HoHoKus September 2025

Ho-Ho-Kus At Home On Stage

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Photograph by Adam Paray 8 26 30 6 18 12

12 Finding a Chosen Family on Stage

CJ Einhorn excels in acting and behind the scenes as a prop designer and more. But they say the true draw to theater is the inclusive community it builds.

18 Living Proof of the American Dream

Born in war-torn Italy, Dr. Salvatore Forcina fought tooth and nail to make something of himself despite dire circumstances, overcoming the odds to become a doctor. IN THIS ISSUE

4 EDITOR’S LETTER

Something About September

6 AROUND TOWN

Back in the Swing of Things

8 LOCAL TASTES

A Cup of Joe With George

26 HIGHLANDS HAPPENINGS Changing Leaves, Changing Schools

28 BOOK NOOK Picture Books Your Kids Will Love!

30 PEOPLE WE KNOW Our Hometown Hero

32 PHOTO OP All Abuzz  COVER CJ Einhorn poses with items they’ve collected during their theater career.

tTHERE’S SOMETHING

ABOUT

September that brings nostalgia. The mornings are suddenly crisp, and I’m reminded of my schooldays. And even though those days are long past, the sense of a new beginning and fresh start are still tangible.

Now, I get to see those first days through my kids’ eyes. Isn’t there still some magic in a new backpack and maybe a fresh pair of kicks? I guess it’s an opportunity to imagine what’s to come this year and beyond that, dream about days down the line and who those little ones will become.

This month, we feature two residents who are at opposite ends of their journeys in the professional world—one retired and looking back on his life and all it took to get where he is today, and another, a senior in high school, about to embark on making their dreams a reality.

Dr. Salvatore J. Forcina was born in Italy during World War II into poverty. The odds were stacked against him, but Forcina overcame many barriers to achieve his desire to become a doctor in the United States, eventually becoming Chief of Surgery at two hospitals and having a successful 40-plus year practice.

And CJ Einhorn just started their senior year at Northern Highlands Regional High School, where they have found a home away from home with the high school’s theater company. Einhorn shines on and off stage, as an actor, props designer, makeup artist, and more—but what their teachers and parents applaud them for most is an enthusiastic desire to learn and create an inclusive, welcoming environment within the department and school.

We’ll also have a new, regular column this month: Highlands Happenings by student Laney McCrossin. She’ll give readers a peek inside what goes on at the regional high school where most Ho-Ho-Kus students attend.

I also want to acknowledge that this issue marks one year of Ho-Ho-Kus magazine! It’s been a joy to bring this publication to my hometown and see it grow and thrive. Thank you for sharing your stories with me and taking time out of your lives to read about your friends and neighbors.

Sarah Nolan Editor editor@hohokusmagazine.com

Ho-Ho-Kus MAGAZINE

Editor

Sarah Nolan

Writers

Sarah Nolan

Laney McCrossin

Wendy Lees

Photographers

Joe Nolan

Adam Paray

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

SVP, Group Publisher

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Art Director

Rosemary O’Connell

Executive Editor

Elaine Paoloni Quilici

Associate Editor

Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

Ho-Ho-Kus Magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Ho-Ho-Kus, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Back in the Swing of Things

Ho-Ho-Kus is full of events and activities for you and your family to enjoy this fall.

TODDLER & ME PROGRAM

Please join the Ho-Ho-Kus Waldwick Cooperative Nursery School this fall for our Toddler & Me Program! Toddler & Me is an interactive and nurturing program designed for children aged 18 months to 2.5 years old. The class features various components, including music and instruments, play and craft stations, snack, and circle time. Students will have an opportunity to work on socialization, fine and gross motor skills, sensory exploration, and school routines. The program runs for two 12-week sessions and meets every Thursday from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The first class is Sept. 18, but students are welcome to join the program after this date if spots are available.

To learn more, please contact registrar@hohokuswaldwickcoop.com

HO-HO-KUS DAY

Ho-Ho-Kus will hosts its annual Ho-Ho-Kus Day on Saturday, Sept. 6 from noon to 6 p.m. This year is the fourth annual event, which brings residents together after summer for a day of fun and entertainment. The event will feature tents to learn more about local businesses and organizations, live music, food trucks, and plenty of games and attractions for kids. For more information, visit hhkborough.com.

COMMUNITY GARDEN EVENTS

The Ho-Ho-Kus Community Garden has a series of events planned to bring community members together in the space for fun and educational demonstrations. Upcoming events this month and next include:

• Ho-Ho-Kus Day Farm Stand – Saturday, Sept. 6 at noon. The Ho-Ho-Kus Community Garden will host a Farm Stand in the garden at the annual Ho-Ho-Kus Day. Grab some organic veggies and celebrate the day with the community.

