Pequannock March 2024

Pequannock

& Pompton Plains

RECREATIONAL WRESTLING A NEW CHAPTER

LOST AT SEA CAROL HANSEN’S HEROIC STORY

NURTURING CREATIVITY AT THE SCRIBBLE GARDEN

Local Bagpipers Hitting the Right Notes

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574 Newark Pompton Tpke. Pompton Plains, NJ

Tue, Wed, Thur 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Fri, Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sun 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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pizzamannj@gmail.com

A walk from the Rail Trail... Stop in for a bite!

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Marching Into Spring

Ahhh … Spring is in the air as the days finally grow longer! I love this time of year as everything becomes green again. Daylight saving time begins, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Easter promises hope and spring eternal.

In this month’s issue, we learn more about Pequannock’s UNICO—what its members do and how you can get involved within our community. I just learned myself that UNICO is an acronym standing for unity, neighborliness, integrity, charity and opportunity.

We feature our Pequannock Recreation wrestling program. This group is composed of our youngest wrestlers, who have made a big comeback thanks to new leadership. We’re looking forward to all that’s to come.

We honor our very own hero, Carol Gould Hansen. As a young flight attendant, she survived and assisted others as her plane made an emergency ditch into the sea. Read her story of faith, grit and determination, and be sure to pick up your own copy of “Tiger in the Sea,” which captures the story in its entirety.

How fitting to learn more about our beloved local bagpipers this month and catch them at a local event. This is particularly near and dear to me as a “wee Scottish lass” myself. I love hearing “Amazing Grace” and look forward to St. Patrick’s Day to honor my very own family heritage.

As you venture out, be sure to check out Kenny’s Pit Stop or walk on over, just minutes away from the Pompton Rail Trail. Kenny’s is known for its nostalgia and for being a place where everyone knows your name. Stop in for a savory breakfast, soup or good old-fashioned home cooking.

Finally, have you been to The Scribble Garden, which offers fun for everyone? Check out this special spot in our community; it’s packed with gifts, festivities and so much more.

As always, a big thank-you to everyone who makes this publication possible. From our fabulous writers, photographers and staff at Wainscot Media to you for allowing us to share your stories! Teamwork makes the dream work.

I sincerely appreciate all of your wonderful comments, notes and encouragement cheering us on. This magazine is for and about you. Have an idea, story or photos? Be sure to reach out through @pequannockmagazine.com.

Donna Fillweber Publisher

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN PICCOLI

WHAT’S NEW Around Town SUBMIT

YOUR LOCAL FAVORITES

It’s that time again—to vote for your favorite businesses in Morris County through Morris & Essex magazine

Scan to respond with your top local bakery, burger joint, deli, day spa, salon, sports bar and more.

CALLING

PEQUANNOCK VOLUNTEERS

Attention Pequannock residents: Mayor Ryan Herd and the Pequannock Environmental Commission invite you to volunteer for the annual cleanup of the community’s streams and riverbanks that—due to periodic high water levels—have accumulated litter and debris.

Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., conditions permitting

Please donate as much time as you can. No need to commit to the entire four hours—whatever time you can give will help!

Please report to the Senior House, adjacent to Town Hall, at 9 a.m. (until noon).

Volunteers will be deployed to designated cleanup areas. Parking will be available at the cleanup areas.

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Wear proper attire for working in overgrown, wooded areas. A limited supply of gloves is available; please try to bring your own. Garbage bags will be provided.

Any face mask/social distancing requirements will follow New Jersey guidelines at the time of the cleanup.

To sign up to be a volunteer, visit the municipal building Parks and Recreation office; call 973-835-5700, ext. 145; or email ptec@peqtwp.org or rsteinthal@peqtwp.org.

Pre-egistration is not required but will help with planning and logistics.

Spend a few hours helping to beautify our community. Volunteer today!

LOOKING FORWARD TO FISHING

Mark your calendar for the Pequannock Fishing Contest from Pequannock Parks and Recreation!

Sunday, April 7, at Woodland Lake

Ages 17 and under

Participants have from 8:30 to 10 a.m. to catch fish and have them measured by Parks and Recreation.

