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Clifton Merchant • February 2014 3
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant4
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Domenick RedaCarol Leonard Jack DeVries
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© 2014 Tomahawk Promotions
Table of Contents
The Zelenka’s AdventureWildlife at their Rosemawr Home
The Frugal YaremkoJazz Guy is a Savvy Shopper
The Barans of RichfieldThey are a Valentine Trio
Lakeview’s SotambasSweetness at Home & Work
Robin Hood Park, 1964The Kocsis & Schmidt Chemistry
Hunkele on the DiamondLove Found on Eddie Mayo Field
What’s Inside?
Krygsmans are FlyingSilky Music in this Marriage
6
10
14
20
28
34
40
Join us as we growClifton Merchant Magazine andTomahawk Promotions has part
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Send resume and a letter:[email protected]
See Super BowlFamily Party
photos on our 2014 Clifton Map Insert
Three Clifton PoetsWin Ginsberg Awards
Sculpture Park GrowsOld Metal, New Designs
Arts, Culture, EventsGet Out & Enjoy Clifton
Happy 100th Birthday Helen Braviak Horack
Clifton B-Ball HistoryOur NBA Hall of Famer
44
58
63
68
74
Readers: Send us a note and tell us how a teacher made a difference in your life. Be sure to include your phone number. Mail to [email protected].
Liberty Tax Service at Richfield Shopping Center is� doingdouble� duty� for� the� Boys�&�Girls� Club� and�Clifton� residents.
Now� through� April� 10,� franchise
owner�Mary�Ann�Hatala�Bowen�will
make�a�donation�of�$20�to�the�club
and�give�you�$20�off�your�tax�prepa-
ration�when�you�file�your�2013�tax
returns�through�her�office.
Liberty Tax-Allwood
1344 Clifton Ave. Richfield Center
(Next to Boston Market)
Clifton NJ 07012
973-778-0700
Liberty Tax Service at Richfield Shopping CenterOffers $20 Discount & $20 Donation to the Club
Like�us�on�Facebook�Liberty�Tax-Allwood
Valid through April 10, 2014
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 5
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant6
On Valentine’s Day eve, Laura Zelenka will be pack-ing her bags. No,� she’s� not� bailing� on� her� 42-year-marriage�to�husband�Gerald.��
Their�marriage�is�strong�and�things�are�stable�at�their
Rosemawr� home—despite� managing� a� menagerie� of
animals�in�their�basement,�taking�care�of�aging�parents
and�helping�out�with�some�babysitting�for� their�almost
3-year-old�granddaughter�Isabel.�
From� Feb.� 15� to� 22,� Laura�will� be� using� vacation
days�from�her�job�teaching�4th�and�5th�grade�science�in
West� New�York� so� she� can� volunteer� her� time� at� an
orphanage�in�Haiti�as�part�of�Free�the�Kids.���
This�somewhat�solo�excursion�fits�into�their�marriage
well.��That�is�because�she�and�Jerry�(whom�readers�may
remember� as� a� longtime� CHS�Science� teacher)�have
shared�an�adventurous�life.��
They� and� their� kids� (Michael� 36,� Chrissy� 33,� and
John� 26)� have� spent� summers� on� cross� country� trips,
camping�in�Canada�and�on�frequent�wildlife�vacations.
Before�kids,�Jerry�and�Laura�backpacked�across�Alaska
and� driven� the� Alcan� Highway� there� before� it� was
paved.�Then�there�is�his�solo�wildlife�photography�trips
which�have� taken� Jerry� across� the�globe.�Add� to� that
her�volunteer�excursions�and�Laura�and�Gerald�seem�to
be�trotting�off�to�different�ends�of�the�globe.��
So�how�do�they�make�their�marriage�work?
“The�secret� is�we�spend� time� together�but�we�give
each�other�enough�space�to�grow,”�she�explained.�“We
travel� a� lot� together� but� sometimes� one� of� us� stays
home�to�maintain�the�critters.”
The�critters�she�speaks�of�is�literally�a�basement�full
of�birds,�lizards,�snakes�and�other�furry,�slimy�and�cud-
dly�creatures.�For�over�30�years,�the�Zelenkas�have�been
bringing�animals�into�homes�and�other�public�spaces�so
people�of�all�ages�can�see�wildlife�up�close�and�person-
al�as�part�of�their�Touch�of�Nature�Animal�Show.��
“Our�family�works�in�the�nature�show,�I�support�his
photography�trips�and�he’s�really�good�about�all�that�I
want�to�do,”�she�said.��“It�works�both�ways.”
Much� like� her�marriage,� Laura� said� she� has� to� be
flexible�for�this�excursion�with�Free�the�Kids.��To�get
medically�ready�for�her�trip,�Laura�has�been�receiving
a�series�of�immunizations�and�taking�a�regimen�of�pills
to�ward�off�typhoid�and�malaria.
Then�there�is�the�packing�and�planning�for�her�time
at�the�orphanage.��Not�only�does�she�and�her�traveling
partners�have�to�each�spend�about�$1,500�of�their�own
money� to� get� to� Les� Cayef,�Haiti,� but� they�will� also
bring�along�10�computers,�household�items,�hair�clip-
pers,�clothing,�flips�flops�and�Crocs.��
“I� get� it� back� in� a� different� way,”� she� said.
“Volunteering�is�a�very�rewarding�way�to�spend�some�of
your�life.��It�gives�a�greater�sense�of�purpose�other�then
simply� existing.”� Last� year,� Laura� went� with� another
group�to�South�Africa�to�work�in�an�AIDS�hospice.��
For�the�last�few�Wednesday�evenings,�she�and�other
fellow�travellers�have�been�meeting�for�elementary�les-
sons�in�Creole,�the�French-based�language�of�Haiti.��“A
lot� of� the� people� there� speak� English� but� we� practice
common�phrases,�hello�and�thank�you.”
Different Directions, Same AdventureBy Tom Hawrylko
Laura and Gerald Zelenka
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 7
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant8
791 Passaic Ave. | Clifton, NJ | (973) 779-1900
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What�drives�Laura�to�this�volun-
teer� mission?� “I’ve� been� blessed
with� three�wonderful�kids,�so� I�am
giving�back�to�those�less�fortunate.
It� deepens� my� own� spiritual� and
personal�growth,”�she�said.�“Seeing
kids�who�have�no�shoes�gives�you�a
greater� appreciation� of� what� we
have�in�America.”
One� of� the� waivers� she� signed
made�a�point�of�the�need�to�be�flexi-
ble.� � In� the�mornings� they�may� be
working�with� toddlers.� �Afternoons
teaching� elementary� children
English�and�Science.��But�that�may
all�change�when�they�hit�the�ground.���
“We�will�be�setting�up�computers.��We�are�bringing�cur-
tains�so�there’s�kitchen�duty�too.��If�they�need�us�to�paint
or�work�in�the�garden,�that�is�what�we�do,”�she�said.��“We
go�with�a�leap�of�faith�and�you�put�it�in�God’s�hands.”�
While�she�and� the�family�attend� liturgy�and�receive
sacraments�at�both�St.�Andrew’s�and�St.�Philip’s�here�in
Clifton,� Free�The�Kids� is� an� outreach� program� of� the
Glen�Ridge�Congregational�Church.��
Free�The�Kids� is� a�non-
denominational,� non-sec-
tarian� foundation.� � Its�mis-
sion� is� to� alleviate� the
effects� of� poverty� on� the
youth� of� southern�Haiti� by
providing�a�home�for�some
450�orphaned�and�vulnera-
ble�children,�aged�9�months
to� 20� years,� with� another
150� non-residents� depend-
ent�for�food�and�clothing.��
When� she� returns� to
Clifton,� Gerald� may� be
headed�off�to�a�photo�trip�in
Florida.� �Laura� says� that� is
how�their�marriage�works:�give�a�little,�take�a�little.��
“A�marriage�is�never�equally�half�and�half.��Sometimes
you�can�feel�you�give�more�and�more�and�then�you�turn
around�and�you�get�and�get,”�she�explained.�“That�what
make�for�a�strong�partnership.”�
To�learn�more�about�the�mission�or�contribute�to�the
Free�The�Kids,�go�to�freethekids.org�or�write�to�Laura�at
The Zelenka kids atop Grand Teton,Wyoming: John, Christine, Michael.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 9
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February 2014 • Clifton Merchant10
For Valentine’s Day, jazz musician Craig Yaremko and his wifeAndrea will lay low. “We�dont�buy�into�the�commercial�factor�of�theday,”� said�Yaremko,�who,� along�with� his� bride,�Andrea�McNamara,
was�named�the�1997�CHS�Class�Couple.��“In�fact,�I�go�out�the�day�after
and�buy�flowers�and�chocolates�when�it’s�a�lot�cheaper.”
Yaremko,�who� is�also� the�director�of� the� instrumental�music�pro-
gram�at�a�middle�school�in�River�Vale,�has�a�reason�for�his�frugality.��
“We�are�expecting�our�first�child,�a�little�girl,�at�the�end�of�March.
What�can�I�say?��I�am�a�hard�working�jazz�musician.”��Yaremko,�who
earned� his� chops� as� a� Marching� Mustang,� got� his� M.A.� in� Music
Education�from�Montclair�State�University�and�his�B.F.A.�in�Jazz�and
Contemporary�Music�Performance�from�the�New�School�University.
Andrea�McNamara�is�a�Doctoral�Candidate�in�Psychometrics�in�the
Psychology� Department� at� Fordham� University.� The� couple� still
resides�in�Clifton’s�Lakeview�section�and�both�are�35�years�of�age.�
Over�the�decades,�Yaremko�has�gained�notice�in�the�world�of�jazz
for�his�work�on�saxophones,�flutes�and�clarinets.�Since�2001,�he�has
been�leading�his�own�groups�and�played�with�some�big�names�in�not
only� jazz� but� also�with� the�New� Jersey� Symphony�Orchestra,�New
York�City�Symphony�and�numerous�Broadway�and�Off-Broadway�pit
orchestras.� � But� it� is� his� latest� project,� the� Craig� Yaremko� Organ
(CYO)�Trio,�that�seems�to�be�gaining�the�most�notice�these�days.�
“I’m�playing�the�next�week�if�you�want�to�bring�your�Valentine’s
Day�IOU�on�Feb.�19�at�Somethin’�Jazz�Club�in�NYC�or�on�Feb.�20�at
Maxfield�on�Main�in�Boonton,”�said�Yaremko.��
Find�out�more�at�craigyaremko.com
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At their 8th grade dance in 1993 andat their 2004 Wedding, Craig andAndrea (McNamara) Yaremko.
Valentine’s Day in the Key of Frugal
Craig and Andrea Yaremko
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 11
ACME (973) 594-0590
AC Moore (973) 470-8885
Antonio’s Hair Stylist (973) 472-1011
Avant Garde Salon (973) 778-0557
Bertelli’s Liquors (973) 779-0199
C2 Education Center 973-778-7300
Chiropractic Center at Styertowne (973) 777-6995
Cleaners 2000 (973) 614-1400
F.Y.E. (973) 778-8759
Corbo Jewelers (973) 777-1635
CVS Pharmacy (973) 778-7630
Dollar Tree (973) 249-7530
Dress Barn (973) 249-0233
Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins (973) 473-9631
Footnotes Bookstore (973) 779-6122
GNC (973) 779-1500
Kim’s Nail Salon (973) 471-8118
Largo House Nail & Spa (973) 777-9784
Lucille Roberts (973) 249-2966
Moda Shoes & Co. (973) 777-4700
Modells (973) 779-5253
Morillo Eye Care (973) 594-0020
Muscle Maker Grill (862) 899-7111
Radio Shack (973) 777-7931
Sherwin-Williams (973) 773-1738
Styertowne Bakery (973) 777-6193
Subway (973) 685-9992
Taste of Tuscany (973) 916-0700
The Season’s Fine Chinese Cuisine (973) 777-8073
US Post Office (973) 473-4946
Valley National Bank (973) 777-6283
Muscle Maker GrillGreat Food with Your Health in Mind
Styertowne BakeryWedding Cakes & Much Amore!
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Available 350 Sq. Feet & Up: Your monthly lease in our
office suites on the 2nd floor include the amenities at
the right plus easy access to Route 3 and Express
Bus Service to NYC. On the ground floor, you are
steps from great restaurants, shopping, banking and
the Post Office. Call Jamie Wohr: 973-591-5222 x 16
Great stores & servicesat the Allwood Circle
Morillo Eye CareComplete Frames & Lenses
“Emily� Kohout� (whom� I� knew� from
SS�Cyril’s�Church)�asked�if�I�would�be
interested�in�an�after�school�job�at�the
Kohout’s�Family�Bakery�on�Lakeview
Ave.,� selling� in� the� store� and� helping
care� for� some� of� the� Kohout� young-
sters.�I�was�delighted�to�earn�money,�so
I� quickly� accepted.� � Not� long� after
starting� to� work� at� the� bakery,� Rudy
and�I�began�to�find�excuses�to� talk�to
each�other.�He�worked� in� the�back�of
the�shop�as�an�apprentice�baker.�As�our
friendship� grew,� we
began�dating.��Since�nei-
ther�of�us�drove,�,�we�did
a� lot� of�walking.� �After� four�years� of
dating,� Rudy� and� I� married� in� 1957,
and� that� year� we� visited� Florida.
While�there,�we�learned�that�the�Glenn
L.�Martin�Company�was�in�the�process
of� relocating� from� Baltimore� to
Orlando�and�were�recruiting�engineers.
Rudy�applied�and�was�hired.�We�drove
back� to� Clifton,� packed� our� belong-
ings,� and� returned� to� Florida,� where
Rudy� had� always� wanted� to� live.
