PASCACKPRESS 10.6.25NEW

Kids act fast

POLL WORKERS IN TRAINING POLL WORKERS IN TRAINING

Record number of teens step up to run the vote; county partners in civics program

MONTVALE

Bids due Oct. 8; next up:Town Day at the Farm, Oct. 18 TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

TOWN EYES LEASEAT BETHANY FOR DPW STORAGE

Affected neighbors get letters; Oct. 6 vote possible

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

Township officials are weighing an 18-month lease of a 1.25acre rear parking lot at Bethany Community Center to store Department of Public Works vehicles and equipment while the new DPW building is constructed behind Town Hall.

The measure could land on the Township Councilʼs Oct. 6 agenda, according to a letter sent to neighbors and statements from the administration.

Talks with Bethany have appeared as a closed-session “negotiations” item for months, See LEASE on page 7

Lead trainer Wes Wagnerof the Bergen County Board of Elections (center) and Chairman of the Bergen County Board of Elections Richard L. Miller on Sept. 30 orient dozens of Westwood Regional High School students to facilitating the general election, which is Tuesday, Nov. 4. The work is nonpartisan and vital. John Snyder photo.

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

MORE P ASCACK

Valle y-area high school students than ever will be working as poll workers on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, in Bergen County, said the Board of Elections official in charge of recruiting and training young poll workers.

County Board of Elections

Chair Richard L. Miller told Pascack Press that more than

500 students stepped up at dozens of poll-worker training sessions this year. Closer to 400 students worked at the polls during the stateʼs Primary Election, June 10.

Miller noted with more than 500 students signed up to work Nov. 4, the county has no more worries about properly staffing polling places. He said most students are assigned to polling places in their hometowns.

“Itʼs a lot, itʼs great, itʼs the

‘SECOND HOME’

most weʼve had. We will have students from 25 high schools trained and ready to work at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4,” Miller told us. “The students really want to see how the election process works; theyʼre really engaged,” he said.

Students who are aged 16 or 17 are paid $50 to attend poll worker training, plus $160 for an eight-hour stint at the polls, Miller said. Students are paid

Continued on page 28

BYMICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

As farms and open fields vanish across the region, Montvale is moving to keep a piece of its agricultural heritage alive by leasing and operating a working farm and farmstand on a portion of the former DePiero property. According to a public notice posted on the borough website and published in The Record on Sept. 28, bids to lease roughly 8 acres at 53 Craig Road are due Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. The tract includes cultivated fields, a retail farm store, and greenhouses.

The borough this year acquired at least 8.4 acres of the 100-year-old DePiero Farm for $5.15 million, with the stated goal of keeping the land in agriculture, creating community gardens, and supporting seasonal pick-your-own operations such as strawberries. The May 30, 2023 bonding ordinance was estimated to cost the average household about $70 per year over 25 years. (See “Council clears $5.15M bond for DePiero See FARMS on page 3

Harry Vorrath named Hillsdale’s Yesler Way after a street in Seattle, Wash. He had traveled out West as a young man. Enjoy When Hillsdale met Seattle: The origins of Yesler Way, by Kristin Beuscher.

PAGE 4

Park Ridge Rec’s second Collectible Car Fair for Kids and Teens delivers.

PASCACK PRESS

A family’s thanks,from the heart

To the community:

TH EREARENOWORDS big enough to express the gratitude my family and I feel for the unbelievable outpouring of love and support we received after my husbandʼs terrible car accident. From the very first moments, we never felt alone and that is because of all of you.

I want to thank every single person who reached out, whether with care packages, gift cards,

m onetary donations, meals, prayers, notes in my mailbox, or simply words of encouragement. Many of you helped in ways that were completely unnecessary, but so deeply appreciated — especially all of the meals for my girls while we were at the hospital. That was one less thing I had to worry about, and it meant more than youʼll ever know. There is no possible way for us to ever repay every person for all of the kindness and love that was shown, but I promise, if you ever need anything, reach out, and we will be there in return.

The incredible response from our Police Department, Fire Department, and everyone involved that day will stay with us

forever. There is no way to mention everyone by name, so Iʼll do the next best thing: shouting it from the rooftops… or in this case, screaming thank you! from the pages of this paper, in hopes that it reaches each and every one of you.

What seemed so impossible and unbearable at the time was made possible because we had so many of you holding us up. As many know, our middle daughter was going to be starting her freshman year at University of Rhode Island only days later… a time we were meant to share together as a family. Because of this community, she was still able to move in, though not how weʼd planned.

However, we know God has plans for us all and my family is stronger because of this. It truly does take a village, and my family and I will never, ever forget this.

I am happy to share that my husband is doing so much better. His second surgery is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 2, and he is on the road to recovery. Truly, we could not have gotten through this without all of you.

From the depths of my heart, thank you, and God bless you all.

With love and gratitude,

Desserie Morgan and family Township of Washington

Sabrina Krawczyk for WW BOE

To the editor:

OVERTHEPAST few years, the Westwood Regional School Districtʼs Board of Education has undergone significant changes. We are now back on the right path to continue providing the best educational experience for our students and families. It was a long and difficult road to get to where we are today, and Sabrina Krawczyk was there every step of the way.

As an invested stakeholder and district parent , Sabrina is an

active participant at every BOE meeting. She is well versed on the agenda items, and always prepared to ask insightful questions. She offers well deserved praise, and when necessary, points out challenges that need to be addressed. It makes sense that she join the team and take her well deserved seat on the dais.

I am confident Sabrina Krawczyk will uphold her position as a BOE member with the highest level of respect, dignity, and integrity.

I know Sabrina Krawczyk will work well with the current Board to make sure our district has the support and resources needed to continue to meet our communityʼs goals and expecta-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

—Correction —

NFORCED ERRORS marred an otherwise pristine outing in print Sept. 29, with page 1ʼs “Pastime at the Right Time”—on Hillsdale senior Ian Weinsteinʼs Everyone Wins Baseball nonprofit launching for those with special needs—containing mistakes.

• The programʼs pilot session is Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2:30 p.m. at Corra Field.

• Ianʼs baseball heroes include Yankees stars Aaron

Judge and Ben Rice. On the telephone we very regrettably misheard the name as that of a… Red Sox player

Our apologies to Ian. Pascack Press strives for accuracy, fairness, and clarity in all our reporting. We promptly correct errors of fact and provide context when needed so readers can rely on us as a trusted source of local news. Got something? Write editor@thepressgroup.net

NEXT TO WESTWOOD GALLERY

require borough approval)

FROM PAGE 1

land,” June 5, 2023, Pascack Press .)

DePieroʼs farm and farmstand closed Aug. 28 after “101 years of growing goodness.” In a farewell shared with the community, the family said it was “grateful for every customer, every friend,” and called the farm “the heart of our family,” noting industry changes and rising costs behind the decision to close. The boroughʼs purchase aims to carry that legacy forward rather than let the last fields go fallow.

Lease at a glance

•Term: 20 years

•Minimum bid: $10,000 annually, with minimum 2% increases each year

•Name: Farm name to be mutually agreed upon by tenant and borough

• Required set-asides: At least 1 acre reserved for community gardens

•Allowable uses: Commercial farming (fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers); retail sale of agricultural products; community gardens; seasonal “pick-yourown” events (special events

•Improvements included: Farmstand, greenhouses, and t wo residential homes (tenant use only in connection with farm operations)

“ The Borough has determined that it is in the best interest for these properties to remain open, accessible and farmed,” the Notice to Bidders states.

P ortions may also be reserved “for conservation purposes to ensure the public has access…for community gardens and to help protect conservation values.”

The farm survived a century on stubborn work and loyal customers, even as nearby farms disappeared. With the lease now out to bid, the borough hopes to keep pumpkins on pallets, plants under glass, and local produce on the stand—while carving out space for residents to grow their own.

To mark the acquisition, Montvale will host “Town Day at the Farm,” 56 Craig Road, Saturday, Oct. 18, noon–3 p.m., featuring BBQ, music, line dancing, free pumpkins, hayrides, and a petting zoo.

The free event is open to residents, local businesses, their employees, and families, and is sponsored by the mayor, council, and recreation committee.

P Paassccaacck k P Prreesss s welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements, letters, and news and feature leads illuminating life in the Pascack Valley. Send yours to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

IT’S TIME FOR TEA IN THE PASCACK VALLEY

MONTVALE

The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club invites you to an afternoon steeped in tradition, friendship, and good causes. A classic Britishstyle afternoon tea will be served Sunday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. at the Montvale Senior Center, Memorial Drive.

Guests will be treated to an assortment of fine teas poured in proper style, complemented by freshly baked scones, dainty sandwiches, and other sweet and savory bites.

The tea is part of the clubʼs ongoing effort to pair enjoyable social gatherings with meaningful fundraising. Tickets are $30 per person, and all proceeds will be disbursed to local charities and scholarships, as well as to the New Jersey Childrenʼs Alliance — the two-year special project of the New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs. That statewide organization, of which the Pascack Valley club is a proud member, is the largest and oldest womenʼs volunteer service organization in the country.

“The afternoon tea is a wonderful way to bring people together,” said organizers. “You can meet new neighbors and know that your ticket is helping to support vital programs right here in our community.”

To reserve your seat, mail a check to the Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club, P.O. Box 3, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. For more information or to confirm a reservation, call Daryll Datz at 862-432-9637. Reservations must be received by Oct. 15. Space is limited.

Bckintime... Bckintime...

When Hillsdale met Seattle: The origins of Yesler Way

N THEEARLYDAYS of the Pascack Valley, roads were not given names in the same way we know them today. The few roads that existed to serve the handful of families who lived here were generally referred to as the road going from one locality or farm to another, or leading to a well-known church,

SPECIALTO PASCACK PRESS

By Kristin Beuscher, president of the Pascack Historical Society, Park Ridge. Call (201) 573-0307 or visit PascackHistoricalSociety.org

mill, or ferry. For example, Piermont Road in Hillsdale is so named because it was the early route for farmers of the valley taking their produce to Piermont on the Hudson River, and then on to the New York City markets.

Yesler Way in Hillsdale is a relatively short road with an unexpected history. It stretches from Hillsdale Avenue, next to the Hillsdale Library, to the Westwood border where it becomes Hillside Avenue. Two hundred years ago, residents knew it as the road to Bogertʼs Mill. This was their route to reach the grist mill on the Musquapsink Brook, at present-day First Avenue and Mill Street in Westwood, where they would go to have their grain tuned into flour.

In 1899, the Peter Vorrath family came to Hillsdale and purchased a farm of 95 acres along Hillsdale Avenue. The Vorrath farmhouse still stands and since 1957 has been the home of the Hillsdale Free Public Library. The family was also responsible for naming Yesler Way, taking inspiration from young Harry Vorrathʼs adventures out West.

Harry, born in 1883, decided around the age of 17 to travel west all the way to Seattle, Washington, where he began working for a land surveyor. A major thoroughfare in Seattle is Yesler Way, dating back to the early days of the city. When Harry returned to Hillsdale, his father had subdivided part of the Vorrath farm into building lots, and maps show that the old “road to Bogertʼs Mill” was still unnamed. Harry named it Yesler Way in 1910. Incidentally, Yesler Way in Seattle

See YESLER on page 14

The Vorrath farmhouse, at the corner of Hillsdale Avenue and Yesler Way, has been the home of the Hillsdale Free Public Library since 1957.

Yesler Way in Seattle, 1904, via Library of Congress.

Left: Harry Vorrath named Hillsdale’s Yesler Way after a street of the same name in Seattle, Wash. He had traveled out West as a young man. Right: Henry Yesler was one of Seattle’s most prominent citizens in the late 19th century. Hillsdale’s Yesler Way is named for him, although he never set foot in our area.

COMMENTARY

LOCALELECTIONSDECIDE

the things we feel every day: how fast the water drains after a storm, whether a field gets lights, how streets are paved, where housing belongs, and how taxes are spent. This fallʼs ballot has real choices in most Pascack Valley towns, and itʼs been an honor and privilege assembling our annual Election Guide, debuting with this issue and running week to week, so you can compare candidates side by side and vote with confidence.

With early voting underway, a few reminders as the rest of us plan:

BY JOHN SNYDER

•Make a plan now. If you prefer in-person, circle your calendar. If youʼre voting early or by mail, hit the deadlines below.

