Mayor Ghassali touts a hurdle cleared in quest for Fourth Round stay; critics say justiceʼs move is routine
BYMICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito has ordered the New Jersey Attorney Generalʼs Office to respond by Feb. 17 to an emergency application from Local Leaders for Responsible Planning seeking to stay a March 15 state deadline requiring towns to adopt zoning and ordinances implementing their Fourth Round affordable-housing plans.
Officials in Acting Attorney See ALITO on page 14
104 YEARS YOUNG 104 YEARS YOUNG
Park Ridgeʼs Monsignor Turro feted, with love and cake, at Our Lady of Mercy
“I
thought I’d like being a priest, but I didn’t know how much I would enjoy it until I actually put my hands to it.” — Monsignor James C. Turro / Archdiocese of Newark
MONSIGNOR JAMES C. Turro, the oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Newark, marked his 104th birthday with a week in celebration with family, parishioners, and well-wishers at Our Lady of Mercy Church.
The fun began Jan. 24, when Turroʼs relatives traveled from across the United States to visit him at the parish rectory for
MUTUAL AID
an early birthday gathering. A major snowstorm that weekend prevented a celebration on his actual birthday, Jan. 26, though he received numerous phone calls and cards from friends around the world.
During Mass on Jan. 27, the parishioners sang “Happy Birthday,” and the parish music director performed several of the monsignorʼs favorite hymns.
In the days that followed, parish community members stopped by the rectory to extend their greetings, many bringing his favorite dessert—chocolate cake. The weeklong celebration concluded Feb 1 with a “Muffins with Monsignor” gathering for parishioners after Mass.
Continued on page 19
A LIBRARY CARD REDESIGN FROMTHE HEART
Picture book maker, ʻNew Yorkerʼcartoonist, and Westwood patron Drew Panckeri says heʼs happy to give back
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
PATRONSOFTHE Westwood Free Public Library —of all ages—are in for a treat with the libraryʼs newly redesigned card. Interpreted by illustrator, cartoonist, and longtime library user Drew Panckeri, itʼs a slim, pure piece of Westwood that does what a library does best: invite you in, then send you out with something new.
Panckeri delivered a colorful design featuring a cardinal—the dangly legs!—at home with a haul of books: a nod to the borough, the regional school district, and the joy of connection.
In announcing the winner of the contest, library director Catherine DiLeo said, “Huge thanks to Drew for this wonderful design—weʼre so excited to start giving these out!” That sounded just right to fans of the library and Panckeri.
Jamie Savoy posted, “So
See PANCKERI on page 14
“A narrow escape from serious injury or perhaps from instant death occurred at the Park Avenue crossing of the railroad, Park Ridge," 1916. Kristin Beuscher brings us up to date.
4
Westwood’s Nico Doell rolls out a pilot program for all of Westwood.
WESTWOOD
Crescent Lightings For a Valley Ramadan
Family friendly events in Hillsdale, Montvale, Park Ridge, River Vale, and Woodcliff Lake
Towns across the Pascack Valley are welcoming Ramadan with public crescent lightings and community gatherings, offering neighbors opportunities to learn about the Muslim holy month, share food and culture, and connect across faiths.
In Hillsdale, Hillsdale Muslims and the Eid Committee host a “Welcome Ramadan” program Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 349 Hillsdale Ave. Organizers say the
evening will include cultural sharing, light refreshments, and an introduction to Ramadan traditions.
Also on Feb. 12, Montvaleʼs fourth annual crescent lighting ceremony is set for 4 p.m. at Montvale Park on Kinderkamack Road, across from 7-Eleven. The
event is hosted by the borough, including Mayor Mike Ghassali, the Montvale Council and the local Muslim community Activities are expected to include crafts, nasheeds (devotional songs), henna and calligraphy artists, cookie decorating for children, and light refreshments, with the lighting countdown planned for sunset. A heated tent is planned.
Woodcliff Lake will hold its third annual Ramadan moon lighting celebration Friday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Tice Senior Center, 411 Chestnut Ridge Road.
The program is presented by Woodcliff Lake Muslims in partnership with the borough and Ticeʼs Corner, and is expected to feature sweets, refreshments and swag bags.
In Park Ridge, a crescent lighting and community celebration is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Depot Square. Organized by the Eid Committee of New Jersey, the event will include refreshments, henna, crafts and childrenʼs activities. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item for the Tri-Boro Food Pantry.
River Valeʼs town crescent lighting is planned for Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the River Vale Community Center, 628 River Vale Road. Hosted by River Vale Muslims in partnership with the township, the program is set to include spoken word, crafts, henna and a photo opportunity. Food and water for iftar — the meal that breaks the daily fast — is scheduled for 5:33 p.m., organ-
In a Feb. 9 feature, “Paging through Salernoʼs 50 years among the stars” spotlighting local author Anthony Salerno Jr., two corrections are necessary Salerno started on the Dick Cavett show in 1969, not 1967. Also the (Jack) Paar show was called “Jack Paar Tonite” not The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar. We regret the errors.
izers said. Questions may be directed to culturalaffairs@rivervalenj.org.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, reflection and charity. Evening gatherings often center on iftar and community connection. Organizers of the local events emphasize that the programs are open to the public and intended as welcoming opportunities for neighbors of all backgrounds.
Event dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Confirm with organizers before heading out.
River Vale seniors meet Feb. 18
The River Vale Senior Friendship Club will meet Tuesday, Feb 18, featuring its popular “No Peek” re-gift auction. Members are invited to bring a new or hardly used gift item, wrapped, to be auctioned off No clothing is permitted, though scarves are OK. Bidding starts at $1 and increases in 25-cent increments. Annual membership dues of $15 will be collected, and a $2 dessert fee also applies. For membership information, call Angie at (201) 666-3888.
Yes to cellular study; council eyes tower at Stonybrook
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE
Acknowledging reservations, the Borough Council voted, 5-1, on Feb. 10 to approve a cellular coverage survey of the townʼs northeast section, with a report due ahead of a planned March 10 meeting with Verizon Communications.
The March 10 council meeting is set to include several Verizon officials to discuss a proposed 150-foot-tall cell tower at Stonybrook Swim Club. Councilman John Ruocco opposed moving forward with the study at this time, saying he favored a survey during summer months. He noted the consultant also recommended studying coverage when trees are leafed out.
After debate over whether a winter study could skew results because leafless trees do not potentially interfere with signals, the council deadlocked, 3-3, and Mayor Michael Sheinfield cast the deciding vote to proceed.
Council approved a $4,500
contract with Pier Four Enterprises LLC of East Hanover for the cellular coverage study. Several council members said the consultant should also recommend independent alternatives to a 150-foot tower and outline other ways to improve service.
Pier Fourʼs scope of work calls for meeting with the borough to review coverage concerns and specific locations where service is lacking, and to review any sites the borough has already considered.
The consultant would then reach out to a cellular provider to discuss goals for improving coverage in the borough, request drive-test data recorded in the summer or early fall months to demonstrate the coverage needs, and discuss possible locations and designs to address those needs.
The consultant would also review potential solutions with the borough and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The contract states the work is expected to take 20 to 25 hours at $180 per hour, depending in part on cooperation from the cellular service provider The contract adds that if the effort required exceeds
the estimate, the borough will be notified.
The contract lists Glenn Pierson, principal and RF engineer with Pier Four, as the consultant.
Council members raised questions about options to improve coverage, including lowering the proposed tower height from 150 feet to 120 feet, how River Valeʼs new cell tower could affect coverage in Hillsdaleʼs northeast area, and whether smaller facilities could be used to address gaps.
Administrator Mike Ghassali said Verizon often conducts studies to determine coverage shortfalls. Sheinfield said Verizon would be unlikely to pursue a project that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars if it would not improve service.
Councilman Anthony DeRosa raised concerns about conducting a study when trees are leafless, but said he wanted the borough to hear from another source about its options before meeting with Verizon.
Ghassali said the consultant will examine “multiple options” to improve service, and those findings can be discussed with both the
consultant and Verizon. He added that both firms that submitted proposals had prior working relationships with Verizon, as well as other carriers.
Councilman Clemente Osso said a cell tower lease at Stonybrook could “reduce flexibility” for the borough if the town later wants to do something else with the swim club property. Sheinfield said wherever a new tower is placed, there are no guarantees about what might happen to a site in the future. “Weʼre not the ones who have to be futurists,” Sheinfield said.
Several council members said the cell study should provide strong alternatives to a 150-foot tower at Stonybrook. Others noted that the townʼs existing cell towers have not been a source of complaints, and that improved coverage could enhance property values rather than harm them.
Residents at the Jan. 20 town hall meeting called for alternatives to a cell tower at Stonybrook, though most speakers publicly supported the need for improved service, including for emergency responders such as police, fire and EMS.
The Stonybrook site remains under conditional approval. On Dec. 9, the council authorized negotiations on a lease with Verizon, subject to four conditions before final execution: a town hall (held Jan. 20), a follow-up council vote after public comment, required land use approvals, and the boroughʼs ability to require reasonable site layout revisions that do not materially affect the bid.
Verizon was the sole bidder, offering $48,012 for the first year of a five-year lease, with four additional five-year renewal options.
Celebrate Westwood serves as the project’s central information hub, providing updates on schedules, locations, registration, and announcements at CelebrateWestwood.org. For more information on boroughsponsored events, visit westwoodnj.gov.
Westwood salutes the U.S.A.
THE BOROUGHOF Westwood is inviting residents to step back in time with America 250 in Westwood, a yearlong, community-wide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Supported by the mayor and council, the program brings together borough leadership, local organizations, and volunteers to celebrate American history while strengthening community connections.
“America 250 marks a once-ina-generation milestone,” Council President Lauren Letizia told Pascack Press on Feb. 9. “It is an opportunity not only to reflect on the nationʼs origins in 1776, but also to explore the stories, ideas, and local histories that continue to shape civic life today.”
Letizia said Westwoodʼs efforts align with the countywide Bergen250 initiative, which aims to commemorate the anniversary of the American Revolution through Ber-
See 250th on page 20
Bckintime... Bckintime...
‘
The hearse received a glancing blow from the locomotive…’
“ANARROWESCAPE from serious injury or perhaps from instant death occurred at the Park Avenue crossing of the railroad, Park Ridge, at about 6 oʼclock Monday evening, when a train struck an automobile,” wrote the Westwood Chronicle on Feb. 17, 1916.
This week we go back 110 years for a close call that was the talk of the town in the days that followed. The story spread quickly not just because of the accident itself, but because the group had nearly been killed returning from a funeral.
The vehicle in question was a motorized hearse—what the newspaper described as a “closed funeral automobile.” This was an important distinction at the time, when just a handful of years earlier horse-drawn funeral coaches were the norm. It had just been in
NEW
SPECIALTO PASCACK PRESS By Kristin Beuscher, Historian, Pascack Historical Society, Park Ridge. Call (201) 573-0307 or visit PascackHistoricalSociety.org
service for the funeral of Mrs. Mary A. Schaefer of Spring Valley Road, Park Ridge.
The 74-year-old was buried at North Bergen.
On their way home after the interment, the group inside the automobile included the widower, Mr. William Schaefer, as well as his niece, Miss Mary Brown, and the family housekeeper, Miss Augusta Glumlick. There was also a family friend, the funeral director, and the chauffeur. Their destination was the Shaefer residence, which sat on a large prop-
HE WESTWOOD Heritage Society (WHS) is proud to announce the release of “Did You Know? Stories and History of Our Hometown of Westwood,” by Helen Whalen, a new book celebrating the rich, quirky, and often surprising history of Westwood, told through a collection of historical documents and anecdotes con-
erty on the east side of Spring Valley Road, just about across from modern-day Brae Boulevard.
The party of six was traveling in the darkness of a February evening, in what must have felt like an icebox on wheels. Vehicles, of course, were unheated back then, and the area was in the middle of an intense cold spell. Monday night—at the time of the accident—the temperature had plummeted.
Early Tuesday morning thermometers across the Pascack Valley were reading from 6 to 12 degrees below zero.
Coming up Railroad Avenue (now called Broadway) in Park Ridge, the driver was attempting to turn left across the tracks onto Park Avenue. He failed to see the 6:15 passenger train that was about to pull into the
See HEARSE on page 6
nected to the Hub of the Pascack Valley After Whalenʼs passing in 2023, the manuscript was completed through editorial collaboration by WHS members, local historians, photo archivists, editors, and fact checkers Linda Salib and Jim Gines, with direction from Helenʼs daughter Kathleen Whalen.