Trophies, raffle prizes and fun!

Free event. Registration is not required.

Rain or shine

THE RAIL TRAIL STILL BECKONS

Don’t forget that you can enjoy our very own spectacular—and currently uncrowded—Pompton Rail Trail all season long. The trail is expected to be completed this summer, but in the meantime, put on a jacket, head out and take in the trail’s winter-into-spring wonderland!

HOP OVER TO THE EASTER EGG HUNT

The Pequannock Parks and Recreation Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 23.

11 a.m. to noon at Greenview Park.

Ages 10 and under. $5 per child.

Register online using CommunityPass.

The Easter Bunny will visit and be available for pictures. Bring your own basket.

The egg hunt will start promptly at 11 a.m. with the sound of an air horn.

Staff, volunteers and signs will direct you to the starting point.

Rain date: March 24

Service Above Self

BY ANGELA TETE KOHLE

INTERVIEW WITH ED LAMOUREAUX AND PERRY RUSSO

UNICO is the largest Italian-American service organization in the United States, founded in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1922. We sat down with the local chapter’s Ed Lamoureaux (president) and Perry Russo (past president) to discuss the contributions that Pequannock UNICO makes to our community.

Ed Lamoureaux (left) and Perry Russo

Pequannock UNICO celebrates Italian heritage by contributing to the community.

Tell us about UNICO.

The name UNICO is an acronym standing for unity, neighborliness, integrity, charity and opportunity. The organization’s mission is to promote the image of Italian Americans along with Italian heritage and culture by supporting charitable, scientific, cultural and educational projects. Pequannock UNICO, formed in 1989 by Joe Carabello and Bob Lampione, raises funds and promotes initiatives to serve the people in their community.

How does someone become a member?

One has to be of Italian heritage or be related to someone of Italian heritage, and must be willing to contribute to the organization’s efforts by volunteering time and energy to serve others. Pequannock UNICO has 50 members. Their focus for the future is to bolster membership so that they can continue to serve the community in a meaningful way. Although UNICO values its Italian heritage, its giving is not exclusive. We serve all members of the community without bias.

What are some of UNICO’s activities in the community?

Pequannock UNICO hosts trips, runs fundraisers and serves its famous Italian foods, like delicious zeppoles, at local festivals. UNICO has recently increased giving to scholarships as we realize the prohibitive costs of college tuition.

The Taste of the Town is a popular fundraising event. Through the generosity of many local restaurants that donate time, talent and food items, UNICO has raised over $25,000 for our neighbors and local charities. This year, the event is scheduled to take place on April 30 in the Holy Spirit School gymnasium. UNICO also hosts an annual golf outing and is the host for the annual 9/11 memorial program.

What makes UNICO special?

The members of UNICO are definitely family. We are overwhelmed with the graciousness of this organization and the charitable mindset ingrained in its members.

Angela Kohle, retired after 35 years of teaching, lives in Pequannock. She enjoys volunteering at her church, traveling, reading, baking, walking and working for the family business.

Wrestling Reinvented

leadership opens a fresh chapter for Pequannock Recreation Wrestling.

BY MEGAN VAN PEENEN

For Pequannock Township, wrestling runs deep in history, tradition and success. When you think about the history of Pequannock wrestling, a few names come to mind. Names like former head coach and newly inducted Pequannock Hall of Famer Craig Spencer, former head coach Len Smith and present-day head coach Jay LaPaglia.

However, the success of any high school sports program begins with a solid youth feeder program. These coaches understood this better than anyone, and the reason for their success was due to their involvement with the

youth program in Pequannock.

The program is dedicated to continuous improvement—its leaders do not believe in overnight success, quick fixes or shortcuts. The program’s new leadership is building a culture based on hard work, dedication, self-motivation, goals and a team-first mentality.

Here’s a look at the program—in five classic wrestling moves.

The Takedown

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pequannock Recreation Wrestling program took a hit. Even as life began to

get back to normal in 2022, the program maintained a record-low number of participants. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, Pequannock Recreation Wrestling found itself in need of a complete rebuild.

