TALK
Spring sort of snuck up on us this year. One minute we were debating which puffer to wear, and the next we were wondering if it’s too early to switch to iced coffee (it’s not). Somewhere between the final freeze and the first sunburn, it happened. Well — it came, it left, and then it came back again. You know how much of a Diva Mother Nature is, but nevertheless Spring arrived, all at once, unapologetically green and bold.
With special moments together like our annual Earth Day event as well as Summer Orientations and Project Stonefield on the horizon now is the time to kick things up a notch. That natural, floral aroma is back, and so are the allergies, but it’s a trade we’re willing to make. There’s that feeling in the air — like the world is stretching out after a long nap. People are eating outside again, even if it’s still a little chilly in the shade. The farmer’s markets are alive. Outdoor brunches are back. And everyone seems just a little more out there — in every sense of the word.
We’ve got cherry blossoms showing off in the cities, cyclists and runners coming out of hibernation, and patio dogs living their best lives. In Italy, where this issue’s photo was taken, spring means long afternoon strolls, open piazzas, and espresso in the sun. Seems like those Italians are doing it right if you ask us. It’s the simple pleasures that shine the brightest. We enjoyed fresh pizza from chef Vischio, explored an abandoned industrial project reclaimed by nature, and gave back to our community all outdoors in nature’s embrace.
seLec Ts
Iman Hussein shares some current recommended selections
Finds: There’s a Backgammon Café called 7 Spring (also the address) that opened on June 1st near the Soho office—such a fun and unexpected concept. Also, check out Lexon Design— they offer sleek, bold designs for everyday accessories.
Food: Looking to try something different? Superiority Burger and Qanoon offer a unique variation of my comfort foods.
Fashion: I’m always on the lookout for a high-quality quiet luxury clothing brand, I’m a fan of Bottega Venetta, Max Mara, Loro Piana, Common Projects, and Brunello Cucinelli.
Film: Love a good silly and crude film like Grandma’s Boy, if you love inappropriate humor, this is the movie for you.
Fun: Exploring the Hudson Valley area is my quick go-to weekend adventure. I highly recommend checking out Cold Spring, Beacon, Woodstock, and Kingston for their outdoor activities, art, landscape, and food scenes.
Furry Friends: Although I have an affinity to cats and dogs, I’ve been weirdly obsessed with little monkey and rodent like animals like the marmoset, ermine, and prairie dogs.
Photo taken by Holly Varrera in Italy
eArTh dAy recAp
A look at our volunteer efforts this year
For the third year running, 25 dedicated Stonefield employees rolled up their sleeves and got to work at Teaneck Creek Conservancy for yet another special Earth Day event — and according to the park director this year might have been our most impactful to date. Our volunteers showed up bright and early, ready to give back to one of our favorite community partners.
Armed with boots, gloves, and a multitude of tools our volunteers tackled numerous assignments including the removal of invasive plant species, hauling and repurposing heavy stones scattered throughout the park, and shaping them into fresh landscaping to accompany a recently installed sculpture. To top things off, our team mulched the interior area of the expertly placed stones for a polished look and prepared flower beds for a group of children to plant on their field trip the following day.
This isn’t just a once-a-year photo op for us — it’s a meaningful tradition. Teaneck Creek Conservancy is known for using only repurposed materials and salvaged items found onsite, and they rely on volunteer power to stay open and thriving. Thanks to efforts like this, it remains a peaceful urban oasis for the local community.
As always, our crew earned their limited-edition Earth Day shirts only given to those who put in the work — but more importantly, a sense of pride for helping protect and preserve a truly special place. It’s moments like these that remind us how much impact a single day of teamwork can have. We’ll see you out there again next year!
dAILy cArry
This month’s daily carry comes courtesy of IT Mike — our in-house tech wizard, motorcycle-riding rocker. When he’s not Mutumboing spam or shredding on stage at the Williams Center, he’s carrying around what can only be described as a mobile command center disguised as a backpack.
Inside, you’ll find an organizer packed with more cords than a Best Buy stockroom, plus every charger known to man. Network cables? Of course. Flash drives that could either contain archived job folders or mined Bitcoin? It’s a roll of the dice with this guy. The sharpest knife known to man for opening boxes (and only opening boxes, so we’re told), plus a voice recorder — in case musical inspiration strikes... or for blackmail, depending on who’s asking.
