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What Makes Ridgewood Dental Associates Different?
We get asked all the time: “What is a Prosthodontist?” A prosthodontist specializes in making dentures, crowns, bridges and other custom-made oral appliances at a much higher skill level, offers treatment options and customized solutions that are unique to the specialty.
What sets us apart as experts? “Each patient’s situation is different,” explains Dr. Joung. “We take the time to carefully evaluate and plan, ensuring the best possible outcome for every individual. We are highly trained dual specialists in Prosthodontics and Periodontics. It’s all we do and it’s done under one roof which makes it an added value & advantage for our patients. Treatment is personalized to each patient’s complex situation. We’re not a cookie cutter dental practice. Our staff is incredible! Without a good experience, patients are not going to want to come back and continue their care. We want their experience to be the best that it can be. Our core values here at Ridgewood Dental Associates are making sure that we’re treating our patients like we want to be treated ourselves.”
Do the All-on-4© dental implants work for me? It’s very dependent on the individual, but by having specialists in surgical and prosthetic implant dentistry evaluate each patient, you will know that the best possible options are presented. There are also opportunities for patients who may not be able to afford the full costs to receive the care at reduced fees through the Ridgewood Implant Institute. The Institute offers continuing education courses for other dentists to learn from our specialists. “The All-on-4 is more than just a procedure,” says Dr. Samani. “It’s a life-changing experience for patients. They leave our office with a new smile and renewed confidence.”
“Thank you Dr. Samani, Dr. Joung and the entire staff of Ridgewood Dental Associates. If anyone is thinking of having extensive dental care, this is the group you want. Don’t think twice! I’ve never been fond of going to the dentist and actually am always afraid. This group of caring people have extended their professionalism tenfold. I have gained confidence and self-esteem in myself that I never had. I would always cover my mouth when I smiled.”
“Now, I smile BIG! You have changed my life and I’m forever grateful.”
–Joyce S.
www.RidgewoodDental.com
Editor’s Note
As March’s gusty winds blow in, I’m looking forward to the beginning of spring. It’s the season when people (and bears) come out from their hibernation, blink in the bright sunlight and start looking for some fun, outdoorsy activities.
This month, we’ll introduce you to Dana Anello, a Ridgewood resident and fitness coach. Dana and I have been friends for a long time, and it was great reconnecting for this article. I’ve worked out with Dana many times over the years and have always loved her spirit, wisdom and philosophy of good health. March is International Women’s Month—a very appropriate time to highlight this inspiring woman and her fitness group, Jersey Women Strong!
Ridgewoodians are fortunate to have so many community groups at their doorsteps. For those new in town, the Newcomers Club has been around longer than most of us have been alive. Over the years, it has been the go-to for new residents seeking camaraderie, friendship and lots of fun.
Next, meet Ashling Stanek of the Irish Dance School, where Gaelic culture is alive and kicking. You may see the group performing around town, especially at our local Irish tavern, MacMurphy’s Irish Pub. We chatted with owner Eileen Gilsenan and her daughter Kayleigh to discover what makes this West Side bar and restaurant an iconic Celtic pitstop in town.
As I wrap up this greeting, I’d be remiss in not mentioning the recent loss of a true Ridgewood gem. Paul Markosian of Markosian Fine Art Jewelry passed away on Jan. 10. I was ready to publish my Q&A article featuring Paul in our February issue when I heard of his untimely passing. Paul’s design expertise was second to none, and his gentle, friendly demeanor will certainly live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He will be missed. On behalf of the team at Ridgewood Magazine, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and friends. May the wind always be at your back. All my best for a happy, healthy and safe St. Patrick’s Day!
Ridgewood MAGAZINE
Publisher Karen Stires
Editor Kris Pepper
Writers Kris Pepper
Lorri Steinbacher
Paul Vagianos
Stacey Antine
Photographers
Joe Nolan
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
Kris Pepper Editor editor@ridgewoodmag.com
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.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MARJORIE RAGGO
An Open Book
This page: Marie Benedict. Opposite page: 2024 Author Luncheon Committee with (left to right) Colum McCann, Paul McCarthy (Friends President and Event Co-Chair), Kathy Cowie, Tammy Juco, Margie Downs, Caroline Oddy (event Co-Chair), Sara Beinstein, Helen Barwick, Marie Malloy, Cynthia Gorey, Shelley Rothstein, Sherry Frank and Melissa Fluet.
Friends of the Ridgewood Public Library welcomes bestselling author Marie Benedict.
BY KRIS PEPPER
The Friends of the Ridgewood Public Library is pleased to welcome New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Benedict to their 35th Annual Author Luncheon at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at The Terrace, 299 Paramus Rd., Paramus.
For over 40 years, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has been dedicated to raising funds outside the Library’s operating budget to provide cultural and educational programming to benefit the community.
Held annually since 1989, the Author Luncheon is one of the Friend’s keystone fundraising events. Previous guest authors have included Colum McCann, Jeannette Walls, Khaled Hosseini, Harlan Coben, Mary Higgins Clark and many more.
