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Strong Women: May we Know them, Be them, Raise them
Hello Scotch Plains and Fanwood! Welcome to our Women's issue! This month we celebrate the wonders of women and the super powers we possess. As women, one of our many gifts is the innate capacity we have for helping others; quickly gathering resources and making easy work out of tasks, problems and challenges. The people we help include our children, parents, families, colleagues, businesses, communities, schools and teams. But what a joy it has been to see the evolution of our powers as we turn our unwavering support towards each other, and towards ourselves: Women Helping Women. YES!
Serena Williams once said “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re STRONGEST when we cheer each other on”. Today this magazine serves as a microphone - amplifying the collective cheers of our community for the women that inspire us in our home town. We look forward to continuing our celebration of women in future issues as there remain many stories left to tell. With Mother’s Day approaching it is only fitting we think about the women - all of the women - that have played a part in raising us.
We hope you find the time today to thank the women in your life that are always there to help you - the women that inspire you - and the women that celebrate your success as if it were their own. Cheers!
TERRY AZAD, VERONICA KAUTZ
May 2025
PUBLISHER
Veronica Kautz | veronica.kautz@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Terry Azad | terry.azad@citylifestyle.com
INTERN
Sophia Mekbeb
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Terry Azad
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Photos by Craig Smith, Nev Photography, Eric Kautz
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Proverbs 3:5-6
STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY
8: Dylan Gorman and friends enjoy Dairy Queen on Free Cone Day! 9: Dairy Queen Owner Donna Albanese serves hundreds of patrons ice cream on Free Cone Day! 10: Scotch Plains’ favorite pup Charlie knows how to
ERIC KAUTZ
ERIC KAUTZ
CHARLIE’S MOM
StrIVe Wellness
StrIVe Wellness opened its doors at 560 Springfield Ave in Westfield. StrIVe Wellness is a premier destination for those seeking innovative and effective solutions to enhance their health and well-being. The clinic specializes in three core areas: IV Therapy, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), and Weight Loss, all designed to help you invest in your wellness goals. Scotch Plains City Lifestyle would also like to welcome StriVe Wellness as a new advertising partner!
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Out Run Your Fork Celebrates Grand Opening in New Location
Out Run Your Fork celebrated the Grand Opening of its new expansive location found at 500 Central Ave in Westfield. Guests enjoyed food, fun, prizes and entertainment while also raising money for the Special Needs Fitness Program. Additional funds went to the Kessler Foundation Research Project, which studies the effects of exercise on the brain for people with Autism. Congratulations on a great event Tony and Team!
Premier Detailing Named top car detailing serivce in Scotch Plains!
Premier Detailing NJ ranked as the best among Plainfield & Scotch Plains car detailing businesses for 2024 by The Quality Business Awards. This award recognizes those businesses that achieve an average quality score of 95% over the previous 12 month period. Visit PremierDetailingNJ.com to learn more about the services offered. Mention Scotch Plains City Lifestyle to get special pricing on current deals!
Italy awaits!
Time is precious. Travel expert Shari Erasmus can plan and book the vacation of your dreams.
Shari Erasmus - Owner 201.452.5065 www.inspiredescapes.com @inspiredescapestravel
CHEERS TO JERSEY GIRLS!
ARTICLE BY TERRY AZAD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG SMITH
MEET THE WOMEN BEHIND VODKA SALAD: NEW JERSEY’S FAVORITE CRAFT COCKTAIL. FOUNDED, OWNED AND LED BY WOMEN.
Homer and Bart Simpson insist you can't win friends with salad. Local New Jersey entrepreneurs, Allie Sabol and Haley Telling from Summit, NJ, prove that you can!