Mike’s keyring rivals most janitors’ and so do his keychains. Lego Batman doubles as a flashlight and the guitar bottle opener so kindly gifted by IT Louie comes in handy at every Summer Orientation. The bandana isn’t gang-affiliated, Mike swears. However, it may or may not have been used as a face covering for a bank robbery, a headband to keep his hair back while he shreds, or for first aid from a bike accident. It’s truly the most versatile garment he owns. And as if the mention of playing in a band and riding a motorcycle wasn’t bad-ass enough, you’ll also notice that pack of Spirits that Mike’s been a loyal to since high school. Basically, Mike’s ready for anything — from a server crash to a spontaneous gig and even an apocalypse. You need it? He’s got it.
With Mike Prawetz
devILs vs red wIngs recAp
On April 16th, 2025, Stonefield kept the tradition alive with our annual Devils game night at the Prudential Center. The first 20 employees to reply to the email scored tickets, and the seats filled up fast — not surprising with so many hockey fans in the office.
The Devils didn’t pull off the win against the Red Wings, which stung for the die-hard fans, but the Rangers fans in the group didn’t seem to mind one bit. Still, the game was exciting, and the night was full of fun moments that made it one to remember. During one of the intermissions, there was a race on the ice between characters in some wild costumes, each tied to a section in the arena. Our section’s corresponding racer won, which meant free Mrs. Fields cookies for everyone!
We were also celebrating Brett Christiansen’s birthday. Matt Reiser made it his mission to get Brett on the jumbotron — chatting up camera guys, trying all the angles — but no luck. Still, the arena staff handed over a free ice cream cone for the birthday boy.
All in all, it was an awesome night carrying on the tradition. Can’t wait to do it again next year!
A recap of the Devils vs Red Wings game
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Te Ams
Te Ams
InTervIew
With Maraea Garcia
Maraea Garcia walked with us to Lincoln Park to find a spot for the photos, and after talking for just a few minutes, I offhandedly mentioned that I teach high school, which led to the discovery that I not only knew her mother as a colleague, but that I’d been in her house several times and saw her as a child. This small world moment added a hilarious layer to our 30-minute conversation and shoot. Maraea is well-traveled and has a range of talents and interests, which she casually discussed with me on a cramped park bench. Read on to discover the reason for Maraea’s preference to not be asked to interpret the vibe of a building and to hear her answer to one of mankind’s most important questions–”Have you ridden a horse?”
Are you from somewhere close to Rutherford?
Yeah. I grew up in New Jersey. I went to school in New York. And then I just moved back to the area. My close friends are from New Jersey anyway, and they were all coming back. I had gotten a job with my prior company in the City. I told myself, I’ll let the job decide where I go, so I lived in Hoboken and worked in the City. Just recently, I moved to Brooklyn. So now I’m living in the City and working in the City.
Why did you get into engineering?
I wanted to go into architecture. I definitely wanted to do something with math and science, but I also loved to draw buildings. That was my hobby. I always drew. I mainly drew with pen and ink. I had an art teacher in middle school and high school who asked: Why don’t you try drawing a Victorian house? I loved doing them, so then I told myself architecture makes sense. I wanted to go to Syracuse since they had a good architecture program, but I wasn’t able to study architecture initially. I applied to all my other schools for civil engineering, but at Syracuse I applied for architecture. I did portfolio reviews where you have to basically prove that you’re good enough at drawing. I met with a guidance counselor for the program because they admit you based on your portfolio and for some reason, she could see that I was applying to other schools for civil engineering. She said, if you’re applying to Syracuse for architecture, you have to be certain you want to do architecture. And she talked me out of it. I switched my major at Syracuse to civil engineering. I got in and I was like, well, I still think it’d be cool to go here. I actually tried to do a minor in architecture. I learned that in engineering, there is a concrete element, a right and a wrong most of the time–but there are different ways to go about it. In civil
engineering, there is creativity, but there’s still right and wrong. Whereas in architecture, it’s based on a vibe. And I just don’t like interpreting the vibe of a building.
Are you still composing art? Did you carry over any of the drawing habits from when you were younger?
Yeah, I still try to draw. I still do pen and ink, but I stray away from drawing houses just because I want to try something different. I started doing stippling, which is all dots and you make areas lighter and darker with dots. It takes forever.
What do you do to decompress after commuting and working?
I do pilates. I try to run, but I’m not like not a huge fan of it. I tried to knit. That was the most recent thing, because I love clothes and I was thinking: if I can make something for myself, that’d be huge.
I remember that your family would travel a lot. Where are some places you would go?
Yes, I’m going to Greece this summer. There are a lot of Greek Americans in New Jersey, like all my cousins. And, and they’re a little bit more Greek than I am because they’re full Greek and they speak it. I’m still trying to learn, but they grew up going there. My mom grew up going there for the whole summer every year, even though she was born in the U.S. Her parents are from Carpathos. It’s an island close to Turkey. Recently, I went to Portugal just for fun. A year ago, I also went to Iceland.
