e-Newspaper for Oct. 19, 2022

CARS & A CONCERT

Lyndhurst hosts inaugural Classics Show & Cameos performance

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

The weather was perfect, the turnout was superb and there were a lot of happy people — at least 1,000 of them — at Lynd hurst’s first-ever Car Show & Cameos Concert.

Winning car photo courtesy of Amy Jarvis; all others by Lisa Feorenzo Clockwise, from top left, a classic Lyndhurst FD fire rig. Next, Mayor Robert B. Giangeruso poses with the car deemed the best at the show. Then, members of the Cameos brought up a youngster as they sang. And finally, a row of classic cars that were among more than 100 on hand for Lyndhurst’s inaugural Car Show & Concert. See more photos & video at www.theobserver.com.

Mayor Robert B. Giangeruso, who organized the event, plan ning the entire day in just six weeks, says 102 classic vehicles were on display. The Cameos, a popular local band, played a concert where there were very few, if any, seats available after the show kicked off.

“This will be annual,” Gi angeruso said. “It’s been a great day we expect it to get much bigger and much better next year. I want to thank to all who came out.”

Plans to upgrade Kearny’s branch library in the works

By Ron Leir For The Observer

If you build it, they will come. That’s the expectation driving the Kearny Public Library’s plans to expand its single branch.

Josh Humphrey, library direc tor, said the proposed one-story, 450-square-foot addition to the rear of the branch at 759 Kearny Ave., just off Stuyvesant Avenue, is needed to provide a multi-purpose space that can be used for both kids

and adults.

Humphrey, who delivered a Pow erPoint presentation on the proposal at last week’s Town Council meet ing, said the open space “is the one thing we’ve been missing from the branch.”

Humphrey said it will be able to accommodate such activities as “chess classes, Lego workshops, classes for writing, art, origami — you name it. We also plan to put

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - 2022

In November 1999, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in terrible shock, but I knew I had to remain calm for my children. My health was always very well and I didn’t have a family history of this disease. I am very grateful because I had tremendous support from my mother, sisters, family, friends. My husband’s love was unconditional and my children were my greatest supporters. For about three years after my diagnosis, I had been wondering how to help other survivors. Sixteen years ago for the first time in Kearny, we kicked off the “Tie a Ribbon” campaign, thanks to our Mayor Alberto G. Santos and councilmembers, Deb Belfatto, the former Executive Director of the Susan G. Komen North Jersey affiliate, Lisa Feorenzo of The Observer, Rosemary Dressler (former volunteer director of West Hudson Hospital), survivors, volunteers and family. Since 2005, we have been doing “Tie a Ribbon” in East Newark and Harrison, now with a great support of Minette’s Angels Foundation and the Lucy Angel Foundation. As a breast cancer survivor, I learned keeping a positive attitude is a way to overcome any challenge. I use affirmations and uplifting messages every day, and of course, I am still dancing. Remember: “Life isn’t about what happens to you — it’s about how you handle what happens.”

BELLEVILLE HIGH DEBUTS

By Ron Leir For The Observer

Belleville High School senior Omar Tito’s dad was in the Army in his native Peru and Omar’s brother also has a record of Army service in the U.S. Fellow senior Matao Aguilar’s grandfather was an Army officer in Ecuador.

Now Omar and Matao want a chance to tap into the military connection, so they’ve signed up for the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at his school, as have many of his schoolmates.

This fall, Belleville HS launched the venture — with encouragement from Superintendent Rich Tomko and the blessing of the Board of Education — as a school elective to be taken in tandem with all normal academic requirements.

Here, technically, it’s called the National Defense Cadet Corps because, for now, the program is fully funded by the school district — but everything else is the same, according to Aida Cardona, program coordinator. The biggest expense, to date, is the $103,842

salary for the primary teacher of the course. A secondary instructor who will make $98,000 is still being sought. There is no student fee.

After a “probation” period, typically lasting one year, the Army assumes all expenses, Cardona said. Cardona, a Belleville elementary

school administrator, is a former active duty Army enlistee who was named Soldier of the Year during service with the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea in 1994.

She was also an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy.

“There’s no obligation for students to join the military,” Cardona said. “(The program) is really about personal growth and community.”

As spelled out in an introduction to the program prepared for parents by senior instructor Army (Ret.) Lt. Col. Richard Wasserman, the program’s mission is “to motivate young people to be better citizens” by teaching “life skills” designed to help them “long after high school.”

The curriculum, according to Wasserman’s memo, seeks to teach cadets “to collaborate, reflect, develop critical thinking skills and integrate content with other disciplines” such as health, fitness, first aid, geography, American history and government, and to apply those lessons “to a real-life situation.”

Participation may lead to scholarship

Continued on the next page

Photo by Ron Leir Instructor Lt. Col. Richard Wasserman, ret., instructs his students how to properly salute. While it may seem simple, proper formation of a military salute is precise and not easy to master quickly.

FIRST-EVER JUNIOR

opportunities to complete the four-year Junior ROTC program in college and/ or Army ROTC college scholarships, the memo says.

Wasserman has an impressive military resume. A Paterson native raised in St. Louis, he joined the Army in 1974 and has served with six combat units in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia from 2004 through 2012.

