Northern Valley Press 3.4.24

NORTHERN VALLEY WINTER GAMES NIGHTAWIN FOR THE CHESTAND FRIENDS

Frolics fund youth programs;Joe

Armental honored

BY HILLARYVIDERS OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County hosted a Winter Games Night at the Englewood Field Club that was filled with fun and fundraising.

Jan. 25 saw an array of nonstop games such as life-sized versions of Connect Four and Jenga, as well as a putting green and corn hole.

Approximatly 110 guests were welcomed by Executive Director Shelly Wimpfheimer and the organizationʼs Board of Managers as well as a host of volunteers.

There were also several special guests, including Englewood Council President Charles Cobb, Bergen Volunteers Chief Officer Nina Bachrach, Susan Klausner, President of the Flat Rock Brook Association Board and Womenʼs Rights information Center Exec. Director Lil Corcoran.

Master of ceremonies was Hilary Baris, a community volunteer. Past Englewood councilmember Scott Reddin served as the DJ.

Guests were treated to an international menu highlighting a range of food from diverse cultures as well as wine and beer.The enticing array of cuisines included Neapolitan, Cuban, Caribbean

See GAMESpage 6

Your DwightMorrow High School Maroon Raiders girls basketball team, under Milton McManus, brings it all through the 2023–24 season, which wrapped Feb. 20.

SEE PAGE 5

CTEEN FLEXES IN NYC SUMMIT CTEEN FLEXES IN NYC SUMMIT

Local kids join timely, poignant, powerful gathering

DELEGATIONSOF passionate Jewish teens from Chabad of Closter, Valley Chabad in Woodcliff Lake, and many others helped power the highly anticipated 16th Annual CTeen International

Summit in New York City.

The summit, Feb. 23–26, attracted more than 3,000 participants from 58 countries across

AHA sets stellar reps for 2024 Hugh O’Brian

Youth Leadership Seminar.

See page 16

the globe, making it one of the largest and most diverse gather-

Continued on page 3

MARCH 2024

ENGLEWOOD WELLNESS FRONTAND CENTERAT NAACP FAIR

Dr. John Grieco school rolls out red carpet at essential Black History Month community offering

BY HILLARYVIDERS OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS

In recognition of Black History Month, the NAACP Bergen County Chapter in partnership with Englewood Health and New Bridge Medical Center hosted its 4th Annual Black History Month Health Fair on Jan. 24 at the Dr. John Grieco Elementary School in Englewood.

The NAACP says health fairs for African Americans are essential as America has had a longstanding inequity of health care. Throughout the country, health outcomes are influenced by geography, income and race, and because of these factors, many people of color have inadequate access to public and private health care.

The NAACP says it is is committed to ending racial health disparities.

Jeff Carter, president of the See WELLNESSpage 11

Bckintime... Bckintime...

Once a colonial home, later a restaurant, now a memory recent enough that many will recall it.

Kids from Valley Chabad CTeen (right) based in Woodcliff Lakejoin CTeen chapters in Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes,Closter,and Teaneck—and further afield—at CTeen International Summit in New York City, held Feb.23–26.

CTeen:

FROM PAGE 1

ings of Jewish teens in recent history. This yearʼs theme: Count On Me.

Amid the vibrant energy of Crown Heights, the Pascack Valley delegation and their peers— experienced “a weekend filled with inspiration, leadership training, and a deeper exploration of their Jewish roots.”

Teens hit tourist hot spots, visited Jewish attractions throughout Brooklyn, experienced the CTeen Choice Awards, and sang and danced at a massive concert in the heart of Times Square.

A huge crowd prayed at the grave of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson in Queens on Sunday, a day after the Times Square rally.

The Rebbeʼs resting place attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually. As he was mourned, he was celebrated not least for his commitment to education.

Weʼre told, “This year, the summit holds an even greater significance as it aims to fortify Jewish teens, providing them with a platform to connect with fellow Jewish teenagers and an unwaver-

For over 60 years, savvy sellers have relied on us for the highest offers and best trades. Enjoy courteous and confidential service in a comfortable setting.

16 N.Van Brunt St., Englewood 201 871 0400 |

ing commitment to Jewish values amidst the backdrop of recent adversities.”

Additional local participating groups hailed from CTeen chapters in Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Closter and Teaneck.

The annual gathering, which this year hosted a delegation of 200 Israeli teens, including survivors of the Nova Festival massacre, is espe-

cially poignant this year in the wake of recent events that have tested the resilience and spirit of the Jewish people since Oct. 7, 2023.

Gail Gluck of Montvale is a junior at Pascack Hills High School and a proud leader at the Valley Chabad CTeen chapter. She told Pascack Press in a statement from Valley Chabad, “After everything thatʼs happened since Oct. 7, com-

ing together at the CTeen Summit feels more crucial than ever.”

She said, “Itʼs not just about being Jewish; itʼs about standing strong in the face of evil and showing the world the strength of unity and goodness.”

Rabbi Yosef Orenstein on the significance of the summit:“Our teens have come back invigorated,ready to take on leadership roles within our community and beyond. This experience has not only strengthened their Jewish identity but has empowered them to support their peers as well.”

The summit featured an array of programs designed to inspire and engage, including workshops, discussions, and opportunities for prayer and reflection at the worldrenowned sacred site, the Ohel,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

SHARE YOUR VINTAGE PHOTOS

NORTHERN VALLEY

Those old black and white photos have been sitting in the drawer for decades. Give those treasures more love by sharing them with your neighbors on this page.

Northern Valley Press welcomes old photographs depicting scenes in any of the towns in the region: Alpine, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh and Tenafly.

Specifically, we’re looking for materials dating to the 1970s and e arlier. These can be photos of local buildings, notable people, homes, streets, parks, stores, special events — you name it. Old advertisements for businesses in the Northern Valley are also most welcome.

The submissions are sought for publication in the weekly “Back in Time” local history feature, which appears to the right of this column.

Photographs can be submitted by scanning the photo or taking a good digital photo (the highest resolution possible to facilitate clear printing) and emailing a copy of the photographs along with some detailed information to northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CALL (201) 358-9500

G Geet t t thhe e R Reessuulltts s

Get the results you’re looking for in the Service Directory in Northern Valley Press.

To place your service ad, call 201-358-9500.

Bckintime... Bckintime...

Before it was Stegemann’s Cock ‘n’Bull…

BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS NORWOOD

ONCEACOLONIALHOME, later a restaurant, now just a memory. This little piece of local history is recent enough that many people reading right now will surely remember it.

Kristin Beuscher is president of the Pascack Historical Society, 19 Ridge Ave., Park Ridge. For more information call (201) 573-0307 or visit PascackHistoricalSociety.org

And, sadly, our memories, along with a few photographs, are the only places where it can be found. Two decades ago, a fire took out the historical structure that had stood at 130 Tappan Road in Norwood for over 200 years.

When the photograph at top was taken in the 1970s, the structure at Tappan Road and Blanch Avenue was a restaurant called Stegemannʼs Cock ʻnʼ Bull, a popular place for intimate candlelight dining. However, the building itself went back much, much farther.

Originally the residence of blacksmith Christian Campbell and his wife, Dirkje (a name of Dutch ancestry), the house itself

Originally the residence of blacksmith Christian Campbell and his wife, Dirkje (a name of Dutch ancestry), the house itself was built circa 1770.

was built circa 1770. In 1785, Campbell was taxed for a tavern, leading one to conclude that the property was also used for that purpose.

In 1789, the Campbells sold the house and land to Capt. Thomas Blanch (1740–1823), a prominent patriot and sol-

dier of the Revolutionary War. Blanch reportedly bought the property for a sum of 112 pounds 10 shillings.

The book “Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey,”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

The structure at Tappan Road and Blanch Avenue was a restaurant called Stegemann’s Cock ‘n’ Bull, photographed here in the 1970s, a popular place for intimate candlelight dining. The building itself goes back much farther.

Maroon Raiders, fighting strong, leave it all on the court

BY HILLARYVIDERS OF NORTHERNVALLEY PRESS

ENGLEWOOD

These girls werenʼt waiting for March Madness to make their mark! The Dwight-Morrow High School Maroon Raiders girls basketball team was in high gear all through the 2023–2024 season,

which wrapped Feb. 20.

The players—Saniya Rain Fowler, Sarell Perrington, Carrie Perry, Acelynn Almodovar, Audrey Degabriel, Gianna Davis, Jahvenne Joseph, Rania Mirza, and Al Jenkins—put their all into the games against tough competitors from Bergen and Essex counties.

On Jan. 20, the Maroon

Raiders defeated Newarkʼs Barringer High School. They were elated with their win of 31 to 30 in a high-energy competition.

Another highlight of the season: sophomore Fowlerʼs scoring a career high of 26 points against Cliffside Park.

Coach Milton McManus tells us heʼs enthused about working

with the team: “The reward of coaching is seeing the development of players over the years, how some fall in love with the game and continue to get better on the court. When they ask questions, it is because they want to get better. Regardless of the programʼs success, you want to see players come in, work hard and have fun during the long season.”