As neighbors that became fast friends, Allie and Haley would enjoy cocktails in their backyards while sharing the details of their lives. They’d inevitably wind up in one of their two kitchens pulling fresh produce out of the fridge to concoct that evening’s refreshing bevvie. Just two friends, squeezing lemons and muddling herbs into their vodka sodas while laughing over the day’s events. When they’d go into town for dinner or drinks they could be overheard giving a list of ingredients to bartenders who’d recreate these kitchen recipes. They wanted a drink with flavor and freshness - not sugar. Something crisp and clean, not artificial. Realizing there was a large void in the cocktail market, the two friends set out to fill it.
That was 2021 and both Allie and Haley were already pretty stinkin’ busy. Allie was Managing Partner at a global ad agency raising 2 kids now in high school. Haley was managing the chaos that comes with having 4 children in 4 years and a successful career in sales. Pushing time and capacity limitations aside, Allie and Haley chose to focus on the potential that resided in their new product offering, and the strength of their partnership to bring it to market. Haley’s knowledge of hospitality, nutrition and sales combined with Allie’s expertise in brand design and market strategy, shaped the business case for these two friends to take a leap. They would marry their individual strengths with their shared resilience to launch a cocktail brand and business. They would create Vodka Salad, a ready-to-drink canned craft cocktail. High in flavor, low in sugar. And simply delicious.
The Founders of Vodka Salad enjoy their hard work
ARTICLE BY TERRY AZAD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEV
PHOTOGRAPHY
Partners Robyn Ross and Elizabeth Calandrillo bring strength, skill and compassion to their family law practice
Experience. Compassion. Diligence.
I do not know what to expect when I enter the law offices of Ross & Calandrillo in Mountainside, NJ: Two power-house women, both named partners at their own full-service family law firm, specializing in divorce and family separations. The seriousness of their work leads me to assume the environment will be equally so, and I am silently relieved that my visit is for a magazine related matter. Yet when I walk through the doors, Robyn Ross, Esq. greets me with outstretched arms, followed by the welcoming smile of partner, Elizabeth Calandrillo, Esq.
It strikes me that the warm environment serves a well-intended purpose, and I cannot help but smile. These women are a force. But of course they are. You do not get to build your own law practice, as named partners, without being a force. They make the rules. They set the tone. It is with that empowerment that they have chosen to lead with authenticity and accessibility. They do not boast of their own capabilities, preferring instead to champion the talented lawyers and legal professionals brought in to strengthen them. These partners exude confidence and practice kindness.
A little background: Both Robyn and Elizabeth are proud Jersey girls. Robyn went to High School in Maplewood, NJ and earned her BS Degree from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) with a major in Law and Justice. Liz went to
High School in Jersey City before graduating Magna Cum Laude from St. Peter’s University with a BA in English. Both women were awarded their Juris Doctorate degrees from Seton Hall University. The now partners met while working for a family law practice that did not have the names Ross or Calandrillo on the wall. Having become friends and confidantes outside of the office, they decided to go somewhere that would. The ladies openly discuss the differences in their personalities that complement their growing business. Robyn is a visionary, and a dreamer. Liz is cautious and brings the necessary restraint sometimes required. Both women, however, share the core values that serve as the foundation of their family law practice: Expertise. Compassion. Diligence.
T H E WONDERSOFWOMEN
Thanks to the hospitality of Bill Picard and his SPF Neighbors Facebook page we were able to ask neighbors and friends to suggest women in our town that inspire; whether it be as local business owners, entrepreneurs, community volunteers, titans of industry or stay at home moms. The flood gates opened and we received hundreds of comments through the group comments and direct messaging.
DISCOVER THE SUPER POWERS WITHIN THE INSPIRING WOMEN OF SCOTCH PLAINS AND FANWOOD
ARTICLE BY TERRY AZAD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEV PHOTOGRAPHY, CRAIG SMITH
Dana Califano
The Confidence Builder
Take one step into The Blowout Lab on South Avenue in Fanwood and you will feel immediately like joining an all-girl band. The space is vibrant and colorful with neon lights sharing messages of empowerment. Yes, I am magical! Business owner and mom of five daughters, Dana Califano, opened Blowout Lab three years ago to help women feel beautiful and more confident. Achieving financial independence is an example she wants to set for her daughters. “I tell them you are just as good as anyone, just as smart, just as tough. But you have to work for it.”
