Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Table of Contents Labor Day is a time to Celebrate the American Worker. While our magazine publishes a week after that holiday, our theme this month is about jobs. As many of us have realized, the employment landscape continues to evolve. In this edition, we spent a few days with some workers and explain how they’ve come to their chosen field of employment.
What’s Inside? 6
Celebrate Our Teachers Chris de Vinck’s Monthly Essay
10 Anastacio Rojas The Happiest Bus Driver in Town
14 Mike Cervine Retired Means Being Productive
22 Dave Kishbaugh Traded a Shield for Two Wheels
28 Energy Entrepreneurs Catching a Wave of Deregulation
32 Pat Egan Fresh & Salt Water Fish Expert Eleven years after 9/11, we recall our neighbors who perished on that fateful day: Edward C. Murphy, Edgar H. Emery, Kyung ‘Kaccy’ Cho, Ehtesham U. Raja, Francis Joseph Trombino, Zuhtu Ibis, John P. Scala, Timothy Grazioso and his brother John.
36 Allison Rooney Aboard a 151 Schooner in Maine
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Editor & Publisher Tom Hawrylko Business Manager Cheryl Hawrylko Graphic Designer Ken Peterson Staff Writer Joe Hawrylko Contributing Writers Irene Jarosewich, Carol Leonard, Rich DeLotto, Don Lotz, Jack DeVries
40 Aisha Alzubi September Student of the Month
44 Mustang Sports 2012 CHS Fall Sports Teams
60 Generational Tennis History of CHS on the Courts
68 Arts & History Botany Blues Pub Crawl & more...
72 Patriotism & Parades Veterans Day Parade is Nov. 11
76 A Mustang Laments The Playing Field is Not Fair
78 It Take a Community Support the Lill & Jones Families
80
Birthdays & Celebrations Sending Salutations to...
Mustangs Season Opener at home September 8 Drum Major Kayla Termyna and Quarterback Malik Mouzone lead Mustangs on the field. Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Moments of Grace
Time to Celebrate Our Teachers How They Impact Our Lives & Community Essay by Chris de Vinck I stepped into Mr. Emra’s English class. It is time to stop bashing teachers. It is time to admit Bruce Emra was a new teacher. He laughed easily. I that teachers are not the problem in our schools. was impressed that he had “Powered by Text-Enhance” I could argue the problems in education rest in low a master’s degree from New York University (and a teacher pay, missing fathers, the misguided testing beautiful Mercury Cougar), and he liked books, the New mania, illiteracy, antiquated school-funding schemes. Yorker magazine, author John Updike, foreign movies, But it is September, a time ingrained in our culture poetry, art, history, the Mets, and he seemed to like me. when children climb into yellow school buses, when I do not remember how the subject came up, but we teenagers walk up the steps to the high school and were discussing in class the habits of the raccoon when I when teachers wait at the classroom doors with their lamely said to Mr. Emra at the end of the period that I vocations tucked squarely in their hearts. had pictures of raccoons that I took myself. He immediThis is the time of year to celebrate teachers and ately asked if I would bring then in to show him. what they do for our children year after year. That night I rummaged We don’t speak through my disorganized enough in our culture It was in this class that a teacher taught me “Powered by Textabout the intrinsic value Enhance” desk drawer in of a teacher’s worth. We that I was good, smart, charming, cheeky, my bedroom and pulled are steeped in performalive, and I have carried that newly discovout my raccoon pictures. ance standards, job outWhen I was a boy, I looks, business readiered confidence with me for all of my life. was delighted whenever I ness, state tests, taxes, heard the metal garbage and yet there are far can lid fall to the ground outside the dining room winmore valuable assets we tend to ignore when we look dow. I’d run to the window and see the tail and backside at a majority of our teachers in the United States. of a fat raccoon that obviously found, again, something I was a naive, lonely teenager when I entered high good for dinner deep inside the tall garbage can. school. I’d play a game when I stepped into the buildAs I grew older, I’d run to the basement window that ing each morning. I’d say to myself, “Let’s see how was even with the garbage can and there I’d watch the many people will say hello to me in the hallway today.” raccoon inches away. And 100 percent of the time the answer was zero, until One day I decided to open the basement window before the raccoon arrived to see if I could get a better Christopher de Vinck’s 13th book look, and sure enough the raccoon didn’t seem to care “Moments of Grace,” was recently that I stood watching him as he happily knocked over the awarded a first-place book award can and munched on cantaloupe rinds and stale bread. by the National Catholic Press Association. He is a language arts Then I had an idea. If I was so close to the raccoon, persupervisor at Clifton High School. haps I could take pictures. To order Moments of Grace, call 1That night I carried my Kodak Brownie and a flash 800-218-1903 or look for it in attachment, and when the raccoon appeared, I snapped bookstores or online. picture after picture. As I clicked the camera, the 6 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Moments of Grace raccoon passively looked at me, munched on his dinner and, if I didn't know better, I’d say it even smiled at me a few times in a pose of contentment and vanity. When I brought these pictures to Mr. Emra, he looked at each one as if they were precious photographs from National Geographic. He laughed at the pictures, asked how I was able to get such close-up shots, and he complimented me on my enthusiasm for these clever, agile creatures. That year Mr. Emra had us all sit in a circle as we discussed novels and short stories. We students delighted in being in Mr. Emra’s class where we all got to know each other and learned to like each other as we worked on group projects. We spoke openly about ourselves and about our connections to the books that we read. We wrote essays, plays, poems, short stories, and Mr. Emra spent countless hours at home reading our work and making personal comments on each of our papers: words of encouragement, suggestions for improvement, and kind praise. It was in this class where Mr. Emra introduced me to the poetry of Dylan Thomas, particularly “Fern Hill.”
It was in this class where Mr. Emra read aloud Jean Shepherd’s story “Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories,” and Updike’s gem “A&P.” It was in this class that a teacher taught me that I was good, smart, charming, cheeky, alive, and I have carried that newly discovered confidence with me for all of my life. Because of Mr. Emra’s class, I not only walked through the high school halls with so many people saying hello to me on a daily basis, I have walked through life with a sense of purpose, with a sense of confidence, with a sense of joy about living thanks to Mr. Emra and his interest in a goofy, lonely kid who liked raccoons. Say what you want about your own misconceptions about teachers. Say what you want about the problems we face in our schools today. I, like Mr. Emra, have been a high school English teacher and an English department chairman for the last 35 years. I know schools. I know teachers. I know children, and I can assure you that our troubles in school have little to do with the quality and goodness of our national, professional teachers. “Hello!”
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8 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Clifton Jobs
ANASTACIO ROJAS The Happiest Worker in Clifton is a CHS Bus Driver By Joe Hawrylko
To students in Clifton High School athletics, Anastacio Rojas is a familiar face. The native of the Dominican Republic is not only a long time bus driver for the district, but also a huge Fighting Mustant supporter who loves his job, his family and his life. In fact, Rojas just might be the happiest man in Clifton. “I like to deal with people and with the kids. Taking them to all their sports makes me so happy,” he said. “My life is very easy. I like to be gentle with people. That’s what my mother taught me, how to deal with people.” Rojas grew up in the village of La Vega in the Dominican Republic, and in 1977 moved to Santo Domingo where he worked as a driver before coming to the United States in April of 1986. 10 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
‘My wife, Victoria, brought me here from the Dominican Republic,” recalled Rojas. The two had their first child in 1982 while Victoria was living in the United States, and married in 1984 before immigration finally approved his paperwork. “She works in transportation (for Clifton Schools) too. We work together. She came here first. Her parents brought her here and then she brought me here.” “I left to have a better life. It was tough to leave there, to leave my family and friends,” he continued. “But we feel so comfortable here. God bless America.” The Rojas family settled in Passaic, where they lived for a decade before moving to Clifton in 1996. “I worked in one of the companies behind A&P (which is now Food Basics on Van Houten Ave.) in the shipping and receiving department,” he said. “Then
Rojas second from right with other Mustang fans during a playoff game against the Randolph Rams in 2006.
they decided to close the business and I went on unemployment.” Rojas used that opportunity to get his CDL license, and applied to become a driver for the Clifton Schools District, where his wife was already working as a bus aid. He was hired in 1995, and his presence has brightened bus rides ever since. “I drive everywhere, so I get to see all kinds of sports,” he said. “My favorite, to be honest with you, is baseball. Then I think it is definitely football. I get
out of the bus right away to go over and stand and watch the games.” “I remember the year when we got to the championship (2006). That same year that football went, the girls got the title that same year in softball,” he recalled.” “The Giordanos, Anthony and Dianna (no relation), you paid attention to those kids in those series. It was very fun to see those kids put on a show,” he said. “Diana Giordano, she was a tough girl, a great
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Clifton Jobs pitcher. We got the bases loaded a couple times in that State Final against Toms River and we beat that team 20. And football, we beat Eastside 26-0 at Giants Stadium. Let me tell you, I was so happy to carry those kids that year.” Rojas has three children who attended Clifton High: Geraldo, Glen and Nicole. Geraldo and Glen both played baseball, and their father regularly drove them to games. “I loved that,” he said. “It was one of my favorite memories.” Rojas also recalled Clifton’s exciting win over rivals Wayne Valley in this year’s state tournament at William Paterson University. “Those guys made me so happy when they beat Wayne Valley in the state semifinals,” he recalled. “That was one of those games where I drove myself there to watch because I wasn’t working. When they see me when I show up, it makes me so happy. Rojas, who turns 58 in October, played baseball in various leagues in his home country and plans on picking up his favorite sport again soon.
“My dentist, Dr. Edward W. Boehm, he graduated from Clifton High and he wants me to come back and play on his team,” he laughed. “He needed a pitcher so me and a few other people might join for next year. I want to play for two more years until I hit 60.” In addition to watching the kids he drives and playing himself, Rojas is a big time MLB fan. “My favorite team is the LA Dodgers, but who wants to go to Los Angeles? I go to Citi Field and Yankee Stadium a lot,” said Rojas, who purchased ticket packages with CHS hockey coach Tom Danko. “He’s one of my best friends. We go there a lot. He loves the Mets.” “All of the coaches, we get along very well. I got a lot of respect for them and I think that I get that back too,” he said. Rojas is also clearly appreciated by his peers. In April, his years of service in the district was recognized by administration with an award that was presented at a dinner at The Brownstone in Paterson. “I’m very happy with my job,” he laughed. “I am able to support my family with this job and for that I say thank God.”
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12 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
There are about 12,000 podiatrists in the United States, according to the Department of Labor, and Clifton podiatrist Thomas Graziano is one of only six who hold both a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree.
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As a foot and ankle specialist, my main goal for all my patients is to find caring solutions that last a lifetime. I won't just treat the symptom; I'll strive to correct the problem... Permanently. When you combine effective treatments with my genuine concern for your well-being, that's a powerful combination. -Thomas A. Graziano, MD, DPM, FACFAS CROSSOVER TOE is a progressive condition in which the second toe drifts toward the big toe and eventually crosses over and lies on top of the big toe. Usually seen in adult females, it can occur at any age, male or female. Without treatment, the condition may worsen to dislocation of the joint. Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Clifton Jobs
Mike Cervine
Enjoying Retirement, While Giving Back to the Community By Carol Leonard
Mike Cervine counseling a woman from Clifton and her daughter about a Medicare issue.
