moms come home! - welcome to local media nj

MAY 2021 WESTFIELD LOCAL 1

WESTFIELDMAY 2021CONNECTING YOUR COMMUNITY

LOCAL

Moms Come Home!


Complimentary Take-Home Whitening Kit for allNew Patients | Receiving Initial Exam and Cleaning

Our office is committed to be the premier family, implant and cosmetic dental practice in

the area. Your family’s dental health is our top focus in the

safest of environments.

We welcome new patients.

Come in for your complimentary consultation.Dr. Arida will have you showing off your new smile in no time!

Smile Makeover by Dr. Arida with Porcelain Veneers“Thank you Dr. Arida, I love my new smile!”

131 S. Euclid Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 • 908-654-6262www.drarida.com @dr_Arida www.facebook.com/drarida

BEFORE AFTER

AMERICA’S TOP DENTISTS 2009-2021

WESTFIELD LOCAL MAY 20214

Joe Rinaldi WHS Sports PhotographerVarsity Vantage varsityvantage.smugmug.com

CONNECTING YOUR COMMUNITY

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of Local Media NJ but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid adver-tisements contained within the Westfield Local magazine are not endorsed or recommended by Local Media NJ or the publisher. Therefore, neither Local Media NJ nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.

Beth HornsteinAssociate Publisher Play for P.I.N.K.Executive Board Member

Jaynie CarlucciContributing Editor – Real EstateDavid Realty Group thenjreboss.com

Mariella FoleyContributing Editor – FinancesRound Table Wealth Managementroundtablewealth.com

Miriam Silver Verga & Hillary KaplanContributing Editors – DesignMimi & Hill mimiandhillshop.com

Layout & DesignMarc L. Miller, PresidentAndrew Mazurek, Art Directorgrandstanddesign.com

Mark De HanesPhotography Editor De Hanes Photography dehanesphotography.com

Soraya ChafetzCopy EditorDirector of Social Media

Lori SternbergContributing Editor – FitnessSternFitnesssternfitness.net

MAY 2021

Open 365days a year!

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Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe, a staple of theWestfield community, has maintained a

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M O R E T H A N B E A U T I F U L S P A C E S

WESTFIELD LOCAL MAY 20216 MAY 2021 WESTFIELD LOCAL 7

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what’s up localPEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES of Westfield

• Practice Open to Infants, Children, Adolescents

• Board Certified Pediatricians • Most Insurances Accepted• Weekend Hours Available• Well and Sick Waiting Rooms

Robert A. Panza, MD, FAAP

Jane C. Presti, MD

Nicole A. Panza, MD, FAAP

Madeline M. DiMurro, DO

New Jersey Family’s Favorite Kids’ Docs™ 2009-2019

*570 West�eld Avenue, West�eld 566 West�eld Avenue, West�eld

908.233.7171 • pediatricsofwestfield.com

We are excited to announce the addition of Dr. Madeline DiMurro to our practice at 570 West�eld Avenue.

908-276-6598

Cabinetry & CarpentryPorches & DecksPlaster & Paint

Foundations & Stucco Doors & Moulding

Power Wash & Clean Out Gerard E. Kelly

All Repairs

YearWarranty 2

Text/Call 908-209-0104www.westfieldhandyman.com

Westfieldhandyman.comMobile Meals receives a $10,000 donation from LepreCohen

Mobile Meals of Westfield receives a large donation from Northfield Bank


Meet

Ariana

Chafetz

Name: Ariana Chafetz

Age: 10

Grade: 4th

School: Jefferson Elementary School

Siblings: Juliet (7)

Sports I play: Dance

Something unique about me:

I have been dancing since I was 3 years old.

When I grow up I’m going to be:

Veterinarian

Activities/Hobbies:

Dance and Art

Animal: Cats and Dogs

Color: Black

Food: Pizza, Pasta

and Macarons

Movie: The Pacifier

Music: Billie Eilish

and Ava Max

Place to play: Park

Sports teams:

University of Michigan

football

School Subject: Writing

TV show:

The Masked Dancer

Vacation: Aruba and

Puerto Rico

Favorites

Spotlightkid of the month

Where/why did you get your pet? Breeder.

Is there a story behind its name? We travel to Napa yearly and love it there so we knew it would be the perfect name.

Anything special or unusual about them? She has Hazel Eyes that look human-like more than dog-like.

What do you like best about your pet? She truly fits in perfectly with our family. She just gets us and we get her.

Any funny stories? She loves to drink water from SOLO cups.

How spoiled is your pet? Verrrrry spoiled.

What else should we know about your pet and/or how your pet has enriched your home/family? We could not imagine our lives without her.

Meet

FAMILY MEMBER NAMES

Randy, Larry, Jilly & Drew Schimer

PET’SNAME

NAPA

TYPE OFANIMAL/BREED

Tibetan Terrier

MALE OR FEMALE

Female

PET’SAGE

6 Years Old

NAPA

pet of the month

Fortunately, we have survived the worst and look forward to our doors reopening fully in the weeks ahead. We want to support your efforts to Bounce Back your business revenue by offering you a customized marketing campaign that will answer your goals and budgets.

Please email [email protected] to get your customized marketing program that works for you!

We appreciate and support the local business community and urge our neighbors to spend more locally!

WESTFIELDLOCAL

Offers “Bounce Back” Support to Local Businesses


local athletesPhotography provided by Varsity Vantage


Finding Joy in JournalismBY JACOB WENDLER, Editor-In-Chief, Optic Magazine

When life stopped abruptly for all of us a little over a year ago, it quickly became clear that we wouldn’t be able to celebrate long-awaited milestones togeth-er, see personal projects come to fruition, or even participate in many of the daily activities that bring us satisfaction. Yet, with the remainder of my junior year (and, while I didn’t know it at the time, the majority of my se-nior year as well) sure to be lim-ited to monotonous Zoom calls and an absurd amount of time in my bedroom, I had one thing to look forward to.