We’ve�been�here�ever�since.�We�raised
our� three� children� in� Orlando,� and
have�been�able�to�enjoy�our�grandchil-
dren,�while� living�on�a�beautiful� lake
front,�first�in�Orlando,�and�now�that�we
retired,�in�Leesburg.”�
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant12
Isabel and Ricky Farfan
“For�Valentine’s�Day,�we’ll�go�out�to�dinner�at�a
nice�Italian�restaurant,�and�I�will�tell�Isabel�how
much�I�appreciate�what�she�does�for�our�children
and� me.� �We� were� married� in� 1999� but� we’ve
been�together�for�24�years.��Listening�and�being
patient� are� the� secrets� to� a� good�marriage.� �We
keep�our�love�alive�by�sharing�our�thoughts�and
our�accomplishments�and�look�forward�to�shared
dreams.��For�a�marriage�to�succeed,�you�have�to
have� shared� goals,� listen� and� respect� the� other
person’s�decisions.�And�I� thank�God�for�putting
me�on�the�same�path�with�my�wife.”
Love & Marriage
How
wE MEt
Rudy and Maryann Andrascik
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 13
By Carol Leonard Imagine being suspended 30 feet in the air with only a silk ribbonwrapped around your leg to keep you from falling on your face – oranother equally damageable body part.Now imagine playing a trombone at the same time that you’re sus-
pended upside down. And that’s not all. You need to add an audience tothe picture. The average right-minded person would probably call theprospect of such a scene crazy, but Julie Krygsman thinks it’s so awe-some that she hopes to one day make it a full-time job.Aerial silk is a form of acrobatics in which performers climb the sus-
pended fabric and then wrap, fall, swing and spiral their bodies into andout of different positions, all without the use of a safety line.
January 2014 • Clifton Merchant14
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 15
Office: 973-778-4500789 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013
IF YOU ARE READY TO BUY OR SELL A HOMEPina Nazario
Sales AssociateClifton’s #1 Agent
2010-2013Cell: (973) 886-6258
Direct (973) 594-4312Email: [email protected]
www.PickPina.com
The�30�year-old�former�Clifton�Mustang�Band
drum�majorette,�who�was�known�in�high�school
as�Julie�Passaro,�didn’t�always�envision�herself
pursuing� such� an�unusual� career.� In� fact,� up
until� a� little� over� a� year� ago,� she� had�what
most� would� describe� as� a� pretty� normal
work�life.�
After� graduating� from� CHS� in� 2001,
Krygsman� went� on� to� William
Paterson� University,� where� she
majored� in�music.�After� earning� her
bachelor’s� degree,� she� worked� her
way� up� from� sales� associate� to� store
manager� for� a� bridal� and� formalwear
company.�
When� she� reached� the� point� where
she�felt�there�was�no�further�growth�for�her
in�the�business,�Krygsman�accepted�an�inside
sales�position�with�another�company.
Needing Something MoreAside�from�her�day�job,�she�continued�her�interest�in
music,�giving�trombone�lessons�to�private�students�and
performing�with�her�husband�Wes,�a�tuba�player,�in�the
Clifton� Community� Band� as� well� as� other� musical
ensembles.
Krygsman� said� she�was�always
aware� of� the� financial� challenges
of� trying� to� pursue� her� love� of
music� and� performing� as� a� career,
which�is�why�she�settled�for�a�job�in
the� business� world.� But� somewhere
deep�within� the� passions� of� her� heart
and�soul,�she�knew�that�there�had�to�be
something�else�for�her.
While�recovering�from�an�illness�in
between�leaving�her�first�job�and�start-
ing�with�the�new�company,�Krygsman
came� across� some� photos� online� of
aerial� silk� performers� and� showed
them�to�her�husband.�“I� just�randomly
mentioned� it� to� Wes� as� something� that
looked�interesting�to�me,”�she�said.
A�short�time�later,�Wes�came�back�to�his
wife� with� information� about� a� place� in
New�York�where�she�could�receive�train-
ing�in�the�art.
In�January�2012,�Krygsman�began�her�new�sales�job
and� started� attending� classes� and� workshops� once� a
week� in� the� evening� at� Heliummm�Aerial� Dance� &
Entertainment,�a�production�company�in�Brooklyn.� “At
first�I�looked�at�it�as�being�recreational,�but�then�I
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant16
Flying Mustang
got�hooked,”�she�said.�“I�kept
striving�to�learn�more.�I�had�a
dance� background,� so� that
helped.”
Krygsman�performed�in�her
first� student� showcase� about
three�months�into�her�training.
“You� could� tell� that� I� was
green�and�new�at�it,”�she�said.
“But�then�I�got�much�better.”
After� mentioning� that� all
she� wanted� to� do� was� play
trombone�and�take�aerial�class-
es,� Krygsman’s� best� friend
kiddingly�Photoshopped�a�pic-
ture�of�her�horn�into�one�of�her
aerial� performance� photos.� “I
knew�it�was�a� joke,�but� that’s
when�I�decided�that�no�matter
how�insane�it�sounded�I�was�going�to�play�my�trombone
in�the�air,”�she�said.
It�took�Krygsman�four�months�to�condition�her�body�to
be�able�to�do�her�aerial�act�and�play�her�horn�at�the�same
time.�“I�actually�think�that�it�improved�my�trombone�play-
ing,”�she�said.
She�premiered�her�act,�entitled�Jump�in�the�Line,�at�her
second�student�showcase�in�December�2012.��It�included
a� four� piece� band� performing� on� the� ground,�while� she
played�the�trombone�in�the�air�upside�down�on�the�silk.
Around� the� same� time� of� this� major� performance
accomplishment�in�her�new�personal�venture,�Krygsman
was�abruptly�laid�off�from�her�job.�Her�position�was�elim-
inated�after�only�one�year�at�the�company.
Needless� to� say,� the�high�achieving�Krygsman�didn’t
take�the�news�very�well.�Although�the�type�of�work�she
was� doing� was� not� something� she� wanted� forever,� she
expected�her�life�to�play�out�under�her�terms,�not�someone
else’s.
A Blessing in Disguise“After�the�dust�settled�and�I�was�wearing�my�pajamas
until�four�o’clock�every�afternoon�the�first�few�weeks�of
unemployed�life,�I�realized�that�I�no�longer�had�a�noose
around�my�neck,”�she�said.�
Krygsman� stood� up� on� her� tissue� littered� couch,
screamed�out�an�expletive�and�proceeded�to�write�a�long
e-mail� to� her� aerial� coach.� “I
basically� asked� her� if� I� was
cracked�to�think�that�I�had�the
talent�to�pursue�this,”�she�said.
“Her�answer�was�to�go�for�it.”
With� the� added� encourage-
ment� of� her� husband,
Krygsman�auditioned�and�was
accepted� into� the� professional
program� at�Circus�Warehouse
in� Long� Island� City� last
February,�where�she�is�training
full-time.� In� addition� to� silk,
she�takes�classes�in�trampoline,
flying�trapeze,�ballet,�tightrope,
contortion� and� lyra,� a� type� of
aerial�hoop.
“It’s�an�unbelievable� facili-
ty,”�she�said.�“It’s�the�place�to
be� if� this� is�what�you�want� to�do.� I� train�with� the�most
inspiring� professionals� including� Olympic� medalists,
Cirque�Du�Soleil�performers,�professional�ballet�dancers
and�circus�stars.”
Krygsman� trains� four� days� a� week� at� the� Circus
Warehouse,�spending�about�20�hours�in�classes�and�inde-
pendent�practice.
It�has�been�a�lot�of�hard�work,�requiring�a�great�deal�of
physical� stamina.� Krygsman� has� come� home� with� her
share�of�silk�burns�and�bruises�as�well�as�a�couple�of�more
serious�injuries,�but�through�it�all�she�feels�she�is�living�the
life�for�which�she�was�intended.
Emotional Transformation“There�has�been�a�significant�change�in�the�size�of�my
biceps�and�lats,�but�the�biggest�transformation�has�been�in
my�head,”�she�said.�“I’m�truly�happy�now,�but�all�of�this
would�never�have�happened�if�the�bottom�hadn’t�fallen�out
of�my�status�quo�life.”
Aside�from�dealing�with�the�emotional�turmoil�of�los-
ing�her�job,�Krygsman�said�that�over�the�past�year�she�has
also�finally�come�to�terms�with�the�deaths�of�her�mother
and�grandfather�when�she�was�a�teenager.
Krygsman’s�parents�were�divorced�when�she�was�very
young�and� she�hardly�knew�her� father.�Her�mom�had�a
severe�form�of�multiple�sclerosis,�so�she�was�essentially
raised�by�her�grandparents.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 17
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant18
Looking�back,�she�realizes�that
it�was�her�grandfather�who�lit�the
spark�in�her�and�inspired�her�love
of� music� and� the� arts.� The� two
used� to� watch� videos� of� the
Tommy� Dorsey� band� together
when�she�was� little.� “He�was�an
artistic�spirit,”�she�said.
Krygsman’s� grandfather
passed� away� when� she� was� a
freshman� in�high� school� and�her
mom�died�just�before�she�graduat-
ed�from�CHS.
“I’ve�come�to�realize�that�a�lot
of�what�I�do�is�because�my�mom
couldn’t�do�it,”�she�said.�“She�was
always� in� a�wheelchair� and� then
bedridden�by�the�time�she�was�my�age.�Thinking�about�her
has�motivated�me.�I�do�this�for�her�and�for�my�grandfather.”
Krygsman�knows�that�she�still�has�a�lot�of�work�ahead
of�her�before�she�can�call�herself�a�pro�at�aerial�perform-
ing,�but,�with�the�help�and�support�of�her�husband,�she�is
willing�to�endure�the�sometimes�grueling�days�of�training.
Lessons From Band Days“You�learn�to�push�through,”�she
said.�“There�are�a�lot�of�lessons�from
band�that�I�apply�to�my�life�now.�Mr.
Morgan� (CHS� Band� Director� Bob
Morgan)� was� a� huge� influence� on
me.�When�I�feel�exhausted,�I�think
of� the� four� Ds,� dedication,� drive,
desire�and�discipline,�he�ingrained�in
me.�As�much�as�I�would�like�to�cred-
it�my�years�of�dance�classes,�I�know
I�developed�strong�pointed�feet�from
the�famous�Clifton�band�high�step.”
When�not�in�training,�Krygsman
has� done� paid� freelance� aerial� silk
performances,� trombone� gigs,� and
private�music�lessons.�She�feels�that
her�experiences�over�the�past�year�have�made�her�a�better
teacher.� In� fact,�one�of�her� students,�CHS� junior�Nathan
Santelli,�recently�made�All-State�Symphonic�Band.
She� and� her� husband,� who� is� an� instrumental� music
teacher�at�School�13�and�School�17,� live� in� the�home�in
which� she�grew�up� in� the�Dutch�Hill� section,�with� their
black�pug�Sammi�and�cats�Mozart,�Loki�and�Baer.�
They�have�set�up�a�custom�music�studio�in�one�of�their
spare�rooms,�where�they�do�their�private�lessons,�she�on�the
trombone�and�he�on� the� tuba.�The� room�also� includes� a
piano�and�their�sheet�music�library�as�well�as�a�variety�of
other�musical�instruments.
The�couple,�who�met�in�band�camp�in�1999,�decided�a
while�ago�that� they�needed�to� live�financially�smart,�and
they�built�up�an�emergency�fund,�which�has�taken�the�edge
off�the�loss�of�a�second�full-time�income.
Krygsman�hopes�that�within�five�years�she�will�be�per-
forming� full-time,� perhaps� with� a� company� like
Heliummm�Aerial�Dance�&�Entertainment,�where�she�has
gotten�her�start�in�the�business.�The�company�provides�aer-
ial�acts�for�corporate�events�and�promotions.�
In�the�meantime,�she�couldn’t�be�more�content�with�the
life�she�is�living.�“I’m�truly�happy�now�and�glad�that�I�took
the�risk,”�she�said.�“I’m�focused�on�my�artistic�side�and�my
husband�got�to�reunite�with�the�little�whippersnapper�he�fell
in�love�with�almost�14�years�ago.”
Sometimes�in�life,�things�take�an�unexpected�turn.�How
you�respond�to�the�change�can�make�a�big�difference�in�its
outcome.�Just�ask�Julie�Krygsman.
Flying Mustang
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 19
Dr. Michael DelGiodice is an author on ocular disease and
Vice President of the NJ Chapter of the American Academy of
Optometry. His specialities includes laser eye surgery, dry
eye syndrome, contact lenses and neurologic eye disease.
He is also a consultant for Bausch + Lomb pharmaceuticals.
Welcome toour Practice
Attefa Sultani, O.D., focuses on compre-
hensive eye care, from diagnosis and man-
agement of eye disease to contact lenses
and post-operative care and can perform
exams in Spanish, Hindi and Farsi.
Ceaser Pitta, M.D., specializes in
diseases of the retina including Macular
Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy,
Macular Holes, Macular Pucker as
well as Detachment surgery.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant20
Michael Baran held open the door to his home in
Athenia with one hand, while the other held a bouquet.
“Just a few flowers to brighten the house,” he said when
he let me in and then placed a vase in the dining room,
giving me the first clue about his instinct for aesthetics
and his artistic nature.
A drama instructor in Jersey City, Michael grew up in
a family whose lives were filled with the arts – his moth-
er was an actress, his father a musician, his brother is a
concert violinist, his uncle was a painter and he had a
grandfather who was a master craftsman.
“A stained glass maker, my grandfather came from
Slovakia brought to America by the Pittsburgh Glass
Company,” said Michael, “at the time, the company went
looking to Slovakia, Germany where people had been
making stained glass for centuries and then brought the
craftsmen here to work.”
