Clifton Merchant Magazine - November 2023 by Clifton Merchant Magazine

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To all our Veterans, thank you for your service.

Mahmoud Ijbara | Realtor® Clifton's Ranked #1 Realtor Cell: 646.764.9599® mahmoud@ijbaragroup.com www.cliftonsold.com

Mahmoud Ijbara is a real estate salesperson affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. *Source: GSMLS 2022

From the Editor Tom Hawrylko, Sr. This month, we begin our storytelling journey in 1963. Pictured above on the drums is a pretty snazzy 15-year-old Brian Drum. To the right, leaning in on the saxophone solo is his older brother Harry. On guitar, that’s CHS classmate Willie Kowalski. During their high school years, these Mustangs were performing at events and clubs around North Jersey as part of Newark’s Bob Silva & The Imperials. The music they did was classic teen hits, from the Beach Boys to Motown and songs like Wolly Bully and Walk Like A Man. “I was 17 and had my driver’s license so that may have been why we were part of the band,” laughed and recalled Harry, now 77 as we spoke over the phone in late October. “Bob’s dad was our manager and he got us jobs in Olympic Park in Irvington and around the restaurants in the Portuguese section of Newark. We were high school kids but we were pretty busy musicians.”

After CHS graduation in 1967, Harry and Willie went to Seton Hall University. They commuted to South Orange and kept performing together, forming what would become a lifelong friendship that still keeps the two connected. In fact, they will be sharing Thanksgiving dinner at Harry’s Vermont home. Another side note Harry proudly added: “Willie set me up on a blind date and that was the last girl I went out with. Nancy and I have been married 43 years. Willie was my best man.” Another journey the two shared: a hitch in the US Army. After Seton Hall graduation, both could have become officers, but decided to take the enlisted route to do their duty and stay out of harm’s way. That plan didn’t exactly work. Willie’s enlistment kept him stateside. Harry went to Vietnam as did brother Brian, who joined the US Marines and was in the thick of war. Turn to page 40 and read their story, which we got thanks to their brother Richie. Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Here is the Avenue of Flags team who will also stage the Clifton Veterans Parade on Nov. 5. From left: Marie Schultheis, Bill Van Eck, Joe Tuzzolino, Chris Gaccione, her brother Joe, and Dave Wyka. Missing is another volunteer John McGuire. For the parade and Veterans Day, the grounds of city hall will be lined with American Flags bearing the names of those who served. To sponsor a flag engraved with the name of a living or deceased vet, call 973-365-2630. The cost is $120 and includes a pole, flag, and nameplate. Volunteers are welcome to help set up or break down flags. To march or contribute to the parade, call 973-725-8024.

Every month I am blessed to meet folks like the Drum brothers—and scores of others—who have allowed my staff and I the honor of sharing their stories in these pages. Guys like Purple Heart Vet Neil Van Ess, the Grand Marshal of Clifton’s Veterans Parade. His story of service begins on page 30. The stories of Joe Tuzzolino and Bill Van Eck follow—both of whom served in Vietnam and both of whom keep the Avenue of Flags going.

Turn this page and you’ll read of an amazing young veteran, Nate King, who was in the US Army from 2003-2011, and is now an advocate for the unhoused here in our hometown. We also share the stories of two sisters currently in the US Air Force, who like many vets, signed on for a hitch to earn the GI Bill to create future opportunities. My team and I at Clifton Magazine are grateful and honored to meet these folks and proud to share their stories. 16,000 Magazines

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Advocating with Compassion By Ariana Puzzo

Passaic County and city officials discussing Code Blue services for the unhoused for this upcoming winter. From left, Jennifer Kidd, Dominick Villano, Yonette Fredericks, Nathaniel King, John Biegel, Arti Kakkar and Tom Sadowski. Inset is Nate King’s U.S. Army Boot Camp photo.

Praise isn’t something that Nate King seeks or expects from his community. What he wants is to help people navigate hardships so that they can secure the basic necessities. For him, it has meant working closely with local veterans and unhoused individuals. King, 39, is a Social Services Assistant for the Clifton Health Department. He started the position in March when it came into his life at the right time for all involved. “I would like to say it was because of my hiring skills that we hired Nathanial King, but it really was divine intervention,” said Health Officer John Biegel III. “While we were having a Homeless Task Force meeting, Nate opened the door and was looking for a veterans ID card.” “We told him this was a meeting and he asked if he could participate,” Biegel continued. “A few minutes later, he started asking questions and you [could] tell instantly that he had a passion to help people.” King was a Signal Support Specialist in the US Army. He enlisted at age 17 and then joined the military in late

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

2003. After a second enlistment, he decided to conclude his service as an E-5 in November of 2011. King described meeting Biegel and the other local leaders and officials as having a “guardian angel … put us together.” He heard the group speaking about the Code Blue Warming Center that the city would open when the outside temperature dropped below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. He recalled the passion in their voices to address the needs of the unhoused community and that it sparked something in him, particularly relating to his own experiences with homelessness. “When I heard their stories and they heard mine, John looked at me and said, ‘Would you like to work for us?’” said King. “I didn’t know what that looked like.” King expressed gratitude for his parents, along with all of the people in his life who passed and became guardian angels. When he joined on at the Health Department, King was without a job for almost two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have helped numerous people in various situations, including the unhoused, vets, and people with addictions,” he said. “I wanted to help the community and got a job to help the community.” Overcoming the Odds From birth to the age of 13, King lived in a house in San Bernardino, California. He was raised by David Hwang and Charley Millman. His older siblings were Brandon Hwang, Sedra Fleming, and Rebecca King. King recalled, from an early age, that his siblings “could blend in more than me” in their neighborhood. His siblings got involved with gangs, as Nate King’s last photo with most of his biological family. From left, Brandon well as struggled with mental health and Hwang, Charley Millman, Rebecca King, cousin Evan Rubin, and Nate. substance use issues, and so did his mother. half of high school. King, his sister, and his mother went “My mom had it tough,” said King. from shelter to shelter, slept in cars and churches, bought “She had four kids, who were not the easiest to raise, and coffee from Denny’s to sleep on the benches, and lived in a she was bipolar and had her own struggles.” garage for about a year. King’s biological father wasn’t in the picture, aside from “We were dumpster diving for food, going to Goodwill getting the family a house through the VA when King was for any clothes, and scrounging pennies together. We were 13. But, not being able to afford the interest on the house, lucky to find any money,” said King. “There were weird the family would loose the home, be kicked out and take situations, with people buying me fast food because I only with them “all we could carry.” The family was homeless had enough money to buy my sister something.” from the end of King’s time in junior high through his first

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Advocating with Compassion The situation abruptly changed when King was aged 15. He was walking home from school and heard his brother and sister screaming. His older brother, who sometimes joined the family, was having a schizophrenic episode. King remembered seeing his brother break bars off the window of the garage and take a swing at their sister. King pulled his sister away and got 10 hits to his back before they escaped and walked three to four miles back to high school. King started to reach out to his sister, who was eight years older than him and had moved to Canada, and his aunt. Both of his aunts in New Jersey were able to help and bought them plane tickets the next day. “At the age of 15, I couldn’t read or write,” said King. “I had no literacy.” “With my aunt and uncle’s support, I could emancipate myself at 15 and attended Mount Olive High School,” he said. “I went from getting D’s and F’s to B’s and C’s. I learned to read enough to pass my GT for the military.” Nate King with his adoptive family, standing from left, cousins

Support and Structure Brian Ide and Aaron Ide, uncle Charles Ide, and Nate. Seated, The Army improved upon King’s discipline and foaunt Roberta Ide. cus, but his first experience with structure was while living with his aunt and uncle. in a peaceful environment.” King’s adoptive family lived in Flanders. They included Joining the military was also already on King’s mind. Charles and Roberta Ide and their sons, Brian and Aaron. He had joined the JROTC Marine Corp in California and Charles was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and Robecame a Boy Scout upon his aunt’s insistence. King knew berta was a graphic designer. that the military could change your life around — that was “They taught me to focus. I had and still have respect for the case for his uncle, who spent over 30 years with the Air them,” said King. “I went from pure chaos to structure. The Force — and felt that was the natural direction for his own structure for those two years was enough for me to realize life. that it’s highly valuable to educate yourself.” King attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson in Roberta is the one who taught King to invest his money, South Carolina. He later went to Korea and spent two and a which gave him a foundation. Providing that framework is half years at Camp Humphreys with the 2nd Infantry Diviwhat King strives to offer unhoused individuals today. sion. King’s future deployments were out of Fort Stewart “I see the foundation is removed and recognize that in Georgia, where he was deployed to Iraq with the 3rd some people never experienced a normal foundation,” said Infantry Division from 2008 to 2009. King. Part of his time serving included working overseas with Another expectation of Roberta’s was that the kids parGeneral David Petraeus’ unit. ticipate in sports. King joined the swim team and other “He was in the War Room in Saddam Hussein’s palace,” sports, but his adoptive parents always made sure that he said King, “and I was attached to his communications team had somewhere to do his homework without distractions. and worked for contractors directly.” “I was already trying to stay focused on school when I King’s role as a Signal Support Specialist involved comgot [to New Jersey], but they gave me the structure to stay puter programming, building computers, and build-

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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“You’re back to civilian culture and they tell you to calm down and turn it off. To work for a corporation from ing radios. He helped distribute satel9-to-5.” lite frequencies and IPs. One program “Aggression is different for a soldone while in Iraq saw them turning radier,” he explained. “It’s ‘kill or be dio frequencies into code. King’s duty killed.’” was to teach what they did to generals, King graduated from Fairleigh colonels, lieutenant colonels, and anyDickinson University in 2015 with a one else who signed up to participate. bachelor’s degree in Video Game DeHis last two years were spent at the sign and Graphic Design, plus a miTrenton Air Base as signal support for nor in Marketing. He worked as an the DEA. King found by the end that underwriter for American Financial he was growing exhausted after eight Resources and later as a Whole Health years and was ready to return home. and Wellness Coach with Veterans AfYet it wasn’t with regrets for his time fairs. serving. Part of his job was to “teach veter“I would do my military service all ans how to rehumanize” when they got over again,” said King. Nate King and girlfriend Melissa Duong. home. He would teach them how to meditate what they were experiencing Taking Responsibility as well. That’s not to say that the transition back into civilian life “I had severe panic attacks when I got back. My ego was without challenges. [had gone] through the roof; nothing could rattle me. I King brought both hard and soft skills home with him got bumped around and still got back up,” recalled King. after his time in the military. But he learned quickly that “Whether it was losing my brothers in combat or when aggression can also make its way home with you. I took my uniform off — without idealistic armor, I was “[It] takes a lot of checks and balances,” said King. freaking out.”

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Advocating with Compassion Counseling and prescribed medications followed, but King said eastern philosophy and holistic treatments were what made and continue to make a difference. King learned more about guided meditation, tai chi, yoga, and holistic eating. He learned what works for him and what doesn’t, but he ultimately got away from his pharmaceutical dependency. “It’s about acknowledging your pain and anxieties. Giving them the attention that they need, but not giving them the full platform,” said King. “Not talking about it makes it worse.” King has lived on the border of Clifton and Nutley for the past eight years. He is in a 12-year relationship with girlfriend Melissa Duong, who he described as his “anchor” and someone who has helped him tremendously over the years. It’s not hard to see how his decades-long foundation and his ongoing support have enabled him to pay it forward to veterans and unhoused individuals, alike.

“With veterans, I take responsibility,” he said. “I feel like when I hear someone’s a vet, I get them into the VA system. For unhoused communities, there’s not enough housing,” he added. “You need love for yourself but four walls, a roof, food and water are basic necessities. None of that is provided and none of it is easily accessible.” If it is accessible, King noted that you still have to prove that you were homeless for 12 months. It also requires identification, but there are many people who get robbed or are undocumented. “There are more restrictions to move forward than there should be to get basic necessities.” There may be many factors to consider and different approaches to pursue, but King would like for the average person to understand one simple truth. “That this can happen to anyone,” he said. “Everyone in this world is one bad experience away from being unhoused and starving.” “It doesn’t matter where you think you are. Life can be going for you one day and the next day, it won’t be,” said King. “Don’t treat [unhoused people] like they are not equals or like they are gum underneath your shoe.”

