clifton merchant magazine - march 2015

Clifton Merchant • March 2015 3

March 2015 • Clifton Merchant4

Editor & PublisherTom Hawrylko

© 2015 Tomahawk Promotions

Visit cliftonmerchant.comfor current & past issues

Planning Ahead

What’s Inside?

973-253-4400 • [email protected]

Art DirectorKen Peterson

Graphic DesignerAly Ibrahim

Business ManagerGabriella Marriello

Editorial InternMariel Vazquez

1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton, NJ 07011

Irene Jarosewich, Tom Szieber Michael Gabriele, Jack De Vries

Contributing Writers

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Remembering the Great OnesReaders Recal Their Favorite Teachers

Inspired by Homcy PlacePriestly Journey From Botany Village

Ashworth Walks the LineWith a Fondness for Following the Rules

Beata Embraces Her MentorStudent, Mom, Friend at St. John Kanty

Coaching is TeachingWrestling Coach Dan Geleta

Fighting Mustang CoachesThe Search is on for Number 20

On the Junior Bowlers TourEight-Year-Old Keggler Sam Zwiebel

12

20

24

32

46

52

70

Our June edition will celebrate Cliftonresidents of the High School Class of2015. Our July edition will focus onMustangs who graduated 05, 95, 85,75, 65, 55 and maybe even 1945!

The teachers we remember are the teachers that care.Care not only about the subject they teach, but care about

us. That’s what Paul Lechthaler remembers most about

his Passaic High School English teacher Gale Motaski—

or Momma Mo as she was known to the students who

loved her.

“She was strict but always fair. She took no guff,” said

Lechthaler, who grew in Dutch Hill but on the Passaic

side of neighborhood, making him an Indian. “Her les-

sons were not just about English, but also about life.”

Motaski shakes her head in agreement. “We do a big

disservice to kids when we don’t demand respect as

teachers. We’re here to teach them, not to be their friends.

Their job is to learn, and we are to be their guides.”

A resident of Clifton from childhood, Motaski now

lives with her husband Robert Perkowski – Dr. Bob to

his students at Passaic High - in the house in Athenia

where she grew up and lived with her parents. Both

Motaski and Perkowski are teachers, and theirs is a 39-

year marriage and partnership dedicated to education,

including the time when Bob was appointed to the

Clifton Board of Education, serving six years.

“It was sometime during Gloria Kolodziej’s term as

mayor, so not that long ago,” laughs Gale. Kolodziej

actually served as mayor from 1982-1990.

A Gale-sized PersonalityMotaski’s parents planned to name her Janet. “Except

that I was born during a hurricane, so my father decided

to call me Gale.” She began teaching at Passaic High

School soon after she graduated Farleigh Dickinson

University in 1967. Earlier she had gotten a certificate as

a hairstylist from Capri Institute in Downtown Clifton, a

skill that helped pay her way through college.

“It’s also the skill that probably got me the job at

Passaic,” she laughs again and explains: “I was hired to

teach English and beauty culture. They probably could

have found another English teacher but not one that was

also a professional hair stylist.”

Those were the days when a high school education

was more comprehensive and included vocational train-

ing. High schools offered machine shop, and home-ec,

and typing, classes that taught you skills so that you could

also find employment after graduation.

“College is not for everybody,” said Motaski, “back

then, high schools helped prepare you for jobs, for the

real world. It’s a shame that we’ve lost that.”

Her husband Bob understands this really well since he

joined the teaching staff at Passaic High School in Sept.

1960, a member of the Industrial Arts department, a

department that no longer exists.

Chaucer Came with a Dose of RealityIn Momma Mo’s Classroom...

By Irene Jarosewich

Paul Lechthaler at Passaic High School in1971 and his teacher Gale Motaski whograduated CHS in 1963. At right today withGale’s husband Bob Perkowski.



He left the high school in 1974 to

head up a K-6 program “Technology

for Kids” and returned to Passaic

High School in 1988 to chair the

Science Department. Along with

Gale, he retired in 2010, after 50

years of teaching.

“I knew about Gale even before

we met,” he remembers, “I over-

heard kids in my shop classes talking

about her. Tough, but fair, that’s

what they said about her, tough but

fair.”

“She taught you that actions have

consequences,” said Lechthaler, “if

you brought her an excuse about not

doing your homework, or finishing a

report, her favorite line was…”

“Obviously you have confused

me with someone who gives a

damn,” said Motaski finishing his

sentence and giving us “the look.”

“That’s it,” hoots out Lechthaler,

pointing to Motaski’s face, “that’s

‘the look’!”

All students knew that Momma

Mo meant business when she gave

you “the look”.

Living Under a RockShe admits to being “a bit of a

ham” in front of her students,

adding “come on, how else will you

get them to pay attention to

Canterbury Tales?” and what she

will admit to the most is that she

cared about her students deeply, not

just about their grades, but she

wanted them to be decent people.

As one of her former students said

about her, “She constantly informed

us that we lived under a rock and that

school was simply schooling us, not

educating us. She spent most of the

class telling us stories about her life

that somehow always seemed to end

up with us learning more about the

text, or a concept, or about life in

general.

There was also her ability to,

without speaking, completely get

across her point that she expected

us to act like civilized human

beings, not hormonal, brainless

high school kids, and matters of eti-

quette were unofficial law in her

classroom. She showed us how the

different "classes" (history, science,

English, math) were linked together.

Her class was probably my most

educational class. Not just because

of the subject matter, but because of

everything she taught besides the

subject matter.”

Her students understood, noted

Motaski, that when she said that

when she said they were living

under a rock that she meant that they

were oblivious to what life was like

beyond their own world. By weav-

ing in stories from her own experi-

ences, what it was like growing up

during World War II, or having a

father who worked at Manhattan

Rubber in Passaic, at one time the

largest rubber supplier in the United

States, or the importance of always

being ready to work, she was weav-

ing together history and economics

and politics and offering perspec-

tives and parallels between modern

reality and some of the reality found

in literature from the past.

Commitment CountsBoth Petrowski and Motaski feel

that nowadays it would be hard to be

the kind of teachers that they

Motaski also taught cosmetology.


were, to have a 50-year (Bob) and 43-

year (Gale) teaching career, much less in

the same school. They fervently believe

that the modern-day animosity towards

teachers is actually most detrimental for

the children.

“We were committed to the children,

and they sensed that. Kids are smart.

They tried to live up to our expectations.

Nowadays, when teachers don’t have job

security, if they could be gone in five

years, if 25 years of experience is used as an excuse to

get rid of you so that someone younger, and at a less

expensive salary, can get hired, then the kids know that

they are not number one, their education is not the prior-

ity,” said Gale. Teachers are less likely to be committed

to them, to the community because they could very well

be gone in a few years.

Motaski and Petrowski are enjoying retirement,

between Clifton and their second home in nearby upstate

New York. And with decades of teaching experience,

they’re always running into former students. It makes

her day, says Gale, whenever she’s standing in line at a

supermarket, or wherever and all of the sudden she hears

“Momma Mo, it’s so good to see you! Do you remember

me? I had you for twelfth grade English!”

Paul Lechthaler wrote: Gale Motaskiwas a tough no excuses, no BS type ofteacher. She ran her classroom like thereal world. Mo equated being late orunprepared for class with being late andunprepared for work. Be there, properlyattired, shirt tucked in, groomed andready to learn. She permitted you the latitude to be

an individual in class, but called you onit when you pushed the boundaries.Nothing was really out of bounds. I dida book report on Abbie Hoffman’s“Steal this Book” Was she easy? No!Did she expect respect? Yes! Madelearning fun? Yes! She even madeCanterbury Tales tolerable!

My two wishes are that my son, a sophomore atNutley HS has a teacher like her somewhere in his aca-demic future; and that she enjoys her well-deservedretirement. My neighbor had her as a teacher 20 plusyears after I did, and has the exact same opinion of heras I do. Then again I do not have to say that, becauseshe always said “Momma Mo knows…” Love ya Momma Mo.

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It took Beatrice Rybak-Petrolle 24 years to realizethat Jean Czerniecki was her favorite teacher—a ded-

icated educator who had the greatest impact on her life.

Beatrice, who graduated from St. John Kanty

Elementary School as an eighth grader in 1975, said she

reached that enhanced state of appreciation at a difficult

stage in her adult life and only when Jean was a teacher

for Beatrice’s two sons, Joseph and Michael.

Earlier this year, when the two women sat down to be

interviewed for this article, the candid and often humor-

ous dialogue between them flowed spontaneously, as

they interacted and reminisced about their days at the

now-shuttered Catholic School. Both admitted that their

student/teacher relationship, during the 1974/1975

school year, was, at best minimal. Jean was Beatrice’s

social studies and English teacher.

“I remember Beatrice as being a very quiet girl in

class,” Jean recalled.

“I thought Mrs. Czerniecki was mean,” Beatrice said,

flashing her signature smile. “You were hard,” she con-

tinued, turning to Jean. “You gave us a lot of work. Your

tests were tough.”

“I was hard,” Jean concurred, replying with a know-

ing, unapologetic grin. “I was a demanding teacher. I

gave my eight graders high-school level work. As stu-

dents, you were in school to learn something. As a

teacher, you have to set your standards high. I thought it

was important to give students a full understanding of a

subject—outside the book.”

At one point, the convivial banter came to a surpris-

ing, momentary pause, when a long-hidden truth was

revealed.

“Beatrice was quiet, but she had big beautiful eyes

and pretty smile,” Jean said. “All the students liked her.

I was the teacher who nominated her as the May

Crowing Queen.”

“That was you?” Beatrice said, astonished by the

remark. “I never knew that!”

The May Crowning is an annual Catholic tradition, a

devotion that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as “the

Queen of May”—a Marian celebration that proclaims

the mother of Jesus as “queen of heaven and earth.” It’s

typically a major event for Catholic schools and being

selected as the May Crowning Queen is considered a big

honor.

Jean then produced a copy of “Horizons ’75,” the St.

John Kanty school yearbook, and read the quotation

below Beatrice’s picture. “Always wide-eyed and

experimenting…willing to care for others…a future

model…cute smile.”

A Marvelous ProfessionFollowing her years at St. John Kanty, Beatrice went

on to Pope Paul XI high school and graduated in 1979.

She briefly attended Rutgers Newark University.

Eventually she married and worked at Novartis

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After 24 Years,

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Pharmaceutical in East

Hanover for 15 years. She

lost her job in 1996 due to

a company downsizing

and reorganization.

During this period Jean

was a teacher for

Beatrice’s two sons and

the two women would

“occasionally bump into

each other” around town.

“I never really appreciated

Jean until she was a

teacher for my sons.

That’s when I got to know

her. I never realized how

much she went out of her

way for her students. I started to understand how much

she cared about teaching. I could see how she influ-

enced a lot of lives.”