While I had always planned to write for Westfield High School’s award-winning student newspaper, Hi’s Eye, my senior year, plans had changed when it became apparent that there was a surplus of interest in student journalism that the student paper simply didn’t have space for–admittedly, a welcome problem to have.

A group of students and myself agreed to take on the daunting task of launching a student magazine — a decision we made before the world came to a screeching halt. Yet when the Pandemic hit, we persisted, and the creation and growth of this magazine has brought me more meaning and enjoyment than I could’ve imagined in a time when I needed exactly that.

Many of us are likely tired of hearing the oversimplified cliché that “we’re all in this together,” because the very real truth is, we’re not: everyone has experienced this past year in profoundly different ways, and many communities have suffered disproportionate harm due to underlying inequities

that have been more recently brought to light.

That being said, journalism has provided a platform for me to hear and retell the stories of others, realizing that we have all struggled immensely this past year, and also that everyone has a unique story to share.

With my talented and dedicated peers at Optic Magazine, I’ve also found pride in fulfilling the reason I chose to continue pursuing journalism in college and beyond: amplifying the voices that seldom find a

platform to share their stories. Our stories this year have highlighted Black-owned businesses in Westfield, shared the struggles of WHS teachers and administration in a year of constant struggle, and unmasked racial, political and social divisions in our own community.

In addition, it’s been a transformative experience to contribute to a practice central to our democracy at a paramount time in history for journalism. With local publications struggling to keep doors open around the country, and trust in our institutions at historic low, it’s been humbling to see our work in Optic spark conversations between community-members and even influence political contests in Westfield and beyond.

In a time of unprecedented isolation, journalism has allowed me to connect with my community in sincere and impactful ways. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to–and grow as a result of–the journalism program at WHS, and I look forward to telling many more stories in my future experiences as a journalist.

westfield high news

Meet Ella Johnson of the Westfield Rescue Squad

local volunteer

How long have you been volunteering with this organization?I started volunteering with the Westfield Rescue Squad in August of 2020. Since I was not EMT certified going into the position, I started as a probationary member. I enrolled in my EMT certification class in January 2021 and am now going to become a fully educated EMT.

What drew you to volunteer for this organization? I love giving back to the community and the Westfield Rescue Squad is full of people who want to help others. The Westfield Rescue Squad is an environment I love being a part of. In addition, I’m interested in pursuing a medical career in the future, so this has been a good start for that.

Tells us about the local importance of the EMT.The Westfield Rescue Squad responds to any medical 911 emergency in town and also assists other towns when necessary. Our organization is special because we run on donations and consist only of volunteers. However, every crew is equipped and ready to handle any medical emergency.

What types of tasks do you perform for this group? My responsibilities as an EMT have increased over time as my crew prepares me to interact more with patients. I started off carrying medical equipment and observing. Now that I’ve been receiving formal EMT education, I’ve had the privilege of leading the assessment of patients and developing a plan for pre-hospital care.

How can others get involved with this organization? There are many ways to get involved with the Westfield Rescue Squad. The easiest way is to help support our organization with donations. It’s a great way to give back to the town and

help us keep people safe. We also hold fundraisers and item collections often, which are great ways to contribute. If someone is interested in making a commitment to volunteering as an EMT, they can call or walk into the squad and ask for an application.

What benefits do you get from volunteering with this organization? I get lots of experience volunteering at the rescue squad as well as relationships. I know more about Westfield than

ever before. Also, the relationships I’ve built with the other members of the squad are so valuable. I have so much trust and respect for my peers and I am so grateful to learn from them. Although time with patients is limited, I cherish the experiences I share with them.

Tell us about the town, and school. What do you like best? Westfield is a wonderful place to grow up! The Westfield Rescue Squad’s generosity and sense of community is representative of the town. As I finish up my junior year at Westfield High School, I have nothing but good things to say about the Westfield School System. The teachers have been able to stay

connected, even during the Pandemic. My favorite parts of Westfield are the kindhearted people I meet every year and that there are always new opportunities to serve others.

Any other information you would like to include? While working through the COVID-19 Pandemic was a risk for both my family and I, it was an amazing experience. The frontline personnel in hospitals and elsewhere do not get enough credit for the hard work and the sacrifices they make every day. My hope is that everyone recognizes what our doctors and nurses have gone through this past year and support them in any way possible.


How long have you lived here and/or why did you move here? We have lived in Westfield for only three weeks! We fell in love with the town of Westfield. Some friends and neighbors of ours had moved to town and recommended their realtor, Jaynie Carlucci, to help us. The very first home we looked at is the house we ended up buying though it did not happen that easy! The owners originally accepted an offer before we had a chance to make a move. We then looked at several towns and homes but everything always came back to Westfield and THAT house. With a lucky twist, the original deal did not work out so we were quick to jump at the opportunity to buy our dream home!

Tell us what you love about the town and people of Westfield. We loved the downtown and all the smiles. There is a nice charm to the town that made us excited to make the move to the NJ Suburbs.

How are you involved with the community? TBD - we are still unpacking and have not had a chance to explore yet! We look forward to settling into town, meeting new friends and neighbors and discovering all the town of Westfield has to offer.

What are your favorite spots around town? So far we have really enjoyed Westfield Creamery and Echo Lake Park! And the kids are enjoying exploring the space our new home offers compared with our place in Jersey City.

David Realty Group530 South Avenue West

Westfield, NJ 07090(o) 908.264.8843 • (f) 908.264.8851

www.davidrealtygroup.com

FOLLOW ME @theNJREBoss The NJ Real Estate Boss Jaynie Wagner Carlucci, The NJ Real Estate Boss

JAYNIE CARLUCCIREALTOR®

[email protected] www.theNJREBoss.com

REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, a disability or family status. ©2020 David Realty Group LLC.

