Bayonne Life on the Peninsula by Hudson Reporter Assoc., LP

Volume 2 No. 2

Winter 2016

CAPTAIN H OOK BAYONNE V ISION B ELOVED B RAS BAYONNE TO S MITHSONIAN T HE M ILLIONS FABLED C OACH

Life on the Peninsula

PORK ROLL

Queens

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Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 â&#x20AC;˘

FEATURES

BAYONNE VISION

AT THE SMITHSONIAN

COACH TAYLOR

Next!

CONTENTS BLP

Mr. Singer Goes to Washington

Bayonne Photographer

hen we last caught up with Jonathan Singer, we were photographing his home for a “How We Live” story in the Summer 2015 issue of BLP . By far the most interesting thing about the home was the artist and his work. A retired podiatrist, Singer is a full-time artist, painting everything from graffiti walls to guitars. But it’s his exquisite photographs of flowers, collected on handmade paper in Botanica Magnifica , which now reside in the National Museum of Natural History’s rare book room, that cemented his reputation in the worlds of art and botany. “They help scientifically to show in such close-up detail

useful anatomical characteristics that you can’t always see in dried herbarium specimens,” says Leslie Overstreet, curator of Natural-History, rare books. Almost a decade ago, Singer asked John Kress, a botanist at the museum, to look at his images of orchids and other flowers. Kress was impressed with the authenticity of the images and invited him to photograph flowers in the museum’s research greenhouse. He used a digital Hasselblad with a tripod to achieve what critics have called the “superb tonal scale and color control.” He told the New York Times, “I usually take one shot only, within seconds, it’s boom! And I know I’ve got it.”

He Tried!

COVER

PORK ROLL QUEENS

CITY CRITTERS

Cover Photo by Maxim Ryazansky

Bayonne’s Wild Things

DEPARTMENTS

8 10

CONTRIBUTORS

POINT/SHOOT

VANISHING

ON THE JOB WITH

HOW WE WORK

34 38

From the Huntington Collection, to be published by Abbeville Press. Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

34 ON THE WATERFRONT BLP

-Dollar

Million

Bergen Point Brass Foundry

Gary Grindeland

Animal Clinic of Bayonne

The Millions as it looks today, photographed by Victor M. Rodriguez

BY STEVE GALLO

ON THE WATERFRONT The Millions

WORKING OUT WITH Sharon Nadrowski

EDUCATION

ARCHIVES AND ARTIFACTS

SENIOR MOMENTS

Monteleone Spring Guitar, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC. PHOTO BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

Stephen R. Gregg Park

ENTERTAINMENT

A local artist donates his work to the Smithsonian

EDITOR’S LETTER

Fine Bonsai, Kamura Collection

a young boy growing up in Bayonne, there was never a shortage of things to do. The town was full of adventure for those willing to go out and find it. You had to be willing to get off the beaten track. Sad to say, but there are many people who have lived in Bayonne all their lives and still haven’t explored every nook and cranny. Being the adventurous sort, I’m sure I covered every inch. Because Bayonne is a peninsula, most of our

brought food and some kind of refreshments since there were no stores or anything else down the Millions. (Like “down the Shore,” that’s how we referred to it.) A typical day involved getting there early. We’d pick out a spot on an old barge and set our traps, which we baited with chicken wings. We’d toss the nets in and set up a few bushel baskets for what was certain to be a huge haul.

Crab Heaven

My first encounter with crabs was not a pleasant one. Years earlier—I must have been about 5 or 6—I was with my stepfather at Jumbo’s Tavern on Evergreen Street. After a few sodas and the obligatory game of shuffle bowl, I wandered into the kitchen. Being curious, I reached over the top of a sink to find out what was inside. I was rewarded with a crab snagging my finger, which caused me to run out into the barroom screaming, with the crab still attached. I’m still afraid of crabs.

Photos by Victor M. Rodriguez After a while we’d pull the traps to find them loaded with crabs. George would carefully examine the haul, keeping only the large ones and tossing back females. He was totally unafraid of getting pinched and he had the scars to prove it. The bushel baskets would quickly fill up. On occasion, we’d light a fire and cook lunch—hot dogs or canned stew or something. One time, I found a dead fish lying around so I put it in a bun, slathered it with mustard and passed it off to George. He almost took a bite but stopped short when he saw the fish’s eyes staring back at him from the bun. Down the Millions, there was little shelter from the sun. Occasionally a shack made from old wooden pallets would appear or a tarp being used as a

makeshift tent popped up, suggesting that there was probably nighttime activity down there, but I visited only during the day. The shoreline was littered with flotsam and jetsam that floated in with the tides and floated out just as quickly. Junk from the landfill would commingle with the debris, and occasionally I’d find something of interest. Everything was covered in this black tar stuff that was a sure giveaway to your mom that you’d been near the water. At certain times of the year we’d be able to catch soft-shell crabs, when the crabs began to molt. We’d catch them with a scap net along the sides of the barges and pilings. They were really a treat to eat when properly prepared. We preferred them breaded and fried served on toast.

34 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Once the baskets were nearing their capacity, we’d load up our bikes and head back to George’s house. On Saturday evenings, we’d attend 5:30 Mass at Mt. Carmel and then return to cook the crabs along with a huge amount of linguini. The table would be covered with newspaper and we’d all eat crab until there was a mountain of shells in the middle of the table.

Biking and BBs

I remember learning to drive my friend Rich Zytko’s motorcycle on Hook Road and down the Millions. Its dirt trails and remote location made for a perfect place to learn. We would also use bow and arrows and BB guns to try and shoot rabbits and rats, although I don’t recall actually hitting any. On

occasion you’d see wood ducks, wild turkeys, and pheasants as well. There was even a rare harbor seal sighting. No one seems to know where the Millions got its name. I once asked my father and he referenced what he called the “Million Dollar Pier.” Trouble is, there wasn’t any pier and there certainly wasn’t anything worth a million dollars. In the early part of the last century much ado was made about the Million Dollar Pier being built in Atlantic City by John Young. One of the attractions was a daily Deep Sea Net Haul at the end of the pier. Tourists would stare in amazement at the assortment of creatures brought up in the net. Perhaps someone appropriated the name “Million Dollar Pier” for Bayonne’s own prolific

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

George Cummings

Marist High School

young adventures involved the waterfront. Each year, when spring gave way to the heat of summer and school let out and the days grew longer, I’d find myself leaving home at first light and not returning until well after dark. Many long summer days were spent in pursuit of blue crabs at a mysterious Bayonne locale known as “the Millions.” My first encounter with the Millions occurred when I was only a boy of six or seven. My favorite uncle, Jim Lantry, had occasion to visit the Bayonne

Municipal Landfill, also known as the dumps. The landfill was crisscrossed with a network of dirt roads that Uncle Jimmy thought would be a great place to let me drive, so I climbed on his lap and away we went. One of the roads at the back of the dump opened onto a vast expanse of land that ended in a rough beach that was littered with derelict barges and vessels. At high tide, the waves of the Upper New York Bay lapped around the rotting hulks, making a perfect breeding ground for crabs. Years later I would visit the Millions with my friend George Gavrun. Early in the morning we would depart from his home on Prospect Avenue for a day of crabbing. George was able to rig his bike with a trailer so that he could transport dozens of crab traps over city streets and dirt trails down to the Millions. His bike looked like one of those transport vehicles from Southeast Asia you’d see in the pages of National Geographic. I don’t know how he rode with all that stuff attached. I usually

SENIOR MOMENTS BLP

Italian Prisioner of War Camp

Midenform Retirees

SPORTS AND FITNESS No Rinky - Dink

EATERY Broadway Diner 8th Street Bistro

DINING OUT Listings

(clockwise from top) Vintage bra; Jackie Veverka, Roberta Stachelski, Betty La Bruno; Cathy Golding; and Barbara Goldberg

Foundation for Friendship MAIDENFORM RETIREES WALK DOWN MAMMARY LANE BY KATE ROUNDS PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ ou rarely hear the words “love” and “company” in the same sentence. But that’s what I heard over and over when I visited the Maidenform Retirees at their monthly meeting in late October. Attendance was down on this cold, rainy afternoon. Usually at least 25 show up; today only 16, but there was a time when the senior center next to St. Andrew church was packed.

As Bras Go, so Goes the Nation On Sept. 25, 1929, Maidenform acquired the property at 154 Avenue E, now known as Silklofts. It was the company’s main manufacturing plant until 1990 when production moved south, and the building became corporate headquarters. The company occupied the building until 2007, when it was put up for sale. The site has been approved

as a historic preservation project by the National Parks Service. Maidenform lore is on view at Silklofts—framed ads, a guest book, and an album of photographs. On a mannequin is a vintage bra that sold for $15 back in the day. “That’s about $500 in today’s money,” marvels Scott Frezzo manager of Silklofts. The original Maidenform sign has been restored on the wall facing Avenue E. The company made bras, girdles, and swimsuits. Between 1949 and 1969, it was famous for its legendary “I Dreamed” ads, such as, “I dreamed I barged down the Nile in my Maidenform Bra.” The company was founded by seamstress Ida Rosenthal, Enid Bissett, and Ida’s husband, William Rosenthal. Bissett and the Rosenthals rebelled against the flapper styles of the 1920s, best exemplified by Downton Abbey’s Mary Crawley. Fast forward a quarter century to another popular TV series, Mad Men,

48 •Life on the Peninsula ~ WINTER 2016

4 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

and actress Christina Hendricks, who embodied (pun intended) the Maidenform ideal—a form-fitting dress on a voluptuous chassis that could be supported only by a Maidenform foundation garment. Where’s Barney Stock when you need him? Still selling bras, hosiery, and other women’s clothes on Broadway. I asked Barney’s son, owner Mel Stock, about the Maidenform aesthetic. “We were one of their original customers 92 years ago,” Stock says. “Bras at that time were plain cotton in white, black, or beige, and they didn’t have as many padded bras.” He says a Maidenform bra called the Chansonette was the most famous model, selling for $2. Introduced in 1949, it was known as the bullet bra. Maidenform was reportedly responsible for inventing cup sizes based on ounces: A-cup, 8 ounces, all the way up to the 27-ounce D cup.

Now Stock sells the Hanes line, which makes sports bras and other apparel. Things have changed. When the U.S. won the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the iconic image was of Brandi Chastain ripping off her shirt, exposing her three-pack abs—and a black sports bra.

Friends for Life Back at the monthly meeting, Secretary Jean Perrucci oversees a raffle drawing from a plastic beach pail. Winner Florence Murphy takes home a book of stamps and pronounces them “useful.” This group still sees the value of doing things the old-fashioned way, like sending a letter through the U.S. Postal Service. Florence, who was involved in pricing the garments, informs me that everyone here was doing administrative work; no one was working on the line. She surmises that the factory workers have since died During World War II, Maidenform manufactured parachutes and pigeon vests, made of bra-like materials and designed for paratroopers to strap to their chests. After landing in a war zone, the paratrooper undid his pigeon “bra,” attached a message to a carrier pigeon, and sent the pigeon to home base.