• Eating for Healing Cooking Demo with Grand Master Nan Lu & Farm Stand –Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon. This exclusive cooking demo will offer easy ways to eat healthy. Along with the event is a farm stand that will allow participants and community members to purchase veggies fresh from the garden.

• Parent and Me Pumpkin Picking – Oct. 17, time TBD. This fun fall event for children will include pumpkin picking, crafts, games, donuts, and apple cider. Come in costume. All are welcome, no registration is required.

The Community Garden is always looking for volunteers to help plant and harvest organic vegetables, which will be donated to those in need. No experience is required, and all are welcome to join. Visit hhkborough.com/ho-ho-kus-communitygarden for more information.

Rebecca Bleich is a graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in journalism and writing. She writes articles on news, arts, sports, and viewpoints.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PARTY

The Hermitage and Murder Café will host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. The event will take you back in time to dine with William Rosencrantz and his wife, Mary Warner, at their stately Hermitage estate. Get swept into a night of laughter, gossip and high society—until the evening takes a chilling turn. Can you unravel the mystery before the final course is served? Tickets are $90 per person and $170 for a couple. The evening will include a buffet dinner, cash bar, entertainment, and prizes. Costumes are encouraged. Visit thehermitage.org for more information.

SPIRITUAL SOJOURNS AT THE HERMITAGE

Visit thehermitage.org/events to purchase tickets for these captivating upcoming events.

• Legends and Lore Tours – Join us Oct. 18, 19, 24, and 26 when docents will explore the unexplained and ghostly happenings that have occurred at the Hermitage throughout the centuries. Also on Oct. 24 and 26, we will be offering special tours where our guest guide, Craig McManus, will lead two late-night tours where he will discuss the people who once called the Hermitage home and whether their spirits remain.

• The Night of the Living Dead – Celebrate the Halloween season with a unique theatrical experience on Saturday, Oct. 25. First Flight Theater Productions will bring “The Night of the Living Dead” to the Hermitage for the first time. This fun adaptation of the film features a visit by entertaining zombies and a group join-in of “Thriller,” making it a perfect addition to your Halloween festivities.

• Live Channeling with Craig McManus – On Nov. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m., Craig McManus will return for another afternoon of live channeling. This special group gathering is dedicated to connecting attendees with their loved ones who have crossed over. Light snacks and refreshments will be served during this event.

CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT AT THE HERMITAGE

Be a part of living history at the Hermitage on Saturday, Sept. 13 when the 6th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers Company C hosts its Civil War Encampment on the grounds. They will perform drill maneuvers in the line of battle. Children can participate with wooden muskets, and soldiers will guide visitors through their camp and explain artifacts used at the time. There will be artisans demonstrating their skills as well as discussions on camp life during the Civil War. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate and cost $10 for adults and $5 for children age 6 to 10. Children under 6 are free. Visit thehermitage.org/events for more information.

OKTOBERFEST

The Hermitage will host Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 4 from noon to 6 p.m. The event will feature food trucks, a beer garden, music, and entertainment for kids, including a hay maze, clowns, pumpkin painting, and face painting. Visit thehermitage.org for more information.

HOUSE PLANTS 101

Join the Ho-Ho-Kus Garden Club on Monday, Sept. 29 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. to get your hands dirty with Lauren Imbruglia as she teaches about the fundamentals of plant care. The event will go over the basics including terminology, light needs, watering needs, soil types, and so much more. Become an expert and experience this fun lesson. Stay afterwards for the chance to buy 4-inch plants and air plants. This event will take place at the Sycamore Community Church, 32 Sycamore Ave. For more information visit hohokusgardenclub.com.

A Cup of Joe with George

Local artist Kristina Filler paints a uniquely Ho-Ho-Kus mural in new borough hotspot, Bergen Coffee Roasters.

BY SARAH NOLAN

DON’T BE ALARMED if you turn around while in line at Bergen Coffee Roasters and catch a glimpse of George Washington peeking over your shoulder.

It’s not the reincarnated first president of the United States, who famously passed through town during the Revolutionary War, but an impressively realistic painting of him on a horse drawn by local artist Kristina Filler as part of her mural inside Ho-Ho-Kus’s new hotspot.

Filler says as soon as she saw the sign go up at 20 Sheridan Ave. announcing the soon-to-be coffee shop, she and her husband, Patrick,

were champing at the bit to grab a cup of joe at an independent business in their own town.

She reached out to owner Hannah Lee even before Bergen Coffee opened to express her support and excitement.