The book is an engaging compilation of stories, some fondly remembered by Mrs. HELEN WHALEN
See STORIES on page 24
The Park Avenue railroad crossing in the 1910s. The road coming up from the bottom right corner is Broadway, then called Railroad Avenue, and it meets up with Park Avenue, which runs horizontally. At far left we see a portion of the Mittag & Volger typewriter ribbon factory. Behind where the men are standing is the Park Ridge train station. The three-story, Second Empire-style building across from Broadway was a hotel.
District winds down some therapeutic offerings
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
MONTVALE
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education on Feb. 2 voted to withdraw from Region II, a sharedservices special education consortium, and approved the closure of Park Academy, a district-sponsored public school therapeutic program for students in grades 5–8, effective at the end of the current school year.
In a statement issued by Interim Superintendent Dirk Phillips, the district said both Region II and Park Academy will continue operating through the end of the school year, with July 1 marking the official end date for services provided by those programs.
“We sincerely appreciate the services that Region II and Park Academy have provided over the years,” Phillips said, citing the “dedication and care” of staff and the positive impact the programs have had on hundreds of students.
Region II is a consortium of seven school districts that facilitates special education services including speech, occupational and physical therapy, behavior planning, parent coaching, student testing and transportation. According to Phillips, all seven member districts have withdrawn from the consortium.
Services currently provided through Region II will continue next school year, Phillips said, but
will be organized and delivered by studentsʼhome districts rather than through the shared-services model.
Park Academy currently enrolls nine students and serves students in grades 5–8. Phillips said none of the enrolled students are from the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, and that most are eighth-graders who would not return to the program next school year regardless. For students in younger grades, placement decisions will be made by their home districts, either within their district or through out-of-district placements.
After reviewing and analyzing both programs, Phillips told Pascack Press after we requested more information, the district determined that dissolving Region II and Park Academy would be more operationally efficient and have less financial impact, while still ensuring students receive the same services they currently receive.
On the district website, Park Academy is described as a separate public school program coordinated by the Region II Office of Special Education for students with behavioral disabilities. The website also states that the district operates five special education programs and serves approximate-
ly 352 classified students, with additional students placed out of district.
Change to meeting schedule; constriction project updates
In other business, Phillips told board members the district is transitioning to a calendar-year Board of Education meeting schedule, a change he said will allow new board members to provide input on meeting dates for the entire calendar year.
Phillips also provided updates on three construction projects. Work on the Milestones project has been slowed by extreme cold and snow, though footings have been poured and rebar installed for a ramp. Permits were issued for interior work and demolition has begun on the second floor, he said.
At Pascack Valley High School, Phillips said HVAC improvements and related work in the kitchen have been completed, with a fire inspection scheduled later this week. If that is approved, a final health inspection will follow.
For the PVHS auditorium, Phillips said carpet has been installed in the seating area and stage flooring is being installed this week. He said there is a delay with the new screen and some additional minor work, but the districtʼs goal is to have the auditorium partially operational when students return from Presidentsʼ Day break.
Cell
phone ban
Phillips also referenced the recently signed “Bell to Bell” cell phone ban, signed in January and set to take effect in September 2026, saying the district will review current practices and develop procedures for the start of next school year.
Phillips said the Feb. 23 board meeting will include presentations on school rankings and student chronic absenteeism.
According to the meeting summary, the board approved the meeting calendar for the remainder of the year, appointed its 2026 committee members, and approved a first reading of policies and regulations concerning employment of the superintendent, nepotism and sexual harassment.
Head coaching appointments
The board also approved two head coaching appointments:
Matthew Marini (Pascack Hills football) and Julia Abahazy (Pascack Hills spring track and field, girls).
Several donations were accepted for district groups and programs, including $2,000 from Nu Products Seasoning Co. for PH Robotics; $1,000 from Wegmans for PH Beccaʼs Closet; $1,000 from Robert Buccino for the PH Scholarships Coach Buccino Award; $4,000 from Paul Higgins TTEE of The Rita B. Higgins Trust for the PV Wellness Center; $500 from Wegmans for PH Robotics; and $800 from Make Our Schools Safe, Inc. for the PH Moss Club.
The district apologized that it was unable to livestream the Feb. 2 meeting due to technical difficulties, but said the meeting video is available online along with agendas and presentations.
In search of lost time on middle school renovation
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE
Cold weather, frozen pipes, and a clunky heating system are getting in the way of progress on the century-old George G. White Middle Schoolʼs multimillion-dollar renovation project.
Efforts to expedite asbestos abatement, demolition, and construction at George G. White Middle School—delayed several months due to an unexpected
switch from local project control to state oversight—have hit coldweather-related setbacks and cost increases, according to the superintendent in a recent email obtained by Pascack Press.
In addition, Supt. Robert Lombardy said the district hopes to “recover lost time” and keep the project moving on schedule. That would mean maintaining the original planned July 2027 completion date, Lombardy said Feb. 7 in an email to parents and residents. Due to delays caused last year when the local construction code
official suddenly decided not to review or provide oversight on the George White renovation project, the district was forced to scramble and seek state oversight from the Department of Community Affairs, complicating and delaying the projectʼs start.
More recently, below-normal temperatures have played havoc with work at the site.
Lombardy said, “Unfortunately, frigid temperatures have presented some challenges, as the buildingʼs ailing HVAC system has struggled with the cold, leading to
pipe leaks that could complicate and slow the abatement process. To try and protect our timeline, we are investigating the use of temporary heat to stabilize the buildingʼs interior.”
Lombardy did not cite specific measures or costs for the proposed heating changes. He said about 8% of the projectʼs cost was set aside for contingency expenses, including future change orders and additional costs not anticipated in the project specifications.
He said the second phase of asbestos abatement—which involves removal of asbestos from the main three-story structure, including classrooms and offices— will take eight to 10 weeks to complete.
Following abatement, demolition and renovation work will com-
Hearse:
FROM PAGE 4 station.
At the last second, to avoid a direct collision, the chauffeur turned his automobile to the right, parallel to the oncoming train. The hearse received a glancing blow from the locomotive—but the force was enough to overturn the car and carry it some distance down the track.
At the time, there were no gates at any of our local railroad crossings. When approaching the tracks, it was up to the driver to notice the warning signs and be on
mence. The third phase of asbestos abatement will include the boiler room in late spring, Lombardy said.
A ʻfoundation of frustrationʼ Under email subhead The Foundation of Frustration, Lombardy wrote, “The George White Middle School project is targeting a July 2027 completion. While we are slowly making progress, the initial March 2025 delays from our local approvals forced a transition to State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) oversight, adding significant time and cost.”
In a Sept. 27 letter to the Hillsdale community on the districtʼs referendum website, Lombardy cited earlier delays as the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
the lookout for a train.
While the chauffeurʼs mistake had caused the accident, it was also his quick action at the last moment that thwarted death for the funeral party.
Aside from shaken nerves and some bruises, the only person with more serious injuries was funeral director Mr. Robert Morton, who was cut about the face and head by the broken glass. Railroad crossing gates were installed in Park Ridge in 1979— more than a century after the tracks were put down. Borough officials and local citizens pressed the state government and railroad for 22 years to have them installed before it finally happened.
E AGLEPROJECTCOULDMAKE COMPOSTINGABOROUGHHABIT
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD
NICHOLAS “Nico” Doell isnʼt doing the Eagle Scout thing halfway.
When the Westwood Regional High School junior earned his Life rank last spring, he started looking for a project that would be more than ceremonial — something vital, overlooked, and likely, with community buy-in, to leave a measurable mark on borough life.
That search didnʼt fully click, he said, until a conversation with Mayor Ray Arroyo, who floated an idea Westwood hasnʼt tried in this form before: community composting.
“I wanted an Eagle Scout Project that would leave a lasting, measurable impact on Westwood while also challenging me technically,” Doell said. “I have always been interested in engineering and hands-on innovation, and I was looking for a project that combined problem-solving with real community benefit.”
From there, Doell worked with Councilwoman Erin Collins and Borough Administrator Durene Ayer to turn the concept
into a pilot program — one designed to be easy for families and scalable for the borough if it succeeds.
The initiative will begin as a 50-family pilot program. Participating households will collect
food scraps and compostable materials at home and bring them to a drop-off shed located at the Department of Public Works.
Doell said the system is meant to solve the everyday obstacles that stop people from com-
posting — especially in small yards or busy households.
“This unique system of composting which I am introducing eliminates many of the challenges of backyard composting, including odors, animals, and limited
space,” he said.
Accepted items include fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells, bread and grains, napkins, tea bags, and BPI-certified compostableware (including compostable bags, utensils and cups). Items not accepted include diseased plants, yard trimmings, glass and metals.
Once deposited, the material will be collected on a regular schedule by Neighborhood Compost, the organics hauling service partnering with the project.
That compost then goes back into circulation — enriching agricultural soil and returning nutrients to the ecosystem, rather than becoming landfill waste.
Doell said composting stood out to him because food scraps make up a significant share of everyday trash — and because what happens to food waste in landfills isnʼt just “out of sight, out of mind.”
Citing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, he noted that roughly 24% of what Americans throw away is food scraps. Diverting that waste, he said, reduces landfill tonnage, can lower disposal costs, and can cut methane emissions.
photo. Right: Presenting to
Westwood Women’s
Judge:Town must scrap data center plan on affordables
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
MONTVALE
A state Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program judge ruled Feb. 10 that Montvaleʼs amended Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan can be deemed compliant only if the borough follows the recommendations of a court-appointed Special Adjudicator—and drops a proposed compliance mechanism tied to a possible future data center at the 34-acre former KPMG site.
Mayor Michael Ghassali said it was too early to comment on the decision, issued Feb. 10 by retired Superior Court Judge Julio L. Mendez.
In a Jan. 21 interview, Ghassali said, “Nothing in the Mount Laurel Doctrine requires us to strip away existing zoning regulations from a site and force the development of high-density housing. We believe
the boroughʼs plan is constitutionally compliant and look forward to the Programʼs decision confirming this fact.”
However, Mendezʼs Feb. 10 ruling requires significant changes to the boroughʼs submitted plan.
Fair Share Housing Centerʼs Jag Davies said the ruling rejects Montvaleʼs proposal to allow a developer the option to build either affordable housing or a data center at the KPMG site.
“It also requires if the KPMG site is not developed with affordable housing in three years that Montvale has to come up with a different site for the same number of units,” Davies said.
Davies said the center challenged the boroughʼs approach as inconsistent with Mount Laurel and the Fair Housing Act, arguing it would make affordable housing “optional” while granting unrelated redevelopment rights. Davies also said public opinion surveys show many Americans oppose energy-
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
From the archive: In Montvale in 2018, Fifth District Rep. Josh Gottheimer presents KPMG CFO David Turner with a Congressional certificate of recognition for KPMG’s commitment to North Jersey jobs.
intensive data centers.
Meanwhile, Ghassali and 28 additional towns await an expedited decision from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on a petition
Doell:
FROM PAGE 7
The most visible piece of the project is the compost collection site itself — and itʼs already in place.
A major component of Doellʼs Eagle Scout work was the design and construction of the compost collection shed and supporting infrastructure at DPW. With help from his troop, family and friends — and the DPW crew — he built a 9-by-13-foot concrete foundation, reinforced with rebar and gravel.
Then he did something one doesnʼt see every day in a Scout project: he designed and ran an electrical schematic from the DPW building to the shed to power motion-sensor lighting for safe nighttime access.
After the shed was placed, Doell led volunteers in painting the interior base to withstand heavy foot traffic, hand-building a wooden ramp so bins can be rolled in and out, and installing a stone
seeking to stay the March 15 Fourth Round deadline for towns to adopt zoning and ordinances to implement their affordable housing plans. [Story, Page 1]
“Zero Waste. Protect the World.”
—BSA Troop 50 Life Scout Nicholas “Nico”Doell
paver path beneath the ramp to prevent erosion.
Doell is with BSA Troop 350. His Scoutmaster is Bernadette Gerhinger, and he credited his father, Keith Doell — an assistant Scoutmaster — as a steady source of “tools, wisdom, or advice.”
Doell is an 11th grader at Westwood Regional High School, where he said heʼs on high academic honors and is taking five AP courses. Heʼs also an active member of the schoolʼs Environmental Club and serves as a student representative on Westwoodʼs Board of Health.
