not the city manager form of government still has a place.

Beverly Carey: I am researching all the different types in use. But what I do know is that very few municipalities use Clifton’s form of government. But as far as any change, I believe that should be brought forward by the people of Clifton. If that happens, I would not George Silva stand in the way of that. 4. For the incumbent candidate Matt Joe Chidiac: There should be no change in governWard: The position you are seeking would fulfill the ment. With a non-partisan system, we the Clifton votremaining three years of a term that you have already ers have the full say on any and every individual represerved for one year. What do you feel you have senting all of us. We don’t need gridlock partisan polachieved/contributed in your past year of service? itics, finger-pointing, or gray areas. We don’t need outsider interference or attempted control by any individFor the challenging candidates: The next general ual group or organization. We don’t decide national election in which all Council seats are open is not issues here such as gun control, abortion, or the death until May 2010. The position you are seeking would penalty. All we want is to be free and take care of our fulfill the remaining three years of a term that backyard policies. incumbent Matt Ward has already served for one George Silva: As I said when I ran last year, I always year. What prompted you to run? wanted a ward or district government. Each would Beverly Carey: I’m running for the City Council have their own representatives, which would allow because I want to serve the community and try to make people to go to someone in their neighborhood when a difference. I’ve worked with ACTION Clifton and there’s a problem instead of going to a person who I’m hoping to take it to the next level. It’s just that the doesn’t know that area. I would also like to have stagtime was right for me now. I’m a dedicated mother and gered terms with the Council elections, as well as term a professional teacher, and I’m also taking graduate limits. I think three terms—that’s 12 years—would be classes at New Jersey City University, which I’ve put sufficient, but I’m a team player and would be willing on hold temporarily. to compromise and go to four terms. Joe Chidiac: We can’t wait until 2010, we need action Matt Ward: I would like to see a public question be put and results now. Not only because we want to see on the Nov. ‘08 ballot asking voters if they want to see

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and property cleaner and safer. My main concern always focuses on children and seniors, who we must protect and provide for with sufficient parks, ambulance service and housing. George Silva: I am a Democrat for non-partisan politics and, of course everyone knows, I’ve been endorsed by Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale. Like he mentioned, there’s two names to trust: Speziale and Silva. I’m also Matt Ward very involved with the Clifton and Passaic County Police. I’m an advocate of very heavy patrolling and the Sheriff has helped us with that in the eastern part of town. Hopefully, we will be able to 5. Are there any other specific goals or areas of conexpand that throughout the whole town. cern you would like to address? Matt Ward: We have to hasten the pace for change in Beverly Carey: I think that Clifton is a great community Clifton. We are falling further and further behind and we to live in and like many other towns, we are facing some have to certainly take into consideration the quality of life pressing issues. I’m hard working, fair minded, dedicated that is rapidly deteriorating in certain sections of the city. and I have no personal agenda. I just want to try to accomIf we don’t hasten the pace, we run the risk of having a plish something for Clifton. I’m prepared to work with bifurcated city. Once you speed up the pace with credible the current administration as expeditiously as possible. solutions, you build confidence in the belief that the city is Joe Chidiac: We have to review every department to still relevant. We’re almost at the point of irrelevance for increase efficiency, lower cost, prevent waste, increase certain sectors of the city because Clifton, by name, is a employee morale and create an atmosphere of fairness. city, but people think of themselves in neighborhoods. We need to take an inventory of all equipment and We’re only as strong as our weakest link, so if we hasten manpower and make parks, schools and all city garages the pace for our actions, we will rebuild confidence. results, but because the other candidates really want to change the form of government, which we absolutely cannot do. George Silva: This is a special election... I think it’s the second time its happened in Clifton. I just figured, why wait? I want to do something now. Matt Ward: The most important thing I’ve done is illuminate where the city is in 2007 — a real candor and openness about where we’re at and where we need to go, and that ties into specifically the overall quality of life in the city.

Alumni – Join us at the Nov. 2nd Reunion Beefsteak!

Support the B & G Club For details on how you can help, call 973-773-0966 or write to Executive Director Bob Foster at rfoster@bgcclifton.org

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cell 908-586-6562 • 973-852-0719

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

November 2007 â&#x20AC;˘ Clifton Merchant

Religion, at the Zoning Board by Jordan Schwartz

Two applications by religious groups are scheduled to come before the Clifton Zoning Board of Adjustment over the next five weeks. First up is Congregation B’Nei Torah of Clifton’s application to construct a house of worship at 614 Passaic Ave. The applicant wants to tear down the home pictured at right and build a 35’ by 80’ synagogue. City Planner Dennis Kirwan has said that the building would require 18 parking spaces but they are only proposing two. Other variances requested include: conditional use; non-conforming lot area and width; lot coverage proposed at 51 percent where a maximum of 35 percent is permitted; side yards proposed at 6’ and 8’ where a minimum of 15’ each is required; and rear yard proposed at 10’ with 35’ required. The application comes before the Board on Nov. 7. On Dec. 5, zoners will hear from the House of Fire Christian Church which wishes to build its own house of worship at 835 Grove St.,where a one-family dwelling now exists (pictured below). Variances required include: conditional use; existing lot area is 17,448 sq. ft. where 20,000 sq. ft. is required; and existing lot width is 70’ where 100’ is required. This is a new application from the one the House of Fire presented to the Zoning Board a few years ago. The Board rejected that application, but the church appealed to a Passaic County judge who remanded the matter back to the Zoning Board. But before it got there, the Appellate Division overturned the lower judge’s ruling, squashing the application.

This Grove St. home will become a house of worship if zoners approve an application by the House of Fire Christian Church. 12

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Congregation B’Nei Torah of Clifton wants to convert this residence on Passaic Ave. to a synagogue.

Van Ness Plastic Molding Co. Inc. filed an appeal on Oct. 11 of Judge Robert Passero’s ruling that overturned the Zoning Board’s decision not to allow the BOE to build a high school annex at 290 Brighton Rd. Charles Rabolli of the Clifton law firm Carlet, Garrison, Klein & Zaretsky filed the appeal with the NJ State Appellate Division. The company said Passero completely disregarded the Board of Adjustment’s ability to make a wellinformed decision that was directed at protecting the well-being of Clifton’s children. “A judge should not be ordering a school built in an industrial area when the local officials who know the neighborhood best have rejected this dangerous initiative in two separate, extensive hearings,” Van Ness stated in a prepared release from their public relations firm. Passero cited the overcrowding issue in Clifton’s schools when he made his ruling that the Zoning Board’s decision to deny the use variance was “arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.” There will now be a period for each of the parties involved to file briefs, which should take the matter into January when it will be assigned to one of the Appellate Division’s three-judge panels. Oral arguments are expected to resume in spring 2008. BOE attorney Tony D’Elia said he’s pleased that Van Ness is the only intervenor appealing and that Prologis 230 Brighton Rd. nor the city have filed appeals. D’Elia said the Board will soon discuss whether to proceed with construction despite the appeal.

The Clifton Professional Plaza application at 1260 Main Ave. is coming back before a municipal body. But this time, it’ll be before the Planning Board. The original proposal, which was denied in a 5 to 2 vote by the Zoning Board on May 16, has been modified and will be heard by the Planning Board on Nov. 8. The change has to do with the height of the building. Originally designed with a pitched roof that reached 40 feet, exceeding the 35 feet permitted for a three-story building, the application now calls for a flat roof and a building height of only 30 feet. Because of this, the proposal no longer requires a use variance, and therefore, does not need to go before the Zoning Board. Owner George Tafankaji, represented by attorney Frank Carlet, wants to redevelop his Exxon Station into a three-story, 9,000 sq. ft. professional office building.

The owner of this property on Main Ave. is presenting an application to the Planning Board on Nov. 8 to convert his Exxon Station into an office building.

The main sticking point in May was that the proposal was deficient 29 parking spaces. That concerned some residents who live in the neighborhood because they feared that employees would be forced to park on their residential streets. City Planner Dennis Kirwan said this new application is still deficient, this time by 27 parking spaces.

Supporters of the project have said that it’s one of the best applications that will come to that property in Downtown. But expect Burgh Ave. residents to be out in force once again. They applauded in May when zoners denied the application, to which Tafankaji’s wife Janet responded by saying, “It’s not over yet.” She was right.

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The first Provident Bank in Passaic County may be coming to the corner of East Clifton and Lexington in Lakeview. At just over 3,000 sq. ft., the bank is part of the Lexington Ave. redevelopment effort. The proposal received preliminary site plan approval at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Planning Board and is up for final approval on Nov. 8. The bank would be located just a few blocks away from the old Hawaiian Islander location at the corner of Lexington and Piaget Aves. In Sept., developer Fadi Salim of Totowa withdrew his proposal without prejudice for a restaurant and catering hall on that plot of land. Members of the neighborhood have held meetings to discuss what they would like to see constructed there. Among the ideas considered is a bank, but that probably won’t happen now that Provident may be moving in down the block.

Provident Bank on Lexington Ave?

This vacant Lexington Ave. plot, once home to Mike Duch’s Homemade Pirogi store and other retailers, may soon become the first Provident Bank in Passaic County.

Another month, another hour of testimony in the Garret Pointe Associates application to construct a driveway in Clifton to service a land-locked lot on which an apartment complex will be constructed in West Paterson. Testimony continued at the Oct. 17 Zoning Board meeting and the matter will be heard yet again on Dec. 5.

Garret Pointe insists that Paxton St. off of Mountain Park Rd. in Clifton is the only possible entranceway to service a proposed group of 128 residential units on the West Paterson lot. Attorney Frank Carlet is representing Garret Pointe while Glenn Peterson is counsel for two residential complainants in the matter.

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November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Turn to page 85 for details on the Veterans Parade.

Clifton Veterans Parade Sunday Nov. 4th at 2 pm

Salute America’s Veterans East Ridgelawn Cemetery invites you to visit our Mausoleum on Main Avenue to pause, reflect and remember the lives of those who have passed. Visits are unlimited and unaffected by the weather. Crypts are located in the building and convenient for elderly and handicapped. Mausoleum entombment provides greater Peace of Mind & Security.

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Imagine, someone who is

walking for office, not running, Imagine, someone who will not accept donations or hold a fundraiser, Someone who believes elections should be about experience & votes, not who you know & money.

Stop Imagining and Vote # 3

JOE CHIDIAC for COUNCILMAN

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Federal Postal Police Officer - 25 Years • Postal Service Training and Development Institute • Union President for Postal Police • PBA Local #121 - Agency Rep for 25 Years • Founder Postal Police Lodge #151 • U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier - 2 Years • Passaic County Vo-Tech H.S. - Security • Volunteer Firefighter - Certification in PA. • Firearms, CPR and First Aid Certification

COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES:

• St. Philip the Apostle Usher Parishioner • Family Life Bureau - Board of Governors • Clifton Family Day Volunteer • Heart Association, Red Cross & Right to Life Volunteer • Police Study Commission/ Community Policing • Youth Week Chairman

EDUCATION & AWARDS:

• St. Vincent College Latrobe, Pa - ‘76 -BA in Business & Psychology -President of Student Government -New Jersey Alumni State Representative • Paul VI Regional High School - ‘72 -DECA - Distributive Education Work Program State & National Competition Awards • Postal Inspection Service - 25 Year Service Award • Letter of Commendations & Special Achievement Awards

CITY-WIDE FAMILIARIZATION:

• Spent early years working both part time and summer jobs in Clifton, including Mgr. at the Clifton Theater, Country Club Towers, Herald-News Supervisor and at Baskingers (Sanitary Supermarket). Paid for by Joe Chidiac, 34 Grant Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07011

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Hi, My name is Joe and I am sincerely interested in serving you on our City Council. I have been a Clifton resident for 50 years and a married homeowner and taxpayer for half of those years. I have worked and participated on different City, County, State and Federal Level Jobs with various Labor Unions and contracts, as well as, numerous volunteer organizations, both locally and nationally. My family has kept me active and involved as well; my wife teaches kindergarten in St. Philips, Summer Bible School at the United Reformed Church of Clifton, Girls Scouts, Youth Week and Safety Town. Based on my Educational Training and career experiences, I have the tools to help me relate and represent with understanding and sensitivity. Please consider my Professional Background, Integrity, and Independence when you cast your vote on Nov. 6th. Thanks,

Family, Career, Community… Commitment. Please call 973-340-1941 with any questions, suggestions or to display one of my lawn signs.

Neighborhood Taverns f Stories by Joe Hawrylko & Jordan Schwartz • Photos by Curtis Wiersma

At top of page is Perry Chryssides, the daytime barkeep at Rutt’s Hutt dining room. Directly above is Kelly Williams, the 1984 CHS Drum Major who tends bar at The Clif Tavern.

or decades, taverns were the cornerstone of the neighborhood. They were where workers would go to relax after a shift in the factory, a place for buddies to meet up on a Friday night, or — in a back room off the bar — a reception area where family members would celebrate the birth of a child or the life of a loved one after a funeral. The guy or gal behind the tap was more than just a bartender. He or she could be your confessor, a sounding board for your next great idea, or the friend who told you when you had one too many to drive. But today, local taverns are struggling to survive in a world now populated by chain restaurants such as Chili’s or Friday’s. Many local landmark taverns have closed over the years, but others, like the ones detailed in this section, have continued to prosper by doing what they do best. November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Van Houten, a great place to start

Still Wild, Dingo Thrives It’s no secret that many tavern owners are facing hard times. Van Houten Ave., once a thriving strip, with a watering hole every couple hundred feet, has been reduced to less than a dozen bars. So what was Freddy Barnes thinking when he founded Dingo’s Den nine years ago? “I was scared,” laughed the 42 year old Glen Ridge native who grew up in Passaic. “It was something I always wanted, but when it’s in front of you, you’re just like, ‘Is this what I want? I just signed everything away, so I hope I’m right.’” Working from 10 am to 3 am, Freddy earned the nickname Sandals due to the footwear he often used during his long shifts and the times when he would have to make an unexpected late stop at the bar. Barnes and his friends also heavily promoted Dingo’s and eventually, things took off. In fact, things have been so good that Barnes was able to open Dingbatz, a local rock club, right across the street. These days, he’s cut back his hours and has shed the Sandals moniker—but not the actual footwear, which he was wearing during the interview—in favor of Freddy Dingo.

