Passaic Valley Life Oct 2018

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Vol. 1 • No. 1 October 2018

Woodland Park Boy Continues To Pay It Forward Jayden Perez

Little Falls Man Seeks Donor To Share A Kidney Nick Sauter

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PASSAIC VALLEY

EDITORIAL

Passaic Valley Life Thank you for reading the premier issue of “Passaic Valley Life.”

The Passaic Valley area is a great place to work, live and play.

There is so much here for the residents to enjoy that we’ve decided to publish a new community magazine serving Little Falls, Totowa and Woodland Park.

Our goal is to provide you with articles about people, places and things throughout your community. We are also asking our readers to send us photos and information on your life events, parties, birthdays, weddings, engagements or any other milestones. You can send them to editor@ mylifepublications.com.

In this issue you will find stories featuring: Pencil Works Art Studio, Kidney For Little Falls Man, Little Falls Methodist Church, Amore Ristorante, as well other articles.

Each month you can pick up a copy of the magazine at local businesses or visit www.iwantmypaper.com and sign up for a free copy that will be sent directly to your email each month.

You can also visit our website www.passacivalleylife.com or on Facebook under “Passaic Valley Life.”

Please support all of the advertisers in our publications as they make this magazine available free to all with their advertising support. We want to help the local businesses and your support of them is appreciated.

We welcome your feedback please send your comments to editor@mylifepublications.com Thank you for choosing “Passaic Valley Life” I hope you enjoy it every month.

Jeff Koonjy Publisher

Next Issue Nov. 2018, Deadline Oct. 31 To receive your free copy of Passaic Valley Life direct to your email visit www.iwantmypaper.com and sign up!

Subscribe $35 / year / $60 for 2 Call 800-691-7549 Editorial editor@ mylifepublications.com 5 Vista Drive., Flanders, NJ 07836 800-691-7549 •joe@mylifepublications.com turn our pages at www.passaicvalleylife.com © 2018 YUM, LLC. Oak Ridge, NJ

Sales Jeff Koonjy 973-715-9372 Jeff@ mylifepublications.com

Publisher Jeff Koonjy Editor Cheryl Conway Graphic Designers Terri Armswood Mary Lalama Sales Manager Jeff Koonjy

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 5

Page 6 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

Little Falls Man Seeks Donor To Share A Kidney

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“It has to be a living donor, because in N.J., the wait for a kidney from a cadaver donor is five to six years,” Sauter says.

By Julie Ritzer Ross here’s an old adage that warns people to be careful what they wish for, because they might get it—and, as implied, possibly regret it later. But Nick Sauter is unconcerned that this will happen to him, given that he desperately needs to see his wish—to be the recipient of a kidney from a living donor—come true.

An alumna of Passaic Valley High School, Sauter, age 63, later served as a physical education teacher, football and track coach, athletic director and, immediately prior to his retirement, vice principal.

Sauter attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick on a full scholarship, graduating in 1977. While at Rutgers, he played football for the Scarlet Knights and was on the roster as an offensive lineman when the team completed an undefeated season in 1976. Injuries sustained during his football years led to several neck and back surgeries and, eventually, forced Sauter to seek pain relief by taking prescription anti-inflammatory medications. In early 2017, he learned that the medications had caused end-stage renal failure (also known as end-stage kidney disease) and that he would need to undergo dialysis three times a week

until a kidney donor was found.

Then, 18 months ago, Sauter was dealt another blow: he developed a blood infection that traveled to his 21-yearold knee replacement. The search for a kidney had to be put on hold while he sustained two additional surgeries on his knee and endured three months of physical therapy in addition to thrice-weekly dialysis. Now, he is once again ready and eager to find a healthy living kidney donor, and time is of the essence.

“It has to be a living donor, because in N.J., the wait for a kidney from a cadaver donor is five to six years,” Sauter says.

“When you’re in end-stage kidney failure, as I am, you don’t have that kind of time,” Sauter explains. He does have two options for his potential kidney transplant: a direct donation, or paired donation through a statewide living donor kidney exchange program. In a paired kidney donation, an individual who wants to donate a kidney to a particular patient, but cannot because of incompatibilities (for example, blood type incompatibilities) instead donates a kidney to a second patient for whom it is appropriate. The first patient then gets a kidney from

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 7

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the second patient’s donor. RWJBarnabas Health/Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, where Sauter is a dialysis patient and the hospital at which he would receive a kidney transplant, participates in the paired donor program.

Several family members and at least one close friend have been tested or have attempted to be tested to see whether they might be a direct donor, and two or three other individuals are in the midst of testing to see if they are a match. However, to date, health conditions and other factors, such as incompatible blood types, have interfered with the process. Sauter’s blood type

is A negative, and his donor would need to have either that same blood type or blood types A positive, O positive, or O negative. As of early October, no possibility of a paired donation has surfaced.

Still Sauter, who admits to having his good and bad days, tries to remain positive, but dialysis is a grueling process that impacts his enjoyment and quality of life. He is still an active member of St. Agnes Episcopal Church in Little Falls, but can no longer assist with the church’s food pantry or help struggling local families. He has limited energy to enjoy his family.

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says Sauter’s high school sweetheart and wife of 41 years, Debbie, with whom he lives in her childhood home in Little Falls and who serves as his caregiver.

“Two years ago, I retired from the Little Falls Board of Education after 27 years there,” she says. “We were looking forward to enjoying retirement, but four hours of dialysis, three times a week puts a limit on what we can do, especially in terms of vacation. We can’t leave the country. We can travel to other states, but we have to keep up with the dialysis, so Sauter is also in awe of the dialysis technicians at St. Barnabas. “They are the we haven’t done real heroes, working 12 to 13 hours a day, six that much. We days a week, to keep us alive,” he points out. do have a condominium on Long Beach Island, which we try to enjoy with the family as much as possible.”

The couple has two children, Nicole (Sauter) Dilkes, principal and curriculum coordinator of School No. 3 in Little Falls; and Kenneth Sauter, a network and telecommunications administrator at the County College of Morris in Randolph. They also have three grandchildren: 11-year-old Jocelynn and seven-year-old Devynn Dilkes, daughters of Nicole and her husband Dave Dilkes; and 18-month-old Declan, son of Kenneth

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and his wife, Jennifer.

Jocelynn and Devynn are very much aware that their “Pop Pop” is in need of a kidney and “pray that he gets one really soon,” states Donna Tissot, Debbie’s sister.

Tissot is also retired and now serves as Sauter’s advocate, working tirelessly, Sauter says, to get the word out about his situation through traditional and social media. A Facebook page, “Nick Sauter Needs a Kidney,” has been established, and posts are added almost daily. Sauter and his family ask that members of Facebook not only “like” the page, but also share the posts to increase their visibility.

Sauter also states he appreciates the effort his family and friends have made to bring him closer to finding a kidney donor. To Tissot and to Debbie Sauter, it’s natural.

“We’re a very close family; there is nothing that we won’t do for one another…we support each other,” he says. “We cheer for each other. We have high hopes of making it happen.”

Sauter is also in awe of the dialysis technicians at St. Barnabas.

“They are the real heroes, working 12 to 13 hours a day, six days a week, to keep us alive,” he points out.

Despite what he and his family have endured throughout his illness, Sauter is as concerned about his fellow dialysis patients, and anyone in need of an organ transplant, as he is about himself. He tells the story of a fellow patient and close friend who one day, did not show up for his dialysis appointment. Sauter and other patients thought it was because he was going to be the recipient of a kidney, “but as it turns out, he didn’t get it and is still waiting. This is about everyone—not just me,” Sauter states.

Sauter also wants to make it clear that it is not harmful for healthy individuals to donate a kidney.

“I like to say, ‘You only need one. Share your spare,’” he states.