The players, in fact, work very hard and all year long, including the

summer. When theyʼre not in competition, they train with practice drills, running sprints and lifting weights in the school gym.

The players are as enthused about the game and their team as is their coach. Joseph, a senior, told us, “Basketball is a great stress reliever, and we are like a family.”

Perrington is also a big advocate of team spirit: “Everyone has her own mindset, but we communicate very well.”

The DMHS Raiders girls basketball team is like a family. Hillary Viders photo

Games:

FROM PAGE 1

Asian, Lebanese, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Area establishments providing the international menu of food for the evening wereRAMark, Aumm Pizzeria and Wine Bar, Axia Taverna, Clementeʼs Bakery, CZEN, Fantastic Foods and Flavors, Giovanniʼs Bicycle Club, The Grand Cubano, Itʼs Greek to Me, Kings Food Markets, Luluʼs Mediterranean Grill, WG Catering, April Uram, and Chef Dion.

The event included a wine pull, a drawing for a Chocolate Chest donated by Angie Castella, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to Joseph Armental, the principal of Dwight Morrow High School of Englewood who is known as a champion for youth in the community.

“We selected Joe Armental as The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen Countyʼs honoree for his outstanding contributions as an educator and student advocate at

Dwight Morrow High School and the Academies at Englewood,” Wimpfheimer told Northern Valley

Press Wimpfheimer introduced Armental and presented him with a

trophy award as well as certificates of commendations for his outstanding contributions and leadership: one from the Bergen County Commissioners and another from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly.

An outstanding honoree

Armental, now the Principal at Dwight Morrow High School, served several years as the schoolʼs assistant principal beginning in 2011. In this position, he helped to create and facilitate various leadership opportunities for the students on campus.

One of his most proud moments, came when more than 500 male students pledged to help eradicate gender-based violence both on campus and within the Englewood community.

For his efforts, he along with several other adult facilitators of the Young Menʼs and Womanʼs Leadership Councils were acknowledged during a work session of the New Jersey State Assembly.

In his time at Dwight Morrow, Armental has served as athletic director in which he helped to reimage the “Raider Nation” brand and school logo while re-instituting a dormant wrestling program.

In that same time, Armental also became the face of the Academies by promoting the schoolʼs inter-district public school program, the Academies @ Englewood.

Throughout the COVID pandemic and during the flooding caused by Hurricane Ida, Armental was a constant presence in the Englewood community; serving the students and their families through the delivery of meals, Wi-Fi hot spots, participating in community engagement committees, or lending an ear to listen to the concerns of the community

In his two-plus years as the principal, Armentalʼs administrative teams have helped to streamline broken processes, redeveloped the master schedule timelines that afford additional student choice, instituted a higher level of account-

ability for student achievement, initiated trauma informed practices for the staff and, most importantly, redefined the importance of demonstrating Raider PRIDE in the staff and students at Dwight Morrow High School.

When he is not acting as principal of Dwight Morrow, Armental is known as Coach Joe to the hundreds of children in River Edge and Oradell in multiple sports.

Upon receiving his awards, Armental thanked his family, his administrative team, and the wider community as well as the many people “on whose shoulders I stand.”

He said, “Education is more than a profession. It is a calling. Itʼs about the students and their aspirations and their limitless potential. Tonight, let us draw inspiration from their dreams. It is not about me. It is about the people and collective spirit that has helped make this school and this community proud.”

He ended with his favorite mantra: Go Raiders!

The Winter Ganes came to a close as The Chestʼs Board of Managers president Franci Steinberg thanked everyone for coming and supporting The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County. She announced that the eveningʼs activities raised fundsto support local youth programs for youngsters in Eastern Bergen County.

Founded in 1933, The Community Chest, a nonprofit, taxexempt organization, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for over 90 years.

The Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County.Each year, The Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens.

The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network.

Clockwise from above: Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County managers with executive director Shelly Wimpfheimer; Wimpfheimer presents Joseph Armental with a resolution from the Bergen County Board of Commissioners; Chef Dion and his assistant impress Justin Wimfpheimer. Hillary Viders photos.

The NVP Interview:

FROM PAGE 2

foster these relationships. The school district is an extension of the community. It is imperative that the school district partner with external organizations to maximize opportunities for all of our students.

We are excited about our partnership with The Algebra Project, in which our teachers will be paid to write the curriculum for The Accessible Calculus Project.

HV: Has high technology helped or hindered students in their learning process?

MH: When technology is used as a tool, it enhances learning. However, I think cell phones and addiction to social media have hurt studentsʼinterpersonal skills. Computer science is the next iteration of the three Rʼs. In order for students to be globally competitive, computer science has to be embedded into the curriculum starting in elementary school.

HV: Do you foresee a time when teachers will be replaced by artificial intelligence?

MH: The use of AI is a hot topic right now; however, it has been integrated into everyday life for a while. The shift towards selfaware artificial intelligence is a concern. Self-aware AI is a concept that involves creating AI systems capable of being conscious of themselves. This means that AI would be able to comprehend its own existence, have a sense of identity, and be aware of its

thoughts and emotions.

I donʼt think AI will completely replace teachers in the classroom, however, due to the teacher shortage, AI may play a larger role in virtual instruction.

Scientific evidence has shown the disastrous impact virtual learning, due to the COVID pandemic, had on student learning. AI in its current form is limited in its ability to address the different modalities of learning.

Even with adaptive online assessments and instruction, AI is not a substitute for in-person instruction and human contact with our students.

HV: How did you manage to deal with the administrative and educational challenges of Covid?

MH: As educators, a global pandemic was not part of the curriculum when we were completing our graduate coursework.

However, grit, perseverance, and the ability to pivot has always been in the toolbelt of effective educators. These are soft skills that enabled us to navigate through the pandemic.

Yes, COVID took an academic, emotional, and psychological toll on us all, but it does not define are ability to continue the heavy lifting of educating all students.

HV: Covid caused many students to fall behind in their math and English aptitudes. How can the schools get them back on track?

MH: With a strategic plan that includes social and emotional

learning alongside academics, schools will be able to get our students back on track. We will need to invest in robust after school and summer programs which marry remediation, enrichment, project based learning, and experiential learning. This work must be collaborative, intentional, and researched based. To quote findings by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, “Teachers must become attuned to their studentsʼindividual situations and changing circumstances.” This work cannot be accomplished via AI technology or virtual learning, it takes a caring educator standing in front of students in a classroom environment.

HV: What changes would you like to see in the Englewood

CTeen:

resting place of the Rebbe, the inspiration behind the CTeen movement.

A highlight of the event was the Times Square Havdala ceremony, where thousands of teens filled the crossroads of the world, celebrating their Jewish identity and praying for peace, symbolizing the collective resilience of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, vice chairman of CTeen International, emphasized the importance of such

gatherings in todayʼs context:

“In a world where our youth are bombarded with countless challenges to their faith and identity, the CTeen International Summit stands as a critical platform to empower the teens to hold strong and be ambassadors of positivity back home,” he said.

Eron Berin, a participant from Upper Saddle River and sophomore at Northern Highlands High School, said “This yearʼs CTeen Summit was a transformative experience that has deeply impacted my connection to my Jewish identity.”

He said, “Being surrounded by thousands of Jewish teens from around the world gave me a sense

of belonging and strength that I've never felt before and so important today.”

Local organizers tell Northern Valley Press “The impact of the CTeen Summit extends beyond the event itself, inspiring participants to return to their communities with renewed vigor to lead and make a difference.”

Rabbi Yosef Orenstein reflected on the significance of the summit: “Our teens have come back invigorated, ready to take on leadership roles within our community and beyond. This experience has not only strengthened their Jewish identity but has empowered them to support their peers as well.”

The NVP Interview:

FROM PAGE 7

public schools in the coming years?

MH: There are a lot of great

things happening in the Englewood School District: We have hardworking and committed teachers, support staff, administrators, and students. The Englewood Board of

Garden Club hosts Sichak March 7

Get ready for spring by touring Garden State gardens at the Garden Club of Harrington Parkʼs meeting on Thursday, March 7 at 7:30

p.m., upstairs in the Harrington Park Library, 10 Herring St.

Guest speaker Mary Jo Sichak, a master gardener, naturalist, and photographer, presents

Garden Gems, a photographic exploration of selected must-see gardens and arboretums in New Jersey. Sichak will touch on the history and highlights of each of the gardens, including special collections they feature and the suggested best times to visit.

Hostess for the evening is Ellen King. All are welcome from all towns. membership is not required. For information, visit gardenclubofharringtonpark.com or call GCHP president Gerri Gibney at (201) 768-2615.

Student show at the Art School at Old Church

The Art School at Old Church is excited to present a school-wide exhibit of adult student work in all artistic disciplines.

Painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, printmaking, photography and more are on display March 11–April 6.

The public is invited to a party

with the artists on Thursday, March 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Art School at Old Church is at 561 Piermont Road, Demarest. Regular exhibition hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information visit tasoc.org or call (201) 767-7160.

