UNIONLEADER
nominated
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donated to resident
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Union wrestlers finish second in North 2, Group 5 tournament
By JR Parachini Sports Editor
If the Union Farmers wanted to make history to go on and capture a sectional title for the first time, this is what the wrestling team had to do:
“Our guys need to have all cylinders going,” Union High School wrestling head coach Dino DeBellonia said Monday, Feb. 16.
Second-seeded Union (19-5) fell to top-seeded and defending champion Bridgewater–Raritan Regional High School (20-8) in the North 2, Group 5 championship match on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Bridgewater–Raritan defeated Union 33-29.
Both were dominant hosts Monday, Feb. 16, in quarterfinal and semifinal matches.
At Union, the host Farmers trimmed seventh-seeded Linden High School, 6218, and then downed third-seeded Bayonne High School, 45-22.
Union lost to Bayonne, 38-27, in the quarterfinals two years ago at Phillipsburg High School and then last year fell to the Bees from Hudson County, 45-27, at home in the semifinals.
At Bridgewater–Raritan Regional, the host Panthers ousted eighth-seeded East Side High School in Newark, 57-16, and then romped past fourth-seeded Piscataway High School, 58-18.
“I think we match up well with Bridgewater,” said Union standout senior 144pounder Aidan Cross on Monday night, Feb. 16, who won his 99th match against Linden and 100th against Bayonne, both by fall.
Cross won by pin in just 16 seconds against Linden and his pin against Bayonne in 2:58 gave Union the lead for good at 15-9.
“We know Bridgewater has a really good team and the match is at its home, but we feel confident,” Cross also said Monday, Feb. 16. “We’re one win away.”
Union has a rich wrestling history, but team success of this kind has been rare of late. Union has improved a great deal the past several seasons, including records of 18-9 two years ago, 19-9 last year and 194 so far this year. The Farmers captured the Union County Conference’s Moun-
The Union Farmers advanced to the North 2, Group 5 final and were one win away from capturing their first sectional title.
tain Division title last year and placed second in the Watchung Division to repeat champion Cranford High School this year.
In this year’s Union County Tournament at Union, the Farmers paced third behind repeat champion Cranford and second place Rahway High School and had two champions for the first time in a long time.
“I’m so happy for our kids,” said DeBellonia, in his 17th season at the helm of the Farmers. “Bayonne kids do a heck of a job and are tough and well-coached. Our kids fought hard and prevented bonus points, which was key.”
The Bayonne–Union match began at 120 pounds, with teams trading decisions the first two matches. Bayonne took its only lead of 9-3 with a fall at 132 before Union tied the match for the second time at 9-9 with its first win by pin, which was produced by repeat UCT champion, senior Ariel Azeredo, at 138.
Then Cross returned to the mat in his first attempt at reaching the coveted 100win plateau. Cross was in complete control
of his Bayonne opponent the entire match.
“We always have tough matches with Bayonne and kind of figured we would wrestle them again this year,” Cross said. “Losing to them last year was heartbreaking. We didn’t want that to happen again.”
The difference 12 months later according to Cross: “This team has a lot of seniors and we’ve developed since our freshman year. We’ve been friends since middle school. Between club and training, we wrestle our hearts out. We have nothing to lose. This is the sport we love.”
Union gained four more points at 150 with an 11-3 victory before Bayonne bounced back to win 9-0 at 157. Union then won by fall at 165 behind a pin in just 30 seconds by senior Aaron Acevedo to take a 12-point lead of 25-13 before Bayonne answered with another pin to cut the deficit to 25-19.
“Aaron’s win was the turning point,” DeBellonia said. “We gained so much momentum from there on.”
Union then went on to win four of the final five bouts to complete the goal of
Photo by JR Parachini
‘My Fair Lady’ to be at DMK Black Box Theater/Union Arts Center
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
American Theater Group presents “My Fair Lady” at three New Jersey venues. From Feb. 26 through March 15, it will be running at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge, the DMK Black Box Theater/Union Arts Center in Union and Union County Performing Arts Center’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway.
The classical musical has an unforgettable score including, “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.”
It will be directed by ATG’s producing artistic director, James Vagias, with choreography by Victoria Casillo and musical direction by Chase Kessler.
