POSTCARD ART HELPS GROW THE LIBRARY PEOPLE WE KNOW LOCAL SUPERSTARS
Boutique Brunch Graze elevates a classic
NEW JERSEY ROOT CANAL HAS BEEN SAVING TEETH FOR 25 YEARS. Dr. Brian Trava opened his practice in Hawthorne in 1990, and later added offices in Ho-Ho-Kus and Wayne. Dedicated to the specialty of Endodontics, Dr. Trava focuses on saving teeth and diagnosing the cause of oral or facial pain. Dr. Trava and his team are root canal specialists. With degrees from John Hopkins University and Rutgers, Dr. Shon has authored research papers to help advance the field of dentistry. A graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Oh has completed extensive studies in oral pathology. Dr. Petix earned her degree from Tufts University and is pursuing a research fellowship. Dr. Yang, a graduate of NYU, has been awarded multiple research fellowships and has donated his dental skills in Haiti and Mexico. New Jersey Root Canal also focuses on special need patients and traumatic sports injuries to teeth.
Editor’s Note
Happy fall, Ho-Ho-Kus! Our first issue is reaching you just as the final dregs of a hot and humid summer bend to cooler temperatures. And whether you’re mourning the slower-paced days of sweet summer or happily diving headfirst into the routine of back-to-school and fall, it’s undeniable that this new season brings the promise of a fresh start along with forthcoming beloved traditions.
For me, the excitement of fall is palpable. Perhaps it’s due in part to my upbringing on the idyllic Carlton Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus, where autumn meant jumping into leaf piles that were carefully raked on the front lawn by our dad; walking to school or trudging uphill to the library on comfortably crisp days; and looking forward to the Halloween window painting contest.
And though it’s been many years (decades, actually, it pains me to admit)
since those colorful fall days I wistfully recall, I know so many families are still experiencing those great joys. Because in this little borough, the old saying “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” rings true.
Mayor Thomas Randall, who’s featured in our Q&A this month, knows what I mean. In his 20 years in office, he says Ho-Ho-Kus has grown with the times, but its spirit of community and volunteerism has remained.
Just look to the new Community Garden, one of our features this month, to glean an understanding of how residents like Allie Lim view the importance of giving their time to help others.
And past meets present with a profile of artist Julia Shea—a HoHo-Kus native and self-described “hardwired nostalgic.” She designed a vintage-inspired postcard for the Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library— proceeds from its sale will benefit the planned relocation of the building to the center of town.
And in another nod toward the future, HoHo-Kus welcomes the incredibly popular Graze Brunch Kitchen, featuring delectable dishes and a chic ambiance. Read our cover story on page 22. I am so excited about this new magazine and the chance to highlight the incredible people that live and work in Ho-Ho-Kus. As a former journalist for local newspapers, I feel there’s been a void in the kind of news residents in towns like Ho-Ho-Kus need and want to see. We hope to fill that void and know that while Ho-Ho-Kus is small, there are countless stories to tell. That’s why I’m asking you to email me with your story or photos at editor@hohokusmagazine.com. I can’t wait to hear from you.
Sarah Nolan Editor
Ho-Ho-Kus MAGAZINE
Editor
Sarah Nolan
Art Director
Sue Park
Writers
Sarah Nolan
Kris Pepper
Photographers
Sarah Nolan
Joe Nolan
Chris Marksbury
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO
Mark Dowden
VP, Group Publisher, Regional
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy
Maria Regan
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Associate Editor
Sophia Carlisle
Advertising Services Director
Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director
Catherine Rosario
Production Designer
Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager
Fern Meshulam
Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden
Ho-Ho-Kus Magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Ho-Ho-Kus, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH
BY JOE NOLAN
AROUND TOWN
Fun Events
This Fall
Welcome the new season with a variety of activities throughout town.
With fall fun kicking off, Ho-Ho-Kus has plenty of festive activities on the horizon. Read on to learn more about events like The Hermitage’s Food Truck Festival, Richard’s Run, the Halloween parade and more.
RICHARD’S RUN
The Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation will host Richard’s Run on Sunday, Oct. 6. The race is a long-standing tradition in the borough. Proceeds raised from the 5K will benefit the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation and support its mission to enhance the quality of education in the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School. A portion of proceeds will also be donated to Go4TheGoal in support of pediatric cancer. The nonprofit was founded in 2006 by Dr. Richard and Beth Stefanacci, soon after their oldest child, Richard, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Richard died in 2007, and the run was named in his memory.
