Supporters make winning case on 170-year-old town veteran
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
As America gets ready to celebrate its 250th anniversary next year, borough and school district officials have joined together to save a small part of local history that likely predated Americaʼs Civil War.
A nearly 170–year-old white oak tree near the corner of Magnolia and Liberty avenues will be preserved by newly initiated borough and school district efforts to See TREE on page 19
A BOROUGH’S HAPPY HARVEST A BOROUGH’S HAPPY HARVEST
DʼAgostino
Landscaping to operate 8.4acre DePiero site; town garden planned
Jeffrey Piatt, founder & owner of Montvale Landscaping, drives guests of all ages young at heart around Montvale’s 8.4-acre farm in his 1935 Farmall during the borough’s Oct.18 Town Day at the Farm festivities. Photo credit: John Snyder
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
ST ARTING 2026, the last remaining fields once farmed by the DePiero family for more than a century will again flourish with crops and flowers, thanks to a newly approved lease agreement and a groundswell
of community support for keeping the land green.
On Oct. 28, the Borough Council voted unanimously to award a 20-year lease for the boroughʼs 8.4-acre former DePiero Farm property on Craig Road to DʼAgostino Landscaping & Irrigation of West Nyack, N.Y. The lease takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
SAFETY COMPLEX
The new public safety complex takes shape on Rivervale Road in River Vale. A late 2025 or early 2026 opening is likely, officials say. Photo, report by Mike Olohan. PAGE11
The company bid $43,200 annually, with 2% yearly increases, outpacing bids of $12,000 each from Demarest Farms in Hillsdale and Matthew Worgul and Matthew Epstein.
Mayor Michael Ghassali called the decision “a mean-
Continued on page 22
VALLEY BACKED JACKBUT SHERRILL ROMPS NJ
Local voices as Democrats retain state in ʻblue waveʼ
BYMICHAEL OLOHAN AND JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
Although most Pascack Valley towns favored Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor, statewide voters elected Democrat Mikie Sherrill as New Jerseyʼs 57th governor, giving her 56.2% of the statewide vote to Ciattarelliʼs 43.2%.
Sherrillʼs win marks the first time since the early 1960s that one party has retained the governorship for three consecutive terms. She is the Garden Stateʼs second female governor, and the first for the Democratic Party. She succeeds two-term Gov. Phil Murphy, whose term expires Dec. 31.
See SHERRILL on page 20
“The group drew up plans for the construction of a church on Linwood Avenue. A far cry from the busy thoroughfare it is today, Linwood in the 1890s was a dirt track culminating in a mud hole…” Kristin Beuscher revisits Etna.
4
Republican Jack Ciattarelli and n ow Gov.-elect Democrat Mikie Sherrill. Photos by Amanda Brown and Reena Rose Sibayan/NJ Monitor.
Thanks to supporters of Westwood Library
To the editor:
THE FRIENDSOF the Westwood Library held an amazing Murder Mystery Night on Oct. 17. Guests had a wonderful time dressed in 1920s speakeasy attire. The event was a complete success due to the widespread support of the community. Much thanks to our financial sponsors including Johl and Company, Becker Funeral Home, Modera
Wealth, Carousel Early Learning Center, Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center, a nd Visions Federal Credit Union.
Wonderful contributors of gift cards and items for silent auction baskets were Morgan Steakhouse, Toba Restaurant and Bar, Granita Grille, Pompilioʼs Pizza and Restaurant, Westwood Prime Meats, Al Dente Fresh Pasta Co. and Lucianoʼs Pizzeria and Baked Goods, TFS Burger Works, Domani, Mercato Roman Pizza Kitchen, Salad House, Conrads, Goldbergs Famous Bagels, Maxineʼs Bakeshop, Flynnʼs Delicatessen, Brusterʼs Real Ice Cream, Playa Bowls, Raising Caneʼs Chicken Fingers, The Gem Mine, and The Game Zone.
Supermarkets Stop and Shop, Stew Leonardʼs Farm Fresh Food, Wegmans, ShopRite, and Trader Joeʼs were also generous supporters.
Friends volunteers worked tirelessly for months to make the event a night to remember. Thanks to the fund raising team for their talents and dedication
including Suzanne Gorham, Juliette Sobon, Michele Hastings, Lauren Rogers, Liz Miceli, and Rick and Michele Antonick.
We are so fortunate to have director Catherine DiLeo and the staff of the Westwood Public Library, who welcome and support library patrons every day and pitched in to make Murder Mystery Night a blast.
Thanking one and all, Mike Violano for the Friends of the Westwood Library
Puerta,Sileo give thanks on win
To the editor:
WEARESINCERELY
honored and deeply grateful for the confidence you have shown in us through our election to the Hillsdale Board of Education. It is a privilege to continue serving our district and to represent a community so deeply committed to the success and wellbeing of its students.
We have made meaningful progress in advancing educational excellence, supporting our dedicated educators and staff, and ensuring that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We remain steadfast in our commitment to this mission and to working collaboratively with our fellow board members, administrators, and community stakeholders to build upon this important work.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all who participated in this election — those who voted, wrote letters on our behalf, supported us with a lawn sign and on social media, or engaged in discussions about the future of our schools. Your involvement reflects the strength of our community and the shared belief that education is the foundation of opportunity.
We thank you again for your trust and continued partnership. We look forward to serving you with integrity, transparency, and dedication in the years ahead. Hope to see you at the next board of ed meeting!
With sincere gratitude,
Kathleen Puerta and Salvatore Sileo Hillsdale
The borough is seeking to get more information and prices on possible renovations needed at the DPWʼs salt storage bin, which appears to be in disrepair as a second wall bows affecting structural integrity
Interim Administrator
Richard Sheola said on Oct. 21 that heʼll also get prices for a possible replacement of the structure. He said he would anticipate the estimates to come in slightly above $1.25 million. He said he would get estimates to replace
the salt bin on its current footprint. He said renovations were likely to last 10-15 years and a replacement could last 25 years or more.
Mayor Danielle DiPaola said though they previously told DPW Director Perry Solimando that they would repair the structure, the mayor and council needed to get more information to make an informed decision at the Monday, Nov. 10 council meeting.
He said if council wants to pursue a new salt shed, they might be able to go out to bid in February 2026. DiPaola stated there were funds put aside for a salt shed over the last decade. It was unclear what was immediately available.
Staff writer Michael Olohan
Sheola said it was “paramount” to get the salt shed fixed soon. He said he remembered discussing the same concern six years ago with Solimando. “The long and short of it is this needs to get done and it needs to get done very soon,” Sheola said.
Land Use Board to review 370-unit redevelop plan Nov. 13
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
WOODCLIFFLAKE
The Land Use Board will review the proposed 21-acre mixed-use redevelopment of the former BMW property at 300 Chestnut Ridge Road on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall.
The plan — advanced by RW Woodcliff Lake Urban Renewal LLC, a joint venture of Russo Development and Woodmont Properties — calls for 370 housing units, including townhomes, multifamily apartments, affordable housing, supportive housing, and retail space.
According to the public notice, the development would include 47 townhouses, a 297-unit apartment building (with 34 affordable units), and a 26-unit supportive housing building offering 40 beds for people with physical or mental disabilities. Two retail spaces totaling 9,000 square feet and 912 parking spaces are also planned, along with 40 addi-
tional land-banked spaces.
The Land Use Boardʼs role Thursday is to determine whether the redevelopment plan is “consistent” with the boroughʼs Master Plan. The board may suggest revisions or conditions but cannot reject the plan outright. Those recommendations then return to the Borough Council for possible action.
Mayor: “The best we could do under the circumstances”
The Borough Council approved the redevelopment plan unanimously on Sept. 15 after a nearly three-hour hearing at the Tice Senior Center, where about two dozen residents raised concerns over traffic, school impacts, emergency services, and the townʼs single-family character.
Mayor Carlos Rendo said the plan was part of the boroughʼs ongoing effort to meet its state affordable housing obligations through 2035.
“Itʼs the best we could do under the circumstances,” Rendo said. “Given the affordable housing mandates and the situation that
communities find themselves in, we have to meet those mandates and thatʼs what drives the density. Affordables are only 20% of new housing developments. Thatʼs whatʼs creating the problem.”
Tax revenue, open space, and impact
Russo Development CEO Edward Russo said the project was refined multiple times to balance market-rate, affordable, and supportive housing, with retail and public open space. He estimated it could generate $54 million more in tax revenue than current office use, and as much as $78 million more over 30 years under a proposed PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreement, with 95% of payments going to Woodcliff Lake and 5% to Bergen County.
Russo said half the site will remain open space, with a public walking path around the property. He also pointed to declining school enrollment—down 15% to 20% in recent decades—as evidence the project would not add “a meaningful amount” of students.
Whatʼs next Thursdayʼs Land Use Board meeting will give residents an opportunity to question the developerʼs professionals and, before hearings close, to offer public comment. The full redevelopment plan is posted on the boroughʼs website at wclnj.com, under Residents > Redevelopment
Veterans Park,Emerson — Joseph Oettinger Jr.
‘VETERANS DAY MUSINGS 2025’
BY JOSEPH OETTINGERJR SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS
IN 1938, Nov. 11 became a legal U.S. holiday, Armistice Day. It was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of the World War (1914–1918). The World War was alternatively known as the Great War. In time, that war became identified as World War I.
In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day, and November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. In 1971, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October, but in 1978 it reverted to Nov. 11.
Americans who came to the aid of their country in time of war have been subjected to abuse by some persons. Multiple published accounts claim that during a visit to France in 2018 for the centennial anniversary of the end of World War I, one such person, U.S. President Donald Trump, is documented calling U.S. Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Woods “suckers,” and referred to fallen American servicemembers interred at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery as “losers.” Trump is reputed to have avoided military service in 1968 with a “heel bone
See OETTINGER on page 28
Bckintime... Bckintime...
years ago
Emerson church predates borough
BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS
THEFIRSTCHURCH in Emerson held its inaugural service 125 years ago this week.
At the time, the village, which was part of the Township of Washington, had about 450 residents. There was a railroad station, hotel, and general store, but no school and no church. The people attended religious services in other
SPECIALTO PASCACK PRESS
By Kristin Beuscher, president of the Pascack Historical Society, Park Ridge. Call (201) 573-0307 or visit PascackHistoricalSociety.org
towns, and the children went to the Old Hook Road school in Westwood.
A generation earlier the area was known as Kinderkamack, an isolated rural settlement where nearly everyone farmed. When the railroad came through in 1870, land developers trying to market properties to New Yorkers believed the long, old-fashioned name was throwing off potential buyers. It was dropped in favor of the more streamlined and modern Etna
An early 20th century view up Linwood Avenue toward Kinderkamack Road shows the Union Chapel (now Emerson Bible Church) on the right.
