DEEPLY ROOTED THE JOY OF PLANTS STANDING UP FOR KIDS IN BERGEN COUNTY
Editor’s Note
We’re done with resolutions, right? I know I am.
I prefer to think about the fresh slate of January as an opportunity to “restart, reset and refocus.” A “revolution” rather than a “resolution.”
The dictionary defines the word revolution as a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm. I like that idea because it indicates a dynamic change, a fresh start and a new direction. Whenever we decide to move forward with a new initiative, embracing the journey as part of the process is essential. Explore the “road not taken!” Make a plan and set it into action. That’s how you move forward.
This month, we’re featuring three stories that just may prompt you to try something new. Whether it’s elevating the environment in your own home,
taking on a meaningful volunteer role, or exploring your creative talents, 2025’s blank pages yearn to be filled with new relationships, experiences and adventures.
Our January issue includes a story of compassion, commitment and the inherent value of being the voice for a child whose world has been turned upside down. Meet Cathy Skinner, a passionate volunteer with CASA, an organization committed to advocating for children in the judicial court system. This story will pull at your heartstrings, and who knows? Perhaps you’ll be inspired to get involved!
If you’re experiencing a post-holiday slump, try some “greens” for the New Year. We spoke with Lauren Imbruglia of Deeply Rooted to discover how bringing plant life into your home can help lift the spirits and “leaf” those blues behind!
Many of us re-evaluated our lives postpandemic and realized we have the desire to explore an interest, passion or hobby more seriously. After all, life is short! The four board members from the Ridgewood Art Institute would heartily agree. Cultivating an individual talent is a lifelong gift you can give to yourself—and taking an art class is a great example. Read the article, and I guarantee you’ll want to visit the Institute housed in that incredible building (that you’ve passed a million times) on Glen Avenue.
As we turn the page of a New Year, I hope you take the time to explore the road not taken. (Thanks, Robert Frost).
May you have a “revolutionary” 2025!
Kris Pepper Editor editor@ridgewoodmag.com
Ridgewood MAGAZINE
Publisher Karen Stires
Editor
Kris Pepper
Writers
Stacey Antine
Nvair Beylerian
Lisa Harris
Kris Pepper
Clara Seigler
Lorri Steinbacher
Photographers
Chris Marksbury
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman
Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO
Mark Dowden
VP, Group Publisher, Regional
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy
Maria Regan
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Art Director
Rosemary O’Connell
Associate Editor
Sophia Carlisle
Advertising Services Director
Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director
Catherine Rosario
Production Designer
Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager
Fern Meshulam
Advertising Production Associate
Griff Dowden
Ridgewood Magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Ridgewood, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained here in do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
When it comes to how you move, choices are everything. So choose to see the world’s top orthopedic specialists at HSS Paramus, and get back to moving better than before.
To learn more or to make an appointment, visit HSS.edu/Paramus
Welcome to Ridgewood, Newcomers!
Looking to meet people and explore all that Ridgewood has to offer?
Ridgewood Newcomers Club has been connecting neighbors and building community for over 78 years. With events, activities and opportunities for all ages, it’s the perfect way to make friends and feel at home in Ridgewood.
Join them at their New Member Cocktail Party!
It’s a BYO evening designed for mingling, meeting and making the most of your membership.
When: Thursday, January 23, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, 915 Glenview Rd., Ridgewood Cost: Free
Not a member yet? That’s okay! Feel free to bring a neighbor or friend who’s curious about what we’re all about. Let’s toast to community and connection!
Resolve to Get a Good Night’s Rest
Commit to catching your zzz’s in 2025.
BY STACEY ANTINE
The New Year typically teems with resolutions focusing on diet and exercise. That’s great, but making a concerted effort to get a good night’s sleep is just as, if not more, important.
Besides eating fruits and veggies, sleep tops the list of challenging habits to practice, and it’s so important for both adults and kids. Children often tend to resist their bedtimes—especially when their reluctance is due to bad dreams, school stress or anxiety in general.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that one in three adults in the United States report not getting enough rest or sleep. Yet, research suggests that better sleep means more energy, optimal metabolism for weight management (the body burns the most calories during sleep) and a stronger immune system.
What’s keeping adults up past their bedtime?