For more information on the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation or to register or volunteer, please visit hhkef.org. For more information on Go4TheGoal, visit go4thegoal.org.
SPIRITUAL MESSAGING WITH CRAIG MCMANUS
Renowned medium and author Craig McManus invites you to join him for this live group event on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. This special group gathering is devoted to connecting those here with loved ones who have crossed over, providing evidence of life after life and messages of hope, love, inspiration and healing. Tickets are $80 and available at thehermitage.org/events.
THE HERMITAGE FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
The Hermitage will host a food truck festival on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 12 to 6 p.m. The event will feature live music, kids’ activities and a beer garden. Participating food trucks include Angry Archie’s, Empanada Guy, Kona Ice, Latin Bites, Rolling Pita, The Ice Cream Lady and more. Admission is $5 and is free for kids under five. This is also a pet-friendly event! Visit thehermitage.org/events for more information.
HALLOWEEN PARADE AND TRUNK OR TREAT
The Ho-Ho-Kus Contemporary Club will host its annual Halloween parade and trunk or treat on Saturday, Oct. 26. Borough children are invited to get into the Halloween spirit by showing off their costumes and enjoying some pre-trickor-treating fun. Visit contemporaryclubhhk.com for more information and tickets.
The Hermitage will host a Food Truck Festival and a spiritual messaging event in September and October. Photo by Sarah Nolan.
Downtown Ho-Ho-Kus.
Richard’s Run organizers pose at the starting line for the 2023 race. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 6. Photo Courtesy of Jenn Delcalzo.
LOCAL TASTES
Top left: Turkey, cheese, lettuce and tomato on a wrap served up at Knead a Bagel. Bottom left: A classic Taylor ham, egg and cheese. Photos courtesy of Knead a Bagel. Top Right: Knead a Bagel, located at 187 Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus, opened its doors this past summer. Bottom right: The interior of Knead a Bagel. Owner Moe Ghazoul said his goal was to offer patrons a more upscale experience than typical bagel shops. Photos by Sarah Nolan.
So good, you’ll ‘knead’ another
A new family-owned bagel shop opened its doors in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus, promising classics and more in an establishment with style.
BY SARAH NOLAN
Knead a Bagel opened its doors at 187 Franklin Turnpike this summer, and owners promise their fare, along with the shop’s ambiance, will have you coming back for more.
Moe Ghazoul and his wife Rahaf Zitouna partnered with Rima Zakaria to open the shop. Zakaria brings 25 years of experience in the bagel business to the store and owns three other bagel shops.
Along with classic bagels/spreads and breakfast sandwiches, Knead serves omelets, cold cut sandwiches, hot sandwiches like Philly cheesesteaks and the chef’s special: a burrata sandwich, featuring roasted garlic, cherry tomatoes and cherry red peppers in a house pesto paste.
Ghazoul, his wife and children live in neighboring Waldwick. He moved to the U.S. from Dubai 14 years ago and said he feels a deep connection to his hometown
and neighboring Ho-Ho-Kus.
“I wanted to do something good, and I wanted to do it here,” he said. Ghazoul said Zakaria’s know-how in the business along with the opportunity to open in the ideal location in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus was the perfect recipe for his family to dive into the restaurant business. He said his wife will be handling most of the day-to-day business at the shop.
Drawing on his experience dining in Dubai, where diverse, high-end restaurants abound, Ghazoul said his goal was to create a nicely decorated, ambient bagel shop rather than the many “grab and go” competitors in the area.
“I want to offer a little bit of a more upscale shop for residents, giving them a very good, clean, high-quality experience,” he said.
Bagels are rolled, boiled and baked in-
store, Ghazoul said.
Since opening its doors in July, Ghazoul said he’s seen a lot of repeat customers. He and his co-owners are appreciative of those that come in the shop time and again, he said.
“We appreciate the history, traditions and culture in Ho-Ho-Kus and are honored to operate our small family business here,” he said.
The shop is open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Sarah Nolan is the editor of Ho-Ho-Kus magazine. A former journalist for North Jersey Media Group publications Town Journal, Community Life and The Record/NorthJersey.com, she’s excited to once again share relevant local news with residents in the borough she grew up in.