This is his eighth year teaching Junior ROTC.

A total of 61 BHS students — 45 boys and 16 girls — are currently enrolled as cadets. Of them, 40 are freshmen, nine are sophomores and 12 are seniors.

Cadets are required to attend classes Monday to

Friday and they use their BHS-issued chrome books to follow the course of study. Their initial foray into the program focuses on what Cardona called “leadership education training,” which includes “Army organization and tradition, customs and courtesies, social etiquette and team building.”

The Observer was recently permitted to visit the classroom where a reporter observed Wasserman guide cadets through a sequence of saluting and closemarch drills. One student, in particular, initially had difficulty executing a pivot movement but, under the instructor’s tutelage, eventually got the hang of it.

Students must temporarily surrender their cell phones to

the instructor’s care during class sessions.

Students were recently fitted for uniforms which they’ll be required to wear every Wednesday.

Eventually, cadets will be engaging with comparable

units at other high schools in indoor and outdoor precision and exhibition military drill inter-scholastic competitions, a Junior ROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl, a physical-fitness competition and, in June, a three-day

summer camp at Fort Dix, where they’ll participate in the Junior ROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge.

Cadets are awaiting delivery of replica M-1903 rifles, made of hard plastic with empty firing chambers but weighing 8½ pounds — almost as heavy as the real Army standard-issue weapons — used for drills and parades. (as seen in photo at left.)

As the program advances, and, as the numbers grow, there will be sufficient numbers to form a cadet battalion from which cadet leaders will be selected to help reinforce leadership capabilities and teambuilding concepts, Cardona said.

Tom Witt, youth baseball coach in Kearny and NA, dies aged 82 after battle with cancer

By Jim Hague Special to The Observer

For more than 40 years, Tom Witt toiled as a gasoline tanker driver for Island Transportation in his hometown of Kearny, more than providing for his wife, Mary, and their four children.

When the Witt’s eldest child, also named Tom (but not a Thomas Jr.) signed up to play Little League baseball in town, Tom Witt (the son) asked his father if he would help coach his team, sponsored by the IrishAmerican Club.

After all, the elder Witt was already unofficially coaching his sons about the national pastime.

“He was a family man through and through,” the younger Tom Witt said. “He was a hard working man who worked three different jobs,

but he always made sure that he had time for his kids.”

The Witts had four biological children, namely sons Tom, Joe, Kenny and daughter Sandy, but as soon as the family patriarch agreed to coaching the Irish-Americans, Tom Witt unofficially adopted hundreds of other Kearny youngsters, teaching them about baseball, sure, but also about other vital aspects of daily existence.

“He always remembered the kids,” Tom Witt said. “I wish I had that memory.”

Tom Witt’s life came to an end last week, when cancer finally won after a lengthy battle. Tom Witt was 82 years old.

The younger Tom Witt recalled his father with total admiration.

“I was lucky to have him as a parent,” Tom Witt said.

“He was an incredible guy. I was always with my father, so I learned a lot from him. I was like his wallet, because I went to all the games with him. He had a pretty good life. He was amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better father. Everything I am today is because of him. My father did things the right way.”

The elder Witt was the architect of several teams that won the Kearny Little League World Series, including a great run managing Rick’s Auto Body to six championships. Tom Witt knew how to build

champions on the Little League level, selecting several youngsters when they were 9-and-10 years old, so Witt had several years to develop players.

“My Dad was a man’s man,” said Tom Witt. “He was my Superman. The sun rose and set on him. I think baseball was always so important to us as a family. We grew up with baseball. It was the bond that kept us all together.”

Both Tom and Joe Witt became youth coaches in baseball and football. Joe Witt moved to North Arlington a few years ago, but the family patriarch moved on to coach the Dodgers in the North Arlington Little League with his son Joe.

“It was a family affair,” Tom Witt said. “Sports brought us all together and kept us off the streets. And we had fun doing it. He was a very loyal and compassionate man. He was always there for us. He was such a big part of our lives.”

He was also a big part of others’ lives as well.

“He was my Little League coach for three years,” said respected Kearny attorney Ken Lindenfelser. “He believed in me and made all the kids feel like they mattered. He taught us that we could do anything if we believed in ourselves. I always had a warm spot for him. When I needed

Pink Vision opens stunning new Kearny office

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

ou have no doubt seen on the pages of The Observer, for years, ads encouraging you to visit Pink Vision in Lyndhurst for your eyesight needs. But now, after a decade+ of service at that office, Pink Vision has expanded its local operation with a brand new office at 685 Kearny Ave. And when we say brand new, it literally is the building, new to the Avenue, was the brainchild of the proprietor and her brotherin-law.

Dr. Maria Domingues first opened Pink Vision Associates 12 years ago with a small Irvington office. And now,

with the assistance of Ricardo Esteves, the company’s chief executive officer and the husband of Dr. Carla Domingues, Maria’s sister and also a Pink eye doctor, the dream of opening an office in the sisters’ hometown of Kearny is a reality.