“And for me, dialysis is my life—but it’s not,” hopefully, “a life sentence.”

To find out more about donating a kidney for Sauter, contact Tissot at (973) 714-7016 or Sauter’s donor coordinator, Donna Walton, at (973) 322-5047.

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Local Artist Shares His Talent And Technique For Pencil Drawing With Students Winick says his works involve “all kinds of drawings. I particularly like sports drawings but I like everything,” like drawing animals. But no matter the drawing, he says, “everything is black and white. I live in a black and white world.”

Jerry Winick

By Cheryl Conway Watching other people turn into artists has been one of Jerry Winick’s greatest satisfactions.

The Woodland Park artist, and co-owner of Pencilworks Studio, has been teaching students how to draw for the past 30 years. He and his business partner- who happens to be his wife of 36 years, Karen Winick, began their business out of their home in 1988.

In 2000, 18 years ago, they opened their studio at 96 Main Street, Little Falls.

Jerry Winick, 75, figures he has “had hundreds and thousands of students” over the years who have learned how to draw from his techniques.

“I love watching people become successful,” says Winick about teaching others the art of pencil drawing.

“Passing this onto people, watching them learn.” Some say, “‘I can’t draw, I can’t do it;’ that’s my greatest joy; watching them learn.

The teaching, that’s the most satisfying; such satisfaction is teaching them to do it.”

No one taught Winick how to draw, he mastered that himself when he was little boy.

He has “been an artist since I’m 7 years old,” says Winick. “I’ve always drawn pictures; they are very detailed pencil drawings.”

Describes Winick: “I used to draw pictures; used to draw pictures of my relatives and friends and it actually looked like them. I figured it out on my own when I was growing up.”

When he became an adult, he says, “I worked many

jobs,” as it was difficult to earn a living as an artist. Before becoming a professional artist he worked in the garment industry for 17 years as a presser of dresses. He also worked at the “Record” for eight years in subscription sales, “until we settled into this 30 years ago. This has always been my passion,” says Winick.

He attended William Paterson University and got his bachelor’s in education in 1982.

From there he became a teacher, teaching pencil drawing.

“I teach here,” he says, at his Pencilworks Studio, teaching three pencil drawing classes a week.

Winick has also been teaching pencil drawing classes at Emerson Adult School for the past 27 years; had taught at the former Wayne Adult School for 25 years; teaches at the Boys and Girls Club in Wayne, where his wife also teaches children art classes.

In fact, Winick says he taught his wife how to be an artist. “Hers [talent] came later on through me,” says Winick.

“She kind of learned through osmosis,” he laughs.

Karen Winick, 65, does have a teaching background as well, teaching at Montessori schools as well as an enrichment program at some public schools, he says.

When he is not teaching, Winick is creating.

During a span of six decades he says he has drawn “probably thousands” of works of art. “Sixty something years, it’s a lot of drawings.”

Winick is in fact an award winning pencil artist.

“He is an artist who uses a pencil as a painter uses a paintbrush,” as described on his website.

“I like realism,” Winick explains why he sticks with just pencil. “I like pictures, photo realism. It’s something I got really good at. People like drawing pictures that look real.”

With just a soft pencil, a 4B pencil to be exact, and Bristol paper, Winick’s creations come to life.

According to his website, “He spends many hours at the drawing board creating each of his pieces. It is not unusual for Jerry to spend three months on a single drawing, constantly building and developing it to its conclusion.

Jerry’s style of photorealism is so unique that most people, when viewing his work for the first time, find it difficult to imagine that these drawings are done with only a pencil. The sharp point that Jerry uses is ideally suited for the exacting detail he desires in his drawings.”

Winick says his works involve “all kinds of drawings. I particularly like sports drawings but I like every-

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 11

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thing,” like drawing animals. But no matter the drawing, he says, “everything is black and white. I live in a black and white world.”

He says, “I’m always drawing something, doing a golf picture right now. I set a goal, 10 drawings a year. I’m always gonna keep on drawing.” On average, Winick spends 50 hours at the drawing board for one piece of work, completing about one a month, he

says.

Winick has won more than 300 awards for his drawings and his works may be found in numerous private collections as well as in museums in the New York metropolitan area, his website states.

Winick says his drawings can currently be found at three different local museums: Yogi Berra Museum in Little Falls; Bel-

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Page 12 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

skie Museum in Closter; and Hamilton House Museum in Clifton.

He used to do 30 arts shows a year on Sundays or weekends but with working seven days a week this became too much. In today’s world, his work can be purchased online and through his website.

The Winick collection is offered as original drawings as well as signed and numbered limited edition lithographs and giclees which are photograph reproductions. Prices range from $5,000 for original works to $200 to $250 for prints, he says.

Pencilworks Studio At Pencilworks Studio, Winick sells his drawings but the main focus of his studio is to teach others.

“We have lots of art classes here,” says Winick, who teaches three pencil drawing classes there each week to teenagers on up, to those “well into their 90’s” on Tuesday afternoon’s senior citizens’ class.

Karen Winick teaches the children’s painting classes, ages 5 to 13, five times each week, focusing on all different types of media and painting, he says.

Classes begin at the onset of the school year and they also offer summer classes.

Rather than putting something up on the board for his students to learn, Winick’s style of teaching allows the students to “draw what they want to do. When everybody is doing a drawing, investing in what you want to do, you get better at it,” he explains.

“This is the best place to come,” says Winick, for art classes. “They really learn.

People learn from the experience by doing it yourself. People can’t tell you how to ride a bike; you have to go on and do it yourself. I work with them individually.”

In addition to art classes, they sell custom framing at competitive prices and host birthday parties for children and adults, BYOB Paint Nights and corporate team building events.

While most other BYOB paint nights are usually led by an instructor who teaches the class how to paint one painting, at Pencilworks 18 people will paint 18 different paintings, he says.

“We give them 40 different choices and they choose,” he says. “We provide canvas, materials, instructions.

The birthday parties are usually centered around a theme whether the child likes unicorns, on the water scenes, animals, mermaids or even characters from

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“Frozen.”

At Pencilworks, customers can get special pricing on picture frames.

“Frame prices are probably lower than any other place around,” says Winick. “Framing for artists, we’ve kept them well below” then competitors’ pricing,” he says realizing that an artist’s salary “is very low.”

When it comes to competition, Winick’s response is “not really; almost no one does what we do. We do it all in one place.”

He says, “we love our location in central Little Falls. It’s nice that Little Falls has a center in town. Woodland Park is built on a mountain,” he explains.

When the store front location opened up just 10 minutes from their house, Winick says, they grabbed it. With their business in Little Falls, he says “We spend most of our time in Little Falls. We’re going to turn Little Falls into a town that it should be,” through the business association and local politicians.

Karen Winick has served as the president of Business Association in town for the past eight years.

As far as retirement, Winick cannot even picture that day.

“I’m just happy to be working at this age,” he says. “We are complete partners in this thing,” he says about working with his wife. “Two of us are 100 percent partners,” in work and life with their four children and 10 grandchildren.

“I’m hoping to work until it’s all over,” he says. “We love our business.”

Pencilworks Studio is located at 96 Main St., Little Falls. Call 973-8124448 for more information; email info@pencilworksartstudio.com; visit http://www.pencilworksartstudio.com.

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Little Falls Dentist Practice Offers All Dental Care Services From A To Z

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“We will handle all of your needs from a regular dental exam

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“We provide comprehensive quality care in a comfortable and gentle manner,” says Dr. Marina Guelfguat, general dentist, founder and owner of A to Z Family Dentistry. “We provide cosmetic, implant, pediatric and restorative treatment to patients of all ages. Our youngest patient is 2 years old and our oldest is 95.”

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“We are offering specials for new patients only $99 for full mouth x-rays, exam and cleaning; and only $299 for ZOOM whitening,” says Guelfguat.

