Sports historian Jack DeVries wrote Indians Baseball: 100 Years of Memories and is shopping a book about the Doherty Silk Sox.
We’re not the only Clifton storytellers in town. In fact, we have connected with many raconteurs over the years. Here’s what a few of them are up to as we celebrate National Library Week, and The Printed Word.
Ralph Greco Jr. and fellow Cliftonite Joe Swarctz, who both attended CHS in the late 70’s, have teamed up and released 15 titles over five years in a children’s book series.
The duo behind the recently released Who Turned Out The Lights? put forth their first YA graphic novel in their series Echo City Capers. Published by the Canadian-based Grandfalloon, the 66-page “Lights” is an homage to the ‘66 Batman’ series as much as it is a silly ‘who-done-what.’ Who Turned Out The Lights? and the rest of the Echo City Capers titles can be found at echocitycapers.com.
16,000 Magazines are distributed to hundreds of Clifton Merchants on the first Friday of every month. Subscribe $45 per year or $70 for two Call 973-253-4400
Contributing Writers
Ariana Puzzo, Joe Hawrylko, Irene Jarosewich, Tom Szieber, Jay Levin, Michael C. Gabriele, Jack DeVries, Patricia Alex
Editor & Publisher Tom Hawrylko, Sr.
Art Director Ken Peterson
Associate Editor & Social Media Mgr. Ariana Puzzo
Business Mgr.
Artist Joe Swarctz and writer Ralph Greco Jr. are behind a series of YA graphic novels.
Longtime Clifton Merchant writer Jack DeVries grew up in Lakeview with the likes of Dan Raymond, Paul Nydam, Gary Alu, and Boris Moczula.
DeVries is the first one to admit that he thought the stories about the Silk Sox — who played behind the old Doherty Silk Mill on Main Avenue — were false. “Danny would tell us that his grandfather Bibbs Raymond played with the Silk Sox against Babe Ruth and the Yankees,” said DeVries. “We never believed him.”
True they were. DeVries has written about the team’s history in his forthcoming book, The Doherty Silk Sox. “Not only did they play exhibitions with major league teams,” said DeVries, “they faced great Negro League clubs and dominated white independent squads.”
The Doherty Silk Sox is now being shopped to literary agents and publishers. The book examines how the team and the area coped with World War I, the Spanish Flu, and Prohibition. DeVries is also the author of Indians Baseball: One Hundred Years of Memories, the team’s official history.
Michael Gabriele also enjoys writing about history. The Clifton author will present his latest book, Colonial Taverns of New Jersey – Libations, Liberty and Revolution, on May 12 from 7-9 pm at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church St.
Gabriele’s book explores how New Jersey had myriad colonial taverns — an estimated 400 along well-traveled routes due to the demand for carriage travel between New York and Philadelphia. The book also unearths the longlost heroic tales of New Jersey from the 1600s and 1700s.
The release marks Gabriele’s fifth book focused on New Jersey history, all published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press. A lifelong Garden State resident, he graduated in 1975 from MSU and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and author for more than 40 years.
Clifton Merchant has also spotlighted authors who are committed to sharing their passion with younger generations. One was David White, who in 2007 was an English teacher at Christopher Columbus Middle School. He is now a Humanities Supervisor at CHS.
We first met White when he published his first crime novel, When One Man Dies. The novel introduced the five-part, critically acclaimed Jackson Donne series. Learn more about White’s books at davewhitebooks.com.
White grew up in Clifton, attending School 3 and CCMS before graduating CHS in 1997. He was a Marching Mustang and always had a creative streak. “I wanted to write about a younger private detective,” said White in 2007. “Most of them are in their forties, so I wanted to take that P.I. genre and try to make the guy younger.”
Camille Gomera-Tavarez’s appreciation for her hometown is rooted in its diversity and ability to prepare her for life as an adult. Now, she’s using these skills and lessons as a published author.
The CHS 2015 grad’s debut book, High Spirits, published in April, 2022. The 11 short stories offer slice-of-life insights into multiple members of the fictional Belén family. The Dominican family is scattered throughout Santo Domingo, Paterson, San Juan, and Washington Heights. The book draws focus to mental health, machismo, diasporic identity, family relations, and coming-of-age themes.
As for longtime journalist Philip Read, he’s done it all — he found a way to bring Clifton history to the forefront whilst unifying generations of readers. In June of 2021, we noted the 20th anniversary of his definitive pictorial history “Clifton”, published by Arcadia. Released in 2001, it remains a treat for new arrivals in what during the 1950s was New Jersey’s fastest-growing city.
Read (CHS 1973) is now the founder of 27587 Magazine in Wake Forest, NC. He began his career at the Paterson News, then 13 years at The Star-Ledger and 10 as a Business Editor at The Record before moving south.
Gina Azzi’s weekly trips to the Clifton Public Library with her mother are some of her fondest childhood memories. They also ignited a passion that developed into a prolific career as a writer and steamy storyteller.
“I fell in love with books at a young age,” recalled Azzi, née Barbone. “I always wanted them around me. I had my own card, and having a safe space that fostered reading and allowed you to be creative, I feel like that was very much the foundation [of my becoming an author].”
A CHS Class of 2005 graduate, Azzi, 36, had an attraction to creative writing since her youth, but the possibility of it being more than a hobby never seemed realistic.
Today, though, she boasts 29 novels and three novellas as part of her curriculum vitae (not to mention 16 audiobooks), carving out her niche in the contemporary romance and sports romance genres.
Being an author wasn’t always her career plan, though. Like any good story, Azzi’s had some twists and turns.
“I always loved reading and writing stories,” said Azzi, who attended School 2 and Woodrow Wilson Middle School before CHS. “But I never thought it was a viable career option. It seemed like a hobby.”
After graduating from CHS, she attended St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, double-majoring in International Relations and Italian and minoring in economics.
In a recent photo, Gina and Tony Azzi with their children: Luna, 4, Rome, 6 and Aiva, 7.She earned her bachelor’s in 2009 and then pursued an M.A. at Syracuse University, also in International Relations.
At Syracuse, she got her master’s, then made the big move to New York City. She found her first job as an intern at a publication called MIC.com (then policymic.com), gaining experience and making connections while waitressing to pay bills.
“I was writing these policy pieces that were internationally focused or debated things happening in U.S. politics at the time,” Azzi recalled. “I started taking a writing class just as something I wanted to do and to connect with likeminded people.”
She began writing flash fiction pieces, many of which were inspired by her childhood summers at the Jersey Shore. Family, friends and peers encouraged her to expand on her entertaining narratives, but Azzi initially had no serious plans to treat her writing as more than a pastime.
In 2012, she received a job offer in human resources with Qatar Airways, so she shelved her writing exploits altogether and moved to Doha.
About a year later, missing the avocation, she began taking online writing courses, developing her prior work and expanding it into a novel.
The story—about two girls entering their senior year of high school who spend the summer at one of their aunt’s beach houses—was young adult and had romance elements, but wasn’t a romance novel, per se.
Azzi married her husband, Tony, at the end of 2014, and the couple moved to Dubai the following January. Soon after, Azzi became pregnant with her first child. The pregnancy turned out to be high-risk, and Tony encouraged her to change careers and refocus on writing.
So, in 2015, Azzi self-published Corner of Ocean and Bay, a young adult coming-of-age story of changing friendships and first love.
She wrote her first true romance book, The Last First Game, in 2015, about four college best friends who, in their final year, make a pact to have an adventure before graduating and moving on to their next phases of life.
Each book in the “College Pact Series” has alternating points of view between a male and a female.
The Last First Game was released two days after the birth of Azzi’s first daughter.
In February 2016, an opportunity in Tony’s career resulted in a move to Canada. Azzi had no work visa, but by then, she had fallen in love with writing, and there was no looking back.
Azzi’s 29th book, Bad Boy’s Downfall, was released on March 2.
“I figured out a little more each year how to grow it and make it a viable career path,” she said. “And it gives me the flexibility to be home with my kids.”
Fully immersed in the contemporary romance genre, she has written a number of sports romances, influenced largely by her residence in St. Catharines, Canada, a hockey-loving town in Ontario in which she lives with Tony and their children Aiva, Rome and Luna.
She will be releasing a spinoff football series, the Knoxville Coyotes Football Series, in 2024.
“I had just been reading a lot of it,” Azzi said of how she zeroed in on romance writing. “I figured I would want to write what I want to read. It seemed like a natural segue. It’s also the biggest segment of fiction. I felt like the people I was connecting with were all romance readers.”
Azzi has traveled to over 50 countries, including Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, and Myanmar. Her travels have no doubt influenced her writing, as have her roots.
“In eighth grade [at WWMS], Mrs. Annmarie Sheridan gave us this sort of sequel assignment for The Outsiders and this poetry anthology,” she remembered. “I think it was the first time I really experienced creative writing. Then, when I started at CHS, I took creative writing with Mr.
[John] Notari as one of my first electives.” The rest, as some may write, is history.
“Just growing up in Clifton, with the diversity of cultures, languages and religions, it made me so open to moving abroad and then writing about characters who have [those qualities],” she continued. “For a lot of people who don’t have exposure to all those things, they don’t know how to incorporate those things into storylines. It gave me such a foundation to celebrate things about people who do things differently than you.”
Today, Azzi marvels at the myriad of ways young writers can pursue their dreams. As she did, young writers can find inspiration in the library or take creative writing courses. They can also get their feet wet as storytellers by creating audiobooks or short videos through social media. They can hone their skills as bloggers and journalists or in writing workshops (like The Writers Studio in New York City) or “meetups” (like Jersey City Writers).
“I think there are so many options now,” Azzi said. “I think if you’re someone who loves to write and loves storytelling, at the core, and if you want to weave that into a career path, there are so many ways.”
Find out more about Azzi at ginaazzi.com.
Few people put it better than author Rita Mae Brown: “When I got [my] library card, that was when my life began.” It’s what the Clifton Public Library hopes to offer during National Library Week and all year.
Along with National Library Week, from April 23-29, the Library and the Friends of the Clifton Public Library are gearing up for National Poetry Month with giveaways and special guests.
Events will take place at Main Memorial Library, 292 Piaget Ave., and Allwood Branch Library, 44 Lyall Rd. Visit cliftonpl.org for upcoming dates and locations. Director Justine Tomczak added the library’s giveaways will include candies and bookmarks — perfect for patrons of all ages.
“[The Friends will] explain to interested persons what the Friends do to support the library, such as provide funding for the Museum Pass program, and how the public can contribute,” said Tomczak.
National Volunteer Week also runs from April 16-22, and it is an opportunity for the community to support one of Clifton’s finest institutions. The library will celebrate those who give their time to support their services.