Thus, when the first church in the village was built in 1900, it was known as the Union Chapel of Etna.
The organization had its origins in 1897, when a few Etna residents decided to begin a Sunday school. What started as a small gathering of students meeting at a private home developed into the idea to build a church.
The group drew up plans for the construction of a church on Linwood Avenue. A far cry from the busy thoroughfare it is today, Linwood in the 1890s was a humble dirt track culminating in a mud hole where it met Kinderkamack Road. As the church took shape on this rural byway,
See BEUSCHER on page 27
The Union Chapel of Etna, the first church built in Emerson, in the early 1900s. The first service was held 125
this week.
Work on DPW at Bethany ongoing; lease approval Nov. 10
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Construction is underway behind Bethany Community Center on the townshipʼs proposed new Department of Public Works (DPW) storage site, with final council approval of the 18-month site lease expected at the Nov. 10 meeting.
A Pascack Press reporter visiting the area on Saturday, Nov. 1, observed two large dump trucks and an excavator on-site. Fencing had been installed, and a wide path had been excavated for a driveway off Woodfield Road.
Pascack Press wrote town administrator Mark DiCarlo for a timeline for completion of the Bethany site improvements, and asking whether the plans had received—or required—a review
by the Planning Board. We didnʼt hear back by press time.
On Oct. 20, the council unanimously introduced an ordinance to lease the 1.25-acre site for $5,800 per month. DiCarlo told Pascack Press that improvements will include a new driveway from Woodfield Road and gated fencing around the area designated for DPW vehicles and equipment.
Vendor invoices we obtained show the cost of security fencing,
to be installed by Bergen Fence of Ridgefield Park, at $18,850.
Driveway construction, by Cifelli & Son General Contracting of Nutley, is $38,900, bringing total site upgrades to $57,750.
Including lease payments and site work, the total cost over 18 months is nearly $162,000. DiCarlo said the lease costs will be drawn from the township budget, while the site upgrades will likely be funded by a reappropriation of $150,349.85 in
Emerson seniors to meet Nov. 13, back food drive
The Emerson Senior Citizens will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13 at noon at the Clubhouse, 20 Palisade Ave. This monthʼs gathering features a Friendsgiving Luncheon at $10 per person. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations to support the Emerson Bible Church Food Drive; this will be collected at the meeting. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
remaining capital funds originally earmarked for construction of a new DPW facility.
The Bethany site will provide temporary storage for DPW vehicles and equipment now housed behind Town Hall and in 35 leased spaces at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Construction of the townshipʼs $4.9 million DPW facility, planned for the
rear of Town Hall, is expected to begin soon.
Officials have said the Bethany property was the only location in town that met the departmentʼs storage needs.
The lease has largely been discussed in closed session, with only brief public reference during the Oct. 6 council meeting.
Residents, orgs dazzle in community service awards
Mayor Keith Misciagna and the Borough Council honored 22 residents and organizations for their exceptional volunteer service at the 2025 Park Ridge Community Service Awards, presented Tuesday night in the Borough Council Chambers.The annual event recognizes those whose commitment, initiative, and generosity enrich life
throughout the borough.
“These award recipients were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond this year,” Mayor Misciagna said. “Getting things done is one of the hardest parts of governing, but here in Park Ridge, people step up. Thatʼs what makes this community a very special one.”
The mayor praised the hon-
orees for their time and dedication to causes that range from veteransʼ support and youth programs to recreation, public service, and local media.
The 2025 Community Service Award recipients are:
Danielle Albanese –Park Ridge High School
Gerald Alexander –Cpl. Jedh C. Barker Memorial Post 153, American Legion
Frank Coppola – Park Ridge Elks Lodge #2234
Jennifer Cottone – Park Ridge Athletic Association
Ellen Eddy – Park Ridge Girl Scouts
Rosemary Happ – Park Ridge
Recreation & Cultural Committee
William Hennig – Golden Age Social Club of Park Ridge
SALE HOLIDAY
Gregory Hoffman – Rotary Club of Park Ridge
Tammy Levinson – PKRG-TV
Heather McGee – Tri-Boro
Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Raymond Mital – Park Ridge Planning Board
James OʼKeefe – Knights of Columbus Council #4486
Frank Pantaleo – Park Ridge
Zoning Board
Horace Parker – Park Ridge Police
Reserves
Debbie Piatt – Tri-Boro
Food Pantry
Mikki Rehak – Scouting America, Park Ridge Troop 80
Natalie Rehak – Cpl. Jedh C. Barker Memorial Post 153, American Legion Auxiliary
John Sigillito – Park Ridge Fire Department
Jaimie Sirianni – West Ridge Parent-Teacher Organization
Denise Solda – Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club
Raymond Steffen – Park Ridge Municipal Pool
Sophia Yakhnich – Park Ridge Public Library
Misciagna thanked each awardee for helping make Park Ridge “the gem of Bergen County,” adding that their volunteerism “shows what can happen when neighbors work together for the common good.”
— Staff
Plus Mattresses, Recliners, Desks, Leather, Kitchen Sets, Lamps & Much More.
Shifting legal notices online, for good and ill
COMMENTARY
ITʼSBEGUN: The Borough of Westwood will publish all its official legal and public notices on its website — westwoodnj.gov/493/Legal-Notices — in compliance with a new state law that allows towns to move their required notices from print to digital formats.
Under New Jersey P.L. 2025, c. 72, signed this fall by Gov. Phil Murphy, public entities will be required to post legal notices online starting March 2026. The law follows the loss of several legacy newspapers, including The Star-Ledger and The Jersey Journal, which printed their final editions earlier this year, leaving many municipalities without an “official newspaper of record.”
For now, thereʼs a transition period. Notices will continue to run in The Record through Jan. 31, 2026, while towns build their digital archives and public awareness. From Nov. 10 through the end of January, Westwood will also place ads in online news outlets to alert readers that the boroughʼs website is now the definitive source for public postings. By February, that site alone will serve as the boroughʼs official record.
This shift isnʼt just happening in Westwood. It comes amid a statewide reckoning accelerated by the slow fade of print journalism — a decline thatʼs been building for decades. The reasons are familiar: shrinking readership, the collapse of local advertising, and the way social media has changed how people get — and value — information.
The old business model that once kept local journalism thriving has been squeezed from every side. When national tech platforms collect the ad dollars once spent in hometown papers, itʼs the community thatʼs left poorer for it. Newspapers were never just about news; they were about connection — the shared rhythm of civic life, from government hearings to garage sales, from
BY JOHN SNYDER
zoning notices to wedding announcements. We inform, but we also bind. That dual purpose is what our academics call Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft: community and society, the tug between belonging and bureaucracy. Newspapers have always lived in that space. They carry both the official record — the laws, the budgets, the notices — and the unofficial record: who got married, who won the game, who passed away, who made a difference. They make public life feel personal, and theyʼre a fingerprint of life here.
I was captivated by these ideas, and I think about them still. When I graduated from journalism school in 1997, the department bulletin boards were spilling over with flyers for great jobs in newspapers, magazines, radio, and public information. I packed my car, drove west, checked in at a hostel, and landed my first real job as a copy editor in Northern California. The future felt wide open — and then the internet hit. At first, it wasnʼt the end of anything. It was the beginning of everything. The web was hiring journalists, not replacing them. You were almost foolish not to make the jump — to chase those bright new frontiers of immediacy, reach, and better money. For a while, it seemed the whole profession was expanding, not contracting.
I remember when it was all open and mostly free — a vast, democratic commons of information. Over time, though, the economic center collapsed inward: paywalls rose, ad revenue drained away, and the open promise of the internet hardened into a marketplace.
Then social media flooded through, bringing algorithm-controlled connection and corrosion
— a torrent of misinformation and, particularly for young people, and more particularly girls, a slow erosion of self-worth thatʼs still claiming victims.
Now jobs in the field are scarce. Copy desks and photo editors were among the first to go; newsrooms have been shedding talent for years, and facilities sold off for developer profit.
With so little time left for anything but the essentials, I generally have to turn prospective interns away — and that guts me, as they are our fieldʼs future.
And now comes another wave: large language models — what weʼre calling A.I. — sophisticated toys, powerful and persuasive, but troubling in their own way. At great environmental cost they create the illusion of competent human writing while draining meaning from the very conditions that make writing human. They can synthesize, but not witness. They can imitate, but not belong. Theyʼre coded to encourage our bonding, at the expense what we might find in our community.
The drive to move legal notices online makes sense in an economic context — itʼs efficient, cost-saving, and practical. But itʼs also a reminder of whatʼs slipping away: the habit of encountering community in print, in the texture of pages, in the ritual of turning to the back and scanning the agate text — those tight, gray columns of public record and small truths.
There are readers — maybe youʼre one of them — who still pore over those listings, tracing familiar names or small decisions that might shape a neighborhood. They do it not out of nostalgia but civic instinct, because thatʼs how democracy stays local.
For the record, Pascack Press hasnʼt run legal notices; we donʼt qualify by circulation under state criteria. But our commitment has never changed. We remain the Pascack Valleyʼs newspaper that explains the stories behind the
notices — what that zoning variance means for your block, how a budget vote affects your taxes, why a public hearing might matter more than you think.
If your borough or township has already launched a legal notices page, take a moment to visit it. Click around. See how it works. Bookmark it, or sign up for alerts if theyʼre offered. These new pages will only be as effective as the residents who use them — and thereʼs real value in understanding where the small, procedural business of your town and school district now lives.
Change is here. The notices will move online, The Record will feel a little lighter, and another small ritual of local life will evolve. But as long as there are readers who care enough to ask whatʼs really going on, weʼll be here, with your participation — in print, in spirit, and online to bring it to you.
Write John Snyder at editor@thepressgroup.net.
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Pascack Valley local, regional school board tallies
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
PASCACKVALLEY
Pascack Valley voters decided six contested local school board races — along with a Westwood seat on the Westwood Regional School District Board of Education — on Nov. 4.
School elections are nonpartisan, though in recent years controversies have swirled over statemandated health and sex education curriculum, “parental rights”
and notification policies, and LGBTQ and gender identity issues that have sometimes divided parents and educators. Lately, “parental rights” and school funding have dominated local education debates.
These results are unofficial. To review district candidatesʼ campaigns and bio notes, visit Pascack Pressʼs 2025 Election Guide at pascackpress.com.
