{ BERGEN BUZZ } OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.
“I always remember his love of family and his garden. My father would start over the winter planting seeds of all the vegetables in his garden in our basement: tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, corn. Everything he grew was the best!” —Randi Barron Adelman, Paramus
HERE’S TO OUR MAIN MAN! Some dads teach their kids how to swing a baseball bat; others offer tips on fixing a leaky faucet, changing a flat tire or simply living a stress-free life. Bergenites love their pops for the lessons they teach, or maybe just the people they are—or were. So in honor of Father’s Day on June 19, BERGEN asked: “When you think of your dad, what comes to mind?” Here’s what you said: “How much I miss him! He had an infectious laugh, was kindhearted and loved the U.S.A.—he was a World War II vet. No one ever had a bad word to say about him.” —Christine Catenaro, Saddle Brook “My dad always had snippets of wisdom that he would impart to us as the situation warranted: ‘This too shall pass,’ ‘If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing right,’ ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff,’ ‘All it is is a series of simple steps,’ and so many more! These snippets have held me throughout my life, and I always find myself referring back to them to help me in any given situation. He is always alive and well in my world.” —Lynne Berry, Mahwah “I think of the word ‘community.’ My dad was someone who believed in volunteering. He was a police officer who mentored many young adults through the Police Athletic League.” —Liz Scolpino, Bergenfield
“My dad was incredibly witty and fun. In fact, his tombstone reads, ‘The doctor said it wasn’t this serious.’ So even after he is gone he makes me laugh. He was an amazing person.” —Melissa Garrity Gonzalez, Ridgefield “I think about how strong he is after surviving cancer five times, having a portion of his lung removed and missing one kidney. I think of his selflessness and how he goes out of his way for his family no matter what. He’s my hero and best friend.” —Christina Gombert, Lyndhurst “He is a strong mountain of a man who melted when he met his grandchildren. He gives more worthy advice than any therapist. He always has ’50s and ’60s music on, which we both sing along to. My dad creates beautiful memories for me every time I see him without him even realizing it as he’s just going through his day.” —Debby Bianchi, Carlstadt
“I remember Dad was Mr. Fix-It. I believe there was nothing he couldn’t fix; he even turned a pantry closet into a bathroom. He could do anything he set his mind to, and gave me and my family that spirit too.” —Laura Nicholson, Westwood “I’ll always remember my dad’s love of family, his sense of humor, his garden and Spanish peanuts from Sears, where we would buy them for him by the pound. He was my first love.” —Terri Delorme Collins, New Milford “I think of my childhood home, which my dad built in Bergen County 60 years ago. When he passed away two years ago, my son bought it and he is renovating it. My dad would love it!” —Mary Sterbinsky, Ramsey “Any time we baked, my dad was the official cookie taster. He was quality control!” —Peggie Maisch, Westwood “He is the best pop and can make you laugh until your belly hurts. He’s also the only man who can eat a pound of bacon and a box of Devil Dogs in one sitting.” —Nicole Ward, Fair Lawn “I smile and think of his gigantic heart. He is always there to lend a helping hand no matter the hardship to him. People love him, as he is such a positive spirit and is always down for a fun activity. At 73, he says life is too short not to have fun.” — Cambria Curtis Ildiz, New Milford
Thecards average consumer spends approximately $174 on to Father’s Day AfterBut greeting DID YOU KNOW?DID MoreYOU thanKNOW? 141 million are sent for Mother’s Day in the U.S., according the folks at gifts. Hallmark. the holiday only ranks the topcard itemholidays. purchased for good ol’ the Dadlist is with clothing, says the National Retail Federation. third on the list ofcards, top greeting Christmas tops 1.6 billion cards, followed by Valentine’s Day (151 million). BERGENMAG.COM
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