For all involved and for Pink patients who hail from Harrison, East Newark, Kearny and other spots nearby, the Kearny office is welcome news and an absolute dream come true. And it all is part of the Domingues philosophy of operating a business and dealing with their clientele.

“That’s it we treat every patient like they were part of our own family,” Dr. Maria said. “If you treat everyone

the same way and always do the right thing, that’s where the growth and success comes from.

”

Considering a dozen years, there was just the one Irvington office then Lyndhurst, Fort Lee and now Kearny, that growth has been exponential in a relatively short period of time.

“Hard work pays off,” she said.

The idea of opening a Kearny office had several facets.

One, the nearest office in Lyndhurst is rather small and the operation had outgrown it somewhat (it remains open still and will continue to do so.) And the Domingues sisters are also a Kearny natives.

“

We looked for the right space (in Lyndhurst),” she said. “We wanted to stay

within one or two blocks in the area, but we never found the right opportunity and there was a reason why because this (the Kearny property) was waiting for us.”

It was Esteves who found the vacant property on Kearny Avenue, and he and Domingues Esteves is her self-professed right-hand man

Revisiting The Observer’s long-standing policy on covering local elections & publishing letters from candidates

By Lisa Feorenzo The Observer Co-owner

It has long been the policy of this newspaper not to print letters that are writ ten by candidates during election season.

That means we do not print letters of endorsement, letters that praise one can didate over another, letters that criticize anyone running for office or, in more simple terms, letters that contain any matters that would normally be found on cam paign literature, campaign or personal social media pages, campaign websites, message discussion boards, discussions among friends or campaign mailings or fence drops.

It is our policy to extend the courtesy of one video interview per candidate for any town’s race for mayor. However, because of time restraints and the sheer num ber of potential candidates in the towns we cover, we simply cannot and have never offered the same option to those running for town coun cils or commissions.

Therefore, candidates or members of the public who wish to endorse, praise, criti cize, etc., anyone running for office or anything that would

be considered political (not governmental) may do so by soliciting a paid campaign advertisement under New Jersey Election Law Enforce ment Commission guidelines.

Additionally, comments made on our social media pages that are of a similar nature will also be deleted at my discretion.

The Observer has never, nor will it ever, take a politi cal stance on any party. This policy has been in place at The Observer since at least 1972 when Anthony Tortore ti, my stepfather first pur chased the newspaper.

Registration underway for annual PAWrade in Kearny

Registration is underway for Kearny’s annual Doggie Halloween PAWrade and Fes tival, which returns Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arlington Depot Park.

While there will be plen ty of other activities at the festival, the Doggie PAWrade is the highlight of the day.

Registration is free, but space is limited, so registration prior to the event is strongly advised. Here’s how to do so:

• Visit www.bit. ly/3F5AGBm

• Pick up printed forms at Kearny Town Hall, 402 Kearny Ave., K-9 Corner at 169 Midland Ave. or at the Kearny Farmers Market (on Thursdays).

• Download printed forms

at www.kearnynj.org.

Registration closes Thurs day, Oct. 27. (You may return completed printed forms with proof of a current dog license and up-to-date rabies vaccine (no exceptions) to Town Hall or K-9 Corner.

Some spots for the PAW rade will be available for dayof registration.

New sign ups and ear ly-registrant check in will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Be sure to bring a dog license and proof of rabies vaccine to register the day of the PAWrade. No exceptions.

The event is rain or shine. For more information, call (201) 955-7981 or send an email to Pawrade@kearnynj. org.

who was with her before her sister graduated med school they knew it was where they wanted to be and now are.

That was five years ago. And, of course, every construction project has its delays for a variety of reasons, so it took a while from purchase of the property to designing the building to breaking ground to today. And lest we forget, there was the

delay-inducing COVID-19 global pandemic that put a big hamper on the building’s progress.

But now, half a decade later, the building is open there are apartments on the upper floors, too and to say the very least, it’s stunning

addition to the northern Kearny Avenue landscape.

When one first walks into the office, the bright white color is incredibly welcoming and soothing. In that front foyer is the reception desk where we met two loyal employees who greeted us kindly as if they’d known us for years even though we’d just met.

Around the front area is plenty of seating for patients who might need to wait a while before heading back to the exam rooms. And, there is a huge variety of frames to try on for glasses-wearers. In the rear are state-of-the-art exam rooms. Yours truly got to test out the examination chair, and to say it was comfortable and relaxing would be an understatement.

In all, the new office which even smelled new was designed to be welcoming, relaxing and comforting. You’ve been to doctors’ offices that are dingy and “cold” before. Those are a big turn-off. But this place is special.

And if you combine the utter kindness of the Domingues sisters, Esteves and everyone else at the practice, what you end up with is a recipe for success, and that clearly explains how

one small office in Irvington has morphed into a chain in North Jersey, one that will likely grow moving ahead.

“Years ago I mentioned how I would love to have more offices in the future,” Domingues said. “And now look at us.” So far, it’s been mission accomplished, though Domingues envisions a future with as many as 10 offices in North Jersey.

Talk about ambitious. But if the last dozen years are any indication of how things will grow in the future, there should be no doubt that goal is not only fathomable, it’s likely going to happen.