• Emerson Three candidates competed for two local seats. The winners were Shannon Lucas (1,379 votes, 39.4%) and
Amy Mara (1,308 votes, 37.37%). Emily M. Fernandez-Justo finished with 802 votes (22.91%). Mara cited fiscal pressures related to funding and benefits, sustaining student achievement, and retaining students and teachers in a competitive environment as her top challenges.
• Hillsdale —Incumbent trustee Salvatore Sileo defeated challenger Jonathan Braunstein, 1,970 votes (54.47%) to 1,643 (45.42%). For a one-year unexpired term, incumbent trustee Kathleen Puerta won with 1,952
votes (53.36%) over Daniel DeFeo with 1,671 (46.56%).
Sileo said top issues include school finances, safety, and infrastructure, noting that “facility enhancements” at the townʼs two elementary schools will help control future costs.
• M ontv ale Three candidates sought two open seats, with incumbent trustee Alisha R. Foley (1,633 votes, 42.15%) and newcomer Katharine Arena (1,336 votes, 34.49%) taking the top spots. Challenger Anita Bagdat claimed 895 votes (23.1%).
Austin said curriculum transparency, responsible spending, and student success remain her top goals. Leffler cited managing rising costs, supporting student well-being and growth, and retaining strong educators through p rofessional development and recognition.
• In an uncontested race, incumbent James Stankus was reelected to a River Vale seat on the Pascack Valley Regional High School Board of Education with 2,931 votes.
Foley said responsible spending, facility updates, and technology investments to prepare students for the future are key priorities.
• Pascack Valley Regional High School District In the valleyʼs most crowded race, five candidates competed for two open three-year seats. The winners were Rosemarie Malloy(1,866 votes, 32.9%) and Matthew J. Rozzi (1,802 votes, 31.78%). Finishing behind them were Shanai Jensen (892 votes, 15.73%), Holly Misley (554 votes, 9.77%), and Richard Kuiters (544 votes, 9.59%).
Malloy emphasized purposeful leadership, a student-first focus, transparent and thoughtful governance, and collaboration and accountability.
• River Vale In a fourway race for two seats, incumbent Louan Austin (2,078 votes, 33.4%) and newcomer Emily Leffler (2,006 votes, 32.24%) were elected. Thomas Quinn (1,133 votes, 18.21%) and incumbent Virginia Senande (997 votes, 16.02%) rounded out the field.
• Westwood and Washington Township Anita K. Siraj won an uncontested Washington Township seat on the Westwood Regional School District Board of Education with 1,704 votes. Three candidates ran for two open Westwood seats. Incumbent Jason Garcia (2,323 votes, 44.2%) and newcomer Sabrina C. Krawczyk (1,481 votes, 28.18%) won election. Nicole DeBonis (1,431 votes, 27.23%) finished third.
Garcia listed his top challenges as maintaining fiscal responsibility without compromising student programs, serving a growing community while keeping class sizes small, and controlling taxes while competing with nearby towns that offer higher teacher salaries.
• Woodcliff Lake In two uncontested local races, Elizabeth Calderone was reelected to a Pascack Valley Regional High School Board of Education seat, and Andrew Eisler and Debra Starr were reelected to the WoodcliffLake Board of Education.
Objectors spill into Five Dimes variance update
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD
Eight downtown property interests, represented by Herold Law P.A., appeared Monday night to oppose Five Dimes Breweryʼs bid to update its 2020 site-plan and use-variance approvals—but it was not their objections, yet unheard, that delayed the hearing.
Instead, the Zoning Board of Adjustment carried the matter to Dec. 1 after noting that the borough planner had not yet certified the application as complete. Without that certification in hand, the board cannot legally take testimony.
The objectors—Lavco LLC, M.J. LaViano & Sons Inc., 169 Westwood Ave. Corp., Center 7 Realty LLC, 187 Fairview LLC, 205 Fairview LLC, Milo Inc., and First Westwood Realty LLC—are associated with Jack LaViano, Robert Zampolin, and Bruce Meisel. Their attorney, Robert F. Simon, submitted a five-page letter dated Oct. 31 alleging defects in the breweryʼs public notice.
The correspondence, which Simon emphasized was “not necessarily adversarial,” argues that the breweryʼs public notice did not fully describe the scope of its proposed amendments, the use of outdoor areas, or the activities affected by changes in state brewery law.
Simon maintains that those omissions prevent the board from exercising jurisdiction until notice is corrected, and asks that the matter proceed “properly and lawfully,” with cooperation among all
parties before testimony begins. Simonʼs letter—presented Monday by Amanda Kronmeyer of Herold Law and shared with Pascack Press also cited a scheduling conflict with another case already set for Dec. 1 in Morris Township and requested that Westwoodʼs hearing be postponed to a date convenient for all parties.
Why the brewery is back before the board
Five Dimes Brewery, at 247 Westwood Ave., occupies the former L.N. Grand 5 & 10 Cent Store, a longtime downtown landmark. Since opening in 2021, the three-level brewery has become a hub for live music, community gatherings, and craft-beer enthusi-
Five
P.
and objectors’ representative Amanda Kronmeyer at the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing Monday, Nov. 3. Above, ZBA chair Bill Martin explains procedures related to this application, largely for the benefit of the full gallery. John Snyder photos.
asts.
Its owner, Chris Alepa, through attorney Stephen P. Sinisi, is asking the board to bring its
local approvals into line with state law changes adopted in 2023 that loosened long-standing
Left:
Dimes Brewert owner Chris Alepa, his attorney Stephen
Sinisi,
PARK RIDGEGOING GREENFORVETERANS
Borough Hall will be illuminated in green throughout November as Park Ridge joins Operation Green Light, a national initiative honoring the service and sacrifice of Americaʼs veterans.
The campaign encourages residents and local businesses to change one light bulb to green in a visible location—symbolizing gratitude and support for those who have served.
“These men and women are a
special group of individuals who put their country before themselves,” said Mayor Keith Misciagna. “Lighting Borough Hall in green is one small way we can show our appreciation.”
The initiative was brought forward by the Park Ridge Elks Lodge #2234 Veterans Committee, whose members continue to support veterans through service projects, scholarships, and community programs.
W
ESTWOODWOMEN
LEADON ‘ STOCKING’ FORTHETROOPS
The GFWC/NJSFWC Womanʼs Club of Westwood is paying special tribute to women serving in the U.S. military by filling holiday stockings with practical necessities — a gesture of care and gratitude that has become a cherished club tradition.
For more than a decade, local womenʼs clubs have prepared and sent holiday stockings to troops stationed overseas. The Westwood clubʼs contributions are distributed through Operation Jersey Cares, a volunteer organization dedicated to honoring and supporting service members through care packages and morale-boosting projects.
This year, the club filled 28 stockings with personal-care items such as Q-tips, cotton swabs, bandages, skincare prod-
club members. Courtesy photo.
ucts, shower gel, soap, body lotion, headbands, and hair ties — all items that can be hard to come by for women in uniform.
According to the Department of Defense, women make up nearly 18% of the active-duty force, or roughly 250,000 service members. The clubʼs project aims to ensure they feel remembered and appreciated during the holidays.
“We want our deployed women to know weʼre thinking of them,” members said. “This is a small way to thank them for their service and sacrifices.”
The Westwood Womanʼs Club welcomes women who wish to make new friends, join volunteer activities, and have fun along the way. For membership information, call (201) 916-1580 or visit westwoodwomansclub.org.
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 PM Sunday Masses: 7:30 AM (no music) 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM - Spanish Evening: 6:15 PM
DAILY MASS
AM
The Rotary Club of Park Ridge is bringing back its popular “Shake, Rattle & Roll” Dueling Pianos fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Park Ridge Elks Lodge.
The evening includes a buffet dinner, dancing, sing-alongs, and lively dueling piano entertainment. Dinner is 6 to 7 p.m., with the show running from 7 to 10. Tickets are $70 per person; $60
each for tables of 10. Proceeds support the Rotaryʼs charitable work in the local community. To reserve tickets or a table, email parkridgerotary@gmail.com with your name, email, and number of guests. Payment can be made via Zelle or by check to Park Ridge Rotary Charity Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 265, Park Ridge, NJ 07656.
Generous sponsors Sponsors include Wegmans, Pascack Valley & Northern Highlands City Lifestyle, Spine and Health of Montvale, Janney Montgomery Scott, Bergen Pickleball Zone, Cross Country Mortgage, Carbello Allstate, Pratt Plumbing & Heating, Montville Financial, Wells Fargo, Wells Architecture, Applause Home Care, Solimar Day Spa, and Valley Bank.
Pascack Valley.
Helping hands: Left to right: MaryAnn Marinaro, Dolores Dinkelmeyer, and Joanne Toole with several of the 28 stockings prepared by
Safety complex work in home stretch; by the numbers
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
RIVERVALE
Approximately 71% of the under-construction Public Safety Complexʼs $750,000 contingency fund to handle unanticipated construction expenses was spent by the end of October, according to resolutions approved as part of the Township Councilʼs Oct. 14 and 27 consent agendas.
According to figures released at the Oct. 14 meeting, when change order No. 19 for the Public Safety Complex was approved, the “remaining contingency allowance” was listed as $214,971.85, from the original $750,000 set aside at the projectʼs start in late 2023.
Subtracting from the original amount so far, that indicates $535,028.15 in change orders. Should change orders exceed $750,000, that likely will affect the overall project price tag, officials said.
Township Administrator Gennaro Rotella, who also serves as chief financial officer, said as the nearly $15 million project nears
completion — likely in late 2025 or early 2026 — more change orders will be needed to wrap up the two-year construction schedule.
He said the day we reached him, Nov. 4, he had seen another change order come through for $2,400 for a shower area that was required, and not on the original specs. “Thereʼs just so many of them now as we try to finish up,” he said.
At the Oct. 14 meeting, the
council approved change orders No. 16 and No. 19, for $28,640, and $89,345.96, respectively.
At the Oct. 27 meeting, council approved change orders No. 17 and No. 18, for $74,828.67, and $39,731, respectively. The resolutions did not detail specifics, which were not immediately available.
Rotella told us that the projectʼs construction manager had hired a construction professional to act as a “closer” and expedite completion of needed items before occupancy occurs. He said the township has furniture and fixtures ready to go when a certifi-
cate of occupancy is approved. “Thereʼs going to be a push over the next two months to complete the project,” Rotella told us.
He said that officials were hoping to have a grand opening when the project is finished and ready for public viewing.
On Oct. 27, the council approved a $65,841.35 contract with EAW Security for “additional cameras, control panels, key fobs and various other security equipment” for the new complex.
In November 2023, the council awarded a $14.8 million construction bid to Dobco Inc. of Wayne. Nearly $20 million in bond funding, approved through two ordinances, is supporting the project.
