PASCACKPRESS 9.7.26 by The Press Group Community Newspapers (New Jersey)

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 26

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LOCAL VOICES AT GRIM MILESTONE

Observances set to honor lives lost on 9/11 as new U.S. report looks to threats ahead

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

‘HE COULD After pup Buddyʼs death, resident raises awareness of leptospirosis BY JOHN SNYDER EDITOR@THEPRESSGROUP.NET

When Joanna Policastro returned from vacation, she expected to find Buddy, her familyʼs 2-year-old golden retriever, waiting to greet her. Instead, she learned that her son had taken Buddy to Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital on Kinderkamack Road. Buddy had stopped eating and was not acting like himself. At first, the family thought he might simply be missing Policastro. But as he became lethargic, her son brought him to the veterinarian. According to Policastro, an examination and testing showed

See BUDDY on page 344

PASCACK VALLEY

SCHOOL CELLPHONE LIMITS BEGIN

ʻEverybody needs a break,ʼ says governor; local impacts differ BY JOHN SNYDER EDITOR@THEPRESSGROUP.NET

Kenneth DeGraw and the lovely Helen Marie DeGraw of Montvale celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. PAGE 18

BARELY EVEN WAG HIS TAIL’

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026

Park Ridge’s Patriot Day ceremony, Sept. 11, 2025 — American Legion Post 153 led the borough in marking the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with wreaths, prayer, and candlelight. Photo: John Snyder/Pascack Press security reforms adopted after ment officers. Another 184 peoWENTY-FIVE YEARS after Sept. 11, 2001, the Pas- the attacks and the dangers con- ple were killed at the Pentagon— cack Valley is preparing fronting the nation today. 125 inside the building and 59 to honor those killed in the teraboard Flight 77—while 40 pasINSIDE: For a guide to local rorist attacks and the losses that sengers and crew died near observances this week, and followed, while renewing comShanksville, Pennsylvania, after our look back at a day whose mitments to service, unity, and fighting back on Flight 93. In effects continue to be felt shared civic responsibility. across generations, turn to our total, all 246 passengers and crew The anniversary arrives members across the four center spread. amid public ceremonies and priAt the World Trade Center, hijacked planes lost their lives. vate memories, along with a new 2,753 people died, including 343 Continued on page 28 congressional assessment of the firefighters and 71 law enforce-

As the 2026–27 school year opens, New Jersey students will be expected to keep personal cellphones and other internetconnected devices off and stored throughout the school day. The practical impact will vary by district. Westwood Regional has set different storage expectations by grade level. Pascack Hills High School has outlined a progressive disciplinary system that can lead to detention or suspension. Emerson Public Schools says the statemandated policy update will not change practices already in place. The distinctions reflect the flexibility New Jersey has given local school officials in carrying out the statewide requirement. Then-Gov. Phil Murphy signed P.L. 2025, c.195 on Jan. 8. The law requires public school boards, including the boards governing charter schools and renaissance school projects, to adopt policies consistent with state Department of Education guidelines beginning with the first full school year after enactment.

See LIMITS on page 274

HILLSDALE CHAMPS

B ck in time...

After stumbling through the regular season at 3–6–1 and scoring just 50 runs, men’s rec team Money Green entered the playoffs with new life— then all bets ere off. PAGE 9

The first school in Hillsdale, built in 1856, sat on Pascack Road near its intersection with Hillsdale Avenue. Kristin Beuscher does the homework. PAGE 4

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Meta settlement adds safeguards for young users BY JOHN SNYDER EDITOR@THEPRESSGROUP.NET

PASCACK VALLEY

Teenagers using Instagram and Facebook will face new time limits, overnight restrictions and other safety measures under a multistate settlement co-led by New Jersey. The court-approved agreement resolves government claims that Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, designed features that encouraged excessive use by children and teenagers, harmed their mental and physical health and misled families about the platformsʼ risks. The settlement involves 47

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algorithms, but Hills Valley Coalition leader calls agreement meaningful ommendation that setting will not be the default. Independent auditors but says families cannot protect children alone will review the companyʼs comstates, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. New Jersey began co-leading the bipartisan investigation in 2021 and was one of four states presenting the case at a federal trial in Oakland, California, when the agreement was reached. Meta will pay the participating governments at least $12.1 billion over 10 years. The total could rise to $17.1 billion if other major social media companies enter comparable settlements. New Jersey will receive at least $525 million and could receive more than $752 million. “As a parent, protecting your

kids is always your North Star,” New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in announcing the settlement. “And this agreement achieves critical protections for our children today.” The agreement requires several changes for Instagram and Facebook users younger than 18. The measures include a default limit of two hours of combined daily use across the two platforms. Teenagers will need parental permission to disable the limit. Direct-messaging features will remain available. Users will receive prompts after every 15 minutes of continuous use and additional interruptions after their combined daily use reaches 60 and 90 minutes. A nighttime mode will block access to feeds, stories, reels and

other nonmessaging features from midnight to 6 a.m. Push notifications will be muted by default from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays during the school year, with exceptions for direct messages and account security or safety alerts. Meta also must strengthen its methods for identifying usersʼ ages and keeping children younger than 13 off the platforms. Other provisions call for easier-touse parental controls, stronger protections against bullying and content involving eating disorders, suicide or self-harm, and restrictions on social-comparison features such as visible “like” counts and certain beauty filters. Teenagers will be able to choose a chronological feed rather than one selected by Metaʼs rec-

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pliance and the effectiveness of the safeguards. Meta has said the protections build on its existing safety programs and has called on companies including TikTok and YouTube to accept comparable restrictions. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleged that Meta used design features to keep children and teenagers on its platforms for longer periods, including during school hours and late at night. It also accused the company of collecting personal information from children younger than 13 without parental consent. The agreement resolves the participating governmentsʼ claims against Meta. It does not end separate lawsuits brought by individuals and school districts. Local view Jennifer Charnow, an independent mental health programming coordinator from Woodcliff Lake, said the agreement addresses issues the Hills Valley Coalition has highlighted through its community education work. Charnow is co-coordinator and co-president of the coalition, a four-town municipal alliance serving Hillsdale, Montvale, River Vale and Woodcliff Lake. She also coordinates Parent

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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HILLSDALE

The proliferation of whitetailed deer in Hillsdale—and what to do about them—will be the focus of a town hall meeting in early October at Borough Hall. The issue of deer overpopulation and its impact in Pascack Valley towns remains a hot topic and a frequent source of aggravation among area residents. Mayor Michael Sheinfield will host the town hall, which will address the deer population and local options to reduce its impact. The open forum will be held Monday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Borough Hall council chambers. The mayor said he hopes to hold quarterly town halls on issues of concern to residents. “We did the deer (drone) study, and weʼd like to give the residents a chance to talk about how we should handle the deer,” Sheinfield told us. He said the local drone study showed a population of 122 deer, or about 38 deer per square mile, in a 3.2-square-mile study area in Hillsdale. Biologists generally note that a sustainable average deer carrying capacity is fewer than 10 deer per square mile. See “Deer count above average in Hillsdale, Montvale,” by Michael Olohan, March 19, 2026, thepressgroup.net. “While weʼre not quite as bad as other nearby towns in terms of deer concentration, the deer have no natural predators and continue to increase,” Sheinfield said. He said the only current population controls are deer-vehicle collisions

and possibly periods of severe winter weather. “I want to listen to the residents to see if thereʼs something we can do,” he added. The event will be the second town hall held by the mayor, following one on municipal taxes in late June. That town hall drew a standing-room-only crowd to the council chambers as the mayor discussed local property tax bills, how taxes are calculated and ways to potentially reduce future tax increases. Sheinfield said populationcontrol options likely to be discussed include a possible controlled bow hunt or a deer sterilization program, which can cost up to $1,000 per deer—or more. He said he hopes to poll attendees to see who favors specific deer-control options. Of Bergen Countyʼs 70 municipalities, only Saddle River currently allows an annual deer bow hunt to reduce the population. Franklin Lakes is presenting a nonbinding public referendum question on Nov. 3 about a possible deer bow hunt for three consecutive years. In fall 2025, at least four

greater Pascack Valley towns— including Old Tappan, Emerson, Hillsdale and Montvale—held public information forums on deer populations and management. Most local and state officials agreed that a regional solution was needed because deer do not recognize municipal boundaries and population density was shown to be increasing. See “Officials consider next steps on deer management,” by Michael Olohan, Sept. 17, 2025, thepressgroup.net. A deer drone survey conducted Feb. 19, 2026, in Montvale counted 341 deer across a 4.4square-mile area, or about 78 deer per square mile. In addition, Emerson officials are planning a local deer drone study, the borough administrator said recently. In the Montvale report, Jay Kelly, a researcher with Raritan Valley Community College who conducted the drone study, wrote that environmental impacts on forests and vegetation typically begin to appear when deer populations exceed about eight to 10 per square mile. “Additional indirect or ʻcascadeʼ effects on food webs and

other ecosystem properties, including wildlife habitat, tree regeneration, soil conditions, and understory plant communities, tend to occur at densities above 15 to 20 per square mile,” Kelly

wrote. Local officials previously said county officials have shown little interest in collaborating on deer management or populationcontrol measures.

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Applications due for 2027 county history grants

HACKENSACK — The Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs is accepting applications for its 2027 History Grant Funding Program. The grants will support history projects and programs taking place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2027. Bergen County nonprofit history organizations, other nonprofits presenting programs about Bergen County history, municipalities and libraries are invited to apply. Applicant organizations must be based in Bergen County and maintain a county mailing address. Applicants should be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations with current state reports. The program is administered by the Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs within the Bergen County Department of Parks. Funding is provided through an operating-support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the state Department of State. The Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs supports the arts, local history and historic preservation through grants, educational programs, exhibits and technical assistance. The division oversees programming at nine county-owned historic sites, maintains the Bergen County Archives and updates the Historic Sites Survey covering the countyʼs 70 municipalities. Its annual offerings include Art in the Park, the Teen Arts Festival, Music at the Wortendyke Barn and the Historic Preservation Awards. In 2026, 18 Bergen County organizations shared $81,600 in grants administered by the division. A grant information session, recommended for applicants and grant writers, will be held Thursday, Sept. 17. Declarations of intent are due Fri-

See GRANTS on page 124

inside

B ck in time...

TO SEE MORE BACK IN TIME FEATURES

The student body of Hillsdale’s first school with teacher William W. Banta. The young teacher was in charge of this entire group in the one-room schoolhouse.

The old one-room schoolhouse HE FIRST SCHOOL in Hillsdale, built

HILLSDALE

in 1856, sat on Pascack Road near its intersection with Hillsdale Avenue. During the first year, enrollment at the school was 36 students. In one large room, children from kindergarten through the eighth grade were educated under the guidance of a single teacher. In the photograph featured here, likely snapped during the early 1880s, teacher William W. Banta stands among his pupils. SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS By Kristin Beuscher, Historian, Pascack Historical Society, Park Ridge. Call (201) 573-0307 or visit

DINING GUIDE

PascackHistoricalSociety.org

CLASSIFIEDS

SCHOOL

This place was also known as the District 22 schoolhouse. Hillsdale, like the rest of the Pascack Valley, was still part of Washington Township back then. The large township was divided into school districts, each with its one-room schoolhouse that the farmersʼ children could attend for a basic grammar school education. There was no high school in the area. Those who wanted a more advanced education—which was very

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EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Serving Emerson, Hillsdale, Montvale, Park Ridge, River Vale, Township of Washington, Westwood 201.664.2105 and Woodcliff Lake FAX 201.664.2109 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 335 E-MAIL US AT Westwood, N.J. 07675 pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

The location of the Hillsdale school is shown on this map from 1861. As you can see, Hillsdale Avenue did not extend farther west than Pascack Road, and the school was located just south of the intersection. Ell Road already existed with its present course.

PASCACK VALLEY’S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER

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(c) 2026 The Press Group, all rights reserved. Material is developed independently by Pascack Press. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is forbidden. Views printed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. We are neither liable nor responsible for typographical errors. Email us with correction requests. Pascack Press is published in Westwood and distributed to every household in our circulation area.