“I think a lot of people have experiences with a library in one way or another from their childhood and that [stays] with them throughout their life,” said Tomczak. “I hope that we do a good job so children have positive memories and experiences in their youth that carry over into adulthood.”
From left Director Justine Tomczak, with team members Laure Barrett, Melissa Carrasco, Joel Colon, Cheryl Klump and Pat John Ferro.“Come in and see what the library’s about,” she continued. “Ask someone to show you around or talk to you for a moment.”
It’s hard for Tomczak to think about how the library’s last normal year of operation was 2019.
After closing like most public spaces in March 2020, the library partially re-opened in 2021. Last year was the first year they planned to fully re-open, but they needed to close the Main Branch last November due to boiler issues.
“It was so upsetting. We were finally coming up in numbers and foot traffic,” said Tomczak. “Our community room was booked with inside and outside groups. When we closed, we needed to cancel or relocate them to [the Allwood Branch], if possible. We were scrambling.”
This January, the Main Branch opened for a few hours
per day with some accessible areas. Full operations and accessibility resumed on March 13.
They’re making up for lost time. The Main Branch hosted a “Create Your Own Graphic Novel” information session on March 14 and a successful Ramadan Storytime with crafts on March 20. Tomczak explained that these are just a few of the library’s offerings.
Other partnerships include the Children’s Department connecting with the National 4-H Council. The 4-H programs allow children to learn about computers and coding. The library has worked alongside another organization, Girls Who Code. On March 21, a program started for children and teenagers that brings a presenter to teach them how to digitally create graphic novels and manga from start to finish.
The library continues to evolve in its technology.
“We’ve had desktop computers and printing
services for decades,” said Tomczak. “Now we offer hotspots that people can check out if they don’t have Wi-Fi readily available or if they go away … and don’t want to use up data on their phones.”
Grants are a major component. Ending February 2023, the Clifton Public Library had a total of 20,012 card holders. Of these, 3,034 are Juvenile cards (preschool through sixth grade); 2,925 are Young Adult (middle to high school); and 13,827 are Adult (18+). The rest constitute “other” categories, like paid, temporary, courtesy, or in-house.
One 2022 grant enabled the library to obtain some iPads. The grant’s initial purpose was giving access to health information from articles and specifically curated websites. They were allowed to keep the iPads after the grant ended and they’re deciding how the library can use them next.
Another source of funding was through the CARES Act, which let the library achieve mobile and outdoor outreach in the city’s parks.
“Mobility in technology is kind of where we’re headed,” said Tomczak. “At the Main Library, we have wireless printing. People at home can send their documents to our printing station through a wireless printing service.”
In 2021, the library applied for a construction grant that would allow them to replace ceiling tiles and wallpaper at the Main Branch. When
applying, the project’s estimated cost was $378,300. The project is supported by funds from the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, administered by the New Jersey State Library.
Tomczak said they learned of their application’s approval in mid-2022, with the grant paperwork fully ex-
ecuted in October. Another upcoming project is HVAC replacement at the Main Branch.
“The engineers are wrapping up the design phase, and we will work with them to figure out how to best time the grant project work with work they will be doing, which will involve going into the ceilings,” said Tomczak.
In 2019, from left, Friends Board members Patricia Bednar, Faye Levine, woman in purple coat is not a member, Joan Sanford (now a member-at-large), Vivian Semeraro, Denise Regalado, Joan Robertson. Not pictured: Treasurer Andrew Schwartz and members-at-large Rosemary Brown, Kathy Edel, Judith Fierro, Anne Schapiro.These upcoming endeavors will occur over the next year or year-and-a-half.
“We didn’t get funding in the first round [of grant applications], but we did in the second round,” said Tomczak. “[The tiles and wallpaper are] over 30 years old and original to the building. It’s time for it to be re-done.”
The Clifton Free Public Library first opened on Main Avenue, between Clifton and Madison Avenues, in January of 1921. It’s grown from that small storefront with 440 books to its current building, dedicated in 1991.
The Allwood Branch, started by the Allwood Women’s Club, began in the late 1930s with 250 books donated and housed in School 9. The Allwood Branch as we know it today was dedicated in May of 1970.
The busiest circulating months are in late spring and the summer. Last year, August was the highest-circulating month with 33,371 physical checkouts and 3,614 digital checkouts through Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby. Tomczak said the numbers are even higher if you factor in Comics Plus, which they started mid-year, and Tumblebooks.
Compared to 2019, the average physical circulation per month was in the 34,000-39,000 range. There were 2,645
digital Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby checkouts that August, the highest month.
Yet the library is more than a space to check out books, use computers, or access Wi-Fi. Many community groups gather there on a monthly basis. Knitters go four times per month, mahjong players go eight times per month, and the public can attend book discussions once per month.
All events are library-sponsored or presented in conjunction with the Friends or other community organizations like the Rec Department, Arts Center, Health Department, 4-H, and more. Other people book the community room for their own private meetings or presentations.
On April 11, the Friends of the Clifton Public Library will welcome all members of the public to its semi-annual meeting, 1 pm at the Main Branch. Following the short meeting is a celebration of National Poetry Month.
The free program will host three poets: Cathy Cavallone, Paul Juszcyk, and Joanne Santiglia. It will feature an open mic reading portion for public participation with light refreshments. The Friends note that the Gift Gallery is open and they’ll hold their Membership Drive April 2429, from 10 am to 6 pm.
The Friends of the Clifton Public Library is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization that is governed by community volunteers.
“Through the efforts of fundraising, membership drives, and corporate sponsorship,” said member-atlarge Anne Schapiro, “the Friends donate to the Clifton Public Library for the development of cultural and educational programs.”
“We also donate to the Museum Initiative Program, which provides free passes to museums in the metropolitan area,” she added. “This year, we were second in the state for this program.”
The public can support the Friends’ purpose by joining and renewing membership annually; assisting with special or ongoing events, tasks, or projects; or contacting the Friends president, Faye Levine, about donations, gifts, or bequests. Call Levine for info at 973-772-8908.
This month, the library will host informational sessions on Medicare. The two sessions are April 20 at 1:30 pm and April 27 at 7 pm in the Main Branch. Registration is not required.
Author and social worker Trinidad Dela Rosa will visit Saturday, April 22 from 3-4 pm. She will present her book “Guia del Inmigrante” (Immigrant Guide) at the Main Branch for the English and Spanish program. The book offers information for people new to the U.S. about resources for a better life in the country.
The library wants to connect with local teens as well. The Teen Department will host a College Funding Workshop on April 26 at 7 pm via Zoom. Another program, The Leadership Game, will take place inperson April 10 at 6 pm in the Main Branch. The event is for those aged 13-18. Registration for both events is required. Register on the library website’s calendar or by calling the Reference Desk at 973-772-5500.
As for the summer, Clifton’s a founding member of PALS Plus Library Consortium. Last year, PALS Plus teamed up with Passaic County to present the first Passaic County Book Festival at Weasel Brook Park. The full-day festival returns Saturday, June 10 from 11 am to 4 pm. People can utilize PALS Plus’ services on a daily basis.
“It was originally created to automate the circulation and cataloging system in Passaic County libraries,” said Tomczak. “Now, you can sign up for a card in your hometown, but then can use it in any of the participating libraries.”
Separately, the library offers Pronunciator for language learning and ProCitizen for citizenship study. There is Learning Express for college admissions test prep, Value Line for investment research, GED support, career exploration, and more.
Tomczak encourages people to visit either branch and sign up for a card or utilize services. She added that despite crackdowns in book access within certain states, the Clifton Public Library doesn’t question who walks through its doors. “You don’t need a card to walk into the library and look at a newspaper,” said Tomczak. “As long as you follow our behavior rules, you can stay here all day.”
“The idea that some people want to exert their influence over other people to say you should or shouldn’t be reading something is scary,” she added. “I just hope that people can see that being in a diverse community, there are going to be differences of opinions. That’s why we’re here. So people can educate themselves on different topics.”
The kids know what makes a good picture. That’s why it’s no surprise to us that Clifton residents Elian Saldivar and Hana Tripathee have once again submitted films to the 19th Annual Passaic County Film Festival.
This year’s film festival is April 29 from 11:30 am to 3 pm, located at Passaic County Community College’s Public Safety Academy, 300 Oldham Rd, Wayne. Eighty-five films were submitted to the festival by a variety of Passaic County filmmakers — from high school students, university students, and independent filmmakers living or working in the county. The featured categories are General Short Film, Public Service Announcement, Music Video, and Documentaries.
We caught up with PCTI junior Saldivar and PCTI sophomore Tripathee in March to ask about their filmmaking processes and future ambitions. After speaking, we learned that Tripathee’s film “Tek-It-Cafune” won 1st Place for a high school music video. Saldivar’s “Hawthorne Shade Tree Commission” took home 2nd Place for a high school PSA.
PCTI film teacher Jody Lazarski weighed in on their works. “Filmmaking has grown in New Jersey … [and] students have lots of opportunities,” she said. “They need a cheerleader, and that’s what I try to be for them.”
Lazarski has taught at PCTI since November of 2015. She added that the Passaic County Film Festival
PCTI instructor Jody Lazarski at right with members of Four’s A Crowd Production Company at the Film Festival in 2022.
and others, like the Montclair Film Festival, are great ways for students to build up their résumés in a highly competitive industry.
“It will separate them from other people competing for a job at Netflix or a studio,” said Lazarski, 44. “The future is bright — these kids; they want to learn.”
Last year was Saldivar’s first time submitting to the film festival.
His eight-minute documentary, “PCTVS Marching Band” highlighted the roles of music and band in his life. This year, he submitted six films: “Over This Reality”, “Passion”, “Paws in the Park”, “Tech Showcase”, “Hawthorne Shade Tree Commission”, and “Montclair Clarinet Day”.
His main film, “Over This Reality”, stars Michelle Pagan. It follows the main female protagonist who gets trapped inside a virtual computer world and tries to escape. His second film, “Paws in the Park”, featured Passaic County’s Paws in the Park Day, including interviews with some people in attendance.
“Passion” is a silent, short film meant to get across the effects of bullying. “Montclair Clarinet Day” and “Tech Showcase” are projects featuring Clifton residents Steven Brown and Shayla Montero, respectively. The first film is a short daily vlog and the second promotes performing arts students and what they do.
His sixth submission, “Hawthorne Shade Tree Commission”, was a PSA that he worked on and edited with the Video Production Club. Saldivar was an official selectee for this film in the Garden State Film Festival.
Returning this year with more filmmaking experience, Saldivar sees the difference in his work.
“What I found easier this year was planning how and what to film [and] what was important to do during pre-production to make the production phase easier,” said Saldivar, 17. “I set myself up [better] for post-production with more planning.”
