HOLIDAY

HAPPENINGS!
• Gifts that give back
• Groups serving our community
• Unique local shopping
• Some sweet treats

Special Holiday Supplement to

MONTCLAIR
Objectively Informing, Sparking Dialogue, and Building Community
Local
Page 16 Holiday Happenings Thursday, November 19, 2020

•••

Season’s Greetings! Holiday Happenings:

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Thoughtful ways to give back.........................17
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“the Best repaIr
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Montclair Local is a not-for-profit, independent weekly newspaper

founded in 2017 to provide in-depth, hyperlocal coverage of all things

Cedar Grove Bootery Montclair. We publish each Thursday out of our office at 309 Orange
Road. To become a member and receive all the latest Montclair news
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Thursday, November 19, 2020
Thoughtful ways to give back
by JAIMIE JULIA WINTERS
winters@montclairlocal.news
Keeping it local is the perfect
choice for those hard-to-buy-for
people on your holiday list. And
buying a thoughtful gift from a non-
profit means your gift does double
duty. All gifts can be purchased on-
line, as well.
Here are our top picks.
FOR THE AVID LEARNER
The Montclair Public Library’s
Adult School is holding classes on-
line. Classes range from beginner’s
ukulele and photojournalism to
history lectures and language and
art lessons. Gift-givers can go to the
adult school website, asm.augusoft.
net, to purchase an egift card in any
amount.
The recipient will receive an
email alerting them to the gift, and
can then choose from hundreds of
classes.
FOR THE GARDEN LOVER
The Van Vleck House & Gardens
originated as a 12-acre private es-
tate and gardens more than 140
NTCLAI
O
R
M
C OO P
L
H OO
EST. 1963
RA
TIVE S
E
C
Holiday Happenings
Give the gift of music lessons.
years ago and was owned by Joseph
Van Vleck Sr. Today, it offers a qui-
et retreat and nature and garden-
ing programs for both adults and
children. A membership in Van
Vleck includes discounted pric-
es to nature programs including
birding and gardening, as well as to
yoga and meditation series online,
among other things.
For more information, call 973-
COURTESY PIXABAY
744-4752 or visit vanvleck.org.
Memberships start at $75.
FOR THE HISTORY LOVER
Although the Montclair Histo-
ry Center is closed, gift-givers can
book a private tour for a family.
The History Center also offers per-
sonalized map posters from either
the 1906 Atlas, 1926 Tax Maps or
1934 Sanborn Insurance maps. You
Page 17
send in your address and specify
which map you’d like, and they’ll
select the map from the book that
includes your address. Their vir-
tual gift shop also offers mugs,
19th Amendment pins and Doors
of Montclair posters. For the chef
on your gift list, the “Fanny Crane
Cookbook” is loaded with recipes
for home-cooked meals. Married to
Cranetown’s most prominent citi-
zen, Israel Crane, Fanny was mis-
tress of a large home from 1796 to
1826, and was well known as an ac-
complished cook and hostess. The
recipes chosen typify the food she
prepared for her husband, family
and friends. They have been pre-
pared in the 18th-century manner
in the Crane House kitchen and
have been adapted for use in mod-
ern kitchens. Call 973-744-1796 or
email mail@montclairhistorical.
org for more details.
FOR THE HEALTH-CONSCIOUS
Give the gift of health with a
YMCA membership. The YMCA
offers aquatics and exercise pro-
See GIFTING, page 18
Page 18
Gifting
from page 17
grams. Call the Park Street branch,
973-744-3400, or the Geyer Fam-
ily branch, 973-783-7640, or visit
montclairymca.org.
FOR THE MOUNTIES FAN
Show your team spirit by giving a
Mounties Christmas ball or stuffed
bulldog. Montclair High School
Project Graduation’s spirit shop has
cute fan items for sale, including
T-shirts, hats and sweatshirts.
Visit Project Graduation’s on-
line store, mhs-project-gradua-
tion.square.site. Prices start at $10
for the holiday decoration or face
mask, to $15 for a stuffed bulldog, to
$35 for a sweatshirt.
FOR THE FILM LOVER
Montclair Film offers virtual film
screenings, classes and — of course
— the annual Montclair Film Fes-
tival. The gift of a membership to
Montclair Film includes advance
access and discounts on tickets to all
screenings and to the hard-to-get
festival tickets, invitations to mem-
bers-only nights and discounts for
classes.
Holiday Happenings
Back your team and Project Graduation with bulldog gifts.
Gift cards can be purchased for
Montclair Film classes such as film
studies, screenwriting, editing
or makeup design, as well as for
screenings, events, memberships
and merchandise, including their
new face mask. Go to montclair-
film.org or call 973-783-6433.
FOR THE ART LOVER
A membership to the Montclair
COURTESY PROJECT GRADUATION
Art Museum includes unlimited ad-
mission for a year. Members get un-
limited access to virtual program-
ming, including MAM tours and
MAM Conversations, priority reg-
istration for all virtual classes and a
20-percent discount on all adult art
classes. Memberships start at $30.
FOR THE ORGANIC FOOD CHEF
Support local farmers by giving
Thursday, November 19, 2020
the gift of community-supported
agriculture through Boxed Organ-
ics. Every other week the recipient
will get a box of fresh seasonal veg-
etables and fruits and eggs from as
close to home as possible, keeping
local dollars in the hands of local
farmers.
Each pickup also includes rec-
ipes. Pickups are at Elm Street in
Montclair. Go to boxedorganicsnj.
com or call Melina Macall at 973-
910-0708 for more information.
SUPPORT LOCAL
ARTISANS
TURN UP THE HEAT
Local Master Pow’s Co. hot chili
pepper sauce brings a taste of Trin-
idad and Tobago for the chefs on
your list. They are a family-owned
and -operated hot chili pepper
company that launched with its
first collection of hot pepper sauce
products, inspired by the culture,
music and people of Trinidad and
Tobago. Owner Vernon Lee Pow
Jr. replicated the recipes of his fa-
ther, who grew up in the islands.
The sauces go from Intermediate
to Chili Head, with Caribbean Aji
See GIFTING, page 20
 Thursday, November 19, 2020 Holiday Happenings Page 19

