Clifton Merchant Magazine - February 2024 by Clifton Merchant Magazine

Sitting grandly at the corner of Main and Washington Aves., the Clifton Recreation Center serves as a warming center for unsheltered individuals when Code Blue is cited.

I’ve written this before and will state it again: our hometown deserves a real Clifton Recreation Center. This stately structure on the corner of Main and Washington Ave. is beautiful but not a Rec Center. Built in 1935 as a US Post Office, it functioned that way until 2003 when a new postal station was opened at Madison and Main. Cliftonites need a Rec Center with facilities where they can use a fitness center, play indoor volleyball and basketball, then hang out and shoot pool or play table tennis. The Rec Center should be part of the facilities at the James Anzaldi Recreation Complex on Clifton Ave., where we have outdoor fields. A city of 89,000-plus people deserves a Rec Center to meet our varied interests.

As far as this beautiful but obsolete building? The city should sell it to private investors who will breathe life and build the Downtown Clifton tax base. My preference is for a restaurant. There is parking on site as well as a municipal lot across Main on Putnam. If not a restaurant, a law firm or medical facility, a structure that contributes to the tax base. Once sold, the city could use the proceeds to build a Rec Center, perhaps in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. What do you think readers? From the Editor, Tom Hawrylko 14,000 Magazines

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Contributing Writers

Ariana Puzzo, Joe Hawrylko, Irene Jarosewich, Tom Szieber, Jay Levin, Michael C. Gabriele, Jack DeVries, Patricia Alex

Editor & Publisher Tom Hawrylko, Sr. Art Director Ken Peterson Associate Editor & Social Media Mgr. Ariana Puzzo Business Mgr. Irene Kulyk

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Also honoring the 2024 Alumni Hall of Famers Lori Huk • Israel Reyes • Lee Sanderson

The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton Alumni are a group of “Club Kids” who grew up at The Club and are committed to giving back to the organization that gave so much to them. Interested in learning more about this amazing group? Contact Maureen Cameron at mcameron@bgcclifton.org. 4

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

For 76 years our mission remains steadfast:

“To empower all young people—especially those who need us most—to discover their full potential as caring, engaged, responsible community members.” Please consider making a donation that will power our Future Ready mission. Our Clifton kids need to know we are here, and that we will continue to provide a caring space and all the support they need—physically, academically, and emotionally. Please Support the B&G Club Annual Campaign Scan to send your tax-deductible donation! Maureen Cameron Boys & Girls Club of Clifton 181 Colfax Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013 Questions? Call 973-773-0966, ext 144 or email mcameron@bgcclifton.org Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

FallingInLove CAN’T HELP

All Love Stories by Ariana Puzzo

The perfect day for Mark and Bonnie (Snyer) Marquart involves spending time on a beach or with their loved ones. The couple love traveling, whether it’s to the Caribbean so that Bonnie can enjoy the warmth and palm trees or to a house in the Poconos that they co-own with their extended family so that Mark can fish. The location is almost irrelevant in the end — they have enjoyed each other’s company wherever they’ve gone over the past five decades. But when the couple met through friends as teenagers in the 70’s, Bonnie was already spoken for by Mark’s friend. When they did become a couple, they dated for about two years, spent a period apart, and then reunited. They wed on

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Sept. 12, 1976 (above) and haven’t looked back. “She was cute and she was honest,” said Mark, 69, about his first impression of Bonnie. “She told you things and she didn’t hold any punches. She told you the truth whether you liked it or not.” Bonnie remembers first meeting Mark with friends at someone’s house and then meeting again at the old Cliff & Sons gas station on Crooks and Main Avenues. “Once our friend’s dad left who owned it, it was the hangout. We took turns pumping gas,” said Bonnie, 66. “He came into the gas station and asked me out. He was nice and considerate.”

To Health and Happiness Wise men may say only fools rush in, but Mark said he knew immediately that he loved Bonnie. “It didn’t take long,” he said. “It was her warm heart and taking care [of others].” Bonnie knew after about a few months when Mark’s sister confronted her to say, “Oh, so you’re the one who’s dating my brother.” That was when Bonnie learned that she was the only girl that Mark brought home to meet his father, Thomas. “She said, ‘He must really like you for him to bring you home to meet my father,’” recalled Bonnie. “His father loved me and my parents liked Mark a lot, too. I think that is how we really ended up together.” Mark is the second oldest of five children, who attended School 3 and Christopher Columbus Junior High. After his mother, Theresa, passed away from pancreatic cancer when he was 14, Mark dropped out of school to work and help support his family. He later earned his GED and attended Passaic County Community College then computer school in Paramus. Mark worked most of his career for Action Sewer and then as a machinist. Bonnie was the youngest of four children, born to parents Arthur and Dorothy Snyer. She went to School 4, Christopher Columbus Junior High, and graduated with the CHS Class of 1976. Bonnie married Mark less than three months later. They are parents to Kristy Wellins (CHS 1996), who married husband Jonathan, and Mark (CHS 1999), who married wife Christine. Bonnie worked in the past as a waitress and bartender, then took care of her bedridden mother for about 15 years. Mark and Bonnie have four grandchildren, including CHS Class of 2024 seniors Ryan and Casey Wellins. Kristy’s husband, Jonathan, is the grandson of the late Clifton Police Lt. John Kwasnik, who served for 37 years, was an innovator of the Safety Patrol System used throughout the U.S., and ran Clifton’s Safety Patrols for 18 years. So, where do they hope life brings them in the next few years? Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

“To our 50th anniversary. To health and happiness and family,” said Mark. “[Those are] the important things. And to many more years together.” By Each Other’s Side After nearly 50 years of marriage, Mark’s belief is to stay easy going when you navigate any disagreements in a relationship. “When we argue, we try to get it out and then let it go. Once it’s passed, it’s passed. You can’t change the past,” he said. “We try to … move forward instead of going back and dwelling on it.” Bonnie agreed and acknowledged that sometimes their disagreements have a shelf life of a few days, but they’ve largely matured from the days of not talking it out as they should. “Thank God we outgrew fights,” she laughed. “I was 19 and he was 22. He’d go out with friends drinking and I’d want to kill him. Those things change.” Certain things still stay the same. The couple enjoy visiting their son Mark’s family in Upstate New York at least once per month. They are also happy to now live with their daughter in the Allwood section for about three years after spending 38 years in the Dutch Hill neighborhood. Mark said he also knows that he can always count on Bonnie to stay by his side. “I’ve had five back surgeries and she’s been there for every minute,” said Mark. “She spent all day in the hospital and during visiting hours was right there by my side.” Which is possibly why he doesn’t hesitate when asked about their couple’s song. “‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley. That was our wedding song,” said Mark. “Every time we hear it, we have to get up and try to fake a slow dance.” Kristy and Jonathan Wellins with their twins CHS 2024 seniors Ryan and Casey.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Mark Marquart with wife Christine, who’s holding Chase, and Lucas.

Back in the 1990s Mark and Bonnie with Mark and Kristy.

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

CREATING THEIR OWN

The emotion is heard in Salvatore Yakimik and Bianca Hernandez’s voices when they consider how they’ve grown in their relationship over the past four years. It was a mutual friend and blind date that brought them together in April, 2019. Since then, the couple have navigated college, entering the workforce, a global pandemic, and personal trials that brought them only closer together. The couple got engaged on Dec. 26, 2023. “It’s so interesting, because I feel that this relationship has made me independent. I feel like I’ve learned what I need as a person,” said Bianca, 26. “When I was younger, I depended on other people a lot.” “This relationship has taught me that it’s OK to go off and do your own thing sometimes,” she continued. “It’s OK to rely on yourself more, [but] in a nice, healthy way.” The couple are considering a wedding date for September of 2025. Salvatore has already seen a greater maturity in himself over the past few years, along with more comfort in who he is and an increased confidence. “I feel like when I was single before I met Bianca, I was trying to keep up an image and had my guard up,” said Salvatore, 27. “Our relationship has helped me to lower my guard and focus on myself and what I really want out of life.” DINKWADS If you’re a Millennial or Gen Z-er — or spend any amount of time on TikTok — you’ll probably understand Salvatore and Bianca’s self-labeled status as DINKWADs. That is — double income, no kids, with a dog. While their 8-year-old Goldendoodle Sasha brings them joy, the next five years hold many possibilities. “I do feel already accomplished as a couple, but I hope in five years we will still push each other to grow the best we can,” said Bianca. “I see us married and in a house — hopefully with a good amount of savings.”

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Fairytale

While Salvatore grew up with his two siblings and parents John and Lynn in Mahwah, Bianca has lived in our city since her birth. Bianca went to School 2, Classical Academy Charter School, and graduated from PCTI in 2016. She is also one of three children to Carlos and Jayne Hernandez. Their paths finally crossed at Ramapo College, where Salvatore studied Business Administration and Bianca studied Literature with a concentration in Secondary Education. The blind formal date occurred owing to their respective memberships in a fraternity and sorority. “This part is so embarrassing,” laughed Bianca. “My really close friend, Jeff, was the president of Sal’s frat and randomly was like, ‘Hey, two of my friends need

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

a date to our formal.’ I said, ‘Which one is cuter?’ and he said, ‘I think you’ll like Sal.’” Despite the inherent risk of blind dates, neither felt too nervous and Salvatore ended up joining Bianca for her formal as well. Bianca’s initial impression of Salvatore was how caring and funny he is and that, as they got to know each other, he expressed an immediate interest in her life. “I felt like Bianca was very good looking,” teased Salvatore, making them both laugh. Then, more seriously, he added, “I thought she was fun to talk to and hang out with. She knew my friends, so I felt like that was a good first

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

impression. Plus, if things ever got stale, our friends would be there to back us up.” Growing For and With Each Other Salvatore officially asked out Bianca on Sept. 21, 2019 — so, naturally, their song is “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. “That song makes us happy when we hear it,” said Bianca. “It will definitely play at our wedding.” What they feel makes them unique to other couples their age is a willingness to work on things. Bianca expressed the belief that oftentimes you will hear couples who don’t receive that instant gratification decide to end things. But, for them, it’s about healthy communication and actually wanting to communicate. “We’re completely different in [our careers], but at the same time, our core values and beliefs are the same,” said Bianca. “I think we both have the same family values.” Salvatore agreed that their work ethic and family values align, whether it’s about saving up for a house or one day starting a family. “Kind of like the American Dream,” he said. Salvatore works in credit card processing and has worked at Fiserv for about two years. Bianca previously worked at Ramsey High School for two years and is presently in her first school year teaching English at her alma mater, PCTI. In some regards, their lives and goals are a modern day reflection of the American Dream, because a big part of what they do is work on themselves. Bianca said it means identifying general traumas and working toward healing. “We’re very passionate about that and trying to be better for ourselves and our future family,” said Bianca. “We’re always trying to grow.”