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MONTVALE

Approximately a dozen new automatic license plate reader cameras costing nearly $95,000 were approved for purchase at the Aug. 25 mayor and council meeting. We reached out to the police chief to find out where the cameras would be located but did not hear back by press time. The resolution stated the police chief, Douglas McDowell, supported the purchase of the new cameras. At previous meetings, police department council liaison Dieter Koelling has spoken about the local policeʼs effective use of cameras to track license plates of potential bad actors entering Montvale who planned possible criminal activities. Police have used the cameras to assist them and prevent potential crimes. The 11 new cameras also include pole mounts, CCTV set

ups, communications equipment, and installation. The resolution approving their purchase describes the cameras as “outdoor HD license plate reader cameras.” The ALPR invoice from GTBM, E. Rutherford, totals $94,528.13, of which $55,528.13 will come from forfeiture funds and not local taxpayers, Administrator Joseph Voytus told Pascack Press. The balance will be paid from the 2026 capital fund, he said. Voytus said the ALPR cameras are “very effective tools for law enforcement” but did not have the planned locations for the new cameras. The invoice said GTBMʼs scope of work includes configuring and alignment of the 11 cameras. Last summer, the Township of Washington police department also spent slightly over $98,000 to purchase license plate reader cameras from GTBM. (See “Township to install license plate cameras; seek bids for new DPW HQ,” by Michael Olohan, Aug. 18,

2025, Pascack Press.) On Aug. 25, Council also approved resolution 157-2026 to purchase 22 all-band portable Motorola radios for the police department. Voytus said these radios should enhance departmental communications. The invoice from Motorola Solutions totaled $203,629.58, of which $103,629.58 will be paid from seized funds. The balance will be paid from capital expenses. Borough Attorney David Lafferty said a hearing will be held Nov. 10 at Bergen County Court House, Hackensack, on Montvaleʼs Fourth Round Housing Ele-

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ment and Fair Share Plan. The plan was under dispute by Fair Share Housing Center for including a possible option for a data

center on a 34-acre tract at the KPMG site, rather than affordable housing. Lafferty said the hearing was open to the public.

ANNUAL DAY AT THE FARM RETURNS OCT. 17

Residents should mark their calendars for a second annual “Day at the Farm” celebration on Sat., Oct. 17. The event will likely feature a band, food, free pumpkins, and a hay ride. He said an announcement should be posted soon on the borough website. Last yearʼs first annual event drew hundreds of residents to the newly acquired farmland property. The borough administrator

said the Community Gardening Committee will reach out soon to find out how many residents might again participate in the community garden next year. This year, 40 raised bed community garden plots were offered to residents. Officials said another 10 raised bed garden plots are planned for the existing community garden site, and maybe more if interest is high. — Michael Olohan

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— Pascack Valley News Briefs — Bergen County Job Fair Oct. 23

Bergen County will hold its 2026 Job Fair on Friday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bergen Community College gymnasium, Parking Lot B, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The event will feature more than 100 employers and employment resources, with

opportunities across multiple industries. Job seekers can also attend career workshops, take part in on-the-spot interviews and learn how to apply for civil service jobs.Registration and updates at BergenCountyJobFair.org.

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Residents can turn closets, garages and basements into bargain-hunter territory during the boroughʼs “upcycle” 2026 Townwide Garage Sale on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 4. Participants can sell everything

from toys, books and records to furniture, electronics, sports equipment, clothing and household goods. For a $15 donation, sellers will be listed in the boroughʼs official “Emerson Upcycle” brochure, which will help shoppers map out their treasure

hunting. Applications and donation are due to the Borough Clerkʼs Office by Friday, Sept. 18. The application is available at emersonnj.gov. Late applications will not be accepted. See BRIEFS on page 32

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M A H WA H — Va l l e y Chabadʼs CTeen kicked off its new program year with a guided hike at Ramapo Reservation in Mahwah, followed by a barbecue. The teens took in the latesummer scenery as they made their way up the mountain, eventually reaching a viewpoint overlooking the New York City skyline. At the summit, Rabbi Yosef Orenstein sounded the shofar,

helping participants prepare for the approaching Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown Friday, Sept. 11, and concludes at nightfall Sunday, Sept. 13. The holiday ushers in the Jewish High Holy Days, a period of reflection, prayer and renewal. One of its most recognizable traditions is the sounding of the shofar, or ramʼs horn. Following the hike, the group

gathered at the guideʼs home for a barbecue, where returning and new participants had an opportunity to eat and get to know one another. CTeen is open to Jewish teenagers of all backgrounds and offers social events, volunteer opportunities and other activities throughout the year. Visit valleychabad.org/cteen or email rabbiyosef@valleychabad.org.

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OLOHAN@THEPRESSGROUP.NET

HILLSDALE

Installation of artificial turf at Memorial Field began Sept. 1 and was expected to take about two weeks, with parking lot paving and landscaping to follow later in the month, Borough Engineer Nick Chelius said. The work is part of the boroughʼs more than $6 million Memorial Field improvement project, which officials expect to complete by late September or early October. Administrator Mike Ghassali said officials were considering dates in early October for a grand opening ceremony. Applied Landscape Technologies of Montville won the project contract at a special council meeting on Oct. 30, 2025, with a bid of $5,729,779.34. By mid-July, councilapproved changes, including change orders Nos. 7 through 12 totaling $64,397, had brought the reported project cost to $6,033,586.80. That figure did not include approximately $500,000 in “soft costs,” such as engineering, Ghassali said at the time.

Ghassali has said the additional costs above the original $5.8 million project would not require a tax increase. Since 2021, the borough has allocated $500,000 annually to a field improvement account. About $1.2 million from that account, combined with $4.6 million in bonding, will finance the park upgrades. Chelius said parking lot paving was expected to begin Sept. 21, after the turf installation was completed. The work must be done in that order because heavy equipment used during the turf installation could damage a newly paved surface, he said. Crews also will install grass pavers for an emergency access drive and complete additional landscaping. Chelius cited “some non-ideal weather over the last couple weeks” but said the contractor was working to keep the project on schedule. Colliers Engineering & Design has had personnel at the site almost every day to address problems as they arise, Chelius said. The firm will conduct a “final walk-through” with the contractor before the project is completed. Chelius said any last-minute issues should be “relatively minor”

and that there was still time to “make tweaks” to the landscaping plan, including the selection of trees. Council members raised questions about whether the trees would provide sufficient shade and how the siteʼs natural grass would be watered. Chelius said the borough should consider installing an irrigation system in the future. Conduit has been placed beneath the emergency access drive to accommodate a possible system, he said. In the meantime, “long hoses and sprinklers” should provide adequate irrigation for the natural grass.

Chelius said officials were investigating potential safety concerns associated with using artificial turf on the playground. Ghassali said rubber padding would add approximately $54,000 to the project cost. Officials hoped to decide soon which underlayment to use, he said. The playground equipment has already been delivered and is ready for installation.

Traffic and school safety In other business, Mayor Michael Sheinfield said “a lot of people” living along Patterson Street were concerned about speed-

ing. An electronic sign has been placed along the road to remind motorists of its 25 mph speed limit. Sheinfield said he asked Ghassali about installing speed bumps but was told they could interfere with snowplowing. He suggested removable rubber speed bumps as a possible alternative, along with increased enforcement. Officials did not indicate whether either type of speed bump would be installed. Police Chief Travis Woods CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Playground surface discussed Councilor John Ruocco said the Finance Committee considered whether to install rubber mulch beneath the planned ADA-accessible playground and replace it with the preferred rubber padding next year. The committee recommended installing the padding initially rather than placing a foot of rubber mulch that would have to be removed later, Ruocco said. Committee members also favored installing the padding and swings this year.

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Our Lady Mother of the Church, Woodcliff Lake The parish will host its Family Fall Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 3 p.m., featuring games, food and activities. Registration will be available after weekend Masses in the parking lot-side lobby. Tickets must be brought to the festival for entry and wristbands. Volunteers are also needed for the planning committee. For information, call 201-391-2826. Church of St. Andrew, Westwood

Registration is open for St. Andrew CYO Basketballʼs winter season, running December through March. The program welcomes all skill levels and is seeking players for boysʼ and girlsʼ teams in grades 3-8. To register or ask questions, email cohara21@gmail.com. The parish will hold its annual Feast and Picnic on Sept. 15, beginning with a 12:15 p.m. bilingual Mass followed by a parking lot picnic. St. Andrewʼs 50+ Club will hold its annual Welcome Back Social on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 1

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cereal, shelf-stable milk, cookies, tissues, shampoo and deodorant. Monetary donations are also welcome to help purchase perishable items such as milk, butter and eggs. Donations may be dropped off at the Parish Center lobby Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or in the outdoor donation bin.

p.m. in the gym. Admission is $5 and includes pizza, refreshments, cake and coffee. New members are welcome. For information, call Elaine at 201-664-7037. The parish food pantry continues to serve about 70 families each week and is seeking donations of non-perishable food and personal care items. Needed items include canned pasta, chicken and fruit,

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Washington Township The parish is collecting nonperishable food, paper products and personal hygiene items for those in need. Donations may be placed in the basket at the back of the church. Youth group meets Sundays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Youth Room following the 6 p.m. Mass. Students in fifth grade and older are invited. A new Mass schedule will begin the weekend of Oct. 3-4. Saturday Mass remains at 5 p.m.

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Sunday Masses will be held at 8 and 10:30 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Daily Mass remains at 8:45 a.m. Parishioners with 11 a.m. Mass intentions may contact the rectory at 201-664-6624 regarding the new schedule. The parish picnic will be held Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Knights of Columbus. Additional details will be announced. OLGC alumni from the Class of 1976 are invited to a 50th reunion on Saturday, Nov. 28, beginning with the 5 p.m. Mass followed by a grounds tour and dinner at the Knights of Columbus. Cost is $75 and includes a buffet dinner with beer and wine. RSVP by Nov. 1 to Janice (Conrad) Sullivan, 1151 Garrison Court, Mahwah, NJ 07430.

New Hope Gala New Hope celebrates 39 years of supporting first-time single mothers and their babies with its annual gala Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Seasons, Washington Township. The evening will include dinner, dancing, raffles, auctions and other activities. Tickets are $125 before Sept. 10 and $150 afterward. For information, call 201-722-4705.

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EMERSON

Tax Court of New Jersey has set a trial for Nov. 5 and 6 to determine whether a property tax exemption previously applied to the Armenian Home Foundationʼs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center should also apply to the five years since its closure in 2021, covering tax years 2022–2026. We reached out to local officials and attorneys for comment on the trial but did not immediately hear back. According to a our review of online tax assessments for the Armenian Home Foundation property, the disputed property tax bills total more than $800,000. That figure excludes the disputed 2021 charge for eight months at the full property tax assessment. New Jersey Tax Court Judge Frederick Raffetto said the trial on whether the Armenian Homeʼs prior tax exemption should apply to the years since its closure will likely last only two days, Nov. 5 and 6. Another trial may be held on

the property valuations for the tax years at issue if the parties are unable to settle the matter. The Armenian Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation closed its doors in April 2021 after eight decades in Emerson. The facility had 86 beds. The Armenian Home Foundation is proposing a 122-unit assisted-living facility on the site. The next — and possibly final — hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall. According to documents filed in prior tax appeals, the Armenian Home Foundation contends that it still occupies and operates the facility, using it for monthly board meetings, administrative functions and on-site storage. The foundation contends those operations qualify the facility for tax-exempt status, while the borough contends they do not. Local officials maintain that because the facility no longer provides skilled nursing care or rehabilitation, it does not qualify for a tax exemption. According to court documents, the nursing home had 55 residents on-site in March 2020, CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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— Money Green Returns to Glory —

HILLSDALE—Never count out Money Green. After stumbling through the regular season at 3–6–1 and scoring just 50 runs, the team entered the playoffs with new life—and caught fire. Money Green matched its entire regular-season run total in just three postseason games, scoring 50 times during a championship run for the ages. Every victory came from behind: a 26–9 offensive erup-

tion, a nail-biting 9–8 win and a 15–9 championship clincher. The bats delivered from top to bottom, clutch defensive plays changed games and gritty pitching kept the team within striking distance. Through it all, player-manager Nick pushed the right buttons at exactly the right moments. The result: Money Greenʼs third league championship in four years. The players may be older, the

legs a little slower and the recovery time a lot longer. But somewhere between the first pitch and the final out, a group of guys who signed up to play softball became brothers—and champions once again. Congratulations to every team on a terrific season, and special thanks to Hillsdale Recreation for making another memorable year of softball possible. — Team submission

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

TAX EXEMPTION CASE HEADS TO COURT

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

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FROM PAGE 2

entire burden of protecting children online.” Families have a responsibility to set limits, monitor online activity and speak openly with their children, she said, but technology companies also must be accountable for how their platforms are designed. “No parent can realistically compete alone with platforms specifically engineered to keep children engaged and addicted,” Charnow said. The coalition confronted those concerns locally at an April 8 program at Pascack Hills High

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School titled “Protecting Our Kids: The Many Dangers of Social Media.” The event brought parents together with law enforcement officers, school counselors and community organizations for a discussion of cyberbullying, sextortion, counterfeit pills, online drug trafficking and young peopleʼs mental health. “The most powerful part of the evening was hearing from four parents who transformed unimaginable loss into advocacy and action,” Charnow said. The speakers included Erin Popolo, whose daughter, Emily, died by suicide after experiencing cyberbullying, and Amy Neville, whose 14-year-old son, Alexander, died from fentanyl poisoning after taking counterfeit pills he believed were prescription medication. Mary Rodee discussed her

15-year-old son, Riley Basford, who died by suicide after becoming the victim of an online sextortion scheme conducted through Facebook. Kristin Bride spoke about her 16-year-old son, Carson, who died by suicide after cyberbullying through anonymous messaging applications integrated with Snapchat. All four women have since advocated for greater awareness, safer platform designs and stronger protections for children online. Charnow said the settlement represents progress, but its success will depend on how the safeguards are understood and enforced. “In my opinion, the Meta settlement is a meaningful step, but it cannot be viewed as the end of the conversation,” she said. “Safety features are only effective if families understand them, children feel safe asking for help, platforms

enforce them consistently, and schools, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community organizations continue working together.” Charnow also co-founded the Better Together Foundation with Jennifer Auerbach. Both are longtime Woodcliff Lake residents and former co-presidents of the Pascack Hills PFA. Formally established July 22, the foundation has applied for recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization and is awaiting approval. It plans to organize events benefiting charitable organizations while promoting education, philanthropy and volunteerism. A separate Pascack Press feature about the foundation is in development. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Food, fun, and a dash of history

Veteransʼ Memorial Park will come alive Saturday, Sept. 12, as the fifth annual Westwood Fest brings an afternoon of food, music, games and family entertainment to the borough. Running from 2 to 6 p.m., the festival will showcase local businesses and community organizations, along with emergencyservices vehicles from Westwood and Bergen County. This yearʼs

celebration also will feature America 250 reenactments and activities, adding a taste of Revolutionary-era history as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The event is hosted by the Borough of Westwood, the Westwood Police Department and Celebrate Westwood, with support from local sponsors. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 13.

