Nutley Journal - June 2023

NUTLEYJOURNAL

EC writing winners

Relay for Life lights up DeMuro Park

Joe Ungaro Editor

More than $66,000 was raised at the 17th Annual Relay For Life held in DeMuro Park to benefit the American Cancer Society.

“We had a big crowd,” said Halle Baker of the American Cancer Society. “It was an amazing event. A lot of teams showed up this year. It was our first year back after the pandemic so it was nice to see everyone there.”

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Honoring the fallen

More than 250 people participated, some in teams, others in small groups or on their own, during the May 19 event that ran from 6 to 11:30 p.m.

“Dayna Hess was the event lead this year,” Baker said. “She was amazing, getting everyone back together. It was a beautiful event.”

Relay For Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in local communities in 20 countries.

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Rowing to success

As the American Cancer Society's most successful fundraiser and the organization's signature event, the mission of Relay For Life is to raise funds to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer, and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their caretakers, according to a press release about the event.

The Nutley Relay For Life event is organized under a volunteer Relay Committee and implemented by volunteers. Currently, 4 million people take part in Relay events in 5,000 communities in the United States. It is estimated that Relay For Life events have raised $5 billion to date, with an incredible $1.45 million raised in Nutley since 2007, the release said.

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The evening was filled with remembrance for those affected by cancer as participants walked the DeMuro Park track filled with luminaria bags and other unique features.

Volunteers organize a variety of fundraising activities and actions throughout the year, ranging from small events to the signature Relay event on May 19, in which racers can participate as an individual or as a team.

“Relay for Life is not just an event; it has become a household name here in Nutley,” said Township Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci, who has been involved with the event since its beginnings.

In recognition of his many years of service, Tucci was given the Nutley Relay for Life Eternal Flame.

"He has learned so many life lessons as a caregiver," Relay for Life Chairperson Dayna Hess said in her introduction, "but his passion for a cure started long before cancer struck his own home. He has poured his heart and soul into this project year in and year out for 17 years. What better way to say thank you than by honoring him here tonight."

The Eternal Flame Award was estab-

lished to honor, remember, and recognize a special person in each of three individual categories; Caregiver, Survivor, and Memory.

"I'm not usually at a loss for words," Tucci said. "But I am at a loss for words. This movement was never about me. And it never should be. It's about all of you and all of us together doing everything that we can do to fight this dreaded disease.”

NUTLEY — Department of Revenue and Finance Commissioner Thomas J. Evans recently put out a notice encouraging residents to be aware of the township's codes and zoning laws, particularly in regard to yard and property maintenance.

“This is an extremely busy time of year for our department,” Evans said. “The more informed our residents are, the easier it is for us to help them.”

Evans said the Township Code Book is available as a reference tool on the Nutley website (www.nutleynj.org) and can be consulted at any time.

Photos by David VanDeventer

A Relay for Life was held for the 17th time in Nutley at Demuro Park. The event raises money for the American Cancer Society but also provides support to cancer survivors and their caretakers. Additional event images appear on Pages 10 and 11.

Nutley issues reminder to residents about rules for property maintenance

Nutley Department of Revenue and Finance Commissioner Thomas J. Evans recently put out a notice encouraging residents to be aware of the township's codes and zoning laws, particularly in regard to

yard and property maintenance.

Evans said the Township Code Book is available as a reference tool on the Nutley website at nutleynj.org.

“We want to encourage residents to use

AARP offering driver safety class in Nutley

NUTLEY — A low-cost driver safety class that could lead to an insurance discount is being offered at the Nutley Amvets Building at 184 Park Ave. on Wednesday, June 7.

The AARP Smart Driver course teaches valuable defensive driving strategies and provides a refresher of the rules of the road, according to a press release from the township, which said the class will be taught by a trained AARP Driver Safety volunteer.

Since 1979, the course has helped more than 20 million drivers learn researchbased tips to adapt their driving to compensate for physical and cognitive changes that may occur with aging, the release said.

The course has also been recently updated with new content to ensure New Jersey drivers are equipped with the most up-to-date information for driving in the state. Drivers may also qualify for a multi-year automobile insurance discount after completing the course, and are encouraged to contact their auto insurance agent for details.

The one-day class begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. There will be a 30-minute break for lunch at noon; attendees should bring lunch and a beverage to the class. Attendees are asked to arrive no later than 8:45 a.m.

The fee for the course is $20 for AARP members, and $25 for non-members. Make checks payable to AARP. Members will need to write their membership number on the check, and bring their membership card to the class.

Only exact cash will be accepted at the door. Attendees must bring their driver's license to class, and must sign a COVID waiver form in order to take the class. Masks are optional.

Pre-registration is necessary and class size is limited. Course is open to all drivers, regardless of age. To register, please contact the Nutley Department of Public Affairs at 973-284-4976.

this site which can be accessed any time of day or night,” Evans said.

Property maintenance is an issue that comes up most often, according to David Berry of the Code Enforcement Department.

All property owners are responsible for keeping their property in good order, to the extent that it does not detract from or become an eyesore within the neighborhood. Residents should cut their grass regularly and keep it free of leaves, branches, and other debris, Evans said.

Retaining walls, fences and sheds must be kept structurally sound and free from defects and damage. Residents are responsible for maintaining the area of grass within 10 feet of the street, in front of their property or, if it is a corner property, on the front and side of their property.

Garage sales are popular during this time of year. The Township ordinance allows a property owner to host one garage sale per year. Permits are $10. Posting of garage sale signs on telephone poles or trees is not allowed. Directional signs are allowed, but cannot be located in the street or on a public right-of-way. All signage must be removed by the end of the day.

The commissioner also said that most construction and exterior projects require a zoning permit and inspection. This includes fences, retaining walls, decks, patios, driveways, pools/replacement pools, and sheds. It is recommended that residents contact the code

enforcement department to ensure they receive correct information on permit requirements.

“We have experienced an increasing trend where attics, basements/cellars and garages are being converted into a prohibited living space, such as a bedroom or a dwelling unit,” Berry said. “Generally, there are multiple zoning, construction code and life safety issues associated with converting these areas into a living space. As such, they are generally prohibited under our code. If a resident is considering converting these areas into livable space, they should contact us before they attempt to make any alterations. Our office would be more than happy to help.”