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of the Bar AT THE END

When Diana Diduch was looking for “Mr. Right”, she only needed to look as far as Tyler Novielli. “I’m almost 40, so it’s one of those things where you hope you meet [him] but don’t know if it’s ever going to happen,” said Diana, 39. “He has old school values and traditions, and he was raised by a family with great morals and values.” “My father is old school,” she continued. “So to see that in my future husband means a lot.” In a modern day fairy tale setting, Diana and Tyler met in January of 2022 on social media. The couple got engaged Nov. 11, 2023. Their wedding date is set for May 30, 2025 in Cedar Grove. Diana reminisced on her first date with Tyler at a bar called The Craftsman in Fair Lawn. Her initial impression of him was that he is “very sweet” and “such a gentleman.” “I was looking forward to actually having our first date together and we had great conversations,” said Diana. “Honestly, time flew … and we laughed a lot.” The couple had a lot of things in common and decided that they didn’t want the night to end. “We were at this bar and said, ‘Let’s go somewhere else,’” said Diana. “We ended up going to another bar to keep the night going.” Open and Honest Raised by parents Roman and Anna, Diana grew up in Clifton with her three siblings. She went to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Passaic and Immaculate Conception in Lodi. Tyler, 32, grew up in Fair Lawn with an older brother and parents Massimo and Suzy. Diana and Tyler respectively attended Rutgers’ Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Today, Diana works as a pharmacist at Genoa Healthcare in Parsippany and Tyler is a third-generation union electrician working in NYC. The family-oriented Lodi residents hope to buy a home and start a family together. When asked when she knew Tyler was the one that she wanted to spend her life beside, she said there was not any single moment.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

“I found that you can fall in love with different aspects,” said Diana. “You catch yourself staring for a little longer than usual. You miss him when he’s gone. It’s gradual but quick.” “I could say that it hit me at different times, but pinpointing it is hard because it came so naturally with him,” she added. “I don’t want to spend any time without him. He’s a very loving, caring man and is a very hands-on man as well.” Diana has found in the past two years that the key component of a good relationship is keeping an open line of communication. She acknowledged how dealing with the silent treatment in prior relationships only causes more problems as conflicts build and become internalized. “That is why our relationship works so well. We always keep it real and honest,” said Diana. “Tell [your partner] ‘I love you’ every day.” It’s about staying open to discussing the good, bad, or ugly — and then working from there. “I really lucked out,” said Diana. “I really know that I met my other half.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

The Search IS OVER

Michael and Marisol (Stricker) McIninch’s love story was made in Clifton and began on Brighton Road. The married couple of 33 years met at the LCS Industries, 120 Brighton Rd, now FASTENation, Inc. Michael recalled how they worked together at the marketing firm and were friends for about two to three years before the relationship developed in 1987. “We had become very good friends so it transferred from that into a relationship,” said Michael, 56. “We commuted together, we hung out together. It grew from a friendship to something else.” Their first date was to New York City to see the tree in Rockefeller Plaza during the Christmas holiday season. What stood out for Marisol during that time was Michael’s kindness. “He was very family-oriented,” said Marisol, 59. “That is one of the qualities that attracted me to Michael.” Michael is a lifelong city resident who has lived in their Albion home since he was 10 years old. He attended School 5 and Woodrow Wilson in his youth. Marisol grew up in Passaic and lived there until moving to Clifton in 1987. Michael attributes “compromising” to the reason why the couple’s relationship has endured since their early twenties. In both of their cases, they did not have many relationships before they met each other. The few disagreements over the years have perhaps pertained to their children, but even then they say that they always stick together. “We talk through [any disagreements],” said Marisol. “We give each other enough space and time to have a good discussion … with open communication.” What has also kept them moving forward is patience. They dated for three years before Michael got down on one knee and proposed to her. “I thought of [marriage] right away,” said Michael. “But, because we were so young, I didn’t want to jump into it.”

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Michael and Marisol (Stricker) McIninch.

Finding a Partner After living with one another for three years, the timing was right. Michael and Marisol wed on June 23, 1990 at St Philip the Apostle Roman Catholic Church. The couple have three sons — Ernie, Danny, and Vincent — and four grandchildren. Michael has worked for 28 years as a facility manager in the Woodbridge Board of Education. After spending 33 years at LCS and working as their manager, Marisol currently works as an account manager for Stafford Communications Group. The pair enjoy boating in their free time either in the Barnegat Bay area or Lake Hopatcong. They are also grateful for all the ways that they’ve grown together — whether it was building a home, a family, or their careers.

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

“I don’t think that we could’ve ever accomplished [these things] without each other,” said Michael. “We have become very successful in our career choices because of our relationship.” He added they have a “great relationship” with their children and grandchildren. When it comes time for large family get-togethers, they all enjoy each other’s company. And for Michael, feeling trust for Marisol relates back to watching her become a mother all those years ago. “Just watching her with the children and knowing that this is the mother of these kids and my wife. Showing the care she felt about them,” said Michael. “You want that quality in a partner.” They agreed that it’s also about being there through the health challenges as well. Marisol noted that it’s a rare thing for young couples to stay together, even when it does happen. It’s even rarer to go through a global public health crisis with them and emerge stronger than ever. “I think a lot of relationships didn’t make it [through the coronavirus pandemic],” said Marisol. “But knowing that you made it through a pandemic with that person by your side is special.”

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

McIninch boys Danny, Ernie, and Vincent.

Their next goal is retirement, which could involve staying local but also looking into the possibility of a shore home. As they consider the future and the plans they look forward to doing together, a single question is asked. Do you believe in soulmates? “Yes,” they both respond. Then Michael added, “If you meet at 20 and you’re together for almost 35 years, that’s your soulmate. It’s who I want to grow old with, and I don’t want another partner ever. Another soulmate ever.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Falling INTO STEP

Falling in love with Donald Lopuzzo came naturally for Melissa (Ayers) Lopuzzo, but she still remembers having questions for her friends. It was a few months into dating Donald, so Melissa found herself wondering if it was too fast or too soon. “I remember talking to one of my friends and asking, ‘How soon is too soon to say I love you?” I felt we had known each other for so long,” said Melissa, 31. “We had gotten so close in such a short amount of time as a couple rather than just as friends. It made me realize that something good was happening.” There’s a certain harmony to the couple — but perhaps not in the way that you’d expect. Like many before and since their years at CHS, Donald and Melissa met in the Mustang Marching Band. Donald (CHS 2007), who played the trumpet, was both an Albion and Montclair Heights native and grew up as the only child of Arthur and Valerie. Melissa (CHS 2010) and her brother, Rob (CHS 2004), grew up with parents Bob and Linda in the Montclair Heights section. She was a saxophonist as a freshman when Donald was a senior. Despite knowing each other, nothing romantic would happen between the Mustangs until they left school and reconnected after college. Working as assistants for the former Mustang Band Director Bob Morgan during his final year as band director brought them together. “I was an assistant with Mr. Morgan for two years and in the second year, she came and was helping out as well,” said Donald, 34. Donald was just as drawn to Melissa. He knew undoubtedly it was right when he went down to Virginia with friends and needed to rush home because he wasn’t feeling well. It was while he was laid up in bed that he saw the depth of Melissa’s caring nature.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Donald Lopuzzo CHS 2007 and Melissa Ayers CHS 2010.

“My mom said, ‘People know you’re sick — you would think someone would come and bring you cookies.’ Then the doorbell rang and it was Melissa with cookies, because she knew I wasn’t feeling well,” said Donald. “I think that was probably the moment [I knew I was in love].” Everybody Changes If music is what brings them together, laughter is the glue that keeps the couple close. “Don always makes me laugh,” said Melissa. “That’s just such a good quality to have in a partner.” The couple’s first date was in the summer of 2014. Donald took Melissa to Cape May, where they visited the lighthouse on the beach and ate dinner at The Lobster House. It worked for them since they were already friends and knew each other, though Melissa jokes that it was good that things went well since they made it a full day event. Donald proposed to Melissa seven years ago on the steps of the largest church in the Western Hemisphere, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The couple wed July 7, 2018 — the fourth anniversary of their first date. “Both Cape May and DC remain our favorite places to visit,” said Donald. But the Montclair Heights residents love the convenience of Clifton, and it’s why they’ve become lifelong residents. Donald is the band director at Wallington High School, a role he’s held for the past 10 years. There was no Marching Band when he first got the job.

