Bayonne Life on the Peninsula Fall | Winter 2021-2022

FALL | WINTER 2021|22

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CONTENTS BLP

COVER 14 WRAP IT UP Beautifying Bayonne Cover Photo by Max Ryazansky

FEATURES 18 FLYING CHALLAH Chabad of Bayonne

18

26 PAW-NINSULA Dog Friendly City

38 ATOMIC VETERANS Seeking Recognition

DEPARTMENTS 6 OUR STAFF 6 CONTRIBUTORS 22 SPORTS Outdoor Bocce League

30 HOW WE LIVE B22 Luxury Rentals

34 HELPING HANDS MFL Foundation

40 DINING Little Food Cafe

34

4 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

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Fall | Winter 2021 | 22 Volume 7 • Number 2 Published twice annually A Publication of Newspaper Media Group

PUBLISHER Perry Corsetti ART DIRECTOR Terri Saulino Bish DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Tish Kraszyk

DANIEL ISRAEL

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ron Kraszyk VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

CIRCULATION Luis Vasquez FINANCIAL Sharon Metro Bayonne Life on the Peninsula is published by the Newspaper Media Group, 166-168 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002, (201) 798-7800, Fax (201) 798-0018. Email bayonnemag@ hudsonreporter.com. Subscriptions are $10 per year, $25 for overseas, single copies are $7.50 each, multiple copy discounts are available.

VISA/MC/AMEX accepted. Subscription information should be sent to BLP Magazine Subscriptions, 166-168 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or other unsolicited materials. Copyright ©2020/21, Newspaper Media Group .All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Bayonne Life on the Peninsula is a publication of Newspaper Media Group 166-168 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002 phone 201.798.7800 fax 201.798.0018

DANIEL ISRAEL is a writer and videographer. He first set foot in Bayonne in 2018.

Ever since, his life has centered around the city. When he’s not working, Daniel enjoys relaxing in 16th Street Park and visiting Bayonne’s coffee shops and eateries.

VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ has studied photography, publication design, and graphic arts. “I’ve been fascinated by photography for 20 years,” he says.

MAXIM RYAZANSKY

MAXIM RYAZANSKY is a photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries and published worldwide. A recent transplant to Bayonne, he spends his spare time trying to figure out the best pizza place in town.

TARA RYAZANSKY is a writer who moved from Brooklyn to Bayonne. She works as a blogger for Nameberry. com and spends her spare time fixing up her new (to her) 100-year-old home.

TARA RYAZANSKY

TERRI SAULINO BISH is the art director for The Hudson Reporter’s award-winning magazines and newspapers.

Her work includes capturing many of the iconic photos featured in print and online across Hudson County.

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WRAP IT UP Beautifying Bayonne

By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Stephanie Petersen and Max Ryazansky

I

n 2017, Bayonne put out the call to local artists to create work on utility boxes in a citywide beautification program that was coordinated by Bayonne’s Urban Enterprise Zone.

Bayonne photographer Stephanie Petersen was inspired.

“Before my life as a mom, I was working in cosmetic advertising for Macy’s Herald Square. We would sell ad space on the front of an elevator or the front door and obviously the windows, but even on the floor. We were

14 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

getting creative with sticking advertisements on structures that you normally wouldn’t stick an advertisement on,” Petersen says, “I was inspired by that; by buses being wrapped and subway turnstiles. You can put a sign anywhere. I know it’s a little strange, but I love that.

I thought, I take photos, so why not wrap a utility box?”

Her proposal was chosen for the project. Petersen used a photo of a train pulling out of the 9th Street Station paired with a picture she took of train tracks to wrap a utility box on Broadway and 8th Street near Bayonne Museum.

“I guess people liked it because they asked me to come and do this building in the

same style,” Petersen says.

The building houses restrooms in Dennis P. Collins Park at 1st Street, overlooking the Kill Van Kull in the shadow of Bayonne Bridge.

Local History “Since I’m interested in history, I used historical photos of the bridge,” Petersen says. The result looks modern and fresh, but leans into local history, giving the work a universal appeal. “I’ve gotten a really good response from people; older people and younger people.”

Petersen completed the initial project in 2017, but last spring the building was damaged. She was contacted and asked to do it all over again after repairs were completed.

Take Two “It enabled me to do it again and apply some new ideas based on what worked before,” Petersen explains.

This means the addition of metal molding along the bottom of the building to prevent damage from weed whackers in the spring and summer. Petersen also took the opportunity to source new images for the project.

