Clifton Merchant Magazine - May 2003

Clifton Merchant Magazine • Volume 9 • Issue 5 • May 2, 2003

Veteran’s Memorial Day List • Athenia Merchants • Youth Week

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…on our cover

MAY

2003

540 units of housing on Dundee Island?

It could become a reality if Town &

inside…

Country Developers is allowed to go through with its plan. To see the land for yourself, take Ackerman Ave. and continue on the bridge crossing the Passaic River. Look up river towards the

On the Passaic River, 1890 . . . . . . . . . . .14-16 The Anderson Tract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

falls (just as our cover illustrates) and you’ll see the 13–acre area in question.

Our story begins on page 7.

A Natural Resource Inventory . . . . . . . .18-20 Downtown Parking Solution? . . . . . . . . . .25 Property Tax Reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-34 We Will Remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37-43

Clifton’s Top Dog pg. 64

Athenia Business Association . . . . . . . .44-52 Youth Week at CHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55-59 Hope from Clifton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60-63 A Recycling Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Made in Clifton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70-73 Patriot’s Day and Doo–Wopp . . . . . . . .78-79 Will You Remember? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80-81 The Red Hatters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Could it be…two White Castles right next to each other in Downtown Clifton?

Find out on page 80.

Clifton Merchant Magazine is published monthly at 1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton • 973-253-4400

ee Fr

Over 1,000 Petitions

Clifton Mercha nt Magazin e • Volume 9 • Issue 2 • Februar y 7, 2003

Stand up to sprawl: that’s what we’ve been asking the City Council to do.

In February, we started a petition asking for a moratorium on the construction of new residential buildings to slow down the tide of sprawling development.

Now the results are in, and the final list of nearly 1,100 names says it all: Clifton residents think the city is overcrowded and development needs to be stopped.

Mostly, they are concerned that the construction of additional residential buildings will overburden schools, roadways and city services and have a negative impact on their quality of life.

In April, we received a letter from Municipal Attorney Gerald Friend, which indicated that—based on an analysis written in 1987 by City Legal Assistant Leon Klein—under New Jersey law, a moratorium on housing is not permissible, except in cases where “a clear imminent danger to the health of the inhabitants of the municipality exists.”

If that is the case, what can the Council do to stop the granting of variances that lead to overbuilding?

Clearly, they need help from the state. Governor McGreevey has indicated he wants to give municipalities

4

No More

Housing

the tools to enact Smart Growth measures and fight what he has called ‘mindless sprawl.’ One proposal would allow towns to declare a one-year ‘freeze’ on new construction (exactly what our petitions request).

For now, we’ve asked to speak in front of the City Council in order to help them come up with a blueprint to build a better city. We are waiting for a response...

Judith Abate

Carmen Burgos

Mary A. DeRobertis

Karen Hooyer

Josephine Alfonzo

Janeth Burgos-Corredor

Carol A. Diaz

Rosemarie Hutchison

Mario Alfonzo

Ed Bush

Julia Diaz

Charles Keller

Alfred Apelian

Lillian Carey

John M. Dicks

Val Kopetz

David Apelian

Russell Carey

Katherine Dicks

Gregory Lacki

Dennis Aste

Christopher Cinek

Josephine Donnelly

Frances Liddell

Rosalie Aste

George Coates

Alice J. Dymek

Gina Marra

Peter S. Babits

Tracy Coates

Vincent S. W. Dymek

Agnes Matarazzo

Jay Baker

Kevin Colavitti

Mary Fego

Felix Matarazzo

Joyce Baker

John Colise

Genevieve Ferment

Rachel Matarazzo

Florin Balan

Rose Collesano

Ann E. Fourre

Lillian McElwee

Maria Balan

Annmarie Collins

Allen Freschi

John J. McNamara

Dennis Barraco

Gene Collins

Virginia Gorman

Ken Meyers

Roger Bauers

John Collins

Nancy Gunatilaka

Michael Minaides

Helen Berkenbush

Dorothy Cox

Faye Hanrahan

Sandra Minaides

Eric Bernat

John F. Cox, Jr.

Jackie Hanrahan

Bernardo Morello

Ellen Buchner

Tim Cross

Phyllis R. Holm

John Niejadlik

Angel Burgos

Kathleen Damian

Sharon L. Holm

Julia Niejadlik

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

Grove Street, Continued T

his is where it all began. When about 125 neighbors and residents of Grove St. decided to organize opposition against C&L Developers’ plan to build 17 townhouses on a property along Grove St., the rest of the community came to their side.

The message—supported by dozens of petitions we received with more than 1,000 signatures—was clear: no more housing.

After meeting extensive opposition to their initial proposal, which called for three buildings containing clusters of townhouses, C&L eventually countered with revised drawings for eight single-family houses to be built on the property.

But some have called that plan unrealistic.

“Eight houses is too many,” said resident Angela Kashey. “They’re lucky if they get five.”

Dubbed‘Grove Hollows,’ C&L’s project now calls for construction of a new road parallel to Kashey St. “We call it Grove Island because of all the roads we’ll have,” said Bill Sichel, who was collecting signatures and who spoke at a recent Planning Board hearing, which mostly featured arcane testimony by C&L’s high-powered attorney Frank Carlet and one of their engineers.

One significant issue that was brought up at the April 24 hearing

involved a 10-foot retaining wall that would be built along the backs of most of the houses—a questionable design element, considering there is a steep drop-off to Weasel Brook.

“Something is missing here,” Sichel said after the hearing.

“They’re talking about a 10-foot wall and the drop to the creek is 30- or 40-feet in some places. Where a 10foot wall fits into the current scheme is beyond me.”

The next Planning Board hearing is set for May 22. Sichel and others emphasize that it is important for residents to understand they can successfully fight the development.

Robyn Niejadlik

Mary Routsis

Frank Snyder

Walter Turba

Sigmund Niejadlik

Florinda Russell

Veronica M. Sokerka

Charlene Valles

Peg Nilan

Carmen Russo

Allan Stadtmauer

Rosemary Van Laere

Desirree Palumbo

Michael Russo

Chaim Stadtmauer

Vincenza Vinci

Joseph Palumbo

John Saccoman

Esther Stadtmauer

Marylou White

Charles Papademetriou

Mary Saccoman

Joanne Stolarz

Robert White

Pat Petrasek

Edward F. Schweighardt

Dennis Sylvester

Heather Withers

Janice Platt

Margaret Schweighardt

Steve Tobias

Lydia Wojcik

Daniel Polyniak

Regina E. Scott

Donika Troller

Walter Wojcik, Jr.

Bob Rawley

Al Seldney

Mark Troller

Joseph Wrobel

Karen Rawley

Alicia Snyder

Joanellen Turba

Rosemary Wrobel

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EDITOR & PUBLISHER Tom Hawrylko BUSINESS MANAGER Cheryl Hawrylko ART DIRECTOR Fabian M. Calvo WRITERS Jack DeVries, Joe Torelli, Kevin Grasha, Christopher Sadowski, Devon McKnight, Paula Zecca Clifton Merchant • May 2003

5

Opinion Editor and Publisher Tom Hawrylko

Thank You Clifton: Many of us stood up and were counted when it came to Clifton Public Schools. We voted to pass the budget, repair CCMS and keep the elected Board.

If you think that was hard work, it is now time to start talking about creating solutions to the overcrowding at the high school and our two middle schools. Keep voting Clifton and let’s keep our schools a priority.

Downtown Redevelopment Stalled: 1300 Main Ave. is no longer just an eyesore in Downtown Clifton, it is blight. The former Firestone building, pictured at right at the corner of Main and Hillman, has been vacant for over a decade. Two years ago, the property and an adjacent home on Hillman were purchased by a developer who was to build a three story medical center. While the plan was deficient by 20 parking spaces, the city endorsed the project and the Zoning Board granted variances to proceed. The original zoning variances have since expired and the developer’s attorney appeared before the Zoning Board in late Jan. He was granted an extension to begin the project, which again expired.

Questions: Will 1300 Main Ave. ever get developed? When will the city step in and do something?

6

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

Suppose Ploch’s Farm wanted to sell to developers, we asked the Mayor and Council in our March edition. What would happen? We would buy it and preserve it, they said.

But with what money? Farmland Preservation funds or federal money, they responded. Right. I’m sure Governor McGreevey will write Clifton a check and the Council will save the farm. Let’s be realistic: there is no plan here. In last Nov.’s election, Clifton had a chance to create a Trust Fund for Open Space but because City Council members did not promote it, it failed. A trust is a tax but an inexpensive one. The one proposed would have cost the homeowners between $8.55 and $17.10 per year. If it would have passed, $500,000 would have been raised, which the city could then use to preserve open space. By creating the trust, the city would also become eligible to apply to the state for open space grants. It’s time for the Council to show leadership and get the referendum back on the ballot.

Readers Write: Marion Schropp of the Women’s Club of Allwood wrote to thank us for the coverage of her social club. Joan Ciccolella also sent a note complimenting us on our stories on the Ognek boys, now serving our nation in Iraq. My thanks goes to readers who send us story suggestions. We are Clifton’s Storyteller but we need your help to keep that title. While we cannot guarantee we’ll publish every story idea you provide, we’ll consider all items sent to us in writing. Mail us your news: Tomahawk Promotions, 1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton, NJ 07011 or via tom.hawrylko@verizon.net.

Welcome To Clifton?

Dundee Island:

No More Housing ––––––––––––––––– Story by Kevin Grasha –––––––––––––––––

A

n island in name only, Dundee Island, located off Ackerman Ave. near Botany Village, is a 13-acre parcel of land bordered by an ecologically sensitive section of the Passaic River that includes Dundee Dam Falls. Although it became more of a peninsula when the remaining section of the Dundee Canal was filled in for the construction of Rt. 21, the property remains one of the last, large open green spaces in Clifton. But it may soon be developed into yet another sprawling complex of condos—possibly 540 of them, if Town & Country Developers is allowed to go through with its plan for a residential development.

☛

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

7

Dundee Island is currently home to the Clifton-based Safas Corp. (see page 10). The property has about 100,000 square feet of industrial buildings while the rest of the land remains wooded and undeveloped.

Because Safas’ CEO and Chairman of the Board Akbar Ghahary wants to expand the manufacturing facility—something he said is not ideal on the present location because of the way the land is situated—he has decided to relocate and is selling the property, which has attracted much interest from the legions of developers scouring the area for available space for new housing.

“I don’t think there is a residential developer in New Jersey that doesn’t have their eyes on this property,” he said.

Town & Country, the company bringing 637 luxury townhouses and condos to Colfax Ave., has entered into a contractual agreement to purchase Dundee Island. Ghahary said Town & Country began expressing interest about oneand-a-half years ago. They intend to build a ‘mid-rise’ residential development, according to Ghahary.

☛

“I don’t think there is a residential developer in New Jersey that doesn’t have their eyes on this property,”

What remaining open space in Clifton are Town & Country having a blast redeveloping? They started with 140 condos at Cambridge Heights in Delawanna, a former factory. Add the 637-unit Cambridge Crossings on Colfax Ave., where the old Shulton plant used to be, and the 540 units they want on Dundee Island, and that would add up to over 1,300 condos and townhouses in Clifton, courtesy of this Woodcliff Lake firm.

–Akbar Ghahary

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A Shad’s Life...Floundering in Clifton

Every year, thousands of shad—an anadromous fish that hatch in fresh river water but live out their lives in the ocean—journey up the Passaic River trying to get to their ancient spawning ground at the foot of the Great Falls in Paterson. For three weeks in late Spring, about 200 shad per day try to make the trek, but cannot get over the Dundee Dam, pictured below.

Despite the efforts of a few people who try to catch the shad and throw them over the dam, many, in an instinctual frenzy, bang their heads against the dam until they die. Ella Filippone of the Passaic River Coalition said there needs to be a ‘fish ladder’ to help the shad on their journey.

She already has found an engineering firm to design the Clifton ladder and she has received support of various agencies to pay for it, at a cost of about $10,000. She said it can be the first in a series of ecological improvements to the Dundee.

“The biggest hurdle is getting permission (from the owners of the dam and the state) to install it,” she said. “But I can’t get anybody in the state of New Jersey to respond.” She believes the state fears that ‘resident’ contaminated fish, such as carp, might use the proposed ladder and contaminate other parts of the river. “But they (the carp) are too fat and there’s no incentive for them to go up,” Filippone said.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

9

Just off Ackerman Avenue...

Founded in 1988, the Safas Corp., a growing company that now has about 70 employees, manufactures and markets granite-like polymers used to make such products as kitchen and bath countertops, sinks, bath tubs and furniture. One of their products, Granicoat®, was invented and patented in the early 1990’s by CEO and Chairman of the Board Akbar Ghahary, Ph.D.

Akbar Ghahary in front of Safas Corp., which is located on Dundee Island, just off the Ackerman Ave. bridge.

Below, Ghahary chasing vagrants from the riverbank.

The Safas facility includes about 100,000 square feet of industrial buildings, while the rest of the land remains wooded and undeveloped. After leasing the property for many years, Ghahary purchased it in 1998 from Island Equity, a partnership of Clifton’s Tom Cupo and several investors from New York, who Ghahary said had been planning to build a beachfront development on the island until the economy took a downturn. In fact, the property is zoned for high-rise residential housing and light manufacturing.

Originally from Iran, Ghahary, 61, moved to New Jersey from England and now lives in Ft. Lee with his wife and three children, although he maintains a residence in Clifton.

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The Application for Development the Woodcliff Lake firm submitted to the Planning Board in August 2002 indicates that they have been approved for 540 units.

However, David Green, spokesperson for Town & Country, said specifics regarding the development have not been outlined and will not be known until a presentation is made before the Planning Board. He said they are ‘tentatively planning on targeting June’ to begin the process of getting approval for the project.

Ella Filippone

“It’s going to be a condominium community—that’s all I can tell you,” Green said, adding: “The site had always been (zoned) residential, so it’s not a surprise. Somebody was going to come in and develop it.”

Green noted that the development would help Botany merchants with walk-in traffic, bring an increased tax ratable into the community and would not interfere with the nature preserve at the tip of the property.

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But the project has begun to draw the attention of environmental groups, who along with the City Council, are intent on keeping the land as open space.

Dundee Island is an “extremely high priority of ours,” said Ella Filippone, executive director of the Passaic River Coalition. “It’s like an oil painting.

There is no other place like it on the lower Passaic.”

Filippone, whose environmental watchdog group monitors the Passaic River basin, said highways, development and industry have usurped so much land that Dundee Island is now one of the last remaining specks of green space in this part of the river valley.

She added that the island is environmentally important because it serves as a buffer for the river, filtering out pollutants and is a pristine habitat for wildlife. However, she believes a major condominium development would disrupt the area by adding cars, construction, people and pollution. Filippone is particularly concerned about runoff from a parking lot adding contaminants to the river.

While scenic, Dundee Island has long been neglected and is inaccessible.

“It’s buyer beware,” Mayor Anzaldi said, adding that preserving the island as open space might be what is best for the public good.

