From right, Lt. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, commanding general of V Corps, passes the division colors to Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Feltey, of Kearny, incoming commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, signifying the acceptance of command during a change of command ceremony Aug. 2, 2024, in Boleslawiec, Poland. Feltey was previously the Deputy Commanding General Operations of III Armored Corps in Fort Cavazos, Texas. The United States Army
IBy Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
f the Borough of East Newark gets its way, the position of Chief of Police will soon be a distant memory, to be replaced by a civilian Director of Public Safety spot instead.
The borough council will vote on an ordinance on its second reading when it meets at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 14.
In simpler terms, whomever is hired could be fired even without a just reason.
The person to fill the position will “demonstrate to the mayor and Borough Council that he or she is qualified for the position by virtue of training or experience. By way of example and not limitation, such person may have prior law enforcement experience and/or supervisory and administrative experience in either the public or private sector.”
The new civilian position would be an at-will post, meaning the mayor and borough council would have hiring and firing authority, and “for no definite or established length of time, and subject to termination at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all, consistent with law and Borough of East Newark’s ordinances, regulations and policies.”
See ENPD, Page 19
FOR FORMER COUNCILMAN SANSONE,
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
Larry Sansone gave a lot of himself to the Town of Kearny for many years. He is the son the late Kearny Mayor Daniel T. Sansone. Larry himself served on the Town Council as a Fourth Ward representative in the late 1990s. But after time, he was able to retire to Toms River.
Since he moved to Toms River, he put on some weight and decided it was time to lose. And lose is exactly what he did, dropping nearly 100 pounds with the help of a weight-loss drug, diet and exercise in 2023. He shared his journey — an inspiring one, at that — on social media. And it was a choice that likely saved his life.
Around a decade ago,
though, Sansone was diagnosed with heart failure. But the miracle of modern medicine allowed him to continue live life to the fullest just by taking medications that helped him throughout that
time frame. Sure he was short of breath from time to time, but who isn’t occasionally?
But there was a day where he wasn’t feeling so hot. So he went to the doctor and later, he says he woke up looking up
at his wife and physician, who were at the bottom of the bed, unaware he had passed out. The heart failure was there.
“I was having cardio myopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle,” Sansone says. “It’s something that has happened in my family. My older brother, Dan, passed away. Dad had
heart issues. My grandmother on my mom’s side had heart issues … it’s one of these things.”
It turns out Sansone had a viral infection of the heart muscle. It attacks and there is little he could have done not knowing it was happening. So the doctor told him to take certain meds, continue to lose weight and work out to build the heart muscle back up — and that’s precisely what he did.
In January, however, he was working round the house, didn’t feel well, he was short of breath, went to hospital and the docs told him he had had a mild heart attack. His cardiologist put a “life vest” on him, which is basically an external defibrillator in case of a cardiac incident. He often wore that vest. But one day he didn’t.
Continued on the next page
Sansone, right, In Conversation with The Observer’s Kevin Canessa.
AT SHAWN’S EVERYTHING YOU’LL FIND
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
If you’ve never been to Shawn’s Crazy Saloon, situated at the northeast corner of the Belleville Turnpike and Chestnut Street in North Arlington, you’ve been missing out. Of course, if you’ve already been there, you already know it — but this is one of the real hidden gems, not just in North Arlington, but anywhere in The Observer’s readership area.
Last week, Bobby Pezzolla and I had a chance to go down
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What we found was nothing short of high-end New York City-type place meets North Arlington.
What first stands out about Shawn’s is the incredible details put into the place’s recent renovations. The lower portion of the bar is loaded with out-of-commission license plates from Jersey, to Rhode Island to many other parts of the country. As a collector of and someone
who loves unique displays of license plates, this was an instant eye-grabber, though I suspect it’s among the first things most people notice after entering on the Chestnut Street side of the building.
We took a walk to the far side of the place and found numerous tables and chairs for diners and drinkers alike and then headed over to where the stage is conspicuously located. The space is absolutely perfect for the place, especially considering one the biggest reasons people frequent Shawn’s is for the live music and entertainment.
Just about every day something’s going on on that stage, including local and cover bands, karaoke and open jam nights ( you’ll find an upcoming schedule on Shawn’s website.)
Looking at the stage, off to its the left, quietly nestled in a corner, is a VIP section, giving the place a real Manhattan kind of vibe. And yet it’s all right here in North Arlington. Everything about the place, the décor, the lighting, the colors on the walls, the building’s exterior, the stage itself,
IS CRAZY GOOD & ALWAYS HAPPENING
was meticulously planned over time by Tiedemann and his crew several years ago after he purchased the place from its previous owners (more on that later.) And from what we can tell, his choices have been ideal.
After we walked around the place and let it all sink in — and there was plenty to absorb — we sat down with Tiedemann who told us how Shawn’s all came to be.
“We opened March 16, 2019,” Tiedemann says. “And then on March 16, 2020, we shut down for COVID until September. It was very limited at first when we reopened. But it was a rough, probably, 18 months or so.”
But all of this led to the aforementioned renovations.
“I always wanted to do it,” Tiedemann says. “But I was going to open for a year, save some money and then do the renovations. But then COVID
The loss of Rodriguez was painful, but his legacy lives on in many ways, today, at Shawn’s. Continued from
messed that up and coming out of COVID, it was tough to put the money together, but we did it. We got it done. It was what we wanted to do day one.”