• Skim our town-by-town, district-by-district, race-by-race guide. We asked identical questions of every candidate so you can see where they agree—and where they donʼt. Youʼll find the facts here in print, and for free at PascackPress.com.

•Keep it neighborly. Democracy is a team sport. The person on the ballot might be

your kidʼs coach or the neighbor who worked your block after the last flood, or a person managing a loved oneʼs health crisis. To wit: a human being

As interested, impartial observers, weʼre impressed by everyone who stepped up to ask for your vote in our town and school elections. These are impressive people taking on a largely thankless job—on top of family, work, and volunteer duties—so the rest of us can get on with our lives. And while we get evenings to exhale, candidates and representatives on the dais often donʼt: after dinner itʼs emails, budget packets, and meetings that run late.

•Add your voice. Weʼre delighted to hear from readers on timely local topics, and that includes on our local elections.

Thank you!

Thank-you to the county election staff, to the poll workers (including the many local students stepping up), and to the

readers who keep us honest with your questions.

My greatest thanks go to the most dogged journalist Iʼve ever worked with, staff writer Michael Olohan, who does this work all year long: sitting through late-

night meetings live and remotely, reading inch-thick agenda packets, filing Sunshine/OPRA requests, and walking the beat of true grassroots journalism. From budgets and bonds to zoning, fields, flooding, and everything in between, Michaelʼs diligence and fairness are why you can trust this guide—and our coverage the rest of the year, too.

Bergen County voting dates at a glance

•Vote-by-Mail ballots mailed: Sept. 20

•Voter registration deadline: Oct. 14

•Early voting (in-person): Oct. 25 – Nov. 2

•Deadline to apply for a Mail-in Ballot by mail: Oct. 28

•Overseas/Military Mail-in deadline: Oct. 31

• In-person Mail-in Ballot

applications (County Clerkʼs Office): Nov. 3 by 3 p.m.

• General Election: Tuesday, Nov. 4. (Several of our letter writers in recent weeks have called out a date other than election day, as this day changes every year and it gets confusing. Make sure youʼre on the same page as the election.)

Questions?

• County Clerk: 201-3367020

• Superintendent of Elections: 201-336-6109

•Board of Elections: 201336-6230

Weʼll keep our guide updated online as new information comes in. However you cast your ballot—early, by mail, or at the polls—please vote. Write John Snyder at editor@thepressgroup.net.

Dell, Bicocchi face challengers Lagatol, Mundhenk

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

WESTWOOD

Six of eight Pascack Valley towns feature contested council races this Nov. 4. Montvaleʼs race is uncontested, with two incumbent Republicans unchallenged;

River Vale has no local seats on the ballot.

Westwoodʼs Borough Council election pits Republican incumbents Beth Anne Dell and Robert Bicocchi against Democratic challengers Kyle C. Lagatol and Kathryn M. Mundhenk for two open seats.

Below is a summary of responses to our emailed questions. Dell and Bicocchi replied jointly; the Democratic candidates responded individually. We asked about campaign priorities, deer management, flooding and stormwater, and future uses at Westwood Plaza (the former

SALE COLUMBUS DAY

Kmart), and for their bios.

Candidate bios (as provided)

• Robert Bicocchi (R) — 29year resident; married, one son; service on Planning Board and Board of Adjustment; active youth-sports coach (baseball, flag football).

• Beth Anne Dell (R) — 26year resident; appointed to council in 2015 to fill an unexpired term; re-elected three times; active in PTO and Westwood-Washington Education Foundation.

• Kyle C. Lagatol (D) — 13year resident; married, two daughters; Girl Scouts leader and Service Unit Manager (supporting 18 troops); volunteer with Kiwanis, Celebrate Westwood, Girls on the Run, Brookside PTO.

• Kathryn M. Mundhenk (D) — 34-year resident; degrees in public health, nutrition education, and food science; active on the Westwood Green Team; volunteer with Meals on Wheels North Jersey and Head Start Centers in Essex County

Incumbents Dell & Bicocchi (R) — joint response

• Priorities. The incumbents say they are focused— “within the scope of our municipal limitations”—on financial stability, community safety, and enhancing resident services. If re-elected, they say theyʼll “con-

With two seats open for three-year terms, voters will speak on need for new views CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

MON 10-6, TUES 10-2, WED, THURS & SAT 10-6, SUN 12-5 (FRIDAY BY APPOINTMENT) Plus Mattresses, Recliners, Desks, Leather, Kitchen Sets, Lamps & Much More.

BICOCCHI (R)

LAGATOL (D) DELL (R)

MUNDHENK (D)

Lease:

FROM PAGE 1 and costs have not been disclosed. In a Sept. 30 note to Pascack Press, administrator Mark DiCarlo said the lease remains under negotiation and that he would answer questions once it is public beyond the required notice to residents within 200 feet.

What the plan includes

•Site: Rear Bethany Community Center lot (approx. 1.25 acres).

•Access: A new driveway from Woodfield Road for DPW access.

•Security/Screening: Chainlink fencing with privacy fabric and a locked gate; no public access, and no resident debris drop-off.

• Hours: Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m., with exceptions for storm emergencies.

The townshipʼs letter says the temporary yard would let crews

clear the old DPW site so construction can begin. The council on Sept. 8 awarded a $4.9 million contract to Premier Construction of Midland Park for the new facility, a project years in the making.

Questions still open Pascack Press asked DiCarlo and Mayor Peter Calamari about lease pricing, the cost of the Woodfield Road driveway, and what happens after the 18 months. We didnʼt hear back by press time.

One candidate for council weighed in: Desserie Morgan, running as an independent, told us on Oct. 1, that she did not support leasing the Bethany property. “I believe it disrupts another pocket of our township rather than keeping everything in one centralized location, where it belongs. We should be looking for solutions that minimize the impact on our neighborhoods and maintain the quality of life for residents.”

She said, “Long-term, the township should pursue a permanent, centralized solution for DPW operations that consolidates

storage, equipment, and vehicles in one appropriate location rather than scattering them throughout neighborhoods. In the meantime, a cost-benefit analysis should be done to determine if leasing equipment when needed could reduce the need for excessive storage space.”

Officials have scrambled for

overflow storage for years, leasing space and using temporary lots, including:

• Our Lady of Good Counsel (35 spaces; two-year lease approved December 2023 for nearly $64,000).

•The former private Washington Township Swim and Recreation Club after its April 2022

town acquisition.

• A nearby bank parking lot and an earlier two-year lease in April 2021 at OLGC ($60,600 for 35 spaces).

DiCarlo wrote to neighbors that the administration vetted town-owned sites, land purchases, and other leases, but found them not feasible.

Deer, development, dollars in Hillsdale’s spotlight

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

HILLSDALE

Six of eight Pascack Valley towns feature contested council races this Nov. 4, and Pascack Press reached out to candidates for their views on key themes and local issues. Montvaleʼs race is uncontested, with two incumbent Republicans unchallenged, and River Vale has no local seats on the ballot this year.

Hillsdaleʼs Council election pits Republicans Anthony DeRosa (a former councilman) and Louis Casale against Democrats Christopher Camp and Gabriella Ianni for two open seats. Incumbents Justin Fox and Janetta Trochimiuk, both Republicans, did not seek new terms.

Here is a summary of responses to our emailed questions. DeRosa and Casale replied individually; Camp and Ianni responded jointly. First, their bios:

Candidate bios (as provided)

• Anthony DeRosa (R) — 45year resident; 10 years on council; 30-year marketing/communications professional; former baseball/softball coach; married, father of two.

• Louis Casale (R) — 8-year resident; married, two children; director, Global Inside Sales (technology sector); vice president, Youth Soccer Association; active in sports programs and community events.

• Christopher Camp (D) — Leads Financial Data Assurance at

a Fortune 500 company (transparency, accuracy, efficiency focus); nine-year resident; son in public school; Stonybrook Pool Commissioner; T-ball head coach; County Committee.

• Gabriella Ianni (D) — Radio/record label executive with 22+ years of leadership/management; 6-year resident; married, three children; volunteer (Young Neighbors in Action, NYC AIDS Walk, Music Industry Mentor); recreation and travel soccer coach; Smith Elementary parent volunteer; advocate for inclusion and equity.

Campaign priorities

• Anthony DeRosa (R) — A 45-year resident and 10-year former councilman, DeRosa said his platform centers on controlling taxes while delivering substantive improvements; saving money through grants and shared services; and increasing public safety with funding for school safety officers, firefighting equipment, and improved cell service on the East

Side. He also cites maintaining strong DPW and infrastructure services, “preserving Hillsdaleʼs charm” with refreshed sidewalks/storefronts, and improving recreational facilities with modest investments and regular maintenance.

• Louis Casale (R) — A vice president with the Hillsdale Soccer Association and a coach, Casale lists transparency and communication, fiscal responsibility, and community investment (parks, recreation, youth programs) as priorities, along with balancing smart development while preserving the boroughʼs small-town character.

• Christopher Camp & Gabriella Ianni (D) — Running as a team, Camp (Stonybrook Pool Commissioner) and Ianni (parent

volunteer at Ann Blanche Smith Elementary School) say their ticket is based on “community first.” They pledge to support small businesses, build stronger school partnerships, and open up local government to expand resident involvement. They emphasize transparency, opportunity, engagement, and fiscal responsibility “so Hillsdale can thrive as one community.”

Deer management

• DeRosa: Calls it a regional issue given cross-town impacts. Hillsdale has committed to a thermal imaging scan to size herds and locations. He said lethal options are not desirable due to proximity to homes.

• Casale: Noted more generally that quality of life and safety are core concerns (see priorities above).

• Camp/Ianni: Cite an estimated ~30% annual growth in the herd, raising accidents, Lyme risk, and property damage. They urge a unified, coordinated regional approach, saying Hillsdale “wonʼt make progress” acting alone and pledging to help facilitate multi-town discussions.

Self-storage proposal in the redevelopment zone

• DeRosa: Said his view has evolved. “At first, it concerned me. After speaking with several

DEROSA (R)

CAMP (D) CASALE (R)

IANNI (D)

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Striking Villeroy & Boch beer tankard missing its set

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

Hi, Jon, Iʼm requesting help regarding this very old ivory statue that has been handed down in my family for five generations — and possibly even longer. As you can see, it appears in a family photo dated 1921. It stands 18 inches tall. It is a beautiful piece, but I really have no use for it, and unfortunately, my daughter doesnʼt want it either. I would like to sell it. Could you tell me where, or to whom, I might sell it, and may I also request an estimate of its value? Given its age, I assume it must have some. Thank you in advance.

Margaret

EACHMONTH I receive several inquiries regarding art and antiques made of ivory. Iʼve put off addressing the legality of

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

owning and selling ivory, but itʼs time to clarify the situation in the United States.

Over the years, ivory has been used in everything from Russian and English miniatures to fine Chinese carvings. What was once a prized material is now a reminder of the global crisis facing endangered species.

Here are the key points:

•Fine arts and antiques composed of ivory already in the United States may be sold domestically or exported only if accompanied by documentation proving the ivory was harvested or imported before 1976, when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) took effect.

PASCACK PRESS ADS

•Documentation is essential. Most ivory in private possession is undocumented, which means it cannot be legally sold.

•Importing items containing African elephant ivory for commercial purposes is illegal, with very few exceptions.

Those exceptions include:

• Documentation from the exporting country showing the ivory

was acquired before 1976 by the current or previous owner.

•Ivory that has not been bought or sold since Feb. 25, 2014. Once in the U.S., it cannot be subsequently traded.

•Sales within a state are permitted only if accompanied by CITES documents proving importation prior to 1975.

Ivory that is more than 100 years old, certified by a qualified appraiser.

MOVING? DOWNSIZING?

•Ivory imported after 1982 must have come through one of 13 designated ports for antiques, or proof must exist that it was manufactured in the U.S. from legally imported ivory.

• In some states (though not New York or New Jersey), items with less than 10% ivory by volume and made before 1947 may be sold legally. Florida is one example.

The legal requirements are complex and violations carry steep penalties, including confiscation of the ivory. Restrictions exist because elephant and rhinoceros populations in Africa and Asia are being driven toward extinction by the ivory trade.

