Passaic Valley April 2022 by My Life Publications..Maljon LLC

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April 2022

Alumni Spotlight: While Building His Brand, Alum Billy Pinckney Gives Back to the PV Community

assaic Valley alum, Billy Pinckney, sat down with the Valley Echo to discuss his most recent activities, accomplishments, and express his support for the school. During his time at PV, Pinckney became PVTV›s first freshman student. Pinckney worked as a batboy for the Jersey Jackals independent baseball team, which evolved into a broadcasting career. He now hosts his own website and YouTube channel where he interviews athletes and other sports figures. Pinckney attends Montclair State University, where he improves upon his abilities and he continues to build his brand online using the lessons he learned and skills he honed at PV. Gabrielle Lim: What do you do now and what’s something interesting about yourself? Billy Pinckney: I am a graduate of PV, Class of 2020, and currently a sophomore at Montclair State [University]. I’ll be graduating in 2024 from there. I started off as a batboy for the Jersey Jackals independent baseball team. It’s where I fell in love with the game of baseball and, throughout the years, I wanted to do something more than be a batboy. So, I started to interview players [and] coaches. That’s when I created my website in 2015 and then, a few years later, the Jackals were looking for somebody to create content for the video board they just installed. I had the opportunity to then be named the Press Box and Player Procurement Assistant for the Jackals and I helped

manage and find players for the team as well. PV helped me with the foundation of my skills in editing and content creation and it’s where I learned how to become a better person in media, both in front of the camera and behind the camera. G.L.: To you, what does it mean to be an alum of PV? B.P.: Especially in recent years, it’s been pretty special because I’m able to come back here and help, guide some students, and give my input to the community. It’s been great! There’s a lot of pride going around now and it’s even better than [when] I left for sure. Now, when I come back and visit, it seems like a very upbeat environment where [the] leadership and staff do a great job getting the students involved and interested. That’s something special to be a part of when you’re an alum. G.L.: How do you think PV has contributed to your success? B.P.: I remember coming in as a freshman [and] I had some skills when it came to media and my interests, but I had some teachers, like Mrs. Roberts, who helped me learn a lot about the industry and become a better editor. That was something that I improved on a lot during my time here and learning the different applications. Looking back at it, it was a few years ago, I definitely increased my skill set greatly. G.L.: As an alum, what would you say to incoming freshman and outgoing seniors? B.P.: To incoming freshmen, I would say

to deﬁnitely take advantage of the opportunities that you have. You might not know of some coming in but feel them out and see what PV oﬀers… To seniors who are outgoing, I would say the main thing is to build connections and relationships with people in the industry you’re interested in as soon as you can. I remember connecting with people on LinkedIn during classes here. I remember being in History or Spanish class and connecting with people in the industry. G.L.: What sets you apart from other successful PV alumni? B.P.: There have been quite a few successful alumni and I’m looking to do what

I can and be successful in my own way. My goal is to be successful but to also give back to the community and that’s why I came back to PV several times this year. I know I’m still young, but in the near future I’m looking to do what I can to continue to give back to PV and be involved. It’s something special! G.L.: If you could, what’s something you would do diﬀerently during high school? If nothing, what’s a highlight of your high school experience? B.P.: There isn’t much I would’ve done diﬀerently. I feel like in high school people continued on page 24

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s a part of Kindness Month, the Climate & Culture Team at Memorial Middle School in Woodland Park treated opportunities for students to engage in kindness activities. One activity was making valentines for the

West Paterson Fire Department, Woodland Park Police Department, and West Paterson First Aid Squad. Students also created posters and signed cards to show their appreciation to the Woodland Park Police Department.

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Toenail Fungus

Courtesy Matthew F. Wachtler, DPM Toenail fungus—also called onychomycosis or tinea unguium—is an infection below the surface of the nail caused by contact with different types of fungi. Nail fungus usually begins with white or yellow spots under the tip of the toenails. If left untreated, the infection can grow deeper, which can cause the nail to become weak or brittle to the point that it eventually falls off. Types of Common Fungal Nail Infections In general, there are four types of fungal infections that affect the toes. These include: Distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO): This is the most commonly diagnosed and treated fungal infection. Also known as Athlete’s Foot, this infection spreads across the nail bed, which causes the nail to become

discolored and weak. White superficial onychomycosis (WSO): Far less common than Athlete’s Foot, WSO causes white patches to appear across the entire nail. Candida onychomycosis: This chronic fungus is usually caused by trauma, and it causes the toenails to become bulbous or enlarged. Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO): This fungal infection causes yellow or white spots to appear near the base of the toenail. Signs & Symptoms of Toenail Fungus Because there are varying types and levels of severity for toenail fungus, it’s important to have your condition diagnosed by a podiatric physician. If you are worried that you might be suffering from a fungal infection in your nails, perform a self-evaluation

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to look for the following common symptoms: Scaling under the nail Distorted nail White or yellow streaks on the nail Foul odor from the infected nail Crumbling corner or tip of nail Flaking white areas on the toenail’s surface Loss of the nail How are Fungal Nail Infections Treated? Treatment isn’t always necessary—depending on the severity of your condition—but it is recommended simply continued on page 14

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Bengal Spice Brings Spicy and Savory Indian Cuisine To Woodland Park

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By Lindsey Kelleher he next time you’re craving Indian cuisine you won’t have to drive too far. Restaurant owner Jami Chowdhury, 40, recently opened Bengal Spice in the Park West Meadows Shopping Center. Bengal Spice is the first dine-in restaurant with Indian cuisine to open in the Passaic Valley, Paterson, and Cedar Grove area. “We want to introduce traditional Indian dishes to our customers such as the chicken Tikki masala and biryani to the area,” said Jami. “Paterson has a large Indian population, but there are no dine-in Indian restaurants there. “You have to drive a bit of a distance like to Hoboken, Jersey City, Montclair, or Wayne,” Jami said. Bengal Spice serves fine Indian cuisine, which includes a lot of gravy-based dishes with freshly cooked meats, seafood, and vegetables cooked into the gravy. The restaurant offers dine-in and takeout options. Starting this spring there will be a buffet Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with all-you-can-eat food and a salad bar with many authentic sauces and spices for sampling because you can’t eat Indian cuisine without tasting the sauces and spices! Sauce and spice are the most important part of any dish since they’re what make the dishes unique from the others. Take the chicken tikka masala for example. The chicken is grilled in a tandoori oven and marinated before it’s cooked in a creamy, yogurt-based tomato sauce with several spices including ginger, turmeric,

red chili powder, garam masala, coriander, and cumin. It’s a traditional Indian dish but it’s the masala sauce and spices that give it a sweet and hearty flavor that keeps the customers craving it again and again. Another traditional favorite is the Dal soup, which is a lentil soup with spices. Have some Naan bread on the side, which is buttered and baked in Bengal Spice’s clay oven to give it a nice, crispy texture. All the biryani dishes, which are ricebased with basmati rice, vegetables, and your choice of fish or meat are other favorites on the menu. If you want to try something that’s spicy but not too spicy? Try the lamb or chicken jhalfrazi (also spelled jalfrezi), which is cooked in a thick, curry-based sauce with fresh onions and bell peppers. For the added heat … go with the lamb or chicken curry, which is made with Bengal Spice’s authentic curry sauce and cilantro. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, try the mixed vegetable curry, the aloo gobi, which comes with cauliflower, potatoes, and tomatoes and is cooked with savory herbs, or the Bombay aloo, which has potatoes, chopped onions, tomatoes, ginger, and spices. Or try the panid, which is an Indian cheese that comes with peas and gravy. Address: 997 McBride Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ 07424 (Located in Park West Meadows Shopping Center) Hours: Tuesday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday: Closed, 973-339-9839 and 973-339-9840, website: www.bengalspicecuisine.com.

