Bergen June 2026

HELLO, SUMMER

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Take the First Step Toward Recovery from Substance Use

Is At-Home Testing For You? 26

Today, getting personal medical news is easier and more convenient than ever. But know what that news can actually reveal— and what it can’t.

It’s Nature’s Turn Again 28

More and more Bergen residents are renovating their landscapes to make them more sustainable. That means favoring native plants over invasive, non-native species.

Backyard Paradise 32

The new Alpine home already had a built-in pool. Then the landscape designer gave it palm trees, a dramatic fire feature and the feel of a luxe tropical resort.

A Backyard Steps Up 36

Once just a grassy slope, this Ho-Ho-Kus yard transforms into a multi-tiered entertainment zone.

2026

Marble, She Said 42

With a party-perfect flow and an elegantly classic material, an outdoor living space in Franklin Lakes reflects the vision of one of the homeowners, an interior designer.

Star-Spangled Spread 48

This July 4th, trade the expected for a beautifully styled celebration full of summer flavor.

Departments

Bergen Buzz 11

Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.

Style Watch 18

Refresh your wardrobe with fashion finds in chic seafoam hues.

Home Front 20

Coastal-inspired pieces can turn any room into a breezy summer escape.

Friends & Neighbors 22

When designer Anthony Bruno of River Edge needed a partner for an HGTV show, he knew just whom to call: his mom.

Escapes

52

The U.S.A. is about to mark a major birthday. What better time to travel to eras that vanished long before you were born?

Tastes 54

These juicy kabobs are ready to turn your next barbecue into an event.

Bar Tab 58

This classic cocktail will give your morning routine a sweet, citrusy twist.

Restaurant Review 78

Creative small plates, playful presentation and rich bowls of ramen make Jinya a standout in Hackensack.

Gatherings 86

Bergen residents always show up support one another.

A Bergen Moment 88

A Harrington Park resident waits the perfect time of day to catch one of nature’s treasures on camera.

Photo by Jaye Avery Photography.

Of Pools And Possibilities

Do you have a backyard swimming pool— or wish you did? The Ho-Ho-Kus residents on page 36, big entertainers, hoped for one but wondered if their hopes were in vain. Their steeply sloped yard was, in landscape designer Thomas Flint’s words, “an awkward, unfriendly area for a pool.”

But this Summer Issue is all about possibilities, and we wouldn’t feature this tale if it didn’t have a happy ending, would we? Flint and his imaginative crew befriended the resistant turf, creating not only a pool but a whole entertainment center complete with a cabana, a firepit, a multi-tiered patio and a garden with “lots of color.” Another challenge, “screening the property from surrounding homes,” was mastered too.

Privacy was also a concern at the Alpine home on page 32. Here there was already a pool, but it was visible from the road. Landscape designer Welington Gomes made the yard a tropical oasis sheltered by evergreens and new fencing, with swimmers now discreetly concealed. He also added a firepit area, an expanded patio and a U-shaped outdoor kitchen.

Meanwhile, one of the owners of a six-bedroom Franklin Lakes home (page 42) was an interior designer who wanted marble patios and pavers. With the help of landscape builder Rich Andreu, she got them in a distinctive outdoor space—along with a swimming pool, a brass-burner fire table and a waterfall. What a great place for the owners’ four-year-old, already a swimmer, to splash his way to maturity through the years! June, when everything’s green, is a perfect time to take stock of the plantings on your property. Do they support, or subvert, the goal of sustainability? Plants native to our area create a healthier habitat for local birds, bees and other creatures than do plants—sometimes invasive species—imported from afar. Find out how to “go native” in our Special Report on page 28.

Also in this issue are hints on staying safe from bears (page 16) and information on “fairy trails” at nature centers (page 14). On page 11, find five things to do on Father’s Day with your dad—or the dad in your life. Recipes for delicious grilled kabobs? They’re on page 54. We examine today’s home health tests (page 26) and what they can—and cannot—reveal. Check out a ramen restaurant with a difference on page 78. And on page 22, meet an interior designer who chose just the right partner when he got the chance to appear on a home-design TV show about “thrifting.” Pardon me, dads— we know it’s your month—but it was Mom.

Finally, it’s time to plan ahead—the nation’s 250th birthday is coming right up. On page 12, find out where to see fireworks, enjoy cookouts, listen to live music and see historical reenactments. There are “living history” exhibits at five top museums within easy driving distance—see page 52. And find inspiration on page 48 for a Fourth of July party with extra flair.

The possibilities are endless. Enjoy!

Rita Guarna Editor in Chief rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com

Bergen

Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA

Creative Director

STEPHEN M. VITARBO

Senior Associate Editor

DARIUS AMOS

Assistant Editor

KIRSTEN MEEHAN

Contributing Editors

LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF

PAUL RANCE JR.

DONNA ROLANDO

Contributing Photographers

ADAM PASS PHOTOGRAPHY DSAL PRODUCTIONS

JAYE AVERY PHOTOGRAPHY

PRODUCTION

Production Manager

FERN E. MESHULAM

Production Artist

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WINE&FOOD 2026BERGEN EXPERIENCE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.

Edgewood Country Club River Vale, NJ

GARDEN PARTY

Spring is in full swing, so it’s time to enjoy a little green time. Bergen is lucky to have incredible local nurseries filled with expert advice and beautiful plants. Visit one or more of the following to get your garden growing:

• Charlie’s Nursery & Garden Center, 275 River Rd., North Arlington, 201.998.8206; charliesnurserynj.com

• Fresh & Fancy Farms, 575 River Rd., New Milford, 201.483.9494; freshandfancyfarms.com

• Goffle Brook Farm & Garden Center, 423 Goffle Rd., Ridgewood, 201.652.7540; gofflebrookfarms.com

• Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery, 100 Franklin Tpke., Allendale, 201.327.3156; rohslers.com

• Secor Farms, 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah, 201.529.2595; secorfarms.com

To read more about Bergen’s great garden centers, visit bergenmag.com/nurseries-thatbring-spring-to-life.

BABY’S BEST FRIEND

In a recent issue of Bergen Buzz, our weekly e-newsletter, we shared a special moment between 13-month-old Emily and her furry friend, 13-year-old Niki. Together, they stood on the couch and looked out the Fair Lawn house to see what was happening outside. Emily then gently took the pup’s paw, and Niki was more than happy to hold hands. The encounter was posted on Instagram by Emily’s mother, Julia Ivanova. Visit bergenmag.com/babys-best-friend to see the full interaction. Do you have a great Bergen Moment to share with us? Email the photo and a brief description to Editor Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.

Bergen Buzz

OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

GO AHEAD— MAKE HIS DAY!

OK, so maybe his beaming smile on opening that new necktie or grilling tool may seem a tad forced. But like they say, it’s the thought—Dad will always appreciate being recognized on his day (which this year falls on Sunday, June 21).

Below, three Bergenites share Father’s Day memories:

“We had my dad over for a Father’s Day barbecue, but my gas grill ran out of fuel in the middle of cooking burgers. I was upset and embarrassed, but my dad was cool about it. He insisted we finish making the burgers on an old George Foreman grill, and he said his burger was the best he’d ever had. I knew it wasn’t, but he definitely made me feel better.”

—Keith Kollarus, 45, Hackensack

“Father’s Day 2020 was the first time I had seen my parents since Christmas because of COVID. It was a rainy weekend, but we still got outside with my own son when it stopped to have a game of catch in the backyard. It felt like a surreal Field of Dreams moment—just being with him and my mom after a long time apart meant so much to all of us.”

—Brandon McHue, 41, Westwood

“I took my kids to many Yankees games when they were young, so it was special when they treated me to the Father’s Day game in 2018. It also happened to be Old Timers’ Day. Not only did we see the present-day team, but we also got to see some of the players I grew up watching. My kids said I acted like a kid all over again seeing those guys.”

—Geoff Berman, 66, Mahwah

PLAN FOR YOUR MAN

Some dads want to grill and watch a game on Father’s Day, and others don’t mind a reprieve from yard work and bickering children. But there’s much more to do with your guy on his special day. Ideas:

• Race against him. If you and your dad love to swim, bike and run, the 44th annual Wyckoff/ Franklin Lakes Triathlon takes place Saturday, June 20. It’s open to individuals and relays (so you can partner with Dad too if you’d rather be teammates). Register yourself and Pop at wyckoffymca.org.

• Raise a glass with him. Toast the man who means so much to your life and enjoy an afternoon at one of Bergen County’s craft breweries. Hackensack Brewing in Hackensack, Gearblock Brewing in Waldwick and Bolero Snort in Carlstadt have assorted beers on tap—or take a four-pack or growler home to enjoy on your own patio.

• Spoil him on a shopping spree. Why give another polo shirt that he won’t wear when you can let him pick out something he will actually use? American Dream stores are open on Sunday, so head to the East Rutherford mall and treat him to new shirts, sporty sneakers or the latest tech device.

• Challenge him to a round of 18. Whether he’s a competitive golfer or simply enjoys being on the greens, a day of golf can be memorable for both of you. With six public facilities, Bergen County’s golf courses (golfbergencounty.com) have plenty of tee times available on Father’s Day.

• Splash around with him. Paddling in a tandem kayak at Overpeck County Park in Leonia (hackensackriverkeeper.org) offers great bonding time under the sun—it’s just the two of you working as a team to journey across the water. Overpeck Creek is relatively calm, so kayaking here is suitable for all skill levels.

LET’S CELEBRATE!

Bergen County lights up the sky in a big way this Fourth of July. As the nation builds toward America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s celebrations feel extra electric, with towns across the county going all out on fireworks, festivities and hometown pride. Here are some star-spangled spectacles to catch close to home:

—JUNE 25:

• Fair Lawn, Memorial Park: Family entertainment with live music, food and vendors begins at 5 p.m.; fireworks start shortly after dusk.

—JUNE 27:

• Wyckoff, Memorial Field: The township’s centennial celebration includes music, a beer garden, food and fireworks display. Gates open at 6 p.m.

—JUNE 29:

• Edgewater, Veterans Field: Music, food trucks and family fun begin at 6 p.m.; fireworks start at approximately 9:30 p.m.

—JULY 1:

• Englewood, Dwight Morrow High School: The city’s entertainment and fireworks start around 7 p.m.

—JULY 4:

• Allendale, Crestwood Park: Daytime festival with food vendors, games and activities starts at 11 a.m.; fireworks start at 10:15 p.m.

• Hackensack, Foschini Park: Stop by starting at 4 p.m. for food trucks and vendors followed by live music at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks show will commence around 9 p.m.

• Ridgefield Park, Overpeck Park: Bergen County’s annual Star-Spangled Spectacular begins at 2:30 p.m. with children’s activities, food trucks and a beer garden. Fireworks start at dusk.

• Ridgewood, Veterans Field: Gates open at 6 p.m. for food trucks, live music and entertainment. Fireworks set off at 9:25 p.m.

• Tenafly, Tenafly High School: The borough’s annual Independence Day activities and fireworks event begins at 7:30 p.m.

—JULY 9:

• Mahwah, Ramapo College: A fireworks display will take place following the college’s Summer Concert Series, which starts at 7 p.m.

DOES 250

celebrations filled with eye-popping fireworks, classics. Bergen County was at the heart of the independence—for one thing, Fort Lee is where the “Retreat to Victory” began, helping to cement “Crossroads of the American Revolution.” we’re making a historic fuss for America’s birthday. Don’t miss these celebrations:

• June 14. Bring the whole family to the Glen Rock Library lawn to take part in period-accurate colonial games. Try activities that kept people entertained in the 1700s—hoop rolling, marbles, etc. 1:30 p.m.

• June 14. History comes alive when the Pascack Historical Society in Park Ridge hosts a lecture by “Abigail Adams,” played by historian and reenactor Carol Simon Levin. 2 p.m.

• July 4. Before the fireworks, stop by Historic New Bridge Landing in

River Edge at 1 p.m. for a July 4th Walking Tour. Visitors can join the Bergen County Historical Society to see revolutionary battlegrounds in person.

• July 11. The Revolution comes to the Hermitage in HoHo-Kus, where the living history organization Outwater’s Militia will reenact the time when General George Washington’s troops stayed at this historic site in 1778. Starts at 10 a.m.

• July 29–Aug. 12. The traveling “Revolutionary Lives” exhibit is open at the Rutherford Public Library during regular hours, exploring how the conflict affected the lives of real New Jerseyans.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Chili, a 3-year-old cockapoo

Owners: Monica and Jonathan Schwartz of Woodcliff Lake

This pooch was everything her people desired from day one.

“We knew we wanted a red poodle or poodle mix, and we searched high and low for one,” says Monica. At last, they found Chili, who fit perfectly into the Schwartzes’ family.

“We joke that she’s like a person!” says Monica. “She seems to genuinely understand everything you say, and has such an expressive face. Sometimes she even throws tantrums like a person—if she can’t reach something or get somewhere she wants to go, she does these little stomps with her front paws while she’s sitting.”

Chili can be picky about eating vegetables, but she’s much more eager to try them if someone pretends to be eating them first. She’s also a globe-trotter—she loves the beach and takes trips to Miami; Monica reports that she and Jonathan “bring her everywhere with us.” And if they spend some time separated?

“She literally squeals from excitement when she finally sees you again.”

Do you want to see your pet in an upcoming issue? Email a photo and a brief description to Editor Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.

CULINARY CORNER

You may be thinking burgers and hot dogs for summer, but Bergen eateries have plenty of other flavors that may whet your appetite. Here are three new ones to try:

MAKE IT MEDITERRANEAN

The cuisine of Lebanon and Syria is often praised for its health benefits, but the best part is that it tastes great. Yasmeen, one of the latest Bergen restaurants with this focus, has a new spot in Cresskill. It’s the second North Jersey site for the team, offering the same delicious menu as its popular Clifton location: everything from lamb chops and chicken kabobs to grilled branzino and sauteed salmon filet. Come hungry!

• Yasmeen, 39 Union Ave., Cresskill, 201.292.3434; yasmeennj.com

FLAVOR FUSION

Folks at Casa Hibachi say their recently opened Elmwood Park eatery is a new concept, blending Latin and Japanese influences. But what they’re up to isn’t complicated: They simply serve good food. The short-order menu covers a range of flavors, with early online reviewers raving about tasty empanadas and egg rolls, juicy hibachi steak and perfectly grilled chicken.

• Casa Hibachi, 320 Route 46, Elmwood Park, 201.246.6074

ROLL WITH IT

Bergen has no shortage of great sushi destinations, but Handroll House represents a serious upgrade in East Rutherford. The latest eatery from the chefs behind Rutherford’s Butterfish Sushi is considered New Jersey’s first handroll bar, serving fresh fish with “Michelin-level” precision and craftsmanship. Those seeking more can try the Butter Bird, a juicy Japanese chicken sandwich that can quickly fill an empty stomach.

