Pequannock October 2023

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME?

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Home Comparative Market Analysis!

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“Cathy & Judi made the process of selling and buying so smooth. They were there for me every step of the way. Cathy & Judi are both so knowledgeable, personable, and professional. Excellent at what they do. Highly recommend Cathy & Judi. They are experienced and reliable. They were there for me with any question or concern I had during the process, which made for a very smooth closing!”

Zillow Review

THINKING ABOUT SELLING?

NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME!

WHY SHOULD I SELL MY HOUSE NOW?

High buyer demand has created climbing sale prices. The low inventory of homes for sale has created an environment where sellers are often receiving multiple offers from prospective buyers, who are now negotiating other favorable contract terms in addition to a very appealing sales price.

WHO IS THE RIGHT AGENT TO HELP ME THROUGH THE SELLING/BUYING PROCESS?

The Property Partners team is here to get YOU the highest price and the best terms with the least amount of stress! We are here to help YOU through the process from beginning to end and in the most professional and ethical way! We are here to help YOU make your next move, the best move!

CALL US TODAY to discuss your future moving plans and for a free market analysis of what your home is worth in our current market.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN PICCOLI

A New Leaf

competitive sport and just proves how doing what you love can truly transform your life.

Dream of flying? Read on about how Pequannock takes flight. Anyone young or old may follow in Charlie Hall’s footsteps and passion for flying. Give the gift of flight, take a lesson or encourage someone to take advantage of the local Young Eagles program. The opportunities are endless right here in our own backyard.

Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Perhaps you’d like to grab a bite at the Sunset Pub and Grill, where locals and the like enjoy a great meal and spectacular views of the sun setting, or watch as planes take off and land.

Pequannock & Pompton Plains MAGAZINE

Editor & Publisher

Donna Fillweber

Art Director

Sue Park

Copy Editor

Nancy Fass

Writers

Danielle Clements

Greg Dabice

Angela Teta Kohle

Dana Regan

Debbie Walsh

Photographer

Dan Piccoli

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman

Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

October is a time for crisp new beginnings.

You can feel it all around. Change is coming, from the chill in the air to the color of the leaves—a spectacular, new season for all of us.

It’s my favorite time to enjoy the great outdoors—so magical, as the sun dances through the colorful trees. Soak it all up. Take a walk along the Pompton Rail Trail or simply take a stroll through our charming town.

Love to fish and enjoy the great outdoors? Check out Woodland Lake. Nick DellaPorta has turned his passion from a young boy to a

Autumn is also the perfect time to snuggle in. Home takes on a new meaning when you bunker down on a chilly night with your favorite warm beverage, blanket and cozy décor. Fall in love with your home with some quick and easy tips from our very own designer, Terriann LoVerde from Accentuate with LoVe.

So blessed to bring these amazing stories to you. Have an idea? How about a great pic for consideration in our Photo Op feature each month? There’s something for everyone. Our magazine is for and about you, so be sure to share. Stay in the loop and be sure to like/ follow us on all social media platforms as well as pequannockmagazine.com.

Donna Fillweber Publisher

VP, Group Publisher, Regional

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN PICCOLI

Around Town

THE UP-AND-COMING ‘FLYING SQUIRREL’

As a kindergartner, Christian Habermas already had his eye on the ball when he started to play Parks and Recreation soccer in Pequannock at age 5. From there, he went to The Sports Factory in Lincoln Park for a highly competitive private soccer program. At 8, he made it into the Red Bulls pre-academy and now, at 11, plays for the Red Bulls Academy, linked with Major League Soccer and the top professional division in the United States.

Habermas was initially a field player and goalie, but as he began to grow and develop, coaches recognized his talent in the goal. He continues to play the field, but his primary position is goalie. He loves the thrill of the game and, even under the extreme stress and tension of competition, can let loose and not think about anything else but the game.