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The Phantom Highway The initial planning for Rt. 21 began in the 1950’s. Construction was halted in 1972 because of environmental concerns and the project, once dubbed ‘the phantom highway,’ continually stopped and started through the 1980’s. Activity began in earnest in the early 1990’s and the highway, along with the imposing 11- to 21-foot brick wall separating Nash Park from the river, was finally completed two years ago.

The property continues to attract vagrants, who in the past have commandeered truck trailers Safas utilizes for storage and used them as sleeping quarters. Additionally, both Ghahary and the city have hauled mounds of empty liquor bottles and other trash from the shore—the remnants of vagrants and drunks who often camp out there.

Filippone, however, noted: “That’s standard for places like this. All that’s going to change once we get it.” The Passaic River Coalition plans to negotiate with Ghahary to purchase the property. She anticipates gathering funds from the county, state and federal government, including Green Acres money, to buy the property and make it a nature preserve. “(Ghahary) now sees us as second in line,” she said.

Mayor Anzaldi said he and the Council will support Filippone’s initiative to purchase Ghahary’s land, which according to a tax assessment completed earlier this year, has a total assessed value of $2,479,800 (although that would not necessarily be the selling price).

The Mayor said the Council was committed to the preservation of Dundee Island as green space and if necessary, would condemn the property to prevent anyone

from being able to build develop it. However, he hoped any potential developer would choose to ‘walk away’ before exercising the city’s right to condemn the site.

“It’s buyer beware,” he said, adding that preserving the island as open space might be what is best for the public good. Before anyone could purchase the land, however, Town & Country would have to walk away. Filippone hoped that the hassle and expense of getting the necessary approvals to develop the property—permits from the NJ DEP, for example—may convince them to look elsewhere.

“There’s going to be a lot of conditions for a major river like this,” she said. “Especially now that there’s a lot more concern about runoff from new development.” She said that the contract the developer has is conditional on getting approvals and permits from the city, county and state, who could make it so difficult for Town & Country that their best option would be to back out.

“It would be a real shame not to preserve this land for future generations—including the children of people who run Town & Country,” said Filippone.

When Route 21 was completed, the state built a nature preserve that the city was to manage, but the site is closed to the public.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

13

Imagine Life Along The Passaic River Back in the 1890’s...

Tropical Wonders of Scotto Nash Story by E.A. Smyk, Passaic County Historian

O

n Saturday, Aug. 25, 1894, Passaic City Herald readers couldn’t fail to notice an enticing news item featured on the front page.

The “Tropical Wonders of Mr. Nash’s Aquatic Gardens at Clifton” were outlined and the public received an open invitation to see “...night flowers bursting out in all their glory.”

Nowadays, Nash Park occupies the Lexington Ave. site where a century ago Scotto Clark Nash grew the deep pink, 50-petal long-stemmed roses that earned Acquackanonk Township the sobriquet “Home of the American Beauty Rose.”

Nash was born in Pittsfield, Mass., on Nov. 5, 1841, moved to Brooklyn, New York and 28 years later settled with his wife, Alice and son, George, in the farm community of Acquackanonk, now Clifton.

At the time, Nash and his brother, Duane, operated a business in New York manufacturing farm machinery.

They expanded and opened a branch in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Nash and his family lived in the Keystone State for a time.

The business was dissolved in 1887 and he returned to Clifton, investing in real estate.

In a masterful biography published in 1976, Clifton historian William J. Wurst traced Nash’s astonishing career. He noted that the future rose grower was a devoted naturalist and voracious reader as well.

Nash collected rare books: his library reflected eclectic tastes and, as Wurst indicated, the shelves contained “books running the gamut 1215

14

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

from art history to science.”

Nash had capital available from previous business ventures, so he decided to turn his fascination with flowering plants into a profitable business. Eventually, the Nash holdings in Clifton near the Passaic River comprised more than 17 acres. A 12room mansion completed the picture.

Directly behind the house, Nash built 10 hothouses, each 100-feet long. In 1894, the glass-enclosed structures held 14,000 of Nash’s prized American Beauty roses.

On a portion of the property, a disagreeable swamp offended Nash’s sensibilities. Gradually, he reclaimed the mosquito-infested area at the cost of several thousand dollars and created a sunken garden for tropical plants.

Nash installed steam pipes that traversed the garden and connected to a boiler so the proper temperatures could be maintained.

Although “Nash’s Pond” was operating by spring, 1892, the water garden was still a hobby. But the successful rose connoisseur had a good sense of what would turn a profit.

In 1894, Nash and William Tricker (an Englishman who came to the U.S. nine years earlier) formed a partnership to raise and market aquatic plants. “Tricker and Co.” transformed the Clifton pond into the celebrated and soon nationally known aquatic garden. Tricker skillfully hybridized different varieties of water lilies and the results were amazing.

But it was the huge water lily called “Victoria Regia” that captivated the public and caused newspapers

such as the Herald to enthuse over the plant’s exotic beauty.

Native to the Amazon, the Regia had handsome, pad-like leaves that were a brilliant, deep green. The underside was a vivid crimson.

When opened, the flowers of Victoria Regia measured nearly 12 inches and the petals of pure white graduated to shades of rose and red. The leaves were huge—six feet in diameter—floating on the pond’s surface, they resembled large green rafts.

Local residents often gathered at the pond’s edge at sunset during the summer months to see the day flowers closing and the night ones opening.

Nash reveled in the publicity his plants brought, and when people visited the gardens he was often available to answer questions.

When Mrs. G.D. Rogert of Garfield heard about the huge plants she hurried over to the gardens on Aug.

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Native To The Amazon, The Victoria Regia Flourished Here In Clifton...

It appears the Victoria Regia supports Emma Porter Nash but one would have to look closely to see a board beneath her feet.

28, 1894, and according to the next day’s Herald “...went wild on what she saw at the Clifton gardens.” Her husband “really had to drag her away…”

When Nash announced he would photograph his children standing on the giant water lily, the event made page one of Aug. 27th’s Herald.

The plant probably could have supported the weight of a child unaid-

ed, but not an adult. When Emma Porter Nash, the rose-grower’s daughter, was photographed in 1894, it appears a board was placed beneath her feet.

Nash’s biographer believes the aquatic gardens were irreparably damaged by the area floods of 1902 and 1903, and the delicate tropical plants probably did not survive.

Scotto Nash continued to cultivate roses until 1909 when he retired and spent his declining years managing real estate. A quiet, genial man with a long flowing beard, Nash died of pneumonia on April 22, 1920. His name is immortalized

by Nash Park. It was dedicated by Clifton Mayor Fred C. deVido on Sept. 14, 1950.

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Call 973-546-3366 May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

List with Confidence, List with Experience

Will This Be The Next Development?

The Anderson Tract A

cross town in Delawanna, the 20-acre Anderson Tract near Costco—amazingly, a place of pristine Clifton wilderness—is rumored to have recently been sold for commercial development, perhaps a hotel and conference center. Seen from Route 3 West (across from the Ramada Inn), the area is accessible from lower Main Ave. to Bridewell Pl., past the entrance to Costco, where these pictures were taken. Much of the property is NJ DEP-designated freshwater wetlands and flood plains and thus undevelopable. The Third River, a feeder to the Passaic River, runs through the property and had for many years fed the old Yantacaw Pond. A dam supporting that pond, previously seen from River Rd. near Oak St., washed out in 1984. Longtime residents remember ice skating and fishing on the pond. While much of the 20 acres is natural, one company with offices on the Third River has landscaped the area and created an aesthetically pleasing and relaxing lunch spot, seen at top right.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

17

Shedding Some Light on Clifton’s Ecology

Clifton’s Time to Preserve is Now ––––––––––––––– Story by Paula Zecca –––––––––––––––

W

ho would have thought that Dundee Island, the proposed site for a mid-rise condo development nestled between the Passaic River and Route 21 in Clifton, is ecologically sensitive and home to a variety of birds, fish and other wildlife?

Later this month they will be able to browse through a Natural Resource Inventory, published by the Clifton Environmental Protection Commission, which will list these environmental details and more.

The document was written by the Passaic River Coalition, an advocacy group for the Passaic River, with the help of the Environmental Protection Commission members. It’s the first of its kind for Clifton.

Typically, a Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) lists environmental characteristics of a town, including climate, geology, geography/topography, soil, vegetation and wildlife.

A more comprehensive inventory would also feature historic/cultural factors, scenic areas, air quality, transportation, noise and contamination. The NRI will be

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

available in the library and can also be purchased by residents. It should serve as a vital tool for the Planning and Zoning Boards as well as developers, contractors and elected officials.

“This document provides a solid environmental background of fact,” said Joe Labriola, acting chair for the Environmental Protection Commission. “In hindsight, I wish we did this a long time ago.”

One feature of Dundee Island (besides the fact that it’s actually a peninsula) the average Clifton resident may not know: it includes a riparian buffer made up of massive trees as large as three feet in diameter.

Also, fishermen still catch white perch, striped bass and northern pike from its riverbanks. This is due to the rather clean and aerated water that surrounds the island.

Other fish, including American shad, hickory shad and herring, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass, travel up the Passaic River in vast numbers each spring.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

Clifton is for the Birds Clifton’s Dundee Island has often been referred to as a bird sanctuary. Although not officially designated as one, many birds call the area home, including: cormorants, a diving birds with a throat pouch for holding fish; American egrets; and night herons, which use the trees to nest and hunt.

The Anderson Tract along Route 3 is home to 27 species of birds, and it serves as a vital nesting area.

Birds include: kingfishers, which nest in the banks of streams; orioles; blue herrings; swallows and cardinals.

Dundee Island and its surrounding streams also provide a home to large numbers of ducks and an ever growing number of Canadian geese.

Granted, the city has all these things going for it. But what environmental areas still need work?

The city’s shortfall is its lack of passive green space.

“Clifton has done a great job with recreation but not with open space,” Labriola said. “The city should do its best to restore existing parks and preserve as much green space as possible.” He also wants residents to know something about their city. “Clifton has more natural resources than you think. You just have to look for them. Get out of your cars and walk around and visit these spots,” he suggested.

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Muskrats, rabbits, groundhogs and squirrels make their homes in the nature preserve sandwiched between the former Dundee Canal and the Passaic River.

While wildlife abounds on this little strip of land, Dundee Island also had a role in industry at the turn of the century. A granite monument erected by the state, which sits on the riverbank, serves as a historic plaque to honor the earliest immigrants who worked in area factories.

Dundee Island has much to offer residents of Clifton and surrounding towns. “It has a lot of scenic interest,” Labriola said. “There is the river, waterfall, dam, not to mention trees and flowers. In the spring and summer when everything grows in, it looks quite lush. And the water looks clean,” he added.

The Anderson Tract, a sliver of long undeveloped land between Route 3 and lower Main Ave. in Delawanna, also has its share of birds, fish and open space.

“The area is wooded with a much smaller stream and wetlands,” Labriola said. “There is some level of underground contamination there.”

Despite the contamination, a study by the Passaic River Coalition identified 12 species of fish living in that stream. During spring migration a study was also conducted that found 27 species of birds that inhabit the area and use it to breed. “It’s an important area for the birds,” Labriola said. “They have no place else to go.”

One of the strangest finds at the Anderson Tract has to be the blue claw crabs.

“In the late summer they come up from the Newark Bay,” Labriola said. “They are really out of place here.”

Other environmentally friendly features that residents may not be aware of include the Clifton Tree Farm and Nursery on Route 3. The nursery, which has been in operation for five years, was an abandoned and troublesome strip of land once owned by the NJ Highway Authority.

The city was officially designated a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Association. Clifton has three existing farms: Richfield Farms, Ploch Farms and Schultheis Farm.

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Federal Mortgage Offers Senior Citizens A Reverse Mortgage 1319

F

or some 30 years now, Anthony A. Accavallo, shown here, has been helping make the American Dream become a reality, right here in Clifton.

As President of Federal Mortgage & Investment Corp. at 1111 Clifton Ave., Clifton, he and his firm have written millions of dollars worth of mortgages which have allowed people to purchase homes. And while that work has been fulfilling, Accavallo said he is getting his greatest satisfaction these days by helping senior citizens with reverse mortgages.

A reverse mortgage is a special kind of mortgage loan for seniors. “It is a safe, easy way to turn your home equity into tax-free cash,” he continued.

“Unlike a home equity loan, you do not have to make monthly payments.

Instead, a reverse mortgage pays you.

More importantly, you do not have to repay the loan for as long as you live in the house. It’s a great way to keep your home and get money from it at the same time.”

The name “reverse mortgage” describes exactly what the mortgage is — it is the exact opposite of a conventional mortgage. That is, with a conventional mortgage the borrower pays the lender but with a reverse mortgage, the lender pays the borrower.

In the past, a senior citizen in need of money would have to take out a loan against their house and immediately start making monthly payments again or sell their home.

How do I qualify for a Reverse Mortgage?

It’s simple. You and your co-borrower must be at least 62 years old.

You must own your home free and clear or have just a small balance on your existing mortgage. Best of all, there are no income or c redit requirements to satisfy.

How can I receive my money?

You can receive it in several ways: •Equal monthly payments as long as you live in your home •Equal monthly payments for a certain period of time •As a line of credit you can draw upon as needed, for whatever reasons •As a lump sum draw at closing •A combination of the above, to meet your requirements.

But a reverse mortgage allows seniors to borrow against the equity they already have in their home... and they never have to make a monthly payment.

Each reverse mortgage candidate is required to attend a free counseling session with a local independent housing agency approved by FHA (Federal Housing Administration).

Candidates are encouraged to bring other family members with them to help in the decision-making process.

“This process ensures that the borrower understands the program fully and aides them in determining whether or not a reverse mortgage is for them,” said Accavallo.

When must I repay the loan?

You must repay the loan if you no longer live in your home.

In the event of your death, your heirs can choose to repay the loan and keep the house or sell the house and repay the loan, What are interest rate charges & fees?

•An adjustable rate of interest is charged on reverse mortgages •Closing costs are typical for any mortgage closing and all may be financed •No out-of-pocket expenses at closing Are Reverse Mortgages safe?

•Yes, FHA and FannieMae guarantee the payments you receive •FHA and FannieMae also guarantee you will never owe more than your house is worth — no debt left on estate

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1-800-788-1184 www.federalmtg.com Clifton Merchant • May 2003

21

Will Smart Growth Be Achieved?

Clifton Finally Begins Updating Its Master Plan ––––––––––––––––––––––– Story by Kevin Grasha –––––––––––––––––––––––

W

hile it’s not evident, based on some of the questionable development decisions that have been made in the past few years—637 condos and townhouses being built on Colfax Ave. or the lack of long term planning for the Athenia Steel site, for example—the city does have a Master Plan. Seemingly buried in a dusty corner of some closet in the municipal building, the Master Plan has been mostly ignored in recent years.

One problem is that the city tries to function without a Planning Officer and only one full-time Zoning Officer.

Another problem is that the last complete rewrite occurred in 1990, and while it has undergone two ‘reexaminations’ since then, the city is only now getting around to introducing an updated version.

In August 2000, the city adopted a Master Plan Reexamination Report that was presented to the Council to fulfill the requirements of the Municipal Land Use Law, which requires that municipalities reexamine their Master Plan at least every six years. However, a complete overhaul scheduled for 2002 never came to fruition.