This year’s speaker, Marie Benedict, is the bestselling author of “The Mitford Affair,” “Her Hidden Genius,” “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie,” “The Only Woman in the Room,” “Lady Clementine,” “Carnegie’s Maid,” “The Other Einstein,” and with Victoria Christopher
Murray, the Good Morning America Book Club pick, “The Personal Librarian” and the Target Book of the Year “The First Ladies.”
All have been translated into multiple languages, and many have been selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List and LibraryReads List.
Her newest book, “The Queens of Crime,” was released on Feb. 11, 2025. It is a genrebending novel starring Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie that blends classic mystery, historical fiction and elements of true crime into a page-turning and unforgettable story.
Set in London in the 1930s and starring five of the greatest women crime writers of the interwar period, the book is an homage to the golden age of detective fiction that celebrates women who buck convention and seek justice for themselves and others.
The event includes a meet and greet and book signing opportunity with the author, an extensive silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, cocktail
hour (cash bar), seated three-course lunch and the main event, Marie Benedict’s talk and Q&A.
Tickets and Book Sales are available at 2025authorluncheon.eventbee.com
“The Queens of Crime” will be available for sale at a 20% discount through the Friends and Bookends Bookstore.
The purchase helps offset the cost of the Author Luncheon, ensuring that more funds go to programs and events at the library.
In 2024, the Friends committed over $80,000 to support every educational and cultural event at the library. Other programs and services supported by the Friends of the Library include lectures on health and Medicare, AI, history, travel, mindfulness, Repair Cafe and other sustainability programs, the museum pass program, subscription services, programs for kids and teens and more.
For more information on Friends of the Ridgewood Public Library, visit friendsrpl.org.
To learn more about Marie Benedict, visit authormariebenedict.com.
A Letter to The Village of Ridgewood
BY PAUL VAGIANOS, MAYOR, VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
I was honored and privileged to deliver my second annual State of the Village Report at a recent Village Council Meeting. The bottom line: 2024 was another outstanding year for our Village! Here are just a few of the accomplishments that I shared with residents. (Head over to ridgewoodnj.net to read my entire report).
I am particularly proud of the partnership forged with the Board of Education. It began with providing full-time special police officers in the high school and both middle schools. In addition to enhancing security, these officers are a welcome addition to our schools that allow students to build
meaningful relationships with them in a non-confrontational setting. The benefits of these relationships show themselves during each school day and will endure long after our students have graduated.
With the help of the Board of Education, as well as the County and our local sports organizations, we are putting in new LED lighting at Veterans Field that will use less energy and have less “spillage” of light onto neighboring properties. We asked for their help, and they all came through. When we work together like this, there’s nothing we can’t get done.
In 2024, Ridgewood Water was the first water company in the state to receive the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s “Our Water’s Worth It’’ award for its work on water conservation and PFAS initiatives. In this past year alone, Ridgewood Water began constructing four new PFAS Treatment Facilities. When all 12 facilities are up and running by the end of 2026, we will have reduced PFAS in our water to undetectable levels. And this will all be done before 46 other states—and much of New Jersey—have even begun to comply with the new stricter federal regulations to reduce PFAS levels in our water supply. Ridgewood is way ahead of the curve on this one.
Moving on to flooding: It has become a much larger problem in the last few years, with flooding events increasing in
both severity and frequency. And while even one flood in someone’s home is too much, many families in the Village have experienced repeated flooding in their homes. However, with the assistance of Congressman Josh Gottheimer, we have engaged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study and propose long-term solutions to this issue. They’re referred to as long-term solutions for a reason—safeguarding our homes and infrastructure from the ever-worsening flooding that has plagued us can’t happen overnight. But this is where we begin. Looking ahead: The Schedler Park property was purchased by the Village in 2009 and has been at a standstill for more than 15 years. In 2025, we will ensure that the property complies with all NJDEP standards, and we will build the park that our Village needs, deserves and has been waiting for for far too long. Also on the horizon—the reimagining of the Warner Theater. The dream of many in our community is to give our theater new life by turning it into a performing arts center. It will take the entire community to make this dream come true. And while it won’t be easy, I believe it can be done. We’ve already started on this path. Stay tuned as we begin to walk down this road together!
Mayor Paul Vagianos is an attorney and businessman who has lived in Ridgewood for nearly 30 years. He is a past president of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce. Paul and his wife, Jean, have been married for 41 years and have two daughters and two granddaughters.
Food as Medicine
Health and healing begins in the kitchen.
Food is a fundamental need for the body and mind to fuel itself. Food comes in various forms, shapes, sizes and flavors to meet the endless demands and desires of people of all ages. According to US News & World Report, Italy is ranked number one globally for having the best food. It is home to the most centenarians in a country thanks to the Mediterranean diet that emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats. While Americans may have the most food choices, the quality and quantity of food have resulted in over 40% of adults being obese or overweight, according
BY STACEY ANTINE, MS, RDN
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Food also is linked to emotions and memories. For example, we are rewarded with food and celebrate memories, anniversaries, birthdays and more with food. From my experience as a dietitian, I believe that the subject of food and nutrition is confusing for many, from children to seniors. We need to be educated to help navigate what’s best for our bodies and minds. March is National Nutrition Month, so we will emphasize that nutritious food is medicine. The universal example is when we’re not
feeling well, many of us reach for homemade chicken soup—it’s known to strengthen the body and soul while starting the healing process.