Finally, there has been an increase in interest by some residents in operating parts of their homes and yards or investment property as Air BnBs or temporary rentals. These temporary rental activities are strictly prohibited.

Nutley woman’s story wins Essex County writing contest

A Nutley woman’s story about the early days of the AIDS epidemic was one of the winners of the 2023 Essex County Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest.

Linda Ann Buset of Nutley was among eight people celebrated during an awards luncheon at the Robert O’Toole Community Center in Cedar Grove Park on May 22.

The Legacies Writing Contest encourages senior citizens to write essays about the people and events that have influenced their lives.

“Our Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest is a unique way for our older population to share their life’s stories and describe the people and events that helped to shape their lives,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. “Our seniors’ stories make you laugh and they touch your heart. They provide us with a different perspective on historical events and what our society was like.”

“I was an English teacher for 30 years before I retired, and I am thrilled so many people wrote essays and are participating in this year’s contest,” Commissioner Patricia Sebold said.

Selected as winners of the 2023 Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest were:

• Buset who wrote “Dying from AIDS in the 1980s: A Family Perspective” about a family member contracting the disease when little was known about it and how people reacted to him.

• Newark resident Edna Lewis wrote

“Enjoy Your Lunch” about working on the 34th floor of the World Trade Center when a bomb was detonated in the basement of the North Tower.

• Caldwell resident Eva M. Ogens wrote “Paying It Forward” about three of her teachers who influenced her the most.

• West Orange resident Mary Lauri Bartola wrote “How Life Threw Me a Curve, And I Fought Back” about how she was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 13 and has lived with pain throughout her life.

• Receiving honorable mentions were Verona resident Coni Evans who wrote “Getting Old Ain’t for Sissies” about the difficulties she had dealing with aches and pains as she got older.

• Maplewood resident Pamela L. Gaston wrote “The Meanest Mother in the World” about her mother, who was a strict disciplinarian but she and her sisters all graduated from college, had good jobs and were recognized for giving back to the community.

• Bloomfield resident Paula Zaccone wrote “Four Family Stars” about her four uncles who all served in the military during World War II.

• Montclair resident John Falzer wrote “Morphine & The Fireman’s Wife” about being treated for cancer and spending four days in the hospital with a man named Frank and his family.

During the ceremony, the winning stories were read by Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology Junior Sydney Barnes, Sophomores Jally Romero and Johnathan Martinez, and Freshman Heisha Francisco. Lunch for attending seniors was provided by the culinary arts program from Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology.

Sponsored by the Essex County Division of Senior Services, the Legacies Writing Contest was started in 1996 and was part of a national contest which encouraged senior citizens to discover the joys of writing while sharing their stories with others. Although the national contest was discontinued in 1998, the Essex County Division of Senior Services continued to sponsor the Legacies Writing Contest on a local level.

Entries are judged on the writer’s ability to engage the reader with humor, emotional impact or rich descriptions. Winning stories were selected by a committee of volunteer judges and staff from the Essex County Division of Senior Services.

Photo Courtesy of Glen Frieson Nutley resident Linda Ann Buset, second from right, was one of the winners of a county writing contest. She is pictured here with the other winners and Essex County Administrator Robert Jackson and County Commissioner Patricia Sebold to her right.

Blood drive to honor former Nutley resident Anne Rotunda

A blood drive in memory of Nutley resident Anne Rotonda will be held on Thursday, June 8.

The drive will be held at the Nutley Parks and Recreation Building, 44 Park Ave., Room 300, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Walk-ins will be accepted but appointments are recommended and will be taken before walk-ins. All safety precautions will be put in place to ensure the health and well-being of all donors and technicians.

Please do not donate if you are sick or may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Masks are optional. As always, donors must be between the ages of 16 and 76, weigh over 110 pounds and be in general good health.

Anne Rotonda, a longtime friend to many in Nutley, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in 2013. At that time, the Nutley Board of Commissioners held the first blood drive in Rotonda’s honor.

In 2017, she was re-diagnosed with the same disease, and in September of 2017

received a bone marrow transplant. Sadly, Anne lost her battle with cancer on Aug. 21, 2021, and as her memory continues to live forever in the hearts of many, the township will continue to honor Rotonda every year with this important, life-saving event.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please visit the Vitalant New Jersey Donor Portal at cbsblood.org, or call 877-258-4825.

Donor Guidelines:

• All donors are required to wear a cloth based mask or face covering.

• Do not donate if you are sick.

• Donors should weigh at least 110 pounds.

• All donors must bring identification.

• Eat a meal before donation.

• Drink plenty of water before and after donating.

New Jersey as a whole is experiencing critically low donation numbers. There is an urgent need for Type O Negative, O Positive and B Negative Blood Types, but all types are welcome and needed.

Buckle up; crackdown on unbelted drivers

The state has begun a crackdown on people driving without seatbelts on.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety recently announced the start of New Jersey’s annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Grant funding from Highway Traffic Safety will be used to mobilize law enforcement agencies across the state to stop drivers and passengers who choose to not buckle up. The campaign will run through June 4.

Nutley gets $1 million for parks and recreation

Nutley has been awarded more than $1 million in state funding for improvements and upgrades to its parks and recreation programs.

“We are thrilled to share this news with our residents,” Department of Parks and Public Property Commissioner Mauro G. Tuccci said. “The funds were allotted to us through the NJDCA Local Recreational Improvement Grant 2023 program and the Green Acres/Green Acres Urban Parks program. The funds from these grants will be used to improve our Reinheimer Dog Park as well as returfing the field and upgrading the facili-

ties at Monsignor Owens Park.”

The state Department of Community Affairs has given Nutley a $72,000 Recreational Improvement Grant; $500,000 has been given to the township from the state’s Green Acres Urban Parks fund; and the Green Acres fund has given Nutley $528,755.

“Today was a great day,” Tucci added. “We are always looking for ways to improve our Township through grants and programs. Nutley is known for our beautiful parks and anything we can do to make them even better at no cost to our residents is a win for everyone.”

Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee plans Irish/Italian dinner

The Columbus Day Parade Committee of Nutley Belleville has scheduled an evening of food, music and fun.

The event, Italian and Irish Perfect Together, is planned for June 8 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Michael’s Roscommon House, 531 Joralemon St. in Belleville.

