IN NEW JERSEY
Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health is honored to announce that U.S. News & World Report has ranked Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center the number one children’s hospital in New Jersey.
Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center were also ranked top 50 in the nation for pediatric cancer care.
Get matched with a pediatrician or pediatric specialist at HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Kids .
JOSEPH M. SANZARI & K. HOVNANIAN CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS
Fall 2021
Summer 2021
Publishers
Publishers
Sharon & Steven Goldstein
Sharon & Steven Goldstein
Associate Publisher
Associate Publisher
Brandon Goldstein
Brandon Goldstein
Editorial Director
Editorial Director
Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo
Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo
Art Director
BMG Marketing
Art Director
BMG Marketing
Fashion Director
Candace Kristin
Fashion Director
Candace Kristin
Photography
Ashley Marion Mortensen
Photographers
4 Eyes Photography
Contributing Writers
Kevin Czerwinski
Tara DeLorenzo
Contributing Writers
Kristin Favaloro
Kristin Favaloro
Soneca Guadara
Brandon Goldstein
Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo
Dr. Michael Gross
Richard Posluszny
Soneca Guadara
Kimberly Redmond
Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo
Brianna Ruback
NJ Sharing Network
Alisa Singer
Richard Posluszny
Bergen County The Magazine is published six times a year. Mail all editorial and advertising materials to 297-101 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 135, Oradell, NJ 07649 or email materials to steven@bcthemag.com.
For advertising and information, please call (201) 694-5197 or (201) 694-5196. For subscription information or to contact us, go to www.bcthemag.com.
Copyright 2021. All materials are the property of Bergen County The Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers. Follow us at @bcthemag
UP FOR MUSIC? DOWN FOR THE ARTS?
DISCOVER ALL THAT HACKENSACK HAS TO OFFER.
A Letter from the Editor
For the last few weeks, my nearly 5-year-old has been having a hard time falling asleep. Despite all my husband and I’s best efforts, bedtime with him has become a game of ping-pong – our son exiting his room, entering the bathroom, re-entering his room and so on and so forth. Back and forth he goes until my husband and I finally tell him the bathroom is closed.
You see, he doesn’t have to actually go to the bathroom. He is just one smart cookie that knows having to use the bathroom is a valid excuse to get out of his bed.
Finally, after weeks of this never-ending volley, I cuddled in bed with my son and asked him what was really going on.
“Why don’t you want to go to bed?,” I asked him.
“I just don’t want to go to sleep,” he answered.
“But why? Is something bothering you?”
“No,” he simply said.
“Well, what is your brain thinking about when you lay down to go to sleep?”
“Santa,” he said as his eyes lit up. “I’m just so excited for Christmas that I can’t sleep.”
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. There’s over 100 days until Christmas, at the time of me writing this letter, and my 5-year-old is too excited for Christmas to sleep.
What happened to “endless summer?”
My children have so much to look forward to – school; new friends; fall sports; apple and pumpkin picking; Halloween; Thanksgiving; and yes, even Christmas – that they’re literally itching for fall to begin.
Thankfully, what’s waiting on the other side of summer for me is the return of a schedule. A time of comfort and change. Days (who am I kidding, maybe an hour) curled on the couch with a good book under a warm blanket.
Fall is a season for balancing light and dark, thanks to the autumn equinox. Fall is a season for letting go. Just as the trees release their leaves that do not serve them anymore, we too can release our burdens. Fall is a season of accepting the impermanence of things. Bare branches remind us of the fleeting nature of all things. The fleeting nature of all things.
Personally, yes, my 5-year-old is boycotting bedtime to dream of Christmas. How validating it is for my husband and I that we make Christmas so magical for him (and his brother) that he literally cannot contain his excitement… in September. There’s going to come a time when his childhood begins to wane and, along with it, the magic and belief in Santa. I’m going to embrace this gift while I can.
So, when you contemplate fall, I encourage you to grow more appreciative of all the beauty that surrounds you. Turn your burden into a blessing this fall.
Sending you love and virtual hugs, Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo
We need your help to reach the women in your lives.
As breast cancer specialists, we continually ask ourselves “ What will it take to get women back to taking care of themselves?”
At Englewood Health, our goal is to fi nd breast cancer in its earliest stages when it is most treatable. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen that many women have delayed their annual mammography–often extending the months between screenings from one year to 18 months or longer. This is signifi cant because when patients adhere to regular screening schedules the incidence of late-stage diagnosis is reduced, and the outcomes are better.
Today, a large majority of women with early-stage breast cancer are cured—an important reason to adhere to annual screening mammography.
You can help! Ask her to make the appointment. Remind her that it is because you care. If she says she’s “too busy” – free her up! Babysit the kids, make a meal, offer a ride, encourage her to take a vacation day and get her “mammo!” Call, email, or visit our website and our team will fi nd an appointment.
By encouraging each other to get an annual mammogram, we can help those we love to stay healthier. Talk with your daughter, your mom, your sister, your wife, your mother-in-law, your friends and urge them to go for their mammogram.
Mindy Goldfischer, MD Medical Director Chief of Breast Imaging
Concerned about Covid? We have extensive safety protocols in place. Afraid of what we’ll fi nd? Our compassionate team is there every step of the way. Run out of reasons to delay needed medical care? It’s time to prioritize health and resume normal screenings.
As family, friends, and loved ones of the women in your lives, you can have an impact by sharing this urgent message: Get screened for breast cancer— Get a mammogram.
V. Merle McIntosh, MD Chief of Breast Surgery
To book an appointment at one of our locations, visit englewoodhealth.org/appointments, scan this QR code, or call 201-894-3622.
BVMI Golf Outing
The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative held their annual golf outing at Arcola Country Club. For more information visit: www.bvmi.org.
John Hahn, Charles Matar
Chase Heitmann, Greg Stevens, Greg Heitmann, Jerry Mottola
Vivian and Neil AbitabiloTed Beke, Rich Levine, John Wessling, Mike Faust
Edward Tiltmann, Dennis Allendorf
Jim Patterson, Jim Craffey, Jack Kakolewski
Gail Gordon, Vince Forma
Rick Loshiavo, John Hughes, Charles Matar, John Hahn
Peter and Michael ArmellinoKevin Collins, Mike LinderKevin Pace, Brian McCourtRobert Schiffenhaus, Dr. Vincent Lanteri
Joe Coccaro, Gary GensheimerKurt Schwartz, Bill Constantine, John Schwartz
Damian Albergo, Brian McCann Matt, Nick and Doug Kuiken, Leroy Young
BC the Mag Golf Outing
BC the Mag partnered with B&M Market and Rich’s Automotive to hold their annual Golf Classic at White Beeches Country Club to benefit the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. and the John Theurer Cancer Center. For more information visit: www.bcthemag.com.
Charles Matar, Ian Schwam, Drew Malbin
Claudine Callison, Sue Wilson, Paul Bechtel, Toni Ann Pierro
O.P. Khanduja, Yogi VirkDavid Wolf, Jim Smith, Tom Alavarez, Don Carter
John Cioletti, Chris MaddenGlenn McElroy, Mike DePiero, Matt Shaw, William Cummins
Jim Ronchi, Jason Ronchi, Willy Miqbel, Paul Leale
Josh, Jerry and Jordan Iannone
Matthew Langer and Mike Urbanovich
Frank Messenio, Gregg Costello, Nick Gagliano, Arthur Wszelaki, Rick Amundson, Ricky Belle, Anthony Costello
Kate Huffnagle, Margie Manning
Brandon Goldstein, Jonathan Goldstein, Rich Tuntigian, Steven Goldstein
Colette Callison, William Frasse
Joe Madden, Tom Shine, Don Rossi, Rich Tuntigian
Vinny Bufis, Lynn Bartlett, Diane Scriveri, Al Restaino
Jim and Nick Cangialosi, Mike Duch, Mike Suriano
NEW ERA, NEW BRAND
“This place is di erent.” We hear that a lot—about our facilities, our sta , and the high quality of care we deliver every day. And now, you’ll notice something else that’s di erent… our name and logo.
Emerging from the pandemic, our organization has continued to expand at a rapid pace, gaining national recognition and excelling as New Jersey’s only independent Catholic health system.
To better reflect this growth and position us for continued success, our flagship hospital—Holy Name Medical Center— and the wider network of world-class care centers, specialized services, and companion health facilities it supports, will unite under a new streamlined brand: Holy Name.
This simplified brand encompasses both our commitment to Christian principles and the devotion that guided our founding by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace nearly a century ago.
The symbol that represents us has changed too, and now our classic dove logo soars with two wings, signifying the uncommon strength and fortitude formed during the recent crisis and serving as the foundation of our work every day.
The breast of the dove has been intertwined with a strand of DNA, signaling our commitment to advanced sciences and precision medicine, as well as the immense value we place on the inherent beauty of life and the humanity at the heart of our mission to provide compassionate care to those in need.