Health is wealth. It begins in the kitchen, not the medicine cabinet. The concept of food as medicine is the idea that food and nutrition can help prevent disease, sustain health and treat certain conditions. With this mindset, we can accomplish a lot in developing strong bodies and healthy minds.
Let’s navigate the kitchen (free of TVs and devices) to seek out the essential nutrients the body needs:
1
Lots of fruits and vegetables
A variety of fresh produce, deep in rich colors and vitamins and minerals, should be at the center of the plate. Sharpen your chef knife and start chopping rather than buying the pre-cut stuff. Chopping releases the delicious aromas from these earthly nutrient powerhouses that get taste buds ready to eat. So, enjoy a rough chop of juicy bell peppers loaded with vitamin C for cooking—and snack on a few slices, too! My top pick for produce is Ridgewood’s Whole Foods Market for consistently great quality and budget-friendly weekly specials.
2 Macronutrients
There are three of these critical nutrients for the body: Protein, carbs and fats. Protein builds muscle and repairs tissues for recovery (opt for lean for animal proteins and plant-based proteins). Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of fuel (complex is key such as whole grains including brown rice, quinoa, popcorn instead of simple or refined grains such as pretzels and white bread). Fat satiates us and feeds our brains (limit saturated fat from animals) and enjoy
unsaturated fats (from plants) such as olives and cold-pressed olive oil.
3 Natural sugars
I mean fruits—not cookies, cakes or sugary drinks such as sodas. Train your taste buds to set a warning signal for processed sugars. Once you wean off them, everything tastes too sweet except an apple.
4 Spices
Spices add flavor and healing properties to foods such as turmeric to decrease inflammation and cinnamon to regulate blood sugar. So put away the salt shaker and experiment with these culinary superheroes. Visit Lynn at the Spice and Tea Exchange on
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 broadcast, print and social channels.
East Ridgewood Avenue and take advantage of the knowledge of a local expert!
5 Herbs
These are nature’s gift for health. Grow your own indoors or outdoors for a daily dose to flavor food or sip in teas. From chamomile flowers and lavender to help reduce anxiety to oregano and basil for an immune boost to fennel seeds to aid digestion.
Spring cleaning is in the air as we welcome the new season on March 20. It’s a perfect time to reset the kitchen and purge the foodstuff that doesn’t make the list above. Stock up with foods that will nourish you inside and out because, most importantly, food is love!
Top: The Newcomers Board. Bottom: Bakers unite at the annual cookie exchange.
Welcome to Ridgewood
Just moved to town? Check out Ridgewood’s Newcomers Club, a non-profit, volunteer-based club welcoming families to the Village for over seventy years.
When Megan Hilts and her husband moved their young family to Ridgewood from Jersey City in early January of 2022, they were excited about becoming part of a new community but also a bit apprehensive as to how they would meet new friends and integrate in the Bergen suburbs.
By Jan. 20, Hilts had it all figured out after attending her first Ridgewood Newcomers event. Now the organization’s board president, Hilts says the group was a game-changer when it came to meeting new people, finding out about the Village and its schools and services and learning what local businesses come highly recommended by other group members.
Hilts is confident that her involvement with the group ensured her and her family a network of good friends and reliable referrals for local businesses and professionals. “It was a great way to make
BY KRIS PEPPER
a social circle in the ‘burbs,” she says. “Newcomers helps people have a sense of ‘home,’ and it’s open to everyone—singles, couples, families, women and men.”
At the time her family moved in, Hilts’ children were aged two and four. “I learned about the Glen School from the group—I wouldn’t have known about it if it wasn’t for Newcomers.”
Member Insight
There’s a lot of intel to be gleaned from group members, who happily share recommendations for hair and nail salons, doctors and dentists, landscapers, dry cleaners and every type of service a new resident would be seeking.
Numerous young families seek out Ridgewood for its vibrant downtown, suburban culture, great schools and proximity to the train for commuters.
“We have many members who have moved from Jersey City, Hoboken, Brooklyn and the Upper West Side of Manhattan,” notes Hilts. “There is also a surprising number of members who grew up in Ridgewood, went away to college, and then came back. One member’s parents belonged to Newcomers years ago, and now she has joined with her own family.”
Now in its 78th year, Newcomers has been an integral part of the fabric of the Village, with past and present Ridgewood members attesting to lifelong friendships and fond memories forged through the beloved club. Cori Fernandez, Community and Diversity Liaison says, “Ridgewood Newcomers is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community. Our events are designed to bring together people from all walks of life, exploring the unique charm and hidden gems that Ridgewood offers.”
New Year’s Social at Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club.
A Community For All
Many events and interest groups are co-ed, including book club, dining nights out, progressive dinners and holiday happenings. Men’s groups offer a fun and relevant way for men to make new connections within the community. There are seasonal events for families including Santa Story Time, hayrides and maple sugaring followed by a pancake breakfast.