Nov. 25th downtownclifton.com 12

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Discovering Her Options By Ariana Puzzo

Senior Airman Lara Rivera has hit her stride while picking up orders, but what the Clifton native most appreciates is the US Air Force’s opportunities and ongoing flexibility. “The Air Force kept the door open for civilian and military life,” said Rivera, 22. “I can deploy and get on different orders while pursuing a career and going to school.” Rivera grew up in Clifton with her parents, Roberto and Carolina, and has two younger siblings, Ariel and Bruce. She attended School 5 and WWMS before graduating from PCTI in 2020. She enlisted in 2020 and recalled that she considered joining the US Army. “I had a recruiter and everything. When I told my dad, he helped me find an Air Force recruiter,” said Rivera. “If I still decided to go into the Army, it was my choice but [he wanted me to] at least explore [my options].” Trained to Deploy It’s hard for Rivera to pinpoint when enlisting in the military became the choice for her. She recalled volun-

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

teering at the VFW around eighth grade and how she spent time “surrounded by military members and was inspired by them.” In her junior year, a recruiter visited her high school and spoke on the availability in their unit. “I thought you had to go active and that was that,” she explained. “I wasn’t sure that I wanted to do that, because I wanted to go to college for my mom.” Three years after enlistment, Rivera’s in the USAF’s Security Forces. She spent basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and received her Security Forces training at the same base. She’s picked up orders from McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County or the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing in Atlantic City. “My unit is trained to deploy,” said Rivera. Rivera spent six months deployed in Kuwait. Her unit trained for a year to know what to expect. As an airman, Rivera didn’t drive the trucks often unless a sergeant was posted with her.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

“I’d control traffic going in and out of gates and do vehicle inspections,” said Rivera. “We had to make sure that there were no weapons or threats going in or out of the base. I would work the search pit sometimes, too.” It was a worthwhile experience for Rivera, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t homesick. “Kuwait felt like the end of the world … but it wasn’t really as bad as I thought it was. I wouldn’t mind doing it again,” said Rivera. “I like picking up orders, having new experiences, and meeting new people.” The Ideal Balance The senior airman lives in Clifton and takes online courses at Brookdale Community College. She’s studying Business Administration and hopes to convert her degree to a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. Rivera is an apprentice machinist at Solbern, a company manufacturing and supplying industrial Food Processing Equipment to the food industry in Fairfield. “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to learn from these guys [who’ve worked] here for over 30 years,” she said. “I’d like to become the foreman of the shop at some point in my career.”

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Rivera doesn’t have a hard-and-fast date for completing her military service. She might continue in her current field for 10 years. If she serves the minimum 20 years to get to retirement, she will likely cross into a different area outside of the Security Forces. “I do see myself staying here long term,” she said. The National Guard is something that Rivera believes everyone should consider. When she was preparing to enlist, she said she selected the path that interested her rather than knowing it was the one for her. It’s part of what makes her proud of younger sister Ariel, an Airman First Class, who’s studying to become a Registered Nurse. “I know the career field that she’s chasing after is something that she’s wanted for years.” Learning about the Air Force and how school “would be taken care of” made a difference. As did her not needing to leave home “until I was ready, like Active Duty would do.” “There’s still a sense of control over your own life,” said Rivera. “You more or less get to travel, explore, and see different people. You can explore a whole new side of yourself that you didn’t know was there.”

GAINING HER INDEPENDENCE By Ariana Puzzo

Ariel Rivera and boyfriend Grant Pellegrino at her BMT graduation. Ariel Rivera and her instructors after her Phase 1 graduation.

As Ariel Rivera considered the trajectory of her life, military service is something that she began feeling she was meant to do. “My father was an E-4 paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in the Army,” said Rivera, 20. “I had volunteered since I was 13 at VFW and my godfather was also in the Army.” “When my sister joined, I think it was my senior year of high school,” she added. “That is when I started to feel like it was something that I was going to do.” Rivera is an Airman First Class 4N0X1 – Aerospace Medical Service. The job requires Rivera to have a knowledge of multiple medical areas. When she’s not taking vitals or drawing labels, she could be handling IVs. Having enlisted in 2022, Rivera is still fairly new with her ENT license. She works in the lab at McGuire Air Force Base where she draws blood and has samples tested. If she wants to pursue more specialized areas, like allergens and immunizations or air evacuation, she’ll need further training. “I’m already pursuing a degree right now at Brookdale Community College,” said Rivera. “Some ask, ‘Why not a university?’ I could, and it could be free, but with [Brookdale’s] nursing program, it’s shorter so I will get my license faster. I want to become a Registered Nurse,” she continued. “The faster I get my license, the faster I can work, start

saving, move out, and do my own thing. I want to have my own independence.” A Future in Healthcare Rivera is the middle child of parents Roberto and Carolina. She grew up in Clifton with siblings Lara and Bruce, attending School 5 and WWMS. She graduated PCTI in 2021, where she met her long-term boyfriend, Grant Pellegrino. Similar to her older sister, Rivera didn’t first look at the Air Force. She considered enlisting at the Naval Academy, but they didn’t offer the degree that she wanted. “My sister was enjoying the Air National Guard. Think of it as part-time military, but they do allow for tuition assistance,” said Rivera. “At any state college in New Jersey, I would get a full ride for tuition. It would allow me to do anything that I wanted.” In Rivera’s case, “anything” was nursing. The Air National Guard helped her to gain knowledge before she started her college courses. After basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, she went to Phase One of her specified training at Fort Sam for four months. Phase Two included her clinicals at Wright-Patterson AFB Hospital in Ohio for two months. Rivera has gained a deeper understanding of military jargon and expectations. Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

She also realizes that at least the officers in her unit are strict, but not unkind. “At BMT, military training instructors … were very strict. That was the first military stereotype that I experienced,” said Rivera. “But toward graduation, I realized they didn’t just yell at us because they wanted to, but because they cared and wanted us to make it through BMT. They grow soft before we graduate.” Knowing the Expectations Rivera felt lost when she first joined her unit, particularly as the first brand new airman that her unit needed to teach. Rivera credited Lara for guiding her. “It was almost a mentor-mentee relationship,” said Rivera. “My sister got to teach me things at home. The websites that I needed to use to access information, how to get my transcript, and all of the paperwork that I was confused about.” “She taught me how to get around the base,” she added. “Anything that I am supposed to know that’s important, my sister taught me.” Rivera’s confident that she can put forth her own advice to potential recruits. She hopes people understand the value

of scoring well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. “If you want a really good job, don’t mess around with ASVAB,” said Rivera. “I got lucky with my score and highly recommend that people study, because … I know people who didn’t care and got stuck with small amounts of jobs.” She noted that many people join the military for the money or free college without fully realizing what they cannot do in the service. “[Tuition support] is a great benefit, because no one wants student debt when they’re older, but it’s not a good enough reason,” said Rivera. “You need to understand that you can’t get out until the end of your contract.” “People were kicked out, because they wanted to smoke weed and drink underage. That is not something you do in the military,” she continued. “That’s something you do in college.” The takeaway is to enter military service with your eyes wide open. “If you really want to join, if you want to stay in the military — you have to listen to rules and do what [the military] tells you,” she said. “That’s what I tell people — younger people, especially — all the time.” EFFECTIVE 09/13/2023

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November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

A Silver Star for Dutch By Jack De Vries

It was a reminder of the danger that was all around him. Except Dutch Hoogstraten didn’t see it that way. He thought it was damn funny. Dutch had stopped off that morning Oct. 7, 1967, at a Vietnamese restaurant with his boss, Lt. Colonel Bob Sanders, and a South Vietnamese commander and his deputy. The four men wanted breakfast before leading their battalions on a search and destroy mission. They sat around a table, eating their soupy meal, picking the meat out with chopsticks. Dutch’s machine gun rested on the dirt floor leaning against the table, his hat hanging over the muzzle. As they ate, Dutch’s hat began to dance and wobble. A rat had silently crawled up the machine gun and under the hat’s brim and was now gnawing at it. Dutch slammed the rat to the floor with the back of his hand, never letting go of the chopsticks threaded between his fingers. The four men laughed like hell. They enjoyed moments like these. It might be the last laugh they’d have before a bullet ended their lives.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Above, Dutch Hoogstraten receiving the Silver Star from Gen. William C. Westmoreland.

Later that day, Dutch Hoogstraten would be closer to that bullet than ever before. The rat was an omen—death could sneak up on you in Vietnam. And, if you went looking for it like Dutch would do that day, it almost never missed. Fateful Morning By 8 am, two battalions of 1,600 South Vietnamese soldiers had fanned out across the Tan Ba jungle, west of the Bien Hoa Air Base. Captain Hoogstraten was one of four United States officers helping lead the mission. The air was hot and humid, and Dutch and his men trudged through knee-high underbrush, looking to engage the enemy. That wouldn’t be a problem. In preparation for the upcoming Tet Offensive, a wave of Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army troops had secretly deployed and waited in the jungle. By 8:30 am, all hell broke loose as the enemy opened fire. To his left, Hoogstraten could hear shots fired and saw smoke wafting up, a signal some of his troops were in trouble. He moved toward the fighting as the battalion took up a safer position behind him.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

When Hoogstraten got about a quarter-mile from the smoke, he learned an entire company of soldiers was pinned down by the enemy. Two or three were wounded, lying out in the open under intense fire. Dutch didn’t hesitate. Along with two other American soldiers, he raced to retrieve the fallen men and bring them to safety. “First you hear the bullet fly past you,” he describes of his run through enemy fire, “then you hear the bang. When you’re can hear the bullet whiz past your head, you know it’s close.” The men ran through the brush, diving to the jungle floor several times to avoid enemy fire. Behind them, the South Vietnamese troops shot cover fire over their heads, hoping to give Dutch and his men enough time to reach the wounded. “You really don’t think about fear at a time like that,” Hoogstraten describes. “It all boils down to training. You also care for your comrades who have been wounded. But it’s the training that gives you the focus, brings you to that point where you do what needs to be done.” When Dutch reached the men, his shirt was soaked through with perspiration. The men he had come to rescue were covered in blood—unconscious but alive. “I didn’t know if they were fatally wounded or not,” he recalls. “I didn’t think of that. I only cared about getting them out of there.” Lifting the wounded onto their backs, Dutch and the other rescuers began crawling through the brush, again through the enemy fire. More bullets whizzed past, cutting into the brush around them. Incredibly, they made it back to their line, hoping to evacuate the injured by helicopter. But the enemy would not quit. Hoogstraten determined it was not safe to land the “dust off” helicopter. Again braving the assault, he and another soldier began searching for a second landing area. They found one at the top of a hill, about 150 yards from their location. After contacting the helicopter, Dutch raced back to help carry the wounded back up the hill to the new evacuation spot. With the men safely aboard, he returned to his position as the South Vietnamese battalions surrounded the enemy forces. “We captured a number of them,” he says. “And we captured some weapons. Later, we learned this was the initial infiltration for the January Tet Offensive. We blocked that, at least for the time being.” The men Hoogstraten helped to save recovered from their wounds and returned to their units. “That night, we went down to the officer’s club,” Dutch remembers. “I had so much adrenaline in my system that,

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Clifton’s Dutch Hoogstraten, tall and imposing, at right during an interrogation, served with distinction in Vietnam.