When 66 year-old Mike Cervine accepted an early retirement offer five years ago from Panasonic, his long-time employer, he really hadn’t given much thought to what he would do next. But after taking some time to have his severely arthritic right hip replaced and recover from the surgery, Cervine decided that he’d had enough time sitting around. For the past three years, he has served as a volunteer with the State Health Information Assistance Program, also known as SHIP, helping fellow seniors sort through and make decisions about their Medicare benefits. “I’ve always been active and I wanted to do something to give back to the community,” he said. “I like helping people. That’s the way I’ve always been.” A native of Elmwood Park (formerly East Paterson), Cervine attended what was then Newark State College (now Kean University) and Fairleigh Dickinson University for a time before enlisting in the Navy. He was trained as a communications technician and stationed in Guam during the height of the Vietnam War. “When I got out of the service I was very fortunate because at that time you could get into computer work without having a degree,” he said. 14 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Cervine worked as a computer operator and programmer for two small companies for a couple of years before landing a position with Panasonic in 1971, where he moved up the corporate ladder over the years. When he retired in 2007, he was director of information security and corporate compliance. He met his wife Dorothy on a blind date arranged by
Mike and his wife Dot back in 1967.
some friends and the two were married in 1969. The couple lived in Garfield before moving to Clifton in 1975, where they raised two children. Their son Keith is now a Roman Catholic priest and chaplain at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and daughter Christine is a school psychologist who lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. As his kids were growing up, Cervine became involved with the Boy Scouts at St. Philips Parish and he still serves as the chapter organization representative. “I’ve always been active with the Boy Scouts,” he said. “I was an Eagle Scout and so was my son.” Cervine was also chairman of the Clifton Mustang Band Parents Association when his kids were in high school and he worked on the band’s 50th anniversary committee. Perhaps the most profound event during his working life was being at the scene of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in 2001. He was attending a seminar on computer network security on the 27th floor of One Liberty Plaza, which is right next to the World Trade Center. “After the first plane came through we were told to
leave the building,” he said. “We didn’t have any idea at the time what had caused the explosion. Not knowing what was happening and whether the class would resume, I stood on the corner watching the north tower burn and the emergency services. It was then that the second plane hit the south tower, almost directly overhead. I took off running and before I had gotten half a city block away the heat from the explosion almost knocked me over. It was a harrowing experience.” Cervine was able to get through to his wife to let her know that he was okay and he kept moving away from the site of the attack. “I walked all over the city in my very uncomfortable shoes,” he said. “It must have been at least 20 miles. I had no idea how I was going to get home or when.” At one point, while sitting in Bryant Park, he said he observed an eerie quiet in the midst of all the confusion. “There was no traffic, everything had stopped. People were just talking to each other and trying to help each other out.” Eventually, Cervine made it to Penn Station and got a train to Newark, where his wife picked him up. “It scared the life out of me,” he said of the
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Clifton Jobs
Daughter Chris and son Keith, a Roman Catholic Priest.
experience. “I used to take things for granted, but I appreciate my life a lot more now.” Cervine got involved with the SHIP program after answering an ad in the newspaper for volunteers. “My mother-in-law and father-in-law were always asking me questions and for advice about Medicare, so I knew something about it,” he said. “I decided that I’d probably be good at doing this and I was close to Medicare age myself at the time, so I figured that learning more about it would help me, too.” Cervine attended a required five-day seminar in Morristown and took a three-and-a-half hour exam to become certified by the state as a SHIP counselor. He also must attend three update sessions every year to learn about any changes to Medicare. He conducts his free counseling sessions with Clifton residents at the Senior Center located at the rear of the City Hall complex on Mondays and Wednesdays. His fellow SHIP volunteer counselor, Mary Jane Fabata, is there for information and advice on Tuesdays and
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Thursdays, and the two sometimes schedule appointments on Fridays, when needed. The role of SHIP volunteers such as Cervine and Fabata is to help seniors understand the Medicare program as well as how to choose a prescription drug plan and supplemental coverage. They are also authorized to contact the Medicare office or Medicare Advantage insurance companies and advocate on behalf of their clients when coverage issues or questions arise. In addition to individual counseling, Cervine also conducts a free three-session group seminar on Medicare at the Senior Center in the fall and spring to give residents an overview of the different parts of the Medicare program and answer general questions from attendees. The program may be of particular benefit to those who will become eligible for Medicare in the near future and their family members. Cervine enjoys his work helping people with their Medicare issues, but he finds it sad when he comes across someone whose income makes it difficult to afford to pay the deductibles that are required or for their drug coverage. “Some people fall through the cracks,” he said. “Their income isn’t low enough to qualify for Medicaid assistance, but they’re struggling to pay for everything they need.” In addition to his work with SHIP, Cervine is a member of the Passaic County Senior Advisory Council, serving as head of the education and publicity committees. The group works with the county’s Board of Freeholders on issues that affect seniors as well as monitoring state and federal legislation. “Right now, we’re trying to pressure Congress to renew the Older Americans Act,” he said. “A lot of funding for senior programs comes from this.”
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Clifton Jobs He’s also on the Clifton Senior Advisory Council, which he says is very valuable because he can bring information back to the city from the county and vice versa. Although he is currently taking a break from active involvement with the program, Cervine has been an English and citizenship tutor with Literacy Volunteers of America. He is also very active with St. Philips Parish as a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Parish Council, and he and his wife serve as Eucharistic ministers. An early riser, Cervine exercises every morning between 5 and 6 a.m., walking near his Maple Valley area home. “I used to jog about five miles a day until my hip gave out in 2007,” he said. “Now I just walk fast. I’m the ‘lunatic’ that my wife says is up that early in the neighborhood.” When not involved in all of his various activities, Cervine likes spending time with his wife of 43 years, whom he said takes very good care of him. Every Tuesday is their date day for going to a movie and out to dinner. They also enjoy traveling to visit their daughter and her family in Wisconsin once or twice a
year as well as taking other vacations. This past year they went back to Guam, where Cervine had been stationed while in the service, and to Canada for a railway tour. “I’ve been very fortunate,” Cervine said. “The world has been very good to me.” Mike Cervine will conduct his annual three-part Medicare seminar on the first three Wednesdays of October at 2 p.m. and repeated at 7 p.m. in the Senior Center in the rear of City Hall. On Oct. 3, the topic will be Medicare Parts A and B. On Oct. 10, he will cover Medicare Part D and the Medigap Plans, and on Oct. 17 he will explain the Medicare Advantage Plans as well as Fraud and Abuse Prevention. The two-hour sessions are open to the public, including those currently on Medicare as well as those close to Medicare age and their family members or caregivers. Preregistration is requested so that enough handout materials can be provided to those who attend. Call the Senior Center at 973-470-2234 to register for one or more sessions or to make an appointment for individual counseling on Medicare.
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Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Clifton Jobs
BEST JOB ON TWO WHEELS Former Clifton Cop Dave Kishbaugh is now a Bike Fitter By Joe Hawrylko
At just 45 years old, Dave Kishbaugh is already preparing to move on to the second phase of his life. The former Clifton police officer retired on Dec. 31 of last year after spending 25 years on the force. Kisbaugh, who graduated from Clifton High in 1985, is best known to locals for his time with the CPD bike patrol, which he joined in 1995. That opportunity sparked a fire for cycling that still burns to this day. To prepare himself for retirement, Kishbaugh received certification in body geometry from Specialized Bicycle Components University and then founded DNK Cycling, LCC, a bike fitting and coaching company. 22 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
But although he is now a master rider and fitter, Kishbaugh actually got his start in biking later in life. When he first joined the Clifton Police Department in January of 1987, Kishbaugh was a street patrolman. “I turned 18 in my senior year, so I tested in high school. I was on patrol in the 4 to 12 shift and I always liked to say that the bicycle saved my life,” explained Kishbaugh, a 1985 CHS graduate. “The 4 to 12 shift just wreaks havoc on you in a lot of ways. You get home at midnight. What are you going to do? You’re home during the day and all your friends are at work. Or you’re working weekends, and you’re eating crappy. I was an athlete in high
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t u r d Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Clifton Jobs The Clifton Bike Patrol in 1998. From left: Carmine Petrone, Joseph Klein, Thomas Campbell, Sgt. Gerry Wyhopen, David Kishbaugh James Flanagan and John Michael.
school and then all the sudden I’m in my 20s, out of shape.” In the 90s, police departments nationwide began adding bike units. Clifton joined the trend in 1995, and Kishbaugh was invited to the newly formed patrol. It would be the first time he would regulary ride a bicycle since his teenage years, but Kisbaugh, an athlete in high school, would quickly acclimate to his new profession. “I jumped at the opportunity but I had know idea what I was getting into,” he laughed. “It was a baptism by fire every step of the way. I bought a bike three weeks before class. The longest ride I did at that point was 5 miles and I came home all proud of myself and said, wow, this is pretty easy.” “The first ride we did at the police academy was 27 miles, with the last two being up hill,” he recalled and laughed. “I was in absolute pain, but I was the second person up the hill. By the end of the week, the lead instructor says, ‘Hey, you have any interest in becoming an instructor?’” In October of 1996, Kishbaugh was sent to Orlando, FL to become a certified instructor for law enforcement. He then returned home to Clifton and began teaching at local academies. “That’s when bike patrol had just started taking off,” he said. “We started putting a lot of guys on, and a lot of other cities did too.” 24 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Dave Kishbaugh works on a biker, fitting him for proper extension and below measuring the rider’s fit and gait.
In 1997, Kishbaugh gained Clifton some fame when he became a Law Enforcement Bike Adminstration (LEBA) master instructor in 1997 and began teaching around the country. “I’ve been to 18 states and three Canadian providences and St. Croix,” he said. That same year, Kishbaugh also joined the LEBA board, which he still sits on today. Gradually, Kishbaugh become more and more involved with cycling, going off on rides in his spare time, and competing in law enforcement and civilian races, both on and off road. “The more time I spent on a bike, it just rejuvenated my life. I just started getting more and more into the bike, and not just the police aspect of it,” he recalled. “It wasn’t just a police thing. It had become a huge part of my life and I saw things changing,” said Kisbaugh. “A lot of people I associated with, a lot of my friends, they were all cyclists. People from all different walks of life, all different age groups. That’s the cool thing about riding in groups. One rider is 55 years old and another is 16 years old. There’s not a lot of sports where you can be together like that.” In 2000, Kishbaugh was at his peak, traveling across the United States on weekends to compete in various events. “That was the biggest year. I raced up and down the East Coast, as far down as Gainesville, Florida, up north to Maine and out to Durango, Colorado,” he said. “My first overnight date with my wife, we Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Clifton Jobs drove to Tsali, NC, got a cabin and passed out. We got up in the morning and I pre-rode the course,” Kishbaugh continued. “Saturday was really nice. We hung out and had a nice day. Sunday, I just like, ok, you stand here with the water bottle and when I come by, give it to me. I did the race, and in the morning we jumped back in the car and drove right back home.” However, age slowly began to take its toll on the former Clifton cop, and he cut back on competitive racing and riding in general. “I had started to develop some injuries and it was getting hard to keep up,” said Kisbaugh. “I just kept thinking, what can I do better? How can I train better? I went to a couple different places to get properly fit on a bike. That was the first time that I rode pain free in about five years. That’s all it took for me to say that this is something I really want to do, help other people.” In 2011, Kishbaugh attended Specialized Bicycle University and was certified in body geometry fit as a master technician. That same year, he founded his own fit company, DNK Cycling, LLC. “It’s mobile. I have a station wagon that I carry a lot
26 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
of what I need with me,” he explained. “I do most of the fitting out of Marty’s Reliable Cycles in Morristown. They have a full fit studio where I can do video capture and slow it down to watch the tracking of the knees.” A full fitting can take up to four hours. “It’s very specialized,” he explained. “We measure the body for muscular irregularities, for structural irregularities. There’s a lot of biomechanics involved, looking at the way their body is structured.” Kishbaugh’s clients include elite cyclists and triathletes, all the way down to recreational bikers who ride frequently. “The other half is coaching. Everything this so scientific now. There’s all this technology out there, so people want tobe able to do the best that they can do,” he said. “When you get that phone call, ‘What you did worked, we won, we won,’ when you hear that, it’s great,” he said. “I’m not going to ride for every, but I’m going to teach. Just like Jose Dominguez was my mentor on my bike, maybe one of these younger guys will do it and continue to pay it forward.”
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Clifton Jobs
ENERGY ENTREPRENEURS Paul Shagawat and Dustin Scarpa of Premiere Energy Auctions By Joe Hawrylko While most other 26 year olds are just starting to make their mark in the world by working for someone else, Cliftonites Paul Shagawat and Dustin Scarpa are busy expanding their company, Premiere Energy Auctions, with plans for a second office on the horizon. “Dustin and I have been best friends for over a decade,” explained Shagawat, 2008 graduate of Rutgers University and a Class of 2004 CHS alum. “When we decided to go into business together, we just kept on talking about what an opportunity it was. We love it. Every quarter is better than the last.” So what exactly is PEA? It is energy consulting company that finds savings for clients by utilizing an open reverse auction, Cliftonites Dustin Scarpa and Paul Shagawat are the managing partners of which puts energy supply compaPremiere Energy Auctions. PEA has a full time staff of nine and serves more than 500 clients in seven states. nies (ESCOs) in direct competition with one another. A client is put on The two friends came up with the idea for PEA while the auction block, and ESCOs bid against each other interning at the same company in college. for that contract. “When I was at Rutgers, I worked on an internship PEA makes no money off of its clients. Shagawat, for Direct Energy Services (an energy supply compaScarpa and their trained agents earn their living on a ny),” explained Shagawat, who studied finance. fee applied to the winning ESCO. “Basically, I worked internally for them. And by doing “PSE&G, under the Deregulation Act, is no longer so, we understood the way they operate for their clienallowed to profit off of energy,” explained Shagawat. tele. Internally, they were creating savings for clients, “PSE&G is not the one you’re actually getting energy but we realized there was a greater opportunity for even from. They maintain it. You do have a choice as far greater savings.” as who supplies it.” Since New Jersey deregulated in 1999, supply com“We’re like priceline.com, but for energy,” added panies have been competing to serve local businesses. Scarpa, an alumni of the CHS Class of 2005, who However, while the ESCOs ultimately brought savings graduated from Rutgers with a degree in communicato clients, uneducated consumers were leaving plenty tions and economics in 2009. of money on the table. 28 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
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Clifton Jobs “There was a huge gap. There was no company sitting on the client’s side of the table in the industry,” explained Scarpa. Together, Scarpa and Shagawat used their contacts and industry knowledge to develop the reverse open auction that their company uses today. But while the system was sound, the difficult task was convincing clients to try out their product. Initially, the two former Mustangs started out in their hometown. “I tried everywhere: Bruno’s, Bagel Station, Mario’s, Bliss, Buco’s...” said Scarpa. All of those local businesses are still clients to this day. “We’re Clifton born and bred. That first year we went door to door in Clifton, Wayne, anywhere we could get really.” In the early years, Shagawat and Scarpa built up their company from home. “I was working in finance, but at night, this company was my life,” said Shagawat. “40 hours in the office and then another 40 at night.” One of the biggest turning points for PEA was working with A.C.E. Restaurant Group, the managing company for the franchise, Houlians.