Another difference in his latest submissions was that he leaned toward creating short films. He made the decision, in part, because his documentary “wasn’t successful” last year. That inspired him to explore a new genre and “see what I could do with it.”
Saldivar considers filmmaking a definite option in his future. He’s unsure about the specific area of filmmaking that he’d pursue, but he said he loves learning about “what it takes to go into it.” A separate long-term goal of his is looking into casting and the creation of short film characters, adding that it’s a process that he thoroughly enjoys.
He credits the support of his parents and Lazarski, who is his Video Production teacher.
“Ms. Lazarski really does push for me to go out and film whatever I want and to make a video of it,” said Saldivar.
Filmmaking is not without challenges. Saldivar said that the hardest part for him is editing films and maintaining his motivation to focus on one and not move onto another project.
“It took a couple weeks, even months,” recalled Saldivar. “It is always the best part about it, too — when you reach the final stages of adding music, color correcting, adding special effects, and seeing it come to life.”
“All the effort that you put in is shown in front of you.”
Tripathee returned to this year’s festival following her successful debut as a PCTI freshman.
Among 55 total film submissions, her 2022 film “COVID-19” brought home third place for a high school PSA. In our April 2022 edition, Tripathee explained that the PSA’s purpose was to inform more people about how they can stay safe from the disease.
It was an ambitious project that she filmed prior to Governor Phil Murphy’s mid-March policy to lift the school mask mandate, almost two years after schools entered their first lockdown.
“I had no idea that I won. When I found out, I was really shocked,” said Tripathee, 15. “I wasn’t too proud of my film, but my teacher kept telling me that it was really good because I was new at this.”
The outcome and feeling the pride of her loved ones allowed Tripathee to gain more confidence. She continued to hone her craft and submitted two films this year: “Tek-It-Cafune” and “Winter Blanket Drive PSA”.
“Tek-It-Cafune” is an experimental music video with Tripathee as its star. While working on it, Tripathee played around with the effects and animation.
Tripathee created “Winter Blanket Drive PSA” after speaking with her friend and fellow PCTI student, Muhammad Haseeb. Haseeb organized a winter blanket drive in December of 2022 to help homeless people in Paterson. The film’s purpose is showing the importance of Haseeb’s work in supporting Eva’s Village, located at 393 Main St. in Paterson. The fundraiser ended in February with nearly $2,000 across 41 donations.
“I enjoy the PSA category because it’s quick, short, and an easy video to make,” said Tripathee. “Hearing people’s messages through videos is really entertaining and inspiring.”
Similar to Saldivar, the biggest change to Tripathee’s filmmaking approach was planning ahead of time. She acknowledged that knowing which shots she needed helped to reduce the rush for “perfect” ones. She shot the PSA in Paterson and filmed her music video in Weasel Brook Park. “For the video, I wanted the scenery to be outside and bright,” said Tripathee.
Creating films is something that Tripathee would like to see in some form in her future. What first inspired and continues to inspire her to create these projects is seeing influencers or creators on the internet make their own videos. She added that Lazarski also provides encouragement and inspires her students to “try new things with film.”
One of the ways that Lazarski keeps things fresh for the students and herself is by incorporating a new challenge each year. This year, she focused on improving the pre-production process and instructed students to record video pitches instead of creating PowerPoint pitches. For juniors and seniors, Lazarski also instructs them to cast outside of their friend groups.
“I try to level-up in my own curriculum [each year] as I ask students to do the process,” she said. “What I’m most proud of and one of the things that keeps me going as a teacher is knowing [the students] are excited to learn more each year and are excited for their turn.”
Lazarski made specific mention of Tripathee’s own dedication to learning. As a summer adjunct at MSU for the past year, Lazarski recommended that Tripathee explore what their film program offers younger students. Tripathee took her advice and learned the skills Lazarski focuses on from another teacher.
“I’m so proud of her. It’s so cool and amazing,” said Lazarski. “I think [these experiences] will put [the student filmmakers] above so many others in terms of what they do.”
Tripathee has given those more immediate endeavors some consideration. “Moving forward, I want to cover more films in the area where I live,” said Tripathee. “There are a bunch of cool things to cover [in Clifton] and then, eventually, I’ll go bigger.”
The Passaic County Film Festival is sponsored by the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners with financial support from the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council from funds granted by the NJ State Council on the Arts, Bascom Corp., Lakeland Bank, Passaic County Community College Foundation and PSE&G Foundation.
Go to Facebook @PassaicCountyFilmCommission or find out more at visitpassaiccountynj.org.
Clifton has always been Keith Oakley’s home. It’s what makes his late summer farewell bittersweet.
There is not a part of our city or our community that is untouched by Oakley’s philanthropy or his kind-hearted spirit. Whether it’s related to his involvement as the Clifton Veterans Avenue of the Flags’ co-founder or alongside organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton and the North Jersey Elks Developmental Disabilities Agency (NJEDDA), Oakley actively supports Clifton’s most vulnerable populations.
Now, he’s preparing for a new era that involves taking his own needs into consideration.
“I’m retiring in August, and my wife and I are moving to South Carolina,” said Oakley, 69. “This is my swan song.”
In our July 2021 edition, Oakley praised all that Clifton offers its residents. He specifically noted its “great school system, recreation [services], and services for veterans.” His Mustang profile concluded with a simple, albeit honest statement that it would “take a lot to get me out of here.”
He wasn’t lying. The decision to relocate is multifaceted — related to the cost of living and his health. Now that their children are adults, Oakley and his wife, Michele, are preparing to rent a mobile home and relocate about 14 miles outside of Myrtle Beach.
“I hate leaving Clifton and all that I do, but it’s so much pressure on me right now,” he explained.
Oakley (CHS 1971) is still optimistic about the new environment. For a man who enjoys staying involved and credits that involvement as what “keeps me going and keeps me alive”, he’s aware that the fresh air and more relaxed days to come may be just what the doctor ordered.
It doesn’t mean he’ll ever fully put his hometown in the rearview. And he has always encouraged others to prioritize their own community in a similar fashion.
“Clifton, like a lot of towns, has everything to offer no matter what your passion is,” said Oakley in 2021. “Whatever your passion is, that is what you should do to help your city.”
Born to parents Lewis and Mary on Nov. 26, 1953, Oakley grew up in the Dutch Hill section.
He’s one of four children, along with Barbara Evans (CHS 1964), Cindy Weber (CHS 1977), and Wayne (CHS 1973). In his early years, he found a second home at what was formerly the Boys Club of Clifton. Oakley was let into the Club a year early at six-years-old due to Mary’s (CHS 1939) role there.
“My family has been involved in the Club for almost all of its 75 years,” said Oakley. “My mother was a secretary there for 35 years … [and my] father was a volunteer in the Men’s Club. He did maintenance [work there] after 30-something years in the Army.”
It’s a legacy that is a great source of pride for Oakley. In his own experience, he went from being a Club kid to acting as President of the Leaders Club, now the Keystone Club, while a member. He later worked as a camp counselor before becoming President of the Men’s Club and a Board Member since 1986. Fourteen of his years on the Board were spent as an officer.
“We have dedicated staff members and Board members who are always trying to do the right thing for the kids. I’m proud to be part of it,” said Oakley. “I spent 63 years in the Club and never left.”
One aspect of the Club that Oakley has always appreciated is that there was never a hierarchy. It didn’t matter if you were there to play any sports or not — there was something for everyone. As a non-athlete, it meant a lot to him in his adolescence.
“In some places, if you’re not a star athlete, you’re nothing — that’s not how the Club worked … you could just be a kid,” said Oakley. “Maybe you like playing in the pool or like reading. No one thought less of you because you weren’t somebody who is popular.”
As an adult, he sees the value in an additional way.
“The Club always helped people and taught people things,” he said. “It kept you off the street.”
For the CHS 1971 grad, it also provided his first work experience. His first job paid a whopping 75 cents per hour in the pool locker room. Oakley would go on to work as a swimming instructor and taught over 1,000 Clifton kids how to swim.
“I still see some of those kids and they say, ‘You taught me how to swim,’” he recalled. “It’s the greatest thing. The Club taught you things that were very good to know.”
He’s watched the Club’s evolution as well. What was once a photography program expanded to incorporate computers and advancements in technology. Oakley said the Club reflects the world it exists in by doing that — as well as through its hires.
“[I hope that] the Club keeps on going just as it is and evolves with whatever is going on in the world,” said Oakley. “Clifton speaks like, 65 languages and … we try to hire staff to [reflect that diversity].”
Oakley is proud of the Club’s national recognition, as
well as his involvement on seven different Board committees over the years. Oakley has offered his services and his time on the Executive Board, Finance Committee, and Program Committee, to name a few.
“I pride myself on making almost every single meeting. My absentee record is almost nothing,” said Oakley. “If you’re going to do it, you’ve got to do it right.”
Presently, he’s the Club’s Historian. It is a position that the Club leadership made permanent for him in 1986. He added that it was necessary because when the wrecking ball came during the pool’s construction over 15 years ago, the Club unintentionally discarded old records.
“I know the history more than anyone,” said Oakley. “It’s in my head and in my heart.”
Oakley readily admitted that he goofed around in high school.
Yet those antics enabled him to better determine his interests. When teachers stepped in, they placed him in a work study program at School 13. He was responsible there for assisting with the special needs children.
“They thought they were punishing me, but I fell in love with those kids,” said Oakley in 2021. “I fell in love with their smiles.”
“Even if you think that they don’t know what you’re saying, a lot of them do,” he added. “They’re really great kids who need a lot of love and care.”
Oakley spent nearly 40 years in the window business before his retirement, but he never forgot about those smiles. For about 20 years, Oakley has served as a trustee with NJEDDA, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization.
Located at 1481 Main Ave, the organization provides a vast range of special education services. It offers therapies and support to children, teens, and adults living with complex developmental disabilities.
Giving back to others — particularly those who need more support — is something that Oakley and his siblings learned from an early age.
“That’s from my parents. My parents always taught us, ‘You’ve got to give back,’” said Oakley.
They led by example. Aside from their community involvement, Oakley knew the sacrifices that a person makes when they serve their country. The Athenia resident still reveres his father for his 30 years in the Army and always remembers his cousin who was killed in Vietnam.
His respect for veterans was what inspired him to cofound the Avenue of Flags in 2002 with late co-founders John Biegel, Jr. and Walter Pruiksma.
Biegel, aged 83, passed away March 22, 2018 and was a Marine Corp vet, serving during the Korean War. Pruiksma, aged 97, passed away Feb. 6, 2021.