104 W. 1st St 249 7th St 41 E. 8th St 26 Anderson Dr 128 Barkley Ave 7 Barrington Ave 89 Bender Dr 153 Cambridge Ct 163 Cambridge Ct 15 Caroline Ave 126 Cherry St 86 Christie Ave 1195 Clifton Ave 29 Collura Ln 64 DeMott Ave 35 Doherty Dr 42 Donnalin Pl 109 Edwards Rd 84 Fernwood Ct

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Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

It is with Morgan’s encouragement to “build a band there” and Melissa as his assistant band director that he’s seen the band grow and thrive. They have built a band of over 40 members and have taken them to perform in Virginia, West Point, and will travel to Boston this year. Melissa teaches high school math at West Essex High School and said the assistant band director role keeps her rooted in her passion for music. “When Don had the opportunity to start a Marching Band that didn’t exist, he asked if I wanted to help because he figured that I’d be a good asset,” said Melissa. “It’s something that keeps us together.” Seeing the world together and growing their careers are definite

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

parts of their future plans. The Bahamas and Grenada are two destinations that they’ve already enjoyed. And when it comes down to the song that best describes their relationship, they agree that it’s their wedding song, “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. Donald and Melissa aren’t the first Mustang couple we’ve spoken to over the years. When they were asked what the legacy means to them, Melissa and Donald agreed that it’s possible to be surprised by who you reconnect with after leaving high school. “We knew each other, but I would have never anticipated marrying someone that I went to high school with,” said Melissa. “Years go by and everybody changes.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Beyond FIRST

There’s every possibility that George and Jane (Gyorgydeak) Scarfo walked past each other as they walked through CHS’ corridors. George (CHS 1971) and Jane (CHS 1972) didn’t know each other in those days. The couple would meet in 1992 through mutual friends Terry (Egan) Kish (CHS 1972) and Kish’s late, former husband Steve Skubisz. The rest was history, as Jane put it, but with a slight catch. “It wasn’t love at first sight,” chuckled Jane, 69. “He was kind of nerdy and wore white socks. At our first meeting, he gave me a stare.” But Jane’s so grateful that something in her saw beyond her first impression of George. After a second date at Clifton Health Officer John Biegel III’s wedding, the couple continued a romance throughout the summer. “Thank God, we fell in love,” said Jane. “He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.” George agreed. What drew him in to Jane was her intelligence, her commitment to her higher education, and her beauty. “She’s blonde,” said George, 71, coyly. “I like that.” To which, Jane quipped: “He thinks I’m Marilyn Monroe reincarnated.” Loving Their City The Middle Village section was home to George. His parents were George and Theresa and he grew up with three sisters, Carol, Judith, and Sally. George received his education at St. Paul’s, Schools 3 and 6, Christopher Columbus Junior High, and went into the Air Force after high school. “My father couldn’t afford to send me to college, so I decided to go into the military,” he said. “I went to Lackland Air Force Base for basic training and then Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas for tech school.” George spent six years in the service, first as a loadmaster and later in avionics. He concluded his service as a Staff Sergeant. George would go on to retire as a wire technician after a career focused primarily in electronics. Jane, who grew up in the Richfield section, was the only child of Joseph and Helen Gyorgydeak. She attended

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

IMPRESSIONS

School 14, Woodrow Wilson Junior High, and would become a registered nurse at Bloomfield College. “Growing up in the 60’s, females didn’t have so many choices,” she said. “It was either teaching, nursing, or becoming a secretary. I always loved to teach, so I taught nursing later in my career.” Jane spent two and a half years at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark after graduating from Bloomfield College in 1977. She described the experience as hands-on and worthwhile, but she didn’t know if she wanted to continue on that path at her young age. It was in 1980 that she was hired to join the Clifton Health Department, where she worked for 34 years as a public health nurse. Jane retired in 2014 as Nursing Supervisor. George and Jane wed Oct. 24, 1993. Although they stayed in the city that they consider home because of its many services and conveniences, they also ensured that giving back to the city runs in their family. For Jane, it means that she maintains active

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

roles as treasurer of the New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators and on the advisory board for Evergreen Manor, 50 Sade St. George is in his second year as Commander of American Legion Post 347 at Clifton Recreation Center, 1232 Main Ave. Following in her mother’s footsteps, George and Jane’s daughter, Lauren (CHS 2012), is an employee of the Clifton Health Department, whose voice you’ve likely heard for Reverse 911 calls. Lauren will marry Clifton DPW employee Victor Campolattaro, (CHS 2013), this summer. “Our dedication to Clifton remains and we are all still living in Clifton,” said Jane. Sent A Signal Ray Orbison may ask, “Are you still mine?” in “Unchained Melody” — but after 30 years, the answer is still a resounding “yes” for George and Jane. The Clitonites agreed that the best way to handle disagreements in a relationship is to hash it out and then move forward. When it comes to their roles in the marriage, Jane said she’s one that is known to take charge with the bills

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

and finances, but George will do anything for her. “He’s such a good guy and he’s handy,” said Jane. “He’s the guy who does everything for me.” The couple bought a townhouse in Millsboro, Delaware about eight years ago. Although they have considered someday retiring there, they are still enjoying staying active in our city. They also have memories that stick with them from different well-known locations, like the iHop on Route 3. “We were just dating for about a month and we went to … lunch,” recalled Jane. “When we came out and said goodbye, because I had to go back to work, he said to me, ‘I love you.’” Jane didn’t immediately say it back and began to worry because she didn’t want to hurt George then or in the future if her own feelings did not become clear. They continued to see each other that summer of 1992 while George’s mother was sick, and Jane said seeing how he cared for his mom was the turning point for her. “The weekend she passed, I told him, ‘I love you.’ I saw a different side of him,” said Jane. “His mom sent a signal. She left him, but now I’m his.”

Knapp Legacy of Service On February 27, 1960, the day my mom and dad married, they opened R.F. Knapp Roofing. It was a bold move for Dorothy and Richard. But over six decades later, I’m proud to celebrate the 64th anniversary of our family business. While my brother and I worked together until his death in 2014, I proudly continue our family business. On this page I wanted to share a few photos...and let you know how much the Knapp Family has appreciated your support and trust over these six decades. At right, in 1990 that’s my family just before my dad died... at the bottom is Richie, a great Skipper and Fisherman...and at right, that’s mom and me in 2007, supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton....

Thank You, Clifton! - Don Knapp

Since 1960

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Lucky

THEIR

DAY

Ken Kurnath liked what he saw when he met Marianne Conneely at the old Belmont Ballroom in Garfield. It was April of 1962, and the ballroom held Sunday afternoon Polish dances. Ken and Marianne met, they enjoyed some regular dancing together, and then Ken asked Marianne for her phone number. The duo went the following week to Tracey’s Steakhouse in Little Ferry. “He had to drive from Passaic down to Irvington,” said Marianne, 82. Ken broke even a long time ago on the distance that he traveled to spend time with Marianne that first day. On Aug. 22, the Dutch Hill couple will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. The pair and their loved ones will celebrate with a big party at the Valley Regency, 1129 Valley Rd. But what was Marianne’s first impression that day in Garfield? “It was her lucky day,” joked Ken, 92, before Marianne gave a more serious answer. “I thought he was good looking and it turned out that he was a teacher,” said Marianne. “I was graduating from college [to become] a teacher, so we had common interests there.”

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

That shared passion was one of the key components to spending over six decades together. “It’s very easy when you’re in the same type of profession,” said Marianne. “We tried to leave work at school and not to bring it home with us but, if something happened, you [knew the] circumstances.” Friendship and Wanderlust Handling disagreements in a relationship may not be a no-brainer, but Ken knows what works for him and Marianne. “Whenever we have a disagreement, it ends quickly,” said Ken. Marianne agrees, stating: “The disagreements are minor and they aren’t prolonged. You have to be friends.” Building a friendship is entirely unique. It means understanding where the other person comes from — sometimes in the literal sense of traveling 11 miles south on the GSP. Ken lived on Seger Avenue with his parents, William and Anna, and his late older sister, Gladys. He attended St. Cyril & Methodius School on Ackerman Ave. and, at age 10, his father passed away. Ken graduated from CHS in 1950 and went straight into the US Navy.

Ken served during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954 on the USS Cambria (APA-36) as a Third Class Ship Serviceman. He later attended William Paterson under the GI Bill and went on to spend the next 40 years in education. Ken taught at School Number 1 in Passaic for 11 years, was the head teacher for three years, and finished his career as an elementary principal. He additionally coached in Passaic and he officiated three sports over 30 years, including volleyball, basketball, and softball. When in his own hometown, he served on the Clifton Board of Education for 15 years and was among the firstelected Board members once it was no longer an appointed position. Marianne grew up in Irvington as the oldest of Tom and Wanda Conneely’s five children. Her siblings are Judy, Linda, Jacqueline, and Tom. She earned her bachelor’s in Education from Kean College in Union and taught kindergarten for two or three years in the Hillside Township School District. What followed was marriage and the birth of Ken and Marianne’s two sons, Kevin (CHS 1983) and Keith (CHS 1990), who passed away in 2010.

Today, Kevin is an active city resident as a member of the Elks, the Clifton Historical Committee, the Friends of the Library, and more. Marianne stayed home for 11 years raising her boys before returning to school for her degree in English as a Second Language teaching. She taught in Passaic as an ESL teacher for 26 years before retiring. While Ken and Marianne still worked, they bought a condo 34 years ago down in Naples, Florida. “We haven’t regretted it,” said Marianne, speaking over the phone from their Florida condo just a day before snow was expected up north. “We’re a mile and a half from the Gulf of Mexico.” Ken added that the couple also enjoys traveling to Aruba and they’ve gone to Bermuda before. The pair were just days away from taking a cruise and then spending 10 days in Disney. “We’re not couch potatoes,” chuckled Marianne. “We’re active, and people always say that they look up to us and what we’re doing.” And that’s how 60 years go by!

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Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Love

LEAPING

INTO

When Tony Gretina got married at the age of six, it wasn’t “pretend married” in the schoolyard. “This year, he gets his 17th birthday,” said his wife Debra, 68. “I used to have fun with it in school, because I’d say to the kids, ‘My husband is your age. I married really young.’ It was always a fun thing to talk about.” “When I tell people that he’s only 17 years old, it goes over their heads sometimes,” continued Debra. “They don’t think about what it could be, and it’s fun to tease people. Once they realize his birthday, they remember it.” The date in question is Feb. 29 — the date that only comes around once every four years on a Leap Year. Tony, who will actually turn 68 this month, realized his birthday was unique at a fairly young age. “The memory I have at about five or six years old is that my mother always said that I was born at the end of February,” said Tony. “So it meant that we were going to celebrate on Feb 28 for non-leap years.” Tony’s birthday was always treated normally, but he said there was an added interest when some people would ask him about it. Some people had no knowledge of leap years, while others would ask him: How many leap years are you? “They would be excited to hear about it,” said Tony, “and I was kind of proud.” Tony’s last big birthday bash was Feb. 29, 2020. His Sweet 16 fell on a Saturday, so Debra said that they had a huge family blow-out and it was the last time the family gathered for a while. Two weeks later, the world shut down as COVID-19 affected every corner of our lives. One of the next big milestones will be Tony turning 84 — or 21 — in the next 16 years. But Debra added that her husband will no longer be a teenager before he knows it. “As our children grew up, it was always a fun thing to talk about when they got to be older than Daddy,” she laughed.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Getting to Know You It was in early 1978 that Tony and Debra met at Syracuse University. Tony was finishing his senior year of college and encountered Debra, who had already finished school, while they both worked in the Student Activities office. “When I first laid my eyes on her … I wanted to get to know her,” said Tony. “And so we went from there.” Tony spent his childhood on Crooks Avenue and moved once he got married. He attended St. Brendan’s Grammar School, Christopher Columbus Junior High, and graduated with the CHS Class of 1974. His parents, Anthony and Marietta, also had two daughters, older sister Jessica and younger sister Connie (CHS 1977). Debra grew up local to the Syracuse area in Upstate New York. Her immediate family included her parents, Graham and Kay Dodds, and two older sisters. Debra gently teased that she was Tony’s boss in the Student Activities office, where he was processing the information that she and the other workers were organizing for the Student Orientation program in the summertime.