Page 14 • April 2022

Is Your Child a Sensory Seeker or a Sensory Avoider?

Carissa Jannicelli Pampanin

Deanna Jannicelli Corby

Courtesy Carissa Jannicelli Pampanin, MS, OTR/L Director of Occupational Therapy and Deanna Jannicelli Corby, MS, CCC-SLP Director of Speech and Language Pathology The Importance of Gestures As adults we don’t realize how often we use our hands to communicate. The same concept applies to babies. Gesturing is one the earliest forms of communication that takes place. Think about it, at times we use the gesture of waving instead of saying hello or goodbye. One of the first questions that a Speech and Language Therapist should be asking at an initial evaluation parent intake is this: Does

your child point? It’s no surprise that this significant milestone is a crucial step that must be met prior to verbal output. In other words, communication is taking place well before a child says a word. The gestures that a child uses even before his or her first word tell us a lot about how their communication development is progressing. One of the most important language

milestones that should be demonstrated is the “show, give, point” concept. This important milestone should emerge around 9-10 months of age. First children show an object, next they give the object to someone, and finally they point. These types of gestures are used prior to a child speaking. Next a child will use gestures to make requests. This will help a child get the desired item of choice and their basic needs met. This will also help alleviate any frustrations as they are communicating with their partner when they may not have the words to do so. During speech and language therapy sessions, we often teach children who may not have words simple signs (examples: more, all done, open, up). Research has been conducted and there is a strong link between gestures and communication

development. Not only are gestures used before spoken words, but studies have shown that the use of gestures predicts when certain language milestones will appear. As you can see that the gestures a child uses

– even before their first words – tell us a lot about how communication development is progressing. Carissa Jannicelli Pampanin, MS, OTR/L, SIPT is an occupational therapist at the Pediatric Therapy Center of NJ in Cedar Grove,

with specialties in sensory integration and early intervention services for children. Pediatric Therapy Center of New Jersey, 912 Pompton Avenue, Suite B1, Canfield Office Park, Cedar Grove, 973-680-1971

Toenail Fungus...

continued from page 8 because it might be contagious. Not only can you spread the condition to someone else, but depending on the type of fungus, can also spread to infect your other toes. For mild cases of toenail fungus, your doctor will likely start with conservative treatments. These may include prescription anti-fungal oral medications or topical solutions. For patients who exhibit severe symptoms—or for those who do not respond to medication—the doctor may recommend nail avulsion surgery. During this procedure, the nail plate is removed

and chemical treatments are introduced to treat the infection. Our practice now offers The Remy laser therapy system. If you are experiencing the symptoms of toenail fungus (typically discolored, brittle, and/or thickened) – laser treatment may be for you. Laser therapy is a drug-free, effective solution to toenail fungus. Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists, 886 Pompton Ave., Suite A-1 Cedar Grove. 973-857-1184.

What’s happening in your school or organization? Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Email us at jeff@mylifepublications.com

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Totowa Community Blood Drive Event Planned for April 15 at St. James Church

By Tina Pappas he Borough will hold its second Community Blood Drive this season at St. James Roman Catholic Church on Friday, April 15 from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The church is located at 400 Totowa Road in Totowa, inside Parish Hall. The previous blood drive had a great turnout on Feb. 3, with record results since it was was first held three years ago, according to Recreation Director Mark Monteyne. “The lives saved at this last blood drive captured 59 pints, which will save 177 individuals!” he said. “Community teamwork! I’m hoping we can reach an even higher number of pints with this coming blood dive.” Each pint donated could save up to three lives, depending on age and need. Mayor John Coiro said that during the pandemic, blood supplies have been

dangerously low. “So our town will be trying to do our part in helping others in need,” he added. Darlene Walsh, Public Town Nurse, said it will be the 28th year that the Borough will be running a blood drive on Good Friday. “We had missed 2020 due to COVID,” she explained. “It’s such a good feeling to take an hour out of your day and to literally save someone’s life. I hope to see everyone this Good Friday and see some first-time donors as well.” Rev. Marc Mancini, pastor of St. James Roman Catholic Church, echoed the sentiment and said he hopes everyone participates in the upcoming blood drive. “By sharing what you have, you have given life to someone else,” he noted. The link to register is https://donor. cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/53856.

WP Seniors

he Woodland Park Seniors have resumed their monthly meetings on at the WP Boys & Girls Club, 8 Memorial Dr. from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Annual membership fee is $10 and the meeting entry fee is $2 per meeting, which covers refreshments. Residents from all towns are welcome. For membership, call Mary Ann at 973-523-0234. The Woodland Park Seniors will also

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resume offering monthly bus trips to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome. Meet at the WP Boys & Girls Club, 8 Memorial Drive at 9:15 a.m. for 10 a.m. departure. The cost is $40 and you receive $35 is slot play back. Trip dates are April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, and Oct. 27. For tickets, call Mary Ann at 973-523-0234.

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Pastor Joel La Torre and Living Water Church in Woodland Park recently held a beautiful and moving Blue Mass honoring the men and women of the Woodland Park Police Department. Pastor La Torre also serves as the Police Department’s Chaplain and as a Dispatcher. Those in attendance also celebrated the installation as John Uzzalino as Police Chief.

What’s happening in your school or organization? Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at jeff@mylifepublications.com

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10 Tips to Recognize Ripe Fruits

eeping fresh fruit around the house provides a healthier alternative when your sweet tooth comes calling. Understanding how and when to buy at the peak of ripeness (or just before, in some cases) can help you avoid food waste while keeping your doctor happy. Consider these simple tips for recognizing ripe fruits: Strawberries: Check the area at the top of the berry near the stem and leaves. A ripe strawberry is fully red; green or white near the top means the fruit is underripe. Watermelon: The “field spot,” or the area where the melon sat on the ground, should be yellow, and a tap on the rind should produce a hollow sound. Cherries: Flesh should appear dark with a crimson color and feel firm. Blueberries: Similar to cherries, color should deepen to dark blue. A reddish or pink color may be visible in unripe berries. Blackberries: Look for a smooth texture without any red appearance. Because

blackberries don’t ripen after being picked, they tend to spoil quickly. Cantaloupe: You should detect a sweet smell, and the melon should feel heavy upon lifting. Peaches: A sweet, fragrant odor should be apparent. Skin should feel tender but not soft. Pineapple: Smell is again an important factor for pineapple – a sweet scent shows it’s ready, but a vinegary one likely means it’s overripe. Raspberries: Generally follow the same rules as blackberries. Best eaten within a couple days of purchase, a bright red color represents ripe berries. Bananas: A ripe banana features a peel lightly spotted without significant bruising. Your best bet may be to purchase bananas still slightly green and allow them to ripen at home. Find more food tips, tricks, recipes and videos at Culinary.net. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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5 Steps for Mastering Family Meal Planning

