Northern Valley Press 10.3.22

HEAD OF THE CLASS

The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood is named an Apple Distinguished School for 2022–2025 as ‘a center of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence’

HISTORIC: BERGENPAC TAPS HUTTLE ASCHAIR

Former assemblywoman is first woman to helm Bergen Performing Arts Center

Congratulations to Valerie Vainieri Huttle, recently elected chair of the board of trustees at Bergen Performing Arts Center — or bergenPAC. Sheʼs the first woman to take the top leadership role at the organization — and at a particularly excit ing moment in the organizationʼs life.

Huttle succeeds Robert Cook, who had chaired the board since 2020 and will now resume his role as board president. Huttle, recently

SMART TRADITION ON SERVICE SMART TRADITION ON SERVICE

Tenafly students get ʻahaʼmoment with vetsʼvisit

DECEMBER 2022

CRESSKILL

STUDENTS ORGANIZE TOHELPTHE HOMELESS

ʻBeyond a Goalʼgifts backpacks of fresh clothes and hygiene supplies innearby cities

Cresskill teenagers Namhoon Lee, Jaeho Cho, and twins Alex and Daniel Dangelico were inspired to create an organization that would give back to the community.

BY JOHN SNYDER OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

STUDENTS AT Tenafly Mid dle School spent quality time on Nov. 8 celebrating public service with visits from two engaging U.S. Army veterans.

Seventh-grade world histo ry teacher Christine Phommath ep, who also is the teacher-

leader for the schoolʼs social studies department, coordinated the visits, which have been a tra dition here for more than five years.

Students in grades 7 and 8 spoke with veterans Maj. Linette Palladino and SSgt. Kyle Abourizk, who both served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Phommathep said Palladino and Abourizk presented on their

PHOTO VIA CHRISTINE PHOMMATHEP

SPIRIT OF GIVING

See page 28

lives, their military experiences, and the public value and personal rewards of service.

“I am so grateful to [Palladino] and SSgt. Abourizk for coming each year,” Phommathep told Northern Valley Press on Nov. 30. “The visits reinforce what we teach and do so much more: The students learn how

So they did. The Cresskill High School seniors founded Beyond a Goal (B.A.G.), whose mission is “to help provide immediate attention to this ongoing crisis by fundraising in the community to provide backpacks filled with hygiene kits, extra shirts, water, protein bars, and masks to be distributed to the homeless

B ck in time... Bckintime...

Students and staff from the Academy of the Holy Angels respond to the School Sisters of Notre Dame’s call to serve others.

Sen. Edmund W. Wakelee’s Demarest estate was pretty enough for a Christmas card. Land sale proceeds went to Englewood Hospital.

ENGLEWOOD

ALPINE • CLOSTER • CRESSKILL • DEMAREST • ENGLEWOOD • ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS • HARRINGTON PARK

HAWORTH • NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • ROCKLEIGH • TENAFLY

Tenafly middle schoolers are in for a treat every year,when world history teacher and social studies lead Christine Phommathep brings in military veterans to present on their experiences of service The idea, Phommathep says, is to have the kids connect with what they can do to extend themselves in the local and wider world.

HUTTLE

Student’s gift now in royal hands

To the editor:

My name is Alanna Oh, a 9th grader attending Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. My father, Master Oh Kyung-J ī n, is owner and founder of Triumph Taekwondo and worked hard throughout his childhood to achieve his goal of teaching other students the art of taekwondo. He was invited to take part in the 10th Royal Princess Cup 2022 (Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn) taekwondo competition on Oct. 15 at John Paul II Sports Center, Assumption University of Thailand, Suvarnabhumi Campus.

There, we gifted one of my hard-worked paintings to the princess. I presented this painting, which took months to complete, as a congratulations towards the 10th anniversary of this ceremony. This occasion was very important to me because I had wanted to be a known artist

N ORTHERN VALLEY P RESS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

due to the effects of Covid-19. Three thousand people from around the world were given the opportunity to attend this event, including more than 1,000 competing athletes from 12 countries; Thailandʼs distinguished guests; as well as the Thai ambassador

and consul general.

I was so surprised and honored that I was given this once-ina-lifetime chance to award the princess a painting that had come from my very own hands.

M. Schorr, a famous artist from New York, also gifted an art

Submission deadline: Copy deadline is 11 a.m. Wednesday. Publication not guaranteed. Letters must be signed, with town and telephone number Email us your letter at northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net.

piece in celebration of this longawaited event, and was honored to be able to celebrate the Princess Cup.

Alanna Oh

Student, Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan

THS ends Bandtober as state champs TENAFLY

since I was 9 and had started taekwondo at the young age of 5.

Last year, I won the Peace Islands Institute Art and Essay competition, so this was a golden chance to take an even bigger step into my future. The 10th royal Thai taekwondo competition was a very big national event for the annual Princess Cup, which could not be held in the previous years

Under the leadership of director Mike Jacobetz, the band earned this yearʼs personal best score of 87.2. The band also received awards for best music and visuals.

“Iʼm so proud of the way our

students came together as a team and took ownership of this program,” marching band director Mike Jacobetz told Northern Valley Press. “There are so many outstanding band programs in New Jersey and winning a state championship is a wonderful achievement.”

Last year, the band placed first overall at the USBANDS Bergen County Marching Invitational. Jacobetz said, “To me, the real success of this season shows

through in the way our students have learned to carry themselves as professionals and commit to excellence, not for themselves, but for each other.”

The Marching Band closed out the 2022 season with two first and two second place finishes. Their next performance was at the high schoolʼs Turkey Bowl held on Thanksgiving Day

For more information on Tenafly High School, visit tenafly schools.org/ths

The Tenafly High School marching band ended Bandtober on a high note, taking first place in the A-Group III New Jersey State Championship on Saturday, Oct. 29 with their “Breaking News” show at the competition held in South Brunswick.

Timely items via the Haworth Mayor and Council…

Downtown Renovation Construction on the Stevens Street bridge is now complete. Through a $50,000 matching County Open Space Grant, the old bridge was removed and the new walk is handicapped accessible.

Although the path is open for use, please note that the last part of this construction — installing light posts — still needs to be completed.

Borough notes:Haworth

Haworth Police Department

•OVERNIGHT PARKING:

Just a reminder that Overnight Parking was enforced beginning Nov. 15 and ending on April 1, 2023. No vehicle will be allowed to park on any Haworth street from 3 to 6 am unless authorized by the police department.

Haworth Fire Department

•Change your clocks, change your batteries! Smoke detectors change lives!

NOW OPEN!

•The Haworth Fire Department reminds residents to please inspect and replace your smoke and CO alarms. Good practice is to change the batteries when we change our clocks.

• Another important safety concern is improper use of power strips: Please do not plug space heaters into power strips or extension cords. Power strips are not designed to handle the high current flow required by a space heater and can overheat, causing a fire. Plug space heaters directly into the wall outlet.

Haworth DPW

•Leaf pickup through town will continue through Dec. 19. All leaves must be out by Dec. 19. This will be the final sweep of the town. Leaf piles must be kept free of twigs, branches and stones. Leaf piles containing anything other than leaves will not be picked up. These materials damage equipment and causes delays in collection.

• Residents who have large rocks along the borough easement must move them back. We appreci-

ate your patience and cooperation.

Insurance

Enrollment Open

More options and lower premiums are available for residents seeking health insurance coverage at Get Covered New Jersey, the official health insurance marketplace of New Jersey.

Approximately 90% of residents who enroll through Get Covered New Jersey will qualify for financial assistance with health coverage premiums. No one will pay more than 8.5% of their income for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2023 coverage at Get Covered New Jersey runs to Jan. 31, 2023. Consumers must enroll by this Dec. 31 for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2023; if they enroll by Jan. 31, 2023, coverage will begin Feb. 1, 2023.

NJ Property Tax Relief

More than 3 million residents are eligible for up to $1,500 in property tax relief under the ANCHOR program. ANCHOR call wait times could be lengthy

right now. To get your application in faster, use the New Jersey Treasury website. To be eligible for this year's benefit, you must have occupied your primary residence on Oct. 1, 2019. You must also file (or be exempt from) NJ income taxes. The deadline for filing is Dec. 30.

Updated COVID-19 Boosters Available for Everyone Aged 5 and Older

COVID-19 booster dose, which should be received two months after their most recent booster or primary vaccination series. Those who are at least 6 years old can get either a Pfizer or Moderna booster, regardless of which vaccine they received for their primary series.

These updated COVID-19 boosters offer stronger protections against severe illness and death from Omicron sub-variants. The Pfizer booster is recommended for all individuals aged 5 and older, while the Moderna booster is recommended for those aged 6 and older.

Find locations offering the boosters on the COVID-19 Vaccine Finder and Community Calendar.

SHARE YOUR VINTAGE PHOTOS

NORTHERN VALLEY

Those old black and white photos have been sitting in the drawer for decades. Give those treasures more love by sharing them with your neighbors on this page.

Northern Valley Press welcomes old photographs depicting scenes in any of the towns in the region: Alpine, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh and Tenafly.

Specifically, we’re looking for materials dating to the 1970s and earlier. These can be photos of local buildings, notable people, homes, streets, parks, stores, special events — you name it. Old advertisements for businesses in the Northern Valley are also most welcome.

The submissions are sought for publication in the weekly “Back in Time” local history feature, which appears to the right of this column.

Photographs can be submitted by scanning the photo or taking a good digital photo (the highest resolution possible to facilitate clear printing) and emailing a copy of the photographs along with some detailed information to northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net FOR

358-9500

G Geet t t thhe e R Reessuulltts s

Bckintime... Bckintime...

What Sen. Wakelee built, and left

BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

EN. EDMUND W. Wakeleeʼs estate is pretty enough for a Christmas card in this photo taken decades ago in Demarest.

Born in Kingston, N.Y., in 1869, Wakelee was a lawyer and politician on both the state and municipal levels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He lived in this Adele Avenue home, which no longer stands.

Wakelee came to Demarest around 1890, when the community had fewer than 300 residents and no electricity, gas, public water supply or paved streets.

Admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1896, he headed Wakelee, Thornall & Wright, which had offices in New York City, Englewood and Hackensack. Wakelee was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1899 and went on to serve 12 straight years in the legislature: two in the house and 10 in the senate. During his senatorial terms he served as floor leader, senate president, and was the acting governor of New Jersey in 1904.

As a legislator he helped fight for the preservation of the

Palisades at a time when stone companies were blasting rock off the ancient cliffs at an alarming rate.

In Demarest, he served as borough attorney and then as a councilman in the 1930s he was elected on Republican and Democratic tickets). He retired as president of the stateʼs largest utility, Public Service Electric & Gas, where he had started out as an attorney in 1911.

Wakelee never married nor had children. When he died, in 1945 at 75, he left his land to his companion and private secretary, Charles McCormack. After McCormack died, in 1960, the 15-room house, Wakeleeʼs personal effects (including many antiques from the early days of Demarest), and 12 acres of land fetched $145,000 on the auction block. As directed in McCorma ckʼs will, the proceeds were donated to Englewood Hospital.

In later years the estate was redeveloped into dozens of homes, with units starting at $36,900 in 1963.

Years later, Demarestʼs Wakelee Field and Wakelee Drive continue to bear the senatorʼs name.

Write Kristin Beuscher at pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

SERVING: Alpine, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh & Tenafly.

Edmund Wakelee lived in this beautiful Adele Avenue,Demarest home,which no longer stands.Land sale proceeds went to Englewood Hospital.

Edmund Wakelee arrivedin Demarest around 1890 and left his mark in politics He was acting governor,1904.

With the bustle of the holiday season upon us, a historical gem allows us the opportunity to be transported back to a simpler time.

ILOVETHIS time of year. You would think that with all of my missteps and mishaps my joy for the season would have d iminished. But without fail, when December rolls around I still feel the excitement I did when I was a child (which my own kids would be quick to point out was a long, long time ago).

My family celebrates Christmas. Every year itʼs the same. I promise that my shopping will be done by Black Friday. But on Christmas Eve youʼll find me

By Tara McCann

freaked and racing around the mall.

In early December, aweinspiring house decorations make me vow to join in that fun.

And on Dec. 26, the Christmas lights bought seven years ago

still remain unopened. Scrolling through Facebook, Iʼm wowed by friendsʼ8-foot decorated Christmas trees, confident that this year Iʼll post my own. But when my son, daughter, and I go to pick one, we again feel sorry for the tree that no one else would dare take home. And another Charlie Brown Christmas tree droops in our living room.

And yet I still love this seas on. My son will be coming h ome for the first time since starting freshman year of college in California. And thatʼs what made me realize what really matters… the idea of being “home for the holidays.” Even for relatives or friends who live close by, the season gives us a reason to

p ause from our daily rushed s chedules and catch up with them, enjoy their company and celebrate together.

For all of the things that time changes, it hit me that the idea of “home for the holidays” has been with us for generations. I was talking to a friend, imagining what it was like for my momʼs generation and generations before. I mentioned how amazing it would be to just get a glimpse of their experience. And my friend told me, I could.

Little did I know that in my

Harold Hess Lustron House

Midcentury glory awaits!

FROM PAGE 5

neighboring town of Closter there stands a historical treasure that transports you in time. Walk into the all-steel Lustron House and you walk into the 1950s. I contacted the houseʼs caretaker, M ike Pisano, and he warmly

invited my 16-year-old daughter, Sadie, and me for a tour to learn about the houseʼs rich history.

When Mike opened the front door, and Sadie and I crossed its threshold, everything 2022 was forgotten. Original furniture from the house had been destroyed. But everything in the

house was authentic to the era. A rotary phone caught Sadieʼs eye. A Howdy Doody high chair caught mine. In the master bedroom, hat boxes mix with soldierʼs uniforms. The childʼs bedroom displays Pick-up Sticks, a View-Master, and an Erector set.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

KINDNESSAWARD RECIPIENTS

DEMAREST

Academy of the Holy Angels students Camila Reynoso, Taylor Glynn, Trinity Savage, and Breanna Hetzer have received the Sister Catherine Green Kindness Award in appreciation of their inspirational attitudes.