What is it? A Master Plan is a document that is supposed to be used to guide the city’s growth, balancing economic growth and quality of life. It reviews and projects growth and assesses the city’s needs for infrastructure and services, such as schools, police, fire and public works. It is supposed to reflect the Smart Growth principles now being advocated in Trenton.

A well-articulated Master Plan would give Zoning Board and Planning Board officials more direction as they review developers’ plans or consider variances.

22

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

But coming up with a plan for Clifton is not a simple task. Most significantly, land for new development is scarce and planning with such limited available space is difficult.

“The city of Clifton is a completely developed community,” said Jill Hartmann, a Mahwah-based planning consultant, who has been hired by the city to prepare the Master Plan. She has been a professional planner for 22 years and has worked on master plans for other New Jersey communities, such as East Rutherford, Jefferson Township, Oakland and Weehawken.

“If there’s a vacant lot somewhere in Clifton, I’d like to know,” she said.

Many vacant and double sized lots do exist in the city and often force for the Boards and Council to make hard decisions. In the Athenia section, for example, 99 Scoles Ave. was a vacant lot in a single-family zone. The owner wanted to build a two-family residence on the property and presented it to the Zoning Board. Residents opposed the change, saying it would encourage others to convert existing single-family homes to multiple-family dwellings, adding to an already congested neighborhood.

Lyon’s Den

By Murray Blumenfeld

The month of May is full of happy events and we have a lot to look forward to.

The entrance to the former Athenia Steel site, where the city will build 125 units of senior housing on about 3 of the 35 acres.

The project has just one exit, this right turn on to Clifton Ave.

The Zoning Board approved the project in July 2002 and neighbors appealed to the City Council.

Last Fall, they voted 4-3, with Council members Hatala, Kolodziej, Tatarenko and Anzaldi voting to overturn the Board’s decision. Council members Welsh, Kowal and Gaccione voted to approve the two-family.

Areas of Concern At a Planning Board hearing on April 25, the Board discussed and edited a 65-page draft of the Master Plan, which incorporated recommendations from all the Board’s committees, including land use, recreation and community facilities.

According to City Manager Al Greco, that draft has been adopted and forwarded to the Council. The Planning Board will be holding a public hearing on June 26, so residents can make suggestions.

After the public has its say, the Council must then decide if they want to implement all the recommendations. However, if there are significant changes, the document will have to be sent back to the Planning Board and then reintroduced.

Some claim that the construction of Cambridge Crossings’ 637 units in an already overcrowded town shows the city’s lack of vision and the need for a full-time planning official or even a planning office.

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First and foremost is Mother’s Day. This is one occasion when Mother becomes queen for the day. We have a variety of gifts for her, such as earrings, pendants, bracelets, watches and so many other things that will make her happy. For all the dads out there, remember the mother of your children deserves a Mother’s Day gift. There are other big events in May such as college graduations, communions and weddings. We have gifts for all these occasions.

I would like to share something with you that I think would be of interest. When one insures jewelry with an insurance company the company will increase your coverage every year approximately 4 to 5% to cover inflation. I had the occasion of seeing one of these policies belonging to one of my customers and the coverage was much too high. After 10 to 20 years of coverage, the increases were well beyond the actual value of the jewelry. Naturally the premium was higher because of the unnecessary increases. Check your insurance policies and make sure this isn’t happening to you.

The birthstone for May is Emerald. The Greeks associated this stone with the Goddess Venus. It has come to represent, for many people, the security of love. Emerald is said to aid healing diseases of the eye and problems affecting eyesight. It was believed that emeralds could counteract poisons and cure dysentery.

Have a happy month of May and I’ll talk to you again in the next issue.

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23

Smart Growth: Brogan Cadillac on Passaic Ave. may be converted into a corporate suite campus offering long terms stays to travelling executives. The proposal has met with approval from local residents but is yet to be presented to the Planning Board.

Carlos Rodrigues, manager of plan implementation in the state’s Office of Smart Growth, said: “I think a city of 80,000 definitely needs more than one planner. There are significantly smaller communities in New Jersey that have planners and even planning departments.”

Of Cambridge Crossings, Rodrigues said that constructing 637 similar structures in an isolated area ‘raises problems’ and the developer’s plan to funnel all the traffic into a single entrance and exit is not a good idea.

Having one entrance and exit creates an area that is essentially an island—not an active part of the community, he said. “You only go there if you have a reason to.”

If a city has gone through some planning process to figure things out ahead of time with proper guidance, he said, “you get what is needed in a community as opposed to what a developer wants to do.”

Another area that has lacked a coherent vision in recent years is the former Athenia Steel site. Since the plant closed in 1988, numerous plans—including affordable senior citizen housing and recreational fields—have been proposed for these 35 acres of opportunity.

Last month, after over two years of negotiations, crews broke ground at the Athenia site for a 125-unit senior citizen housing complex on about 3 of the 26 acres.

While discussions are underway for development of the remaining acres, no solid plan or timetable is ready.

As Rodrigues said: “Every development project is an opportunity to balance a community. You really need to look at the community and see what it has and what it needs, and from that analysis you can start to zero in on the types of things that it should welcome and the types of things it should keep away.”

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Downtown Parking Solution?

––––– Story by Tom Hawrylko –––––

F

our vacant storefronts on Main Ave. between Luddington and Barkley, across from DeLuxe Cleaners, will soon be replaced by a Mexican restaurant and a laundromat.

Construction is currently underway at the restaurant, a former private postal center and office suite. Plans call for sitdown dining, with tables and chairs for 30 or more people.

Next door, the former Clifton Spa luncheonette and a hair salon was purchased and a laundromat is proposed.

While filling the four storefronts is good news, it once again brings to light the old Downtown Clifton dilemma— lack of parking. Many buildings in Downtown Clifton have no parking yet the storefronts are ‘grandfathered in,’ meaning the owners have the right to certain uses despite the lack of parking spaces.

In this specific instance, however, there may be a solution.

Buildings in this neighborhood, from Scheidemann Realty to the House of Nuts, all have landlocked yards which back up to 14 Luddington Ave. This single family home sits on a 42-by-100-foot lot, which, if razed, would provide access to the landlocked area.

The home, assessed at $138,900, is on the market at $275,000.

The city or the Downtown Clifton Special Improvement District should purchase the home. At the same time, the city should work with the landlocked property owners to deed over their ‘dead space’ to the city.

Once negotiations are complete, the parcels can be combined to create a municipal parking lot.

Above: view of the rear of 14 Luddington Ave. and some of the landlocked area owned by stores on Main Ave. Below: a look at the front of the property. Bottom: a view of the proposed Mexican restaurant and laundromat on Main Ave.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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Clifton Bucked The Trend ––––– Story by Kevin Grasha –––––

C

lifton public schools scored major victories on April 15 when voters approved an $84.4 million tax levy and preserved their right to vote for Board of Education representatives by rejecting a proposal to revert to an appointed Board.

April’s victory was especially satisfying, considering 11 out of the last 14 school budgets have failed.

Voters also approved an additional $807,673 in taxes for capital maintenance projects—including a new roof—at Christopher Columbus Middle School.

The approval of the tax levy will help support a $101 million school budget that includes funding for 30.5 new teachers—9.5 at CHS, 8 middle school teachers, 7 elementary school

teachers, 3 basic skills teachers, a bilingual/ESL teacher and 2 world language teachers.

Superintendent Michael Rice said the new staff would stabilize or lower class sizes at the high school, lower class sizes at the middle school and keep classes at ‘reasonable levels’ at elementary schools.

Passage of the tax levy bucked the trend in Passaic County, where less than 50 percent of proposed school budgets passed. Statewide, voters in only 342 of the state’s 550 school districts (62 percent) approved their budgets.

Voters also elected three Board of Education members, selecting incumbents Joseph Kolodziej and James Smith as well as former Board

member Lizz Gagnon from a pool of eight candidates.

This year’s election saw an increase in the total number of votes cast, despite a drop in the number of registered voters, indicating that ‘get-outthe-vote’ efforts in town were successful. This was no small victory considering that, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association, only 14.7 percent of all registered New Jersey voters went to the polls on April 15.

In April’s elections, according to figures provided by City Clerk Dick Moran, there were 6,278 votes cast out of 36,662 registered voters— about 17 percent of voters. In the 2002 school board elections, when there were 37,444 registered voters, only 5,515 votes were cast.

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Call 973-546-3366 May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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The Final Results: Tax-levy referendum for $84,418,298.

Yes: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,679 No: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,725 Should an additional $807,673 in taxes be raised for capital maintenance projects at Christopher Columbus Middle School?

Yes: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,708 No: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,092 Should the Clifton Board of Ed. be appointed by the Mayor?

Yes: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,693 No: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,935

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Clifton Board of Education (three, three-year terms) Joseph Kolodziej . . . . . . . . . .3,323 James Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,877 Lizz Gagnon . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,474 Bob Sidoti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,919 Frank Fusco . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,791 Maria Crespo . . . . . . . . . . . .1,479 Keith Krebs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,118 Bertil C. Nelson . . . . . . . . . .1,025 Clifton Merchant • May 2003

29

Taxed Out of House & Home Should the State Fund our Schools?

––––– Story by Kevin Grasha –––––

E

ven though Clifton voters passed a general fund school budget last month that will increase the school portion of the average resident’s property tax bill by $258—a definite positive for the public schools—many, including Superintendent Michael Rice, want to re-examine how public schools are funded.

Continuing to rely on property taxes to fund schools, in a state where residents pay among the highest property taxes in the nation, is a “prescription for trouble,” Rice said. Until the system is changed, he added, taxpayers will be continually burdened by a process that requires the district to ask for increases every year.

Because of the lack of state aid, Clifton property owners now pay most of the bill for public K-12 education.

To keep pace with increasing costs, each year, the district either has to cut back, which causes problems like crowded classrooms, or it has to rely solely on property taxes to pick up the slack.

The district has to “raise more to provide more,” Rice explained.

To solve the problem, he believes New Jersey needs to follow the lead of a number of other states in funding education through a mix of state taxes, something that has been successful in places like Fort Wayne, Indiana and Lansing, Michigan—cities where Rice has previously served.

“We need to have a different mix, with less of a reliance on property tax increases to fund education,” he said.

In Fort Wayne, where Rice was the district’s chief financial officer, the school funding formula is in direct contrast to New Jersey, where according to 2001 figures from the National Education Association, property taxes 30

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

account for 63 percent of funding, while 37 percent comes from Trenton.

Many want to see this change.

“Why can’t 63 percent come from income taxes?” asked Joe Patti, 74, who is retired and has lived in Clifton with his wife Marie for more 50 years.

“Most of us older people are on fixed incomes, but every year property taxes go up,” Patti said, adding: “I think it would be more equitable if those that earn more pay more.”

He noted that larger homes are being built in retirees’ neighborhoods, which increases property values to the point that retirees can’t afford to live there.

“A lot of older people we know have moved into condos,” he said. “Or, they’ve left town.”

Cathy Dinger, budget director for the Ft. Wayne Community Schools, said less than 20 percent of school funding comes from local property taxes and about 80 percent of school funding is from the state. The state’s contribution includes a mix of sales, income and sin taxes as well as some lottery proceeds.

“Continuing to rely on property taxes to fund schools, in a state where residents pay among the highest property taxes in the nation, is a ‘prescription for trouble’” –Superintendent Michael Rice

“Most of us older people are on fixed incomes, but every year property taxes go up” Patti said, adding: “I think it would be more equitable if those that earn more pay more.”

–Joe Patti

“Indiana’s legislature thinks public education is important,” Dinger said, adding that even in a year when the governor wants to keep school funding ‘flat,’ state legislators are trying to get the schools some increase because there are fixed costs they can’t control, such as health insurance.

Additionally, Indiana has a separate capital projects fund, over and above the school budget, for helping maintain school buildings, something Rice considers an ‘outstanding feature’ of the Indiana system.

“The current system for school funding in Indiana is the best I’ve ever seen,” Rice said, adding that New Jersey needs to find a similar formula, with an increase in state

funding. However, he cautioned that Indiana’s mix of funding sources may not be the answer either because in a recession, state revenue from income tax and sales tax will go down.

“The answer might be a 2/3, 1/3 mix—a flip flop of what we have now,” he said. “The formula must have some property taxes because they are the most stable; they don’t fluctuate with the economy.”

Furthermore, he said New Jersey should take a cue from other states, where legislatures set funding for schools, instead of asking municipalities to pass a budget every year.

“Most importantly, we to get away from what we’re doing now,” Rice said.

State Senator Nia Gill, who is cosponsor of a resolution—SCR-89— calling for a special session of the state legislature to examine property tax reform, said changing the school funding formula is part of that reform process. Changing the system might mean moving away from over-reliance on property taxes to fund the school system and instead using a mix of other taxes.

☛

Senator Nia Gill

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

31

Joe & Marie Patti

“The state needs to contribute a larger portion,” she said, although she made no specific recommendations. She added that the state formula does not accurately capture the property values of a given community.

Gill blamed former Governor Whitman’s 15 percent reduction in income taxes for creating a ‘structural deficit’ by removing revenue that would have gone towards municipal aid and thus property tax relief.

Since 1994, the state cumulatively lost or didn’t collect $14 billion, according to figures from Gill’s office.

“It is that 15 percent tax cut that has produced the situation we are in now,” she said.

John Meyerle of the New Jersey Coalition for Property Tax Reform, a self-descriptive non-profit, said state data shows that low- to middle-income taxpayers contribute ‘6 cents out of every dollar earned,’ while the affluent pay only 1 cent—figures he said have been confirmed by the state’s Office of Legislative Services—

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

forcing fixed- and low-income families and seniors out of their homes.

Meyerle’s group has proposed a model for legislation that shifts school funding from property taxes to a dedicated state school income tax that is based on a taxpayers’ ability to pay, saving almost 90 percent of homeowners an average of $1,500 per year.

“We give kids an excellent education and for all intents and purposes, chase them out of the state,” he said, referring to the effect of exorbitant property taxes.

Michigan changed their formula in1993 after the state legislature, bowing to residents’ demands, eliminated property taxes. Up until 1993, assessments were so high that many people relocated to other states.

This resulted in a multi-billion-dollar cut in school funding and in one tragic case, schools in the town of Kalkaska closed their doors because there was no provision to replace the lost funds.

But later that year, a ballot referendum was placed before the voters and they chose a plan, Proposition A, that increased the state sales tax, restored property taxes at reduced levels and instituted a mix of smaller tax sources.

Helen McNamara, Director of Finance for the Ingham Intermediate School District in Mason, Michigan, a regional agency that runs 12 districts, said that since1994, more than 80 percent of the total fund-

☛

“The current system for school funding in Indiana is the best I’ve ever seen,” Rice said, adding that New Jersey needs to find a similar formula, with an increase in state funding.

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From left, Dr. Joseph Paz, Dr. Jacqueline Paz and Dr. Louis H. Schimmel.

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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ing in Michigan comes from sources that are levied or collected by state government (some of that is property taxes levied by the state, McNamara said, but it mostly includes portions of income tax, sales tax, lottery and other sources) and between 10 and 20 percent comes from local property taxes.

