WE HOPE YOU NEVER NEED US
I hope this letter finds you laying on the beach or by a lake soaking in some much-needed Vitamin D. If you’re really lucky, it’s instead a pool from Everclear Pools and Spas. You’ll read more about them in this issue.
As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, I find myself eagerly anticipating the arrival of summer. There's just something about this season that brings about a sense of excitement and adventure.
Sure, Fall has some of my favorite flavors and scents, Winter has its cozy charms and I can't deny the beauty of Spring. But when the Summer solstice rolls around, I’m more than ready for the long, languid days sitting by the pool or floating on a boat.
The pages in our Summer Fun issue will help you make the most of this season in our neighborhoods. And even if Summer doesn't mean three months of summer vacation anymore (because we're, you know, adults) we can still look forward to an adventure by crossing things off our ultimate Summer bucket list (check the table of contents for ours!) and curling up with a new favorite beach read. (P.S. Teachers, you deserve this muchneeded break!)
My family loves to go paddleboarding and play different yard sports together and I personally love my summer softball games. But I also love a good BBQ or a picnic or just sitting out on the front porch late at night with my tiki torches on (maybe drinking a Yum Yum Yum). There's something about being outdoors that feels so rejuvenating and refreshing.
Just like this season has a way of bringing people together, we hope the pages inside this month’s issue will enrich and enliven your experience of Summer!
July 2023
PUBLISHER
Phillip Barone | phillip.barone@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Don Seaman | don.seaman@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Jasmine Matulewicz | wayne@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Lindsay Bernero | lindsay1833@yahoo.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Don Seaman, Alessandra Guarneri, Phillip Barone
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alessandra Guarneri, Jason Werner, Phillip Barone, Kim Robinson-Juhlin, Lindsay Bernero
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
PHILLIP
Proverbs 3:5-6
BARONE, PUBLISHER @WAYNELIFESTYLEMAG
How to get the sofa, sectional, loveseat or chair that fits you and your room perfectly:
Step #1: Come get comfy!
Step #2: Choose your size!
Step #3: Choose your style!
Step #4: Choose your fabric!
Step #5: Get delivery in 6-8 weeks!
NY Life's Catherine Rabidis earned a prestigious industry award for 2023 from the Million Dollar Round Table.
The MDRT is an association of life insurance agents who qualify by selling $1 million or more on a facevalue basis in a calendar year. It’s a global, independent association of the world's leading life insurance and financial services professionals from over 500 companies.
MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct, and outstanding client service.
Congrats!
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Wayne
St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center is home to expert surgeons with one goal: getting you back to good health.
Our highly skilled, boardcertified surgeons and health care professionals are dedicated to providing you with the most advanced surgical methods with the latest technology – all close to home. St. Joseph’s surgeons are leaders in multiple specialties including urogynecology, bariatrics, oncology, gastroenterology, and vascular surgeries, offering advanced techniques to restore quality of life.
“Whether your surgical needs are routine or complex, inpatient or same-day, scheduled or unexpected, you can depend
on St. Joseph’s for outstanding surgical care — provided with the compassion, comfort, and convenience that St. Joseph’s is known for,” says Eric Choi, MD, Chairman of the Department of Surgery for St.Joseph’s Health. “Our surgeons work with you to determine the most appropriate treatment that will get you back to living your best life.”
Less pain and faster recovery — that’s what our renowned surgeons want for their patients. Many procedures are performed through small incisions, using the latest in minimallyinvasive and robotic technologies. St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center offers the advanced technologies of the Da Vinci
robotic surgical system and the MAKO robot surgical system, both of which allow the surgeon to use very small (dime-sized) incisions for faster recovery and less pain.
Patients who need procedures that range from curing severe and persistent heartburn to aiding in permanent weight loss have experienced the advantages of physician-assisted robotic surgery.
Toghrul Talishinskiy, MD, Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, is a specialist in both bariatric surgery and acid reflux surgery. Through minimally invasive surgical options, patients typically spend just one night in the hospital and are able to return to work within one week.
“My patients tell me that they have tried for years to lose weight, only to gain it back. It affects their overall health, their sleep, and their quality of life,” says Dr. Talishinskiy. “The minimally-invasive techniques we offer provide them with successful long-term weight loss that improves their health and gives them the tools they need to stay healthy.”
For those experiencing persistent heartburn and reflux, Dr. Talishinskiy uses the robotic system to place the LINX Reflux Management system at the lower end of the esophagus to restore the body’s natural barrier to reflux.
