$1.299M – Located in desirable Van Vorst Park, this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo offers 1,159 sq-ft of modern conveniences and classic charm.
Michael Akkus 201.280.4462
Jose Rodriguez 201.679.8297
EXPANSIVE NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME
561 Wittich Terrace, River Vale
$1.499M – Picturesque location with 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, this home sits on a generous half acre lot and boasts a modern, open floor plan.
Roi Klipper 201.780.1234
Michael Akkus 201.280.4462
RECORD BREAKING MONTVALE OASIS
27 Sheppard Drive, Montvale
$2.625M SOLD – Earning the highest sale price in Monvale history, this 7 bedroom, 8 bathroom home located in the Donnybrook neighborhood features a stunning, resort-like backyard.
David Arabia 201.206.3614
GATED LUXURY TOWNHOME COMMUNITY
2 Stone Bridge Court, Demarest
$2.285M – The Woodlands is Bergen County’s most exclusive new construction townhome community blending luxury, privacy & high-end design. Sales
Gallery open daily 12-4pm.
Taryn Byron 732.362.1523
ELEGANT EUROPEAN-INSPIRED MANOR
78 Roberts Road, Englewood Cliffs
$5.299M – Only 5 miles from Manhattan, this one-of-akind palatial home features 6 bedrooms, 7.3 baths, an indoor pool, elevator and more.
Jason Pierce 201.397.5888
Roi Klipper 201.780.1234
AMAZING LOCATION ON DEAD END STREET
130 Starr Place, Wyckoff
$1.899M – Meticulously maintained on a 100x150 lot, this generously sized 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home is move-in ready. Open concept layout, chef’s kitchen, home office, fenced yard.
Roi Klipper 201.780.1234
CUSTOM BUILT MODERN DREAM HOME
324 Hardenburgh Ave, Demarest
$4.2M SOLD – Garnering a record per sq-ft price, this gorgeous home featured 10K sq-ft of pure luxury and designer style. 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, gorgeous pool, an entertainer’s paradise.
Roi Klipper 201.780.1234
EDGEWATER’S LARGEST DUPLEX
26 Oakdene Avenue, Edgewater
$3.495M – With panoramic views of NYC from the sprawling rooftop deck, this 4 story duplex features 6 bedrooms & 6 bathrooms, gym, movie theater. Roi Klipper 201.780.1234
David Arabia 201.206.3614
10,000 SQ-FT ON 3 ACRES OF LAND
11 Woodfield Lane, Saddle River
$3.995M – A truly distinguished estate, this 6 bed 7.2 bathroom home is a stunning retreat. Custom pool/ cabana, movie room, gym, 5 car garage.
Roi Klipper 201.780.1234
Kelly Healy 201.407.0280
18
10 28
14 A Well-Designed Life
Step into the bright and eclectic world of Tess Giuliani, an interior designer whose story can be found in buildings across the globe.
18 From Headlines to Whodunits
Seasoned journalist Neal Lipschutz had an extensive career dealing in facts. Now, he’s taking the plunge into the mysterious world of fiction.
IN EVERY ISSUE
6 PUBLISHER’S NOTE May Beginnings
8 AROUND TOWN Welcoming the Warmer Weather
10 LIVING WELL Let’s get Growing
Photograph by Chris Marksbury 8
24 PEOPLE WE KNOW Reveling for the Ridgewood Library
28 Q&A Strike up the Band
30 BOOK NOOK Moms on the Page
32 PHOTO OP Ridgewood Cycle
COVER Tess Giuliani in her home.
sSUMMER’S HERE, AND the time is right for dancing in the streets.
Dancing may be an overstatement, but I always enjoy the reconnection of neighbors and the community during these first warm days of the season when folks get out for neighborhood strolls or take a ride to Van Dyk’s for a cone. The Village comes alive with a small town feel—and perhaps even a touch of “Mayberry!”