In the age of technology, the sleep industry is busy introducing new gadgets such as Oura Ring 4 and sleep apps to monitor every body function to help people get to a deeper sleep faster and stay there longer.
While this may be helpful, most people report being overwhelmed with the health statistics and have minimal improvement with their rest.
Here are some effective recommendations for creating a bedtime routine to achieve a deep sleep and to wake up refreshed:
• Eat a light meal such as a veggie stir-fry or steamed fish before 7:00 p.m. The higher the protein and fat content of the meal, the longer it takes the body to metabolize the food and rest.
• Go for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner. A walk helps speed up digestion and also clears the mind of worries.
• Sip a warm cup of chamomile tea 60 minutes before bedtime. Chamomile flowers are known to have a natural calming effect on the nervous system. Visit the Spice & Tea Shop of Ridgewood for an amazing selection of herbal teas!
• Turn off devices (phone, watch, TV) 60 minutes before bedtime. Start to wind down by shutting off activity and news about the world.
• Enter the “zen zone.” This could include activities such as taking a hot bath or shower, reading a book, listening to calm music, doing a guided meditation or yin yoga.
• Now you are ready to enter the bedroom sanctuary. The bedroom environment should be free of media devices and cool in temperature. Spray lavender oil or accent with fragrant accessories to cue your mind that it’s rest time. Splurge on highquality sheets from Ridgewood’s Duxiana that are sure to entice you right into the sack! With optimal rest, the body is able to heal and repair itself, the mind becomes peaceful and the spirit quiet and patient, both at work and at home—what a bonus!
Wishing everyone 365 days of optimal sleep for health and happiness.
Happy New Year—and sweet dreams!
Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, is the founder of Ridgewood’s HealthBarn USA and author of Appetite for Life. She is a national expert in family nutrition and has appeared on the Rachael Ray Show, CNN, PBS-TV, and hundreds of other media outlets.
LOCAL TASTES
Warm Up This Winter With Armenian Pizza
Try this healthy, plant-based recipe from worldFLATS for a cozy dish during the cold weather.
Lahmajun, often called “Armenian pizza,” is a dish beloved for its thin, crispy flatbread topped with a flavorful blend of spiced meat and vegetables. worldFLATS co-owner Nvair Beylerian developed a healthy and sustainable version using lentils rather than meat. Try this unique take on this timeless dish at home!
Lentil Lahmajun
Serving size: 6
INGREDIENTS
• 1 to 1/2 cup cooked, drained brown lentils
• 1/3 cup olive or avocado oil
• 1/3 cup diced tomato
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon red pepper paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 ten-inch lavash rounds or flour tortillas
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Toss bell peppers and parsley in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Add lentils, diced tomatoes, onion, red pepper paste, tomato paste and all spices to the food processor and blend on high.
3. While blending, slowly add oil until everything is blended to a smooth hummus consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides with spatula as needed.
4. Add the lentil mixture to a bowl with parsley and peppers and blend fully with a large spoon or spatula.
5. Spoon 3 to 4 ounces of the lentil mixture onto a 10-inch lavash bread or tortilla. Spread it evenly, stopping 1/4 inch from the edges.
6. Place the lavash bread or tortilla on a baking sheet and put it on the top rack of the oven. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, just long enough to cook the spread without burning the bread. The edges should turn slightly brown.
Top with fresh vegetables or spicy pickles and pair with a salad. For something richer, serve it with Greek yogurt and roasted eggplant. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
For more tasty recipes, connect at eatworldflats.com @eatworldflats.
Vive la Plants!
If your home looks a bit stark after dismantling the holiday ribbons and wreaths, now may be the time to channel your green thumb and brighten up your home with live houseplants— especially since Jan. 10 is National Indoor Houseplant Day. Stop by Ridgewood’s plant oasis Deeply Rooted and pick a pot!
Owner Lauren Imbruglia, a Ridgewood resident of 31 years, is a retired French teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. “I wanted to teach where I live,” she says, “and we wanted our kids involved in sports and extracurricular activities right here in town.”
BY KRIS PEPPER
When the pandemic struck in March 2020, Imbruglia’s husband, Keith, was experiencing difficulty breathing. In fullblown teacher mode, she began doing her research. “I discovered that snake plants give off a significant amount of oxygen at night.” That was the start of her love affair with plants. Intrigued, she began to follow Instagram pages on plant care. “I fell down the rabbit hole, and houseplants became a passion.”