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JOHN THE BAPTIST Church in Hillsdale has welcomed Donald Caputo as its new director of lifelong faith formation, effective Sept. 1. The parish announced the appointment “with joy and excitement about the future growth of the faith formation program and new initiatives” on Saturday, Aug. 29, which marked the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist on the Catholic liturgical calendar. Parish leaders said the new position reflects their commitment to expanding faith formation for people at every stage of life. Working closely with the pastor, clergy, parish staff, catechists and ministry leaders, Caputo will serve as the parishʼs catechetical leader. He will develop, coordinate and implement Catholic faith formation for children, youths and adults while assisting St. Johnʼs Academy in the same mission. His responsibilities will include sacramental preparation and other programs intended to encourage evangelization, discipleship and active participation in Sunday liturgies and parish life. He also will work to strengthen collaboration among the parishʼs ministries and help foster a mission-driven community rooted in the Gospel.

Donald Caputo / St. John’s in Hillsdale photo

Caputo described the position as a “second calling” following a successful professional career and years of involvement in Catholic education and parish ministry. He is currently in formation and discerning a vocation to the permanent diaconate. He comes to St. Johnʼs from Immaculate Conception Parish in Secaucus, where he served in numerous pastoral and educational roles. Those included director of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, assistant parish catechetical leader, religious education and adult formation instructor, confirmation leader, altar serv-

er trainer and parish bulletin editor. Caputo also has served as a sacristan, eucharistic minister and lector and has participated in youth, vocation, singles and family ministries. A fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, he was recently recognized by his council as Knight of the Year. He holds a masterʼs degree in theology, earned with honors, from St. Josephʼs College of Maine and has completed certifications in Catholic doctrine, lay leadership and catechesis through the Archdiocese of Newark. Parish

officials said he brings to the position a deep commitment to the Eucharist and to the Catholic Churchʼs catechetical and evangelizing mission. Before entering full-time parish ministry, Caputo spent 40 years working in finance and legal services. For approximately two decades, he served as chief internal auditor for a global law firm with offices in the United States, elsewhere in the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Following a major merger, his responsibilities extended to 47 offices and more than 4,000

attorneys. His work required extensive international travel and collaboration with professionals from a variety of countries and cultures. The parish said that experience strengthened his skills in leadership, accountability, organizational renewal and managing growth—qualities he now brings to his new ministry at St. Johnʼs. For information about St. John the Baptistʼs sacramental, catechetical and lifelong faith formation programs, visit stjohnhillsdale.org or call 201666-2702.

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WESTWOOD—Registration for Westwood Recreationʼs fall programs opens Tuesday, Sept. 1, for residents and Monday, Sept. 7, for nonresidents. More than 40 classes for children and adults will begin during the third and fourth weeks of September. Adult offerings include beginner and intermediate tennis, recreational and competitive volleyball, yoga, Zumba, circuit training, salsa dancing, cooking and art.

Programs for preschoolers include Parent & Me Keepsake Art, Abrakadoodle, cheer and dance, soccer and multisport activities. Children in grades K–9 can participate in theater games, improvisation, Lego building, painting and mixed media, pop art collage, cooking, GRIT Ninja, fishing, tennis, golf and girls volleyball. Registration is also open for basketball, wrestling, the Teen Center and special-needs activity

programs. Participants may register through Community Pass at register.capturepoint.com/westwood or in person at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave. The complete program guide, including class dates, times and information about special events, is available at westwoodnj.gov/recreation under the “Season Program Brochures” link. For more information, call 201-664-7882.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

St. John’s Welcomes Caputo as Director of Lifelong Faith Formation

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

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Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair Sept. 20

Mark your calendar for the Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair, a fun, family-friendly event on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 5

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near and far. Two hundred exhibitors from four states will highlight arts, crafts and photography. Shoppers are sure to find the perfect gift or something special for themselves at this vibrant outdoor event. Discover one-of-a-kind handcrafted items ranging from jewelry and art to pottery, stained glass, mixed media, woodwork, garden items, apparel, photography, home decor and much more. A large food court will be set up in front of the park with a variety of festival foods, including fish, sausage and peppers, gyros, empanadas, steak sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, kebabs, zeppole, desserts and more. A large area dedicated to childrenʼs entertainment will feature a variety of inflatables, face painting, games and items specifically geared toward young attendees on Walnut

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FROM PAGE 4

Street and in the park. Live music will be played near the food court. This is a fun and exciting event you wonʼt want to miss. The show is sponsored by Ridgewood Parks & Recreation and organized by P.J.ʼs Promotions. Admission is

Application materials and program information are available at bergencountynj.gov. For questions about eligibility, guidelines or the application process, contact History Grant Coordinator Elaine Kiernan Gold at EGold@ BergenCountyNJ.gov or 201-3367294.

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Meals on Wheels North Jersey will hold its Harvest Fundraising Gala on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Seasons, 644 Pascack Road, Township of Washington. The event will honor Gold Heart Volunteer Lee Tremble and Gold Heart Contributor Christ Lutheran Church. Cocktails and a bourbon tasting begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and entertain-

ment at 7:30. The evening will also feature live music and dancing, a basket raffle, a 50/50, a wine and spirits pull, a gift card grab and other fundraising opportunities. Tickets are $175 per

person. Proceeds will support the organizationʼs mission of providing homebound and disabled seniors with nutritious daily meals, companionship and community. For sponsorships or gala journal advertising, contact Executive Director Janelle Larghi at Janelle@ MealsOnWheelsNorthJersey .org or 201-358-0050.

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assessed the property as fully taxable. Attorneys for Emerson — John Conte of Meyerson, Fox & Conte — and the Armenian Home Foundation — Daniel J. Pollak of Brach Eichler LLC — must provide their respective witness lists, proposed trial exhibits, stipulations of fact, pretrial briefs and motions by Oct. 29, 2026, according to the Tax Court order. The attorneys must notify the court by Oct. 8 if they have a conflict or wish to request a virtual trial due to extenuating circumstances. At a Sept. 24, 2025, special meeting, the Borough Council approved Resolution 241-25, authorizing Conte to finalize negotiations for a memorandum of agreement with the Armenian Home Foundation to settle tax appeal cases for 2022 through 2025.

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but approximately 30 residents died during the pandemic. Due to the loss of residents and the inability to attract new ones, the foundation discontinued operations and transferred the remaining residents to other nearby facilities before closing, court documents state. On Aug. 12, the Tax Court issued its second case-management order in the multiyear tax litigation. The order noted that the court will first determine whether the Armenian Home Foundation property should be considered tax-exempt for the years following its closure on April 4, 2021. Emersonʼs tax collector website lists the following “open” balances for the property at 70 Main Street: • $192,736.72 for 2022; • $189,963.73 for 2023; • $171,604.67 for 2024; • $153,031.51 for 2025; and • $129,226.77 for 2026. The balances total $836,563.40. The court documents do not state the amount of disputed taxes, and officials could not immediately confirm the figure. The property at 70 Main Street is listed as Block 702, Lot 2, with an assessed land value of $2,835,000 and improvements assessed at $605,600, for a total assessed value of $3,440,600. In his order setting the trial date, Raffetto noted that the Armenian Home Foundation contended there had been “no changes to the use of subject property” six months after the facility closed. The foundation subsequently filed a “Further Statement of Organization Claiming Property

FROM PAGE 9

Tax Exemption,” stating that the facilityʼs structures “are used to further ownerʼs charitable purpose” and that some employees and the foundationʼs board continued to use the property. However, the judge noted that after “determining that there was a cessation of tax-exempt use (active nursing operations at the subject property),” the boroughʼs tax assessor levied an eight-month added assessment for the 2021 tax year. The foundation appealed the additional 2021 levy to the Bergen County Board of Taxation, which reinstated the exemption. The borough subsequently appealed that judgment to the Tax Court, Raffetto wrote. The local tax assessor also denied the exemption for the Armenian Home property, a 3.5acre tract, for successive tax years from 2022 through 2026 and

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However, the settlement was not finalized, and officials declined to say what happened. Pascack Press submitted a public records request for a copy of the memorandum of agreement and was told there were no “respon-

sive records” because the case remained unresolved. The public can access court documents through the New Jersey Courts Judiciary eCourts Tax system by searching for case number 000275-2022.

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month earlier found that 99% of motorists were complying with the limit, he said. Woods said police would target the area for future speed enforcement. Councilwoman Melissa Mazza-Chiong raised a separate safety concern at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Kinderkamack Road. She suggested assigning a crossing guard or improving monitoring for young bicyclists

traveling through the intersection, particularly on school days. Mazza-Chiong said the intersection has no blinking warning light and is “dangerous” for bicyclists. She said she planned to raise the issue again with the councilʼs police committee. She also asked whether the borough would hire a Class III special law enforcement officer for St. Johnʼs Academy during the coming school year.

Woods said interviews were conducted Sept. 1 and that police planned to meet with academy officials. He said the borough hoped to have an officer in place by early October. The school will continue using a private security company until the officer is hired, Woods said. Sheinfield said St. Johnʼs Academy will reimburse the borough for the officerʼs salary and benefits.

SPARKILL, N.Y. — Alumni in Recovery, serving the Pascack Valley and beyond, will host its annual Recovery Day on Sunday, Sept. 13, from noon to 5 p.m. at Tallman Beach & Pool Club in Tallman Mountain State Park. The substance-free community event will bring together individuals in recovery, families, service organizations and residents for a day focused on wellness, connection and hope. The event is open to everyone, including people in recovery, those supporting friends or family mem-

bers, and anyone interested in learning about substance-use prevention and local recovery resources. Activities will include live music, food and beverages, poolside activities, speakers sharing their experiences with recovery, wellness practices and opportunities to meet representatives of local organizations. One featured area, called Wellness Way, will introduce visitors to different approaches to healing and well-being. Organizers said the area will include practices such as Reiki and information intended to support

physical and emotional wellness. Recovery Day is designed to recognize that recovery can have different meanings. For some, it means overcoming a substanceuse disorder. For others, it may involve supporting a loved one, developing healthier ways to cope or learning to enjoy social activities without drugs or alcohol. Alumni in Recovery is a nonprofit organization dedicated to substance-use prevention and education. Its programs bring young adults in recovery and parents who have lost children to overdoses into schools and communities to share their experiences. The organization, which originated in Bergen County, has previously held Recovery Day events at Tallman and other locations in the region. A suggested donation of $15 will be collected at the entrance. Tallman Beach & Pool Club is at 2 Tallman Mountain Road in Sparkill, just across the New York–New Jersey state line and near northern Bergen County. For more information about Alumni in visit Recovery, alumniinrecovery.org.

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PRHS Clothing and Shoe Drive Sept. 19

PRHS Class of 2027 will host a clothing and shoe fund drive on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school parking lot at the bottom of Wampum Road. Donate clothing, shoes, sneakers, purses, backpacks, briefcases, belts, hats, gloves, socks, blankets and sheets, quilts, towels and bath rugs. Tablecloths and curtains are welcomed.