St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center also offers a variety of services to enhance women’s health, including specialized urogynecology through renowned expert Ali Ghomi, MD. A board-certified urogynecologist, Dr. Ghomi is a leader in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for hysterectomy, laparoscopic prolapse repair, and vaginal sling.
“Gone are the days of old-fashioned surgeries with long scars and longer recovery time,” says Dr. Ghomi. “Using the precision of the robot has allowed us to transform gynecologic treatment options for women of all ages and needs.”
A trusted leader in orthopedic care, St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center also offers state-of-the-art surgical treatment for simple to complex musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. “Our surgeons are using the most advanced techniques and technology – offering you smaller incisions, less risk of infection, and faster recovery. Our patients are usually up and around the
TOGHRUL TALISHINSKIY, MD
Department of Surgery
ALI GHOMI, MD
same day,” says
Arash Emami, MD, Chairman of Orthopedics at St.Joseph’s Health. Our highly trained specialists include board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians who are well versed in the latest therapies — including joint replacement for hips and knees; shoulder, back and spine pain, and injuries to muscles, joints and tendons. Now available in Wayne, the MAKO robotic-assisted surgery system allows our team to provide a personalized, highly precise, surgical experience for hip and knee procedures.
For conditions that range from the common to the complex, St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center has the multidisciplinary experts and innovative treatment options for all of your surgical needs. To find a St. Joseph’s surgeon for your specific health needs, visit our website at www.StJosephsHealth.org
ARASH EMAMI, MD
Specializing
Specializing in Bariatric Surgery 220 Hamburg Turnpike, Ste. 20 Wayne, NJ 973.389.5265 stjosephsrobotics.com
Department of Gynecology
Specializing in Urogynecology
225 Minnisink Rd., 3rd Fl. Totowa, NJ 862.657.3150
stjosephsrobotics.com
Chairman of Orthopedics
Director of Spine Surgery
703 Main St. Paterson, NJ 973.754.2000 stjosephshealth.org
For Earl Schick, a Harley Weekend is the Ultimate Reward
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN
BY ALESSANDRA GUARNERI
What’s your mental image of a “Harley Guy”? If it’s a ne’er-do-well, hair blowing in the wind outlaw looking to stir up trouble, that impression needs updating.
Earl Schick is a Harley guy. He’s a helmet-wearing Dad who rides for charities, participates in bike blessing events at church, is a Veteran and spends his days writing mortgages. He even watches his carbs.
“A new Harley is around $40,000 and depending on the style you can get a beautiful used bike for less than ten. There are business professionals who enjoy the wind in their face and the freedom of riding. I can work seven days a week, so there’s nothing better than when you take the bike out for a beautiful ride or just to get a burger and a beer. That’s the payoff.”
“I started with dirt bikes around 10 years old, so naturally when I was 17 I took my road test. There eventually came a point when changing diapers became more important than riding, but now those days are behind us. This is sort of a gift to me to be able to follow that passion again.”
Earl’s style is a “cruiser,” not some “Ninjatype” bike that jets around traffic, leaving highway mayhem in his wake.
Risk/reward is better served as ride/reward in Earl’s eyes.
Something most motorcycle guys enjoy is making their ride an expression of themselves. It’s not like driving off the lot in a minivan, with
the apex of personalization simply stick figures of your family stuck on the back window.
“You’re always adding or changing something. You might change out the motor, the mirrors, the foot pegs, add shiny chrome or more. $40k is just the starting point. A bike is an individual thing, it makes a statement.”
It’s that spirit of individualized, customized detail that guides Earl through his day job.
“No two fingerprints are the same. Even twin brothers don’t have the same fingerprints. Every mortgage is customized. Every borrower has individual needs. When I see something I like on a bike, I ask where they had it done so I can look into doing that on mine. With a mortgage, people ask me the same sorts of questions. I’m their resource to get the things done that they’d like to do. A customized bike is a collection of parts from different sources. A good Mortgage Lender brings all those customized parts together into one plan. I know how all the parts integrate and how to tailor them to fit together to find that feeling of freedom of your own road – your financial one.”
After all, who better to help you assess risk than someone who has the good sense to know that runaway speed isn’t for everybody — even if you’re wearing a helmet on a blessed bike?
Earl Schick is a Generational Lending Specialist at Crown Home Mortgage. Contact him on his site (eschick.crownhm.com) to see how a Harley guy can be the key to a smooth ride on your road to financial stability.
“I HAD
GADGET BIKE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. AT 120 MPH IN SECOND GEAR, I PUT THE KICKSTAND DOWN AND NEVER GOT ON IT AGAIN.”