Our colors have changed as well, now with a darker blue representing determination paired with the green of the olive branch, a symbol of hope.
In the coming months, you will see us complete this transition into the new Holy Name.
I hope you will join us in welcoming this exciting new chapter in the long history of Holy Name’s service to this community. Serving you is truly a privilege and inspiration, and we are grateful for your support.
MIKE MARON President and CEO
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Golf Outing
The Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Foundation held their annual golf outing at the Hackensack Golf Club. For more information visit: www.newbridgehealth.org.
Kristen Muldowney, Jennifer D’ Angelo
Connie Salimbeno, Debbie Visconi, John and Karen Ten Hoeve
Rosemary Klee, Tom Eastwick, Donnalee Corrieri, John Cosgrove, Lou Weiss, Debbie Visconi, Tony Rose
Rosemary Klie, Krista Klie, Donnalee Corrieri
Dr. Sanjay Patel, Jeremy Levy, Jose Lozano
Dr. Karine Airapetian, Dr. Barbara Palmer, Dr. Anna Harutyunyan
John Chiusolo, David Molinaro, Pete Caminiti, Mary Kate Serratelli
Howard Post, Carmen Adragna
Dr. Serge Dumay, Robert Pacicco
Scott Mariani, Domenic Segalla
James Lundy, Samantha Clayton, Matthew Scro
Kristin Pitman, Kate Kennedy, Gwen Spencer
Jeff St. Thomas, James McNerney
Brian Foley, Joseph CalabroRobert Pacicco, Debbie Visconi, John Tedesco
Bogota Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament
The Bogota Savings Bank Charitable Foundation held their 1st Annual Golf Tournament at the Edgewood Country Club. For more information visit: www.bogotasavingsbank.com.
Greg James, Hal Messer, Mike Hanson, Kevin Collins
Jonathan Blum, Steve Goldberg
Alicia Mucci, Gary ZimickTaylor Smith, Matt Langer, Monica Rivera
Kathleen Connellan, Brian McCourt
Joe Stocki, Tim Sullivan, Ralph Citarella
Tom Russo, Ben WattsKevin Pace, Eric Booser
Joe Coccaro, Kevin Whelan, Gerry Cooney, Mike Zola, Ed Frank
Joe Coccaro, John Masterson, Gerry Cooney
Ian McDowell, Yvonne Coyne, Chris Messinger
Sam Donio, Tony Orlando, Aaron Hahn, Christopher Wienberg
Erica West, Paul Shackford, Kate Duggan
Mark Alexander, Dominic Giafaglione, Steve Goldberg
Joe Coccaro, Kathleen Connellan
Robert Fornes, Joe Coccaro, Gary Gensheimer, Gerry Cooney, Nick Cucharale
ACHIEVE THE RIGHT WEIGHT FOR YOU
Our bariatric surgeons provide a personalized treatment plan designed for your weight loss journey. From laparoscopic surgery to robotics, our team can help identify the best procedure to help you achieve your weight loss goal. Enroll in one of our weight loss webinars to learn more and start the path to a healthier you.
Learn more call 551-996-4424 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Bariatrics
Rocketing Potential
Mission: Kid Success Helps Children with Neurodevelopment Conditions Succeed
By Brianna Ruback
WhenPriscilla Leto’s son was diagnosed with Autism in 2010, she was told there was nothing she could do to help him. Unwilling to accept that there was no hope, the Lodi resident did a significant amount of research. She enrolled her son in a variety of therapies, changed his diet, tried out natural remedies and dramatically reduced his screen time. Within six months, she saw him making strides, becoming conversational after fiveand-a-half years of having limited verbal skills.
Now 15 years old and able to express his thoughts and feelings out loud, Leto’s son has overcome many of the social and behavioral challenges he experienced as a child.
“I look back and I say, ‘If we didn’t do all the things that we did, I don’t know what kind of quality of life he would have now,’” Leto said.
However, many therapeutic services and programs geared toward children with Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions are not covered or are only partially covered by insurance, posing a significant financial barrier to many families.
While working at the call center of Brain Balance, a personalized cognitive training program that her son participated in, Leto heard several heartbreaking stories from families who couldn’t afford the services their children needed. Seeing the progress her son made with the resources he had access to, such as functional medicine, cranial sacral therapy and vision therapy, Leto was inspired to give back.
“People would call up [the center] and be like, ‘Oh this sounds great. I want to do it.’ And then we would talk about the money part of it, and people would be crying to me because they didn’t have the money for it, and that always bothered me,” Leto said.
After talking with therapy center owners and the mothers of children who were in her son’s program, in 2017, Leto decided to launch Mission: Kid Success, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aids children struggling with academic, social and behavioral challenges, due to Autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Continued on page 20
Photos by Jacob Chalfant
To help alleviate the financial burden of these services, Mission: Kid Success issues grants to families, so their children can receive services and participate in programs they couldn’t afford otherwise. Additionally, the nonprofit educates families on pertinent topics, such as at-home exercises and activities, working with teachers and aides, implementing dietary changes and limiting screen time. All grants are awarded to children younger than 21 years
old who reside in the New Jersey and New York Metropolitan area. In 2020 alone, Mission: Kid success awarded over $20,000 in grants, which were allocated to services ranging from functional medicine and related supplements to auditory verbal therapy and sensory motor and cognitive training.
A resource list can be accessed on the organization’s website, which contains contact information for providers, therapies, activities, interventions and modalities that many parents and guardians have found beneficial.
The organization’s board is 100 percent volunteer-run and consists of people whose lives have been touched by someone who faces some sort of neurodevelopmental challenge. Looking back on the nonprofit’s establishment, Leto said it was a highly collaborative effort, with board members bringing different skill sets to the table, such as advertising, web development and business management.
To spread the word, Mission: Kid Success has held tables at fairs and hosted “Family Fun and Wellness” fundraisers in 2019 and 2020, with the most recent one being virtual, due to COVID-19. In September, the nonprofit will launch a free online resource fair that will offer the information provided during the 2020 virtual fundraiser.
Moving forward, Mission: Kid Success has several events coming down the pipeline. On Sept. 18 and 19, the organization will make its second appearance at the Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival at Van
Saun Park in Paramus. Additionally, on Sept. 29 and 30, as well as Oct. 2, Mission: Kid Success will host a 45-minute special needs financial planning webinar featuring Paramus-based certified financial planners, Zeke Zimmerman and Richard Lofredo. Participants can register online, and all proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit.
Above all, Leto stressed the importance of parents not letting people – expert or not – discourage them from seeking help for their children, as every treatment affects each child differently.
“I think it’s important that parents that have children with these different challenges know that there are services and therapies that are out there that can help their children,” Leto said “…You just have to find the right thing for them, and there is hope for them.”
Mission: Kid Success grant applications are due on Oct. 15. For eligibility criteria and information on how to apply, please visit https://missionkidsuccess.org/get-help/.
For more information on the organization, please visit www. missionkidsuccess.org or watch their informational video at https://youtu.be/n71f0mXoJVA.
Care-One at the Cupola Town hall
Congressman Josh Gottheimer joined the staff at Care-One for a Town Hall. For more information, visit care-one.com.
Elizabeth Schachtele, Kerri Olsen
Kayla Cornish, Kathleen Stewart
Deb Visconi, Margaret NolanGina and Ashley Lippman, Charlotte Sodora
John Albanese, Kaitlyn KochPatricia Chiorello, Beth Durney Stasyshyn
Ashley Lippmann, Josh Gottheimer
Chiquita Matthews, Mary Kalman
Michelle Marceca, Jenna Curcura, Jennifer Van Dam, Anne-Marie Gauntlett
Jeffrey Lieto, Robert Pittman Beth Durney Stasyshyn, Tom Ragukonis, Ashley Marrero
Jean Monnecka, Risa Kory, Dr. Inderpreet Sachar, Charlotte Sodora, Gelina Lipari
Dr. Gian Varbaro, Rosemarie Klie, Elizabeth Schachtele, Deb Visconi
Anne-Marie Gauntlett, Tom Ragukonis, Ashley Marrero, Margarite Consolmagno
TEXTURE AND DEPTH Ali Wotring Invites Viewers to ‘Dive Into’ Her Paintings
By Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo
For Alli Wotring, an abstract artist, art and design go hand-in-hand.
“I love the creative process and the challenge of working through ideas to come to a final piece. I also enjoy working directly with clients to create custom work that specifically suits their design needs,” she said. “When you are creating a piece of art for someone to have in their home you want them to enjoy it every single day. Sometimes an interior space or color scheme can inspire the painting and I enjoy that design collaboration.”
Wotring, who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2004 from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, is known primarily for her large-scale oil-based paintings varying from Abstraction to Expressionism. She is most recognized for her “Blue” series which incorporates knifework and brushwork to create interesting textural effects. The contrast of these thick gestural knife marks against smooth blended brushstrokes evokes a sense of space and depth.