Education is focused on supporting programs and initiatives that support all students.

We are excited about our partnership with Kean University, which will collaborate with the district in completing our five-year strategic plan and provide professional development in leadership for our administrators.

We are also restoring work-

based internships and apprenticeships for our students in the Academies at Englewood and students in our College and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

We are reconfiguring three of our schools by moving third grade back to Grieco Elementary School and moving the sixth grade back to McCloud Elementary School.

SICHAK

You might want to holster that Peacemaker, pilgrim

BYJONFELZ R.Z.M. FINE ARTS & ANTIQUES INC.

Hi, Jon, My husband passed away over five years ago. This gun was given to him by his father, who apparently received it from his father. I have no idea what itʼs worth and how I would dispose of it. What are your thoughts?

Laura F., Pearl River, N.Y.

Hello, Laura,

You own a legendary antique American Peacemaker, widely carried in the golden days of the Old West. It was carried by illustrious lawmen and most notorious of outlaws. Watch a Western movie on television:There it is, in

Senior appraiser Jon Felz of R.Z.M.Fine Arts & Antiques Inc. answers yourquestions on fine art,American coins,and great antiques.Send your questions and photos to rzmantique@aol.com

the hand of John Wayne and the holster of Marshal Matt Dillion.

The Colt Single Action Army, or the Model 1873 is a singleaction revolver adopted as the standard-issue pistol of the United States Army, 1873–1892. The gun was offered in more than 30 calibers and various barrel lengths. Its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. The Single Action Army was available in a standard barrel lengthof 4 3⁄ 4 inches. The special grips on your piece are ivory, a special order. Standard grips would have been hard rubber or oil-stained walnut. The standard finish on these guns was blue. Yours is nickel plating.

Reach more customers

or e-mail northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net

The Colt Single Action Army,or the Model 1873 is a single-action revolver adopted as the standard-issue pistol of the United States Army,1873–1892.Jon Felz says,“The best thing about your Single Action Army,to me,is the serial number.When I checked with the Colt Manufacturing Co.Historical Archives,Inoted your gun dates from 1897,so it’s exempt from the Federal Control Act of 1968.” Northern Valley Press flipped illustration of reader’s firearm.

Your gun also has remained in wonderful condition, a huge plus in terms of monetary value.

The best thing about your Single Action Army, to me, is the serial number. When I checked with the Colt Manufacturing Co. Historical Archives, Inoted your gun dates from 1897, so itʼs

exempt from the Federal Control Act of 1968. Under law in New York State a pistol license is not required to possess this antique gun, as it was produced prior to 1898. That said, you canʼt sell ivory in New York.

The market for pre-1898 Colt pistols is on fire. In terms of desirability your gun is a 10!This gun is so popular that Colt Firearms Co. brought this gun back twice after ceasing its production. The value of your Colt SAA revolver is

$9,000 but in the right auction, specializing in antique firearms, it could easily go for more than $10,000. Many collectors are seeking these pieces.

It was my pleasure to assist you in identifying and appraising this great piece of Americana.

or visit rzmantiques.com.

MOV ING? DOWNSIZING?

Wellness:

FROM PAGE 1

NAACP Bergen County chapter, tells Northern Valley Press, “Our aim is not simply disease prevention, but to create an inclusive culture of healthy people and communities. If we look at the health dis-

parities going on in our country and state, especially in our region of Bergen County, you see that African Americans are dying at a higher rate than any other ethnicity and they have lower birth rates and higher rates of prostate and breast cancer. There are also many doctors who do not know how to diagnose diseases of African Americans, such as sickle cell.

As such, the Bergen County

The program began with remarks by NAACP Bergen County Chapter President Jeff Carter and host Rasheed Gins followed by the Negro/Black National Anthem sung by Reggie Pittman and Leah Hinton.

A DJ and Goins kept the atmosphere upbeat throughout the day.

chapter of the NAACP collaborates with communities through coordinated action to improve the social determinants of health—racism, poverty, exclusion, inferior schools, unsafe housing, poor nutrition, and

toxic environments.”

On Feb 24, hundreds of people poured into the Dr. John Grieco school to learn about wellness and to get screening and sample healthy food.

Numerous hospital doctors and nurses joined the crowd of show attendees that included special guests Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Bergen County Sherrif Anthony Cureton, Senator Gordon Johnson, Assemblywoman Ellen Park, Bergen County Commissioners Mary Amaroso, Tom Sullivan, Tracy Zur, Germaine Ortiz and Rafael Marte, Former Englewood Council Members Wayne Hamer and Kathrine Glynn and Pastor Dr. Lester Taylor, leader of the Community Baptist Church.

The expansive auditorium

U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-5) with NAACP Bergen County President Jeff Carter at the 4th Annual Black History Month Health Fair in Englewood on Jan. 24. Below, Carter with NAACP volunteers Hillary Viders photos.

A nurse from Holy Name Hospital checks blood pressure at the 4th Annual Black History Month Health Fair on Jan. 24 at the Dr. John Grieco Elementary School in Englewood. Hillary Viders photo.

Human-trafficking survivor Flores speaks at AHA

“I wouldnʼt be alive today if that woman hadnʼt been my angel.” Thatʼs Theresa Flores, addressing an upper school assembly at the Academy of the Holy Angels on Feb. 7.

Flores, a human-trafficking survivor, was referring to an elderly woman who saw Flores after she escaped from a nearby motel. Flores had been left for dead.

The woman, whom Flores calls her angel, asked a simple question after seeing the distressed teen:“Can I help you?”

Flores was amazed. No one had asked her that question since the day an older boy in her new high school decided to drug, assault, blackmail, and intimidate her into a life of human trafficking. The nightmare continued from the time Flores was 15 until she was 17.

“She did me another favor that saved my life,” Flores said of her angel. After Flores insisted she was fine, the woman in the diner refused to believe that. She called the police.

Flores was terrified of threats against her family from the group of men who had been trafficking her, and did not escape her secret life that night. She did not tell the responding police officer anything about what was happening.

Her parents, who did not learn Floresʼterrible secret for decades, were angry with her for sneaking out of the house. They believed she had been having fun at a party. It was not until Flores

was 17 and her family moved far from their upper middle class Detroit suburb that she was able to escape her tormentors.

“I want people to see what I do now,” Flores told the Angels in Demarest. She pointed out that human trafficking can occur anywhere, and can happen to anyone. Human trafficking, she noted, is the second most prevalent crime in

the United States.

“It happened to me in plain sight. It can happen anywhere,” Flores said.

Human trafficking happens to people of all ages. Victims are coerced into labor or sexual exploitation.

The guest speaker responded to many questions, explaining that her faith in God sustained her

throughout her ordeal and afterward.

“I leaned on my faith really hard,” she said when asked about processing her experience.

For the past 19 years, Flores has used her personal experience to help others learn to protect themselves and others. She explained that she wanted one trusted person she could have told

that she was being trafficked. She asked those present to think who their “one person” might be.

Flores pointed out that signs of trafficking include a person (most frequently a female) who holds on to multiple hotel keys, has lots of cash, keeps a phone that is only for calls from a boyfriend, and someone who receives expensive gifts from an older boyfriend. A victim may also experience a drop in grades or begin to dress differently.

Social media is the number one way traffickers find victims, she said. While libraries, malls, movie theaters are also places where traffickers strike, she was trafficked from her own home.

Today, her activism includes the Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution Project (soapproject.org), which involves affixing a message of hope and the Human Trafficking Hotline (1-800-373-7888) to bars of soap that are placed in venues where people are likely to be trafficked.

She also worked with a senator on the Theresa Flores Law, which removed the statute of limitations for Michiganʼs human trafficking survivors who wish to file charges. Flores provided testimony, and was present when the bill was signed into law. She continues to advocate for improved legislation.

To date, she has authored five books, including “The Slave

Theresa Flores (center) points out one of her books, which she donated to the AHA Learning Commons. Looking on are AHA Director of Mission & Ministry Joan Connelly (left) and AHA Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Danielle Holmes). AHAphoto

St. Patrick’s Day party pointers

St. Patrickʼs Day is a beloved holiday, and that popularity is reflected in celebrations that take place across the globe. According t o World Population Review, more than 200 countries celebrate St. Patrickʼs Day.

Russia, Singapore and Japan are among the nations that celeb rate St. Patrickʼs Day each March, proving that proximity to Ireland is not a prerequisite for partying on March 17. With that in mind, anyone in the mood to celebrate St. Patrickʼs Day need not hesitate to plan a party this March. The following St. P atrickʼs Day party pointers can make the festivities even more fun this year.

• Go green. It goes without saying that green is the color of St. Patrickʼs Day. St. Patrick is the primary patron saint of Ireland, a country known for its rolling green hills. Hosts can decorate party spaces in green, hanging green streamers and green balloons. Encourage guests to wear green and keep the theme going with the menu, serving green baked goods and beverages.