Integrity • Dedication • Results

Whether you are listing your house for sale or in

the market for your DREAM home, choose the Realtor

committed to your success!

meet your neighbors

Meet the BondadasPets: No

Profession(s): Investing, Business Development

Family Names:The Bondadas

Neighborhood: Wychview

LET US BUILD your dream home or renovate what you already call home

530 South Avenue W, Westfield, NJ • 908.301.6884 • www.daviddrewbuild.com


With ONLY 4 units left, Alpine Ridge isan intimate collection of 30 distinctive

rental townhomes for Adults 55+

• Luxury townhomes with style and comfort between1,200 - 2,700 sq. ft.

• Meticulously designed with style and comfort.

• Your choice of 5 spacious, 2-3 Bedroom layouts.

• Thoughtful features: first-floor Bedroom/Bathroom suites inselect designs.

• Additional living and storage with full basements in selectdesigns.

• Carefree rental with all exterior done by the communityassociation.

• Convenient Access to Route 22, Route 78 and NJ TransitBus and Rail Service.

• Endless area amenities: Mountainside Community Pool,Aquatic Center, and many golf courses, one less than a mileaway.

• Prices ranging from $5500-$5750/month.

1474-1494 ALPINE RIDGE WAY, MOUNTAINSIDE, NJFor more information about the luxury townhomes, contact David Barbosa at 973-296-2709.

WELCOME TO Alpine Ridge14 Amy Drive

Address: 14 Amy Drive, Westfield

List Price: $1,699,000

Listing Agent: Elizabeth “Liz” Chacko

[email protected]

CELL: 302-530-0224

Info: https://14AmyDriveWestfieldNJ.com/

This stunning home on a quiet cul-de-sac, walkable to ALL schools is a show stopper! Come home to this 6 bedroom, 6.1 bathroom gem with 1st & 3rd floor bedroom suites, 3 car garage & 1st floor office. Your eat in kitchen with gorgeous quartz island, stainless steel Viking appliances & dining area make mealtime a joy! Step out to your large backyard with paver patio perfect for entertaining. Spacious family room, formal living & dining rooms complete 1st floor with beautiful wainscoting throughout. The Master Bedroom is an end-of-day retreat with gas fireplace, radiant-heat bathroom floors, soaking tub & 2 walk-in closets. Three more bedrooms, 1 with en-suite bath, a hall bathroom & large laundry room complete 2nd floor. Enjoy even more living space in your finished basement with mudroom, full bathroom and soaring ceilings. Close to downtown eateries & boutiques!

530 South Avenue W · Westfield, NJ 07090

(o) 908.264.8843 · (f) 908.264.8851

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.davidrealtygroup.com

home of the month


Editor’s Note: Westfield Local is proud to feature its most prominent issue of the year — the 2021 Westfield Local Mother’s Day May Issue! The Mother’s Day Celebration features moms who graduated from Westfield High School roughly 20 years ago. Please enjoy their stories of WHY they came back to our community!

Staci (Spass) Acquasanta

Family member names: Paul (husband), Dylan (son) & Lukas (son)

Street: Wychwood Road

Profession: Stay at home mom

You spent time living elsewhere but decided to move back to town. Why?

We spent 10 years in New York City and enjoyed it so much but knew once we had kids we would move out of the city in search of some more space. We are both from New Jersey and I grew up in Westfield. I had an amazing experience here so I was excited to share that with my husband and kids. A lot of my family, and my husband’s family lives around here too which is important to us to be close to them.

Tell us about your family. How are you involved in the town?

We have two boys (ages four and six) who attend Lincoln School. The boys are involved in town sports and I have always been an active member in their schools as they’ve grown up here.

What is your favorite part about living in your neighborhood?

I love the beautiful mature trees and all of the unique homes. Everyone in the neighborhood is so friendly and I always feel like I can see a familiar face on the streets. In this past year with COVID-19, we all got to know our neighbors more inti-mately and its become an even more close knit neighborhood.

Whitney Gordon Costanzo

Family member names: Tommy Costanzo (son)

Street: Canterbury Lane

Profession: Small business owner (Mother of Son, LLC)


My whole family still lives in town. My sister and I both moved back home when we had kids. Our children are close in age, and it has been wonderful raising them together.


My son Tommy is four, turning five, and we love being able to take part in all of the town’s events. We especially love the parks and local pizza places. We do a lot of volunteering and are very involved with his school, Presbyterian Nursery School & Kindergarten.


We love living in Wychwood because it is walking distance to downtown, and we have made great friends with our neighbors.

Mother’s Day 2021

Alison (Weinstein) Hertell

Family member names: Darren (husband), Grace (daughter), Bodie (son)

Street: Harrison Avenue

Profession: Marketing at Google


There is something special about raising a family where you were raised. I have these moments where childhood and adulthood blur together and for a split second, my adult perspective shifts back to when I walked into that same restaurant or played in that same park as a kid.

Plus, my parents, my brother and his family, and my husband’s family all live here...and the babysitting perks are pretty good!


I’m a third generation Westfieldian! My parents and grand-parents were active in Westfield’s local government and par-ticipated on various town committees. In fact, my grand-mother was one of the first female and “full time” candidates to run for mayor back in the 70s. Being involved in the town has been important to my family, and I hope to continue the tradition someday.


Without a doubt, I live on the best street in Westfield! Harrison Avenue is an older street and many homes have front porches. This naturally leads to impromptu gatherings with the fami-lies. We have a group of moms (heyyyyy Harrison Mamas!) that stay in touch and get together frequently...those girls (plus those moms on our neighboring street, Maye) are my favorite!

Shelby (Cherin) Levene

Family member names: John (husband), Clark (son), Laine (daughter), Wynn (daughter), George (dog) and Ivy (dog)

Street: Cherry Lane

Profession: Mom (former ESL teacher)


We were living in Houston before we moved home, and as soon as I got pregnant with Clark, we knew we needed to move home to be near our families. We always knew we’d end up in Jersey, as John is from Summit, and I’m from Westfield. We wanted to raise our kids in a great community surround-ed by family and friends.


I love Westfield. My dad was born and raised here, and my parents have owned a jewelry store here, Tom Cherin Jew-elry, since 1974. We love supporting local businesses and restaurants.