East European on his father’s side, on his mother side,
Michael, 56, who was born and raised in Georgia, is pure
Southern. Having finished Vanderbilt University, his
mother, originally from Nashville, met Michael’s father
while he was studying in Miami, Florida. She was a
young stewardess then, working for Pan Am in the early
1950s when air flight was still a rare event. They decid-
ed to stay in the South when Michael’s father found a job
near Atlanta.
Michael’s dual heritage has produced some tasty
results; for Christmas Michael prepares rich, sugar-
encrusted Slovakian crescent cookies – rosky for all to
enjoy, followed by a traditional Southern-style good luck
meal of black-eyed peas, some type of pork and collard
greens (or spinach for the faint of stomach) on New
Year’s Day.
Born and bred a Clifton girl, Rosemary Trinkle’s fam-
ily history in Clifton dates to the mid 1800’s, when the
city was still Acquackanonk Township.
Among her family are the Thomases, who once
owned a quarry off Valley Rd. and after whom Thomas
St., a small road near Fenner Ave. on Clifton’s far west
side at the very edge of Garrett Mountain is named.
Growing up with three younger sisters, Rosemary,
52, who now is an organizational consultant with
Rosemary and Michael Baran
Idea Guy, Action GalBy Irene Jarosewich
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 21
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant22
New York Presbyterian Hospital,
fondly remembers growing up near
her grandparents’ home on Valley
Rd., a meeting place for the extend-
ed family.
Many members of her extended
family are well-known in the
Clifton community; her paternal
grandmother, Florence Trinkle was
a long-time teacher, having taught
among others, Clifton mayors
Gerald Zecker and James Anzaldi.
Rosemary’s father, George
Trinkle III, a union man, was an
active Democratic Party organizer
and seems to have instilled civics in
his daughter’s blood.
This difference in upbringings
could be one of the reasons, muses
Rosemary, that brought the couple
together.
“He had this small, immediate
family, very artistic, something I
wasn’t familiar with,” says
Rosemary. “I found that intriguing.
I had this big, expansive family,
which was something that he wasn’t
used to.”
Like all relationships, theirs has
evolved over the years, she says, but
she frankly states that she is still the
action gal, while he is the idea guy;
she is just-the-facts, while he is
more ephemeral.
Her family is filled with active
Democrats, and while a registered
Democrat now, Michael was a Newt
Gingrich Republican when they first
met.
“Of course, when I first brought
Michael home, I had to tell my
father and grandfather who he was,
and they were, of course, less than
thrilled at the time.”
After listening for a while about
how different these two were, I
began to think to myself, “Now just
hold on. Seriously. Who are they
kidding? These two are like peas in
a pod.”
Talk. Pray. Love.Rosemary, or Roe as she is often
called, and Michael, or Mike, may
have started out as opposites attract,
but spend even a short time with
them and it is soon clear what they
have in common.
They are talkers. Both of them.
Good talkers. They tell great stories.
No introverts, here. They are funny.
They laugh. They make others
laugh. Often. And, the body lan-
guage! Rosemary moves her hands
and head, even her entire body for
emphasis as she springs out of a
chair; Michael is more subtle, the
furrowed forehead, raised
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 23
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant24
eyebrows, the wry, slow grin – the training of an actor.
Central to their lives is their Catholic faith. They met
during a singles event at the Cathedral of Christ the King
in Atlanta. Michael had returned to the city to help his
father with the family’s music business; he had been liv-
ing in California and Rosemary was working as a man-
ager at the Hyatt Regency.
In 1993, they married at St. Agnes Church, in
Paterson, the church where generations of Rosemary’s
paternal and maternal grandparents and great grandpar-
ents, aunts and uncles had been married.
They returned to live in Atlanta, then lived outside
Washington DC for several years before coming to live
Clifton in 2001. Here they joined St. Andrew’s Roman
Catholic Church, where they have become active in the
parish.
Rosemary and Michael are people people. They love
people. Their families, their community. Michael loves
to teach. Rosemary and their daughter Patricia (Tricia),
14, love to volunteer.
When they were younger, the Barans were a
Presenting Couple for Catholic Engaged Encounter, a
forum where young Catholic couples planning to wed
meet with older couples to learn about the foundations of
a solid marriage. This desire and ability to share with
others, whether time or skills or knowledge or talent, it is
a gift that Rosemary and Michael both have.
A Valentine TrioAsked what they like to do as a couple, Roe and
Michael paused, maybe caught a bit off guard. “I guess
that maybe we should be thinking about doing something
alone ...” she began to say slowly glancing towards
Michael. They looked at each other, their eyes meet, and
then they laugh. Nah, they shook their heads. Just the
two of them? Now, where would be the fun in that?
“We really do things as a family,” said Michael. “A
threesome” added Roe, “if not more.”
Rosemary again emphasizes how volunteering and
community involvement is an important part of their
lives. She recently moved up from an Alternate to a
Commissioner for Clifton Recreation, a position once
held by her grandmother Florence.
“I remember Youth Week from when I was a child,”
she laughs. “It was always a time of excitement. She ran
the first Youth Week in Clifton and in some ways, I feel
as though I’m continuing her legacy. I now have the time
to do this and it still gives me a thrill.”
0003079473-0
1
Day & Evening Classes Available!
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 25
Immedicenter is now a Patient-Centered Medical Home, or PCMH.To achieve this national recognition, we met a number of stan-dards, including having a dedicated team of care coordinators pic-tured below. Along with our medical providers, they will helpmake sure you get the care you need, at the right time and place.This leads to safer, higher quality of care, more empowered
patients and a renewed relationship between physician and patient. We are proud ofour national recognition and welcome the opportunity to get to tell you more about PCMHduring your next visit.
• Monday - Friday 8am to 9pm • Saturday and Sunday 8am to 5pm
• Walk-in Medical Care • Weekday Appointments Available
• Monday - Friday 8am to 8pm • Saturdays 9am to 5pm.
Immedicenter1355 Broad St., Clifton • 973-778-5566
557 Broad St., Bloomfield • 973-680-8300
A Family Practice for Wellness,Urgent Care for Ills, Chills & Spills
A National Model forCare CoordinationA National Model forCare Coordination
Health Care that Revolves Around You...Health Care that Revolves Around You...
www.immedicenter.com
Dr. Michael Basista, Immedicenter Medical Director
Our care coordinators,from left,Jessica DeVoogt,Doreen Sestilio,Idina Merz,Wanda Ruiz andMaria Squirlock.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant26
Tricia, who went to St. Andrew’s
RC School and is now a Freshman
at Immaculate Conception Catholic
High School in Lodi, often joins her
mother in helping with Clifton
activities, as well as helping her
mother with events at their church.
“Roe is an amazing organizer, I
tell people,” says Michael admiring-
ly, “she’s a pro. Whenever she’s
involved in an event, like a beef-
steak, or a banquet, I tell people, to
just get out of her way, to sit back,
relax, and enjoy the show. She
always puts on a good show.”
From her father, Tricia has picked
up the art of baking and the house
was filled with delicious scents from
her recent turn in the kitchen. She is
also becoming a bit of an informa-
tion junkie like Michael, whom
Rosemary and friends call The
Discovery Channel. “No matter if it
was local or national news, histori-
cal events, or political philosophy,
Mike knows everything,” said Roe.
Michael admits to being a vora-
cious reader as a child, once having
read an entire multi-volume set of
the Golden Book Encyclopedia. He
retains the information he reads.
“When we were living in
Washington and were traveling to
Rehoboth Beach one time, he sud-
denly just veers off onto this side
road in a different direction. I asked
him where he thought he was going,
and he said wanted to show us a his-
toric marker in Delaware that he had
read about and was nearby, one that
was posted on the old Mason-Dixon
Line,” said Rosemary with mild dis-
belief as she shook her head.
Having grown up in the South,
Michael not only knew of the
Mason-Dixon Line, but of the line’s
historical origins and political
importance. He started to explain
more about who was Mason and
who was Dixon until Rosemary said,
“Stop!” and shook her head again.
“In our travels with Trish,” she
noted, “we’ve veered off and read
many a historic marker. I think he’s
going to quiz her when she turns 18.”
PAIN HOLDING YOU BACK?
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Clifton Merchant • February 2014 27
Above,Steven D. Gronowitz, MD, FACGand Dr. Andrew Boxer, M.D.
After completing his fellowship at NYU and a res-idency at Mt. Sinai, Dr. Boxer will take over the careof Dr. Beduya’s current practice, including theNorth Hudson Community Clinic in Passaic,ensuring uninterrupted continuity of care to thepatients. He will be available at our office in Clifton for
consultation. In addition, he will see inpatients atboth St Mary’s Hospital and Hackensack UniversityMedical Center. Andy’s special interests include obesity,
endoscopy as it relates to pre and post bariatric sur-gery, as well as Liver Disease.I would also like to wish Dr. Dino Beduya a
heartfelt farewell on his departure from our team.Dino has provided a valuable service to the commu-nity over the past three years. We wish him luck inhis pursuit of an Advanced Fellowship position inNew Mexico and then on to North Carolina for hisnew practice. They are lucky to have him.
Best Wishes,Steven D. Gronowitz, MD, FACG
I am proud to announce the arrival of Dr. Andrew Boxer to our Clifton practice.
Office Hours:Mon: 9 am-5 pmTues: 9 am-7 pmWed: 9 am-3 pm
Thurs: 9 am-6 pmFri: 9 am-3 pm
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant28
Carlos Sotamba was waiting at an intersectionin Passaic one hot summer day, when a young
woman with a small child leaned into his car to
ask a favor. The temperature had hit 100 degrees
and she was standing at a bus stop. She did not
live far away, and was worried about keeping the
child in the scorching heat for much longer.
Could he drop her off near her home?
As he opened the door to let in the woman
whose name was Janet, Carlos had no way of
knowing that one day she would be his sister-in-
law. During the short ride to her house, Janet
asked Carlos a lot of questions.
“Apparently, she thought I was OK,” said
Carlos, because Janet then told him that she had
a younger sister, Dayana, whom she would like
for him to meet. She gave Carlos Dayana’s
phone number.
Carlos called. He and Dayana called each
other for more than three months before Dayana
agreed to go on a date. Playing it safe, they
decided on a movie at Clifton Commons.
Carlos came to pick up Dayana at her home.
“When I saw her, my heart stopped. She was
beautiful,” he recalls. Proving once again that
there is love at first sight, Dayana agrees. The
attraction, she said, was instantaneous.
“For a year and a half, my sister would tell me
every day ‘I found you a boyfriend! I found youa boyfriend!’” reminisced Dayana with a smile.
Since Dayana was quite young when they met,
and Carlos several years older, her parents were
concerned and insisted that they date for a while.
“I knew she was the right one from the begin-
ning,” said Carlos, who is patient and diligent by
nature, and was willing to wait. After several
years, Dayana felt ready. Carlos wanted to pro-
pose, but also wanted Dayana to have the ring
she wanted, and not one he had chosen.
Diana & Carlos Sotamba
Sweet Ingredients for Lifelong LoveBy Dmitri Lenczuk
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 29
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant30
On a routine visit to the
mall, he led her into a jewel-
ry store, to the counter with
engagement rings. “Pick the
ring you love the most,” he
told her, “because I want to
marry you.”
After their engagement,
the handsome couple wasted
little time. In less than a
month, Diana had planned
the wedding. Carlos, the
owner of Lakeview Bakery,
created his own wedding
cake, which the couple agreed,
“was delicious!”
Feel The Home FiresMarried five years, visitors can
feel the love between Carlos, now
36, and Dayana, now 29, sensing it
from the moment one walks into
their home off of Valley Rd.
Their glowing eyes and beaming
smiles are a testament to their love
for each other, and for their chil-
dren, who reciprocate the love with
infectious giggles. Walls in their
home our hung with photographs,
pictures of their wedding, of their
families. Parents to Angely, 2, and
Daniel, 6 months, the Sotamba’s
definitions of love are very similar.
“My definition is to create a bet-
ter future with my partner,” Dayana
beams, as her husband plays with
their young son. “It still feels like
we’re boyfriend and girlfriend, but
better!”
Carlos agreed with his wife,
adding, “Meeting and being with
the right person is the definition of
love. And kids. Nothing compares
to having kids!”
Making time for the family is
among their top priorities. They
spend as much time together as
they can, although balancing work
at Lakeview Bakery and a family
with young children can be diffi-
cult, they admit.
“Between Carlos leaving for
work at 2 am, and me rising
throughout the night to feed the
baby, we really don’t get much
sleep around here,” said Dayana.
Carlos, who immigrated to the
US from Ecuador, began working at
Lakeview Bakery almost 20 years
ago, while still a teenager, sweeping
floors, cleaning cases.
Over time, he asked
for a chance and soon
learned to bake, deco-
rate the cakes. Next he
became a manager.
Then in 2001, when
the original owners
decided to sell, he
bought the bakery.
While he has pre-
served many of the old
East European recipes
for pastries and breads,
as well as specialties
such as babka and pop-
pyseed cake and other holiday
favorites, he has also expanded to
include many Latin sweets, such as
flan and torta de tres leches.
The bakery continues to provide
a wide variety of fresh-baked bread
daily, as well as cookies and cup-
cakes for walk-in clientele, and
wholesale baked goods to diners.
However, specialty decorated
cakes has become one of the bak-
ery’s signature services.
Sweet Wedding CakesAlthough, maybe not as big and
elaborate as some of Hoboken’s
Cake Boss creations, the cakes dec-
orated by Carlos are no less artistic
and done with meticulous care and
attention to detail.
His particular specialty is wedding
cakes, the centerpiece of a couple’s
reception, which Carlos believes
must be perfect so that the couple’s
memory will always be sweet.
Along with the wedding cakes, cus-
tomers can choose from existing
designs or custom designed cakes
for birthdays, anniversaries, engage-
ments, and graduations, cakes for all
and any occasions.
