Northern Valley Press 2.6.23

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS

EC UPPER SCHOOL GETS DOE BLUE RIBBON

As the banner says at the front door, “Success and nothing less.”

U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited Englewood Cliffs Upper School on Jan. 20 and congratulated educators, support professionals, students, parents, and the Board of Education for receiving the U.S. Department of Educationʼs National Blue Ribbon award.

The award is given to exemplary, high-performing schools, making Englewood Cliffs Upper School among the stateʼs highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

The U.S. Department of Education recognized just 297 schools nationwide as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022. Englewood Cliffs Upper School was one of nine schools in New Jersey to receive this recognition.

The Upper School, at 143 Charlotte Place, within the Englewood Cliffs School District, offers a high-quality program of education for all of its students, grades 3–8. There is “continuous emphasis on collaboration between administration, teachers, and parents that results in a nurturing, child-centered environment.”

Gottheimer said in part, “It is not by simple good fortune that Englewood Cliffs Upper School is a

See UPPER on page 30

The Tenafly Police Department says it’s fortunate to have signed Hosam Morsy and Kaitlyn Hermansen, both recent police academy graduates off to a strong start.

SEE PAGE 6

SUDDENLY, A HEALTH FAIR! SUDDENLY, A HEALTH FAIR!

AHAseniors building ladder up for younger kids

DEMAREST

SENIORSCIENTISTS from the Academy of the Holy

A ngels Upper School exhibited scholarship and mentorship as they hosted an impromptu mini-health-fair for the sixth grade.

“My senior anatomy students invited the sixth grade health class to join them for a session,” science teacher Patricia Prucnel said of the collaboration with Christine Paladinoʼs health class.

Small groups of middle school students visited the multiple learning stations, where seniors presented brief talks and demonstrations about nutrition, bones, heart health, and body systems.

“My seniors showed the AHA Middle School students things like nutrition, blood pressure, listening for a heartbeat, and more,” Prucnel told Northern Valley Press on Jan. 30. “It was a way to have older students work with younger students and to expose them to health topics.”

Prucnel and P aladino developed the concept for this collaborative effort. The minihealth fair continued the mentorship between upper school and middle school students. In

For the love of learning: AHAseniors Hannah Janiec and Allie Pyun cover nutrition topics at an on-the-fly health fair for the sixth grade in January

spring 2022, Sharon Jurellerʼs advanced placement chemistry students led an experiment for AHAʼs seventh grade science students. Students met in the upper schoolʼs chemistry lab, where they exploreddoublereplacement reactions. Middle school students discovered how

S SCCOOUUTTIINNG G S SUUCCCCEESSS S

Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 97144 completed their Outdoor Journey in pursuit of their Bronze Award — and made Demarest safer.

See page 11

positive and negative ions from tw o ionic compounds trade places to form new compounds.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girlsʼschool in Bergen County.

Continued on page 21

FEBRUARY 2023

TENAFLY MEET NORA NEUS, REPORTERON SYRIAAND MUCHMORE

Presbyterian Church at Tenafly hosts AHA alum March 5

Save the date, March 5, for an author event with Nora Neus, Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and journalist, who will be in conversation about her new book, “Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria” (a non-fiction graphic novel about citizen journalism in Syria) as well as other career experiences.

Neus grew up in Tenafly, graduated Academy of the Holy Angels, and today is based in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Her latest book (the publisher says itʼs for ages 8–14) made National Public Radioʼs roundup of the best books of 2022. The outlet noted she tells people-centered stories about those working to make our world better: more equitable, more just, more safe, and more beautiful.

Her next book, “24 Hours in Charlottesville: An Oral History of the Stand Against White Supremacy,” is forthcoming in July.

This is an event not to be missed, featuring a journalist with a keen eye for injustice and strong, See MEETon page 19

B ck in time... Bckintime...

In the winter of 1962, Englewood was in the midst of a battle over in schools. Kristin Beuscher reports.

‘AND JUSTLY PERFORM...’

ALPINE • CLOSTER • CRESSKILL • DEMAREST • ENGLEWOOD • ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS • HARRINGTON PARK HAWORTH • NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • ROCKLEIGH • TENAFLY

Rep. Gottheimer, praising nod, says itʼs ʻNot by simple good fortuneʼ

Donations sought for veteran van

To the editor:

MERICAN LEGION Post 21

Cresskill is endeavoring to assist the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 32, in Bergenfield with fundraising to purchase

a new van to transport veterans from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and DAV organizationsto Hackensack and East Orange VAs for medical appointments. The amount we are aiming for is $19,000.

The Columbia Trust organization, a part of the DAVʼs National Service Foundation, which supports DAV service programs, will match the amount we collect. All donations will be gratefully accepted. Please make checks

payable to American Legion Post 21. In the memo column, please indicate “DAV VAN.” Post 21 is a 501(c)3 organization.

American Legion Post 21 75 Legion Dr., Cresskill NJ, 07626

Commending hometown heroes

To the editor:

NORTHERN VALLEY Regional High School at Old Tappan is proud to announce that school nurse Lauren Lopez and Old Tappan Special Law Enforcement Officers Class 3 Tom Tully and Mike Foti were honored by Congressman Josh Gottheimer as Fifth District Hometown Heroes. Among other heroes, they were acknowledged for their dedication to our community.

Bruce Sabatini Principal, Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan

bergenPAC to celebrate high school musicals

NewMove over Tonys, a new award show is taking centerstage this Spring. The inaugural bergenPAC High School Musical Awards will celebrate outstanding performances from schools across the region.

“At bergenPAC we want to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of all students i n the northern New Jersey region,” bergenPAC Executive Director Alexander Diaz said. “The stars of tomorrow will shine brightly on our stage today.”

The ceremony will be held at bergenPAC on May 22 and feature select live student performances.

Schools or individual students can register to participate in the awards program. bergenPACʼs professional faculty will attend their performance and provide

feedback to help the students develop as artists. Participants will then be considered for nominations at the awards ceremony.

Diaz directs The Performing Arts School at bergenPACʼs annual summer musical, which draws teens from across the region to fill the acting and production roles. Its 2017 West Side Story production starred Clifton native Rachel Zegler as “Maria.” Steven Spielberg later picked her to reprise the role in his 2021 film remake.

bergenPAC summer musical a lumni have also gone on to appear in TV shows like Orange is the New Black and attend top musical theater programs, including NYUʼs Tisch School of the Arts and Montclair State University.

For detailed information on the registration process, visit

The Old Tappan Historical Committee welcomes as its first guest lecturer former Bergen County Executive William "Pat" Schuber, Esq. presenting "The Battle of Gettysburg."

The lecture will be held in the Old Tappan Firehouse, 231 Old Tappan Road, on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m.

Schuber is assistant professor at the School of Administrative Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He lectures frequently on government, law, military histo-

ry, historical leadership, ethics, communication and conflict resolution. He has written many scholarly articles and co-authored books on topics of history, leadership and Homeland Security.

A captain in the U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.), his extensive travels have given him a bird's eye view of historical sites and situations all over the world.

Schuberʼs passion, knowledge, and keen interest of American history should make the lecture a standout for all history buffs.

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 MORE INFORMATION

CALL (201) 358-9500

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Bckintime... Bckintime...

Racial justice in Englewood, 1962

BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

INTHEWINTER of 1962, Englewood was in the midst of a battle over de facto racial segregation in schools.

According to Englewood officials at the time, the cityʼs children attended a particular school based on which neighborhood they lived in. The newly built Donald A. Quarles School in the more affluent First Ward was predominately white. At the much older Lincoln School in the Fourth Ward and Liberty School in the Third Ward, there were much larger black populations.

But for many of the cityʼs Black families and the white activists who were on their side, the racial discrepancy between the schools seemed to come down to more than geography

They charged that the school board since the 1940s had been periodically adjusting school district lines to ensure segregation. Further, they maintained that in the past, white students had been allowed to transfer away from predominately black schools, but the reverse was not true.

The parents of nine Black children who attended predominately black elementary schools had attempted to have their kids trans-

ferred to Quarles School. All of the requests were denied.

“The highly modern school, built in 1959, is located in a wealthy section with big homes and well landscaped lawns. About 95 percent of its pupils are white,” the Associated Press reported at the time. “The nine children now attend the Lincoln School and the Liberty School. Lincoln, built in 1917, is about 95 percent black. Liberty, built in 1907, is about 60 percent black.”

The families retained as their attorney Paul Zuber, who had gained fame for segregation cases in New Rochelle, Chicago, and Newark.

On the evening of Feb. 1, 1962, nearly 250 people attended an Englewood Board of Education budget meeting.

According to news reports from the time, a committee had been assigned to complete a report about school segregation in the city. That report was going to demand that provisions be made in the 1962-1963 budget to allow for desegregation.

However, the school budget was going to be up for formal consideration that night, before the report had been submitted.

That evening, the board was also asked to publicly restate its stand on the student transfers. The board voted unanimously to uphold its

decision and reject the nine transfer applicants. The crowd was enraged.

“We have been served notice we are second class citizens,” one person remarked.

In an act of protest and solidarity, Black and white residents alike staged an all-night sitin demonstration in the council chambers.

That group included Belmont Street residents Byron Baer and Patricia Kay. Both were Freedom Riders and members of the Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.). They had previously been arrested and jailed for sit-in demonstrations in Mississippi.

Baer told reporters, “We will sit in here until the city government takes positive steps to integrate the Englewood school system. We will not be turned away ”

Over the course of the night, a crowd of 90 dwindled to 11. Many were compelled to leave due to family and job obligations.

The people who remained passed the time by talking, singing, telling stories, and napping. At 4:30 a.m. a helper passed two plastic laundry baskets through a window. They contained 18 hamburgers, six malts, two teas, a milk, four packs of cigarettes and two pastries.

Outside the council chambers, the city hall was filled with police officers (many of whom

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Demonstrators on Van Brunt Street in front of the Englewood City Hall on a frigid day,Friday,Feb.2,1962.

AHA advances Kim for science program

Emily Kim, an aspiring pediatric surgeon from Englewood Cliffs, is the Academy of the Holy Angelsʼnominee for the Governorʼs School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences. She is preparing her formal application to the selection panel at Drew University.

GSS is a tuition-free, threeweek summer enrichment program held on Drew Universityʼs campus. Some of New Jerseyʼs finest rising high school seniors will gather to learn and collaborate with like-minded peers.

“I want to attend the Governorʼs School in the Sciences because math and science are my favorite subjects,” Kim said in an AHA press release provided to Northern Valley Press on Jan. 5.

She added, “I think that this is the perfect opportunity for me to be exposed to college-level topics and educators in the science and math fields. I would also like to engage in the hands-on research and lab opportunities that are provided at the program.”