Modern technology, specials for new patients and a team of three dentists are just some of the benefits clients can expect at A to Z Family Dentistry.

“We are offering specials for new patients only $99 for full mouth x-rays, exam and cleaning; and only $299 for ZOOM whitening,” says Guelfguat, who has requested to be referred to as Dr. Marina for purposes of this feature.

“Most people call me Dr. Marina,” she says, which really goes along with the comfortable environment she tries to provide in her office.

“In our office we provide comprehensive quality dental care in the most comfortable and gentle manner,” she says.

As noted on the website, “Our team is highly experienced and professional but also extremely warm and friendly. We want to make your visits with us as comfortable and pain-free as possible.”

The office uses the most modern equipment and procedures.

Dr. Marina says the office “is equipped with modern technology and digital X rays that use less radiation and therefore, radiation exposure to the patient is reduced. Our general dentists have many years of experience providing cosmetic, pediatric and implant dentistry using innovative modern technology. We utilize digital x-rays and Digital Apex Locator to reduce radiation exposure to our patients.”

Patients receive care from a team of dentists who work together to provide the best dental care.

“In our practice we have a team of dentists who complement each other’s expertise and provide a whole spectrum of procedures from routine cleanings and fillings to complex implant and gum surgeries,” says Dr. Marina.

“One of the most popular treatments we offer is to replace missing teeth with implants,” says Dr. Marina. “What is unique to our practice is that we have Dr. Manuel B. Gordon who is a periodontist/implant surgeon on our staff,” she says. “He brings many years of extensive experience. Dr. Gordon and our general dentists collaborate closely together to come up with the best treatment plan for the patient. While Dr. Gordon treats

the patient surgically, our general dentists can concentrate on making the outcome most esthetic and optimally functioning. Dr. Gordon uses 3D cone beam technology (CT scan) to access the jaw area and analyze it prior to surgery.

“He utilizes 3 dimensional cone beam technology to aid in creating the best cosmetic and functional results for his patients,” she explains. “Patients no longer have to suffer with missing teeth. He essentially performs a virtual surgery on the computer before he does it on the patient which results in a more precise placement of implants and better quality of care.”

Continues Dr. Marina, “After Dr. Gordon inserts the implants, they are restored with crowns by our general dentists, Dr. Marina Guelfguat, Dr. Rosa Madrid and Dr. David Chung.”

In practice for 20 years, Dr. Marina explains why.

“I love dentistry because it combines art and science together in one,” she says. “Throughout a typical day I use my artistic skills to provide best looking treatment to my patients and at the same time I rely heavily on my scientific knowledge to provide the best care.”

In 1998, Dr. Marina received her dental degree from School of Dental Medicine, SUNY at Stony Brook, N.Y. She has been recognized by an award for Outstanding Achievement in Pharmacological Sciences as well as by Suffolk County Dental Society of New York for her High Level of Clinical Competence. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Marina completed an Advanced Education General Dentistry Program at Stony Brook, where she received comprehensive training in treating patients of all ages with a variety of dental needs. She maintains active membership in both The American Dental Association and New Jersey Dental Association.

Also providing dental care services at A to Z Family Dentistry is Dr. Rosa Madrid-Echo. She attended Queens College from 1984-1988; graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1993; and completed her post-graduate training at Staten Island University Hospital. Madrid-Echo is a member of the American Dental Association and The New York Spanish American Medical-Dental Society.

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 17

Another dentist at A to Z Family Dentistry is Dr. David Chung who attended McGill University in Montreal for his degree in biochemistry, where he was involved in multiple research projects, including a study of epidemiology of dental health. In 2016, he received his dental degree from New York University College of Dentistry, where he participated in an honors program and worked at NYU Faculty Practice and provided after hours emergency care.

Dr. Manuel Barry Gordon is a board certified periodontist and implant surgeon. He received a bachelor’s from SUNY at Binghamton in 1993; his dental degree from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 1997; and completed a General Practice Residency in 1998 at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. Dr. Gordon received his certificate in Periodontology from University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in 2001 and is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology.

“From a routine exam and cleaning to full-mouth rehabilitation, our practice is equipped to handle all of your dental needs,”

as stated on the website.

New patients are currently being accepted, emergencies are welcome and most insurance plans are accepted.

All new patients can expect an initial oral exam to establish an oral health baseline.

“We will perform a complete oral examination which includes an oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation, an analysis of your occlusion (bite) and a thorough examination of your teeth, their supporting structures and of the oral anatomy,” as stated on the website.

From there, other services that are requested or required are offered that include a dental hygiene for cleaning and maintenance; dental fillings; extractions; pediatric dental care; root canal treatment; crowns and caps; bridges and dentures; tooth whitening; implants; veneers; periodontal treatment; and night guards.

For more information on these services and dentists’ specialties, visit A to Z Family Dentistry in Little Falls at https://www. dentistinlittlefalls.com/ or call 973-321-9929.

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Page 18 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

Woodland Park School District Welcomes Addition To Guidance Department After receiving an unexpected increase in state aid last spring, one of the items the Board of Education decided to utilize funds on was to add an additional full-time guidance counselor to the district.

Previously, guidance counselor Danielle Indri split her time between Charles Olbon and Beatrice Gilmore and Kerry Mc Glame handled the needs of Memorial School. The district’s new addition, Donnamarie Scarpa Farraye, will work full-time managing the needs of Beatrice Gilmore as well as the fifth grade at Memorial School.

“This has always been my dream,” Farraye said. “I’ve always wanted to be a school counselor.”

Farraye said, “It’s been nonstop already,” about her time in the district.

“Having a fulltime counselor in each building allows someone to be available constantly for the students and the teachers. It’s a 100 percent benefit for the students.”

Just more than two weeks in to the new school year, Farraye said she has seen some needs already within the school community, such as the need for education on family dynamics and differences and awareness of disabilities.

“The kids have all been really open and receptive with what I’ve approached them with,” she said. “Parents have been amazing so far and the support has been amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better support system that what we have here.”

The Little Falls resident, who was born and raised in Jersey City, is married and has two children, ages 14 and 17. She comes to the Woodland Park School District from Mountainside Hospital, where she worked in emergency psychiatry. Farraye is also a licensed professional counselor.

BG Principal Sharon Tomback said she is thrilled to have a full-time counselor working with grades 3-5.

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“This leads to increased rapport with the students and parents,” she said. “When they know me, they trust me and I am better able to help them. It also means the interventions and program have more of a lasting impact.”

“The consistency and availability of Mrs. Farraye will help students and families receive the guidance and assistance they require in a more timely manner,” Tomback said. “In addition, Mrs. Farraye will be able to dedicate time to providing programs to the students in their classrooms, as well as during selected indoor recess periods. All of these programs will focus on our students’ well-being and providing them with the skills necessary to feel empowered and to advocate for themselves.”

The three counselors will communicate regularly and provide students with seamless support and services. Farraye will uniquely be able to help transition an entire class from BG to Memorial, addressing the specific needs of a new middle school student and easing the workload on Mc Glame.

“These kids experience shifts in behaviors, clothing and attitudes as they get into middle school,” Farraye said. “It’s a challenge sometimes understanding the difference between the two schools.”

Over at CO, guidance counselor Danielle Indri will be in the building full-time now.

“Having a full-time guidance counselor ensures the children and teachers are getting consistent support,” said CO Principal Giovanna Irizarry. “The guidance counselor is readily available for

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students to access daily if they need help with emotional or social problems. Having a full-time guidance counselor also allows for essential school-wide programs that address critical self-regulation and friendship skills, to be implemented with fidelity and followed-up with on a regular basis.”

Indri said that there are many benefits for the CO community now that she has the ability to be full-time at the school. She is able to be more present in the building and consistent with counseling interventions and guidance programs.

