BCtheMag Late Spring '24

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Late Spring 2024

Publishers

Sharon & Steven Goldstein

Associate Publisher

Brandon Goldstein

Editorial Director

Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo

Art Director

BMG Marketing

Contributing Writers

Kevin Czerwinski

Tara DeLorenzo

Dr. Michael Gross

Soneca Guadara

Megan Montemarano

Richard Posluszny

Kimberly Redmond

Bergen County The Magazine is published six times a year. Mail all editorial and advertising materials to 297-101 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 135, Oradell, NJ 07649 or email materials to steven@bcthemag.com.

For advertising and information, please call (201) 694-5196. For subscription information or to contact us, go to www.bcthemag.com.

Copyright 2024. All materials are the property of Bergen County The Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers.

A Letter from the Editor

Every time I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I think of my mom.

Sorry, Mom. I promise I think of you at other times – like any time I take my boys to their yearly physical and how you’d always bring me out for lunch or ice cream after each one during my youth – but there’s something about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

As a child, my mom always packed school lunches for my two younger brothers and me. Sometimes we’d have sandwiches, sometimes a leftover chicken cutlet from dinner the night before (What? We’re Italian) and if all else failed, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Unless my memory fails me, every time my siblings and I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, she’d form an assembly line of bread slices, knife in hand and make four sandwiches – one for each of us kids and one for her. The one for her always served as her breakfast. She’d eat it while she cleaned up the kitchen or sometimes even in the car on our way to school.

That’s a memory that’s stuck with me all these years. A memory that comes to mind every time I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (oftentimes for my own breakfast). A memory so minuscule that’s going to outlive her.

Sometimes I like to think about what my kids will be nostalgic about. Will they look back and remember how I always let them lick the cookie batter spoon or how I sometimes stuck a special treat in their car/booster seat’s cupholder so it was there waiting for them upon school pickup? Will memories flood back when they see festive napkins and remember how leading up to a holiday their school lunch always included one? Will they be reminded every time they have a hard time getting out of bed as an adult how their mom used to open their curtains a touch to let light peak in to ease the shock of the mornings?

Oftentimes we feel like the small things we do on a day-to-day basis are “nothing” – like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But clearly, they aren’t.

When my boys look back on their childhood, I hope they have a memory as strong as my peanut butter and jelly one. If they do, I’ll know they felt totally safe and loved because that’s the feelings I get every time I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Thanks, Mom.

In grape jelly we trust, JeSSiCa huMphrey-Cintineo

Schedule Of

Events

10:00am - 12:00pm 12:00pm Sharp 5:00pm - 6:00pm 6:00 pm Registration/Brunch: Shotgun Start: Cocktail Hour: Dinner:

Social

Town Title Holiday Party

Town Title held their annual Holiday Party at The Venetian. For more information, visit www.towntitle.us.

Josh Thomson, Chris Rotio, Joe Ciambrone

Glen and Tara DeNigris

Joe Sanzari, John Salemme, Ryan Berkoff

Art Rotio, Jim Kourgelis

Curtis Hudnall, Evelyn Cruz, Kim Calkin, Gayle Colavito, Keon Bease

Art and Dana Rotio

Jackie DiSalvstore, Jackie Kaufman

Danielle and Kian Sadati, Lauren Theos

Joanna Quaintance, Dana Gatto, Norma and Claudio Semilia

Walter Dorgan Jr., Josh Thomson, Walter Dorgan III

Steven and Michelle DePalma

Thomas and Jill Porto

Melissa and Joe Gorga Donna and John Pugliese

Paul Sarlo, Mike Petrucelli, Frank Paparozzi

Ryan Harris, Chris Rotio, John Galiano

The Saddle River Branch of the Valley Auxiliary

The SRB of the Valley Auxiliary held their annual Holiday Boutique at Seasons. For more information, visit www.valleyhealth.com.

Dr. Jean Holden, Vinnie Spina

Kathleen Rahaman, Margaret Kourgelis

Krystal Choi, Reshma Thomas, Dr. Jumana Chalabi

Maria Yale, Andrea Hekemian, Jennifer Jarmark

Linda Cennerrazzo, Helene Albrecht

Maria Harper, Nancy Bush, Claudine Callison

Roberts, Rita Sciglitano

Liz Simendinger, Denise LaGalia, Lynda Hedbavmy

Candi Tramutola, Ann Yanez

Kathie Durante, Nancy Bush

Tracey Ingrasselino, Courtney Matonti, Claudine Callison, Maria Yale, Cathy Konner

Susan Homann, Lee Daniel, Jennifer Rossakis

Dawn Marrone, Tammy Roberts, Daphne Sidiropoulos, Melissa Latierno, Mary DeMatteo

Rosemarie Ranuro, Bettina Daly

Tammy

Florence Black, Mary DeMatteo, Melissa Latierno

Lee Jenkins, Ann Swist, Charlotte Byrne

St. Joseph’s Health Foundation

The St. Joseph’s Health Foundation held their annual gala at The Legacy Castle. For more information, visit: www.stjosephshealth.org

Stephanie Budelman, Geraldine Brady, Mary Pauline Hogan, Robert Budelman

Joanne Joseph Duffy, Otto and Maria Sabando

Robert Budelman, Kevin Slavin, Bob Garrett

Alok Bhutada, Swati Datta-Bhutada, Swati Parekh

Bledi Zaku, Sydney Abajian, Scott Wessner

Kevin Slavin, William Martini, Robert Budelman

Louis Luna, Dominic Incorvaia, Joseph DiPasquale, Danielle Struble

Evan Kontos, Vasoula Papa-George, Nancy and Steve Kontos

Eric, Megan, and Madison Mitchell, Ryan, Karen, Jackie and Kelly Kierce

Michael Candido, Stephanie and Robert Budelman

Michelle and David Incorvaia, Wendy and Kevin Slavin

Ellen Wirshafter-Ephros, Hillel Ephros

Kimberly and Chris Birdsall, Mary Spano, Stephanie Budelman, Peter Sicko

Lani Mendelson, Ki Soo Hwang

Rajeev Upadya, Padmaja Upadya, Hilary Yates, Scott Bolding

Thomas Kemly, Kevin Slavin, Robert Budelman, Richard Abbate, Libuse Bajgerova

Social Builders Association of NNJ

BANNJ held their 80th Anniversary Celebration, Installation and Awards Dinner at Biagio’s. For more information, visit www.bannj.org.

Arnold DeMasi, Meghan Everagan

Lesley Brito, Maria Tejeda

Dean Scaduto, Sam Burchill

Derek Weissman, Molie Savit

Eva Hajek, John Cioletti, Kristie Veri

Mike Kurpiel, Andrea LoMonaco

Gina and Sal Scampone, Aimee and Thomas Petersen

Katie Weissman, Billy Procida, Derek Weissman, Molie Savit

Melanie and Frank Belgiovine

Val DeAppolonio, Linda Miller

Charles and Charles Baldanza

Tricia Ayuso, Nicholas Picone

Colleen Keller, Niobe Garcia, Jackie Giraldo

Maria and Andrew Dias BANNJ Board

The Reno’s Appliance Team

Turning Tragedy Into Change

Memorial Foundation Spreads Child Safety Awareness and Advocacy

By tara DeLorenzo

Turning tragedy into change, Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation looks to bring hope and resources to spread child safety awareness and advocate for victims’ rights.

Founded in 1998 by Rosemarie Birri D’Alessandro, Joan’s mother, the foundation was organized to memorialize her daughter after Joan was sexually assaulted and murdered at the age of seven in 1973. The mission and goals of the foundation are to pro-

mote child safety and protection, advocate for victims’ rights, and aid neglected and homeless youth.

Joan, a 7-year-old spunky, joyful girl who loved daffodils, ballet, dogs and the color green, had been delivering Girl Scout cookies to a neighbor, Tappan Zee High School chemistry teacher Joseph McGowan. He molested and murdered her April 19, 1973; her body was found three days later, Easter of that year, at Harriman State Park in New York.

In the wake of the tragedy, D’Alessandro was determined to spark change. And thus, she began advocating for Joan’s Law, which was signed by Gov. Christie Whitman on April 3, 1997, in New Jersey, which made anyone who murders a child under the age of 14 in conjunction with a sexual offense ineligible for parole. A federal version of the law was also signed by President Bill Clinton in 1998.

“The law was passed before we had a foundation,” said D’Alessandro. “My Joan had leadership qualities, and I have them too. I’m not afraid to use those skills, and Joan wasn’t either. There was so much we have the same, but she was so much more.”

In addition to Joan’s Law, D’Alessandro also proposed and advocated Justice for Victims’ Law, which

Due to a rare condition called myasthenia gravis, D’Alessandro suffers from abnormal tiredness and weakness of skeletal muscles, so it had been more time than she had liked before she could visit the place her daughter had been found. But when she went, after years of looking for signs from Joan, she saw a white butterfly.

“It became a symbol of hope and love. It was a good sign,” she said. “I knew she was telling me something when I went: I had to be her voice. I had to get her out into the world. I started looking for signs, and those signs helped me heal with my grief. It took 20 years, and there were signs that gave me hope. Twenty years later, I got the message, a movement was supposed to start.”

eliminates the statute of limitations for wrongful death actions brought in murder, manslaughter and aggravated manslaughter cases, in November 2000. This law was used in 2001 on the anniversary of Joan’s passing to file the wrongful death suit against McGowen, which the family won.

