Nutley Journal - Dec 2021 by WORRALL MEDIA

NUTLEYJOURNAL ESSEXNEWSDAILY.COM

1970 team reunites

— See Page 10

Restaurant gets love

— See Page 11

NHS shows teamwork

— See Page 18

DECEMBER 2021

VOL. 36 NO. 27

Students gain valuable life skills as reporters and editors for NHS paper

By Amanda Valentovic Staff Writer The staff of Nutley High School’s newspaper has been hard at work on its next issue, readying the new edition of the Maroon and Gray to launch on its website soon. The staff, made up of 27 NHS students enrolled in an introductory journalism class and led by district Director of Communications Karen Greco, reports on school, local and national news. “We’re reading and writing almost every day,” Greco said in an interview with the Nutley Journal on Nov. 16. “We read news, and I encourage them to watch the evening and morning news. We talk about where to get news. A lot of them get it from Twitter or TikTok, which is a great place to find something to write about, but where is it actually coming from? There’s more out there, but you have to be mindful.” Students in any grade can take the class, which is an elective. If they enjoy it and excel in their first year on the newspaper staff, Greco invites them back for another year to be an editor. There are six editors on the staff of the Maroon and Gray this year: Ally Garcia, Yuna Mehdizadeh and Daniel Doman co-edit the news section; Cynthia DePersio edits the arts and entertainment section; Salvatore Intili heads up the sports section; and Natalie Spina is the editor of the features section. “I decided to join journalism because of my love for writing and talking to people,” DePersio said in an email to the Nutley Journal on Nov. 16. “I knew I would get to interview people and learn a lot, not just from the actual class but from the articles I have written over the past two years as well.” Before she worked in school communications, Greco worked in publishing for Time and Conde Nast. She’s been in Nutley since 2016 and took over the journalism class a year later, when the Maroon and Gray was relaunched after a hiatus of a few years. “I wasn’t a writer or an editor, but I had real-world knowledge,” Greco said. “The teaching has been really rewarding. You see students who are novices write and develop story ideas, opinions, brainstorm topics, edit their peers. It’s great to see when they tell me they’re going to major in journalism in college.” For instance, NHS Class of 2021 graduate Jordan Greene is now a freshman at Sacred Heart University; he used his clips from the Maroon and Gray in his portfolio when he was applying to colleges. He’s a journalism major and writes for Sacred Heart’s campus paper, The Spectrum. NHS students can choose which sections they want to write for during the year; those who become second-year editors can write opinion pieces. Greco encourages them to try everything but eventually to stick to what they enjoy. Jayson Li, an NHS freshman and first-year journalism student, is a sports writer.

Photo Courtesy of Karen Greco

The staff of the Maroon and Gray, Nutley High School’s student newspaper, gather to work on their next issue. His goal is to someday be a sports broadcaster. “My past article was on the NBA’s 75th season and it gave an overall history of basketball and how it’s impacted the sports world for the better,” Li said in an email to the Nutley Journal on Nov. 16. “I chose the sports section because I personally believe that is my strongest section where I produce my best articles. The most surprising part about being on the staff is that my articles would be able to publish on a site being read by a lot of people. That would show me that my hard work and effort paid off and I would be grateful that even only one person read my article.” The editors and staff writers generally come up with story ideas and assignments on their own; they decide who will edit which section together. Greco will step in and help if they’re struggling, but for the most part, the Maroon and Gray is made by the students and for the students. “They talk among themselves and decide, ‘What can we talk about in school? In the community? At the state and national level?’” Greco said. “It’s an elective, but it’s labor intensive. I want it to be a labor of love.” Most interviews are done in person, so students can get the hang of talking to someone and asking follow-up questions. If it’s too difficult to schedule a face-to-face meeting, email interviews can work. Greco also brings in guest speakers to simulate press conferences; teachers from the district and others in the community will come to class, and each student gets a chance to ask a few questions. They then write their own profiles of the speaker. “I think it’s an amazing skill to have,” Greco said. “Whether See MAROON AND GRAY, Page 15

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Nutley to receive $461,269 in municipal aid grants By Yael Katzwer Editor Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti announced $161.25 million in fiscal year 2022 municipal aid grants, with 541 cities and towns across the state receiving funds to advance road, bridge, safety and quali-

ty-of-life improvements, according to an Oct. 26 press release. Essex County received $10,415,608 in grant monies and $3,159,414 in urban allotment, for a combined $13,575,022. Nutley received a grant of $455,000 and an urban allotment of $6,269, making for a combined $461,269. “The NJDOT grant will be used for the

Photo Courtesy of Nutley Family Service Bureau

A GENEROUS DONATION — Nutley Family Service Bureau receives a grant from the Nutley Elks. Elks Exalted Ruler Diane Lovato, second from left, and secretary John Zelna, center, visit NFSB to make the $5,500 grant presentation. NFSB Executive director Katherine Carmichael, second from right; pantry assistant Joan Roake, right; and NFSB trustee Dave Popkin, left, accept the donation on behalf of NFSB.

reconstruction of Chestnut Street from Franklin Avenue to Whitford Avenue,” Nutley Commissioner Joseph P. Scarpelli, who is also director of the Department of Public Works, told the Nutley Journal on Nov. 12. The money will be used to “include replacement of any curbs, sidewalks and driveway aprons determined by our engineers” as being in need of replacement. “Over the years, the NJDOT grants have allowed Nutley to reconstruct some of our major roadways in town and in turn give us an opportunity to pave our secondary roadways through our capital improvement plan,” Scarpelli said. “For example, the $455,000 received is almost equivalent to the entire annual budget for roadway improvements.” The competitive municipal aid grant program attracted 625 applications from 547 municipalities, with a total of $363 million requested. Project applications were evaluated and rated on their merits by NJDOT staff and reviewed by an independent panel of New Jersey municipal engineers. This process resulted in 546 awards to 541 municipalities, totaling $161.25 million. The 2016 Transportation Trust Fund renewal has made it possible to continue to award $161.25 million annually — more than double the $78.75 million that was available before the TTF renewal. In addition, the extra funds have allowed the department to increase the number of municipalities receiving grants from

approximately 370 a year prior to the TTF renewal to 541 municipalities this year. “These funds are crucial to municipalities for the completion of projects that improve quality of life and safety for New Jersey residents,” Murphy said. “Under our administration’s leadership, the Transportation Trust Fund continues to bolster infrastructure statewide. I congratulate all municipalities that have received grants and look forward to them putting these dollars to use.” “The Murphy administration is committed to improving local communities by providing millions of dollars in aid to municipalities to make important safety, infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements without burdening local property taxpayers,” Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “We are pleased to award grants to nearly every municipality in New Jersey.” Under the grant program, each county is apportioned a share of the total funding based on population and the number of local centerline miles. Municipalities compete for portions of their county’s share. NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town is awarded a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project. Of the $161.25 million, $10 million is allotted for municipalities qualifying for urban aid as defined under state law, with the amounts determined by the Department of Community Affairs.

4 — December 2021 — Nutley Journal

Back-and-forth between Nutley and Prism continues By Yael Katzwer Editor On Nov. 4, the township of Nutley approved a resolution authorizing a preliminary study to investigate the possibility of obtaining a portion of the former Hoffmann–La Roche site through the redevelopment process. This move comes after Nutley officials have long criticized the property’s redeveloper and owner, Prism Capital Partners, with claims that Prism is not redeveloping the property, which is in Nutley and Clifton, with a cohesive plan for the entirety of the property in a way that will positively impact both communities. “This property is too significant not to get it right,” Nutley Mayor Mauro G. Tucci said Nov. 8. “What gets developed in and around this site will shape Nutley’s future for generations to come.” The proposed area for study was declared a condemnation site in need of redevelopment in 2015; this move gave the municipality more control over the site’s future. This Nov. 4 resolution authorizes commencement of the condemnation process for the areas of the redevelopment property that are not subject to the already enacted redevelopment plans. “As our residents know, the commissioners have been attempting to work with Prism for several years, trying to agree on a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the property,” Tucci said Nov. 8. “In the beginning, we were able to work cooperatively with Prism on certain matters, such as the financial agreements for the medical school, Ralph Lauren, Modern Meadow and the building soon to be occupied by Eisai Pharmaceuticals, including the parking deck that services those buildings. When requested by the developer, we expedited decisions to help him move these projects forward quickly.” After several years of successful negotiations, however, relations between the town and the developer have come to an impasse, according to the municipality. “Unfortunately, our efforts to work with Prism regarding the balance of the Roche site have not been successful,” Tucci said. “Rather than develop a comprehensive plan for the entire site, which would enable Nutley to understand the depth of the impact to be felt by Nutley residents, Prism has instead elected to move forward with piecemeal development, which will have a devastating traffic impact on our streets and stands to change the nature of this area of Nutley. When asked to address our traffic concerns and to work with us on solutions, we have been rebuffed at every turn.” But Prism principal partner Eugene Diaz denied Nutley’s allegations of Prism being difficult to work with and instead accused the township of not working with Prism. “We read with shock and disbelief the statements made by the township commissioners announcing an intent to acquire the remaining portions of the ON3 campus via