“This leads to increased rapport with the students and parents,” she said. “When they know me, they trust me and I am better able to help them. It also means the interventions and program have more of a lasting impact.”

More so, she said that she can expand upon the guidance program by having more groups, events and teaching more classroom guidance lessons. Indri already has plans to start Rainbows groups which aim to support students who are going through grief and family changes.

“Ultimately, being full-time at Charles Olbon allows me to help my students be even more successful academically, socially, and emotionally in and outside of the classroom which is my goal as their school counselor,” she said.

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Page 20 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

Mission Work And New Pastor Reign At Little Falls Methodist Church

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“This church does many things for mission work,” says Kim. “We have Sunday worship at 10 a.m. [their lone service of the week], and in special seasons like Lenten season we will have Ash Wednesday services or Good Friday services. Like other churches we have those worships.”

By Steve Sears in Kook Kim, installed as pastor of Little Falls United Methodist Church on July 1, has embraced his new church community.

Kim says regarding his selection, “We had a New Jersey conference, it’s statewide. At the conference we had a Bishop, a superintendent for each district, and we have nine districts, nine superintendents, and one Bishop. And the Bishops with the superintendents will send a pastor to a church.”

Kim, previously an associate pastor at Grace United Methodist Church has served the church in various pastoral roles at various churches since 2004, had found a new home. He came along just in time. Little Falls United Methodist Church celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, and he’d like to plan a celebration.

The Little Falls United Methodist Church story begins, per the church website, under a large tree in Little Falls, and the group that met there eventually held intimate services in a small schoolhouse located on Main Street between Lincoln and Paterson Avenues. Over the years, various construction projects were necessary to accommodate a growing church community. A new church building was built in 1900-01, and an addition was add-

ed in 1926. In 1948, the Sunday School pupil count increased congregation and Sunday School, and church membership reached over 500 in 1954. In 1955, a new, two-story education building was added to the chapel. A new sanctuary was added in 1968 and 1969, and an administrative wing in 1999. Shortly thereafter, a Memorial Garden graced the property. Today, through the years of the before-mentioned renovations and additions, it is a large structure and gathering place that welcomes 130 members of its congregation, most who primarily live in Little Falls, Totowa, and other nearby areas.

Kim isn’t shy about relating what Little Falls United Methodist Church members do for their fellow members and the community.

“This church does many things for mission work,” says Kim. “We have Sunday worship at 10 a.m. [their lone service of the week], and in special seasons like Lenten season we will have Ash Wednesday services or Good Friday services. Like other churches we have those worships.”

Little Falls United Methodist Church has many activities and ministries. Sunday School is an important one for children.

For the kids, Kim states, “We also have confirmation class, we have Treks & Gems for K-12 kids, and we

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Since Kim has arrived, he has made a few small changes, primarily to worship at Little Falls United Methodist Church, and the importance of the family unit and educating the young is his voice.

“We have made the worship a little more family friendly and kid friendly,” he explains. “Usually when kids come to the church, they are with us and start the worship together, and after they have the children’s songs and message they go to the Sunday school. We changed the order of the worship a bit, so the kids can be in the big church only for what they need. They

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The ladies hold a hold a diaper drive for babies, help out babies and the moms, and do additional mission work, such as a backpack drive for kids in Paterson.

“We really try to get involved in the community,” says Kim. “CUMAC and food pantry are the ones we really get involved in.

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don’t need to listen to all the announcements and all that. Also, during the worship we have contemporary music; I play guitar, my organist plays the piano, and we sing. It’s Christian music. We used mixed hymns, so the younger generation can listen to the music, which is good for them. So, we are trying to do that.”

Kim is also trying to improve the Sunday school program, using a big screen television and Wi-Fi system, putting technology to use as a means to the teaching method.

Little Falls United Methodist Church is a hospitable place, and it welcomes visitors, outsiders, and new members to worship, some originally from distant lands.

“Our congregation is mostly local people, but we also have an Asian a family, a family from Africa and Zimbabwe, and family from Europe from Poland,” he says. “So, we welcome all people.”

Kim is very clear for regarding the mission of his church, and the universal United Methodist Church and well. As a man of God, he adheres to the words, and urges his faith community to follow the guidance as well.

He says, “UMC has a mission statement: ‘Making disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world.’ That’s from Matthew 28:19-20 (Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you). All the UMC have the same mission statement. It is our goal and our mission, and it describes why we are here.

That’s why we look to engage in the community, it’s why we have the worship, and that’s why we provide Christian education for the next generation.”

He then adds in closing, “To achieve the goal, we’d like to become a welcoming community of faith, hope, mission and outreach, sharing Christ’s love. This is our (Little Falls United Methodist Church) mission statement...this indicates who we are.”

For more information about Little Falls United Methodist Church, like a detailed history of the church and activities at the church, visit www.littlefallsumc.org or contact the church at info@littlefallsumc.org or 973-256-0993.

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Page 24 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

New Items Launch Amore Ristorante’s Fall Menu

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Luciano started the business 32 years ago as a small pizzeria and restaurant on Union Blvd. in Totowa, which he describes as a “small hallway with a few tables.” Today, Amore seats up to 90 guests and hosts onsite banquets for up to 50. It also caters to local businesses.

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By Bonnie Cavanaugh Amore Ristorante, a popular Italian family restaurant in Woodland Park, has launched a new menu and new hours of operation to coincide with the fall season. The restaurant, which has made its home on Rifle Camp Road for the past four years, revamped the menu to add new creations and will now welcome guests for lunch on Saturdays. The changes began Oct. 6.

Amore features Southern Italian cuisine with dishes hailing from the Naples area down to Sicily. It’s a family affair, with Chef-Owner Jerry Luciano cooking and creating the menu, and his son-in-law, co-owner Roberto Arcucci, providing all of the frontof-the-house operations. The dishes hail from old family recipes, many of which go back to Arcucci’s home town of Avellino, Italy— near the “boot”—and Luciano’s Italian home town of Capri.

The changes at Amore are to please customers who’ve asked for Saturday lunches, Arcucci says. They’re also looking for more exciting entrees, and so Luciano took away a few older menu items and replaced them with newer entrees to keep guests excited.

Diners are also increasingly looking for restaurant fare that allows them to dine out while adhering to specialized diets.

“A lot of people ask for gluten-free dishes, and for a lot of them, it’s not an option: they have a condition,” Arcucci says. Amore is working hard to accommodate them.

“We try to be different. There are so many places out there,” he says, noting that people need a reason to come to Amore over another restaurant. So he and Luciano initially gave customers a few gluten-free options, and are working to make them bigger and better.

“Now we’re getting more creative,” Arucci says.

They’ve already launched gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs,

and desserts such as chocolate cake and cheesecake, and are working on bringing in breads and rolls. Customers are also asking for more vegan fare. Creating vegan dishes is a little harder, but Amore does offer vegan bread, bruschetta, pasta, and even cheesecake—which it gets at the local Fairway market, for now.

The restaurant will only raise its prices for gluten-free or vegan options if the ingredients cost them more than their usual supplies, Arcucci says. For instance, gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs are pricey, at $5.99 for 12 oz., so that price would be passed along to the customer. Otherwise, the restaurant is happy to recreate any of its menu items as vegan or gluten-free dishes for the same price.

As for the entrees that were removed from the new menu, customers needn’t worry; they can always ask for them. If the ingredients are on hand, the restaurant will make it. It’s the same for customers who see a dish on Amore’s Instagram page, but may not see it on the menu.

Arcucci says, “If we have it, we can make it.”

Luciano started the business 32 years ago as a small pizzeria and restaurant on Union Blvd. in Totowa, which he describes as a “small hallway with a few tables.” Today, Amore seats up to 90 guests and hosts onsite banquets for up to 50. It also caters to local businesses.