“I was afraid of the unknown of opening my own business and so that message was like a warm hug,” Lee says.

So, when Filler floated the idea of painting a mural on a blank wall across from the counter in the store, Lee knew it would be a good fit.

Filler, who was featured in our December issue for her art and

activism, says at first she decided to go “vanilla” with the pitch—perhaps a coffeemaker with flowers coming out of it. But when Lee said she hoped to incorporate the town’s history and wanted something cute and quirky, Filler suggested her wackier concept: George Washington on a horse drinking espresso?

“Without us even discussing it, she knew the vibe that I wanted,” Lee says.

Filler says she spent some 25 total hours bringing the mural to life, initially using a projector to get the rough sketch and scale down in order to work as efficiently as possible in a space where people are in and out all

This page, clockwise from top left: Local artist Kristina Filler and Bergen Coffee Roasters owner Hannah Lee pose with Filler’s painting of George Washington. A closeup of George’s face. Filler used a play on words from the U.S. Constitution in the mural, reflecting Ho-HoKus’s history and residents’ desire for good coffee.

day long for their caffeine fix.

Along with George on a horse sipping coffee from a Bergen Coffee Roasters cup, the mural features other nods to Ho-Ho-Kus and history: a (coffee) cherry tree with a deer eating one of its branches (if ya know, ya know); an American Eagle pouring espresso into George’s cup; a clock with the words “I love coffee” instead of numbers; a groundhog eating a croissant; and flowers—Filler drew inspiration from the ones at Ho-HoKus’s Community Garden for those.

In the center of the mural are words that read: “We the people of Ho-HoKus in order to form a more perfect

morning do need a great cup of coffee.”

“Since I’ve been living in town, everybody has been a broken record, saying ‘We need good coffee!’” Filler says. “So, I decided to use that sentiment and a play on language from the U.S. Constitution as the text.”

Filler says Lee has been open to all of her “insane” ideas, creating a comfortable and fun work environment that has allowed her to do her best work. Lee jokes that she just needed to feed Filler coffee.

“I appreciate how much work went into this place, and it’s in my town— I want to be proud of the artwork inside, too,” Filler says. “The space is so

tasteful, it truly reflects on the quality of the coffee.”

Lee says it was incredible to watch Filler in her zone, creating such a beautiful and unique piece in her shop. “When people walk in and see it, they’ll know this is not just a coffee shop, they’ll know it’s special and has a vibe that’s specific to Ho-Ho-Kus,” Lee says. “The quality of art reflects the coffee I’m serving, too.”

For more about Bergen Coffee Roasters, visit bergencoffee.com or its Instagram page @bergencoffeeroasters. For more about artist Kristina Filler, visit kristinafiller. com or her Instagram page @kstar810.

Finding a Chosen Family on Stage

CJ Einhorn excels in acting and behind the scenes as a prop designer and more. But they say the true draw to theater is the inclusive community it builds.

BY SARAH NOLAN

CCJ EINHORN FOUND something they didn’t know they needed within the Northern Highlands Theater Company: a chosen family.

“I didn’t know what I was missing until I had it…and then I was slapped in the face with emotions,” they say. “Theater is a place for everybody. It’s the most exclusive inclusive club and such a closeknit family. It’s a haven for the outcasts…and the nonoutcasts, though we do tend to attract stray cats.”

Einhorn, a senior at Northern Highlands Regional High School, is gearing up to return to the stage as the villainous Reverend Samuel Parris in this year’s fall play, “The Crucible.”

But it’s not just in the spotlight where they shine. Einhorn is a student who wears many hats within the department and greater school community, according to teacher and director Shaina Strang-Wolf.

“I think the major takeaway I always have from working with them is that they are simply meticulous,” StrangWolf says. “As a student, as an actor, as a props-master, they throw themselves into every project and task. CJ is the kind of student who we teachers dream about—someone who always has a can-do attitude, views obstacles and hurdles as learning opportunities, and who truly believes in the power of theater.”

A LIFELONG THEATER KID

Einhorn says they’ve been surrounded by theater and the arts their whole life. Their parents met at Oberlin College and Conservatory— mom is a classical bassist by trade and a music teacher. Dad co-founded the country’s first immersive, site-specific opera company, On Site Opera, and has produced dynamic events for audiences on some of the country’s most important stages, including the Metropolitan Opera.

“I’ve always been a theater kid,” Einhorn says, along with a musician and artist—they play the trombone, sing in the choir, and enjoy drawing and painting.

They did their first musical as an eighth grader at Ho-Ho-Kus Public School (playing Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast”). At Highlands, Einhorn started off by participating in the freshmen play and really caught the theater bug.