• Curate a St. Patrickʼs Day playlist. In addition to its rolling green hills, Ireland is known for music. Itʼs hard to find a pub anywhere on the Emerald Isle without a local musician playing traditional Irish music for a captivated crowd.

Hosts can keep that in mind when curating their St. Patrickʼs Day playlist, which can include music from artists and bands such as Finbar Furey, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, The Chieftains, The Pogues, The High Kings, The Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, and more.

• Serve traditional Irish fare. It might take some advanced planning and effort to provide a menu one might find in Ireland. Blood pudding is served in many pubs across the Emerald Isle, but it might be hard, though not necessarily impossible, to find outside the country.

Some large chain grocery stores might carry blood pudding in March, and it might be possible to find it in specialty grocery stores around this time of year. Irish soda bread, bacon and cabbage, Irish stew, and boxty are some additional dishes to give a menu some traditional Irish flavor.

• Cut an Irish rug. Irish dancing is another of Irelandʼs many exports, as dancers across the globe have embraced traditional Irish dance.

Hosts can learn a dance or two and teach guests a few simple steps during the party. Keep it

P PRREESSS S

welcomes press releases,birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Northern Valley. Send all news to northernvalleypress@thepressgroup.net

light and fun and allow even nondancers to tap their toes.

These are just a few of the

ways hosts can make their St. Patrickʼs Day parties more fun this March.

Anyone in the mood to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day need not hesitate to plan a party this March.

Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024 Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024

Bergen County Players (BCP), one of Americaʼs longest running little theater companies, proudly continues its 92nd season with the longest-running musical classic “The Fantasticks.”

Full of buoyant humor, charming tunes, and a sprinkle of m agic, “The Fantasticks” has been hailed as “a beautiful, poetic, and highly theatrical tale of the power and depth of love — gained, lost and found again” (Broadway World).

Music is by Harvey Sch-

midt, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones. Musical direction is by Victoria Casella, with direction and musical staging by Ray Yucis. Performances begin Saturday, March 9 and will run through Saturday, April 6 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell with shows on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets, priced at $29, can be purchased at bcplayers.org , by c alling (201)261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell

during regular box office hours.

With its breathtaking poetry, theatrical sophistication, and timeless songs like Try to Remember and Soon Itʼs Gonna Rain, “The Fantasticks” tells the story of a boy and a girl who fall madly in love, and their two meddlesome fathers who try to keep them apart.

Since its inception, the script for “The Fantasticks” has continually evolved. This “little musi-

cal that could” has touched hearts and audiences for the last 64 years and BCP is hoping to recreate the magic of the original production as faithfully as possible.

Ray Yucis, a Perry Award winner for Best Direction of a Play for “Time Stands Still,” also directed BCPʼs “Brooklyn Boy,” “The Women,” “Company,” “Moonlight and Magnolias,” “Around the World in 80 Days,” and “Comic Potential: (Perry

Full of buoyanthumor, charming tunes, and a sprinkling of magic, “The Fantasticks” has been hailed as “a beautiful, poetic, and highly theatrical tale of the power and depth of love — g ained, lost and found again” (Broadway World).

Michael

Smith photo

Award nominee, Best Direction).

This Paterson resident has been the Resident Director of SummerStage at Leonia for the past 13 years, where he helmed their productions of “Les Miserables,” “My Fair Lady,” “Annie,” “Anything Goes,” and many more.

He also directed the Players Guild of Leonia productions of “Black Comedy,” “As Bees in Honey Drown,” “The Fantasticks,” and “Comedy of Errors.”

As an actor he has appeared in “Pack of Lies,” “The Actorʼs Nightmare,” “Tartuffe,” “Take Me Out,” and others.

A former high school and college teacher, Ray has retired from a career in corporate training and instructional design.

“ʻ The Fantasticksʼ is a hauntingly beautiful piece of theater,” said sirector Ray Yucis. “Full of gorgeous poetry, exquisite music, and delightful whimsy, the story captivates and surprises in all the best ways.

Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024 Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024

Back in Time:

FROM PAGE 4

w ritten in 1900 by Cornelius Burnham Harvey, relates that Blanch was one of the most prominent men in Bergen County in his day.

“He was a magistrate and held other township and county offices. He raised and was captain of a company of volunteers from Bergen County during the Revolutionary struggle.”

Blanch and his wife, Effie, whom he married in 1762, had an unbelievable (though not so uncommon for the day) 13 children, nine girls and four boys.

On July 15, 1806, the house passed from Capt. Blanch to his son, Richard. Although Richard was the fourth child, he was the eldest boy. The stipulation was that Richard was not to sell the

house while his father was still alive. Thomas also helped Richard build an addition to the house, which became a way station for stage coaches.

Capt. Blanch and his wife, E ffie ( n ée M abie), are both buried at Tappan Reformed Church Cemetery. Effie, despite having borne 13 children at a time when it was common for women to die due to childbirth complications, lived to the age of 93.

In 1924 the home became an inn. Decades later, in 1967, new owners Chris and Jeanne Stegemann restored the old homestead a nd incorporated its historic charm into the ambiance of their restaurant.

One 1972 review of Stegem annʼs noted, “Low, beamed ceilings and brick fireplaces hung with pewter and copper in both dining rooms are reproductions of the originals that can still be seen in the grill room.” Befitting the name, the menu featured a number of German dishes.

In 1983, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

By the mid-1980s, another restaurant, Brandywine Inn, was operating there. In the following decade it became Timothyʼs, which in 1997 was voted the most romantic restaurant in Bergen County.

Not long after, on May 26, 1997, the building was destroyed by a fire.

Kristin Beuscher is president of the Pascack Historical Society.

Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024 Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024

AHA sets stellar reps for 2024 HOBY seminar

Chanel Hwang of Old Tappan and Emily Vonderhorst of Pearl River, N.Y., have been named the Academy of the Holy Angelsʼrepresentatives to the 2024 Hugh OʼBrian Youth Leadership Seminar. Caitlin Liau of Tenafly was tapped as AHAʼs alternate.

New Jerseyʼs HOBY seminar will be held at Drew University in

Madison in June.

Hwang is working to put an end to food insecurity. She is founder and president of AHAʼs chapter of SecurEats, which hosts events to support food insecure women and children.

She is also active with Project Greenhouse, which grows fresh vegetables in the AHA green-

Palm Sunday, March 24th • Brief Service at 8:30am

Full Service with Palm Procession at 10:15am

Maundy Thursday,March 28th,7:00pm Communion Service

Good Friday,March 29th,7:00pm Tenebrae Service

EveryoneWelcome!

EASTER SUNDAY,March 31st

One Service at 10:15am

Choir,Bell Choir and Soprano Danielle Walker

Everyone Welcome!

house and garden, and donates the produce to local food pantries. Project Greenhouse also fundraises for Saint Ceciliaʼs Food Pantry.

The Rev. Beate Storck Dr. Junghee Ryu, Music Director

The Presbyterian Church at Tenafly

Rev. Dr. Martin Ritchie

55 Magnolia Ave., Tenafly, NJ • 201-567-0111

HOLY WEEK & EASTER

Maundy Thursday, March 28 at 6:30pm

Middle Eastern Supper with communion in Jim Henry Hall, followed by the service of Tenebrae by candlelight in the stone chapel at 8pm

Good Friday, March 29 at 1pm

Ecumenical Walk of Witness beginning at Church of the Atonement, calling at PCAT at 1:30pm.

Easter Sunday, March 31

Dawn Service in the Memorial Gardenat 5:30am to welcome the Resurrection of Jesus with the lighting of the new fire, and 10:30am EasterCelebration with choir, organ and band in the Sanctuary followed by an easter egg hunt.

www.tenaflypresby.org

As a member of Outreach, Hwang helps coordinate and carry out school-wide service projects, including food drives, Operation Rice Bowl, and trick or treat donations for UNICEF. Outreach works with the Bergen County Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless, Center for Food Action, Center for Concern, and Habitat for Humanity to help people in need.

Hwang is also active with Angels on Air, which creates video news reports to foster engagement within the school community. Her participation in Angels in Medicine allows her to learn more about medical careers by performing dissections and hearing from guest speakers.

This Angel is a varsity fencer and foil team captain at AHA. In 2022, she earned first place at the Cobra International Youth Cadet

Junior Fencing event. She recently earned first place in the NJSIAA District competition, third place in the Bergen County Tournament, and a USA E23 rating. She also earned BPFL First Team All-League, Second Team All-League, and Third Team AllCounty honors. She made the USA Fencing All-Academic First Team and All-American Honorable Mention.

Hwang is a teaching assistant at her church and has received a scholarship from her local police department. She is a member of the National Honor Society.

Vonderhorst has been active with Girls Who Code since she was in the eighth grade, and recently participated in this groupʼs summer immersion program. As a GWC assistant, Vonderhorst develops curriculum and teaches younger students. Vonderhorst also participated in an Industry Immersion Day in New York, and the J.P. Morgan Chase Gener-

Good to go! Left to right, C hanel Hwang of Old Tappan and Emily Vonderhorst of Pearl River, N..Y, have been named the Academy of the Holy Angels’ representatives to the 2024 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar; Caitlin Liau of Tenafly was tapped as AHA’s alternate. New Jersey’s HOBY seminar will be held at Drew University in Madison in June.

ation Tech Event, a three-day workshop with tech leaders.