Above: The mayor, council and chamber members joined Knead a Bagel for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August to welcome them to the borough. From left are Councilman Steve Shell, chef Tarek Sanadiki, Rima Zakaria, Mayor Thomas Randall, Rahaf Zitouna, Moe Ghazoul, their son Zaid, Chamber of Commerce President Max Stokes and Chamber member Michael Galanti. Photo by Councilman Dane Policastro.
Preserving time-honored traditions
After 20 years as mayor, Thomas Randall says his greatest accomplishment is working with colleagues to improve residents’ lives.
BY SARAH NOLAN
Thomas Randall has served as mayor of Ho-Ho-Kus for 20 years and lived in the borough for nearly twice as long. He says while a good deal has changed in his decades-long career, what’s endured are the traditions and a culture of volunteerism he holds near and dear to his heart. We spoke to the mayor about what’s new in the borough and what has, thankfully, stayed the same.
Plans are in the works to move the library to the center of town—across the street from Borough Hall, on the former Bank of America lot. What’s the impetus behind this relocation and how will it benefit residents?
The library building itself is challenged in several aspects. It’s deteriorating and has other structural issues. We learned that the cost of bringing it up to the 21st century would be significantly more expensive than moving it. Even if we did everything perfectly to update the building, there are some things you just can’t fix and that’s accessibility. Those stairs are daunting, whether you’re a young parent with kids in strollers, an older person or someone with a disability. Our town Master Plan recommends that we try to acquire properties in the proximity of Borough Hall when they become available to help consolidate the municipal complex. When Bank of America vacated, it made sense for the borough to purchase the lot, and the library was the leading candidate for its use. Unofficial plans for the building also include a meeting room that could be used by town organizations at times, which is an important adjunct to this. The modern library is more than just a place for reading or accessing books or computers. This space will be welcoming and inclusive of the community in general. Residents have been overwhelmingly supportive of the move. More significant plans are being developed, and the hope is to have the project completed in 2026.
Ho-Ho-Kus will be welcoming new residents this fall, when 619 North, a new luxury rental building downtown, is expected to open for occupancy. Tell me about the impact this will have on the borough.
I think it’s going to be a tremendous asset and create synergy with the downtown. We have so many nice restaurants and the people that live directly in the area will be taking advantage of that without overburdening parking. It will add to the vitality and contribute to the pedestrian aspect of downtown. It will be a nice complement to some of the other activities and businesses we have and won’t create a tax burden since the demographic living in one or two-bedroom apartments won’t mean adding lots of kids to the school district.
INTERVIEW WITH THOMAS RANDALL
Ho-Ho-Kus is incredibly sought after when it comes to real estate. Why do you believe people are so drawn to the borough?
It was always a well-kept secret that Ho-Ho-Kus is a great place to be, and I think the cat’s gotten out of the bag a bit. As time’s gone on, we’ve had a higher profile. There’s a charm to the town that people like, a vibe. People enjoy being here and walking our downtown. There’s a sense of community. Being a small town with one school really drives home the connections. And of course, the entire education system is excellent. So many people who grew up here come back to raise their families.
Do you have a favorite day or event in town?
One of my favorites is the Memorial Day parade. People come down early in the morning to watch and then hopefully listen briefly as we pay our respects to the fallen soldiers. It’s one of the more poignant days and a chance to reinforce the message of patriotism and sacrifice for our kids. The tree lighting is a wonderful old tradition. A newer one is Ho-Ho-Kus Day, which has been a big hit. It’s in September and a nice welcome back for people to reconnect after summer.
What’s your proudest accomplishment as mayor?
It’s hard to pick one thing. To me, it’s been the ability to be nimble enough to adapt with the changing times and make sure we’re ahead of the curve on things that are important but don’t always make big headlines. Some examples are having our affordable housing requirements in place and being among the first municipalities in New Jersey to deliver a fully compliant water delivery system, maximizing grant funding and debt relief for the project.
If over the years I’ve helped make Ho-Ho-Kus better, to me that’s a home run. The saying goes, if you can leave it better than you found it, that’s a win. That’s how I approach the position of mayor: try to improve people’s quality of life. I’m fortunate to have served with people that are very capable and dedicated. They come from all walks of life and might have different points of view, but we have one goal: to find solutions that work for the town. It’s a collaborative effort that’s always been very successful. I’m proudest of that too—to work with people that have brought the town forward and adapted. This is a special town—it’s a gem that was already a gem, and our job is to try to polish it and not mess it up.