Since we’ll be soaking up the sunshine this month, we want to introduce you to some of our neighbors. In the case of Tess Giuliani, this may be a re-introduction for many of you. A 40+ year resident of
Ridgewood, she is a professional interior designer and a keeper of family history with a unique flair for showcasing her treasures and artifacts with vibrant color. Tess graciously invited me to her home at The Benjamin to see her collections and learn about her fascinating life journey.
A relative newcomer to the Village, Neal Lipschutz moved here a decade ago but has made an impact of his own. A retired deputy editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, Neal is reinventing retirement by authoring a series of suspense novels—the first one will be released in July. Don’t miss this thrilling page-turner!
This issue also features Stacey Antine’s suggestions for starting your own vegetable patch and a Q&A with Gail McCarthy, chair of the Kasschau Bandshell Committee, which is tuning up for a new season of live music this summer.
Ridgewood comes alive during the summer months. Ridgewood Magazine is looking forward to kicking it all off with you! Got a great story idea for an upcoming month? Email me!
In closing, we’d like to recognize the men and women who “gave all” this Memorial Day. “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
—John 15:13.
Have a wonderful month—and get outside!
Kris Pepper Editor
Ridgewood MAGAZINE
Publisher Karen Stires
Editor
Kris Pepper
Writers
Kris Pepper
Lorri Steinbacher
Rebecca Bleich
Stacey Antine
Photographers
Adam Paray
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
Art Director
Rosemary O’Connell
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
Ridgewood Magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Ridgewood, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained here in do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MARJORIE RAGGO
HSS now offers additional services with two new locations: HSS Paramus – Midland Ave and HSS Northern NJ Surgery Center in Mahwah.
• Advanced Physical Therapy
• Back and Neck Care
• Hip and Knee Replacement
• Injections
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Physiatry
• Radiology and Imaging
• Rheumatology
• Same-day Surgery
• Sports
Welcome the Warmer Weather
Here’s what’s happening in May!
TOUCH-A-TRUCK
When: Thursday, May 15, 2025; 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Ridgewood Memorial Park at Van Neste Square
Touch-A-Truck Day is a free day of hands-on adventures for children, offering opportunities to climb on board the vehicles and explore a fleet of other emergency vehicles and public works vehicles up close. As a bonus, a Safety Town kiddie-car driving track and a special truck story time will add to the fun. Take advantage of this memorable experience to meet and use the resources that serve the Ridgewood community.
Free of charge: Get more information at mylittleivy.com.
Rebecca Bleich is a recent graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in journalism and writing.
RIDGEWOOD YMCA PARKINSON’S WALK
When: Sunday, May 18, 2025; 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Saddle River County Park Wild Duck Pond
Get ready to gather with the community and participate in Ridgewood’s YMCA Parkinson’s Walk to connect, learn, fundraise and celebrate. The walk is a 1.1-mile loop through the Bergen County Wild Duck Pond. Specialized programming will be provided by local Parkinson’s groups and advocates, along with industry representatives, community partners and Parkinson’s experts. 100% of the funds raised during the walk are donated to the Ridgewood YMCA’s Parkinson’s programming.
$25 suggested donation per walker. Find more information at ridgewoodymca.org.
PRIDE MARKETPLACE
When: Saturday, June 7, 2025; 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square; South Walnut Street
Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce hosts its first Pride Marketplace, celebrating the local LGBTQ community. The event will feature live performances, flag dedication, rainbow swag, cupcakes, cookies and much more—including a vendor market hosted by The Ridgewood Guild. Come and join this celebration of community!
Free of charge. Find more information at ridgewoodchamber.com.
CHILDREN’S PLAY DAY AT THE MUSEUM
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Rain Date: Sunday, May 18, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Where: Ridgewood Historical Society & School House Museum; 650 East Glen Avenue
Experience a different kind of playtime featuring crafts and games with an old-fashioned vibe! Activities include hoop rolling, bean bag toss, pin the tail on the animal, capture a ball in a cup, bob for apples, pass the egg and more! Enjoy an afternoon of old-time fun. Activities are appropriate for children in kindergarten through 6th grade.