When she was in sixth grade, she co-founded Community Connections, which offers tech support to senior citizens and community members who are isolated. She is also a Learning Lab assistant at her library, where she runs programs for patrons of all ages, and offers one-to-one tech help for senior citizens. She is a member of the AHA Robotics Team and the American Computer Science League.

Vonderhorst was chosen to serve on the Orangetown Youth Court, where teens perform the roles of judge, prosecutor, etc. This is an alternative to the criminal justice system for young people who have committed a crime.

She is Student Council Class President, secretary of Angels in Medicine, and a member of Doctors Without Borders. She serves on the Middle States Committee, and is active with the Academy Orchestra, the American Sign Language Club, Crochet for a Cause, and the Green Action Team.

She plays varsity basketball, lacrosse, and soccer at AHA. She was named First Team AllLeague for her contributions to the soccer team, and First Team All-League and All-Academic Team in lacrosse. She plays club basketball and lacrosse, and serves as a soccer referee.

Caitlin Liau earned AHAʼs Mother Caroline and Nonna Dunphy scholarships, and received a silver medal for her achievements on the 2023 National Spanish Exam. Liau sings Soprano II for the Academy Concert Choir and Seraphima, AHAʼs select a cappella ensemble. Her performance as a featured singer in AHAʼs production of “Twelfth Night the Musical” earned her a bergenPAC Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Member. Her musical interests also include membership in the Handbell Choir. Liau is a member of Tri-M, the national music honor society. This busy Angel shares her knowledge of AHA as an Angel Ambassador, and serves as editor-in-chief of the yearbook.

Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024 Easter Celebration MARCH 31, 2024

NORTHVALE

St. Anthony’s invites all to spring events

St. Anthonyʼs Parish in Northvale offers a variety of spiritual and social events for everyone this spring.

A Lenten Deanery Penance Service runs Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in collaboration with St. Maryʼs Church in Closter, St. Pius in Old Tappan, and Immaculate

Conception in Norwood. The Penance Service is at St Maryʼs Church in Closter.

A Palm Sunday Procession around the streets of Northvale will be held on Sunday, March 24 at 11:30 a.m. Local youth, with the company of a donkey and a colt, will enact the entrance of Jesus into

Jerusalem. After the procession, parishioners celebrate Mass at noon.

Live Stations of the Cross (led by parish youth) is set for Good Friday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. Participants will walk the Stations of the Cross around the streets close to the parish. All are invited to bring flashlights.

and plans a variety of activities heading into Easter.

HOBY:

FROM PAGE 16

Outside of school, Liau is first soloist with a pre-professional dance program. At the Youth America Grand Prix Philadelphia Regional Semifinal, she became a top 24 junior classical soloist and third place small ensemble member

She has been performing since she was in first grade, and

regularly lands leading roles. She is a troupe member at the Woorigarak Korean Cultural Art Center, where she performs traditional Korean dance and music for the Korea Tourism Organization. She also danced at the Korean Cultural Center in New York. Liau has participated in the Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive and the American Ballet Theatreʼs Virtual Intensive. Liau is the founder of Dance to You, a volunteer group that brings dance to senior centers, shelters, and schools with limited resources. Liau developed the

The Fantasticks:

FROM PAGE 14

Iʼm delighted to be able to give our audience this opportunity to see this delicious story at Bergen County Players.”

Schmidt (music) and Jones (book and lyrics) first began collaborating while students at the University of Texas. “The Fantasticks” – originally titled “Joy Comes to Dead Horse” – was their first full-length musical written after graduation.

Originally staged at Barnard College in the summer of 1959 as a one-act musical, The Fantasticks was then rewritten at the urging of producer Lore Noto and received its official premiere at the Sullivan Street Playhouse — a small theatre in New Yorkʼs Greenwich Village — on May 3, 1960.

The show ran a total of

17,162 performances, making it the worldʼs longest-running musical. It w Honors for Excellence in in 1991.

orations include “110 in the

plan, recruited dancers, and created a website and social media presence. She organizes each program, choreographs and teaches group dances, leads rehearsals, and customizes performances to engage her audience.

She also served as a volunteer program assistant for Siena House, a Bronx-based shelter for single women who are pregnant or have a young child.

Her outreach helped her earn the Presidentʼs Volunteer Service Program – Bronze Award.

Shade,” “I Do! I Do!,” and the original ritual musical “Celebration.”

All performances take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home to the Bergen County Players since 1949.

F or tickets and much more information visit bcplayers.org

Saint Anthonyʼs offers social events such as St. Patrickʼs Day Dance on Sunday, March 10 from 4 to 8 p.m., Second Annual Palm Sunday Luncheon Sunday catered by Tastefully British (enjoy your choice of fish or chicken with chips), March 24 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and a Second Annual Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on

Saturday, March 30 at 9 and 11 a.m.

There will be an Easter egg hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny. All are welcome.

Saint Anthonyʼs R.C. Church is at 199 Walnut St. For more info and tickets visit https://stanthonysnv.org/social-events.

Holy Thursday March 28th

Good Friday March 29th

Holy

MARCH

MARCH30

MARCH31

St. Anthony's Church in Northvale is blessed with active parishioners,

S Sc c h o

On top of the world: AHA earns Best Delegate honors

C aroline Ko of Hoboken and Natalie Yoo of Englewood Cliffs added another gavel to the Academy of the Holy Angelsʼ

growing collection of Model United Nations awards.

Yoo, a seasoned competitor, and Ko, a first-time participant,

• Programs from 8 weeks - 5 years. We offer year round full day programs.

• Hours of operation 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Breakfast and Lunch included.

•Age appropriate curriculum.

•State of the art security system.

•Fully enclosed age appropriate soft surface playground.

teamed up to win Best Delegate ( first place) for representing Turkey at the Bergen Academies Model UN meet.

•Our staff are CPR and First Aid Certified.

There was plenty of competition at this well-attended event, which included committees of 30 to 90 members. Delegations met in Hackensack Feb. 1 and 2.

“Natalie and Caroline did an excellent job representing Turkey on the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Issues Committee,” AHA MUN Moderator Jennifer Cucchisi told Northern Valley Press “Both students are on our executiveboard. Natalie is one of our senior co-presidents and Caroline is one of our junior vice presidents. While Natalie has participated in several conferences, this was Carolineʼsfirst conference. I am proud of both delegates for their hard workand perseverance.

“I am so proud of all of our

CONTINUTED ON PAGE 22

AHA’s delegation:Ko,Yoo,Victoria Perez Vega of Cliffside Park,Carina Ardizzone of Englewood,Taylor Glynn of Hoboken,Lilianna Garber of Mahwah, and Cara Boyce of Old Tappan.

NORTHERN VALLEY

Scholarship for Jewish high school seniors

The K-S Scholarship Foundation, administered by Emersonʼs Congregation Bʼnai Israel, will award one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student in 2024. Applicants must be Jewish, and current high school seniors who reside in any one of the following towns: Closter, Cresskill, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Norwood, Oradell, Old Tappan, Paramus, Park Ridge, Ridgewood, River Edge, River Vale, Township of Washington, Westwood, or Woodcliff Lake.

Judging criteria include demonstrating academic achievement and financial need. The applicantʼs family need not be a member of Congregation Bʼnai Israel. For an application, contact Congregation Bʼnai Israelʼs office administrator at (201) 265-2272 or office@bisrael.com. Applications must be submitted by this May 31. The recipient will be notified on or about June 15.

S Sc c h o o ol l N e w s

Survivor: Flores

FROM PAGE 12

Across the Street.” Flores donated a signed copy of this work to the AHA Learning Commons. Currently, she is planning to launch a feature film.

Flores has been sharing her story for the past 19 years, and said she does it for a trafficking

victim named Grace, who died at 17. Flores said the world failed Grace by not asking if she was all right.

“If you see something, or know something, say something,” Flores said.

She promoted Fair Trade products to ensure that trafficked labor is not being used, and urged those present to educate others

Woman’s club military bridge party April 12

The Cresskill Womanʼs Club invites you to its military bridge card party at American Legion Post 21, 75 Legion Dr., on April 12. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and play starts at 7:30. Refreshments and tricky tray raffles will be available. Admission is $15. For reservations call Silvia at (201) 745-2692 or MaryAnn at (201) 417-9672.

• Limited Seats (2) Open for Lottery

• Only Toilet-trained Children Eligible

• Applications Available: oldtappanschools.org

• Applications Due 3/22/24

• Lottery for Open Seats 3/25/24

• Notification of Acceptance: 3/26/24

and/or start a club to halt human trafficking.

This program was sponsored by the AHA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the AHA Office of Mission & Ministry. An evening session was held for parents.

At the morning program, AHA Director of Mission and Ministry Joan Connelly noted that human trafficking is one of the Atlantic-Midwest Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dameʼs five focus areas.