“Teaching is a marvelous profession because you can

have such a positive influence on your students,” Jean

explained. “If it wasn’t for teachers, you wouldn’t have

doctors or lawyers. As a teacher, you have to be very

observant of a student’s learning abilities. Everyone

learns at a different pace. You always have to be positive

with students. It takes a lot of work and preparation to

be a great teacher. There’s no greater joy than to see the

expression on a student’s face when they grasp the sub-

ject matter or solve a problem.”

In 1975, Beata bottom left and Mrs. Czerniecki in the center of the second row.


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EncouragementJean frequently stayed

late at St. John Kanty, often

until 9 p.m., reviewing cur-

riculum, working with stu-

dents and providing extra

help. It was one late night in

1999 when Beatrice

approached Jean at the

school. That year Beatrice

decided it was time for her

to go back to college and

finish her degree, and so

she enrolled at Felician

College in Lodi.

Ostensibly, Beatrice

wanted to reconnect with

Jean to get feedback on

some writing assignments.

However, when pressed, she confessed that there was a

deeper reason for seeking out Jean’s advice. She, too,

needed some “extra help” at that stage of her life.

“Encouragement,” Beatrice admitted. “I was really

looking for encouragement. I needed to know that I

could do this after being out of college for so many

years. I felt uncomfortable being in the classroom. Most

of the students were younger than me, so I felt out of

place.” The two women, despite a somewhat distant rela-

tionship 24 years earlier as student and teacher, sudden-

ly bonded in a profound way. It was a long-overdue con-

nection. Following that initial meeting, they interacted

once or twice a week, discussing life and writing assign-

ments. Beatrice showed her appreciation by bringing

flowers to Jean. On more than one occasion they cried

together.

Beatrice, while she was a part-time student at

Felician, divorced in 2001. She pursued her degree,

“one course at a time,” and graduated with honors in

2007. One year later tragedy struck as her older son,

Joseph, died at the end of his freshman year at Mount St.

Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD. Her younger son,

Michael, recently graduated from Berkeley College,

Woodland Park.

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Mrs. Czerniecki’s 4th grade class in 1999. Front from left: Michael Tanayan, Ashton Sroka,Adam Bajek, Darrel Soto. Second row: Alymarie Nipal, Danielle Nebesnak, Tammy Love,Ayushi Desai, Laura Petrillo, Briana Zygadlo, Lauren Fitzgerald, and Jacqueline Zygadlo.Third row: Francine Montalvo, Shirley Romero, Isabel Gomez, Mark Sieczka, MonicaBielecki, Tiffany Pena, Rima Shastri, Amanda Zliceski, Allison Genao. Fourth Row:Christopher Bednarz, Charles Kruplea, Jr., Ravi Shastri, Tadeusz Zubek, MichaelNiebrzydowski, Danusha Sanchez, Joseph Karcz, Deanna Giordano.


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Beata the ActivistIn the ensuing years, Beatrice

became involved in Clifton’s politi-

cal and civic affairs. Her communi-

ty activism started when she took

part in a protest over the closing of

Firehouse 2. She then became an

advocate to improve sewer lines on

Roland Ave.. She ran for city coun-

cil in 2014, finishing in 13th place

with 2,231 votes in a field of 15

candidates. She vowed to run again

in the next city council election.

She’s also active in the St. Philip the

Apostle Knights of Columbus

Council 11671.

Born in Warsaw, the capital city

of Poland, Beatrice—her given

Polish name is Beata—came to the

United States with her parents when

she was three years old. Originally,

the family landed in Boonton, then

moved to Passaic, and then Clifton.

Beatrice entered St. John Kanty as a

third grader. Today she works as an

account executive for a cosmetic

company in Clifton.

Jean retired from St. John Kanty

in 2002 at age 65. In addition to

teaching English and social studies,

she served as vice principal. Three

years later St. John Kanty closed its

doors due to a trend of declining

student enrollment. She graduated

Passaic Valley HS in 1954 and went

on to earn her teaching degree from

Montclair State College in 1958.

She accepted a teaching job at

Passaic Valley, where she met her

husband, Eugene Czerniecki. After

teaching for two years, she had the

first of her four children, Brian, fol-

lowed by Susan, David and Jeanna.

She returned to education and

became a substitute at St. John

Kanty and in 1970 accepted a full-

time position and became a teacher

for her three youngest children. Ten

years later her husband passed away,

but despite her loss she continued to

be dedicated to the school.

From her own perspective, Jean

Czerniecki weighs the success of

her teaching career by the many stu-

dents that have gone on to become

teachers. Measured by this yard-

stick, many former pupils, no

doubt, would cite her as their

favorite teacher. Her own children

are stellar examples of her ability to

inspire: Brian is a surgeon; Susan

an architect; David works for a

financial firm; and Jenna is a princi-

pal in the Rutherford school system.

“I’m always amazed to hear

about how successful my students

have become,” she said. “Today,

when I see my former students, they

come up to me and say: ‘I remember

how much you helped me.’ What

satisfaction!” Satisfaction, indeed.

All things considered, this was a

most gentle, genuine, and dignified

way to sum up a distinguished

career—an honest, heartfelt reflec-

tion by Beata’s meanest, toughest

and most encouraging teacher.


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“When I was just starting out on myroad to becoming a teacher,” reflects

Kevin Ashworth, English teacher at

CHS, “I took a class called ‘Teaching as

a Profession.’ The first thing the profes-

sor asked was ‘what is your educational

philosophy?’ I didn’t have any experi-

ence in teaching, and didn’t have an edu-

cational philosophy, so I made up some-

thing that I thought would sound good.

What I came up with was ‘make it fun.’”

Ashworth quickly realized that “make

it fun” was not exactly a deep or pro-

found philosophy. Nonetheless, he has

held true to his first instinct. “In order to

have children learn, I was determined to

make the learning so much fun that they

would not realize that they’re learning. And now, after

13 years of teaching, I still infuse my teaching with this

philosophy daily.”

A lifelong Totowa resident who lives there now with

wife Daniella and children John, Cassy and Ben,

Ashworth has also been associated with Clifton his

entire life. His mother Kathleen (Farrell) graduated

CHS Class of ’59, and Ashworth attended Paul VI High

School on Valley Rd. before going to William Paterson

University. He has been teaching English at CHS since

2001.

“I was hired one week before the 2001-02 school

year started,” said Ashworth, “and was broken into

teaching when a week after my first day, the country

experienced the worst attack on US soil since Pearl

Harbor: 9/11. Now that’s what you call a way to cut

your teeth on a new job.”

Over the years, Ashworth has taught everything in

the English department from alternative education to

Honors classes. Recently he has taught English IV

College Preparatory classes, which focus on British lit-

erature. Clifton High School has a novel-based curricu-

lum and Ashworth has discovered “that I absolutely love

teaching George Orwell’s’ 1984. I find that 1984 gets

my students to get beyond just reading and to actually

think.”

Most InfluentialAshley Parsons, CHS Class of ’08, acknowledges

Ashworth as one of the most influential people in her

life. “I can say comfortably that freshman year of high

school was the peak of my social awkwardness and, as

a result, I wasn't exactly the most enthusiastic student in

CHS. I was the type that always sat towards the back of

the classroom so I could finish my work and ‘rest my

eyes’ a bit...until eighth period -- English.

“However, from the very start of the year,” she con-

tinued, “Mr. Ashworth got a kick out of calling on me.

I'll be honest, I resented him for it. But as the months

went on, I realized that he didn't enjoy picking on me;

he saw that my brain's gears were constantly turning

behind that sleepy face.

Ashworth’s Philosophy: Make it FunNot The Most Profound Thought, But The Most True

From left, Billy Gibson, Mr. Ashworth, and Ashley Parsons.

By Irene Jarosewich


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class did nothing short of change my life. Nearly 10

years and an English degree later, he is absolutely the

one person I have to thank for all that my writing

endeavors have provided for me. He managed to be one

of those most influential people I've ever met, even after

spending only 45 minutes a day is his classroom. That

kind of dedication is something that all teachers should

have.”

Beyond the ClassroomPart of the job of teaching is to broaden your student’s

horizons, to make them better people. “My classroom

has a few rules, those relating to honesty and respect play

a major role, but probably my most important rule is this:

form an opinion and then back it up. This rule forces the

students to become thoughtful with what they believe.”

He also brings his own personal experience into the

classroom. For 10 years, between 1985 and 1995 he was

a “Dead Head” – part of the loyal group of fans that fol-

lowed the rock group Grateful Dead around the country,

traveling to concerts that were often multi-day events.

He is also a big fan of athletics, having been a lifeguard

and swimming instructor when he was younger, and is

now the site manager for the CHS hockey team, as well

as being heavily involved in youth soccer leagues in

Totowa and nearby Morris County.

Billy Gibson, currently a senior at CHS, says that “not

only was Mr. Ashworth supportive in the classroom, but

he was also supportive in attending all my hockey

games. I had Mr. Ashworth as a sophomore for English.

He had this easy, laid-back type of personality that made

me want to listen and learn. It wasn’t robotic or repeti-

tive or boring. He made the class fun. He made it real. I

thank him for being a great role model.”

“At the end of the day,” notes Ashworth, “I have fur-

ther found that by showing genuine concern for a stu-

dent’s well-being beyond the classroom, a student is

much more apt to learn in the classroom. I think about

the way it was for me in high school and remind myself

that I was the same then, as the students of Clifton High

School are now. I had the same hopes, dreams, and

fears.”

Spiritually speaking, Homcy Place was, is andalways will be at the core of Fr. Steve Shafran’s heart

and soul. Flanked by Nash Park, the Passaic River and

Botany Village, Homcy is the street where Fr. Steve

absorbed the essence of the Ukrainian culture, and

gained a strong sense of community, purpose, faith and

family values.

All of his hometown experiences will continue to for-

tify him as he prepares to serve as provincial superior of

the Eastern US Province of the Salesians, the Catholic

order of Religious and lay people, headquartered in

New Rochelle, NY. The post is a major leadership posi-

tion in the Salesian order and Fr. Steve begins a six-year

term of service on July 1. Much like a diocesan bishop,

Fr. Steve will have responsibilities for overseeing min-

istries, business decisions and supporting the lives and

work of the Salesian Religious and lay associates.

The Old NeighborhoodFr. Steve was born at Passaic General Hospital in

1956 and lived in Passaic until 1959 when his parents

moved to 19 Homcy Pl. “The Botany neighborhood was

one big family,” he said. “It was a real community

where everyone mingled and knew each other.” The

diverse enclaves included Ukrainian, Italian, German

and Polish immigrant families. “

His parents, Steve and Olga (now deceased) owned a

luncheonette at the corner of Highland and Barbour

Avenues. His favorite places in Botany included Dayton

Chocolates, Dayton Restaurant, various dairy stores,

two shops that offered live chickens, Italian specialty

delicatessens, Maria’s Raviolis, and Damiano

Pharmacy.