To fully fund the project, Doell said the goal is a little over $7,000, covering the shed, electrical work, concrete and foundation materials, compost bins, signage, and durability improvements designed to keep the site function-
DAILY MASS
Several sources told Pascack Press that, because of the caseʼs urgency, a decision could come soon after a Feb. 17 briefing deadline.
Mendezʼs 61-page decision lays out an amended compliance framework for Montvale. It includes increasing minimum residential density to 12 dwelling units per acre and retaining the KPMG site as a potential inclusionary housing location—up to 250 units, including 50 affordable units.
The decision can be found on New Jersey eCourts under docket BER-L-750-25.
The ruling cites the boroughʼs Fourth Round present need (rehabilitation obligation) of 30 units; a prospective need of 205 units; and a realistic development potential of 44 units between 2025 and 2035. It also lists an unmet need of 161 affordable units.
Pascack Press will continue to update readers as the borough responds.
al for years.
Heʼs already raised “a little less than half,” he said — through presentations to local groups including the Westwood Library Gardens Club and the Westwood Womenʼs Club, and through community fundraisers such as a refreshment sale at Dragons Day, a plant sale at Westwood Fest, and a bake sale at St. Andrewʼs.
His main fundraiser now is the Eagle Scout Founders Bronze Plaque — a permanent display mounted on the front of the shed recognizing the families, businesses and organizations that helped launch Westwoodʼs first community composting initiative.
Doellʼs flyer captures his pitch in a few bold words: “Zero Waste. Protect the World.” With a minimum donation of $185, a donorʼs name will be permanently etched in bronze on the founders plaque.
Right now, itʼs a pilot. But Doell built it with growth in mind:“Success would mean the pilot operating smoothly and demonstrating that community composting is both practical and beneficial for Westwood,” he tells Pascack Press
While it begins with 50 families, he said he designed the program so it can expand year by year. “My goal and real hope for the future is that one day my project will expand to touch hundreds and grow to become a permanent municipal service, similar to recycling or garbage pickup,” Doell said.
To get involved Residents interested in the pilot program may contact Jean-Marie Vadovic at jvadovic@westwoodnj.gov, or directly to Doell at nicovdoell@gmail.com.
Local crews help in a devastating Oradell house fire
FIREFIGHTERSFROM Westwood and Emerson were among the mutual-aid responders who assisted Oradell emergency crews during a twoalarm house fire that destroyed a single-family home at 43 Poplar Ave., authorities said.
Oradell Police Chief David L. Gangemi said officers Kevin Bernal and Luke Fisher arrived at 8:21 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, confirmed that the 83-year-old homeowner, John Pietranera, had safely exited, and determined no one else was inside. Police alerted nearby residents and advised them to watch for embers that could ignite on surrounding properties.
Responders also monitored Pietranera for signs of smoke inhalation or medical distress and helped ensure he stayed warm, Gangemi said.
The Oradell Fire Department responded at 8:28 p.m., with Fire Chief Terry Moran establishing a command post as mutual aid arrived, including crews from Westwood and Emerson, along with departments from River Edge, New Milford, and Paramus, authorities said.
Moran said the likely cause was embers from a fireplace in a family room. The homeowner reported the fireplace had been in use and that smokewas backing up into the house, he said.
Firefighters battled what Moran described as a “stubborn fire” in high winds and frigid temperatures that froze water nozzles, according to the chief. The fire
Ordell Fire Chief Terry Moran said the likely cause was embers from a fireplace ina family room. The homeowner reported the fireplace had been in use and that smoke was backing up into the house, he said. Courtesy photo/Thom Ammirato
was extinguished at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and the home was turned over to the homeowner and a local contractor who boarded up the residence. Pietranera is staying with family members in town, officials said.
Neighbors reported a rekindle at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, and when firefighters returned they found the house fully engulfed, Moran said. Oradell again requested mutual aid Sunday from departments in Dumont, Bergenfield, Haworth, and Teaneck, officials said.
The fire was extinguished a few hours later, and utility companies were called to cut electric, gas, and water service before the remains of the house were razed, authorities said.
Mayor James Koth, who also responded as a firefighter, praised first responders who he said “worked through some of the most adverse conditions imaginable” amid near-zero temperatures and high winds. Koth said the borough will do what it can to assist the resident.
“Itʼs a horrible tragedy to lose your home and your possessions,”
Koth said. “Oradell is a close knit, caring community and I am sure friends and neighbors will assist the homeowner in his time of need, I will make sure the borough assists in any way we can.”
Press release, forwarded by Thom Ammirato, reorganized to lead with contribution of Emerson and Westwood fire departments
KOTH
Spectacular Civil War cavalry saber, scabbard
BYJONFELZ R.Z.M. FINE ARTS & ANTIQUES INC.
Hi, Jon,
This sword has been in my family for well over 100 years. It belonged to my grandfatherʼs father, Calvin McLain, originally from Ohio. I was told he was a captain in the Army during the Civil War, and that the men of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry presented him with this sword. After the war, he worked as an agent for the Wabash Railroad in Chicago; our family has photo-
Senior appraiser Jon Felz of R.Z.M.Fine Arts & Antiques Inc. answers yourquestions on fine art,American coins,and great antiques.Send your questions and photos to rzmantique@aol.com
graphs of him connected to the railroad. That is about all I know about the sword and my relative.
As you can see from the photos, itʼs an especially ornate piece. Iʼm hoping you can tell me anything more about it, including an estimate of its value. Any information you can find about Calvin
“The blade was manufactured by Collins & Co. of Hartford, Connecticut — a respected maker — but it clearly made its way to New York for Tiffany’s finishing work. The moment I saw the depth of the etching and the sophistication of the decoration, Tiffany craftsmanship came to mind.”
McLain would mean a great deal to us.
Thank you so much, Diane
Dear Diane,
20 & 21, 2026 from 10am-4:30pm (Numbers at 9am - Cash
We have been contracted to sell the complete contents of this lifelong antique collector’s estate.Many items Ex Sotheby’s & Ex Christies.18th c America furniture,paintings & Napoleonic Collection,an important sale.
What you have is a magnificent, presentation-grade Civil War cavalry officerʼs saber and scabbard, and it comes with the kind of provenance collectors dream about.
According to the inscription on the scabbard, this sword was presented to Capt. Calvin W. McLain by Company D of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry (“Merrillʼs Horse”) on March 1, 1863. In terms of quality and condition, it is one of the finest Civil War swords Iʼve had the pleasure to inspect.
A second detail elevates it even further: the sword was embellished and decorated by Tiffany & Co. in New York.
sophistication of the decoration, Tiffany craftsmanship came to mind. Confirming it is the hidden blade marking: TIFFANY & CO. / NEW YORK.
A closer look at the sword
The curved steel blade features exceptionally detailed etching, including scrollwork and martial motifs. On the right side is a standing Zouave figure, along with the TIFFANY & CO. N.Y. marking above an “1861”-dated ricasso. The left side includes an officer figure. The opposite ricasso is stamped “COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN.”
The gilt brass hilt includes a red base washer, floral decoration on the knuckle guard and pommel, and a spread-wing-andshield motif on the back of the quillon. The grip is shagreen-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 845-735-1313
The blade itself was manufactured by Collins & Co. of Hartford, Connecticut — a respected maker — but it clearly made its way to New York for Tiffanyʼs finishing work. The moment I saw the depth of the etching and the
PASCACK VALLEY
Cupid’s Shopping Guide
Rotary scholarship application deadline
The Park Ridge Rotary Charity Foundation has opened its 2026 scholarship application process for high school seniors who live in Park Ridge, Montvale and Woodcliff Lake.
The service club said it will select recipients based on financial need, scholastic ability, and contributions to school and the community. The foundation also offers one scholarship for an eligible Park Ridge High School senior majoring in education, in memory of Dr. Robert Balentine, a former Park Ridge High School superintendent and longtime Park Ridge Rotary Club member.
Applications and supporting documents are due by April 15.
WESTWOOD
Students will be notified in early June, the foundation said, with schools notified ahead of scholarship presentations at senior assemblies.
Applications are available through the guidance departments at Park Ridge High School, Pascack Hills High School and St. Joseph Regional High School, or as a PDF through the Park Ridge Rotary website.
For more information, contact scholarship chair Linda Hanlon at (201) 819-8281 or Lindah211@aol.com. The Park Ridge Rotary Charity Foundation is a 501(c)(3); donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 265, Park Ridge, NJ 07656.
Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center is seeking donations from local businesses for its annual Tricky Tray and Live Auction, set for Saturday, April 25.
In an email to supporters, the school said donated items, gift certificates and monetary contributions help enrich studentsʼeducational experiences while also spotlighting local businesses. Donations must be coordinated for pickup or drop-off by March 31, the organization said. Tickets are expected to go on sale in early March. For more information, contact Zion Early Childhood Center, 64 First Ave., Westwood, or call (201) 664-8060.
Open kindergarten registration for ’26–’27
Hillsdale Public Schools has opened registration for the districtʼs 2026-27 kindergarten prog ram, Superintendent Robert Lombardy Jr. said.
Resident children who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2026 are eligible to enroll.
Attendance is determined by location: children living on the east side of Magnolia Avenue (even house numbers) from Lin-
coln Avenue to Lawrence Street will attend Meadowbrook School; children living on the west side of Magnolia Avenue (odd house numbers) from Lincoln Avenue to Lawrence Street will attend Ann Blanche Smith School.
The district uses online preregistration. Forms are available at www.hillsdaleschools.com under Resources > Parent
Resources > Registration. F amilies should register for the 2026-27 school year and select grade “00” for kindergarten. After submission, school staff will follow up if additional information is needed. Kindergarten orientations for both schools will be held in spring 2026, with details to be sent by each principal after registration is complete.
ONLY 20 MINUTES, TWO TIMES PER WEEK.
WOODCLIFF LAKE
Cupid’s Shopping Guide
MOWNJ Art of Tea Time fundraiser returns Feb. 21
Meals on Wheels North Jersey brings back its fundraiser
The Art of Tea Time on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Opsal Room of Christ Lutheran Church, 32 Pascack Road.
Organizers say the event features a traditional high tea service
curated by local chef Nydia Ekstrom, with mini scones donated by The Rolling Pin Cafe in Westwood, plus mini pastries and Victoria cake, tea sandwiches, and tea.
Meals on Wheels North Jersey Director Janelle Larghi
ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICEINTHE SERVICE DIRECTORY IN THE PASCACK PRESS
said, “The first Art of Tea Time, in 2024, was a wonderful experience for everyone involved. We are thrilled to bring this event back to support our mission of providing nutrition and wellness checks to our neighbors in need.”
Admission is $50 per person, with proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels North Jersey. Advancereservations are required. For information or reservations, visit mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org or call 201-3580050.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For details, visit MealsOnWheelsNorthJersey.org.
Lakeside Choraliers adding members
Love to sing — and looking for a creative, joyful community?
The Lakeside Choraliers are welcoming new voices for the upcoming spring season.
The group held an open house rehearsal Monday, Feb. 9, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 131 Pascack Road. Directed by Fiona
WCL seniors make art for heart’s sake
Members of the Woodcliff Lake Senior Association marked the season with a watercolor class on Feb. 3, creating Valentine cards and bookmarks under the guidance of Suzi Gerace, a member of the senior association, who owns and teaches at Dream Makers Art Studio in Hillsdale. Gerace donated her time to lead the session; participants said they loved it.
Smith Sutherland and accompanied by Matthew Hosmer, the Lakeside Choraliers are a nonsectarian community choir based in Park Ridge that has entertained audiences in the Bergen/Rockland area since 1972.
The ChoraliersʼMay 31 concert, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” will celebrate American music in
honor of the nationʼs 250th birthday. Attendees at the open house had a chance to experience the music, meet members, and enjoy refreshments.
For more information, visit lakesidechoraliers.com.
— Information provided by Diane M. Dougherty, treasurer, Lakeside Choraliers
Chef Nydia Ekstrom at the 2024 Art of Tea Time event.
PARK RIDGE
FROM PAGE 6
reason the board acted quickly Sept. 26 to approve a $33.6 million construction contract with Dobco Inc. of Wayne for full-scale renovations at George White Middle School and construction of a sixclassroom addition at the centuryold facility.
