Hillsdale, Montvale employ drones to get accurate deer data
BYMICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Hillsdale and Montvale expect to receive results of deer drone population surveys sometime in February and will likely discuss them at public meetings, the borough administrator told Pascack Press
Administrator Mike Ghassali, who also serves as Montvaleʼs mayor, said the drone deer surveys of both towns were done back to back over the winter and were expected to be provided to the towns in February
The reports will include maps of the areas covered by thermal-imaging drone flights and indicate whether deer num-
See DEER on page 14
SPEAKING UP ON DEMOCRACY SPEAKING UP ON DEMOCRACY
Local high schools, middle schools shine with winners of VFWʼs audio-essay contests
VFW Post 6192 student and teacher honorees are joined by school representatives, local officials, and post leaders following the Jan. 13 education awards ceremony at the Washington Township Senior Center, recognizing winners of the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests and the post’s 2025–26 Teachers of the Year. Courtesy photo.
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
VFW P OST 6192 honored local winners of its annual Patriotʼs Pen and Voice of Democracy contests — along with three Teachers of the Year — during an education awards ceremony held Jan. 13 at Jack Woods Senior Center at the Township of Washington town hall.
The theme for both contests this year was “How are you
showing patriotism and support for our country?” Post officials said the programs invite students to reflect on civic responsibility and American ideals through writing and recorded speech.
In the high school Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest, Maeve Dorfler, an 11th grader from Glen Rock at Immaculate Heart Academy, took first place. River Valeʼs Madeline Schlereth, also an 11th grader at IHA, placed second, and Hills-
IHA KIDS GO FAR
One young lady from Emerson stands proud with peers at Immaculte Heart Acdemy in the school’s Soaring Eagle Awards for the second quarter of the 2025–26 school year.
23
daleʼs Sara Campenot, a 10th grader at Pascack Valley High School, placed third.
Post officials said the top three received checks and Voice of Democracy medals: $500 and a gold medal for first place, $300 and a silver medal for second, and $200 and a bronze medal for third.
Dorfler wrote in part that “patriotism does not require wearing a uniform,” but rather
Continued on page 24
CRESCENT LIGHTINGS FORA VALLEY RAMADAN
Family friendly events in Hillsdale, Montvale, Park Ridge, River Vale, and Woodcliff Lake
Towns across the Pascack Valley will welcome Ramadan with public crescent lightings and community gatherings over the next week, 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 will 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),
See RAMADAN on page 6
Generations of people who grew up in Park Ridge spent winter days skating on Mill Pond. A future Olympian once skated there, too. Kristin Beuscher reports. // Also: Joseph Oettinger Jr. on Westwood’s ice men.
4
Montvale’s Tony Salerno Jr. on the larger-than-life personalities illuminating his memoir.
PASCACK VALLEY
PASCACK VALLEY
PASCACK PRESS
To the editor:
BY ANYMEASURE, winter in River Vale can be challenging especially when heavy snow arrives overnight. For the first two snowfalls this season, I bundled up and did my best to shovel my way
out alone, determined not to bother anyone.
But the third snowfall told a different story.
When I pulled up the living room shade, there were Hudson Sollecito and his friend Lucius Samko — equipment in hand, snow flying everywhere.
Without being asked. Without a text. Without any expectation of reward.
Hudson and Lucius, students at Pascack Valley High School, were already hard at work. Not only did they clear my driveway, garage area, and car — they also carved walking paths across the backyard grass so my dog, Toby, could get outside safely.
It was genuinely moving. In a world where we so often hear about self-centered, me-first attitudes, these two young men saw that a senior citizen was in a pinch — and they stepped in with effort, energy, and simple kindness. When I tried to offer pay-
ment, they refused. Not a cent.
Their parents have clearly raised them with strong values, and their example gives me real hope for the next generation.
Kindness is alive and well right here in River Vale. Sometimes it shows up quietly — with two teenagers, a pair of shovels, and a whole lot of heart.
And long after the snow has melted, I know Iʼll remember that morning.
Nancy Weisbrod River Vale
Cheering Francesca Ianora,105
To the editor: HAPPY
105th birthday to Francesca Ianora. [“A lifetime of blessings” by Michael Olohan, Page 1, Feb. 2, 2026.]
I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know Mrs.
Ianora through our time together on the Emerson Library Board of
Trustees, and again while working with her on the 2003 play The Birth of a Borough, sponsored by the Emerson Centennial Committee, on which she served.
Mrs. Ianora was appointed to the Library Board in January 2001 by the late Mayor Robert Menditto—an appointment he would be proud of. Over the years she was reappointed by both Democratic and Republican mayors and confirmed unanimously. She is one of the few appointees who can say that.
In her third year on the board, she was unanimously confirmed as board president in 2003. She carried out the responsibilities of that office with pride, humility, class, honor, and integrity. She served as president for two years (2003–2004), and during that time I had the honor of serving as her vice president.
In 2005, for reasons not known to me, I was appointed and unanimously confirmed as president. While I held that position, Mrs. Ianora served as my vice president.
As any board president learns quickly, you donʼt always know what issues and challenges youʼll face until youʼre in the seat. Mrs. Ianora did not always agree with me on every issue or approach, but she understood what it means to serve—and she was always supportive of what I was trying to do and how I believed best to accomplish the boardʼs goals.
Extra $45K needed ahead of DPW HQ construction
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Township Administrator Mark DiCarlo told the Township Council on Feb. 2 that $45,280 in unanticipated pre-construction costs must be addressed before work begins on the townshipʼs $4.9 million Department of Public Works facility.
DiCarlo said the added expenses will be covered with leftover funds from prior capital ordinances, not from the projectʼs $400,000 contingency. He said he would update the DPW facility project spreadsheet, accessible via a link on the townshipʼs homepage.
The largest cost involves a stormwater pipe found during inspection to be “structurally unsound,” DiCarlo said.
DiCarlo said NV5 Global Inc. of Morristown inspected the pipeʼs structural integrity and found structural deficiencies and holes near the pipeʼs eastern end. He said $15,000 would be encumbered to pay NV5ʼs invoice.
A low bid of $24,780 from Montana Construction Inc. of Lodi will cover repairs to the pipe, DiCarlo said, and the work is expected to begin within the next week. He said an estimate from the DPW facility contractor was about $11,000 higher, and hiring Montana outside the original construction contract was “more fiscally responsible.”
“Before building a $4.9 million building on top of (the pipe), we wanted to make sure it (the pipe) was structurally sound,” DiCarlo said. DiCarlo said the township conducted a camera inspection of the pipe. He said one section near its eastern end was broken up and had holes.
DiCarlo said Montana would fix the pipeʼs liner working from the stormwater pipeʼs eastern end.
In addition, DiCarlo said $5,525 is needed to relocate a pole that the fire siren is attached to near the ambulance building. He said a berm is being removed and the pole must be repositioned and electrical wiring completed.
DiCarlo said that of roughly $150,000 set aside from prior capital ordinances for DPW-related
costs, about $33,000 currently remains in that account after the new expenses.
Councilor Michael Ullman questioned why the stormwater pipe issues were not discovered earlier, given years of planning for a new DPW facility.
“Again there are unexpected things but I guess this, if weʼre going to build it there and we know the pipe is there, should we have checked it or accounted for it before?” Ullman asked.
DiCarlo said he understood Ullmanʼs concern but said the township relied on professionals working on the DPW project and tried to account for potential issues. He said he hopes there will not be many more changes or extra costs.
In early October, the council approved a capital funding ordinance (25-22) totaling $150,349.85 for the DPW facility that aggregated unused funds from two prior capital ordinances.
Memorial Field grant application approved
The council also approved submitting a $175,000 application
to the state Department of Community AffairsʼLocal Recreation Improvement Grant program. Officials said the proposal would fund design, planning and construction of improvements at Memorial Field, including walkways, an ADA ramp, landscaping and site work. No matching funds are required, officials said.
Public notices move online under new state law
Mayor Peter Calamari said state law requires New Jersey municipalities to post all public notices on their websites starting March 1. Calamari said he direct-
ed that township public notices continue to be printed in the townshipʼs legal newspapers through June 30, saying the state has not adequately educated the public about the change.
He said municipalities must post full, searchable and archivable legal notices directly on official websites beginning March 1. By July 1, towns must establish an online archive of notices going back at least one year, officials said.
Calamari also reminded residents to shovel snow away from fire hydrants to allow firefighters access during emergencies.
Thomas E. Brickell monument, flanked by exempt and regular fireman flags (2005 photo, courtesy of the Westwood Cemetery History Trail, Westwood, N.J.).
MORE FORGOTTEN WESTWOOD: EARLY ICE MEN
BY JOSEPH OETTINGERJR SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS
ONESUMMERSATURDAY in 1958,
I accompanied my father in one of my grandfatherʼs trucks to a location on the north side of Grand Avenue in Montvale, just west of the Octagon House. There we picked up ice for an event sponsored by the Emerson Fire Department behind Linwood School.
A man at the establishment separated chunks from a large block with an ice pick. We transported the ice in wide, round galvanized tubs.
That cooling method was nearing the cusp of change. By the late 1960s, convenient plastic-bagged ice cubes would become readily available at local food and liquor stores.
Our kitchen refrigerator in the 1950s was a Sears Coldspot electric unit with a small freezer compartment in the upper center; it required periodic manual defrosting. My parents still called it the icebox, suggesting their familiarity with an earlier refrigeration technology.
When researching Westwoodʼs early history, I never encountered the term “icebox,” but people obviously
See OETTINGER on page 8
Bckintime... Bckintime...
Winter at Mill Pond, then called Electric Light Pond. The pond was originally part of a hydroelectric generating plant completed in 1906, including a 12-acre reservoir, dam and power plant with a water turbine. Once finished, Park Ridge became one of the first communities in the area to generate its own electricity Inset: Speed skater Irving Jaffee won gold at Park Ridge’s 1926 Ice Carnival—years before becoming an Olympic champion.