Prisoners of war were also housed at the Maidenform shipping facility, according to Perrucci, who worked in the credit department and in customer service for 34 years. Cathy Golding, who was a customer service supervisor and now treasurer of the Retirees, says, “It was a lovely, compassionate company. If you were ill you could take time off and still have a job.” Barbara Goldberg was supervisor of the ticket office. Her job was to give tickets to pieceworkers, which showed how many garments to send to the floor. Her first job out of high school, she stayed for 43 years. Diane Kaminski, at 64, is one of the younger members. A senior cost accountant, she stayed for 46 years, starting on June 17, 1968, the day after she graduated from Bayonne High School and leaving on April 30, 2014, when the company went bankrupt and Hanes took over, moving the business to Iselin. Joe LaBruno was a tool-and-dye worker. His job at the meeting was to put out the coffee and apple turnovers. Chet Gurbisz, who worked in the shipping department for 40 years, says he likes coming to the meetings to see old friends. “We enjoyed going to work,” sums up Florence Murphy. “We were great, friendly people.”—BLP Life on the Peninsula ~ WINTER 2016 •

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Life on the Peninsula

PUBLISHERS Lucha Malato, David Unger EDITOR IN CHIEF Kate Rounds GRAPHICS STAFF Lisa M. Cuthbert, Terri Saulino Bish, Alyssa Bredin, Mike Mitolo, Pasquale Spina COPYEDITING Christopher Zinsli ADVERTISING MANAGER Tish Kraszyk ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Melissa Bridda, Toni Anne Calderone, Ron Kraszyk, Jay Slansky CIRCULATION MANAGER Roberto Lopez CIRCULATION Luis Vasquez ACCOUNTING Christine Caraballo

Winter 2016 Vo l u m e 2 • N u m b e r 2 A Publication of The Hudson Reporter

Bayonne Life on the Peninsula is published by the Hudson Reporter Associates, L.P., 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (201) 798-7800, Fax (201) 798-0018. Email bayonnemag@hudsonreporter.com. Subscriptions are $10 per year, $25 for overseas, single copies are $7.50 each, multiple copy discounts are available. VISA/MC/AMEX accepted. Subscription information should be sent to BLP Magazine Subscriptions, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or other unsolicited materials. Copyright ©2016, Hudson Reporter Associates L.P. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Bayonne – Life on the Peninsula is a publication of The Hudson Reporter Associates, L.P. 1400 Washington Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030 phone 201.798.7800 • fax 201.798.0018

6 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

TERRI SAULINO BISH

began her career as a graphic designer and digital artist. Expanding into the area of photography, she not only creates images but captures them with her camera. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Best of Photography. Her art currently includes digital paintings and photos that can be viewed at tbishphoto.com.

ALYSSA BREDIN

is a graduate of Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, with a degree in graphic arts. She is pursuing a career in photography. Her work can be seen at tbishphoto.com.

TERRI SAULINO BISH ALYSSA BREDIN

DAVID JUDE CHIORAZZI

is a Bayonne native, St. Henry’s Grammar School alumnus, 1969, and Bayonne High School, class of ‘73 alumnus. He is the husband of Susan Thomas-Chiorazzi and Dad to Jessica, Joseph and Erica. He is a high school vice-principal in Jersey City,who hopes to become a fulltime writer one day.

STEVE GALLO

is a lifelong Bayonne resident who grew up in Bergen Point where he still lives with his wife and family. He’s been involved in local government for more than 25 years.

DAVID JUDE CHIORAZZI STEVE GALLO

DELFIN GANAPIN

is an editorial assistant at the Hudson Reporter. In his spare time, he is immersed in contemporary geek and pop culture and has contributed to a small geek culture blog called We Are Geeking Out.

VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

has studied publication design, photography, and graphic design. “I’ve been fascinated by photography for 18 years,” he says. One of his jobs as a construction project manager is to photograph job sites.

DELFIN GANAPIN

C O N T R I B U T O R S

B L P

VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

MAXIM RYAZANSKY

is a photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries and published worldwide. A recent transplant to Bayonne, he spends his spare time trying to figure out the best pizza place in town.

TARA RYAZANSKY

is a writer who recently moved from Brooklyn to Bayonne. She works as a blogger for Nameberry.com and spends her spare time fixing up her new (to her) 100-year-old home.

AL SULLIVAN MAXIM RYAZANSKY

TARA RYAZANSKY

has been a staff writer for the Hudson Reporter newspaper chain since 1992. He was named journalist of the year in 2001 by the New Jersey Press Association, and photographer of the year in 2005 by the Garden State Journalists Association. In 2001, Rutgers University Press published a collection of his work, Everyday People: Profiles from the Garden State.

ANNA WILL

Was raised in Denmark, and moved to the United States last year to edit fiction and nonfiction. She holds a degree in Comparative Literature from Aarhus University.

AL SULLIVAN

8 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

ANNA WILL

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 â&#x20AC;˘

PHOTO BY MARIE PAPP

EDITOR'S LETTER BLP

First Person, Plural Nothing’s better than people speaking for themselves, without the filter of the press, their progeny, or their parents. In this issue, two Bayonne residents reminisce about their boyhoods. Dave Chiorazzi recalls his

beloved football coach, who tried his best with a hapless, ragtag team of Bayonne boys. And Steve Gallo remembers wonderful summers spent at “the Millions.” If you don’t know what that is, read his story and look at Alyssa Bredin’s and Victor M. Rodriguez’s great pictures. We go down memory lane with the Maidenform Retirees, and, sticking to the past, we also take a look at the site of Bayonne’s World War II Italian prisoner-ofwar camp at the old Port Johnson Terminal. Bayonne should be proud to have a photographer whose work is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. That person is Jonathan Singer. We’re lucky to have images of his gorgeous flowers.

10 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

We go onsite at the Animal Clinic of Bayonne hobnobbing with ducks, turtles, and all manner of critters. Check it out. Our reporter Tara Ryazansky schleps around town with Pastor Gary Grindeland and discovers the great work that professional religious folks do when they’re not sermonizing from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Tara and photographer husband Max also catch up with and hang out with the legendary Captain Hook. While Hudson Reporter staff writer Al Sullivan gives us his vision of a changing Bayonne, Tara sits down with our cover girls –not one, but two Pork Roll Queens– who both hail from Bayonne. You can’t make this stuff up. Enjoy!—BLP

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12 â&#x20AC;˘ Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 â&#x20AC;˘

A Vision for Bayonne Hope is on the horizon

PHOTO COURTESEY OF THE CITY OF BAYONNE

Our sister publication, the Bayonne Community News , has received numerous letters over the past year about the many changes taking place in Bayonne. Our correspondents praised and denounced new high-rise residences and lamented the deterioration of Broadwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shopping district, suggesting remedies, while mourning its past glory. PHOTO BY This lively dialog demonstrates that Bayonne residents are passionate JOSEPH PASSANTINO about their town and its future. It seemed like a good time to take stock, so we asked longtime Bayonne watcher, Al Sullivan, to talk to a few folks and offer his vision for the future of Bayonne. We welcome yours, too. Visit facebook.com/bayonnemaglife onthepeninsula or email bayonnemag @hudsonreporter.com. We will publish your responses in the Bayonne Community News.

BY AL SULLIVAN

ad fate been kinder and local politics a little less intense, the city of Bayonne might well have begun its recovery from lost industry in the mid-1990s. Local officials understood the city faced a serious economic decline as a result of the closing of many manufacturing plants and began to lay the foundation of a new 21st century Bayonne. Armed with expertise from Stevens Institute of Technology and possible federal grants, the city brought together leaders from every walk of life to help develop a plan called “Bayonne 2000” that had the potential to reshape the city into a telecommunications hub. This vision came at the exact right moment. The World Wide Web was just emerging, and if the city had reshaped itself in time, Bayonne might well have become the East Coast version of Silicon Valley. The idea was to strengthen the city’s business and industrial base by infusing it with new technologies and attract new businesses, replacing outgoing heavy industry with a technology hub. But a tough election saw a change of leadership at a critical moment, and the closing of the Military Ocean Terminal (MOTBY) created a new vision that leaders hoped would turn Bayonne into a new Hoboken or downtown Jersey City. However, misguided plans to redevelop MOTBY on its own and a downturn in the economy have left the city in worse shape than it was in the 1990s. City leaders are trying to develop a new vision.

PHOTO COURTESEY OF THE CITY OF BAYONNE

If You Build It? Most residential and commercial buildings were constructed prior to World War II. The industry that allowed Bayonne to thrive for almost a century has moved on. City officials fought to take control of MOTBY, replacing industry with residential and other development there. But the high hopes for the base had been dashed by miscalculation, missed opportunities, and the recent recession. New development on MOBTY will provide things Bayonne doesn’t have, such as new hotels, and a varied mix of residential and commercial development that will attract upscale business and well-heeled residents. Mayor Davis said, “I want to be able to walk onto the base with my grandkids and know I had a part in making it happen.” City officials have their eye on upgrading the housing stock in other parts of Bayonne, as well. The mayor said Avenue E is also important in attracting young professionals. It runs parallel to the light rail, and yet large segments are vacant lots or closed gas stations. Silk Lofts, the high-end rental project near the 22nd Street light rail station, is already bringing young professionals from Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken, and even out of state.

PHOTOS BY JOSEPH PASSANTINO

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

Photo of former ammunitions building at MOTBY.

VINCENT VIRGA PHOTO BY JOSEPH PASSANTINO

As in towns like Hoboken, the transit village concept that creates housing near transportation options makes sense for Avenue E. “People can walk to the train,” Davis said. Positive redevelopment on the horizon includes the former Texaco property near the foot of the Bayonne Bridge, which is expected to break ground next summer, a residential development on First Street, which is already underway, a hotel at MOTBY set to break ground in the fall of 2016, and new residential development on Oak Street where 12 new houses have been built. While the mayor wants to avoid the canyon effect that tall buildings create, he said developers need to construct projects large enough to justify their investments.

High-End Kids, High-End Cribs Bayonne’s strength had always been that whole generations had lived and worked in town. Grandparents and great grandparents often lived on the same block with succeeding generations. “People who lived here, went to school here, got a job here,” Mayor Davis said. Then the federal government closed MOTBY, and companies such as Best Foods also closed. Jobs lost when major manufacturing left town caused many younger people to leave. And Bayonne’s old housing stock discourages upscale residents. Younger professionals are flocking to the Gold Coast in Guttenberg, Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, and West New York because their massive new development provides

PHOTO BY AL SULLIVAN

high-end amenities as well as easy access to Manhattan. This was the great hope of MOTBY for many local real-estate professionals who envisioned new development in an area the size of Hoboken. Unlike downtown Jersey City and parts of Hoboken, this

The battle for Broadway will be fought block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, with smaller shopping districts thriving, only if they are built smartly model would have followed those of Weehawken and West New York which would include total infrastructure, from water and sewerage systems to streets and lighting. But the city wasted time and money in attempting to do this work itself, according to Nicholas Chiaravalloti, former chairman of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, who oversaw the early stages of the redevelopment of MOTBY. The city plowed money into electrical, sewerage and water systems it should have let developers handle. The city also saw the property as a pot of gold it could tap to handle everyday expenses, borrowing against the future, only to have the recession hit and stall redevelopment plans.

New Life for Old Bayonne City Business Administrator Joe DeMarco said vacant stores and vacant lots have plagued the city for more than a

16 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

decade, even in areas where redevelopment zones have been established. Developers need incentives to invest in older sections of the city, though doing so will boost revenue and create new structures for housing and business, and thus draw in some of the people local businesses want. Abatements are one incentive to encourage development in the older parts of Bayonne. With abatements, the city offers to do away with school taxes and most county taxes for developers. In exchange, the city gets more than it would normally in conventional taxes. More important, currently low-taxed property would pay more into the overall coffers. Theoretically, this would help stabilize taxes for the general taxpayer.

