e-Newspaper for April 12, 2023

It’s Cherry Blossom season already and the trees at Branch Brook Park in Belleville and Newark are in full bloom. These two photos, taken by The Observer’s Lisa Feorenzo on Thursday, April 6, 2023, were captured near the entrance to the Park on the Belleville side. With temperatures in the high 70s, scores of visitors came to the park to check out the beautiful sights that come only for a short time each April. And of course, don’t forget, there are more Cherry Blossoms at Branch Brook Park than there are in Washington, D.C.

Barbara Condon calls it a career

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

For more than 40 years, if you took a walk on Kearny Avenue near Laurel Avenue, chances are — at least before COVID-19 hit — Barbara Condon was inside 684 Kearny Ave. — working hard, preparing funerals for those who had died

and being present for generations of survivors.

But now, after following in her dad’s footsteps after his untimely death in 1979, the Condon Funeral Home is no more — she recently sold the business and home to another funeral director — and she’s perma-

See CONDON, Page 18

WHATCo performing ’You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’

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

The West Hudson Arts & Theater Co presents

IN THE ARTS

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” by Clark Gesner, Michael Mayer, An -

drew Lippa and Charles M. Schulz for two weekends, starting April 22 at WHATCo’s new performance space, 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. S., Harrison.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” a musical based on the classic Peanuts comic strip written by Schulz, follows Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang as they explore life’s great questions while playing baseball, struggle with homework, singing songs, swooning over their crushes and celebrating the joy of friendship.

Directed by Amanda Castro-Conroy with choreography by Bong Dizon and musical direction by Marty Wilson, the cast features Kearny’s podiatrist John Branwell as Snoopy; Robert Strauch as Charlie Brown; Romana Schaeffer as Lucy Van Pelt; Christopher Reyes as Linus Val Pelt; Frankie Perez as Schroeder; Maria Ruppert as Sally Brown; Michelle Almeida as Frieda; Samantha Egge as Peppermint Patty; Nichole Vaikno -

ras as Marcie; John Rueda as Pigpen; Holly Stefanik as Violet; and Angelina Aragona as Blanket.

Production dates are April 21, 22, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees April 23 and 30 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults or $15 for senior citizens and students and may be purchased at www.whatconj.org

The WHATCo Box Office, at the theater, will also be open for advance ticket sales; check WHATCo Instagram and Facebook pages for hours.

Some tickets may also be available at the door the evenings of the performances.

Free parking is available in the fenced lot at the corner of Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South and Jersey Street. For more information visit www.whatconj.org.

Contributed photo

The cast of the upcoming musical ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ will perform later this month at the WHATCo theater in Harrison.

NEW REC & ARTS CENTER COMING TO KEARNY

By Ron Leir ronleir423@gmail.com

The town of Kearny is acquiring the old First Lutheran Church property, 61-71 Oakwood Ave., to redevelop as what Mayor Alberto Santos described as a “community and arts center.”

“The last service at First Lutheran was on Jan. 22 of this year,” Santos said. Shortly after, he said, the town reached out to representatives of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and learned the property was up for sale.

Santos credited Council

President Carol Jean Doyle with alerting the town the space was available.

On March 14, the mayor and Town Council authorized a cash bid of $1.46 million for the property and, according to Santos, “the bid was accepted.”

On March 28, the governing body introduced two ordinances, one authorizing the purchase of the property and the other issuing 40-year bonds for up to $1.5 million, including $40,000 in professional fees to cover the costs of acquisition.

A public hearing on those

See CENTER, Page 7

Pet Direct ry

Blossom painting will lead to safer Belleville intersections

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

The girl in the blue hoodie feigned as if she was going to brush some pink paint onto her friend’s Chuck Taylors.

“Hey, quit it,” the friend said with a laugh.

It was a light-hearted moment, but the 20 or so members of the Belleville High School Arts Club who were helping paint a cherry blossom on the pavement at Holmes and High streets last week understood the importance of their work.

The brightly colored, highly visible symbol of Belleville stretching across the asphalt was created with temporary paint and designed to slow motorists as they approach the intersection adjacent to Belleville Middle School.

Along with painted bump outs, repainted crosswalks and other important touches, these enhancements are intended to create a safer experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

The Belleville School District under the leadership of Schools Superintendent Richard Tomko has collaborated

with the municipal Green Team on the “Crosswalks for a Safer Community.”

The demonstration project was created through Belleville’s participation in the Complete Streets Technical Assistance Program, funded by a grant through the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

“

The Green Team is grateful to receive this project assistance and understand as a community we must all work together to increase awareness of crosswalk safety for pedestrians and develop safe habits driving in these critical areas,” said Gabrielle Bennett-Meany, Green Team coordinator.

“Our students’ safety is paramount, and we are committed to creating a safe experience for our many students who walk and bike to school,” Tomko said.

A survey may be accessed by going to go.rutgers.edu/Belleville to collect input from township residents. Also, Police Chief Mark Minichini said the Belleville Police Department will be comparing traffic data near the intersection collected before and after the creation of the demonstration project.

If the improvements are successful,

they could become permanent, and inspire similar installations at other locations in Belleville. A printed report showing how the enhancements worked could be submitted by the school district and township in applications for further grant money.

The safety improvements could also dovetail into a school travel plan that would create more orderly drop off and dismissal periods at Belleville schools.

The enhancements work in concert. The bump outs delineated by reflective traffic bollards will act to extend the sidewalks, thus creating a shorter crosswalk. The bump outs will also narrow the street, which typically makes motorists slow down. The

colors of the cherry blossom will alert motorists to instinctively slow down. Repainted latter-style crosswalks will be easier for approaching motorists to see.

Belleville Councilman and Green Team member Vinny Cozzarelli said the hope is the effort leads to a safer intersection, as well as encouraging more students to walk and bike to school.

“One of the Green Team’s core values is sustainability,” he said. “Fewer cars on the road adds up to less greenhouse gas emissions, and that has great benefits for our environment. With warmer weather arriving, it would be the perfect opportunity for students to walk with their friends to school.”

