International librarian Holly Pizzuta of Weehawken has a job that literally takes her away from her township home, and she enjoys every minute of it!
Born in Hackensack, Bergen County, Ms. Pizzuta was raised in Weehawken and graduated from St. Joseph of the Palisades High School in West New York. In 1996, she achieved a bachelor of science degree in political science at New Jersey City University in Jersey City. Presently, she is studying for a master of arts degree in library science at Queens College/State University New York, and will complete her coursework by the end of 2009, and graduate in June, 2010.
Currently, Ms. Pizzuta is employed by Mandarin Library Automation in Florida, and her title is Library Automation Specialist. She teaches other librarians how to use her company’s products and helps with all their automation needs! Ms. Pizzuta tells us that she travels for her company’s clients, but also works out of her Weehawken home for her company! Thus, today’s librarians don’t just work in dust-filled bookrooms anymore, as people used to see on television, but also travel. She has joined the modern computer automation route in the library profession, as it has progressed!
Locally, Ms. Pizzuta is a member of the Weehawken Free Public Library Board of Trustees, and is also a Youth Minister for Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church in Weehawken, whose pastor is the Rev. James Whelan. She is also a Eucharistic Minister for the Parish, and also teaches Sunday Religious School at the church. Ms. Pizzuta is also a member of the Weehawken Elks Lodge, where her cousin Kimberley Kingsbury is a former exalted ruler. Her uncle and religious godfather George Pizzuta was the Weehawken Senior Citizen of the Year in 2008. Moreover, her father Francis “Frank” Pizzuta is a former Hudson County freeholder, and her grandfather Charles Pizzuta, now deceased, was a former Democratic Township Committeeman/Commissioner, under the old Township Commission form of government.
Ms. Pizzuta also tells us that she loves to travel, and she has traveled for business purposes as well as for leisure to far-off places like Moscow, Russia, and Prague in the Czech Republic. Other countries are Italy, France, Poland, Switzerland, England, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, and every state in the union except Alaska. As for sports, Ms. Pizzuta likes the sport of tennis, and during the summer season, she has taken up Yoga and Tai Chi, an Asian form of martial arts which gets the body in balance. The township of Weehawken offers these classes during the summer months. She is also a member of the township Recreation Board, and engages in other volunteer work within the township.
Ms. Pizzuta also has a dog, a dachshund that she named “Sabrett,” but not to worry readers, this is one dog that is not headed for the butcher-shop to be made into a frankfurter, because this doggie is her pride and joy!!!
Ms. Pizzuta tells us that her favorite foods are Asian, mainly Chinese, Japanese, and Thai. As for music, she loves country music and Bruce Springsteen! Her favorite reading materials are mysteries, the paranormal, and history, especially Russian history. She likes all kinds of movies, but mainly fantasy, action, and drama.
Ms. Pizzuta tells us that she has a brother Paul, that her loving mother Nancy is deceased, and that she lives with her hero, her father! As for her college days at NJCU, she is still a member of Alpha Phi Omega, and as for having a family who enjoys public service, Ms. Pizzuta says that she does not know what the future may hold for her, but feels that the present township administration is doing a great job, and that Weehawken is a great place to live! Ms. Holly Pizzuta – All the best!!! …
Around the county…
Matthew E. Markowski of Guttenberg was a recent graduate from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. Congratulations! …
Annette Aligo of Secaucus was named to the dean’s list at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. Leaders of tomorrow, make us proud! …
Michael Caliguiro of West New York, who is the police director for the Guttenberg Police Department, we hear in police circles, has a nickname called “The Lone Ranger!!!” Now Mike, nobody knew that you were also a member of the mounted police force!?!?!? Perhaps, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada!?!? Mike, keep smiling; you are the greatest!!! …
U.S. Army National Guard Private Gerardo Marin has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, in Columbia, S.C., and is the son of Catalina Serrano of West New York. Best wishes! …
Hudson County Surrogate-Judge Donald W. DeLeo of North Bergen writes us that he will be addressing the members of the Sacred Heart Rosary Society, on the subject of: “New Information on Wills, Living Wills, Living Trusts, and Stories from your Hudson County Surrogate’s Court,” on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The location will be at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 9035 Barr Place, in North Bergen Township. Readers, write this date on your calendars, as this is a must-hear seminar, and “free” to the public! As always, Judge DeLeo will be at his legal best!!! …
Readers, recently an old lion of the Union City Democratic Party passed away quietly. That was former Deputy Police Chief Frank J. Scarafile, who during the past decade or so had been living in North Bergen. Frank Scarafile became reclusive during that time, and in the past several years due to ill health, even more so. However, the Frank Scarafile that I knew and choose to remember was a cop’s cop, a loyal friend, and a man who could size up another person with one-sentence, using his instinct. He was also an elected trustee of the Union City Board of Education, which he was also proud of. He was a lifelong friend of the legendary former and deceased Mayor and State Sen. William V. Musto, and his wife Rhyta, who was also a former elected Union City commissioner. He and his wife Marie visited the Mustos often, especially when former Mayor Musto took ill. I know this columnist saw them there, as friends visiting friends, in time of need! As for Frank Scarafile Jr., superintendent of schools in Little Ferry, N.J., and family, who still live in Union City; you have condolences from many people who liked your father! Frank Scarafile, Sr. – Rest In Peace!!! …
And so it goes …until next time … see you around town … “MATT”…
*** Please note:
*(Readers who want to contribute to this column can do so by mailing your news items and photographs, along with your name, address, and telephone number to: “Matthew Amato,” c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington Street, Hoboken, N.J. 07030. “Thank you!”)*