I love how charming my neighborhood is. It’s very kid friendly, and we have the absolute best neighbors! My sister lives two blocks away, which is awesome.

Celebrating

Moms come home!


Westfield Local recently conducted our May issue Mother’s Day photo shoot at the beautiful Shackamaxon Country Club, located at 100 Tillinghast Turn in Scotch Plains.

Westfield Local’s Beth Hornstein helped organize our moms as they wore the latest fashions. Staff photographer Mark De Hanes did a superb job capturing the joy and camaraderie among the in-credible group.

Our incredible hosts at Shackamaxon treated us to a fun day of photos, food and spirits! Our readers should be thrilled to know we have a world-class golf and country club so close to our community.

And there is big news at the club. Heritage Golf Group acquired the historic Shackamaxon Country Club in December of 2020 with a master plan in mind.

With more than 20 years of private, resort and daily-fee course experience, Heritage Golf focuses on creating a membership ex-perience that focuses on the Club being the vibrant center of its community.

“I consider it to be an honor to be given the opportunity to take on the responsibilities of General Manager for this historic New Jersey Club,” began Chris Hanns, who has over 30 years’ experi-ence in the industry. “We have such a great foundation to build on with the storied Tillinghast-designed 18-hole golf course, family resort-style pool and 40,000 square-foot main clubhouse that bodes for an extremely bright future,” he concluded.

Golf is only the tip of the iceberg at Shackamaxon Country Club, as unpretentious family entertainment is front and center for its members. During a hot summer day, you’ll find families hanging at the popular and unique resort-style pool with separate adult area including swim-up bar an in-pool loungers. There’s plenty for the kids too with a separate family pool and play area with snack bar, games and music for hours of fun in the summer sun!

For more information on membership programs and to schedule a tour, call Eric Escamilla, Membership Director at (908) 233-1300 ext. 1220.

Ashley (Kent) Rosati

Family member names: Garett (husband), Eleanor (daughter), Madelyn (daughter), Cooper (dog)

Street: Overhill Street

Profession: Learning & Development Consultant at Deloitte


We lived in Conshohocken, PA for three years. After getting married, it was time to start talking about where we would settle down so Garett could establish his own practice as a chiropractor and where we would eventually start a family. We loved PA, but it was important for us to be close to family. Westfield always had a special place in my heart. My parents were still in the same home that I grew up in and my sister and her husband were in town.


We are a family of four. Eleanor is five and a half, and Madelyn will be three at the end of May. My husband, Garett, and I met at Hobart & William Smith Colleges and have been together for 16 years and will celebrate our ninth wedding anniversary in June. He is a chiropractor and owns his own practice, Rosati Family Chiropractic in Fanwood. As for me, I work full-time as a Learning and Development Consultant at Deloitte. I love taking advantage of what the town has to offer from shopping and eating, but also participating in the 5k Pizza Run and coaching Eleanor’s soccer team as part of the Westfield Soccer Association.


We moved last May which was a very scary and unsettling time, but we are so happy and feel very lucky we moved when we did! Our neighbors our wonderful! There are lots of kids on the street and babysitters which is always a plus! Its the best of both worlds, living off the beaten path while still living just two miles from downtown.

Layna Rolnick Sanders

Family member names: Sean (husband), Sloane, Riley and Grace (daughters)

Street: Woodland Avenue

Profession: Real Estate Investor


Westfield is an idyllic town. It has a vibrant downtown, slews of beautiful historic homes, and great schools. Its prime loca-tion affords residents the ability to be in New York City or at the beach in less than an hour, what more could you ask for?


Sloane and Riley attend Presbyterian Nursery School and Kindergarten, which is an amazing school and community. It’s actually a mission of the Presbyterian Church of Westfield where we are members. Westfield is known for its fantastic soccer and lacrosse programs; both girls have started to play within Westfield Soccer Association and Westfield Lacrosse Club and they’re absolutely loving it! We hope to get Grace in on the action when she’s old enough.


The people. Westfield has some of the most fun-loving, down to earth, genuinely nice people you’ll ever meet. From play dates, to back yard BBQ’s, we love hanging out with friends and their families. Some that I’ve known for my entire life, and others that I’ve been lucky enough to meet since moving back because we live in such an incredible neighborhood.

Moms Glam for the Cam!Our Mother’s Day photoshoot was held on the beautiful grounds of Shackamaxon Country Club


Tell us about your family, where did you grow up?I was born at Overlook Hospital and lived on Kent Place Bou-levard until I was six. We moved to a neighboring town but remained tight with our Summit friends and always spent time in the downtown. I vividly remember standing in line with my mom at Natale’s Bakery as a little girl and going with my grandmother to the old Sealfons to buy holiday dresses.

How long have you been married, and how did you meet?My husband, Oliver, and I have been married for 21 years and met at college in Vermont.

How long have you lived in Summit? What brought you to town?My husband and I moved to Summit in 2002. Growing up here and having a longtime connection to Summit, I knew it was a town with a strong sense of community. It was important for us to have access to New York City and be somewhere that would be a great place to raise children in.

What are some of the things you enjoy about Summit? Well, I got pregnant the month we moved here, so what it offers for children stands out the most to me. We live a block from Tatlock Park and it has been such a huge part of our children’s lives. From walks when they were little to the playground when they were at Washington School and now on the fields as they compete in high school sports. I still love the downtown—sim-ply living in a town you can walk around and pop in and out of shops. We also enjoy having dinners at Summit’s restaurants and are excited for outdoor dining again this summer.

How are you involved in the Community?One thing about Summit is if you want to be involved, there is no shortage of ways for you to be. There is so much community spirit in everything here. From the time my kids were in pre-school, I started volunteering and haven’t stopped since. It was a great way to meet people and become more immersed in the town. Recently, I was Co-Vice President of the Summit Boosters for two years, which supplements sports programs in the town, and I just wrapped up two years as Co-Chair of the Summit High School PTO Book Club.