Tony and Debra’s kids: Ashley, Anthony, Emma and Sara.

One of the couple’s memorable first dates was a February dance shortly after Valentine’s Day. But before that, they went on their official first date at a Houlihan’s-type restaurant. “He pulled out his wallet and showed me pictures of his family,” recalled Debra. “He said, ‘And this is Jess. You’ll really like her, she’s a lot of fun.’ I thought that he was a lot of fun, too. I loved his laugh.” Tony returned to Clifton in August of 1978 after he graduated from college. He got a job with UPS, where he worked for 23 years, and they did long distance for about a year and a half. “Every other weekend, he’d come up or I’d come down,” said Debra. “We would call after 11 pm when the rates went down. I knew it was Tony at 11:01 pm, and we’d catch up on our days.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Family-Time Together Tony proposed on Christmas Eve of 1979 and the couple wed six months later on June 21, 1980. The Albion residents have four children, Ashley (CHS 2002), Sara (CHS 2005), Emma (CHS 2008), and Anthony (CHS 2011). Ashley married her high school sweetheart, Cristian Reyes (CHS 2002), and they had two daughters, Catalina, 9, and Andrea, 5. Anthony, the final one to get married

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

next year, is engaged to Nidhi Shah (CHS 2012) who he has known since their days at School 5. After retiring from UPS, Tony worked for 10 years at Pearson Education, now known as Pearson, in their shipping department. Now he’s fully retired and his greatest joy is spending time with his granddaughters. “I enjoy watching them grow up, and our children also,” said Tony. “We are looking forward to growing the family.” Even though they’re technically empty-nesters, they’re deeply fond of another member of the family — Lucy, their 14-year-old Shetland Sheepdog. “She’s an old lady,” laughed Debra. “She’s our baby right now.” Once Debra left Syracuse, her plan was to attend Rutgers and finish her master’s degree. She instead went to work at Valley National Bank and stayed there for 10 years until their third and fourth child arrived. The next 10 years were spent at home until Anthony was in school, which was when Debra made a career shift. Debra worked in education for the next 20 years. She started in Clifton at School 13 and went on to become the Supervisor of Mathematics K-8. Debra later went to work for West Milford as the district’s Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics. Today, her “retirement job” is working again at Valley National Bank as a Senior Banker. Now with more flexibility, the couple enjoys traveling and have gone on cruises in the past. More than anything else, they enjoy spending time with their loved ones. “We always love birthdays and we take any chance that we can to celebrate together,” said Debra. “We’ve had three weddings so far and have one to plan for next year. It’s a wonderful time to be together as a family.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

As we connected with newlywed, recently engaged, and long-time couples for this month, we took to social media to ask our readers some pressing questions. They included: How did you and your significant other meet? When did you fall in love? What was your first date? We also asked the respondents to share their couple’s/ wedding song with us. Some of them grew up in Clifton, while others settled down in our city or raised families locally before moving elsewhere. The following pages are their love stories in their own words …

I was working at Hoffmann La Roche and dated a guy for seven or eight years. His sister and friend saw me at a baby’s Christening and said, ‘I don’t know if you’re interested, but I have a great guy. Can I set you up?’ He lived in Manhattan and when he called, he said, ‘My name is Edward … and you’re a potential candidate to be my wife.’ Twenty-four years ago yesterday on Jan. 16, I drove into the city and met him on a blind date. We never talked about marriage, but six months later, he proposed to me in a New York City gym. Kimberly Breznak (CHS We lived on Columbus Avenue, across ABC 1988) and Edward Tuccio. Studios, and Edward would be at World Gym evTheir first dance was Barery weekend when we started dating. He would do ry White’s “My First, My weights and I was in an aerobics class. Last, My Everything” and One day, the instructor asked, ‘Can you come “At Last” by Etta James up and volunteer for me?’ I was doing dips on the was their wedding song. bench as they were filming it and thought that the gym was filming it for its own thing. Now my husband is retired, so we spend time in Florida Then Marc Cohn’s song ‘True Companion’ came on and where we’re trying to learn pickleball, take walks together, the woman next to me said, ‘Is it your birthday?’ I said, and we love to eat healthy together. We also give back. ‘No’, but then the first doorman came in with a dozen rosWe’re members of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic es. Edward’s lucky number is seven and he came in with a Church in Passaic and we’ve donated to support Ukraine tuxedo on and the ring as the seventh doorman with seven through the church. We’re also big advocates and donors dozen roses. toward Juvenile Diabetes research. We’re in the process of We married within seven months on June 16, 2001 and creating the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center our first dance song was Barry White’s “My First, My Last, at the College of Charleston. My Everything.” Etta James’ “At Last” was our wedding Now that our kids are in college, I definitely want to song. My favorite highlight of our marriage is definitely travel the world. I would also love to give back to the our proposal. Before we moved up to Ridgefield, ConnectiBoys & Girls Club of Clifton and will one day. I’ve been cut, we spent a lot of time in Sea Girt and rented a house to events and galas for the Ridgefield club, but when my there every year. I have great memories of when our chilmom, Mary Guida, was single and on welfare, my sister, dren Brandon and Isabella were babies on the Jersey shore. Nicole Carnevale (CHS 1986), and I would go to the Club.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Joe and Bernadette (Abato) Salerno I lost my wife 11 years ago, but love telling the story of how we met. It was 1980, my brother Mike and I graciously accepted Giants tickets from my dad — after all, the Giants were playing the Cowboys on this Sunday. We didn’t care that the forecast was for rain and sleet; we were ecstatic to be able to be there. It did indeed rain most of the game. I am a loyal fan, but after the third quarter I said to Mike, ‘Let’s see if we can watch from the tunnel.’ As we stood up, I noticed two beautiful women sitting behind us totally drenched. I smiled and told them we were headed to the tunnel to get dry and they just smiled back. After about 10 minutes, to my surprise, these two lovely ladies showed up and put a small blanket over themselves and stood at the beginning of the tunnel. I took advantage of this and asked if I could watch with them. I was accepted under cover and asked their names. The tall brunette was Bernadette and the shorter blonde was Chris. It was a close game and for the first time in many years, the Giants won. I said to Bernadette that I was so happy, I could kiss her. She replied, ‘Why don’t you?’ From then on, for a year and a half, we were together and were married April 18, 1982.

Joe and Bernadette Salerno.

Michael and Rosemary (Trinkle) Baran I met Roe back in the winter of 1990. I was living in my home city of Decatur, Georgia and Rosemary had just been transferred from St. Louis, MO to Atlanta. She was a Food and Beverage Manager for Hyatt Hotels. I

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Michael and Rosemary Baran, Janet and Steve Mozolewski, Al and Sue Zwiazek,

was a member of the Cathedral of Christ The King in Atlanta and a member of the church’s “Cathedral Singles”, a young singles group. One Sunday evening in February 1990, there was a wine and cheese social after the 6 pm Mass and me and another member decided at the last minute to attend. It was held in the Social Hall of the Parish. As I was milling around chatting with other singles, I heard this cute female voice talking to someone: “Oh, I work at the Hyatt Regency downtown.” At that point, I turned to see who was talking. My eyes laid on this cute, bubbly, brown-haired and brown-eyed young woman. I told her: “Hello, I heard that you worked for the Hyatt Regency. Back in 1979 when I had just moved to Los Angeles following my college graduation, my first job was as a greeter at Hugo’s Garden Court at the Hyatt Wilshire Hotel. My general manager was Darryl Hartley Leonard.” At that point, Rosemary continued the conversation about Mr. Leonard and her job at Hyatt — that was 34 years ago. In May, Roe and I will celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary. Steve and Janet (Goulbourn) Mozolewski Our favorite couple’s song is “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles. Steve has lived in Clifton for his whole life in the same house and I have lived in Clifton for 46 years. We met at a friend’s Fourth of July party in 1984, but both of us also worked part time at Caldor. We got married on Sept. 1, 1990 and have had 33 years of wedded bliss. We are blessed with two great kids. Ryan is 30 and moved to Colorado a few years ago. Justin is 25 and still

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

lives in Clifton. Both went to St. Philips and Clifton High School. The highlight of our marriage was watching our sons turn into the fine young men that they are today. Our favorite way to spend time together is to take weekend trips to Cape May and Maine. We are not quite at retirement age, but we look forward to that time and being able to travel more. Al and Sue (Scibran) Zwiazek My husband grew up on Union Avenue and has lived here for all of his life. I moved here after we got married on Oct. 26, 1985. We met through a mutual friend at a bar called Touch of Country on Lexington Avenue, which is now a laundromat. I liked Al right away. He and I got along and Al asked me out on a date, and I went. In fact, we went out for New Year’s Eve to some type of party. Our wedding song was “I Only Have Eyes for You” by Art Garfunkel. My husband and I are big Simon and Garfunkel fans, and Art Garfunkel put out a solo album with “I Only Have Eyes for You” on it and it’s our favorite song. His version of it is beautiful. The highlight of our marriage would be our two sons, Alex and Kyle. We also travel a lot and have visited Ireland, Italy, and have gone together to 45 states. We need to visit Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Dakota. I went to Hawaii, but he didn’t come with me and I’m willing to go back. We are foodies as well and love to go out to eat. Clifton has a whole bunch of restaurants, but we go all over the place. We also attend a lot of Clifton concerts and concerts in New York.