A century ago, Mill Pond ice was center stage
ENERATIONS OFPEOPLE who grew up in Park Ridge spent winter days skating on Mill Pond. A future Olympian once skated there, too.
This week we go back a century, to the first week of February 1926, when Park Ridgeʼs ice carnival brought thousands of spectators to Mill Pond—then referred to as Electric Light Pond.
On Sunday, Feb 7, 1926, more than 2,500 people gathered around the pond for an ice show that included races and spectacular exhibitions by well-known skaters famous for their speed or tricks. It was a large crowd for the time, nearly matching Park Ridgeʼs population. Organizers called it the biggest event of its kind ever held in Bergen County.
“Automobiles lined one side of Mill Road the entire length of the lake,” wrote the Park Ridge Local newspaper
Can you picture the pond surrounded by all those Model T Fords and Chrysler Sixes?
The ice carnival was organized by American Legion Post 153, formed seven years earlier by veterans of World War I.
SPECIALTO PASCACK PRESS
By Kristin Beuscher, Historian,Pascack Historical Society, Park Ridge. Call (201) 573-0307 or visit PascackHistoricalSociety.org
A similar event was attempted in 1925, but a last-minute thaw melted the ice. The veterans rolled the dice again in 1926—and ran into the opposite problem. Just before the big day, a deep snow fell on the Pascack Valley and covered the pond. The men cleared a one-eighth-mile circuit, banking the snow toward the interior, and found the ice underneath in good skating condition. The show could go on.
This was no small-town social. The meet was sanctioned by the Middle Atlantic Skating Association and drew top competitors from the Tri-State area.
Prominent skating clubs from New Jersey and New York sent delegations. Highly trained skaters came from sports clubs in
Paterson and Englewood, the Van Cortlandt Park Skating Club, the Womenʼs Skating Club of Brooklyn, the 181st Street Ice Palace in Washington Heights, and the New York Skating Club, among others.
“When they appeared on the ice in their close-fitting sport outfits of blue, red, yellow, green, purple, black, and combinations of them, they represented a prospect such as many of the onlookers had never seen before,” wrote the Park Ridge Local, adding, “There were girls among the skaters, and they attracted unusual attention.”
The races drew a field of 163 skaters competing for bronze, silver and gold medals in 11 categories. Events for men, women, high school athletes and children—and for both experienced skaters and beginners— made it possible for almost anyone to participate.
Spectators were amazed by 8-year-old Hazel Gants of Hastings-on-Hudson, who took gold in the 440-yard ladiesʼnovice. Skating against a group of girls twice her age, Hazel led from the start and finished
See MILL POND on page 15
‘Welcome to our family’ —Daugherty joins WTPD
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Mayor Peter Calamari swore in Police Officer Jamie Daugherty at the Feb. 2 Township Council meeting before more than a dozen fellow officers and an audience of family and friends.
The Washington Township Police Department now has 22 officers, including Chief Arsenio Pecora and the departmentʼs newly promoted command staff. Pecora replaced John Calamari, who retired after 32 yearsʼservice.
Daughertyʼs three children held the Bible as her husband stood beside her. The room responded with applause, and Pecora pinned Daughertyʼs badge.
Pecora said Daugherty emerged as the top candidate following an extensive process that began last year “She was number one and thatʼs why sheʼs here today,” Pecora said. “She put her best foot forward and thatʼs why weʼre happy to have her here.”
Pecora said Daugherty began her law-enforcement career in 2018 as a dispatcher/telecommu-
Township of Washington Police Chief Arsenio Pecora welcomes new Police Officer Jamie Daugherty at Monday’s Township Council meeting. Daugherty joins the department from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and is the department’s second female police officer, Pecora said. From left: SO V. Montalbano, PO S. Riedel, PO N. Hiletzaris, Cpl. M. Sinatra, D/Cpl. R. Luscombe, Lt. R. Parsells, Capt. M. Glock, Chief A. Pecora, PO Jamie Daugherty, Lt. R. Scherer, D/Sgt. J. Gugger, Sgt. T. Cangialosi, Cpl. D. Ferrazzano, Sgt. M. Ferrarini, Sgt. C. Osenbruck, PO I. O’Hanlon, PO J. Boesch. (Photo courtesy of WTPD)
nicator with the Clifton Police Department, serving four years. In March 2022, she was sworn into the Essex County Sheriffʼs Office, where she served 3 1/2 years and graduated from the Essex County Police Academy, Pecora said.
He said Daugherty spent two years in the sheriffʼs patrol division, “demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and a strong
commitment to public safety and community service.”
“We are excited to welcome her to our WTPD family and look forward to her serving this great community,” Pecora said.
Daugherty holds a bachelorʼs degree in criminal justice from Kean University with a minor in psychology.
The hire comes weeks after
the mayor and council cheered newly promoted Capt. Michael Glock, Lt. Richard Parsells, Sgt. Michael Ferrarini, Sgt. Christo-
pher Osenbruck, Cpl. Peter Vereb, and Cpl. Michael Sinatra. Cheers greeted new township P.O. Justin Boesch.
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-
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 ever subject to change. Confirm with organizers before heading out.
Mayor, council ding online ‘misinformation’ on town events
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
After a run of January snowstorms and amid a townshipwide property reassessment, Township officials on Feb. 2 urged residents to check the township website and contact the mayor, council or Administrator Mark DiCarlo directly for accurate information, rather than rely on what they described as misinformation on social media.
Councilor Michael Ullman cited snow response as one example, saying Department of Public Works employees should be “applauded” for consistently clearing roads. Yet, he said, some social media posts left “the impression that there was no snow plowing in town.”
“I donʼt think what is depicted on social media and discussed on social media reflects reality,” Ullman said.
Ullman said he contacted DiCarlo, who told him the township had received a “limited number” of complaints — five or fewer. Ullman said the “fastest course of action” for residents with concerns is to contact a public official or DiCarlo directly.
Council President Michael DeSena then addressed what he described as misinformation about the ongoing property reassessment. He said the reassessment was required by the Bergen County Board of Taxation because one had not been conducted in about 10 years.
DeSena said the township determined it was in its best interest to proceed with its own reassessment and selected
Appraisal Systems Inc., which he described as experienced. He also criticized “anonymous posters” for circulating inaccurate information about the reassessment.
On Sept. 9, 2024, the Township Council approved Resolution 24-309, awarding a five-year, $470,000 contract for townshipwide reassessment services to Appraisal Systems. The township received one bid. (See “Township
reassessment underway; interior inspections urged,” by Michael Olohan, March 22, 2025, thepressgroup.net.)
Councilor Daisy Velez called social media “a source of misinformation” and urged residents to consult the township website for storm updates and other official information.
Mayor Peter Calamari also encouraged residents to avoid
anonymous complaints. He said when officials receive unsigned emails, they are unable to respond or follow up.
“Weʼre not going to treat you bad, we appreciate your comments,” Calamari said, urging residents to include their names.
DeSena said that when residents identify themselves, most council members generally reply within 24 hours.
Oettinger:
FROM PAGE 4
had them in homes and businesses to preserve perishables. Iceboxes were typically made of wood and lined with tin or zinc.
Ice for the iceboxes came from businesses that harvested it from lakes and ponds in winter. The ice was stored in warehouses and insulated with straw and sawdust. Local news archives offer a glimpse of Westwoodʼs early ice industry. As Westwoodʼs railroad village
began to blossom after rail service arrived in 1870, a market emerged for commercially harvested ice. An 1873 account reported that Robert Yates had built an ice house north of Westwood Avenue along the Pascack Brook near Hillsdale. He began harvesting from a pond along the brook in early 1874. By 1876, he reportedly had more than 100 tons stored and began offering it for sale at 40 cents per 100 pounds.
Around December 1876, Thomas E. Brickell (1848–1919) built an ice house 16 feet wide by 30 feet deep. Brickell operated a butcher shop on the west side of
present-day 54–68 Westwood Avenue and undoubtedly required a reliable supply of ice for his meat business. The account did not specify the ice houseʼs location, but it was likely behind his shop.
In about November 1888, Brickell bought six lots from his uncle, George T. Brickell (1801–1896), near the northeast corner of Railroad Avenue (now Broadway) and Lake Street. He created an ice pond by diverting water from the Pascack Brook and completed construction of an ice house around January 1889. Brickellʼs ice business received liberal
press coverage. In August 1889, Brickell enlarged his pond, and in December 1889 he invested in a patent hoister for his ice house. In late March 1890, he received a shipment of 105 tons of ice from Oneida Lake, suggesting that, at least initially, he imported ice to supplement his harvest.
In November 1893, Brickell again enlarged and deepened his ice pond. In February 1894, he filled one of his ice houses with a crop of 10-inch-thick ice — an account indicating the operation included multiple ice houses by that time.
In October 1894, an “ice famine” hit Westwood after an unusually warm winter. Local dealersʼinventories were exhausted, and residents were obliged to drive to Meisterʼs Mills at Peetzburg (a section of present-day New Milford) to obtain ice.
By January 1895, the ice famine had ended. Yatesʼpond yielded a fine crop, and Brickell began filling his ice houses with 10-inch-thick ice. Around December 1895, and again in September 1896, Brickell enlarged his pond yet again. In about January 1897, he purchased several adjoining lots
to further expand production.
In November 1899, Robert Yates erected an additional house for the storage of ice.
On April 5, 1901, a news account reported that Robert Yates, 24, had died of scarlet fever. The account noted he was unmarried and conducted the ice business in Westwood. Based on his age, he could not have been the same Robert Yates who established the business in 1873; he was most likely a descendant or relative.
