A STYLIST’S MAKEOVER PHYLLIS CORTESE TURNING CHAOS INTO CALM NEAT FREAKS HOME TASTES OF COLOMBIA AT CAFETALES
Nicki
Appreciating Our Town
As the sun-drenched days of summer continue, we invite you to unwind, take a few minutes to relax and read all about a few people and places that make Tenafly special. Meet Nakia GriffinStewart, a former high school, college and professional football player from town whose journey reflects determination and accomplishment—not just on the field but beyond it.
Step into the world of home organization with Neat Freaks, where practicality meets elegance in every tidy corner.
And discover the vibrant pulse of Tenafly’s newest shop, Salon 201.
Each story provides a little glimpse into the uniqueness and character of our community—and appreciation for this place we love so much. We hope you enjoy the remaining days of your summer of ’24, and we encourage you to share your ideas and suggestions for making Tenafly magazine even better going forward. Contact me today at hello@tenaflymagazine.com.
Gina Palmieri Publisher
Publisher Gina Palmieri
Local Editor
Jenna Demmer
Art Director
Sue Park
Writers
Erin Demmer
Christiana Maimone
Michael Pilla
Raina Wallens
Gabrielle Walters
Mark Zinna
Photographers
Brian Marcus
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
Executive Editor
Richard Laliberte
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
Tenafly magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Tenafly, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH BY ALYSON BARROW
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Festivities—and a Vote
Tenafly’s mayor highlights happenings in our local community.
BY MARK ZINNA
The 10th annual Tenafly Community night is Tuesday, September 10. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., come on down to the police, fire and ambulance corps complex on Riveredge Road and enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, amusement rides, a DJ, local businesses, emergency service demonstrations, giveaways and, this year, a Biergarten Fundraiser for the PBA. Community Night is free to all residents. Thank you to the Tenafly Police Department and the Recreation Department for sponsoring and organizing this annual community celebration.
There are still a few more free concerts to enjoy in our 2024 Summer Concert series. Come on down to Huyler Park and bring your lawn chair. Some shows include the Van Martin Sinatra tribute band on August 13, drummer Richard Baratta’s Gotham City Latin Jazz Septet on August 20, the Screaming Orphans with Irish pop and folk on August 22, the world music of Soul Farm on August 27 and, for the finale, the Motown and R&B of the Gentlemen of Soul on September 3. All shows start at 7 p.m.
Please vote and support the upcoming Tenafly Public Schools referendum. The TPS Board of Education unanimously voted to put a $76 million proposal on a special September 17 ballot. That formal step came after the state committed to contribute $16.5 million toward those costs. After that state aid is factored in, the local property tax impact is estimated at about $881 per year for 20 years for a home assessed at Tenafly’s average of $839,023. For details, visit tenaflyschools.org/vote.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer!
Reasons for a Referendum
The Board of Education president explains a proposed measure to improve Tenafly public schools.
BY ERIN DEMMER
Tenafly is known for its wonderful school system—but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. That’s why the Board of Education has presented a bond referendum focused on the repair, renovation and renewal of our schools.
The work is estimated to cost approximately $76 million. Residents can vote on whether to allow the school district to borrow funds by selling bonds, which will be paid back
gradually with property taxes.
Some of the proposed improvements are to enhance the schools’ architectural quality, class instruction and athletic programs. The referendum will be held on September 17, and residents can also vote by mail.
We reached out to Jocelyn Schwarz, president of the Tenafly Board of Education, for more information.
What are the goals of the referendum and why are they necessary?
We built this list and worked to make sure there was something for everyone in the community and for every school level. Our buildings range from 50 to 100 years old; they need attention. We pride ourselves in Tenafly on high achievement, quality instruction and programming. Our facilities should reflect those high standards, and right now they fall short.
INTERVIEW WITH JOCELYN SCHWARZ
Can you explain some changes proposed by the Board of Education?
We focused on matters such as safety and security improvements, HVAC, restrooms, roofing and windows. We’re also addressing instructional needs for flexible spaces to meet our growing needs for small group instruction, including for special education students and gifted and talented programs.
We’re expanding the middle school cafeteria. We have improvements planned for our athletic facilities and flood mitigation at Smith School. We will be able to increase community access to our walking tracks by resurfacing the track at Geisinger and adding another walking track behind the high school. We also will be adding public restrooms by the high school field and at Geisinger that are ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliant.
For more information, visit tenaflyschools.org/vote or follow Tenafly Schools on Facebook, Instagram or X.