“I think (the change in formula) has been incredibly positive,” McNamara said. “Most significantly, it addressed unconscionable inequity across school districts

Gill blamed former Governor Whitman’s 15 percent reduction in income taxes for creating a ‘structural deficit’ by removing revenue that would have gone towards municipal aid and thus property tax relief.

Since 1994, the state cumulatively lost or didn’t collect $14 billion, according to figures from Gill’s office.

McGreevey’s Gap In late March, a coalition of groups asked Governor McGreevey to support a $1 billion increase in the income tax, which would affect those with incomes over $400,000. But the governor has remained adamantly opposed to a tax increase, perhaps concerned that he would meet the same fate as former Governor Jim Florio, who lost a re-election bid in 1993 after raising taxes. The state currently has a $4 billion budget gap and to close that gap, McGreevey has proposed, among other things, revoking health benefits for the working poor and cutting aid to needy schools. Many say that if education aid from the state is reduced, property taxes will go up even further.

in Michigan.” She explained that in years prior to the change in formula in 1994, spending in various districts ranged from about $3,000 per pupil to $10,000 per pupil—a huge disparity. Now, McNamara said, no district is lower than $6,700 and the gap between poor and wealthy districts continues to close.

The other benefit: “Property taxes have been limited,” she said.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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We Will Remember On this and the following pages, Clifton Merchant Magazine remembers our city’s sons who died while in service to our country. God Bless Our Vets!

John Bilenski

Nicholas Cerrato

Richard Corcoran

Richard Cyran

Donald Cambell

Thomas Dando

John France

Leszek Kulaczkowski

Bruce McFayden

Keith Perrelli

Alfred Pino

Donald Scott

William Sipos

Stephen Stefaniak Jr.

Bohdan Kowal

Carrol Wilkie

These are just 18 of the 29 Clifton men who lost their lives in Vietnam.

We invite the community to remember our deceased Veterans by joining us for Services in Main Memorial Park on Monday, May 26 at 11 am.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

37

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Joseph Sperling Charles Peterson Thomas Donnellan Jerry Toth Frank Lennon Joseph Carboy Julius Weisfeld Edward Ladwik Israel Rabkin Peter Pagnillo Harold Weeks Salvatore Favata

Herman Adams Edward Kostecki Charles Hooyman, Jr. Salvatore Michelli Richard Novak James Potter Adam Liptak John Van Kirk Carlyle Malmstrom Francis Gormley Charles Stanchak Joseph Ladwik Karl Germelmann Robert Stevens

Because the memory will live forever.

Over the past year, we have had the privilege of serving the families of many veterans. In recognition of the service these veterans rendered to their country, we would like to show our appreciation this Memorial Day. In memory of their lives and their service, we recall...

Peter Andreotta William Harold Anderson Arthur Bisone Raymond Breda Vincent Costa Val Da Giau Nicholas Danczak Rudy De Ghetto Henry Dickinson Andrew Francis Fitzgerald Robert “Cracks” Graglia

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May 1999 Cover

MICHAEL A. WALLER Director

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Albert Tau William Scott Benjamin Puzio James Van Ness Gregory Jahn Nicholas Stanchak Frank Smith, Jr Carl Bredahl Donald Yahn Joseph Belli Edwin Kalinka Stanley Swift Charles Lotz Joseph Prebol Walter Nazar Benedict Vital Thaddeus Bukowski Leo Grossman Michael Kashey Stephen Messineo John Janek John Yanick Herbert Gibb William Nalesnik Joseph Sowma Bronislaus Pitak

Harry Tamboer John Olear Johhn Koropchak Joseph Nugent Steven Gombocs Thomas Gula Raymond Curley Harry Earnshaw James Henry John Layton Charles Messineo Joseph Petruska Bogert Terpstra John Kotulick Peter Vroeginday Michael Sobol Donald Sang Andew Sanko George Zeim, Jr. Robert Van Liere Vernon Broseman Harold O’Keefe Edward Palffy Dennis Szabaday Lewis Cosmano Stanley Scott, Jr.

Charles Hulyo, Jr. Arnold Hutton Frank Barth John Kanyo Bryce Leighty Joseph Bertneskie Samuel Bychek Louis Netto David Ward Edward Rembisz Lawrence Zanetti Alfred Jones Stephen Blondek John Bulyn Gerhard Kaden William Lawrence Robert Doherty Samuel Guglielmo Robert Parker Joseph Molson Stephen Kucha James De Biase Dominick Gianni Manuel Marcos Nicholas Palko William Slyboom

Herman Teubner Thomas Commiciotto Stephen Surgent Albert Bertneskie Charles Gash Peter Jacklin Peter Shraga,Jr. John Aspesi Micheal Ladyczka Edward Marchese Robert Stephan Roelof Holster, Jr. Alex Hossack Siber Speer Frank Klimock Salvatore Procopio Harry Breen Gordon Tomea, Jr. Douglas Gleeson Fred Hazekamp Harold Roy Andrew Servas, Jr. Francis Alesso Walter Bobzin Vincent Lazzaro John Op’t Hof

Shook Funeral Home, Inc. Over 45 Years of Service, Still Proudly Family Owned & Operated

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

639 Van Houten Ave • Clifton 973-471-9620 Roy B. Garretson Manager, NJ Lic.#3550

486 Pompton Ave • Cedar Grove 973-239-1489 Joseph Shook, Jr. Manager, NJ Lic.#3612 Joseph M. Shook, Sr. President, NJ Lic.#2134 Nancy Shook Garretson Director, NJ Lic.#3657

Wendy Shook DiGerolamo Director, NJ Lic.#3593 Rocco DiGerolamo Director, NJ Lic.#3592

Joseph Sondey John Zier Peter Hellrigel Steve Luka Arthur Vanden Bree Harold Baker Hans Fester Patrick Conklin John Thompson Thomas Dutton,Jr. Harold Ferris,Jr. Donald Freda Joseph Guerra Edward Hornbeck William Hromniak Stephen Petrilak Wayne Wells Vincent Montalbano James Miles Louis Kloss Andrew Kacmarcik John Hallam Anthony Leanza William Sieper Sylvester Cancellieri George Worschak

Frank Urrichio Andrew Marchincak Carl Anderson George Holmes Edward Stadtmauer Kermit Goss George Huemmer Alexander Yewko Emil Chaplin John Hushler Edgar Coury Robert Hubinger Wilbur Lee Vito Venezia Joseph Russin Ernest Yedlick Charles Cannizzo Michael Barbero Joseph Palagano William Hadrys Joseph Hoffer, Jr. Joseph Piccolo John Robinson Frank Torkos Arthur Mayer Edward Jaskot

November 2001 Cover George Russell Frank Groseibl Richard Van Vliet Benjamin Boyko Harry Carline Paul Domino John Fusiak Louis Ritz

William Niader Alfred Aiple Mario Taverna Sebastian De Lotto Matthew Bartnowski John Bogert Joseph Collura Matthew Daniels

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973.471.5008 President Shana A. Polak, baby Ryan, & Shana’s husband Edward holding Lindsey.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

41

Korean War

November 2000 Cover James Doland, Jr. Walter Dolginko Peter Konapaka Alfred Masseroni Charles Merlo Stephen Miskevich John Ptasienski Leo Schmidt

Robert Teichman Louis Vuoncino Richard Vecellio Robert Hegmann Ernest Triemer John Peterson Richard Vander Laan, Jr.

Donald Frost Ernest Haussler William Kuller Joseph Amato Herbert Demarest George Fornelius Edward Luisser Reynold Campbell Louis Le Ster Dennis Dyt Raymond Halendwany John Crawbuck Ernest Hagbery William Gould Edward Flanagan William Snyder Allen Hiller Arthur Grundman Donald Brannon

Vietnam War Alfred Pino Thomas Dando William Sipos

Bohdan Kowal Robert Kruger, Jr. Bruce McFadyen Carrol Wilke Keith Perrelli William Zalewski Louis Grove Clifford Jones, Jr. George McClelland Richard Corcoran John Bilenski Donald Campbell James Strangeway, Jr. Donald Scott Howard Van Vliet Frank Moorman Robert Prete Guyler Tulp Nicholas Cornato Edward Deitman Richard Cyran Leszek Kulaczkowski William Malcolm Leonard Bird John France Stephen Stefaniak Jr.

Support Our Troops DISPLAY A YELLOW RIBBON EXPERIENCE • PROFESSIONALISM • INTEGRITY

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RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE 42

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

November 8, 1961 Plane Crash Robert De Vogel Vernon Griggs Robert Marositz Robert Rinaldi

Raymond Shamberger Harold Skoglund Willis Van Ess, Jr.

Join us for services at the War Monument in Main Memorial Park, Memorial Day, May 26 at 11 am.

Photo by Al Zwiazek

May 2000 Cover

We Salute The Men & Women Who Have Served America To Keep It Strong & Free

CONGRESSMAN BILL PASCRELL J .

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D ISTRICT O FFICE : 200 F EDERAL P LAZA , S UITE 500 PATERSON , NJ 07505 Paid for by Pascrell for Congress, Inc. A. Hutton, Treasurer Call us at 973-523-5152 Clifton Merchant • May 2003

43

thenia business association

Off & Running

Athenia, an area with about 100 businesses in and around Van Houten Ave., from Clifton’s City Hall to the Passaic border.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

Over 100 businesses can be found along Van Houten Ave., from city hall to the Passaic border—the Athenia Business District—and the area is to many the Heart of Clifton. Late last year, the long dormant Athenia Business Association was revitalized and its directors have since focused on maintaining and improving the commercial district.

On April 26, 125 member of the ABA, friends and supporters attended a dinner dance at the Athenia Vet’s Post to celebrate the revitalized organization. Photos from the evening of fun, and just a little bit of business, appear on the following pages.

Led by President Matt Grabowski, Vice President Gina Yarrish of the LaCorte Agency and Treasurer Greg Lacki of Lacki’s Jewelers, other Directors of the Athenia Business Association include Fred Barnes of Dingo’s Den, George Shevchuk of the Window Mill, Keith Oakley of the Window Depot, Krystyna Bladek of Krystyna Travel Tours, Alberta Lacki of Lacki’s Jewelers and Donna Buron of Bergen Passaic Respiratory Care.

This past Nov., the city was awarded a $250,000 grant to conduct streetscape improvements along 1.1 miles of Van Houten Ave. which is now underway.

Athenia—the Heart of Clifton is the theme of the district and gateway signs, as well as directional markers to landmarks, such as the Athenia Vet’s Hall will soon be installed.

Decorative lighting, as well as a number of landscape improvements, from tree removal to planting of new trees, have commenced and will be completed this summer The merchants have published a directory of stores and services which is currently being distributed. The names, addresses and phone numbers of many of the merchants follow on these pages.

While property values remain high and vacancy rates stay low—the vacancy rate in Athenia is six out of 99 business locations, or 6.1 percent— many Van Houten merchants concur that a lack of parking, heavy traffic and tired-looking storefronts are the big issues to tackle. For instance, the city in January agreed to expand the municipal lot at near the corner of Huron and Van Houten to add about 17 spaces. But that project was delayed until next budget year, city officials said.

The ABA said these items will remain on the table and keeping Athenia in the minds of customers as well as the political leaders of Clifton will also be priorities.

Directory of ABA Merchants Automotive: Athenia Auto Repair . . . . . . . .805 VH Ave. • 973.779.2249 Auto Audio & Alarms . . . . . . . .723 VH Ave. • 973.778.9554 Clifton Auto Repair . . . . .161 Sargeant Ave. • 973.778.8432 Jule’s Service Station . . . . . . . . .705 VH Ave. • 973.473.9390 Matt’s Auto Service . . . . . . . . .705 VH Ave. • 973.778.7073 Obsolete Auto Supply . . . . . . .819 VH Ave. • 973.472.0625 P&A Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . .802 VH Ave. • 973.473.1997 Precision Elec. Mtr. Repair . . .14 Sebago St. • 973.471.2600 Sound City Car Stereo . . . . . . . .727 VH Ave. • 973.778.9554 Sunoco Ultra Service Center . . .956 VH Ave. • 973.778.5777 Telep Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .574 VH Ave. • 973.779.0283 Van Houten Auto Repair . . . . .870 VH Ave. • 973.773.2121

Banks: The Bank of New York . . . . . . .963 VH Ave. • 973.365.1088 Clifton Savings Bank SLA . . . . .646 VH Ave. • 973.473.2200

Cleaners/Laundry/Tailors: Charm Drive–In Cleaners . . . . .930 VH Ave. • 973.473.3332 Continental Custom Tailor . . . .629 VH Ave. • 973.473.8898 Kennedy’s Tailors & Cleaners . .758 VH Ave. • 973.773.0201 Laundry Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . .850 VH Ave. • 973.365.0664 Sun’s Cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . .850 VH Ave. • 973.472.3804 Van Houten Laundry . . . . . . . .555 VH Ave. • 973.458.0937

☛

The Athenia Business Association would like to thank Councilman Frank Gaccione for attending their first dinner dance which was held on Saturday, April 26th. Also, a special thanks to John Traier for presenting to each member of the Athenia Business Association’s Board of Directors a ‘Certificate of Commendation’ on behalf of Assemblyman Peter Eagler and Willis Edwards III to honor and congratulate them on their efforts and accomplishments. Everyone in attendance had an enjoyable evening.

The food was excellent, the music lively and many went home with a prize or two. Comments were made throughout the evening that they look forward to the ABA making this an annual event. Also a number of people expressed their interest in becoming a member of the ABA. Members of the ABA had expressed their disappointment that certain Council members who are more known for their support in the Athenia section were not in attendance that night. The first annual Athenia Business Association’s dinner and Dance was just one of many events that are being planned by the ABA. If you are interested in the ABA or would like to become a member, please contact Matt Grabowski at 973-473-0986 or Gina Yarrish at 973-773-0802.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

45

thenia business association Computers/Technology: Avanti Technologies, Inc. . . . . .756 VH Ave. • 973.591.0288 Duo Computers . . . . . . . . . . . .908 VH Ave. • 973.773.9544

Doctors, Dentists & Veterinarians: Josephine Bajer, D.M.D. . . . . . .657 VH Ave. • 973.777.0848 Alan F. Weissman, Optometrist. 636 VH Ave. • 973.773.7200 Giordano Chiropractic . . . . . . .657 VH Ave. • 973.777.9404 Lewitan Smile Center . . . . . . . .729 VH Ave. • 973.815.0600 Veterinary Health Care

. . . . . .753 VH Ave. • 973.472.8883

Alexandra Ves, DDS . . . . . . . . .604 VH Ave. • 973.777.7116

Fitness/Leisure: D3 Dancenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .605 VH Ave. • 973.773.9997 Curves for Women . . . . . . . . . .601 VH Ave. • 973.777.3771 Quality Martial Arts . . . . . . . . .575 VH Ave. • 973.594.4990 Shapes Express . . . . . . . . . . . . .729 VH Ave. • 973.777.9280 Van Houten Lanes . . . . . . . . . .564 VH Ave. • 973.773.1675

☛

46

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

47

thenia business association

Please Note: Some errors occurred in the Athenia Business Directory. The address of Coldwell Banker in Matt Grabowski’s business card should have read 789 Clifton Ave. Lacki’s Jeweler’s ad also had a mistake. The family owned business is at 625 Van Houten Ave. Also, Shapes Express Fitness for Women is at 729 Van Houten Ave. If you are interested in being a member, call ABA President Matt Grabowski at 973.473.0986. Also, to save space, VH Ave. = Van Houten Avenue and MP Ave. = Mt. Prospect Avenue.