The turn of the 20th century brought ownership transfers for Westwoodʼs two ice operations. In November 1901, Peter W. Demarest purchased the ice business of the late Robert Yates. Between July 1901 and November 1902, William Bartsch purchased Thomas E. Brickellʼs ice business.
Editorʼs note: Joseph Oettinger Jr. is a local historian and author of Ultimate Pascack Classics & Westwood Classics: Select News Accounts From the Early History of the Pascack Valley & Westwood, N.J. (Six Miles West of the Hudson), a two-volume collection of vivid news vignettes from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE
Cupid’s Shopping Guide
Paging through Salerno’s 50 years among the stars
LOCALAUTHORSPOTLIGHT
OBY MICHAEL OLOHAN
VERFIVEDECADES in show business, Montvaleʼs Anthony “Tony” Salerno Jr. has worked with hundreds of top entertainers, celebrities and VIPs — from Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Lucille Ball to George W. Bush, Muhammad Ali and Bobby Darin — helping to produce scores of television programs, concerts, stadium spectaculars, special, political conventions, and corporate shows.
For the greater part of that half-century, Salerno writes, “it was the ride of a lifetime.”
Salernoʼs 15 Minutes With
Fame: 50 Years Among the Stars (Fulton Books, 2022), with production notes, is a time capsule that begins on The Dick Cavett
Show in 1967 and ends around 2019 after 16 years producing Advertising Week shows that featured performers such as Bruno
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, THE HOST, AND THE SHOW
Montvaleʼs community television
gram “Montvale in Motion” in late August 2025. (Photo, right.)
Host and author Anthony “Tony” Salerno Jr. asked Olohan about how he got started in journalism; what he most enjoys about the work; the challenges and opportunities of social media; the most interesting stories heʼs covered; the decline of print newspapers; and how readers can get the most out of Pascack Press and its website, thepressgroup.net.
The session runs about 14 minutes and is available on the borough website “My Montvale TV.”
Salerno hosts two programs: “My Montvale,” which regularly features local and county officials (including mayoral interviews), and “Montvale in Motion,” which spotlights community newsmakers and local personalities.
Montvaleʼs archive includes a wide range of
municipal content — from council meetings to work sessions and special events — as well as locally produced magazine-style shows dating back to 2018. The programs also air on FiOS Channel 35 and Optimum Channel 77; check channel schedules for times.
Olohan has reported for Pascack Press and sister publication Northern Valley Press since September 2017, covering municipal government including town councils, school boards, planning and zoning boards, elections, and development and redevelopment. He has been recognized for excellence in grassroots reporting by the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Residents with news tips may contact pascackpress@thepressgroup.net or 201-664-2105.
Advertising inquiries may be directed to advertising director George Harcher at ads@thepressgroup.net or 201-664-2105.
— Editor
Tony Salerno hosts two programs: “My Montvale,” which regularly features local and county officials (including mayoral interviews), and “Montvale in Motion,” which spotlights community newsmakers and local personalities. 15 Minutes With Fame: 50 Years Among the Stars is his first book.
Mars, Kanye West and Sting. Recalling informal meet-ups and spontaneous moments with stars, Salerno takes readers on a trip through five decades handling production and behind-thescenes coordination on The Dick Cavett Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar, and other programs and events, as well as work
with notables such as David Frost and Jerry Lewis.
Salerno is also familiar to many locals as the host of Montvaleʼs community television programs My Montvale and Montvale in Motion. Montvaleʼs streaming archive includes a wide range of municipal content — from council meetings to work sessions and special events — as well as locally produced magazine-style programs dating back to 2018. The shows also air on FiOS Channel 35 and Optimum Channel 77; check channel schedules for times.
Other production gigs Salerno writes about include four Super Bowl halftime shows, net-
See SALERNO on page 21
Pascack Press staff writer Michael Olohan appeared on
pro-
Early American sampler ranks high on quality
BYJONFELZ R.Z.M. FINE ARTS & ANTIQUES INC.
Hi, Jon,
Our next-door n eighbor recently passed away, and since she had no livi ng relatives, Iʼm executor of her estate. During cleanup, we found the item in the photo tucked on a closet shelf — we almost missed it.
At the estate sale last week, six people tried to buy it. Two women nearly got into a fight over it, which was upsetting. My wife had priced it at $20, but during the argument one woman offered $200, then came back later and offered $400, saying she was a
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
collector and already overpaying.
I wanted to sell it, but my wife refused and said we needed to ask you first. She joked that she wished you were with us at the sale.
Could you please tell us what this item is and what itʼs worth?
Do you ever run estate sales? Glen
Hi, Glen, No more estate sales for me
— Iʼve had my share. But I can absolutely explain why people were so determined to buy this piece.
The item you found is a rare 18th-century American sampler,
Open kindergarten registration for ’26–’27
Hillsdale Public Schools has opened registration for the districtʼs 2026-27 kindergarten program, 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. Families should register for the 202627 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.
“Your sampler, Glen, is a wonderful early example, still in excellent condition with beautiful, naturally dyed colors that have mellowed gracefully with age. Importantly, it remains in its original burl walnut frame…”
and it is exceptionally desirable. The date 1775 stitched at the bottom is the first major clue. Samplers from the 1700s are significantly more valuable than those from the 1800s, and collectors seek out early examples.
Yours has every feature collectors look for: pictorial elements such as houses, animals, people, and flowers. The more pictorial the sampler, the greater the value.
Take a close look at the alphabet stitched across the top. Youʼll notice the absence of the letters J and U. Thatʼs because they were not part of the early Latin alphabet
“I” served for J, and “V” for U. Details like this help confirm the samplerʼs age.
In its most basic form, a sampler is a piece of embroidery created to demonstrate needlework skills. Beginning in the 17th century, young girls worked samplers using silk or wool thread on canvas. By the early 1700s, samplers were essential exercises for young women learning the household
MOVING? DOWNSIZING?
skills expected of them. The earliest known American sampler was made around 1650 by Loara Standish of Plymouth Colony.
For many years, collectors overlooked samplers as simple needlework exercises. Today, however, they are recognized as works of folk art and windows into early American life — and they command impressive prices.
Your sampler, Glen, is a wonderful early example, still in excellent condition with beautiful, naturally dyed colors that have mellowed gracefully with age. Importantly, it remains in its original burl walnut frame, and I see no signs of damage or restoration.
Based on comparable examples sold at major Americana auctions over the last three years, your sampler could conservatively bring $12,000 at a well-advertised sale.
Your wife was absolutely right to pull it from the estate sale. Please thank her — and thank her as well for being a faithful reader of this column.
R.Z.M.Fine Arts & Antiques Inc.is based at 132 Dexter Ave.,Pearl River,N.Y.Call (845) 735-1313 or visit rzmantiques.com.
WESTWOOD
‘Big Love, The Hub,’ seeks voices in ‘living love letter’
The Celebrate Westwood Arts Hub invites residents to help t urn the borough into what organizers describe as a “living love letter” through a February community art project called “Big Love, The Hub.”
The initiative encourages people of all ages to decorate small stones — “Hub Hearts” — with a bright heart on the front and the phrase “Big Love, The H ub” on the back, then place them in public spaces around town for others to discover.
O rganizers tell Pascack Press the project is rooted in the i dea that small acts of art can foster connection and remind neighbors that they are part of a caring community.
The painted stones may appear in a variety of locations, including stone walls, ledges and other public spots.
A free heart-painting station will be set up in the childrenʼs section of the Westwood
PARK RIDGE
Organizers tell Pascack Press the project is rooted in the
that small acts of art can foster connection and remind neighbors that they are part of a caring community.
Public Library from Feb. 1–28, where residents can create their own Hub Hearts.
Participants may take their stones home to hide around town or leave them at the library to be distributed by volunteers.
Those who find a heart are encouraged to keep it or re-hide it for someone else, and to share
photos on social media tagging @CelebrateWestwood and u sing #BigLoveTheHub.
Celebrate Westwood is a lively 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports community events and local businesses.
Its Arts Hub committee focuses on public art and creative expression in the borough.
MUNICIPALPOOLTOOPEN MAY 23; ONLINEREGISTRATIONBEGINS FEB.
The Park Ridge Municipal Pool is scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, May 23 with electronic membership registration available beginning Feb. 16 on the borough website.
Memberships will be open to Park Ridge residents, prioryear pool members and nonresident employees of the borough and Park Ridge Board of Education.
The borough said a limited number of nonresident member-
ships will be offered; new nonresidents must be sponsored by a Park Ridge resident or prior pool member
2026 membership rates are: resident family $455; resident single $330; resident seniors free; nonresident family $565; nonresident single $395; nonresident senior $85, or $115 per couple (both 65 or older).
Members must register and pay by May 22 to avoid a $45 late fee, the borough said.
16
For those unable to sign up online, paper re gistration forms will be available at the pool office weekends from noon to 3 p.m. from May 2.
Season information, including hours, guest fees and swim lessons, is posted in the pool information packet on the Park Ridge Municipal Pool page at parkridgeboro.com.
Questions may be directed to pool@parkridgeboro.com.
PASCACK VALLEY
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.
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.
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.
WESTWOOD
idea
Cupid’s Shopping Guide
WOODCLIFF LAKE
MOWNJ Art of Tea Time fundraiser returns Feb. 21
and Victoria cake, tea sandwiches, and tea.
Meals on Wheels North Jersey Director Janelle Larghi 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. Advance reservations are required. For information or reservations, visit mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org or call 201-358-0050. Sponsorship opportunities are available through the event listing at MealsOnWheelsNorthJersey.org.
February is both Valentineʼs Day season and American Heart Month, a good time to think about how our favorite treats affect our health.