I don’t know how many scotches I had, but I was sober.” Hoogstraten’s heroism did not go unnoticed. “It was through Captain Hoogstraten’s continuous encouragement and his constant display of courage,” wrote Captain Edward J. Johnson, “that all of the wounded and dead were evacuated from the field of battle. His conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty was directly responsible for the saving of two Vietnamese allies.” For his actions, Richard B. Hoogstraten, son of Dutch immigrants and former quarterback for Clifton High School, was awarded the prestigious Silver Star. General William C. Westmoreland, commander of the U.S. Military assistance Command in Vietnam, presented the medal. “A sportswriter,” Hoogstraten remembers, “wrote ‘that maybe as he was running through this fire, it reminded him of the time that he was running on the gridiron.’ That kind of struck a bell. The training and discipline you derive from sports and teamwork gets carried over for teamwork in the military.” One of the Mustangs Hoogstraten remembers the day well—the first time he ever set foot inside Clifton School Stadium. As he entered, he saw Coach Joe Grecco walking toward him, his eyes dark, his face serious. The man who had built the Mustangs into a football powerhouse after years of losing looked down at Dutch and his friends and said, “Good morning, men.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

“That was the first time I was called a man in my life,” Hoogstraten says. “Here I was, 13 years old, and this big gap tooth guy was calling me a man.” Grecco had watched Hoogstraten develop since he was a gym teacher at School No. 3. During football season, the coach watched the boy throw passes to friend Warren Tunkel during touch football games outside the school. After one of those games, Grecco took Hoogstraten’s hand and measured it against his own. It was clear to the coach where the boy’s future would lead. In 1950, Hoogstraten became the quarterback for the Clifton freshman team and spent the next season as the JV starter and backup for varsity quarterback Billy DeGraaf. “We called him ‘Hooks’ back then,” remembers lineman Ray Capilli, who also played a few games at quarterback during the 1950 season. “He was a good passer, good leader. The kind of guy who would go out of his way to help you.” Becoming a Mustang had meant a lot to Hoogstraten. As a young boy, he had watched his heroes Bobby Boettcher and Ray Malavasi play under the lights at Hinchcliffe Stadium. As a sophomore, he was inspired by his senior teammates—Mustangs like DeGraaf, Frank Pecci, Tommy Dunleavy, and Steve Garabics. “We’d sit on the bench,” Hoogstraten says about he and his underclassman teammates, “and watch them. We were 8-1 in 1951, and that developed a sense of pride in all of us. Their example made us play so much harder when we were put into their roles.” With the loss of All Americans DeGraaf and Pecci, and only Henry Nalepka returning, newspapers predicted the 1952 Clifton squad would be one of the worst teams in the Passaic Valley Conference. “Coach Grecco knew we’d be pretty good,” says Hoogstraten, “but he wanted them to write that. He felt we’d surprise teams that way.” The surprise didn’t last long. Clifton ripped its competition for five-straight victories, setting up a showdown with undefeated East Rutherford. The Herald-News predicted the game would be a “passing duel” between Hoogstraten and Wildcats quarterback Billy Shepherd.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Dutch learned discipline as a Fighting Mustang. In 1981, he is pictured with Coach Joe Greco and Passaic Coach Manilo Boverini.

“Hoogstraten,” the Herald-News wrote, “who seemed to be a year away, has been spectacular at providing the Mustangs with an air attack.” While the game did not come off as billed, it was clear Hoogstraten was the superior quarterback that afternoon. Leading Clifton to a 13-6 victory, he completed 12 out of 16 passes including a touchdown and ran for another score. The Mustangs ended their season 8-1 (their only loss a 13-0 defeat to Montclair), good enough to tie West New York for a share of the Section I Group IV state championship. While Hoogstraten was a big part of the Mustangs success in 1952, there were other stars. “We were a close knit team,” Hoogstraten says. “Besides Henry Nalepka, we had Mickey Schimpf, Ray Capelli, Bill Botbyl, Bob Van Der Linda, Sal Barcelona—so many truly outstanding players.” In 1953, opposing schools were ready for Clifton, but it did them little good. Behind Hoogstraten, Van Der Linda, end Ken Lenert, and tackles Bob Spiotta and Al Belestoski, the Mustangs went 7-1-1, tying Paterson Central, but getting blitzed by rival Montclair, 40-6. Despite the crushing loss, Clifton again tied West New York for the Section I Group IV state championship title. Beyond Clifton After the season, Hoogstraten received 22 college scholarship offers. His best recruiting trip memory was journeying to West Point with Grecco to meet coach Red Blaik. After the meeting, he and Grecco had dinner at the Bear Mountain Lodge with one of Blaik’s assistant coaches, the legendary Vince Lombardi.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Dutch (standing) with his cousin Gary Bekker in 2003.

Though Hoogstraten wanted to go to West Point, a January bout with pneumonia during his senior year hurt his chances. The Academy wanted him to leave Clifton to take math classes; instead, he remained with his class and choose to attend Lehigh University. Hoogstraten spent his college football career backing up the Lehigh starter, All-American Dan Nolan. Ironically, he earned greater success on the baseball diamond, a sport he had little success with at Clifton High. Switching from pitcher to catcher, as a senior, the .300-hitting Hoogstraten won the “Bruce Thompson Baseball Award” as Lehigh’s most valuable player. It was at Lehigh where Hoogstraten found his true calling. Participating in the school’s mandatory ROTC program, he became a U.S. Army reserve officer before being called to active duty. He spent two years in the military, serving in Middletown and at the Highlands Air Force Station in Highlands with the Missile Master Unit. At the end of his hitch, Hoogstraten, now married with two children, left the Army and took a job in sales for AT&T. After a year, he realized he’d made a mistake. “I missed the Army and made a mistake in getting out,” he says. “While I enjoyed working at AT&T, I enjoyed the service life much better.” Dutch went back to his old base and asked to return to active duty. Soon after, he underwent guided missile train-

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

ing in Fort Bliss, Texas, then was sent to Korea in command of an “Honest John” Battery—a large, nuclear capable rocket that sat on a five-ton truck. In 1967, he volunteered for duty in Vietnam. Hoogstraten was assigned to Military Assistance Command Vietnam, acting as the duty officer at the Bien Hoa Air Base. One of his responsibilities was to call in artillery support for units under fire. Besides ground missions, he flew helicopters twice a day, earning two Air Medals and left Vietnam as a major. Hoogstraten feels the leadership skills displayed throughout his career owe much to the example set by his high school coach. “Joe Grecco was one of the greatest men I have ever met,” he says. “He’s been my mentor over the years. One of the things I took from Joe was to remain cool under pressure. Try to think things through.” Another lesson he took from Clifton was honoring tradition, like the kind Grecco established with the Fighting Mustangs. “I tried to build on tradition when I commanded my battalion,” Hoogstraten notes. “I tried to build on the tradition of how the division performed in World War I and World War II, to relay some of the things that the men of our units did during those particular conflicts.” After Vietnam, Hoogstraten was assigned to teach ROTC at Bowdoin College in Maine. There, he found himself in the midst of an active anti-war movement. “Some of the faculty members were very vocal against the effort,” he says. “It was just, in some cases, a very unpopular war. But as the military, we still knew we had to do our job. And we did our best.” Besides teaching ROTC students, Hoogstraten also worked as a “next of kin notification officer,” informing area parents of the loss of a son killed in action. He also worked as a “survivor assistance officer,” helping arrange funerals and assisting families with paperwork. “I was jostled at funerals,” he remembers, “by relatives who were grieved because they had lost kin.” Over the rest of his military career, Hoogstraten served in Germany, Fort Monroe, Va., and Fort Polk, La. He was promoted to colonel and served as ROTC training director. He retired from the Army in 1984 and worked with Newport News Shipbuilding until October 2000, managing a training program for Navy crews serving on submarines and aircraft carriers built by the shipyard. While a frequent visitor to his hometown for get-togethers with former Mustangs every June, Dutch lived the last 30 years of his life in Virginia. Col. Richard B. ‘Dutch’ Hoogstraten, U.S. Army ret., 69, died Feb. 16, 2006, in Williamsburg, VA.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Neil Van Ess U.S. Army 101st Airborne Grand Marshal • Veterans Parade November 5 By Ariana Puzzo

Every day is a gift When Neil Van Ess sees a paramedic or a helicopter pilot, he expresses his gratitude. “If it wasn’t for [those medics and chopper pilots in Vietnam],” said Van Ess, “I wouldn’t be here today.” Van Ess, 74, will serve as the grand marshal for Clifton’s Veterans’ Day Parade on Nov. 5. The annual event to honor our nation and community’s veterans traditionally kicks off at the Athenia Veterans’ Post, 147 Huron Ave., and continues down Van Houten Ave, ending at City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave. This year’s grand marshal served with the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, Co, C 3rd/506th from 1967 to 1970 in Vietnam. The infantryman was wounded in combat in the Phan Thiét area while he was on a search and destroy mission in August, 1968.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Van Ess was shot in the stomach, back, and right leg. He’s a Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge recipient. But he doesn’t consider himself as the hero. “A brave helicopter crew picked up me and a couple of guys to go to an aid station in the middle of night,” said Van Ess. “The most dangerous time of night.” “Then a priest gave me last rites and the next thing I know, I woke up and had tubes going down my throat and nose, and I had this big pouch on the side of my body,” he continued. The colostomy bag wasn’t permanent. But it was his reality for over a year and a half. Over 50 years later, Van Ess’ leg isn’t 100% right. It was evident when we met with him to take his photo. But he still knows that he was lucky. “If I had served in the Korean War, I probably would’ve died,” he said, candidly. “Every day has been a gift.”

Eyes wide open after graduating high school. He If you ask him, Van Ess will say recalled how the war had become that he’s a street kid from Paterson. “socially very popular.” He wantHe grew up near Arch and Clifed to fight for his country, but the ton Streets with parents Neil Sr. and Army wasn’t his first choice. Louise and younger brothers Greg “I tried to join the Marine Corps, and Glenn. The family later moved and I was a football player,” said to Totowa, and Van Ess graduated Van Ess. “I was about 214 lbs at from Passaic Valley Regional High the time, with a 60-in chest, 18-in School. arms, and a 33-in waist line.” “I had a great childhood,” he said. The Marine Corps had a specific “One time my brother said, ‘We height and weight requirement. were dirt poor’ and I said, ‘No, we Ultimately, he went to an Army reweren’t.’ But we were. Both parents cruiter and decided to go airborne. had to work, and women didn’t work Van Ess went to Fort Dix, just over in those days.” 16 miles from Trenton, for his baBefore joining the military, Van sic training. Ess had his own career aspirations. His next stop was Fort McClelThe one always in the back of his lan in Alabama. In 1966, the Army Neil Van Ess circa 1968. mind was becoming a cop. But he activated an Advanced Individual also considered another path. Training Infantry Brigade at the lo“I thought about being a minister, but that all changed cation to meet special infantry needs. after Vietnam,” he said. “When you serve in a war zone, Aside from the rising popularity of the war, Van Ess it changes your perspective on life. You never know how knew that military life appealed to him. “As a young man, valuable and precious everything is and what’s real and it appealed to me because you’re committed to something,” not real.” he said. “Being in shape and being the best that you could Van Ess enlisted in the military and entered at age 18 be at something. I liked the regimentation of it.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

three days in the jungle,” said Van Ess. “For what was expected of us as infantrymen.” He didn’t enlist with any illusions. Van Ess was exposed to enemy fire on Van Ess acknowledged that “my eyes his second day in his unit. Shortly therewere wide open” and he added that he after, his unit’s Machine Gunner was hit hasn’t always supported how the govand killed. That meant the popular M60 ernment fights wars. He also didn’t was now in Van Ess’ hands. like how the public treated him and “I took over as the Machine Gunner, other Vietnam veterans on their return because I was a big guy,” he said. “I home. loved that weapon.” Yet he views his service as “one of The Paterson native also maintains the best things that ever happened to a deep appreciation for the other guys me.” in his unit. Unlike the tight-knit nature “The military made me a better of the Marine Corps, Van Ess acknowlman,” he said. “I would do [the expeedged that the Army was too big for that rience] again in a heartbeat.” same sort of dynamic. But he does wonder what happened to those with whom Wounded in a rice paddy he served. Totowa Police Capt. Neil Van Ess. Van Ess remembers his deployment “We had nothing but love for each to Vietnam in April, 1968. other. There’s a bond,” said Van Ess. It was a 22-hour plane journey that left from Oakland, They’d talk about home. When they weren’t talking, the California and made two stops, including one in Alaska, song on everyone’s minds and lips was the 1965 hit single, along the way. It was hot when they landed in Bien Hoa Air “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” by The Animals. They’d Base, and they were promptly attached to a unit. return to the base camp and drink. But when they were in Then came two days of in-country training. the field, Van Ess remembers running operations for as “Even with all the training we had, we trained for two to long as 20 and 40 days.