His parents knew families that frequented “The

Coop” (Cooperativa) Italian social club and tav-

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ern in Botany. And, just for good measure, Fr. Steve

enjoyed the world-class, All-American delicacies of

the nearby Hot Grill. “The Hot Grill’s special sauce

still runs in my blood,” he said with a laugh.

Damiano Pharmacy, located at the corner of Durant

and Parker avenues, in particular, holds special mem-

ories as it was the store where, for the first time, he

was old enough to shop and buy Christmas gifts for

his parents (cologne and perfume).

Finding His VoiceFr. Steve’s love of religion, dancing and music came

from his family’s involvement in St. Nicholas Ukrainian

Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Center—both locat-

ed in Passaic (President St. and Hope Ave., respective-

ly). In addition, he attended St. Nicholas Ukrainian

Catholic School in Passaic. The kindness and compas-

sion of the religious Sisters that taught at the school are

among his fondest memories from those days.

For his high school education, Fr. Steve chose Don

Bosco Prep in Ramsey. He was drawn there, in large

part, due to its affiliation as a Salesian Catholic school

(part of the Archdiocese of Newark) as well as a num-

ber of Ukrainian-American students enrolled there.

Encouraged by priests and lay teachers at Don Bosco,

Fr. Steve adapted well to his new environment.

It was during his high school years that he, quite lit-

erally, “found his voice” in music and acting. He loved

performing in shows at Don Bosco, but also learned the

behind-the-scene skills for producing, organizing and

directing musical theater.


Top, Fr. Steve taking his vows in the Ukrainian Catholic (Byzantine right) Church. Above, Steve with fellow 1970 8th grade graduates at St. Nick’s with Very Rev. Mitten Walter Bilynsky, the Pastor of St. Nicholas, an early mentor.

While at Don Bosco, one of

his most influential teachers

was Dr. James Scanlon, a for-

mer principal at the school

who also taught Latin, philos-

ophy and psychology. “It was

much more than what he

taught,” Fr. Steve explained.

“It was how he taught and the

rapport he developed with his

students.” He cited Scanlon’s

propensity for engaging stu-

dents, outside of the class-

room, in casual, light-hearted

chit chat as well as serious, scholarly discussions.

Answering ‘The Call’Among the Catholic faithful, there is respectful fasci-

nation for those who receive “The Call” for a vocation

in the priesthood. The belief is that this a spiritual

“seed” planted by the Holy Spirit in hearts and minds of

men to consider a lifetime of service to the Church. For

those that answer The Call, there are periods of discern-

ment, followed by intensive study at a seminary, and

finally ordination.

Even at a young age, Fr. Steve had thoughts regard-

ing the priesthood. “The priest that was inspirational to

me at St. Nick’s was Fr. Walter Bilynsky,” he said. “I

was an altar boy with him for many years. There was a

seed of a vocation there (for me), but it remained some-

what dormant and left me in the 8th grade and into high

school as I ‘spread my wings’.” He said Fr. Al

DiCairano, a Salesian priest at Don Bosco Prep, helped

to reignite his thoughts on The Call.

He enjoyed his years at Don Bosco and continued to

pursue his passion in community theater and music. He

also volunteered to do outreach work at summer youth

camps organized by the Salesians. While he was work-

ing at the summer camps, Fr. Steve began to study the

life of John “Don” Bosco, the founder of the Salesian

order.

Giovanni (John) Bosco was born to a farming family

on Aug. 16, 1815 in the European kingdom of Sardinia.

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1841,

inspired by the life and work of

St. Francis de Sales. As a

priest, most of Don Bosco’s

spiritual life was dedicated to

educating the impoverished

girls and boys living in the

slums of Turin, Italy. It was

there that Don Bosco founded

the Salesians. He died on Jan.

31, 1888 and 46 years later he

was declared a saint by Pope

Pius XI. (“Don” as in the name

Don Bosco is an abbreviated

Italian expression for

“Dominus,” meaning priest.)

Studying the life of Don Bosco, Fr. Steve began to

see his passion for community theater and working with

young people in a new light. He realized all of the skills

he had developed in the theater—public speaking and

performing, teaching young adults, interacting with

diverse groups of people, producing and promoting

events; (and a healthy, down-to-earth sense of humor)—

were gifts he used to support others, allowing them to

express themselves on stage and in life.

Following this moment of illumination and after

graduating from Don Bosco Prep in 1974, he entered the

Salesians’ formation program at Don Bosco College

Seminary in Newton, NJ. He was admitted to the semi-

nary’s novitiate on Aug. 31, 1975. (A novitiate is a for-

mal period of discernment for “novices” contemplating

life in the priesthood.) One year later, on Sept. 1, Fr.

Steve made his first profession of religious vows.

Fr. Shafran was ordained on May 5, 1985, at

Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Cathedral in

Philadelphia. He did graduate studies at the University

of San Francisco and garnered a doctorate in education

in 1994. His dissertation was titled: “The Educational

Method of St. John Bosco as School Culture in the

Salesian High Schools in the United States.”

He currently serves as the president of the Don Bosco

Cristo Rey High School and Corporate Work Study

Program in Takoma Park, MD. In 2006 he organized the

founding of the school in collaboration with the

Archdiocese of Washington DC, which co-spon-


Fr. Shafran with Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, formerPastor of St. Nicholas UCC on President St.


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From Our Family to Your’s. . .

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

sors the school with the Salesians. Don Bosco Cristo Rey

is one of 25 Cristo Rey high schools through the country.

The Son of Ukrainian ImmigrantsThis year, Fr. Steve, who celebrated his 59th birthday

on Feb. 22, will mark his 30th year as a priest. He also

noted two major anniversaries for the Salesian order in

2015: the bicentennial of Don Bosco’s birth; and the

100th anniversary of Don Bosco Prep. When time per-

mits, he still enjoys singing at public functions. He has

recorded two CDs: “Songs That Inspire My Life” and

“A Christmas Collection.” Proceeds from CD sales have

gone to support Salesian programs.

When he visits Clifton, Fr. Steve always takes time

for a sentimental walk through Botany Village. His sis-

ter, Dorothy Miller, still lives in Clifton. She and her

family are members of St. Philip the Apostle Parish on

Valley Road. His brother, Terry, is a resident of Landing,

a town located in Morris County.

His dad, Steve, was born in Pittsburgh to Ukrainian

immigrants. The family moved back to Ukraine for sev-

eral years, then returned to the United States prior to the

outbreak of World War II. Fr. Steve’s dad was drafted

into the Army and served with distinction in the war’s

European Theater, where he earned two Purple Hearts

and a Bronze Star. After running the luncheonette in

Botany Village, Fr. Steve’s dad took a job at Clifton’s

old Athenia Steel plant, where he worked during most of

the 1960s and 1970s.

Olga, his mom, was born in Ukraine. She and her

family were forcibly moved to German labor camps

during the war years. After the war, Olga came to the

United States and lived in “Little Ukraine,” which was

a neighborhood in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. It was

there she met her husband through mutual friends.

Fr. Steve issued a statement via the Salesian commu-

nications office, following his appointment as provin-

cial superior. “God writes straight with crooked lines in

our lives. I am humbled by this call to a deeper service

as a Salesian of Don Bosco. I’m the son of Ukrainian

immigrants who knew suffering and sacrifice, taught me

hard work, and to never forget God.”

(Editor’s note: Special thanks to Father Michael

Mendl of the Province Communications Office,

Salesians of Don Bosco, New Rochelle, who provided

background material for this article.)

At his 3rd birthday party with his parents in the back ofthe Botany luncheonette where the Shafran’s lived.Also pictured are two unidentified neighbors.


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Through our Facebook page, in emailsand through interviews, readers

exchanged memories of teacher and men-

tors. We followed up through emails and by

telephone, through personal contacts and

social media. Some comments are from for-

mer residents now living out of town while

others are from those still residing here.

Thanks to all who took the time to respond.

As you will notice some are in our readers

own words and others we have taken the

liberty of editing or making into a story.


Dean DeGhettoI attended St. Brendan’s gram-

mar school on Lakeview Ave.

and Clifton High School.

During those school years in

Clifton, I had many good teach-

ers, but four of those teachers

stand out for their roles in

preparing me for college and a

career in environmental engi-

neering.

Sister Francis Catherine,

S.C,. was my sixth grade teacher

at SBS. In addition to being a

stern disciplinarian, Sister

Francis was an excellent math

and social studies teacher.

Sister Francis had a strong

knowledge of Latin American

geography, having served in

missions in a variety of Latin

American countries. I think it

was this personal experience

that made her such a good teacher.

I had Sister Ellen O’Rourke, S.C., for eight grade

social studies. Sister Ellen had a passion for govern-

ment and politics. It was 1972, and Richard Nixon was

running against George McGovern in the November

Presidential election and she

brough history into the class-

room.

The always innovative Sister

Ellen staged mock Presidential

debates and provided her stu-

dents with insight into the can-

didates’ positions on key issues

such as the Vietnam War,

women’s rights, and environ-

mental protection. What a way

to tackle the subject. We

engaged and we loved it.

Kenneth Zadoyko was my

biology teacher and Charlotte

Weissberger was my psychology

teacher at CHS. From the volu-

minous reading assignments to

the independent study projects

to the challenging quarterly

examinations, Mr. Zadoyko and

Mrs. Weissberger empowered

and prepared me for the academ-

ic rigors that I would face at Rutgers University.

Teachers like Sister Francis, Sister Ellen, Mr.

Zadoyko and Mrs. Weissberger are still among us and

despite the often negative things said about teachers

today, I celebrate them all.

Dean De Ghetto today and duringhigh school. Two of his favorite teach-ers back at CHS in 1977 were KenZadoyko and Charlotte Weissberger.

Religion & Politics in the Classroom


Thomas P. DeVitaI had some good experiences with

teachers but the individual who

stands out in my mind (some 50

years later) is Mr. Joseph Frank.

He was a counselor at Eastside in

Paterson in charge of extra curric-

ular activities. He was a very

pleasant man always walking

around and smiling and saying

hello.

It wasn’t until my second year

that I realized he was blind! Maybe it was because he

always had a smile on his face

and was so pleasant whenever I

saw him. I later saw that he

was never far from his office

and he frequently walked near

his wife who also worked there.

Later I got involved working

with him on some projects and

saw him in a different light. So

whenever you start feeling sorry

for your aches and pains or

small challenges in your life,

please think of Mr. Frank who

went through life blind, smiling

and happy for the blessings he had—and shared.

Thomas P. DeVita, Joseph T. Frank in 1964.

Seeing Clearly in Eastside

Billy GibsonMr. John Lesler was my

History teacher for two years

and he brought the subject to

life. You were able to have

debates in his class that every-

one would just participate

because you can say whatever

you want and express your

feelings without anyone

laughing at you or putting you

down.