• Handroll House, 135 Park Ave., East Rutherford, 973.866.4233; thehandrollhouse.com

THE PURR-FECT HOME

Whether they’re aloof couch nappers or playful sock hunters, our feline friends provide companionship and joy in our lives. If you’re thinking about bringing one into your home, now is a great time— June is National Adopt-a-Cat Month. Though the Bergen County Animal Shelter and the Ramapo–Bergen Animal Refuge always have adoptable cats and kittens, there also are local organizations dedicated to cat rescue, rehoming and adoption. A few options:

• Simba’s Sanctuary, 151 E. Main St., Ramsey; simbasonline.org

• Chance at Life Cat Rescue, 121 Kinderkamack Rd., River Edge, 201.982.2219; chanceatlifecatrescue.com

• Cat Crew Rescue, Oradell; catcrewrescue.com

• Feral Cats of Bergen County, 45 Whitney Rd., Mahwah, 973.525.5387; feralcatsofbergencounty.com

JUST ADD PIXIE DUST

If you’re looking for a whimsical local outing with the kids, consider introducing them to the fairies that live in two Bergen County nature centers. On so-called “fairy trails,” tiny houses and structures made of natural materials like moss, wood, bark and sticks are tucked into trees, under bushes and inside of stumps, drawing children into the magic of the woods. Stop by the Bellflower Faerie Trail at the Tenafly Nature Center (313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, 201.568.6093; tenaflynaturecenter.org), which starts on the Red Loop Trail. In addition to houses, you may even find a fairy post office and playground if you keep your eyes open. Or stop by the Demarest Nature Center (Wakelee Dr., Demarest, 201.750.0753; demarestnaturecenter.org), which opened its Gnome Glen and Fairy Trail in September 2025. Wander along the Green Trail and keep an eye out for magical surprises!

Intimate in Scale

Grand in Lifestyle

Close-Knit Community Meets Everyday Elegance

Enjoy effortless resort-style living with exquisitely detailed apartment homes, covered parking, multiple culinary options, a performing arts center, fitness and wellness spaces, an indoor pool, and a wide variety of clubs and classes.

Experience refined living without the upkeep, giving you extra time for what you love.

Why wait? Discover Bergen County’s most intimate and exceptional continuing care retirement community.

To arrange a tour and receive event invitations, visit TheVista.org/Contact or call (201) 733-3487.

BAD NEWS, BEARS

Back in April, an Oakland family made headlines when a mother black bear and her four cubs denned beneath their home, emerging as the weather warmed. The story drew coverage from outlets across the state and beyond, from WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News to The New York Post. New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife advised the family to wait it out, noting that the mother was already in the process of relocating her cubs and that allowing her to do so was the safest, least disruptive option. In the aftermath, the agency reminded residents of the importance of securing potential food sources that can attract bears. Here are a few additional tips to help keep bears out of your yard:

• Close up garbage. Trash bins are one of the most common draws for bears on human property. If you’re seeing too much of these critters, consider switching to certified bear-resistant garbage containers. If not, ensure that all garbage containers have tight-fitting lids and keep them in a secure location, such as a shed, garage or basement.

• Limit other attractions. Outdoor grills and bird feeders also attract bears. Make sure you clean grills and utensils thoroughly after each use, and never dump cooking grease in the yard. Hang bird feeders from wires at least 10 feet off the ground and from the trunk of a tree (not from the house or deck). If you’re worried about bear activity, consider taking your feeders down and bringing them inside during the night.

• Compost smart. Compost piles are great for the soil and minimize food waste, but they also can lure bears to your yard. To minimize that risk, do not place meat, dairy or sweet foods in compost or mulch piles, and try to keep a three-to-one ratio of “brown” ingredients (dried plant materials, fallen leaves, small sticks) to “green” ones (vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, fresh plant materials).

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE MALL?

Bergen Town Center shoppers will soon have a few more reasons to stop by. A fresh wave of new stores is arriving at the popular shopping destination along Route 4, including:

Elev8tion Fitness: Join this nationally known gym, which is is built on a community that is results driven and passion fueled.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe: This Boston chain is known for artisanal pastries, fresh breads and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Nail Art Spa: Regional nail artists from Hackensack open their second location. Pilates Addiction: Here, you can take a Pilates class that blends classical technique and modern intensity.

Canton Rodeo: The Hong Kong BBQ concept opens its new flagship location. Swarovski: The jewel box shop offers the brand’s highly coveted crystal jewelry and accessories.

ART YOU CAN LOOK UP TO

Seeing “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition” at Garden State Plaza can’t top a trip to Vatican City, but it’s an easier way to view and admire High Renaissance art. Now open through July 5, the exhibit provides an up-close-and-personal glimpse at life-sized reproductions of the chapel ceiling’s 34 frescoes, meticulously painted by the Italian artist. Through digital technology and open space, the display offers visitors a point of view that beats Rome: There are fewer crowds, the art is within reach and photos are permitted.

EVAN BAIRD, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center; RAFAEL LEVIN, M.D., M.S.C., Chief of Spine, HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley; JONATHAN LESTER, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; NOMAAN ASHRAF, M.D., M.B.A., Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center

Waves

Judy–Jumbo Cord Slipper Slider wolfand badger.com

Pearl Izumi Women’s Rove Shorts pearlizumi.com

Cinq à Sept Giles Vegan Leather Cargo Pants Bloomingdale’s, Hackensack, 201.457.2000

Fayeth Handbag maya-munchen.com

Ulla Johnson Lulu Pleated Satin Skirt Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920

Bring Home The Beach

Coastal-inspired pieces can turn any room into a breezy summer escape.

Handcrafted Oversized Sea Glass Garland Pottery Barn, Hackensack, 201.457.1313

Jonathan Charles Seaglass Bunching Chest jonathancharlesus.com

Isola Dining Side Chair in Weathered Teak & Harbor Blue Wicker, Set of 2 frontgate.com

Coastal Blue 101/2” High Faux Coral Sculpture lampsplus.com

360 Lighting Crosby 22 1/2” Blue Glass Bottle Table Lamps, Set of 2 Target, multiple locations

Fredrick Ramond Dune 16” Tall Wall Sconce Ferguson Home, Mahwah, 201.252.8730

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

FAMILY AFFAIR

When designer Anthony Bruno of River Edge needed a partner for an HGTV show, he knew just whom to call: his mom.

HGTV’s That Thrifting Show with Lara Spencer debuted on Hulu in March of 2026 with a simple premise: two interior-design duos, different each episode, have two days and $2,000 to transform a room entirely with thrifted or upcycled pieces. (It’s a natural fit for Spencer, known for hosting Flea Market Flip for 14 seasons.) And if you caught episode five, you saw interior designer Anthony Bruno, 35, of River Edge team up with his mother, Stephanie Pappas, 65, of Mahwah. Pappas, a newborn care specialist, grew up in Harrington Park, raised Bruno and his two siblings in Paramus and moved to Mahwah when it was time to downsize. Bruno spent time in theater design—including a stint as an artistic director at a theater in Boston—before returning to Bergen and focusing on interior design. He lives with his husband, Gian, whom he married in September 2025.

Does design run in the family?

ANTHONY: I think so. Some of my earliest memories are of decorating the house with my mom for holidays.

STEPHANIE: Even though I’m not a professional designer like Anthony, it’s been a hobby my whole life. Both my parents were huge DIY-ers. We had four sewing machines, and they would be going all weekend. My dad was a gardener, and my mom loved garage sales— there’s the thrifting connection. What are your design aesthetics?

A: Narrative and dramatic.

S: Serene and refined. And I really started to gravitate toward warm minimalism as I got older.

A: In contrast to when I was growing up, she was really into the early-2000s Tucson thing. Lots of roosters everywhere.

S: [Laughs.] Yeah, lots!

How did you get involved with That Thrifting Show?

A: The producers reached out to me on TikTok, where I post design content. I thought it was a scam at first. They were looking for duos, and I knew right away I needed to ask my mom. My friends have been telling me since high school that it would be the biggest loss in television history if my mother was never on a reality show. Why’s that?

A: She’s the quintessential New Jersey mother. I remember being a teenager and hanging out at Cool Beans in Oradell, which doesn’t exist anymore, and the server came up and said, “Uh, is there an Anthony here? Your mother called us and is looking for you.”

S: Well, you didn’t have a cell phone yet!

Memories from being on set?

S: I was surprised by how many people you need to produce a show like that. Every duo had a producer and a six-person camera crew.

A: And a lot of the time is spent on production things. For every 24 hours you have to design a room, you really have more like 10. Were you ever starstruck?

S: Yes, from meeting Lara Spencer. I watched a lot of Flea Market Flip, so it was wild to work with her. She’s incredible—so authentic, downto-earth and kind.

A: We also didn’t know who the guest judges were going to be until the day of. When they walked in, my mouth dropped open—I’ve been following these people [Preston Konrad, Robert Hartwell and Dani Klaric] for years, and suddenly they’re here! I panicked a little bit.

Challenges?

A: Well, filming took place two weeks before my wedding.

S: The wedding he designed, for the record.

Tell us more about that.

A: I need to give my husband major props for being as supportive as he was. It was kind of an insane thing to do, but he really stepped up and took everything on—he said, “I’ll take care of the vendors, I’ll take care of the caterer. You go chase this opportunity.” The wedding was at the Bok Building in Philadelphia, which used to be a technical high school. Perfect, because we met in high school—at Bergen Technical Academy. Lessons from working together?

A: My mom’s superpower is that she never sees the obstacles. She’s adept at problem-solving and finding a workaround to any snag. I really want to be more like that.

S: And Anthony says all the time, “Trust the process.” He believes that in a way I admire. If the solution isn’t in front of him, he believes it will reveal itself.

Memories from growing up in Bergen?

S: I raised my kids right across the street from the Bergen County Zoo. We could see some of the animals from our yard. And one time the peacocks—

A: [Laughing.] Oh my God! I forgot about that. Yeah, the peacocks escaped! There were five peacocks in our backyard.

S: Anthony and I needed to corral them into the garage and then call the zookeepers. “Could you please come get your birds?”

A: Only in Bergen!

—Kirsten Meehan

Photos courtesy of Anthony Bruno

from top: Anthony Bruno and his mother, Stephanie Pappas, on the set of That Thrifting Show with Lara Spencer; Pappas has lived in Bergen County for nearly her entire life, and Bruno grew up in Paramus and lives in River Edge; The duo also had a chance to compete in a live decorating contest on Good Morning America to promote the show, and they took home first prize; Bruno describes his design aesthetic as “narrative and dramatic.”

Clockwise

HEALTH NEWS

ONE LEG AT A TIME

A seven-year study following 1,700 older adults found that those who could not balance on one leg for 10 seconds died during the study, compared with about 5 percent of those who could balance on one leg.

—British Journal of Sports Medicine

STEP UP

People who climb at least five flights of stairs daily have a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

—Atherosclerosis

TEND TO MUSCLES

Muscle-strengthening exercises are associated with a 10 percent to 17 percent lower risk of dying—regardless of cardiovascular exercise.

—British Journal of Sports Medicine

JAVA JOY

two to three caffeinated one to two tea—can lower and preserve function.

—Journal of the American Medical Association

VITAMIN K FOR BONE HEALTH

When combined with vitamin D, vitamin K may reduce fracture in postmenopausal women, according to a recent review.

Vitamin K-rich foods include dark greens such as kale, spinach broccoli.

76%

The reduction in dementia risk among people who regularly dance— comparable to the cognitive benefits of playing musical instruments or board

—Nutrients —Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity also may help lower the risk of addiction to a range of substances including alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, nicotine and opioids, based on a large study.

—The BMJ

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WITH RESTROOM

IS AT-HOME TESTING FOR YOU?

TODAY, GETTING PERSONAL MEDICAL NEWS IS EASIER AND MORE CONVENIENT THAN EVER. BUT KNOW WHAT THAT NEWS CAN ACTUALLY REVEAL—AND WHAT IT CAN’T.

Seena Shekari, D.O., family physician, Valley Health System, Waldwick

In 2026, it’s rare to find a person who hasn’t taken an at-home COVID-19 test. Such kits were household necessities at the height of the pandemic; you likely have a few in your medicine cabinet right now—and use them. We all want to know, after all, if the congestion and fatigue we’re feeling indicate just a touch of late-spring allergies or a reason to stay home from work or school. You can pick up a similar testing kit that will tell you if you have the flu, for the same reason.

It’s not just for upper-respiratory woes. Browse a local pharmacy today, you’ll find at-home tests that measure blood sugar, check for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and flag if one has entered menopause. Turn to online storefronts and you’ll find even more options—checking for Lyme’s disease or low vitamin-D levels, for example. And the trend is growing. Last year, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved an at-home test for human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of most cervical cancer and the virus screened for in a Pap smear. Still more at-home tests can be ordered by doctors—patients can take a sample of stool or urine, for example, at home and send it to a lab themselves.

The appeal of such tests for the consumer is obvious. They’re convenient, as they don’t require the time and travel of a trip to a primary care physician or urgent care; and they’re usually fast, so there’s no waiting for results. But BERGEN wondered what a doctor thinks— of the home HPV tests, for instance.

“Access to care is always good,” says Seena Shekari, D.O., a family physician at Valley Health System in Waldwick. “We’re lucky in Bergen County to have many doctors and providers. But if you live somewhere rural, it may be a two-hour drive to see a gynecologist. Some people can’t do that, and those are the people this new HPV test really helps.”

A further chat with the doctor reminded us that everything in medicine involves trade-offs. He had,

for example, some good news about home testing— and some bad.

• The good. Dr. Shekari’s favorite new option?

“Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs,” he says. “They’ve been available through prescription for a while, but now you can get them over the counter. They are a powerful tool not only for people with diabetes, but also for those just concerned about their blood sugar.” These wearable devices measure your blood sugar levels 24 hours a day without the need for finger pricks; they’re often attached to a smartphone app. “They give people real-time feedback on how what they do affects their sugars,” says the doctor. “Some patients have essentially cured their diabetes, just with the information this tool gives them alone, without any medications. It’s truly powerful.”

Those home COVID-19 and flu tests, too, win a thumbs-up from the doctor. “They’re useful if you need to know quickly if you’re contagious or not,” he says. These tests have a fairly low falsepositive rate and, if you test positive, you can be confident that you’re contagious. However, Dr. Shekari also offers a caution. “They have a high false-negative rate, somewhere in the 50-percent range,” he explains. “I always tell my patients that I don’t trust one negative result—I want to see three in a row spread out over a few days to really be sure.” That can be a problem because, if someone needs treatment for the flu, it should be administered within 48 hours. Doctors use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests when checking for these viruses; they’re accurate 90 percent of the time. “Testing at home is a great start, but it’s always good to see a doctor if you think you have the flu,” he says.

Dr. Shekari also sees many patients using athome tests for UTIs, and using that result to guide their decision to see a provider. “I don’t see a lot of false negatives with that one,” he says. “People come in, say ‘I thought I had a UTI, I tested at home and it came back positive. I’m here so you can treat it.’ I think that’s great—it gets those patients where they need to be and it helps ensure that they actually seek out care.”