Rec/Elks Oktoberfest Sept. 26

Save the date for 2026 Park Ridge Recreation/Elks FamilyFun Annual Oktoberfest: Saturday, Sept. 26, from 4 to 9 p.m. Live music, German-inspired food and beverages, and family fun activities with face painting, balloon animals, more. No pets. Free admission. Park Ridge Elks Lodge, 13 Sulak Lane. SPREAD THE WORD! Share your news with our readers. Write pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net

Advertisement BERGENFIELD, N.J. / TAPPAN, N.Y. — As Dr. Mariliza LaCap celebrates her 63rd birthday, she is also marking another milestone: 35 years in dentistry and a career devoted to caring for generations of local families. Her journey began at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, where she attended on an academic scholarship and met her future husband, Dr. Darren Tong, who graduated in the top 10% of his class. After completing their residencies, the couple married, started a family and began building their dental practice together. In 1992, Dr. LaCap and Dr. Tong opened their first office in Dumont, New Jersey, with just two dental chairs. “We really started very simply,” Dr. LaCap recalled. “It was the two of us, two chairs and a lot of hard work. We wanted to build an office where people felt comfortable, listened to and truly cared for.” Five years later, the practice moved to its Bergenfield location and expanded to six treatment rooms. As the practice grew, so did Dr. LaCapʼs vision. Much of that vision came from raising five children while running a growing business. “As a mother of five, I knew how difficult it was to take the kids to one office for cleanings, another for braces and another for a specialist—and then somehow find time to take care of yourself,” she said. “I kept thinking, there has to be an easier way.” Her goal became to provide all the dental care a family could need under one roof—including general and cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, root canal treatment, dental implants and specialty care—all coordinated by one team. In 2013, the family expanded again, opening Smile More Dentistry in Tappan, New York, along with a pediatric dental office upstairs created especially for children. The concept was designed around busy families. “A mom can have her cleaning while her children are having theirs,” Dr. LaCap explained. “She can relax, watch a show or even enjoy a paraffin treatment, knowing the kids are being cared for nearby. As a busy mom myself, that was exactly the kind of dental experience I wanted to create.” Today, what began with two chairs has grown into two locations, six associate dentists, three specialists and an extensive Smile Team. Although Dr. LaCap retired from treating patients two years ago, she remains actively involved in leadership, mentoring, practice growth and maintaining the standards of care she and Dr. Tong established decades ago.

She is particularly selective about the dentists invited to join the practices. “We may see many applications, interview only a few and ultimately choose one,” she said. “Clinical ability is essential, but it isnʼt enough. Our doctors need to be friendly, kind, caring and patient. They need gentle hands, excellent communication skills and a good heart.” For Dr. LaCap, those qualities are critical because dentistry is about much more than teeth. “Patients are trusting us with their health, their confidence and sometimes their fears,” she said. “We want them to feel comfortable knowing that whichever doctor on our team takes care of them, they are in very good hands.” Over the past 35 years, one of her greatest rewards has been watching relationships with patients span generations. She has seen children grow into adults,

Dr. Mariliza LaCap and Dr. Tong are local expert in dental care. Their mission is to have a community of healthy, beautiful smiles through proper dental care and education. Dr. LaCap and her husband are both graduates of Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery we they both graduated at the top of their class. They are owners of Washington Dental Associates, Smile More Dentistry and Smile More Kidz.

patients return with families of their own and people who once feared dentistry become comfortable and confident in the dental chair. Her philosophy now extends beyond dentistry to total-body wellness. “I believe a healthy mouth is an important part of a healthy body,” Dr. LaCap said. “My message has become very simple: Smile More. Live More. Give More. Take care of your health, enjoy your life and, when you can, give something back.” Looking back on the journey from two dental chairs to the practices she and Dr. Tong lead today, Dr. LaCap says she feels mostly gratitude. “The technology has changed, the offices have grown and my role has changed,” she said. “But our purpose never has. It has always been about taking really good care of people. It has been the honor of my profession-

al life to care for this community.”

Come meet our Smile Team Dr. LaCap, Dr. Tong and their entire team invite local families to visit either location, meet the doctors and experience their approach to comprehensive, family-centered dental care. Washington Dental Associates 19 Legion Drive Bergenfield, NJ 07621 201-384-2425 WashingtonDentalNJ.com Smile More Dentistry 140 Oak Tree Road Tappan, NY 10983 845-359-1763 Dentist-Tappan.com

New patients and families are always welcome. See our ad below

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

LACAP CELEBRATES 35 YEARS IN DENTISTRY: ‘AN HONOR TO CARE FOR THIS COMMUNITY’

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

Health, Wellness &Fitness Guide

THE GROWING MYOPIA EPIDEMIC AND WHAT PARENTS CAN DO ABOUT IT Advertisement By Lorenzo Stampone, OD As summer winds down and a new school year begins, parents are busy preparing their children for academic success. While shopping for school supplies and organizing schedules, one important item should also be on the back-to-school checklist: a comprehensive eye examination. Children spend more time than ever reading, using computers, tablets, and smartphones, while spending less time outdoors. This shift in lifestyle has contributed to a dramatic increase in myopia (nearsightedness), making it one of the fastest-growing eye health concerns worldwide. In fact, experts estimate that by 2050, nearly half of the worldʼs population will be myopic. Many parents think myopia simply means a child will need stronger glasses each year. While that is certainly inconvenient and costly, the greater concern is that worsening myopia often means the eye is growing longer than normal. As the eye elongates, the risk of serious eye diseases later in life—including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration—increases significantly. The good news is that myopia can often be slowed. Advances in eye care have led to proven treatments that help reduce the progression of myopia during childhood. At River Vale Eyecare, we offer two FDA-approved options: Essilor

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Room:

few—might travel to a larger city and board with a family during the week, returning home for weekends. In a little rural village like Hillsdale, townspeople wore many hats. In the late 1880s and into the 1890s, Banta ran a general store next to the Hillsdale railroad station (where the Wendyʼs parking lot is now). He was also the postmaster and township clerk when Hillsdale incorporated in 1898. He must have also done some farming, because we have this from the Bergen County Democrat, July 27, 1883: “Teacher Banta is strengthening his muscle haying and harvesting.” A warning for any neʼer-do-wells who would make trouble in his classroom. When this schoolhouse was

FROM PAGE 4

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built, Hillsdale looked much different. The railroad had not yet come, and so the section that we now think of as “downtown” did not exist. Pascack Road, as one of the oldest roads through the area, and a stagecoach route, was the main thoroughfare and a natural choice for a school location. After the railroad line opened in 1870, things changed. The section around the Hillsdale station became the center of action and the nucleus for new suburban development. By the 1890s, Hillsdaleʼs growing population was complaining about the distance to the school on Pascack Road (these were days when the children walked in all weather), as well as the state of the building. “The present school building, aside from being far from the center of population, has been notoriously inadequate to meet its purpose for years,” the Hackensack Republican reported on Jan. 21, 1892.

If youʼd like to learn whether myopia management is right for your child, schedule a Myopia Assessment at River Vale Eyecare, 688 Westwood Ave., River Vale, NJ, with Dr. Robin Semegran or Dr. Lorenzo Stampone. Scan the QR code below to schedule an appointment, or call or text (201) 664-5596. Paid advertisement. Claims made herein are those of the advertiser and have not been independently verified by Pascack Press.

Statistics showed that fewer parents were sending their children to the school due to overcrowding. Out of a population of 154 school-age children in Hillsdale, average daily attendance was 74 students. The school had a seating capacity for 60. By that time, Banta had left the school. The district had recruited Miss Sallie A. Buckman, age 22, a recent graduate of the Trenton Normal School (now The College of New Jersey). Like her predecessor, she was the only teacher for all the children at Hillsdale. The newspaper reported that she “had her hands more than full.” Sounds like it. When Hillsdale broke away from Washington Township in 1898 to become a separate municipality, it took its name from this school as well as the train station. In that same year, Hillsdale built a new and bigger school on Magnolia Avenue, now the location of George G. White Middle School. Banta returned to the district to serve as its principal. The old school on Pascack Road was no longer needed, and the building was moved 300 yards south and turned into a private residence. The home was demolished in 1998.

Pascack Press is YOUR newspaper! Send news tips,letters, and announcements to

PascackPress@ ThePressGroup.net and visit us at pascackpress.com

On National Suicide Prevention, Awareness Month

Advertisement eptember is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, an important opportunity to talk openly BOOST YOUR about mental BRAIN POWER health, recogwarning By Dr. Eric Kaplan, nize signs, and DC, DACNB, encourage peoFACFN, FABVR

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HILLSDALE TO DEDICATE HONORARY STREET SIGN TO JOAN’S JOY N

HONORARY

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sign recognizing the legacy of the Joanʼs Joy Foundation will be unveiled Monday, Sept. 7, at Florence Street and Clinton Avenue. The ceremony, scheduled from 11 to 11:30 a.m., will include remarks from officials and the unveiling of the sign. The date was selected in remembrance of Joanʼs birthday. The sign honors the foundationʼs efforts to protect children through advocacy and its work supporting disadvantaged children and victims. Light refreshments will follow at 45 Florence St. The public is invited.

Safety Fest Sept. 26 The 12th annual Joanʼs Joy Child Safety Fest is Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Joan Angela DʼAlessandro White Butterfly Sculpture and Garden at the Hillsdale train station on Broadway. The free event will feature childrenʼs activities, a guest speaker, butterfly release, live entertainment, tricky tray and 50/50 raffle. Rain date is Sept. 27. Visit joansjoy.org.

ment. Take statements about suicide seriously, and help the person contact a qualified mental health professional or crisis service. A direct, compassionate conversation can be an important first step. Mental and physical health are closely connected. Prolonged stress can affect sleep, concentration, memory, mood, energy, and decision-making. Poor sleep can make emotional regulation more difficult. Chronic pain and untreated medical conditions may also increase distress. These connections are why we believe health should be evaluated as a whole rather than as a collection of unrelated symptoms. At Kaplan Brain & Body, we focus on helping patients better understand factors that may be affecting their brain and neurological health. Our approach considers concerns such as focus, memory, sleep, stress regulation, cognitive performance, and overall wellness. One tool we offer is quantitative electroencephalography, commonly known as qEEG Brain Mapping. This non-invasive assessment records electrical activity in the brain through sensors placed on the scalp. The resulting data can help identify patterns that may warrant further discussion as part of a broader health evaluation.

A qEEG does not diagnose suicidal thoughts, determine whether someone is at risk of suicide, or replace an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional. It is also not a substitute for emergency care, psychotherapy, medication, or medical treatment. Its value lies in providing additional information that can be considered alongside a personʼs symptoms, history, goals, and care from other qualified providers. For National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, Kaplan Brain & Body is offering qEEG Brain Mapping for only $21—a service normally priced at $600. This special offer gives more people an affordable opportunity to learn about their brain-wave activity and begin a conversation about their neurological health. For individuals experiencing problems with focus, sleep, stress regulation, or cognitive performance, the assessment may provide useful information for planning appropriate next steps. The process is comfortable and non-invasive. Sensors measure brain-wave activity without sending electricity into the brain. After the recording is completed, the data are reviewed and used to create a map of activity across different regions. We then explain CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

PASCACK VALLEY

Ask the Dentist:

Solutions for loose lower dentures

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, DC

A significant number of people who wear dentures are either uncomfortable with their lower dentures or wear donʼt ROBERT H. GULLER, D.M.D OF PASCACK DENTAL ARTS them at all. Patients often do not understand why a lower denture does not hold in as well as an upper denture or why they canʼt eat a T-bone steak like uncle Charlie who had dentures since he was in High school. Most people do not realize that either after wearing a lower denture for years or after losing the last few teeth they had on the bottom jaw, they have lost significant bone height and volume in the area. When bone is lost, there is very little for a denture to be supported by. Lower dentures unlike upper dentures can often be held in place with a degree of suction and function like a snowshoe,

covering the palate. Lower dentures do not offer the same degree of suction and stability if any at all. In order to anchor a lower denture in place, as little as two implants can be placed into the lower jaw and then attached with removable snaps, which allow removal, by the patient for cleaning and maintenance. These attachments are literally life changing for many patients who cannot use the lower denture without them. The procedure is not lengthy or complicated and the cost is affordable for most people. If you or a loved one suffers from not being able to comfortably use a lower denture, ask your dentist about this popular solution. For questions about this and other dental procedures contact Dr. Guller at info@pascackdental.com or call (201) 3915565.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

Health, Wellness &Fitness Guide

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

Kaplan:

the findings in clear language and discuss how they may fit into a broader wellness or care plan. No single scan, treatment, supplement, exercise, or lifestyle change can address every mental health concern. Depending on the individual, appropriate care may

FROM PAGE 17

Paid advertisement. Claims made herein are those of the advertiser and have not been independently verified by Pascack Press

involve a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, crisis specialist, or other licensed professional. Supportive habits— including regular movement, adequate sleep, nutritious food, time outdoors, and meaningful social contact—may complement that

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Pascack Press welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Pascack Valley. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

You can also listen to my radio show, Boost Your Brain Power with Dr. Eric Kaplan, every Saturday at 8:00 a.m. on AM 970 and again at 2:00 p.m. on AM 710. Each week, I discuss practical approaches to brain health, memory, focus, stress management, and healthy aging. For additional educational content and daily health tips, follow Kaplan Brain & Body on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also pick up a copy of my book, Boost Your Brainpower: A Guide to Improving

Your Memory and Focus, for more strategies designed to support lifelong brain health. Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month is a reminder to pay attention, speak honestly, and connect people with qualified help. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or an immediate emotional crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Help is available 24 hours a day.