Dobco Inc. was the lowest qualified bidder for the project, which is financed through passage of a $62.4 million school bond referendum in September 2024.
Lombardy and then–board president Justin Saxon had previously criticized the former local construction code official, whose review hold-up set the project back several months and added hundreds
Sword:
FROM PAGE 10 wrapped with brass wire.
The scabbard is equally striking. Its gilded body is inscribed: “Presented to Capt. C.W. McLain by the Members of Co. D. Merrillʼs Horse / March 1st, 1863.”
The scabbard bands and drag are engraved with floral designs, and the upper band bears a large “US.”
The unit behind the presentation
For context: Merrillʼs Horse was a Union cavalry regiment raised under Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont in the Western Department, based in St. Louis, and named for Col. Lewis Merrill, a veteran of the 2nd U.S. Dragoons who organized the unit in 1861 and served under Frémont.
The regiment initially fought in hard, bloody operations against
Cupid’s Shopping Guide
of thousands of dollars in costs.
That official has since retired.
Lombardyʼs Feb. 7 email continued, “As with any large-scale public project, we are navigating the realities of logistical shifts and schedule delays. While we move forward on our adjusted schedule, we continue to look for ways to potentially recover time lost due to our initial delay, if and where it is possible.”
Third asbestos change order OKʼd; 3 vans purchased for student transport
At its Feb. 9 session, the school board approved a $5,500 third change order to the T&M Associates asbestos abatement contract. The additional cost was for “professional services including onsite demolition monitoring and asbestos bulk material sampling for
Confederate guerrillas in northern Missouri and became known for aggressive, effective suppression of guerrilla activity — enough so that a book was written about the unit titled The Merrill Horse or the Guerrillas Conquered. As the war continued, the regiment also saw action against Confederate cavalry in Alabama and Tennessee.
Captain McLainʼs military record
After researching military records, I was able to confirm that Calvin W. McLain was born in 1827 in Marysville, Ohio, and died in 1892 in Jacksonville, Illinois.
He served in Company D and mustered in as a first lieutenant, then was commissioned captain on Oct. 24, 1862. He was promoted to major on Nov. 17, 1864.
When the members of his company presented him the sword you now own — March 1, 1863 — he was assigned to the District of Northeast Missouri.
After the war, he lived in
a three-day period in the Central Core areas,” according to Resolution 1BG.
Lombardy said that as asbestos abatement continues, it is likely additional asbestos will be found in previously unidentified areas, resulting in further change orders.
The T&M Associates contract increased the total asbestos remediation cost from $194,800 to $208,450. This includes a previous $8,150 change order to prepare DCA paperwork and provide additional design services, project monitoring, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) air sampling.
At its Jan. 19 meeting, the board approved nearly $27,000 in additional costs, including the $8,150 change order and nearly $19,000 for B&G Restoration for additional asbestos remediation in rooms 114 and 115. (See “George
Jacksonville, Illinois, and was listed as a member of the Board of Education. Your familyʼs account that he worked as an agent for the Wabash Railroad in Chicago also fits neatly with the postwar paper trail.
Value
Now to the question everyone wonders about: value.
This saber checks every box that drives collector demand. It is identified to a specific officer, it is presentation-grade, it has excellent condition, and — most importantly — it carries Tiffany & Co. decoration. In this field, that combination is exceptional.
The antique military collectibles market remains strong, and pieces of this caliber continue to command premium prices. A conservative value for this sword and scabbard in todayʼs market is $10,000. Any advanced collector of Civil War edged weapons would be eager to make this a centerpiece of a serious collection.
White School asbestos abatement up,” by Michael Olohan, Jan. 26, 2026, Pascack Press, p. 7.)
The board on Feb. 9 also approved the purchase of three eight-passenger vans through a national cooperative.
The 2026 Ford Transit TCI Mobility Vans from H.A. DeHart & Son Inc. will cost $82,870.93 per vehicle, or $248,612.79 total. The vans are configured for non-CDL use and include a school bus prep
package, according to the resolution.
Lombardy said the vans are not wheelchair-accessible but will help reduce the districtʼs reliance on outside transportation companies for special-needs student transport and are expected to be more cost-effective.
He said the vans are expected to arrive by summer and will be assigned routes beginning in September.
Itʼs back! The Annual Community Dinner and Raffle fundraiser for Montvale BSA Troop 334 is Friday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Fieldstone Middle School.
Join your neighbors for a fun evening of food, friends, music, a tricky tray raffle, and so much more.
Your dinner includes a pasta and meatball entree with salad and garlic bread. After dinner, enjoy dessert and coffee and the highly anticipated raffle drawing.
Prizes include sports tickets, restaurant gift cards, and much more. Face painting and activities for the kids are provided. Tickets are $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Kids under 5, free. See your Troop 334 scout, email Troop334Montvale@gmail.com , or call (201) 690-7165.
The Annual Community Dinner and Raffle fundraiser for Montvale BSA Troop 334 is Friday, March 6.
Panckeri:
FROM PAGE 1
Drew drew the new card? Awesome!” Sabrina Deutsch Krawczyk said, “Hey, I know that guy! Heʼs kind of a big deal on our block. Way to go Drew!” And Kate Stutzel said, “Beautiful!”
The contest rules: entrants used an official library card/key tag template, submitted one digital design per person, and followed standard print specs. The submission deadline was Nov. 1, 2025.
The winning design is now printed and distributed as the official library card. Patrons can turn their old one in if they want, and walk out with the latest edition. The library is at 49 Park Ave. and westwoodpubliclibrary.org.
DiLeo told Pascack Press, “When we voted, submissions were completely anonymous. We had the top three submissions, and staff voted in the blind— nobody knew whose design was whose. That was important, because we did have several really strong submissions.”
DiLeo said, “Weʼre really part of the community, so I wanted it to be something very Westwood, but also tied to the library in some way. Thatʼs not easy to achieve. I also wanted one universal card. I didnʼt want separate adult and childrenʼs versions— just one design for everyone.”
Alito:
FROM PAGE 1
General Jennifer Davenportʼs office said they anticipate replying by Feb. 17 and offered no further comment. Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali, who leads the Local Leaders coalition, said the order is encouraging.
The Fourth Round is New Jerseyʼs current 10-year cycle requiring towns to plan and zone for affordable housing in exchange for protection from developer lawsuits.
“Itʼs a very good sign that heʼs looking at this seriously. Thatʼs the first hurdle weʼve passed,” Ghassali told Pascack Press Feb. 10. Ghassali has said his groupʼs issue is not with affordable housing but rather with mandates toward high density development.
So far, most legal efforts by Local Leaders for Responsible Planning have been denied in state and federal courts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit rejected the coalitionʼs bid on Jan. 30, and U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi denied related requests twice earlier. In early 2025, Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy twice rejected the townsʼbid to halt fourthround deadlines; in June 2025, Lougy rejected another request to block certain requirements but granted a limited extension tied to a June 30 deadline.
Ghassali said he hopes Alito
Westwood illustrator, children’s book maker, and author Drew Panckeri’s winning submission for the library card redesign contest. At right, from panckericartoons.com.
The library ordered a smaller print run this time, compared to the most recent, “boring,” refresh several years ago, as thereʼs also a digital card in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) library app. DiLeo said, “A lot of people use that instead of a physical card.”
She estimated the library boasts “5,800 cardholders at the moment. We probably issue 300 to 400 new or replacement cards each year, so this run should last
stays, or pauses, the March 15 deadline, and said a decision could come quickly given the emergency nature of the request.
The filing is an emergency application seeking immediate relief, not a full Supreme Court appeal. Alito, the justice assigned to emergency matters from the circuit that includes New Jersey, ordered the state to respond as he considers whether to pause the deadline. If he halts the deadline,
Ghassali said the stay would immediately apply to the nine towns identified in the coalitionʼs filing, with the group seeking to add as many as 20 additional member towns. Ghassali said it would not appear to apply to other towns statewide.
Alito, who grew up in Hamilton Township in Mercer County, is the Supreme Court justice assigned to handle emergency matters from the federal circuit that includes New Jersey. Hamilton Township is not listed among Local Leaders for Responsible Planningʼs member municipalities.
Jag Davies, communications director for the Fair Share Housing Center, said the courtʼs order is “a routine request for a response from the other side, not anything that suggests any particular outcome … Docketing just means they assign a number to a filing, as happens at any level of courts.”
Joshua Bauers, the Fair Share Housing Centerʼs director of exclusionary zoning, said New Jersey law gives towns flexibility in how they meet obligations.
and WIRED, says that “drawing came naturally as a child, spending many days in school quietly concerned with the world inside a notebook, making friends laugh with MAD-style parodies, or the many other distractions that would keep [me] in trouble and off the recess field.”
She said, “We read from his book and then made sailboats as a craft, which tied into the story. It was a really nice event and we had a good turnout.”
As a childrenʼs librarian, DiLeo also notices the publisher. “When you see a strong imprint like Holiday House, that tells you itʼs a solid book. I knew it was the real deal.”
Panckeri told Pascack Press that the past year has been a welcome shift: after years drawing single-panel cartoons for magazines, heʼs now leaning hard into childrenʼs books.
The response has been encouraging—especially in reaching kids who donʼt usually latch on to books. Panckeri said he recently received a note from a parent who wrote that their child, a reluctant reader, checked out his book from the library and would not stop reading it for about a month.
about two years.”
Among those getting new cards: “Berkeley School does a kindergarten walking tour around town. They come to the library, the firehouse, Town Hall—itʼs really sweet. When they visit the library, we do a short program and they get their first library card,” DiLeo said.
Panckeri, who since 2015 has published hundreds of singlepanel cartoons with the likes of The New Yorker, MAD magazine,
“New Jerseyʼs affordablehousing law gives towns a lot of latitude to create new homes in a wide variety of ways to meet their local needs — that helps explain why the vast majority of towns are complying with the law,” Bauers said. “Local officials who choose endless litigation over inclusive communities are ultimately harming the very towns they serve.”
The coalition filed its request on Feb. 4 seeking an injunction against the March 15 deadline. In an email update, Ghassali wrote, “We ask Justice Samuel Alito to grant a pause of the stateʼs arbitrary March 15 deadline so we can first have our claims decided in court.”
Ghassali said the coalition argues New Jerseyʼs fourth-round affordable-housing law violates equal protection by relying on a 40-year-old “urban aid” classification formula that, he said, requires communities like Montvale to zone for far more than their fair share of affordable housing.
“I am beyond proud of our coalition sticking together against developers and special interests and taking this fight to save our communities to the highest court in our land,” Ghassali said.
The filing argues that, without a pause, plaintiffs will suffer “irreparable harm,” including immediate reputational and electoral harm.
It says that if the deadline is not stopped, towns will be forced to adopt high-density housing, and that public officials who support such ordinances could face politi-
He and DiLeo first met when he was promoting his early-reader graphic novel, “Duck and Cat Ride the Riverboat” (Holiday House, 2025), a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, “featuring a hapless duck, an anxious cat, and some very hungry crocodiles.”
DiLeo said, “Someone told me, ʻWe have this really talented illustrator in town.ʼAnd in Westwood, it feels like every month thereʼs someone with a great skill set—we have these great authors, too. So I reached out to Drew and invited him to do a storytime.”
“You donʼt get many interactions with your readers when theyʼre children,” Panckeri said. “So when I do get something positive, itʼs really heartening.”
Panckeri moved to Westwood about four years ago from Philadelphia, where he studied web design at the Art Institute and stayed for roughly two decades.
He followed his heart to Westwood: He and his partner first met years ago while working in a library in Ocean County. “When we reunited, 15 years later, in different parts of our lives,” he said, CONTINUED ON PAGE 29
cal consequences.
“If Applicants vote in favor of the implementing ordinances, they will be voting against the will of their constituents,” the brief states.
It says Ghassali frequently attends community events and engages with residents, and that in those interactions, “not one person said we want high-density housing.” It says that if and when Ghassali votes on new zoning, his reputation would suffer and his re-election prospects would dim — and that he “would not be voted back in.”
“If Applicants instead vote as their own consciences and constituents demand, they will be held politically accountable for the ensuing builderʼs remedy litigation that will still result in highdensity development,” the brief states. It adds that developers have
shown municipalities such as Montvale plans for high-density housing and said applications would be submitted once a municipality lost immunity.
The filing argues the stateʼs “urban aid” classification is outdated and says “urban aid” towns should also be assigned prospective-need affordablehousing obligations.
