Celebrity chef Josh Capon shares his passion for food, family and community.
Hillary Wellisch finds empowerment by helping others improve their health and fitness. 20 Form Meets Function
Ingrid Bergman balances timeless details, practical utility and modern design.
2025 2025 SUMMER SUMMER concert concert concertseries series
Bring your lawn chair to Huyler Park Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:00pm It’s back & better than ever!
Visit the Borough website for more information
July 8: AM Gold Yacht Rock TH July 10: Nelson Riveros TH
Contemporary Hits from the 70's and 80's
*Sponsored by Englewood Health
July 15: David Cedeno TH
Dynamic Salsa with Dance Instructor Sasha Nagorny
July 22: Second Contact ND
High Fidelity Classic Rock
*Sponsored by TPR Restaurant Pizzeria & Bar
July 29: Calvin Hill Quartet TH
Contemporary Jazz Quartet
August 5: Saron Crenshaw TH
Blues Guitar with a Twist of Soul
August 12: Funk Yeah! TH
Old School Funk/R&B
August 19: Claire Mahoney & The Great Adventure TH
Rock & Roll, Opera, and Everything In Between
August 26: Soul Farm TH
Grammy Award Winner C Lanzbom’s World Music Fusing Rock, Middle Eastern and Bluegrass
*Sponsored by Log Cabin Auto Service LLC
September 2: Gotham City Nonet ND
Grammy-Nominated Richard Baratta’s Latin/Jazz Experience
Latin and Brazilian Jazz
JULY 24: TreeOh! TH
60's to Now Rock
AUGUST 7: Kanak TH
Hard-Driving Punk Power Pop
AUGUST 21: Divinity Roxx ST
Grammy-Nominated Funky Electrifying Rock
Special thanks to all of our generous sponsors!
Anonymous donor ~ log cabin auto service llc ~ Tenafly Good Taste ~ Tenafly gourmet farms ~ tenafly pdeatrics, PA ~ tpr restaurant Pizzaria & bar
Barrett Leber Funeral Home ~ Mueller Haberman Law Group
eifert, french insurance ~ orly chen ~ the baratta family ~ The Rosmarin Family englewood health
Should a concert be rescheduled due to inclement weather, updated information will be posted on the Borough website. Rain Dates will be scheduled beginning August 28 through the first two weeks of September. th
TCULTURE AND STYLE
THIS MONTH, we come to you with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude—not only for the everyday beauty of our community but for a truly remarkable piece of news: Edan Alexander was finally freed in May. After months of heartbreak and uncertainty, the release of this brave young man has been a moment of celebration for Tenafly, for his family and for all who kept hope alive. We honor his courage and the strength of those who stood by him.
In this issue, we’re also shining
a spotlight on some incredible talents who continue to shape the culture and style of our town.
Meet Mina Barany, a local stylist whose eye for fashion has quietly transformed closets and boosted confidence across Bergen County. We also feature the elegant work of Ingrid Bergman, an interior designer known for creating warm, livable spaces that reflect the heart of every home she touches.
Food lovers will enjoy our profile of Josh Capon, the charismatic celebrity chef who has appeared on Good Morning America, Today and Rachael Ray. With a flair for bold flavors and effortless charm, Chef Capon shares what continues to inspire his culinary journey.
We’re also proud to showcase the work of Hillary Wellisch, a rising name in the wellness and fitness space, whose Pilates sessions are drawing fans from near and far. Her approach is as empowering as it is effective.
Finally, we’re excited to debut a new section called My Sunday, which will capture the quiet, meaningful moments that define life in our town. This month, our writer Gabrielle Walters gives you a peek into her Sundays in Tenafly.
As always, thank you for letting Tenafly magazine be a part of your home and your story.
Best,
Gina Palmieri Publisher
Publisher Gina Palmieri
Local Editor
Jenna Demmer
Writers
Erin Demmer
Jenny Jackson
Julie Marallo
Gabrielle Walters
Spencer Watson
Photographers
Alyson Barrow
Damian Castillo
Justin Schwab
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
Executive Editor
Richard Laliberte
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
Tenafly magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Tenafly, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein 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.
