Tenafly October 2025

Tenafly

OCTOBER 2025

SHAPING THE HEART OF TENAFLY

JEANNE RIVKIN-MERMELSHTAYN

BREAST CANCER:

HOW SCREENING SAVES LIVES

From Heartbreak to Healing GRIFFIN CARES FOUNDATION

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Contents OCTOBER 2025

16 F EATU RE S

12

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A Lasting Impact

Jeanne Rivkin-Mermelshtayn’s vision and dedication shaped the heart of Tenafly.

16

Saving Lives Through Early Detection

Radiologist Dr. Shari SiegelGoldman brings expertise and community to breast cancer detection.

20

From Heartbreak to Healing

Pamela and Paul Caine turned loss into a lifeline for families with their charity, the Griffin Cares Foundation.

6

8

30

20

I N TH I S I S SU E

4

PUBLISHER’S NOTE The Sweet Fall Air

6

AROUND TOWN The Fall Festival Returns!

8

LOCAL TASTES The Best Bagels

25

REAL ESTATE REPORT Tenafly Market Updates

26

Q&A With Greg Porper

30

BOOK NOOK Halloween Cozy Mysteries

32

PHOTO OP Fall Festivities

COVER

Pamela Cain at her Tenafly home.

Photograph by Justin Schwab

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More Than an Ad.

When you become a partner—you’re more than an advertiser.

Learn more about our new sponsorship program.

Contact Gina Palmieri at GinaPalmieri@tenaflymagazine.com or 201.686.4452.

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PUB LISH ER’S NOTE

Tenafly MAGAZINE

Publisher Gina Palmieri Local Editor Jenna Demmer

OCTOBER BRINGS crisp air, changing leaves, and a reminder of resilience— reflected in this month’s stories. We catch up with Tenafly native Greg Porper, who just released his debut feature film “Don’t Tell Larry,” and celebrate community

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALYSON BARROW

O

THE SWEET FALL AIR

flavor with Shin and Byoung Hwang, proud owners of Tenafly Bagels.

We also pay tribute to Jeanne RivkinMermelshtayn—the creator of Instagram page “This is Tenafly”—who has helped shape life in our town through the Tenafly Downtown Committee and other community efforts.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In the spotlight are Dr. Shari Goldman, a radiologist and leading voice in breast imaging, as well as Pam and Paul Caine of the Griffin Cares Foundation, a nonprofit supporting families that have suffered the loss of an infant or pregnancy.

Here’s to a month of creativity, compassion, and connection—right here in Tenafly.

Best,

Gina Palmieri Publisher

Writers Julie Marallo Jenna Demmer Gabrielle Walters Spencer Watson Photographers Damian Castillo Justin Schwab

WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden SVP, Group Publisher Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Art Director Rosemary O’Connell Executive Editor Elaine Paoloni Quilici 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.

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WHAT ’S NEW AROUND TOWN

The Fall Festival Returns!

Get ready to sip, shop, and celebrate the season—because Fall Fest is returning to Tenafly!

BY JENNY JACKSON

ON SUNDAY, OCT. 19 from noon to 5 p.m., the Borough of Tenafly and the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host the third annual Tenafly Fall Festival, a community celebration of the season in the heart of Downtown Tenafly.

Visitors will enjoy live local music and dance performances, a costume contest, seasonal art activities, pumpkins galore, rides, a Monster Mash DJ dance party, artisanal vendors, food trucks, plus plenty of fun surprises along the way.

Stroll the outdoor market, grab a bite from local food vendors, and relax with a seasonal cocktail at the Hive & Honey mobile bar. This year, you can also watch the big football game on an LED mobile TV truck or try your luck at the Great Energy Escape—PSE&G’s new mobile escape room experience

that’s all about energy efficiency.

One of the highlights of the day will be the Halloween costume contest.

Prizes await the best group, most original, and best DIY costumes, so plan early and join in the fun!

“The Tenafly Fall Festival is more than a celebration—it’s a true reflection of our community’s spirit. It’s a chance to support local artists and businesses, and to enjoy the talents and energy of our residents. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Huyler Park for a fantastic day,” says Mayor Mark Zinna.

Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the day, celebrate the “spirit” of Halloween and the fall season at The Tenafly Fall Fest.

Visit www.tenaflynj.gov or contact Main Street Pops at info@mainstreetpops.com for more details.

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 Tenaflychamber.org/about to learn more about membership.