The classroom
may have changed,
but our mission hasn’t.
MKA is operating in a hybrid learning environment where everyone is learning, everyday.
During these complex times, parents can rest assured that MKA is providing the best education to
prepare their children for real-world challenges. Our faculty members work hard to connect with students
as individuals by teaching compassion, generosity, and well-being of mind. This commitment to social
and emotional learning serves our teachers and students well, as connection and collaboration are
essential elements for successful remote learning. As a result of these close connections, we can teach
our students anywhere, without compromising what they learn, whether in school or in classrooms that
happen to be dining rooms, living rooms, and kitchens.

mka.org/admissions

The Montclair Local 11.5.20_M1A.indd 2 10/6/20 10:28 AM

Page 20
Gifting
from page 18
Dulce habanero pepper sauce a cus-
tomer favorite. To order online, go
to masterpows.com.
LOCAL CANDLE MAKERS
Rose & Co. Candlemakers was
formed by 13-year-old Rose Powell,
an eighth-grader at Glenfield Mid-
dle School, and her dad five years
ago. They started making candles
at home because of the Powells’ al-
lergies to the toxins in paraffin wax
candles. After giving them as gifts,
the candles were so popular that
they decided to move the business
to pop-up markets, artisan fairs and
a website.
The candles are handmade,
with natural soy, coconut wax and
eco wicks; they are dye-free. Can-
dles include HERSTORY, Boss
Life, 100% Girl, Save the Turtles
and more. Prices start at $24. Go
to www.roseandcocandles.com to
shop.
FRESH CHOCOLATE, YOUR WAY
Dolce Federica creates small-
batch, artisanal products with
high-quality chocolate and superi-
Holiday Happenings
Sweet, cool treats from Applegate Farm.
or fresh ingredients. They can cus-
tomize your order, creating custom
flavors, design and packaging with
your family or business name. Or
get the Art Montclair Collection, a
partnership with a local artist who
has created original artworks rep-
resenting the Montclair commu-
nity. The artworks appear on the
packaging of the assortment. Boxes
start at $25. Free delivery is offered
in Montclair with a minimum order
of $25. Go to www.dolcefederica.
JAIMIE JULIA WINTERS/STAFF
com for more information.
SWEET FROZEN TRADITION
Applegate Farm has been serv-
ing up sweet little frozen holiday
treats since the 1930s. Beginning
this week, the farm will take orders
for ice cream turkeys, santas, bells,
trees and wreaths in flavors such as
vanilla and chocolate, peppermint,
pistachio or mint chocolate chip.
The 4-inch confections are made
with the same pewter molds used
Thursday, November 19, 2020
since the farm started making the
holiday treats 90 years ago. Each ice
cream piece is $5.95, and the farm
has a 48-hour turnaround. Call 973-
744-5900 to order.
MONTCLAIR AUTHORS
For the book lover on your list,
Watchung Booksellers carries hun-
dreds of novels and books from
Montclair authors, from Dorothea
Benton Frank’s new novel, “Queen
Bee,” to Lettie Teague’s books on
wine, to Andrew Wander’s book
“Stately Homes of Montclair.” For
young readers there’s “ ’Twas the
Night Before Christmas,” illustrat-
ed by Daniel Kirk. For a full list go
to www.watchungbooksellers.com/
localauthors.
FOR THE BEER LOVER
For the beer connoisseurs on
your list, Montclair Brewery will
deliver beer flights, an assortment
of 12-ounce cans of four different
styles. You can also add glasses or
steins to your order. Co-owners Leo
and Denise Sawadogo opened the
microbrewery in 2014. For about 13
years Leo has been brewing batches
of beer in his home and gifting bot-
tles to friends and family. Orders
can be placed at montclairbrewery.
com.
Thursday, November 19, 2020 Holiday Happenings Page 21