$5 per child. Reservations are required by May 15. Contact the museum for registration: 201-447-3242 or museum@ ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org.
PLANT SWAP
NIGHT OUT: FASHION SHOW PARTY
When: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Felina Restaurant: Grand Ballroom, 54 East Ridgewood Avenue
Night Out: Ridgewood’s annual Fashion Show Party is back by popular demand. All are welcome to join in to model or just come to enjoy the music, dance and sing. The event’s mission is to raise money for the Ridgewood High School’s Scholarship Fund for this year’s graduating class at RHS. Enjoy delicious food, a cash bar, a DJ and dancing. Local businesses will be on hand as well. Don’t miss this fun night out.
RSVP by May 12, 2025; $45 per person Tickets/Details at: 201-4452600 and info@ridgewoodchamber.com.
When: Saturday, May 31, 2025; 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Patio, Ridgewood Library, 125 North Maple Avenue
The Ridgewood Public Library hosts Ridgewood Buds and their Seed Library plant and seeds event. Bring your vegetables and plants to share with the community and leave with new plants and seeds of your choosing. Everything is provided for attendees and available to take home and use.
Free; No registration required. Find more information at ridgewoodlibrary.org.
Let’s get Growing
May is the perfect time to start your edible garden!
ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL Gardening Association, 41% of U.S. households participated in food gardening in 2021—that’s approximately 53.7 million households growing fresh produce!
Growing an organic vegetable garden is one of the most rewarding activities for your health and well-being.
Why? You’ll eat more fresh produce, take approximately 7,000 to 10,000 steps in one hour of gardening (depending on the intensity of tasks like digging and
BY STACEY ANTINE, MS, RDN
lifting) and reduce stress and anxiety levels. Plus, with rising food prices, growing your own food is an economic choice. On average, people invest just $88 in a seasonal edible garden.
I always start by reviewing my seasonal recipes and creating a list of the vegetables, fruits and herbs we use most in HealthBarn’s recipes. This approach ensures minimal waste and maximizes the fun of harvesting.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves, find a sunny spot and get dirty!
TOP PICKS FOR DIRECT SEED PLANTING
These fruits and vegetables can be planted directly into the ground now. Just follow the instructions on the seed packets.
My favorite supplier is Johnny’s Selected Seeds!
Carrots: Rich in beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. They are fun to pick and delicious straight from the earth!
Zucchini (or other summer squash): Packed with fiber, potassium and vitamins A, C and K to boost the immune system. Enjoy them grilled, spiralized into zoodles and more.
Super Snap Peas: High in fiber and plant-based protein, these climbers produce an abundance of tasty pods—a great snack alternative to pretzels and chips.
Basil: This aromatic herb offers big nutritional benefits, including vitamins K and A, magnesium and calcium. Plant plenty for summer pesto and delicious tomato dishes.
Greens (kale, spinach, chard, lettuce): High in vitamins and fiber, these guarantee fresh greens every day to keep your liver happy!
Winter Squash (pumpkins, butternut, kabocha): High in beta carotene, these must be planted in spring for a bountiful fall harvest.
TOP PICKS FOR SEEDLING PLANTING (AFTER MOTHER’S DAY)
To protect these plants from lingering
frost, start with seedlings (starter plants) after Mother’s Day:
Tomatoes: These are high in lycopene, which supports the immune system and may help fight cancer. New Jersey’s soil makes them extra delicious!
Peppers: High in vitamin C, these come in a many flavors, colors and spice levels. Bell peppers and shishitos can yield 20 to 30 peppers per plant.
Strawberries: Nature’s candy! High in vitamin C, these plants spread and produce fruit in late spring, so give them ample space.
Herbs: Enhance your meals with parsley, cilantro, rosemary, lemon verbena, oregano and more. They thrive in pots or alongside fruit and vegetable plants.