The cost is $50 per person and will cover a buffet dinner of fried calamari, shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, penne vodka, chicken francaise, salad and dessert. Also included in the ticket price are domestic beer, house wine and sangria.

The entertainment will include bagpipers and Italian music. RSVP by June 2 by calling 201-618-2903. Address checks and mail to ℅ Susan LaMorte, 675 Joralemon St. A10, Belleville, NJ, 07109.

administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Nutley resident Edward Zazzali has been named to Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Spring 2023 Dean's List.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Steven Oliner, a member of the class of 2025 majoring in Computer Science, was named to the uni-

versity's Dean's List for academic excellence for the spring 2023 semester.

Alvernia University Occupational Therapy student Meghan Mackle of Belleville helped raised nearly $1,200 for the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund, which was created following the explosion of the R.M. Palmer factory in West Reading, Pa. earlier this year.

www.TrioJewelers.com

Belleville man cleaning headstones to honor those who gave all

Daniel Jackovino Staff Writer

The gentle removal of dirt and discoloration from the headstones of young soldiers killed in action and interred in Bloomfield Cemetery is currently being undertaken.

Micheal Perrone, a mason and president of the Belleville Historical Society, with a few workers, is at this task.

Perrone has been cleaning the accumulation of years from the names and dates of these shortened soldiers’ lives interred in northern New Jersey graveyards since 2002 because he feels it is his patriotic duty.

He began his labor at the Old Dutch Reformed Church in Belleville.

“The church had been just about abandoned,” he said recently at the Bloomfield Cemetery. “We took out 20 truck loads of debris and reset the stones and built a Revolutionary War monument. There wasn’t one there.”

Sixty-eight Revolutionary War veterans are buried in Belleville, he said. There are 38 from that war buried in Bloomfield. The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution helped with some of the costs in Bloomfield.

“It’s a big project here in Bloomfield,” Perrone said. “A lot of the monuments are marble. They’re soft and porous. Granite is easier to clean, but most of the stone here is marble.”

Power washing the stones is not done, he said, but on low pressure, a power washer can be used for rinsing. Cleaning is done by hand. But there is one cleaning agent, D/2 Biological Solution, which can be applied and left on the stone to clean the surface. But Perrone, wanting to clean as many headstones as possible by this Memorial Day, said cleaning is by hand.

“When you have to get the work done, it’s very labor intensive,” he said.

Perrone goes to 15 cemeteries in northern Jersey to clean headstones. In Bloomfield, he works at the Glendale, Mount Olivet and Bloomfield cemeteries.

“Our focus is the young men killed in action,” he said. “It’s not right for an 18year-old killed in action to have a headstone in disrepair. I don’t like to use the word ‘dirty.’ You don’t like to say that.”

Official military grave markers are more prone to become soiled because they lay flat on the ground. But a blackened military grave marker of a young man killed in action is unacceptable, Perrone said.

He added that the Belleville Historical Society knows where every veteran is buried in northern New Jersey and where every Belleville and Nutley veteran was buried world wide. He credits two books for this knowledge, both by Anthony Buccino: “Nutley Sons” and "Belleville Sons.” They contain the biographies of soldiers,

See BELLEVILLE, Page 14

LEGEND T

Photo by Daniel Jackovino

Micheal Perrone, a mason and president of the Belleville Historical Society, has been cleaning the headstones of soldiers interred in northern New Jersey graveyards since 2002.

United In Hope: Relay for Life returns to DeMuro Park

The annual Relay for Life was held for the 17th time in Nutley, returning to DeMuro Park for the first time since the pandemic. The popular event raises money for the American Cancer Society but also provides valuable support to cancer survivors and their caretakers.

Photos by David VanDeventer

Belleville deacon, 3 others taking final steps to priesthood

Four deacons, including three currently serving in Essex County churches, were set to take the final step into the priesthood on May 27 at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

“This year’s ordinandi are a great bunch of guys, and they represent a great diversity of backgrounds and experiences that will help them in their ministry,” said the Rev. Eugenio de la Rama, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark. “The priesthood is not a job — it’s a participation in Christ’s healing, mercy, and love for his people. And I’m confident that these men will grow in that mission every day through prayer and their good works.”

The three with Essex County ties are:

JuHyun Andrew Lee, who is currently serving as a transitional deacon at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in South Orange;

Frenel Phanord, who is currently serving as a transitional deacon at St. Peter’s Church in Belleville; and

Bernardo Garcia, a parishioner at St. Peter’s in Belleville who is currently serving as a transitional deacon at St. Aloysius Church and St. Benedict Church in Newark.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, will ordain the three plus a fourth man, Deacon Robert Burkot, during the Rite of Ordination on Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m.

All are invited to attend both ordinations which will give Archdiocese of

Newark parishioners the chance to pray for the newly ordained before they are assigned to parishes in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, or Union counties.

Attendees of the priestly ordination

will also have the opportunity to receive the first blessings from the new priests, who will be stationed throughout the Cathedral Basilica following the ceremony to greet their well-wishers.

This year’s group of soon-to-be-priests come to the Archdiocese from all over the world, according to a press release from the diocese, which identified them as:

Deacon Robert Burkot, 59, has worked as a catechist, helped his widowed sister raise her children, and acted as a caretaker and legal advocate for his sister after she was stricken with cancer. Burkot was not inspired to become a priest until having a dream in which Mary pushed him into Jesus’ embrace.

Garcia, 29, intended to graduate from college with a business degree, take over his father’s recycling company, and get married. But after seeing the joy among the priests while attending a Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica, he realized giving himself to God might fill the emptiness he felt in his life. Now, after spending nine years in the seminary, he knows becoming a priest was always God’s plan for him.

Lee, 27, experienced poverty and developed a desire to help others who are struggling like he did. Immediately after graduating high school, the South Korean native entered the seminary to pursue his dream of becoming a priest.

Phanord, 31, grew up in the Turks and Caicos Islands with a lot of tough questions about the purpose of his life. He believed he might find answers in the seminary and joined thinking he might last a year or two. He never left.

Photo Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Newark

From left, Frenel Phanord, JuHyun Andrew Lee, Bernardo Garcia and Robert Burkot were ordained as transitional deacons in Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on May 22, 2022. They were set to be ordained as priests in the Cathedral Basilica on May 27.