The pandemic soon became a “plantdemic,” prompting Imbruglia to consider a career change. Teaching French was beginning to lack that certain
je ne sais quoi especially post-COVID shutdown, and Imbruglia had an innate desire for more serenity, peace and autonomy in her life.
During a trip to Tennessee, the couple visited a plant store, which sparked their idea of opening a similar shop in the Village. “It was a unique idea—exactly what Ridgewood needs,” says Lauren. She retired from teaching and opened Deeply Rooted at 14 West Ridgewood Ave. in August 2023. The store’s name was derived with a great deal of thought.
“We have deep roots here in Ridgewood—establishing our home
and raising our kids here—and I also intentionally extend that concept through the products I carry here in the store. People like to support a “makers” economy, and we’re hyper-focused on the community.”
Deeply Rooted carries various products created by community artisans, including watercolor art, local honey and other unique items. Imbruglia enthusiastically supports charitable initiatives, including Ridgewood High School’s Jamboree, Ridgewood Wrestling and all elementary school fundraisers. “That has always been my philosophy,” she says. Imbruglia also enjoys cross-promoting with other businesses to help the retail community thrive. The store offers classes, workshops and unique special events like yoga and sound healing sessions.
Imbruglia’s teaching experience comes
into play frequently. “Many people are paralyzed when it comes to plant care,” she says. “I run workshops to help customers overcome issues and common problems such as improper drainage, soil, light and watering. I also teach classes in the spring and fall through Ridgewood Community School.”
For the less experienced phytophile, Imbruglia recommends “confidence builder” houseplants tolerant of forgetful or inexperienced plant owners. Once her clients see success, they can graduate to more exotic plants requiring more specialized care. Each plant purchase includes plant care information and a handy plant app to help new owners keep things green. Imbruglia notes, “Customers come back to show me photos of their plants like they would show off a new baby or a pet!”
The sustainability aspect of plant ownership is compelling to those who prefer experiential moments and living things over material possessions. And the health benefits of a plant-filled environment are gaining interest in the scientific world.
“Plants are truly the intersection of wellness and sustainability, and people love receiving them as gifts,” says Imbruglia. Give plants a chance, and try cultivating your own home sanctuary. Choose an orchid, snake plant, philodendron or cyclamen and get started. If you’re anything like Imbruglia, a new plant will put a smile on your face.
“Plants just make me happy,” she says. For more information, visit deeplyrootedridgewood.com.
Kris Pepper, the editor of Ridgewood Magazine, is now the proud mom of several houseplants.
GREEN IS GOLDEN! THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF
INDOOR PLANTS
• Studies show that indoor plants may help reduce stress levels and that working with plants could reduce both physiological and psychological stress.
• Real plants may sharpen your attention. Researchers found that brain scans of students showed those who studied with live plants nearby were more attentive and better able to concentrate.
• Indoor gardening can be helpful for people experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
• Research has revealed that patients recuperating from surgery needed less pain medication and had shorter hospital stays than those who weren’t enjoying greenery during recovery.
• Multiple studies have found that plants in the workspace increase both productivity and creativity.
• In office environments, indoor plants have been shown to provide employees with greater job satisfaction over employees who don’t work near natural plant life.
• Plants can improve indoor air quality by reducing airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) significantly.
Standing Up for Kids—and for Kip
Cathy Skinner and Bergen County CASA make a mark on families in the community.
BY KRIS PEPPER
Community involvement is second nature to Ridgewood resident Cathy Skinner. The devoted wife and mom left her corporate job after her second of three daughters was born. She began volunteering with Village schools and organizations while developing a real estate investment and management business alongside her husband.
It was meaningful work and satisfying. Yet, Skinner had an innate yearning to find an outreach initiative that would satisfy a deep place in her heart. As the youngest of a large Irish Catholic family, she jokes that five kids were not enough for her mom. “We took in a foster child. I was three or four years old at the time,
and he was a year older than me,” she remembers. “Kip was our brother, through and through. My parents had every intention of adopting him.”
