Clifton Merchant Magazine - July 2012

‘02 ‘92

‘82 ‘72 ‘62 ‘52 PLUS A LOOK BACK AT 1942!

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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Table of Contents

What’s Inside?

6

About My Brother Oliver Moments of Grace by Chris de Vinck

10 Class of 1942...Off to War Innocence Despite Pearl Harbor

Sr. M. Grace Electa

20 Class of 1952...January & June They Attended What is Now CCMS

We haven’t forgotten about the Class of 1952, the Eagles of Pope Pius High School.

30 Class of 1962...the Glory Days

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42 Class of 1972...a Changing City

Last Grads from the Old High School

Vietnam Underway, All Calm Here

56 Class of 1982...New Technology The Crowded Hallways Begin We haven’t found all these Mustangs... but here is who is on our cover...

2002, Nicole Cornett, Dan Leonard, Ashley Gretina, Mike Santosuosso, Elizabeth Bakarich, Matt Morgan, Lindsay Dueben.

1992, Timothy St. Clair, Michele Torelli, Mark Kalman, Annamaria Menconi, Michael Tarlavsky, Jennifer Federle, Thomas Moore.

1982, Deborah Ann Garzone, Jeffrey Richard Kocsis, Cathleen Leeshock, William Thomas Bais, Janeen Leeshock, Robert De Liberto, Lisa D. Lupi.

1972, Gerald Wyhopen, Janet Dougherty, Michael Paitchell, Susan Mihok, Paul Tarlowe, Elaine Fischer, Michael Westervelt.

1962, Carolann DiNolfo, Frank Giovacco, Sophia Gela, Fredrick Rembis, Judith Vitellaro, James Yellen, Olga Gela.

1952, Glory (Ickes) Smith, Arlene (Costantin) McCarren, Frank Carlet, Barbara (Zabriskie) Watterston, Thomas Gras, Adeline (DeLiberto) DeVries, Roy Andrian Berkenbush.

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62 Class of 1992...a Year after Gulf War Mullets, Cavariccis and Good Memories

School 9 at 90

72 Class of 2002...New Millenium Is it 10 Years Already?

Brighton Rd. Celebration

98

83 Class of 2012...Goodbye CHS Commencement & Prom Photos

86 Adding a Name to the Monument Harold C. Meyer, KIA May 21, 1945

88 Clifton PBA 36 Freedom Roast Motorcycle Tour for Wounded Warriors

90 Pat Ciser Cop, Sensei, Author

Birthdays & Celebrations Which of Your Neighbors is Celebrating?

101 94 Arts & Music Clifton Sounds & Sights

102 Clifton ESL Teachers Feted Asm. Giblin Honors CHS Program

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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Moments of Grace

My Brother Oliver Hearing His Brother Laugh, the Author Did Too Essay by Chris de Vinck My older brother Oliver died 32 years ago on March 12, 1980. He was a terrible brother. We never did anything together. He never played catch with me.

He never advised me about girls. He didn’t help build the tree fort in the woods. He never swapped baseball cards with me or taught me how to fish.

My brother did provide me with some entertaining moments. Because he was blind, I spent many days when I was a boy pretending that I, too, was blind. I’d close my eyes to see how far I could get through the house without knocking down a lamp or table.

Sometimes, at least, Oliver was my Zen guru. He was so quiet. Because he had no intellect, he’d just lie in his bed like a giant doll and I’d sit by his side and

6 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

complain about my poor grades in algebra or discuss, aloud, that I liked this girl Linda, but she ignored me, and if only I had a Plymouth Roadrunner, perhaps she’d pay more attention to me.

Oliver never offered advice. So in his silence I had to discover my own answers to my woes. Algebra wasn’t really important, and Jenny, the new girl, didn’t care that I drove her to the high school basketball game in my father’s Ford station wagon.

See? Oliver was pretty useless when I was a boy.

He couldn’t even feed himself. It was my job to feed him dinner: pureed fruit, warm soup, Beech-Nut baby food from a jar. Oliver couldn’t chew. He couldn’t hold a utensil in his hand. I had to scoop up his dinner

one spoonful at a time and touch the spoon to the tip of his lips. My brother would open his mouth. I’d place the spoon and food into his mouth, and then he’d close and swallow.

I never split a hero sandwich with my brother. Boys like to do that.

I couldn’t even share a drink with Oliver. He couldn’t hold a glass either. At each meal I had to lift his head from the pillow with my left hand and place the rim of the glass at his lips with my right hand. After Oliver drank milk, water or juice, I never heard him burp. Brothers like to hear each other burp.

Oliver couldn’t even keep himself clean. When my mother and father and my sister and I gave Oliver a bath, you’d think he’d splash his arms up and down for fun in the water. Instead we just slid him into the tub and he’d lie there like a large, soggy pillow.

Oliver was born with severe brain damage, a puzzlement that the doctors never figured out. But it was clear that Oliver did not have the ability to learn, talk, think or communicate. He couldn’t work a slingshot, or dress up like Frankenstein’s monster and join me for trick-or-treating, or go sleigh riding or light firecrackers back in the woods.

We couldn’t be best friends. We couldn’t do anything together.

What good was he?

For 32 years I watched how gently my father shaved Oliver’s stubbled face. For 32 years I listened to my mother say how much she loved Oliver as she combed his hair.

A boy mimics his father and listens to his mother.

The great Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote

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in his famous book “The Brothers Karamazov,” “What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.”

My father taught me how to love Oliver in the way he slowly pulled down the sharp razor against Oliver’s tender skin. Every morning, for 32 years my mother slowly lifted the white shade covering the window that was above Oliver’s bed in a manner that was nearly religious as she let in the day’s light to spill over my brother’s crooked body.

The only thing Oliver could do was laugh. You could walk by his bedroom in the middle of the afternoon and you’d hear this husky laughter.

The humorist Garrison Keller wrote, “The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard that food came out of his nose.”

I would have liked to have been able to play that trick on my brother.

But in the end, one of the highlights of my childhood was hearing my brother laugh, and then I’d laugh too.

We did do that well together.

Christopher de Vinck is the Language Arts Supervisor at CHS and the author of 13 books. His best known work is The Power of the Powerless a frank reflection on the struggles and joys of loving his severely disabled brother. To order his most recent work, Moments of Grace, call 1-800-218-1903 or look for it in bookstores or online.

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From the Editor

On the 10’s, Starting in 1942...

Our annual June edition on Clifton’s high school graduates has always been a popular issue. Back in July 2009, we decided to expand upon that idea by catching up with CHS alum celebrating reunions. Instantly, it was a hit.

Focusing on former Mustangs celebrating 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and even 60 year reunions, we tracked down alum and give readers their story of where they are in life and how they got there.

Readers help us locate these Mustangs, and many more call in after it goes to print. In addition to stories about grads, the July edition is filled with old and current photos, memories and history from old yearbook.

Turn the page to start reading about some former Mustangs... and enjoy,

Top of page, CHS 1942 seniors in the old high school, which today is Christopher Columbus Middle School. Above, CHS 2002 seniors at the current building: Marne Clune, Megan Duffy, Karleen Jayme, Brandon Sides, Lauren Kowalski and Timothy Johnson.

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

‘42

MUSTANGS NOW?

1942 CLASS OF

Fron left: Engelina Andreae, Francis Alesso, Ruth Sabagh, Martin Peter Conserva, Helen Zschack and Walter Pruiksma.

As the Class of 1942 left Clifton High School, they prepared to enter an uncertain future with America newly engaged in World War II. However, the conflict was so fresh that there was not even a mention of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in the January Class of 1942 yearbook.

However, despite the emerging war not making it to print for the January class, the actions at the time were freshly in the mind of all the graduates.

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Harry Murtha, a January 1942 grad, was inside a soda shop next to the old Clifton Theater on Dec. 7, then at the corner of Main and clifton Aves., when he found out about the bombing on Pearl Harbor.

“Outside of newspapers, we followed the war through the radio. Announcers like Gabriel Heater, Raymond Gram Swing, and Lowell Thomas—and of course Walter Winchell—became household names,” Murtha said, recalling that day and of the chaos in the

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days and weeks that followed: “The only time we saw homefront in plants or assisting in drives, or on the front the war was at the movies. Between features, they’d lines of the Pacific and European Theaters. show Movie Tone News, and In the yearbook of the June we’d see films of the soldiers.”

1942 class, Superintendent Following the attack, the George J. Smith’s address region and the rest of the counreflected the changing times. try began to mobilize. Draft “It has been asserted that a stations were swamped with man’s chief assets are his charpatriots looking to avenge their acter and education. War may fallen countrymen. Factories wipe out material things; inflawhich produced essential war tion may wipe out the bank materials began operating balance; but ten years from three-shift, 24 hour day schednow, the chief difference ules. Bowling alleys and between the workers on the job movies took on extended hours and the executive in his office, to accommodate the worker the private in the ranks and the coming off of late shifts. officer in the Service will be For the graduates of 1942, what each one is and knows.” life was changing before their But despite the chaos going Above, Hi-Y Club conducted surveys pertaineyes, and many would have a on outside the walls of the ing to the government. On the facing page are direct hand in the outcome of high school, inside life continthe Mustang Girls Basketball team and the Mustang Cross County Harriers.

World War II, either on the ued on as normal.

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

‘42

MUSTANGS NOW?

The CHS Band and Orchestra and below the Mustangs Softball Squad.

January 1942 senior class officers include President Harold Murtha, Vice President Lawrence Ossi, Secretary Betty Grunstra and Treasurer Eugene Angiulli. For the June class, officers were President Roland Nagy, Vice President Donald Ransom, Secretary Marilyn Gleeson and Treasurer Arthur Baker. Principal Walter F. Nutt and

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Vice Principal Harry J. Collester oversaw both classes.

The January grads bequeathed many interesting items in their class will: to the sophomores, those stoop, squat and squint lower lockers, Harry Alessi’s naive remarks, Yolanda Apollo’s love of swing, Margie Bungo’s typewriter tickling ability, Gilbert Fritzsche’s loathing

of women and Elmer Van Dalen’s roving playboy eyes.

Not to be out done, the June class also left behind some interesting keepsakes: Andy Ericson’s carful of girls, Marilyn Gleeson’s belief that ‘Men are all alike’, Bill Gleeson’s commandership of the Submarine Patrol, Carl Schroeder’s chocolatecovered garlic and Enid Conrey’s high heels, among other items.

For the Who’s Who, January grads voted Edwin Fleming, Francis Alesso, Marie Failla and Helen Zschack as best looking.

Charles Gersie, Larry Ossi, Jeanne Varetoni and Ethel Smallwood were named class wit.

Harold Murtha, Saul Keller, Betty Grunstra and Louise Vandenberg were dubbed most likely to succeed.

The June grads named Gloria Marchini and Tony Ramaglia most athletic; Stephanie Servis and Peter Zanet most poetic; and Kathleen Wirt and William Lloyd class flirts.

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Q&A

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In the January Class of 1942 yearbook, students were asked a variety of questions about their experiences at Clifton High School. This format later served as inspiration for the Clifton Merchant’s annual June edition, which contains survey responses from recent graduates. Some of those responses are found here:

Q

How did you feel upon your first day as a freshman?

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Q

A

Harry Alessi: As calm as a senior.

I didn’t go around looking at door numbers or buying elevator passes from seniors.

Ruth E. Sabagh: The Day I heartily slapped a teacher on the back. I thought she was a student whom I knew.

A

Will you regret leaving CHS? Why?

Q

Q

What was your biggest disappointment in high school?

Helen M. Zschack: No, I can think of lots of places I’d rather be.

A

A

Charles F. Gersie: Nobody ever asked me the joke about the little French girl (oo-la-la!)

Q

What class did you enjoy most in CHS? Why?

Did you feel that you missed anything in high school? Why?

Q

A

Paul Wm. Kaminsky: Chemistry lab, because of all the pretty smells.

Violet P. Willis: yes. Errol Flynn but then he never went to Clifton, anyhow.’

A

What do you think you will be doing six years from now?

Q

Q

What will be your fondest memory of Clifton High?

Marjorie J. De Yager: Living on a ranch in the Middle West, yahoo!

A

A

Joseph J. Leach: That vision of the pretty “dolls” who walked the halls.

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

‘42

MUSTANGS NOW?

THE MOTORCYCLE MAID 87 Years Strong, Gloria Tramontin Smith Still Rides

By Joe Hawrylko

While she says that she is 87, Gloria Tramontin Stuck could easily be mistaken for someone 25 years younger. Standing just barely over five feet tall, Struck wears her long hair in a braid. And though she worked at Avon, Struck swears that her skin in the condition it is in from all of the road water from years of motorcycle riding.

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

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MUSTANGS NOW?