Pruiksma was a World War II vet who landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France as part of Operation Overlord.
Over the two decades, the three men grew the Avenue of Flags tribute on the City Hall campus. Today, the total count exceeds 2,200 flags. Now, as he prepares to depart from Clifton, Oakley was honored with his own flag. It’s an honor that is normally only bestowed to veterans — which is a tradition that he, himself, wouldn’t alter — but he deeply appreciates the gesture.
“I always promised my dad that I’d never forget and always honor servicemen,” said Oakley.
There are other groups that Oakley’s formed connections with over the years. He served for 30 years as a court volunteer on the Juvenile Conference Committee in Passaic County. He was Chairman for the county and the state, focusing on child placement reviews in the juvenile court system.
Separately, Oakley is a member of Clifton Elks Lodge #1569 for 30-plus years. He’s a member of Sons of American Legion as well, serving as commander for both Squadron 8 and the county.
On Dec. 4, 2022, Oakley was honored by The Giblin Association at the 31st Annual Community Service Awards and Charity Breakfast in East Hanover. At the event, he was the recipient of the “Giblin Association Community Service Award – Veteran Advocate” for his years of leadership.
“I carry it with me — all that I’ve done,” said Oakley with humble gratitude.
Yet his greatest love is saved for his family — his wife, Michele; children Kara, Maryfrances, Mathew, and Emilie; and four granddaughters.
When our magazine was getting started, it was Clifton Nostalgia & History that helped to put us on the map. We’re not the only ones with an interest in preserving history and sharing memories of Clifton’s since-past, yet-not-forgotten era. Starting here, we are proud to partner with Mike Finegan (above) and “Clifton New Jersey The Golden Years”. The Facebook group, managed by Finegan and Bobby Cole, was created on Aug. 17, 2015. Its purpose? Creating a space for truly vintage Clifton memories, like these two stories which launch this joint project…
An invasion of Russian tanks. Deployed military forces. Protestors in the streets.
It’s an all-too-familiar scenario—perhaps not the one that you’re envisioning. For Mike Finegan, it’s a reminder that history has a way of repeating itself — if not identically, then with distinct patterns.
Such was the case for a Clifton girl who, like two generations of her family before her, found herself caught up in a conflict. And five decades later, Ariana Puzzo caught up with her thanks to The Golden Years project.
In July 1968, Marlene Bartos, then 13, traveled with her godfather and his wife, native Czechoslovaks, to visit
years prior, her father Joseph left Czechoslovakia when the Communists assumed undisputed control. Joseph’s father, a railroad engineer, left Budapest in 1918 amidst the Hungarian-Romanian War.
Fast forward 50 years, Bartos planned to visit family in Czechoslovakia and sight-see in Europe. When she left her Breezy Hill Ct. home, with the late John and Alzbeta (Pohl) Korenik, the trio had no idea that they’d use a car bought strictly for touring to escape the Soviets.
The 1968 Herald-News story reported they left the central Slovakian town of Divin, home of Joseph’s
family, for a Prague suburb, Benatky, where Alzbeta’s sister lived. They planned to spend a day shopping in Prague before leaving for West Germany. When they turned on the radio Wednesday morning, they learned of the invasion.
“Russian tanks rolled in and we had to get out,” said Bartos, now 68. “It was very unexpected and fast. The goal was to get in a car and get out of the country as quickly as possible.”
Although the specific details are foggy — unsurprising after 55 years and for someone who was so young — there’s a record of Bartos’ chaperones recounting the experience.
“When we turned on the radio, it was pleading with the people to help the tourists, and telling that [sic] the Russians were taking everything,” Alzbeta had told the HeraldNews. “We could even hear shooting over the radio.”
Alzbeta added the Czechoslovaks were 99% in support of Alexander Dubcek’s reformist regime and against Russian intervention. Students took to the streets, chanting, “We don’t care how much blood we lose, we will hold out as long as we can.”
It’s a sentiment echoed more than 50 years later. Except now it’s from Ukrainians who have opposed Russia’s invasion and occupation of their homeland since Feb. 24, 2022. Bartos has a clear understanding of why that message endures.
“The people, at least in my family, who were living under Soviet rule couldn’t openly speak out about their situation without fear of reprisal,” said Bartos. “So I grew up
with the understanding that being under Soviet rule was not anything that anyone wanted voluntarily.”
Bartos said she doesn’t believe many people today realize that the Berlin Wall, for instance, wasn’t meant to keep westerners outside of its limits. “It was keeping people behind the wall, in. I think people are shocked at the idea that you could be killed trying to escape your own country,” continued Bartos. “I think that’s why Ukrainians are willing to die rather than live under that kind of rule.”
Their only child’s safe return home brought great comfort to the late Joseph and Anna (Sotak), the latter of whom passed away at age 95 on Aug. 24, 2022.
Bartos went on to attend then Woodrow Wilson Junior High in the Fall. She graduated with the CHS Class of 1973 and later studied film and television at NYU.
Bartos’ professional career saw her working at an advertising agency and earning her MBA in marketing from Baruch College. Today, she resides in Montclair and works as a managing director/executive producer for Yessian New York, a branch of the global music house.
It was quite a surprise for Bartos to get a reminder of events from nearly 55 years ago. She was also amazed that Finegan had access to the old newspaper clippings.
As for Finegan, family connection to the Bartos and his awareness of history makes keeping clippings perfectly understandable. “The Bartos were friends of our family,” said Finegan. “Joe Bartos, Marlene’s father, visited our
home on East 3rd Street many times. I remember [Joe] and my Uncle Joe discussing European history.”
Made In Clifton.
Dugan Brothers brought it all to Clifton households. Founded by brothers David Dugan and Edward Dugan in 1878, the business spanned well into the 20th century. It grew to become one of the largest and most famous baking organizations in the world.
As the company expanded, it eventually set up a Dugan Brothers Bakery distribution plant at 46 Broad St. The two young men who had started their business with a pushcart, high ideals, and roughly $100 in capital earned the respectable living they dreamed of.
The company stood out for a few reasons. It was the first company to bake 100% whole wheat bread. Dugan’s was among the first of its kind to take products fresh from the oven and deliver it to the home. Another innovation: packaging bread in waxed paper to preserve food value and taste.
Dugan’s grew across the metro area, but its first permanent New Jersey branch was in Montclair. Other locations were in Newark, Asbury Park, Long Branch, Spring Lake, Ocean Grove, and Belmar. But the Clifton plant made headlines for other reasons — both before and after it went out of business in 1966.
On Feb. 28, 1947, the Broad St. building was slightly damaged by a fire. A furnace ignited a nearby partition but was otherwise contained. That wasn’t the company’s first fire. In 1910, a fire razed one of the first big stores in New York. In that case, the inferno changed the course of the Dugan brothers’ lives and saw them transition from general marketing to an exclusively baking business.
Fast forward to March 8, 1968 and another fire broke out — only by then, the Broad St. plant was long gone. News reports from the following day, provided by Mike Finegan, discussed how city officials believed the vacant building was illegally occupied. City manager William Holster set the damage to the 20,000 sq-ft brick structure at $50,000.
Upon investigations by City and Fire Prevention Bureau officials, they discovered that most of the building was filled with thousands of cardboard cartons of artificial flowers — in other words, kindling. The last known owner prior to the blaze, according to police at the time, was Sutton Associates of New York City.
Chief Building Inspector Walter Albrecht announced that he hadn’t seen activity in the building after the departure of Dugan Brothers. There was no certificate of occupancy issued at that time for the building either. Today, the site is even less occupied. It’s across the street from B&B Iron Works, Inc., 1 S Broad St, and is simply a large, vacant lot that contains a variety of construction equipment.
You wouldn’t know it today – not with Getty Ave. running through its right field and its wonderful grandstand with leather-backed chairs long gone. But behind the large reddish brick building at 1500 Main Ave. – the former Doherty Silk Mill – was the original “field of dreams.”
And, on April 29, 1923, George Herman Ruth of the New York Yankees made this lost Clifton field his own.
Before an estimated 12,000 fans and another 5,000 outside the Doherty Oval’s gates, the Babe hit a titanic home run over not one but two fences – the ball traveling anywhere from 400 to 500 feet and rolling to a stop more than 600 feet from the plate.
What followed was nearly as spectacular.
Eleven days before on April 18, 1923, Ruth opened his own “house” – the magnificent Yankee Stadium – belting a game-winning home run to beat Boston. That Sunday morning, thousands of local fans waited outside the Doherty Oval wanting to see the Bambino replicate his feat. The line of people stretched from the ticket booth
and along Main Ave. and ended blocks from Passaic.
The Babe had good memories of the Clifton area and the Doherty Oval. As a member of the 1919 Boston Red Sox, he blasted a three-run shot in a loss to the Silk Sox – earning perhaps the first money he ever received for hitting a home run when mill owner Harry Doherty presented him with a $5 bill. His shot carried some 400-feet and landed on a shed beyond the 275-foot right field fence. Remembering his blast, the Bambino predicted he would earn $20 from Doherty that day.
The Yankees arrived on the 11 am at the Market Street Station in Newark and had lunch in Passaic before going to the ballpark. Ruth traveled to Clifton in his own car, knowing the roads from his frequent trips to friend Jimmy Donohue’s Black Sea Hotel, a speakeasy on the Garfield border near the Passaic River.
By 2 pm, the crowd at the Doherty Oval had snapped up the upper and lower grandstand tickets and bleacher seats. In a roped off area, 2,000 more stood behind the
outfielders at least 10 deep and pressed against the fence. The umpires mandated any ball hit into this crowd would be a ground-rule double. No one there wanted to see any doubles.
By 2:30 pm with 12,000 or more inside, the Doherty Oval’s gates were locked, leaving a mass of disappointed fans outside. During batting practice, the Babe put on a show. After fouling off the first pitch, he slammed the next ball over the center field fence and another
over the right field wall. Three more batting practice homers followed. Outside, fans fought to catch the balls that dropped liked mortars from the sky above.
After Ruth’s batting practice blasts, the Passaic Daily Herald’s Tom Dugan wrote, “The crowd went dippy.”
Since 1916, fans had come to watch games on the Doherty Oval’s lush carpet of green, surpassed only by the turf at the new Yankee Stadium.
It was on this field where mill owner Harry Doherty’s Silk Sox beat great teams, like the New York Giants, the African American Lincoln Giants, Brooklyn Royal Giants and Hilldale Daises, and the Latin Cuban Giants. Unlike the segregated major leagues, any team could play here if they were good enough.
The Doherty Silk Sox players were well paid – some making more in independent ball than they could in the big leagues. Outfielders Jim Eschen, Howard Lohr and Bibbs
Raymond were of major league caliber but remained in semipro ball because of good salaries and the opportunity to hold a steady job and live with their families year-round.