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SENIOR LIVING

Our residents enjoy the support of our friendly staff and around-the-clock services and amenities.

• Assisted Living: A vibrant lifestyle with a helping hand.

• Long-Term Care: Highly skilled nursing care with an excellent ratio of staff to residents.

• Sub-Acute Rehab: State-of-the-art rehabilitation center on campus and open to the community.

• Respite Care: A great way for caregivers to take a break and try out our award-winning services for up to 30 days.

Belleville man believes it’s not right

for

soldier’s headstone to be in disrepair

(Continued from Page 8)

from those two towns, killed in action, from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War.

Perrone said he is sure he will be cleaning headstones and monuments for another 20 years and he is glad he’s gotten some help..

“A lot of young people have gotten involved,” he said, mentioning students from Nutley High School, but they are permitted only to do some cleaning because some of the markers are easily damaged.

“These stones are very old,” he said. “Cleaning them requires experience. You can’t put pressure on some of these stones. The natural tendency is to brush hard.”

He demonstrated how to lightly clean a headstone.

“You’re barely touching some of these stones when you brush,” he said. “The

students help us with the granite. It’s the rock of ages. You can shoot a bullet at granite and nothing will happen.”

Perrone said it is sometimes necessary for him to repair damaged statuary. This is accomplished by creating molds into which white concrete is poured to recreate the missing part that will be cemented into place.

At the Bloomfield Cemetery, he was cleaning the headstones of two Civil war officers, a New Jersey governor and 10 Revolutionary War soldiers. At the Glendale Cemetery, he had finished cleaning 261 markers of service men killed in the Vietnam and Korean wars and was working on the markers of World War II casualties. At Mount Olivet Cemetery, another five WWII casualties, from Belleville, had their markers cleaned.

“What we find has been pretty amazing and humbling,” he said of his work.

Paper shredding day for Essex residents

A paper shredding day for Essex County residents is scheduled for Saturday, June 3, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Essex County Public Works Department, 99 West Bradford Ave. in Cedar Grove.

Paper shredded at the event will be recycled. There is no limit on how much paper residents may bring to the paper shredding day. However, plastic sheets and covers, and metal binders must be removed from paper to be shredded. Paper clips and staples do not have to be removed. Photo negatives and film are not accepted.

The Essex County Paper Shredding Day is for Essex County residents only.

Nutley comes together to support good health and wellness

Nutley residents came together for the township’s second Wellness Day on May 15 to promote the importance of good health and wellness to high school students.

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness month, the event was coordinated by Nutley High School in partnership with the Nutley Municipal Alliance and the Nutley Family Service Bureau along with participation from the Township’s Department of Public Affairs and Health and the Nutley Cultural Inclusion and Diversity Council.

Together they organized a day of activities for students on the Nutley High School Park Oval.

Clad in their Wellness Day T-shirts which displayed the “Raiders never walk alone” message on the back in bright yellow lettering, students took part in a yoga demonstration, enjoyed a dance party hosted by a DJ, and had the opportunity to win gift cards to local businesses by playing “Wheel of Health” – an educational game hosted by the Health Department.

“Mental health is vitally important to all residents,” said Commissioner John V.

Kelly III. “Events like the mental health and wellness event in the Oval help eliminate stigma and allow those facing mental illness to come out of the shadows and know that they are not alone.”

“Our interactive ‘Wheel of Health’ was an incredibly huge success with student participation at the NHS Wellness event,” said Kim Lewis of the Department of Public Affairs and Health. “Students were able to spin the wheel to land on any one of seven categories related to health and wellness. They then were given an opportunity to answer a question and win a gift card. It was a great opportunity for our staff to provide education and outreach, and to help facilitate dialogue connecting with the students.”

Several businesses provided support including Amore Pizza, Carvel, Emilio’s Wood Fire Pizza, Hero King, Jernick’s Specialties, Jim Dandy’s, Kubo Coffee and Creamery, Loue’s Place Pizza & Pasta, Nutley Bagel Boy, Nutley Diner, Pita Bowl, Rita’s Italian Ice, Tiki Bowl and Vilardo’s Deli & Catering and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

• Newborn Care & Infant Care

• Adolescent Care: Annual Physicals

• Hearing & Vision Screening

• Required Immunizations & Flu Shots

• Exercise and Obesity Counseling

• Sick Visits

• Urinalysis, Hemoglobin & Lead Testing

• Asthma Testing, Treatment & Management

• Autism and Neuro-developmental Screening

• ADHD Treatment

• Ear Piercing Services

Photo Courtesy of Nutley Township

Employees of Nutley’s Department of Public Affairs and Health, from left, Kim Lewis, Patrick Gustosol, Maddy Goglia, Courtney Johnson and Patricia Cruz, attend the township’s annual Wellness Day.

WORSHIP CALENDAR

BAPTIST

BROOKDALE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 1350 Broad Street, Bloomfield, 973-338-8536. We are a church that preaches and teaches the Bible. We invite you to join us in worship on Sundays at 10:30 am. Children’s Bible activities for ages 4 through 5th grade (called BCC Kids Church) are provided. Worship services can also be seen live online on YouTube and Facebook and via our website at www.brookd ale c h r i s tian .com. In addition, we offer Bible Studies on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and on Thursday evenings at 7:00. You can participate in either one of these classes -or both- through Zoom by calling the church to get placed on the Zoom call list There are several other opportunities throughout the week involving prayer, study, and community for all age levels. Brookdale is a loving and caring congregation under the leadership of Pastor Love Saquing and Pastor Jim Treffinger. Our mission is to be a Family Growing Together in God.

To add your House of Worship or make copy changes

Email us: Adservices@thelocalsource com or call 908-686-7700 x146

NHS boys volleyball team clinches SEC–

Colonial Division title

Joe Ragozzino Sports editor

In just the program’s second year of existence, the Nutley High School boys volleyball team clinched the Super Essex Conference–Colonial Division title on Monday, May 15, with a 25-12, 25-23 win over a strong Science Park team.

The boys have been experiencing a dream season with leadership from seniors Joey Duca, Tre Foda, Pat Smyth, Mark Tapia, Alex Tramontana, Carl Villarin, Jimmy Valderrama and Julian Jansen, with strong play from junior Ilhan Ilhan, and sophomores Gavin Warburton and Shane Castellanos.