These teens, honored during the Nov. 21 Thanksgiving Prayer Service, exemplify the kindness for which S. Catherine was known. A School Sister of Notre Dame, S. Catherine was a member of the AHA Religious Studies Depart ment, 1982–2014. She is remem bered for her ready smile, nurturing spirit, and her ability to offer a sympathetic ear and warm encouragement.

Reynoso, a ninth grader from Englewood Cliffs, is described as being very kind, responsible, and friendly to everyone she meets. Friends say she brings them joy and makes them laugh. For some, a day without this Angel is simply not complete. “She always has a smile on her face and brings positivity to school every day,” one person said.

Another classmate added,

“She is always there for me and others when we need her. If any of her friends need anything, she puts whatever she is doing down to make sure they are okay. She is the most positive person I have ever met and I am so glad she is in school with me.”

Trinity Savage, a junior from Englewood Cliffs, was recognized for being “kind and is nice to everyone. She is always there for me and is super caring.”

Another AHA community member said, “She is a transfer student this year. I am amazed at how well she has adjusted to Holy Angels. She has a smile which is infectious and she is always looking for ways to help other students with their studies. She has a wonderful personality and seems to get along with everyone. She is definitely a worthy candidate.”

Sophomore Glynn, of Hoboken, was recognized for being funny, sweet, selfless, and present for those who need a someone to listen.

Senior Hetzer of Nutley earned her award for her positivity, helpful nature, and sense of humor.

Courtesy photo

Nicely done! Academy of the Holy Angels students Camila Reynoso,Taylor Glynn, Trinity Savage,and Breanna Hetzer.

Columnist Tara McCann’s daughter ,Sadie,with Harold Hess Lustron House caretaker Mike Pisano.

Lustron House: ‘Everything 2022 was forgotten’

FROM PAGE 6

I asked Mike where they found all of these pieces. He explained that often people will donate them when they clean out their attic or garage. If itʼs authentic and fits, it will come into the house. If it doesnʼt, a yearly yard sale is held and the money raised is used for the house.

Mike continued to walk us through the modest home. He explained how the doors are pocket doors (sliding into the walls) to save space. And since all the walls are steel, pictures are hung not by nails, but magnets.

N ex t was the kitchen. A Westinghouse refrigerator stood on one side of the sink. But it was the appliance on the other side that had me puzzled. Mike told us it was a Thor “Auto-

Magic.” It had been a staple with every Lustron House and was a combination dishwasher/washing machine. One machine that both washed dishes and did laundry, two things I hate? How convenient. Off the kitchen is the utility room.

There, we found another appliance I had never seen. Mike explained it was an Ironrite “mangle,” a mechanical appliance with two rollers. The mangle was cranked to wring water from wet laundry and to press the item without having to use an iron. I try to picture myself using a mangle. I canʼt.

The Lustron House was the brainchild of Carl Strandlund, who realized the possibilities of utilizing steel left behind after the World War II effort. Strandlund opened a one-million-square-foot plant in Columbus, Ohio in 1947.

The plant started manufacturing the pre-fab steel houses (mostly two bedrooms that averaged 1,000 square feet of living space) and selling them for approximately $10,000 each. There were around 2,400 houses made. Every one had walls, ceilings and built-in cabinetry made of porcelain-enameled steel. But Strandlundʼs dream was short-lived. He had to close his corporation in 1950 due to overwhelming debt.

Today, only 1,400 Lustron houses remain in the United States, with only two in Bergen County. Thanks to the efforts of then-Closter mayor Sophie Heymann as well as volunteers, the Closter Lustron House (officially known as the Harold Hess Lustron House after the man who had inhabited it with his family) was saved from the wrecking ball in 2014 and made an historical land-

mark in 2017.

Mike and Sadie sat down at the 1950s breakfast table with a view out a large picture window. They started talking to each other and it took me back to a time when family meals were important, catching up with each other rather than rushing around in life. My imagination kicked in and I could almost smell my mom cooking bacon and eggs in the kitchen with my dad drinking coffee freshly brewed.

I already knew there was something special about the house. I asked Mike what he thought it was. He said, “The house represents a period of time. It just feels good. Itʼs relaxing. Itʼs simplicity.”

The Lustron House hosts open houses every month. I asked Mike if most of the visitors were from the era. He said that many

were, but most brought their children or their grandchildren to show them their history. He said often people will sit in the living room, and browse through the magazines or newspapers that are all from the 1950s. Conversations will start between strangers, and memories shared unite them.

Sadie and I thank Mike and leave the house that transported us to a time when the simple things mattered. It gives me pause. Maybe I will pull out that seven-year-old box of lights never opened and decorate my drooping Charlie Brown Christmas tree this year, after all.

The Harold Hess Lustron House is at 421 Durie Ave., Closter. It has open houses every second Saturday of the month from noon to 2 p.m. For more information visit the Friends of the Hess Lustron House.

Island Pool and Spa of Englewood makes a paradise of home

Island Pool and Spa of Englewood is more than just a local business:Itʼs an institution, part of the fabric of the community.

If you have spent any significant time in Bergen County you have almost certainly seen their vans driving down your block or hired them to clean your pool or repair your hot tub — maybe you even tried to get them to offer assistance with your fountain or pond.

The venerable Island Pool has been in business for over 30 years, and under the guidance of new ownership and a convenient new location, they are looking at continuing to excel at pool and spa service — and now expand their offerings and stay on top of the lat est and the greatest pool and spa technologies.

Priding themselves and building their business on their educa tion of the pool and spa industry,

Island Pool routinely sends its workers to classes for certifications in their field. Making sure that all of their staff is schooled on best business practices as well as

the fundamentals of water chem istry, understanding ever-evolving equipment guidelines and func tionality, and general principals of water flow is what makes Island

Pool the premier pool and spa service company in the area.

Another area that Island Pool recently ventured into is the world of swim spas. Although this is not a new technology, the business feels that swim spas offer vital and exciting ways to enjoy pool and spa activities all year long in an area where the climate typically does not allow.

“Technology has come a long way in recent years in regard to swim spas and popularity is also at

an all-time high, largely due to the backing of Olympic great Michael Phelps,” the company says.

Island has recently partnered with PDC Spas to start offering their swim spas to members of the local community. PDC Spas were voted as making the No. 1 swim spa in the industry in 2021 and they have no plans of slowing down.

Why a swim spa?

Swim spas are designed to combine the uses of pool, hot tubs, and exercise equipment into one unit. One of the major benefits of owning a swim spa is the ability to use it all year round as an above ground pool.

It costs a fraction of building an in-ground pool and can be transported from house to house in the event of a move.

Hydrotherapy is another huge benefit of swim spa ownership because of the ability of the spa to function as a hot tub. Internal heaters are what sets this apart from above ground pool and allows for use in all four seasons!

Finally, swimming as an exercise is a great way to stay in shape. It is zero impact, meaning that it puts no stress on your joints and it works the entire body.

It would be hard to fit a lap pool into most backyards, but with a swim spa you are able to enjoy the same benefits as someone who may have the space to fit several lap pool.

For more information on swim spas, hot tubs, or pool, make sure to stop at Island Pool and Spa of Englewood to speak with their knowledgeable staff or swim a few laps in the display tub on their showroom floor.

Island Pool & Spa is at 80 Lafayette Place, Englewood. Call (201) 567-2056 or visit islandpoolstenafly.com

ENGLEWOOD

Sink into pleasure: For more information on swim spas,hot tubs,or pools, make sure to stop at Island Pool and Spa of Englewood.

There’s something for everyone at Island Pool and Spa of Englewood.

BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”

Such is the legacy of our countryʼs veterans of whom only 19 million remain (as reported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.)

These brave men and women who served in the military, across the world and here in the U.S., fought to ensure our freedom, which for some, came at a terrible price.

As such, they are honored on November 11th, Veterans Day, throughout America.

The tribute is especially meaningful In Englewood which is the home of many veterans.

On Friday, November 11, Soldiers Monument on Palisade Avenue was the setting for Englewood 2022 Veterans Memorial Service. It was filled with pride and reflection.

The event was hosted by Mayor Michael Wildes and the City of Englewood.

Many distinguished guests and groups were present – Senator Gordon Johnson, Englewood Council members Judy Marron, Charles Cobb, Wayne Hamer, Councilwoman elect Lisa Wisotsky, City Manager Robert Hoffman, Englewood Executive Administrative Assistant Catherine Menendez, Englewood Police Chief Tom Greeley and Fire Chief Jeff Kaplan, the Knights of Columbus McCorrigan Assembly, Commander Willie Patterson of American

Legion Post 58, Joan Dickson, President of American Legion Womenʼs Axillary Unit 58 and Officer Jim Yugaigis from the Bergen County Pipes and Drums.

Clergy members included Pastor Sanetta Ponton from the Metro Community Church, Rabbi Daniel Goldberg from Congregation Ahavath Torah and Father Hilary Milton from St Cecelia Church.

At 10:45 Am, the service began with a presentation of military units and the Posting of Colors by the

Englewood Police and Fire Department Honor Guard and the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County under the direction Sgt. Oscar Hernandez, an Iraqi war veteran.

Next, there was an invocation by Pastor Ponton, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Police Chief Thomas Greeley and the National Anthem was sung by Devry Pazant Mayor Wildes greeted everyone, and recognized all the dignitaries present. He also spoke fondly of Frank Lucianna, Olga Mosciaro and

Eleanor Harvey, all of whom had played an historic role in the City of Englewood.

Wildes proceeded to deliver a dramatic speech that was especially relevant in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“Thank you to everyone for joining us as we honor our American heroes this Veterans Day. ʻHonorʼis the theme chosen by the U.S. Depart ment of Veterans Affairs this year for Veterans Day, reflecting the military value and tradition of answering the

call to duty. They emphasize the distinct honor in serving to protect our way of life and the Constitution of the United States of America.

When we look around us, we gain a greater appreciation for these words that we might have had just a few years ago. For a lot of people, when we think about Veterans Day, it calls to memory the original Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I.

Every generation has its own veterans of corresponding conflicts, from world War II to Korea, Vietnam. Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, but the common theme is that anywhere American soldiers have fought, it was in defense of our way of life. But as time marches on, the depth and the true nature of these conflicts can fade.”

Mayor Wildes went on to reference the horrors being brought upon the people of Ukraine by Putin, including his alarmingly casual threat of nuclear war.

“It makes us reimagine the types of enemies our veterans of past wars have stood against, and the terrors the world might face if not for our brave soldiersʼefforts and sacrifices. Honoring our veterans means more than giving a speech and waving a flag or holding a parade. It also means showing respect for their service to our nation by providing well-deserved support services in their post-military lives. I thank our Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, along with our current

Englewood Police Captain Matt DelaRosa, Commander Willie Patterson from American Legion Post 58, Mayor Michael Wildes, Sgt. Oscar Hernandez, Police Chief Tom Greeley and Officer Fabian Gallego with young ladies Fiona and Teagen showing their patriotism.

superintendent’s death

The Englewood Public School Districtʼs superintendent, on the job since August, died Sunday in a car crash.

Englewood Board of Education President David Matthews posted Nov. 21, “We are deeply saddened to announce that our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ronel Cook, was in a tragic car accident and has passed away. During his short tenure with the school district, Dr. Cook demonstrated a true passion for education, our students, and our community. Our condolences go out to his family.”

Cookʼs 18-year-old son suffered serious but not life-threatening injures in the crash, authorities said.

Grief support was made available on each campus from

administrators and school coun selors, as well as through the Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth.

Acting Assistant Superintendent Jennifer D. Sifuentes said,

“Please keep Dr. Cookʼs family in your thoughts and prayers.”

The Englwood Police Department posted its condolences and said Cook had made many meaningful connections and he was a true leader who epitomized “Raider pride.” It added, “We appreciate the support that he gave to our department and our city and he will be missed.”

Police said witness reported Cook, of Newburgh, N.Y., was not speeding and did not swerve in the accident that took his life. His 2015 Nissan Altima went up an embankment after getting off the Cross County Parkway in Yonkers, then struck a stone wall connected to the Seminary Avenue overpass.

Cook was pronounced dead at to NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester hospital.

An investigation was ongoing at press time.

—Staff report

TENAFLY HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS

Tenafly High School announced that seniors Claire D. Kim, Jayden S. Ko, and Casey J. Yom are Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

The highest scorers on the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the stateʼs percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. To become a finalist, a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the studentʼs earlier performance on the qualifying test. The Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the studentʼs essay and information about the Semifinalistʼs participation and leadership in school and community activities as they compete for more than $30 million in scholarships. Tenafly Board of Education honored the Semifinalists at its Nov. 21 meeting.

In addition to semifinalists, Tenafly acknowledged 41 commended students — 11 more students than in 2021. The commended students are Harrison M. Banks, Siyuan Bao, Ethan T. Chia, Michael M. Crosby, Sophie Fuentecilla, Brandon Gao, Libby H. Hod, Jessica A. Huang, Yicheng Huang, Paul T. Hui, Sernie S. Jang, Anjalip Jathavedam, Suchir Joshi, Christopher Kaloudov, Jacqueline Kim, Ryan J. Kim, Sean C. Kim, Abigail S. Kushman, Anglelina Lee, Alexander Lipton, Jamie Liu, John

Crystal Ye, Kristen S. Yi, Meghan H. Yi, Seungkyu Yoon, Andrew C. Zhang, Andy Zhao, and Ilay Zubkov.

Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who took the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Nine THS students were also awarded academic honors by the College Board National Recognition Program. The African American, Hispanic American, Indigenous, and Rural/Small Town National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can help them stand out on college and scholarship applications and connect them with universities across the country.