As a CHS Senior, I realize

there are so many challenges

in today’s society. It is good

to hear about different opin-

ions and learn how others face

challenges and how to over-

come them. He taught us how

to express your feelings and

how to focus your feelings.

John Lesler

Suzanne SiaWhile I graduated CHS in 1983,

Mr. Bob Zschack was my biolo-

gy teacher is 9th grade. At that

time, 9th grade was in the mid-

dle school and Mr. Zschack

taught our class about genetics.

‘Til this day, I have a very clear understanding of genes,

chromosomes and DNA. His approach in teaching all

topics was logical and he applied what he was teaching

to everyday life.

This was the class where we dissected a cockroach,

a frog and a pig fetus. Although it was very difficult to

dissect these creatures, once again his approach was

scientific and clinical. This approach, helped the class

get past how disturbing these dissections were. My

interest in watching TV shows like CSI are directly

related to my 9th grade bio teacher Mr. Zschack. I

learned so much from him and I

was truly lucky to have such a

phenomenal teacher.

Mr. Dennis Harding was my

10th grade world history

teacher. His favorite sayings

was “nothing in life is fair.” I

was frustrated by this as a sophomore, but as I got older

I remembered his words and realized he was just

preparing us for a world outside of our comfort zone.

One topic was the Russian Revolution. I was partic-

ularly fascinated by this period. He saw my interest

and lent me a book on Nicholas and Alexandra. Their

lives were fascinating and their deaths...tragic. Mr.

Harding fed my interest in this topic which has become

a lifelong interest. I still purchase books on this sub-

ject and I credit my 10th history teacher with broaden-

ing, encouraging and expanding my horizons.

Bob Zschak and Dennis Harding

Terry BraunPractical life skills were what Terry Braun Kronz learned

from Anthony BelBruno’s Junior Business Training

(JBT) class in 1970 at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.

Back then a class like JBT was new technology—the

idea was to give middle school students a basic under-

standing of how to manage one’s personal finances.

From managing a checkbook to filing a tax return, JBT

prepared students for much more than college.

“That was the one class I actually learned in. And we

learned some really useful

stuff,” Terry recalls, some 50

years later. Those lessons come

in handy when she pays the

mortgage or grocery shops —

she can easily figure out which

cut of meat gives you the most

beef for your buck. However,

the most memorable part of JBT

for Terry were the Sunny Dollar

detentions that BelBruno gave

out for talking in his class.

Named class clown in 1970, she laughs, “I remember

them because the papers were yellow.” Once a student

earned a Sunny Dollar, he or she came after school to pay

for the misdemeanor. Each slip of yellow paper had a

phrase written on it which the student then had to copy a

certain number of times. In Terry’s case, “I will not talk,”

was the Sunny Dollar of choice.

With this breezy system of punishment, Mr. BelBruno

was able to earn and maintain the respect of students but

also to enforce order at the same time. “He was one of

those teachers that spoke to us on our level, but he also

had super control of the class. He

didn’t take any guff. He was

tough but we had a lot of fun.”

Terry graduated CHS in 1973

and moved to Boyton Beach on

the East coast of Florida. Now

retired from a career of selling

printer circuits, Terry looks back

on where she came from. “I’ve

been here longer than I’ve been in

Clifton, but I will always remem-

ber Mr. BelBruno.”Terry Braun Kronz and Anthony BelBruno.

Florida Sunny Dollars for Mr. BelBruno


Diana McKennaAs a 2014 CHS grad, I had sever-

al teachers that were exceptional.

Ms. Melissa Kurbansade was my

fourth and fifth grade teacher at

School 5. Fourth grade was my

first year there and she made me

feel welcomed.

My English teacher in WWMS,

Ms. Sara Lattavo went beyond her

daily lessons. I wrote short stories

which she always had useful com-

ments for and encouraged me to

continue writing.

English teacher Ms. Susan

Zarabi was passionate and enthu-

siastic about her lessons. She also

shared my interest in Harry Potter. Mr. Rafat Ewais was

my geometry teacher and made learning fun. Mr.

Joseph Feeley I think will remain one of my all-time

best math teachers even when I include college math

professors. He taught math in such a way that the

“scare” factor was removed.

Biology teacher Steven Meck discussed current

events relating to biology which made his class and its

topics very relevant. Daniel Chilowicz was my junior

year Chemistry teacher. No doubt

one of the most difficult teachers I

had, but when you did well in his

class, it was a rewarding feeling.

History teacher Christopher

Henry was nothing less than pas-

sionate about his subject matter.

Ms. Daniela Buzzelli, my junior

year Algebra II teacher is a men-

tor. I feel that her interest and atti-

tude towards me opened my mind

to pursuing math as my major in

college. She continues to encour-

age and support me. Her influ-

ence and guidance is invaluable.

Mr. Mike Rogers was my his-

tory teacher for three years.

Additionally, I was on the track team in which he is one

of the coaches.

Mr. Rogers impacted my thought process. His ques-

tions pushed his students to think out of the box and we

had substantiate our responses with clear and concise

communication as well as valid information.

His teaching style supported having a value system

and he let us know how important it is to have one and

use it throughout life.


Diana McKenna with Mike Rogers.


Every year we ask students to givea shout out to the teachers they best

remember and admire most. This

year we received a response from

Genevieve (Gen) Generalli, an out-

standing teacher who was featured on

the cover of our magazine in 1998.

Generalli, now retired, decided that

she wanted to give a shout out to stu-

dents and to the noble profession of

teaching. Here are her words...

If you can’t do anything else,teach! Bah, humbug! Teach I did, for

30 years, 25 of them at School 14. All

I ever wanted to do was teach and it

has paid big dividends right to the

present day. If you don’t like the profession, get out right

now; if it is your thing, be proud of all your daily suc-

cesses, no matter how small. The students can make your

world and you can make theirs. There’s no limit to the

good a teacher can do.

I have proof positive in my files: the joy of rereading

notes, cards, and letters from children, parents, col-

leagues and administrators. In the classroom, there is no

end to the ways you can brighten the day, light those

bulbs, amuse, and involve those children as they learn

about themselves and the world around them.

We kept a poetry box with 3x5 cards on which final

copies of poems were written and illustrated by each

class. I still have this box from the

1970’s. My third graders loved to go

through its contents, to find poems

siblings wrote, their mothers’ poems,

and enjoy the writing of students

who came before them.

There were science exhibits,

invention contests, children winning

all kinds of accolades for their

endeavors. Brian Berlinski, an audi-

tory-handicapped boy, won a trip to

Washington DC to receive a medal

for his invention to help the deaf.

I had nominated Brian for the

medal and on behalf of winners from

37 states, Brian and another boy

accepted the medals from the President’s wife. What an

honor! But my story is not unique. Teachers everywhere

have their own stories to tell. More of these positive

points should be covered by our press. Our educators

deserve more appreciation, praise, and public acknowl-

edgment of their good works.

But accolades do come to us in other ways. We have

students who remember us for decades, who tell our

adult children what great teachers we were. With some,

we have the good fortune to continue friendships as they

marry, become parents and send their children our way.

Thanks for allowing me the privilege of sharing my

heartfelt thoughts with your readers...

A Teacher Remembers

Alex Mazur Mrs. Friedberg was our CHS computer teacher but she

was more like our in-school mom. She has a set of

twins at home, Jeremy and Julia so we called ourselves

her in-school twins. Eddie and I were close to her on a

student level, but after the four years also on a person-

al level becasue of our unique connection. We were

able to to tell her pretty much anything as she was like

our in-school mom. I started everyday saying good

morning to her and ended everyday in her class saying,

Have a good night... an absolutely amazing teacher. Laurie Friedberg and the Mazur brothers, CHS 2014.


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Members of the Class of 2014 earned about $66 million in scholarships and grants.Clifton graduates earned over $3 million of those scholarships and grants.

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Meg Kostisin Gray

Meg Gray remembers the late Mrs.

Helen Toth, who taught 8th grade

science at Christopher Columbus

Middle School. “She had the best

one liners. If you yawned she might

make you stick your head out the

window to “aerate your brain,”

wrote the 1990 CHS grad. “If you

weren’t paying attention she might

call you “density personified!” It

might sound mean written here, but

the way she said it, you knew she

was just having fun with us.”

Lisa Ciolino Ambrose

“I had Mrs. Helen Toth in 8th grade at CCMS and

loved her. She was the reason I fell in love with

chemistry and excelled at it in high school,” says

Ambrose, who graduated CHS in 1990. “It was

even my first major in college. I still have my

notebook from her class.”

Kristie Dino“Mr. Tony Orlando!!

I had him as a gym

teacher at CCMS!!!

He was the best!!”

Sue Ellen LianPerseverance is what Sue Ellen

learned from her CHS English

teacher Susan Zarabi. “The

teachers that are the most fierce

and stubborn turn out to be the

best. Mrs. Zarabi never gave up,

no matter how much a student resisted,” she remembers.

Sue Ellen found herself rebelling in the face of Mrs.

Zarabi’s determination to improve her students’ writing

skills: “If you thought you were a genius when you

walked into her class, she brought you down from your

cloud immediately. I was one of those geniuses.”

Eventually Sue Ellen under-

stood that everyone can

improve and that Mrs. Zarabi’s

perseverance is what helped her

to excel at essay writing.

“A professor of mine said

that my best quality is that I

never give up, and I'd like to say one of the influences

that embedded that quality in me was Mrs. Zarabi,”

says the 2012 CHS graduate. Now pursuing a teaching

degree at Montclair State University, she hopes to teach

as “stubbornly and fiercely” as Mrs. Zarabi did, and to

expose unwilling students to the joys of literature.

Kathy Treole Cox

“I had a great education in Clifton with lots of great

teachers like Mrs. Maryellen Lepkowski from 5th

grade at School 9, William Smith (chemistry), Bob

Morgan (band), and Laraine Mayewski (theater) at

CHS. Lots of great people there,” wrote the 1987

CHS graduate, who works as a speech pathologist

out of East Carolina University.

Sue Ellen Lian and Mrs. Susan Zarabi.

Rachel Christopher Bottaro

“I still think of School 2 first grade

teacher Paula Mutter even now, 20+

years later,” says the Tobyhanna,

PA resident, who operates a cro-

cheting business by night.

Christine Labash

“Dr. Judith Bookis. I had her at CHS

from 1983-1984. Great teacher,”

says Labash, who went on to study

marketing at WPU after CHS.

Christine Gres-Brendel

“Mr. Robert Seppentino taught 5th

grade at School 1. I still remember

the songs we sang in his class,” says

the 1981 CHS graduate, who later

went on to work at Music Together.


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By his own admission, John Luciano was not an idealstudent while at CHS, a fidgety guy who preferred

moving to sitting. When sitting, he preferred to shake a

leg or tap his fingers rather than be still. Part of it was

inherent - he acknowledges a certain level of natural

hyperactivity - the other part was the tough break for his

family.