However, once Kip’s biological parents were released from prison, the court system returned him to them. He was abused and neglected, and he passed away not long after his parents regained custody.
“It crushed my family—especially my parents,” Skinner recalls. “They had to testify in court. It was very tough. It was a significant part of my family’s history as we grew up.”
This was the story that led Skinner to seek out a way to memorialize little Kip’s life and to positively impact other children in similar situations.
Her search led her to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Bergen County.
Volunteers with Bergen County CASA advocate for abused or neglected children by serving as their voice in the courtroom and striving to represent the best interest of each child. They collaborate with professionals from various fields to ensure judges have the facts and information they need to make informed decisions, changing the outcome of each child’s story—and future—for the better.
Although abuse and neglect happen regardless of a family’s income, volunteers with CASA often work with the poorest of the poor who do not understand or have access to any of the
services to which they may be entitled. These families may be challenged by homelessness, mental illness, missing or incarcerated parents or domestic abuse.
An advocate’s connections in these cases are far-reaching. Once assigned to a child or group of siblings, they see the case through until the child is in permanent placement, which can sometimes take several years. Many of the adults these children rely on may come and go, including guardians, social workers, foster parents and therapists.
However, a CASA advocate provides a consistency in each child’s life. Their assigned CASA advocate sees them through to the closure of their case.
“I got involved with CASA in 2020, right before the pandemic,” says Skinner. I had to have three people write character reference letters for me. I knew the training would take a while, but I decided to do it—and then COVID hit. I trained virtually and became an advocate in October 2020 for a little boy named Michael, whose case went on for three years.”
Eventually, Michael was successfully adopted
by a single woman who had no biological connection to the boy; this was an unusual decision because the courts tend to prefer placing children with family members. However, Skinner’s own life experience proved that just because the DNA matches does not mean it’s the right choice for the child. “His new mom is his best chance at a future,” says Skinner.
“Judges are very receptive to CASA advocates in these cases, and the court accepts 92% of our recommendations. That means a lot to me,” she says. “Four years later, I’ve met most of these judges personally. They listen to us because they know we are doing it because we have a passion for it—not for a paycheck.”
Skinner recently caught up with her “little guy” Michael when he and his mom happened to be passing through Ridgewood.
“He called out to me from the car and gave me a hug and a kiss. He is thriving now! He has educational and socialization opportunities and is involved in extracurricular activities. No kid asks to be born. They don’t choose their parents. However, as an advocate and member of CASA’s board of trustees, it is my responsibility to give
them a chance at the life they deserve,” says Skinner.
The typical duties of a CASA advocate include monthly visits with the child (children in the case of siblings), connecting with schools to be informed of their educational progress, ensuring they receive proper medical care and keeping notes on their living situations. The advocate meets with the judge every three months to provide an update on the case.
“You have to have a passion for kids,” states Skinner. “They are our future. What happens to them now will make all the difference in our society years from now. We need more loved, mentally stable children who come from supportive homes.”
The opportunity to serve kids through CASA has a very heartfelt meaning for Cathy Skinner.
“If CASA had been around years ago, Kip would be alive today. That breaks my heart because I’d have a 58-year-old brother right now who would have had such a great life,” she says. “I had to honor him and make a difference. I see the kids and hear the stories—it’s powerful. And it does make a difference.”
For more information, visit bergencasa.org
The Ridgewood Art Institute
A local masterpiece, The Ridgewood Art Institute offers a home for both new and seasoned artists.
BY KRIS PEPPER
The art world can feel intimidating, especially for those who are new to it or feel they lack a background in art history or “culture.” While many art institutions, galleries and museums may evoke an air of exclusivity, the Ridgewood Art Institute (RAI) and its volunteers paint a broad stroke in making fine art comfortable and approachable for everyone.
Historic Talent in a Vintage Setting
Founded in 1935, the Institute is nestled within an 1861 carriage house at 12 East Glen Ave. The studio drew renowned artists like Arthur F. Maynard, who studied under Frank V. DuMond at the Art Students League of New York.
“The Art Students League is an institution,” says Rebecca Leer, RAI’s recording secretary. “Over the years, it has been a place for artists to hone their craft and technique. We have a direct line to
their heritage because Maynard taught here. He truly is the patriarch of the Institute. His knowledge and talent inspired the Ridgewood Art Institute with the legacy of the Art Students League.”