In my opinion, given the overlapping federal and state laws, the safest advice is to avoid buying or selling ivory altogether. Without documentation — which you do not have — your statue cannot be legally sold or appraised for value. Anyone attempting to purchase it would also be in violation of the law.

Your only option is to donate the statue to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Its Office of Law Enforcementʼs National Wildlife Repository in Commerce City, Colo., accepts such donations and uses them to educate the public about conservation and the ivory trade.

R.Z.M.Fine Arts & Antiques Inc.is at 132 Dexter Ave.,Pearl River, N.Y.Call (845) 735-1313 or visit rzmantiques.com.

Hoist a few with this outstanding example of a Villeroy & Boch beer tankard.

The Woodcliff Lake Senior Association invites residents to a CandidatesʼNight for two council seats on the Woodcliff Lake Borough Council. The event is Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Woodcliff Lake Tice Senior Center, Chestnut Ridge Road. All residents are invited to attend.

Vying for the two council seats Democrats Benjamin Pollack and Nicole Marsh and Republicans Corrado Belgiovine and Nicholas Pulsonetti.

Candidates will make opening and closing statements regarding their candidacy and answer two pre-determined questions. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit written questions to the moderator — a representative of the League of Women Voters of Northern Valley. After the program, candidates will be available to meet audience members. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

on Pascack Press via PDF at our website, PascackPress.com — which welcomes submissions!

Hillsdale:

FROM PAGE 8 professionals, I learned that after opening, storage units cause very little disruptive day-to-day activity. Typically, developers pay a town to build a storage unit in lieu of building more affordable housing units. Given that, and compared to other scenarios, itʼs a viable alternative.”

• Casale: Concerned about traffic, safety, and fit with town character, but recognizes potential tax revenue without burdening schools—“worth careful consideration.”

• Camp/Ianni: Note the facility has been approved and say it can ease the tax burden without adding pressure to schools or borough services. They stress keeping residents informed and engaged through the process.

Memorial Field plan ($5.8 million)

• DeRosa: Supportive. Said he previously favored investing in Centennial Field (existing lighting, less dense area); when that stalled, Memorial was the next viable site. “No doubt the cost is high, but I feel itʼs a needed investment.”

• Casale: Supports the upgrade, calling quality fields “essential” to community life.

Adds the project must proceed with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a focus on long-term value so benefits justify the cost.

• Camp/Ianni: Note the project is moving forward; say the focus should be on real benefits to families, listening to resident feedback, balancing priorities across parks, and open communication so “everyone feels this is an investment for the community as a whole.”

Editorʼs note: Candidate responses were provided by email and edited for AP style, clarity, and length. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Township hot-buttons drive lively mayor, council races

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

The local ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 4 features a three-way mayoral race and two Township Council seats sought by incumbent Republicans Tom Sears and Daisy Velez and Independent Desserie Morgan, a former Republican who previously served as council president.

Council President Michael DeSena (Independent), whose term runs to December 2027, and Democrat Meghan Stamatopoulos are challenging two-term Republican Mayor Peter Calamari for the gavel.

In 2021, Calamari defeated DeSena by 49 votes—1,846 to 1,797—after provisional ballots were counted, one of the closest mayoral contests in township history. Turnout was 52.2% (4,094 ballots cast of 7,841 registered voters). Since then, DeSena and Calamari have publicly disagreed on several issues, including the swim club purchase and cleanup, budget priorities, and land use.

Six of eight Pascack Valley towns have contested local races this fall. Montvaleʼs council race is uncontested, and River Vale has no local seats on the ballot.

Incumbent

Sears and Velez, and Independent Morgan, vie for two council seats

Editorʼs note: Candidate responses were gathered via email and were edited for APStyle and length.

Candidate bios (as provided)

• Peter Calamari (incumbent)— IT consultant; lifelong resident; two-term mayor and former councilman; volunteer on community committees; Eucharistic minister and usher at OLGC.

• Meghan Stamatopoulos is a lifelong community member, parent, homeowner, and nature enthusiast. She works in Human Resources, is a licensed loan officer, and holds a B.S. in accounting and an A.A. in technical theater. “I believe nothing is impossible, especially when we work together.”

• Tom Sears Retired (Verizon Communications); 48-year resident; nine-year councilman; volunteer firefighter; VFW commander; Little League coach;

Green Team coordinator; Public Affairs volunteer.

• Daisy Velez High school history teacher; 11-year resident; councilwoman; former town Public Affairs director; board member, BCWRC; member, Health Advisory Board; Green Team and Public Affairs volunteer.

• Michael DeSena 25-year resident; married, two sons; twoterm councilman; former Zoning Board chair and member; senior civil engineer, Passaic Valley Water Commission; adjunct engineering professor, FDU; president, Washington Township Baeeball & Softball.

• Desserie Morgan 19year resident; married, four daughters; assistant vice president of nursing at a major NYC medical center; masterʼs in healthcare lead-

ership/administration; former Republican council president; Board of Health member; founder, Mini Cardinal Cheer.

Campaign priorities (as provided)

Calamari–Sears–Velez (Republican ticket)

Priorities include maintaining “small-town character” (select recreation land acquisitions, treecanopy preservation, keeping a natural feel), strengthening community services (expanded recycling, more wellness events, public safety), and “experience and stability,” citing infrastructure upgrades, facility improvements, and stormwater/waterway work for lasting solu-

tions.

Stamatopoulos (Democrat) Stamatopoulos says her first priority is a more open, responsive local government: timely replies, easy-to-find information, and regular meeting minutes (she notes none are posted yet for 2025). She also wants to rethink sidewalks and access, arguing the town should prioritize safe routes for people “walking, biking, rolling”—not just driving. “Information needs to be easy to find and easy to understand. Communication needs to be timely and frequent.”

CALAMARI

MORGAN VELEZ

DESENA

SEARS

STAMATOPOULOS

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FROM PAGE 12

DeSena (Independent) and Morgan (Independent)

Platform highlights include responsible spending, residents first, transparency and accountability, “finish whatʼs started,” and a safe, family-friendly township. Recreation proposals include hiring a full-time director, expanding offerings (senior exercise, bocce, cornhole, over-25 baseball, womenʼs softball), working with the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission, pursuing grants (e.g., Sherry Field lighting), and increasing DPW services. (Morgan said her priorities mirror DeSenaʼs.)

Where they stand on key issues

Deer management

•Calamari ticket: Continue resident education on state Fish & Wildlife statutes; coordinate with neighboring towns to “develop practical solutions.”

• Stamatopoulos: Calls the herd unsustainable and says the borough doesnʼt need to spend money on drone scans to prove it.

She favors public education (donʼt feed deer; plant deer-resistant landscaping) and luring deer toward less-populated areas by planting “favorites” there. Not a fan of culling, she says it can be a management tool and wants to discuss Saddle Riverʼs bow-hunting program before deciding if it fits here.

•DeSena: Calls for a comprehensive plan following assessment of deer density, browse impacts, and community tolerance; pair population control with site-specific damage prevention; notes public engagement is needed and that total elimination of damage is not realistic.

• Morgan: Would work with county partners on safe population control; suggests exploring nonlethal fertility options (e.g., PZP, GonaCon), using drone data to target fencing/signage, and promoting tick prevention and deer-resistant landscaping.

Former Swim Club (contamination/cleanup; future use)

•Calamari–Sears–Velez: Will follow EPA/DEP remediation and “work to secure additional cleanup grants.”

•Stamatopoulos: Supports a transparent cleanup with grant-

seeking to blunt costs and continuous communication: publish test results and key dates online and add an FAQ/definitions page. After remediation, she sees the site as a community asset—potentially rebuilding the clubhouse for meetings/events—and wants residents to vote on amenities (ideas sheʼs heard include a running path connection to Gardner, a dog park, and a pump track). She suggests a kidsʼ sticker-board vote at the library so “even our smallest citizens” can weigh in.

•DeSena: Current conditions and plan “deeply concerning.” After cleanup is defined and completed, would revisit original concept for fields and amenities, guided by a townwide survey and grants/philanthropy.

•Morgan: Says she supported the purchase but “was not given the full facts” and is concerned about contamination and delays; urges transparency, clear timelines, and fiscal accountability, with residents—not an appointed group— guiding the outcome.

450 Pascack Road (3.2 acres; open-space acquisition)

•Calamari ticket: Keep natural character; add parking for

Memorial Field activities and an outdoor fitness area (as presented to the county Open Space Committee).

•Stamatopoulos: Calling the parcel “narrow, but surprisingly deep” and noting it runs behind Washington School, she pitches a nature-forward space: hammock grove, orienteering course, geocache trail, nature obstacle course, hidden sculptures by local artists, a barefoot sensory path, storybook

walks, even a berry trail/food forest—with final choices guided by community input.

•DeSena: Keep open space while larger financial projects proceed; longer term, create a community park with passive and active amenities, mindful of Washington Elementary School nearby.

•Morgan: Also favors open space/park uses; mentions pickleball courts or a modest dog park among potential additions.

In addition to this crisp newsprint, you can get your hands on Pascack Press via PDF at our website, Pascackpress.com — which welcomes submissions!

Pies, Apple

Pumpkins, Corn Stalks, Hay Bales, Gourds & Mums Available in the Farm Market! Farm

9am - 5pm Sunday-Saturday

**2 S Mountain Rd, Pomona, New York 10970

**When using GPS Use Location Address as: 1010 Rt. 45, Pomona NY10970

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

Get your picnic on! OLGC at K of C on Oct. 5

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish will host its annual parish picnic on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Mother Seton Council #5427, 79 Pascack Road.

The event is open to OLGC parishioners, member Knights, and their families, and will be held rain or shine at the councilʼs Pfliegler

Pavilion and Picnic Grove. A tented area and picnic tables will provide plenty of space for families to gather. The afternoon includes live music, childrenʼs activities — including a bounce house — and friendly competition for adults with bocce ball and horseshoe tournaments.

Adult tickets are $35, while

children and young adults under 21 are admitted free. Reservations may be made by calling George Toole at 201-954-5286 or emailing rwhmovers@gmail.com. Tickets are also available by calling Claudia Carroll at 201-741-1042. Checks payable to the OLGC Picnic Committee may be mailed or dropped off at the parish rectory, 668 Ridge-

wood Road. Applications for membership in the Knights of Columbus are wel-

come. For details, call 201-6640422 or visit kofc5427.com.

FROM PAGE 4

received its name from Henry Yesler, the cityʼs principal industrialist of the late 19th century, and its sixth mayor. Yesler built a lumber mill on Elliot Bay, a part of the waters along the shore of Puget Sound.

Yeslerʼs mill stood at the bottom of the steep slopes leading down to the bay. The path by which the settlers, with the use of oxen, dragged logs to the mill became known as Skid Road Over time that name became shorthand for the neighborhoodʼs gritty character.

(From these beginnings, the term “Skid Row” spread across the country as a synonym for a run-down district.) As Seattle grew, the path was later called Mill Street, and then officially Yesler Way to honor the founder of the mill.

Seattleʼs Yesler Way marked the dividing line between two very different worlds. To the north stretched the cityʼs growing business district, while to the south lay the seedy section of town, where saloons, gambling halls, and brothels catered to the sailors and lumberjacks. Why Vorrath chose to name a quiet Hillsdale lane after such a rough neighborhood is unknown. Maybe he had a good sense of humor.

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

POSTERCONTESTPUTSARTS INSPOTLIGHTAT TOWN DAY

BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

RIVERVALE

WHEN RIVER VALE gathers for its town-wide celebration on Sunday, Oct. 5, one new tradition will greet residents at the gate: a commemorative poster by sophomore artist Yi-An Jin, chosen to capture “the spirit of River Vale Day.”

The idea, from Social & Cultural Affairs Director Amy Salib with support from interns Alison Garcia and Skylar Fay, aims to place the arts shoulder-to-shoulder with the dayʼs longtime stars— sports, robotics, food, and live music.

Garcia, a Pascack Valley High School senior, assisted with coverage of the event, while Fay, who graduated in May from George Washington University with a psychology degree and a minor in fine arts, focused on River Vale Day planning. Salib said Fayʼs eye for art and aesthetics was pivotal in shaping this yearʼs poster contest and chili cook-off.