Someone had to step up and take charge if the program were to continue. Dan Dugan volunteered to take on this heavy task and continue moving the program in the right direction. He became not only the program coordinator but also its head coach, bringing in a team of coaches eager to get to work and restore the program.

ED LEONARD

New

Opposite page: Maks Pandorf (in navy and gold singlet) settles in for the pin.

Top: David Seugling sprawls against his opponent.

Bottom: Head coach Dan Dugan (far left) and assistant head coach Jeff Van Peenen advise John Meredith (in navy and gold singlet) from the mat.

The Reversal

The Pequannock Rec Wrestling program is composed of two divisions: kindergarten through second grade and third through eighth grade. The K-2 division is headed up by coaches Ken Dammers and Alex Vitteta. The focus of this division is to teach the basics of wrestling. Wrestlers are taught the standard fundamentals of the sport while gaining confidence and skill.

The third through eighth grade division is led by head coach Dugan, who has coached youth sports for multiple organizations. From 2001 to 2005, he was an assistant high school wrestling coach for Passaic Valley Regional High School, where he received the District 13 Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Next on the new staff is assistant head coach Jeff Van Peenen, a lifelong Pequannock resident who wrestled for

Pequannock Township High School under the esteemed Len Smith.

Assistant coach Nick Denora wrestled for Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey. Coach Eric Giannantonio wrestled for Paramus. And coaches Trevor Warner and Jay Tindall both wrestled for the program and high school as well. Each coach in the Pequannock Rec Wrestling program participates in continuous education within the sport of wrestling.

The Full Nelson

The Pequannock Rec Wrestling program is a member of the Twin County Junior Wrestling League and participates in the league’s Saturday scrimmages. These tournaments are best described as a structured scrimmage. A match consists of three to four teams meeting at one site and having

each wrestler compete.

Competitors are matched according to a set of four criteria: age, weight, years of experience and skill level. This format ensures that each wrestler is afforded the opportunity to compete at a level that will allow them to learn and develop within the sport.

Each wrestler is required to attend these tournaments to gain experience both on and off the mat. While novice wrestlers may find their initial few matches intimidating, one look in any direction and they will find their coaches and teammates cheering them on. Parents support parents, and wrestlers support wrestlers.

The camaraderie created at the Saturday scrimmages is like no other. Pequannock Rec Wrestling has become a family, and it seems to only be getting bigger as the program evolves.

From left: John Meredith, Jake Tangorra, Rocco Bulfoni, Danny Dugan, Alex Rosenthal, Joe Perkins, Tristan Liccardo and Michael Van Peenen wait for their Dual Team match to begin.

The Bridge

The Pequannock Recreation Wrestling Dual Team is made up of 20 wrestlers from the third to eighth grade division. While weight is a constant in wrestling matchups, the level of experience can fluctuate when pairing wrestlers in a dual team meet. Therefore, the Dual Team is composed of select wrestlers from Pequannock Recreation Wrestling with proven experience and skill.

The Dual Team wrestles as one and, per the team’s overall record, can move the team into district, regional and state team events. Keeping with the sport’s individuality, however, a wrestler’s performance in dual meets still counts toward that team member’s own record.

The Dual Team is open to all wrestlers within the third to

eighth grade division, and the coaches continue to encourage all wrestlers in this category to aim to participate on the Dual Team.

The Pin for the Win

The end goal of Pequannock Rec Wrestling is teaching wrestlers the skill and knowledge required to continue their journey to high school and beyond. The program’s new coaching staff proves that, no matter the opponent, the match can always be won.

Personal growth and teamwork are the driving forces behind this program. More than instilling a love of wrestling, Pequannock Rec Wrestling teaches its wrestlers to be dedicated, hardworking and respectful individuals. Coach Dugan and staff have shown their wrestlers that, with the right leadership and a team that has your back, anything is possible.

Megan Van Peenen is a graduate of Montclair State University. She resides in Pequannock with her husband and two kids. Megan enjoys reading, writing and traveling with her family to watch her husband compete in Ironman triathlons worldwide.