At home with Angely, Carlos, Dayana and Daniel.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 31
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant32
For Valentine’s Day, Carlos
promises heart-shaped cookies and
cakes decorated with love.
Although Dayana, whose family
came here from Chile, now stays
home with the children, she has
training to be a medical assistant.
However, if Carlos needs it, she
lends a helping hand at the bakery
in whatever capacity is needed.
Carlos admits that maintaining a
business is hard work, especially in
what is still a rough economy.
“The economy has affected the
business, especially the competition
with big companies,” says Carlos.
But, no complaints. Carlos
believes that setting an example of
success by working hard is vital to a
small business. “The only way to
have success is to be a hard work-
er,” Carlos says. “You can’t expect
people to do everything exactly the
way you do it, but they will try.”
Hard Work at Home, TooFor the Sotamba family, hard
work does not stop with the bakery;
hard work defines the very nature of
their family relationship.
Devotion to one another and ded-
ication to their family is valued
above anything else. This Carlos
believes to be the secret ingredients
not only to a good business, but to a
happy marriage.
His wife believes that the secret
ingredient to a good marriage is the
understanding that there will be
good days and bad days in any rela-
tionship, business and personal.
Part of being in love is being
willing and able to take the good
with the bad.
Understanding, and then Dayan
adds another ingredient. “Patience.
Lots and lots of patience.”
Devotion and dedication,
patience and understanding, these
are the ingredients for lifelong love
according to the Sotamba family
recipe.
When they first were married,
Carlos and Dayana continued to go
out on dates as they did when they
were just a young couple.
Now with children, they do not
date as often as they would like, but
they still have made plans for
Valentine’s Day. “We are going to
Atlantic City,” said Carlos. “Of
course the kids are coming, too!”lakeviewbakeryonline.com
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 33
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant34
On a warm summerday in Robin HoodPark in 1964, Dan
Kocsis just didn’t see the
chemistry between
Nancy Schmidt and
Jeffrey Hasselberger.
Still, the ‘64 Pope Pius
XII HS grad doubted he
could compete with a star
hurdler at DePaul
Catholic, especially
Hasselberger who was
driving a shiny Chevy
convertible and headed to
Villanova that fall.
But in the end Dan
got the girl of his
dreams.
“She was walking her
dog; a German Shepherd
named Heidi,” Dan
recalled. “She had on
these burgundy Bermuda shorts, Bass Weejun shoes and
a pink blouse. She had the greatest legs.” That was the
first time Dan saw Nancy; a then 16-year-old aspiring
teacher, who grew up on Greenwald Ave.
For Dan, who lived in Athenia, it was love at first
sight. As far as Nancy, well, she didn’t really notice Dan.
“At that point I didn’t know Dan that well,” Nancy
said. “There were male and female park directors. and I
knew he was one of them.”
Everyday at Robin Hood, Dan would see that girl with
the great legs walking her dog. Then one day, he spotted
something else. Something that might break his heart -
the hot shot athlete with the fancy car talking to his girl.
Because of his athletic exploits, Hasselberger was, in
a way, famous to many of the kids in Clifton.
“I saw her talking to this other guy in a convertible,”
Dan said. “One of the
other kids at the park said
to me, ‘oh that’s her
boyfriend. He goes to
Villanova.’ As soon as I
heard the name, I knew
who he was. I figured I
didn’t have a chance.”
Nancy, a ‘67 Clifton
High School grad,
remembers the day very
well.
“He was a fella my
family knew for years,”
Nancy explained. “We
went out a couple of
times. I used to walk my
dog at the park. On one
of those days he —
Hasselberger — was
looking for me. Then he
left.” But as far as Dan
knew, Hasselberger was
her steady boyfriend.
Then Dan noticed something else, something that
gave him hope. “She was kind of just standing there by
the car. I didn’t see any kind of chemistry.” Soon after, he
continued, “the guy was not coming around anymore.”
Still Dan had his doubts.
“Nancy came by everyday, but I didn’t talk to her,” he
recalled. Then one day Dan noticed Nancy sitting on the
grass in the park. Emboldened by two tickets he had for
an upcoming Johnny Mathis concert and his big $1.25
park an hour park director salary, Dan approached his
crush. “I finally got up the nerve after about two weeks.”
“He did not seem nervous,” Nancy said.
“I had nothing to lose,” Dan recalled. “Plus I had
something good — two tickets to a Johnny Mathis con-
cert. He was a big deal back then.”
Nancy and Dan Kocsis
He Married An AngelBy Domenick Reda
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 35
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant36
Nancy’s response was not really
what Dan expected. “He told me he
had two tickets, but that his sister
had canceled on him,” she said. “I
said ‘yes’ right away.”
Midnight SwimDan admitted, “I was surprised
she said yes,”
Then she did something even
more surprising.
“She asked me, ‘Do you want to
come over my house for a swim?’” he recalled. “She had
a pool at her parent’s house. So that night that night I
went for a swim.”
The concert, which was still two weeks away, would
be their first unchaperoned date. In the meantime, they
talked on the phone, ate ice cream together at the park,
swam in the pool and rode on his Vespa motor scooter.
“Once we went on the date, toward the end of the con-
cert, she put her head on my shoulder,” he recalled. “I
remember thinking; she is a pretty nice girl. I liked her
because she was quiet. She didn’t have a lot of girl-
friends. I was kind of the same way.”
After working the summer at
the park, Dan started to work for
Nancy’s father at the family busi-
ness - Hazel Road Service Station.
“She would come there and bring
me a hot dog and a soda,” he
remembered.
But even when they took their
relationship to the next level, there
were limits.
“Even when we were engaged I
couldn’t have her out past mid-
night,” Dan laughed. “One night I was giving her a kiss
goodnight by the car and her mother came out of the
house and said, ‘it’s past midnight.’” We were engaged!
But they were good to us.”
Nancy said that’s just the way it was then.
“Back in those days you had to check with your par-
ents,” she recalled.
But like Dan, Nancy said it was the concert that made
her realize they had a real connection.
“It was a nice night,” she said. “He picked me up at
my house. During the concert I rested my head on his
shoulder.”
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 37
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant38
It was not until later that Nancy realized how much
that date meant to Dan.
“I didn’t realize how happy he was,” she said. “And
how much he liked me. After that first date, it just felt
like a natural thing for us to be together.”
‘I Married An Angel’Nancy and Dan dated for four years before tying the
knot on June 29, 1969 at First Lutheran Church on the
corner of Van Houten Ave. and Grove St.
Each went on to college to pursue careers in educa-
tion. After they got married, they lived with her grand-
parents who had a house on Vernon Ave. Nancy and Dan
stayed there until they bought their own house in New
Hampshire in 1978.
Today, loving life in New Hampshire, the couple
never had children and Dan is still a teacher while Nancy
works in management for a sales and marketing firm.
Nearly 50 years after their first meeting, Nancy, 65
and Dan, 66, still enjoy each other’s company as much
as the day they first met.
“My wife is a tremendous cook and every night we eat
a fabulous meal with candlelight and a bottle of wine and
a flower on the table,” he said.
They also share a love for running. Dan has run in
many events, including the New York and Boston
marathons. But when he talks about his wife, he cannot
help sounding like a love-stricken teenager.
“Her legs are as good now as they were back then,” he
said. “She looks like she is 25.”
But for Dan the continued love for Nancy goes well
beyond the physical attraction.
“She is so easy to live with,” he said. “She is very
calming. It’s a real gift she has. We never go to bed angry
at each other. She is a very loving woman.”
Dan credits Johnny Mathis and Robin Hood Park for
bringing them together.
“Now as an adult I can more fully appreciate what a
wonderful town Clifton was to grow up in,” he said.
While Robin Hood Park has a role in this love story,
both Nancy and Dan point to the Johnny Mathis concert
as the pivotal event that catapulted their relationship.
“He kind of brought us together,” Dan said of the
singer and his music. “He was famous for ‘Chances Are,’
which he sang at the concert,” continued Dan. “But there
is another song called I Married An Angel. He didn’t play
that one at the concert, but I hum it a lot when I think of
my wife.”
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February 2014 • Clifton Merchant40
Matt Hunkele vividly remembers the first time hemet Maria Amoroso, the young lady who is now his
fiancée. On Sept. 11, 2011, Matt had gone out to play
ball with a local men’s league at the Eddie Mayo base-
ball diamond on the Clifton Ave. Extension.
Maria’s girlfriend had come to watch her boyfriend
play. Maria decided to join her. The boyfriend, as it
turned out, was a friend and teammate of Matt’s and
before long, Maria and Matt were being introduced.
“When I saw her,” said Matt, “it was hard for me to
concentrate because I couldn’t keep my off eyes of her.
Since the day that I met her, I knew she was the one.”
And, so a sad day for history turned out to be a good
day for Maria and Matt.
Maria was soon smitten with Matt, an athlete and no
slouch in the looks department himself (He does share a
passing resemblance to George Clooney in O Brother,Where Art Thou?). They dated for more than a year.
Then last December, a week before Christmas, Matt
decided that he wanted to act – he wanted to turn that
first moment at the baseball diamond into a real dia-
mond for Maria.
“By that time,” said Matt “I had fallen in love with
her not only for her beauty, but for her intelligence and
personality.”
Matt plotted a surprise proposal. There was fresh
snow on the slope behind his house. When Maria
stopped over after getting her nails done, he convinced
her to let him blindfold her and lead her outdoors.
“It was great,” giggled Maria, “he hung lights and
ornaments on the trees outside and carved out a heart in
the snow and surrounded the heart with candles. Inside
the heart, he wrote ‘will you marry me?’”
Yes, she said, I will.
Happily engaged, the couple immediately began to
make wedding plans. More accurately, Maria has. Matt
is participating, but laughs, “it’s really her wedding
ideas. I want her to have whatever she wants.”
Hunkele’s Different DiamondBy Irene Jarosewich
Matt Hunkele & Maria Amoroso
The
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Clifton Merchant • February 2014 41
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant42
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the Tides Estate, a place they chose for
the beautifully renovated space.
“For both of us, it was really impor-
tant to have an outdoor ceremony,” said
Matt as Maria added, “and it will be
spring and the garden will be just beautiful.” Most of all,
they both agreed, they really want the wedding to be fun.
The year will be busy for the young engaged couple.
Matt, 24, will be graduating William Paterson University
with a double major in Accounting and Financial
Planning in May. He also works for Angelo’s Pizzeria &
Restaurant on Market St. Maria, 25, will be receive her
master’s degree in School Psychology from Farleigh
Dickinson this May, as well.
Currently, Matt lives in Clifton and Maria in
Elmwood Park and although they would like to stay in
the area after they marry, they suspect that they will live
closer to Matt’s job in central Jersey.
However, since their families are here, the couple
will come back often.
Matt, who grew up in Clifton, is the youngest child
and the youngest brother to three older sisters. A 2008
CHS grad, Matt is an accomplished athlete. The
Mustang played on both the varsity football and base-
ball teams. He continues to love both sports and contin-
ues to play with the New Jersey Amateur Baseball
League for the Linde-Griffin Pile Drivers.
The New Jersey Amateur Baseball League is less
than a year old, having had their inaugural season in
spring 2013. Clifton fields two teams in the 16-team
association, the Pile Drivers and the Slates, both com-
prised of mostly CHS varsity players.
Maria was born in Ecuador and
when she was 12, her family came to
New Jersey. One of three children, she
has both a brother and a sister. Travel is
one of the ways that the couple enjoys
spending time together and she hopes
that she and Matt will be able to travel
a lot more together.
“I would like for us to go to the country I came from,
Ecuador,” said Maria, continuing, “so that Matt can see
it and not just hear my descriptions of my homeland.”
Their love of the outdoors is one of the reasons the
couple wanted an outdoor ceremony and is one of the
reasons they like being together. Hiking the trails in the
nearby Ramapo hills is a favorite place.
However, said Maria, just hanging around each other
is probably one of their most favorite activities. This
couple really likes each other’s company.
Asked about plans for Valentine’s Day, neither Matt
nor Maria had a quick answer.
“We’ve been so busy with work, and school, and
planning the wedding,” Matt began to say, “that we just
haven’t had much time to think about that, to plan that
far ahead. It’s Maria’s birthday next week, so we’ll do
something special for that ...” he trailed off, maybe feel-
ing hesitant or perhaps secretive about his plans for the
big day of romance.
Maria jumped in. “We really don’t know yet. We
might just stay in. We like movies. We might just be
together and watch a movie.”
Cuddling up and watching a movie – now that does
sound romantic!
So pick a love story that will be perfect to celebrate
Valentine’s Day with the one you love.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 43
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February 2014 • Clifton Merchant44
In 1920-21, Clifton’s NBA Hall of FamerBennie Borgmann, at right, played forthe Manhattan Rubber Team. Abovefrom left are coach Magee, Fenlon,Borgmann, Grayson, White, Clapp andan unknown individual.
Though Clifton is known for its great football teams,along with its champion hockey, soccer, and baseball
squads, basketball also plays an important part in the
city’s history. The following stories are a few treasures
from Clifton’s hoop dreams past. Lace up your high-top
Cons, slip on your sweat bands, and read along.
The Hall of FamerLarry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Dr. J are all members of the
Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. So is a player from
Clifton, the unstoppable Bennie Borgmann.
Though he never played for Clifton High, Borgmann did make the
city his home. When Bennie was young, his mother died and his father
moved from Haledon to Rhode Island—sending his son to live with an
aunt in Clifton. Bennie spent much of his time in his new town learning
to play basketball at School 15.