70 Years of Love

MONTVALE

ONGRATULATIONS TO Kenneth James DeGraw and his beauti-

ful bride, Helen Marie DeGraw, of Montvale, as they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary Sept. 2! High school sweethearts, Ken and Helen turned a youthful romance into a lifetime together. Now happily retired—Ken after a successful career in the private sector and Helen after 50 years as secretary to generations of principals at Fieldstone Middle School—the couple continues to enjoy an active social life. Their family grew even more joyful this past year with the arrival of their second great-grandson. Happy platinum anniversary to Ken and Helen—and cheers to 70 remarkable years together! — Via George and Karen Mrsich

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Standing by to spread the word Pascack Press is your newspaper. Send your family milestones to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

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Y E A R S

THOSE WE LOST — MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

SEPT. 11 attacks reverberate 25 years on. The costs deepen. The toll did not end in 2001. Responders, recovery workers, survivors, and others exposed to toxic dust and debris have continued to suffer and die from cancers, respiratory diseases and other 9/11-related conditions. The federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund said this year that those deaths have far surpassed the number killed on the day of the attacks. More than 10,000 FDNY members alone are living with a cerHE

tified 9/11-related physical health condition. As every day we grieve our immediate losses, every year we toll their names. The Pascack Valley will not forget: Emerson Gary M. Albero, 39 Hillsdale Ronald Orsini, 59

Park Ridge Paul F. Beatini, 40 Joseph J. Keller, 31 Ronald E. Magnuson, 57 Joseph Maio, 32 Paul Rizza, 34 Scott C. Vasel, 32

Martin M. Wortley, 29

River Vale Angel Ramon Pena, 45

Washington Township Michael Diaz-Piedra III, 49 Port Authority Police Chief James A. Romito

Westwood Daphne Pouletsos, 47 Francis S. Riccardelli, 40 Kalyan K. Sarkar, 53 Port Authority Police Officer Michael T. Wholey, 34 Woodcliff Lake Jack L. DʼAmbrosi, 45

Readers share their stories

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, was one of those days on which you can look back and recall exactly where you were, what you were doing, and how you were feeling when you heard the news of what was happening in New York City, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Pascack Press has been fielding recollections of that day.

UR SON, Brian, and

family were visiting us from Michigan, and they were about to go into the city that day. We received a phone call letting us know what happened. Wow. Such an awful tragedy ... never forgotten. Angie Williamson — Hillsdale

Y COUSIN was working air traffic control and had the first plane on radar. My sister-in-lawʼs brother missed the train that morning. He worked in the trade centers. Lastly, my brotherʼs bossʼs son was on the flight that went down in Penn. Brian Pseja — formerly of River Vale

HAD just waked around

Woodall Park and headed to 7/11 for coffee. They had the radio on and Bill Evans on WPLJ said a small plane crashed onto World Trade

Center. There was such an ominous, palpable fear — I drove straight to a friendʼs house because I didnʼt want to be alone. The morning was a blur — and we did lose a family member — a very heroic FDNY [firefighter] who made it to the 72nd floor before building collapsed. Marian Sheeran — formerly of Hillsdale

WA S working at Mandee

[in Westwood Plaza] with our manager. About 9:15, her mom called to tell us about the first plane. We were petrified and horrified! We shut off the Mandee Muzak and put on the radio. The news was all bad, then the radio went dead, because the antenna on the World Trade Center was hit. I ran down to Radio Shack but things were getting chaotic around the mall. I went back to Mandee. Karaʼs mother called again about the second plane and all that was happening. I told we needed to go home. They gave us a hard time about closing but after a while said we could. George White School wouldnʼt release the children. Deborah Regula — Hillsdale ʼM NOT sure people understand how surreal it all was. I was living in Pittsburgh at the time, but just a

couple of days earlier I had been in Manhattan catching up with a college friend for his wedding. We drove by the World Trade Center on the way to the venue. I remember looking up at those buildings, never imagining it would be the last time I would see them. Eric Stroehle, formerly of River Vale

T IS so hard to imagine

that twenty-five years has passed since the day that has, in many ways, defined a generation. Not my generation necessarily; we had the Vietnam War and Civil Rights and perhaps even Womanʼs Rights. My parentsʼ generation had the Great Depression and World War II. It is the generation after mine that is defined and shaped by this event, though it has affected all of us. A world was changed on that bright, sunny September day. That fear and anger has become part of our countryʼs pshycological make-up and it is still being used to destroy the democracy we all treasured at one time—the belief that our country is made stronger by our immigrant ancestors and make-up. It is used to allow people to be proud to be afraid, instead of proud of our strength and unity. It

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Lest We Forget: Marki BY JULIANA DEMAREST SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS

E SWORE we would never forget. Two and a half decades have passed since the day that forever changed the course of life for countless individuals. Parents lost their children; husbands and wives lost spouses; aunt, uncles, cousins, friends, were all lost by loved ones. With each passing year since that beautiful, blue-skied late-summer morning of Sept. 11, 2001, the 2,977 individuals who perished at the hands of terrorists are at risk of being lost again. Except now, they are being lost to time. You see, you canʼt forget something you donʼt remember happening, something for which you may not yet have even been alive to witness. As schoolchildren, we are taught about all of the pivotal moments in our nationʼs history; the good, the bad, and the ugly. We are schooled on all of these things based on the recollections of others, records that were kept, and research that was conducted over time. As founding editor of Pascack Press, the terrorist c of Sept. 11, 2001, happened during my tenure. It was the biggest event to ever have happened in my then 26-year-old life. While I was only thinking in the short-term at that point, I knew that, as editor, it was up to me to bring a record of how the events of 9/11 affected the residents in our coverage area. Every year for the past two decades, in the few days leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, I begin to feel a somberness come over me. I pull out my old Pascack Press newspapers and photographs from that period in time and I re-read everything that we published during the weeks following the deadliest attack on our nationʼs soil. Iʼve done this for 20 years now, and every single time, the feelings behind the words I wrote at that time come rushing back.

PASCACK VALLEY

The morning of Sept. 11, 2001, began for me like any other Tuesday. I wrapped up my weekly meeting of the Westwood Rotary Club at Romanza in River Vale and slid behind the wheel of my car. Before driving away, I fiddled with the radio, landing on 92.3 K-ROCK. It was just about the 9 oʼclock hour and Howard Stern was still on the airwaves, uttering something about flying a plane into the World Trade Center. Not in the mood for his nonsense, I was about to change the channel when I realized that his voice had a note of seriousness that it was typically lacking when he said something to the effect of, “turn it up,” directing his sidekick to turn up a television in the studio. It was then that I realized that something had happened. Minutes earlier, at 8:46 a.m., an airplane had crashed into one of the Twin Towers. As I began to pay closer attention, I heard him say another plane had crashed into the second tower. It was at that moment I knew that this was no accident. One plane hits a tower, sure. But two? No way. This was deliberate. We were under attack. I sped to my motherʼs house in Hillsdale, where I burst in the front door and called out to her. “Jul, did you hear what happened?” she said from the kitchen. I found her sitting at the table, numb. We sat together, our eyes fixed on her small TV, trying to absorb exactly what was happening. Thousands of pieces of paper, like confetti, fluttered through the air surrounding the Twin Towers, both of which blazed with fire. Pieces of debris and other things were raining down from the towering skyscrapers — things which we suddenly realized were people, actual human beings, jumping from the upper levels of the towers in a desperate attempt to escape the hell that was unfolding right before our eyes on live television. It wasnʼt long before we watch in pure horror as the towers began to crumble.

Just as it did on the national level, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, dominated local news coverage in the weeks and months following the attack. Seventeen Pascack Valley residents lost their lives that day.

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REMEMBRANCE CEREMONIES AROUND THE PASCACK VALLEY

Emerson Emerson will hold its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Emerson Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 120 Thomas Ave. The borough invites the public to gather on the 25th anniversary to honor those who lost their lives and those who served on Sept. 11, 2001.

Pascack Press was in its infancy when the attack occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. Pascack Press editor Juliana Hendriks — now Demarest — and colleague George Harcher rushed from Westwood to Ground Zero. This is her photo. We’ve posted many more of them on our website.

There are some things you just donʼt — canʼt — forget. The horror of those images and thousands upon thousands of others from Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, fall into the canʼt category. In the wake of the attack, I drove around the Pascack Valley, taking pictures of shows of patriotism, going to candlelight vigils, meeting with folks who were in the city that day, interviewing families who lost loved ones, and attending memorial services for individuals who had died. I was documenting what would become a time capsule of black and white newsprint for future generations to read and from which to learn about how their small communities in the suburbs across the Hudson River from Manhattan had been affected by the events of that tragic day. One of the most meaningful things I did at the time, however, came two days after the towers collapsed, on Sept. 13. My Pascack Press colleague George Harcher and I decided to take a PATH train from Hoboken into the city and make our way to Ground Zero. What was happening across the river was big, and it was directly affecting our readers — our families, friends, and neighbors. We had to get into the city to see for ourselves what was unfolding so as to bring a clear picture to our readers. Itʼs one thing to see images in a newspaper or magazine or on television. To witness the live version of those images with your own eyes is truly next level. For example, you can read all the books and watch all the movies you want about war but unless youʼve been to war yourself, you can never truly grasp the reality of what is happening. Having gaped up at the Twin Towers through an open sunroof and from the window of my friendʼs small plane on a New York City sightseeing route along the Hudson, I knew just how impressive the towers

1 1 ,

were because Iʼd seen them up close with my own eyes more times than I could ever count. Itʼs impossible to fully appreciate how massive they were just by looking at pictures — or just how altered their collapse had left the NYC skyline. When we got as close as we could to the wreckage of Ground Zero, the magnitude of what had happened really started to sink in. Devastation and destruction surrounded us in the form of crushed police cars, the haze that hid the tops of skyscrapers like a dense fog, and piles of debris strewn about the sidewalks, roadways, and pretty much all over. Messages of patriotic pride and defiance in the face of evil, such as “U.S.A.” and “my will stands steadfast” were scrawled on windows and car hoods in the thick dust that coated literally everything, everywhere. I shudder to think about what comprised all of that dust and ash and debris. All the while, I was snapping away with my camera, creating what would become part of a recorded history of what was, and still is, the biggest historical event to happen in my lifetime and a record that would share this history with future generations. I am honored to have been invited to return to Pascack Press as a guest editor to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and to share some of my photos (much more online) and memories from that period of time with a new generation. We swore weʼd never forget. I know I never will. * * * Juliana (Hendriks) Demarest was founding editor of Pascack Press in 1997, a post she held until 2004, when she went to Demarest Farm to take a photo of a young farmer named PJ. In 2010, they packed up their two kids and left the farm behind to head west to live in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe. Maybe someday sheʼll finally publish that first book.

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Hillsdale Every year since 9/11, the Hillsdale Fire Department has marked the anniversary of that tragic day with a silent memorial. At 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 11, members of the department line up in their dress uniforms along Hillsdale Avenue by Veterans Park, facing south—the direction where the towers once stood. At precisely 8:46 a.m., they silently salute for a full minute, marking the moment the first tower was struck. Again at 9:03 a.m., they salute in silence for a full minute to mark the time the second tower was hit. Over the years, the poignant ceremony has grown to include members of Gen. Leonard E. Wood American Legion Post 152, as well as residents who want to join the department in remembering the lives lost. On this 25th anniversary, they will continue this long-held tradition, and the public is welcome to attend.