Being in the goal and the last line of defense for his team, he feels pride for making the save for his team. His private Modern Goalkeeper trainer has dubbed him “the flying squirrel” because of the height and distance he achieves while diving with “reckless abandon” to make a save.

Habermas is one to watch, and offers proof that hard work and dedication to the game bring great success; he’s playing tournaments in Portugal, England, Germany, Florida and Utah this fall.

BYOB Come enjoy one of our Signature Dishes; Chicken & Shrimp Pequannock, Zuppa Di Pesce, Santa Lucia, Chicken Milanese, Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast and more... at our cozy, family restaurant.

CATERING FOR ALL

Be sure to order our award-winning Tiramisu for dessert!

MAKING A ROCK SNAKE A REALITY

Help Rocco the Rock Snake grow by adding your own painted rock. Contribute to this colorful initiative located on the Pompton Rail Trail behind the Clock Tower Shoppes by Yard Farms (yardfarmsnj.com). Let’s see how far we can go!

Around Town

Rock Out and Party On

Come see Chuck Lundy of Pompton Plains, lead/rhythm guitar player and one of four vocalists, rocking it out with the band No Time Lost at Sunset Pub on November 3 and December 8 at 8:30 p.m. Hear your favorite pop/rock/country as well as top-40 hits and the classics. Visit @notimelostnj.com to learn more.

Chuck has been playing professionally for over 40 years and also provides guitar and bass lessons at Lundy Studios.

FOOTBALL FAVORITE

Try this all-time favorite football recipe from A&A Fine Foods, 191 Main St., Lincoln Park, 973-633-7878:

Chicken Avocado Dip/Spread

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ripe avocados

• 2 tablespoons diced red onion

• 2 plum tomatoes, chopped

• 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 pound grilled chicken breast, cut into strips

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all ingredients together and chill for 30 minutes before serving.

No Time Lost is (from left) Sylvia Brandes, keyboards/vocals; Ron Brandes, bass/vocals; Christine Bochicchio, lead singer; Chuck Lundy, lead/rhythm guitar/vocals; and Fred Mulharin, drums.

PROPEL-ing Social Justice

How a community organization is advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion for all

BY ANGELA TETA KOHLE

PROPEL Pequannock

is a community organization joined in solidarity to advocate for social justice. Its members strive to create a more welcoming environment for all who are marginalized and to teach all people to value truth, equity, diversity and inclusion. As indicated by the PROPEL acronym’s source words— Pequannock Residents of Pride, Equity and Leadership—they welcome all supporting voices without regard to township residency. We sat down to chat with PROPEL president Paul Mahler.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELA TETA KOHLE

INTERVIEW WITH PAUL MAHLER

When and how did PROPEL begin?

PROPEL started as a result of hearing stories of people experiencing acts of bias and harassment in the community. Pequannock is a beautiful town and a great place to live, but there are issues that need to be brought to the foreground so that the community may be a better place to live for everyone. A few concerned citizens began to address these issues on social media and at public meetings, and PROPEL took root. In December 2020, PROPEL became an official 501(c)(4) organization.

What does your Social Equity Council do?

This is PROPEL’s liaison to the community. If we feel an issue needs to be brought to township leadership for approval, the council prepares and delivers a presentation. Most recently, the council brought our idea of a Pride Fest to the Town Council for approval, and we are now planning our third annual Pride Fest, scheduled for June 2024. We are very thankful for the continued support of the leadership of Pequannock Township.

Tell us more about Pride Fest.

This community event, held at Greenview Park, is dedicated to celebrating diversity and promoting equality and inclusivity for all people in a fun-filled family setting. This past June, the festival had 40-plus vendors, music all day, seven food trucks, three entertainment venues for kids and hundreds of local residents enjoying a beautiful day of kindness. Pride Fest wouldn’t be possible without the support of our Town Council, Pequannock Police Department, Rescue Squad, Fire Departments, DPW, and Parks and Recreation.