The Raiders, under head coach Kevin Reilly, had a 10-0 divisional record. They boasted a 19-4 overall record through Tuesday, May 23.

Nutley was looking to make a strong run in the state tournament.

The Raiders, seeded No. 2, were scheduled to host No. 15 seed Teaneck in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s North Jersey, Group 2 state tournament on Thursday, May 25, after press time.

The top seed is Summit. The quarterfinal round was scheduled for Wednesday, May 31; the semifinals were scheduled for Saturday, June 3; and the final is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7.

Brookside Garden Center & Florist Happy FATHER’S

Pergola named Rookie of the Year in MAC Conference

Nutley’s own Matthew Pergola was named Rookie of the Year and Attackman of the Year for 2023 in the MAC Conference.

Pergola has just finished his freshman year at Stevens Institute of Technology. His team swept the top seven honors in the conference with teammates winning the four other big awards, including midfielder, defenseman, specialist, goalie of the year, and his coach taking coach of the year honors.

The Stevens team finished in first place in the conference with an 8-0 record in conference play and a 17-2 record on the season.

The team made it to the third round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Dickinson College. Pergola had a goal and an assist in the final game to bring his season point total to 88.

The Ducks' 18 victories matched the program record for wins in a single season and the squad's .900 winning percentage is tied for the second-best mark in team history behind the 1943 and 1944 squads, who each finished a perfect 7-0.

Photo Courtesy of Toni Pergola Nutley High School graduate Matthew Pergola, number 8, celebrates with teammates.

Blood donations are planned for June in Belleville, Nutley

New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is conducting blood drives in Essex County, which are open to the public.

The following drives are scheduled in June:

June 12: Knights of Columbus 2346, 150 Chestnut St., Nutley, 1 to 7 p.m.

June 18: Igreja Universal, Newark, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 22: Livingston Mall, 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston, 1 to 7 p.m.

June 27: IDT Corp., 550 Broad St, Newark, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 29: American Legion Post 105, 621 Washington Ave., Belleville 1 to 7 p.m.

Blood products have a short shelf life –from five to 42 days, so constant replenishment is necessary, according to a press release from NJBS, which said there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets and plasma to stay alive.

Blood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from

volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive call 1-800933-2566 or visit: www.nybloodcenter.org

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during summer months.

Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit level.

Eligible donors include those people at least age 16, with parental permission or consent, who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People over 75 may donate with a doctor's note.

Access Link users can utilize Lyft, Uber

NJ Transit is partnering with Uber and Lyft on a pilot program allowing Access Link users to opt in to receiving rides through the two services.

With this new partnership, Uber and Lyft drivers will now be available to supplement Access Link services as needed only if the customer opts in to utilize the pilot program, according to a press release from NJ Transit.

Customers who do not opt into the pilot program will continue to have all of their trips serviced by the current Access Link providers. Participation in the pilot program is strictly voluntary.

Prior to scheduling a trip, Access Link customers in the Riders’ Choice Pilot Program must update their profile to indicate which rideshare service, Uber or Lyft, they would like to use. Customers also have the option to indicate they have no preference and are willing to utilize both providers, the release said.

Access Link is NJ TRANSIT's American with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit program established to provide public transportation to people with disabilities who are unable to utilize local bus services.

“By adding Uber and Lyft as travel options, we will improve the Access Link travel experience for our customers while making it more cost effective for NJ Transit,” said NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett.

Jen Shepherd, global head of transit at Uber said the partnership with NJ TRANSIT will help cut down on wait time and improve reliability for Access Link riders.

AJ

At left, Domenic Giancspro works the registration desk at the Sons of American Legion Squadron 105 Car Show. Below, a Ford hot rod was one of the more popular cars at the show.

Photos Courtesy of Rusty Myers

Hot wheels: Classic cars fill the lot for Belleville Legion show

BELLEVILLE — Sons of the American Legion Squadron 105 ran its first-ever Car Show the first weekend of May, drawing 44 cars from models made in the 1920s to the 2010s.

Cars completely lined the parking lot of the Post and completely filled the Motorcycle Mall lot next door, whose owner donated the use of their parking lot for the day. Cars which entered the show were asked for a $25 donation to the Squadron, which went towards funding its programs for veterans, children and youth.

The “Best in Show” award, a trophy adorned with stars and stripes, an engraved plaque, and topped with a gold steering wheel, was to Harry Puch and his Brandywine-red 1967 Chevy Nova SS.

Photos Courtesy of Rusty Myers

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

To place your free listing, send information to the editor at essexcty@thelocalsource.com or at 1291 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083. Faxes may be sent to 908-686-0401.

COMEDY

EARTHQUAKE’S FATHER’S DAY COMEDY SHOW COMES TO NJPAC IN NEWARK. The line-up features guest stars Donnell Rawlings, Bill Bellamy and Jessica “Jess Hilarious” Moore at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on-sale now, and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com. NJPAC is located at 1 Center St., Newark. Exhibits.

THE MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM HAS AN EXHIBITION featuring the work of Vanessa German and titled “…please imagine all the things I cannot say….” The show will run until June 25 at the museum, 3 S. Mountain Ave. in Montclair. This show will take the form of a large-scale, immersive installation of mixed media artworks and will be the artist’s first solo museum show in the New York City area. A Los Angeles native, German currently resides in rural North Carolina. She is a self-taught sculptor, painter, poet and performance artist who refers to herself as a citizen artist and is interested in art as a form of healing, protection and activism. The mostly female power figures she creates explore themes of strength, love and justice, while engaging with the complicated history of race in the United States.

THE CRANE HOUSE & HISTORIC YWCA WILL BE OPEN Tuesday, June 6 through Friday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for self-guided tours. General admission fees will be waived this week. No prior registration required. The house is located at 110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042

Festivals & Fairs

SOMA BACKSTAGE READING SERIES – June 3 and June 4: The SOMA backStage Reading Series emerged from SOPAC’s Creative Community Brain Trust member Dana Spialter and her local theater company SOMA Stage. This series will

present readings of new plays and musicals written by or starring South Orange and Maplewood’s (SOMA’s) theater professionals in the Loft at SOPAC. After each work’s matinee performance, audience members are invited to participate in a talkback and share their thoughts with the creative teams. This spring’s inaugural series includes readings of two new works:

New Musical: REVIVAL by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen, Saturday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 4 at p.m. Free event, with a suggested donation of $15.