How will these changes affect students in Tenafly?
We would have two stage entrances at every school building, which will provide added security. New roofs will hopefully mitigate leaks.
Expanding the middle school cafeteria will allow the students to eat with all of their friends, so each grade will only have one lunch period instead of two. That will be better for the student experience because they will not need to rush to eat their food.
The new field house in the plans will be much larger to accommodate the real number of athletes we have and allow our female athletes to have their own space.
How will the referendum benefit the broader Tenafly community?
People like to walk on the track in our community, and that will be increased. This work would also free up to 30 hours a week of playing time for our recreation program. That is for our borough programs and for our young kids—even middle school kids who are in Tenafly but not in the public school system. We want people to feel pride when they play games, when they go visit the track or when our community members come into our auditoriums for various productions and plays. We have enhancements planned for both middle school and high school auditoriums that are much needed.
Erin Demmer is a freelance writer living in Bergen County. She is also a clinical mental health counseling student who is passionate about helping others.
‘Anything Is Possible’
Tenafly native Nakia Griffin-Stewart seized on his opportunities— and reached the NFL and beyond.
BY MICHAEL PILLA
You may know Nakia Griffin-Stewart from Rutgers football and even the NFL. What you may not know is that he honed his skills right here in Tenafly.
Griffin-Stewart started life in Cliffside Park, the only son of Nicole Griffin, then a 20-year-old single mother. She has always had an unwavering belief in him, supporting his goals no matter what. “When you are showered by a mother’s love, anything is possible,” he says.
When Griffin-Stewart was 12, an immigrant from Jamaica named Rotell Stewart came into his life and would ultimately become his stepfather. The family soon moved to Tenafly for a better life and to give young Nakia more opportunities. “The best thing about growing up in Tenafly is the community—how close I am with my
classmates,” says Griffin-Stewart.
His mom pushed him into playing football when he entered high school. She was definitely on to something, as he quickly made a name for himself. A two-way player on offense and defense, he lined up at tight end, outside linebacker, receiver, defensive end and safety. He also played center on the basketball team and ran track in the 100- and 200-meter dash.
“I always dreamed of playing professional football but didn’t have any family or friends who played at a Division I college level, let alone in the NFL,” says Griffin-Stewart. “It seemed unattainable until my sophomore year, when I began to have success on the field and surrounded myself with likeminded friends. I started to see that my dreams could possibly become reality.”
Aiming High
In his senior year, 2014, Griffin-Stewart was named First Team All-Group III on defense, totaling 62 tackles, 15 for loss, seven sacks, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles and a safety.
On offense that year, he caught 52 receptions for 509 receiving yards and three touchdowns. In his final game, he had two catches for 70 yards and recorded three sacks and four pancake blocks. Selected for the 2014 New Jersey/ New York Nike Football Training Camp and Rivals Camp Series in Piscataway, he was a consensus three-star recruit and was rated the No. 1 tight end in New Jersey by Scout and the No. 12 tight end nationally by ESPN.
At a friend’s suggestion, GriffinStewart compiled a highlight video. Unbeknownst to Griffin-Stewart, the friend showed the reel to a scout. To his surprise, Griffin-Stewart received a scholarship to Rutgers University. Soon, he received scholarship offers from other
Division I schools, including Penn State and Ohio State.
In 2015, Griffin-Stewart honored his commitment and played the next three years at Rutgers. Before the start of that first season, he surprised and honored the man who changed his life by taking his stepfather’s last name and proudly wearing it on his jersey.
In his senior year, he transferred to the University of Pittsburgh to improve his chances in the NFL draft. Though he wasn’t drafted, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad but was cut at the end of training camp. This started a three-year string of signings with the Packers, Giants, Chiefs, Browns and Colts.
His best year was 2021, when he played the entire season with the Kansas City Chiefs and their iconic quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Unfortunately, that was not a Super Bowl year, as the Chiefs lost the AFC Championship game to the Bengals.
Griffin-Stewart’s NFL career ended in 2022 when the Colts released him. “NFL players spend 70 percent of their lives playing football, and when it’s over, it’s over like that,” Griffin-Stewart says, snapping his fingers. “For the first time, I wasn’t on an NFL roster. I researched different career paths, considering what life would be like beyond the game and deciding what direction to take.”
Still a Team Player
He got his real estate license and is brokered by Prestige Property Group–Montclair as a New Jersey Realtor. He also runs his own real estate company, NGS Real Estate, which serves the needs of NFL players in New Jersey.