You can almost hear the echoes of the horses’ whinnies as you arrive, and a stall still exists in the building’s center hall. The building itself has a charm and rustic beauty that lends itself to the Institute’s American classic realism style of instruction. Classes in oils, watercolors and drawing are offered
for all ages and abilities, and the board has ensured that art education and instruction are accessible to all. The upstairs studio features north-facing windows—a coveted environment for artists providing a silvery glow of natural light without the effect of direct sunlight moving across the room. This allows the artist to control contrasts and the subtle color changes within a painting. “Most renowned city studios can’t provide this type of setting because the tall buildings block the light,” notes Leer.
Creating Connections
Leer is an illustrator by trade who has lived in cities around the country. However, when she made Ridgewood her home and discovered the Institute, it was love at first sight. “When I walked in here, I never left,” she says.
The Institute’s Education Chairperson, Laura Paray, teaches oil painting to children aged 8 to 18. Having grown up in nearby Ho-Ho-Kus, art has been a part of her life ever since she took her first oil painting class there at age 10. “Now I teach in the same studio where I took my first class,” Paray says.
Board president Suzanne Bochet came to the Institute after retiring from a career in educational publishing. She had a desire to focus on art post-professional career and immediately appreciated the warmth of the community within its rough-hewn barn walls. “I had always painted but never had formal instruction. Art is a great outlet, and this is an amazing place—no other art school is like it. When you walk in here, you know right away.”
Public relations director Elena Taylor also found a home here after transplanting to the area from Manhattan 24 years ago. “We drove by the Institute, and there was a giant sign that read, ‘Art Show Today,’” she says. “I immediately fell in love. This is my home away from home. I didn’t have friends or family here, so this became my community.”
The RAI connection helped both Leer and Taylor establish roots in suburbia and transition from city life.
“I attended an instructor’s show and saw Rebecca’s painting and accompanying bio, where she mentioned leaving the city to move to the suburbs—just like me! That had a big impact,” says Taylor, who eventually took an oil painting class with Leer. “Later, when I was asked to join the board, I felt it was time to give back to the place that had given me so much.”
Although most don’t equate taking an art class with creating community connections, this is an inherent benefit of involvement at a place that embraces “beginner-beginners” as well as accomplished, juried artists.
“Art is an ongoing process,” says Leer, “there are always new people coming in, but many are passionate about continuing their education, and they all work side-by-side.”
Inspiration, not Intimidation
Seeing artists at every level provides inspiration rather than intimidation.
Practicing art is a journey; one is continually working to improve their craft. There’s no expectation to achieve perfection, and there’s always room for improvement. “I was nervous at first, but everyone finds their place here,” says Leer.
Reasonable annual membership fees make programs accessible, and members pay a small fee to their instructor for each class. Students can join a class at any time, regardless of skill level, and members have the privilege of exhibiting their work on the Institution’s storied walls—an opportunity not available to most artists at typical galleries.
A Legacy That Keeps Giving RAI sponsors one juried show each year, attracting entries from accomplished artists from all over the United States and allowing residents to view outstanding works of art without going into Manhattan. A yearly children’s exhibit provides a space for young artists to hang their paintings. “We reach out to both members and non-members to enter,” says Paray. “Kids can show their work and potentially win a scholarship for art lessons.”
College-bound student members who are going on to art school can apply for RAI-sponsored scholarships.
“Thanks to the generous donations of
members and the community, we can fund these scholarships,” says Paray. “It’s a way for us to give back and help others launch their art careers.”
These four passionate artists and the rest of the RAI board continue to sustain the legacy of the Institute with fundraisers and shows. “One hundred pennies of every dollar donated go into this place,” says Leer. “When you donate here, we give back. We’re all volunteers!”
Anyone who appreciates art—even if you’ve never picked up a brush—should attend the Institute’s 72nd Annual Sponsor Show from April 4 to May 2. This longstanding tradition features paintings
donated to the Institute by member artists. Sponsors contribute a $275 donation for a drawing, which allows them to choose their favorite painting to bring home as their names are drawn. “It’s a great deal,” says Leer. “You donate $275 and your “thank you” gift is an original painting!”