Remember to shop the shops and dine local to keep our community strong and vibrant!

Cheers, Jenny Jenny Jackson serves as the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce president and Tenafly Downtown Committee copresident. She believes in the power of business as a channel for positive impact.

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Let’s Get Social!

Join our online community.



@tenaflymagazine Have a photo or story you think should be featured? Want to learn more about advertising in our pages?

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LO CAL TAST ES

The Best Bagels Tenafly Bagels has been serving mouthwatering breakfasts and lunches for decades, and they’re not stopping anytime soon.

BY JENNA DEMMER

BAGELS ARE A BELOVED American staple. For many of us, they are an integral part of breakfast, brunch, and even lunch. Entire shops are built in honor of bagels—and one of these, right here in town, is aptly named: Tenafly Bagels.

This shop, currently owned by married couple Shin and Byoung Hwang, has operated for close to 30 years. Shin goes as far as to describe the shop as a “grandpa store.” While she only entered the scene in 2021, she encounters lifelong customers every single day.

“When they were young, they came here, and so they’ve been coming since then,” she explains. Even people who no longer live in town pop in to Tenafly Bagels whenever they visit their families.

When you consider the offerings, it’s

no wonder customers come back day after day, year after year, and decade after decade. The bagels are flavorful with a chewier texture than those of competitors. They come in varieties like California, Caesar, vegetarian, and even roast beef. Spreads such as whitefish and salmon echo those of ’90s bagel shops in Brooklyn. The shop also serves flagels, also known as flat bagels. These contain less dough, making them ideal for people who prefer low carbs and a crispy texture.

TAKING THE REINS Though they’re the shop’s face today, the Hwangs haven’t always been at the helm at Tenafly Bagels—or even involved at all. The duo took over Tenafly Bagels a year after COVID-19 pandemic began, when Byoung’s previous job moved

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAMIAN CASTILLO

out of state. “We found Tenafly Bagels through my husband’s boss,” recalls Shin.

While the Hwangs live in Old Tappan, they received a tremendous amount of support from Tenafly residents as they took the reins at their beloved bagel shop. “A lot of customers who were coming were old customers,” says Shin. “They helped mentally, with all the encouragement.”Since then, the Hwangs have been devoted to giving back. “We support communities if they have events,” Shin says. “Even at big events, like the 5K Walk, we donated a lot of bagels.”When asked her favorite part of running the shop, Shin says, “It’s interesting to hear customers tell us about their experiences at Tenafly Bagels.”

She circles back to the lifelong customers that find as much joy in the shop now as they did when they were growing up and pass that passion down to their own children. “We find it rewarding to see generations continue to enjoy our food and share it with others. We are honored to be a part of their lives and traditions.”

Located at 35B Washington St., Tenafly Bagels is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Currently the local editor of Tenafly Magazine, Bergen County resident Jenna Demmer has written and edited for over a dozen different publications.

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Salsa Under the Stars is Jeannie’s event idea brought to life by the Tenafly Summer Concerts Committee.

A Lasting

I

Impact

Jeanne Rivkin-Mermelshtayn’s vision and dedication shaped the heart of Tenafly.

IF YOU’VE EVER experienced a downtown Tenafly event in the past few years—whether it was Fall Fest, Spring Fling—or even a quiet afternoon on one of the new benches in Huyler Park, you may not have realized that many of these special touches exist thanks to the dedication of Jeanne Rivkin-Mermelshtayn. A longtime Tenafly resident, Jeanne, known widely as Jeannie, has been a driving force behind much of the energy and community spirit in Tenafly. With her eye for design, her heart for people, and her passion for improvement, she has helped shape the town into a place her neighbors are proud to call home.

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BY GABRIELLE WALTERS

CRAFTING COMMUNITY Jeannie’s journey began in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she grew up before her family immigrated to Queens, New York, in 1994 to escape Jewish persecution. She has recalled her childhood in Russia fondly, remembering summers spent on her grandmother’s farm and eating fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the garden. At just 11 years old, she felt bittersweet about moving to the United States. She was excited to move to a new country, but sad to leave behind her friends. With time, she quickly adapted and valued her new community. The support she received

as a young immigrant shaped her, instilling a lifelong commitment to giving back and lifting up others.