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But Barnes insists that the industry isn’t nearly as financially viable as it seems. However, he’s clearly doing something right. You don’t just happen to own two bars by mistake. On a recent Friday afternoon visit to Dingo’s, Freddy gave a little insight into his personality and how it enables him to operate two successful businesses. Like most bars, the lighting is dim enough so that even at 3 pm, you’d think you’re having drinks at 11 at night. However, the decor of Dingo’s is much different than your normal tavern. Blending the traditional with the obscure, Freddy Dingo has created a unique atmosphere at his corner spot. The antique-looking bar and shelf comes from the historic Cotton Club in Harlem. “It was brought in on a horse-drawn carriage years ago, supposedly to settle a gambling debt,” explained Freddy. “It makes you wonder who sat here—Bugsy Malone? That’s where those people used to hang out.” The dark, solid wood counter also has some supernatural history behind it. “It was a Tuesday afternoon. Tina was behind the bar and I was in the back by the cameras and I saw a guy looking down right by the tap. I went upstairs to look and there was no one there,” said Freddy Dingo, who swore several times that his statement is true. “She says that there was no one here, so we go to rewind the tape and it shows me walking upstairs and then it just goes all snowy. There wasn’t anything there.” That wasn’t the only time that Freddy or patrons have seen or heard abnormal things. Most of the bar staff share the sentiment that the paranormal exists at Dingo’s. Freddy has even gone as far as to hire a witch doctor to cleanse this bar and Dingbatz, but to no avail. But hey, it makes for a good drinking story, and those are always in high demand at a local tavern. If bar talk is something you like doing, there’s plenty of space at the Den. On the opposite of the spacious

Grande Saloon, 940 Van Houten Ave. It calls itself “The Biggest Little Saloon in America...Right in the Heart of Clifton,” and the patrons of this Athenia bar would agree. Owner Gerry Tuohy created a traditional saloon atmosphere, friendly and family-oriented. The Grande, established in 1974, serves steaks, pastas, seafood, salads, wings and burgers. Food service starts at noon and last until about 2 am. With great bartenders and superb food, the Saloon remains one of the more popular meeting places in Clifton. room is a lounging area, complete with various sized plush sofas. The red and black zebra printed carpet, combined with the matching prints on the couches— spare the one gold and black cheetah pattern—create an unusual, but strangely appealing, atmosphere. Dotted among the furniture in the room are several winged gargoyles, as well as a very large skull sitting in the corner. In fact, there’s several other skulls behind the bar, as well as many references to pirates. It’s a quirky taste that blends the traits of a rock, biker and college bars and Freddy Dingo wouldn’t have it any other way.

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“I designed this into a place that I’d like; a place where I’d feel comfortable in,” he explained, adding that there’s a game room in the back as well. “That’s how I keep myself interested.” His patrons also find his unique style appealing, evidenced by the crowd at the door on any of the seven evenings a week that Dingo’s is open. Even on a recent rainy Friday afternoon during the interview, Gina, the newest of Freddy’s bartenders, was busy serving drinks to about eight or so friends who came to wet their whistles. And this is well before clock out time, when many 9 to 5 workers head on over for some weekend fun. “We’ll get 50 or more people here a night and more on weekends, when we use bouncers at the door,” explained Freddy. The crowds are just as eclectic as the furniture, from college kids to older regulars and everything in between. “We get a lot of musicians here too.” The influx of musicians, which come from as far as California, is largely due to Freddy’s other business venture, Dingbatz. In operation for a little more than three and a half years, this sound-proofed building provides a perfect setting for bands and attracts over 100 patrons when bigger acts come to town. But Barnes says the place could be more active.

Giorgio’s, 709 Van Houten Ave. Over the last two years, Giorgio’s has managed to combine a nice Italian restaurant with a busy bar to create a popular location. The corner spot is open Tuesday through Saturday (with private parties available seven days a week) and with later hours for the bar. Drink and food specials vary, so speak to owners George Kostiuk and his wife Carmelina. 20

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Mario’s Restaurant, 710 Van Houten Ave. While picking up some pies or dinners, it’s always refreshing to make a pit stop at the bar for a cold one. With only a dozen or so stools, and either Ken (above) or his brother Brett Barilari at the wells, there is never a wait for a drink. While famous for it Emma-style thin pizza, Mario’s also has a menu with many entrees and appetizers. And for those in a rush for lunch or dinner, service at the bar is quick. “The local bars are a dying breed and the local rock club is definitely on the way out,” he claimed. It’s true, there aren’t many bars in this area like Dingbatz. However, this almost acts as a blessing to Freddy Dingo, who regularly features top local bands at his joint. There’s also been several notable guests: Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow and Deep Purple, Stephen Pearcy from Ratt, Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda from Twisted Sister and Fizz Reed of Guns N’ Roses, along with former GnR members Gilby Clarke and Steven Adler. Don Jameson and Jim Florentine—comedians who appeared on Crank Yankers—have also performed. Unlike Dingo’s Den, which Barnes deliberately sought out to purchase as a bar due to his familiarity with Van Houten Ave., Dingbatz was by chance. “I was just looking for a real estate investment and the After Dark building (the bar previously occupying the spot) was for sale. I bought it and the bar closed two months later,” explained Freddy. “I had no renters and left it closed for over a year. I wasn’t looking to do something else then; I wasn’t ready. If I forced it, I wouldn’t be happy.”

But faced with an empty building, Barnes had to do something. He wasn’t keen on renting to another bar and giving himself more competition, but at the same time, he wasn’t sold on opening a second location. However, after talking with friends, bands and people in the industry, Freddy began to warm up to the idea of expanding and trying his hand at a different type of bar. “It came to me very gradually and one day, I was just like, ‘Let’s do it,’” Barnes said, explaining how he chose to open the rock club three and a half years ago. “Dingbatz... it’s an entirely different animal; an untamed animal.” With the new place open, Freddy had to once again spend a lot of time on Van Houten Ave. to smooth out any problems. But as things progressed, he was able to wean himself away from micromanaging everything. “I’m fortunate in that I’ve got a good crew in both places,” said Barnes, adding that Sue helps him a lot with the booking at Dingbatz. Things have come full circle for Freddy, who has dreamed of owning a bar since his days in Syracuse. After getting his big break in helping his friend Ray Seals—a former NFL player—running a bar in North Carolina, Barnes has become a successful entrepreneur. Could another establishment be in the near future? “Maybe. All bar owners dream of a bar on the beach,” he laughed. “But Dingo’s will always be my baby.”

Fitzgerald’s Harp’n Bard, 363 Lakeview Ave. This authentic Irish pub and restaurant offers happy hour from 11:30 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and day long on Wednesdays. There’s also live entertainment ranging from karaoke and DJ’s to bands and bagpipers. The menu includes traditional Irish plates such as corned beef ‘n cabbage and shepherd's pie. And if you’re looking for a St. Pattie’s Day destination, this is the place.

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A bar is probably the last place you would figure that you would remedy a toothache, however, Skip Kazer said he was able to do just that for a recent patron without any drills or novocaine. “It’s just something I do,” said Skip, 57, who used pranic healing on the woman. “I don’t go out of my way to for it, but she was in pain, so I asked.” Using pranic healing, which involves removing negative energy from the body, the owner of the Clif Tavern claims his patron walked out of his bar that evening painfree. Skip is also a vegan, quit drinking a few years back and attends yoga classes on Tuesdays, and his pranic healing classes on Wednesdays. And he is always ready to share his unique views with talkative patrons. But even if you’re not ready to give up your more contemporary healing methods, there’s still plenty of reasons to head to the Clif, a local tavern that is over 100 years old and was once the Aquackanonk Hotel. “This is a place where you can relax, unwind from the day’s stress and make new friends. I’ve even had couples meet here, fall in love and marry,” explained Skip, whose bar is instantly recognizable by the large gable tower atop the building. “You can also come to watch a ball game and cheer on your favorite team. We’ve got satellite with the NFL and NHL packages and local games for the NBA and MLB.” This dimly-lit tavern on the ground level of Skip’s

three story building is your typical local watering hole. There are the regulars at the counter, nine TVs for sports, a pool table and dart board in the back, both of which are used by teams that Skip sponsors for leagues against other nearby taverns. He also sponsors two softball teams for men and women. The atmosphere is perfect for whatever you want to do, whether it’s a quiet drinking session, zoning out and watching the game or just chatting with your fellow bar-goers. There’s a friendly air at the Clif. “If you’re looking for advice or you just want to get something off your chest, I’m here to help,” Skip explained. Personality and the ability to talk to customers is a must for bartenders. “That’s just a small part of the services that I provide here.” And food is a growing service at the Clif. The kitchen also is open from 7 am to an hour before closing (which is 3 am) and he cooks up everything from egg sandwiches for the morning crowd to wings in the evening. While the long hours may seem a little bit unnecessary, Skip says that in the past, everyone used to open up early to cater to the night shift factory workers. The manufacturingbased economy back then made it viable for bars to keep such long hours. It was the norm for those coming off a late shift to go get eggs and a Boilermaker for breakfast.

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“Bars would cash checks for people, serve them food and drinks,” said Skip, who formerly owned Knuckleheads on Van Houten Ave. (now Giorgio’s) and worked in landmarks such as Rendezvous and Al’s Place. “These were places that guys could go and have a bit to eat going in or out of work.” As many of these factories closed in the 60’s— such as Manhattan Rubber, the Magor Car Company Velvarie and others—the local bar scene began

Rossi’s Tavern, 254 Dayton Ave. One of Historic Botany Village’s oldest establishments, Rossi’s Tavern is your old school neighborhood watering hole. Established in 1947 by Gaudenzio and Teresa Rossi, this bar still retains its traditional feeling, with an old counter and plenty of seating. During warmer weather, you can usually spot the regulars hanging around out front, lounging on seats. In the back, there’s a meeting room, which was typical of neighborhood bars during their heyday. Ownership was passed on to brothers Felix and Victor Rossi in the early 70’s. Pictured here are Felix, Giustina and their son Glenn. Directions: Route 3 to Bloomfield Ave Exit. Make right at Bloomfield Ave. Go halfway around Allwood Circle and continue on Bloomfield Ave. We are located just past the Home Depot.

Skip Kazer in Nov. 2004, just before he cut his trademark ponytail and mustache.

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November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Federal Mortgage Offers Senior Citizens A Reverse Mortgage

or some 34 years now, Anthony A. Accavallo, shown here, has been helping make the American Dream become a reality, right here in Clifton. As President of Federal Mortgage & Investment Corp. at 1111 Clifton Ave., Clifton, he and his firm have written millions of dollars worth of mortgages which have allowed people to purchase homes. And while that work has been fulfilling, Accavallo said he is getting his greatest satisfaction these days by helping senior citizens with reverse mortgages. A reverse mortgage is a special kind of mortgage loan for seniors. “It is a safe, easy way to turn your home equity into tax-free cash,” he continued. “Unlike a home equity loan, you do not have to make

monthly payments. Instead, a reverse mortgage pays you. More importantly, you do not have to repay the loan for as long as you live in the house. It’s a great way to keep your home and get money from it at the same time.” The name “reverse mortgage” describes exactly what the mortgage is — it is the exact opposite of a conventional mortgage. That is, with a conventional mortgage the borrower pays the lender but with a reverse mortgage, the lender pays the borrower. In the past, a senior citizen in need of money would have to take out a loan against their house and immediately start making monthly payments again or sell their home. But a reverse mortgage allows seniors to borrow against the equity

How do I qualify for a Reverse Mortgage? It’s simple. You and your co-borrower must be at least 62 years old. You must own your home free and clear or have just a small balance on your existing mortgage. Best of all, there are no income or credit requirements to satisfy. How can I receive my money? You can receive it in several ways: • Equal monthly payments as long as you live in your home • Equal monthly payments for a certain period of time • As a line of credit you can draw upon as needed, for whatever reasons • As a lump sum draw at closing • A combination of the above, to meet your requirements. When must I repay the loan? You must repay the loan if you no longer live in your home. In the event of your death, your heirs can choose to repay the loan and keep the house or sell the house and repay the loan, What are interest rate charges & fees? • An adjustable rate of interest is charged on reverse mortgages • Closing costs are typical for any mortgage closing and all may be financed • No out-of-pocket expenses at closing Are Reverse Mortgages safe? • Yes, FHA and FannieMae guarantee the payments you receive • FHA and FannieMae also guarantee you will never owe more than your house is worth — no debt left on estate

they already have in their home... and they never have to make a monthly payment. Each reverse mortgage candidate is required to attend a free counseling session with a local independent housing agency approved by FHA (Federal Housing Administration). Candidates are encouraged to bring other family members with them to help in the decision-making process. “This process ensures that the borrower understands the program fully and aides them in determining whether or not a reverse mortgage is for them,” said Accavallo.

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to slow down. Van Houten Ave., once purportedly in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most bars on any single street, began to lose establishments. With fewer patrons coming in the early morning or middle of the day, many bars changed their hours and, as a result, the lunchtime trade began to fade into obscurity. “A lot of people just aren’t coming out in the day anymore. Many bars open at 5 pm just to cater to younger drinkers,” he explained. “But what people don’t understand is that you can come have a great meal and don’t have to have an alcoholic beverage.” “We’ve got soups, lunch and specials every day,” said Skip, who has owned the Clif for a decade. “I get pirogis from Mike (Duch, the owner of Homemade Pirogis on Main Ave.) and make homemade chili every day.” The dwindling day time crowd, coupled with increased insurance rates, tougher drinking laws and the smoking ban, has changed the landscape of the Clifton bar scene. Skip concedes it’s no longer the heyday of the 60’s, but he still gets plenty of friendly faces in his joint. “People still come and sit on the front steps to watch the Fourth of July fireworks at Clifton Stadium,” he said. “And every year on Thanksgiving, the Marching Mustang band alumni association meets here to celebrate and have a reunion.”