A New York version of Joan’s Law was also signed in September of 2004 in Harriman State Park, where Joan was found. It was in this same park that D’Alessandro found her connection to Joan in 2006.

The foundation is also currently looking for an expansion of Joan’s Law to have it protect those under 18.

In addition to social justice, the Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation looks to help children who are underprivileged, neglected and abused.

“I wanted an organization that focused on social justice, child safety and victim’s rights,” D’Alessandro said.

Continued on page 22

With her advocacy for child safety, in 1991, the Bergen County Prosecutor office dedicated a room in their Child Advocacy Center to D’Alessandro on behalf of her work on behalf of child victims and in memory of Joan.

The foundation started fundraisers through yard sales, which they held for 17 years. It was at one of these events that a man brought D’Alessandro 332 letters that Joan’s killer had written, which would later be included in D’Alessandro’s book The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness, which chronicles not only what happened to Joan but is a story of hope and activism.

The non-profit organization, starting in 2009, also hosted galas, which they did annually for about seven years.

Their main event is the Child Safety Fest. This year’s was the ninth annual event, and it hosts a tricky tray and entertainment, as well as educational resources. This year included the prosecutor office from Bergen County and the Center for Hope & Safety, a

non-profit in Bergen County that is dedicated to aiding victims and survivors of domestic violence.

With the donations from Child Safety Fest, the foundation was able to provide aid to eight organizations and were able to send the children in the holiday center of YCS to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall last winter.

The funds raised by the foundation are also used to provide pet therapy, including horse therapy, to youths who are victims of trafficking at Covenant House, as well as a scholarship called Stand Up and Do Something for Pascack Valley in Bergen County.

A tribute to Joan was also given in the form of a butterfly garden in Hillsdale. It features a butterfly sculpture and garden, along with a green bench. Flowers are provided by Mystical Gardens in Dumont.

They also sponsor the Joan’s Joy Relaxation and Kindness program in order to combat bullying. Hosted by a yoga professional, it is implemented in all the Hillsdale Public Schools, plus St. John’s

(also in Hillsdale) where Joan went to school and in Hackensack at the George Washington School. They donate the program to any interested school, and it is a 10-minute program that uses a Zoom link to share new breathing techniques for students to learn, as well as a word of the month. It is available for teachers to implement in their classes as often as they want, but D’Alessandro recommends it three times a week.

“I think three times a week for the program is important,” she said. “The students get in their heads, and the child that’s more timid and afraid to speak up starts to learn about breathing when you’re getting panicky and the one that’s bullying starts to learn there are kind words like this and that they’re hurting someone, and themselves.”

In turning Joan’s legacy into one of advocacy, D’Alessandro remains resilient in her passion for change and in creating a safer world for children.

“The impact of the foundation is very positive and very hopeful,” she said. “It’s very loving, and there’s a lot of care and love. I see people taking that away and they love Joan’s spirit. It gives them strength. They’ll

see a white butterfly and tell me their stories and how it helped them and how they feel Joan is with them. Joan is very alive. Joan’s Joy brings joy. It brings togetherness. It makes people a part of making a difference.”

And in making this change, D’Alessandro sees the impact the Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation has made on the community.

“To a community, what it does is brings togetherness,” she said. “Just like what we do at Child Safety Fest, we join hands to stand up and do something. It brings the message together of the foundation. It makes people feel proud of their community that there are these organizations that help people and that they’re part of it and support it. There are a lot of incredible people. You know what makes incredible people: they really believe in something to make society better.”

For additional information on getting involved and on the Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation, as well as for information on purchasing The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness, visit their website at http://joansjoy.org/.

Social Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

BNBMC held an evening celebrating “Igniting Innovation” at Forte Restaurant. For more information, visit www.newbridgehealth.org.

Rafi Yacoubian, Justin Fox, Mike Cifone, Kirk Karalian

Tom DiSalvatore, Joe Ciambrone

Danielle and Mark Bonanni

Poplaski, Jane Manzi

Patrick Amaisse, Deb Visconi, Justin Fox

Brian Williams, Tom Amitrano, Donnalee Corrieri, Gian Varbaro

Visconi, Robert

Brandon Badaan, Tommy Maher, Joe Zito, Michael Dawli

Rob Giudetti, Robert Berberian, Jerry Bargan, Derek Berberian

Michele Henry, Deb Visconi, Jeff Carter

Kamal Jamal, Donnalee Corrieri, Tom Amitrano, Deb Visconi, Shari Gold, Katie Richardson, Darian Eletto, Barbara Piascik

Deb Visconi, Donnalee Corrieri

Christopher Whiting, Pete and Isabel Caminiti, Aret Yesiltepe

Darian Eletto, Deborah Visconi, Julia Orlando

Victoria

Deb

Berberian, Jerry Bargan

Jerry Abrams, Marion Troise, Ray Dressler

Bobby Brown, Michael Cebulski

Experience the Next Level of Shopping & Dining

Alexander Wang

Amouage

Balenciaga

Canada Goose

Carpaccio Ristorante

Couture Kids

Dolce & Gabbana

EP Yaying

Ferrari

Gentle Monster

Hermès

Johnny Was

Jonathan Adler

Mulberry

Rolex

Saint Laurent

Saks Fifth Avenue

Tiffany & Co.

Watches of Switzerland

Zadig & Voltaire

Opening Soon:

Gentle Monster

Gucci

TimeVallée and more...

Social Hackensack University Medical Center Robotic Showcase

Hackensack University Medical Center held a panel discussion about “Leading the Way in Robotic Surgery” at the HUMC Helena Theuer Pavilion.

Tara Neves, Dr. Stephen Pereira, Nicole Ladas

Dr. Lisa Tank, Mark Sparta, Dr. Ami Vaidya

Dr. Ami Vaidya, Dr. Lisa Tank

Chris Gazdick, Kiki Magno

Dr. Daniel Mansour, Michael Pancoska Rumenka Umlenska Rauzhinska, Haydee Manfrede

Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, Dr. Ryan Moore

Nicole Ladas, Dr. Howard Ross

Chris Gazdick, Jason Kreitner

Mary McGreever, Connor Moriarty

Dr. Michael Stifelman, Mark Sparta

Dr. Mutahar Ahmed, Dr. Ami Vaidya

Dr. Michael Stiffelman, Mark Sparta, Dr. George Mazpule, Dr. Stephen Pereira, Dr. Ami Vaidya, Dr. Sebastian Eid, Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, Dr. Ryan Moore, Dr. Lisa Tank

Dr. Jean Guerrier, Erica Amianda, Dr. Sebastian Eid

Pamela Bray, Yjie Llagas, Rebecca Mazpule

Dr. George Mazpule, Dr. Ami Vaidya, Dr. Stephen Pereira, Dr. Sebastian Eid

Hold On To Your Carrots!

There’s A New Detective In Town, And He’s Here To Save Your Garden

By Megan MonteMarano

Have you ever wondered what treasures lie within a rabbit hole? What unknown world exists in the earthy tunnels beneath our feet? Well, hold on to your carrots and grab those magnifying glasses! Always the creative thinker, Bergen County resident Jack Gimm decided to embark on a journey to find out with a Sherlock Holmesstyle Detective Rabbit in his debut book, “The Curious Case of the Vanishing Veggies: A Detective Rabbit Story.”

“Creating stories has been my jam since childhood,” explains Gimm. “Think scribbling adventures for classmates and DIY movies – backyard cardboard spaceship, not Hollywood. This book is my official writing debut, but the imagination has been brewing for years.”

The whimsical tale of intriguing twists and unexpected culprits follows the main character, Detective Rabbit, who sniffs out trouble when he finds himself amidst a vegetable garden gone missing. With his trusty friends Squirrel, Mole and Robin by his side,

Detective Rabbit hops on a captivating investigation that takes him to a hidden underground lab buzzing with bugs. But not just any bugs. These ingenious inventors are passionate about growing vegetables bigger and faster than ever. Faced with a missing crop and a surprising perpetrator, Detective Rabbit and his furry companions must navigate a labyrinth of tunnels, overcome their fears, and discover the true meaning of teamwork.

“It’s like Alice in Wonderland, but with less tea and more veggies,” says Gimm.

The idea behind the story was inspired by a mischievous bunny wreaking havoc in Gimm’s backyard. His son’s bookworm tendencies and picky eating habits also influenced his decision to create this unique and enchanting story for him. And so, a relatable theme was seamlessly born.

Gimm jokingly adds, “It was like the stars – or, should I say, carrots? – aligned.”

His ultimate goal was to write something that was both enjoyable and educational.

“Imagine fostering curiosity, a love for reading, and a bonding experience for parents and kids – that’s the dream. As a former picky eater myself, I hoped to make veggies a little less scary and a little more, well, bunny-approved.”

Digging even deeper, Gimm also hopes his book will help kids realize the importance of friendship and value of sharing and working together for a common cause.

From conception to the finished product, the journey to complete the book took about two years total.

“Juggling parental duties and writing was, let’s say, an adventure! My iPhone, sketches and notes became my best friends,” comments Gimm. “Most of my writing happened during stolen moments while waiting for my son during his soccer or piano practice.”

This timeframe included collaborating with a talented children’s book artist and illustrator in Istan-

bul, Misra Karahan. Kirkus Reviews praises her full-page color illustrations, which tell much of the story on their own.

“The image of the bugs’ laboratory, in particular, is filled with fun details to identify and discuss.”

Gimm also collaborated closely with his children throughout the process, whose approval he held to the highest degree.

“My kids were like mini editors. Their reading habits and our snuggle sessions inspired me, and their honest feedback was crucial. They’re quality assurance experts in disguise.”

He goes on to describe the entire process as a truly gratifying experience – one of which he couldn’t have achieved without the love and encouragement of his wife and two boys.

And for anyone interested in embarking on their own children’s book expedition, Gimm shares the hidden secret – “Read, watch, experience, and listen to everything; let your imagination compost all those ideas. Then, write your heart out and continue until the story is finished.”

Jack Gimm is currently touring New Jersey with his new book. If you’d like to request a visit to your school or local bookstore, email jackgimmauthor@gmail.com. Gimm is also working on a new Detective Rabbit adventure for release over the summer. You can follow him on Instagram (@jack_gimm) for updates.

Social Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

JDRF held their Casino and Poker Night at Seasons. For more information, visit www.jdrf.org.

Tracey Ingrasselino, Dina Madonick

Jim and Joanne

Hallihan, Susan and Michael Franco

Mike and Jen Levison

Jamie and Brian Weinstein

Michael and Margaret Kourgelis

George Kanellakis, Fabiola and Philip Santos

Fred and Randi Silber, Susan and Larry Nayman

Lisa and Jerry Speciale, Tracy Kloock

Jim Kourgelis, Carl Carfello

Alexis, George and Katarina Kourgelis

Catherine Yales, Cathy Allerton

The JDRF Casino Night Committee

Jeff Kauflin, Rachel, Susan, and Larry Nayman

Lucy Ponzini, Claudine Callison, Courtney Matonti, Kathy Longo, Fabiola Santos

Claudine Callison, Tracey Ingrasselino

Marcie Prafnal, Jason and Dorothy Cosimano, Tracey Ingrasselino

Babes Who Bloom

Women-Focused Network Supports and Elevates Local Female Entrepreneurs

For Lauren Garcia, business is really blooming.

Two years after launching Bloom Social Club, a platform focused on empowering female entrepreneurs with support, resources and collaboration, Garcia’s efforts to uplift her growing network are paying off.

Developed as a resource for women who are charting their own paths in business, Bloom’s members-only platform offers the tools needed to help business owners succeed, such as networking, mentoring and social media marketing.

Since its March 2022 founding, the group has curated 12 “Bloom Bazaars,” which are free events in which attendees can shop and support female ventures that are locally owned; has hosted an empowering summit; and has organized two member brunches.

“We’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with over 200 women and their businesses, spanning across New Jersey, Long Island, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas,” said Garcia, a wife and mother of two from WoodRidge.

“Some of the best success stories from Bloom Social Club involve our members collaborating and building connections within our community. These stories demonstrate the power of the community we’ve built together. From securing partnerships with renowned brands to being featured in respected magazines, our members’ success stories showcase how the Bloom community elevates their visibility and recognition,” she said.

Describing her community as an “incredible” group of women from diverse backgrounds, Garcia said that despite each unique vision and dream, all are united by “a shared mindset and unwavering drive to create something meaningful for themselves and their families.”

“Whether they juggle full-time jobs or motherhood, every member brings invaluable contributions to the table. It’s truly an honor to not only look up to them but also to support and uplift them along their entrepreneurial path. They are the real success stories that fuel my passion for growing and nurturing our community at Bloom,” she said.

Up For The Challenge

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, women-owned businesses account for 39.6 percent of all ventures in New Jersey, which is above the national average of 20.9 percent.

However, when it comes to growing their enterprises, female business owners often face hurdles like financing, hiring, scaling, finding commercial space and accessing available incentives.

The absence of a professional network can also hinder collaboration and strategic partnerships, contributing to a sense of isolation, pointed out Garcia, who added, “The need for a safe and supportive space for open discussion and sharing experiences is paramount for female entrepreneurs to overcome these obstacles and thrive in their businesses.”

Recognizing the realities women face, Garcia tapped into her own journey to better position others to achieve their career goals.

A self-described “multi-hyphenate serial entrepreneur,” Garcia’s passions have guided her professional pursuits, which include starting a cupcake shop at the age of 19 in North Bergen and co-founding online clothing boutique Laurel & Magnolia with her mother.

She’s also a register nurse who went on to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, as well owner of a daycare center in Hudson County.

Reflecting on her decades’ worth of professional experiences, Garcia believes she has gained a “vast understanding of the challenges of running a business.”

“I like to say that I’ve walked the walk so I can talk the talk! I am committed to fostering a community, exemplified by Bloom Social Club, that reflects my dedication to sharing insights and providing a supportive environment for female entrepreneurs to truly bloom,” said Garcia, who went on to say, “Through Bloom, I’m driven to be the mentor I wished I has, creating a space where aspiring entre-

Continued on page 36

access the resources and community support I once sought.”

“It’s about paying forward the inspiration I received and fostering a dynamic environment where every woman can thrive in her entrepreneurial endeavors,” she added.

Getting Into The Entrepreneurial Spirit

In recent years, female entrepreneurship has been on the rise, with women entering dynamic business sectors that reflect their diverse business interests and the evolving market landscape.

“I think that women are increasingly seeking flexibility, autonomy and the opportunity to align their work with their values, all of which entrepreneurship can provide,” explained Garcia. “Women are, also, increasingly seeking opportunities to pursue their passions, challenge traditional gender roles and create impact in their communities through business.”

One of the hottest pursuits involve e-commerce businesses that enable women to leverage their creativity and expertise to craft or market digital goods, such as online courses or downloadable courses, Garcia said.

“Social impact ventures are also on the rise, showcasing a commitment to making a positive difference in the world through purpose-driven businesses. Additionally, the wellness and health industry is another thriving domain, with women establishing businesses in fitness coaching, nutrition consulting and holistic health services,” she added.

However, there are still some misconceptions women may have about charting their own course that Garcia hopes to dispel.

“One is the belief that they need to possess every skill and have all the answers from the start,” she said. “…In reality, entrepreneurship is a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. Embracing the ability to learn on the go, seek guidance and pivot when needed is essential.”

Additionally, some women may not realize the value of networking as it relates to professional growth and business success, according to Garcia.

“And, even if they do, they may feel isolated in traditional networking environments,” she said. “The mission behind Bloom Social Club is to ensure that networking opportunities are inclusive, supportive and tailored to the specific needs of women in business, creating a more welcoming and empowering environment for our Babes who Bloom – which is what we like to call the women in our community.”

Celebrating The Highs and Lows

For a limited time, the annual introductory rate is $288. Women can join The Bloom Societé, which includes: monthly mentoring meetings with Garcia, monthly co-working sessions, digital networking with other members, five online classes per year by Bloom business experts, early access to event applications, a business directory listing and 10 percent off all Bloom advertising services.

“Bloom thrives on celebrating the triumphs and embracing the resilience of our incredible members. We illuminate their successes through spotlights on our Instagram and through our community platform, sharing the inspiring stories of the women within our community,” explained Garcia.

However, it’s not just about victories, she said.

“We also cherish the journey by openly discussing and embracing ‘fail forwards.’ By recognizing the challenges and obstacles in the entrepreneurial path, we create a supportive space to learn, grow, and celebrate both successes and setbacks,” said Garcia, who believes that as more and more stories of successful female entrepreneurs gain visibility, it will inspire others to follow suit.

To mark its second anniversary, Bloom Social Club hosted a bazaar in early April at Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen. The free event featured 25 women-owned businesses, raffles, cash bar and other surprises, according to Garcia.

For more information, visit BloomSocialClub.com.

The Jillian Fund

The Jillian Fund held their “Friday Night Disco” Gala at the Venetian. For more information, visit www.thejillianfund.org.

Kristen Martins, Ilona Shabovta

Diana Burklow, Kathleen Vazquez

Sue Quackenbush, Nicole Cox, Davis Quackenbush

Keith Sofield, Scott Doyle, Diana and Tom Koenig

Susan and Jonathan Goldstein

Tammy and Jordan Kermer

Bill and Kim Brady, Dominic Pontrelli

Christina Ahn, Caryn Fraler, Marzena Santos

Jorge and Paulina Hernandez, Evelyn and Ed Salzano

Claudia Patterson, Karen Humphreys, Wendy Grisee

Keri Rene Fuller, Jill LaMastro

Rich and Amanda Knupp, Dr. Stephen Percy, Stefan and Natalie Tessoun

John and Sandi Celentano, Nicole Waterhouse, Jackie and Michael Kaufman

Colleen and Mark Sparta Keith and Robin Trevor, Michele Awobuluyi, Barry Einstein

Laila, Charles and Jennifer Matar

Social Paramus Rotary

The Paramus Rotary held their 75th anniversary gala at Seasons. For more information, visit www.paramusrotary.org.

Dawn Feorenzo, Richard Siniscalchi

Diane Vasile-Falcone, John Falcone

Marella and Joshua Dorras

Ray Hough, Dawn and Chip Philibosian

Jean Jadevaia, Richard Siniscalchi

Maria and Carl Carfello

Sophie and Sam Stone

Michael Loch, Helen Cunning

John and Jaime Arlia, Tina and Chris Tilyou

Maria Concepcion, Emil Geering

Dick and Pat Clancy

Jill Florencia, George Seretis, Danielle Mangini

Niko and Jim Kourgelis, Jay Sureties

Holly Schepisi, Robert and Deborah Kaiser

Jan Schlaier, Avo the Jeweler

Michael Hahn, Socrates Tsamutalis, Joe Gandalfo

Harvest Every Drop

Student Madeline Abrams Develops an Economically Accessible Rainwater Collection System

By Megan MonteMarano

For as long she can remember, Bergen County resident and junior at Green Meadow Waldorf School Madeline Abrams has been tinkering with everyday items to help solve problems. She started with puzzles and untying complex knots. She then moved on to creating structures using Legos or Kapla blocks, and clothing, accessories and gadgets using duct tape –really anything she could find around the house.

Through her school’s curriculum and afterschool activities, Madeline continued her handwork – from fibrecraft and woodwork, to metalwork, ceramics, and fine arts – learning how to make use of materials in innovative ways. It was not until 8th grade that she switched her focus to robotics and digital tools. She created several items from scratch, including a miniprinter and even a robot that could maintain its equilibrium despite the effect of most outside forces.

With all this experience under her belt, Madeline’s latest idea, Harvest Every Drop, took her innovative spirit to a new level – both literally and figuratively. This rainwater harvesting system serves a dual purpose of conserving water, and simultaneously supporting the environment.

“Since my early years, I’ve had an interest in addressing climate change, as well as a constant love of making things using my own two hands,” says Madeline. “Throughout my life, and especially through my school’s relationship with neighboring farms and gardens, I have engaged in farming, gardening, and working with the earth.”

Through Harvest Every Drop, Madeline devised a way to vastly increase the amount of water collected during rainstorms using upcycled materials – namely, empty water bottles that are cut in half lengthwise, and connected with waterproof tape to create a roof gutter system. She then uses additional water bottles as a downspout to direct the water to a holding tank, similar to a rain barrel.

In the prototype that Madeline built at her home on a small shed, the system captured 25 times the amount of rainfall that otherwise would have gone to waste.

“The water is collected efficiently due to the use of an existing surface area,” she explains. “This means that any water that falls onto a roof would follow gravity into the gutter, to the downspout, and descend through the downspout and into the receptacle.”

The retained water can then be transferred in many ways, depending on the surroundings and accessible materials. Some ideas include creating additional tubing or using plastic bottles to act as a hose. If there is a hose accessible, it can also be used to siphon or transfer water.

While extra hands are always a plus, creating the system can be done alone. Madeline also developed a step-bystep guide detailing materials and methods to help those ready to give it a try.

On top of water conservation, Madeline’s invention certainly offers a unique way to reimagine the plastic water bottle as a way to continuously transport water, especially for communities where water is scarce.

Madeline recently attended high school for several months in Argentina, where she learned even more about the importance of water conservation. Over the summer she also enrolled in an environmental engineering course through Brown University’s summer program, which provided mentorship and inspired discussions around water conservation to help further inform the creation of the Harvest Every Drop system.

“The water that is harvested can be used however it is needed…whether that is for irrigation and landscape, or, after boiling or other proper filtration, for cleaning or drinking,” adds Madeline. “Not only could this water be used for humans and plants, but also livestock and other animals.”

Over the past several months, Madeline has reached out to many Rotary Clubs domestically and internationally. During these meetings, she has shared her idea and taught others how to build a similar rain harvest watering system in their specific community. To date, she has presented to approximately 40 com-

munities, mostly in parts of Africa (i.e., Angola, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Uganda), and in the U.S. (i.e., California, New York). The feedback has been nothing but positive from the Rotarians, who are excited to learn more and implement the system to reap its many benefits. Determined to continue expanding the impact Harvest Every Drop could have on people and the environment, Madeline continues to actively connect with Rotary clubs around the world.

“As I try to make the system more accessible to people in many different types of environments, I have been presented with many ideas of how to make it even more adaptive,” says Madeline. “These suggestions include finding materials other than duct tape to connect the bottles and affixing a permeable covering into the downspout to filter out any major particulates, which I have already implemented into the system.”

The goal for Harvest Every Drop is to reach as many people as possible – whether in arid areas -

or areas of agriculture – which Madeline is clearly on the path of doing. In addition to addressing water shortage and conservation, she hopes to also decrease plastic waste through her reimagination of single-use water bottles, which not only take thousands of years to decompose, but also often pollute waterways, litter roadways and clutter landfills.

Although quite small, bees are intensely connected to the environment and play an important role in the pollination cycle. And, if they aren’t doing well, it isn’t a good sign for the rest of the ecosystem.

Between increased development, climate change and the continued use of harmful pesticides, the worldwide bee population is on the decline.

“If you have an idea and a passion, look around you to find materials that can help make your idea a reality,” says Madeline. “Do not be discouraged if it takes more time than expected to bring your vision to life. Some of the greatest inventions were born from mistakes or even happenstance.”

In an effort to try and restore the bee population, the practice of beekeeping has been on the rise and rooftop apiaries have sprung up in many cities, like New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

Hospitals have also been doing their part to improve honeybee health, and, in turn, the environment.

In addition to helping share the mission of Harvest Every Drop, the Bergen County community can work toward implementing this design in local gardens, farms, community spaces, and even backyards. Visit harvesteverydrop.com for more information or email info@harvesteverydrop with any questions.

A growing number of hospitals across the country have joined the rooftop hive movement in recent years, including several across North Jersey: The Valley Hospital, Chilton Medical Center and Morristown Medical Center.

You can also learn about the system on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube using the handle @HarvestEveryDrop.

“Establishing the rooftop beehives is in line with

our dedication to sustainability, such as recycling, green construction initiatives and reducing our carbon footprint,” Mosser explained.

The bees forage far and wide, pollinating flowers and plants up to two miles from their hives. Then, they return to the colony to begin honey production.

Holy Name Chief of General Surgery Dr. Ron White said, “As a healthcare leader, we are always looking for new opportunities to enhance the health and wellbeing of our community.”

“With honeybee numbers decreasing worldwide, we’re proud to not only help the honeybees but harvest a sweet, healthy treat for our employees and community,” he said. “Beehives can also serve as a welcome distraction for our hospitalized patients, many of whom have a view of the hives. The distraction and connection with nature also assist in healing.”

White went on, “Also, bees are one of the most important pollinator species for our ecosystem and honey containers beneficial probiotics to aid in health.

Continued on page 50

Social Holy Name Foundation

The Holy Name Foundation enjoyed an evening of celebration and recognition at the annual Founders Ball, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.holyname.org/foundersball.

Lourdes and Dr. Jorge Verea

Jo Ann Sanzari, Joseph Dellechiaie

Paul Sarlo, Harold Daggett, Joe Sanzari, Michael Maron

Amanda Roche, Diana Del Grosso

Herbert Hall, Peter and Valerie Clark

Michael Vigneron, Michael Maron

Cheryl and Tom Duch Marge and Jack Geraghty, Sr. Andrea Nenzel, Sr. Antoinette Moore

Eva and Raul Pena

Anthony Gallo, Christina Romano

John and Regina Salemme, Christina Rizzo, Steven Salemme

Brian and Amy Mahoney, Andrea Courtney, Vito Campanile

Timothy Murray Jr., Michael and Jared Delpone, Joseph Sanzari, Joseph Dellechiaie, Luke Murray

Tae Park, Heejin Rin

Evan and Angela Swirsky, Gabriella and Jeremy Buchalski

The Maron Family

Social Holy Name Foundation

The Holy Name Foundation enjoyed an evening of celebration and recognition at the annual Founders Ball, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.holyname.org/foundersball.

Christiano Porto, Julie Falasca, Nina Albarracin, Martin Gillespie

Dr. Ben and Ella De La Rosa

Margaret Dziadosz, Blake Kabnick Guy and Dawn Balzano, Leslie and Mike Valenti

Linda and Peter Hanson Scott Heller, Wayne Paulter

Dr. Jorge Verea, Drs. Mauricio & Elizabeth Velasco, Lordes Verea

Marianne and Donald Kaszner

Fernando Garip, Kellie Berkoff

Michael Maron, Dr. David Butler

Joseph and Myriah McCabe

John and Lisa Amoratis, Michael Maron

The Salemme Family Cory and Marissa Seigel, Dr. Marissa Oller, Adam Witcraft, Kelly and Carmelo Musara

Carl and Maria Carfello, Jim and Caryl Kourgelis, Errick and Marilene Paragioudakis

Kyung Nam Lee, Mari Archer, Natalie Larrea, Evelyn Figueroa, Marsha Bauer

Decode The Dress Code

What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

By SoneCa guaDara

With wedding season upon us, there’s never been a better time to embrace the joy of dressing up. Whether you’re heading to a ceremony in the city, alfresco nuptials in the countryside or an elaborate event by the ocean, here is a guide to ensure you are a stylish guest. Navigating what to wear as a guest can be a challenge, and it may seem like an impossible task. With this guide, putting together an outfit will not feel as daunting or overwhelming.

Decipher the Dress Code and Venue Location

While rising temps may have you in a more laid-back state of mind, summer wedding attire still has a sense of formality. Key factors such as the location, venue and dress code all indicate exactly what you should wear. But what happens when the invite says something out of the ordinary like “tropical beach formal” or “whimsical garden party?”

It’s always best to check the couple’s wedding website for dress code details, and if you’re still confused, check out photos of the venue for a better understanding of what the vibe is. What you wear to an afternoon backyard wedding will be quite different than what you wear to an evening fête at a luxury country club, for example.

Black Tie

Many newlyweds adopt a formal dress code to make their celebration feel extra special. After all, a wedding is an important occasion no matter the season. A black-tie event will always require more formal attire at any time of the year, but that’s not to say you can’t wear an outfit that feels a little more like summer.

During the warmer months, we see more color, shoulder play and hemline variation. For men, a tuxedo is generally expected, but there are ways to make it more summer friendly. Opt for a suit with a lighter fabric weight or that’s made from breathable materials, such as silk or a wool blend.

Semi-Formal

For a semi-formal wedding, I suggest choosing a midi or floor-length dress with a dramatic silhouette, lace detailing or another playful element. Bold colors and floral prints are also a welcome idea. When it comes to getting suited up, you can ditch the tux, but a smart suit is still a must. While a black suit is certainly an appropriate choice, my advice is that I would forgo the black suit for outdoor or tented events in the sun as it attracts heat.

Casual Summer Wedding

Casual summer wedding attire can be tricky to figure out, but that’s what I’m here for! My advice is that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed for any wedding event.

My motto is “Leave any worn-in items at home and bring the bling!” Similarly, I also believe that a casual wedding still deserves the respect of a proper jacket, a shirt with a collar and long sleeves and pants with a crease. Baggy and untucked shirts should be avoided at all costs. You can never be overdressed, but you certainly can be underdressed and that sometimes can feel very uncomfortable.

Beach Wedding

While a beach wedding generally dictates more casual attire, you should still check your invitation to make sure the couple hasn’t made any special requests. If you’re good to go, the next thing to consider is practicality.

The specific destination helps inform the details of a beach inspired dress code. For instance, a beach wedding in Hawaii is vastly different than a beach wedding in Martha’s Vineyard.

But some consistent rules apply. Choose a kneelength, midi or a maxi dress with flat sandals. For masculine dressing, a linen-blend suit or sports coat and trousers is always a safe choice. But I’d opt for lightweight fabrics that will prevent you from overheating. Think about footwear, especially if the ceremony will be in the sand.

While the question of what to wear to a summer wedding can be overwhelming, just keep the above advice in mind. Once you’ve got your outfit figured out, the only thing left to do is pick out the perfect wedding gift!

Some Key Things to Consider

Avoid Black-Colored Clothing

While the answer to the question “Can you wear black to a summer wedding?” is yes, it likely won’t be comfortable if it’s an outside ceremony. Black absorbs the heat, meaning if it’s a scorching day, you’ll be thinking about how to cool off rather than enjoying the party.

Embrace Bright Colors & Floral Prints

Summer is a time when everything is in bloom, and why shouldn’t your wardrobe be as well? Bright colors, floral prints and bold patterns reflect the happy feeling that defines this sun-filled season. But don’t forget the most important rule when it comes to wedding guest attire: don’t wear white. You don’t want to cause any confusion as to who the bride is.

Wear Breathable Fabric

As noted above, comfort is key. For casual weddings, men can wear linen, cotton or – if they’re looking to show off a bit of personality – seersucker. Wool and silk blends or open-weave wool work well for formal celebrations. Silk and chiffon are elegant for women wedding guests, and they can even wear linen and cotton dresses for beach or backyard weddings.

Soneca Guadara is a personal fashion stylist who helps her clients feel confident and stylish. Soneca lives in Bergen County and works with clients that range from celebrities to entrepreneurs.

For The Love Of Luxe

District 5 Boutique Brings Women The Joy of Finding The Perfect Dress

By Kevin CzerwinSKi

Theresa DeMarco just needed to find her niche. The problem with that approach, however, is that she wasn’t exactly sure what her niche was.

DeMarco, 54, has always loved fashion and has always gotten compliments on how well put-together she looks. The big question with which she was faced, though, was whether she could start a business because you loved nice clothes and knew how to dress well.

It didn’t take the Paramus resident long to find the answer to that question. DeMarco will celebrate her 15th anniversary this year as the founder, owner and operator of District 5 Boutique, an online women’s apparel boutique that caters to a world-wide clientele, offering handpicked dresses and gowns costs thousands of dollars. What started as a simple idea of offering women quality clothing online has grown exponentially, turning DeMarco and District 5 from relative unknowns into one of the industries go-to most trusted and sough-after retailers.

Her one-stop shopping approach has made her popular with customers worldwide, affording her the opportunity to tap into markets that often aren’t available in the United States. She offers more than 130 brands, all of which are available on her website, District.5Boutique. com.

“The best analogy I can give you is this,” DeMarco said. “Say you want to buy a luxury car, so you stop at the Mercedes dealer, the Lexus dealer and every other luxury car dealer. My lot has the Lexus, the Mercedes, the Rolls Royce, the Porches and the Ferraris. We have all the luxury items and we have them all in one lot.

“We can also customize. We can get that done. We might have next year’s models on the lot, too, and we can customize them. We can show you something old and get something made special. Say they come out with the Fall 2024 collection. We already have it on the website.

You can come here and buy the dress. We have every single size.”

That approach is what led DeMarco to build a large Middle Eastern customer base. Not only does she feature scores of designers from the region, but her ability to modify designs to meet the needs of a more modest community has proven to be one of her biggest selling points. District 5 offers selection from 35 Lebanese brands, which is more than any other store in the world.

“I don’t design the dresses, I get them from designers,” she said. “Always, from the beginning, it was hard to get brands. So, I started searching and found a lot of international brands. That’s where our whole thing with Lebanese brands came about. I reached out to them [designers] and asked if they would let me put up the collection and promote it and that was my way of getting something on the site.

“That’s how the entire legacy was born. Next thing you know, it was working well. Because we deal with a lot of modest communities, we can get sleeves

added, close up neck lines, things like that. My customers in the Middle East are some of my most loyal customers I have. They were shopping with me before those brands had websites. We have all their favorite brands.”

DeMarco has an office and a warehouse in Kenilworth which she moved into two years ago. When she first began her venture, it would take her as many as three months to get a dress. Now, she has the process perfected to a point where she can produce something in as little as two weeks. While she does have the warehouse, there isn’t a traditional storefront. She does have a system by which clients come in and try on dresses but it is by appointment only and there is a fee. There are no walk-ins.

Her son, Alexander, began working with his mom at the outset as a 13-year-old. He’s still with her having built the District 5 website. DeMarco has come a long way since 2009 when she decided to stop working with her brother, who owns a home improvement company. She had been managerial and payroll type work but her desire to do more took her down

“It was a struggle because no one wanted to be online,” she said. “If you saw a brand online, you thought it would devalue the brand so it was always an ebb and flow. I remember when we started back then researching my first Facebook post. It’s funny to see how it has evolved over the years.”

DeMarco said her average dress sale is $3,000 with her highest ticket reaching $35,000. She said she had one woman buy two $25,000 dresses and many others during COVID. While it may seem like a great deal of money for a dress, much of the clientele she serves don’t balk at the prices, which she says are set at a fair-market value.

“It was her [the woman who bought the $25,000 dresses] daughter’s wedding and the family was very wealthy,” DeMarco said. “As a woman, when you get to a certain status, every woman wants to wear the best dress. You have a certain status to uphold.

“District 5 has truly revolutionized the way the world shops,” she continued. “It wasn’t so easy at first; we had a lot of glitches and problems. Now we’re streamlined and we truly have the top brands in the entire business.”

Social Upper Saddle River Educational Foundation

The USR Educational Foundation held their annual gala at the Edgewood Country Club. For more information, visit www.usref.org.

Jennifer and Brian Waldbaum, Angelica and Glenn Degenaars

Sam Vahid, Nilu Cividini, Lauren Morin

David and Tracey Weiss, Rachel and Rich Lyons

Brad Siegel, Gianna Apice, Nidhi and Ram Rajagopal

Deborah and Marcos Casal

Nidhi and Ram Rajagopal

Stephanie Chamberlin, Heather Walker, Emily Whitman, Katharine Miros

Tara and Dave Sussman

Anne and Bruce Moshier

Tami Beresky, Abey and Dhanya Paul

Philip and Mildred Hsu

Dr. Adam and Melanie Feintisch

Mojgan and Reza Parhizkaran

Dustin and Blair Gordon Balpreet and Yogi Virk

The USR Town Night Out Committee

Getting ‘Real’ with Rachel Fuda

By tara DeLorenzo

Juggling being a wife, mom and businesswoman, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Rachel Fuda has found ways to organize her priorities to make her family the star of her life.

Fuda is featured in her second season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. It was her “organic connections to cast members,” she said, that led her to being interviewed for the show, and her experience has been a rollercoaster ever since.

“The show comes in like a wrecking ball, and it happens so fast. During Season 13, I was three months postpartum from my youngest daughter. She was only three months old, and it was really hard to juggle everything,” Fuda said “I have a teenage son and at the time my older daughter Gigi was turning two, so I had my hands full on a personal level, and having never filmed any TV show before, it was really hard to manage my personal life versus my ‘work’ life, this new part of my life I had never experienced before. With that comes a lot of feedback, positive and negative too. I’ll be out with my kids and people recognize me and people connect with my story about adopting

my son and it’s been positive, it’s been exciting, and there have been so many awesome opportunities and experiences I’ve been able to give to my kids that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.”

Fuda is a mother of three: Gigi, who is two, Giuliana, who is three, and her 17-year-old son Jaiden, her husband John’s biological son who she officially adopted. In addition to raising her children, she also helps run her husband’s companies, including Valet King, Royal Building Service and Fuda Tile. She and her husband have been married for seven years.

The key to success for this mom of three has been organization. Her day-to-day consists of managing both a balance of work and intentional time with her family. The day starts with getting the kids to school and getting lunches ready, followed by drop off and then time to work and get the administrative tasks done. Her daughters go to school for a half day, so while they nap after school, she finishes up work for the day before taking the girls to a play place, a park or doing a craft project. And all throughout she’s working on social media for the show.

Continued on page 66

Through all of it, it is her family that remains her top priority, and all the parts of her life have helped her grow.

“My favorite thing in the entire world is being a wife and mother. Nothing surpasses that,” she said. “There’s nothing more important in my life than being the best wife and mom I can be. Helping John with the business is fulfilling in a way that he and I get to work on something together and provide for our family. And doing the show is something I get to have fun with, I get to pick out outfits and do hair and makeup and go to cool events, and being a mom and wife is something I’ve always wanted to do so I feel very fulfilled.”

And to working parents who have many competing priorities, Fuda advises, “I think the most important thing to know is everyone is trying to figure it out. It can feel so isolating and you feel like you’re trying to stay above water constantly and do the best for your kids every single day but give yourself grace and give yourself a break. At the end of the day, it all gets done one way or another, you’re not going to let your priorities go undone. Give yourself grace, go easy on yourself, but just know your kids are only little once. That’s something that always brings me back, especially seeing Jaiden and how fast he grew up. He’s 17. I feel like I blinked. Eight years feels like one.”

a mother. Adopting him was something Fuda had always hoped to do; it was something that had been a family conversation for a long time, and it was very important for Fuda to do.

“My relationship with my son has never changed, but this was stamping the envelope that this is official, and nothing can ever change that. That to all of us is very meaningful. That’s what’s important to me,” she said. “I want him to know that even though there’s inconsistencies in his life, I’m always going to be there. We have a very special relationship.”

In addition to motherhood, Fuda is also very thankful for the platform she now has, as she is also a dedicated advocate to the Arthritis Foundation and spreading awareness for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

As a child, Fuda had been diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, now JIA, which led to a double hip replacement at the age of 18, along with constant other struggles in her childhood. The journey has been an uphill battle, she describes. She was diagnosed at the age of four, went into remission, but came out of remission in the sixth grade, where she struggled with the pain and extreme lack of range of motion. With the help of medication and her resources, Fuda was able to find relief from the pain, and her experience has only made her feel grateful.

Her experience and relationship with Jaiden too is one too that makes her feel even more fulfilled as

“I always was grateful because the disease I was battling wasn’t going to kill me. As morbid as that

sounds, it helped keep it in perspective for me,” Fuda said. “It could always be worse. It’s something I’ve told myself from age 12 on: it could always be worse. It’s not the best-case scenario, but someone else was dealt a hand that’s not as good as this and doesn’t have the resources and medications I must make them feel better. The end of their game isn’t the same as mine, so just putting it into perspective of the bigger picture and knowing there are other people suffering. Everyone has their struggle, and I feel so strongly about that. Every person you meet is dealing with something or is battling something or going through things in some capacity, and even though we don’t all share our experiences, and it can feel so isolating, we all have our own struggle. I’m grateful this is something that is manageable. It’s been an uphill battle my entire life, even to now. It’s made me more appreciative of my body, of when I do feel good, that I’m able to run around with my kids and play and pick them up, and even get myself dressed in the morning. I’m able to be a functioning mom because of this medication and resources I have. It gives me a new sense of gratitude for my life.”

It’s with that perspective and her lifelong dream of being a wife and mother that Fuda can constantly keep her family as her number one priority, even with her many commitments. Filming Season 13 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey was a big learning experience, but it was also something that helped reinforce her priorities and balance.

For Fuda, it’s seeing how her children grow and flourish in their own way and seeing the people they become that’s her favorite part of being a mother. And to other parents, she advises them to take time to be with your children.

All things considered, there’s no question at the end of the day: The new Range Rover is a top-tier competitor with wonderful tech, solid powertrains, and an excellent cabin — in terms of quality and space.

That said, you do have to be mindful of the engine you select and the trim levels as pricing reaches into

“Give yourself grace as a parent and be present with your kids,” Fuda said. “There’s nothing more valuable than your time and really spending that undistracted, undivided time with your children is the most underrated gift you can give them. And seeing how you plant the seeds of the foundation for your children and how they water it and how they grow, it’s such a blessing.”

the stratosphere, fast. It’s easy to go north of $165,000 if you’re not paying attention. Frankly, if it were my hard-earned dollars, I’d invest in a six-cylinder long wheelbase SE. That’s because the six’s engine feels like a more natural fit in the big daddy Range and the added space gets two thumbs up from me.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14, Fuda’s second season on the show, premiered on May 5 on Bravo.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Understanding, Preventing and Managing Little League Overuse Injuries

By Dr. MiChaeL groSS

Spring is turning into summer, and nothing says summer more than Little League Baseball. Little League Baseball is a rite of passage for many children and families, offering a chance to learn valuable life lessons, improve physical fitness and develop a love for the game. However, the intense nature of the sport can sometimes lead to overuse injuries, which can impact young players’ health and future in the sport. In this article, we will delve into the world of Little League Baseball overuse injuries, exploring their causes, effects, prevention strategies and management techniques.

While overuse injuries are more common in sports than acute injuries, they are subtle and usually occur over time, making them challenging to diagnose and treat. They are the result of repetitive micro-trauma

to the tendons, bones and joints. Common examples include tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, youth pitching elbow and shoulder, runner’s knee, jumper’s knee, Achilles tendinitis and shin splints. Painful injuries such as stress fractures (a hairline fracture of the bone that has been subjected to repeated stress) and tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon) can occur from overuse of muscles and tendons. Some of these injuries don’t always show up on X-rays, but they do cause pain and discomfort. The Other treatments can include crutches, cast immobilization and physical therapy. Injured areas usually respond to rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).

Overuse injuries have multiple causes, but they have become a growing problem among our youngest ath-

HIP INJURIES

Probably my favorite element of my test E450 All-Terrain was how well it handled NVH. Equipped with an inline six-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces about 360 horsepower and nearly 370 lb.-ft. of torque, you wouldn’t know it. That’s because the engine is silky smooth. While you will hear the motor spin up if you push it, the sound is not overly intrusive into the cabin.

SAY GOODBYE TO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND LIMITING BELIEFS

REJUVENATE YOUR HEALTH

The hip joint and groin muscles are susceptible to injury due to the mechanics of the skating stride. Some of the most common soft tissue injuries in hockey players include a groin strain and a hip flexor strain. Off-season strengthening and dedicated stretching before and after practice are important to prevent these injuries. In addition, a direct blow to the outside of the hip can cause a hip pointer or trochanteric bursitis. Hockey pants with reinforced padding over these vulnerable areas may help protect them.

letes. The human body has a tremendous capacity to adapt to physical stress. We tend to think of “stress” in the context of its negative effect on our emotional wellbeing, but physical stress, which is simply exercise and activity, is beneficial for our bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, making them stronger and more functional. This happens because of an internal process called remodeling. The remodeling process involves both the breakdown and buildup of tissue. There is a fine balance between the two, and if breakdown occurs more rapidly than buildup, an overuse injury occurs.

We all have that voice in our heads. The little voice that tells us we are not good enough, smart enough or deserving enough. When you get a negative thought, take note of it, dismiss it, forgive it and let it go. Next reach for a new positive thought. One that makes you feel good. Focus on what is good and what is working well in your life. Surrounding yourself with positive people who lift you up and support you is also key.

miles on dirt roads. In most vehicles this isn’t exactly a brilliant situation since you can damage the underside of your car. But with the All-Terrain, the button to raise the vehicle’s ride height came in handy. Phew!

"It is so hard to keep them reading. Reading has become a challenge in the modern age. There are so many places you can go to not read. It has fallen out of favor and because they [students] have access to so much technology, reading pales by comparison. So film is a great platform.”

INCORPORATE A DAILY MEDITATION PRACTICE

KNEE INJURIES

Helping this was the fact my test vehicle had the Acoustic Comfort Package, meaning, it boasted additional sound deadening insulation as well as thicker glass to reduce noise. It really pays off as at speed it sounds as though you’re traveling at 20-30 mph when in reality you’re doing three times that. You won’t stress your vocal cords in this E, that’s for sure. Once again, this is a trait found in the flagship model.

most common soft tissue injuries in hockey players include a groin pull and a hip flexor pull. A severe strain can be a nagging injury that limits performance throughout the season. A direct blow to the outside of the hip can cause a bruise (contusion) of the iliac crest (hip pointer) or trochanter (trochanteric bursitis).

Add in the extra utility provided by having a long roof and I quickly found myself examining this E450 even closer. Frankly, I am considering adding one to my fleet.

primary causes is the year-round nature of the sport, with many players participating in multiple leagues and tournaments throughout the year. This constant play and lack of rest periods can put significant stress on young bodies, increasing the risk of overuse injuries.

Part of creating better mental health can be found in what’s on our plate and how we move our bodies. Small steps like taking a walk around your neighborhood, signing up for a yoga class or dancing around the house can increase serotonin, the feel good hormone. Eliminating sugar, incorporating more seasonal fruits and vegetables and drinking more water are simple steps to enhancing your health and relieving anxiety.

Why, you ask? Well, it’s this simple: It can do anything and it flies under the radar. For me, that’s as close to perfect as it gets.

Make mine black on black, fully loaded and optioned with the 19-inch AMG wheels, please.

Avoiding injuries in hockey has to do with properly fitted equipment, making smart plays, following the rules and a lot of luck because hockey is inherently risky. Understanding how the injuries occur, recognizing them when they occur and seeking the best treatment will help you enjoy the game at whatever level you are playing.

All in all, I was extremely impressed during my time with the All-Terrain. Not only did it deliver with space, comfort and excellent control of NVH, it also did the unexpected.

Like any practice, you must want to do it in order to achieve results. It’s really very simple and easier than you think. Beginning a meditation practice requires only your slight willingness. Your desire for more peace in your life, less stress and better focus and so many other benefits is all you need to get on the path. Start by taking 5-10 minutes each morning to close your eyes, focus on your breath and be still. The thoughts will come and that’s natural, just let them go and return to your breath. Try counting four breaths in and four breaths out through the nose. You can also try repeating a mantra like “om” or “peace begins with me.” Start a daily meditation practice and stroll into this season with a spring in your step.

The medial collateral ligament is most susceptible to a sprain because of the leg position – pushing off the inside edge of the skate blade – and contact to the outside of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption and meniscus tears (torn cartilage) can also occur but are less common in hockey than in other sports such as football, soccer and basketball.

Another contributing factor is the pressure to specialize in baseball at a young age, leading players to focus exclusively on the sport and engage in repetitive motions without cross-training or diversifying their physical activities. Additionally, the pressure to perform well and secure college scholarships or professional opportunities can lead players to push themselves beyond their limits, ignoring signs of fatigue and pain.

Loccke said one of her inspirations for using film in the classroom is to provide her underclassmen with a reward. Her students are always asking her if there is a film that corresponds with the book so she uses the film as a payoff once the students have finished reading the novel. She shows as many as three movies a year to her underclassmen. Time constraints – her classes are 40 minutes long – usually prevent her from showing more.

Overuse injuries in all athletes, including Little League players, occur when players repeat the same movements and actions without giving their bodies enough time to rest and recover. These injuries can affect various parts of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and knee. Common overuse injuries in young baseball players include Little League elbow, Little League shoulder, stress fractures, tendonitis and growth plate injuries.

Tracy Flaherty is a certified integrative health and lifestyle coach; meditation teacher; and the author and founder of Be Well Nourished. She integrates meditation into her health coaching practice as well teaching meditation one-on-one and in-group settings.

You can find her meditations on the Insight timer app and on her Instagram page @wellwith_tracy.

“A lot of what they read they read on their own [and not in class],” Loccke said. “The movie is a great way to provide a communal feeling and it provides something they can share together. You can have a discussion and share it and the movie is something we all experience at the same time so it is very unifying.”

Power was more than adequate, which says something coming from someone who regularly drives autos with more than 600 horsepower, and when in Sport mode you can have a giggle or two. During an Everglades excursion we had to slow down to travel for about five

Several factors contribute to the high incidence of overuse injuries in Little League players. One of the

The mechanics of the skating stride makes the hip and groin muscles susceptible to injury. Some of the

Such was the case when Loccke addressed the largest classroom of her career on TCM.

Dr. Michael Gross is the founder and director of Active Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. He is the chief of sports medicine at Hackensack/Meridian University Medical Center. Dr. Gross has written numerous articles and book chapters on sports injuries. He has taken care of some of Bergen County’s finest athletes, from weekend warriors to professional athletes. Dr. Gross can be reached by email at drgross@activeorthopedic.com.

Overuse injuries can have detrimental effects on young baseball players, both physically and emotionally. In addition to the immediate pain and discomfort associated with these injuries, they can also lead to long-term complications, such as chronic pain, decreased range of motion, reduced performance and even early retirement from the sport. Furthermore, the psychological impact of being sidelined due to -

- injury can take a toll on a young player’s confidence, motivation and passion for the game.

Prevention Overuse Injuries

Preventing overuse injuries in little league baseball starts with education. Coaches, parents and players must be informed about the risks associated with overtraining and the importance of rest and recovery. Setting limits on the number of pitches thrown, monitoring pitch counts and ensuring proper technique during practices and games are essential steps in injury prevention. Encouraging cross-training, incorporating strength and conditioning exercises and emphasizing overall physical fitness can also help reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

1. Rest and Recovery: Encouraging players to take regular breaks, rest days and offseason periods is essential for allowing the body to heal and recharge. Emphasizing the importance of rest as part of a comprehensive training program can help prevent overuse injuries.

2. Proper Training Techniques: Teaching young players the fundamentals of correct throwing, pitching, hitting and fielding techniques can help reduce the strain on their bodies and minimize the risk of overuse injuries. Coaches should focus on developing sound mechanics, strength, flexibility and conditioning to enhance performance and reduce injury risk.

3. Age-Appropriate Pitch Counts: Following pitch count guidelines established by organizations like Little League Baseball or USA Baseball can help prevent overuse injuries in pitchers. Monitoring the number of pitches thrown in a game or practice, as well as the rest periods between pitching appearances, is crucial for protecting young arms from excessive stress. Some players, or their parents, try to get around these guidelines by enrolling in multiple leagues. This is not a good idea.

4. Cross-Training and Physical Conditioning: Encouraging young players to participate in a variety of sports and physical activities can help prevent overuse injuries by promoting overall fitness,

strength, coordination and agility. Cross-training can also prevent burnout, improve motivation and enhance athletic performance in the long run. Developing varied interests and participation in a wide range of activities develops healthy habits for the future.

5. Open Communication: Creating a supportive and open environment where players feel comfortable discussing their physical health, concerns, and limitations is essential for preventing overuse injuries. Encouraging young athletes to communicate openly with coaches, parents, and healthcare providers. Make sure they know it’s smart to tell coaches, parents or another adult if they’re hurt or not feeling well.

Managing overuse injuries in little league baseball requires a multi-faceted approach. When a player complains of persistent pain or discomfort, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) can help alleviate acute symptoms, while physical therapy and rehabilitation may be necessary for more severe injuries. Treating injuries early is the best way to prevent them from progressing and causing prolonged down time or even permanent damage. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to repair damaged tissues and restore function.

Tips For Treating An Overuse Injury include:

-Cutting back the intensity, duration and frequency of an activity.

-Adopting a hard/easy workout schedule and cross training with other activities to maintain fitness levels. Learning about proper training and technique from a coach or athletic trainer.

-Performing proper warm-up activities before and after.

-Using ice after an activity for minor aches and pain.

-Using anti-inflammatory medications only as necessary.

If symptoms persist, a sports medicine specialist will be able to create a more detailed treatment plan for your

specific condition. This may include a thorough review of your training program and an evaluation for any predisposing factors. Physical therapy and athletic training services may also be helpful.

As with most injuries, prevention is the best treatment. Most overuse injuries can be prevented with proper training and common sense. Learn to listen to your body. Remember that “no pain, no gain” does not apply here. The 10 percent rule is very helpful in determining how to take things to the “next level.” In general, you should not increase your training program or activity more than 10 percent per week. This allows your body adequate time for recovery and response. This rule also applies to increasing pace or mileage for walkers and runners, as well as to the amount of weight added in strength training programs.

It is essential that parents remember that the purpose of youth sports is to develop healthy long term habits, to learn valuable lessons, and above all, to have fun. Very few of our young athletes are going on to play professional baseball. Only 64 players who have appeared in the Little League World Series have gone on to MLB. That represents less than one percent.

It is important for coaches and parents to communicate openly with young players about the importance of listening to their bodies and reporting any pain or discomfort promptly. Creating a supportive environment where athletes feel comfortable discussing their physical well-being can help prevent overuse injuries from escalating into more serious conditions.

In conclusion, little league baseball overuse injuries are a significant concern within the youth sports community. By understanding the causes, effects, prevention strategies, and management techniques related to these injuries, coaches, parents and players can work together to create a safer and healthier environment for young athletes. Remember, the long-term well-being of our children is far more important than any game or tournament. Let’s prioritize their health and happiness above all else in the world of little league baseball.

Dr. Michael Gross was the founder and director of Active Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, treating athletes of all levels in Bergen County. Currently, he is the Orthopedic Director for the New York Hotel Employee Benefits Fund and is an Assistant Professor at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Dr. Gross published many research articles covering a wide variety of orthopedic injuries and topics. He is the author of “Get Well Soon: A Doctor’s Guide to Health and Wellness.”

The BMW XM With Great Power Comes…

By riCharD poSLuSzny

OK. Let’s just get this out of the way.

The all-new BMW XM’s design is an utter abomination. From every angle there’s something off putting about its look and the shape of the Bavarian’s body panels. And, this isn’t something that requires in-depth analysis. Simply glancing at the XM causes your instinct to kick in as you simultaneously cringe and ask the car gods, loudly, “What were they thinking?”

Even scarier, this is coming from a BMW fan. Over the years I’ve owned and driven many of the storied marque’s products with glee — currently, I own a 2017 M2. Fast forward to today: I couldn’t care less about the latest M2, M3, M4, 7-Series and a huge swath of its portfolio. There’s a multitude of reasons for this but, primarily, it comes down to their ill-conceived designs as well as worsening driving

dynamics, which went from best-in-class to also ran.

Well, I guess I was a BMW fan.

All that said, let’s put on our objective hat and review BMW’s latest product. From where I stand, the XM is the future of the brand and will be very telling about where its performance cars are heading.

Continued

Upon taking delivery, I found this behemoth awaiting my arrival. Painted what I’d argue is BMW’s best color, Dravit Grey, it has pops of gold in its metallic flake while in direct sunlight. When it’s a cloudy day, however, it looks more like the flat grey of a U.S. Navy battleship. I adore it.

What is likely to catch most people’s attention is the exaggerated interpretation of BMW’s kidney grille, for better or for worse. It’s massive. Additionally, BMW introduced a split headlight design on some of its latest vehicles. The LEDs up top serve a functional purpose as daytime running lights (DRLs) and turn signals. Down below, you’ve got LEDs for low and high beams. Although BMW seems quite proud of this change, it seems awfully reminiscent of split headlight designs found on the latest Nissans, Hyundais and Chevrolets. Go figure.

Around its hind quarters, there’s sweeping taillights and a quad-tipped exhaust, which is arranged vertically. The latter has been done before by several other automakers, so, it’s not as shocking or innovative, but I will say BMW’s execution here is quite tidy.

Getting more familiar in the cabin, my test XM was optioned with a bright red-orange color (Sakhir Orange) that’s been desired by BMW enthusiasts in recent years. Although the patterns on the seats are busy, these chairs are some of the best the company’s ever produced. That’s because while they emphasize side bolstering to hold passengers in place during performance driving, they remain supple and provide excellent support — in all directions — for long-distance travel. You can also find them in the latest X5M and X6M. Well done, team.

In the second row, you’ll notice a decidedly different feel. It’s as though the designers were cultivating a separate environment with a couch. It’s not uncommon for vehicles with this type of performance to have four-place seating with aggressive bolstering, but BMW decided to approach it like a lounge a la another brand under its umbrella, Rolls-Royce. My tester even included two pillows for rear seat passengers. A bit of an odd, mixed signal.

Back in the driver’s seat, behind the three-spoke steering wheel is a massive, slightly curved display.

On the left is a 12-inch screen with the typical information found in an instrument panel — and it’s configurable. On the right is your infotainment screen, measuring nearly 15 inches, which has a ton of important functionality now that the HVAC controls are fully committed to the display. This means your center stack has very few buttons.

But I must admit these screens become a bit of a frenzy as you go down the rabbit hole. That’s because you have three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric and eControl. And Hybrid, alone, has three settings that are found across every BMW I’ve driven in recent memory: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. Adding to this, you can further configure the settings to your liking. For example, you can adjust the drivetrain, suspension, steering weight and sensitivity of the braking system. On the gear selector you can adjust the speed of the XM’s shifts.

A bit overwhelming, right? It’s like you need a PhD to unlock this BMW’s full potential. If you do buy one of these, be prepared to spend a lot of time on

the front-end learning all the configurations and how to setup this BMW to your liking. On delivery day, I spent about 40 or so minutes just getting situated.

So, how is it once you’re set for success? Well, let’s unravel it.

Powered by a plug-in hybrid drive system, the XM is equipped with a 4.4-liter, turbocharged V8 engine and an electric motor. Working together, it results in a staggering 644 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, zero to 60 happens in a hair over four seconds. If you thought it’d be faster, you’re probably not alone. But, equally as staggering as its output, is the XM’s weight: Over 6,060 pounds. That’s over 635 pounds more than a BMW X5M. Obviously, that impacts things.

That said, BMW has engineered quite a bit of sorcery into the XM to virtually melt the vehicle’s heft away. Take, for example, the use of rear-wheel steering. This helps make the sport-utility vehicle easier to

work with when maneuvering at low speeds. And, at high speeds, it improves its agility. While you wouldn’t confuse it with a true sports car, it has sporting intentions that’ll give you a chuckle whether you’re pushing it on a country road or passing folks on the interstate.

There’s minimal drama as you throttle the XM, thanks to all-wheel drive and fat tires. And, additionally, the interior is a relatively quiet place to be aside from a lovely soundtrack of engine noise. Steering feel is non-existent, but this isn’t a surprise as this is an ongoing theme in modern vehicles with electrically assisted power steering racks. What BMW has gotten right is the steering’s weight, which, for years, was way too heavy and artificial feeling in its M products. Thankfully, it’s over that stage.

Where the XM shines is in traffic-prone environments. Put it in its Electric driving mode and that V8 falls silent. With about 30 miles of range on a full charge, it’s not going to get you as far as a fully-fledged electric vehicle, but saving on fuel is a neat benefit of this hybrid arrangement.

Peculiarly though, I don’t suspect I’d want to use the XM to do an abundance of city commuting. That’s because my biggest gripe is this BMW’s ride quality. There’s no nice way to say it: It’s bad. My test vehi-

cle was shod with 22-inch wheels, and over bumps you are jolted and jostled. Now the pillows are starting to make a lot more sense. While the XM rides fine, yet firm, on smooth pavement, the experience significantly deteriorates once there’s imperfections on the road. Just as an experiment, I took my M2 — a true sports car — out for a spin and was surprised to find it rides more comfortably than the XM.

Considering we’re talking about a 6,000-pound SUV, this just shouldn’t be the case.

Adding insult to injury, the BMW XM’s price starts at $159,000. As tested, it ran $167,395. That’s a lot of money and there’s a load of better options in the market at that price point.

Frankly, from my perspective, I think consumers need to decide: Do they want a gasoline-powered auto or a fully electric vehicle?

If buyers prefer a gasoline-powered SUV with high-performance chops, a BMW X5M or Lamborghini Urus will be best suited for the role. And, if they want something of the EV variety, just go with the best-in-breed Tesla Model X.

I just hope that the BMW XM is a fluke. Because if it’s the future of BMW and its M brand, there will be some dark days ahead, indeed.

Social RBARI Casino Night

Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge held their annual Casino Night at The Estate at Florentine Gardens. For more information, visit www.rbari.org.

Lisa and Michael Cuozzo, Pat Sullivan

Pam Alexander, Peter Wilenta

Laura and Brad Klew, Rina Forbush

Lori Geissler, Holly Schepisi

Ari, Jill and Derrick Smith

Allen Khademi, Doug Lanz Jr., Jeremy Levy

Donnalee Corrieri, Rosemary Klie

Philip and Fabiola Santos

Linda Flalko, Janice Becker

Charles and Jennifer Matar

Carolyn and Anne Marie Flatekval

Dina Ciambrone, Toni-Ann Pierro

Bonnie Welsch, Laurie DeBonenedetto

Bonnie and Jeff Welsch

Kathy Carrero, William Frasse, Heather Costabile, Jennifer Laterra

Heather Costabile, Jennifer Laterra

Social RBARI Casino Night

Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge held their annual Casino Night at The Estate at Florentine Gardens. For more information, visit www.rbari.org.

Jessica Dorras, Joe Cupoli, Joyce Shmaruk

Megan Brinster, Steven Goldstein, Roe Wellman

Steven, Sharon, Carlye and Brandon Goldstein

Jerry Nune, Tatiana Barrera

Taylor Smith, Monica Rivera

Donnalee Corrieri, Steven Goldstein, Rosemary Klie

Michelle Moscatello, Stephanie Kaplan

Alex and Stephanie Kaplan, Lou and Michelle Mascatillo

Jerry and Kerry Marsh, Melissa and AJ Bassani

Nick Laganella, Joe Conte

Barbara and Lavic Ashe

Sal Fichera, Tato Kobere

Brandon Goldstein & The Show Girls

Diane and Nicole Chessin

Adam Rotenberg, Brad Chessin, Daniel Lehman

Laura Rolieff, Gail Komlo

Social Upper Saddle River Garden Club

The USR Garden Club held their annual luncheon at the Saddle River Cafe. For more information, visit www.usrgardenclub.com.

Eva Petrone, Jule Linter

Mildred Hsu, Yocaira Arjona

Jule Linter, Ingrid Estevez

Sam Vahid, Ladan Abbasi, Bonnie Saffarian

Paula Pagola, Luciana Porta

Olga Solis, Michael Rizzo

Kate Eitner, Maria Severin

Millie Masri, Danielle Messinger

Janisa Betances, Jaimee Rizzo

Heidi, Wsolek, Luciana Porta, Felice Bernard, Cindy Adler

USR Garden Club Valentine Brunch Committee

Veronica Demaras, Marian Albornoz

Wendy Behrens, Nabila Hai

Parul Giri, Jule Linter

Parul Giri, Eva Petrone

Shauna Sendach, Jessica Gorelick