Opposite page: Mayor Thomas Randall poses with his family in the borough chambers. Left: Mayor Thomas Randall poses with Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department member Rich Keeley. Right: Mayor Thomas Randall marches in the Memorial Day parade alongside council members Kevin Crossley, Steve Shell and Dane Policastro.
BRING DESIGN FREEDOM TO THE HOME WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF LUXURY APPLIANCES THAT COMPLEMENT THE WAY YOU LIVE.
Homegrown Hope
The borough’s new Community Garden donates 100% of the organic vegetables produced to those in need.
BY SARAH NOLAN
World hunger is a plight that weighs heavily on Allie Lim’s heart. She’ll never forget the anguish of learning that her great grandmother lost two children to famine in Lebanon.
“There’s so much we can all do to help others,” she said. “It doesn’t take much to make an impact. Whenever you do something good, it draws good people to you.”
The new Ho-Ho-Kus Community Garden that Lim spearheaded is a perfect example of that. Nestled alongside the borough Ambulance Corps building on Sycamore Avenue, the inviting space boasts 15 raised garden beds handcrafted from natural cedar and overflowing with organic vegetables, all of which will be donated to those in need when harvested.
As of this writing, just over 400 pounds of zucchini, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, eggplant, cucumbers and
more have been delivered to Oasis—A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, landing on the tables of families in need. Lim expects that number to climb to about 500 pounds by the end of the growing season.
Nahdira Artis, a volunteer coordinator at Oasis, said the organization’s soup kitchen serves hot and nutritious three-course meals to women and children Monday through Friday, totaling 91,000 meals annually. The donations from Ho-Ho-Kus’s garden are used as ingredients in those meals, providing a basic need that is lifechanging for clients.
“Oasis has a very large need and serves about 1,000 people a day,” Lim said. “Every time you walk through the door with bushels of fresh, organic vegetables, people are so grateful. I love being here in the garden, but seeing where it goes is the best part.”
Opposite page: Tomatoes thrive in the community garden. Top left: Lily Reddy inspects a pepper in the community garden. Top right: Van Vinciguerra works in the garden. Middle: Sue Robertson works on harvesting in the garden. Bottom: Vegetables from a recent harvest at the community garden.
A green thumb used for good With the desire to give back tugging at Lim, she was always on the lookout for opportunities to get her twins, now 15, involved in helping others.
“I wanted them to see the world outside the bubble, to see how other people live, what people need and to give back in a way that would be meaningful,” she said.
The family would do “one-off” things, like donate to a soup kitchen
or food drive, or participate in Rise Against Hunger, but Lim felt compelled to do more.
A writer and editor, Lim met Katie Stagliano through her work at National Geographic. Stagliano is a National Geographic Young Explorer and founder of Katie’s Krops—a not-forprofit with a mission to empower youth to start and maintain vegetable gardens and donate the harvest to those in need. The organization has started more than 100 youth-run vegetable gardens throughout the United States.
Stagliano’s story inspired Lim to tap into her love of gardening to help others.
Gardening is in Lim’s blood. Her grandfather had “the greenest of thumbs you could ever imagine.” Before moving to New Jersey, Lim lived in Atlanta where she first tried her hand at gardening and had great success. She now has a backyard garden at her home in Ho-Ho-Kus.
Her efforts to help others through gardening began at Ho-Ho-Kus School two years ago, when her Girl Scout troop attempted to grow vegetables in ten existing beds on campus.
“Nothing was growing.” Lim said. “We tried everything but ran into roadblock after roadblock. And that’s really when you learn the most, when you face some sort of issue and have to figure it out.”
Top: Mendy Cady and Van Vinciguerra work in the community garden. Bottom: Councilman Kevin Crossley, Allie Lim and Councilman Dane Policastro in the garden.
It turned out that termites had damaged the beds beyond repair. They threw everything out and started over. The new garden produced 500 pounds of vegetables, all donated to Oasis last year.
A Garden Club member, Lim began to dream up a community garden, where everyone in the borough could participate. Fellow member Patricia Crossley suggested approaching her husband, Kevin Crossley, a councilman, about the plan.
