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Tuesday, dec 17

Joshua Jongsma

Reporter

jjongsma@dailyvoice.com

Joshua Jongsma's Contributions

Sports

West Milford Special Olympic Athletes Flourish WEST MILFORD, N.J. — Kristi Clave of West Milford started volunteering as a third-grader before she took her altruism to the Special Olympics. Clave, 33, joined West Milford Special Olympics around 10 years ago. She also teaches special education at Maple Road Elementary School. She saw the program grow at a fast rate in her decade of service. "We started a team nine years ago with six athletes and four volunteers," she told Daily Voice. "Now we have 62 athletes and 80 or more volunteers." Clave credited a supportive community for the growth. The athletes compete in …

by Joshua Jongsma

03/14/2016

Neighbors

Lodi Musicians Take Talents On Road Show LODI, N.J. — By Day, Lodi musicians Joe Bart, Rich Sabatino, Frank Trent and Matt Nocito work at a car dealership, in personal training, a jewelry company and furniture business, respectively. By night they jam out as The Road Show. Though some have left since then, the group met during their time in Lodi. For the past six years The Road Show rocked local venues with cover songs through numerous genres. "We are the funnest band you'll ever see," bassist and vocalist Sabatino said. The current members credited Kenny Rocha for the creation of the band. Rocha had to part ways with…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/14/2016

Neighbors

Saddle Brook Angels Add Lacrosse, Cheerleading Programs SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — Saddle Brook will soon have more sports "angels" in its ranks as a non-profit expanded to include lacrosse and cheerleading. Saddle Brook Angels started in 2012 to give special-needs children a chance to play soccer. The group will soon add lacrosse and cheerleading. "They kept asking for it," co-founder James Maniscalco said. "We get more and more kids every year." James and Monica Maniscalco started the league four years ago, inspired by their special-needs daughter Samantha. The Maniscalcos wanted to give children like 11-year-old Sam…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/14/2016

News

Body Cameras, Bias Crimes Top Bergen County Discussion In Wood-Ridge WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. — Bergen County law enforcement and community leaders worked together to sort through difficult issues such as body cameras and bias crimes at a discussion over breakfast Friday in Wood-Ridge. More than 100 religious leaders from different denominations through the county joined mayors, police chiefs and Bergen officials at the Fiesta banquet hall to maintain an open dialogue. "We're meeting today because it's the right thing to do," said Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal, nothing that police and prosecutors can do their jobs better if they're in t…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/11/2016

News

Saddle Brook Community Partnership Continues Growth SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — Leaders of the Saddle Brook community strengthened their partnership further with their most recent meeting and by looking ahead. The partnership includes government and school officials, religious leaders, a police representative and more as they meet with residents to speak about township issues. "I was truly inspired by the meeting," the Rev. Christopher Wolf of First Reformed Church said of the Tuesday event. "I am convinced that we have the commitment, competence and compassion to be more than just a name on map - we have the potential to be, as Dr. …

by Joshua Jongsma

03/11/2016

Neighbors

Bloomingdale Teen Archer Hits Her Mark BLOOMINGDALE, N.J. — Bloomingdale teen Emilie Simoni's classmates sometimes call her the next Katniss, referencing the "Hunger Games" character. Simoni, 13, picked up archery as a hobby and recently started entering competitions. "It's been a lot of fun," Simoni told Daily Voice. "I like how when I practice I just feel relaxed. I don't have to worry about anything else, just me and the target." She trains at New Jersey School of Archery in Florham Park with coach Mikey Usherenko. "It's very fun and helpful working with him," Simoni said of Usherenk…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/11/2016

Neighbors

Wyckoff Church Group Knits Hometown-Themed Quilt For Mahwah Lifer MAHWAH, N.J. — Ben Kezmarsky can cover himself in a quilt of Mahwah imagery thanks to a Wyckoff church group. Grace Quilters of Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff made the quilt for Kezmarsky after he was diagnosed with cancer last year. Tammy Marcus and her fellow quilters Julia Chang, Merryl Dietz and Jane Clemente started gathering shirts months ago to use for their creation. "It was a complete surprise to him," Marcus said after giving Kezmarsky the quilt. "He had no idea I was doing this or that anything was coming about. He was amazed and so grateful and thankful.…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/11/2016

Sports

Oakland Hockey Coach Relates To Players OAKLAND, N.J. — It wasn't long ago that Indian Hills hockey coach Anthony Tabbacchino of Oakland played for the Braves. Tabbacchino, 25, graduated from Indian Hills in 2008. He became the head coach two years ago after another two seasons as an assistant coach. He said it's more of a pro than a con being one of the younger head coaches around. "I think it's good from the kids' perspective they have someone they can relate to a litlte better," Tabbacchino told Daily Voice. "With that comes a little responsibility because you have to make sure you can't be their friend. As m…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/10/2016

Neighbors

Paterson Dancer Back On Her Feet After Cancer Diagnosis PATERSON, N.J. — Paterson's Crystal Rodriguez danced through most of her life. Rodriguez, who teaches at Teaneck Dance Art Creative Center, started dancing when she was 4. The 23-year-old only stopped when diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer last May. "Cancer isn't the end," Rodriguez told Daily Voice after she returned to her passion following her recovery. "I think sharing my story ... is important. It connects me with people who have experiened it in their own life. In that there's so much power because it makes us all feel not alone and we can get through it.&quo…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/10/2016

News

Lodi Borough Manager Makes Info More Available LODI, N.J. — A wealth of information will arrive at Lodi homes by Saturday as part of a new initiative from the borough. An informative packet will be sent out to help keep the community informed, Borough Manager Bruce Masopust said. "The town over the many years has got a lot of people moving in and out and we're not sure that the poeple really know what services are offered," Masopust told Daily Voice. The mailing will include information about recreation activities, the library, parking permits, garbage and recycling schedules, and more. It will be four pages, the manager sa…

by Joshua Jongsma

03/09/2016

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