Henry Ratcliff, who leads the Men’s Night Out group says, “Ridgewood Newcomers has been huge for our family. Moving out to the ‘burbs from the city can be a little daunting, especially when neither my wife or I are from the area. Newcomers runs so many great events, and we met many good friends in the area. I run the Men’s Interest Group, which gives husbands and dads the chance to get together and socialize,” He says. “It’s just a great opportunity for the families who are new to town to meet other families straight away.”
Child-free couples, singles and empty nesters are warmly embraced, and the group continually focuses on developing events and interest groups that meet the needs of everyone—representing all ages, demographics and neighborhoods.
Brittany Gianares, leader of the “No Kids on the Block” group says, “When I heard about Ridgewood Newcomers, I knew this town was a special place. My husband and I moved from Jersey City to the suburbs, which could be a daunting lifestyle change. However, from our first event (just five days after moving in), we felt so comfortable. Since then, we have met many couples that we now call friends and see regularly. I feel that we have truly built a community here only one year after buying our first home. Now, I lead the interest group, No Kids on the Block, to connect couples like us who don’t have kids yet. It’s hard to meet people if you don’t have kids in the school system, but connections are made
in Newcomers. We are a small but mighty group, and we are so grateful to be a part of it!”
“We are always trying to diversify our demographic,” notes Hilts. “Many new members find us through their realtors, but we are making a concerted effort to capture more of the apartment-living population who may not have interacted with a realtor. We have a lot to offer them!”
A $100 joining fee covers several free events, other events are charged at the time of registration. See the side bar for their list of upcoming events.
“If you have found your way here because you’re new to Ridgewood, you’ve chosen a wonderful place to live and we hope you will consider joining us,” says Hilts. “And, if you’ve been part of the Ridgewood community already, you are always welcome to be a Newcomer again! Check out ridgewoodnewcomers.com to learn more or join.
Far left: 2024 Gala Committee, from left to right: Puja Bara, Cori Fernandez, Allyse Bader and Samantha Wortmann. Center: Great prizes go to the highest bidder at the gala auction. Top right: the annual cookie exchange. Bottom right: Blooms and Bubbly flower arranging class.
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Friday, March 21
Taco ‘Bout Wellness Cooking Workshop
• Saturday, March 22
Family Springtime Art with Georgia O’Keefe and Ridgewood-based “Artists & Crafts!”
• Friday, April 4
Ridgewood’s Night Out benefiting Ridgewood ASA (See details below)
• Thursday, April 24
Newcomers Night Out Happy Hour at HoHoKus Inn
• Saturday, April 26
Family Field Trip to New York City’s “Little Orchestra Society”
• May 2025
Progressive Spring BBQ, date TBA
• Thursday, May 29
Newcomers Night Out MahJong 101 Mixer
• Thursday, June 12
Newcomers Night Out End of the Year Happy Hour
RIDGEWOOD’S NIGHT OUT:
A Celebration of Community and Giving Back
One of the most cherished traditions at Ridgewood Newcomers is the annual charity event, hosted by their dedicated fundraising team. This special event, held just once a year, brings the community together to support a local organization selected by the committee and board after a careful review. In recent years, they’ve proudly raised funds for impactful causes like HealthBarn and West Bergen Mental Health. Last year, they surpassed their goal, raising over $16,000—a true testament to the generosity and spirit of the community.
This April, Ridgewood Newcomers is thrilled to continue this tradition, with all proceeds benefiting SSA Ridgewood, an organization dedicated to providing food security and a safety net to local families in need. SSA Ridgewood has become a beacon of hope for many, offering essential resources to those facing hardship.
The evening will feature live music from “Dads Night Band,” a local band that has ties to elementary schools and hosted at a favorite local venue Park West Loft, where guests will enjoy great music and company. The silent auction will showcase a variety of experiences, products and gift certificates generously donated by local businesses, offering the perfect opportunity to give back while enjoying exclusive items. Support the incredible work being done right here in Ridgewood and make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Save the date and join Newcomers for an unforgettable evening of music, community and generosity. April 4, 8 to 1:00 a.m.
See ridgewoodnewcomers.com/events for more information.
Above: Maple sugaring.
Jersey Women Strong Leads the Pack
Lace up with Dana Anello for a unique program bringing health, fitness and a sense of well-being to women in northern New Jersey.
BY KRIS PEPPER
Have your January resolutions left you high and dry? Many women hit the ground running by formulating a new weight loss strategy (note: I didn’t say “diet”) or committing to a rigorous daily exercise routine. However, high hopes become dashed dreams for many of us when life, work, kids and temptation derail our best-laid plans.
Ridgewood resident Dana Anello has an alternative. What if women changed their mindset about diet and exercise and focused on embracing their age, fitness level and unique abilities alongside other like-minded individuals? There’s a big fun factor involved, too.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Anello graduated from the University at Buffalo, where she was a competitive swimmer
for four years. She is a NASM-certified corrective exercise specialist, RRCA Level 1 Running Coach and Precision Nutrition Level 1 and 2 certified nutrition coach. She has worked in the health and fitness industry for over 25 years and competed in numerous triathlons and running events, including Ironman Lake Placid and the Boston, Chicago, New York and Marine Corps Marathons.