Top left: Michael Van Peenen shoots for a double-leg takedown. Top right (from left): Alex Rosenthal, Michael Van Peenen and Kacer Clark strategize about their upcoming matchups. Bottom: Head coach Dan Dugan encourages John Meredith to try and score against his opponent.

Lost at Sea

As a 22-year-old flight attendant, hometown hero Carol Hansen led survivors from a downed plane in the North Atlantic.

BY DEBBIE WALSH

Sometimes heroes walk among us—ordinary people who have done extraordinary things when circumstances demand it. One of these people is Carol (Gould) Hansen.

Hansen was a flight attendant on Flying Tiger Flight 923 when a catastrophic scenario unfolded on September 23, 1962. Three of the plane’s four engines failed, forcing the flight crew to bring the plane down in the frigid North Atlantic. This daring act, known as ditching, requires skillfully landing a non-amphibious aircraft on water. Hansen’s indomitable spirit helped others miraculously survive despite almost

insurmountable odds.

“The reason I want to get my story out is because I think it teaches people to never give up,” says Hansen, who, along with other passengers, shared their stories of resilience with author Eric Lindner. In 2021, Linder penned “Tiger in the Sea,” which chronicles the doomed flight and the crew and passengers’ desperate struggle for survival.

Hansen says Lindner, who is the sonin-law of Flight 923’s pilot, Capt. John Murray, decided to recount the story of Flight 923 after Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed an Airbus A320 on the Hudson in 2009.

DAN PICCOLI

After surviving her ordeal, Carol (Gould) Hansen went on to participate in community activities—and continued to lead travel adventures.

A Routine Flight Plan

Hansen was just 22 years old when she boarded Flight 923 but remembers the events like they happened yesterday.

“I had been with Frontier Airlines out of Phoenix for a year or so, but I was only flying domestically. I wanted to see the world, so I got a job with Flying Tiger,” she says.

She was not scheduled to be part of the Flight 923 flight crew, but agreed to cover for a stewardess (as they were called then) who called in sick. She had barely been in bed at a friend’s house when she received the call to duty. The prospect of double-time pay was appealing because she was saving up for a car.

Upon arrival at Newark airport, Betty Sims, the head flight attendant, assured Hansen that she could nap on the plane because they only needed

her body on board to meet staffing regulations and could manage without her.

Though Flying Tiger was a leading cargo line, it was also a major military charter operator. The plane, a Lockheed 1049H Super Constellation, would head to McGuire Air Force Base to pick up paratroopers bound for Frankfurt, Germany. Along the way, they would stop in Gander, Newfoundland, to refuel.

While grabbing some shut-eye after departing Gander, Hansen was awakened by a co-worker who told her an engine was on fire. Hansen initially figured the pilot was dumping fuel, but then she heard someone, yell, “Fire!”

Steely Calm

“We went around collecting any sharp objects—glasses, knives, pens—that could hurt someone when we ditched,” Hansen recalls. In a remarkable display of composure, she and the other flight attendants readied passengers for the rough landing. “The paratroopers were keeping calm and joking that we were going to have a party once we got to the raft,” she says.

Then came the impact. Some seats jolted loose, but the fuselage remained intact. Water began seeping into the dark cabin. Hansen focused on her duty of removing the emergency window and leading passengers out onto the wing, where they could access a compartment containing a raft. A peek out the window revealed that the

brutal impact had sheared off the wing. There was no choice but to jump into the roaring ocean with temperatures in the mid-40s and wind whipping at 50 mph.

Passengers followed Hansen, and they swam to the only raft in sight. “I saw a light, swam toward it and found the raft,” she says. “I thought it was a star, but there were no stars or lights. I said it must have been God leading me. I felt blessed.”

One unnerved individual sought to bar them from the overcrowded vessel, but a compassionate soldier pulled her in. Fifty-one people ended up on a raft designed for 25.

Hansen helped administer first aid and sang or told jokes to buoy passengers’ spirits. “Capt. Murray said it was like I was doing a vaudeville act,” she says. “I was saying anything funny that came into my head.”