Ferries Will Keep Us Afloat Ironically, the peninsula isolation that allowed Bayonne to thrive when industry was plentiful has turned against it in recent years. Bayonne’s ability to retain its youth and bring young people back from the suburbs—the the way Hoboken and Jersey City have—rests on its ability to get people to jobs in Jersey City and New York City. Transportation to and from jobs outside the city is essential, which is why a ferry to Manhattan is key. Vincent Virga is a financial consultant with offices near 42nd Street on Broadway and former president of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce. “It is very clear from the work going on with the Bayonne Bridge and the Turnpike exchange, that we can be trapped here,” Virga said. “A ferry service starting today would be of extraordi-

MAYOR JAMES DAVIS PHOTO BY JOSEPH PASSANTINO

Old military barracks at MOTBY. PHOTO BY AL SULLIVAN nary value. We need an alternative to the light rail and bus service.” Mayor Davis is expected to have an agreement for two ferries in the near future.

The Not-Quite Way Although vacant stores pepper the two-mile Broadway shopping district, many residents remember when the avenue was lined with baby strollers, and shoppers had ample choice. Chiaravalloti recalled growing up when kids got their sneakers from one of two shoe stores, one uptown, one downtown. Now, there are no shoe stores, and people either go to Wal-Mart or a box store out of town. The battle for Broadway will be fought block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, with smaller shopping districts thriving, only if they are built smartly. Bob Campbell, a former banker and now in real estate, thinks all of Broadway needs to redevelop. “They are all stick buildings with no historic value,” he said, citing the Resnick’s Hardware store, which will be demolished to make way for a proposed seven-story structure. Campbell sees little hope in restoring the two-mile Broadway shopping district and said a plan should be developed to maintain it for a specific area below 32nd Street.

In the Hood Chiaravalloti said the shopping model needs to be neighborhood based, with residential and commercial construc-

tion that generate their own base. For example, a few blocks of retail could serve residents who live in the neighborhood. This model might be used at intervals throughout the city, but especially along Broadway. Virga believes this model can be used to rebuild the entire length of Broadway. He said the transit village concept, which promotes ground-floor retail with residential above it, generates sustainable business within each block. Virga said many people fear change, but change and gentrification are necessary if Bayonne—and in particular the Broadway shopping district—is to grow. DeMarco believes part of the redevelopment problem is lack of vision. “Many people in Bayonne live their lives thinking about places they used to go to,” he said. But Virga thinks that with the right kind of investment, Bayonne’s shopping district can be restored, and he sees the Resnick’s project as an example of the kind of development needed, retail with upscale residential above it. “Residents who live in a neighborhood will shop there,” he said. Virga believes development on MOTBY will not affect the heart of Bayonne and that big-box developments like Bayonne Crossing can go hand in hand with a successful business district along Broadway. “We need businesses within town, and I believe both the malls and Main Street can coexist, even complement each other,” Virga said. A number of business owners on Broadway are convinced that bringing in an upscale population is key to Bayonne’s revival.

No Turning Back “When driving a car, you might have to look in the rearview mirror occasionally,” Vincent Virga said, “but you can’t be constantly doing it. You have to look ahead.” Virga said the administration of Mayor Mark Smith set the stage for a number of changes, and the current administration appears to be moving ahead with them, promoting the city and offering abatements to outside developers, a smart strategy in attracting outside money. “I’m not saying we should be like Hoboken,” Virga said. “Bayonne should have its own identity. We need to have our own vision.” Bayonne is also competing with cities like Harrison, reinventing itself from the ruins of an industrial past. But change won’t come immediately. The last master plan was completed in 2001 and needs to be revisited. “We’re looking 20 to 25 years down the road,” Virga said. Mayor Davis is encouraged by Pittsburgh’s model. Once a steel-industry rock star, it became a major tourist destination. Retirement groups claim it’s one of the best cities for seniors. It’s also home to numerous colleges. Improving Bayonne’s educational opportunities and upgrading its facilities is on the Davis agenda as well. “We can be Pittsburgh on a smaller scale,” he said. “We know that industry is not coming back.” Davis said that people do not see progress now but will in a few months with spring in the air and shovels in the ground. He said, “Change brings hope.”—BLP

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

Mr. Singer Goes to Washington

A local artist donates his work to the Smithsonian

PHOTO BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

Fine Bonsai, Kamura Collection

Monteleone Spring Guitar, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.

From the Huntington Collection, to be published by Abbeville Press. Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

Orchid, Botanica Magnifica

Empress of Brazil, Botanica Magnifica The project eventually became Botanica Magnifica —250 floral images in five volumes. He used the same printing method as that used in Audubon’s “Birds of America,” known as

“

Photo Nuage “is a blend of the influences of Ilya Bolotowsky, Alfred Steiglitz, and Georgia O’Keefe.” – Marcia Singer

hand-pressed, double elephant folio. His work is displayed alongside Audubon’s. He is the recipient of the Linnaeus silver medal from The Swedish Royal Academy and is a Hasselblad Prize Laureate. In 2012, he released a second book, Fine Bonsai: Art and Nature.

A NEW DIRECTION

Photo of Jonathan and Marcia Singer by Victor M. Rodriguez

20 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Last summer, Singer made another donation, Photo Nuage, 56 photographic prints, doubleelephant size, in a custom-made clamshell box. Jonathan and his wife, Marcia, a retired Bayonne art teacher, went in person to make the gift. Museum dignitaries and staff were on hand to celebrate the gift and view the photographs. These images are a departure from the scien-

Dahlia, Huntington Collection, Pasadina, CA

Orchid, Botanica Magnifica

tific perfection of his Botanica Magnifica. These are more abstract and stylized. “These are amazing photographs,” says Overstreet. The book is “an incredible production,” she says. “The botanical images are closer to our art photography, almost abstract studies of light, showing color and texture.” She describes them as “stunning enhancements or revisionings” of Singer’s botanical photography.

AN IDEA TAKES ROOT Singer, who is 67, didn’t pursue photography in earnest until around 13 years ago when he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, which forced him to give up surgery but not photography. To offset the tremors, he puts the cable release in his mouth and manually focuses with his good hand. Though a successful surgeon, the Podiatric Medicine gig was a successful ploy by Singer’s mother to keep him out of the Vietnam draft. Art was his first love. Prior to going to medical school, he studied under the abstract painter Ilya Bolotowsky at Southampton College on Long Island. Marcia Singer says that Photo Nuage “is a blend of the influences of Ilya Bolotowsky, Alfred Steiglitz, and Georgia O’Keefe. All the artists that Jonathan came into contact with at Southampton College influenced his creation of his final style.”—Kate Rounds

African Leaf, Photo Nuage collection Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

Legendary Coach A role model for a ragtag team of Bayonne boys

BY DAVID JUDE CHIORAZZI

t was a brisk Saturday morning in 1969. I woke early feeling jittery because we were going to scrimmage the Sacred Heart Flyers, a Jersey City team we knew nothing about. I put on my shoulder and hip pads as I’d done many times before. It was a great day for football—cool, breezy; the crisp October air was energizing. I walked around the corner to call for Frankie. He’d lost half his left arm in a fall down the stairs as a little boy, but he was so tough no one called him one-arm to his face. I’d cut a nerve in my hand and had about half the use of it. We were best friends. On the way to the park we met up with other friends. “Good morning, boys. Ready to play fu-fu-fu-fu-fu-football?” Coach Taylor said with his customary stutter. “Yes, Coach,” we responded in unison. “OK, then let’s go,” he squeaked in his high-pitched voice. You could sense that something special was about to happen. There was excitement in the air. Many parents and adults had come to watch. Vito was practicing his place-kicking, Pete was warming up his arm, Darryl was running patterns, the linemen were practicing blocks, and Coach Taylor’s grandson, Keith, was running around the field with his arms straight out in the quirky way that had earned him the nickname “Fly.” The defensive linemen and I were warming up with Coach “Bundis.” His real name was Ray. No one knew how he got the nickname. He was huge and had real talent, having played high school and college ball. He moved incredibly well, despite the 300plus pounds on his 6’5” frame. He was bow-legged and spoke in a voice like Mike Tyson’s. He worked us hard, but he was a gentleman.

The Visiting Team A bus pulled up, the door opened, and the team filed out. Their uniforms were an elegant garnet and white, and

Coach John Taylor the equipment was state of the art. Each succeeding player was bigger than the last. Most looked over 6 foot and 200 pounds. One wore a goatee, and these were supposed to be grammar-school kids. Watching them warm up was terrifying. They looked like pros. The Sacred Heart Flyers took the field. From the opening kickoff, we were powerless as they ran plays right over us. The quarterback threw to his receivers at will, running backs ran freely, and the first, second, and third touchdowns occurred within minutes. They were well-rehearsed and ran plays we’d never seen before. Each time we got the ball, our quarterback had to scramble for dear life and could not run forward or complete a pass; they

22 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

hammered through our defensive line. When we attempted to punt, our kicker had to run back about 10 yards just to rush off a kick. Our linemen were thrown around the field. Each time we got hit, the sideline cringed, fearing that one of us would be seriously injured. I ran up and down the field, vainly trying to catch players. One pulled Frankie’s prosthetic arm, and it was hanging off, swinging in the breeze. He spun around, trying to grab it like a dog trying to catch its tail. We laughed, and soon he did too. They continued to shellac us until the game became absurd. The spectators were bewildered. Our overly optimistic coach had somehow gotten the notion that we were a match for these guys. He continued to cheer us on as the score widened. “Come on, boys, don’t quit! You boys just keep on trying! You can do it!” His cheering made us laugh until finally he, too, got the joke. The game ended with a 56-0 score. We were thankful that no one had gotten hurt. Coach Taylor assured us that we’d played a great game and that we would do better next time. Later, he admitted that he’d had no idea how good this team was. Several days later someone showed up at practice with a Bayonne Times clipping that read, “Taylor’s Tigers Slaughtered, 56-0.” The Sacred Heart Flyers were undefeated in the Catholic Youth League with a record of 19-0.

Star Coach I first met John Taylor when I was 13. Some friends and I went down to 16th Street Park because we’d heard that someone was starting a football team. We were greeted by a thin, older black man about 5’7” with salt-and-pepper hair, holding a football and looking nothing like a football player. Legend had it that John Taylor had been a placekicker for Grambling College in the 1930s. J.T., as he was called, was hoping to start a team with neighborhood kids to keep them off the streets.

There were many youth teams in town, but we were too poor to join. We all tried out for the team, but it wasn’t a tryout at all. You needed only the desire to play, and Coach Taylor would add you to his roster of ragtag players. Soon we were practicing every afternoon, in our street clothes because we had no uniforms. The team was made up of kids from the 20th Street neighborhood. Each day new kids showed up, and J.T. found a position for them. One day, someone brought a friend who was a very fast runner whom he referred to as “that white boy over there.” J.T. quickly retorted, “I don’t care what color he is; can he play fu-fu-fu-fu-fu football?” He’d just given me one of my greatest lessons in life—long before I’d heard of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Coach Taylor was a decent and honest man. The team loved him and took the name, “Taylor’s Tigers.” His coaches joked with him, but you could tell they looked up to him. Even the local mob guys on the street corner acknowledged him when he sauntered by, waving to all.