How have you survived during the Pandemic? Tell us your story. In some ways, it has been easy. I am a writer, so I work from home and spend a lot of time on my own to begin with. I was in the process of completing my first novel, so it certainly offered

time for me to do that. In other ways, it has been very challeng-ing. In addition to the hurdles everyone else has encountered, I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago just as COVID-19 was hitting our area. It was a stressful few months as I went through surgery and treatments, but overall, I think it made me even more appreciative to be in a place like Summit. The outpouring of support I received—from groceries and dinners to flowers on my stoop and homemade signs of encouragement on my lawn—was overwhelming. This is a town that rallies around people and even in the heightened quarantine of some-one going through cancer, I felt incredibly supported.

What can you tell the neighbors about the importance of keeping healthy?I have spent the last few months sharing my story of going through breast cancer during COVID-19 for a few reasons, but one of the biggest was to encourage people not to put off health screenings. I never thought this could happen to me—I was younger than most women are when they are diagnosed, I had no family history, and I was extremely healthy. If I had waited until COVID-19 was over, my outcome would have been very different. I am where I am today because I found the cancer early and got it taken care of immediately. Yes, there were times it was scary to do that in the middle of a pandemic but cancer (or whatever other issue it is) will not wait. I felt very safe with my team of doctors at Overlook and am grateful to be cancer-free now.

Darcey Gohring pushed off her annual mammogram in the fall of 2019 because of a demanding, four-month assignment as a freelance magazine editor. Just as the long hours began to ease in late February, it was becoming clear the U.S. would not be spared from the coronavi-rus. Gohring decided against scheduling the screening test.

“I thought, I’m not doing it now,” said Gohring, a runner who’d never had any serious health problems.

On April 23, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, the mother of twin teenagers felt a lump in her left breast. Five days later, Gohring was diag-nosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.

The Summit resident underwent a lumpectomy and five weeks of radiation at Atlantic Health System’s Overlook Medical Center, and is now cancer-free. “I can’t help but think, it could have been detected earlier,” the 47-year-old said. “And what if I hadn’t found it?”

COVID-19 Impact

Cancer screenings, which can identify tumors early and greatly improve out-comes, dropped off by more than 46% in the early months of the pandemic, accord-ing to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“Early detection translates to long-term survival as well as minimization of medical and surgical treatments,” said Dr. Rebecca C. Yang, medical director of Breast Sur-gery at Overlook Medical Center. “I try to encourage women to be proactive about their own health care needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Even before the pandemic, a third of women age 40 and over were skipping routine mammograms, said Dr. Bonni Guerin, director of the Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention Program at Overlook Medical Center. “Delaying even one mammogram can translate to cancer being diagnosed at a later stage,” said Dr. Guerin, an oncologist/hematologist who treated Gohring.

Statistics put that in perspective: Among women getting annual mammo-grams who were diagnosed with breast cancer, 76% had a Stage 1 tumor, while 24% had a more serious Stage 2 or higher diagnosis, according to a study. The rate for a Stage 2 or higher tumor was twice as high (48%) in women diag-nosed after biennial mammograms, Dr. Guerin said.

Tumor size can play a significant role in cancer severity and the aggressiveness of treatment required to eliminate it, she noted. The average size tumor iden-tified at an annual mammogram is 1.4 cm versus 1.8 cm found in women who go two years between mammograms, the oncologist said.

Tumors that develop between screenings are far more likely to occur in women who have biennial mammograms than those tested yearly, studies show. Had Gohring’s tumor been larger, Dr. Guerin said she would have added chemotherapy to the treatment regime.

Annual Screenings

Overlook Medical Center is urging women to schedule their mammograms — the only breast imaging modality proven to decrease breast cancer mortal-ity, Dr. Yang noted.

At age 25, women should undergo a for-mal risk assessment to determine when to begin annual screenings for breast cancer, according to Dr. Yang. Women with an average lifetime risk should begin annual screenings at age 40. Women with a strong family history and/or a predicted lifetime risk greater than 20% should consider, in consultation with their primary care physician, other options for risk management, she said. That includes adding screening breast MRI studies, and/or scheduling a referral for genetic counseling and testing.

Women with a documented BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation should begin getting annual breast MRIs at age 25 and add annual mammograms at age 30, Dr. Yang

local healthDarcey GohringFamily Names: Oliver (husband), Christian, and Anna (18-year-old-twins)

Profession: Author/Writer

Pet: Dog named Cleo

Neighborhood: Washington

Schools (if any): Summit High School (my kids are seniors)

Don’t Delay Breast Cancer ScreeningPh

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Darcey Gohring and her oncologist Dr. Bonni Guerin at Overlook Medical Center


said. The tests should be staggered, so that one is performed every six months, she noted.

Dr. Guerin said the best way for women to detect breast cancer early is to get annual, high-quality mammograms, do regular self-exams, and see their doctors regularly.

Certain factors put women at higher risk for breast cancer, Dr. Guerin said. They include:

• A family history of breast cancer

• Abnormal genes linked to breast cancer

• Dense breasts

• Undergoing hormone replacement therapy

• Obesity

“Obesity is the number one cause of can-cers in this country,” Dr. Guerin noted.

The good news is, 90% of women leave their mammograms not needing to return for a year. Only 10% are asked to get fol-low-up images, and six of those 10 women will get the all-clear, Dr. Guerin said. Two out of the 10 will be asked to return in six

months to keep a close eye on any area of concern. Only the remaining 2% will undergo a biopsy to rule out cancer.

When possible, consider scheduling your screening mammogram before the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination or 4-6 weeks after the second vaccine dose.

This is because some women who receive the COVID-19 vaccine may develop swol-len lymph nodes under the arm where the shot was given. This is a normal immune reaction and is a sign your body is respond-ing to the vaccine. These swollen lymph nodes usually return to normal on their own within a few days or weeks. However, swollen lymph nodes could affect a screen-ing mammography reading.

If you have a breast concern, don’t delay your test and inform your mammogram technologist when you had the vaccine.