And other tales of Mustang Round Ball
Clifton’s Basketball
Hall of famerBy Jack De Vries
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 45
By the time he reached high school age, Borgmann
was already playing against top local semi pro competi-
tion, performing in places like Paterson’s Entre Nous
court or Passaic’s Kanter’s Auditorium. A 5’8” 160-
pound dynamo with a shoot first, pass later game, Bennie
began his pro career after the 1921 season, agreeing to
play for the mighty Kingston Colonials for $25 a game.
For over two decades, Bennie starred for a host of
great teams including the Original Celtics scoring over
25,000 career points. He became one of the most popu-
lar area athletes of the twenties (future comedian Lou
Costello often carried Benny’s bag into gymnasiums for
him), earning up to $10,000 a basketball season.
Speed and endurance were his greatest assets. “I could
run all day and night,” he said after his playing days
ended. He was also an excellent shortstop, playing for
the Doherty Silk Sox, a Clifton semi-pro baseball team
that often beat major league teams—including Babe
Ruth’s Yankees. He also played and managed in the
minor leagues, and later scouted for many major league
teams.
In 1961, Clifton’s Bennie Borgmann was inducted
into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant46
The Wonder Team’s StreakNearly Ended in Clifton
Known by the well-deserved nick-
name the Wonder Team, even a centu-
ry later, the accomplishments of the
Passaic High School basketball squad
are still hard to fathom. They won 159
straight games during a streak that
stretched over five years.
The Wonder Team beat high school
teams, schoolboy all-star squads, prep
and business schools, and more than a
few college teams. During their
streak, they rang up 9,472 points—in
a game that featured no three pointers,
no shot clock, and no tomahawk jams.
The Wonder Team began winning
in 1919 with a December victory against Newark Junior
College, 44-11. A little more than four years later, Passaic
got its biggest scare of the streak during game No. 113—
courtesy of Clifton High School.
On February 28, 1923, Passaic met Clifton on the floor
of the Paterson Armory before one of the smallest crowds
ever to see the Wonder Team play in that building.
Many stayed home expecting another rout by Passaic,
who had beaten Clifton a few weeks before by a 67-29
score for their 103rd straight win.
Though the Wonder Team was missing two of its
starters, they seemed more than a match for Clifton,
jumping out to a 21-4 lead. Then the Maroon and Gray
erupted. Paced by team captain Ray Bednarcik and Joe
Tarris, who combined for 26 points, Clifton blazed back
into the game.
Passaic Herald writer George H. Greenfield described:
“Passaic’s morale was completely destroyed, crushed,
and swept away by the onrushing Maroon and Gray
cohorts of Coach (Harry) Collester. With visions of a pos-
sible victory over the far-famed Wonder Team before
their eyes, they made shots they had never made before,
played a floor game that they never dreamed themselves
capable of, and, in general, proceeded to throw a monkey
wrench into the Passaic machine.”
At halftime, Clifton had closed to a 21-19 score and
tied the game at 22 early in the third quarter on a
Bednarcik steal and outside shot. The teams played close
basketball throughout the second half and, at the start of
the fourth quarter, the Wonder Team led, 28-26.
Two Mike Hamas foul shots gave Passaic a 30-26 lead,
but Clifton’s Larry De Mattia hit for a bucket and
In 1923 these Mustangs almost beat the Wonder Team. Top: Coach HarryCollester, Morris Karp, Larry DeMattia, Manager Donald Welenkamp,George Reasor, Principal Walter Nutt. Bottom: Emil Bondinell, Joseph Tarris,Ray Bednarcik, Vincent Chimenti, Art Argauer, mascot Pete Wilhovsky.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 47
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant48
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Tarris hit two foul shots to tie the
score again. The Wonder Team
countered with another basket by
Hamas, who scored 21 for the
game, to pull ahead, 32-30.
With time running out, Clifton
made one last run. Clutch baskets
by Vince Chimenti and another by
Tarris, gave the Maroon and Gray
a 34-33 lead. The Passaic Daily
News wrote: “It was the first time
in four years that Passaic was
down with one minute left to
play.”
Here’s where the story gets interesting. Legend says a
lot less than one minute was left—probably closer to 10
seconds. In a 2000 interview with the Herald News,
Clifton sports historian Harry Murtha said, “Art Argauer
(a guard on the Clifton team) told me they were robbed.
He said the timekeeper was someone from Passaic and
made sure the game lasted until Passaic took the lead.”
Though other fans confirm the story, the Passaic news-
papers make no mention of the infamous “long clock.”
There is also another story (not reported in the game
accounts) that Bednarcik missed a lay-up that would have
given Clifton the game.
In whatever time remained, Hamas got the ball and
scored, giving Passaic a one-point lead. Fouled on the
play, he stepped to the line and made the shot, just before
the final whistle sounded, giving the Wonder Team a 36-
34 victory. Passaic had survived—but had the slow hand
of a timekeeper helped keep the streak alive?
No one knows for sure. Win No. 113 remains.
Domyon’s HallDomyon’s Hall plays a prominent role in Clifton’s
basketball history.
Located on 66 Center St. in the Botany section (now
known as Courtside Pub), the tavern features a basket-
ball court in the back that has drawn players from all
over North Jersey, beginning in the 1930s.
“I loved playing there,” says John Kostisin, a former
player and head coach at Clifton High. “The rims were
very forgiving and the ball often went in. I made sure my
paper route started and ended at Domyon’s so I could go
inside and shoot when I was finished. It would cost five
cents a half-hour to play, a dime for an hour.”
Kostisin wasn’t the only one who loved Domyon’s.
Besides the many Clifton players, teams from all over
the area competed on the court. Stars like Paterson’s
Larry Doby and Orange’s Monte and Cal Irvin played at
Domyon’s, as did NBA players Bob Davies, Pep Saul,
and York Larese.
In 1947, the St. Francis Club from St. Cyril’s Church at Domyon’s: Front: JohnPavlica, John Pavlik, Bob Adams, and Jim Lotzer. Rear: John Bigos, DanPetrasek, Lou Pashinsky, Steve Mihalovich and Ed Kostic.
When the court first opened, fans not only got to
watch a basketball game, they could dance in front of a
live band at halftime and after the game. Players had to
put up with the smoke from cigarettes and cigars that
ringed the court.
“Breathing the air at Domyon’s,” says Kostisin, “con-
ditioned me for playing in places like the Paterson
Armory that were just as smoky.” Bill Domyon, who ran
the basketball court for 55 years before selling the busi-
ness a decade ago, said in a 2001 interview that he
enjoyed his business immensely. “I was too busy work-
ing to watch the games,” he says, “but I loved meeting
the people. I have wonderful memories.”
The “Almost” State ChampionsPerhaps the greatest Clifton basketball team ever was
the 1946 squad that finished with an incredible 22-1
record. After capturing the Passaic Valley Conference
championship, the Mustangs only defeat came when
they were upset by Newark Central in the state tourna-
ment. The loss was especially heartbreaking because
Newark Central went on to lose to Thomas Jefferson, a
team Clifton had already beaten.
“It was overconfidence, as simple as that,” says Ray
Van Cleef, the team’s point guard. “We were flat and did-
n’t come out with fire like we had in other ball games.
They surrounded Hal Corizzi, who was our leading scor-
er, and that put the pressure on Ted Dul and Elmer Gall
to score.
“At the end, we were stunned. They were a good
team, but we had beaten better teams than Newark
Central. It’s hard to explain, but at the end of that game,
I felt like I hadn’t even played at
all.” Despite their heartbreaking
loss, Coach Emil Bednarcik’s
boys enjoyed a stellar season.
One of their greatest wins
was over a powerful Emerson
team (22-2) in a state tourna-
ment game prior to the Newark
Central contest.
Down 27-20 at the half,
Clifton came back with 6’5”
Don Parsons fronting
Emerson’s giant center
Steinmentz and preventing the
ball from entering the post. On offense, Van Cleef
orchestrated the Clifton attack, running the Emerson
team ragged trying to stop him. Corizzi, the state’s lead-
ing scorer that season, paced the team with 24 points as
the Mustangs advanced with a 58-50 victory.
“Though Hal was only about 6-foot tall,” says Van
Cleef, “he scored all his points from inside the foul line.
The reason was that he couldn’t see very well. Even
though we had a big scoreboard, he used to come into the
huddle during timeouts and ask, ‘What’s the score?’ We
kidded him a lot about that.”
The 1946 team continued to make their city proud fol-
lowing graduation. During the 1950 season, the trio of
Van Cleef, Corizzi, and Parsons went on to start for
Rutgers University, with Parsons scoring over 1,000
career points for the school.
“Don was the first to go to Rutgers in 1947,” says Van
Cleef, who became a baseball All-American in college.
“I joined him in 1948, and when Hal got out of the serv-
ice, he came to the school. Hal also played football for
Rutgers and became an outstanding end.”
One who remembers their play at Rutgers was fresh-
man basketball coach Bob Sterling.
“I can’t say enough superlatives about the three of
them,” says Sterling. “What an endorsement for Clifton
High School they were. Emil (Bednarcik) did a fine job
preparing them, and they were all tough competitors.
Corizzi was a bull, Parsons was our center, and Van
Cleef was the type that would annoy the opposing
team—he never stopped.
“They were the kind of kids you live to coach, the
ones who gave every ounce of effort.”
At Domyon’s Courtside Pub in Botany Village in 2003, just for the memories, fromleft: Tom Cupo,. Walt Caligaro, John Kostisin, Dan Petrasek (see him in 1947 on theprevious page), Joe Scancarella, Tony Glodava and Al Mardirossian jr.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 49
Not Just FootballWhen you mention winning Clifton
basketball teams, Coach Emil
Bednarcik’s name comes to mind. But
another basketball coach also had an
outstanding record. Before becoming
Clifton’s head football coach in 1964,
Bill Vander Closter led the Mustangs
JV basketball team to over 220 wins.
Though he led Clifton to five state
football titles, Vandy always consid-
ered basketball his best sport, earning
All-Navy honors while playing in the
service.
Hoopin’ in the Age of AquariusIn the sixties, Clifton boasted incredible individual
talent as evidenced by the five players selected for the
Mustangs All-Century Team by Clifton MerchantMagazine. The Woodstock Generation’s Fab Five— Ken
Van Dalen, Dennis Cesar, Al Yuhas, Ed Monks, and
Larry Kondra—gave the sixties the most players on the
team of any decade.
Each was a special player.
The 6’4” Van Dalen averaged 16
points a game and was the Mustangs’
top rebounder in 1963, later playing for
Rutgers on the same team as legendary
North Carolina State coach Jim
Valvano. Cesar, now a doctor in
California, averaged 28.6 points a
game in 1964, while Yuhas became the
school’s first 1,000 point scorer, aver-
aging 21.4 points a game in 1966. He
was later selected to The Record’s All-
Century Team for Passaic County, the
Mustangs’ lone representative.
Monks, now an attorney in Oregon,
helped lead the 1967 Mustangs to a
17-6 record, averaging just under 20
points a game. He later played for Columbia University
and was a member of the nationally ranked 1969 Ivy
League championship team. Kondra, today a physician
in California, was also a 1,000-point scorer and averaged
over 20 points a game in both his junior and senior years.
He earned All-County, All-Metropolitan, and All-State
honors and was an Honorable Mention All-American
selection as a senior.
The late Coach Bill Vander Closterwas a familiar sight on the grid
iron but he also had an impressiverecord on the basketball court.
The 1945-46 CHS Basketball team who went on to be North Jersey Group 1V & Passaic Valley Conference Champions.From left standing, Coach Bednarcik, Van Cleef, Torcivia, Atkinson, Bulyn, Hatala, Dull, Olson, Gall, Corrizzi, Parsons,& Dr. Gerow. Sitting, DeLotto, Wolf, Donall, & Gibnavdi.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant50
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 51
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant52
The All-Century TeamIn 2000, Clifton Merchant
Magazine asked a panel of Mustangs
basketball experts to select the
school’s All-Century Basketball
Team. Here are the 15 players who
were chosen as “best of the best”:Ed Bednarcik - 1975,Bud Campbell - 1975,Dennis Cesar - 1964,Hal Corizzi - 1946,Ed Monks - 1967, Al Yuhas - 1966,Ray Van Cleef - 1947,Sam Poulis - 1991,Billy DeGraaf - 1952,Bill Shaughnessy - 1988,Rich Fincken - 1956,Ken Van Dalen - 1963,Jerry Manning - 1959,Larry Kondra - 1969,Rich Conrad - 1971.
Mustangs Inspiring MustangsAfter winning the state champi-
onship, the 1966 Clifton football team
continued to inspire others—especial-
ly basketball players. Football team
captain Bob Csuka recalls a game
against powerful Lodi when the
Bergen County school was trying to
gain entrance into the Passaic Valley
Conference. “Lodi’s admission into
the PVC was something (football)
Coach Bill Vander Closter was dead
against,” Csuka remembers. “When
Lodi came to our gym, their fans
hung a sign saying they deserved to
be part of the PVC.”
Knowing a Lodi victory would
bolster their case for joining the
PVC, the football team tore down the sign at halftime
and charged into the Clifton locker room during Coach
Emil Bednarcik’s pep talk. “We showed the players the
In March, 1993, these 11 and 12 year old Clifton kids became the New Jersey State Biddy League Champions: (kneel-ing left to right) Erik Dobkowski, Mike Rivera, Andrea McCormick, Omar Caccares-Marzon, Ryan Mikula and BryanMemen. (Standing) George Hayek (Coordinator), Jesse Smith, John Chestnut, Joey Haro, John Antonucci Sr. (Coach),John Antonucci Jr., Joey Labruzza, Pablo Castro and Henry McCormick (Video Technician). Their story is on page 54.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 53
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sign,” Csuka says, “and then ripped it up
in front of them. They were so fired up
that they ran Lodi off the floor in the sec-
ond half. At the end of the game, we car-
ried Coach Bednarcik off the floor.”