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Denise and Ryan Fanelli, Richard and Linda Onorevole, Robin and William Gibson.

Ryan and Denise (Huth) Fanelli Our wedding date was April 11, 2015 and our song is “Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson. We are terrible dancers and didn’t want to dance to a slow song, because that’s boring. Trying to think of something a little unusual and that song came on the radio one day, and I said, ‘This should be the song’ and he said, ‘Actually, that’s a great one.’ I grew up in Clifton, graduating from CHS in 2002, and Ryan is from Cranford. We were working as the new chemistry teachers in Paramus, ended up working together on a lot of stuff, and we eventually... Our highlight was definitely getting our dog, Carmella. She’s 6 years old and a beagle and bulldog mix. She is the best thing in the whole world. We enjoy traveling as well. We’ve gone to Germany a few times. We’re hoping to finally take our Niagara Falls trip that we’ve tried taking for 10 years. We were planning for it and always ended up doing a fancier trip, but I kept asking for it and then COVID happened. Hopefully it will happen next year, because I know we want to go there, and maybe Northern Germany. William and Robin (Waterman) Gibson My wedding song has meant so much to our relationship throughout our 28 years of marriage. It is Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me”. My husband has been through very difficult times with his health issues. There are times when your significant other has to be your strength when they are weak, their eyes when they can’t see, their voice when they can’t speak. This is exactly what the song says: “You were my strength when I was weak, you were my voice when I couldn’t speak, you were my eyes when I couldn’t see, you saw the best there was in me.”

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

I believe that my husband Bill has an amazing will to live because of this song and what it means to us. When he is lying in hospital beds, I tell him to remember the song. I will hold you up and never let you fall. I am the one that will see you through it all. No matter what happens in life, it’s love that sees you through. Richard and Linda (Wojtowicz) Onorevole I grew up in Clifton and my parents, Richard and Linda Onorevole, still reside in the Rosemawr section. Their wedding was on Nov. 3, 1973 and their song is “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and I think that is a major accomplishment. I think their marriage is an example of love and commitment for others to follow. What I have learned from it is to be patient, to always look on the bright side of things, and to focus on the positive. My most vivid memories of my parents are that we had a pool, a sandbox, and friends and family over for barbecues. We were always in the pool. My father was a Clifton Police Officer for 30 years and my mother was a Basic Skills Instruction — and later a fourth and fifth grade — teacher at Schools 13, 1, and 3 for over 35 years. We maybe didn’t take a lot of vacations, but everything that we needed was in our backyard and in our neighborhood. I have current memories of family vacations as well. Last summer and in 2016, we went with our family members to Maine and rented a house for the week. We used to spend time in Maine when me and my brother were younger, and it was nice to return to the area. We always wanted to see the beach, so in 2016 and 2023 we rented houses right by the ocean. – Written by daughter Gina Onorevole-Lee

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Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Clifton’s Jersey Jazz Legend

Back at Gulliver’s

By Jack DeVries Amos Kaune had just moved to Miami from Clifton, getting a job as a bartender at the Collins Terrace Hotel. It was winter, and Florida’s weather suited him just fine. All he needed were customers to come in, have a drink, and leave something for his tip cup behind the bar. To make the place seem busy to the people walking by, Kaune would empty quarters out of the jukebox and pump them back in, picking a random bunch of songs to play. There was one song he would pick over and over— Erroll Garner’s “Misty”—Kaune had never heard anything like it. There was just something about the song, something that stirred in his soul. This was jazz, and Amos was hooked. “It was a beautiful tune,” Kaune told Clifton Merchant in 2010, “the way Erroll Garner played it—his whole approach. I was so taken by it, that when I got back to Jersey, the first thing I did was buy the album.” Returning to Clifton, Kaune met his future wife Pat, and they began dating. One of their special nights out was seeing Garner perform at Carnegie Hall. “It was the first time I’d ever been to a concert in my life,” said Kaune.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

From that night on, Amos never stopped listening to live jazz. It would become his passion, the music he’d dedicate his life to. Pat would become his partner, financier, and supporter of his dreams through their 50-plus years of married life. “We made a pretty good team,” Kaune said at the time. “Still do.” Kaune and Pat respectively passed away in February of 2012 and January of 2023. Recently, we heard from their long-time friend of over 35 years—David McLean. McLean told us about a scholarship that was created sev-

In 1960, Amos Kaune purchased his first tavern, the Clifton Tap Room, at the corner of Kulik and Lexington Aves.

eral years ago in Kaune’s name at William Paterson University. The Amos Kaune Jazz Annual Scholarship is funded by David McLean ’64 for a student who is in the Jazz Studies program and is in good academic standing. This year’s recipient is Ben Petrackus from Hartford, Conn. Petrackus

is a bassist, but he plays several other instruments. “Amos knew … music and its subtleties, though he was not a musician,” said McLean. “He was highly respected in the business by musicians after he helped them find work.” That passion never stopped burning for the jazz man from Clifton. And this was his story.

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Clifton’s Jersey Jazz Legend

1949 CHS grad Amos Kaune was a modest guy. He’d be hard pressed to allow a writer to call him the godfather of jazz but what he did for that original American art form is legendary. He put a small jazz club named Gulliver’s in what was then West Paterson on the map with visitors like (left) Roy Eldridge, Mercer Ellington and helped scores of lesser known musicians get their start in the business.

Beginnings Kaune was born in Passaic in 1931. His family moved to Clifton in 1934, and he grew up on Clinton Ave. near Weasel Brook Park. Like many kids, the park became the center of his existence. “I loved boxing and football,” he said, “but I didn’t play ball for Clifton High—I was too small.” But he did yearn to become a boxer. After graduating from CHS in 1949, he took odd jobs, like working in a cotton mill, while he pursued his dream. He began training in Skillman’s Gym in New York City, “the Harvard University of boxing at the time,” as he called it, and sparring with fighters like Dick Wagner, Chico Vejar, and Patty Young. “One of the traps of boxing,” said Kaune, who later changed his opinion of the sport, “is you think you’re going to become somebody, a contender, whether you have talent or not. That’s what I believed. I never decided boxing wasn’t for me—it just evolved that way.” Luckily, his next career was waiting. He started bartending at age 23 at the old Frank Alberta’s Restaurant, near the Passaic River in the early 50’s. “It was the cen-

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

ter of politics in Clifton, the center of everything. I liked working for Frank—he was a character.” He also liked his new business. Outside of a brief move to Florida, Kaune became a fixture “behind the stick” at area restaurants and nightclubs. “I liked the restaurant business,” he said of his time tending bar. “You made pretty good money, and you were out— it wasn’t like going to work. You were also with people.” It was at Frank Alberta’s in 1956 where he met Pat. “An older customer who knew Pat from her job in the doctor’s office thought we’d make a great couple,” he said. “He brought her in specifically to meet me. We hit it off and began going out.” Later in 1956, Kaune left Frank Alberta’s to take over the bar and snack bar concession at the Copake Lake Country Club in Craryville, N.Y., with friend Harry Burns (future owner of the old Burns County Inn on Valley Road). It was a big operation, and he gained valuable experience. He returned to Clifton in the fall of 1958 ready for his next career move. Nothing could have prepared him for what would happen next.

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Clifton’s Jersey Jazz Legend Fateful Evening On Oct. 4, 1958, Kaune and Pat drove to Manhattan to see the movie, Around the World in 80 Days. They rode in Kaune’s Ford Mainliner, which he’d bought new for $1,800 in 1955. After enjoying the movie, the couple drove back toward Clifton along Route 3. They were crossing over the Hackensack River when their lives nearly ended. “On the bridge, five lanes were regulated by lights,” Kaune remembered. “At that hour, three lanes were going west, two lanes were moving east. At the crest of the bridge, some drunk in a Cadillac convertible crossed over two lanes and plowed into us head on.” Pat seemed to be the most seriously injured in the accident. She received Last Rites and remained unconscious for days, suffering a brain concussion and broken ankle. When Pat awakened, her recovery was swift and she returned to her job in five weeks. The driver who caused the accident also recovered quickly. “The old bit about God protecting drunks held true,” Kaune said. “He ended up with only a broken nose and a broken rib.” While Kaune suffered only a quartersize mark on his knee, his internal injuries were far more serious. “My femur was forced up, shattering my pelvis,” he said. “I spent the winter in North Hudson Hospital in Union City—one horrible place. No one walked in there voluntarily for an operation; you had to be carted in or scraped off a highway somewhere.” “In my ward—we had guys who were prisoners with guards standing over them. There were crazy people who

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

should’ve been in an institution. As grim as it was, it was an interesting place—something was always going on. Not the way you want to be entertained, but it made the time pass quickly. I came out on Valentine’s Day, 1959.” The Clifton Tap Room After coming out of the hospital, Kaune sold fire warning systems while he regained his strength. In April 1960, he moved from restaurant employee to owner, opening the Clifton Tap Room at the corner of Kulik St. and Lexington Ave. “I wanted it to become a neighborhood restaurant,” he said. “It was across the street from the Jacques Wolfe Chemical Plant, and I knew a lot of people who worked there from Frank Alberta’s. I figured we’d have a good lunch business. But the day we opened, the plant closed—I’d been out of action so long, I hadn’t heard it was coming.” During the first two years, the Clifton Tap Room limped along, barely surviving by selling pizzas. “Pat had her regular job working for Dr. Jack Sall,” said Kaune. “It was also her job to support the restaurant.” On a snowy night in 1962, Kaune decided to trust jazz. Leaving his restaurant with once Herald-News reporter Harry Vander Berg behind the bar, he drove to a coffeehouse in Teaneck called the Outer Limits, where the Vince Benedetti Trio was performing. He hired them on the spot. By February, the Clifton Tap Room had become the city’s leading jazz club. Other acts followed. The Cinderella Brothers performed there, as did the Mike Melillo trio, featuring Melillo on piano, Ron Naspo on bass, and Herb Fischer on drums.