Celebrate The Holidays

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• Custom Wreaths • Horseshoe Wreaths • Fresh Trees • Poinsettias • Christmas Shop

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1201 Pompton Ave • Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 256-1950
www.cedargrovegarden.com
Page 22
Tackling food needs at the holidays
by GRACE WILLIAMS
for Montclair Local
Montclair eighth-grader Sam
Lewis has been a young man on a
mission for several months and
counting this year, and this past week
he finally brought the mission to a
close when he delivered around 50
brand new hand-knitted items to the
Human Needs Food Pantry.
Sam initially wanted to knit and
donate the items earlier in the year
for his Mitzvah Project (children
often do a good-deed project the
year they are being called to the To-
rah for the first time as Bnai Mitz-
vah). He had enlisted others to join
him and knit 10 clothing items each
when the pandemic hit, making it
impossible to finish the project un-
til further notice.
This year has put a wrench in
many plans, with charitable giving
and volunteer work taking massive
hits as job losses and social distanc-
ing make things harder to accom-
plish. With the holidays and colder
weather just around the corner, or-
ganizations have started to pivot as
they figure out how to continue to
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Holiday Happenings
A volunteer prepares carrots at Toni’s Kitchen.
serve the community.
It is impossible to ignore the re-
cent rise in demand for services. In
October, the Bureau of Labor Statis-
tics reported a 6.9-percent national
unemployment rate, and locally or-
ganizations have suffered the effects.
At the Human Needs Food Pantry,
where Sam donated his armfuls of
scarves, hats and gloves this week,
COURTESY TONI’S KITCHEN
Executive Director Mike Bruno said
that before the pandemic, they served
over 800 families on a regular basis.
In October alone, the pantry distrib-
uted food to over 4,300 people.
“[They’re] really hurting,” Bru-
no said. “It’s sad to see so much job
loss, and businesses closing and
downsizing. People who have nev-
er been in this position now find
• Code: HOLIDAY2020
Thursday, November 19, 2020
themselves there.”
Anne Mernin, director of Toni’s
Kitchen, which serves the commu-
nity’s food-insecure through several
programs, says that the 4,300 meals
a week they served to the commu-
nity last year has risen to 20,000 a
week this year. Now, the dining room
where they served meals functions as
a warehouse to assemble grab-and-
go meals and bags of groceries.
“Our families are usually invited in
to eat in the dining room, but we can’t
have people inside,” Mernin said. “We
now cook a hot meal and distribute it
on South Fullerton to the homeless
population, and families can come
to our setup outside our doors in the
parking lot to pick up food seven days
a week.”
HOLIDAY OUTREACH
For many, in the slow drip of
months since the pandemic began,
worries have shifted from which
toys and accessories to give and re-
ceive to keeping warm and eating a
hot meal.
“We plan to give families turkeys
See NEEDS, page 23
Thursday, November 19, 2020 Holiday Happenings Page 23