Onions: Rich in antioxidants, onions come in many varieties. We grow Egyptian onions, yellow onions and chives—they add flavor to every recipe and provide an abundant harvest all season long.
New Jersey is the Garden State—so let’s get growing! If you find yourself with extra produce, share with neighbors or donate to local food banks. Can’t find a sunny spot to garden at home? Secure a plot at the Ridgewood Community Garden through the Parks and Recreation department!
Be sure to visit the HealthBarn organic garden at Irene Habernickel Park for a tour. This month, we’re also celebrating ten years in Ridgewood by planting a NEW Community Fruit and Nut Tree Orchard. Come check it out! Happy planting!
Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, is the founder of Ridgewood’s HealthBarn USA and author, “Appetite for Life.” She is a national expert in family nutrition and has appeared on the Rachael Ray Show, CNN, PBS-TV, and hundreds of broadcast, print and social channels.
A
Well-
A Ridgewood Institution celebrates 40 Years of awardwinning design and giving back to the community she loves.
Designed Life
BY KRIS PEPPER
IINNOVATOR, CREATOR, historian, apprentice and master designer, Ridgewood resident Tess Giuliani’s love of balance and design and her spirit of adventure have been rudders of her life’s journey.
With an educational background in European history, she launched a career as a potter soon after graduating college. It wasn’t long before her drive and creative inspiration led her to begin working part-time as an apprentice for a European jeweler. She soon began sketching designs and bartered the help of a colleague who professionally rendered the sketches in exchange for her pottery.
After taking classes in gemology, rendering and design at FIT, Tess applied for a position in one of Manhattan’s fine jewelry houses.
CAREER BEGINNINGS
“I heard that Cartier had a full-time opening,” she said. “However, there were a few barriers. Cartier had never hired a woman designer, and most jewelers only spoke English as a second language. I didn’t speak French and
only wanted a part-time job, not a fulltime position.”
Tess forged ahead, got the interview and was hired. “I was the first woman goldsmith at Cartier and worked in the early days creating Cartier’s renowned ‘love bracelet,’ originally designed by Aldo Cipullo. Eventually, Cartier produced one of my designs—it was a big deal!”
Her husband’s transfer to Japan in 1980 catapulted Tess’s fascination with Asia and the Far East. Her son, Ryan, was six when they moved. He attended American and Japanese international schools there while Tess had the opportunity to explore interior design in a global setting.
The bare walls of an expansive new apartment were a blank canvas for Tess, who had devised a unique approach to pursue an interior design career in a brand-new country.
“I designed the apartment myself and decided I wanted some big screens for the balcony. I invited the top interior design companies to give me a price on the screens, and one of them offered me a job!”
Her strategy paid off, and she became the first “foreign” woman to work for the firm. “I like to think I brought some fresh talent to them. I know I spoke the best English there,” she jokes. “Back then, our clients didn’t want traditional Japanese design; they preferred American or European styles.”
Her four years in Japan introduced her to feng shui, and she was drawn to the harmonious, balanced living spaces and positive energy flow that the ancient practice rendered. It led her to study it upon her return to the U.S. She also continued her formal education by enrolling in the New York School of Interior Design.
Upon their return to the U.S., the family lived on Spring Avenue, and her son enrolled in Somerville School. Tess knew she wanted a job close to home, so she began working as a kitchen and bath designer for Ulrich.
“I worked there for ten years and then went out on my own because I wanted to design space—rooms, renovations and additions—in addition to kitchens and baths. I still retain Ulrich to do my cabinetry and execute
Above: A butterfly tray from her grandmother’s 1955 trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sits on a vintage tea set.
Right: Tess’s welcoming entryway.
my kitchen and bath designs.” Tess’s designs have won numerous national awards over the years— including the first kitchen she ever designed.