This is the third year of the National Recognition Programs. More than 180,000 students from all 50 states were eligible to apply for the College Board National Recognition Programs, which grant students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications.

Colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded National African American, Hispanic, Indigenous and/or Rural/Small Town Recognition through College Boardʼs Student Search Service.

Congratulations to National African American Recognition Awardees (NAARA) and National Hispanic Recognition Awardees (NHRA) Angelique Mitchell NAARA; Elija Brooks NAARA, NHRA; Estaban Velasco NHRA; Felix Quiros-Keller NHRA; Isaac Levinson NHRA; Libby Hod

Ronel Cook

NCJWBC CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL WITH A FIFTIESNIGHT

BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

It was a swinging 1950ʼs night on October 25th at the Brownstone Pancake Factory in Englewood Cliffs. The restaurant was the scene of a doo-wop show filled with people sporting poodle skirts, saddle shoes and ponytails.

The membership event was the kick off of the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County

Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, the organization will be commemorating its 100th anniversary, celebrat-

this 100th observance,” she said. “As a member of the New Jersey Senate, it was my NCJW sisters who were always available to give testimony on bills to protect a womanʼs right to access healthcare. They have been a force for good in our state.”

Throughout their centennial year, the section will offer educational programs, including six general meetings, speakers, book groups, trips, and advocacy activities centered on womenʼs reproductive freedom, voting rights, gun violence prevention, domestic violence prevention, and more. The organization also will commemorate its impact on the Bergen County community, New Jersey, and beyond through a number of celebrations and fundraising events.

For more information about the NCJWBCS, their centennial, their community service, philanthropy and advocacy efforts go to www.ncjwbcs.org.

Photos by Hillary Viders

HARRINGTON PARK

Reach your peak with Elevate Stair Climb

Sectionʼs 100th Anniversary, and it was truly a blast from the past.

From 6:00 to 9:00 pm, the night was filled with entertainment, dancing, games, food and camaraderie.

A special guest at the 50ʼs shindig was Retired New Jersey Senate Majority Leader and NCJW Life Member, Loretta Weinberg, the Honorary Chair of the NCJW BCSʼs centennial celebration. Through a lifetime of service, Senator Weinberg has epitomized the involved advocate and is a committed long-time member of the Bergen County Section.

Throughout the evening, Centennial Committee Members Ann Levenstein, Marcia Levy, Fran Butensky and Elaine Pollack and NCJWBCS Co-presidents, Ina Miller-Silverstein and Elaine Meyerson, were on hand chatting with members and guests.

The National Council of Jewish

ing a century of philanthropy, fundraising, advocacy, and sisterhood in Bergen County and beyond.

Weinberg is delighted to be part of the centennial celebration. “As a life member of NCJW, I am pleased to be the honorary chair of

Elevate Stair Climb is a workout experience that brings a new level and meaning to the fitness industry Elevate is the first of its kind: a small personalized group fitness class thatʼs main focus is you.

Elevate Stair Climb was developed to bring you the most, from doing the least. Our workout experiences minimize the time and maximize the burn. Thirty minutes

of climbing brings the average climber more benefits than other cardio classes. Itʼs all about a high caloric output in just a little time.

Elevate Stair Climb uses topline equipment to ensure the most comfort for all our attendees. Technogymʼs Climb Excite powers everyone through a safe and kick-ass workout. Classes are limited to 5–10 people, allowing instructors to focus more carefully

on each member.

Elevate Stair Climb has classes sequenced for beginner, intermediate, and experienced levels to maximize your intensity. Itʼs a welcoming, fun environment thatʼs good for all fitness levels.

OPEN NOW! Elevate Stair Climb is at 76 Schraalenburgh Road, Harrington Park. Call (201) 357-7284 or write info@elevatestairclimb.com.

Co-presidents Ina Miller- Silverstien and Elaine Meyerson showing their support.

Carole Benson dressed in her 50's attiree enjoyed an old fasioned milk shake.

EHS board, supporters cheer as Englewood House saved

The Englewood Historical Society is pleased to announce t hat it has raised the funds required to prevent the demolition of the historic Taylor Bliss House. The society told Northern Valley Press, “Thanks to an angel who offered a challenge matching grant and to the many members of the public who took up the challenge and donated

both large and small amounts, EHS has been able to save part of Englewood's past.”

The beautiful Second Empire Victorian building, built in 1876, with its three stories and a fourth-floor tower, is one of the few remaining examples its kind in the county.

Itʼs being prepared to move from its original home, at 509

E ngle St., to Eleanor Harvey Park, a city-owned property at 500 Liberty Road. Harvey, the founder of the Englewood Historical Society, died in 2007, bequeathing her property to be used as a passive park.

The house was renovated in the 1980s and purchased by the

The EHS board honors Angel Challenge Grant donor Norman Davis on Oct.31 (which accounts for some of costumed participants).

A rendering of the historic Taylor Bliss (Englewood House) moved to Eleanor Harvey Park as a resource and learning center for the community.

HOLIDAYDINING

Unique, inviting, and exceptional

Sharma tapped for state advisory council

Janet Sharma, Coordinator of Age-Friendly Englewood since its founding in 2016, has been appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy to the New Jersey Age-Friendly Advisory Council (NJAFAC).

Formed earlier this year, the purpose of the NJAFAC is

• Identify opportunities for, and barriers to, the creation of livable communities for people of all ages

in New Jersey;

• Recommend best practices for age-friendly employment and civic participation among partners in government and civil society;

• Promote agefriendly community

inclusion and equitable outcomes; and

• Ensure programs and practices address disparities experienced by older adults of every race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity.

Membership of the council

Liv Breads is at 23 Nathaniel Place,Englewood.On the web:livbreads.com. Email eat@livbreads.com and call (201) 731-3334.

ENGLEWOOD

Inspired by the bread and pastry cultures of Europe and Israel, Liv Breads opened in 2018 in Millburn and quickly became a local hotspot known for its unique and exceptional baked goods and coffee, modern and welcoming vibe, and seasonal and local approach.

Liv Breads specializes in slow fermentation “wild yeast” sourdough breads, flaky pastry, and tender buns, cakes, and cookies. They round out their bakery items with a wide variety of seasonal quiche, salads and spreads, and creative sandwiches crafted to highlight our daily breads.

Liv Breads operates a store in Englewood, delivering daily from the flagship bakery in Millburn. The store carries a wide selection of product including their well-loved chocolate-graham babka, rugelach, and challah. Liv Breads also offers a selection of gluten-free, dairyfree, and vegan items.

This December: Sufganiyot, or

donuts, are a Hanukkah treat, traditionally fried and filled with jam.

Liv Breads bakes up their own version, by filling baked brioche buns with strawberry jam, dulce de leche, or nutella. Keep the fried food to latkes! Once youʼve tried this light and fluffy version you might never go back to fried donuts!

Liv Breads is under Conservative supervision.

See for yourself! Liv Breads is at 23 Nathaniel Place, Englewood. On the web: livbreads.com. Email eat@livbreads.com and call (201) 731-3334.

Janet Sharma

FROM PAGE 1

throughout the New Jersey and New York area.

The Dangelicos told Northern Valley Press, “The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already

dire homeless crisis in the Northern New Jersey and Manhattan area that many city officials were trying to combat. As the pandemic increased the importance of maintaining hygiene, the homeless were left to fend for themselves as

resources such as shelters and public restrooms shut down.”

Lee said, “After two years of remote learning and social distancing, we wanted to bond to help those less fortunate.”

When Cresskill middle/high

school students were about to return to in-person learning in September 2022, Hurricane Ida flooded the high school and destroyed the building, leaving them without a place to attend class.

mission and soliciting interest for donations, which are used to fund the materials in the backpacks.

B.A.G. says on its gofundme page that itʼs raised more than $5,000 and distributed some 250 bags.

Residents voted to increase taxes to pay for the restoration, while local churches and community centers offered their premises until the refurbishment was completed.

Paying it forward became even more critical to the B.A.G. team. This year, its leadership positions have been passed to sen iors Jihwan Choi and Amber Dangelico, and active membership has risen to 39.

B.A.G. organizes local fundraisers in the Cresskill and Dumont areas. Members go door to door, explaining the groupʼs

Most recently, B.A.G. visit ed the Hoboken Homeless Shelter, which helps approximately 1,000 women, men, and children on the streets of their city. The group has donated 100 bags to the shelter and planned to return in November to distribute more.

According to Amber Dangelico, B.A.G.ʼs vice president and social media manager, members look forward to “creating a more personal relationship with the homeless.”

For more information visit beyondagoal.com and @bag_ny on Instagram.

Cresskill teens inspired to create an organization that would give back to the community.

B.A.G.says it aims to “create a more personal relationship with the homeless.”

HOLIDAYDINING

TIGERS, ALUMNI ROAR TO WIN IN ANNUAL BENEFIT

Tenafly Tiger alumni took to the field on Wednesday, Nov. 23 in what has become a much-anticipated annual tradition – the alumni football game.

The tradition was started in 2015 by alumni John Sobo and

John Quinn to connect alumni to current players. Tiger alumni of any age pay a nominal fee to participate in a flag football game, raising money that goes to a scholarship for a current student football scholar.

“Each year, we get 25 to 45 alumni to participate,” THS principal Jim Morrison told Northern Valley Press. “The game raises about $500 annually, which is awarded to a current senior football player.”

After the game, many of the Tiger football players, along with additional Tiger alumni, attend the annual Turkey Bowl to support current players. This year, nearly 40 alumni took to the field and more than 40 attended the annual Thanks-

giving Day game. Both days, alumni could be seen donning Tiger gear and ear-to-ear smiles. The Tigers took the Turkey Bowl, 17–0.

For more information on Tenafly Public Schools, visit tenaflyschools.org

PBA 34th Annual Toy Drive

The Cresskill NJ Policemen's Benevolent Association is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children for the holidays. The toys will be distributed at Tomorrowʼs Children Hospital, Sanzari Childrenʼs Hospital, Valley Hospital Pediatric Center, the 508th Mili tary Police, U.S. military families, and many others.

Drop off boxes are located at the Cresskill Police Department, the American Legion Post 21, Cresskill, as well as participating businesses.

The deadline for donating is Dec. 15. “Please help make some childʼs holidays brighter.”

G Geet t t h he e R Reessuul l t s

Get the results you’re looking for in the Service Directory in Northern Valley Press. To place your service ad, please call 201.358.9500.

Pictured at top left: Tigers pay to play in annual flag football game to benefit a local student athlete

Top right: Tenafly High School alumni take to the field and the stands for school scholarship and spirit at the Thanksgiving Day game.

CRESSKILL

Putting the fun in fundraising

BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

On November 3, The Bergen Family Center (BFC) w elcomed 300 guests for an evening of fun and fundraising at the Montammy Golf Club in Alpine.

The festivities included a wine pull, a silent auction, and a live auction with a paddle raise to support BFC's areas of greatest need.

The silent auction had an array of valuable prizes includi ng signed and framed sports posters, vacations, weekend geta-ways, restaurant experiences, handbags and jewelry and theater tickets.

The live auction, hosted by Ryan Cohen, was a huge hit, with people raising their paddles

ued by asking people in the audience to raise their paddles to make donations from $10,00 to $100, and the room was abuzz with action.

The Emcees for the evening were award winning television journalists Harry Martin and Sarah Wallace.

The gala honorees were Ina Miller-Silverstein, Ivan Arguello, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, and Kai Alston - all of whom have given greatly to BFC before, during and after the pandemic and Tropical Storm Ida.

Ina Miller-Silverstein is a BFC Board Member and CoPresident of National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section.

Ivan Arguello supported BFC relief efforts throughout the Pandemic and in the aftermath of

Legislative District 37, New Jersey. She has been a longtime supporter of BFC. She has sponsored legislation for racial and gender injustice and has led legislative efforts that address bullying, LGBTQIA, sexual violence, domestic violence and senior services.

for courtside seats at a Knickʼs game, premier seats at a Billy Joel concert, dinner for 12 at home with the Chef from famed Raoʼs restaurant, a trip to a luxury resort in Mexico and a Napa wine tasting experience.

After the silent auction prizes were swooped up, Ryan contin-

Tropical Storm Ida. He and his family donated more than 3000 bags of essential items for BFC families. In addition to helping BFC, Ivan has raised multiple dogs for the Canine Companion for Independence Charity.

Valerie Vainieri Huttle is a Former Assemblywoman from

Kai Alston is the Director of Christian Education & Family Ministries at St Paul's Church and recently joined Eva's Village as Director of Special Projects. She led BFCʼs weekly food dis tribution at Armory Street throughout the P andemic and coordinated the meal preparation and weekly distribution, feeding thousands of hardworking fami lies. She is a member of the NAACP – Bergen County Branch and was appointed to the Bergen County African American Advisory Board this year.

THE BERGEN FAMILY CENTER HAS AN INSPIRING STORY

Founded in 1898, the Bergen Family Center is one of the oldest not-for-profit agencies in the state of New Jersey. BFC strengthens communities by providing services to individuals, families and children that enhance their ability to function independently, manage chal lenges and improve the quality of their lives. As such, it pro vides services for thousands of toddlers, young children, teens and older adults every year

Central to their organization al values, BFC promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and engage ment in their workplace and in the community.

While state and federal sup port, along with client fees, helps with funding for BFC, a critical portion of the budget comes from private donations and fundraisers such as this gala.

With their funding, BFC provides a lifeline to thousands of people. Mitch Schonfeld, CEO and President of the BFC, said, “For about 18 months, beginning in April of 2020 and through the spring of 2021 when many of our services were remote, BFC raised over $350K for relief to families. We distributed hygiene and cleaning supplies, grocery store gift cards, diapers and

show, saw it and approached us to be vetted to be a guest on the “Rachel Ray” show. We succeeded, and were broadcast in Nov. 2020.