Struck with her daughter, Lori. The two riding partners pose with Ambassador Awards given to them in February by the American Woman Riders for being inspiration to female riders. The two were on the cover of the group’s magazine.

Though she grew up behind the family motorcycle shop on Lexington Ave., Gloria Tramontin Struck never had an urge to ride a bike herself. When she finally hopped on the back of a motorcycle, it was only because she was forced to by her brother, Arthur.

“I lived right behind the motorcycle shop all of my life. I was with motorcycles all of the time. When I was 16, he announced one day that I’m going to ride,” said Struck. “I really didn’t want to learn how, but here I am, 71 years later and I’m still riding.”

Now 87, Struck is perhaps one of the oldest female bikers in the country, and it has earned her recognition from several prominent motorcycle groups, media and adulation from fans across the country.

“I’ve inspired people. This woman from Colorado, she just came specifically to Iowa last weekend because I was there,” she said. Earlier this year, the ageless rider even had her portrait drawn by Harley Davidson 16 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

licensed artist David Uhl. Struck and her daughter rode out to Arizona to view the painting, the eighth in The Women of Harley Davidson series.

“I’m like an idol to other riders,” she added. “I can’t understand this because I don’t feel like I am. They just adore me, and I love every minute of it.”

Stuck is a prominent member of the Motor Maids, an all female riding group that was established in 1940. The Thomas St. resident joined the group in 1946, and has been active ever since. For her service within the Maids, and her role as an inspiring figure to women riders everywhere, Struck was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

These days, Struck no longer goes on local rides or travels out on her own, instead prefering to do long distance trips with her riding partner and daughter, Lori. Together, the two still travel on long distance trips, riding as much as 600 miles a day when weather permits.

CLASS Struck said her attraction to riding is the ability to travel and see landmarks across the globe.

“The further we go, the better. There’s so much to see in this country. People don’t realize what this country has, and in a motorcycle, you’re in it... you’re in the environment head on,” she explained. “I like it out west.

Boy, you can ride out west and it’s not like around here, ya know? In the Midwest—not around Chicago and stuff like that—Midwestern people they’re the kind of people that when you’re on a motorcycle, they respect you.”

The CHS 42 grad added that riding motorcycles helped her meet Len, her late husband of 56 years, and transformed her from a quiet, shy girl into an outgoing woman.

“When you’re in a group, you’re talking about your motorcycle,” said Struck. “It got me out of my shell and now I never shut up. But everybody enjoys my talks that I give to women riders.”

In over seven decades of riding, Struck has owned 14 motorcycles, which have traveled more than 500,000 miles through all of the lower 48 states. However, it wasn’t until her 70s that she went on her dream trip to Europe.

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A painting of Struck by David Uhl as a part of his series, ‘The Women of Harley Davidson. It was unveiled in Arizona earlier this year. Struck rode out to see it in person.

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE “When I was 25, I always wanted to go to Europe and one day, I was 74 and realized I had not done it yet,” she recalled. Struck and her son, Glenn, went to Europe in 1999 and then again in 2001. “So I talked my son into going and we put out motorcycles on the same plane. We landed in Frankfurt, Germany and did all of the Alpine regions, plus Slovenia, Northern Italy, germany, Austria, and I think Switzerland. In 2001, we did over 4,000 miles in eight countries. That was my dream trip, and I still want to go back.”

Struck said her favorite location was the Island of Cres, in Croatia.

“It’s where my grandfather had lived and died,” she said. “It was right on the Adriatic Sea. I had always wanted to go there. We had an amazing trip.”

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‘42

MUSTANGS NOW?

Some 1942 grads at the 25 year reunion which Struck organized. In the front row, from left: Helen Tyahla Jacelone and her husband, Joe, Len Struck and Gloria Tramontin Struck, Katie D’Amico Zaccagnini and Chip Zaccagnini.

The back row is unidentified.

Struck, who has traveled to Iowa and South Carolina in the past two months, still enjoys riding and has no intention of stopping anytime

soon. “Whenever I autograph anything, I sign it, ‘Live your dreams,’” she said. “I’m still trying to live my dream.”

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www.armandglamour.com 18 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

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MUSTANGS NOW?

1952 CLASS OF

From left, Alex Bidnik, Arlene (Costantin) McCarren, Frank Carlet, Barbara (Zabriskie) Watterston, Thomas Gras, Adeline (DeLiberto) DeVries

A LOOK BACK... at the Two Classes of Clifton High School in 1952

From left, Bob Vorgetts, Max Kashton, Robert Graziano, Frank Carlet, Jack Youngman are pictured at a recent get together on June 5th. At right, January class President Robert Finn and Treasurer Louise Calafiore.

The Class of 1952 began their high school careers at the annex a Clifton Ave and First St., under the watchful eye of Vice Principal George N. Anderson. Clifton High School was a then much different place than it is today. There were two graduating classes— one in January and one in June—and students attended class at what is now Christopher Columbus Middle School, not at Colfax Ave. Even Clifton’s annual Thanksgiving Game featured a different rival: Garfield, instead of the Passaic Indians.

As juniors, the January class was under the supervision of sponsors Miss Kerwin and Mr. De Vries, and began to prepare for the financial needs for graduation. The yearbook, the Panorama, described the students as a ‘junior business corporation, 20 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

Girl Pals Audrey Hoyas and Marie Giblin.

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MUSTANGS NOW?

selling everything from perfume dispensers to “Tame the Wildcats” placards. Likewise, the June class also made preparations to become financially ready for graduation.

Prior to leaving CHS, there was some mourning after Principal Harold J. Adams passed away and the Classes of 1952 welcomed his replacement, Charles Berthold.

For their final year, the January class officers were President Robert Finn, Vice President Herbert Friend, Secretary Marilyn Post and Treasurer Louise Calafiore. The June class was represented by President Joseph Kolodziej, Vice President Samuel Goldberg, Secretary Janice Jacobi and Treasurer Patricia Rooney.

Both classes also had students in service before graduation: Peter Yagins, USN, Joseph Schneilein, USN, Joseph Schebchuk, USN, John Wosinski, USAF, and William Ferentz, USN.

At the top of the page are 1952 grads at their senior prom. Above, from left, are senior class officers President Joseph Kolodziej, Vice President Samuel Goldberg, Secretary Janice Jacobi and Treasurer Patricia Rooney. Above right are some members of the Clifton All-State Band.

22 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

There are about 12,000 podiatrists in the United States, according to the Department of Labor, and Clifton podiatrist Thomas Graziano is one of only six who hold both a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree.

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NAIL FUNGUS Known medically as onychomycosis, nail fungus often causes the toenails to become discolored, thickened and separated from the nail bed. Dr. Tom Graziano said his GenesisPlus laser system can treat a patient in one 15 minute session.

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

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MUSTANGS NOW?

THE HEAD OF THE PVWC Wendell Inhoffer Recounts his Successful Football & Professional Career

By Joe Hawrylko As a 1959 Princeton graduate, Wendell Inhoffer went on to have a highly successful career at the helm of the Passaic Valley Water Commission from 1966 to 1995. But despite his prestigious college education, the greatest influence on Inhoffer’s life might have been his high school football coach, the legendary Joe Grecco.

A star running guard for the Mustangs, the June 1952 CHS grad recalled how Grecco not only consistently fielded top teams, but shaped boys into men.

Inhoffer recalled how his coach stressed academics, and made the extra effort to get his players into college.

“Most of the team had a number of (college) contacts, which were all due to playing under Coach Grecco, who was well known nationally throughout every college pretty much,” he said. “Our whole first team and half of our second team made contacts through his efforts.”

“I had 18 places that I was considering,” continued Inhoffer. “My father liked Auburn. My mom liked West Point. And Joe Grecco kept on saying to me, ‘You’re going to Princeton’.”

The player ultimately heeded his coach’s advice, and headed to the Ivy League school after graduation.

Inhoffer said that Grecco’s coaching tactics not only prepared him for collegiate football, but for life in general.

“He was a tough guy. We used to talk about how we feared him. But it wasn’t fear...it was something else. He made sure that if you made a mistake, you would be called upon to recognize the mistake on Monday after the game,” Inhoffer recalled. “His practice was to put on a helmet and suggest as a student you block him. And he would normally flatten us.

Everybody got their turn over the years. I had mine.

Everyone had one.”

“It was the kind of thing that resulted in a mindset that you’re not going to lose. Kind of like a Vince 24 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Wendell Inhoffer served as the head of the PVWC for almost 30 years His graduation photo is to the right.

Lombardi thing,” he continued. He was a special guy.

He had the people and the ability to get people into college. So many schools today–not particular-

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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CLASS ly Clifton–have pretty good football players who don’t have the Joe Grecco type to guide them. He was responsible for an awful lot of successful careers.”

Inhoffer’s chosen profession would be civil engineering. He earned his Masters from Princeton in 1959 after a short stint in the Army Corps as a surveyor in 1957.

“I had guard duty, but I was also captain of the company touch football team which was in a pretty tough touch football league, he recalled. Inhoffer was stationed in San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge.

“We went from base to base and company commanders didn’t want to lose,” he continued. “One day, they lined us all up and devastated the team by sending most of them to Korea.”

26 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

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Inhoffer returned to New Jersey and worked for an engineering firm for six years before joining the Passaic Valley Water Commission.

“Frank Pecci, he had been water commissioner for about a year and he put my name into a hat to become chief engineer,” he recalled. “I told him absolutely not. I’m not coming up here. But he convinced me as a friend by saying you’ll embarrass me if you don’t come up here.”

“I took the job because of some very unique people like Stanley Levine, who was this Paterson businessman; Lou Trella, who was from Clifton; and Bill Deetz, from Passaic, another good businessman,” recalled Inhoffer. “We did a lot of great things there. There was no DEP in those days, just the

Department of Health. So we had responsibility for pollution control upstream in Little Falls. We started to promote a very extensive anti-pollution program and did very good things with cleaning up the river in the early 70s.”

At the PVWC, Inhoffer worked with a number of commissioners over his 30 year career, including his former coach.

“That’s how Joe Grecco came back into my life, as a commissioner, which was a very interesting thing,” he recalled. Inhoffer currently lives in Garret Heights in Paterson. “I had all these people watching out for me. It made coming back to Clifton pretty good. I not only had notoriety because of football, but I had lots of people who permitted me to operate as a professional.”

WHERE ARE THESE

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MUSTANGS NOW?

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More than 45 members of the June 1952 Class turned out for the reunion on May 19 at the Upper Montclair Country Club. The event was coordinated by Co-chairs Glory Ickes Smith and Barbara Zabriskie Watterson, along with committee members Wendell Inhoffer, Frank Carlet and Alex Bidnik.

Vivian Hatem, Glory Ickes and Pat Rooney. Below, from left: Barbara Zabriskie (Co-chair), Janice Martina, Ted Cherep, Shirley Philhower and Lois Madden. Bottom of page, from left: Dr. Rosalind Hopmeier, Jackie Simon, Janice Martina. Bottom right Frank Carlet, Bob Peer

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

About two dozen members of the CHS Class of 1952 and their spouses gathered for a reunion in the afternoon on May 4 at The Mountainside Inn, Hazel St.. Prior to lunch, the former classmates boarded a bus and took a tour of their old schools and neighborhood hangouts.

Above: Lois and Harold Geene.

Rear, Carol Fardin Bouno and George Taylor.

Right, Marlene and Bob Zschack followed by Connie and Frank Hendricks.

28 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

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MUSTANGS NOW?

Janet Hughes Tunick, Don Pazin, Marge Wentich Link, Peggy Doviak and Dick Doviak. Front: Mary Gallik Sokulski, Marie Ficarra Pazin and Esther DeLuca Koehler. Below: George Cuprak, Lorraine Cuprak, Don Scofield, Albina ‘Tootsie’ DeLora, Marjorie Friend. Front row: Gwen Scofield, Emily Hansen Draming and Herb Friend.

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Above: Back row: Joe Jablonski and Hank Mol. Front: Honey Jablonski and Iris Mol. Top right: Jean Ryan Kardux, who coordinated the event, with her husband, Ken. At right, Claire and Ed Kutzieb.

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1355 Broad St. • Clifton • 973-778-5566 www.immedicenter.com Clifton Merchant • July 2012

29

WHERE ARE THESE

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MUSTANGS NOW?

1962 CLASS OF

From left, Carolann DiNolfo, Frank Giovacco, Sophia Gela, Fredrick Rembis, Judith Vitellaro and Ed Miedema.

A LOOK BACK...

Saying Goodbye to the Old High School

Allstate Band Bert Hamer, Barry Miller, Dave Marsh. Dr. Castiglia with Carol Fusiak for the Mantoux test. Ed Mucha with Mr. Withey & Bob Kenaly looking on. Above is a photo of the Majorettes posing in front of the Clifton Stadium wall.