Her long list of design work includes homes throughout Ridgewood and the surrounding area, as well as vacation homes for local clients. “One of my claims to fame is that I’ve designed the smallest full-sized bathroom in the largest home in Ridgewood,” she laughs. “So, I can do that—and anything in between!”
Case in point: Tess even designed the Gold Star Families monument, which was installed in Van Neste Park next to the WWI memorial.
HARMONY AND BALANCE
Her former family home on Spring Avenue was a vibrant example of her design expertise. Tess has since moved to The Benjamin in 2021—one of its original residents upon its opening. She truly enjoys the simplification of apartment living. However, regardless of the size of the space, her personal style is always eclectic, engaging and smile-generating.
Her “women’s wall” features an array of artwork and photos of her ancestors and compelling prints and photos of women, including her greatgrandmother. Family legacy is essential to the décor in her own home, and Tess
loves to showcase vintage pieces and photos passed down from generation to generation.
Her strategy focuses on working from the inside out to create harmony and balance. “My personal style is fun and whimsical,” she says. But, each home I design reflects my client’s own aesthetic, choices, color and lifestyle. One client once told me that I create ‘magical reality!’”
Her design firm, Tess Giuliani Designs Inc., has recently added consulting to their renowned designbuild services. “It’s ideal for those beginning the process or who need creative design ideas,” notes Tess.
Clockwise from left: A Japanese silk screen in Tess’s home. One of Tess’s kitchen designs. Tess’s own design in her Spring Avenue home with a stunning carp detail.
AROUND THE GLOBE AND BACK TO HOME
Tess’s sense of adventure is not easily quenched, and much of her wanderlust springs from her adventurous ancestors, five generations of which were storied New York harbor pilots, one of whom was Captain John Wieshofer. In 1914, her great-grandparents brought their daughter (Tess’s grandmother) to the Panama Canal to see him navigate a vessel through the locks before its official opening later that year. Tess’s father began his career as a maritime attorney, and his sister, a Marist missionary, was a doctor and first nun resident at Bellevue Hospital, working in Calcutta with Mother Teresa.
As one of six children, Tess enjoys celebrating her extended family and traveling to destination weddings across the globe and has a travel bucket list that includes India, Australia and New Zealand.
Despite her love of travel and exotic places, Tess still enjoys returning to her home and many friends in Ridgewood.
“Ridgewood is a town for all seasons. As a young mom, I loved living in a neighborhood where my son walked to a nearby school with friends. As he grew and participated in sports, I met parents from all over town and cemented many lifelong friendships.”
Once her son was college-bound, Tess got involved in civic organizations including the Historic Preservation Commission and the Ridgewood Guild.
“This broadened my scope of diverse friends with a common goal, giving back to a village that offers so much.
All these chapters coincided with a 40-year design career which gave me the privilege to design beautiful spaces for hundreds of Ridgewood homes. My advice—see life with fresh eyes, it creates surprising new beginnings!”
A portrait of her great-grandmother is a prominent feature of Tess’s “women’s wall.”
From Headlines to Whodunits
After 40 years in the newsroom, Neal Lipschutz transitions from fact to fiction.
BY KRIS PEPPER
FFOR DECADES, Neal Lipschutz was a trusted voice in journalism, shaping coverage as deputy editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal. Before that, he was the Journal’s standards and ethics editor, following a position as the top editor for Dow Jones Newswires (part of the same company).
PEN TO PAGE
Lipschutz had a heart for writing from an early age. Growing up in the pre-cable, pre-24-hour news and preinternet era, he was always fascinated with newspapers and regularly followed various columnists.
“Newspapers were such an essential way of life,” he says. “Journalists are
responsible for observing important happenings and then letting the world know the story. It’s a compelling way to earn a living, and I’m fortunate to have been an integral part of the journalistic effort for such a significant period of time.”
With a professional career defined by sharp analysis, editorial integrity and a deep understanding of the stories that shape our world, in retirement, Lipschutz is now embarking on a new storytelling journey—this time, in the realm of mystery fiction. Trading headlines for plot twists, he brings his keen editorial eye to crafting compelling crime narratives.