hensive traffic study for the site despite repeated requests from the township. Prism has continually denied possession of a comprehensive traffic study and called for Nutley to commission their own, which the township has done. Prism’s representatives have stated repeatedly, ‘Why should we fix any of the problem intersections when they were a problem 50 years ago?’” the township stated. “The Nutley commissioners have acted on numerous requests by the developer. … The commissioners have provided alternatives to traffic impacts including Metro Boulevard, Ideation Way, Kingsland Street and its intersecting roadways.” In his statement, Diaz accuses the town Photo Courtesy of Prism Capital Partners of trying to shut down redevelopment entirely. Above is an aerial view of the ON3 campus. “It is clear from their legal strategy and the exercise of eminent domain. The com- gation — to represent it in the process, their own inaction in addressing redevelmissioners continue to spread lies and many of the funds used to pay the attor- opment of this campus for the past six falsehoods to cover up their own misman- neys have been and will continue to be years that the commissioners’ ideas of agement of the single greatest economic reimbursed to the township by the current redevelopment are ‘no development,’” Diaz said. “They’ve attempted to illegally development opportunity in Nutley for the or future developer,” the statement read. past 50 years,” Diaz told the Nutley Journal As with the concerns for the future close the internal campus roadway system, in a statement on Nov. 12. “The commis- Marriott hotel, traffic issues seem to be the result of which would have been to overburden Passaic Avenue and Bloomsioners have not attempted to work with front and center in the dispute. Prism. In fact, the commissioners have “We made commitments to make rea- field Avenue with even more traffic. The refused to meet with Prism for the past two sonable and necessary traffic improve- closure of Metro Boulevard was thwarted years. Instead the commissioners have ments as shown in numerous traffic stud- by the court, who ruled in Prism’s and spent more than $1 million of taxpayer ies Prism has submitted to the township Clifton’s favor that Nutley lacks jurisdicmoney working with consultants that have and the county with every application for tion to close intermunicipal roadways.” The town denies any illegal action. produced absolutely nothing of value for the development,” Diaz said. “In fact, Prism is “The township has done everything future of Nutley. The commissioners hide undertaking more than $2 million of copies of studies that they refuse to disclose roadway improvements on Bloomfield legally possible to protect the citizens of to Prism. Rather than engage in planning Avenue, in connection with approvals Nutley from the inevitable traffic and for the future of Nutley, the commissioners granted by Clifton and Passaic counties. infrastructure burden that overdevelopspend tax dollars on lawyers who have put The commissioners have refused to act on ment in Clifton would cause,” the town forth challenges to every new development any of these plans, and they have put forth stated. “While surrounding municipalities proposed in either Nutley or Clifton.” no alternatives whatsoever to create value reap the tax benefits, Nutley gets all the Previously, for instance, Nutley offi- from these vacant parcels or to further its traffic — reminiscent of the Clifton Comcials voiced concerns regarding the addi- development as a cohesive and unified mons redevelopment bordering Nutley, near the intersection of Kingsland Street tion of a Marriott hotel to the ON3 site, campus that can benefit all.” primarily citing increased traffic. The In the ongoing back-and-forth, howev- and Washington Avenue.” Additionally, Diaz claims that for NutNutley Board of Commissioners even er, Nutley officials deny all of Diaz’s above ley to purchase sections of ON3 through appealed the application to build the hotel statement. See COMMISSIONERS, Page 12 during the Clifton Planning Board meet“Prism has failed to provide a compreing on Oct. 24, 2019. As the hotel’s footprint is in the Clifton section of ON3, Prism does not need approval from Nutley for this project, which was approved by Clifton. But Nutley denies Prism’s claims that they have not met in two years. “The commissioners have met with Prism on several occasions,” the municipality stated in a press release titled “ON3 LOCAL, POSITIVE, COMMUNITY NEWS Fiction vs. Fact.” “At our most recent Visit our Website for more news and photos. meeting, the commissioners presented a concept to build a ramp from Route 3 westbound into and out of the site. Traffic experts agree this ramp would alleviate all PUBLISHED BY: traffic concerns for Nutley and allow a full Publisher: David Worrall Worrall Media buildout of ON3. Prism rejected the town1291 Stuyvesant Avenue ship’s concerns and solutions and inexpliEditor: Yael Katzwer Union NJ 07083 cably left the meeting.” 908-686-7700 Advertising Manager: Joseph Farina The township also denied spending tax Editorial@TheLocalSource.com dollars on lawyers to challenge every new development proposed at the site. All contents ©2021 Worrall Community Newspapers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of this publication and any republication “While the township has retained counor broadcast without written permission is prohibited. sel — with expertise in redevelopment liti-

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6 — December 2021 — Nutley Journal - BP

American Legion Post 105 retires old U.S. flags On Friday, Nov. 5, American Legion Post 105 held a flag-retirement ceremony in the parking lot of the post, located at 621 Washington Ave. in Belleville. With Post 105 Legionnaires, members of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 105 and friends of the post in attendance, more than 500 flags were retired in the scripted ceremony. “Let these faded flags of our country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new flags of the same size and kind,” read Post 105 Cmdr. Joseph J.

Cobianchi as part of the ceremony for disposal of unserviceable flags. As stated in the U.S. Flag Code, “The flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” The American Legion is one of the patriotic organizations that is allowed to perform this ceremony. The ceremony took more than three hours, with Legionnaires and SALs standing guard over the fire until it was completely out, as per the American Legion retirement ceremony requirements.

Photos Courtesy of Rusty Myers

Above, dual member Ed Hall salutes the burning flags. Below left, Cmdr. Joe Cobianchi reads the ceremony’s script. Below right, chaplain Ben Braubaut retires flags.

Participating in the flag-retirement ceremony are Jen LaBar, above left, and Sgt.-at-Arms Gary Cochia, above right.

CDI lab zeroes in on melanoma’s molecular spread The secret to melanoma’s metastatic spread could be a complex natural pathway it hijacks — one which may be a therapeutic target in combination with other targeted therapies and immunotherapies, according to new research published by Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation scientists. The laboratory of Byungwoo Ryu and colleagues at the CDI in Nutley demonstrated that the pathway centered around a bone morphogenetic protein known as BMP6 might be the main way melanoma seeks to take over the body, according to the publication in the journal Molecular Cancer Research. “Metastasis is the main reason cancer patients die,” said Ryu, an associate member of the CDI, and also a research member of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, of which Hackensack University Medical Center’s John Theurer Cancer Center is part. “If we can prevent cell motility, we can prevent cancer from spreading — and save lives. That is what we are aiming to do through our science.” “This is good work by the Ryu laboratory, and the findings are therapeutically relevant for melanoma, in terms of preventing metastases in the future,” said Dr. Benjamin Tycko, a member of the CDI and also an author of the paper. “This is the kind of translational work that could be a veritable boon for patients in the near future.” Melanoma starts as a localized lesion, but once it

reaches the point of metastasis, it becomes a killer: Just 27 percent of the patients who reach stage 4 of the disease survive, even with the latest immunotherapies, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancers are all known to take over natural processes of the body in order to promote their spread. Ryu and colleagues have identified perhaps the main culprit in the spread of melanoma: the silencing of a protein known as BMP6, or bone morphogenetic protein 6. In a complex chain reaction, the BMP6 is silenced by an epigenetic “eraser complex” fostered by the cancer. The lack of BMP6 expression then cascades into abnormal silencing of an intracellular signaling pathway mediated by a protein called SMAD5, or Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegics 5. The ultimate effect downstream is the aberrant over-production of yet another protein. This final step is exactly what the cancer seeks to spread beyond the initial lesion: since this final protein promotes cancer cell motility and cell migration, it allows the cancer cells to spread more quickly throughout the body, as Ryu and team demonstrated in an animal model of melanoma metastasis using clinical skin cancer samples. The molecular chain-reaction connections were shown through the use of a noble small molecule compound called Corin, developed in the lab of Dr. Philip Cole, another one of the authors on the paper, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical

School. The Corin was synthesized in Cole’s laboratory to inhibit the eraser complex, meaning it cuts off the cascade right at the beginning, before BMP6 is affected. “We showed that, using the Corin, the cancer was not actively spreading and proliferating in the model,” said Ryu. “We believe the compound could be a therapeutic agent that could be extremely effective in combination with other clinically approved melanoma drugs. It could make a big difference for keeping the cancer cells from spreading and recurrence.” The Ryu lab is conducting follow-up work using cuttingedge technologies and building a better metastasis model. Two questions they hope to answer in the laboratory: how the protein at the end of the epigenetic cascade resulting in metastasis regulates the intrinsic machinery of cell motility that cancer cells hijack for spreading, and whether this final protein itself is a viable target for preventing melanoma from spreading, perhaps via adjuvant drugs in combination with other molecularly targeted therapies. Additionally, the team is investigating other epigenetic eraser complexes that may be involved in metastatic cancer development and therapy resistance. “This is the kind of bench science which promises great bedside benefits in the future,” said Dr. Ihor Sawczuk, the chief research officer and president of the northern region for Hackensack Meridian Health. “The CDI’s work is an investment into the health of our years to come.”

Nutley Journal — December 2021 — 7

Food pantry plans to enhance customer experience In recent years, food distributions have been held at The Pantry at Nutley Family Service Bureau on Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Distributions moved outdoors during the pandemic to allow for proper distancing but have returned indoors. “While food distributions continue to be well received and appreciated by members of the community who utilize The Pantry, we’ve noticed some trends at The Pantry that have us rethinking our approach to meeting the needs of our clients,” NFSB Executive Director Katherine Carmichael said. “We have a large number of clients coming at the same time for food distributions,” said Peg Conca, manager of The Pantry and The Shop at NFSB. “If The Pantry opens at 2, they’ll start lining up at 12, even if it’s raining outside. We explain that we have plenty of food for everyone, but some are still afraid that they won’t get enough to eat.” When this happens, clients can be at The Pantry for hours to get food when the process would be much shorter if clients arrived at timed intervals. NFSB is hoping to overcome these and other challenges by transitioning to an appointment-based system for food pantry pickup. “We are doing this to provide improved customer service for our pantry clients,” pantry assistant Joan Roake said. “An

Photos Courtesy of Nutley Family Service Bureau

The Pantry will implement appointments for costumers to allow for a more efficient and relaxed experience. appointment-based system will limit time waiting on line, allow a more personalized and dignified experience for the client, and allow a more thoughtful grocery selection that will enable clients to make the best choices for their household.” The Pantry will kick off this new appointment program the first week in December. Every pantry household is currently being provided with an appointment time for the biweekly distributions. The appointments will be based on client choice and will remain their time unless

they request another time or The Pantry reconfigures the schedule. The appointment approach will also give pantry staff and volunteers more time to spend with each client to allow them to better meet clients’ individualized needs, such as dietary restrictions or preferences. The Pantry will provide food based on what the client can prepare. For example, a family in temporary housing might not have a full set of large and small appliances, so this needs to be considered when choosing food.

