Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 33
OCTOBER 30, 2023
Science VALLEY WILL standouts SEND A SENATOR Holly Schepisi, Jodi Murphy in WW forum Oct. 30
PARK RIDGE
‘GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING’ AT OLM,
Update on ʻunique educational journeyʼ; fall fashion show fundraiser taking shape for Nov. 16
OLMA
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District lauds young researchers Amanda Polyniak and Hyunjun “Fred” Lim. PAGE 28
PASCACK VALLEY
AND OUR TOWNS VOTE! More than 55,000
registered voters here could cast ballots via mail-in and early voting, and in person Nov. 7; a defining civic duty
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Some of Pascack Valleyʼs 55,000-plus registered voters have started voting in the Nov. 7 General Election where statewide 40 state Senate seats, 80 state Assembly seats, and numerous seats on county, local government and school boards are in play. As of Oct. 1, the New Jersey Department of State reported Bergen County had 670,515 registered voters, most of any county statewide. Next highest was Middlesex County with 574,218 regis-
See TOWNS on page 384
V
With the New Jersey State House in the background, incumbent state Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale), right, faces a challenge from former Westwood councilwoman Jodi Murphy, a Democrat, left. The two look forward to fielding voters’ questions at a forum in Westwood on Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 7.
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
Holly Schepisi and Jodi Murphy are guests at a candidate forum on their race for state Senate on Monday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave., Westwood. The event is moderated and sponsored by the Bergen County League of Women Voters and co-sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Pamela ALLEY LOCALS
Gary-Maple, president. Submit questions by Oct. 27 to LWVBergen@gmail.com. The venue is home turf to both candidates. Schepisi, an attorney and former state Assemblywoman from River Vale, is the incumbent: a Republican with offices in Westwood. Sheʼs running with Assembly candidates Robert J. Auth of Old Tappan, the incumbent, and Dr. John V. Azzariti Jr. of Saddle River, an associate director at The Valley Hospital. Murphy, a Democrat, is a Courtesy photo
past councilmember on the Westwood dais. Sheʼs running with Bogota school principal Damon Englese, a former Dumont councilman; and Westwood chef and restaurateur John Vitale, the Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerceʼs 2023 Citizen of the Year. The teams are vying to represent Legislative District 39, which includes Allendale, Alpine, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson,
Continued on page 44
Our Lady of Mercy Academy, at 2 Fremont Ave., is gearing up for an exciting school year. 2023 began with a new principal and a new science lab. In partnership with Schola Scientiae LLC, Our Lady of Mercy Academy says it will embark on an educational journey “like no other” with a groundbreaking LabLearner Curriculum, “meticulously designed to harness the innate power of human learning.” Weʼre told, “Our new lab will include the latest research-grade science equipment for our students to dive into immersive science experiments for a hands-on encounter with the wonders of science.” According to Father Vincent DʼAgostino, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church, “The LabLearner curriculum seamlessly weaves together the brilliance of NextGeneration Science Standards and the richness of current ELA and math standards to provide a learning experience that spirals continuously, allowing students to revisit, reinforce, and master concepts, ensuring a deep and lasting understanding.” He says “This fusion creates a See GREAT on page 294
DRIVEN TO HELP
B ck in time...
The NJSFWC Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club hosts Jeanne Martin, director of Meals on Wheels of North Jersey.
“Happy Halloween, Pascack Valley! We hope we didn’t startle you too badly with this spooky bunch…” Kristin Beuscher reports from Hillsdale Public School, 1948. PAGE 4
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