Eventually, a military transport plane responding to a distress signal spotted the raft about 500 miles off the coast of Ireland. A Swiss freighter reached survivors after they spent seven hours on the raft.

“The sailors on the freighter were very brave,” Hansen says. “They came down rope ladders to get us. It was quite a job. It was like being on an elevator with the waves taking us up and down.”

Hansen was the only flight attendant to survive. Of the 51 aboard the raft, 48 survived. There had been 76 people on the plane.

Hansen is featured on a plaque honoring brave flight attendants, some of whom lost their lives.

Life After Flight 923

Though many on Flight 923 suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, Hansen did not develop symptoms. She refused to let the harrowing experience deter her from flying.

When she got home, she flew on a friend’s plane from Lincoln Park airport. However, her flying days with Flying Tiger were over. When she was on the raft, she pledged she would settle down when she got home. In 1963, she married

Eddie Hansen. At the time, airlines prohibited the employment of married stewardesses and forced them to retire at 35.

Carol and Eddie, who also worked for Flying Tiger, welcomed a son, Johnny, in 1964 and a daughter, Lauren, in 1965. Tragically, a hitand-run driver claimed Eddie’s life on Halloween about 10 years after he and Carol married.

Hansen, a 47-year Pequannock resident, never lost her love of

travel and for many years worked in the travel business organizing and leading tours to exotic locales. In 2023, she attended the Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association reunion in San Diego, and she looks forward to this year’s reunion in Texas.

Today, she serves as a volunteer with animal rescue/adoption organizations. While grounded, she loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, Jackie and Mike.

Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for various newspaper publications and more recently as a ghost blogger. A semiretired sports mom, she enjoys dining out with friends, reading and playing golf in her spare time.

Hansen and her daughter, Lauren, browse through “Tiger in the Sea” by Eric Lindner, who interviewed numerous survivors of the Flight 923 ditching. Lindner, the son-in-law of the plane’s pilot, was inspired to write his book by the “Miracle on the Hudson” ditching of an airliner in New York in 2009.

Bagpipers (from left) Steve Stys, Jamie McCabe and Bill McCrystal play at a wide variety of community functions with the Passaic County Police and Fire Pipes and Drum Band.

ANTONIETTA HENRY

Hitting the Right Notes

Three local bagpipers who share a love of their instrument stand ready for their busiest month of the year.

BY DEBBIE WALSH

March arrives with the force of a lion and doesn’t exactly exit like a lamb for a trio of local bagpipers who are set to enchant parade spectators and pub patrons with soulful, stirring and celebratory tunes synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day.

While the bagpipe is an instrument for all seasons, Steve Stys, Jamie McCabe and Bill McCrystal— members of the Passaic County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums Band

(PCPD)—eagerly anticipate their busiest playing month: March.

Stys got his start with the Bergen County Firefighters Pipe Band (BCFPB) in 1996 while living in Garfield. He dismisses as pure blarney the notion that bagpipers are exclusively either Irish or Scottish.

“I’ll never forget: I was at a parade in Livingston with my older sister when a bagpiper went by. I said, ‘You know, I’m going to be doing that next

year.’ That’s when I found the Bergen County band,” recalls Stys, who played the tuba for the Clifton High School marching band. “I don’t have a lick of Irish in me, and I take some ribbing for that. I just love the instrument.”

The BCFPB supplied him with complimentary lessons. Once Stys grasped the basics, dedicated practice became the key to proficiency. When he moved to Pequannock in 1998, he switched to the PCPD.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Forming Connections

In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, there was a surge of demand for bagpipers, who traditionally play at funerals for police and firefighters. Facing an overwhelming number of funerals, bagpipe bands in New York City sought assistance from pipe bands in New Jersey to cover services for 9/11 responders who hailed from that state.

“Playing at funerals is the sad aspect of being in a bagpipe band, but I feel like I’m giving back to these people,” Stys says.

Preparing for St. Patrick’s Day, the band rehearses biweekly, which poses a challenge, as several members are firefighters and police officers working various shifts. To keep things fresh, the band adds two new songs to its repertoire annually.