30 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
“That was our first account that we realized we could compete with anyone,” he said. “They saved over $300,000 this year and all they spent with us was under an hour. If our product is that good, why not the Empire State Building?” Shagawat and Scarpa also worked with Grubb & Ellis, which greatly enhanced their company’s profile within the tristate region. “Grubb & Ellis decided to use us on a trial basis,” said Shagawat. “We were able to bring one of their clients an additional savings of 15 percent and over $18,000.” Other important national and regional clients include Matrix Realty Group, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s, Tuxedo Ski Resort, Uneeda Enterprises (a large scale manufacturing plant), Branca Properties, National Retail Transportation and Sharecon, a large hotel management firm. Shagawat and Scarpa have also done consulting work for Mountain Creek Ski Resort, Curtis Wright Metal Manufacturers and the Arch Diocese of Newark. “Any commercial property that uses energy is a potential client for us,” said Shagawat. “We have a
little over 500 clients now. We work anything from hotels, to ski resorts to delis. We do the biggest manufacturing plants and your local pizzerias.” In addition to large companies, PEA also does extensive work with non-profits and charities, including several YMCAs and Boys & Girls Club chapters, The Association for Retarded Citizens, and The Seeing Eye, which trains seeing eye dogs for the blind. “We were able to reduce their costs by 23 percent and $162,000 over the next two years,” added Shagawat. One of PEA’s early Clifton clients was St. Philip’s Church on Valley Rd., where Scarpa attended mass growing up. “St. Philip’s Church is where I went as a kid and I wanted to make sure they got the best deal they could get,” he explained. “Family raised morals and ethics are a major part of what we are: a profitable company that helps people.” PEA has also worked with government entities, including the city of Saddle Brook, for which it does consulting work, the Garfield BOE and the East Orange Housing Authority.
“Most individuals out there are uneducated brokers. At my company, what I like to say is we’re energy consultants,” said Shagawat. “We analyze markets. We’ve been around and we see what’s taking place. We make sure that our clients are comparing apples to applies prices and we offer that price that they get.” “I put our employees through a two week training program,” added Scarpa. “Everything that I learned in the industry I teach them.” Shagawat and Scarpa have watched their company continue to grow since incorporating as an LLC in August of 2009. PEA currently has more than 500 clients in seven states, and there is plenty of room for growth. “There’s currently 27 states that are deregulated,” said Scarpa. PEA is currently headquartered in Fairfield, where they’ve been located for a year and a half. “When Florida deregulates, we’ll be there right away.” “It’s realistic to say that we’re going to open a second office in central Jersey within the next 12 months,” said Shagawat. “We want to be local to them. We want to be there for them to rely on.”
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Clifton Jobs
THE FISH MASTER Pat Egan Absolutely Loves His Job on Rt. 46 By Joe Hawrylko As a young kid growing up in Clifton, Pat Egan fondly recalls getting into fish keeping with his father. The 2006 Clifton High School grad and his dad, William, used to regularly shop at Aqua Tropics—now known as Absolutely Fish—the same store he now works at. “It used to be a hobby with my father for years,” Egan recalled. “I was looking for a job and passed by here one day and it just looked like a cool place to work.” For the past eight years, the 24 year old has been getting paid to teach others about a hobby that he fell in love with as a child. “I started as a fresh water guy and then started moving to other areas,” said Egan, who lives in Elmwood Park and has been working full time for the past six years. Like all employees, he had to take a series of tests to qualify to work in other departments. “You learn about all of the families of fish, the location of fish and learn compatibility,” Egan explained. Fish keeping, especially maintaining a salt water set up, requires an extensive amount of knowledge and upkeep so that a tank can showcase its natural beauty. “You don’t want the customer to know more than you. You’ve got to be one step ahead of the customer and the competitors.” Egan and the other employees at Absolutely Fish are more than happy to share their vast knowledge with customers—they’re all hobbyists themselves. “I’m definitely into invertebrates and salt water critters. My specialty is live coral and inverts. Freshwater is beautiful but when you get to salt water, it’s much more diverse” added Egan, who has been the supervisor in the invertebrate section for the past two years. “I have a 20 galloon reef tank and a small fresh water tank. But these are all my pets here.” The testing that employees go through is not only for themselves, but to impart that knowledge on customers. “We base ourselves on education. It’s a hobby, but you learn about the animals too,” said Egan. He added that the store also actively seeks out breeders instead of captured fish so that reefs remain sustainable. 32 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Pat Egan near a tank inside of Absolutely Fish, where the CHS 2006 grad has been an employee for eight years.
A new customer who receives proper instruction on how to build and care for their tank and its inhabitants is more likely to enjoy the hobby and come back to do more business. While he enjoys educating new clients, Egan particularly likes being surprised by expert collectors. “I can do an order with someone and get something I’ve never seen before,” he laughed. But those instances tend to be rare. With 150 freshwater tanks, 44 marine, fish-only tanks and 21 coral reef tanks, Absolutely Fish has a diverse selection of beautiful aquatic life.
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Clifton Jobs Because of this, the store plays host to classes from all levels with students seeking to learn more about fish keeping and marine life. Egan recalled a memorable visit from the Paterson Charter School, where the store prepared its tanks according to the lessons that students were learning that day. “Every employee had a different class with a tank on specific fish from a certain area of the world,” he said. For Egan, another perk of the job is getting younger children into fish keeping. “I definitely enjoy helping people. As I kid, I remember coming here and being so excited to go to the fish store,” he said. One of his most memorable experiences on the job was allowing a young child and his father into the store after they had showed up just after it closed. “He told me that when he got back in the car, he was crying,” he laughed. “The kid’s dad told me that I made his son’s day.” Overall, small memories such as that and the ability to spend his days at doing something he considers to be a fun hobby makes his job enjoyable. “There’s 23 of us here. It’s definitely a group effort,” said Egan. “I’m grateful to be a part of it. ”
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Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Clifton Jobs
Allison Rooney Enjoying Life Outdoors and on the Water Story by Carol Leonard • Photos by Kevin Brusie Like many of her fellow 20-somethings, Allison Rooney hasn’t yet decided on her long-term career plans. But the 24 year-old Clifton native is having the time of her life this summer working as part of a fivemember sailboat crew aboard the Margaret Todd, a 151-foot schooner, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Rooney has been an outdoor enthusiast all her life. While growing up, she and her family, mom Kathy, dad Bill and older sister Diana, spent a lot of time together camping, kayaking, canoeing and skiing, among other activities. “I loved it, it was a great time,” she said. Her other interest as a child was taking care of her pets, which included a cat as well as hermits crabs and a tank full of freshwater fish. From a very young age, Rooney enjoyed being around animals and she always thought that she would become a veterinarian. 36 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Through her fours years in high school, she worked part-time at Animal Emergency & Referral Associates in Fairfield, which offers specialty care and a 24-hour animal emergency room. She started as a cleaner and worked her way up to becoming a veterinary technician, working alongside the doctors as they performed surgery and other procedures. “I learned a lot about medicine and got to do some pretty neat stuff with the animals,” she said. After graduating from Clifton High School in 2006, she went on to The College of New Jersey, where she majored in biology. But after three semesters at the school, she decided it wasn’t for her. “I didn’t like the program’s emphasis on microbiology,” she said. In the middle of her sophomore year, Rooney transferred to the University of Vermont, which offers a
At left, is the Margaret Todd the sailboat that Allison worked on along side the five member crew.
Sometimes we have to work in the rain and fog, and when there’s a sudden downpour you don’t always have time to put on your weather gear. major in wildlife biology, a program more to her liking. “It was different, more animal-related and ecological science rather than lab
science,” she said. She also liked the fact that there were more students there who enjoyed hiking and the other kinds
of outdoor activities that she loved. “There were so many more people like me who liked to get out into the woods,” she said. “In Vermont, skiing and hiking are regular activities for everyone.” By the time she completed her degree in May 2010, Rooney had shelved her plans to pursue veterinary school. “I realized that I didn’t want to be stuck in a doctor’s office all day and have a mound of (student loan) debt.” The summer after graduation, she was recommended by a professor in her department for a shortterm research position at Denali State Park in Alaska. Located six hours north of Anchorage, Denali is part of the national parks system and includes Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain peak in the United States. “My mom was a little nervous about me going, but I was really excited about it,” Rooney said. “It was awesome there.” The job involved working
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Clifton Jobs Rooney and the rest of the crew work six days a on the final stages of a research project on the transweek. It’s a long day, especially in the early part of the portation system in the park and included surveying visseason when the longer daylight hours mean a later itors and compiling statistics. sunset cruise. “Most of the summer it was only in the 60s and “It’s not easy,” she said. “It takes a person with a cermisty a lot of the time,” Rooney said. “And it did snow tain kind of grit to work on a boat. Sometimes we have a couple of times.” to work in the rain and fog, and when there’s a sudden Rooney worked four days a week, so she had three downpour you don’t always have time to put on your days to hike and backpack with many of the other park weather gear.” workers, who all lived in the area. Rooney’s boyfriend has come up to When her research work was finvisit her several times while she has ished at the end of August, she decidbeen in Bar Harbor and the two have ed to take a job with Aramark, the food also met half way to spend time supplier for the park, so she could stay together. an extra month. When the tour boat season is over At the end of September, Rooney in mid-October, she plans to return to returned to Vermont and worked in a Vermont, where she has an open door local camping supply store in South to go back to her old job. Burlington. She later landed a position She and Goldfield are hoping to as a merchandise manager at an outrelocate together to the Pacific door gear store. Northwest next spring. During the She met her boyfriend, Aaron winter, they plan to take a road trip to Goldfield, at a rock climbing gym in explore some areas between San the area that the two liked to frequent. Francisco, California, and Seattle, Goldfield, 27, is a carpenter who Allison Rooney in 2006. Washington. “We want to do some works in his family’s contracting busiskiing and snowboarding, and to see ness. where will be a good place to settle,” Rooney said. By last year Rooney was getting restless in her job, Goldfield hopes to find work in carpentry and conso she began looking for other employment opportunitracting, and Rooney hasn’t ruled out the possibility of ties. “I knew I didn’t want to work in retail for the rest working along side him in the same profession. of my life,” she said. “But I felt like I was getting “I had this very interesting major in college, but it’s sucked into it.” not easy to get a job in this area that’s not seasonal She eventually answered an ad on Craigslist for a job work or something that requires a lot of travel and short on the Margaret Todd. “I have friends who live in Bar term assignments,” she admitted. “But I like physical Harbor and work as seasonal rock climbing instructors work, so I’m open to a lot of possibilities. I also want there,” she said. “They encouraged me to go for it.” to check out the national parks. If you go where there’s The tour boat company offers visitors a choice of tourism, you can find a job.” morning, afternoon or sunset two-hour cruises on Rooney’s parents were somewhat apprehensive at Frenchman Bay. first about her future plans, but they support her wishRooney was attracted to the idea of being out on the es. “My mom is more the voice of reason, but she also water watching wildlife all day, including harbor porpoiswants me to be happy,” she said. “My dad just told me es, seals and many different species of birds. She even to do what I want and follow my heart.” had an opportunity to observe the development of a baby bald eagle that was born at the beginning of the season. In the meantime, Rooney is enjoying the last few Her knowledge of the wildlife from her coursework weeks of the boating season in Maine and is happily in college makes her a valuable resource aboard the enjoying the fresh air, the water and the wildlife of Bar cruise for visitors who have questions along the way. Harbor. 38 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
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Clifton Mustangs
SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT Aisha Alzubi is the CHS September Student of the Month By Joe Hawrylko As the new Senior Class President, Aisha Alzubi is planning to bring some changes in the 2012-13 school year. Most important to the incoming senior is reintroducing the school to pep rallys, which have long been absent for quite some time in Clifton. “All of my four years here and I’ve never been to a pep rally,” said Alzubi. “Mr. McGinley, he was really enthusiastic about it, because he wanted to raise school spirit, so hopefully we can get that done.” That, coupled with fundraising and other efforts, might seem like a big work load, but the senior class president is experienced when it comes to getting things done in student government. “I’ve been the class president since my sophomore year,” she said. “I like it because of the fundraising. I’m a people person, and I just like helping.” In her first year, Alzubi came up with the idea to sell rubber bracelets as a fundraiser. “It was like the Live Strong bracelets, except maroon with white lettering saying Clifton Mustangs and a little horse,” she recalled. “I thought that everyone has one of those, so we might as well make one for school spirit. I myself sold about $600 worth of bracelets. Now, every sophomore class, that’s what they do, so that’s pretty cool.” 40 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
One thing that Alzubi looks to continue is the senior dodgeball tournament that her brother, Yazan, last year’s senior class president, helped organize. “The seniors that just graduated, they had a dodgeball tournament that my brother, who was class president, helped organize,” she said. Yazan, who will study at Bergen Community before transfering to Rutgers, was also named Student of the Month last year. “It really showed that we can come together and it gave hope. It was a lot of fun.” “He said that I inspired him to join student government actually,” Alzubi added. “That was the only year he did it. In addition to the student government, the CHS Student of the Month is also very active as a four year member of the Key Club, Knights of Pythagoras and the Italian Club. “Key Club is really great. They do a lot. Mrs. Turk, I don’t know how she does it,” said Alzubi. “She’s really amazing.” Alzubi has also managed boys volleyball and ice hockey all four years, and will manage the girls volleyball team this season. “I started because my best friend, Emily Guzman, is
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the captain and she’s amazing at volleyball,” she said. “She’s my vice president too. Our parking spots are right next to each other. I got her into it because the majority of the Student Council I had been with went for the SCA this year. My friend Tricia Montague, she wanted to be SCA President, and I said ok because I can trust her getting stuff done.” Alzubi, whose family owns Jaimito’s on Lexington Ave., is also looking for a job to save money for college and for traveling. With experience at her family’s place of business, she’s looking for other restaurant work. “I want two jobs,” she said. “And that would work because I’m a people person. I’d make a lot of tips to save for college.” Alzubi, who is of Peruvian and Jordanian background, traveled to Spain for spring break last year to visit family. “I was there by myself. It was really cool,” she said. Alzubi’s cousin from Barcelona, Spain came to visit her family this summer. She has also been to Peru and Jordan. “I love traveling and want to do more when I finally finish school.” That could be a while for the CHS senior.