Anello founded Jersey Women Strong (JWS) in 2012 to provide a platform for women of all ages and fitness experience— including those who have never run or exercised before in their lives. Today, it is Bergen County’s largest all-women’s running and multi-sport club, growing from its original 12 members to over 150.
More Than 5k Training
The group was initially envisioned as a nine-week couch-to-5k program. “I loved coaching and wanted to help people who had never run before train to do a 5k.”
Some join to achieve the goal of successfully finishing their first road race; others simply want to reap the benefits of working out with a fun, social group of local ladies. The $150 annual fee includes weekly workouts for everyone including Tuesday Track and Saturday/Sunday group runs at the Ridgewood Duck Pond. Monthly social events, hikes, group walks, nutritional and fitness opportunities, seminars, sponsorship perks, race discounts and an active, private
Facebook group provide unlimited motivational support for everyone from beginning runners to seasoned triathletes. “We even started a book club,” notes Anello. Ridgewood’s Jennifer Blanck Weitz joined the group in 2015 while preparing for her first marathon. “Dana’s knowledge of running is extensive, and she has shared invaluable insights on everything from proper race fueling to diverse training workouts. She’s played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community within Jersey Women Strong, and many members, including myself, have formed lasting connections with inspirational women who share similar fitness goals.”
Opposite page: Dana Anello competing at the Women’s Distance Festival 5K. This page: Post race celebration at the Hero 5K UCAN5K Graduation Race.
Balance and Well-Being for All Ages
The distinctive philosophy of JWS makes it much more than a health and fitness group. Anello’s concern for the emotional and psychological stability of women in today’s culture has shaped the organization into something much more.
“Women have become consumed by getting down to a certain weight or fitting into a particular size. We are bombarded with pressure everywhere we turn, and we’ve gotten so far away from what it is to be healthy. There are no ‘quick fixes,’ and we must remember that ideal weight doesn’t necessarily correlate with good health. Mental and emotional health, life balance and a sense of well-being are all a part of the
puzzle. When we only focus on size, we are missing a huge piece,” Anello says.
JWS members span all ages, and Anello gets great satisfaction working with some of her older clients. “It’s incredible to see the difference in my active 60-plus year-old-members compared to women the same age who are sedentary. They are walking, hiking, cycling and living life to the fullest. Staying active keeps them strong, independent and thriving as they age. The best part is that it’s never too late to start!”
Shelley Rothstein, also a Ridgewood resident, has been a member of the group since last September. “I joined Jersey Women Strong to get back into running
after a 20-year hiatus. The training program was the perfect fit for me as an older runner. Dana is such a supportive coach, and the club members were so welcoming that I decided to continue even after I met my goal!”
Accountability is a focus, and it’s a group effort. Mary Adams of Ridgewood says that joining JWS two years after the birth of her son provided the accountability and motivation she needed: “One day, I was home thinking it was too cold to run outside. I scrolled the JWS Facebook group and saw photos and achievements of ladies who just finished their outdoor runs. Guess who did three miles in 17 degrees after reading those posts? Me!”
Left: Stephanie Ardito, Women’s Distance Festival 5K.
Above: Sue Blog, Linda Slobodow and Joan Lagomarsino at the Women’s Distance Festival 5K.
Community Service Makes a Collective Impact
Another essential component of the program is an emphasis on community service through charitable outreach. Members of the group have banded together to raise thousands of dollars for local organizations such as the Center for Hope and Safety (Hackensack) and Tomorrow’s Children Fund (Hackensack). Members meet monthly to pack lunches for ProjectKIND, a Newark outreach for people who are homeless, participate in food collections for local food pantries and donate toiletry items for Families for Families (Wyckoff) at the team’s Ugly Sweater Shuffle in December.
“Connecting with the community brings
us together in ways we never thought possible,” says Anello. “I believe each of us has the capacity to give back in some way, but sometimes, we just don’t know where to start. When we find those opportunities, it not only allows us to change the lives of others, but it sparks something within us too—a wave of compassion and shared humanity.”
Anello aims to connect the dots between these organizations and the women in her group. She says, “Many of our members are educated professionals, moms, non-moms or have retired from long, successful careers. They all have something to give back, and I believe the connections between these organizations and individual members are very valuable—that’s what I love about it!”
“Fitness is about more than an individual transformation—it’s about the collective impact. When women come together to support each other, they create ripples that extend beyond themselves. For me, the real measure of success and “health” isn’t just in miles run or weights lifted—it’s seeing women walk confidently in their bodies, lifting up each other and their communities. This is why I do what I do.”
For more information, check out www.jerseywomenstrong.com.
Kris Pepper is the editor of Ridgewood Magazine and has fond memories of Dana’s 5:30 a.m. spin class at the Wyckoff Y.
Above: Naomi Sullivan and Jen Proano making lunches for ProjectKIND. Right: Charli Labenda, making a Thanksgiving Meal Delivery to the Center for Hope and Safety.
Stepping Toward a Legacy
Ridgewood’s Irish Dance School has taught students since the early aughts, carrying a legacy of love, community and appreciation for the art.