Clifton PUBLIC SCHOOLS Kindergarten Registration Any child residing in Clifton who is 5 years of age on or before October 1, 2024, is eligible for Kindergarten.

Pre-School Registration Any child residing in Clifton who is 3 or 4 years of age on or before October 1, 2024, is eligible for Preschool. Availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis upon completion of the entire registration process. For questions, please call 973-470-2060 Charter, Parochial, and Non-Public School Transfer Student Registration 2024-2025 Any child residing in Clifton is eligible to attend Clifton Public Schools free of charge.

Go Online To Register Required documents and details can be found at:

https://www.clifton.k12.nj.us/Page/4896

Registration

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Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Clifton’s Jersey Jazz Legend “Jazz was at a real low point then,” Kaune said. “This was when the Beatles were starting. Only four or five clubs in New York ran with jazz—mainstays like the Village Gate, the Village Vanguard, the Half Note, Five Spot, and Birdland.” “Because things were so terrible,” he continued, “I could pick out a name, find out the guy’s number, and hire him to do a Monday night. I’d call guys on the kitchen phone at Birdland while they were appearing and get them to play in my club.” Soon, the Clifton Tap Room was featuring some of the biggest names in jazz. “Vinnie Burke, one of the most important bass players in the history of jazz in New Jersey, played there,” said Kaune. “So did Zoot Sims, Al Kohn, and Coleman Hawkins, one of the greatest tenor sax players ever. When he died, Time magazine called him the ‘father of the saxophone.’” In 2002, Amos and Pat Kaune, with friends Ed and Marge Sch“We also had Ben Webster, Freddy Hubbard, Fat weighardt in the New Corral, when this story original appeared. Jones, and Sonny Rollins—in my opinion, the greatest musician alive,” he said. “It was an experience to Riverview Restaurant. The site had been the halfway point hear his sax—like a train roaring through the place.” on the old trolley line from Paterson to Singac. The Morris While the names got bigger, the Clifton Tap Room’s Canal once ran in the back, and scenes from the Perils of profits did not. “We pioneered deficit spending,” laughed Pauline had been filmed nearby. Kaune. “We kept bringing in bigger groups, which brought Kaune would make history of his own. His new jazz club in more money, which went to pay last week’s bills. The would be called Gulliver’s, taking the name from the book bills got bigger as the names got bigger.” Gulliver’s Travels, because he loved the way it sounded. In January 1965, Kaune suffered another setback when “We made money from the first day we opened,” he says. he fell on a snowy Passaic street, breaking his hip. “Everything worked out there.” “In June,” said Kaune, “our landlord, John Schlacter, a Opening in 1970, Gulliver’s featured lounge tables cut plumbing contractor, got tired of waiting for the rent—at from an old shuffleboard game and an atmosphere that was one point we thought we’d be locked out. When I knew different from any area club. Patrons were expected to keep there was no hope in catching up with the old debts, I told quiet while the musicians played, and Gulliver’s swayed in him I’d sell the place and give him the down payment. And a collective appreciation of sound. Kaune held court, welthat’s what happened. John was a decent enough guy to see coming patrons with a constant smile and listening to every us through.” magical note. “I had all the fun,” he said. “Pat did the hard work. While I was out front with the people and the musicians, Gulliver’s Big Run she was often in the back, doing the bookkeeping, the work After selling the business and recovering from his fall, that wasn’t a lot of fun.” Kaune began working as a bartender at places like the ClifLike the Clifton Tap Room, Gulliver’s featured a conton Pub on Allwood Rd., Hollar’s on Hazel St., and the stant stream of jazz talent. Musicians like Paterson’s Bucky Tides in Haledon. As he got stronger, he began working Pizzarelli, Jim Hall, and Joe Morello, the drummer from harder, sometimes bartending at two or three different placDave Brubeck’s band, played there, as did Art Farmer, Ron es in a week, putting aside money for his next jazz club. Carter, Maxine Sullivan, guitarist Joe Pass, and drummer On Thanksgiving Day in 1969, he found it in a historic Roy Haynes. West Paterson building on McBride Ave., then called the

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Clifton’s Jersey Jazz Legend “Marlene Ver Planck from Clifton, probably the ‘queen for the jingle singers,’ sang at Gulliver’s,” said Kaune. “We also had Willie “the Lion” Smith, from Newark, who went back to the Harlem Stride Piano days; Teddy Wilson, the guy who broke the color line in jazz with Benny Goodman’s band; and Mary Lou Williams, still considered the preeminent female jazz piano player.” “Others included Betty Carter, a great jazz singer, and Jackie Cain and Roy Kral, a great vocal group,” he added. Another musician Kaune enjoyed was guitarist HarAt the closing of Gulliver’s with Pat and Amos Kaune standing at center. ry Leahey. “Harry was a legend. So many great jazz musicians have no concern at all like the Duke Ellington Band led by son Mercer Ellington, if they ever get known, they just play—that was Harry Leathe Modern Jazz Quartet, and Wayne Shorter of Weather hey. Les Paul came in as a customer and was so taken by Report, along with acts from the old Gulliver’s. “Amos ran Harry’s playing, I couldn’t get him to leave after closing.” a tight ship. Everything was well done,” said singer Roy The only setback for Kaune in the 13 years he owned Kral. His vocal partner and wife of 52 years, Jackie Cain, Gulliver’s was opening his Kid McCoy jazz club at the agreed, “Amos is an unassuming but charming man who corner of Madison and Main in Clifton. “That was a total had the ability to run a great club.” loser,” he said of the two-year flop. “We lost money every After three years, Kaune sold the new Gulliver’s for a day, even worse than the Clifton Tap Room.” profit and moved on. From 1992 to 1995, he worked at Jazz musicians appreciated Kaune’s efforts. Sam Jones Trumpets for friend and owner Emily Wingert, booking recorded a tune called “One for Amos” and performed the acts at the Montclair club like Etta Jones and Wynton Marsong all over, including at Carnegie Hall. Guitarist Bucky salis. When Trumpets closed, he retired from the music and Pizzarelli, father of John Pizzarelli of the Foxwoods’ TV restaurant business. commercial fame, said Kaune’s value to the jazz commuIn his later years, Kaune still loved to listen to live jazz, nity was immeasurable. and Oliver Lake’s Group, featuring vocalist Judy Bady, “Amos kept jazz going in this area,” said Pizzarelli. “He was a newer favorite. In 2002, he was honored by the club, kept everybody working. He also brought in the biggest selected as a charter member of their New Jersey Jazz Hall names in jazz to perform in New Jersey. Gulliver’s was just of Fame. Although he hated New Jersey winters, Kaune perfect. It was a real jazz club—you could even get a great continued to spend time at his home near Clifton Stadium, hamburger there. And there was never a big cover charge attending Mass when he could at Holy Trinity Church in to get in like New York. As a person, Amos is a first-class Passaic and spending time with friends. individual. He and Pat are two fine people.” McLean noted that even in retirement, Kaune kept acMelody Changes After 13 years in West Paterson, Kaune sold Gulliver’s and began searching for a bigger place. “We were getting dangerously overcrowded,” he explained. “Plus, I got an offer for the place I couldn’t turn down.” In 1986, Kaune opened a new Gulliver’s in Lincoln Park. While it was bigger, it could not top the success of the West Paterson location. Still, it attracted big name groups

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

tive in the music business. He served on the advisory board of the New Jersey Jazz Society and assisted with bookings at Trumpets. “I’m blessed to have had the Kaunes as friends for more than 35 years,” said McLean. To support the Amos Kaune Scholarship, mail donations to: William Paterson Foundation, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ, 07470, Attn: Mariel Essner. Write “Amos Kaune Scholarship” on the check memo line.

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Lauren Murphy Scholarship Lauren Murphy loved helping others and her city — and now her legacy will be celebrated in the Lauren Murphy Scholarship Fund. The councilwoman passed away on Jan. 13 at age 69 after battling pancreatic cancer. She began treatment in June, 2023 while in her third term on the Clifton City Council, a seat she first won in 2014. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2024 to a CHS student planning a career in social work. The scholarship committee includes Rosemary Baran, Barbara James and Donna Popowich. Send checks to: Lauren Murphy Scholarship Fund, 57 Dalewood Rd, Clifton, NJ 07013. Murphy moved to Clifton in 2006. She was Executive Director of the Passaic County One-Stop Career Center in Paterson for over 10 years. Before that she had a 34-year career at the Passaic County Board of Social Services. Flags in the city have been lowered to half mast for 30 days in her honor. On Feb. 6, the six City Council members will discuss how to fill Murphy’s vacant seat. She is survived by three children, five grandchildren, her life partner Chairman John Currie, and sister Deborah Previto. The family asked for donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (StJude.org) in Murphy’s memory.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Struggling? Call For Help Clifton and Passaic County, as well as all who knew him, mourned the sudden loss of Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik on Jan. 23. Berdnik fatally shot himself in Toros, 489 Hazel St. The CHS 1978 grad served for 28 years with Clifton Police and was sworn in as the 49th Sheriff of Passaic County in 2011. Suicide prevention starts with a dialogue and affects people of all ages. In 2021, the CDC found that there is one suicide-related death every 11 minutes and an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously contemplated suicide. If you need support or suspect a loved one is in danger, please dial 911 for immediate assistance or contact the following crisis resources: 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988, chat 988lifeline.org. Veterans, press 1 when calling. Crisis Text Line Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7. Veterans Crisis Line Send a text to 838255. Vets4Warriors Call 855-838-8255 to speak or visit vets4warriors.com to chat with a Veteran Support Specialist, 24/7/365. SAMHSA’s National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) 1-800-662-HELP (4357) RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ youth) 1-866-488-7386 Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

School 9 Wins Chewbacca’s Birthday Party Chewie, Clifton School’s Therapy Dog, turned one on Jan. 22 at a birthday party at School 9 on Brighton Rd. Chewie, originally Chewbacca, is a golden doodle trained to provide emotional support for the school district. He and his handler, Assistant Superintendent Mark Gengaro, have now visited over 200 classrooms. He and the superchill hound have been part of behavior modification plans, therapy sessions, individual class incentives, Mustang sporting events, assemblies, trunk or treats and centennial celebrations. They have also been at back to school nights, plays and musicals, board of education meetings, and has served as an incentive for various district’s initiatives.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

All Dogs are Required to be Licensed! Have you registered or renewed your dog yet? You may register your dogs online at: https://pets.munidex.info/clifton-nj-1602

Residents may also obtain their dog license by applying in person at: Clifton Health Department, 900 Clifton Ave., 2nd floor, Clifton, NJ 07013, Monday through Friday, 8:15am to 4:15pm or by mailing in the application.