Vagias has been in the entertainment industry since 1983. He started out as a young attorney for the Screen Actors Guild. Then working with Actors’ Equity Association, he decided he wanted to be on the other side of the glass window –not looking in. And he did it without any theater educational background. “Pure luck,” he said.
He began working as a managing director at a theater, then ran his own entertainment company, and then, in 2012, he started ATG with Joe Mancuso and Rick Sordelet. He’s produced more than 50 new – and classic – plays and musicals.
Theater was something he thought was
Above left, Producing Artistic Director James Vagias started American Theater Group with Joe Mancuso and Rick Sordelet in 2012. He’s produced more than 50 new – and classic – plays and musicals. Above center, Samantha Bruce, as Eliza Doolittle, and above right, Andrew Calcote Fehrenbacher, as Professor Higgins, lead the cast of ‘My Fair Lady,’ which is running through March 15.
for other people. He said, “When you grow up, you get a real job and become a lawyer or doctor. I was still a lawyer. I went to watch a client rehearse for a show. I was enthralled. I was leaving to go back to work. I said, ‘The folks I’m leaving, that’s really cool work. I’m doing the wrong thing.’”
Vagias considers “My Fair Lady” to be one of the great American musicals of all
time. He said, “The score is priceless, flawless. The script is magnificent. I’m enjoying drinking in the lyrics, the score, the book. It’s second to none.”
ATG will be doing the chamber version, involving 10 actors doing multiple roles versus 25 actors. “The audience gets a chance to see an actor play so many different roles. We have a beautiful arrangement of two pianos,” said Vagias.
If you’ve never seen “My Fair Lady,” Vagias feels this show would be a great way to introduce yourself to it. Or reintroduce yourself to it, if you have seen it. He said, “It will be fresh and it will feel fresh. It’s not like ‘My Fair Lady’ you’ve seen in the past. It’s one of the greatest scores ever written for musical theater.”
For tickets, visit https://www.americantheatergroup.org/.
Photos Courtesy of Michael Messing
Union High School alumna nominated by Television Academy for 45th College Television Awards in Hollywood
Union High School alumna Victoria Smith has been nominated for the Television Academy Foundation’s 45th College Television Awards. The annual awards show recognizes and rewards excellence in student-produced programs from colleges nationwide. Winners in the competition will be announced by television stars at the red carpet awards ceremony on Saturday, March 28, at the Television Academy in North Hollywood, California.
Smith, along with classmates at Montclair State University, received a nomination in the News category for her work as a producer and writer on a project titled “FOCUS: Our Mental Health.”
“FOCUS: Our Mental Health,” a 30minute special from Montclair’s FOCUS team, explores practical approaches to mental wellness, including music, physical activity and mindful eating. The project focused on how Gen Z is tackling mental health wellness on campus. The episode also highlights campus resources for students needing support. It premiered April 23, 2025, on Montclair State’s official streaming platform, Hawk Plus.
Smith is a 2025 graduate of Montclair State University who majored in film. Originally from Union, she attended Union High School.
“I learned that it’s important to have a good team around you when tackling a project,” said Smith. “Having multiple perspectives and ideas in a collaborative environment makes a project better.
“It’s the best feeling in the world knowing that our hard work is being recognized by such a prestigious organization,” said Smith.
Open to undergraduate and graduate
Walter Worrall, founder and longtime publisher of Worrall Community Newspapers died Friday, February 13, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, NJ. He was 96-years-old. Walter lived in North Haledon since 1957.
He was a former president and chairman of the New Jersey Press Association taking an active lead in many community issues and endeavors. He also served on the boards of many organizations including Union County Economic Development Corporation (UCEDC), Crimestoppers of Union County, Grace Methodist Church, High Mountain Presbyterian Church (formerly the First Presbyterian Church of North Haledon), Bloomfield College and multiple chambers of commerce in Essex and Union counties.