Opposing teams were well-paid, too. That day, the Yankees would receive more than $2,000 from the gate, and Doherty was ready to award any player $5 for a home run hit, especially the Babe.
Every dime Doherty took in from the crowds went to the Red Cross and he posted a sign on the outfield wall saying just that. He also allowed Clifton High to use his beloved ballpark for free and each one of his 1,000 employees was given a pass to every game
Doherty built his ballpark behind the mill (hailed as the largest individual silk weaving plant in the United States) after his baseball-hating father died. Like everything in life, Doherty wanted it to be the best.
“He believed,” son Paul Doherty said, “money was made to be spent.” The Doherty Oval was designed by Henry Fabian in 1916, who maintained the Polo
Grounds for the New York Giants. Fabian gave the job of building it to his aide Michael O’Leary. The results were spectacular.
Seeing the Doherty Oval for the first time in 1922, Chicago Cubs manager Bill Killefer said, “Chicago has the best diamond in the National League. I must admit this has it on our diamond.” The diamond Killefer referred to was located in Cubs Park, soon to be renamed Wrigley Field.
The Silk Sox players also reflected Doherty’s passion for excellence.
During 12 seasons in Clifton, the Silk Sox won just under 400 games, dominating other independent teams, including the famous Brooklyn Bushwicks. Against the talented Black teams, the Silk Sox went 73-77-4. Though Doherty’s team had a losing record in 33 exhibition games against major league outfits, the scores were often close.
But when the circus named Babe Ruth came to town, the Doherty Oval was at its best.
Much to the huge crowd’s delight, the Silk Sox and Yankees played an entertaining, high-scoring game, with each team’s offense helped by the short outfield ringed by a sea of fans. Pitching for the Silk Sox was Milt Gaston, whom the Yankees would sign at the end of the season.
With the Yankees winning, 9-6, in the eighth, Ruth came to the plate. On the day, the Sultan of Swat had walked twice, grounded out and collected an RBI single.
A fan yelled, “Get five, Babe!” referring to Doherty’s home run bonus. “I need it,” Ruth shouted back. “Watch me swing!” Having replaced the tiring Gaston in the eighth, Athenia’s Frank Talcott was on the mound
for the Silk Sox. After graduating from Clifton High, the tall lanky right-hander had gone on to Yale University, becoming the school’s ace pitcher, going 7-0 in 1918.
After a few unsuccessful runs at the big leagues with Detroit and Boston, Talcott returned to the area where he became a chemist and noted semipro hurler.
The last time Talcott faced Ruth –then with the 1919 Boston Red Sox –he walked him. This time there would be no walks. Frank was going after him.
Talcott threw and Ruth fouled the pitch off (or took it wide for a ball, depending on what newspaper writer is to be believed). Frank peered in with his blue eyes again, got the sign from Doherty catcher Paddy Smith, and went into his windup …
At Jimmy Eschen’s 1960 wake, his former Silk Sox teammates gathered at the Wanamaker and Carlough Funeral Home in Sloatsburg, N.Y., to pay tribute to their player-manager. Eschen’s son Larry said it wasn’t long before the conversation turned to the 1923 game against Ruth and the Yankees.
Eschen recalled Talcott, now 62, speaking with his former teammates. As he spoke, Frank drifted back in time and relived the pitch he threw to the Bambino.
“I had a pretty good drop,” Eschen remembered Talcott saying, “so I threw it to Ruth. He hit it nine miles.”
On the second pitch, Babe shot his bulk forward, corkscrewing his bat around and smacking Talcott’s offering with a loud crack. No ball was ever hit in Clifton like it since.
The ball flew high over the Doherty Oval’s right field wall and the fans behind it. The blast kept going, sailing over a second fence that kept people off the bordering railroad tracks. Wendell “Windy” Merrill of the Passaic
Daily Herald wrote: “(Ruth) was down to second base before the ball struck the ground.”
Passaic Daily News writer George H. Greenfield best described the moment:
“Zowie! Twelve thousand necks on twelve thousand shoulders turned simultaneously in the general direction of right field, while twelve thousand throats roared their enthusiastic approval of the feat. The ball traveled so high that it almost became lost in the thick haze that hovered over the desert wastes of Clifton around the hour of sunset. The higher it went the louder the delighted fans shouted and the deeper they gasped.
“The pill came down on the far side of the fence that runs alongside the roadway outside of the Doherty Park. Hitting the ball over the right field wall is not considered much of a feat for a good slugger, but when it journeys over BOTH FENCES, even the most anti-Ruth propagandist will admit it was quite a smack; yes, quite a smack.”
After the home run, hundreds of young fans raced under the outfield ropes, heading toward Ruth after he crossed the plate. Adults followed and the fans soon surrounded the smiling Bambino in the dugout. Next, they pulled him back onto the field and tried lifting him onto their shoulders. The Babe ended up sprawling in the dirt, covered by children.
Fearing their star was in trouble, the Yankees – led by Henry “Hinkey” Haines, a former All-American football star at Penn State – pushed into the crowd to rescue their teammate with their bats outstretched. The fans surged forward, knocking the players to the ground.
Chief William Coughlan and his 14 Clifton policemen rushed to the Yankees aid, as did the Silk Sox players, pulling fans off the Babe and his teammates. A policeman grabbed Ruth and guided him through the crowd – a young fan still clinging to the Bambino’s leg. Other Clifton fans happily invaded the visiting dugout and helped themselves to the Yankees’ baseball equipment.
Throughout the chaos, Ruth had the time of his life.
Greenfield wrote: “Through all the excitement and crush and milling, the Babe retained a high good humor that made a decided hit with everybody … the broad grin
that covered his face all afternoon served to make his popularity grow to even larger proportions.”
After 10-15 minutes of trying to get the fans back in the stands, umpire-in-chief Jake O’Sullivan had no choice but to call the game and declare the Yankees winners.
With Ruth in the clubhouse guarded by policemen, “thousands of kids” waited outside. After the police escorted him to his car, the Babe “pulled into Main Avenue and fairly beat all speed records toward Passaic in an effort to get away from his youthful admirers.”
By 1927, the advent of the automobile caused the crowds to dwindle and Harry Doherty closed his ballpark, making the Silk Sox an exclusive road team. By 1930, Getty Avenue tore through the Doherty Oval’s right field where Ruth’s homer once soared and Clifton’s “field of dreams” was no more.
But 100 years ago this April 29, there was no field more magical. Babe Ruth made sure of that.
Jack DeVries’ book, “The Doherty Silk Sox,” from which some of this story is excerpted, is complete and being shopped to literary agents and publishers. We’ll keep you updated when this unique piece of Clifton history is published.
Dates:
April 13, May 18, June 15
A safe place to share and work on recovery from life's setbacks and hang ups Group focuses on root causes of stress, worry, anxiety and grief Explanations of stress relief worksheets and book discussions School
Location: Clifton Senior Center 900 Clifton Ave (Behind City Hall)
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Our team is committed to alleviating poverty by providing Personal Development, Wellness Workshops and valuable resources that assist families and individuals back to independence.
The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton celebrated its 75th Anniversary with 360 of its closest friends with an evening of dining and dancing on March 9! In addition to reflecting on its rich history of providing inspiring educational and recreational programs for generations of young people, The Club honored the incredible accomplishments of Clifton’s Mayor James Anzaldi.
Special thanks to the Valley Regency for its generous hospitality! The Club is also so appreciative of all the sponsors, advertisers and everyone that bought a ticket to attend the event. We warmly thank the gala’s Signature sponsors:
Corradino & Papa
Mahmoud Ijbara | Realtor
The John & Donna Krenicki Foundation
Sal Anzaldi, John Biegel, Maureen Cameron, Joseph Cupoli, Bobby D’Arco, Cindy DeVos, John Fette, Breyanna Fields, Robert Foster, Tom Hawrylko, Mansfield (Joe) Holmes, Melissa Inoa, Richard Mariso, Henry Marrocco, Kieth Oakley, Gregory Reinholt, Chris Street, Alexandra Zeszotarski.
Save The Dates:
Food Truck Festival - May 21
Car Show - September 10
Taste of Clifton - October 16
Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner - November 17
Dine To Donate
Mention the Boys & Girls Club when you dine-in or take-out and we will receive a portion of proceeds as a donation to The Club’s Annual Campaign!
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
April 19th & 20th – 852 NJ Route 3
Bruno’s Pizza
April 17th & 18th – 1006 US Hwy 46
Neil’s Pizza
April 20th & 21st – 57 Harding Ave
Sombrero Tacoria
April 19th & 20th 850 Van Houten Ave.
Grande Saloon
18th-20th - 940 Van Houten Ave.
UNO Chicago Grill
17th & 18th - 426 NJ-3
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If Clifton is going to make it back to the Passaic County baseball championship game, they’ll need Kyle Rogers to be…well, Kyle Rogers.
The Mustangs are less experienced than they’ve been in recent years, and they will need their senior left-hander to be in his normal form.
Last season, Rogers was outstanding, going 7-1 with 65 strikeouts and a 1.88 ERA. He also batted .431 with seven extra base hits. He will play first base on non-pitching days.
Rogers is arguably the best pitcher in Passaic County, and has power in both his arm and his swing; he had a .569 slugging percentage last season.
He will have some veteran support in senior Angel Urdaneta, who will start at third and play first when Rogers pitches after playing behind the plate as a junior.
Junior center fielder Carlos Nunes is the Mustangs’ third and final returnee with significant varsity experience. He will lead off for Clifton, as well.
“Carlos is a very good hitter,” said Clifton head coach Joe Rivera. “He is fast, he can bunt, and now he’s at the top of the order.”
Senior Jeremy Sanchez will take Urdaneta’s place behind the plate, while junior Najib Duversaint play shortstop. The remaining infield spots will be occupied by whomever emerges among juniors Miguel Checo and Angel Gerardo and freshman Trevor Rascher.
Sophomore Andrew Gibney has been a standout in the preseason and will start in left field. Second in the order, he has looked good in scrimmages. Senior Aiden Pichardo will reside in right field. Senior Marcos Betances is the Mustangs’ fourth outfielder.
The Mustangs went 19-6 last year, losing to Passaic County Tech in the Passaic County final. They lost to Livingston in the North I, Group IV quarterfinals.
“We have to mix and match this year,” said Rivera. “And I have to do my job as coach. Every game and every practice we’ll get better.”
Ish Falcon is a firm believer that the success of a softball team directly correlates with success pitching. For that reason, Falcon is hopeful that his new group of pitchers can grow up quickly and guide the 2023 Mustangs to a successful spring.