At first, it was a few smaller renovations, but then, much more of the place was redone, to make it look as it does now. It was all complete in June 2023. And Tiedemann says he’s proud, rightfully, of how everything here turned out.
“Well, it’s always been meant to be a live music venue, to have the live music,” Tiedemann says. “That’s what I really like. I love the way the renovation came out. It’s not something we designed, we designed as we went, and me and my manager at the time, David Rodriguez, who passed away last year, very young, 34 years old.”
OPINION & VIEWPOINTS
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Kearny firefighter’s wife says it’s time for the Town of Kearny to fix the mess it’s created for Juan C. Barroso Jr.
To the Editor:
Ifeel the need to write about the situation with Juan Barroso. It is important to add I am a proud daughter of a retired Bayonne firefighter, niece of a retired Jersey City fire captain, cousin to a retired Bayonne firefighter, active two cousin firefighters with Jersey City but most importantly, a proud wife to a Kearny firefighter.
All my life, most holidays and family gatherings, I cannot get away from the firefighter talk, but it has made me knowledgeable and appreciative for all that they do (it’s more than just fires, EMS calls, trainings, covering and attending other jurisdictions’ fires — it’s being up all hours of the day and night to serve). Since having family on different departments, I am fully aware of how politics can play a part in their career.
The first time I met Juan, he came to our house to inspect that my husband resided in Kearny. After completing the inspection, my husband excitingly went through the process to become a Kearny firefighter. One constant was Juan, who would check-in on my husband during the muchanticipated academy that was postponed to the hot summer months during COVID when my daughter was about a month old.
Please note, our family was grateful the town pushed for a class to be employed
and go through the academy during the pandemic. Over the years since, I have heard Juan exemplify what it means to be a brother in a fire department that I have often heard it being referred to as a brotherhood. Whether it was Juan checking in with my husband, coordinating fundraisers, doing the Santa run through town, and as of last fall becoming the Kearny union FMBA president, he’s the guy who always showed up.
Did you know the town spent about three years negotiating on a contract and STILL they are one of the lowest-paid departments in the state of New Jersey and the lowest in Hudson County? It was not a shock that after getting a much-anticipated contract, these men chose Juan with belief that he could make it better for their future.
Juan is a stand-up guy who fights for what he believes in. Most of the department, my husband included, need to work another job to make ends meet. Many like my husband, will communicate being a firefighter is the best career and they love what they do. It was not shocking to hear Juan having another job, but more understandable. I can’t imagine losing pay with three children and a baby on the way.
The events that happened after he became Kearny union president were shocking and provided me with great sadness. While I may not
know the specifics of what happened to Juan, I can tell you at our family gatherings, I have heard of firefighters from other departments making bigger mistakes and having less of a penalty.
To suspend someone who has done so much for this town of Kearny, that I grew up
Lisa M. Feorenzo lisa@theobserver.com Co-owner/Advertising Dir.
in and still reside in, without pay, with a baby on the way, is atrocious.
While the town launches this campaign of its an internal investigation, it’s ironic to me how he got suspended again right after the town council meeting where a Kearny resident and the president of New Jersey state FMBA spoke about him getting his rightful position back.
While the town council is the first to run for a photo opportunity or when there’s a fire in town go on social media to type how proud they are of Kearny’s bravest (and finest might I add), I cannot bite my tongue anymore as this is when words and actions mean the most. We are all human. We all make mistakes.
While I have two children and was not able to attend in person, I watched the meeting over Zoom. I observed all those who love Juan and stand for him. I saw firefighters supporting their brother. I saw a community rallying around Juan who has done so much for the town of Kearny.
To the town and chief, I don’t condone profanity or threats of any kind as I read Mrs. Eckels’s article in The Observer. I did watch Mr. Canessa’s apology that appeared sincere. Two wrongs don’t make it right. I, respectfully, am asking (the town) to make this right. Actions speak louder than words.
Erin Murphy-Wilczek Kearny
Tina Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com Editor/Broadcaster Michelle Rybeck advertising@theobserver.com Graphic Artist/Real Estate
DEADLINES
n Classifieds: 3 p.m., Monday
n Obituaries: 10 a.m., Monday
n Display/Real Estate: noon, Thursday
n Help Wanted: noon, Monday — all ads must be sent to classified@theobserver.com.
Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com Sports Writer
Robert P. Pezzolla gm@theobserver.com General Manager
Washington School in Kearny announces 4th quarter honor roll
Jon Zimmerman, retiring principal of Washington School in Kearny, has announced the following students have achieved academic honors for the fourth marking period of the 2023-24 school year:
Grade 4
Principal 's Honors: Adriana Loaiza Cuenca.
Honors: Jose Dos Santos, Edison Ferrell, Kassandra Lata-Coronel, Maximiliano Martinez, Nickolas Mestanza, Fabian Paz, Steven Sinisterra Gamboa, Danna Uzho Armijo.
Grade 5
Principal’s Honors: Nicolas Alves Dasilva, Jade Calva Silva, Kayo Denadai, Maria Del Mar Giraldo Calle, Dana Graciano Menjivar, Kaici Huang,
Honors: Elias Cabrera, Dylan Cano, John De Lara, Angelo Fernandez, Angel Garcia, Emily Garcia Bustamante, Ana Luiza Gil Ramos Da Silva, Victoria Hempel, Anthony Hill, Ivan Enrique Juarez, Kendra Lopez Bautista, Sofia Maurad Dutan, Jamill Mendoza, D’Angelo Pascual, Damaris Perez Galicia, Santiago Rojas, Teo Ruiz Analuisa. Sebastian Santiago-Rivera, Franky Tecalero, Mikaela Zachesky.