Tomko applauded the students who diligently worked with brushes and rollers for several hours to bring to life the cherry blossom, just in time for the spring bloom.

“At the heart of the project may have been school safety, but I also saw a lot of school spirit,” Tomko said. “The students worked hard and we appreciate their ongoing efforts to fill our schools and our town with art even on an asphalt canvas.”

Let’s Talk

We’ve all heard that when buying a home, the three most important factors to consider are location, location, and location. Why is the location so important when it comes to real estate? Although the condition and price of any house can be changed, including its size, the one thing you can’t change is the home’s location. Location means different things to different people. Are you looking at a home in a questionable or unfamiliar area? Remember that a neighborhood can change too. Instead, think about the property itself and what the property’s future potential is. A knowledgeable real estate agent can help assist you and know

which neighborhoods and areas are on the verge of becoming the next big thing.

Determining the kind of neighborhood you and your family would like to live in will most likely be the very first decision you’ll want to make when choosing to move. Although many, many decisions will follow throughout the process, this starting off point is key. As your real estate agent, we can help by pointing out details of potential choices you may not have considered before. Sit down with us and let’s discuss the details. Call us for an appointment. “Our success has been built one satisfied customer at a time.”

OPINION & VIEWPOINTS EDITORIAL

A few items as the spring season gets well underway

What a great time of year this is, isn’t it? We just experienced the joys of Passover and Easter, the weather is getting so much nicer (even if this was hardly what one might call a bad winter.) Baseball is back. The Devils are good again. And summer will be here before we blink.

This week, we’ll take a look at a few topics in brief.

n Since we already mentioned the Devils, consider they’ve yet to play a post-season game in 2023, haven’t played in the playoffs since 2018 and haven’t won a post-season series since the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals (“Henrique! It’s over!) — and already, the prices for games to be played at the Prudential Center are outrageous on the secondary market.

The cheapest ticket available as of presstime, for the first home game, is selling for $260. The most expensive — and mind you, this is for one seat for one game in the first round where no subsequent rounds are guaranteed — is selling for more than $12,000. Like many others, I will be enjoying the playoffs from the comforts of home.

n Each weekday, I continue to watch YouTube videos of scambaiters, or, people who expose scammers who find ways of bilking the elderly (and not so elderly) of insane sums of cash.

Recently, a family friend lost $3,000 cash to a scammer who had her believing her son needed that total for bail following a car crash. There was no crash, and no bail needed. She was then directed to get into an Uber (she complied), a complete stranger, go to a bank (she did that) and withdraw $3,000 in cash (sadly, she did that, too) to hand over to the Uber driver/“bail agent.” (Yes, she did that.)

She was very fortunate that was all that happened to her, though it was nonetheless still horrible how easy it was for the scammers to walk away with that kind of cash.

Police across the country continue to warn of the dangers of these scams. What will it take before people begin to stop falling for these falsehoods?

Please, folks, remind your elderly friends, family and neighbors and prepare them for detecting whether they’re being scammed.

Remind them to confirm any suspicious incoming call, even if the number and Caller ID appears legitimate. Never buy gift cards to pay for anything. Don’t let your loved one become the next victim.

Grade 3 & 4 basketball champions

The Miami Hurricanes are the third- and fourth-grade recreation basketball champs, finishing the season on a 17-game winning streak. In the top row, from left, are Coach Carlos Kingahlua, Anthony Ruiz, Carlos Kingahlua, Sebastian Huaranga, Leo, Lucas and Coach Will Milne. Kneeling from left are Jayden Milne, Khalil Izquierdo, Dominic Rizzi and Jackson Roemer. Please note last names were omitted on two players’ names at the request of their parents.

The Observer’s correction policy

The Observer strives to bring our readers the best and the most accurate news. However, from time to time, there may be mistakes in what we report. As such, we take our obligation to report errors seriously.

So, if you believe we’ve made an error, please send an e-mail to editorial@theobserver. com, indicating what is to be corrected. We will ensure a correction is noted (if necessary) in a future print edition — and online.

If access to e-mail is not possible, please call us at (201) 991-1600.

Lisa M. Feorenzo lisa@theobserver.com

Co-owner/Advertising Dir.

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

Editor/Broadcaster

Tina Feorenzo

Co-owner/Advertising

Michelle Rybeck advertising@theobserver.com Graphic Artist/Real Estate

n Classifieds: 3 p.m., Monday

n Obituaries: 10 a.m., Monday

n Display/Real Estate: noon, Thursday

n Help Wanted: noon, Monday — all ads must be sent to classified@theobserver.com.

Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Sports Writer

Robert P. Pezzolla

gm@theobserver.com

General Manager

Kimberley Pezzolla kimpezzolla@theobserver.com

Sales/Classifieds

CENTER

Continued from Page 3

ordinances is scheduled for April 11 and, if those pass, a real estate closing is expected within 45 days, as outlined in the sale contract between the town and the Synod. The broker is listed as Mark Singleton of Singleton-Galmann Real Estate, of Hoboken.

Santos said the property being acquired by the town includes the church building, a steeple attached to a multi-purpose room, a one-family home, a 2-family home and a 13-space parking lot with driveway access to Kearny and Oakwood avenues.

While the current church building dates from the early 1930s, the church itself has been at the same location for more than 100 years, according to Santos.

Although the church has never been designated a landmark building, Santos said the church structure — designed by Swedish architect Martin Hedmark — has distinctive features.

As explained by Santos: “Visitors enter the church through a freestanding red-brick bell tower with a parabolic arch and pointed steeple. The interior of the church has a pine ceiling in the shape of a ship’s hull.

The ceiling and beams have painted designs reminiscent of Viking art.”

A historical account of the church’s development, contained in a collection at the Kearny Public Library, elaborates on some further architectural details, saying, “The entrance gate, and in fact all of the iron work is hand-wrought while practically all of the sacred paintings done in the interior, were executed by the architect himself.”

Inside the church, “the walls are of hand-troweled plaster with a sand finish. The ceiling is of wood boards covered with a thin transparent paint, the beams being decorated in American Indian motifs. The lighting fixtures are wagon wheels, while the polychromed black doors carry out the idea of rugged beauty.”