Hidden Talents Coach Taylor was a musician and the writer of the 1960s hit song “The Boy from New York City.” The coaches were the members of his singing group, The Ad Libs. J.T. had studied music, played with big bands, written a hit song, and gone to college when many African Americans had few educational opportunities. He taught us racial harmony and mutual respect, which promoted lifelong friendships. The team played local teams and usually got beaten badly, but he remained optimistic no matter the outcome. We got uniforms only because he begged business owners for money. Taylor’s Tigers lasted for several years until the Pop Warner league took the team on. J.T.’s dream had come true; the name was changed to the Centerville Warriors, and the

less fortunate kids in our neighborhood got to play. As an adult, I’d see J.T. from time to time, and he’d talk about his days playing saxophone in the 1930s and ’40s. He talked about a new project involving the reunification of The Ad Libs. In the early 1980s, a major group did a remake of “The Boy from New York City,” and it again became a big hit. That’s when I ran into J.T. in Veteran’s Park, and he

Come on, boys, don’t quit! You boys just keep on trying! You can do it!” – Coach John Taylor showed me the new car he’d bought with the royalty money. I can still picture him smiling and posturing near his car. I finally asked him, “J.T, who was the boy from New York City?” He looked at me puzzled, laughed, and said, “Don’t you know, man? I’m the boy from New York City. That s-s-s-s-ss-song is about me! I even wore a mohair suit,” as the lyrics said. John Taylor died a few years later in his sleep. He was in his seventies. Recently, I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland with my son. I thought about J.T. when I saw the Oldies groups, and the memory of J.T. choked me up. I know he’ll never be inducted into the hall of fame; you will never hear his name on television or during Black History Month. But he will always be in my hall of fame. John Taylor taught me about equality, dedication, teamwork, and love for humanity. He was a visionary, a dreamer, and a hero. I was blessed to have known him.—BLP

Coach Taylor (center) wrote the 1960s hit song “The Boy from New York City.”

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

POINT & SHOOT BLP

Winter fun on Double Hill, Stephen R. Gregg Park.

24 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

PHOTO BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

VANISHING BLP

Who remembers when bayonne was a thriving city with many manufacturing companies? one historic company was bergen Point brass Foundry, which dates back to 1890, a custom manufacturer of molded non-ferrous brass sand castings. during World War 1, it played a key role in supplying parts for the u.S. Navy. At one time, the foundry employed several hundred people, mostly eastern europeans. Prior to closing, it employed less than 20 people. Photo by Victor M. rodriguez

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

Elisha Addelaal, left, and Maggie Kowalski

Here She Comes… Miss Pork Roll Queen BY TARA RYAZANSKY PHOTOS BY MAX RYAZANSKY

ince George Washington really slept around, his billet in Trenton, N.J., is not all that noteworthy. But Trenton is famous for something else: pork roll. In 1856, Trenton’s own John Taylor developed Taylor Ham, which was later known as pork roll. But it would be another 158 years before the first Pork Roll Queen would be crowned. And guess what—that 2014 queen was from Bayonne, as was the 2015 queen! What is it with Bayonne and pork roll? Let’s start with a definition. It’s a “pork-based processed meat,” indigenous to New Jersey, often served with egg and cheese on a roll, sort of like an egg MacPorkRoll.

26 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Hamming it Up The Trenton Pork Roll Festival, which will be in its third year next summer, is a family-friendly event that includes live entertainment and lots of vendors serving up New Jersey’s favorite breakfast meat in imaginative new ways. Taylor Ham tacos, anyone? It’s hard to top a festival that celebrates processed meats, but one that also crowns a queen is inviolable. The title comes with sash and tiara. In pursuit of the crown, contestants compete in a Q&A battle and participate in a talent show. Maggie Kowalski, the first Pork Roll Queen, grew up in Bayonne. Her successor, the current queen, is Elisha Abdelaal, who grew up in South Jersey before moving to

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 â&#x20AC;˘

Bayonne seven years ago. Both are in their early twenties. The two met at CrossFit Bayonne. Don’t be seduced by the platitude that physical fitness and unnatural breakfast meats don’t go hand in hand. Kowalski won the talent show with her mastery of pushups. “We both work out in the wee hours of the morning,” says Abdelaal, who heard of the contest through Kowalski. “The day I learned Maggie was the Pork Roll Queen, I knew I had to compete. I grew up on pork roll, and the whole thing sounded like so much fun.” She’s a pork roll aficionado. “It’s salty like bacon, with a tang to it,” Abelaal enthuses. “It’s thinner than sausage, but thicker than lunch meat, and it has a great texture.” Adds Kowalski, “I’ve described it before as Spam meets bacon. Cut in thick slices like Spam, crispy on the outside like bacon.” “I think it’s so popular because it’s so intrinsically New Jersey,” Abelaal says. “It was created and is still produced in Trenton. It’s only available in this part of the country: New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of PA, which just adds to its awesomeness.” “I’m like a pork roll ambassador,” she continues; she’s introduced it to friends and family all over the world: “I literally freeze two logs of pork roll to bring when I fly out to visit.” Kowalski works for a financial services firm based in Boston. “My boss, who told me about the festival to begin with, is all the way in Massachusetts, so I bring it when I go,” she says. Her employer hosts a Pork Roll community page on Facebook in his spare time.

Pumping Pork Roll The two queens developed their winning talents at the gym. “I picked a random stranger out of the crowd and challenged him to a pushup contest,” Kowalski says of the talent that won her the crown. “People who have been day-drinking for eight hours want to see a small girl beat a big guy. This guy was at least 6’5. He was standing right in front of me when I asked for a volunteer. God wanted me to win that day.” Abdelaal says, “My talent was definitely a crowd-pleaser. I did a one-handed handstand to the song ‘Highway to the Danger Zone.’ While in my handstand I picked up a pork roll sandwich and took a few bites.” The royals hope that Bayonne will produce a third queen. “If by ‘hope’ you mean ‘actively planning’,” Kowalski laughs. “We often try to talk girls and guys from our gym into applying to be 2016 Pork Roll Queen. We would love to see another feat of strength win the pageant.” Abdelaal says the pageant doesn’t discriminate when it comes to gender identity or anything else for that matter. It’s open to New Jersey residents over age 18 who love pork roll. The queens encountered stiff competition both years. Kowalski and Abdelaal didn’t have beautyqueen backgrounds and found themselves up against women who held titles. “One girl came with an entourage,” Kowalski says. “She had multiple dresses and the whole makeup caboodle. I had a makeup case this big.” She indicates a size smaller than the average pork roll sandwich. “I was like, one of us really misunderstood the assignment. I was in cutoff jean shorts and a T-shirt that I made. I saw the words ‘pork roll,’ and she saw the word ‘pageant.’”

28 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Hamming it up outside the Broadway Diner 8th Street Bistro

Pork over Pageantry “The crowd is half of your score,” Abdelaal says. Apparently, winning the audience over with a love of pork roll and unique talent holds more weight than polished pageantry. As the reigning queen, Kowalski was a judge and wanted to emphasize muscles over makeup. She also had the honor of crowning the new queen. “I knew Elisha so I disclosed that with the guys when they said they wanted me to judge as queen,” Kowalski says. “I wanted to put that out there. Elisha was very clearly the best and she definitely won when it comes to crowd noise, but I didn’t know who would be the winner when I got up there. I was standing there not knowing who they were going to call and when they said Elisha I was so happy!” Abdelaal recalls, “I was waving like I was Miss America. At the festival I was like a celebrity. People were stopping me to take pictures.” The Pork Roll Queens continue to enjoy celebrity status. They appeared at a promotional event for Dunkin’ Donuts and were on the Pork Roll & Eggs radio show on 107.1. Kowalski was even interviewed on NPR. Another royal duty is riding on a float in the Trenton Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. “I get there and there’s a pork roll sandwich on the back of a pickup truck,” Kowalski recalls. “It was like Styrofoam or something. So I’m in the truck with the sandwich and a generator ’cause we were pumping music. It was the song

‘Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese’ by Ween, and they played that song on a loop for hours and I was getting high off of fumes from the generator.” Abdelaal looks forward to participating in the March 2016 parade, two months before the next queen will be crowned.

Whole Hog “I’m excited for the parade, but I’m mostly excited for the festival next year,” Abdelaal says. “Last year was so fun, but I was so nervous. I got this big sandwich and was like, ‘I

The two queens developed their winning talents at the gym. can’t eat this, I’m too nervous.’ You don’t want to drink too much because you have to go perform, and the whole handstand thing.” The queens say the fest is not really a royal experience. “It’s just chill, no frills with good live entertainment,” Abdelaal says. “It’s a good alternative for people on Memorial Day weekend,” Kowalski adds. “I think it’s just going to get bigger and bigger each year,” Abdelaal says. “I can’t wait for five years down the road when we have a real alumni association. When I judge I want to look for girls with a good personality that Maggie and I would hang out with and brainstorm pork roll ideas.”—BLP Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

BY TARA RYAZANSKY PHOTOS BY MAX RYAZANSKY

ON THE JOB WITH BLP

Reverend Gary A. Grindeland in his Sunday best

ON THE

JOB

WITH Pastor Gary visits Mary Kimak

30 •Life on the Peninsula ~ WINTER 2016

Pastor Gary Grindeland

veryone knows where to find a pastor on Sunday, but what do priests and ministers do the rest of the week? The Reverend Gary A. Grindeland of Grace Lutheran Church says, “A clergy’s work is never done.” This, despite the fact that Grindeland is also a committed family man with a wife, two grown children, and a four-year-old granddaughter, who live in the Midwest. Grindeland commutes from Milwaukee, where he lives with his wife, though he only gets to spend time there every two months or so. Grindeland first visited Bayonne while serving as executive director of Seafarers International House, an Evangelical Lutheran social assistance and advocacy group that helps travelers and immigrants. “I was always impressed with the character of the community and its potential for growth,” he says. “From Seafarers, I moved back to Milwaukee but never took my eyes off of Bayonne.” For the past three years, he’s worked here tirelessly. “You are 24-7 and your schedule can and does change with a telephone call,” Grindeland says, as he enjoys his ritual of morning coffee. “I am always excited about meeting someone new and look forward to the stranger I have yet to meet,” he says. “One of the ways I do this is by having morning coffee at The Chandelier. I usually bring a couple of books for study, but any reading melts away when someone sits down by me at the counter.” His men’s group meets at The Chandelier on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11a.m for a social breakfast. Grindeland also serves coffee and distributes water from the lawn of his church, on Avenue C between West 37th and 38th Streets. This is a way of welcoming community members and forming new bonds. “My work is really about relationships,” he says. “I am an example of hope and love for the people I serve and the larger community. Presence is absolutely critical and

On his “Walk of Hope” Pastor Gary brings a message of hope to the community.

necessary to establish and maintain a relationship with other people. It’s about bringing the church to other people.”

CURTAINS FOR THE COFFEE BREAK Grindeland and I can’t linger over breakfast because he has to bring the church to yet another person. Today it is an injured parishioner who hasn’t been able to make it to services. We head downtown to the home of Mary Kimak. Grindeland leads me up a steep flight of stairs and introduces me to Kimak, a 90-year-old member of the congregation, who maintains a “phone tree” for worshippers like herself who have trouble getting to church. Grindeland says that she is “sharp as a tack” and is affectionately known as “Mother Mary.” Kimak is a sort of ambassador between him and other churchgoers who are hospitalized or homebound. “Pastor Gary is wonderful,” Kimak says. “He’s a workaholic. The church is getting much fuller because of him. He’s down-to-earth, and I have the highest regard for him.” Grindeland says, “Shut-in visits, along with hospital visitation, are crucial in priority. They are vulnerable and have the greatest need for pastoral care. We maintain regular visitation for these members.”

THE LONG MARCH Today we are getting around Bayonne by car, but Grindeland can be seen purposefully walking around town. He calls his walks the “Walk of Hope.” His intent

is to convey a message of hope to the community. “I am walking every street in Bayonne armed only with an alb [white vestment] and my shepherd’s staff,” Grindeland says. A blog has been set up so that readers can follow his travels. “Thus far I have made seven walks, about 2 ½ miles each, that have covered all the avenues north to 20th Street,” he says. “My walk is to remind people that we have so much to be thankful for, and there’s so much to be positive about, especially the anticipated development in the community of Bayonne.”

