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Monday, jul 1

Lorraine Ash

Community Reporter

lash@dailyvoice.com

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Lorraine Ash has been a reporter/editor in her native New Jersey since 1982, the year she earned her master’s degree in Public Communications from Fordham University. Her articles have gained global, national, state, and regional attention and awards and have appeared in a number of newspapers, including USA Today. She has worked for publications such as Family Circle Magazine, The Ridgewood News, and the Daily Record. Lorraine also has penned two memoirs and teaches memoir writing. Experience has taught her that everyone has a compelling story to tell. Have a story the community needs to hear? Email her. She’d love to hear from you.

Lorraine was formerly a reporter at Daily Voice.

Lorraine Ash's Contributions

Neighbors

Park Ridge Mourns Mario Izzo, Its Own Special Santa PARK RIDGE, N.J. — Park Ridge’s very own Santa Claus died suddenly, leaving a hole in the hearts of all to whom he brought cheer waving from the firetruck on Christmas Eve. Firefighter Mario Izzo made his debut as Santa in December 2003, recalled William Diedtrich, chief of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. Izzo, who was 77, was born in Benevento, Italy, near Naples. He died Dec. 5. “Being Santa was just simply an extension of his personality,” Diedtrich said. “He was the epitome of what it means to be a volunteer in your local fire department,” the chief added. “There was not a…

by Lorraine Ash

12/16/2016

Business

Midland Park Seamstress Learned To Sew As One Of 16 Kids MIDLAND PARK, N.J. — Fidencia Castrillo, a popular dressmaker in Midland Park, will do anyone a small favor here and there. A broken zipper? A loose hem? The Costa Rican immigrant – owner of Fidencia Dressmaking at 171 Godwin Ave. – will fix or sew it in a jiffy. Then comes the question, “What do I owe you?” Invariably, she smiles and pushes a big plastic baby bottle across the counter. It’s where she stashes her cash tips. She donates it all to a fund at her congregation — Cornerstone Christian Church in Wyckoff. “They help the ladies from Paterson and other places who get pregnant,”…

by Lorraine Ash

12/16/2016

Lifestyle

Englewood Woman Joins 1,600 ‘Happy Givers’ On New App ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — Evelyn Lugo of Englewood works with nonprofits, but as of Jan. 1, she’ll have another job, too: happy giver. The 31-year-old is one of 1,600 people who will deliver emotional support over the phone to individuals feeling depressed, stressed or overwhelmed. How will the two find each other? Through Happy, an app to launch next month. “I feel that before Happy, there was a stigma to feeling stressed and reaching out for help,” Lugo said. “Or it was that you had to be severely depressed.” But Happy, she added, is an outlet for average people who just need someone to reall…

by Lorraine Ash

12/15/2016

Business

Norwood Martial Arts School Still Kicking After 30 Years NORWOOD, N.J. — Master Charles DiGirolamo has a motto for his students at Northern Valley Martial Arts in Norwood: “A black belt is a white belt who never quit.” That thought and his example have kept students coming to his school for years. Sure, kids come. And they come back too — even after college. Sometimes their parents sign up, too. Katie McDermott of Closter is a case in point. “My daughters lasted a couple of years and went on to other things, but I stuck with it,” McDermott said. “It’s self-defense. It’s exercise, a fun cardio thing. I love it.” Northern Valley Martial Arts, on…

by Lorraine Ash

12/14/2016

Events

Famed Haworth Soprano To Perform Holiday Show HAWORTH, N.J. — Broadway Star Gay Willis of Haworth is to perform at a Holiday Concert and Party Sunday in the borough. Willis is an award-winning soprano who has performed in “Showboat,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and “From Galway to Broadway,” televised on PBS. She has played to sold-out houses in six countries, including two weeks at Radio City Music Hall. The local concert is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Haworth Municipal Library, 300 Haworth Ave. Those who attend should feel free to bring a dessert to share. The local event is supported by the Friends of Haworth Librar…

by Lorraine Ash

12/13/2016

Neighbors

Fund For River Vale Sergeant's Sick Son Filling Up Fast WESTWOOD, N.J. — The Joey Bulger Leukemia Fund, a GoFundMe campaign for 7-year-old Joey Bulger of Westwood, raised more than $11,000 mere hours after it launched Monday afternoon. The campaign for Joey — son of River Vale Police Sgt. Chris Bulger and his wife, Lauren — is shooting to raise $20,000. According to Westwood sources, Joey attends first grade at the Berkeley Avenue Elementary School. “Joey is a 7-year-old happy, healthy boy who likes to play football, surf, be with his friends and hug his parents,” wrote Francesca Santore Meisten of Old Tappan, campaign administrator. “He was d…

by Lorraine Ash

12/12/2016

Events

New Parkinson’s Support Group Starts In Rockleigh ROCKEIGH, N.J. — A new Parkinson’s Support Group will meet for the first time 10:30 a.m. Thursday at The Jewish Home Family in Rockleigh. The group will continue to meet for 90 minutes the third Thursday of every month. It is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. The facilitator is Jerry Ratner, who heads a successful Parkinson’s support group in Haworth. Topics will include the latest research, exercise, and nutrition. A representative of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research will be present at the kickoff session. Light refreshments will be served. The Jewish…

by Lorraine Ash

12/12/2016

Events

Allendale Theatre Auditioning For Disney, Hershey Showchoirs ALLENDALE, N.J. — Saddle River Youth Theatre in Allendale is holding auditions by appointment for its 2017 Showchoir Companies through this month. For 2017, there are opportunities for 11- to 18-year-olds in the Disney Showchoir Company, which performs at Walt Disney World. Also, 8- to 12-year-olds are needed for the Hersheypark Junior Showchoir, which performs at HersheyPark. Over its 20-year history, Saddle River Youth Theater has brought Showchoirs to many venues, including The Actor’s Fund Home in Englewood for retired professionals in the entertainment industry and Giggles Theatre at …

by Lorraine Ash

12/10/2016

News

Board Recommends Downtown Condemnation Area In Emerson EMERSON, N.J. — At a meeting that drew upwards of 100 people Thursday night, the Emerson Land Use Board voted to recommend that the Borough Council designate a portion of the central business district as a “condemnation redevelopment area.” The board voted 7-0 in favor of the recommendation. Its members agree with Planner Brigette Bogart that the 1.9-acre area meets state requirements for the designation. Those requirements include underused lots, deterioration, and obsolete layout and design. “In general, the properties have a deleterious impact on the surrounding areas,” Bogart conclude…

by Lorraine Ash

12/09/2016

Neighbors

Ridgewood’s Doghöuse Loved As Band With Bite RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Doghöuse, a popular Ridgewood rock cover band, is sending a message with its name. For one thing, it fits. “I have a wife and two daughters. There’s no way I’m not in trouble all the time,” said Jim Marussich of Ridgewood, the one remaining founding member. But why the umlaut over the second "o"? Marussich says his wife’s favorite band is Mötley Crüe. “Plus, we thought the umlaut would add a little rock ’n’ roll edge,” he said. “We are edgy.” Doghöuse didn’t start its life as the high-energy bar band it is now. Today the group plays once a month, rotating i…

by Lorraine Ash

12/08/2016

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