(Left-to-Right) Roy Davidovitch, MD, Craig Capeci, MD, Thomas Youm, MD, Adam Cohen, MD, Jonathan Stieber, MD, and Amy Birnbaum, MD.
July Chamber Updates
Community events, attractions and opportunities from the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce
BY JENNY JACKSON
EDAN ALEXANDER has been released, and there could be no greater way to celebrate than by getting together with friends and family around Tenafly. A little birdy has given us the inside on what’s going on in town!
Check out new downtown spots:
• 130 Shop: A new gourmet sandwich shop by the owners of 130 Club, now open on Riveredge Road.
• High Street Hub: Co-work and gather at the corner of Washington and West Railroad.
• Giftopia: Get creative with fun glimmers and gifts at Giftopia, now open on Washington.
• Bread Boutique and Café: Stunning new space for a town favorite, now open in the old Lazarra’s.
• Omay Head Spa: Get in on the relaxation hype with our very own local head spa.
Come groove in Huyler Park at the Tenafly 2025 Summer Concert Series.
• July 8: Join the Yacht Rock party with AM Gold and specials at Mel’s Butcher Box, sponsored by Englewood Health.
• July 15: Salsa Under the Stars returns for a second year with Gift of Dance Studios and David Cedeño Orchestra.
• July 22: Local rockers Second Contact hit the stage, sponsored by TPR Restaurant and Bar.
• July 29: The Calvin Hill Quartet returns with their funky jazz delights.
The Tenafly Chamber of Commerce has been busy out in our community recently. We held a successful Tenafly Spring Fling, contributed to the Tenafly 5K and hosted our annual member’s meeting at the
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. We are now planning the Tenafly Fall Fest, so mark your calendars for Sunday, October 19!
Our growing community of over 70 business organizations is actively contributing to the improvement of Tenafly. If you would like to join the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce, not only are you investing in your own business, you are contributing to the betterment of our town. Visit www.tenaflychamber.org/about to learn more about membership. Remember to shop the shops and dine local to keep our community strong and vibrant!
Jenny Jackson serves as the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce president and Tenafly Downtown Committee co-president. She believes in the power of business as a channel for positive impact.
Salsa Under the Stars returns for a second year on July 15.
Can you tell us about your business?
I started my business in 2018. I’ve always been interested in clothing and fashion and how to put things together. I wanted to follow my passion and things that I’m super interested in and that are innately Mina, and fashion was naturally that. It slowly started off with me just styling my friends for fun, and then it grew organically into a business.
What inspired you to become a stylist?
Ever since I was a little kid, I played with paper dolls and styled them. I was always super interested in that, even as a little girl, dressing my Barbies. In many ways, styling a client is like creating art on the architecture of a human body. And every body is different, so you have the challenges of that as well. So that’s also really fun. And then, the other inspirational thing is, I love to help people. It’s very rewarding for me to be able to delve
deeper into a person’s psyche and what they’re going through, and then armor them with a level of confidence.
How do you nurture a client’s personality while styling them?
I always do an initial 30-minute phone call to ask questions like “How did you find me? What goals do you have when we get together? What would you like to achieve?” Everyone has different needs. And that way I can also prepare which stores I’m going to take them to, which stores make sense, so that we can maximize our time.
What do you love most about working as a stylist in Tenafly?
Tenafly is a wonderful community where I feel like most people try to help each other, and I like the community aspect of it. I might style somebody for, like, a gala or a luncheon, and then our mutual friends will see it. And then
they’re like, “Oh, Mina helped me.” So I think the community kind of lifts other women up in their business and in supporting friends.
What else would you want readers to know about your business?
I will be taking on new clients for fall and winter. I also sometimes do closet editing and curation, where we can go into your closet and purge out things that no longer fit you well, or we set up a donation pile or a sale pile. Then we make a list of essential key pieces that you need to create a capital wardrobe that is elegant and timeless.