Hospital Safety ProtocolsGohring recalled the fear she felt when she found the lump and underwent tests confirming it as cancer. The day of her surgery, Gohring had to say goodbye to her husband, Oliver, at the door of the

hospital because visitors weren’t permit-ted at the height of the pandemic. “That was hard,” she said.

But Gohring’s experiences at the med-ical center went smoothly, thanks in large part to strict safety protocols imple-mented at Overlook Medical Center.

Employees, patients and visitors are evaluated with temperature checks and screening questions when they enter, and everyone is required to wear masks. Patients are well-spaced in waiting rooms, and treatment rooms are sani-tized between appointments. Hand sani-tizer dispensers are available throughout the buildings.

“There’s so much trepidation about going that people put off tests, but once you’re there, you see it’s fine,” Gohring said. “You have a better chance of getting COVID being at backyard gatherings than going for your mammogram!”

Women can schedule a screening mam-mogram at any of Atlantic Health Sys-tem’s nine locations at atlantichealth.org/AskHer or by calling 1-844-343-3540.

Fortunately, we have survived the worst and look forward to our doors reopening fully in the weeks ahead. We want to support your efforts to Bounce Back your business revenue by offering you a customized marketing campaign that will answer your goals and budgets.

Please email [email protected] to get your customized marketing program that works for you!

We appreciate and support the local business community and urge our neighbors to spend more locally!

WESTFIELDLOCAL

Offers “Bounce Back” Support to Local Businesses

Online Scheduling | Extended Hours | Convenient Parking | Most Major Insurances Accepted

Primary Care at Westfield142 Central Ave.

Schedule at: 973-829-4632 or

atlanticmedicalgroup.org/westfield

Primary Care and Women’s Health Care in Westfield

Women’s Health at Westfield140 Central Ave.

Schedule at: 908-522-3688 or

atlanticmedicalgroup.org/womens-health-westfield

Suzanne Hess, APN

Cecilia Zhang, DO

Fatima Naqvi, MD

Joanne Davine- Reicher, MD

Mikel Pride, DO

Amy Schram, DO

Jodi Skariah, MD

Jeanine Bulan, MD, FACP

Niteen Jamdar, MD

Brittany Mueller, MD

Coatney Alexander, MD

Kaylah Rondon, MD

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Rebecca Yang, MD, Medical Director, Breast Surgery, Overlook Medical Center

Bonni Guerin, MD, Medical Director, Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention, Overlook Medical Center


There’s a lot to love about an older home.

They evoke a sense of timelessness and give its newest homeowner a sense of permanence. Close your eyes and you can see your kids growing up surrounded by those walls. So what happens if you want to faithfully restore an older home but make it work for today’s living? Hiring a team sympathetic to these gems is your first step. As seasoned interior designers we have had the good fortune to design within a multitude of older homes. Miriam began her career at This Old House magazine years ago. Both of us have lived in older homes and have made them work for our families. We love the charm older houses provide but there are limitations as well. There are a few key takeaways we would suggest.

Choose materials appropriate to the time in the finishes that are permanent to the house. Find some key details in the architecture that speak to the times and add them back in or be sure to include them in new spaces. When we keep the architecture classic, the furniture can be more modern. Arches have been very popular in Westfield houses built in the 30s, keep those and add some more. We are adding some great arches right now to houses from that time period, especially in the public spaces. Use moldings thoughtfully: research what was appropriate during the time period your house was built and use that as your starting point. We added full wall moldings in a classic colonial living room for great effect. It instantly created the feeling of age appropriateness and we could be more transitional in our furniture choices. Nooks and cozy corners are what draws us to older homes. See where more could be added. Built-ins give a sense of permanence and thoughtfulness to the design that speaks to an older era. A design team that can add interior architectural detail is important for these kinds of classic homes. Good designers are more than furniture buyers; they can add value to an older home. Invest in them and you will be rewarded in a house that can truly be your forever home.

BY MIRIAM SILVER VERGA, Contributing Editor — Design

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Tips for Restoring Your Forever Home

local design

Spring is here, schools are open again and sports are coming back – it is beginning to feel more like “normal”! Covid-19 turned our world upside down, shutting down our nation’s businesses and forcing our families to learn and work from home. We collectively experienced a range of emotions from fear and helplessness to anger and frustration. We saw our loved ones (if only from a distance) struggle too - each in their own way. Whether it was our parent or our child, nearly everyone was suffering in some manner – whether physically, emotionally, or even financially.

While physical and emotional fortitude is different for everyone, financial preparedness skills can be more broadly applied. As we reflect on the prior year, we can identify some financial lessons learned and hope to never repeat them again.

1. Emergency fund – The emergency fund is something we know of but may be tempted to feel that it is unnecessary as finances may seem solid at the time. Having an emergency savings fund is an essential part of any financial plan and will ensure that some cash is available to cover expenses, if needed. How much to set aside is more of a personal preference but having at least the equivalent of 6 months of living expenses is recommended. Not having this when you need it most could cost you so much more if you are left with no other option than withdrawing funds from your retirement accounts instead. Consider using any income tax refund to start rebuilding your emergency savings and get a plan in place to meet your target balance.

2. Risk tolerance – Between February 12, 2020 and March 23, 2020 the S&P 500 lost 37% of its value and investors panicked. This occurred just one day after the market hit an all-time high. Investors went from feeling euphoric about their portfolios to feeling helpless as they saw their investment and retirement accounts deteriorate. Although this was not a typical market crash, it should be a reminder to us of how much investment risk we are willing to accept. Now is an ideal time to review your portfolio to determine any necessary changes based on your risk tolerance level.

3. Estate Documents – During the pandemic, it became necessary for so many to handle medical matters and decisions for loved ones that were fighting for their lives and possibly even residing in a different state. Not having the necessary authorization to inquire on the condition and care of their loved ones only exacerbated the problem. Documents such as a Health Care Proxy, HIPAA authorization, Power of attorney and a Living Will provide clarity on how to handle these already

difficult situations and gives you authority to do so. If you do not have these very important documents yet, or they are outdated, make it a priority to speak with your trust and estate attorney to have them drafted.