Dana has a generous spirit and a kind heart. She loves her family beyond measure and works every minute of every day to provide for them and to spend time with them. In addition to business ownership, Dana works as the Athletic Director at St. Bart’s in Scotch Plains where three of her daughters attend school. She also volunteers as a coach to multiple boys’ and girls’ teams there.
Dana’s friends will tell you she gives the shirt off her back to anyone in need. She uplifts those around her, finding joy in their success and happiness.
Tiffany Gallagher
The Powerhouse
Many neighbors in town have a front row seat to Tiffany Gallagher’s awesomeness. As a Partner and Principal at one of the largest professional services organizations in the world, Tiffany puts in long hours. Like an obscene amount. Having started as an intern in 2000, she rose quickly through the ranks to become one of the youngest partners in the firm’s history. Now, she pays it forward mentoring other women in her company to achieve the same level of success. Tiffany is also a mom to three kids, each one engaged in numerous sports and activities. With the support of her husband John, Tiffany somehow manages to attend most games and events. She takes immense pride in the balance she has achieved to be a present parent, while working at the pace required to be effective in her job.
An appreciation for our community’s teachers is what inspired Tiffany to join the “small but mighty” group of parents that volunteer their time for the SPF Education Enrichment Foundation. She can be found leading community events, like the recent Harlem Wizards fundraiser, to raise money for innovation in the classroom, enhanced learning through technology, and new ways to motivate student leadership.
Tiffany Gallagher
Chrissann Gasparro The Woman Whisperer
Chrissann Gasparro rocks a full-time job in a big deal role for a major media company five days a week. When the weekend rolls around, she is ready to share her disco-ball goodness to help other women show up for themselves.
It started two years ago when Chrissann invited a circle of friends over to her backyard to do “woowoo stuff” which incorporates self-awareness, light yoga, and breathwork, which Chrissann describes as “the star of the show”. Known to bring about a sense of calm, inner peace and moments of clarity, breathwork helps your brain to quiet long enough to allow those freedoms to occur. As it turns out, women REALLY need that space, and friends began to ask Chrissann to host new friend circles, in their own backyards.
To reach as many women as possible, Chrissann achieved the necessary certifications and has since launched FEEL GOOD FIELD PARTY, a women’s wellness experience, available in both event and workshop formats. “These gatherings give us the gift of our own precious and powerful attention, they reconnect us to ourselves, and they create a space where we get to be real and feel good. And we all deserve more of ALL of that.
Dr. Nicole Salge
The Healer
Dr. Salge is a PT, DPT and IADN Certified Specialist. Her passion for health, fitness and the human body is what led her to a career in physical therapy. She specializes in women’s pelvic health rehabilitation using a holistic approach to treat the whole person and not just symptoms. Through her work Dr Salge treats women suffering from a variety of ailments most notably those that arise during pregnancy, or post-partum. She also treats women with prolapses, urinary and bowel control issues, and pain. Dr. Salge’s mission is to raise awareness for women to take control of their pelvic health and seek treatment that can improve the quality of their lives. We do not have to “just deal with it” as women have been programmed to believe is ok. Dr. Salge loves what she does – a woman helping women’s womanhood!
Lisa Mohn
The Giver
If you want to meet the most selfless person in Scotch Plains, look no further than Apple Blossom Flowers located on Park Avenue in Scotch Pains. Lisa Mohn, Owner and Operator for over thirty years, is a well-respected business owner but it is her contributions to our town that make her a true super-hero. Lisa has always believed in giving back and fostering connections to make a positive impact on our community. Over 30 years ago she was one of the founders of the Scotch Plains Business and Professional Association that is responsible for the incredible Farmer’s Market we enjoy on Saturdays between May and November. This has become a second full-time job for Lisa as she takes on the lion’s share of work needed to make it happen. Permits and licenses, vendor selection and logistics, musical performances, tents and garbage cans. She gets up every Saturday before 6AM to make this happen for all of us. She does not go on vacation, she does not sleep in. Why do you do all this Lisa? “Scotch Plains is my Family” she says without hesitation.