Needs How to help

from page 22 For more information about dona-

and all of the things that go with
a Thanksgiving meal,” Bruno said.
The pantry, which serves 14 towns,
distributed Thanksgiving meals to
1,100 families last year, and Bru-
no anticipates that number will be
much larger when accounting for
the recent spike in demand. “People
are coming from everywhere,” he
said. “They’re scrambling, looking
for assistance.”
In addition to donations of meals,
one long-standing holiday staple
in the community service tradition
comes courtesy of the Thanksgiv-
ing community meal served at the
Salvation Army Citadel. Volunteers
prepare and serve a meal to anyone
who comes by, and diners are wel-
come to take a seat at a table.
But the guidelines surrounding
COVID-19 have made that tradition
unsafe for the time being, leaving
organizations to figure out logistics.
The Salvation Army’s Major Brett
DeMichael said the Thanksgiving
meal they usually serve to about 250
people will have to be scaled back
this year, and the typical 100 or so
volunteers will not be able to assist.
Montclair eighth-grader Sam Lewis delivers around 50 hand-knitted items to the
Human Needs Food Pantry.
“We have to follow safety guide-
lines,” DeMichael said. “But we don’t
accept the idea of doing nothing. We
have to adjust what we are doing; we
are going to serve in the best way
that we can.” The Citadel will serve
Thanksgiving meals to about 25 to
30 people on-site, and deliver addi-
tional food to the homebound and
shut-in clients.
The Salvation Army also plans
to operate its Adopt-A-Family pro-
gram to provide gifts and toys for
children, and invites volunteers to
ring bells as part of its classic Red
COURTESY HUMAN NEEDS PANTRY
Kettle program, which will be in ef-
fect with a COVID-19-appropriate
twist courtesy of a cashless option.
“You can still put money in the buck-
et, but they will have signs with the
option to use Apple Pay or Google
Pay or go straight to the website to
donate,” DeMichael said.
CALLING ON THE COMMUNITY
Wealth disparity remains an issue
in all communities, and Montclair is
not immune. According to 2019 cen-
sus figures, of the 38,564 residents
who call the town home, 7.6 percent
tions, food drives and events, or to
volunteer, please visit the following
websites:
• Salvation Army Citadel: mont-
clair.salvationarmy.org/montclair
• Toni’s Kitchen: toniskitchen.org
• Human Needs Food Pantr y:
humanneedsfoodpantry.org
live in poverty. About 14 percent of
school-aged children qualify for free
or reduced-price lunch, according to
Niche.com.
“We have always been a commu-
nity with a tremendous amount of
socioeconomic diversity,” Mernin
said. “We also have a sizable num-
ber of families who are really strug-
gling.”
On the day Sam brought warm,
fuzzy winter gear to the Human
Needs Food Pantry, his mother,
Marlene, said the number of people
lined up to assist was impressive,
but then again, so was the need.
“It would be easy to stay holed up
during a pandemic and assume in a
town like Montclair that no one is
hungry or that people here automat-
ically have money for cold-weather
essentials,” she said. “But, as quickly
as the donations came, they left.”