Purple Heart

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Purple Heart The mission that he doesn’t remember is the one that landed him in hospitals for two and a half years. His unit was traveling through a village in search of a North Vietnamese Army platoon. “I got shot by someone who jumped out of a spider hole,” recalled Van Ess. “It burned real bad. Then I was hit in the stomach and was on my back. Everything was hurting like mad, and I just remember thinking, ‘I don’t want to die in this rice paddy.” The ‘dust off’ saved his life and his two-year hospital stay started in Cam Ranh Bay Field Hospital for 28 days. That was unusual in itself, because Van Ess said the military typically got you out of the country to Japan, the Philippines, or even Germany to avoid the higher infection rates due to the subtropical climate. His next stop was to a hospital in Japan that was a converted aircraft hangar. There were rows of beds filled with GIs. Van Ess was there for nearly a year before returning stateside to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and later, Fort Dix. During his stay, Van Ess needed reconstructive surgery in his stomach. The two bullets near his femoral nerve in his right leg still remain today. “To this day, I have a lot of pain in my right leg,” said Van Ess. “In my other leg, too, because I favor it so much.” The doctors’ solution in the immediate aftermath was Darvon (Propoxyphene), an opioid meant to treat mild to moderate pain. In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration requested companies voluntarily withdraw the drug from the U.S. market after data emerged that the drug could cause severe toxicity to the heart. “They gave Darvon out like candy,” said Van Ess. And Van Ess readily admitted that he would beg for any sort of relief while he received treatment in Japan. He would receive Morphine shots every three hours that saw him “leave my body” and made his arms look like “pin cushions.” One of the first things to encourage a future of him helping veterans also occurred in Japan. The soldier beside Van Ess had lost his leg and his lower right forearm. One day, Van Ess spoke to a doctor and said, “I’ve got

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

all my extremities, and he never complains about pain next to me.” The doctor explained that while his severe nerve damage could cause lifelong pain or the nerve could grow back, the man beside him would feel phantom pains from his missing limbs. “My leg has never really gotten better, but I couldn’t imagine not having it,” said Van Ess. “I think that is one of the reasons why I like helping vets.” “My wife has asked why I assist veterans so much, [including] some who are not shot up as bad … or at all,” he continued. “You never know what someone’s been through. All wounds are not visible.” His civic commitment The return home from war is its own emotional journey. For many veterans, it’s characterized by post-traumatic stress and an adjustment period that will differ from person-to-person. Van Ess pointed out how it was more unique for Vietnam veterans. “We all have a story of when we were spit on, and that’s true. We were called ‘baby killers,’” he said. “I think it’s why I’m involved and every Vietnam vet is involved [in helping young veterans]. We never leave another generation of veterans behind.” Van Ess worked for about eight to nine years as a bartender when he got home, but he wanted to be a cop. In 1982, he was appointed as a patrolman in Totowa. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at William Paterson in 1985 and graduated with a master’s degree in School Law & Administration from Seton Hall in 1989. The next few decades saw him rise in the ranks. He became the Detective Bureau Commander in 2001 and was promoted to Patrol Commander in 2010. Van Ess retired as a Police Captain with Totowa Police Department after 30 years and two months of service in 2013. But that’s only part of his civic compassion. Since 1987, he’s served as a member and later as a chairman on the Governor Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse. He got involved with drug prevention as a narcotics officer and said he saw the way alcohol can ruin lives while

working as a bartender. As for veterans, Van Ess has longchampioned that the Department of Veterans Affairs “should be more women-friendly.” “There’s a VA hospital in East Orange and veterans with sexual military trauma may want to see a psychiatrist, but when a woman walks through a hallway with all men and no women that’s not really conducive,” said Van Ess. “It should have areas with a more women-friendly atmosphere.” “We’re getting there now, but 10 years ago it was terrible,” he continued. “A lot of women with issues wouldn’t go to the VA.”

ton’s Purple Heart Monument from its Main Memorial Library spot, 292 Piaget Ave., to the Municipal Complex, in front of the Field of Honor (KIA section). “Joe’s so involved with the Avenue of Flags. He’s my brother in Purple and in Blue.” Both are deep bonds, but Van Ess emphasized that serving your country is unlike any other type of service. “A veteran writes a blank check to the US government that could cost

you up to the amount of losing your life,” said Van Ess. “That is very special.” Which is why it’s important to him that we recognize Veterans Day as a day for all veterans. “Thank a veteran for their service,” said Van Ess. “Particularly Vietnam veterans, who represent the largest group of veterans that served during war in population today. Add a ‘Welcome home’ when you say, ‘Thank you for your service.’”

A lasting appreciation Today, Van Ess lives with his wife, Luisa, in Totowa. He has two biological children, Neil III and Dayle, and four step-children, Daniel, Matthew, Nicole, and Dara McAllister. He also has three grandchildren, Mia, Valentina, and Daniel Jr. Van Ess described his life’s purpose as helping veterans — whether it’s writing claims, helping a veteran seek immediate help, or aiding them with their transition. It’s all volunteer-based and not done for recognition, but Van Ess did say he felt honored to learn that he was selected as grand marshal for Clifton’s upcoming Veterans Day parade. He and Clifton Avenue of Flags Chairman Joe Tuzzolino know each other from working together as cops a few times. Van Ess is also part of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 366, NJ, which was based in Clifton until moving to Belleville in June of 2021. Tuzzolino reached out to the chapter about relocating ClifCliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Bill Van Eck on the Front Lines Now He’s The Man On The Ground At The Avenue Of Flags By Ariana Puzzo

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

In the fall of 1965, Bill Van Eck, shown at left as a teenager in Vietnam and above today at age 81 at Clifton’s Avenue of Flags, fired some of the biggest guns in Vietnam. But one of his most memorable days “in country” occurred when he and his fellow Army Infantry men of C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, took up small arms to save the life of an officer caught in an ambush in January 1966. “I was in the command post talking to the company clerk, who was a buddy of mine,” he said. “A sergeant ran in, all upset, telling us that he needed help. His outfit had been ambushed up the road and the infantry commander, Captain Fritz, had been thrown out of his jeep and knocked unconscious.” Van Eck and about 15 others jumped into an armored personnel carrier and raced to the scene. While he and others took up defensive positions to give covering fire, the officer was pulled to safety. “I never found out if he survived or not,” Van Eck said in an interview.

Van Eck’s unit was the first to shoot the 36-foot barrel, 175mm artillery guns, which had a range of over 20 miles. Working so close to the big guns of Vietnam, dispersing more than 100 pounds of explosives per round, eventually resulted in Van Eck being classified as legally deaf in both ears. “They’re dinosaurs now. You’ll find them in museums,” said Van Eck, who graduated from Passaic High in 1961. After the Army, Van Eck worked as a chemical operator at Givaudan, moving to Clifton in 1966. He was later head custodian at the West Essex Regional High School until retiring in 2009. He and his wife Mary, have two children and six grandchildren. Van Eck spends most days at the Avenue of Flags barn and is a member of Proud Americans, the outfit that he served with in Vietnam. The Lakeview resident became active with the Avenue of Flags in 2009. He continues to handle daily maintenance and worked for years alongside the late John Biegel, Jr., who passed away aged 83 in March of 2018. “He was the boss and used to always holler at me,” laughed Van Eck. “His son John III said to him, ‘Dad, don’t holler at him.’ John would say, ‘He can’t hear me anyway!’”

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

He’s Now The Chief: Avenue Of Flags Every time he heard the thumpthump of helicopter blades, Joe Tuzzolino returned to Vietnam. “It meant that we either were getting picked up or were getting food and supplies,” Tuzzolino told Clifton Merchant in 1998. Today, the lifelong resident is Clifton Avenue of Flags’ chairman and served with the Police Department for 29 years. A member of I Corps., Third Battalion, 1st Marines, Tuzzolino served in our most controversial war from 1968–71. He was stationed just below the DMZ in the northern part of South Vietnam. As a ground troop, or “grunt,” Tuzzolino’s duties included going out on patrols and engaging in “sweeps” of the surrounding area. As one of the smaller guys in the unit, he was called on to serve as a “tunnel rat,” which meant checking out underground Viet Cong hideouts. Tuzzolino made it home the hard way. Wounded by an enemy grenade, he took shrapnel in his upper right leg, buttocks, back, and right arm. His body

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

still contains a portion of the fragments. He spent months recuperating in hospitals in Vietnam, Japan, and the U.S. He returned with a Purple Heart and a new battle to face: culture shock. “Everything had changed,” he said. “I grew up in a military family. My father and his brothers all served during World War II.” “A lot of veterans had a rough time making the adjustment,” Tuzzolino continued. “They weren’t returning to the home that they had been away from for such a long time.” Now aged 73, it took Tuzzolino a while before he sought VA benefits. “I was of the opinion that other veterans were hurt worse than me,” he said. “They should be taken care of. Then, over the years, things started to progress more in my body.” Tuzzolino eventually got medical coverage, which helped him get glasses and hearing aids. “Do it now while you’re younger,” he advised. “If it wasn’t for the help that I’m getting now, I’d be in real trouble.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

The Drum Brothers:

One Family’s Love By Ariana Puzzo

Richard Drum was just a boy when he watched his brothers leave for Vietnam. The way he felt watching his first brother leave is as vivid now as it was to the devastated 9-year-old. “It tore me to pieces. When we dropped Brian off at LaGuardia,” recalled Richard, now 64, “he signed the $2 bill for me. I still have it to this day.” Whether you believe the $2 bill brings luck or a curse —Brian did return home. So did eldest brother Harry who, unlike Brian enlisting in the US Marine Corps, was drafted into the US Army and deployed after Brian’s service concluded. One son and brother returned only for another to leave in his place. It’s every family’s nightmare and was surreal for Harry (CHS 1964) because of the timing. “We didn’t see each other for two years,” said Harry, 77. “Me and Brian literally crossed each other in the sky while my poor mom back in Clifton just worried and got worn down by the coffee and cigarettes and writing us letters.” The brothers still see the war’s lingering effects. Brian (CHS 1967) faces health complications arising from attending military basic training at Camp Lejeune and later from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. There is also an understood silence around their service.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

It doesn’t come from a place of shame — Harry said he’s not sure why they have never talked about what they experienced in Vietnam. “You had that feeling that you don’t talk about it. Now I think it’s wrong and that you should,” said Harry. “Most of the veterans who had a tough time wouldn’t talk about it at all. So, if he didn’t say anything, I didn’t say anything.” That’s changing now — and Harry credits the youngest member of his childhood family. “I wouldn’t be talking [about it] if not because of Richie and him feeling so proud,” said Harry for a telephone interview last month. “It’s all because of him feeling proud of his two older brothers.” One of Five While Harry was in ROTC training at Seton Hall University, he decided he didn’t want to become an Army officer. He wasn’t opposed to Vietnam, but he figured he would be sent there. Harry also didn’t envision the Army as his career. “I’ll tell you something very ironic,” said Harry. “I had just graduated and was going through the mail. I remember getting a card from my grandmother that said, ‘Congratulations’ with $5, which was a lot of money.” The next letter was his notice.

Facing page center: Harry holding Penney, mom Helen, Brian and Richie in their Katherine Ave. home. Left: Brian USMC boot camp. At right, Harry in ‘Nam as a US Army MP.