Florists: Edible Arrangements . . . . . . . .890 VH Ave. • 973.249.0220 Halka’s Florist . . . . . . . . . . . . . .633 VH Ave. • 973.777.0262 St. George Florist . . . . . . . . . . .759 VH Ave. • 973.916.0788

Funeral Homes and Services: Cremation Society of NJ . . . . . .583 VH Ave. • 973.815.0955 Diamond Memorials, Inc. . . . . .707 VH Ave. • 973.471.5008 Flanagan Funeral Home . . . . . .583 VH Ave. • 973.614.1717 Shook Funeral Home . . . . . . . .639 VH Ave. • 973.471.9620

Hair/Nails/Beauty Salons: Al’s Barber Salon . . . . . . . . . . .765 VH Ave. • 973.779.2192 Carol’s Coiffures . . . . . . . . . . . .540 VH Ave. • 973.777.8723 Changes Hair, Nail & Skin . . . . .762 VH Ave. • 973.777.2393 Coliseum Hair Cutters . . . . . . . .822 VH Ave. • 973.365.2224 Hair’s Geri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .594 VH Ave. • 973.916.0883 Jin’s Nails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .609 VH Ave. • 973.473.4440 Kaleidokuts Hair & Nails . . . . . .796 VH Ave. • 973.458.9434 Ken’s Athenia Barber Shop . . . .651 VH Ave. • 973.773.8822 Mario’s Barber Shop . . . . . . . . .638 VH Ave. • 973.773.7544 Miel Nails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .820 VH Ave. • 973.777.6622 Millennium Salon . . . . . . . . . . .850 VH Ave. • 973.777.7990 Roma Hair Studio . . . . . . . . . . .665 VH Ave. • 973.473.4732 Sally’s Crystal Nails . . . . . . . . . .608 VH Ave. • 973.471.1155 Ultimate Hair Expression . . . . .677 VH Ave. • 973.778.1343

☛

New Specials for May Monday—Pasta Night: Spag, Penne, Linguini, Angel Hair, Meat Ravioli, Cheese Ravioli, Manicotti . . . . . . . . . .$5.95 w/Sausage or Meatballs $6.95 Tuesday—Pizza Night: 16” Pie $5.95, Mussels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4.95 ——ADD 20¢ TO GO MON & TUE——

Wednesday—Parm Night: Any Parm . . . . . . . . . . . .$9.95 w/soup & salad Thursday—Surf & Turf: 5oz Tail & 6oz Fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12.95 ——WED & THUR—DINE-IN ONLY——

Mario’s R E S TA U R A N T

710 Van Houten Ave. Clifton • 973-777-1559

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

Dining @ Dingo’s Den...

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JIMMY’S NEW MENU FEATURES: Salad Platters & Sandwiches Char-Broiled Burgers & Steaks Sliders-2oz Served Craver Style Chicken & Beef Triple Deck Dingo Joe Sandwich Filet Mignon Sandwich Philly Style Sandwiches Rib Eye Steaks & Chicken

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615 Van Houten Ave • Clifton • 973.471.7767 Clifton Merchant • May 2003

49

thenia business association Home Furnishings & Repair: Able Paint & Hardware . . . . . .745 VH Ave. • 973.773.4997 Air–Chek Window Depot . . . . .876 VH Ave. • 973.473.7770 Blesing’s Hardware Floors . . .13 Sebago St. • 973.777.0101 Empire Drain Service . . . . . . . .800 VH Ave. • 973.773.1280 Fashion Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . .816 VH Ave. • 973.473.3167 Four Strong Builders . . . .180 Sargeant Ave. • 973.614.0377 Jackson Faspray . . . . . . . .155 Sargeant Ave. • 973.471.8000 T&R Alarm Systems . . . . .189 Sargeant Ave. • 800.486.5019 Valley Fabrics & Drapery . . . . . .616 VH Ave. • 973.471-1413 Window Mill, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .908 VH Ave. • 973.779.5544

Jewelry: Gnome Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . .697 VH Ave. • 973.471.2330 Lacki’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625 VH Ave. • 973.471.4075

Landscaping/Contracting: Ray Grabowski Landscaping . .107 MP Ave. • 973.458-8417

Markets: Carmela’s Bakery & Deli . . . . . .770 VH Ave. • 973.773.1280 Polonia Meat Market . . . . . . . .785 VH Ave. • 973.777.7355 Six–Eleven Food Mart . . . . . . . .722 VH Ave. • 973.471.1044

Newspaper/Media: The Post Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . .800 VH Ave. • 973.473.5414

Professional Offices: Law Offices of Koribanics & Koribanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685 VH Ave. • 973.778.1800 La Corte Real Estate Office . . . .604 VH Ave. • 973.773.0802 Pogorelec Law Offices . . . . . . .840 VH Ave. • 973.778.1606 Professional Building . . . . . . . .521 VH Ave. • 973.779.0077 Vargo & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .729 VH Ave. • 973.779.1101

Pharmacies/Beauty Supply: Bergen Passaic Respiratory Care 933 VH Ave. • 973.773.7171 Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy . . .595 VH Ave. • 973.777.2428 R&K Enterprise Cosmetics . . . . .613 VH Ave. • 973.472.5225

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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thenia business association Van Houten Pharmacy . . . . . . .669 VH Ave. • 973.779.1122 Walgreen’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .823 VH Ave. • 973.249.9318

Photo Services: Pro–Lab Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . .169 Sargeant Ave. • 973.778.4747 Young’s Camera & 1 Hr .Photo . .754 VH Ave. • 973.773.8990

Restaurants/Bars: Abe’s Famous Pizzeria . . . . . . .564 VH Ave. • 973.773.7646 Athenia Vets Hall . . . . . . . .147 Huron Ave. • 973.778.0931 Baby Lou’s Pizzeria Rest. . . . . . .755 VH Ave. • 973.773.5468 Carvel Ice Cream . . . . . . . . . . . .750 VH Ave. • 973.773.4737 De Feo’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .606 VH Ave. • 973.777.6644 Dingo’s Den . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .615 VH Ave. • 973.471.7767 Dunkin’ Donuts . . . . . . . . . . . .531 VH Ave. • 973.777.9531 Giorgio’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .709 VH Ave. • 973.773.7770 Grande Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . .940 VH Ave. • 973.472.5207 Jumbo Ices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .695 VH Ave. Mario’s Restaurant & Pizzeria . .710 VH Ave. • 973.777.1559

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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thenia business association Milano Ristorante . . . . . . . . . . .561 VH Ave. • 973.614.0408 Pizza Hut Delivery . . . . . . . . . .850 VH Ave. • 973.773.7575 Plaza Bagels & Deli . . . . . . . . . .850 VH Ave. • 973.777.2094 Sabrett Push Cart, Intl. . . . . .621-3 VH Ave. • 973.773.4401 Spring Garden Chinese Food . .787 VH Ave. • 973.773.0756 The Mirage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .655 VH Ave. • 973.471.7017 Uncle Roy’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .819 VH Ave. • 973.779.9748

Signage: Sign–A–Rama . . . . . . . . . . . . . .675 VH Ave. • 973.471.5558

Stained Glass: Lamb Studios Stained Glass . . .862 VH Ave. • 973.916.0331

Travel Agency: Krystyna Travel Tours & Serv. . .542 VH Ave. • 973.779.0077

Video: Bollywood Video . . . . . . . . . . .851 VH Ave. • 973.365.1235 Polonia Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . .627 VH Ave. • 973.777.4730

Wine and Liquor: Athenia Wines & Liquors . . . . .634 VH Ave. • 973.777.7830 The Liquor Depot . . . . . . . . . . .534 VH Ave. • 973.777.4445 The Wright Wines & Liquors . .729 VH Ave. • 973.777.5813 Town Liquors Beer & Wine . . . .805 VH Ave. • 973.778.2333

Clifton’s Hardware Store & every home improvement product you’ll need will be found at...

Able Hardware 745 Van Houten Ave.

973.773.4997

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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Old-fashioned service

Bob Surgent, Bob Holly, Pat Goudie, Fr. Ray Kupke. (Missing is Gerry Pilkin.) Above, is the 2002-2003 St. Philip’s CYO Basketball Team—unde-

Senior Health Partners Board Certified

Michael P. Lewko, MD

Cheng-An Mao, MD

Geriatrics-Rheumatology

Geriatrics-Family Medicine Acupuncture

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

feated champions of the Passaic Clifton District. Front row (from L to R): Ryan Genato, Marc Fernandez, Chris Wood, Ryan DeMartino, Anthony DeSomma, Dave Loftus, Matt DeVoti. 2nd row: P.J. DeLeva, Brian Goglia, Juan Pujol, Matt Tahan, Greg Iannarella, D.J. Montroni, Ryan Gorny. Top row: Coach Murtha, Coach Craig Adams, Chris Seitz, Anthony Giordano, Mike Cetinich, Ryan Macalino, Dan Kaiser, Coach Len Vander Wende.

Other awards that will be presented on May 22 include Knight of the Year, Gary Klunder, and a special award for John Fillipone. The ceremony will be held at St. Philip’s Auditorium on May 22 at 7:30 pm.

Admission is free. RSVP to Ray Lill

by May 15. Call 973-472-1756.

1527

Jim Murtha will receive the Coach of the Year award from the Knights of Columbus, St. Philip the Apostle Council 11671 on May 22. Murtha, who has lived in Clifton since 1956, has coached 23 St. Philip’s teams since coaching his first team in 1968 (he took a 10-year hiatus beginning in 1984).

In his distinguished career, Murtha’s Jr. CYO basketball teams have won the league title eight times.

Over the last two years, St. Philip’s has a league record of 38-2.

Below is his 1973-1974 St. Philip’s Jr. CYO Basketball Team— champions of the Passaic Clifton District. Front row (from L to R): Nick Stetz, Kevin Dul, Bob Hayek, Ron Hayek, Phil Cibiniak, Dennis Tarrant. Back row: Coach Murtha, George Casagrand, Steve Ferraro,

CHS Varsity Soccer Coach Joe Vespignani, who led the Mustangs to a 18-4-1 record and a sixth consecutive Passaic County Championship this past fall, will host summer camp at CHS. Boys ages 4-6 will train June 23 to 27 from 9 to 11 am. Cost is $120 with a $10 discount for payment by June 1. Cost for the other camps is $130 with a $10 discount available. Camp for boys 7 to 10 is on July 7 to 11, from 9 am to noon. Boys ages 11 to 14 will attend Aug. 11 to 15, 9 am to noon. For kids going to CHS this fall, ages 14 to 18, camp is on Aug 18 to 22. Training runs 9 am to noon. The camp is run in cooperation with the Clifton Stallions Soccer Club. Call Vespignani at 973-334-0207 or email him at VespignaniSoccer@aol.com.

Participants get a t-shirt and soccer ball.

count. Players receives a shirt and ball.

Lembryk, a CHS ‘87 grad, has coached the Lady Mustangs varsity soccer team for two years, compiling a 33-6-1 record. He was the Star Ledger’s 2001 NJ Girls Soccer High School Coach of the Year. He has played professionally for nine years, coaches the MetroStars U-17 team and is co-director of the MetroStars Youth Academy. Call 973-686-1764.

Coach Joe Vespignani

Stan Lembryk’s Summer 2003 Soccer Training Camp is Aug. 4-8 for boys ages 5 to 13 and Aug. 11-15 for girls ages 5 to 18 at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. The fee is $120. Camp is 9 am to noon. Register

by June 1 and get a 10 percent dis-

Nick Lemme

CHS sophomore Rob Ryerson is a well balanced young man. He recently qualified for the US Junior Olympic National Championships, which will be held later this month in Savannah, Georgia. At the meet, he’ll also be recognized as a First Team Academic All-American for maintaining a 4.0 average at CHS.

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973.478.0274 • 973.478.0089 1355

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2003

Join a Summer League & Receive a Discount Card for Open Bowling. Call for info.

Sunday 1 pm Action Hero Bumper Club Kids Ages 4-8.

Every child gets a ball & bag.

Garden Palace Lanes 42 Lakeview Ave • Clifton • 973.478.5750

Sunday 3 or 5 pm Wednesday 9 pm Adult/Child Gilligan’s Island

Action Hero Club

4 per team starts May 21.

Includes a Trip to the Shore $16 p/team - bowl 3 games for a 3 Hour River Belle Cruise Party—We Will Return!

Check This Out!

Ball & Bag League

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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celebrations!

Send written notices of your celebrations by the 15th of the month prior.

Mail to Clifton Merchant Magazine, 1288 Main Ave. Clifton 07011.

We cannot guarantee photos will be used but if you do send pictures, enclose a self addressed stamped envelope so your material will be returned.

Happy Birthday To...

Asutosh Patel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/1 Jessica Perez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/2 Babcia Hryckowian . . . . . . . . . . . .5/3 Julia Komarczyk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/3 Margie Maloney . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/3 Russell Courtney . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/6 Dolores Hatala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/6 Mary D. Henn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/6 Yasmeen Saleh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/6 Margie Hatala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/7 Alexandra Homsany . . . . . . . . . . .5/8

Olivia Hryckowian turns 9 on May 25.

Gia Camille Genardi is 3 on May 2.

Matthew Nagy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/8 Hector Perez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/8 Christine Siluk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/8 Thomas Steranko . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/8 Ray Zang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/9 Michelle Kepisty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/10 Rebecca DeChellis . . . . . . . . . . .5/11 Jennifer Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/11 Maria Markozanis . . . . . . . . . . . .5/12 Michael Zawicki . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/13 Victoria Leja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/15 Ahmet Tas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5/15

Open your heart and your home.

Mark McGuire . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rosemary Canavan . . . . . . .

John Hawrylko . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jamie Antal . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Walter Hryckowian . . . . . . . .

Ashley Leeshock . . . . . . . . . .

Mariana Pineda . . . . . . . . . . .

Brian Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jennifer Mulick . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ken Bender . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Anthony Markozanis . . . . . . .

Joe Murolo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Matthew Palladino . . . . . . . .

Jessica Bielen . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Michele Perez . . . . . . . . . . . .

Donald Lopuzzo . . . . . . . . . . .

Ahmad Abedrabbo . . . . . . .

Michael Santosuosso . . . . . . .

Olivia Alexandra Hryckowian Alyssa Dalbo . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jonathan Rideg . . . . . . . . . . .

Steve Bielen . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

David J. Ricca . . . . . . . . . . . .

Astry Rivera . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jaclyn Pangilinan . . . . . . . . .

Anthony DeSomma . . . . . . . .

Cynthia Hasrie . . . . . . . . . . . .

Alexis Sosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Christopher Ramirez . . . . . . .

Theresa Scandale . . . . . . . . .