Grade 6
Principal’s Honors: Briseyda Cuamacas.
Honors: Paul Oshiro, Jessica Rojas.
Zach’s Garage via Kearny PBA donates school supplies
While there are few things in life that are certain, one thing in Kearny is. And that is Zach Bahr, owner of the only Zach’s Garage in Kearny, despite what some signs might say, makes a huge, generous donation to the Kearny Public School Uniform Exchange via the PBA each year. In 2024, he donated 48 brand new, high-end backpacks along with six large boxes of new school supplies. Seen here are, from left, PBA No. 21 President Mina Ekladious, Bahr and Sgt. Jack Grimm, of the Kearny Police Department. The supplies will be distributed later this month.
Photo by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.
PBA, FMBA & Jersey Mike’s
The Kearny Elks lodge recently donated 120 backpacks and 70 combo locks to the KPSUE school supply drive, with the help of the Kearny PBA and FMBA. Jersey Mike’s, of Kearny, also donated free sandwiches to some of those who will receive supplies. Seen here are, from left, Councilwoman/Elk Marytrine DeCastro, Elk Bill Dow, Elk Melanie Pasquarelli, Tanny Paz, Mayor and Elk Carol Jean Doyle, Jenny Paz, PBA President Mina Ekladious and FMBA President Juan C. Barroso Jr.
Belleville Sons of the American Legion install new officers
Two Belleville Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 105 assumed new offices at the detachment level at the American Legion Department of New Jersey Convention recently.
The Detachment of New Jersey is the state-level entity of the SAL which oversees the operations of New Jersey’s 180-plus squadrons.
Rusty Myers, adjutant at Squadron 105, was installed as detachment adjutant in a ceremony earlier this summer. Myers has held several offices throughout the county and state, and now assumes an appointed position where is he
is managing the administration of 10,000 members of the Sons throughout New Jersey. He works on the 2024-25 leadership team of newly elected Detachment Commander Rich Hodum, who was elected in Wildwood the same day.
Also that same day, Myers installed James Elsmore, of Nutley, as the new Detachment Executive Committeeman (DEC) of Essex County.
Elsmore is currently the 1st Vice Commander of Squadron 105, and now takes on the additional role of representing the interests of Essex County’s Sons at the state level for a three-year term.
SPORTS HEALTH
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
Makenna DeJianne is used to pitching against girls older than her both in travel ball and this past season as a freshman playing varsity softball for Nutley.
Despite that, DeJianne was still in shock a few weeks ago when she was the youngest player selected to play for the Jersey City based Roberto Clemente RBI’s all-star team, heading into the RBI Northeast Regional Tournament.
After a dominant weekend of softball, DeJianne and her Roberto Clemente teammates will be heading to the RBI World Series at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida from Aug. 12 to 17. The RBI program, which is sponsored by Major League Baseball and Nike, was created to revitalize baseball and softball in inner-city areas throughout North America.
“I was really shocked and I was so excited when I found out,” said DeJianne. “I got to find out what a crazy good team of girls I’m with and I think playing with them is really fun, really exciting.
“This is definitely an experience of a lifetime and I’m so excited because I love competing and I get to see competition from farther out of state. Usually I’m used to playing teams closer in the tri-state area so getting to play teams that come from across the country is crazy. I’m really excited to see what the competition’s like.”
DeJianne, one of three pitchers selected to the team, tossed a shutout in her lone start, a 9-0 victory over Passaic RBI on July 27, and also had a scoreless relief outing dur-
RBI SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES BOUND
ing the Northeast Regional for Roberto Clemente RBI, which won five-straight games, all in decisive fashion, to repeat as champions.
“She came on in and pretty much shut them down,” Roberto Clemente RBI head coach Gabe Villanueva said. “They could not figure her out.”
While DeJianne may have been surprised by her inclusion on the roster, Villanueva saw a pitcher he knew had the talent and maturity to play at this level.
“She’s been amazing since Day One,” Villanueva said. “Getting to know her has been a pleasure. She’s always
having a good time and has a great personality. I saw the competitor in her and she pretty much doesn’t let anything faze her.”
What also separates DeJianne from other pitchers her age, is her ability to throw five different pitches - a fastball, changeup, drop curve, screw-
ball and a rise ball.
“I think it’s great to have multiple pitches just because if you’re having a day where a pitch isn’t working, it’s great to have other options and not just have to worry about perfecting that one pitch,” DeJianne said. “Having different pitches is really great because you’re able to work more openly and you have different pitches to use in the count.”
DeJianne, who also pitches for Untamed Softball during the summer and fall, said she first heard about RBI from some of her teammates. The roughly 60 girls in the league competed in a regular season before the selection of its allstar team. The league is open to girls aged 13-18, making the 15-year-old DeJianne one of the league’s younger players.
“Every time we came out and played, she would call me and tell me, ‘Hey, I’m having a great time.’” said Villanueva. “She wants to get better and when I called her to let her know that she actually made the team, she was excited.”
“I think that I’ve gotten so much experience and I think it’s really great,” DeJianne said. “This is making me a better player and this helps open so many doors of opportunity for myself as a pitcher.”