Last year, Hurricane IDA struck on September 1, and families were made homeless, lost their possessions and were without food and essential items. The entire senior citizen building at 111 West Street had

adult briefs and winter clothing. We partnered with many organizations to distribute food. Our in-person cooking class for teens had to move online and became known as QuaranTEEN Kitchen.

Our Chef Aaron Morrisey, a culi nary faculty member at Bergen Community College, had two classes per week remotely pro viding cooking instruction to 100 teens and their family members. The ingredients were picked up twice per week at Armory St. Both NBC TV and one of the local papers did a story on QuaranTEEN Kitchen and a producer at Rachel Ray's

to be evacuated. BFC raised $275K for the effort to provide families with the same type of items we distributed during the worst times of the pandemic, and to relocate the older adults.”

BFC continues to give out 1,500 meals weekly through a partnership with Bergen Coun ty and Feed The Frontlines. Restaurants prepare these meals, and they are given out to local people on Wednesdays at 5PM at our SESCIL location on Grand Avenue in Englewood.

Photos by Hillary Viders

Former Englewood Mayor Frank Huttle and Former Asemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle with their daughter Alexandra.

Honorees Ivan Arguello, Kai Alston, Ina Miller-Silverstein, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, with award winning TV journalists Sarah Wallace and Harry Martin.

Award wining Broadway producer Wendy Federman- seated in floral jacket - and her friends had a wondeful time at the Gala.

Arianne Schreer - on left- with a group of her friends enjoyed the Gala.

Elisabeth Morrow School glows with ‘Apple Distinguished’ status

The Elisabeth Morrow School celebrated its more than 90-year history of innovation and educational excellence during an event with remarks from Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, President of the Board of Trustees Elizabeth Gabbay, Apple Distinguished Educator and Head of School Marek Beck, Ph.D., and Apple Learning Coach and Technology Integrator Samantha Morra. Alumni and other community members joined faculty, staff, and students for the occasion.

This fall, The Elisabeth Morrow School was named an Apple Distinguished School for 2022–2025 and proudly displayed the plaque awarded by Apple next to the speakersʼpodium throughout the celebration.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. With this honor, The Elisabeth Morrow School joins a worldwide leadership network of 727 fellow Apple Distinguished Schools across 36 countries. These likeminded peers investigate and support the integration of new education products, curricula, and services and inspire others by showcasing their schoolʼs ongoing successes.

“The Elisabeth Morrow School is a very special place, deeply rooted in academic excellence, core values, and traditions.

It is an honor to be recognized as

an Apple Distinguished School. Thank you, Dr. Beck, to you and your team, for keeping us ahead of the curve in technology and innovation. The students will benefit tremendously from the doors that you have opened,” says President of the Board of Trustees Elizabeth Gabbay.

“Extraordinary words, such as sustainability, come alive when I visit this campus. Where I see this storied school of 92 years now joining the ranks of 36 nations through a program called Apple Distinguished Schools,” says Wildes.

“We continue to take giant steps forward in the innovation and design space. Being an Apple Distinguished School is just the beginning of that journey. Focusing on having a completely revamped and enhanced technology program that is now a computer science curriculum starting with Kindergarten and going all the way up through eighth grade, and partnering with NuVu, born out of

MIT, to really work on humancentered design thinking, allows us to make sure our students have all the skills they need,” says Head of School Marek Beck, Ph.D.

This schoolʼs spirit of innovation has been present since its launch in 1930. In their quest to start a school for young children, founders Elisabeth Morrow and her Smith College classmate Con stance ("Connie") Chilton traveled the world, studying with pioneers such as Maria Montessori and John Dewey and adopting the best of the ideas they encountered.

Today, students at The Elisabeth Morrow School are immersed in a curriculum that integrates new technologies. They create silhouettes, an 18th-century art form, with 21st-century tech nology tools, including iPads and MacBooks. Diving deeply into their Greek studies from English and history classes, students create projects involving Greek myths using Appleʼs iMovie and GarageBand. They conceptualize

audio and visual elements connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that they place and code in a virtual environment using MacBooks.

The Elisabeth Morrow School strives to inspire graduates who are ready to lead the way with innovative thinking in a rapidly changing world, becoming the next generation of curious scholars, ethical leaders, and global citizens.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to inspire creativity, col laboration, and critical thinking in learning, teaching, and the school environment and have documented results of academic accomplishment.

There are 728 Apple Distinguished Schools located across 36 countries.

Forum Dec. 7 on Cavos/Cresskill football

The Emerson Public School District is in talks with the Cresskill Public School District to explore partnering on a cooperative football program.

Thatʼs according to Emerson superintendent of schools Brian P. Gatens, writing the community on Nov. 29.

As part of this exploration, Gatens says, interested commu nity members are invited to attend a community forum on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. in

the Emerson Junior-Senior High School cafeteria.

He says, “This will provide an opportunity for school community members to share their thoughts, ask questions, and offer input. No decision will be made that evening regarding the future of the football program. Instead, the input from that evening will inform our ongoing discussions with Cresskill.”

Gatens says “Both districts are focused on their respective

football programs. While cheerleading and marching band will be discussed with Cresskill, both programs are viable and a cooperative agreement is not needed for future solvency.”

The Emerson Public School District is charging toward the 2023–2024 football season in need of a new cooperative sports program. With only 10 Cavaliers confirmed for next season, Emerson finds it canʼt field a team at any level.

Gatens previously said athletic director Gus Paleoudis has reached out to North Jersey Interscholastic Conference member districts “to see who may be interested in working with Emerson for football, marching band, and cheerleading. We will continue to update the school commu nity along the way.”

Gatens said, “For the past several years, Emerson has struggled with declining football par ticipation numbers and last school year explored the possibil-

ity of expanding our cooperative sports agreement with Park Ridge to include football, marching band, and cheerleading. When the proposal was presented to the member districts of the NJIC, it did not receive the neces sary endorsement and was defeated by a vote of 19 to 13 with one abstention.”

For more, see “Cavos foot ball seeks ʼ23-ʼ24 co-op,” Pascack Press, Nov. 21, 2022.

— John Snyder

Photographs courtesy of The Elisabeth Morrow School

Head of School Marek Beck, Ph.D., welcomes The Elisabeth Morrow School community and shares the news that the school has been named an Apple Distinguished School for 2022–2025.

The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood celebrates the honor of being named an Apple Distinguished School with Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes (center).

Historic: bergenPac taps Huttle as its first woman chair

FROM PAGE 1

appointed to the board of trustees, has provided vision and leadership for bergenPACʼs current and future operations, including its ongoing capital campaign.

(See also “bergenPAC adds four powerhouses to its board,” Northern Valley Press, August 2022; and “Curtain never went down: bergenPACʼs school sailing on as a model,” Northern Valley Press, September 2022.)

Meanwhile, bergenPAC has welcomed thousands of patrons back to its newly renovated theater after reopening last month. Construction on the historic facility began in March, and the new season kicked off on Oct. 12 with a packed auditorium for “The Price is Right Live!” tour.

November featured a string of sold-out shows when legendary crooners Johnny Mathis and Paul Anka returned to enchant patrons, followed by salsa icon Victor Manuelle, and rockers Air Supply and YES.

“We couldnʼt wait to welcome our community back to their home for the best live entertainment, so the response so far has been truly gratifying,” Alexander Diaz, bergenPACʼs new executive director, said. “The theater restorations came out beautifully, and now weʼre focusing on adding so many great headliners to our lineup.”

The new season has also included opportunities for current and former Performing Arts School at bergenPAC students to shine. The

Show Choir added a special energy when it joined Mania: The Abba Tribute show for a few numbers on Oct. 28.

Then on Nov. 6, Gianna Grosso, an alumna of the schoolʼs summer musicals, sang a duet with Broadway star Linda Eder and performed a solo. The Show Choir also opened the show.

The Show Choir is part of the Performing Art Schoolʼs Young Professionals Vocal Academy. Grosso returned to the Taub Stage at bergenPAC after starring as Belle in 2018ʼs “Disneyʼs Beauty and the Beast,” and as Anita alongside

movie star Rachel Zegler in 2017ʼs “West Side Story.” She was recently cast for a lead role in a Norwegian Cruise Line production of “Six the Musical.”

“Performing with Linda Eder was magical. I will hold that day in my heart forever,” Grosso said. “I am beyond grateful to Linda for all that she is and for how special she made it for me and am thrilled to have performed on the bergenPAC stage in the beautiful, newly renovated theater ”

The Park Ridge native received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University and

St. Andrew’s food drive a home run

teaches at the Performing Arts School at bergenPAC, in addition to performing professionally.

Founded in 2003, the 1,367seat Bergen Performing Arts Center is the areaʼs cultural mecca. The theaterʼs legacy started in 1926 when it opened as the Englewood Plaza movie theater. United Artists purchased the building in 1967 and kept the doors open until 1973. Through the efforts of a group of local citizens under the leadership of John Harms, the John Harms Center came to life in 1976.

In 2003, a small group of dedi cated individuals led by Frank Huttle III helped preserve this special theater and rechristened it the Bergen Performing Arts Center. The historic Art Deco-style theater boasts one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, attracting a stellar roster of world-class entertainment.

The jewel in its crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC – the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that, through programs, classes, outreach, school shows, and main theater presented shows, reaches more than 30,000 students and community youth annually.

provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, “hands-on” training in music, dance, and theater by industry profession als.

bergenPAC has huge confidence in Huttle

In 2003, Huttle assisted in establishing bergenPAC after the John Harms Theater closed its doors.

An unyielding supporter of the arts, cultural diversity, and awareness, Huttle served as an ex-officio member of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts since 2005 and a member of the New Jersey Assembly Gaming, Tourism, and Arts Committee since 2009.

A lifelong public servant, Huttle has an impeccable reputation for knowing how to bring people together for change, bergenPAC says in its statement on the change. “Sheʼs known for working with community leaders and politicians from both sides of the aisle to enrich New Jersey residentsʼquality of life.”

According to executive director Diaz, “We welcome Valerie as chair of our board. She is a steadfast advocate of the arts and arts education. She has been at the forefront of many major changes, has been an integral community member, and will lead our board with pride, progress, and forward-thinking.”

Huttle served eight terms as a member of the New Jersey State Assembly representing Legislative District 37 and served on the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, now known as the Board of County Commissioners, from 2001 to 2006, including a period as board chair

Huttle attended Rider University and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.A. in English. Since 1981, she has served as president and director of Vainieri Funeral Home, a family-owned business in North Bergen.

She resides in Englewood with her husband, former mayor Frank Huttle III, and has two daughters, Alexandra and Francesca, and two grandchildren.

Through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors, members, and patrons, the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School can thrive and enrich the community. ollow bergenPAC on Facebook (bergenpacfan) and @bergenPAC on Instagram and Twitter

Tickets for upcoming shows are available at ticketmaster.com or box office (201) 227-1030.

donations

The

St. Andrewʼs Episcopal Church in Harrington Park has just completed its 30th Annual Food Drive, saying “It has been a tradition every September, and we have collected thousands of canned goods and non perishable

over the years.”

food is distributed to local food pantries, which hand out food to those in need due to unemployment, inflationary costs, and families working to provide for their children.

Members said, “Thank you Harrington Park for your generosity. We collected 125 bags/boxes this year. The majority of food went to the Food Pantry at Church of the Holy Communion in Norwood.”

HARRINGTON PARK

bergenPAC relies on volunteers to help support the center’s staff.Volunteers serve as ushers,educational docents, clerical and administrative aides who answer phones,perform data entry,stuff envelopes and perform other important tasks.If you are interested in volunteering,call the director of volunteers at (201) 816-8160 ext.1023. Photo by Jeremy Lebled.

TENAFLY

Rev. Ritchie, from Scotland, installed as PCAT’s pastor

A joyous Sunday, Sept. 18 saw the congregation of the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly gather with ministers and elders from the Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey to install their new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Martin Ritchie.

It had been a four-year quest to install a successor to Dr. Eileen Lindner, who retired in 2018. The Clerk of Session, Mary Jane Eimer, welcomed interfaith and ecumenical guests, and told the story of how Covid-19 and immigration challenges had complicated their call to a Scottish minister who the congregation first met in 2014 when he led a summer Festival of Faith and the Arts.

Eimer presented certificates of appreciation to longstanding Tenafly resident, Remberto Perez, whose assistance had secured the advice and help of Sen. Robert Menendez and his staff, allowing Pastor Ritchie to begin his ministry with the congregation.

The service, in its readings, prayers, music and sermon, reflected the themes of working together within the congregation and with the local community, crossing political, religious, and cultural divides.

Prominent in the service was input from local rabbi Jordan Millstein, who gave a welcome to Ritchie on behalf of the Tenafly Interfaith Association, and episcopal priest, Lynne Weber.

Other guests included visit ing elders and ministers from the region, Mayor Mark Zinna and former mayor Peter Rustin.

The sermon was preached by the Rev. Jack Lohr, who had been presbytery liaison to the congregation throughout the vacancy.

Reflecting on the Bible passages chosen by Ritchie for the occasion, Lohr spoke of the importance of inclusion in the vision of the church, encouraging the congregation and new pastor to continue to pursue its vision of unconditional welcome across boundaries, creating “a home for every heart.”

Church elder Jim Crook told Northern Valley Press, “As the congregation enters a new chapter post-pandemic, and with a new pastor to lead the congregation alongside the Session, we strive to make our church a place of open doors that welcomes people no matter what has happened in their lives.”

Crook said, “Our vision is for a church to be an intergenerational community which is ʻfor every heart a home.ʼAs part of that vision, we feel that our con-

gregation has a vocation to build on our interest in the arts to reach out to the community through events, performances and pro grams which will bring people together to enjoy the beauty of music, visual art, and literature.”