• The bad. One consistent problem Dr. Shekari sees is that home testing can cause a lot of

long-term anxiety and worry. He cites a test called Cologuard, a TV-advertised, at-home test for colon cancer that must be ordered by a medical professional. “It’s an option for people who cannot, or will not, get a colonoscopy,” he explains, and it involves a person taking a stool sample and sending it to a lab. “The problem is that there’s a significant false-positive rate,” he says. “So it comes back positive and suddenly the patient is panicking because they think it’s colon cancer—but it’s really only cancer about 4 percent of the time. The rest of the time, it’s a noncancerous polyp, an internal hemorrhoid or something similar.” With a colonoscopy, the doctor explains, the problem is revealed with a 99 percent accuracy, and the doctor can take care of something like a polyp during the procedure. “With Cologuard, you get that positive result, then you need to make another appointment and set up a procedure. It could take months, and the whole time that person is worried about having cancer,” Dr. Shekari explains.

A similar problem arises with direct-toconsumer genetic testing through services like 23andMe. “It can be really distressing without any guidance from a provider,” says the doctor. “What if that test comes back ‘positive’ for a high risk of Alzheimer’s disease? Now the patient is looking at that result and going, ‘Does this mean I have it now? Or that I’m going to get it? When?’”

(It doesn’t—a positive finding for “Alzheimer’s genes” shows only part of what’s involved in developing the disease. Those biomarkers and genes are still being studied and aren’t fully understood yet.)

“Providers know what to do with the information you get from tests,” says Dr. Shekari. “We have all this science, and it’s great that so many people have access to it. But you need to know how to use it appropriately.”

As powerful as these at-home tests are, they can’t replace a visit to your primary care doctor. “Let’s say you do test positive with an at-home HPV test,” says the doctor. “What do you do next? That’s the guidance we’re here to offer. Take the test, yes—but come to us with that information.”

Special Report

IT’S NATURE’S TURN AGAIN

More and more Bergen residents are renovating their landscapes to make them more sustainable. That means favoring native plants over invasive, non-native species.

BY LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF

On Jean Epiphan’s 40-by-150-foot property in western Bergen County, you won’t find hostas or daylilies or any trace of English ivy or Japanese honeysuckle. Japanese azaleas? No. Bradford pear? Heaven forbid. Instead, you’ll encounter 167 species, the vast majority of them native plants— such as sensitive fern, its bright, broad fronds lighting up shady spots in the garden, and meadow rue, a tall plant whose profusion of delicate white flowers resemble an explosion of tiny fireworks. Like a growing number of Bergenites, Epiphan has opted to create a more sustainable landscape than the traditional duet of lawn and foundation plantings, with many of the plantings hailing from countries far away.

Sustainable landscaping aims to protect, and not to deplete or harm, natural resources. Epiphan, who also is an agriculture and natural resources agent with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, notes that “people are starting to learn that we’re in a serious biodiversity crisis”—meaning that we’re rapidly losing species and habitats thanks to human activities like polluting, overdevelopment and yes, filling our gardens with plants native to other countries and other ecosystems. When those plants spread to the wild, many of them crowd out the plants that coevolved with

native mammals, birds and insects, leaving those animals with a severely diminished food supply. Bradford pear trees, for instance, may have lovely blossoms and Japanese honeysuckle may smell heavenly, but to the animals that share our yards, they offer little to no sustenance—which is true of most non-native plants.

With that knowledge comes an interest in developing a yard that can help to support biodiversity. In fact, creating a sustainable landscape doesn’t just help the environment; it also reduces the amount of garden work required to keep it healthy. A growing number of landscapers in Bergen are either specializing in sustainable landscaping or incorporating its practices. If you use a landscaper you don’t want to lose, says Epiphan, have a conversation with him or her about which practices you’re interested in adopting. Most landscapers will be happy to comply.

If you’re ready for a full-bore sustainable makeover, or if you just want to take a first step, here’s what you can do to create a landscape that’s more in tune with nature:

• Broaden your beds. When Ramsey resident Thelma Pillepich decided to transform her property into something more environmentally friendly, her first step was to enlarge existing

garden beds and install new ones. “We had more grass than we really needed,” she says. Grass is notorious for consuming water and fertilizer, so reducing its presence in the landscape is a good first step toward sustainability. “We’re over-irrigating in the summertime to keep lawns alive when maybe we should have less lawn, more garden beds, more trees,” says Epiphan. The word “less” is key: You can increase the sustainability of your yard simply by reducing the amount of lawn you have—and have to take care of.

• Fix your fertilizer. An essential step toward sustainability, advises Michael Kolenut, “would be to minimize or completely eliminate the use of synthetic fertilizers on your lawn.” Instead, Kolenut, the owner of Lincoln Landscaping in Franklin Lakes, recommends applying a water-insoluble, slow-release fertilizer. As the name suggests, water-insoluble fertilizers don’t dissolve in water. That means that when it rains they won’t run off into our streams and other waterways—and garden runoff is a major source of water pollution in Bergen and elsewhere. Instead, over time (“slow-release”), they’re broken down by organisms in the soil to increase soil quality and fertility. Fertilizers made from composted manure, like Black Kow and Coop Poop, are good organic choices.

• Leave the leaves. We disparage them as “leaf litter,” but in fact, fallen leaves do more for the landscape than any packaged fertilizer ever could. “In those areas where we don’t have lawn,” says Epiphan, “one of the most important things we can do is keep the leaves on site.” Decomposing leaves, she notes, don’t just improve the soil; they also provide winter protection for beneficial insects. She recommends leaving about two inches of leaf matter in garden beds; if you don’t like the look, you can cover them with a thin layer of mulch. Epiphan notes that most of us tend to over-mulch anyway, which, she says, “ends up cutting off air circulation to the soil ecosystem.” If you’ve still got plenty of leaves after adding those two inches to your beds, consider creating a compost pile, which can be tucked away at the back of your property or behind a garage and can be as small as 3 feet by 3 feet.

• Hold on to the water. In recent years, the entire northeastern United States, including Bergen County, has experienced several severe droughts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that’s likely to continue. So it’s more important than ever to make sure that the rain that falls stays, as much as possible, in our yards. You can do that, Kolenut advises, by creating rain gardens and/or bioswales—ditches with porous bottoms lined with vegetation that direct rainwater to other parts of the property—downhill from your house and downspouts.

To create a rain garden, dig a hole about six inches deep. If you’ve got clay soil—the bane of most gardens—rejoice: It’s perfect for rain gardens. If your soil is sandy or pebbly, mix in compost to make it more water retentive. About a third of the garden should be planted with deep-rooted, water-loving plants such as grasses, sedges and rushes. Other plantings can include whatever species appeal to you, as long as they do well in moist soil.

Rain gardens and bioswales do more than just conserve rainwater; during heavy storms, they help protect against flooding. Another way to mitigate flood danger is to decrease the hardscapes—areas of paved-over soil—in your yard. Instead of concrete pathways, for instance, consider gravel, which allows water to flow into the soil.

• Go native. Two centuries ago, when most of Bergen was still undeveloped land, it didn’t matter much what we planted in our gardens: The mammals, birds and insects who’d evolved here over millennia found plenty of natural food in the wild, still made up almost entirely

of the native plants and trees they relied on to survive. But that began to change. In fact, exotic plants from faraway places were all the rage during the Victorian era, among them Japanese honeysuckle and purple loosestrife, two of the most invasive non-native plants now choking out native species in the wild. In our region, in fact, more than a third of plants in the wild are non-native, and 10 percent of them qualify as invasive, meaning they’re likely to spread and overtake our native plants. As these plants invade our woodlands and wild meadows, they’re helping to starve out the animals that once flourished here. That’s one of the reasons why New Jersey, earlier this year, enacted the Invasive Species Management Act, which makes it illegal, without a license, to sell 30 plants deemed invasive, among them Norway maple, tree of heaven, Bradford pear, English ivy, Japanese clematis, multiflora rose and purple loosestrife. (Garden centers and nurseries have until February 2030 to clear their shelves of the designated invasives.)

“Over thousands of years, our flora and fauna have developed a mutually interdependent relationship,” says Kolenut. Consider, for instance, that the only plant on which monarch caterpillars feed is milkweed, and that lady’s slipper orchids can’t survive without a very particular type of fungus surrounding their roots. One of the best steps you can take toward sustainability is to remove non-native invasive plants (among them the above-mentioned purple loosestrife and Japanese honeysuckle, as well as English ivy, multiflora rose and trees like Bradford pear and Norway maple) to keep them from spreading into the wild, and adding native plants to your landscape. (For more, see the sidebar article “Native Heroes of the Plant World.”)

Kolenut says native plants don’t just support wildlife; they also “require less input, meaning watering and fertilization, as they’ve adapted to the local growing conditions.” When Pillepich expanded her garden beds, she filled them with native plants such as winterberry, serviceberry, native viburnum, shrubby St. John’s wort, and decorative grasses like native sedges. The end result: “A lot more wildlife,” she says. “Birds, bees, lightning bugs, just everything.” Three years ago, she bought a small birdhouse and hung it near a serviceberry bush.

When we spoke with her in late April, she was watching a pair of black-capped chickadees build a nest in that birdhouse. “They come back every year,” she told us, “and I get to see them. That brings joy—and we all need some joy.”

NATIVE HEROES OF THE PLANT WORLD

If you’re looking to replace some of your non-native plants with native species—or just to introduce a few natives to your landscape—consider these contenders:

SHADE TREES

• White oak (Quercus alba). A native superhero. Growing to 80 to 100 feet, it supports more than 200 native birds and insects.

• Sugar maple (Acer saccharum). It’s the main source of maple syrup, prized for its striking fall foliage.

FLOWERING TREES

• Redbud (Cercis canadensis). In spring, its branches are blanketed with small, striking purple flowers.

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier). Its lovely white spring blooms give way to purple berries in late spring, supporting a variety of native birds. Its genus also includes a number of bushes.

SHRUBS

• New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanis). A compact shrub bearing white flowers in midsummer, it attracts bees and butterflies. (If you’re short of tea, you can brew the leaves, as they did during the American Revolution.)

• Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Its fragrant yellow-green flowers light up the shade garden in early spring.

FLOWERING PLANTS

• Coneflower (Echinacea). Beloved by bumblebees, coneflower comes in a variety of colors and holds its blooms over a long season.

• Bee balm (Monarda). Its red, purple and white blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

GROUND COVERS

• Golden groundsel (Packera aurea). “Golden” is a perfect descriptor for its brilliant spring flowers.

• Wild ginger (Asarum canadense). This shade lover is prized for its large, attractive leaves.

More and more garden centers in our area are emphasizing native plants in their offerings, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for locally, try native specialists online such as Prairie Nursery (prairienursery.com) and Edge of the Woods (edgeofthewoodsnursery.com). For more info on native plants, see the Rutgers fact sheet “Incorporating Native Plants in Your Residential Landscape” (njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1140/).

From top, left to right: sugar maple, bubble gum Chinese redbud, Regent serviceberry, New Jersey tea, spicebush, coneflower, pink bee balm, golden groundsel, blue ginger.

BACKYARD PARADISE

The new Alpine home already had a builtin pool. Then the landscape designer gave it palm trees, a dramatic fire feature and the feel of a luxe tropical resort.

Design by SJ Pools & Landscaping

Photography by DSAL Productions

Text by Donna Rolando

With a salt-water Gunite pool and hot tub provided by the builder, a new Alpine home’s backyard never sang the blues. But neither did it hit a high note for entertaining—a passion for the homeowners, a couple with two children. In fact, owners Jennifer and Pat considered the backyard of the six-bedroom modern farmhouse they purchased in 2024, in her words, a “blank canvas,” waiting to be molded to their tastes.

“It needed to be elevated,” she says—and she means aesthetically, not topographically. “It really wasn’t what we wanted our backyard

An Alpine couple called upon a familiar face, Welington Gomes of SJ Pools & Landscaping, to add to the salt-water pool he had already created with a complete backyard design. “They wanted to make it their own and special,” he says.

Clockwise, from top left: Cloaked by evergreens and fencing, this tropicalstyle backyard now serves as a true oasis, from the eight-jet hot tub to the fireand-water vases and the comfort of loungers like a Perigold daybed—great for tanning. Homeowner Jennifer approves of the palm trees now towering over the firepit area.

“It really makes it more magical, like you’re not even in New Jersey.”

to look like.” Not only was the swimming area visible from the road, compromising privacy, but patio space for poolside lounging was also scarce and the outdoor kitchen too bare-bones for these barbecue connoisseurs.

Not long after moving to Alpine, the couple called upon a landscape designer already familiar with the one-acre lot to personalize their standard builder’s backyard. Welington Gomes, owner of SJ Pools & Landscaping in Oradell, had created the rectangular pool and raised spa for Palisades Park builder Alliotts Enterprises in 2023. He returned to fill in that “blank canvas” with conversation zones: the graveled firepit area, expanded bluestone-look patios and, yes, a bigger and better outdoor kitchen on a bluestone-and-marble patio by Marmiro Stones, all completed in 2025.

Jennifer praises that outdoor kitchen for not only the charcoal perfection of a Brazilian grill but also its connection to guests, who can gather at the table or the neolith-stone-topped counter. The kitchen’s new U-shape gets

a chef’s kiss for accommodating two grills, a trash receptacle, wood storage and a sink in its stone-veneer structure. “It all works great, and we enjoy it,” says Jennifer.

As he designed the grounds, Gomes was mindful that the couple had savored scenic Hudson River views at their former home in New York City’s Riverdale. He homed in on visuals with poolside drama from fire and water vases from Archpot, which he credits with “great sound effects to help you relax.” Palm trees in New Jersey, an epiphany that came to him on a Miami vacation, create a tropical vibe while keeping company with a variety of plantings from hydrangeas to crape myrtles and large evergreens, which team up with fencing for privacy.

“Our home in the summer is the go-to house, which we love,” says Jennifer. But the couple isn’t done yet. Next up will be a heated pergola for summers that never end.

A BACKYARD STEPS UP

Once just a grassy slope, this Ho-Ho-Kus yard transforms into a multi-tiered entertainment zone.

Design by Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Custom Pools

Photography by Adam Pass Photography

Text by Darius Amos

Once defined by a steep slope and overgrown plants, this Ho-Ho-Kus backyard is now organized with different terraces. A multi-level patio, created by Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Custom Pools in Waldwick, has distinct zones for dining, swimming, lounging and entertaining.

A narrow, sloping backyard isn’t necessarily the ideal setting for a family that seeks serenity in the outdoors. Just ask Brian and Heather Lasala—the couple spent almost a decade resigned to those conditions at their Ho-Ho-Kus home. They love to entertain, and they wanted to upgrade the underused space to fulfill their wish list and meet the needs of an active, grade-school-aged son.

So the Lasalas called upon Thomas Flint, president of Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Custom Pools in Waldwick, for help, presenting their own vision for the yard that up to that point had featured a small patio and a short but steep hill covered with grass and overgrown plants. What did they want? A larger patio with a gathering space, organized landscaping and a swimming pool, if possible.