Inspired by the four defining pillars at the entrance to what is now Christopher Columbus Middle School, the 1962 yearbook, Columns, documented the history and memories of what would be the last class to graduate from the ‘old high school’.

In that final year, seniors bid farewell to Principal Dr. Elinor E. Hanna, who headed north to take on new 30 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

responsibilities as the Dean of Cape Cod Community College. Her successor would be Dr. J. Revis Hall.

Officers included President Nana Watson, Vice President Tanny Mario, Secretary Marilyn Hazinski, Recording Secretary Betty Jane Leake and Treasurer Carole Autorino. Before their four years at CHS were complete, these Mustangs enjoyed a lot of living.

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Dr. Ziglar received her Rheumatology Fellowship training at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, Internal Medicine Residency training at North Shore University Hospital and medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical School. Prior to joining our group she held a faculty appointment at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Ziglar's enthusiasm and ability to articulate rheumatic diseases was recognized in 2010 when she was awarded “Rheumatology Fellow of the Year” by the NYU Internal Medicine Residency Program. She is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Pride some things

CHS

never change

Two leaders get together.

Class Dreamer Gail Youngsworth, Nicholas Capuano, Barbara Dolce

Salutatorian Fred Meyer & Valedictorian Nana Watson

The class history in the columns recalled the experience a number of firsts as freshmen: “To see for the first time Clifton’s Fighting Mustangs win the state championship! To go for the for the first time to a bonfire and cheer so loud and hard that no one could even whisper “Yea Team” the next day at the football game itself. To dance for the time at the Annual Christmas Cotillion, where the upper classmen seemed so debonaire and sophistocated.”

Eventually, those freshmen grew up to be the upperclassmen that they admired so. In the fall of 1961, those seniors helped lead the Fighting Mustangs to 32 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Class Athletes Ronald Zimmerman & Rose Cassata

another successful season, including appearances on regional tv and another Passaic Valley Conference Championship.

Not to be outdone, the Marching Mustangs achieved fame, being invited to the World Music Festival and travelled to Holland for their performance. The seniors capped recalled a memorable Prom on May 29.

Unfortunately, not all memories would be positive for the Class of ‘62. Graduates mourned the passing of their classmates Fred Glass and Evelyn Lebowitz, who tragically lost their lives due to an accident and cerebral hemorrhaging, respectively.

f

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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MUSTANGS NOW?

GRIDIRON LESSONS Jeff Grotsky Grateful for Lessons Learned from Coach Grecco

By Carol Leonard

Jeff Grotsky on the grid iron from his playing days under the legendary Joe Grecco and today with his wife Carol.

With a distinguished four-decade-long career as an educator and administrator in four different states, CHS Class of ’62 graduate and former Mustang gridiron star Jeff Grotsky still has many fond memories of his hometown.

Like many of his former classmates Grotsky led a pretty simple life while growing up in Clifton. He lived with his family in a modest home in the Aquakanock Gardens area of the city near Van Houten Ave. and Valley Rd., where he rode his bike and played games of pickup baseball in the local park. Going out to Mario’s for pizza, to Rutt’s Hutt for hot dogs and, of course, to White Castle for burgers with his buddies were among his other favorite pastimes.

34 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

“I loved growing up there,” he said. “Even though we were poor, we didn’t know it then.”

His dad was a factory worker at the Curtis Wright plant and his mom worked at nearby Shulton. Neither of them had graduated from high school, but they made it a point to instill in their children the importance of getting a good education and going on to college.

Grotsky attended School 5 and what was then Woodrow Wilson Jr. High before moving up to Clifton High School, which at the time was housed in what is now Christopher Columbus Middle School.

With the school overcrowded, split sessions were held back then, so Grotsky remembers being in class from early morning until around noon, then heading off in the

CLASS fall to get ready for football practice. After the season, he worked part-time in the afternoons for The Herald News, driving into New York to pick up advertising copy.

He attributes a great deal of his success in life to the values instilled in him by renowned CHS coach Joe Grecco. “He was an amazing man,” Grotsky said of Grecco. “He taught us a lot about work ethic, teamwork and supporting each other. He gave us a direction in life that went beyond football.”

The All Passaic Valley Conference and All Metro star player had offers to continue his football career at the University of Michigan and Wake Forest University, but his SAT scores were too low to get in to either school. So instead, he enrolled at Kutztown State College in Pennsylvania, where he successfully completed his bachelor’s degree in 1966 in elementary education, with a minor in teaching blind children.

His first job was with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind. The position required him to travel to public schools around North Jersey, where he worked with blind children and taught them to use Braille. During the course of his three years with the commission, he also learned to work with kids who were both deaf and blind.

OF

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Grotsky went on to receive his master’s degree in education from Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University) in 1969 and accepted a position with the American Foundation for the Blind’s overseas program.

He was sent to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where the foundation was setting up demonstration programs to educate blind children. His role was to train teachers to work with the students in a public school setting, something that the country had never done before.

At the time, Grotsky was 25 years-old, married to his high school sweetheart, the former Carolyne Devries (CHS ’63), and had a child that was a yearand-a-half old.

“I didn’t even know where East Pakistan was,” he said. “I had to go to the Clifton Library to find it on an atlas. We packed up and went there not even realizing how poor the country was. There we were, two kids from Clifton who had never traveled outside of the United States. There was so much poverty, and a lot of small pox and vitamin A deficiency. But it was an incredible experience that had a profound affect on both of us.”

About a year into Grotsky’s stay in East Pakistan, a civil war broke out that eventually became very

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

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bloody. The United States government began to evacuate U.S. citizens, women and children first. Grotsky’s wife, who was pregnant with their second child, left with their young son, leaving him behind until he was also able to return to the states.

The couple settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where Grotsky taught blind children in the public schools for a couple of years and his wife Carolyne also taught special education.

In 1972 he became special education advisor and later director of long range planning for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

After receiving his doctorate in education from Temple University in 1983, Grotsky was appointed as executive director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, where he stayed until 1987. “I decided that I wanted to get back into the schools,” he said.

He spent four years as assistant superintendent in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, school district before moving on to become superintendent of schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “I loved the excitement of being in an urban district,” he said. “Large cities have some outstanding schools. It was a good fit for me.”

In 1996 Grotsky and his wife decided to return to the East Coast to be closer to family and friends, so he accepted a position as superintendent of the Hartford County Schools in Maryland. He later moved on to work for the Baltimore City Schools, first as area academic officer and then as chief of staff.

In recent years he has worked as a senior researcher for the University Partnership Schools managed by Towson University. He was senior education director

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for an online education service and a senior lecturer in educational leadership at Salisbury University. He has also been an adjunct professor of educational leadership at several other universities.

He currently heads as an educational consulting firm and is working on a project to provide professional development for school principals.

Throughout his marriage, Grotsky’s wife Carolyne also pursued her own career in special education, with a focus on teaching children with autism.

“We’re all one way or another in education,” he said of his family.

Grotsky’s oldest son Adam is executive director of the Fulbright Scholar Program in New Delhi, India.

Daughter Allyson holds a master’s degree in special education, and younger son Job is an assistant principal in Baltimore. Allyson and Job each have two children.

Grotsky lives in Chestertown, Maryland, and only gets back to Clifton occasionally to visit his sister-inlaw who still lives in town. But he has kept in contact over the years with a group of high school friends, including former football teammates Bob Havasy and Mike Libin. He also stays in touch with his old neighborhood buddy Bob Marinino.

“There are 10 of us who have really remained close and we get together with our wives once or twice a year,” he said. “We meet some place different every year. One guy is in charge of making the arrangements and then letting everyone else know the details. We’re all scattered around, but we work at keeping together.

I think that’s pretty unique after all these years.”

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

37

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MUSTANGS NOW?

SLIDERS AND SUCCESS Bob Havasy Credits Joe Grecco for Helping Him Find Success

By Joe Hawrylko In the Fall of 1961, Bob Havasy was a standout player for the renown Clifton Fighting Mustangs, drawing interest from several highly ranked college programs from across the country.

But an injury in preseason nearly torpedoed his final season, and his hopes of college sports.

“Talk about how luck you get in life... as a senior in high school, I was touted as one of the better players in the state,” recalled Havasy.

“In the first fall scrimmage, I hurt my knee pretty badly. You don’t operate in 1961. You sort of let it get better. So I missed four games and had a mediocre season.”

Fortunately for Havasy, his coach, the legendary Joe Grecco, stepped up for his injured star and put in a good word to recruiters.

“Joe Grecco was one of the greatest high school coaches ever. He had a great reputation and he calls up the Naval Academy and says I have got a guy that will be a fit for you,” he said. “It was just unbelieveable.

Joe Bellino just got there. Roger Staubach coming there... Navy was at the height of the game and for Joe Grecco to recommend me was an honor.”

After graduating in 1962, Havasy attended the United States Naval Training Center, Bainbridge in Port Deposit, Maryland. A baseball player in high school, he was disappointed to learn that the sport was not offered at the Academy. However, the school did have a lacrosse team, which Havasy would go on to star for.

“I started playing in the spring season of 1963 and I could hardly even look at the stick or figure out what to do with it,” he recalled.

That quickly changed, as Havasy earned three Varsity letters while playing for three national championship teams. A starter for two years, the Cliftonite also earned All-American honors.

38 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Bob Havasy today and in 1962.

Havasy also stood out in the sport that he was recruited for, starting for two years and earning three Varsity letters.

After graduating, Havasy’s athletic career concluded, and he was sent to Vietnam, landing in Da Nang in the Summer of 1968. After returning stateside for a short time, Havasy was sent back to Da Nang, and boarded another ship.

“We basically went up and down the coast and up rivers as a supply ship,” he said. “We were the mothership for river patrol boats. They would come out of the mouth of the Saigon River where they were hanging around. Then we’d feed them and they’d get a half a day R&R.” Havasy served five years in the Navy, and was discharged in May 1972 as a Lieutenant. After returning home, Havasy started working for Sensormatic Electronic Corps.

“It was an embryonic company and industry in 1972.

They were pioneers in shoplifting detection system,” he recalled. “I got lucky and in five years, I got promoted to set up and run the international division based in Paris. So I spent the next four years from 1977 to 1981 living in Paris and setting up companies all over Europe.”

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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While in France, Havasy married his wife, Grace.

The newly wed couple also had their first child: Danielle.

“We got married on July 4, 1978. It’s not a holiday in France, and we wanted America to celebrate our anniversary every year with fireworks,” he recalled.

“Our daughter was also born in Paris, so we call her our French Save the Date! souvenir.”

In 1981, the Havasy family returned to New Jersey, settling down in Cherry Hill, where Grace gave birth to their son, Sunday, Grant. Soon after, Havasy October 14, 2012 began working with his father 8:30 am, in law, Sidney Esikoff.

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Havasy’s work would have presented by the Clifton PBA him once again trotting the with support from the Clifton Roadrunners globe. “We had some partnerFor additional information contact John Kavakich at ships. I moved to Malta for 973-470-5897 or email at sgt-at-arms@cliftonpba36.com one year in 1985 to 1986, and

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CLASS

OF

‘62

What are the CADS?

In the 1960s, the old White Castle on Main Ave. was the hot spot for Clifton High Students. But for these CHS 1962 grads, it was something more than that. The Clifton Adult Delinquent Society (CADS) is a group of pals from that class who connected over friendship and the iconic steamed burgers from the place that they used to hang out a half century ago. The group is pictured above at their 20th reunion in 1982. back row: Ken Donnelly, Bob Havasy, Jeff Grotsky, Tom Jordan and Mike Libin.

Front: Dick Cattani, Dennis Podolack, Ed Miedema and Joe Albino.

Missing are Tom Menegus and Bill Lemke.

then I went to London for another 18 months. I was basically running a development business in Malta, Sicily and the Canary Islands.”

In 1987, Havasy returned to Long Island for good, and began developing real estate in the region, with a focus on 55 and up communities. He currently lives in Huntington, Long Island.

Even though Havasy no longer lives in New Jersey, he still remains close with his friends from home through the Clifton Adult Delinquent Society, a group of eight CHS Class of 1962 grads who have formed a life long friendship.

The group used to frequent the old White Castle on Main Ave. in the 60s, and were inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame in 2002. To this day, the group bonds over memories and burgers whenever the time allows.

“We actually had a CADS golf outing in May,” said Havasy. “Dick Cattani, one of the CADS, he’s renewing his vows with his wife, so we’re all going to that too. The CADS are alive and well.”

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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MUSTANGS NOW?

1972 CLASS OF

From left, Gerald Wyhopen, Janet Dougherty, Michael Paitchell, Susan Mihok, Paul Tarlowe and Elaine Fischer

A LOOK BACK...