He was born June 6, 1929, in Paterson, NJ, the son of Walter and Frieda Worrall and lived in Haledon as a youth until the family moved to Washington in Warren County, NJ where he attended Washington High School (now Warren Hills Regional High School) as a 3 sport athlete in football, wrestling and baseball. His cousin introduced him to Jean Vanderbeck, a girl in the choir at Van Riper Ellis Church in Fair Lawn. Walter served in the Army from 1950 to 1952 and while on leave from his service, Walter and Jean were married on December 29, 1951, the start of a rare and beautiful 74 years of love, devotion and unforgettable memories.
students, the annual College Television Awards are regarded as one of the most distinguished and high-profile steppingstones for careers in television and media. Emulating the Emmy Awards selection process, College Television Award entries are judged by Television Academy members. Criteria for the awards reflect industry standards of excellence, imagination and innovation. Nominees were selected from more than 185 entries from colleges nationwide by Television Academy members.
Nominees will also participate in two days of professional-development events with media and industry leaders and a special screening of their projects for Television Academy members prior to the awards show.
After his service ended he was employed as a Journeyman Printer at the Paterson Evening News and his lifelong work with newspapers was begun. While working at the Paterson News and while raising a family, Walter attended Rutgers Evening College until he graduated in 1958. He proceeded to begin a career in advertising sales with a position at The Citizen, a weekly newspaper in Denville, NJ. He went on to become the sales manager and then general manager while the newspaper was winning best in the state awards for advertising and editorial.
In 1968, he purchased the News-Record of Maplewood and South Orange followed by the 1971 purchase of the West Orange Chronicle, Orange Transcript and East Orange Record. In 1977, he purchased The Independent Press of Bloomfield and The Glen Ridge Paper. In 1978 he formed Maple Composition, a company that composed the growing group of weekly newspapers. This was followed with the 1982 purchase of Suburban Publishing in Union County, NJ, which published six Union County weeklies and two Essex County weeklies. That same year two startup newspapers were added … the Nutley Journal and Belleville Post. In 1990 newspapers were added in Hillside and Elizabeth and 1994 saw the addition of the Summit Observer and Cranford Eagle, followed by newspapers in Clark and Rahway. By then all four of his children had joined in working at the newspapers and operations were transitioning to the next generation but Mr. Worrall continued to come to the office until he reached 85 years of age.
His was a purpose driven life guided by faith and the knowledge that God was directing his path. He was guided by strong feelings and commitment for family and he had a penchant for helping others in need.
Walter had a passion for both flower and vegetable gardening and an amazement about seeds sprouting to life. He loved to read, listen to music, dance and ice skate and he was always ready for any challengers in a game of pinochle or in a bowling alley. Walter was an ardent fan of the football Giants and New York Mets and a lifelong fan of high school and collegiate wrestling and he had an ongoing interest in politics. We all raise a glass of Old Forester to toast an amazing life well lived.
Walter was predeceased by his parents Walter Hodson Worrall (1946) and Frieda Worrall (nee Wagner) (1987).
He is survived by his wife of 74 years Jean Worrall (nee Vanderbeck); son David Worrall and his wife Donna of Totowa; daughter Nancy Marchelle and her husband Dan of West Milford; son Raymond Worrall of North Haledon and his partner Isabelle Menard; son Peter Worrall of North Haledon and his partner Carol Vetere; as well as eight grandchildren, Jonathan (Kristina) Nicholas (Michele) and Megan (Stephen); Katherine (Matthew) Samantha (Cory) and Jeffrey (Kerry), and their mother Debra Worrall; and Jennifer (Vlad) and Sophie, and their mother Bonnie Worrall; and eight great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Chloe, Mila, Kelsey, McKenna, Logan, Lennon and Lina, as well as multiple nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation at Vander Plaat Vermeulen Funeral Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 2 to 6 p.m., with a memorial service at 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Walter’s family would appreciate donations to the American Heart Association. For more information, go to vpmemorial.com.
Walter Worrall
Photo Courtesy of Television Academy Foundation
Victoria Smith has been nominated for the Television Academy Foundation’s 45th College Television Awards.
Photo Courtesy of FOCUS: Our Mental Health
An image of Victoria Smith from ‘FOCUS: Our Mental Health,’ nominated in the News category.
recipient.
the Midpoint Roofing team made the new roof possible for the Union resident, who was homebound and relied on disability benefits.
Greater Union Township Chamber member donates roof to resident
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Kevin Estrada, co-owner of Midpoint Roofing in Union, was looking to give back to the community. He and his partner, Alex, recently donated a brand-new roof to a Union resident facing significant physical and financial challenges.