Erin Demmer is a freelance writer living in Bergen County. She is also a clinical mental health counseling student who is passionate about helping others.
Recipe for Stardom
Celebrity chef Josh Capon shares his passion for food, family and community.
BY SPENCER WATSON
J
JOSH CAPON IS an awardwinning celebrity chef with over 25 years of culinary experience, renowned for pioneering innovative cuisines both on-screen and in esteemed restaurants. Dubbed the “king of hospitality,” he infuses his love for food and connecting with people into his culinary approach.
His goal is to unite people around a table in his restaurants by fostering an approachable and comfortable atmosphere, ensuring that the quality of food and drink surpasses that of competing establishments.
“I very much enjoy taking care of people, usually through food and beverage and just overall warmth and culinary creations,” says Capon.
CULINARY BEGINNINGS
Capon’s first foray into cooking began in his childhood. He recalls, “I complained to my mom one too many times about my school lunches, and she finally said, ‘Okay. Make your own lunch, kid.’ So I started making my own lunch at a young age.”
He subsequently held various positions in the food service industry, including roles at a bakery, as a dishwasher and
as a line cook. After attending the University of Maryland, he rediscovered his passion for food and transferred to Johnson & Wales University, where he received a comprehensive culinary education.
After graduating from culinary school, Capon sought opportunities in diverse locations.
“I’ve always wanted to travel the world, and I thought through food would be a perfect vehicle,” he says. “Cooking became my passport to travel the world.”
His career took him to Colorado, followed by stints in Germany, Italy, Spain and France, before he returned to the United States to work in various New York City restaurants.
Chef David Burke served as a significant mentor to him. “[He] taught me how to have fun with food, how to be creative, how to make sure the guests enjoy themselves—not just with what’s on the plate, but [that] it’s an overall experience,” Capon says. Capon continued to make his mark in the restaurant industry as a chef and business partner at establishments such as Lure Fish Bar, Burger & Barrel Winepub, El Toro Blanco and Bowery Meat Company. After accumulating over
two decades of experience, he co-founded the VCR Group four years ago with his partners David Rodolitz, Gary Vaynerchuk and Conor Hanlon.
The group has launched seven different restaurant concepts, including the new members-only Fly Fish Club; Little Maven, a casual neighborhood spot; and ITO NYC, a world class omakase counter. It has also launched three concepts in the brand-new Fontainebleau Hotel in Las Vegas, including the first location of Capon’s Burgers; Bar ITO, a casual hand roll concept; and ITO Las Vegas, located on the top floor of the hotel with stunning views and ranked as the Best Rated Omakase experience in Las Vegas.
STANDING OUT
Specializing in burgers, Capon has won the Burger Bash competition at the New York Wine and Food Festival eight times. The competition attracts 50 of the best burger chefs to compete for the best burger.
Left: Josh Capon (with his Instagram-famous dog, Cody) brings a personal touch to creating not only outstanding dishes but also memorable experiences at his restaurants.
He attributes his success to crafting each burger as a unique experience. “Everybody makes great burgers, but I think [with] mine, you can really taste the passion and love and the personality behind each one,” Capon says.
Capon’s culinary prowess has catapulted him into celebrity status. He has appeared on Good Morning America, Today, Beat Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray, and has even hosted his own cooking show, Frankenfood. He notes that cooking on television is more fast-paced compared to restaurant kitchens and believes his energetic and warm personality resonates with audiences. “I just think I have a fun, warm personality that has an energetic enthusiasm for life,” he says.
COMMUNITY VENTURES
Capon currently resides in Tenafly with his wife, Lori, his two children and his Instagram-famous dog, Cody. He enjoys sharing his love of food by cooking at home and entertaining in his backyard.
“I say life is about relationships,” he says. “I love meeting people along the way, inviting them to my home and inviting them to my restaurant. I believe food is the final frontier. It’s all we got left. I think one of the reasons why I love food is that it just brings people together. We all celebrate around food. We mourn around food. We enjoy good food.”