Jin, a former River Vale

Schools student now at Bergen County Academies, says last yearʼs event provided the spark. “I realized that the only thing able to glide over the sea of noise and people was the live music playing at the time,” she wrote. “The way almost everyone was enjoying the music made me truly grateful for its presence. In my opinion, art is a way to express much about the

environment surrounding the artist, and the music that was playing was bright, joyful, and energetic. That is what I believe the spirit of River Vale Day is: a sense of community, playfulness, and peace, as well as a time to put aside other worries and enjoy the small things, such as good music.”

The winning poster, printed at 12 by 18 inches, will be given

Yi-An Jin and her winning River Vale Day poster. Courtesy photos.

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Celebrate fall at Metropolitan Farm

Advertisement

Autumn is here — the skies glow with early sunsets, nights turn crisp, and cozy sweaters return from the closet. At Metropolitan Farm, 119 Hickory Lane in historic Closter, youʼll find everything you need to embrace the season.

Say hello to our friendly chickens,goats,and alpacas,and don’t forget to greet our resident Maine Coon cats,Adree,Ace,and Alex.

Step into a wonderland of fall décor. From spooky to silly, thereʼs something for every taste: towering witches, glittering pumpkin-colored spiders, skeletons, ghosts, and

even turkey dolls dressed as pilgrims.

For a warmer autumn touch, choose from cheerful scarecrows, decorated or plain corn stalks, bales of straw, metal and ceramic pumpkins, and more — all immune to hungry deer and squirrels. (For your live plants, we also carry safe, effective deer repellents.)

No fall season is complete without pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Our ever-expanding selection features unique colors, pat-

terns, and sizes — from palm-sized cuties to showstoppers worthy of Cinderellaʼs carriage. Pick the perfect jack-oʼ-lantern canvas or stock up on varieties that bake beautifully into pies.

Pro tip: avoid lifting pumpkins by the stem, so theyʼll last longer!

As a garden center, Metropolitan Farm also offers vibrant seasonal plants to refresh your beds

and planters. Choose from pansies, asters, mums, celosia, marigolds, ornamental peppers, ornamental grasses, millet, and more.

Youʼll also discover a wide selection of perennials and shrubs to provide lasting beauty, with fresh deliveries arriving throughout the week.

Make it a family outing — say hello to our friendly chickens, goats, and alpacas, and donʼt forget to greet our resident Maine Coon cats, Adree, Ace, and Alex. Celebrate the season with us at Metropolitan Farm — where fall comes alive in color, charm, and community.

Metropolitan Plant & Flower Exchange Open 7 Days Tel.

FROM PAGE 15

away to the first 350 visitors at the Township booth, where Jin will meet residents and sign copies as River Vale Dayʼs inaugural guest artist. Her prize includes 20 silkcover posters for family and friends, a $100 gift card courtesy of Platinum Sponsors River Vale Farmerʼs Market, Balloon Chica, and DART Computer Services— and a plaque signed by Mayor Mark Bromberg. River Vale Day, at Mark Lane

Sports Complex, rain or shine, began as a chance for town agencies to meet residents and has grown into a showcase of local talent: cheer performances, the Pascack Valley Regional Dance Team, The Rockers, culinary fun via the chili contest, and hands-on tech with the Pascack Pi-oneers [Team 1676]. In recent years organizers added a cover band with an opening set by the PV Panthers band, anchors of the day.

While River Vale Day originally launched as a fundraiser for local sports teams, it has evolved into a much broader celebration of community life, drawing

neighbors together for arts, athletics, food, and live performance. New this year: the Guest Artist tent and the River Vale Volunteer Tree Decorating Committee craft station. The committee— neighbors who dream up a secret theme for the Van Saun Winter Wonderland tree—will enlist visitors in making crafty elements for this yearʼs entry, all in the friendly quest to win a free skate day for River Vale.

Local businesses also build little “worlds” inside their tents— games, crafts, puzzles, and challenges—so each year feels familiar but never the same.

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

Senior Fellowship meets Oct. 14

Two reminders from Westwood Senior Fellowship Club president Mary Cerrati:

• The next membersʼmeeting is Tuesday, Oct. 14 at noon at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave. The doors open at 11 a.m. A luncheon of salad and sandwiches, with refreshments, is planned for members. Sign up for the luncheon at 201664-4538.

•Remember to sign up for the clubʼs Dec. 9 Christmas luncheon at Armandoʼs. The cost is $40 per person.

Seniors meet Oct. 9; club’s Halloween fun Oct. 29

The Emerson Senior Citizens have their monthly membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9 at noon, at the Clubhouse, 20 Palisade Ave. They add,“We will be having an in house Halloween party on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at noon. The cost is $10 cash per person. Food, beverages and deserts will be served. Halloween costumes are requested but not required. All members are welcome.”

RIVER VALE

Events to check out at the library

Upcoming events for adults at River Vale Library. Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Register at rivervalelibrary.org.

• Lecture: Home Organizing with All Things Neat by Hope –Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.

• Lecture: Remember When

with Mitch Rosen - Rediscover the pop culture of the 50s, 60s and 70s – Friday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.

• Lecture: The God, The Bad, and the Scary of AI with Eddi Khaytman – Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.

•Outdoor Patio Concert: Westwood Community Jazz Band – Bring your own chairs or blankets. – Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m; Rain date Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.

• Lecture: Numerology: The Meaning Behind your Birthdate with Vivi Stockwell –Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.

When to claim your Social Security benefits

WHENIT comes to Social Security and retirement, you may have conflicting viewpoints: On one side, you may hope to collect your benefits as soon as you are eligible due to cash flow needs or other goals. On the other side, you know that if you wait, your monthly benefit amount will be greater.

While it may make sense to wait as long as you can, Sherman Hohen-

berger, lead business growth strategy consultant at Wealth & Investment Management, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., recommends you reevaluate your situation every year in retirement before deciding whether to continue delaying the beginning of Social Security benefits.

“Because each individual, couple, widow, and widower has a unique lifestyle and unique income needs, I believe a year-by-year evaluation prior to beginning benefits is the best approach,” Hohenberger says.

One item you need for that annual retirement review is a current copy of your Social Security benefit estimate

from ssa.gov. This provides personalized estimates of future benefits based on your real earnings and lets you see your latest statement and your earnings history. Here, Hohenberger outlines a comparison of claiming now vs. later and offers key considerations as you review your strategy each year.

Comparison:

Claiming sooner vs. later

Letʼs start with a hypothetical example: John Doe was born in 1960, is retired, and he decided to claim benefits as soon as he became eligible at age 62, or five years before his full retirement benefit age of 67. His

monthly benefit in todayʼs dollars is $2,106. If he had delayed receiving benefits until he was 70, heʼd receive $1,625 more a month, or $3,731. And he would make up for the eight-year delay in not taking any benefits in about 10 years. “Unlike personal assets that can be exhausted, Social Security is a vast resource provided by the U. S. government. As long as you are alive, you should continue to receive your Social Security benefits and with a cost-of-living adjustment throughout your retirement years.”

Make wellness a deciding factor

Your health can play a big role in helping determine when you should start taking benefits. Do your loved ones live long lives, or have most succumbed to illness before age 65? “Itʼs not the most accurate indicator of whatʼs going to transpire in the future, but it can have some bearing, and therefore should be taken into consideration,” Hohenberger says.

“If youʼre in reasonably good health and anticipate a continued healthy lifestyle, that usually counsels in favor of waiting,” he continues. “If, on the other hand, youʼre in poorer health and have concerns about longevity, that counsels toward drawing benefits sooner rather than later.”

Do you have enough income?

Another key factor is having other sources of income to help you live comfortably in retirement without needing Social Security benefits. He says you should consider the rate of return Social Security offers: 6.25% –8.00% (plus a cost-of-living increase).

“I ask: ʻIs that an attractive return to you over the next 12 months?ʼ” he says. “And given the current interest rate environment and unpredictability of the securities markets, the response is typically a resounding yes.”

Considerations for married couples

Hohenberger suggests married clients look at multiple factors when determining the timing for each spouse to claim Social Security benefits.

For example, if youʼre working part time or seasonally, your Social Security benefits may be dramatically lower if your partner is working fulltime. It still may be wise for both of you to wait, if possible.

“Not only does waiting to claim increase the size of the benefit that the [higher earning] individual personally receives, but it also increases the size of whatʼs known as the survivorʼs benefit that the [lower earning] spouse could

draw if the other spouse passes away,” Hohenberger says.

Keep in mind that the current average life expectancy of a 65-yearold man is about 84 years, while a woman that age can expect to live until around age 87, according to the Social Security Administration.

What about taxes?

When it comes to when to claim Social Security benefits, Hohenberger advises not to focus primarily on the tax ramifications. “For the vast majority of people, their marginal tax rate in retirement will likely be fairly constant,” Hohenberger says. “If retirees were to take their Social Security benefit at 62, we typically see that their marginal tax rate is the same or approximately the same as it would be if they claimed the benefit at age 70. We want [them] to focus instead on working to help maximize the net cash flow over the remainder of their lifetime.”

Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) offers financial products and services through affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.

Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This communication cannot be relied upon to avoid tax penalties. Please consult your tax and legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your tax return is filed. This article was written byWells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, Senior Financial Advisor, Managing Director – Investments in Park Ridge at 201-505-0472.

Investment and Insurance Products are:

• Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency

• Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate

• Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested

Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and nonbank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

© 2022 – 2025 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

ERIC KOHLMEIER

IHA Fall Open Houses Oct. 19 and 23

Advertisement

Immaculate Heart Academy invites prospective students and their families to its Fall Open Houses on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

If you are a young woman seeking a school known for academic excellence, competitive

athletics, and vibrant creative expression—all grounded in Catholic values—IHA is the place for you.

Students from nine counties across New Jersey and New York call IHA their second home, and we would love for you to join them. The sisterhood forged at IHA is unparalleled, with lifelong

friendships among our 11,333 graduates.

At our Open Houses, you will:

•Tour our state-of-the-art campus with our knowledgeable Eagle Ambassadors.

•Meet teachers, administrators, students, and coaches—the heart of the IHA community.

•Learn about the admissions process, including the Archdiocesan High School Placement Test (HSPT).

•Ask questions about academics, financial aid, transportation, and more.

Registration is requested at ihanj.com; walk-ins are also welcome.

in New Jersey, as well as more than 20 towns in Rockland and Orange counties in New York, are represented in its student body. IHA continues to strengthen its academics, activities, and facilities to prepare young women for higher education and for lives of leadership, service, and faith.

WESTWOOD

Oktoberfest dinner

Oct. 17 for

scholarships

For more information, contact Ms. Lauren Rhein ʼ09, Director of Admissions, at (201) 4456800, ext. 112, or lrhein@ihanj.com.

Immaculate Heart Academy is at 500 Van Emburgh Ave., Township of Washington. Founded in 1960, Immaculate Heart Academy is an all-girls Catholic regional high school of the Archdiocese of Newark, now celebrating its 65th year. A U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School, IHA enrolls approximately 650 students in a rigorous college preparatory program.

Nearly 100 towns in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties

St. Thomas More Council 2188 and Valley Charities Inc. will host an Oktoberfest dinner on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 40 Crest St. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The menu features brats and sauerkraut, roasted chicken, pretzels, German potato salad, red cabbage, potato pancakes, spaetzle, dessert, and coffee, tea, or soda. A cash bar will be available.

Admission is $20 per person; couples age 65 and over pay $35; children 12 and under, $15. Reservations required by Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Contact Frank Mariconti Sr. at (551) 579-1123 or fms12250@aol.com, daily, 4–8 p.m. Checks payable to Valley Charities

Proceeds support scholarships.

FROM PAGE 2 tions.

Vote Sabrina Krawczyk for Westwood Board of Education.

Kelly Sheehan OʼMelia Westwood

Piro for Dell, Bicocchi on WWCouncil

To the editor:

ITISWITH great honor and pride that I write this letter endorsing Beth Dell and Rob Bicocchi in the upcoming Westwood Council election. I have known both candidates and their families for over 20 years, and I have seen firsthand what wonderful people they both are.

From the borough government perspective, I have an inside view into their dedication and deep appreciation of town. As a member of the Westwood Recreation Advisory Board, and the current chairman, I have seen firsthand how much they care and have acted to advance and support the recreational needs of our entire community.