“I’ve always been drawn to the color blue, which takes a leading role in many of my works. I’m most inspired by the beauty in nature – the calming effect of water, or the breathtaking colors of a sunset. The way colors play off each other can change the emotional response from the viewer, which I try to capture in my pieces,” she explained. “I work in layers to create texture and depth so you feel you could almost dive into the painting.”
Continued on page 26
While it is Wotring’s hope that you “dive into” her paintings, she recognizes that it is highly personal and subjective.
“I think there needs to be a moment of emotional connection to the painting when you view it, and that’s what I hope to create for my clients and viewers,” she said.
Wotring, who moved quite a bit growing up, discovered art when she moved to a new school during her senior year of high school in Fairfax, Va. It was actually her art teacher who recognized her ability and pushed her to apply to art school.
“I was the new kid in a new school,” recalls Wotring of her senior year.
“Most of the students had been doing art for years so I was a little out of my element, but somehow it came naturally to me. My teacher really
encouraged me to build a portfolio and apply to art school.”
And, to art school she went. From carrying her huge portfolio from class to class, to sketching and painting outdoors, to the smell of art supplies that filled the classrooms, Wotring has fond memories of that time.
“We started with the basics of sketching, charcoal drawing, mastering perspective and eventually moved into color and understanding how color can impact one another,” said Wotring of her college experience. “That’s what interested me most in the beginning and I started building upon that in my work.”
After college, Wotring moved to New York and then to Jersey City shortly thereafter.
“When I first moved to New Jersey I was working and living in my studio apartment, which was very small,” said Wotring. “I had a long narrow hallway that led into my apartment so I would line my hallway walls with drop cloth and stretch canvas all the way down the corridor. It was the only place in the apartment that was long enough for my canvases.”
Over time, Wotring branched out. Her art studio now resides in Manhattan, where she enjoys the exploratory process of abstract painting.
“When I start a piece, I don’t know exactly where it’s going or how it will
Continued on page 28
working through the process as I paint. I often lose sense of time when I’m in the studio as I’m problem solving and working through the creative process,” she said. “For example, adding a little white paint over here changes how the colors look over there. I love figuring that out as I go. It’s both a creative and logical experience, which keeps me engaged for hours at a time.”
Her works have been shown internationally from Japan to New York. Additionally, she is featured in many private and public collections within the U.S., as well as in commercial spaces within New York City. She is currently featured at Thalassa Restaurant in TriBeCa.
You can learn more about Wotring on her website, www. alliwotring.com; Instagram, @ alliwotring; or Facebook, Alli Wotring Fine Art.
Smooth Like Butter
Multi-Platinum Producer/Songwriter
Rob Grimaldi Pens Hits
By Kevin Czerwinski
Musicwas always playing in Rob Grimaldi’s Maywood house when he was growing up. Whether it was classic rock, big band, jazz, country or rap, Grimaldi was exposed to and influenced by his parents’ tastes and that experience helped lay the foundation for what has become a successful songwriting career.
Grimaldi, 32, has carved out a niche as one of the music industry’s most sought-after young writers because of his ability to move from one genre to another. He’s penned hits for country stars Tim McGraw and Jim Allen as well as Queen Naija, the hip-hop singer and former American Idol contestant.
His latest work, however, has helped the Bergen Catholic High School grad gain global attention. Grimaldi is one of the writers/producers of “Butter,” the megahit by pop group BTS. The South Korean septet is one of the hottest groups on the planet and Butter, which has broken all kinds of records since it debuted on May 20, has helped Grimaldi become one of the industry’s most wanted writers.
“Butter” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Billboard Global 100 and broke Spotify and YouTube records for downloads and views in a song’s first week. The official music video for the song had nearly 360 million views through the middle of June with eight different versions of the song dominating on YouTube.
“It’s been an interesting journey,” said Grimaldi, who is signed with TwentySeven Music Publishing, a joint venture with Sony Music Publishing. “I worked with Queen Naija, that was my first big record, and I was doing multigenre stuff outside of that. I had songs with Jim Allen and Tim McGraw last year. Last year I also worked with Black Pink, a highly regarded Korean female group.
“This BTS thing was more of the same. We had a song we had written and reworked that we presented to Columbia Records, which is their [BTS] U.S. affiliate. We started playing Columbia the song in December. It was one of those things where we thought we had a song that fit the group and they sent it up the ladder,” he continued. “Then we started working collectively in January with other writers and producers. We did three months straight on it.”
Grimaldi and his fellow co-writers were never in the studio with BTS. Actually, they were never in the same country. The work on the song was all done via Zoom. Because of the time difference between Los Angeles and Korea, Grimaldi and his fellow co-writers spent most nights working with BTs’ people after having spent all day writing songs for other artists.
“They are 13 hours ahead of us so we needed to be available every day from 10 p.m. until the following morning,” Grimaldi said. “Beside the writing process, we were tweaking it a million times. It’s a miracle this thing got done without ever being in the studio with them. We were literally here every night on Zoom, recording, sending it over and then sending it back.
“I actually never met the boys, never spoke to them,” he continued. “We spoke to their team, which was relaying notes back and forth. We had a direct line of communication with their rep, who helped us get to the finish line. They are a super, super, super-talented group and we were catering the song to fit them. That was the goal. We were so confident with this song and we tailored it to them. We’re very thankful that they recorded it and killed it.”
Grimaldi is hopeful that his effort on Butter will be the beginning of his career jumping to a new level. It’s something he’s been working towards for a decade since graduating from Ithaca College in upstate New York. He originally went to school for audio production and had hopes of writing film scores. He fell in love with the song-writing process while in school, Continued on page 32
though, and has been on this journey ever since.
“I knew I wanted to do this,” Grimaldi said. “I had an eye-opening moment at Ithaca where I realized I wanted to develop up-and-coming artists and write their songs. I was in the middle school band and played jazz band in high school. I started writing when I was about 12 as far as songs go. It wasn’t until Ithaca that I dove into making pop music.”
Grimaldi said the end goal is get that one big song, turn it into five or 10 big songs and then ride the momentum that success will bring. He loves working with young artists who have yet to have their big breakthrough, helping them lay the foundation for
what can be a successful career.
“There are so many talented people who don’t get the opportunity to do this,” said Grimaldi, who added that someday he would also like to teach.
“I had no family in the business when I started. I kind of want to be the person I wish I had when I got into the music world. That, mixed with writing for the major players, is a cool balance. I want to write more hits and grow until this [his work] is super sustainable. This is not an easy thing at all.”
It may not be “an easy thing” overall but right now everything for Grimaldi appears to be smooth like butter.
Introducing The
New Mother & Baby Unit
Your family is expanding, and so has ours! The newest arrival to the St. Joseph’s Health Women’s and Children’s Pavilion at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center is a completely renovated, state-of-the art Mother & Baby Unit, featuring all private rooms.
Your baby’s birth is one of life’s most precious moments, and you deserve a special place. Our new unit provides a beautiful and spacious environment, supported by an unparalleled team of doctors, nurses and specialists. Peace of mind… delivered.
Links to Liberty
Father Son Duo Release Third Title In Revolutionary War Series
by Tara DeLorenzo
Children’s author Robert J. Skead with his father, Robert A. Skead, of Wykoff, are marching into adventure again with the final installment of their American Revolutionary War Adventure series with the release of American Revolutionary War Adventure Series –Links to Liberty on Oct. 5.
The trilogy’s conclusion American Revolutionary War Adventure Series – Links to Liberty follows series protagonists John and Ambrose Clark as they pursue the spy who gave away the secret of their father’s mission. When there is an attack on America’s new defense on the Hudson River – the Great Chain at West Point – they go to protect it, quickly discovering things aren’t always as they seem.
The American Revolutionary War Adventure series began long before this writing team put pen to paper, when Robert J. Skead was on a family trip visiting the Van Allen house, a place George Washington stayed during the American Revolution on July 14, 1777. It was as they were reviewing the history marker at the house that he realized they were visiting on the same day George Washington had been there, and he started to form the idea.
It wasn’t until years later though that he pursued this story. His father had started working on the family genealogy and found they had a relative in the American Revolution. Excited about this piece of history, his father joined the Sons of the American Revolution and as he showed his son his certificate for it one day, Robert J.
Skead told his father of his idea. Within a couple of days, his father took the elevator pitch of a story concept his son shared and created story treatment that he shared with his son.
“It had characters, and he had named the character Lamberton Clark after our ancestor who was in the American Revolution and his sons Ambrose and John after this gentleman’s sons and he had a treatment of a story that had a beginning, middle and end,” Robert J. Skead said. “It was probably like 7-8 pages long, and just for fun, I banged out the first scene of the book in a story format where the twins and their dad are running away from redcoats, shooting at them with a secret spy letter from George Washington. I emailed it to him and just like any kid wants to show their work to their parents and they’re excited about it, I called him and told him to check his email, so he does and 20 minutes later, he calls me back and he said the two scariest words, ‘Keep going.’”