“For me, pitching is 99.9% of the game,” Falcon said. “All three of our pitchers are working hard and if we pitch, we will be OK. We just have to make sure we do our job pitching.”
Senior Angie Gonzales will be Clifton’s new top hurler, having pitched at the youth level. Last year’s starting center fielder, she will play in the 8-spot again when not in the circle.
When Gonzales pitches, junior Mia Joyce—Clifton’s second pitcher in the rotation—will play centerfield. Joyce, who makes good contact and runs the bases well, will also be the Mustangs lead-off hitter.
Freshman Sydney Reeb will see time in the circle, as well. Reeb is a control pitcher who impressed in the Mustangs’ recent scrimmage against Bloomfield.
Another freshman, Josie Zagorski, will be the Mustangs’ catcher. Quick with a strong arm, she has shown great potential early on. Senior Jayleen Aviles will have big shoes to fill with the graduation of Kate Louer, but she is a good defensive player who makes good contact and is up for the challenge.
Junior Jackie Vizcaino is a strong hitter who will play second. Sophomore Isabella Franco will play shortstop and junior Kiara Coy is back at third base. Freshman Vanessa Zapata and junior Briana D’Oleo will fill in at multiple infield spots.
Junior Jazz Feliciano and senior Grace Garruto are Clifton’s left and right fielders, respectively. Senior Olivia Krynski is the Mustangs’ fourth outfielder.
Freshman Jordan Kulesa is a true utility player and will see time in both the infield and outfield.
Apr 3 Fair Lawn 4:15pm
Apr 6 Paramus Cath 4pm
Apr 10 @ Eastside 11am
Apr 12 JFK 4pm
Apr 14 @ Passaic Val 4pm
Apr 15 Hawthorne 2:30pm
Apr 17 Passaic 4:30pm
Apr 19 @ DePaul 4pm
Apr 20 @North Bergen 4pm
Apr 21 PCTI 4pm
Apr 24 Bergen Tech 4:30pm
Apr 25 @Caldwell 4pm
Apr 26 Eastside 4:15pm
Apr 28 @Montclair 4pm
May 1 @Passaic 4:30pm
May 3 Hackensack 4:15pm
May 8 @JFK 4pm
May 10 @Bergen Tech 4:30pm
May 12 Wayne Valle 4:15pm
May 15 @PCTI 4pm
May 17 @Lakeland 4:15pm
From rear left: Olivia Krynski, Kiara Coy, Sydney Reeb, Isabella Franco, Jordan Kulesa, Jackeline Vizciano, Josephine Zagorski. Front from left: Briana D’Oleo, Jazzlin Feliciano, Jayleen Aviles, Angela Gonzales, Grace Garruto, Vanessa Zapata. Not pictured: Mia Joyce.
With all the success of Fighting Mustangs head coach Ralph Cinque and the Clifton football team, his wife, Lindsey Cinque, had to get in on the fun.
An assistant in the Clifton girls flag football team’s inaugural season, she takes over the squad as head coach this year, looking to build a foundation for a strong program for years to come.
“I am ridiculously competitive and I say all the time. Seeing Ralph coach, I have learned so much in terms of building a program,” Cinque said. “And I wanted to do the same thing.”
an eligible receiver in flag play. “Natalie will be more of a blocker,” Cinque said. “She is in a league of her own athletically. I can go to her and she will do anything we need her to do.”
2 @ Passaic 6:30pm
May 11 Paramus 6:30pm
May 16 @JFK 6:30pm
The Mustangs were 1-5 last year, but are optimistic that they can earn more victories with junior Kiara Coy starting at quarterback for a second consecutive year. A softball player as well, Coy has a strong arm and is working to develop touch on short-range passes. Speedy, she is a threat to score with her arm or her legs.
Junior Sierra Fisbeck will be the Mustangs’ top receiver, senior Kaylee Miller, junior Emilia Wilk and sophomore Meagan Valido also split wide. Junior Carly Stoepker will be the starting running back.
Senior Natalie Leach will play center, a position that is
Valido and Wilk will be the “rushers” on defense, with Stoepker, Miller, sophomore Amanda Presutto and junior Nicole Acuna playing linebacker. Sophomore Kayla Acuna will be the last line of defense at safety.
The program is still a work in progress, but that should not create the impression that Cinque will settle for simply fielding a team. She wants her team to compete.
The Mustangs put in time participating in speed and conditioning training with some of the boys players two days per week this offseason, and are fully aiming to replicate the fall football team’s success in the spring.
“I have two goals,” Cinque said. “I want to win and I want to build a program. I see so much potential in the girls. I see how hard they want to work and how much they want to learn. Seeing how hard they work drives me to work even harder for them.”
The COVID-19 pandemic hit Clifton’s track squads particularly hard. Numbers suffered the last few years but seem to be ticking up, giving the Mustangs optimism that this spring can be another successful one.
“We always finish respectably,” said girls head coach Kareem West. “But the last few years with numbers down, the girls team hasn’t come in first place in a while. We do have some better numbers this year and hopefully we can overcome that threshold and win something.
As they look to take down rival Passaic County Tech in both division and county competition, they’ll rely heavily on senior Remy Dubac, one of the program’s greatest-ever athletes.
Dubac is the program record holder in the 1500m and 3000m and holds a host of indoor records for Clifton, as well. Junior Deborah Amoh will compete in the high hurdles, long jump, high jump (wherein she jumps an impres-
sive five feet) and as one of the legs of the Mustangs’ 4x4 relay team. Sophomore Mia DeVita is positioning herself as the face of the program’s future. DeVita is a sprinter and a leg of the 4x4 group and has impressed West with her consistent improvement.
As for head coach John Pontes and the Mustang boys, the team will look for another big year from senior Hisham Ettayebi, who broke the legendary Jacob Heredia’s indoor mark in the 2-mile with a time of 9:24.
Seniors Ben Nelkin and Christian Grant lead a strong sprinting group. Grant also competes as a long jumper. The Mustangs boast a talented trio of throwers, as well, in senior Nazareth Aquino, senior Melvin Almonte and junior Elias Ragsdale. Sophomore Lamarr Olive is a young standout in distance events.
“I think we’ve got a lot of potential, but as any coach would say, potential is a dangerous thing,” Pontes said. “We can’t make it dangerous to us. We have to make it dangerous to our opponents.”
Mike Velez knows winning lacrosse.
The first-year Mustangs head coach has been part of title teams at Glen Ridge and Madison, and has also had coaching stints at Bergen Catholic and Kean University. And although he is candid about the state of his program as it heads into the 2023 season, he is hopeful that this can be the first year of something special.
“We are young,” Velez said. “It’s a work in progress. I am not going to sugar coat it. But in the end, it’s lacrosse. We have to pick up the ball, have good stick skills and score.”
Senior Jacob Vasquez is a prototypical crease defender with solid stick skills. He will play alongside senior James Troller, whose hockey experience is apparent when he gets physical on ground balls. Juan Castrillon, a sophomore, will start on defense, as well.
Senior Deven Desai is back to start at goalie. Desai moves well and is technically sound, and can make the routine and tough saves.
Clifton’s top returning player is midfielder Nate Ceneri. A junior, he is equally adept on both ends of the field and has both a left and right hand. He will be joined by senior Gavin Quinones, a strong dodger who can shoot from anywhere. Sophomore Colton Sargo, who has club experience, will complete the trio. Sophomore Chase Avalon will be the Mustangs’ longstick middy, and sophomore Alexander Moore will see time in the midfield rotation when not playing attack.
On attack, Moore will team with sophomore Joseph Petriella and freshman Benjamin Smith to form a talented young offensive group.
Velez hopes that the squad can develop into a successful one and hopes that he can use the program’s history to show his players that Clifton can be a force in Passaic County.
“I have known of the traditions and past success from the 1970s,” Velez said. “I am not sure if the [current players] know that. It is super important to know where Clifton lacrosse has been and where it can get back to.”
Clifton girls lacrosse made some strides last spring. Now, it’s all about turning a corner. The Mustangs enter this season looking to build on an 8-13 season that saw them win three of their last four games and continue to trend the program in the right direction.
“It shows that we are getting somewhere,” said head coach Amanda Gryszkin. “We are taking baby steps and other teams know that we aren’t going to back down. We come to play, we learn, and the girls work hard.”
Clifton’s midfield is certainly solid, with senior Kaylee Miller bringing experience, good stick skills and a high lacrosse I.Q. to the field. Junior Carly Stoepker figures to be a key offensive contributor and sophomore Meagan Valido is a second-year starter with the talent to be the cornerstone of the program for the next few years.
On the attack will be junior Ottilia Kedl and sophomores Emelia Wilk
Briana Moyse, Kailyn Rodriguez, Gianna Colon, Paris Arroyo, Taina LaBril. Middle row: Ella Carlo, Kayle Miller, Meagan Valido, Amanda Presutto, Carly Stoepker, Emilia Wilk, Jailyn Rodriguez, Violet Hernandez, Jahayra Herrera Apreza. Back row: Angie Eljerou, Zayda Murphy, Kate Acre, Natalie Leach, Olivia Irala, Viviana Santiago, Ottilia Kedl, Casey Wellins, Layla Lampignano, Saleena Boutros-Sparios, Jianna Kennedy.
and Brianna Moyse. Members of the Clifton midfield will likely rotate in as attackmen, as well.
The defense will be a rotation of juniors in Zayda Murphy, Kate Arce, Casey Wellins and Amanda Presutto and senior first-year player Natalie Leach. Freshman Gianna Tolon is taking the place of now-graduated AlyseTurk in the goal. “I do think I have a very versatile group,” Gryszkin said. “It’s just about fitting the pieces of the puzzle together.”
The Mustangs think that after a mediocre 13-13 season, they can make a huge leap with a largely intact volleyball roster.
Despite losing the likes of Jacob Zybura and Nathaniel Maksymiw to graduation, Clifton brings back a host of talent to the floor and look primed for a big spring.
Speaking of big, the Mustangs have two 6’4” seniors manning the middle. Volodymyr “Vova” Voroshchuk is back after a 79-kill, 53-dig year, while Mohand Abdelkarim has emerged as a new face with a high ceiling.
Senior Lukas Ferrada, whose team-high 75 digs demonstrated his defensive prowess in 2022, is back at outside hitter. Junior Nathaniel Fisbeck has played a lot of private ball in the offseason and could have a breakout year.
“This group has a lot of energy,” said head coach Jorge Rodriguez. “We have got to be able to use it, not overdoing too much, with everyone knowing their role and job.” That is something Rodriguez has preached over his tenure.
Junior Lauro Barrantes will play the opposite side. Junior Adrian Nemeth will be the team’s setter but will see time on the right side, as well.