Looking to contribute off the field, GriffinStewart was determined to find a position at NFL corporate headquarters. Through sheer persistence, he was granted an interview and hired. He began working for the NFL in 2023 in two capacities: as a legal associate for the NFL Management Council and as an operations coordinator for the NFL Player Care Foundation.
According to Paul Blalock, Head of NFL Player Benefits and Executive Director of Player Care Foundation, Griffin-Stewart immediately attracted attention. “As a legal associate/operations coordinator, Nakia has been invaluable to our team,” Blalock says. “He is a strategic and innovative thinker who has jumped in with seasoned team members and worked collaboratively on a system that helps us better respond to former players. He is the perfect team player.”
Always looking to the future, Griffin-Stewart is getting an MBA to better understand business and prepare for an executive position within the NFL. He is going places.
Griffin-Stewart’s concern for helping others extends well beyond his NFL family. “I am big into community service and philanthropy,” he says. “I have been blessed to see my truest childhood dream come true by playing in the NFL. Because of that, I feel as if I am forever obligated to help others understand they can achieve their dreams regardless of their life’s circumstances.”
Looking back at the influence the town of Tenafly has had on his life, Nakia notes, “Tenafly allowed me to become a first-generation college student, a professional athlete and a successful business professional. I will be forever indebted to Tenafly.”
Michael Pilla is a branding/digital marketing creative director, the founder of Pilla Creative Marketing and the author of “You Oughta Be in Business: A Humorous Guide for the SelfEmployed.”
PHOTOGRAPH BY TRISTAN DUVERGLAS
A Stylist’s Makeover
Phyllis Cortese was already well established when she decided to strike out on her own with the new Salon 201.
BY CHRISTIANA MAIMONE
Look out, Tenafly—there’s a brand-new hair salon in town.
Just three months ago, Salon 201 opened up on West Railroad Avenue. It is owned by hairstylist Phyllis Cortese, who has been cutting hair for decades. Whether you need styling for an upcoming event or just need a trim, Salon 201 has you covered.
Cortese worked in the restaurant business for many years, but in her 30s, she discovered a love of styling hair.
“I loved art, and my friends were all hairdressers
in Manhattan,” she says. “I used to sit and stare at [them working], and I’d be like, ‘I could do that.’” So she decided to make the switch and go to hairstyling school.
While going to school, she both ran her mother’s restaurant and started working in Fort Lee, training with several mentors, including bigname hairstylists.
Cortese opened up her own business doing hair in Fort Lee with a partner. “But I felt very stuck,” she says. “I felt like I wasn’t growing and decided to go out on my own.”
After years of working at a salon in Fort Lee with a partner, Phyllis Cortese decided to go solo with her own shop.
began her professional life in the restaurant business but discovered a love of hairstyling while in her 30s, learning the art through formal training and mentorship.
Cortese
Going Solo
After working in Fort Lee for many years, Cortese determined that it was time to achieve her longtime goal of owning her very own salon.
She opened Salon 201 in Tenafly and business has been booming. “I love every bit of it,” she says. “It’s small, it’s young. I’m in a great location. It’s got everything. I like that there are so many small businesses in town.”
Cortese prides herself on her creativity and her accommodation of clients. She offers consultations and sets her prices based on each client’s needs. Being open-minded and considerate is most important to her and, in her opinion, sets her salon apart.
“I find that being accommodating and not taking it for granted is the key,” she says. “If you don’t evolve, then the job is boring. For me, it’s a piece of art. Everybody’s an artist. [A hair style] might not be your vision, but it can be somebody else’s.”
With hair, it’s important to think outside the box when it comes to new
styles, Cortese says. “It’s up to you to really educate yourself and stay current,” she explains. She loves teaching her staff along with holding classes and seminars.
A Spirit of Generosity
Now in her 60s, Cortese stresses the importances of teaching and mentoring younger generations.
“I feel education and teaching the youth is important,” she says. “I never forget my mentor. I still talk to him and I took it upon myself to network.”
Cortese enjoys networking with other local businesses and salons. She also enjoys giving back when she can, providing free haircuts at town events. She works with the Tenafly Senior Center and offers members half-price cuts on Mondays. “You don’t give, you don’t get,” says Cortese.
Salon 201 is located at 22 West Railroad Avenue in Tenafly. You can call the shop at 201-627-8011, email salon201tenaflynj@gmail.com or check out the salon on Instagram @ salon201tenafly.