And with that, the American Revolutionary War Adventure series, a series targeted for middle grade readers, was born, and the first book Patriots, Redcoats & Spies was started. Robert J. Skead would write a scene or two a day, sending drafts to his father who would, in turn, edit, give feedback and write his own sections.
Something important to father Robert A. Skead was making sure the characters throughout this series were of good moral character.
“My father was in his eighties at the time – he’s 95 now
– and he wanted to make sure that the boys displayed good character, and there was some moral to the tale,” said Robert J. Skead. “The hard part was – and this is a little bit of a spoiler – but they have to steal a horse; they have a spy letter from their dad they have to get to George Washington in the first book, and their dad is shot and and all they know is George Washington is somewhere in the Morristown, New Jersey, area, and they have no resources, so they have to steal horses, and it was the only way to get the job done, so we had to do it. So, in terms of morality, how do you have kids stealing something and then make it good? But we found a way to do that that kind of saved the day, and I’ve actually had parents and teachers tell me that they really liked how we handled that, so that’s cool.”
For the second book, the duo approached writing Submarines, Secrets & A Daring Rescue a little differently. Instead of a story treatment, they created an outline, leaving a little more room for creative inspiration as they went along. They did the same for their upcoming release as well.
writing duo was determined to find landmark strategies and technology in the American Revolution to craft their novels around.
“The interesting this about this series, it’s intentional, and it’s that we took elements of the American Revolution that kids aren’t typically taught in school, and we use them as hooks,” Robert J. Skead said. “For example, Patriots, Redcoats & Spies deals a with the Culper Spy Ring. If I knew about that as a kid, I’d have loved to learn more, but I was never taught spies or spy rings or that George Washington had a spy ring, so that’s a cool hook for the first one. And then for the second, as I researched, I discovered that the first submarine invented for warfare was invented during the American Revolution; it was called the American Turtle. So, I knew that had to be the hook for the second.”
Each release too required not only creativity, but detailed research to ensure they were following history. And looking back on the process of writing the series, the research became one of their favorite parts of putting everything together.
“My dad and I did a lot of research and read books on it, so I think the education that came about was one of my favorite things of writing this series, and part of that education was learning about George Washington – he is such an amazing figure in the American Revolution, and my appreciation for him as a man, a person, and a leader definitely has sky-rocketed, and then you learn about other figures during the American Revolution that are involved in these aspects of creativity and you get impressed with them as well,” said Robert J. Skead.
With all their efforts too in historical accuracy, the
For the third, the duo knew of the Great Chain at West Point, an iron chain built for Patriot forces to block British ships from sailing up the Hudson River during the American Revolution, and knew it was the right hook for their third novel.
And as someone who hadn’t loved reading as a child but found a love of fiction as he discovered Tom Clancy novels, Robert J. Skead was determined to give that adventure-filled reading experience to children of all ages.
“Boys and girls like adventures, so I wanted these stories to be like that the Tom Clancy books and James Bond movies I love,” he said. “There’s a lot of action in each story. It’s the American Revolution, It’s wartime, so there’s gunfights and knife fights and battles and tests of courage and bravery.”
This third installment comes six years after the series’ last installment. Zonderkidz, a division of HarperCollins published the first two as a two-book deal, but after finding the hook for a third, the father son duo immediately jumped into a third, so this installment has been completed Continued on page 38
since 2014 and the pair are eager to have readers have answers to the questions left in book two.
rights to the series’ previous two novels in order to publish them in paperback, were picked up by Knox Press, after one of the publishers, a fellow Sons of the American Revolution, saw their potential.
“We’re just so excited to have the trilogy be complete and have our readers see how things work out, and new readers get to experience the trilogy as well since there are some unanswered questions in the first two books that get solved in this,” Robert J. Skead said. “I think this is the last book my dad and I are writing together – he’s 95 years old. I’m excited for him to have that feeling when they first send us the books, the advanced copies, and you get to hold it for the first time.”
While the series may be complete, Robert J. Skead has plans to continue writing novels, and while his father won’t be co-writing, he is still sharing his work with his father, working with him to gather feedback. His current novel is set during World War II, a war Robert A. Skead fought in. And no matter what he writes, this series will always be one of his proudest accomplishments, he said, and he hopes the series will help inspire readers too.
second, and 16 in this one, so they’re teens, but we’re hoping kids, teens, and adults will read these and be inspired to do big things – that’s my favorite part.”
“Kids will ask what my favorite book I wrote is and I’ll always say this series because I did it with my dad, and I don’t mean that in a cliché way, it was just a really special bonding experience,” Robert J. Skead said. “I feel our goal is to have kids read these and be inspired. The characters are 14 in the first book, 15 in the
American Revolutionary War Adventure Series – Links to Liberty will be available in paperback wherever books are sold on Oct. 5. Knox Press will be donating a portion of the proceeds of the book to Mount Vernon to help preserve, restore and manage the estate of George Washington.
Let’s Celebrate Ro
The HUMC Foundation held a party for Ro Sorce’s 70th birthday to benefit the Wonderful World of Birthday Wishes program at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. For more information visit: www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/bdaywishes
Sharon Goldstein, Ro Sorce, Mariel Birnback
Joyce and Peter Hendricks Ro and Sandy Sorce Ro Sorce, Bob Garrett
Mary Ann Donohue Georgia Shapiro, Nadine Menendez
Amy Massimino, Joanne Wexler, Helen Cunning, Joe Burt
Heather Choi, Ro Sorce, Nadine Menendez, Balpreet Grewal-Virk
Claire and Jim Ward, Mingi Choi
Ro Sorce, Georgia Shapiro, Ariel Contento, Susan Birkner
Mark Sparta, Lisa IachettiValerie Costa, Ro Sorce, Amanda Turner
Mark Sparta, Bob Garrett
Michele Impreveduto, Sandy Sorce
Linda Hanson, Michele Impreveduto, Ro Sorce, Heidi Rispoli
Themba Nyirenda, Merriam Chinseu, Gary Munk
John Vitale, Joe Napoletano
Closter Student Advocates for Equality Through Art
By Kimberly Redmond
Asan Asian American female, Ishikaa Kothari is no stranger to the social injustices that minorities face.
Growing up, the 17-year-old from Closter said she has encountered “interpersonal sexism and racism” throughout her life.
“I constantly face microaggressions, such as the classic, ‘You must be smart, you are Asian,’” said Kothati. “Also, I remember people in middle school ridiculing my Brownness, teasing me with Indian accents and negatively commenting on my skin color.”
“What was worse is that I did not realize that this harassment can be considered or connected to racism because of the lack of education I received on such an incredibly important topic,” said Kothari, who attends Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, N.Y.
Drawing upon her own experiences, the teen has spent her high school career focused on creating impactful and lasting change.
Part of that effort has included launching a non-profit that seeks to empower youth to advocate for themselves and causes they believe in. It has also involved using her love of art to create public murals that help advance social justice issues.
Recently, the teen received some much-deserved recognition from the National Society of High School Scholars, one of the top international honors and scholarship programs in the world.
Out of 500 applicants this year, Kothari was one of five who received a $1,000 Activism and Advocacy scholarship, which is given to graduating high school seniors who have shown passion for social, political or civil change and then acted within their communities.
A growing number of young people are gravitating toward activism and are more engaged now than they have been in generations, according to a survey conducted by MTV and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Across the United States, teens are speaking out in critical cultural and political movements ranging from social justice and climate change to fair pay and equity in education.
After seeing students speak on stage at a March for Our Lives rally, a then 14-year-old Kothari realized that with the right support systems in place youth have the ability to effect meaningful change.
Her desire to encourage students to pursue activism led to the creation of Take Action Inc., a non-profit that aims to empower youth around the world to advocate
Continued on page 44
Take Action Takes Off
for themselves and causes they believe in.
Since its August 2019 launch, the youth-led group now has chapters in New Jersey, New York, California, India and Thailand and has a global reach of about 80,000 people.
“By informing youth on social justice issues, such as mass incarceration, gun violence and misogynoir, through accessible, comprehensive educational materials, connecting them with experienced activists for mentorship and providing a supportive activist network, we empower and assist youth to take action for a cause meaningful to them and create transformative change in their local communities,” said Kothari, who serves as Take Action Inc.’s president.
“To help youth movements grow and make a greater impact, we provide them with consulting on organizing, fundraising, and outreach. Overall, providing educational materials, a supportive activist network of 50,000-plus people, and mentorship, we help youth realize their unlimited potential to create meaningful change,” she explained.
Combining Art & Activism
Kothari, who has been involved with art since she was a young girl, is also using her creative voice to speak out on issues of racial and social justice.
Her “artivism” – a combination of art and activism – involves murals that address problems like gun violence, gender inequality and racism.