Harry was drafted Dec. 11, 1968 and entered the Army aged 22. He did boot camp at Fort Dix and Fort Gordon, GA, for Military Police training. Harry trained with a company of 200 men. It was toward the end of his training that his instructor came into the barracks one day and said to them, “Only five of you will be sent to ‘Nam” “Guess who was one of the five?” said Harry. “I knew my brother was just finishing his tour over there. I thought not about me, but my parents. I’ll never forget it for as long as I live.” Harry, who entered as a Private First Class, was deployed in May of 1970. He rose to the rank of Army Sergeant with the 80th Security Police at Da Nang, where he worked in training and operations. He received the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in a combat zone. “I was very lucky. I was ready to go into the field and was in a jeep that was stopped at a gate,” said Harry. “They asked if I was an MP and I said yes. They said, ‘We need you here.’” Harry worked on the logistics compound for his year of service and left it during the evenings to escort the South Vietnamese women who worked there into Da Nang. He recalled that the “only problems” they had were the enemy missing their targeted attacks on the compound. After returning home one year to the day of his deployment, Harry had a week off before he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky for about six months. He described his wartime experiences as “night versus day” to Brian’s. It’s something that he reflects on, saying there’s no way to prepare for the realities of war. Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

“You’re naive and vulnerable,” said Harry. “You don’t really know how bad it is until you’re put into that position. I was very lucky. They shot and missed, but it wasn’t combat.” Forging Bonds Brian saw the writing on the wall — which is why he joined the Marines right out of high school. “He knew that he would be drafted and wanted to get it over with,” said Richard. Brian, 75, entered Vietnam during the start of the Tet Offensive, which stretched from January to September 1968. Brian was a Marine Corporal with the 3rd Shore Party Tn, 3rd Marine Division. He completed his 13-month tour of duty in Dong Ha and Quang Tri in March, 1969. He marked his 21st birthday that July in Quantico, Virginia. “People don’t know the sacrifice. Their lives ended at a young age,” said Richard. “My cousin Jimmy and Brian went from playing soldiers at 13 to doing the real thing a few years later.” “The [Born on the Fourth of July] movie? They really were those guys,” he added. As an infantryman, Brian saw a lot of ground action. Richard noted that more recently, Brian has shared stories about working with the helicopter support team. He would load casualties and the wounded so the helicopters could evacuate soldiers as quickly as possible. It was impossible not to worry at home. The news showed constant wartime coverage and both brothers remembered seeing Brian on TV. “I was worried about his well-being. Then I saw him on Channel 2,” said Harry. “That was really something. I called CBS to see if I couldn’t get a copy, but they had a policy.” Misconceptions still existed for the first television war. Richard said many envisioned it as World War II with many men together when the reality in Vietnam was groups of 10 men going through the jungles. It would rain for days and get as high as 110 before dropping to 70 degrees at night. The experiences forged deep bonds, like in the case of Paul J. Cunha. Brian did his full tour with Cunha, a Boston native. Cunha visited Brian in 1971, but it was Richard who helped the men reconnect in later years. “I used to travel around a lot and tried to work with the State Police to locate him,” said Richard. “Computers were starting to come out, so they’d run this name … and it took me two years to do this, but I located him in Arizona.”

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Harry, Brian, and Richie Drum on Christmas Day, 1986.

As soon as Richard introduced himself over the phone, the other man knew the connection. “He said, ‘Brian’s brother? Wow, what a call. I think about your brother all the time,’” reminisced Richard. “I said, ‘He thinks about you as well.’” Richard had a specific reason for the call — a surprise for Brian’s 50th birthday. Richard recalled how the entire room went silent as the phone was handed to Brian. “He talked to Paul and was very overwhelmed and started crying,” said Richard. “That put them back in touch until now.” The effects of Agent Orange have made it so that Brian cannot hold the phone. But Richard said Brian does have lots of love surrounding him. “If he makes it to April 6, God willing, he and his wife, Joanne, will be married for 50 years,” said Richard. Life Went On Life was starkly different for the residents of 145 Katherine Ave., but the Athenia section and city felt the devastating blowback of the war. Richard remembered hearing the news of Richard Cyran’s death. Cyran, 20, was referred by the local papers as “Athenia’s first fallen son” in Vietnam. The community dedicated a memorial that was built with funds collected by three of his friends. There was also USMC Cpl. Guyler N. Tulp — a CHS senior when he enlisted in 1967 and later engaged to be married to Tracie Dudinyak. Tulp’s Marine unit, the Second Combined Action Group, was ambushed 15 miles outside of Da Nang. He was killed by a missile shell on April 30, 1969, some 30 days short of returning home.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

“When my mother heard about [them], she was getting very sickly,” said Richard. “I have a cousin, Jimmy Kitrys, who was also over there at the same time. My mother’s sister’s son.” “Jimmy got drafted I think in early 1969,” continued Richard. “That tore my mother up, too.” Parents Harry Sr. and Helen weren’t unfamiliar with military service. Harry Sr. served in the US Navy aboard the USS Yorktown, known as WWII’s famous “Fighting Lady”. Helen watched as her three brothers served in wartime. Uncle Tom served with the Navy in WWII and was in water for over two days after his ship was sunk before he was rescued, Uncle Mike served in the Army and Marines during WWII, and Uncle Nick served in Korea. “I don’t think she ever really recovered from all that,” said Richard. Harry expressed the belief that it was also hard on their father seeing his sons go off to fight. “I know it [affected him]. It didn’t show, from what I remember, but he cared,” said Harry. “I know he wished neither of us were in the service because of Vietnam. It’s your kids — you don’t want them to get hurt or be killed.” For Richard, those anxieties were all-consuming at such a young age. The day that Brian left for Vietnam, he didn’t want to go to school because he was crying. He did compose himself, but he never forgot what one of the nuns said to him. “Sister Mildred said to me, ‘Boy, I don’t care if your brother is in Vietnam.’ I never would respect her again,” said Richard. “I wouldn’t answer her or do anything because of that comment.” Returning Home The anti-war sentiment was palpable at home and over 8,000 miles away. Jimmy, for instance, noted his service once or twice on job applications before he omitted it. Harry read of protesting at Woodstock in the military newspaper, Stars and Stripes. But his first experience with civilian disenchantment came as soon as he returned to Clifton. His plan was to take the bus from Port Authority to Styertowne and walk to Athenia to surprise his family. “I remember some guy at the gas station was whistling at me. Mocking me,” he said. “Boy, did I get mad, but I kept

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

on walking. There were mixed emotions. I guess I thought people have a right to express it,” Harry added. “But you also have the responsibility of doing what your country says. It was like a civil war.” The brothers each found their own ways once they were back home. After graduating from CHS in 1977, Richard went to work in a machine shop. He has spent the last 34 years working as a stagehand and has worked as part of the Stage Union at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. He lives in Franklin with his wife, Melissa, and has a step-son, Brandon. Brian’s interests lived up to his name once a military grant let him study at the Manhattan School of

Music. “He was a very good drummer,” said Richard. “He took lessons from Joe Morello, who played in the Dave Brubeck Quartet.” Brian taught drums and “inspired a lot of guys”, but a music career wasn’t happening. He still had grant money and went back to school for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. He branched off eventually with a partner and created the company Air Pro Associates. He and wife Joanne have four children, Dina, Angela, Brian Jr., and Colleen, and six grandchildren. Harry, like his younger brother, also had a love for music. The clarinet was important to him from a young age and in 2008, he picked up another instrument. “That’s one of my regrets — that I quit playing the sax,” said Harry. Harry worked at Nabisco Cookies for about 30 years, finishing his career as Sales Manager. He relocated to Vermont just two weeks before 9/11 and is married to wife Nancy for 43 years. For the past 15 years, he can be found volunteering in an emergency room twice per week. “I’m 77, but I feel 57,” he said. It’s not something that he takes for granted. Harry had many takeaways from his military service — including one lesson that he’s carried with him for over 50 years. “The Army was the best two years of my life as far as learning about life and just being exposed to so many different people from the U.S. and world. Everybody laughs the same and cries the same. It was an education,” he continued. “Much more than you’d find in a college.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

The folks at The Clif are supporting St. Peter’s Haven by providing quarts of Chef Eric Liaci’s roasted habanero pulled pork chili. The Clifton owners, Antony and Alex Barone, have donated over $6,000 since they took over The Clif in 2020. Pictured from left at the Clifton Ave. landmark are Eric Liaci, Alex and Anthony Barone and his brother Sean.

Help fill Empty Bowls at St. Peter’s Haven The 2023 Season of Giving has begun and it relies on the generous support of Clifton residents, non-residents, and businesses. The Clif is no exception. Known for its annual generosity to St. Peter’s Haven, the team who’s behind the popular dive bar that spreads “peace and love” is eager to help fight off hunger and support food security. This year, the empty bowls they are pictured with symbolize the potential for growth and promise. You can give back, too. The Haven’s Empty Bowls event is Nov. 10 from 6–9 pm at the Masonic Lodge, 1496 Van Houten Ave. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort that unites local restaurants and bakeries, community artists, and art organizations to raise money and greater awareness in the fight to end hunger.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Potter Irene Tsakiris (at right) donated 80 unique, handcrafted ceramic bowls that she made specifically for St. Peter’s Empty Bowl event, driving one hour to deliver them. She is pictured with acting Executive Director Pam Fueshko. See more of Irene’s work at irenepotspottery.com.

Empty Bowls will come to Clifton in conjunction with the Haven’s “Eat Drink Give” fall fundraising restaurant partnership. The event is $30 per person. Seating is limited. Reserve at saintpetershaven.org or call 973-546-3406. Looking to take home a hand-crafted soup bowl? Irene Tsakiris is the potter who drove one hour to deliver 80 unique, handcrafted ceramic bowls that she made for the Haven’s event. What was initially a 15-bowl donation evolved into much more for the Haven and our community. See more of Tsakiris’ creations at irenepotspottery.com.

St. Peter’s Haven, 380 Clifton Ave., was established as a ministry of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in 1986. The non-sectarian 501(c)(3) charitable organization helps homeless individuals and families in our community and feeds the hungry. The Haven’s services focus on transitional housing, supplemental food assistance, and casework services. The organization has striven for the past 37 years to help ensure that Clifton families receive all available and entitled benefits — such as veteran benefits, housing and food subsidies, cash assistance, and more services. The Haven’s food pantry currently serves over 2,600 individuals each month. The pantry program provides participants with a five-day supplement of food once per month. The Haven has special programs throughout the year that extend beyond their usual food security efforts. The programs include providing a turkey with all of the fixings, gifts for kids and teens during the holiday season, and clothing drives that collect warm coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. The Haven’s Transitional Family Shelter provides short-term housing for homeless and at-risk families. What sets the Haven apart from many other shelters is

how the transitional housing keeps families intact while supporting them in obtaining safe, long-term, and affordable housing. The two homes consist of a single-family, four-bedroom home and a separate two-family house with threebedroom and two-bedroom units. The three units can house up to 18 people at once. Most families stay in the transitional shelter for 90 to 120 days as they receive help from a social worker to identify how they can personally combat their current situations. For the most up-to-date news and information about upcoming events sponsored by the Haven, follow @saintpetershaven on Instagram or @stpetershaven on Facebook.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

It’s almost a new year and that means it’s fundraising season for many groups. At the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, the 2024 Annual Campaign is “Future Ready.” Taking the helm of the effort is BGCC Board President Katrine Hyde. She’s a long-serving trustee of The Club and partner in the Basking Ridge law firm of Kennedys Law with expertise in evaluating, litigating, and resolving insurance coverage matters. She came to the BGCC as a teen, walking into the Aquatics Office without an appointment and seeking a job as a swim instructor. Hyde recalled at the Oct. 8 Trustee installation how Coach Nadia Stavko hired her “on the spot.” She expressed gratitude and excitement now that she’s in an even greater position to continue giving back. The campaign runs from November to March with a goal of raising $150,000. The tagline of this campaign is: Empowering Youth to Achieve Success and Champion Opportunities.

The way the Club hopes to do that is with the community’s ongoing involvement and support. The Club wants the public to know they appreciate that generosity. It’s individual and business donations that help to keep the Clifton club operational and serving its community since 1947. In 2022, the Club marked 75 years by kicking off its campaign with a $50,000 donation from Amazon and a $100,000 donation from an anonymous donor. In 2020, John and Kristin Fette offered a challenge grant, matching every dollar given in December 2020 with their $50,000 gift, creating over $100,000 in donations. “Traditionally, the highest level of giving is at the end of the year,” said the Director of Resource Development Maureen Cameron. “People want to give and support their favorite local charities. We find that they support local nonprofits very strongly at this time of year.” To support the Club and Clifton’s kids, visit bgcclifton.org/donate.