This leads to the second part of the new plan at The Pantry. Step one is to schedule individual appointments. Step two is to give each household the opportunity to shop for food they need and want. The Pantry seeks to eliminate the labor intensive prepacked grocery bags that can often lead to waste. “We don’t want people to continue to go home with food their family won’t eat or can’t eat. If they know their needs will be filled, they’ll keep coming back,” Conca said. Beginning in December, clients will be able to shop for their needs and preferences, just as they would in a grocery store, and select groceries based upon the size of their household. Pantry volunteers will continue to assist clients when needed, helping clients bag items and carry the groceries out to their cars. “Everyone deserves healthy, nutritious meals and food they enjoy, regardless of their financial situation,” Conca said. “We just want our clients to know that we’re here for them and we’re doing everything we can to make their experience at The Pantry a positive one.” To learn more about The Pantry and eligibility requirements, call 973-6671884, ext. 2, or visit the NFSB website for more information. A version of this article first appeared on the Nutley Family Service Bureau website at www.nutleyfamily.org.

8 — December 2021 — Nutley Journal - BP

BULLETIN BOARD Celebrating the holidays Mayor Mauro G. Tucci and the Nutley Board of Commissioners will host Nutley’s annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 4:30 p.m. on Franklin Avenue between Chestnut and Church streets. The entire community is invited to attend this official kickoff of the holiday season. “This event expresses everything that Nutley truly stands for: family, friends, unity and, of course, celebrating the traditions of the season,” Tucci said. The ceremony will begin with the big man himself: Santa Claus will enter in style on a holiday float. Children will be given bells to ring as Santa makes his grand entrance in front of the Nutley

Oval. Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa, so they can place them in Santa’s mailbox. This signature holiday event has been expanded to feature some new activities, including the addition of a synthetic ice rink on Franklin Avenue. Skates will be provided; residents should not bring their own. Old-fashioned horse-and-carriage rides will be available on Booth Drive. A gourmet coffee truck, a life-size blow-up snow globe and the sounds of holiday music presented by DJMC Entertainment will be there too. Other activities include face painting and holiday craft sales. The celebration will include entertainment from local musical groups, including

Beatriz Esteban-Messina, on Fridays, Dec. 10 and 17, at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 11 and 18, at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Dec. 12 and 19, at 2 p.m. In the play, which is based on a true story, a young girl writes a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. “Dear Editor, I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says ‘If you see it in the Sun, it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?” Ed Mitchell, the editor, assigns Frank Church, a reporter on the verge of self‘Yes Virginia, There Is a destruction, the task of answering VirSanta’ at Little Theatre ginia’s question. Church’s reply has Nutley Little Theatre will present “Yes become one of the world’s most quoted Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus: A Radio and beloved editorials. Play,” by Andrew J. Fenady, directed by See BULLETIN, Page 14 the John H. Walker Middle School concert choir, the Nutley High School strings ensemble, the NHS concert choir, the JHWMS jazz group, the NHS chamber singers and the NHS brass ensemble. The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. At the conclusion of the celebration, all are invited to visit the live Nativity at the Vincent United Methodist Church from 6 to 6:45 p.m., with performances every 20 minutes.

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Nutley Journal - BP — December 2021 — 9

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Photos Courtesy of Steven Greco

At left, members of the 1970 Nutley High School football team gather at Cowan’s Pub after attending NHS’ Oct. 23 game at the Oval, above.

NHS 1970 football team holds nostalgic reunion Last year was the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Nutley High School football team. The team recently held a reunion to celebrate; the reunion, originally planned for 2020, was postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19. On Oct. 23, the team gathered together at the Oval for the first time in more than 50 years to watch the current NHS team play. After the game, the former teammates met at Cowan’s Pub in Nutley for food, beverages and nostalgic reminiscing. There has always been a friendly debate about which were the best Nutley football teams; those in attendance agreed that the 1970 team was one

of the best in the last 60 years. Back then, Nutley was in Group 4, Section 2 — the group for the largest public schools. Nutley High School had more than 2,000 students enrolled, and there were more than 500 students in the senior class. The football schedule that year was considered the toughest in the state. The team was very successful, finishing with a 7-2 record. The only losses were to state champion Westfield, 14-8, and perennial nemesis Montclair, 7-6. The team was ranked No. 1 in Essex County and ranked as high as No. 3 in the state. The team finished No. 15 in the final Star-Ledger rank-

ings. This was before there were playoffs. The 1970 team had the best record in the 1970s and the best winning percentage of NHS teams from 1962 to 1987 at 78 percent. The team included 24 seniors. Two of the players, Don Klos and Tony Nicosia, made first team all-state. Three are in the NHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Five players went on to play Division I college football, at Purdue, Duke, Wichita State and Brown, which fielded two Nutley players. The team consisted of true scholar-athletes. Six of the 24 seniors were in the National Honor Society. Members of the team also attended University of Pennsyl-

vania, Lafayette, and Franklin & Marshall, among others. Although a few NHS teams had better win-loss records and may have performed better on the field, there were not many, if any, that performed better in the classroom. Many members of the 1970 team went on to become lawyers, doctors, dentists, company owners, corporate executives, teachers and high school football coaches. The team members attribute their success in life to growing up in Nutley, attending Nutley High School and being part of the Nutley community, as well as to the lessons learned by participating in a team sport.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2021 Gift your child with tech safely this holiday season Are you wondering if this is the right year to gift your child a smartphone for the holidays? While age may seem important, maturity levels play a big role in letting you know if your child is ready to handle the responsibility of owning a connected device. It’s always important to weigh the pros and cons. The benefits of a smartphone and internet access are that they offer a wealth of educational opportunities for students. Children are early adopters of the latest technology and in many cases, can absorb and digest information more easily and much nore quickly than adults. The downside is that children have access to everything on the internet, including potentially inappropriate content. The good news is that there are many safety and monitoring apps and tools available, some at low or no cost to you. For example, T-Mobile offers Family Mode, an app that allows the primary account holder to monitor a child’s internet access when the app is downloaded on the device. T-Mobile also offers Family Allowances, an app that for a small

the ability to monitor your child’s web activity, limit daily phone access, and approve or decline downloadable app purchases. You can also check with your internet provider or wireless smartphone provider to see what child safety features are available with your current plan. If your child isn’t quite ready for a phone, but you still want to have the ability to monitor and communicate with them, a connected smartwatch may be the next best option. T-Mobile recently launched SyncUP KIDS Watch, which features real-time location tracking, talk and text with approved contacts only, virtual boundary alerts, silent mode to use during school, and a help button that alerts preset emergency contacts when pushed. It has safety feature that parents want, but is also fun for kids, with a camera to snap and record moments, plus interactive games. To learn more, visit t-mobile.com. Photo Courtesy of YakobchukOlena / iStock via Getty Images Plus Having safety tools and features availmonthly fee, allows you to assign their devices during certain times of the able at the swipe of your fingertips will put allowances for the number of minutes, day, such as school, during homework, your mind at ease and help create healthy texts, downloaded content and money dinner time or at night. habits when your child navigates the digispent on downloadable apps. It also Google Family Link is another option tal world, with or without you around. allows you to block your child’s use of that is free of cost and provides you with — StatePoint

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Holiday Gift Guide 2021 Five ways to protect your holiday season budget It may be the season of cheer, but for many, the holidays are rife with anxiety about expenses. A recent survey shows that staying on budget is Americans’ top concern this holiday season, followed by incurring long-term debt, shipping costs and being charged late or hidden fees. Here are five tips to protect your holiday budget: 1. Set a spending cap with friends and family. Americans plan to spend $998 on gifts this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. ’Tis the season for giving, but make sure you don’t overspend. Know your budget upfront and communicate that with loved ones. Another idea to limit spending is to put everyone’s name into a hat. Each person draws one name and buys a gift for just the person they selected. You can add a bit of intrigue by keeping the identity of your recipient a secret until you open gifts. 2. Take advantage of deal days. Timing is everything for getting the best prices. Do your homework in advance to pay significantly less. The typical big sales days include Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which offers online deals focused on

tomer’s home if the business permanently closes within a year after purchase. Reimbursement coverage is limited to $500 per policy period. 4. Track when products are discounted with a browser extension. Do you want the best deals but don’t have the time to spend searching for them? There are extensions you can download on web browsers that will compare prices and even apply the best coupon codes at checkout. 5. Use credit card rewards. You’ve earned those points throughout the year and now is a great time to cash them in. The simplest way to use points is for gift cards, as it’s one of the top requested gifts and there are many categories to choose from, including restaurants, clothing and Photo Courtesy of juliannafunk / iStock via Getty Images Plus grocery stores. Another option is to take clothing and travel. Plus, Super Saturday those still struggling during the ongoing advantage of the money saved from a before Christmas is great for last-minute pandemic. Erie Insurance is taking away statement credit to cover the expense of gifts. that concern with gift card reimburse- holiday gifts. Being mindful of your spending now 3. Purchase gift cards with peace of ment coverage, which is provided to cermind. Gift cards are a popular, convenient tain eligible homeowners at no additional can help you have a low-stress holiday gift, but some would-be buyers may hesi- charge. The coverage provides reimburse- season and start the new year off on the tate to purchase them out of fear that the ment for up to $250 per gift card at local right foot. — StatePoint business may end up closing, especially businesses within 100 miles of a cus-