The Pink Vision office is located at 685 Kearny Ave. Visit them online at www. pinkvisionassociates.com.

Reach them on the phone at (201) 461-0200.

The Kearny office hours are Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most major insurances are accepted.

A new examination room and Dr. Maria Domingues.

Sports & Recreation

Kearny beats Harrison in semis, 5-1, head to finals Friday v. Union City at Red Bull Arena

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Alejandro Alvarado heard a familiar question from his father, Oscar, on Friday night, Oct. 14, less than 24 hours before Kearny’s Hudson County Tournament semifinal against rival Harrison.

“The night before a game he always asks me what are your goals for the game and how many are you going to score,” Alvarado said. “I always tell him it’s either a hat trick or two (goals).”

For most players, such an answer might feel like an unrealistic expectation. For a striker such as Alvarado, such lofty goals seem always within reach.

Just a few hours after giving the prediction to his father, Alvarado turned it into reality as he recorded a hat trick in Kearny’s 5-1 victory over Harrison on Saturday in front of more than 1,500 fans

at Kearny Stadium.

Kearny, the defending champions, will now face Union City in the Hudson County Tournament final on Friday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Red Bull Arena in Harrison.

“I always have the mentality (of scoring multiple goals),” said Alvarado, who now has five multi-goal games this season. “I knew coming into the game I knew what I wanted to score. I even told my dad that I was going to come in and score a hat trick.

“I told him last night and this morning. It’s always big playing against our neighbors next door. Just winning is a good feeling.”

Alvarado and his Kearny teammates experienced a far less familiar feeling when Harrison’s Gabriel Reis scored on a free kick just behind the 18 in the game’s eighth minute.

But rather than panic by the rare deficit, Kearny

responded in swift and dramatic fashion. First, it was Alvarado’s goal on a scramble in front of the net after a restart in the 10th minute to tie it. Then, three minutes later on another restart, Johan Baez’s free kick rang off the crossbar, but Hans Zoller was there for the rebound to give the Kardinals a lead they never relinquished.

“I didn’t know it was coming to me,” Zoller said. “But I was just there and when the ball came to me, I knew I had to put it in.”

“We had a 1-0 lead and two times they came down the field, we gave them a kick and they scored on both of them,” Harrison coach Mike Rusek said. “They stepped it up after they went down 1-0.”

Nico Gomez, who had three assists, gained possession in Harrison territory, then found

Cardenas set to wrestle in Spain

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

As hard as it may seem to believe today, there was once a time when Jacob Cardenas disliked wrestling and hated the idea of driving from his hometown Kearny to compete at various nearby locations.

“To be honest, I didn’t like wrestling at all when I was a kid,” Cardenas recalled. “I didn’t want to go, but my dad (Roig Cardenas) made me go to practice because I had signed up and he always told me that if I started something, I had to finish it. I always forced myself to start and then I would hate it. Once I started hitting 12 or 13, I started enjoying it and having fun.

“It wasn’t even so much wrestling as much as it was being a lazy little kid having to wake up at 6 a.m. and weighing in and driving all this way to other places.”

This week, Cardenas will travel halfway across the world to compete in one of the biggest events for the sport he now loves. The Kearny native and current Cornell University standout will be representing USA Wrestling at the men’s freestyle U23 World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, from Oct. 21-23.

Cardenas, who will compete in the 92 kg (202 pounds) weight class, qualified after he won the 92 kg title at the U23 Freestyle World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio.

Since then, Cardenas has been training primarily

at Cornell, while also spending nearly two weeks at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

“Over the summer it’s like yeah, I’m training and it’s going to be fun when I leave in October. But once it hit October, it finally hit me that I’m flying across the world and wrestling,” said Cardenas, noting it’s the first time he will be wrestling outside of the United States. “I just had that realization recently.”

Cardenas’ training has been a little different this summer since freestyle wrestling’s format is different from collegiate wrestling, which places a greater emphasis on control and doesn’t reward “exposure” points for forcing the opponent’s shoulders to be exposed to the mat.

‘It’s definitely different training,” Cardenas said. “You can’t be rolling around on your back in freestyle or stepping out of bounds. It’s definitely a different technique and strategy.”

“I think every wrestler does freestyle at least once in their life so I think I’m ready for it.”

One of his longtime trainers, former NJSIAA champion and Kearny wrestling legend David Cordoba, knows Cardenas is ready.

“I knew he was going to do it one day,” said Cordoba. “He’s going to be one of the best wrestlers to come out of Cornell University. He doesn’t have a lot of freestyle experience, but I knew that

Alejandro Alvarado and Hans Zoller.

Alvarado, who scored his second goal in the 21st minute. Then, just three minutes later, Massimo Rondon headed in a goal to make it 4-1.

“We know Alvarado’s a dangerous player, we believe we’re a dangerous team and there was so much time left that even though we were down a goal there was no panic among the players or else,” Kearny coach Bill Galka said. “Did I know we were going to score four like that? No, of course not. But it was a great answer to giving up a goal.”

“We really haven’t been down that early. It was different for us because we had to come back and fight,” said Alvarado. “We did very well in doing that. We kept our heads up, kept our composure and just played our game.”