Sneak Peak into the CHS Class of 1972

In 1972, the Vietnam War was raging on half a world away. But in Clifton High School, soon to be graduates continued to enjoy life before as a young adult before entering the draft.

The Marching Mustangs continued to bring honor and acclaim to its members and the city, participating in the Herald-News Band Festival, the Azalea Festival in Norfolk, Virginia and the Apple Above, Richard Rahnefeld ................... President Brenda Valentine ............. Vice-President Lori Sadewitz........................... Treasurer Denise Stine ........... Recording Secretary Elaine Trosky....Corresponding Secretary From left, Debbie Bright shows Clifton that the midi is the latest look, Bocci Cheerleader Robin Hasenfeld, Joy Glaccum expresses herself through music. Below Soccer Captain Pasquale Castaldo

42 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

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43

WHERE ARE THESE Blossom Festival in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Unfortunately, at the end of the school year, the Marching Mustangs were saddened to learn of the passing of founder and former director, James Moscati, who served 29 years in the band.

In sports, Clifton, tapping into its large population, continued to field a number of great teams. The cross country team posted a 11-1 mark, earning the Passaic Valley Conference and Passaic County titles.

Many of those same harriers would go on to dominate in spring track, as Clifton went undefeated, posting a 10-0 mark while earning the Passaic Valley Conference crown. Clifton lacrosse, in just its second season, surprised many by going 44 at the time of the publication of the Rotunda.

On this page: the Drama Club, the Student Council and the Marching Mustangs presenting colors. Below, Rich Waller.

44 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

‘72

MUSTANGS NOW?

CLASS

OF

‘72

MUSTANG IS NO MOW-RON How Mike Westervelt Became Involved in Lawn Mower Racing

Two thoughts rushed through Mike Westervelt’s head as Racin’ Ray Mrocks, a legendary driver and Hall of Famer from the STA-BIL Lawn and Garden Mower Racing Series, zoomed by at 40 mph on a riding lawn mower he called Sodzilla: “This is just like NASCAR for lawn and garden, and what the heck am I doing here?” That was in Benton Harbor, Michigan back in 1996. Now in its 20th year, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (www.letsmow.com) has more mowmentum than ever as it turns a weekend chore into a competitive sport.

Westervelt, who grew up on Long Hill Drive in Clifton and was a parishioner at St. Phillips Church, worked for STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer, the title sponsor, back in 1996. Lawn mower racing was kind of a “necessary evil” he reluctantly did to promote his brand – it was part of the job. Today, he embraces the sport and works for the series as the Director of Marketing and Communications.

“The STA-BIL series features oval and road course racing in seven classes ranging from stock to factory experimental, with all cutting blades removed for safety. Stock mowers go 5-6 mph, while our fastest mowers top out at 60 mph in competition,” said Westervelt. “Believe it or not, one

Mike Westervelt is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the STA-BIL Lawn and Garden Mower Racing Series.

He is pictured above in the 1972 CHS Yearbook.

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

45

WHERE ARE THESE of our racers, who used to work for Snapper, set the speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats on the World’s Fastest Lawn Mower at 96.5 mph.

And yes, his mower can cut grass.”

“Lawn mower racing attracts all kinds of racers – from 11 to 74 years old, male and female, landscapers and medical doctors,” said Westervelt. “It’s a real slice of Americana, affordable, fun and a great family activity. Whether you’re a beginner or have lots of mechanical ingenuity, everyone is welcome.

As we say, the mow the merrier.”

Racers race for bragging rights, trophies and lemonade, and never for money. A sense of humor is not required, but strongly recommended. With racer names like Ace of Blades, Mowby Dick and Sir Lawnselot, it better be. The STA-

46 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

‘72

MUSTANGS NOW?

The Westervelt brothers, all CHS grads: Harry (1968), Joe (1964), Mike (1972), Bob (1970) and Jimmy (1965).

BIL series has spawned lawn mower racing in other countries including Australia, Germany, France and Finland.

Lawn mower racing is quite dif-

ferent than the sports Westervelt grew up playing in Clifton. He spent his youth playing basketball and baseball at Maple Valley Park, in the shadow of the cliff from

CLASS which Clifton got its name. “I was very disappointed when they tore down the cliff. To me, it was sacrilegious.” He often shot hoops at the park with Dan Kortvelesy (CHS 1970), who played for the Mustangs and then went on to play, and coach, in college for what was then called Glassboro State.

Baseball was Westervelt’s first love, as it was for his brother Harry, who as a Mustang led the Passaic Valley Conference in hitting in 1968, and brother Jim, who was the Mustang catcher in 1965. “I was a

OF

‘72

Mustang too, but I didn’t play much as I led the league in splinters as a senior in 1972. Maybe that was due to eating three bagels and a pint of iced tea every day before practice that I bought at the Hot Bagel Shop across from the stadium,” Westervelt joked.

He remembers fondly fellow teammates and 1972 CHS grads like Greg Dubnansky, Frank Siracusano, Rich Waller and Richie Glita, who won $1,000 a week for life in the lottery. Westervelt also threw a lively knuckleball when he

m

And a few years earlier, Joe, Harry, Bob, Jim, and Mike with dad Joe.

pitched for Clifton Post 8 in American Legion ball.

Mike’s father, Joe Westervelt, a mechanic by trade, also was involved in Clifton baseball in the 1950-60’s as the founder and president of the Western Division of the Clifton Little League.

His mother, Helen Westervelt, supported the family’s sports endeavors and even received a trophy as “Baseball Mother of the Year 1960” that still adorns a place of honor in Mike’s house to this day.

Mike attended School 2 (he can still recall kissing Robin Hiemstra as part of a Christmas play in 1961) and Woodrow Wilson Junior High prior to CHS. After graduating in 1972 from Clifton High, where his favorite coach was John Kostisin, Westervelt went to college at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana and majored in business.

He recalled his time at Notre Dame was highlighted by a national championship in football in 1973, ending UCLA’s 88 game winning streak in basketball in 1974, and Notre Dame’s first years as a co-ed institution.

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“There were only about 100 girls at Notre Dame then, and let’s just say the pickings were slim, so I took a number of classes at St. Mary’s, the all-girls college across the street, where the numbers were in my favor,” Westervelt related. “I was no dummy -I met my wife Pat there - and we’ve been married for 34 years. She’s the best”.

After Notre Dame, Westervelt earned his masters from Northwestern University and went on to a marketing career in Chicago, where he worked for firms such as United Airlines, Midway Airlines and Budget Rent-A-Car. Most of his work has focused on innovative marketing strategy, pricing, promotions and loyalty programs.

“I also worked as a brand manager for Gold Eagle Co., a company that manufactures automotive chemicals like STA-BIL and HEET Gas-line Antifreeze,” Westervelt said. “It’s there that I first got involved with lawn mower racing. Believe me, I thought it was a joke when my boss told me I was going to run our lawn mower racing program. We were at a bar at the time – I thought maybe he was drunk.”

Westervelt’s work now centers on marketing and business development for the STA-BIL Lawn and Garden Mower Racing Series. He promotes the series’ 15 points races in venues from Oregon to Maryland, three yearly national broadcasts on Fox Sports Net, and a publicity and social media platform

MUSTANGS NOW?

that attracts many different sponsors, mostly in the lawn and garden category. He says his work is fun.

“We’ve dealt with major brands like Scotts Lawn Care, Citgo, Dixie Chopper and K&N Filters. But to show you our sense of humor in full play, we’re pitching a pooper scooper company right now with a concept we call the Cleanup Residences and Parks Program, or the CRAP Program for short. If you think that idea stinks, then you can’t sniff out opportunities like we can.”

Clifton holds a tender spot in Westervelt’s heart. He always goes to Rutts Hut for hot dogs and Mario’s for pizza when he visits three of his brothers (Joe, Harry and Bob) who still live in the area. “And last time home, my brother Jim (from Council Bluffs, IA) and I went to The Clif for a beer, a tavern I had passed hundreds of times but never tried before.”

“Perhaps the best illustration of my love for Clifton is that I named my first son Matthew Clifton Westervelt”, Westervelt said proudly. “Plus, every day I’m reminded of Clifton when I look at a Clifton dog tag that I added to my keychain in 1974.

Somehow my dog at the time was issued two, so the dog got one and I kept one for myself.”

“I wish God speed and best wishes to all past and current Clifton residents. Always be proud of our town,” shared Westervelt.

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48 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

49

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MUSTANGS NOW?

ENDLESS PAYDAYS Winning the Lotto at 20 Changed Rich Glita’s Life

By Joe Hawrylko In August of 1975, Rich Glita was an average 20 year old student at Fairleigh Dickinson University, working part time at Broad Liquors.

Part of his normal routine at work was to purchase lotto tickets using tip money he received.

“It was a rub off. You’d fill out the back and send it in,” Glita recalled. “It was pulled out of a drawing at Great Adventure. Then you’d win an entry into the big drawing.”

With the odds pegged at 1 in 13,000,000, a chance of winning never even entered Glita’s mind.

Then life completely changed for the Class of ‘72 grad.

“One day, all these news people started calling me,” he laughed. “I was on all of the big TV channels: Channel 7, Channel 4. Mary Alice Donna Marie (Borzotta) and Rich Glita.

Williams, she was the anchor on They have two Channel 4. I don’t even know how I remember that.” sons: Tim, 26, and Glita’s ticket ended up being a winner for $1,000 a J.R., 23. The couple week for life. Suddenly, he went from being a poor colhas lived in Wayne lege student to a well off 20 year old overnight. for 24 years, but “Obviously I didn’t have to keep a job. I finished colplans on moving. lege and just did a lot of traveling. I mostly did the “Both my boys islands all over,” he said. “I was 20 years old. I had a live in Florida. good time.”

Within a couple of “I always had a brand new car. I had a Porsche, I had years, we’ll be there a new Corvette. It just made everything very, very comtoo,” said Glita. fortable,” Glita continued. But other than cars and travBetween savings eling, the CHS grad mostly saved his money and investfrom his job as an ed it into real estate. “I wasn’t an extravagant spender or independent insurance inspector and the checks, transianything. I just kind of laid low and enjoyed myself.” tioning into retirement should be smooth. “It was guarGlita, a native of Dutch Hill, continued to attend colanteed for $1,000,000, and it’s almost double that now... lege, and graduated from FSU in 1976 with a degree in my wife would pickle me to keep me alive. Life is good. business management. Glita married his wife Donna I have no complaints.”

Marie Borzotta, a CHS ‘78 grad, in 1984.

50 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

55

WHERE ARE THESE

‘82

MUSTANGS NOW?

1982 CLASS OF

From left, Jeff Kocsis, Deborah (Garzone) Kocsis, Robert De Liberto, Cathleen Leeshock, William Bais, Janeen Leeshock

Above, an unidentified dancer and Fighting Mustang Paul Pomfred.

Girls sports at Clifton High were in the news in 1982. In the pool, the Lady Mustangs posted their third undefeated season in a row under the guidance of coaches Lou Fraulo and Pat Forster, going 11-0 in league competition. The team became the only in Clifton history to go undefeated and capture the league title three years in a row.

In 1982, Clifton also had a girl’s field hockey team, which notched two wins that year after going winless the previous two seasons. The girls made strides and continued to improve.

The Clifton hockey team had one of its finest seasons to date, compiling a 14-5 record under coaches Richard La Duke and Frank Valenzano. The Mustangs, led by captains Tom Daly and Bob Stemler, highlighted their season by winning the invitational Low Tor Hockey Tournament in New York State, defeating the top two seeds in the process.

In winter track, new to Clifton for the 1982 class, senior Pat Cousins, broke the school record in the triple long jump with a distance of 43 feet, 5 inches. Cousins owned the two previous records.

56 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

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1 Year Free SerViCe With New Bike Purchase Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

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MUSTANGS NOW?

Reunion organizers at the June 9 reunion in Pt. Pleasant. From left is Renee Jones Padgett, Kim Ham Zagorski, Ron BelBruno, Rosellyn Savasta Cassidy, Colleen Cussick and Maria DiPiazza Colgero. Above, Eve Kuzora uses a payphone!

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Sponsors include Wawel Savings Bank, Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, Garden State Honda, State Senator Paul Sarlo, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Assemblywoman Marlene Caride, Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin, Sheriff Richard Berdnik, Rosol-Dul American Legion Post #359 and Slovak Catholic Sokol. This project is funded, in part by the Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council at Passaic County Community College, through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of the State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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58 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Above, a 1982 yearbook photo of the Madrigals and below, a student on an early computer

CLASS

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‘82

The organizers in 1982, Renee Jones, Kim Ham, Ron BelBruno, Rosellyn Savasta, Colleen Cussick, Maria DiPiazza.

The senior class officers were President Ron Bel Bruno, Vice President Cheri La Bate, Recording Secretary Renee Jones, Corresponding Secretary Nancy De Sordi and Treasurer Roseanne Latoracca.