She plans on going to med school to become an anesthesologist. “I’ve known I’ve always wanted to be a doctor since I was little. But it was always about what kind of doctor do I want to be,” she said. “I wanted to be a plastic surgeon for a bit, but said it’s not going to work. I can barely draw a straight line, let alone operate on someone.” However, after suffering through a car accident in the sixth grade with her mother, she learned about anesthesology. With college around the corner, she began to study the field and has focused on that track. “My dream school is Brown University. But my GPA is an 89, so I don’t think it’s Ivy League worth,” she said. “But the University of Pittsburgh, they have a great program. It’s ranked third in the country.” Alzubi is also looking into Rochester or Ramapo. While the road ahead will be challenging, the CHS Student of the Month know she’s up to the task thanks to her upbringing. “I get my studying and hard work ethic from my mother,” said Alzubi. “She’s a single mom and raised me and my older brother. I owe everything to her. She’s the best.”
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www.downtownclifton.com Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car & PCCC Continuing Education:
Nurturing Employees, Sharpening S PCCC Helps Businesses With Free Training
Pictured are some of the employees of Enterprise Rent-A-Car corporate offices in Wayne who received training through a grant offered through PCCC. Companies can apply for free or low cost employee training at worksites in Passaic County or at the PCCC campuses.
42 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
ing Skills, Community Connections Chantal Mastroianni of Enterprise Holdings knows a good deal when she hears of one. So when she learned of the grant funded employee training offered through the Continuing Education Department of PCCC, she saw it as a perfect match for her employer. “Here is an opportunity to train our employees, improve services to customers and conduct community outreach,” said Chantal, Training and Development Manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car for the New York Group operations. Working with PCCC’s Continuing Education Department over the past year, Chantal has arranged for nearly 100 employees to receive instruction from industry professionals Chantal Mastroianni and Linda Johnson at the firm’s offices in Wayne. Thanks to a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, PCCC brought the classroom to Enterprise. Instructors came to the job site and provided specific training in written communications, Power Point and other computer skills. It is part of the PCCC Center for Business Training offered to all Passaic County employers to help tailor training programs that improve their workers’ production capabilities and a company’s bottom line. And the best part of the package? Chantal continued: “The training is free!” Linda Johnson of PCCC picks up the story. “The grant provided through the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development pays for the materials, administration and instructors. Enterprise contribution is that the employees take training during their normal 8 hour workday,” said Linda. “Factor in lunch and Enterprise has made a significant contribution in employee hours, catering and time.” Chantal said the investment pays dividends. Employee skills are sharpened, customers may notice greater efficiency and Enterprise connects to the community through PCCC. “Our employees enjoyed it so much they told other employees and we brought PCCC back a third and fourth time,” said Chantal. “We promise our employees that we will continue to train and invest in them during their time with us and that impacts our bottom line. We want to tell our story and tell other employers what a great program this is and how easy and cost effective it is to work with PCCC.” From classes in literacy and English as a Second Language to customized instruction on computers or applications, PCCC offers employers one-day seminars to multi-day certificate programs.
Want training at your worksite? Call Linda Johnson at 973-684-7742 email her at ljohnson@pccc.edu or call Barry Schlegel at 973-684-6213 Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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MUSTANG SPORTS
Fighting Mustangs Seniors from left front: Chris Baird, Mohammed Shahin, Muhammad Abdul Salaam, Chris Acevedo and Christian Guglielmini. Middle: Kevin Navarro, Joe Mecca, Mohammad Baker, Adam Linares, Gunay Ismailoff and Jason Bayona. Back: Nawras Radwan, Paul Chambers, Luis Davila, Izzat Maali, Michael Wallace, Isaiah Purvis and Marc Escobar.
All Fall Sports Previews by Joe Hawrylko
lifton went 6-4 in Steve Covello’s first year at the helm, but a winning record simply wasn’t enough to get the Fighting Mustangs into the post season. In the coach’s eyes, that’s a disappointment. One that he doesn’t plan on repeating in 2012. “We didn’t win a couple key games,” explained Covello, whose expertise is on the defensive side of the ball. “Teaneck, Passaic County Tech... if we had won those games, we would have got the power points that we needed. That’s been our story the last couple of seasons. We don’t win early, and that comes back to haunt us at the end of the year.” With a full year as a head coach now under his belt, Covello believes his added experience will translate into a better season in 2012.
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MUSTANG SPORTS Football His classmate Marc Escobar also got some Varsity “I’ll take 100 percent of the responsibility for not reps in 2011, and will be the full time starter at center making the playoffs last year,” he added. “Looking this coming season. back, there’s things I should have done differently. I Sophomore Steven Lazarchuk will be one of the went to some clinics in the offseason, and had a lot of Mustang guards in 2012. Senior Mohammed Shahin meetings with coaches. I am always an advocate of will be the other starting tackle. finding things that you can do better.” Junior Malik Mouzone will be Clifton’s signal caller “We also beefed up the scrimmage schedule. We in 2012. He will have multiple options in the new played Union, Pope John and North Bergen,” Covello Mustang offense. Senior captain Adam Linares will line continued. “Hopefully this will get us ready for the up at both tight end and fullback. His classmate Stephen long season ahead of us. We’ve been progressively betNideck will also see reps at fullback. ter over camp. We’re doing really Junior Milton Cordero and sophowell right now, and we will see next Mustangs more Kevin Davis will also see time week how everything materializes.” since Clifton will frequently field two In addition to creating a more tight ends. challenging preseason for his team, Junior Jimmy Sonzogni is a key the coach has also worked closely Sept 7 Pascack Valley 7 pm returner for Clifton, and will start at with his staff to change up the Sept 14 Fair Lawn 7 pm running back. offense. For most of this decade, the Sept 21 @ PCTI 7 pm The wideouts will be led by returnMustangs have been a run-first Sept 28 JFK 7 pm ing senior Gunay Ismailoff. He will team, backed by a stingy defense. Oct 6 Bloomfield 1 pm be joined by classmates Izzat Maali Covello still plans to run the ball Oct 12 @ Hackensack 7 pm and Isaiah Purvis. plenty this season, but a versatile Oct 19 Eastside 7 pm “We’re going to have to option to cast of players will also give Clifton Oct 26 @ Ridgewood 7 pm run and pass,” said Covello. “I said it the option of throwing out of a numNov 22 @ Passaic 10:30 am last year when I got the job, but I am a ber of sets. firm believer in establishing the run “We switched our offense up this game.” Many of the offensive players will also start in year. We’re going to use multiple personnel, different the Mustang defense. “We are going to be a 4-3 defense, personnel packages with different types of players in with some nickel packages,” explained Covello. “The each package,” he said. “Big sets, spread... we want to strength is probably in our defense. Ever since I’ve been keep the defenses balanced. We’re going to run a lot in Clifton, our defense has been our strength.” more motion. Being on defense for years, the things The line will be led by returning senior starter Joe that always gave me fits was when offenses would run Mecca at defensive tackle. Steven Lazarchuck will also in different personnel.” be at DT, and Chris Acevedo and Mohammed Baker In addition to adopting to the new offense, Covello will play defensive end. Adam Linares will be at the and the Mustangs will have to deal with replacing center of the defense as the starting middle linebacker. departed seniors. He will be joined by Jimmy Sonzogni and Stephen “We lost about 12, 13... maybe 15 starters,” Nideck. Izzat Maali and Gunay Ismailoff will be the explained Covello. “But we do have about six or seven starting corners, and Isaiah Purvis and Jimmy Sonzogni guys back that have Varsity experience. We also have will play safety. Senior Chris Guglielmini will be the some new guys filling in various spots.” place kicker, while Malik Mouzone will punt. Fortunately, many of those returning players will be “We’ve passed the ball pretty well and we’re running on the offensive and defensive lines. the ball pretty well,” said Covello. “Week one, we’ll see Senior captain and returning letterman Chris one of the better defenses in Northern New Jersey in Acevedo anchor the Mustang line at tackle. Pascack Valley. They always get 11 helmets to the ball Senior Mohammed Baker saw time last year and can and they keep you guessing a little bit. But we’re feelplay several different positions on both the offensive ing pretty confident right now.” and defensive lines.
Football
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MUSTANG SPORTS Cheerleadering
At camp, Mustang varsity cheerleaders focused on gettign the crowd going. Seniors, from left: Alexis Porter, Cristina Rinaldi, Lexi Scaduto, Estefania Correa, Milly Soto Siree Cortes, Emily Amaral, Alexx Pleasant. Not pictured: Jalyn Adams.
The Clifton Mustang Cheerleaders once again held their annual August preseason training at Pine Forest Cheerleading Camp, practicing the stunts, pyramids and cheers that they perform at games and competitions. Many Mustangs were recognized with awards during camp. Sophomore Courtney Licata won her division in
jump off. Seniors Cristina Rinaldi and Alexx Pleasant were named camp All-Americans. The girls as a whole won their division in cheer competition, and placed second in extreme routine. Clifton also won a superior award and traditions award, as well as the top banana award for most outstanding performance and attitude.
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Clifton Merchant • September 2012
47
MUSTANG SPORTS Boys Soccer
Pictured above and on the facing page are Varsity Soccer players.