The building, with all these unique aspects, “literally cries out for historical preservation,” Santos said. “This will be a very important addition to the town’s public buildings and I’m very excited and happy that the public will be able to enjoy it. This will have an impact on generations of Kearny residents to come and I believe this will be one of the most significant items I’ve worked on with the council’s help.”

Once the town takes title, the mayor said, the town will hire an architect to

prepare designs for “adaptive re-use” of the property as a community and arts center. The town will be looking for historic preservation grant money to help finance the work, he said.

After the design is done, “we will begin formulating programs with the town’s Recreation Department, Public Library, school district and Kearnybased organizations that promote arts and culture,” he said.

What the town will do with the two houses remains to be determined, Santos said.

On a practical level, Santos said, “there is a need for us to have additional community space” so, to that end, it makes sense to acquire the church property.

Fourth Ward Councilman Gerald Ficeto said his preference would be to use the facility for programs that would benefit both senior citizens and children, in particular.

Ficeto recalled that, for a few years, the West Hudson Arts & Theater Co. was permitted to use the church’s multi-purpose space to present plays and related programs.

Well before that, Ficeto said, he remembers the church had an active Boy Scout troop, along with a small shooting range in the basement of the church.

UEZ sale upcoming

The Kearny UEZ town-wide yard sale is back and registration for it is open.

The sale, May 6 and 7, is open to Kearny residents only and is fee-free.

Sellers may register at forms.gle/ oFdfwfBraJmYQLRu8. Forms may also be downloaded from at www. kearnynj.org. or the KUEZ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ KearnyUrbanEnterpriseZone. Printed forms will also be available at Kearny Town Hall, 402 Kearny Ave.

Participants will be featured on a special Google Map created for the sale. The deadline to be included is May 4.

The KUEZ will promote and advertise the sale.

Completed printed forms may be dropped off at or mailed to the KUEZ Office, 410 Kearny Ave., Kearny N.J. 07032, faxed (201) 955-1827 or sent by email to kearnyyardsale@kearnynj.org no later than May 4.

For more information, call (201) 955-7981 or send an email to kearnyyardsale@kearnynj.org.

How to clean your car’s undercarriage

Your car’s undercarriage accumulates dirt, debris and road salt. It also periodically gets wet from rain, mud and snow, leading to rust. Spring is a great time to give the undercarriage a good cleaning. Here’s how to do it.

1. Lift the vehicle. Lifting your car with a jack makes accessing every part of the undercarriage easier. Skip this step if you have a lifted truck.

2. Remove the tires. This is an optional step, but it allows you to move more freely around the vehicle and get into all the nooks and crannies.

3. Rinse the undercarriage. Wash the undercarriage section by section using a pressure washer or garden hose with a spray attachment. Start from the front, moving toward the

back. Hold the spray attachment or pressure washer wand at a 45-degree angle for the best cleaning action.

4. Clean stubborn areas with a degreaser. To get rid of persistent dirt and debris, spray degreaser on the undercarriage and let it sit for 20 minutes. Scrub with a brush and then rinse the surface.

5. Dry the undercarriage. Rust can develop if moisture is left behind on the metal. Dry every part of the undercarriage with old towels.

6. Apply a protectant. This helps protect the metal of the undercarriage against damage. It‘ll also keep it cleaner for longer.

If you don’t feel confident washing your car’s undercarriage, look for a local car wash that offers the service.

Spring tune-up essentials

After a long, cold winter, spring is in the air. This means it’s time to give your car a little TLC before cruising in the sunshine. Ensuring everything is in tiptop shape before you hit the road can help you avoid costly breakdowns. Here are eight essential spring tune-up tasks.

1. BATTERY. Most batteries last five to seven years. However, cold winters are notoriously hard on batteries. With warm weather on the horizon, ask your mechanic to check the condition of yours.

2. WINDSHIELD WIPERS. Ice, snow and freezing temperatures can take a toll on your wiper blades. Therefore, when the weather warms up, it’s a good idea to check your blades for signs of wear and replace them if necessary.

3. TIRES. If you installed winter tires on your vehicle, now’s the time to have them swapped out for summer ones. The rubber treading on winter tires wears out faster in warm conditions. If your car is equipped with all-season tires, inspect them for tread wear, cracking or other signs of damage and replace them if necessary.

4. HOSES AND BELTS. Harsh winter weather can affect the life of your car’s hoses and belts. It’s best to have them inspected by a trusted mechanic for cracks, leaks, fraying and stretching to ensure they’re ready to go the distance this spring.

5. FILTERS. Ask your mechanic to look at your vehicle’s engine and cabin filters and replace them if needed. A dirty cabin filter can cause your air conditioning system to malfunction, and a dirty engine filter can put undue stress on your engine.

6. BRAKES. Don’t wait for something to go wrong before getting your brakes checked. Have the pads and rotors professionally inspected to keep them in good working condition.

7. LIGHTS. When you take your car in for a spring tune-up, have the mechanic check the turn signal bulbs, brake lights, headlights, marker lights and daytime running lights.

8. FLUIDS. Several fluids must be changed when you go through your spring tune-up routine. For example, the engine oil, power steering fluid, brake and transmission fluids, coolant and windshield washer fluid should all be checked and topped up as necessary.

When you’re ready to get a spring tune-up for your vehicle, contact a local mechanic to get the job done right and keep you safe on the road.

SPORTS & RECREATION

Belleville softball enjoys 2-0 start as confidence builds

Kearny’s Andrews steps down as head football coach, takes job at Kean

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Stephen Andrews knew it was a day that was going to eventually come as he looked to continue his football journey. Knowing that didn’t make it any less emotional to move on from the program he played for and loves.

Andrews stepped down this winter as Kearny’s head football coach after five seasons in order to become the wide receivers coach at Kean University, a position he started in March.

Andrews remains Kearny’s strength and conditioning coach through the academic year.

more in college. Being someone who wants to be the best coach I can be, it’s a lot of work, but I’m working forward to it.”