The medium, she believes, is a way to “bring us together in dialogue” because they are freely displayed in public locations, as opposed to exhibited in museums or private spaces.
“Whether through my own art, or by studying and championing others’ work, I want to ensure that uncomfortable but important truths are discussed,” she explained.
Kothari first became interested in muralism in eighth grade, when she created two murals for the Town of Closter as part of her Girl Scout Silver Award project.
Motivated by increased anxiety over school shootings in the U.S. and enhanced safety procedures, Kothari said she wanted to “empower our community and celebrate the diversity that helped us
Continued on page 46
Ishikaa Kothari
endure these difficult times at school and in our nation.”
Working with town officials and school administrators, Kothari spearheaded the creation of two gigantic murals against gun violence that were displayed in two municipal parks, Memorial and Ruckman.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Kothari has transformed her ideas into paintings instead of murals. Two of those pieces, “Gender Inequality in Politics” and “Drowning In High School,” were recently featured in The Bronx Museum of Art.
She is also working on a mural at Riverdale Country School that highlights the importance of racial justice activists throughout history. Her creation will also convey that “the fight is far from over,” Kothari said.
‘Her Work Is A Calling’
This fall, the high school senior plans to attend Yale University, where she hopes to continue her social justice work. Besides continuing to grow Take Action Inc., Kothari aims to produce more murals that convey “the plight and accomplishments of marginalized people.”
She admits that juggling her schoolwork with advocacy work can be “difficult at times,” but that running Take Action Inc. and mural-making are activities she enjoys.
“Not only am I passionate about them, but also, they have the potential to empower and inspire myself and others to create transformative change,” Kothari added.
Continued on page 48
Out of 500 applicants this year, Kothari was one of five who received a $1,000 Activism and Advocacy scholarship, which is given to graduating high school seniors who have shown passion for social, political or civil change and then acted within their communities.
As for her recognition from the NSHSS, the humble teen said, “I honestly did not even know if I deserved it, considering there are countless youth activists that I look up to.”
“They are changing the world for the better and deserve the support and recognition, too,” she added.
Nicky Enright, an art teacher at Riverdale Country School, believes Kothari is already an influential changemaker.
“Her work as a youth-centered activist requires more than a combination of positive traits – her work is a calling, which she answers loud and clear; she is gifted in service and advocacy,” Enright said.
Besides leading Take Action Inc. and creating art, Kothari is also deeply involved in her school’s community, serving as an organizer of assemblies and panels, frontpage editor of the newspaper and founder of Take Action RCS, an offshoot of the larger non-profit.
“Ishikaa is diligently changing the world while inspiring youth to truly engage with the issues they care about,” he said.
Emergency
The
Bobbi
The
Classroom Cinema
Ramapo High School Teacher Appears On Turner Classic Movies
By Kevin Czerwinski
SusanLoccke doesn’t necessarily consider herself “a film person.” Sure, she loves a good movie as much as anyone, but she is as attracted to the stories being told as she is the medium used for delivery.
That’s probably the biggest reason why she has incorporated film into her classes at Ramapo High School. The long-time educator teaches English to underclassmen in addition to a film class for seniors and uses cinema as a way to enhance her student’s experience with literature.
Loccke’s unique approach to helping her students not only read more but enjoy what they are reading has made her a successful and popular teacher. It has also allowed her to carry her message beyond the Franklin Lakes-based school. Loccke, 51, was selected to take part in the Turner Classic Movies celebration entitled “Classroom Cinema: Teacher Selections.” TCM honored educators in June and Loccke was one of four teachers from around the country who appeared on the network to introduce and discuss their favorite classic films.
She appeared on TCM on June 16 and introduced and discussed A Streetcar Named Desire, the 1951 adaptation of the Tennessee Williams classic starring Marlon Brando; A Raisin in the Sun, the 1961 Sidney Poitier film based on the Lorraine Hansberry Broadway play; and Lord of the Flies, the 1963 adaptation of William Golding’s novel about a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island.
“I like a classic story and I try to tell the kids that film is just another story platform,” said Loccke, who lives in Ridgewood with her husband Richard and their three children Olivia, 21, Julianna, 19 and Andrew, 16. “It is so hard to keep them reading. Reading has become a challenge in the modern age. There are so many places you can go to not read. It has fallen out of favor and because they [students] have access to so much technology, reading pales by comparison. So film is a great platform.”
“Reading is a personal interaction with the author. It’s a one-on-one conversation that no one else can Continued on page 52
have. We can all read the same book and picture it differently and I make the point that the movie is just another version that can be altered with the director’s vision. You can’t watch the movie and then read the classic as easily as reading it then watching the movie.”
Loccke’s approach to teaching the class proved to be a perfect fit for TCM, with whom she was put in contact by her cousin, who works for the network. She told her cousin what she did in the classroom and how she did after the network told its employees to be on the lookout for teachers who could possibly make good candidates for the June special. Loccke was then introduced to the folks on the project and “it went from there.”
The whole process began in February. Loccke, who has taught English in public schools for 25 years, told the folks at TCM what she did, what kinds of movies she used, what kind of classes she taught and the reactions that she received from her students when the films were shown.
She provided TCM with a list of possible movies she could use and after trading emails for a few weeks, the whole process began to speed up in April and culminated with her filming her segment with TCM host Alicia Malone via Zoom in May.
Loccke said that despite talking in a classroom for more than two decades she was still nervous when it came time to record her segment. That it was exceptionally warm that day and the room in her house which she was filming doesn’t have air conditioning only added to her jitters yet she ultimately handled her day in the spotlight with aplomb. However, she is not excited to see herself on the small screen.
“That’s the one part I am really nervous about,” Loccke said. “If I were an actress, I’d be one of those people who never watch myself. It’s so nerve wrecking. I’d be so critical and analyze and critique myself like crazy and then think of all the things I should have said.”
Loccke, however, isn’t at a loss for words when it comes to the films she shows in class or the reasons behind why she has chosen this medium to reach her students.
“I just love movies that capture an amazing story,” said Loccke, who also taught English in the Republic of Guinea in Africa while she was in the Peace Corps from 1994-1995. “The best classic literature spawns great, classic renditions of movies with iconic actors. I have done Streetcar with Marlon Brando with my seniors and I love Raisin in the Sun. Lord of the Flies doesn’t have standout actors but I think it’s a good rendition for a book that’s tricky. The writing is a little dense and there is a lot of high-level vocabulary and description. I think the movie helps bring it to life.”
"It is so hard to keep them reading. Reading has become a challenge in the modern age. There are so many places you can go to not read. It has fallen out of favor and because they [students] have access to so much technology, reading pales by comparison. So film is a great platform.”
Loccke said one of her inspirations for using film in the classroom is to provide her underclassmen with a reward. Her students are always asking her if there is a film that corresponds with the book so she uses the film as a payoff once the students have finished reading the novel. She shows as many as three movies a year to her underclassmen. Time constraints – her classes are 40 minutes long – usually prevent her from showing more.
“A lot of what they read they read on their own [and not in class],” Loccke said. “The movie is a great way to provide a communal feeling and it provides something they can share together. You can have a discussion and share it and the movie is something we all experience at the same time so it is very unifying.”
Such was the case when Loccke addressed the largest classroom of her career on TCM.
Good Samaritan Hospital Golf and Racquets Invitational
Good Samaritan Hospital and Sterling National Bank held their Golf and Racquets Invitational at the Paramount Country Club. For more information visit: www.goodsamhosp.org
Harold and Stella Peterson, Jessica Mitchell, Marie and John DeCicco
Travis Fiume, Jimmy Macagna
Corey Deixler, Mark Gross Stella and Harold Peterson, Dr. Mary Leahy, Marie and John DeCicco
Sapna and Dr. Vipul Shah, Dr. Scott Luchs, Jessica Mitchell
Bill Pendergast, Phil Stiller, Charles Deputhod
Jan Klein, Geanette and Doug Katz, Bob Milone, Barry Lieber
Diane and Joseph DeCicco
Cathy Grady, Adrienne Wasserman and Robin Kim
Gayle and Dr. Cary Hirsch, Helene Guss
Kevin Kern, Jeff Deiss, Chris Tebbitt, John Bruggemann
Andrew and Jaymee Somberg, Dr. Patrick Murray
Front row: Susan and Richard Baxt, Isabel and Jimmy Pestronk; Back row: Mark and Linda Greene, Gayle and Dr. Cary Hirsch, Jill and Stephen Feibusch
Social
Good Samaritan Hospital Golf and Racquets Invitational
Good Samaritan Hospital and Sterling National Bank held their Golf and Racquets Invitational at the Paramount Country Club. For more information visit: www.goodsamhosp.org
Cindy VanderPlaat and Jessica Franjul-Pena
Dr. Scott Luchs, Dr. Michael Schwartz and Dr. Ken Austin
Dr. Perminder Grewal and Dr. Arup Bhadra
Dr. Michael Schwartz and Irene Tsetsekos
Bill Kelly, Frank DeCicco and Rich DeSimone
Dr. David Ober, Gayle Hirsch and Doug Graubard
Mitesh Shah, Anuj Gupta, Juan Henriquez, Dr. Perminder Grewal, Timmy Grewal, Q. Bhatia, Ravi Kumar and Gary Grossman
John and Marie DeCicco and Stella Peterson Back row:Sister Susan Evelyn, Harold Peterson, Dr. Mary P. Leahy, Joseph and Diane DeCicco, Susan Gerry and Helene Guss
ONE OF A KIND IS KIND OF HER THING
Wishlist By AM Founded Following Ashley Mortenson’s Lifelong Diagnosis
By Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo
One of a kind is kind of Ashley Marion Mortensen’s thing. Some may argue Mortensen is one of a kind herself.