DeJianne estimates she’s been pitching since the age of 2, as she was taught at an early age by her mother Kim (formerly Higgins), an all-state pitcher while at Nutley.
In DeJianne’s first varsity appearance this spring for Nutley, she tossed a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts against Newark Academy. As a freshman, DeJianne struck out 136 batters with a 3.35 ERA. She also hit .314 with 17 RBI at the plate.
Photo courtesy of Kim DeJianne
Nutley American LL 10U wins District title
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
According to coach Steve Michalek, the jump from age 9 to 10 is as big as when it comes to Little League baseball as a greater understanding of the game is required.
For the Nutley American Little League 10U team Michalek coached, this summer showed just how well they handled the leap and how much improvement they showed in the process.
“We just had a good core group of kids that played hard and really improved as the season went on, and especially in all spots,” Michalek said. That hard work was reward-
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ed with a District 8 championship when Nutley American defeated Caldwell-West Essex, 3-1, in the final on July 11 at Caldwell, avenging a loss to the same team two days earlier.
As Michalek pointed out, for many on his team, it was their first championship against competition outside of town.
“What’s interesting is that probably about half the kids of the team had excellent regular seasons and the other half, had more average regular seasons,” said Michalek. “(In the postseason), all of them were playing at a really high level. We had contributions from everybody on the team, from pitching to hitting to field to base running.”
Leading the charge was Dominic Wos, who served as Nutley American’s ace pitcher and No. 3 hitter.
“He was our best pitcher. He
was our opening game starter and was our pitcher in the championship game against Caldwell, pitching six innings,” Michalek said. “He got big hits
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and was just a great player, a great kid who comes from a great family.”
While Wos was a hard thrower who could overpower opposing hitters, Nutley American’s No. 2, Matthew Suto, was the exact opposite, exhibiting rare control at this age level.
Luke Kandola and Christan Van Saders also provided valuable innings over the course of the tournament run.
At catcher was Vincent Ritacco, one of the youngest players on the team.
Brandon Molinari, who hit cleanup, was the primary first baseman with Michael Verhasselt, who had a big hit in the title game, also getting time at first.
See NUTLEY, Page 12
Photo courtesy of Alicia Michale
Thistle baseball? Yes, you read that correctly ...
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
In Kearny and the surrounding area, the name “Thistle” elicits memories of soccer greatness dating back decades. Now, there’s a hope that Thistle will now be a name affiliated with baseball as well.
While still in its relative infancy, slowly but surely, Kearny Thistle is starting to make a name for itself on the diamond as well.
Thistle baseball just completed its fourth and most successful spring/summer to date last week as the program seeks to further expand heading into the start of Fall
in a few weeks.
“It’s amazing that in three years this is where we’re at,”
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said Thistle President Billy Alvarez, noting that they hope to add a second and third team due to the demand. “We’re definitely on the map for how much we’ve played. Last year we played 62 games and this year we’re on pace for about the same amount.
“It is very, very exciting. We’re looking forward to the future and hopefully this continues to grow.”
A big reason for the growth has been the recent renovation of the Gunnell
See THISTLE, Page 12
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NUTLEY
Continued from Page 10
Wos and Suto shared the second base spot, with Ryan Fealey playing shortstop.
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“Fealey was our No. 2 hitter and probably our most consistent hitter,” said Michalek. “He has a nice, easy swing and he’s a tremendous shortstop. He’s probably the best defender on the team overall.”
Van Seders led off and played third base for Nutley American.
Olivo was in right field. Christian Chieffo was another, who made an impact offensively for Nutley American.
Ron Van Saders and Bryan Verhasselt served as the assistant coaches.
THISTLE
Continued from Page 11
Oval complex. The complex features nine fields that can be used for baseball or softball.
playing career. “We’re sitting on something really good and we’re starting to realize it.”
In left field was Michalek’s son, Stephen, who hit fifth in the order and had a five RBI game against Caldwell-West Essex early in the District tournament.
After going 4-1 in District 8, Nutley American moved on to the regions, where it saw its title hopes end with two losses to Rutherford. While the run came a couple wins short of a regional title, Michalek believes this run helped create a winning culture for this group as it continues to grow and improve.
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The versatile Suto was the main center fielder and Sal
“I think that this sets the foundation for continuing to play well together into the future and staying together as a group,” Michalek said. “I think they’ve got a tremendously bright future.”
Real Estate
UNDERSTANDING ESCROW
During the final stages of purchasing a home, after the price has been agreed upon between all interested parties, the word escrow enters the conversation. There can be some confusion as to what escrow means. The escrow process begins with opening an escrow account. It is used to make payments on the homeowner’s behalf for real estate taxes and premiums for the insurance required to protect the property, such as homeowners insurance. The funds put into escrow are a part of a homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment, which ensures that the bills are paid in full and on time. Next comes acquiring bank approval, securing all financing, obtaining a home inspection, pur-
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Thanks to these facilities, which are run by the Kearny Recreation Department and Director Ralph Cattafi, Thistle baseball has been able to host multiple USABL Tournaments this year, which not only showcases the state of the art facilities but is also vital at keeping the costs affordable for Thistle’s players. A sponsorship from VFW Post 1302 in Kearny, is also key in keeping the fees manageable.