With so many homeowners adding waterfalls, ornate masonry, and luxury adornments, it’s almost a cliché to say you’re creating a “backyard oasis.”
But that doesn’t make it any less accurate.
Having your own custom design usually begins with the most eye-grabbing of all. The pool. It’s the centerpiece, the show-stopper, the star.
Cool landscaping is one thing. A fire pit is a popular box to check, as is an outdoor TV, pizza oven, and maybe even a putting green or a bocce court. All the things that used to be amenities offered by high-end resort hotels and private clubs have become available to homeowners. Some of the new homesteader luxuries might be a result of pandemic living as people reassessed what was possible to maximize during their time at home.
But make no mistake — it’s the pool that’s the biggest kahuna.
“What you put in all depends upon what your goals and lifestyle are,” explains Jason Werner, owner of Everclear
Pools and Spas. “Do you do a lot of entertaining? Are you looking for a place to exercise and enjoy the sun? Sit around a fire pit to relax with a beer and cigars at night? Your design and what you include in your plan all should start with how you want to use it. “
As summer gets into full swing, having a backyard that beckons to you will encourage you to get outside and enjoy the good weather. How great is it to have your favorite vacation spot mere steps from your kitchen?
With the right additions, that kitchen might be right there in your own backyard, just a couple of steps from your very own personal water park.
After all, weren’t the best times of your life when you got to go outside and play?
To find out more about Everclear Pools and Spas, they can be reached at 973-998-6886 or online at everclearpoolsnj.com.
All the pools you see in this article are from award winning Everclear Pools And Spas.
Jason Werner owns a moderately sized company in our area, bringing his dog, Harry, with him to work every day. A lot of business owners do.
But most small businesses don’t spend $150,000+ a year on training and incentive programs for their employees. Not hardscape design and pool companies like Jason’s anyway.
“When I got into this business, I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I was a well-educated guy, graduated high in my class at Clemson, and I’m digging trenches in backyards. It’s a cool June day, like 59, 60 degrees, and on that first scoop of dirt, I look over and the whole family is at the door, watching us. Mom, Dad, kids — and the five-year-old is standing there in his yellow inflatable and flippers. That was
my epiphany moment. I’m doing this for families. This is bringing joy.”
Everclear Pools and Spas has won design awards. Many. But they’re rarely mentioned. It’s about the people who he works with, their families, and the families they all serve.
“I’d love to be the premier pool company in America. Expand our footprint to different states. That’s the business goal. But the people goal is just as important. That’s really how we’d get there.”
“We have profit sharing. We give bonuses. We alternate our field staff crews so they each have two weekends a month off and assure that they get home at reasonable hours , during our active season. When we say we’re family-friendly, we mean it on every level.”
Jason started the Annual Harold Werner Food Drive in his late father’s memory. Everclear matches donations dollar for dollar (up to $5,000). They’ll then work with ShopRite in Parsippany, which gives them discounts to extend their output. The food all gets donated to The Father English Food Pantry in Paterson.
What really sets him apart is the commitment to his staff’s career path and future. In an industry filled with “churn and burn” seasonal employees, that’s unheard of. For Jason, it’s inconceivable to do things any other way. “There’s no entrepreneur training manual. It’s not just good business — it’s just being a decent human being.”
Jason loves it when online reviews mention his staff by name. They’ve even instituted a program where the employees get a bonus when they’re called out. While his favorite part of the job remains out of the office, getting his hands dirty by sharing the load (even jumping into 49-degree pools when his service manager can’t), the most pride he has is when his employees soar.
“We took our entire company staff to the Northeast Pool and Spa Convention, paid all the expenses, and paid them for their time like any workday. We made an investment of over $25,000 in classes there alone. Jason also pays for sales training for his staff . It isn’t just sales training – it’s highlevel communication platforms, tools that our people can take with them when they leave us. It’s all to help fortify everybody’s career path.”
Building pools might bring joy, but Jason’s epiphany didn’t end there. He’s helping create futures, wherever they end up.
This commitment to integrity remains rooted in making sure that their clients are well-informed. This includes being transparent about delivering designs and work that fit in their budget. “Many companies will bid sight-unseen with tons of hidden fees that blindside their customers. We make sure that our clients know exactly what we’re doing and how much it will ultimately cost. The price of a pool is really just the starting point – it’s not the complete price for what ultimately needs to be done to build that backyard oasis you’re dreaming of. Most companies screen off topsoil fees, cleanup, fencing, variances and permits, and a hundred other things that will be involved. That’s not our way. We’re building a relationship with clients, not just doing a job and moving on.” America’s backyards are going to be in good hands. Get your yellow flippers ready.
