North Bergen distributes turkeys and more to the needy for Thanksgiving
Families in need in North Bergen received a major helping hand as Mayor Nicholas Sacco led the township’s Thanksgiving Drive donation efforts in distributing turkeys, food items, and prepared meals to over 1,000 residents.
“The holidays are a wonderful time to come together with family and friends, but if you don’t have very much then they can actually be a sad occasion,” said Sacco. “Giving back to our community is incredibly important and I would like to thank everyone who made this event possible, from the staff who helped put it together to the volunteers to all the generous donors.”
Seven hundred frozen turkeys along with bags of donated food items such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned vegetables, and more were given out on Nov. 24 at the North Bergen Recreation Center to residents who attended the distribution event. The turkeys were purchased at a discounted rate from Walmart North Bergen and were funded by the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation and the North Bergen Emergency Relief program. Additional turkeys were donated by Rabelo’s Meat Market and Pat LaFrieda Meats and Provisions. Food items were donated by township residents and employees over the past month during the Thanksgiving Drive.
In addition, 350 prepared Thanksgiving meals were donated and distributed to North Bergen senior citizens. Participating donors included Boulevard Diner, CarePoint Health, Lido Restaurant, Cuomo and Sons Deli, and Big Daddy Smokehouse.
In addition, donations of $500 each were made by the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation to several local church food pantries to help them serve hundreds of residents in need during the holiday season. Donations were made to Gospel Tabernacle, Holy Redeemer, Grove Reformed Church, Our Lady of Fatima, DVine Konektion, and Woodcliff Community Church.
Tree lighting in Guttenberg is Nov. 30
The mayor and Town Council along with the Guttenberg Police Department invite the community to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30 at Town Hall, 6808 Park Ave. Rain date is Dec. 2.
Celebrate the holidays and take photos with Santa and his helpers.
Winterfest is coming on Dec. 3
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners invite all North Bergen residents to attend the 2015 Winterfest celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. The event will be held on Bergenline Avenue between 85th and 76th Streets and include performances by the North Bergen school choruses, a holiday parade, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, visits from many popular holiday characters, rides, games, music, food and more.
Happy Thanksgiving from Freeholder Vainieri
Freeholder Anthony Vainieri gave thanks to all the employees of James J. Braddock North Hudson Park by buying turkeys for them and their families to enjoy at Thanksgiving. The mood was festive as he handed out the turkeys on Tuesday morning, Nov. 24.
New community room opens at Cullum Tower
Mayor Nicholas Sacco cut the ribbon on a new community room in the Cullum Tower senior housing development at 6299 Grand Ave. on Nov. 19. The room had been completely refurbished, with new flooring, ceiling, wall treatments, guard rails, corner guards, paint, furniture, and energy-efficient lighting. The work took about eight months to complete.
This was the first time the room was redone since the opening of the 17-story building in July 1973. “It’s the lifeline of the building,” said Executive Director Gerald Sanzari, noting that the room was where residents held parties, tenant association meetings, bingo, and socialized.
An even more extensive overhaul was underway at the Terrace Apartments at 6800 Columbia Ave. In addition to the same type of renovations, “We did a brand new kitchen as well as all new air conditioning and heating in that building,” said Senior Associate Arthur J. Seckler III of Lothrop Associates, the architecture and interior design firm that completed the work. The Terrace renovations were expected to be completed shortly, with a ribbon cutting in early December. The cost for both buildings was about $525,000.
“You’ve given us so much and now it’s time that we give back,” Mayor Sacco told the residents before cutting the ribbon and inviting everyone to share a celebratory cake.
Church benefit concert on Dec. 8 will raise funds for stained glass restoration
Enjoy an evening of contemporary, classical, and sacred music and song with internationally-acclaimed musicians and vocalists at the Sounds of Fatima Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the restoration of the 2,500-square-foot stained glass window that adorns the front of the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.
Meet the artists and your neighbors after the concert in O’Gorman Hall with refreshments and fellowship. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the church office (across the street from the church) or on Sundays after each mass. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church is located at 8011 Kennedy Blvd.
Our Lady of Fatima Church can be reached by buses number 88 or 154. Free parking is also available in the church’s lots. For information contact Our Lady of Fatima rectory at (201) 869-7244.
HCST honors five previous members, welcomes new trustee
The Hudson County Schools of Technology Board of Education presented plaques to five former members at their reorganization meeting on Nov. 2. Honored for their contributions to the district were Rev. Edward Allen, Neil Carroll, Peter Fischbach, Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, and Sebastian D’Amico, who recently passed away and was represented by his family. Combined, the five served on the board for several decades.
“Each one of these distinguished former board members contributed greatly to the success of our district, whether through their strategic recommendations and counseling or simply through their excellent leadership over the years,” said Superintendent of Schools Frank Gargiulo. “They deserve this recognition for their years of service to the students of Hudson County.”
The board also welcomed a new trustee at the meeting, which was held at the district’s North Hudson Center. Hector Zulueta was officially sworn in to the board to replace retiring Board Member Peter Fischbach. A business owner and entrepreneur who works in the jewelry industry, Zulueta is a lifelong North Bergen resident and father of three children, one of whom attends HCST’s High Tech High School. This gives him a unique perspective on the district that will help him contribute positively to the board.
“I am very excited to begin this new role as a member of the Hudson County Schools of Technology Board of Education and to be a part of the wonderful things that are happening here in the district,” said Zulueta. “As a parent I am able to see first-hand the tremendous educational experience that is offered to students here and I look forward to helping improve it even more.”
During the reorganization meeting Craig Guy was re-elected as board president and Hugo Cabrera was elected as board vice president, replacing Peter Fischbach. The ceremony was also attended by North Bergen Mayor and State Senator Nicholas Sacco, HCST Board Secretary Joseph Muniz, board members, family, friends, and staff.
See ‘Toyland – A Christmas Story’ at the North Bergen Mini Theater in December
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Players present “Toyland – A Christmas Story,” a play by Mario Rosenthal, at the North Bergen Mini Theater, 8411 Bergenline Ave., from Dec. 11 through 13. Showtime Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., and Sunday is 6:30 p.m. General admission is $15. Refreshments included.
For more information or for tickets contact Maurena Luzzi at (201) 854-7074 or (201) 401-9722.
Santa Claus is coming to town on Dec. 13
Join the 16th Annual Santa Parade on Sunday, Dec. 13, presented by the firefighters and fire officers of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue. The parade starts at noon on Bergenline Avenue from 85th Street to 32nd Street. This event is held in conjunction with the towns of North Bergen, Guttenberg, Union City, West New York, and Weehawken.
Free vaccine dates posted for adults
Upcoming dates for the Adult Free Vaccine Program have been posted on the North Bergen website (northbergen.org). The vaccines are sponsored by the public health department servicing Guttenberg, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York.
The goal is to provide free adult vaccines to residents in the service area who meet the listed requirements. The program will be one day per month per site. Residents who meet the listed requirements may visit other sites on their scheduled day/time.