Nancy, who has lived in Union since she was 3 months old, had worked at a wholesale company for 17 years. However, she was forced to leave her job due to a severe deformity caused by rheumatoid arthritis. She is homebound and relies on disability benefits.
When her neighbor, Kathy Armino, received an email that Nancy was disabled and could no longer take care of
her yard, she and her husband, David, stepped in.
One day, while David was taking care of Nancy’s yard, he noticed that her roof was in bad shape.
In the meantime, Greater Union Township Chamber member Estrada had reached out to James Masterson, chamber chief executive officer. Estrada, who has been running his company for two years, wanted to give back.
He said, “We’re doing good. We plan on doing this every year to give back to the community. I told James this idea. I see how he helps others.”
Armino, who is also a chamber member, had told James that Nancy was on disability, and then James told Estrada, who then sent a drone over to check out Nancy’s roof.
“I’m glad that we are able to help someone,” said
Estrada. “We feel, thanks to the community, we are in business, even in tough times. Now, it’s time for us to give back to the community.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” said Armino. “Here’s Kevin, who has come so far in his life, who could say, ‘Look what I’ve done’ instead of ‘Look what I can do.’”
Continuing, Armino said, “The Chamber of Commerce is like the Chamber of Goodness. It was bitterly cold and windy and they (Kevin’s team) were working like dogs and smiling. When you do something good, it makes you feel great.”
To learn more about the Greater Union Township Chamber of Commerce, visit: https:// unionchamber.com/.
Photo Courtesy of Kevin Estrada
At left, Kevin Estrada of Midpoint Roofing and his wife, Mrs. Estrada; Mayor Patricia Guerra Frazier of Union; James Masterson, CEO of the Greater Union Township Chamber; Nancy, recipient of the roof donation; and Kathy Arminio, a member of the chamber who helped to identify a donor
Above,
Photo Courtesy of James Masterson
Union grapplers finish as sectional runners up
(Continued from Page 1)
winning a sectional semifinal at home.
Union won by the score of 14-7 at 190 and then senior Nick Bertolotti won by fall in just 41 seconds at 215.
After senior Obreight Ingram lost a 7-3 decision at heavyweight – he led 3-1 early on – Union clinched the victory with a win at 106 by the technical fall score of 18-3 with just 41 seconds remaining.
Union won by fall at 113 to close it out.
“Those last wins at 106 and 113 were key,” DeBellonia said.
The Farmers won nine of the 14 bouts: five by fall, one by major decision, one by technical fall and two by decision.
The Bees won twice by fall, once by major decision and twice by decision.
Cross won 28 matches his freshman year, mostly at 144, and 23 his sophomore year at 144. Cross won 23 again his junior year at 144 and then at 150. Cross began this year, his senior campaign, at 150 and dropped back down to 144. Cross is at 26 victories so far this year.
“It means a lot to get to 100,” Cross said. “I have kind of a funky style and want to end the match as quickly as possible.”
“Aidan has wrestled four years here and to get his 100th win on a night like tonight is incredible,” DeBellonia said. “It’s a great achievement. I know his teammates are happy for him.”
See UNION, Page 7
Above, Union High School standout 144-pound senior Aidan Cross won his 100th match on Monday, Feb. 16, at home vs. Bayonne High School. Here, Cross is honored and surrounded by his teammates. Above right, Cross, at left, won by fall in 2:58 at 144 pounds vs. his Bayonne counterpart. At right, Union wrestling head coach Dino DeBellonia, the 2025 and 2026 Union County Coach of the Year, is in his 17th season at the helm of the Farmers. DeBellonia has guided the Farmers to 56 wins the past three seasons. Union was one victory away from a firstever sectional championship.
by
SCOUT WEEK GIRL SCOUT WEEK
Photos
JR Parachini
Union has great tournament despite loss in finals
(Continued from Page 6)
North 2, Group 5 Wrestling
Seeds : 1-Bridgwater–Raritan. 2Union. 3-Bayonne. 4-Piscataway. 5-Elizabeth. 6-Kearny. 7-Linden. 8-Newark East Side.