Luciano is a self-taught chef who reads cookbooks to learn the craft, having started out his career at age 14 with Sun Ray Pizza in Paterson. His wife, Pina, usually crafts the desserts but has taken time off recently to recover from illness. They eagerly await her return.

Luciano changes the Amore menu about every three to four years, and adds seasonal specials as food items become

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 25

available. Many of his ingredients are imported from Italy through his major supplier, Restaurant Depot in Hackensack, and the restaurant shops for fresh ingredients daily.

Freshness is key to delivering the best meals for his clientele, Arcucci says. All foods are cooked daily so there is no onsite storage for pre-cooked meals.

“Our customers know our food is cooked to service,” Arcucci says, “It takes a little time but it’s worth it.”

The restaurant was packed nearly to capacity on a recent Tuesday night; Thursday through the weekend are the busiest nights, he says.

Appetizer specials included Stuffed Artichoke, baked with Parmesan breadcrumb stuffing, with olives and a white wine sauce;

Ginger Calamari, tender rings of calamari breaded and seasoned with ginger, with diced tomatoes and scallions; and Flatbread with Prosciutto, made with mozzarella and arugula.

Two new salads appear on the revamped menu: a Caesar Salad, featuring Romaine lettuce tossed with homemade dressing, crouton and Parmesan cheese, at $8.95; and, Orange and Fennel Salad, served with red onions and black olives in a white balsamic vinegar dressing, at $11.95.

These items join four other favorites: Insalate della Casa, the house salad, featuring mixed greens with tomato, onions and a house vinaigrette, at $7.95; Insalate Tricolore, with endive, radicchio and arugula served in olive oil and lemon juice dressing and topped with Parmesan cheese, at $9.95; Insalate Rustica, a Romains salad with sundried tomatoes, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, marinatArcucci’s future plans for the ed artichokes, red onrestaurant include finding“ a nice, ions, and tossed with gluten-free dinner roll” to serve, a house vinaigrette and to keep upgrading the menu dressing, at $11.95; with the changing times. and, Insalate di Pere, “I would like to take this place mixed greens with to another level,” he adds. pear slices and caramelized walnuts in a Dijon mustard vinaigrette, and topped with crumbled blue cheese, at $9.95.

The appetizer menu includes 10 new items and three standards. The new Antipasti items include: Antipasto Amore, assorted cold cuts served with mozzarella, olives and roasted red peppers, at $13.95; Shrimp Padella, shrimp sautéed in lemon butter sauce with pepper flakes, at $13.95; Calamari Balsamico, fried calamari tossed with a balsamic glaze and buffalo sauce, topped with chopped tomatoes and scallions, at $16.95; Eggplant Rollantini, stuffed with ricotta, mushrooms, scallions and Parmesan cheese, and topped with a light tomato sauce, at $10.95; Hot Peppers Della Casa, featuring hot Italian finger peppers with fried potatoes, fried prosciutto and sausage meat, with provolone cheese, at $17.95; and Polpette della Nonna, homemade meatballs in a red sauce, topped with melted cheese

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Page 26 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

cognac and green peppercorn sauce with sage, at $24.95; and, Veal Barone, breaded veal topped with sautéed broccoli rabe and shrimp, also at $24.95.

Two new fish entrees are Salmon Nut Crusted, featuring salmon served over asparagus in a white wine and garlic sauce, with cherry tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms, at $27.95, and, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, sautéed shrimp, mussels and clams over linguine in a spicy red sauce, at $26.95. A new meat entrée addition is Pork Chop with Shrimp, featuring a grilled pork shop and shrimp served in a garlic sauce, at $26.95.

Arcucci’s future plans for the restaurant include finding “a nice, gluten-free dinner roll” to serve, and to keep upgrading the menu with the changing times.

“I would like to take this place to another level,” he adds.

Amore Ristorante is open seven days a week, Monday through Thursday from noon to 10 p.m.; noon to 11 p.m. on Friday; noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

and served with toasted bread, at $11.95.

New pasta selections include Orecchiette Amore, homemade pasta—small, shell-like pasta—with shrimp and New Zealand clams on the shell, with broccoli rabe, white beans and cherry tomatoes in a white wine and garlic sauce, at $23.95; Lasagna della Nonna, a traditional serving of Nonna Pina’s own recipe with ricotta, meat sauce and mozzarella, at $20.95; Linguine Vongole, New Zealand clams on the shell over linguine with a choice of sauces— white wine, red, or spicy garlic—at $21.95; Pappardelle alla Norma, featuring fresh pappardelle—long, flat, wide noodles— with eggplant, plump tomatoes, onions and basil, and topped with ricotta salata, at $20.95; and, Orecchiette con Braciole, fresh pasta with beef braciola stuffed with parsley, garlic, Parmesan cheese and black pepper, in a red sauce, at $22.95.

A new chicken entrée is Pollo Paesano, featuring chunks of chicken breast sautéed with bacon, escarole and cannellini beans, in a white wine and garlic sauce, at $21.95.

Two new veal dishes include Veal Giuliana, medallions of veal topped with prosciutto, fontina cheese and shrimp, sautéed in a

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Woodland Park Boy Continues To Pay It Forward

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Jayden’s efforts began after he received a gift of tickets from his mother’s boss to see the N.Y. Giants last fall. He decided to pay it forward and after seeing the devastation of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, he wanted children there to experience the same joy and happiness he felt when he received the tickets.

ayden Perez, 9, who last year organized a toy drive that garnered more than 1,100 toys and $10,000 for those affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, is working to continue his charitable endeavors.

He has been selected to serve on the 2018 kids’ board of directors for Kid Box, a clothing service that donates new clothes to children in needy families. Jayden is also helping the charity Action Against Hunger and received multiple honors for his philanthropic work within the last two months. He also was recently profiled in “Maelle Kids Life,” a global kids fashion magazine and community.

Jayden has been working on two efforts in the last few months. He collected and sent three shipments of lanterns so far for the people of Puerto Rico. As it is hurricane season, he is worried they may lose power again.

He also designed a “From the Bottom of my Heart” logo shirt and has been selling them to raise funds for a 2-year-old girl from New York, Mooney, who lost her father to gun violence, and her mother.

“In a world that sometimes feels like it is full of cynicism and criticism, this young man is a bright spot of hope, caring and good,” said Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark.

In July, Jayden went to Kid Box in New York City to meet with the board and the company leaders and work

on projects. On his behalf, Kid Box sent clothing to the charity Jayden picked, Oasis - A Haven - Women & Children in Paterson, as well as the 2-year-old girl from New York. Kid Box also gave Jayden $10,000 worth of clothes, which he will be hand delivering to those in need in Puerto Rico this month.

“With school starting, many kids are still trying to recover and some can’t afford new clothes,” Jayden said.

Jayden’s efforts began after he received a gift of tickets from his mother’s boss to see the N.Y. Giants last fall.

He decided to pay it forward and after seeing the devastation of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, he wanted children there to experience the same joy and happiness he felt when he received the tickets.

A video taken of his reaction to receiving the tickets had went viral on social media and was shown on several area news broadcasts including ABC News, Telemundo, and Good Morning America.

With guidance from his parents Ana Rosado and Javier Perez, his toy and fund drive was a huge success.

The toy drive wasn’t the first time Jayden and his family helped the victims of Hurricane Maria. Last fall, the family collected food and supplies for those affected by the storm. They also sent additional supplies to residents there as well.

Page 28 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

Redesigned Spaces In Woodland Park Schools Offer Students More Opportunity Students at Charles Olbon (CO) and Memorial School have seen some changes in their buildings that occurred over the summer.

CO had a complete renovation to its media center and Memorial School’s cafeteria received air conditioning and a movable partition to create a new class space.