Have you ridden a horse?
A bunch of times. I went to Arizona when I was little and I rode a donkey. Not a horse, I guess. I rode a horse in Colorado this summer with my friend who wanted to have her birthday there.
Would you do it again?
Yes, but I’d rather go fast. Every time my horse would start running they would want it to calm down, but I want to ride fast. I would like to have an open pasture, and I would just kick the horse and see where it takes me.
If you could retire anywhere, where would that be?
I think California, as I feel like it suits me. I’d be interested in seeing what’s in Northern California. Outside of the US, I’d like a Scandinavian country.
Could you see yourself ending up in Greece?
Where I go is an island, and not many people live there. It’s literally Greek Americans. There’s like two hospitals that aren’t great. If you get hurt badly there, you need to get airlifted to Athens. They’re isn’t legit infrastructure there. It’s a little too far off the grid. If I moved to Greece, I would consider Athens, but then if I’m comparing Athens to Scandinavia, I would say that it interests me more to explore Scandinavia because of how chill it is. Their happiness and everything is better.
What would you say are the most important components for overall happiness?
Lack of technology. Walkable cities. Good food, music, and company.
InTervIew
With Nafen Bachkhaz
I met with Nafen in the dimly-lit old Soldato Records location on Franklin Place in Rutherford. I usually ask the interview subject to spell his or her name, so within a few seconds of sitting down at the table in the sparsely-decorated space, I did the same and realized that she had a name I had never heard. So the first thing I asked was where the name was from and what it meant. For those who know Nafen, it should come as no surprise that her name means “light,” as she jumped into the interview with a warm, jovial ease that brightened the space. She methodically explained her story: a non-engineering background that brought her from Northern New Jersey to Dubai after graduating college. And over time, she laid out the importance of her close-knit Circassian roots and upbringing, explaining a few anecdotes and standout meals from her years of globe-trotting adventures.
What does your name mean?
It means light. It’s Circassian from the North Caucasus, the same region as UFC fighter Khabib, who is Dagestani. We’re not from the same ethnic group, we both come from the North Caucasus, a region that has been under Russian occupation for generations.
Were you born here in the USA?
I was born here, but my parents were born in Syria. Upon the occupation a hundred or so years ago, Circassians migrated down, and some landed in areas of the Middle East–Turkey mostly. My family, for I think two generations, has been in Syria. They speak Circassian and Arabic because they grew up there.
What is the language similar to?
I guess if we were to compare it to any other language, I think the closest that you would know is Georgian. The language is dying out, but one way we remain connected to our culture is through dance and music. It is very artistic there, so most Circassians in the area sing and dance and know the traditions.
What’s your Stonefield origin story? How did you land here?
I started in 2018 as an admin for the Princeton office. I knew Iman, who was a family friend of mine. I was like 27or 28 when I was looking to transition out of whatever I was doing before. I was a flight attendant before that.
How did you get into the world of being a flight attendant?
I went to school at Montclair State University, just five minutes from my house and I felt like I was very sheltered in my little Circassian community. I always envisioned myself working on an island at a resort so I initially wanted to study hospitality. I was also an avid follower of the show Below Deck so I looked into how to be a part of it, but didn’t end up pursuing. At the same time, I had a friend who was living in Dubai, and I was telling her my post-graduate plans about leaving, and she asked if I would apply to be a flight attendant for Emirates. They didn’t require any experience and train you on the job. You get hired; you move; they do everything for you. It was such an easy transition. I couldn’t find any information about living in Dubai or working for the company. Everything I read was from blogs and what a friend who lived there told me. In the US, Emirates wasn’t very well known but it was everywhere else, and there were people all around the world applying to work there.
How many years did you work there? Why’d you stop?
Three and a half years. The job itself is not a good job. First of all, it’s far from home and I’m very close to my family. They hardly visited, even though they got really good discounts. It was 90% off.
What’s it like in Dubai?
It was fun while I was young and had no attachments. You’re just like going out and having fun. There’s like a lot of expats, and everyone is sort of in and out of the country. But it was super fun being young and living there. But the only thing that you can do that’s fun is to go out. The first year was like, oh my God, I love living in Dubai, and then after that I was like, okay I don’t really like it anymore, but I love traveling. The traveling aspect was something that I wish I still had now sometimes.
Did you carry any of your early interests over to your life now?
Traveling, obviously. I can’t not travel. Last year, I had a really good travel year. I went back to Dubai for a couple days, which was nice. I went with my mom, and then I went to Bangkok; a place I always wanted to go for my birthday. It was the most fun I’ve ever had. I went solo because I none of my friends are into that. I also had a chance to go to my homeland; Kavkaz in the North Caucasus for the first time ever. I hadn’t been since I don’t speak Russian or our native language, but I had cousins who were going, and I just jumped on their trip last minute.