Typically, on St. Patrick’s Day, the band’s first engagement kicks off at noon and the last ends at midnight. Among stops are Murph’s Tavern in Totowa, Sunset Pub and Grill in Lincoln Park, Grasshopper Too in

Wayne, and Grasshopper Irish Pub in Newfoundland. Proprietors of these establishments loyally support the band.

“You meet so many people when you play at the different establishments,” Stys says. “Many seem intrigued by people who play the bagpipes. On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone sees what a blast we’re having and they wish they were a member of a pipe band.”

Excitement in March translates to new recruits attending practices in subsequent months. If the band is lucky, a couple of prospective pipers will stick around. Some do not return once they realize the time commitment needed to perfect playing skills.

Practice Makes Perfect

McCabe, a 1990 Pequannock Township High School graduate, long toyed with the idea of learning how to play. In 2006, his wife, Jen, spotted an ad for a bagpiping class and challenged him to sign up. After the introductory course, McCabe furthered his instruction from

the Rory O’Moore School of Pipes and Drums. In 2012, he joined PCPD.

“When I first started, I thought, ‘How hard can it be? There are only nine notes,’” McCabe says. “I got a little frustrated, but I quickly learned that you get out of it what you put into it. I’ve always loved the sound of the bagpipes since I was a little kid. Mostly, I wanted to learn how to play so I can hear bagpipe music whenever I want to.”

Except for the stepped-up schedule for St. Patrick’s Day, McCabe says the PCPD practices once a week. Currently, 27 active band members range in age from 18 to 80s. He estimates the band performs at functions about half the weekends throughout the year.

McCabe cherishes the band’s camaraderie. Members not only develop close friendships but also become like family. Players also value enthusiastic reactions from spectators. “We go into a pub. People react to the first drum rolls with such energy,” McCabe says. “That’s what makes it worthwhile.”

Amazingly Graced McCrystal, of Pompton Plains, started playing bagpipes in 2002. A member of Fire Company 1, he learned about PCPD from another volunteer firefighter. He found playing to be a meaningful way to celebrate his Irish roots.

“Amazing Grace” tops song requests, and the PCPD is glad to comply with its upbeat version of the powerful hymn. “Danny Boy,” another popular request, is not well suited for the nine-note bagpipe, says McCrystal, who will be retiring to Florida in June with his wife, Jean.

In addition to appearing at weddings, funerals, parades, parties and church gatherings, the PCPD often performs at Democratic and Republican galas at The Brownstone. Its supportive proprietors welcome the band to the venue approximately 25 times a year.

Growing up in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, McCrystal attended Sacred Heart Church, where he was an altar server. When he learned of the church’s 100th anniversary in 2012, he floated the idea of having the PCPD play at the commemorative event. McCrystal received an enthusiastic thumbs-up from the parish priest, who knew Cardinal Timothy Dolan would be attending.

“I got an enormous amount of support from band members,” McCrystal says. “The cardinal was late. We played as he walked into the church. I got to play ‘Amazing Grace’ in front of hundreds of people, including many family members. Cardinal Dolan spent time with us at the reception. I felt honored. It was one of the most amazing things we’ve ever done. It meant so much to me.”

Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for various newspaper publications and more recently as a ghost blogger. A semiretired sports mom, she enjoys dining out with friends, reading and playing golf in her spare time.

Nurturing Creativity

Part café and part boutique, The Scribble Garden fulfills owner Heidi Roback’s dream of creating a space that offers both fun and flavor.

BY MARY SHUMEYKO

When owner Heidi Robak opened The Scribble Garden in 2019, she combined several of her passions and centered them all in one place. A self-proclaimed fairy queen, Robak created her first fairy costume in 2007 and “has been covered in glitter, feathers and glue ever since!” she says.

Inspiration for The Scribble Garden derives from the definitions of “scribble” (making a mess or a masterpiece) and “garden” (a place where seeds—and ideas— are nurtured). With a full name of The Scribble Garden: Where Creativity Grows, the shop—which is part café and part boutique that includes local school spirit apparel—has something for everyone.