Mustangs
In his first season at the helm of the Mustangs, head coach Fred Bido guided Clifton to a 14-5 record, but failed to win the county tournament and bowed out of the states early. Injuries to key players derailed the Mustangs midway through the year after a promising start: after dropping its first game to Don Bosco, Clifton went on an eight game win streak. “Every result was three goals over the other team,” Bido added. “We had a solid season until the middle when he had two big injuries (Brendan Guzman and Diego Espinoza).” With that in mind, the coach is happy about his chances in 2012. Despite losing six starters, Clifton will return veteran talent across the field. “We have a solid team again... we have the winning mentality, a winning culture,” said Bido. Key returners for Clifton include senior Danny Herrera, a strike who potted 24 goals in a campaign which netted him second team All State honors. Junior Justin Olaya will join Herrera on attack. Senior co-captain Filip Lech will be behind the strikers in the midfield, and will bounce between attacking and defensive positions depending on the style of play that day. Bido typically runs a 4-4-2. Senior Jermaine Hernandez will also be featured in the midfield, along with sophomore Brian Pariona. They will be joined by junior Luis Chapal. Others who will see time in the midfield include juniors Kevin Arce and Maurice Marsilla and seniors John Cuco and Ruben Zagara. “We’re trying to ballance all parts of the field,” said Bido. “But we’re really looking to strengthen the defense.” In the preseason, the coach has been playing several different players in the backfield: seniors Sertan Kosikci (left fullback), Nick Bartko (stopper), 48 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Boys Soccer Sept 8
PCTI
4 pm
Sept 11
@ JFK Memorial
4 pm
Sept 13
Eastside
4 pm
Sept 15
@ Passaic
Sept 18
Bergen Cnty Tech 4:15 pm
Sept 21
@ DePaul
4 pm
Sept 24
Fair Lawn
4 pm
Sept 29
@ Wayne Valley
Oct 2
Wayne Hills
4 pm
Oct 4
@ PCTI
4 pm
Oct 9
JFK Memorial
4 pm
Oct 11
@ Eastside
4 pm
Oct 16
Don Bosco
4 pm
Oct 18
@ Bergen Cnty Tech
4 pm
Oct 23
Passaic
4 pm
Oct 25
@ West Milford
4 pm
Oct 30
Lakeland
4 pm
Nov 1
@ Passaic Valley
4 pm
9:30 am
10 am
continued on bottom of page 50
MUSTANG SPORTS Girls Soccer
Clifton Merchant • September 2012
49
MUSTANG SPORTS Girls Soccer The Lady Mustangs continued to excel on the pitch, capping off a 125-2 regular season with a league championship and a trip to the county finals before losing to Montclair in the semifinals of the state tournament. That marked seven times in eight years that head coach Stan Lembryk has guided Clifton to the county finals. In his two stints with the Club, the Lady Mustangs have been excellent, and he expects 2012 to be no different. “We lost some key players but returned about seven starters from last year’s team and about 14 overall,” he said. Those starters are spread out across the field, making for a very balanced club. “We have a very good nucleus coming back. I always like to say that this is a very smart thinking group, with very high soccer IQ.” In net will be junior Rachel Egyed, who earned All County and All League honors at the end of the 2011 season. In front of Egyed will be several experienced defenders. Seniors Katie Brody and Shannon Guzman return in 2012 and will on the outside as fullbacks. “They’re both very attack minded defenders, so it’s good for us,” he said.
Mustangs
Girls Soccer Sept 7
at PCTI
4 pm
Sept 13 @ Eastside
4 pm
Sept 18 @ Bergen Cnty Tech
4 pm
Sept 22 DePaul
TBD
Sept 24 @ Fair Lawn
4 pm
Sept 26 Wayne Valley
10 am
Oct 2
@ Wayne Hills
4 pm
Oct 4
PCTI
4 pm
Oct 9
@ JFK Memorial
4 pm
Oct 11
Eastside
4 pm
Oct 16
@ Immaculate Heart
4 pm
Oct 18
Bergen Cnty Tech
4 pm
Oct 25
West Milford
4 pm
Oct 30
@ Lakeland
4 pm
Junior Danielle Celestine, a three year starter, will anchor the middle of the defense in Lembryk’s 4-4-2 scheme. Sophomore Meghan Sekanics stated as a freshman and will once again return to her role on the defense. Lembryk also plans on using seniors Victoria Rodio and Julia Ulczak in the back line. The midfield will be led by senior Delana Pasquale, a centermidfielder who earned All County and All League honors in 2011. Senior Victoria Vale and junior Karen
Boys Soccer, continued from page 48 Dashmir Sazimani and Jordi Luccero, juniors Nicholas Glodava (right full back), Daniel Natale (fullback) and Maciej Dlugosz (stopper or centerback) and sophomore Lacas Lech (centerback). Four from that group will earn starting positions early on in the season. Other options include seniors Anthony Sanchez and Simon Kutilla. Senior keeper Jonathan Diaz is a four 50 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
4 pm
Sept 11 JFK Memorial
Tuesta will be on the outsides, while senior Annette Malysa will be the attacking midfielder. Lembryk said he is also confident in using junior Sydney Maldanado, sophomore Nicole Roncancio and freshmen Sharon Garcia and Brittney Morales. The attack will be keyed by Jennie Hornstra, a senior who earned All State recognition after scoring 21 goals last season. “She was great and we hope she puts up big numbers for us again this season,” said Lembryk. She will be joined up front by sophomore Nikki Rzekiec. Junior Victoria Lemanski will come in off the bench. “Our strength is our depth and experience,” said Lembryk. “We have several good players all competing for the same positions. It creates a good, competitive environment. Players can’t get comfortable if there’s a player behind them. that are talented enough to start.” “Every season is great. Being in the city of Clifton for soccer, our culture is that we want to win all the time,” said Lembryk. “That’s our goal every year, but I think we have an even better chance this year.”
year Varsity player who will become a full time starter this season. “He was the substituting the last couple years, but earned the starting spot this year,” said Bido. Diaz will be backed up by juniors Adam Kopitar and Justin Purdy. “I think we’re going to have a better record and a better season this year,” said Bido, who added that his team will have several freshman that he intends to get time this year. “We always plan to be a contender for all three trophies.”
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Clifton Merchant • September 2012
51
MUSTANG SPORTS Volleyball
Back row from left: Brianna Batres, Jess Schama, April DiAngelo, Emily Guzman, Jennifer Koppers, Sara Douglass, Kelly Douglass and Nialah Smith. Front: Pabelly Bueno, Avani Sojitra, Julia Woolsey, Kirsten Ingwersen, Paola Perez and Aslihan Savas.
For the first time in many years, Mike Doktor will no longer coach the Lady Mustangs, having taken a vice principal job in the district. However, his replacement, Nick Romanak, a volunteer coach with the boys in 2011, enters the season with the same high expectations as his predecessor. Senior co-captain Emily Guzman collected first team All County and All League awards in 2011, and will once again be expected to be a team leader this coming season. Fellow captain, senior Jill Woolsey, the Mustang libero. Sophomore setter April DiAngelo was named to the first team All County squad after a stellar first year, and Romanak will looking for big things in her second campaign. Junior Avanti Sojitra split time between Varsity and JV in 2011 as a defensive specialist, and will be
making the move to the big club full time this year. Sara Douglass will once again contribute as the Mustang setter. Kelly Douglass will be the team’s other middle hitter. While Clifton will return several experienced players, there are holes at the outside and opposite hitter positions. In competition for the open spots are senior Aslihan Savas, junior Brianna Batres and sophomore Nialah Smith. “Mike has been really helpful in passing on a lot of information,” said Romanak. “I am really grateful for everything he has done.” “I really like our team. I kind of look at it as a rebuilding year a bit, but we’ve demonstrated a great attitude on the court,” he continued. Clifton went 17-7 in 2011, winning the league championship and losing in the county finals. “There’s a great chemistry between players.
52 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Mustangs
Volleyball Sept 7
@ PCTI
T f
4 pm
Sept 10 JFK
4 pm
Sept 12 @ Eastside
4 pm
Sept 14 Passaic
4 pm
Sept 18 @ Bergen Cnty Tech
4 pm
Sept 21 DePaul
4 pm
Sept 24 @ Fair Lawn
4 pm
Sept 28 Wayne Valley
4 pm
Oct 2
@ Wayne Hills
4 pm
Oct 4
PCTI
4 pm
Oct 5
@ JFK
4 pm
Oct 9
Eastside
4 pm
Oct 11
@ Immaculate Heart
4 pm
Oct 12
Bergen Cnty Tech
4 pm
Oct 16
@ Passaic
4 pm
Oct 19
@ Lakeland
4 pm
Oct 23
Passaic Valley
4 pm
They get along really well. Our captains have been great team leaders, and have shown a lot of hustle. It’s a really exciting position to come into.”
T
t
MUSTANG SPORTS Tennis
Back row from left is Elena Mikhaylova, Eman Alfawair, Nisha Shastri, Devashri Parikh, Hemakshi Mandania, Maggie Kurnyta and Jill Desai. Front: Hannah Hirst, Archi Shah, Kiara Casado, Joohi Rana and Dhara Rana.
The Lady Mustangs graduated five starters after going 8-6 in 2011. However, head coach Chad Cole will return his top two singles starters from last season, which gives him confidence for the upcoming year. “I love coaching these girls. They’re coming back from summer. They’re in a good mood and they’re optimistic,” said Cole. The most important returning starter will be junior Natasha Mendoza, who will once again be counted on in the first singles position. “We’re expecting bigger and better things from her this year. She spent the summer training with her father,” explained Cole. “She didn’t qualify for states last year, but she might this year. She’s gotten a lot better, but how much, we’ll see once the season starts.” Senior co-captain Hemakshi Mandania is the other returning
starter from 2011. She will once again play in the second position, and will provide valuable experience and leadership. However, after Mendoza and Mandania, the line up becomes slightly muddled. “The third position is up in the air right now,” said Cole. Senior co-captain Claudia Gonzales played doubles last year and has the inside track for the position at the start of the season. Also in the hunt will be senior Dhara Rana and juniors Maggie Kurnyta, Jill Desai Eman Alfawair and Nisha Shastri. Junior Kiara Casado could also emerge with the position. “She played JV last year but took lessons over the summer,” said Cole. The girls who miss out on the singles spot will form this year’s doubles teams. Overall, with a combination of experienced returners and improv-
Mustangs
Tennis Sept 7 @ PCTI
4 pm
Sept 10 JFK
4 pm
Sept 12 @ Eastside
4 pm
Sept 14 Passaic
4 pm
Sept 18 @ Bergen Cnty Tech
4 pm
Sept 21 DePaul
4 pm
Sept 24 @ Fair Lawn
4 pm
Sept 28 Wayne Valley
4 pm
Oct 2 @ Wayne Hills
4 pm
Oct 4 PCTI
4 pm
Oct 5 @ JFK
4 pm
Oct 9 Eastside
4 pm
Oct 11 @ Immaculate Heart
4 pm
Oct 12 Bergen Cnty Tech
4 pm
Oct 16 @ Passaic
4 pm
Oct 18 West Milford
4 pm
Oct 19 @ Lakeland
4 pm
Oct 23 Passaic Valley
4 pm
ing newcomers, Cole is optimistic for 2012. “We’re probably as good as last year,” he said. “We’re hoping to duplicate that record.”
Clifton Merchant • September 2012
53
MUSTANG SPORTS Cross Country
Mustangs At Garret Mountain Reservation, Mustang seniors from left: Allison Mejia, Alexa Budhi, Yuria Yuasa, Gabrielle Gonzaga, Allison Plishka and Ivonne Boria. Not pictured is Elizabeth Los.
Both the boys and girls cross country squads had solid seasons in 2011, with each winning the division and league crowns for the second year in a row. “The boys also went undefeated in dual meets, going 7-0, while the girls went 6-1,” added head coach John Pontes. The boys also added a third place county finish to their resume, and both squads qualified for state groups. Despite the results, coach Pontes believes the Mustangs are capable of much more on Garret Mountain. It certainly isn’t an unrealistic expectation. Both squads are led by returning first team All County selections: senior Gabby Gonzaga for the girls, and Jessie Boria for the boys. “Behind them on both sides are a hard working group of very talented runners,” added Pontes. For the girls, senior Yuaria Yuasa returns for her fourth year and will be counted on to be a reliable performer. Sophomore Sofia Nedelcheva will also be a major contributer in 2012, as will freshman Hannah Anolik, who has impressed early on in preseason training. Seniors Allison Mejia, Alexa Budhi and Ivonne Boria (Jessie’s cousin) and junior Leslie Sanchez round 54 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Cross Country Sept 8
Passaic/PCTI
Sept 10
Eastside
9 am 4:30 pm
out the major Sept 14 @ TBA 3:30 pm contributors for Sept 17 @ JFK 4:15 pm the girls squad. Sept 19 @ JFK 4:30 pm Senior Darren Sept 22 TBA 9 am Malysa will be a Sept 28 TBA 3:30 pm top runner for Oct 1 Bergen Cnty Tech 4:30 pm the boys this seaOct 12 TBA 3:30 pm son. Senior Oct 19 TBA 3:30 pm Karol Oldziej is Oct 25 West Milford/Garfield/ another upperManchester 4 pm classmen expectNov 3 @ TBA 10 am ed to contribute Nov 10 @ TBA 11 am in 2012. Nov 17 @ TBA 11 am Juniors Jay Rana and Justin Tanayan are experienced runners who Pontes will rely on, as will Jay’s cousin, Vishal. Coach Pontes also singled out junior Jeremy Hernandez and sophomore Jay Pathak as emerging talents. In total, the Mustangs will have 27 boys and 18 girls, and more than enough talent to compete against some tough foes. Pontes expects both squads to be able to replicate last year’s success. “It’s a good sized group for cross country. Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley are two very formidable oppo-
MUSTANG SPORTS Cross Country
nents in the county for both the boys and girls,” said Pontes. “For the boys, Passaic is also very good. Eastern Christian for the girls can be good too. We’re looking forward to a great season. I’ve got a great assistant coach in Mike Rogers, who has helped immensely.”