Johnny’s Tavern, 110 Ackerman Ave. The late John Penkalski and his wife Emily established this corner bar in 1953 but the location has been a tavern since around 1900. Second generation proprietor John Jr., pictured with his mom, Emily, said like many older neighborhood taverns, Johnny’s still features a big hall in the back, which patrons can rent for parties and meetings. The front bar remains a cornerstone of Botany.

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Bogey’s... still All in the Family Having struggled to find its niche since it was a well-known tavern and restaurant, Bogey’s Sports Pub, on the corner of Fenner and Valley Rds., has emerged as a cornerstone of the Albion neighborhood. The friendly neighborhood tavern was a Chinese restaurant before chef Angelo Curcio and his sister Raffaela, at right, opened the pub in 1998. They wanted to restore the location to what it once was — a well-known Irish bar called All in the Family, which closed in 1987. Angelo Curcio, who grew up right down the road in Paterson, but now lives in Totowa, said his establishment offers a full menu with steaks and Italian specialties. “Everything from a turkey club sandwich to filet mignon,” he said. There are eight beers on tap and the kitchen is open until 3 am seven nights a week at what Angelo calls “the hardest working bar in Clifton.” Happy hour is from 4 to 7 pm during the week, there’s a DJ on Thursdays, live classic rock bands on Saturdays and a game room with a pool table always available. The bar also offers catering on and off premises for private parties and its banquet room accommodates up to 75 people. But at its core, Bogey’s is a sports bar, featuring 12 satellite and cable TVs with plenty of NFL games. In fact, the name of the pub is a golf term, Curcio’s favorite sport. The menu is even divided up into golf-related sections: App-a-teeing off, Sand Wedges, Puttering with Pizza, etc. Bogey’s used to offer a cigar menu, but it had to be pulled when the indoor smoking ban was enacted. Curcio said they’ve been able to adjust to the new law. 28

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Angelo does admit that increased drunk driving enforcement has changed the bar business over the years. “People years ago were more apt to drink when they came out,” he said. “People are watching themselves, pacing themselves. We have a responsible crowd here.” Bogey’s is a family operation. Angelo’s niece Christina works as a bartender one shift a week, his wife Tereza is a waitress, and his sister

Raffaela is the general manager and a bartender. She even won a contest down the shore when the tavern first opened in 1998. Raffaela created a drink called the Blush Martini that remains on the menu to this day. It combines vodka, cranberry juice and a secret ingredient. Patrons are a mixed lot, from area law enforcement officers to neighbors and nearby workers. Stop in most any day around noon and you may meet a woman named Bobbi sitting at the bar, sampling the menu. She works in the area and loves to drop by on her lunch break. “The atmosphere is great,” she said. “Everybody’s friendly and there’s such a diverse crowd.” In years past, WWF Hall of Famer Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka (left) was a regular while he lived in Clifton. The horseshoe-shaped bar allows patrons to chat with average Joes and Janes, and who knows, even wrestling superstars.

For Jerry Parent, a 30 second brush with fame left him with a lifetime of memories and a few dozen residual checks. Old time Clifton residents remember Parent—now deceased—as the owner of All in the Family restaurant, which is now Bogey’s. Parent’s wife, Barbara, and his kids Denise, Cheryl, Colleen and Jerry all had a hand in the business. Beginning in 1972, Parent and brothers Bill and Ray served up great eats—classic Americana food and Parent’s famous sliced steak sandwich. However, countless others across America remember Parent as the Miller Lite Not-So-Famous Bartender, a role that came about by chance. In 1978, Parent’s late sister Mildred was giving dance lessons to an advertising executive who mentioned they needed an Irish-looking bartender for a new commercial. She referred them to her brother. After an interview with Miller Lite casting personnel, Jerry Parent, above right, went in and shot a few takes for the director, who said he would let him know if he was needed. The next week, Parent received a call saying that he had been hired and would be sent to Las Vegas to do a commercial with comedian Rodney Dangerfield. The legendary commercial featured Parent working behind the

bar, a regular guy who drinks Miller Lite, unlike the celebrities who had appeared in previous Miller Lite ads. Dangerfield approaches the bartender and asks for Parent’s autograph. When Dangerfield asks Parent if he wants his autograph, the Cliftonite replies “Not really,” as a nod to Dangerfield’s I Get No Respect skit. “Rodney Dangerfield was a regular guy,” Parent said of his acting partner in an Aug. 2005 interview. “He had holes in his guinea tee just like you and me.” The commercial was a part of Miller’s revolutionary ad campaign that began in 1975. It featured people like baseball manager Billy Martin, baseball owner George Steinbrenner and other celebrities. These skits introduced Miller Lite as the first light beer and were a huge hit which—thanks to Clifton bartender Jerry Parent— launched the lite beer category.

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Finger Lickin’ Good Grub Located on the fringe of the Clifton-Passaic industrial border, Sharky’s Wings and Raw Bar doesn’t exactly look like anything special. However, it has a dedicated following due to the ability to watch sports on several high definition TVs and a wide selection of good eats. This quaint, neighborhood watering hole has served Dutch Hill for years at the corner of Highland Ave. and Clifton Blvd. At first glance, Sharky’s seems no different than any other bar in the area. An old jukebox sits right by the front door with a diverse selection of songs, including everything from AC/DC to ZZ Top. There’s even some Enrique Iglesias buried in the bowels of the disc collection.

Sanket Shah and Andy Egan, two 2003 CHS grads, enjoy beer, fries and wings with friends at Sharky’s at the corner of Highland Ave. and Clifton Blvd. Other patrons below give the food a thumbs up.

There’s a pool table and game room in the back, a small, fenced-in area outdoors for smokers and a generous helping of seats and bar tables for thirsty patrons looking to watch their Giants or Jets. But if you dare come in expecting to root against the home team, you better have some tough skin. Expect to hear plenty of calls to toss out the dissenters. However, in the end, everyone is very friendly with one another—maybe thanks to a few drinks. But while the sports and the relaxed atmosphere is nice, that’s not why people come to Sharky’s. What has really created an almost cult-like following to this dim, brick-walled bar is the food, specifically the wings.

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Ask anyone who’s been there what they associate Sharky’s with and the answer is likely to be the buffalo wings. The tasty finger food is constantly shuffled out of the kitchen in batches by the bartenders, who will often manage to tend the room quickly by themselves. The servers also have a high tolerance for stupidity—try cleaning up after a group of drunken college kids who just ate 100 hot wings—so they always earn their tips. Getting back to the food, the crispy buffalo wings can be made to varying degrees of intensity. The hot wings, which are just about the middle of the road, provide just enough kick that can be washed down with a ice cold beer comfortably. But if you’re looking to put some hair on your chest, give the nuclear wings a crack. But be forewarned: grown men have been known to have tears well up in their eyes after thinking they could tackle Sharky’s ultimate wing platter.

El Mexicano, 1293 Main Ave. Finally, lunch time has returned to Downtown Clifton. Since taking over El Mexicano at the beginning of the year, Jorge Mario Mejia has created a whole new place. With a solid but ever evolving menu offering a variety of fish dishes, El Mexicano opens at 11 am every day to accommodate the lunch time crowd and keeps things going though happy hour and dinner. Blending fast and attentive service, good Mexican and Spanish style foods with an easy going atmosphere and a comfortable bar, Mejia has established El Mexicano as a destination. Try El Mexicano for lunch, after work or for dinner.

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November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

A Budding Establishment The first thing you notice when entering the Shannon Rose in the Clifton Commons is the diversity of the crowd. With four mahogany bar tops that form a large square, joining the four rooms, this bar/restaurant seems to attract everyone from your typical college kid to the retired man looking to have a relaxing afternoon watching sports. On a mid-October, Friday afternoon, this pub— which is independently owned—is brimming with well over 100 people and happy hour has just started. In the back corner, many of the regulars congregate over a few drinks. A contingent of Bloomfield cops call this place home, as do many employees from nearby ITT. Director of Operations Guy Dupont said the smaller rooms in the back of the bar are typical of Irish pubs, which is the exact ambiance owners Ed Dougherty and Harry Rose were going for. Dougherty’s daughter Shannon Portell designed the place. The front counter has a slightly different crowd, with many twenty-somethings dotting the bar stools and table tops that line the perimeter. With Montclair State, William Paterson and other schools nearby, many students spend their days off hanging around here.

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November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Getting ready for a Halloween party, Shannon Rose bartender and CHS Class of 2003 grad Joe Fazio with coworkers.

Friends Brad Crimi of Weehawken and Brendan Dowd of Wayne see the Rose as a perfect meeting place. “It has a good beer selection and it doesn’t have a ‘chainy’ feel,” said Crimi, juxtaposing Shannon Rose with places like Chili’s or Friday’s. Kelly Philip, a student at Seton Hall University, was also among those sipping on a mid-day beer. “One of the people here used to be my old boss at Applebee’s,” said Philip, who still works at the chain restaurant on the other side of the complex. “On our days off, a lot of the Applebee’s workers come here too.” The student was among many of the younger patrons that afternoon. Once night rolls around, Shannon Rose transforms into a trendy destination for the college-age crowd. Affordable drinks, live bands and other gimmicks advertised on calender postcards attract of-age youth from Clifton and surrounding towns. “On Friday and Saturday nights after 10, it’s almost like a night club in here,” said Dupont. But even on the most busy evenings, the bar-goers include many patrons who are well past their college glory days.

“They say this place is for the young crowd,” said Ernie Bond, a retired man who Dupont calls the Rose’s most frequent guest. “I’m going to be 70 next year and I’m not in the young crowd. There’s a mix here that you can’t find anywhere else.” Since opening in March, Bond, who lives on the Clifton Ave. extension, has frequented the Rose. He says the popularity of the place was huge right off the bat, recalling how on St. Patrick’s day, there was a line right out the door. He says that there are many reasons that he chooses this bar over the countless taverns in the area. “The people, the prices, all the TVs and sports... I come here two to three times a week,” said Bond, a tall man with distinctive wavy, white hair that makes him stand out from the happy hour crowd. “There’s people from all over here. I live close by, but I know people who come from Newark, Bloomfield and other places around here.” And, as a retired man living on a budget, he can’t help but be attracted to the affordable selection. “Plus, there’s 19 beers on tap. But I’m not much of a beer drinker. I like a whiskey every now and then,” Bond added. “A good Irish whiskey never hurts.” “It’s a very good happy hour,” he continued. “What other place like this can you get $2 off your drinks?”

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Pub 46, 1081 Rt. 46 Rob Corujo’s place is the closest thing to a Jersey Shore bar that Clifton has to offer. Twenty-somethings flock to Pub 46 to hang out with friends and down a few alcoholic beverages available at the location’s two separate bars. Tuesday is bring your own mug night and is a huge draw, with many carrying 7-11 Big Gulps in hand. For the older crowd, there’s always the Saturday 80’s night. Pub 46 never has a cover change and offers an outdoor seating area and food service until 2 am.

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973-778-0013 November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Thanksgiving

is about togetherness, love, sharing and appreciation. May this season strengthen the ties that bind you ~ and your loved ones. Este es el momento del Ano cuando agradecemos por lo recibido y la union de la familia y seres queridos. De mi parte Feliz Dia de Pascuas a Usted y su familia y en especial a mis clientes que depositan su confianza en mi trabajo.

Clifton Athenia $385,000 Move in to this beautiful cape w/ dormer, 4 Bdrms, New Kit, Bth & Elec. Fin Bsmt, 2 Car Garage.

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Clifton Allwood $385,000 New Siding, Roof,Windows, Cen A/C, 4 Bdrms, 2 Fbths, Fin Bsmnt, Garage, Fla Rm , Fenced Yard.

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©2007 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LCC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT LLC.

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Rockabilly for St.Peter’s Clash Bar Holiday Food Bank Benefit

He’s just a Clifton guy looking to help out other locals. Rick Dennis, who plays guitar and sings vocals for the band Savage Rooster, is teaming up with the Clash Bar for a night of rockabilly music to benefit St. Peter’s Haven on Nov. 6 at 9 pm. “I wanted to get a show together with all the rockabilly bands from New Jersey and it just happened to be close to Thanksgiving,” he explained. “So we ended up deciding to do a benefit show.” Dennis selected the Clash Bar, which is owned by Cliftonites Bobby and Elyssa Cook, because he wanted to support a Clifton establishment and he feels there is a good energy there for the band scene in town. The bar, which is located at 39 Harding Ave. in Downtown Clifton, regularly features highly regarded local bands from around the region. The band lineup will include Savage Rooster, Nerve Tonic, Rockets Red Glare and Tombs Tones, all of which are of the rockabilly genre and have roots in New Jersey. Rockabilly is the early rock sound that originated in the 1950’s with acts such as the Stray Cats and Elvis Presley. “I wanted to use it as a way to get all these bands and audience together at the same place at one time,” said Dennis. “If we had our band, followed by a metal group, some people might only come for one and leave.” The Lakeview resident figured that with the holiday right around the corner, it would be appropriate to support St. Peter’s Haven and their food pantry, which is located on Clifton Ave. Dennis also hopes to draw some more interest in the event by having a DJ between sets and possibly a hot dog eating contest, sponsored by some of the local famous wiener eateries. “If it’s a local place and a greasy joint, it fits right in with what our

Cliftonite and Rockabilly guitarist Little Ricky Dennis heads up a Nov. 16 music fundraiser at the Clash Bar to benefit St. Peter’s Haven Food Bank. To donate or for details, call 973-202-4628.

music is about,” he explained, adding that he has still yet to confirm details with any one place but hopes to secure a deal soon. “We also want to have auctions as well... tshirts, flyers and that stuff. We’re hoping to get some band merchandise up for auction as well.” All of the auction funds will go towards the Haven, as will the $10 door cost ($9 with a can of food), once the $250 overhead bill is paid to the Clash Bar. Dennis hopes to get sponsors to help cover that cost, so that he can maximize the amount given to St. Peter’s. To donate, call Rick Dennis at 973-202-4628.