Alvarado added his 20th

goal of the season in the 78th minute, putting the final touches on the victory, sending the Kardinals to their ninth county final in 13 seasons..

“I think it’s a great thing for the program, for the community to go back and play again in a county final,” Galka said. “To play a county final at Red Bull Arena is a real treat for everyone.”

Before the Keary boys soccer team plays for a seventh

Hudson County title on Friday, the Kardinals’ girls soccer team plays Bayonne at 5 p.m. on Friday at Red Bull Arena.

The Kearny girls’ return trip to the final came with a lot less drama as the Kardinals rolled to a 10-0 victory over Hoboken in their semifinals. Gianna Charney, Emily Horvaht and Maci Covello scored three goals apiece in the win with Charney also adding two assists.

CARDENAS

Continued from Page 9

if he were to commit to free style, if he were to commit to being the best, I knew that no matter what style it was, he’d be one of the best guys in the world at his weight.”

Cardenas went 23-8 last season at Cornell, earning a berth in the NCAA Championships this past March.

Before going to Cornell, Cardenas, who went to Bergen Catholic High School, was a two-time NJSIAA state wrestling champion at 195 pounds in both 2018 and 2019. He was also a champion at the Super 32 Championships and the FloNational Championships during his high school years.

Cardenas knows he’ll certainly experience some nerves before he takes to the mat in Spain, but that’s nothing new to him. For as long as he can remember, he would get nervous before his matches, but they rarely ever affected him once it was time to compete.

Photo courtesy of Cordobatrained From left to right: David Cordoba, Jacob Cardenas, Misty Hill.

“Before all of my matches, I would get super, super nervous and I would throw up. I would throw up before my matches and after I threw up, it made me feel a whole lot better,” Cardenas said, adding that rarely happens now. “I still get nervous before one of my matches, but once I step out there, it just gives way to the adrenaline and the focus.”

UVEITIS

Uveitis

where in the body that attacks the healthy tissue in the eye. Symptoms range from redness to pain, light sensitivity, seeing floaters, and blurry vision. When left untreated, uveitis can lead to vision loss. Uveitis attacks and damages the uvea, the part of the eye located between the retina (the light-focusing layer at the back of the eye) and the sclera (the white part of the eye) and includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. There are different types of uveitis that effect different parts of the uvea. Autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and certain types of cancer have all been linked to uveitis.

Your ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose uveitis after performing a complete eye exam. He or she will use many diagnostic tests and ask several questions about current symptoms as well as medical history. Additional tests may be ordered, such as X-rays or MRIs, because uveitis is often caused by other medical conditions. It is important to find the underlying cause so proper treatment can be given. To schedule an exam, please call 201-896-0096. We are located at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst. To get in touch with our optical shop, call 201-8960007. We accept most insurance. P.S. Uveitis most commonly effects people between the ages of 20 and 60 and cigarette smokers.

Bill Galka and Mike Rusek.

Bystrowski wins second singles title at HCIAL individual tournament

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

A little more than a month ago, Renata Bystrowski was unsure if she’d be able to play high school tennis again. Instead, the Kearny High School senior can now say she is a champion.

On Saturday, Bystrowski who nearly saw her senior season end before it could even start due a potential heart issue on her preseason physical, was crowned the HCIAL Second Singles champion when she defeated Victoria Okonkwo of Bayonne in the final, 6-3, 6-3, in Jersey City.

While it might have been a goal for Bystrowski before the season, it was one that seemed out of reach just a few weeks ago.

“It was something I wasn’t expecting. I thought since I was out for so long, I wasn’t sure if I would be capable of it,” Bystrowski said. “But at the same time, I knew I had to give it my all, it was something I’ve wanted for a long time. I just gave it everything.”

Bystrowski’s championship performance on the court and perseverance off of it makes her The Observer’s Athlete of the Week.

“It was something that I was always looking forward to since freshman year. I always wanted to play in the individuals’ tournament,” said Bystrowski. “I knew I could do it if I pushed myself. It has a special feeling.”

A feeling that undoubtedly feels even more special with what she had to overcome to get there.

Bystrowski took a routine preseason summer physical and detected what she termed a possible “heart-related issue.” As a result, the four-year varsity player was unable to compete until after meeting getting a checkup and approval from a cardiologist.

“When we had the phone conversation where she told me she had to go and see a cardiologist to get checked up,” Kearny head coach Michael Silpoch said. “I remember in that conversa-

tion that she said to me ‘you know what Coach, this might be it.’ I had to keep her with a positive mindset.”

“It was nothing life-threatening. There were some issues that seemed heart-related,” Bystrowski said. “I got cleared by a cardiologist. The whole process just took a lot of time.”

Bystrowski’s first match came on Sept. 26 putting her more than three weeks behind the rest of her teammates.

Despite that, she won that first match, defeating McNair’s Tara Pathak, 6-3, 6-4. From there, it didn’t take long for Bystrowski to regain her previous form, saying it took her two or three matches to get back to normal out there.

“The first match was difficult for her because she wasn’t in playing shape because she didn’t play competitively for so long,” said Silpoch. “But after she played the first match and then the second, she kinda rode the momentum into the singles tournament.”