Mustang Senior Harriers, back row from left: Karol Oldziej, Ivan Aleksyeyenko, Joe Cupoli, Brian Solana, Jessie Boria and Jose Araya. From: Edgar Aguilar, Mendelssohn Philippe, Alexis Garcia, Darren Malysa, Vischar Rana and Deven Rana.
Clifton Merchant • September 2012
55
MUSTANG SPORTS Gymnastics The Clifton Mustangs gymnastics team will be under the direction of new head coach Amy Glenn in 2012. The 1998 CHS grad is a phys ed and health teacher in Kearny, and has spent the last four years as an assistant to former head coach Judy D’ArgenioSalsano, who coached her in high school. “It’s big shoes to fill of course, but I’m excited,” said Glenn. The new coach, who was hired in July, is also anticipating that the Mustangs will improve upon their 2-7 record in 2011 due to a blend of four returning upperclassmen and talented newcomers. “We have two freshmen this year, Kristen and Samantha Wong, who are actually twins,” said Glenn. “They’re level 7 gymnasts, and will be competing in all around. The 2012 gymnastics team. Front from left: Valentina Rincon, Melanie Guzman (manager), Michelle Choi, Fabiloa De La Barra, Ayanna Ervin and Marah Amer. Middle: Carla Ayala, Jasmine Luciano and Francine Choi. Back: Madeline Lora and Shayna Mercedes.
Mustangs
Gymnastics Sept 11
@ Butler
5 pm
Sept 20
Montclair
4:30 pm
Sept 21
Randolph
5:30 pm
Sept 27
@ Wayne Valley
Oct 2
Passaic Valley
Oct 4
@ Wayne Hills
4:30 pm
Oct 9
Columbia
4:30 pm
Oct 11
@ West Milford
4:30 pm
Oct 16
@ Ridgewood
4:30 pm
4 pm 4:30 pm
Oct 22
@ West Milford
5 pm
Oct 27
@ Ridgewood
TBD
They’re definitely going to help the team.” Simone Stilley, a four year gymnast, has the most experience on the squad. “She’s been taking on a leadership role,” said Glenn. The senior will compete in vault, bars and floor. “She’s the only one on the team that’s been here since her freshman year.” Madeline Lora also returns to the vault and beam once again. Glenn
56 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
hopes to have the senior compete in floor exercise this year. Senior Carla Ayala (vault and beam) and junior Shayna Mercedes (vault, bar, beam) round out the returning Varsity gymnasts. “We have a great group of girls that came out for the team, and we’ve been improving our skills every day,” said Glenn. “Our goal is to improve upon our record from last year.”
The Mar Martini tini Founda Foundation tion Aqua Aquatic tic Center e
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To
g Clifton Merchant • September 2012
57
Marching Mustangs Drum Major Kayla Termyna leads the Marching Mustangs on the field and in events in our community this year. Pictured are varsity band members during their August camp at CHS. They include: Connor Lainson, David Jackiewicz, Catherine Longhlin, Dennis Pierson, Austin Talaeai, Madison Molner, Jaji Naik, Briana Mancenido, Robert Kozielec, Samuel Ramos, Joanna Szablowska, Pratixa Rana, Nicholas Zecchino, Kyle Smith, Christina Sotelo, Alina Park, Casey Casperino, Brian Prada, Christine Wolwowicz, Andrew Roennav, Gregory Schwartz, Michelle Shackil, Mark Surgent, Kevin Dziuba, John Glarc and Timothy Laux.
58 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
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59
Mustang History
TENNIS GENERATIONS Mustangs Families on the Court have History at CHS By Joe Hawrylko Over the past 23 seasons that she has been head coach of the boys tennis team, Andrea Bobby has put several talented squads on the courts. This past year was no different, as Clifton went 14-4, earning the league crown and capping the season with their first win ever over Morris Knolls in the State Tournament before bowing out in the second round. “It was a really good accomplishment for us,” said Bobby, a 1979 CHS grad. The team was led by brothers Jefferson and Richard Rangga. Jefferson, now a senior, and Richard, a junior, led their club last year and are expected to once again take on bigger roles. As Bobby recalled watching her two stars mature this past campaign, she started getting nostalgic. The Rangga are one of many family members in the long history of the Mustang tennis program. “We have some really good brothers on the team right now,” Bobby explained. “It just got me thinking, our team is usually really, really good when we have some family involved.” “I have had Polish brothers, Irish brothers, Albanian and of course, a few Indian brothers. I have had twins: Erald and Tino Bido, Tim and Neil Reilly who dominated 1st doubles,” she said. “I have had to learn how to spell Maneyapanda (for brothers Mookie and Mithra) and then write it on my lineup for eight years... and there was of course, on the girls team, the Tokuda’s: Akiko, Yukie
Lisa Bobby in a photo from 1979. That season, the freshman and older sibling, Andrea, then a senior, teamed up as the top two singles players for the Mustangs. The two are pictured together at left in a recent photo.
and Keiko. Keiko, the youngest, ruled New Jersey, winning 86 matches in a row (and four state tournaments. There was also the Salierno family: Sonya, Eva and Lia, and John, who played for the boys.” Bobby would know the importance of family relations on the court. In 1979, the coach, then a senior, and her sister, Lisa, a standout freshman, were the top two singles players for the girls tennis team at CHS under coach Pete Podesta. Tennis, along with swimming, were the sports of choice in the Bobby family, thanks to their father, Andy.
eshd up
60 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
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s r s e s , Clifton Merchant • September 2012
61
Mustang History “My father was really into making athletes of us,” she said. “We swam and played tennis, that was something we always did. We were members of the Nutley Tennis Club and the Montclair Beach Club.” “We played tennis there and my father made sure we knew how to play the right way,” Bobby explained. “That kind of parallels the guys on my team right now,
Above are Tim and Jeff Laux. At left is Zach and Josh Ontell.
Jefferson and Richard Rangga. It kind of ended up being a family thing for them too.” The family connection with tennis goes beyond the sisters. Parents Andy and Marylou met on the courts.
62 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
“My mom and dad met at a little tennis vacation and it took off from there,” she said. “They had that in common. And my mom was pretty athletic too. It just turned into a family thing really early on.”
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Clifton Merchant • September 2012
63
Mustang History
From left to right is Tanuj Chokshi (Class of 2010), Shilpan Chokshi (Class of 2012) and Suraj Chokshi (Class of 2008). “We all grew up learning the game of tennis together. We came to the High School and played under Coach Bobby. Between the years 2004-2012, there was at least one, sometimes two Chokshis on the tennis team, contributing to the great tennis program we have at CHS,” said Shilpan. He is brothers with Suraj and cousines with Tanuj. As kids growing up we helped make each other better by constantly playing with each other. When the oldest one, Suraj, went to the high school Tanuj and I had a further drive to become as good, if not better than him. Every summer we would play together with my dad and uncle to constantly improve, and better each other.”
64 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
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Mustang History
Current Mustangs Jefferson (a senior) and Richard Rangga (junior) both play for Bobby at CHS.
Those court skills were also passed onto their children. When Bobby was in junior high at Woodrow Wilson (9th graders attended the school at the time), her skills got her noticed by boys tennis coach Pete Podesta. Bobby played two years for the talented boys squad, starring on the doubles team. She then played for the girls for two years. As a senior, Bobby and her sister, Lisa occupied the top two singles slots. “I’m three years old than her. I was 17 and she was only 13 or 14, so there’s a big difference,” she said.
“The older you get, the less difference there is though. But I’d play with her on the court that my dad had built in our backyard when I was a junior in high school.” “We had our cat out there, chasing balls that our father had tossed us,” recalled Lisa Bobby. “Our mom would be inside cooking dinner. It was a complete family affair.” Lisa would have been a 1983 CHS graduate, but she had moved to Florida to play tennis. “Seeing her play tournaments and get involved in the game before I did, that gave me that drive me to
want to be involved and play the way she was playing,” she recalled. “I think I benefited from learning the game as I watched her take a lessons and play in tournaments when she was 12 and I was nine. That grew my competitive side.” “As we grew older, we would practice together and there was a definite sibling rivalry,” added the younger Bobby. Both played in college on scholarships: Andrea at Auburn and Lisa at Clemson. “When I was in Auburn, she was driving around the country, playing in tournaments,” said Andrea. The two did not play in college. “Later, I went off to play a few pro circuit tournaments. We met on a few of those and we played a little doubles together.” Today, both are still heavily involved in the sport. Andrea is the longtime coach at CHS, while Lisa is a full time instructor at the West Orange Tennis Club and the Orange Lawn Country Club. However, neither sister will admit who holds the Bobby family crown. “We equalled out in college, but we can’t play anymore because we both have so many injuries,” laughed Lisa. “Usually over the summer we just get together and hit and practice. That’s just old history.”
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Music & History ANT Bookstore and Café near the intersection of Clifton and Main Aves. serves as not only a coffee shop and book seller but as a cultural center in Downtown Clifton. Hosting book signings and meet the author events, ANT recently added a music series. Wind of Anatolia breezes in on Sept. 15. It’s free so check it out. Call 973-777-2704. The Botany Blues Crawl returns to Clifton’s Historic Botany Village on Oct. 6, at 7 pm. Four swinging bands perform in four great taverns for one advance ticket of $10. The musical line up includes the Robert Ross Band at Johnny’s Tavern, the Son Lewis Band at the Italian American Coop, Carlos Colina and his Straight Up Band at El Dorado’s and the Clifton-based Victoria Warne Band at Rossi’s Tavern. Past events have offered visitors a crisp autumn evening of good music, drinks and food. For advance tickets go to www.historicbotany.com. Singer, songwriter and saxophonist Hunter Hayes performs in Clifton on Oct. 19 at 6:30 pm in a benefit for the Passaic County Elks Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center. Hayes got his start with De-Lite records as a 20 year old, and made his mark as a soloist in the late 80s with dance tunes This Time and Are You Wid It; his latest album is It’s a Wonderful Life. Tickets to the dinner dance, at the Clifton Boys & Girls Club, are $30. Call 973-772-2600. More at www.hunterhayesnewjersey.com. 68 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
Wind of Anatolia will bring their eclectic and acoustic sounds of Turkey to Downtown Clifton when they perform at ANT Bookstore and Café, 345 Clifton Ave., on Sept. 15 at 8 pm.
Carlos Colina will get your feet a-stomping when he blows his blues harp and directs his Straight Up band at El Dorado’s on Oct. 6. He is one of four bands returning to Historic Botany Village for the annual Botany Blues Pub Crawl.
Ice skating on the Delawanna Pond, circa 1939, which was behind School 8 and facing the Waldrich Bleachery. (Photo courtesy of Jean Zelenka-Labriola.) You’ll see many historical photos on display at the Clifton Arts Center in Clifton’s Walk Through History which opens Sept. 19. It is the second part of a series of photos curated by historian Don Lotz.
Clifton’s Walk Through History II is a photo exhibit at the Clifton Arts Center, curated by historian Don Lotz, which explains how the various sections of our community grew into the 11th largest municipality in the State. The exhibit is displayed Sept. 19 to Oct. 27, Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. There is a reception on Sept. 22 at 1 pm. Admission is $3. Call 973-472-5499 or go to www.cliftonnj.org for more info. The Arts Center is located on the grounds of the municipal complex at 900 Clifton Ave., where visitors will also find a sculpture park with approximately 20 installations.