There are four photos used on the four sides of the building. Previously, the building was wrapped in one image of the Bayonne Bridge being built. The new version maintains the same aesthetic as the first mural but has more interesting details.

Petersen worked with the Staten Island Advance and the Port Authority to find archive photographs for the project.

“This is opening day in 1931,” Petersen says, indicating toward the front of the building. It shows hoards of cars taking a trip across Bayonne Bridge for the first time. “This one, I got from the Port Authority archives. It’s fantastic. I couldn’t not use this.”

Hidden Details The image incorporates some of the building details in a clever way. Look closely and you can spot a plumbing vent lined up perfectly so that it is disguised as a car tire. Petersen worked with Bayonne sign shop Vital Signs on the printing and installation.

“Everybody loves the cop, that’s everybody’s favorite part, but I like this family,” she says of a group sitting in one of the vehicles that a cop is directing across the bridge. “That could have been my family!

You’ve got Mom and some kids and there’s Dad.” Petersen means it literally.

On the Waterfront “My grandmother’s family has been here forever,” she says. Her Bayonne roots run so deep that she even has a connection to the location of her mural. “My great-grandfather owned a tugboat and he would work the Kill. He would go all the way around and work the waterfront. He was a stevedore, like On The Waterfront with Marlon Brando. And his name was Steven. Steven the stevedore.

Steven Sekel. I’m named after him.”

She also might see herself in the 1930s family because she hopes to be cruising FALL | WINTER 2021|22 ~ BLP• 15

around in her own Ford Model A soon. “We have a collection of classic cars, and right now we’re shopping for this exact car. The ones that we’ve been looking at are 1930, this one is probably 1931.”

Rich History Petersen circles the building. On the left side is a marathon runner. “This photo is of the winner of a 5-mile foot race that was held in 1981 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bayonne Bridge,” Petersen says. “I found this one as well as the one of the bridge under construction at the Staten Island Advance.

They did a story about 100 years of the Bayonne Bridge so I got in contact with their art department. I am so grateful to them for sharing these photos.”

Oversized Canvas The back of the building depicts a partially completed Bayonne Bridge and the other side shows 1960s ironworkers. Petersen enthusiastically points out wash marks and a thumbprint from the oldfashioned printing process of the original photographs.

Those details are visible now that they’ve been blown up to building-sized proportions.

“I think when they redid this park, they wanted to do something unconventional here. We don’t have to do the same old, same old all the time,” Petersen says, hoping to create more mural work in a similar style. Now she sees all of Bayonne the same way that she saw the many surfaces at Macy’s: as a potential canvas. “There’s a lot of opportunity. There’s a lot of space for it here in Bayonne.”—BLP

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FLYING

Challah Pass the Bread

By Tara Ryazansky Photos Courtesy of Rabbi Yisrael Bennish

At

the Bayonne Farmers’ Market, Rabbi Yisrael Bennish and his wife Shulamis Bennish sell challah bread.

They have delicious options like vanilla or pesto, but this bread is more than just a tasty treat. It has importance for those of the Jewish faith.

“Challah is a Hebrew word which means separating,” Rabbi Bennish explains. “In the Torah, it’s written that when you bake bread you take a portion and give it to the Kohen. The English word for Kohen would be ‘priest.’ Two-thousand years ago in Jerusalem, there was a group of them who would serve there and they would

18 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

not get a salary, but they would get certain gifts from the people. One of them was a portion of bread. That is the origin.”

While challah has a long history, it’s still popular today.

“The looser term for it is any bread that Jews have when they celebrate the Sabbath,” Rabbi Bennish says. “Typically, it’s a braided sweet egg dough.”

The Bennish family came to Bayonne three years ago this November to start up the Chabad Bayonne.

The Chabad “Chabad is a worldwide Jewish Outreach organization where we welcome Jews of all backgrounds and all levels of observance to celebrate their Judaism in a way that is comfortable for them,” Rabbi Bennish explains. “Chabad is worldwide

and we’re about 5,500 centers in about 105 countries, in all 50 states, and in New Jersey we have about 100 locations.

We were privileged to start up here in Bayonne.”

The Chabad is friendly with all of the other Jewish organizations in town but isn’t affiliated with a specific synagogue.

“We’re here for everyone regardless of what temple they do or do not go to,” Rabbi Bennish says.

“We’re here to provide love and support and warmth to the Jewish community,” Rabbi Bennish adds. “One of the things we do is Flying Challah. Shulamis and some volunteers bake challah and we deliver it. We have volunteers, including myself, go around and bring the challah to those who could use a visit and use a smile on their face.”