All dogs, 6 months of age or older that live within the City of Clifton are REQUIRED to be licensed as per City Ordinance 203-2. 1-Year License 3-Year License Spay/Neuter

$17.00

$48.00

Non Spay/Neuter $21.00

$60.00

License Fees are based on if your dog is Spayed/Neutered and has valid proof of a rabies vaccination, per state guidelines.

•

Benefits of Licensing Your Dog! •

Licensing will ensure that dogs are vaccinated against rabies, which is a terrible disease that can be fatal. A dog’s license is a way to ensure your dog gets home safely if they get lost. The license tag is an easy way for authorities to identify and contact their owner. • Licensing fees are significantly less than not having a license.

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Dog license money stays in your community to help rabies clinic funding and Animal Control Services. • AND It’s the law!

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

FEBRUARY EVENTS Passaic County Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof and her team will be in Clifton Feb. 22 from 10 am to 1 pm at City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave., offering services ranging from passport applications, notarizations and veterans photo ID cards. Appointments are not required, but those with appointments will be prioritized. Last visitors will be accepted 30 minutes before closing. Call 973-225-3690 or find more details at passaiccountyclerk.org. A Tribute to Carol Burnett, presented by the Theater League of Clifton cast pictured

Clifton’s Alejandro Quinones and above, will be performed at Mario’s Restaurant on various dates and times, Feb. 10 Iliana Andrade (School 5 and 16) to March 2. The dinner buffet and show is $65. Details and to reserve tickets, go to theaterleagueofclifton.com or by mail: PO Box 4072 Clifton, NJ 07012. For limited were top winners in Passaic County’s reserved seating, call 973-928-7668. 28th Annual Poster Calendar Contest. Honorable mentions went to: Elena Boucht, Louis Jiminez, Alexa Manzueta, Callie Stier, and VFW Post 7165, at 491 Valley Rd., serves up a hearty $9 Victoria Sweich. The program asks fourth graders to capSunday breakfast 8-11 am on Feb. 4, March 3 and April 7. ture the essence of Passaic County. Posters are in schools, Cost is $5 for kids 7 to 11 and those under 7 are free. libraries, and government buildings. Get one at the Feb. 22 Clifton event or download it at passaiccountyclerk.org. History, Heritage & Tradition is displayed at the Clifton Arts Center through Feb. 24. The exhibit has two parts: Relay For Life of Clifton and Rutherford kickoff the “From Farmer to Founding Father: The Life of George May 4 event with a party on Feb. 3 at 11 am at the Clifton Washington by County of Passaic: Department of Cultural Senior Center, 900 Clifton Ave. Enjoy brunch then get de& Historic Affairs”, a series of 33 prints, dating from 1857 tails on how to volunteer or organize a team. Relay for Life to 1925. “The Artist as Historian: Gaetano Federici” offers is on May 4 from 4 pm to midnight at Clifton Stadium, 350 a display of sculptures, courtesy of The Federici Studio ColPiaget Ave. The purpose is to celebrate the lives of those lection at the Hamilton Club at Passaic County Community who beat cancer or to recall those who lost that battle. DeCollege. Federici, a gifted sculptor, moved to Paterson in tails? Write Halle Baker at halle.baker@cancer.org. Follow 1887 and his work can be seen throughout North Jersey. @rfl_cliftonrutherfordnj on Instagram for regular updates. Also displayed: a handmade quilt of “God Bless America” by Mari Garcia, of the Brownstone Quilters Guild. Visit Red Hat Angels, a Relay for Life team, will host a March Wed. to Sat. 1-4 pm at 900 Clifton Ave. Call 973-472-5499. 5 fundraiser from 5-8 pm at Wendy’s, 83 Main Ave. MenFollow @cliftonartscenter on Facebook and Instagram. tion Relay For Life for dine-in, take-out, or drive-through orders and 15% will be donated. The theme is 80’s SlumBob Foster, the former director of the Boys & Girls Club, ber Party. Write to Chris Liszner at relaychris99@aol.com will be feted at the “Great Futures Gala” on March 14 at 6 or call Kim 201-957-5922. pm at the Valley Regency. The Club will also induct Lori Huk, Israel Reyes, and Lee Sanderson into the Alumni Hall Financial Literacy for Beginners is a Clifton Library proof Fame. RSVP by Feb. 19. Tickets are $90 with beer and gram on Feb. 14 at 6 pm with guest speaker Colin Dennis. wine included, plus a cash bar. Black tie optional. The preThe event, at 292 Piaget Ave., is free to the public. It covgala event is at 5 pm and is $500 for an exclusive wine tasters the challenges facing investors, tips on avoiding investing and appetizers. For info, contact Maureen Cameron at ment pitfalls, and tips for maintaining credit cards. 973-773-0966 ext 144 or mcameron@bgcclifton.org.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

MUSTANG SPORTS

By Tom Szieber

Zuzana Geleta admits it. At first, she didn’t understand her boyfriend Dan’s infatuation about the sport of wrestling. But things change a lot in 30 years. Dan, now her husband of 22 years, has become one of Clifton High School’s most successful coaches, and she has been front-and-center as he has molded Mustang wrestling into a perennial winner over the past 17 seasons. Their older son, Luke, was an accomplished grappler at Passaic Valley and Delbarton, and their youngest Joe is Clifton’s current 157-pounder. And while Zuzana was already their biggest fan, she has now taken the final step of immersion in her family’s favorite sport—becoming the Mustangs’ very first head girls wrestling coach this winter. “For me, it was several steps [in the making],” she said. “First, I was watching my husband. Then, I watched my kids. Now, I am in the wrestling room. It is actually amazing and I feel honored because I understand why he is so hooked.” Samara Monahan and Mary Jo Martinez with Coach Zuzana Geleta. At top: Martinez Zuzana and Dan started datpins an opponent. ing in Slovakia, and while she was initially exasperated over “I saw how [Dan] was determined to do his best always,” how consumed he was by the sport, she came to admire Zuzana said. “I went to all his matches. I was introduced his passion. When Dan wrestled at Montclair State, she to the wrestling community and got to see how it brought was a regular presence. Even in his training, she was people together.” there (she recalls Dan carrying her piggyback at Garrett Now, she has begun to pass her love for the sport on Mountain while exercising to drop weight). Soon, she to younger women. Among them is senior 106-pounder loved the sport, too.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Mary Jo Martinez, the only active female Mustang wrestler. A dedicated Naval Academy-bound athlete, she has a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Martinez says that she has benefitted greatly from Zuzana’s coaching, helping her to become more polished on the mat. “[In Brazilian jiu jitsu], if you are on your back, you’re good,” said Martinez. “So, I have a tendency to roll a lot. In wrestling, it’s dangerous to do that. Coach has helped me with that.” As with any new program, Zuzana realizes that drumming up interest and growing the girls roster will take time and bring challenges. But if you ask one expert in the Geleta family, she is plenty capable of succeeding in doing so. “She knows that wrestling is a platform for learning kinds of experiences and lessons in life,” said Dan. “She applies that to her coaching. She reads the room very well. She knows when to push the kids even more than we’ve been pushing. She has a good read on the kids.” Clifton’s boys wrestling is rumbling toward another playoff season. Even with a disappointing eighthplace finish in the Passaic County Tournament, the Mustangs had a stellar first month of 2024. They came back and built on a 2-1 pre-New Year record to sit at 13-4 as of Jan. 29. Clifton scored a big road win on Jan. 5, defeating Old Tappan, 42-33. They led from start to finish, and Clifton senior 150-pounder Adam Khater put the From top left: freshman Jaliyah Reyes, senior captain Nicole Modla Golden Knights away with a second period pin of and sophmore Melenny Inoa. Photo by Manuel Mendez. freshman John Bilali. They swept a quad by beating Westfield, Teaneck and host Bloomfield the next day. while that Clifton has been all-female, and the all-female Despite losing to the Golden Knights in the Big North division is challenging. Not to mention, we have seven Duals and Passaic County Tech in that competition and in new athletes on our team out of 15.” league action, they picked up two county victories over DeAnd after a 1-7 start to the year, the Clifton boys basPaul and West Milford on Jan. 27. ketball team clawed its way back into contention with a Meanwhile, the Clifton competition cheerleaders were 5-1 record between Jan. 4 and Jan. 20. As has been an 6-0 in Big North meets to start the year and took first place issue for Clifton, however, they have been consistently in two non-league outings. The Mustangs won the Big inconsistent, and they cooled off by losing three-in-a-row North Liberty Division and were stellar throughout Januon the road between Jan. 22 and Jan. 25. ary behind flyer Nicole Modia, back spot Brianna Gonzales The Mustangs (7-11) scored a big victory in the preand base C’Anni Green (all seniors). liminary round of the Passaic County Boys Basketball They have qualified for the Big North playoffs beginTournament on Jan. 27, riding a 23-point, 15-rebound ning on Feb. 5, the semifinals and finals of which take place performance by senior center Saif Saleh to a 60-32 win at American Dream in East Rutherford. over Lakeland. “We are definitely exceeding expectations,” said MusSenior guards Evan Ynoa and Gavin Phillips have both tangs cheer coach Gina Fersini. “This is the first year in a been key contributors throughout the month, as well. Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Robinson Thelusma Guante, Shawn Atamian, Emilia Wilk, Julia Galik.

Here are the Mustangs of the Month for February 2024.