The incoming Board of Trustees from left: Richard Mariso, Robert Foster (Executive Director), Frank Pajuelo, Cindy DeVos, Joe Holmes, Katrine Hyde, Gina Lynn Corradino, John Fette, Michael Lesler, Lou Nosti, Bharat Rana, Tina Chung DMD, Dante Liberti and James Anzaldi. Not pictured are Howard Baum, Frank Carlet, Michele Chambers, Angelo Crudele, Joe Cupoli, Janelle Hall PhD, Dominic Iannarella Esq., Raymond Kunz, Gloria Martini, Laura Nicosia PhD and Brent Rudnick.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Clifton Cares is calling on the community’s help and generosity. Volunteers for the nonprofit will prepare care packages for our military in November and request generous donations of food for the 13th year. Items can be brought daily until Nov. 14 to the Clifton Cares bin at City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave, from 9 am to 9 pm and to the DAV Chapter 2, 315 Hazel St., from 5 pm to midnight. Clifton Cares is teaming up with the Disabled American Veterans in Clifton, Visions Federal Credit Union and United Way of Passaic County to collect supplies and to do packing. But you can support the cause in other ways. Needed items are: Small bottles of toiletries, sanitizer, shampoo, soap, food, and snacks. Favorites of the soldiers are Ramen noodles, beef jerky, crackers, gum, power bars, and all kinds of cookies and candy. They also need powders to make their water more flavorful. Checks made payable to Clifton Cares Inc. help send packages, which are $21.40 each to mail, and are tax deductible. Send donations to Clifton Cares Inc., Clifton City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013. If you know of a military person deployed overseas, the group would like to add them to the list. Send their name, full address, and when their tour ends to Chris Liszner by calling 973-650-2719 or emailing grandmachrissy99@aol.com.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

The Power of One

The Power of One is all about empowering healthy communities through nutrition, emergency relief, and resources. But it’s also about bringing the community together during the most family oriented time of year. The organization’s 5th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner is open to Clifton residents on Nov. 23 at 2 pm as a sitdown buffet at the Clifton/Garfield Elks, 775 Clifton Ave. “Everyone is welcome to the dinner table,” said Executive Program Manager Kim Castellano. “I have been doing Thanksgiving dinners since 2007. Wherever I was, the Thanksgiving meal was always shared.” “No one should be alone,” she added. “Coming together is where we get our most healing.” Castellano said that way of thinking was present in her own home as a child. “My mom and dad used to invite people to our house,” said Castellano. “When I came to Clifton and there was nothing here for Thanksgiving dinner, I thought, ‘Why not create it?’ It’s in me.” Reserve a seat and get more information or to contribute in any way call 862-239-5905. Clifton is Power of One’s priority, and residents can help support their efforts this holiday season as well. The annual Toy Drive will accept donations through Dec. 8. Please donate to the drive a new, unwrapped toy for children ages newborn to 13 to help support Clifton families and spread the joy of Christmas.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

“I think that it’s important that we come together as a community,” said Castellano. “Between all cultures, races, and education — we all know the impact of giving.” Providing toys for families in need started when the St. Philip Knights of Columbus would invite the Power of One families to their Christmas party. Castellano would select 20 families, but soon the need exceeded that event. Power of One held its own party and after that became too much to manage, the Toy Drive began. “The Toy Drive is a fun thing,” said Castellano. “We find families in need and have families come shop for Christmas toys.” This year’s “Toy Store” will likely occur the week of Dec. 13 and will take place at A-1 Affordable Construction, 164 Getty Ave. Power of One serves 350 families who Castellano said they’ll ask if they need help this holiday season. Families will then come in by appointment to pick out toys. Drop off toys at M&T Bank (887 Allwood Rd.), Spencer Savings Bank (908 Van Houten Ave. / 437 Piaget Ave.), Provident Bank (562 Lexington Ave.), JK Realty (270 Colfax Ave.), and Caring People, Inc. (1169 Main Ave.). Direct Amazon shipments to A-1 Affordable Construction. Monetary donations for supplies can be mailed to Power of One, PO Box 6080, Clifton, NJ 07015. Call Kim at 862-2395905 or email info@powerofoneccom.org. Visit powerofoneccom.org or follow powerofoneministriesinc on FB.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

The Hail Mary Poppins team has challenges ahead, the least of which is raising funds. From left: Anna Sweeney, Joe Cupoli, his mom Joyce, and his son Joseph. Top, Cupoli in 2010 when he announced his retirement.

Joe Cupoli wanted to do good for the public, but he didn’t want to rely on four votes for change. Cupoli, 58, recalled how his political career on the Clifton City Council grew increasingly frustrating. He served from 2006 to 2010 and filled the late Councilman Matt Grabowski’s unexpired term when the latter passed away in February, 2015 until a special election. Stepping out of that environment wasn’t without its own challenges. “I was bored when I got out of politics. I felt useless and really needed something,” said Cupoli. “I wasn’t looking for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but a Sunday morning fundraiser came across my radar.” Since 2017, Cupoli’s involvement with LLS has seen him personally raise $675,000. Cupoli was named “Man of the Year” in 2019 and is now LLS’ vice chair. The effect of cancer on Cupoli’s family has kept the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society close to his heart. His father’s brother Bobby, who just turned 80, was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma, which later progressed to multiple myeloma. Despite difficult odds and lasting effects, Bobby is now in remission and golfs once per week in Bellmawr. But there are also family tragedies. Cupoli’s father lost his youngest brother to brain cancer, and Cupoli’s mother lost her only brother, Stephen, to Leukemia when he was 4-years-old in 1951. It is to honor his uncles Bobby and Stephen that Cupoli will ring in the new year running a Disney Half Marathon in January. “I obviously never met [Uncle Stephen], but my grandmother always said, ‘Joseph, if you can do anything good,

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

help cure cancer,’” said Cupoli. “LLS wasn’t even in existence at the time of my uncle’s passing, but she was a big St. Jude’s person.” Cupoli’s team, Hail Mary Poppins, will bring roughly 25 people to the Disney Marathon weekend. Team members are registered for either a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon. They have participated for the past three years. “It became a family thing,” said Cupoli. “My nephew Daniel, who’s 12, has raised over $12,000 as the leading fund raiser on my team. Last year, my 81-year-old mom walked the 10k.” His son Joseph, 29, will run the race with him. His other two children — Julianne, 31, and Jake, 24 — show their support and donate. Cupoli’s five sisters also support the cause. Last month, the team had already raised $61,000, and Cupoli isn’t slowing down. He’ll host an intimate, two-part event at The Capital Grille, 1 Garden State Plaza in Paramus, on Nov. 20 to raise the remaining funds. Cupoli encourages all to “join us for this wonderful cause” that includes a Rare Bourbon Tasting from 5–6:30 pm and a Wine Party from 6:30–8 pm. The Wine Party costs $100 per person and features silent auction items. The Rare Bourbon Tasting costs $500 per person and includes a cocktail party. The event benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is 100% tax deductible. To contribute, attend or RSVP call Cupoli at 201-245-5065. “What’s better than having fun and giving back?” the always optimistic Cupoli said. “You can’t beat that.”

Boy Scout Troop 21 will host its Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Nov. 12 from noon to 5 pm at the St. Philip RC Church Auditorium, 797 Valley Rd. Monies raised help fund activities for the Troop 21 Boy Scouts. The all-you-can-eat spaghetti is prepared by the troop with homemade sauce and served with salad, bread, coffee, tea, dessert, and refreshments. Takeout orders are available. The dinner is $15 per person, with $12 for seniors and $8 for kids ages 5-11. Kids 4 and under are free with a paying adult. Purchase tickets at the door.

The Scout Slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily”. The Scouts of Troop 21 strive to turn the motto into action and have participated in Clifton Cares, the Avenue of Flags, and the Veteran and Memorial Day parades. Past service projects have included building a boat for the Boat Load of Food Drive, building ramps for handicap accessibility, and most recently assisting the Health Department in a Morris Canal Park clean-up. Troop 21 welcomes ideas for service opportunities. For details about becoming a Scout, or about the dinner, email troop21clifton@gmail.com.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

“Cans for Dan” is back — and with a new goal. The fourth annual food collection at the Little Falls ShopRite hopes to break the 2,000-item mark and help other food pantries in the local area. Last year, Cans for Dan was able to collect 1,822 items that they donated to Saint Peter’s Haven, 380 Clifton Ave., and to St. Paul’s food pantry in Paterson. Produce Manager Daniel Shackil (CHS 2008) and Registered Dietician Heather Shasa started Cans for Dan in 2019. The first year’s collection totaled 1,200 dona-

tions and has only grown since, despite losing a year in 2020 to the coronavirus pandemic. There are two ways to contribute: throughout November, make a purchase at the store and drop off canned goods and non-perishable items like oatmeal, rice, and pasta at the bins in front of the store. For those who would like to make a monetary donation, Venmo Dan-Shackil. “Every day, 32 million Americans will go to bed hungry,” said Shackil. “We knew that we had the platform to make a difference.”

Aspiring singer and CHS 2019 grad Atani Mendez. Singer and guitarist Gurkan Kose. School 9 fifth grader Maxwell Cadet showed off his moves as a Michael Jackson Tribute dancer.

The Clifton Education Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration “Clifton’s Got Talent!”, with their 25th Anniversary Souvenir Ad Journal, resulted in one of their most successful fundraisers to date. The foundation raised over $10,000 to provide grants in all Clifton Public Schools. “Clifton’s Got Talent!” was hosted by CHS Choral Director Leo Weismantel at UNO Pizzeria & Grill, 426 Route 3 West, and showcased local talent of all ages for a night of community spirit and fun. The event also honored CEF Treasurer and Charter Member Loretta Ahmad for her 25 years of service. Founded in 1998 by former educators and CHS alumni Marie L. Hakim and Robert Zschack, the non-profit organization relies greatly on the generosity of new, longtime, and business donors to fund innovative initiatives in all Clifton Public Schools, not typically funded by the regular BOE budget. Visit cliftoneducationfoundation. org to view the ad journal, learn more, or donate. Follow CEF on Instagram @cliftoneducationfoundation to see some of the exciting initiatives their grants have funded.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

The Ukrainian Wave Foundation’s Casino Night is Nov. 11 at the Ukrainian Center, 240 Hope Ave., Passaic. Doors open at 6 pm and the $50 tickets provide one free drink, appetizers, hot buffet, cash bar, coffee and sweets. Bring $100 playing money for poker, blackjack, roulette and craps. Funds raised help support relief efforts in Ukraine in its war with Russia. For tickets, call Oksana at 201-668-9516 or Maria at 201-580-8743. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presented the Vivere Christus awards on Oct. 15 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson for service to the Church and the world. Pictured are St. Paul parishioners Carol and Nicola Genchi. Other Cliftonites awarded were Michael Cervine of St. Philip the Apostle Parish; Erik, Jana, Jennifer, and Nicole Golias of Ss. Cyril & Methodius; Luis Nunez of Sacred Heart; ChiChi and Uao Onwuchekwa of St. Clare; and Lillian Elaine Silvestri of St. John Kanty. Photo: The Beacon, the newspaper of the Paterson diocese.

Friends of the Clifton Public Library host fundraisers Nov. 6 at Uno Pizzeria and Dec. 4 at Panera Bread. Both are on Rt. 3 West. The eateries will donate up to 25% of checks to the Friends but you need to either pick up or print a certificate cliftonpl.org/friends-of-the-library to make it happen. On Dec. 5, Mike Luipersbeck & The All Star Trio will perform at 2 pm in the Main Memorial Library. Free will donations are appreciated. For info, call the Clifton Library at 973-772-5500, the Allwood Library at 973-471-0555, or visit cliftonpl.org.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Help keep kids warm this winter. The Knights of Columbus Regina Mundi 3969 Council is on a mission to raise money for Coats For Kids — and it’s a cause that matters deeply to the team at JK Realty, 270 Colfax Ave. “This cause is close to our hearts, and we’re dedicated to making a difference,” said owner and Board of Education candidate Joseph Siano (CHS 2001). “Together, we can bring smiles and comfort to those in need.” To donate and spread some warmth, contact Joe at 973-563-1449. Clifton Firefighters FMBA 21 Toys for Tots Drive begins Nov. 24 with donations accepted at all Clifton Fire Stations through Dec. 20. New, unwrapped toys for children of all ages are needed and will be distributed through Clifton’s Boys & Girls Club. Deliver toys to Station 1, 69 1st St.; Station 2, 7 Dumont Ave.; Station 3, 180 Mahar Ave.; Station 4, 144 Main Ave.; Station 5, 51 Brighton Rd.; Station 6, 1202 Van Houten Ave. For info, email info@cliftonfmba21.org or call Lt. Bill Espinoza at 201-988-4195.

Clifton Health Department 2023 Fall Rabies Clinics for Dogs

The Clifton Fire Department’s 11th Annual Pet Food Drive runs through Nov. 30 and helps to support the Clifton Animal Shelter. A variety of donations are accepted, including: Top Chews Chicken Jerky for Dogs, Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Dry Food, Temptations or Friskies Cat Treats, Cat Chow Complete (Blue Bag), and much more. Bring donations to Clifton Fire Headquarters at the Yellow House on City Hall property, 880 Clifton Ave, and put items in the bin on the front porch.