How do you share your ideas with the community?

Our greatest purpose is to educate the community about important social justice issues. We have an active social media presence and have public pages on Facebook and Instagram. We have a great relationship with the Board of Education and the Pequannock Township Education Association. We share their desire to make the school system a safe and positive learning environment for all students. We have attended the Pequannock Library Board of Trustees meetings to share our beliefs about the importance of reading and openness. We understand that not everyone wants to read all of the books in the Pequannock Township Public Library, but that doesn’t mean these books do not belong there.

How would someone get involved with PROPEL?

Anyone and everyone who shares our mission is welcome. People can connect with us through Facebook or Instagram or can contact us though our website, www.propelpeq.org.

What is PROPEL working on next?

We are in the process of developing a “QR Code to Mental Health.” The idea would be to have this QR available throughout the township for everyone to access. The code would link to our website and then to local, regional and national health resources categorized by specific needs. We hope to launch this QR code at the 2024 Pequannock Pride Fest.

Retired after 35 years of teaching, Angela Teta Kohle lives in Pequannock and enjoys volunteering at her church, traveling, reading, baking, walking and working for the family business.

What else should the community know about PROPEL?

We are your neighbors. In addition to me as president, our officers are Sharon Ramella, vice president; Allison Sanna, secretary; Sally Basile, treasurer; Randy Shamber, Social Equity Council director; and Emily Case, social media assistant.

We love this town, too. We are clearly a progressive organization made up of a diverse group of people. We want to know a world where everyone lives with respect and dignity, which would be wonderful.

Sunset Takeoff

With runway views of the western sky and an expanding menu, Sunset Pub and Grill entices patrons—and celebrates 15 years.

BY DEBBIE WALSH

While some restaurants provide an impressive outdoor dining experience, not many could match the extraordinary open-air scenery offered at the Sunset Pub and Grill (SP&G). Where else in the local area could you sip on a cocktail as you watch a plane take off into a blazing sunset?

Celebrating Sunset’s 15th anniversary this year, Bob and Sally Egan and Carl and Sharon Nielsen are thankful for the support they have received from patrons and employees, who make the establishment an inviting place to dine and gather.

Pequannock Magazine caught up with these owners who transformed a sleepy airport bar known as the Ready Room into a popular dining spot packed with ambiance.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAN PICCOLI

Dawn of a Business

Bob and Carl are longtime friends who played Pequannock Recreation softball together—but how did this joint enterprise get its start?

“Bob ran three liquor stores and was looking for his next venture,” Carl recalls. “He was thinking about going into the deli business. He approached me, and I knew someone with a liquor license. Somehow it all came together. We started in 2006 but opened in 2008 after a total renovation. It took a lot longer and cost a lot more than we originally thought.”

Neither of them had previously been in the restaurant business. They worked together on a vision for what the pub looks like today.

“Carl and I kicked things around,” says Bob, a Pequannock native. “I specifically remember him saying, ‘Do you like brick?’ I said, ‘My father was a bricklayer all his life. I love brick.’ The ideas just

mushroomed into what it is today.”

They shared their ideas with architect Seth Leeb, who designed the project. Builder Jerry Nardone set the plans in motion.

Exposed brick walls line the first-floor rustic bar and dining area. A natural wood ceiling with exposed faux beams hangs over the magnificent upstairs gazebo room. A spacious outdoor dining area takes advantage of the picturesque landscape and airport runway view.

A Dedicated Staff

As spectacular as the exterior and interior of the SP&G is, the owners agree that the employees provide the real spark that makes dining there a warm and comfortable experience. Bob’s daughters, Ashley and Michelle, worked there at one time or another. Carl’s daughter, Rachel, ably serves as a manager at the pub.

Faced with many challenges operating

a restaurant, Bob and Carl identify interaction with the talented staff as one of the high points of running the business. While some restaurants have a hard time attracting enough workers, Sunset is fortunate to have steady employees and returning summer help. The staff swells to roughly 60 in the summer, when outdoor dining is open.