These four students, one from each grade, were selected by the vice principals at CHS, to be spotlighted for their personal achievements and school-wide contributions. Robinson Thelusma Guante – Freshman Robinson Thelusma Guante tries not to look to any single person for inspiration. “I just try to learn from great people’s mistakes — whether it’s professional athletes, artists, or common people,” said Guante (CHS 2027). Guante’s favorite subject is Personal Finance. He believes it “helps with real life situations” and it has “opened my mind on how banking and economics work.” Guante has managed to achieve success in the first half of his first year at CHS by striking a work-time balance. He also took into consideration others’ advice. “I have been listening to my teachers’ guidance with work and how to approach school staff,” said Guante. “[I’m also making] good use of my time by doing the majority of my work in class, which leaves me without [needing] a lot of time to perfect my work at home.” Guante is the starting forward for the Freshman Basketball team and said that despite a difficult season, they “will find a way to turn it around.” His Business Education teacher Farzan Taschayyodi has influenced him. “His kind, easy-going personality and the good explanations of the topic that he teaches … gives me an example of how connecting to the people that hear you helps get your words through to them.”

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Shawn Atamian – Sophomore Shawn Atamian’s favorite school subject is Art. He participates after school in multiple offered clubs, including Games Club, Unified Club, and The Artists’ Hub. “I love to draw and apply shading to all of my drawings so that they appear realistic,” said Atamian (CHS 2026). “I also enjoy creating my own Cartoon Illustrations and hope to study Animation in the future.” His most influential teacher at CHS is Art Teacher Cynthia Sauchelli, who is the advisor for The Artists’ Hub. Atamian said that the after-school club is where he creates many cartooning illustrations and Sauchelli always supports his work. There is someone else who inspires Atamian on a daily basis. The most inspirational person in Atamian’s life is his best friend, Vincent. “We share the same interests and we spend our time together watching YouTube videos,” said Atamian. “I enjoy his company and he has been a great friend to me.” So how has Atamian striven to perform at the highest level possible during his first two years of high school? It’s about consistency and time management. “I study often and make sure that all of my homework is completed and handed in on time,” explained Atamian. “I always strive to make the Honor Roll each marking period.”

Emilia Wilk – Junior Emilia Wilk’s family inspires her to become the best version of herself — whether it’s as a student or a person. “They are always there for me, and I can always count on them,” said Wilk (CHS 2025). Wilk is also influenced by her World Language teacher, Lindsey Cinque. “Mrs. Cinque is my soccer, lacrosse, and flag football coach,” said Wilk. “Mrs. Cinque always pushes me to be my very best and [excel] at all of my sports.” “She has had a tremendous impact on my life and always encourages me to be the best that I possibly can,” continued Wilk. “Not only with sports but with school as well. She is always there for me, and I am so thankful to have her as my coach.” Other extracurriculars include Heroes and Cool Kids and National Honors Society. Wilk hopes to continue playing lacrosse in college and would like to study Physical Education and Health. Her other future pursuit relates to her favorite class, Sign Language with Lori Lesler. “Her class is always a positive and happy environment,” said Wilk. “Thanks to this class, I got to sign the national anthem at football and soccer games for the school. I hope to pursue [signing] further after high school.”

Julia Galik – Senior Taking Senior Seminar has given Julia Galik the opportunity to flex her critical thinking skills and consider larger topics like morals and truth. “I love being able to dive into these deep-seated concerns and not ever truly have a straight-forward answer to some of life’s bigger questions,” said Galik (CHS 2024). “It causes me to question my own responses and truly think about what I believe in.” Galik is interested in majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing, which may lead to a career in public relations, publishing or maybe as an author. She hopes to use her college years to explore “who I am as a person”, and her longer term goals are to ghost-write other people’s stories and someday create her own stories. “My end goal would be to have my art outlive me and to become a household name that people know for generations to come,” said Galik. “I am destined for the greatness that I see for myself.” In the present day, Galik participates in the Yearbook club. Her major high school hurdle was accepting the reality that she cannot always seek perfect results. “We all face failure sometimes and it is OK, because it does not mean that it is the end of the world,” said Galik, “but rather a chance to grow and do better.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

See the Next Gen of Mustang Basketball when CCMS battles WWMS at the Clifton High School gym, Saturday Feb. 3 at 9 am. The girls square off in the first contest followed by the

The CCMS girls basketball team from left front: Kneeling from left: Malak Jaffal, Ciara Fernandez, Julia Grabowski, Laila Fairley, Savannah Welsch, Remas Alnabali, Tiana Diaz, Leila Hatcher, and Michell Taipe. Standing: Manager Allison Rouse, Anjelyna Reyes, Juliet Georges, Sabreen Ramadan, Alleyah Figuereo, Halizon Trejo Gomez, Manager Samantha Zamora and Coach Tim Jacobus. The CCMS boys basketball team kneeling from left: Davidson Aybar, John Kratzer, Kevin O’Niel, Jehad Ali, Deuris Abreu and Yousef Hamdan. Standing: Thiago Ovalle, Braylon Maldonado, Romeo Marmolejos, Lazar Kojic, Jad Hamdan, Coach Andrew Smith and GM Logan Bartlett.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

boys game. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students. WWMS girls and CCMS boys were victorious in 2023. Come out and support the future of Mustang Basketball!

The WWMS girls basketball team kneeling from left: Analise Forero, Zeina Hamdan, Sara Lesniowska, Casey Mullen, Olivia Taverian and Deanna Alnatur. Standing Manager Valerie Vasquez, Heily Ibanez, Mia Mc Inich, Madison Carbora, Jaylin Batista, Sophia Ramirez and Manager Alessandra Checo with Coach Kimberly Stell. The WWMS boys basketball team kneeling from left: Chris Canelo, Shane De Los Santos, Julius Estrada, Noah Castillo and Nicholas Contreras. Standing: Evan Almenas, Brennan Van Der Horn, Adrian Alba Diaz, Anthony Jiminez-Guzman and Jayden Canelo. Adults from left are Rayshard Jean-Marie, John Brooks, Daniel Calandrillo and Anthony Goglia. Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Birthdays & Celebrations - February 2024

Happy Birthday to....

Send dates & names .... tomhawrylkosr@gmail.com

Dwayne Williams who turns 47 on Feb. 3 with daughter Ixiana Westfield who will be 15 on Feb 12. Alison Degen..................................2/1 Robyn Feldman............................. 2/1 Jack Houston................................. 2/1 Kristin Reilly................................... 2/1 Mary Jane Varga.......................... 2/1 Emil Soltis, Jr.................................. 2/2 Joseph Fierro................................. 2/3 Bob Naletko.................................. 2/3 Catherine Grace Burns................. 2/4 Diane Di Pietro.............................. 2/4 John Nittolo................................... 2/5 Richie Szepietowski...................... 2/5 Courtney Carlson.......................... 2/6 Don Knapp.................................... 2/6 Joseph DeSomma......................... 2/6 Ashley Rose Montague................ 2/6 Robert D’Alessio............................ 2/7 Nicole Tahan................................. 2/7 Tara Fueshko.................................. 2/8 Natalie Pych.................................. 2/8 Jamie Carr..................................... 2/9 Craig Grieco................................. 2/9 Steven Becker.............................. 2/10 Bryan Kelly.................................. 2/10 Matthew Seitz............................. 2/10 Valentine Le Ster......................... 2/11 Sarah Mikolajczyk...................... 2/11 Nick Zecchino............................. 2/11

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Sister Donna Hawrylko celebrates Feb. 25. Ernie Rodrigues turned 48 on Jan. 14. Ashley Rose Montague is 18 on Feb. 6. Maxine Presto turns 36 on Feb. 29. The Lux siblings—Eric turns 28 on Feb. 3 and Renee will be 22—on Feb. 14. Orest Luzniak will be 69 on Feb.14.

Jayke Williams will be 16 on Feb. 26. Happy 24th Birthday, Alison Moran on Feb. 10. Bodhi Latham turns 5 on Feb. 20. Jo Ann Bellini celebrates her 63rd on Feb 22.

Brinda Chauhan celebrates a birthday on Feb. 20. Chris Voit turns 16 on Feb. 1. Gianna Louise turns 2 on Feb. 1 to parents Julie-Anne (Cupoli) and Michael Sanchez. Frank Kozak sends Feb. 26 birthday wishes to Claudia Azula. Joseph Hilla................................. 2/12 Anthony Musleh.......................... 2/12 Dolores Rando............................ 2/12 John Hodorovych........................ 2/13

Amin Zamlout.............................. 2/13 Mark Gallo................................. 2/14 Jeanette Ann Saia....................... 2/14 Orest Luzniak.............................. 2/14

Aria Federle turns 13 on Feb. 15. Christine Canavan...................... 2/15 Chickie Curtis.............................. 2/15 Ashley Brandecker...................... 2/17 David Fazio................................. 2/17 Leann Perez................................. 2/17 Lorraine Rothe............................. 2/17 Sam Citero................................... 2/18 Michael Del Re........................... 2/18 Richie Bandurski.......................... 2/19 Stephanie (Peterson)Yoda.......... 2/19 Michael Papa............................. 2/20 Robert Mosciszko....................... 2/21 Taylor Jesch................................ 2/22 Diana Murphy............................ 2/22 John T. Saccoman...................... 2/22 Robert Adamo............................ 2/24 Eileen Feldman........................... 2/24 Kimberly Mistretta...................... 2/24 Robert Krupinski......................... 2/25 Kimberly Gasior......................... 2/26 Jayke Williams........................... 2/26 Joseph J. Schmidt........................ 2/27 Brittany Helwig........................... 2/27 Joyce Penaranda........................ 2/27 Brittany Pinter.............................. 2/27 Lauren Ricca................................ 2/27 Charlie Galluzzo....................... 2/28 Mark Zecchino........................... 2/28 Cliftonmagazine.com • February 2024

Ziyad Ijnara cut the ribbon as confetti flew at 1221 Van Houten Ave. on Jan. 26 for Compass Real Estate’s grand opening. Lifelong resident Mahmoud Ijbara (CHS 2005) and his team were joined by family, friends, and city officials, including former Mayor James Anzaldi, current Mayor Ray Grabowski and Councilman Tony Latona, for the festivities.

February 2024 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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Bobby Persaud Sales Associate

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CLIFTON HOMEOWNERS Thinking of Selling? Juana Torres Broker Associate

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Maribel Feliz Sales Associate

Happy Valentine’s Day Angelica Saenz Sales Associate

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