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Holiday Gift Guide 2021 Top birthday gift ideas for the person who has it all

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We all have someone who has more than enough clothes, jewelry, artwork and overall “stuff,” that you just don’t know where to begin finding a gift they’ll need or want. The next time you need to come up with a clever birthday gift idea for them, try one of the following categories: 1. Something they’ll use. Nowadays, there’s a good chance there’s a subscription box filled with items your recipient needs or will always use, from clothes, snacks and razors, to tools, toys and pet supplies. For example, if your friend picks up wine every time they grocery shop, a subscription to a monthly wine club won’t go to waste. In fact, it will probably be an appreciated gift! Many boxes offer flexibility for the red, white or rose-all-day person’s preferences and include additions each month. 2. Something personalized. If you’re in search of creative birthday gift ideas, consider giving a custom gift. This might sound like a pricey approach, but customization can be as simple as sending a fun, personalized ecard. With SmashUps from American Greetings, you can start by selecting a fully customizable video featuring some favorite famous faces, including Dolly Parton, Shaq and Alicia Keys. Next, you can personalize the video with a name and other custom elements, so the celebrity is singing directly to your loved one. Finally, you can instantly share the video with the birthday guy or gal by text or email, or you can let other friends join in on the

request. Maybe it’s a high-ticket item or maybe it’s something simple that other purchases just get prioritized over. If you know of such an item, consider giving it as a gift! Your friend will feel good receiving a gift from someone who was listening and understands them. 4. Something they didn’t know they needed. Sometimes, you can’t put your finger on a practical item that you know the person will use and have to use your best judgment. Though it could be as simple as a mug or digital picture frame, these are often the best gifts of all, because the people receiving them likely never thought of them either. 5. Something that requires thought. If the person you’re shopping for has a lot of “stuff,” stop thinking of additional items to give them. Shift your focus and gift them your time or attention. If it’s a significant other, plan a special date night on the town or in the house. If it’s a parent or grandparent, consider what experiences or events they might appreciate; maybe its going to a play, watching a movie or taking a trip as a family. Not all gifts have to cost a lot; in fact, some of the best gifts are ones that create memories. For more clever birthday gift ideas and ways to celebrate, visit: www.americangreetings.com/smashups. When it comes birthday gifts for those who have everything, don’t fret. With a bit of creativity, you can make their day special. — StatePoint

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Holiday Gift Guide 2021 Ease the pain of holiday shipping with these tips Holiday plans may look different again this year. Some families will choose to host small gatherings, while others may celebrate from the comfort of home instead of traveling. If you won’t be spending the holidays with loved ones — and if this season is anything like 2020 — you’ll likely be shipping gifts. Here’s how to ensure a timely, damagefree arrival. Be aware of shipping deadlines Each year, the United States Postal Service and other major shipping companies release deadlines to help people plan timely delivery of packages during their busiest season of the year. Whether you’ll manually ship gifts or order them online, prioritizing these deadlines is key. Give yourself ample time. Aim to have packages shipped about 10 to 12 days before the holiday. The USPS recommends no later than Dec. 15, 2021, for ground shipping. Invest in a quality box While it may be tempting to use any old box you have hanging out in the garage, worn-down boxes are much more likely to crumple in-transit. Additionally, if the package is too big for its contents, you risk things rolling or shaking; if it’s too small, you risk tearing and breaking. With this in mind, consider investing in new, quality boxes, like Duck Brand Kraft Box. They are cost-effective, made from recycled, durable materials, and are available in a variety of sizes, all of which meet postal regulations, so you can pick the best fit that protects from damage, while keeping shipping costs down.

Pick proper packing tape If you’re going to invest in shipping supplies, don’t forget to include a strong, easy-to-use packing tape. Lower-quality options may lead to splitting or tearing, which is a recipe for disaster when shipping holiday presents — or even for storing decor until next year. Duck Max Strength Packing Tape offers premium quality and tough adhesion to keep boxes and packages secure during shipping. Stronger and more durable than ordinary tapes, this packing tape is designed to seal even the heaviest boxes safely and securely to help prevent items inside from being damaged during delivery.

Add an extra layer of protection Handle fragile packages with extra care by including the all-important layer of bubble cushioning. Bubble Wrap–brand cushioning easily conforms around treasured objects and helps prevent shifts and damage during shipping. The product’s air lock technology maintains consistent, light-as-air cushioning while filling empty voids in boxes, so items stay put. For best protection, make sure the bubbles are facing your gift to cushion impact. Personalize the package If you prefer a greener option, Flourish Brand Kraft Paper is protective, versatile and sustainable. Made from 100-percent recycled material, the shipping paper can be easily added to standard curbside recycling bins. Plus, it makes it easy to wrap up and ship out large boxes, and can be used to fill packaging voids, so items stay in place. Or, as a fun indoor activity throughout winter, kids may enjoy using Kraft Paper to create customized, DIY wrapping paper. Other special touches to your long-distance holiday delivery could be including a thoughtful note or adding a drop of essential oil to the ribbon. The holidays can be stressful. When you plan ahead and have the proper supplies on-hand, you’ll be able to quickly cross “ship holiday gifts” off your to-do list and enjoy the magic of the season. — StatePoint

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Entertain for less money The holiday season brings an abundance of feelings that may include joy, comfort, gratitude and, unfortunately, stress. Don’t let the task of entertaining friends and family break the bank or your back. Instead, create memorable gatherings with loved ones while saving time and money in the process using these hosting tips from the experts at Dollar General: Photo Courtesy of Deagreez / iStock via Getty Images Plus Delicate decor Creating the right ambiance in your space is key to holiday decorating success. Begin by decluttering the areas of your home where you plan to entertain. Fill the extra spaces with seasonal decorations. Remember, elaborate, expensive items aren’t always needed to make a home look amazing. Decorations like small figurines, bowls filled with holiday candy or simple wreaths and garlands can do the trick of transforming your home into a winter wonderland! Fruitful food With more guests comes more food, but it doesn’t have to mean spending more money. Shopping at discount retailers for essentials such as milk, eggs, bread and cheese can help stretch your budget. You can also make the switch to private brand items and save even more when buying foods for overnight guests, such as granola bars, cereal and snacks. Consider purchasing these household basics from a local Dollar General store, which also provides digital coupons to help you save even more. Supplies stock-up Of course, to entertain, you will need supplies. Stocking up on cleaning essentials, everyday cooking ingredients and entertaining basics early in the season is a great way to have everything needed before the party begins. Consider adding items such as trash bags, cutlery, paper products, other decorations and even small gifts. By using smart shopping strategies, you can entertain during the holidays with ease instead of stress. — StatePoint

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Holiday Gift Guide 2021 Tech to the rescue: options to save consumers’ time Despite increased digital options, the typical consumer still spends 13 hours on hold each year! And of course, there are plenty of things that most people would rather be doing with that time, particularly during the busy holiday season. According to a new survey conducted by Clickatell, a mobile communications and chat commerce company, all of those 13 hours are hours people would rather be spending with family, relaxing or even doing chores. The same survey also revealed that waiting on hold isn’t just annoying for consumers, it can have a negative effect on brands too. Of those surveyed, 31 percent said even spending 5 to 9 minutes on hold can lead to negative feelings toward a brand, and 23 percent said they are completely likely to give up on a purchase or brand if they fail to meet them on their preferred communication channel. “Retailers and businesses need to more broadly ensure that they’re providing an adequate experience for all customers,” said Jennifer Shambroom, chief marketing officer at Clickatell. According to Clickatell experts, here are some of the strategies that companies can adopt to create better experiences for their customers this holiday season and beyond: • Turn consumers’ irritable hold times into helpful conversations with an end-to-end chat solution that enables live agents to communicate with customers over popular chat apps.

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• Fifty percent of millennials have already communicated with a business via chat apps in the past and 71 percent use chat apps at least daily. Incorporate a payment link in chat apps, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to enable customers to pay for a purchase where

they are already spending their time. For example, Clickatell’s new Chat 2 Pay solution allows businesses to send consumers a chat message containing a web link that easily takes them through the checkout process. They don’t have to disclose credit card details over the phone or use a point-of-sale device. • Respond to customers 24/7 with chat communication in a contact center that uses a combination of both AI and human respondents. • Use ongoing and cumulative data resources to understand how and when customers prefer to communicate — via email, SMS, phone, etc. • Employ marketing strategies that provide customers with personalized product recommendations that fit their wants and needs. This will require analyzing customers’ behaviors and promoting products based on assumptions and their past purchase histories. To learn more about the solutions businesses are using to provide better customer service, visit clickatell.com. “During the hectic holiday season, customers don’t want to spend their time on hold — they want to spend it enjoying their personal time off with their families. Thanks to new tech solutions, businesses have the ability to deliver that for customers, while simultaneously helping build brand loyalty in the process. It’s a win-win for all,” said Shambroom. — StatePoint