Montvale The Montvale community will come together this Sept. 11 to remember and honor the lives lost on 9/11 and mark the 25th anniversary of this day that will never be forgotten. The memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. on Memorial Drive. All residents, families and friends are invited to join together to remember the victims, honor the heroes and stand together as a community. Park Ridge The Borough of Park Ridge, which lost seven residents in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, will honor their memory and that of all who died that day with a ceremony at Veterans Park, 84 Park Ave., on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Organized by Jedh C. Barker Memorial American Legion Post 153 and the borough, the observance will include patriotic music, remarks from invited speakers, an invocation, a traditional candle-lighting ceremony and the presentation of memorial wreaths. Dorothy Bozzone of the American Legion Post 153 Ladies Auxiliary will toll the names of those we lost. Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are invited to attend in uniform, and the public is encouraged to wear red, white and blue and display the American flag. The ceremony will conclude with the lowering of the flag to half-staff, a benediction by the Rev. Vincent DʼAgostino of Our Lady of Mercy Church, and the playing of “Taps.” River Vale River Vale will hold its annual Sept. 11 Candlelight Commemoration at 5 p.m. Fri-

day, Sept. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park behind Town Hall. The ceremony will remember those who died, the first responders who ran toward danger, the families forever changed, and the acts of courage, compassion and service that followed the attacks. While River Valeʼs commemoration is traditionally held after sundown, this yearʼs program will begin at 5 p.m. The earlier start will allow community members to attend after work while giving those observing the first evening of Rosh Hashanah time to return home before sundown. Candles will be provided, and all are welcome. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move indoors to the Council Chambers at Town Hall. For more information, email culturalaffairs@ rivervalenj.org. Township of Washington The Township of Washington will commemorate the anniversary of 9/11 with a memorial service at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, which will be held at the townshipʼs 9/11 memorial, located in the semicircle below Town Hall on Pascack Road.

Westwood The first Westwood 9/11 Candlelight Vigil was held on Sept. 12, 2001, and it has been held every year since, always on Sept. 11. The event begins at 8 p.m. at the 9/11 Memorial, adjacent to the train station. The public is welcome, and attendees are encouraged to bring a candle, if possible. Skip Kelley, who was mayor when the towers came down in 2001, presided over the vigil every year until his passing in 2022. Kelleyʼs son, Chris, now presides over the ceremony, continuing to honor the memory of those lost that fateful day, including four Westwood residents. “It is an apolitical event, meant to bring the community together in an act of remembrance and mutual mourning,” Chris emphasized in an email to Pascack Press. The ceremony will include an invocation from a local pastor, presentation of the colors by the Westwood Fire Department, a bagpipe performance by retired Westwood police officer Scott McNiff, and other musical selections. The Boy Scouts are always on hand to help with the setup and breakdown of the event.

Woodcliff Lake The Borough of Woodcliff Lake will hold its annual 9/11 ceremony at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 in front of the firehouse at 184 Pascack Road. The memorial will feature a live vocal performance of the national anthem, as well as a musical selection on the bagpipes. — Editorʼs note: This information was believed correct at press time. Check with your municipality for last-minute updates, including weather-related changes. Pascack Press welcomes your reflections on the day. Write pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

ing 25 Years Since 9/11

F O R G E T

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

22 FIRST-PERSON: IN MY EXPERIENCE…

THE EMPTY MILK BOX:

A STORY OF MENTAL HEALTH

from Mark Twain, grab a shovel, fix something, go to your attic and throw stuff out, making room for new stuff you donʼt need, do 10 push-ups. The daily combination of these things can right your emotional ship by disrupting ruminations, changing the cycle of anxiety, lowering stress, and resetting the nervous system. It did all these things for me, and I learned them sitting on an empty milk box. It was 1977. I looked this up. Itʼs called behavioral activation. Didnʼt know it was called something— the practice of using deliberate actions to influence and shift a stagnant emotional state. And yet, all these years, Iʼve been carrying this good advice unused until recently, until it just became near too much advice: given by a neighbor to a kid — me — while I was sitting on a milk box with no milk in it. Kind of the way things went back in the day at my house—just your basic freestanding, insulated metal milk box serving the secondary purpose of somethinʼ to sit on while watching my neighbor Pete, a local English teacher who was the strongest guy I knew, set me straight about fear...he was shoveling. Now, that advice... EAD A PAGE

4 About the author: Jimmy Wagner was born in 1962 and grew up in Westwood, where his first job was at The Iron Horse. He wrestled at Westwood High School and studied judo under Sensei Nobuyoshi Ogasawara at Kokushi Dojo. Wagner earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from

BY COACH JIMMY WAGNER SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS

Before a near breakdown, previous to 20 therapistsʼ opinions, ahead of my bouts with alcohol and other bad decisions, those dark nights staring at a 3 a.m. sky ever since middle school—I had the answer handed to me on a milk box. “Jimmy,” Pete said, “itʼs summer. Gotta get up and do some work.” “Got no work.” “Grab a shovel and help me. Iʼll put you to work digging soil. You donʼt need a gym or weights. Just start fixing things you broke. Do it outside if you can. And start your day reading, maybe some Mark Twain.” “I got no books, sir.” “No problem. I got 1,000 in the garage. Go grab one. No excuses, kid. Get a library card and sign some out. Now ya got

responsibilities to the welfare of a book and returning it on time— and, of course, to read it a little.” Later he added, “Take a break, have a burger or a hot dog, go right back to shoveling. Get to that garden hose when youʼre thirsty. Itʼll drive the madness out of ya while being productive. Get what Iʼm saying, kid?” “I do, sir.” “Clean that attic out a bit so you can make room for more stuff you donʼt need. Help your mom and clean your basement up. I got brooms.” Pete said, “If anyone in the house gives you a problem, tell them youʼre trying to clean up your act. And if they donʼt believe you, send them to me.” He said, “No more dragging your feet, son. Letʼs get to work…” And it was like that at 120 Beech. With no dad, I had a neighbor who looked out, a plan to clean up the house, with the silver

Montclair State College in 1988 and worked as a stockbroker for 15 years. A boxing coach since 2005, he has operated Pascack Boxing & Fitness since 2017 and began coaching wrestling in 2025. His interests include self-defense and the relationship between physical training and mental health.

lining of having less anxiety, less sadness—and throwing some fitness in there to boot. Something told me Pete knew what he was doing, getting me to read on top of it all—something none of my teachers through middle school could do. Pete did it with a shovel, dirt, grit, and a garden hose. Today, this would be considered a form of friction, a mentor helping a kid without guidance develop resilience—helping a kid with ruminations and nightmares cope better and endure. That is exactly what Pete did for me back in the day on Beech Street, and he knew I needed it. If only you could thank a man like this properly, which I probably didnʼt. But ya know… Pete didnʼt do it for thanks. He did it because he was a good man, whom Iʼll never forget. The sum of it all was building character and beating depression: Pete knew I needed to lift that

shovel, as well as read a book. The next morning, there was a copy of Lord of the Flies in the milk box. That box would never be empty again. Love you, Pete. Thank you, and God bless. * * *

Editorʼs note: “In My Experience” is a personal essay series centered on memory, reflection and lessons drawn from the writerʼs life. The experiences, recollections and opinions expressed are the authorʼs own. Publication does not constitute endorsement by Pascack Press. References to mental health, recovery or personal coping strategies describe an individual experience and should not be understood as medical advice or a substitute for professional care. Readers interested in contributing an original, firsthand essay about a person, place, experience or lesson that shaped their lives may send a brief pitch to editor@thepressgroup.net. All submissions are subject to editing, space limitations and verification where appropriate. We may decline submissions at our discretion. Guidelines for letters to the editor on timely local issues appear on page 2.

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Sc h ool News Bergen County Players opens 94th season with Mel Brooks’ ‘The Producers’

ORADELL—Bergen County Players will raise the curtain on its 94th season with the area premiere of Mel Brooksʼ “The Producers,” running Sept. 19 through Oct. 10 at the Little Firehouse Theatre. The production arrives during a milestone year: 2026 marks both the 25th anniversary of the musicalʼs Broadway debut and the 100th anniversary of Brooksʼ birth. Based on Brooksʼ classic 1967 film, “The Producers” follows struggling Broadway producer Max Bialystock and nervous accountant Leo Bloom as they devise a seemingly foolproof scheme to make money by staging the biggest flop in theatrical history. Their plan, naturally, does not unfold as expected. With a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks, the original Broadway production won a record-setting 12 Tony Awards in 2001, including Best Musical. Its best-known numbers include “The King of Broadway,” “I Wanna Be a Producer,” “That Face,” “Along Came Bialy” and “Springtime for Hitler.” Alan Demovsky directs the Bergen County Players production, with Leonardo Leuci serving as musical director and Nikki Alvarado as choreographer.

“Mel Brooksʼ genius lies in taking outrageously bold satire and wrapping it in pure, classic Broadway showmanship,” Demovsky said. “Our goal is to deliver that exact high-energy, laugh-out-loud theatrical magic right here in Oradell. From the spectacular dance numbers to the larger-thanlife characters, our cast and creative team have pulled out all the stops.” Russ Crespolini of Randolph stars as Max Bialystock, with Jesse Kriesel of New City, N.Y., as Leo Bloom. The principal cast also features Lisa Benke of Westfield as Ulla, Larry Brustofski of Oakland as Roger De Bris, Ian Kenny of Jersey City as Franz Liebkind and Joey Lozada of Hackensack as Carmen Ghia. The ensemble includes Patrick

Based on Mel Brooks’ classic 1967 film, “The Producers” follows struggling Broadway producer Max Bialystock and nervous accountant Leo Bloom as they devise a seemingly foolproof scheme to make money by staging the biggest flop in theatrical history. Photos by Richard Frant/Frant Visuals

Dwyer and Nicole Henry of Ridgewood; Beckham Kern of Wyckoff; Ariel Sanchez-Bello of Teaneck; Janica Carpenter of Old Tappan; Carlos Palencia Junior of Fair Lawn; Melissa Giordano of Fort Lee; Kyle Rifkin of River Vale; Rachel Silverstein of Carlstadt; Maria Possavino of Chestnut Ridge; Allana Mariano of Ledgewood; and Joseph Martinez of New York City. Howell Mayer and Joellen Tierney are the producers. The cre-

ative team includes stage manager Michele Roth, assistant directors Kathleen Ruland and Geri Berhain, set and lighting designer Gerard Bourcier, sound designer Derick Delosreyes, costume mistress Rebecca Kaufman and property designer Rich Ciero. Following the performance on Friday, Sept. 25, the theater will hold a “Questions & Artists” talkback with members of the cast and production team. Bergen County Players will

donate a portion of the proceeds from its 2026–27 season to the Food Brigade of Paramus, which provides fresh and packaged groceries to Bergen County families experiencing food insecurity. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with weekend matinees at 2 p.m. (Sunday, Sept. 20 has an early, 1 p.m., matinee.) Tickets are available at bcplayers.org, by calling 201261-4200 or at the Little Firehouse Theatre box office, 298 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell. Discounted advance tickets are available for students 25 and younger for $19 with valid identification. Student rush tickets $10, cash only, beginning 30 minutes before curtain, subject to availability. Group sales, call 201-2614200 and select option 6, or email groups@bcplayers .org. Patrons requiring accessible seating should contact the box office directly. Free parking is available in the Park Avenue municipal lot, approximately one-half block north of the theater; along Kinderkamack Road; and in the municipal lots behind Oradell Borough Hall and the library on Church Street. Founded in 1932, Bergen County Players is a nonprofit, volunteer theater company and one of the nationʼs longest-running community theater organizations.