She and her husband, Alex, along with their three children, have lived in Tenafly for nearly a decade. In 2019, Jeannie joined the Tenafly Downtown Committee, where she focused on supporting local businesses and revitalizing the downtown. One of her first projects was a holiday gift guide, created with fellow resident Alexandra Bershadsky, to encourage shopping locally. The success of the guide inspired her to launch the Instagram page @thisistenafly, which has over 3,000 followers and quickly OCTOBER 2025 |

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Above: At the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Lavish Fundraiser 2024: Jeannie (far right) stands with Jenny Jackson, Megan Cutler, and Galit Oelsner.

became a go-to resource for residents seeking to discover and support local establishments.

“She has given to Tenafly in a way that’s selfless,” says fellow Downtown committee member and friend Jenny Jackson.

In 2020, she founded the Tenafly Freecycle Facebook group, creating an online community for residents to share and recycle items sustainably.

As vice president of an office furniture installation company, Jeannie also used her professional expertise to bring in an architect to redesign and improve the benches in Huyler Park.

“Jeanne is a radiant light in Tenafly,” says Mayor Mark Zinna. “Her energy and compassion have been a driving force in increasing community engagement. She has always been there with ideas and involvement.”

In 2024, Jeannie was elected to the Tenafly Democratic Committee,

continuing her mission to strengthen the town she loves. Inspired by her dedication to the community, the Tenafly Middle School HSA has established “Jeanne’s Gift,” a fund to provide annual confidential financial support for local Tenafly families in need.

Outside of her community work, Jeannie has always been passionate about health and sustainability. She has enjoyed Pilates and dance, Israeli and Russian music, and supporting sustainable fashion and organic food, often shopping locally at Tenafly staples such as Healthway Natural Foods.

“I love seeing Jeanne’s beautiful smile when she walks into Healthway,” says the owner of Healthway Natural Foods, Nida Arain. “She always has such positive energy that fills the store. She generously gives her time and effort into improving small businesses.”

FACING THE FIGHT In the summer of 2024, Jeannie received a devastating diagnosis: stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer. In the face of this challenge, she has approached it with the same grace, determination, and spirit that guided her community work.

“She’s a powerhouse,” says Jackson.

“There was never any question in her mind that she was going to face her diagnosis head-on and do everything she could.”

She recently traveled with her husband, Alex, to Germany to seek care at CeGaT GmbH, a company that offers advanced therapies for brain tumors.

Alex has researched various treatment options, determined to explore every possibility, including those that are not covered by insurance.

In the past year, Jeannie has soaked in every moment with family and friends, making the most of her time.

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Jeannie has lived in Tenafly with her husband Alex Mermelshtayn for almost ten years.

Last winter, she went on trips with her family to Italy and Florida, enjoying the ocean as her healing sanctuary.

Jeannie’s impact can be felt in every inch of the town, whether you recognized it before or not.

“Jeanne represents the best of someone committed to serving her community,” says Zinna.

To support Jeannie and her family during this time, donations can be made at www. zeffy.com or via the below QR code.

Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.

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Saving Lives Through

Early Detection

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Radiologist Dr. Shari SiegelGoldman brings expertise and community to breast cancer detection.

S

BY SPENCER WATSON

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTIN SCHWAB AND COURTESY OF DR. GOLDMAN

SOME PEOPLE MAY be hesitant about getting mammograms, but yearly screenings save lives. Behind the technology are physicians like Tenafly resident Dr. Shari SiegelGoldman, more commonly known as Dr. Goldman. A radiologist specializing in breast imaging, Goldman has spent nearly three decades at Lenox Hill Radiology in Rockland County, guiding patients through screenings, diagnoses, and next steps with compassion and clarity.

Her decision to specialize in breast imaging was shaped by personal experience. While in residency, her mother-in-law was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and passed away. “That motivated me to make a difference in the field,” Goldman explains.

BEHIND THE SCREENINGS Radiology, Goldman explains, is “the imaging of the body. For breast imaging, we use breast ultrasounds, MRI, and mammography including 3D mammograms.” These tools allow physicians to detect cancers in their earliest stages, when outcomes are most successful.

Misconceptions continue to persist.

Goldman notes that a lot of patients are afraid of the compression or radiation from mammograms and just want to do an ultrasound.

“That’s not really a safe way to go,” she explains, “because mammography shows things that the ultrasound cannot, and ultrasound can find subtle things that might be missed on the

mammogram, so they’re complementary.”

Women may be unsure about what age to start having mammograms.