Bystrowski started her day on Saturday with an 8-1 victory in the semifinals over McNair’s Anisha Kodali before defeating Okonkwo for the second time this fall.

“It wasn’t easy by any means, but she was able to persevere, she pulled through,” Silpoch said. “The fact that she came as far as she did in such a little amount of time says a lot about when

she focuses and hones in on something she can be the best.

really turned the corner.”

URGENT

Bystrowski and her Kearny

Hudson

PRIMARY

Girls Tennis Team

someone to believe in me, he encouraged me. When I ran into him around Kearny, I always got the warmest feeling. He meant the world to me. I was sad to hear that he passed. When the better athletes got all the attention, he never let me feel different, even when I wasn ’ t one of the better athletes. He had that long lasting effect on me. Added Lindenfelser, “ He was selfless. It ’ s amazing to do what he did for one year, but he did it for 30 years. I admire him a lot. ”

Witt ’ s grandson Joey became a solid three-sport athlete at North Arlington who now plays football and baseball at Caldwell College.

“ He honestly played a huge part in my development, ” Joey Witt said. ” He never missed a game. He always motivated me to play better. I hope I made him proud. He made sure that I never got pushed around despite my

size. He taught me to never give up. It didn ’ t matter how small I was. It was all about hard work. ”

The grandfather also had an impact on his grandson off the field.

“ He said that he never worked a day in his life, as long as he loved what he was doing, ” Joey Witt said. “ He was amazing. He would work all day, then take me down the field (Veterans Field in Kearny) and worked with me. He was my biggest fan. He also taught me to work hard no matter what. I get that hard work attitude from him. ”

Mary Witt passed away nine years ago, but Tom made sure that his close-knit family remained close after Mary ’ s passing. He then had his own cross to bear with cancer.

“ He was suffering the last few years, but he battled it to the end, ” Tom Witt said. “ He didn ’ t want to leave us. He wasn ’ t ready to leave. ”

And the towns of Kearny and North Arlington were not ready to say farewell.

KPD: Man we were driving to Harrison had items he stole from Walgreens

By Capt. Timothy Wagner Kearny Police Department

On Oct. 4 at 8:55 a.m.,

Officers Sean Podolski and Nicole Cain were dispatched to a report of a man arguing with patrons inside a bakery near 244 Kearny Ave. The officers failed to find the man inside the bakery. But upon leaving, he approached them on the street wearing gloves and carrying a can of Monster energy drink in his jacket pocket. The man, later identified as Clifton J. Rhines, 30, of Newark, told the officers he had been too loud inside the bakery so he left. Rhines then asked for a ride to Harrison. With the weather being poor, Officer Podolski tried to oblige him.

On the way to Harrison, Officer Cain radioed she had just been alerted by the management of the adjacent Walgreens that Rhines allegedly shoplifted a Monster energy drink and copper fit gloves (which he was wearing in the police car). What’s more, management had previously put Rhines on notice he was never allowed back in the store. Officer Podolski interrupted the ride and arrested Rhines – but not before he could chug Walgreens’ energy drink.

Rhines was charged with shoplifting and defiant trespass. He was later held at the

county jail.

On Sept. 30 at 10:08 a.m., Officers Esteban Gonzalez and Andre Fernandes were sent to ShopRite where the manager had detained an alleged shoplifter. The store manager accused Walter M. Valderrama, 72, of Harrison, of concealing $33.98 of Duracell batteries under cases of cases of water and attempting to carry them out of the store without paying.

The officers arrested Valderrama who was later released with a summons charging shoplifting.

On Sept. 30 at 3:47 p.m., Officers Christian Medina, J.T. Fearon and Sgt. Jay Ward were dispatched to Walmart, whose loss prevention associate reported three men were actively shoplifting. The associate accused the three men of working in concert whereby one male filled duffel bags full of $1,110 of WiFi and security camera hardware while the other two men acted as lookouts.

Officers arrested the three men, later identified as Jazmir N. Carter, 24, of Newark, and East Orange residents Faheem A. Magwood, 23, and Alqadir F. Ward, 27. Carter was also the subject of three arrest warrants from Newark Municipal Court (two for drug possession and one for a local ordinance violation). All three were sent to the Hudson County Jail, South Kearny, on charges of shoplifting and conspiracy.

Obituaries

Thomas C. Witt Thomas C. Witt, 82, of Kearny, did peace

fully at home on Oct. 13, 2022.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Thomas at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Friday, Oct. 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny, Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Born in Johnson City, New York, Thomas was raised in Newark and had been a Kearny resident for the past 61 years. He was an instrumental mem ber of Kearny Little League, proudly coaching youth for over 20 years. Thomas worked as a truck driver for Island Transportation in Carteret for 33 years until his retirement in 2011. Later, Thomas took a job as an usher at Met-Life Stadium, a position which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Above all, Thomas cherished time with his grandchildren, and was always the No. 1 fan at any of their games. He always put family first.