Their sophomore year, the play was William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in which they acted and served in an integral role behind the scenes as the makeup designer after filling out a leadership application for the important position.

“It’s a heavy makeup show because of all the fairies and characters,” Einhorn says. “We used an airbrush machine, and it was an amazing, colorful, fun, and unique show.”

With that year’s musical, “Mamma Mia,” they delved deeper into the tech side as both stage manager and props master—a chaotic but fun experience.

And last year, the fall play was “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a dark comedy about a family of murderous aunts and their relatives, which Einhorn says has “Clue” vibes. Einhorn served as props master for the show, creating a mechanism where a body (a CPR dummy) pops up from a window seat.

Through all the varying plots, lines, makeup applications, prop designs, and more, Einhorn says one constant remains within the company: a lovely community the likes of which they hope everyone can experience at least once in their lives.

CREATING A COMMUNITY

Einhorn calls Strang-Wolf the “Drama Mama” of the crew and says students feel nothing but seen and supported by other members of the faculty that are involved with the plays and musicals, including Joe Kiely in tech and Jennifer Allen and Shawna Lagan producing.

“[Strang-Wolf] creates an environment where everyone feels safe auditioning for her,” Einhorn says. Strang-Wolf says it’s a “gift” to be called “Drama Mama” by CJ and other students—one that’s more meaningful than any professional accolades she might receive.

“I try my best to make the theater a safe space and second home for my

Einhorn on stage during a performance of “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

kids,” Strang-Wolf says. “I was a lost teenager ages ago who found theater simply by choosing the activity that would keep me in school the longest, and I’ve been trying to pay that gift forward ever since. One of my greatest fortunes was having some of the most incredible teachers inspire me and help me grow, and I hope to give that to my kids.”

The English teacher creates buzz surrounding the announcement of the fall play, posting clues to the show the week prior in the windows that line the English hallway. It’s not only fun, but a great team building puzzle, Einhorn says.

The student says they have found meaning in each fall production and

the show choices seem to have been the perfect build up to this year’s “The Crucible,” which they said is a particularly complex play, acting-wise.

“‘Midsummer’ was all about finding your place and passions. ‘Arsenic’ was all about finding your people—there are big themes of finding your chosen family and unconditional love, which everyone deserves. And ‘Crucible’ is really about taking back your power and your voice.”

Einhorn says they feel “The Crucible” really resonates with the theater community because it’s about outsiders fighting back.

“Theater is often associated with

woke and a lot of theater is written about the underdog fighting back,” they say.

For “The Crucible,” auditions were opened up last spring to eighth graders (incoming freshman). Strang-Wolf says Einhorn welcomed them with open arms, making a banner, bringing balloons, and greeting newcomers in the lobby.

“That’s CJ, a kid who leads with their incredible heart,” the teacher says. “They elevate the entire experience by virtue of being themselves. Their belief in and dedication to the Northern Highlands Theater Company is contagious, and that’s really a beautiful thing to witness.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Einhorn is fresh off a summer internship as the props master and designer for a production of “Legally Blonde” at Sceneworks Studios in Paramus. Looking ahead, they say props design is the area of expertise they’d like to focus on, with ambitions of working on Broadway and a specific dream of being part of “Moulin Rouge,” the show where they first fell in love with props.

Einhorn’s dad, Eric Einhorn, says he couldn’t be prouder of his child, whom he describes as “an engaging performer onstage and an incredibly talented theatrical designer.” But it’s the inclusive spirit Strang-Wolf noted that makes him beam.

“I am most proud of the role CJ has played in the greater Northern Highlands theater community in fostering a culture of inclusivity, belonging, and personal authenticity,” he says. “As a parent and theater professional, it is a double honor and privilege to be able to support CJ’s passion for theater.”

Performances of “The Crucible” will be held on Nov. 20, 21 and 22 at Northern Highlands.

Right: Einhorn backstage before a production of “The Prom.”

Bottom: Einhorn had the privledge of going on stage before a production of “Suffs” on Broadway.

Opposite page: Einhorn on stage for “The Prom.”

Living Proof of the American Dream

Born in war-torn Italy, Dr. Salvatore Forcina fought tooth and nail to make something of himself despite dire circumstances, overcoming the odds to become a surgeon.

BY SARAH NOLAN

DDR. SALVATORE J. FORCINA

compares his life’s journey to a small seed blowing in the wind and finding landfall not on rich, fertile soil, but on a large porous rock where its roots take hold in an unwelcoming crevice.