CO’s media center is part of a wing constructed in 2000. The carpeting was replaced by VCT tile. The room was redesigned with new furniture to better accommodate today’s learning environment. The space will be more mobile and fluid for more uses such as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) maker spaces.

Desktop computers will be replaced by laptop carts for kindergarten and first graders. Second graders now each have their own laptops as part of the district’s completion of the one-to-one initiative for grades 2 to 8.

“The new media center has a lot of amazing features for all of our students,” according to technology teacher Meghan McGinnis.

“The library has many unique features such as flexible seating for students to choose a comfortable spot to read after checking out a book. There is a book house that will shelve books, but also features seating, whiteboards, and magnet boards for the students to explore and learn on.”

Students can use the whiteboard tables to plan designs as engineers during STEAM class. The students are also enjoying a Lego wall, where they are able to plan and build using their imagination.

“The new space will allow for 21st Century learning to take place,” Principal Giovanna Irizarry said. “The media center was transformed into a library/STEAM lab. It was carefully designed to instill a love of reading within students as well as inspire them to learn through the use of various materials/tools to support learning of academic concepts while integrating technology.”

At Memorial School, the cafeteria and kitchen had air conditioning installed. Also, a movable partition was installed that created a new classroom space to help with overcrowding.

Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 29

Page 30 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

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Woodland Park Author Educates And Raises Awareness As Speaker At Wayne’s Women’s Wellness Expo

“Our partnership with Komen North Jersey is focused on providing free access to health screenings and encouraging women and their families to embrace a healthy lifestyle,” said Charlene W. Gungil, Passaic County health officer.

By Anya Bochman ne busy event on Sat., Sept. 29 was not dominated by the usual orange and black colors ubiquitous this time of year at large gatherings. Pink was the prevailing motif during this year’s Women’s Wellness Expo, an initiative of Susan G. Komen North Jersey in partnership with the Passaic County Department of Health and Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Taking place in the auditorium of Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the second Women’s Wellness Expo, the first one was launched last year in Newark, gathered an impressive array of sponsors, companies and medical practitioners ahead of October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The mission and impetus for the month-long campaign of national breast cancer awareness has been educating women and men about their own health, stressing the importance of knowing family histories, and emphasizing the need for getting screened regularly for breast cancer. Last year, however, the local North Jersey Affiliate of Susan G. Komen decided to put a different spin on October; it set out to push the awareness envelope by launching a new Women’s Wellness Expo that provided access to free health screenings, informative speakers

and local resources.

“Our partnership with Komen North Jersey is focused on providing free access to health screenings and encouraging women and their families to embrace a healthy lifestyle,” said Charlene W. Gungil, Passaic County health officer. “We are particularly concerned about an increase in the incidence of breast cancer among younger residents of our county, and we’re working to change that trend. We know that there are many factors that can help lower the risk of breast cancer and other diseases.

By partnering with like-minded organizations like Komen, we can provide better access to information and resources that can help detect these diseases early and refer to treatment those who need it. It’s all about saving lives in our communities.”

According to Kathi Edelson Wolder, Public Relations and Marketing director at Susan G. Komen North Jersey and two-time breast cancer survivor, the vendor spaces for the event sold out, with more than 50 companies being represented. The expected turnout was more than 1,000 people and judging by the level of activity in the packed auditorium space, this figure was accurate.

“Our free Women’s Wellness Expo was launched last October because we wanted to take Komen

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 31

Additional highlights of the 2018 Women’s Wellness Expo included free health screenings and services for clinical breast exams; glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, vision, dental, oral and foot screenings; cardiovascular, genetic and HIV testing; and BCAT cognitive screening. Presentations and question and answers sessions by medical professionals included such topics as Breast Cancer 101: Everything You Need to Know.

North Jersey’s local work beyond ‘awareness,’ to provide access, and encourage action for those in our communities who are underserved and most at risk,” said Wolder. “This year, however, we have expanded the event, which is essentially a women-focused event offering activities for everyone. This is because we know that a healthy lifestyle for everyone significantly reduces the risk of not only breast cancer, but all cancers and so many other serious illnesses.”

The second Women’s Wellness Expo started at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Christopher Vergano, mayor of Wayne. Author Joan Herrmann emceed the event and served as guest speaker, as presentations followed one another and attendees stopped by to get free health screenings and browse educational literature.

Various types of screenings and tests were a significant aspect of the event. Among other entities, the Passaic County Health Department was present to take blood pressure and blood sugar readings at the Wellness Expo.

“We have two services right now,” said Sandy Cameron, RN, of the Passaic County Health Department.

“One is provided by St. Joseph’s Hospital; let’s say a woman is screened and she doesn’t have health insurance. She will still be taken care of to the very end. Chilton Hospital also has another program like that for women. We are trying to reach any woman, anywhere, insurance or not. That’s the goal today, to get screenings. The health department planned this in collaboration with Susan G. Komen.”

Dr. Michael Magwood of Pure Balance Center in Clifton, one of the sponsors of the Expo, explained his unique specialty that involves chiropractic care for pregnant women, which has been shown to decrease labor time, reduce the need for pain medications and help lower the incidence of post-partum depression in new mothers. His table at the event also included literature

that explained the benefits of chiropractic care in helping breech babies and issues such as heartburn, morning sickness, low back pain, sciatica, swollen ankles and feet, headaches and constipation.

Other sponsors of this year’s event included Aetna, Amerigroup, Atlantic Health System/Cancer Care, Maximilian Communications LLC/CYACYL, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, GE Healthcare, Pfizer Oncology, St. Joseph’s Health, St. Mary’s General Hospital and WellCare Health Plans, Celgene, Myriad Genetics and RWJBarnabas Health.

Erin Sheehan of Myriad Genetics spoke about the importance of testing for hereditary cancers, including breast cancer.

“We look at several genes, if you were to have a mutation in one of them, you would have a much higher lifetime risk of breast cancer than other women,” Sheehan said. “[The testing] is meant to help people who have these mutations, to prevent cancer from happening in their family. It really is preventative care, there are steps you can take to prevent it.”

Attendees who stopped by Myriad’s table filled out a screening tool questionnaire to determine whether they met certain risk criteria needed for insurance coverage.

Additional highlights of the 2018 Women’s Wellness Expo included free health screenings and services for clinical breast exams; glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, vision, dental, oral and foot screenings; cardiovascular, genetic and HIV testing; and BCAT cognitive screening. Presentations and question and answers sessions by medical professionals included such topics as “Breast Cancer 101: Everything You Need to Know,” “General Breast Health 101,” “A Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Journey,” “Pfizer’s Story Half Told,” “Understanding Medicare and Medicaid,” “Genetic Testing and High Risk Programs” and “Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices.”

In addition, the Expo featured exercise and fitness ad-

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Page 32 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

“Susan G. Komen is all about hope,” Herrmann said. “As long as you’re here for another day, there are resources at your disposal. Through empowerment, you can do more than you realize.”

vice and demonstrations, nutrition guidance, entertainment and a special kids’ zone.

The official program emcee and special guest speaker of this year’s Women’s Wellness Expo was author Joan Herrmann, a New York radio host, publisher and motivational speaker based in Woodland Park.

Herrmann’s radio show, “Change Your Attitude,” which she created, produced and currently hosts, airs on New York’s WOR 710 AM and streams on iHeartRadio; she also publishes a monthly digital magazine, “24/Seven,” that is distributed to hundreds of thousands readers worldwide. Herrmann has used a period of trauma and personal loss in her life as a catalyst for her work in empowering others. Using a period of self-reflection to understand that people are impacted by all aspects of life, and are not just the mind, body or spirit, but a sum of all three, Herrmann set out to provide information that connects these components. Her goal is “I’m excited to be part of to educate, inspire and motivate others the Susan G. Komen event,” while offering hope with messages about said Joan Herrmann., who the power of positive thoughts and intenlost her sister and father to tions, as well as guiding people through cancer. “It’s an important embracing and dealing with change rather opportunity and I’m passion- than fearing and hiding from it.