Thomas was the beloved husband of the late Mary Louise Witt; loving father of Thomas Witt (Maureen), Kenneth Witt (Marianne), Sandra Hodnett (James) and Joseph Witt (Jeannie); proud grandfather of Kenny Witt, Thomas Witt (fiance Brianne Nieto), Jim my Hodnett, Alyssa Hodnett, Haylee Witt, Travis Witt, Joey Witt and Trayton Witt; and adoring great-grandfather of Addison Renee Witt and Kins ley Sage Witt. He was also the dear brother of Barbara Dare, Dolores Liszewski, John Witt and Michael Witt.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Barbara A. Haff

Barbara A. Haff, (Sabol), 77, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Brightview Senior Living in

Wayne.

A funeral Mass was cele brated at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Interment was in Ar lington Cemetery, Kearny.

Born in Paterson, Bar bara lived in East Paterson and Lincoln Park before moving to Wayne many years ago.

She graduated from East Orange General Hospital School of Nursing in 1965 and later earned her B.S. in nursing from New Jersey City University in 1977 and later earned her M.S. in nursing in 1984 also from NJCU.

Mrs. Haff was the Vice President/Director of Nursing at West Hudson Hospital in Kearny for many years before the hospital closed.

She is survived by her husband, Robert J. Haff; four children, Sean Haff, John Haff, Debra Doughty and Robert J. Haff Jr.; one brother Richard Sabol and three grandchildren, Robert and Casey Haff and Alex Doughty.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine

Mulligan

(nee Charesch) Sabol, and one brother, Edward Sabol.

MaryAnn Ingenito

MaryAnn Ingenito died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022.

Born June 8, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Antho ny and Vincenza M. (Calabro) Ingenito. Sister of Dr. Alphonse Ingenito and his wife Barbara of Cary, North Carolina, and Thomas A. Ingenito and his wife Catherine of North Arling ton, she was the aunt of Diana Solano, Jeanne Pendergrass and Carol Pittman all of North Carolina, Andrea Gray of Hills borough, Anthony J. Ingenito of North Arlington and James Ingenito of North Carolina. She was also grand-1unt of five nieces and four nephews.

Born in Harrison, she lived there until relocating to North Arlington in 1957. She graduated from Jersey City State College in 1960 and taught in the North Arlington Elementary School System for 17 years. Prior to ob taining her teaching degree, she was employed for eight years as

an administrative assistant for various firms in the Newark and Harrison area.

She was also a parishioner of Queen of Peace Church for many years and was a mem ber of NJEA and NEA and the Alumni Association of New Jersey City University.

The funeral will be from the Parow Funeral Home, 185 Ridge Road, North Arlington, Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. thence to Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, for the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Helen A. Szymanski

Helen A. Szymanski, 100, of North Arlington, died Oct. 9, 2022.

She was born in Harrison, and had been a lifelong resident

of North Arlington.

Helen was musically talented as a vocalist, who performed locally at numerous venues with a singing group known as “The Four Sopranos.” She had been employed by the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company in Harrison for over 30 years. Helen was also very active in the commu nity as a volunteer receptionist at the Clara Maass Hospital, Belleville, for over 20 years.

She was preceded in passing by her siblings Matthew Szy manski of Nutley, Frances Szpak of Clifton, Charlotte Kempfe of Yakima, Washington, Jean To masaitis of Kearny and Casimir Szymanski of Rahway.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church, Harrison. Visitation was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Interment was private and in Holy Cross Cem etery in North Arlington.

Shaw-Buyus

DAVIS AVE.

KEARNY,

07032

THANK YOU FROM THE DOLAN FAMILY

Although it is near impossible to properly thank everyone who responded to the passing of Charlie Dolan, we, the family, will try. The outpouring of love and caring has been overwhelming. Charlie Dolan is now gone, but he will not be forgotten as a husband, father and grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, neighbor, mentor and diehard Boston Red Sox fan

Our thanks to the Kearny Police and Fire departments and the Kearny Emergency Squad. We’ve used their services often the past 8 years; Carol Jean Doyle, for all she did to see that Charlie received the COVID shots in 2020 (that’s a story in itself.)

To Ling Chen, NP and Dr John Branwell, for caring enough to make house calls regarding his care. To Mark Wiggins, our friendly undertaker, Father Joe & Steve McDonald at St Stephen’s for a most memorable funeral Mass. Thank you, Jim Hague, for a walk through memory lane via The Observer. And thank you to The Observer and Lisa and Kevin for your love for Charlie.

To all out dear friends and neighbors who expressed condolences in so many ways, it is impossible to make you feel the gratefulness that we feel. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If we have forgotten to mention anyone, please forgive us

With Love, Jo-Ann Dolan, Danny Dolan, Mary Jo McDermott and Bernadette Patterson.

WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS

FUNERAL HOME

Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J.

Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home

Belgrove Dr.

Kearny,

LIBRARY

media equipment in there so we can show films and multimedia presentations or host lectures.”

Flexible seating options are also being considered, he said. Municipal-sponsored functions and passive recreation programs may also take place at the branch, he said.

Essentially, most if not all of these programs are offered at the Main Library, 318 Kearny Ave., but many residents — senior citizens in particular — face a hardship trekking to that location, particularly if they’re driving, since parking in that area is at a premium, Humphrey noted.

Now, he said, with the anticipated completion of the expansion, they’ll have a welcome alternative.