The Kardinals went 9-31 during Andrews’ time as head coach, but while it didn’t always show up in the standings, he provided stability to a program that has rarely had it in recent memory. Andrews was the longest tenured head football coach Kearny has had since it dropped the sport for a year in 2003. The Kardinals’ 4-6 record in 2019 under Andrews was tied for the second best in that 20-year span, which included seven different head coaches.

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Chris Cantarella didn’t have to worry too much about rebuilding the confidence of the Belleville softball team following last year’s 1-17 season. That’s because the veteran head coach was one of the very few to experience the struggles of last spring.

“They don’t really have the experience of what happened last year,” said Cantarella. There’s a lot of new girls, a lot of fresh faces. There’s only two that played varsity last year so none of them know any difference or know the struggles of last year because they were playing JV or (middle school).”

Instead, this group has experienced only success in the first few days of the season. Belleville already has more wins than last year after convincing victories over

Newark Tech (11-1) and West Caldwell Tech (18-3) to move to 2-0.

Even with dropping down from the Super Essex Conference’s Liberty Division to the Colonial, the difference in results is dramatic.

“The girls are playing well and winning breeds happiness. It doesn’t matter who you beat, if you win a game, you feel good about yourself,” Cantarella said. “They’re gaining more confidence and they all want to contribute. It’s been very positive so far.

“There’s a lot of positives coming from it, especially for the younger girls. We start seven underclassmen so to develop some confidence, get some wins under their belt, make them feel good about themselves helps us not only this year, but next year and years moving forward.”

Leading the way early on has been sophomore pitcher Nina Germino, one of the two

who started last year. This year, Germino has pitched to a 1.40 ERA through her first two starts while also leading the Bucs in runs (five) and hits (4).

“She pitched a little bit last year. It’s not really her primary position, she’s probably a better outfielder than anything else, but she’s been doing really well, throwing strikes and making the other team try to put the ball in play against her,” Cantarella said. “She’s not somebody who is a dominant strikeout pitcher, she pitches to contact, but she’s doing a really good job of putting the ball in different locations and getting a lot of success from that.”

Senior Zahra Dhalla is Belleville’s No. 2 pitcher and will see innings in the circle this spring.

At catcher is senior Diane

“It’s heartbreaking having to leave, but my goal was always to eventually move on to the next level,” said Andrews. “It was never meant to be a lifetime appointment for me. I wanted to learn, I wanted to help build the program. I just felt like it was the right time.”

For Andrews, 39, his ultimate goal is to eventually become a college offensive coordinator. Joining Kean is the next step in that process and he’s already hit the ground running.

“We’ve already started coaching meetings, we’re getting into spring football so it’s been sort of a whirlwind trying to catch up,” Andrews said shortly after taking the job. “The staff has been amazing. I go there (regularly) for overall coaching meetings, but I always meet with the offensive coordinator to catch up.

“Being an offensive coordinator in high school was great, but it’s just so much

Last year, Kearny went 2-7, closing the season with a 32-20 victory at Hopatcong.

None of that made it easier to deliver the news to his players.

“That’s probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do,” Andrews said. “ I’m just very emotional when it comes to my players so I had to be strategic in how I delivered the news.

“They were upset, I was upset, the coaching staff was upset. But the one thing that makes it easier is that I’m still the strength and conditioning coach so I’m still working with the guys in the weight room, I’m still doing all of that. So that makes it a little bit of an easier transition.”

That presence has been especially vital as Kearny started searching for a new head coach, which will be the Kardinals’ eighth in 21 seasons.

See ANDREWS, Page 10 See SOFTBALL, Page 10

Photo courtesy of Chris Cantarella

Left to Right: Kaylee Gutierrez,Danaijah Santiago,Anniyah Thompson,Leilani Marzan, Mya Estrict, Melissa Pego, Jeylian Cruz, Zahra Dhalla, Diane Estrada, Angelina Navarette, Ashley Cely, Nina Gemino, Catalina Cucaz, Deanna McIntosh

SOFTBALL

Continued from Page 9

Estrada, who with three runs and three RBI is one of several first-year varsity players off to a great start.

“She blocks the ball really well, she throws the ball pretty well,” said Cantarella. “She’s been swinging the bat really well to start.”

At first base, freshman Mya Estrict and sophomore Melissa Pego are currently

sharing the position. Thus far, Estrict leads the team with four RBI and Pego has two.

Catalina Cucaz, a senior, is at second base and has solidified the middle of the Buccaneers’ offense with her speed.

“(Catalina’s a) middle of the lineup kind of girl with good speed,” Cantarella said. She’s like our second leadoff hitter in the middle of the order.”

Junior Deanna McIntosh

is a returning starter at shortstop and has begun the year with three RBI in her first six at-bats. Freshman Anniyah Thompson (three runs) is the starter at third base.

Sophomore Danaijah Santiago, is a slick defender on the infield and will see extensive action late in games. Belleville’s lineup received a massive boost with the return of senior Ashley Cely after missing all of last year with a hand injury. Cely,

A Message from the Harrison Water Department

The Harrison Water Dept. will flush hydrants throughout Harrison beginning the week of April 3rd 2023. Crews will work Monday through Friday between 9pm and 1am to minimize customer inconvenience. The flushing program is expected to last for about 6 weeks. Ending May 12th, 2023.

Flushing removes harmless minerals that collect in the water mains. The project is part of the Town routine maintenance program to assure high water quality. Flushing hydrants help to maintain the integrity of the distribution system by keeping the water lines clean. It is also necessary for fire protection because flushing ensures that the hydrants are working properly.

During the flushing process, customers may experience low water pressure or discolored water. While the water is safe to drink, customers may prefer to wait until it runs clear before drinking or washing clothes or dishes.

Residents with questions or problems can call the Harrison Water Department at 973-2682468. Website www.townofharrisonnj.com.

who seemed poised for big things after her sophomore season, has scored a teamhigh five runs out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

“She’s back and she’s leaving off where she left off two years ago,” Cantarella said. “After the 2021 season we had high hopes for her, then she didn’t play last year, but she’s back right where she is and doing very well defensively and offensively. She’s quick, runs the bases well, gets the ball down.”