Officials said the change orders needed to complete the project were not unusual and expected the project to not exceed the contingency balance set aside for extra expenses.
The new public safety complex takes shape on Rivervale Road in River Vale. A late 2025 or early 2026 opening is likely, officials say. Photo by Mike Olohan.
Brewery:
FROM PAGE 9
restrictions on limited breweries. Those reforms—P.L. 2023, c. 290—eliminated mandatory brewery tours, lifted event caps, and permitted coordination with outside food vendors, among other updates.
According to Sinisiʼs filing, Five Dimes is not seeking to
expand hours, seating, or rooftop occupancy but rather to substitute the new state language for the outdated conditions of its 2020 resolution. The update, says Alepa, could have been handled in a letter, per initial resolution. Among the amendments requested:
• recognition of unlimited on-premises events and private parties;
• allowance for televisions and event advertising;
•authorization for outdoor table service and portable taps, subject to local and ABC approval;
• recognition of up to 25 offpremises events per year; and
•clarification that brewery tours are no longer required.
Sinisi emphasized that “all amendments simply align conditions with current state law to eliminate inconsistencies and clarify enforcement.”
Not so fast, says zoning officer
In a Sept. 11 email, Borough construction official Armand S. Marini III advised that the request “may intensify the use and activities of the brewery” and therefore must be ruled on by the Zoning Board, not handled administratively. Marini noted that the 2020 approval “was based on the ABC laws in place at that time” and that only the board could decide whether the updated permissions alter the intensity of use.
The board is being asked to reaffirm the propertyʼs D-1 use variance—a limited brewery in the CBD/SPE Zone—and grant amended site-plan approval reflecting the new law.
Inside the Nov. 3 meeting
The board chambers were filled with neighbors, patrons, and friends—plus at least one (wellbehaved) dog—some wearing Five
Prayer & Bible Study - 7:00pm
Dimes swag. But instead of testimony, the evening turned into an impromptu seminar, not unwelcome, in land-use procedure.
Chairman Bill Martin, taking pains to educate newcomers, outlined the ZBAʼs quasi-judicial role and its four statutory powers: granting variances, interpreting the code, hearing appeals, and ruling on conditional uses.
“Weʼd like to have the notice completely unchallenged,” he said, urging both sides touse the weeks ahead to resolve procedural questions “so that when the case resumes [Dec. 1], the discussion can center on substance rather than process.” Board attorney Thomas Randall called that “a fair request.”
Frustration from the applicant
Alepaʼs attorney, Sinisi, voiced frustration over the repeated delays. “This could have been handled in a much simpler way,” he said. “Our understanding was that we could address these changes by letter, but the boardʼs attorney determined that a full application was required. Weʼve done that. And now, because the planner couldnʼt be present, my client is left waiting again. Every time, it opens the door for new objections.”
Alepa, who coaches youth football, arrived from the field just before the meeting. “This isnʼt about pushing limits,” he said afterward. “Itʼs about matching our local approvals to what the state now allows.”
Arroyo: ʻNot punitiveʼ
Ahead of the meeting, Mayor Ray Arroyo sought to calm speculation on social media. “It is both premature and misguided to draw horns and a tail on the Borough of Westwood and our Zoning Board of Adjustment,” he told Pascack Press on Oct. 31. “Five Dimes was initially permitted to occupy its Westwood Avenue location by Zoning Board approval of a D-1 use variance. That use had very specific parameters under ABC regulations at the time. Since then, the law
changed… but those new rules donʼt automatically apply to preexisting use variances.” Arroyo noted the brewery “can continue to operate as it has since inception” while seeking any needed amendments.
After the session, Alepa responded to Arroyoʼs Halloweeninspired description: “I just want to make it clear that Five Dimes didnʼt post anything negative about the borough. Our posts only asked for community support so we could host community events without the restrictions. We bring people downtown. We help other businesses. Thatʼs really what this is about.”
From five-and-dime to Five Dimes
The brewery occupies a space steeped in memory. For more than six decades, the Naginsky family ran the L.N. Grand 5 & 10 Cent Store here. When it closed in 2019, the family hoped the site would remain a vital space downtown. Alepa took up that charge, restoring the building into a threelevel, 7,000-square-foot brewery whose decor nods to its roots: the old sign hangs inside, and buffalonickel tap handles gleam under the lights of a rooftop deck thatʼs become a favorite perch for sunset watchers.
It also helped inform a review of parking and the Master Plan, with planners noting new uses to enliven the borough and answer anticipated needs.
Since opening in 2021, Five Dimes has grown into a hub—its rooftop alive with acoustic sets, its ground floor with trivia nights and seasonal releases. The brewery opened a location in Red Bank in 2024, with another planned in Point Pleasant for 2026.
The ZBA will reconvene on Monday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m., at Borough Hall. If the plannerʼs review is complete and notice issues resolved, testimony will begin— first from the applicant, then the objectors, and finally the public.
Deon Duncan & Pastor Leah Duncan
Registration open for Home For the Holidays Parade
The Westwood Recreation Department and parade planning committee are pleased to announce “Everyoneʼs Favorite Holiday Movies” as the theme for this yearʼs signature Home For The Holidays Parade, set for Saturday, Dec. 6.
Local organizations and youth groups interested in hosting a float or marching in the parade can register by filling out a short form at: tinyurl.com/HFTH2025 or by emailing Westwood Rec Supervisor RoseAnn Ciarlante at rciarlante@westwoodnj.gov.
Organizations are reminded that a certificate of insurance is required for participation. Deadline to register and return all required paperwork is Friday, Nov.14. Space is limited.
The Recreation Department and parade planning committee are pleased to announce, for the first time, the Home for the Holidays parade will be live-streamed by the Westwood High School Film and Television program. Students in the program will host their WTV show live from the parade route and will feature on-the-spot interviews and commentary — as well as a few broadcast surprises.
The Home for the Holidays
Home for the Holidays parade 2025 is set for Saturday, Dec.
6. Register your community group at tinyurl.com/HFTH2025.
Credit: Richard Frant/Frant Visuals.
Parade has been a Pascack Valley tradition since the 1960s, when Santa Claus took his first ride through downtown Westwood on the back of the Westwood Fire Departmentʼs ladder truck.
Heʼs been back every year as the parade has grown, delighting children and their families with a big waves and jolly winks from high atop the fire truck followed by visits with his fans at Westwoodʼs historic bandstand.
This yearʼs parade includes pre-parade activities at the Westwood Free Public Library, Veter-
ans Park, and on Center Ave. Step off is at 6 p.m., rain, snow or shine!
Tree lighting in Veterans Park and photos with the big jolly elf himself, courtesy of the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department, will immediately follow the parade.
The Home for the Holidays parade is made possible by the Borough of Westwood and its Recreation, Police, Public Works, and Fire Departments with the assistance of a dedicated corps of community volunteers.
For more information about the parade contact the Westwood
WW Rec seeks SNAP hoops volunteers
Adults and teens 16+ are needed to assist with Westwood Recreationʼs SNAP basketball program on Thursdays, 6–6:45 p.m., in November. No specialneeds experience required; enthusiasm and basic basketball knowledge helpful. Contact Recreation Director Gary Buchheister at 201664-7882 or gbuchheister@westwoodnj.gov.
The program was honored in February 2020 with the NJ Recreation & Parks Association Jacquie Stanley Excellence in Therapeutic Programming Award.
Recreation Department at 201664-7882 or visit westwoodnj.gov/recreation.
For updates see Facebook and Instagram for @westwoodnjrec.
Helping Hand sounds alarm on need
The Helping Hand Food Pantry, at Hillsdale United Methodist Church, 349 Hillsdale Ave., is asking for the communityʼs support as supplies run low heading into the holiday season.
Monetary donations and gift cards are always welcome and m ay be dropped off at the pantry. Items currently in high demand include sugar, flour, coffee, tea, apple juice, shelfstable milk, baby food (stages 1 and 3), meat sauce, oil, ketchup, grape jelly, canned yams, canned pineapple, peaches and pears, egg noodles, boxed pota-
toes, ramen noodles, mayonnaise, mustard, whole tomatoes, tomato paste, black olives, mushrooms, cookies, crackers, and breakfast bars.
Non-food items needed include shampoo, conditioner, p ump soap, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, and diapers (sizes 5–7).
For more information or to make a contribution, visit hillsdalenj.govoffice3.com or cont act the Helping Hand Food Pantry at Hillsdale United Methodist Church.
Rockettes Christmas Spectacular tickets
Make your plans to kick-off your holiday celebrations with a trip to see the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Tickets for residents are at $150per person; $165 per person for others. All tickets include the show and coach bus. The trip is organized by the Westwood Recreation Department.
Since 1933, The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio
City Rockettes has been an annual musical holiday stage show presented at Radio City Music Hall. The 90-minute digitally enhanced show features more than 140 performers and an original musical score, and combines singing, dancing and humor. The show is known for the Rockettesʼ iconic kick-line choreography of tap and jazz routines.
Camels, sheep and donkey are featured in the productionʼs
Living Nativity.
The coach bus will leave the Westwood Community Center at 9:30 a.m. for a 2 p.m. showtime, allowing 3.5 hours for lunch and shopping. Return time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Tickets are in the orchestra section and can be purchased at the Westwood Community Center at 55 Jefferson Ave. Cash, checks, Visa & Mastercard are accepted. Only 55 tickets are available.
Domani Restaurant in Hillsdale is partnering with the Joseph F. Lamb Assembly Knights of Columbus to collect toys for the Marine Toys for Tots program.
The programʼs mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys for distribution to less fortunate children at Christmas. From Sunday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Nov. 15, guests who bring a new, unwrapped toy or game to Domani will receive 15% off their bill (dine-in or takeout). The offer applies to parents and children only.
The Joseph F. Lamb Assembly is comprised of 11 Knights of Columbus councils in northern New Jersey. Domani Restaurant is at 387 Washington Ave., Hillsdale. For more information, call (201) 722-8881.
Thanksgiving Day 8:00AM - 2:00PM All Thanksgiving Orders must be in by Monday, Nov. 24th
Members of General Leonard E.Wood American Legion Post 162,and the Sons of the American Legion,gather during a recent fundraising event supporting veterans,their families,and the Hillsdale community. Zoltan Horvath photos.
POST 162 GIVES FROM THE HEART
American Legion Post 162 demonstrated its commitment to the organizationʼs core values through donations and community support throughout October.