The Hamilton House Museum on Valley Rd. will host a potato luncheon, featuring a menu of baked potatoes with toppings and a visit by Sojourner Truth, on Sept. 29 at the museum, 971 Valley Rd. Tickets are $15. RSVP required. On Oct. 7, there will be a tour of the Dunmore Cemetery in in Dunmore, PA. The bus will depart the museum at 11 am and there will be a lunch. The tour will be about two hours, and will be followed by an old fashioned ham supper. Cost is $40. RSVP required. Call 973-744-5707. The Passaic County Historical Society Genealogy Club will meet at Lambert Castle Museum, 3 Valley Rd., on the Clifton/Paterson, border on Sept. 8 at 10 am. The speaker will be Peter Osborne and the topic will be Great Graves, focusing on the various styles of graveyard and cemetery art. The meetings are free and open to the public. Call 973-247-0085, ext.200.
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Poetry, Music, Arts The Theater League of Clifton, now in its 7th season, now offers tiered membership. A $75 annual contribution includes a ticket to two main stage shows, $5 off dinner-theater performances, member-only receptions, gifts, and recognition on TLC’s website and programs. If purchased individually, the package would cost $150. You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, opens the current season. Performances are Oct. 26, 27, 28 and Nov. 2, 3 and 4 at the Aprea Theater on Scoles Ave. Visit www.theaterleagueofclifton.com for tickets or more info or call 973-928-7668. Clifton’s Bard of Dutch Hill, Jim Gwyn, is planning a unique celebration for the 100th birthday of American singer-songwriter and folk musician Woody Guthrie. On Sept. 8 at 1 pm at Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church, 271 Lincoln Ave., Gwyn said poets and others are invited to attend and to read their works that reflect the many themes of social, political and spiritual justice in Woody’s “people songs.” Award winning poets, Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Executive Director of the Poetry Center at PCCC, and Laura Boss, editor of Lips Literary Magazine, will be among the featured readers. Victoria Warne, singer-songwriter and guitarist with her blues inspired Victoria Warne Band, is among the musical performers scheduled to perform. Any chefs willing to share the foods of America are welcome to participate. Similar events were staged by Jim Gwyn and his wife Emily Rose at the church. Poets, musicians and chefs previously gave successful tributes to Fats Domino and Elvis Presley. The Woody Guthrie event is free but RSVP is required. To register, write to ergo.therefore@gmail.com.
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Chris Sierra (a 2005 CHS grad pictured inset) performs the role of Bionello in Mozart’s L’ Oca del Cairo and Puccini’s Suor Angelica on Oct. 21 21 at 4 pm at the Caldwell College Student Center Auditorium, 120 Bloomfield Ave. Caldwell. Staged by the Clifton-based Garden State Opera, with chamber orchestra and English supertitles, tickets are $20. Call 973685-9972 or go to www.gardenstateopera.org for details. This year marks the 10th year anniversary season of GSO, which had its first fully staged production in 2003 at the Woodrow Wilson Middle School. The GSO will also present a concert at the Sequoia Senior Center, 565 Broadway, Passaic, on Oct. 11 at 11 am. Opera singers Briana Sakamoto and David Marshall will perform arias and duets accompanied pianist Ron Levy. Donation $5.
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My Life with Him, a concert about faith by Bart Spears, will take place on Sept. 29 at 7 pm at the Richfield Church, 259 Pershing Rd. Admission is free. For info, call Pastor EJ Emerson at 973-632-1305. St. Peter’s Haven’s night at the movies is Oct. 12 at 380 Clifton Ave. The movie will be Midnight In Paris by Woody Allen. Doors open at 7 pm and the movie begins at 7:30 Tickets are $10 and include popcorn, soft drinks, wine and other varied snacks. Guests are also asked to bring one non-perishable food item for the St. Peter’s Food Pantry. For info call 973-546-3406 or write: stpetershaven@yahoo.com. Main Memorial Library, 292 Piaget Ave., hosts an open poetry reading on Oct. 3 at 6:30 pm. Call 973-7725500 or www.cliftonpl.org.
The Miller Highlights include, from left, Simona Graceffo, Ryan Gradzki, Dana Wehmann, Mackenzie Miller, Sarah Plishka, Xavier Diaz, Izaius Diaz, Alex Actable, and Loretta Graceffo.
Gaye Miller and the Miller Highlights recently performed a rock show for special needs students at Willowglen Academy School in Sparta. Songs performed were “Rolling in the Deep”, “Dynamite, Good Riddance”, “I’m a Believer, and Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Miller is a private music instructor in Albion. The Miller Highlights are a musical group of students who volunteer time and talent to perform for special needs schools and nursing homes.
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News & Notes The Clifton Veterans Day Parade is on Nov. 11, taking its usual route along Main Ave. It will begin at 2 pm near the Passaic border and work its way into Main Memorial Park. Once all participants enter the park, a fanfare for the fallen will be performed by the Marching Mustangs. Veterans, elected officials and civilians are asked to be on the parade route and attend the events in the park. To help set up or become a sponsor, call John Biegel at 973-519-0858 or Rosemary Trinkle Baran at 862-668-9151. To donate, make checks payable to John Biegel Jr., and mail to 91 Market St., Apt. 1, Clifton, 07012. The Clifton Cares Committee will be at the Van Houten Ave. Street Fair on Sept. 16 asking for donations which are needed as postage for the care packages that this group sends to troops overseas now cost $13.45 to mail. Prior to the fair, personal care items and donations can be dropped off at the City Hall Tax Office, with checks made payable to Lizz Gagnon and earmarked Clifton Cares. Call Dona Crum at 973-881-7295.
From left: USMC Pvt. Ryan D. Felix, Staff Sgt. Luis Reyes of the Clifton USMC recruiting station, and Pvt. Ronald Prado.
USMC Staff Sgt. Luis Reyes announced that Ryan D. Felix and Ronald Prado, two former Clifton Mustangs, have graduated from basic training at Parris Island. Felix, a 2010 grad, who ran track for two seasons for the Mustangs, will next train to be an MP in Missouri. Prado played soccer at CHS before graduating in 2011. He will study to become a combat mechanic in Virginia. Staff Sgt. Reyes has served in the Marines for over 16 years, and is based out of the Clifton recruiting station at 270 Colfax Ave., across the street from the high school. For more info, call 973-773-0984.
The Coalition for Brain Injury Research is sponsoring its annual Cure for Styertowne Shopping Center at Traumatic Brain Injury Walk-a-thon on Oct. 21. Register for the 3-mile walk 1051 Bloomfield Ave. will host a at 9 am at Clifton City Hall Senior Center Building, 900 Clifton Ave. free Health Expo sponsored by St. Dedicated to Dennis John Benigno, proceeds benefit the search for a cure. Mary’s Hospital on Sept. 15 from Walkers, sponsors and donations are welcomed. Call 973-632-2066 for 10 am to 2 pm. Representatives details or write to Coalition for Brain Injury Research, 270 Hazel St., from many areas of the hospital Clifton, NJ 07011. Details: www.brainjurycure.org. will be there to offer health screenings, giveaways, health education The Bowling Writers Association of America has named its three winners materials and referrals. Prizes of for the Chuck Pezzano Scholarship. Pezzano, a Cliftonite who still live in back to school backpack will also Maple Valley, is a longtime bowling columnist for The Record. In 2011, the be offered in free raffles. For Pro Bowlers honored Pezzano by having each of the press rooms at every details or to participate, call pro tournament named after him. Details at www.bowlingwriters.com. Mariela Monzon at 973-365-4794. 72 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
The Third Annual NOC Autobody Autofest is on Sept. 16 during the Van Houten Ave. Street Fair. Register your ride in advance; call 973-594-1005. NOC is also the sponsor for Yameil and the Total Soul Band, performing at the stage across from Shook’s. Athenia’s Van Houten Ave. Street Fair is Sept. 16 from 11 am to 5 pm. In addition to classic cars, there is food, entertainment, kiddie and pony rides and a petting zoo. Rain date Sept. 23. Call 973-473-0986. Downtown Clifton Street Fair: Stroll Main Ave. on Oct. 20, rain or shine from 10 am to 5 pm. Downtown merchants, neighborhood charities and vendors from the region will line the Avenue. Brookwood will perform at Main and Madison from noon to 4 pm; a DJ will spin in front of the Midtown Grill all day long. Vendors are welcomed; 201-998-1144. Call Angela Montague at 973-557-3886 for sponsorship opportunities. Sensei Jim Meghdir (at left) and students of Clifton Martial Arts Academy will conduct demonstrations at the Van Houten Ave Street Fair on Sept 16.
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Events & Notes The Ukrainian Orthodox Holy Ascension Church, 635 Broad St., will host its annual picnic on Sept. 16 featuring live shows and dance ensembles, Ukrainian arts and crafts, homemade food, games, raffles and more. Admission is $3. For info, call 973-473-8665. The St. John Kanty Parish Picnic is Sept. 9, from 1 to 10 pm at 49 Speer Ave. Admission is $2; kids under 12 free. Music by Kaskada. Call 973-779-4102. St. Andrew’s RC Church Carnival is Sept. 5 to 9 at 410 Mt. Prospect Ave. Hours are 5 to 10 pm Wednesday and Thursday, to 11 pm Friday, Saturday 4 to 11 pm and till 9 pm on Sunday. Free admission. Call 973-777-7582. The 28th St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church Parish Picnic is Sept. 9 from noon to 8 pm. There will be homemade foods, drinks, children’s games, Ukrainian music and it is all held on the blacktop behind the school grounds at 217 President St., Passaic. Tickets are $3. Call 973-471-9727 or visit www.stnicholasucc.org. Downtown Clifton Economic Development Group will host a free shred it day on Oct. 12, from 8 am to noon at the lot at the corner of Clifton Ave. and First St. Must show proof of Clifton residence or business. Limit is five standard office boxes. Call 973-557-3886 or visit www.downtownclifton.com.
Cliftonite Anthony DeSomma (above) was cut from the William Paterson baseball team as a freshman, but went on to become one of the best hitters ever to suit up for Centenary College Cyclones baseball. With a .357 average, DeSomma (CHS 2008) is ranked first all time in sacrifice flies (11), third in put outs (583), total bases (209), RBI (109), and home runs (15). He was named to ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District II First Team, Second Team All-Conference Designated Hitter, a four-year member of the CSAC All-Academic Team and was Centenary’s 2012 Cardy Gemma Award recipient. He recently took an open tryout with the Newark Bears. Janet Mozolewski is gearing up for her ninth Avon Walk and the team captain of Loretta’s Ladies seeks donations from Cliftonites. Mozolewski and her husband Steve have begun training for the Oct. 20-21 event by doing laps in the mall. A cancer survivor herself, Mozolewski will carry the names of 123 survivors and another 77 who lost their battle with the disease. Visit www.info.avonfoundation.org/goto/JanetMozo or send a check to 78 Scoles Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07012 made out to “Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.” For info, contact Mozolewski at Janet.Mozolewski@exelisinc.com. CHS Junior Lizannette Thormes is also the reigning Miss Puerto Rico. A member of Clifton’s Boys & Girls Keystone Club, she is involved in fundraising for cancer research, environmental issues and other topics. She is pictured at left with Keystone Club advisors Ramon Pleasant and Paula Benjamin. For info on the Keystone Club, call 973-773-0966 ext. 30.
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The Paul VI Class of 1982 will have its 30th reunion on Oct. 20 at the Brownstone. For ticket info, or to help find classmates, write to Jim Smith at reds0602@aol.com or Barbara Zampino Shanley at bshanley11@optimum.net. The Dutch Hill Residents Association’s next meeting is Sept. 20 at 7:30 pm at the Family Fellowship Church at Second St. and De Mott Ave. Meetings are on the third Thursday of the month. Call 973-365-2577. The Phenomenal Grandmothers seek the following items for donation: back packs, school supplies, stuffed animals, new bed pillows, baskets, soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, refrigerators and furniture, as well as new items suitable for teens as Christian gifts. For info, call Colleen Murray at 973-253-9579 or Wanda at Oasis at 973-881-8307.
Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 4 and Dec. 10. There is also a Christmas show and luncheon at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse on Nov. 27. For fees and other info, call Jo at 973-546-7690. The Paulison Avenue ShopRite hosts Partners in Caring to raise funds to fight hunger and benefit local food pantries. Cuellar Family Markets owner, store managers and employees are ramping up activities to bring awareness to the cause. Patrons can participate by purchasing goods bearing the Partners in Caring shelf tag and a portion is donated to the fund. Kristine Dehais and others at the store are organizing
charity events, including a PassaicClifton Police Dept. softball game, a movie night, beefsteak and more. Get involved, call: 973-471-0868. The annual Elmer Goetschius Fish and Chips event is at the First Presbyterian Church of Clifton, 303 Maplewood Ave., on Sept. 21 from 5 to 7 pm. Tickets are $12.50 and $7.50 for kids. Call 973-523-1272. The Young at Heart Senior Social Club meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 12:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church. Various trip are planned and prices vary. For info, call 973-779-5581.