“The robust population growth in the urban aid municipalities reflects that, unlike in 1984, they can now absorb their fair share of prospective need,” the brief states.
It adds that urban aid municipalities “presently create half of New Jerseyʼs population growth and, therefore, under the 2024 FHAʼs formula, generate half of the stateʼs prospective need.”
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito, right (Getty Images) has ordered the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to respond by Feb. 17 to an emergency application from Local Leaders for Responsible Planning, led by Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali (left, file photo).
VALLEY BODY & FENDER CONGRATULATES JAXSON R. WEAVER
ON ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT
Jaxson R. Weaver, a member of Boy Scout Troop 132B of Old Tappan, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout — scouting’s highest achievement — after completing a service project that provides a lasting benefit to the community.
For his Eagle Scout project, Weaver created an American Flag Retirement Box where residents can respectfully deposit U.S. flags that have become worn, tattered, soiled, or otherwise no longer appropriate for display The collection box is located at Old Tappan Police Department, 21 Russell Ave, Old Tappan. Making it easy for community members to drop off flags in a dignified way, rather than disposing of them casually.
The project has already made a meaningful impact. Since the box was installed, it has been emptied several times, and more than 150 retired flags have been collected and disposed of properly. On Veterans Day, scouts also conducted a flag retirement ceremony as part of the project’s purpose: ensuring that American flags are retired with respect and care.
Weaver’s project began with a simple idea and a retired postal mailbox, which he transformed into the finished collection box through sanding, painting, and lettering at Valley Body & Fender The finished box reflects the leadership, perseverance, and attention to detail that are hallmarks of the Eagle Scout rank.
In addition to serving as a convenient drop-off site, the box offers a reminder of an important point many people are unsure about: when a flag is no longer fit to fly, it should be retired in a respectful manner. Aflag that is frayed, faded, torn, or badly soiled is general considered ready for retirement, and community flag ceremonies — often held by scout troops, veterans organizations, or civic groups — provide an appropriate way to handle that moment. Weaver ’s project helps make that process simple for residents, while also honoring the meaning the flag holds for many families.
Weaver’s parents, Katie Weaver and Ryan Weaver, marked the occasion with pride. Ryan Weaver, who also guided Jaxson through the Eagle Scout process, is Scoutmaster of Troop 132B.
PHOTO COURTESYOF VALLEYBODY& FENDER
Jaxson Weaver and Faith Bujas
PHOTO COURTESYOF TROOP132B
‘How much cash should Ikeep on hand?’
HO W M UCH cash
should I have now? It seems like a simple question, but the answer can be complicated — especially in times of market volatility. Apart from an emergency fund, the amount of cash or liquid assets you need depends on many factors, including the current state of the market and major life events.
“There isnʼt really a general rule
in terms of a number,” says Michael Taylor, CFA, Vice President – Senior Wealth Investment Solutions Analyst at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.
“We do say it shouldnʼt be more than maybe 10% of your overall portfolio or maybe three to six monthsʼworth of living expenses.”
Taylor notes that the number could change depending on whatʼs going on in the economy and markets.
“You should make sure your emergency fund and cash reserves can meet your current needs,” he says.
Taylor shares five events that should prompt a conversation with
your financial advisor about how much cash to have on hand.
1. When the market is in flux. The state of the market can have an impact on how much cash you should have on hand, how long you decide to hold an asset as cash, or when to convert assets to cash. This can be especially true when you foresee a large discretionary purchase such as a vacation home or a luxury vehicle.
“Plan for those purchases or defer them so you donʼt have to liquidate assets at a loss during market uncertainty,” Taylor says.
2. When your job status may
change. If youʼre contemplating a career move such as starting a business, retiring soon, or facing a possible layoff, consider meeting with your financial advisor. “If you donʼt have enough cash on hand during those transition periods, you might have to dip into an investment account or sell a stock at an inopportune time,” Taylor says. “That means you could end up losing money when you can least afford it.”
3. When your marital status is about to change. Getting married or paying for a wedding? According to “The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study,” on average in 2023, couples spent $35,000 total on their wedding, including ceremony, reception and engagement ring. Note that doesnʼt include a honeymoon or the expense of setting up a household.
A divorce can set you back as well, thanks to legal fees, asset division, and other costs. That means you need enough cash on hand to weather the transition from being single to getting married or vice versa. Talking to a financial advisor ahead of time can help you identify how much onhand cash you need.
4. When your child is ready for college. According to projections by Wells Fargo Advisors based on the College Boardʼs “Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid,” the estimated cost of attending a private college for four years (including tuition, fees, and room and board) starting in the 2024 – 2025 school year is more than $251,000.
“Itʼs important to plan so that you have enough liquidity to pay those tuition bills when they arrive,” Taylor says.
5. When you receive a windfall. If you receive an inheritance, a large bonus, or a generous financial gift, ask your financial advisor about investment options relative to the amount of cash you should have in your portfolio. If that money stays in
savings or short-term CDs, it wonʼt decrease in value, but it also may not be able to earn to its full potential.
Your long-term goals, risk tolerance, and spending and saving habits also affect how much cash you should have on hand. A financial advisor can help you strike the right balance.
Total yearly costs for in-state tuition, fees, books, and room and board (transportation and miscellaneous expenses not included). Base is 2024 – 2025 school year. Costs for all future years projected by Wells Fargo Advisors in November 2024 assuming a 3.3% national average increase per year for private colleges (based on a 10year historical average).
Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc., is a registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
This article was written for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, Senior Financial Advisor, Managing Director – Investments in Park Ridge at 201-505-0472.
Investment and Insurance Products are:
• Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
• Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
• Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
On the other hand, real estate is a valuable asset, one that should be protected and watched over especially when buying or selling. Our law firm provides expert services in handling real estate transactions and this expertise comes in part from having performed these services almost 2,000 times. We hope you don’t have to leave our area, but if you do we are ready to help you... from contract to closing.
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A caring offer on World Day of the Sick
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confusion. Patients are handed diagnoses they donʼt understand, medications theyʼre told to take “forever,” and side effects that lead to more prescriptions. Welcome to the medical merry-goround: one drug causes another problem, which requires another drug, which causes another problem. At some point, even the pharmacist looks tired.
Government data from the CDC shows that over 60 percent of American adults live with at least one chronic condition, and nearly 40% have two or more. Harvard researchers have repeatedly noted that polypharmacy— taking multiple medications—is a major contributor to hospitalizations, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life, especially in older adults. In other words, sometimes the treatment becomes the problem.
That doesnʼt mean medicine is evil. It means medicine without context, prevention, or personalization is incomplete. At Kaplan Brain and Body, we see
Elks St. Pat’s Day fun
March 14 at lodge
this every day. Autism, Alzheimerʼs, Parkinsonʼs, stroke, multiple sclerosis, ALS, anxiety, depression, vertigo, chronic h eadaches, autoimmune disease—these are not abstract conditions. They are people. Famil ies. Parents who are scared. Kids who are misunderstood. Adults who were told, “This is just how it is now.”
B eing a Good Samaritan means having empathy for those stuck in this cycle. It also means asking better questions. Why did this happen? What systems are involved? And more importantly—how could this have been prevented?
Research from Yale and the National Institutes of Health has shown that chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are common threads in neurological and autoimmune conditions. The immune system is not just about catching colds—it plays a central role in brain health, mood regulation, and neurodegeneration. When itʼs overactive, underac-
tive, or confused, the brain suffers.
Genetics are not destiny. Epigenetics—the science of how environment, lifestyle, stress, nutrition, and behavior influence gene expression—has been valid ated by decades of research from institutions like Harvard and Princeton. You may load the gun with genetics, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.
An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is . Waiting until symptoms are severe is like calling the fire department after the house is already gone. Logical? No. Common? Unfortunately, yes. Prevention doesnʼt mean living in fear. It means living with awareness. It means supporting brain health, reducing inflammation, improving sleep, managing stress, feeding the body real food, and measuring what matters. It also means understanding that symptoms are messages, not ene-
mies. At Kaplan Brain and Body, our focus is not on silencing symptoms, but on identifying root causes.
Special offer for World Day of the Sick On World Day of the Sick, compassion also means accessibility. To show our support for the community, we are offering a gift of appreciation: a qEEG brain mapping for just $21, normally $600. This safe, non-invasive test measures brain activity and helps identify patterns related to stress, inflammation, cognitive decline, mood disorders, and n eurological dysfunction. Itʼs information—powerful information—that can change the course of someoneʼs health.
If you or someone you love is struggling, donʼt wait for things to get worse. Take action before a crisis becomes normal. Call 201-261-2150, email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com, or visit kaplandc.com to schedule.
Winter clothing drive for veterans
For tickets, call or text Sharon Herman at (201) 2807602 or Dennis Cosgrove at (201) 739-9296.
Park Ridge Elks Lodge will hold its annual St. Patrickʼs Day Celebration on Saturday, March 14, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the lodge, 13 Sulak Lane, Park Ridge. Tickets are $65 per person and include a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner with dessert, beverages, and live entertainment by the High Strung Band, along with Irish step dancers.
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
‘RESIDENT APPRECIATION WEEK’ IN TOWNSHIP
The Township will hold a Resident Appreciation Weekend Feb. 20–22, offering free fitness and food specials for township residents at participating Pascack Road businesses.
• FREE ROWING CLASS: On Friday, Feb. 20, Row House will offer one free rowing class at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. (pre-registration required).
• FREESLICE: On Saturday, Feb. 21, Original Italian Pizza will offer a free slice from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. while supplies last.
• FREE BAGEL AND SMALL COFFEE: On Sunday, Feb. 22, Davidʼs Bagels & Coffee Roasters will offer a free bagel and small coffee from 9 to 11 a.m. while supplies last.
The event is open to Washington Township residents only. Participants must print and present event coupons (one per person, per event); valid ID may be required. Details, coupons, and updates are available at twpofwashington.us.
HIRING MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE
Join our ever growing sales team as as Sales Associate for the Pascack Press, Northern Valley Press North and South and near future publications. Applicants should be self-starters with drive to succeed. In this position, you will sell advertising space to new and existing accounts into our weekly newspapers and various other publications as well as digital media. Responsibilities will also include cold calling, outside sales and excellent customer service. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 201-664-2105 OR SEND RESUME TO: jobs@thepressgroup.net
VFW Post 6192 is hosting a Winter Coat/Blanket/Sock Drive to benefit veterans on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Hall. Organizers are collecting new socks, coats and blankets as a Valentineʼs Day gesture to “give the gift of warmth” to veterans in need.
Donations can be dropped off during the event. For more information, call Tom Sears at 201341-2942.
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Turro:
FROM PAGE 1
“I thought Iʼd like being a priest, but I didnʼt know how much I would enjoy it until I actually put my hands to it,” Turro said in a feature the Archdiocese of Newark shared with Pascack Press on Feb. 6, reflecting on his 104 years of life and 78 years of ministry. “I never reached a point where I stopped to think, Am I doing the right thing? I felt God wanted me to be a priest, so I went ahead with it.”
Faith was central to Turroʼs life while growing up in Jersey City, where he attended St. Paul of the Cross Elementary School and St. Peterʼs Prep. Inspired by two aunts, who were Sisters of Charity, he was ordained a priest in 1948 and began his ministry at Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack.
After two years, he enrolled at the Catholic University of A merica in Washington, D.C., earning a licentiate in sacred theology, followed by a licentiate in sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He later joined the faculty of Immaculate Conception Seminary.
Turroʼs most significant impact came through his work as a seminary professor, forming generations of priests over 60 years and writing several books. The seminary library at Seton
Monsignor James C. Turro greets a young parishioner at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Park Ridge. Right: during his early years as a priest. Archdiocese of Newark photos.
Hall University now bears his name. But throughout his academic career, he remained active in parish ministry, serving as weekend assistant at Our Lady of Mercy Church. There he became known for his concise homilies that rarely exceeded a single page.
Today, Turro is a beloved presence in Park Ridge. Parishioners and visitors from across the country visit him at the rectory, and he regularly speaks with students from Our Lady of Mercy Academy after daily Mass. He also remains active in ministry, celebrating Mass and offering pastoral counsel as needed. He
h as presided over approximately 900 baptisms and 400 weddings in Park Ridge alone.
W hen asked what advice he would offer, Turro pointed to a simple guiding principle: Here I a m, Lord, do with me what thou wilt.