FINDING SANCTUARY Time to get back to church. The place is a hub of activity, even on a weekday. Hand in Hand Music School holds classes there. A wing of the church is full of classrooms where students study piano, voice, percussion, and string instruments. Lessons are for adults and children ages 5 and up. Kim Norton, the music school administrator, says Grindeland “stepped into this when Hand in Hand was still kind of growing and struggling. He really believes, as we do, that music is not just about a single person and their connection to music, but about the connection to the community through performance. He has a tremendous sense of community.” The church also offers art, ESL, and citizenship classes with Hand in Hand. ESL and citizenship program director Rev. Rose Hassan was formerly pastor at Trinity Episcopal Church and Calvary Episcopal in Bayonne. They started in

2014 with an ESL class of about 60 and now have a program that offers level 1-4 language classes and citizenship classes to around 100 students. “This has been spearheaded by Pastor Gary, all at a very low cost to the people,” Hassan says, adding that the group is diverse when it comes to native language, skill level, and age. “We have students of all ages, but mostly adults,” she says. “We have a lot of young mothers because we offer free childcare because the cost of a babysitter is so prohibitive.” The church also hosts Bible studies and church fundraisers associated with the Grace Sale Thrift Store at 426 Avenue C or H.I.G.H.W.A.Y.S Food Pantry. “We will make our space available to the larger community in response to how God has blessed us,” Grindeland says. Grace is a meeting place for The Fun Factory, a recreation group for developmentally disabled kids ages 8 to 16, and Lamaze and parenting classes. Grindeland works collaboratively with other groups, and churches of other denominations. Tonight the pastor leaves Grace to serve dinner at Trinity Episcopal to the special-needs community who attend The Windmill Adult Day Center. Grindeland is on the Windmill Advisory Board. “I regularly go there because they lift me up,” he says as he heads out into the gathering dark. When it comes to lifting up, it’s a two-way street.—BLP FOR MORE INFORMATION: gracebayonne.wix.com/walkofhope facebook.com/gracelutheranbayonne

Life on the Peninsula ~ WINTER 2016 •

BUSINESSES MAKE BAYONNE WORK

BY KATE ROUNDS PHOTOS BY ALYSSA BREDIN

DR. PHILIP FREZZO ETHEL BACZYK

MRS. DUCK

THE ANIMAL CLINIC OF BAYONNE Dr. Philip Frezzo 926 Broadway (201) 437-6666 animalclinicofbayonne.com

n a Wednesday afternoon in mid-November, a yellow Lab named Marley tries unsuccessfully to remove the plastic lampshade around his neck. The waiting room is humming. Staff bustles in and out, and patients wait anxiously with their humans.

32 â&#x20AC;˘ Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

HOW WE WORK BLP The clinic is a warren of exam rooms and labs on the first floor. In one, Dr. Philip Frezzo shows me a shelf of old medical texts, dog-eared (pun intended) from use. A laptop sits just below the shelf, but he would rather look stuff up in books. At the same time, he’s proud of all the latest technology— digital x-rays, electronic weighing/exam tables, 3-D ultrasound, incubators, cardiac monitors, video endoscopy, CAT scans, gas sterilizers, chemo, MRIs. There’s an eye chart for animals who know their alphabet. “Now veterinary medicine is almost as advanced as human medicine,” Frezzo says. But you could say that the heart and soul of the place are the live-in animals—a few cats, two dogs that couldn’t find homes, parrots Jack and Toby who were found on the street, a turtle, a duck. Mrs. Duck has been living at the clinic for about six years, rescued after a vicious dog attack, none the worse for wear, with only one leg and half a beak. She takes 40-gallon tub baths, sleeps on a towel, lays eggs, and eats calcium-fortified duck food, which is why she’s pure white. According to Frezzo, if she were still living in the bay, eating fresh fish, algae, bugs, and grubs, she’d be the color of whatever she eats. (Might want to lay off the Gummy Bears!) Ethel Baczyk is the head technician. She’s wearing bright red scrubs and is the guardian of a box turtle named Hobbes who has been living at the clinic for 15 years. Hobbes tears across the exam room at breakneck speed. Just kidding. He proceeds with stereotypical slowness, but his mind is quick. “People don’t believe how smart turtles are,” Frezzo says. “They’re very intelligent.” Hobbes is currently studying for his GED.

omnivores, and cats are carnivores, which makes them easy to feed. Dogs are like clothes; various breeds go in and out of fashion. In the last few years, Frezzo says, it’s been Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Rotweilers. Now it’s pit bulls, because “that’s what’s available at the shelters for adoption,” Frezzo says, adding that he also sees pugs, terriers, and other small breeds. The clinic treats some specific cat breeds, such as ragdolls, ocicats, Siamese, and Persians, but mostly they’re seeing long- or short-haired domestic felines.

ONE-STOP SHOPPING The practice occupies three full floors, offering a full menu of medical services and all types of surgery, including minimally invasive procedures. A full-time vet lives on the premises. “I’ve always had the good fortune of having a lot of medical cases over the years,” Frezzo says, “not just vaccinations and well dogs. People need to be educated on what vets do. It’s not just spays and castrations.” (Phew!) Frezzo has one bit of advice for folks with pets. “A lot of treats and other products are packaged in the U.S. but produced in China,” he says. “There are problems with quality control in China. The treats can be toxic and cause intestinal problems and even death.” Frezzo loves caring for animals, no matter what the type or what the treatment. “I’ve always wanted to be a vet,” he says. “It was my life’s ambition.”—BLP

BROADWAY INSTITUTION Dr. Philip Frezzo opened his veterinarian practice at 926 Broadway in 1982 and has been at that locale ever since. But there have been lots of changes over those three decades. Back then, he had one employee. And, wonder of wonders, he did house calls! Now there are six vets and a staff of 25, half full time and half part time. He’s open seven days a week and four nights a week. But no house calls—for the most part. The types of animals treated have also changed. Now it’s mostly cats and dogs, aside from a few parrots and other birds. “We used to see a lot of iguanas and a lot of snakes, but people aren’t buying as many boa constrictors as they did before.” Frezzo sees that as a good thing. “You can’t keep a snake in a cage,” he says, “and feed it the same thing. It needs a varied diet and sunlight. They need to stretch themselves and move about and not be in a tank or small area. With large snakes, there are a lot of problems with constipation.” They used to see snakes as large as 15 feet. Yuck all around! The practice also used to see more ferrets, minks, chinchillas—and sugar gliders, those small, omnivorous, arboreal and nocturnal gliding possums. The name derives from its fondness for sugary foods and ability to glide through the air like a flying squirrel. As you know, it’s Latin name means “short-headed rope-dancer.” “People in Bayonne also used to keep a lot of monkeys in their homes, but no more,” says Frezzo. “Now they’re putting controls on exotic animals.” Frezzo supports the controls, citing the case of iguanas. “They can’t live on vegetables and lettuce and leafy greens,” he says. “They need protein and calcium, and they need to be in their natural environment.” Once, a three-foot lizard walked in without a tail. Frezzo cautions that monitor lizards have a “terrible bite.” Cats and dogs, on the other hand, are domesticated and accustomed to sharing the planet with humans. Dogs are DR. FREZZO WITH HOBBES Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

r a l l o D illion-

The Millions as it looks today, photographed by Victor M. Rodriguez

BY STEVE GALLO

34 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Crab Heaven

ON THE WATERFRONT BLP

Biking and BBs

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

These are some things collected over the years at the Millions by longtime Jersey City resident and boatman John Tichenor. Glued to the wall of his boat house are shards of crockery collected at the Millions. Notice the piece from the White Star Line, the shipping company that owned the doomed and legendaryTitanic. Photos Alyssa Bredin fishing, with the years shortening the name to “the Millions.” Perhaps the reference is to the millions of crabs you could catch. The origin of the name, like the Millions itself, is lost to

antiquity. The Bayonne Golf Club now stands where the Millions once was. Thankfully, public access is preserved along with areas for fishing and crabbing. Access is much

easier as well. You can take the public walkway at the northeast corner of South Cove Commons. No longer do you have to tramp through the dumps, over dirt trails, and around piles

of junk. But I have to say, I kind of miss the tar and the traps, the fires and the flotsam, the aura, aromas, and memories-in-themaking that was the Millions.—BLP

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36 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

DAT E S

are welcome. Toastmasters International encourages the art of public speaking and develops leadership skills.

2016 Want your event listed? Please email us at bcneditorial@hudsonreporter.com and put “Bayonne Magazine calendar listings” in the subject line.

Ongoing The Hudson Toastmasters Club meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every month in a classroom in the basement of the Bayonne Public Library, at the corner of 31st Street and Avenue C. Enter through the 31st Street side. Guests

Cub Scout Pack 19 meets on Tuesdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Visit pack19.pbworks.com or call (201) 424-4548. Bayonne Quilt Club meets on the second floor of the Story Court Senior Center (Fourth Street and Story Court) on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone wishing to donate cotton fabric to the club can drop it off at the meeting room. Joyce-Herbert V.F.W. Post 226 Museum seeks military history, military memorabilia and paraphernalia, and donations to support the museum. All items

are either donated or loaned to our museum. Contact Commander Glen J. Flora and Director and Senior Vice Commander Joseph Kennedy. The museum is at 16 West Ninth Street; open Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. The Young at Heart Seniors Meetings Senior Center at West Fourth Street. Second and fourth Friday of the month at 12:30 p.m. New members 55 years old and up are welcome. Free work shops by Pastor Victor Llerena Polish American Home, 29 West 22nd St. (201) 339-3902. Every Tuesday. Discussions will include conflict resolution, effective parenting, mental

health, building stronger relationships, and more. Chair Yoga for seniors with the Division of Recreation, 56th Street Senior Center every Wednesday from 10 – 11 a.m. For information, contact the 56th Street Senior Center at (201) 437-5996. Tai Chi Program for seniors every Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. at the JCC of Bayonne. The cost to attend is $35 for six classes. For information and to register, please contact Gary Eng at (201) 889-0350 or garengtaichi@gmail.co m. GFWC Peninsula Women’s Club Meetings are held every third Wednesday continued on page 43

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Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

working out with Sharon (left and Anna)

SHARON NADROWSKI BY ANNA WILL PHOTOS BY ALYSSA BREDIN haron Nadrowski knows how to keep busy. She’s either working full-time at her job in computer sales, trying to help the people of Bayonne through her job as City Council President, or coaching her daughter’s cross-country or track team on nights and weekends. Running is Sharon’s time to reload. “I have a lot of stress,” she says, her jokey delivery masking a serious message. “I need relief. Without running I wouldn’t be able to manage it all.” Running through Hudson County Park with Sharon, she talks animatedly about her passion. “Running is time I’ve reserved for myself,” she says. “I run about four days a week, and at least six miles, sometimes seven or 10.” On this mid-November day, the trees in Hudson County Park still display fall colors, the fallen ones adorning the path where we run. It’s a misty day, but the weather doesn’t bother Sharon. “I run all year around,” she says. “I run through Bayonne Park and Hudson County Park. It’s a beautiful place to be.” Although she usually runs by herself, she’s competitive. “I like to run races. I’ve run several marathons; I don’t remember how many,” she says. “But what I really like are the shorter races like the Manasquan Turkey Trot, the Newport 10K, and the Bayonne 5K.” Running is also a way to socialize and network. “At the

38 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Bayonne 5K I run with my friends from Bayonne,” she says. “But it’s also nice to be running with the people I try to help through my job.” Sharon campaigned for city council president from March 2014 until she was elected the following November. She never does anything halfway. “I went knocking on doors to talk to people about what I wanted to change in Bayonne,” she says. “And after running the New York City half marathon, I went directly over to walking a march for my campaign for city council president.” Sharon’s term as Bayonne’s first female city council president started in January 2015. “It is something that’s an honor to be,” she says. “But I don’t think it’s any different than if a man was the council president. It’s really about the job.. Plus, I’m used to it by now. Even at my job in the computer field there are more men than women.” But she admits that she occasionally faces hurdles working in male-dominated fields. “There are challenges,” she says. “It’s difficult to break through in those areas. I have to work harder. I’m not always given as much credit as my male colleagues.”