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Page 24
Shop local for Montclair-centric gifts
by ROBIN WOODS
for Montclair Local
2020 has been a year like no other,
memorable and difficult at the same
time. We need a little Christmas, Ha-
nukkah or Festivus right this very
minute. Shopping is good therapy,
and all that’s needed is a trip to some
local stores. Change out of your paja-
mas and bunny slippers, take a walk
or short drive around town. There are
so many practical and unusual gifts
to choose from to purchase in person
or online for those on your list, or to
cheer yourself up.
MONTCLAIR-THEMED GIFTS
AND MORE
Sisters Jordyn and Cali Goffin
choose gift items for everyone at
their store, Giftbar, from Montclair
mugs, coasters, cards and signs to
jewelry, candles, oil diffusers, cloth-
ing accessories and pop-culture-in-
spired gifts, such as canvas totes with
illustrations of Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Prince, David Bowie and Frida Kahlo.
“We started an online compo-
nent in March 2020, responding to
the needs of families keeping close
Holiday Happenings
COURTESY JACKY SAMBOLIN
Jacky Sambolin’s decorative tiles
to home with their children. Games,
puzzles and stay-at-home activities
are very popular. We have something
for everyone,” Jordyn said.
Giftbar sells many brands of can-
dles, with Little Shop of Oils gem-
stone candles a favorite of Jordyn’s
0
JJOINER FEE
Offer good thru
Nov 30, 2020
and a good pick for friends and co-
workers. Foodies will enjoy Make
Your Own Everything Bagel or Pickle
kits, all ingredients except perishable
items included. Choose cookbooks
for chefs and novice cooks on your
list.
Fuzzy, soft socks for men and
women in many colors, with funny
and silly sayings woven into the fab-
ric, are warm and cozy. Stock up on
cards for every gift occasion, or just to
keep in touch, and you’re good for the
rest of 2020 and into 2021. You can
shop in-store, 465 Bloomfield Ave. ,
or order online, shopgiftbar.com.
ARTFUL GIFTING
Montclair has a vibrant arts com-
munity, and local abstract artist Jacky
Sambolin has been creating unique
works for the past 25 years, painting
and experimenting with different
mediums and styles.
“I always wanted to be an artist, but
at first wasn’t brave enough to choose
it as a career for many years. I was my
own worst critic,” Sambolin said.
Through experimentation and
practice, she has come up with a line
of decorative heat- and water-resis-
Thursday, November 19, 2020
tant ceramic tiles in many colors and
patterns, using an acrylic paint pour-
ing and layering method. She mixes
the paint with a medium that doesn’t
break down the elements, like Floet-
rol. Sized from 2-by-2 to 12-by-12,
the artistic tiles can be used as coast-
ers or serving platters.
The results are vibrantly colored,
reminiscent of space galaxies and
the sea, influenced by the artist’s love
for the dreamlike works of Modigli-
ani and the bright colors of Tou-
louse-Lautrec. Although there is no
brick-and-mortar store, you can take
a virtual tour at jackysmoodyart.com
to purchase, or arrange for a special
canvas art commission piece. Local
no-contact delivery or pickup is also
available.
FEEL GOOD, BE HAPPY,
FOCUS BETTER
The Green Room at 20 Church St.
is Darek Michael Wajda’s third loca-
tion in New Jersey.
“But it is Montclair’s first CBD
[cannabidiol] store, and CBD is na-
ture’s natural anti-inflammatory,
See LOCAL, page 26
Thursday, November 19, 2020 Holiday Happenings Page 25

In These Challenging Times...

“We all need to help each other,
please join US in giving a generous
contribution to our local food banks”
The Human needs Food Pantry
www.humanneedsfoodpantry.org
The Salvation Army
sarmy@montclaircitadel.org
Toni’s Kitchen /St Luke’s
toniskitchen@gmail.com

Now more than ever our

community needs your support .

PLEASE DONATE TODAY!

Be safe, be faithful & be kind
Andrew Renda, Esq, Jack Voynick, Esq.

PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

Page 26
Local
from page 24
with anti-stress and anti-anxiety
properties. All products are federally
compliant,” Wajda said.
You can find hemp-infused choc-
olate bars, gummy bears and cookies
there, along with CBD tinctures and
topical face and body creams. The
Green Room also sells loose hemp
for customers to use as smokeables,
or you can choose from pre-rolled
hemp varieties.
Wajda asks customers, “How do
you want to feel today?” and makes
recommendations for varieties that
can help with anxiety, tighten focus
or create a sense of well-being.
Brew your own hemp-infused Cu-
ban espresso blend ground coffee or
tea with an extra kick to it.
“CBDs don’t cure anything, but it’s
a feel-good gift,” Wajda said.
The candies, lip balm and colorful
scented bath bombs also make great
stocking stuffers for the holidays.
The Green Room is open seven days
a week, or order online at thegreen-
roomnj.com.
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR
Beth Stricof and her son Ben are
Come in and see how our Signature
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fairfield, nj
Holiday Happenings
Caterina Russo in her new shop, Sicilia Mia.
the epitome of family togetherness,
and opened their store &Son in ear-
ly October. They spend seven days a
week together in the store.
“Look at this as a home. A lot of
people just fill up a store with mer-
chandise. We’re stocked with specific
and well-curated items that tell a sto-
ry,” Beth said.
A dining room table set with dish-
es, silverware and table décor meets
you at the entrance, as if ready to
serve a family meal. Shelves are
filled with blue block reading glass-
es to ease eye strain from working at
home on your laptop, and soft socks
Thursday, November 19, 2020
sale, along with serving pieces so
beautiful that they look like works of
art. Shop in-store at 43a Church St. ,
or at shopandson.com.
BRINGING A TASTE OF SICILY
TO MONTCLAIR
If you can’t take a trip out of town
or fly to Europe, Caterina Russo
brings a taste of Sicily with her new
shop, Sicilia Mia, at 4 South Fuller-
ton Ave. , siciliamiaimports.com.
“I chose Montclair because it’s
such an artistic town. People appre-
ciate good food, art and good quality,”
Russo said.
NEIL GRABOWSKY/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL She imports bottles of extra-vir-
gin olive oil, which have hand-paint-
ed designs on them created by eight
that keep your feet warm. Bundle up artists who live in Italy. There are
from the cold with handmade hats dozens of designs to choose from,
and scarves. Classic children’s books and Oil in The Bag, which comes with
bound in leather make great gifts, its own matching fabric carrying
as do pencils and amusing ceramic case, allows you to bring your own oil
pieces. with you to restaurants. Fabric masks
“We have good taste,” said Ben, and aprons match the designs on the
and handmade Anchal clothing bags. Buy sweets for your Thanksgiv-
made in India helps to support wom- ing or holiday table. A tasting table is
en and create free trade around the set up with all food items to try before
world. you buy. Sicilia Mia also has artisanal
A one-of-a-kind handcrafted pastas and sauces and fruit marma-
backgammon set will delight that lade. The store offers premade or
special someone on your list. &Son custom foods packed in hand-paint-
also supports artisans in the New ed wood baskets to make this holiday
Jersey area, with photographs for season delicious and happy.
Interior � Exterior
Roofing
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Thursday, November 19, 2020 Holiday Happenings Page 27