Birthday cards may be sent to Monsignor Turro at Our Lady of Mercy Rectory, 2 Fremont Ave., Park Ridge, NJ 07656.
The Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics across northern New Jerseyʼs Bergen, Essex, Hudson and
Union counties. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 64 Catholic schools, the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, St. Andrewʼs Hall College Sem-
inary, Redemptoris Mater Seminary and numerous missions and ministries dedicated to faith, education and social service. Visit rcan.org.
Via Sean Quinn, Archdiocese of Newark
FROM PAGE 4
gen Countyʼs “diverse lens of people, places, and culture.”
A range of thematic programming is planned, coordinated by Letizia in cooperation with the Westwood Historic Preservation Commission, Westwood Recreation, Historical Speakers for Seniors, the Friends of the Westwood Library, the Westwood Library Garden Club, and the Westwood Heritage Society.
Letizia noted that while Westwood may not be associated w ith major Revolutionary-era
WOODCLIFF LAKE
events, it still has direct links to the period.
“General George Washington and his troops marched along the Musquapsink Brook en route b etween Tappan and Totowa, stopping to refresh near the home of Isaac Bogert at the intersection of what is now First Ave and Mill Street on Oct. 7, 1780,” she said. (A Bergen County Historical Society plaque marks the location.)
“Fast forward several decades, and a Civil War training facility once occupied what is now the American Legion on Washington Avenue,” she added.
“These are reminders that our town has long been connected
to our nationʼs journey,” Letizia said, “and moreover, that we have always been and continue to be a community of volunteers. Taking part in the 250th anniversary gives us a chance to honor that shared history and celebrate the civic pride and strong sense of community that continue to define Westwood today.”
First events and lecture series P rogramming begins Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Rolling Pin Cafe Annex (341 Broadway) with The World in the 18th Century, the first in a sixpart series titled “Celebrating the Semiquincentennial with Historical Speaker for Seniors.” The
Free brain-health program Feb. 26
The Alzheimerʼs Association Greater New Jersey Chapter presents a free educational program, “Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body for Aging in Good Health,” on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Christ Lutheran Church.
The session runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the church, 32 Pascack Road, and is hosted by the Rev. Marc A. Stutzel.
The program will be led by Alzheimerʼs Community Educator Terry Ciulla.
Light food and refreshments will be provided.
According to organizers, the presentation will highlight current research on the connection between brain and body health and how lifestyle choices may support healthy aging.
Topics include diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, as well as practical tools to help attendees
Alzheimer’s disease has destroyed neurons in the righthand brain above. Jessica Wilson/Science Photo Library/New Scientist
incorporate recommendations into a personal plan. Registration required. Call 800-272-3900 or visit the
Alzheimerʼs Association at https://action.alz.org/mtg/769408 594. Family members and friends are welcome.
P Paassccaacck k P Prreesss s welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Pascack Valley. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net
program will be presented by Westwood-based educators Damon and Cynthia Affinito.
Subsequent presentations will be hosted at locations across town, with topics including the American Revolution, Constitution 101, Revolutions in History, Celebrating the ʻTennials, and History of Westwood. Each program is free and designed for engaged audiences of all ages. Future dates and locations will be scheduled by the Westwood Historic Preservation Commission.
Hands-on history, tours, and community events
On Sunday, March 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center, Celebrate Westwood, in partnership with Westwood Recreation, will host Making History: Colonial Cooking, featuring an exploration of 18thcentury food preparation with cooking instructor Roseann Brill. The program is geared toward a dults but open to supervised y ounger Westwood residents (kids 10 and up). Registration is required through the boroughʼs Community Pass; the cost is $15 per attendee.
Residents are also encouraged to save the date for:
•Westwood Historic Preservation Commissionʼs Westwood Historic Trolley Tour — Saturday, April 18(tickets $15, on sale
‘Middle East Update’ via Zoom Feb. 17
Former Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker will give a talk, “A Middle East Update –Where Are We Now?” Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The program is part of Temple Israel & JCCʼs Temple Talks series, is free, and is Zoom-only. Schenker is a Taube senior fellow and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and served as U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs from June 2019 through January 2021. For the Zoom link, visit synagogue.or g/learning/ adult-education.
River Vale seniors meet Feb. 18
The River Vale Senior Friendship Club meets Tuesday, Feb. 18, featuring its popular “No Peek” regift auction. Members are invited to bring a new or hardly used gift item, wrapped, to be auctioned off. No clothing gifts but scarves. Bidding starts at $1 and increases in
beginning March 1 via Community Pass)
•American History Trivia Night — April 26, hosted by the F riends of the Westwood Library (fundraiser details to come)
• Vintage-style baseball game — May 2, organized by Councilman Anthony Greco in c oordination with Westwood Recreation
Beautification and exhibits
Letizia said beautification is also part of the celebration, with red, white, and blue plantings added to public spaces across Westwood in partnership w ith the Westwood Library Garden Club
In addition, the Westwood Heritage Society will create special historical exhibits to be displayed at the Westwood Train Station throughout the year.
Funding for the series has been provided in part by hosting o rg anizations and through donations of time and talent.
Celebrate Westwood serves as the central information hub, providing updates on schedules, locations, registration, and announcements at CelebrateWestwood.org.
For more information on borough-sponsored events, visit westwoodnj.gov.
25-cent increments. Annual dues of $15 will be collected, and a $2 dessert fee applies. Membership info: Angie at (201) 666-3888.
County:Free Covid-19, flu vaccines
Bergen County is offering free COVID-19 and flu vaccines for eligible residents through the end of March at the Bergen County Administration Building, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack. Clinics are open to anyone 6 months and older who lives, works, attends school, volunteers, or plays in Bergen County. Hours are Tuesdays 5–7 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. No insurance needed, but appointments are required. Info: (201) 634-2619 or LGarcia@ BergenCountyNJ.gov.
K of C
Trivia Night March 6
Knights of Columbus Mother Seton Council 5427 sponsors trivia night in the main hall at 79 Pascack Road, Township of Washington, Friday, March 6, 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. Cash bar, food will be available for purchase. Free to play, and a lot of fun. All are welcome. Prizes! Questions? call 973-7689926.
PASCACK VALLEY BRIEFS
SCHENKER
ORADELL
Chaos takes center stage as Bergen County Players presents ‘Play
On!,’ ‘a love letter,’ Feb. 7–28
WHATHAPPENSWHEN a
c ommunity theater tries to stage a murder mystery… and everything that can go wrong does?
Thatʼs the premise behind Play On!, the fast-paced farce by Rick Abbot, coming to Bergen County PlayersʼLittle Firehouse Theatre Feb. 7–28. Packed with missed cues, backstage bickering, technical mishaps and a playwright who keeps rewriting the script, the show is billed as a love letter to community theater — and a laugh-out-loud look at the beautiful chaos of live performance.
Directed by Tenafly resident Lynne Lupfer, Play On! follows a determined theater troupe attempting to produce a mystery called Murder Most Foul. The only problem: the script keeps
changing — new scenes, new characters, even a new killer — right up until opening night.
The comedy unfolds across three acts: a rocky early rehearsa l, a near-disastrous dress rehearsal, and the actual performance, where everything unravels in the most hilarious ways. From diva meltdowns to lighting and sound blunders, the show captures a universal truth of theater: no matter how much you rehearse, something unexpected will happen.
Lupfer, a Bergen County Players Life Member and past president, said the show offers both heart and challenge.
“Not only does Play On! serve as a tribute to the struggles and dedication found in community theater, but it provides our actors with the challenges of playing multiple layers,” Lupfer said. “Most of the cast are continually switching in and out of their characterʼs character.”
The cast features performers from across Bergen County and beyond, including Patrick Little and Sharon Little of Hackensack; Andrew Whitney of Ramsey; Lori Feiler-Fluger of River Edge; Adriana Dipple of Demarest; Zac Springer of River Edge; Adam Mahonchak of Pompton Lakes; Annia Brito Rey of Elmwood Park; Denise Krause of Ridgewood; and Jeanmarie GarverGaydos of River Edge.
Play On! was written by Rick Abbott, the pen name of prolific comedy playwright Jack Sharkey, whose fast-paced farces
have long been staples of community theater stages nationwide. Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell. Tickets are $30 on Fridays and Saturdays and
$28 on Sundays. Tickets may be purchased at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200, or at the box office during regular hours.
A cast-and-crew talkback session will be held following the Feb. 13 performance.
Bergen County Players, founded in 1932, is one of the nationʼs longest-running little theater companies and continues to present a full season of live productions for the community.
Play On! by Rick Abbot his Bergen County Players’ Little Firehouse Theatre Feb. 7–28. Richard Frant / FrantVisuals LLC
Play On! Feb. 7–28. Richard Frant / FrantVisuals LLC
PASCACK PRESS proudly celebrates the ranging accomplishments of our local alumni—young men and women who’ve graduated from area high schools and gone on to meet new challenges with purpose and heart. We also recognize the families, teachers, coaches, and mentors who helped guide them on their journey. Through these updates, we honor not just individual achievement, but also the community that helps shape thoughtful, resilient, and compassionate citizens of an interdependent world.
Listed by town; students alphabetized by last name
EMERSON
Michael Droste— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Isabella Forsdahl— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Cecilia Giannantonio — Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Kaitlyn Legaspi — Muhlenberg College, Deanʼs List
Giada Mandile — Adelphi University, Deanʼs List
Kristen Morgan — The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Daniella Ortiz — University of Alabama, Deanʼs List
Phoebe Rivers — Monmouth University, Deanʼs List
Jessica Sabino — Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Victoria Sterinsky — The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
HILLSDALE
Diego Albert— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Nshan Atakhanian — Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Michael Cacavella— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Julia Chiola Salve Regina University,Deanʼs List
Olivia De Carlo— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Jake Depaolo— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Kelly Donlan— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Michael Ermoian— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Julian Guggino— Worcester Polytechnic Institute,Deanʼs List
Evelyn Jansen— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Samantha Jennings— University of Alabama,Presidentʼs List
Christopher Londono— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Liam OʼBrien— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
A l u m n i U p d d a t e s
Adrian Pilet— Muhlenberg College,Deanʼs List
Natalia Pizzute— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Joshua Reiser— Susquehanna University,Deanʼs List
Christian Tabano— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Giavonna Tarabocchia— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Maya Tate— Point Park University,Deanʼs List
Julia Steiger— University of Hartford, Deanʼs List
Hunter Wallace— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
MONTVALE
Kelly Buquicchio— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Alejandro Camarena — The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Tyler Duffy— Lebanon Valley College,MAC Academic Honor Roll
Nevaeh Joseph— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Briana Keenan— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Connor Ohnikian— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Aryan Panchal— East Stroudsburg University, Deanʼs List
Preet Patel— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Kelly Quinn— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Athan Stamis— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Kerrin Sullivan— East Stroudsburg University, Deanʼs List
Victoria Turelli — The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Kate Zydor — The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
PARKRIDGE
Casey Allen— Springfield College,Deanʼs List
Antoinette Dacey — The Citadel, Gold Star / Deanʼs List
Victoria Daguanno— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Anna Francica— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Nicole Freiler— Susquehanna University, Deanʼs List
Ryan Giambelluca— University of Alabama,Deanʼs List
Julianne Havison— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
John Hawkshead— Salve Regina University,Deanʼs List
Cooper Hinds— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
John Hovhannisyan— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Kayla Hunt — Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List (with honors)
Edward Lapadula— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Taylor A. Lavin— Centenary University,Deanʼs List
Matthew Manning— Muhlenberg College,Deanʼs List; Academic Honor Roll
Ashleigh McManus— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Emily Panagi— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Kurt Plattel— SUNY Cortland, Deanʼs List
Scott Riccio— Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Deanʼs List
Elizabeth Ruvo — The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Sofia Ruvo— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Allie Shenloogian — University of Hartford,Deanʼs List
Allyson Suph— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Hallie Viering— SUNY New Paltz,Deanʼs List
Francesca Winterson— Monmouth University, Deanʼs List
RIVER VALE
Elizabeth Barlow— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Gabrielle Brayman — Muhlenberg College,Deanʼs List; performed in fall concerts/recital
Shane Burke — The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Ryan Campbell— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Victoria Csatay — The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Sophia DeVincenzo— Miami University (Ohio), Deanʼs List
Francesca Di Stefano— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Isabel Forcellati— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
James Greco — The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Logan Burke— University of Alabama,Presidentʼs List
Nicholas Leonardi— SUNY Cortland, Deanʼs List
Zach Martucci— University of Alabama,Deanʼs List
Evan McIntyre— Plymouth State University, Deanʼs List
Isabella Moreno— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Courtney Pelisson— East Stroudsburg University, Deanʼs List
Samantha Polizzi— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Abigail Scheer— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Emma Scheer— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Mark Spinelli— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Chloe Socrates— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Joseph Tammaro— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Sarah Urrea— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Hanna Wegner— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Alexandra Whalen— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Kevin Wirchansky— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Victoria Zervoudis— Salve Regina University,Deanʼs List
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Kayla Bischof— Monmouth University,Deanʼs List
Luke Biello— York College of Pennsylvania,Deanʼs List
Eric Brandenburg— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Michael Carcich— Muhlenberg College,Deanʼs List
Yianni Constantinides — SUNY Cortland,Deanʼs List
Nicholas Gervais— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Logan Goldsmith — The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Jaeden James— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Mia Kupershteyn — The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Sophia Marinaro— University of Alabama, Presidentʼs List
Jillian Nelson— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Lena Pissott— SUNY New Paltz,Deanʼs List
Elle Pitagno— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
Alyssa Ravennati— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Olivia Reynolds— University at Albany,Deanʼs List
Conner Sklavounos— Wilkes University, Deanʼs List
Ryan Van Auken— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Danielle Vinagre— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Chloe Wozny— Salve Regina University,Deanʼs List WESTWOOD
Anthony Aluotto— East Stroudsburg University,Deanʼs List
Victoria Bross— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Amanda Burns— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Luke Burns— Salve Regina University,Deanʼs List
Matthew Clason— Roger Williams University,Deanʼs List
Isabel Difabio— The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
Julia Gorham— Muhlenberg College,Deanʼs List
Lindsay Kovalcik— University of Bridgeport,Deanʼs List
Reid Lomer— University of Alabama,Presidentʼs List
Mary Magliocchetti — Susquehanna University,Deanʼs List
Jessica Moallem— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List (with honors)
Justin Moallem— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Thomas Mrsich— Susquehanna University,Deanʼs List
Grace Mohr University of Hartford,Deanʼs List and Presidentʼs List
Antonio Rosado— Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Elizabeth Urban— Roger Williams University, Deanʼs List
Lindsay Vogt— Springfield College,Deanʼs List
Vincent Woods— Quinnipiac University, Deanʼs List
WOODCLIFF LAKE
Marisa Abbruzzesi— The College of New Jersey,Deanʼs List
Rebecca Cohen— Muhlenberg College,Deanʼs List
Zach Groves— University of Alabama,Presidentʼs List
Sophia Padilla — Quinnipiac University,Deanʼs List
Mia Piantino— University of Alabama,Deanʼs List
Kira Zizzo — The College of New Jersey, Deanʼs List
OTHERPASCACKGRADUATE out-of-area hometown listed in release
Julian Pilet(Fair Lawn)— Muhlenberg College, Deanʼs List (Pascack Valley H.S. graduate)
CURATED BY JOHN SNYDER
Stories:
FROM PAGE 4
Whalen, others long forgotten or never widely known, that capture the spirit, character, and evolution of Westwood over the years. Stories were carefully paired with photographs from the WHS archives.
