Park Ridge honored 18 volunteers at its Oct. 27 Community Service Awards ceremony in the council chambers. Their peers nominated them for work ranging from delivering meals to broadcasting high school sports, Mayor Keith Misciagna said.
Misciagna presented a separate Mayor’s Award of Recognition to Ryan O’Hara, commander of Cpl. Jedh C. Barker Memorial American Legion Post 153. O’Hara served as a reconnaissance Marine from 2006 to 2014 and held the rank of sergeant. He lives in Park Ridge with his wife, Melissa, and their son, Reid.
“It was great to see the council chambers full of the people that make Park Ridge a great place to live,” Misciagna said.
The community service honorees included Christopher Brown of the Police Reserves, Kyle Ladewig of the Volunteer Fire Department and Albert Quackenbush of American Legion Post 153. The borough also recognized Tod Christie of the Green Team, Michael Curran of the Zoning Board and Michael Mintz of the Pool Commission.
School and youth organizations were represented by Taylor Keenan of the West Ridge Parent Teacher Organization, Bobby Meidanis of the East Brook Parent Teacher Organization and Pamela Guarderas of Park Ridge Girl Scouts. Anthony Caprio of the Park Ridge Athletic Association, Maureen Howell of the Recreation & Cultural Committee and Will O’Toole of PKRG-TV also received awards.
Other honorees were Clayton Bosch of Pascack Reformed Church, Bridget Bruno of the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club and Vincent Lemba of the Park Ridge Knights of Columbus. The borough also recognized Cheryl De Mallie of the Golden Age Social Club of Park Ridge, Pamela Poliandro of the Tri-Boro Food Pantry and Susan Smilon of Meals on Wheels North Jersey.
The food pantry and Meals on Wheels will share the proceeds of a benefit concert on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 4 p.m. at Park Ridge High School. The concert is in its second year. Admission is free, and donations will be accepted at the door.
Opportunities to get involved around Park Ridge
- Thanksgiving food drive, Nov. 7–8. Our Lady of Mercy Church will collect Thanksgiving food for local pantries on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8. Bring donations to the church gathering space.
- Ambulance corps open house, Nov. 8. Meet the Tri-Boro Ambulance Corps crew on Sunday, Nov. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at 10 Mill Road in Park Ridge. Residents interested in joining can ask about training, which the corps provides. No prior experience is necessary. For information or a membership application, call 201-391-2332 or visit tbvacnj.org.
- Free rabies clinic, Nov. 9. The borough will offer rabies vaccinations for New Jersey residents’ dogs and cats on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Utility Garage, 15 Sulak Lane. Bring dogs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and cats from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Dogs must be on a nonretractable leash. Bring proof of prior rabies vaccination for a three-year vaccine.
- Pocketbook Bingo, Nov. 12. Operation Graduation will hold a fundraiser for the Park Ridge High School Class of 2027 on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Park Ridge Elks Club, 13 Sulak Lane. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and bingo runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $50 per person. Designer handbags are the bingo prizes, and the evening includes a tricky tray and a 50/50 raffle. Guests may bring an appetizer to share with their table.
- Benefit concert, Nov. 29. A concert benefiting Meals on Wheels North Jersey and the Tri-Boro Food Pantry returns for a second year on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 4 p.m. at Park Ridge High School. Meals on Wheels delivers to residents who have difficulty preparing meals or leaving home. The pantry serves Park Ridge, Montvale and Woodcliff Lake. Admission is free, donations will be accepted at the door, and sponsorships are available.
- Food pantry drop-offs. The Tri-Boro Food Pantry accepts donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Donors may also use the collection box in the Borough Hall lobby during business hours. To arrange another drop-off time, call 201-573-9083.
- Tutor training. Literacy Volunteers of Pascack Valley and the Park Ridge Public Library are midway through a free online course for tutors who want to help adults learn English. The final sessions are Tuesdays, Nov. 3 and 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All four sessions are required to qualify. For information about becoming a tutor, email literacyvolunteerspv@gmail.com or visit literacyvolunteerspv.org.
- Recreation news. Park Ridge Recreation reported openings in its TGA youth tennis and junior golf clinics. Its fall chair yoga series ended Oct. 29, and the six-week Zumba series concludes Nov. 3. For program details, call 201-573-1800, ext. 521. Middle and high school students can earn community service hours by helping at recreation events. To sign up, call the same number or email recreation@parkridgeboro.com.
- Girl Scouts and the Golden Age Club. Park Ridge Girl Scouts welcomes girls in grades K–12, with troops at East Brook, West Ridge and Our Lady of Mercy Academy. Families can contact Carrie Rauschenberger at prgstoolkit@gmail.com. The Golden Age Club welcomes residents age 55 and older. For information, call club president Brenda Yanni at 201-410-7981.
- Behind the camera. PKRG-TV is looking for camera operators to help cover Park Ridge High School football, basketball, volleyball and other sports. Beginners are welcome, and the station provides training. To get involved, email pkrg@parkridgeboro.com. Games and other programs are available on PKRG-TV’s on-demand channel.