s you and your family embark on a mission to create delicious, nutritious meals all while saving money, it’s key to remember meal planning is essential for success. From tracking a list of ingredients you’ll need to noting your loved ones’ favorite foods, there are some easy steps you can take to make dinners at home enjoyable and budget friendly. Getting on track with your own plan can start with these tips from Healthy Family Project’s Mission for Nutrition, which aims to help families find weekly meal success with an internationally inspired e-cookbook including grocery lists, recipe ideas and cooking hacks. Work together. Before heading to the store or heating up the oven, sit down with your loved ones and make a list of easy-tomake recipes you all enjoy. Each time you discover a new favorite, add it to the list so you’ll have a reference guide when it’s time to plan a week’s worth of meals. Stick to a schedule. Set a day and time each week your family can meet and plan out dinners. This also offers an opportunity to bring to light any newfound favorites or fresh ideas while bringing everyone to the

same room for quality time together. Plan time-saving processes. Think ahead while planning meals and consider the equipment you’ll need. Saving time while cooking can be as easy as sticking to recipes that call for hands-off appliances like a slow cooker or pressure cooker and using a food processor rather than a knife and cutting board. Schedule a “leftovers night.” When you prep dinners that call for crossover ingredients, it’s easier to turn one meal into two. For example, buying sweet onions and chicken breast to make Chicken Apple Enchiladas means you’ll have those ingredients on hand for Greek Chicken Bowls later in the week. Make a list. Once you’ve decided on recipes for the week, create a list of all the ingredients you’ll need. While you’re at the store, stick to your plan and avoid impulse buys to help stay on track while getting in and out quicker. Find more recipes and meal planning tips by downloading the free e-cookbook at healthyfamilyproject.com/mission-fornutrition and join the conversation by following #missionfornutrition on social

media. Chicken Apple Enchiladas Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project’s Mission for Nutrition 1/2 sweet onion, diced 1 jalapeno, diced 1 Envy or Jazz apple, diced 2 cups cooked shredded chicken 8 flour tortillas 6 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided 1 can red enchilada sauce cilantro (optional) Heat oven to 350 F. In skillet, cook onions until translucent. Add jalapeno and apple; saute 2-3 minutes. Add cooked chicken and mix well. Remove from heat. Lay out tortillas and sprinkle cheese on each. Add chicken mixture and roll. Place in baking dish and cover with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes, or until heated throughout. Greek Chicken Bowls Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project’s Mission for Nutrition 1 cup cooked white or brown rice 1 grilled chicken breast, sliced

1 RealSweet onion, sliced 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1 cucumber, cut into quarters 1/2 cup black olives 1 tablespoon feta cheese 2 tablespoons tzatziki sauce Place cooked rice and chicken in bowls. Top each bowl with sweet onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and black olives. Sprinkle each with feta cheese. Drizzle each with tzatziki sauce.

April 2022 • Page 23

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Page 24

Alumni Spotlight...

continued from front page take things either too seriously or not seriously enough and I was probably on the side of taking things too seriously sometimes. But in the end, it pays oﬀ, because if you’re passionate about something and you take something seriously, then you’re going to be more successful at it. So, through the hard work and time I put in, I was able to create productions, win an award with PVTV, and be a part of those production crews here that ended up being successful. G.L.: You have a YouTube channel correct? What prompted you to begin making videos and how does your accomplishment as a freshman on PVTV tie into it? B.P.: I created the YouTube channel a year before I was a freshman, so I already knew what I wanted to do, luckily. When I came into PV, they gave me the opportunity to waive Public Speaking at the time to go right into Media as a freshman. So that was something pretty special that I was able to get a headstart on. It helped me build that foundation for my career early on, so even though I did what I could outside of PV, once I got here and was able to start taking classes right away, that was key for me to my long-term future. G.L.: What’s something you want to say to your former teachers?

B.P.: Especially the [teachers] I had for media-related courses, they helped me out a lot. Without their guidance, I probably would’ve had to do a lot more work on my own to figure out how I was going to be successful in the business. They spent hours and hours teaching us how to do things and to still be in contact with them today is very helpful. If I have any questions, they’ve always been there to answer them for me and it’s still great to still be in contact with my other teachers from high school. G.L.: Lastly, in one word, if you could describe your first day of high school until now, then what would it be? B.P.: Knowledge. I feel like you learn a lot over time and you learn a lot of lessons, whether they’re from failures [or] whether they’re from successes. But you learn a lot more from the failures than you do from the successes. You’re going to fail a lot. You’re young, you’re in high school, and you’re going to make mistakes. And especially in my field, mistakes happen all the time, so you just have to learn from those mistakes and that’ll make you even more successful later on when dealing with people in the industry. Knowledge and learning: they’re not something that’s going to happen overnight.

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2/2/22

The Woodland Park School District marked Two’s-Day on 2/22/22 with a variety of special activities in the school classrooms. Mrs. Woessner’s preschool class at Charles Olbon School made collages. The students painted a number two with watercolors and glued on pairs of objects to decorate it.

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Passaic County Has A Finalist in the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Statewide Drug Prevention Music

Passaic County teen has been named as finalist in the Partnership for a DrugFree New Jersey’s Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey music competition, which challenges New Jersey high school students to create original music with lyrics containing peer-to-peer substance use prevention messages. Zemirah Redmond of Paterson Charter School for Science &Technology earned her spot in the statewide program with her original song, Breakthrough. This year there were 10 finalists from 7 different counties throughout the state. Online voting has been ongoing and will remain open through midnight on May 11th.. Your Song! Your Voice! is sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) with support from 95.9 WRAT and the New Jersey Broadcasters Association. The competition will culminate

with the virtual Prevention Concert, to be held on the Shout Down Drugs website (www.ShoutDownDrugs. com ) on May 12th at 6 p.m.’ Winners will then be announced live on air on 95.9 WRAT immediately following concert. “This is the 18th year we have held this competition,” states Angelo Valente, PDFNJ’s Executive Director. “I commend these students on being leaders and sharing these inspiring songs with their peers.” “The New Jersey Broadcasters Association is honored be a part of Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey music competition,” said Paul Rotella President and CEO of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association. “This competition allows for these teens to showcase their talents and share these important messages.” The first, second and third place winners will be announced live by Jimmy Steal, WRAT’s Creative

Services Director and Afternoon Drive Host on 95.9 WRAT. The audio show will also remain online for listeners on the Shout Down Drugs website. “The WRAT is excited to be part of the Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey competition again this year,” said Jimmy Steal, “These talented teens have worked so hard on their songs and we are excited to share them through the virtual show and announce the winners on-air.”

LEAD Program

he Woodland Park Police Department has resumed offering the LEAD - Law Enforcement Against Drugs - program at Memorial Middle School. LEAD is similar to the now-defunct DARE program. Officer Derrick Morrison is visiting all eighth grade social studies classes weekly. The program was launched prior to the pandemic at Beatrice Gilmore School for fourth grade classes and Memorial for eighth grade students. After a hiatus due to COVID, the program is now back up at Memorial.

Lessons at Beatrice Gilmore will resume later this school year. The program is presented in 10 lessons. The first unit is aimed at establishing and developing social and emotional competency skills. The second unit focuses on alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and the effects of their use on the body. Additionally, the students learn about refusal strategies, using overthe-counter and prescription drugs safely and how making healthy choices will impact their life-long wellness.