“It’s a good crew,” Carl says. “You know, I’ve seen a lot of these kids grow up. They started with us in the beginning when they were 17, and they’re still here today and in their 30s. It’s been fun watching them.”

Although COVID-19 hit restaurants with an unprecedented crisis, Bob and Carl feel fortunate that SP&G’s closure was just temporary. At restaurants, staff members tend to become like family, and the SP&G family was particularly pleased to welcome Colby Douglas back to the kitchen after 120 days on a ventilator in the hospital.

Sunset Pub and Grill delights with crowd-pleasing food such as fresh mussels tossed by sous chef Juan Diego (top and right) and newly offered brick-oven pizza prepped by Jimmy Ortiz (opposite page). The restaurant also offers spectacular views of namesake sunsets and aircraft visible behind co-owner Bob Egan (bottom, at center), with employees (from left) David Wessell, Aidan Giuliani, Christian Murillo and Anjali Ramchandant.

Boosting Business and Community

What’s new at Sunset Pub? Customers who haven’t been to the restaurant in a while may have missed out on the latest attraction: a new brick pizza oven.

Sunset did not leave pizza-making to a novice. The restaurant hired chef Vince Colombo, formerly of Colombo’s Pizzeria in Lincoln Park, to preside over the new oven. Though Colombo’s closed, many regarded its pizza as the best around. Burgers might be king at SP&G, but word of the delicious pizza is rapidly spreading.

Spending so many years in the Pequannock/Lincoln Park area, the Nielsen and Egan families haven’t just

invested in their restaurant; they’ve invested in the local communities. Sunset sponsors a Pequannock Parks and Recreation softball team and has been actively involved in many local charities for individuals facing difficult times. The business also supports local police, fire, first aid and school fundraising events.

The restaurant’s busiest time starts with St. Patrick’s Day with a visit from Passaic County Pipes and Drums and ends with Columbus Day weekend. Summer is its sweet spot, with patrons embracing outdoor dining.

Live music enhances the atmosphere on Thursday, Friday and Saturday

nights and outside on Sunday afternoons. Sunset hosts an Oktoberfest annually, and this year’s is scheduled for October 14. The restaurant, located on Beaverbrook Road in Lincoln Park, is currently open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

So why do people frequent the Sunset Pub and Grill? “Obviously, the kids love the planes and helicopters,” Bob says. “And the scenery is unbelievable, especially in the fall. When you have a wet summer, the leaves tend to hang in there a little longer, and the colors are more vibrant. And then there’s the sunset. Sometimes it looks like the sky is on fire. It’s really stunning.”

Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for various newspaper publications and more recently as a ghost blogger. A semiretired sports mom, she enjoys dining out with friends, reading and playing golf in her spare time.

“It’s a good crew. I’ve seen a lot of these kids grow up. They started... when they were 17, and they’re still here today and in their 30s.”

- Sunset Pub and Grill co-owner Carl Nielsen

Designed with LoVe

BY DANIELLE CLEMENTS

Take three steps inside the custombuilt house on Newark-Pompton Turnpike and one is immediately embraced with feelings of warmth and surrounded by unique items with personality. If you are fortunate enough to be personally greeted by Terriann LoVerde, owner of the Accentuate with LoVe store, you instantly recognize from whom all of that character and affection is radiating.

LoVerde is full of passion—for her family, friends, handpicked items and ultimately for making the surroundings and lives of every soul who crosses her threshold more beautiful.

A dress designer turned custom home and furniture designer, LoVerde took a hiatus several years ago to fight and ultimately win a battle with breast cancer. “God left me here for a reason, and I believe it’s to spread love,” she says. “‘Love’ is in my name; that’s why the store is named what it is.”