According to information shared by Katie Chambers, chair of the Health & Wellness Community Service Program of the New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs, different types of chocolate offer different nutritional profiles. White chocolate is the most processed and
contains no cocoa solids, while milk chocolate has less of the plant compounds found in darker varieties. Dark chocolate, in moderation, may offer some health benefits. It contains flavonoids — antioxidants that researchers associate with heart health, improved circulation, and possible support for healthy blood pressure. Dark chocolate also contains fiber and minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese.
Experts still recommend enjoying chocolate in moderation, as many products contain added sugars and fats.
The Womanʼs Club of Westwood notes that Heart Healthy Month is a reminder to make thoughtful food choices while still enjoying seasonal traditions.
For information about the club and its activities, call 201-916-1580 or visit westwoodwomansclub.org.
—Via Madeleine Ciocco
curated by local chef Nydia Ekstrom, with mini scones donated by The Rolling Pin Cafe in Westwood, plus mini pastries
Chef Nydia Ekstrom at the 2024 Art of Tea Time event.
Cupid’s Shopping Guide
WESTWOOD
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 chil-
dren 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 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 registra-
ST. JOHN’S ACADEMY INVITESYOUTO RED & WHITE GALA MARCH 19
St. Johnʼs Academy hosts its 26th Annual Red & White Gala on Thursday, March 19, 6–10 p.m. at Edgewood Country Club, 449 Rivervale Road, River Vale.
The Red & White Gala is an annual fundraiser featuring food, entertainment, and “hundreds of prizes,” according to the school.
Tickets go on sale Feb. 2 and can be purchased at sjahills-
dale.org/gala. Tickets are $125 if purchased before March 2, and $150 if purchased March 3–9.
Sponsorships are available.
For more information, contact gala co-chairs Christina Uzzi and Andrea Scirocco at sjaredandwhitegala@gmail.com, or call St. Johnʼs Academy at (201) 6646364. St. Johnʼs Academy is at 460 Hillsdale Ave. in Hillsdale.
tion. 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.
Deer:
bers are above or below the landʼs biological “carrying capacity,” Ghassali said. The reports are not expected to offer recommendations for deer population management in either town.
T he drone surveys and reports are being prepared by a survey team at Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, supervised by Dr. Jay Kelly, a biology/science professor.
Ghassali said, "Each of the two towns will have to decide if this is a big problem or a small issue, and decide what could be done.”
Ghassali said that the “best thing” residents of both towns should stop doing is feeding deer.
“People should not be feeding or leaving out food for any wildlife. Itʼs illegal, against the law and should not be done,” Ghassali said.
He said residents who see someone feeding deer or wildlife should contact authorities, including local police or the health officer. Ghassali urged res-
Cupid’s Shopping Guide
idents to report those who are feeding deer or wildlife so the practice can be stopped.
Several towns featured public presentations on deer management last fall, with representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Animal Pro-
tection League of New Jersey providing information. Possible deer control measures discussed included controlled bow hunts by professional bow hunters; road signage to warn of deer crossings; and deer contraception and sterilization methods, which can be expensive.
MONTVALE
In addition to H illsdale and Montvale, Emerson is planning a deer drone survey as part of an approved NJDEP grant.
W estwood Mayor Ray Arroyo attended an NJDEP deer presentation at a September Old Tappan Council meeting. Old Tappan Mayor Tom Gallagher held two deer information sessions during the fall to inform the public and solicit public feedback.
No related actions have been taken by any town in the Pascack Valley.
Ghassali said he would bring the results of the two deer drone surveys to a wider audience of public officials at two regional mayorsʼ associations: the Bergen County League of Municipalities and the Pascack Valley Mayorsʼ Association. Both organizations include mayors and public officials from the greater Pascack Valley, including Old Tappan and Oradell, and the BCLOM includes Northern Valley mayors.
Public officials have said the deer population issue is countywide and regional and that mean-
ingful changes may require cooperation among towns in a specific area.
Throughout 2025, mayors and public officials received a steady stream of resident complaints and concerns, ranging from property and landscape d estruction to deerʼs role in spreading Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions.
Though only two confirmed deaths of residents due to deervehicle collisions have occurred recently — one in Emerson last year and one in Teaneck of a R iver Vale resident in 2021 — the risk remains high of deervehicle crashes. Each year, insurance officials note, hundreds of thousands of dollars are paid out due to deductibles and vehicle damage claims.
Deer population and impacts Kelly, director of the drone surveys at Raritan Valley Community College, said interpreting and acting on the results of deer drone surveys can be “complicated,” as multiple interests and stakeholders bring a variety of perspectives to the debate. He said deer population concerns include public safety risks due to increased deer-vehicle
See DEER on page 19
Women:Hammer on food, eating habits
The NJFSWC Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club will meet Monday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Montvale Senior Center on Memorial Drive.
Featured speaker Bruce Hammer will present an informative and sometimes humorous talk on “Changes in Food and Eating Habits,” exploring how what and when people eat has evolved over the years.
Members will also discuss plans for the clubʼs annual Military Bridge fundraiser, set for Friday, March 27, at the Montvale Senior Center The event will include a large tricky tray and additional raffles. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance by mailing a check with contact information to the club at P.O. Box 3, Park Ridge. The club has served the com-
munity for 35 years and meets the second Monday of each month from September through June. Women interested in community service are welcome.
Information is available on Facebook and Instagram, and at GPVWC1990@wixsite.com/gpv wc. Questions may be directed to 201-694-4440 or GPVWC1990@gmail.com.
White-tailed deer. Rutgers University Extension
GHASSALI
Mill Pond skating:
FROM PAGE 4
first with many yards to spare. She was lifted onto a table when her medal was awarded so the crowd could get a look at the petite phenom. Hazel later became the New York State, Metropolitan and Westchester champion in girlsʼ amateur speed skating—titles she held for years.
Our local girls could hold their heads high after losing to
MONTVALE
such an opponent, though they probably didnʼt realize it at the time. Second place went to 15year-old Freda Claus of Park Ridge, and third to 14-year-old Louise Strokirk of Hillsdale.
Another star of the day was 19-year-old speed skater Irving Jaffee of the Van Cortlandt club, who won three gold medals: the 880-yard menʼs handicap, the 1-
mile menʼs handicap and the 5mile championship. Newspapers reported that Jaffee would conserve his energy until the final stretch—then fly across the finish line with a burst of speed.
That strategy helped propel him to national stardom. Jaffee went on to win two gold medals at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid—one in the 5,000-meter and the other in the 10,000-meter. Media outlets described the latter as one of the most sensational finishes ever seen in an Olympic meet.
Troop’s community dinner, raffle March 6
Itʼs back! The Annual Community Dinner and Raffle f undraiser 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.
An advertisement for the American Legion’s ice skating carnival, published the first week of February 1926. More than 2,500 spectators attended.
As the New York Daily News put it on Feb. 9, 1932: “Neither the natural limitations of the human frame, nor the might of the heavens themselves could check the speed of this human hurricane from the Bronx in this afternoonʼs fiercely fought battle on blades.
Back in the ruck, with 500 yards to go and six of the worldʼs fleetest skaters ahead of him, [Jaffee] plunged his way from behind
up the snow-whipped track, slowly forged past his rivals from Canada and Norway, and lunged across the finish line.”
One of Americaʼs early Winter Olympics champions, Jaffee was inducted into the U.S. Skating Hall of Fame in 1940. And the people of the Pascack Valley could boast they saw him when he was just some kid from New York.
The Annual Community Dinner and Raffle fundraiser for Montvale BSA Troop 334 is Friday, March 6.
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. Proceeds benefit BSA Scout Troop 334 Montvale. Sponsored by the Montvale Fire Department.
‘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
What could make a will less effective than it once was? Marriage, divorce, death of a spouse certainly might make a difference; the arrival of children or grandchildren... a change in financial, personal or legal circumstances...all could indicate that a review of this important document might be a good idea. A little effort now could save big problems for your loved ones later. We can help you. Give us a call.
ERIC KOHLMEIER
Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide
Speaking to you about health ‘from the heart’
Advertisement
BOOSTYOUR BRAIN POWER
By Dr. Eric Kaplan, DC, DACNB, FACFN, FABVR
FE BRUARY
isAmeric an Heart Month, which is perfect timing because the heart could really use some g ood press. It works nonstop from before you are born until long after your last cup of coffee, yet most people only think about it when a doctor mentions cholesterol or blood pressure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the United States, responsible for about one in every two deaths. That is not exactly a small club. The good news is that many heart problems are preventable, and the solutions
are far less dramatic than people think.
For decades, Americans were told a very simple story. Fat is bad, cholesterol is bad, and if you avoid both, your heart will l ive happily ever after. Ivy League researchers at Harvard and Yale have spent the last twenty years quietly correcting that oversimplified idea. What matters more than cholesterol alone is inflammation, blood sugar balance, stress, sleep, and how well the brain communicates with the heart. In other words, your heart does not live a lone in your chest. It takes orders from your nervous system, hormones, and lifestyle. Let us start with movement, because the heart loves action.
Studies from Harvard Medical School show that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 35 percent. That does not mean you need to train for a marathon. Walking,
ONLY 20 MINUTES, TWO TIMES PER WEEK.
strength training, and short bursts of higher intensity exercise all train the heart to pump more efficiently. Sitting all day does the opposite. Researchers now compare prolonged sitting to smoking in terms of cardiovascular risk. Your chair is comfortable, but it is not your friend.
Stress is another major factor. The American Heart Association reports that chronic stress increases blood pressure, inflamm ation, and the risk of heart attack. Monday morning is statistically the most common time for heart attacks, which says more about our jobs than our hearts. When the brain stays stuck in fight or flight mode, the heart pays the price. Learn to calm the nervous system through breathing, movement, social connection, and proper sleep.