A NEW ENDEAVOR
Although retirement often marks the end of a professional journey, it’s the beginning of a new creative pursuit for Lipschutz. After years of navigating the fast-paced world of journalism, he has embraced fiction writing to explore storytelling in a fresh, imaginative way. His transition reflects a growing trend among retirees who seek fulfillment by channeling their expertise into passion projects, proving that a lifelong career doesn’t have to mean the end of meaningful work.
Now, he takes the reins as writer, editor and critic. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while,” says Lipschutz. “I enjoy creating worlds and circumstances that are consistent within themselves, yet wholly imaginary. It’s the opposite of the fact-
based pursuit of accuracy that guides work in journalism.”
His new book, “No Write Way to Die,” primarily takes place throughout Manhattan and Scarsdale, New York, areas very familiar to Lipschutz. He grew up in Brooklyn and lived in New York City and its surrounding suburbs throughout his life.
“Brooklyn was a great place to grow up at the time,” he says. “I attended the public schools in Brooklyn and graduated from New York University. At NYU, I served for a year as editorin-chief of the student newspaper, The Washington Square News.
For the past ten years, Lipschutz has made his home in Ridgewood with his wife, Jane Stone. They live in one of the historic homes that define Ridgewood—an 1840s carpenter-
style made prominent by noted American architect Andrew Jackson Downing.
A second marriage for both of them, they have four grown children between them. “My stepson benefitted from Ridgewood’s excellent public schools and enjoyed playing sports in high school. I think Ridgewood is a great place to live; the downtown area has everything—banks, stores, restaurants—and commuting to New York City is easy. I’m also a big fan of the Ridgewood Public Library. I do a lot of writing there.”
While his personal reading choices span from American history and literary novels to the mystery genre, Lipschutz says that regardless of the style, he is drawn to complicated characters and their interactions.
gothic
Neal and Jane at their 19th-century home in Ridgewood.
The writing flows better when the story and character relationships are compelling. “No Write Way to Die” is a perfect example. It’s the first book in a series focusing on the captivating theme of how far a parent should go to protect an adult child.
“I believe parent protection and involvement, regardless of the age of the child, is a broadly relatable theme,” says Lipschutz.
“When should parents step back? The actions of a few characters make it clear that it’s a big issue in their lives and generational relationships. Then, someone is murdered, and those characters become subject to pressures and choices that they’ve never imagined! I believe that how people react to crises is usually a product of how they’ve conducted their lives and behaved toward others before their big troubles began.”
Lipschutz relishes the mystery and suspense genre, with its multifaceted characters and intriguing twists and
turns, and is looking forward to the release of his new book, which will feature all that and more.
“I hope I’ve managed to deliver a strong story. It grew out of a short story I had written about two characters’ different life choices and how they bring them into conflict.”
Starting his writing projects in his late 60s has been very rewarding for Lipschutz, and he advises those individuals thinking about retirement to make a plan to keep busy.
“Retirement has different phases. What interests you at first may not interest you in a few years. Learn something new. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, pursue it. It’s wonderful to have the freedom to invent and be creative. You get better at it as you get older!”
The novel’s publication date is set for July 8 and will be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retail sites as well as at tuckerdspress.com/product-page/nowrite-way-to-die.
“NO
WRITE WAY TO DIE”
Here’s a sneak peek at Neal’s debut novel!
Scott Morgan’s carefully crafted life—one he had worked hard to insulate from the sort of tumult he had experienced growing up—is upended when a murder victim is found in his daughter’s Manhattan apartment. Scott and his loved ones become prime suspects. Morgan had lifted himself out of his old Brooklyn neighborhood into a successful career as a respected management consultant. A sign of his progress: His current address is an expensive home in the affluent suburb of Scarsdale, New York. When his 28-year-old daughter brings home a new beau—a 55-year-old one hit wonder of a novelist—Scott suspects the writer is a serial user of people and sets out to expose him.