The Challah Chain

Community Venue

On the website ChabadBayonne.org, you can nominate a family or individual who deserves some bread from the Flying Challah program. You can also donate to the Chabad, which, like the Kohens, relies on community support.

“A chain happens sometimes. Someone who we give the challah to mentions, ‘Hey I know someone who could use one.

My friend or my neighbor,‘ and then they will give it to them. We’ve been doing this Flying Challah for almost three years now, minus a break because of COVID,” Rabbi Bennish says. “Now people will get it at the Farmers’ Market to bring it to a friend, to their mother, or to their aunt who is sick at home.”

The Bayonne Farmers’ Market has been a great venue for Chabad Bayonne. “It’s been a community experience. We get to see a lot of people. It’s a double effect. We get to see people who we haven’t seen in a while and we get to go out and be a part of the community,” Rabbi Bennish explains.

“Some people meet us there for the first time and it shows them that there’s a Jewish community here.”

This year, the Bayonne Farmers’ Market ends just before Hanukkah begins. Rabbi Bennish says that they will finish their first year at the Market with Hanukkah treats.

They also look forward to one of their biggest yearly events in Bayonne.

“We do our public menorah lighting together with the City of Bayonne,” FALL | WINTER 2021|22 ~ BLP• 19

Rabbi Bennish says, adding that the lighting of the 9-foot Hanukkah menorah will take place at Kopcinski Park at 19th Street and Broadway.

It’s also a time of year when Chabad Bayonne is busy. The Bennishs provide visits to the elderly and lead children’s programs, and Shumalis leads an ongoing women’s group. They also distribute care packages, which must include more challah.

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Carrying the Torch “When it comes to the Jewish community in Bayonne, we’re in the middle of a story. What you hear from the older members of the community is how things used to be. There used to be this many synagogues and so many more Jews who were practicing and going to synagogue than what is going on today,” Rabbi Bennish says. “But we’re seeing the story continue. There are many younger people

moving in. People who are looking to get involved and grow in their Judaism. That’s why we’re here. To really carry the torch of Judaism from the older generation to the next generation.

We’re here to make Judaism accessible to everyone on their own level. We’re trying to be a part of the continuation for Judaism for the next generation.

That’s the vision. Everything that we do has that vision embedded in it.”

—BLP

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F A M I LY A F F A I R

2021 Championship Team Photo (L–R) Nicky D’Anna, Jr., Anthony Senatore, Nick D’Anna Sr., Nick Pasceri, Vinnie Masciale, Captain Anna D’Anna-Masciale, Co-Captain Tony Masciale

By Tara Ryazansky Photos Courtesy of Anna D’Anna-Masciale and Pete Amadeo

T

he Division of Recreation Outdoor Bocce League overall winners are awarded jackets or hoodies by director Carol Bednarski at the end of the season.

Team Transoceanic has won so many times that it’s running out of closet space.

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2003 Awards Dinner Mayor Joe Doria presents the championship trophy to the Core 4

“It’s almost a joke. When we won the overall this year, Carol said to me, ‘What color don’t you have?’ I said, ‘We’ll do royal blue this year for Woodrow; we’re blue and gold,” says team captain Anna D’Anna-Masciale. She won along with cocaptain Tony Masciale and team members Nicky D’Anna, Vinnie Masciale, Nick Pasceri and Anthony Senatore. “We have been the overall winners 11 out of the last 12 years. A couple of years, we’ve won the playoff and the overall.”

Despite a steady history of winning the championship, D’Anna-Masciale says that she didn’t know how this season would play out for Transoceanic.

“This is the first year that we played without my dad because he had a stroke in May. The first week of bocce was quite emotional. I walked onto the court and cried for probably 20 minutes because, of course, everybody came up. The outpouring of love and support has been great.”

D’Anna-Masciale says that they are a family team, consisting of her husband,

SPORTS BLP

2011 The Paul Costello Award (L–R) Supervisor of Recrea�on Pete Amadeo, Nick D’Anna, Sr. and Carol Bednarski

brother-in-law, close family friends and her brother, who drives two hours to come play in Bayonne at the courts at First Street and Lord Avenue. “My dad, Nick D’Anna, he’s one of the original players. Carol and my dad are the only remaining original players.”

Bednarski, who is retiring from her position of director after this season, has been playing bocce since 1984 when the Bayonne Bocce League was founded by Paul Costello.