To start the ball rolling, the Kearny governing body last week voted to authorize a professionalservices agreement with RSC Architects, of Hackensack, “for design and other services related to the proposed

addition to the Kearny branch library…at a cost not to exceed $47,500.”

While the Public Library board will be paying for the construction from its reserve fund, according to Humphrey, the town — as the property owner — had to formally approve the action being taken.

“I have no idea of the cost (to build the addition),” Humphrey said. “Hopefully, it’s something (the Library Board) can afford.”

He estimated it would take “one to two months” to complete the design.

“Then we still have to go out for bids for a qualified vendor (for construction)” he said. That process, he said, “should go pretty quickly, maybe four to five months.”

Preliminary plans call for the building’s extension — 30 feet long and 15 feet wide —to connect to the branch’s existing adult fiction section from the library’s ample rear yard and there is to be a separate entrance added, according to Humphrey.

The construction job will also include interior upgrades to parts of the branch:

n New wainscotting in the toddler room.

Real

by Jarlynn Hyde Broker/Owner

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coveted kitchen features is a walk-in pantry, which allows for even more storage, especially for accommodat ing larger quantities of essentials. Today’s buyers are a savvy group. They’ve often done their prep-work, noting beforehand what amenities they’ll be looking for and the features they don’t need. We make it our business to be very familiar with the properties we list so that we can highlight the special characteristics we know will encourage a timely sale. You can count on us for knowl edge, commitment, and uncompro mising service. Call us to explore our current listings or to list your property. “Our success has been built one satisfied customer at a time.”

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n Repairs to the second-floor storage room.

n Renovations of attic offices.

RSC is no stranger to Kearny. In 2003, the firm designed improvements to the branch that resulted in new siding, new windows and a new entranceway that complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those upgrades were completed in

2005.

The firm has previously performed design work for more than 20 libraries in the region. It was also responsible for the planning of the Hudson County Hi-Tech High School in Secaucus.

According to Humphrey’s research, the town acquired the branch property — then a private residence — in 1927

for $25,000 so the building’s centennial will be observed in five years.

Since it’s been a municipal property, the building has seen use, not only as a library, but also as the headquarters for what was known as the Kearny Housing & Complaint Department, the Civil Defense Organization and Radio Unit operated by the Kearny Police Department and as a local Marine Corps Recruiting Station, according to Humphrey.

Once design plans are finalized, RSC has pledged to provide public presentations to the Library Board, Planning Board and the community, Humphrey said.

Infrastructure improvements continue, meanwhile, at the Main Library with new LED lighting and window shades being installed in the museum on the library’s top floor. And last year, the library — with fiscal assistance from River Terminal — had a new entranceway built to access the rear of the building along with outdoor “park-style” seating.

The branch library’s toddler room, seen here, will be upgraded under new plans.

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Knights hosting fundraising dinner to benefit Mercy House

The Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus sponsor a benefit eat-in/ or takeout pasta dinner Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 5:30 p.m., at the Columbian Club Hall, 194 River Road, North Arlington.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Mercy House, a home of support and healing for people in need.

The Knights will serve pasta, meatballs, bread, salad and dessert for $20 for adults and $10 for children aged 6 to 11. To make reservations, call(201) 988-0183.

NEWS BRIEFS

The Knights ask that all patrons to consider donating a non-perishable, non-expired food item for the Queen of Peace Food Pantry.

Franklin School in Kearny names September Students of the Month

The following are Franklin School’s Students of the Month for September 2022.

Shelton Paguay, Valentina Alvarez Alvarez, Allen Campoverde, Camila Dominguez, Adrianna Cooke, Yakira Llerena Cornejo, Camila Donminguez, Allen Campoverde, Emmanuel Rubi Reyes, Maria

Pinheiro Borges, Katie Zarzuela, Alyson Guillen, Emma Sabados, Jacob Cabezas and Valery Cocuy

Also, Brian Gumb, Ashley Hernandez Martinez, Kayden Cleveland, Liam Mendez, Matias Chavez, Victor Valdivieso Romero, Lia Castellanos, Elias Cruz, Arianna Perez, Yony Solano, Brenda Afonso, and Apollo Boykin.

Also, Anthony Varghese, George Gonzaga, Liam Rodriguez, Justin Novillo, James Maldonado, Bernardo Wrotschincky, Jessenia Reyes, Arwa Moukraj, Abel Hernandez, Nathan Lara, Tenlah Ghising, Abel

Hernandez and Alexia Ferreira.

Also, Duarte, Marlon Borja Monar, Omayra Juarerz, Maria Peixoto Valada, Alicia Gomez Sarzosa, Ema Brito, Yumna Afefah, Isabella Osorio, Anderson Troya-Escobar, Mia Urmeneta, Jaylen Baret Disla, Summer Tice and Penelope Tirado.

Lastly, Sienna Martins, Luciano Mejia Ortega, Camila Mesarina, Jeffrey Calva, Mariana Villegas, Michelle Fajardo, Jazilyn Montilla, Adrian Bernard, Victoria Alves Farias, Ashley Soto, Lucas Campos, Jacob Navarro, Brianna Radu and Helem Soza.