Crook said, “We see the arts as part of Godʼs creation, bringing us together around the best that human creativity has to offer. We feel called to look outwards in mission and to play our part as people of faith in caring for those on the margins of society, partnering with others to imagine how our world can be cherished, the good things sustained and the difficult and painful things made better.”

He said members “aim to be involved in practical caring projects, to help financially where we can, and to contribute to the community ”

Ritchie comes to Tenafly having been pastor for Greenbank P arish Church in Edinburgh, which is one of the largest congregations of the Church of Scot land.

The Tenafly congregation reached out to him and asked if he would consider applying for the vacant post of pastor.

With an American wife, a

child of dual citizenship, and the emphasis on ministry through the arts, the call seemed strong.

Ritchie applied and was selected from an application ros

OLD TAPPAN

ter of more than 50 candidates.

Crook said “The match between his interests, skills and experience, and the character of the congregation proving to be a

Clockwise from left: the Rev.Dr.Martin Ritchie at his installation,on Chancel Step, as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly;view of the installation from the balcony;and a joyous congregation.Credit: Lee Smarthers Photography LLC.

perfect fit.”

Ritchie preached for the congregation via Zoom in Jan uary 2021 and was unanimously elected by it the same day.

Student standouts from NVOT

N NOORRTTHHEERRN N V VAALLLLEEY

Y

P PRREESSS S

welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Northern Valley.

Send all news to northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net

Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan congratulates National Merit Semifinalists Christie Kim, Seho Lee,

Jaejin Pak and their families.

Left to right: Mr.Matthew SpatzDirector of Guidance,Ms.Sung Kim,

Christie Kim, Ms Irene Kim, Mr.Hank Kim,Seho Lee,Mr.Jaedoo Lee,Dr. Bruce Sabatini, principal.

Saved: EHS cheers teamwork on Englewood House

FROM PAGE 12

C ommunity Synagogue of Tenafly and Englewood — also known as Kehilat Kesher — in 2003. After the congregation outgrew it, it built a larger building behind the Bliss house in 2016.

NORTHERN VALLEY

The Englewood Planning Board approved a plan to demolish the Taylor Bliss House, and relief efforts went into overdrive.

In 2019, the EHS estimated that restoring the home could cost more than $1 million. That figure didnʼt include moving it.

EHS says “The move will be a unique adventure. The house will be dismantled into several parts and moved on a flatbed truck to the site, where it will be reassembled on top of a prefab ground floor.”

The society says the work to

Hillary Viders selected for Who’s Who in America

Hillary Viders, a features writer and photojournalist for the Northern Valley Press, has been selected to be included in the pres tigious “Whoʼs Who in America.”

Hillary is an internationally acclaimed speaker, educator and author, with a broad range of interests and expertise. She has written over 5,000 articles in 40 magazines and journals, academic papers, books and training materi als.

Hillary has published over 800 hundred articles for the Northern Valley Press, including 460 Page One feature stories that showcase myriad events, public service groups, schools, houses of worship, community centers and nonprofit organizations in Bergen County, New Jersey. Hard news issues Hillary has addressed in her writing include gun violence, the opioid epidemic, racial discrimina-

NORTHERN VALLEY

tion, sex trafficking, domestic violence, struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community, the stigma of mental health, global warming, the FBIʼs

response to cybercrimes and other breaking news topics.

In addition to her many accomplishments in photo-journalism, Hillary has had a remarkable career in scuba diving and undersea exploration. She is a Founder of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, a Fellow of the Explorer's Club, a Past President of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AUAS), a Fellow of the American Society of Oceanographers, and an SSI Platinum Pro Diver (having made over 1,000 plus dives) exploring and photographing coral reefs, sharks and historic shipwrecks around the world for over 40 years.

Hillaryʼs complete bio can be found on auas-nogi.org/ all NOGI Recipients/ Viders, Hillary

bring this Englewood treasure to its new, modern future as a place f or public gatherings is just beginning.

EHS co-president Jane Kendall told Northern Valley Press “Funding is still needed to weatherproof the building, make i t handicapped accessible (including an elevator), and prepare the interior for its new use as a public-centered building.”

The society said Englewood House “will become a learning center, a place where the environment and history meet.”

E HS co-president Irmari Nacht told Northern Valley Press “It will be used as a venue for all o f Englewood and will host exhibits, meetings, performances, lectures, and other events. It will contain archives that celebrate the diverse cultural history of the city, showcase hometown heroes, and enable future generations to draw inspiration from the richness of the past.”

The EHS board thanked “all of the many people who donated to the fund for moving the Taylor Bliss House. You made it happen and we are all appreciative!”

Special thanks went out to “our Angel Challenge Donor, Norman Davis, without whom we would not have reached our required goal to stop demolition so quickly. He stepped in, with a matching grant of $100,000, and started the ball rolling for other

preservationists to follow.”

The board honored Norman and Ann at a small party at t heir assisted living facility. The Englewood City Council passed a resolution in appreciation of Davisʼs active public life of leadership.

To all supporters, the board said, “Weʼre glad that you cared enough to save an irreplaceable part of Englewoodʼs past so that it could become a place for the future as Englewood House

Meanwhile, EHS is looking for additional people “who care about Englewoodʼs past and future and want to be a part of an exciting new venture. You can help with your time and ideas, as well as with your dollars.”

T he board gave several ways to donate:

•By check: PO Box 8136, Englewood, NJ 07631;

• By PayPal: paypal.me/englewoodhs;

•Through crowd-funding at tinyurl.com/englewoodhouse;

•By Zelle: info@englewoodhouse.org; and

•With stocks: write jane.e.kendall@icloud.com for details.

For more information, write irmarinac@yahoo.com — Staff report

New Jersey Choral Society goes caroling

The New Jersey Choral Societyʼs festive holiday concert “Caroling, Caroling Around the World” will take you on an uplifting international musical journey. You will be transported to Germany, Norway, France, Ireland, the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, Great Britain and Spain where you will hear stirring and traditional ethnic carols such as I Saw Three Ships, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, Sussex Carol, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Good King Wenceslas, and Wexford Carol

The performances are Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne. A third performance is set for Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St., Ridgewood.

Several chorus members live in Washington Township, Westwood, and Hillsdale.

Under the direction of artistic director and conductor Dr. Lauren Fowler-Calisto, NJCS also will perform Betelehemu, a Nigerian Christmas song; Skating, a traditional Estonian song, The Huron Song, written by a French missionary for the Huron

rus members will be featured soloists. A popular audience singalong will also be included in the

program

Come one-hour prior to concert time for “The Inside Line,” an informative and intimate discussion about the music, complimentary for all ticket holders.

“The Inside Line will be signlanguage-interpreted at the Tuesday, Dec. 13 performance only.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors and students. Patrons with disabilities and up to three companions are eligible for ticket price discount of $5 off. Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more. For details call NJCS at (201) 2739027. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit njcs.org

In order to ensure the safety of our singers, artistic staff, volunteers, and audience, NJCS will follow the recommendation(s) of the CDC with regard to wearing masks during our performances. For policies on this issue, see njcs.org

Funding for this NJCS pro gram is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Native Americans in Canada, and the rousing Gospel spiritual Go Where I Send Thee

Linda Sweetman-Waters will accompany the chorus on the piano and organ and several cho-

Hillary Viders

High-achieving sophomores to youth leadership seminar

A select group of Holy Angels sophomores will represent the Academy at the 2023 Hugh OʼBrian Youth Leadership Seminar.

AHAʼs delegates are Cara Boyce of Old Tappan; Margaret “Molly” Doherty of New City, New York; Isabella Kim of Cresskill; Xenaya Medina of Clifton; and Gina Certo of Wyckoff (alternate).

“Thank you to all of the sophomores who applied for the Hugh OʼBrian Youth Leadership Seminar,” AHA College Counselor Jennifer Trubac wrote in her announcement. “This year we received many applications and the selection process was extremely competitive.”

From the Northern Valley Boyce is a Girl Scout Gold Award candidate. Her service project involves teaching American Sign Language classes, and sharing recorded lessons with her community. Before her sopho more year, Boyce participated in the Columbia Summer Immer-

sion Course. She discussed psychological theories and studies, and researched and presented on topics such as prejudice, conformity, empathy, and the development of personality.

Boyce has been interested in gymnastics since the age of 4 She

school students about the need for girls to pursue dreams.

Boyce is involved with American Sign Language Club, Logic Club, stage crew, AHA Voice (newspaper), Model United Nations, Fiesta4Hope, and Red Cross Club. She creates birthday

and holiday cards for kids in foster care, and sings for Joining Young and Old, a group that performs at senior residences.

This Angel is a Mother Caroline Scholarship recipient and an Angel Ambassador. She is a member of the Junior National Honor Society, and has earned the Volunteer Award, Science Award, and Student Involvement Award.

Kim recently worked with a mentor from Harvard. She conducted research into the origins and evolution of cognitive dissonance, and explored approaches for further studies in this area. Her research paper, “The Evolution of Cognitive Dissonance,” was published in the Sixth International Conference on Modern Research in Social Studies.

Her poetry, short stories, and

creative essays have appeared in numerous publications, includi ng Teenink, a national online magazine.

She is involved with Crochet Club, American Sign Language Club, and Girls Who C ode. Kim speaks English, Korean, and French, and is a member of the French Honor Society. She is also a flutist.

Kim is active with the Red Cross Club, and recently organized and distributed resources for those affected by Hurricane Ian. She also spearheaded a Dress Down Day fundraiser to benefit Operation Smile surgeries.

When COVID-19 hit the Tri-State Area, Kim organized her friends to make masks for senior citizens at a local church.

Kim is a varsity volleyball player and Do It Garden State Volleyball Team member. She is a teacherʼs assistant and coach at Little Spikes, a DIGS program in which children learn volleyball fundamentals.

is a member of the AHA Varsity Gymnastics Team and studies at USA Gymnastics, Paragon School of Artistic Gymnastics, where she is team captain (Level 7). At USAG Level 6, she finished second in the state for bars, fourth in the state for vault, and finished fifth all-around. She earned two varsity letters, Second Team All-County Bars, and AllLeague Honorable Mention.

This Angelʼs volunteer work included growing vegetables and using them to cook meals for local families. She is also a dedicated Meals on Wheels chef and delivery person. Boyce is a member of her church youth group, and advocates for underprivileged children.

She has addressed elementary

Ellen LaFurn holiday concert Dec. 11

Songstress Ellen LaFurn and her trio will perform holiday music on the Libraryʼs main level on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. The concert will be a jazzy holi day show with swinging music from the 1930s, ʼ40s and ʼ50s.

The show includes fun stories about popular holiday songs and top 10 hits of the era. A fun look back, this concert is free and open to the public.

LaFurnʼs quartet includes Vic Cenicola, one of the top jazz gui tarists on the East Coast, with Ron Nesbo on the bass and Patrick Cuttitta on drums.

Englewood Public Library is at 31 Engle St. For more informa-

O’BRIAN

Holy Angels sophomores Isabella Kim,Gina Certo,Margaret Doherty,Cara Boyce,and Xenaya Medina will represent the Academy of Holy Angels at the 2023 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. AHAphoto

tion write programming@engle wood.bccls.org or visit englewoodli brary.org

With the release of this vibrant new stamp, the U.S. Postal Service continues its tradition of issuing stamps for the Hanukkah celebrations.

This joyous Jewish holiday commemorates the liberation and reconsecration of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a time for family and friends to come together to rejoice.

A dedication ceremony for the stamp was held Oct. 20 at Temple Emanu El.

“I remember looking forward

to Hanukkah as a child, especially the traditional foods, gifts, and games,” said Lori Dym, U.S. Postal Service managing counsel for procurement and property law, who served as the dedicating official.

“And now, on behalf of the 655,000 men and women of the United States Postal Service, I am honored to participate in the unveiling of our new stamp celebrating this joyous Jewish holiday.”

Dym was joined by Susan Krantz, president of Temple Emanu El; Rabbi Matt Cohen; Jeanette Kuvin Oren, the stampʼs designer and artist; Kathy Mulcahy, mayor of

Orange Village, Ohio; and Darcy Hershey, congregant and administrative assistant at Temple Emanu El.

“Temple Emanu El is honored that the United States Postal Service approached our congregation to host the firstday-of-issue ceremony for the launch of the 2022 Chanukah Stamp,” said Krantz. “We are proud that in selecting Temple Emanu El, the USPS recognized our long-standing passion for social justice which is deeply embedded in our traditions. Our congregants care about the world around us and engage in the ongoing work of helping to improve the world in which we live. Our temple is a Jewish institution of connection, gathering, learning and practicing spiritual life. Working together we bring meaning to our lives and to the lives of others.”

“The miracle of Hanukkah came early this year (kind of)!” said Cohen. “While our Hanukkah menorahs are not yet kindled, this communal celebration reminds us that despite all odds, throughout time and history, the lights of the Jewish people have miraculously continued to grow brightly and illu-

minate the world with wholeness, blessing, and peace. Our Temple Emanu El family is honored to host this event and to welcome our

desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by building an altar to the Greek god Zeus.

After reclaiming the Temple and preparing to rededicate the holy space, the worshippers discovered that only one small jar of consecrated oil remained — enough to last one day. Rather than wait for more oil to arrive, they lit the Temple menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days.

friends from the Greater Cleveland Community into our sacred home.” News of the stamps is being shared on social media using the hashtag #HanukkahStamp. Followers of the Postal Serviceʼs Facebook page can view the stamp story at facebook.com/usps.

ʻDedication…ʼ Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew. The story of Hanukkah begins with the victory of the Maccabees, an army of Jewish fighters, over the forces of Hellenic emperor Antiochus IV, whose supporters had

The miracle of the oil is celebrated with the ceremonial lighting of the hanukkiah, the nine-branch candelabra used only at Hanukkah. The hanukkiah, also called menorah, holds eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, plus one known as the “shamash,” which means the servant or helper candle used to light the others.