“When Paul was looking for teams, he would go to all of the clubs that were around at that time. I belonged to the Frank Perrucci Concerned Citizens of Bayonne,” Bednarski explains. “I had heard of bocce, but I had never played it.”

FROM ROME TO BAYONNE Bocce dates to the Roman Empire, but it remained popular through the midcentury in Italian-American communities.

D’Anna-Maciale explains, “It’s played with two teams. Four players start on each team. Usually, it’s two colors. Carol uses red and green in our league. To start a game you flip a coin and whoever wins, they go first. They roll a little white ball, which is called the pallina, and then they throw their first ball. The object is to get your ball the closest to the pallina, but you can get multiple points. Once you go, the next team goes, if they’re not closer to the pallina than that first ball, then they keep going until they exhaust all of their balls

2014 Bayonne Community New

s

and then the rest of your players go. After that, you count up your points.”

“Now we’re the only team after 37 years that is still playing in the league,” Bednarski says she still plans to play next season on her team, Frank Perucci’s Concerned Citizens of Bayonne. “Frank was one in a million. He was involved in everything. He was very instrumental in doing so much for Bayonne. Anything that came up that was going to hurt Bayonne. We were there to stop them. He was just that type of person. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago.”

LOOKING BACK When Bednarski looks back on her years playing bocce in Bayonne, she has many people she’s grateful to.

“Former Mayor Joe Doria put a roof over the courts and the benches so we wouldn’t have to deal with rain. We used to play and if it rained, forget about it, everybody ran.

They left the balls and everything. I also want to mention Gary Chmielewski, he used to be the head of public works. He got a bathroom down there for us. It was always clean and well-maintained.”

Bednarski also gives thanks to supervisor of the division of recreation, Pete Amadeo.

“He’s the best. He’s not only my boss, but I consider him a friend over the years. Anything that goes wrong, I call Pete. Pete is a hard-working person. He’s a great person.”

“Carol is wonderful,” D’Anna-Masciale adds. “I know she’s not going anywhere physically. She will be there to play. But the rigmarole of scheduling games, dealing with problems with the court, all of the little details that no one pays attention to, that’s the stuff that I’m sure she’s not going to miss. It’s tedious stuff. She has worked FALL | WINTER 2021|22 ~ BLP• 23

SPORTS BLP

her butt off, she really did. She’s like family. She’s been there through my wedding, through the birth of both of my children.”

D’Anna-Masciale has a 9-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son. “My kids know how to play bocce. It’s a family affair,” she says.

THE PROFESSOR It all started with her dad. Nick D’Anna served as a referee for the league over the years. He also helped many players grow in their abilities.

“My dad was the teacher, we used to call him the professor. I think he just expected us to do so well, so when we made bad shots he would just sort of look at us.

To come into this season knowing my dad couldn’t play was a little bit overwhelming. Although we didn’t doubt our skill, because we had been playing for so long, we always had my dad to rely on. We didn’t know how things were going to go,” D’Anna Masciale says. “Week by week, when we were winning, it was a great feeling.”

ON THE SIDELINES D’Anna-Masciale’s dad was there to watch Transoceanic play this season.

Even though he is still recovering from his stroke, he played the role of unofficial ref on the sidelines.

“When my dad would call a point there’s this thing he would always say, ‘I could see it from my house.’ He would go, ‘What do you mean you need me to call the point?

It’s red, I could see it from my house!” It

24 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

was the funniest thing because he said it during our championship game. It was really reassuring to me because his memory isn’t so great,” D’Anna-Masciale said with a laugh.

“When we won, I’m going to get a little bit emotional now, but I made a Facebook post and the caption was, ‘This one’s for you, Dad’, and that’s because I kind of counted us out this year because we didn’t have my father. We have won many, many years, but now it’s like he’s kind of lit the torch and passed it over. We did it and we did it without him, but we did it because of him.”

Nick D’Anna will be awarded a royal blue jacket this season alongside his team, Transoceanic.—BLP

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aw-ninsula Dog Ownership is Trending in Bayonne turf carpet, a dog park irrigation system, a doggie crawl, a paws grooming table, a small hoop jump, a “King of the Hill,” stepping paws, teeter totter, a “Rover Jump Over,” a pet waste station and a pet drinking fountain.

In addition, dogs can enjoy the number of regular parks in Bayonne as well as the waterfront walkway.

Buddy

By Daniel Israel

P

et ownership has risen to an all-time high during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid anxiety and sadness caused during the lockdown and the unknown of the virus, people far and wide sought the comfort of furry friends. The ownership rate of cats and especially dogs increased tremendously.