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Add music to your holidays Music is powerful. Here is how to include music in your holiday celebrations to set a joyful, festive mood and help create happy family memories. 1. Whistle while you work: Decking the halls shouldn’t be a chore. It should be a fun holiday tradition. Create a playlist of all your favorite carols, old standards and pop-infused holiday hits. As you adorn the tree, decorate the cookies and hang the stockings, pop on your playlist to fill the house with your personalized sounds of the season. 2. Create your own music: With more time off from school and work and a treasure trove of seasonal music to draw inspiration from, this can actually be the ideal time of year to take up a new instrument or embark on music lessons. For beginners, consider a Castiotone. User-friendly and created with the goal of making music fun for players of all abilities, it connects to the Chordana Play App, which offers interactive, at home, beginner piano lessons. Plus the keyboard features built-in Christmas carols, perfect for sing-alongs! And because it’s portable, you can “gather round the piano” wherever you spend the holidays. 3. Go caroling: Caroling is one of best ways to spread holiday cheer among neighbors and members of your community. Organize friends and family to join you. You may even consider turning your efforts into a fundraiser for a local charity or a music-related nonprofit such as

Photo Courtesy of Deagreez / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Music & Memory, which helps individuals with cognitive and physical conditions engage with the world and ease pain through their favorite music. 4. Attend a performance: From “The Nutcracker” to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” there are many classic holiday performances staged at theaters all around the country. Enjoy a live show or watch your favorite seasonal musicals at home. Through the power of listening and creating your own music, you can fill your seasonal traditions with joy and make happy holiday memories that last for years to come. — StatePoint

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12 — December 2021 — Holiday Gift Guide - Nutley Journal - BP

Holiday Gift Guide 2021 Protect children by steering clear of knockoff toys In the scramble to get your hands on the toys your children want this holiday season, experts warn that you should prioritize safety by sticking to age-appropriate toys and by avoiding counterfeit alternatives at all costs. “Illicit sellers of counterfeit toys may dupe parents into thinking they’re buying the real thing, or entice them with lower prices or the promise of getting the ‘hot toy’ of the holiday season,” said Joan Lawrence, The Toy Association’s “Toy Safety Mom” and senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs. “What’s scary is that these illegitimate sellers are actually peddling fake and unsafe products that oftentimes don’t comply with product safety laws. That’s why we always urge parents to shop from reputable brands and sellers whose toys have been tested for compliance with over 100 different safety standards and tests required by law.” With the shipping crisis predicted to have widespread impacts on the availability of this holiday season’s most popular toys, counterfeits are likely to be even more enticing. And new research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of The Toy Association suggests that consumers are not always as vigilant as they should be, with 65 percent of parents saying they would purchase knockoff or counterfeit toys if they couldn’t get their hands on the original item and 63 percent indicating they would buy counterfeits if they were cheaper. Indeed 1 in 10 parents are not even aware that counterfeit toys can be dangerous for children to play with.

Photo Courtesy of Nattakorn Maneerat / iStock via Getty Images Plus

As you go about looking to snag a hot toy this holiday season, steer clear of counterfeit toys that are not safe or appropriate for your child by following these tips from PlaySafe.org: 1. Shop only from reputable brands and sellers. Their toys have been tested for compliance with more than 100 different safety standards and tests required by law. 2. Make sure the brand you’re purchasing from has a professional-looking website. Can’t find a website? That may be a red flag that you are dealing with an illicit seller.

3. If a product’s reviews are negative, or if there aren’t many, it’s a clue the product could be a fake. 4. Poorly photoshopped pictures, typos or spelling mistakes in the online description or packaging are other clues that the product could be illegitimate, and therefore unsafe. 5. Can’t find a toy on your child’s wish list? Wait for a trusted retailer to restock the product. Buying fake or cheaper alternatives is just not worth the risk. In addition to avoiding knockoff toys, helping ensure your child’s safety during the gift-giving season also means shopping for toys only appropriate for their age. According to The Toy Association survey, 76 percent of parents read age recommendations on toy packaging before purchasing. However, 40 percent admitted they view age labels on toys as suggestions instead of a warning, and 68 percent would give their child a toy recommended for older children. Be sure to follow age recommendations on toy packaging, which are not mere suggestions but firm recommendations made by safety experts and based on childhood developmental stages. For more safe shopping tips, visit www.PlaySafe.org, a premier toy safety resource site. “With your vigilance, you can keep the merriest time of year happy, healthy and joyful by ensuring your child doesn’t unwrap a potential safety hazard,” said Lawrence. — StatePoint

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Holiday Gift Guide - Nutley Journal - BP — December 2021 — 13

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The do’s and don’ts of giving a puppy as a gift Thinking of surprising a friend or family member with a puppy this holiday season? “Before gifting someone with a commitment that lasts well beyond the holidays, make sure you’ve made your list and checked it twice,” said Claire Komorowski, chief executive officer of PuppySpot, a USDA-licensed company whose mission

is to make lives better by placing healthy puppies into happy homes. Having introduced more than 200,000 puppies to loving homes, PuppySpot encourages potential dog owners to make responsible decisions this holiday season and are offering the following do’s and don’ts to help. See MAKE, Page 15

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Holiday Gift Guide 2021 Unique holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list One of the best ways to ensure you give thoughtful, meaningful holiday gifts is by consulting gift guides that offer unique ideas for everyone on your list. Whether you’re shopping for a fashionista or an athlete, get inspired to make the holiday season brighter for your loved ones with the following ideas: • For book worms: Give the book worms in your life a gift that keeps on giving with a three-month, six-month or 12month subscription to Book of the Month. Membership can be tailored, as users can pick from five popular selections every month, select one or more books at a time, or even defer their choice until the following month. • For music makers: Regardless of their skill level, musicians deserve a powerful, portable and versatile keyboard. Designed for music lovers who enjoy playing anytime, anywhere, the Casiotone CT-S1 has a sleek design 9-pound design, features strap pins and can be powered with six AA batteries, making it a great choice for those in bands and other performers. Aside from its portability, its stereo grand piano sound, 61 full-size keys with touch

• For fashionistas: Great accessories can complete any outfit. For those who appreciate a stylish, clean design without compromising functionality, consider the stainless steel Edifice EFSS570DC-1A from Casio, which features a slim case and modern gray octagonal bezel with soft yellow accents. With solar power capabilities, water resistance up to 100 meters and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, as well as features that include a date display, stopwatch and three dials to display seconds, stopwatch minutes and stopwatch seconds, this will become your gift recipient’s go-to timepiece no matter the occasion. • For athletes: From CrossFitters to marathoners to triathletes, all those who Photo Courtesy of Prostock-Studio / iStock via Getty Images Plus work out hard know that protein is essential for repairing muscles. Simplify your response, plus 60 other AiX-powered stu- ing their skills and experts alike. dio-quality tones, means this instrument • For pet parents: Whether your loved favorite athletes’ post-workout refueling looks as good as it sounds. Wired or wire- one’s pet is cuddly or not, they can snug- sessions and boost their recovery with a lessly, users can also link the keyboard to gle up to their animal friend with a per- High Protein Fitness Box from gift snack Casio’s dedicated Chordana Play, an app sonalized pet pillow from Get Photo Blan- box e-tailer, Bunny James. With a little inspiration you, can spoil that enables tempo and key changes in ket. Simply upload an image of the pet, addition to displaying music scores and a and the site will create a custom throw loved ones with unique gift ideas that piano roll. These features are great tools pillow — the perfect decor for adoring pet show you care this holiday season. — StatePoint for those learning to play, those expand- parents.

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Make a list and check it twice before giving a pup (Continued from Page 13) Don’t: 1. Surprise your friend, partner or spouse unless they’ve openly communicated that they’re ready to take on the commitment and can prepare for the puppy’s arrival. 2. Wait too long to start looking if you know this is something you and your family want for the holidays. 3. Try and cut costs. Healthy, well-bred puppies can be expensive. If you see something that seems too good to be true, it probably is. 4. Expect a puppy to arrive fully-trained and well-behaved. Puppies can be mischievous and require a lot of time and attention. Do: 1. Leave plenty of time for the entire process, you don’t want to rush selecting the right pup for you. 2. Realize your puppy may not arrive at the exact moment you had hoped for. These are living, breathing animals that require stops and care along their journey. They are not a warehouse package. 3. Plan to be home for the holidays to acclimate your puppy. Be sure to consider what happens when the holiday excitement dies down. Puppies need a great deal of attention, especially during their first year.

‘Before gifting someone with a commitment that lasts well beyond the holidays, make sure you’ve made your list and checked it twice.’ — Claire Komorowski 4. Use reputable services, like PuppySpot, which is authorized by the American Kennel Club and has its own independent scientific advisory board that collaborates with the USDA to ensure all national standards are exceeded. To learn more about PuppySpot and its promise to connect the nation’s top breeders to caring, responsible pet owners, visit www.puppyspot.com. While there is perhaps no more joyful holiday surprise than a puppy, this is one gift that should never be given lightly. By weighing the decision carefully, you can ensure that a puppy’s new home is their fur-ever home. — StatePoint

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Health and safety, shipping delays, and a constrained budget — these are just some of the concerns that may be amplifying your shopping stress this holiday season. A new consumer sentiment survey centered on the holiday season can help you know what to expect in the coming weeks so you can make a smart shopping game plan. The Sensormatic Solutions survey finds that more people plan to shop instore this year over last and plan to get started earlier. Indeed, while 63 percent of U.S. consumers are concerned about shopping in-store, this isn’t stopping them from taking advantage of annual deal days or visiting enclosed malls. In fact, 50 percent of U.S. consumers still plan to shop in-store during Black Friday weekend and 50 percent will start their holiday shopping before November, compared to 43 percent in winter 2020. Despite many consumers indicating that they plan to hold fast to the traditional shopping experience, the survey also finds that a growing number of consumers are adopting newer shopping methods. This is in part because of the convenience these services offer. For example, 42 percent of those surveyed say they’ll use “buy online, pick-up in store” services for their holiday shopping, a 9-percent increase