Those guidelines require students in kindergarten through 12th grade to refrain from using personal internet-enabled devices for the entire school day, except in specified circumstances. “Bell-to-bell” includes lunch, study hall and time between classes. The restriction covers personal smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses and other devices capable of connecting to the internet. School-issued technology used for educational purposes is not included. Districts and individual schools retain flexibility over storage methods and consequences for violations. In the Westwood Regional School District, personal devices at the elementary level should remain at home or be secured in studentsʼ backpacks. Middle and high school students will be expected to turn off their devices and store them in their lockers throughout the school day. “In Westwood Regional, our board-approved policy and regulation establish a bell-to-bell approach designed to reduce distractions, support student engagement, and protect valuable instructional time,” Superintendent Patrick McQueeney said in a statement to families. Building principals will review the expectations and procedures with students and families and work with staff members to apply them consistently, McQueeney said. “We recognize that this will be a greater adjustment for some of our students, particularly at the high school, and our goal is to make the transition as clear and consistent as possible while keeping the focus on teaching, learning, and meaningful connections throughout the school day,” he said. Emerson Public Schools presents a different picture, where the BOE recently approved updates to Policy and Regulation 5516 to align the districtʼs written rules with the new state requirements. The district said the revisions will not alter what students already encounter in school. “For Emerson Public Schools, this policy update does not result in any changes to our current practices,” the district said in an Aug. 13 notice issued through the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. Emerson said it has restricted the use of cellphones and other personal internet-enabled devices during the school day for years. “These longstanding procedures have helped foster focused classrooms, minimize distractions, and promote meaningful student engagement,” the district said. At Pascack Hills High School, serving families form Hillsdale and Woodcliff Lake, Principal FROM PAGE 1

Pascack Hills directs families requesting an exemption to submit the required form and supporting documentation to the studentʼs guidance counselor for administrative review. The stateʼs guidance also recommends that families contact a schoolʼs main office rather than a studentʼs device during an emergency. At Pascack Hills, parents should email students at their school-issued addresses for routine matters and call the main office in an emergency. Students will have access to an office telephone if they need to contact home. The statewide policy grew out of concerns about classroom distraction, student well-being and the effect of constant connectivity on face-to-face interaction. Nearly 40% of teenagers use Students walk along Park Avenue on their way to school social media four hours a day, Rutin Glen Ridge on Sept. 1, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Marie gers University researcher Jeffrey Caruso/New Jersey Monitor) Lane told the New Jersey Monitor. Christine Pollinger told families parent or guardian. The response Sleep, attention span and lack of that smartphones, smartwatches, will also include a parent confer- physical activity emerged as leadtablets, smart glasses and other ence, one day of in-school detenpersonal internet-connected tion and a mandatory meeting with devices must be powered off and a counselor. A fourth offense will carry the stored away from the first bell through dismissal. The restriction same parent pickup, conference includes passing periods, lunch and counseling requirements, with the disciplinary consequence escaand Pascack Period. Pollinger acknowledged that lating to a one-day in-school susthe transition will affect adults as pension. Fifth and subsequent offenses will be handled at adminwell as students. “We have grown used to con- istratorsʼ discretion. Refusing to surrender a device stant access to our children, and to their constant access to us,” she when directed will be treated as wrote in an Aug. 28 letter to fami- insubordination and result in addilies. “Letting go of that, even for tional consequences, according to the length of a school day, will take Pollingerʼs letter. State-authorized exceptions some adjustment at first.” Pascack Hills will use a grad- include uses required by an individualized education program, a uated disciplinary process. For a first offense, staff will Section 504 plan or a student collect the device and administra- health plan. Exceptions also are tors will hold it until the end of the available for translation services, school day, when it will be certain student caregiving responreturned to the student. A second sibilities, emergencies, uses offense will also result in two required by law and specific purposes approved by an administraadministrative detentions. After a third violation, the tor when no reasonable alternative device will be returned only to a exists.

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ing concerns among the parents and teenagers surveyed, he said. “The idea of the bell-to-bell ban is that phones are just separate from the school day,” Lane told the Monitor. Gov. Mikie Sherrill told the Monitor that students consulted by the state had described feeling freer when they were not constantly connected. As a parent, she welcomed a break from phones during school. “Everybody needs a break,” Sherrill said. Parentsʼ concerns have frequently centered on how they will reach their children during emergencies. Pollinger asked Pascack Hills families not to call or text studentsʼ personal devices for nonemergency reasons and offered a different way to interpret the silence that may follow. “Please understand that a call or text going unanswered during the school day is a sign the policy is working, not a cause for concern,” she wrote.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

Limits:

Sc h ool News

Voices:

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

FROM PAGE 1

Among them were 347 Bergen County residents. The toll did not end in 2001. Responders, recovery workers, survivors and others exposed to toxic dust and debris have continued to die from cancers, respiratory diseases and other 9/11-related conditions. The federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund said this year that deaths from those conditions have far surpassed the number of people killed on the day

of the attacks. More than 10,000 FDNY members alone are living with a certified 9/11-related physical health condition, according to a 25year health report released Sept. 1. The attacks also ushered in the global war on terror. The conflicts and military operations that followed claimed service members from the Pascack Valley and surrounding communities, extending the circle of local loss. Bergen County will mark the anniversary with two observances at Overpeck County Park. A candlelight vigil featuring the New Jersey Wind Symphony is planned for Thursday, Sept. 10, at

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Left, Westwood gathers in a candlelight ceremony to mark the 14th anniversary of 9/11, in 2015. Tom Moorhead/file. Right, Former Washington Township mayor Rudy Wenzel speaks at the first Westwood 9/11 candlelight vigil, Sept. 12, 2001. Juliana (Hendriks) Demarest.

the park amphitheater in the Ridgefield Park area, off Fort Lee Road in Leonia. The countyʼs announcement lists conflicting start times of 6 and 6:30 p.m.; attendees should confirm the time before traveling. The program is expected to include music, remarks from community leaders, a tribute to the victims and their families, recognition of first responders and a candlelighting ceremony. The countyʼs annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony will follow at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Bergen County 9/11 Monument in the parkʼs Henry Hoebel area. Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco III, a volunteer firefighter who responded to Ground Zero, said the observances will recognize those killed, the first responders who answered the call, and people

suffering 9/11-related illnesses. The anniversary also has prompted a renewed examination of whether the nation is prepared for threats that bear little resemblance to those of 2001. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence released a bipartisan report Aug. 31 reviewing the governmentʼs implementation of the original 9/11 Commissionʼs recommendations. The yearlong review was co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Elise Stefanik of New York. The committee found that post-9/11 changes — including creation of the National Counterterrorism Center and Office of the Director of National Intelligence — improved coordination and helped dismantle barriers to sharing information. It also concluded

that gaps remain as the country confronts cyberattacks, foreign influence campaigns, economic espionage, drones, artificial intelligence and increasingly aggressive nation-state adversaries. The report offers 20 recommendations, including faster information sharing, more joint training across intelligence agencies, stronger partnerships with state and local law enforcement and the private sector, expanded use of open-source intelligence and emerging technology, and more attention to risks posed by advances in artificial intelligence. The committee released the report at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where 40 passengers and crew members died after confronting the hijackers aboard their aircraft. — Staff report

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What to know about prepaid funeral plans

Dear Savvy Senior, I have been thinking about planning my funeral in advance so my kids wonʼt have to later but

would like to inquire about prepaying. Is it a good idea to prepay for a funeral that you might not need for a while? — Aging Annie Dear Annie, Planning your funeral in advance is definitely a smart move. Not only does it give you time to make a thoughtful decision on the type of service you want, it also allows you to shop around to find a good funeral provider, and it will spare your adult children the burden of making these decisions at an emotional time. But preplanning a funeral

doesnʼt mean you have to prepay too. In fact, the Funeral Consumer Alliance, a national nonprofit funeral consumer protection organization, doesnʼt recommend it unless you need to spend down your financial resources so you can qualify for Medicaid. Hereʼs what you should know.

Preneed Arrangements Most funeral homes today offer what is known as “preneed plans” which allow you to prearrange for the type of funeral services you want and prepay with a lump sum or through install-

ments. The funeral home either puts your money in a trust fund with the payout triggered by your death or buys an insurance policy naming itself as the beneficiary. If youʼre interested in this route, make sure youʼre being guaranteed the services you specify at the contracted price. Some contracts call for additional payments for final expense funding, which means that if the funeral homeʼs charges increase between the time you sign up and the time you sign off, somebody will have to pay the difference. Here are some additional questions you should ask before committing: • Can you cancel the contract and get a full refund if you change your mind? • Will your money earn interest? If so, how much? Who gets it? • If there is an insurance policy involved, is there a waiting period before it takes effect? How long? • Are the prices locked in or will an additional payment be required at the time of death? • Are you protected if the funeral home goes out of business

or if itʼs bought out by another company? • What happens if you move? Can the plan be transferred to another funeral home in a different state? • If there's money left over after your funeral, will your heirs get it, or does the home keep it? If you decide to prepay, be sure to get all the details of the agreement in writing and give copies to your family so they know whatʼs expected. If they arenʼt aware that youʼve made plans, your wishes may not be carried out. And if they donʼt know that youʼve prepaid the funeral costs, they could end up paying for the same arrangements.

Other Payment Option Prepaying your funeral may seem like a convenient way to go, but from a financial point of view, there are better options available. For example, if you have a life insurance policy, many poliCONTINUED ON PAGE 00

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FROM PAGE 6

Lakeside Choraliers open rehearsals

The Lakeside Choraliers will welcome prospective members at an open-house rehearsal Monday, September 14, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 131 Pascack Road, Park Ridge. Additional open rehearsals will be held September 21 and 28. Directed by Fiona Smith Sutherland and accompanied by Matthew Hosmer, the nonsectarian community choir is preparing for its December 13 concert, “A Winter Lullaby,” featuring Hanukkah, winter and Christmas music from across the ages. Visitors can experience the music, meet choir members and enjoy refreshments. For more

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Fifth Annual WestwoodFest Sept. 12

The Fifth Annual WestwoodFest is Saturday, Sept. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Co-hosted by Celebrate Westwood and the Borough of Westwood, the family-friendly event features live music, games, inflatables, arts and crafts, civic organizations, local nonprofits and businesses, and food vendors.

St. Andrew’s 50+ Club Welcome-Back Social

WESTWOOD—St. Andrewʼs 50+ Club will hold its

annual Welcome Back Social at noon Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the school gym at St. Andrew Church, 120 Washington Ave. Organizers ask attendees to note the change in meeting time. The social will include lunch and bingo. New members are welcome. For more information, call Elaine at 201-664-7037.

as a celebration of small-town life and said “the heart and soul” of his Westwood childhood is reflected in the story. The cast includes Steve Guttenberg, Christie Brinkley, Logan Gray, Mia Talerico and Dan Lauria, as well as former Major League Baseball players Lee Mazzilli and Luis Sojo. For showtimes and ticket availability, visit westwoodmoviehouse.com.

‘American Concerts at Summer’ at Wortendyke Westwood Barn Cinemas through PARK RIDGE—Jonny Rosch and Friends will perform Sunday, Sept. 10 Aug. 30, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the

WESTWOOD—“American Summer,” the directorial debut of Westwood native Michael W. Gray, continues at Westwood Cinemas through Sept. 10, with showtimes varying by day. Advance tickets are available through Fandango. The PG-rated coming-of-age family comedy was filmed at locations in Westwood, Allendale and Ho-HoKus. Gray has described the movie

Wortendyke Barn Museum, 13 Pascack Road, as Bergen Countyʼs free Music at the Barn series continues. Rosch, a singer, keyboardist and harmonica player, is a former frontman for the Original Blues Brothers Band and a former member of Bo Diddleyʼs band. He has performed or recorded with artists including Steve Cropper, Joan Jett, Carly Simon, Alice Cooper, John

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Oates, Joe Walsh and Cyndi Lauper. Joining him are guitarist Mick Gaffney, keyboardist and bassist Lenny Underwood, and drummer Keith Crupi. Seating is limited; attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets, along with snacks or a picnic. The series continues Sept. 27 with the third annual Bergen All-Star Jazz Blast and Oct. 25 with the 16th annual Bluegrass Cider Barn Band Concert. For information, call 201336-7292 or email glucente@co.bergen.nj.us.

Westwood Senior Fellowship

The Westwood Senior Fellowship next meets Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 11:30 a.m. at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave. Coffee and cake will be served, and two speakers are scheduled. A sign-up sheet for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

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Library cards offer access to Bold Yoga

EMERSON—Residents of Emerson and the Township of Washington can access the Bold Yoga on-demand yoga and wellness streaming service at no additional charge through their public library cards. The at-home service offers programming intended to reduce stress, improve mobility and support physical and mental wellbeing. Victoria Bright, youth services director at the Emerson Public Library, and Marie Joyce, youth services director at the Township of Washington Public Library, are

encouraging residents to learn about the benefit. Bold Yoga was created by lead teacher Danielle Fisher. Residents can contact their local library for access instructions.

Take control of your financial future

Bergen Volunteers will host a free, hands-on financial literacy workshop in Paramus on Friday, Sept. 25. The program will be presented by Valley National Bank. Participants will learn how to create a budget, track expenses, establish an emergency fund, understand FICO credit scores, reduce high-interest debt and build credit responsibly. Coffee and a light breakfast will be served at 9 a.m., followed by the presentation and an interactive discussion from 9:30 to 10:30.The workshop address will be provided upon registration. Got news to share? Send it to pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net

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Buddy:

abnormalities in Buddyʼs bloodwork and enlargement of his kidneys and liver. She said he was subsequently diagnosed with leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can affect animals and people. Buddyʼs condition deteriorated rapidly. Policastro said his kidneys had been severely affected and dialysis was discussed as a possible treatment. Faced with a grave prognosis, she made the painful decision to have him euthanized. “When I saw him, he just wasnʼt the same dog,” Policastro said. “He could barely even wag his tail because he was so weak.” Policastro is now sharing Buddyʼs story to encourage other dog owners to learn about leptospirosis and discuss vaccination with their veterinarians. “I donʼt want to see another animal suffer with this ever, if it could be avoided,” she said.