Mid-month, the post cont ributed a total of $6,000 to three impactful causes, donating $2,000 each to Tunnel to Towers, Fisher House, and Wounded Warrior Project. Above are members of the American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion. The post donated man y hand-knitted items to residents of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus. At right, pictured are Vice Commander Wray Matz, “Sini” Joseph, a volunteer at the Paramus home, and Commander Tom Robertson.
When to claim your Social Security benefits
WHEN I T
come
s 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 full-time. 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-year-old 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
The Womanʼs Club of Westwood, hosted by The Contemporaries committee and sponsored by Eric Kohlmeier, senior financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors, invites the community to its Third Annual Dueling Pianos Charity Event.
Enjoy a lively, interactive dueling pianos performance with The Flying Ivories on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Lolitaʼs Restaurant, 65 Old Hook Road, Westwood.
As the community honors Veterans Day on Nov. 11, proceeds from the evening will benefit Westwood American Legion Post 206 and the Womanʼs Club of Westwood.
“The Legion is extremely grateful to the Womanʼs Club of Westwood for their continued partnership as a beneficiary of Dueling Pianos for a second consecutive year,” said Eddie Condello, Post Commander of the Westwood American Legion. “Their willingness to help our local veterans in times of need and also honor veteransʼgraves this holiday season through extra ticket donations shows their true dedication to our community.”
Tickets are $75 and open to
the public. An option to make an extra donation at checkout will go toward honoring a local veteranʼs grave this holiday season. Admission includes live entertainment and a family-style dinner with two appetizers, three entrees, and dessert. A 50/50 raffle and cash bar will also be available.
The Flying Ivories, a professional entertainment duo from the NY/NJ area, deliver a high-energy show featuring two pianists taking turns playing audience-requested songs across all genres—with plenty of humor, singing, and dancing.
The past two yearsʼevents
sold out quickly, so attendees are encouraged to secure tickets early. To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit westwoodwomansclub.org/events-1.
The event is made possible through the generous lead sponsorship of Wells Fargo Advisors. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available, and donations of all sizes are welcome and taxdeductible. For sponsorship or event inquiries, email jzsirchio@gmail.com.
For more than 105 years, the Womanʼs Club of Westwood has served local communities through volunteerism, charitable giving,
Fall programs offer creativity, movement
The Emerson Public Library, 20 Palisade Ave., invites residents to enjoy a full lineup of adult and childrenʼs programs this fall.
Adults can join Chair Yoga with instructor Shelley on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. through Dec. 16 (no classes Nov. 4 or 11), participate in the Knitters Circle Mondays 1:30–3:30 p.m., or join the This & That Book Club on select Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.—the Nov.
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education is inviting students, families, staff, and community members to share their views on the qualities they want to see in the districtʼs next superintendent of schools.
An anonymous Superintendent Search Community Survey asks respondents to rate the importance of various leadership traits, professional experiences, and personal qualities on a scale of one to five, with five representing “most important.” Participants identify their relationship to the district—such as administrator, teacher, support staff, parent, student, or community member—before rating a series of characteristics that include:
•Experience as a superintendent or school principal
•Skill in listening to and addressing concerns from students, staff, and families
• Vision for providing exemplary education for all students
•Expertise in curriculum, instruction, and special education
• Ability to manage budgets effectively and align finances with academic goals
18 selection is Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley.
Upcoming special events include a Mocktails Mixology class (ages 18+) Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m., and a Winter Wreath workshop Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Registration opens online Nov. 1 and Nov. 17 respectively, and both are open to Emerson residents only.
Families will find a range of
• Commitment to inclusive, respectful school climates and equitable student outcomes
•Communication and leadership skills, and presence at school and community events
Board President Gini Varghese said the feedback will help the Board define the leadership profile for the districtʼs next educational leader and guide the selection process. “The Board is committed to
storytimes, crafts, and early-learning opportunities, plus the Bookworm Book Club for ages 3–8 and Musical Munchkins (ages 1–3) on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m.
The libraryʼs next Wednesday Matinee—Stephen Kingʼs The Life of Chuck (R, 1 hr 51 min)— screens Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. with refreshments provided.
For details, visit emersonlibrary.org or call 201-261-5604.
and educational programs. The Contemporaries, established in 2023, engage a new generation of members through collaborative fundraising with local businesses and nonprofits to strengthen the
greater Westwood community. Learn more about the Womanʼs Club of Westwood at westwoodwomansclub.org or on Instagram at @westwoodwomansclub.
hearing from all members of our school community as we move forward,” Varghese said. “Your input will play a vital role in identifying the strengths, experience, and values most important to our next superintendent.” The survey is open through Thursday, Nov. 14, and can be accessed through the district website at pascack.org. Responses are confidential and will be reviewed as part of the search process.
Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide
Diabetes and ‘the sweet lie making us sick’
Advertisement
By Dr. Eric Kaplan, DC, DACNB, FACFN, FABVR
NO VEMB ER i s Diabetes Awareness Month, and itʼs about time we start treating s ugar like the public enemy it truly is — because itʼs quietly doing more damage to our b rains than most people realize. According to the CDC, over 37 million Americans have diabetes, and another 9 6 million are prediabetic — meaning one out of every three adults is on the sugar rollercoaster and doesnʼt even know it. And
while most people think diabetes o nly affects the body, new research shows itʼs also wreaking havoc on the brain. In fact, many s cientists now refer to Alzheimerʼs disease as “Type 3 Diabetes.”
Sugar doesnʼt just make your jeans tighter; it can also shrink your brain. Research from Brown U niversity found that insulin resistance in the brain (the same mechanism that causes diabetes) impairs how neurons communicate. Over time, this can lead to memory loss, brain fog, and the early onset of dementia. So if you t hink forgetting where you parked is “just aging,” think again — it might be your blood sugar misbehaving.
Hereʼs the good news: you
can reverse much of this damage with lifestyle changes — no magic pill required. I always tell my patients that the best way to prevent both diabetes and Alzheimerʼs is to feed your body like you love it and move your body like you mean it.
Letʼs start with food. Sugar h ides in nearly everything — even “healthy” foods. Yogurt? Often loaded with more sugar t han a donut. Salad dressing?
Sweetened like dessert. A Harvard study found that consuming j ust one sugary drink a day increases your risk of developing diabetes by 26%. And artificial s weeteners arenʼt any better. Aspartame, sucralose, and other “zero-calorie” imposters confuse your brainʼs appetite signals and
DR. ERIC KAPLAN, DC
can actually make you crave more sugar. So if youʼre sipping a diet soda thinking youʼre safe, youʼre not — your pancreas is still crying.
Instead, focus on eating whole foods: vegetables, lean proteins, good fats, and plenty of fiber. And donʼt fear fat! As Iʼve written before, healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, nuts, and fish are essential for brain function and hormonal balance. The real villain isnʼt fat — itʼs the refined carbohydrates that spike your blood sugar and inflame your body
Next, letʼs talk about movement. Sitting is the new smoking — and most Americans are now sitting more than ever. The average adult sits over 10 hours a day, which slows your metabolism, increases insulin resistance, and makes it harder to manage blood sugar. The fix? You donʼt need a fancy gym membership — just move every 20 minutes. Stretch, walk, climb the stairs, do a few squats between Zoom calls. Find something fun that doesnʼt feel like a chore. Dancing, gardening, playing with your kids — it all counts.
Sleep is another key piece of the puzzle. When youʼre sleepdeprived, your body becomes more insulin-resistant, meaning youʼll crave sugar and carbs the next day. Studies from the University of Chicago show that even four nights of poor sleep can make healthy peopleʼs blood sugar levels look prediabetic. So turn off your screens, darken your room, and give your body the rest it deserves.
And then thereʼs stress — the silent sugar trigger. Chronic stress
raises cortisol, which raises blood sugar, which raises inflammation, which raises your risk for, well, everything. We help patients “rewire their brains” with neurofeedback and brain-based exercises to calm their nervous systems and reduce stress naturally. Many notice better focus, improved sleep, and more balanced moods — all of which help manage blood sugar too.
At Kaplan Brain & Body, we offer qEEG Brain Mapping to evaluate how your brain is functioning and detect stress patterns that could be sabotaging your health. Normally $600, weʼre offering it this month for just $21 to celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month. This is your chance to see how your brain is wired — and how you can make it sharper, calmer, and stronger.
Call or text 201-261-2150, visit KaplanDC.com, or email info@KaplanBrainAndBody.com to schedule your appointment. And donʼt forget 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, where we talk about natural ways to strengthen your brain, balance your blood sugar, and reclaim your health — one smart decision at a time.
WOODCLIFF LAKE
Series on Alzheimer’s, dementia starts Nov. 13
Following the success of the Alzheimerʼs Associationʼs recent program at Christ Lutheran Church, Understanding Alzheimerʼs/Dementia, the Greater New Jersey chapter is offering a new five-part series for caregivers: The Empowered Caregiver
The first session, “Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors as the Disease Progresses,” will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 32 Pascack Road. The program is hosted by the Rev. Marc A. Stutzel and presented by Terry Ciulla, Alzheimerʼs Community Educator Registration is required at 800-272-3900 or at https://action.alz.org/mtg/745443 474.
Light food and refreshments will be provided. Family and friends are welcome. The Alzheimerʼs Association provides resources and support 24/7. Call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org.
BOOSTYOUR BRAIN POWER
Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide
Tree:
FROM PAGE 1
keep the tree around and healthy for possibly another 100 years.
Environmental Commission chair Fred Rubel noted, “Itʼs a lovely tree and a tree we previously recognized,” Rubel said, citing the local Arbor Day celebration in 2024. “It was a mere sapling around 1856, several years before the start of the Civil War, and we know itʼs experienced quite a few storms over the years,” he said.
He said he was hoping the school district would work with the commission to nominate the tree as a heritage tree of note with the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The tree was scheduled to be cut down as part of ongoing renovations needed at nearby George G. White Middle School, planned for completion in summer 2027.
On Oct. 30, Mayor Michael Sheinfield said an arboristʼs inspection found the tree in good health and that, if possible, it should be preserved. He said Lombardy had shared the arboristʼs findings with the project engineer and that the borough and school district had agreed to save the tree if feasible.
Lombardy, who joined the arborist on Oct. 30 during his assessment, told us that the arborist found the nearly tree “in good condition” with still “many years ahead of it.”
Following the assessment, Lombardy said he reached out to the engineer to redesign plans for a planned parking lot and underground stormwater retention basin planned in the tree area. He said the engineer believed the tree could be saved with revisions to
the plan.
Lombardy said they may likely give up up four of 30 planned parking spaces to save the tree and the retention basis would not be affected.
During a late summer school board meeting held to discuss George White renovation plans, an environmental commission member, Tracy Hanson, raised the issue of saving the nearly tree and started a petition to make that happen.