‘We expect more contactless checkouts and unified commerce services like (buy online, pick-up in store) and curbside pickup this holiday season because health and safety is paramount.’ — Kim Melvin from 2020, and 44 percent say they’ll use curbside pickup, a 12-percent increase from 2020. Popularized during the pandemic to help people adhere to social distancing guidelines, these fulfillment options are great alternatives to brickand-mortar shopping. “We expect more contactless checkouts and unified commerce services like (buy online, pick-up in store) and curbside pickup this holiday season because health See SHOP, Page 17

Holiday Gift Guide - Nutley Journal - BP — December 2021 — 17

Shop safely by having a plan in place ahead of time (Continued from Page 16) and safety is paramount,” said Kim Melvin, global leader of marketing, Sensormatic Solutions, which is helping retailers solve complex challenges related to consumer confidence, health and safety as part of Johnson Controls’ mission. As you check all your items off your

holiday shopping list, consider the following tips from Sensormatic Solutions: • Avoid busy stores and crowds by starting your shopping early. • Take advantage of annual deal days without navigating in-store traffic or risking online shipping delays by using unified commerce services like buy online,

pick-up in store and curbside pickup. • Forty-five percent of U.S. consumers said store occupancy limits preventing overcrowding would make them feel more confident shopping in-store this holiday season. If that describes you, take your business to stores adhering to occupancy limits and practicing other safety measures. The good news is that businesses have a lot of tools in their toolbox. New

technologies are helping retailers understand expected shopper patterns so they can implement in-store strategies to better service their customers. For more holiday season shopping insights, visit sensormatic.com. As we enter the second holiday season of the pandemic, smart strategies can help you get your shopping done safely and with ease. — StatePoint

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18 — December 2021 — Holiday Gift Guide - Nutley Journal - BP

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Cooler temperatures, outings to the Christmas tree farm, game nights and holiday feasts. Now that the holiday season is here, it’s time to prep your home for seasonal fun! Whether you’re hosting a big or small group of family and friends this holiday season, decorating and decluttering around the house can make party prep easier and more enjoyable for everyone. With that in mind, here are some top tips to create functional and stylish spaces that are easy to keep clean and tidy throughout the festivities. Delightful decor. Make any room feel warm and welcoming with EasyLiner Removable Adhesive Shelf Liner by Duck Brand. Decorating with laminate is an affordable way to add pops of color to a kitchen backsplash, reading nook or old side table. Choose a print that matches your style and easily stick the laminate to smooth, flat surfaces for a fresh new look that will wow your guests. Mudroom without messy floors. Preparing an area near your entryway for bags and shoes is a must when expecting visitors. If you have a bench with storage, add machine-washable liner to the cubby to keep shelves clean and dry. Placing liner by the entrance of your home will also offer extra space to store muddy or wet shoes and stop salt and snow from tracking into the house. When guests leave, toss the liner in the wash and reuse. Spotless spaces for kids. All holiday

gatherings need a space for kids to have fun and play together. While setting up for arts and crafts, line the table with a clear, textured liner to prevent crayons, markers or glue from damaging surfaces. When it’s time to clean up, simply wipe the liner or toss it in the dishwasher. Get your guest room ready. If you have family staying overnight, it’s time to get your guest room in shape. Dress up drawers and closet shelves with Smooth Top EasyLiner. The grip bottom will keep the liner and items in place. Trendy patterns will elevate your home decor and guests will appreciate how clean and homey the space feels during their stay. Bathroom basics. Once you’re done prepping the guest room, don’t forget about the guest bathroom. Keep styling stations and the bath clean and tidy with shelf liner and a bath mat. Duck Brand offers a variety of cushioned, machinewashable bath and shower mats for extra comfort and safety. The Clorox mat is also designed to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the mat. Making these small updates around the house now will keep your most-used spaces clean and tidy to ensure family and friends are comfortable and happy over the holidays. — StatePoint

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Despite move, Napoli Trattoria is still part of Nutley By Amanda Valentovic Staff Writer After the third time Napoli Trattoria & Pizzeria in Nutley was flooded out, the restaurant had no choice but to relocate. The Italian restaurant, owned by Amy and Phil Arito, was inundated with water when the remnants of Hurricane Ida blew through New Jersey in September, leaving the building untenable and unable to be fixed. It was the third time they’d had water in the restaurant, though never before to that extent; the restaurant was also flooded once in July and once in 2018. “The second one wasn’t that bad, but the third one did it in,” Amy Arito said in a phone interview with the Nutley Journal on Nov. 15. “It was coming in through the basement and in the back. I wasn’t there, but my husband and my mother-in-law had to be rescued by the fire department.” The water was up to 6-foot-tall Phil Arito’s waist. There was no way the restaurant would be able to open for regular operations the next day. “The floor had to be ripped up,” Amy Arito said. “You could smell it, and there was probably mold. The landlord didn’t want to work with us, so we had to relocate.” Napoli Trattoria is now located in Montclair, occupying the site of a former restaurant. The owners tried to stay in Nutley but couldn’t find a space that would work for them. “We tried looking everywhere in Nut-

Photos Courtesy of Amy Arita

Forced to leave its Nutley location due to flooding, the new Napoli Trattoria is open in Montclair. ley, but there was nothing available,” Amy Arito said. Despite the move, the Nutley community hasn’t abandoned Napoli Trattoria. Before it became clear that the restaurant would have to leave town, the Nutley Fire Department returned to the building to bail the water out, and lent wet vacuums

and fans to the Aritos to deal with the flooding. Other restaurants stored Napoli Trattoria’s food and supplies in their refrigerators so they wouldn’t expire. Now that the Aritos have settled into their new restaurant space in Montclair, the Nutley crowd of regulars have made the short trip to the neighboring town.

“They’re still coming back,” Amy Arito said. “I have customers who have reached out and asked if we’re still delivering for Christmas. Even though we moved, we’re still looking forward to seeing everyone.” Napoli Trattoria is now located at 11 Park St. in Montclair. More information can be found at www.napolitrattoria.com.

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COMMUNITY CARE — Nick Scotti, the 19-year-old who was recently elected to the Nutley Board of Education, meets with the Arrow of Light Den from Nutley Cub Scout Pack 142 at Yanticaw Park on Nov. 14 to discuss the importance of serving one’s community and being a leader within it.

Commissioners, Prism continue pointing fingers (Continued from Page 4) eminent domain would cost taxpayers millions of dollars, but the town countered that these costs would be offset by borrowing and by finding a new developer. “One thing is correct in (the town’s) statement: ‘This property is too significant not to get it right.’ Then why haven’t the commissioners put forth any ideas as to what they would like to see developed? It

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only took Prism 3.5 years to rebuild and repopulate the existing buildings in Nutley that were part of the prior Hoffmann–La Roche campus. Prism has attracted worldclass companies to Nutley,” Diaz said. “It doesn’t take six years to figure out what else can be built on the Prism property. We have provided numerous ideas to the commissioners, only to be met with silence. The taxpayers of Nutley cannot afford to

have the Prism property remain vacant. Further, with 1,000 unemployed people in Nutley, it is vital that development move forward swiftly. The fault does not lie with Prism, but with the commissioners.” But the Nutley commissioners argue that all of their actions were for the benefit of Nutley residents. “The ideas provided by Prism were for the profit of Prism and Prism only. While

the developer relies on ‘higher taxes’ scare tactics to try and sway public opinion, the commissioners are focused on and dedicated to Nutley residents’ quality of life,” the town stated. ‘This is not about whose fault it is; this is about what’s best for Nutley. … Nutley has one chance to get this right. The township needs a developer that will be as concerned about the citizens of Nutley as they are about their profits.”

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BULLETIN BOARD (Continued from Page 8) Jack Pignatello, John Fraissinet, Alyssum D’Aoust, Sharon Podsada, Patrick Little, Arthur Carlson, Marina Tu and Donna Fraissinet are in the cast. All patrons of Nutley Little Theatre must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the performance date. Masks must be worn at all times while inside the theater. All cast and crew members are vaccinated. To purchase tickets, visit www. showtix4u.com/event-details/57732.

Santa Express Mailbox Commissioner John V. Kelly III will once again collect letters written to Santa by children in the township and forward

them directly to Santa Claus at the North Pole. Santa has promised that each letter will be read and responded to. The Santa Express Mailbox will be placed at the Nutley Park Oval entrance on Chestnut Street. Children can deliver their letters from Friday, Nov. 26, to Monday, Dec. 13, so Santa has enough time to respond to each letter. Parents are asked to have children include their ages and return address, or an email address, if they prefer to receive an “e-letter” from Santa. Yes, even Santa is going digital. Keep in mind that mail service may be delayed during the holiday season. Those who choose to receive a mailed letter should include their street address, since Santa doesn’t always have

the luxury of time to look up addresses during the busy holiday season. For more information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 973-284-4976.

Donating desks for students in Tanzania Vincent Church in Nutley is raising funds to purchase desks for students in Tanzania, where a new school is being opened in an impoverished area. The desks are for three students and cost $50 each. To donate any amount, visit vincentumc.org/onlinedonations and note that the donation is for “Tanzania desks.”

Nutley Rotary runs What’s Up calendar Nutley Rotary runs a What’s Up Nutley Community Calendar, an online community events calendar, to help Nutley citizens learn about and plan events. What’s Up Nutley Community Calendar invites all Nutley nonprofit organizations,

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Nutley schools and the township of Nutley to post events, meetings and fundraisers. The calendar is accessible online to everyone and can easily be accessed on computer, tablet or mobile device at www.whatsupnutley.org. The calendar also has a Facebook page where events can be posted and shared. Members of Nutley’s nonprofit organizations may suggest an event through the website; for multiple events, they may contact Nutley Rotary at whatsupnutlely@gmail.com for a priority login. To advertise in the calendar, email whatsupnutley@gmail.com or contact Ben Costa at 973-798-2493.