His father died when he was seven and his mother was

diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was a

sophomore. An only child with no real support network,

at 15 he went to work part-time at Ackerman Auto as a

mechanic. For a teenager in high school, he carried quite

a load.

Pretty overwhelmed and with a growing bad attitude,

he began his senior year. For morning classes, he had

sociology and psychology back-to-back. The classes

were held in the North Wing – he even remembers the

room number – N112.

“The first class was sociology and the teacher was

very frustrated with me, always drawing attention to me,

sternly telling me to calm down. After that class ended, I

stayed in the classroom since the next class was psychol-

ogy with Mrs. DeLorenzo.

“One day she came in earlier and greeted the other

teacher. Then she saw me sitting there and said ‘Hi,

John!’. The other teacher looked at her and commented

sarcastically, ‘Oh, so you have John in your class? Well,

aren’t you lucky.’ She said this loud enough for me to

hear.” Luciano was prepared for the two teachers to

begin to commiserate how difficult it was to have him in

their classes, that his hyperactivity drove them crazy. “I

was sure they were going to jump in on me.” Instead, he

heard something else.

Janice DeLorenzo, or Miss D as she was called,

looked at the other teacher straight up and said “well, if

you can’t manage it, that’s your problem, not his.”

“I was blown away,” said Luciano, “because not only

did she come to my defense, but I thought to myself,

‘She gets it. Plain and simple. This lady gets it.’ I knew

she understood. She knew I wasn’t a bad kid, I was a kid

with bad circumstances.”

Not only is it true that one person can change your

life, sometimes it can be just one moment. Thirty years

later, Luciano still vividly remembers that moment in

Room N112.

Respect and CompassionJanice DeLorenzo was in her second year of teaching

at CHS when she had Luciano during his senior year. A

New Jersey native, she had graduated Montclair

University, where she had majored in psychology and

obtained her teaching certificates. She later earned an

MSW from Rutgers University and now is a practicing

psychotherapist, as well.

By Irene Jarosewich

ValentineRosesFor The TeacherWith Heart

Clifton Merchant •March 2015 41

Back when she was in high school, DeLorenzo had

thoughts about becoming a teacher. “I admired many of

my teachers who served as positive role models, but

could not decide what I would enjoy teaching most.

Then after only one class, I knew that I wanted to pursue

a career in psychology. So, I was overjoyed when it was

possible for me to become a high school psychology

teacher in Clifton, where I’ve now taught for 32 years.”

She remembers Luciano, remembers his difficult cir-

cumstances. Her reaction to defend Luciano was not

unique to him, but came out of her bottom line for work-

ing with all students. “Invaluable lessons that students

can be taught include having respect, compassion, and an

understanding of and for themselves, as well as for oth-

ers,” she said.

“Another crucial lesson is knowing that success is not

determined by one’s circumstances, but responding to

those circumstances.” She believes that Luciano did an

excellent job turning his life into a positive.

More Than A Thank YouFor Luciano, his teacher’s compassion and respect

helped him out not only that one time, but at other times

during the year. “We had a big test day in Miss D’s class,

but I didn’t study. I showed up and couldn’t answer any-

thing. I put my head down. She came up to me and qui-

etly whispered that I didn’t have to take the test now, but

I could take it when I was ready. So eventually, I did and

I probably still failed, but it does show what kind of lady

she is. And it wasn’t just with me. She was like that with

my friends, with everybody.”

After he graduated CHS in 1985, Luciano did not for-

get Miss D. In 1986, he delivered a bouquet of red roses

to her on Valentine’s Day as a thank you. “I wanted her

know that I knew she had heart and I would not forget

that.” He continued to deliver roses for the next few

years until one year he began to notice the impact the

roses had on Miss D and her students.

“By now, she knew that I was thankful, so it wasn’t

just that, but it’s something else. By now it was an event.

The message was different. The students, the teachers,

now paid attention to WHY I thank her, to the impor-

tance of her message of respect.”

“She gave me many, many better days back then. The

least I can do is give her one better day now,” he adds

with a smile.

DeLorenzo is a low-key person who is not sure that

she likes the publicity, but nonetheless deeply appreci-

ates the gesture and the importance of Luciano’s action.

“A teacher’s role and responsibility is to encour-


age the expression of the various and different character-

istics of each student, to create an atmosphere that

enables each student to realize their individual potential

for success,” said DeLorenzo, “offer a climate of trust to

foster a positive attitude and self-confidence and to

encourage students to then take risks in both academic

and personal settings.”

Drive and MotivationAnother critical factor in developing a student’s suc-

cess comes not from the teacher or classroom, but from

within the student. That factor is motivation, and while

the classroom and teacher can stimulate and influence

motivation, ultimately the student must bring it to the

table. So, while DeLorenzo is grateful for Luciano’s

recognition of her positive influence on him, she feels

that his personal motivation, which she notes was quite

powerful, needs to be given more of the credit.

Luciano remembers that sometime when he was still

in high school, he had another AHA! Moment besides

the one in Room N112.

“We lived in the apartments on Day St., across from

Christopher Columbus Middle School. I used one of the

garages to work on cars. Once I dropped a wrench and

had to go under the car to get it. When I crawled out and

lifted my head, the first thing I saw was our apartment

window. Right then and there, out of nowhere, like a

flash, this thought came to me: ‘I have got to get us out

of here. If I don’t get us out of here, I’m going to be liv-

ing here with my mother until I’m 90.’ That’s the day I

turned my life around.”

He continued to work as a mechanic at Ackerman

Auto where he was making $10 per hour, a kingly sum

for a teenager in those days when minimum wage was

$3.35. After graduation, he went to work for a title com-

pany, and then began his own print media distribution

business. Within five years, he had saved $22,000 dol-

lars, enough for a large down payment on a Cape Cod in

Lincoln Park, where he brought his mother to live with

him. With her cancer in remission, his mother is a 30-

year survivor and still lives in the Lincoln Park home.

This kind of motivation, noted DeLorenzo, must be

encouraged and not stifled by teachers, but still must

come from within the student. “I know John

In 1988 at Nash Park front row from left: Coach Angelo Intile, John Hanle, Rich Bel Bruno, Drew McTaggert, OwenO’Rourke, Eddie Klimeck, Bob Fasino, Ken DeVita, Edgar Feliciano, Shephen Thomas, Coach Paul Pignatello. Second rowfrom left: John Luciano, John McClain, Mark Tomaskovic, Alan Wilson, Joe Cicenia, Ted Plaskon, Stephen Ramsthaler, EricMcShane, Dan Spreen. Standing: Claudia Mueller and Sherry Spoerry.


appreciates my efforts,” she said,

“but it came from him. I didn’t

give him his drive. I’m impressed

with what he’s done, proud of him

and John should be proud of him-

self.”

Success Comes In All FormsShe’s also impressed with how

Luciano gives to the community,

for years being involved in Little

League and right after high

school, with the American Legion

Post 8 Summer Baseball Team

that in 1986 went on to the state

championship and won. “Former

CHS baseball coach Paul Pignatello was also influential

in my life,” said Luciano. “In the past, he and I had had

some disagreements. But when I got out of high school

he called me and invited me to coach with him.”

For Luciano baseball was one of the elements of his

life for which he has a great passion and when he was

younger, also gave him structure

and direction. “During the sum-

mer, most kids would go away.

We couldn’t afford to do that.

There weren’t that many kids left

to play with. So I played by

myself by practicing throwing a

baseball up against a wall.” Those

many hours of solitary practice is

what made him good and even

now, he can still pitch a mean fast-

ball.

DeLorenzo loves to have her

students return and tell her about

their small triumphs and large

successes; it is one of the reasons

that DeLorenzo still enjoys teaching. “For me teaching is

a fulfilling and rewarding profession. It is because of the

impact and influence that my students and I have on each

other that I continue to love teaching. I am extremely

fortunate to have had a career that would still be my

choice as a profession today.”

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Coach Paul Pignatello

To Dan Geleta, the most special aspect of coachingis that while sports may not constitute pure, tradition-

al academics, they teach certain life lessons that last

forever. Clifton’s 38-year-old head wrestling coach is

reminded of that unique quality each time one of his

former athletes comes back to the upper gym at Clifton

High School—he is reminded that not only does coach-

ing involve teaching, but that coaching is teaching.

“One of the most fulfilling parts of this job is that

whenever they come in, they say they wish they

could’ve spent one more year on the team,” said Geleta,

who in his nine seasons at the helm of Clifton has

turned the Mustangs into one of North Jersey’s best and

most consistent squads.

“They come in, and they remember that their days as

wrestlers were good times, even though they had to work

hard. It isn’t always pleasant when you walk in that

room, it’s blood and sweat. But they’ve learned that you

don’t get anything for free. You have to work hard to

achieve your goals.”

Team Has Many Working PartsUnder Geleta’s tutelage, Clifton wrestling has

become one of the most consistent sports programs at

CHS, with much of that evolution coming as a result of

an approach he picked up in his one and only year as a

Mustang wrestler. Before his family moved to Little

Falls following his freshman season, he was influenced

By Tom Szieber


Coaching is TeachingPE Teacher Dan Geleta Grapples With Success

heavily by former Clifton coach Ted Levine—who

Geleta says he admired due to his visible passion for

the sport and the way he treated each and every one of

his wrestlers as equally important to the team’s success.

Today, Geleta notes that that approach is very much

how he looks at his own team.

“There might be some names that you hear a lot

more often in the newspapers,” he said. “But there are

guys like [current upper weight wrestlers] Anaes Allan

and Jacob Abill who have improved tremendously in

just one year. The same for wrestlers like [lightweight

wrestlers] Chris Zaccone and Sean Yadimarco. We

need more guys like them. They are going to be the

guys who will decide if you have a great season or an

average one.”

In his time at Clifton, the Mustangs have been far

more “great” than “average,” accumulating a 132-55

record (71% win percentage) and the 2013-14 North I,

Group IV title. They’ve also won a District XV crown

(in 2013-14), advanced to at least the sectional semifi-

nals in each of the past five seasons, and won four

straight Big North Liberty Division championships.

They were just points away from repeating as sectional

and district champions this year, as well.

Geleta has quietly become Clifton’s latest elite-level

coach—a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the New

Jersey wrestling community. Last season, he nearly

swept Coach of the Year honors from every relevant

grantor—winning the The Record, Star-Ledger, District

XV and Region IV versions of the award.

“In recent years, he has done a tremendous job,” said

Passaic Valley head coach Joe Benvenuti. “[His

wrestlers] are talented, skilled and hardworking. It is

definitely a reflection of Dan. He has really turned the

program around. They are competing for titles year in

and year out.”

He was a Mustang—For a YearGeleta grew up in Slovakia, and began wrestling in

the fourth grade. He came to the United States and

Clifton in the ninth grade, and was undefeated as a

freshman at CHS until tearing his meniscus and miss-

ing five weeks of action. When his family moved, he

transferred to St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark), where, as

a 152-pounder, he took second place in the


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From left, Sophomore James Murdoch, SophomoreKareem Askew, Head Coach Dan Geleta, JuniorPatrick DePasque and Junior Moe Farhan.