“(At Gunnell Oval), everything’s in one spot and the parking is perfect. It’s pretty rare the setup that we have,” said coach Matt Smith, who starred at Kearny and Rutgers-Newark, before enjoying a long professional
“(By hosting), I can keep the cost down to my parents for the registration. Where other teams are charging $3,500, I’m trying to make sure that we stay under the $1,000 mark, said Alvarez, who remembers growing up in Kearny and not being able to play Thistle soccer because of the then-$50 fee. “Our real mission is and our principles are providing good soccer, providing good baseball, not pay for play.”
The idea of Thistle baseball started during COVID as Alvarez, Tommy Bradley and Kevin Kinsley were trying to come up with an affordable travel baseball option that also encourages playing multiple sports for their then 9-year-old sons Owen and Kevin Jr.
The first Thistle Baseball team, a 10U, was created and
then longtime Department of Public Works employee Craig Smith, a standout baseball and soccer player at Kearny, serving as the head coach with Alvarez and Kinsley as assistants, took over a year later.
That initial group of kids remained together as a 13U team. This spring and summer, the group, which includes kids from the surrounding area, as well as Kearny, have gone 19-11-1.
“Winning for us is secondary to developing and Craig has done an amazing job of developing these players,” said Alvarez. “Now (his brother) Matt has come on this season to put the cherry on top.
“It’s about developing. That word is used a lot by a lot of programs, but I feel like eventually developing leads to winning. (Our success in these tournaments) shows our development.”
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
OBITUARIES
Mary Femino
Mary Femino (nee Garippa), a lifelong Kearny resident, died peacefully at home on July 31, 2024.
She was 99. Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Her service was at the funeral home and burial was in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny.
Mary was a very faithful, loving and prayerful woman. She graduated from Rutgers University in 1948 with a degree in chemistry, at a
time when few women were STEM majors. She retired as a technical librarian from Givaudan S.A. in Belleville. Prior to that she worked in chemistry for Wallace and Tiernan. As a scholar, fluent in several languages, she donated a great amount of her skills translating chemistry journals and Christian publications into
English.
Many have enjoyed her passion for crocheting … blankets, scarves and hairbands … done with a prayer in every stitch.
Wife of the late Frank Femino, she was the beloved mother of Angela Femino, Christina Steele (her husband Robert) and Frank Femino (his wife Elizabeth). Sister of David
All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.
Garippa (his wife Sadie) and the late John, Ralph, Joseph, Peter and Phillip Garippa, also surviving are her cherished grandchildren Mark, Frank, Luke, Giorgio and Roberto. She faithfully attended her weekly church service via Zoom and loved making the final closing prayer. She will be missed by all.
Write a memoir for your family
Are you a natural storyteller? If you love sharing stories of your youth, you may like to write a memoir you can pass on to your children and grandchildren. Here are some tips to get you started.
Start small
Don’t think of your project as a book. Rather, tell your stories one memory at a time. Not sure where to start? Try one of these prompts:
• The place where you played as a child
• An event that made you proud
• A special holiday
• A prized possession
• A memorable person from your youth
Use sensory details
Sensory details make your audience feel what it was like to be in your shoes. Try to remember what you were wearing or how the ground felt under your feet. How did the room smell? Was there a distinct sound? Were you hungry? Chilly? Shaking? Sweating?
Talk about your emotions, then and now
Reflect on your feelings at the time of the event, and then consider whether you
feel the same way now. You may be surprised at how you’ve changed over time. Sharing these insights can enrich your story and help strengthen your connection with your loved ones.
Presentation
Once you’ve written your story, consider compiling a book or creating a video or audio recording of yourself recounting your stories. When you’re ready to share
Miracle Prayer
Dear Sacred Heart Of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours, this time I ask you this special one favour. Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it in your own broken heart where our Father sees it, then in his merciful eyes it will become your favour, not mine. AMEN. Say this prayer for 3 days and promise publication and favor will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail.
V.L.
your stories, reach out to professionals in your community to help with editing, printing or recording.
Mulligan Funeral Home
331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison
Arrangements may be made in Spanish, Portuguese or Polish Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221
WILFRED
Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916
You will feel as if friends of family have taken over when you entrust funeral arrangements to the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home. The family-owned firm has been in business for 100 years, serving generations in West Hudson and South Bergen. Its beautiful facilities, in a setting reminiscent of a colonial mansion, reflect the graciousness and tact of its understanding personnel.
Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. Inactive Private Parking at 10 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North 973-481-4333 visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657
TLittle Bucs win summer baseball championship
he Belleville Buccaneers, a team of a dozen 11-yearolds, emerged as the class of the United States Amateur Baseball League.
In the spring and summer seasons, spanning March through July, the Bucs had only five days without a game or practice.
Even when Coach William Canon would offer the players a day off, they insisted on showing up and running through an intense practice.
“After a long week and hot summer days, I’ll say, ‘OK, your parents probably want a day off,” Canon said. “They’ll say, ‘No way!’”
Their commitment resulted in a 12-0 record in the summer
season, culminating with a 7-4 victory over Chatham in the championship game. The Bucs outscored opponents 97-21 in the summer season.
The summer championship came after the Bucs captured a state title in the spring. They won all 12 games, outscoring their opponents 125-18. Those 18 runs given up by Bucs pitching were the fewest among the 178 teams in all of New Jersey.
As much as the past five months have been about learning the finer points of, say, a rundown play or a squeeze bunt, the focus has also been on shaping young men through lessons in good sportsmanship and teamwork.