Nutrition matters too, but not in the way most people think. Ultra processed foods, added sug ars, and refined carbohydrates drive inflammation and insulin spikes that damage blood vessels over time. Whole foods like vegetables, fruits, healthy
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Winter clothing drive for veterans
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 201-341-2942.
fats, and quality proteins support heart health by stabilizing blood sugar and reducing oxidative stress.
Researchers have shown that diets high in real, unprocessed foods are strongly linked to lower rates of heart disease. This means your heart prefers broccoli over boxed snacks, even if your taste buds argue at first.
Sleep is another overlooked hero. The National Institutes of Health report that adults who consistently sleep less than six hours a night have a significantly higher risk of heart disease. During sleep, the heart rate slows, blood pressure drops, and tissues repair. Skipping sleep is like skipping maintenance on your c ar and hoping it still runs smoothly for decades.
One piece that connects all of this is the brain. The heart is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which controls heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation. If the brain is under stress, inflamed, or imbalanced, the heart reflects that. That is why we offer qEEG brain mapping,
which looks at brain activity patterns related to stress, focus, and nervous system balance. During American Heart Month, we are offering qEEG brain mapping for just $21, normally $600. It is a simple, noninvasive way to see how your brain may be influencing your heart health.
If you want to learn more about protecting your brain and heart together, my book Boost Your Brainpower: A Guide to Improving Your Memory and Focus is available on Amazon. I also host a radio show, Boost Your Brain Power with Dr. Eric Kaplan, every Saturday at 8 am on AM 970 and again at 2 pm on AM 710, where we break down health topics in plain English, without fear based headlines. Heart health is about daily habits that support your brain, body, and nervous system. Call or text 201.261.2150, email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com, or visit kaplandc.com for more information. Your heart has been working hard for you your whole life. American Heart Month is a good time to return the favor.
Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide
Deer:
FROM PAGE 14
incidents; economic impacts due to deer browsing on public and private landscapes and farms; and public attitudes and percept ions toward specific deer management measures.
Kelly has conducted deer drone surveys in Saddle River, the only Bergen County town allowing nearly annual deer bow hunts, and River Vale, which conducted a couple surveys but decided against a bow hunt due to public opposition.
In 2019, River Valeʼs thenMayor Glen Jasionowski pressed for a deer hunt to control deer
n umbers, but after numerous meetings and growing public d issatisfaction, the township paused and eventually abandoned the effort to hold a bow hunt.
Kelly said most North Jersey towns can support approximately 10 deer per square m ile or less, known as the areaʼs biological carrying capacity. He said at 20 deer per square mile, the deer population begins to impact the regionʼs ecosystem.
From prior drone studies, Kelly said many North Jersey towns average 60 to 70 deer per square mile, well above the normal carrying capacity. He said only in one or two drone surveys done in North Jersey did they find deer population densities at 10 to 20 deer per square mile.
He said his team provides estimated deer population numbers, but does not offer any deer management recommendations. That is up to local, county and regional officials, he said. Other deer population impacts can adversely affect an areaʼs quality of life, including possible water quality degradation due to contaminated runoff and destruction of forest understory, affecting forest health and forest regrowth.
Kelly noted that in some areas where deer numbers have been “way too high” for decades, residents may get used to high numbers of deer and not find it a problem to be addressed.
Residents can hear the deer management presentations from
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
MONTVALE
FA GROUPHOSTSFREEINTRO MEETING MARCH 7
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA), a free 12-step 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.
NJDEP biologist Brian Schumm and Animal Protection League of New Jersey legal director Doris Lin by accessing the Sept. 15, 2025, and Oct. 6, 2025, Old Tappan Council videos archived
PARK RIDGE
on the boroughʼs website. See also: “Officials consider next steps on deer management,” by Michael Olohan, Sept. 17, 2025, thepressgroup.net.
Pickleball, chess through the Rec
The Park Ridge Recreation and Cultural Committee will offer indoor adult community pickleball on Wednesdays, Jan. 21–Feb. 25.
Flyer and registration info: parkridgeboro.com. Information: Recreation Director Liz Falkenstern, 201-573-1800, ext. 521.
Community Chess Club — The Park Ridge Recreation and
PARK RIDGE
Cultural Committee will offer a Community Chess Club on Wednesdays, Jan. 21–March 11 at the Park Ridge Community Center. Offered for ages 5–12 and an intermediate level for ages 8–14; space is limited. Flyer with locations and registration info: parkridgeboro.com. Information:
Recreation Director Liz Falkenstern, 201-573-1800, ext. 521.
BOROUGHNAMESITS PROFESSIONALSFOR 2026
The Park Ridge Board of Education has appointed a list of professional service providers for the period Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, without competitive bidding, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5(a)(i). Appointments include:
• School auditor: Lerch Vinci & Bliss
• School attorney: Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs LLC
• Counsel for special services: Machado Law Group and Kleen Education Law
PASCACK VALLEY
• School architect: LAN Associates
• Bond counsel: Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer
• Insurance advisor: The Vozza Agency
• Health insurance advisor: Brown & Brown Benefit Advisors Vendors listed include CDWG, Grainger, and Karl Environmental.
Robert Wright serves as business administrator/board secretary.
Ask the Dentist:
How
long should an implant last?
Question: I was told I need an implant but I am not sure how long it will last?
Answer: There is no simple answer to your ques -
tion because the answer depends on many factors. In general, for healthy individuals in well planned and carefully executed cases, an implant or implants can and should last for many years.
The factors which affect longevity include bone volume, health of gums, position and size of the implant, strength of the bite and quality and type of restoration on the implant. Nonsmokers and people with normal blood sugar should also maintain implant heath better than smokers and people with uncontrolled diabetes.
It is important for the treating dentist to evaluate all risk factors prior to the start of treatment. Some risk factors can be improved and some cannot. Often decreasing the risk factors which can be controlled prior to planning an implant may have some associated cost or time factors, but can make the difference between long term success or potential failure of the treatment.
Eliminating as many risk factors as possible and evaluating all aspects of the patient and the case will also limit complications and enable the final result to feel, function and look natural.
Discuss your individual case with your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for implant treatment.
For questions about this and other dental procedures ask your dentist or contact Dr. Guller at info@pascackdental.com or call (201) 391-5565
ROBERT H. GULLER, D.M.D OF PASCACK DENTAL ARTS
Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide
Prepare your online accounts before you die
Dear Savvy Senior, I had an estate plan drafted, including a will, power of attorney and advance directive, But what about all my online accounts –email, banking, and social media? What can I do to make sure my family can access what they need and protect my digital information
after Iʼm gone.
Dear Almost,
— Almost 80
In addition to creating an estate plan, you should also make a “digital will” that lists all your
online accounts and login information. This will help your loved ones access your electronic devices and online accounts more easily so they can manage your electronic affairs, according to your wishes, after youʼre gone.
Montana State University offers a Digital Assets Inventory Worksheet (Montana.edu/estateplanning/digitalsssetsworksheet.pdf) to help you get started. Or consider purchasing a “password book” on Amazon for a few dollars. This will let you record and organize your online account information alphabetically. Here are a few other tips to help you prepare your digital life for your survivors.
• Apple: If youʼre an iPhone, iPad or Mac user, you should nominate a “legacy contact” who can access your Apple accountʼs data after you die. This is a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up youʼll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating sys-
tem. iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks need macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they donʼt need an Apple ID or device.
Youʼll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Note that there are some types of files you wonʼt be able to pass on – including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Appleʼs password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased userʼs account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
• Google: Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager (see Support.google.com/accounts/ans wer/3036546), which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that youʼve stopped
Ghassali tries high court on housing bid
Mayor Michael Ghassali said Jan. 30 that Montvale and other municipalities challenging New Jerseyʼs 2024 affordable housing law suffered another setback when the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied their emergency request to halt implementation of the statute.
Ghassali said the towns plan to seek emergency relief next from Samuel Alito, the U.S. Supreme Court justice assigned to the Third Circuit, with a filing anticipated to be completed
Monday. In a separate statement, the Fair Share Housing Center said two Third Circuit judges—Cindy K. Chung and D. Michael Fisher—denied the request in a onepage order, following a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi dismissing the federal lawsuit and declining to pause the law
Fair Share said similar claims have been rejected repeatedly in state court, including a September decision by Mercer County Superior Court Judge
Robert T. Lougy dismissing a related case with prejudice.
Fair Share said the lawsuit involves roughly three dozen municipalities and argues the new law—known as A4/S50—streamlined the affordable housing process and codified the methodology used to set municipal obligations for the current 10-year cycle. The group said about 380 municipalities have filed compliant housing plans and urged towns to move forward with local planning rather than further litigation.
using your account. When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait – from three to 18 months –before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can choose what types of data they can access – including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos. Thereʼs also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
• Facebook and Instagram:
If youʼre on Facebook or Instagram, both of which are owned by Meta, you can have your accounts memorialized or deleted after you die if the companies get a valid request from family or a friend. (Facebook.com/help/1111566045 566400 or Help.Instagram.com/2641545603 91256 for details.)
Meta also strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after your memorial accounts – see Facebook.com/help/10706652062 93088. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they canʼt read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also must have a Facebook account.
• Passwords: If you use a password manager – a service that creates, saves and manages passwords for all your online accounts – see if it has an emergency access feature. Some services, like Keeper, Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access your keys in case of an emergency or death.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
‘Middle East Update’ via Zoom Feb. 17
Former Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker will give a Zoom 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.org/learning/ adult-education.
HILLSDALE
HFPL trustees 2026 meeting dates
The Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library of the Borough of Hillsdale will hold its 2026 meetings at 7:30 p.m. at the library, 509 Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale. Meeting dates are Feb. 23, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14.
Optional meetings are scheduled for July 20 and Aug. 17.
SCHENKER
Salerno:
FROM PAGE 9
work television specials, the 1996 Republican National Convention, the Special Olympics, three FIFA World Cups, and teaching stints at Montclair State University and Bergen Community College in Paramus.