Help the Library help the

community
2020 has been anything but normal. We’ve all adapted quickly. The Montclair Public Library had to as well.
Over the past months, the Library:
• Increased its collection of digital materials, including eBooks and streaming video
• Provided over 400 online programs and classes to over 6,000 participants
• Added new resources like Creativebug, Lynda.com, and Medici.tv
• Lent WiFi hotspots to Montclair residents without internet access
• Supported at-home learning with online reference materials, like Tutor.com
• Offered curbside pickup since June and in-person browsing since October

During this challenging year, the Library has faced a $500,000 funding shortfall due to the pandemic. That is
why the work of the Foundation—and donations from the community—are so vitally important. The funds raised
last year helped underwrite the expansion of many of these programs. Can you help us continue?

Donations will help the Library meet the needs of our diverse community. Laptop and WiFi hotspot lending,
delivery of materials to seniors who are at home, and summer reading for children are just a few of the valuable
library programs that benefit from Foundation funding.

As your friends and neighbors, we ask you to join us in giving to the Foundation. Any amount you can give is
appreciated. Please consider a gi� today at montclairplf.org.

Board of Directors
Irena Goldstein, Chair Jennifer Bonnell Jennifer Dann Phillips
Susan Mellin, Vice Chair Gina Chung For� Kate Stanford
Jared Miller, Vice Chair Emily Hagen Robert Tortoriello
Tim O’Brien, Treasurer Joanne Lamarca Mathisen Peter Coyl, Ex Officio
Jennifer Friedberg, Secretary