Kim became an advocate for homeless people after she served as a volunteer counselor at a camp that provides free child care and meals for homeless children. She continues her work as a Youth Council member at Family Promise of Bergen County, and as president of Angels for Homelessness Awareness, the outreach club she established at Holy Angels.

In 2022, Kim participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine held at Saint Johnʼs University and the 2022

NORTHERN VALLEY

Lakeside Choraliers open house Feb.

6

Do you enjoy singing? Join The Lakeside Choraliers for an open house for prospective members on Monday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paulʼs Episcopal Church, 4 Woodland Road, Montvale.

Members tell Northern Valley Press, “See what we are about, sing along, and enjoy refreshments. Now in our 50th year of providing entertainment for our audiences, we are a non-denominational community choir composed of members from Bergen and Rockland counties.”

For more information, write lakesidechoraliers@gmail.com

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To place your service ad, please call 201.358.9500.

National Student Leadership Conference: Medicine and Health Care at American University.

In her free time, she tutors her peers in math and chemistry. She maintains a stellar grade point average, and is a member of the French honor society and Mu Alpha Theta, the national math honor society. She plays for the AHA junior varsity golf team, serves as a student council representative, and is an award-winning pianist.

Northern Valley Press welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Northern Valley. Send your news to: northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net

EMILY KIM

TPD welcomes sharp academy grads Morsy, Hermansen

The Tenafly Police Department is proud to announce the graduation, in December, of the agencyʼs two newest police officers from the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute.

TPD told Northern Valley Press, “Officers Hosam Morsy and Kaitlyn Hermansen started their law enforcement journey with our agency earlier this year, where they participated in an extremely competitive hiring process which included a written exam, physical agility test, interviews, as well as medical and psychological exams.”

After passing in-depth background investigations, each was offered a position with the agency as a probationary police officer. Soon after, Morsy and Hermansen were enrolled in a rigorous 22week curriculum at the Bergen County Police Academy that included academic and physical training designed to transform them from civilians into professional law enforcement officers.

At the academy, Morsy and Hermansen were awake well before dawn each day, running and performing calisthenics in formation with their 100 fellow acad-

emy recruits. Recruits spent the remainder of each day being taught how to investigate crimes, proactively enforce motor vehicle laws, manage medical emergencies, and deescalate confrontational situations with individuals in crisis.

Morsy and Hermansen also participated in extensive firearms

training and emergency vehicle operations, and took unarmed defensive tactics and martial arts training designed to protect themselves and assailants from unnecessary injury.

Throughout more than five months of training, Morsy and Hermansen were pushed physically and challenged academically

TPD said, “We are proud that they both excelled throughout their training and received high praise from their instructors. Now they begin the next phase of training — they will be assigned to shadow experienced Tenafly police officers for several months, honing their skills, and learning the nuances of policing Tenafly.”

The department added, “We are proud to introduce these two exceptional officers to our community and we hope you extend to them a warm welcome if you see them around town.”

Young officers impress Morsy, a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, holds a bachelorʼs degree in engineering and spent the past 10 years working in the private sector as a manufacturing and mechanical design engineer, as well as a project manager and director of operations for two New Jerseybased companies.

After several successful engineering positions, Morsy decided to change gears and pursue a career in law enforcement.

TPD said, “We are confident that his real-world experience and critical thinking skills developed while an engineer will help him manage and find solutions to emergency situations as a police officer ”

Hermansen, a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, holds a bachelorʼs degree in criminology. After graduating from Penn State, she was a police telecommunicator with the Northwest Bergen Regional Dispatch Center in Ridgewood. There, she learned how to dispatch and manage emergency response via police radio for seven jurisdictions.

During her time at the Bergen County Police Academy, Hermansen was selected for a leadership role after she was observed by the training staff to always be offering help to other trainees.

Hermansen was selected to receive the Bergen County 200 Club Role Model Award, which is given to one academy recruit in recognition of exceptional qualities which gained the respect of fellow officers and demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to law enforcement.

L eft to right: Tenafly Police Officer Kaitlyn Hermansen,Chief Robert Chamberlain,and Police Officer Hosam Morsy.

Chamberlain and Hermansen, the latter having won the coveted Bergen County 200 Club Role Model Award. Courtesy photos

BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

Born and raised in Englewood, NJ, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton is a law enforcement professional and community leader with more than 33 years of experience. Cureton proudly served for 25 years as a police officer in his hometown.

As Sheriff, Cureton leads a team of 600 officers and civilians, safeguarding close to 1 million residents living in 70 municipalities.

Cureton served as the long-time president of the Bergen County Branch of the NAACP and has served on many community boards and has been honored by many community & civic organizations. An avid learner, he taught criminal justice as a professor at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah and guest lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Cureton holds a Masterʼs Degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a B.S. in criminal justice from New Jersey City University, Jersey City. He also completed post graduate studies, not limited to executive negotiation and conflict management at the University of Notre Dame.

Presently, Cureton serves as the

Chairman of Diversity and Inclusion for the Major County Sheriffʼs Association, USA., and the Section Chief for Sheriffs of the Constitutional

the Year Award, 2009 NAACP Branch Award for Community Service and the 2012 NAACP New Jersey State Conference Outstanding

Criminal

Justice, Legal Studies, and spoke with Sheriff Cureton about

Officers of Association of New Jersey.

For his commitment to community service, Cureton has been honored with the American Conference on Diversityʼs 2006 Humanitarian of

President of the Year Award.

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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF ANTHONY CURETON

DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS

S BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

On January 3, the Womanʼs Club of Englewood (WCE) helped finance 9 young women in their academic endeavors by awarding them scholarships. Thanks to the support of membership and major

donors, the WCE has been giving scholarships since the 1920ʼs, beginning with nursing scholarships to the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, now known as Englewood Health. They eventually added college scholarships for local Englewood women. Over the years, they increased the dollar

amount raised.

The 2022-23 Scholarship Recipients are:

Faith Adams - Faith is a freshman attending New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. Her major is Biomedical Engineering.

Jayla Monaʼe Ebanks - Jayla

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is a sophomore attending New York University. Her major is the Performance Studies in the Tische School of the Arts.

Shaina Lacap- Shaina is a senior attending William Paterson University in Wayne New Jersey. Shaina is majoring in nursing and will graduate in the Spring of 2023. Her goal is to be a medicalsurgical nurse and volunteer abroad in rural clinics.

Ashlee Marie LantiguaAshlee is a freshman attending Montclair State University.

Cameryn LindsayCameryn is a sophomore attending Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. She is majoring in business in the Gabelli School of Business.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Maryann Washington-Diaz, Elizabeth Whitney and Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes.

BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

In celebration of 2023 Black History Month, the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Womenʼs Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC) - Teaneck, Englewood and Vicinity Club (TEVC) delight in announcing the indoctrination, acceptance and oath of membership of seventeen northern New Jersey professional and business woman. The inductee ceremony included the presence of distinguished guests - Senator Gordon Johnson, Honorable Sandra Ann

Robinson, Jurist; Englewood Councilman Charles Cobb, Englewood Councilman Wayne Hamer, Englewood Rotary President Donovan Rodriquez, President National Coalition of 100 Black Woman

Gwenette Reese, President Bergen County NAACP Junius “Jeff” Carter, Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes.

Maria Green, Mistress of Ceremony, Muriel B. Brantley President of the NANBPWC TEVC and Evelyn Streeter-Frizzle, North East District Director of NANBPWC, led the inductees through a beautiful installation ceremony that included administering the Oath by Rosa Williams, first VP and Chairperson, presentations of long stem yellow roses, organization pins, resolutions, musical selections by Howard University Music Professor Dr. Charles Warren and Certificates of Commendation submitted by Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes.

The inductees are: Natalie Antoinette Brown, Counselor Human Services; Patricia Maureen Brown, School Administration; Reverend Gwynne Elayne Marshall Burt, Educator; Reverend Elouise Hill Challenger; Mattie Curtis, US

Military; Aleta Frezzell, Human Resource Administrator; Janet Graham, Educator; Gayle Hargrove, Attorney; Lucille Henderson, Educator; Sylvia Carol Tremble Hughes, Administrator Fortune 500 Corporations, Nicole Cherie Lawrence, Warner Brothers Manager; Charnette M. Lewis, Accountant; Sylvia Elizabeth Langston-Ligon, Educator; Antoinette Alicia Andrews Marquez, Paralegal Specialist

Angela McCain, Accountant; Rosalind Henry Medley, University of Michigan-Masters-Medicaid Compliance Consultant; Natasha Amanda Winfrey, Educator.

At the induction, approximately 100 guests mixed with visiting clergy, residents, family and friends of inductees. Officers and current members attending included: Rosa Williams 1st VP; Hon. Sandra Ann Robinson 2nd VP Director of

Since 1987

Membership; Maria Green, Recording Secretary; Fernita Ross, Financial Secretary; Barbara Brandon, Chaplain; Alma Scott Buczak, Parliamentarian; Levonne Turner, Treasurer; Danielle Bailous Lisa Hinton, Venice Kelly, Barbara Crump, PHD members and Carolyn Witherspoon, Charter member.

y Viders

Photo by Hillar

NANBPWC Inductees with Sen. Gordon Johnson, Muriel Brantley Evelyn Streater- Frizzle and Aleta Frezzell

BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

On January 25, the Englewood Police Department promoted 11 of its Officers in a prestigious ceremony.

The event, held at the bergenPac Theater on Van Brunt Street in Englewood, was attended by dozens of family members, residents and dignitaries.

In addition to Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, who delivered the key note speech, special guests included Senator Gordon Johnson, Councilwoman Dr. Lisa Wisotsky, Englewood Fire Chief Jeffrey Kaplan, City Manager Robert Hoffman and former Mayor Frank Huttle.

The ceremony began with the posting of the colors led by Sergeant Oscar Herandez and a

parade by the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County.

An invocation was given by Reverend Rohim Beach, the Police Department Chaplain and Assistant Pastor of the Community Baptist Church.

Rabbi Chaim Poupko, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Ahavath Torah, then gave a benediction.

Promotions were given to Chief Thomas Greeley, Deputy Chief Matthew de la Rosa, Captain Ken Londahl-Smidt, Lieutenant Carlos Marte, Lieutenant Barry Miller, Lieutenant Jose Sanchez, Sergeant Adolfo Gutierrez, Sergeant Chris Colon, Sergeant Maciej Mlynaryk, Sergeant Juan Moreno Sergeant Jordan Migliore

As they came to the stage with their families, each honoreeʼs name and rank was projected on a large screen, his impressive bio was read and he placed his hand on the Bible as he was sworn in.