In Bayonne, the trend was already on the rise preCOVID, with many residents already owning dogs.

Dog ownership has also

26 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

been shown to increase with gentrification, something that Bayonne is experiencing through its ongoing redevelopment boom. Even some of the luxury residential developments going up in the city are now starting to incorporate dog parks into their architectural designs.

Dog parks and more to explore There are a number of dog parks in Bayonne.

Two are located behind

the Pony League Field and Little League Field in Mayor Dennis Collins Park. They include Sgt. Vincent J. Oliva Mini Dog Park, for small dogs, and the Sirius Dog Park, for large dogs.

The mini dog park includes synthetic turf carpet, a dog park irrigation system, a doggie crawl, a paws grooming table, rookie weave posts, a small hoop jump, a pet drinking fountain, stepping paws and a pet waste station. The park for larger dogs includes synthetic

Plenty of poochrelated activities In addition to places for dogs to get out and have fun, there are a number of events hosted by the Division of Recreation for canines and their owners.

The first annual dog show was held in 2021.

Photo courtesy of the City of Bayonne

Some dogs, like Sparky here, took home first place in his category. Photo courtesy of the City of Bayonne

Just this year, the city held its first annual dog show at Collins Park on Oct. 9.

Dozens of residents turned out to see if their pooch is Bayonne’s top dog. The pets and their owners competed in an obstacle course, broken down into three categories by the dog’s

In addition to the show, the city holds an annual Halloween costume contest for dogs at 16th Street Park. Owners can enter their dogs into a number of categories to try to take home a prize for their costume.

size and weight. Following its success, the show will likely return annually for residents and their dogs to compete.

Doggie friends, too Judge poses with friend Thomas Szweada.

Photo by Daniel Israel

Walk down any street in Bayonne and you’ll encounter a resident FALL | WINTER 2021|22 ~ BLP• 27

Stella Marie

Sadie, a senior Pomeranian

(L–R) Lacy, Mimi, and Max

walking their dog. Depending on the route and the frequency, some dogs even become friends. And that friendship can extend to the owners, an ode to the blossoming dog culture in Bayonne.

The Division of Recreation holds an annual Halloween costume contest for dogs!

Photo courtesy of the City of Bayonne

And with more and more residents moving into the city, more dogs are sure to follow. Meaning more opportunities for furry friends for the pooches already in the city. Many young professionals, a demographic targeted by redevelopers building in Bayonne, are also choosing to get a dog as opposed to starting a family.

As Bayonne continues to evolve, it’s clear that the city’s love for man’s best friend will grow alongside it. —BLP

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By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Max Ryazansky

B22 – Bayonne

V

ie and Jordan Balocating greet me at the door of their studio at B22 – Bayonne. The space is small but curated with a chic

style.

“It’s our tiny home,” Vie says. “It’s cozy and humble, but it’s everything we need.”

“I like the openness of it,” Jordan adds. “There’s a lot of room in the middle to do a workout.” He often uses the space to do YouTube workout videos, though they both enjoy the gym in the building as well.

The couple moved in last year when B22 Bayonne was brand new.

“We’re just about to renew our lease,” says Vie. Before that, they lived in Jersey City where Jordan grew up. Vie is from Bergen County originally, but finished college in Jersey City.

The couple always knew about Bayonne.

“It’s just the next town over,” Vie says. “I have a friend who grew up here, and lives here now, who always said it was quieter.”

“I play basketball a lot and I like to play in different places. Bayonne has good parks to play basketball in,” says Jordan, who teaches

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health and physical education at All Saints Catholic Academy of Bayonne. “We always go to Staten Island because Vie’s mother is there, so we would always pass through.”

Because of that connection, the couple had some favorite spots in Bayonne before they even moved here.

“We always liked going here for food,” Vie says. “We love Wasabi Thai because they have a lot of selections there. Even prior to moving to Bayonne, we went there so much that now we’re friends with the chef. He knows me when I call by my voice. We’re regulars.”

“Jordan is vegan, so he likes House of Flavor,” Vie explains, adding that living on Broadway makes it easy to get to many of their local favorites. “So many new places have opened here. We like this bakery called Double Batch. I get almost all of our holiday desserts and birthday cakes there. Mezcal is a cool spot if you want to grab Mexican and happy hour with friends.”

Vie mentions that going out and life in general is more affordable in Bayonne.

“It’s cheaper than Jersey City. That’s the banner that Bayonne should have hanging,” she says with a laugh. “It’s just as diverse and it’s up and coming, too, but slightly cheaper than Jersey City, so come on over!”