“To the average observer, this plant’s chance of survival and growing strong may seem limited, but with the space available, given sunlight and rain, the plant will naturally do anything possible to adhere its roots firmly in the dirt and reach toward the sun,” Forcina writes in his autobiography, “The American Doctor,” which details his ascent from a childhood in war-torn Italy to a successful career as a medical doctor in the United States. “I was a seed looking for a place to plant my

roots. I was at the mercy of the wind and weather, being blown about and in all different directions.”

Forcina’s is a tale of determination in the face of extreme adversity. He persevered in the name of love and devotion to his family, along with a desperate desire to make something of himself, against all odds.

Sitting in his daughter Vanessa Fuchs’ Ho-Ho-Kus home, where he and his wife, Roberta, spend most of the year living, Forcina, now 84, says he’s hopeful his story inspires readers—especially his granddaughter, Lennon. She is only 10 now, but he imagines that one day, his written words will bring her light on dark days and remind her of her roots and the virtue in never giving up.

FROM ITALY TO ARGENTINA

Forcina was born in the Lazio region of Italy in a small town called Scauri during World War II.

He describes his parents as loving and hopeful for his future, especially since their own dreams of success were limited, given dire circumstances and poverty.

“My parents only went to school through second or third grade— they had to work. They had to pitch in; life was different, which can be hard to understand for young kids in America,” Forcina says. “But my father read all his life, and he wanted me to become somebody. He knew his life was limited, but he wanted more for me.”

Forcina’s father would start his

family on a better path by moving them from Italy, which Forcina describes as “completely destroyed” after the war, to Argentina, where food was abundant and the risk of war was remote.

Forcina was 8 at the time of the move and said as immigrants, the family was starting from the bottom and had very little. Not to mention, they didn’t speak Spanish. Things were hard.

“I remember playing in the dirt road, kicking an improvised ball that we had made with socks,” Forcina says. “My poor mother—she would ask, ‘Have you seen the postman?’ She was waiting for a rare letter from home. When she did get one, she would read it repeatedly.”

One day, as Forcina played with neighborhood friends, the group was approached by German missionary priests, who showed them a pamphlet that depicted a school where they would have the opportunity to play

sports and games, swim in a river, and ride ponies.

Of course, Forcina told his father he wanted to go and because his father valued education, his parents found a way to send him. What followed were some very difficult years, some 300 kilometers from his family. Once a year he would return, for Christmas, to visit with them.

“My dream of having a good time was over in no time, because you had to study—pray and study,” Forcina says. “The separation from my parents was very difficult; the priests were very strict, very rigid, and I suffered physical and mental abuse. That was the discipline at the time. Youth is a beautiful thing, and I didn’t have that traditional childhood.”

Gradually, despite the horrors, Forcina says he began to find joy and curiosity in reading and studying. He

would leave the school after seven years and move on to public school, where he had to repeat exams to move forward since his private education was not recognized by the state.

When his school years were eventually finished, Forcina’s father asked him what he wanted to do next. Surrounded by native children of doctors and lawyers who would go on to university, Forcina, the son of an immigrant, said he would like to do the same to become a doctor.

“I had always kept my ambitions to myself,” Forcina says. “If I had told somebody that I was going to be a doctor, they would’ve laughed. Everything was a joke. ‘Gringo,’ they would say.”

His father supported his son’s desire to at least try. Forcina would go on to attend university in La Plata. He says many of his classmates would take off

for Buenos Aires on Friday afternoons to party for the weekend, returning at 1 or 2 a.m. on Monday morning.

“That was the time when I would use their books to study,” he says. “My parents couldn’t afford books, and though I did borrow them from the library, they were often in poor condition.”

Forcina says he wanted to have a good time like his peers, but he couldn’t afford to and wouldn’t squander his opportunity.

“I felt an enormous sense of responsibility to my family to not waste whatever resources I was given,” Forcina says. “My life was like being in a hole: I could see the light, and I wanted to get out. It was almost like a desperation that fueled me.”

After seven years, Forcina graduated with an M.D. But his struggles were far from over.

MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF

Following graduation, Forcina thought he would return to Italy to find his specialty. But while waiting to take the exam there, he became disillusioned and began to feel it wasn’t the place for him. He was convinced by a cousin that he should come to the United States.

“The only thing I knew about the United States was from a few pictures I’d seen of Hollywood,” he says. “There’s no exposure like there is today.”

But Forcina went for it. He arrived in the U.S. at age 28 and was welcomed by his cousins. It was a November day and they picked him up at John F. Kennedy International Airport. He recalls it was gray outside and garbage was piled high on the city streets. It turns out there was a garbageman strike.

“That was my welcome to the U.S.,” he says with a laugh.

Still, the country had its charms.

A classical music lover, Forcina was enthralled with the idea of taking records home from the library.