Mortensen, 26, has been battling an arteriovenous malformation, AVM for short, all her life. Through this life-threatening condition, Mortensen has experienced profuse bleeding episodes resulting in hospitalizations and blood transfusions as well as becoming disfigured. To date, Mortensen has had had 69 surgeries since she was 9 years old.
As of now this rare disease, unfortunately, has no cure. Knowing she could be battling against this for the rest of her life, she decided to take a passion of hers and develop a small business. Hence, the Wishlist By AM clothing line, which was launched in September of 2016.
“Wishlist is my creative outlet. This is where I find myself forgetting about all the negative and focusing on something I love, something I can control. With how disfigured I had become I found myself gravitating more towards fashion to help me build my confidence back up,” said Mortensen.
“I strive for all my designs to make you feel as comfortable and confident as possible.”
Mortensen, a fashion design graduate, patterns and sews all her designs. Everything is handmade with quality as one of her main criteria. In addition, every design feature oneof-a-kind variation so you truly are getting a unique piece just for you.
Wishlist by AM has teamed up with The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) for its annual fundraising event Night of Fashion and Fun.
This event, to be held on Nov. 18, honors Mortensen, who pioneered Wishlist by AM while battling AVM. The fashion show features models with vascular birthmarks, like Mortensen, and original pieces exclusive to her line.
In collaboration with VBF for several years, more than 500 hundred have attended the fashion show and more than $60,000 was raised for the foundation and for AVM research.
“There have been genetic markers found in most vascular anomalies but there currently is no cure and living with an AVM is a constant challenge for the patient and the researcher,” said Linda Rozell-Shannon, Ph.D., president and founder of VBF.
“VBF has become the conduit between the patient and researcher, and we are working tirelessly to find a cure for all VBARS, like Ashley’s AVM. We are thrilled to annually partner with Ashley and her company Wishlist by AM to raise awareness and funds to ultimately find a cure.”
“I’ve always been drawn to fashion, and started sewing at a young age,” said Mortensen. “Together with VBF, we’re raising awareness and funds for AVM research. I would want nothing more than for everyone suffering from an AVM to have a cure.”
This year’s fashion show fundraiser will be held at The Terrace in Paramus on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. and features a fashion show, music, dancing, dinner, drinks, raffles and a photographer. Pieces featured in the fashion show will be for sale at the end of the event. More than 200 attendees are expected to attend this year’s event. To buy tickets to the event, or to sponsor, visit https://birthmark.org/fashionfun.
All styles by Wishlist By AM
Photography
Ashley Marion Mortensen
Styling
Ashley and Adrienne Mortensen
Models
Ashley Marion Mortensen
Katrina Rossi
Kristen Kabous
Bella Accavallo
“Are You Sherpa” Sweater
Oversized Flannel Dress
Boyfriend Flannel
Patchwork Denim Jacket
Pinstripe Dress
Boyfriend Flannel
Two-Toned
Oversized Sweater
Snake Bite Long Sleeve
Coming this fall; debuting in the fashion show
Boyfriend Flannels (full length and cropped)
Wool Coat
Patchwork Sweater
Coming this fall; debuting in the fashion show)
Dress (
Pinstripe Crop Top
Pinstripe
Scrunched Velvet Tee
Cropped Boyfriend Flannels
Hackensack Meridian Health Golf Outing
Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation and Palisades Medical Center Foundation held their annual golf outing at The Ridgewood Country Club. For more information visit: www.hackensackumc.org.
Joyce Hendricks, Dave Robertson, Mark Schlesinger, Ro Sorce, Claire Ward
Jon Mechaly, Laura Jeros
Tara Kelly, Samantha Oliger, Courtney Klein Bill Evans, Dave Spano
Barbara Gandfo, Jim and Caryl Kourgelis
Mohit Naik, George Ferrone, Dr. Sanjay Patel, Dr. Ihor Sawzcuk
Rich Henning, Tom Neilan, Alan Weland
Paulo Santos, Lauren Willis
Kyle Tafuri, Dr. Kunle Modupe, Jeff Sofka
Anthony Schifano, Aldo Cela, Bill Rahal
Ryan Peene, Gail Gordon, Meryl Conte Clayton
Bob and Dana Petrocine, Kate and Tom Eastwick
Cristie Woodard, Frank FekedeGregory Brun, Mirlana Morris, Laura Jeros, Jon Mechaly
Hackensack Meridian Health Golf Outing
Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation and Palisades Medical Center Foundation held their annual golf outing at The Ridgewood Country Club. For more information visit: www.hackensackumc.org.
Jennifer Matar, Arleen KarnDr. Sharad Sahu, Allison and Dr. Stephen Silver
Alex Sheyfer, Samantha Clayton, Dr. Joe Calabro
Joe Burt, Claire Ward, Larry Inserra
Robert Garrett, Kerry Reasoner, Michelle Casserly, Frank Fekede
Kevin and Steven Martinez
Robert Garrett, Ro Sorce, Joel Birnbach, Frank Fekede
Kerry and David ReasonerAurielle Wilderman, Tara Kelly Mike Horton, Mark Stauder
Warren Geller, Allison and Dr. Stephen Silver
Mark Sparta, Dr. Michael Wilderman
Joe Burt, Harry Gates, Dr. Anthony Passannante Jr.
John Amoratis, Chris Rotio, Jim Kourgelis, Joe Madden
FALLING INTO AUTUMN FASHION
by Soneca Guadara
Transitioning from one season to another may cause some panic because the weather is unpredictable leaving us struggling to know what to wear. The fall season often feels like either an extension of summer or a chilly prelude to winter. Here are some style and fashion tips to help you make the transition to putting together fall outfits.
INVEST IN A GO-TO PIECE OF FALL OUTERWEAR.
Whether it’s a denim jacket, a plaid flannel shirt, a cashmere cardigan, a trench coat or a leather jacket, a versatile piece of outerwear is the most important part of your fall wardrobe. For easy layering, choose something lightweight enough to stuff in a tote or wrap around your waist. Your fall coat doesn’t have to be as warm as your winter coat, so take this opportunity to play with fashion trends.
FIND THE PERFECT PAIR OF FALL BOOTS.
When the weather turns cooler, it’s time to swap your sandals for boots and booties, which signal the coming of winter. Pair suede ankle boots, heeled knee-high boots or combat boots with a summer dress or denim skirt for a fall-ready look.
DRESS UP A LITTLE FOR WORK.
Fall is a great time to bring suits and other work wear staples back into rotation after a summer of dressing more casually. Ease the transition by pairing a blazer with a fitted white T-shirt and a flowy midi skirt cinched with a belt.
PAIR A SUMMER PIECE WITH SOMETHING WARM.
Most of your summer pieces can work for fall with a little layering. Try a slip dress over a black turtleneck and leggings and wear your crop tops with high-waisted jeans and a cardigan. Almost any summer dress can be layered over a short- or long-sleeve top to keep you warm. Tank tops can work when layered under a long cardigan or oversize button-down.
PAIR A WINTER PIECE WITH SOMETHING SUMMERY.
Fall is the time to embrace cozy winter basics like turtleneck sweaters, shearling jackets and corduroy pants. Pair cool-weather tops, like oversize blazers and chunky knits, with warm-weather bottoms, like Bermuda shorts and midi skirts. You can try a silk camisole with wool pants to avoid overheating.
WEAR COTTON CLOTHING.
Cotton is one of the most reliable fabrics in the textile industry and frequently used fabric for fall clothing. While cotton fabrics like flannel, corduroy and denim can be too heavy for summer and too slow to dry for rainy winter and spring, they’re perfect for the dry, windy weather of fall. Keep in mind that straight-leg and skinny jeans prevent wind chill (better for cooler weather).
CHOOSE STRIKING COLORS.
Fall colors look great on trees, but the idea that you should color your wardrobe to fit the season is outdated. You don’t have to wear burnt orange or dress in the color of a pecan pie; wear the colors that make you feel great. If you stuck to light colors all summer, consider wearing bright hues and darker neutrals for the fall.