ANDREWS

Continued from Page 9

It also comes as no surprise to anyone who knows Andrews and the relationship he has had with Kearny his entire life.

“(People) know Kearny is in my blood and how much I love the football program and how much time and effort I put into being the football coach here,” said Andrews. “In the end, I love Kearny football, I love Kearny athletics, I love Kearny and all I want is to see them be great.”

Junior Kaylee Gutierrez starts in centerfield, while a trio of players - Angelina Navarrete, Jeylain Cruz and Leilani Marzan - are all competing for and sharing the right field spot.

Belleville looked to continue its winning ways with an April 10 matchup against Newark East Side. In addition to its division schedule, the Buccaneers also have independent games against Edison, Kearny, Newark Academy and Bloomfield.

Premier Car e TALK S

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The lymphatic system, the intricate system of nodes (tiny bean-sized glands) and vessels that filter lymphatic fluid, helps remove waste and germs from the immune system. Consisting of hundreds of nodes throughout the body, especially behind the ears and in the neck, armpits, and groin, the nodes filter waste, preventing viruses and bacteria from traveling to other areas of the body. This makes them an essential part of the immune system. All bodily cells and tissues excrete lymphatic fluid filtered by the nodes. Lymph nodes swell when infection is present in the body and a pathogen destroys white blood

cells (lymphocytes). Once the lymphocytes destroy invasive bacteria or virus, the waste is then eliminated via the kidneys and liver.

Because sciatica is caused by pressure on a nerve in your spine, complications may develop if the pressure is not relieved. If you don’t already have a provider, please call PREMIER CARE ASSOCIATES OF WEST HUDSON at 201-998-7474. We are located at 512 Kearny Ave., Suite B, where walk-in patients are always welcome 7 days a week. P.S. The word lymph is derived from the name of the ancient Roman deity of fresh water, Lympha.

THE ROLE OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Dr. Prakash J. Doshi

Dr. Hector Aguilar

Photo by Jason Bernstein Stephen Andrews

KPD arrest a ‘Panty Plunderer’ for third-consecutive week

By Capt. Timothy Wagner Kearny Police Department

On March 27 at 2:32 p.m., Officers John Fearon and Mariana Figueiredo and Sgt. Phil Finch were dispatched to Marshalls where, for the third week in a row, an employee caught an alleged panty plunderer.

A store employee accused Elvin J. Echevarria (a/k/a Jose Rodriguez), 50, of Newark, of concealing $158.91 of underwear on his person and trying to leave the store without compensating for the clothes. Echevarria was charged with shoplifting and also held at the county jail on an outstanding Hudson County Superior Court bench warrant related to a prior robbery charge.

On March 26 at 5:11 p.m., Det. Jordenson Jean was assigned to a security post at ShopRite, where a store manager reported a customer was tearing open packages of cellular phone chargers in

aisle 11 of the store. Det. Jean then saw the accused package popper moving toward the exit without any visible merchandise. The detective started a conversation with the suspect and learned he had allegedly concealed an air freshener and several cellular phone chargers in his pockets and had tried to leave without paying for them.

Upon discovering this, Det. Jean arrested the man. He was later identified as Siddiq A. Ali, 25, of Newark. Ali was charged by summons with shoplifting and later released.

On March 26 at 6:39 p.m., Officers Cort Montanino and Mat Lopez were driving past Passaic Avenue’s futsal soccer field and observed a 17-yearold boy on top of a fallen 14-year-old boy. The assailant was punching the younger boy in a mixed martial arts “ground and pound” style.

Officers took the older boy

Continued on the next page

C ELEBRATING 25 Y EARS !

EYE CARE

DeLuca Vision Consultants

WHAT CAUSES GLAUCOMA?

Glaucoma happens because of damage to the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure in the eye. The elevated pressure is caused by problems with the eye’s drainage system. The aqueous humor is the clear fluid that fills the space in the front of the eyeball between the lens and cornea. The aqueous humor is constantly circulating through the iris as it nourishes the cornea and the lens. Normally, the fluid drains through a spongy tissue where the iris and the cornea meet. If this drain becomes clogged, fluid cannot drain and it backs up, causing increased pressure within the eye. Eventually the pressure weakens the optic nerve at the location where it leaves the eye, affecting vision.

According to the National Eye Institute, nearly 2.2 million Americans aged 40 and older have some form of glaucoma. Almost half of these people are not even aware they have the disease. Typically, glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages. Over time if left untreated it can lead to blindness. With early treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. If it’s been a while since you’ve had an eye exam, call 201-896-0096. We are located at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst. To reach our optical shop, call 201-896-0007. We accept most insurance.

P.S. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain, carrying the information that our brain needs to create vision.

Presented by Joseph A. DeLuca, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Apple Maps

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into custody. He was later released to a parent with a stationhouse adjustment for simple assault.

On March 27 at 11:55 a.m., Officers Alvaro Goncalves and Chris Medina and Sgt. Jay Ward were dispatched to a call of criminal mischief on Hickory Street. There, a man reported he was inside his home when his 27-yearold ex-fiancé arrived outside and began smashing and scratching his car with rocks. This left the car with broken windows and paint scratches. The suspect seemingly consulted a thesaurus and scratched several nasty words into the windshield and body of the car.

The ex-fiancé fled on foot but was stopped by police around the corner. She was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief and later released with a summons.

On March 28 at 1:46 p.m., Officers Travis Witt and John Fearon and Sgt. Phil Finch met with loss prevention employees at Walmart who accused Judith M. Lazu, 40, of Newark, of

concealing $692.06 of merchandise in reusable shopping bags and passing all points of sale without paying.

The officers arrested Lazu for shoplifting and later released her with a summons.

On March 28 at 5 p.m., Det.

John Fabula arrested Nicole Ramirez-Aquino, 20, of Newark, when she turned herself in at police headquarters. The arrest of Ramirez-Aquino was related to a previously-reported cellular phone “sim swap” investigation.