“There’s been a lot of confusion in the media, but the official recommendation is yearly mammography from age 40 on,” Goldman says.

Breast imaging has changed dramatically since Goldman first began practicing. “We used to have X-ray films. Now everything is digital on the computers with high resolution, and then in the last three or four years, we have AI helping us,” she says. She says artificial intelligence helps draw

attention to the most suspicious areas, which radiologists can then evaluate.

There are also other mammography technological innovations. “We now have 3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis,” Goldman explains.

“That has helped us find more subtle cancers and to significantly lower the callback rate and false positive. It’s been a great addition.” she says, adding, “The advance of the technology has really helped, in some ways, to streamline the practice of medicine and improve the quality of care to our patients,” notes Goldman.

“I feel fortunate to see the progress OCTOBER 2025 |

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Below: Goldman reviews a mammogram and generates a report that gets immediately sent to the patient’s portal and physician’s office for review.

Opposite: Goldman and her husband, radiologist Jeff, live in and raised their three children in Tenafly. She is active in her community and has a particular fondness for the Tenafly 5K, which she runs yearly with her dogs.

that’s been made in the technology over these years. It’s amazing. It’s very useful,” Goldman says. She explains that it helps radiologists get through their work more quickly, which is key because there is a shortage of radiologists that do breast imaging.

“So, the more work that we can do, the more people we can help,” Goldman says. She thinks that AI won’t replace radiologists but will help them with their work.

A MONTH OF AWARENESS October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is the perfect time for action. “Go get your mammogram,” Goldman urges.

“Bring a friend or a family member that might otherwise not go, and you’re helping to save their lives as well.”

For many women, the idea of a mammogram is daunting. Goldman works to put patients at ease, especially when biopsies are required.

She reassures them that even if it turns out they have breast cancer, “[t]he fact that you’re here and getting diagnosed is going to mean that you’ll have higher chances of being cured, so that’s the power of early detection.”

She has witnessed the difference early detection makes firsthand. Delays

can be devastating. “I see patients who are afraid to come in, and they come in with these very large masses.” She notes that people of all ages present with advanced cancer. “Others maybe were afraid or in denial, or they’re from communities where they didn’t have easy access to healthcare, so they didn’t get the help they needed.”

Goldman is grateful for the Tenafly community that has supported her busy work/life balance over the last 28 years. She credits the Tenafly community spirit and her family and friends who have all pitched in to help her successfully raise three children

through the public school system of Tenafly while balancing a busy fulltime career.

She has been deeply involved locally through volunteering, serving on the board at Temple Sinai, and running in the Tenafly 5K with her dogs. For Goldman, community and medicine are deeply intertwined: Both are about helping people live healthier, better lives.

Spencer Watson is a lifelong Bergen County resident. She is a poet and freelance writer who frequently writes about local news in New Jersey.

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From Heartbreak to Healing

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Pamela and Paul Caine turned loss into a lifeline for families with their charity, the Griffin Cares Foundation.

W

BY GABRIELLE WALTERS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTIN SCHWAB

WHEN TENAFLY residents Pamela and Paul Caine lost their newborn son, Griffin Matthew, nearly 30 years ago, they were left with unimaginable pain.

At the time, there were no resources to guide them through their grief, yet they were determined to keep Griffin’s spirit alive. Out of that loss came the Griffin Cares Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting parents and loved ones who experience pregnancy and infant loss. Where once there was nowhere to turn, there is now a network of compassion and hope, reaching grieving families in more than 30 states across the country.

A MISSION IS BORN Although the Griffin Cares Foundation was officially incorporated in 2022, its mission began long before.

“After Griffin died, Paul and I really didn’t know where to turn for support.

We didn’t know anyone who had experienced a tragedy like ours,” Pamela Caine says.

Pamela began volunteering locally, fundraising and serving as a peer mentor for other parents. While she has a bachelor’s degree in english and a master’s of science in occupational therapy, she deepened her expertise through extensive training in perinatal bereavement, perinatal mental health,

Left: The Griffin Cares Foundation’s Care Kit for Kids supports siblings who have lost a baby brother or sister. It offers a cuddly and comforting Griffin Cares bear as well as a collection of children’s books on loss, grief and remembrance.

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and grief counseling. Over time, Pamela began facilitating peer groups, which would later evolve into what is now the Griffin Cares Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when all sessions shifted online, the foundation’s reach expanded nationally.