PLAY WITH PRINTS AND PATTERNS.
Fall is an especially great time to play with plaid, leopard and other patterns since you’ll be wearing more layers and you won’t be hidden underneath a big winter coat. Anchor your patterned look with neutral basics like denim and leather. For example, you can recycle summery, feminine florals in the fall by pairing them with black combat boots and a denim or leather jacket.
Soneca Guadara is a personal fashion stylist who makes her clients feel beautiful and confident. When Soneca is not working her magic assisting her clients, she can be found working backstage at New York Fashion Week, working on location shoots and contributing as an on-air fashion/style expert and style writer. You can follow Soneca on her Instagram @StyledBySoneca – for weekly tips.
Feeling The Beauty of Fall Vibes
By Kristin Favaloro
My favorite time of year is here! Bring on the sweaters, the boots and the cooler weather. I rounded up all my favorite finds that are perfect to kick off the fall season.
Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette
This palette is by far the prettiest neutral palette I have used. The colors are so pigmented and perfect for any skin tone. Available at Sephora, Paramus.
Makeup by Mario Soft Sculpt
Shaping Stick
I am loving this line by Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist. These contour stick blend perfectly for a natural contour. Available at Sephora, Paramus.
I was searching for a drugstore Vitamin C option and went with this one after seeing tons of reviews on this product. Now I know why! It has improved my skin’s tone and texture for a fraction of the price I usually spend on vitamin serums. Available at Target, Closter.
L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Serum
Revision Skincare D.E.J. Eye Cream
Honestly, I don’t know how I survived without this product! The hydration, the smoothing and the texture of my under-eye area is just amazing after two weeks of use. It is a little bit pricier, but it is well worth it. Available at Skintruth.com.
Zoom Whitening Treatment
Who doesn’t want whiter and brighter teeth? Get your teeth glowing for the fall season at my favorite beautiful brand new state-of-the-art dental office.
Available at Precision Dentistry, Old Tappan.
Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette
I kept seeing this palette all over social media so, of course, I caved and wow. This is the perfect blush highlight palette. Available at Nordstrom, Paramus.
Wet Lip Oil Gloss by Kosas
These glosses are beautiful, glossy and come in the most beautiful shades for fall.
Available at Sephora, Paramus.
Nudestix Dark Romantic Eye Pencil Set
I have been loving this brand for a while, and this set is the perfect jewel tones for fall. Available at Sephora, Paramus.
Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ Autumn Vibes
The name says it all. The spicy cardamom and cedarwood will give you all the fall vibes with this perfume. Available at Sephora, Paramus.
Five Tips for Traveling Amid COVID-19
The spread of new COVID-19 variants and lower vaccination rates in developing countries continue to impact the ability to move freely throughout the world.
For travelers eager to venture out, Expedia Group recommends these traveling guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19 so the world can truly open again:
1. Mask up while traveling. Masks remain one of the most simple and effective ways to limit the transmission of the virus, aside from the vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traveling requires being in close quarters, like planes, trains, rideshares and more, so it’s important to mask up to reduce the spread.
2. Travel for the greater good. To support UNICEF’s global COVID-19 response, Expedia Group announced an initiative to donate $10 million to vaccine efforts. To get involved, travelers can download any app from one of the travel giant’s brands, such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Travelocity and Vrbo, to plan and purchase a trip through the platform. In turn, travelers can help get a vaccine to someone in the world who needs it.
3. Enjoy the great outdoors. Nature destinations have provided solitude for travelers over the last year due to the ability to easily socially distance and, essentially, disconnect. This trend is here to stay, with beaches, mountains, lakes and national parks remaining popular areas to visit.
4. Don’t get left behind. More and more businesses, attractions and destinations are requiring people to show proof of vaccination. If you haven’t felt motivated to get your shot(s), know you might not have access to dining, entertainment or other activities during your next vacation.
5. Be a savvy traveler. Travelers are eager to get out again, but with travel guidelines changing frequently, it’s important to stay up to date with restrictions and policies around your travel bookings. Double-check your accommodations’ cancellation policies, keep local advisories like curfews or closures in mind and be prepared to submit documentations like COVID-19 test results or vaccine cards.
TAKE YOUR TOP OFF
By Richard Posluszny
The Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder
Frommy perspective, it rings true that vehicles say a lot about their owner. You get a glimpse into their personality and how they like to be perceived. Other times, it’s simply a tool that serves a purpose.
If you purchase a Lamborghini though, you’re making a statement.
That’s because when you pull up to your destination, you make an entrance. These are automobiles that are flamboyant and likely speak to people that will not go quietly — literally or figuratively. This was made readily apparent when I took delivery of the Huracan Evo RWD (rear-wheel drive) Spyder. There’s a bit of theater to, well, everything. Simply starting the car requires you to flip up a red surround, as if you’re in a fighter jet and arming missiles for launch. It’s just a little reminder that you’re about to do something special.
You probably already knew that though from its look. This white, wedge-shaped convertible is edgy. Literally. Much like the rest of the Lamborghini portfolio of autos, they all sort of have this design inspiration that’s reminiscent of a B2 bomber. While it can be a bit overbearing if you opt for a shouty color, like a bright lime green, in white it is quite appealing.
My favorite part about this Spyder variant is the rear deck that features louvers, which helps the V10 extract heat. For a period in the early 2000s, automakers — including Lamborghini — were displaying the engines under a glass panel. I prefer the former’s “function over form” design. This also carries over to the Huracan Evo’s rear end as well. The exhaust is piped straight out the back of the engine and, additionally, the rear is much more open with a lot of grilles. If you look closely you can see inside a bit and as a car geek, I just adore it.
With the top up, you’ll note that the Huracan Spyder’s greenhouse is rather compact. Unsurprisingly, this carries over into the cabin. Given the room necessary to stow away the cloth top and due to the Huracan’s mid-engine layout, some of the interior space is eroded when compared to the coupe variant. Continued on page 84
It’s not much but if you’re on the extreme end of the spectrum, like me at 6’8, every inch counts.
Adding to the intimate feel were my test vehicle’s seats, which were lightweight and carbon fiber-backed. While they’re not race-spec chairs, they’re pretty much as close as you can get from the factory. So, let me cut to the chase. Here’s the good news: They’re more comfortable than Lamborghini’s last-gen, carbon seats. Here’s the bad news: That’s not saying much. They’re still tough to deal with, especially if driving for an extended period (e.g., over one hour).
If you’re going to take the plunge, make sure to spend as much time as possible “testing” the seats.
Sliding behind the three-spoke steering wheel, the cockpit looks largely the same. That said, there’s one major difference. The refreshed Huracan replaces the busy switchgear that occupied the center console with a more minimalist and forward-thinking approach. Now, there’s an 8.4-inch touchscreen that serves as home for all your infotainment and HVAC needs. Overall, this is a welcome addition given that the switches could be a bit cumbersome at times.
One thing that was a bit disappointing in the Evo was the instrument panel (IP). While it’s a nice, fully digital display, the problem is that the pre-refresh car had the ability to be customized in a variety of ways. For example, if I wanted to view the map in the IP, I could. Now though it’s a bit limited, which is a shame. Clearly, Lamborghini doesn’t subscribe to the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Overall, what differentiates the Huracan’s interior from
your run-of-the-mill auto are the proportions. Take, for example, the windshield, which is severely raked and pushed out in front of you. It takes some getting used to as there’s a chance you’ll have to duck to see stoplights when you’re first in line at an intersection. But because the windshield is cheated so far in front of you, the interior feels much more spacious than it is. Because of this, you won’t feel claustrophobic.
Though for many, the aforementioned doesn’t particularly matter all that much. It all comes down to how a Lamborghini drives. Fair enough!
Once you push the Start button and the 5.2-liter, naturally aspirated V10 engine sparks to life, you immediately realize what a serious performance machine the Huracan Evo is. It’s much louder than the outgoing car and this is further enhanced by being in a soft-top version. I have no problem with that.
With 610 horsepower, it’s safe to say most people will not be yearning for more juice. Mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, this V10 motor propels you from zero to 60 in a spritely 3.5 seconds.
Personally, I get a kick out of the differences between driving modes. While many all-new autos feature these types of settings, they’re not always as drastic as found in this Lamborghini. In Strada, the Huracan Evo is leisurely and rather sedate. Shifts aren’t really felt and it’s almost as though the car just glides along. In Sport, things get amped up a bit. You feel the chassis get slightly tauter, but it’s not bone crushing. And, in my favorite, Corsa, the car is fully unleashed. Frankly, this is how I drove the car most of the time as I wanted the sharpest throttle response as well as most unadulterated exhaust note. The pops and bangs on
the overrun are reminiscent of the Fourth of July.
That’s merely the start though.
Although the Huracan Evo is quite firmly sprung, I didn’t find it jarring to drive around northern New Jersey. In fact, I was a bit surprised at how well composed it was. Where this tight suspension pays dividends is when you stretch the cars legs out in the corners. While hitting apexes, body roll is kept in check.