Back on Nov. 13, a 19-year-old Kearny man reported to police his cellular phone had apparently been hacked and his bank account had been intruded upon. The victim reported that a day earlier his cellular phone unexplainably turned off. When he turned the phone back on, the victim received emails from his bank notifying him that two Zelle wire transactions had been made from his bank account for $1,000 and $339 respectively. The victim had not authorized these transactions.

As a result of his comprehensive

POLICE BEAT

investigation, Det. Fabula charged Ramirez-Aquino with theft and conspiracy. She was processed and transferred to the Hudson County jail.

On March 28 at 6:01 p.m., Officers David Vazquez and Jose Perez-Fonseca were dispatched to Marshalls where a shoplifting had been reported. A loss prevention employee accused Ronnie A. Wright, 37, of Elizabeth, of concealing $468.30 of merchandise in a laundry bag and trying to leave the store without paying.

Officers charged Wright with shoplifting and lodged him in the Hudson County jail.

On March 28 at 7:25 p.m., Officer Taylor Latka and Sgt. Sean Kelly were tapped for the next Marshalls response. There, a loss prevention associate accused Elias Rodriguez, 40, of the Bronx, of concealing $96.17 of merchandise and then carrying it past all points of sale without paying.

Incident to Rodriguez’s arrest, offi-

FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS ANY TIME OF DAY, VISIT

cers searched his backpack and found $101.76 of merchandise that had been stolen from a nearby Five Below store. Rodriguez was charged with two counts of shoplifting and held at the Hudson County jail.

On March 29 at 6:44 p.m., Det. Jordenson Jean was called back to Ulta Beauty on Passaic Avenue, a store he had just left as part of an unrelated investigation. A store manager reported Regina J. Rosado, 50, of Newark, was observed concealing a Lancome beauty product in her purse.

Det. Jean waited outside the store and while doing so learned Rosado had allegedly paid for a low-priced item at a cash register but had not paid for the Lancome product. Det. Jean confronted Rosado when she exited the store and recovered $135 of stolen merchandise on her person. Named in two prior arrest warrants for shoplifting issued by the courts of Bridgewater Township and Clifton, Rosado’s Kearny shoplifting charge was lodged on a warrant and she was held at the Hudson County jail.

Community Investment Loans

Community Fir st Loans

Payment Example: $8.10 per $1,000 borrowed on a $100,000.00 15-year fixed rate mortgage at an interest rate of 5.375% will result in

Owner occupied rate. New loans only Rates and annual percentage rates are based on 80% loan to value with 20% equity or 20% down payment. Rates and annual percentages are effective as of the publication date of this ad and are subject to change. Please speak with our Mortgage Department for additional terms and conditions that may apply Subject to credit approval. Other rates and programs are available.

UNICO offering scholarships to graduating seniors from Kearny

Numerous scholarship opportunities for high school seniors have been announced by the Kearny Chapter of UNICO.

The chapter offers $500 scholarships to seniors at any public, private or parochial high school who is a U.S. citizen, of Italian ancestry and who has resided in Kearny for at least three years. Candidates must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 or B.

Financial need, participation in extra-curricular activities and community service are considered in the awarding of the scholarships.

The deadline for applying for the scholarships is April 28.

In addition, UNICO National offers four scholarships to seniors going on to college.

These awards, at $1,500 per year, require the student to be of Italian ancestry, and possess a 3.0 or B average or higher.

UNICO National also offers scholarships to those already enrolled in undergraduate or post-graduate studies. The deadline for applying for these scholarships

NEWS BRIEFS

is April 15. Visit www.unico.org for more information about national scholarships.

Kearny High School, Mt. St. Dominic, County Prep, High Tech and St. Peter’s Prep students may receive applications from their guidance counselors.

All other students interested in applying may reach out to Joseph Sorbera, scholarship committee chair, at sorberaj2@gmail.com.

Four North Arlington cops taking part in Police Unity Tour for the first time

The North Arlington Police Department will be represented in the Police Unity Tour for the first time ever from May 9-12.

The annual bicycle tour raises awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and to ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten.

North Arlington Police Officers Marvin Escobar, Aaron Hensz, Jose Perez and Jason Rivera will begin their four-day trek in Florham Park, en route to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., with fellow officers from around the state.

The Police Unity Tour began in

OBITUARY

All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.

John H. de Knegt

John H. de Knegt, 71, of Kearny, died April 6, 2023. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Thursday, April 13 from 3-7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 14, at St. Stephen’s Church at 10 a.m. Entombment of John’s ashes will follow in Holy Cross Mausoleum in North Arlington.

Devoted son of Alice (nee Laurens) and the late Herman de Knegt, John was the beloved husband of Rose (Gaydos) de Knegt, loving father of Kerry Cruz, Jennifer Hamilton and Jason de Knegt. He was the cherished “Poppy” of William, John and Luke. He is also survived by his sisters Henrietta de

Knegt (Scott Mehlberg) and Shirley de Knegt-Kuzik (Paul).

John was a well-respected motor cycle police officer for the Town of Kearny, where he attained the rank of sergeant. He was known for his big heart and handle bar mustache.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to lbda. org.

1997 by Florham Park Police Officer Patrick Montuore. The ride has grown to include 2,600 participants and has raised more than $33 million. The tour is the sponsor of the National Law Enforcement Museum’s Hall of Remembrance, the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award and other special programs.

“The North Arlington Police Department is pleased to have Officers Escobar, Hensz, Perez and Rivera represent us in the Police Unity Tour,” Police Chief Scott Hedenberg said. “We honor the memory of our fallen law enforcement officers and recognize the sacrifice they have made to keep our community safe.”

Belleville Police Department hosting bike rodeo for children

Hey kids, want to be a big wheel in Belleville?

The Belleville Police Department and EZ Ride invite you to sign up for a Bike Rodeo and either learn to ride or refresh your bicycling skills on April 22 in the parking lot of Public School 7, at 20 Passaic Ave. From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and

between 12:30 to 2 p.m., EZ Ride’s Bike and Ped team will teach novices how to bicycle; then, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., instructors will run through bike riding skills.

There’s limited availability of slots, so register now.

Participants must wear helmets; each child must be accompanied by at least one parent; and a signed waiver is required.