The SCA officers were Bev Bel Bruno, Renee Ilaria, Dianne Trinkel and Ellen Henderson.

The 1982 yearbook, the Rotunda, was put together by a staff of 13 editors and over 25 staff members, all of whom were under the supervision of Mrs. Patricia Zalesny. The group put together more than 250 pages under a strict deadline.

Class of ‘82 grads were also among the first to enjoy the CAST program, which was developed by Mr. Frank Perrotta the year prior.

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(Just Remember...These Dogs Bite Back) Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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CHS 1982 Grads from the School 5 area are shown above.

He was aided by Mrs. Patricia Zalesny, overseeing 18 seniors who put together the weekly show, CHS News Reports. Segments included Club Spotlight, Sports Highlights, Career Corner, and Places to Visit and Things to Do in Clifton.

A gang from 1982 reunites in 2012: From left: Patti Westervelt Roughgarden, Cindy Taylor Pirrello, Janeen Leeshock Moyer, Karen Gottlieb Rosen, Cathleen Leeshock DelFranco. At right, Chris Bourlotos a Marching Mustang at Clifton Stadium 1982.

60 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

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NURTURING A DREAM Cynthia Taylor Pirrello: from Wall Street to Child Care

By Joe Hawrylko In 1997, Cynthia Taylor Pirrello had a well paying job as an investment advisor in Manhattan, and was in the process of saving for a future with her husband, Joe. Then she decided to quit and throw it all away—and she couldn’t be any more happy.

The CHS 1982 grad, who studied finance at Boston University, decided to pursue her dream of owning a day care center after receiving the support of her parents, Judy and Bill, and her husband, Joe. At the time Pirrello, who married in 1993, was still living at home in Clifton. She had always loved working with children, having baby sat in high school, and her parents inspired her to take the next step.

“I’ve always loved children, babysitting nieces and nephews,” said Pirrello. “I knew I wanted to have a big family and at that point I didn’t have any kids. My mother and father had suggested going into my own business, and why not something with kids?”

Though she actually quit her job in 1997, Pirrello had been researching her decision for three years.

“I then started working in a child care center making $7 an hour after making $80,000 a year,” she added.

Pirrello worked in the front office at the FM Kirby Children’s Center at the Madison Area YMCA to gain valuable experience in the management side of day care.

Cynthia and Joe Pirrello with their children: Jenna, 8, Scott, 10, Tara, 12 and Jessie, 14. At right is Pirrello in 1982.

“I now do the same for other people who are looking to start their own day cares,” she added. In 1999, after completing demographic studies and contracting a builder to construct a 100 child capacity center in Mountain Lakes, Pirrello opened Mountain Lakes Country Day School and had immediate success.

“It’s on the morning side of the road. Everyone is going to work, so it’s right on the way,” she said. “I always said in the beginning, location, location, location. It’s so true.

That’s the number one reason that people came to the school, and then they realize how good it is. I’ve rarely advertised in 13 years because it’s so full from word of mouth.”

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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1992 CLASS OF

From left, Timothy St. Clair, Michele Torelli, Mark Kalman, Annamaria Menconi, Michael Tarlavsky, Jennifer Federle

Mustang Memories From the class of 1992

Twenty years ago, the United States was just about a few months removed from the Gulf War in Iraq. Today, American forces are once again on patrol in the Middle East in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

Sometimes, thing don’t change.

But one thing that is certainly different from two decades ago are the popular styles and hobbies of high schoolers.

The yearbook documented plenty of fads that most ‘92 grads would like to forget: leather bracelets, black wingtipped shoes, short hair, Keds, oversized clothes, I.O.U clothing, hypercolor, mushroom haircuts, baggy boxer gym shorts and Cavaricci pants.

Other samples of life from 1992: the grads voted Terminator 2, Ghost and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as best movies. Cool as Ice, Naked Gun 2 1/2, Joe vs Volcano and Hot Shots were selected as the worst movies. Favorite songs at the time were Everything I Do, Running With the Devil and Top of the page going clockwise is Tahhan, Dorothy Enter Sandman. Most hated were Sammar Dobkowski, Jeanette Sutiak and Ice, Ice Baby, O.P.P. and Good Livio Silvestri.

Vibrations.

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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Above are sibilings Janet & John Drago. John surprised his sister on the way home from the Gulf War, and Jose Marquez, Pete Munoz and Orlando Martes. At right is Stephanie Clemmons and bottom left is Scott Turrin and Judi Thomas.

In sports, the Mustangs fielded several good teams. The cross country boys placed third in the NNJIL with a 9-4 record and took home the Passaic County Championship. The girls went 10-2, placing second in both the league and county. Head coach John

64 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Pontes was named Passaic County Coach of the Year.

The boys soccer team began its campaign with a 10 game winning streak, enroute to posting a 16-4-3 record.

Captains Jozef Greczek, Chas Ciolino and Mark Niziolek helped guide Clifton into the post season, where they rattled off three wins in the State Tournament, including a first-time victory over arch-rival Kearny to earn the sectional title.

The girls tennis squad also had a stellar season, winning 21 of 23 matches, including a 13-1 record in the regular season, good for a first place tie with Ridgewood. The Mustangs later defeated the Maroons in the tournament, winning sectionals and ending Ridgewood’s 15 year run.

The Lady Mustangs volleyball team capped off a 29-5 record with NNJIL and Passaic Country crowns.

However, Clifton fell short in the states, having been defeated by powerhouse Paramus Catholic.

The Class of 1992 was represented by President Lou Fraulo, Vice President Kelly Van Dorn, Treasurer Georganne Koth, Corresponding secretary Sue Weiss and Recording Secretary Jon Montana.

CLASS

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Michael Tarlavsky, US Army Killed in Action in Iraq, 2004 US Army/Special Forces Captain Michael Tarlavsky was killed in

Najaf, Iraq on Aug. 12, 2004 and buried with honors in Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 24. Tarlavsky was captain of the CHS swim team in 1992 and enlisted in the Army in 1996. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star. He is survived by his wife Tricia, their son Joseph, his parents Yury and Rimma and a sister, Elina. The Veterans Alliance engraved his name on the Main Avenue War Memorial in 2004— the first name added in 34 years.

“A grain of sand is no greater or lesser because of its position on the beach. In the end it is still... just a grain of sand.” Michael Tarlavsky’s 1992 Rotunda quote.

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U Ir C Sw A w E W

WHERE ARE THESE

‘92

MUSTANGS NOW?

FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC Anna Marie Menconi is the Maestro of Clifton’s Music School

By Joe Hawrylko

Anna Marie Menconi, pictured today and in 1992, is owner of the Menconi School of Music at the corner of Lakeview and Merselis Aves.

Growing up, Annamarie Menconi had an ear for classical music, but no outlet for her passion at Clifton High School.

“I wasn’t in the band when I was a student at CHS. I was in the honors AP program, but didn’t participate in any of the music programs there,” said the Class of 1992 grad. “We didn’t have symphony orchestra at the time and I was more interested in classical music than I was band music.”

66 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Now, 20 years after graduating, Menconi is the owner and operator of Menconi School of Music, located at the corners of Lakeview and Merselis Aves., where she and her team of talented instructors teach eager students in a variety of disciplines.

The school was founded in 2003, with the help of her late father and mentor, Stephen.

“My father and I decided to keep our roots here and open up a music school locally. We wanted to open up a school and give back to our community,” explained Menconi.

“We wanted to give people an opportunity to pursue the musical arts, the opportunity that I didn’t have myself. There wasn’t a school like this that I knew of in the area.”

The opening of Menconi School of Music was the realization of a life long dream for the Cliftonite, who first began teaching herself to play piano while in high school.

“Piano was my first love,” explained Menconi. “I started to take private lessons at about 19 when I graduated.”

After leaving CHS, she began taking classes at Bowdoin College in Maine before transfering to Seton Hall University. Menconi graduated from the Newark based school with a liberal arts degree in Music.

While in college, Menconi also studied classical guitar, and learned to play the mandolin.

CLASS She currently plays mandola for the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra and is also an advocate and public relations person for the group.

“I’ve been a member there for 14 years now,” she added. However, Menconi’s goal was to teach, not to perform.

“I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to work with students in a private scenario. I wanted to be a private piano instructor,” she explained. “But I had always hoped to one day have my own school.”

“I first started to give private music lessons in the local area and I did that for about three years,” Menconi continued. “I was teaching in Clifton and throughout Passaic, Essex and Morris Counties. That’s how I gained my first experience as a teacher.”

Eventually, Menconi and her father, Stephen, began discussing the prospect of opening a school to serve the Clifton and the great community.

The Menconi School of Music was opened in 2003 at the corners of Lakeview and Merselis Aves. After her father’s passing in May of 2005, Menconi has been running the school on her own.

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The school offers lessons in a wide variety of disciplines: classical, jazz, Broadway, rock, pop, American folk music, Spanish music, and a variety of vocal styles.

“We now offer lessons from teachers who are bilingual in Spanish,” Menconi added. New offerings have increased enrollment.

“The school keeps on growing. We’re always looking for new opportunities with programs and instruments,” she continued. “We’re always adding to our curriculum.”

In 2010, the school began a recital series, with two performances a year.

“We’ve been at the Clifton Arts Center, we’ve been at Lambert Castle and now we’re making the Clifton Jewish Center our home,” explained Menconi. “Every December we have a holiday recital and every June we have a spring recital.”

“I’m very proud to say that in the nine years we’ve been in business, we’ve served over 1,000 students in all genres, all ages and all levels,” she continued, adding her staff includes CHS grad Rich Fischer. “It’s been a great experience, working and meeting so many people.”

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

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PETER KOSCIOLEK CHS Grad Studied Finance But Ended Up on a Resort

By Joe Hawrylko

The Kosciolek family. From left is Taras, Julia, Havrylko and Peter.

During his college years, Peter Kosciolek switched his major twice, going from international relations to finance. However, in the end, he ultimately pursued a career in the hospitality industry after working in hotels throughout college.

“I was working the hotel business while in school because it had enough flexibility,” he said.

“Every semester, my scheduled changed. I stuck with that and ended up staying in the hospitality business right through today.”

68 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

After graduation from Clifton High School, Kosciolek began attending American University.

However, after just one year, he left due to his financial aid being cut.

That led to him enrolling at Rutgers, where he majored in finance.

At the same time, Kosciolek picked up a full time job at the Ramada Hotel in East Handover.

Originally meant as a source of income through his college years, Kosciolek ended up working there for 10 years.

“I did a bunch of different things: assistant manager, controller, book keeper, front desk manager,” he said. “I just kind of went through all different titles but never made it to GM. I just did everything else.”

“I took a liking to that, being around people, helping people out and doing things for people,” he said. “Making people happy, that was always my big thing. If a guest walked out there and complimented anything or me, we’re ahead in the game. That always gave me a bit of personal satisfaction.”

For a brief period, Kosciolek left the industry to pursue a career in the field that he majored in college.

“I was working at a clearing house and I got bored out of my mind,” he laughed. “The 8 am to 4:30 pm sitting behind a desk and crunching numbers didn’t work for me, so I went back into the hospitality business. Now I sit behind a desk and crunch numbers, just in a hotel setting.”

In 2000, Kosciolek took a part time job in Ellenville, NY with the Ukrainian American Youth Association, better known as CYM. “What I tried to do back then was bring in a more social atmosphere to make sure we had a way to pay the bills,” said Kosciolek, who speaks Ukrainian fluently.

“To tell you the truth, we focus on 20-somethings with that

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CLASS (drinking). With parents, we focus on doing more family friendly things,” Kosciolek continued.

“Whoever wants to go to the bar and buy a drink, that’s fine. But if the kids are involved in something, the parents most likely will come and spend their money. 20-somethings come, buy a couple drinks and they leave.”

In 2002, Kosciolek married his wife, Julia. They have two kids: Taras, who was born in 2006, and Havrylko, who was born in 2009.

After his wedding in 2003, Kosciolek was offered a full time position with CYM. “I tried to get nonUkrainian business into the place during the offseason to subsidize the work. In 2003, I moved up there and never moved back,” he said. Previously, Kosciolek had been commuting to Ellenville, NY. In 2009, with his wife pregnant with their second son, Kosciolek left CYM for the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson. “When you work for a place like that, it’s crazy from May through Sept. I basically worked 18 hour days for 7 days a week. I’d take off two days in the summer,” he explained. “I had a

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Peter was involved in CAST in 1992.

growing family and I had to have a life too. It sort of fell in my lap and I came here. I’m the director of budgeting, payroll, human resources, training and whatever else is thrown my way.”

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Great Selection of New & Used Guns, Ammo, Safes Clifton Merchant • July 2012

71

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MUSTANGS NOW?