All joined in the SSND prayer to end human trafficking, which includes the words: “Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.”

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girlsʼschool in Bergen County.

CRESSKILL

S Sc c h o

NORTHERN VALLEY

Winning mindset spells success for AHAvarsity soccer squad

A winning mindset led the Academy of the Holy Angels Varsity Soccer Team all the way to the 2023 state quarterfinals.

Coaches Bill Potkulski and Sean Liddy guided the squad to a final record of 10-7-1 and finalist status in the Bergen County Invitational Tournament.

“ They defeated Hudson Catholic in the first round of the state tournament, 7-1, and went on to play Oak Knoll in the quarterfinal, where they lost, 1-0, in a highly competitive game of soccer,” AHA athletic director Jessica Hogan said of the teamʼs exciting autumn.

Xenaya Medina and Katarina Kondratowicz earned Third Team All-County honors, and NJGSCA All-State recognition.

As a team, the varsity players earned the Sportsmanship Award from the Bergen County Soccer Officials Association.

Varsity players include Sofia Cardoso of Westwood; Ava Castro and Sienna Morreale of Edgewater; Lily Cossio of Tenafly; Sarah David and Elise Kim of Cresskill; Caitlin Deiser of New Milford; Samantha Forcellati of Old Tappan; Tristan Fowler of Upper Nyack, N.Y.; Jacqueline Garcia of Bergenfield; Katerina Kondratowicz of Carlstadt;

Carolynn Manniello of Montclair; Xenaya Medina of Clifton; Kristina Migliaccio of Franklin Lakes; Lilyanna Potts of Hasbrouck Heights; Gabriela Rodriguez of Cliffside Park; Julianna Rosen of Dumont; Emily Vonderhorst of Pearl River, New York; and Rafaella Zorea of

Hoboken.

“This season stands as a historic milestone for the varsity soccer team, marking their most successful record in over two decades,” head coach Potkulski said in a statement shared with Northern Valley Press He said, “With an impressive

record of 10-7-1, the team had four hard-fought losses against county champions.All season long, their outstanding defensive performance allowed only a total of four first-half goals, despite facing elite competition.Building on their achievements, the team secured a runner-up posi-

tion in the Bergen County Invitational finals, surpassing their semifinal performance from the previous season. He added, “What truly distinguishes this team is their focus, belief in each other, and an unmatched winning mindset that sets a new standard for years to come.”

Head coach Potkulski: “This season stands as a historic milestone for the varsity soccer team, marking their most successful record in over two decades.”

Wellness:

FROM PAGE 11

was filled with displays by dozens of organizations and several African American sororities and fraternities greeted in the school lobby by Jeff Carter and a team of NAACP board members and volunteers.

Inside, the expansive auditorium was filled with displays by various organizations and African American sororities and fraternities.

Attendees walked around where they could be given free blood pressure tests, COVID and

flu vaccines and diabetes and cholesterol assessments.

An important element in the health fair was the numerous blood pressure tests and diabetes information given by the medical staff of Holy Name Hospital.

This topic is of particular interest to the African American community, as statistics show that two out of three African Americans have high blood pressure and African Americans are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

Another key element of the Health Fair was the breakout groups: Dr. Na Chinn, OBGYN, addressed the topic of Black Maternal Health; Dr. Victor Ukwu and

Reggie Pittman presented “Health Concerns for Men by Men; and Ms. Lucretia Agee spoke about the Multiple Myeloma Foundation. There was also information about weight loss and mental health and a healthy food presentation by Chef Anthony and his wife, Sarah.

Midway through the fair, Congressman Josh Gottheimer presented Jeff Carter with a Certificate of Commendation from the House of Representatives.

Besides Englewood Health and New Bridge Medical Center, sponsors of the event included National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Baynes Orthopedics and Holy Name Hospital.

Top: Model U.N.

FROM PAGE 18

delegates who attended Bergen AcademiesModel UN,” Cucchisi added. “In addition to Natalie and Caroline, Lilianna, Cara, Carina, Victoria, and Taylor worked hard preparing for, and during, the conference and they were able to get things done in their committees.”

AHAʼs delegation included Ko, Yoo, Victoria Perez Vega of Cliffside Park, Carina Ardizzone of Englewood, Taylor Glynn of Hoboken, Lilianna Garber of Mahwah, and Cara Boyce of Old Tappan.

A HA representedTurkey, Sweden, and Ukraine. Angels served on the Disarmament and International Security Committee, the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Social, H umanitarian, and Cultural Issues Committee.

“Model UN has helped me become more vocal and confident, but Iʼve concurrently developed a passion for global politics,” Yoo shared. “Model UN has allowed me to develop opinions on issues that are deeply humanitarian and, I believe, significant to understand.”

Asked if Yoo had a peer mentor, she said, “Caroline Dupas, who graduated last year, was especially inspirational to me. She was pretty much the personification of a UN delegate. Now, as a senior…many of the new delegates also inspire me to continue working hard and learning.”

In addition to developing her public speaking, leadership, and research skills, Yoo said MUN has allowed her to learn about diplomacy and resilience. She noted that conferences can get

very hectic, and itʼs important to maintain oneʼs patience and integrity.

Yoodescribed Ko as “the best partner I could have asked for.” She added, “Iʼd love to give notice to Ms. Cucchisi who gave so much encouragement to all of us throughout the two-day conference. And Iʼd like to recognize a ll of the delegates—Taylor, Cara, Lilliana, Carina, and Victoria—who worked super hard over the two days.”

Ko joined Model UN as a ninth grader because she was interested in learning what it was about. Yoo was instrumental in helping Ko navigate her way from a brand new MUN member right up to her first gavel.

“Yoo has been the best instructor of the processes and intricacies of Model UN,” Ko said. “Natalie has been so patient and helpful when dealing with me. She is one of the best speakers and Model UN members Iʼve ever seen. I have learned so many new skills, such as how to speak more intelligently impromptu, how to navigate the processes in MUN, and diplomacy among fellow delegates.”

Asked about her expectations at the latest competition, Ko said, “I was prepared to treat this conference as more experimental to learn strategies and skills from others because it was my first. As we reached the end of the second day, Natalie and I dealt with a fun and hectic committee and I could tell the chairs were impressed with Natalieʼs organizational and people skills. After our paper passed, I had the feeling that we had a serious chance of winning an award, but I could have never guessed we would be given such an honorable one.”

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

Patients trust the Vein Center of Oradell

There are vein specialists, and there are vascular surgeons. Luckily for his patients, James W. Geuder, M.D., is both. Dr. Geuder is a board-certified vascular surgeon specializing in varicose veins, venous disorders, spider vein treatment, and circulation disorders. He has practiced vascular surgery in Bergen County for 25 years.

Dr. Geuder is an attending surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been consistently selected as a “Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly, a “Best Doctor” by New York Magazine, and a Patients Choice and Most Compassionate Doctor by P atientsChoice.com.

When you call the Vein Center of Oradell, a professional will always answer your call and be

Most vein procedures can be performed in the office and with local anesthesia, if necessary. Dr. Geuder also treats patients at Hackensack University Medical Center and outpatient surgery centers if anesthesia or more involved procedures are necessary.

“Many people tolerate vari-

Dr.Geuder is a board-certified vascular surgeon specializing in varicose veins, venous disorders,spider vein treatment,and circulation disorders

happy to assist you. We work hard to provide a comfortable, friendly environment at the Vein Center of Oradell. We have an ICAVL-approved vascular lab that allows for immediate testing with an accurate diagnosis.

An important role as your doctor is to educate you about your condition and treatment options. It is important to under stand what is wrong and what should be done.

cose veins in spite of their discomfort and appearance,” said Dr. Geuder. “The thought of vein stripping, anesthesia and recovery may seem worse than the problem. Thanks to modern, noninvasive treatments – such as laser or VNUS closure – that is no longer the case. Patients have their treatments in the office under local anesthesia and return to normal activity afterward. It is very gratifying to see patientsʼ

symptoms and veins disappear after a minor office procedure.”

For more information on Dr. Geuder and the Vein Center of

Oradell, visit veincenteroforadell.com or call — we answer the phone! No recording.

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

DR. KAPLAN: Reduce stress and anxiety; get your vitamin D

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY

Letʼs come up with a plan to reduce stress and anxiety for you and your children in natural ways with no risks or side effects.

When you wake up, do not press snooze. Make your bed. Do not start your day with caffeine or sugar, which also contribute to increased anxiety. Learn to generate your own energy without relying on external sources. Ways to do this are different for everybody, but may be exercising, meditating, journaling, stretching, breathing, listening to music, reading a motivational book, or praying.

We want to teach you how to decrease your stress. With neuroplasticity and rewiring of the brain, it is possible to directly or indirectly activate the parasympa-

thetic nervous system which will in turn decrease stress levels.

Your brain has over 70,000 thoughts a day, so if we can come up with strategies that reduce the amount of thoughts, you will be in a more relaxed state. Listening to music can also get you in a more relaxed state as well.