Location: DPW Garage 307 E 7th., Clifton, NJ 07011

Dogs: (Free) Wednesday, November 15th 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 18th 2:00pm - 4:00 pm

2023 Dog Licenses available for those who still need to license their dog for Clifton Residents Only ——————————— 2024 Dog Licenses NOT available until January 2, 2024 

 



CALL CLIFTON AT (973) 470-5760 FOR MORE INFORMATION. DOGS MUST BE ON LEASHES;. NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WILL BE ALLOWED IN WITHOUT AN ADULT; MUST HAVE VALID FORM OF IDENTIFICATION

All NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE WELCOMED The Clifton Health Department is a contractual health agency serving the Township of Little Falls.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

MUSTANG Story by Tom Szieber • Photos Steve Cohen

Times were different back when Amy Glenn competed for the Clifton gymnastics team. A CHS Class of 1998 graduate, Glenn’s dance background and recreational experience in the sport made her an attractive recruit for long-time Mustangs coach Judy D’Argenio-Salsano. Her time on the Clifton roster was shared with program standouts like Jen Duch and Alicia Mazepa. The Mustangs earned plenty of wins and scored in the 90s on a regular basis. The Mustangs, back then, were a factor in Passaic County. In 2012, Glenn was offered the chance to take over the program. The decision was easy, thanks to her mentor’s belief in her. “I spent four years as Judy’s assistant,” Glenn said. “She was like a mom to me. She always had your best interests at heart, and always wanted to see you become the best version of yourself as you can be. I knew I would have big shoes to fill, but knowing she had confidence in me, I was excited to take over.” Circumstances weren’t the same, though, as they’d been in the 1990s. Then, and in the years since, Clifton found wins hard to come by. The cost of private gyms has risen. The sport remains demanding on the body. Some parents fear the high-flying, high-risk nature of the sport. The Mustangs have survived, but struggled. An Oct. 16, 2014 win over Passaic Valley—earned a year after Glenn stepped back and became an assistant, turning head coaching duties over to Brittany Gaccione—was its last until 2022. In the interim—in 2021—Glenn returned as head coach. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to execute the rebuild that was clearly needed, but another Clifton leader helped provide her the boost she needed.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

SPORTS

Freshman Bianca Alcantara on the bars, Sophomore Briana Zalawadia on vault, Junior Melinda Tajerian on the floor and Sophomore Brinda Zalawadia’s specialty is the beam.

“I wasn’t sure if I could take on all of this at that level again,” Glenn admitted. “[Clifton athletic director], Tom Mullahey, in true Tom Mullahey fashion said, ‘Amy, you got this.’ His confidence in me means a lot.” The process hasn’t been easy, but the Mustangs began to show an ever-so-slight ascent this season. With a young, four-gymnast roster, Clifton cracked the 90-point mark in six of their eight dual meets in 2023; In addition, they recorded a 91.9 in their league championship meet. They’ve laid a foundation for further improvement next season, as well. “I never thought we would be in the 90s at this point,” said Glenn. “Maybe in a year or two. I think it is just that the girls are finally realizing their potential.” Freshman Bianca Alcantara, sophomores Briana and Brinda Zalawadia, and junior Melinda Tajerian have certainly injected into the team, and easily could have pushed the Mustangs to a .500 record, as their losses to Holy Angels and Pascack Hills both came by one point or less.

All four return next season, and Glenn hopes the team’s progress may entice greater turnout in 2024. And if they continue trending in the direction they’ve been, the Mustangs may soon exude the most famous quality of another animal: a phoenix. “[Gymnastics] teaches you a lot about overcoming adversity,” Glenn said. “We need to continuing to do what we started last year. I know what I need to do with my girls to bulk up their scores and difficulty that they need. And hopefully, that will lead to more wins.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

October 16, 2023 With 40 vendors sampling foods, craft beers, wines, specialty cocktails and desserts, over 250 attendees sampled their way through the 9th Annual Taste of Clifton. Under the tent and in the main hall, they partied to the live music of Brookwood Unplugged and music by DJ Nick at Nite. The Oct. 16 event raised funds for various Club programs and paid a special tribute to recently retired long time board member, Frank Calise.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Thank You to our Vendors & Sponsors...

Become a sponsor and raise funds for Clifton Kids!

Call or email Maureen Cameron, Director of Resource Development 973-773-0966 ext. 144 mcameron@bgcclifton.org Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Taste of Clifton 2023

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Help The Club be Future Ready

We invite you to support the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton’s most important annual fundraising initiative! For 76 years, thanks to donors like you, BGC Clifton has inspired and enabled all young people, especially those who need us most, to become productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Great Futures Start Here! The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton is committed to providing Clifton Kids with a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors. Our highquality programs and activities build upon young people’s strengths, allow them to explore new experiences, and develop skills for good decision making. The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton provides opportunities for children and teens to lead, share ideas, and be heard and recognized!

WILL YOU HELP? Send your tax-deductible donation to support the 2023 – 2024 Campaign!

At the US Capitol in July, from left, Club leaders Tyler Andreas and Breyanna Fields with Youth of the Year Alias Ragsdale, Congressman Bill Pascrell and Deijah Kelly.

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 • November 2023

Sophia Zeisel, Judah Portillo, Juna Crawford, Nicco Valencia.

Here are the Mustangs of the Month for November 2023.

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. Sophia Zeisel – Freshman Sophia Zeisel is still relatively new to high school, but the freshman has found ways to navigate herself amongst her peers. Zeisel (CHS 2027) attributed her success to “finding my pace and motivation.” “Once I was able to find both, I could personalize my priorities and time for breaks in order to complete my work efficiently,” said Zeisel. “I also remove social media and other electronic distractions from my work environment.” Zeisel is involved in extracurriculars like the Psychology Club, Artist’s Hub, National Art Honor Society, and the Student Liaison Committee. Zeisel is a Mustang Ambassador and is running for Student Council. Her mother is the person who inspires her the most. “She has always been ambitious and hardworking right from the get-go,” said Zeisel. “I hope I grow up to be just like her.” The good news is that CHS has plenty to offer ambitious people. Available programs include the Bergen Program, the PCCC program, Academies, and MSU program. Zeisel is enrolled in CHS’ Visual and Performing Arts Academy. But her academic interests aren’t limited. Zeisel said that her favorite school subject is History. “I have always been fascinated with cultures and lifestyles of others from different civilizations and time periods,” said Zeisel. “Especially mythology.”

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Judah Portillo – Sophomore Animation is a significant part of Judah Portillo’s identity, and he has Clifton teachers to thank for encouraging that passion. “My fifth grade teacher Amanda Rhodes and eighth grade teacher Jennifer Lanzerotti both were influential to me,” said Portillo (CHS 2026). “They made me feel valued and encouraged me to pursue my dream of animation.” Portillo is a member of CHS’ Hindu Student Association and in his free time, he edits and makes biographical videos on his YouTube channel JudahN’Co. He expressed an interest in programs that CHS offers for the future and said that he’s interested in pursuing a career in Animation or Graphic Design. His favorite school subject in the meantime is History. “It comes easily to me, but I also find it interesting to examine … events from the past [and how they] impact and shape events today,” said Portillo. What took a little more time to get adjusted to was life in high school. Portillo is thriving thanks to his time management skills and ability to balance his home and school responsibilities. He has also made it a point to “[fine tune] my study skills.” “My parents have been the most inspiring to me, because they push me to my fullest potential and encourage me to follow my dreams all the time.”

Juna Crawford – Junior Juna Crawford holds the road map to her future and it’s clear — she plans to pursue a career in Broadcasting & Communications and continue dancing. The junior wants to major in Sports Journalism once in college and knows that she can handle any workload sent her way. “One major [high school] hurdle has been the ability to adjust to challenging classes, as well as balancing extracurriculars with school work,” said Crawford (CHS 2025). “However, I think that I found a good work ethic for my life at school.” Crawford plays on the Varsity Volleyball team during the fall. She’s a year-round active member of the CHS Advanced Dance class and the Dance Ensemble program. Inside of the classroom, Crawford enjoys her English and Math classes. “I like English, because I like to write about things that I’ve read,” she said. “I like math, because I love the feeling of understanding equations.” There are several influential teachers in Crawford’s life, such as Social Studies teacher Mr. John O’Reilly and Math teacher Mr. Rafat Ewais. But the first and most influential teacher for her is Caitlyn Barrows, who helped Crawford “resurface my love and passion for dance. She truly is like a mom to the whole dance program,” said Crawford.

Nicco Valencia – Senior Nicco Valencia works hard for his own goals, but he also strives to be someone that his younger brother can be proud of. “My younger brother inspires me the most,” said Valencia (CHS 2024). “I always try to give him the best role model to rely on because he looks up to me.” Valencia’s future aspirations are to attend college and study to become an architect. Eventually, he hopes to run his own architectural business. He has already started to put in the effort in his favorite CHS subject, Tech Draft. “The projects and assignments are very entertaining and help me a lot in what I want to do after high school,” said Valencia. A recent extracurricular that he has joined is Nutrition Club, which is advised by Science teacher Amal Zidan. Valencia works as a swimming instructor at YMCA and likes playing video games in his free time. These opportunities and his involvement in them came after facing an unexpected obstacle. “A major hurdle that I had to overcome was probably not making the soccer team for my senior year,” said Valencia. “While it hurt at first, I soon realized there are more opportunities other than soccer. I focused on other opportunities and playing for fun. Everything happens for a reason.”

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 7

Fahim Abedrabbo

Cameron Hebron

Joseph Siano

Joseph Canova

Juan Pabon

October’s Clifton Magazine profiled all the candidates pictured here but Alixon Collazos-Gill who did not return our request to talk. We have organized photos of the candidates by the office they seek and the number you can select. Hope this helps in making a selection.

BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES

SELECT 3

Jim Smith

Tanya Suarez

SELECT 2

FOR S S A I C C O U N T Y DPASSAIC EM OCRATS COUNTY E A L L E A D E R S . R E A LCOMMISSIONER RESULTS.

LECT

Bruce James

Orlando Cruz

SELECT 1

Andrena Pegel

Kelley Amico

Michael Byrne

John McKeon

FOR PC CLERK

SELECT 1

CLIFTON'S OWN!

Rosemary Pino

BRUCE JAMES MMISSIONER

Danielle Ireland-Imhof

FOR NJ SENATE

DANIELLE ORLANDO IRELAND-IMHOF SELECT C2R U Z COMMISSIONER COUNTY CLERK FOR

ASSEMBLY COUNTY TAX INCREASE FOR 5NJSTRAIGHT YEARS

y Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof has made services more accessible with Irene DeVita Michael Mecca Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie ased electronic documents and web capabilities, extended office hours, November 2023 •translation Cliftonmagazine.com 68 staff ulti-lingual and services. Her mobile office events bring es such as passports, Veteran IDs, military records, and notary oaths y to residents at Clifton City Hall, the Clifton Library, Clifton Health Center,

Alixon Collazos-Gill

Clifton Public Schools Employment Opportunities

The Clifton Public School District is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

Elementary School Teaching

Special Education

High School Teaching

Student Support Services

Maintenance/Custodial

Substitute Teachers

Middle School Teaching

Substitute Paraprofessionals

Preschool Teaching PreK-12

Technology

Secretarial

Transportation

Apply today at https://www.applitrack.com/cliftonschools/onlineapp/ Clifton Public Schools 745 Clifton Avenue Clifton, NJ 07013 www.clifton.k12.nj.us Phone: 973-594-4195 E-mail: hr@cliftonschools.net

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Many ribbon cuttings can be milquetoast. But Stew Leonard promised his Oct. 12 ground breaking in Styertowne Shopping Center would be anything but. Indeed it was a grand event. First there were introductions of over a dozen employees who had an aggregate of 400 years of service to the legendary grocer, wine guy and merchandiser. Next was the smashing of an 800 pound gourd jacked up some 55 feet by a forklift before it met its end. Finally there were over 200 guests, politicians, employees and media to witness the arrival of the store which will open in summer 2024. With that said, Stew, his 92 year old mom, wife, kids and others did indeed do a milk toast to welcome the store to Clifton and then gave a $6,000 gift to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Saint Mary High School 64 Chestnut Street Rutherford, NJ 07070 201-933-5220 www.stmaryhs.org

Small School. Big Dreams.

Reasons to Choose St. Mary

1. Academic Excellence 2. Spiritual Formation 3. Advanced College Studies 4. Championship Athletics

Consider Our Gael-for-a-Day Program! Prospective students spend a school day with a St. Mary student.