“To me, it was like I had died and gone to heaven,” he says. “It was a different world.”

Because his degree from Argentina was not recognized in the U.S., Forcina had to pass a long exam to apply for a residency. But first, he had to study to learn English, which he did via classes in Manhattan that his cousin helped him pay for.

The exam was extremely difficult, given the language barrier and the fact that Forcina had never seen a multiplechoice exam before. He flunked the first time but passed the second.

He was accepted as an intern at Misericordia Hospital (since renamed) and Fordham Hospital (now closed). He would go on to a grueling five-year long surgical residency at Cooper

Medical Center in Camden, where due to “rampant” crime, he saw and helped operate on multiple gunshot and stab wounds daily.

“Although this was a sad commentary on human society and inner-city, poor neighborhoods, I acquired an amazing skillset as a surgeon,” Forcina writes in his book. “It was akin to operating on a battlefield, and I was very fortunate to have received such excellent training. My judgements and ability to make the correct decisions in extreme situations under pressure continued to be a huge asset for my future practice.”

It was during this time that a twist of fate would have Forcina introduced to his future bride, Roberta. He was asked to help place an IV in a patient after members of the IV team and residents had trouble doing so.

Forcina noticed the patient, who appeared pale, scared and black and blue from needle pricks, had an Italian

name—Clement Petrillo—and they got to talking. He was a classical pianist and dean of the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. He had overseen the rebuilding of the famous opera house, La Scala in Milan, after World War II and was a friend of famed Italian conductor, Arturo Toscanini.

Petrillo was put at ease by Forcina and the IV was placed without him even noticing. The doctor said he had “tremendous affinity” for his patient and would continue to check in on him during his stay, often noticing a “beautiful young lady” in the room— Petrillo’s daughter, Roberta.

After his release, Petrillo asked Forcina to accompany his daughter to a private concert. Though the pair’s daughter, Vanessa, says her mom was “not thrilled,” she quickly had a change of heart. The pair would go on to marry and buy a small house in Teaneck before welcoming Vanessa, whom

Forcina calls his “treasure.”

The doctor began working at Holy Name Hospital in his new hometown and slowly but surely began to make a name for himself.  One day, the Chief of Surgery needed help, and Forcina stepped up. From then on, he was constantly assisting the Chief and covering for him when he wasn’t there. His reputation and his practice grew for some 40 years, during which he was appointed Chief of Surgery at both Holy Name and Meadowlands Hospital.

Fuchs says she has “immense admiration and appreciation” for her father.

“I always saw how hard he worked and how much he cared about everything he did,” she says. “I saw the partnership and trust between my parents and their mutual sense of obligation to the family unit. To have consistent determination is not an easy thing, but then again, most meaningful

things aren’t easy to achieve or obtain.”

Forcina says many people had told him through the years that he should write a book. But he never took the idea seriously until his life began to slow down after he retired 12 years ago.

“My life was like being on a train going 150 miles per hour. I’d look through the window and all the landscape was blurred,” he says. “Now that I’m retired, my train is 15 miles per hour. It’s a different world.”

Forcina had time to really reflect on his journey and all he’s endured and accomplished. He says he’s very proud and was so happy that his parents were able to visit him in the U.S. many times and see their son as an American doctor.

One day, he hopes Lennon will read his memoir and take heart with his closing words: “Never give up on yourself and your dreams. Fight for them, and don’t lose hope.”

For more about Forcina and information on where to buy his book, “The American Doctor,” visit www.salvatoreforcina.com.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.

Changing Leaves, Changing Schools

As fall approaches, incoming Northern Highlands freshmen are faced with new opportunities, challenges, and experiences in high school.

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR is upon us, and anxious ninth graders look on to an uncertain future. Some have dread, and others are excited for what their freshman year in high school will bring. Whether viewing the beginning of the year with optimism or nervousness, all incoming freshmen can expect changes, but for Ho-Ho-Kus graduates, these changes might seem more drastic.

Ho-Ho-Kus Public School is a K-8 district that is renowned for its incredible education and small class sizes. With a total student population of 533, attendants of the school have been surrounded by the same peers for nine years.

Conversely, Northern Highlands Regional High School, the public school that most Ho-Ho-Kus graduates opt to attend, is a quad district high school with a total of 1,261 students. This increase in size presents incoming

BY LANEY MCCROSSIN

freshmen with more opportunities and more connections to establish, but this sudden change can be daunting.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Incoming freshman Cillian Johnson expresses his mixed feelings on starting high school and wanting to retain the close friendships he formed at Ho-Ho-Kus while simultaneously expanding his horizons at Highlands.