However, when you listen to music, try only listening to one musical instrument. For example, only focus on the piano, and ignore the drums, the bass and the guitar That will keep your brain focused and will help to relax an overactive brain.

Start to try and make some of these exercises part of your daily routine that may help with anxiety. Every time you brush your teeth, gargle water immediately after you are done. Or every time you are in the shower, sing or laugh loudly. Every time you are waiting in line at the store, draw the infinity symbol. You get the idea.

Make some of these exercises

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part of your daily routine and see which exercises reduce your stress and anxiety the most.

If you reduce your stress and anxiety, your immune system will become strong, and you are less likely to have negative effects if you are exposed to Covid-19, the flu, or a cold.

Remember to get your vitamin D, and always roll up your sleeves, take off your hat and glasses, and expose your skin to get the optimal amount of sunlight. It is also important to go to bed early and consistently at the same time to get into the proper circadian rhythm for maximal deep sleep.

Drink lots of water and use a clean humidifier because the dry heat in the house or the apartment may dehydrate you as well.

Great offers on brain testing and brain mapping!

The best way to determine anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, brain fog, memory problems, sleep problems, balance problems, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, or a mood disorder is to do a complete neurological evaluation, which includes a VNG brain test to measure each area of the brain to see how it is functioning and what areas need the most help. This is normally $500 at my Emerson office, but if you respond by the end of November, you can receive the entire test for only $21.

The next best test is called a qEEG brain mapping, which is a noninvasive test that measures your brain waves to determine any damaged areas. This test is also normally $500 and now you can receive this entire test for only $21 as well.

Get the book!

The first seven people who sign up will also get a signed copy of Dr. Kaplanʼs book, “Boost Your

Brain Power,” a vitamin D supplement, and you can get both tests for only $42 ($1,100 value) if you mention this article and schedule your appointment before the end of March. All you have to do is email info@kaplanbrainandbody or call 646-221-6738 to reserve your spot.

I am giving a lecture in River Edge on March 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on “Boost Your Mood” to prevent anxiety and depression. This live event includes a free massage, free cold laser therapy, and free drinks and snacks, can also be seen via Zoom, or you can even get the recording so you can listen to it later.

It is normally $200, but for the first seven people that sign up, you can go to the seminar for only $97, plus get four other bonus seminars (that occur once a month) which cover sleep, energy, nutrition, inflammation, and improving memory and focus for FREE ($19 a seminar).

Book discussion on ‘The Exceptions’ March 26

Womenʼs Diversity Book Group and interested members of the public will discuss Kate Zernikeʼs “The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science” in person at the Englewood Public Library, Room 2, 31 Engle St. here on March 26, fourth Tuesday evening of the month, starting at 6 p.m. in honor of Womenʼs History Month.

“From the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who broke the story, the inspiring account of the

16 female scientists who forced MIT to publicly admit it had been discriminating against its female faculty for years—sparking a nationwide reckoning with the pervasive sexism in science.

In 1999, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology admitted to discriminating against women on its faculty, forcing institutions across the country to confront a problem they had long had—the need for more women at the top levels of science.

Written by the journalist who

broke the story for The Boston Globe, “The Exceptions” is the untold story of how 16 highly accomplished women on the MIT faculty came together to do the work that triggered the historic admission.

Zernike is an American journalist who is national correspondent for The New York Times, where she has been since April 2000, covering education, criminal justice, Congress and national elections, and where she covered Hurricane Katrina.

She was a reporter at The Boston Globe (1995–2000), where she was responsible for covering education and special projects. She is the author of

“Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America” (2010) on the Tea Party movement.

Her father and grandfather were physicists—her Dutch paternal grandfather won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953.

Zernike was born in Stamford, Conn., graduated from Trinity College at University of Toronto with a B.A. in history and English in 1990 and graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, receiving a masterʼs in journalism in 1992. She lives in Montclair with her husband and two sons.

Looking ahead, Women's Diversity Book Groupʼs open-tothe-public meetings will alternate

Zoom and in person formats, all starting at 6 p.m.:

• April 23 will be a Zoom with Princeton-based author Yoolin Grace Wuertz on her 2017 novel “Everything Belongs to Us” (once a year, the group meets with a local author).

• May 28 will be in person at Englewood Library on “Lady Tanʼs Circle of Women by Lisa See” honoring Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

• June 18 will be a Zoom on “The House of Doors” by Tan Tang Eng for Lesbian Gay Transgender Bisexual Queer Intersex + Pride Month.

For more on the series, visit Englewood Public Library.

ENGLEWOOD

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

Smile More Dentistry: Implants and a Journey of Renewal

By Dr. Mariliza LaCap

As Valentineʼs Day approaches, In the heart of our community, our dental office stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Here, we witness incredible stories of change, especially in the lives of our older patients. Among these, the journey of dental implants stands out, offering a new lease on life.

Understanding Dental Implants: A New Beginning at Any Age

Dental implants represent more than a medical procedure; they symbolize a fresh start, especially for those who have struggled with dentures. Our implants provide a permanent, comfortable solution for missing teeth, meticulously crafted to mimic natural teeth in function and feel.

Take, for instance, the story of Margaret, a spirited grandmother whose denture problems had long cast a shadow over her life. Her dentures, ill-fitting and painful, often slipped while sshe spoke or ate, turning meals and conversations into sources of embarrassment and discomfort.

Margaretʼs journey to dental implants was a turning point. The day she replaced her troublesome dentures with implants marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation. With a smile as functional as it was beautiful, Margaret found herself reborn. Her joy in simple pleasures like dining with friends and chatting with her grandchildren was reignited.

The Benefits for Older Adults

• Comfort and Stability: Unlike dentures, which can shift and cause discomfort, dental implants are anchored securely, offering stability and pain-free function.

• Revitalized Health and Diet: With implants, Margaret and many others rediscover the joy of eating their favorite foods without worry, leading to better nutrition and overall health.

• Renewed Confidence: A complete, stable smile restores self-esteem. Itʼs about feeling whole and confident in social settings once again.

• A Long-Term Solution: Dental implants are a lasting investment in quality of life, particularly important as we age.

A Tale of Resilience: An Invitation to Transform Your Life

Margaretʼs story is deeply touching and universally relatable. Itʼs a narrative of overcoming, of finding joy and confidence in lifeʼs later chapters. Dental implants represent more than a solution to a physical problem; they are a step towards reclaiming the joys of everyday life.

At our dental office, we recognize the profound impact a smile can have. We warmly invite you to explore how dental implants can revolutionize your life. Join us for a free consultation, and letʼs discuss your journey towards a more comfortable, confident you. Our team is committed

to providing care that considers your story and needs, ensuring a comfortable, supportive journey to a new smile.

Your Smile, Our Promise

In a world where every smile has a story. Dr. Mariliza LaCap and Dr. Tong are local expert in dental care. They live in Old Tappan where they raised their five children. Dr. LaCap is a dentist whose mission is to have a community of healthy, beautiful smiles through proper dental care and education. Because she is a mom herself, she knows how important it is to find a dental home for the whole family.

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate busy schedules. Give us a call in Bergenfield (201) 453-4867 or Tappan, N.Y. (845) 367-7782.

Dr. Mariliza LaCap and Dr. Darren Tong

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Dive into Stonybrook Swim Club this summer

As Memorial Day draws near, and with it the unofficial start to the summer, the question on everyoneʼs mind: When does S tonybrook Swim Club open?

The answer: “We are open weekends May 25–June 23 and full-time June 24–Sept. 2, with membership options for all.”

Director Patty Hughes says, “Joining Stonybrook Swim Club has never been easier.

Every year we host an open house for potential new members. Tour our state-of-the-art facilities: five pools, including a heated lap pool and Olympicsize main pool, water slide, modern bathrooms, and lush grounds, and learn all about the extensive programs we offer throughout the summer and into the fall.”

Hughes says, “Plus, youʼll

enjoy access to our swim and dive teams, swim lessons, swim camps, a new Forever Friends program, Red Cross lifeguard training courses, junior lifeguard courses, senior citizen camps, infant and toddler safety training, movie nights, theme nights, a beer garden, a car show, and our first Community-Wide Yard Sale!”

And she writes, “Our Open

Lifeguard certification courses take place all summer at Stonybrook Swim Club. Pictured: 2023’s new Red Cross-certified lifeguards, via Stonybrook Swim Club on Facebook.

House [for residents and nonresidents] is Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 183 Cedar Lane. New members are eligible to receive a 10% discount off the ʻafter May 6thʼ membership rate.”

To expedite the registration process at the open house, Hughes encourages you to set up a CommunityPass account, making sure to list all the family members residing in your home. She gently reminds: “We accept only check or credit card

(+3% fee) as payment for membership.”

Hughes says, “Returning to Stonybrook this year? Online registration begins on Monday, March 18. Visit register.communitypass.net/Hillsdale to register and pay by May 5 to get the best rate.”