Christopher Smith . . . . . . . . . .

Logan Thompson . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.5/16 .5/17 .5/17 .5/18 .5/18 .5/18 .5/18 .5/18 .5/20 .5/21 .5/21 .5/21 .5/21 .5/23 .5/23 .5/24 .5/24 .5/24 .5/25 .5/26 .5/26 .5/27 .5/28 .5/28 .5/29 .5/30 .5/30 .5/30 .5/31 .5/31 .5/31 .5/31

It’s a busy month at the Hryckowian household! Our best wishes to Babcia who turns 89 on 5/3, Walter who turns 50 on 5/18, and Olivia Alexandra who celebrates her ninth on 5/25.

Many children are waiting for very special foster families...

Financial Assistance & Free Training Available

Brittney Abell turns 14 on 5/25.

Best Wishes Britt!

Call toll-free: 1-800-837-9102

Look who’s turning 10!

Happy Birthday to Joe Murolo on 5/21 and to Alyssa Dalbo on 5/26.

Happy 85th Birthday to Alice Macri on 5/27.

N E W

J E R S E Y

To qualify to be a foster parent, you must be at least 21 years old, have a steady source of income and adequate space in your home.

www.fostercare.com 84

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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Jacqueline Courtney let us know that her parents, Russell and Ronnie, will celebrate their wedding anniversary on 5/17. Congratulations to you both!

Clifton’s Red Hatters

Clifton’s Red Hatters include (from left) Mary Fiore and Mary Grace Heyrich, seated and Fran Kobernick and Marion Mascone at rear.

The Red Hat Society is just as the name describes—all about red hats. Its founder, Sue Ellen Cooper, started the society in California in 1998 by presenting a red hat to one friend, then another and so on, until the group...blossomed. There are now about 8,000 chapters both nationally and internationally. The rules are simple: if you are 50 or older, you wear a red hat and a purple outfit. Junior members wear pink hats and lavender outfits.

Clifton’s chapter formed in March when six friends, including Mary Grace Heyrich, took a bus trip to Doolan’s in Spring Lake Heights to celebrate an early St. Patrick’s Day. Upon arriving, Heyrich spotted a group of ladies wearing red hats and was immediately inspired. “I am starting a Red Hat Society in Clifton and you will be the board of directors,” she told her friends. They were chartered a few days later. There are now 22 members in the group with a waiting list. Anyone interested in learning more about the society can contact: www.redhatsociety.com.

You can always tell our patients by the smile they wear.

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Our patients enjoy gentle, experienced dental care with state-of-the-art sterilization

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973-777-1230 Matthew S. Kayne D.M.D. Steven J. Tuckman D.M.D. Dedicated To Perfection & Your Comfort

Personal Dentistry •Preventive Dentistry •Periodontal Therapy •Root Canal Therapy •Oral Surgery •Crowns & Bridges •Dentures

Convenient Hours •Weekday, Evening & Weekend Hours •By Appointment Only •Emergency Patients seen the same day!

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

85

Clifton’s Avenue of Flags on the municipal campus will fly on Memorial Day. The display of 450 flags, each in memory of a veteran, is down before dark. Flags are three by five feet and stand on a 10-foot pole with a brass name plate. Call John Biegel 973-473-7136 or Keith Oakley 973-777-0264 to sponsor a flag or to volunteer for set up.

Join the Scouts of Troop 3 on Sunday, May 25 at 7 pm and continue a Clifton tradition of decorating the area around the War Monument in Main Memorial Park with an American Flag for every Cliftonite killed during war.

The next morning, Memorial Day at 11 am, gather to commemorate over 300 Clifton men who gave their young lives in the nation’s fight for freedom and democracy.

At the Moose Lodge on April 15, Tom Miller (back row, left) of Passaic County Veterans Services presented three medals posthumously to Louis Calo for his WWII service: the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with battle stars and a Good Conduct Medal. Front row, from left: Dennis Calo (son), Rose Calo (wife) and Ron Calo (son).

Back row, from left: Tom Miller, Dick Carline and Julian Collesano of the Clifton Moose.

Memorial Day, 2002, in a photo by Rich DeLotto.

Get “Back” Into Action !

Dr. David R. Moore, Chiropractor Dr. Moore and staff would like to wish all moms a happy Mother’s Day. (Pictured here is Josephine Carabello, (doc’s grandma) Dr. Moore, and Sandra Moore, (doc’s mom).

Mon • Wed • Fri Chiropractic Health Center 241 Crooks Ave • Clifton 973.253.7005 Tue • Thu • Sat Elmwood Park Athletic Club 690 River Dr • Elmwood Park 201.794.0155

www.fitspine.net www.fitspine.net

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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–Youth Week–

BY A L I C I A F E G H H I

It’s official: twenty-four seniors from Clifton High School will take over city government on Tuesday, May 20 as the closing event for the 49th annual Youth Week Official’s Day. The event is part of a week-long list of activities that integrate Clifton kids into the workings of our city’s social and political structure.

Considering their numerous interests and accomplishments, some of these outstanding youth may have a promising future career serving local, state or national government.

Sean McNally is one of the CHS seniors taking part in the event.

While the Albion resident is considering a career as a chef (he’s been working at Bruno’s Restaurant for the last four years), another of his options after graduation is joining the Army.

But who knows? That may all change after McNally shadows Superintendent Michael Rice for a day. “It will be interesting to see what Dr. Rice does on a regular basis,” said McNally.

At the helm of city government will be Frank Kasper, who will work with Interim City Manager Al Greco.

Kasper wants to be an elementary teacher and he thinks tagging someone who constantly has to make decisions

will help him attain that goal. “It’ll help me interact with kids and show me how to handle difficult situations that I might have to take care of,” said Kasper, who is headed to Penn State.

Being a part of Youth Week helps kids to develop friendships and encourages them to present their talent, take part in competitions and celebrate their contribution to the community. Tom Fieldhouse, President of the Board of Recreation said, “Official’s Day can open doors for the students and they can see how it feels to be in government or making decisions,” said Fieldhouse.

☛

These are just some of the CHS students who’ll be running city hall for a day. From left, Renato Sanchez, Lisa Person, Kristin Fedorchak, Sean McNally, Tracey Dabal, Chris Wiersma, Katie Gensinger and Jeunelle Sanabria.

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

55

Helping to keep our community safe that day will be Renato Sanchez and Kristin Fedorchak.

Sanchez will work with Police Chief Robert Ferreri while Fedorchak’s role model will be Fire Chief John Dubravsky. A tour of City Hall is planned, followed by a demonstration of the daily life of a police officer and a firefighter. Anything from managing fire or safety inspections to overseeing how Clifton’s 300 or so public safety officers are managed are in store.

Lillian Forero’s goal after college is to become involved in politics so she will be working with Jon Whiting, the municipal tax assessor.

Seeing some of the behind-thescenes workings of city government will give Forero an idea of what is involved in the day-to-day functioning of a municipality.

Julianne Shumko will see, firsthand, the typical schedule of Assistant Superintendent Anthony Barbary. She and Barbary will team up and explore the workplace and get together for a luncheon.

Speaking of politicians, Evelyn Rodriguez, Katie Gensinger, Thomas Drongoski, Dayana Nunez, Allison Bybee and Christopher Wiersma get to shadow the Mayor and Council for the day.

The governing body will convene a meeting that evening, giving the students a look at the helm. “I want to see how things are run in government— that will give me a better understanding of the job,” said Wiersma.

Tracey Dabal’s concerns for the community was her reason to ask to shadow Clifton’s Chief Financial Officer. “I’ll be able to learn about how crucial decisions are made and how our city runs,” said Dabal.

Juan Bravo-Guaman will witness the daily life of CHS Principal Bill Cannici, ranging from his interactions with the 3,400 students to the management of over 300 faculty members, to how Cannici spends leisure time during the day.

Jeunelle Sanabria is considering a future as a sports agent and what better place to start than CHS Athletic Director Richard LaDuke’s office?

On any given day, there are hundreds of students competing in dozens of athletic events. Sanabria will get to see what it is like to manage everything, from the maintenance of fields to ordering buses so students can get to away games. “I really love sports and interacting with people, so this could just be a perfect job for me,” Sanabria said.

☛

CATERING at the Athenia Vets Hall Communions, Weddings, Confirmations, Graduations, All Types of Affairs

Call Greg or Jack

$ STUDENT DISCOUNT 20 OFF

with this coupon. may not be combined with any other offers.

56

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

973.778.0931 for details

or stop by the Athenia Vets Hall

147 Huron Ave

If the Mayor and Council would have accepted our proposal, Clifton Police Officer Steve Farrell would have had a partner in his car and additional back up on the street.

Clifton cops have been working without a contract since December, 2000. Since that time, the Mayor and Council have spent tens of thousands of your tax dollars for high-priced lawyers to fight our proposal for modern deployment of manpower and resources.

PBA Local 36 urges the Mayor and Council to accept the PBA’s proposal for modern deployment of manpower and resources.

Settle Now! Paid for by Clifton PBA Local 36 1626

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

57

With an interest in politics, broadcasting and public relations, Ashley Olivia said her leadership as president of the CHS Student Council Association has given some solid experience for the real world.

Her mentor for the day will be Clifton’s personnel officer, who manages over 1,000 employees.

What do these leaders of tomorrow hope to achieve by shadowing a public official for a day?

To make ripples which become waves, Frank Kasper said. “We can achieve anything by showcasing our talents, which will result in gaining responsibility for the future of our community.”

Clifton Honors Heroes

1023

The spotlight may shine on those who are shadowing city officials, but there are many ways for kids of all ages and from all over the city to become involved in Youth Week.

Programs are appropriate for grades K-12 and many are old-fashioned, fun-filled community activities. This year’s theme, ‘Clifton Honors Heroes,’ is designed to remind residents of everyday unsung heroes and remind children that they can envision themselves as heroes. Recreation Supervisor Debbie Oliver said, “The broad definition of ‘hero’ is not just the heroes that everyone talks about, but family and friends. The kids define their own definition of what a hero is to them.”

Sidewalk Chalk Art: Clifton’s young artists will display their artistic abilities on May 17, 9-11 am at Main Memorial Park. All participants will receive candy and certificates.

The fun begins on May 9 at 7 pm at the Community Recreation Center, 1232 Main Ave., when youngsters can meet magical characters in a reading of the “Fantastic Flight With Mother Goose.” Kids will be awarded candy for interacting with Mother Goose and a cast in their adventures. Tickets are $2 per person and can be purchased at the Recreation Office at 900 Clifton Ave. Other events include...

Bowling Contest: bowlers from grades K-8 will have a striking time on May 17, 1-3 pm at Garden Palace Lanes. In various grade categories,

the top boy and girl bowler will be issued ribbons and recreation dollars.

A $2 fee (includes shoe rental) covers two games. Pay at the Rec Dept.

Family Day Out: Families can spend quality time together on May 17 at the following Clifton restaurants: Foodies Café, Pub 46, The Midtown Grill, Mario’s Restaurant, Jubilee Park Diner, Bruno’s Pizzeria, Villa Roma Pizzeria and Puschart International. Obtain discount coupons for a meal by contacting the Recreation Department or online at clifton.k12.nj.us.

dr. barry raphael p.a.

1425 broad street, clifton, new jersey 07013 (973) 778-4222, alignmine.com N.J. Specialty # 3684

When we tell you that you have to go to AC to see a great smile, we’re not talking about Atlantic City.

Congratulations AC Pyott - you’re done!

Can orthodontics do the same for you?

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

Talent Show: Kids of all ages can showcase their musical, artistic or acting abilities in a Talent Show on May 16, 7 pm at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Mandatory dress rehearsal is on May 12 (grades K-4) and May 13 (grades 512) at 6:30 pm at WWMS. Applications may be received and dropped of at the Recreation Department (900 Clifton Ave.), via school Youth Week representative, or online at www.clifton.k12.nj.us. Participants must supply their own props and be accompanied by an adult.

Poetry Contest: All young poets from grades 4-12 on May 12 will be judged in four classes (grades 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12) on originality, grammar, theme and composition.

One poem per poet may be entered and ‘Clifton Honors Heroes’ must be labeled with the poem’s title, student’s name, grade, phone number and school.

Poster Contest: Open to all students to place in the top 3 in every grade level. One poster per student must be submitted to be judged on originality, neatness, composition and general appeal on or before May 12. ‘Clifton Honors Heroes’ must be written on each 11’’ x 17’’ poster board with name, age, grade, phone number and school printed or typed on the back of each poster. Objects that will make the poster look three-dimensional (photographs, clipart, stickers) may not be used, but markers, crayons or paint are tools that must be used to draw. Your school representative should drop off all entries at the Community Recreation Center.

1074

TENAFLY ENAFLY PEDIATRICS EDIATRICS

LWOOD AL AY AND LEARN

1135 Broad St., Suite 208 • Clifton • 973-471-8600 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm Wednesday 8:30 am – 8:30 pm (for check-ups, too!)

PL

Sunday 9 am – 12 noon

Dr. Maury Buchalter

Computer Contest: All computer wizards out there: get started by using the Microsoft PowerPoint program to create a project judged in three categories on May 12 (grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12), based on originality, content, technical skill and significance to the theme ‘Clifton Honors Heroes.’

Students may enter one PowerPoint presentation and can be created by an individual or no more than five participants in a group. The finished projects must be saved on a disk and include the names, ages, grades and school printed on the label. The minimum number of slides per presentation is ten and the maximum is fifteen. The projects may promote the theme by a multimedia display, including sounds, scanned photographs, wording and music. Discs may be dropped off on or before May 12 at the Recreation Department or emailed to cliftonrec@cliftonnj.org.

Basketball Foul Shooting Contest: Clifton’s basketball stars of all ages will shoot some hoops on May 14, 6:30 pm at the Boys and Girls Club of Clifton. The top shooters in various grade categories will be awarded ribbons and recreation dollars. Sign up at the Recreation Department.

Fishing Contest: Young fisherman all of ages will receive prizes for participating, having the catch of the day and the most fish caught on May 17 from 7-10 am in Main Memorial Park. 9:45 am is the chance for the last trout to be caught by hook (no nets) in the fish’s mouth while judging. All are welcome to stay and fish for the remainder of the trout at the end of the contest.

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59

Hope n o t f i l C from [By Joe Torelli]

When the nominees for Outstanding Drama Series are announced at this year’s daytime Emmy Awards show in Radio City Music Hall on May 16, Hope Harmel Smith will be seated in the audience nervously clutching her father’s WWII Marine aviator wings.

“The wings are a way for my father to be with me,” said Smith, who as producer of ABC’s daytime drama, ‘Port Charles,’ has been nominated for the prestigious award for the second time in her career. She had the wings with her the first time around, too, in 1999 when she won the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy for ABC’s ‘General Hospital.’

It seems only natural for the Clifton native to be thinking of her late father as the big event draws near.

She hails from a rather remarkable, close-knit family that will be joining her at Radio City later this month.

In addition to her mom, Glory Smith, a former model, she’ll be accompanied by her sister Heather who is a dancer and actress living in southern California, and by her brother Scott, a US Navy physician stationed in Maryland.