Treating customers at Stone and Rail in Glen Rock to an Irish performance for St. Patrick’s celebrations.
BY KRIS PEPPER
Susan Daly Stanek’s passion for Irish dance lit up every room she entered. Susan grew up in the suburbs of Dublin, Ireland, and honed her skills at the O’Shea School, a leader in competitive Irish dancing. She came to the States in 1986, married, and eventually raised her family in Ridgewood.
Susan taught religious education classes at her church and motivated her students by promising to teach them a few Irish steps after a successful class session. Teaching dance took a giant leap from there, and Susan opened the Ridgewood Irish Dance School in 2003. What began as a small dream became a vibrant community where young dancers learned the intricate steps and rhythms of storied Irish heritage.
Susan’s daughter, Ashling, started out taking ballet lessons as a young child when Susan convinced her to try step dancing. “Growing up with dyslexia, Irish dancing helped me to orient my lefts and rights,” said Ashling. Drawn to its energy, Ashling soon converted to Irish
dancing from ballet—and she loved it. She was an avid student and developed a strong interest in the business and administration aspects of running the school.
“I was just a little kid, but I was very drawn to the business side of the school itself,” said Ashling. “Mom started including me in the conversations and decisions regarding the school. My parents embraced my involvement, and it became a family affair. When I went away to college, I even started a class there.”
After graduation, Ashling lived and worked in Manhattan and occasionally helped out at the school. However, a tragic accident led to Susan’s unexpected passing in 2021, which left a void in the hearts of her students and the community. But the legacy didn’t fade.
“Throughout the entire time my mom was in the hospital, my family and I found ways to keep the school running. We knew that would be important to my mom. We never missed classes throughout COVID
and decided to continue providing our students their classes as we dealt with the tragedy of our mother’s death.”
Before she passed, Susan was in the process of planning a big world qualifier. Ashling picked up where Susan left off and made it happen—a week after Susan was buried.
With her siblings committed to other life choices and careers and not living in the area, Ashling had a decision to make. Ashling carried the torch for the school by remaining in her position at NASDAQ while concurrently running the school. After a year of doing both, she decided to leave her job in Manhattan and carry on her mother’s vision. She now leads her students to embrace the love of the craft while honoring Susan’s dream and legacy.
Ashling says, “I always felt that I’d be involved in the school in some way, but that major life event made me realize how ingrained I was in the school—and in Irish dance itself. It’s second nature.”
Now, she’s the school’s director, accommodating 120 dancers aged 3 to 18, with most classes waitlisted. Ridgewood Irish Dance offers both competitive and non-competitive programs, and its dancers will appear throughout New York and New Jersey during the St. Patrick’s Day season.
All appearance fees are donated to the school’s booster foundation to fund other appearances, including a Broadway performance scheduled for this spring.
The programs offer great physicality, sport and a strong cultural connection to Irish heritage, incorporating Gaelic
culture, language and history. However, many of the students are not even Irish!
“The energy of Irish step dancing is the draw for most kids,” says Ashling. “It’s great for high-energy kids who don’t do well with ballet. The energy of the music and the dance style itself is fast and athletic—and many of my girls can’t get enough of the sparkly costumes!”
The best part for Ashling is watching the kids grow up before her eyes. “I love the kids; I always have. It’s fun seeing them achieve a move they’ve been working on, and I enjoy their friendships with each other. I’m grateful that the parents share their kids with me and that I can be a part of their dance journey.”
For mor information, visit ridgewoodirishdance.com.
This page, top: At Craftsman in Hawthorne on March 17, 2024. Dancers, back row left to right: Reagan Lane, Mia Olenick, Kelly Gill, Ellery Pfeil, Cecelia Boudreau, Riley McCourt. Middle row: Charlotte Smith, Libby Pfeil, Miller Crook. First row in truck: Abigail Boudreau, Ellie MacDonald, Payton Leventhal, Erica Ramierze, Avery McCormack, Reese Leventhal, Lilly Gordon. Front row standing: Olivia Hutchinson, Camillie Nitch, Addison Porod, Maeve Dorfler, Katherine Nitch, Angelina Diomede, Maureen Sweeney. “Driver”- Henry Rothman. Bottom left: A performance at a senior living center in March of 2024. Bottom center: Abigail Boudreau, 6, dances her reel at a senior living center. Bottom right: backline left to right Kelly Gill, Grace O’Donnell, Delaney Safro at a performance at MacMurphy’s in Ridgewood.
History of Ridgewood: Varian Fry
Raised in Ridgewood, this American journalist ran a rescue network in Vichy, France, that helped thousands of anti-Nazi and Jewish refugees escape persecution by Nazi Germany during World War II.
BY KRIS PEPPER
Varian Fry was born on Oct. 15, 1907, in Harlem, New York City. In 1910, his parents, Arthur and Lillian Fry, moved to 25 Richmond Ave., Ridgewood, New Jersey. Fry’s early school years were spent at the Monroe Street School (now George Washington). Growing up in Ridgewood, he enjoyed bird watching and reading.
In 1922, he entered The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, a prestigious private boarding school; however, he left the institution at the end of 1924 because he found that the hazing rituals at the school were intolerable. He completed his high school education at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx in 1926 and later attended Harvard. His parents remained in Ridgewood until 1951.