What I like most about the RWD variant over the all-wheel drive (AWD) Huracan is that it’s actually fun. I know that may be silly to say about a V10-powered supercar but hear me out. The AWD Lamborghini tends to understeer when pushed hard. The RWD car, on the other hand, can get feisty. If you overdo the “go” pedal, don’t be surprised if its hind quarters steps out on you.
Essentially, the car can be a handful and you need to know what you’re doing. Otherwise, you may wind up going off-roading. Backwards. Very, very fast.
As an amateur photographer, there’s a lot of joy to be found in finding the right moment to capture. Sure, you can snap a picture using a digital camera that just requires you to point and shoot. But it’s exponentially more rewarding if you’re using a manual camera where you must find all the right settings and it requires skill to snap the best possible image.
To me, that’s the beauty in the Huracan Evo RWD Spyder. When you’re trying to get the most out of it, it will let you know it’s alive. In a day and age where cars lack personality, the Spyder is worth its hefty $230,000 price of admission.
Oh, and the top comes off. This simply means everything just gets better.
Gulpablility Is Key
Hillsdale-Based Beverage Brand Expands to 2,500 Stores Across the U.S.
By Brianna Ruback
Larry Edinger has worked in beverage advertising for nearly 30 years, interacting with a range of popular brands like Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper. The Westwood resident later started his own healthy vending business, but it wasn’t until 2015, when the Obama administration announced its new dietary guidelines, that Edinger decided to create a
Among the major items listed in the government’s guidelines was the recommendation to significantly limit the amount of added sugar in one’s daily caloric intake. Seeing a lack of companies adapting their products to the new nutrition standards enforced in schools, Edinger joined forces with Tony Errico, a River Vale resident, to generate a school-approved beverage idea. Errico’s only requirement was that his daughter, who has diabetes, would be able to consume the product.
After working out the beverage’s logistics, in 2016, the Bergen County duo’s Hillsdale-based company, Recovery Brands, launched Sol-Core, a fruit punch flavored sports drink that would be placed in school vending machines and 7-Eleven locations across northern New Jersey. Although the drink performed well, in 2018, Edinger sold his vending business to solely focus on rebranding Sol-Core into his current immunity boosting beverage: REZ.
“A vending machine is nothing more than an unmanned convenience store,” Edinger said. “So, what happens is you learn what products are selling, what flavors are selling, and again, to what audience.”
Unlike some drinks that only focus on one health-supporting element like electrolytes, REZ is what Edinger calls a “complete drink.” Formulated to restore the body, which is the significance behind the brand’s name, the sugar-free, 10-calorie and one-carb beverage contains an array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s also made with turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and plant-based glucosamine, which is involved in joint support.
However, the challenge with producing Continued on page 88
a functional beverage is ensuring the health benefits aren’t at the expense of the flavor. In addition to researching vitamins and minerals, the REZ team worked with a flavor house to make sure REZ’s flavors would be enjoyable and strong enough to “cover” the drink’s functional elements.
“The term I always use is…I like to have a drink that has ‘gulpability,’ meaning you enjoy it so much [that] you have no problem gulping it down,” Edinger said.
REZ currently comes in three flavors: fruit punch, watermelon peach and orange mango. Going forward, as the brand expands into more retailers, the team is working on producing more flavors and eventually launching functional lemonades, iced teas and powdered drink mixes.
While REZ has several plans in the works, the company has still faced its share of challenges. At the beginning of 2020, the beverage was supposed to go into approximately 1,000 new stores, but as COVID-19 shutdowns took place, grocery stores no longer accepted new products and sampling wasn’t allowed. But with the plant-based diet on the rise, having people try REZ was essential.
“We never promoted ourselves as plant-based hydration prior to this year because before that, I don’t know if anybody would accept it,” Edinger said. “It would [have been] considered more like the aloe drinks or things like that, which, if you don’t like that taste, that would have been people’s perception [of REZ].”
Instead of offering consumers a cup of the drink instore, the REZ team opted to hand out full bottles of the product, along with information cards, in grocery store parking lots to raise brand awareness and build their customer base.
Now, as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the company has gotten back on track. On June 2, REZ made its way into 670 Publix Super Markets, one of the largest grocery chains in the United States.
The plant-based drink will now be in approximately 2,500 stores across the country.
When reflecting on his experience as a beverage company owner and CEO, Edinger said the most rewarding part of this journey has been working with his son, Justin, a rising sophomore at Coastal Carolina University. Justin, who has assisted with raising REZ’s brand awareness, was able to get his campus to distribute the beverage, which led to REZ securing several additional colleges, as well as Sysco Foods, the largest food distributor in the world.
What started out as a two-person Bergen County-based business venture has transformed into a national brand that has grown by 500 percent this year alone, according to recent company statement. Now operating with a 10-person team – with the majority being Pascack Valley High School alumni – Edinger emphasized the homegrown element of the beverage brand.
“It’s just unique,” Edinger said. “…You don’t get more local than us.”
For more information on REZ, visit www.rezbev.com, or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. REZ is also available for purchase on Amazon.
Healthy Eats
Entertaining without the Over-Indulgence
Simple Recipes for Hosting That Will Keep Your Guests Happy & Satisfied
Light, refreshing flavors are the perfect solution for an autumn meal. As temperatures drop, take your fall entertaining to the next level with a secret ingredient that is as pretty as it is tasty.
Alone or in a recipe, when the weather cools down in the Northeast, California grapes are a deliciously healthy way to bring refreshing flavor to the table. Delightful as a snack, grapes are also a great choice for your entertaining menu because they pair so well with so many other ingredients.
Plan the perfect party with these easy entertaining tips:
Xena
Last Laugh
IT’S TIME YOU GET A HOBBY
by Alisa Singer
It’s funny how things turn around on us. We spend the first part of our adult lives envying people with great jobs, and the last part envying people with great hobbies, many of whom had the opportunity to develop the latter mainly because they lacked the former. But the time comes when what we do on weekends and evenings is more important than what we do during the day because eventually, if you’re lucky, the two will reverse and your avocation will become your vocation.
So if you’re over 50, still working and haven’t yet developed a riveting hobby of some kind, you need to find one right away. Keep in mind that retirement comes in two flavors, planned and unplanned, and in either case you’ll be in for a rude shock if you don’t use the runway before you (i.e., the time between now and retirement) to plan your post-work world. But before you take up scrapbooking or sign up for Italian lessons, take a few moments to consider some of the more creative diversions out there.
There’s the exciting pastime of tornado chasing, for example. Or indulge your criminal side with locksport, the sport of picking locks. Baton twirling; you’ve seen it, but have you tried it? It’s tougher than it looks. And for the fan of medieval history that’s too wimpy to fence, there’s boffering, sword fighting with padded weapons.
Perhaps you would prefer to select a pursuit that complements your deeply held principles and values. Say, for example, you’re committed to ending the global nuclear arms race. A natural choice for you would be a leisure activity that involves the launching of projectiles at high speeds through the use of pneumatic pressure or the combustion of gaseous fuels. In laymen’s terms, these are spud guns, also known as potato cannons, so named because they are used to fire off chunks of potatoes or other vegetables, or even huge ones such as pumpkins. Just think of how much safer—not to mention funnier—the world would be if countries gave up their nuclear weapons to compete in a vegetable arms race. Countries invading each other to seek out and destroy vegetables of mass destruction. One could go on and on….
Hopefully you’re beginning to realize that when it comes to hobbies, there are many fascinating options to choose from. I’ve done a bit of the research for you and have come up with this list of some of the more unusual interests people pursue: UFO hunting; hoarding; bell ringing; robot building; bee keeping; playing with toads; tapophilia (the enjoyment of cemeteries); juggling; cloud watching; plane spotting; astrology; beading; belly dancing; breakdancing; body piercing; cake decorating; flamenco, graffiti, handwriting analysis; kung fu; line dancing; origami; palmistry; quilting; space exploration; sumo wrestling; duct tape fashion; spying; yodeling, and memorizing songs backwards.
The website “oddee.com” is also worth checking out. There you’ll find descriptions of some of the weirder hobbies, which include playing dead; appearing in the background on TV; giving away money to strangers; mooing (yes, just like it sounds, only done on a competitive basis); tattooing motor vehicles; animal grooming (painting one animal to make it look like another); and knitting breasts (woolen ones that are used to help new mothers learn how to breastfeed).
If you can’t settle on just one, consider combining a few. The important thing is to seize upon some hobby—any hobby really—and make sure you find a second one that can be done indoors. This is important because if you ever find yourself shut up in your home and unable to leave the premises, you don’t want to be discovered by a team of Navy seals, pathetically primping in front of the video camera, endlessly watching home movies of yourself or, for lack of a really fun hobby, operating a global terrorist organization from a room above the garage.