The candle for the first night is put on the far-right side of the menorah. On each subsequent night, an additional candle is placed to the immediate left of the previous nightʼs candle. The candles are lit from left to right, so that the lighting begins with the newest candle.

A family-centered holiday, Hanukkah celebrations usually take place in peopleʼs homes, with games, songs, gifts and feasting. Traditional fried foods include latkes — potato pancakes — and doughnuts called sufganiyot.

Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, a date that falls in late November or December. In 2022, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Dec. 18.

Stamp Artwork

The stamp art features the design from an original wallhanging. The fiber art was handdyed, appliquОd and quilted to form an abstract image of a hanukkiah.

The blue and purple colors are used to represent the sky, the greens and browns represent the earth. The bright yellows and oranges represent the Festival of Lights, as Hanukkah is also known. Along the bottom of the stamp, the words Hanukkah, Forever and USA appear in white capital letters.

Jeanette Kuvin Oren was the stamp designer and artist. Ethel Kessler was the art director.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling (844) 737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Hanukkah Forever stamp is sold in panes of 20. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operat ing expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

This year, Ballet Artsʼannual performance of “The Nutcracker” comes with an early holiday gift – live orchestral music. Ballet Arts, a premiere dance school serving the New York and New Jersey area, is partnering with Adelphi Orchestra for its first-ever ballet with concert musicians.

The ballet will be held at River Dell Senior High School on Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11.

Jane Silane and Marilyn Westlake-Nichols, directors of Ballet Arts, told Pascack Press, “A live orchestra is a wonderful learning experience for the dancers and a real pleasure for the audience. When you hear Tchaikovskyʼs music, you can see and feel what is happening and a live orchestra takes the experience to a whole new level.”

Adelphi Orchestra is a profession-

al, non-profit orchestra performing symphonic, chamber, operatic, and dance concerts. It is northern New Jerseyʼs longest continuously performing group.

Sylvia Rubin, president of Adelphi Orchestra, said “We are thrilled to be partnering with Ballet Arts and River Dell High School. Dancing to live music, rather than a recording, is an educational experience for everyone, not just the dancers, but also the student musicians who will be playing.”

Scott Jackson Wiley, who has nearly 30 years of experience, will be conducting the 38 musicians in the ensemble. River Dell High School students trained in the areas of lights, sound, and crew will help stage the production.

A beloved holiday ballet, “The

Nutcracker” tells the magical tale of a young girl named Clara whose nutcracker doll turns into a prince on Christmas Eve to battle against a fierce Mouse Queen. As a reward for their bravery, the prince invites Clara and her

brother Franz to the Kingdom of Sweets where they are treated to dancing delights.

Elijah Geolina will play the role of the Prince. Geolina is training at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in the pre-professional program under the direction of acting artistic director Stella Abrera. Geolina has been dancing since he was 8 and has been on television shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Little Big Shots.”

Anna Sears, a River Dell High School senior, will be dancing the role of Snow Queen and Coffee, while Naomi Roth, also of River Dell High School, will be dancing as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Saturday eveningʼs performance will premiere Trixie Iurato of New City, N.Y. as Clara, and Stella Hwang of Oradell as Franz. Margaret Hahn and Sabrina Klein, both of Oradell, will be playing Clara and Franz, respectively, at the Sunday performance.

Amy Brandt, a faculty member

at Ballet Arts who danced professionally with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet and is editor in chief of Pointe magazine, will be among the many adults dancing in the party scene.

All performers wear beautiful handmade costumes, sewn, maintained, and altered by Gisele FerrariWong of Westwood, Lynn Mitchell of Ridgefield Park, and dedicated parent volunteers and adult students.

Donʼt miss this opportunity to join Clara and Franz on their enchanted journey and experience first-hand the innovative partnership between Ballet Arts and Adelphi Orchestra.

“The Nutcracker” runs Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at River Dell High School, 55 Pyle St., Oradell. Tickets may be purchased at BalletArtsNJ.com. For more information call (201) 970-7690.

—Photos: Julia Chang Photography.

St. Nicholas will visit Church of the Atonement, 97 Highwood Ave., Tenafly, Sunday,

CHRISTMAS EVE

Saturday, DEC 24th 4:00pm & 10:00pm Church

CHRISTMAS DAY

Sunday, DEC 25th 9:30am & 11:30am Church

St. Nick and Advent events CHRISTMAS IN TENAFLY

Dec. 11 at 10 a.m., at the beginning of the service. Children are invited to come and hear all about

the “real Santa Claus” and the true meaning of Christmas, and to receive the first gifts of the season.

Nicholas of Myra lived in the 4th century C.E. He was known for his generosity to the poor, and later became a bishop. The tradition of St. Nicholas bringing gifts was first carried to the United States by Dutch immigrants who called him Sinterklass

Also on Dec. 11, at 5:30 p.m., Atonement offers its annual concert and service, “Candlelight and Carols.” The choir and soloists will sing, and the congregation is invited to sing the first carols of Christmas by candle light. A festive reception follows.

On Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m, a concert of quintets for winds and piano — K.452 by W.A. Mozart and Op. 43 by H. von Herzogenberg —are offered. Musicians include Tenafly High Schoolʼs James Millar (on piano) and Tenafly resident Robert LeClair (on oboe), along with Erica Chang (clarinet), Michael Tatoris (bassoon), and Lyn Kirby (horn).

55 Magnolia Ave., Tenafly, NJ • 201-567-0111

Sunday, Dec. 18 • 10:30AM

Vivaldi and more. Reception following.

Christmas Services

Saturday, December 24 5:00 p.m. - Family service 10:00 p.m. - Special music 10:30 p.m. – Festive Choral Eucharist

Sunday, December 25 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Carols

Carmelite Parish 120 Monroe Avenue • Cresskill, NJ 07626 201-567-2528 • www.sttheresecresskill.org Please scan the QR code to register for a Mass. www.tenaflypresby.org

Saturday, Dec. 24

5 p.m. Family Carol Service 9 p.m. Traditional Carol Service With Choral Music Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 • 10:30AM

Readings and music for the new year

A suggested donation of $20 supports relief efforts for Ukrain ian refugees through ERD. A reception follows.

At Atonement, Christmas Eve services will be held on Satur day, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. (Family Service with carols), 10 p.m. (Spe cial music) and 10:30 p.m. (Festive Candle light Service with the Choir and Soloists).

The Christmas Day service with carols will be held on Sunday, Dec. 25 at 10 a.m.

For more information about Atonementʼs worship, arts and music, and educational programs, visit atonement-tenafly.org or call (201) 568-1763.

Legion Post 272 lauds

donors

American Legion Post 272 held its annual donation lunch on Saturday, Nov. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. at the postʼs banquet room, 480 Broadway.

Attendees represented the nonprofit organizations that accepted the postʼs more than $60,000 in combined donations to assist them in accomplishing their mission.

According to Barry Scott, the postʼs communications officer, these are the causes the post supported in 2022:

• Norwood Public School awards

•Nursing scholarships

•Five college scholarships, Northern Valley Regional High School Old Tappan

•Nam Knights MC Scholarship Fund

• Hann Heather Scott Scholarship, Fordhan University

•St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship

•American Legion Jersey Boys State

• Dept. of New Jersey American Legion

•Bergen County American Legion

• NEF Legion Emergency Fund

• New Jerseyʼs Mission of Honor for Cremains of American Veterans

• Adopt a Soldier Platoon

Camp4Heroes

•Operation Encore

•WWII Museum

•United States War Dogs Association

•Toys for Tots

•New Jersey Special Olympics

•St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital

•Local child medical assistance

•Bergen County Historical Society

• Bergen County Motorcycle Division

• Bergen County Pipe & Drum

•Northern Valley PBA •Borough of Norwood

• Norwood Food Pantry

• Norwood Ambulance/EMS

• Norwood Boy Scout Pack 120

•Norwood Cub Scout Troop 120

•Norwood Baseball Association

•Norwood Public Library

•Old Tappan Public Library

•Norwood Parent/Teacher Organization

•Norwood Senior Citizens

•Norwood Fire Department

•Norwoodʼs Finest Police

•Norwood/Northvale Womenʼs Club

Lessons & Carols

St Paul’s Choir School, St Paul’s John Sheridan, Harp Mark Trautman, Conductor Sunday, December 18

Christmas Pageant & Jazz with St Paul’s Choir School and the Mack Brandon Saturday, December 24

Midnight Mass by Candlelight with the Choir and Chamber Saturday, December 24 at

Christmas Day Eucharist Sunday, December 25 at 8

Christmas at StPaul’s

Epiphany Evensong St Paul’s Choir School, Grace, Newark, Trinity, Asbury Park Choristers Sunday, January 8 at

CHRISTMASAT ST. PAUL’S

St Paul’s Church in Englewood in the Episcopal Diocese of

Christmas Eve Saturday, Dec. 24

Family Holy Eucharist 5pm • Festival Holy Eucharist 10:30pm

Christmas Day Sunday, Dec. 25

Contemplative Christmas Day 8am • Solemn Christmas Day 10:30am

New Year’s Day Feast of the Holy Name Sunday, Jan. 1 (bring a toy or gift to be blessed) Contemplative Holy Eucharist 8am • Solemn Holy Eucharist 10:30am

ST PAUL’S CHURCHIN ENGLEWOOD in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark 113 Engle Street • Englewood NJ 07631 201.568.3276 • stpaulsenglewood.org

AHADonates 65 Turkeys to Food Bank

Students and staff from the Academy of the Holy Angels actively respond to the School Sisters of Notre Dame call to serve others.

As Thanksgiving approached, the Academy collaborated to donate dozens of frozen turkeys to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside.

Campus Minister Maryanne Miloscia organizes this annual turkey drive. After all the birds were delivered to CFBNJʼs Keith Owens, she told Northern Valley Press on Nov. 22, “Sixty-five families who are facing food insecurity now have turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner.”

Owens is a familiar visitor to AHA, where he has been picking up turkeys for several years. He recently shared that picking up and delivering the turkeys are two of his favorite responsibilities.

Holy Angels has an ongoing relationship with CFBNJ. Students regularly attend the food bankʼs Teen Hunger Summit and assist CFBNJ with Global Youth Service Day.

Angels also volunteer to educate others about issues relating to

food insecurity and how events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, impact hunger throughout the state.

Holy Angels students also participate in the CFBNJ Teen Leadership Council and the CFBNJ Teen Advisory Committee. The latter is a leadership group for the freshman and sopho-

more classes.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girlsʼschool in Bergen County. Although AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from many cultural and religious backgrounds.

Coming through for those in need: Lucia McClure of Wyckoff,Amaris Hiatt of River Vale,and Anna Daniello of Upper Saddle River brought their turkeys to Keith Owens from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

‘Beethoven in Beijing’ screening, signing

Presbyterian Church at Tenafly hosts a free viewing of the PBS Great Performances documentary “Beethoven in Beijing,” followed by a Q&A with the award winning-filmmaker, journalist, and author Jennifer Lin.

Lin will be signing her new, in-depth companion book by the same name at the event, Jan. 8, 2023 at 4 p.m.

For 31 years, Lin worked at The Philadelphia Inquirer as a reporter, including posts as a foreign correspondent in China, a financial correspondent on Wall Street, and a national correspon dent in Washington, D.C.

“Beethoven in Beijing” starts with a forgotten moment in history, when President Nixon secured an invitation to have his favorite orchestra visit the Peopleʼs Republic of China and help change the world.

The Philadelphia Orchestraʼs 1973 tour was a tentative gesture of cultural diplomacy that resonates yet today, when China produces millions of musicians, erects dozens of new concert halls, and fills chairs in orchestras around the world.

How did this happen? This film shows the awakening in vivid stories from the people who lived it then—like the Chinese musi cians who nervously greeted Maestro Eugene Ormandy—and who live it today, like Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun and renowned pianist Lang Lang, who credit the Philadelphians with inspiring their careers. Philadelphia Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera music director Yannick NОzet-SОguin and more share

their stories of how Beethovenʼs music shaped their careers as Chinaʼs classical music scene boomed.

Archival footage and firstperson recollections from American and Chinese musicians bring to life that 1973 visit, while behind-the-scenes access on current tours captures the dynamism of present-day China, from its sparkling new concert halls to its tens of thousands of young musicians.

sublime symphonic soundtrack, is a compelling look at the transcendent power of music.

The screening of “Beethoven in Beijing” is part of a series of arts, literary and musical h appenings sponsored by the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly.

In September, PCAT hosted Jen Maxfield, an Emmy-award winning reporter and anchor for NBC New York, in conversation with Jon Teall, a congregant and a former TV news reporter who worked in several local markets and CNBC. Teall asked Maxfield about her new book, “More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories.”

Future events include a poetry afe, author talks, concerts and more. These events are developed with the entire community in mind, and all are most welcome.

The Presbyterian Church at Tenafly is at 55 Magnolia Ave.

FROM PAGE 13

includes leaders from 28 state, county and municipal governments, higher education, and non-profit senior service providers. Administration is provided by the Division of Aging Services.

The council is expected to present to the governor a blueprint of policy recommendations for advancing age-friendly practices across the state by August 2023.

Age-Friendly Englewood is a community-wide project working

to ensure that residents of Englewood can age-in-place in their homes and in the community with dignity and independence.

Age-Friendly Englewood seeks to help the community become more livable for people of all ages, with particular attention to the rapidly growing number of older adults. An age-friendly community is one that is a great place to grow up and grow old.

Age-Friendly Englewood is sponsored by Bergen Family Center with funding from The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation.

Angels for Veterans raises funds to help train service dogs

In honor of Veterans Day, the Academy of the Holy Angels raised over $2,500 to help bring a trained service dog to a military veteran. This timely event was hosted Nov. 9 by AHA Upper Schoolʼs Angels for Veterans organization and the students at AHA Middle School.