“It was a sloped yard with an awkward, unfriendly area for a pool,” Flint recalls. “And another big challenge was

screening the property from surrounding homes.” Because of the configuration of the Lasalas’ corner lot, the backyard’s property line was “basically at the neighbor’s front door.” As a result, the proposed upgrades required land-use variances from the borough codes.

When site-plan approval was granted, Flint and his team went to work. They excavated and created a terraced yard, installing a multi-tier patio that extended from the house on the main level to a new entertaining area on the lower level. “We used porcelain for the patio instead of typical stone,” Flint explains. “It’s a durable material and comes in a format larger than stone. It also doesn’t get as hot or slippery.” The same material was used for four steps connecting the main level with the next landing, where the new pool, spa and firepit and other zones were installed.

The pool was designed to give the yard a modern edge,

This page: Sun-shelf pool chairs by Ledge Lounger offer the perfect spot to catch rays as well as a glimpse of the limelight hydrangeas reflecting off the water’s surface. Opposite page: Steps soften the look from the main patio area to the lounge space next to the pool, as well as from the patio to the sunken spa, says Thomas Flint, president of Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Custom Pools.

This page: A new cabana is outfitted with a wet bar, complete with a sink, a drink cooler and a refrigerator. It fulfilled the homeowners’ desire for an outdoor entertaining hub—it’s a functional space. “When people entertain on weekends, they get the Sunday blues when they have to carry everything back to the house,” says Flint. “This cabana reduces time spent cleaning and going back and forth to the house.” Opposite page, from top: A blue stone veneer firepit gives family and friends a cozy place to congregate after a long swim and into the evening hours. The main patio area with dining set by Kettler Life extends from the home’s kitchen and living areas and serves as the primary outdoor dining space. Colorful flowers and lush vegetation are a visual counterpoint to the hardscaping elements.

featuring steps that lead swimmers gradually into the water as well as another series of steps that descend into a centrally located spa. “This makes the whole area feel soft, offering inviting access in and out of the water,” Flint says. The pool was built along the side of the lower terrace, giving it the illusion of an infinity edge.

A new cabana adjacent to the pool provides a place to entertain out of the water. Complete with outdoor bar, eating space and television, it’s a spot suitable for the Lasalas’ entire clan. “Lead designer Jessica Orellano worked with them on their goals and how to use the space,” Flint says. “They were looking for a hub that would have shade and would not be directly next to the house. The cabana is a true functional, usable space.”

Orellano also helped the family select flowers and other plants to fill in around the hardscape features.

Heather “wanted a garden and lots of color,” Orellano says, so the team used a variety of lavender, black-eyed Susans, cornflower and other bright-hued plants around the patio. “Limelight hydrangeas by the edge of the pool give an awesome reflection on the water. The garden was super-important, so there will be different blooms all throughout the year.”

For the owners, the result of the work was more than a dream come true.

“We loved the transformation of our backyard into a lush, peaceful space,” says Heather. “It has truly become our favorite escape, where we enjoy spending time with family and friends around a beautiful pool and firepit. Just as memorable was working with the crew—especially our project managers—whose presence we genuinely missed once the work was done.”

MARBLE, SHE SAID

With a party-perfect flow and an elegantly classic material, an outdoor living space in Franklin Lakes reflects the vision of one of the homeowners, an interior designer.

Design by Exclusive Stoneworks/ Unique Pools & Spas

Photography by Jaye Avery Photography

Text by Donna Rolando

An intentional synergy exists between this modern custom home in Franklin Lakes—built from scratch as directed by the new owners—and the outdoor living space. The elegant marble stonework and the tone of the furniture cohesively reflect the home’s exterior. No surprise, one of the homeowners is an interior designer.

As a pro interior designer, Adria Avallone had seen enough to know what she wanted—and what she didn’t want—in her family’s own outdoor entertainment project. She and her husband Anthony Dertouzos had almost limitless options, as they were starting fresh in a new, six-bedroom custom home they had built through Brooks Builders of Franklin Lakes. Steering clear of today’s popular bluestone hardscape, Avallone says she “had a very specific vision in mind and I wanted it to be very modern”—marble modern.

Completed in 2025, the multi-tiered outdoor space with a turquoise-toned Gunite pool abounds in sandblasted marble patios and pavers in a refreshing, light hue—in contrast to bluestone’s grayish tones. In marble, they found a clean complement for what she describes as a modern, English country house with European flair.

Guided by that vision, Exclusive Stoneworks completed “a great entertaining space,” she says, where family—including their 4-year-old son at home and her three twentysomething stepchildren on visits—can sun, splash and socialize.

“We’ve only had one summer there so far, but we’re very much anticipating this summer,” Avallone says. “We feel like we’re at a hotel back there. It really feels amazing, elegant.”

Rich Andreu, president of Exclusive Stoneworks and Unique Pools & Spas in Lyndhurst, was hired through Brooks Builders to take Avallone’s landscape plan to reality, starting with all the exterior brick and stonework. “We built the pool,” Andreu recalls. “We built the hardscape. We built the landscape. We did everything on the property.”

The clean, modern look extends to the Gunite pool with polished plaster for a glossy finish, color-changing lighting and nearby sundeck. “The pool came out perfect, exactly how I wanted it,” says Avallone, enthralled with the plaster-walled turquoise waters. Although the couple’s 4-year-old son already knows how to swim, a motorized cover (blended with its tranquil surroundings) adds to their peace of mind, while controlling heating costs.

Clockwise from top left: Boxwoods and hydrangeas frame the house, softening the marble hardscape; polished plaster is the secret of this pool’s turquoise tone, which homeowner Adria Avallone adores; the multi-tiered layout offers at its highest elevation the outdoor kitchen, while closer to the pool, another gathering spot pops with fire and water elements.

There were challenges along the way. Andreu says the project required excavating “the entire backyard” and removing nine loads of boulders from the pool area.

But today, with marble as a common thread, the outdoor living area is, in Avallone’s words, “great for parties.” It features a courtyard in the middle of the layout, which she designed to make best use of available space. At the highest elevation and near the home for convenience is the outdoor kitchen with a black aluminum dining table by Eichholtz, joined by all-weather, basketweave and aluminum chairs from Summer Classics.

The kitchen’s serious side is a 42-inch XO grill with two refrigerators and built-in trash receptables. Its beauty is in the stone veneer sourced from the Midwest through Braen Stone and matching the house, while the countertops share the patio’s sandblasted marble.

Closer to the pool on its own separate patio, fire and water create a dramatic gathering area. “We love roasting marshmallows in the firepit and listening to the water feature,” says Avallone.

A brass-burner fire table with 300,000 BTUs by Warming Trends “gives off a lot of heat,” says Andreu. Built into a raised stone-veneer planter, the waterfall has a sheer descent that creates a a kaleidoscope effect, which one may enjoy on the swinging chair by Terrain.

Besides charcoal-toned Catalina chaise longues with cast-stone side tables both by Summer Classics, the pool area offers a sundeck in the shallows, and all the furniture reflects the home’s exterior, “so everything feels cohesive and intentional,” Avallone explains.

No mere afterthought, the yard’s illumination is as much about beauty as it is safety. It includes strips on all the steps to the patios as well as uplighting for trees and lighting around the planting beds.

“I had a lot of details I wanted to include,” says Avallone, anticipating a full summer of fun in their new outdoor space.

“It all added up to the final picture, which was unbelievable.”

from top left: The outdoor kitchen built out of blended veneer stone (Eden-Valders) takes a style clue from the home’s exterior; a multi-hued waterfall and a powerful fire table create a special ambiance for marshmallow roasting; an English garden in the making, this six-bedroom, modern, European-style home is adorned with boxwood hedges and hydrangeas.

Clockwise

A STARSPANGLED SPREAD

An Independence Day gathering can be much more than burgers, hot dogs and a cooler of ice cream. Why not let America’s 250th anniversary this year be the perfect excuse to take a more considered approach—one that still feels relaxed and inviting?

“I plan everything around the flag,” says entertaining expert Stephanie Nass in her book SwingBy!EntertainingRecipesand theNewArtofGathering. “It goes without saying that this fete is red, white and blue.” Imagine layered textures: crisp linens, navy accents and subtle pops of red in fresh flowers or napkins.

“Setting your table for the occasion will always elevate any occasion, and the Fourth of July is no exception,” says event planner Angela Yu Bae of Fort Lee’s Angi & Co. “Coordinate your serving pieces, flatware and thematic centerpieces. Whether based on colors, stars, stripes or any other coordinated element, your décor will feel thoughtfully curated. If you’re planning something a bit more formal, you can set each place setting with a printed menu or trivia game.”

This July 4th, trade the expected for a beautifully styled celebration full of summer flavor.

For the menu, start with grab-and-go bites like sliders, and avoid heavy meats or pasta and potato salads that are weighed down with mayo. Next, add a signature dish like grilled shrimp skewers with garlic, citrus and herbs or try caprese-style skewers with fresh heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.

Don’t let a cooler of canned beverages serve as the only drink option. “Setting up a beverage station with a custom printed bar menu is always helpful so guests know what is available,” Bae says. “You can also enhance your offerings by including custom cocktails and mocktails to bring some fun to your bar menu. Get creative with custom drink names like ‘Freedom Spritz’ or ‘Independence Sparkler’.” Keep dessert simple but styled: fresh fruit, lemon bars or brownie bites with berries and whipped cream.

Ultimately, a memorable Fourth of July party isn’t about abandoning tradition—it’s about reimagining it. With a few thoughtful upgrades (check out Nass’s décor and flavors on the following pages), your celebration can feel as special as the occasion itself.

PAVLOVA

Serves 8

“For the Fourth of July, you can use red and blue berries for a patriotic dessert,” says Nass. “At other times of the year, you can substitute seasonal fruit.”

I N G R E D I E N T S

6 egg whites

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1 cup sugar whipped cream blueberries raspberries

D I R E C T I O N S

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium speed until the whites get a bit frothy, about 10 minutes. Add the cream of tartar and mix again to incorporate.

3. Add the sugar in a slow stream while the mixer runs at low speed. Continue beating on medium speed until a glossy and thicker mixture is obtained, about 10 minutes. You don’t want the egg mixture to be stiff, but you do want it to be thick enough to maintain its shape when you transfer it to the baking sheet.

4. Check to be sure the sugar is fully incorporated by rubbing some of the mixture

between your fingertips; you should not feel any sugar granules. If you feel sugar granules, continue mixing.

5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and shape into a 3- to 3½-inch-tall round. Place in the oven and reduce the heat to 225°F.

6. After 90 minutes, carefully touch the meringue to make sure that it is dry and brittle; it should not bounce back. If it is not dry, bake for another 30 minutes.

7. Turn off the oven heat and allow the meringue to bake in the residual heat until the oven is cool.

8. Place the meringue on a serving platter and slather with whipped cream. Decorate with blueberries and raspberries. When ready to serve, plate slices of the meringue with some of the berries.

All recipes and images are reprinted with permission from Swing By! Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering by Stephanie Nass (Rizzoli New York, 2024). Photography by Stockton Johnson.

ESCAPES

VISIT THE PAST!

The U.S.A. is about to mark a major birthday. What better time to travel to eras that vanished long before you were born?

Critics say schools today put too little emphasis on U.S. history—and what they do teach about it often triggers a fight between the political left and right. But there’s one place where history is alive and well, maybe more vivid than ever before. That’s on your potential summervacation itinerary.

With America marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this summer, “living history” museums are offering patrons the next best thing to time travel: a chance to see, hear and feel what things were actually like in bygone days. They’re putting on shows and exhibits that your kids will find fun, whether or not they’re history buffs during the school year.

With costumed actors who double as knowledgeable interpreters, these museums invite you to walk through a long-distant past that moves, breathes and talks to you. Hear a colonial blacksmith explain his work while demonstrating it, see a late-19thcentury printing press in action, step aboard a ship just like the Mayflower, watch a “base ball” game played 19th-century style or join in an old-fashioned pie-eating contest. Relax; there will be no test. But parents, beware: After a family visit to the olden days at one of these five destinations, your young scholars may clamor to see the other four:

OLD BARRACKS MUSEUM, TRENTON, N.J.

Nestled into the historic downtown of our state’s capital is the last remaining structure of its kind in the area. It was built in 1758 during the French and Indian War in direct response to residents protesting compulsory quartering of English soldiers in their homes. During the Revolutionary War, it served as both housing for Continental solders and a place to hold British prisoners of war. Now it’s filled with living-history exhibits, and it’s making its triumphant return for our country’s semiquincentennial, having spent much of 2025 and early 2026 closed for renovation. Here you can see Revolutionary New Jersey brought to life with costumed reenactors, new exhibits and curated collections, all with a special local take on history. What’s on for America 250? The museum goes all out on July 4. Visitors will be greeted with handmade recreations of Washington’s famous flower arch and enjoy games, children’s activities, photo ops and special giveaways. On July 5, the facility hosts America’s Potluck for a day of historical cooking demonstrations, community togetherness and innovative eats. You also can see a display of the Garden State’s best young talent—winners of the Old Barracks Youth Art Contest, open to ages 18 and younger, with the theme of New Jersey’s role in the Revolution, will be displayed for all to see. Back to the modern day. There’s much to enjoy in this city. If you crave a more conventional leaning experience in addition to the Barracks, check out the New Jersey State Museum, which houses more than two million objects, artifacts and specimens, including prehistoric fossils. You can also wander the local visual arts center, Artworks Trenton, and see both local and national talent on full display. Feeling hungry? Stop by The Station Tapas & Bar for upscale cocktails, Latin-inspired bites and great ambiance. More info: barracks.org

MYSTIC SEAPORT, MYSTIC, CONN.

Come to port, all sailors! Mystic’s Historic Seaport Village recreates a 19th-century New England maritime town, with costumed interpreters bringing to life before your eyes the trades that supported life at sea and on land. See a shipsmith, a print shop (with a working period printing press!), a carve shop and a one-room schoolhouse—plus historic homes where you can learn about domestic life and historic gardening and cooking techniques. There’s also a vintage planetarium, and it’s all tucked against the scenic Mystic River.

What’s on for America 250? The Seaport celebrates Independence Day with three days of live music, immersive programs and activities for all ages. At noon on July 4, see the “Antiques and Horribles” parade, a quirky New England tradition that dates back to the Centennial of 1876. It’s filled with outlandish, satirical costumes (you’re welcome to jump in and join!). Stop by the Buckingham-Hall House and learn about the quiet parts of revolutions and moments of social change. And the young ones will enjoy art projects, games and an American Girl Doll picnic all weekend.

Back to the modern day. Browse Mystic’s downtown, full of New England charm, where you’ll find more than 80 independent stores offering everything from homemade fudge (don’t miss Kenzie’s) and Polish stoneware (the famed Manufaktura has a storefront here) to curated antiques (The Nantucket Trader is a treat) and on-trend clothing. (The Bee’s Knees is always buzzing.) Hungry for something special? Led by James Beard Award winner David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter serves award-winning New American fare. More info: mysticseaport.org

PLIMOTH PATUXET MUSEUMS, PLYMOUTH, MASS.