4. Insurance – It is a natural tendency to think that bad things simply will not happen to us, however, this past year we saw how easily we were caught off guard and the importance of being prepared. Make time available to review and determine if you are underinsured (or uninsured) in medical insurance, disability insurance or even life insurance and make the necessary changes to ensure the proper coverage is in place, if needed. Remember that these financial tools are here to protect us in times of crisis.

Financial planning is about preparing for the unexpected and minimizing potential financial risks. Whether it is a liquidity issue, not having the legal documents in place or something you are not even aware of yet, having a comprehensive financial review helps to identify any gaps in your specific plan. Make yourself a promise to sit down with a financial advisor today to protect yourself and your family from the next potential crisis.

Financial Lessons Learned from the PandemicBY MARIELLA FOLEY, Contributing Editor – Finances

Mariella Foley, CFP® is a Partner and Wealth Advisor with Round Table

Wealth Management. She has been part of the Westfield community

advising clients for over 20 years. For a professional consultation Mariella

can be reached at [email protected] or 908-374-2570.

local finance


Describe what your company does: BeautyKult is a licensed facility under the Westfield Regional Health Department that follows all current CDC/COVID guide-lines. BeautyKult specializes in permanent cosmetics, in par-ticular 3D Areola Tattooing, along with Permanent Eyeliner, Scar Camouflage, Scalp Micropigmentation and Microblading.

Until a few years ago, most breast cancer survivors opted for nipple grafts, the protrusion of the nipple made them feel com-plete and feminine. However, women were often disappointed when the nipple grafts flattened or did not have enough defi-nition.

3D Areola Tattooing, sometimes called “Nipple Tattooing” was introduced and has become a popular choice that can help a breast cancer survivor feel more comfortable with her new breasts. Some women find they are content without having an areola/nipple at all, while others choose a form of reconstruc-tion that does not require surgery. 3D Areola Tattooing is the final step to the breast reconstruction process.

3D Areola Tattooing is relatively simple, has a high degree of satisfaction, adds no new scars, and can be repeated if neces-sary. Advanced micropigmentation techniques that involve shadowing, highlighting, feathering, and contouring help cre-ate the 3-Dimensional look. Color selection and blending is vi-tal for a natural looking result.

How long has it been in business?BeautyKult was established in 2020 but due to COVID/Quar-antine we didn’t open our doors until January 2021.

How did you decide on this industry (events that led up to where you are now, etc.)? As a young girl my first real interest was art. My love of all things art and beauty continued into high school and college where I received my degree in Fine Arts. Today and with many licenses and certifications under my belt I am a Permanent Cos-metic Artist. Additionally, I am also a Licensed Esthetician and Professional Makeup Artist. I also formerly co-owned another beauty business in Westfield prior to opening up BeautyKult. It was there that my passion for permanent cosmetics was born.

What pushed me to be so passionate about breasts… My best friend is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Both times I stood by her side for all the ups and downs and witnessed her un-breakable strength as she endured her fight with great forti-

tude. After all the surgeries and treatment she was left with bare breast mounds and scars. I wanted to help her feel like herself again. Since I have been a Permanent Cosmetic Artist for years it was an easy decision for me to get advanced train-ing in Areola 3D Tattooing. The look on her face when she saw her new “boobs” for the first time made it all worth it for me. Teary eyed and with a mile-wide smile she said “thank you for making me feel whole and like myself again!”.

I now know what my purpose is… to help as many women as possible feel that same way. I want them to feel whole and com-plete and have their very own mile-wide smile!

What section of the Westfield do you live in and how long have you lived in the neighborhood? I have lived in this community for the past 22 years, 17 of those years have been in Westfield.

Tell us about your family:My ex-husband Joe & I have 3 sons; Michael (18) who is away at college in Boston playing lacrosse for his school, Tommy (16) who owns and operates a local teen employed business called Teen Assistant and Matty (12) who also plays lacrosse and is aspiring to play in college one day as well.

Anything we missed?BeautyKult also has a sister company, BeautyLair that offers facials, makeup applications and the DMK skincare line. Please feel free to check out our website at www.beautykultandlair.com or find us on social media @beautykultandlair.

local businessNikki TardibuonoCompany name: BeautyKult

Your position: Founder/Owner

Website: www.beautykultandlair.com

Phone number: 908-233-2910

Business address: 215 North Ave W, Westfield NJ 07090

BY LORI STERNBERG, Contributing Editor – Fitness

RECIPECHICKEN AVOCADO BURGERS

WITH LEMON GARLIC AOLI1 lb ................... Ground Chicken1 ....................... Avocado divided1 ....................... Lemon divided2 ....................... Cloves Garlic divided1 Tsp ................. Garlic Powder1/4 Cup ............ Greek Plain Non-Fat Yogurt

or Low Fat Sour Cream2 TBL .................. Light Mayo2 TBL .................. Olive OilSalt/Pepper (to taste) Buns Optional

HOW TO:

Preheat oven to 350.

Slice the avocado in half and remove the pit. Carefully scoop the avocado out of the skin. One half of the avoca-do thinly slice and set aside. The other half chop and place in a mixing bowl. Mince the garlic. Set half aside and place the other half in the mixing bowl. Half the lemon and squeeze half in the mix-ing bowl and place half aside. Add the ground chicken to the mixing bowl, the garlic powder and salt/pepper. Com-bine the ingredients together. Divide chicken mixture into 4 patties and place in the fridge.

Aoli: In a separate bowl combine the yogurt, mayo, remain-ing garlic, lemon juice, salt/pepper. Set Aside. Heat olive oil on medium heat in a frying pan. Place chicken patties in the hot pan. Brown on each side (about 3 minutes). Place chicken patties in a baking dish and finish cooking. Assem-ble on a bun or off chicken, aoli, and sliced avocado.