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Making a Living The heyday of the neighborhood watering hole seems to have come and gone. Clifton’s fabled Van Houten Ave., once peppered with several dozen bars that catered to factory workers, has been reduced to a mere shell of its former self. Why are so many local taverns shutting their doors for good? “It’s been a combination of things,” said Skip of the Clif Tavern. “The high cost of insurance, taxes, the closing of the factories... it’s been a slow progression if you look at it.” In this day and age, lobbyists can have a major influence on what goes on at Capital Hill. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which was founded in 1980, has spearheaded almost all alcoholrelated bills in the last quarter century. While the changes are meant

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

for the betterment of society, they also happen to severely impact the bottom line of bars. To defend their rights, owners have banded together to form their own lobbyist groups, both locally and at the national level. Freddy “Dingo” Barnes of Dingo’s Den and Dingbatz has been the Vice President of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association for the past year. He has also been a member of the Clifton Tavern Association for seven years and is the current President. “Owners have to keep involved these days,” explained Freddy Dingo. “You can’t let others do it for you.” Locally, the CTA has helped back other tavern entrepreneurs, most recently supporting Pub 46 owner Rob Corujo in his

Ken Murphy lifts a pint at the Harp ‘N Bard (now Fitgerald’s) back in 1998.

fight against his residential neighbors and the controversial entertainment licenses. Even taverns who don’t have neighbors that complain are faced with several challenges that make it hard to compete. “Liquor liability is a big one,” said Skip. “It costs a lot to insure my place.”

Freddy Dingo echoed the thoughts of the Clif’s owner. “When I first started, it was around $8,000,” he said. “Now I’m paying around $20,000 per place.” The lowering of the legal Blood Alcohol Limit to .08 and the increased diligence in DUI crackdowns has contributed to the rise in costs. Another major loss of income was last year’s smoking ban. “People are going in and out to smoke and they can’t bring drinks with them. If someone goes outside a few times a night, that’s a lot of lost money,” said Barnes. He said when smokers congregate out front, it can lead to other revenue Everyone knows the drill. After a long day on the job, many Americans head out to their favorite bar for happy hour drinks. But while some may feel fine after downing two martinis, legally, you’re most likely considered drunk. And despite what you think, it’s against the law. For a male weighing 170 lbs., about three beers in an hour will put you well over the .08 limit. In New Jersey, both DWI (driving while intoxicated) and DUI (driving under the influence) are the same offense. According to Sgt. Richard Stuart of the Clifton Police, there were 191 drunk driving arrests in 2004, 284 in 2005 and 253 in 2006. Statewide, there were roughly 30,000 arrests. The motto being preached in the ‘Over the Limit, Under Arrest’ ads is certainly being practiced by police throughout New Jersey. Don’t take the chance of being arrested, injuring yourself and others or worse. Get a cab or a designated driver and be safe when drinking.

loss as well. “It’s intimidating to come up to a new bar when there’s a huge crowd of smokers blocking the door.” Freddy said that having people out front late at night means that he or another employee has to make sure they aren’t causing problems. Drinks outside, drunks yelling or fighting could get the cops called and spell big trouble. “On Friday and Saturday nights, we use a bouncer,” explained Freddy, adding that he is always

approachable to neighbors about any problems and that other bar owners are the same way. Freddy added that those in the Tavern Association represent a big voting block within Clifton. Even if all the owners don’t live locally, most of their patrons do and that makes them a force to be reckoned with. “The industry is struggling right now,” he concluded. “There are responsible people who go to bars. We need to make a living too.”

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Celebrate The Club

You don’t have to attend the Boys & Girls Club’s 60th Anniversary Dinner to donate to the club. The beefsteak is on Nov. 2 from 6:30 to 10:30 pm at the Clifton Ave. facility. But even if you can’t make it to the gala, you can still donate your time and money in other ways. The annual giving campaign runs yearround and paving stones in the walkway outside the Club are always on sale for $100. You can also volunteer at bingo or the after school program, or you can become a tutor or a mentor. There are so many ways to help. If you do plan to attend the dinner, however, you’re in for a treat. Plans for the gala include a video prepared by alumni, a power point presentation detailing the progress of the Club, a greeting from Mayor James Anzaldi and a couple other speeches. Tickets are $35 and all proceeds go to the club. Planning the night are alumni Tom Acton, Frank Carlet, Dante Liberti, Sean Gunby, Rob Haraka, Paul Liberti, Joann Rean, Brenda Rubio-Van Malden, Lori SlaterBrigati and Executive Director Robert Foster. The event will be a

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November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

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Today, more than 5,000 boys and girls are taking advantage of the services provided by the Club which offers a variety of programs. The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton is a place where kids take part in a broad range of character building, recreational and educational programs and are provided with a chance to set and achieve goals, make friends and have a good time. For additional information on the Club or the Gala Beefsteak, or to make a tax exempt contribution, visit or call Executive Director Bob Foster at 973-773-0966, write him at rfoster@bgcclifton.org or go online to www.bgcclifton.org.

Thank You... This time of year is the perfect time to say Thank You to clients who have entrusted me with one of their most important investments, Their Home. Here are some of the transactions I managed this year...

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Clifton Transactions

788 Paulison Ave 8 Garret Ct 1266 Clifton Ave 200 Maplewood Ave 180 Chittenden Rd 110 PebbleBrook Dr

77 E 6th St 117 Abbe Ln 54 Livingston St 101 Brittany Ct 128 Clinton Ave 24 Fenner Ave

167 Harding Ave 1179 Valley Rd 1 Barrister St 60 Bender Dr 93 Rolling Hills 150 Brittany Ct

Out of Town Transactions

159 Roosevelt Ave, Hasbrouck Hgts 278 Union Ave, Belleville 679 Summit Ave, Jersey City 87 Race St, Nutley 168 Vista Ter, Pompton Lakes

Commercial Transactions

1195 Clifton Ave, Clifton

143 Franklin Ave, Nutley

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Pick Pina for all your real estate needs! ©2007 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT LLC. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

The Clifton Assoc. of Artists meets on the first Monday of each month from Oct. to May at the Clifton Senior Community Center. on Pound Rd. off Linzenbold Dr. The season ends with an Outdoor Art Show and Sale in June in Jubilee Park. Call Pat Johnson at 973-742-2712. Dutch Hill Poet James D. Gwyn received an Editor’s Choice nod from the 2007 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards. The Cliftonite and other winners will read their work on Nov. 10 at 1 pm in the Hamilton Club Building of PCCC in Paterson. Clifton author Glory Read (pictured below) will be the featured reader when The Write Group appears at the Clifton Barnes and Noble on Nov. 12 at 7 pm. She’ll read from her book Everything Will Be Alright: an Alzheimer’s Memoir.

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

The Garden State Opera hosts two, one-act operas on Nov 18: The and Marriage Counselor L’Impresario, which will be performed at WWMS at 5 pm. In the first act, which is written by Francesco Santelli and sung in English, a young couple seeks the help of a marriage counselor to save their relationship. In L’Impresario—written by Mozart and sung in German—two Divas display their singing talents in an attempt to become the star of the next Austrian Idol. The GSO is under the auspices of The New Jersey Music and Arts, Inc., a nonprofit organization. Both groups are Clifton-based and run by resident Francesco Santelli. Tickets are $20 ($15 for seniors and $10 for students). For info about the 200708 season schedule, and other activities of NJMA, visit their website at www.gardenstateopera.org.

Maestro Francesco Santelli conducts the Garden State Opera in a Clifton twinbill.

The Tragedie of Macbeth, the Shakespeare classic produced by ATC Studio’s Conservatory Players is performed on Nov. 2 and 3 at 8 pm and Nov. 4 at 7:30 pm in The Pioneer Academy, Main Ave. in Downtown Clifton. Call 973-772-6998. Diversity In Pastels, an exhibit/sale of art by members of the Pastel Society of America, is at the Clifton Arts Center, Nov. 14 to Dec. 15. The Society is comprised of juried professional artists working in the soft pastel medium. A reception is Nov. 17 at 1 pm. Gallery hours are Wed. to Sat., 1 to 4 pm. Admission is $1. Call 973-472-5499.

Veterans: time for a little R & R when the Silver Starlight Orchestra blows into town

The Silver Starlight Orchestra will play a USO-type program of big band sounds, patriotic music and tunes from World War II at the Ninth Annual Salute To Veterans Concert. Held on Nov. 28 at John F. Kennedy Auditorium in CHS. Doors open at 6 pm and the show starts at 7. Purple Heart vets will be honored this year. Veterans from the six branches of services should bring military nostalgia to share memories and artifacts in a display area prior to the show. All guests are encouraged to come in uniform or dress

in patriotic attire. The evening begins with a grand entrance of flags. The night concludes with a USO Canteen in the school’s cafeteria. Admission is free but donations of canned goods or cash contributions for Thanksgiving baskets are accepted. Bring a non-perishable food item as ‘admission’ to the concert. The day after the concert, Clifton teens will package the food items to make Thanksgiving baskets for the city’s needy. Call the Clifton Rec Dept. at 973-470-5958. The series is produced by Bob Obser and the Clifton Rec. Dept. and is funded in part by the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council at PCCC through a grant from the NJ State Council on the Arts.

Stocking Stuffer? A gift subscription keeps Cliftonites connected. • $15 per year in town • $25 per year out of Clifton Make check payable to Tomahawk Promotions 1288 Main Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011

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Scott Schwartz answers students questions during his visit to Christopher Columbus Middle School.

Former Child Actor Visits CCMS: Scott Schwartz, perhaps best known for his role as Flick in the 1983 movie hit, A Christmas Story, visited with sixth and seventh grade students at Christopher Columbus Middle School on Oct. 9. Schwartz, who also played opposite the late Richard Pryor in the 1982 movie, The Toy, was in New Jersey to attend the Chiller Theater Toy, Model and Film Expo at the Parsippany Hilton over the previous weekend. It was there that he met CCMS sixth grade teacher Hope Foley who won a costume contest at the expo dressed as Schwartz’s character, Flick. Foley had also won a costume contest on The Today Show with the same outfit last Halloween. Schwartz got such a kick out of seeing Foley dressed as himself in one of his favorite roles that he offered to come to the school to meet with the students. The assembly included a film clip from A Christmas Story showing Schwartz’s character getting his 42

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

tongue stuck on an icy flag pole on a dare from his friends. The former child actor, who runs a sports and movie memorabilia collectibles shop in California, then talked with the students about his life and answered their questions

about his film career and the celebrities that he met along the way. He promised to come back to visit with Foley and her students every year when he comes to the East Coast for the annual Chiller Theater Expo.

Sixth grade teacher Hope Foley, dressed as Flick, and former child actor Scott Schwartz reenact the famous tongue stuck on the pole scene from A Christmas Story.

It’s Not About the Money Meet Teacher Victor Wu by Gary Anolik

Science teacher and cross country coach Victor Wu has made quite an impact at Clifton High School.

CHS science teacher Victor Wu will answer any question posed to him, except one — “How old are you?” After talking to this youthful looking teacher one realizes that his experience and knowledge cannot be quantified. It doesn’t matter how old he is, because what he brings to his classroom goes beyond years of experience. Wu is a graduate of Clifton High School (out of respect we won’t say which year). His favorite subjects were math and science and he ran track and cross country all four years. Victor Wu’s high school educational experience was not typical. “I really enjoyed math and I wanted to be in calculus with my friends,” he said. “For some bureaucratic reason I did not get into calculus so I went to see Mrs.

Cristador (currently the principal at School 16). She told me I should try going to Montclair State at night and take pre-calculus. I decided to continue going at night while going to school during the day. When I graduated high school, between AP, CLEP and Montclair State, I already had 96 college credits.” Wu took those credits to Alfred University, one of only ten schools in the country that offer ceramic engineering. Despite the fact that he entered college with so many credits, Wu stayed four years, picking up a second major in theater production. While at school, Wu also got involved in school productions and ran the steeple chase — a 3,000 meter race with hurdles over water. “Try jumping into a pool of water in upstate New York in March. That’s cold.” November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

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olic, co-educational, prepatory high school. Our school Queen ofaffordable Peace is acollege Catholic, co-educational, affordable college prepatory high school. Our school Queen of Peace is a Catholic, co-educational, affordable college prepatory high school. Our school le States Association of Colleges and Schools has twiceofbeen honored is accredited by the Middle States and Association Colleges and Schools and has twice been honored is accredited by thefeel Middle States Association ofbyColleges and Schools and has twice been honored of Excellence. Come see and the excitement generated our students. as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Come see and feel the excitement generated by our students. as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Come see and feel the excitement generated by our students. 44

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Wu attended one of the best ceramic research laboratories in the world for his master’s degree at The University of Sheffield in England. Newsweek recently ranked Sheffield among the top 70 universities on the planet. After school, Wu went to work at Saint-Gobane Industries, which specializes in ceramic specialty products. There, Wu rose to the Dir. of Engineering and Ops. “I did research, presented papers, was involved in acquisitions, the whole gambit,” said Wu, who also received a number of patents. But Wu really wanted to teach. “Coach Jon Pontes allowed me to coach cross country part time. He suggested that if I wanted to teach I could become certified via the alternate route program,” he said. “So I left Saint-Gobane, and taught at Mount St. Dominic’s H.S. for a year.” Wu then returned to Saint-Gobane as a consultant for a few years, so he could continue his teaching career. In 2002, Wu was hired by CHS. “I’m here because I feel useful and wanted on an everyday basis. Each class is a totally different experience, even when we are covering the same material. Teaching is a challenge and a positive experience,” he said. “I get to bring real life to the classroom,” Wu explained. “It’s more than teaching, it’s a cultural experience. I teach my students to trust in themselves. I give a multiple choice test where every answer will be

one letter except the last one. The point here is if you know the material, trust yourself, and don’t get fooled by patterns. I teach them problem solving. These are the lessons that will get them through college and life.” Wu continued: “In business, one person doesn’t make a difference. Here, I make a difference in the life of every student. If it was about money, I would be an engineer.” The instructor is also a track coach and many of his peers in Montclair and West Milford have called Wu the greatest technical jumping coach they’ve ever seen. Victor Wu is a very rare individual. His intelligence could have impacted the world in a variety of ways, but he thought he could make his greatest contribution at Clifton High School. Wu has found a home here and CHS is richer because of him.