Located in New England’s oldest town, this open-air facility recreates the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony, where English Pilgrims first arrived in 1620. This museum includes a recreation of a 17thcentury English farming and maritime village; the Mayflower II, a full-scale recreation of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America; a working gristmill where you can watch corn being ground to flour and the Wampanoag Homesite, which recreates traditional Native American cooking, working and homemaking practices. All of these exhibits feature costumed interpreters who are always in character.

What’s on for America 250? Plimoth has been celebrating all year long with its “Revolutionary Ideas Started Here” campaign, which reminds us that we can’t understand what happened in 1776 without knowing what came in the centuries before. Keep an eye out for a special flag-raising ceremony aboard the Mayflower II, fireworks over the harbor, movie screenings and talks all day. Here you’ll also find a special focus on the Wampanoag perspective on the American Revolution. Back to the modern day. This is a gorgeous coastal destination you should take the time to savor. Nearby Pilgrim Memorial State Park offers breathtaking views of the Plymouth Harbor and photo-worthy monuments— Plymouth Rock is enclosed by classical columns plucked right out of Greece and the National Monument to the Forefathers is towering and jaw-dropping. For delicious New England seafood options, check out East Bay Grille, which boasts an impressive raw bar (and, yes, lobster rolls). Also steps from the water is Ziggy’s Ice Cream, in operation since 1957, to conclude your adventure sweetly. More info: plimoth.org

GENESEE COUNTRY VILLAGE, MUMFORD, N.Y.

Up near Rochester, you’ll find the largest and most comprehensive living history museum in New York State—and the third largest in the nation. Explore a sprawling, 19th-century historic village, where you can see periodaccurate gardens, historical trade and craft demonstrations and heritage livestock, besides taking part in tastings of historic food and drink. You can also wander the huge nature center and the John L. Wehle Gallery, home to more than 20,000 historical and cultural objects— or catch a vintage “base ball” game. Silver Baseball Park, a replica of a 19th-century park, is the site of games played by 1868 rules—with no fielder’s gloves, for example.

What’s on for America 250? You’ll enjoy a “good old-fashioned revelry” if you spend July 4 here. The historic village will be decked out in its patriotic best, and you can take part in a 19th-century parade, a vintage pie-eating contest, lawn games and other activities (all hosted by costumed interpreters, of course). Five different food-and-drink stations offer burgers, beer, cider, hand pies and ice cream, or you can pack a picnic and set up for a day in the sun.

Back to the modern day. If you’re looking for a place to dine and you love small, familyowned restaurants, check out Eli Fish Brewing Company in Batavia for local brews (including a house-made hard root beer) and ciders, plus all the classic pub fare you could want. Something a little more quirky? Salted & Lit in Mumford serves up craft coffee beverages, pick-your-own-topping donut holes, specialty tater tots and delicious sandwiches. More info: gcv.org

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG, WILLIAMSBURG, VA.

There’s a reason this is the most famous museum of its kind in the United States. Colonial Williamsburg transports you back to the powder keg of the American Revolution, populated with the people who made that revolution happen. From a widow operating a printing press to an enslaved pastor to Thomas Jefferson himself, historical figures wander the streets and buildings for you to talk to and interact with—nearly all of them pulled from documentation of individuals who really lived in the 18th century. There are also 89 original 18th-century buildings to explore, expansive art galleries featuring pieces from the 18th century to the present day and trade demonstrations all day.

What’s on for America 250? July 4 kicks off with a spirited reading of the Declaration of Independence by a Jefferson portrayer and then continues with a salute to the original 13 states by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums and the Virginia State Garrison Regiment. There are craft activities for kids, historical military demonstrations, music and visits by figures such as James Madison and Marquis de Lafayette. That’s just the Fourth— the fun continues all weekend long.

Back to the modern day. Blue Talon Bistro is a French brasserie with a legendary cheese fondue and gâteau Breton for dessert. A more 21st century thrill? Also in Williamsburg is Busch Gardens, which boasts 10 thrilling roller coasters (including the Loch Ness Monster, which features the world’s first interlocking loop on such a ride), three water rides and a wildlife reserve where you can see wolves and bald eagles.

More info: colonialwilliamsburg.org

TASTES

Stick It!

These juicy kabobs are ready to turn your next barbecue into an event.

GRILLED

Yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

CHICKEN KABOBS

3 lbs. chicken breast or thighs

1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

¹/³ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

¹/³ cup mayonnaise

¹/³ cup olive oil

3 Tbs. lemon juice

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch-thick pieces and add to a large bowl. Add the marinade and stir together. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Combine parsley, cilantro, mayo, oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and seasoning in a small bowl.

Meanwhile, soak the skewers in water.

Once the chicken is marinated, thread the chicken onto the wooden skewers (soak the skewers in water for at least one hour to prevent burning). Grill over medium-high heat, turning until all sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.

“Lighten up these grilled chicken kabobs by using lean, skinless chicken breasts and swapping the mayo for plain Greek yogurt, which keeps the marinade creamy while significantly reducing the saturated fat. The yogurt also adds a protein boost and subtle tang that pairs perfectly with fresh herbs and lemon—delivering flavorful kabobs with a lighter, heart-healthy twist.”

—Megan Triolo, clinical dietitian, MLT360 Nutrition, Saddle Brook

TASTES

MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED LAMB KABOBS

Yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

For The Marinade

3 Tbs. fresh flat leaf parsley

2 Tbs. fresh marjoram

2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

2 tsp. lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1 tsp. fine sea salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground

For The Skewers

2 lbs. top round lamb, cut into 11/2-inch cubes

fine sea salt and black pepper, freshly ground

1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks lemon wedges, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Combine the marinade ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.

Pat the lamb cubes dry and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Put the lamb and marinade in a glass dish or resealable plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the meat and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.

Place a cube of lamb on a skewer, followed by the peppers and onions. Repeat until the skewers are filled.

Oil the hot grill pan, then place the skewers on the grill. Cook the lamb to the desired doneness, turning the skewers every 1 to 2 minutes (7 to 8 minutes total for medium doneness).

“For even more depth of flavor, explore your local Middle Eastern market to find endless aisles of herbs and spices. Try blends like ras el hanout (which is often salt free) or shawarma seasoning to elevate the flavor of the meat. These spices are also rich in antioxidants that may support digestion and reduce inflammation, all while adding bold flavor without extra sodium or fat.”

—Ali Senatore, registered dietitian nutritionist, Reimagined Nutrition, Edgewater

Sunrise Sip

This classic cocktail will give your morning routine a sweet, citrusy twist.

BREAKFAST MARTINI

Makes: 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

11/2 oz. gin

1/2 oz. orange liqueur (such as Combier)

3/4 oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1 bar spoon orange marmalade lemon wheel, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the gin, orange liqueur, lemon juice and marmalade into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well chilled. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

“If you want to substitute orange, stick with the citrus family. Mandarin or grapefruit marmalades will give this classic cocktail a slightly different but still delightful taste. While marmalade is preferred, berry preserves or apricot jam can balance gin and citrus nicely.”

—Justin Vitale, bartender, Ridgefield

Women Visionaries

Special Advertising Section

Deborah Visconi, President and CEO

For Deborah Visconi, leadership in healthcare has never been about maintaining the status quo. It is about stepping forward in moments that demand change. With more than three decades of experience across hospitals and health systems, her career is defined by taking on complex challenges and turning them into lasting, meaningful progress.

As President and CEO of New Jersey’s largest hospital, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Deb leads with a clear and purposeful vision to expand access, elevate care, and ensure healthcare truly serves the communities who need it most.

That leadership was most visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she guided the Medical Center through one of the most unprecedented public health crises in modern history. In a time of relentless uncertainty, she led with clarity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to both patients and staff. She reinforced the Medical Center’s role as an essential safety net while strengthening its position as a center of health, hope, and healing for the community.

Under her leadership, Bergen New Bridge has evolved into a mission-driven, high-performing health system. From expanding behavioral health services to launching the Depression Center of Excellence and opening a new Emergency Department with dedicated spaces for individuals in mental health crisis, her work reflects a fundamental belief - care must meet people where they are.

Equally central to her leadership is her investment in people. Through career development and mentorship, she is cultivating the next generation of healthcare leaders, ensuring the future of care is as strong, or stronger than it is presenty. Looking ahead, her focus remains clear. She is advancing access, equity, and innovation while redefining what healthcare can and should be. A system where access is expanded, dignity is preserved, and every patient is met with compassion and purpose.

Karen Hart, MD

My path to becoming a physician was somewhat indirect. Although I always had an interest in medicine, I majored in electrical engineering at Princeton University and worked in consulting after graduation. While the work was intellectually challenging, it didn’t feel emotionally fulfilling, and I realized that if I was going to work such demanding hours, I needed to feel more passionate about my career. That realization brought me back to medicine—a field where I could combine my interest in science with a more personally meaningful vocation. I completed a post-baccalaureate premedical program at Columbia University, then attended medical school at Washington University in St. Louis. I’ve never looked back.

One of my earliest inspirations was the obstetrician who cared for me during my first pregnancy while I was a resident at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.  She was kind, patient, attentive, and deeply knowledgeable, but never arrogant. She made pregnancy during residency feel manageable, and I still strive to treat my patients the way she treated me. I have also been inspired by the many “doctor moms” ahead of me who showed me that it is possible to balance a fulfilling career as a physician with a meaningful family life.

I’m proud that after many years of working within a large hospital system, I was recently able to transition to a smaller, more personal practice. Now, at Harley Street Medical, I schedule longer visits with my patients and have greater availability when they are sick or have concerns.  I am also able to spend more time reading medical journals and staying current with medical advancements. Medicine is constantly evolving - new treatments emerge and diagnostic tools continue to improve, and staying current will allow me to provide the best possible care to my patients for years to come.

Harley Street Medical

619 North Maple Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus NJ 07423

551.284.4044 | harleystreetmed.com/nj

Anne Marie Valinoti, MD

My path into medicine began as a girl, watching my mother work as a registered nurse. That early spark led me through a long educational and training process: studying chemistry at Haverford College, earning my MD degree at Columbia, and then completing an internal medicine residency at The New York Hospital — now NYP, Weill Cornell. I spent the first years of my career on faculty at Weill Cornell before making my home in Bergen County.

I was fortunate to have exceptional role models along the way, particularly the women faculty at both Columbia and Weill Cornell who were generous with their time and committed to mentoring young physicians.

The accomplishment of which I’m most proud is that I’ve been providing primary care to patients in this county for over 25 years, with many of those patients under my care for nearly that long. Maintaining board certification consistently throughout the decades is something I’m proud of as well. I find professional satisfaction in staying sharp and current for the people that trust me with their care.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to practice medicine at Harley Street Medical, an environment unlike any I’ve worked in before. I’m thrilled to be able to spend unhurried time with patients and to be available and accessible in a way that had not been possible in my previous practices.  It’s also great to have the support of a team that is fully committed to caring for people and helping them navigate an often daunting healthcare system. This is the kind of medicine I have always wanted to practice.

Harley Street Medical

619 North Maple Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus NJ 07423 551.284.4044 | harleystreetmed.com/nj

Maria Z. Nigro, Owner, President

Maria Nigro did not enter the financial services world by chance. She came to it with intention, experience, and a deeply personal sense of purpose. After her son left for college, Maria reached a pivotal moment that inspired a meaningful career shift. Drawing on years of corporate experience and a strong entrepreneurial drive, she set out to build a financial practice that addressed real, often overlooked needs. Comprehensive financial planning, particularly education around retirement and investment management, became the foundation of her work.

Guided by her Master’s in Public Health, Maria shaped a wealth management practice uniquely focused on the challenges of an aging population. She recognized that financial planning does not exist in a vacuum. Longevity, health transitions, and caregiving realities must be thoughtfully addressed alongside dollars and cents. Her mission is to help individuals and families plan proactively for every stage of aging while preserving dignity, independence, and financial security. Industry specific designations further sharpened her expertise, equipping her to deliver personalized, solutions based strategies rather than one size fits all advice.

Mentorship and collaboration have played an essential role in Maria’s professional growth. Working with a business coach encouraged her to embrace strategic risk taking and ultimately affiliate with Equitable Advisors, an organization that supports her entrepreneurial vision. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside accomplished wealth managers whose shared commitment to excellence reinforced the value of learning, adaptability, and teamwork in serving clients well.

Looking ahead, Maria is deeply committed to empowering women within an industry where they remain significantly underrepresented. With fewer than 15 percent of financial advisors being women, she is passionate about helping women step confidently into their financial power. Through education, intentional selfcare, and longterm planning, Maria seeks to inspire women to actively shape their futures at a time when they increasingly influence and control wealth across generations. For Maria Nigro, financial planning is not just a profession. It is a pathway to confidence, security, and lasting impact.

Nigro Wealth Management 80 Route 4 East Suite 320, Paramus, NJ 07652 201.297.8063 | nigrowealthmanagement.com

Robin L. Goldfischer, Senior Vice President & General Counsel

Robin L. Goldfischer has spent her career operating at the intersection of healthcare, law, and strategic leadership, where precision, ethics, and thoughtfulness converge. As Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Valley Health System, she oversees legal, risk, and compliance functions for one of New Jersey’s most respected healthcare organizations, helping ensure its continued strength in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

Robin’s path into healthcare law was shaped early on. Growing up with a father who served for years as a cardiologist and chief medical officer, she was exposed firsthand to the real-world challenges physicians face, including ethical dilemmas, regulatory demands, and high-stakes decision making. Those early conversations sparked a lasting interest in how law could support and strengthen the delivery of care. Over time, that curiosity evolved into a career dedicated to advancing healthcare organizations from within.

Throughout her professional journey, Robin credits both mentors and personal values for shaping her leadership style. While she has benefited from guidance across her career, she believes kindness, meeting people where they are and offering support whenever possible, are her greatest strengths. This people-first philosophy informs how she approaches collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership every day.

Among her most significant achievements is helping guide Valley Health System through the complex redevelopment and relocation of its hospital campus. Faced with years of regulatory scrutiny, litigation, and community opposition surrounding plans in Ridgewood, Robin played a key role in navigating a successful alternative strategy, the relocation of the hospital to Paramus. That effort resulted in the development of an $850 million, state-of-the-art facility, supporting long-term growth while maintaining strong community relationships.

What Robin enjoys most about her work is its constant variety and impact. From property acquisition and corporate governance to risk management and the negotiation of significant art acquisitions, no two days are the same. Ultimately, she finds the greatest fulfillment in knowing her work strengthens patient care, supports colleagues, and makes a lasting difference for the organization and communities Valley Health System serves.

Nance’ Agresta, MSW, LCSW, CASAC, NCACII

Kimberly Agresta, MSW, LCSW

For nearly half a century, Nance’ Agresta has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families navigate life’s most difficult challenges through compassionate mental health care. Forty-five years ago, she founded Agresta Psychotherapy Group with the goal of creating a safe, supportive space where healing could truly begin. More than three decades ago, her daughter, Kimberly Agresta, joined the practice, turning it into a unique mother-daughter psychotherapy team built on empathy, trust, and a shared passion for helping others.