Page 28 • April 2022

Annual Easter Basket Drive Kicks-Off, Becomes Non-Profit Organization

By Tina Pappas he annual Easter Basket Drive Initiative is in full swing, with one difference this year - the organization is now an official non-profit organization. Maria Koukoularis, a former Woodland Park resident who now lives in Denville, began the drive in 1999. According to Koukoularis, the goal this year is to distribute 5,000 baskets, just like their record amount last year. “It was a lot of work but we managed to make all 5,000 baskets last year and we’d like to match that number again this year,” she said. Koukoularis, is the founder/president of the drive and now the I A.M. Hope NJ Abhay S. Mainkar Foundation, named for her brother-in-law who passed in 2010. “He was the first person who offered to make a donation to this drive when I first started it, so it’s very befitting that I name this non-profit after him,” she explained. According to Koukoularis, the mission is to change the lives of women and children by breaking the cycle of poverty through compassionate programs designed to provide Easter baskets, backpacks and scholarships to underprivileged children in the state. The Easter Basket Drive Initiative

is now in its 23rd year. It was formally known as the Easter Basket Drive of Northern New Jersey. “Everyone’s generosity goes towards changing lives,” she added. This year’s goal is to provide 5,000 baskets to homeless and underprivileged children across the state.” Koukoularis said 3,500 baskets were assembled in 2020 when the pandemic first hit, which was a huge accomplishment with help from her volunteers. They finished distributing the baskets the day before the unprecedented shutdown of establishments, like the Woodland Park Municipal Building, where the donation drop-offs and basket assembling took place inside the community room. She previously ran the drive out of her home for many years. Last year, they brought the amount of Easter baskets to 5,000, where basket assembling took place at a storefront located in Denville. This year’s basket assembling will again be at that same location. In addition, senior citizens who have been in great need and have also reached out to the foundation for baskets. “We never turn away any organization, but need help from donors in order to fulfill

every person’s hope for a little bit of love in a basket,” she further added. “Everyone’s generosity was amazing, including

Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark and council members who have year after year continued on page 30

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Courtesy Dr. Gabriel Hannawi, DC Chiropractic Physician To start, TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. This joint is located in the jaw and consists of a hinge and a slide. The bones connected to this joint have cartilage and a disc between them. The cartilage and the disc, which absorbs shock, keep the movement of the temoromandibular joint working smoothly. When either one of these, or both of these, becomes worn or dislocated there can be

What Is TMJ Disorder? damage. Also if the area is hit the TMJ can be sent out of whack. This damage is irritating at the very least, or it can be extremely painful. TMJ Disorder occurs and physical therapy is a very effective treatment. Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa offers the services of experienced Physical Therapists who can evaluate and treat TMJ Disorder. Treating TMJ Disorder TMJ Disorder is often treated with medication to ease the pain. In extreme

cases, surgery is the answer. Before surgery, or medication to deaden the pain, physical therapy is a good alternative. It can begin with simple heat and ice. Ultrasound used as a therapeutic application is also effective. Our physical therapy staff can treat TMJ Disorder by offering exercises to stretch and strengthen the jaw muscles. TMJ Disorder can lead to severe pain in the neck or ear, and can cause headaches. These can result

in a locked jaw, difficulty opening the jaw, biting problems, and a clicking or popping sound when you bite. Physical Therapy treatment can help avoid developing these issues. Physical Therapy For TMJ Disorder The experienced physical therapy staff at Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa uses the latest techniques to treat your TMJ Disorder pain. We will determine the root case of your TMJ Disorder

and recommend physical therapy applications to treat it. If you have pain in your jaw that results in a locked jaw, difficulty opening the jaw, biting problems, and clicking or popping noise when biting, you need treatment. Give us a call at 862-239-1768 and talk to a member of our staff regarding your issues. Our focus is always on easing your discomfort and treating the cause of it without medication or surgery.

Elite Spine and Sports Care Of Totowa, 349-351 Union Boulevard, Totowa, 862-239-1768.

Annual Easter Basket Drive... continued from page 28 supported us with these Easter Baskets.” Koukoularis said she is extremely proud of the help received from her daughter Julia, now 13, including help from her sister Eleni Koukoularis, who is also board secretary, and her longtime best friend Allyson Galinis, who is board treasurer. It also includes the countless volunteers who have assembled baskets over the years and helped to

distribute them. “Julia has been helping show volunteers how to wrap baskets and she has become very involved in the whole process in general over the years. She also handles social media content with a friend,” she said. “Her involvement from the time she could walk, and watching her grow within the foundation, is what gave me

the idea to create a junior board.” Besides establishing a board for the foundation, Koukoularis created a junior board that consists of middle school and high school students. She said she wants to offer kids and teens a great experience by becoming philanthropists and giving back to their communities. She also wants to offer an internship program where interns.

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April 2022 • Page 31

Start Your Day Off With A Freshly-Baked Bagel From Manhattan Bagel

By Lindsey Kelleher rothers Mohammad, 38, and Malik, 32, Abdellatif started their own bagel business almost nine years ago because they wanted their workdays to be filled with people-to-people interactions and they wanted to help others jump start their day. They chose Manhattan Bagel because of its corporate business structure mixed with a mom-and-pop small business atmosphere. “What’s nice is that we see familiar faces every day. We really strive to provide good food and good service,” said Mohammad. The chain bagel shop has independently owned franchises. What’s also great is that the bagels are boiled and baked fresh on site every day. Manhattan Bagel offers everything from healthy food and low-calorie options to hearty breakfast sandwiches. The bagel shop has its own grill and makes its sandwiches from scratch, so they are made hot at the time they are ordered, which is different from other breakfast and lunch chains such as Starbucks, where the sandwiches come already pre-made and are heated when they are ordered. Start your morning off with the Santa Fe Egg White sandwich served on a Thintastic Asiago bagel with a grilled egg white, turkey sausage, cheddar cheese, roasted tomato salsa, and jalapeno salsa cream cheese – a must have item on the menu. Get a regular or a flavored coffee such as the hazelnut

along with that. Also try the Smokehouse Brisket Egg sandwich, a recent addition to the menu, which comes with smoked brisket, fried egg, cheddar cheese, and chipotle mayonnaise sauce on a jalapeno bacon cheese topped roll. Another great choice that’s different from a bagel sandwich or a sandwich on a roll is the spinach bacon croissant which comes with a scrambled egg, Swiss cheese, and a zesty tomato spread. Don’t forget to save room for lunch. The lunch menu has a variety of options too including the Thintastic Avocado BLT, which comes with turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a zesty tomato spread served on a Thintastic bagel – another must have

item on the menu. Another popular choice is the Ellis Island Hot Pastrami sandwich, which is a rye bagel that comes with Swiss cheese, grilled onion, and spicy mustard. Want to eat on the lighter side? Try a flavored bagel plain or with a slab of one of their flavored cream cheeses, which are made special for and marketed by the Manhattan Bagel chain. So, the next time you’re in Totowa head over to Manhattan Bagel, located in Totowa Village, 650 Union Boulevard, Totowa, 973-785-2275, website: w w w. m a n h a t t a n b a g e l . com. Hours: MondaySaturday: 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Page 32 • April 2022