More demonstrations, private exhibits and special gatherings are on the drawing board for the future. This hidden gem is ready to get the word out. Stop by for a visit and take Leer’s advice. “Do you think you can’t draw?! Come on in!”
For more information, visit ridgewoodartinstitute.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
45th Annual Open Juried Show
March 2 to March 23, 2025
The juried show is open to all artists working in a representational or traditional manner. Only accepted works will be exhibited.
72nd Annual Sponsors Show
April 4 to May 2, 2025
Drawing for Painting Selection: Friday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m.
This much-loved show features paintings given to the Institute by member artists. The sponsors are the first of a limited number of people who contribute $275. As names are drawn on the show’s last night, sponsors select their favorite painting to take home.
66th Annual Young People’s Scholarship Exhibition
June 1 to 15, 2025
An exhibition of works by member and non-member aspiring artists, aged 8 to 17.
Restore Order After the Holidays Q & a
You’ve made your lists, checked them twice, and wrapped up another wonderful holiday season. Now, it’s time to create your January cleaning checklist.
BY LISA HARRIS
INTERVIEW WITH LISA HARRIS
Lisa Harris is the owner of Organize With Lisa (OWL). She is a partner with The Container Store and a member of NAPO and NASMM. Her services range from decluttering and organizing to full moving support, including downsizing seniors. Lisa helps clients simplify their lives and achieve peace of mind in their homes and businesses by creating calm, organized spaces.
What are the first steps someone should take to get organized in the new year (and beyond)?
Ask yourself what you want your spaces to feel like and how you want them to function. Tackle one area at a time. Begin with the space that has the biggest impact on your daily routine (or the ones that give you the most stress). Next, sort items into categories: keep, donate, and discard. Lastly, put a system in place that you can maintain. An example of this would be sorting things into categories and placing them in bins.
How do you recommend busy moms find time to stay organized with everything else on their plate?
It starts with small, consistent efforts. Dedicate 20 minutes a day to declutter and organize spaces. Prioritize the areas that create the most stress. Create simple systems like labeling bins. Once areas are orderly, get into the routine of spending a few minutes tidying up at the end of the day. Consistency is key!
How can someone make the most of their space when they don’t have a lot of storage?
Maximize vertical space by using shelves, hooks, or overthe-door organizers. Look for multi-functional furniture with built-in storage, like ottomans.
What are your favorite products that make organizing easy and efficient?
Clear bins with labels are a game changer because they keep items visible and accessible. Drawer dividers are great for keeping your things orderly in a drawer. Lazy Susans work wonders in cabinets. An over-the-door organizer can hold so many different categories.
What’s one organizing habit you think everyone should adopt this year?
The habit of decluttering regularly. Mark your calendar! Whether it’s monthly or seasonally, go through your belongings and let go of items you no longer use, need or love.
RHS Marching Band Takes 2024 USBands Group 4A National Champion Title
Band wins state and then takes home first national championship since 1997.
On Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, the RHS Marching Band returned victorious from the 2024 USBands Group 4A National Champion competition, earning an overall score of 94.3 and their first championship title since 1997. The band also won Best Music, Best Visual, Best Effect and Best Color Guard awards.
Held at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the competition featured 11 county champions all vying for the state title. The competition featured bands from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Maine and Connecticut.
Under the direction of John Luckenbill, Ridgewood had a great 2024 season, performing their show “Teenage Wasteland,” featuring “Baba O’Riley” by The Who. The band has also traveled to Annapolis, Maryland, to perform at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and has won numerous awards this season.
What made the USBands event even more special were additional band alums that attended to cheer on RHS. Freshman trumpet player Christopher Ziobro’s mother,
Christine Ziobro, marched and played with the last championship Ridgewood High School Marching Band in 1997.
Many of the 1997 alums returned to the school to wish the band well.
The Championship 1992 Drum
Major James Garde, the only other Championship year within the last 35 years, is on the high school’s marching band staff and was also a former director of the marching band from 2006 to 2010.
Congratulations to the entire RHS Marching Band team!
Powder to the People!
The New Jersey region offers a wealth of ski slopes for beginners and veterans alike.
BY CLARA SEIGLER
I’m not exactly a world-class skier. I grew up in Austin, Texas, which gets, on average, about a quarter of an inch of snowfall a year.