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In 1997, Coach Joe Grecco sat in his home on Broad St., the red house where he sometimes hosted backyard barbeques for his Mustangs. On his wall hung a painting of him with two of his players; an engraved plaque read: “The Original Fighting Mustang.” Placed throughout the room were trophies and awards that would be lost during an upcoming move to Oak Ridge. A tape recorder whirred quietly as Grecco told his life story, describing his early love of music, his father’s illness that ended his athletic scholarship at the University of Michigan, and his time as Clifton High School’s head football coach. 48

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

A 1999 picture of some of the members of the 1957 Mustangs. Standing, from left to right, John Smith, Coach Bill Vander Closter, Larry Kolk, Bob Gursky, Pete Lehr, George Telesh and Bob Leciston. Rich Inhoffer is in front holding piece of a stadium seat his father was sitting on at the game. Ernie Niederer is on his right.

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Coach Joe Grecco in a 1958 issue of the CHS Highwayman student newspaper.

When asked what football accomplishment meant the most to him, Grecco did not site the trip to the 1946 Oyster Bowl, the building of Clifton School Stadium, or any of the state titles his teams won. Instead, he leaned back and smiled, his brown eyes dancing, amused at an obvious question. “Beating Montclair in 1957,” he answered. Yes, beating Montclair. It had been Grecco’s obsession – the one victory that had eluded him and his boys for 10 long years beginning in 1947. Great players, like Billy DeGraaf, Ray Malavasi, Frank Pecci, Roger Fardin, and Dave “Moose” Bosson, graduated without ever getting close to a victory against the Mounties. That changed on a Nov. 16 afternoon at Montclair’s Woodman Field a half-century ago. Before 13,000 witnesses, the Clifton Mustangs rose up and finally beat the rival Mounties, 26-0, creating pandemonium throughout the city. A lot has changed since that day. Grecco is gone, as are most of his assistant coaches and some of his players. But the game remains.

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November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

“It’s interesting to me,” says running back Larry Kolk, now retired in Florida, “how much of a following the game still has. There’s no question the pride Clifton has in it, how much the game is talked about at reunions. “We definitely took a step up and showed people we could do something special. It was a defining moment for us.” Beating Montclair was a final hurdle for the Mustangs, elevating them from a good football program to an elite one. “What you have to understand,” says lineman Ernie Niederer who still lives in Clifton, “was Montclair’s reputation. They were the team to beat every year. And we never beat them. “After that game, people were happy – not only in Clifton but throughout the state. I grew up in Belleville and had childhood friends who came to that game – they still talk about it to this day. When we won, they said, ‘Somebody finally beat them. Montclair got what’s coming to them.’”

Decade of Frustration

The regular season series with Montclair began in 1947 with the Mounties beating Clifton, 18-0, breaking the Mustangs’ 17-game winning streak. All-American running back Bobby Boettcher gained just 23 yards for the previously undefeated Clifton. Spoiled undefeated seasons became familiar. Along with the ’47 squad, undefeated Clifton teams from 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1956 saw perfect years ruined after playing Montclair. And, while some of those seasons yielded state sectional championships, no title could erase the sting of those defeats. 50

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

The Mustangs fly high. Leaping (from left) are Ray Promin, Larry Kolk, George Telesh and Bob Gursky; kneeling are Jim Fusaro, Rich Inhoffer and Pete Lehr.

Montclair had Clifton’s number. In a column that appeared two days before the 1957 game, the Herald-News’ Augie Lio estimated 84,000 fans had watched Montclair beat Clifton during the decade. He noted the Mounties scored 280 points during the 10-game series, while the Mustangs managed just 71. Clifton defeats featured embarrassments like a 55-28 drubbing in 1949, a 40-6 pasting in 1953, and a 32-0 whitewash in 1955. In a 2001 interview, Wendell Inhoffer, a 1952 graduate, remembered his games against the Mounties. “The only thing we couldn’t do for Clifton was beat Montclair,” he said. “We cried after every loss.” In Clifton’s 1956 defeat, Montclair won, 19-7, before a crowd of more than 14,000 at Clifton Stadium. “Before the game,” said the late Bill Vander Closter, an assistant coach during the fifties, “I told Joe this was going to be the year. I had

coached these kids as underclassmen and knew they had the talent to win. Joe said, ‘Is that so? We’ll see.’” The newspapers also predicted Clifton would triumph. All were wrong. “Joe never mentioned my prediction after the game,” Vandy said. “But I never made another.” While the day yielded another loss, things weren’t as bleak as the score indicated. “It was one of the coldest days I ever experienced as a player,” says senior lineman Moose Bosson. “We pushed Montclair all over the field and gained 350 yards of total offense. After the game, we had nothing to hang our heads about. We showed them we could play with them and they weren’t invincible anymore. We were coming after them.” The head coaches, who maintained a friendly but competitive relationship, were also part of the rivalry. By 1957, Montclair Coach Clary Anderson was already an icon.

Along with assistant Butch Fortunato (who coached when Anderson was away during WWII), he had already

compiled a 141-13-4 lifetime record. Anderson would go on to write a book, Make the Team in Football,

Fifty years later. From left, ‘57 Mustangs Ernie Niederer, Ray Promin and Jack Boettcher, along with current CHS football coach Ron Anello, who wasn’t born until a year after the famous game but went on to play for Montclair. Anello’s father played on the Mounties’ first undefeated team.

to cement his reputation, along with completing a stellar 31-year coaching career at Montclair High and Montclair State University. “There was this image of Clary Anderson,” remembers Kolk. “When you thought of Montclair, you thought of him. He wore his status, his success, well. You’d look at him and wonder, ‘Is this guy beatable?’ “That might have motivated Grecco. Maybe he thought that he was just the coach to do it.” The cities also were rivals. The more established Montclair saw upand-coming Clifton as insignificant. The Mounties were more concerned with beating their Essex County foes, while Clifton thought constantly of avenging past Montclair defeats. Each year, the Mustangs circled the annual contest on the calendar, but to Montclair, playing Clifton meant just another win.

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Like today, the cities share a common border but not much else. Montclair was and is a tree-lined community, full of mostly stately, wealthy homes. Though Clifton has its share of large houses and trees, it’s a closer cousin to gritty Passaic and Garfield. “We knew Clifton was different than Montclair,” says Kolk. “Montclair was a bedroom community to New York City, and many rich people lived there. It had a nice downtown. Clifton was rural, working class… different. Our team recognized that difference, too.”

Countdown

After a decade of wins, especially the 1956 victory over the seniorladen Clifton team, Montclair was confident entering the 1957 contest. They had gone 37 straight without a loss (winners of 21 consecutive games) and boasted stars like the Haines Twins – Robert and the more talented Richie, Essex County’s scoring leader – and quarterback Dave McKelvey. Montclair’s offense averaged 35 points a game. Though Clifton had AllAmerican running back George Telesh, quarterback Bob Gursky believes Montclair – which boasted

Clifton All-American running back George Telesh. 52

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

an all-senior starting lineup – thought they would handle the undefeated Mustangs. “The year before,” says Gursky, who lives in Pennsylvania, “they beat us and we had outstanding guys on the team, like All-Americans Moose Bosson and Roger Fardin (who played the ’56 game with the flu). Our captains, George and Pete Lehr, were the only returning starters, though Larry Kolk had gotten playing time in 1956.” “Because of the graduations,” remembers Lehr, “Coach Grecco built nearly our whole team from scratch. We didn’t have a team until we went to camp that year.” The newspapers agreed with Montclair. The Newark StarLedger’s Sid Dorfman and the Paterson Morning Call’s Bob Whiting each predicted doom for Clifton, as did other writers. During the week leading to the game, the newspapers were full of articles about the teams. Grecco held his usual tough practices. However, Niederer remembers the coaches being “extremely positive,” building the team up and instilling confidence. “Grecco and his coaches,” says Gursky, who played for Lafayette after graduating, “were ahead of their time – college-level types. They prepared us well. The players also got encouragement from former Mustangs. “I remember getting calls from my brother Wendell who was playing for Princeton,” recalls Rich Inhoffer. “He said, ‘I had four years to beat them and came up empty. Now, it’s your turn.’” On game day, as they did before every away contest, the Mustangs dressed at Clifton Stadium and rode the bus to Montclair, passing the large homes and mansions on the way.

The Haines twins: Montclair star running backs Robert and Richie.

Niederer remembers feeling nervous. “Montclair was the dominating team in New Jersey,” he says. “On the bus ride over, we all were quiet and reserved – we weren’t a boisterous team. But all that nervousness went away when the game began.” Waiting at Woodman Field were more than 13,000 fans, equally split between the towns, and the mighty Montclair Mounties. “They walked in real slow, like they were kings or something,” remembers Clifton defensive back Jack Boettcher, Bobby’s younger brother.

Grecco countered with psychological tactics of his own, bringing along every Clifton football player – including the freshman in their white uniforms. The extra players produced the desired affect. In the book, The Glory Years by Robin Hodgson, Montclair back-up quarterback Bill George recounted, “Clifton arrived with 120 players and took up the entire field where we were trying to practice. They dressed up everybody they had for that day to show strength and power, and the intimidation was almost overwhelming.”

Lehr remembers the crowd as the Mustangs took the field, “Playing there wasn’t like playing at Clifton Stadium. The field was surrounded by wooden bleachers, and people were right on top of you.” Before the game, Grecco gathered his team and launched into one of his famous speeches. “They talk about Knute Rockne, but he had nothing on Joe Grecco,” says Boettcher. “He’d be yelling, ‘Do your job, be tough, play to win…’ things like that. When he was done, we were ready to take on anyone.” “Coach Grecco and the other coaches,” says Kolk, “were more intense that day. After losing to Montclair so often, I think

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he felt this team gave him his best chance to win. There was an expectation to do your personal best.” At game time, the sky above the field was overcast. “Perfect football weather,” says Ray Promin, a two-way junior starter for Clifton. “Not hot and sunny, but cool and gray – just perfect.”

Game On

After a scoreless first quarter with each team turning the ball over, Montclair took advantage of a fumbled snap and drove 62 yards to the

Mustangs 10. But the Clifton defense held, forcing the Mounties to give up the ball on downs. The Clifton offense went to work. Powered by two consecutive 36yard runs by fullback Telesh, the Mustangs were in business at the Mounties’ 19-yard line. “We ran a ‘36 Cross Block,’” remembers Niederer about Telesh’s gains. “Pete Lehr and Bob Leciston or me – we alternated as messengers shuttling the plays in – led the way, with Larry Kolk running ahead of George and taking out the linebacker.”

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Sprung by the blocks, Telesh was like a ghost, slipping through the line and bolting down field for big gains. “I loved running that play,” says Lehr. “After my block, I’d look up and see George running downfield. It seemed every time we ran that play, it worked.” But the drive nearly stalled at the 11. On fourth and two, Gursky faked to Telesh and handed the ball to Kolk, who smashed through the line. “After I got through the line,” Kolk says, “I saw guys waiting to stop me. I dropped my shoulder – I was determined to get to the goal line.” Playing in the defensive backfield, the Haines twins raced at Kolk from opposite sides. Robert met Kolk first, wrapping himself around the ball carrier’s waist. Richie, coming at an angle from the Kolk’s left, hit a second later, careening off his brother and falling awkwardly to the ground. The play was devastating for Montclair; Richie Haines had damaged the cartilage in his knee. “It was obvious Richie was in a lot of pain,” says Inhoffer. “It took about 20 to 30 minutes to attend to him and get him off the field on a stretcher. During that time, I looked over at his twin who was having a tough time. He was emotional – like I’d have been if it had been my twin brother.” In The Glory Years, Robert Haines said after the injury to his brother, “I was so upset I couldn’t focus on the game.” After the delay, play resumed and Telesh rammed toward the goal line, barely getting the ball across. A referee ran from his position and jumped into the air to signal the touchdown. Telesh’s extra point gave Clifton a 7-0 lead. Despite losing Richie Haines, Montclair still had weapons.

Needing points, Anderson called for the pass. “Montclair began to pass on almost every down, which wasn’t their game,” remembers Niederer. “I began to rush the quarterback every play.” Throughout the day, the Clifton lines – led by the powerful Lehr, arguably the best lineman on the field – were outstanding. On offense, they cleared holes for Telesh, Kolk, and Gursky, resulting in gains on almost every play. On defense, they swarmed to the ball, holding the gifted Robert Haines in check.

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The victorious Clifton Mustangs after their historic defeat of Montclair in 1957.

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third quarter, the Mustangs began moving. Behind the smaller but determined Clifton line, the visitors marched down the field on Gursky’s option running and passing, slashing runs by Telesh, and a long screen pass reception and run by Kolk. Telesh’s short touchdown run (his kick was unsuccessful) gave Clifton a 13-0 lead. “George was at his best that day,” says Inhoffer. “As soon as you blocked, he was gone. I had the cleat marks on my back afterwards to prove it.”