The swearing in of Chief Greeley was done by Senator Gordon Johnson and that of Deputy Chief de la Rosa was done by Mayor Michael Wildes

The swearing in of Captain Ken Londahl-Smidt was done by Councilwoman Dr. Lisa Wisotsky, followed by the Swearing in of the Lieutenants by Pastor Lester Taylor of the Community Baptist Church and the Sergeants by Mayor Michael Wildes.

In a celebratory speech, City Manager Hoffman honored the accomplishments of the Englewood Police Department: “Each of you can take great pride in the accomplishments of these “Superior Officers. And I use the term “Superior” with a profound sense of respect and admiration. Our newly promoted officers have demonstrated a daily commitment of excellence that helps them serve and protect our residents. They do this with compassion, with dignity and respect for all.”

Mayor Wildes also expressed great appreciation for the Englewood Police Department: “I have always felt that there is a tremendous dignity in choosing a career in

public safety and law enforcement, and I thank you again for all that you do in protecting and serving our community. A few days ago, we honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said that, ʻlifeʼs most persistent and urgent question is, ʻwhat are you doing for others?ʼStanding here today and every day that you put on that uniform, you have answered that call.”

Wildes concluded by saying, “As you move up the organizational ranks today and further as your careers progress, it will be your challenge to maintain that standard for yourselves and those who report to you. We know you donʼt do it for the recognition, but to provide a level of service that we can all be proud of, that can be seen and felt in the lives of all our Englewood residents every day. Dr. King also taught us that, ʻwe must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always right to do the right.ʼThis is your time and we are thankful that you are here with us.”

After the ceremony, the crowd of families and friends gathered in the lobby for handshakes, hugs and photos.

Photo by Hillary Viders

Front row from left: Deputy Chief Matthew de la Rosa, Sgt Chris Colon, Lt. Barry Miller, Chief Thomas Greeley, Sgt. Juan Moreno and Sgt. Adolfo Gutierrez. Back row: Capt. Kenneth Londahl-Smidt, Lt. Jose Sanchez, Sgt. Maciej Mlynark, Lt. Carlos Marte and Sgt. Jordan Migliore

Junior scouts make borough safer, earn Bronze Award

Congratulations to members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 97144 who last spring completed their Outdoor Journey in pursuit of their Bronze Award.

After leadership and personal skill activities, the then-fifth-grade scouts set out to observe issues in the community for which they could be part of a solution.

A youth pedestrian accident during school commuting hours in fall 2021 motivated the girls to investigate why the accident had occurred and how the downtown area could be made safer.

The scouts interviewed the victimʼs family and a traffic police officer, and investigated the area where many of them walk before and after school.

According to troop leader Leigh Barker, the fact that there was no painted crosswalk on the busy north branch of Park Street, the entry to Wakelee Fields, where countless school children cross every day on their way to and from school, stood out to the girls.

Barker told Northern Valley Press, “The scouts worked togeth-

er on a letter proposing a few recommendations to the mayor and council, including the request for a crosswalk and a promise by the scouts to do their part by educating their peers to walk and cross safely at all times.”

She said, “Demarest Police and the Department of Public

Works swiftly responded to the request and a crosswalk was quickly painted.”

Demarest police officers

Dennis Cameron, Michael Krynicki, and Paul Schmidig attended the Troop 97144 Bronze Award ceremony on Oct. 7, 2022 and emphasized to the scouts that their

observations and idea for the crosswalk have made all pedestrians in Demarest safer.

Police chief is Dimitriadis.

Captain is Visaggio. Lieutenant is Del Greco

Barker said the accident that concerned the scouts in or or around September 2021 “in a dif-

ferent crosswalk in the downtown area by the bridge over the duck pond that people use to enjoy the concerts.”

She said, “The accident shook up all of the girls and it got them thinking about kidsʼsafety overall during school commuting hours. After the scouts decided that making downtown safer was the goal of their project, we all walked the whole downtown area and noticed the place where many children cross every day but there was no crosswalk there.”

—Staff report

Bronze Award scouts at the new crosswalk painted at their request in downtown Demarest.With them are officers Paul Schmidig,Dennis Cameron,and Michael Krynicki. Photo via Junior Girl Scout Troop 97144 leader Leigh Barker.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATED IN ENGLEWOOD

BY HILLARY VIDERS FOR NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

Sunday April 4, 1968, was a fateful day in Memphis, the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the iconic civil rights leader and Nobel Prize winner, was shot while supporting a sanitation workersʼstrike. His assassination shocked the world and changed America forever Ironically, in the last speech that Dr. King delivered, in the Washington National Cathedral on March31, he proclaimed that he had “been to the mountain top,” that he had “seen the Promised Land and that he and his people would be “free at last.”

The 55th anniversary of Kingʼs assassination comes at a time when people in America are still struggling for civil rights and racial equality and dealing with issues of poverty, social justice and gun control.

Dr. King had been a beacon of light that sought to lead the way to

solving these problems.

As such, on January 16, the citizens of Englewood joined hundreds of thousands of people in 50 states and countries around the world to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.ʼs birthday (on Jan.15), his life, his dreams, and his legacy.

At 9:30 am, Reverend Preston Thompson, Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, addressed dozens of people who had gathered in front of Englewood City Hall for a march to commemorate Dr. King.

The group included Mayor Michael Wildes, Assemblywomen Ellen Park and Shama Haider, Bergen County Commissioners Mary Amaroso and Tracy Zur, Englewood City Manager, Robert Hoffman, NAACP Bergen County President Jeff Carter, Englewood Police Chief Thomas Greeley, Englewood Fire Chief Jeff Kaplan and clergy from many synagogues and churches.

Before the march began, Pastor Thompson thanked everyone for coming out and he spoke about how the community must work together to uphold Dr. Kingʼs fight for equality, dignity, and freedom not just today, but every day.

“There have been tensions in this country and even here in Englewood. We have to work together. We have more in common than separates us.

Dr. King went to the mountaintop, he saw the promised land, and he knew that he would not get there. But, he hoped that one day we would get there.

Our theme this year for the service is “Keep Hope Alive,” a quote by one of the soldiers who marched with Dr. King, Jesse Jackson. Dr King knew that at times he would get weary fighting the fight. I have gotten weary too, but it is not going to keep me from fighting. I wonʼt stop, and I pray that we here in Englewood do not stop from committing to justice. Justice is not a destination - it is a journey. It is not a sprint itʼs a

marathon!

So, let us commit to finding the commonalities that we have and use them as a foundation to work together.”

Inspirational remarks were also made by Rabbi Joshua Waxman of Temple Beth Rishon in Wycoff and Reverend Sanetta Ponton, Pastor of the Metro Community Church.

At 10:00, Pastor Thompson led the march through Englewood to the Ebenezer Baptist Church on 4th Street where over 100 more people - dignitaries, residents and guestshad assembled to hear the worship service. The group included Englewood Councilmen Charles Cobb and Kevin Wilson, former Councilmen Wayne Hamer and Scott Reddin, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton with members of the BC Sheriffʼs Department and a group of brothers from Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

The program began with hymns sung by the Unity Choir, which for the first time included members of the

choir from Temple Beth Rishon. Pastor Ponton gave the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by members of the POP Program.

There followed responsive reading led by Sarayah Maxwell and a heartfelt speech by Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes

“I feel privileged, as always,” Wildes began, “to be able to play a role in honoring Dr. King alongside such renowned and respected leaders of our community, as well as neighbors from every ethnicity, every religion, and every corner of our city who stand in solidarity behind the lessons that Dr. King taught, and the ongoing quest to achieve a society that continues to pursue his ideals.

I am thankful every day to be able to call Englewood home, but I am reminded even more so following the birth of my fourth grandchild, my first grandson, just a few days ago. To be able to raise our families in such a

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Peter Jansen, Jeffrey Span, Glen Tory, Mayor Michael Wildes, Reverend Preston Thompson, Assemblywoman Ellen Park, NAACP Bergen County President Jeff Carter, Councilwoman Dr. Lisa Wisotsky, Councilman Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig and Assemblywoman Shama Haider and her grandson Reni Jones. Kenneth Rosenberg and Assemblywoman Shan Haider with her grandson Remi Jones.

Pastor Preston Thompson welcomed the many attendees.

Reverend Dr. Gregory Edwards gave an impassioned sermon.

Valentine’s Day, Conrad’s Confectionery, and ‘love–love’

This month our intrepid columnist treks out to a personal gem just down the road in Westwood, “the Hub of the Pascack Valley,” and brings home a sweet bit of romantic history.

ITʼS FEBRUARY, and for many of us that means facing a day we acknowledge with a love/hate relationship: Valentineʼs Day.

For years, I was no different. When single, it was dreaded as everyone around me looked blissfully in love; when coupled, it was a glorious day for which I held high hopes. I had visions of the man in my life gliding through the front door, laden with rich chocolates and red roses.

My batting average is dismal when it comes to attracting men with a flair for romance. Instead, as Valentineʼs Day grows into evening, I find myself eventually asking, Do you know what day it is? And to that, I get something akin to “Yeah, hon, itʼs Thursday.” My relationship with Valentineʼs Day soured from love–hate to hate–hate.

A quick poll of my friends told me I wasnʼt alone. It made me wonder who set these poor men

By Tara McCann

14, the fateful day he was taken to be executed, he sent her a love letter signed “from your Valentine.”

In 496 AD, it was a Roman festival that made Valentineʼs Day universal. The festival Lupercalia was held in the middle of February, which officially marked the start of their springtime.

The story goes that, as part of the celebration, boys drew names of girls from a box. The duo were then paired and were boyfriend and girlfriend for the duration of the festival. Sometimes it led to marriage.

Many years later, when the church wanted to turn the festival into a Christian celebration, it decided to remember St. Valentine who martyred himself for love.

candy. Candy became a Valentineʼs staple in 1866, when Daniel Chase developed a machine that could press food dye letters onto the candy hearts that his brother Oliver created.

These Sweetheart candies still exist. Theyʼre the one with slogans such as “Be Mine” and “Kiss Me.” In the six weeks that they are on the market, around eight billion of them sell. Thatʼs a lot of candy hearts.

Conradʼs to the rescue LUCKILYFORME, I have a candy gem thatʼs just a few minutes drive away. Conradʼs Confectionery in Westwood was started by Fred Conrad, who came to the United States after being orphaned in South Africa during the Boer War. He took confectionery classes in New York City, and then opened the business in 1928.

In the 1930s, Jim Pouletsos, grandfather of the current owner JJ Krachtus, started working for Fred as a soda jerk (the kid behind the counter who operated the soda machine, preparing and serving soda drinks and ice cream sodas). Jim soon left to serve his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Europe during WWII.

of the candy is made right on the premises, and you can see the dedication that goes into each piece.