The ability to connect virtually offered comfort during a time of deep isolation, and what began as a handful of grieving parents has since grown into a thriving national network of support.

Today, Griffin Cares is a volunteerrun organization with 50 dedicated volunteers who offer resources such as peer mentoring, virtual support groups, and special-topic sessions.

The peer mentor program, managed

by Tenafly resident Anna Feldberg, gives families the chance to connect in meaningful ways.

“I can personally attest to just how helpful it is to be surrounded by a

supportive community of people who get it,” says community member Joshua Miller. “You join that first group Zoom, and it just feels like the weight of the world got a little bit lighter and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

LABOR OF LOVE Though Pamela serves as cofounder and executive director and Paul as cofounder and board chair, their three adult children—Samantha, 31, Ryan, 28, and Gavin, 26—are also deeply involved. They serve on the board and are members of the Sibling Committee where they focus on supporting siblings who have experienced loss.

“Unfortunately, our team has stood in this dark place,” says Pamela, “and that’s why we are so dedicated to offering comfort to others. We have tears in our groups, but we also have laughter and smiles.”

While one might assume working with grieving families is overwhelmingly sad, Pamela sees it differently. “I witness the best of humanity every day,” she shares.

“Running a foundation that helps people through unimaginable loss sounds heavy, but I don’t think of it as a sad job. When you create space for people to feel seen and heard, you open the door to healing and to so much good.”

On Oct. 11, the Griffin Cares Foundation will host its first in-person Remembrance Day Community Gathering and Support Stroll at Overpeck County Park in Leonia, New Jersey. Held during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, the event will bring together loved ones to honor the memory of lost infants and show solidarity with families navigating grief.

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Left: An illustration of Paul and Pam Caine by local artist Jordana Parker of @jp.moda_illustration is shown alongside a flower drawing

by Soo Kim of @soosoostudios.

Both drawings were created at the Griffin Cares Foundation’s Mother’s Day at Max Mara: Art, Fashion & Fundraising event in May. Below: Griffin Cares Foundation’s Care Kits offer tangible grief resources and comfort items to support families in the early weeks of grief. Each Care Kit contains a personalized card signed by the volunteer who packed it.

LOCAL LIFE Pamela and Paul have called Tenafly home for 32 years, having moved here to raise their family. Drawn by the town’s proximity to Manhattan and strong school system, they quickly became part of the community. Pamela enjoys Tenafly staples such as Spring House, Simply Vietnamese, and Awe & Wonder, and has felt the warmth of neighbors throughout her journey. In fact, the foundation’s very first donation came from local business Cambridge Cleaners.

Even for those who never met Griffin, his spirit has become part of Tenafly itself. Griffin Park, located on the Roosevelt Common, was established in his memory. Soon after his passing, the Caines met with then-Mayor Ann Moscovitz, who enthusiastically embraced their idea of a park that would bring joy to families.

“It’s exactly what we wanted,” says Pamela. “We hoped it would be a place where families could spend time together and enjoy being a family.”

To learn more about the Griffin Cares Foundation and its mission, please visit griffincaresfoundation.org. To register for the Remembrance Day event, visit givebutter.com/RD25.

Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.

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REAL ESTATE REPORT

The New Construction Craze Record-breaking prices, million-dollar teardowns, and what it all means for your home.

TENAFLY’S MARKET just broke through price points we’ve never seen before. Just weeks ago, one new construction sold for over $7 million, and another closed at $6.9 million.

Numbers like these used to be Alpineonly territory—now they’re here in Tenafly. And with multiple listings hitting the market in the $6 to $7 million range, it’s clear this isn’t a one-off.

MULTIPLE ACTIVES TESTING THE CEILING Right now, new builds are hitting the market at price levels that reset expectations: • 90 Essex Dr: 6 bed, 6 full / 2 half baths, 40,511 square-foot lot. Listed at $7.8 to $9 million • Woodhill Rd: 8 bed, 9.5 baths, 68,389 square-foot lot. Listed at $6.99 million And even mid-size new builds are commanding premiums: • 43 Grove St: 4 bed, 4.5 baths, 5,001 square-foot lot. Listed at $1.95 million • 7 Wight Pl: 6 bed, 5 baths, 7,280 squarefoot lot. Listed at $2.40 million THE DATA TELLS THE STORY When we look at the numbers, the trend is undeniable. Between 2019 and 2025, new construction median prices

soared 84% (from $1.35 million to $2.48 million), while resales climbed 76% (from $850,000 to $1.5 million). From 2024 to 2025, new construction jumped another 13%, while resales held steady at $1.5 million.