Hope (second from right), after she received the 1999 Emmy for General Hospital.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

From left, Hope, Glory, Scott and Heather back in the high school years.

in landing roles. “I never really pictured myself an actor, anyway,” she said, “but college did open up a new world of interest in drama for me.”

After graduating, Smith was hired by the Compton Advertising agency in New York, which handled the programming and business affairs for all of Proctor & Gamble’s soap opera properties. She served as a liaison to ‘The Guiding Light,’ the oldest drama on daytime television, where she had responsibility “for just about everything,” she said, including waking the actors up before dawn to get them ready for early morning tapings.

☛

Smith credits her family for providing the motivation and encouragement that she needed to succeed. As a student in Clifton’s School 9, the 1978 CHS graduate used to stage plays and shows in the family garage, casting her brother and sister along with schoolmates in the roles she created. “My parents never failed to clear the garage and cheer us on whenever I got an idea for one of my shows,” she said proudly.

Smith recalled getting the whole family involved in making costumes for the shows that she charged her neighbors a nickel to see.

“Sometimes I had to pay for the tickets myself in order to get an audience,” she said with a laugh, “and once in awhile I had to coerce my brother and sister into participating.

But since I’m older than they are, I usually was able to strong-arm them into doing what I wanted, especially if I let them be the stars.”

From the family garage in Clifton’s Allwood section, Hope moved on to Franklin and Marshall University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where she majored in Government with a minor in Drama.

She doggedly tried out for parts in productions staged by the school’s theater department but had little luck Clifton Merchant • May 2003

61

She quickly caught the eye of the program’s executive producer who offered her the job of associate producer on the show. “At age 24, Hope became the youngest producer Proctor & Gamble ever had,” said her obviously proud mom. “She really did start out at the bottom doing all sorts of menial jobs and worked her way right to the top.”

Smith moved on from ‘The Guiding Light,’ to ‘The Bold and The Beautiful,’ a new daytime drama that CBS was developing to appeal to a younger, hipper audience.

Though it was risky to leave the comfort and security of the venerable ‘Guiding Light,’ she accepted the challenge because it “appealed to my sense of adventure.”

Obviously she was up to the task since the program quickly rose from brash start-up to the number two-rated program in daytime drama.

After succeeding with ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’, Smith moved on to ABC and her Emmy Award for ‘General Hospital.’ But just as at CBS, she was determined not to become too comfortable with her success and accepted an offer to take on production of ‘Port Charles,’ a program that would introduce an entirely new concept to American daytime drama.

As Smith explained, ‘Port Charles’ adapted the novella style of storytelling that had been used successfully for some time in Mexican soap opera productions. The technique requires introducing a complete new story line every 13 weeks instead of continuing with the seemingly endless plots so typical of daytime drama.

The show also departed from the norm with its casting of vampires, live wild animals, and its plots that employed a variety of spectacular special effects, all geared towards attracting younger viewers. Adding to the risk for Smith’s new venture was the fact that each ‘Port Charles’ episode was only 30 minutes long.

From left, Hope, Scott and Heather with their dad, Ralph.

“Many people believe the half-hour format isn’t long enough to develop a story line that will keep people tuning in,” Smith explained. However, she said that ‘Port Charles’ was able to overcome that obstacle early on by concentrating on developing relationships between the characters rather than focusing solely on the plot. “It really helped the show catch on fast,” she added. ‘Port Charles’ caught on so fast that it is the only daytime drama in ABC’s lineup to have received a nomination for the Outstanding Drama award this year.

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A typical workday for Smith and her colleagues finds them taping two full episodes covering more than 100 pages of script. “We normally start at dawn and we have an absolute deadline to be out of the studio by 5:30 each afternoon,” said the producer, who doesn’t seem to mind the frantic pace. “It’s a pressure cooker sometimes, but it’s all about problem solving and that’s what continues to make it fun for me. We’re one big team,” she continued, referring to the more than 100 people involved in the daily production, “and frankly, I’d miss the sense of accomplishment if things were too easy.”

Hollywood is a long way from Clifton and Smith admitted that she’s looking forward to returning to her hometown when she heads east for the awards ceremony. “It was idyllic growing up in Clifton during the 60s and 70s,” she said, “almost Norman Rockwell-like.

I miss it. There’s nothing even close to it in southern California.”

The Emmy Awards show notwithstanding, Smith said that she’s especially looking forward to reuniting with her family in Clifton. “We don’t get together too often anymore,” she lamented, “so the nomination is providing me with an extra reward by bringing the whole family together.” And that includes her late father, she said, who will be there in spirit thanks to the aviator wings that she’ll be hanging onto so tightly.

Heather, Glory and Hope, seated, in a recent photo.

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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Top Dog

By Kevin Grasha

C

lifton resident Greg Siner, owner of Studio Groomers, a dog and cat grooming salon in Montclair (motto: “Your dog doesn’t have to be a show dog to look like one”), who has been breeding dogs for the past 25 years, is the top breeder of Irish water spaniels in the country.

In fact, he bred two current champion Irish water spaniels who are ranked 1 and 2, nationally. He said that, each year, three or four of his dogs are ranked in the top ten— meaning they consistently win shows in various cities throughout the year.

While he used to go to dog shows himself—over 100 every year—he is now at a level where he breeds and raises Irish water spaniels exclusively and then ‘leases’ them to wealthy dog enthusiasts who, for the prestige, hire professional handlers to chauffeur the spaniels from competition to competition.

One of the most distinguished awards is the ‘Best of Breed’ honor presented at the Westminster dog show in New York City every February. Siner’s Irish water spaniel, Poole’s Ide’s Marksman McLean, won that honor in 2001 and 2002. (‘Poole’s Ide’ is Siner’s prefix and any dog he breeds is registered under that name; Marksman McLean’s ‘pet 64

May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

Greg Siner, center, with his Irish water spaniel, Poole’s Ide’s Marksman McLean, a.k.a. ‘Mark’, who won Best of Breed at the prestigious 2002 Westminster dog show.

name’ is Mark.) Another of his dogs, Poole’s Ide’s Skylark, who is on lease to a woman in Potomac, Maryland, won the top award this past February.

That win meant Siner’s dogs, in the last 14 years, have won 11 Best of Breed awards at Westminster.

Eleven-year-old Enya, who can now be found strutting around his Union Ave. home, won Best of Breed at Westminster four times.

Even though some kennels might keep 30 or 40 dogs in search of a champion, Siner said, his goal is to never have more than four dogs in his home at one time and he breeds about one litter per year.

“I know my gene pool so well, usually I can get at least one good dog from every breeding,” he said. “I don’t waste breedings and I don’t believe in overpopulating.”

He added that unless a dog is ‘absolutely perfect,’ he spays/neuters

and sells them, under the condition that they never be resold, and if a buyer changes their mind, they are contractually obligated to return the dog to him.

While it sounds like science fiction, his four-month-old puppy, Poole’s Ide’s Chillmark was bred using 30-year-old frozen... um, DNA material from the all-time top-winning male who won Best in Show at Westminster—the highest honor—in 1979. How does he do it?

There is a precise, international standard for what an Irish water spaniel should be—height, weight, coat texture, outline, eye color, eye shape, length of ears.

“I just try to breed as close to that standard as I possibly can,” he said. “I breed same to same—if I like the dog’s headpiece, I try to find a stud dog that has the same head. I think I have a very good eye for what I like in a dog... My type of dog.”

Duch founded his unique business at 560 Lexington Ave. 15 years ago and being in the same location for all those years, has created a large following.

In addition to his retail customers, Duch also supplied pirogies to many local supermarkets and stores. So when the fire hit, hundreds of dozens of pirogies ready for shipment literally cooked in the fire. In addition to the product, thousands of dollars in equipment were also destroyed.

“With Routes 80 and 46 right there, we were two turns from anywhere. It is so convenient to everywhere,” he said.

“I was doing great there. I’d love to stay on Lexington Ave.” Duch said he hopes to purchase a building along the avenue soon. New equipment has been ordered and is currently being fabricated on the west coast.

Duch said he’ll soon find a new location and expects to open again for business this coming November.

Mike Duch of Homemade Pirogi.

O

n March 21, a devastating fire ripped through a series of commercial businesses on Lexington Ave. Luckily, no one was killed or injured in the blaze but several entrepreneurs and employers are now out of work and searching for new locations. Among them is Mike Duch and his seven employees from Homemade Pirogi. The fire hit as Lent entered its final four weeks, a time when Duch and his crew are at their busiest. For those not in the know, a pirogi is a thin layer of dough wrapped around a filling, often non-meat, and thus a perfect food for those who abstain from meat for 40 days before Easter.

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The Chamber of Commerce

Serving North Jersey ––––––––––––––––––––– Story by Paula Zecca –––––––––––––––––––––

G

loria Martini enjoys a great deal about her new position as President of the Clifton-based North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce.

What she enjoys most, beyond her short commute to the office, is her ability to give back to the community she calls home. Martini, a Clifton resident for over 20 years, and wife of former congressman William Martini who is now a federal judge, raised two children in Clifton. As a resident, she is concerned with the quality of the educa-

tion offered to Clifton’s youth. That’s why Martini is downright enthusiastic when she discusses a new mentoring and internship relationship the Chamber is entering with the Clifton Public Schools.

With the help of Superintendent of Schools Michael Rice, the internship program was designed to match CHS seniors with companies that best suits their interests. The chamber works with its existing members to provide meaningful work experiences for students.

Gloria Martini with program manager Joe Raitano at left and chair of the board, Bob Jaffe.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

“It’s a win-win situation for the students and for the participating companies,” said Martini. “The students will earn some valuable work and life experience and maybe a few dollars. The businesses have a chance to ‘test drive’ a potential employee,” said Martini. “Mentoring and community involvement are big parts of this program.”

Martini has seen first hand how a successful internship can nurture a young student and develop him or her into a good and productive employee.

“Our program manager Joe Raitano started here as an intern while he was a senior in Clifton High School,” Martini said. “Following graduation from high school he stayed on at the chamber and attended college at night and became head of our program department.”

The chamber has a long history of working with local young talent and developing them through the formative high school and college years.

Beyond the new and evolving internship program, which begins this fall at CHS, a scholarship program has also been in existence at the chamber for the past seven years.

Managed through the North Jersey Regional Development Council, an arm of the chamber, eight students will each receive $1,000 scholarships to attend Montclair State University, William Paterson University, Berkeley College and Passaic County Community College.

This year, students are being awarded $1,000 scholarships over four years as opposed to a one-time $1,000 scholarship. Monies are raised through member donations and fundraising events.

To further help Clifton students with their career choices, the chamber works with the Boys and Girls Club of Clifton to sponsor a Career Exploration Day. This year’s event will be held on May 8 and it is a day which offers

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Clifton High School students an opportunity to explore the career of their choice by spending a day at work with a sponsor or community representative.

Approaching her one-year anniversary as president of the chamber, Martini said another exciting initiative is the Task Force project, which will be one major community support project in 2003. The Board of Directors were asked to come up with and develop ideas for this project, which has yet to be determined.

Martini has some of her own goals for the future of the chamber.

She would like to see it nurture its local roots in Clifton, where it actually got its start. “I want to see us get more smaller local businesses back as members,” said Martini. “We need to be an advocate for all types of businesses, from local mom and pop type stores to larger corporations. My goal is to really make us relevant for today’s businesses,” Martini added.

☛

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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Growing membership in tough economic times may be quite a challenge. “A lot of companies tend to cut back because of the economy,” she noted. “If anything, this is the time when they really should consider increasing their marketing, doing more networking and looking for advertisers.”

For that reason, the chamber holds a series of networking events and fundraising events over the course of the year to help members grow their businesses. Free networking breakfasts, held monthly, are open to members and non-members.

In May the chamber is also sponsoring two major events. The third annual Fabulous Food Fest at the Sheraton Meadowlands on May 5 and a Business Dynamics Conference entitled “Moving Forward Through Tough Times” on May 22 at William Paterson University. On June 24 the Sports Celebrity Spectacular & Beefsteak Dinner will be held at the Brownstone in Paterson. For info on the Chamber, call 973-470-9300.

Meet Bob Jaffe – Chairman of the Board Another longtime Clifton resident, Bob Jaffe, was elected Chairman of the Board of the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce last year.

A resident of Clifton for nearly 20 years, Jaffe is married to Clifton native Debbie Scott. You might say Jaffe has always had the chamber in his blood.

He got his start as an intern at the Hendersonville, NC Chamber of Commerce and followed that up with a summer job with the same group.

Beyond his volunteer work at the Chamber, Jaffe serves as managing director of CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC in Fairfield. Among Jaffe’s duties as the NJRCC’s top volunteer, he heads the Vision Committee, which was was developed to brainstorm new ideas, listen to the needs of members, and to help develop plans for the chamber’s growth.

The Vision Committee’s mission has always been to ask questions about the form and function of the Chamber of Commerce and to develop ideas about how to continue the chamber’s long-standing success.

When it comes to the chamber, Jaffe thinks involvement is the key.

In his Chairman’s message for 2002 Jaffe said, “Years ago, George Homcy (the former longtime president of the Chamber) said to me, ‘You get out of the Chamber what you put into it.’ It’s really that basic. Be active on committees; participate in Chamber activities, Meet & Greets, the annual events, such as the Food Fest, Beefsteak, Golf Outing and Holiday Gala. Each of these offers opportunities to interact with fellow members who can be prospective clients. Advertise in The Products and Services Guide and Business Matters and on our website. Sponsor events; hold a Meet & Greet at your place of business. Make your voice heard.”

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Clifton’s First Peddler

By Joe Torelli

S

ome people spend their leisure time reading, playing golf, gardening, or simply relaxing in the back yard. Clifton’s Bruce Kaminski says that he likes to spend his time off picking garbage.

You may have seen the 43 year-old 1978 CHS graduate rummaging through your own trash from time to time. But even if you haven’t, there’s no need to be alarmed by the thought of a total stranger picking through your discards in the middle of the night.

That’s because Kaminski is licensed to pick garbage by the city government.

Actually, Kaminski holds a peddler’s license—one of only two issued by the city—that makes it legal for him to remove property that has been discarded by others.

“Anything that isn’t part of the city’s recycling program is fair game,” said the affable father of three, who uses proceeds from the sale of items he carefully chooses from others’ trash to supplement the income he earns from his employment in the fiber-optic cable industry.

“I stopped being surprised years ago by what people throw away,” said Kaminski. In addition to the usual array of discarded furniture, books, toys, and appliances that he has converted into cash at salvage yards and flea markets across the state, Kaminski has collected several ride-on lawn mowers that were in reasonable condition. “And one time, I picked up a snowmobile that was in perfect running order,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Kaminski claims that he got his start picking garbage as a youngster. “My mother says that I always had a fascination with trash and that I’d constantly bring home junk that I got from the neighbors’ garbage,” he recalled.

“One time, I brought home a ‘For Sale’ sign that I found and innocently placed it in front of my house,” he continued. “She was pretty surprised when people rang the bell and asked her how much she wanted for the place.”