New Play: STILL by Lia Romeo, Saturday, June 3 at 3 p.m.and Sunday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. Free event, with a suggested donation of $15.

INAUGURAL LGBTQIA+ PRIDE WEEKEND AT SOPAC – June 9-June 11

In partnership with North Jersey Pride, the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents its inaugural LGBTQIA+ SOPAC Pride Weekend on Friday, June 9 – Saturday, June 11, celebrating SOMA’s robust LGBTQIA+ community. Jessica Kirson on Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m. Stand-up comedian and South Orange native Jessica Kirson won the Nightlight Award for “Best Stand Up Comedian” in New York City. Tickets starting at $27.

AKENYA on Saturday, June 10 at 8 p.m. Singersongwriter AKENYA makes her SOPAC and NJ debut. Tickets starting at $31. The Night Before Pride Party at SOPAC, Saturday, June 10 at 9 p.m. Celebrate the vibrant and passionate LGBTQIA+ community with a fabulous night of great music provided by DJ Ryan The Person. Must be 21+ to attend. Tickets starting at $30.

Tony Awards Viewing Party Sunday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Free event, with a suggested donation of $15 and required RSVP.

LECTURES

ON FRIDAY, JUNE 23, PULITZER PRIZE WINNER MAGGIE HABERMAN RETURNS TO SOPAC TO SPEAK about national affairs journalism and share her perspective on power and politics in Washington, D.C.

THE MONTCLAIR HISTORY CENTER WILL

Happy Father’s Day

GIVE A FREE ZOOM PRESENTATION ON GEORGE MARSHALL PLASKETT on June 15 at 7 p.m. Plaskett came to the U.S. as a 12-year-old orphan from the Caribbean. He began working as a bell boy at night and attending school during the day. His strong desire for education resulted in his receiving bachelor of divinity degree at age 24. Plaskett founded Trinity Episcopal Church in Montclair and many other churches. The program will be presented by Nesta Stephens, a former parishioner at Trinity Episcopal, which closed in 2007 The Zoom Meeting link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/92938168537?pwd=T0 pGbVgxVUMwVjV0WDBMZlFkbUI0Zz09. The meeting ID is 929 3816 8537 and the passcode is 818319.

A GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF WATCHUNG PARK AND PLAZA in Montclair is scheduled for Sunday, Jun 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. In the early days of Montclair’s settlement, Watchung Avenue divided the Dutch farmlands of Speertown in the north end of today’s Montclair from the English farmlands of Cranetown. All that changed when the railroad came through in the late 1800s. Developers bought the farms and created business districts and housing around the new stations. This walk will take you through a turn-of-the-century business district and commuter suburb, developed between 1900 and 1930. The tour will include a special stop at the site of the new Judy Weston Garden in Watchung Park. This event is free. Reservations are required. Go to https://www.montclairhistory.org/allevents/2023/6/4/guided-walking-tour-ofwatchung-park-and-plaza

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: THIS JUST IN: LATEST DISCOVERIES IN THE UNIVERSE at NJPAC on Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. A thought-provoking evening with astrophysicist, professor, and author Neil deGrasse Tyson of the Hayden Planetarium. Tyson will discuss how a “cosmic perspective” profoundly influences what we think and feel about science, culture, politics, and life. NJPAC, Prudential Hall, 1 Center St. Newark. Tickets are $39.50 to $99.50 and are on sale now at NJPAC.org, 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey.

MUSIC

NJPAC PRESENTS AVERY SUNSHINE, A PHENOMENAL SINGER TAKING NO DETOURS IN CREATING MELODIOUS MUSIC FOR THE MASSES, on Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m. Her sound is uplifting, vibrant and, exactly as her namesake suggests, full of sunshine. She brings people together through her riveting stage performances, candid and often humorous stage banter, and optimistic anthems about love and life. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-4665722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

ENJOY A NIGHT OF FADO WITH HÉLDER MOUTINHO AND MARIA EMÍLIA AT NJPAC on Saturday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. The singers bring their unique stylings to the stage accompanied by expressive Portuguese guitar. Moutinho evokes love, loss and longing in his beautifully emotional vocals. The magnetic Emília, originally from Brazil, is equally adept at conveying deep melancholy and hopeful joy. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

UNDER COVER MUSIC FEST INVITES PEOPLE TO THE SLOAN STREET LOT IN SOUTH ORANGE TO ENJOY MUSIC FROM 9 COVER BANDS with no cover change, dancing, local food, beer and kids activities on June 3. This year’s exciting line-up will feature the talent of worldclass local musicians covering a diverse selection of the greatest hits from the Foo Fighters & The Pretenders (Mark Murphy’s Music Student Bands), Pearl Jam (Charlie Pollock & Friends), Rihanna (Mike Griot Presents: Vivian Sessoms), Chaka Khan (Autumn Jones), REM (South Orange Crush), Harry Styles (Misha Hankey & Mark Murphy’s Music Faculty Band), Tom Petty (Matt & The Moondogs) and Stevie Wonder (Curtis Winchester & Friends). Between sets DJ Thomas Schmid will be spinning the latest tunes to keep everyone dancing. This event is free and open to all.

SINGER-SONGWRITER MARISA MONTE, ONE OF BRAZIL’S MOST ADVENTUROUS AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED STARS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, will be performing at the

New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Friday, June 23, at 8 p.m. Monte is known best for her exquisite voice as well as her international popularity, yet she’s also accomplished in other realms such as songwriting, production and collaboration. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

SANTANA AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER on June 21. When Santana shows up with that signature Latin-blues-rock groove, you know you’re in for an electrifying experience.

TROP ROCK CONCERT WITH GARY PHILIP on June 17 at 2 p.m. in the Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St. Philip plays the genre that combines southern rock, rock, and country music and gives it a tropical feel. He covers artists from the 1950s on. The concert is free.