WORKING OUT WITH BLP And she works hard. “I work full-time in computer sales, but the schedule is flexible, which is great,” she says. “Then I do council stuff at night and council stuff in the morning,” which involves everything from passing legislation to working with people who build bridges, dealing with traffic regulations, and returning calls for people who want to see certain programs implemented. There are countless aspects of the job. Family is also important. Sharon has been married to Charlie Nadrowski for more than 20 years. Like Sharon, her husband grew up in Bayonne. Sharon is a graduate of St. Andrew’s Grammar School and Bayonne High School. She attended New Jersey City University, where she received a degree in computer science. “Initially I attended NJCU because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she says. “The university was close by, and it was convenient.” She is happy about her decisions, and there is no other city she would rather live in with her husband and two teenagers. “It’s a good place for my kids to grow up, and it’s close to Manhattan and the airport,” Sharon says. “We’ve basically got everything right here.” Sharon encourages her children to be active, whether it’s running or playing a sport. “Exercise is extremely important for mental and physical health,” she says. After her daughter expressed interest in running, Sharon started and coached the track program at St. Mary’s Grammar School in 2003. “As a family we are outdoors people,” she says. “We used to go to Hudson County Park all the time when my kids were younger. Now they’re teenagers and they don’t want to be seen with me,” she jokes. “They come here now with their friends. I’m glad we have places like this where they can spend their time.” Sharon’s husband is also into sports, but Charlie’s not a runner. “He actually did run the Bayonne 5K last year but only because it was a bet,” Sharon says. “My husband’s friend said that he wouldn’t be able to run the race faster than him, so my husband entered; he won.” Sharon’s passion for her job as council president, for running, and her love for her family are evident. After running through the Bayonne parks, Sharon returns to her jobs and her family with renewed energy and strength.—BLP

“Exercise is extremely important for mental and physical health” – SHARON NADROWSKI Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

George Cummings BY TARA RYAZANSKY PHOTOS BY MAX RYAZANSKY

ust off Broadway on West Ninth Street, which was recently renamed Patriots Way, is the Joyce-Herbert VFW. From the outside you would never guess that the building houses thousands of intriguing artifacts in its museum. Past the exhibits is a hangout for veterans and their friends. It looks more like a party hall than a honky-tonk bar, but today the sound of old-time country music fills the room, and the crowd is on the dance floor. The front man might look familiar if you’re a music buff. George Cummings was once the deep-voiced lead guitarist of the band Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. In the 1970s it had hits like “Sylvia’s Mother” and “The Cover of Rolling Stone.” The southern-infused rock band was known for its wild performances. It had success playing songs co-written by Shel Silverstein and appearing in films and on TV shows like American Bandstand. Cummings, who was a Marine, still plays music any chance he gets. For five years he’s been leading the unofficial house band of the VFW. “We used to be called FOG, for Four Old Guys,” Cummings says, but they discovered that there was already a band by that name. Nameless, they soldier on with a mix of rock, country, blues, and jazz. Tonight their performance will benefit the National Home for Children, which aids the bereaved orphans of veterans. Fundraising with Post Commander and bandmate Glen J. Flora is a big part of Cummings’s work with the VFW. Flora is on drums; Cummings on guitar, harmonica, and lead vocals; Bobby Dokus on piano and vocals; and Jack Gourdine II on bass. The band finishes playing, and Cummings shows me around the museum. The room is full of memorabilia that ranges from faded love letters to gleaming awards. A World War II German machine gun catches my eye. One display features Bayonne’s three Medal of Honor recipients. Cummings says that a fourth posthumous recipient is being vetted by Congress. There’s so much to see and learn here. Flora says that about 8,000 students visited the museum last year.

Mississippi to Manhattan Cummings hails from Meridian, Mississippi, where he started playing guitar at age 12. In college he played football and baseball as well. His music career took off when he moved to New York in 1964. “I got a room at the old Y on 34th Street,” Cummings recalls. “I had bussed up here by myself and walked around Manhattan for about a week,

GEORGE CUMMINGS

40 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

and one day walked by this church on 42nd Street and 10th Avenue. A band was in there trying to work up this song I had known for a long time, and I was listening to them, on the outside looking in. Finally someone came out and asked me what I wanted, and I said, ‘Hey man, I can show you how to do it.’ So I grabbed the old guitar and showed them how to play it, and all of a sudden I had about 15 new friends.”

wife heard about these folks called Artists Rights Society. I had this big box of everything I had signed, like contacts and things, so she made copies of all of it and dropped it off, and they thought there was something to it, so they said, ‘Alright, here’s the deal, we can get you something, but we split it 50/50’, so I said, ‘’Alright.’ For 30 years I got 0/0, not a dime, but the records were still selling.” Cummings received a settlement and now gets a portion of the band’s earnings. “Hey, I’m not the only sad story in the rock-and-roll game, but I’ll never stop,” Cummings says with a grin. He advises young musicians to go for it: “Hang in there and keep practicing and don’t give up. If you really love music, just maintain your course.” That’s what Cummings did. “I’m just a drifter on life’s highway,” he says, “but in the old music game I’m here to stay.” —BLP

He also had a band. The group brought him across the river to a gig in Union City, a “live music Mecca” at that time, he says. He got hired by a band called Mike Rocky and the Debonaires and played with them for about a year. “Then I got a little homesick, so I moved back down to Mississippi, and I met some guys over there. One of them was the guy with the eye patch from the Dr. Hook band,” Cummings says, referring to singer Ray Sawyer. “We started up a band called the Chocolate Papers. Anyway, we were playing out in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Ray got into a little scrape with the law and had to leave town real fast. I headed back to New Jersey and got the guys up here one by one. I sent them tickets, and we reformed up here, and I named it Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. We started playing the bars and clubs and got a little break after about a year.”

Talk About a Break “We were getting offers from record companies, so we ended up signing with CBS Records through old [record producer] Clive Davis,” he says. Next the band went to the West Coast to record music: “Then we hit the road pushing the album. That’s when it got hard; we were flying every day and running, not eating right, not sleeping right, but that’s the music business.” “Our first record, our biggest record, called ‘Sylvia’s Mother,’ it still sells,” he says. “We got gold records, played TV shows, did a movie with Dustin Hoffman. We hit the old trail, but it got old. People got big-headed thinking they were stars. We used to be brothers. We used to be friends. I ended up with severe bronchitis and after about five years of not missing a gig the old doctor told me, he said, ‘You better straighten up and get well or you ain’t gonna be here long.’ I went to this wacky manager who was stealing our money and working us to death and I said, ‘Look, I need some recuperation time.’ and he said, ‘You got to be on the plane tomorrow. We got a tour lined up,’ but I jumped ship and I went my own way. “I finally got better, and we decided to move on back near our own people,” Cummings says. His wife was originally from Jersey City, so they left the West Coast with their baby son and relocated to Bayonne in the late 1980s.

Bayonne and Some Bucks After leaving the band, Cummings received no royalties for his musical con-

Veterans Museum artifacts tributions. “I didn’t have money to buy any justice, you know what I mean, to legally get what I contractually signed for,” Cummings says, but recently that changed. “Three years ago a friend of my

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Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

urns out that our “City Critters” spread in the last issue was pretty popular. So, here are more images of our friendly, non-taxpaying residents. Please remember to email your city critters to KRounds@hudson reporter.com. Put “City Critters” in the subject line.

Gull by Marcin Kocoj

Jellyfish by Gene Woods

Red-tailed hawk by Joan Brunner

Canada goose by Victor M. Rodroguez

Rabbit by Marcin Kocoj

42 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

Wasp nest by Victor M. Rodroguez

Groundhog by Joan Brunner

from page 37

of the month at the Senior Citizen Center on 56th St & Ave B. The Bayonne Women’s Club monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Catholic War Veterans Post, 18 West 23rd St., from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The Bayonne Women’s Club Easy Readers Book Club meets on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Beales Chiropractic, 203 Broadway, near 7 th St. For more information, email bayonne.womensclub@gmail.com. Petland Discounts Adoption Events Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation Cat & Kitten Adoption Days at 533 Broadway between 24th and 25th Streets starting again in September from 3 – 6 p.m. Companion Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) holds adoptions Sundays from 1 – 4 p.m. at PetValu, 307 Bayonne Crossing Way. For more information, contact CARE at (201) 436-6595, or contact Pamela Lindquist at (201) 436-6484.

Andrean’s Senior Club is looking for new members 55 years old and over. Group meetings are on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Fourth Street and Story Court. Contact Dottie (201) 858-4104. Umpire Certification Classes with Mike Lynch. Classes begin January 5 through March 22 in Jersey City. Anyone interested in becoming a certified high school baseball or softball umpire should register with Mike Lynch at killtheump@aol.com or call (201) 747-4510. Hudson County Animal League Adoptions, Petvalu, 307 Bayonne Crossing Way, every Saturday, noon - 4 p.m. For information, call Charlene, (201) 8950952 or Kathleen, (201) 895-3874. Fussy Friends, 148 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, every Sunday, noon4:30 p.m. Petsmart, 400 Mill Creek Mall, Secaucus, every Sunday, 1-3:30 p.m. St. Henry Flea Market (201) 339-0319. St. Henry hosts a flea market on the third Saturday of every

month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pine Room (basement) of the school. Enter via the parking lot. Tables are $20 for one, $25 for two. Call Barbara Silvay at (201) 339-0319.

February 13 Kid’s Travel Club trip to Rebounderz Trampoline Arena The Kids’ Travel Club is open to Bayonne residents, boys and girls, ages 7-13. For more information, contact the Division of Recreation at (201) 858-6127 or email bayonnerec@aol.com.

14 Phyllis & Adelaide are running a fun filled bus ride to the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. Cost is $35 per person with a $25 Slot Play return and $5 Food Coupon. Bus leaves at 10:30 a.m. from East 35th St. Refreshments will be served on the bus & raffles will be held. For information

or to purchase tickets call Phyllis at (201) 339-4517. Please purchase tickets in advance - all proceeds will benefit various charities in Bayonne.

Boy Scout Troop 19 Comedy/Pasta Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Look for further information on our fundraiser in the coming weeks.

24 The Young at Heart Seniors are sponsoring a trip to Resorts Casinos in Atlantic City. Cost is $30. Bus leaves from 4th Street and Broadway at 9:30 a.m. For information, call Nona at (201) 3390104.

March 2 The Western Electric and Telephone Company Pioneers Meetings resume. Meetings will be at continued on page 58

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

The

Marist Way

PREPARED FOR LIFE PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

ou probably wouldn’t expect the head of a Catholic school to say that she “knocks the hell out of poetry.” But that’s what Alice Miesnik declared, as she chronicled her path to Marist High Head of School. She started in 1987 as an English teacher, specializing in British lit and writing, went on to become assistant principal for academics, then principal and, two years ago, Head of School. Marist inspires such affection that its alumni continue to stay connected. As Miesnik says, “Marist gets under your skin.” At the same time, its academic programs are laser-focused on the future. Miesnik is committed to instituting a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum. Creating a maker space, an engineering program for juniors and seniors, is also in the works. “This is an asset for kids who are doers,” Miesnik says. “Engineering is not just for brainiacs. It’s for those with the visual ability to see and construct in 3D.” Careers in medicine, academics, criminal justice, and teaching are already adequately covered.