Alright, what were some of the best meals you had? What was the best in Dubai?
Dubai’s not good so I wouldn’t have examples, but the best in Thailand was pineapple fried rice. As for my time in Kavkaz the best dish I had was a variation of the pierogi. It’s fried and stuffed with potato and cheese–it’s called halivah. There’s a thinner version as well that’s like a crepe cooked on a pan. But, of all the places I’ve been recently, the mussels I had in New Zealand are the best.
Are there any other connections you still cling to from Circassian culture?
I used to dance when I was younger. It was offered within our community, but then I stopped. Later, my brother created a community, and I joined that. It was just so much fun re-learning and doing everything from years ago. Circassian dance for women is known for being graceful, elegant, and poised so you really feel that when you dance.
where In The worLd
Can you guess which one of Stonefield’s 7 offices resides in the mystery city below
Looking for an excuse to get outside and enjoy the warm weather? Just a short drive from one of our 7 offices you’ll find this hidden gem containing some serious American history. The location pictured is home to a quiet park with the remains of a long-forgotten canal project — a glimpse into one of this state’s boldest and earliest infrastructure dreams.
Back in the 1830s, this state launched an ambitious plan to build a massive canal stretching clear across southern portion of the state. The goal? Connect one large body of water to another and boost trade across the region. It was a daring idea for a young state without extensive experience, so unfortunately, it didn’t quite pan out. Construction was slow, funding quickly dried up, and before long, railroads took over as the transportation of the future. Only a small portion of the canal was ever completed, and now, all that’s left are a few scattered remnants — including the remains of an old aqueduct where the canal once crossed a local river.
Today, this failed project has been reclaimed by nature and has been transformed into a peaceful spot that blends local history with nature. In the spring, it’s even known to be a great place for fishing. Whether you’re in search of a peaceful getaway, hidden trails, or just like a good mystery, this one’s worth uncovering.
The answer can be found on the back page.
pop-up recAp 2025
What started as a college hobby with a clay pizza stone has officially become one of the most beloved traditions at the Rutherford office. For the second year in a row, Andrew Vischio (and his lovely wife, Jill) transformed the back parking lot into a full-blown pizzeria. The makeshift kitchen was fitted with two Ooni pizza ovens, a spread of toppings, and a threeday fermented dough recipe that he’s been fine-tuning over the years.
The tradition began in 2024 when he asked Chuck if he could test out his pizza skills on a larger scale. Chuck said yes, the people were fed, and a new office event was born. This year’s version built on that success—more pies, more people, more cheese-induced happiness. Something like 50 pizzas were served up hot and ready where you at Little Caesars? The setup might’ve been simple, but the results were anything but. The hand-tossed pizzas came out fast and disappeared even faster.
There weren’t many photos (the pizza didn’t stick around long enough), but everyone left full and in awe of just how legit the whole operation was.
When asked if he’d be doing it again next year, Andrew said, “I don’t think I have a choice.” We agree. Huge shout-out To Andrew and Jill for putting something so special together for everybody. We’ll see you all there next year!
For the second consecutive year, Andrew Vischio slung some pies in the Rutherford parking lot
STONEFIELD NEWSLETTEr
Each Stonefielder answered 10 of the 20 questions below:
1. Do you have any siblings? How many? What place are you in the order?
2. What’s your favorite vacation you’ve ever been on?
3. Are you aware that 90% of the world’s population lives in the Northern Hemisphere? Is your mind blown right now?
4. Why do lemons float but limes sink?
5. What is your favorite music venue you’ve ever been to? Who did you see?
6. What is something you’re extremely passionate about?
7. What’s the most random thing you’ve had to Google on the job so far?
8. You walk into a gas station with a $20 bill. What are you leaving with?
9. How do you really feel about roundabouts?
10. If you were a Pop-Tart, which flavor would you be and why?
11. You get one free pass to punch any fictional character –who’s catching hands?
12. What smell instantly transports you to a place – good, bad, or traumatizing?
13. Would you ever join a cult? Which one sounds tempting?
14. What’s the most recent thing you just learned that everybody else has known for years?
15. Give us one song that bangs in the whip. Headphones just don’t do it justice.
16. You get to create your own holiday. What’s the date, occasion, reason, name, etc. What is everybody required or encouraged to do on this date?
17. What’s the pettiest reason you’ve ever disliked somebody?
18. What would your younger self flame you for today?
19. What fast food item do you feel spiritually connected to?
20. What’s the worst injury you’ve ever suffered? How did you do it?
vALenTInA gjocAj
mATT AdvocATe