THE BEST OF THE EAGLES, tribute band on Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m. Founded in 2012 by world-class musicians from central New Jersey, the Best of the Eagles is more than just a tribute

band. It’s a band that encapsulates the aura of one of America’s classic rock bands. Witness the magic of the Best of the Eagles at SOPAC. Tickets starting at $29.

REVOLUTIONARY WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE SHAKTI WILL CONTINUE TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE THE MUSICAL COMMONGROUND BRIDGING EAST AND WEST at NJPAC on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m. Born in the mid-1970s out of the deep artistic and spiritual connection bonding British guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain, Shakti’s cross-cultural musical conversation dissolved boundaries with passion, grace and dexterity. Today’s Shakti features: McLaughlin; Hussain; Shankar Mahadevan, vocals; Ganesh Rajagopalan, violin; and Selvaganesh Vinayakram percussion, son of original Shakti ghatam player T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram; with special guest Béla Fleck. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

Rock Hunger concert returns to Old Canal

NUTLEY — The township’s Family Service Bureau’s live music festival Rock Hunger VI returns to Old Canal Inn on Saturday, June 10.

Rock ‘n soul band The Attic, which includes Nutley resident Dave Popkin, returns for its sixth Rock Hunger concert, according to a press release from the burea, which said that the four-band lineup will also include popular Nutley natives The Sticky Wickets, punk/new wave cover band Porch Rockers, and talented local band Mother Hubbard.

The event will run from 2 to 6:30 p.m. This is an outdoor show with a rain date of June 11. A cash bar and food service will be available. The event will feature a 50/50 raffle and tricky tray. All proceeds will benefit NFSB programs and services, including the food pantry, which currently provides food to more than 200 local families. NFSB is celebrating its’ 110th anniversary in 2023.

Sponsorship packages are available. Advance ticket purchase online is recommended due to the limited capacity for this event: www.nutleyfamily.org.

Tickets for Rock Hunger VI are $25 in advance and at the door. Old Canal Inn, a local landmark established in 1934, is located at 2 East Passaic Ave., Nutley.

AN EVENING WITH NATALIE MERCHANT AS SHE BRINGS HER KEEP YOUR COURAGE TOUR TO NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 25 at 7 p.m. She began her musical career as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the pop music band 10,000 Maniacs, releasing one platinum, two double-platinum, and one triple-platinum record with the group. Merchant’s nine albums as a solo artist have a combined sales of seven million copies. Her newest album, Keep Your Courage, was just released. Tickets for Natalie Merchant are gone on sale now and can be purchased by visiting NJPAC.org or calling 888. GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey.

PATTI LABELLE WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN NEWARK on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry. Tickets to see Patti Labelle and

Will Downing go on-sale Friday, May 19th at 10am at NJPAC.org 888. G.O.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office. Patti Labelle Ticket Link

THEATER

AMERICAN THEATER GROUP WILL PRESENT “RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN” A SEARING NEW DRAMA BY SHARYN ROTHSTEIN. The show will run at JCC MetroWest in West Orange and at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge. MetroWest is located at 760 Northfield Ave. Performances will run Thursday through Saturday, June 8 to June 10 at 7 p.m. with an additional 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday the 10th. The Sieminski Theater is located at 8000 Fellowship Road in Basking Ridge. Performances will be June 15 to June 18, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for both venues can be purchased at www.americantheatergroup.org.

Filmmakers to discuss industrialization and Newark

NUTLEY — The Nutley Public Library will host a screening and discussion of “RUST: How to Break the Chains of Poverty in U.S. Inner Cities.”

The film, by Emmy-nominated filmmakers Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno, will be shown on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m., according to a press release from the library.

The film, which has a runtime of 86 minutes, presents the history of Rust Belt poverty, detailing industrialization and deindustrialization, racism, and mass incarceration, using the city of Newark, as a microcosm. It explores solutions to inner-city poverty through the voices of scholars, economists, physicians,

activists, and the community.

The filmmakers, who often speak at global and local venues, will then lead a discussion with a question and answer period, covering the filmmaking process and their process in documenting social justice issues.

No registration is required. The program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.

For additional information, visit: https://nutleypubliclibrary.org/rust/.

NHS crew teams row to great success

Boys junior 4 takes bronze at Stotesbury Cup, Raiders excel at league and state meets

The Nutley High School boys junior 4 crew team continued its historic season as they earned a bronze medal at the highly regarded Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 20. Stotesbury is the largest high school rowing event in the country, this year hosting 185 schools, almost 900 crews and over 4,200 athletes from all over the Midwest and eastern seaboard.

The boys faced a field of 52 junior 4 crews, and quickly showed them all that Nutley was fast, as they finished second overall in the initial time trial. The top 18 crews in the time trial advanced to traditional semifinal races. The Raiders took control of their semifinal from the topseeded lane three position and easily won their semi to catapult them into the grand final. The crew of Vincent Lubowiecki, Ryan McNamara, Max Bednarz, Alex Irwin and Lena Fukuoka-Schreiber was eager for a rematch with local rival Montclair in the final. Montclair and Nutley did battle it out once again going strokefor-stroke down the course, but it was a team from Norfolk Academy in Virginia that took the gold, with Montclair second and Nutley third, followed by The Hun School of New Jersey, The Haverford School of Pennsylvania, and Bethesda Chevy Chase High School from Maryland.

By claiming the bronze, the boys crew has accomplished a remarkable feat, one that is unprecedented in Nutley rowing. They have medaled in the championship trifecta of races: Silver at State Championships, Gold at PSRA league championships, and Bronze at Stotesbury. The boys were scheduled to be back on the race course one last time as they headed down to Oakridge Tenn. for the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships, where they looked to add yet another medal to their very impressive season.

In other Stotesbury Cup Regatta action, the girls senior 4 of Alex Timchak, Erin Kirby, Nadia Nole, Gianna Masters, and Katie O’Connor had a strong time trial finishing 18th in the field of 46 crews to earn a place in the semifinals. The girls ended up finishing 17th overall.

The boys lightweight double of Paul Ziek and Patrick Mastandrea also made the semifinals placing 10th in their time trial out of 21. They rowed a great semifinal race, but narrowly missed the grand final, just one second out of the thirdplace qualifying spot.

The girls junior 8 had the best nonseminal finish – 23 out of 41 crews, 5 seconds off of qualifying. The boys junior 8 finished 32 out of 48 and the girls junior 4 placed 36 out of 56.