Monday, Feb. 16
Quarterfinals and semifinals At 2-Union Union 62, Linden 18
Bayonne 36, Kearny 32 Union 45, Bayonne 22
At 1-Bridgewater-Raritan
Bridgewater–Raritan 57, Newark East Side 16
Piscataway 51, Elizabeth 27
Bridgewater–Raritan 58, Piscataway 18
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Final
At 1-Bridgewater–Raritan 2-Union at 1-Bridgewater–Raritan
Friday, Feb. 20
Group Semifinals – At the higher seeds Sunday, Feb. 22
Group Finals – At Rutgers
Above left, Union High School standout senior Ariel Azeredo, top, won by fall in his 138-pound match against Bayonne High School. Above right, Union standout senior Nick Bertolotti, top, needed just 41 seconds to
win by fall at 215 pounds against his Bayonne opponent. Below right, Union standout senior heavyweight Obreight Ingram, at left, had a 3-1 lead before falling 7-3 to his Bayonne counterpart.
Photos by JR Parachini
Union resident authors fairytale book about personality disorder
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Princess Anhedonia is preoccupied with finding true love. But someone from her past has broken her heart and she is now unable to feel love. This is “The Story of Anhedonia,” authored by Union resident Reid Anderson.
“The way it reads, it reads like a fairytale,” said Anderson. “Some of the fairy tales like Mother Goose and nursery rhymes, there’s a lot more psychology in those nursery rhymes and stories then we were led to believe.”
The story is about people with Cluster B or other personality disorders and their struggles in life. “It’s sad. They have unstable relationships,” said Anderson.
Having to deal with mental health issues himself, Anderson studied psychology. His first book, “A Boy Named Reid,” is a true story about recovering from his childhood trauma when he damaged his hand handling firecrackers.
“I had to deal with people’s reactions to what it looked like and my struggle to be normal,” said Anderson. “But I made it through. I guess I’m a lot stronger for it. I studied mental health to navigate society.”
Both of Anderson’s books are self-published. He said, “I don’t have anybody over me, PR agents telling me what to do. Everything is from my own head. I fund everything myself.”
Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be hosted
The 29th annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 14, at 1 p.m.
Zoning Board to meet
Union’s Zoning Board of Adjustment
Photos Courtesy of Reid Anderson
Above left, Reid Anderson is self-publishing his second novel, ‘The Story of Anhedonia,’ about people with Cluster B or other personality disorders and their struggles in life, as he works on songs for his upcoming third album, ‘Dreams.’ Above right, Anderson’s second novel, ‘The Story of Anhedonia.’
When Anderson had his accident, he was 8 years old, and The Beatles came to the United States a year earlier. He said, “All I wanted to be was an artist like my dad and play music like The Beatles. I didn’t think I’d be able to use my hand. I put the dream on the shelf.”
Putting his dream aside, temporarily, Anderson worked a day job. “You have to work, you have to provide for yourself and your family,” he said. “My parents told me, ‘Don’t quit your day job.’ They did not want me to leave to become a full-time musician. I listened to them.”
Nevertheless, Anderson kept at it, writing and recording the songs he wrote along with books. He took technical writing in school, but not creative writing. He said, “I just have a creative brain anyway. I guess it helps me in some way.”
Anderson is currently working on his third album, “Dreams.” There will be 10 new songs and some of them are already on his YouTube channel.
He encourages anyone who dreams of being a writer or musician to keep working on it. “It does take a lot of work,” he said. “My live performances – it does look easy. But there’s a lot of rehearsal, a lot of practice, a lot of trial and error.”
will meet on Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., in the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.
Library board to meet
Union Public Library’s Board of Trustees will host a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m., in the Main Branch, 1060 Stuyvesant Ave., Union.
“I’m living the dream, for sure,” said Anderson. “I’m enjoying myself. I’m reinventing myself. It’s becoming a whole new episode in my life.”
In addition to being an author, Anderson is also a musician who writes music to accompany his books, which he shares on his YouTube channel – which is growing astronomically. Anderson never realized what a great vehicle YouTube is, as the video and book promote each other, getting the message out.
“The Story of Anhedonia” is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Check out Reid Anderson’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/ @Reid.Anderson.
Township Committee has conference, regular meeting
Union’s Township Committee has a conference meeting on Tuesday, March 10 and 24, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.
Planning Board to meet
Union’s Planning Board will meet on Thursday, March 26, with a conference from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the Conference
Room, followed by a hearing from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room, both in the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.