Jordan and Vie share their space with three roommates as well: their cats, Lily Pancakes, Matata Cookie and Prince Oreo.

Jordan and Vie

“Another thing that we love about this building is that it’s very pet friendly. That’s really a plus. Most buildings have certain limitations when it comes to people with pets, but they’ve been very welcoming,” Vie says. “We love our space and we love that they’ve let us have three cats in this cozy studio.”

The studio is also a work-space for Vie. “Before the pandemic, I was working from home at least once a week, but it’s full time now.

I already had my setup and all of the stuff that I need to function just as efficiently as I had in the office,” Vie says, adding that she works for a financial firm.

One great thing about working from home is that she enjoys her furry coworkers. “I love when they’re trying to get my attention for food or treats or when they just want to snuggle up on my lap,” Vie says. “Sometimes they will block my view and literally go across the FALL | WINTER 2021|22 ~ BLP• 31

front of the screen so I can’t see what I’m doing. I absolutely love working from home.”

“Even though my office is just in Jersey City and my commute wasn’t as awful as a lot of people’s, I just prefer having the convenience and the time to sleep and just roll out of bed and start working if I wanted to. When I’m done I’m right here,” Vie adds. “I can go to the gym and work out or do whatever I need to do at home.”

B22 - Bayonne offers plenty to do right there in the building.

“One of the owners, Hadas, she’s really good at putting things together and just connecting with the community,” Vie says. “She has had vendors come, like Clutch Moto, and we’ve had a band perform here. She usually does something whenever there’s a holiday.”

Tonight, the couple is heading to a free yoga event that Hadas is hosting with BayOhm Yoga. “It’s a great way to meet other people in the building,” Vie says. “It’s a community here!”— BLP

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MFL Board of Directors

Madeline Fiadini LoRe

FOUNDATION

Re, (L–R) Victor Lo LoRe, i in ad Fi e in Madel Re Lo k and Fran

By Tara Ryazansky Photos Courtesy of The MFL Foundation and Epic Events

I

n October, pink ribbons can be found all around Bayonne. At Bayonne Medical Center, an annual MammogramA-Thon, held in partnership with the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention, gives the uninsured access to free screening to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But for the folks at MFL, the mission to prevent cancer is a year-round quest.

“Our programs run all year long,” says Carol Trojan, executive director of the foundation.

They do more than just breast cancer screenings.

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“We support mammographies, ultrasounds, oral cancer screenings, and we do colonoscopies.”

The community that the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention serves is the one in which they saw the most need.

“We serve the undocumented and the working poor. People who have jobs but don’t have insurance. People who have

no other means of covering these tests, no government subsidies and they’re not eligible for charity care, that’s our targeted group,” Trojan says.

Personal Mission Madeline Fiadini LoRe isn’t just a foundation. She’s a person.

“Madeline and I have been friends forever. We always say we’re sisters. God

HELPING

Christina Bishop Feeny and Carol Trojan Carol Trojan, Nicole Kagen and Erica Trojan

didn’t give us biological sisters, so in a way, we were lucky because we got to choose our own. We chose each other,” Trojan says.

This mission is personal for Fiadini LoRe. “She went in to have a simple operation and they found ovarian cancer. God knew he had to save her. He had big things in store for her. Her life changed from that moment on. She was only 32 with two small children. It took her a while to get through that,” Trojan says.

After Fiadini LoRe beat ovarian cancer she went on to survive breast cancer twice, and she is currently battling bladder cancer.

“That’s the anecdote, but it doesn’t define her. She’s all about moving forward and helping other people with this horrible

disease. She’s a living example that prevention helps,” Trojan said.

Moving Forward The two friends volunteered together at Bayonne Medical Center back when it was known as Bayonne Hospital. When it became a for-profit hospital, Fiadini LoRe decided to start her nonprofit. That was in 2008. Today, the organization is led by chairwoman and president Fiadini LoRe and Trojan, who became executive director in 2012. The organization also includes vice president Phyllis Colaninno, secretary Janice Hall, treasurer John Trojan, trustees Joseph Barbero, Silvana Buccianti, Cindi Galvin, Dr. Kenneth Garay, Cindy Guarini, Kathryn Matarazzo, John Minella, Dr. Michael Russo and advisory trustees Vincent Alessi,

Pasquale Diccianni, Dr. Howard Levine, Victor LoRe, Anthony Novello and Joseph Scott.

The Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention has established The Madeline Fiadini LoRe Women’s Center and The John Fiadini Outpatient Oncology Center within Bayonne Medical Center. Countless residents have received care in these centers.