For instance, when the Bucs
defeated Chatham, they almost immediately lined up for the postgame handshake with the players on the opposing team. Then, the Buccaneer players dutifully ran through their customary postgame sprints in the outfield.
“The coaches on the other remarked that they were impressed by the team’s maturity,” Canon said. “After their sprints, they finally did celebrate.
They’re kids, after all.” Kids, and local celebrities, too.
In fact, Mason Acevedo, Dante Armstrong, Justin Browne, Bobby Canon, John “JP” Canon, Ethan Cordero, Brandon Garcia, Chris Mejia, Isaiah Ramirez, Jace Silva, Lawrence Vanderbly and Mason Zeigler have been invited to ride the Mayor Michael Melham’s float during the Veterans Day Parade this fall.
“We are so proud of these boys,” Melham, who awarded them the inaugural Mayoral Medals of Achievement during Belleville’s Summer Concert Series, said. “I’m so impressed with their skill and aggressive style of baseball on the diamond and the way they conduct themselves away from it. You just don’t see baseball teams putting together 24game winning streaks.”
SANSONE
Continued from Page 3
notices its presence. The two required batteries have to be changed every 16 hours or so with the drive line out of his abdomen to the power source. He has a spare controller — never leaves the house without it — and he has eight backup batteries. The device, which literally keeps him alive, controls blood flow, its speed, pressure and more.
The batteries are all rechargeable and at night, he actually plugs into a source of electricity — right into the wall.
“After the operation, when I woke up, I hurt — it’s a very nasty operation,” Sansone says. “It’s open-heart surgery with a lot of pain. I had a couple days I said to myself, ‘What did you do?’ There was stuff hanging out of my body. I had my doubts. I was starting to think I made a mistake. But I had to say to myself, ‘Look, if you did nothing, you were going to be dead.’ If they came to me and said you’re gonna live but they have to cut your leg off at the knee, what would you do? You cut the leg off.
That’s what I had to get into my head.
Now, 14+ weeks post-op, the device and equipment have become secondary — even sleep is not a challenge. In fact the day we spoke with Sansone, it was the day he would be taking his first real shower since April, a remarkable milestone in his recovery. (He had to wait until all the incision wounds healed.)
In all, Sansone has done so well, he’s now thinking about helping by speaking to others who are going through similar ailments. A few others, who were implanted around the same time as he was, aren’t faring as well. But mentally, he knows he can really help others going through this.
“It’s been a heck of a ride for six months,” Sansone says.
That, indeed, is an understatement — and now his prospects of a normal life the rest of the way haven’t looked better. He has until he turns 70 in three years to decide whether to get a transplant, but the LVAD may very well, by then, be so perfected that a transplant won’t be even be needed.
Watch Sansone’s discussion with Kevin Canessa by visiting bit.ly/sansoneandkevin.
Sansone circa 2019.
BELLEVILLE 3rd floor
Private entrance 1 BR, LR, DR, Kitchen 1 months security. H/ HW included. No Pets/ smoking Preferred single person or couple Available Now (973)759-7077 13W03
BELLEVILLE 16 Howard Place. off Washington Avenue. 3 rooms. 1 BR. $1400 + 1.5 Months security. HT/HW included. N0 Pets. Near Family Dollar Store. Available Now (973) 801-5900 13W03
HARRISON 1st floor
Newly renovated 1
BR, $1800 + utilities and security. no pets/ smoking Available now (201)991-6942 or (732)895-2321 14W03
HARRISON New Home
2nd fl. 3 BR’s, 2 Baths. Close to transportation. No Pets/Smoking. Available Now. (201)7090645 or (973)741-8292 Leave Message 14W03
KEARNY 6 family home, Newly Renovated. 3rd fl. 2 BR, $1,700+ 1 1/2 months security. Utilities separate. No pets. No Smoking Avl. Now (973) 905-0508 13W03
KEARNY 3rd floor apt 1 bedroom , 2 small rooms with closets, kitchen with marble top and new hard wood floors. New AC No pets smoking, $1.750 + 1.5 months security All utilities included. Corner of Belleville turnpike and Forest st Available Now(201) 206-4845 13W03
KEARNY 2nd floor 2 BR, LR, DR, Kitchen 1 Bath $2200 + 1.5 months security Utilities separate No Pets/ Smoking Available September 1st (917)9633244 13W03
KEARNY 2nd Floor 5 BR’s, $3200 + 1.5 months security Utilities separate No Pets/ Smoking Access to Patio Available Now (201)772-9965 14W03
KEARNY
3 room apartment, one bedroom, on first floor of 4 family duplex. $1750.00 per month, one month security. Supply own utilities. One parking space. Use of small yard. No pets, no smoking. Single or couple preferred. Call between 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM only. 201-997-2341 14W03
KEARNY 3rd floor 2
BR’s, LR, EIK $2200 + 1.5 months security Utilities Separate. No Pets/Smoking, Access to Yard Available Now (201)772-9965 14W03
KEARNY 1st Floor 3 BR’s, Kitchen, DR & family room, Laundry room closed porch. 2 car parking access to Small yard $2600 + 1 months security Utilities separate No Pets/ smoking Available October 1st (570)664-6475 (862)273-6541 12W03
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2 bedroom apartment on Kearny Ave. Second floor. Convenient location. $1850.00 per month, one month security. Supply own utilities. No pets, no smoking. Storage in basement. Call between 10:00 AM to 7:PM only. 201-997-2341 14W03
KEARNY 2nd Floor 3
BR’s, LR, DR EIK Hardwood floors & Balcony 1
Months security Utilities separate No Smoking/ Pets Available September 1st (973)650-8400 14W03
KEARNY Kearny Ave. 2nd Floor, LR, 4 bedrooms, use of backyard. Available September 1st. Separate utilities. $2,600 month + 1-1/2 months security. Nears Schools (201) 9552662 (201) 991-3366 14W03
KEARNY Arlington Section: Single family home 4 BRS, LR, DR, 1.5 Baths . Full Kitchen, w/ New Appliance & Washer and Dryer Hook up. $3100 + 1.5 Months Security. Utilities separate, Alv. Now 2 Parking spaces No Smoking/ No Pets. Credit Background Check, Contact: (201)294-3916 14W03
While The Observer can accept public notice, we cannot accept legal advertising.