‘End the Silence’ featured
“End the Silence: A Domestic Violence Awareness Event” will be featured on Sunday, March 26, from 2 to 5 p.m., at DMK Black Box Theatre, 1980 Morris Ave., Union. The Box Office phone number is 908-851-5430.
March 9 thru 13
KENILWORTH HOTEL 60 S 31st Street, Kenilworth, NJ 07033 10am to 5pm
KENILWORTH HOTEL
March 16 thru 20
CLARK HOLIDAY INN 36 Valley Road, Clark, NJ 07066 10am to 5pm
CLARK HOLIDAY INN
March 23 thru 27
KENILWORTH HOTEL 60 S 31st Street, Kenilworth, NJ 07033 10am to 5pm
KENILWORTH HOTEL
Launch announced of Junior Mayor Leadership Program for local youth
The township of Union has announced the official launch of its Junior Mayor Leadership Program, a dynamic civic-engagement initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of local leaders. This program is currently seeking motivated students in grades five through eight who are eager to make
a tangible difference in their community.
“We believe that every student in Union has the potential to influence our town’s future in a meaningful way,” said Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier. “Through this program, we are opening the doors of Town Hall to inspire our students to take an active role in local government, ensur-
ing their voices are heard and their contributions are valued as we work together to build a better Union. I am honored to mentor these students as they begin their journey into public service.”
Participants in this program will enjoy unique opportunities to work closely with the mayor and other local officials to
IN MEMORIAM
• AMBACHER – Margaret “Peg,” of Union, formerly of Vailsburg; Jan. 21. Clerk stenographer. Widow, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, 84.
• BRUN – Jean Fritzner, of Union, formerly of Haiti; Jan. 2. Husband, father, 76.
• CINCOTTA – Bart J., of Union; Oct. 9. Army vet, World War II, Korean War. Worked for Signal Stat, taught dance for Arthur Murray. Father, grandfather, 97.
• HUANG – Shen, of Union; Jan. 4. Was 82.
• HUGHES – Eric William, of Williamsburg, Va., formerly of Union, Elizabeth and Manasquan; Feb. 6. Graphic designer, liked hunting and fishing. Brother, 57.
• JESKEY – James Robert, of Livingston, formerly of Irvington; Jan. 6. Union High School boys varsity soccer coach for 47 years. Father, grandfather, 91.
• LABRIOLA – Italia, of Union, formerly of Italy; Jan. 15. Retired tailor. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother; 94.
• LAPOLLA – Maria T., of Union; Feb. 10. Director of Information Technology, NJ Department of Law and Public Safety. Wife, mother, sister, aunt, 59.
• LEVENDUSKY – John Robert, of Ossining, N.Y., formerly of Union; Feb. 4. Business owner. Widower, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 95.
• MCKUNE – Richard “Westy” E., of Union, formerly of Westwood; Jan. 6. Mechanical engineer. Widower, father, brother, grandfather, 85.
• OLESKY – Thomas, of Union, formerly of Newark; Feb. 1. Air Force veteran. Retired engineer of quality control for Lockheed-Martin. Husband, father, 93.
• ORO – Esther, of Union; Jan. 14. Was 106.
• PALLITTA – Rocchina, of Union, formerly of Italy; Jan. 3. Seamstress. Mother, grandmother, 89.
• PETOLINO – Daniel, of Union; Feb. 6. Machinist, accordion player. Husband,
father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 88.
understand the decision-making process. They will also represent the township at community events, lead local service projects, and share their perspectives on issues that directly impact the youth of Union. Applications are now open to all eligible students in the township of Union via uniontownship.com.
• PFEIFER – Bettyann, of Union; Jan. 5. Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 91.
• ROBOOSTOFF – Linda M. Llamas, of Union; April 27. Widow, mother, sister, grandmother, 81.
• SAMILA – Brian J., of Union; Jan. 15. Was 67.
• SCHUMANN – Russell, of Union; Jan. 23. U.S. Navy veteran. Husband, 75.
• TIMOTHY – Gail L., of Vauxhall, formerly of Summit; Feb. 3. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, 77.
• VANDEVENTER – Elaine Margaret, of Ocean County, formerly of Union; Feb. 6. Retired Union township clerk. Widow, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, 86.