A Legacy of Healthy Smiles
ARTICLE BY TERRY AZAD PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG SMITH
Dentalcare Associates has been a staple in Scotch Plains for over 65 years. With strong ties to the Scotch Plains Community, Dr. Robert Scalera founded his solo dentistry practice here in 1959. His son, Dr. Robert Scalera, Jr., joined the practice in 1983, and the two built a family practice that would serve four generations of patients. The father-son team retired in 2008 and 2024 respectively, with the latter selling the practice to Dr. Maureen Maximos – an accomplished dentist and partner at the practice for over six years.
DR. MAUREEN MAXIMOS ASSUMES OWNERSHIP OF DENTALCARE ASSOCIATES AND CONTINUES A LEGACY OF HEALTHY SMILES.
“WE GET TO KNOW EACH PATIENT INDIVIDUALLY,” SAYS DR. MAX. “IF WE CAN BOOST SOMEONE’S CONFIDENCE, THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IS IMPROVED.”
Dr. Maximos is extremely proud to take on the ownership of an established practice and the legacy of exceptional patient care that comes with it. While Dr. Maximos may not be a blood relative, she is clearly family, as is the entire team of dental professionals that work there, (many of them for over a decade). As soon as you walk into the office there is an air of familiarity, like being invited over for Thanksgiving dinner. There are no false pretenses, no perceived hierarchy and seemingly no bad moods. Everyone appears to genuinely like each other and the work that they do. Not surprisingly, everyone is…smiling.
I sat down to get to know Dr. Maximos better (or “Dr. Max” as she is known by her patients) and found myself almost giddy for the new direction her career is taking. She is far more poised than I am; young and assured; comfortable not only in her surroundings but in her new role as owner. Perhaps this calm confidence stems from the numerous accomplishments she has achieved. Receiving her Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University, Dr. Maximos graduated Magna Cum Laude before attending Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. She was a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship, occupied a regular spot on the Dean’s list, and held a variety of leadership positions across several Boards and Clubs.
advanced Technology for Invisalign patients
Dr. Maureen Maximos
GENERAL DENTISTRY AND INVISALIGN CERTIFIED
MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF IMPLANT DENTISTRY
BLS/CPR CERTIFIED
Dr. Maximos is proficient in the diagnoses and treatment planning of complex, multidisciplinary cases and comfortable treating both medically compromised and emergency patients following her residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She joined Dentalcare Associates in 2019 and purchased the practice in 2024 following Dr. Scalera's retirement.
I am impressed when she accepts the gentle ribbing I give her, not so much for being the President of the General Dentistry Club, but for keeping it on her resume.
Maybe her ease comes from growing up around a family of healthcare professionals, including her father, a NJ physician. She has always seen healthcare and dentistry as a positive experience; one that brings about well-being in both the immediate and long term. Helping patients to overcome previous bad – or even traumatic – experiences is a priority for Dr. Max and the entire team. A family culture in the office means patients are family too. “We get to know each patient individually,” says Dr. Max. “If we can boost someone’s confidence, their overall quality of life is improved.”
The steadfastness I sense could also be due to the solid foundation Dr. Maximos has from which to build. She recognizes the value of maintaining consistency in a proven system that serves over 2,000 active patients: Comprehensive care that includes general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Preventative care and patient education for optimal dental health; Specialty services including periodontics, implants and same-day emergency care. Anyone that has experienced tooth pain knows how unbearable it can be, and Dr. Maximos’ resolve is to keep Dentalcare Associates a place where existing and new patients alike can find relief in the shortest time possible. Superior patient care is necessary as Dr. Maximos looks to the future of dentistry and her own legacy. Innovative technology, techniques, equipment, and products are changing the practice of dentistry, and she vows to stay at the forefront. She is already Invisalign trained and certified and is currently working toward her certification from AAFE (American Academy of Facial Esthetics) to provide the best possible outcomes in facial esthetics and pain treatment (TMJ for example).