Clifton’s Greatest OpponentHe was their greatest rival, and his
team brought out the competitive best in
the Mustangs. From 1971 to 1975, Passaic
Valley’s John Gerdy ruled area courts,
becoming Passaic County’s top career
scorer with 2,614 points. Though Gerdy put on some
great performances against other teams—including a 48-
point effort against Rory Sparrow’s Eastside squad—
Clifton games were legendary.
“As a sophomore in 1973,” says then Clifton head
coach John Kostisin, “Gerdy came back from mono and
still scored 40 against us. I remember running three dif-
ferent guards at him the entire game and not stopping
him.” Averaging nearly 25 points as a freshman, Gerdy
totaled over 22 points per game as a sophomore, 26 as a
junior, and a career high 30.1 during his senior year. A
6’4” guard, the Hornets star scored most of his points
from long range.
“He’d do things during a game that
were so amazing,” says Clifton’s Larry
Gibson, a starting forward on the 1975
team, “that I had to remind myself to pay
attention and not get distracted. If the 3-
point rule had existed, he would have aver-
aged 55 points a game.”
By 1975, the Hornets and Mustangs had
become a mirror image of the other. To
counter Gerdy, Clifton used high-scoring
guard Ed Bednarcik. To offset PV’s rugged
Mike Suglia, the Mustangs featured the energetic Bud
Campbell. Both teams boasted loud, passionate fans.
“What I remember about all our games was how the
gyms rocked,” remarks Kostisin. “At the end of the
games, it was one side or the other singing ‘Good bye,
Gerdy’ or ‘Good bye, Clifton.’”
Gerdy, now an author and college professor living in
Pennsylvania, vividly recalls PV’s battles against
Clifton. “Those games were fun,” he says. “The gym
was always filled, the atmosphere electric, and the teams
evenly matched. While everyone competed fiercely, we
had great respect for each other.”
John Gerdy
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant54
The Mustangs, who would win the 1975 Northern NJ
Interscholastic League title, met the Hornets three times
that season. Their first battle came during the Passaic
Valley Holiday Tournament on the Hornets’ home floor.
Gerdy started off the game cold, watching his long
shots clang off the back rim and hearing the Clifton
crowd count each miss. Kostisin had Campbell, his long-
limbed center, chase Gerdy along the outside. The plan
worked until Campbell got into foul trouble. With
Campbell on the bench, Gerdy rediscovered his jumper
and scored 45 points in PV’s 86-74 victory.
In January, over 2,000 loud fans packed the CHS gym
and saw the rivalry at its best.
Gerdy led PV to a one-point lead with six minutes to
play, but the Mustangs fought back. Twice during the
final minutes, Clifton’s Rick LaMonica scored on put-
backs for crucial points. His efforts, along with
Campbell’s 32 points and Bednarcik’s 23, sparked the
Mustangs to a 75-72 win. Gerdy had 26 points for the
losing Hornets.
The final meeting between the schools came in
February.
The game was close into the fourth quarter. Down by
six, Clifton fought back with eight-straight points by
Bednarcik and Campbell to give the Mustangs a 60-58
lead. But PV refused to lose on its home floor.
The Hornets outscored the Mustangs 16-4 through the
final minutes for a 76-65 win. Gerdy led PV with 35
points, while Bednarcik topped Clifton with 34.
The rivalry was the high point of both teams’ seasons
as each lost in the state tournament. Clifton (20-3) bowed
to North Bergen, while PV (22-5) was upset by Bayonne.
She Got GameFormer Clifton head coach John Kostisin is a keen
judge of basketball talent, having seen every great
Clifton player since the early forties. During his 1984
basketball clinics for middle school students, the coach
knew he was watching a great player—one better than
any on the court.
However, this athlete would never play for Kostisin
on the high school team. The best player on the court
that year was a girl—Janet Domino. “She was better than
any of the boys,” say Kostisin. “She was a tremendous
athlete in both softball and basketball.”
Though she stopped beating the boys on the court
after the eighth grade, Domino continued to impress
Clifton coaches. She played four years for the Lady
Mustangs basketball and softball teams, becoming an
All-County player on the hardwood. Domino was elect-
ed to the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Third in the WorldIn 1993, the best team in the city was probably its
smallest. After winning the Division I-A state champi-
onship, Clifton’s Biddy Basketball Team journeyed to
Abbeyville, La., to compete for the world title. The boys
from Clifton did well, finishing third.
“The team was organized through the Recreation
Department,” recalled the late Bob Potts in 2000.
“George Hayek and I helped put the team together, and
they were coached by John Antonucci Sr., whose son
John played on the team. Biddy basketball teams com-
pete on 8.5 foot baskets and players cannot be taller than
5’8”.
In 2002, senior Albert Torres, at left,finished his career at CHS with 1,081
career points. He is pictured withCoach Pete Vasil and sophomore
Devon Moffatt. Moffatt went on toscore 1,228 midway throughhis junior year before leav-
ing CHS in 2003 for St.Patrick’s in Elizabeth.
Devon Moffatt1,228
Albert Torres1,081
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 55
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant56
Clifton formed its Biddy team only three weeks
before the state tournament. However, because three of
the team’s stars—Antonucci Jr., Andre McCormick, and
Joe Haro—had played together on the Clifton Boys Club
team, the squad quickly jelled. Accompanied by many of
the parents, and Potts, Hayek and Antonucci Sr., the
Clifton team won twice in the world tournament before
losing to Puerto Rico. “It was a great experience to trav-
el,” says Ryan Mikula, a player on the team. “We were
all from different schools, but we came together. What I
remember most was the camaraderie we had.”
Kostisin’s Mustang FiveThough he says he’s “going to get a lot of flack for
this,” former coach John Kostisin agreed to provide his
all-time starting five for Clifton High.
After mentioning great players like Larry Kondra,
Bud Campbell, Rich Fincken, Ken Van Dalen, Bill
Shaughnessy, Sam Poulis, and “many others,” Kostisin
named his all time starting Mustang Five: Guards Devon
Moffatt and Ed Bednarcik, Forwards: Hal Corizzi and
Rich Conrad with Center Al Yuhas.
The 1000 ClubDuring the winter season of 2002, two CHS boys’
basketball players passed the 1,000 point milestone in
their careers and joined an exclusive club, which still
numbers eight Clifton Mustangs.
For senior guard Albert Torres, the 2002 season
marked the end of a brilliant high school career. For
sophomore guard Devon Moffatt, it looked like it was
just the beginning. Together, they formed what Mustang
basketball coach Pete Vasil called the greatest back court
Clifton has ever seen.
Torres, who was named to the All-Passaic County
Second Team, finished his career at CHS with 1,081
career points. “He’s a great open floor player and very
explosive,” the coach said.
Devon Moffatt, an All-County First Team selection,
had two years left at CHS when he made the club. His
1,003 career points as a sophomore meant that by mid-
season in his junior year, Moffatt was going to simply
shatter—and most likely obliterate—the school record of
1,258 career points netted by 1991 grad Sam Poulis.
After his first two seasons, Moffatt had already earned
the reputation as a big game player.
In Clifton’s 2002 State tournament victory over
Teaneck, Moffatt scored 24 points and hauled down 11
rebounds. During the regular season, he was a consis-
tent producer and a leader on the floor.
In the following year, Vasil named Moffatt, then a jun-
ior, his captain and the Mustangs were on to their best
season since 1977.
But despite mentoring, Moffatt left CHS midway
through the season to attend St. Patrick’s High School in
Elizabeth. “It was unfortunate,” is how Vasil summed it
up. The 2003 Mustangs finished 15-9 and went into the
second round of the states.
In 2002, Moffatt and Torres joined six other
Mustangs who have filled the CHS trophy case with
those brightly painted balls, each marking the memo-
rable day in their lives when they became a member of
the Mustang 1,000 Club.
Sammy Poulis1,258
Dori Breen1,180
Al Yuhas1,143
Ed Bednarcik1,120
Bill Shaughnessy1,019
Larry Kondra1,015
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 57
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Renowned as the author of a ‘dirty’ poem whose first public reading
in a West Coast gallery was said to have turned the 1950s into the ’60s
in a single night, Allen Ginsberg embodied, as a figure, some great cold
war climax of human disinhibition,” wrote Walter Kirn in a Nov. 19,
2006 essay in The New York Times.
The legacy of Paterson-born Ginsberg as the poet laureate of the
Beat generation was burnished in 1956 with the publication of Howl
and Other Poems. Shortly after its release in print in San Francisco,
and because of the graphic sexual language of the poem, the book was
banned for obscenity. The work overcame censorship trials, however,
and Howl became one of the most widely read poems of the century,
translated into 25 languages.
As the leading icon of the Beats, Ginsberg studied under gurus and
Zen masters and was involved in countless political activities, includ-
ing protests against the Vietnam War, and he spoke openly about issues
that concerned him, such as free speech and gay rights agendas.
Joe Rathgeber, Michael Lupi and Jim Gwyn. Below, Paterson’s Allen Ginsberg. The three Cliftonmen received honorable mention awards in the Poetry Center’s Allen Ginsberg Poetry competition.
Bards of CliftonThree Clifton Poets honored with Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards
CLIFTON POETRY
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 59
Ginsberg went on to publish numerous collections of
poetry, including Kaddish and Other Poems (1961),
Planet News (1968), and The Fall of America: Poems ofThese States (1973). Until his death in 1997, he lived a
life fit for the gossip pages and came to love his home-
town, returning to read his work at the Poetry Center.
For many, due to his Paterson connection and the
fact that his mentor was the Rutherford physician and
poet William Carlos Williams, Ginsberg continues to
serve as a genuine inspiration to generations of writers.
Which is why it makes literary sense that the Poetry
Center at Passaic County Community College presents
the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards, honoring Allen
Ginsberg’s contributions to American Literature.
The top three winners received cash prizes and along
with other poets read their works on Feb. 1 and are pub-
lished in the Paterson Literary Review. We’re happy
about this year’s award winners because three poets
who received “Honorable Mention” are in fact from
Clifton. No other town, in Jersey or elsewhere, which
produced a prize winner or an Honorable Mention, had
more than one. While they did not receive cash prizes,
Clifton’s three bards were honored at the reading. Here
is a little background on our three Clifton poets.
He Even Looks Like a PoetJames Gwyn, the one with the twirled mustache and
beret to the left, has, fittingly, a general air of jauntiness
about him. His winning poem is Real Men Read.
Gwyn grew up in Medina, in upstate NY, majored in
English and Creative Writing at what is now SUNY
Binghamton and has resided in Dutch Hill since 1991.
He works for the College Entrance Examination Board
or CEEB, which administers nationally the SAT’s.
“People in general” is how Gwyn sums up his inspi-
ration for his writing of verse.
“I observe people on the train while going to work in
New York City,” he explains. “I watch them on the
subway too. Trains are great places for inspiration.
They’re great places to write and they’re great places to
read poetry. You can read a poem between stops. The
doors open and you stop reading for a moment. The
doors close and you read some more. It’s fun and it
develops a rhythm of its own.”
One poet that Gwyn recommends is Billy Collins,
who was in fact Poet Laureate of the United States from
2001-2003. “Accessibility is important for poets,”
Gwyn continues. That’s one reason he thinks old Allen
Ginsberg himself was “a very good poet. He made
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poetry accessible and wrote in language that everybody
could understand.” Gywn is a frequent visitor at the
podium for the Ginsberg Award. He has numerous hon-
orable mentions and in 2008 he won the top prize along
with $1,000 for his poem The Burning Bed.“I really endorse going to poetry readings,” Gwyn
suggests to readers. “They’re a way to hear poets them-
selves play with words. And to let their words move
you in real time.”
Most of Gwyn’s own poems are published in sever-
al volumes of what he terms “chapbooks.” In the 17th
and 18th century these were inexpensively printed
pamphlets often used to make political statements.
Today’s versions are generally collections of poems,
no more than 48 pages. Gwyn himself laughs, howev-
er, when he points out that “almost all of my chapbooks
are out of print today. Although I may have some at
home, the old ones are pretty hard to find now.”
Since this is a month of romance, too, we of course
asked which poet Gwyn might recommend for lovers to
read together. He suggested John Donne from the 17th
century, a man who wrote some of the most sensuous
lyrics out there. There’s romance in Gwyn’s own life,
too: a long, happy marriage which has resulted in twin
sons who themselves graduated from CHS last year and
now both attend local colleges.
There’s also a puckish sense of humor. Asked his age,
Gwyn replies that he’s “as old as Benjamin Button.”
This is a reference to an F. Scott Fitzgerald story (and
subsequent flop Brad Pitt movie) about a man who is
born old and progresses through life getting younger.
Perhaps that’s simply the magic of being a practicing
and prize-winning poet, of feeling younger all the time
even as you burnish your considerable talents.
The English Teacher Who Loves LanguageJoseph Rathgeber does give his age—30—and while
he and Gwyn were Dutch Hill neighbors for a few
years, Rathgeber is a home-grown Clifton product. He
went to Grove Hill Nursery for pre-school, then attend-
ed School 15, Woodrow Wilson Middle School and
CHS. He also proudly participated in that uniquely-
Clifton rite of passage called the Mustang Marching
Band. His winning poem is American Poetry.
Today, Rathgeber is a high school English teacher.
He moved from Dutch Hill and purchased a home in
Clifton Center with his wife, the former Michelle
Primavera, whom he graduated CHS with in 2001.
They have one daughter Joleen and are expecting
another soon.
There are three main influences on his own rather
considerable body of work to date: “Clifton’s diversity,
my connection since childhood to Dutch Hill and the
city’s position between Paterson and Passaic.” And he
also stresses his love of “New Jersey’s own great poets.”