After graduating from Harvard as a classicist, Fry became an editor in New York
City and worked as a foreign correspondent for the American Journal, “The Living Age.” Fry visited Berlin in 1935 and personally witnessed Nazi abuse of Jews, which turned him into an ardent anti-Nazi. He is quoted as saying: “I could not remain idle as long as I had any chances at all of saving even a few of its intended victims.”
World War II broke out, and the Nazi regime defeated France in June 1940. German troops occupied the northern and western areas of France, but the southeastern region, Vichy, remained nominally independent. However, its government was obligated to surrender all German citizens upon demand. Tens of thousands of refugees from Nazi Germany and elsewhere fled to Vichy, mostly ending up in Marseilles, which was rife with refugees
Fry volunteered with the Emergency Rescue Committee and was assigned a three-week visit to France to report on the conditions of the refugees, help endangered people escape to Portugal or Morocco and identify individuals who could help the cause of the ERC. Fry spent 13 months directing a bold, high-risk refugeesmuggling network that helped anti-Nazi and Jewish refugees—mostly artists and intellectuals—escape from persecution by Nazi Germany during World War II.
As a result of his tireless efforts, Fry and his colleagues saved some of the most famous artists and authors of this century, including Max Ernst, Marc Chagall, Hannah Arendt, Andre Breton, Marcel Duchamp, Franz Werfel, Jacques Lipchitz, Lion Feuchtwanger, Heinrich Mann, Hans
Sahl, Wilfredo Lam, Walter Mehring, Otto Meyerhoff and Alma Mahler.
Altogether, Fry and his colleagues helped to save around 2,000 lives during World War II. In 1945, Fry wrote a book about his operations in France titled, “Surrender on Demand.” In 1967, he published a memoir of his days in Marseilles, “Assignment Rescue.”
Fry has been honored in the U.S., Israel and France. In 1991, 24 years after his death in 1967, Fry received his first official recognition from a United States agency, the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. In 1996, he was named “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Heroes and Martyrs Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem. He was the first American recipient of Israel’s highest honor for rescuers during the Holocaust.
Recognition in Ridgewood
Over the years, the Village of Ridgewood has honored Fry numerous times for his life-saving efforts. The Committee to Honor Varian Fry sponsored a Holocaust Memorial Museum traveling exhibit from Nov. 3 to Dec. 16, 2001, which was installed in the Ridgewood Public Library auditorium. In 2002, a photograph of Fry describing his work was exhibited at the Library, and the Varian Fry Humanitarian Scholarship was established. This scholarship is awarded each year to a senior student at Ridgewood High School based on their demonstrated ability to recognize a humanitarian need and to make a difference through their actions.
On June 26, 2005, Ridgewood dedicated a portion of South Monroe Street as Varian Fry Way. The same year, a street in the newly
reconstructed East/West Berlin Wall area in the Berlin borough of Mitte at Potsdamer Platz was named Varian-Fry-Straße in recognition of his work. Then, in October 2007, Ridgewood commemorated the 100th anniversary of Fry’s birthday with a plaque dedicated to him, which is on display at the entrance of the library patio.
Fry’s humanitarian efforts and the commemorations of his deeds can be found in the resources available at the Ridgewood Public Library.
For more Varian Fry: Fry was featured in an episode of Ken Burn’s documentary “The US and the Holocaust,” as well as the Netflix series “Transatlantic,” which was based on Julie Orringer’s novel “The Flight Portfolio.”
Opposite page, left: Varian Fry, date of photo unknown. Right:
A class photo from Monroe Street School, (now George Washington). Varian Fry is the 4th child from the left on the bottom row.
This page: The Ridgewood Library and Bolger Center office and archives.
Take a Sip at MacMurphy’s Pub
Sitting down with the managers who run Ridgewood’s beloved local bar.
We’ve all passed by thousands of times. MacMurphy’s is the little pub tucked into the corner bend of Godwin Avenue on the downtown’s west side. With St. Paddy’s Day on the horizon, we thought there was no better time to learn about this classic hangout. We chatted with owner Eileen Gilsenan and her daughter, Kayleigh Klein, the two hands-on managers who run the show.
How long have you owned MacMurphy’s?
Kayleigh: Our family bought the pub in July 1988—37 years!
What’s it like to manage a familyowned business?
Kayleigh: When you own a family, no one is not involved. My sister, Madison, is an event planner who helps with all of our special events. My brother, Kieran, works with my uncle at Gilsenan Real Estate, but he always pitches in during our busy times.
Let me guess—is St. Patrick’s Day your busiest day of the year?
Kayleigh: Absolutely. St. Patrick’s Day is all hands on deck for our family. We are also very busy on the 4th of July and Thanksgiving Eve. The day before Thanksgiving is a true “homecoming”— so many people who grew up in Ridgewood return and visit the pub for a bit of nostalgia.
Longtime residents will know this one—what was the pub called before you bought it?
Eileen: It was the Wilsey Pub since around 1961. Originally, it was a men’s haberdashery.