Having grown up in Rockland County, he moved from New York City to the familiar surroundings of Bergen County. He appreciates Tenafly’s local culinary scene and anticipates contributing to it with upcoming restaurant ventures.
Looking ahead, Capon plans to open two new restaurants in New Jersey. Capon’s Chophouse, a contemporary steakhouse, is set to debut in the fall of 2025 at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack. Additionally, his acclaimed burgers will be featured at Capon’s Burgers, opening early next year at the Bergen Town Center.
Capon invites Tenafly residents to savor his burgers and experience his
chophouse, emphasizing that love, respect and empathy are the key ingredients to his success. “You treat your guests like family and you treat everybody like a VIP,” he says, “and you’ll always be winning.”
Spencer Watson is a lifelong Bergen County resident. She is a poet and freelance writer who frequently writes about local news in New Jersey.
Pilates
AND PURPOSE
Hillary Wellisch finds empowerment and strength by helping others achieve greater health and fitness through Sculpted By Hillary.
BY GABRIELLE WALTERS
I
IF YOU HAVE SPENT any time on social media over the past few years, you have likely noticed the Pilates renaissance taking place. Trends like “Pilates princess core” have created a wave of twentysomethings donning pastel workout sets, claw clips and grippy socks. But for longtime Tenafly resident and Pilates instructor Hillary Wellisch, Pilates is more than just a trend—it’s a longtime passion and a vital part of her daily routine.
During her time in college, Wellisch was a fashion assistant running around New York City and living a “Devil Wears Prada”-esque fast-paced
life, leading her to seek an outlet for her stress. She began prioritizing going to the gym before or after work and practicing yoga. This is when she developed a love of Pilates. After college, she continued her career in media, working as a magazine editor at publications such as ELLE, Lucky and Seventeen.
Eventually, as her family grew, she relocated to Tenafly and decided the daily commute to the city no longer aligned with her priorities. It was then that she earned her yoga and Pilates teaching certificates, embracing a new chapter in her life.
SCULPTED SELF-CARE
Wellisch has been transforming lives through her Pilates instruction for more than 15 years. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched a fitness studio in Tenafly called Body Burn, where she taught barre classes that combined cardio dance, strength training and weight circuits.
When the pandemic hit, she pivoted her classes online and then outdoors, holding socially distanced sessions in a parking lot for Tenafly residents eager to stay active and sane during uncertain times.
“I loved changing people’s lives and making people feel better, making
people realize that they’re strong and can do hard things,” says Wellisch.
Though Body Burn has since closed, Wellisch continues to teach across Bergen County and online through her virtual platform, www.sculptedbyhillary.com. She offers private Pilates reformer sessions at Juma in Tenafly and teaches barre, core and mat Pilates classes at Physique 57 at Drop Fitness in Montvale, where she also serves as master instructor and liaison between the Montvale and New York City studios.
For summer 2025, Wellisch has expanded her instruction classes
to the Hamptons, leading weekend classes at ID Hot Yoga East Hampton. Her fitness offerings also include hot Pilates mat, reformer and strengthtraining pop-ups.
CORE PRINCIPLES
She reminds her clients that the key to consistency is enjoyment: “Do what you’ll like, because then you’ll do it,” she says. “It shouldn’t be ‘Ugh, I have to work out.’ It should be ‘Lucky me, I get to work out.’” This mindset helps her clients build routines that feel less like chores and more like self-care.
While social media often highlights young, aesthetic-driven Pilates content, Wellisch is committed to inclusivity in her classes. She welcomes people of a wide range of ages and conditions, from pregnancy to scoliosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Wellisch, who is passionate about aging, says “in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, your workout looks a little different. Your body is changing; your hormones are changing.”
She adds that she is very focused
on alignment and form. Pilates is not just a workout for Wellisch— it’s a way to connect, strengthen and restore.
“Find your reason,” she says. “If it’s to escape your house, great. If it’s because you want your abs to be stronger, great.”
She reminds her clients to focus on breathing, precision and form instead of pushing themselves to perform advanced moves that compromise their control. “You can do it,” she continues; “it might just look a little different for you, and that’s fine.”