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FROM PAGE 1

A Washington Township family’s young golden retriever, Buddy, succumbed to leptospirosis, caused by bacteria spread through the urine of infected animals. Joanna Policastro photo

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, leptospirosis is caused by bacteria spread through the urine of infected animals. The bacteria can contaminate water or soil, exposing other animals that come into contact with it. Policastro does not know where Buddy was exposed. Her family has a fenced-in backyard, but Buddy regularly walked through the neighborhood with Scout, her sonʼs German shepherd. She believes Buddy may have encountered contaminated water, wet grass or soil during one of those walks. As a retriever, she said, he frequently explored the ground with his nose and picked things up. Scout walked the same route but did not become ill. The CDC lists possible warning signs in dogs including lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dehydration and changes in drinking or urination. As symptoms can vary, owners who are concerned about a dogʼs health should contact a veterinarian.

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The disease can also spread from infected animals to people through contact with contaminated urine, blood, water or soil. People caring for an infected animal should follow instructions from their veterinarian and healthcare provider. A vaccine against leptospirosis is available for dogs. The American Animal Hospital Association updated its guidance in 2024 to recommend leptospirosis vaccination as a core vaccine for dogs unless there is a medical reason not to administer it. A core recommendation is professional veterinary guidance and does not necessarily mean that a vaccine is legally required. Vaccination does not eliminate every possibility of infection, so owners should discuss their dogsʼ health, vaccination history and potential exposure risks with their own veterinarians. Policastro said she did not know about the vaccine before Buddy became ill. Since his death, she has made copies of informational material and placed them at libraries and municipal offices where residents obtain dog licenses.

Senior:

cies will pay a lump sum when you die to your beneficiaries to be used for your funeral expenses. The payment is made soon after you die and doesnʼt have to go through probate. Or you could set up a payable-on-death (or POD) account at your bank or credit

FROM PAGE 30

Her aim, she said, is to make other owners aware that the disease exists and that they can ask their veterinarians about protection. Buddy came to the family through a rescue organization after being fostered by a woman who lived nearby. Policastroʼs son adopted Scout through the same rescue effort. Buddy quickly became part of the entire family. Policastro, who has lived on Mountain Avenue for about 40 years, said she has owned dogs throughout her life. “Every morning he would wake me up with a boot or a shoe in his mouth,” she said. “Everywhere you look, you expect him to come running around the corner.” Policastro also thanked the veterinarian and veterinary technicians who cared for Buddy. “They were wonderful,” she said. “I canʼt say enough about how great they were with him.” Although Buddyʼs loss remains painful, Policastro said her family will open their home to another dog. For now, she said, “Iʼm hoping to save lives — to not have another dog go through what my poor dog went through.” union, naming the person you want to handle your arrangements as the beneficiary. POD accounts also are called Totten Trusts. With this type of account, you maintain control of your money, so you can tap the funds in an emergency, collect the interest and change the beneficiary. When you die, your beneficiary collects the balance without the delay of probate. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

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Project Graduation 2027 fundraiser

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bration after securing a venue for the event. The committee recently announced a Giants vs. Cowboys

Westwood Cares urges donations

Westwood Cares is appealing to the community for donations as its funds for helping local residents facing financial emergencies run critically low. The nonprofit assists Westwood residents who are struggling

neighbors,” the organization said in its appeal. Westwood Cares is a taxexempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded entirely through donations. Contributions of any amount may be made in several ways:

ticket raffle as one of its first major fundraisers. Proceeds will help fund entertainment and food for Project Graduation while helping reduce the overall cost for participating students. Raffle tickets are $25 each or five for $100. The drawing will be held Friday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. at Westwood Regional High School. Winners do not need to be present. The grand prize includes four tickets to the New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium, with seats in Section 115A, Row 35. The second prize includes two tickets to the game in Section 135, Row 20. Tickets may be purchased through Venmo @robyn-ivey. For more information, email robyndellanno@gmail.com. The committee also announced a fall clothing drive fundraiser scheduled for Sunday,

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to meet basic needs but do not qualify for state aid. Those receiving help include older adults, people with disabilities or illnesses, and unemployed residents. Community donations have enabled Westwood Cares to provide partial rent payments to prevent homelessness, help avert utility shutoffs, purchase food and medicine, provide heating oil, and cover essential expenses such as car insurance. “Our funds are very low right now, and we need the Westwood communityʼs assistance so we can continue our mission to help our

Drop off a donation at Westwood Borough Hall, 101 Washington Ave. Mail a donation to Westwood Cares, P.O. Box 273, Westwood, NJ 07675. Donate online at g ive bu t t e r. c o m / 2 0 2 6 - d i r e c t appeal-2h2yfm. Donate through Venmo to @WestwoodNJCares. For more information, contact Kathie Elgert, Westwood Social Services and Food Pantry director, at 201-664-7100, ext. 110.

Westwood Rec’s preschool registration open

Registration is still open for the 2025–26 Westwood Recreation Preschool, a state-licensed program for children ages 3–5 as of Oct. 1, 2025. Classes meet three days a week in half-day sessions, offering developmentally appropriate learning opportunities in literacy, math, social studies, science, art, and music, along with free play. Tuition is $2,400 for Pre-K 4

(ages 4–5, Mon./Wed./Fri., 9 a.m.–noon) and $2,000 for Pre-K 3 (ages 3, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12:30–2:30 p.m.). A first payment of $675 (Pre-K 4) or $525 (Pre-K 3) is due at registration, with a $25 additional fee for nonresidents. Proof of address and birth certificate are required, and all children must be potty-trained. Call 201-664-7882 or visit westwoodnj.gov/208/Preschool.

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Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can support the effort by donating clothing and household items. Project Graduation is an annual, substance-free celebration designed to provide graduating seniors with a safe and memo-

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rable way to mark the end of high school. The committee is seeking continued community support as it prepares for the Class of 2027 celebration. For updates, residents can join the WRHS Project Graduation 2027 Facebook group.

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Stack Street Coffee takes full Montvale building include organic and single-origin coffees, cold brew, pods and tea, along with custom roasting and

Company plans roasting, production and distribution operation at 100 Philips Parkway

MONTVALE — Stack Street Coffee & Tea, a Lower Hudson Valley coffee roaster and wholesale supplier, is moving into the entire commercial building at 100 Philips Parkway, Mayor Michael Ghassali announced in a message to residents. The company will occupy approximately 75,000 square feet for coffee roasting, production and distribution, according to the mayor. Its website describes Stack Street as a provider of small-batch roasted coffee and private-label and wholesale programs for retailers, restaurants and other businesses. Ghassali said the move will

reuse a large existing building, create jobs and add to the boroughʼs commercial tax base. His announcement did not specify the number of jobs expected, the value of the investment or a timetable for the operation to open. The Montvale Planning Board heard a variance application involving Stack Street Coffee and the property June 2. A resolution granting variance relief to Philips Parkway LLC was listed on the boardʼs June 16 agenda. Ghassali said the property

had drawn interest from several types of developers before Stack Street selected it. Borough employees worked to secure the permits and approvals needed for the company to close on the property and proceed with its plans, he said. “Montvale is proving that we don't have to turn every commercial property into housing to create growth,” Ghassali said. Stack Street says it roasts and packages its coffee at its headquarters in New Yorkʼs Lower Hudson Valley. Its product lines

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TETERBORO — Fifty-nine pets found new homes during Bergen Countyʼs Clear the Shelters weekend, an increase of nearly 79% from last year. The Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center reported the adoption of nine dogs, three birds and 47 cats. Last yearʼs event resulted in 33 adoptions: seven dogs and 26 cats, all with fees waived.

has allowed people to choose hate. Though, there are, of course, some of us who believe courage is better than fear and that it is necessary to stand up to unreasoned hate, authoritarianism, and fascism. I am hopeful that 25 years on we can recapture the promise of our country, our belief in our diversity, and the promise our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution gave us 250 years ago. Brenda Yanni — Park Ridge

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HELP WANTED The Westwood Police Department is hiring for per diem Public Safety Telecommunicator. Applicants are not required to possess a Basic 911 Telecommunicator Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification or CPR certification, but these are preferred if the applicant possesses them. Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification is required within 60 days of appointment. Position requires good communication skills, public contact, the ability to multi-task, basic computer familiarity, and the ability to solve problems. Must be able to pass a background investigation and drug screening test. Applications available at Westwood Police HQ — 101 Washington Avenue Westwood, NJ 07675. You may also contact Chief Michael Pontillo at mpontillo@westwoodnj .gov. The Borough of Westwood is an equal opportunity employer.

ph 201.358.9500 • fax 201.664.2109 • pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

HELP WANTED RIVER VALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Employment Opportunities 2026-2027 School Year. The River Vale BOE is seeking candidates for: • School Lunch Aides • Special Education Aides View individual postings on the district website: www.rivervaleschools .com To Apply: Email a cover letter, current resume to: HR@rivervaleschools .com River Vale Public Schools Office of the Superintendent. EEO/AA

HELP WANTED The River Vale BOE is seeking candidates for the following part-time positions: • School Bus/Van Driver • School Bus/Van Aide View individual postings on district website at www.rivervaleschools .com. To apply: Forward a cover letter, current resume, to email: HR@rivervaleschools .com. River Vale Public Schools Office of the Superintendent. EEO/AA.

— Staff writer John Snyder

59 PETS ADOPTED IN COUNTY CAMPAIGN

FROM PAGE 20

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said.

“This significant increase in adoptions reflects the dedication of the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center and its staff, and their commitment to finding families for the animals in our care,” County Executive Jim Tedesco

For information or to view animals available for adoption, visit bergencountynj.gov.

also called to check in. We all either knew someone who perished or someone who lost a loved one. Vera Lewandoski — Ringwood

8 Editorʼs note: This remembrance hardly ends with this issue. We know there are thousands of Sept. 11 stories in our towns— stories from those who lived through that day, those who lost or cared for someone affected by it, and younger generations who have never known a world without its history as well as its unfolding consequences. We invite readers to share their memories, reflectionsm and family stories with Pascack Press for future publication. Every perspective helps preserve our collective history and deepen our understanding of what Sept. 11 continues to mean. We welcome your mail, as always, at pascackpress@ thepressgroup.net.

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show is much more serious. The Bergen County nonprofit, founded in memory of Joey DeCarlo, says its 2025 show raised $25,000 to help adults, children and families facing the medical and financial pressures that can come with life-threatening illness. Now in its 12th year, the Joeyʼs Fund Charity Car Show will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Closter Plaza, 19 Vervalen St. The rain date is Sept. 27. Joeyʼs Fund was created after founder Tony DeCarlo and his family experienced firsthand the burdens that can accompany serious illness. The organization says insurance may cover much of the direct medical care, but families are often left with co-pays, prescription costs, lost wages, transportation, tolls, parking, food and other daily expenses.

The organizationʼs mission, DeCarlo says, is to “pay it forward” by helping other families navigate those pressures. Last yearʼs car show marked one of the groupʼs strongest fundraising years. Of the $25,000 raised in 2025, Joeyʼs Fund says $8,000 went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and $8,000 to Johns Hopkins All Childrenʼs Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. Additional donations were made to St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital, Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay, Make-A-Wish and the American Red Cross. The organization says its giving stretches back more than a decade. From 2015 through 2017, Joeyʼs Fund donated a combined $67,000 to St. Josephʼs Childrenʼs Hospital. Since 2018, it has directed substantial support to Memorial Sloan Kettering, along with donations to Johns Hopkins All Childrenʼs Hospital and other charitable organizations. The practical need behind that giving can be substantial. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, financial-assistance programs help patients with medical costs not covered by insurance, while its Social Work Patient Fund assists eligible patients and families with expenses such as transportation, parking, housing, food, utilities and other basic needs. According to information supplied by Joeyʼs Fund, that fund distributed $3.6 million to 1,912 patients in 2024. Johns Hopkins All Childrenʼs Hospital similarly uses charitable assistance to help families with uncovered medical bills, specialized medications, transportation, meals

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and other expenses tied to prolonged treatment. For Joeyʼs Fund, the car show has become the community-facing engine that helps support those efforts. The Sept. 20 event is expected to feature hundreds of vehicles, trophies, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, dozens of raffles, vendors, food trucks, a DJ, bounce house, an Elvis impersonator and family activities. Organizers are seeking car own-

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Its message: families dealing with illness should be able to focus more of their energy on getting well and less on the costs piling up around them. The 2026 show comes with another clear goal — build on the $25,000 raised last year and continue expanding the help Joeyʼs Fund can provide. For sponsorships, vendor opportunities, donations or information, call 201-481-5406, email donations@joeyscharityfund.org, or visit joeyscharityfund.org.

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ers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and donors. The event also gives Joeyʼs Fund a chance to explain why the financial side of serious illness matters. A diagnosis can quickly affect much more than a hospital bill. Parents may miss work. Families may spend heavily on travel and parking. Ordinary household expenses continue even as treatment takes over daily life. That is the gap Joeyʼs Fund says it was created to help fill.

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