“Helen had an extraordinary memory and a gift for storytelling,” said Salib. “She didnʼt just remember dates or events. She remembered people, conversations, and the little details that
Historic Preservation Commission meeting dates
WESTWOOD — The Westwood Historic Preservation Commission will hold its public meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Remaining 2026 dates are: Feb. 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17.
make history feel alive.”
Kathleen Whalen reflected on the deeply personal nature of the project: “My siblings and I grew up listening to many of these stories about the town our mother loved so much, and as she was writing the book, she would share new chapters with us. We are so grateful that they can now be shared with the wider Westwood community.”
Publication of the book was managed by WHS founding member Lee Tremble and Salib, with funding for the printing made possible in part through grant funds administered by Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs, Department of Parks, through a General Operating Support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, reflecting a shared commitment to preserving and promoting local history.
The grant helped ensure stories like “Westwood Police Department, Crime, and Order,” “A few Westwood High School Graduates Who Made News,” and “Westwood Loves a Parade,” amongst two dozen other colorful tales, would be professionally produced and widely shared with the community.
MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE
Join our ever growing sales team as as Sales Associate for the Pascack Press, Northern Valley Press North and South and near future publications. Applicants should be self-starters with drive to succeed. In this position, you will sell advertising space to new and existing accounts into our weekly newspapers and various other publications as well as digital media. Responsibilities will also include cold calling, outside sales and excellent customer service. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 201-664-2105 OR SEND RESUME TO: jobs@thepressgroup.net
The book will be available early spring 2026 and priced at $30. Copies will be available for purchase in person via cash or credit card during WHS museum open houses, held on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the historic Westwood Train Station. Online orders will be accepted for out-of-town customers and will include an additional USPS postage fee.
The publication of the book serendipitously coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States, honoring Westwoodʼs place in American history in the
past centuries. During the Revolutionary War era, Westwood was a part of a network of small farming communities in Bergen County, shaped by its proximity to key routes used by both Continental and British forces. Local roads, farms, and meeting places supported troop movement, supplies, and communication, embedding Westwood in the larger story of New Jerseyʼs role as the “Crossroads of the Revolution.”
The release of this new book, alongside the upcoming renovation of the WHS archives by Bella Tirri of Scouts of America Troop
321, underscores the Societyʼs mission to preserve, share, and celebrate the stories that define Westwood.
For more information about the book, open houses, or the Westwood Heritage Societyʼs programs, residents are encouraged to visit the Societyʼs website upon launch, WestwoodHeritage.org, follow the organization on Facebook (“Westwood Heritage Society New Jersey”) or attend an upcoming museum open house at the Westwood Train Station.
Via Kristin Beuscher
FOOD ADDICTSIN RECOVERY ANON. MEETING MARCH 7
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA), a free 12step recovery program for people struggling with food obsession, overeating, under-eating or bulimia, holds a special introductory meeting Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at the Montvale Senior Center Atrium, One Memorial Drive.
FA is an international nonprofit recovery program modeled
on Alcoholics Anonymous. Organizers describe food addiction as a condition that can show up in a range of behaviors, including overeating, under-eating, bulimia, over-exercise, laxative abuse, or painful obsession with body image.
The program views recovery as addressing physical, mental and spiritual dimensions through a structured food plan,
help from a sponsor and fellow members, and ongoing support working the 12 steps.
In addition to the March 7 information session, a weekly FA meeting is held Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Montvale Senior Center. Visit foodaddicts.org or call Susan L. at (978) 886-5469 or Miggie R. at (646) 552-7078.
6th Annual Pi-oneers Food Drive
The Pascack Pi-oneers, FIRST Robotics Team 1676, is hosting its 6th annual Valentineʼs Day Food Drive from Thursday, Feb. 5, through Thursday, Feb. 19.
The drive benefits The Helping Hand Food Pantry and the TriBoro Food Pantry, which serve communities throughout the Pascack Valley.
Donation bins are available at Hillsdale Library, River Vale Library, and Montvale Library, as well as at participating supermarkets ShopRite of Hillsdale, 372 Broadway, and Kings Supermarket, 381 Washington Ave., Hillsdale.
Requested items include flour, sugar and oil; hot and cold cereal; rice and pasta; canned fruits, vegetables and meats; baby products; shampoo and conditioner; liquid hand soap; dishwashing
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liquid; personal care items; and paper goods.
The Pi-oneers are a studentrun robotics team that competes in the FIRST Mid-Atlantic District.
Team members build a new robot each year to compete in the international FIRST Robotics Competition, which emphasizes engineering, teamwork and service. The annual food drive has become a meaningful way for students to give back while engaging local residents in a shared effort to fight food insecurity.
This season, the team is scheduled to compete at the Warren Hills Event and the Mt. Olive Event, working toward qualification for the district championship at Lehigh University.
Pi-oneers mentor FIRST teams internationally — including teams in South Africa, India and
Turkey — and support youth learning through projects such as “Ready, Set, Speak!,” a website designed to help children with autism or apraxia of speech learn words and phrases. The site is also available in Spanish at readysetspeak.org.
The team shares student-created resources online, including an Academic Varsity Letter Guide, a “Rookie Bookie” guide for new teams, and an Animation Guide for teams interested in starting an animation subdivision.
The Pi-oneers will launch their second annual prescription medicine bottle recycling drive beginning March 1, with a goal of keeping bottles out of landfills.
For more information — or for those seeking food pickup — email piparents@team1676.com.
POLICE RESERVE SEEKS OFFICERS
The Reserve Unit of the Park Ridge Police seeks new officers.
The Reserve Unit is committed to upholding the Constitution, community, and agency it serves. The unit relies upon the professionalism, dedication, and commitment of its officers to accomplish this task.
The vision of the Reserve Unit is to work as a vital part of the police department in building and maintaining the strong bonds of a healthy community policing program. This will be accomplished by providing all officers with the tools they need. In turn, the unit will assist the police department in meeting the challenges of reducing crime, creating a safer community, and improving the quality of life.
The core values of this Unit are: integrity, professionalism, commitment, moral character, mutual respect, and teamwork.
Applications to become a reserve officer in Park Ridge will be accepted. Applicants should understand
they are volunteering to contribute to the overall mission of the unit. Individuals are expected to be professional on and off duty and will be held accountable for their actions at all times.
Before applying, make sure you and your family are ready for what will be required of you.
In order to qualify you must be a citizen of the Unites States, live within five miles of Park Ridge (provided no program exists in your municipality), be at least 18, be in good physical and mental health, be at least a high school graduate, not have a criminal record or unsatisfactory driving record (background check required), successfully complete the next class held at the Bergen County Police and Fire Academy in Mahwah (classes held at night for three months), and expect to serve around 150 hours a year (includes training and duty time). For more information and an application, call Sgt. Powers at (201) 391-5401 ext. 5235 or stop by police headquarters.
Recreation pre-K registration begins March 10
Parents of 3- and 4-year-olds are encouraged to save the date for Westwood Recreation Preschoolʼs 2026–27 registration day on Tuesday, March 10. Residents should attend the 9 a.m. session; non-residents should attend the 11 a.m. session.
A first payment of $550 (PreK-4) or $475 (Pre-K 3) is due at registration. Call 201-664-7882 to book a registration appointment and schedule a tour.
Parents seeking local, affordable preschool options may find the Westwood Recreation
Preschool part-time program a good fit for introducing a child to school when full-time child care is not required. The three-day-aweek, half-day programs for children ages 3 to 5 are designed to foster kindergarten readiness through developmentally appropriate learning opportunities in a nurturing setting.
Westwood Recreation Preschool is a State of New Jersey-licensed child care facility. Classroom activities support academic and social development by building self-help skills, gross and
Westwood municipal budget session March 9
There will be a special meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Westwood on Monday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, 101 Washington Ave., Westwood. The purpose of the meeting is to review the 2026 budget. The Council reserves the right to go into closed session, if needed.
fine motor skills, and listening skills, while providing a foundation in literacy, math, social studies, and science. Art, music, seasonal activities, and free play round out the program.
The program is open to children ages 3 to 5 as of Oct. 1, 2026. Proof of residency and birth certificates are required at registration. Children must be pottytrained before entering the program.
Annual tuition is $2,400 for
4- to 5-year-olds attending Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Annual tuition is $2,000 for 3-year-olds attending Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuition is payable in four installments: at registration, September, January, and February. The 2026–27 preschool year begins Sept. 9. Parents are encouraged to register in March, as class size is limited to 24 for the Pre-K 4
morning class and 20 for the PreK 3 afternoon class.
To schedule a tour or ask questions about the program or registration process, call 201664-7882. Additional information is available at the Westwood borough websiteʼs preschool page.
For more information, contact Gary Buchheister, recreation director, at gbuchheister@westwoodnj.gov.
Westwood Recreation is inviting residents and neighbors age 55 and older to take part in yoga and tai chi through the departmentʼs Forever Young program.