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Behind runs by Robert Haines and McKelvey, they drove the ball deep into Clifton territory. However, George, who replaced Richie Haines, fumbled and the Mustangs recovered, ending the drive. At halftime, the Mustangs led, 7-0. “It was,” says Inhoffer, “an incredibly physical game.”

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When the lefty McKelvey tried to pass, Niederer, Leciston, and others were in his face. Helped by the pressure, the Mustangs secondary had a field day. Montclair attempted 15 passes for seven completions… but also completed seven to the Mustangs. Boettcher had an interception and junior Cliff Ruth had two. But the star of the backfield was Promin, who intercepted three. “They listed Ray at 5’8”, 165 pounds,” says Gursky. “He might have been 145 pounds soaking wet.” On two of his interceptions, Promin lost his helmet, including one in the fourth quarter where he ran for 35 yards without it. “I intercepted a ball in front of Robert Haines,” says Promin, who was given the game ball for his efforts. “When he tried to tackle me, he ripped my helmet off. After the runback, my teammates came up saying, ‘Ray, where’s your helmet?’ It was the first time I realized it was

Montclair Head Coach Clary Anderson with assistant Butch Fortunato.

gone. Haines was so frustrated, he threw it into the stands and we had to stop the game until I got it back.” However, the biggest interception of the day belonged to linebacker Walt Makoc. Trailing 13-0, McKelvey attempted to pass from the shotgun. Under pressure from Niederer, he lofted a

pass downfield. Makoc stepped in front of the intended receiver, intercepted the pass and raced 35 yards down the sideline for the score. Though Telesh’s kick was no good, Clifton led 19-0. Forced to pass on nearly every play, McKelvey was intercepted on Montclair’s next possession. On Clifton’s first snap after getting the ball back, the magnificent Telesh – who ran for 200 yards that day – raced for the touchdown. His kick was good, giving Clifton its biggest lead of the day, 26-0. After three more interceptions, the game was over. Clifton had ended its decade of frustration with a shutout victory – the first time the Mounties had been held scoreless since 1945. What followed was bedlam. It seemed the entire city of Clifton swarmed the field. Grecco and Telesh were hoisted upon shoulders and, despite police protests, both goal posts were torn down. Inhoffer’s father, who had

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seen his sons lose at Woodman Field three times, ripped off a piece of his wooden bleacher seat and carried it onto the field. Anderson, classy in defeat, told the Herald-News: “Clifton was the best team we ever played. They would have beaten any team today. I don’t know what would have happened if we had Richie Haines all the way. But giving credit where it’s due, I think that even with Richie, Clifton would have beaten us by two touchdowns.”

Euphoria

After the players were loaded on the bus, the Clifton Police escorted the Mustangs back to the Stadium, leading a caravan of happy fans sounding their car horns. Back at the high school, the celebration intensified. A crowd of more than 2,000 was waiting. “Coming off the bus,” says Makoc, now a dentist, “I was grabbed by Jack Hazinski and his

friends. We were all from the Weasel Brook Park area. Before I knew it, they were throwing me into the pond. Not that I minded – I was tickled pink to be part of it all.” Grecco, who called the win his “sweetest victory” in coaching, volunteered to join Makoc in the pond but, as the Herald-News’ Joe Lovas wrote, “The players have too much respect for their coach.” However, not all the after game moments were joyous. “When you hit someone during that game,” says Leciston, “you saw stars. After it was over, I started to shake a bit. It was like being in a car wreck – when it’s happening, you’re calm but after, you think ‘What did I just go through?’” Some Montclair fans were not pleased with Clifton’s win and resorted to bad behavior. “After we were up on people’s shoulders,” remembers Telesh, “that’s when they started throwing

stones. We had to go to the field house until the crowd thinned out and it was safe before we could get on the bus.” But throughout the city, people couldn’t celebrate enough. Lehr remembers going into the A&P later that day to get his mother some milk and the store erupting into spontaneous applause. Taverns were rumored to have stayed open all night. Wherever the Mustangs went, especially at Poppy’s on Van Houten Ave., they were saluted. Coincidentally, as Clifton ended Montclair’s 37-game win streak that day, Notre Dame was halting Oklahoma’s 47-game win streak, prompting banner headlines. “I didn’t realize how big a win it was until later,” says Kolk. “Everywhere I went, people talked about the game. There were days and days of celebration. The next week, Clifton played against undefeated Bloomfield at Foley Field. Going into the

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game, the Mustangs were banged up – Kolk’s shoulder was injured and Lehr’s leg was in bad shape. “Robert Haines hit me,” Lehr says, “and I couldn’t bend it like before. I was a catcher but had to stop playing the position after that game because of my leg.” The prior week’s emotional win and injuries caught up to the Mustangs, as Bloomfield crushed Clifton, 33-6. The Mustangs ended their season with a 21-0 win over Garfield for a 7-1 record. Because Clifton beat Montclair, Montclair topped Bloomfield, and Bloomfield defeated Clifton, all three schools were declared unofficial state champions. The Mustangs did earn official honors as Group IV, Section I, State Champions.

George Telesh’s American Journey

After a half-century, Clifton’s 1957 team still cherishes the win. “It was a total team effort,” says Niederer. “But I give most of the credit to our coaches. Grecco and his staff – Bill Vander Closter, Emil Chaky, Mike Pellach, Walt Semon, and John Corrubia – molded us and were outstanding.” “Grecco,” says Kolk, “had a certain way he looked at you, another way of communicating besides words. He’d look in your eye and make you understood that it was absolutely imperative to do your job.” Almost all of the 1957 team says similar things about their tough but beloved coach. Terms like “second father” and “life-changing” are common. “Jim Fusaro,” says Makoc, “was an outstanding lineman that left us all too soon, always said Joe Grecco was the greatest positive influence in his life.” Along with thoughts of their coach, memories of that game 50 years ago remain vivid. “The reason we won that game,” says Telesh, “was every player gave 110 percent, even the ones on the bench. It was a team victory.” “It was the most special game of my career,” said Leciston, who also played for Lafayette. “No one expected us to go as far as we did. But we worked hard, stayed together. I’ll always remember that day… how it was in the huddle – no one said anything. It was pure determination. “And we needed every bit of it to win.”

The 1954 Black Hawks School 13 soccer team. Telesh is fourth from left rear.

Golden Anniversary

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

For one Fighting Mustangs in 1957, beating Montclair wasn’t the biggest thrill of his week, it was the second. Three days before the fabled Clifton-Montclair game, George Telesh left school to go to Paterson for an important appointment. The boy who had spent time in a German concentration camp during WWII (where his father died) was going to mark a new chapter in his American journey by becoming U.S. citizen. After the ceremony, he returned to Clifton High, and Coach Joe Grecco drove him to the Lions Club luncheon for some pre-game discussion. “At the luncheon,” said Grecco in a 1997 interview, “they asked George how we were going to do in the game. George got up and said, ‘The only thing I can think of today is that I’m so happy to be an American citizen.’ “I was so proud of him,” Coach recalled. “ And it reminded me how special being an American citizen was.” After the big win (and rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns), Telesh’s American experience lost none of its luster. Coming off the field after the win, he was asked by a Clifton fan if this was the best moment of his life. Telesh replied, “My greatest wish came true Wednesday when I was naturalized an American citizen. Too many youngsters don’t realize what a great country this is.” Telesh went on to graduate from Cornell University, join the U.S. Navy, and become a doctor specializing in trauma cases. “What I said 50 years ago is still true today,” says Telesh, who now lives in Florida. “Of all the games I played in, nothing compared to becoming an American citizen.”

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November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

She was 50 in ‘57 ––– Story by Joe Hawrylko ––– These days, high schoolers head down to Seaside, Belmar or some other Jersey Shore destination for summertime fun. They’re just merely continuing a tradition that Marguerite Craig Heerschap and her friends were doing some 85 years earlier. “It was just 25 cents for a picnic basket then,” recalled the 1925 CHS grad of the times she spent down at Atlantic City, when all the girls still wore long dresses. “The boys chip in for gas and that’s how we got down the shore.” At 99 years old—and soon to hit the century mark on Nov. 14— Heerschap has lived through every major event in the 20th century. Born in 1907 in a small village called Rifton in New York, Heerschap is a descendent of Hugo Freer, who was among 12 patentees awarded land there in the 1700’s. The house that her mother Lottie gave birth to her in was built in 1740. The two lived in the small farm community — known as Hugonauts — with Heerschap’s father, DuBois, until about 1915, when the family left due to the closing of the local carpet mill. After job hunting in several cities in New York and New Jersey, Heerschap’s father took an offer at Pittkin Holdsworth Carpet Co. To get there, the Craig’s took the Hudson River Dayline boat downstream to New York City, and then hopped on a train to Passaic settling on Burgess Pl., just outside of Clifton’s Dutch Hill. 60

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Marguerite Craig Heerschap with her daughter, Alice Clearwater.

“It was an all Dutch community,” explained Heerschap, who is of Dutch, French and Scottish descent. “My father’s job was on Main Ave., near the Clifton-Passaic border.”`

In 1915, North Jersey wasn’t similar in any way to its modern day self. In fact, Clifton technically wasn’t even in existence yet, as it wasn’t until April 26, 1917 that the city was established.

Marguerite Craig Heerschap, as seen in her 1925 CHS yearbook and her husband Leonard, a 1926 CHS grad.

“This area was just a country place. It was mostly just farms over by Broad St.,” recalled Heerschap. “Main Ave. was the center of town.” After living in Passaic for a few years, the family moved in 1923 to Union Ave., near Downtown Clifton. Heerschap would attend Clifton High School—which was then located in the now defunct

School 10—as a part of the Feb. Class of 1925, the last to graduate from the school. CHS was relocated to Piaget Ave. (now CCMS), which is where Heerschap’s high school sweetheart Leonard graduated from in 1926. “I had met him prior to high school. When I still lived in Passaic, I had a boyfriend who was friends with him,” she recalled. “I knew

him, but we only started going together my senior year. We went to plays, dances and what not.” Heerschap said that Clifton’s youth had different means of entertainment than those of 2007. There were no giant strip malls like Clifton Commons, or even anything similar to the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne. Aside from trips to the shore, Heerschap and friends mostly stayed local. “Movies were real big then. We had the Clifton Theatre and Passaic had several beautiful theatres too,” she explained, adding that Passaic also had a wonderful shopping district. “On Saturday nights, we would go stand in line at a theater and you would know everybody. That’s where all the people went.” The performing arts was also an area of interest for Heerschap, who was a part of the the Aikorai Club at the Clifton Reformed Church and the Play Club at CHS.

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Leonard Heerschap and Marguerite Craig a short time before their marriage.

Following graduation, she appeared in a couple of local shows, mainly at School 3 and CHS. Even after her acting career was over, Heerschap still frequented performances with Leonard. Following high school, Heerschap took a job as a secretary, working for Public Service, which is now PSE&G. “I was working for Public Service when the banks closed. We had started a collection to get in on the stock market,” Heerschap said, recalling her account of the start of the Great Depression. “We had sent an office boy to put money down and the teller closed up right in his face.” “During the Great Depression, we still had a lot of fun,” she added, reiterating how she and friends used to travel down the shore. “And we did it with just a little bit of money; I was only earning 25 cents a week.”

Marguerite Craig Heerschap on her wedding day, Oct. 8, 1936.

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Throughout the economfinally retiring on July 1, 1972. ic free fall, Heerschap was “I’m still getting my penlucky enough to retain her sion,” she laughed. “So they job as others were cast didn’t make money on me!” aside. However, during the Following her retirement, height of the Depression, Heerschap and her husband she quit on Oct. 8, 1936. were able to enjoy more time Sounds crazy? The reason together. On Oct. 8, 1976, the behind it was far more precouple had their 40th anniverposterous. sary at the Robin Hood Inn, “In those days, women which is now the Valley weren’t allowed to work if Regency. they were married,” said The Heerschaps used the Heerschap, who was married catering hall for all their major on that day to Leonard, a events, including their 50th and bond that would last over 60 60th anniversaries. Shortly years. after that last milestone, Luckily, the Heerschaps Leonard passed away, but not were able to get by on before seeing his family grow. Leonard’s paycheck from Heerschap is currently the Leonard and Marguerite Heerschap at their 60th Hart Buick—now demolproud grandmother of 9 grandanniversary at what was then the Robin Hood Inn. ished—where he worked children and great-grandchiluntil he was 80. During this time, the couple also had dren—plus another that tragically died of leukemia at a their only child, Alice. It was not until 1948 that young age—with the first being born in 1986. Heerschap would work again, since society began to And the soon-to-be 100 year old still remains accept married female employees following WWII. healthy and active with no plans to slow down. This In that year, she took up a job at Clifton City Hall as past month, she was placed in charge of the rummage a secretary to Treasurer John Franz, making $14 a week. sale at the Clifton Reformed Church at Main and With the new job, Heerschap and her husband were able Clifton Aves. So how does one get to this age and still to purchase their current home on Lincoln Ave., howevremain healthy? er, it came with extra baggage. “My husband and I were long lovers,” laughed “The house came with a boarder,” she explained. Heerschap. “I guess I also came from good genes. My “The previous owners had asked us to allow their grandfather was almost 100 when he passed away.” friend Bob, a WWII vet that rented a room from them, Butting in from across the room was her daughter, to continue to stay at our place.” Alice, who said the reasons go deeper than that. For 24 years, Heerschap worked under the likes of “She still watches her diet,” she claimed. “and reads William Miller, Bill Holster and John Fenton, before the labels on boxes at the supermarket.”