2002 CLASS OF

Nicole Cornett, Jon Donini, Ashley Gretina, Neil Wilson, Elizabeth Bakarich, and Matt Morgan.

Grace Robol

Gus Pancheme

Raquel Rivas

Story by Tara Fueshko Has it been ten years since we last walked the halls of Clifton High? Yesteryear seems like yesterday yet we have all moved on and aged… just a bit.

Today, as a substitute teacher at CHS, I see first hand how the school has changed. But as I walk down those halls I can still think back to when I was a 17 year old senior.

72 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

In the faces of the Class of 2012, I see classmates and teachers… and I recall… stage crew members like Brandon Meyer and myself eating breakfast in the corridor behind the auditorium.

Band members Lou Imperato, Nicole Cornett and Nick Link over and around the corridor by the band room, and those in auto shop like Rob Kruse would be over by the gym.

CLASS

OF

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Lunchtime at CHS in the cafeteria

Lauren Binns, Rob Posner, Steve Pulio, and Kimberly Yip

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WHERE ARE THESE

‘02

MUSTANGS NOW?

Other small, yet important aspects also flash back to no option for Homecoming King. What people may me. Cara Jarosz’s personal flair, Kemely Ortega’s not know is that he qualified with enough votes to be cheerfulness, and Matt Hibbert’s a part of the Homecoming humor, they are all there in the Court, but was denied due to corners of my mind when I look his gender. back at CHS… and I do see With September 11, 2001, flashes of that all in the kids I we were also the first graduatteach today. ing class to suffer a national I took out my yearbook tragedy and its impact on our recently just to recall names and first weeks resonated throughfaces and memories of high out our entire senior year. The school. As I flipped through the school tightened its grip. pages I realized that we might Performance music, senior not have been the first graduatprom fashion show, and even ing class of the New graduation itself took on patriMillennium, but the Class of otic themes. Groups such as Aly Paige and Sammi Dinzes 2002 was the year of firsts. the Concert Choir had to argue As freshman we were the first to use the East Wing their right for a trip. with the new library and CAST studio. As juniors we The lanyards our student successors love to hate and were the first to be offered the 7am option of Zero the cameras in the school also made their first appearPeriod for our senior year. We were the first to have a ances. Yet through it all we persevered, we banded male run for Homecoming Queen because there was together.

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www.downtownclifton.com 74 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

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CLASS “The barriers of the various social groups that held fast in previous years seemed to mean less and evaporate after those first two weeks of high school,” Mike Santosousso said recently. In essence, he explained, we had bigger issues to deal with than the petty stereotyping that high school gets from John Hughes’ movies.

It is perhaps because of this that we were vocal in our opinions from the article by James Connors in the Clifton Hub to Dave Conway’s last remarks at Project Graduation. We would not be bullied and we showed it by taking off around the track upon being declared officially graduated from Clifton High.

In the decade that followed many of us went our separate ways

Matthew Seitz

OF

‘02 – the list was long and varied from some going to college or trade school to others joining the military. I would like to think that CHS gave us some valuable tools for success – the ability to navigate any traffic jam, the realization that one cannot expect to be coddled in life, but mostly that good times spent together are meant to be fond memories.

In our technological age of social media, sites like Facebook have allowed us to keep in contact throughout our post-graduation years.

It amazes me at how easy it now is to reconnect with classmates given a little time and a good search engine. Many of our classmates have gone onto successful careers.

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Engagement Cakes Birthday Cakes Sweet 16 Cakes Baby Shower Cakes Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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At Project Graduation in 2002 are Brandon Meyer, David Conway and Neil Wilson, Lou Imparato and Nicole Cornett. Below: Lindsay Dueben, Maureen Wetzel and Laura Bucceri strike a pose at the band dance.

Sheryll Franko travels the world as an Executive Director for Falling Awake Productions. Cesare De Chellis is the Executive Chef at Tolani Wine Restaurant.

Brandon Meyer works for NBC Universal, still behind a camera. As for me I went the route of academia.

Others have become staples in the community like Ruth Anne Grossman who now teaches at School 9. Some married their high school sweethearts while many have branched out for paths unknown.

Yet, no matter what road we have traveled these past ten years, the Class of 2002 shares the common ground that at one point we were united as students at Clifton High.

76 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

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Before going to Athenia Mason, remember to shoot and then bring a digital photo of your back or side yard to get the job started.

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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A MUSTANG ENGINEER Diana Rooney is Enjoying her Job and her Life

By Joe Hawrylko A third generation Stevens Institute of Technology grad, Diana Rooney has been enjoying a successful career as a civil engineer working for Langan Engineering, where she has been employed for five years. It was her years away at college that not only laid the foundation for her future job, but her interests outside of work.

“My father, Bill, and his dad, Francis J. Rooney, both attended Stevens,” she said. “It wasn’t really a deciding facto, but it was kind of fate, I guess. I did get scholarships, and I really liked the campus.”

At Stevens, Rooney, who competed in the pool for the Mustangs, swam for the Varsity team and competed in club sailing.

“My dad used to sail at Stevens. he has a big sailing history,” she said. “He’s had taken us out a couple of times. I was also pretty active in the stage crew, which is something that I did in high school as well.”

Once she arrived at college, Rooney took a variety of courses before settling on the specific field of engineering that interested her.

“I guess it evolved. I was interested in engineering going into college,” she said. “I thought I wanted to go be a chemical engineer and then I realized I was not good at chemistry.”

“Looking back, I was the kid that played with blocks in the sand box as a kid, so it kind of makes sense,” Rooney continued. “I always built roads all over my basement floor.”

After graduating in 2007, the CHS grad was hired by Langan Engineering, the firm she continues to work for today.

“In general, civil engineers do everything outside of the building that you see in daily life: roads, bridges, infrastructure,” explained Rooney. “My company, I do a lot. Basically, geotechnical engineering, which is foundation design. I also do a lot of environmental remediation work.”

“I do a lot of site layouts,” she continued. “Right 78 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

In 2010, Ronney climbed The Titan at Fisher Towers, the nation's largest free-standing desert tower, near Moab, Utah. She is also pictured working on site off the coast of Atlantic City.

now, I’m on a project overseeing a contractor preparing a site for a school. They’re remediating all of the oil tanks.”

At the site, which is located in Elizabeth, Rooney and workers came across a time capsule that was located in the corner stone of an old church on the property.

“It was built in 1853,” said Rooney, adding that she

CLASS

OF

‘02

is in the process of returning the contents. “There’s a newspaper from 1853 and a bible.”

Rooney explained that Langan primarily handles large projects, including Giants Stadium and Xanadu. Her focus is on school projects. Rooney has worked on dorms at Montclair State University.

“The two new dorms they put in, those were cool,” she said.

“They leased the property to the developer that built the buildings. They’re going to own the building for the next 30 years.”

Rooney has also worked on jobs at the Brooklyn Navy Yards and Governor’s Island.

Outside of work, Rooney keeps busy in her spare time with sports. She’s a member of a masters level crew team in Greenwood Lake. The Clifton grad is also an active rock climber and mountaineer, having picked it up five years ago.

“I started in the gym,” said Rooney, who now owns a house in Ringwood. “and one thing leads to another and the next thing you know you’re climbing a 1,600 foot base in California.”

Overall, Rooney is happy where life after Clifton High has taken her. “I just got my professional engineer’s license,” she added. “I love it, I love what I do. I’m lucky that I get to do a lot of different stuff. I’m always on different sites, but I’m working on three fields of engineering at time when most people only get to do one.”

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e Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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WHERE ARE THESE

‘02

MUSTANGS NOW?

TARA FUESHKO She’ll Get Her Irish Up at Drew University in August

By Joe Hawrylko Although it wasn’t what she had originally went to college for, Tara Fueshko is about to begin her second advanced degree, with the goal of becoming a college professor. It’s quite a change of heart from undergrad in Scranton, when the CHS alum had her heart set on becoming a museum curator.

As a junior at Scranton, Fueshko spent two semesters abroad: one in Ireland and one in England.

“In England, I did an internship for the Gilbert Collection and the Association of Illustrators,” she said.

Fueshko majored in history and minored in art history at Scranton. “I originally wanted to be a curator, but no offense to those two groups, but I was bored out of my mind. I was in an office and wasn’t interacting with people.”

After she came home, she began to reconsider her career options and began thinking about education.

“Everyone was always like, why don’t you teach?

You have the personality for it. And I was just like, why would I want to teach?” she laughed. “I wanted to be a museum curator and when I finally got in to see what it was all about, it was just like, wow, I really don’t want to be here.”

Fueshko decided to return to school, and studying towards a Masters in history at William Paterson University, with the intent to become a professor.

“I was doing my Masters and the first year I did all my course work,” explained Fueshko. “The second year, they had a lot of people go on sabbatical, so I was like, hire me! I can teach! I need a job!”

Fueshko will graduate from William Paterson University with a Masters in history this August, and will start attending classes at Drew University later on that month. She will be studying British and Irish culture, and hopes to become a college professor.

“It’s funny, because I’m neither,” she laughed.

“Irish, when I was a kid, I always liked fairy tales and stuff like that. I grew up and liked the music and that whole aspect. British, the kings and queens always fas80 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Tara Fuesko is a sub at CHS and adjuncts at WPU.

cinated me. My godmother moved there when I was six, so that kind of had something to do with it as well.”

“I received a 50 percent merit scholarship,” Fueshko continued. She is awaiting a response from WPU to see if she will teach in the fall, and plans to continue subbing at Clifton High School as well. “You can get anywhere from 20 percent to 80 percent, so the fact that I got 50 was pretty good. It’s a five year program, but I’m going to try to do it in three. I’m an overachiever, what can I say? It’s expensive, so why prolong it?”

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Clifton Mustangs

KELLY RODRIGUEZ The SCA President Will Study Mathematics at Rutgers this Fall

By Joe Hawrylko When she heads off to Rutgers New Brunswick this fall, Kelly Rodriguez will study mathematics. It was experiences that she had at Clifton High School that helped the recent grad decide what to major.

“My algebra 2 teacher, Mrs. Mierzwa, she just made me fall in love with the subject,” said Rodriguez, the June student of the month. “The way she introduced and taught it to me... I just like how there’s always a way to solve a program. It’s practice. Practice makes perfect, and that’s not just with math but with everything in life.”

In addition to discovering her passion for math, Rodriguez also used her four years at CHS to find many other interests.

Her involvement in the Key Club is something that has come to definite Rodriguez as a person and she hopes to continue to volunteer at Rutgers in the fall.

“It’s very community based. I want to stay into that in college,” she said. “It helps me with networking with friends and other members of the community, as well as adult activists.”

Besides the Key Club, Rodriguez has also volunteered for the Clifton Rec Center as a summer counselor. The CHS grad also donated her time at Hackensack University Medical Center, where her mother, Gema, works.

“I worked with cancer patients,” Rodriguez explained. “”I was there if they needed someone to talk to without it being a nurse of faculty member, or if they wanted to play a game or watch a movie.”

Besides volunteering, Rodriguez was also involved in student government at Clifton High School, and spent her senior year as the SCA President.

“When I came in, I wanted to know what was going on in the school,” she said. “I didn’t really like to ask people what I can do to fundraise. I wanted to know what was going on and tell other people about it.”

While she enjoyed serving her peers, Rodriguez isn’t sure if she will pursue student government at Rutgers.

Instead, she will be taking advanced courses and plans 82 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Student of the Month Kelly Rodriguez will study mathematics at Rutgers New Brunswick this fall.

on focusing on academics initially.

“I was thinking about doing the summer program for Rutgers if I get into it. It’s from June 30 to Aug. 3. It helps with math and chemistry, and also gives me credits for the year,” she said. The program is free, and entranced is based on the placement exam. “I got placed into advanced pre-calc and they say that 60 percent of students who don’t go into the summer program end up quitting or failing that class.”

Rodriguez is still undecided on what she wants to do with her degree. She is considering teaching, but knows there are also other options.

“I’ll always have that window (teaching) open,” she said. “But my cousin is a chemist and I was speaking to him about what fields I can get into. I can also be a chemist if I minor in chemistry. I can also minor in physics or biology, and I can also do a pre-med track.

I’m not settled on any one thing.”

No matter what path she choses, Rodriguez knows that she’ll have the support of her mother, Gema, and her father, Guadencio.

“My family is my main supporters,” said Rodriguez.

“They’re the reason why I’m so successful today.”

CHS GRADUATION June 25, 2012, Joe Grecco Field

On June 25, 2012 the Class of 2012 took the field as high schoolers for the last time, and left as graduates, ready to move on to the next stage of life.

For some time it looked as if the weather would not cooperate, but the rain gave way to sunshine and eventually, a rainbow. Turn the page to see some photos of graduation and prom that were submitted by readers.