The Marist Milieu “We’re very family oriented,” Miesnik says. “It’s a very comforting, safe environment, where students can thrive.” Founded by the Marist Brothers, the school follows their mandate to be mindful of “the least favored or most neglected.” Says Miesnik, “Who’s the outlier kid who doesn’t understand, who looks sad? We embrace everybody.” It’s not hard. “The kids are absolutely good-hearted and win you over,” she says, adding that working at Marist keeps her young. She says they have a “lot of younger teachers who buy in very quickly” to the Marist way. The motto is, “Go to Marist, go to college.” Miesnik’s own teaching philosophy is a model for students headed for college. “I taught survival writing,” she says. “It was a format that worked time and time again: thesis paragraph, good body graphs, and decent conclusion.” When students get to college, she says, they’re “freed from the learning part and can express thoughts and knowledge.”

Staying Connected As the school’s Chief Advancement Officer, Tiffany McQueary raises funds,

44 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

but her goals go beyond that. She wants to get the word out. “Currently Marist is Bayonne’s best-kept secret,” she says. “People don’t know about the great things going on at the school.” One of those things is MedQuest, a program that gives students life experience in the medical profession. Other Marist benefits are less concrete. “Kids have a passion for learning,” McQueary says, “and giving back to the community and to their classmates.” She wants students to stay connected long after graduation. “I envision a Marist business network,” she says, “so graduates who have gone on to successful careers can be a networking support system for each other.” Her own gig at Marist is a model. She is a 2003 graduate who went on to get a degree in psychology at NJCU and then a Masters in public administration at Rutgers. Because she is a Marist alum, she was aware of openings at the school. In the 12 years since she graduated, she’s seen changes. “We didn’t have MedQuest, we didn’t have the beautiful library center,” she says. “Every year there are changes that benefit the students.” And those benefits have to be measureable. “In a private school, you pay

for your education, and you want to make sure that you’re offering the best for the money,” she says. Faculty members, too, are attracted by the Marist tradition. “They could work in public school and make more money,” McQueary says. “We have a good mix of veteran teachers, but we also allow teachers to develop their skills.” Though it’s a Catholic school, she says, “You don’t have to be Catholic or Christian. It’s more about helping to develop good morals and good citizens.”

Sporting Chance Erica Buonacquista was plucked from the English department two years ago to become athletic director. Future plans include redoing the field in back of the school. “We’re in the very beginning stages,” Buonacquista says. “The vision is to re-turf it. Now it is grass and used for baseball, softball, football, and soccer practices. We play no home games there.” More than a third of students are involved in athletics. Though all the teams show great promise, she says, “Girls’ sports are booming,” citing triumphs in volleyball, tennis, and soccer. “Girls used to take a back seat to boys’ teams,” she says. “Right now girls are more successful than ever.” Buonacquista has a degree in English from NJCU. “My passion since college has always been in coaching sports,” she says. “I started my sophomore year in college, and it took me over.” She coaches softball, and “a little bit of track.” “My goal my first year was to make sure all sports were looked at equally,” she says. “I have a vision to build all our programs.” Part of the vision is to redo the locker rooms and build an indoor practice facility. Health and fitness are also key ingredients. On tap is a Gatorade program, which teaches athletes proper nutrition and how to eat before a contest. The school’s athletic department reflects the Marist mission. Says Buonacquista, “What happens on the field is important in later life.” Miesnik agrees: “Marist will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.” —Kate Rounds

Students thrive in a comforting environment.

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

PrisonersPeninsula on the

The former Port Johnson Terminal, which housed the prisioners, is bounded by Fifth Street on the North, Ingram on the east, Hobart on the west, and the Kill Van Kull on the south.

Believe it or not, we had our own POW camp PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

rom 1942 to 1945, several hundred Italian POWs were housed in a camp in the former Port Johnson Terminal, a 50-acre industrial site that the U.S. Army also used as a military supply depot. Some of the huge shops at the nearby Babcock & Wilcox boiler-making factory were converted for the storage and shipment of combat equipment. Because chemical plants that made dyes were among the many industries to later occupy the site, a story about the camp by Robert J. Baptista appeared on colorantshistory.org in 2008. This is may be the definitive account of the camp. It has been reprinted without attribution in a number of other publications. After the Italian government joined the Allied forces, Italian soldiers volun-

Some POWs stayed in Bayonne after the war.

46 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

teered to aid the U.S. Army. Members of what was known as Italian Service Units, they were used in noncombat roles, including laundering, cooking, freight handling, and loading and unloading cargo from military ships. According to Baptista, Bayonne’s POWs served in these units. He reports that these men were rewarded for good behavior with sightseeing excursions to attractions, such as the Bronx Zoo, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This special treatment did not sit well with some Bayonne residents whose friends or family members had been killed in the line of duty in North Africa, where many of the Italians had been captured. But other members of the local Italian community brought them homecooked spaghetti dinners when visits to the camp were allowed. Some were even invited to residents’ homes for family meals. On July 15, 1944, according to Baptista, Bayonne Patrolman Al Shipetofsky encountered three POWs wandering the streets at 3 a.m. without a guard. They were arrested and sent to the military brig at the Port Johnson

ARCHIVES AND ARTIFACTS BLP

From 1942 to 1945, several hundred POWs were housed at the terminal. camp. The commander of the units defended them. As a result of the infractions, there was controversy as to whether they should be allowed to leave the camp. Mayor Bert Daly and officials from the local industrial plants also defended them. But their privileges were eventually suspended, and at the end of the war, they were repatriated to Italy. Other POWs, however, were given a chance to stay, took up residence in Bayonne, and continued working on the docks. There were also POW camps on Governor’s Island, and Caven Point in Jersey City, as well as other venues in New York and New Jersey.

Fayley says the Port Johnson site is bounded by Fifth Street on the north, Ingram on the east, Hobart on the west, and the Kill Van Kull on the south. It was from docks on the Kill Van Kull that prisoners acted as stevedores loading and unloading cargo from ships. Baptista reported that ports in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, and other New Jersey locales handled more than three million troops and 63 tons of supplies. The Port Johnson Terminal had warehouses and railcar *sidings, as well as the docks on the Kill Van Kull.

According to Baptista, after the war ended, the southern 14-acre portion of the Johnson facility was sold to Pharma Chemical Corporation, and the remaining parcels were sold to Maidenform, the N.J. Norton & Son paint manufacturers, Lehigh Warehouse and Transportation Co., and Berry Bedding Corp. The concrete wall that once surrounded the POW camp can still be seen at the Port Johnson site.—Kate Rounds

LOCAL H ISTORIAN WE IG HS I N Lee Fahley, a Bayonne resident since 1970, is a member of the Bayonne Historical Society. A Wisconsin native, he settled here because his wife was born and raised in Bayonne. The town started to grow on him. “When I got out of the U.S. Navy I stayed around for a while,” he relates. “It’s such a dynamic town with so many changes over the years. It was a farming community that developed into an industrial one.” Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

SENIOR MOMENTS BLP

48 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

(clockwise from top) Vintage bra; Jackie Veverka, Roberta Stachelski, Betty La Bruno; Cathy Golding; and Barbara Goldberg Now Stock sells the Hanes line, which makes sports bras and other apparel. Things have changed. When the U.S. won the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the iconic image was of Brandi Chastain ripping off her shirt, exposing her three-pack abs—and a black sports bra.

HOCKEY, HOT CHOCOLATE, BLADES, AND BIRTHDAY PARTIES PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

may not be a Currier and Ives-Hans Brinker nod to calendarquality nostalgia, but if you’re looking for an urban ice-skating experience, go no further than Bayonne High School. The rink was built back in the Dennis Collins administration. “He wanted to provide a winter recreational opportunity for people in Bayonne,” says Tom Jacobson, who may have the most cover-all-the-bases title of all time: Bayonne Board of Education’s director of health, physical education, community education, vocational, nurses, and ice rink. After a number of locations were considered, the quadrangle behind the tennis courts at Bayonne High School was selected, and the Richard Korpi Ice Rink opened in 1986. Some three decades later, time started to take its toll. “As age and the program continued to move on, little problems started to occur,” Jacobson says. “We took the rink down for graduation each year. Constantly taking it down and up created problems.” He cites leaks in the pipes which prevented the coolant from freezing water to make ice. Eventually, the Board of Education made the decision to renovate the rink. Improvements included new rubber matting around the outside of the rink, new dashboards, energy-efficient lighting, and fresh paint. The new and improved rink opened in early December 2015. It continues to offer a wide range of programs for students and the community. See the accompanying box for a list.—Kate Rounds

50 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

SPORTS CORNER BLP

KORPI ICE RINK 669 AVENUE A Youth Hockey Program Travel Hockey

2016 Public Skating Sessions

There are several programs for youngsters, ages 4-17, that will teach players the basic skills of hockey and give them the opportunity to participate in a youth hockey league. Youngsters must supply their own equipment consisting of USA-hockeyapproved helmets with facemasks or shields, sticks, skates, pads, and socks.

Friday 5:45-7 p.m.

Program Dates

January to February 2016 For registration or further information, visit bayonnehockey.com Bayonne Board of Education will sponsor an Ice Hockey Pee Wee team and Middle School Hockey team for Bayonne Public School Students in grades 4 through 8. For further information please visit bayonnehockey.com Bayonne Blades Skate School

Figure Skating and Beginner Hockey USFS Group Ice Skating Instruction and Freestyle Sessions. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Fridays. For further information please contact co-directors Donna Liana and Danielle Sullivan at bayonneblades@gmail.com or call (201) 437-8602.

Resident adults with valid ID, $5 per person, $75, 20-session discount book Out of town rate $6 per person

Saturday 2:15-3:30 p.m. and 6:45-8 p.m.

Skate rental $4 per person

Sunday 2-3:15 p.m. On rare occasions, High School Hockey will preempt the public session. Additional Skate Dates for 2016 Open for Public Skating 1-2:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 Group Rentals

Community groups and hockey teams may rent the facilities. The fee is $285/hour for Bayonne groups, $325/hour for NJ groups, and $355/hour for out-ofstate groups. Call (201) 858-5850 or email lcarroll@bboed.org for more information. No smoking. Alcoholic beverages or drugs are not permitted in the center or on school property at any time. Holiday Closings

Residents must present their ID cards upon entering the center. Running or walking track is open to Bayonne residents only (must show residency card). Monday through Friday 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.noon except during High School hockey games. (Children under 18 must be accompanied by adult.) Free Learn to Play Hockey (Bayonne residents only) Saturdays 8:45-9:45 a.m. Free Learn to Skate

(Bayonne residents only)

Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter.

Sundays 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Korpi Special Skaters Program

Bayonne Public Skating Fee Schedule

Resident children and seniors with valid ID, $3 per person, $45, 20-session discount book

For individuals with a developmental disability who want to learn to skate. Saturdays 12:45-1:45 p.m.