The store retains an old-world charm. I can easily envision young couples in the 1950s sitting down, sharing an egg cream. The salespeople are warm, outgoing and helpful. They clearly care about each other, and their customers.

To add to that charm, Conradʼs experiences a metamorphosis over the calendar year. From fall through Easter, candy is Conradʼs main business and artistic chocolates line the shelves.

From spring to fall, itʼs ice cream. So after Easter, Conradʼs physically changes its establishment from a retail store, geared toward selling candy with no place for customers to sit down, to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda fountain with counter and booths. Both designs are well worth visiting, many times over.

I wandered in there recently with my daughter Sadie. The reception, as usual, made us feel

Conrad’s Confectionery is at 107 Westwood Ave.,Westwood.Call (201) 664-2895 or visit conrads1928.com.Hours are Monday –Saturday 10 a.m.to 6 p.m.,closed Sunday. Photos courtesy Richard Frant/FrantVisuals.

(and women) up for such epic failure? I was surprised to learn that this demon was none other than a priest:

According to the BBC, the holiday began in Rome in the third century AD. Popular belief is that a priest — who would become St. Valentine — defied the law of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius, believing married men made bad soldiers, banned marriage. Valentine disagreed and continued to perform marriages in secret.

When his “treason” was discovered, Valentine was jailed, and sentenced to death. But the story doesnʼt end there. In a twist that would launch many Hallmark cards, Valentine fell in love with the jailerʼs daughter. And on Feb.

SO, 496 AD to present day… thatʼs a whole lot of years of disappointed significant others. Or was it? It dawned on me that in the beginning, it was love, pure and simple, that marked the day. When did it become commercialized?

While Valentineʼs card giving had been a tradition for centuries in England, it was here in the United States that gift-giving took form in the mid-19th century.

Today, Valentineʼs Day consumerism is big business. Last year, Americans spent $23.9 billion on the holiday While an expensive evening out or jewelry marked a portion of the money spent, the majority of it (56%) was

Upon returning, Jim became a partner in Conradʼs. This partnership continued for some time until Fred sold his partnership to Jim and another partner, Kenny Fournier

Soon Jim bought out Kenny, and he became the sole owner of Conradʼs.

In 1987, the next generation of the family, John and Corinne, took over the company. Their son JJ became involved in the family business in 2005, when he began working alongside his parents. In 2015, JJ took over the ownership.

Thereʼs a feeling that one experiences when patronizing a family-owned generational company. I feel it as soon as I walk though Conradʼs door. Almost all

like weʼve known the sales ladies for years. Extremely helpful to me, and thoroughly interested in Sadieʼs school activities, they exhibited no pressure to buy.

But I had come with a mission: I was searching for their chocolate nonpareils, my favorite. Iʼm planning to save them for Valentineʼs Day. I might even pick up my own bunch of red roses. This year Iʼll be my own hopeless romantic and shower myself with the staples of the holiday.

This year, I will finally experience a love/love relationship with Valentineʼs Day.

Conradʼs Confectionery is at 107 Westwood Ave., Westwood. Call (201) 664-2895 or visit conrads1928.com. Hours are Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday — Tara McCann, a local mom and experienced seafarer, Hollywood producer, and magazine columnist, calls out new Northern Valley Hidden Gems every issue. Sheʼs at NorthernValleyPress@ThePressGro up.net.

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NORTHERN VALLEY

‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ goes right Feb. 18–March 11

B ergen County Players ( BCP), one of Americaʼs longest-running little theater companies, will continue its 90th season on Saturday, Feb. 18 with the hilarious Tony Award-winning hit Broadway comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

P erformances run through Saturday, March 11 at the Little F irehouse Theatre in Oradell with shows on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 and Sunday afternoons at 2.

Tickets, priced at $24 on Fridays and Saturdays, and $21 on Sundays, can be purchased at bcplayers.org , by calling (201) 261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours.

In “The Play That Goes Wrong,” the “Cornley University Drama Society” is putting on a production of “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” This riotous play-within-a-play whodunnit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that canʼt play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines).

Audiences can sit back and bust a gut at all the misplaced props, banged heads, missed cues, pratfalls, door slams, bro-

ken fingers and mispronounced words as the show literally falls apart at the seams. Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences.

Co-written by Mischief company members Henry Lewis, J onathan Sayer and Henry Shields, “The Play That Goes Wrong” was the winner of the 2 015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, “one of the most laugh-filled works that has ever j ollied a stage” (NY Stage Review). Ben Brantley of The New York Times called The Play That Goes Wrong “A gut-busting hit.”

The Broadway production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” opened at the Lyceum Theatre on April 2, 2017, and by its closing on January 6, 2019, the production played 27 previews and 745 performances, making it the second longest running show in the history of the Lyceum Theatre.

Not yet done with New York, “The Play That Goes Wrong” officially opened OffBroadway on Feb. 20, 2019, at New World Stages – Stage 4.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” received a Tony Award for Best Set Design,

Broadway.com ʼs Audience Choice Award for Best Play and the Theater Fans Choice Award for Best Play.

The talented cast features Angelina Aragona of Township of Washington, Sean Buckley of Secaucus, Eric Holzer of Montclair, Wes Laga of Wood-Ridge, Nyasia Legra of Rockaway, Dan Loverro of Parsippany, Josh Switala of Allendale, and Craig Woodward of Little Falls.

Angelina (Sandra) appeared in this seasonʼs BCP opener, “Ragtime: The Musical,” as well as in “Pippin.” At Ramapo College she appeared in “The Library,” “Urinetown,” “Extremities,” and others, prior to receiving her masterʼs degree summa cum laude.

Sean (Chris) appeared in “The Lion in Winter” and “Cymbeline” at BCP. His stage credits at other area theaters include “The Ghost Train,” “Loveʼs Labourʼs Lost,” “Dial

NORTHERN VALLEY

Valley Toastmasters helps you connect

Itʼs time to make those, “I need to advance my career” New Yearʼs resolutions come true.

The Valley Toastmasters club can help you meet this yearʼs career goals. You can improve your communication skills, lose your fear of public speaking and learn skills that will help you be more successful in whatever path

youʼve chosen in life.

Valley Toastmasters uses time-tested programs that meet each participantʼs needs. Selfpaced programs enable members to progress as rapidly or gradually as their needs dictate.

The Hands-On Communication Program provides the “howto” and the practical experience

so critical to progress. Meetings run on the first and third Monday of the month at the First Congregational Church, 276 Haworth Ave., Haworth. For more information, call (201) 767-3063 or visit Valley Toastmasters at http://3181.toastmastersclubs.org

Bergen County Players continues its 90th season on Saturday,Feb.18 with the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

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At 9, he’s published two mystery books

When 9-year-old Matteo Marciano had a great idea for a new book he didnʼt let his age stop him from achieving his dream — he wrote two.

The now-published author and Mackay Elementary School third-grader is working on his third book and plans to tackle non-fiction.

“I like reading, so I decided that I could write,” said Marciano. He wrote his first book, “The mystery of Jack, Jill and the Ancient Crystal,” about a pair of plucky orphans, in 2021 when he was 7.

“Mystery is good because I can end on a cliffhanger and then write more books,” Marciano said in a press release Tenafly Public Schools sent Northern Valley Press on Jan. 3.

Published in November 2022, “Jack, Jill, and The Pirateʼs Curse” continues the orphansʼ adventure as they travel underground and meet mummies,

Club 60 of Harrington Park has begun announcing its trips for 2023. Trips are open to all seniors.

• March 14: St Paddyʼs Day luncheon and show by Mike Burns

ogres, and a nasty skeleton and demon.

Both books are illustrated by Dan McCann and are available in paperback on Amazon.

Each book took the young author about a year to complete.

Marciano began drafting book three soon after he completed his second book. Book three continues the mystery of the missing

crystal.

The author has inspired his classmates, and several students admit to having ideas for their own books. So, what advice does Marciano give to other aspiring writers? “Make sure you keep your ideas in your mind and in a notebook.” To learn more about Marcianoʼs books, visit his Instagram and Amazon page.

at The Shore Club

Matteo Marciano wrote his first book,“The mystery of Jack,Jill and the Ancient Crystal,”about a pair of plucky orphans,in 2021 when he was 7.

MARCIANO

FROM PAGE 8

is a freshman attending the College of Mount St. Vincent in Riverdale, New York.

Gabrielle RodriguezGabrielle is currently doing graduate studies at Duke University School of Nursing in Durham, North Carolina.

Melissa Rose- Melissa is a freshman attending Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. She is majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.

Samantha Whilby- Samantha is a sophomore attending Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia.

She is majoring in Human Nutrition and Food Exercise and a minor in Spanish.

This yearʼs Womanʼs Club of Englewood Scholarship Reception began with a welcome by President Natalie Beaumont and State President Shirley Holley.

The event included several speakers. Claire J. Hill, Vice President of the Palisades District of New Jerseyʼs State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs, praised the Englewood Womanʼs Club Scholarship Program, Maryann Washington-Diaz, First Vice President, gave a history of the WCE and Englewood Councilwoman Judith Maron, WCE Philanthropy Chair, read the list of scholarship donors.

An inspiring speech was made by Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, who addressed the schol-

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ars, “The late Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsberg said, ʻWomen belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldnʼt be that women are the exception.ʼ She lived by those words and was steadfast in teaching that any boundaries placed on women in our world, be it politics, business, the arts, athletics or otherwise, were artificial, and that they could and should be broken.”

He continued, “You are now becoming the next generation to continue that push and to break new boundaries for yourselves and for our entire community.”

Wildes was followed by guest speaker Reverend Sanetta Ponton, Pastor of the Metro Community Church, who delivered a rousing and heartfelt speech.

Ponton began by saying “You are supposed to be here, and any room you enter, you are supposed to be there. You are supposed to be here no matter how young or how old you are, and there is a reason for you to commit and recommit to being your authentic best.

Even though it is a clichО, I always say, ʻBe yourself.ʼThis means that you should stay committed to the things that are consistent with your values, your interests, your responsibilities, your intellect and your heart.

Even though we are all similar in deep ways, each of you is unique, and I challenge you to find out what makes you different from others, to find your true self and celebrate with others when they try to do the same.

You are supposed to be in any

room you enter - in the boardroom, in the courtroom, in the lab, in the classroom or any other room, and do not be intimidated by anyone else in that room. Remember - you are supposed to be in that room, and to make it better when you leave than when you entered it.”

The highlight of the afternoon was the introduction of the scholarship recipients, made by Elizabeth A. Whitney the WCE Education Chair.

She introduced seven of the scholars who were present, each of whom gave a brief speech about their plans for the future and expressed their gratitude to their sponsor and the Womanʼs Club for the financial opportunity given to them.

Each scholar was then given a citation by Assemblywoman Shama Haider of District 37.