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Clifton Mustangs

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Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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Clifton Veteran

REMEMBERING OUR HEROES John Randall Honors His Uncle Harold, Who Died in WWII

By Joe Hawrylko

Above is the Western Union letter telegram that was sent to Julianna Meyer when her husband, Harold, was killed in action on Okinawa on May 21, 1945. At left is a photo of Harold and Julianna Meyer from sometime in 1945.

On May 21, 1945, Army First Lieutenant Harold C Meyer died due to wounds sustained in battle on Okinawa. His wife, Julianna N. Meyer, received notice of his passing through messages send to her Arlington Ave. residence, and those letters were tucked away in a keepsake box, presumably gone forever.

In 2009, Julianna Meyer passed away, and her nephew John Randall took up the task of clearing out the house. What he didn’t sell or discard ended up in his own basement. It wasn’t until May of this year that Randall realized that one of his aunt’s boxes in his home contained several old photos and telegrams from the Army.

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“I was cleaning my basement and was complaining to my son, ‘Look at this junk you’ve got all over the place,’ and he says, ‘This ain’t my junk,’” he laughed.

“And that’s when I found it. I was looking through it and there was a photo album of my aunt and uncle before they were married and young, and that’s when I found the letter and telegram.”

Randall, who served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborn Division, decided to honor his uncle by purchasing a marker in the Killed in Action section Avenue of Flags. “I just bought a flag because I think my uncle deserves it in his memory,” he said. Randall is also working on trying to get his uncle’s name on the war monument in Main Memorial Park.

The Avenue of Flags is a unique display on the City Hall campus at 900 Van Houten Ave. Over 1,400 flags are put up on display on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot’s Day (Sept. 11) and Veteran’s

Day (Nov. 12). The idea is to honor a veteran for their time in the service and remember them in perpetuity.

Volunteers help put up and take down the flags on each of these dates, and also assist in year round maintenance.

Flags to honor a living or deceased veteran are $100.

That includes a ground socket and a name plate. The veteran, their branch of service and the donor’s name are also placed in a registry book. To purchase a flag, or to volunteer, call John Biegel at 973-519-0858.

For another way to honor someone that served, consider attending the Veteran’s Day Parade Fundraiser on Aug 24 at 6:30 pm at the Boys & Girls Club, 181 Colfax Ave. The $40 ticket includes beefsteak catered

by Nightingale’s, as well as beer, soda, coffee and dessert. Call John Biegel at 973-519-0858 or Rosemary Trinkle Baran at 862-668-9151. Make checks payable to: City of Clifton Veteran’s Committee, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ, 07013.

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On June 16 at 10 am, 600 motorcyclists rode through the Avenue of Flags on a tour that no rider will forget. The Freedom Roast paraded near Ground Zero and then through North Arlington Cemetery to honor several fallen military heroes, including Jorge Oliveira, formerly of the Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. Riders then returned to the Masonic Lodge on Van Houten Ave. for a pig roast with returning patriots from National Guard Platoon SEC-FOR and their families. Organized by Clifton Police Officers John Kavakich, Steve Farrell and Wayne Stine, they said Freedom Roast will become an annual Clifton PBA 36 event. The goal is to welcome home and honor Wounded Warriors and all others who served or are currently serving in the United States military.

88 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Thank You Sponsors Without the help of these generous local businesses, the Freedom Roast would not have been possible...

Toyota Logistics Services Motorcycle Mall Gam's Auto Service Nutley Shop Rite Clark PBA #125 The Integrative Wellness Center P.A. J & R Cigars Shook Funeral Home Nash Park Auto Body

Vito's Towing Styertowne Shopping Center Liberty Auto Electric Biker Hill Leather Shop New York Giants Paulison Avenue Shop Rite Lefty's Pizza Allwood Diner

Allwood Bakery MacKenzie Door Company Athenia Mason Supply Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Buco Ristorante Grimaldi's Coal Brick Oven Pizzeria Mr. Cupcakes

STAFF SGT. JORGE M. OLIVIERA JAN 22, 1978 - OCT 19, 2011 KIA AFGHANISTAN 10/19/11 Clifton Merchant • July 2012

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Clifton Authors

Pat Ciser: Clifton CoP Karate sensei & noW

author

By Joe Hawrylko

Call him Lieutenant or Sensei—and now you can add the title author. Retired Clifton Police Lieutenant Patrick J. Ciser has published a memoir of his time on the job and if you are a Cliftonite, you have to read it.

Budo and the Badge: Exploits of a Jersey Cop, is a self-authored and self-published book by Ciser that details his experiences on the job, and how learning and teaching Koei-Kan Karate helped shape his philosophy on life—and save some lives in the process.

90 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

A Clifton Cop for nearly three decades and a highly accomplished practitioner of Koei-Kan Karate, Ciser is the US liaison to Japan for Koeikan Karate and he is also the owner of a Downtown Clifton Avenue dojo or Karate School.

A self described lone wolf, Ciser’s book opens with a chapter detailing a stand off with a Botany man armed with two butcher knives. To safely conclude what could have been a deadly ending for one side or the other,

Ciser kicked in the door and used a garbage can lid and his karate skills to disarm the assailant. Case closed.

The book is a page turner. Cliftonites will read real life cases solved, places, situations and characters they will recall, seen or heard about. Take the time Ciser was behind the wheel of a CPD cruiser in 2001 during a chase that lasted 45 minutes, at speeds in excess of 130 mph, headed North on Route 287.

‘Captain,” the midnight shift lieutenant said to his higher up the next morning. “The guy sergeant [Ciser] chased last night was a maniac!’

“Yeah,” responded Captain (later to become Clifton Police Chief) Robert Ferreri, “He just didn’t realize that our maniac was chasing him!’”

But in addition to recalling stories about shooting guns out of the hands of bad guys and opting to “karate kick” down doors instead of using rams, Ciser opines on subjects important to him and many he served with.

He writes fondly of Clifton Motorcycle Police Officer John Samra whose End of Watch was Nov. 21, 2003 as the result of a vehicle hit and run. Ciser offers his opinions on the unique relationship between the media and law enforcement, and also how he believes society and culture contributes to many of the ills found in our inner cities. “These are true stories,” he said recently, explaining his factual writing style. “The book isn’t over edited. It’s almost like I’m sitting in your kitchen and we’re having a beer together.”

He’ll be doing two book signings at Ciser’s Martial Arts Academy, 304 Clifton Ave. (between Main and Getty Avenues) on Saturday, July 14, 1 to 3 pm, and again on Thursday, July 19, 5 to 7 pm. Autographs are free, with purchase of hardcover $29.99 or paperback $19.99—sorry, cash only on those days. Find it on Amazon or at barnesandnoble.com and check out Budo and the Badge on Facebook, the book Dr. Oz’s wife Lisa tweeted about!

On facing page is Pat Ciser with a fleet of interceptors and the cover of his book. At right is the 1987 Clifton PBA bench press team. From left: Frank Dara, Billy Gibson, Pat Ciser, John Sloth and Ross LaCorte. Bottom right is Ciser in 2007 with former UFC Lt. Heavyweight Champion, Chuck Liddell. Below is a 2002 photo after a bust which took 26 kilos of cocaine off the streets.

From left: Bill Frank, Michael McLaughlin, Ciser, Gary Passenti and Tom Rinaldi.

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Members of the Passaic County 200 Club are there when a public safety officer deserves an honor or when a police officer, firefighter or EMT—or their families—need support in case of injury or at the End of Watch. Want to help out?

To understand what it is that the Passaic County 200 Club does, look no further than its annual Valor Awards. Held on May 1 of this year at The Brownstone in Paterson, this ceremony recognizes and honors police, fire or EMT personnel who have risked their lives while performing their duties. That is the essence of the 200 Club—honor and support those heroes who risk everything for strangers.

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The Club was Detroit in 1950 after a local businessman and 100 friends got together to help contribute funds to the family of a young police officer who lost his life attempting to stop a bank robbery.

There are now over 200 local chapters across the United States.

The Passaic County 200 Club was founded in 1989 and is currently under the guidance and leadership of President Christine E. Schultz. While the Valor Awards are the most recognizable event, the Club also offers many other services.

Within 48 hours of the death of a police officer, firefighter or EMS professional, the Passaic County 200 Club presents a check for $10,000 to the family of the deceased to assist with the difficult road ahead.

The Club also guarantees scholarships to every child affected by the loss. Students are given a $2,500

b

stipend over four years, as long as they maintain a B average. The Club also gives a Civilian Award of Merit and annual scholarships at its Valor Awards ceremony.

The Club generates income from dues and donations.

Upon joining, members receive a plaque and date plate, personalized identification card, car decals and a lapel pin. An annual tax-deductible donation of $250 is required by all members.

Another way to show support is by attending the fifth annual beefsteak fundraiser on Sept. 25 at 6 pm at the Brownstone. It is a fun and casual way to meet members and consider if you’d like to join. New members and donations are always welcome. For more info, visit www.pc200club.org.

Facing page, at the May 1 Valor Awards from left: Clifton Fire Chief Vincent Colavitti, jr., Lt. William Ricci, Firefighters William Espinoza and Ken Prior honored for life saving action on Nov. 6, 2011 on Elmwood Dr. Members of the Clifton Police Department’s Honor Guard, Ptl. Alex Zamora, Ptl. David Roe, Detective Wayne Stine. Above, Trustee Michael DeBlock, former Clifton Police Chief and Club Vice President Frank LoGioco, and President Christine Schultz.

Call Now! Season-Low Pricing on New Installs!

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Arts & Music Art of Men: Fathers, Brothers, Sons and Husbands is an exhibit and sale on display until July 28 at the Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park, 900 Clifton Ave. Featured artists are: Paul Anderson, Dan Michael Bertelli, Michael Bertelli, Theodore Carrozza, John Cenko (deceased), Philip Drum, Tom Dzubina, Michael Gabriele, Joseph Gallagher, Andy Gorcica (deceased), Chris Gore, Jeff Labriola, Paul Massaro, Richard McCrohan, Ibou Ndoye, Lou Pounds, Anthony J. Tamuzza (deceased) and Richard Toglia. Admission is $3 for non-members.

Gallery hours are Wed. through Sat. from 1 to 4 pm. More info at www.cliftonnj.org.

The 10th Annual Clifton Arts Center Free Outdoor Concert featuring the Clifton Community Band is July 7 at 6 pm at City Hall Grounds Clifton Arts Center. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Canceled incase of rain. More info CliftonBand@optonline.net.

While there on July 7, visit the CAC’s Arts and Crafts Fair Day from 2 to 8 pm. Free admission. Artists and crafters who display are charged $20 with your own table or $30 without. Set up at noon. Call 973-472-5499.

Top of page, Michael Bertelli and his son, Dan Michael Bertelli, will have their works featured in Art of Men: Fathers, Brothers, Sons and Husbands, an exhibit and sale at the Clifton Arts Center, 900 Van Houten Ave. through July 28.

Bottom, Clifton Community Band members rehearse under the direction of Bob Morgan for the July 7 free concert on the lawn at the Clifton Arts Center. Be sure to visit the craft show on the same day.

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John Muller (above) and his wife Jackie are coordinating the 12th annual Blues Charity Cruise on the Hudson on July 11.

Bruce Reed and Victoria Atwater perform Broadway show tunes and opera at the Clifton Memorial Library on Aug. 7.

The 12th Annual Summer Sunset Blues Cruise Sail Charity is on July 11. Guests will board the A.J. Meerwald at 6 pm at the Liberty State Park marina and cruise through New York Harbor while the Chuck Lambert Band performs. There are only 40 tickets, which cost $50 and include all beverages. For info, contact John and Jackie Muller at 973-340-9405 or via jackiena123@aol.com.

Clifton’s Historic Botany District Free Summer Concert Series is on Fridays at 6:30 pm at Sullivan Square, Botany Village. At each concert, guests can enter to win a free 40” Toshiba LCD TV. A drawing will be held at the last show on August 24. There will also be Saturday night concerts in Sullivan Square at 7 pm, starting on July 21.

Bring a chair and dancing shoes.

Visit www.HistoricBotany.com for info on this and the annual Labor Day festival in the park.

The 15th Annual Clifton Recreation Concert Series begins on July 8 and continues on Sundays through Aug. 19. The free concerts are at 7:30 pm at Main Memorial Park, on Main Ave. and Park Slope.

Bring lawn chairs and come to dance. Info: cliftonnj.org.

18 time Grammy Award winner Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra— the number one Polka Band in the Country—returns to Passaic on July 26 at 7:30 pm at Third Ward Park, corner of Passaic and Van Houten Aves. Bring a chair or blanket. Call Greg Komeshok at 973-473-5111.

Clifton Memorial Library at Piaget and Third Aves., presents a family program of Broadway show tunes and opera on Aug. 7. The performers are soprano Victoria Atwater Reed, tenor Bruce Reed and pianist Titiana Choteborsky.