CLIFTON POETRY
Gwyn family: Gregory, Matthew, James, Emily Rose.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 61
He cites Rutherford’s William
Carlos Williams (who for most of
his life was a practicing obstetrician
and pediatrician there), Ginsberg of
Paterson, Walt Whitman of Camden
(he spent the latter decades of his
life in Jersey no matter that the mall
named after him is on Long Island)
and the recently deceased and high-
ly controversial Amiri Baraka of
Newark.
“All of them,” Rathgeber feels,
“worked very hard at language. All
are poets who really cared.”
Ask Rathgeber which poets he
personally likes to read and he’ll
rattle off 20 or so names in machine
gun-like bursts: Matthew Dickman,
Robert Frost, Charles Bernstein,
Wallace Stevens (a career employee
of an insurance company... proof
that poets are often rooted firmly in
the “real” world), and the Italian
poet and 1975 Nobel Prize winner
for literature Eugenio Montale.
He even adds someone whose
way lengthy poems about Arthurian
knightly deeds and laments for lost
friends have been putting high
school students to sleep for over
160 years: Alfred Tennyson. “All
are worth reading, and taking seri-
ously,” Rathgeber believes.
“Poetry is a very flexible art
form,” he says. “You can even write
it very quickly. Yes, too, it’s not to
everyone’s taste, but that’s maybe
where good teachers come in. It’s
probably taught more easily one-to-
one or in small groups rather than
large classes. You have to pay atten-
tion and you have to appreciate the
possibilities of language.”
Asked which poets’ romantic
lyrics he’d recommend, however,
seemingly without thinking hard
about it, Rathgeber rattles off Rita
Dove and Gwendolyn Brooks.
“Both seem to have a real appreci-
ation of how difficult love can be,”
says Rathgeber, adding: “And of
how rewarding it is, too.”
The curious can also Google
Rathgeber and actually read his
master’s thesis for his MA in
Creative Writing at Seton Hall.
It’s a story about a boy of
Palestinian descent growing up in
Clifton and it’s pretty doggoned
interesting. And localized. So much
so that there’s even a discussion in it
of the proper Cliftonite’s pronuncia-
tion of Piaget Ave. Which has noth-
ing to do with what people who took
French in school might assume,
wherever they come from.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant62
And This One Sounds Like A Poet The first thing one notices about Michael Lupi, yet
another Clifton schools-schooled poet who graduated
CHS in 2000 after passing through School 5 and
Woodrow Wilson, is his voice.
It’s good. And rich. (The word “mellifluous” comes
to mind.) This is no Bob Dylanish nasal whine or the
ranch hand’s twang that Bruce Springsteen seems to
affect and certainly didn’t pick up even living in either
Colt’s Neck or West Long Branch, to cite two rockers
hailed as poets.
Lupi’s is a voice meant for reading poems out loud.
Those of others as well as his own. And it’s well suited
to a classroom and to commanding attention there, too.
The 31-year-old teaches English at both Bergen
Community College and a private learning center in
Bergen County.
“The poem of mine that was selected for Honorable
Mention is called The Source Code In The Snow Driftand its themes include family legacies, self-determina-
tion and tragedy.” Some of the poem, he notes, is also
organized around motifs of computer programming.
That’s in large part because both his parents in fact
studied computer programming.
The first lines of said poem are She jumped head-long from a second-story window into a snowdrift —my mother as a child.
“And she really did that,” Lupi adds in a tone that
shuts down further questioning, tells you to go read the
resulting poem instead.
Another source of inspiration he cites for his work is
his girlfriend from Clifton “and I’ve written about her.”
But he wasn’t in the Marching Mustang Band.
“I played basketball in high school,” he replies, giv-
ing him a surprising sort of affinity with the deceased
poet Jim Carroll, whose early acclaimed work TheBasketball Diaries was made into an early Leonardo
DiCaprio movie.
Poets he likes are also somewhat surprising.
“Shelley is my personal favorite,” he says. “There are
always little pockets of revelations in his work.”
He also mentions, from the same period, both Byron
and Keats. All three, he assures, “are perfect for the
general purposes of romance.”
Ask Lupi as to why he writes poetry, he explains:
“In my teens I showed some inclination for it, and was
encouraged. It’s a very difficult art, and requires
patience, dedication and a tolerance for frustration.”
CLIFTON POETRY
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Look up in a maple and see the six foot wide Big Bug.Sigmund stands naked in a field. And near the well—
but where else?—discover the 20 foot-long-Under the
Sea. Created by Jodi Carlson using discarded reflective
street signs, (see more at Jodicarlson.com ) these three
join others on the grounds of the Clifton
Sculpture Park and can be seen for free seven
days, from dawn to dust.
Art literally pops up all over the park, locat-
ed at Clifton and Van Houten Aves. About
three dozen sculptures can be found on the 25-
acre campus surrounding city hall and the
Clifton Police Station. Several times a year, the
park’s roadways are transformed to the Avenue
of Flags, with 1,800 American Flags honoring
veterans, living and deceased. There is also the
Clifton Arts Center Gallery, which stages art
exhibits and presents cultural events.
Admission there is $3. Details: cliftonnj.org.
Sculpture park
Next time you go to city hallto recycle, consider how artistJodi Carlson gave new life toolds metals and sculpted art.
Under the Sea
SigmundSigmund
Big Bug
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 63
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant64
The Clifton Arts Center opens InThe Style of… an art exhibit and
sale by members of the Clifton
Association of Artists (CAA) on
Feb. 26. A reception, open to the
public, is on March 1 from 1 to 4
pm. This year’s theme has mem-
bers choosing a famous artist and
creating their own composition in
the style of that artist. Write to
[email protected] for info.
Clifton’s ATC Studios’ 2014Young Playwrights Project is
open to middle and high school stu-
dents and is accepting 10 minutes
or under one-act scripts that reflect
the concept Believe! This may
include realistic points of view, and
those from the student’s imagina-
tion. Scripts should reflect the
writer’s direct experience or cre-
ative exploration. Send submis-
sions to [email protected].
The deadline is March 15. More
details at atcstudios.org.
Don Sheffrin, Mike VanLuvender, Gus Ferrari, Victoria Waumans and RobinEdinger are cast in Murd –ARRRR! Pirates of the Salty Dog, a murder / mysterydinner and show by the Theater League of Clifton. Six show dates in March arescheduled at Mario’s and the price is $40. Call 973-928-7668 to purchase tick-ets or go to theaterleagueofclifton.com. Hurry, shows sell out quickly.
The Feast Day of St. Joseph—the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary—is
on March 19. In Sicily, where St. Joseph is a Patron, and here in many
Italian-American communities, thanks are given on that day to St.
Joseph—San Giuseppe—for preventing a famine in Sicily during the
Middle Ages. Keeping that tradition alive, the 84th Geraci Citizens League
St. Joseph’s Dinner Dance is on March 15 at The Brownstone at 6:30 pm.
Tickets are $90. Coordinated by Nina Corradino, those who attend will
enjoy traditional pasta dishes, finocchi and zeppoli, dancing and music.
For tickets, call Corradino at 973-278-0356 or 973-470-8982.The Geraci Citizens League’s St.Joseph’s Day Gala is on March 15.
The Woodrow Wilson Middle School SymphoniquesOrchestra Ensemble is under the direction of Elise White. Their Spring Concert is on May 19 and 20.
Arts & Culture
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 65
The Tenth Annual Passaic CountyFilm Festival on April 26 is a juried
exhibition of students’ and inde-
pendent filmmakers’ work which
showcases projects created by film-
makers who live, attend school, or
work in Passaic County. All 10-
minute entries are the sole effort of
those submitting the work. There is
free admission to the festival and
screenings will take place at the
Fabian 8 Theater in downtown
Paterson. Call 973-569-4720 or
write to [email protected].
Clifton Recreation offers a Dinnerand a Movie on Feb. 20 at Main and
Washington Aves. Dinner will be
served at 5 pm and the movie, FreeBirds is at 6 pm. For $5.50, get a
choice of hot dog or hamburger plus
French fries, a soda, the movie, pop-
corn and candy. Seating is limited.
Buy tickets at clifonrec.com or call
973-470-5956.
The Friends of the Clifton PublicLibrary seek to raise funds to
enhance library services, sponsor
special events for children and teens
and encourage community aware-
ness of services offered at the Main
Library on Piaget Ave. and its
Allwood branch on Lyall Rd..
Government funding pays only a
portion of the Library’s operating
expense. The Friends, a 501(c)3
non-profit organization, is a volun-
teer group who essentially want to
add some extras and stretch tax dol-
lar with books and programming.
Membership with the Friends of
the Clifton Public Library is a great
way to support and expand the free
and vital services including literacy
training, internet access and job
search resources.
The Friends was originally
formed in 1985 and new member-
ship incentives will soon be offered.
There is an additional benefit when
Corporations make matching gifts.
Officers, pictured above, were
elected this past December and said
they are looking forward to adding
members and expanding program-
ming. The next meeting, open to all,
is on March 12 at 7 pm at the Main
Library. A representative of City
Green will present a program on
their efforts at Schultheis Farm.
This 5-acre site on Grove St. is
producing organic food and City
Green was instrumental in teaching
gardening to volunteers so as to fos-
ter a sense of community.
Refreshments will be served.
Learn more about the Friends.
Go to cliftonpl.org and click on
Support Us or call 973-772-5500.
Officers of the Friends of the Clifton Public Library: Colleen Murray, Vice-President; Vivian Semeraro, President; Roberta Silverberg, Secretary; MaryRogers, Treasurer; and At-large Members Joan Sanford and Fran Warren.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant66
Community Events
School 16’s Tricky Tray is March 26 at the Brownstone.
Tickets are $45 and include a beefsteak with antipasto,
pasta, beer, wine, soda and dessert. Doors open at 6 pm.
Prizes include designer hand bags, home electronics,
jewelry, home goods and more. For tickets and details,
call Michelle Genardi at 973-417-2704.
St. Paul Church Fat Friday Beefsteak is a fundraiser
to help pay for the installation of an elevator before this
year’s centennial celebration in June. The Mardi Gras
style Fat Friday Beefsteak is in the Church Hall, 124
Union Ave., on Feb. 28 at 7 pm. The BYOB affair is
$35; purchase by Feb. 24. Call 973-340-1300 for info.
Liberty Tax Service—Allwood wants to take care of the
veterans, active military and their immediate family
members with free federal tax preparation during
“Military and Veterans Appreciation Week.” First time
customers who fall into these categories can get a free
Federal Return from Feb. 10 to Feb 17. Just bring mili-
tary or a VA id card, along with a driver’s license to get
the free return. “We want to give something back to
those who served,” said Maryann Bowen, owner of
Liberty Tax Service in the Richfield Shopping Center.
Their office is at 1344 Clifton Ave. (next to Boston
Market). Find out more; call them at 973-778-0700 or
email [email protected].
Assemblyman Tom Giblin heard about Bobby Turcicbeing a huge Jets fan in late December. So he visitedthe Rowland Ave. resident and his mom Diane Wrighton Jan. 15 with a belated Christmas gift—an authenticJets football. Turcic, who turned 40 on Nov. 24, worksat the Clifton Adult Opportunity Center.
Clifton Cares, agroup of volunteerswho have been sending supplies of‘goodies’ to US Armytroops serving over-seas, shipped 66packages on Jan 24.
On the night before,packing decks ofplaying cards donat-ed by the SandsCasino in BethlehemPA for the troops,are from left, ChrisLiszner, LizzGagnon, DonaCrum, CathyReynics, JoeLauritano, andDennis Reynics.
Kevin O'Neil, left, owner of Clifton’s IHOP onRt. 3, with Damien Burke, notes National PancakeDay is March 4. Stop in for a free stack of pancakesand donate to the Children’s Miracle Network, thebeneficiary of this nationwide fundraiser.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 67
WEE CARE CHILD CARE CENTER
1170
OFF10%
SIBLINGDISCOUNT
RegistrationNow Ongoing!
Give Us A Call Today!
Jennifer Henkel, Director • First Presbyterian Church 303 Maplewood Avenue, Clifton • 973.523.7704
Accepting Children from Birth to Age 12• Open 7 am to 6 pm• Weekly Chapel• 16 Teachers & Aides —
Many here over 20 years!
• After-School Pick-Up at School 5
• When public schools are closed, we’re open!
At the opening of Powerflow Hot Yoga on Van Houten Ave onJan. 11, are owners Jerry LePore and his nephew Brian, withmanager Meghan Hunter. The newly constructed studio locatedbetween School 2 and Grimaldi’s offers classes 7 days a weekand is the fourth location for Powerflow. See powerflownj.com.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant68
Meet our CHS Students of the Month,selected by the VP’s of each wing.
Gabriella Has The GradesGabriella Varano, a ninth grader in the
East Wing, says that “there are only a hand-
ful of teachers who can make an indelible
mark on your first year of high school.” For
her that’s Mr. Michael Rogers.
“He has an uncanny way of making the
mundane and pedestrian seem exciting and
vital,” Gabriella notes, terming Rogers
“the only person I know who can make the
Black Plague compelling instead of
repelling.” Her best friend is Kassandra
Velez, who she’s known since 6th grade at
CCMS and has “a unique sense of humor.
She’s a constant reminder I shouldn’t take
everything too seriously.”
After just two marking periods at CHS,
Gabriella’s day is pretty filled with post-
class activities, too, including the Mustang
Marching Band, the CHS Orchestra and
Brass Band and Pit Orchestra, the AV Club
and the Italian Club. She’s also recently
joined the Clifton Community Band.
Down the line, however, she hopes to pursue a career
in law, not music, “with an emphasis on defending and
advocating for Special Needs students.”
And she definitely enjoys school. “Being an honors
student can be difficult,” she admits. “However, I enjoy
the challenges and value the opportunity.”