WHY BUYERS WANT “NEW” • Turnkey convenience. Buyers want to walk in, drop their bags, and live. No projects, no renovations.

• Rising costs. Land is scarce, construction costs are high, builder financing is more expensive, and now the mansion tax adds another layer.

• And yet, buyers still pay. Despite the added costs, new construction continues to fetch record-breaking numbers.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE When new homes are closing at $2.5 million, $3 million, even $7 million, paying $1.5 to $2 million for a resale suddenly feels attainable. The higher the ceiling goes, the more room resales have to climb. Builders are paying top dollar for teardown lots, which lifts the market floor.

Even if your home isn’t new, you still benefit. Buyers are stretching further to get into Tenafly—and if your home feels

updated and move-in ready, you capture more of that premium. That’s exactly why the value-up method matters: Small strategic improvements that make a home feel turnkey help sellers achieve stronger results, because buyers will pay more when they don’t have to lift a finger.

So, yes—if you bought in 2019, statistically, your home is worth 70 to 80% more today. That’s not hype, that’s the data.

THE BOTTOM LINE New construction has become the rocket fuel of Tenafly real estate. It’s not just setting records—it’s changing the rules. From $2 million to $3 million to now $7 million, the ceiling keeps rising.

The real question isn’t if buyers will pay more for new. It’s how much higher they’re willing to go, and how long resales can ride the wave.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY STACY ESSER

STACY ESSER

FOUNDER, REALTOR®

Cell: 201.292.0011 | 82 North Summit Street, Tenafly, NJ 07670 Office: 201.894.8004 | Email: info@segrealty.com | Website: topnjrealtor.com

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9/11/25 1:13 PM

Of Film and Community Get a glimpse into the journey of Greg Porper, a Tenafly native whose debut feature film is now available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

BY JENNA DEMMER

INTERVIEW WITH

GREG PORPER

EARLIER THIS YEAR, Tenafly native Greg Porper celebrated the release of his first feature film, “Don’t Tell Larry.” The dark workplace comedy— which Porper wrote, produced, and directed—won Best Feature and the Audience Award at the Pasadena International Film Festival. Here, Porper discusses his journey in film and what to expect from “Don’t Tell Larry.” He also reminisces on how Tenafly not only sculpted his interest in filmmaking but ultimately helped him put his passion into practice.

What inspired you to pursue film?

I went to a sports broadcasting camp in Montclair when I was a freshman in high school. They showed us a behind-the-scenes look from the director’s perspective. As soon as I saw that, I was like, ‘I want to be the one to help put together what people watch.’ From there, I’ve always had an interest in TV shows and movies.

How did you get involved in professional filmmaking?

I went to Northwestern University, and I majored in radio, television, and film. The school flew me out [to Los Angeles], and I got to follow Steve Levitan around for a day while they were filming, very early on, the show ‘Modern Family.’ I got to literally watch a big TV show get made!

How did life in Tenafly influence you?

Tenafly High School is actually where I took my first film and TV video class, where I learned the very basics of using the camera and editing.

Tell me more about “Don’t Tell Larry.”

It started as a web series that I had created with a producing partner.

It’s about this coworker who, long story short, there are these two other coworkers that always

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GREG PORPER

Opposite page: Greg Porper (left) and John Schimke (right)

OCTOBER 2025 |

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Clockwise from top left: Porper (left), Patty Guggenheim (center), and Kiel Kennedy. Porper with his parents, Rob and Karen Porper. A poster from the movie; front row, from left: Ed Begley Jr., Patty Guggenheim, and Kenneth Mosley. Back row: Kiel Kennedy. Behind the scenes: Porper with John Schimke.

accidentally did something that would really bother him. He had severe anger issues, and he always walked in right as these other two were talking about what they accidentally just did.

We went around the country, premiered at festivals, got on the front page of ‘Funny or Die,’ and most people who saw it said, ‘Cool!

What else can you do with this?’ We turned it into a feature film.

It’s about what happens when you tell a little white lie to your weird coworker and how that one lie just spirals wildly out of control. It starts as a standard comedy, and then it gets a little darker. It’s a roller coaster ride and subverts expectations.