Kevin, chairman of the Downtown Beautification Committee, said he found the idea exciting. Other members of the committee and the mayor and council agreed.
“The members agreed that if we could find the space that was suitable
for a garden, it was a wonderful idea to have residents, young and old alike, help with the planning, maintenance and harvesting of vegetables that will be donated to local families and organizations,” Kevin said.
After securing a location, Lim designed the layout of the garden and the borough’s Department of Public Works executed the plan. Kuiken Brothers, a local building materials company, donated wood and wire for fencing.
“It was truly a community effort in getting everything up and running,” Lim said. “It started last summer with an idea and grew and grew until it finally came to fruition this spring.”
Planned events, such as a Ho-Ho-Kus Farm Day and pumpkin picking are in
the works so community members can come taste and see what’s been growing. Any donations will go back into the garden, so it will be self-sustaining, Lim said.
Residents interested in getting involved can sign up via a link on the borough website (hhkborough.com/ ho-ho-kus-community-garden).
“There’s been a lot of community interest and more hands make light work,” Lim said, adding that the garden not only empowers individuals of all ages to foster food security, but is also a place for community members to connect and nurture friendships.
View photos and learn more about the community garden on Lim’s Instagram page, @hungry_harvest_ garden.
Community members show off organic vegetables picked at a recent harvest.
Greetings from Ho-Ho-Kus
Artist Julia Shea touched on notes of nostalgia to create a borough-themed postcard. Proceeds from its sale will benefit a new beginning for the library.
Artist Julia Shea is a hardwired nostalgic. Even as a kid, when in theory she had nothing to be nostalgic about, the Ho-Ho-Kus native said that wistful, sentimental nature defined her.
“Pulling from that place—whether it be childhood memories or old family photos—is the most generative space for me as an artist,” she said. “My best art, the work that resonates with me the most, is based on my own recollections or stories my parents have told me about when they were growing up. I take that emotional core and use it for my work.”
It’s a quality that aligned perfectly with Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library’s idea to print and sell Ho-HoKus postcards as part of fundraising efforts to support the library’s planned relocation.
BY SARAH NOLAN
Library Director Morgan Taylor connected with Shea years ago at the Glen Rock Public Library. Shea was in high school at the time and worked at The Curious Reader, a children’s bookstore in the borough.
Taylor recently came across a painting Shea shared on Instagram of New Jersey Transit’s Ho-Ho-Kus train station sign, popping amidst a lush background of tree leaves.
“[Shea] mentioned how much she enjoyed doing it and how it had a specific meaning for her to do something from her hometown and the memories associated with it,” Taylor said. “With that in mind, I thought it was the perfect fit. I generally try to present the library in a sort of playful way, and I think that’s something that is
characteristic of her artwork.”
The result of the collaboration is a frame-worthy postcard with vintage vibes that features Ho-Ho-Kus landmarks, including The Hermitage, the school, the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and of course, the library.
Shea, 25, now lives in Brooklyn, but says her North Jersey roots run deep. Both her parents attended her alma mater, Northern Highlands Regional High School, and extended family wasn’t more than an hour away.
“Whenever I would drive around with my dad, he would talk about the mischief he and his brothers and friends got into,” Shea said. “I look back on that really fondly. It gives the area so much emotional texture and memory—layers and layers and layers of memory.”
Shea’s postcard features Ho-Ho-Kus landmarks, including the Hermitage, the school, the Ho-HoKus Inn, Borough Hall and of course, the library.
Julia Shea at her desk at home in Brooklyn.
An artist from the start, Shea admitted it wasn’t always easy for her growing up, attempting to visualize a less than traditional career path. By the time she left for Amherst College, she was ready for the chance to leave her small town and truly introduce herself to new people for the first time.
It was that space and breathing room that allowed her to regain great affection and appreciation for Ho-HoKus. And when Taylor approached her to work on a postcard benefitting the library’s relocation, she said she was honored.
The pair worked on several renderings for the piece, centered around borough landmarks that Shea, and surely any Ho-Ho-Kus resident, past or present, has fond memories of.
“I love capturing a likeness of a building or a person—but with flair,” Shea said.
