SENIORS STEP UP Students’ virtual poppy drive benefits Veterans Home
Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake VOLUME 24 ISSUE 12
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S BEST H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
JUNE 8, 2020
HILLSDALE
WHAT’S THE WORD?
Hillsdaleʼs Caitlin Brannigan earned top honors in the state for her fiction writing.
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HILLSDALE
FARM’S DRIVE-IN
MOVIES GET GREEN LIGHT BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Hillsdaleʼs Borough Council voted 4-2 at a special meeting June 2 to “temporarily suspend” their zoning ordinance and allow Demarest Farms to conduct its planned drive-in movie nights throughout the summer beginning Monday, June 8. Previously, the borough said the farm was required to get a use variance to conduct drive-in movie
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In 2019, Cole Donnellan and Megan Viganola, both students in Mr. Jeff Jasperʼs AP Government class at Pascack Valley High School, started a project to support veterans. They decided to incorporate the annual American Legion Poppy Drive into the high school just prior to Memorial Day. Veterans from American Legion Post 162, based in Hillsdale, met with students as they entered the building on two days before Memorial Day last year. All funds raised were donated to veteran support programs. The Covid-19 virus that has closed Pascack Valley High School created an obstacle for current PV seniors Jennifer Pulsiano and Angelina Giustra when they decided to continue the program as their AP Government project in 2020. After a brief discussion with Post 162 Cmdr. Doug Frank, they creatively developed a virtual poppy drive for the students and faculty at Pascack Valley. All donations would be used to buy Jennifer Pulsiano, American Legion Post 162 Cmdr. Doug Frank and Angelina Guistra gather at Pascack Valley supplies and equipment in support High School in front of the “2020” sign that bears all the graduates’ signatures. Pulsiano and Guistra conof the New Jersey State Veterans ducted a virtual poppy drive to benefit the New Jersey State Veterans Home in Paramus. Home in Paramus which was hard asking for student support. donation for the Veterans Home, erans and active duty military hit by the pandemic. On June 1, Jennifer and which is in need of supplies due to and their families. The funds Jenn and Angelina used their own social media accounts as well Angelina, accompanied by Mr. the horrible impact of the pan- raised are the Postʼs primary source of revenue for this imporas their parentsʼ Facebook group Jasper, presented a check for $670 demic. to Cmdr. Frank and members of Each year in May around tant cause. contacts to solicit donations Cmdr. Frank thanked the through Venmo. The high schoolʼs the Post. The Post, in turn, pre- Memorial Day, veterans solicit Certifisented them with Legion donations in exchange for a young ladies for their effort and interim principal, Mr. John Puccio, sent an email to all students cates of Appreciation. The Post poppy. All funds raised are used thanked all those who donated to informing them of the project and has committed to match their exclusively for the support of vet- this important cause. PHOTO COURTESY ZOLTAN HORVATH
MOLLY’S MISSION
A 6-year-old from Park Ridge has been making and selling bracelets to benefit the local food pantry.
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B ck in time... In 1929 a silent film had Westwood scandalized. (If only they could see what’s on TV nowadays!)
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