2022-23 Scholarship Donors

This year, there were over 40 donors who gave scholarships. They include the Centennial Scholarship, the Karen and Michael Neus Scholarship in memory of Vivian Farris, the Betty Frank Scholarship in memory of Enid Womacott Frank and the Charlotte Bennet Schoen Scholarship in memory of Dr. Paul Schoen.

Former WCE president, the late Joan Van Alstyne Johnson, supported her own scholarship for many years, and now an anonymous donor renews that scholarship in her memory each year.

The late Artemis Nazarian, the WCE treasurer for 18 years, supported a scholarship for many years, and her family continues that scholarship in her memory

Karen and Michael Neus, the daughter and son-in-law of Vivian Farris, the former WCE longtime

Education Chair, support two scholarships in her memory.

An additional former president, the late Charlotte Hansen, long supported a scholarship, and designated money for scholarships in her will so that her legacy can be renewed in the future.

Another WCE member, Betty Frank, joined with Louise Schwartz to create the Enid Wonnacott Frank Scholarship in memory of Betty Frankʼs daughter-in-law.

The WCE itself awards a Centennial Scholarship, a Nursing Scholarship and a College Scholarship.

The goal of the scholarship program is for the scholars to become successful and one day establish their own scholarships to perpetuate this Womanʼs Club of Englewoodʼs incredible legacy.

Photos by Hillary Viders

Assemblywoman Shama Haider, Ashlee Lantigue, Faith Adams, Shaina Lacap, Cameryn Lindsay, Gabrielle Rodriguez, Yahaira O'Keefe and Melissa Rose and Woman’s Club of Englewood Education Chair Elizabeth Whitney.

Tenafly Senior Center

POCKET PARK IN

CLOSTER

Residents celebrated the unveiling of the boroughʼs first pocket park — formerly a nondescript alley off Closter Dock Road between Durie Avenue and West Street recently.

Festivities included American roots music by the Rob and Amy Group.

This park was made possible with a generous $11,000 in funds from the 2022 AARP Community Challenge Grant. The installation is by Cleatus Farms Inc. of Northvale.

The borough promised the money would help connect commuter and shopper parking areas to the central historic commercial street area.

Mayor John C. Glidden Jr. said “Closter is pleased to be a recipient of the AARP Community Challenge Grant, which will enable us to create a convenient gathering place for our residents, partic-

ularly our senior population, as they walk from the parking area to the downtown shopping district.”

Councilwoman Victoria Amitai added, “We plan on adding benches, hydrangeas and plants to transform the shabby-looking place in our borough. This pocket park will be a great transformation.”

AARPsaid Closter is one of eight municipalities in the Garden State — and the only one in north Jersey — to receive such grants this round. Approximately 260 grants totaling $3.4 million were awarded nationwide.

Under terms of the grant, the borough was to achieve one of the following:Create vibrant public places, deliver a range of transportation and mobility options, encourage the availability of a range of housing, ensure a focus on diversity and inclusion, increase civic engagement, or support communitiesʼ efforts to build engagement and leverage funding.

—Staff report

The ribbon cutting for Closter’s pocket park:Mayor John C.Glidden Jr.,councilwomen Vicky Amitai and Alissa Latner,and members of the Closter Improvement Commission. Borough of Closter photo.

searching voice. Neus has produced more than 3,400 hours of live television in the last seven-odd years, first in local news, in Charlottesville, Va. and then at CNN in New York City.

She produced and reported from Ukraine at the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022; from Istanbul, Turkey for “Muhammad Najem, War Reporter”; from Uvalde, Texas after the horrific 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary; from Puerto Rico after the earthquakes in 2019; from inside general population at the Maine State Prison; fromavalanche territory in Telluride, Colo.; and from many other locales.

Her work often has a special focus on LBGTQ+ history, rights and resistance. One of her longterm investigations, on human rights violations in surgeries on intersex children, was cited in witness testimony in California senate hearings about S.B. 201.

While reporting that story, she uncovered an under-the-wire campaign contribution from the top opposing lobbying group to the reelection campaign of the chairman of the committee that killed the bill, leading to calls for his ouster.

She says, “Iʼve also dug deep into the abuse of incarcerated trans women, a story which required months of relationship building, legal review, and fact-checking. My reporting also includes quickturn pieces including breaking the news that a California state senator would announce a repeal of the

“Walking While Trans” ban.

Neus earned her master of war studies degree from Kingʼs College London, for which she completed research on the intersection of mass media, journalism, and terrorism.

She earned her master of public policy degree and B.A. in history, both from the University of Virginia, where she was a fully funded Jefferson Scholar.

In Neusʼs reporting — and as illustrated by Julie Robine —

Muhammed Najem was only 8 when the war in Syria began. He was 13 when his beloved Baba, his father, was killed in a bombing while praying.

“By 15, Muhammad didnʼt want to hide any more — he wanted to act. He was determined to reveal what families like him were enduring in Syria: bombings by their own government and days hiding in darkunderground shelters,” Neus says.

She adds, “Armed with the camera on his phone and the support of his family, he started reporting on the war using social media. He interviewed other kids like him to show what they hope for and dream about. More than anything, he did it to show that Syrian kids like his toddler brother and infant sister, were just like kids in any other country.”

Neus says, “Despite unimaginable loss, Muhammad was always determined to document the human-

ity of the Syrian people. Eventually, the world took notice. This tenderly illustrated graphic memoir is told by Muhammad himself along with Nora, who helped to break Muhammadʼs story and bring his familyʼs plight to an international audience.”

The book arguably will be required reading, and deserves a place in the classroom alongside such works as Art Spiegelmanʼs “Maus,” Ted Rallʼs “To Afghanistan and Back” and “The Stringer,” and Marjane Satrapiʼs “Persepolis.”

Nora will be in conversation with family friend and church member Debbie Abitante on Sunday, March 5 at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of Tenafly Presbyterian Church, 55 Magnolia Ave. Admission is free as part of PCATʼs expanding arts and cultural outreach program. For more information, visit tenaflypresby.org or call (201) 567-0111.

Nora Neus is in conversation at PCAT on Sunday,March 5 at 4 p.m. Free.

S Sc c h o o ol l N N e e w s

Show: ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ starts Feb. 18

FROM PAGE 14

M for Murder,” and “Wm & Jas — A Ghost Story.”

Eric (Dennis) has pulled d ouble duty at BCP handling publicity, as well as appearing in “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Clue,” a nd “Ragtime: The Musical.”

Other BCP credits include

“Veronicaʼs Room,” “33 Variations,” “Pippin,” and “The Lion in Winter,” for which he received a Perry Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

Wes (Trevor) teaches drama to students in grades 6–11 in Manhattan, and he is the cofounder and vice president of Full Circle Theatre Collective based in New Jersey.

Nyasia (Annie) is making her BCP debut in this production. Her prior credits at other theaters include “Pride and Prejudice,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Twelfth Night,” and “Almost, Maine.”

Dan (Jonathan) most recently appeared on our stage in “Ragt ime: The Musical.” Previous BCP credits include “Spamalot,” “ Pippin,” “Itʼs Only a Play,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and “The Lion in Winter.” Perf ormances on other stages include “Matilda the Musical” and “Avenue Q.”

Josh (Max), a recent graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he was part of the Alph Psi Omega theater honor society, is excited to make his BCP debut. Credits include The Old Library Theaterʼs “It Shoul-

da Been You,” Ramapo Collegeʼs “ Urinetown,” “A Midsummer Nightʼs Dream,” and “Of Mice and Men.”

Craig (Robert) last appeared on our stage in “The Drowsy Chaperone.” His performances on other stages include “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Falsettos” and “Moon Over Buffalo.”

A Life Member of BCP, director Alyson Cohn has been active with the Players for over 35 years. Her long list of directorial credits includes “God of Carnage” (Perry Award for Best Director of a Play), “Art,” “The L aramie Project,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “One Flew Over the Cuckooʼs Nest,” “The Heidi Chronicles,” “Six Degrees of Separation,” “Proposals,” “True

West,” and “Proof” (Perry Award for Best Production of a Play), among others.

She has appeared on the BCP stage in many productions, including “Lend Me a Tenor,” “A Year with Frog and Toad,” “Into the Woods,” “The Full Monty,” and “Little Shop of Horrors” (Best Actress Perry Award).

Alyson is the founder and director of Music Together of Northern New Jersey, an acclaimed music and movement program for pre-schoolers. Regarding her directorial choices on “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Alyson says, “Everything needs to be precisely timed in this show. Thereʼs no room for actors to do something a little different each night as you might in a drama.”

She says, “The nice thing is theyʼre supposed to be bad actors in a poorly directed show, so finally I have the freedom to create all this terrible staging. I get to break all the director rules! Iʼm like, yes, make it look ugly! Thatʼs kind of freeing and exciting and creative.”

Bergen County Players strongly encourages its patrons to be vaccinated for Covid-19 but will not require proof of vaccination to enter the building. The use of face coverings/masks is also very strongly recommended. Reminders of that recommendation will be visible throughout the facility and stated by our Front-ofHouse staff before each event. For more information visit bcplayers.org

Westwood 200 Third Ave. 201-722-9822

• We are a 12 month school, offering 5 day and 3 day programs.

• Hours of operation 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Breakfast and Lunch included.

•Age appropriate curriculum.

• State of the art security system.

•Fully enclosed age appropriate soft surface playground.

•Our staff are CPR and First Aid Certified.

locations!

S Sc c h o o ol l N e w w s

Suddenly: AHA seniors build ladder up for others

FROM PAGE 1

While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestig ious school serves young

women from many backgrounds. A review of the adademics requirements shows all students must take a minimum of three years of laboratory science

courses for graduation. The three c ourses must include biology, chemistry and physics. The Advanced Placement P rogram is designed to allow

NORTHERNVALLEY PRESS

welcomes press releases,birth announcements,wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Northern Valley. Send all news to northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net

Mayor’s Committee for the Arts

The Mayorʼs Committee for the Arts, overseen by the Improvement Commission, is excited to announce the following pop-up performances:

•Saturday, Feb. 4: Northwest Strings Quartet, Lois Roman.

•Saturday, March 4: Robbie and Amy.

• Saturday, April 1: Understaffed, Elliot Roman.

•Saturday, May 6: CJC Music School, Sung Chung. All performances are in the Community Room at the Closter Public Library at 2 p.m.

high school students to pursue college-level studies while attending high school.

Electives are offered in anatomy and physiology, and there are courses in engineering innovation and design (honors), engineering models and toolkits, robotics and automation, and environmental science, among others.

AHAʼs midde school — grades 6 through 8 — aims “to inspire young women to cultivate a life-long love of learning while empowering them to navigate the

challenges of adolescence, find their voice, and share their unique gifts with others.”