Take a walk in Yanticaw The Nutley Singles Walking Group hosts a free 4-mile walk for area residents ages 55 to 65 each Thursday at 6 p.m. The group meets at Yanticaw Park, by the Centre Street entrance. Participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID and must show proof. For information, call 201280-8254.

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BROOKDALE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 1350 Broad Street, Bloomfield, 973-338-8536. We are a church that preaches and teaches the Bible. We invite you to join us in worship on Sundays at 10:30 am. Children’s Bible activities for ages 4 through 5th grade (called BCC Kids Church) are provided. Worship services can also be seen live online on YouTube and Facebook and via our website at www.brookdalechristian.com. In addition, we offer Bible Studies on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and on Thursday evenings at 7:00. You can participate in either one of these classes -or both- through Zoom by calling the church to get placed on the Zoom call list. There are several other opportunities throughout the week involving prayer, study, and community for all age levels. Brookdale is a loving and caring congregation under the leadership of Pastor Love Saquing and Pastor Jim Treffinger. Our mission is to be a Family Growing Together in God.

LIVINGFAITH CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY 25 New Street, Nutley, 973 661-0105 www.LFAITH.org Pastor S.P. Ciotola Free welcome gift bag for first time visitors Experience the Passion of Church again: – Passionate Bible Teaching – Exciting Music&Worship Sunday 10:45am – Worship and Teaching – Faith Kids ages 6-12 – Nursery provided Wednesday 6:30pm – Bible Studies – Faith Kids ages 6-12

To add your House of Worship or make copy changes Email us: Adservices@thelocalsource.com

Nutley Journal — December 2021 — 15

Maroon and Gray’s life skills (Continued from Page 1) you do work in journalism or you become a doctor, talking to people is an important skill. The more practice you get, the better you are.” Li isn’t the only staff member who has been surprised by the number of readers the Maroon and Gray has. Spina, the features editor, is amazed when their work spreads outside the NHS halls to the community at large. “The most surprising is hearing how many people care for our news and read our work,” Spina said in an email to the Nutley Journal on Nov. 16. “Every month we put out a new issue that consists of various topics, and each time, more and more people have read it. Our work is being shared among the school community and has inspired me to keep writing in the future.” She isn’t the only one. Freshman Olivia Rodriguez said in an email to the Nutley

Journal on Nov. 16 that even if she doesn’t become a journalist, the skills she’s learning now will come in handy. For now, she’s having fun with it. “One of the best parts is being able to say that you write for the school paper. I don’t know why, but it just feels so professional to tell people, ‘I’m a reporter for the Maroon and Gray and I’d like to ask you about this,’” Rodriguez said. “I also love being able to interview my friends, especially since everyone is so different and it’s a lot of fun to get all of their perspectives instead of viewing events through one set of eyes. I never really anticipated the fact that I’d actually be going around and interviewing real people that I interact with all of the time and then writing for an actual newspaper that was going to be published.” The NHS Maroon and Gray can be read online at https://maroonandgray.nutleyschools.org/.

Photo Courtesy of Nutley Family Service Bureau

MAKING IT MATTER — Ashfield Health Global Network, located in Lyndhurst, held a food drive as part of its corporate Make It Matter Day. Staff dropped off more than 20 bags of groceries and ShopRite gift cards in support of the Nutley Family Service Bureau’s food pantry.

Events at Vincent United Methodist Church Vincent United Methodist Church, located at 100 Vincent Place in Nutley, is open for worship on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. The services are also broadcast live on the church’s Facebook page and are available by call-in. For more information about Vincent Church and COVID-19 information, visit www.vincentumc.org. The church presents “Proverbs: Pathways to Wisdom,” an online study group based on a book by Dominick S. Hernandez. It is being held via Zoom on Monday mornings at 9:30 a.m. The study will help participants make a deeper connection to the wisdom of Proverbs. Additionally, the “Reflection” small group meets after church every week by video conference. The purpose is to reflect on the sermon and discuss how to live out the message, and to be in fellowship with and pray for one another. The meeting is led by pastoral assistant Win Shin on Sundays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Zoom.

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16 — December 2021 — Nutley Journal - BP

Murphy reelected in NJ

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By Yael Katzwer Editor The Nov. 2 election in New Jersey saw some major upsets, low voter turnout and the Democrats losing ground. The biggest upset was Republican challenger Edward Durr defeating Democratic incumbent Senate President Stephen Sweeney in the 3rd Legislative District. Also shocking to many voters was how poorly Democratic incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy did at the polls. While the uncertified results show Murphy winning — making him the first Democratic governor to win a second term in 44 years — he did so by a very narrow margin. Unofficial results show Murphy with 51.21 percent of the votes and Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli with 48.01 percent of the votes. None of the other challengers — Joanne Kuniansky on the Socialist Workers Party

ticket; Madelyn R. Hoffman on the Green Party ticket; and Gregg Mele on the Libertarian Party ticket — broke above 0.35 percent of the votes. While the state numbers were close in the gubernatorial election, that wasn’t the case for Essex County numbers. According to the unofficial Essex County results, which were scheduled to be certified by County Clerk Christopher Durkin after press time, Murphy received nearly triple the amount of votes that Ciattarelli got. Murphy won 132,520 votes in Essex County, Ciattarelli won 45,542, Kuniansky won 309, Hoffman won 475 and Mele won 321. There were also two state public questions for voters to consider; both concern gambling statutes. In the first question, voters were asked to decide whether the See RESULTS, Page 17

IN MEMORIAM • ANDREWS – Etta, of Nutley, formerly of Rutherford; Oct. 27. Retired administrative assistant, Community Mental Health in Belleville. Volunteer, Nutley Red Cross. Wife, mother, grandmother. • APPEL – Sylvia S., of Nutley; Oct. 21. Newark teacher. Parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church in Nutley. Was 87. • BAKER – Walter Reeves Jr., of Nutley, formerly of Harrison; Oct. 27. Sales manager for Luxury Homes in Newark. Husband, father, grandfather. • BAKER – William Alfred, of Marietta, Ga., formerly of Nutley; Oct. 29. Former member of the US National Guard. Procurement manager, Butler Auxiliary Police chief. Father, brother, 77. • CAPOLONGO – Marie, of Belleville; Nov. 10. Employed as a cafeteria aide for the Newark Board of Education. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 99. • DESTEFANO – Elizabeth, of Belleville; Nov. 10. Former Nutley Board of Education secretary. Aunt, great-aunt, 76. • FUGARAZZO – Jennie, of Nutley, formerly of Newfoundland, Canada; Nov. 9. Volunteered at East Orange Veterans Medical Center. Member of Golden Age Club, Nutley. Widow, mother, 99. • HOFKER – Patricia R., of Nutley; Nov. 11. Widow, mother, 80. • KOENEN – Donald R., of Basking Ridge, formerly of Pompton Plains, Nutley and Fair Lawn; Oct. 30. Auditor, stock broker, president of the Radburn Association. Husband, father, grandfather, 82. • LILOIA – Sabina, of Belleville, formerly of Newark, Lyndhurst; Nov. 10. Member of Nutley Seniors Friday Club, Nutley Golden Age Club. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 96. • MARTINO – Paul, of Nutley; Oct. 27. World War II Navy veteran. Self-employed building contractor in the Essex County area. Widower, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, 93. • MAZZIOTTA – Geraldine “Gerry,” of Nutley, formerly of Allison Park, Pa.; Oct. 25. Grammar school teacher. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 93. • PERRONE – Marie R., of Brick, formerly of Belleville; Nov. 4. Retired from Schering-Plough. Avid bowler, gardener, cook and baker. Brother, uncle, 94. • RENDENNA – Luisa “Louise,” of Manchester, formerly of Belleville; Nov. 13. Retired accounting manager for Pilgrim Insurance Agency. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 92. • SASS – John, of Bloomfield, formerly of Nutley; Oct. 23. Inspector for Thomson Electric Tubes and Devices Inc., member of St. Valentine’s Church Athletic Association, father, grandfather, 98. • VELTRI – Alphonse A., of Belleville; Oct. 20. U.S. Army veteran, computer photographer. Member of The Gregory Club, NJ Mineralogical Society and NJ Lapidary Society. Was 86.

In Memoriam is a feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

Nutley Journal - BP — December 2021 — 17

Results are in for elections in Belleville and Nutley (Continued from Page 16) state should pass a constitutional amendment to allow wagering on postseason college sport competitions held in New Jersey and competitions in which a New Jersey–based college team participates. Statewide, Public Question No. 1 was defeated, with 57 percent voting “no.” In Essex County, 52.94 percent of voters voted “no.” The second question regarded whether to allow organizations that are permitted to hold raffles to keep the raffle

proceeds to support themselves. This question passed, with 64.12 percent of state voters saying “yes.” In Essex County, 65.22 percent of voters voted “yes.” While the majority of votes went to “no” and “yes,” respectively, on the two public questions, it is still not a majority of voters, as New Jersey had dismal voter turnout this election, even with multiple methods of voting, including in person, by mail and early in person. According to state records, only 38 percent of eligible

Photo Courtesy of Nutley Public Schools

ALWAYS LEARNING — The Nutley Public Schools administrative team underwent some professional development regarding culturally relevant teaching and diversity, equity and inclusion with Fernando Naiditch, above, an associate professor at Montclair State University.