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This material is for informational purposes only. All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy. For an actual description of all coverages, terms and conditions, refer to the insurance policy. Coverages are subject to individual insureds meeting our underwriting qualifications and to state availability. ©2012 The Travelers Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183

Muller Insurance

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Web Site: WWW.MULLERINSURANCE.COM

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

B R O A D WAY D I N E R PHOTOS BY TERRI SAULINO BISH

ew Jersey plays a key role in the history of the American diner, and in many ways the diner is quintessentially Bayonne— friendly and unpretentious—offering highquality fare at a reasonable price. Rocky and Janet Coviello provide all this and more at their uptown diner at 1075 Broadway and at their Broadway Diner 8th Street Bistro. We visited the Bistro on a warmish Monday evening in mid-December. There were plenty of spaces in the rear parking lot. The place wasn’t crowded, but it gradually filled with what looked like Bayonne locals. From the booth where we sat, two evergreens with festive Christmas lights were visible through the window. Whatever time of year you visit, you’ll find holiday specials for the season, such as pumpkin pancakes or Christmas chocolate drinks. Terri started with one of these, a signature blend called a Frozen Hot Chocolate, featuring homemade fudge, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings, which appeared in a Mason jar. Terri said it definitely could have been a dessert and had a kind of milkshake taste, but it was gone before I could test her theory. She could have ordered it with brandy or vodka but, alas, did not. By the way, the diner has a full liquor bar as well as a juice bar, offering fresh fruit and vegetable juices blended to order and a bunch of creative smoothies made with Greek-style yogurt. Though the diner has everything you’d expect—a huge menu with all kinds of breakfast food, burgers, salads, and spaghetti, times have changed, and diner cuisine with it. Example? The grilled salmon with black beans, avocado, onion, and tomato salsa. Chef Scot Smith prides himself on using the freshest ingredients, which is why customers may not always see the same entrée over and over. This dish was so fresh and subtly seasoned that it could have come from an upscale restaurant in the city. Next up was a hearty chicken cutlet sandwich with broccoli rabe and mozzarella; the mozz is made fresh on the premises. On one hand, chicken cutlet is a classic diner item, but the broccoli rabe and fresh mozz, along

52 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

JANET COVIELLO

with the absence of goopy sauces, make it a unique Bistro special. Janet, whose ancestry is Cuban, couldn’t wait for us to try the incredibly colorful and luscious pitaya bowl. Pitaya is Spanish for dragon fruit, a wicked healthy offering from parts of Asia and Latin America. The bowl comes with a kind of dragon fruit coulis, topped with sliced kiwi, fresh pineapple, mango, coconut flakes, granola, and honey. It makes a terrific breakfast entrée, or you might even want to have it for dessert. Speaking of breakfast, huevos rancheros is an extremely popular Bistro breakfast choice. It consists of corn tortillas, eggs, cheese, refried beans, avocado, tomato, and onion. And if that weren’t enough, you can add meat. But it’s good anytime. As proof, we managed to fit some in for dinner. Again, considering the ingredients, it’s prepared with a light touch: robust but not overpowering.

If you eat a normal amount of food, you just might have room for the signature dessert: New York-style cheesecake, homemade onsite. Ours came with whipped cream and strawberries. It looks like it might overwhelm you with sweetness, but it’s weirdly light and rich at the same time. Chef Smith also makes cupcakes, cookies, and other baked goods. Janet was our host in the true sense of the word. When she wasn’t jumping up to bring us a wonderful Bistro specialty, she’d sit down with us and talk about this family diner, which she clearly loves. She’s proud of the multicultural offerings, everything from grits and matzo ball soup to traditional Italian and Polish fare. Regulars know that on Friday seafood is featured, a good time to order lobster, steamers, New England clam chowder, prawns, crab cakes, and other surf offerings. And on Sundays it’s the much-anticipated Italian buffet.

Janet is excited about expanding her catering business. She wants to augment the tailgate parties with weddings and corporate events. Check out the catering menu and make a call. She says that all kinds of people come into the diner: “love birds, loners with a book, kids with friends ordering disco fries and milkshakes.” And that’s just how she likes it. I noticed on the way out that folks had ordered espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos. Next time! And there definitely will be a next time for this classic diner with first-rate food and a friendly Bayonne vibe. —Kate Rounds Broadway Diner 8th Street Bistro

226 Broadway (201) 455-8239 broadwaybistrobayonne.com

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

DINING OUT Broadway Diner 1075 Broadway

(201) 437-7338

broadwaybistrobayonne.com The Broadway Diner isn’t just your normal everyday diner, but a destination diner. Offering “The World’s Best Pancakes”, they feature a wide variety of hearty breakfast dishes and a vast selection of lunch and dinner entrees that are made from the freshest ingredients. No matter what you crave, The

Broadway Diner is the only place to find it! Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Broadway Diner 8th Street Bistro 226 Broadway

(201) 455-8239

broadwaybistrobayonne.com Offering a delicious “All You Can Eat Italian Buffet” every Sunday between 3 and 9 p.m. The buffet features authentic

homemade Italian delicacies and a great option for a traditional Sunday meal at an affordable price for the entire family. The Bistro also offers a gourmet deli featuring mouth watering Italian sandwiches, using only the finest ingredients in everything served. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Off premise catering is available.

Buon Appetito

906-908 Broadway

(201) 436-0043

buonappetitoitalian.com This is one of those quality places that don’t intimidate you. The restaurant and bar provide a comfortable, pleasant atmosphere that makes you feel at home. The flavor, quality, and quantity of the food are exceptional, but prices so reasonable that it is an affordable evening as well. The menu is surprisingly diverse with ample dinner specials, a wide selection of meat, chicken, and veal dishes, and of course, delicious pasta entrees. High-quality, fresh fish is one of the restaurant’s specialties. Buon Appetito is open for lunch and dinner and available for private parties.

The DaVinci Room at Mona Lisa 165 Broadway

(201) 535-5050

thedavinciroom.com The DaVinci Room by Mona Lisa offers boutique-style catering with our intimate luxury

54 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

DINING OUT events. Our attentive staff offers a wide array of options in a beautifully appointed space. We have packages that fit every style and budget, with availability for daytime and evening events, seven days a week. Call our banquet director today for one-of-a-kind service.

Hendrickson’s Corner

variety of fish, chicken, veal, and pasta dishes. Specialties include Seafood Risotto, Tortelloni Quattro Formaggi and Pollo Scarpariello. It’s a per fect choice for a romantic fireside dinner for two or to share a meal with your family and friends. KP Sarelli’s is open seven days a week and is available for private parties.

La Guardiola Gourmet Pizza and Bistro 819 Broadway

(201) 823-3389

laguardiolabistro.com With a full menu of unique and classic dishes, La Guardiola is not your typical pizzeria. Whether you take out or dine in, this cozy eatery will not disap

671 Broadway

(201) 437-4955 For as long as anyone can remember, Hendrickson’s has been serving up juicy steaks and burgers, tender chicken, and fresh seafood to loyal Bayonne diners. You’ll definitely come for the food, but this historic building in the center of town is an attraction in itself. Loaded with rustic charm, Hendrickson’s Corner is reminiscent of a 19th century saloon, complete with stained-glass windows, exposed brick, and original wood paneling that will take you back in time. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

KP Sarelli’s

241 Broadway

(201) 858-4065

sarellisrestaurant.com Since its opening in 2007, KP Sarelli’s has been serving delicious Northern Italian cuisine in its cozy and charming downtown restaurant. Priding itself on the finest and freshest ingredients, KP Sarelli’s offers a wide Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

DINING OUT point. It offers a wide variety of specialty salads, unique gourmet pizzas, homemade soups, focaccia, and pressed Panini sandwiches, along with traditional pizza and Italian specialties. The portions are hearty, but save room for dessert. LaGuardiola offers a full catering menu for your special event or party. Open six days a week for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday.

Mediterraneo Restaurant 932 Broadway (between 44th & 45th Sts.)

(201) 823-2717

At Mediterraneo you will enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine, more traditional than what you will find anywhere else. With more than 30 years in the restaurant business, new owner Jose Perez promises food of the highest quality, exceptional service, and attention to detail. Mediterraneo is also available for private parties and catering. Open seven days

Mona Lisa Pizzeria Ristorante 165 Broadway

(201) 858-1812

bayonnemonalisa.com One of the best pizzerias youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find in Bayonne, Mona Lisa has been serving the Bayonne community for over 10 years. Famous for their specialty pizza, you must try the customers favorite,

56 â&#x20AC;˘ Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

DINING OUT Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Whether you are in the mood for pizza, a classic Italian dinner or a quick bite, look no further. Mona Lisa serves up burgers, wraps soups, salads, seafood and more, including gluten free options. Open seven days a week for dine in, take out or free delivery.

Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Lounge South Cove Commons, Route 440 North 125 Lefante Way

(201) 339-3399

Otaikonj.com Nowhere else in Bayonne will you find such an outstanding dining experience. The beautiful water front setting redefines Japanese dining. Whether you enjoy the dinner show at your Hibachi table by our exceptional chefs, or dine quietly in our beautiful restaurant or sushi bar, you will be pleased by our superior quality and amazingly fresh dishes. Whether it’s a quiet dinner for two or a family celebration, you owe it to yourself to visit Otaiko.

The Restaurants at Newport

J.C. Waterfront District newportnj.com Overlooking the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline is the most diverse dining destination on the New Jersey Gold Coast—The Restaurants at Newport. Located among the luxury apartments and office towers in the Newport section, The Restaurants at Newport include 12 fine establishments: Komegashi too, Dorrian’s, Raaz, Cosi, Confucius, Bertucci’s, Babo, Fire and Oak, Boca Grande Cantina, Michael Anthony’s, Skylark on the Hudson, and Loradella’s.

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •

from page 43

Kid’s Travel Club Surprise Trip. The Kids’ Travel Club is open to Bayonne residents, boys and girls, ages 713. For more information, contact the Division of Recreation at (201) 858-6127 or email bayonnerec@aol.com.

Bethlehem, PA. Come and Join Us. Cost is $35 per person with a $20 Slot Play return and $5 food coupon. Bus leaves at 10:30 a.m. from East 35th St. Refreshments will be served on the bus & raffles will be held. For information or to purchase tickets call Phyllis at (201) 3394517. Please purchase tickets in advance - all proceeds will benefit various charities in Bayonne.

12:30 p.m. at the Bayonne Fourth Street Senior Center.

Phyllis & Adelaide are running a fun filled bus ride to Sands in

The Young at Heart Seniors are sponsoring

a trip to Resorts Casinos in Atlantic City. Cost is $30. Bus leaves from 4th Street and Broadway at 9:30 a.m. For information, call Nona at (201) 3390104.

April 11 Young at Heart trip to Gone with the Wind at Renalt Winer y, Egg Harbor, New Jersey and Atlantic City. Fee is $87 and includes theme party, family style luncheon, wine tasting, tour of winery, music and dancing. Raffle

door prizes. 4 hours at Resorts Casino with $20 slot play. Bus leaves from 4th St. and Broadway and returns approximately at 8:30 p.m. For information, call Dottie at (201) 8584104.

The Young at Heart Seniors are sponsoring a trip to Resorts Casinos in Atlantic City. Cost is $30. Bus leaves from 4th Street and Broadway at 9:30 a.m. For information, call Nona at (201) 3390104.

DINING OUT

Buon Appetito Your Uptown Neighborhood Italian Restaurant 906 Br Broadway oadway (cor. of 43rd St.) BAYONNE B AYONNE

201-436-0043

Open 7 days for lunch & dinner

Available for private parties On and off premise catering Outdoor Dining Like Us On Facebook.com/BuonAppetitoItalian

58 • Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016

www.BuonAppetitoItalian.com

EAT LOCAL. ENJOY WORLD CLASS FLAVORS.

DINE RIGHT HERE. RIGHT NOW.

#JERSEYCITYEATS dineatnewport.com

Bayonne - Life on the Peninsula ~ Winter 2016 •