To schedule, call 201-933-5220 or register online at www.stmaryhs.org Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Auditions for TLC’s Tribute to Carol Burnett is 7 to 9 pm on Nov. 13, 15 or 20 at Mario’s Restaurant for its Feb. 2024 dinner theater production. The director seeks four men and four women with comedic skills who can impersonate, stand-up comedians, magicians and drag artists. Visit theaterleagueofclifton.com and follow TLC on Instagram @theaterleagueofclifton for up-to-date information.

The Jalm Experience ensemble, a production of the Theater League of Clifton, will perform Christmas music at Grace Church on Dec. 2 and Living Hope Presbyterian Church on Dec. 3. Performers include Jalmari Vanamo, Dorothy Dobkowski, (seated) Mingo Long, Jason Tamashausky and Kim Mesiti. Tickets are $45 or $50 at the door. Call 973-928-7668 or go to theaterleagueofclifton.com.

Self care isn’t selfish. Join the Power of One’s “Stress, Anxiety, Grief” Support Group on Nov. 16 for personal development. The workshop is open to everyone and the cost is complimentary. Improve or develop coping skills while working to reduce your stress and anxiety. Workshops are held the first and third Thursdays of the month from 6:30–8:30 pm in the Clifton Senior Barn, 900 Clifton Ave. The next dates are: Dec. 7 and 21. Email for more info or to register: powerofoneccom.org or call Kim Castellano at 862-239-5905. School 11 is looking for vendors ahead of its 2nd Annual Holiday Sale on Dec. 3 from noon to 3 pm. Can’t register as a vendor? Sponsorship is possible on a few levels, including Silver Level ($25, business advertised on the school’s Facebook and Instagram), Gold Level ($50, business advertised on a sign), Platinum Level ($60, business advertised with social media and a sign). Credit card payment via Square for an additional 3.5% fee and cash are accepted. Make checks to “School 11 HSA”. Call Liz Ille at 201-407-6881 or email schoolhsa11@gmail.com.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Adeline DeVries has published a book about her life, including many stories that appeared on these pages. My Life contains stories of growing up on Clifton’s Barkley Avenue, her career as a nurse (including her seven-year summer tenure at Camp Clifton), and her beloved family and friends. It also includes memories about living through WWII, her dedication to veterans, and her family’s unique story of a special devotion to St. Joseph.

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

WHERE ARE THESE

lass of

‘83 MUSTANGS NOW?

John Hanrahan, Suzanne Sia, Anthony Hinson, Jacqueline Ference, Jerry Ference, Linda Chiappone, Victoria Tuzzolino

The CHS Class of 1983’s 40th reunion is at Uno Pizzeria & Grill on Nov. 18 at 7 pm. Rewind, reminisce, and catch up with aging fellow Mustangs, such as those pictured, and Kathy White at right. Info on FB “Class of ’83 – 40 year reunion.” Oh, The Possibilities is an exhibit by the New Jersey Art Association at the Clifton Arts Center from Nov. 8 to Dec. 9. A reception open to the public is Nov. 18 from 1 to 4 pm. Visitors will meet the artists of the NJAA, one of the oldest art associations in New Jersey, formed in 1940. The CAC is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm. The CAC is behind city hall and has a suggested admission fee of $3. Visit: cliftonartscenter.org or FB and Instagram @cliftonartscenter. Capture Clifton may sound like a local political drama but no—it is a digital photo contest sponsored by the CAC. Shoot your best photo of Clifton architecture or landscapes by Dec. 15 for the chance to win $100. Judges will select 10 finalists and three winners. The judges are: CAC Board Chair MaryAnn Baskinger, CAC President Mike Bertelli, CHS Art Teacher Julie Chrobak, Clifton Merchant Magazine Editor and Publisher Tom Hawrylko, and CHS Art Teacher Beth Slanina. Finalist photos will be displayed at a reception on Jan. 13 at the CAC. Open to Clifton residents and amateur photographers, 13 years of age and older. To support the Arts in Clifton, read rules, and submit a photo, visit cliftonartscenter.org. Top row: Leslie Friedman, Honan, White,onDori Friends of the Clifton PublicGeri Library hostKathy a meeting Nov.Breen, 14 at Mr. 1 pmCarline, in Theresa Bottom row: Lisa D’Annunzio, Lorithe Pletenik, Elena Marcy Clifton MainNajjar. Memorial Library, 292 Piaget Ave. After meeting, guestTiberi, speaker Drumright, Theresa Messineo. At System right, Kathy White, going tall. Michael Greene, a volunteer Solar Ambassador for NASA, will present “Passing the Torch from the Apollo Generation to the Artemis Generation.” The free event is open to those 10 years and older. The Friends’s purpose is to maintain interest and support for the city’s library services. Call the Main Branch at 973772-5500, the Allwood Branch at 973-471-0555, or visitcliftonpl.org for info. The Drama Club took to the stage in Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park.” The Cliftonnewspaper, Garden Club, with the its Clifton Commission The school The along Hub, doubled issuesEnvironmental to eight. Aaron Halpern was and Clifton Health, meets Nov. 14 at 7 pm at the Allwood Library, 44 Lyall marking his 20th year as Clifton High’s principal, telling the class “aRd. great The speaker Michael Van Clef of Hopewell Valley Open Space, who will disfuture awaitsis you.” cussClifton problems invasive cause in the and ways identify High’s Classspecies of 1983 turned to ecosystem the Carpenters’ 1970to hit song and for its control Garden Club isbut a non-profit group of volunteers keep motto, them. We’veThe Only Just Begun, it was really quite a year forstriving MichaeltoJackson Clifton clean Call Donna Fantacone at 973-473-0577 – who for theand firstgreen. time danced the “moon walk” and seemed towith rulequestions. the airways, topping the charts with Billy Jean and Beat It. OnBy Jan. 1, 2024, parking stickers and cityFlashdance lots is changing. summer, theClifton class was swinging withforthestreets now classic … What Purchase new sticker at Clifton Police, 900 Clifton Ave. To review FAQs, to it a Feeling and those oh-so-memorable lyrics: “Take your passion. And go make cliftonpolice.org. Email traffic@cliftonpolice.org with any additional questions. happen!” Morgan, perennial band director, was doing just that in the November 2023 • Clifton’s Cliftonmagazine.com 74 Robert

WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN...

48 July 2013 • Clifton Merchant

Open to the public • Art Exhibit & Sale

Nov 8th THRU Dec 9th Note: On Saturday, December 9th hours are changed - we will be open from 9 am - 12 noon only!

Wednesdays thru Saturdays 1pm until 4pm

Office Hours • Mon to Sat • 8am until 4pm Call to Confirm for Appointment

DIGITAL PHOTO CONTEST Shoot your best photo of CLIFTON architecture or landscapes. DEADLINE DEC. 15th

3 Winners will be awarded $100 each! For Contest Rules and to Submit a Photo visit ...

www.CliftonArtsCenter.org

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Clifton High’s gym was filled on Oct. 29 with costumed revelers as rain rerouted the Halloween Parade & Harvestfest indoors from Houten Ave. The always resourceful Clifton Rec team led by Debbie Oliver made it work as kids and adults danced, paraded and shared family fun games. There was also an apple pie baking contest with 11 entries judged by two mayors and a publisher. First place went to Kerri Chomsky, second to Suzanne Sia with William Heaney placing third. The following pages tell the story with lots of photos!

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Meal Application Scan the QR code to easily access the Parent Portal and complete your child’s meal application. Make lunchtime better for our students

Scan ONLY if you haven’t completed an application!

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

Birthdays & Celebrations - November 2023

Happy Birthday to.... Send yours .... tomhawrylkosr@gmail.com

Ed & Casey (Hawrylko) Bivaletz are celebrating their 3rd anniversary on Nov. 11! Andrea Rozo and Iván Cepeda celebrate their 6th Anniversary on Nov. 20. Jazzlyn Caba............................... 11/1 Robyn Jo Paci............................... 11/2 Thomas Scancarella..................... 11/2 Kelly Tierney................................. 11/3 Paul Guzowski............................. 11/3 Lance Dearing.............................. 11/4 Olivia Nysk.................................. 11/4 Andrew Seitz................................ 11/4

Mr. Cupcakes............................... 11/4 Victoria Krzysztofczyk................. 11/5 Tanya Ressetar............................. 11/5 Kristina Azevedo.......................... 11/6 Nicole Lorraine Bonin.................. 11/6 Martha Derendal......................... 11/6 Danielle Osellame....................... 11/6 Kristen Soltis................................. 11/6

Marty and Joan Neville celebrate a 64 year love story on Nov. 20. Bev Lacsina turns 34 on Nov. 8. Belated 92nd to Alberta Lacki on Oct. 25. Our friend John Seiple turns 82 on Nov. 26.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Rosario LaCorte blows out 77 candles on Nov. 16. Dan Norton is 82 on Nov. 17. Nicole Mokray turns 23 on Nov. 7. Gabriella Marriello..................... 11/7 James Ball..................................... 11/7 Kevin Lord..................................... 11/7 Francine Anderson....................... 11/8 Ray Konopinski............................ 11/8 Marie Sanzo................................ 11/8 Donna Camp................................ 11/9 Tricia Montague........................... 11/9 Brandy Stiles............................... 11/10 Tom Szieber................................ 11/10 Stacey Takacs............................ 11/10 Joseph Franek III.........................11/11 Laura Gasior.............................. 11/12 Geraldine Ball............................ 11/13 Patricia Franek............................ 11/13 Robert Paci................................. 11/13 Gabriel Garcia.......................... 11/14 Gregory Chase.......................... 11/15 Ken Peterson............................... 11/15 Kathy Schmidt ........................... 11/15 Matthew Phillips......................... 11/16 Anthony Wrobel......................... 11/16 Michael Zangara....................... 11/16 Marilyn Velez............................. 11/18 Joseph Tyler................................ 11/19 Joseph Guerra............................11/20

The Sister Act: Anna Diduch turned 66 on Oct. 26 and Mary Vatasin is 65 on Nov 6! Jon Whiting................................. 11/21 Andreas Dimitratos....................11/22 Katerina Dimitratos....................11/22 Margaret Egner.........................11/22 Carol Peterson............................ 11/24 Brian Derendal...........................11/25 Eileen Fierro................................11/25 Peter Kedl...................................11/25 Crystal Lanham..........................11/25 Rachel Prehodka-Spindel..........11/25 Brian Derendal...........................11/25 Kristen Bridda.............................11/26 Jessi Cholewczynski...................11/26 Dillon Curtiss..............................11/26 Bethany Havriliak......................11/26 Kelly Moran................................ 11/27 Sami Suaifan..............................11/28 Amanda Grace Feiner...............11/29 Anne Hetzel................................11/29 Christopher Seitz........................11/29 Adeline DeVries.........................11/29 Kaitlyn Graham..........................11/30 Barbara Luzniak.........................11/30 Dennis and Janet Kolano celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary on Nov. 21. Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2023

As we head to press, the CHS Boys Soccer team prepares to face off against Ridgewood for the State Semifinals on Nov. 1 at 2 pm on the Fernando Rossi Field, 333 Colfax Ave. They last came face-to-face during the Sept. 28 game, Clifton’s only loss this season by a score of 0-3. Once the Mustangs beat Ridgewood, they will go on to play in the State Tournament this Saturday, Nov. 4, at a site to be determined. Photo by Steve Cohen.

November 2023 • Cliftonmagazine.com

YEARS OF

Sales Associates

Julian, Pina & Peter Nazario

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

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#1 Team Clifton Most Sold Homes

Thank You CLIFTON

I am thrilled and immensely proud to announce that I am celebrating a remarkable milestone: 25 incredible years in the real estate industry. This achievement is not just a testament to my unwavering dedication but also a reflection of the trust and support I have received from my valued clients and my vibrant community. I couldn't have reached this remarkable milestone without your trust and loyalty. It has been an incredible journey, filled with countless opportunities to help people sell their treasured homes and find their dream homes. As I look back on my 25 years of hard work and passion, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one who has entrusted me with your real estate needs. Here's to the next 25 years of serving you with the same commitment and enthusiasm! Thank you for being a part of my journey, and here's to the future together.

PICK PINA FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS! Sincerely,

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