The NHS rowing team participated in

the New Jersey State Championships at Cooper River in Pennsauken on Saturday, April 29, sending seven different crews into competition. Five of the seven crews entered. The boys Lightweight 2x, Junior 8, and Junior 4, and Girls Junior 8 and Novice 8 all reached the finals.

The much-anticipated boys Junior 4 race was an epic battle between No. 1 seed Nutley and No. 2 seed Montclair. After each crew easily won their opening heats, the final race was full of excitement. The two crews raced stroke-for-stroke down the 1,500-meter course leaving the other four crews in their wake. Neither crew was able to open up any kind of lead over the other as they were bow ball-to-bow ball all the way. It took a photo finish to reveal that Montclair had edged Nutley by under three-tenths of a second, essentially a dead heat. While the team was devastated that they had come so very close to a state championship, their performance was still inspiring and rewarding. The crew of Ryan McNamara, Vincent Lubowiecki, Max Bednarz, Alex Irwin and Lena Fukuoka-Schreiber earned a silver medal and an automatic bid to the National Championship Regatta in Oakridge, Tennessee, Memorial Day weekend.

The girls Novice 8 consisting of Sofia Candia, Briahana DiMatteo, Martyna Kolakowski, Breanna Fernandez, Jayla Figueroa, Katelyn McNamara, Isabella

Hosseiny, Lyla Sacchetti, and Brooke Kaliko went into the day with a strong No. 4 ranking. The girls had their best performance of the year, turning in a race that catapulted them past the No. 3 and No. 2 ranked teams to earn a solid second place and silver medal at state championships. The girls were moving so well, with so much speed at the end of the race, that another 100 meters may have given them the championship.

The Lightweight 2x of Patrick Mastandrea and Paul Ziek, which was seeded No. 10, had a great early row to win their opening heat and advance to the six-boat final, placing fourth overall. The boys Junior 8, which was seeded No. 4 overall, placed second in their opening heat to advance to their six-boat final, finishing fifth.

Aside from the great performance by the Novice 8, the girls’ day did not go as planned. The No. 4-ranked Junior 8 sustained damage to their boat on the way to the starting line for their final. The crew hit a submerged log, which rendered their boat inoperable for the competition. The No. 4-seeded Senior 4 and No. 12 Junior 4 were unable to reach the finals.

The boys team participated in the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association (PSRA) City Championships on Saturday and Sunday. May 6-7, sending eight crews into competition. City championships are a two-day culminating event after a series of five “Many-Flick”

races throughout the spring and serve as the league championship.

On Saturday, May 6, all crews in events with more than six entries row in time trials, and depending upon the event classification and the total number of entries, must finish in either the top 12 to move onto semifinals or the top six to advance directly to finals.

The coaches noted that all Nutley’s crews rowed really well. The results are as follows: Boys: Junior 4 finished second out of 20 advancing to semifinals, Junior 8 placed eighth out of 15 narrowly missing finals, and Lt Wt 2x placed an even closer seventh out of 11 to also just miss the finals. Girls: Senior 4 had their best row of the year, bouncing back from a disappointing State Championships to place sixth out of 21 and advance to semifinals, Novice 4 finished sixth out of 10 to make the finals, Freshman 4 went directly to finals, Junior 8 finished 9/12, a good row but not enough to advance and the Junior 4 placed 11 out of 17.

Day two of racing on Sunday, May 7, saw four Nutley crews still alive, and was highlighted by another fantastic showdown between Nutley and Montclair in the Junior 4 championship. After each team easily won their semifinal, the two crews squared off again in a rematch of last week’s State Championship final. Another edge-of-your-seat race transpired with neither crew ever gaining more than a few feet advantage. Nutley held the lead the majority of the race, but Montclair consistently cut into the lead to draw even. Nutley would inch out, and Montclair would draw even. At the line, it was another photo finish (seven-tenths of a second) but this time Nutley came across first. The crew of Lena FuluokaSchreiber, Ryan McNamara, Vinny Lubowiecki, Max Bednarz and Alex Irwin won their long-anticipated championship. “The win means so much to the team in general as the entirety of Nutley Crew is on the rise,” according to a statement from the Nutley Athletics website. “The crew has worked very hard since the fall and it’s satisfying to see all of their hard work pay off. The two teams will battle it out again in two weeks at Stotesbury.”

In another exciting final the girls freshmen crew of Sofia Candia, Isabella Hosseiny, Katelyn McNamara, Martyna Kolakowski and Briahna DiMatteo regrouped after a difficult start, to overcome a significantly large deficit and place third overall to earn a bronze medal. “The discipline and composure that such a young crew was able to maintain was remarkable,” in a statement

Photo Courtesy of Nutley High School Crew

The Nutley boys junior 4 crew team is shown at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia.

NHS’ Bumpus, DiPiano are EC Scholar Athlete Award recipients

Nutley High School seniors Jack Bumpus, above left, and Mia DiPiano, above center, beam as they are honored as 2022-23 Karen Fuccello Essex County Scholar Athletes during a banquet on Tuesday, May 9, in Belleville. The award is named after the late Karen Fuccello, who was the longtime Belleville High School director. This award is given to the top scholar-athletes in the county. Bumpus lettered in bowling and baseball, and DiPiano lettered in soccer and softball. At right, DiPiano poses with her father, Mike DiPiano, who is the NHS head girls soccer coach.

Nutley crew teams row to success at league and state championships

(Continued from Page 22)

from NHS Athletics. “Almost any other crew would have conceded the race, but the Nutley freshmen crew rowed a heroic race, never giving up and eventually making their way all the way back into the bronze medal spot. Just amazing to watch.”

Two other Nutley crews also raced on Sunday. The girls novice 4 crew of Brooke Kaliko, Genesis Eljarrah, Lyla Sacchetti, Jayla Figueroa and Breanna Fernandez placed sixth in their final. The senior 4 crew of Katie O’Connor, Alexandria Timchak, Erin Kirby, Nadia Nole and Gianna Masters was edged out of the top three spots in their semifinal and therefore was unable to advance to the grand final.

At right, the Nutley girls beam while posing at the state championships.

Photos of Nutley High School Athletics

Photo Courtesy of Nutley High School Crew