LYNDHURST 2nd floor.
1 BR,LR, EIK. $1650 + 1.5 months security Utilities separate Close to NY transportation and shopping. Quiet area. Washer and dryer. No Pets/Smoking Available August 15th (201)724-7317 13W03
NO.NEWARK 3rd floor. 2 bedroom, LR, Kitchen. Close to transportation. 1 months security Heat included. No Pets. Available August 1st Call between Noon7pm (973)202-5103 or (973)477-0925 12W03
N.ARLINGTON First floor. 6 large rooms 1.5 months security. Utilities separate. Walking distance to Schools, Bus, Supermarket & Church. Available September 1st (201)6572119 14W03
The Housing Authority of the Town of Harrison (“HHA”) is seeking to hire a Principal Account Clerk. Full time position with medical, pension, and other benefits. Candidate must be able to pass a background check, have general knowledge of accounting systems (including accounts payable, accounts receivable, vouchers, and bill payments), and be proficient with computers and computer programs (including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook). Knowledge of HUD requirements, familiarity with PHA Web.
Applications can be obtained from HHA’s website (www.harrisonhousing.com) under the Bid/RFP/RFQ/J0b Application Section or by calling the HHA’s office (973483-1488) to make an appointment to pick up an application. The deadline for applications is August 15, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
The HHA will provide a full job description to the applicants selected for an interview. The HHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 14W01
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FULL TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT Some or No Experience necessary, will train reliable, energetic person. Benefits included. Please call Vanessa 973-675-0653 12W03
OFFICE STAFF/LOADER Pick-up passengers in van and load in helicopter. Full/Part time position Retires welcome call (862)849-2652 Location Kearny NJ Heliport 08W07
Take notice that Wine Affairs Inc trading as Wine Affairs Inc has applied to the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a Wine Wholesale License for the premise situated at 65-17 Fresh Pond Rd, Suite 201 Ridgewood, NY 11385 and salesroom situated at the same location. Objections, if any, should be made immediately in writing to the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, P.O. Box 087, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0087 Jane Ellis Berdendsen-Hill & Aniello Tizzano 65-17 Fresh Pond Rd, Suite 201 Ridgewood, NY 11385 13W02
Kaleidoscope Concert at KHS
The annual Kearny school district Kaleidoscope Concert took place at the end of last school year at Kearny High School stadium. Kearny High, Lincoln Middle, Schuyler, Franklin, Roosevelt, Washington and Garfield schools were all represented. Under the direction of Yulema Bernal, Scott Burzynski, David Caravella, Emily Chen, Danny Conde, Amy Connelly, Milagros Gonzalez, Jeremy Gorin, John Kubowicz, Sanjay Pamaar and Owen Seaver, the district choirs, soloists, ensembles and bands performed at the concert.
Quick response 25 Years of experience LIC#13VH00418100
TThe Observer’s correction & clarification policy
he Observer strives to bring our readers the best and the most accurate news. However, from time to time, there may be mistakes in what we report. As such, we take our obligation to report errors seriously.
So, if you believe we’ve made an error, please send an e-mail to editorial@theobserver.com, indicating what is to be corrected.
We will ensure a correction is noted (if necessary) in a future print edition — and online. If access to e-mail is not possible, please call us at (201) 991-1600.
Some of the dining area at
SHAWN’S
Continued from Page 5
“He was (previously) executive chef of Sugar Factory, executive chef of Hollywood Casino. The guy was the real deal and he came in and helped me change the cuisine and help me get it where I wanted to go,” Tiedemann says of his late friend. “And me and him together came up with all the ideas for the design and everything ...”
Tiedemann says there’s little not to like about Shawn’s, from the available drinks to the beers on tap to the entire food menu — visit their website for a full menu — and there are plenty of specials, to boot.
Some of those specials include $2 Taco Thursdays, drink specials for happy hour(s) and more.
“It’s a very friendly place,” Tiedemann says, something we noted the second we walked in the door. “Our staff is really, really a great staff that caters to the customers. The food is exceptional and it’s the live entertainment. But you know, it’s different kinds of music all the time. So look at our schedule, see what we got going on. If it’s something you might be interested in, come in because the bands are really good.”
Shawn’s Crazy Saloon, online at www.shawnscrazysaloon.com, is located at 350 Belleville Turnpike, North Arlington. Call (201) 7446709 for information, reservations or ticketing information for concerts. Operation hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 2 a.m. Open Jam night is Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and there’s other live music all weekend long and then some.