National Prep School

Wrestling Championships—

losing 7-4 in the finals to Ty

Willman of the Hill School

(Pa.), who won two prep indi-

vidual titles.

He was ranked nationally

twice at Montclair State

University, and became a two-

time academic All-American

before suffering a broken

back in a car accident and

missing his senior season.

After stints at Montclair

Kimberley, Pope John and

Bergen Community College, Geleta turned down offers

to coach elsewhere and became Clifton’s head

wrestling coach in 2006.

“I wanted to teach and coach in the same building,”

Geleta recalled. “Recruiting is very important. You

want to be around your kids and be in a building where

you can promote your program to other students. I also

liked the camaraderie we had (when I was a wrestler at

CHS), and I liked the atmos-

phere the coaches created for

us. I wanted to coach here.”

Upon taking over, Geleta

had only three returning

starters from the previous

year’s team, but set the lofty

goal of turning the Mustangs

into championship con-

tenders. His first team went

10-13, but by year two, the

team had improved greatly.

They haven’t had a season

with more than eight losses

(or less than 12 wins) since.

“My staff and I knew we could succeed here,” he

recalled of the early days. “You start with 3,000 stu-

dents in the building. There must be athletes. Then,

there are others you are going to recruit and help them

become good wrestlers. You need depth, and that is

what we accomplished over the years. We never forfeit

a weight class, because we have so many kids on the

team that want to compete.”

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Leadership in Many FormsGeleta also teaches humility to his wrestlers. It is an

attribute he practices, as well, as he is quick to shift

credit for the wrestling program’s success to his assis-

tant coaches, as well as his family—all of whom bring

their own contribution to the program.

“Our success would not be possible without [assis-

tants] Fred Hemsey, Jan Kepic and Omar Polanco,” he

said. “They all have different roles. Coach Hemsey is

like a father figure to our kids. Jan is like a technician

with upper body moves, and Omar is a lightweight

technician. My wife Zuzana is our biggest fan, and so

are my sons, Luke and Joseph.”

Over the last several years, his successes as a coach

have become most apparent on New Jersey’s biggest

wrestling stage—the NJSIAA individual state tourna-

ment.

In the pre-Geleta era, Mustang appearances in the

tournament were few and far between. But more

recently, Clifton representation has grown, topping out

with seven Mustangs going to the dance last year.

According to one of them, junior 138-pounder Moe

Farhan, the head coach is as much a reason as any other

that Clifton has gained such a presence at Boardwalk

Hall.

“Coach Geleta brings a lot as a coach, and he makes

sure that we do the right thing on and off the mat,”

Farhan said. “He’s more than just a wrestling coach,

he’s a really good man. He’s always on top of our train-

ing and practice and he wants nothing but the best for

us. He always finds a way to make me better and make

the team better. He has made me believe in my self each

and every time I step out on to the mat, I’m confident

when we wrestle because of all the work we put in

together.”

As the program moves forward, Geleta insists he is

having as much fun as ever—that in both the short-term

and long, Clifton wrestling’s future looks bright.

In nearly a decade on the job, his passion for teach-

ing the sport burns as intensely as ever, and it continues

to show with every match the Mustangs wrestle.

He says his goal, first and foremost, is to provide

opportunities to the student-athletes he coaches.

Provide them, he has, and those student-athletes have

made the most of them—turning the program from a

middling one to a North Jersey powerhouse.

“Dan gives attention to every single wrestler, and he

allows them to wrestle their style, and hone each one’s

individual skills,” said Hemsey, his long-time assistant.

“Dan has a passion that is second-to-none, and his love

of wrestling exceeds the perimeters of the mat. He is

the catalyst behind the transformation from where we

were, and the success is recognized by his peers and

throughout the state.”

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Carlton Palmer

(1921)

Art Donnelly

1926-1934

Al Lesko

(1935-1940)

Vic Dragon

(1941-1944)

Bill Vander Closter

(1964-1979)

Joe Grecco

(1945-1963)

John Lischak

(1980-1981)

Dennis Heck

(1985-1987)

Jack Jones

(1982-1984)

Harry Steinmark

(1924)While Clifton’s football legacyhas been one of state championships and packed

stadiums, it’s also been one of rocky fields, politi-

cal bickering, and disappointment. Nineteen coach-

es have lived through those seasons, all leaving

their mark on Clifton’s football history. On these

pages are the photos of those coaches who have

guided generations of young men on the gridiron...

Below are the names and dates of serviceof two Clifton Football coaches

that pictures are not available for:Clifford S. Hurlburt (1922-1923)

Steve Holster (1925)


Alex Kaplanovich

(1988-1989)

James Kelly

(1993-1997)

John Iannucci

(1990-1992)

James D. Hill

(1998)

Ron Anello

(2004-2010)

Chet Parlavecchio

(1999-2003)

Steve Covello

(2011-2014)

With the February dismissal of head coach Steve Covello and staff, Clifton foot-

ball is once again at a turning point.

The Mustangs, coming off a 1-9 season that was their worst since 1999 (and one

of the worst in school history), will usher in a new era this fall, and the coach who

is chosen will have the tall task of turning around a team that was largely non-com-

petitive in 2014 (losing by approximately 27 points per game).

Since the firing of Dennis Heck in 1987, Clifton’s most success has come under

Jim Kelly—now the coach at Queen of Peace—during the Joe Haro era, and the

post-rebuilding period under Chet Parlavecchio (recently hired at Passaic Valley)

and Ron Anello. The Mustangs won a North 1, Group 4 title under Anello in 2006.

Have Clifton Merchant Mailed.$27/YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Mailed via first class to your home.

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“Find your passion and when you do, engage yourheart” This is the message that Joseph R. Azzolino, both

the president and the principal of Immaculate

Conception High School (Lodi) presents to students as

the guiding philosophy for their years at ICHS and as

one to remember through life.

Established in 1915 by the Felician Sisters, a Catholic

religious order, the all-girls Immaculate Conception

High School marks their centennial this year.

For a century, ICHS has been forming young women

within an environment that offers both a rigorous cur-

riculum of college prep and a nurturing school commu-

nity. Essential to an ICHS education is adherence to a

traditions that emphasizes core values such as compas-

sion, community service, respect for human dignity, per-

sonal growth and transformation, as well as working for

a common good so that we all may have a better chance

of living in a world where there is justice and peace.

Empowering Young WomenAcademic rigor and a heritage of core values are the

key reasons that parents, such as alumnae Gina Zegler of

Montclair Heights, choose ICHS for their daughters.

Gina’s oldest daughter Jacqueline is already

CELEBRATE OUR PASTAND SHAPE OUR FUTURE

ICHSCentennial

100

Some Clifton’s girls attending ICHS include:Jacqueline Zegler, Patricia Baran, Brittney Acevedoand Amanda Leger. Not pictured is Mirabelle Saad.Next page: Gina Zegler with daughter Jacqueline.

By Irene Jarosewich


ICHS Centennial

attending ICHS, soon to be joined by

younger sister Rachel.

“I believe that the school gave me

sense of confidence,” said Zegler,

ICHS Class of ‘88. “I could be the

leader, president, anything I wanted to

do. The school gave me, it gives girls,

a strong feeling of empowerment.

That's what I want for my daughters.”

Nadine Mooers, who is the director

of Institutional Advancement at ICHS

agrees with Zegler. She emphasizes

that high school is a time of learning,

discovery, as well as a time for fun;

these are the years when girls develop their self-concept

and inner strength.

“Single-gender education gives girls a distinct advan-

tage in life. In an all-girls school, students are the lead-

ers, their role models are primarily women. They are

encouraged to find their voice, to be active in and out of

the classroom. ICHS fosters individuality, strength, and

perseverance in all its girls. Nothing stops them from

being independent and successful.”

Lifelong BondsAnother benefit of the school is the

ability to not feel a pressure that is

present in most high schools, the need

to emphasize dressing and clothing

that can result in wasted time and

expensive competitiveness.

Notes Zegler, “Some people say

‘oh those poor girls, they have to

wear uniforms.’ But as a mother, I

can tell you that it relieves a lot of the

pressure and is easier and simpler and

saves time for everyone all around.

There is more time for studying.

Attention is paid to young girl’s achievements, accom-

plishments, not the kind of clothes she is wearing.”

Zegler also appreciates the sense of security the

school gave her. In a more secure environment, friend-

ships develop. She continues to have a core group of

friends from ICHS that have been there for each other

through the years, providing lifelong support. With

about 200 students, the girls get to know each other well

at ICHS and strong bonds are formed.


Besides Jacqueline Zegler of Montclair Heights, a

graduate of St. Philip the Apostle on Valley Rd., several

other Clifton girls are also on track to one day become

ICHS alumnae.

Patricia Baran, who attended St. Andrew the Apostle

school on Mt. Prospect Ave., lives in the Allwood sec-

tion, which is not far from Brittney Acevedo, who also

attended St. Andrew and who resides on Passaic Ave. in

the Delawanna area.

Amanda Leger, who attended St. Philip lives in

Downtown Clifton, by Lakeview Ave., and Mirabelle

Saad, also a St. Andrew graduate, lives near the Richfield

Farms section.

The CentennialThe year-long celebrations of the 100th anniversary

began last fall with a memorial Mass and a Christmas

homecoming. Upcoming in 2015, are two additional

events. The first, on March 7, is the “Special 100th

Anniversary Reconnect and Renew: Golden Reunion

Celebration” that will begin with a prayer service. Later,

the Time Capsule that was buried at the school's Lodi

campus 50 years ago, in 1965, will be opened and in that

location, a new Time Capsule from 2015 will be buried,

to be opened in another 50 years. Another outdoor activ-

ity wil be the release of 10 doves. Doves were chosen in

recognition of the the school's core values of peace and

justice. Each dove symbolizes one decade of the school's

existence. Then a catered luncheon will complete the day.

Centennial celebrations will come to a close on Oct.

22 at the 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner to be held at Il

Villagio’s in Carlstadt. Hall of Fame recognitions and

Women of Distinction awards will be presented.

Mooers notes that during the events, recognition of

past traditions and historical highlights, such as Pope

John Paul II visit's to the school in 1980, will be

acknowledged.

“This high school did really begin with the proverbial

'little red schoolhouse' in 1915 with 16 girls, who

became the first graduating class.

The little brick building still stands near the edge of

our campus. However, now we have 213 girls enrolled

and currently are experiencing great interest and growth.

In a few years we expect to level off at between 250 and

260 students.”

A strong start towards the ICHS bicentennial!

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Houses of Worship

58

The Geraci Citizens League’s St.Joseph’s Day Gala is on March 7.

Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli addressed employees and visitors during the morningliturgy at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. He also marked the foreheads ofthe faithful with ashes in the sign of the cross on the holy day of Ash Wednesday,which was Feb. 18. He is pictured (center) with Clifton’s Sr. MaryanneCampeotto, SC and St. Joe’s new President and CEO, Kevin J. Slavin.

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 85th Geraci Citizens League St. Joseph’s

Dinner Dance is on March 7 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 Women’s Ministries United Reformed Churchof Clifton will be hosting a Good Friday White

Breakfast on April 3 at 9:30 am at the United Reformed

Church of Clifton and Passaic (352 Clifton Ave.).

Women who would like to participate and bring a guest

should call 973-365-1666 by April 1. The concept is to

highlight the historical death and the resurrection of

Christ Jesus, and to reach out to the greater community

with a message of sharing God’s love.

St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 81 Washington

Ave., will host its fifth annual Ukrainian Easter Egg

Pysanka Decorating Class on March 22 at the church

hall between 1:30 and 3 pm. Fee is $13 (for any age),

and includes all necessary supplies. Instructor Motrja

Fedorko has many years experience in this traditional art

form of the Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with folk

designs using a wax-resist (batik) method. The word

pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, ‘to write’, as the

designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax. To

register, reserve by March 20 by leaving name, number

of attendees and return phone number on 973-546-2473.

The church kitchen will be open and feature homemade

pierogies and baked Easter goods on March 22 and there

will be a raffle, and Ukrainian-themed ethnic gifts will

be available for sale.

The St. John Lutheran Church Thrift Shop is on

March 7, from 9:30 am to 1 pm. Parishioners and ven-

dors are offering clothing, household items and toys at

bargain prices. The church is at 140 Lexington Ave.,

Passaic. Call 973-779-1166 or 973-777-0322.


A German Style Luncheon is on March 15 at

noon at St. John Lutheran. Adult tickets are $15

and include a short sheet of raffle tickets for gift

baskets. Lunch for kids under 12 will be $6.

Doors open at 11:30 pm. Mail ticket requests

with checks (payable to ‘WELCA’ for Women

of the ELCA) to 140 Lexington Ave., Passaic,

NJ 07055. For more details, call 973-779-1166

or 973-868-3380.

A new choral group—a musical collaboration

between the Sequoia Senior Center, a program

of the Jewish Family Service of Passaic/Clifton,

and the Garden State Opera—made its debut at

a Purim party on March 3 at 11 am, at 565

Broadway, Passaic. Over the winter months,

seniors participated in training three times a

week by Garden State Opera singers, under the

direction of Maestro Francesco Santelli, pic-

tured left. For info on the Sequoia Purim party,

call 973-246-7717. For info on the GSO, go to

gardenstateopera.homestead.com.


In our Schools

St. Brendan Catholic School Tricky Tray

is on noon on March 15 at the Brownstone.

Proceeds benefit students of the Lakeview

Ave. facility. Dinner, for those 18 and over

only, is $45 and the price includes one

sheet of tickets. Call 973-772-1149 or 973-

809-2297 or email: [email protected].

Christopher Columbus Middle SchoolHSA hosts a Tricky Tray on March 27 at

6:30 pm at the Boys & Girls Club. Tickets

are $15 for the bring your own food and

beverages event. Reserve 10 tickets and

pay $12 per ticket. No one under 18. Call

973-818-6045 for info.

Clifton School 16 is having its Tricky

Tray/Sweet 16 on March 12 at the Valley

Regency. Doors open at 6 pm and draw-

ings begin at 8 pm. The $50 admission

includes buffet dinner, dessert, coffee and a

set of tickets. For tickets, call Diane

Bertone 973-783-7525 or email her at

[email protected]

Eight out of nine eighth-graders of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School on President St. in Passaic scored in the 90th-99th percentiles nationally in Math, Reading, and Language Arts on the 2015 COOP exams. All have attended St. Nich’ssince Pre-K. They are Michael Lechicky, Adrian Skala, Zakhar Figol, Alexander Miklosh, David Shevchuk, JulianaLoukachouk, Angelika Holak and Julia Citkowski. Also pictured are ELA and Math teachers Sonia Lechicky and TatyanaFedak. For information on the school, tuition and open house dates, call 973-779-0249.

Six Mustangs signed their letters to attend various colleges to contin-ue their education and soccer careers. Pictured here, on Feb. 13, arefrom left top, Lady Mustangs Coach Konrad Kruczek with NicoleRzekiec (MSU, Athletic Trainer); Meghan Sekanics (MSU,Communications); Marisa Jaramilo (Iona College, Biology); MarkGlodova, (Rutgers Newark, Physical Therapy); Brian Pariona,(Criminology, Berkeley College); Lenny Contreras, (Berkeley,Criminology); and Boys Coach Stan Lembryk.

which means Tomahawk is

trained and nationally certi-

fied in restorative water

drying methods and mold

remediation by the

Institute of Inspection,

Cleaning and Restoration

Certification, also known as

IICRC.


Community Events

The Clifton Rec’s Bowling night is March 13 at 6 pm

at Garden Palace Lanes. Two hours of bowling, shoe

rental, pizza, soda, laser lights, bowling bingo and more

fun-filled contests are included in the cost of $40 per

lane, which fits six people. Only 16 lanes are available.

Purchase at cliftonrec.com or at Clifton Rec., second

floor of City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave. Call 973-470-5956.

Clifton Mustang Band Alumni Association hosts

Moonlight Bowling at Parkway Lanes on March 14 at

6 pm. The cost is $50 per couple or $15 per person for

those wish to come and eat but not bowl. Bowl and

enjoy a buffet until 9 pm with raffle prizes and a 50/50

to follow—you must have a partner to bowl. Info at

mustangbandalumni.org

The North Jersey Volleyball Club is an under 18 year

old national team coached by Mike Doktor. The group

is going to Penn State in May for the annual Happy

Volley Tournament, a great college showcase for the

young ladies of the squad. Help underwrite the cost of

this trip by attending a Beefsteak/Tricky Tray on March

13 at 6 pm at the Boys & Girls Club. Call 973-207-

7156 or email [email protected].

The Relay for Life of Clifton 2015 is on May 30 and 31

with the location to be determined. Now in its 11th year,

companies, community groups, civic associations, reli-

gious organizations and schools are invited to form a team

or becoming a sponsor. Movies, Lights and Camera as weRelay for a Cure is this year’s theme. For more call Kristin

Bruno at 973-285-8041or go to cancer.org.


Clifton’s Relay for Life is on May 30 and 31 and the themeis Movies, Lights and Camera as we Relay for a Cure.


Robert Andres reminds you to look for even greater savings in ourthree frozen food aisles during March. Nutritious, delicious andeconomical, he says it’s time to “Take a Fresh Look At Frozens!”

Fidel Urbina keeps our Seafood section well stocked withdozens of great buys on fresh or shelled fish. From lobstersand shrimp to a variety of daily fish specials, we willalso steam or fry your ‘catch’ while you shop!

Cuellar Family Markets

Paulison AvenueShopRite7 am to Midnight

7 Days A Week

503 Paulison Ave. 973-471-0868


Woodrow Wilson Middle School HSATricky Tray theme is New York New

York. The fundraiser for those ages 18

and over is on april 24 from 6 to 11 pm at

the Bethwood. Tickets are $40 and

include dinner, entertainment and a sheet

of tickets to get your started. Call Robyn

Urbanowycz at 201-388-3528 for tickets.

The 8th Annual Boys & Girls Club ofClifton Tricky Tray is May 8. The

Ladies Auxiliary is asking for your sup-

port. Proceeds from this event will go

directly to the operating costs of the Boys

& Girls Club of Clifton. Mail donations to B&G Club,

822 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013 Attn: Ladies

Auxiliary. Call 973 773-2697 x143 with questions.

Clifton Cares shipped 152 packages to our troops in

December. Since Aug., 2010, over 3,000 packages of

everything from socks and soups to cookies and can-

dies have been shipped to men and women serving our

nation overseas. The next shipment goes mid-March,

so on your next shopping trip add to your basket some

beef jerky, cookies, licorice, ramen noodles, cup a

soup, lemonade or ice tea powdered packets. Bring

items to City Hall by March 10. Donations to help pay

for postage are also needed. Priority flat rate box costs

$15.90 but any amount is accepted. Write to Lizz

Gagnon, c/o Clifton Tax Assessor’s Office, 900 Clifton

Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013. Email her at

[email protected] or call her cell: 973-818-8141.

Community Events

Clifton Cares Chairs: Lizz Gagnon, Dona Krum and Chris Liszner.


The CHS Prom Fashion Show is March 29 at 2 pm. It

is presented with the support of CASA (Clifton Against

Substance Abuse) and again staged at the JFK

Auditorium. The event is a major fundraiser for the

Class of 2015 and the cost of admission ($10) helps

fund tickets for Project Graduation.

For the show, the models—seniors from the Class of

2015—will be styling tuxedos donated by Deluxe

Formal Wear of Clifton. Gowns will be donated by

BouBou, Sisters Bridal Boutique, Unique Designs by

Viki and VESA.

Money raised goes to underwrite the cost of Project

Graduation on June 26 right after Commencement,

which this year, will likely be on the new turf at Clifton

School’s Stadium. Project Graduation is an all night

party with a lock-in at an undisclosed resort, a place

where graduating seniors are safe from alcohol and

drugs. Class of 2015 seniors will meet at CHS and are

then taken by bus to the resort at 10 pm. They remain

there with plenty of food and time to frolic. Doors are

locked until 5 am and then they are bussed back to CHS.

Want to help out as a sponsor, contribute the styling

services of your salon or somehow get involved? Call

chair Nancy Delaney at 973-951-5024.

Some of the Mustang models set to walk the runway for the March 29 CHS Prom Fashion show to benefit 2015 ProjectGraduation: Brianna Labanich, Gabriella Barcelona, Lacey Loughlin, Samantha Declet, Andrea Garcia, Lizannette Thormes.


Arts & Music

Seventy entries will be screened at the 2015 PassaicCounty Film Festival on April 25. Now in its 11th

year, this juried exhibition of independent filmmakers’

work showcases projects created by those who live,

attend school, or work in Passaic County. Entries are

10 minutes or less. The festival’s goal is to support

filmmakers by providing a public forum to showcase

their work and provide an opportunity to interact with

members of the television and filmmaking community.

There is free admission to the festival and screenings,

which will take place at the Fabian 8 Theater in historic

downtown Paterson. While most films are appropriate

for a general audience, some material may be inappro-

priate for children under 13. For info, call 973-569-

4720 or [email protected].