INTENTIONAL LIVING
Wellisch has called Tenafly home for 17 years. Her two daughters have gone through the local school system, which is what drew her to Tenafly initially, and the town continues to be a grounding space for her family and career.
When not teaching, she’s deepening her knowledge of Pilates through continued education workshops and research. “I’m a
Pilates nerd,” she says. “I feel like it’s endless learning. I’m always researching what else is out there.”
Beyond fitness, Wellisch stays connected to her fashion roots and enjoys thrifting trips to Brooklyn with her daughter. Whether she’s teaching, studying or exploring style, her passion for movement and creativity shapes every aspect of her life. Though she prioritizes her fitness through a trifecta of weight training, Pilates and high intensity interval training, her Pilates practice is her favorite part of the day.
“I lay on the reformer and I’m good,” she says. “You get to move, you get to challenge yourself, you strengthen, but it’s also very calming at the same time. I feel so passionate about that whole modality and keeping people strong and fit.”
Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.
Hillary Wellisch instructs clients in a range of fitness approaches but is especially passionate about Pilates, which develops strength, flexibility and control through low-impact exercises, often performed with the help of equipment.
Form Meets Function
Global influences and architectural training help
Ingrid Bergman craft spaces that balance timeless details, practical utility and modern design.
BY GABRIELLE WALTERS
TTO SOME, designing a home feels like a daunting task filled with uncertainty. Will these colors look good together? Is the furniture arranged in a way that offers cohesion and flow? Is the space functional while maintaining artistic flair? Such questions may leave many people’s heads spinning, but to Tenafly resident and interior designer Ingrid Bergman, the answers come naturally, and they always have.
As a young girl, Bergman was captivated by the arts. Growing up in Israel, she attended art school during her middle school years, spending countless hours painting, sketching and exploring her creativity. Even as a child, her instinct for cohesive design was clear.
Her artistry extended beyond the canvas, because at home she could often be found staging her bedroom and sliding her parent’s furniture across the floor, reimagining her surroundings and bringing new life into the space.
WORLDWIDE AESTHETICS
Bergman later pursued a degree in architecture in Israel, where she honed her technical skills and deepened her understanding of how design and structure intersect. Her studies taught her to blend form and function, and she learned to create spaces that were not only visually appealing but also livable, efficient and safe. While working as an architect, she also launched a career as a graphic designer, taking on new skills and honing in on her craft.
Life had more in store and her career was on the brink of unfolding.
Her husband’s job prompted multiple international moves, taking the couple from Israel to Canada, California, Massachusetts and eventually to Tenafly.
Along the way, Bergman absorbed the unique architectural aesthetics of each region: the clean modernism of Israel, the Mexican and industrial influences of California and the traditional charm of Boston. These global experiences deeply shaped her perspective and helped define her design identity.
While working as an architect, Bergman began accepting interior design projects on the side and quickly discovered that is where her passion lies. With the encouragement of her husband, she took a leap of faith and transitioned into interior design full-time.
In 2015, she launched IBK Design, an interior design firm specializing in high-end residential projects that marry timeless elegance with functional modernism. Thanks to her architectural background, Bergman is involved in every phase of a project, from foundational planning to the final furnishings.
With a portfolio that features styles ranging from Hollywood glam to chic
modern French and black-and-white farmhouse, Bergman’s background has familiarized her with trends across the board. Although she appreciates traditional architecture, Bergman is personally drawn to sleek, modern aesthetics, a preference shared by many of her clients. “We connect on the style— there’s chemistry,” she says.
CONNECTING WITH TENAFLY
Bergman notes that working with clients in the Tenafly area comes naturally because they “speak the same language,” allowing her to make local recommendations. Tenafly has gradually shifted from favoring traditional and transitional styles to embracing more modern designs, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Clients now want a cleaner, more contemporary look,” she explains. While black, white and gray remain staples in her palette, she has embraced the rise of warmer tones such as earthy woods and creams that bring softness and natural elements into modern spaces. “I hope that trend stays for a while,” she says.