Brunch is served starting at noon every Sunday. Happy Hour every Tuesday to Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., featuring $1 off draft beers, $5 well drinks and $1 off wine; plus half-off wings, mozzarella sticks and taquitos, 40% off pizzas and 30% off burgers and loaded ribeye tots.
Visit www.shawnscrazysaloon.com/new-page-3 for a full calendar of upcoming events and shows.
Photo by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.
Shawn’s
ENPD
Continued from Page 1
Again, in simpler terms, this clearly means said hiree may not necessarily have ever served as a law-enforcement officer.
Here’s a list of job duties for whomever is hired. The civilian police director will:
n Exercise full control over the police department seeing, among other things, to the proper enforcement of any rules and/or regulations adopted by the mayor and Borough Council, which shall be deemed the appropriate authority under law.
n Report, from time to time, to the mayor and Borough Council such matters related to the police department as may require their attention.
n Interview candidates for appointment to and/or promotion in the police department and making recommendations for such appointment and/or promotion to the mayor and Borough Council, which shall determine and make all appointments and promotions.
n Bring charges, when appropriate, against any member of the police department and, pending a hearing on those charges before an appropriate authority, suspend the charged member, with or without pay, if the director deems such a suspension necessary to the good order and discipline of the police department.
n Develop programs of continuing education for the members of the police department to ensure the highest level of training for the members of the department.
n Establish and maintain communications with schools and public and private associations to help such schools and associations understand and cooperate in the public safety effort of the community.
n Establish performance criteria for the members of the police department and periodically evaluate the members under the established criteria.
n Work with the chief financial officer of the Borough of East Newark to establish the annual operating budget for the police department.
n Review land-use applica-
tions, when requested to do so by the borough planning/ zoning boards, to ascertain the potential impact of any proposed land use project on the safety of Borough of East Newark residents and/or property.
n Perform such other duties as may be reasonably requested by the mayor and Borough Council.
DIRECTORY BUSINESS
Additionally, it is still to be determined whether the position would be full- or parttime. The position’s salary is also to be determined and will be set by the borough’s salary ordinance.
Any previous references to “Chief of Police” in town code will be updated to say “Direc-
tor of Public Safety.”
The Observer attempted to reach Mayor Dina Grilo, for comment, by email, on Aug. 1, albeit unsuccessully.
We’ll have more on this in the coming weeks in print, online at www.theobserver. com and on The Observer Live! Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.
LVAD DEVICE WAS A COMPLETE LIFE SAVER
“About two weeks later, I was up early, was going to go into the shower, I got tired of wearing it, so I took it off,” Sansone says. And, as fate would have it the day he decided to take it off, “I had a very bad arrhythmia — it almost killed me. My wife called the ambulance, they came down, they had to shock my heart back into rhythm (whilst he was awake, mind you) and that was not fun. I didn’t lose consciousness. I was on one side of the couch and landed on the other side.”
After this he was hospitalized, he had issues breathing properly, he was loaded with fluids and the doctors kept assuring him he would be OK. Eventually he went to Newark Beth Israel Hospital where he got a pacemaker.
“But boy was I sick (still),” Sansone says. “…at one point, I looked at my wife and said ‘I think I am dying.’ And you know what? I was dying. My heart was failing completely.”
This was all followed by two more weeks in hospital, with the doctors telling him he’d rebound. Until one day, the doctor said, “I don’t think this going to come back (good health).”
“It was like, OK, hold the phone, we need to talk to somebody,” Sansone says.
Fortuitously, he was put in touch with Dr. Cynthia Kos, of the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, a heart-failure
specialist. She visited Larry in Toms River and after asking her what was next, she laid out three options.
“First, she said, if I did nothing, I probably won’t be here in a couple months,” Sansone recalled of the conversation he had with Kos.
“Another option is a heart transplant, but frankly, I don’t think you’re going to be around long enough to get a donor heart. So then she said something about an LVAD device, (short for a left ventricular assist device). I had no idea what she was talking about. It’s a pump, an artificial pump. But she told me I was an excellent candidate for it.”
And boy was she ever right, especially after asking Sansone what he wanted most from life now.
“I told her I want to be here,” he says. “And I’d like to have a good quality of life, not be here five years, or four years, or three years and be miserable and sick.”
The LVAD, therefore, would be most viable option to save his life.
At first, he was put on the medication Milirone, designed for acute heart failure. At first, it didn’t help, but once it finally kicked in, Sansone began feeling relief.
“Within four, five days, I felt great,” Sansone says. “I could breathe, I was up, I was moving. But the problem with the Milirone is it doesn’t last and you never know when it’s going to stop working. It’s like a super-charger to the heart,
makes it squeeze and work better, but they used it knowing we were probably going to pursue LVAD.”
For a month, thereafter, he loyally took the Milirone. All of his organs were otherwise in good shape. But as it all turns out, remember that weight loss we talked about earlier? It was critical in determining success with the LVAD implantation
— it made him an excellent candidate.
On April 23, 2024, he was implanted with the battery-operated device, a small magnetic pump that spins and pumps his heart. It has a tube that goes into a cored-out part of his heart into his aorta. When he woke up, his chest having been cracked, he was implanted.
Sansone is one of about 20,000 people worldwide who have gotten one of these devices. Deborah is leading the way, he says, in Jersey. Deborah has done close to 50 all told.
The device is clunky, but he’s learned how to live with it, to the point now he barely