But thatʼs not all. In their long tenure as elected officials, both have served leadership roles as council president. They have served as council liaisons to the full gamut of borough departments, including WPD, public properties/DPW, fire and ambulance, health and recreation, finance, library, technology, environmental, senior advisory, historic preservation, and land use. These aren't just bullet points on a résumé or a list of accolades—

they're impactful positions that residents have entrusted them with to shape the safety of our streets, the reliability of our infrastructure, and the value of our tax dollars. The Westwood we all know and love didn't magically appear; itʼs the result of a shared vision, respectful collaboration, and years of accumulated experience and participation in its governance.

Beth and Rob check all the boxes. Theyʼre invaluable assets to this borough. We are all very fortunate that both are willing to continue their excellent public service on behalf of our great community.

Vote Column 1 on Nov. 4. Angelo Pira Westwood

Pulling for Bicocchi, Dell,for Westwood

To the editor:

ASALIFELONG Westwood resident, I know that it took vigilance and effort to make Westwood the wonderful, familyfriendly town that it is. It was years of hard work by successive borough councilmembers who appreciated what makes Westwood unique. Councilmembers who understood that to keep Westwood family-friendly and senior-friendly, we need to preserve the relative scale of our small town. We are not Jersey City or Hoboken and have well thought out local ordinances that reflect that difference.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Westwood has just 2.26 square miles of land for a current population of approximately 11,000 residents. We are built out

and cherish our few remaining g reen spaces. We need councilmembers who can bring their knowledge of the Borough and their proven skillsets to resist the Trenton aligned special interests who would fundamentally change Westwood.

We need councilmembers who will resist overdevelopment, fight the movement for 24-hour parking on our streets, and stop the “one size fits all” Trenton mentality that is pushing highdensity housing without consideration for its impact on our infrastructure, on our wetlands and green spaces, and on our beloved local community.

We love our homes, our parks, and our quiet tree lined streets and donʼt need Trenton to tell us what is best for Westwood. As has been said so often, we want a town, not a city!

Council President Rob Bicocchi and Councilmember Beth Dell are at the vanguard of this effort to protect the residents of Westwood and to preserve our town. They have the knowledge, the understanding, the skills, and the experiences to lead the Westwood through this quagmire of Trenton-based influence and overdevelopment that our Democratic governor and Legislature are forcing on our towns.

I urge all Westwood residents to re-elect Rob Bicocchi and Beth Dell to the Westwood Council. We need Bicocchi and Dell working for us. We need Bicocchi and Dell for the future of Westwood.

Beth Staples Westwood

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Westwood just got a little more pup-ular! Groomington, a trusted name in the pet world for over a decade, proudly announces the grand opening of Westwoof by Groomington—a dog- and catfriendly boutique, grooming salon, and café where tails wag and humans smile.

Westwoof isnʼt your average pet store—itʼs an experience. Nes-

Groomington Opens Downtown

tled in the heart of Bergen County, this 2,000-square-foot space blends modern luxury with neighborhood charm. Visitors will find curated shelves of high-quality food, treats, and toys, plus chic accessories and wellness products for every four-legged friend (and their doting humans).

What sets Westwoof apart is its “fur-st class” mix of services and community spirit:

• Pawsh Boutique: Premium foods, local brands, ecofriendly gear, and stylish accessories that help pets look and feel their best.

• Groomington Salon: A bright, state-of-the-art space offering full-service grooming for dogs and cats, with comfort, safety, and style at the forefront.

• The Dog Café : Because coffee dates are better with a pup! Coming soon—delicious drinks for humans from local vendors. Already available—dog-friendly “coffee,” meals, and treats.

• Events & Experiences: From Yappy Hours and “Bark & Brunch” weekends to workshops and kid-friendly craft days, Westwoof is a true gathering place for

Sergey Roginsky;Cait Lauria, Groomington founder and Westwoof owner,holding Walter,a 4-year-old French Bulldog;Danielle Basualdo, holding Norman,a 3-year-old Maltipoo;Zac McKenna holding Bella,a 9-year-old Boston Terrier; Alex Alvelo;Marni Crowne holding Beau,a 5-month-old dachshund;Ana Daza;Maria Sevillano holding Karl, an 8-year-old toy poodle;and Jenna Caputo.

pet parents.

“Our goal was simple,” said founder Cait Lauria. “We wanted to create a space where people and pets could truly connect. Whether youʼre picking up dinner for your dog, enjoying a latte while your pup plays, or joining us for a seasonal event, Westwoof is more than just shopping—itʼs a lifestyle.”

Lauria knows about building

a pet empire. Groomington Coat Factory began in 2010 with a tub in the back of her Jeep, then grew into mobile grooming units, a Midland Park salon, and the beloved Groomington Eats food truck with its dog-safe, humangrade treats. Westwoof is the natural next step—a flagship tying together Groomingtonʼs philosophy of quality care, community, and the celebration of the humananimal bond.

The space reflects that vision: a minimal-chic aesthetic—modern boutique meets cozy café —featuring bright interiors, neutral tones, and playful doginspired touches that invite visitors to sit, stay, and shop.

And because giving back is part of the mission, Westwoof will partner with local shelters, rescues, and nonprofits to host adoption days, fundraisers, and educational programs that make a difference for pets in need.

Location & Hours Westwoof is at 15 Westwood Ave. Open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (with extended hours possible). Walk-ins welcome for shopping and the café Grooming appointments: 551-999-1408.

Follow the Fun

Stay up to date on events, promotions, and adorable pup content by following @WestwoofNJ on Instagram—because every feed needs more wag.

The Groomington team celebrates the grand opening of Westwoof at 15 Westwood Ave. in Westwood

Westwood:

FROM PAGE 6

tinue to be responsible stewards of the boroughʼs finances, while delivering best-in-class services for residents of all ages,” citing “productive, bipartisan collaboration” among the governing body, school district, local businesses, and the hospital.

• Deer. They favor a regional approach, saying a single municipality acting alone faces “significant challenges” in a densely connected area. They added that state housing mandates have reduced open space, pushing deer into neighborhoods, and that piecemeal efforts lead to rebound as deer move across borders. “A regional solution ensures more lasting and equitable outcomes,” they said.

• Flooding/stormwater. The incumbents said the borough has tightened building requirements to manage runoff and allocated resources toward long-term fixes, including commissioning a drone study of a degraded drainage basin and investing in staff and council training to better serve and communicate with flood-affected residents. They voiced support for District 39 bills S2107 and A427—pending in Trenton—to require DEP and certain reservoir owners to implement flood-control measures and to empower the

Office of Emergency Management to order drawdowns ahead of severe weather.

• Westwood Plaza (former Kmart). Calling the siteʼs potential “tremendous,” they said a familyfocused indoor recreation use would complement the Shopping Center (SC) zone. They noted the privately owned property has ample parking and said the council unanimously expanded permitted indoor-recreation uses in the SC zone to attract such a tenant without detracting from downtown.

Democratic challenger Kyle C. Lagatol — individual response

• Priorities. Lagatol said he would build partnerships with nearby towns to cut costs and boost services; improve street safety and walkability; keep residents informed and involved; streamline volunteer opportunities; organize public-space cleanups; and support youth groups to enhance public spaces and civic pride.

• Deer. He supports awareness about risks of feeding deer, deer-resistant landscaping, and humane repellents. He also emphasized driver education— slowing in known corridors, extra caution at dawn/dusk, high-beam use where safe, and never swerving to avoid a deer.

• Flooding/stormwater. He backs regional cooperation for stronger waterway protections,

or

long-term flood strategies, and green design (e.g., water-absorbing plantings) in public spaces.

• Westwood Plaza. Lagatol said he supports keeping the site retail and would urge the owner to partner with the borough on stormwater, including maintaining the adjacent waterway, to protect business potential and local infrastructure.

Democratic challenger Kathryn M. Mundhenk — individual response

• Priorities. Mundhenk said she aims to preserve Westwoodʼs small-town character, conduct needs assessments to address safe-

ty (sightlines for drivers to protect pedestrians and bicyclists), partner regionally for equitable services and lower taxpayer costs, and create volunteer groups to meet community needs.

• Deer. She proposes removing food sources, clearing yard waste/brush where ticks thrive, educating residents on protective attire and tick checks for people and pets, and promoting humane deterrents such as plants and sprays.

• Flooding/stormwater. Mundhenk supports partnering with surrounding towns to press the water company on pre-storm reservoir management, planting

water-absorbing vegetation in flood-prone areas, and seeking grants for green infrastructure such as permeable pavement.

• Westwood Plaza. She favors retail at the plaza and said sheʼd like to see an affordable supermarket in the former Kmart building, noting many Westwood House seniors once relied on a short walk to Kmart for necessities that the current grocer doesnʼt offer.

Editorʼs note: Candidate responses were provided via email and edited for AP style, clarity, and length. Follow our ongoing coverage online.

Letters:

FROM PAGE 21

I am appreciative of the information and services offered by the following:

•Gary Buchheister, Director, Westwood Recreation Department

•RoseAnn Ciarlante, Westwood Recreation Department

• Margaret McDonough, Westwood Recreation Department

• Chief Michael Pontillo, Westwood Police Department — for Blue Angels program updates and senior safety

•Michael Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center pascackmedicalcenter.com

• Durene Ayer, Borough Administrator, Borough of Westwood, who spoke on taxes

• Karen Hughes, Assistant Borough Administrator / Borough Clerk, Westwood

•The Westwood Board of Health

•Councilmembers Rob Bicocchi, Beth Dell, Erin Collins, Lauren Letizia, Cheryl Hodges, Anthony Greco

•Jean-Marie Vadovik, Borough Clerk (responsible for elections)

•Rush Sherman, Captain,

•

•

•

•

Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps (WVAC) — for File of Life and common senior injuries

Thank you all for your continued support of our senior community, which is enriched by your dedication and service.

Mary E. Clark Westwood Former lieutenant, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps

Endorsing Dell,Bicocchi for WW Council

To the editor:

IHAVELIVED in Westwood since 1993 and have never written a letter endorsing a candidate for elected office.

But Beth Dell is a different k ind of candidate. Sheʼs the exception.

Iʼve known Beth since our boys were children, in Ketler School. I only knew her in passing, until I killed her goldfish. I used to decorate the display case that cheerfully greeted students and visitors in the school lobby. One fall day a small table

and a fish tank appeared. The tankʼs filter was plugged into the power outlet I needed to light my Halloween display. The rest is history. And so were Bethʼs goldfish.

But Beth, being Beth, forgave me and we quickly became fast friends.

Anyone who knows Beth knows that she is a relentless force of positivity, who also happens to possess boundless energy.

I lovingly referred to Beth as Westwoodʼs Energizer Bunny! At Ketler School Beth did everything! From bagel sales to field days to PTO , whatever the task Beth signed up for it!

As councilwoman, she displays the same effort and enthusiasm. From ribbon cuttings welcoming new businesses to town, to organizing Mocktails with the Mayor, Beth is always there! All while working a full-time job, taking care of her family and devoting precious time to her church.

Being married to “Mayor Ray” gives me a unique view of how hard Beth and Rob work for Westwood.

When my husband comes home from working in NYC, heʼs often on the phone with a council colleague.

Ray usually starts his day on a speakerphone, breakfast call with Rob, to discuss town business, weather conditions and to commiserate over their commute into the city. Rob usually ends the call with his customary “What else?” Rob knows from experience what Iʼve learned by being married to the mayor — there is always something else when it comes to the borough.

Being on council is a job that has no set hours. It just sets the course for our town. The Westwood we know and love is the successful result of their efforts.

Beth and Rob have the wisdom and experience to keep Westwood a desirable small town, where parents can raise their children , and elders can age in place, peacefully and safely (Ketler goldfish notwithstanding).

I will proudly cast my vote for Westwoodʼs continued success, by voting for Beth Dell and Rob Biccochi on Nov. 4.