Students “will receive an individually designed educational program … define themselves and their potential as they pursue familiar interests and explore new educational pathways, and … receive a solid foundation to prepare them for high school while developing a moral compass in the tradition of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.”

Noelle Wacker and Julia Favaro discuss the skeletal system.

Raphaela Cárdenas presents on body systems.

Bianca Cifelli and AHA principal Jean Miller at the blood pressure station.

AHA Middle School health teacher Christine Paladino and student Rachel Mina work with a student.

CLOSTER

King: Englewood celebration

FROM PAGE 12

diverse, yet close-knit community is truly a blessing. To teach inclusion, open-mindedness and respect for all of our fellow men and women is critical, but there is no comparison to living it - to sharing experiences, building meaningful relationships, and understanding that though people may not exactly look alike, talk like you, or pray like you, we all share the same humanity.

We owe Dr. King so much in guiding our path, as well as our contemporaries such as Pastor Thompson and all those here at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, other leaders of our faith community, our teachers, coaches, parents, public servants, activists and everyone else who adopts Dr. Kingʼs

NORTHERN VALLEY

teachings into their lives.”

After Wildesʼspeech, Renee Wilson gave acknowledgements of the special guests present, and Pastor Thompson introduced the guest speaker, Reverend Dr. Gregory J. Edwards, Pastor of the Resurrected Life Community Church United Church of Christ, Allentown, PA.

Edwards delivered a fiery and impassioned sermon about the historical divide and socio-economic inequity between different ethnicities. “Just because some people are different doesnʼt mean that they are deficient!

Dr. King didnʼt lose his life because he was a PhD or because he was a Reverend or because he was a Nobel Prize winner. He lost is life because he was standing in solidarity with people who collected trash. He

believed in dignity and freedom for all Americans!”

“Itʼs time to sing a new song!,” Rev. Edwards shouted. “A song has three components - the melody, the harmony and rhythm. For a song to be new, you canʼt just change the words or a single note. You have to change the underlying structure that gives the song shape meaning and movement. So, we canʼt just change what we say, we have to fundamentally change how we think and we have to change what we do!”

As he spoke, audience members were so energized by Edwardsʼ words that many stood, cheered, clapped and shouted “Amen!” Following Rev. Edwardsʼsermon, Pastor Thompson presented Rev. Edwards with a Resolution.

County Hall-of-Famer celebrates 100th

River Valeʼs Jack Muhlenbruch, who was inducted into the Bergen County Bowling Hall of Fame in 1980, celebrated his 100th birthday on Jan. 12.

To mark the occasion, Jack and five of his golfing friends from Northwood Golf Club had dinner with him at the Grant Street Cafe in Dumont, which was a favorite of Jackʼs through the years.

In addition to his distinguished career as a bowler, he was a very good all-around athlete. He was an amateur baseball player in the Bergen County area, and was a charter member of the Northwood Golf Club, which was start-

DEMAREST

ed in 1969, and was an active competitor until a few years ago.

For more information or an application to join Northwood

At 12:30, when the program ended, there were many discussions about the inspiration given by

Golf Club, send secretary/treasurer Jim Dugan an e-mail at dunloedoog@aol.com or call him at (201) 666-8199.

Got the moves! AHAdancers nab five first-place finishes

Strong performances at the action-packed regional competition in Arlington, Va. netted five first place trophies for the Academy of the Holy Angels Dance Team. The Dec. 10, 2022 United Dance Association DC Regional event was held at Bishop OʼConnell High School, and drew multiple teams.

The Academyʼs varsity dancers, who are five-time national champs in small varsity hiphop, earned first place and Best Crowd Appeal for their debut jazz performance.

JV earned first place finishes in hip-hop and pom, and the JV pom routine received Best Choreography honors.

AHA Middle School dancers finished first in both pom and hiphop.

“We debuted a new routine category. In addition to pom and hip-hop, our varsity team is competing in the jazz division,” head coach Jenny Sweet told Northern Valley Press. “Out of six veteran schools in the varsity jazz divi-

Strong performances at the action-packed regional competition in Arlington,Va.netted five first place trophies for the Academy of the Holy Angels Dance Team.

sion, the AHA dancers were awarded first place. Our goal is to show that our dancers are wellrounded and can perform at the highest level in every genre. Our program continues to grow and so does the work ethic of these dancers! This is only the beginning.”

Sweet organized the Holy Angels team 12 years ago with just 14 dancers. This year, Sweet, JV coach Alyssa Aponte (AHA ʼ12), and middle school coach Kristen DePeri (AHA ʼ09) are overseeing the largest team in the programʼs history.

Captains for 2022-23 are, for

varsity, Katie Fragola and Noelle Wacker; for JV Isabella McMahon and Alexandra Nicholas; and, for middle school Bella de Leon, Emily Kho, and Maddie Krol.

The varsity roster includes Katie Fragola, Noelle Wacker, Jordyn Wynn, Karis Cho, Juliet Gelineau, Maggie Yu, Mackenzie

Crimmins, Emily Figueroa, Milena Hiza, Ava McAdams, Quinn Reicherz, Auden Cho, Julia Struhs, and Samantha Zeccardi.

JV dancers are Isabella McMahon, Maggie Danahy, Alexandra Nicholas, Caelyn Lindsay, Olivia Leys, Gianna Pasquale, Kat Bing, Caroline Kartman, Chloe Kwon, Stella Chung, Alexis David, Lyla Dove, Madeline Lee, Kate Rifon, Cyia Sabathia, Leyla Ziemba, Evelyn Chia, and Trinity Savage.

Members of the AHA Middle School Team are Annabella de Leon, Emily Kho, Maddie Krol, Kayleigh McGee, Ava Cifelli, Sophia Garzon, Cristyn Lindsay, Isa Rodriguez, Viv Van Ost, and Camilla Martinez.

This past summer, six Angels were named All-Americans and received an invitation to participate in the 2023 London New Yearʼs Day Parade.

AHAʼs honorees are Katie Fragola, Jordyn Wynn, Isabella McMahon, Maddie Krol, Emily Kho, and Annabella de Leon.

Left to right: Jim Dugan,Jim Perri,Sonny Garzino,Jack Muhlenbruch,Steve Turek,and Alex Dini.Photo via Jim Dugan.

the speakers and the ideals of Martin Luther King..

Photos by Hillary Viders

Reverend John Givens (right) and fellow parishioners give hearty applauds to the sermon given by Reverend Gregory Edwards.

Pastor Preston Thompson and Reverend Dr. Gregory Edwards.

Settingthestandardindentalimplanttherapy

Dental implants are not all the same and have varying success rates. The success is dependent on the product and the practitioner. As a periodontist, which is the ONLY specialty recognized by the American Dental Association as a “dental implant specialist,” I feel it is important to inform the commu-

nity about how dental implant treatments have changed over the past 50 years causing a decline in success.

Dental implants have been well researched and placed in patients by periodontist and oral surgeons since the 1970s. The published scientific literature in the ʼ70s and ʼ80s estimated 97-99% success rates when controlled for certain systemic diseases & smoking. More recently, the success rates have gone down while research and knowledge has increased.

In 2007, I graduated from a

full-time three-year dental implant specialty training program from Rutgers Dental School called Periodontics. This was in addition to general dental school. At the time, only a handful of companies were fabricating dental implants. These companies were partnered with universities, periodontists and oral surgeons for decades to establish research to prove that their products met or exceeded the standard of care which was 97-99% success rate for 20-plus years.

Periodontists followed up on

the implants for decades to see how the implants lasted in patientsʼ mouths: to see if gum disease developed or affected them, if loss of an adjacent tooth affected them, if the implant suffered consequences from smoking or if added to a denture. This is all the knowledge which is taught at a university level and takes years to learn. If implants are meant to last forever, it must be handled in such a manner and treatment planned accordingly anticipating changes to a patientʼs dentition and aging.

Today many more companies are fabricating these implants and come from overseas with little to no research proving their product has the same level success. This is completely legal through the FDA 501(k) approval process which allows clearance to sell the product.

But this should not preclude the company to perform some level of research to protect the public. These “knock-off” implants are much cheaper and have not taken initiative to prove their success.

that these implant companies and private companies are offering

short term “training programs” to general dentists in attempts to sell more product so generalists can do these surgical services at their.

In my opinion, as dental implants are meant to be a permanent tooth replacement option, it is important to go to a trained specialist, who is a periodontist, who has the science a nd university-based training and the opportunity to practice these procedures hundreds of times on patients before a private practice setting.

I am a solo, female, dental implant specialist, surgeon and periodontist. I am a lead to a team of four hygienists, each with over 25 years of experience. I place hundreds of dental implants a year and follow them in my highly trained hygiene practice. I partner with many general dentists throughout Bergen County to design, perform and maintain complex dental implant restorations.

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

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

DR. KAPLAN: It’s all about creating good habits

People have been asking me what they can do for depression and anxiety from all the doom and gloom of the news. I would start by unplugging the TV, computer, and cell phone. Take a social media break.

Most anxiety is caused by the nervous system being over-stimulated. The best way to help reduce anxiety is to relax the brain.

The most common stimulants are in beverages like coffee, tea, soda, juice, energy drinks, sports drinks, carbonated drinks, shakes, sugar-free drinks, milk, lemonade, and smoothies. The only healthy drink is water, but not carbonated water, smart water, or coconut water.

A better option is to add a touch of pink Himalayan salt and squeeze organic lemon, lime, cucumber, or oranges in the water, or even heat it up and flavor it with some ginger, cinnamon, apple slices, or mint leaves.

Sugar and sugar replacements such as honey, syrup, stevia, high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, maltose, agave, corn syrup, corn fructose, xylitol, rice syrup, and many other sweeteners are stimulants.

Food dyes, food preservatives, food coloring, artificial sweeteners, natural flavors, and artificial flavors are also stimulants so look at all the labels. The easiest way to avoid these products is to only shop on the outside of the supermarket. That is where you will find all your fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, poultry, fish, and meat. Stay away from all the products in the aisles where food is stored in bags, cans, boxes, and containers.

Stay away from all food after 5 or 6 p.m. Eating or drinking at night will stimulate cortisol, which is the

stress hormone and will increase anxiety and disrupt your sleep.

Another way to reduce cortisol production: stay away from all electronics, including cell phones, after 5 p.m. The electronics emit a blue light which will increase stress and anxiety, as well as causing difficulty with focus and anger management, which will result in a short temper.

Try to unplug as much as possible and keep the electronics at least 6 feet away from you at night and always at least 6 inches away during the day.