The 12th annual fundraising gala that helps to support their efforts was scheduled to take place on Nov. 13 at the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park.

Push For Prevention MFL recently partnered with New Jersey Cancer Institute in Jersey City Medical Center.

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HELPING HANDS BLP

Madeline LoRe and Michael Prilutsky

Stefan Balan

Frank and Madeline LoRe

36 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

“We made a pledge of a million dollars toward opening an Infusion Center. We had the ribbon cutting in June. We have a new state-of-the-art infusion center where chemotherapy patients can come, and other types of infusion patients can come, for their iron infusions,” Trojan says. “Unfortunately, my daughter was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and she became one of the first people to take advantage of that new center. That personally was very emotional for me because I had thought, ‘What a lovely facility, but I hope I never have to come here,’ and then on the flip side, we’re there and seeing what a marvelous facility it is and how wonderful the

care really is. It’s really so needed. It’s comfortable. There are private rooms. It’s beautiful. We’re very proud that it’s our legacy: The Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation Infusion Center.”

Now Trojan and MFL are even more resolute in their mission. “She’s 38 years old,” Trojan shares. “You don’t have mammographies yet at 38 years old, but you do have self-exam. She found it herself. If caught early, you could have a positive outcome. That’s why we push for prevention.”

For more information, visit MFLfoundation.com.—BLP

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RECOGNIZING Atomic veterans Walking into ground zero

By Daniel Israel Photos courtesy of the Pelliccio family

R

alph Pelliccio, a lifelong Bayonne resident, is what is known as an atomic veteran, essentially a guinea pig during the testing of atomic or nuclear weapons by the U.S. government in the 1950s.

“I was what they called a guinea pig for the atomic bomb test, part of Operation Upshot-Knothole in April of 1953,” Pelliccio said. The operation involved a series of 11 nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site. Pelliccio, who served in the Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, took part in the test dubbed “Dixie” on April 6, 1953.

“It was an airburst, and we walked within ground zero,” Pelliccio said.

“They dropped the bomb over a desert, and it was like walking through powder when we got closer.”

Into the trenches While Pelliccio was present at the test as a member of the Army, other branches of the military were there, too.

“There was quite a few, because we had guys from the Navy, the Marines, the Army,” Pelliccio said. “It had to be 1,500 of us, maybe even more.”

Pelliccio was a paratrooper, but he did not parachute from a plane during the test.

“We were bused in from where we were, [Camp] Desert Rock,” Pelliccio said. “We climbed into trenches about 6 foot deep. The day before, we had classes.”

38 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

Ralph Pelliccio in his service uniform.

Pelliccio said that when the plane with the bomb took off, there were speakers set up so that the pilot could communicate with the participants as to where he was and how long until the bomb was going to be dropped. He said the pilot counted down to zero, and the bomb dropped.

“When the bomb was dropped, and the mushroom came up, we got out of the trenches,” Pelliccio said. “You could see the blast coming across the desert.

Once it got close, they blow horns for us to jump back into the trenches, which we did. You could see the blast blew over us. You could see it was pretty powerful.”

Afterward, Pelliccio and the other participants walked the perimeter of the site.

“We walked within 500 yards of ground zero,” Pelliccio said. “It was an airburst, it wasn’t a ground burst.”

Air bursts of atomic or nuclear weapons typically produce less radioactive fallout than ground bursts. But due to the burst, Pelliccio and the other servicemen were coated in dust or ash from the blast.

“That’s even a comical thing because the only thing we did was just dust each other off,” Pelliccio said.

Pelliccio said they wore regular gear, except for patches that were taped to the palms of their hands as part of the test.

He thought they were intended to measure radiation, but he doesn’t fully remember except that they were collected at the end of the test.

Following the walk to ground zero, Pelliccio said the test was over and they headed back.

“They had a Geiger counter, and we got back in the buses for a review on what we’ve seen,” Pelliccio said.

Residual radiation?

After the tests, Pelliccio said he was sent a copy of how much radiation that he and others incurred that day, which was “under the safety limits.” Pelliccio has not suffered any health issues as a result.

Shutterstock.com

Shutterstock.com

Pauline Pelliccio, family friend Dominic Altomonte, and Ralph Pelliccio.

Pauline and Ralph Pelliccio

“They watched us for years after the bomb test,” Pelliccio said. “When we got out of the service, they took care of us, the government. In fact, we used to get calls from Washington, the doctors checking up on us.”