Jo Ann Arroyo Westwood

Vote Sabrina Krawczyk for all kids,WW

To the editor: I ʼVEKNOWN Sabrina Krawczyk for more than three decades, which in friendship years is basically a life sentence. Weʼve been through everything—adolescence, family illness, and both our weddings. We met in community theater—where else? Me, worrying whether my costume made me look like a lampshade. And her, making sure the kid who couldnʼt remember her lines still got a round of applause. Thatʼs Sabrina. Eye on the one who might otherwise get left behind, making room in the spotlight. She was also the first person I ever came out to. Not on a stage, not in some big, cinematic way— just two teenagers sitting on a kitchen floor, eating croutons out of the box…latchkey and laughter. I was shaky, but she was calm. She just smiled like Iʼd told her my cola preference and liked me all the same. That kind of radical acceptance? You donʼt forget it. Decades later, sheʼs still rooting for the underdog, the overachiever, the outsider, the kid who doesnʼt fit any of the roles. Sabri-

na doesnʼt throw around “inclusion” lightly. She practices it. Loudly. With humor, with grit, and with the kind of conviction that makes people around her braver. If she can make a terrified teenager feel safe while crunching stale croutons at 15, she can do anything.

Schools donʼt need another seat-filler nodding along like a bobble head. They need someone who knows kids arenʼt statistics—theyʼre stories in progress. That understands the real test isn't multiple choice, itʼs whether every family feels like they belong in the room. That's who she's always been. Sabrina Krawczyk doesnʼt just want a seat at the table. Sheʼll pull up more chairs, pass the mic, and tell the rest of the room to pipe down so the quietest can be heard. Thatʼs not politics. Thatʼs humanity. Thatʼs your BOE member.

Kellan Tortora Savannah, Ga.

Sileo, Puerta for Hillsdale BOE

To the editor:

A SLONGTIME Hillsdale residents who care deeply about our children and their future, we want to share why we believe Salvatore and Kathleen are the right people to continue serving on our Board of Education.

Our schools are the heart of this community. They shape not only our childrenʼs education but also their confidence, safety,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

DR. KAPLAN: Time to Rethink the Way We Treat Our Kids

October is A DHD Awareness Month, and if it feels like every child today either “has A DHD” or “knows someone with ADHD,” youʼre not imagining things. According to the CDC, nearly 6.1 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Thatʼs almost one in ten kids. And hereʼs the kicker: the number has more than doubled over the past two decades. ADHD is real, but the way weʼre treating it as a soci-

ety is raising some big red flags. The most common treatm ent? Medication. Drugs like Adderall and Ritalin are being prescribed in record numbers. In fact, the CDC reports that 62% of kids with ADHD are taking medication. On the surface, these pills might seem like miracle workers—kids can sit still, focus better, and get their homework done without a wrestling match at the kitchen table. But hereʼs the problem: these medications are stimulants, not solutions. Theyʼre basically chemical cousins of amphetamines, and long-term, they come with risks. Studies show that children who take ADHD medications are at a higher risk of developing addictions later in life. Think about it: weʼre giving kids

Advertiser Content

performance-enhancing drugs before they even hit puberty. It is very dangerous to give developing brains such intense drugs.

Iʼm not here to say ADHD isnʼt real. It is. But I am here to say that our over-reliance on medication is dangerous and shortsighted. Just because little Johnny can sit through math class after popping a pill doesnʼt mean weʼve solved the problem. Weʼve just muted the symptoms. Muting the symptoms isnʼt the same as fixing the issue.

S o what can families do instead? Letʼs talk about natural solutions, the kind of strategies that not only improve focus but also build healthier brains long-

term. Research shows that diet is a huge factor. Foods loaded with sugar, preservatives, food dyes, gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and caffeine can make symptoms worse. Cleaning up the diet often leads to dramatic improvements. Parents are often shocked when their “hyperactive” child suddenly c alms down after ditching the neon-colored sports drinks.

Exercise is another powerful tool. Johns Hopkins researchers found that kids with ADHD who exercised daily had better focus and fewer behavioral problems. Movement rewires the brain in ways medication canʼt. Want your child to concentrate better? Let them run, jump, climb, and play before sitting down with their homework. In other words, recess isnʼt just fun—itʼs medicine.

Sleep is another biggie. Studies show that up to 70% of children with ADHD also struggle with sleep issues. What kid—or adult—focuses well after a bad nightʼs sleep? Teaching kids proper sleep hygiene (turning off screens before bed, keeping a consistent bedtime, and creating a calm nighttime routine) can work wonders.

And donʼt underestimate stress. A stressed-out child cannot focus. We often help kids “rewire” their brains through neurofeedback and relaxation strategies so their nervous systems are calmer and better regulated. When kids feel safe and calm, their brains naturally perform better.

ADHD kids arenʼt just distracted; theyʼre actually excellent multitaskers. But doing twelve things badly all at once is not necessarily a good thing. However, these kids donʼt need labels and lifelong medications. They need

healthier brains, calmer environments, and parents and teachers who understand how to bring out their best.

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD—or if you suspect they may have it—donʼt jump straight to medication. Letʼs get to the root cause. In my office, we use qEEG Brain Mapping to measure brainwave activity and identify areas of imbalance. Iʼm offering a qEEG special for just $21 (normally $600). This test can help uncover whatʼs really going on in your childʼs brain so we can create a customized, natural plan to improve focus, behavior, and learning. Call my office at 201-261-2150 or email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com for an appointment. Check out my website: www.kaplandc.com. And be sure to tune into my radio show, Boost Your Brain Power with Dr. Eric Kaplan, every Saturday at 8 AM on AM 970 and 2 PM on WOR 710 AM. We talk about real, natural solutions for memory, anxiety, ADHD, and more.

Letʼs start a new conversation. ADHD doesnʼt have to mean a lifetime of prescriptions and side effects. With the right strategies, kids can thrive—naturally, safely, and with their brains fully intact.

WESTWOOD

Flu, rabies clinics set for this fall

The Westwood Health Department will host two public health clinics this fall.

• A flu shot clinic will be held Monday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to noon at Westwood House, 100 Madison Ave. Pre-registration is required. The clinic is sponsored by the Westwood Board of Health and the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission. The only insurance accepted is Medicare Part B; participants must bring their Part B card. All others may pay $20 for the regular vaccine or $63 for the high-dose vaccine (cash only). Call 201-291-6090 to register

•A rabies vaccine clinic is set for Saturday, Nov 1 at the Westwood Train Station on Broadway. Cats will be seen from noon to 12:30 p.m. and dogs from 12:30 to 2. The free clinic is open to all New Jersey residents, with vaccines administered by Dr Dyan Muller Pre-registration is required. Cats must be in secure carriers, and dogs must be leashed or in carriers.

For more information, call the Health Department at 201-6647100 ext. 129.

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, DC, DACNB, FACFN, FABVR

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, DC

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

Students:

FROM PAGE 1

for training if they work eight hours on Election Day, he said.

He said the Board of Elections has been involved in recruiting and training student poll workers for nearly 3 1/2 years.

He thanked school superintendents, principals and administrators in working with county elections officials to promote students as future poll workers.

He said students have proven to be reliable, generally showing up for training and a full eighthour day. Surprisingly, he said,

most students seem to prefer the early shift, which runs 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The evening shift runs 12:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On Sept. 30, poll worker training consultant Wes Wagner, and Miller, provided training for some 80 Westwood Regional High School students during a two-hour session at the media center.

They will return on Oct. 7 to offer training for more students who signed up, Miller said.

Miller told us that more students have become interested in working the polls as word has spread about the importance of elections and voting — in addition to being paid. The work is absolutely nonpartisan.

Wagner told us, “The students

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are given the opportunity to receive a variety of real-world experiences, many of which will carry through as they begin their careers as working adults, such as punctuality and attention to detail.”

He noted, “As the inclusion of technology increases each year in elections, students are able to bring their expertise to the process. Their knowledge makes them a valuable asset for the Board of Elections.”

This was the second year that students at Westwood Regional High School participated in training and serving as poll workers, said Michael Kenduck, district K-12 supervisor of humanities.

“As a result of last year's success, there was an unprecedented demand by the students to work on Election Day. This partnership between the Westwood Regional High School District and the Board of Elections provides an amazing opportunity for our students to engage in the electoral process in a non-partisan fashion,” he told us.

He added, “The students benefit from this ʻfront row seat to democracyʼsince they both earn money for their service and learn about the integrity of the voting process.”

He said, “It has been reported from representatives from the Board of Elections that our students asked engaging questions during their training and took their job seriously on Election Day.”

Westwood Principal Frank Connelly beamed to Pascack Press, “We are incredibly proud of our students who have stepped up to serve as poll workers. This training not only equips them with practical knowledge about the voting process, it also fosters a strong sense of civic responsibility.”

He added, “Itʼs inspiring to see young people engaged in our democracy in such a meaningful way Weʼre grateful for the opportunity to support their involvement.”

Pascack Press welcomes brief, respectful, signed letters to the editor on timely local topics.

MIHAELA KRAUSZ

Richard L. Miller, chairman ofthe Bergen County Board of Elections, helps educate teenage poll workers at Westwood Regional High School’s media center on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Such students, who are paid for the technical training, join a growing force of youth supporting voters in Bergen County on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4. John Snyder photo.

Wes Wagner, lead trainer with the Bergen County Board of Elections, on the job at Westwood Regional High School on Tuesday, Sept. 30. John Snyder photo.

Citizens power LWV panel on Constitution Day

BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

WESTWOOD

Billed as a Constitution Day celebration, the League of Women Voters of Northern Valleyʼs Sept. 17 forum here quickly became a pointed call to defend democracy.

League president Tomasina Schwarz set the tone, urging the packed house at the Community Center to ask not only where the U.S. Constitution, signed in Philadelphia on Sept. 17, 1787 has taken the nation, but where citizens must take it now.

Moderating a panel that mixed history, testimony, and warnings about present-day threats, Schwarz underscored that the nonpartisan, nonprofit League founded in 1920 and now led nationally by civil rights attorney Selena Stewart — is taking an unprecedented role in fighting gerrymandering and voter suppression through direct litigation.

The panel featured investigative journalist Bob Hennelly, Fairleigh Dickinson University political science professor Dr. Kyle Kattelman, and Park Ridge educator and labor leader Kelly Epstein, each tackling democracyʼs fragility from a different angle: the press as watchdog, the paradox of presidential power, and the duty of citizens to resist abuses close to home.

The panel had been slated to include a speaker on immigration rights, but she was unable to attend. Organizers said the absence underscored the range of issues tied up in todayʼs constitutional debates, from voting rights to immigration to education.

The League has tied its Unite & Rise 8.5 campaign to research showing that when roughly 3.5% of a population engages in nonviolent action, meaningful political change follows. For the United States, that translates to about 8.5 million people — the target number of voters the League aims to educate, mobilize, and activate through 2026. The initiative is part of the Leagueʼs broader Women Defend Democracy effort, launched this year in response to what it calls a constitutional crisis threatening the balance of powers

The panel featured investigative journalist Bob Hennelly (pictured), Fairleigh Dickinson University political science professor Dr. Kyle Kattelman, and Park Ridge educator and labor leader Kelly Epstein, each tackling Democracy’s fragility from a different angle: the press as watchdog, the paradox of presidential power, and the duty of citizens to resist abuses close to home. John Snyder photo.

and the protection of democratic institutions.

We spotted several people in the audience who are in public service, including Westwood Councilwoman Erin Collins.

The press as a bellwether

Though he was one of three featured guests, arguably the eveningʼs keynote came from Bob Hennelly, interim general manager at WBAI 99.5 FM, who began his career reporting right here in the Pascack Valley.

“Many decades ago, I was a reporter for the Pascack Valley News and the Ridgewood News, ” he told the crowd. “That was many pounds ago, I had more hair, and I was driving from public meeting to public meeting.”

Covering borough councils and school boards in towns like Emerson and Westwood, he said, gave him a visceral sense of democracyʼs importance. “It felt as serious as covering Congress,” he recalled. “Those local stories mattered — because they were about peopleʼs daily lives.”

That grounding also exposed him early to how power can sidestep the public if left unchecked. He recalled covering the Hackensack Water Companyʼs bid in the

late 1980s and early ʼ90s to transfer hundreds of acres of River Vale watershed land to a corporate affiliate — land that residents had long seen as a public buffer and ecological safeguard.

“The lawyers for the water company would show up at local boards and tell them they had no choice, that it was a mere rubber stamp,” Hennelly said. “But when I dug into the Board of Public Utilities transcript, I knew threecard monte when I saw it. Local people who walked their dogs there, who knew the farmers who

lost that land, stood up — and they stopped it.”

That fight became the basis of the Save the Watershed Action Network, which, alongside groups like the Environmental Defense Fund, pressed the issue through the courts and eventually forced regulators to treat such transfers with environmental scrutiny.