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Unsolved Mystery Dutch Hill resident Gertrude Bizzaro, 72, was murdered in her home on Dec. 18, 2001. The killer remains at large.

He said she most likely put up a struggle before the murderer slashed her throat and stabbed her multiple times with a knife. There were boxes of valuables piled up in the home, and at least one bedroom was ransacked, but nothing was taken. Investigators think the perpetrator was thrown from his plan when Bizzaro awoke or the crime was just made to look like a burglary. Rowan said that while there was no evidence of sexual assault, it still may have been a motive. At the time of the crime, neighbor Rafeal Paulino told the Herald News that he had often seen “stragglers lurking on Sisco Pl.” around 5 am. He said the unknown men would walk to the end of the street and “then veer onto the remote, curvy section of the block that intersects with Burgess Pl.” Police have looked into similar burglaries in the area and any sexually related crimes, but detectives haven’t been able to gather enough evidence to charge anyone. by Jordan Schwartz

On the morning of Dec. 18, 2001, Gertrude Bizzaro, 72, was resting on the living room couch of her threestory house on Sisco Pl. in Dutch Hill. Her husband of 50 years Cesaro and their daughter June left for a hairdresser’s appointment at around 9 am, leaving Gertrude home alone with the door unlocked. After the appointment, the pair stopped off at the home of family friend Jo Obser to pick up some needlepoint works at 10 am, leaving at 10:40. Cesaro and June returned home at just before 11am to find Gertrude lying on the living room floor. They initially thought she had fainted or suffered a heart attack, because the woman had a history of diabetes and cancer. But when Cesaro and June saw the blood covering her chest and hands, they knew something was terribly wrong. The Bizzaros called the police, but it was too late — Gertrude was dead. With the murder’s sixth anniversary approaching next month, the killer remains at large. Clifton Police Det. Capt. Robert Rowan said detectives believe Mrs. Bizzaro awoke from her nap and perhaps surprised an intruder.

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On the fifth anniversary of the crime, the Passaic County Crime Scene Unit re-analyzed all the evidence taken from the scene in hopes that they would find some DNA, but the search turned up empty. “It doesn’t mean that we may not find something in the future because forensic science is always advancing,” said Capt. Rowan. “It’s not a case we’re giving up on. Homicides have no statute of limitations so it’s still an open investigation and there are still possible suspects out there.” Anyone with information should contact Det. Sgt. Harold Van Winkle

at 973-470-5930. A $10,000 reward has been offered since March 2002 for information leading to an arrest. “Every opportunity we have, we look at it again and reevaluate if we can do anything different,” said Sgt. Van Winkle. Det. John Barr, the main investigator in the case, retired in Sept. and so the matter is being reassigned to a new detective. “It’ll be looked at with fresh eyes,” Van Winkle said. Bizzaro was a longtime Cliftonite and a retired county deeds clerk, who continued to work as an election board worker at School 15. She

also volunteered her time for the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Boys & Girls Club with neighbor Keith Oakley. “She was really nice,” said Oakley. “It was a big shock because even though the area is not the greatest anymore, you don’t get too many murders around here.” In addition to her husband and daughter, with whom she lived, Gertrude left behind three other children, Robert, Theresa and Stephen, who still lives in Clifton. Cesaro passed away recently, still not knowing who killed his wife.

Ernie Scheidemann

Citizen Sleuth

After three years without an arrest, Ernie Scheidemann decided to take the Bizzaro case into his own hands. The fifth generation owner of Scheidemann Real Estate and Insurance on Main Ave. knew Bizzaro from when he used to stop down at the registered deeds office in Paterson, where the woman worked. “She was always a very nice lady and when this happened, I couldn’t believe it,” said Scheidemann. So the former CHS science teacher got out his Mead marble notebook and jotted down a few dozen questions about the crime. He also went to the library and looked up old newspaper clippings from around the time of the killing. But despite his best efforts, Scheidemann wasn’t able to crack the case. Just add one more name to the list of people who have been baffled by the murder of Gertrude Bizzaro.

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Legendary baseball man Bob Potts passed away on Oct. 23. He made many significant contributions to both Clifton and Fair Lawn. Potts was recently inducted into the Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall of Fame. After the Clifton Dodgers folded, the historic Clifton Phillies began playing at Nash Park in 1968 under the guidance of the city’s “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Potts. In 45 seasons, his Phillies won more than 1,500 games, 32 different league and division titles, and one state championship in 1959. There were 42 players from the Clifton Club that

signed professional contracts including 1975 National League Rookie of the Year John Montefusco, Willie Prall of the Chicago Cubs, and Frank MacCormack, who pitched for Seattle and Detroit. Former NL president Len Coleman played CF for the Phillies for nine seasons. The St. Philips Knights of Columbus 11671 presented several checks at their monthly meeting on Oct. 3. The Elk’s Adult Opportunity Center on Rt. 46 West, the Clifton Adult Opportunity Center on Clifton Ave., and the Paterson Diocese Dept. for People with Disabilities were

The Clifton Hawks amateur baseball team held an awards dinner on Sept. 28 at St. Philip’s auditorium in Clifton that was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 11671. From left, is Mike Vinciquerra, who won the team Cy Young Award, Eric Vinciquerra, who won the Gold Glove Award, Mike Santosuosso, who was the team MVP, and Dave Santosuosso, who was given an award by team members Doug Meier and Eric Vinciquerra for Owner of the Year.

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Bob Potts

recipients of checks totaling $19,880. An April fundraising drive—Chaired by John Filippone and Ross Alfieri— and a Golf Outting on July 14— Chaired by John Szerencsits, Dennis Fitzpatrick, Father Michael Rodak, Jack Jaeger, Matt Yagins and Jim Cupo—served as the financial backing for the checks. The Knights thank all those who contributed and invite Catholic males over 18 to join them. For info, call Grand Knight Ray Lill at 973-472-1756. The Annual Clifton 5k Stampede is on Nov. 18 at 9 am at the Lester Herrschaft Center for Seniors and Citizens with Disabilities on the City Hall Campus. Race registration begins at 7:30 am. The divisions are: 10 and under, 11 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 and over. Awards are given to the top three males and females in each category, as well as the overall first place finishers of each sex. Prizes will also be issued for the first place police officer, fire fighter, doctor/chiropractor and family, as well ones for the oldest and youngest participants. Walkers are also invited, but are not eligible for

awards. Pre-registration costs $15 before Nov. 12, and $20 after (students get a $5 discount). Runners who competed in 2006 can get a $5 discount by registering a friend who did not compete last year. After the race, there will be a raffle, as well as a turkey giveaway. For info, call the Rec Dept. at 973-470-5956.

Nina Corradino of Nina’s Salon.

Help raise money for the City of Hope at Nina’s Salon on Valley Rd. Owner Nina Corradino (pictured below) is opening the salon on Nov. 4 at 10 am for the cause. The City of Hope is one of the world’s leading biomedical research and treatment centers. Salon services will be offered at a discounted price and all the proceeds will go to the City of Hope Foundation. To make an appointment, call 973-278-0356. Hannah Anolik and her team, Hannah’s Bananas, raised $4,500 at the Walk for the Cure to Wipe Out Juvenile Diabetes event on Oct. 21 in Franklin Lakes. The nine-year-old Cliftonite will be singing on the lawn of the United Nations on World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14. To support Hannah’s Bananas, go to JDRF.org. Send us publicity and we will publish info as space permits. Mail to: Clifton Merchant Magazine, 1288 Main Ave., Clifton, 07011 or e-mail to tomhawrylko@optonline.net.

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Looking for an opportunity to keep yourself in shape while playing the game you love? The Clifton Rec Dept. will be holding Men’s Open Gym Basketball (18 years and up) at School 15 on Gregory Ave., on select Tues. and Thurs. from 6:30 to 8 pm. Cost $2. Call 973-470-5956.

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The Dutch Hill Residents Association celebrated its 40th anniversary with a dinner on Oct. 18 at the Brownstone. More than 70 people attended the dinner, which was hosted by co-presidents Joan Sanford and Joan Stearns. From left, Jim Scangarello, past President of the Association, with Dutch Hill members Karen Napodano, Corresponding Secretary, and Dorothy Schiro, her mother.

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Feel like your memory may be National Memory going? Screening Day offers a free and confidential memory screening on Nov. 13 from 10 am to 3 pm at 2 Market St. in Paterson in the Community Room of the Paterson Museum. For more info, call 973-523-1224.

Angels of Animals, Inc., holds cat and kitten adoptions on Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 30 from 6 to 9 pm at the PETCO Store, Rt. 3 West in Clifton next to the Tick Tock Diner. Angels of Animals seeks caring individuals to temporarily foster cats and kittens in their homes. For info, call 973-471-0622.

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Angels in Sneakers by Jordan Schwartz Cliftonite Janet Mozolewski was one of more than 3,900 walkers who raised $10.2 million at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City on Oct. 6 and 7. Mozolewski’s team of 11 raised over $40,000 on its own, including $13,465 from Janet alone. This brings her four-year total to $61,073. “You think you know why you are walking and how important both raising money and awareness for breast cancer care can be, but nothing brings it home like this walk,” said Mozolewski, who was one of more than 420 survivors participating in the walk. The 26.2 mile walk was spread out over two days. The 13.1 miles on Saturday took the walkers over the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan, before completing the route across the George Washington Bridge in Englewood. The heat and humidity took a toll on Mozolewski who was disappointed that her body wouldn’t let her complete the Sunday portion of the walk. It turned out to be a stomach virus that her younger son Justin had recently suffered from as well.

Janet Mozolewski’s team “Boobala’s” before they began a 13.1 mile walk on Oct. 6. Cliftonites pictured include the first two women in the back row, Eva Egger and Betsy Klos, Mozolewski in the back row at the far right, and second from left in the front row is Lynn France.

But the rest of Mozolewski’s team completed the walk the following day from Englewood through Leonia and Fort Lee, and back across the GWB, crossing the finish line at Pier 84 in Manhattan. Overall, Janet called the Avon Walk an incredible experience. “All those months of training, and having

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friends, family and even strangers contribute to this great cause and then to participate in this walk was quite an experience,” she said. “I will continue to walk until we find that cure that we all hope and pray for,” Mozolewski concluded. “Some angels wear wings and some angels wear sneakers.”

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The Clifton Mustangs Girls Volleyball squad defeated Passaic 25-20, 25-22 on Sept. 28, capturing the Clifton-Passaic Optimist Cup trophy. Alexandra Semidey of Clifton and Chichi Pena of Passaic were named Most Valuable Players. The members of the Clifton and Passaic Optimist Clubs sponsor this volleyball game and the longstanding Thanksgiving Day football battle between Passaic and Clifton. The goal is to get the schools and students to create relationships and have respect for one another.

Be like the Clifton Avengers (above) and join the North Jersey Junior Volleyball League. The league is entering its tenth season and is looking for fifth thru eighth grade co-ed volleyball teams. The season runs from February to April, beginning with a pre-season Christmas challenge and concluding with a year ending tournament. Practices may start at anytime and joint practices are available to help less experienced teams and coaches. There is a yearly league fee for professional referees, trophies and insurance. The coach doesn’t need to be a professional, but simply a parent or adult who enjoys teaching children. The league strongly believes all players should have the opportunity to play, build self-esteem and learn the importance of teamwork. For more information, contact Diane Cogott at dmsc1928@optonline.net or Lori Wood at sjkvolleyball@juno.co or 973-471-2813.

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Next month’s issue will include a guide to great gift shopping with unique items found here in town. Know a place? Give us a call at 973-253-4400.

Kicking the Habit The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 15 • by Jordan Schwartz Like many who went into military service, Phil Berlier began smoking when he joined the Army in 1985. “The only extra benefit you got when you were in boot camp were smoke breaks,” said the Delawanna resident. “I foolishly picked up the addiction.” Berlier, who grew up in Cincinnati, used to smoke about a pack of cigarettes a day. He soon experienced many negative side effects such as shortness of breath, an inability to run as far as he used to before he picked up the habit, and a smoker’s cough. “I would wake up with bad breath and I would cough up some pretty rancid stuff,” Berlier said. The Ohio native moved to Clifton in 1994, which is when he met his future wife Samantha Schlossberg, a lifelong Cliftonite who graduated CHS in 1989. She wasn’t a big fan of Phil’s habit. “I couldn’t smoke around her so I already cut back and then she went away on a business trip and she bet me I couldn’t quit that weekend, but I did,” said Berlier. “So I guess it was partly out of stubbornness and partly out of love.” Samantha’s father also played a role in his son-inlaw’s decision to quit smoking. “He’d find you smoking at a ball game and he’d take a fan out of his pocket and blow the smoke back in your face,” Berlier said.

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Cliftonite Phil Berlier credits his wife Samantha Schlossberg (CHS Class of ‘89) with helping him quit smoking.

The Main Ave. resident said kicking the habit was difficult. “Especially the first couple months, there were definitely some cravings, but I just knew it wasn’t worth it,” he said. “I had tried to quit several times before when I was in the Army but it never lasted more than five months.” Now Berlier, 43, is helping others stop smoking. He’s the program coordinator for the Passaic County Council Community Partnerships Project, which seeks to decrease sickness, disability and death among residents associated with the use of tobacco and exposure to second hand smoke. In conjunction with the 31st annual Great American Smokeout which is on Nov. 15, the Community Partnership Project is teaming up with Passaic County REBEL to launch a public awareness campaign on the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke. Posters will be hung in public schools, recreation centers and health departments throughout the county. November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Last year’s group from Woodrow Wilson Middle School at the REBEL2 Summit.