Together, the pair has created a nurturing environment where patients feel heard, understood, and empowered. Their practice serves clients throughout New York and New Jersey, offering both in-person and telehealth appointments with flexible daytime, evening, and weekend availability. At the heart of their philosophy is the belief that successful treatment begins with a thoughtful assessment and a carefully individualized plan tailored to each client’s needs.

Over the years, Agresta Psychotherapy Group has developed expertise in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, grief, trauma, addictions, eating disorders, gender identity concerns, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Their therapeutic approach incorporates a variety of evidence-based methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Looking ahead, Nance’ and Kimberly remain deeply committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health care and helping clients embrace wellness in a more holistic way. As research continues to reveal the strong connection between brain health and factors such as nutrition, exercise, gut health, and lifestyle, they have expanded their practice to address these elements alongside traditional therapy.

Their passion for community care continues to inspire new programs, including an upcoming Couples Weekend Workshop and a six-week Women’s Group — initiatives designed to foster healing, connection, and personal growth. Above all, the Agrestas say they feel fortunate to genuinely love the work they do every day.

Dayna Cassandra, DDS, Practice Owner

For Dr. Dayna Cassandra, dentistry has always represented the perfect blend of art, science, and creativity. Inspired at a young age by a female dentist who showed her the impact compassionate care can have, Dr. Cassandra knew early on that she wanted to build a career helping others through dentistry. Her passion for working with her hands, combined with a commitment to improving lives, set the foundation for what would become a highly respected practice.

Throughout her career, Dr. Cassandra has been guided by countless mentors in the dental field who emphasized excellence, lifelong learning, and patient-centered care. Their shared philosophy; helping patients maintain healthy smiles for a lifetime, continues to shape the way she practices today.

One of her proudest accomplishments was building her dental practice entirely from the ground up. Taking the leap required courage, determination, and belief in herself while managing significant student debt and the risks that come with starting a business. Twenty years later, that leap of faith has paid off. Her practice has earned a strong reputation for comprehensive dental wellness care delivered with compassion and expertise, while allowing her to continue doing work she genuinely loves every day.

Looking ahead, Dr. Cassandra is especially passionate about helping women between the ages of 35 and 65 better understand the connection between oral health, facial wellness, and overall well-being. Through detailed dental-musculoskeletal evaluations and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, she hopes to help women uncover underlying issues that may affect both how they feel and how they age. Her mission is to empower patients to face forward with confidence, beauty, and optimal health at every stage of life.

Dr. Dayna Cassandra and Associates

351 Evelyn St., Paramus, NJ

201.261.7645 | Cosmeticdentistofparamus.com

Rachna Ratti Randev, Owner- Photography by Rachna

My story, much like my work, has been shaped by, culture, and connection. Born in India, raised in Africa, and now an American citizen, my life has spanned four continents over four decades, with family rooted across India and Australia. This global upbringing has deeply influenced how I see people, relationships, and belonging, teaching me that across cultures, the desire to be seen, valued, and remembered is universal.

I call myself an artist. I create art with my camera. Whether photographing a woman in a glamorous studio portrait or capturing a family in soft natural light, my work is never just about appearance. It is about presence, energy, and the stories that shape our lives. I am married to my childhood sweetheart and best friend, and together we are raising our two beautiful daughters. They are the reason I first picked up a camera and ultimately changed careers.

My journey into photography is deeply personal. Inspired by my daughters, I first stepped behind the camera in 2013 after a portrait session of theirs completely moved me. That early chapter was short-lived, as in 2017 I found myself navigating a physical and mental health crisis. After years of self-doubt, depression, and a three-year hiatus from my craft, a transformative portrait session in 2023 reignited my purpose. In 2024, I committed to rebuilding my life and creating meaningful change in the lives of others.

Today, my mission is to empower women through portraits that spark self-discovery, confidence, and self-love. At my studio, all women are welcome and never judged. Guided by the Sanskrit philosophy “Atithi Deva Bhava” (Guest is God), every guest is welcomed with warmth, care, and intention. Through a curated experience that includes design consultation, styling, professional hair and makeup, and guided posing, I create more than portraits. I create timeless artwork that honors love, strength, connection, and the beauty of being truly seen while building legacy.

In my newly launched campaign “ICONIC”, I’m recognizing 20 women and their stories via a portrait experience that inspires others. For more information – visit www.photographybyrachna.com/iconic2026

Photography by Rachna

24 Suffolk Ln., Tenafly, NJ 646.302.4840 | photographybyrachna.com IG- @photographybyrachna

Linda Davt, APN, MBA, Vice President

With a career rooted in both clinical excellence and forward-thinking leadership, Linda Davt serves as Vice President of All Health Medical Group, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping a modern, patient-centered approach to care. A highly experienced nurse practitioner, Davt built a strong foundation in critical care, spending a decade working as a hospitalist and registered nurse with Hackensack Meridian Health. She earned her Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has since developed advanced expertise across a wide range of specialties, including primary care, weight management, menopause and hormone replacement therapy, aesthetic medicine, and complex dermatologic conditions.

Davt’s commitment to healthcare extends beyond clinical practice. With an MBA in Healthcare Management, she has been instrumental in the growth and vision of All Health Medical Group, working alongside Dr. Suhel Ahmed to build a multi-specialty practice that prioritizes personalized, thoughtful care. Despite her leadership role, she remains actively involved with patients, ensuring that each individual receives attentive treatment focused on long-term wellness.

Guided by the belief that exceptional healthcare should be accessible, not exclusive, Davt draws inspiration from the opportunity to bridge gaps in care. She is passionate about creating an environment where patients not only receive high-quality clinical treatment but also feel genuinely seen and supported. That philosophy is reflected in what she considers her proudest accomplishment: building a team of providers who are deeply dedicated to their work and consistently go above and beyond for every patient. It is a level of care, she notes, that she would trust for her own family.

Looking ahead, Davt is focused on expanding the reach and impact of All Health Medical Group. Her long-term vision includes creating more opportunities to offer free healthcare services and affordable treatment options, particularly for underserved communities. By increasing access and removing financial barriers, she aims to ensure that more patients can receive the high-quality care they deserve.

All Heath Medical Group

357 Prospect Ave Hackensack Nj 07601 551.309.3555 | Allhealthmedgroup.com

Katheryn Martin, Chief Operating Officer

Always leading with her heart first, Katheryn Martin never planned a career in senior living. It found her. Before stepping into the industry nearly a decade ago, Katheryn built a respected career across luxury hospitality, fitness, spa operations, and property management. She was known for driving performance, elevating experience, and building strong teams. By every external measure, she had arrived.

But something deeper had been shaping her path long before she recognized it. Years earlier, Katheryn had been a caregiver to her grandmother, who was living with dementia. In New York City, she searched for guidance, resources, and someone who could simply explain what was happening to the woman who had helped raise her. When around the clock care became necessary, she faced a truth that still defines her work today: even the best place did not feel like the right place. After her grandmother passed, Katheryn carried the quiet guilt so many caregivers know.

That experience stayed with her, and when an operations role in senior living came across her path, she recognized it as more than a career move. She brought a strong operations background and a willingness to learn the rest. Working alongside Fox Trail’s top nurses, she immersed herself in the clinical side of care until she understood it as deeply as the business. In her final interview, she made a promise: to give families the peace of mind she never had.

She joined Fox Trail as Vice President of Operations and Sales, and over the next decade built a career across senior living as a Director of Sales, Executive Director, and consultant to operators navigating growth and change. Years later, Fox Trail called her back, this time as Chief Operating Officer. Today, Katheryn leads with a philosophy she calls Heart First. Under her direction, Fox Trail has deepened its clinical model with a Medical Director and Psychiatric Director, and forged partnerships with Drew University, Rutgers University, and Bergen Community College.

“I always say she sent me here,” Katheryn says. “This was never something I was looking for. And yet, it became everything.”

The Young Women of Immaculate Heart Academy

Immaculate Heart Academy (IHA) is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our high-achieving young women. They are visionaries, dedicated to excelling in the classroom, dominating on the athletic field, immersing themselves in the arts, and devoting their gifts in service to others.

Our inspiring students continue to reach new heights. The Class of 2026 achieved more than $50 million in scholarships and will be attending some of the most prestigious colleges in the nation, including United States Military Academy at West Point, University of Notre Dame, Boston College, and Johns Hopkins University.

Recognized repeatedly as the Best Private School in Bergen County, IHA offers a unique and unmatched educational experience. Our extensive curriculum includes 27 AP courses; 14 dual enrollment courses with partner colleges; a robust extracurricular offering of more than 80 different clubs and 17 athletic teams; and a foundation in Christian service that provides numerous service opportunities to support those in need.

Our faculty and staff focus on developing the God-given gifts and talents of each of our students — academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially — preparing them for a lifetime of positive contributions to society. Come visit our impressive campus and learn why you should join the lifetime sisterhood of more than 11,000 alumnae.

Immaculate Heart Academy 500 Van Emburgh Ave., Township of Washington, NJ 201.445.6800 | ihanj.com

Victoria Adamo Buccellato, Co-Founder & Partner

Victoria Adamo Buccellato grew up surrounded by construction, development, negotiations, and entrepreneurship, shaping her passion for luxury real estate from an early age. She earned her real estate license at 24 and began her career in New York City, training in Brooklyn through hands-on experience in new development and construction flips before joining powerhouse Manhattan teams including the Eklund Gomes Team and the Kirsten Jordan Team. It was during her time in Manhattan that Victoria realized branding was one of the most powerful forces in real estate — the ability to create emotion, tell a story, and position a property beyond square footage. That realization led her to strategically build a name for herself in downtown Manhattan luxury real estate, ultimately crowning herself the “Queen of TriBeCa.”

Victoria later joined forces with her father, Attilio Adamo, combining his longstanding reputation and legacy in New Jersey real estate with her modern approach to branding, media, and luxury marketing. Together, they elevated The Adamo Group into one of the tri-state area’s most recognized luxury brands. Since partnering with SERHANT., the team has surpassed $2 billion in sales volume and represented landmark properties including the $50 million Upper Grande Luxury Estates development and a $22 million estate in Alpine, New Jersey.

Victoria welcomes the opportunity to help clients navigate their real estate journey and can be

Adamo Group | Serhant 22 Paris Avenue, Suite 103, Rockleigh, NJ 07647 551.404.2580 | theadamogroupnj.com

Medina D Dadurian, DMD, FAGD, Owner &Founder

Dr. Dadurian was drawn to dentistry through a deeply personal experience. Witnessing her father struggle with complex dental needs shaped her commitment to providing thoughtful, lifestyledriven care and sharpened her skills as a clinician and problem solver. Inspired by family members in healthcare and mentors who emphasized compassion as much as clinical expertise, she dedicated her career to pediatric and specialneeds dentistry. A longtime attending at Hackensack University Medical Center, she was recently named Division Director of Pedodontics and has spent decades instructing dental residents while maintaining a thriving private practice. Today, Dr. Dadurian remains focused on mentoring future dentists, reminding them that compassion is the foundation of meaningful, effective care.

Dadurian Dental Care, PC

2 Sears Dr., Suite 102, Paramus, NJ 07652

201.599.5985 | daduriandental.com

Lauren Mandal, Owner Yellow Door Art Studio

My superpower is my ADHD. It gives me the ability to pivot quickly, follow new impulses, and chase fresh ideas relentlessly. I create space where people young and old can be creative without judgement. When you walk into Yellow Door Art Studio in Westwood, step upon a playground we have painted, or view one of our murals, my hope is that you follow your imagination and carry that confidence with you as you grow up.

Yellow Door Art Studio

288 3rd Ave., Westwood, NJ 201.620.9030 | Yellowdoorartstudio.com

Jennifer Cope, MD, Founder and CEO

Jennifer Cope has dedicated her career to supporting children with neurological and developmental needs. Inspired early by hands-on work with individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities, she has spent the past 25 years as a pediatric neurologist in private practice in Ridgewood, caring for children with conditions ranging from migraine and epilepsy to ADHD and autism.

Recognizing long delays in autism diagnosis, Dr. Cope founded the Cope Center for Autism, an innovative resource helping families navigate medical, educational, and social challenges. Through evaluations, enrichment programs, and family support, she continues to expand access to care and create spaces where children and families can thrive.

Cope Center For Autism 579 Franklin Turnpike Ridgewood, NJ 07450 551.380.4870 | copecenterforautism.org

Joanna D. Brick, ESQ

Joanna Brick, founder of Brick Law, built her family law practice from her early exposure to the courtroom, while interning for New York City’s Administration of Children’s Services and clerking for a New Jersey Superior Court Family Part judge. These experiences have shaped her compassionate practical approach to divorce, custody, and complex family matters.

Mentored by former U.S. Senator Frank Lautenbeg, Joanna opened her boutique family law firm in 2010. The firm has flourished for more than 15 years, while raising a family of her own. Now rooted in Bergen County, she is focused on expanding Brick Law and mentoring the next generation of aspiring lawyers across New Jersey today.

Brick Law, LLC

16-00 State Route 208 South, Suite 102, Fair Lawn, NJ 201.773.6880 | joannabricklaw.com

Where To Eat

Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Bergen County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.