“That wasnʼt the federal government, that wasnʼt even the county,” Hennelly said. “It was neighbors, organized, defending their community.”

The lesson, he argued, is

urgent now. “Without a functioning press, the public doesnʼt even know when to act,” he said. “And without people willing to act, those deals just go through. Collective action matters — whether it was saving watershed land in River Vale, or standing up for free speech today.”

(He pointed out that the eveningʼs panel discussion was being covered by a member of the local press — this drew a warm round of applause.)

It’s

one of a kind:Where kids take the wheel

Under blue-sky weather Sunday, Sept. 21, Colony Field turned into a rolling museum you could sit in. The Park Ridge Recreation Committeeʼs second Collectible Car Fair for Kids and Teens invited students 18 and under to slide behind the wheel of landmark cars spanning the 20th century—an event organizers say may be the only one of its kind in the nation.

Clutching judging sheets and a scavenger-style “Fun Hunt for Car Facts” quiz, young enthusiasts

At Park Ridge’s Second Collectible Car Fair, students climb into 30 historic vehicles, judge entries, and ace a car-fact hunt

swarmed a curated lineup of 30 milestone cars, chatting with owners and trying out the controls.

Among the head-turners: a 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile, 1915 Ford Model T, 1943 WWII Willys Jeep, 1956 Cadillac Coupe deVille, 1961 C1 Corvette, 1965 Ford Mustang, 1970 Pontiac GTO, 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi, 1983 DeLorean, 1986 Porsche

911 Carrera, and 1996 Dodge Viper.

“The goal is to introduce younger generations to classic automobiles in an up-close and personal way,” said Burton Hall, publisher of the D rivinʼNews website and the showʼs producer. “It offers a unique hands-on expe-

Coffee with the BOE candidates Oct. 12

Voters can grab a cup of coffee and meet this yearʼs Board of Education candidates at an informal community meetup on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Park Ridge Elks Lodge, 13 Sulak Lane.

Organizers say all candidates have been invited for casual conversation and Q&A in a neighborly setting. According to the flyer, the contenders in order of appearance on the ballot are: Matthew Rozzi, Rosemarie Malloy, Shanai Jensen, Richard Kuiters, and Holly Misley.

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is helpful but not required (a QR code appears on the flyer for planning purposes). Hosts note this is not a Board of Education–sponsored event.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. If you canʼt attend but want to preview the issues, residents are encouraged to bring questions about curriculum, facilities, budgeting, student wellness, and longterm planning to future forums— or contact the candidates directly

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to NJAC 7:30 (NJDEP Pesticide Control Regulations), Veolia Water NJ may apply algaecide to the Oradell, Lake Tappan and Woodcliff Lake Reservoirs. In order to control algal populations, using any of the following products; Hydrogen Peroxide as Greenclean Liquid 5.0 (EPA# 70299-19) copper sulfate, as Quimag Quimicos Aguila Copper Sulfate Crystal (EPAReg. No. 73385-1) or EarthTec (EPAReg. No. 64962-1), from April 1st 2025 to October 1st, treatments will be applied by boat on an as- needed basis. Applications are conducted under the supervision of Veolia employee, Matthew Cerami Watershed Manager, NJDEPPesticide Applicator License No. 63286B. For further information (regarding public safety and exact treatment dates), please contact Matthew Cerami, 200 Lake Shore Drive, Haworth NJ 07641 (Ph: 973-508-2759).

For emergencies, call the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System at 800-764-7661. For routine health inquiries, call the National Pesticide Information Center at 800-858-7378. Pesticide Control Program telephone number 609-984-6568. This number for pesticide regulation information, pesticide complaints, and health referrals.

Upon request, the pesticide applicator or applicator business shall provide a resident with notification at least 12 hours prior to the application, except for Quarantine and Disease Vector Control only, when conditions necessitate pesticide applications sooner than that time. The address for the applicator employer’s web site is https://mywater.veolia.us/.

through their campaign channels.

Details at a glance

•What: Coffee with the Candidates — Park Ridge Board of Education

• When: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2–4 p.m.

•Where: Park Ridge Elks, 13 Sulak Lane

•Cost: Free; RSVP helpful, not necessary

•Note: Community-hosted; not BOE-sponsored.

rience in a decidedly hands-off world… These cars were a major force in shaping the world we live in today.”

Before the show, kids could take a short class on how to judge classics, taught by concours veteran Bob Austin, past director of the Rolls-Royce OwnersʼClub. Graduates then helped judge the field.

The 20-question Fun Hunt proved

a hit: more than 50 students answered all 20 correctly to earn the showʼs “Genius” badge.

A bonus for high-schoolers (and their parents) was a visit from Jeff Mason, president of the nonprofit Piston Foundation, who discussed scholarships and apprenticeships tied to careers in classic-car restoration.

The event was staffed by members and friends of Hallʼs “Collectible Automobiles as a Passion” class at Ridgewood Community School. More photos are posted at drivin-news.com.

PARK RIDGE

Voices from Westwood vigil for Charlie Kirk

BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

WESTWOOD

Several hundred people gathered in Veterans Park on Saturday night, Sept. 20, to mourn conservative activist Charlie Kirk, take their place in a historic moment for conservative identity, and hear calls for peace, unity, and respect in the wake of his Sept. 10 assassination.

The candlelight vigil was hosted by Jamie Gadino and Kristen Pedersen of Westwood, who framed the event as both a remembrance and a call to action. Photographs of Kirk and his family, set off by devotional candles, held focus on a table at the foot of the bandstand, alongside American flags and patriotic bunting, and signs proclaiming “America First Republicans/We Are Charlie.”

Speakers included Fr. Diego Navarro Rodriguez of St. Andrewʼs Church, who prayed for reconciliation, healing, and digni-

ty for every life, asking that the vigil be “a sign of hope”; Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo; Township of Washington Mayor Peter Calamari; and Legislative District

39ʼs State Sen. Holly Schepisi and state assemblymen Robert Auth and John Azzariti. Westwood Councilwoman Cheryl Hodges —

a Gold Star mother — offered the closing prayer.

Kirk was an activist, entrepreneur, and media personality. He co-founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA in 2012 and was its executive director. A close ally of President Donald Trump, he was widely

credited by political analysts and media outlets with helping carry Trumpʼs “Make America Great Again” message onto college campuses and into youth culture.

“Iʼve never seen anybody capture a group of people like he captured youth. He captured youth, it was incredible,” the president said of Kirk in an interview with Fox News that aired last Thursday.

Kirkʼs prominence came with deep controversy. He railed against migrants as an “invasion,” cast doubt on climate science as a “hoax,” and pushed for prison time for doctors providing genderaffirming care — stances that endeared him to many conservatives but alienated large swaths of the public.

The Guardian described Kirk as “a debate-me bro figure whose campus appearances drew both enthusiastic supporters and vocal opponents.” Supporters hailed the style as fearless truth-telling; opponents saw it as provocation, meant to humiliate rather than persuade.

ʻHumanity vs. insanityʼ

There was love in this crowd, and there were tears. Gadino, who helped organize the program, described Kirk as a husband, father, and activist whose voice

stirred and challenged many. “This isnʼt Democrat vs. Republican anymore,” she said. “Itʼs humanity vs. insanity. Itʼs good vs. evil.”

Speakers paced their remarks against the wail of passing trains and emergency sirens. Arroyo acknowledged that Kirk was a polarizing figure, but said that wasnʼt the point of gathering.

Reading from an email he received from a constituent, Arroyo emphasized that the vigil “shouldnʼt be about Charlieʼs beliefs or political views. It should be about respecting one another when we disagree, especially when we disagree. It should be about ending violence and building tolerance.”

Arroyo expanded on that theme with a civic and Christian framing: “Attack the idea, not the ideologue,” he said, urging dialogue that is “robust, resolute, but respectful.” He reminded the crowd that the Golden Rule — loving thy neighbor as thyself, doing unto others as you would have them do unto you — is the antidote to hate.

“Our safest safe spaces should be in the public square and in the free marketplace of ideas where the script for the future of

From left: Event co-host Kristen Pedersen, Westwood Councilwoman Cheryl Hodges, Assemblyman John Azzariti (LD-39), Assemblyman Robert Auth (LD-39), State Sen. Holly Schepisi (LD-39), Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo, event co-host Jamie Gadino, and Township of Washington Mayor Peter Calamari gather at Saturday’s vigil for Charlie Kirk in Veterans Memorial Park. John Snyder/Pascack Press. For more event photos, visit PascackPress.com.

Panel:

FROM PAGE 29

A paradox of the presidency

In his turn presenting, Dr. Kyle Kattelman, professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University, offered what he called “a condensed lecture on the paradox of the U.S. presidency.”

He drew a distinctionbetween the “big-C Constitution,” the written framework ratified in 1789, and the “little-c constitution,” the

Vigil:

FROM PAGE 32

our country is being written,”

Arroyo said. “After 250 years, we mustnʼt lose the plot. It is a pragmatic, rational, and especially Christian message…”

Calamari spoke with particular emphasis on young people in the crowd — some on bicycles, and taking photos of Kirkʼs portraits — urging them to “carry a little of Charlie in you” and to make a difference in their own communities, even in small ways. He called Kirk irreplaceable for his ability to connect with youth and model civic engagement, and said his death underscored the risks that come with speaking freely.

“Charlie also believed deeply in free speech, so much so that he was willing to die for it,” Calamari said. “No matter what side of an issue youʼre on, violence is never the answer A strong community and a strong democracy depend on our ability to talk, to listen, and to disagree without fear.”

Schepisi reflected on how her daughter first alerted their family chat to the news of Kirkʼs shooting and how the raw video of the attack underscored the stakes. She pointed to recent assassination attempts and killings across the political spectrum — targeting Donald Trump, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband as evidence of a “very dangerous trend” of political violence.

Schepisi said Kirk himself had sought to lower the temperature, reaching out to CNN anchor Van Jones the day before he was killed to invite a respectful discus-

unwritten expectations that presidents will lead, communicate, and sometimes even push against institutional limits.

“Demagogues were what the founders feared most,” Kattelman said. “But over time weʼve come to expect our presidents to behave almost unconstitutionally — to rally the public, to pressure Congress, to drive policy from the bully pulpit. If itʼs your guy, you cheer it. If itʼs not, you call it a constitutional crisis.”

He emphasized that many of the practices people decry as

sion, and smoothing over a disagreement that drew ire on X and beyond.

Kirkʼs pushback, Jones recalled, “sparked an online torrent of racist death threats against me, the likes of which I have rarely seen.”

“Adults need to show the youth of this nation what is right and what is wrong,” Schepisi said. “We can respectfully listen and disagree.”

Auth lauded Kirkʼs work on college campuses through Turning Point USA. “He annoyed people, he made people think,” Auth said. He urged young people to be “bigger, braver, more courageous” and declared, “The tour must go on.”

Azzariti framed his tribute around the principle of free speech, calling it the cornerstone of American democracy. He said Kirk exemplified that ideal by engaging openly with tough issues and opponents alike. He warned that intolerance and anger are pulling families and communities apart, and urged colleges to resist indoctrination and instead foster real debate.

“Respect doesnʼt mean agreement,” Azzariti said, “it means seeing the humanity in those with whom we differ ” He closed by urging the crowd to choose unity over division, love over hate, and to honor Kirkʼs legacy by treating one another with dignity The program included patriotic music, candles shared and held aloft, and a group singing of Lee Greenwoodʼs “God Bless the USA.”

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PARK FLOORING

“unconstitutional” — from presidents leaning on the Department of Justice to excluding outlets from press briefings — are not spelled out in the Constitution at all. That makes them violations of democratic norms rather than the document itself, he said.

Asked whether todayʼs challenges were irreparable, he shook his head. “Weʼve been here before. We killed half a million of each other in the Civil War. It wasnʼt clean, but we survived. Optimism means remembering that we can still pull back from the brink.”

Kattelman used slides of presidents Trump, Biden, Obama, George W. Bush, Clinton, and Reagan to illustrate the evolving expectations of the office.

That theme carried into the final panelist, Kelly Epstein, who sketched Americaʼs history of resistance movements from abolition to labor rights to civil rights, and connected them to her own townʼs then-ongoing fight to recall a school board member, who has since stepped down.