S tudents, faculty, and staff — 50 in all — received donations for completing laps around the Academyʼs track. Funds benefit American Humaneʼs P ups4Patriots

Angels for Veterans leader Reilly Guy told Northern Valley Press, “Pups4Patriots is important to me because it focuses on an issue that isnʼt as addressed or recognized by the generalpublic.”

Guy said the organization finds and trains dogs to become service dogs to aid veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury.

Pups4Patriotsprovides these service dogs at no cost at all for

the veterans.

Sarah Chalmers, who teaches history at AHA Middle School, learned about the service dog training program and

reached out to AHA Reg istrar/Angels for Veterans Moderator Angela Kunz. AFV did a bit of research and quickly agreed to participate in the fundraiser.

Chalmers said she under stands that many returning service personnel have difficulties in their daily lives. Issues may include PTS, social isolation, and depression. The specially trained dogs help people decrease stress and anxiety levels, mitigate depression, and provide comfort and companionship.

“I wanted to add a service element into my curriculum, and settled on focusing on Veterans Day and Memorial Day as two ways to add a service project into the social studiesprogram,” Chalmers said.

According to Chalmers, “It takes over $30,000 to train each

d og, so I wanted to do something that could raise a significant amountof money in a way that was tangible and not something that other organizations on campus were already doing. In college, my sorority participated in walkathons and always had a l ot of fun doing them. I thought that that type of an event could be a great way to spend time together while raising money.

Chalmers said, “I have several friends and family members who have served in the military, and military history is a specific interest of mine. My grandfathers were both World War II veterans, but their generation never spoke about their combat experiences or ways in which they struggled returning to civilian life.

Chalmers said “My Grandpa Lertola served in the Pacific, but only ever spoke of the baseball diamond they built overseas. Being a social studies teacher with a bookcase full of WWII books, I know that he must have experienced things that I canʼt even begin to imagine.”

And she said, “One of my absolute best friends is a veteran of multiple combat tours. Knowing how he and other friends who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have struggled since coming home has really shown me the need for the Pups4Patri-

ots program and others like it. Veterans Day impacts you differently when you have read someoneʼs service records and see the ways that their service is still with them after theyʼve retired.”

Kunz and Chalmers encouraged everyone at AHA to participate in this upper school/middle school collabor ation, and started the day walking the track with the stud ents.

AHA Middle School Dean Traci Koval, upper school teachers Megan Delasandro and Stephanie Dowling, Interim Dean of Students Jessica Hogan, and middle school teachers Mary Driscoll and Maria Zaorski also walked laps for the cause.

Members of Angels for Veterans include president Reilly Guy, vice president Kristina Migliaccio, treasurer/secretary Reese Orlofsky, Olivia Papp, Samantha Polizzi, Angelina Kim, Lilliana Cardamone, and Sharanya Agarwal.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girlsʼ school in Bergen County. AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition and serves young women from many backgrounds. Visit holyangels.org

AHA’s Rho Kappa chapter welcomes 52 scholars

The Alice Paul Chapter of Rho Kappa reached a high water mark on Nov. 15, as the Academy of the Holy Angels inducted 52 outstanding social studies students, the top number of inductees in chapter history. Those honored at the 11th annual induction ceremony included:

Giselle Acosta of Fort Lee

Audrey Aligada of Chestnut Ridge, New York

Mariah Anderson and Camila Latinsky-Ortiz of Englewood

Natalia Antaki of Franklin Lakes

Romina Bega of Ringwood

Alexandra Boardman, Reyna Cunningham, and Autumn Morrissey of Saddle River

Caterina Cardamone of Glen Rock

Raphaela Cárdenas and Grace Costanza of Clifton

Bianca Cifelli of Hillsdale

Sophie Cossio, Isabella Fernandez, and Ella Oaten of Tenafly

Isabella DeBari of Woodcliff Lake

Caroline Dupas of Pearl River, New York

Keira Footer, Celine Hong, and Sydney Uddo of Englewood Cliffs

Natalia González of Paterson

Anna Governale and Amelia Shen of Demarest

Nicole Grimpas, Teri Koustas, and Faith Youn of Closter

Reilly Guy of Fair Lawn

Jennifer Haemmerle of Leonia Breanna Hetzer of Nutley Annabelle Hur and Serin Hwang of Norwood

Alexis Jacob of Tappan, New York

Hannah Janiec and Claudia Paoli of East Rutherford

Jaclyn Larraz of New City, New

York

Katherine Lindquist and Erin Pav of Westwood

Isabella McMahon of West Orange

Annalise Olsen of Stony Point, New York

Liana Powley of Mahwah

Shivani Sahu of Paramus

Ava Santoro of Old Tappan

Kyra Sapontzis of Park Ridge

Ella Springer of Montvale

Isabel Stein of Rutherford Kira Sullivan, Areliz Tamayo, and

Nicole Yakubov of Teaneck

Amanda Tomasella and Lauren Tomasella of Oradell

Catherine Tuohy of Cresskill

The National Council for the Social Studies established Rho Kappa in 2011. AHA organized its own chapter in 2012, and unanimously opted to name the organization for Alice Paul whose tireless leadership made womenʼs suffrage a reality.

Since the Academyʼs first inductees were honored in 2013, every Rho Kappa member from AHA has received a yellow rose pin, a remembrance of the flowers worn by those who supported Paulʼs dedi-

cation to the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

AHA Social Studies Department Chairperson Gail Fair and faculty members Jennifer Cucchisi, Megan Delasandro, Patrick Dunne, Jamie Dykes, and Brianne Wolman hosted the ceremony. AHA Principal Jean Miller congratulated this yearʼs honorees and presented them with their certificates.

In his remarks, Dunne noted that Rho Kappa refers to head and hand, a reminder that knowledge without service is useless. Inductees promise to serve Holy Angels and the greater community, “for true scholars of the social studies lead by example.”

The new inducteesʼfirst service project will be a Penny Challenge fundraiser to benefit rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico.

Teachers from the department also lit white, green, gold, and blue candles that symbolize the traits of a Rho Kappa scholar, including truth, knowledge, wisdom, and service.

Ms. Fair commented on Alice Paulʼs efforts for womenʼs suffrage, adding that some of the inductees voted for the first time just a week earlier.

“Success begins with educa tion,” Fair said, adding the importance of taking action based on what we learn.

The Alice Paul chapter of Rho Kappa reached a high water mark on Nov.15,as the Academy of the Holy Angels inducted 52 outstanding social studies students,the top number of inductees in chapter history.

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

NORTHERN VALLEY

Five ways to care for your mouth when you’re ill with the flu, cold, or Covid-19

By Mariliza LaCap, DDS, your local expert dentist

When you have a cold, the flu, or Covid-19, taking care of your body is your top priority — and that includes your mouth. Here are simple ways to care for your dental health when youʼre under the weather:

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

The flu virus can live on moist surfaces for 72 hours. The number one rule is not to share your toothbrush anytime — and especially when youʼre sick.

It is important to disinfect your toothbrush between uses by dipping it in hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes after each use.

Replace your toothbrush after

youʼve been sick. There is small possibility you can get reinfected with your toothbrush.

2. Not All Cough Drops Are The Same

Choose sugar-free cough drops. Avoid such ingredients as fructose and corn syrup. Choose cough drops that have xylitol, a natural sugar that helps prevents cavities.

3. Swish and Spit After Vomiting

One unfortunate side effect of a stomach flu is vomiting. When you vomit, stomach acids come into contact with your teeth, coating them.

Should this happen to you, donʼt brush your teeth yet. Instead, swish with water and 1

teaspoon of baking soda to help wash the acid away. Spit, and brush about 30 minutes later.

4. Medications Can Lead to Dry Mouth Medications you might be taking for a cold or flu — antihis tamines, decongestants, or pain relievers — can dry your mouth, so drink plenty of water and suck on sugarless cough drops, throat lozenges, or candies to keep that saliva flowing.

5. Water, Water, Water!

When it comes to your mouth and your body, one beverage is always best: water.

For more information call (845) 367-4866 or (201) 453-4867 or visit Smile More Dentistry at www.smilemoredentist.com.

Make a difference in your community: volunteer to teach English as a Second Language!

Since 1982, Literacy Volunteers of Pascack Valley has been training volunteers to teach English to adults in their community

This online workshop is run by certified trainers and the program is an accredited member of the national organization, Proliteracy. Upon completion of the workshop, LVPV will match each volunteer with an appropriate student.

The workshop is open to res idents of Allendale, Cresskill, Dumont, Emerson, Franklin Lakes, Hillsdale, Montvale, Paramus, Park Ridge, Ramsey, River Vale, and Westwood.

Tutoring may be remote or in person, depending on your preference. The workshop will cover the use of virtual technology for tutoring purposes.

Literacy Volunteers of Pascack Valley is pleased to announce the next online 4-session Tutor Training Workshop on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 8, and 15 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Volunteers must be 18 or older.

To register, write Marilyn Katz/Cheryl Chang at literacyvolunteerspv@gmail.com or visit literacyvolunteerspv.org/tutor-trainingworkshop-form.html.

For dental health: Dr.Mariliza LaCap with Mr. Tooth.

NORTHERN VALLEY

Why your dental insurance does not work for your dental health... How going to ‘the guy in my plan’ is not the best strategy...

benefits are not similar to your medical insurance because it is not held responsible for covering your justified dental needs. In a dental benefits plan, you have a set amount of benefits which is usually $1000-$1500/year, for a private PPO plan. This can include two cleanings and annual X-rays a

year, generally speaking, which will amount to about 30% of the value of the benefit package itself, approx. $300-400 value.

PRIYU GUPTA, DDS, WESTWOOD PERIODONTICS

If you were to need more work then two cleanings, then you must match the payment of the dental insurance in co-pays in order to use the remaining benefits. Therefore, in essence, it is only worth $1000 to $1500 if you pay $300-700 in co-pays.

If these plans are self funded, their general cost is $60/month. Therefore, for a $1500/year

plan, the net benefit after paying $720/year in fees is $780 of benefits, again to only be utilized if you match in co-pays. Keep in mind the high costs of dental treatments and how fast you are going to hit the ceiling with these plans.

Its public knowledge that 90% of time, people only need routine cleanings from their dentist. Therefore the need for dental insurance seems quite ineffective because when a dental problem does occur, the maximum of the plan is reached prior to even

addressing the problem.

Dental coverage seems like a really expensive means for very little coverage therefore, dental benefits does not drastically improve your access to dental care.

On the clinical or dentist side, dental benefits works against the patient as well. Even though preventive care (cleanings & X-rays) have 80-100% coverage for the patient, for an in-network dentist, these services have the lowest reimbursements. The largest insurers in Bergen County expect dentists to work "at cost" for preventive care services like cleanings. That business model lowers the standard of care for the public. It fosters an environment that compromises time, products and attention to the patient. This is the main reason I stay out of network with these companies and the same reason you should not allow them to decide who your dentist is.

When you have a PPO dental plan, you can see an out of network dentist and still utilize your benefits, but you will have a slightly higher percentage OUT of pocket expense.

It is much more importance to see the dentist that provides the best service vs. one who is in your plan because when you have a problem, your dental insurance has no responsibility to cover your dental needs anyway.

On behalf of my team at Westwood Periodontics, I welcome you to my office for a cleaning with one of highly TRAINED AND experienced hygienists who will take the time to address your needs and concerns.

For more information, call (201) 664-3023 or visit their office at 354 Old Hook Road # 201 or WestwoodPeriodontics.com.

Excess weight, especially obesity, diminishes almost every aspect of health, including mood, energy, sleep, stress, respiration, heart function, memory, r eproductive health, diabetes, liver function, c ardiovascular health, pain, and even some cancers.

Covid is still very much around, and the most common comorbidity that leads to a bad outcome is obesity. If you want to live a healthier life, prevent chronic disease, feel better, look better, reduce stress, and lose weight, you must change bad habits and create a healthier daily routine.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is always recommended to get to the root cause of your health problem rather than just treating symptoms.

There are many diets and fads that claim they can help you to lose weight. However, the problem is that diets donʼt work. After people lose their desired weight, they go back to eating normally and will typically gain the weight back, and sometimes even more. In my opinion, it is not about going on a diet, it is about making certain lifestyle changes that can help you lose weight and keep the weight off permanently!

The first lifestyle change is to stop having meals or snacks late at night. After 6 p.m., you should not be eating anymore, and should only be drinking water. At night, people are usually not very active. They are sitting on the couch watching television, scrolling through social media, searching

the internet, or reading a book. These activities are not big calorie burners and will slow down your metabolism. Having a late dinner or snack results in having food just sitting in your digestive tract and not getting digested properly. I also recommend taking a nice 30 minute walk after you finish your early dinner, rather than going to the couch to watch the news or Netflix.

The second lifestyle change is to stop eating so many grains, carbohydrates, sugars, juices, coffee, alcohol, soda, starches, and processed foods. Instead of pasta, start having spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.

Also, try replacing your rice with cauliflower rice. You can actually make pancakes using just eggs and bananas. You can substitute wheat wraps or tortillas with lettuce wraps. You can have turkey sandwiches but instead of using a bun, use two slices of a red pepper and put the meat in the middle. You can mimic mashed potatoes by using carrots, cauliflower or peas. I also like to use sliced cucumbers like crackers or cut it the long way and use it as a hero roll. Have carrots or apple slices instead of chips or french fries.

For dessert or a snack, freeze organic berries, bananas, mangos, or other fruit and mix it with some almond butter so you can make healthy “ice cream” with no dairy products and no sugar, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, food dyes, natural flavors, gums, or other toxic ingredients found in conventional ice cream. These techniques are not that hard but will lead to immediate weight loss.

The third lifestyle change is to reduce physical, chemical, and emotional stress. When you are stressed, a hormone called cortisol is released which leads to fat

deposits around the waist. A sedentary lifestyle will lead to an increase in stress.