St. Paul’s Leisure Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 1 pm in the church hall, 231 Second St. The next meeting is Sept. 12. Upcoming trips and events include Camp Hope:
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Clifton History
A MUSTANG LAMENTS We did not come from Hackensack and Ridgewood and Paterson and Wayne... we came from Allwood, Botany, Lakeview and Albion. By Bob Conrad Last fall, I read an article in the New Yorker which outlined the ways in which Don Bosco Prep of Ramsey, NJ, more commonly known in these parts as “Bosco” accumulates and develops the talent required to routinely compete for, and win, state and national football championships. Having spent the past 25 years living in Hudson County, watching Bosco fairly routinely beat up on our own local program, St. Peters Prep of Jersey City, the basics of the story were pretty familiar to me. Led by an enormously talented and driven coach, the school has become a magnet for talented athletes from across North Jersey and beyond, who are in search of their “best shot” at a Division 1 football scholarship. The school has not been accused of any wrongdoing, other than simply winning by inflated margins, enrollment is up and many of its athletes do, in fact, go to college for free. In recent years they have, to their credit, scheduled early season games against other powerhouse schools from around the country, thereby reducing the number of games played against overmatched New Jersey public schools. While their success may be off putting to the many towns, Clifton among them, who watch star athletes trot off to Ramsey, then return to help beat the locals by 50, Bosco is nothing more or less than what top tier high school sports have become in the ESPN/Twitter age. What I found particularly interesting, though not so surprising, about the story 76 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
was how vastly different the high level scholastic football experience is today vs. the one I enjoyed 40 years ago. I had the good fortune of playing on a Clifton High School team that also won all of its games, many by sizable margins, and was awarded a Group IV State
Bob Conrad today.
Championship (this was the preplayoff era) and a Top Ten National Ranking. In many respects, we were the Don Bosco of our time. To be clear, and with a nod to the many former teammates who would disagree with this statement, we would not have been a match for the Don Bosco teams of today. High School athletes today are simply too big, too fast and too well trained relative to those of forty years ago. It is also unreasonable to think that a team of 100 boys born within 30 months of each other in a 12 twelve square mile city could com-
pete with a hand chosen, finely honed “program” of athletes. While several of our very best players, Dale Oostdyk, Ken Ritoch and Jim Jenkins leap to mind, would have been more than capable of participating on the Don Bosco teams of recent years, based on sheer numbers and raw overall skill we would have been significantly overmatched. That said, I would not trade the eight Saturdays—and one Thursday—our team shared with the Clifton community for all of Don Bosco’s ESPN dates and USA Today rankings over the past several years combined. There was something quite special and lasting about accomplishing the unexpected, particularly when that success was achieved with a bunch of guys you grew up with, competed against in summer playground tournaments and picked up each morning on the way to school. We were not recruited off of heavily funded Pop Warner programs - we played for Frank Pecci’s Junior Mustangs! We did not come from Hackensack and Ridgewood and Paterson and Wayne, we came from Allwood, Botany, Lakeview and Albion.
We did not participate in strength and conditioning clinics or attend showcase camps, we climbed the wall at Clifton Stadium and ran some stairs. We did not sacrifice our weekends at the Shore, or summer nights at Rutt’s Hutt—we were a bunch of typical High School kids who did many, if not all, of the foolish things teenage boys do—and we won. It was pure and simple in ways that no longer exist for the best high school teams, which to me, reflectively, continues to make what we accomplished all the more special.
Have Clifton Merchant Mailed. $27/YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Mailed via first class to your home.
Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________________State:____________________________________ Zip:______________________Phone:_____________________________________________ Email:________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE MAKE CHECKS TO TOMAHAWK PROMOTIONS, 1288 MAIN AVE., CLIFTON, NJ 07011 Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Family in Need
IT TAKES A COMMUNITY... Love & Concern for the Lill & Jones Families benefits Little Colin
Susan (Lill) Jones holds Colin while Bill holds Claire with William standing at rear. Below, Colin after his birth.
By Joe Hawrylko When Sue and Bill Jones went to the hospital on Nov. 30, 2011, they were expecting a routine birth for their son, Colin Michael. But when Sue suffered a uterine rupture during labor, doctors rushed her into an emergency cesarean section to save Colin’s life. The surgery was successful; mother and baby were saved. Colin Michael Jones was delivered at a weight of 7 pounds, 14 ounces, with a height of 21.5 inches. However, Colin’s brain was affected by the lack of oxygen from the labor complications. He was born with a faint heartbeat, unable to breathe on his own, and put on a respirator. Colin was diagnosed with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy—a condition in which the brain is deprived of oxygen and suffers damage. Doctors would soon realize that the newborn lacked the ability to suck or swallow. Shortly after birth, Colin was sent to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Doctors cooled 78 September 2012 • Clifton Merchant
his head in an effort to mitigate further damage. After three days, Colin returned to St. Joseph’s to meet Mom face to face for the first time. But Colin’s medical issues were far from over. It took more than two weeks for the newborn to be able to breathe on his own. Then in January, doctors inserted a gastrostomy tube into Colin’s stomach. On Jan. 10, he was admitted to Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, where therapists constantly
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worked to better Colin’s condition. “For Colin, and our family, Children’s was a very special place. They gave Colin and our family the ability to dream a bigger dream for Colin,” said Bill. “With their help, and the help of the Ronald McDonald House (where we were staying while Colin was in the hospital) in New Brunswick, our family was able to prepare for Colin’s arrival home.” Colin finally came home on May 22. But the journey to getting the family of five back to ‘normal’ is far from over. Colin still requires 24 hour attention. To give Susan and Bill time to attend to their two other children, family members have pitched in and nurses on two shifts work at the home for 16 hours a day. “He is much more relaxed and big brother William and big sister Claire absolutely love having their baby brother home,” said Bill. Looking at medical options, the family is also exploring hyperbaric oxygen treatments. This experimental treatment shows promise in those with similar injuries, however, it is not covered by insurance. Colin is also visiting a specialized speech/feeding therapist in East Brunswick. The family is also in the process of obtaining a special stroller and supportive seating for Colin. “Our goal for Colin is the same one that we have for our two older children, and that is to succeed in life to the best of their own abilities,” said Bill. In order for this to work for them tremendous resources are needed. Already several people have
donated to support the cause: John Edwards of Edwards Home Repair, Rob Martin of ROMAR electric, Jason Wechsler of Kraft Power, INC, and Pete Wilk of Cyndi Plumbing. The Clifton community will come together to support the Jones family with a fundraiser on Oct. 27 at St. Philip’s Church on Valley Rd.
There will be a silent auction of memorabilia and a live auction of specialty items. To help out, call Carlos Roco at 973-272-8776 or Dennis Fitzpatrick at 973-773-0019. To make a tax deductible donation, send it to St. Philip’s Knights of Columbus, Jones Family Trust, 797 Valley Rd., Clifton, 07013
Let’ s Do Lunch! nd
2Tuesday Series @ the
Boys & Girls Club
Join us at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:30 am for a new topic of interest!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 Wills and Trusts
Guest Speaker: Charles Rabolli, Jr., Esq., Carlet, Garrison, Klein & Zaretsky, LLP
Dont forget it’s the 2nd Tuesday at 11:30 am
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Preparing for Your Taxes
Guest Speaker: Andrew L. Scott, CPA Flackman, Goodman & Potter, P.A.
Complimentary lunch is provided Free Lunch but Suggested Donation: $5 To benefit the B&G Club of Clifton. Make check to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton
Please RSVP to 908-586-6562 B & G Board Member Dante Liberti so we have enough good food for everyone! Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Birthdays & Celebrations - September 2012
Olivia Krynski turns 7 on Sept. 26 & big sister Alexandra is 10 on Sept. 12. Happy Birthday to
Dorothy Knapp on Sept.12. Shared birthday greeting to Carly Hawrylko who will be 17, and her mom, Cheryl who will be 54 on Sept. 12.
Birthdays & Celebrations
Send dates & names...tomhawrylko@optonline.net Michael Capwell ...............9/1 JoAnn Bartnik....................9/2 Allison Di Angelo ..............9/2 Liam Robert Martin ............9/2 Bill Federowic ...................9/3 Dave Gabel ......................9/3 Jennifer Martin ..................9/3 Sharon Holster ..................9/4 Joseph Shackil...................9/4 Eric Wahad ......................9/4 Linda Ayers.......................9/5 Christy Gordon .................9/5
Mohammed Othman ..........9/5 Ana Stojanovski ................9/6 Darren Kester ....................9/7 Greg Martin .....................9/7 Helen Albano....................9/8 Eddie Bivaletz ...................9/8 Shannon Carroll ................9/8 Liz Tresca .........................9/8 Geoff Goodell...................9/9 Annamarie Priolo...............9/9 George Andrikanich ........9/10 Nicole Moore .................9/10
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Ronnie Courtney..............9/11 Andrew Orr ....................9/11 Andrew Shackil ...............9/11 Tammy Csaszar ...............9/11 Lee Ann Doremus ............9/12 Wayne Funke..................9/12 Naoma Martin ................9/12 Sarah Bielen ...................9/14 Anthony Dorski................9/14 Emily Duchnowski ............9/15 Manny Monzo ................9/15 Stacey Corbo..................9/16 Nancy Ann Eadie............9/16 Joe Genchi .....................9/16 Jaclyn Scotto ...................9/16 Cindy Murcko .................9/17 Kathleen Gorman ............9/18 Amanda Meneghin..........9/18 Dawn Smolt ....................9/18 Daniel Smith ...................9/18 Gloria Turba ...................9/18 Mickey Garrigan .............9/19 James Graham ................9/19 Rickie Ojeda...................9/19 Louis DeLeon ...................9/20 Sara Gretina...................9/21 Lynne Lonison..................9/21 Annamaria Menconi ........9/21 Peter Skoutelakis..............9/21 Valerie Carestia...............9/22
Blessings to Walter and Claire Pruiksma, married 66 years on Sept. 18.
Beverly Duffy...................9/22 Ryan Gorny ....................9/22 Timothy St. Clair..............9/22 Keith Myers ....................9/23 Brian Salonga .................9/23 Brian Engel....... ..............9/23 Pam Bielen......................9/25 Deanna Cristantiello ........9/25 Donato Murolo................9/25 Corey Genardi................9/26 Saverio Greco.................9/26 Richard Van Blarcom........9/26 Kenneth Chipura .............9/28 Barbara Mascola.............9/29 Thomas E. Moore ............9/29 Mary Perzely ..................9/29 Lauren Hrina ...................9/30 Ryan Lill..........................9/30 Clifton Merchant • September 2012
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Eagle is Stolen
Thieves stole and smashed two patriotic eagles in front of VFW Post 7165 on Valley Rd. The eagles will be replaced and new security will be in place but Ed Nibbling, Dennis Suto, Robert Mantz Sr., Kevin C. Gorman, Greg Collucci and Ray Sanicki are on the look out for the culprits.
The North Jersey Federal Credit Union will host its second annual Passaic County Small Business Growth Summit on Sept. 12 from noon to 3 pm at 711 Union Blvd., Totowa. Admission and lunch is free for all business owners. To register, visit www.njfcu.org. Passaic County Community College’s 12-Week Session starts Sept. 26 at four campuses—Paterson, Passaic, Wayne and Wanaque. Programs are offered in business, technology, healthcare, teaching, science and other fields.
16 Witherspoon Road.....$520,000 62 Witherspoon Road.....$390,000 34 Lotz Hill Road............$315,000 8 Liberty St.....................$256,000 54 Lindale Court.............$225,000 10 Village Road..............$422,500 35 Dewey Ave................$417,000
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19 50 81 20 32 27 71 56
Some 60 degree and certificate programs are available. Weekend College is among the new initiatives enabling students to hold full-time status and earn an associate’s degree in two years by attending classes on weekends. PCCC also offers three new degree programs in fields with strong job demand and growth potential. Students can earn an Associate in Science degree in Homeland Security, Occupational Therapist Assistant, and Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Treatment. For more information visit www.pccc.edu or call 973-684-6868.
Graydon Terr...........$295,000 Monhegan St...........$270,000 Van Breeman Dr......$294,900 Twain Place.............$290,000 Graydon Terr..........$305,000 Earnshaw Place.......$400,000 St James Place.........$400,000 Hooyman Drive.......$287,000
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