Increase Your Muscle While Decreasing Fat

WORKOUTTake your workout “out” of the gym. Use a sunny day to get a little vitamin D, uplift your mood by releasing some “happy” endorphins, burn a few calories and build some muscle mass.

No equipment needed10 walking lunges (down and back) 30 second Mountain Climbers (can be off a bench or low wall)15 Pop squats10 Push-ups (can be off a bench or low wall)10 Step-ups (can be on a bench or low wall) per leg30 second Dips (off a bench or low wall)1 minute plankRepeat 3-5 times

local fitness

Proteins are like Legos. They are the building blocks of muscle mass. Muscle eats fat. So obviously we want to increase our muscle in order to decrease fat. But in order to do just that, we have to get the right amount of protein. Too much gets stored as fat while too little makes it hard to grow muscle. So how do we get the “just right” amount?

*Common misconception is that lifting heavy will “bulk” you up. That is only half the equation. What you eat or don’t eat is the other half.

Most people need .8–2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight depending on size, age, sex and activity level. The average active female needs 70 grams of protein per day and the average sedentary female needs 46 grams of protein per day. The average active male needs 90 grams per day while the inactive male needs only 56 grams per day.

How do you get protein? There are a variety of ways to get protein in your diet including animal protein, plant based proteins and supplemental proteins. Depending on your goals will also depend on how much you need and how you get it. Animal protein is the easiest way to get your complete proteins, but if you maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet you can still eat complete proteins. This may take a little more thought as some foods need to be combined in order to create a complete protein. An example of this is beans. Beans are an excellent source of protein but alone they are not a complete protein. Though once combined with rice, you now have a complete protein. Quinoa on the other hand (a grain) is a complete protein on its own. And of course you can get get protein through supplemental powders that come in both whey and vegan based. However, heed the word supplemental. This is not meant to be your main source of protein.

If you are looking at lowering your weight, you may choose to increase your protein and decrease your simple carbohydrates. Why? Protein keeps you full longer as it takes longer to digest

and in doing so burns more calories in the digestive process than a packaged carb (crackers, cookies, white bread) which digests quickly and leaves you hungry sooner.

You can Google a protein calculator which will ask you for your weight, sex, and activity level. Then it will calculate an average protein amount for you per day. Be honest!


ADDRESS TOWN LISTPRICE SALESPRICE CLOSEDDATE DOM BEDS BATHS LOTSIZE(ACRES)

The information contained herein has been obtained through sources deemed reliable by Local Media NJ, but cannot be guaranteed for its accuracy. Any information of special interest should be obtained through independent verification.

530 South Avenue W. | Westfield, NJ 07090 | (o) 908.264.8843 · (f) [email protected] | www.davidrealtygroup.com | [email protected]

MARCH 2021 WESTFIELD SALES

Real Estate Resource Guide

1042* PROSPECT ST* Westfield $1,899,900 $1,890,000 3/26/21 146 6 6.1 0.33*

111* WYCHWOOD RD* Westfield $1,899,999 $1,835,000 3/30/21 356 6 7.1 0.38*

2* BREEZEKNOLL DR* Westfield $1,499,000 $1,500,000 3/1/21 0 5 4.0 0.75*

1425* GRANDVIEW AVE* Westfield $1,499,000 $1,465,000 3/12/21 61 6 5.1 0.29*

10* LAMBERT CIR* Westfield $1,399,000 $1,425,000 3/26/21 44 5 6.1 0.29*

413* BAKER AVE* Westfield $1,199,000 $1,240,000 3/16/21 14 5 3.1 0.15*

714* WOODLAND AVE* Westfield $1,200,000 $1,230,000 3/15/21 0 4 2.1 0.29*

321* ELM ST, Unit A Westfield $1,200,000 $1,200,000 3/3/21 216 4 3.1 0.41*

319* Elm Street Westfield $1,150,000 $1,100,000 3/19/21 23 3 4.1 0.20*

111* HAMILTON AVE* Westfield $1,099,000 $1,065,000 3/26/21 48 5 3.1 0.20*

955* NEW ENGLAND DR* Westfield $1,050,000 $1,050,000 3/24/21 8 5 3.1 0.32*

313* PARK ST* Westfield $999,000 $999,000 3/24/21 175 4 3.1 0.17*

209* JEFFERSON AVE* Westfield $999,999 $999,000 3/22/21 5 4 2.1 0.26*

320* N EUCLID AVE* Westfield $875,000 $962,000 3/24/21 10 5 2.2 0.22*

411* Quantuck Ln* Westfield $899,900 $953,000 3/31/21 6 4 2.2 0.34*

126* VERNON TER* Westfield $949,900 $951,000 3/15/21 4 5 2.1 0.24*

209* MIDWOOD PL* Westfield $849,000 $910,910 3/29/21 9 4 3.1 0.25*

820* Cranford Ave* Westfield $899,900 $905,000 3/12/21 0 5 2.1 0.57*

357* BRIGHTWOOD AVE* Westfield $875,000 $899,000 3/5/21 33 4 2.1 0.20*

542* WESTFIELD AVE* Westfield $835,000 $880,000 3/22/21 5 4 4.1 0.15*

868* WILLOW GROVE RD* Westfield $849,000 $815,000 3/5/21 112 4 3.1 0.36*

751* Stevens Ave* Westfield $765,000 $768,000 3/8/21 0 4 3.0 0.21*

834* GRANDVIEW AVE* Westfield $749,000 $765,000 3/30/21 6 3 3.0 0.21*

503* S CHESTNUT ST* Westfield $759,000 $750,000 3/30/21 156 4 2.1 0.17*

629* KIMBALL AVE* Westfield $749,000 $749,000 3/16/21 20 4 2.1 0.21*

321* E GROVE ST* Westfield $740,000 $727,500 3/10/21 100 3 3.1 *


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Don’t let the pandemic distract you from seeing your doctor. Cancer could take the lives of 10,000 people due to missed screenings. Book an appointment today.

atlantichealth.org/cancerhides

CONNECTING YOUR COMMUNITY MAY 2021