Also, no training wheels are accepted; kids must wear sneakers; bikes must be adjusted to proper seat height; and tires should be inflated.

Learn to Ride classes teach proper helmet fitting, balance, starting and stopping and proper pedaling.

Safe Bike Skills classes cover proper helmet fitting, pre-ride safety check, starting, stopping, scanning signals, turning, bike handling and safe riding tips.

Any questions should be directed to Police Sgt. Anthony Abate, with emails to aabate@bellevillenj.org or call him at (973) 450-3348. April 29 is the rain date.

— Ron Leir

Mulligan Funeral Home

331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison

Arrangements may be made in Spanish, Portuguese or Polish

Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221

Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. Inactive

Novena to St. Jude

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. Please grant my request. Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the 9th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you Saint Jude.

Shaw-Buyus

Home for Services

Mario Teixeria, IV, Manager, NJ Lic. #3757

K.

Private Parking at 10 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North 973-481-4333

visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com

WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS FUNERAL HOME

Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916

Mario Teixeira, Jr. Director, NJ Lic. #2542 • Monique Teixeira, Director, NJ Lic. #4048 Newly renovated family owned and operated funeral home with multiple locations.

Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Handicapped Accessible.

138 DAVIS AVE. • KEARNY, NJ 07032

(201) 991-2265 www.buyusfuneralhome.com

You will feel as if friends of family have taken over when you entrust funeral arrangements to the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home. The family-owned firm has been in business for 100 years, serving generations in West Hudson and South Bergen. Its beautiful facilities, in a setting reminiscent of a colonial mansion, reflect the graciousness and tact of its understanding personnel.

Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032

(201) 991-0657

Air Pro Heating & Cooling LLC is looking to hire a full time HVAC Service Mechanic. Must have at least 5 years experience and a valid driver’s license. Unlimited overtime is available, Saturday’s are a must. Salary is dependent on experience level. Please email your resume to melanieairpro@gmail. com or call Mike Giaquinto at 201-741-5405 48W03

Supported Employment Specialist/Job Coach. Person will be responsible to work with individuals with disabilities referred by DVRS, in supporting them in finding job opportunities within the community. Develop and implement pre-placement, placement and follow-along supports. Drive consumers to and assist with job search and interviews.

FT Position, Mon-Fri (40 hours per week) must be flexible with their schedule. Requires Valid Driver’s License, Associate’s Degree Required. Experience working with individuals with disabilities. $18.50- $19.00/hour.

Candidates can email their resumes to pti450@aol.com or complete application at 60 Kingsland Ave. Kearny, NJ.

47W03

ATC Program Supervisor

Person will be responsible for overseeing the Adult Training Program; this position is a hand on supervisory position which works/supports the adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

FT Position, Mon–Fri (40 hours per week).

Salary Range $45-$48K per year. High School Diploma and 3 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities. Requires Valid Driver’s License. Candidates can email their resumes to pti450@aol.com or complete application at 60 Kingsland Ave. Kearny, NJ.

47W03

Employment Services Floor Supervisor

Person will be responsible for Overseeing the DVR Workshop Program; this position oversees that contract work is completed by adults with disabilities referred by the DVR., and that these individuals are enhancing their work skills.

FT Position Mon–Fri (40 hours per week).

Salary Range $45-$48K per year. BA degree required, vocational rehabilitation experience a plus. Requires Valid Driver’s License. Candidates can email their resumes to pti450@aol.com or complete application at 60 Kingsland Ave. Kearny, NJ. 47W03

CDL Driver Wanted - Adult Medical Day Care (Belleville)

Part Time/Full Time Driver. Class B and Endorsement P a must Spanish speaking a plus. No nights or weekends. Competitive Salary. Call Monday thru Friday only between 10 AM to 4 PM Only. Call 973-751-6000 or Fax resume to 973-751-1190. 518 Washington Ave., Belleville 48W03

BELLEVILLE 1 BR. LR. small Kitchen, & DR. HT/ HW included. 1 month security. No Pet/Smoking . Private entrance. Credit Check. Available Now (973)759-7077 47W03

BELLEVILLE 2nd floor. 3 Bedrooms, LR, DR EIK w/ Granite. H/HW included. No Pets. $2,500+ 1 mth security. Available Now (973)885-4433 49W03

BELLEVILLE 2nd floor 1 BR, LR, Kitchen. 3 rooms. $1650 + 1 months security. H/HW included. No Pets Available Now (973)885-4433 49W03

KEARNY Second floor, 6 rooms apartment, carpeting, 3 AC’s, celling fans. No W/D, $1700 + 1.5 months security, Utilities separate. No pets, No Smoking (201)998-9676

KEARNY 1st floor. 2 BR,LR,DR & EIK. $1900 + 1.5 months security. Gas included. Parking for 1 car. No Pets/Smoking. Credit check. Available Now (973)474-8614 48W03

KEARNY 2nd floor. 3 Bedroom, 1 bath, EIK, LR. Storage, Backyard No Pets/ Smoking. $1,800 plus 1.5 mth security. Utilties Seperate. (973)668-8305

6 room apartment. 4 BR, 2nd fl. Near all Transportation and Buses. Completely renovated. Call 973-202-8580 47W03

KEARNY Large room. With private sink & refrigerator. Utilities included. Single occupancy only. Close to Kearny Avenue. Positivly no smoking/ pets. Gentlemen preferred. Security required. $190 weekly. Call (973)830-7498 47W03

HARRISON/E.NEWARK

3 BR’S. 1 BATH. EIK.LR. Back & front entrances. Use of yard. $2300 + 1 month security. Utilities separate. No Pets/Smoking. 15 minute walk to PATH Available Now call and leave message or text (917)294-4024 Se Habla Español 47W03

LYNDHURST 2 BR. Large kitchen with dining area. Large LR and full basement. Laundry on premises. All remodeled Parking for 1 car. $2500 + 1 months security. Utilities separate. No Pets/ smoking. Available Now (914)882-4062 49W03

KEARNY Two bedroom apartment in excellent location. Extra large rooms. Second floor. Washer/Dryer hookup. Off street parking available. No pets, no smoking. $1800.00 per month, one month security. Utilities separate. Call between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. 201-997-2341 48W03

KEARNY 1st floor. 3 BR’s, EIK. $2300 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate. No pets/Smoking Available May 1st (201)772-9965 49W03

KEARNY Large big room. Responsible person. Utilities included. No Smoking. Private entrance. Available Now (973)704-4186 47W03

NUTLEY 1 room for rent. share kitchen. private entrance. $600, utilities included. No Pets/Smoking. Available Now call after 5PM (973)868-6614 48W03

There’s no better way to get your business’ message out than by advertising with The Observer. Our ads are in seen in print and online by thousands of readers across the country. Get on the road to advertising today. Call us at (201) 991-1600 and one of our sales reps will help you to reach your goals!