But once I moved to New Jersey, I discovered the beauty and excitement of a good winter snowstorm. Plus, I suddenly found myself within driving distance of multiple ski resorts. That’s how, as of last year, I found myself on a secondhand pair of skis, barreling down beautiful snowy mountain trails, feeling
an indescribable adrenaline rush—at least when it was going well.
This year, I’m stoked to hit the slopes again and have thoroughly researched local resorts and mountains. Here’s a rundown of bountiful local options for newbies and experienced skiers or snowboarders alike.
Skiing the Garden State Mahwah’s Campgaw Mountain is known for its beginner-friendly
environment, which is ideal for younger skiers and snowboarders and for anybody new to winter sports.
Campgaw is also known for its popular tubing runs, which are 800 feet long and accessible by lift. Plus, it’s one of the more affordable options on this list. A four-hour lift ticket from Monday through Thursday starts at just $36 this season, and that’s about as low as you’ll find. Season passes start at $379.
If you’ve already mastered Campgaw, Vernon’s Mountain Creek Resort is a great place to explore some more advanced trails. Mountain Creek is the largest ski resort in New Jersey, with 167 acres of skiable terrain, including 46 trails and eight lifts. About one quarter of those trails are beginner-friendly.
Mountain Creek’s Appalachian Hotel offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations with luxury suites and a heated pool, which makes this resort an ultimate weekend getaway if you want to spend a few bucks. Weekday lift tickets start at $59, weekends start at $68 and season passes start at $319.
Beyond New Jersey
If you’re crossing state lines, Shawnee Mountain in East Stroudsburg,
Pennsylvania, is easily drivable. It’s also one of the more family-friendly resorts in the Poconos, with plenty of kid- and beginnerfriendly trails, tubing and family activities. Prices vary, but as of this writing, single-day lift tickets start at $52 and season passes start at $549.
Camelback Mountain Resort, in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, is generally the most popular destination in the Poconos, with skiing, snowboarding, tubing and even an indoor waterpark, offering 39 trails across 166 acres of skiable terrain. Fifteen of those trails are beginner friendly. This season, Camelback season passes (with blackout dates) start at $519, with twilight lift tickets priced at $55 and all-day lift tickets priced at $69.
Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerville, Pennsylvania, features over 40 trails, including the highest vertical drop in Pennsylvania, at 1,082 feet. Blue Mountain’s five terrain parks are a favorite for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Prices vary based on demand, but as of this writing, four-hour lift tickets start at $48, eight-hour tickets start at $55 and season passes start at $549 for ages 22 and over.
Jack Frost Big Boulder in White Haven, Pennsylvania, is a single resort complex that
encompasses two very distinct mountains. Jack Frost offers a more traditional skiing experience, with 20 trails and plenty of beginner-friendly runs, while Big Boulder is better known for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Daily lift tickets start at $48. Season passes vary in price, with discounts for seniors and college students; a weekdayonly season pass starts at $490.
The Snow Must Go On
If you’ve mastered local options and are still feeling ambitious, consider Hunter Mountain Resort or Windham Mountain Club, both located in the Catskills of New York state. I haven’t attempted Hunter or Windham yet, but now that I’ve got the skiing bug, I’ve been scoping them out, and it’s only a matter of time.
If you’re an otherwise outdoorsy person who has never been on a pair of skis or a snowboard, you owe it to yourself to take the plunge. There’s something magical about the fresh air of a snowy mountain. Mix in some good friends and a little adrenaline, and the whole experience can be instantly addictive.
New Year, New You?
What areas of your life do you wish to improve?
Check out the categories below and get to work!
BY LORRI STEINBACHER
The New Year always feels like the perfect opportunity for a reset, and as a result, we often put pressure on ourselves to start that diet, clean that garage and become our best selves. Let’s give ourselves a break this year and tackle things a little at a time. These books are designed to start you on a journey of improvement with no pressure. As Gloria Steinem pointed out: “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” So even if you never get past the dreaming stage of the “new you,” congratulations, you’ve begun.