He also did work for Walt Disney Productions and Radio City Music Hall, plus 25 years running his own independent production company, often working for the World Golf Hall of Fame and Advertising Week
Salerno told me he wrote the book “over a couple of years, finishing it in ʻ21 or ʻ22. I started thinking about it when I retired in 2019, having finished 50 years in the entertainment business.”
Going “exclusively by memory,” he put to paper “a lot of stories” that he thought readers might find interesting. And he said, “I wanted to leave my children a record of what I had done.”
He said, “I wrote about the celebrities that had made a lasting impression on me, people I learned from or who had especially jazzed me in some way.”
Salerno noted in his foreword that “these are just my memories of events, colored by 50 years and my sometimes naive and romantic view of my career.”
If you want to scan for a specific celebrity or entertainment icon, the book makes that easy by featuring boldface for each famous (and some infamous) individual Salerno touches on.
The book reads like an intimate journal of Salernoʼs career — moments, conversational snippets and names that anyone growing up in the 1950s, ʼ60s, ʼ70s and ʼ80s will instantly recognize.
In the late ʼ60s and early ʼ70s, Salerno worked as a page
Westwood Senior Fellowship meets Feb. 10
The Westwood Senior Fellowship Club next meets Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave. Cake and coffee will be served, dues of $10 are due, and members can sign up for the March 10 St. Patrickʼs Day luncheon. “Hope to see you there,” says club president Mary Cerrati.
and then production coordinator on The Dick Cavett Show, where he interacted sporadically with scores of celebrities.
One couple Salerno writes about meeting was John and Yoko Lennon, prior to their appearance on a September 1971 show.
Noting he was always one of the Beatlesʼbiggest fans, Salerno writes that during a brief meeting with John and Yoko at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, Lennon played him a new song, which turned out to be “Imagine” before it had been released publicly.
Salerno writes, “Well, I loved it immediately. And in an effort to pay him a compliment, I said, ʻJohn, thatʼs a wonderful song. Thatʼs as good as ʻYesterday.ʼ”
However, Salerno writes that he did not realize at that moment that ʻYesterdayʼwas written by Paul McCartney, not John Lennon. “So here I am basically saying, ʻYour song is as good as that song written by your former partner, who you pretty much hate right now.ʼWhat a backhanded compliment. Could I have said a more stupid thing, considering the feud they were then embroiled in?” Salerno writes. He continues, “Luckily for me, John was nothing but gracious. He said thank you. He was very nice. He gave us T-shirts and a couple of albums and was just a wonderful guy.”
The bookʼs chronology follows Salernoʼs career in broadcast and special-event production, with hundreds of anecdotes, interspersed production notes, and little asides about performers he met along the way.
Salerno also recalls his role helping to produce the U.S. Bicentennial fireworks show, July 4, 1976, on the Hudson River
Salerno writes that his job was to program the show on paper, lay out all the music, and
Westwood 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.
MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE
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determine when each shell or group of shells needed to be fired so they would explode at the correct point in the music.
With a skeleton crew, Salerno writes that he “was literally digging the ditches and installing the mortars that would shoot the firework shells. I even loaded the mortars.”
Salerno adds, “It was the hardest manual labor I ever did, especially since I tried never to do manual labor.” He writes that the post-event schedule called for him and four co-workers from Disney to remove unexploded shells from their mortars.
Salerno refused to do that dangerous work, he writes, and
WESTWOOD
persuaded Army and Navy personnel on site to remove the unexploded shells.
In 1976, he also helped produce a Bicentennial “Happy Birthday America” special for NBC-TV, featuring musical guests Paul Anka and KC & The Sunshine Band, along with motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel.
Salerno recounts other interactions with stars — mostly positive — and notes early in the book that if youʼre looking for “celebrity dirt” or lots of negative stories about movie stars, these anecdotes are not going to be for you. “For the most part, I mostly seem to recall the good things
only,” Salerno writes in a foreword.
Salerno was born and raised in New York City. He and his wife, Donna, have been married for 48 years, and have four children and 11 grandchildren. 15 Minutes With Fame is Salernoʼs first book. Itʼs available via Amazon.
I read the book by finding highlighted names I was interested in (and there were many) and reading those chapters first; I finished the whole thing in days, and learned a lot.
Salernoʼs goal: “I just hoped readers would walk away with a smile. And perhaps realize that dreams really can come true.”
Herzing’s Eagle Scout fundraiser gains ground
Henry Herzing of Boy Scout Troop 350 said his Eagle Scout project, Henryʼs Healing Go Bags, has moved forward with a weekend fundraiser at Saint Andrewʼs Church.
Herzing is assembling and delivering more than 75 comfort backpacks for pediatric patients at Hackensack Meridian Childrenʼs Hospital, intended for children admitted through the emergency room or needing to stay overnight unexpectedly, when families may not have essentials with them.
Herzing said Father Diego promoted the effort with announcements after each Mass, and parishioners stopped by to ask questions and show support. The candy sale raised $450 for the project, he said.
The bags are expected to include items such as blankets, socks, toiletries, snacks, phone chargers, fidgets, activity books, and a custom project bandanna. Herzing has also said he plans to create a framed plaque for the hospital to display.
Donations may be made through the projectʼs Amazon wish list. Herzing has also planned additional fundraising and outreach, including a candy sale at
Goldbergʼs Bagels and a donation table at Stop & Shop, with volunteers assisting in sorting and assembling the bags during scheduled workdays at his home. Staff report
Henry Herzing is assembling and delivering more than 75 comfort backpacks for pediatric patients at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Hospital, for children admitted through the ER or needing to stay overnight unexpectedly.
PROTECTING OUR KIDS: APRIL 8 FORUM ON SOCIAL-MEDIA DANGERS
THE HILLS VALLEY Coalition hosts “Protecting Our Kids: The Many Dangers of Social Media” on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. in Pascack Hills High Schoolʼs auditorium.
Billed as a powerful, multi-dimensional conversation—not a lecture—the program is intended for adults and children ages 12 and up and will focus on what children are encountering online, including social media harms, cyberbullying, counterfeit pills and sextortion.
Attendees will hear from four parent advocates who have experienced loss connected to these issues and have since turned their grief into education, prevention and awareness. Local law enforcement officers will discuss what is happening now in area communities, including tactics predators use and practical steps parents
and teens can take to stay safe.
School guidance counselors will also share how frequently social media plays a role in Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) cases, including warning signs, behavior patterns and supports available to families.
The event is held in memory of Emily Michaela Murillo and is associated with Emmyʼs Champions. Re gistration is requested.
Scan to RSVP
Chaos takes center stage as Bergen County Players presents ‘Play On!,’ ‘a love letter,’ Feb. 7–28
WHATHAPPENSWHEN a community 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 rehearsal, 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; Adria na 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. P erformances run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Little Fireh ouse 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.
B ergen 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
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Emerson’s Nicole Pinto-Spiegel soars at IHA
Immaculate Heart Academy recognized nine students with Soaring Eagle Awards for the second quarter of the 2025-26 school year at a Feb. 4 reception, the school announced.
Among the honorees was N icole Pinto-Spiegel ʼ29 of Emerson, who received the award in communications. Teachers nominate one student in each discipline four times a year, recognizing achievements such as classroom leadership, perseverance and academic growth, the school said.
IHA Principal Kerry Carroll ʼ04 presented the awards during the Feb. 4 reception attended by f amilies, nominating teachers and staff, the school said.
The quarter two Soaring E agle Award recipients were: Nicole Pinto-Spiegel ʼ29 (Communications) of Emerson; Marley Digby ʼ27 (Science/Technology) of Bergenfield; Carmelina Marino ʼ29 (World Languages) of North Haledon; Molly Neafsey ʼ26 (Mathematics) of Oakland; Anne Maciejewski ʼ27 (The Arts) of Ridgewood; Alicia Eldridge ʼ28 (Social Studies) of Bardonia, N.Y.; Mariana Builes Garcia ʼ26 (Theology) of Union City; Emma Palazzolo ʼ26 (English) of Franklin Lakes; and Madeline Murphy ʼ26 (Physical Education) of Hawthorne.
Founded in 1960, Immaculate Heart Academy is an all-girls Catholic regional high school of the Archdiocese of Newark and is located at 500 Van Emburgh Ave. in the Township of Washington.
Immaculate Heart Academy recognized nine students with Soaring Eagle Awards for the second quarter of the 2025-26 school year at a reception held Feb. 4. Nicole Pinto-Spiegel ’29 of Emerson received the award in communications. Standing left to right: Nicole Pinto-Spiegel ’29 (Communications), Marley Digby ’27 (Science/Technology), Carmelina Marino ’29 (World Languages), Molly Neafsey ’26 (Mathematics), Anne Maciejewski ’27 (The Arts), Alicia Eldridge ’28 (Social Studies), Mariana Builes Garcia ’26 (Theology), Emma Palazzolo ’26 (English), Madeline Murphy ’26 (Physical Education). (Photo courtesy of Immaculate Heart Academy)
CLUB NEWS
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FROM PAGE 1
grows out of “actions, respect and service.” Dorfler said she founded IHAʼs Military Awareness Club during her sophomore year to help classmates better understand veterans and active-duty service members, drawing in part on her own familyʼs experience — both of her parents are veterans.
Through the club, she said, students have hosted guest speakers who served, marched with the VFW in Washington Townshipʼs Memorial Day Parade, and found hands-on ways to show support, from writing letters to deployed soldiers to attending community ceremonies, including a Vietnam remembrance event that left her struck by how much simple gratitude can matter.
Schlereth, in her submission, described patriotism as using “a unique voice” in service of community. She recalled pushing for improvements after noticing a broken scoreboard at a town sports facility dedicated to a woman killed in action in the Vietnam War.