Home Goods and Design Services

Accentuate with LoVe is like a miniature department store—it has a little bit of everything. The space is a custom-designed

home where you will find kitchen and dining décor in the heart of the house; baby and bridal gifts in a side room; and delicately chosen jewelry pieces and accessories in the foyer.

In this home, repeat customers become family, each entering the store to celebrate a friend, family member or even themselves with a special gift. LoVerde customizes pieces to serve as favors at weddings or showers, and the personal touches she offers run deep.

LoVerde also works as a designer. While the average person may be intimidated at the prospect of hiring an interior designer, the beauty of working with LoVerde is her broad array of offerings combined with her warm personality.

She works with an architect to design entire homes top to bottom. She also designs specific rooms; custom furniture and window treatments; or even picks out tile and doorknobs. Others retain her services for expert insights on the space and pieces they already have. She does it all, and each job is managed with care and love. Clients become friends, who become family.

Terriann LoVerde’s Pequannock home store offers carefully curated items along with her professional design services.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAN PICCOLI; INTERIOR VIEWS COURTESY OF EILEEN AND CHRIS DRURY

Splashes of fall décor and other design elements in the home of Eileen and Chris Drury of Pequannock reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of Terrian LoVerde and the offerings of her store, Accentuate with LoVe (following page).

Creative Credos

Shoppers can discover something distinctive in every corner of the store, but LoVerde’s design philosophy is quite simple:

• Not everything has to be an expensive high-end purchase.

• Every piece should be functional and serve a purpose.

• Each functional piece should be appealing to the eye.

“I wouldn’t ask you to pay for something that I wouldn’t pay for myself,” LoVerde explains. “It has to function and impact your life, otherwise it’s not worth investing in. Once we

make it functional, then I’m going to make it pretty.”

According to LoVerde, refreshing your space begins by looking around your home and at pieces within it. She recommends relinquishing any items that meet any of three criteria:

• You wouldn’t buy it again.

• It doesn’t serve a function.

• You have no idea where you got it, and it has no sentimental value. She explains, “If we surround ourselves with things we love, they bring us joy and don’t weigh us down.”

When designing, LoVerde stands by other principles in addition to

functionality and the importance of serving something close to your heart.

One is layering. Think elevation. If you are designing a tablescape, not everything needs to match or be flat. Add a table runner on top of a tablecloth as long as they don’t clash. “Think of it as getting yourself dressed,” LoVerde says. “Would I wear this and that together?”

Another is texturing. Imagine you have a series of photographs to display. They should not be in the exact same frame: They can be big, small and different sizes, but they should feature the same finishes.

Making Impressions

Each home is different in size, layout and style. LoVerde reminds us that, as they say, less is more.

“Your front door is like the invitation to your wedding,” she says. “It is the first thing people are going to see that lays the impression for what’s to come.” Focus on cleanliness—a simple yet gorgeous wreath with a beautiful ribbon, a fresh coat of paint and a simple welcome mat will work wonders.

Accentuate with LoVe is a charming

space filled with beautiful items, each chosen with purpose. As LoVerde declares, “Everything we do, we should be doing it with love. Whether you’re giving gifts with love, designing a home with love or just welcoming people into the store, it should all be with an open heart.”

For store items, interior design needs and information on upcoming events, visit the store at 60 Newark-Pompton Turnpike or on the web at www.accentuatewithlove. com, or follow on social media, #accentuatewithlove.

Pequannock resident Danielle Clements is a lucky wife, mom to two awesome boys, lover of dogs (especially her beloved Bowie) and a communications professional.

Taking Flight

BY DANIELLE CLEMENTS

You likely already know that Pequannock is a gorgeous town surrounded by majestic mountains where one can easily find gorgeous walking, biking and hiking trails; wildflowers; unique storefronts; natural gardens; friendly people; and wildlife. But you might not think about how all this beauty is visible from the sky as well. Locals have every opportunity to take notice—or take flight, if you will—and see it from a bird’s-eye view.