F or pricing and programs visit hillsdalenj.org/stonybrook after March 13. For more information write phughes@hillsdalenj.org or stonybrook@hillsdalenj.org

Plan ahead for an Easter egg hunt the little ones will long cherish

Easter is steeped in both religious and secular traditions. Each year on Easter Sunday, many families feast on ham or lamb. Hot cross buns may be served as m orning treats. And faithful Christians may dress up in their Sunday best to attend religious services.

Easter egg hunts are another time-honored component of this festive occasion. According to History.com, the Easter bunny and his eggs may initially have been derived from stories about an egg-laying hare introduced to Americans by German settlers during the 1700s.

Children would make nests and the hare would leave behind colored eggs.

Children often relish in the idea of scouring their homes and yards in search of brightly-hued plastic or hard-boiled eggs. A little planning on the part of Easter egg hunt organizers can make this festive tradition even more fun.

• Set the date: If Easter egg hunts are more than just family affairs and involve neighborhood searches or hunts with a close knit group of friends, it may be smart to schedule in the days before Easter. This helps ensure that a good crowd will be available.

Hunts on Easter itself may not get as many participants

because celebrants could be at church or celebrating privately.

• Gather supplies early. Easter decorations and plastic eggs sell out rather quickly, so itʼs wise to stock up on items as soon as they reach store shelves.

If youʼll be using real eggs, consider boiling and coloring the eggs a week before the egg hunt so you wonʼt feel a time crunch. Simply store the dyed eggs in the

refrigerator until ready for use. Color around six to 12 eggs per participant.

• Designate a search area. Aim for a relatively private spot for the egg hunt. A park may seem like a good idea, but people who were not included in the egg count could wander in. If you use a public space, rope off an area where the eggs will be hidden. In addition, have a backup plan if

the weather will not cooperate. School gymnasiums, libraries or church recreational centers are some potential indoor options.

• Have pails at the ready. Some children will forget to bring a basket. Therefore, have extra, inexpensive pails or buckets on hand. Sturdy gift bags also work in a pinch.

• Keep ages in mind when hiding eggs. Avoid choosing

hiding spots that can be dangerous or prove too difficult for kids to find the eggs. Prior to hiding eggs, count how many you have, which will help to ensure all eggs were actually collected later on.

Next, identify hiding spots that will work for various ages.

For example, toddlers will need conspicuous spots and older children more challenging nooks and crannies. A map of where every egg is hidden can help as well.

Real eggs may not matter outdoors since wildlife could simply dine on any undiscovered eggs. However, plastic eggs are not good for the environment and every attempt should be made to collect them all.

• Send children out in stages. Let the youngest kids go first, and then group each search team by ascending age. This helps make sure the older kids wonʼt simply snatch up the more easily found eggs.

• Reward with prizes. Be sure each child has some sort of takeaway prize. However, itʼs fine to reward the best egg hunter with a more substantial prize.

• Gather and celebrate. Encourage guests to bring a small dish to contribute. After the hunt, everyone can gather to enjoy refreshments.

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D

Part Time Summer Camp Director and 2 Assistants - Borough of Park Ridge, NJ (Job descriptions on www.parkridgeboro.com) Park Ridge is seeking energetic, responsible and dependable individuals with experience in working with children in day camps or schools to work at our outdoor Summer Day Camp that runs from June 24 through July 26 from 8:30 am-12 pm. You must be available to work every day of camp. The Director of Summer Camp will also handle all communication with parents of participants and will respond to them in a timely manner. The Camp Director will plan and prepare our team of counselors/volunteers for the operation of the camp. The Camp Director must also have experience and comfort with technology and related areas. Experience with Community Pass a plus. Salary based on qualifications. The Borough of Park Ridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer Please email your cover letter and resume to Magdalena Giandomenico, Borough Administrator at Mgiandomenico@parkridgeboro.com by February 27, 2024. The Borough reserves the right to hire candidates before the closing date of this advertisement.

and aspects of Google, Houzz, etc. M-F,

$18 - $20 per/hr. Please send resumes to teri@riccisales.com

H HE

Home

Male caregiverlicensed and experienced. Available for live-in & live-out duties. Call 201-7375068.

Newspaper Delivery Newspaper Baggers Call 201.664.2105

IMEDIATEOPENINGSFOR

Administrative Assistant – Borough of Hillsdale – Part/Time - The Borough of Hillsdale is looking to hire for a Part-Time position to provide direct assistance to the Borough Clerk. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be highly-organized with attention to detail and be able to multi-task. Must be able to work cooperatively with government officials, department heads, staff, volunteers, and members of the public. Candidate must possess excellent clerical capabilities including, but not limited to, record keeping, data entry, and filing. Responsibilities also include annual miscellaneous license renewals, and raffles/bingo applications; and performing various assigned duties. Evening availability may be required on election days and during tax time. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook required. The Borough of Hillsdale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience. Interested candidates should submit cover letter which must include salary requirements and resume and at least two professional references to Denise Kohan, Borough Clerk, via email dkohan@hillsdalenj.org. The position is open until filled.

A little planning on the part of Easter egg hunt organizers can make this festive tradition all the more fun.

THE SAVVY SENIOR: Does Medicare Cover Weight-Loss Treatments?

BY JIMMILLER

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover any weight-loss treatments for overweight retirees? I just turned 65 and need to lose about 100 pounds and would like to know if Medicare can help.

Dear Owen,

—Overweight Owen

Yes, traditional Medicare does indeed cover some weight-loss treatments like counseling and certain types of surgery for overweight beneficiaries, but unfortunately it doesnʼt cover weight-loss programs or medications. Hereʼs what you should know.

Whoʼs Eligible

For beneficiaries to receive available Medicare-covered weightloss treatments your body mass index (BMI), which is an estimate of your body fat based on your height and weight, must be 30 or higher.

A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese and increases your risk for many health conditions, such as some cancers, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke

and sleep apnea. To find out your BMI, the National Institutes of Health has a free calculator that you can access online at nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/los e_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm.

Whatʼs Covered

If you find that your BMI is 30 or higher, Medicare Part B will cover up to 12 months of weightloss counseling conducted by a medical professional in a primary care setting (like a doctorʼs office).

Most counseling sessions entail an initial obesity screening, a dietary assessment and behavioral therapy designed to help you lose weight by focusing on diet and exercise.

Medicare also covers certain types of bariatric and metabolic surgery for morbidly obese beneficiaries who have a BMI of 35 or above and have at least one underlying obesity-related health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. You must also show that youʼve tried to lose weight in the past through dieting or exercise and have been unsuccessful.

These procedures make changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight and improve the health of your metabolism.

Some common bariatric surgical procedures covered include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery,

which reduces the stomach to a small pouch that makes you feel full even following small meals. And laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, which inserts an inflatable band that creates a gastric pouch encircling the top of the stomach.

Whatʼs Not Covered

Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover weight-loss programs such as fitness or gym memberships, meal delivery services, or popular weight-loss programs such as Jenny Craig, Noom and WW (formerly Weight Watchers).

Medicare also does not cover weight-loss drugs, but it does cover FDA approved diabetes drugs that have unintentionally become very

popular for weight loss.

Medicare Part D plans cover Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes only, not for weight loss! So, your doctor will need to prescribe these medications for diabetes in order to get them covered.

Medicare also does not cover Wegovy or Zepbound; theyʼre approved only for weight loss.

The reason behind the weightloss drug omission is the Medicare Modernization Act, which excluded them when the law was written 20 years ago. They also excluded drugs used for cosmetic purposes, fertility, hair growth, and erectile dysfunction.

Without insurance, weight-loss medications are expensive, often

costing $1,000 to $1,300 a month.

To help curb costs, Eli Lilly recently launched a website (LillyDirect.Lilly.com) to give consumers direct access to the weightloss drug Zepbound at a lower rate.

Medicare Advantage

If you happen to be enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan, you may have coverage for gym memberships and some weight loss and healthy food delivery programs. These are considered expanded supplemental benefits and have gradually been added to some plans to provide coverage for nutrition, health and wellness. Contact your plan to see what it provides.

Bipartisan legislation passes to combat ‘antisemitic and anti-Israel BDS movement’

Congressman Josh Gottheimerʼs legislation the IGO-Anti Boycott Act, passed on Feb. 13 in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation, said Gottheimer, “helps counter anti-Israel bias and the antisemitic BDS movement by expanding the existing anti-boycott law to protect U.S. businesses and individuals from being forced into supporting boycotts organized by International Governmental Orga-

nizations.”

The Fifth District rep said in a press statement shared with Northern Valley Press, “On October 7, the world watched Hamas terrorists invade Israel and brutally kidnap, torture, rape, burn alive, and murder innocent babies, children, women, men, and the elderly, including Americans.”

Launches 2024 campaign

The four-term congressman, said, “Since taking office, Gottheimer has built a record of standing up for Jersey Values, working with all sides to get things done that are best for families in the Fifth Congressional District and across the state. As co-chair of the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Gottheimer has been an important and vocal leader in the fight for commonsense over extremism.”