“I think having nine years with the same people in a tight community really bonds the class together,” says Johnson, while also noting that he hopes to make more friends from different towns and have broader experiences.

Will Hollender, a rising sophomore and past Ho-Ho-Kus graduate, addresses how these hopes played out for him in his freshman year.

“Friends and schoolwork remained

consistent through Ho-Ho-Kus and Highlands as there were similar workloads, and I kept my friends [from Ho-Ho-Kus] along with many new friends,” he says.

Academically, students beginning their freshman year at Highlands can expect a similar level of difficulty as they experienced at Ho-Ho-Kus.

Incoming sophomore Sophie Martella provides insight into how Ho-Ho-Kus influenced her academic career at Highlands.

“One aspect that remained consistent from eighth grade to freshman year was persevering during academic struggles,” Martella says, noting that at both Ho-Ho-Kus and Highlands, students who want extra help in subjects have it available.

“Going into freshman year, I was nervous about how difficult some classes would be, although as the

year went by, I learned to balance all my classes and make them work with each other. If there was ever a time I was finding a class difficult, I would go get extra help.”

Many incoming freshmen at Highlands are looking forward to the new opportunities the larger school presents. Highlands offers students significantly more clubs and extracurriculars to become involved in than middle school.

Hollender explains this greater variety encouraged him to participate more in school.

“Ho-Ho-Kus was less engaging with extracurriculars, so I did not do much there,” he says. “But at Highlands, they push you to try new things and be in as many extracurriculars that you like.”

These extracurricular activities provide students with an excellent way

to delve into their interests and become better acquainted with the school environment.

“Doing clubs, sports, and volunteering also expands your circle and gives the opportunity to meet and work with people throughout the school,” says Martella.

However, several incoming freshmen are nervous that it might be too much to handle. Chris Karoleski expresses some of these worries.

“So much is going to change so fast that I am worried I might not be able to keep up,” he says. “I plan on playing three different sports, taking the most advanced classes as possible, along with joining DECA, which scares me because I don’t know if I’m going to be able to juggle and handle everything at the same time.”

Despite all the worries incoming

freshmen may have, they can be assured that Highlands will quickly become a home for them, and everything will work out in the end.

“I was slightly nervous about the change of going to a new school with unfamiliar faces and different classes,” says Hollender. “This was only overwhelming for the first day, but after that it became extremely easy and as if I had been going there for my whole life.”

Karoleski puts it best: “Deep down, I know that everybody going into high school will be able to get through it in some way, but I’m just worried that it won’t be the way that I initially planned. Nevertheless, I am excited for high school, even though I am a little nervous at times. I have learned that things we are nervous about often end up being the things that make us the happiest in the end.”

Laney McCrossin is a rising senior at Northern Highlands Regional High School. She has lived in Ho-Ho-Kus her whole life and is excited to share high school news and feature stories with the town.

Picture Books Your Kids Will Love!

(And you won’t mind reading over and over again.)

BY WENDY LEES ON BEHALF OF THE WORTH-PINKHAM MEMORIAL LIBRARY

THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES

By B.J. Novak

Kids will erupt into giggles as this clever book plays readaloud pranks on the narrator.

THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT

By Drew Daywalt

A young boy opens his crayon box to find all of his crayons have quit.

DON’T TRUST FISH

By Neil Sharpson

A tongue-in-cheek exposé on why fish are the least trustworthy animals on the planet.

DUCK! RABBIT!

By Amy Krouse Rosenthal

An optical illusion sets up a fun and friendly debate…is it a duck or a rabbit?

FLUFFY MCWHISKERS CUTENESS EXPLOSION

Stephen W. Martin

A kitten’s extreme cuteness turns dangerous (and lonely) when everyone who sees him explodes.

KNUFFLE BUNNY

By Mo Willems

A trip to the laundromat leads to a toddler meltdown when a beloved stuffed animal goes missing.

INTERRUPTING CHICKEN

By David Ezra Stein

An exuberant chicken can’t help inserting cautionary advice during his father’s bedtime story.

PRESS HERE

By Hervé Tullet

Each press, shake, and tilt of the pages leads to fun interactive surprises.

THE PRINCESS AND THE PONY

By Kate Beaton

A birthday girl warrior wants a fierce battle horse, but ends up with a roly-poly pony.

WACKY WEDNESDAY

By Dr. Seuss

Can you spot how, with every page turn, the day grows wackier and wackier?

Library Events

Some library events and clubs require registration. Visit bit.ly/hhklibraryevents to register.