Resident Charlie Hall has spent much of his life in the air in and around our beautiful town. Having taken his first flight at the young age of 10, Hall caught the aviation bug early. Hall’s father earned his pilot’s license in 1969 and started taking all seven of his kids up in the air as often as he could.

Hall chuckles remembering these fond times. “He’d even take us out of school sometimes [to fly], and our mom would get upset,” he says, “but he’d say that we’d learn more doing that than in school—which we did.”

Back in the Cockpit

For many years, Hall and his wife raised their children in Vernon and were not closely involved with aviation, but the love of it never left him.

Eventually, they found themselves back in Pequannock—and once again close to the planes taking off and landing at nearby Lincoln Park Airport. It was finally time for Hall to earn his own pilot’s license.

Just four years later, Hall now has his private pilot and instrument rating licenses, and is well on his way to earning his commercial license so he can get paid to fly private charter flights and potentially become a flight instructor himself.

Though toying with retiring, his passion seems like it may keep Hall in the air a while longer, particularly if he begins teaching. “You learn a lot about how to look at things in different ways that you may not necessarily see through your eyes, but through your students’ eyes,” he says. “There’s always something new every day; there are always new challenges.”

Hall has no shortage of words about why he loves to be in the air. “You get to see cool things,” he says. “I take people on what we call the Skyline Route, from the Alpine Tower, which is the northern part of the Hudson, down to around the Verrazzano Bridge and then back up to sometimes do a little doughnut around the Statue of Liberty.”

Pequannock pilots and the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association lift residents to the clouds.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAN PICCOLI; IN-FLIGHT PHOTOS BY CHARLIE HALL

Pilot Charlie Hall takes in birds-eye views with his wife.

Gaining Wings

The Aero Safety Training flight school, housed at the airport in the bordering town of Lincoln Park, has been training pilots since 1993. There are several available programs for those interested—be it for recreation, private, instrument and commercial ratings, or flight instructor certificates. The amount of aviation education and events available a literal stone’s throw away from Pequannock is nothing short of astonishing.

We had the opportunity to speak with Allen Dunn, who coordinates the Young Eagles program for the local chapter of the national Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) right at the Aero Safety Training flight school. According to EAA’s official website, the Young Eagles program is “the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation.”

In Lincoln Park’s chapter, Dunn and his colleagues volunteer their time, fuel, aircraft and talents at least four times

a year to take youth on Young Eagles flights. First, kids are given a lesson on the airplane—how and why it works.

“Over the years, it has become quite sophisticated,” Dunn explains. “When kids participate in a Young Eagles flight, they come back to the ground with big smiles on their faces—and a free EAA student membership card [with which] they can go to the EAA website for free online courses and other aviationfocused giveaways.”

During the several annual Young Eagles flight days, local youths ages 8 to 17 have the opportunity to take a free ride on an airplane with the local EAA chapter. On any given Sunday morning program, barring unfavorable weather conditions, the chapter is able to give rides to more than 100 kids.

The group doesn’t stop with just exposing kids to aviation but takes it a step further. “Every year, we give out a scholarship to be used toward getting your pilot’s license,” Dunn says. You don’t need to be a member of the Young Eagles to apply.

“When kids participate in a Young Eagles flight, they come back to the ground with big smiles on their faces.”

- Allen Dunn, coordinator of the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter’s Young Eagles program

Charlie Hall—with other Pequannock residents—has a passion for flying that he tries to pass along to the next generation in programs available through Aero Safety Training at Lincoln Park.

Encouraging Fledgling Fliers

“These [volunteers] are all FAA-certified pilots,” Dunn says. “They’ve all taken their tests. They’ve got hundreds of hours under their belts, so they’re all very good pilots.”

Dunn himself has participated in this program for more than 25 years and has personally seen kids go on to become airline pilots or captains— or find success in other aviation careers such as underwriters, aviation attorneys and engineers.