An April Story

By Richard Mabey Jr. hat spiritual connections lie dormant between man and beast? What lost communication, from a bygone era, still remains intact deep within the inner fiber of both man and beast? Could it be that we are guided and molded by forces so innately natural, that they gently call to the deepest core of our subconscious minds? Could it be that in early April, the calling of the majestic buck deer graced the inner fiber of a 13-year-old boy, marking him with a calling that remained fixed in the deepest chambers of his heart? My grandfather, Watson Mabey, often told the story of the great, glorious, majestic buck deer that walked the woods at the end of Mabey Lane. Grandpa also had told me that the great buck could also be seen, from time to time, walking the path of the old Morris Canal. Grandpa had worked the canal, from his youth, and eventually became the Chief Engineer of Incline Plane Ten East. My sister Patti, my cousins and I would often sit at the feet of Grandpa Mabey, as he sat upon his chair in the living room of the old Mabey Homestead. Grandpa was a most wonderful and enchanting story teller. He often told the family legends of the majestic buck deer. Grandpa always ended every tale about the magnificent deer, by telling us that whoever looked into the eyes of the majestic buck would be marked for a special calling for the rest of their life. In early April of 1967, I was in the eighth grade, 13 years old, and I decided to take a walk down the forest path to the old Morris Canal, all by myself. It was a sunny, Saturday morning. The wild flowers were blooming along the forest path, that began at the end of Mabey Lane. I had no idea that magical morning, that my life was about to change forever. As I walked the forest path, squirrels scurried about,

jumping from tree limb to limb. Birds sang and chirped melodies to shame even the world’s greatest musical composers. Thistle stalks abounded between the maple, the oak and the elm. There was a certain peace that filled the air in those magical wooded acres. As I walked down the wooded path, I could not believe my eyes. There to the right of the narrow forest path, proudly stood the majestic buck. It was a most surreal moment in time, it all seemed like a dream. Slowly and steadfastly, the old, tall buck came walking toward me. It was as frightening as any horror film I had ever seen at the old State Theater in the nearby town of Boonton. The antlers of the powerful deer seemed to reach out three or four feet from the majestic buck’s skull. As the deer came ever so close to me, I shuttered. I stood my ground. It was not so much that I was being brave and fearless, it was actually quite the opposite. I remember being so taken and overcome with fear that my legs would not move an inch. You read about such moments in time, you dream about such moments in time, but this was a moment that was all so real, as frightening as it was. My heart began beating like a big bass drum. Sweat filled the crevices of my hands, like little pools of water that clung to my palms. The carotid sinuses in my neck pounded in a fast-paced rhythm. As the deer, ever so slowly, ascended closer to me, I remembered the very words of Grandpa Mabey. The Great Majestic Buck was the central character of a family legend. It was at least a dozen times that Grandpa told me the legend of the Great Majestic Buck. The Mabey legend was that whoever looked the stately deer in the eye, directly in the eye, was a marked man. That from that point continued on page 33

A photo from 1932 of my grandfather, Watson Mabey, proudly standing in his backyard, of the home he built at the end of Mabey Lane.

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continued from page 32 on, the person who stood steadfast to the great deer and looked him square in the eye would be so marked for a special calling, that his or her life would never, ever be the same. The deer was now only about 10 feet from me, when the grand beast stopped and threw his head back, as if he was about to attack me. Something kept me from running down the forest path. I felt the presence of my grandfather, standing beside me, saying to me, “stand your ground, Richie, stand your ground.” And then the Great Majestic Deer lowered his head and slowly, steadfastly began once again to walk toward me. My body shook like the last leaf hanging upon a twig of a maple tree, in the midst of an April breeze. I thought that my heart was going to burst, it was beating so hard and all so fast. The Great Majestic Deer was now about four feet from me. I was frozen. I could not move. And, with all the courage that I could dig deeply from within the core of my soul, I looked the huge beast deep in its eyes. The grand deer looked back at me and flung its head back in a fury. Then lowered his head, turned around and ran into the thick of the April forest. I felt a deep blessing succumb my heart, mind, and soul. I had looked the Great Majestic Buck deep into his eyes and he looked deep into mine. From that point

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on, I would never be the same. I walked down the forest path. As I stood within eye’s view of the old Morris Canal, l could see the foundation of my great grandfather’s icehouse. William Mabey had built the icehouse with the help of my grandfather and Grandpa’s brother, Earl. Sadly, Earl was killed in battle, in France during World War I. When I came upon the foundation to the old Mabey Ice House, I sat upon the stone foundation and looked at the still, murky waters of the old Morris Canal, that lied just a few feet north of the old foundation. The memory of the Great Majestic Buck was engraved upon the deepest chambers of my heart. Perhaps Grandpa’s legend was not a fairy tale, perhaps there was a great depth of truth to the old Mabey Legend. At the age of 13, in early April of 1967, I felt my grandfather’s gift of story telling fill my heart. I had looked the Great Majestic Buck Deer in the eye. I was now marked with the gift of a special calling. I knew deep in the chambers of my heart, that the great buck had blessed me with the calling of story telling. There was no doubt in my heart. None at all. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com. Please put on the subject line: An April Story.

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Wayne Grandmother Needs Kidney Transplant

By Evan Wechman .J. Sullivan of Saddle Brook is only 25 years old but remembers being around his grandmother since he was an infant. He affectionately calls her Mommom and his earliest memories involve laughter, shopping, and listening to music. His Mommom is Theresa LaBarck, a 69-year-old Wayne resident who is currently ill. She needs a kidney to survive. She suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and goes to dialysis three times a week. She is suffering from renal failure and her kidneys are in danger of shutting down. She is on the list at Hackensack Hospital as someone who needs a kidney transplant to survive. However, Sullivan remains hopeful and is doing everything he can to find a match for LaBarck. He is leaving no stone unturned as he is posting flyers, speaking on popular morning radios shows, and spreading the urgency through his social media pages which he created for her. “It’s crunch time. Unfortunately, she is virtually almost at zero percent kidney function and so must go to dialysis three times a week,” said Sullivan. “I call this time around a campaign. I’m really kind of pushing that word because we’re really trying to do everything that we possibly can to get the word out number one, and number two, to go hard in our efforts to try to find her a kidney.” Sullivan in 2019 was also personally willing to do whatever it takes to help his loving Mommom. Without any hesitation, he enlisted at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston to be an “angel donor” for her. This meant that he was willing to give his kidney to her and undergo a kidney transplant. LIC #8414

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Unfortunately, Sullivan was diagnosed with hypertension which prevented him from being a match. Sullivan said, “It was disappointing because I would have done anything for her. We are close. My Mommom and I have a special relationship.” According to Sullivan, this unique bond is due to the similarities between them. Besides enjoying time together chatting about their lives, and even telling jokes to one another, it is far deeper than that. Sullivan said, “We are very loyal. We like to have fun. We’re generous people. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone that needed it that she loved, and I would do the same.” Though Sullivan wasn’t a match for his grandmother, he has not given up the fight to find a kidney for her. He believes this “campaign” starts with education. Sullivan did not know everything about PKD at first, but as his Mommom’s condition over the years worsened and her energy levels dropped, the activities they used to do together were hindered. As a result, he took it upon himself to find out more about the illness. In 2015, he learned of the PKD Foundation which raises money for research and advocacy. Though this led to many fundraisers and educational events, the major thing Sullivan wants to impress upon people is they only need one good kidney to live. “I feel like some people still don’t know what it is to donate a kidney. The basic information is you only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life. We know this. You don’t need both. So that’s why there’s that slogan “share your spare,” Sullivan said.