EVENTS FOR KIDS

Baby Story Time

Story time for babies! The focus will be on developmental skills such as motor control and color and shape recognition. Please note: Registration is only required for children; caregivers do not also need to register. Baby Story Time will be held Wednesday, Sept. 10 and Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Toddler Imaginative Play

Imaginative play fosters creativity and problem solving. Children will enhance their social skills, empathy, and language in our stimulating environment. This is a great opportunity for toddlers to engage with peers and caregivers to connect with each other. Toddler Imaginative Play is held Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Story Time with a Special Guest Story time is valuable for the development of early literacy skills, including sound recognition and vocabulary. It also enhances children’s focus, social interaction, communication, and emotional recognition. Story Time is held on Mondays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Each regular story time is followed by a craft or activity. This month, on Monday, Sept. 22, Story Time will feature a guest reader from the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department.

EVENTS FOR ADULTS

Jane Austen Book Club

Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with us. Registration is required for each meeting. The book for September is “Emma,” and the club will meet on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. The book for October is “Sense and

Sensibility,” (meeting is Thursday, Oct. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m.) and the book for November is “Persuasion” (meeting is Thursday, Nov. 13 from 7 to 8 p.m.).

Neighborhood Book Club

A book club for adults who live or work in Allendale or Ho-Ho-Kus. Meetings are held at Ho-Ho-Kus Inn. To join, please register at: bit.ly/Joinbookclub.

Millennial Book Club

Millennial Book Club, co-sponsored with the Glen Rock Public Library, is geared towards individuals born between 1980 and 1995. New members are always welcome! Our meetings are typically on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Glen Rock Inn in Glen Rock. The next book is announced at the end of the meeting. To stay in the loop and find out what we are reading, join our Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/ millennialsbookclub.

Our Hometown Hero

Jay Ludwig was recognized for his decades of selfless dedication to helping keep Ho-Ho-Kus safe.

BY SARAH NOLAN

FOR DECADES, Jay Ludwig has devoted his time and energy to volunteering in Ho-HoKus, and this summer he was recognized as a Hometown Hero, Congressman Josh Gottheimer’s award acknowledging North Jersey residents dedicated to helping improve the lives of their neighbors, families and communities.

Ludwig has been a member of the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department for more than 50 years, having joined the Junior Auxiliary as a founding member in 1972 when he was just 17. He has served twice as chief and is currently the president of the department’s Relief Association, to support firefighters who get hurt on the job or face financial hardship.

In addition to his roles with the fire department, Ludwig has been

the borough’s Office of Emergency Management Coordinator for more than 25 years, providing tireless leadership through major regional storms like Hurricanes Floyd, Sandy, and Nemo.

The Mayor and Council nominated Ludwig for the award, recognizing his volunteerism, leadership and genuine care for the community. They noted that beyond his official roles, Ludwig has coached youth sports, supported the Boy Scouts, and helped bring neighbors together through countless events.

“Jay Ludwig truly represents the heart and spirit of Ho-Ho-Kus,” a statement from the governing body says. “His commitment to keeping all Ho-Ho-Kus residents safe is truly inspiring. Thank you, Jay, for your lifetime of dedication to our town.”

Gottheimer honored 21 Fifth District residents, including first responders, veterans, volunteers, and community leaders at a ceremony at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center in July.

“If you tune into cable or go onto social media, there is far more attention these days on what’s going wrong with America, and far too little attention on what’s going right,” Gottheimer says. “But then, stories crop up here and there of a firefighter rescuing a young girl from a burning building, or a high school athlete reassuring kids just like him that not even cancer can stop your dreams. You realize that we just don’t spend enough time showcasing all of the good that happens every day—not enough time recognizing what it means to be a great citizen in the greatest country in the world.”

862-684-2907

cdorso@highaccesstravel.com 1-862-684-2907 www.highaccesstravel.com

ALL ABUZZ

THE HO-HO-KUS Community Garden is the place to be, hosting educational events and Farm Stand days when residents can bring home fresh, organic produce. Garden founder Allie Lim snapped these photos of Alyssa Dejessie, New Jersey’s youngest beekeeper, who attended one recent gathering, along with some of the flowers and vegetables available to take home that day.

Have a great image for Photo Op?

Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@ hohokusmagazine.com.

Small Patients Big Care

Pediatric Specialty Care

You want the very best for your child. So do we. That’s why Valley’s pediatric specialists deliver experienced care, tailored to the needs of young patients. Our team takes the time to understand their patients’ concerns, answer questions, and reassure parents in a child-friendly environment.

Our team of pediatric experts specializes in:

Developmental Pediatrics

Endocrinology*

Food Allergy*

Gastroenterology & Nutrition*

Pediatric Gynecology*

Pediatric Surgery*

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Pulmonology*

Sleep Medicine*

Weight Management

* In alliance with Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital