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Gatherings

Gatherings

OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

A FUN-FILLED FALL

It’s that time of year: We hail the return of pumpkin spice lattes and happily move stylish leather jackets to the front of the closet. And there are other fall rites of passage—festive activities that, if neglected, can lead to a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out). Many Bergen spots offer more than one of the seasonal to-dos, but here’s where to go if you’re looking for…

…a corn maze: On hiatus in 2020, the famous maze at Lupardi’s Nursery in Closter is back. Here, youngsters (and kids at heart) walk through a 6-acre cornfield. There are 12 checkpoints throughout, where participants receive stamps that can be redeemed for some cool prizes.

• 75 Blanch Ave., Closter, 201.768.0017; lupardisnursery.com …a haunted hayride: Lurking within DePiero’s Farm in Montvale is “The Revenge of Cyrus Grain,” a “Pantophobia” attraction set up for the Halloween season that just may scare the bejesus out of you. It includes a five-minute pre-show, followed by a half-hour haunted hayride through greenhouses and open fields. Bonus: The ride is completely outdoors, so it’s COVID-safe.

• 53 Craig Rd., Montvale, 805.666.1699; pantophobia.com …pumpkin picking: Summer peach picking gives way to pumpkin picking at Demarest Farms in Hillsdale; it began this year Sept. 18. Hayrides operate on weekends, and other attractions such as a petting zoo and the playground are included in the $7-per-person admission (plus the price of pumpkins). Due to COVID, each group must reserve tickets online for a set time to avoid overcrowding.

• 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, 201.666.0472; demarestfarms.com …a petting zoo: Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff has a petting zoo (as long as weather permits), perfect for toddlers who want to get up close and personal with goats, bunnies, llamas and ducks. There’s also horseback riding (again, weather permitting), a small general store with fresh snacks and produce and a mini pick-your-own pumpkin patch for the littles.

• 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff, 201.891.0278; abmasfarm.com

DID YOU KNOW? Based on Google Trends, Candy Industry has revealed that Starburst—those bite-sized fruit chews—is the most preferred candy in New Jersey. That’s food for thought when you’re handing out treats for Halloween.

STREAM BLOODY MURDER

Is it even October if you don’t have a scary movie marathon while snuggled under the covers on a dark and stormy night? Streaming options these days tend to be overwhelming, so we’ve created a cheat sheet telling which scary movies are worth BERGEN readers’ time. Below are a few of our favorite classics and new releases, plus where you can stream them. Did we miss your favorite? DM on Instagram @bergenmagnj or email editor Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com! • Bird Box (Netflix) • The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, The Conjuring 3

(HBO Max)

• Escape Room (iTunes/Google Play) • Get Out (Netflix) • Jaws (Amazon Prime Video) • Paranormal Activity (Hulu) • A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II

(Paramount+)

• The Shining (HBO Max) • Signs (Peacock) • Us (iTunes/Google Play)

TEAL IS THE NEW ORANGE

If you see a trick-or-treater approach your home armed with a teal candy basket, it’s not a costume accessory. Teal pumpkins mean that child has food allergies, so you should offer a small toy, a trinket or an allergen-free snack rather than, say, a fun-size Snickers bar. The Teal Pumpkin Project is a national campaign by FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), an organization that strives to make Halloween a safer, more inclusive holiday for those with severe food allergies. You can support these kids too by painting a pumpkin teal and leaving it at your doorstep, marking your home as a safe place for them to trick-or-treat.

“Placing a teal pumpkin outside is an easy way to make Halloween more inclusive, and I get a lot of thank-yous from parents when they see that I have a separate bowl of allergen-free and non-food treats such as stickers, tattoos, pencils and lollipops,” says Cathy Melnicki of Oradell.

Learn more about the initiative—and register your address so that nearby parents know you have safe treats available—at foodallergy.org.

SCARY BEASTS

Have a furry family member who hates to miss out on the

“Howl-o-ween” fun? One of these pet costumes may be just the thing to set tails wagging—and turn heads:

• Drogon: Your pooch will be fire dressed as the iconic Game of

Thrones dragon. Bonus points for the human who dresses as Daenerys, the GOT human who gives Drogon his commands. • Elvis Presley: He’s already king of your castle; now make him the King of Halloween. Your neighbors will be “all shook up” when they see Rover in this getup. • Teddy bear: One of your dog’s many nicknames may already be “Bear,” so go ursine bigtime and fit him or her with this outfit. Here’s the answer to that question: “Can you get any cuter?” • Shark: Here’s a way to give Kitty a bit of bite this Halloween. Perhaps your cat has a little sass already—and merely donning this getup may amp up the feline furor. • Batman and the Joker: Have a pair of kitties with dueling personalities? Few hero-villain pairs match this duo, a perfect role-play for felines who are really best buds.

A CUPPA SPICE

Pumpkin spice season at Starbucks means seemingly endless drive-through lines— we know that. But there are other ways to caffeinate yourself against that first autumnal nip in the air. Bergen County is chock full of artisan coffee houses, from 2021 Best In Bergen winner Ridgewood Coffee Company and its sister Tenafly Coffee Company to uber-chill Kuppi in Edgewater and American Bulldog Roasters in Ridgewood. The list goes on from there, including these five: Ara, Rutherford. Steps from the Rutherford train station is this local shop, which offers meticulously prepared specialty brews, iced coffee and bubble tea.

• 6 Ames Ave., 201.460.3561; aracoffee.com Caffeine, Oradell. Up the street from nowshuttered Cool Beans is this local favorite, which has a large selection of regular and seasonal lattes, both hot and cold.

• 360 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell, 201.599.8149; facebook.com/njcaffeine Erie Coffeeshop & Bakery, Rutherford. The only thing better than a fall-themed drink is enjoying it with a fall-themed baked good. Get both at this cozy shop.

• 10 Franklin Pl., Rutherford, 201.460.0073; eatdrinkerie.com Lazy Bean Café, Teaneck. Despite its relaxed name, this fully kosher shop will get you going with coffees, shakes and baked goods.

YOUR BEST OKTOBERFEST

Oktoberfest observances abound with German food—sausage and schnitzel, bratwursts and breaded-and-fried cutlets. And—oh yes—there’s beer. Try these spots:

Hearth & Tap Co., Montvale. The menu at this gastropub changes almost daily, but be on the lookout for Oktoberfest specials, including a Berkshire schnitzel topped with a fried egg and salad.

• 125 N. Kinderkamack Rd., Montvale, 201.307.6300; heartandtap.com. Redd’s Biergarten, Carlstadt. Sports junkies stop here to watch the big game, but foodies flock to Redd’s for Oktoberfest fixins like brats on rye and Bavarian pretzels.

• 317 Washington Ave., Carlstadt, 201.933.0015; reddsbiergarten.com Schnitzel+, Teaneck. Fill up on the schnitzel platter—two perfectly pounded, goldenbrown cutlets and sides such as sweetpotato fries, rice or corn salsa—or go for burgers and pretzel fingers.

• 1450 Queen Anne Rd., Teaneck, 201.833.2301; schnitzelplus.com Tavlin, Tenafly. Diners find a wide variety of kosher Mediterranean dishes here, from Moroccan spicy beef to shish kabob, but the chicken schnitzel here is a must-try.

• 7 W. Railroad Ave., Tenafly, 201.871.6060; tavlintenafly.com Twin Door Tavern, Maywood. Regulars look forward to the hearty Oktoberfest menu that includes schnitzel, fried fish, spaetzle and pretzels.

• 122 W. Pleasant Ave., Maywood, 201.843.8022; twindoor tavern.com

• 1404 Queen Anne Rd., Teaneck, 201.837.2326; facebook.com/lazybeancafe Stray Cat Brew, Maywood. Order pumpkin spice or apple pie coffees, or pick up a milkshake or a frozen hot chocolate if you’d like something more decadent.

• 108 W. Pleasant Ave., Maywood, 201.682.6306; straycatbrew.com

THINK BEYOND PINK

After you pin on a pink ribbon to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and support those who are battling the disease, take further action to help others—and yourself:

• Join a walk. Two longrunning events are returning to Bergen. Englewood Health Foundation’s Walk for Awareness (englewoodhealthfoundation.org) goes virtual Oct. 24. Organizers will broadcast live at 1 p.m. from the Englewood Field Club and Memorial Park in Fair Lawn, while participants can safely walk on their own. Meanwhile, attendees of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer will meet from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 30 at MetLife Stadium for a walk and information fair. •Sign up for screening. The county’s Cancer Education and Early Detection (CEED) program offers free screenings for breast cancer to qualifying individuals 40 and older. CEED also provides education and outreach services. If you’ve been putting off a mammogram because of COVID-19, know that hospitals and imaging specialists are required to follow all state-mandated safety protocols. • Get support: Mental, emotional and even financial assistance can be found through cancer support groups based in Hackensack University Medical Center, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck and CancerCare in Paramus, among others.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Riley, almost 2-year-old cavapoo Owner: Ruth Brillantes of River Vale

It was love at first sight—er, site— for Brillantes, who knew she found “the one” when she spotted Riley on petfinder.com. She originally was looking to rescue or adopt a pet, but she couldn’t find the right dog to fit her situation. “I’m 60, I take care of my 95-year-old mother and I also have two young grandsons, so I wanted a dog with the right temperament with both seniors and kids,” she tells BERGEN. That’s what she got with Riley; he’s the resident social butterfly who helps his owner meet new neighbors and friends and is buds with the nearby cats and deer—as well as the local sanitation crew!

