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PASCACKPRESS 5.18.26

Page 1

Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake

T H E PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R

VOLUME 30 ISSUE 10

Forbes says so

HILLSDALE

ROOTING FOR THE FUTURE

Hillsdale Daisies interview officials, plant an oak tree, for big Earth Day gains

WESTWOOD

BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

The Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated the start of Small Business Month on Friday, May 8, with a morning program at the Westwood Public Library focused on practical resources for local businesses—and closed with a leadership transition

See CHAMBER on page 124

POWERS THROUGH FOR VETS’ MENTAL HEALTH

BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

CHAMBER

Rizzo, new president of Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce, touts momentum

PRUSHA

Runners, walkers, families can join the fun at PVHS on Saturday, May 23; donations welcome

Eric Kohlmeier of Wells Fargo Advisors in Park Ridge graces the 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list by Forbes. PAGE 10

HOSTS STATE, COUNTY EXPERTS ON SMALL-BIZ GROWTH

MAY 18, 2026

Officials attending the event, powered by Hillsdale Daisy Troop 99133, included Mayor Michael Sheinfield, councilmen Clemente Osso and John Ruocco, Environmental Commission Chair Fred Rubel, and Borough Administrator Michael Ghassali. Photo via Amelia Host.

T

BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

HE MEMBERS OF Daisy Troop 99133 may still be in kindergarten, but local officials say they have already made a lasting investment in their community. To celebrate Earth Day, the troop joined borough leaders

and members of the Hillsdale Environmental Commission to plant a new oak tree in town while participating in the national Girl Scout Tree Promise initiative. The project also helped the girls earn their “Make the World a Better Place” Daisy Rose Petal, a Girl Scout recognition focused on community steward-

ship and caring for the environment. The Hillsdale Environmental Commission helped select the planting location, while DiTomaso Landscape Group donated and planted the oak tree. The Hillsdale Department of Public Works agreed to help care for the tree through regular

Continued on page 5

Jake Prusha is putting one foot in front of the other — 500 milesʼ worth — for veterans, mental health awareness, and those who feel they are carrying their battles alone. Prusha, a Hillsdale native and veteran firefighter, EMT and police dispatcher, launched his “50 States • 50 Days • 500 Miles” challenge in April. The effort calls for him to run 10 miles a day for 50 consecutive days, with each day representing a different state and honoring a fallen service member, a veteran, or a civilian. Heʼs in the home stretch. His run Saturday, May 23 at the Pascack Valley High School track and field, puts him on the cusp of his 500th run, to be held on Memorial Day in Boston. Prusha served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a health services

See PRUSHA on page 164

WW UNICO ON IT

B ck in time...

Westwood UNICO brings the community together for its annual pasta dinner supporting autism awareness and two special-education schools… Maya Zislin reports! PAGE 9

In ‘An Unchanged Corner of Montvale,’ Kristin Beuscher guides us down Park Street, from Grand Avenue toward Kinderkamack Road, circa 1930.

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PASCACKPRESS 5.18.26 by The Press Group Community Newspapers (New Jersey) - Issuu