T.J. Sullivan with his Mommom Theresa LaBarck

He also wants people who are on the fence about giving their kidney to another that it is a minor surgery with a quick recuperation period. Just as important, the evaluation and continued on page 35

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Needs Kidney Transplant... continued from page 34 surgery are covered by his grandmother’s insurance. This loving grandson said that he carries no ill-will toward anyone who is not comfortable giving a kidney. He understands it is not for everyone. However, if someone is interested, that person can find out more information by contacting Hackensack Hospital directly at 551-9962000. A form can also be filled out at hmh. donorscreen.org to get the process rolling. Sullivan and his family can also be reached at doitformommom@gmail.com. There is

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Page 36 • April 2022

Construction Crew Breaks Ground On New Track and Turf Field Project

By Daren Lomuti onstruction on the new Track and Turf Field Project started in December. Superintendent Mr. Bracken Healy took to his Instagram page, sharing pictures of construction along with the new track and turf field plan to announce the project which is anticipated to wrap up in May. The previous track was damaged after a storm earlier in September. With federal funding, PV is able to replace the track with a new one. Once the project is completed, the track will be available for the use of all students and community members. According to the reference photo Mr. Healy shared, the black track will contain the colors green and white to represent PV. “We are excited to have this state-of-the-art facility here in our own backyard,” said Mr. Healy. “This will be a beautiful space that our entire community can enjoy.” For the first time, PV will also have a turf field for athletics and physical education classes. In the past, the field would be unusable for days after rain. “The field is rendered useless and unavailable for weeks on end because of the mud that results from it,” Mr. Healy said. However, with a turf field, sports activities can be continued even after inclement weather. As Director of Athletics, Mr. Joseph Benvenuti assisted with the new Track and Field project. Mr. Benvenuti helped with the color scheme, the logo, and the proper markings for all of the sports that will utilize the new field. With all the new construction and academic changes, Mr. Benvenuti hopes for a new reputation for PV. “I think

the overall perception of PV will rise, and become more positive,” Mr. Benvenuti said. “It plays into the future in terms of showing our Hornets that Passaic Valley is serious about our facilities and sports programs.” Not only will there be a new turf field, Mr. Healy shared on Instagram that lights will be installed surrounding the field. “I think Friday night games will bring younger generations and parents who are interested in seeing them play under the lights,” Mr. Benvenuti said. The construction crew started by removing trees that were in the way. According to Mr. Healy, if all goes to

plan, construction will be finished during May. “This is a huge project for us, not only for our athletes but for all the students and members of this proud community,” Mr. Healy commented. Since the new school year, PV has experienced many changes and renovations. From brighter hallways, to new gym flooring, Mr. Healy has tried to give a fresh look to the school. “We want to make this a proud place to be, where students want to learn and teachers want to work,” Mr. Healy commented.

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I Remember Mom: The Cross Road

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By Richard Mabey Jr. n the midst of the cold winds of January of 1984, I found myself fighting a sore throat that led to a strep throat. And, sadly, the strep throat led to my second bout of Rheumatic Fever. And at the age of 30, the fate that had called me to fight the deadly strep infection at 12, had rebounded and gnarled itself to the inner chambers and valves of my heart. It was a year-long battle with two long-stay hospital visits. But, I came out of it with a greater inner strength and a furious determination to leave my mark upon the world. It was in the Spring of 1985, that I landed a writing job at a big daily newspaper. I wrote engagement notices, wedding announcements, obituaries, scout news, church news, and news of various non-profit organizations. By the Summer of 1986, I was worn, weary, and feeling that my wheels were just spinning in sand, going nowhere. And, to top it all off, I had a boss who was anything but kind. In all honesty, she was a bit of a heartless tyrant. I was frayed, my inner self was torn, I lived on Pepto-Bismal tablets. The unrealistic deadlines, the long hours, the harsh voice of my boss, was taking a toll on me. And, as if that wasn’t enough, my girlfriend at the time, was insistent that I leave the comfort and warmth of the little Reformed Church that I grew up in, to take classes to become a Catholic. And, Anna’s parents were putting the pressure on me, to the nth degree. I have no conflict with the Catholic faith. But, I do have a problem with being pressured to do anything, just to please someone else. It wasn’t so much that Anna was a devoted Catholic, rather it was that her father had given me the ultimatum to convert to being a Catholic. I felt such inner turmoil. Sadly, Anna gave in to her father’s dislike of me and broke up with me. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, my boss was becoming meaner and meaner with the passing of each and every day. I felt like I was holding onto the end of a rope, at a cliff’s edge, and the rope I was clinging to was rapidly fraying. A thousand and one times my mom, Janet Kemmerer Mabey, encouraged me to start my own newspaper, a small-town weekly. I was filled with self doubts. I didn’t have all that much money in my savings account. And, a certain fear and insecurity was clinging to the core of my inner self. But, Mom would not give up on me. She wouldn’t let me give into my inner fears and insecurities. Mom continually told me that I had the right stuff, the fortitude, the dedication, the intelligence, and the deep drive to start my own small-town weekly newspaper. But, I still doubted my abilities. Finally, Mom told me to pray about it. It was about a week before Thanksgiving Day, of 1986, that the good Lord had the

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hammer fall upon me and awaken me to the fact that I needed to leave that big daily newspaper and step out on my own. It was a Monday morning. I remember it all so well. It was just before lunch time. My boss came over to my cubicle and just ripped and tore me apart, for not having met a most unrealistic writing deadline. I was overwhelmed with little articles to write about engagement notices, wedding announcements, and events of non-profit organizations. High noon came. Lunch break. I remember going out to my car to eat my lunch. I had always brought a bag lunch to work. Once inside my care, the tears flowed down my cheeks like Niagara Falls. I knew I couldn’t take much more of it all. The shadow of Anna haunted me. The pain of losing her love, the mean-spirited shouting of my boss, it all had taken a toll on me. There in my car, eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I took the time to earnestly pray. Mom was right. I needed to pray about it all. Somehow and someway, I got the courage to type up my resignation that very afternoon. At the end of the day, I gave my official two-weeks’ notice to my boss. At that moment in time, it was like a big, heavy, anchor was lifted from my heart. By early 1987, I began publishing the Lincoln Park Journal weekly newspaper. My dear mother was a constant source of encouragement to me. A new dawn was rising in my life. A new chapter of my life had begun. If it were not for the encouragement of my beloved mother, I would have never found the courage to leave the big daily paper and take the bold step to start my own small-town weekly newspaper. Encouragement is one of the single most precious gifts that a parent can give to their child. Encouragement holds a greater value than silver or gold. For it can be the seed upon which the great tree of success springs forth. Please, never underestimate the positive power of encouragement. The result of encouragement knows no limitations, no bounds, no walls. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: I Remember Mom.

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Page 40 • April 2022

Little Falls Gathers Donations to Provide Aid for Ukraine

By Tina Pappas he Township is collecting donations for war-torn Ukraine as its refugee crisis continues to grow as a result of Russia’s invasion two weeks ago. Councilwoman Tanya Seber, who is of Ukranian descent, said donations have been pouring in to the drop-off site at the Little Falls Police Department. The municipal building is also displaying blue and yellow for Ukraine’s flag colors to show support. The Little Falls Fire Department has also donated retiring apparel. “We do have a strong Ukranian community here in Little Falls,” Seber said. “We raised the Ukrainian flag at Town Hall last week as we did two years ago when Mayor James Damiano gave a proclamation to Holodomor, which was the Soviet terror-famine that killed millions of Ukrainians from 1932-1933.” Seber, who is first-generation Ukrainian-American, said she grew up listening to stories of her family’s experiences, especially during the time they had to flee the country to escape the then Soviet persecution. Her lineage stems from the western part of Ukraine that borders with Poland. She said that seeing an outpouring of support by everyone for Ukraine has been amazing. “To see this outpouring of love and support for Ukraine and its citizens, regardless of race, religion, economics, has been so overwhelming,” she explained. “It’s really something to see the people coming together like this. I keep getting texts from so many people asking how they can help. This support has spread worldwide and transcends all nationalities.”