I am sure all these factors contribute to Dr. Maximos’ strength of conviction, but none more so than the support she has received from her community. Colleagues, patients, peers, family, friends, and magazine publishers alike are celebrating Dr. Maximos’ success. Dr. Scalera entrusted her with his family’s legacy, which is the loudest endorsement by far. But it is the support she has received from her mother throughout her life that she credits with her confidence to buy the practice. “She has always been there for me, championing my career and life goals. This opportunity gives me greater independence to make decisions that impact my work and life.” And that is certainly a reason to smile.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
MAY 3RD
Scotch Plains Farmers Market Opens for the 2025 Season!
430 Park Avenue; Municipal Parking Lot | 8:00 AM
Welcome back to Scotch Plains' incredible Farmers' Market - celebrating 34 years of Jersey Fresh and local - with a roster of over 40 "Best of the Best" Vendors. Come enjoy live music, fresh produce and culinary delights. Open every Saturday from 8 am - 1 pm, rain or shine. The season runs through the last Saturday before Thanksgiving.
MAY 3RD
Mental Health Awareness Fair
Alan M. Augustine Village Green / 430 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains | 9:00 AM
Experience a morning of wellness, self-care, and community at the Mental Health Awareness Fair on May 3rd from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. This special event is brought to you by the Township of Scotch Plains in partnership with FSP Rotary, Resolve Community Counseling, and Lifestyle Studio to promote mental well-being and kindness. Let’s break the stigma and encourage self-care!
MAY 3RD
Union Catholic's Third Annual Food Truck Festival
Union Catholic: 1600 Martine Avenue Scotch Plains | 12:00 PM
Get ready for an unforgettable day of food, fun and community spirit on Saturday, May 3rd from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM! Featuring a variety of delicious food trucks, live music, a beer and wine garden, children's activities and more! Tickets are $6/each. Proceeds support Union Catholics athletic programming.
MAY 4TH
Westfield Spring Fling Street Fair
10:00 AM
Join the fun at Westfield's annual Spring Fling Street Fair on May 4th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in downtown Westfield. There will be live music all day, food vendors, a beer garden, carnival games and other kid friendly activities. The event is Rain or Shine!
MAY 10TH
Spring Concert Series Fanwood
The Carriage house Watson Road, Fanwood NJ | 7:00 PM
The Fanwood Performance Series continues its spring season of live music with Jersey-City based Debra Devi, named by American Blues Scene as one of “today’s top female blues/rock guitarists". NJ Stage describes Debra's sound as a cross between Bonnie Raitt, Joan Jett and Pat Benatar. Opening the show is acoustic singer-songwriter Cassidy Rain, lead singer of The Outcrops.
MAY 26TH
Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade
Fanwood Memorial Library - Forest Road; Scotch Plains Gazebo - Park Avenue; LaGrande Park | 9:00 AM
Join neighbors and friends in honoring Fanwood and Scotch Plains' fallen heroes with a wreath ceremony, rifle salute and TAPS, first at 9:00 AM at Fanwood Memorial Library followed by a 10:00 AM ceremony at the Scotch Plains' Gazebo on Park Avenue. Immediately following will be a parade that proceeds south on Park Avenue into Fanwood, ending at La Grande Park.
At Ross & Calandrillo, we are dedicated to providing exceptional legal services with a personal touch. With decades of experience, we offer compassionate and effective representation tailored to your needs. Our areas of expertise include:
• Family Law and Related Matters: Divorce, custody, support, and more.
• Simple Wills: Protect your loved ones with a straightforward estate plan.
• Residential Real Estate Closings: Guiding you through seamless home buying or selling.
Conveniently located in Mountainside, we are proud to serve the Scotch Plains community with integrity and personalized attention. Let us handle the legal details so you can focus on what matters most.