Shea is now a junior designer for Little Simon and Simon Spotlight— imprints of publishing giant Simon & Schuster. She seeks out and helps hire artists and illustrators for projects ranging from board books to chapter books. She likens herself to a coach, liaising between the artist and the publisher to bring literature to life.
“I feel insanely lucky to be where I am,” she said. “I care a lot about children’s books and entertainment. They deserve high quality entertainment.”
In the future, Shea said she’d love to be on the other side of the negotiations she does at work: as an
artist being approached for a project. Illustrating for children’s books would be a dream, she said. With an eye for detail, line and accuracy, Shea could see herself working on middle grade books, illustrating interior scenes or covers.
Still, she describes her work and ambitions as an “ever shifting target,” moving as she grows and changes as an artist and person.
“My work is so close to the chest for me, it’s sometimes difficult to define and put into words,” she said. “It’s constantly developing. It’s a living practice.”
The postcards are on sale now at the library: 3 for $10. To see more of Julia Shea’s art, check out her Instagram page, @jshea_art.
MORE ON THE LIBRARY’S BIG MOVE
Ho-Ho-Kus’s first library operated from an unused jailcell when it was established by the Women’s Club in 1924. From there, it moved to an unoccupied real estate office on Franklin Turnpike that was purchased by the borough until landing in its current cozy location in 1988. The building was Mildreth Worth Pinkham’s home, and she bequeathed it to the borough to be used as the library.
Cozy or not, the building, and more importantly its location, has problems, according to town officials.
“The biggest issue we have here is this massive hill that we’re on,” Library Director Morgan Taylor said. “It makes it really challenging to access for people who visit libraries most frequently—seniors and families with young children.”
Another issue is space. Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library is one of few libraries that doesn’t have a designated meeting room, Taylor said, or the space to meet the community’s needs in general.
That’s why when 10 Orvil Court—the former Bank of America building— became available, the borough jumped at the chance to acquire the central lot and felt it would be the perfect spot for a new library, according to Mayor Thomas Randall.
Plans represent a 79% increase in square footage from the library’s current building. The vision is to create an accessible space in the heart of downtown Ho-Ho-Kus that will provide improved services and cuttingedge technology that reaches all residents.
To fund the project, the borough will apply for a local government grant and the mayor and council are investigating creative ways to offset the debt and decrease the impact on taxpayers, according to the library’s website. The library will also contribute with saved capital funds and seek out fundraising opportunities, like the sale of Julia Shea’s postcards, on sale only at the library.
As for the current property at 91 Warren Ave., it was purchased by the borough outright in 2021 and the mayor and council will determine next steps for the lot. Options being discussed include selling it to offset the cost of the project, renting it out to tenants or holding onto it for borough purposes.
Opposite page: Julia Shea knew from a young age that she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. Here she is pictured as a kindergarten graduate, already declaring her artistic ambitions. Above: An early rendering of Julia Shea’s postcard. Right: A rough sketch of Julia Shea’s postcard, sales of which will benefit the library’s planned relocation. Above: The current library building.
A boutique brunch experience
Graze Brunch Kitchen offers a delectable ‘modern take on classics’ for breakfast and lunch.
BY SARAH NOLAN
Take a late morning stroll in Manhattan or Brooklyn on any given weekend, and overflowing restaurants with lines of brunch-goers are commonplace. But in little ol’ Ho-Ho-Kus? We’d call that an anomaly.
It’s fitting then, that standing out from the crowd is exactly what the owners of Graze Brunch Kitchen had in mind when they opened in April.
“We didn’t want a place where you could go down the street and have the same stuff,” Co-Owner Brent Cestone said. “We wanted to put a unique spin on things—a modern take on classics for breakfast and lunch.”
Graze is the brainchild of Cestone and fellow owners, George DeLuca and his son, Dominic DeLuca. George has been in the restaurant business for 40 years. This is his fifth restaurant, but first brunch spot. His son is new to the industry.
George said the vision was to create a “boutique brunch place.”
“The food coming out of that kitchen is special; it’s phenomenal,” George said. “You can’t buy higher quality ingredients than we use. My inspiration was to be different—we are, and it shows.”
Cestone said customer favorites so far include the “epic” salted caramel French toast made with egg battered challah bread, cinnamon, whipped caramel and fresh
banana, and Grand Marnier pancakes, topped with whipped butter, orange zest and Vermont maple syrup.