• VELASCO – Cristobol Colon, of Union, formerly of Ecuador and Maplewood; Jan. 14. Was 85.
• WATSON – Leonie M., of Union; Jan. 1. Was 59.
• WRABACK – Patricia Ann, of Manalapan, formerly of Elizabeth, Union; Feb. 5. Widow, mother, grandmother, aunt, 89.
In Memoriam is a monthly 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.
The Characters release 30th anniversary edition of debut album
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
The Characters began in 1982 in the basement of the home of Danny Solazzi.
They were all friends Solazzi knew in grade school in high school, who were all like-minded and living in Union. When “The Characters” came out in 1993, the band had been together for 11 years. They had recorded an earlier album in 1987, which was produced by Chip Douglas, who is known for producing The Monkees, Linda Ronstadt and The Turtles. That album was eventually released in 2005 as “The Early Characters.”
They recently released the 30th anniversary deluxe edition of “The Characters.” It’s a three CD-set broken up into three parts: 1. The original album, plus bonus tracks; 2. The 2024 remix of the original album, including stripped down versions of songs; 3. The basement demos, which were done on a four-track machine.
“It wasn’t meant for any other reason except for us to do pre-production, to hear ideas of what the songs sounded like,” said Solazzi, regarding the basement demos. “We had no idea anyone would hear these recordings other than us. When the album was coming up on 30 years, I was thinking of revising all those old cassette tapes. We were able to bring them into the digital age.”
Listening to all the old songs, Solazzi feels they still hold up. He said, “This album, I never get tired of listening to. I’m always pleased with the production. Sometimes, you listen to recordings and
Breed.” Eric Mauro played piano and keyboards and Barbara Morrison played saxophone.
“She’s a very nice person,” Solazzi said in regard to Jett. “Big inspiration for me personally. We opened for her many times. Her and Kenny (Lagunna, producer) are… I can’t say enough good things about them.”
Marcella Detroit, an American singer who co-wrote the 1977 Eric Clapton hit, “Lay Down Sally” and joined Shakespears Sister in 1988 with former Bananarama member Siobhan Fahey, sang a duet with Solazzi on the bonus track “Nobody Understands.”
“I was really happy she agreed to do it,” said Solazzi.
think, ‘This could have been better.’ For the most part, it’s really good.”
The songwriting process is always different for Solazzi. He said, “Sometimes a title pops into my head. Sometimes I’m just playing around on a guitar and a riff comes out. Sometimes I have a melody I hear in my head.”
Solazzi says a lot of the songs are about stuff the band has been through. For example, his song “Last of a Dying Breed” is about rock ‘n’ roll. He said, “When others give up on their dream when you haven’t. People want to do something safe, making more money. It’s a hard life, especially if you’re not famous. It’s hard to get people to come out and see you and play original songs. If you go to see a band
and they’re playing 12 songs you never heard before, it’s a little hard to get into. When The Rolling Stones play their new material, it doesn’t go over as well as what people know and love.”
Back in 1986, legendary disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ Los Angeles started playing “Maryann” by The Characters on his show, “Rodney on the ROQ.” His support prompted the band to move to Los Angeles in 1987. The song was getting a lot of airplay in L.A. Solazzi said, “We moved and got to play in The Whiskey and The Roxy. It was happening more for us on the West Coast.”
Joan Jett is just one of the special guests on The Characters album. She added harmony vocals to “Last of a Dying
In addition to Solazzi on vocals and rhythm guitar, other members on the original 1994 album of The Characters are John Grecco, drums, percussion; Frank King, lead guitar; and Johnathan Daniel, bass.
The Characters are actively performing throughout New Jersey. They usually perform covers and, since the anniversary album has been released, fans have been requesting some of the songs. They are now adding their songs to the set lists.
Solazzi said that The Characters have a bunch of songs – enough to record a couple albums. They are also thinking of putting their Christmas album on vinyl, as well as a 40th anniversary release of “The Early Characters.” “It would have a similar feel to this,” he said.
To learn more about The Characters, visit: https://thecharacters.net/.
Photo Courtesy of Danny Solazzi
The Characters – Danny Solazzi, vocals and rhythm guitar; John Grecco, drums; Frank King, lead guitar; and Larry Muhlgeier, bass guitar – pose for a photo during the earlier years of their band.