Nirvana Indian Kitchen, Allendale

ALLENDALE

Allendale Bar & Grill

67 W. Allendale Ave. 201.327.3197 allendalebarandgrill.com

Allendale Steakhouse 90 W. Allendale Ave. 201.962.9797 allendalesteakhouse.com

Mezza Luna

96 W. Allendale Ave. 201.327.6556 mezzalunabistro.com

Nirvana Indian Kitchen

29 W. Allendale Ave. 201.818.2300 nirvanaindiankitchen.com

Savini

168 W. Crescent Ave. 201.760.3700 savinirestaurant.com

ALPINE

Kiku

385 Rte. 9 W. 201.767.6322 kikurestaurantsnj.com

BERGENFIELD

Bamboo Grill

54 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.5951 bamboo-grill.com

Chapala Grill

52 S. Washington Ave. 201.387.2107 chapalamexican grill.com

The Cuban Around The Corner 260 S. Washington Ave. 201.574.8600

Nihon Kai 41 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.3000 nihonkaijapanesenj.com

Tommy Fox’s Public House 32 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.0900 tommyfoxs.com

BOGOTA

Luka’s Italian Cuisine

10 River Rd. 201.440.2996 lukasitaliancuisine.co

CARLSTADT

Biggie’s

430 Rte. 17 S. 201.933.4000 biggies.com

Hunkar Restaurant

319 Hackensack St. 201.507.0606 hunkarrestaurant.com

Il Villaggio 651 Rte. 17 N. 201.935.7733 ilvillaggio.com

Upahar 326 Garden St. 201.855.7040

CLIFFSIDE PARK

354 Steakhouse 354 Lawton Ave. 201.941.0499 354steakhouse.com

Rudy’s 591 Anderson Ave. 201.943.9252

Sedona Taphouse 679 Anderson Ave. 201.943.2300 sedonataphouse.com

Villa Amalfi 793 Palisade Ave. 201.886.8626 villaamalfi.com

CLOSTER

Brasserie Mémère 107 Vervalen St. 201.660.8822 brasserie-memere.com

The Hill

252 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.899.4700 thehillcloster.com

Lucio’s

208 Piermont Rd. 201.750.3233 luciosrestaurant.com

Sear House 411 Piermont Rd. 201.292.4612 searhousenj.com

Stern & Bow 171 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.750.3350 sternandbow restaurant.com

CRESSKILL

Chef Mediterranean 38 Union Ave. 201.367.9565 chef-mediterranean. res-menu.com

Hanami 41 Union Ave. 201.567.8508 hanamirestaurant.com

Mami 15 E. Madison Ave. 201.266.8931 mami-hospitality.com

Samdan 178 Piermont Rd. 201.816.7343 samdanrestaurantnj.com

DEMAREST

Yasou Mykonos 134 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.768.8500 yasougreekfood.com

DUMONT

Foschini’s Brick Oven Kitchen 21 E. Madison Ave. 201.387.9998 foschinis.com

Grant Street Café 25 Grant Ave. 201.385.1705 thegrantstreetcafe.com

La Taberna 31 W. Madison Ave. 201.374.1661 latabernanj.com

Mexico Mi Amor 132 Veterans Plz. 201.244.5555 mexicomiamor.com

EAST RUTHERFORD

Al Di La 1 Hoboken Rd. 201.939.1128 aldilaitalianbistro.com

Annabella’s House of Mozzarella 900 Paterson Plank Rd. 201.804.0303 annabellasmozz.com

Blarney Station Pub 258 Park Ave. 201.531.0001 blarneystation.com

Elia Mediterranean 240 Hackensack St. 201.939.9292 elianj.com

The Roosevelt 356 Paterson Ave. 201.713.3145 theroosevelt.us

EDGEWATER

Brownstone Pancake Factory 860 River Rd. 201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com

De Novo European Pub 1257 River Rd. 201.496.6161 denovoeuropean pub.com

Fleming’s Steakhouse 90 The Promenade 201.313.9463 flemingssteakhouse.com

Greek Taverna 55 The Promenade 201.945.8998 greektavernausa.com

Haven Riverfront Restaurant and Bar 2 Main St., Suite G 201.943.1900 havenedgewater.com

Original Pancake House 15 The Promenade 201.366.4065 ophedgewater.com

Rebecca’s 236 Old River Rd. 201.943.8808 rebeccasedgewater.com

River Palm Terrace 1416 River Rd. 201.224.2013 riverpalm.com

Roberto’s II 936 River Rd. 201.224.2524 robertosii.com

Seak 725 River Rd., #30 201.402.3400 seaknj.com

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap 11 The Promenade 201.386.1700 tommystavernandtap. com

ELMWOOD PARK Taverna Mykonos 238 Broadway 201.703.9200 tavernamykonos.com

EMERSON Pimaan Thai 79 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.967.0440 pimaanthai.com

ENGLEWOOD

Blue Akai 23 E. Palisade Ave. 201.541.0086 akailounge.com

Cassie’s 18 S. Dean St. 201.541.6760 cassiespizzeria.com

CZEN Restaurant 36 N. Van Brunt St. 201.431.9199 czenrestaurant.com

Grant Street Café, Dumont

Hummus Elite

39 E. Palisade Ave.

201.569.5600 hummuselite.com

Khao Thai Cuisine

4 E. Palisade Ave. 201.894.0344 khaothainj.com

La Fonda Paisa

95 W. Palisade Ave. 201.871.3544 lafondapaisausa.com

Lulu Mediterranean Grill

63 Nathaniel Pl. 201.569.2662 lululoungejersey.com

Noches de Colombia

90 W. Palisade Ave.

201.567.4950 nochesdecolombia.com

Pintxo y Tapas

47 N. Dean St. 201.569.9999

Grill House of Englewood 126 Engle St. 201.541.0020 grillhouseofenglewood. com

Sofia

36 Engle St.

201.541.8530 sofiaenglewood.com

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS

Brownstone Pancake Factory

717 E. Palisade Ave.

201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com

Café Italiano 14 Sylvan Ave.

201.461.5041 cafeitaliano.net

Cliff’s Steakhouse 18 Sylvan Ave. 201.944.0233 cliffssteakhouse.com

Lefkes Estiatorio 495 Sylvan Ave. 201.408.4444 lefkesnj.com

Grissini 484 Sylvan Ave. 201.568.3535 grissinirestaurant.com

FAIR LAWN

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings 2101 Promenade Blvd. 201.796.2625 acfp.com

The Craftsman 1609 Maple Ave. 201.773.8985 thecraftsmannj.com

Fair Lawn Diner 13-48 River Rd. 201.791.2895 fairlawndiner.com

Oceanos Oyster

Bar & Sea Grill 2-27 Saddle River Rd. 201.796.0546 oceanosrestaurant.com

Rose’s Place 32-01 Broadway 201.475.8800 rosesplacenj.com

RP Prime Steakhouse 41-11 Rte. 4 W. 201.267.0702 rpprime.com

Sage Restaurant 17-15 Broadway 201.797.0500 sagefairlawn.com

Saigon Bistro 24-08 Fair Lawn Ave. 201.398.1883 saigonbistro.com

FAIRVIEW

Patsy’s 344 Bergen Blvd. 201.943.0627 patsysbistro.com

FORT LEE

Aquarius

230-234 Main St. 201.592.8338 aquariusrestaurant nj.com

Baggios

212 Main St. 201.585.7979 baggiospizza restaurant.com

Big Red Tomato 1205 Anderson Ave. 201.224.6500 brtnj.com

Cap’t Loui

210 Main St. 201.461.7080 captloui.com

Chillers Grill

2191 Fletcher Ave. 201.461.0075 chillersgrill.com

In Napoli 116 Main St. 201.947.2500 inapoli.com

Pho Today 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.585.8818 eatphotoday.com

Pomodoro 795 Abbott Blvd. 201.224.0800 pomodoro1.com

Prime & Beyond

501 Main St. 201.461.0033 primeandbeyond.com

Punta Cana 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.849.5556 puntacanarestaurante.com

Ventana’s 200 Park Ave. 201.583.4777 ventanasatthe modern.com

FRANKLIN LAKES

Harmony

Mediterranean Grill

840 Franklin Ave. 201.485.8707 harmony-nj.com

Sushi Cocoro 856 Franklin Ave. 201.560.1333 sushicocoro.com

GARFIELD

Despecho Room 361 Midland Ave. 973.928.4470 despechoroom.com

The Firehouse 42 Plauderville Ave. 973.478.2226 thefirehouse.toast.site/ order

Goodfellas 661 Midland Ave. 973.478.4000 goodfellasjersey.com

GLEN ROCK

Glen Rock Inn

222 Rock Rd. 201.445.2362 glenrockinn.com

Stone & Rail 175 Rock Rd. 201.345.0709 stoneandrail.com

Tani Sushi & Asian Grill 206 Rock Rd. 201.612.1188 taniofglenrock.com

HACKENSACK

Casual Habana Café 125 Main St. 201.880.9844 casualhabanacafe.com

The Cheesecake Factory

390 Hackensack Ave. 201.488.0330 thecheesecake factory.com

Hot Fish

450 Hackensack Ave., #6 201.881.0180 hotfishhackensack.com

Houston’s 1 Riverside Sq. 201.488.5667 houstons.com

Lido Restaurant

701 Main St. 201.487.8721 thelidorestaurant.com

Maggiano’s Little Italy

70 Riverside Square Mall 201.221.2030 maggianos.com

Morton’s The Steakhouse 1 Riverside Square, Ste. 274 201.487.1303 mortons.com

P.F. Chang’s 390 Hackensack Ave., Ste. 50 201.646.1565 pfchangs.com

Rosa Mexicano 60 Riverside Square Mall 201.489.9100 rosamexicano.com

HARRINGTON PARK

Donatella Ristorante 12 Tappan Rd. 201.767.4245 donatellasitalian. restaurant

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

Bensi 459 Rte. 17 S. 201.727.9525 bensihh.com

The Heights Bar & Grill 163 Boulevard 201.288.9338 heightsbarandgrill.com

Himalaya on Heights 313 Boulevard 201.257.8744 himalayaonheights.com

Ivy Inn

268 Terrace Ave. 201.393.7699 ivyinn.com

Sofia’s 220 Boulevard 201.462.0123 sofiasmediterranean grill.com

Tom Yum Koong 305 Boulevard 201.288.3840 tomyumkoonghh.com

Zaffron Bloom 194 Boulevard 201.571.0029 zaffronbloom.com

Kuba Restaurant, Fort Lee

HAWORTH

Alessandro’s 157 Terrace St. 201.385.8544 alessandrosnj.com

Andiamo 23 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.384.1551 andiamorestaurant.net

HILLSDALE

Alba Italian Grill 343 Broadway 201.664.1600 albaitaliangrill.com

The Cornerstone 84 Broadway 201.666.8688 thecornerstonenj.com

Domani

387 Washington Ave. 201.722.8881 domanirestaurants.com

Fig & Tomato

100 Park Ave. 201.722.8880 figandtomatoeatery.com

Koon Thai Eatery 126 Broadway 551.246.3646 koonthaieatery.com

Matsu Sushi & Grill

140 Broadway 201.930.1896 matsusushibest.com

HO-HO-KUS

Alt Eats Café

622 N. Maple Ave. 201.444.1300 alteatscafe.com

Catchy Café 614 N. Maple Ave. 201.445.6400 thecatchycaterer.com

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn 1 E. Franklin Tpke. 201.445.4115 hohokusinn.com

Ho-Ho-Kus Sushi Café 29 Sheridan Ave. 201.670.7677 hohokussushicafe.com

St. Eve’s 611 N. Maple Ave. 201.857.4717 stevesnj.com

LEONIA Dante’s Place 373 Broad Ave. 201.592.9071 dantesplace.com

Shumi Japanese Cuisine 354 Broad Ave. 201.272.6577 shumiomakase.com

LITTLE FERRY

Segovia Steakhouse 217 Main St. 201.814.1100 segoviasteakhouse.com

LODI

ReBar & Kitchen 132 Essex St. 201.368.8181 rebarkitchen.com

Sergio’s Missione 2 Mercer St. 973.778.4545 sergiosmissionelodi.com

LYNDHURST

Angelo’s 263 Ridge Rd. 201.939.1922

Foschini’s Brick

Oven Kitchen

298 Ridge Rd. 201.460.7600 foschinisbrickoven kitchen.com

Michael’s Riverside 528 Riverside Ave. 201.939.6333 michaelsriverside.com

Vezir

282 Ridge Rd. 201.595.0669 vezirnj.com

MAHWAH

Mahwah Bar & Grill 2 Island Rd. 201.529.8056 mahwahbarandgrill.com

Nagoya

1007 MacArthur Blvd. 201.818.9933 nagoyamahwah.com

Nonna’s 11 Franklin Tpke. 201.529.1151 nonnasmahwah.com

Novino Restaurant 64 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.529.1900 novinonj.com

ON THE TOWN

Roxanne’s 150 Franklin Tpke. 201.529.0007 roxannes restaurant.com

RP Prime Steakhouse 209 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.529.1111 rpprime.com

Sangria 1033 MacArthur Blvd. 201.962.3310 sangriamahwah.com

State Line Diner

375 Rte. 17 N. 201.529.3353 statelinediner.com

MAyWOOD

Angelo’s Greek Taverna 245 Maywood Ave. 201.845.4278 angelosgreektaverna.com

Maywood Inn’s Twin Door Tavern 122 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8022 twindoortavern.com

Maywood Pancake House

92 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.880.7842 maywoodpancake house.com

The Seafood Gourmet 103 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8558 seafood-gourmet.com

MIDLAND PARK

Arturo’s 41 Central Ave. 201.444.2466 arturos.co

Fiona’s Ristorante 118 Godwin Ave. 201.857.5800 fionasristorante.com

Rosario’s Trattoria 29 Central Ave. 201.445.3335 rosariostrattoria.com

MONTVALE

Delpino Restaurant

108 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.391.6866 delpinorestaurant.com

Bellissimo

12 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.746.6669 bellissimonj.com

Fire & Oak

100 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.307.1100 fireandoak.com

Gen Sushi & Hibachi 14B Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.930.9188 gensushimontvale.com

Hearth & Tap Co.

125 N. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.307.6300 hearthandtap.com

Yuki

2 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.9877 yukimontvale.com

MOONACHIE

Bazzarelli

117 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4010 bazzarellirestaurant.com

Bistro 107 107 Moonachie Rd. 201.440.3339 bistro107nj.com

Segovia

150 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4266 segoviarestaurant.com

NEW MILFORD

Barrel & Brew 872 River Rd. 201.483.3329 barrelandbrews.com

Casual Habana Café 200 Main St. 201.576.0400 casualhabanacafe.com

Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn 105 Old New Bridge Rd. 201.692.7700 sanzaris.com

NORTHVALE

Biddy O’Malley’s 191 Paris Ave. 201.564.7893 biddyomalleys.com

The Greek Village 254 Livingston St. 201.750.8570 greekvillagenj.com

Olar Noso 493 Tappan Rd. 201.402.9355 olarnoso.com

OAKLAND

Cenzino 589 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.6693 cenzinos.com

Trovato’s Due 4 Barbara Ln. 201.337.0813 trovatosduenj.com

Yuki 350 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.8889 yuki-oakland.com

ORADELL

Oak House 2 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.277.4892 oakhousenj.com

Ora 304 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.267.4304 orainthedell.com

OLD TAPPAN

Bosfa Italian Restaurant 183 Old Tappan Rd. 201.649.8730 bosfaitalian restaurant.com

Ramen Factory 216 Old Tappan Rd. 201.383.0510 ramenfactorynj.com

PALISADES PARK

So Moon Nan Jip 238 Broad Ave. 201.944.3998 so-moon-nan-jip.com

PARAMUS

Biagio’s Ristorante 299 Paramus Rd. 201.652.0201 biagios.com

The Capital Grille 1 Garden State Plz. 201.845.7040 thecapitalgrille.com

Grand Lux Café 1 Garden State Plz. 201.909.0399 grandluxcafe.com

Kiku

365 Rte. 17 S. 201.265.7200 kikurestaurantsnj.com

Mantra

275 Rte. 4 W. 201.342.8868 mantranj.com

Suburban Diner 172 Rte. 17 N. 201.261.2605 suburbandiner17.com

PARK RIDGE

103 Prime 103 Spring Valley Rd. 201.391.2220 103prime.com

The Park Steakhouse 151 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.930.1300 theparksteakhouse.com

Peppercorns 176 Colony Ave. 201.391.2818 peppercorns176.com

Ridge Diner 125 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.4242 ridgediner.com