Christiana Maimone is a freelance writer based in Hoboken.
Turning Chaos
Into Calm
Nicki Naidrich and Lauren Tutundgy of Neat Freaks Home bring order to living spaces one closet at a time.
BY GABRIELLE WALTERS
Let’s face it: We could all be a bit more organized in our homes.
You’ve likely found yourself scrolling through social media, bombarded by images of perfectly labeled spice cabinets and closets so well organized that they look staged. You may have wondered, “How do they possibly get everything so neat?”
Well, they may have had help from our very own Tenafly residents Nicki Naidrich and Lauren Tutundgy, who own a specialty business called Neat Freaks Home.
Before helping Bergen County residents elegantly organize homes and offices, Naidrich and Tutundgy both had a passion for organizing. They met
through their children and discovered that they are both self-proclaimed neat freaks. This shared passion for organization led them to establish their business in 2017.
Their goal is to provide professional organizational services and staging for homes, offices and relocations.
Organizing helps clients save time, improve the appearance of a home, increase focus and be calm. These skills
have helped Naidrich and Tutundgy succeed in their own lives as well.
In a world filled with packed schedules, endless to-do lists and everyday clutter, Naidrich and Tutundgy find peace through order.
“When I come home, even if things are out of their place, knowing that they have a place provides a sense of calm for me,” says Tutundgy.
Masters of Moving
The duo understands the psychological benefits of leading a more organized life, and that realization has pushed them to serve the tristate area for the last seven years.
With their longstanding passion for a clutter-free life, both women have applied their organizational skills in their other business ventures as well.
Tutundgy is a practicing pediatric speech pathologist who began organizing play spaces to provide order for easily distracted clients. Naidrich, who is a licensed realtor, has helped clients organize their homes to prepare for sale. Together, they have found their niche in move-ins.
Moving is a daunting task that many people dread. Home organizing companies like Neat Freaks Home carry the load of managing your belongings so that you can focus on everything else.
“It can be unbelievably
overwhelming [to move],” says Tutundgy. “We allow the client to be as involved or uninvolved as they want to be. We’re very happy to give them small tasks to conquer.”
The duo’s goal is to make all items readily accessible so that finding belongings is done quickly and efficiently. When helping clients settle into a home, items are organized in a way so that “anyone coming into their home—[whether they’re someone] who resides there or doesn’t—would know where everything goes,” says Naidrich.
Helping clients list a home has been a fulfilling aspect of their work. “We have been working with a lot of top real estate agents to help their clients prepare their home for listing,” Naidrich says. “We have found that it helps the agent show the house faster—without the high cost of stagers—and helps the homeowner begin the process of purging, donating and packing [their belongings].”
Learning to Let Go
When it comes to clutter in a home, Naidrich and Tutundgy have found that many clients struggle to let go of personal items—some of the most difficult being children’s art projects.
If you are also struggling with this, they have some tips for you. The first is to “purge when you’re ready and give to family members,” says Tutundgy. “You will feel like it found a different home—just not yours.” The twosome also suggests taking a photo of the art so you can hold onto the memory without holding onto the physical item.
They credit label makers, clear plastic bins and sorting similar items together as some of the best ways to maintain order in the home.
When discussing when it’s best to part with other miscellaneous items,
Tutundgy says she knows it’s time to part ways “when it no longer brings you joy or you haven’t used it in a while.”
When Naidrich and Tutundgy aren’t keeping Bergen County organized, you can find them playing pickleball, exercising and spending time with family.
Both women have been a part of the Tenafly community for the last 20 years and sent their children through the Tenafly school system. “I love the community we’ve made,” Naidrich says. “It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.”
Because these women are such experts at compartmentalizing, you may be wondering about their stance on the infamous junk drawer. Don’t worry: When asked, the duo both agreed that we’re all entitled to one.
Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.
Flavors of Colombia
At Cafetales Coffee, Juan Vengoechea and Claudia Correa provide Tenafly and nearby communities with one of their homeland’s richest treasures.
BY RAINA WALLENS
Cafetales Coffee might be 100 percent Colombian coffee, but it’s also completely the brainchild of husband-and-wife Tenafly residents Juan Vengoechea and Claudia Correa.
The idea to create a coffee brand first struck Vengoechea when an importer remarked that most people associated Italy, not Colombia, with coffee culture.
Proud native Colombians, Vengoechea and Correa—who had drunk coffee out of their baby bottles—could not believe that Colombia wasn’t top-of-mind.