Murder, however, applies a screeching halt to Scott’s investigation, as he, his wife, and daughter become suspects. His quest to forestall catastrophe means facing submerged demons from his Brooklyn past and matching wits with a clever and idiosyncratic NYPD detective. Scott’s tool kit consists of the take-no-prisoners lessons he’s gleaned from an ethicsfree approach to business. How far will Scott go to protect everything he’s worked for?
Reveling for the Ridgewood Library
The Ridgewood Public Library Foundation recently “masked up” for its Mardi Gras Gala held at the library on March 8.
BY KRIS PEPPER
THE FOUNDATION WORKS tirelessly to provide essential funding to build, improve and maintain our state-of-the-art library continually.
The library’s first-floor renovation is now complete, including a new teen space, updated circulation desk and art room, as well as an improved site line and upgraded stairwell. The third-floor mezzanine now accommodates six new private study areas and a large conference room.
“While the event’s goal was to invite new community members into the library to show off our recent renovations and exhibit future plans,
we were pleased to host 200 guests and raised about $10,000 that evening,” says Natalia Tobaccowala, vice president of the Ridgewood Library Foundation Board. “We’re so excited that our event generated so much interest in the community and look forward to an amazing year ahead.”
The board diligently continues to develop new improvements, including the lobby, auditorium and second floor.
Watch for plans for an exciting new fall fundraising event—more news to come!
Janice Fuhrman (Ridgewood Library Trustee) and Tess Giuliani.
Top row: From right, Kevin and Ann Kautzmann; Tiffany Jacobson with guests; Jeff and Michelle Feagles. Middle row: Lorri Steinbacher, director of the Ridgewood Public Library; Kristin and Kevin Merrick enjoying the bourbon bar with other guests. Bottom row: Alexander Wasenda (library business manager) and RPLF board members Joanie Harrington, Jenny Coates, and Natalia Tobaccowala; Library Mardi Gras Guests.
Strike up the Band!
What’s one of the best things about summertime in Ridgewood? Outdoor concerts of course!
BY KRIS PEPPER
INTERVIEW WITH GAIL MCCARTHY
THE VILLAGE OF Ridgewood has hosted hundreds of musical events at the Kasschau Memorial Bandshell at Veterans Field over the past 67 years.
Gail McCarthy has been the chair of the bandshell committee since 2021. The Committee operates under the supervision of the Village Council, and the group works closely with Evan Weitz, who serves as the Council liaison for the committee.
We spoke with Gail to learn more about the upcoming season.
What bands can we look forward to seeing this summer?
Alice Leon’s tribute to Carole King, Grateful BRO, the Ridgewood Dads Night Band and line dancing with Saltwater Country Tribute Band! Check out kasschaumemorialshell.com for more shows!
How does your committee make it all happen?
There are seven of us on the bandshell committee. We make sure a few of us attend each show so that everything runs
smoothly—getting a rough attendee headcount, walking the grounds, ensuring the band has everything they need and seeing if the band is well received. We are lucky to have Ridgewood Parks and Rec work with us to oversee the shell property. Their staff is awesome!
We also put together event schedules and print the banners highlighting our season’s sponsors. One member volunteers as a treasurer. Some of us work on putting together the contracts and agreements with the bands, and we do a lot of community outreach.
Is there a cost to attend the concerts?
All concerts are free of charge. We solicit local businesses to support us on a variety of sponsorship levels. We’re very happy to announce that Christian Health is our new title sponsor this year! Many loyal local businesses
make this annual tradition possible. Sponsorship packages include live shoutouts for the business at the event and social media promotion. Sponsoring businesses are also invited to hand out promotion items or information at the concerts as well. Last year, the granddaughter of Frank Kasschau (who now lives out of the area) sent us a wonderful donation when she saw the program on social media.