To find out more about Everclear Pools and Spas, they can be reached at 973-998-6886 or online at everclearpoolsnj.com.
For fans of today’s top hits, NYC3 will take the stage on August 12th for a special Saturday night show. The three-piece group will cover popular songs from artists such as Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Maroon 5.
This year’s star-studded lineup has been a work in progress for quite some time and it would not be the same without those working diligently to maintain its high standard.
Naomi Miller, who has been organizing the Wayne YMCA concert series for over 30 years, remains dedicated to keeping the series and its traditions alive while also embracing change.
It’s time to rock out right in your own backyard! The Wayne YMCA is pulling out all of the stops for their 2023 summer concert series as it approaches its 50-year anniversary. With the perfect blend of theatrical music, classic rock, and today’s top hits, the seven featured shows on this year’s roster aim to impress attendees of all ages.
Ari Axelrod will kick off the 2023 concert series on July 6 with his show, “A Place For Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway.”
The 2023 lineup includes multiple established artists, including Donna Vivino and Marissa Mulder. Vivino has starred in multiple Broadway shows including Wicked, Les Miserables, and Hairspray. She has also worked alongside Martin Short in “Fame Becomes Me.” Mulder is a multiaward-winning artist who recreates the timeless material of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
A Touch of Grey, another band on this year’s lineup, will take attendees right back to the Psychedelic Rock Era with a tribute to The Grateful Dead.
“I call the summer concert series staff and attendees my summer family,” Miller explains. “There are subscribers who have been coming year after year and with that comes a certain feeling of camaraderie. It’s just this wonderful feeling that really makes the summer special.”
That staff includes Meryl Budnick, the Y’s Cultural Arts Director, who has been working on the summer concert series alongside Miller for 10 years now. With the addition of new bands and the ultimate variety of music, Budnick is certain that there truly is something for people of all ages.
“The selections for this year appeals to anyone who loves music,” Budnick explains. “It’s the perfect opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy some live music after grabbing dinner or before having coffee. We have a professional performing arts center — that’s fully air-conditioned — right here at the YMCA in Wayne. No schlepping lawn chairs!”
It’s time to call your friends, grab those tickets, and set the date. The 2023 Wayne YMCA Concert Series is surely one you won’t want to miss.
To see the schedule and order tickets go to: www. metroymcas.org/rosen-performing-arts-center/ upcoming-shows/
Spring is the perfect time to clear the daily hassles from your life and add more of whatever it is that makes you shine.
Learn how a move to Brightview will help you do both. Come meet our team and see how our resort-like amenities, services, and specialized support inspire bright, carefree days for residents – and peace of mind for families.
Patience, it’s said, is a virtue. This phrase has been attributed to poet William Langland. It’s unlikely that Will himself ever had to apply that philosophy to driving, considering it was written in 1360, long before the advent of road rage, or even roads.
These days, patience is more than just a necessity while driving, although that’s put to the test when fighting morning sun glare headed east on Route 3 or any given Saturday in Paramus. And it’s doubled if you’re driving with kids in the car.
A game of “I Spy” only lasts so long on long road trips after all the iPhones die 10 minutes after leaving the house. So what’s a modern driver to do to regain a sense of Zen on the highway? Here are a few rational steps to take to demonstrate the fine art of inner peace while the journey tries to make you seethe.
Face it, it’s unlikely that everyone in the car will ever agree on what music to listen to. This is the perfect time to pull rank – the driver has to be mollified to get to your destination safely. Whether your secret to remaining calm in the driver’s seat is yacht rock or Metallica (more power to you), take your opportunity.
THIS SHOULDN’T NEED TO BE SAID – MULTITASKING IS A NO-NO.
Remind them frequently, and practice this yourself: driving should never be the other thing you’re doing.
TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE IF POSSIBLE.
Even if you can shave 10 minutes off your drive, unless you’re on a deadline, take the more interesting route when you can. Make a game of it – try to find a different route each time you go someplace familiar. Besides, driving on the highway can really challenge your inner peace.
The reality is that as you drive, you’re apt to be teaching some unintended lessons about the art of driving to the next generation. Complaining and cursing out other drivers will be integrated into their long-term psyches; focus upon showing kindness, and yes, practice patience. If you must break out the occasional swear, at least make it creative. But showing them how to keep a level head while driving will pay big dividends for your own peace of mind when it’s their turn to borrow the car alone for the first time.
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMANShould none of these be enough, follow up with a guaranteed solution: the Zen of Ice Cream. (Did you really think that taking the scenic route was just for your tranquility?)