She wrote that she researched the honorees and sent letters to local officials until the scoreboard was repaired and the field better maintained.
Returning after the work was completed, she wrote, brought “the pride of what I had helped to accomplish” — and reinforced her belief that “everyone has the power to enact change.”
Campenot wrote that her understanding of patriotism shifted from something abstract to something personal during an eighth-grade class trip to Wash-
ington, D.C. A visit to Arlington National Cemetery, she said, brought a “mixture of pride and sadness” as she took in “the amount of graves that covered the landscape,” and the scale of sacrifice behind everyday freedoms.
Since then, Campenot said she has tried to translate that gratitude into action — raising more than $750 with other volunteers for the Disabled American Veterans, donating when she sees veterans collecting contributions, and writing holiday letters to deployed troops to help them feel remembered while serving away from family.
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She also broadened the idea beyond military service, writing that patriotism includes helping neighbors at home — from contributing to school food and clothing drives to supporting efforts that improve life for Americans who are struggling.
“No matter how small the act,” she wrote, if itʼs done “with kindness and the intention of bettering” the country, it can be a form of patriotism.
In the middle school Patriotʼs Pen essay contest, Giza MillerPringle, an eighth grader at George White Middle School in Hillsdale, won first place. Janki Dobariya, a seventh grader at Westwood Regional Middle School, placed second, and Agna Patel, also a seventh grader at WRMS, placed third. Post officials said those winners received checks and Patriotʼs Pen medals: $300 and a gold medal for first place, $200 and a silver medal for second, and $100 and a bronze medal for third.
Stephen Kalish, the post adjutant and education awards committee chairman, told attendees he chaired the selection committee alongside Lt. Col. Vince Tirri of the New Jersey Army National Guard recruiting battalion and Jim Gerbig, a former Navy officer and Naval Academy graduate.
Kalish, a former Army officer and a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, noted the contests draw broad participation nationally — with Patriotʼs Pen typically welcoming tens of thousands of entries from students in grades 6–8, and Voice of Democracy drawing thousands of entries from students in grades 9–12.
The post also presented VFW Teacher of the Year honors — each with a $500 check and a certificate signed by Post Commander Thomas Sears — recognizing educators for their commitment to teaching citizenship, Americanism, and patriotism.
Honorees were Caitlin Bonanno of Immaculate Heart Academy (high school), AnnMarie Castellini of Westwood Regional Middle School (middle school), and Barnett Goldman of Washington Elementary School (elementary school).
Castellini moreover won Teacher of the Year at VFW District 2.
School representatives in attendance included IHA Principal Kerry Carroll, WRMS Principal Luisa Tamburri, Washington Elementary Principal Melissa Palianto, GWMS counselor Jennifer Reese, and PVHS counselor Frank Andrisani.
The eveningʼs program included welcoming remarks from Sears and an invocation by Father Ray Rodrigue of Our Lady of Good Counsel, dinner provided by Marcʼs Deli & Pizzeria, and guest remarks from Washington Township Mayor Peter Calamari.
VFW District 2 representatives Bruce Young, district commander, and Warren Williams, district committee chairman, also offered comments before the ceremony concluded with group photos of the student and teacher awardees and post leadership.
VFW Post 6192 said its Voice of Democracy contest is open to students in grades 9–12 who attend Westwood Regional High School, Immaculate Heart Academy, or Pascack Valley High School, with local prizes awarded for first through third place. The postʼs Patriotʼs Pen contest is open to Westwood Regional Middle School students in grades 6–8, with entries typically due by Oct. 31.
The VoD & PP awardees were selected by a committee of VFW Post 6192 members who reviewed and scored each essay anonymously using criteria established by VFW National Headquarters. The ToY awardees were selected based on a review of the nominations that were submitted (one by an administrator and student, one by a teacher, and one by a parent).
From Emerson to Texas to the world
Independent songwriter Steven Connolly says his original music is receiving regular airplay on TexRed Music, an iHeartRadio station based in Santa Fe, Texas — a connection he said has included on-air shout-outs to Emerson.
Connolly says DJs on recent broadcasts mentioned the borough and Mayor Danielle DiPaola, creating what he described as an unexpected “hometown moment” from hundreds of miles away.
His local ties are longstanding. He regularly performs at borough events and has appeared at programs including the Mayorʼs Wellness Summer Concert Series, Emerson Day and the Fall Festival. He was the first act to perform when the Mayorʼs Wellness Summer Concert Series launched
three years ago.
In a recent post, DiPaola congratulated Connolly, noting his early involvement in the concert series and thanking him for “putting Emerson on the map.” Connolly said he recorded and performed the track himself, singing
the vocals and playing guitars and bass on the recording.
Now TexRed Music has invited him to travel to Texas later this year to perform at the stationʼs festival in Galveston — now planned for the fall — an opportunity he said grew directly out of the radio airplay. He added that his music has also been picked up by other Texas radio stations.
Connolly is preparing to release a new song later this year that he wrote and recorded with drummer Dylan Wissing, whom Connolly noted is a Grammy Award-winning musician whose credits include work with major recording artists. Connolly said the new track will be released first through TexRedMusic.com before he adds it to his other platforms. A music video of Connollyʼs work is available online.
How it’s done: Maeve Dorfler and IHA principal Kerry Carroll, flanked by VFW Post 6192 adjutant and education awards committee chairman Steve Kalish and commander Tom Sears. Dorfler is high school winner of the post’s recent Voice of Democracy contest, and is first-place winner for VFW District 2. Courtesy photo.
STEVEN CONNOLLY
Gottheimer proposes ICE Standards Act
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D–N.J.) announced proposed legislation heʼs calling the “ICE Standards Act” during a Jan. 28 event in Palisades Park, describing it as an effort to establish “clear, enforceable standards” for federal homeland security and immigration enforcement.
According to Gottheimerʼs office, the measure would set mandatory training standards for immigration enforcement personnel, including initial and annual
training in de-escalation, constitutional search-and-seizure, and operating appropriately in public settings where protests may be present. The proposal would also require the department to provide Congress an immediate report detailing what training agents are currently receiving.
The legislation would mandate the use of body-worn and vehicle dashboard cameras during enforcement operations, the congressmanʼs office said, and create
uniform and identification standards so agents are clearly identifiable unless formally approved for undercover work.
Other provisions outlined in the release include requirements aimed at risk minimization and de-escalation during encounters; restrictions on enforcement actions at certain “sensitive locations” such as schools, hospitals, places of worship and voting locations absent an exigent circumstance; and advance notification to
state and local law enforcement ahead of federal immigration operations within a jurisdiction.
Gottheimerʼs announcement comes amid heightened national scrutiny following fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents, incidents that have spurred protests and multiple investigations.
Gottheimer was joined at the Jan. 28 event by Palisades Park Mayor Chong “Paul” Kim, Councilmembers Christopher Kwak,
dent of the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey, his office said.
In prepared remarks, Gottheimer said the proposal is intended to support “professional, lawful” enforcement and to protect both the public and officers.
Suk “John” Min and Christine Won-Yoon, Bergenfield Councilman Marc Pascual, Palisades Park Police Director Mike Gardner, and Steve Kuhn, first vice presi-
PASCACK VALLEY
Letters:
FROM PAGE 2
Francesca is the ultimate team player. She did not put selfinterest or ego first. She did not tell me how to do my job. She put the interests of the library first. In my early years as president, I could not have asked for a better vice president.
Mrs. Ianora also served on the Emerson Centennial Committee in 2003, the year the borough celebrated its 100th birthday. The committee sponsored The Birth of a Borough, and I had the honor of being part of that production alongside her. In the play, Mrs.
Woman’s Club military bridge fun March 27
The NJSFWC Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club will host a Military Bridge/Tricky Tray night Friday, March 27, at the Montvale Senior Center on Memorial Drive. Doors open at 6 p.m.; play begins at 7 p.m. Military Bridge is a team-based, WWII-era variation of contract bridge—no bridge experience required, and help will be available to learn the game. The evening will also feature a large Tricky Tray raffle, a 50/50 raffle, and refreshments. Tickets are $20 per person, with proceeds supporting local charities and scholarships at local high schools. Seating is limited; registration deadline is March 20. To register, mail a check to Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club, PO Box 3, Park Ridge, NJ 07656, and include your name/contact information and the names of your playing group (seating will be assigned). Questions: 551-2365817 or gpvwc1990@gmail.com.
Ianora played herself and delivered her lines with wit, grace, warmth, and a smile. She was simply being herself.
For all that Mrs. Ianora has accomplished, you would never know it from how she carries herself. When I first met her, she was humble. Working with her, she remained humble. Today, as she celebrates her 105th birthday, she is even more humble.
Someone [Mayor Danielle DiPaola] recently said she is “one of the most treasured residents of Emerson,” touching many lives. I agree completely She touched my life and helped shape the work Iʼve gone on to do. She was a big part of my success as president of the Emerson Library Board of Trustees.
Mrs. Francesca Ianora is not only one of the most treasured residents of Emerson, but one of the most treasured residents in the boroughʼs history. To me, she is “the First Lady of Emerson.”
A word that also fits her perfectly: winner
To her students, she is Mrs. Ianora. As a library trustee, she has been President Ianora and Vice President Ianora. To her two loving daughters, she is Mom. To her five loving grandchildren, she is Grandma. And I have no doubt that the title she is most proud of is family.
To her daughters, grandchildren, and her entire family: thank you for sharing her with our community and allowing us all to know her.
Again, happy 105th birthday. As a community in Emerson, we love you and we are proud of you. May God bless you.