To lift your mood at home immediately, start a routine that includes exercising every day, eating healthy, taking vacations, going in the sun, being in nature, avoiding sugar and alcohol, walking barefoot in the grass, going to bed before 10 p.m., getting off social media, detaching from your cell phone, writing in a journal, complimenting people, showing love to your family and friends, giving to charities

It is all about creating good habits. Even if you improve just 1% each week, at least you are going in a good direction. Forming good health habits will also drastically decrease your levels of anxiety, as well as depression.

Great special offers!

We really want to help so the first seven people that call my office at (201) 261-2150 will get a free vitamin D bottle, a free signed book (“Boost Your Brain Power: A guide to improving your memory and focus”) as well as a complete neurological evaluation at my office for $21 (normally $500).

This evaluation will help get to the root cause of your depression or anxiety and we will come up with natural solutions that do not have risks like certain medications.

For more healthy habits and information about our in-office and virtual services, visit my website,

www.kaplandc.com. For the month of February, we are offering a $21 neurological evaluation which is normally $500. Mention this ad and when you come to the office you will also get a FREE vitamin D bottle and a FREE signed copy of my book “Boost Your Brain Power: A guide to improving your memory and focus.”

Call us today at (201) 261-2150 or email us at info@kaplanbrainand-

body.com to reserve your spot immediately as spaces are filling up quickly. Everyone deserves to feel better, function better, and live better.

Lastly, if you are interested, I will be giving a live lecture (also Zoom and recordings available) in River Edge on Feb. 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the best ways to reduce depression and anxiety. It is normally $100, but for the first seven people

that sign up, you can go to the seminar for only $49, plus get five other bonus seminars (that occur once a month) which cover sleep, energy, nutrition, inflammation, and improving memory and focus.

Call ot text (646) 221-6738 or email me at info@kaplanbrainandbody.com and say you are interested in the Boost Your Brain Power Seminar Series for only $49.

LOCALDENTISTSTOPROVIDEFREE DENTISTRYFORCHILDREN

The dental offices of Dr. Mariliza LaCap and her husband, Dr. Darren Tong, residents of Old Tappan, will provide a day of free dentistry for children whose parents canʼt afford dental care for their children.

The couple are taking this initiative as part of “Give Kids a Smile,” where on Feb. 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. a day of free dentistry is offered to children who donʼt have access to dental care.

The office is one of the few in the Bergen/Rockland county area participating in this program.

Last year more than 48,000 dental team members nationwide participated in “Give Kids a Smile.”

“Itʼs heartbreaking to see a childʼs smile destroyed by severe tooth decay,” said Dr. Tong. “Imagine not being able to eat, sleep or pay attention in school because you have a mouthful of toothaches.”

Nearly one in four children aged 2–11 have untreated cavities in their baby teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While

poor diet and oral hygiene certainly play a role, cavities are actually caused by a disease called caries, which is five times more common than asthma.

The National Institutes of Health report that 80% of tooth decay is found in 25% of children, primarily from low-income families. Public health programs such as Medicaid and the State Childrenʼs Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are supposed to help underserved children, utilization

rates are low.

“Giving back to the community that has supported our office is also important to us,” says Dr. LaCap, a Columbia University alumnus who has been practicing dentistry for over 31 years with her husband, Dr. Tong.

In order to be considered as a qualified patient, the child must be aged of 3–17. The family must be in need of financial help or is having financial difficulties in maintaining the dental health of their children.

“These appointments fill up quickly We usually have to turn people away,” says Ayesa, the team leader at Smile More Kidz.

The children will receive a comprehensive dental exam, dental treatment including fillings, oral healthcare instruction, fluoride treatment and free dental hygiene material including toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.

To schedule an appointment with Smile More Kidz at 140 Oak Tree Road, Old Tappan, on Feb 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., call (845) 359-1763.

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY

Dr.Darren Tong and Dr.Mariliza LaCap are participating in “Give Kids a Smile” on Feb 11.

Cureton:

FROM PAGE 7

ty Sheriff is very extensive. What are the main responsibilities your job entails?

SC: Providing oversight to the courts, highway and county parks, crime scene investigations, corrections division, the K9 Unit, the SWAT Team in conjunction with the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. We are a force multiplier that provides additional support to local municipalities as needed. The BCSO prides itself on Community Outreach, inclusive of the Reentry program in the jail.

HV: What are the greatest challenges that you are facing today?

SC: Maintaining the trust of the community and recruiting qualified candidates for the sheriffʼs office and the correctional divisions. It is a great occupation, but there is a decline in applicants, which is not systemic to the Bergen County Sheriffʼs Office.

HV: Racism and antisemitism are widespread problems throughout the U.S. What does the Sheriffʼs Department do to address this?

SC: We keep a close relationship with clergy from the Jewish community, the Asian community and leaders of other cultures and religions. During the Jewish High Holy Days, we provide extra security to all houses of worship, and twice a year, we have meetings with clergy and community leaders to see how we can assist in reassuring their congregants that there will be high police presence.

HV: Another widespread problem is opioid overdoses, particularly from Fentanyl, the synthetic drug coming from Mexico that is cheap to make, 50 times stronger than heroin and deadly. CDC data reports that between October 2020 and 2021, fentanyl-related deaths in New Jersey increased from 2,898 to 2,915. Itʼs a 64 percent increase from the 1,777 deaths reported five years ago in October 2016.

SC: When I first took office in 2018, one of the initiatives implemented is the Pathway Forward Truck, which is a Community Outreach Vehicle that will serve as both a prevention and educational

tool. The vehicle will deploy a recovery specialist, mental health clinician, and Sheriffʼs Officer to highrisk area to prevent overdose and encourage users to seek treatment. This initiative would work in concert with the corrections division drug rehabilitation center.

HV: Do you mean that someone just using Fentanyl can be arrested and jailed?

SC: Yes, Fentanyl is recognized as an illegal CDS. We are thankful that typically the law enforcement community is provided with NARCAN kits to counteract the effects of opioids.

HV: Are there any new programs and/or equipment that law enforcement will have this year?

SC: One of our newest innovations, funded by a federal grant, are license plate readers on highways and county parks. They show car thefts in real time and make it much easier to apprehend criminals.

We are also launching a countywide campaign that advises people to, “Take Your Fob, Keep Your Car.” The slogan will be on stickers placed on the back of Sheriffʼs office vehicles.

Another new piece of equipment is the use of body cams in the jails.

We also are using a new bill sign by the governor, that permit alternative policy for hiring police officers. They are selected based on their resume and do not have to take the Civil Service exam. Recently, we had a pool of 500 candidates and 25 of them were hired.

Recognizing the diversity of Bergen County, we have been proactive in recruiting from various communities. We have hired officers that are African American, Korean, Muslim and Egyptian. We also just promoted two women to the rank of Captain, the first African American female and the first Caucasian woman in the history of the Bergen County Sheriffʼs Office.

HV: Many people are not aware of all the outreach programs that your office has. Can you name some of the most successful ones?

SC: An important outreach initiative is our food program that gives out 200 hot meals every day. We also

give out 1500 Thanksgiving turkeys to families and 450 backpacks to kids for school. We do a program every year called “Bigs in Blue,” in which we mentor children, and it culminates in police officers taking children shopping for the Christmas /Chanukah holiday. This year, we took them shopping at Walmart, and last year it was at Target.

We also have coat drives, toy drives for less fortunate children, clothing drives for fire victims, bicycle safety classes, “Coffee with a Cop,” “Pizza with a Cop” and Easter Bunny Visits.

One of my personal favorite outreach programs is “Chief For a Day,” in which a special needs child in each BC town is allowed to assume the role of a police chief and given a uniform and badge. All these “chiefs” then assemble at the Bergen County Court House where they meet law enforcement officials from different units.

Itʼs a remarkable experience for these youngsters and a rewarding for the police departments.

(Cureton points to a framed photo of himself with an 8-year-old “chief.”)

We also have Citizen Police Academy twice a year and a Youth Leader-

ship Program, just to name a few.

HV: Do you do outreach for seniors?

SC: Yes, we have programs for seniors. We just had a wonderful event for seniors at the home of (recently retired NJ Senator) Loretta Weinberg in Teaneck. Note: For more information on the Bergen County Sheriffʼs Office Community Outreach Unit call 201-336-3540 or visit www.bcsd.us.

HV: In addition to all the outreach that you do with the Sheriffʼs Department, you do a lot of volunteer work yourself for many community organizations, including those with programs for children and teenagers. What do you find rewarding about mentoring young men and women?

SC: Children are our future, so education and mentorship are critical. If we donʼt teach them what is right, they will have to figure it out for themselves and they may go astray. We also must maintain the constant communication about police relations. Incident involving law enforcement, which are questionable, can be sensationalized by social media, causing a communi-

cation barrier.

In 1990, I was recruited by the late Florence Eddings for a Role Model Program at the Janice E. Dismus Middle School. I was a role model. I went on my own time to work with 13 students and showed them that police were there to protect and befriend them. I took them bowling, to play pool, on educational trips, and I talked with them about everything from family issues to bullying. Everyone knew that I cared, and that if I had any problems with anyone of them, I would come right to their house.

One day, one of the 12-yearold boys said, “You bowl? But you donʼt even act like a cop!”

Most of my students have become successful professionals. One even went on to play professional football for the Washington Redskins. To this day, whenever I see the kids that I mentored, they all still recognize me.

HV: Who was your own role model?

SC: My father, Sam Cureton. He was such an amazing man. My family lived across from the Englewood Police Department on Van Brunt Street, but when Urban Renewal renovated the area we were relocated to Lafayette Place in Englewood. In our neighborhood, my father took on several kids, and he was the father that they never had.

My father became a hero to all the kids, and they called him “Papa Sam.” He would let them help out at the auto repair shop that he owned. Eventually, many of them learned to be car mechanics and/or went to college.

HV: What is the most inspirational message that your father gave you?

SC: He said, “We must always preserve our integrity and character, our families, our intellect and our faith.”

I try to live by those words every day.

Sheriff Cureton at the Book Bag Giveaway 2022.

Sheriff Anthony Cureton at a Shop Rite Collaboration to end hunger

Friedberg Properties welcomes Malika Roy

Friedberg Properties & Associates writes in to welcome licensed Real Estate Sales Associate Malika Roy:

Roy says, “I moved from NYC to Bergen County — an easy commute into the city while enjoying the suburban country lifestyle. I spent most of my career in client-oriented roles in technology and finance, solving problems, and delivering meaningful solutions, just as I will find the property that suits your needs or work diligently to sell your home.”

She adds, “As a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate at Friedberg Properties, a full-service real estate firm, I bring dedication to my clients supporting them from start to finish in the company of wonderful, successful, helpful and extremely knowledgeable real estate brokers.”

Roy says, “We provide a

complete real estate experience connecting you with lenders, lawyers, movers, and any other specialist you deem important for your home or any preferred property, residential or commercial.”