In Celebration of Spring is a program of live jazz and

art at the Clifton Arts Center on March 15. Come hear

musicians Mike Luipersbeck, a retired police detective

and accomplished jazz drummer, piano prodigy Peter

Greco and bassist Ron Naspo at 2:30 pm. Their per-

formance of selections from the Great American

Songbook, jazz, and Broadway, begins at 3 pm. Tickets

are $10 and include light refreshments. Located at 900

Clifton Ave., on the campus of the municipal complex,

patrons can also view a display of original works by

Clifton Association of Artists members. Admission is

$3. Call 973-472-5499 for info or go to cliftonnj.org.

Jazz drummer and retired Clifton cop Mike Luipersbeck.


Vocalist Dennis Sprick andpianist Jimmy Horan present a

concert of Oscar-Winning Songs at

the Clifton Senior Center on April

24. The 8 pm show is a benefit for

Clifton Cares and The Homeless

Bus. Tickets are $20 in advance or

$25 at the door. Sprick is a 1974

CHS grad who has emerged as a

lounge singer. The duo will be

reprising their February 2014 show

at the Duplex nightclub in New

York City as they perform songs

made famous by Barbra Streisand,

Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Judy

Garland and Adele and many oth-

ers. For tickets, call Laura Byrouty

973-224-3608. Donations may

also be made by check as follows:

For Clifton Cares—made payable

to Lizz Gagnon, 346 Mt. Prospect

Ave., Clifton, NJ 07012. For the

Homeless Bus—made payable to

Homeless Bus Inc., 143 DeMott

Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011.

Singer Dennis Sprick today andinset as a 1974 CHS grad.

Dreams & Nightmares is the con-cept behind ATC Studios’ 2015

Young Playwrights Project. The

competition is open to middle and

high school students who submit

one-act scripts, 10 minutes or

under. Scripts, written for one to 10

actors, with technical requirements,

can be submitted to ATC by email-

ing to [email protected] (as a

.doc or .docx) before March 15. Six

to 12 submissions will be selected

for public performance, and cast

and produced through ATC. For

info: atcstudios.org.

Matt Grabowski died on Feb. 25.The second term Councilman was ill

for about a year and a half with liver

cancer. Despite his prognosis,

Grabowski, age 53, worked hard at

keeping all aspects of his life run-

ning smoothly.

In addition to his role on the City

Council, he was also a Coldwell

Banker realtor, president of the

Athenia Business Association and

lead singer of Swingman & The

Misfit Mutts Band.

Flags in the city have been low-

ered to half mast for the next 30

days in his honor. At the end of that

period, the other six City Council

members will decide on an individ-

ual to fill the vacant seat.

Grabowski is survived by his

mom Jean, and siblings Chris, Ray,

Val and Alex. The family asked for

donations to the Athenia Business

Association in Grabowski’s memo-

ry can be sent to 800 Van Houten

Ave., Clifton NJ 07013.

Saturday Labor Art Classes for

third to fifth grade students are

offered at the American Labor

Museum/Botto House National

Landmark. Funded by the Puffin

Foundation and the Horizon

Foundation for New Jersey, the free

classes run March 7 to May 2.

Students will learn of the history and

contemporary issues of working

people and immigrants through the

visual and performing arts. Students

participate in hands-on activities to

develop their understanding of an

immigrant worker’s home, lifestyle

and workplace as a means of com-

parison to those issues today.

Classes are at the American Labor

Museum, 83 Norwood St., Haledon.

To pre-register, call 973-595-7953,

email [email protected] or go

to labormuseum.net.

Mr. Cupcakes is the title sponsor of

the Savor Food and Wine Experience

on March 9. Presented by the North

Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the

event features 100 main dishes and

fine wines from over 30 restaurants.

Held at the Preakness Hills Country

Club on Ratzer Rd in Wayne, cost is

$50. Call 973-470-9300.


Around Town

Matt Grabowski

On Feb. 11 at the monthly breakfast meeting hosted by Passaic County ELC (Employer Legislative Committee),Assemblyman Tom Giblin (second from left) was the guest. Also pictured is Frank Robinson of NJBIA, Angelo Morresiwho organizes the events and Brian Tangora of the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce. The March 10 meeting is at 8am at the Holiday Inn of Totowa with Michele Siekerka, NJBIA President, as speaker. The cost is $15, which covers cof-fee and bagels, and it is a pay at the door event. For info, call Morresi at 973-239-5626 or Tangora at 973-473-9300.

Help the Clifton Animal Shelterwin a $25,000 Makeover! Our

city’s chief cat guru Liz Taranda is

in the running for Volunteer of the

Year award in a Purina Cat Chow

promotion.

To help her win, vote before

March 15 at catchow.com. If

Taranda is selected, the Clifton

Animal Shelter will receive

$25,000 to renovate the facility.

For the past decade, Taranda’s

role at the center has grown incred-

ibly. She coordinates most every-

thing as it relates to the smooth

operation of the shelter, from intake

of strays to adoptions as well as

fundraising and running the office.

Here is what one fan wrote

about her: “What she doesn’t do is

quit. Liz does all this, for over 10

years now—and does it pleasant-

ly—because she can see the differ-

ence she is making. Liz is the sort of

volunteer that is one in a million.”

The staff was doubled on the floor and the kitchen as Clifton’s IHOP served upfree stacks of pancakes on March 3 as part of the restaurant chain’s NationalPancake Day promotion to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The Theater League of Clifton’s ‘Once Upon A Mystery’ dinner theaterwhodunit with performances March 6, 7 and 8 at Mario’s Restaurant, 710Van Houten Ave. Tickets are $40, which include dinner and show. For tick-ets and info, go to theaterleagueofclifton.com or call 973-928-7668.



Going Pro?

Sam Zwiebel was introduced to bowling by his father.

When he was six years old, Sam and father Shane by

mistake walked into a bowling tournament in progress.

On the spot his father decided to sign him up. Sam

won. His father then entered him in an adult junior

league competition. There Sam tied for first place.

Two weeks after that he entered into the Professional

Bowling Association’s Regional ProAm. There Sam

won the Bantam Division. The next week, Sam entered

the Junior Bowlers Tour. He has not looked back.

Now an eight-year-old, Sam loves to bowl and mul-

tiple times a day can request that his father take him

bowling. During vacations and school breaks, Sam will

often bowl two to three times a day.

As Shane explained recently, Sam has an impressive

ability to maintain composure far beyond his years.

“He does not lose control, never backs down. He is a

fierce competitor. If he senses that you are not on your

game, he will compete even harder.”

“Sometimes it’s hard to remember,” adds Shane,

“that Sam is only eight years old. We make sure that he

has time to play and that he has the opportunity to be

just that, a little boy.”

Sam’s passion for bowling is obvious. He has more

than doubled his average in less than one year. He

works diligently on his game. Sam bowls almost every

day. He’s already decided that his favorite lanes are in

Howell, however on a typical Sunday afternoon, he can

be found with his father, mother Rebecca and sister

Sara at the Garden Palace Lanes in Clifton.

Shane is a life-longer bowler and has taken to teach-

ing his son some techniques. Sam is a natural lefty,

which brings a certain set of challenges when bowling.

“Sam is proficient in moving left to combat lane

conditions,” said Shane, “he is capable of reading oil

patterns and adjusting. We bowl in up to six bowling

centers per week. This is something I learned to do

from my father, who took me all over to bowl.”

SAM ZWIEBELStrikes and scores keep this

eight-year-old competitor in

the lane of winners

By Irene Jarosewich


The variety of lanes helps develop perspective

and train under different conditions.

Currently Sam is the Junior Bowlers Tour handi-

cap points leader in New Jersey, having taken the

lead in mid-February at a tournament in Stratford.

There are no age brackets in the JBT, and according

to his father, “Sam is trained to bowl and beat against

his average, not to worry about the other bowlers.”

This past December, Sam was the champion at the

NJUSBC Youth State Tournament – Division D.

Sam is coached by Ken Yokobosky who is a

USBC Gold Coach and coached Team USA for sev-

eral years.

Although a good part of Sam’s life is devoted to

bowling, he is also training in the martial arts at the

American Falcon Hopkido school on Clifton Ave.

and is proud to be a yellow belt.

Sam lives with his family in Country Club Towers

in the Allwood section and attends the The Learning

Center for Exceptional Children. Mother Rebecca is

not a bowler, which leaves sister Sara.

“She’s coming along,” said Shane, “it’s great to

watch. And while she can’t beat Sam yet, she can

definitely win against her mother.”

Young bowling champ Sam Zwiebel, 8, with sister Sara, 6,and parents Shane and Rebecca at the Garden PalaceLanes in Lakeview where the Zwiebel’s can be found onmost Sunday afternoons.


Julie Generalli Dominick .......3/1Kathleen Pocoek ..................3/1Meaghan Franko .................3/1Kenzie Lord .........................3/3Valerie Godowsky................3/5Alice Paxton ........................3/5Patricia Vigh........................3/5Carol Crudele......................3/6Ted Grzybowski...................3/6

Pat Smith.............................3/8Victoria Crudele...................3/9Pamela Culque ..................3/10Tiffany Sabo ......................3/10John Gorny .......................3/11Teddy Harsaghy.................3/11Eddie Gasior, Jr. ................3/12Mike Pesaro ......................3/12Victor Berdecia ..................3/13

Diego Hernandez ..............3/15Tyler Hughes......................3/15Elaine Sassine....................3/15Laura Lee ..........................3/15Melisa Calvo .....................3/16Suzanne Ciok....................3/19Janette Hughes ..................3/19Caitlin Lotorto ....................3/19Colleen Murray..................3/20Holly Sorenson ..................3/20Nenad Vuckovic ................3/20Monica Ahmed..................3/21

Sister Elaine Sassine... Happy 65th on March 15! Jeremy Joseph Sadowski was born on Dec.12. WilliamThomson will celebrate his 3rd birthday on March 8. Fabian, Melisa, Damian and Nicolas Calvo wel-comed Isabel Victoria on Jan. 12. Congratulations to Corey & Michelle Genardi, celebrating their anniver-sary on March 28...their daughter Bianca Eda is all smiles for her 9th birthday on March 2.

Birthdays & Celebrations - March 2015

Happy Birthday to...Send dates & names... [email protected]


Casey Hawrylko turned blissfully 25 on March 2.

Joe & Pat Torelli celebratetheir 44th on March 6.

Nina & Frank Corradinocelebrate 42 years March 25.

Happy 19th birthday toKenneth Bucsko on March 19.

George Andrikanich...........3/22Pat Hiller ...........................3/22Elisabel Reyes ....................3/24Carmen Rivera...................3/24Kyle Hooyman ...................3/24Suzanne Wachtler..............3/26Michele Andrikanich ..........3/27Jennifer Mondelli................3/27Nic holas Surgent................3/27Aidan Tedesco ...................3/27Muriel Curtin......................3/28Francis Salonga .................3/31Paul McVeigh.....................3/31Chris Kolodziej ..................3/31

Tomahawk Promotions

1288 main avenue

Clifton, NJ 07011

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPhila Pa 191PeRmiT No. 7510

clifton merchant magazine - march 2015

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