The free program begins at 7 pm in the community room with refreshments to follow. They will perform well-loved songs that families will enjoy—and perhaps even sing-along to. Call 973-772-5500.

A Summer Teen Cabaret directed

by Janet Villas and staged by the Theater League of Clifton seeks 12 singers. Auditions are July 25, 2 to 6 pm and July 26, 4 to 8 pm, at Grace Church, 45 Hazel St. Open to teens aged 13 to 19, or in grades 8 through freshman year of college are eligible. Singers will be coached individually to bring out the best in their musical choices, which must be show tunes or Broadway style.

Duets are also welcome. All singers will work with tracks. Shows are Aug. 25 at 8 pm and Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. at the Clifton Masonic Temple, 1476 Van Houten Ave. More details at www.theaterleagueofclifton.com or call 973-928-7668.

The Sounds of Passaic 2012 Summer Concert Series runs from 7 to 9 pm on Thursdays in Third Ward Park, through Aug. 23.

Details at www.cityofpassaic.com.

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WHERE ARE THESE

‘52

EAGLES NOW?

1952 CLASS OF

From left, Ernie Scheidemann, Lola Vassanelli Cheski, Ed Wall, Bill Bremer, Margaret Held McNamara and Bob Claeys.

“Four our alma mater—the gold and blue. Down through the years these words will never fail to bring a flood of memories to each and every graduate of Pope Pius High School.”

Sixty years later, and that song still rings true for graduates of the long gone but beloved Pope Pius XII High School. The Passaic school offered courses in general, business, classical and scientific, with the latter two being college preparatory. At the time, Pope Pius was home to 595 students, and they were educated by four priests, eighteen sisters and three lay teachers. The senior class of 1952 numbered 112.

Members from that class will gather for its 60th reunion at the Reges Oceanfront Resort, Cape May from Sept. 28 to 30. The committee organizing the reunion includes Margaret Held McNamara, Lola Vassanelli Cheski, Bill Bremer, Bob Claeys, Ernie Scheidemann and Ed Wall.

For info, call Bob Claeys chair 973-981-1905.

Pope Pius grads Bob Claeys and Ernie Scheidemann. Below, Roy Garretson and his 1942 Series 7-5 Cadillac.

A death has occurred leaving family to make decisions of arranging a funeral.

When a loved one dies, the anxieties of making funeral arrangements can be an overwhelmingly emotional. In addition, the costs involved can leave a financial burden on surviving family. Today, more people are pre-arranging their funerals and that is the topic of Roy Garretson’s talk on July 10 at the Boys & Girls Club.

Garretson is the manager of Shook Funeral Home on Van Houten Ave. The presentation is part of the Second Tuesday series sponsored by Dante Liberti, which includes free lunch.

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f

Events & Briefs On June 8, Students at School 9 celebrate 90 years of learning at 25 Brighton Rd. K-5 students and their teachers worked to research decades from the 1950’s to the 2000’s. Each student designed a birthday T-shirt logo to commemorate the day, with 4th grader Raylin Guedes-Liendo’s design being selected for tshirts that were printed and sold.

For the 90th birthday party, students dressed in clothing of their designated decades and performed music and dance selections. Coordinated by Principal Michele Cecere and PTO members, those who attended the school from as far back as 1948 came back to say hello. These guests included Brent Smith (1948), Beverly Smith (1952), Sandy De Rose and Laura De Benedetto.

Those who served the school in the past also attended and they included former Principals Sal Anzaldi, Barbara Lofthouse, and Janet Kolano as well as former Superintendent William Leiss and Mayor James Anzaldi.

The gathering ended in a “Dynamite” song that had everyone up and dancing! And…of course…just before the ice cream was delivered…students, staff and guests sang Happy Birthday to School Nine! Then added...

What a fun way to learn...School Nine has always been, and will always be, loved!

Happy Birthday School Nine!!!

School 5 on Valley Rd. held its Grade 5 Moving Up Ceremony on Flag Day, June 14. In a learning moment devised

by PE teacher John Silva, Josephine Tulp, mother of Guyler Tulp, who was killed in Vietnam, was invited. His life was detailed in the May 2011 Clifton Merchant Magazine. On behalf of the fifth graders, she was presented with a name rubbing from the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., which was done by parent chaperone Joe Cupoli and Clifton Police Officer Tim Lyons during the annual School 5 Safety Patrol trip.

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Th Vi Tu

Events & Briefs

The Knights of Columbus Tank Pull was once again a success. Held on June 24 on Clifton Ave. near Eddie Mayo Field, 36 teams from Clifton and afar participated. Each group took turns hauling a 80,000 pound tank in a competition to raise funds for the K of C and the Wounded Warriors Project. More than $60,000 was raised—and donations are still rolling in.

Among the participants (at left) were Dan Rogers, 40, owner of ChemDry of Clifton, and Kevin John Lord, a 15 year old CHS freshman who plays baseball and basketball. The two joined together to pull for the R&J Landcare team. At a combined weight of 324 pounds, the duo hauled the tank in 42 seconds, good enough for first place in the lightest combined weight division.

The Wounded Warriors also fielded a team of veterans in the event.

Our favorite fisherman Dan Golabek landed another lunker at Round Valley—this 24 inch rainbow trout, which weighed in at 6 lbs, 8 oz, using tackle and gear from Meltzer’s. “You know what that ad says,” he laughed. “Once you shop Meltzer’s, you go no where else sir.”

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Clifton’s Historic Botany District Flea Market is July 22 from 9 am to 5 pm at the Village Square. Vendors can reserve a 10x10 spot at $25 if paid by July 15, $30 if reserved and paid for the day of the event; $35 without reservation. Food vendors call 609-731-5454 for rates. Visit www.HistoricBotany.com.

The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton shared in a grant of $50,000 from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey with clubs in Atlantic City, Camden, Newark and Trenton to support its Triple Play Program. Designed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Triple Play Program addresses childhood obesity in children ages 6-18. Kids learn about nutrition and making healthy eating choices, how to boost physical activity levels through sports and fitness activities and build positive relationships among youth. To support the club, call Executive Director Bob Foster at 973-773-0966 x19.

Paramus Catholic High School’s Class of 2012 graduated 375 students from Clifton and other cities in its commencement on June 4 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford. PC graduates earned some $30 million in scholarships and grants from schools they were accepted to and $10 million from their chosen universities.

Located at 425 Paramus Rd., PC offers 126 courses, including 26 Honors and 16 AP level courses as well as cost effective tuition for families. For info or to tour the school, visit www.paramuscatholic.com.

The Passaic County Fair is July 18 through July 22 in Garret Mountain Park in Woodland Park. For more info and times, visit www.passaiccountynj.org.

Let’ s Do Lunch!

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Clifton hosts market fare on July 7 and 21, 8 am to 4 pm.

Proceeds benefit the outreach of St Peter’s Episcopal on Clifton Ave., including The Haven food pantry. Vendors may rent space: a table is $30 or $25 if you bring your own. The Haven’s food pantry is always in need of funds and donations. To vend, donate or volunteer, call 973886-5105 or write carlgin@yahoo.com with market fare as the subject.

Spencer Savings Bank, a community bank with branches on Piaget Ave. and Van Houten Ave., contributed $2,000 to the Paterson Habitat for Humanity through its participation in the non-profit organization’s 2012 Corporate Challenge. Spencer employees also took part in a Habitat Build Day on June 1. For details about Spencer, visit www.spencersavings.com.

The Clifton Night at the Jackals is July 24 at 7 pm at Yogi Berra Stadium on the Montclair State University Campus. The $5.50 fee includes admission and a free raffle ticket for souvenirs. Crafts, games and an animal scavenger hunt will take place after the 4th inning.

For info, call 973-470-5958.

nd

2Tuesday Series @ the

Boys & Girls Club

Join us at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:30 am for a new topic of interest!

Hosted by: Dante P. Liberti, CFP ®

Tuesday July 10, 2012 Prepaid Funerals

Guest Speaker: Roy B. Garretson, Manager Shook Funeral Home, Inc. NJ Lic. No. 3550

Dont forget it’s the 2nd Tuesday at 11:30 am

Tuesday August 14, 2012

Role of the Clifton Boys & Girls Club Guest Speaker: Robert Foster,

Executive Director of Boys & Girls Club of Clifton

Complimentary lunch is provided Free Lunch but Suggested Donation: $5 To benefit the B&G Club of Clifton. Make check to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton

Please RSVP Dante Liberti at 732-734-0053

so we have enough good food for everyone!

41 Vreeland Ave Totowa, NJ 07512 Securities offered through Securities America, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, Dante Liberti Registered Representative.

Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., Dante Liberti, Financial Advisor, Dynasty Advisors, LLC., Roy Garretson with Shook Funeral Home, Inc., Robert Foster, with Boys and Girls Club of Clifton, and the Securities America companies are not affiliated. Representatives of Securities America do not give legal advice.

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

99

Birthdays & Celebrations - July 2012

Happy Birthday to Marie Angello on July 3. Belated greetings to the Green sisters, Emma, Olivia, and Viktoria who turned 6 on June 24. Happy 3rd birthday to Nicholas Calvo on July 11th. Belated birthday greetings to Andrew Bandurski who turned 21 on June 16. Belated greetings to Ally Amoruso whose birthday was June 7. Happy Belated Birthday to the Lakeview Bakery girls, Silvana on June 14, and Sue Helen on June 25.

Birthdays & Celebrations

Send dates & names...tomhawrylko@optonline.net Amanda Di Angelo.............

Ray Merced .......................

Chris Torrao .......................

Robyn Sue Lord ..................

Frank Rando.......................

Lori Lill ...............................

Ron Curtiss .........................

Angelo Grippo ...................

7/3 7/3 7/4 7/5 7/5 7/6 7/7 7/7

100 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

Edward Sepulveda.............. 7/7 Jenna De Liberto ................. 7/8 Joyce Sunshine ................... 7/8 Cynthia Kester .................... 7/9 Kristi Schopfer .................. 7/10 Nicholas Calvo................. 7/11 Anthony Zaccone.............. 7/13 Alyssa Marie Misyak......... 7/14

Ann Schamble ..................

Derek Dobol.....................

Jessica Dobol....................

Joanne Gursky..................

Carrie Szluka ...................

Alexander Razvmov ..........

Ryan Saccoman................

Cocoa Saccoman .............

Ashley Jacobus .................

Linda Portaro....................

Megan Suaifan.................

Kaitlin Vinciguerra ............

7/15 7/16 7/16 7/17 7/18 7/19 7/19 7/19 7/19 7/20 7/20 7/22

Cousins Ottilia Kedl and Isabella Andruch celebrate their 6th birthdays on July 1 and July 26.

Harry Quagliana ............

George Shamar ..............

Kayla Lord......................

Anna Schubert ................

Eva Gasporowska...........

Kathy Valdes...................

Joseph Lopez ..................

Ornella Ganoza .............

Gina Oliva .....................

Amanda Fabiano............

Lee-Ann Varga ................

Stephen Camp Sr...........

Frances Greco ................

7/23 7/23 7/24 7/24 7/25 7/25 7/27 7/27 7/28 7/29 7/29 7/30 7/31

Happy 20th Anniversary to Tom & Pat Schuckman who celebrate on July 11th.

Clifton Merchant • July 2012

101

Events & Briefs

Seated from left is Fazilet Tokel, Superintendent Richard Tardalo, Assemblyman Thomas Giblin and Supervisor of World Languages, Christine Belli. In the back, standing, from left: Alicja Banning, Luciana Camarniero, Andres Navas, Ellen Francess, Reman Mustafa, Thea Landesberg, Jory Samkoff, Filomena Viscardi, Liliana Habedank, Inna Caploon, Jean Sogorka, Tracey Engle, Jacqueline Cohen,Debra Guerriero and Francine Scocozzo.

Clifton High School’s ESL program was one of ten districts that received recognition from the State Department of Education at an awards ceremony at Rutgers University on May 15. In honor of this achievement, Assemblyman Thomas Giblin visited the high school on June 20 and presented the ESL department with a proclamation.

It is estimated that a total of 72 languages are spoken in Clifton, which has roughly 700 ESL students district

102 July 2012 • Clifton Merchant

wide. Christine Belli, Supervisor of World Languages, has been at the helm of the program for 20 years. This is the third time that the Clifton ESL program has been recognized for its achievements since the state began recognizing ESL cirriculums in 2004.

Clifton’s curriculum was designated as a model program for the 2012-2014 school years. Other districts will have the ability to visit CHS and witness the ESL program first hand.

Tomahawk Promotions 1288 main avenue Clifton, NJ 07011

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PA I D Phila Pa 191 PeRmiT No. 6438