Sophomore Nick Doktor will be in the setter rotation, and senior Pawel Holak will serve as a utility player, of sorts, mostly seeing time as an outside hitter or defensive specialist.
“The goal is like always—to get the best seed possible, and host some games, and make a run for championships,” said Rodriguez. “Everyone needs to stay positive and communicate with each other. We have the capability to be good at everything.”
Shirah Wittwer is excited about her tennis roster this spring. The Mustangs aren’t the most experienced team in the area, but they are athletic, enthusiastic and talented enough to make the fifth-year head coach hopeful that they may surprise in 2023.
“We have some really athletic kids,” Wittwer said. “And these guys want to show up every day and get better.”
Junior first singles player Patrick DuBois is a program player who has risen to the team’s top slot. The first singles role means he will face stiff competition nearly every match, but he has invested in himself and played a lot during the offseason.
Junior Pratham Gandhi is a first-year player who has quickly risen to the second singles spot. He has shown moxie on the clay and is quick, agile and good on the serve. His ability to read the court is exceptional in spite of his inexperience.
Senior Ego Feijoo, last season’s second singles player, has put in a ton of work this offseason and will play third singles.
Twin freshmen Adrian and Alex Wilson-King are a duo of court technicians with strong forehands and backhands and will take the court in the first doubles circuit.
Junior Marcelo Murphy and sophomore Abdullah Aref will play second doubles for the Mustangs.
May
May
May
These four students, one from each grade, were selected by the vice principals at CHS, to be spotlighted for their personal achievements and school-wide contributions.
After an untraditional middle school education experience, Anthony Stella and many of his peers have adjusted to life in high school.
Stella (CHS 2026) said that his favorite subject in school is history because of “the environment in the classroom and how my teacher makes everything interactive.” His freshman year history teacher is Mr. Paul Hlat, who he named as his most influential teacher.
“He has such positive vibes, and I look forward to going to his class,” said Stella.
Stella noted a few reasons why he believes he has experienced success so far at CHS. Stella’s main reason is that he has worked hard and completed all of his assignments. He added that he has good friends by his side.
He credited the people who raised him as well.
“My parents inspire me to work hard and be dedicated to any activities and work that I decide to do,” said Stella.
Stella doesn’t currently partake in CHS extracurricular activities. He does enjoy spending time with friends after school and playing basketball in his free time. Stella continued by saying that he’s open to looking into CHS’ academic programs.
“Having a sister who attended the MSU program, I am considering this option to further my education,” he said.
Ava Acuna sees the value of critical thinking skills. It is what makes math and science appealing for the CHS sophomore.
Yet the CHS Class of 2025 Mustang doesn’t see one single contributor for her passion.
“I can’t say that I have exactly one teacher who has been the most influential because all of my teachers, including those from my freshman year, have been key elements in my success,” said Acuna.
But she does have some inspirations, both inside and outside of the Colfax Avenue building. In school, she admires teachers Mr. Rafat Ewais, Mr. Michael Cadmus, and Mr. Richard Rando. They have all “inspired me to do my best.”
“And my mother,” added Acuna, “for being a pillar of strength for me.”
Acuna is a member of the CHS Cheer team. She also founded a book club with media teacher Mrs. Nil Sendul, and she is a member of the group Heroes & Cool Kids. Ahead of the fall, Acuna has enrolled in the Bergen Community College (BCC) – Early College Program.
So has she succeeded in her transition to CHS?
“Yes I have,” she said. “With the help of my teachers, peers, and family, I have been able to transition from middle school to high school.”
Anthony Stella, Ava Acuna, Neal Jariwala, Christian Grant.Family is the biggest source of inspiration for Neal Jariwala. The CHS junior said that without his family’s “neverending support”, he wouldn’t have reached where he is today.
“They have made countless sacrifices to help me achieve my goals and to provide the many opportunities that I have been given,” said Jariwala (CHS 2024). “And, for that, I will be forever grateful.”
Life after CHS includes going to college and majoring in Computer Science. Jariwala has not yet determined which college, but he knows he wants to work in the tech industry. He added that his interest in Computer Science stems from its creativity and innovation.
Jariwala enjoys US History. He said that he likes learning about events and historical figures. He identified social studies teacher Mr. Michael Rogers as an influential figure in his education.
“His lessons are enjoyable and his teaching methods help students understand complex topics,” said Jariwala. “He’s also a very empathetic teacher and willing to go the extra mile to support his students whenever they need help.”
Jariwala isn’t involved with CHS athletics, but he still has a packed schedule. He is the vice president of the Coding Club, a member of the Hindu Student Association, and a member of the Investment Club.
One major hurdle for Christian Grant was the leap from Distance Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to returning to the classroom. During that time, the senior said that his grades and his way of learning needed to adjust.
Yet he had the motivation to make it work. Grant also had the inspiration from his mother.
“My mom has lupus, battled breast cancer, and she needs a kidney,” said Grant (CHS 2023). “But she gets up every day and continues to keep a smile on her face.”
“She is what keeps me going,” he added.
Grant hopes to become a Marketing Manager in the future. Pitching to big businesses is what excites him and he plans to get his start at Felician University.
He currently runs for CHS’ Track & Field team. Outside of school extracurricular activities, Grant also tries to assist at his grandmother’s nursing home.
In the classroom, Grant is interested in learning about history.
“I love learning about our time and how we were brought up as a nation and as people,” he said.
Grant’s most inspirational teacher is Mr. Matthew O’Brien.
“He is very passionate about his job [and] he’s very fun to be around,” said Grant. “[He’s] also so real as a teacher.”
Summer Fun in the Sun Camp Program runs for two (2), three (3) week sessions.
Session 1: July 5 – July 21
Session 2: July 24 – August 11
The program will run Monday through Friday from 9 am – 3 pm (no camp on July 3rd & 4th).
The cost of the program is $150 (residents)/ $240 (nonresidents) per session. In addition to the daily activities conducted, there will be trips/special events offered for additional fees.
Participants must be 5 as of October 1, 2022 through 13 as of October 1, 2022. Children completing 9th grade or who are 15 years of age or older, should apply for the Future Leaders Program (see details on the facing page).
The Summer Fun in the Sun Camp Program is run completely outdoors only, in these parks:
Albion Park (201 Maplewood Avenue)
Mt. Prospect Park (341 Mt. Prospect Avenue)
Nash Park (700 Lexington Avenue)
Stefan Tatarenko Park (55 Broaddale Avenue)
All registration will be conducted online at www.cliftonrec.com beginning April 24th.
Email cliftonrec@cliftonnj.org
The Future Leaders Program is described as a counselor in training program designed for young teens to learn the responsibilities of becoming a summer program counselor in the future.
Teens who have completed 9th grade and up, or are age 15 or older are eligible for this program. The cost of the program is $55 (Residents Only), which includes two T-shirts.
Additional costs apply to attend trips scheduled during the program. Future Leaders will be responsible for assisting in daily activities with the summer programs. Participants will be required to attend all orientation sessions, and staff meetings as well as be available for 5 of the 6 weeks that the summer program is being conducted.
Register at www.cliftonrec.com beginning April 24th.
June Camps
Martial Arts: June 19-29, 3:50 to 4:50 pm, Ages 7-14, $70R / $80NR, M-Th Learn the basics of Karate and Ninjutsu in 8 lessons.
Outdoor Basketball Camp: Info and details to come.
July Camps
Fun on the Farm: July 5-14, 9 am to 11 am, Ages 5-8, $125 R/NR, M W F Care for animals, plants and gardens on the City Green Farm.
Baseball/Pitchers/Catchers: July 10-13, 9 am to noon. Ages 7-17, $125 R/NR, M-Th Train on the WWMS field with CHS Mustang baseball coaches.
Underground Explorers: July 10-14, 1-4 pm, Ages 6-12, $215 R/NR Study bones fragments, pottery shards, amber deposits and fossils.
Gross Out Science: July 10-14, 9 am to noon, Ages 6-12, $215 R/NR Learn about burping, boogers, gas, germs and other gross fun stuff.
Volleyball Camp: July 10-14, 6:30- 8 pm, Ages 8-15, $80 R/NR Develop individual skills and learn more about the game.
Our Planet, Our World, Steam Art: July 17-21, 9 am to noon, Ages 5-10, $215 R/NR Design wind sculptures, sea globes, explore STEAM concepts & Earth care.
Fun on the Farm: July 17-28, 9 am to 11 am, Ages 5-8, $150 R/NR, M W F Care for animals, plants and gardens on the City Green Farm.
Baseball Skills: July 17-20, 9 am to noon, Ages 7-17, $125 R/NR, M-Th The basics are drilled at WWMS field with CHS Mustang baseball coaches.
Game Design Coding: July 24-28, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-12, $215 R/NR Build, code and play with robots as part of STEM studies.
Ninja Warriors: July 24-27, 9:30 am to noon, Ages 5-12, $215 R/NR, M-Th Aspiring Ninjas climb, swing, jump and train on an obstacle course.
Descriptions, locations and registration: cliftonrec.com
Fun on the Farm: July 31 - Aug. 11, 9-11 am, Ages 5-8, $150 R/NR, M W F Care for animals, plants and gardens on the City Green Farm.
Broadway Camp: July 31- Aug 4, 9 am to 3 pm, Ages 6-9, $215 R/NR
Learn the songs and score of Encanto & Moana with a last day performance.
Pickleball for Kids: Info and details to come.
August Camps
Future Engineers: Aug. 7-11, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-12, $155 R/NR
Build up to 8 working models with STEM teachers using your own engineering kit.
Puppet Theater: Aug. 7-11, 9 am to noon, Ages 4-7, $155 R/NR 1 to 4 pm, Ages 8-11, $155 R/NR Mix visual arts with performance and bring puppets to life.
Teen Entrepreneurs: Aug. 7-11, Noon to 3:30, Ages 13-16, $155 R/NR, Brainstorm with others and create your own e-commerce business.
Aug. 14-18, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-12, $155 R/NR
Construct 14 different solor powered robots using your robot kit!
Aug 14-18, 9 am to noon, Ages 5 - 10, $215 R/NR
The solar system, meteors, meteoroids, constellations and more!
Redbulls Soccer Mini Bulls Aug 14-18, 9-10:30 am, Ages 4-5, $215 R/NR
Redbulls Half Day: Aug 14-18, 8:30 am to noon, Ages 6-14, $260 R/NR
Redbulls Full Day: Aug 14-18, 8:30 am to 3 pm, Ages 9-12, $315 R/NR
All players receive t-shirt, ball, scorecard and ticket to Red Bulls game.