As a published author and motivationate about wanting to inspire al speaker, Herrmann has been featured people with what I have in “Forbes,” on the BBC and other print learned, and give hope to and broadcast media. Her recent speakboth caregivers and suffering engagements include the New Jersey ers.”

Governor’s Conference for Women, The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners Keynote and The Power of Positive Medicine with Dr. Bernie Siegel. She was also a voice for the American Lung Association’s Taking a Breath for Women campaign.

“I’m excited to be part of the Susan G. Komen event,” said Herrmann, who lost her sister and father to cancer. “It’s an important opportunity and I’m passionate about wanting to inspire people with what I have learned, and give hope to both caregivers and sufferers.”

In charge of lectures and introductions, Herrmann also kept up the energy of the event, in addition to sharing her thoughts on what is currently impacting women’s health. One of the elements she emphasized was awareness.

“There are many resources available, more than people realize,” Hermann said. “My philosophy is that

M

By Ma as wr knowledge is power. Teaching people that they are not victims is invaluable in terms of hope.”

The author also expressed admiration for the work done by Susan G. Komen. The mission of the North Jersey branch of the organization is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs of local communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Through the annual Race for the Cure, Pink Tie Party and other events and activities, Susan G. Komen North Jersey raises funds to support local community non-profit organizations that provide screening and diagnostic services, breast health and breast cancer education, treatment support, patient navigation and survivorship programs for underserved women and men in multiple counties.

Since its founding in 1997, Komen North Jersey has awarded more than $19 million in local community grants and has directed more than $7 million to national research programs in pursuit of new breast cancer screening techniques, better and more effective treatment options, and ultimately, the causes and cures to eradicate breast cancer forever.

“Susan G. Komen is all about hope,” Herrmann said. “As long as you’re here for another day, there are resources at your disposal. Through empowerment, you can do more than you realize.”

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 33

91-Year-Old Wayne Author Helps People Through Her Books Marjorie Struck

By Steve Sears Marjorie Struck, 91-year-old resident of Wayne refers to herself as an “author,” not a “writer”. She states, “I am not principally a writer, I’m an author. I was told there is a difference.”

Struck has achieved what many aspiring scribes have not achieved: publication; and not just of one book, but two. The first, “Challenging Messages From Beyond,” was published in 2002, and in 2017 “Tell Others” went to print. Both books were published by Golden Quill Press, are being distributed by Ingram Press, and are available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble locations.

Struck noted she is currently thinking of a third book. “Both of my books are motivational, from personal experiences,” she says.

Struck explains why there was a 15 year gap between her two novels.

“The reason is this,” she says.

“The first was an inspirational book, and also included my family. And the result of it, I had never intended to have it distributed, it was basically just for my family. It had to do with the personal experiences, my spiritual journey, and the subject of my family suicide.”

Struck noted she is currently thinking of a third book. “Both of my books are motivational, from personal experiences,” she says.

Struck thought the initial book would be an inspiration to her family and others to understand suicide. The second book was a matter of improving her skill.

“I felt the need to write another book because nobody understood the first book; then I tried to convey that suicide was a disease, but I couldn’t explain it and understand it too well myself.” There have been 10 suicides in Struck’s family history. Four are mentioned in the first book, six more in the later book.

With regard to her spirituality, it came to her from the idea of an open mind as to what she understood as a relationship with God. “It’s a personal thing with me,” she said. “By the time I was living in N.J., I had at the time of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s death…I had visions come to me after his death. So, I’ve been trying to understand that: telepathy, and something as far as receiving messages. I saw many famous people and saw other people come to me in my mind’s eye.”

Struck then conferred with a professional reader who explained to her that she could see into the spiritual world.

“But it was my own personal experiences and helped me understand my life,” she concludes.

Struck was born in Minneso-

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Page 34 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

“The second book conjures up the next one,” she says. “The response to one book brings up questions; response to one book goes to the next. That’s for me. I’m 91-years-old and I haven’t expected to live this long, and now I’m talking to you,” she says with humor. Her goal with all her books is to aid others.

It’s her gift to life, a gift that comes from the inside of her.

ta. She departed the Midwestern state after she graduated high school in 1944 at age 17. She lived in and was married for the first time in Pennsylvania, and then moved to Wayne. Her first husband died young at age 40 and Struck remarried in 1991. Her second husband passed away in 2015.

“Those (later) years have been spent in Hawthorne and Wayne, and he was a great guy,” she says. “He made me happy.”

Struck says she feels each new book is a response to the prior one.

“The second book conjures up the next one,” she says. “The response to one book brings up questions; response to one book goes to the next. That’s for me. I’m 91-years-old and I haven’t expected to live this long, and now I’m talking to you,” she says with humor. Her goal with all her books is to aid others. It’s her gift to life, a gift that comes from the inside of her.

Struck, also a painter, has been creatively inclined since childhood. She writes at night and at home, and using pen and paper she jots her notes, putting it all together in a thought, puts all those thoughts together and gets it all down on paper again.

“I probably do it three or four times,” she says, and then transfers it all over to her computer. She doesn’t write a certain number of pages, nor write for a determined length of time. She’ll name a chapter, outline it in her thoughts, and may have to insert the thought somewhere else later, as with her second book.

“I studied writing with “Women Who Write” which was located in Madison. I was a member before I wrote “Challenging Messages From Beyond,” and we used to meet at Borders and we would get together or meet at different people’s homes. I really enjoyed it. It was brutal in a way because we critiqued each other’s work all the time, and that was the point, to try and make us a better writer or author. I was the only one out of my group, to tell you the truth, who published a book. I had no idea there were so many steps to it, so I kept going, and that’s the reason it got done, with the help and encouragement of my husband at the time. He really encouraged it from the standpoint that he believed that I had the inspiration to do it and I would finish it.” She also credits her 92-year-old sister Lois, still living in Minnesota, who aided her with memories of different things during their childhood.

“Tell Others” emits a specific message, says Struck.

“The purpose for writing it is to tell others that depression, addiction, and suicide used to be words that everyone shied away from,” she says. “But modern science and medicine have proven it isn’t so. I want people to know or be enlightened by the fact that depression can be genetic. That’s the purpose of this book.

Depression can be in my family; five generations of suicide; to me genetic depression, which took different directions like addiction

Marjorie Struck and her sister Lois.

and ultimately suicide. If my family or people are aware of this through education, and that and modern science can be used to prevent further generations from suffering the same tragedy, that’s the purpose of my book.”

As she approaches her 92nd birthday, Struck desires one thing: “I would like to have my book reach people. Have the information received that suicide is a disease, a disease like others can be treated and helped too through education, medicine, and research to prevent others from resorting to the desperation of suicide. I know it’s going to happen, because I believe it.”

For more information about Struck and her books, visit her website at www.goldenquillpress.com\tellothers.html.

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 35

Area Farms Sparkle Like The LeavesStop In For Some Fall Fun

By Steve Sears There’s something to be said for the beauty of visiting a farm during Autumn. And although it appears as things are slowing down with the leaves dropping, activity is picking up in a new way as local farms satisfy family fun needs with hayrides, pumpkin picking, Halloween displays, and more.

So before the chill and frost of this year’s last quarter comes to fruition, embrace the milder weather and head to one of these local area farms. Always visit respective websites for additional information, pricing and schedules prior to visiting.

Alstede Farms (Chester) Alstede Farms grows more than 250 varieties of fruit and vegetables in more than 600 acres of Preserved Farmland, utilizing sustainable and USDA certified organic growing methods. Open year round, family fun is never at a minimum here.

Consider this cornucopia of fall highlights for families.