After moving across the globe, Bergman, along with her husband and two sons, settled in Tenafly 13 years ago and found the very thing she has been revamping for others: her home. She has met many wonderful friends in town and appreciates Tenafly for the diversity it brings culturally and geographically.
“I love that it’s close to the city,” she says. She loves heading over to Manhattan when she needs a break from the greenery and craves a more urban setting. She also mentions that part of what makes working with Tenafly residents so great is that they “have design sense because they are close to an urban area” and the artistic influences that allows.
It’s not just the people of Tenafly that are diverse, Bergman says—their design style is as well. When it comes to design in Tenafly, she notes that “there’s a bit of everything: old, new, modern, traditional.
“I love this town, I love living here,” she continues, adding, “there are great people here. It’s a very diverse community, and that’s what makes it feel like home.”
To learn more about IBK Design, visit ibkdesign.com.
Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.
Tenafly Housing Shelves:
Perspective changes everything when you see what the numbers are saying.
IMAGINE THIS: You’re walking down Washington Street in downtown Tenafly, and someone’s opened up a new kind of shop: a house store. Every available Tenafly home is stocked on the shelves— colonials, splits, new construction—all neatly lined up. Now picture buyers walking in at a steady pace, picking homes off the shelves one by one.
Months of inventory (MOI) is what tells us how long that store will stay open if no new homes are added to the shelves.
It’s not just about how many homes we have—it’s about how quickly they’re selling.
From January through May 2019, Tenafly saw 445 new listings and averaged 4.44 months of inventory, just under what was considered
balanced. From January through May 2025? Just 76 new listings and 1.78 months of inventory.
From 445 listings to just 76 in six years: That’s a drop of over 82%—and it’s not a seasonal fluctuation; it’s a supply shift that’s sticking.
By comparison, Bergen County overall in May 2025 had 4.42 months of inventory. That’s nearing balance. But Tenafly’s shelves are emptying faster than they’re restocked.
The post-COVID housing surge may have started the trend, but today’s inventory crunch runs deeper, fueled by mortgage rate lock-ins, limited new construction and many homeowners choosing to stay put.
The result? Fewer listings. Stillstrong demand. And upward price pressure.
• Median sold price January–May 2019: $850,000
• Median sold price January–May 2025: $1.7 million (100%-plus increase)
This isn’t a slow market—it’s a thin one. The numbers are real—but perspective is what helps make sense of them. And right now, that perspective matters more than ever.
The Tenafly resident soaks in a restful and restorative in-town Sunday filled with movement, refreshments and fresh food.
MY SUNDAYS in Tenafly are a blend of slow living, simple luxuries and gentle productivity— an energy that helps set the tone for the week ahead. I typically start my day with movement, both to shake off the Sunday scaries and to ease into a day of intentional self-care. I throw on a pair of black leggings, lace up my grey New Balance sneakers and head to Retro Fitness on North Summit Street.
After my gym session, I like to reward myself—it is the weekend, after all. Cafe Troís is always a go-to for a treat. They have buttery croissants, flaky pastries and matcha lattes that make my mouth water. On this particular Sunday, I opt for a sparkling strawberry lemonade. It’s bright, bubbly and the perfect
post-workout refreshment.
While sipping on my lemonade, I stroll over to Tenafly Gourmet Farm on Highwood Avenue to pick up a few essentials for the week ahead. This cozy market carries fresh produce and has everything I need for simple, healthy meals throughout the week. One of my favorite things about living near the center of town is that everything is within walking distance, which makes these small errands feel even more special.
I meet up with a friend for dinner at Spring House on West Clinton Avenue. Nestled in a charming, historic home, it’s a picturesque spot for a quiet meal. We sit on the back porch, soaking in the details of the old house as we eat and chat. I order the Spring House Spritz (a cocktail
that contains bergamot liqueur, watermelon puree, Prosecco and mint) and a Caesar salad topped with steak. My friend orders the lasagna, and I can’t resist sneaking a couple bites.