MANAGE
YOUR TIME
FOUR THOUSAND WEEKS: TIME MANAGEMENT FOR MORTALS by Oliver
Burkeman
If you are fortunate enough to live until 80, you have just four thousand weeks to “get things done.” Burkeman asserts something we already know (even if we are loath to admit): Time is finite, and you can’t get everything done. This book takes you beyond the to-do list to get to the center of what really matters.
TINY HABITS by B.J.
Fogg
Starting small is the motivating principle of this book. Change doesn’t happen all at once but with an accumulation of tiny steps. Choose an area of your life you want to change and start today, 30 seconds at a time.
MANAGE YOUR MIND
HOW TO BE FINE
by Jolenta Greenberg
Greenberg scoured the self-help section of the bookstore, so you don’t have to. She followed all the advice to the letter, with varying results. Follow along to see what works and what doesn’t.
100 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE: THE SCIENCE OF LEVELING UP HEALTH, HAPPINESS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND SUCCESS by Liz Moody
Improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being with the tips and tricks found with these easyto-read, easy-to-implement sciencebased tips.
MANAGE YOUR STUFF
OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM: DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE TO MAKE MORE ROOM FOR HAPPINESS by Gretchen
Rubin
Getting control of your stuff can help you get control of your life. Rubin has 150 suggestions for clearing your clutter at home and work. Implementing just a few of these can get you started on the path to a clutter-free life.
KEEP THE MEMORIES, LOSE THE STUFF: DECLUTTER, DOWNSIZE, AND MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR LIFE by Matt
Paxton
This decluttering expert takes you through the steps to identify what is most important so you can surround yourself with what matters.
GET COZY AND RELAX
THE LITTLE BOOK OF HYGGE: THE DANISH WAY TO LIVE WELL by Meik Wiking
Hygge is a Danish concept that involves living in the moment, making relationships, relaxation, equality and comfort a priority. Wiking takes you through ways you can incorporate hygge into your life. If cozy is your vibe, then this book is for you. Perfect for winter reading.
GET A HOBBY: 365 THINGS TO DO FOR FUN (NOT WORK!) by
Jasmine Cho
All work and no play leads to burnout. A hobby can help you de-stress, improve your mood and open your mind to all kinds of possibilities, and Cho has options for you—from the obvious to the offbeat. Let this be the year you try something new.
A Scene From a Dream
Kids and grownups alike delighted in Ridgewood’s “Downtown for the Holidays” on Dec. 6, 2024.
Calling all professional and amateur photographers—want to share your great shot with your Ridgewood neighbors? Email them to editor@ridgewoodmag.com, and perhaps you’ll see your work in print!
& Drive Event downdue at signingfirst payment $0 $0 $0
Advertised offer does not include taxes, title, registration, license, and other retailer fees which may be due and payable up front. The Volvo Sign & Drive offer is available towards the lease of select 2024 or current model year 2025 XC40, XC60, or XC90 through Volvo Car Financial Services (VCFS). Offer excludes the new 2025.5 XC90. For example, for a current model year 2025 XC90 T8 Ultra monthly payment of $1,048 for 36 months based on $80,895 MSRP; for a 2025 XC60 T8 Ultra monthly payment of $918 for 36 months based on $69,145 MSRP; and for a 2025 XC40 B5 Ultra monthly payment of $751 for 36 months based on $50,595 MSRP. Offer available to qualified customers that meet VCFS credit standards at authorized Volvo Cars retailers. Not everyone will qualify. No security deposit required. A noncash credit equal to the amount of the first payment is disclosed on the VCFS lease agreement at time of signing. Must take delivery of new vehicle from dealer inventory between January 3, 2025, and January 31, 2025. The Volvo Sign & Drive offer is not eligible for offer protection. Minimum lease agreement term is 24 months. Offer expires January 31, 2025. See your participating Volvo Cars retailer for details.
Losing Weight is Easier When You Have Options
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You’ve asked yourself why you can’t lose weight. But have you asked Valley?
Our approach is different. It begins by focusing on overall health, reviewing the latest weight-loss approaches, and developing a weight-loss plan that’s right for you, and only you.
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At Valley, it’s not only about losing weight. It’s about gaining health. Let’s succeed together.
There are many ways to lose weight. Let’s find yours. In-person and virtual consultations and free online weight-loss seminars are available. Let’s do this together. Call 201-251-3480.