INTERVIEW WITH EILEEN GILSENAN AND HER DAUGHTER KAYLEIGH KLEIN
How has the pub transformed over the years under your ownership?
Kayleigh: We intentionally made it a community with a friendly atmosphere— like “Cheers.” We have loyal customers who visit us regularly. People feel at home here—seniors, twenty-somethings, middleagers and young couples all are attracted to the community feel here. I wanted it to be a place where I was comfortable bringing my daughter, Parker.
We have a promotion where kids eat free on Mondays. It’s so great to see families come and just let their kids be kids. Everyone has fun. In the warmer weather, we put cornhole and games outside, too.
MacMurphy’s is open every day except Easter Sunday. People call us on Christmas to see if we are open because it’s a great place for people to hang out if they don’t have family nearby.
How did you manage during the pandemic?
Kayleigh: My mom was here every day. She stained the floors, painted the walls and refinished tables when we couldn’t be open, and we sold lots of gift cards. As soon as we were allowed to reopen, we didn’t close. We developed the outdoor space and started hiring live bands, which was a hit. Now, we have live music two days a week outdoors, and the tent is up from March through December.
What are some favorites on the menu?
Kayleigh: Chicken pot pie is my grandmother’s recipe and a best seller, and customers love our beef and Guinness stew.
Eileen: We also offer Guinness pub wings, crab cakes, fish and chips and corned beef cabbage—this year, we are ordering 600
pounds of corned beef for St. Patrick’s weekend. I get the fresh cut, and it’s very lean. I only use the best ingredients to make sure every dish is delicious.
What can we look forward to on St. Patrick’s Day weekend?
Kayleigh: We partner with the Jig Factory dancers from the Ridgewood Irish Dance School. It’s become quite an event. We started taking reservations in January. Since it’s a Monday this year, we are celebrating Saturday, Sunday and Monday—complete with bagpipers, too!
The connections and friendships built at MacMurphy’s truly embody the Irish proverb, “May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.” Stop in for a pint and stay for a bit! Learn more at macmurphys.com.
Remember the Ladies
March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate, we’ve chosen books to herald the often-unsung accomplishments of women throughout history.
BY LORRI STEINBACHER
FICTION
The Only Woman in the Room
by Marie Benedict
Legendary actress Hedy Lamarr was more than just a pretty face. Having escaped an abusive marriage to a German arms dealer, Lamarr embarks on a career as one of the most well-known actresses of the 1930s, but she never forgets the sensitive information carelessly revealed at Vienna dinner parties, when she was often the only woman in the room. With World War II in full swing, Lamarr embarks on another career—inventor. With the help of a composer friend, she develops a radio-communication device that could help the Navy win the war. Read any title by Marie Benedict for more tales of women lost to history.
Our Woman in Moscow by
Beatriz Williams
A cold war thriller based loosely on the Cambridge Five, a ring of spies who passed information to Russia during and right after World War II as the Cold War ramped up. It is 1948, and Iris Digby mysteriously disappears from London. Four years later, Iris’s estranged sister receives a postcard from her, and she heads to the Soviet Union under an assumed identity to try to extract Iris and her family from behind the Iron Curtain.
The Lioness of Boston
by Emily Franklin
Follow Isabella Gardner, the first woman to open a museum in the United States, as she is rejected by Boston society. Follow her journey as she embarks on a life of art, ideas and letters from London to Paris to Egypt and discovers a mission to make art accessible to the public.
Circling the Sun by Paula
McLain
Beryl Markham, who grew up on the plains of Africa, becomes the first woman horse trainer, and later, a daring pilot. Learn how Beryl becomes who she is meant to be through turbulent love affairs and changing times.
NONFICTION
Founding Mothers by
Cokie Roberts
We all know the stories about our Founding Fathers, but what about the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters they left behind? As the men were off fighting the Revolutionary War, there were an untold number of women fighting the same war on the home front, in ways both big and small, but with definite impact on the success of the war.
Sharp: The Women Who Made an Art of Having an Opinion by Michelle
Dean
Sharp women are those with strong opinions who aren’t afraid to share them, women like Dorothy Parker, Rebecca West, Hannah Arendt, Mary McCarthy, Susan Sontag, Pauline Kael, Joan Didion, Nora Ephron, Renata Adler and Janet Malcolm. Dean examines how these women asserted themselves through their writing despite having to navigate the condescension of the male-dominated cultural establishment.
The Girls of Atomic City by
Denise Kiernan
Oak Ridge, Tennessee was a town specifically created to support The Manhattan Project as it built the atomic bomb. The Girls of Atomic City tells the story of how tens of thousands of ordinary American citizens, many of them women, helped build the bomb without ever specifically knowing the impact they would have and its long-lasting effect on their lives and the lives of others.
Hidden Figures
by Margot Lee Shetterly
Did you know that Black female mathematicians played a crucial role in America’s space program movement? Segregated from their white coworkers, these women helped write the equations that would eventually send a man to walk on the moon. Also a film starring Taraji P. Henderson and Octavia Spencer.
Recommended by Lorri Steinbacher, Director of the Ridgewood Public Library and facilitator of the Book Circle and Cover 2 Cover book groups at the library.
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