Intro to Sewing Machine: Aug 21-25, 1 to 4 pm, Ages 7 to 10, $155 R/NR On a real sewing machine, make useable and wearable items!
Jewelry Design: Aug 21-25, 9 am to noon, Ages 8-13, $155 R/NR
Use beads, materials and tools to create one-of-a-kind jewelry!
Team P.R.A.I.S.E. was honored to be chosen as JAGONE Youth Team of the Year. The Clifton team received free Seton Hall Men’s Basketball tickets to the Feb. 24 game against No. 16 Xavier. Despite a 60-82 loss at Newark’s Prudential Center, P.R.A.I.S.E. leader Gabriella Marriello said it was a fun night for all.
Clifton Parents Requiring Assistance In Special Education is a non-adversarial support group for parents/families of disabled children and adults. Founded by Board of Education Commissioner Judy Bassford, she asked Mar-
riello to lead the group after her election to a seat. Marriello has led the group for the last 12 years. Alongside her husband, Robert, they manage baseball and bowling seasons that are inclusive for all children.
The Clifton P.R.A.I.S.E. 2023 Spring Baseball season kicked off April 2 at Albion Field 1, located at 237 Maplewood Rd. For the season’s full schedule, email cliftonpraise@gmail.com.
Join the private group “Clifton P.R.A.I.S.E.” on Facebook for the latest updates.
Helping others is second nature for Terry Contrino Putignano. Yet she felt honored on March 21 when recognized with five additional women by the City Council for the Clifton Woman of the Year 2023.
Councilwoman Lauren Murphy chose Putignano (CHS 1975) for helping over 75 people secure COVID-19 vaccination appointments in 2021. Putignano saw the difficulty that many people faced with appointment access and wanted to make the experience easier.
“My mother [Rose Contrino] had the saying, ‘Do good and then forget it’. I did it, and I forgot it,” said Putignano, 65. “I never expected anything in return because I live by her motto.”
An RN for over 40 years. Putignano retired early due to a physical disability in the early 2020s. Prior to retiring, Putignano was a surgical operating room nurse at Morristown Medical Center.
By Ariana PuzzoFive of the six remaining Council members nominated the following women for their citywide, community-oriented contributions.
Councilman Tony Latona nominated Cathy Murtha, who runs the Columbiette Blanket Ministry of Saint Philip the Apostle Parish. Murtha collaborates with the local community to donate items such as hats and blankets to those in need.
Councilman Joseph Kolodziej nominated Tova Felder. Unable to attend the meeting, Kolodziej’s prepared remarks acknowledged Felder’s 20-year residency in Clifton and creation of the Clifton News and Community group on Facebook. Kolodziej lauded Felder’s commitment to keeping an online space informed of local news and noted her contributions as editor of The Clifton Times.
She used a decades-long inclination to help others and her tech savviness to find new purpose during that transition. One way was by connecting with the “Northern New Jersey Covid Vaccine Angels”. Although she wasn’t a group member, Putignano said that she used many of their tips and tricks to secure appointments, anywhere from the Meadowlands to CVS stores. Sometimes staying awake as late as midnight or waking up at 6 am when there were new openings.
“Some family members and a lot of neighbors and friends of family were not going to have the motivation to do the work that I was doing almost joyfully,” said Putignano about what motivated her. “I enjoyed the challenge and decided to share it … because I found it almost kind of easy.”
She added that many people reacted as though they “won the lottery” when she gave them their appointment confirmations. Putignano also saw the effect it had on her own well being.
“I was so glad to be functioning in some helpful way related to the health field,” said Putignano. “It did me as much good as everyone else.”
Councilwoman Rosemary Pino nominated Ruth Dippe, who has served as a leader for over 35 years in Clifton’s Latino community. Dippe was the first Latina in Clifton to run for a seat on the Board of Education. Although ultimately unsuccessful, her other community efforts have resulted in the now 13-year tradition of the Colombian Flag Raising. She is the secretary of the Latino Leaders of Clifton.
Councilwoman Mary Sadrakula nominated Gabriella Marriello, who has led the Clifton Parents Requiring Assistance In Special Education (P.R.A.I.S.E.) support group for 12 years. During the school year, Marriello organizes monthly meetings on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 pm. For info, email cliftonpraise@gmail.com or join the private group “Clifton P.R.A.I.S.E.” on FB.
Mayor Ray Grabowski nominated Margaret Beissel, who has served our children and families as a crossing guard for 48 years. Beissel was an active voice in the unions and has consistently worked in the best interest of other crossing guards. Grabowski acknowledged how she always watches out for children and often kept dog treats on hand for our city’s leashed friends.
Mayor Ray Grabowski and Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett, who is also Chair of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, with Congressman Pascrell and Fr. Milton Camargo, administrator of St. Brendan Church, which is on the corner of Lakeview and Crooks Aves., on March 16. A mile of Lakeview, from Crooks to Clifton Ave., will get a redesign to improve safety using a $5.8 million federal grant awarded to Passaic County. Pascrell recalled how since 1998, he has been fighting to bring road improvement funds to Clifton and the region, beginning with the redesign of Route 21.
St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church, at 81 Washington Ave., hosts a sale on April 22, 10 am to 4 pm to support Ukrainian soldiers and their families. Handmade jewelry, Ukrainian art and baked goods as well as household items, used clothing, tools, toys and furniture will be for sale. No pets or strollers and small children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own bags. For more info, call the church at 973-546-2473.
A Fish & Chips Dinner is April 7 at the Clifton Masonic Lodge, 1484 Van Houten Ave., from 5-7 pm. Tickets for adults are $18 and children (under 9) are $13. Dinners will be served in to-go containers and chicken dinners are available upon advanced request. For info/tickets, call Bob at 973-779-4296 or call/text Jim at 973-766-6046.
Learn about managing stress, anxiety, and grief with Power of One’s Kim Castellano. Upcoming dates are April 13, May 18 and June 15, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Senior Barn, 900 Clifton Ave. Register for the free series by emailing info@powerofoneccom.org or calling 862-239-5905. The series is open to people of all ages who want to learn about stress, anxiety, and finding hope. Call Castellano at 201328-2326 or email kim@powerofoneccom.org.
Clifton Rec and MSU’s Department of Rec host a Safety Rally on April 15 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at MSU. The event is $50 per person and includes a CPR Module, First Aid Module, and written test. To earn your American Red Cross Certification, pre-register at cliftonrec.com. Online registration ends April 13.
Mayor Ray Grabowski cut the ribbon to The Lux Hair Lounge, 707 Van Houten Ave., on March 26. Owner Jessica Rodrigues is pictured with her kids Paisley and Bradley and Frank Marretta. Maria and John DeGraaf “pinned” their son Alec as a Lt. in the US Air Force on March 9. Alec completed officer training in Alabama, Alec is stationed in Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburg, NY in charge of aircraft maintenance.
Michael Salerno and Tanya Rudd, CHS 1983. Their Nov. 18 reunion is at the Grande Saloon. Find out details on FB. Don’t forget, in July we’ll be featuring the “Where are these Mustangs today” edition, which will take us back to, 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973, 1963 and maybe more!
Clifton Rec and Ivy Rehab Workshops offer free “Balance and Fall Prevention” workshops for adults 65 and up. on April 18 from 2-3 pm on the 2nd Floor of 1011 Clifton Ave. Register at cliftonrec.com. For more info, call the Rec Dept. at 973-470-5956.
“My Favorite Things” is displayed through April 29, Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 1-4 pm, a the Clifton Arts Center. The Clifton Association of Artists (CAA) members favorite things include art in oil, acrylic, pastels, photography, watercolor, and sculpture from amateur and professional artists. As visitors tour the gallery, they can consider what some of their own favorite things are to appreciate. Call the Arts Center’s office at 973-472-5499 or visit cliftonartscenter.org.
Play Bingo, Eat Sundaes on April 23 from 3-5 pm, at 1232 Main Ave. Cost is $6. All attendees must have a ticket even if they do not choose to play BINGO. Participants of all ages can win prizes while enjoying ice-cream sundaes and friendly competition. Pre-register by April 21 at 2 pm at cliftonrec.com.
Passaic County 200 Club’s Valor Awards is May 9 at 6 pm to honor Passaic County’s heroic Police, Fire, and EMS First Responders at The Brownstone, Paterson.
Tickets are $75 and will not be sold at the door. Buy tickets at: pc200club.org/valor/tickets.php.
If you choose to make a donation or purchase tickets the old fashioned way, make checks payable to: Passaic County 200 Club, and mail to: 41 Chestnut Ct. Cedar Grove, NJ, 07009. For info, call President Christine Schultz at 973-202-3295.
The Passaic County 200 Club was founded in 1989 thanks to Robert Lieb, one of about 200 similiar organizations across the US. Their main mission is to present a check in the amount of $10,000 to a family within 48 hours of the death of their loved one who served either as a police officer, firefighter, or EMS professional.
The PC 200 Club will also provide support for the college educations of children affected by the loss.
Though incomparable to the value of a life, the organization hopes to help the families navigate the difficult times that accompany such a loss.
Find out more at pc200club.org.
Clifton Cares (high school volunteers above) is collecting items to ship to service people across the globe. Through April 30 bring Ramen noodles, beef jerky, crackers, gum, power bars, and all kinds of cookies and candy to city hall. Notes from kids and adults written to those in service are always appreciated. Monetary donations to Clifton Cares are needed since packages cost $20 each to mail. Make checks to Clifton Cares Inc., and mail to City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013. To tell of deployed military members overseas, call Chris Liszner at 973-650-2719.
No foolin’! Ken Peterson (CHS ‘08) and Nicole Rosoline (PC ‘08) made it official on April 1.
Send May dates & names... tomhawrylkosr@gmail.com
Mustang’s Co-ed Cheer team had a 7-1 season, becoming 2023 Big North Liberty Division Champions for the second consecutive year.
The top title was earned when the Mustangs competed and dominated in the New Jersey State Cheer and Dance Championships on Feb. 25 at Brookdale Community College in Middletown.
After giving it their all on the mat and receiving zero deductions — or “hitting 0” — Clifton earned the title of 2023 State Champions in the Intermediate Co-Ed Division.
The Cheer team’s prior win was in 2019.
“Earning this title is a huge accomplishment and shows that all the hard work and dedication paid off,” said head coach Gina Matano. “Our team has been working hard since August, all for this very moment.”
Matano, with assistant coaches Samantha Segda, Sarah Post, and Laura Tunnel, worked with the team. The coaches and 17 athletes, ranging from freshmen to seniors, devoted many hours of their time in training to achieve the honor.
“It showed our team that they can achieve anything they set their minds to,” said Matano. “We anxiously await next season and are hopeful for another successful season.”