Pictured (from left) is Mayor James Damiano, local resident Dan Gulak, Fire Chief Ken Cichy and Councilwoman Tanya Seber during a donation from the Little Fall Fire Department to Ukraine. Photo courtesy of the Township of Little Falls.

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Page 42 • April 2022

Honoring Late Daughter, Wayne Mom Channels Pain into Passion

By Jillian Risberg he visual impact of seeing 500+ children’s faces of loved ones lost gazing out from the trailer to scare the heck out of the youth is a powerful wake-up call: ‘this could happen to me’ — Stay Away From Drugs. It was Angels Across America’s first Event in Kissimmee, Florida — the camper will travel from state to state to create awareness, vital to save lives— and it meant everything. “We were excited for our first rollout. Moms who lost their children wanted to see the picture of their child ‘cause that’s the only memory we have now,” says Susan Schmidt. For Schmidt, the loss of her daughter is crushing torture, as though her soul has been ripped from her body. Alyssa is forever with her heart and always on her mind. It was May 28, 2016, when her world imploded. “I live with the heartache of losing my daughter every single day. She was 20 years old and I found her in her bed, she made a choice by snorting heroin and it killed her,” Schmidt says after a year she got on Facebook and learned other moms experienced the same loss. That’s when she knew she needed to do something. “I had to learn about all this because I had no clue and there are a lot of naive families out there,” she says at first she was ashamed, ‘I raised her well, she went to Catholic school, came from a good family,’ how could this happen. Because addiction doesn’t discriminate, and will take the best of anyone. “You just grow with the pain and out of that becomes compassion to help others

and keep our loved ones’ memories alive,” says Schmidt. She has precious recollections of her beautiful, caring, charismatic, loving, smart, funny daughter. “Everything changes when you lose a child,” she says you miss all those little things you experienced together. And a heartbreaking new normal sets in. They’re educating the parents, the public, especially the youth because they’re buying drugs off Snapchat and social media. “Every drug (crack, cocaine, heroin, Xanax, methadone) is riddled with Fentanyl and these 10, 11, 12, 13-year-old kids are dying,” Schmidt says their life matters. That’s the ‘One Pill Can Kill’ campaign. “They want to get high but they die. Their sudden death is like a traumatic shock to all of us.” According to the CDC, there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths from opioids in the United States during the 12-month period ending in April 2021. Schmidt noticed slight behavior changes (‘she was a little more angry’) in her daughter but didn’t think much of it. Alyssa assured her it was nothing, ‘mom, just leave me alone.’ “I thought it was growing pains,” says Schmidt. “Never expected to go upstairs and find her gone, never in a million years.” Her pain became passion and Alyssa’s mom dove into Angels Across America, to support every family as much as she can. “I miss her dearly and love comes from what I’m doing now,” Schmidt says it’s for all those moms who found their child dead or got a phone call saying their child is dead.

And she has company in her grief, having met MaryBeth Moore Zocco, who started Ryan’s Ride in 2019 after the loss of her 25-year-old son Ryan Moore from fentanyl poisoning on 12/17/2018. Shortly after the first ride, the Orlando mom began The FRoM Project (Forever Ryan’s Mom) to keep his memory alive by sending handmade personalized cards to grieving parents all over the world. They honor and remember loved ones taken too soon by substance use disorder overdose or fentanyl poisoning. “Alyssa was my whole world, my best friend, we loved to cook together, shop together, did everything together, she’d come home from work, we’d talk for hours… and she’d tell me about her day.” How do you pick up the pieces and move forward — according to Schmidt; honor them ‘and talk about our children as much as we can to whoever will listen.’ She held ‘Celebration of Life for Alyssa’ and joined the Wayne Alliance. This year will be her fifth annual candle-lighting on International Overdose Awareness Day. Angels Across America supports all the grieving families and their loved ones, who are deeply loved and missed. They educate the public and youth on the dangers of illicit drugs, every street drug is extremely addictive and using can have dire consequences. Leslie (Billy) Smith owns Angel’s trailer. Smith lost his son, Jeremy, 30, a construction worker who fell off a building. He was put on Oxycodone for the pain. When the prescriptions ceased — he turned to street drugs and it’s what killed him. Schmidt says tell your kids you love them every day and about the inherent

risks out there. “The heartache is unbearable some days but we keep pushing forward to honor and love all the angels we lost,” she says. “When I do their pictures, graphics — make a video talking to their moms, I feel like I know each one of them.” Kids are fragile today, COVID has made things worse… and there is much selfmedicating going on. Either you die or live this road of recovery every day, they struggle — nothing good comes out of doing any kind of drug. “Alyssa’s dreams were shattered because she made a mistake,” Schmidt says she blamed herself. “How did I not know, what if I did this, what if I said that; I beat myself up to this day and friends say stop, she made the choice.” Recalling all their amazing milestones and accomplishments you boasted and bragged about, while also thinking: ’G-d knows what they’re getting into.’ It’s a lonely place to be after losing a child. “I’ll do these events, then it hits you. Becomes so overwhelming where I’m quiet and within myself for days,” she says she can’t function. “Then go, go, go and break down again; it’s horrible. Or go upstairs and lay in my daughter’s bed and just cry.” Her goal is to prevent kids from overdosing. “Be afraid, be very afraid because you can’t come back from dying,” says Schmidt, of getting them to think before making a potentially fatal choice. “I can’t bring back any of our children we lost,” says Schmidt. To learn more, search Angels Across America on Facebook.

April 2022 • Page 43

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Page 44 • April 2022

NJStarz NJ Starz: Jennifer Jones Hometown: Randolph, NJ

ennifer Jones recalls the night vividly. “Sue Simmons came on the 11 o’clock news, and she said, ‘Radio City Music Hall has just hired their first African American dancer to be a Rockette.” I said to myself, ‘I wonder who that is?’ And it was me! They didn’t tell me that I was the first one.” The year was 1987, and Jones was invited to be on field during the Super Bowl XXII halftime show. The game, a Washington Redskins 42 – 10 win over the Denver Broncos, was somewhat forgettable, but Jones taking part in the intermission was news, and it led to, in her words, “15 years with the Rockettes, and then I did Broadway after that, so it was a beautiful 20 year professional dancing experience.” “I was mostly raised in Randolph,” says Jones, who was born in Newark on August 1, 1967. “I went to sixth grade there, but we moved there a year before, when I attended The Pingry School in Basking Ridge for one year, and then I went to Randolph schools, from where I graduated high school and then eventually attended CCM (County College of Morris).” Jones was a trailblazer, and she followed in her parents’ footsteps. “I’m biracial; my mother (Linda Lourie, originally from Rockaway) is white, my father (Booker T. Jones, born in Saint Louis, Missouri) is black, and they got together in the 1960s when that wasn’t fondly looked upon, an interracial relationship.” Jones is the middle child of three sisters. Her older sibling is Kara, and the younger is Patricia. “But we call her ‘Peaches,’” Jones says. Jones enjoyed her time in Randolph. “Of course, it’s a great educational system that they have there, which is one of the reasons why my parents moved there, but there was some racial tension. My sister and I were in the minority group. There were some hard times, but I have a great core friends. We actually just went to St. Augustine last September, just the five of us, after we hadn’t seen each other in over 20 years, and it was like we picked up from yesterday, like we never left off.” After high school, Jones went to CCM and originally applied to be a business major with the notion that she would open up a dance studio. However, the urge