After dinner, we take a walk up and down Washington Street, continuing our conversation before parting ways for the night. Once home, I tidy up, light a candle and settle in on the couch to watch a few episodes of “Severance.” I love my Sundays in Tenafly because they are restful and grounding— exactly what I need to start the week strong.
Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.
Stops on Gabrielle Walters’ Sunday include (clockwise from right) Spring House restaurant, local shops, Tenafly Gourmet Farm and Cafe Troís.
Have a SAFE SUMMER
Simple steps can prevent these common causes of seasonal injury and illness.
SWIMMING AT THE beach, hiking in the woods: There’s no shortage of appealing summertime adventures. But spending more time outdoors also raises the risks for injuries. A little caution and use of sound judgment can help you make the most of the sunshine while avoiding any unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
Here are seven common warmweather emergencies— and tips on avoiding them.
1. SEVERE SUNBURN
While minor-to-moderate sunburns can be treated at home with overthe-counter remedies like aloe vera, severe sunburn can require
emergency treatment. Warning signs include blistering skin, uncontrollable pain and fever. The true extent of a sunburn may take 12 to 24 hours or more to develop. Steps to prevent sunburn include using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more even if it’s cloudy. Reapply it every two hours and every time you come out of the water. Also consider wearing a brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the face and eyes.
2. HEAT ILLNESSES
Heat cramps and heat stroke represent a spectrum of illnesses that occur when the body begins to lose the ability to regulate its temperature.
Heat exhaustion is marked by heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and thirst. When heat exhaustion becomes heat stroke, it can cause confusion and even unconsciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency—call 911. Children and the elderly are typically more likely to suffer from heat stroke.
To limit your risk of heat-related illness, stay properly hydrated, especially with water and/or fluids with electrolytes. Limit soda and alcohol. Carry a reusable water bottle wherever you go. Thirst is a sign of dehydration: If you feel thirsty, it’s time to catch up on fluid intake. Avoid outdoor exercise or other physical activity during the hottest times of day.
3. FIREWORKS-RELATED INCIDENTS
Fireworks are a time-honored summer tradition, but when used improperly, they can lead to serious burns, deep cuts and eye injuries. Reduce your risks by using legal fireworks and following all safety guidelines on the package. Never light fireworks in your hand. Leave duds alone—don’t walk up to them to see why they didn’t ignite. Douse all used fireworks in a bucket of water. If you have any doubts about handling fireworks safely, attend a community event and leave the seasonal show to professionals.
4. SPORTS INJURIES
A little planning can help you stay on the field or court longer and avoid injuries like muscle sprains, muscle strains and twisted ankles. Always stretch and perform warmup exercises prior to starting any kind of physical activity. Give yourself time to cool down after you play. Stay properly hydrated. If you’re cycling, skateboarding or riding scooters, wear a helmet. Avoid aggressive speed and maneuvers when bicycling, riding a personal watercraft or operating any type of vehicle.
5. PLAYGROUND MISHAPS
Trips and falls on the playground can lead to scrapes, bruises and lacerations. Keep children safe by always supervising them and limiting running and horseplay as much as possible. Look for playgrounds with softer ground cover such as rubber or mulch instead of asphalt or concrete. Discourage high-risk activities such as pushing a child higher on a swing than they find comfortable. Check the temperature of playground surfaces such as slides before children begin playing on them.
6. TICK BITES
A tick bite can lead to a number of conditions, including babesiosis, a bloodstream infection that brings flulike symptoms such as body aches. Tick bites can also cause Lyme disease. Its hallmark is a rash that classically looks like a bullseye and occurs on average in about seven days at the site of the tick bite. Other symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue and muscle and joint soreness. Ticks can bite not only in the woods but even in your backyard. Prevention includes wearing moisture-wicking,
long-sleeve shirts; long pants; and tall socks to cover your skin. Check yourself for ticks or signs of a bite when you step back indoors.
7.
BARBECUE HAZARDS
Never light a gas grill with the lid closed. If the grill doesn’t light immediately, turn off gas and let it dissipate before attempting to light again. Use only the amount of lighter fluid you need to start a charcoal grill. Cook any meat, seafood or poultry thoroughly and to temperatures recommended by the USDA. Keep food—and guests— safe by refrigerating leftovers so they don’t spoil in the sun.