Those in the mood for something more savory might favor the “healthy and flavorful” spring harvest bowl, featuring sweet potato hash, wilted spinach, hen of the wood mushroom, poached egg and Manchego cheese.
Chef Andrew J. Strangio said he strives for simplicity in his dishes. The restaurant is farm-to-table when it can be and is currently sourcing ingredients from Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff and MEVO in Mahwah. Sourdough bread is baked fresh daily at Balthazar Bakery in Englewood.
Strangio said he mostly uses ghee, clarified butter, in his cooking—a cleaner alternative to seed oils. Keeping in mind his penchant for simplicity, the chef says his favorite dish is the scramble roll—eggs on a long brioche roll with chives and Colby jack cheese, sometimes featuring lobster or white truffle.
“The food is definitely filling; you don’t leave hungry,” Cestone said. “But the menu is designed so you can share two, three or four things between a couple of people, hence the name Graze.”
Customers can expect to start their dining experience with a great cup of coffee—a brew George said took months to perfect.
Top: Graze’s Grand Marnier Pancakes feature whipped butter, orange zest and Vermont maple syrup. Bottom left: Inside Graze, patrons are met with a casual, cool vibe. Bottom right: Graze Brunch Kitchen is centrally located in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus on North Maple Avenue.
Top: Graze owners Brent Cestone, George DeLuca, Dominic DeLuca and chef Andrew J. Strangio. Bottom: The interior of Graze Brunch Kitchen.
Why brunch?
Cestone said after two years as a golf pro, he fell into hospitality about 20 years ago. Coming from an Italian family with incredible cooks, it felt like a natural path.
“I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” he said.
Cestone worked at Cafe Amici before buying the Wyckoff establishment with George, but after two decades, he felt burnt out. He took time off and did some consulting when the opportunity to open a restaurant in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus presented itself.
But why brunch?
“After 20 years of doing lunch and dinner and working nights, I decided to go in the complete opposite direction—early mornings, and I’m home by late afternoon so I can maybe have some quality of life.”
Cestone said he feels a connection to Ho-Ho-Kus since his grandparents lived in the borough for 30 years.
“It’s a cool town, very quintessential—like something out of a Norman Rockwell movie, and I love that about it,” he said.
Cestone added that the restaurant’s location on North Maple Avenue is ideal, particularly with the new 619 North apartments behind Graze slated to be open for occupancy this fall.
Once the restaurant hit its stride, it began to open its doors on select evenings for a dinner club coined “Graze at Night.” Cestone said the concept is to have one seating of 30 to 34 people once or twice a week with a constantly rotating menu.
“I like the idea of two nights—we
won’t overdo it, and it won’t become stale,” Cestone said. “We want to be relevant and maintain that vibe—a little mystery.”
As for the lines out the door, ownership and the staff alike are grateful for the community support.
“It feels fantastic,” Strangio said. “It’s really fulfilling. People want the food, they like it, they come because of word of mouth and when they leave, we’ve lived up to the expectations they had. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Danielle DeLuca serves up Graze’s cappuccino. Owner George DeLuca said the restaurant’s coffee brew took months to perfect.
OCTOBER 10, 2024
6-9 PM Edgewood Country Club, River Vale, NJ
Challenge Accepted
Cho and
Martinez took a chance and entered the Hardest Math Problem contest. They both placed, making fellow students and staff proud.
BY SARAH NOLAN
Yuna
Julian
Not one, but two Ho-Ho-Kus Public School students placed in the Hardest Math Problem Student Contest, a national competition presented by the Actuarial Foundation, the Institute of Competition Sciences and the New York Life Foundation.
Julian Martinez, now a freshman at Northern Highlands Regional High School, was the grand prize winner amongst 8th graders. Yuna Cho, now a 7th grader, earned honorable mention for the 6th grade challenge.
The contest calls on sixth through eighth graders across the country to solve multistep, grade-specific math problems that focus on real-world situations and feature engaging characters. This year’s problems were centered around animal habitats.
Martinez and Cho competed against more than 1,500 students in the initial
challenge, before moving on to a second round where they placed.
Kaitlin Reilly, a special education math and science teacher at HoHo-Kus School spearheads the competition and says she loves this challenge because it fuses math and science and delves into real world problems.