That’s one of the best compliments

we’ve gotten from critics and audiences…just when you think you have the story figured out, it takes a sharp left turn.

How has the Tenafly community responded to your breakthrough?

A lot of people I’d reached out to for advice throughout the process were friends and neighbors from Tenafly.

My former Little League coach was a Hollywood producer for several years, and I remember reaching out to him, Rich Baratta, for advice.

Neighbors, family, and friends were all very encouraging. I opened a donation campaign, and a lot of people from Tenafly were really helpful and contributing to that. I’m very grateful for the community.

Do you have advice for other creatives?

Follow your passion. You have one life.

Do the thing that scares you and take the creative risks when you can. Don’t wait for other people to give you permission.

Try to make it happen yourself.

“Don’t Tell Larry” is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. For more about Porper, check out www.gregporper.com.

Porper also offers a consulting service for existing and aspiring filmmakers to help them through the process of making a feature-length movie. To learn more, contact Porper at greg.porper@gmail.com.

Currently the local editor of Tenafly Magazine, Bergen County resident Jenna Demmer has written and edited for over a dozen different publications.

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BOOK NOOK

Halloween Cozy Mysteries Welcome the spooky season with these novels.

BY JULIE MARALLO, TENAFLY LIBRARY DIRECTOR

IF YOU WANT T0 read some spooky stories this October, but you don’t want to be scared, here are some options. These are all cozy mysteries that will get you into the Halloween spirit without giving you nightmares. In fact, you will probably have some laughs instead!

All novels are for adults.

BEHIND CHOCOLATE BARS: A CHOCOLATE COVERED MYSTERY

By Kathy Aarons Best friends Michelle and Erica are preparing a booth for their bookstore, Chocolates and Chapters, at the West Riverdale Halloween Festival with the help of teens from their comic book club.

When one of the teens becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a local woman, Michelle and Erica have their doubts, but they are certain he is hiding something. The two are determined to find out what their teen volunteer—and the dead woman—have been hiding from the town, even if it means going door-todoor and risking their own lives.

THE HALLOWEEN HOUSE

By Kathi Daley The residents of White Eagle,

Montana love to tell ghost stories about Harrington House, the mansion once owned by a wealthy couple and their five children.

The house was full of unhappy memories for the dysfunctional family, and once all five of the children had passed away, no one had sold or lived on the estate for years. Then Jordan Westlake inherits the house from his mother and decides to move in and renovate it.

That turns out to be a decision he will soon regret, as skeletons come out of the closet—quite literally.

THE GHOST OF HALLOWEEN PAST: HAUNTING DANIELLE SERIES

By Bobbi Holmes Danielle and Lily, best friends, are used to haunted houses; after all, they run the Marlowe House Bed & Breakfast, famous for being haunted. However, when unusually strange things start happening in their small Oregon town— particularly to Danielle and her golden retriever, Sadie—Danielle suspects that there are new spirits involved. As Halloween gets closer, Danielle’s psychic ability connects her to a more frightening

spirit, one that only shows up on Halloween. Can she stop the Halloween ghost from wreaking havoc on the town?

THE PUMPKIN KILLER: A BAKERY DETECTIVES COZY MYSTERY

By Stacey Alabaster When bakery owners Rachael and Pippa discover a frightening Halloween decoration is more than it seems, they are plunged into a 100-year-old unsolved murder case. The case may be an old, but the closer they are to the truth, the closer they get to becoming victims themselves.

TRICK OR TREAT MURDER: A LUCY STONE MYSTERY

By Leslie Meier Lucy Stone is busy preparing for Halloween in her small Maine town of Tinker’s Cove: She’s knee-deep in cupcakes, costumes for her kids, and taking care of her new baby. When the excitement of the holiday is ruined by an arsonist and murderer, Lucy must rely on her sleuthing skills to save the town.

Unfortunately, the closer she gets to finding the arsonist, the more her own life is in danger.

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FROM A COMBAT VET

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SUPPORTING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

GEMOLOGIST ELISA BRISMAN

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A RUNNING TRADITION 27 YEARS OF THE TENAFLY 5K

EMPOWERING WOMEN

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PHOTO OP

FALL FESTIVITIES! BRADY SANSOTTA captures a masterpiece in the making in this photo taken at the latest Tenafly fall festival. Enjoy more arts and crafts—as well as food, music, rides, and more—at the next fall festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at Huyler Park.

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