GUARD AGAINST DROWNING
Drownings are the leading cause of death among young children. Ways to reduce risks include:
• Be aware that small children can drown in shallow water.
• Make sure at least one adult swimmer provides constant supervision of any children near or in the water.
• Install fences and gates around home pools. Consider adding an alarm that alerts you anytime someone goes into the water.
• Prohibit children from running around the outside of pools to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
• Enroll children in swim lessons. Have them wear life jackets, vests and floaties in the water if they can’t swim.
• Never dive head-first into water unless you know how deep it is. Instead, wade in or jump in feet-first.
• Always swim near a lifeguard. Heed red-flag warnings for high rip currents at the shore. If you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore.
BOOK
NOOK
Books for Bastille Day
France also celebrates independence this month, and the July 14 anniversary offers a reason to dig into French fiction.
BASTILLE DAY is France’s declaration of independence from its monarchy, so this seems like a good month to look at French literature. These novels will keep you on the edge of your seat—and maybe teach you some things about French culture. All novels are for adults.
“AT NIGHT ALL BLOOD IS BLACK”
By David Diop
Alfa Ndiaye has never left Senegal until he leaves to fight in the French army in World War I. A Senegalese friend who is seriously injured begs Alfa to kill him and spare him a painful death. Alfa can’t do it, and when his friend dies, he is overwhelmed by guilt and rage. He decides to cross enemy lines every night to take the life of a German soldier and bring back proof of his conquest. At first his fellow soldiers see him as a hero, but as time goes on they start to wonder if Alfa has truly lost his mind. This book is the winner of the 2021 International Booker Prize.
BY JULIE MARALLO
“THE READERS’ ROOM”
By
Antoine Laurain
A Parisian publishing house receives an exciting new crime novel and it is shortlisted for France’s highest literary award, the Prix Goncourt. Then a series of murders similar to the ones in the novel trigger an investigation into the unknown author. Unfortunately for the novel’s editor, Violaine Lepage, who has been searching for the author herself, investigators have turned their attention to her. Because an accident has affected her memory, she begins to wonder if maybe she does know more than she can recall.
“THE
BIRTHDAY PARTY”
By Laurent Mauvignier
In a town in rural France with few inhabitants, a farmer plans a surprise party for his wife’s 40th birthday. His plans are thwarted by strange things going on— threatening letters, an unfamiliar car showing up around town and strangers creating chaos at night. Could this have something to do with the birthday or the town itself?
“BONJOUR TRISTESSE”
By Françoise Sagan
Cecile is happy to leave boarding school and go home to her carefree widowed father. She plans for a fun summer on the French Riviera. However, when her father becomes engaged to Cecile’s godmother, who is strict with Cecile and takes up all of her father’s attention, Cecile is furious. She enlists her boyfriend to help her carry out a plan so devious, the consequences will haunt her forever.
“THE
PERFECT NANNY”
By Leila Slimani
When a wealthy couple living in Paris’ upscale 10th arrondissement decides to hire a nanny, they can’t even imagine one as ideal as Louise. She loves the children, cleans their home and stays late whenever they need without complaint. However, as they become more dependent on their “perfect” nanny, the couple realizes that there might be trouble on the horizon.
Julie Marallo is the director of the Tenafly Public Library.
Edgewood Country Club River Vale, NJ
A HOOT AT THE GALA
AN OWL WAS the star of the show at the Tenafly Nature Center’s Spring Gala in May, as we can see in this photo courtesy Justin Schwab. For more photos of the gala, see page 8. To learn more about the Nature Center, visit www.tenaflynaturecenter.org.
Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to hello@ tenaflymagazine.com.
EVAN BAIRD, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center; RAFAEL LEVIN, M.D., M.S.C., Chief of Spine, HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley; JONATHAN LESTER, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; NOMAAN ASHRAF, M.D., M.B.A., Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center