Forever Young yoga, led by certified instructor Tori Karach, is a 60-minute class for beginners through advanced participants. The class is designed to build flexibility, improve balance and posture, boost mood, increase
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and visit us at pascackpress.com
REAL ESTATE
muscle tone and help ease aches and pains. Yoga meets Thursdays from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the Westwood Community Center. The program is free for Westwood residents age 55 and older; the fee
for nonresidents is $20 per month. Forever Young tai chi is taught by instructor Hasmig Mekjian. Tai chi, a Chinese martial art, features slow, continuous movement from one pose to the next and is often practiced to reduce stress and anxiety. Classes meet Tuesdays at 8 a.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Tai chi is free for Westwood residents; the nonresident fee is $30 per month and includes both classes.
To register, adults 55 and older may visit the Westwood Community Center office, 55 Jefferson Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 201-664-7882.
M arie Crittenden KETTLER
Woodcliff Lake, April 10, 1930 –Jan. 31, 2026
In the early morning of Jan. 31, angels swept into Marieʼs bedroom, fitted her with a pair of wings, and
set her upon an express flight to heaven. It was a glorious event, 95 years in the making.
Greeting her were her husband, Bernard Kettler, daughter Sara Friend, granddaughter Katherine Kettler, mother and father Genevieve and Thomas Crittenden, and countless others who Marie touched as a friend, musician, church and community leader.
Born and raised in Jersey City, N.J., as an only child, Marie was a rascal from day one with an insatiable curiosity, imagination, and precociousness.
In 1948, Marie graduated from Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica, N.Y., then attended Ladycliff Col-
OBITUARIES
lege in Highland Falls, N.Y., earning an English degree in 1952.
Following college, Marie tirelessly pursued her dream of a career in voice, drama, and dance. She enjoyed early success as a coloratura soprano starring in summer stock productions at St. John Terrellʼs Music Circus, Jones Beach Theater, and the Boweryʼs Amockerʼs Amato Opera. Marieʼs talent, humor, and style also earned her titles as Miss Subways (Jan./Feb. 1957) and Miss Paterson (1958).
In 1959, Marieʼs career was in full bloom when she landed a spot with the famous Ray Charles Singers, the elite choral group featured on the Perry Como Show. Here she thrived for four magical years—appearing weekly on national TV spinning harmonies with Perry himself.
In the heart of that run, she met the love of her life, Bernard Kettler. Married Oct. 22, 1960, they started a relationship that would thrive until Bernʼs death in 2015. Together, they raised three children—Marigene, Sara, and Thomas—and set a high bar for parentage, as they were deeply involved in their childrenʼs lives, cheering them on at every game, musical, swim and track meet.
Marie and Bern shared a passion for their church and communi-
ty, too: Bern as councilman and mayor of Woodcliff Lake; Marie, as first lady, and through her charitable work for the March of Dimes annual silent auction.
She served on the high school Board of Education and Parish Council at Our Lady Mother of the Church, where she was also Director of Music for 38 astounding years.
Marie aged well, and even as she struggled with dementia, was a force to be reckoned with—feisty, fun, effusive in her friendship, devout in her faith, and always genuine.
Marie, aka Mumsie, will be missed dearly by her children, Marigene Kettler Behrens (husband, Mark) and Thomas Bernard Kettler (wife, Julie); son-in-law Pierson Friend; grandchildren Hannah Colletier (husband, Carson), Eve Friend, Wil Friend; greatgrandson Archer Colletier; and Linda Carlino (Paul Malacrida), who was like another daughter to her.
A Celebration of Life is planned for April 11 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady Mother of the Church in Woodcliff Lake. Please email behrkett@gmail.comfor details.
In honor of Marieʼs love for
Snow Tubing with a Cop at Campgaw
music, please consider donating to the Rockland Conservatory of Music at rcmny.org/donate-today.
Loretta Mary BODTMANN
Loretta Mary Bodtmann (n ée Osienski) of Westwood passed away Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. She was born March 2, 1947, in Englewood to Joseph and Helen (Keogh) Osienski. A longtime Westwood resident, she was a member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church and the Lay Carmelite Order.
She is survived by her son, Michael; and her sister, Dorothy Ratti. She was predeceased by her brothers, Joseph and Robert Osienski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Feb. 27, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 120 Washington Ave., Westwood. Interment will follow at Holy
WESTWOOD
Knights fishfry March 8
Montvale police and D.A.R.E. invite families to “Snow Tubing With a Cop” at Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah on Feb. 17, 4–6 p.m. Organizers say the event is intended to give kids a fun, lowpressure way to meet local officers and strengthen community ties. Tickets are $21 per person. Montvale Landscaping is sponsoring the event; registered participants will receive a free winter hat while supplies last. Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged.
The St. Thomas More Council 2188 hosts a Sunday Fish Fry on March 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 40 Crest St. Doors open at 2 p.m. The menu includes fried fish with tartar sauce, fries, cole slaw, cornbread, mac ʼnʼ cheese, pickles, and dessert with coffee/tea/soda. A cash bar will be available. (Menu subject to change.) Tickets are $20 per person, $35 per couple (age 65+), and $15 for children 12 and under. The reservation deadline is Wednesday, March 4. Proceeds will support scholarships. For reservations, contact John at (201) 245-7555. Checks should be made payable to “Knights of Columbus 2188.”
Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org). The Mass will also be livestreamed on St. Andrewʼs YouTube channel, @standrewchurchwestwoodnj.
Robert Richard GALBRAITH
Robert Richard Galbraith, 90, of Township of Washington, passed away Jan. 20, 2026. He is survived by his beloved wife, Judi; daughterin-law, Carol; and grandchildren, Brian and Sara. Mr. Galbraith served his country as a paratrooper during the Korean War and was a longtime member of the Bergen Amateur Radio Association (BARA). Cremation was held privately. Condolences and fond memories may be shared at Becker-FuneralHome.com.
Share family milestones. Write pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net
HILLSDALE
For the kids at HFPL
• Tinkering Tuesdays – Open Maker Tuesdays, Feb. 17 and 24, at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
•Jiggly Wiggly Music –Tuesdays, March 3 and 13, at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.
•Tales for Tykes –Thursdays, Feb. 12 and 26; March 5 and 17, at 1:30 p.m. Ages 2? to 5. No registration required.
• Childrenʼs Book Clubs –Wednesdays, Feb. 10 and 17, at 4 p.m. For grades 2–3 and 4–6. Registration required.
•Kids Garden Club –Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 4 p.m. Ages 5 and up.
For much more:hfpl.org
MONTVALE
Panckeri:
FROM PAGE 14
his partner was living here. “Thatʼs why Iʼm here in beautiful Bergen County.”
Although they have no kids, he has one niece; his partner has four. “We have plenty of young people around us.”
These days heʼs focused on books and works part time at Closter Farm &Livestock Co. (closterfarm.com), helping at the market and in the fields.
“We grow all sorts of vegetables. Weʼre actually one of the few certified organic farms here in Bergen County, and we grow kale, lots of lettuce, arugula, all sorts of root vegetables; and in the summer, all sorts of crops: tomatoes… You name it.”
Panckeri said he became a familiar face at the Westwood library right as he began teaching himself childrenʼs books. “As the librarians there can attest, I was in and out every week, picking up a stack of childrenʼs books,” along with interviews and memoirs from creators he admired.
Asked if there was some place in the Pascack Valley where he goes to work or for inspiration, he said, “Iʼm usually at home drawing. But I do love walking around the town. I take tons of reference photos. … I get ideas and reference from all over.”
He noted heʼd been working on a book idea tied to Westwoodʼs former pet store, Westwood Pets on Westwood Avenue, and its beloved, venerable tortoise, Soupy.
When the library launched its card design contest, Panckeri said staff regularly urged him to enter. After he submitted, he spoke with DiLeo, who told him the voting would be blind—so no one would know which design was his when staff chose a winner
For the design itself: “I was looking for something that would indicate the library and Westwood all in one image,” he said. “So ultimately I decided to go with the
Cardinal.”
Beyond the mascot, he said he sees cardinals “especially in the wintertime,” and the bird felt like a natural fit perched on “the stalwart of the library,” a stack of books.
There was no “prize” in the contest, he said—“Just the recognition and the satisfaction, knowing that thereʼs not many times for an artist to really be part of the community or contribute. And this was one small way that I felt like I could actually use my skills and give back to the library and to the town.”
Panckeri told us his kid-facing visual language comes from what he loved early on.
“I love Richard Scarry,” he wrote, praising Scarryʼs “funny little animals going about their daily business with a smile, and occasionally totally messing up.”
He also cited the cartoons that were peppered in on “Sesame Street,” “Schoolhouse Rock!,” and Chuck Jonesʼ“Looney Tunes.”
Among books, he named “Frog and Toad,” “Curious George,” and “The Black Lagoon” series, but singled out James Marshallʼs “George and Martha”: “The subtle humor, the coziness of his little stories, his funny drawing style—it all just clicked for me.”
He read MAD as a kid, and loved Gary Larsonʼs “The Far Side.” “I grew up reading those in the newspaper,” he said. In MAD, he resonated with Sergio Aragonés, known for the tiny, wordless gag drawings running rampant in the magazineʼs margins. “They just fed into my imagination,” Panckeri said. “Iʼd be sitting in class and Iʼd be doodling in my margins just like
he was.”
Panckeri describes his first title as an “early graphic reader (aka comic)” —books in the series meet the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in Reading Standards: Foundational Skills, and in Reading Standards for Literature — and said heʼs pitching comics and traditional childrenʼs books.
“The basic mechanism is the same,” he said. “I want it to look like it was hand-drawn, I want the art to be clear and understandable, and most of all I want to entertain the person reading.”
traces to years of cartooning and marketing. “Economy is the name of the game in cartooning, just like copywriting,” he said. “I learned to strip away any extraneous words and the same goes for the visual.”
Panckeriʼs single-panel cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker since 2014, after years of submitting into a fiercely competitive pipeline. He said he first learned about the magazineʼs old open-review sessions—“Look
Tuesdays”—from a “60 Minutes” segment, then made the trip from Philly to show work in person.
“I took the bus to New York and went and saw Bob Mankoff,” he said. “He reviewed my cartoons — which is a little bit of a stressful situation. He doesnʼt really laugh … so he looks at them kind of analytically.”
Panckeri kept submitting, he said, because thatʼs what it takes: “They run, like, 15 cartoons a week and they get hundreds of submissions every week, so youʼre fighting for very little ground.”
Books, not content
He shared his views on print vs. the attention economy: “I much prefer languidly looking at a book, a newspaper, or a magazine over social media. Itʼs like taking a sip from a water fountain versus an open fire hydrant.”
He said, “Most of the online platforms we have at our disposal are designed for rapid intake and quick reactions, and everything is ephemeral – itʼs consumed at a glance and forgotten just as quickly. So, I prefer to make books instead of content.”
He said word of wonder from an early reader “makes the untold hours behind the scenes worth it, not the quick double tap of a heart.”
For more on Panckeri, visit panckericartoons.com, where you can subscribe to his “Fresh Donuts” substack. For more local author spotlights, visit thepressgroup.net.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER – Full-Time. Hall
Construction Co., Inc. seeks a full-time Construction Manager to support multiple active construction projects in-office and on-site. Duties include preparing and maintaining construction schedules using Primavera P6; managing submittals, RFIs, change orders, daily reports, and project documentation; coordinating with subcontractors, vendors, and field staff to ensure work meets schedules, specifications, and safety standards; assisting with site logistics, deliveries, manpower coordination, and daily operations; maintaining T&M tickets and cost-tracking logs; and supporting field/office communication. Requirement: 40 hrs./wk.; master’s degree in construction management and minimum eighteen (18) months of experience. Employer: Hall Construction Co., Inc., 1720 Route 34, P.O. Box 1448, Wall, NJ 07719. Annual salary range: $119,496–$120,000. Forward resumes referring to Job #AD001.
DENTAL OFFICE - Park Ridge Front Desk
Receptionist Wanted. Friendly, organized professional with strong customer service and communication skills needed for busy dental office. Dental or medical office experience preferred, but willing to train. Send résumé to: office@ alldentalsolutionsnj.com.
Westwood - large furnished master bedroom, private bathroom & deck, shared kitchen $1,200 per month, 1 month security. Call or Text 201-694-9817.
FOR SALE- Commercial lawnmowers, 36 inch and 48 inch Scag belt drive machines. Very well maintained. Prices between $1,200-$2000. Call or text Larry: (201) 697-3458.
EMBROIDERY MACHINE. Brother Innovis NQ1600E. Like new, includes magnetic hoop. $750 OBO. Call or text 201-281-4084.