“That created a passion in us to demonstrate the quality of Colombian coffee,” Vengoechea explains.
Beginning a Business
“We decided to go to Colombia and visit a couple of farms,” Vengoechea says. “We wanted to learn as much as possible”.
He and Correa fell in love with the beauty of the farms and people involved as well as the smooth, rich coffee that beans from the farms produced. When they brought sample bags back to the
United States, store managers were equally enamored.
Vengoechea and Correa found a company to source, roast and package the beans, and in 2018, Cafetales Coffee was born.
Tenafly Gourmet was the first store to stock the coffee, and to this day it sells the most out of any store. “People in this town really support us!” Correa says.
In many ways, Cafetales sold itself—just opening a bag and inhaling the scent is a treat. A 100 percent Colombian product is unusual for supermarkets—many bigname brands are blends.
Unlike most coffee producers, Cafetales roasts its beans in Colombia rather than the U.S., even though it’s more expensive to do so. “We pay more but we leave it in Colombia, for the community,” Correa explains.
A Needed Kick
After successfully growing the business for four years, Vengoechea and Correa noticed a decline in quality. In a defining
Raina Wallens is a writer based in Tenafly. She enjoys a freshly-brewed cup of Cafetales almost every morning.
moment, they decided to take control of the entire process, sourcing the beans themselves from a single farm in Colombia and personally overseeing every stage.
The result is a standout coffee that’s even more distinct because of its single-farm origin—a fact that’s not lost on customers.
“The managers at the stores are happy because the product is selling more now,” Correa says. Plus, she and Vengoechea now give directly to the Colombian farmers, which they find gratifying.
And they could choose no better place to have introduced Cafetales than Tenafly, with its vibrant multicultural community.
“We have met people from all over the world in Tenafly,” says Correa. “We love it.”
Cafetales Coffee can be found in 50 stores throughout New York and New Jersey, and locally in Tenafly Gourmet and Healthway. For more information, visit https:// cafetalescoffeeco.
com or scan this code.
Juan Vengoechea (right, at left) and Claudia Correa source their coffee from a single farm in their native Colombia, working directly with in-country workers to grow and roast beans.
OCTOBER 10, 2024
6-9 PM
Edgewood Country Club, River Vale, NJ
10 Tips for a Healthy Trip
How you and your family can stay well while on the move
When warm weather comes, the urge to travel can be strong. But many experienced wanderers can remember trips that were marred by ill-timed bouts of sickness, not to mention the stress inherent with leaving home for extended excursions. Here are expert tips for how you and your family can stay healthier on the road.
1 KEEP CALM AND MAKE A LIST. If you’re stressed or anxious about travel (or simply want to ensure you don’t forget something essential), create a checklist and plan ahead. Don’t leave anything for the last minute.
2 LOOK INTO YOUR LODGING. Most places provide public information about how they clean their rooms and what their sanitization practices are.
3 PACK A SMALL FIRST-AID KIT. Include adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes, gauze and over-the-counter medications you may need, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin), along with medications for motion sickness and allergies.
4 REMEMBER YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE CARDS. Also carry a list of current medications, medical conditions, vaccination status and your treating physicians.
5PLAN FOR VIRTUAL CARE.
It’s a good idea to find out whether your primary care physician offers telehealth in case you need a doctor while you’re away and you’d prefer to speak with your regular provider. Visit your online patient portal if you have one or call your doctor’s office for details.
6 GET VACCINATED. Consider inoculations not only for COVID-19 but also for diseases that are prevalent at your destination. Find advice from the U.S. State Department at www.travel. state.gov and from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www. cdc.gov/travel. Regulations can change at any time, so it’s best to do this right before you leave.
7 WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN.
This was a very important step long before the pandemic era, and it continues to be an essential health practice. Research shows that handwashing results in significant reductions in cases of diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.
8 STAY HYDRATED. Use bottled water if you’re traveling out of the country.
9 MOVE AROUND ON LONG RIDES. Staying in the same position for hours at a time can bring the risk of swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the body’s tissues. Stretch and take walking breaks, and consider wearing compression socks or stockings.
10 PRACTICE GOOD SLEEP HYGIENE. When on the road, have a routine, maintain a comfortable environment and refrain from eating or drinking three hours before bed. Don’t take sleep aids unless you’ve done so before and know what side effects they have on your body.
Savoring Summer
This charming group of friends (with a parental assist) headed to Build Your Yogurt to share treats and laughs on a hot summer day.
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