How do you ensure that you are appealing to a wide audience?
When I took over the committee, I was charged with finding acts that are relevant for younger generations. The pandemic infused new energy into the program as people were looking for fun outdoor activities and realized the importance of this type of entertainment. We try to get all different genres to really mix things
up, and bands are clamoring to play at the shell. Each season, the kick-off performance is the Ridgewood High School band. It’s great because so many people come out. In addition to other reputed local bands, we also schedule Ridgewood ArtBeat each year, which is a group of student bands and acapella groups that are overseen by Ridgewood school faculty. This year, they are scheduled for June 12.
What else do we need to know?
The season begins June 5 to August 7, and concerts are presented on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. As of now, we have 19 shows scheduled. Bring chairs and blankets to make yourself comfortable! Alcohol is not permitted on the field, so the event is very comfortable and low key. People are happy to enjoy the music outdoors and bands love to play the venue. Come join us!
BOOK NOOK
Moms on the Page
Motherhood is filled with moments of joy, heartache and everything in between—and fiction has a way of capturing it all.
THESE NOVELS explore the complexities of being a mother, a daughter and a woman, offering heartfelt and relatable stories for every stage of the journey.
I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT
by
Allison Pearson
Kate has it all—a high-powered finance job in London, two beautiful children, a supportive husband and a nanny. So why does she spend her days feeling guilty, sorry for herself and out of control? She is hanging on by a thread, and then things get even worse. Will she ever be able to find that work-life balance that we all crave?
THAT KIND OF MOTHER
by Rumaan
Alam
Rebecca meets nursing consultant Priscilla in the hospital after giving birth to her son. They connect, and Rebecca, a white woman, asks Priscilla, a black woman, to join them as the family’s nanny. When tragedy strikes, Rebecca takes in Priscilla’s newborn. This story explores issues of race, class and the nature of family.
PLEASE LOOK AFTER MOM
by Kyung-Sook Shin
When So-nyo goes missing in a Seoul
BY LORRI STEINBACHER
subway station, you learn her story through the narration of her daughter, her son, her difficult husband and finally, herself. You may feel an urge to call your own mom after reading this.
THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE
by Maggie O’Farrell
The story of two mothers across two different time periods. Lexie, a 21-yearold in post-WWII London whose affair with a married man leaves her pregnant and single, and modernday mom Elina, who is struggling with her new role as mother after a difficult birth.
THE LOST DAUGHTER
by Elena Ferrante
Leda, 47, is blissfully alone. She is long divorced, and her two adult daughters have left the country to live near their father in Canada. On vacation in Italy, she finds herself fascinated by the daily drama of Nina, a young mother, and her daughter, Elena. Leda sees her younger self in Nina’s attentive parenting, and the two strike up an acquaintance. As the friendship grows, Nina’s confessions could tear her family apart.
THE PUSH
by Ashley Audrain
Blythe comes from a family of bad mothers and is afraid she will follow
their example. She marries Fox, a man who cannot imagine a life without children, so Blythe reluctantly agrees to motherhood. Enter Violet, their daughter. Fox thinks she is an angel, but Blythe suspects there might be something about Violet that is not quite right.
LITTLE EARTHQUAKES
by Jennifer Weiner
An interwoven tale of four new mothers during a year of new parenthood, from pregnancy to those demanding days of early mothering.
MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON
by Elizabeth Strout
Lucy Barton is shocked when her estranged mother shows up at her bedside as she is recovering from surgery. Lucy has had little contact with her parents since she left for college after a traumatic, isolated and impoverished childhood. Lucy has escaped poverty but not the legacy of her parents. This is a story of unexpressed love and forgiveness.
Lorri Steinbacher is the Director of the Ridgewood Public Library and facilitator of the Book Circle and Cover 2 Cover book groups at the library.
PULL OUT THE bikes, dust them off and tune them up. Ridgewood Cycle will be happy to help. Riding season is upon us. Happy May!
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