4 ways to update your flooring

Restoring or replacing flooring is a great way to refresh your home’s look. Here are four ways you can update your floors.

1. Refinish it

If your floor looks a little worse for wear, refinishing it is an affordable solution. Depending on its condition, you may need to sand, varnish, stain or repair cracks to make the floor look new again.

2. Paint it

You can paint over most types of flooring. For example, wood flooring is particularly easy to paint. Just make sure you choose a suitable product for the type of surface and level of traffic in the room.

3. Replace it

If your floor is beyond repair, replacing it may be your only option. However, make sure you choose a suitable floor type. For example, if you need to update your bathroom floor, choose a waterproof material like ceramic. Additionally, if you have pets, you may want to opt for a scratch-resistant flooring material like vinyl.

4. Decorate it

If your floor is in good condition, simply adding a rug or two can instantly transform your space. Choose a rug that’s the right size, style and color for the room.

If you don’t have any experience repairing or installing flooring, hire a professional.

CHIMNEY SERVICE

CONDON

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nently retired to the Adirondacks of New York state.

Her dad’s tragic death, sadly, was several years in the making.

“In or around 1974-1975, dad had a mechanical valve replacement and it was defective,” Condon recalls. “He died in 1979.”

At the time, she wasn’t yet finished with mortuary school. But she knew she wanted to keep the family business going. So despite losing her dad at such a young age, Condon took courses at Montclair State and got her funeral director’s license thereafter.

Aside from the obvious, though, what other reasons drove her to keep going despite such a tragic loss? For many, selling and moving on would have been an easy option. But for Condon, it was quite the opposite. In fact, her reason for carrying on was easy — she wanted to show the world she was more than capable of running a successful funeral business in New Jersey, despite the odds against her being overwhelming.

“At that time, in 1979, 99% of the business was men,” Condon says. “My family wanted us to sell the business. But I didn’t. Selling the business was not an option for me.”

And in retrospect, that decision not to sell was a brilliant one.

When she first took over, her grandma ran the office. And for the years that followed, her work, though challenging, left a lasting memory on her heart and will do so in the years to come.

“I have so many memories of my own,” Condon says. “There are generations of families and people I’ve buried. I’ve buried grandmothers, mothers, fathers, husbands, aunts, uncles — and throughout it all, people would always come back.

“This was very important to me because there were so many times people would call the funeral home — I can’t even tell you how many times this happened — and people would say, ‘I’m looking to reach Barbara Condon,’ and when I’d tell them they’d reached Barbara Condon, so often, they’d say, ‘Oh thank God you’re still there.’”

One of those instances involved the burial of a man who Condon says died 35-40 years ago in Indiana. The deceased man’s body was flown to Newark and she handled the arrangements here. At the end of that timeframe, the man’s wife, too, died.

“The family was so happy I was still there — after all that time,” Condon says.

But it was much more than the

generations who trusted her care that sustained Condon. She says she’s will miss the day-to-day workings of the funeral home and all that came with it.

“I will certainly miss visiting with families, listening to their stories,” she says. “But it was time.”

And while Condon is excited to enter full-time retirement in the oft snow-covered hills of the Adirondacks, where the town she lives in doesn’t have a blinking light, let alone a working traffic light, where the mail has to be picked up because there is no delivery route and where the nearest hospital is almost an hour away, Kearny will always be home, even if she has no family left here.

“I will certainly miss the town, the restaurants, the organizations, the people,” she says candidly. “Yes, I will miss the social scene. I was involved in every branch of the Woman’s Club of Arlington. I enjoyed it all.”

What she won’t miss, however, is the heartache caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was heartbreaking,” Condon recalls of the 2020 outbreak. “Funeral directors weren’t even allowed into cemeteries for a while. It was a terrible time in our history.”

And yet, she conquered it all, despite what COVID did to so many.

Now, she’s volunteering to drive elderly people around the Adirondacks to doctor appointments and elsewhere. And it’s all led to something unexpected.

“When I got my New York license, the photo was great,” she says. “That almost never happens!”

That Barbara Condon sense of humor is certainly well in tact — and we’re sure it will be for many, many years to come.

Even if there is entirely too much snow.

Observer Editor Kevin A. Canessa Jr. may be reached at kc@theobserver.com. Follow him on Facebook & Twitter @kevincanessa.

Pedro Moranchel, A.S. – Physics

HCCC Class of 2021 Valedictorian

• Attending Princeton University

• Princeton University Council on Science and Technology - Engineering Core Team

• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Paid All College Expenses

• One of 8 Achieving the Dream 2021 DREAM Scholars

Sarra Hayoune, B.S. – Physics

HCCC Class of 2019

• Stevens Institute of Technology

• Doctoral Candidate, Rutgers University

• Jack Kent Cooke National Undergraduate and Graduate Transfer Scholar

• American Museum of Natural History –Astrophysics Research Assistant

• NASA Apprentice

Abderahim Salhi, B.S. – Computer Science

HCCC Class of 2020

• Stevens Institute of Technology

• U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) – Intern

• National Astronomy Consortium Research at Princeton University – Intern

• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center – Intern

Maritza Beniquez, B.S.N. – Registered Nursing

HCCC Class of 2013

• Second-career Student

• Chamberlain University

• ER Nurse – Hackensack University Medical Center and University Hospital – Newark

• First New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Recipient