“So often in teaching math, we get ‘When am I ever going to use this in the real world?’” Reilly said. “It’s important for them to see these real-life situations involving scientific concepts with a bigger meaning to the world. In the classroom, these concepts can seem so isolated. This gives them an opportunity to apply what they’re learning in a way that’s meaningful.”
For Martinez, winning was “validating and rewarding.” It was also a confidence boost before moving on
to high school.
“I spent a lot of time on the problems—it makes me feel like I can accomplish what I put my mind to. That’s a nice feeling going into high school, which can feel a little daunting,” Martinez said.
The students each won money for their 529 college savings accounts—$3,000 for Martinez and $1,000 for Cho—along with a pizza party to share with their classmates.
Reilly said the wins sparked conversations amongst the student body about tackling opportunities that might seem difficult or impossible.
“Students might ask, ‘What are my chances? Am I really going to win or succeed?’” she said. “Just give it a try. Julian and Yuna did. It’s really exciting to have had two students place. This little town just wanted to be known.”
Opposite page: Competition winners Yuna Cho and Julian Martinez pose with Principal Martha Walsh and Superintendent Dr. Diane Mardy. Above: Yuna Cho and Julian Martinez won college scholarships along with a pizza party to share with their classmates.
Back-to-School Book List
These reads will get your kids excited for the new academic year.
By Kris Pepper
As the lazy days of summer wind down and the scent of freshly sharpened pencils and new notebooks fills the air, kids in Ho-Ho-Kus are preparing for the year’s new academic adventures. For many, it is a time of excitement, new beginnings and perhaps some firstday jitters.
We’ve curated a selection of children’s books with a “back to school” theme, celebrating the wonder and providing reassurance and inspiration for our children as they return to the classroom.
Wemberly Worried
by
Kevin Henkes
Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then, it was time for school to start, and Wemberly worried even more. She worried about spilling her juice, shrinking in the bathtub, and even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon and night. But when she goes back to school, Wemberly realizes that it’s too much fun to waste time worrying! This comforting back-to-school favorite is from Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten’s First Full Moon and Chrysanthemum.
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Penelope the dinosaur starts school, but it’s hard to make friends when her classmates are so delicious!
It’s Penelope Rex’s first day of school, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all! Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from awardwinning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.
The
Night Before First Grade by Natasha Wing
It’s the night before the Big Day—first grade! Penny is excited to start the year with her best friend right beside her in the same classroom. This humorous take on Clement C. Moore’s classic tale has a perfect twist ending that will surprise and delight readers, helping first-graders through their own back-to-school jitters.
First
Grade
Stinks
by Mary Ann Rodman, Illustrated by Beth Spiegel
It’s the first day of school, and Hayley is excited. Things are different now. She’s a first-grader! Hayley quickly learns that first grade is different from kindergarten but in all the wrong ways. The classroom isn’t as bright and colorful, Ms. Gray doesn’t seem to smile as much as her kindergarten teacher did and there isn’t enough time to play outside. Fortunately, her compassionate teacher completely understands. Young readers will immediately empathize with Hayley as she struggles—amid unmet expectations, new experiences and disappointment—to find enthusiasm for the new school year.
My First Day
by Phùng Nguyên Quang, Huỳnh Kim Liên
The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat wearing a little backpack and armed only with a single oar. On the way, he is confronted by giant crested waves, heavy rainfall and eerie forests, where fear takes hold of him. Although daunted by the dark unknown, An realizes that he is not alone and continues to paddle. He knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination. The folk culture of Vietnam and Asia inspires the beautiful illustrations in this book.
School’s First Day of School
by Adam Rex, Illustrated by Christian Robinson
A New York Times bestselling author (The True Meaning of Smekday) and illustrator (Last Stop on Market Street) team bring you a fresh look at the first day of school—from the school’s perspective.
It’s the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary, and everyone’s just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he’s not the only one going through first-day jitters.
Zachary Gidich enjoys the ageold pastime of fishing in the HoHo-Kus Brook during the summer. The babbling stream, a tributary of the Saddle River, ambles through town, creating a scenic backdrop along Franklin Turnpike in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus.
Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@hohokusmagazine.com.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JOE NOLAN
Landscape Design
Rich Cording Sr. Licensed Landscape Architect
Eric Cording Landscape Designer
Rich Cording Jr. Master of Landscape Design Columbia University
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