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together. Anthony was one of the dads that was giving his time to teach the game to an energetic bunch of kids. I remember the day Anthony asked me to get involved. He said just come out to the meeting and see if youʼre interested. Next thing I knew I was coaching alongside him with a handful of dads from the town that Anthony knew would have the same passion as he did. As I got to know Anthony more, I learned about his Italian/military family and his strong upbringing
OCTOBER 21, 2024 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS
FROM PAGE 22
and understood why Anthony is so driven and pours his heart into everything he does. Years later, after seeing our energetic group grow as friends and more importantly a team, Anthony became more invested and wanted to make sure the football program continued to thrive, so he stepped up to be the next President of the Cardinal football organization. Anthony immediately went out and got people involved, never taking no for an answer. He had one goal, and it was to make sure the kids from Westwood and Washington Township were safe and having fun while playing the game. The amount of work and responsibili-
Wyatt’s Way
ty that went into this was sometimes unnoticed. All the hours that Anthony spent away from family and his regular job were truly commendable. Rec football through his presidency was successful and profitable. After football, Anthony then went to rec basketball and then baseball. It was clear that he was all in for the kids and I can tell you personally that he wanted to teach our kids more than just sports. He wanted to teach life lessons that they could take with them going forward, such as good sportsmanship, learning from your mistakes, and practice and hard work pays off. We all have been privileged to see a very humble group of kids grow together and care about each other like family. Good coaching does that. Anthony and I also were involved in the Boy Scouts together. We became assistant scoutmasters, teaching a different set of life skills to the kids, and always taking the opportunity to make sure that the lessons made
an impact on the kids. Anyone that knows Anthony knows how passionate he is about the military. I remember him reaching out, “Perez, do you have a minute? I have an idea! I want to send care packages to our hometown troops overseas. What do you think?” As a former Marine I knew what a care package from home meant. Next thing I knew he had everyone involved and his home became the prep area for this amazing project. This has since become a yearly event called Operation Care Package where kids spend time assembling packages to show them the importance of honoring and thanking our servicemen and women. As our boys grew (literally taller than most of us!), Anthonyʼs continued desire to “help” then turned to our entire community by becoming a councilman for Westwood. I knew he was going to do great things, and that the community would have someone that would listen and act with everyoneʼs best interest in mind.
Winning Words
Anthonyʼs passion for our town has always come first, and I know that will never change. The list of his accomplishments so far, which have benefited so many (i.e. Westwood youth, veterans, senior citizens, emergency and environmental services) is quite impressive. I look forward to seeing what else Anthony Greco can do to elevate Westwood. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I wanted to make sure your readers know the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
PARK RIDGE
BOE meeting rescheduled
The monthly meeting of the Park Ridge Board of Education scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21 has been cancelled and is rescheduled to Monday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. at Park Ridge High Schoolʼs Little Theater.
HILLSDALE
Take a look back at “The Wizard of Oz”
Next up at HFPL
HILLSDALE
HFPL photo via Facebook
Not many 6-year-olds get to rock out in a vintage 1974 DeTomaso Pantera, let alone get a poster of themselves at the wheel, but young Wyatt of Westwood has made that leap. Wyatt and his folks attended Hillsdale Free Public Libraryʼs inaugural Collectible Car Fair for Kids and Teens on Sept. 8, which invited families, kids, and teens to explore a unique display of automotive history. Organized by the library and Burton Hallʼs Drivinʼ News, the event showcased 30 milestone cars from the 19th and 20th centuries, offering a hands-on experience for attendees to learn about way-iconic vehicles. Library “director of fun” Dave Franz tells Pascack Press that Wyatt was one of more than 50 children who completed a car facts history scavenger hunt. Every child who completed the quiz received a poster of themselves with the car of their choice. Franz printed the keepsake posters on HFPLʼs large-format printer, which is available to the public. Wyattʼs dad, Kevin, tells Pascack Press this was Wyattʼs first car show—and certainly not his last. “He was thrilled. Heʼs starting down that road of cars.” —Staff writer John Snyder
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A record of achievement: Meri Quillio, the club’s immediate past president, and club president Deen J. Meloro, show off their award-winning (and gorgeous) pressbook. WESTWOOD
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Upcoming events presented by the Hillsdale Free Public Library: • Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.: The Wizard of Oz: A Look Back • Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.: Cookie Decorating for Teens (Cardholders prioritized) • Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.: The 5 OʼClock Shadow, free concert • Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.: Book Club — Bring your favorite banned Book
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At a recent meeting of the GFWC/NJSFWC Womanʼs Club of Westwood, the clubʼs pressbook, which won first place at the New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs convention in May, was presented to Meri Quillio, the clubʼs immediate past president. The book highlights events held during her presidency. Pictured with Meri is current president Deen J. Meloro. The club, originally founded as the Dorcas Sewing Society in
1908, became part of the New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs in 1919 and is celebrating its 105th anniversary this year. Meetings are at the clubhouse on Kinderkamack Road on the second Thursday of each month, from September through June, starting at 7 p.m., followed by coffee, tea, and dessert. Women residing in the Pascack Valley area are welcome to join. For more information call 201-916-1580 or visit westwoodwomansclub.org. — Madeleine Ciocco
“Reading Warriors” Childrenʼs Book Club for Grades 4–5 The Hillsdale Public Library invites children in grades 4 and 5 to join the Reading Warriors" Book Club on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. This month, the club will discuss Happiness According to Humphrey by Betty Birney. The meeting will take place in the libraryʼs meeting room, and snacks will be provided. Books are available for pickup in the Children's Room. Registration is required. To sign up, call the Children's Room at 201-3585073. For more info, visit hfpl.org or email Michele Kilmurray at michele.kilmurray@hfpl.org. Funding is provided through the Hillsdale Free Public Library Gayle and Paul Gross Foundation.