“There are many other deserving students” who could
just as easily be Students of the Month, Gabriella adds.
Nonetheless, she’s “extremely grateful for this
acknowledgement and trust that my hard work, curiosity
and diligence will always stay in the forefront through-
out my academic career.”
Hanyel Has At ItThe Annex’s very own Hanyel
Reyes says that both Mr. Alvarado
and Mrs. Allen there “are great
and have cool styles of teaching.”
He describes both as “letting
themselves be open to questions
and constantly explaining the les-
son until everyone in the class has
understood it.” He leaves all their
classes “feeling prepared.”
Hanyel cites a septet of special
friends as “great influences” on his
life: Anthony C., Brandon S.,
Brittany C., Hiral S., Prince H.,
Angie M. and Briana S. (“You guys” all know who you
are sans surnames, in other words.)
“One of my favorite things about going to school,”
Hanyel adds, “is being able to talk to friends you do not
always get a chance to otherwise see.”
He’s also refreshingly stays very much in the relative
“now” when it comes to his future aspirations, which
“would be for me to remain at a high level of performance
throughout high school and hopefully college years.”
Hanyel also feels there’s one simple reason he’s rep-
ping the Annex this month. “Because I never give up.
Raising my hand is the chance to understand the lesson.
I try to never miss a homework assignment and I study
Pamela Prandy Hanyel J. Reyes
Jill Desai
By Richard Szathmary
hard to reach the highest grade I possi-
bly can.” Hanyel also nicely and
prominently adds one thing we don’t
perhaps hear as often from Students of
the Month as you might imagine: a big
heartfelt “Thank you!”
Jill Celebrates “Sisterhood”Jill Desai from the North Wing has
two fave pedagogues, Mr. Chilowicz
and Mr. Henry. “‘Mr. Chil’ taught us
skills for the real world as well as
about chemistry, and he’s the reason I
love the subject so much today. And Mr. Henry’s pas-
sion about history transferred to me and made me avid
about his class. The work ethic I developed there will
stay with me for the rest of my life.” (And when, come
to think of it, was the last time you heard of a high school
avid about...well...avid’ about anything?)
Her best friend is the intriguingly named Pooja,
because “over the years we have become like sisters.
She’s become my shoulder to lean on and my pillar of
strength.” Jill is president of the Asian Club at CHS and
secretary of the Key Club, positions she’s “very proud
to hold.” She also played tennis this
past autumn for the Mustangs. She’s
considering becoming a pharmacist
after-graduation and the requisite
course of college science -focused
study.
“I love that my teachers, both past
and present, have been very supportive
and motivating, and made their classes
interesting and engaging,” she adds
charmingly.
As to why she was selected to rep
her wing this month, she modestly
demurs with “It’s an honor and a wonderful reward.” She
allows, too, that it took “continuous hard work and ded-
ication.”
Ella Dances On Through LifePamela “Ella” Prandy” from the Central Wing in no
uncertain terms proclaims that Dance is her favorite class
of all. “It’s where I gain energy to go throughout the rest
of my day. Where I can express myself without writing
or speaking.” That in turn means Mrs. Lois Manzella is
her favorite teacher, a woman she cites as one
Gabriella Varano
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 69
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant70
Students of the Month
“who’s always letting students know
that nothing is impossible.”
Her best friend is Juan Adames.
“Since the beginning, we’ve always
had each other’s back,” she says. “We
always push one another to do the best
we can and we don’t let each other set-
tle for anything less than our dreams.”
For extracurrics, “This year I joined
the French and Dance clubs and had a
part in the musical ‘Shrek.’” Come
spring sports tryout time, she’s also
going for Mustangs girls’ softball.
After graduation, she subsequently
hopes to go on to college to eventually
become a dentist. And then, along with
developing a dental practice, “continue doing what I
love by opening a dance school for kids.”
“What I enjoy most about school,” she continues, “is
the electives which allow students to purposely choose
courses they know they’ll enjoy. I also like that school
is just a taste of what life can be after graduation.”
As to why her s Student of the Month, Ella Prandy
says “it’s because I made my school work my number
one priority. I did not allow myself to be satisfied with
just a passing grade. I believe that with a little hard
work, anything is possible.”
Felicia Is ForcefulFelicia Selvakumar in the South Wing cites Mrs.
Adibzadah as her favorite teacher. “She is kind, patient
and has an admirable sense of humor,” Felicia declares.
Her best friend is Monique Castro, “who never abandoned
me. I will always be indebted to her for
that. Plus, she’s really fun to be around.”
Felicia also particularly savors
“socializing with my friends and teach-
ers at school. It’s a home away from
home” for her, she gladly admits. But
watch out, too! For this young lady
has earned her black belt in Tae Kwon
Do. She says she’d also “like to pub-
lish a best-selling and award-winning
book.” And then go on to a career in
criminal justice.
“Frankly,” she concludes self-dep-
recatingly, “I don’t know why I was
chosen as the Student of the Month but
I won’t jinx it because it makes me
proud even if it was a mistake.”
A Local Remedy For SAT-Borne Stress? CHS’s own
fine faculty has jumped into the crowded college admis-
sions marketplace with its SAT prep course.
Courses are held on convenient Saturdays from 8 am
to noon and weekdays from 7 to 9 pm, beginning late
February for the May round.
They’re also reasonably priced ($295) vs. the com-
petition, and vow to expose attendees “to what a real
test is like” and to teach them “how to construct a pow-
erful essay.” They also promise to “deconstruct” and
clarify the math section of the SATs where so many tra-
ditionally stumble and/or get very angsty.
For info or to register for the courses, call Louise
Iuele at 973-470-2310 or contact Steven Spota, SAT
Prep Supervisor, at [email protected].
Felicia Selvakumar
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Clifton Merchant • February 2014 71
School News
NEW! Great for Parties... Hot, Homemade Empanadas!
Passaic County CommunityCollege (PCCC) invites students and
families who need money for college
or other post-high school education
to attend NJ College Goal 2014, a
free financial aid open house to be
held on the PCCC Main Campus,
One College Blvd. in historic down-
town Paterson on Feb. 8 from 1 to
2:30 pm; and Feb. 20 from 5 to 7 pm.
To register or for more info, go to
www.njcollegegoalsunday.org.
CHS Project Graduation hosts a
Beefsteak on March 14 at 7 pm at
the Boys & Girls Club. It’s a BYOB
event for adults catered by Geresi’s
and tickets are $35. Call Valerie
Riggi at 973-981-7555 to purchase
tickets. Entertainment, great prizes
and a 50/50 raffle will benefit the
Class of 2014 and subsidize the cost
of their all night party on June 26.
Audition for Fiddler on the Roofpresented by the Theater League of
Clifton on Feb. 12 or Feb. 16. There
are 15 roles for males and females
ages 18 to 70 and for kids ages 6 to
13. Show dates are May 9, 10, 11, 16,
17 and 18. Details what to prepare
for at theaterleagueofclifton.com or
call 973-928-7668.
The CHS Prom Fashion show is Feb. 9 at 2 pm at the JFK Auditorium.Above, some of the models, from left, Emily Choque, Robert Lupo, MeganMontanez, Sarah Fusco, Alex Figueroa, Natalia Dymora, Chris Arrazola.
The CHS Prom Fashion Show is Feb. 9 at 2 pm. The event is at the JFK
Auditorium and is a major fundraiser for the Class of 2014.
Models will be styling tuxedos donated by Deluxe Formal Wear of
Clifton with gowns by Group USA in Secaucus, Vesa in Nutley, BouBou’s
Collections in Garden State Plaza and Sisters Bridal Boutique in Garfield.
Clifton hair salons contributing services are Hair Craft, Sante Fe Hair &
Nail Salon, Hair Expressions, Artistic Hair Design, Gallery Beauty Salon,
Michel’s Hair Salon, Lon's Cuts and Beauty Plus Salon. Tickets were print-
ed by Allwood Funeral Home.
Funds raised go to help pay for Project Graduation which will take place
right after the CHS Class of 2014 commencement. Project Graduation is
the lock-in at an undisclosed location to keep our graduating seniors safe
from alcohol and drugs in a party like atmosphere.
The seniors meet at CHS and are taken by bus to the party place at 10
pm. They remain at the location where there is plenty of food and frolic
with doors locked until 5 am when they are returned to CHS.
Call Maryann Cornett at 973-779-5678 to support Project Graduation.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant72
Birthdays & Celebrations - February 2014
Alison Degen.......................2/1Robyn Feldman................... 2/1Jack Houston ...................... 2/1Kristin Reilly........................ 2/1Mary Jane Varga................ 2/1Emil Soltis, Jr ...................... 2/2Joseph Fierro ...................... 2/3Bob Naletko....................... 2/3Catherine Grace Burns ........ 2/4John Nittolo........................ 2/5Courtney Carlson................ 2/6
Joseph DeSomma ............... 2/6Robert D’Alessio ................. 2/7Nicole Tahan...................... 2/7Tara Fueshko ...................... 2/8Jamie Carr ......................... 2/9Craig Grieco...................... 2/9Steven Becker ................... 2/10Bryan Kelly....................... 2/10Matthew Seitz .................. 2/10Valentine Le Ster ............... 2/11Sarah Mikolajczyk ............ 2/11
Nick Zecchino .................. 2/11Joseph Hilla...................... 2/12Anthony Musleh................ 2/12Dolores Rando.................. 2/12John Hodorovych.............. 2/13Amin Zamlout................... 2/13Mark Gallo ...................... 2/14Jeanette Ann Saia............. 2/14Orest Luzniak ................... 2/14Christine Canavan ............ 2/15Chickie Curtis ................... 2/15Frank Klippel .................... 2/15M. Louis Poles .................. 2/15Ashley Brandecker ............ 2/17Leann Perez...................... 2/17Lorraine Rothe .................. 2/17Michael Del Re................. 2/18Richie Bandurski ............... 2/19Michael Papa................... 2/20Robert Mosciszko.............. 2/21Taylor Jesch ...................... 2/22Diana Murphy .................. 2/22John T. Saccoman ............. 2/22Robert Adamo.................. 2/24
Natalie Pychwith ‘Big Sister’Casey Hawrylko
turns 13 on Feb. 8. On Feb. 11, Caseyleaves for Australia for a year of study.
She’ll be 24 on March 2.
Happy Birthday to...Send dates & [email protected]
Ashley Rose Montague is 8 on 2/6. Happy Birthday toDonna Hawrylko on 2/25. Angely Sotamba turned 2on 1/26. Happy Birthday Lux siblings. Eric turns 18 on2/3 & Renee turns 12 on 2/14. Happy Birthday on2/14 to Orest Luzniak.
Clifton Merchant • February 2014 73
Goofy Bob De Libertocelebrates 50 on 2/11.
Eileen Feldman................ 2/24Kimberly Mistretta............ 2/24Kimberly Gasior .............. 2/26Brittany Helwig................ 2/27Joyce Penaranda ............. 2/27Brittany Pinter .................. 2/27Lauren Ricca.................... 2/27Charlie Galluzzo ............. 2/28Mark Zecchino ................ 2/28
Knapp Brothers birthdays...Don celebrates on Feb. 6and Richard on Feb. 22.
Congratulations to Mary andBob Henn who celebrate theirwedding anniversary on 2/3.
February 2014 • Clifton Merchant74
Clifton Milestone
Only about 55,000 people in the entire United Stateshave lived to be a 100 or older. On Feb. 4, Clifton’s
Helen Braviak Horack joined those ranks and marked
that milestone with a party at the Valley Regency.
A teacher in Clifton Public Schools for more than
five decades, she was joined not only by family and
friends, but by many of her former students. Mayor
James Anzaldi and other elected officials were there to
read a resolution from the Clifton Board of Education
presented in Helen’s honor.
Helen also received a Papal Blessing, a lovely and
elaborate parchment document from the Vatican that
was presented by Fr. Richard Bay, Paterson Dioscese
Vicar and a long-time family friend and Cliftonite.
The youngest of seven children of Anna and Joseph
Braviak, Helen was born in Clifton on Feb. 4, 1914.
Helen, who attended Clifton’s then-fledgling public
schools, knew from an early age she wanted to be a
teacher. She received her certificate in 1935 from the
New Jersey State Normal School at Paterson then com-
pleted William Paterson College in 1973 with a
Bachelor of Science in Education.
In 1935, Helen began her career thanks to a program
sponsored by President Franklin Roosevelt’s Works
Progress Administration. The WPA was an extensive
federal government project that funded jobs throughout
the United States during the Great Depression and
Helen first taught English and Math to immigrants at
the Adult Evening Program in Clifton.
John Horack and Helen Braviak married in 1940 and
Helen continued to teach at Clifton School 3 until 1951,
when daughter Cathy Ann was born.
Helen returned to teach full time in 1958 at Clifton
School 16. When she retired in 1984, Helen was hon-
ored with a proclamation from the Clifton City Council
for her life-long dedication to education and to the
community. In 1994, she was accepted into Who’s WhoAmong American Teachers.
Helen participated in several teacher’s associations,
and was active throughout her life in community organ-
izations, as well as with her parish, Ss. Cyril and
Methodius in Botany Village. Helen’s family is well
known in Clifton. Like her mother, daughter Cathy Ann
was a Clifton schoolteacher. Helen’s brother Joseph was
a Clifton police captain and brother Thomas served on
the city’s Planning Board for many years.
Although all her siblings and husband have passed,
Helen continues to enjoy an extended family that
includes daughter Cathy Ann Kartanos and husband
Nicholas, grandchildren, two great grandchildren, many
nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great
nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Mica.
Helen with her siblings, Marie, Thomas, Anna, Joseph and Rose ( allborn and raised in Clifton on Arthur St.). At right, Helen today withher daughter Cathy Ann Kartanos and her husband Nicholas.
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