Sincerely,
William Bierman
Emerson
Former president, Emerson Library Board of Trustees
Pascack Press welcomes brief, signed, respectful letters to the editor on timely local topics. Submission guidelines are on page 2
Tedesco on his backing of Gateway lawsuit
To the editor:
THE GATEWAY Development Commissionʼs Hudson Tunnel Project is the most critical infrastructure project in the country, period.
The Gateway Program is the backbone of the Northeast Corridor, the busiest passenger rail line in the United States. Every day, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT riders depend on a 116-year-old North River Tunnel that has become a major source of delays. Modernizing and expanding this system isnʼt optional, itʼs essential for millions of commuters and for the economic health of our region.
If federal funding that has already been approved is not made available by Feb. 6, construction will be forced to pause, resulting in the immediate loss of
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nearly 1,000 jobs. An extended shutdown would put more than 11,000 current construction jobs at risk and jeopardize the more than 95,000 construction jobs needed to complete this project across all phases, along with nearly $20 billion in anticipated economic activity.
Thatʼs why I fully support the legal action taken by the Gateway Development Commission in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to
compel the release of grant and loan funds the federal government is legally obligated to provide. Every day, hundreds of thousands of commuters and businesses rely on this infrastructure. Commitments must be honored, workers must be protected, and this project must move forward without further delay.
James Tedesco III Bergen County Executive
K enneth ‘Ken’ BOSCHERT
Kenneth “Ken” Boschert, also known as “Pa” to his beloved grandkids and their friends, passed away at Hackensack Hospital on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, after a short illness. His loving family was at his bedside when he passed.
Ken graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1976 with a degree in marine engineering. Around that time, he became a Mason at Hancock Lodge No. 4 in Maine. He married his sweetheart, Pamela—the love of his life—the very next year. Always fond of the sea, he worked in the U.S. Merchant Marine throughout his career.
Ken served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1972 to 1981, and his patriotism and pride in American ideals were inspiring.
Firefighting ran in his blood. Ken served in the Ridgefield and Westwood volunteer fire departments for 35 years. He earned commendations and left behind heroic stories. His passion for firefighting carried into his professional career as a New Jersey state fire inspector.
Ken was the father of Kate and
Kim. Throughout their childhood, he coached softball for many years and also served as a swim official for the Highland Lakes Swim Team and the Bergen Barracudas.
An avid New York Giants fan, he enjoyed going to games—even if he, like most of us, could predict the likely outcome over the past 10 seasons. Ken loved his tools, gadgets and any excuse to tinker, always putting his marine engineer talents on display.
If you ever sat in his Jeep, you would be amazed at how many things he could power from an auxiliary outlet. He loved to cook and eat, and he loved being at his cabin in Highland Lakes, where he found great joy fishing with his grandkids and sailing on the Big Lake.
To those who knew Ken, he was renowned for his love of singing and conversation. If you look up “worldʼs greatest talker” in a book of world records, youʼll find Ken. If you donʼt find him there, you should. That gift for gab included a little hot air—mixed in with some incredible stories.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, Ruth and Edward. He is survived by his wife, Pamela; his daughters, Kate Boschert (John Bonaglia) and Kim (Eric White); and four grandchildren, Brianna, Aviendha, Jack and Genny. His
dog, Tiki, and granddog, Athena, surely miss Pa.
The family received guests at Becker Funeral Home on Thursday, Feb. 5. A celebration of Kenʼs life and faith will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Friday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m., with interment to follow at Crest Haven Memorial Park in Clifton.
Flowers will not be accepted; memorial donations may be made to K9s For Warriors at donate.k9sforwarriors.org and/or by donating pet food, toys and blankets to the Vernon Animal Shelter, 3 Riggs Way, Vernon, NJ 07462. Becker-FuneralHome.com.
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F rances TAGLIARENI
Frances Tagliareni, 98, passed away Jan. 15, 2026. She was a longtime resident of Washington Township and Westwood.
Frances is survived by her children, Russell Tagliareni and his wife, Mary, and Tina Schroeder and her husband, Robert. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brittany DiCostanzo and her husband, Benedetto, and Robert Schroeder; and her great-grandson, Benedetto DiCostanzo. Frances is also survived by her sister, Marie Nastasi, and close friend Mary Ann Mara.
Frances was predeceased by her
husband, Russell Tagliareni, and her parents, Giovanna (Jennie) and Alfonso Guadagnino.
She was also predeceased by her brothers Frank Guadagnino, Michael Guadagnino and Peter Guadagnino, and her sisters Josephine Anzalone, Angelina Salvatore and Carol Scholl. Frances is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Family meant everything to her, and she was happiest when surrounded by those she loved. Frances will be sorely missed and forever loved.
The family received friends and relatives at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood, on Monday, Jan. 19. The Funeral Mass celebrating Francesʼ life and faith was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Township of Washington, on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Business grants, cell tower session, more
Bagels for Businesses set Feb. 23
Local business owners are invited to a “Bagels for Businesses” program on Monday, Feb. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Borough Hall, 380 Hillsdale Ave., featuring a brief presentation on small business grant opportunities and other resources available through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the Bergen County Division of Economic Development.
Officials said several NJEDA grant programs are expected to expire later this year as funding windows close. The session will
Snow Tubing with a Cop at Campgaw
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.
News tip or event announcement? Pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net
outline what is available, review the application process, and include time for questions with an NJEDA representative. Coffee and bagels will be served. Business owners, RSVP by Feb. 19 to Eileen McLaughlin at emclaughlin@hillsdale.org.
Verizon to attend March 10 meeting Hillsdale officials said Verizon representatives will attend the Mayor and Council meeting March 10 at 7 p.m. to discuss the proposed cell tower location and respond to questions from officials and the public. The appearance
WESTWOOD
Knights fish fry March 8
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 ʼnʼcheese, 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.”
reflects a change from the originally scheduled date.
Community Center update Hillsdle Councilwoman Melissa Mazza-Chiong said new furniture for the new Community Center at The Piermont redevelopment is expected to arrive in early March and will require assembly. The borough hopes to accept the keys to the facility by the end of February, she said. Installation of televisions is pending. She said about 60 parking spaces — most indoors — could be available for community center events.
— Staff Writer Michael Olohan
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 on list of ‘avoided winter roads’
RVWindshieldReplacement.com, a national network of RV auto glass experts, surveyed 3,004 drivers to identify the major roads Americans are most likely to avoid during winter weather.
The three most avoided roads in New Jersey are:
• I-80 (Parsippany — Delaware Water Gap). This
stretch takes drivers from busy suburban traffic straight into higher, colder terrain. In winter, snow, ice, and lingering slick patches through the hills make I-80 feel far less forgiving than it looks.
• Route 23 (Wayne — NY Border / The Highlands Route) Closer to the Highlands, winter conditions ramp up quickly.
• Garden State Parkway (Woodbridge — Montvale). Heavily used year-round, the Parkway becomes especially stressful in winter. Snow and freezing rain combine with high traffic volumes and tight merges, turning even short trips into slow, tense drives. Many North Jersey commuters will avoid it.
MONTVALE
Council seeks cellular study ahead of meet
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE
The mayor and borough council plan to hire an independent cellular consultant at their Feb. 10 meeting to evaluate persistent gaps in cell service on the townʼs east side, ahead of a scheduled March 10 discussion with Verizon Communications.
Mayor Michael Sheinfield said the goal is to ground the debate in data.
“This study is to add clarity so council can separate speculation from reality regarding the townʼs cellular coverage,” Sheinfield told Pascack Press. “This will be an independent, professional review.”
At the Feb. 3 meeting, council members asked administrator Mike Ghassali to ensure each consultantʼs scope of work addresses key technical questions and identifies any potential extra costs. Some councilors also asked how
coverage would be measured and what industry standards would guide the analysis.
Ghassali said he would consult borough telecommunications advisor Peter Lupo on methodology and have him review final proposals before the Feb. 10 vote.
The consultant will be asked to:
• Map and document cellservice gaps in the eastern section of town
• Evaluate options to improve coverage, including but not limited to a proposed 150-foot monopole tower
• Assess whether River Valeʼs new cell tower at its Public Safety Complex could improve Hillsdale coverage once operational
•Review radiofrequency exposure considerations related to smaller cell facilities
Two proposals were received: 360 RF for $5,800 and WirelessMapping.com for $1,800.
Ghassali said both firms indicated
they could complete their reports before the March 10 council meeting with Verizon.
Also Feb. 3, the council received and filed 23 letters regarding the proposed 150-foot tower at Stonybrook Swim Club. Sheinfield said 14 supported the tower, three opposed it, and six raised questions.
The Stonybrook site remains under conditional approval. On Dec. 9, the council authorized negotiations on a lease with Verizon, attaching 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.
A cellular communications tower at Town Hall in the Township of Washington, one day this month at 3:50 p.m. Hillsdale officials are considering hiring an independent consultant to evaluate local cell-service gaps ahead of a planned meeting with Verizon. John Snyder photo.
Huge props on Park Ridge storm response
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
Mayor Keith Misciagna praised Park Ridgeʼs Department of Public Works and utility crews for what he called an around-theclock response to a weekend snowstorm that dropped about 14 inches on the borough.
“I thank our general supervisor of public works, Jason Coughenour, CPWM, along with all of the dedicated employees from the Department of Public Works, Electric and Water Departments, and our part-time staff who stepped up this past weekend to salt and plow our roads,” Misciagna said.
According to the mayor,
crews began working at 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 and continued “through the day and night into Monday morning” to keep roads safe and passable.
“Itʼs no secret that Park Ridge has some of the cleanest roads in the Pascack Valley and thatʼs all thanks to the hard work and dedication of our crews,” he said.
Misciagna said the boroughʼs public works, electric and water departments also coordinated with first responders and remained on standby in case of emergencies.
“Thanks to their commit-
ment, you would never know by looking at the road conditions just how much snow we received,” he said. “I truly appreciate your dedication and service to our Park Ridge community.”
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