When the Wayne Racquet Club first opened its doors, Billie Jean King was the Wimbledon champion. The reigning champion, Novak Djokovic, wouldn’t be born for another 14 years.
The venerable tennis center turned fifty this year, a “hidden gem” or “buried treasure” or whatever you might call this Colfax Road institution. For their members, it’s their outdoor Xanadu, tennis whites optional.
“In May, we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a big event,” recalls Debbie Blood, the club’s president. She’s been there since 1982, so she's seen the club through quite a bit of its history.
“We’re a big family here. We have members from 50 different towns with people from 23 countries. We’re so much more than just Wayne,” she says.
For those who have never as much as held a racquet but would like to try, the club has “Tennis for Newbies”, letting you get started gently. Once you’re ready — everybody goes at their own pace — you “graduate” and get matched with players around your skill level. 84-year-olds can play 26-year-olds. Everybody can play everybody.
The club isn’t a walled-off tennis garden that hides itself away. They’ve competed
against other area clubs for tournaments and have a donation program that collects gently-used racquets to give to local schools in need of equipment.
This isn’t a place that’s ready to sit on fifty years of laurels.
In case you’re wondering, this isn’t a place to find pickleball. They just don’t have the facilities to add this hot new tennis-adjacent trend. “I think it’s a great way for some people to keep active, get outdoors and get moving,” Debbie explains. “It’s just a very different setup.”
So whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to find a new sport, the family at the Wayne Racquet Club just has one question for you: “Who’s got next?”
The Wayne Racquet Club is at 170 Colfax Road in Wayne. For more information, go to waynetennis.com.
THE CLUB’S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WAS A DAY TO KEEP YOUR SKILLS SHARP WITH CLINICS AND DRILLS, GET YOUR HEART RATE GOING WITH “CARDIO TENNIS”, AND FILLING YOUR BELLY WITH FOOD DONATED BY ANTHONY FRANCO’S PIZZA AND THE PHILLY PRETZEL FACTORY IN WAYNE.
To me, tennis is all about being outdoors with great friends and camaraderie while you're playing a fantastic game. It's a wonderful combination.Father and son club pros hold an exciting exhibition at the celebration
Make the most of this Summer! Check off these activities on our Kids Summer Bucket List as you complete them throughout the summer. P.S. You might need an adult’s help with some of these!
Make Popsicles
Go Swimming
Play Sand Volleyball
Family Movie Night
Stargaze
Go on a Picnic
Watch Fireworks
Build a Fort
Make Tie-Dye Shirts
Build a Sandcastle
Bake Cookies
Splash at a Waterpark
Have a Water Balloon Fight
Make Homemade Pizza
Pick Your Own Fruit
Explore a New Local Park
Go Fishing
Camp in the Backyard
Sleep In
Play Board Games
Do a Random Act of Kindness
Write a Kind Note to a Friend
Ride a Rollercoaster
Visit a Carnival
Welcome, summer! As a hyper-local publication, we thrive on helping our readers make connections with the cities they live in, the businesses that make up their communities and the inspiring individuals making a positive mark.
Are you ready for your most adventurous, fun summer? Here are summer bucket list ideas for you to accomplish this year.
Go to the Library
Summer is finally here. Take advantage of the season with our Adult Summer Bucket List. Check off these activities as you complete them with your family and friends and congratulate yourself on a Summer well-spent!
We saved up, and last summer the Barone clan took a cruise to the Bahamas. On that cruise, I met the man that would change the way I look at a summer drink. His name is Dudesh and MAN did he make one heck of a frozen drink. He literally called it the Yum Yum Yum. It was so good, I decided I had to convince him to give me the recipe and pose for a few shots - all so I could share it with you (not to mention being able to make it at home). Now don’t offend Dudesh, go make this drink. He'll know if you don't.
In a frozen drink maker (I have the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker) or in a blender mix:
• 3 oz Myers’s Original Dark Rum
• Ice
• 3 oz Sunsational Tropical
Frozen Concentrate
A Splash Each Of:
• Sunsational Strawberry
Frozen Concentrate
• Sunsational Pina Colada
Frozen Concentrate
• Sunsational Peach Frozen Concentrate
• Island Oasis Mango Frozen Beverage Mix
• Monin Premium Guava Syrup
• Grenadine
Once blended and poured into your favorite glass, top it with a couple of maraschino cherries and just decide if you will use a straw or not.
Dudesh was the expert bartender whose work schedule I quickly learned as I tried everyone else's frozen drinks and it was no contest.
Make it! Remember...Dudesh will know!