October is pick-your-own time, with lots of pumpkins and many varieties of apples to be had. Plan on spending the entire day with a scenic tractor drawn wagon ride, visiting the farm animals, and enjoying weekend live entertainment. On Fridays, Oct. 19 & 26, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., visitors can view production of homemade cider at Alstede Farms’ cider mill.

And what would a fall visit to Alstede Farms be without attempting its Corn Maze, this one surrounded by 10 acres of corn fields. For tinier kids, there is a smaller, kiddie-sized corn maze. This year’s theme is Alstede Fresh, inspiring guests to live and eat healthy with local produce and farm fresh products. The maze is open every day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is included

in pick-your-own admission.

Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 19 & 20, 26 & 27, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., is all about moonlight, gazing at it while at Alstede Farm evening enjoying a Harvest Moon Hayride, traversing acres of scenic farmland in a tractor-drawn wagon ride, stopping at a pumpkin patch, navigating the corn maze via flashlight and warm up by a bonfire while, live music filling the air.

Add to this a choice of hot or cold apple cider, the evening’s perfect conclusion.

Also, a very special Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast will take place on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. It’s all about pumpkins as stacks of pancakes are smothered with a homemade pumpkin topping in an all-you-can-eat breakfast which also features sausage, eggs, bacon, country potatoes and beverages. Breakfast includes admission to pick-your-own fields and orchards, access to the giant corn maze and tractor drawn wagon rides.

For more information, visit www.alstedefarms.com or call (908) 879-7189.

Page 36 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

Donaldson Farms (Hackettstown) Donaldson Farm has 500 acres of farmland spread out over Warren County for all to explore. Katie Donaldson calls it low key, farm charm.

“It’s our home,” she says. Donaldson also says the beauty starts prior to arriving at the location. “A lot of people don’t realize that just an hour away, from most points in northern New Jersey, because we’re right before Exit 19 on Route 80, and a beautiful 15-minute ride off of Route 78 from Whitehouse Station, winding beautiful roads with the fall foliage to our farm, and it’s gorgeous.”

October begins peak harvest season, and Donaldson has three divisions.

“There is the farm market, which my husband Greg and myself take care of; and then we have our nursing greenhouse, which is so beautiful this time of year, at corn maze, which has an incredible story behind how we dethe either end of our farm, that’s run by my brother-in-law David; signed it this year, pony rides, hay rides, apple cider donuts, and and our wholesale operations which is the hub, the busiest part we have a photo contest that gets very competitive – the scenery of our farm right now, which is run by my brother-in-law Gary, his is just stunning. It’s just beautiful fresh air family fun.” son Justin and our cousin Jeff,” she explains.

The nine-acre corn maze was designed by a very special On Saturday, Sept. 29, following a gorgeous sunflower season, 11-year-old Chester girl, Anya LaFrancis.

Donaldson’s kicked off its popular fall family fun.

“The corn maze is my nephew’s specialty area on the farm, in “We had a little breather between sunflowers and the pump- addition to everything else that he does, so the past few years kins, but now its pick we have chosen a your own pumpkins, “There is the farm market, which my husband Greg and myself take care of; and non-profit organiIndian corn, apples – then we have our nursing greenhouse, which is so beautiful this time of year, at the zation to spotlight, we have over 5,000 a local one; we try either end of our farm, that’s run by my brother-in-law David; and our wholesale apple trees in our or- operations which is the hub, the busiest part of our farm right now, which is run by to keep it relative chard,” says Donaldto New Jersey,” says my brother-in-law Gary, his son Justin and our cousin Jeff,” she explains. son. “Picking your own Donaldson.

“This Indian corn is kind of a season in particular I neat thing, too; you have all those jewel tones, you don’t know thought it was important to spotlight Tomorrows Children’s Fund; what you’re going to get until you peel it. Then there’s our 9-acree they are out of Hackensack University Medical Center. The farm held a winter contest with a call out to local kids 17 and under to come up with a design via original artwork to “Brighten Someone’s Day.” LaFrancis, who was diagnosed with leukemia in kindergarten, relapsed in third grade, and was a bone marrow recipient last year, submitted the winning drawing.

“Her actual drawing has been blown up into nine acres, and it’s her actual drawing that is the interactive nine-acre corn maze, which is so cool and very exciting,” she says.

For every person who goes thru the corn maze, $1 is donated to Tomorrows Children’s Fund.

“The most interesting part,” says Donaldson, “is Tanya is actually a TCF kid; her family benefitted from Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund while she was going through all this.”

The corn maze is open seven days a week.

Go to www.donaldsonfarms.net for more information.

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Passaic Valley Life • October 2018 • Page 37

Ort Farms (Long Valley) The Bartleyville Road-located Ort Farms calls itself “A Place for All Seasons,” and there is no season quite like the fall to visit the 175 acre location to enjoy its corn maze and Fall Festival.

Open Monday – Friday, noon - 6:30 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., the 2018 corn maze salutes all active and veteran military folks. Also supported this year are two veteran resources, Operation Chillout and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Take a hayride to the famed Ort Farms pumpkin patch, itself a tradition for more than 30 years. Search for a favorite; there are many to choose from. Also available are friendly farm animals for young and old to greet, pony rides, a Haybale Pyramid and, especially for the kids, a Mini Haybale Maze.

To complete a memorable trip, take home some fresh fruit or vegetables, and maybe even some of Ort Farms superb apple cider donuts.

Yes, that’s a lot of activity, but there’s also the view. Ort Farms with Schooley’s Mountain as a backdrop is beautiful in Autumn.

Bring a camera. Photo ops abound!

Visit ortfarms.com for more information or call 908-876-3351.

Page 38 • October 2018 • Passaic Valley Life

Wightman Farms (Morristown) When most think of Morristown, they think of the busy Green area. Obviously, Wightman’s Farm is a quieter piece of the township, perhaps a trip back to simpler times.

“Yes, we are only four miles south of downtown Morristown, but it’s like driving to the country,” says Nadine McEvoy, manager of Wightman Farms.

“We sit in a valley, but our hayride road goes along a higher elevation and the views from the top are just spectacular!

It’s as if we have our own sightseeing stop along 202. The most scenic and beautiful hayride I have ever been on.”

Wightman Farms, in business since 1922, currently farms approximately 200 acres around Morris County, 70 of which are what may be considered their ‘mainland.’

“Our Farm Market is located at 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave in Morristown which is our main address and where we conduct our retail business and entertainment activities,” she says. “We are constantly evolving to broaden our event offerings so that we become a ‘go to’ place for members of our community.”

Wightman Farms offers a PYO (Pick Your Own) as a Membership Program.

“We grow some of the best and widest variety of fruit in New Jersey,” she says.

“By inviting our members back for an entire season, they are able to take advantage of that.”

Fall season important at Wightman, and why: Tradition.

“Many of the families that come here have been doing so for generations,” says McEvoy. “I have grandparents that come along with their adult children because these adult children are now bringing their own children. Generations of families have been coming to Wightman Farms as a part of their family tradition. We take that seriously as these are memories that are passed down. We are a part of these family’s lives. It’s a big responsibility and one we are proud to own.”

There are activities for kids of all ages, big kids included. Wightman gets a lot of group hayride bookings for school trips, Corporate Team Building bookings for the hayride and corn maze, a Giant Corn Maze, Mini Mazeland, and it’s very popular and addictive Pumpkin Slingshot. The winner can pick any size pumpkin they want if they hit the bell in the target field.

“We care about what we do,” she says. “We know this is a business and generating enough money to keep us sustainable throughout the year is what keeps us going. The Fall helps us do that. However, the fact that people are taking time out of their lives to come here is also hugely important. They choose to spend their time with us and it is something that we are grateful for. We appreciate our customers.”

Spend time at Wightman Farms this fall.

Visit www.wightmanfarms.com for more details.

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