RAMSEY

Anthony Franco’s 128 E. Main St. 201.236.8000 afpizza.com

Brady’s at the Station

5-7 W. Main St. 201.327.9748 bradysramsey.com

Café Panache

130 E. Main St. 201.934.0030 cafepanachenj.com

Kinchley’s Tavern 586 N. Franklin Tpke. 201.934.7777 kinchleyspizza.com

The Shannon Rose 1200 Rte. 17 201.962.7602 theshannonrose.com

Smyrna 21 E. Main St. 201.934.7990 smyrnacaferamsey.com

Tawara 53 W. Main St. 201.825.8712 tawarajapanese restaurant.com

Varka Estiatorio

30 N. Spruce St. 201.995.9333 varkarestaurant.com

RIDGEFIELD

Café Tivoli

533 Shaler Blvd.

201.941.5561 cafetivoli.com

Karden 630 Broad Ave. 201.699.0988 karden630.com

RIDGEFIELD PARK

MK Valencia

228 Main St. 201.373.0228 mkvalencia restaurant.com

Sparta Taverna

206 Main St. 201.296.0095 spartataverna.com

RIDGEWOOD

Bukhara Grill

37 Chestnut St. 201.444.4910 bukharagrillnj.com

Cafe 37

37 S. Broad St. 201.857.0437 cafe-37.com

Cravings Tapas Bistro

8 Wilsey Sq. 201.857.8533 cravingstapas.com

Felina

18 Prospect St. 551.276.5454 bylandmark.com/felina

Kimchi Smoke

BBQ Shack

2 Godwin Ave.

201.447.6653 kimchismoke.com

La Lanterna

29 W. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.5520 lalanternaof ridgewood.com

Latour

6 E. Ridgewood Ave.

201.445.5056 latourridgewood.com

Meltemi Greek Restaurant

21 E. Ridgewood Ave.

201.632.0022 meltemirestaurant.com

Pardis Persian Grill

47 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.652.8000 pardispersiangrill.com

Park West Tavern 30 Oak St. 201.445.5400 parkwesttavern.com

Raymond’s 101 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5125 raymondsnj.com

Roots Steakhouse 17 Chestnut St. 201.444.1922 rootssteakhouse.com

S. Egidio 17 N. Broad St. 201.389.3525 segidiopizza.com

Steel Wheel Tavern 51 N. Broad St. 201.882.1800 steelwheeltavern.com

Village Green 36 Prospect St. 201.445.2914 villagegreen restaurant.com

White Maple Café 47 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.345.9538 whitemaplecafe.com

RIVER EDGE

Mado Restaurant 570 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.265.3629 madorestaurant. business.site

Sanducci’s 620 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.599.0600 sanduccis.com

RIVER VALE

Ammata Thai Kitchen 184 Rivervale Rd., Suite 2 201.664.2299 ammata.com

Armando’s Grill 688 Westwood Ave. 201.722.5820 armandostuscangrill.com

ROCHELLE PARK

Nanni 53 W. Passaic St. 201.843.1250 nanni.com

RUTHERFORD

Finch’s 801 Rutherford Ave. 201.231.3141 finchsdining.com

Fiorentini 98 Park Ave. 973.721.3404 fiorentinirest.com

Matisse 167 167 Park Ave. 201.935.2995 matisse167.com

Paisano’s 132 Park Ave. 201.935.5755 paisanos.com

Volare’s 7 Station Sq. 201.935.6606 volaresrestaurant.com

SADDLE BROOK

Midland Brew House

374 N. Midland Ave. 201.797.0070 midlandbrewhouse.com

Que Pasta

326 Market St. 201.712.1900 qpitalian.com

The Plank Pizza Co.

Beer Parlor 383 Market St. 201.843.2426 ppcbp.com

SADDLE RIVER

The Saddle River Inn 2 Barnstable Ct. 201.825.4016 saddleriverinn.com

TEANECK

Amarone

63 Cedar Ln. 201.833.1897 amaroneristorante.net

B V Tuscany

368 Cedar Ln. 201.287.0404 bvtuscany.com

Etc. Steakhouse 1409 Palisade Ave. 201.357.5677 etcsteakhouse.com

Noah’s Ark 493 Cedar Ln. 201.692.1200 noahsark.net

Sweet T’s

166 W. Englewood Ave. 201.942.3030 sweettseatery.com

Zina’s Steakhouse & Grill

827 Teaneck Rd. 201.357.2479 zinassteakhouse.com

TENAFLY

Axia Taverna 18 Piermont Rd. 201.569.5999 axiataverna.com

Brasserie 4 Washington St. 201.266.6400 tenaflybrasserie.com

Sayola

50 Prospect Ter. 201.871.2182 sayolarestaurantnj.com

TPR Restaurant

38 W. Railroad Ave. 201.871.0444 tprrestaurant.com

WALDWICK

Andrea’s Ristorante 20 E. Prospect St. 201.670.0275 andreasrestaurantnj.com

Limoncello 32 Franklin Tpke. 201.652.5577 limoncellonj.com

WASHINGTON

TOWNSHIP

Bacari Grill 800 Ridgewood Rd. 201.358.6330 bacarigrill.com

Midland Brew House, Saddle Brook

WESTWOOD Bon 487 Broadway 201.238.2371 bonwestwood.com

Downtown Dhaba 266 Center Ave. 201.664.0123 dhabadowntown.com

Farmhouse Café & Eatery 301 Center Ave. 201.664.8424 farmhousecafenj.com

Granita Grille 467 Broadway 201.664.9846 granitagrille restaurant.com

Kimchi Smoke Barbecue 57 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.321.7996 kimchismoke.com

Mezza 22 Jefferson Ave. 201.722.8822 mezzawestwood.com

Osteria Crescendo 36 Jefferson Ave. 201.722.1900 osteriacrescendo.com

The Tavern @ Iron Horse 20 Washington Ave. 201.666.9682 thetavernwestwood.com

Toba 250 Center Ave. 201.359.8497 tobarestaurant.com

WOOD-RIDGE

Al Chile

187 Hackensack St. 862.334.3616 alchilenj.com

Concourse Club 379 Rte. 17 S. 201.710.6459 concourseclubnj.com

Nelmani Indian Cuisine 200 Hackensack St. 201.728.4044 nelmaniwoodridge.com

The Ridge House 191 Valley Blvd. 973.939.5608 theridgehousenj.com

WYCKOFF

Aldo’s 640 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.2618 aldosofwyckoff.com

Benares

327 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 201.904.2222 benaresnj.com

Blue Moon Café

327 Franklin Ave. 201.891.1331 bluemoonmexican cafe.com

T.S. Ma

637 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.8878 tsmachinesecuisine.com

Wyckoff Thai 314 Franklin Ave. 201.485.8855 wyckoffthai.com

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Eastern Promise

Creative small plates, playful presentation and rich bowls of ramen make Jinya a standout in Hackensack.

There are few foods I chase harder than a great bowl of ramen. When I was growing up, ramen was comfort food, celebratory snack, bad-day grub, cold-weather medicine—honestly, it was every kind of food. And in Bergen County, where ramen spots seem to pop up every few blocks, opening another noodle shop isn’t enough. If you want to stand out in the soup-soaked field, you need personality, creativity and great flavor.

Thankfully, Jinya Ramen Bar delivers all three. The expanding chain recently opened in Hackensack’s Shops at Riverside, its second New Jersey location. (Totowa was the first.) The vibe is sleek, energetic and stylish, but it’s still welcoming enough that you relax the second you sit.

That’s how my girlfriend and I felt when we visited on a Thursday night in May. We were greeted at the door, where our host warmly escorted us to our table and enthusiastically explained the menus. Our server, followed shortly after and greeted us with similar gusto. Before diving into food, we had mocktails. I ordered the matcha lychee lemonade, while my girlfriend went with the kiwi sparkler. Both were bright and refreshing, but my sip earned extra points for presentation: The matcha tea is mixed tableside, slowly poured into the lychee lemonade and stirred. While we appreciated the taste of our drinks and the showmanship that came with it, I admit that the cocktail menu sounded fantastic too, and I’ll absolutely be back to try a sip.

For appetizers, you could say we accidentally ordered enough food for a small family. No regrets. The house salad had a generous amount of greens and a very flavorful Japanese dressing, while the seaweed salad also had a fresh, umami essence to it. Both were solid starts, but the real stars arrived soon after.

Our next starter was a pair of Jinya buns—fluffy steamed buns stuffed with juicy, slow-braised pork belly and topped with crisp vegetables and Kewpie mayonnaise. Though my girlfriend and I aren’t big mayo eaters, we found the bites rich, tangy and addictive all at once. I made my bun disappear embarrassingly fast.

Then came the corn ribs. I know “corn ribs” sounds like something invented during a late-night refrigerator crisis, but these were incredible. The dish features sweet corn cut into rib-like strips, beautifully seasoned and roasted until it’s slightly charred, creating the perfect combination of smoky, sweet and savory.

And before we finished the corn, our last starter, garlic fried rice, arrived with one of the evening’s best presentations. Our server appeared with a carafe containing an egg mixture and a piping-hot, cast-iron plate topped with fried rice. She then poured the egg over the rice and mixed everything together, cooking the egg and releasing an aroma so good that nearby diners visibly started staring at our table. It tasted just as impressive as it looked—garlicky, buttery and comforting.

After such theatrical appetizers, the arrival of our ramen somehow felt calm by comparison—but a heaping bowl of noodles always grabs my attention. My order, Jinya tonkotsu black, was packed with bold, rich pork broth layered with deep garlic flavor and springy noodles that held up beautifully. It also came with tender pieces of pork belly, and I opted for bamboo shoots and bean sprouts from the add-on menu. Pro tip: Stir in a couple spoonfuls of hot sauce, which is one of the condiments on the table. It will add a kick and srirachastyle zest to the broth.

Across the table, my girlfriend chose the Jinya chicken ramen. Her bowl was lighter than mine but still flavorful, with a smooth broth that let the ingredients shine. Both bowls were undeniably tasty and satisfying, though not entirely flawless. The seasoned eggs in both bowls lacked that glorious jammy, runny center that ramen fans dream about, and the chicken in her bowl was slightly overcooked. They weren’t deal breakers by any means, but in a region filled with strong ramen competition, details matter.

Still, Jinya gets far more right than wrong.

We ended the meal by splitting matcha tiramisu. The earthy bitterness of the matcha balanced perfectly with the creamy sweetness, making it an ideal finish to an already ambitious meal.

What impressed me most about Jinya wasn’t just the food—it was the restaurant’s willingness to have fun. In a county full of excellent ramen shops, Jinya understands that standing out requires more than simply serving good broth. It’s about creating an experience. Creative dishes elevate the menu beyond standard ramen fare, while the upbeat atmosphere and warm service make you want to linger a little longer.

And honestly? Any place that can make me seriously consider ordering corn instead of extra noodles deserves some credit.

—Darius Amos

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Senior Living at

HAPPENINGS

Be There

Live theater, world-class music, outdoor adventures—you’ll find all that and more this month in Bergen.

JUNE 7

More than 100 artisans, crafters and food vendors will fill The Boulevard for the annual HASBROUCK HEIGHTS STREET FAIR Stop by from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for shopping, live music, games and activities, food and plenty of fun. Find out more at jcpromotions.info.

JUNE 7

Skip the car and use your legs for a race across the George Washington Bridge. The American Cancer Dock out race times aspiring artists during the 67TH PEOPLE’S SCHOLARSHIP

JUNE 13

See all your come to life STREET LIVE: THE MOVES stage at Englewood’s Performing show invites dance and their beloved friends. Shows p.m. Purchase tickets more at bergenpac.org.

JUNE 14 & 26

Celebrate the biggest sporting event in the world during a FIFA WORLD CUP FAN FESTIVAL Head to Overpeck Park in Leonia on June 14 or check out downtown Rutherford and East Rutherford on June 26 for match broadcasts, beer gardens, food trucks, live entertainment, kids’ zones, vendors and more. Visit nynjfwc26.com for more.

The Ridgewood showcase work of area 17. There will reception from June 7. Visit ridgewoodartinstitute.org for

JUNE 21

Show Dad and Mother Nature appreciation during a FATHER’S DAY WALK at Teaneck Creek Conservancy. Meet at the parking lot at 10 a.m. for the free guided tour with the Bergen County Audubon Society. For more information, contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com.

JUNE 25–28

Stop by Hackensack

Performing Arts Center for a production of Stephen Sondheim’s ASSASSINS THE MUSICAL Based on the book by John Weidman, the story is the tale of nine assassins and would-be assassins

JUNE 27

history aboard Hackensack THROUGH BERGEN Park in Carlstadt, the cruise Hackensack River, passing former USS Ling. Register online hackensackriverkeeper.org.

JUNE 27

out more about one of our founding fathers during Mahwah Library’s JAMES MADISON AND HIS ROLE IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE From 2 to 3:30 p.m., historical interpreter Kyle Jenks will explain how the fourth President became known as the “Father of the Constitution.” The program is free, but registration is required.

Participate in America’s 250th birthday bash during Wyckoff’s own CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION at Memorial Field. Enjoy l ive music, food vendors, a beer garden and a fireworks display at dusk. Gates to the field will open at 6 p.m. Find out more at wyckoffnj.org.

JUNE 30

Barstool Sports founder DAVE PORTNOY, known among other things for his one-bite pizza reviews, will be smiling for photos and signing copies of his new book Cancel Me If You Can at Bookends in Ridgewood. Tickets to and

Gatherings

1. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF BERGEN COUNTY

Staff from The HWP (Health & Wellness Partners) Group in Upper Saddle River volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, helping the nonprofit at its latest build site. The volunteer work was part of Habitat’s Women Rebuild program.

2-3. BERGEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Bergen Catholic High School recently inducted the newest class into the Bergen Catholic Hall of Fame. The ceremony at The Venetian in Garfield honored Dave Cavalluzzo, Michael Cote, Lori and Gerard Morano, Bob Murray, Neil O’Halloran, Michael Pedone, the 1977 basketball team and the 1980 golf team.

4-5. THE VALLEY HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

A group of ninth graders from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ridgewood chose volunteerism as their service project. The students participated in Valley Hospital Auxiliary’s No Sew Blanket event, creating 20 blankets that were donated to both pediatric and adult patients at Valley Hospital in Paramus.

6. ACADEMY OF THE HOLY ANGELS

Students at Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest attended the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York. Students participated in sessions hosted by international leaders and engaged in dialogue on advancing justice, equality and opportunity for women.

7. HOLY NAME MEDICAL CENTER

A new chapter has started for students at Holy Name Medical Center’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing, which announced a partnership with Rowan University. Starting this fall, students in the R.N. or P.N. diploma programs can take Rowan courses while completing their nursing education.

8-9. YWCA NORTH NEW JERSEY

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center hosted the YWCA’s Project Sisterhood Breakfast. There, President and CEO Deb Visconi opened the program with welcoming remarks, reminding attendees that caring for veterans is not just a responsibility, it is a privilege.

A BERGEN MOMENT

“My husband, Craig, got this shot of a young blue heron (before the blue sets in) at Pondside Park in Harrington Park. The best moment of the day comes at sunset, when the geese give each other the invisible nod and start to take off from the pond.”

—Marisa

Januzzi-Thomas, Harrington Park

Photo courtesy of Craig Thomas

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