If a typical day is you usually work at a computer, eat a big dinner, watch television, and then go to bed, that is a recipe for weight gain. Start doing activities that make you more active and require you to move the body.

One of the best ways to reduce stress is to go on many vacations. If you only have two weeks of paid vacation, then take lots of little mini vacations. For example, you can take off Thursday and Friday and take a total of five four-day vacations. And do not waste it when you get an extra day off for national holidays.

Besides taking a break and going on vacations, you might also have to get out of a bad relationship, quit a high stress job, or move out of a stressful living situation. It might be a major lifestyle change that you have to do, or it may be little changes that are easy to implement.

For example, waking up 20 minutes earlier to work out or meditate in the morning can make a huge difference.

The last lifestyle change that is important for weight loss is to stop using electronics at night. Most people are sitting all day long at the computer, and then come home to eat a late dinner and sit on the couch to watch TV or play on the computer or cell phone. These electronics have a harmful blue light which can not only increase cortisol, but confuse the brain into thinking itʼs not really night time. This will interrupt your circadian rhythms which can lead to difficulty in weight loss, as well as difficulty sleeping.

For immediate weight loss, it is important to go to bed by 10 p.m. at the latest, and have

absolutely no food for the four hours before you go to sleep. This will help break down fat, improve digestion and reduce cortisol activation at night. So just like we do not want to eat past 6 p.m., it is equally important to avoid electronics after 6 p.m. as well.

My last bit of advice is to not stress over weight loss. That will work against your goal. Donʼt weigh yourself everyday and do not obsess over the scale. The less stress in your life, the quicker the weight loss.

In my opinion, it is best not to do any diets, but to change your lifestyle. Start exercising more, eating healthier, drinking more water, going to bed earlier, building better relationships, giving more to charity, spending more time outside in nature and getting more sunlight. If you function better, you will feel better, and the fat will come off much quicker. If you follow these simple rules, you will be healthy.

When you are healthier, the weight comes off naturally and most importantly, safely. Do not count calories, points, or pounds. This can aggravate or lead to eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, and body dimorphism. The best time to start this process is immediately. Do not wait until Monday or until you finish your bad food. Go grocery shopping today and give away your old food to a charity or a food pantry.

If you are interested in my healthy six week stress reduction and weight loss program (includes lifestyle changes, foods to avoid, foods to eat, food diary, food cal endar, recipes, accountability session, supplements, exercise program, sleep program, stress reduction program, brain training program, and many other benefits), please contact me at info@kaplan-

brainandbody.com or call me at (201) 251-2160 and set up a consult.

Sometimes weight loss cannot be achieved because the brain is in stress mode. Sometimes weight loss is harder because the thyroid is not functioning properly. Sometimes people cannot lose weight because of increased cortisol levels.

Luckily, we have amazing non-invasive technologies that are able to determine if you have any of these brain issues that cause health problems. One of the best neurology tools we have in our office is called a qEEG brain mapping which measures brain waves.

Basically you wear what looks like a swimmers cap on your head. It has electrodes attached to it and can measure the different areas of the brain and tell you what areas are not functioning well. It is non-invasive, there is no radiation, no pain, and only takes about 30 minutes to perform.

It is normally $400, but we are doing a special for the month of December where you can get the qEEG for only $21. There are only seven spots so call (201) 261-2150 or email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com to reserve your spot immediately.

For more informational videos about how to improve your brain function and lose weight, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel “Kaplan Brain and Body,” follow me on Instagram @KaplanBrainandBody, and like my Facebook page “Kaplan Brain and Body,” and you will start to function better, feel better, and live better

Itʼs a NO BRAINER!

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY

Smart: Tradition on service with vets’ visit

later decided it was time to serve. I began my service at age 28.”

important it is to give back to our country and get a better understanding of why we are grateful to those who give back in this way. Itʼs a real-life lesson in history and gratitude.”

A presentation with Matt Savitsky, the schoolʼs SRO and a U.S. Army veteran — Capt. Savitsky served 12 years, 2004–2016 was scheduled for Dec. 5.

He told Northern ValleyPress he was a miltary police officer, then civil affairs officer. He was a paratrooper in the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne). “In Afghanistan I was the Rule of Law officer for Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni.”

With more than 15 yearsʼ service in the U.S. Army, Palladino deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. As a civilian, sheʼs worked as a systems analyst for the special education office of the New York City Department of Education.

She was in the ROTC in college and as had agreed to serve for several years following graduation. She stayed in the Army and first travelled to Iraq in 2009.

Palladino showed the students a custom prayer rug embroidered with Operation Iraqi Freedom images, unit patches, and challenge coins she earned during her service.

“I joined the military for a lot of reasons,” said Palladino, who now is an intelligence officer in the New York National Guard. “I was in high school when 9-11

happened and that was hugely influential for our whole generation. This was the first time the United States [homeland] had been attacked since Pearl Harbor.”

The students learned more about dust storms, the day-to-day life of a service person, NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), current events, and both veteransʼplans to continue serving their communities.

Palladino has been a performer all her life: She says sheʼs played the French horn, sung in the choir, and acted all the way from grammar school through college. Sheʼs an accomplished standup comedian whose comedy, she says, draws on her life as a mom, wife, and veteran.

She and Phommathep have been friends since elementary school. Phommathep said Palladi no told the kids, “In the United States, we [in the military] are all volunteers. Whether you join the

Air Force, the Navy, the Marine Corps, or the Army, you are there because you chose to be there. We do not have mandatory service in the United States. We also donʼt have a draft anymore.”

She said, “However, if the United States were attacked or a NATO country were attacked, we would probably have to enact a draft.”

Abourizk was an intelligence analyst who served six years in the New York Army National Guard. He works with Broadway Dance Center, “inspiring the world to dance,” and is co-founder and producer with Full Out Creative, which provides media services for artists and arts organizations

“Following 9-11, there was an immediate jump in the number of people who signed up to serve,” said Abourizk. “I knew then that I wanted to serve, but I waited. I went to college and pursued a career in theater, but then 10 years

Abourizk completed his service and returned to theater work in New York City.

He said, “I didnʼt make the Army my career like Maj. Palladino, but I did what I wanted to do and served my country.”

Focus on the community

Phommathep told Northern Valley Press, “We try to get a variety of presenters, and they speak on their upbringing and how that led to their military service. We hear different stories and different perspectives on service.”

She said she loves seeing how engaged the kids are when the veterans present. She describes seeing “that aha moment,” when the kids connect what the veterans are saying with what theyʼve been learning in class.

She added, “I think theyʼre learning that being in the military means so many different opportunities — the military means doctors, engineers, and teachers, too. We make it a point to center the presentation on a theme of service.”

She said, “Sometimes we take things for granted. Itʼs our hope that students get a lot out of the presentations — that they understand the many sacrifices that our military personnel make, like leaving home to serve overseas.”

Phommathep said there are ways to gain leadership and service experience without being in the military, and her guests emphasize that point as well.

“And as a social studies

teacher, that ties perfectly into what we teach: weʼre not just teaching history; weʼre also reminding students how important it us to make a difference their local communities and their greater communities. This is something that we try to reinforce — citizenship and character skills — on a regular basis.”

She said, “It doesnʼt mean you have to be in the military to make a difference, it means know about your worked, make a difference, and help others. And this is something we try to reinforce in our classrooms.”

For more information on Tenafly Public Schools, visit tenaflyschools.org

Kitchen Cabinet installers helper. Must have basic knowledge of tools. Valid drivers license. Ken Bauer Kitchens, Hillsdale NJ (201)664-6881.

wanted, Immediate opening. Experience a plus but willing to train. Must have means of transportation. Call: 201-664-3130.

FINANCE SPECIALIST – Borough of Hillsdale, Bergen County. The Borough of Hillsdale is accepting applications for an immediate, full-time Finance Specialist. Experience and proficiency are required in municipal accounting; Edmund’s software; as well as Word, Excel and general municipal-government practices. Must be highly organ ized, detail oriented and able to perform various, financerelated functions and multi-task. Responsibilities include accounts payable, including end of year requirements; purchase requisitions and purchase orders; bill lists; pay ment and check processing; revenue and expenditure/budget reports. Finance Specialist will perform additional, various duties and functions as assigned by the CMFO or Administrator. Salary DOQ. EOE. The Borough reserves the right to interview and hire while this advertisement is active and will also accept applications from candidates interested in part-time roles – as a Finance Specialist and/Accounts Payable Specialist. Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter that includes salary requirements to the Borough Clerk, Denise Kohan at dkohan@hillsdalenj.org.

Hairdresser wanted for a busy shop in Westwood. Contact Colleen at 201664-4663.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – HILLSDALE

BOROUGH (BERGEN COUNTY) The Borough of Hillsdale is seeking a part-time administrative professional with experience in providing administrative support in the Municipal Clerk’s Office. This position is part-time and not to exceed 20 hours per week. The candidate must be able to work independently, take initiative, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Must be able to work well with residents, co-workers and elected officials. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook required. Salary depends on qualifications, however this is an entry level position. EOE. The Borough reserves the right to interview qualified candidates prior to the dead line. Send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to Denise Kohan, Borough Clerk, via email to dkohan@hillsdalenj.org.

SERVICES - CLEANING

Cleaning business that values honesty and integrity with many years exp. Competitively priced with close attention to detail. Ref. Avail. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Call or text Analu for free estimate. 973-474-7383

SERVICES YOU NEED

Experienced with references. Polish lady will clean your house, apt. & office. Call Maria for free estimate, 201-478-2236.

BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD seeks a qualified, dependable individual for part-time alternate deputy registrar. Strong organization, communication and customer service skills required. Successful candidate must maintain confidentiality, have a professional demeanor, ability to work independently and deal effectively with residents and members of the public. Candidate will be required to manage multiple tasks with changing priorities. Current experience with MSOffice required. CMR certification preferred or willing to obtain.

Email cover letter and resume to sgravina@westwoodnj.gov. Westwood is an EOE.

Surfside Beach, S.C. 2br, 2ba, avail. Jan. 1 to April 1. Contact Sharon at sflesche2@gmail.com or (201) 406-9648.

DEMAREST PUBLIC SCHOOL is seeking Food Service Lunch Aides. Duties include food prep, serving and check out. Criminal background required. Hours are approx. 2.5 daily. Send resume to: RinaldiD@nvnet.org Debra Rinaldi, Demarest Board of Education, 568 Piermont Rd. Demarest, NJ 07627 or apply online applitrack: http://demarestsd.scho olwires.net Board of Education tab, then Employment. EOEAA

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

With more than 15 years of service in the U.S.Army,Maj.Linette Palladino has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom,Operation Enduring Freedom,and Operation Inherent Resolve. Christine Phommathep photo.

SSgt. Kyle Abourizk was an Army intelligence analyst who now has a career in entertainment. Christine Phommathep photo.

REAL ESTATE

FROM PAGE 9

Congressman Bill Pascrell, who will be representing a district that no longer includes Englewood come January, and also our newly elected Congressman Josh Gottheimer, for their consistent support for the services that our veterans have earned.

One of our greatest presidents, John F. Kennedy, reminded the American people that ʻas we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, bur to live by them.ʼ

So, today, let us reflect on the freedoms and liberties we enjoy to this day because of the sacrifices of our veterans and active military, and every day, let us all strive to uphold that honor in appreciating our veterans.

“

After his remarks, Mayor Wildes called for a moment of silence, at which time everyone stood in silent reflection.

Rabbi Goldberg then recited a blessing in Hebrew as well as English, followed by Commander Willie Patterson who gave a brief “Thank You.” to everyone.

A benediction was made by Father Hilary Milton.

The service ended on a solemn

NORTHERN VALLEY

note as the colors were retired.

The motto of the Department of Veterans Affairs is “To care for him who shall have borne the battle.” It was taken from the final paragraph of Abraham Lincolnʼs second inaugural address, which he delivered on March 4, 1865, as the nation braced itself for the final throes of the Civil War.

Today, 150 years later, Lincolnʼs words still reverberate throughout America as communities such as Englewood honor our nationʼs military heroes - all those who were wounded, those who died and those who came back.

Friedberg welcomes seller Breitenstein

Marlyn Friedberg, brokerowner of Friedberg Properties & Associates, Pascack Valley, welcomes Kim Breitenstein, sales associate, Realtor, to the firmʼs River Vale office.

Breitenstein, a longtime resident of Harrington Park, where she resides with her husband and children, has personal knowledge of the towns and neighborhoods in and around Bergen County Although her son has since graduated, her daughter still attends school in the Northern Valley, where she is an active volunteer in the Harrington Park school community

Breitenstein comes to Friedberg Properties also with a wealth of information from her past career as a banker specializing in residential and commercial loan closings. She assisted clients on the lending side of transactions from application to closing, working closely with real estate attorneys, title, and insurance companies.

Friedberg said Breitensteinʼs sales experience “enables her to go above and beyond, while tak ing her real estate clients through the buying and selling process. Along with this experience, her honesty, enthusiasm, and knowledge of local real estate will be a great asset to her clients.”

Friedberg said, “Kim can provide a comparable market

analysis to potential sellers and assist buyers and renters in find ing the perfect home. She is a licensed New Jersey Real Estate Sales Associate and member of the National Association of Realtors, Greater Bergen Realtors, New Jersey Multiple Listing Ser vice, New Jersey Realtors, and through Friedberg Properties, is affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

Breitenstein can be reached atFriedberg Properties & Associatesʼ Pascack Valley office at 213 Rivervale Road, River Vale, (201) 666-0777 ext. 533, BreitensteinKim@gmail.com, and on her mobile, (201) 779-1165.

She is looking forward to meeting homeowners and buyers to discuss their real estate needs whether locally or globally.

Photos by Hillary Viders

Posting of the Colors by members of Englewood Police and Fire Departments and Knights of Columbus.