The café is the newest feature of The Scribble Garden. Completely nut-free, it offers delectable treats such as Gifford’s ice cream with homemade toppings. A favorite

is the Fairy Sundae, made with cotton candy ice cream topped with a unicorn cone and decorated with edible glitter. Fridays offer a special $5 deal on all sundaes and shakes.

A Variety of Events

Open Tuesday to Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., the shop invites kids and adults to drop in to make a project and enjoy a sweet dessert.

Projects vary from crafts to cooking and baking. Special sessions can be arranged for groups of all ages. Registration is done online.

Birthday parties are popular, with Robak providing instruction or partnering with local artists like Lynn Schwartz and Maritza Lohn.

Adult sessions include Paint and Sip and charcuterie classes.

Upcoming events offer a spring break camp for kids, providing crafts and baking classes. There will be a taco ice cream party for Cinco de Mayo. A Mother’s Day tea for moms and kids will feature a flight of ice cream served in vintage teacups accompanied by finger sandwiches. Father’s Day will highlight painting and pizza. And there’s always ice cream!

Bringing community together through fun and flavor is important to Robak. She can do fundraisers and events, and she recently organized Pequannock’s entertaining Holiday Trolley Ride, with plans already in place for 2024.

Visit www.thescribblegarden.com for the current calendar or call for more information.

Stop in at The Scribble Garden and let your creativity grow!

Mary Shumeyko is a retired Pequannock teacher who helps at her church and the Pequannock Library. Traveling, running, reading and spending time with family fill her free time.

Opposite page, top: The Scribble Garden set up for creating masterpieces. Above left: Owner Heidi Robak prepares for spring with a seasonal shake, one of many sweet treats available.

https://www.jerseymikes.com/order/1124/

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Kenny’s Pit Stop owner Kenny Leech prepares for a day of great food.

Auto Dining

At Kenny’s Pit Stop, racing memorabilia mixes with classic diner food made fresh every day.

BY MARY SHUMEYKO

When owner Kenny Leech opened his diner in 2011, he drew on his background in the food business. Since age 14, he has worked in the industry, from coffee trucks to small restaurants like this. Luckily for Pequannock Township, he ended up here!

Walking into Kenny’s Pit Stop, a customer is immediately aware of two things: the aroma of fresh food cooking and the sights of auto racing memorabilia.

Kenny, a former race car owner and driver, has become a collector of vintage photos, jackets, flags and model cars. Fans of racing—and of the diner—offer their treasures to be displayed, adding a unique vibe to this delightful place.

Asked about his clientele, Kenny chuckles. “It’s like ‘Cheers,’” he says, “where everybody knows your name.” The regulars come in every day, and Kenny has come to know about 90 percent of them. With

sweet shop-style stools and comfortable booths, it’s easy to see why it’s become a favorite spot.

Local Connections

The food is fabulous. From homemade soups, salads and grilled sandwiches, everything is made fresh each day. Customers brag about the meatloaf and sides. Breakfasts are the most popular. Fresh eggs are made to order; omelets and breakfast sandwiches are all tempting; and the pancakes “are the best around.”

The unique names for different plates come from grandchildren, nieces and nephews, whom Kenny mentions with pride. There’s an adorable kids’ menu as well, and delivery service is available from noon to 2 p.m.

Kenny is also proud of having stayed open during the COVID-19 pandemic. He

worked alone every day, making takeout orders for his steady customers. During the shutdown, he served about 30 people each day. Now daily orders total over 90.

A loyal supporter of all things Pequannock, Kenny’s displays photos of sports teams, flood information is available and churches are honored. Just steps away from the new rail trail for biking, walking and running, and open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kenny’s Pit Stop is perfect for a quick refresher or a complete meal.

Come in, see the checkered flags, enjoy some delicious food—and you, too, can become a regular.

Mary Shumeyko is a retired Pequannock teacher who helps at her church and the Pequannock Library. Traveling, running, reading and spending time with her family fill her free time.

Kenny Leech goes over daily lunch specials with staff member Valerie Boyle.

Winter’s Cloak

Maureen Brian captured this emerging daffodil still wearing a coat of snow that will soon melt away with the coming of spring!