In the 29th Legislative District, state Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, the Democratic incumbent, ran unopposed; she has since been named Senate majority leader. Assembly incumbent Democrats Eliana Pintor Marin and Shanique Speight won reelection with 49.14 percent and 48.3 percent of the votes, respectively. Independent challenger Debra Salters received just 2.56 percent of the votes. The Belleville Board of Education race gave voters a lot of options, with six candidates running for two open seats. Challengers Nicole Coviello-Daddis and Tracy Williams won with 2,079 and 2,000 votes, respectively. They defeated challenger Lissa Missaggia with 1,680 votes, incumbent Christine Lamparello with 1,332 votes, incumbent Nelson Barrera with 1,289 votes and challenger Ruben A. Rodriguez with 941 votes. The Nutley Board of Education race also had a large number of candidates, with seven individuals running for just three open seats. Challenger Joe Battaglia garnered the most votes at 4,059, followed by incumbent Kenneth J. Reilly with 3,430 votes and 19-year-old challenger Nicholas Scotti with 3,375 votes. Not winning the election were challenger Daniel Fraginals with 2,756 votes, challenger David Kay with 2,680 votes, incumbent Theresa Quirk with 2,234 votes and challenger Jeffrey Polewka with 1,481 votes.

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voters turned out this election. Voter turnout figures in Essex County and individual municipalities were not available by press time. Even with new voting machines — to vote in person, voters filled out a paper ballot and then fed it to the voting machine themselves — and the addition of early inperson voting, Durkin said the November 2021 election operations went well. “The general election was demanding, being that New Jersey and Essex County were implementing many updates to the voting process, but overall we experienced a successful election, giving voters more options to vote and a more secure manner in which to cast their vote,” Durkin told the newspaper. Countywide, voters overwhelmingly reelected Democratic incumbent Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, who has served as sheriff since 1990, with 127,844 votes. Republican challenger Nicholas G. Pansini received only 38,473 votes. In the 28th Legislative District, Democratic incumbent state Sen. Ronald Rice and Assembly members Ralph Caputo and Cleopatra Tucker re-won their seats, with Rice winning 77.92 percent of the district’s votes against Republican challenger Frank Contella, and Caputo and Tucker winning 39.24 percent and 39.15 percent, respectively, against Republican challengers Monique Headen and Anthony D’Angelo.

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18 — December 2021 — Nutley Journal

SPORTS

Raiders show great teamwork during season By Joe Ragozzino Sports Editor The Nutley High School football team didn’t finish with a perfect season like last year, when it went 6-0 in a pandemicshortened campaign. But the Raiders still managed to have a fine season this fall, finishing with a 6-4 record. The Raiders, under first-year head coach JD Vick, won their first four games, which included beating rival Belleville in a thrilling 29-28 victory, to extend their winning streak to 10 games dating to last season. The win streak, however, ended with a 27-0 loss at Demarest. But the Raiders regrouped to score another thrilling 29-28 victory over highly regarded River Dell at Tangorra Field. A few days following the win over River Dell, the Raiders were devastated to hear the news of the passing of their former head coach, Steve DiGregorio, who had coached the Raiders from 2017 to 2020 in his second stint. DiGregorio, a 1979 NHS graduate who died after a two-year battle with cancer, first was the head coach of the Raiders from 2004 to 2011. The heavy-hearted Raiders defeated Barringer, 42-3, in their next game. The Raiders then played their first home game since DiGregorio’s passing but lost to Bergenfield, 15-13. The next week, they lost at West Essex, 32-0, in a game that decided the Super Football Conference–American Red Division title. The fifth-seeded Raiders were getting ready to visit fourth-seeded Old Tappan in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3, playoffs. But a day before the game, a few Nutley players tested positive for COVID-19, and the team had to forfeit the playoff game, thus ending their season. Though the team didn’t see the season end the way it had hoped, Vick was proud of his team’s commitment and hard work. In fact, the Raiders featured several play-

NHS senior quarterback Matt Harbison hands the ball off to fullback Michael Zitola.

Mielnicki. The Raiders have a good group of juniors, sophomores and freshmen on the roster, so next year appears promising for another strong season. “We’ve got some good guys returning next year,” said Vick, noting that the program also has built a good relationship with the Nutley feeder program.

Super Football Conference creates DiGregorio Award

Photos Courtesy of Felicia Laguerre Owens

Nutley senior Paul Scutti runs for yardage during the home game against Bergenfield.

Nutley junior Mitchell Mainiero carries the ball as junior fullback Michael Zitola, No. 32, looks to block. ers who played positions that they never played before, which showed their selflessness. “I think after losing so many seniors last year — we had three returning starters on offense and two on defense — at the beginning of the year we had so many guys playing positions they haven’t played before, and so we had a lot of guys with not a lot of experience. So, for these guys to step up and to play in those positions like that was really good,” said Vick, who was a longtime assistant coach under DiGregorio. “We moved guys around throughout the year. We had to move guys on the O-line that never played O-line before and had to move guys on the D-line that never played D-line before. But not once did any kid complain. I think it showed a lot about their character. This wasn’t about them; this was about the team. I think that was part of our success; they were unselfish in that way.” Vick especially was thrilled for his sen-

iors. He was the freshman coach when the current seniors were freshmen. “It was really cool to see these young men grow, not just as players, but as young men,” said Vick. The coaching staff also did a great job in helping those players transition into new positions. “I think our coaching staff did an excellent job this year,” Vick said. “I can’t say enough about how hard they worked, because it wasn’t a regular year. When you have guys playing positions they haven’t played before, you’re talking (about) different schemes. This is a great coaching staff. They got along so well. We are very fortunate to have a very good coaching staff. They did an excellent job.” The roster featured approximately 16 seniors. Among them were offensive/defensive lineman Joseph Alberti, quarterback Matt Harbison, running back/defensive back Paul Scutti and tight end/defensive end William

The Super Football Conference has established an entirely new annual recognition, the Steve DiGregorio Young Man of the Year Award. Named for the legendary Paramus Catholic and Nutley High School football coach, who was also a stellar athlete at Nutley, the award will be presented on Jan. 10 at a banquet event held at MetLife Stadium. More than 100 players already have been nominated by their coaches or athletic directors and have received plaques recognizing them as their respective schools’ nominees. All these students are now eligible to apply for recognition as the Young Man of the Year for whichever SFC division their team plays in. Matthew Harbison has been nominated for Nutley High School. The 2021-22 Steve DiGregorio Young Man of the Year Award honoree will be selected from among all division winners, following assessment by an SFC committee. The National Football League’s New York Jets are partnering with the SFC related to the new award and have offered to host the spring banquet during which the inaugural winner will be announced and celebrated. Based on various attributes that were core to Steve DiGregorio, the award emphasizes community service, selflessness, leadership, academic standing, and a positive attitude. It does not focus on athletic achievement. “There are plenty of awards that recognize competitive excellence, but that wasn’t our focus in developing this award,” said Joe Piro, Nutley Schools athletic director. “Instead, we discussed those things beyond athleticism that made Steve DiGregorio a special person. We actually made a list, which eventually developed into the formal criteria for our Young Man of the Year Award.” Established in 2017, New Jersey’s Super Football Conference is the largest high school football conference in the United States, with 111 public and non-public teams in seven counties. Members include some of the nation’s premier academic institutions and perennial football powerhouses. SFC’s mission is to improve performance, promote academic excellence, and create opportunities for student-athletes.

Nutley Journal — December 2021 — 19

SPORTS

At left, top row, from left, are NHS Principal Denis Williams; Superintendent Julie Glazer; students Rocco Albanese, Sydney Hess and Matthew Pergola; and NHS Athletic Director Joe Piro. Bottom row, from left, are students Mikayla Schoch, Natalie Rufino, Fallyn Stoeckel, Lia DeMaio and Joseph DeLanzo.

Photo Courtesy of Javanna Ritacco/NHS Athletic Department

NHS student-athletes announce college picks Eight Nutley High School student-athletes were honored for their college commitments on Wednesday, Nov. 10, during a ceremony at NHS. The following are the student-athletes and their college choices:

• Rocco Albanese, Albertus Magnus College, lacrosse. • Joseph DeLanzo, Stony Brook University, baseball. • Lia DeMaio, Georgian Court University, softball.

• Sydney Hess, Sacred Heart University, softball. • Matthew Pergola, Stevens Institute of Technology, lacrosse. • Natalie Rufino, Montclair State University, soccer.

• Mikayla Schoch, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, soccer. • Fallyn Stoeckel, Rider University, softball. Best wishes to these Raiders on the next stage of their athletic careers!

NHS girls soccer kicks up fine year; players earn SEC honors By Joe Ragozzino Sports Editor Despite having to forfeit its state tournament game in the wake of positive COVID-19 cases at the school, the Nutley High School girls soccer team enjoyed a successful season. Under head coach Mike DiPiano, the Raiders finished with a 13-7 overall record. After defeating 14th-seeded Belleville, 9-2, in the first round, the thirdseeded Raiders were scheduled to host sixth-seeded Cranford in the quarterfinals of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3, tournament on Nov. 5. However, Nutley was forced to forfeit due to COVID-19. The team was devastated to have its season end that way. “We really had a team that could have won the whole thing,” DiPiano said. “It’s heartbreaking, especially because we had 11 seniors on the team; eight of them were four-year varsity-letter winners. Down the stretch, we were playing great soccer. The finality of losing the last game, we didn’t get to have that. Not being able to play, not being able to finish it on the field, really sucks.” The Raiders featured several players who earned Super Essex Conference–American Division honors. The SEC–American is the top division in the conference. Senior forward Mackenzie Albert made first team; junior goalie Catelena Robson, senior midfielder Olivia Real and senior defender Rachel Echevarria made second team; and senior forward Mikayla Schoch and senior midfielder Sydney Hess made honorable mention.

Photo Courtesy of Jerry Simon

Nutley junior defender Emma Chimento, No. 9, battles for the ball during the 43 win over host Bloomfield on Oct. 25.

20 — December 2021 — Nutley Journal - BP

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