“What it has done in our town is energize our voters,” Epstein said. “We collected more than

The forum was hosted by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Northern Valley.

2,100 signatures — nearly 30% of registered voters — and weʼre pressing forward in court even though the [county] clerk rejected our petition on a technicality.”

Epstein said the signatories to the petition included Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters, underscoring that the recall drive was not a partisan crusade but rather a testament to the peopleʼs right to seek redress through legal procedures. “As citizens, we are allowed to hold our elected officials accountable,” she said. “Itʼs not easy, but the process exists for a reason.”

Two plaintiffs in that recall case, Laura Clark and Theresa Hollers, were present and received donations from the audience to support the legal fight.

Epstein said that while opponents hope fear will sap momentum, residents have already proven otherwise. “Weʼve been here before,” she said. “Resistance is in our blood.”

Epstein argued that one reason the Constitution has survived longer than any other in history is because it does not say too much. Its openness to interpretation, she said, has allowed generations to resist excesses of power and push for change — from abolition to labor rights to civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality. That openness, she suggested, is not a flaw but rather the source of the Constitutionʼs durability.

As the event closed, Schwarz noted that the Leagueʼs Unite and Rise initiative offers ways to stay engaged, from writing letters to organizing locally. “Everyone plays their part,” she said. “This is mine— bringing people together. Now itʼs up to all of us.”

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rise, and programs like Wayfinder are helping them grow not just academically but emotionally as well.

FROM PAGE 24 and well-being. Over the years, weʼve seen Salvatore and Kathleen lead with a genuine commitment to what matters most: our kids. They have worked tirelessly to keep Hillsdaleʼs schools strong, and it shows, our studentsʼreading and math scores continue to

As parents, we are especially grateful for the emphasis theyʼve placed on keeping our children safe. Hillsdale is the only K–8 district in the Pascack Valley with Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEOs), something Salvatore and Kathleen championed, even advocating for an additional

IRRIGATION IS OUR ONLY BUSINESS! 5 YEAR WARRANTY

officer to ensure every child feels protected.

Theyʼve also pushed for state-of-the-art security measures, i ncluding surveillance systems that law enforcement can access when needed, soon to be installed at George White School. Knowing that they prioritize our childrenʼs safety as much as we do as parents is truly reassuring.

Salvatore and Kathleen also understand that a strong school system requires thoughtful stewardship of our communityʼs resources.

Theyʼve helped lead the George White School renovation—the largest public works project Hillsdale has seen in 25 years and oversaw important updates to classrooms, media centers, and computer labs at the elementary schools.

Their efforts to secure a $66,000 grant for tree planting is another example of their commitment to improving our schools

and community without burdening taxpayers.

What sets them apart, though, is their belief in continuity and teamwork. At a time when itʼs easy for boards to become divided, Salvatore and Kathleen lead by example focusing on unity, respect, and collaboration. They understand that we achieve more for our children when we work together rather than let differences pull us apart.

We want our schools to continue to move forward with experienced, dedicated leaders who have already proven their care for both our students and our community. Thatʼs why we are supporting Salvatore and Kathleen.

I hope you will join us in voting for them to keep Hillsdaleʼs schools safe, strong, and united.

Kevin Donatello and Justin Saxon Hillsdale

To the editor:

CTOBERISHERE , the leaves will start falling, and soon our suburban ears will be assaulted daily by the sounds of gasoline-fueled leaf blowers. We should stop and reflect for a moment: Do we really want to inflict this racket on our neighbors as well as our families and ourselves?

If one plans to use their own loud, pollution spewing tool to clear their yard of leaves, there are other ways. Spending a few hours with an inexpensive quiet rake is pleasant, healthful exercise, and cheaper than a gym membership. One can also

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

Letters:

consider a plug-in or battery operated leaf blower. Itʼs a bit louder than a rake but much quieter than a gas blower.

The electric blower also does not subject the operator and nearby others to noxious, unhealthful exhaust fumes.

If your preference is to hire a service to remove your leaves, you can request or demand that the service not use gas powered leaf blowers.

W hichever quieter choice you make, your neighbors will be happier.

We can also request our local and county officials to ban or restrict the use smoke-belching, racket-generating gasoline-fueled leaf blowers.

Clark Brinkerhoff Park Ridge

Stockton Street fun will go on

To the editor:

S TOCKTON STREET residents

thank all the friends and neighbors who celebrated 25 years of block parties with us! We loved the themes, especially Caddyshack, Margaritaville, Animal House… basically all of them!

We are so blessed to have enjoyed 25 years of celebrating together in our amazing Hillsdale community The memories will be kept in our hearts forever. (Is anyone willing to take over? We would love to come as guests!)

Dozens at Alzheimer’s education night

More than 40 residents attended a program on Thursday, S ept. 25, at Christ Lutheran Church featuring two Alzheimerʼs Association Greater New Jersey education sessions: “Understanding Alzheimerʼs and Dementia” and “10 Warning Signs.” The evening was hosted by Rev. Marc A. Stutzel in partnership with the Alzheimerʼs Association Greater New Jersey.

WOODCLIFF LAKE

The Fire Department will host an open house on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 180 P ascack Road. The evening will feature a smok e house, fire extinguisher demonstrations, vehicle extrication demonstrations, and other family-friendly safety activities. Residents are invited to meet local firefighters, tour the firehouse, and learn more about fire safety in the community.

The program was led by Terry Ciulla of Park Ridge, an Alzheimerʼs Association Comm unity Educator. Attendees heard about the disease process, risk factors, early detection, and how to access local support and resources. A show of hands indicated that about 90% of participants have been personally affected—through the loss of a l oved one, caregiving, or a strong family history.

Ciulla, who has been a caregiver for her mother, aunt, and mother-in-law, told the audience, “It was one of the biggest c hallenges Iʼve faced. Until youʼve been there, you donʼt realize the struggle to find resources, care, and medications—and to cope with the aftermath of loss. I promised my mom I would be a voice for

those who donʼt have one and support families facing this disease.” She is also active with Walk to End Alzheimerʼs and public policy advocacy.

Remarks were also offered by Paul Irwin-Dudek, executive director, and Bruce Sisler, director of state affairs and advocacy, both with the Alzheimerʼs Asso-

ciation Greater New Jersey. Organizers emphasized that early detection and diagnos is can lower risks, extend quality of life, and connect families to care planning and s upport sooner. The Alzheimerʼs Association 24/7 Helpline is available at 800272-3900 and alz.org

Dione Olson and residents of Stockton Street Hillsdale

D ouglas T. M c B RIDE

DOUGLAS T. MCBRIDE, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully on Sept. 17, 2025, surrounded by family. He was 81.

Born Oct. 16, 1943, in Teaneck, he was the son of Mary and Walter McBride and grew up in Hillsdale. He was known for his humor, kindness and generosity. He met his wife, Jane, while she was in high school, and together they shared 59 years of marriage.

Mr. McBride worked for Community Life for 25 years and later as advertising manager at The Recorder He was a lifetime member of the River Vale Ambulance Corps and a longtime member of Rotary.

A talented artist, he found joy in pencil sketches of homes, boats and portraits.

Survivors include his wife, Jane; daughters Colleen, Shannon, and Heather and her husband, Richard; six grandchildren, Kayla and her husband, Jordan, Zachary, Logan, Regan, Ava and Ana; nephew Daniel Neal and his wife, Brandy, and their son, Aidan; and

OBITUARIES

niece Lisa Neal. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, MaryAnn Neal.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the River Vale Ambulance Corps or St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital. Services were held at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood. A funeral service followed at the funeral home. Interment at Maryrest Cemetery & Mausoleum, Mahwah.

Julianne M. LIPNICK

JULIANNE M. LIPNICK, 72, of Township of Washington, died Sept. 12, 2025, after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. She fought with incredible strength and grace, a testament to the resilience that defined her life.

Mrs. Lipnick was a beloved wife, devoted mother, cherished “Grammie,” loving sister, sisterin-law and aunt. She is survived by her husband, Reed; her daughter, Haleigh; and her son, Michael, who will carry forward her legacy of love, joy and family devotion.

She grew up in Cliffside Park,

DIRECTORY DIREC TORY

the daughter of Mary and Henry Kulesza, and the sister of Rich and Hank. She built a meaningful career in municipal government, serving the communities of Washington Township and Saddle River with dedication and integrity.

She had a deep and abiding faith, and found joy and strength in her church and Cornerstone community. But above all, she treasured her family — especially the time spent with her grandchildren. Her zest for life was unmatched, and she truly knew how to live it to the fullest. Survivors also include her grandchildren, who were her greatest joy.

Services were held at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood.

Dr. Lois J. COPELAND

ACELEBRATIONOFLIFE

honoring Dr. Lois J. Copeland, longtime Hillsdale physician and medical freedom activist, will be held Sunday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All whose lives she touched are welcome. RSVP by email to drcopelandlegacy@gmail.com for location and confirmation.

Leroy EVANS

LEROY EVANS, 79, of Westwood, died Sept. 21, 2025, at Valley Hospital in Paramus.

Born March 26, 1946, in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, he later moved with his family to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. As a teenager he came to the Bronx, N.Y., and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967 during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Evans married Adra (Ann) White-Evans on Aug. 2, 1969. They settled in Westwood in the fall of 1979, where they raised their family

He worked as a crossing guard for the Hillsdale Police Department for more than 12

years. He was also remembered as a bus mechanic at the New Milford transit depot and as an installer for Ford Motor Co., beginning at the Mahwah manufacturing plant and later at the Ford shipping warehouse in Teterboro, where he worked more than 14 years.

Mr. Evans became a baptized Jehovahʼs Witness in the early 2000s.

A family man, he helped raise more than eight children. He was a skilled mechanic who loved working on cars and boats, as well as fishing and bird watching.

Survivors include his wife, Adra Evans; children Leroy Evans Jr., Linnell Evans (Navarro) and Damian Evans; and grandchildren David Mayer, Jesse Mayer, Adra Mayer, Leroy Evans III, Keyrah Sky Rose Evans, Kaleah Daisy Ann Evans, Myron Manns, Sage Robin Thomas and Ember Daisy Thomas.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at 4 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahʼs Witnesses, 25 Harrington Ave., Closter. A celebration of life will follow at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave., Westwood.

Sharon Mildred KOHAN

SHARON MILDRED KOHAN was born on Jan. 14, 1973, and passed on May 25, 2025, and was always a presence in her brothersʼ lives. She learned from her older brothers, Jeff and Glenn, while teaching and encouraging her younger siblings, Kevin and Craig. Her parents, Roy and Lois, instilled love, passion, kindness, and dedication in her at an early age.

Sharon enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, gardening, Billy Joel and country western music, her church choir, and spending time with her Labrador retrievers and many other domestic animals the family had.

She was known for her high energy, ambition, athleticism, and musicality. She played many instruments and participated in numerous

bands at Pascack Valley High School, where she graduated in 1991.

Sharon excelled in all sports, but her passion was softball. Her tenacity as a shortstop earned her a spot at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she played for four years and earned a bachelorʼs of science degree in chemistry. She earned a second degree at UNC in clinical laboratory science, and a masterʼs degree in forensic science from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sharon met her future husband, Kevin “Skipp” Skipper, at UNC in 1995. They were married in 2005. Skipp said, “She was everything any man would want. She was cute, funny, smart, sassy, athletic, loved sports—especially the Tar Heels—and beer.”

The couple relocated to Virginia in 2010 and started a family. Sharon adored her three children and was deeply involved in every aspect of their lives, especially athletics, while also working full-time.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Skipp, and their children, Mackenzie, Chase, and Eli, of Mechanicsville, Virginia; her parents, Roy and Lois Kohan; her brothers, Jeff (Denise) and Glenn (Jeanne), all of Hillsdale; and her brothers, Kevin (Carolina) and Craig of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

She is also survived by Skippʼs parents, Robert and Charlotte Skipper of Little River, S.C.; Skippʼs brother, Brian Skipper of Raleigh, N.C.; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation was held on May 29, and a celebration of life service followed on May 30 at Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Mechanicsville.

Sharon was an organ donor, and a beautiful Honor Walk was performed for her at Memorial Regional Hospital.

A service honoring Sharon and several other organ donors will be held on Oct. 23 at the hospital in Mechanicsville.

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