This energetic pup lives the life of—well, you know. He loves a good game of catch and visits to Westwood and Stony Point Park in Old Tappan. “I’ve had a few dogs before Riley, but he’s definitely the friendliest, the most playful and most alert,” says Brillantes. “He’s an excellent companion for me and my mom.” Want your pet featured in a future issue of BERGEN? Email Editor in Chief Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com, or shoot us a DM on Instagram @bergenmagnj.

TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE

Some people try to shoo them away, but others happily invite bees into their yards. Backyard beekeeping is booming these days, especially in Bergen. Oradell resident Emily Cobb, for instance, started beekeeping four years ago after her thenelementary-school-aged son Tyler shared information about bees’ environmental sustainability. Last year, the Cobb family harvested 130 pounds of fresh honey—which they’ve stored and shared.

“We have one neighbor who swears that our honey helps her allergies,” says Cobb, pictured with her son Tyler and husband Chris. “She’s purchased eight jars from us just to make sure she has a constant supply.” Besides providing healthful honey, bees help pollinate gardens within their 5- to 7-mile range. “We have an active garden of figs, peaches, tomatoes and other plants that’s been flourishing since we’ve started beekeeping,” says Cobb.

Getting started requires the purchase of about $250 worth of supplies—including bees— according to the Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association. But, as the Cobbs discovered, one year of honey sales can pay for all the equipment. They now give away their honey free—they’re in it to help the environment and for the pleasure. “It’s a great way to meet new neighbors and connect with existing ones,” Cobb says.

Find out more about local beekeeping at njbeekeepers.org.

WHAT’S YOUR PASTA-NALITY?

Oct. 17 is National Pasta Day—but then, for many of us, so is every other day. Still, what better time to gratify your deepest pasta cravings, depending on your own particular pasta personality?

—IF YOU’RE A TRADITIONALIST, try the rigatoni vodka, perfectly al dente, at Suprema in Rutherford. 92 Park Ave., 201.531.1190; supremaitalian.com —IF YOU’RE A CARNIVORE, sample the gnocchi ragu with braised short ribs and roasted veggies at Biagio’s in Paramus. 299 Paramus Rd., 201.652.0201; biagios.com —IF YOU’RE A SEAFOOD LOVER, taste the black linguini with chunks of Brazilian lobster tails at Sanducci’s Trattoria in River Edge. 620 Kinderkamack Rd., 201.599.0600; sanduccis.com —IF YOU’RE A VEGETARIAN, try the tonnarelli with cacio e pepe, topped with pecorino and black pepper, at From Scratch in Ridgewood. 44 E. Ridgewood Ave., 201.857.5188; fromscratchridgewood.com —IF YOU LIKE A LITTLE SPICE IN YOUR LIFE, try the penne arabiata with spicy tomato sauce and feta cheese at Limoncello in Waldwick. 32 Franklin Tpke., 201.652.5577; limoncellonj.com

And for when you’d rather stay home and do the cooking yourself, BERGEN Creative Director Stephen Vitarbo shares this delectable, easy-enough-to-make pasta recipe with readers:

SPAGHETTI TURKEY BOLOGNESE

INGREDIENTS:

n 1 onion, quartered n 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks n 2 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch chunks n 4 cloves garlic n ¼ cup olive oil n ¼ cup tomato paste n salt and pepper n 1 lb. ground turkey n ½ lb. ground beef n 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes n ¾ cup milk n 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar n 1 box spaghetti n Parmesan cheese, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Place the onion, carrot, celery and garlic into a food processor and pulse until the ingredients are coarsely chopped.

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over mediumhigh heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped ingredients from the food processor. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies begin to soften and all the liquid evaporates, about 20 minutes.

Stir the tomato paste into the veggies, allowing it to cook as it gets mixed in the pan, about 5 minutes.

Then, turn the heat up to high and add the ground turkey. Break up the meat as it cooks, but do not brown. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and a ½ teaspoon pepper. Add in the crushed tomatoes and milk. Stir to combine. Turn the heat down to low and let cook for 2-3 hours on a low heat.

When the sauce is nearly done, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook to package directions. Drain.

Finish the bolognese with the red wine vinegar and mix to incorporate. Add the spaghetti to the cooked sauce and toss to combine.

Place the spaghetti into serving bowls and top with Parmesan cheese.

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