The posters will promote the Smokeout and include two dozen of the most toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke. One of the reasons for the campaign is a poll released this year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids that indicated 71 percent of adults and 79 per-

cent of teens couldn’t name one chemical found in tobacco smoke other than nicotine and tar. The Great American Smokeout is an annual event that takes place on the third Thursday of Nov. It’s designed to call attention to the number one cause of preventable

death in the U.S. — cigarette smoke. People are encouraged to either reduce or quit smoking at least for one day. REBEL (Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies) is a youth-led antitobacco movement whose mission is to reach, educate and empower New Jersey’s youth to make healthy lifestyle decisions and to support non-smoking norms. In Passaic County, there are 10 high school REBEL groups (including Clifton High School) and five middle school REBEL2 groups (including ones at Woodrow Wilson and Christopher Columbus Middle Schools). The idea is that it’s easier to prevent kids from starting to smoke than it is to convince adults, who have been lighting up for years, to quit. Because not every smoker is lucky enough to be married to Samantha Schlossberg.

November’s Reunion is rescheduled...

Ann Lynch ‘92

Joe Slawinski ‘92

Ralph Celentano ‘66

David Varano ‘92

Support Sacred Heart School’s History

Frank Karpak ‘92

Raena MacalusoMcCreath ‘92

November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Attend a reunion of all classes in 2008, Date TBD Sacred Heart School, 43 Clifton Ave, Clifton. Proceeds benefit Our School!

call Toni Russin 973-546-4695

KissYour Butts Goodbye! There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. More than 60 of these chemicals are known or suspected to cause CANCER. On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, for the Great American Smokeout, do yourself and your friends and family a favor: QUIT COLD TURKEY.

Quit Smoking on Thursday, November 15. The Passaic County Council Community Partnerships Project is a community-based coalition dedicated to reducing the negative impact of tobacco on all Passaic County residents. If you want to become a community partner or volunteer to help, please call (973) 473-3366 x101 If you want help quitting, call New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quitline or the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Great American Smokeout November 2007 â&#x20AC;˘ Clifton Merchant

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Halloween Parade HarvestFest 07

The Pietruszka and Van Wie families, pictured at left, dressed as Mother Nature and company, won best in show at this year’s Halloween Parade, which concluded with a HarvestFest in Nash Park on Oct. 28. The following pages offer photos of some of the people which make the annual event (run by Clifton Rec. always on the Sunday before Halloween, rain or shine) such a fun family day. On page 85, from top left, are Apple Pie Baking contest winners: Joan Bromm second place, Paula Cruz, first place and Donna Fantacone, third place.

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This column was originally started by our founder, the late Murray Blumenfeld. In his spirit, we continue its publication.

s this column is being written we are still in the throes of our “face lift”. The paper and paint is complete - but our carpet isn’t down yet. We’re hoping by the time this goes to print we will be walking on a softer surface than cement.

The staff of Morre Lyons is very excited about our upcoming annual trunk show. For those who did not attend last year — this is when we invite a selection of vendors to display their jewelry. This is a perfect opportunity to see the entire line of each vendors merchandise, not just in store selections. It’s a wonderful occasion to do some early holiday shopping. Our tentative date is December 5th — we’ll keep you posted. Holiday orders are arriving daily and the showcased are filled with beautiful and unique designs that make perfect holiday gifts. We’re sure you’ll find just the right gift for all the special people in your life and on your list. We anticipate another wonderful holiday season with all our valued friends and loved ones. The birthstone for November is Topaz which can be found in a wide range of colors but is typically straw-yellow colored. The name “Topaz” is derived from the Greek word “to seek” which was the name of a Red Sea island that was difficult to find and from which a yellow stone was mined in ancient times. Topaz was believed to strengthen the mind and make one wiser. Have a NOTEWORTHY NOVEMBER and enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday. We’ll talk you again next month.

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Clifton Veterans Parade Clifton’s oldest veterans Rudolph Zajak and Joseph Jacobs will be the Co-Grand Marshalls for the Clifton Veterans Parade on Nov. 4. Both Zajak, 93, and Jacobs, 99, served in the Army during World War II. Zajak, who was a part of the 77th Division Head Quarters, served in the Pacific Theater and received a Purple Heart. Jacobs spent most of his time in Asia as a part of the US Army Air Force 958th Topographical Engineers. Any individual who served in the military is invited to march in the parade. All veterans should wear their uniforms and medals. The parade route will be along Main Ave; step-off is at 2 pm from

Rudolph Zajak

Sylvan, along Main and ending at the War Monument in Main Memorial Park. The CHS Marching Mustang Band will lead the way, followed by a parade of

Joseph Jacobs

march still growing. Civic and social groups are also invited to participate. To get involved, call John Biegel at 973-471-8828 or Keith Oakley at 201-774-6666.

Sunday, November 4 — Step off is at 2 pm Watch the Parade along Main Ave., from Sylvan to Main Memorial Park As we go to press, this is the parade lineup for Nov. 4.

Escort Division Main & Sylvan Clifton Police Clifton Fire (Marchers Only) CHS Mustang Band Grand Marshalls Elected Officials Military Transport Trucks Passaic County Sheriffs Dept. Motorcycles

Division II

Division IV

Hadley Near First

Main & Clinton

Kearny Caledonian Pipe Band Post 8 Post 347 MOPH DAV 2 Float Athenia Vets 82 2nd Airborne 10th Special Forces

Manhattan Transfer Recruiters Clifton, Passaic & Paterson ROTC Passaic Co. Tech Bulldog Band 54th Vietnam Living History

Division III

Division I

Hadley & Main Near Getty

Main & Hadley

Denville String Band Resident Associations Merchant Groups Clifton Elks Clifton Moose CASA UNICO

VFW Color Guard Fusion Core Drum & Bugle Corps VFW 7165 Knights of Columbus Float VFW 6487

Division V Main & Grace Skyliners Drum & Bugle Corps National Guard Trucks Cub & Boy Scouts Emerald Grenadears Brownie & Girl Scouts

Division VI Main & DeMott Greater Overbridge String Band Salaam Shrine Motor Corps Clifton Fire Engines November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Birthdays & Celebrations! send us dates & names... tomhawrylko@optonline.net Thelma Schwartz celebrates her 79th birthday on Nov. 18. Danielle Osellame. . . . . . .11/6 Kristen Soltis. . . . . . . . . . . .11/6 James Ball. . . . . . . . . . . . .11/7 Kevin Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . 11/7 Francine Anderson. . . . . .11/8 Ray Konopinski. . . . . . . . 11/8 Marie Sanzo. . . . . . . . . . . 11/8

Dimitratos Twins turn 21!!! Andreas & Katerina share a birthday on Nov. 22. Jazzlyn Caba. . . . . . . . . . .11/1 Robyn Jo Paci. . . . . . . . . 11/2 Thomas Scancarella. . . . .11/2 Kelly Tierney. . . . . . . . . . . .11/3 Lance Dearing. . . . . . . . . 11/4 Andrew Seitz. . . . . . . . . . .11/4 Tanya Ressetar. . . . . . . . . 11/5 Joe Angello. . . . . . . . . . . 11/6 Nicole Lorraine Bonin. . . .11/6 Happy 12th Birthday to Dillon Curtiss on Nov. 26.

Nicole Mokray turns 7 on Nov. 7.

Happy 8th Anniversary Joe and Susan Angello who celebrate on Nov. 14

Kyle and Nicole Zlotkowski grew these pumpkins with the help of Grandpa Joe Holzli. Kyle turned 6 on 10/10, Nicole was 4 on10/16. 86

November 2007 â&#x20AC;˘ Clifton Merchant

Brandy Stiles. . . . . . . . . . 11/10 Tom Szieber. . . . . . . . . . .11/10 Joseph Franek III. . . . . . .11/11 Laura Gasior. . . . . . . . . .11/12 Geraldine Ball. . . . . . . . .11/13 Patricia Franek...............11/13 Robert Paci....................11/13 Gregory Chase........... . 11/15 Matthew Phillips. . . . . . .11/16 Anthony Wrobel. . . . . . .11/16 Marilyn Velez. . . . . . . . . 11/18 Nancy Hawrylko. . . . . . 11/19 Joseph Tyler. . . . . . . . . . 11/19 Joseph Guerra. . . . . . . .11/20 Jon Whiting. . . . . . . . . . .11/21 Andreas Dimitratos. . . . .11/22 Eileen Fierro. . . . . . . . . . .11/25 Crystal Lanham. . . . . . . 11/25 Rachel Prehodka-Spindel 11/25 Kristen Bridda. . . . . . . . . 11/26 Jessi Cholewczynski. . . . 11/26 Happy Belated Birthday to Edward Holster, Sr. who turned 59 on Oct. 18.

Visit us in Downtown Clifton: 1103 Main Ave • 973-473-4999

We Don’t Sell Parts… …We Sell Service Happy 21st Birthday Walaa Abdelazim on Nov. 4 from your father Abdul “Joseph” Elgamel Bethany Havriliak. . . . . . 11/26 Sami Suaifan. . . . . . . . . .11/28 Christopher Seitz. . . . . . . 11/29 Kaitlyn Graham. . . . . . . .11/30 Barbara Luzniak. . . . . . . 11/30 Jerry and Pat Franek will be married 32 years on Nov. 3.

Machine Shop On Location No Order Too Large Or Small FREE DELIVERY

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Happy Birthday Ethel Ludvik, 75 years young on Nov. 2. With love, your four girls, Chris, Brenda, Judy & Karen.

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Visit us in Athenia: 802 Van Houten Ave • 973-473-1997 November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Collecting Blankets for Those in Need

Most of us tend to think of the warmth in our homes this time of year, but there are those among us who cannot make ends meet and cannot even cover themselves and their families with a warm and clean blanket at night. Longtime Clifton resident and social worker, Christina (Andruch) Kedl, along with her co-worker, Brenda Pitts and employer, Partnerships for People, Inc., are collecting new blankets for the local shelters. They would like to distribute these blankets to needy individuals by Christmas time. Partnerships for People, Inc., headquartered in Short Hills, is a private, non-sectarian charitable organization that works to form person-centered services or “partnerships” between individuals, organizations and businesses so people with disabilities and other challenges can live and work as members of their communities. PFP is funded in large part by the New Jersey State Department of Human Services. If anyone is interested in donating brand new blankets to this cause, call Christina at 973-232-7747 or email her at christina.k@partnershipsforpeople.org. Joseph G. Bionci

Registered Representative

126 Oak Ridge Rd. Clifton, NJ 973-472-1707

OFFERING THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS & SERVICES:

Cliftonite Christina Kedl, left, and Brenda Pitts are collecting new blankets for local shelters. For info about Partnerships for People, Inc., log on to www.partnershipsforpeople.org.

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Optimist Cup ‘07 Thanksgiving Day, 10 am, Clifton Stadium

While the annual Hot Dog night for the players of the Clifton and Passaic teams has been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts, the annual Turkey Day clash is on Nov. 22 at 10 am on Clifton’s Joe Grecco Memorial Field. Captains of the two teams met recently at the Midtown Grill to break bread. At left is Indian Tyjon Greer, Mustang Rafael Polanco, Indian Adam Rojas and Mustang Matt Davella. Below, from left, is Mustang Lamar Rodriguez and Indians Thomas Hogan and Franklin Tapia.

The Optimist Cup Trophy, which is now in the possession of Clifton’s Fighting Mustangs, is up for grabs once again on Nov. 22. The Maroon and Gray possess a 38-355 lead in the Turkey Day series. The Optimist Cup Trophy is awarded on the 50 yard line to the winning football team at the conclusion of the annual Thanksgiving game, held this year on Clifton’s Joe Grecco Memorial Field. Trophies are also given to the offensive and defensive MVPs on each team. The Athletic Directors for Clifton and Passaic will select two recipients from the opposing squad. Having lost five of their first seven games, the Mustangs are out of playoff contention, but pride is on the line when Clifton meets Passaic on Nov. 22. Come out to the game to see old friends, support the marching bands, the cheerleaders and the football players. The members of the Clifton and Passaic Optimist Clubs are proud to support our neighboring communities and be

involved with this positive event. Both clubs invite the residents of Clifton and Passaic to attend the game to support their teams and help make the event a success. The Clifton Optimist Club is always looking for new members. For more information, call Club President Ted Munley at Clifton Savings Bank at 973-473-2200, ext. 12, Chair Tom Hawrylko at 973-253-4400 or visit www.cliftonoptimist.org. November 2007 • Clifton Merchant

Cactus Flower at CHS Abe Burrows’ Cactus Flower comes to life this month on the CHS stage. The play opened at the Royale Theatre in New York City in Dec. 1965 and ran for 1,234 performances. In 1969, it was adapted into a film and was a box office smash. It starred Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hawn in her first film role, for which she won an Academy Award. Cactus Flower is a situation comedy and period piece, taking viewers back to the 1960’s The CHS production will be loaded with the music, clothes, hairdos and manners of the era, sort of a flashback in time. Cactus Flower will be performed in the CHS auditorium on Nov. 15 at 4 pm, Nov. 16 at 7:30 pm, Nov. 17 at 3 and 7:30 pm, and Nov. 18 at 3 pm. For ticket information, call 973-470-2312.

The Cactus Flower cast includes from left, Dominick Marrone, Raven Bryant, Kristen Obolsky, Michael Purdy and Matthew Szewczyk. Front: Christina Filewicz, Lindsay Berberich and Kurt Irizarry. The set is designed and constructed by Julie Chrobak, Ken Kida and the Stage Craft Club. Barbara Novak is producer; Dave Arts directs.

For years, Bob De Liberto took 12 or more Motrin a day for his headaches. He had sinus surgery and consulted with a neurologist to stop the constant pain. Nothing worked. Nine months ago, he visited Dr. Moore to begin weekly chiropractic adjustments. Today, the headaches are largely gone and Bob, owner of De Liberto Specialty Foods, only occasionally uses Motrin. He urges anyone with headache pain to call Dr. Moore to discuss chiropractic.

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Stay on Track … Dr. Moore, at right, with Bob De Liberto … for Life! David R. Moore, D.C. 850 Clifton Ave. • Clifton

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