At that point, it was unclear whether the tree could be saved, as Lombardy said the tree was scheduled to be removed and the area would likely be used for materials storage and later for parking and drainage improvements.
Sheinfield later wrote that residents had shown strong interest in saving the tree and that he and Lombardy had been discussing its future since late August. As part of that process, they agreed to retain an arborist to evaluate the treeʼs health before making any decisions.
Tree ʻlooks particularly healthyʼ
Rubel told us that white oak trees can potentially live at least 400 years, and noted to us that the Hillsdale oak tree “looks particularly healthy. My hope is that they can redesign the area so that the roots would not be impacted and the tree itself is not removed,” Rubel said.
Rubel said the environmental commission did not previously recognize the tree was “at risk” until late August when a commission member kicked off efforts to save the tree. He thanked the superintendent and mayor for their mutual efforts to preserve the tree after concerns were raised by residents and the commission.
Rubel noted, “Everyone
Ask the Dentist:
Worn teeth can be revitalized
Question: I am in my early 60ʼs and I notice that my teeth look shorter and more worn down than I remember them from years ago. Is there an easy solution?
Answer: Dentists often make bite guards for people with grinding symptoms and worn teeth, but if the teeth are very worn and back teeth are missing, you may have a collapsed bite. In this case the chin starts getting closer to the nose and lips droop over the teeth.
The treatment for this type of problem involves opening the bite
by creating a series of crowns or appliances which are taller than the worn teeth. This treatment, when done properly, can take years off the appearance of the face.
This is an instance where treatment is beneficial functionally and esthetically, because over time a collapsed bite can also cause problems with the jaw joints and muscles.
Some individuals can adapt to the changes over time, while others will ultimately display symptoms which can be painful and debilitating if left untreated.
For questions about this or other dental procedures contact Dr. Guller at askdrguller@aol.com or call (201) 391-5565.
would be amazed with how much water is absorbed by a tree of that size,” he said, adding that trees are critical to help reduce flooding and absorb or slow down water runoff during heavy, intense downpours.
He said when towns experience a loss of trees due to development, the area loses its capacity to absorb rainwater quickly, and
runoff volumes increase.
On May 10, 2024, Pascack Press reported: At George White Middle School on April 30, Principal Don Bergamini led members of the Gardening Club in a fascinating activity centered around a grand white oak tree.
As students measured its circumference and calculated its estimated age at 168 years—a living
relic predating the U.S. Civil War—Principal Bergamini said, ʻ This tree embodies the enduring spirit of Hillsdale and reminds us of the importance of preserving our natural heritage.” (See “Students reach up on Arbor Day,” by John Snyder, May 10, 2024.)
Hansonʼs petition, “Save Our White Oak and Community Trees,” now closed, had 118 supporters. “This white oak is estimated to be about 168 years old, standing approximately 75 feet
Autumn colors frame the nearly 170-year-old white oak tree that stands just off Liberty Street near George G.White Middle School.The beloved tree has become the focus of preservation efforts as the school undergoes renovation.Initially slated as a construction materials staging area,the site is now under review as school and environmental officials explore alternate plans to safeguard the tree’s roots and canopy.
Photo by Mike Olohan
tall and a circumference of 11 feet. These measurements were from the Arbor Day celebration in 2024 when George White students honored the tree. It is not only a living landmark but also an irreplaceable natural asset to our community.”
Hanson noted mature oaks have been known to live 300 to 600 years, and that the tree may serve “as a teaching tool for local schools and residents about ecology and history” adding “a tree of this size and age cannot be replaced within our lifetimes. Removal would permanently reduce the ecological and cultural richness of our community.”
ROBERT H. GULLER, D.M.D OF PASCACK DENTAL ARTS
Sherrill win brings new focus to affordable housing
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
A day after Governor-elect Mikie Sherrillʼs victory, advocates and local leaders staked out sharply different visions for New Jerseyʼs housing future.
The Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) congratulated Sherrill and running mate Dale Caldwell on their decisive Nov. 4 win and urged the incoming administration to make housing affordability an early priority.
Speaking after her win, Sherrill noted in part, “The reason I was so focused on affordability issues is because my communities are focused on affordability issues and how theyʼre going to be successful.” She has vowed to use an executive order to freeze monthly electricity bills and said she wants
Sherrill:
Murphy said on Wednesday that he is thrilled for Sherrill and Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell on their “huge historic victory.”
“A big night beyond just the governorʼs race, including down ballot, in many corners of the state and obviously a big wave nationally as well,” he said.
As of Nov. 5, Bergen Countyʼs unofficial results showed Sherrill with 185,120 votes (54.9%) and Ciattarelli with 150,183 (44.6%). Statewide, an Associated Press tally with 95% of votes counted had Sherrill at 1,792,760 and Ciattarelli at 1,378,391.
Results are subject to change until theyʼre certified—for the general election, thatʼs 15 days post election.
Sherrillʼs victory in New Jersey not only maintained Democratic control of the governorʼs mansion but also underscored a regional shift. Her campaign emphasized affordability and infrastructure; exit-polling indicated strong support among Black voters (~90 %), Asian voters (~80 %), and two-thirds of Hispanic voters.
At the same time, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani captured the mayoralty of New York City in a historic win — a greater than 50%t mandate, he said in a powerful vicotry speech calling President Trump out repatedly — and Democrats in Virginia surged in statewide and legislative contests.
Together, these wins signal that Democrats have captured momentum in suburban and urban strongholds, positioning the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Valley towns mass for Jack Six of the eight Pascack Valley communities backed Ciattarelli, while Hillsdale and Westwood went for Sherrill. In Westwood, Sherrill received 2,746 votes to
to expand offerings for first-time homebuyers.
Fair Share Housing Center executive director Adam Gordon said in a statement, “We look forward to working with them and the members of the Assembly from both parties elected tonight to address the housing crisis facing New Jersey families.”
Gordon said Sherrill campaigned on “tackling outdated zoning laws that block homes from being built, end[ing] diversions from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, expand[ing] support for first-time and first-generation homebuyers, and crack[ing] down on landlords who leave families facing unlivable conditions and discrimination.”
He called on the governorelect to build on Mercer County Assignment Judge Robert Lougyʼs Sept. 30 ruling, which upheld the 2024 Affordable Housing Reform
Law and dismissed a lawsuit by Local Leaders for Responsible Planning, a coalition of 36 municipalities led by Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali.
The coalitionʼs lawsuits—filed in both state and federal court—aim to invalidate the 2024 law, which replaced the long-defunct Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) with a court-supervised system for calculating and enforcing local housing obligations under the Mount Laurel doctrine.
The towns argued the statute unconstitutionally shifts control from municipalities to the judiciary, imposes unfunded mandates, and exempts large “urban aid” cities from the same requirements.
Lougy rejected those claims, ruling that the law “falls within the Legislatureʼs constitutional authority” to carry out the Mount Laurel mandate, which requires every town to provide its fair share of
Ciattarelliʼs 2,163. In Hillsdale, Sherrill tallied 2,575 votes to Ciattarelliʼs 2,404. We reached out to local leaders for insights on the regional results.
Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sheinfield, one of two Democrats on the governing body, said, “No one expected Mikie Sherrill to win by over 13 points. Democratic enthusiasm was stronger than anticipated in Hillsdale, the Pascack Valley, and across the county. In some towns, that translated to a Mikie win, while in others it narrowed the gap.”
He added, “National politics likely played a role. The surge in turnout helped push Sherrill over the top. Jack Ciattarelliʼs alignment with an unpopular president among Democrats and many independents didnʼt help him, and when Democrats in New Jersey turn out like they did this cycle, they win.”
Emerson Mayor Danielle
affordable housing.
“Thanks to New Jerseyʼs landmark new law streamlining the Mount Laurel Doctrine, far more towns than ever before are moving forward with creating affordable homes,” Gordon said. “These efforts are bolstering local economies, revitalizing under-utilized infrastructure, and ensuring that families of all incomes can thrive in our state. But with housing costs at record highs, now is the time for bold action to protect and expand on this progress — especially given the unprecedented federal budget cuts that threaten too many families with eviction and homelessness.”
“Affordable housing benefits everyone — fueling our economy, keeping families together, and building stronger, more resilient communities across New Jersey,” he added. “We look forward to partnering with Governor-Elect Sherrill
ment tied to New Jerseyʼs affordable housing mandate.” But he said Sherrillʼs campaign linking Ciattarelli to former President Donald Trump—and “an ongoing federal government shutdown and immigration raids”—likely hurt him statewide.
DiPaola, a Republican, told Pascack Press, “Emerson is a conservative town based on family values and conservative values. Iʼm disappointed. I wish her luck, because if she fails, New Jersey fails.”
She added, “If we donʼt collectively hope for her to succeed, we are all doomed in this. A clear choice was made and I think it was the wrong choice. Our mayor and council are going to keep on working for the betterment of Emerson—to make it a safe and affordable home for 7,200 people in the Pascack Valley ”
Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo, also a Republican and former 2017 lieutenant governor candidate, said Ciattarelli performed well locally because “he opposed overdevelop-
to ensure that every New Jerseyan has a safe, affordable place to call home.”
Meanwhile, Ghassali reaffirmed his coalitionʼs opposition in a Nov. 5 message to Montvale residents, pledging to press the appeal and warning of developers proposing high-density projects in the borough.
“We are currently appealing the recent court ruling alongside a coalition of 36 towns and are awaiting a date from the federal court for our case to be heard,” he wrote.
“As we have consistently stated, we fully support affordable housing, but we strongly oppose high-density projects that provide only a few affordable units while placing a heavy burden on our communityʼs character and infrastructure.”
Ghassali said he will continue to share proposed plans “as soon as the court permits.”
absorbing the failures of an outdated system,” Arroyo said.
He added, “Mr. Ciattarelli said it best: ʻIt really is time.ʼ”
Limited coattails for Sherrill
Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo wrote to Pascack Press in a recent issue, lauding Ciattarelli after the candidate assured him heʼd be a stalwart partner on flood relief. The fellow Republican, he said, “in writing has pledged support for Senator Schepisiʼs bill (S2107) and Assemblyman Authʼs companion (A427). These measures would modernize water-management practices and address flooding systemically, not piecemeal.
“Implementing drone-based recommendations for our four towns is estimated at $8.1 million—just 0.014 percent of New Jerseyʼs FY 2026 budget. The cost of inaction is far higher.
“Flooding isnʼt partisan. Itʼs a quality-of-life and public-safety issue. Northern Bergenʼs fully developed towns canʼt keep
While Sherrill carried Hillsdale and Westwood, her victory offered limited down-ballot lift.