was there to be a dancer, so she changed her major to dance. The love of that art had been instilled in her at a young age. “My parents started me dancing when I was around five or six,” Jones says. “They had combined dance classes; it was like tap with gymnastics. All I can remember is that I loved the way the sound the tap made against the linoleum floor. There was something about that sound that I loved, so much so that my parents got linoleum flooring in the basement, just a piece of it. My father’s office was down in the basement, and whenever he was down there working from home, I would go down with my tap shoes on and just tap-taptap. He never complained once, if you can imagine that.” While at CCM, Jones was very busy. In addition to her studies, she was part of a modern dance company called “Beyond the New Jersey Turnpike”, which was eventually shortened years later to just “Beyond”, and she was also trekking to the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, where Frank Hatchett was her mentor. “I was really big into jazz because I was going to be a Broadway star,” she says. Again, it was her parents that opened her and her sisters’ world up to the beauty of performance. “Our parents took us to Broadway all the time, and I saw The Wiz five times. And then we would wait backstage after the show at the stage door and get autographs, and I knew one day I wanted to walk out of that backstage door. I didn’t know how or anything, but all I knew is I wanted to be the one walking out. So my goal was to be on Broadway. And to me, I equated Broadway with jazz dancing, and so I took ballet for the technique, which is the core of any type of dancing, and I took some tap classes. So I was going back and forth between CCM and New York, taking classes, learning the art of auditioning and how to find an audition. I also started making friends in the city, and I had one friend who knew a lot of Broadway people, and I started meeting people.” Then in 1987, when searching through an industry publication for dance roles, Jones bypassed a printed mention of an open audition for the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. A friend encouraged her to attend that audition, telling her she’d be

a perfect Rockette. Jones, not envisioning being chosen and a bit hesitant, eventually convinced herself to go. “I wasn’t even going to go to the audition. I was always nervous at auditions. So I thought I would go and try to clean up some of the cobwebs, get better at auditioning.” When she arrived, the line was wrapped around Radio City Music Hall, and she thought, ‘Maybe I should just go take my Frank Hatchett class.’ Instead she remained, and was taken with a group to a rehearsal hall. “They put us in a line. I was stretching, and it was very intimidating. Everyone was beautiful and had long legs, and I thought, ‘Just let me get through this audition.’” After being measured for the approved Rockette height, she made the cut and headed to the floor for a tap routine – in character shoes. “When it was over, I was going to the back of the room to get my bag, and the stage manager came up to me, and he said, ‘Jennifer, we’re going to give you a call back. Bring your tap shoes and bring your picture and resume.” She went to the call back, and sealed the deal. Jones recalls, “I think it was just maybe a few months later that Violet Holmes, the choreographer at the time, called me and she asked me if I wanted to do the Super Bowl halftime show. That’s when I accepted the her offer.”

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Jones

And then the NBC News broadcast with Sue Simmons. “My mother called me and she said, ‘Jennifer is that you?!’ and I said, ‘I don’t know.’ Nobody said anything, only later to find out that it was me.” Jones was then put through media training, given mock interviews to get used to the real interviews that she would eventually do as the first official African American Radio City Rockette. Another one of Jones’s proudest Rockette moments is when she performed at the Tony Awards in the Broadway revival of 42nd Street in 2001. The ensemble won the Tony Award that same night for Best Revival of a Musical. Jones was also the first African American Miss Morris County (1989), owned and operated the Jennifer Jones Dance and Fitness Studio in Rockaway from 1990 – 1993, and was the first to kick off CCM’s “I Got It Right” billboard campaign. Jones, who retired in 2002 and is a member of the Rockette Alumnae Association as well as the Rockettes of Color Alumnae, is currently married to husband Jeffrey DeBarbieri, and has two children, Zachary and Isabella. She is a happy and grateful woman, and has funneled that gratitude towards awareness in a worthwhile initiative that for her hits continued on page 45

April 2022 • Page 45

NJ Starz...

continued from page 44 very close to home. She explains. “I wake up grateful every morning. In 2018 I was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. I was healthy my entire life: I had a professional dancing career, and I was vegetarian for over 20 years. And when I was diagnosed it was, first of all, a surprise.” Jones went through eight rounds of chemotherapy, and then had surgery the end of 2018. “In 2019 I was deemed cancer free, and I’ve been cancer free ever since. I went to Memorial Sloan Kettering and had an almost all-female team, which makes it very comfortable for me to speak about it, and I do a lot of work with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. I do speaking engagements about colorectal cancer and awareness, and try to spread the word that the colonoscopy age has lowered to 45 instead of 50. So, I wake up grateful every morning, first of all for my health, for having a roof over my head, for having food on the table, for my family, for my children, for my parents, and for my job.” Her colorectal cancer battle and survival has redirected how she wants to live her life – a life that continues to be filled with good things. “I have a children’s book coming out the end of the year,” Jones says, “and I have my memoir that will be coming out in 2023, and various other projects that I’m working on. I’m able to shift focus to things that will benefit me and hopefully benefit others.” For more information about the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, visit www.ccalliance.org. To learn more about Jones, visit www.rockettejenn.com.

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Page 46 • April 2022

Celebrated Chefs Support Project Self-Suﬃciency

orthwestern New Jersey’s premier culinary fundraising event, A Taste of Talent, will be held at Perona Farms on behalf of local non-profit agency Project Self-Sufficiency on Monday, May 2nd, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Patrons are invited to mingle with chefs from approximately 50 celebrated area restaurants while feasting on appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The epicurean event raises funds for the non-profit agency which specializes in services for low-income families in Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon and Warren. Sponsorships for A Taste of Talent range from $500 - $25,000. The event will take place indoors and outside at the venue. Volunteer musicians will perform throughout the facility. Some of the many fine restaurants which have participated in the past, and many of which are expected to return, include 403 Broad, Andre’s Lakeside Dining, Black Forest Inn, Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Café Pierrot, Caffe NaVona, Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, The Circle, Clay Oven, Cliff ’s Ice Cream, Fossil Farms, Front Porch Organics, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery/Fran’s Farmhouse Kitchen, Gourmet Gallery, Green Cart Catering, Hayek’s Market, il Porto, Chef Jesse James, Krave Café + Caterer, L’Amico NYC, Lorraine’s Cake Shop & Tea Room, Mama’s Café Baci, North Shore House, Pattycakes Bake Shop, Perona Farms, Portofino Ristorante, Ryland Inn, Chef Tim Schafer, Slamwich Scratch Kitchen, Springhouse Creamery, St. Moritz Bar & Grill, Stone Water, Tanti Baci Caffe, White Birch, and Windy Brow Farms. “A Taste of Talent is our signature fundraising event and the cornerstone of our annual campaign,” noted Deborah

Chefs from approximately 50 restaurants are expected to participate in A Taste of Talent at Perona Farms on behalf of Project SelfSuﬃciency.

Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Funds raised by A Taste of Talent make it possible for Project Self-Sufficiency to provide the programs and services necessary for families in northwestern New Jersey to attain economic self-sufficiency. We continue to be humbled by the support we are receiving from the restaurateurs in our area, and we are looking forward to a delightful event.” Select donation categories are available for A Taste of

Talent, ranging from $500 - $25,000. A limited number of tickets for individual donations are available at a cost of $300. Perona Farms is located at 350 Andover-Sparta Road, Andover. To make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, to obtain tickets to A Taste of Talent, or to find out more information about the programs and services available at the agency, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973940-3500.

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April 2022 • Page 47

Dr. Ryan C. Maher and the Perfect Smiles team all support Autism Awareness

Perfect Smiles will donate a portion of April’s proceeds to Autism Awareness

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