ACCESS TO THE SKIES

The Aero Safety Training flight school offers a variety of services, flight lessons and gift certificates. Find it on the web at http://lpawings.com.

Aero Safety Training 425 Beaverbrook Rd., Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 973-872-6213

Check out the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles at www.eaa501.org or follow it on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ EAAChapter501, to learn about upcoming activities such as flyins, webinars, chapter meetings and, of course, Young Eagles flights!

YOUNG EAGLES FLY

A Young Eagles flight day is scheduled for Sunday, October 29. Youth can register that day with EAA Chapter 501 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lincoln Park Airport, 425 Beaverbrook Rd.

In one extraordinary example, Dunn described a young member who earned his pilot’s license before even beginning college.

The importance of these programs cannot be understated. Hall foresees a pilot shortage in coming years due to age-out restrictions facing pilots. As the old adage goes, today’s youth is tomorrow’s future. What better way to inspire future pilots than teaching them to ascend beyond the clouds?

Pequannock resident Danielle Clements is a wife, the mother of two boys, a lover of dogs and a communications professional.

Hooked on Woodland Lake

Fishing champion Nicholas DellaPorta honed his skills in local waters and now teaches kids the angling arts.

BY GREG DABICE

Woodland Lake Park, a stunning 40-acre lake in our township, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Not only is it stocked for fishing and boating, but it also boasts a one-mile hiking trail around its perimeter.

Every spring, following the release of several hundred trout into the lake, the Pequannock Parks and Recreation Department hosts a fishing contest. Woodland Lake has been a beloved fishing spot for generations, known for its diverse aquatic life, including carp, catfish, perch, sunfish, bass and more.

Among the many young people who grew up fishing at Woodland Lake is Pequannock resident Nicholas DellaPorta.

A Young Enthusiast

DellaPorta has taken his fishing skills, initially honed at Woodland, to an entirely new level. His fishing journey began in his grandmother’s backyard in Naples, Florida. Recognizing his passion for the sport, his dad provided him with the necessary equipment to fully immerse himself in fishing. Most of his early fishing experiences

were at Woodland Lake.

By age 12, DellaPorta started entering tournaments and quickly made a name for himself by winning many of them. This success led to major sponsorships from companies like Shimano and TackleDirect.

In high school, DellaPorta began fishing for New Jersey B.A.S.S. Nation and became the state champion in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023. These accomplishments earned him a scholarship at Carson-Newman University, recognizing both his fishing talent and his academic success with a 3.8 GPA.

Community Focus

While DellaPorta’s best days are still ahead of him, he already places great importance on giving back. Over the past few summers, he has worked at a fishing camp in Connecticut called Candlewood. The camp’s primary goal is to provide a starting point for children unfamiliar with fishing.

Candlewood campers learn the fundamentals of fishing, boating, safety and enjoying the outdoors. DellaPorta derives immense satisfaction from igniting the spark of interest in these children—much like what he experienced in his younger years—and is glad it provides them an alternative to staying indoors glued to their phones all day.

DellaPorta has made Pequannock proud, and the community eagerly anticipates witnessing his continued progress.

Opposite page: Champion angler Nicholas DellaPorta and his father, Frank, have fished almost all of Nick’s life at Woodland Lake Park, with Nick developing skills that he’s now passing along to children at a summer camp. Woodland Lake is so much a part of Nick’s life that he even got out on the water for his high school prom (above).

Greg Dabice is a longtime active member of the Pequannock community. He is currently president of the Chamber of Commerce, vice chair of the Economic Development Committee and a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.

Show and Tell

On their first day returning to classes, (from left) Ethan, Drew, Eric and Tyler make their true feelings known in a moment of back-to-school silliness captured perfectly by mom Jennifer Pinto.

TRANSFORMING LIVES BY TRANSFORMING LIVING SPACES