Roy says, “Even if itʼs just a conversation about your real estate ventures such as property valuation, housing markets, or if you seek details on buying, selling or renting in Bergen County or relocation through our Leading Real Estate Companies of the World program, I will be happy to speak with you. I look forward to hearing from you.”

Sales Associate Malika Roy is a member of NAR, NJ

REALTORS, Greater Bergen Realtors, Leading real estate Companies of the World at Friedberg Properties & Associates, 1018 Closter Dock Road, Alpine. Call (201) 805-4420 or write Malika.Roy@gmail.com.

S HERIFFREMINDSYOU TOLOCKYOURVEHICLE

Vehicle thefts are up 25% in New Jersey. To curtail vehicle thefts, especially in Bergen County, the Bergen County Sheriffʼs Office will showcase bumper sticker magnets on marked vehicles, reminding drivers to take their key fobs when exiting their vehicles.

“Vehicle thefts are at a high in our county. Itʼs imperative for drivers to make sure they are in possession of their keys and key fob to deter motor vehicle thefts and/or other crimes of opportunity,” Sheriff Anthony Cureton said.

The Bergen County Sheriff ʼs Office tips to help combat the uptick of v ins: in your vehicle.

•Many luxury vehicles have side mirrors that fold inward once the key fob is no longer in the vehicle. This is an easily visible sign for would-be thieves

•Lock your car doors and keep windows up while vehicle is parked

• For extra security, install a car alarm or steering wheel lock

• Remove valuables from your vehicle

•Store accessory items, including phone chargers and dash mounts, in glove compartment or trunk

•If applicable, turn on outside lights around your residence

Keep your residence doors locked

The Bergen County Sheriff ʼs Office notes itʼs dedicated to protecting and serving our community

JCC of Northern NJ sets lively calendar of events

Hereʼs the February calendar of events for JCC of Northern NJ Active Seniors, Temple Avodat Shalom, 385 Howland Ave. in River Edge. $5 suggested donation. To register: jennifers@jccrockland.org or (201) 666-6610 ext. 2. For more information visit jccnnj.org.

Thursday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m.

Join returning favorite historian, author, and JCC friend Michael Goodman for his informative multimedia lecture History of the Refugee Crisis — 19th Century to the Present. Learn more about the history of the challenges faced by refugees seeking a better life in the “land of the free and the home of the brave” over the past 150+ years. This program is presented in partnership with Hadassah of Northern NJ.

Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m.

Acclaimed concert violinist, Dr. David Podles takes the JCCʼs Active Seniors on a Musical Journey Around the World as he performs some of the most famous, poignant and exciting pieces representing a multitude of countries including Israel, France, Hungary, Germany, Romania, Italy, Spain, Russia, Austria and more! The program incorporates both classical and folk music into this special presentation of international music.

Thursday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m.

Social workers Linda Poleyeff and Paula Rozner of Jewish Family and Childrenʼs Services return with part four (of eight) of their monthly series, The Art of Aging This monthʼs topic focuses on forgiveness. Learn why we should take the time to forgive as well as how for-

Factory of Isay Rottenberg tells the story of Rottenberg’s fight for rehabilitation and restitution of his cigar factory (photo by Robert Sarner).

giving both ourselves and others helps us lead healthier lives in mind, body and spirit.

Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 11 a.m.

In honor of Black History Month, this viewing of One Day Universityʼs Rosa Parks: Her True Story and Legacy features Dr. Brenna Wynn Greer, Associate Professor at Wellesley College. Dr. Greer explores how Parksʼmedia representation encouraged an iconic image that, while celebratory and inspiring, is at odds with her long record fighting Jim Crow and its many abuses, informing current day notions about black protest.

(Recorded lecture)

Thursday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m.

of Isay Rottenberg tells the story of Rottenbergʼs fight for rehabilitation and restitution of his cigar factory, expropriated by Deutsche Bank six months after he took over the bankrupt factory in 1932 transforming it into a successful business. Canadian criminal defense lawyer and author of bestselling legal thrillers, Robert Rotenberg, joins us to share the full true story chronicled in this fascinating tale. Brought to us by the Jewish Book Council, this program is presented in partnership with the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Congregation Bʼnai Israel.

improves your mood. JCC friend and favorite maestro Hal Keshner is back to lead us singing Songs We Love to Sing Musical selections will be favorite songs chosen in advance by attendees of Active Seniors. If you like to sing — be it on a stage in front of a crowd, in the car with your family, or even in the shower by yourself — this program is for you!

Thursday, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m.

prizes and bragging rights.

Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m.

FROM PAGE 1

recipient of this impressive recognition. It took your educators, support professionals, administrators, Board of Education, parents, and elected officials working countless hours every day to ensure both you and your school have the resources needed to thrive and receive this acknowledgment, so Iʼd like to give them a big round of applause.”

He added, “And of course, it

Written

by

Rottenbergʼs granddaughters, The Cigar Factory

Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. Singing relieves stress, might boost your immune system, increases your pain threshold, improves lung function, enhances memory, helps with grief, and

Upper: School gets Blue Ribbon

took hard work from all of you — the students — congratulations!”

Gottheimer was joined by Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, Englewood Cliffs Police Chief William Henkelman, Englewood Cliffs Police Captain Keith Wicker, Englewood Cliffs Council President Glenn Luciano, Englewood Cliffs Councilman Tim Koutroubas, District Principal Colin Winch, Superintendent Dr.

Jennifer Brower, Parent Teacher Association President Jane Hur, Englewood Cliffs Education Foundation President Mrs. Aichia Wang, and Board of Education President Shanna Jafri.

In announcing the awards, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, “I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams.

He added, “As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in studentsʼlives.”

Based on the game show of the same name, Minute to Win It consists of a series of 60-second challenges using items typically found around the house. Participants will attempt to see who can finish a challenge first or who can complete a task the most times in under a minute. Itʼs as fun to watch as it is to participate. Compete for

Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, Fiddlerʼs Journey to the Big Screen captures the humor and drama of director Norman Jewisonʼs quest to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and re-envision the beloved stage hit as a wide-screen epic. Join us as we watch this unique behind-the-scenes documentary film in its entirety — 1 hour 28 minutes. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m.

Rep.Josh Gottheimer, right,presents Englewood Cliffs Principal Colin Winch with a United States flag flown over the U.S Capitol. Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited Englewood Cliffs Upper School (above) on Jan. 20 and congratulated educators,support professionals,students,parents,and the Board of Education for receiving the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon award.

Calendar highlights, clockwise from top: One Day University’s Rosa Parks: Her True Story and Legacy features Dr. Brenna Wynn Greer, associate professor at Wellesley College; acclaimed concert violinist Dr. David Podles takes the JCC’s Active Seniors on a Musical Journey Around the World; The Cigar

FROM PAGE 4 were off duty and had been called in), reporters and photographers. All were waiting for action.

Mayor Austin N. Volk also spent the night at city hall, camping out in his office.

“If theyʼve decided to stay, let them stay,” the mayor had said of the demonstrators. “This is a public building. Iʼm going to stay myself.”

At 8:15 a.m., maintenance men and cleaning people began to arrive in the building. Mayor Volk advised the protesters that it was time to go home, so that the room could be cleaned. If they refused, they would face arrest.

“Itʼs been a long night, but you all look very well,” he told them. “However, I must ask you to leave in 10 minutes. We have to clean the place.”

Still the protesters refused to leave. At 8:30 a.m., a dozen police officers walked through the doors of the council chambers and walked to the demonstrators. Each officer addressed one of the protesters individually. Four agreed to leave. The rest were brought to police headquarters and booked.

“What else could we do?” the mayor told reporters.

Among those arrested were Mr. and Mrs. Norman Hill of New York City (Mr. Hill being the secretary of C.O.R.E.); Patricia Hainey, a housewife from Belmont Street; Byron Baer and his wife; Vera Fyer of West Hudson Avenue, a housewife; Angela McLinn of Mountainview Road, a housewife; Mrs. Bernard Brightman of Crescent Street, a housewife; Maggie Nealy of Brookway Avenue, a nurseʼs aide; Barbara Kay of Belmont

Street, a housewife; and Benjamin Weissman of Hubert Terrace in Teaneck, self-employed.

Of those arrested, seven were white and four were Black.

Mrs. Brightman, one of the white women, posted the $10 bail and left a little before 10 a.m. She had an ill infant at home. According to contemporary news reports, outside city hall she burst into tears.

“Segregation has no place in a democracy!” she told reporters.

An unidentified Black woman came and put her arm around the upset woman.

“Come on, baby,” she said, comforting Mrs. Brightman.

“Youʼve had it. Iʼll take you home.”

The two left together.

That afternoon, at a court hear-

ing for the 11 arrested parties, four more people were taken into custody when a stormy demonstration broke out. Two women among the now 15 arrested individuals refused to post bail and were jailed.

News outlets said it was the first arrest for a sit-in demonstration north of the Mason-Dixon line.

“Their work is continuing in the South, but more and more emphasis is being placed on what is called ʻde factoʼschool segregation in northern communities,” the Associated Press reported Feb. 15, 1962. “Sit-in demonstrations, economic boycotts, singing and praying—all part of the Southern movement— now are appearing in the North.”

The City of Englewood, for its part, insisted that the school district

boundary lines were established not locally, but by the State Department of Education.

“Englewood is one of the most fully integrated communities in the nation,” Mayor Volk told reporters in 1962. “We have never practiced any form of deliberate segregation.”

He pointed out that there were black residents serving on the police and fire departments, board of health, zoning board, and there was a Black councilman. The high schoolʼs football and basketball teams and band had many Black students. The cityʼs civic organizations, churches, stores and restaurants were fully integrated.

On Feb. 5, Zuber, acting on behalf of the nine families whose children had been refused a school transfer, filed suit in federal district court in Newark. He claimed that the cityʼs de facto policy of racial segregation was violating the equal protection provided in the Constitu-

tion.

In the succeeding years, protests continued and were supplemented by several boycotts. Over a year later, 36 Black parents were found guilty of disorderly conduct after pulling their children out of Lincoln School in April 1963. A month later, eight Black children organized a sit-in at the predominantly white Cleveland Elementary School.

The dedication of these citizens would prove fruitful: in May 1963, 14 Black children were allowed to attend class at Cleveland.

The struggle continued for years, but finally, in 1971, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that “racial segregation or imbalance” in schools was unconstitutional, and that municipalities “may readily be bridged” to diminish the type of de facto racial segregation that Englewood experienced.

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Some protesters chat,others doze,during an all-night sit-in at Englewood City Hall, Feb 1–2, 1962.In the morning,11 were arrested.

A mother leads her children to school as protesters picket in the background, 1962.