In Hillsdale, former Republican councilman Anthony DeRosa narrowly led the four-way race for two open seats with 2,405 votes, followed by Democrat Christopher Camp, who won the second seat with 2,392 votes.
In Westwood, both Democratic council candidates—Kyle Lagatol and Kathryn Mundhenk—were edged out by Republican incumbents Beth Anne Dell and Robert Bicocchi, despite Sherrillʼs strong showing.
Turnout steady across Pascack Valley
Unofficial turnout ranged from a low of 53% in Montvale to a high of 61.16% in Park Ridge, which narrowly surpassed Emersonʼs 61%.
Elections officials noted that late-arriving mail-in ballots postmarked by Nov. 4 and provisional votes could still affect final totals. County results are expected to be certified by Nov. 19, 15 days after Election Day.
PARK RIDGE SOUNDS OFF: $5M FOR MILL POND CARE
Voters on Nov. 4 endorsed spending up to $5 million to dredge and restore the clogged and contaminated Mill Pond, rejecting a $10 million alternative.
Question 1, approving $5 million in bonds, passed 1,694–1,347 (55.7%). Question 2 for $10 million failed 1,281–1,615 (44.2%), and Question 3 asking simply whether to dredge passed 1,443–1,311 (52.4%).
Mayor Keith Misciagna credited resident Kerry Shelby and her
grassroots group for educating voters on the nonbinding referendum. “Itʼs obvious residents support dredging,” he said. Councilman Robert Metzdorf said the vote clears the way to pursue grants and move the project forward once environmental and structural studies are complete.
Approximately 61% of Park Ridgeʼs 7,314 registered voters turned out.
Thereʼs more! Read staff writer Michael Olohanʼs full report at PascackPress.com.
FROM PAGE 1
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D) makes her victory speech in front of supporters at the Hilton East Brunswick on Nov. 4, 2025. (Photo by Amanda Brown for New Jersey Monitor).
Right: Sherrill’s running mate, Dr. Dale Caldwell, via campaign photo.
DIPAOLA
RENDO
ARROYO
SHEINFIELD
Harvest:
FROM PAGE 1
ingful step forward in our commitment to community engagement and sustainable land use.”
“Beyond the lease itself, weʼre especially excited that the farm will now include dedicated space for a community garden and be available for town-sponsored activities — creating new o pportunities for residents to connect, learn, and grow together,” Ghassali told Pascack Press on Oct. 29.
The approved lease ensures that the site will remain active farmland while also introducing a community garden on approximately one acre of the property. The garden will offer 4-by-8-foot plots for residents, particularly those in townhouses without their own gardening space.
Town Day at the Farm a hit
The agreement comes just weeks after Montvale, through t he mayor and council and Recreation Committee hosted its
first “Town Day at the Farm” on Oct. 18 at the property — drawing an estimated 1,500 residents for an afternoonʼs sprawling picnic.
U nder sunny fall skies, attendees enjoyed grilled burgers with snacks, a petting zoo, line dance lessons, ball oon animals, and hayrides around the perimeter of the land — courtesy of Jeffrey Piatt, owner of Montvale L andscaping, who drove a 1935 Farmall tractor and trailer.
ordinance appropriating $30,000 from the capital fund balance for improvements to the propertyʼs buildings and grounds, with about $10,000 used to support Town Day at the Farm, Ghassali said.
“Weʼre celebrating that weʼre keeping this as open space and that itʼs a farm,” Ghassali said at the event. “Itʼs exciting that weʼre keeping this as a farm and letting people enjoy what we actually bought with our own tax money.”
M ontvale purchased the 8.4-acre DePiero property earlier this year for $5.15 million, a cost that will average roughly $70 per household per year over the 25-year bond term.
Council also approved an
Officials said DʼAgostino Landscaping, located about seven miles from Montvale, will be permitted to use the farm stand and greenhouses as part o f the lease. The companyʼs experience in agricultural operaions met all bid requirements, according to the resolution adopted Oct. 28.
“This bidder has demonstrated sufficient experience in the agricultural business and agrees to abide by all conditions set forth in the form of lease accompanying the bid specifications regarding the operation of a retail farm in the Borough of Montvale,” the resolution states.
We invited DʼAgostino Landscaping to comment several times before press time.
Scenes from Montvale’s inaugural Town Day at the Farm, Oct. 18. John Snyder photos.
OBITUARIES
Margaret A. STAHL
Margaret A. Stahl (n ée Jones), 89, of Toms River, and formerly of Montvale, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
Beloved wife of the late Olaf Stahl for 66 years. Dear mother of Kurt Stahl and the late Christopher Stahl, and mother-in-law of Kristie. Cherished grandmother of Erik and Benjamin Stahl.
Loving sister of James and Richard, and predeceased by Phyllis, Clara, June, and Robert. Also survived by nieces Lori, Jeanne, Maria, Jennifer, and Shirley, and nephews Randy, Todd, James, Kevin, and the late William.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Donations in Margaretʼs memory may be made to St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital at stjude.org.
Arrangements by Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., rsfhi.com.
Maria SCHNEIDER
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Maria Schneider (née Carbajo). Born in Cuba in 1935, she made the difficult decision to leave her beloved country in 1961 due to the regime change, making her way to the United States through Venezuela. Settling in New York City, she met the love of her life Martin Schneider (predeceased Maria in 2005) and married in 1968.
They enjoyed a long and fulfilling marriage in Closter, blessed with two children: Lisa Desautels (husband Michael) of Woodcliff Lake, and David Schneider of Hillsdale. In addition to immediate family,
Maria leaves behind her close and dearly loved sister-in-law Doris Gershkoff. Through the years they each cherished their long conversations and celebrations.
All who knew Maria, knew her to be a remarkably resilient and determined woman. As a young woman, Maria bravely left her homeland, established her new life in the big city of New York, proudly working at the New York Times. Pausing her career to focus on raising her children, she went back to work and retired at Playskool Baby, in Northvale.
Mariaʼs pride and joy were her grandchildren Katelyn and Andrew Desautels. Maria was a familiar face at all the grandchildrenʼs school and sporting events. She took great pride in all their accomplishments. Family and friends were the center of Mariaʼs life, frequently hosting gatherings that were filled with food, games and laughter. She enjoyed her trips to visit family in Miami and looked forward to the annual pig roast celebration.
Maria loved everything Cuban, enjoying its music, cuisine, dance and ending a family dinner with a Cuban coffee. Not to be missed, was anyone Maria met along her day, especially those who may be Spanish or Cuban. Maria was overjoyed to take time to chat.
Maria, her beautiful smile and warm heart will be greatly missed by all. The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mariaʼs name to St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital.
As fate would have it, her granddaughter is running in next weekʼs New York City Marathon in support of St. Judeʼs, so join Maria and cheer her on.
James S. GARITO SR.
James S. Garito Sr. of HoHo-Kus, formerly of Westwood, Ramsey, and Bloomington, Ind., passed away on Oct. 26, 2025.
Jim was predeceased by Nancy, his loving wife of 50 years; his sister-in-law Peggy; his parents, Dominick and Grace Garito; and his first grandson, Anthony James Garito.
A graduate of Ramsey High School, Jim was a Vietnam veteran, serving as a specialist and sentry dog handler in the Armyʼs 981st Military Police Company.
Before retiring in 2011, he worked for Westinghouse Electric, Markite Electric, and for 35 years with the Ramsey Board of Education, where he became h ead groundskeeper. He also worked at Marcʼs Deli and Pizza, where he was known to toss a pretty good pizza—earning him the nickname “Big Jim.”
Jim is survived by his son Jim Jr. and his wife Kristy; his daughter Christina and her husband Tom; and grandchildren Matthew, Zachary, Michael, and Skylar. He is also survived by his brother Tom and niece Theresa and her family; sisterin-law Molly and her husband Dan; and nephews Kiel (and wife Jess) and Jarod (and wife Barbara) along with their children Alina and Maeve.
Jim and Nancy loved spending time with family and friends, especially their grandchildren. They enjoyed camping, cruising to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean, and relaxing in Lancaster, Pa. They also shared a love of concerts.
He was loved dearly and will be greatly missed.
Visitation was Saturday, Nov. 1 with a service at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, Ramsey. Cremation is private.
Joseph R. C ONSALV O
Joseph R. Consalvo, 89, of Woodcliff Lake, formerly of Hackensack, passed away on Oct. 29, 2025. Born in New York City and raised in the Bronx, Joe was a graduate of DeWitt Clinton High School and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He served in the New York Civil Air Patrol and the National Guard, attaining the rank of sergeant first class. His professional career included leadership positions with Hanover Bank, Metropolitan Life, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Siemens AG.
At Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack, he served as a Eucharistic Minister and provided pastoral care to patients at local hospitals. He also contributed his insight as a member of the Institutional Review Board at Hackensack Medical Center and as President of the Bergen County Allergy Foundation.
Beloved husband of 65 years to Marie (née Aqualina). Loving father of Christine Klecanda (husband Robert), Philip Consalvo (partner William Easterling), and Elizabeth Hoogendoorn (husband Gerard). Cherished grandfather of Alyssa Smith (husband Cody), Robert, Kathryn, and Joris, and great-grandfather of Santino and Christian.
He was predeceased by his parents, Philip Consalvo and Christine (Manzone) his sisters Angela Licitro (husband Rosario) and Josephine Rufo (husband Joseph); and by his sister-in-law Grace Aqualina.
Joe will be remembered for his faith, kindness, humor, and devotion to family
Eileen HEFFERNAN
Eileen Heffernan passed peacefully in her home of over 50 years on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Eileenʼs gift was her profound
attention; to know her was to be embraced by the steady, unwavering light of her focus. She shared this love and guidance with generations of elementary school children in her nearly 40 years of teaching.
To watch her with children was to understand her true calling: she offered patience, a firm sense of purpose, and the gentle and sturdy encouragement that every child needs.
Eileen was blessed to grow up surrounded by a large, lively family of siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews, many of whom passed through the halls of St. Ceciliaʼs High School in Englewood. She kept her family close to her heart, cherishing the many holidays spent with them—whether expertly hiding Easter eggs, stirring up laughter in the kitchen with her loved ones at Thanksgiving, or singing her heart out at Christmas.
Her greatest pride and love was for her family, both near and far. She was a devoted wife to John for nearly 56 years—her first and abiding love, high school sweetheart, dearest friend, and constant companion. She loved him completely, and he remained her devoted caretaker through the joys and challenges of her later years.