But not everyone involved has been as lucky.

“When we got out of service, they contacted us because they found out a lot of ex-servicemen that were involved with the atomic bomb and used as guinea pigs were dying of cancer,” Pelliccio said.

According to the National Association of Atomic Veterans, these veterans “were the unwilling victims of nuclear experiments.”

“They were in the trenches and walked to ground zero in Nevada,” said Robert De Blasi, New Jersey commander of the NAAV, in a letter about Atomic Veterans Day. “They were exposed to ionized radiation and radioactive fallout in the government’s efforts to find out the effects on humans, animals, ships, planes and military equipment in the event of nuclear war on land, sea and air.”

In need of recognition Despite the adverse health effects, atomic vets are still not recognized at the same level as other veterans.

“There were no walls or monuments to honor the Atomic veterans,” De Blasi

said. “There were no medals or service ribbons awarded to them. There were no parades, or their names read at Memorial Day services. Yet, the lingering effects of exposure to ionized radiation and radioactive fallout still persist in many today … Some of the children of Atomic veterans and their grandchildren have experienced birth defects. No amount of exposure to ionized radiation is safe.”

“We really don’t get any recognition,” Pelliccio said. “Our group, the National Association of Atomic Veterans, was trying to get both houses [of Congress] to pass a bill for a medal of some kind of recognition. We never got anything …

We had the bomb dropped on us.”—BLP

FALL | WINTER 2021|22 ~ BLP• 39

By Daniel Israel Photos courtesy of Little Food Cafe

L

ittle Food Café is a staple in Bayonne. The café at 330 Kennedy Blvd., located at the corner of 9th Street and Kennedy, is a longtime hotspot for breakfast, lunch, baked goods and much more in the downtown area.

Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the café offers breakfast until 10:30 a.m. each day.

Dinner is served starting at 4 p.m. Except for Sundays, when the café is closed.

The café is a family effort, run by mom and daughter duo Cynthia Van Decker and Lisa Kushnir. But there are multiple generations working at the family restaurant, including Lisa’s daughter Zoe. The family ambiance gives the café a personal and homey feel.

The interior is carefully curated with rustic décor, and plants wherever they can fit. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for an intimate breakfast or lunch with a friend or family.

Big Appetite Little Food Cafe

Locals recommend it The menu features a number of local favorites, from the chicken pesto press and BBQ turkey burger press, to the southwest club and Thanksgiving wrap.

I personally sampled the Thanksgiving Wrap on recommendation of several residents who frequent Little Food. It features roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce on a toasted wrap.

40 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

Lisa and Cynthia

DINING BLP

Sinking my teeth into this on the first day of November was a real fall treat.

You get all the flavors of Thanksgiving in one bite. The cranberry sauce makes the dish. While the Thanksgiving wrap is on the menu all year long, the café also offers seasonal dishes that change weekly.

Seasonal favorites and dinner specials From week to week, the café is always serving seasonal favorites depending on the time of the year. At one point this fall, specials included dishes such as the apple

orchard panini or the chicken and biscuit pot pie. Each day has a different type of special, with each “meatless Monday” focusing on vegetarian options, “taco Tuesday” offering up Little Food’s take on a Mexican-American classic, and so on.

And the dinners, a newer thing at the establishment, are phenomenal. From the turkey dinner to the honey dijon salmon, you won’t leave hungry or unsatisfied.

And the menu is constantly changing, meaning that regular customers will always have options that never leave them bored.

The wait staff is undeniably attentive, jubilant and professional. Dining at the eatery was pleasant and fast. And for to-go orders, despite the line that may form at times, the employees of Little Food consistently keep up with the flow of customers and are quick and kind.

If you’re looking for a coffee and pastry to start your day, a tasty wrap or press for lunch, or really anything delicious, Little Food Café on Kennedy is the place for you.—BLP

FALL | WINTER 2021|22 ~ BLP• 41

BANK FROM THE CONVENIENCE OF YOUR HOME

Holy Eucharist – 9:30 AM each Sunday Children’s Sunday School and child care Knitting Ministry – 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month Columbarium on site Mass on The Grass & Annual Parish Picnic Music Lessons through our mutual ministry with Grace Lutheran Church, Hand in Hand Music School

All Are Welcome & Invited to Our Communion Table Trinity Parish is the sponsor of the Windmill Alliance, Inc.

Plenty Plenty of of on-site on-site parking parking

201-858-4460

201-858-4460 | www.trinityparishbayonne.org 42 • BLP ~ FALL | WINTER 2021|22

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