Kaminski receives a good amount of teasing from friends because of his avocation. “But hey, it helps pay my son’s college tuition,” he said, noting that others’ opinions are usually shaped by the circumstances under which they encounter him. “People who see me with an item in the middle of the night think of me as a garbage picker,” he said. “Those who see me with that same item at a flea market consider me an antiques dealer.”

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H

ere’s something to think about the next time you’re out shopping for sportswear, a bathing suit, or an item of intimate apparel: there’s a good chance that the fabrics used to manufacture those garments passed through Clifton before being transformed into the finished products you see in the store.

That’s because Missbrenner Printing, located at the intersection of Mt. Prospect Ave. and Brighton Road, is the premier wet-printing company in the United States.

The company prints patterns on more than 90 percent of the lycra-based fabrics used by the world’s largest clothing manufacturers and retailers, including such notables as Bali, Speedo, Maidenform, Victoria’s Secret, and Wal-Mart.

Wet printing is the process that applies tinted dyes to plain white fabric, creating the brightly colored, intricate-patterned material used in today’s fashions. It is a technically complex process that requires a combination of sophisticated computerized equipment and highly skilled workers to create the flawless finished products demanded by the company’s clients. Fortunately, Missbrenner has both, but it wasn’t always that way.

By Joe Torelli

The privately owned company which was originally located in a small plant on Van Houten Ave. has been doing business in Clifton for more than 33 years. It moved to the 70,000 square-foot facility it now occupies in the early 1970s where it did well until falling victim to foreign competition in the early 1990s.

The original owners filed for bankruptcy protection and the company was purchased by its current owners in 1999. To battle the competition and reestablish the prominence that Missbrenner now enjoys, the revitalized company invested more than $2 million in facility improvements after purchasing the plant. And they also placed increasing emphasis on quality control.

☛

Made with pride in Clifton: from left, Jan Fila, Arthur Kapera and at right, Binh Ngo and George Osmak, perform quality control checks on a Victoria Secrets line which are printed at the Missbrenner plant on Mt. Prospect Ave.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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“We work closely with our customers so we understand their requirements completely,” said Missbrenner’s vicepresident and general manager, Walter Beck. “And we’ve established strong relationships with our suppliers, as well.

They meet with us regularly to try to improve the raw materials that go into making the dyes we use,” he explained.

The plant also has a sophisticated quality control and testing laboratory that it will be expanding later this year.

All of which has resulted in Missbrenner consistently exceeding a 95 percent first-quality rating in an industry where 92-95 percent is considered the norm. Beck pointed out that competition from foreign companies is still fierce.

“Overseas companies are subsidized by their governments who really don’t care whether or not they turn a profit,” continued Beck, a lifelong Clifton resident and 1967 graduate of CHS. “Those governments are only interested in making sure that their people have something to do.”

Beck noted that in addition to its upgraded facilities and a renewed passion for quality, Missbrenner is blessed with a knowledgeable and dedicated workforce.

“Our people really set us apart from our competitors,” he said. The plant employs between 80-110 workers, depending on the season, with approximately 35-40 percent of its employees hailing from Clifton. Several workers, including Beck, have been with the firm for nearly all of its 33 years.

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Maintenance of the sophisticated printing equipment is another key factor in keeping Missbrenner competitive. Beck explained that the print screens which apply the colored dyes onto the fabric in such intricate detail cost between $800-$1,000 on average so having well trained people handling them is key.

With more than 45,000 of the 5-6 foot cylindrical screens on hand, the investment is significant. “We take great care to clean and handle them properly,” said the vice-president.

Cleanliness and plant maintenance have become almost a fetish for Missbrenner’s management.

Each year the plant is cleaned and repainted in its entirety on a sectionby-section basis.

The performance of the three 50foot long rotary printers, and another one half that size, is monitored constantly to ensure peak performance, as is the performance of the buildingsized washers, dryers, and finishing machines used in the printing process.

Missbrenner Inc. is located on the corner of Mt. Prospect Ave. and Brighton Rd.

And Missbrenner is also conscious about the environment.

“Nearly all the dyes and thickening agents we use are water-based,” said Beck, “so there’s virtually no danger of contamination.” He also noted that the aqueous printing process employed by Missbrenner requires the generation of vast amounts of steam. Because of that, water and

heat recycling are top priorities for the company, as is conserving electricity for use by the plant’s huge machines.

“It makes sense for us to be concerned about conservation from both an economic and environmental perspective,” explained Beck. “It’s not only good for the environment, it’s good for our business.”

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We offer Morning and Afternoon Care for students.

A Hot Lunch Program is Available for all students.

We offer extracurricular athletic and academic programs.

Call us for more information and a tour of the school at (973) 546-2161 or email us at stpaulschool@aol.com Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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Primary Elections are on June 3.

Theoretically, voters have a chance to select candidates for county and state offices. However, this is New Jersey and there is really only one local primary fight; incumbent Democrat Senator Nia Gill faces party endorsed candidate LeRoy Jones Jr. Insiders says Gill, a state senator since 1994, was bounced from the party line for being too independent. “Voters in our district are not necessarily dependent on the choices dictated to them by the party,” said Gill. “We will run a campaign of issues and we are going to leave it to the people to judge.”

District towns, beyond Clifton, include West Paterson, East Orange, Montclair and Glen Ridge. The winner of that battle faces Clifton resident Frank Fusco, the Republican seeking the four year seat. Others Cliftonites seeking office include Assemblyman Peter Eagler, a Democrat who previously ran with Gill. He is also a Passaic County Freeholder and a former Councilman. He seeks another two year term at the state level. His opponent is Keith Krebs, who along with Fusco, recently ran for Clifton’s Board of Education. At the county level, Clifton resident John Traier and his two running mates run unopposed.

Incumbent Freeholders James Gallagher, Lois Cuccinello and Sonia Rosado also run unopposed on the Democrat’s line. The General Election is Nov. 4.

Anna Marie Menconi and her dad Stephen will open Menconi Music at 309 Lakeview Ave. later this month. Instruction will be offered in five private studios on piano and a variety of instruments. Menconi is holding a mandolin which she and members of the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra perform with in a concert on May 4 at 3 pm at the Presbyterian Church on the Green in Bloomfield. Call 973-748-0081 for details.

St. Mary’s Hospital hosts a Million Dollar Golf Classic at the Montclair Golf Club in West Orange on July 21.

Liberty Lincoln Mercury is a Hole in One sponsor offering a 2003 Lincoln LS as top prize. Interested in getting together a foursome or becoming a sponsor? Call 973-470-3106. And here is the good news: St. Mary’s reports IRS regulations allow 97% of the sponsorship as a tax deduction!

Clifton Merchant Magazine publishes community happenings at no charge. Send your info/photos before the 15th of the month prior. From election news to social events, we publish information which affects Clifton. Send your info/photos before the 15th of the month prior. Our mailing address is Tomahawk Promotions, 1288 Main Ave., Clifton NJ 07011 or via tom.hawrylko@verizon.net.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

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Benjamin Brody was the only CHS musician and one of 18 New Jersey students to perform with the National High School Honors Orchestra last month in Columbus, Ohio. The CHS junior, who wields the French Horn, recently gigged with the All-Eastern Orchestra in Providence, Rhode Island, The All-State Symphonic Band at NJ PAC, the Region I Wind Ensemble at Morristown High School and the Region I Orchestra at Mendham. This summer, Brody, pictured below, will attend the Governor’s School for the Arts program for music at Trenton State. As a high stepping Marching Mustangs, he’ll also do a week this August at Bob Morgan’s music camp at CHS as the showband of the Northeast gets ready for the fall season.

Botany Blues: The Botany Village Merchants Association, in association with the United Jersey Blues Network and Drumsticks Bar and Grille, will present a free afternoon of the blues in the Village Square on July 19. Details are still be worked out; call Clifton’s John Muller of the UJBN at 973-3409405 for sponsor or musician info.

Oldies For A Cause: The Duprees perform for the Passaic-Clifton UNICO on May 14 at Joey’s on Allwood Rd. Doors open at 8 pm; showtime is 10:15 pm. $15 tickets in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds fund programs of this Italian American social organization. Call 973-773-2110.

Big Band Swing: The eight piece Richard Reiter Orchestra will have Cliftonites dancing in the aisles of See Michael Gabriel’s painting ‘Julie’s Woodrow Wilson Middle School on Iris Garden’ at the Artisans Touch Gallery.

May 8 at 7 pm in a semi-free concert European Excursions and Other presented by the Clifton Rec Dept.

Destinations is Michael Gabriele’s Bring one non-perishable food item to exhibit of 15 pastel landscapes and support the Helping Hands Food still lifes at the Artisans Touch in Bank. Call Clifton’s Music Matador Styertowne Shopping Center in May. Bob Obser at 973-772-5291 for info.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Clifton Arts Center: CHS art stuSunday. A reception is on May 8 at 6. dents will present their portfolio in an For info, 973-471-0001. exhibit through May 22. The green The Hamilton House Museum showcases the paintings of artist Mildred Kaye in a presentation titled ‘Sensuously Surreal.’ A reception is on May 4 from 2-4 and the exhibit is on view until May 28. The Hamilton House Museum is located at 971 Valley Rd. Call 974-744-5707.

garden around the historic barn, located on the municipal campus behind city hall, will be dedicated on May 15 at 4:30 pm. The volunteers who support the center will also be honored at that time. The gallery is open Wed. through Sat, from 1 to 4 pm, or by appointment. Call 973-472-5499.

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Call 973-546-3366 May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

List with Confidence, List with Experience

S ACRED H EART S CHOOL 43 Clifton Ave. Clifton • 973-546-4695 www.SacredHeartClifton.com An Outstanding Catholic Education at an Affordable Price Pre-School to 8th Grade Middle States Accredited • State Certified Child Care • Child Care open all year round 6:30 AM – 6 PM even on snow days • State of the Art Computer Lab with after school hours.

• Full Time Computer Teacher on site • Full Day & 1/2 Day Pre-School Programs • Full Day & 1/2 Day Pre-K Programs • Full Day Kindergarten • Grades 1-8 • Art, Music, Physical Education • Modern Library/Resource Center with after school hours • Hot Lunch Program • All Classrooms are Air Conditioned • Summer Camp

Clifton Merchant • May 2003

77

Action Theatre Conservatory presents The Conservatory Players production of the musical ‘Narnia,’ based on C.S. Lewis’ classic, ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.’

Performances include the following dates in Clifton: May 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at the St. Paul School on the corner of Washington and Main Aves.; and the following dates in Montclair: May 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and June 1 at St. John’s Church, 55 Montclair Ave. Tickets are $15 adults,

$12 seniors and $10 for children 12 and under and ATC students. In addition, there are special school performances available for school field trips in Clifton on May 14 and Montclair on May 22. Times for both dates are 9:45 am and 1 pm. Space is limited.

Call 973-772-6998 to reserve seats or for details on other performances.

Tickets for school performances are $5 with a 20 person minimum.

Action Theatre Conservatory’s studio is near Union and Main Aves.

‘Narnia,’ based on C.S. Lewis’ classic, ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ is performed in Clifton May 9-14.

Dance on the black top in Downtown Clifton on June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7.

Find Our What Homes In Your Neighborhood Are Selling For For A Recorded Message & Report call 24/7 1-866-831-4517 ID# 1741 This report is courtesy of Nicholas Real Estate. Not intended to solicit properties currently listed for sale. Copyright © 1997.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

UGHA and the Black Top Cruisers return to Downtown Clifton to present a series of Doo-Wopp Cruise Nights on June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7. The shows will be held on the blacktop in the municipal parking lot on First St. and Clifton Ave. All events run from 5 to 10 pm and will offer a big display of vintage cars as well as at least two performances each evening from some of the area’s best classic doo-wopp and acappella groups. Ronni I of Clifton Music will be producing the event.

The music, the cars and the fun are all free, except, of course, for the food and beverages. Owners of vintage wheels made before 1978 are encouraged to register and display their machinery. Other details of the event are still being worked out. For information, call 973-365-0049 for details.

1303

RECYCLED PAPERBOARD INC. of Clifton One Ackerman Ave • Clifton

Vincent M. Ponte President

Tel: 973-546-0030 • Fax: 973-546-1349

Like a Downtown Clifton Chamber of Commerce, John Benjamin of JB Dry Cleaners is a good neighbor. A few months back, Benjamin, pictured at right, found some historic photos of storefronts from Union to Clifton Aves. and matched them up with current photos of the shopping district.

Next he created a large colorful poster and directory of the stores in the neighborhood which he posted in his shop. It’s his way of saying Welcome to Downtown Clifton. Stop in and see his artwork at 51 Harding Ave.

Patriot’s Day is June 14 (raindate June 21) from 10 am to 3 pm in Downtown Clifton along Main Ave., between Union and DeMott. The event will celebrate the opening of the US Post Office at the corner of Main and Madison Aves.

Organizers promise a red, white and blue event with live entertainment, classic and new cars, a food court, kiddie rides and other features. The new postal facility will consolidate services now offered at the Post Office at Main and Washington Aves. and a portion of services offered at the main Post Office on Paulison Ave. The new building will be a destination, expected to bring 1,000 or more daily visitors back to Downtown Clifton. The relocation of the post office has been a key focus of the city’s plan to revitalize Downtown Clifton. Call 973-253-1455 for details on Patriot’s Day or other activities in the Special Improvement District.

Two Locations in Clifton 601 Van Houten Ave • Clifton

973.777.3771 1094 Main Ave • Clifton

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Clifton Merchant • May 2003

79

history

Remember when there were two White Castles on the corner of Piaget and Main Avenues?

photo courtesy of Frank Schiro, Modern Barber Shop

It was back in the 1990’s wasn’t it? We’re not sure of the exact date but that’s our point... Later this year, Clifton Merchant Magazine will publish an edition which focuses on the often overlooked recent history of our community, from 1980 until 2003. To make a project like this successful, we need your help. What were the events that changed our city? Tell us what you remember from the not so distant past. We need photos, clippings and comments. Please mail them to us at Tomahawk Promotions, 1288 Main Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011 or email us at tom.hawrylko@verizon.net.

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May 2003 • Clifton Merchant

An Ice Cream from Poppy’s?

E

verybody who attended Clifton High School between 1958 and 1968 remembers Poppy’s. In fact, the milk bar and luncheonette (pictured above, today the Bizub Quinlan Funeral home) became such a popular spot that it earned a featured article in Seventeen Magazine, a national publication geared to teenagers.

But the magic of Poppy’s spread far beyond the teenage crowd. Teachers, parents, local politicians, and folks from all walks of life were drawn to the place by the homemade ice cream, milk shakes, burgers and fries served up by Poppy’s staff of attractive young waiters and waitresses in starched white shirts and aprons. No doubt about it, Poppy’s was the place to go in Clifton.

Many readers have suggested that we run a feature on this popular restaurant and gathering spot. We’d love to do just that. However, other than the one photograph Bob Zschak provided, we have been unable to locate photographs from Poppy’s heyday so we are appealing to you for help.

We know that many of you Mustangs gathered there after school, following football games, and for a perfect ending to that special Saturday night date.

So if you have special memories and photographs of Poppy’s, please share them with us. Call 973-253-4400, or mail them to us at 1288 Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07011.

As always, we will return all memorabilia in the condition in which it was received.

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