She was the loving mother of her two children, Shannon and Brennan, to whom she gave the full measure of her devotion. They are blessed to carry her light forward. Eileen was also a dedicated grandmother to Connor and Niamh, who loved her with the full force of youth.
Eileen was our great guide and confidante, our friend and mother. We will miss her deeply but remain warmed by the light of her memory.
Family received guests at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood, on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimerʼs Association, alz.org, or to the Alzheimerʼs Foundation of America, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
PARK RIDGE
Benefit concert for Meals on Wheels, food pantry
Free “Bergen Cares” Concert to Benefit Meals on Wheels
North Jersey and Tri Boro Food Pantry
Join in an inspiring evening of music and community at the “Bergen Cares” Benefit Concert, Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. at the Park Ridge High School Theater, at 2 Park Ave.
This free concert aims to raise awareness and support for
Meals on Wheels North Jersey and the Tri-Boro Food Pantry, two vital organizations working t o combat food insecurity in North Bergen County. Attendees are encouraged to make monetary donations at the door or in advance at mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org. Sponsorships are also available through the site.
The evening will feature a dynamic lineup of performers
including:
• The Chapin Sisters
•Joe DʼUrso with Seth Saltzman
•Rennie & Bob Playing
Simon & Garfunkel
•Allie Kenny
•Tailgate Time Machine
• The Quinn Sisters
•And surprise acts!
Janelle Larghi, executive d irector of Meals on Wheels
Bookmark these HFPL November events
The Hillsdale Free Public Library, 509 Hillsdale Ave., has announced the following events for November:
•Tuesday, Nov. 5 — 10 a.m. to noon. Free blood pressure screening. Drop in for a check-up.
•Friday, Nov. 8 — 1 p.m. The Chanteurs in concert. Drop in.
•Saturday, Nov. 9 — 2 p.m.
Post 162 seeks names of servicemembers
As the holiday season approaches—a time when cards and letters mean so much to our active service members—the American Legion Post 162 is updating its mailing list and needs your help.
Each year, these service members receive an assortment of cards, letters, and drawings from local schoolchildren.
If you know of anyone from the Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake, or Old Tappan area who is on active duty, please send their name and mailing address to the American Legion at: Letters@ AmericanLegionPost162.org.
Teen Advisory Board meeting.
•Sunday, Nov. 10 — 7 p.m.
Canvas Painting for Adults. Hillsdale cardholders only; registration required.
•Thursday, Nov. 14 — 1 p.m. Fitness Fun with Lois.
•Friday, Nov. 17 — 7 p.m.
Shakey: An Evening with Neil Young... Almost. A tribute concert; drop in.
•Monday, Nov. 18 — 6:30 p.m.
•Know the Bear Facts. Wildlife safety presentation; registration required.
•Friday, Nov. 29 — 11 a.m. Yoga Basics: Mind and Movement. Registration required.
Ongoing programs: Chair Yoga is held Thursdays at 11 a.m., and Tai Chi on the Patio meets Mondays at 11 a.m. Both require registration. For information or to register, visit hfpl.org or email michele.kilmurray@hfpl.org.
North Jersey and pantry coordinator for the Tri Boro Food Pantry, tells Pascack Press, “This is a wonderful opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together, enjoy live
music, and support a meaningful cause.”
She adds, “Iʼm hoping that we can all unite together to fight hunger and uplift our community—because Bergen Cares ”
Beuscher:
FROM PAGE 4
congregants found a temporary meeting space at Blockʼs Hall (now the Emerson Hotel, a restaurant).
The first service in the new chapel took place 125 years ago this week, on Nov. 12, 1900.
Church picnics and other events became popular among the people of Etna.
A Park Ridge Local news brief from December 1901 reports, “A Watch Night service will be held in the Etna Chapel, beginning at 10 oʼclock, next Tuesday night. This will be a good opportunity to see the old year out and the new year in, in a way which will profit you.”
“The Union Sunday school pic-
nic was held at the church today,” reads an announcement from August 1903. “A very pleasant time was enjoyed by the Etnaites, even if they were confined to the church basement [due to the weather]. Egg races, et cetera, were in vogue during the afternoon. Several of the young people complain of a peculiar feeling in the region of the belt, owing to the amount of goodies consumed at the picnic.”
In 1903, Etna broke off from the Township of Washington and became a municipality. Six years later, the name of the borough was changed to “Emerson.”
The chapel on Linwood Avenue, upgraded over the years, is still used by the congregation. Once the Union Chapel of Etna, for many years they have called themselves the Emerson Bible Church.
RIVER VALE
Corcoran Infinity, Jersey Cares coat drive
For the fifth consecutive year, agents from Corcoran Infinity PropertiesʼRiver Vale office are teaming up with Jersey Cares for its Annual Coat Drive, helping collect and distribute winter coats to individuals and families in need.
The program provides a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community by donating new and gently used coats for men, women, children, and infants.
Neighbors, friends, and clients are invited to join in this effort to help ensure that no one
ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICE IN THE PASCACK PRESS S SEERRVVI
goes cold this winter. “A simple coat or jacket from your closet can truly change someoneʼs life,” organizers said.
Donations of coats (only, please) may be delivered in plastic bags to the Corcoran Infinity Properties office, 213 Rivervale Road, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Collection runs through Jan. 6, 2026. For more information, contact sales associate Bonnie Borghi at (201) 666-0777.
Oettinger:
S FROM PAGE 4 spurs” draft deferment.
In 1965, the U.S. government had escalated its involvement in a war in Vietnam. These were pre-1973 times before the government had transitioned to an all-volunteer force. To fill the ranks of its war machine in the 1960s, the government utilized an involuntary draft of its male population. The draft was a concern for men between the ages of 18 and 26, as well as for their girlfriends, wives, families, and friends.
The Vietnam War received liberal television coverage, including routine images of coffins of fallen Americans. By 1968, both the war and the draft were becoming highly unpopular in the U.S.
The draft disrupted lives in ways that it is hard for post-1972 high school graduates to fathom. And bear in mind that the convenience of instant communication afforded by the cell phone and the internet was not available during the time of the Vietnam War. The primary mode of communication between military service members and folks at home in the 1960s and 1970s was letters, transmitted via the U.S.
Emerson Veterans Day breakfast
The Borough of Emerson and American Legion Post 269 will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Emerson Senior Center. A full breakfast will be served at 10 a.m. for all Emerson veterans and their families, compliments of Emerson Community Policing. For more information, call the Emerson Clerkʼs Office at (201) 2626086, ext. 1200.
Postal Service. Nevertheless, the draft generated some interesting outcomes, one involving a young local man.
More Americans were drafted into the military in 1966 than in any other year of the Vietnam War. John A. Prinelli of Emerson completed his university studies that same year, exhausting his educational draft deferments. John was soon drafted into the Army, and assigned to duty at Tuy Hoa, South Vietnam.
After arriving in Vietnam, John became deeply moved by the extreme hardships that the war was inflicting upon the South Vietnamese people. He responded by providing humanitarian aid to help alleviate those hardships. That aid included, without limitation, feeding the hungry, caring for orphans, and participating in the construction of housing, orphanages, schools, and health care facilities.
After completing his Army commitment in 1968, John returned home to Emerson and became engaged in the insurance industry. Nevertheless, his sense of duty to help others in need compelled him to direct humanitarian aid to South Vietnam. Following a visit to Vietnam in Octo-
Post 153 Veterans Day ceremony
The Cpl. Jedh C. Barker
American Legion Memorial Post 153 will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at 118 Ridge Ave. The public is invited to join in honoring all who have served. The program will include a color guard, clergy invocation, bugler, and the presentation of memorial wreaths. Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are asked to attend in uniform. Residents are asked to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of our Armed Forces and to thank the veterans in their lives.
ber 1970, he was inspired to assist the South Vietnamese people in a more direct manner.
In the summer of 1972, John sought permission to join the Catholic Diocese of Nha Trang, South Vietnam, and become a
PASCACK
VALLEY
missionary. In January 1973, he commenced Vietnamese language studies at Dalat, South Vietnam as a prerequisite to studying theology at a Catholic seminary. John suspended his studies in late 1973 and returned to Emerson to be with his ailing father, who died in December. In early February 1974, he resumed his language studies at Dalat.
John went on to complete his theology studies at North American College in Vatican City, and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at Church of the Assumption in Emerson on Saturday, August 12, 1978. The following day, Father John A. Prinelli celebrated his first Solemn Mass.
The communist takeover of South Vietnam in 1975 deterred Fr. Prinelli from his planned return to that country. Instead, he applied to, and was accepted by, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Virginia. Fr. Prinelli devoted himself to his ministry for 34 years, administering sacraments in English, Spanish, and Viet-
namese, until he departed this life on September 15, 2012, at the age of 69.
Fr. Prinelli was brought back to Emerson, the place where his saga began. The eulogy at his September 22, 2012 funeral Mass at Church of the Assumption was delivered by his former Army commanding officer from Vietnam, who spoke of the days they both served together in-country.
The military sacrifice of this worthy son of Emerson is remembered on a handsome plaque in VeteransʼPark, Emerson, by an appreciative community.
Editorʼs note: Joseph Oettinger Jr. is a local historian and author of Ultimate Pascack Classics & Westwood Classics: Select News Accounts From the Early History of the Pascack Valley & Westwood, N.J. (Six Miles West of the Hudson), a two-volume collection of vivid news vignettes from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
WOMAN’S CLUBSTEEPSIN
The NJSFWC Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club reports that the recent High Tea it sponsored was a great success. More than 60 guests enjoyed an afternoon of tea and finger foods while raising funds for local charities. The club extends thanks to all who attended and to those who donated delicious treats.
The clubʼs next meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at Park Ridge Borough Hall. The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club has been a proud member of the New Jersey Federation of Womenʼs Clubs since 1990.
Looking ahead, the club is planning Cookies and Cocoa with Santa on Friday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. The family event will feature games, crafts, and songs, along with a visit from Santa and Mrs.
The Organizing Committee for the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s
Claus. Held in cooperation with Park Ridge Elks Lodge #2234, the event will take place at the lodge on Sulak Lane. Tickets are $8 for chil-
dren up to age 10 and $12 for ages 11 and older. For details, call (201) 746-5783. Club info: (201) 6944440; GPVWC1990@gmail.com.
Pest Control Technician - F/T, P/TExperience a plus,but will train the right candidate. Call (201) 664-3933.
ing 22 years experience, Refs. Available. Call Nataliya @ 201-566-8166.
Club High Tea, left to right: Jessica Bruno, Geralyn Cargulia, Linda Ramagnano, Kathy Grubb, Mary Lynn Mazzarella, Daryll Datz, and Suzi Gerace. Courtesy photo.