50 S. Fullerton Avenue The Montclair Free Public Library Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization whose purpose is to raise funds to support the programs and
Montclair, NJ 07042
services of the Montclair Public Library. Contributions to the Foundation are
montclairplf.org tax-deductible. Please consult your a�orney or tax advisor for details.
Page 28
Local treats for breakfast or dessert
by STEVEN DeSALVO
for Montclair Local
Just because our holiday season
will look a little different this year
doesn’t mean that classic holiday
over-indulging has to be out of the
question. This holiday season is
all about self-care, and I took the
time to go around Montclair and
find some of the best sweet treats
to make self-care that much easier.
Whether you are spending the hol-
idays with your immediate family
at home or are spending them solo,
here are some delicious desserts to
either start or end your day.
PLUM BAKERY
Plum Bakery is an excellent place
to shop for the gluten-free eaters at
your holiday table, but their confec-
tions are sure to have eaters of all
kinds smiling.
My pick is Plum’s pumpkin
muffin. The muffin has a perfectly
crispy top and a soft, doughy center,
perfect for sharing, or keeping all to
yourself. The muffin’s pumpkin fla-
vor is subtle, but not overly sweet.
It’s a great treat for those who
Enjoy the flavor.
Shop Montclair Center.
Holiday Happenings
like pumpkin regardless of whether
it’s a pumpkin spice latte or a good
pumpkin pie.
If you are looking for some fuel
before a long day of cooking, this
pumpkin muffin is perfect in the
morning warmed up with jam (I
prefer raspberry!). If you want to
have it after dinner it pairs well
with coffee, tea or whatever cordial
you might be having.
Be sure to check out Plum Bakery
for other tasty gluten-free baked
goods and breads you might need.
The last day to make special orders
for Thanksgiving is Saturday, Nov.
21.
LE FRENCH DAD
Next up is the cinnamon roll from
Le French Dad. A relative newcom-
er to Montclair, this spot specializes
in outstanding French breads of all
kinds, from baguettes to pain d’epi,
but they also have an amazing array
of pastries and cookies.
For this year’s holiday table I
would recommend Le French Dad’s
cinnamon roll. The flaky edges of
this roll give you a croissant feel, all
while maintaining the soft, almost
S H O P SA F E
SHOP
LO C A L
Thursday, November 19, 2020
custardlike inside with a sweet cin-
namon filling. My favorite part has
to be the icing drizzle on top, which
has the perfect amount of sweet-
ness.
These cinnamon rolls are quite
large, so they are easy to share. All
Le French Dad items can be or-
dered online and delivered through
UberEats. Just like Plum Bakery, be
sure to order your holiday treats
from Le French Dad in advance to
ensure that your favorites are not
sold out.
MARCEL BAKERY & KITCHEN
PHOTOS BY STEVEN DeSALVO/
Last but certainly not least is FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL
the pecan pie from Marcel Bakery Pumpkin muffin from Plum Bakery.
& Kitchen. You might not think
to head to this go-to lunch spot in
Upper Montclair for dessert, but it
does have some of the best baked
treats in town.
This pecan pie is topped with
tons of delectable, crunchy whole
pecans. Inside, there is a substantial
amount of rich, buttery filling, with
the perfect mixtures of holiday-in-
spired flavors and spices. The filling
is followed by a thin crust that per-
fectly ties the entire pie together.
My suggestion is to top it with
your favorite vanilla ice cream and
serve it warm for the ideal end to
a day full of eating. If you want to
taste this pie before you buy, Marcel
also sells it by the slice. Marcel Bak-
ery and Kitchen delivers in Mont-
clair and the surrounding area.
Cinnamon roll from Le French Dad.
I hope these desserts (or break-
fasts) treat you and your family
well this holiday season. This year
has certainly been challenging, but
there is still a lot to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the delicious
Montclair food scene and the op-
portunity to highlight some of the
best dishes and treats this town has
to offer. I love being able to support
local businesses during this diffi-
cult time; I hope you do the same.
Whether it’s ordering a pie or
having a meal out during these next
few weeks, your patronage matters
to the small businesses in this town.
Happy Thanksgiving! Pecan pie from Marcel Bakery & Kitchen.
In this article:
• Plum Bakery • Le French Dad • Marcel Bakery & Kitchen
179 Glenridge Ave. 10 Church St. 631 Valley Road
973-509-7586 973-746-0288 973-842-4088
plumonpark.com lefrenchdad.com Marcelbakeryandkitchen.com
www.montclairlocal.news
Thursday, November 19, 2020 Holiday Happenings Page 29

Crane House nominated

for best holiday tour
by JAIMIE JULIA WINTERS
winters@montclairlocal.news
For the last 25 years, the Gar-
den Club of Montclair has tak-
en on the task of decorating the
Crane House and Historic YWCA
during the holiday season for
tours. The home was built in 1796
by Israel Crane and his wife, Fan-
ny Pierson Crane.
This year, it has been nominat-
ed for a 2020 USA Today 10 Best
Readers’ Choice Travel Award
for “Best Holiday Home Tour,” it
was announced last week by USA
Today. The Crane House, later
the historic YWCA, was one of
18 museums in the United States
nominated for this award by a
panel of nationally recognized
travel experts for the USA To-
day travel award series, which
celebrates destinations, attrac-
tions and experiences. The Crane
House and Historic YWCA’s com-
petition for the award includes
historic homes like the Newport
Breakers, the Biltmore, Monti-
cello and Graceland.
Crane built the home on Glen-
ridge Avenue at the age of 21. By
the standards of the day, it was
considered a mansion; it was lo-
cated on 86 acres of farmland.
“The story goes that many peo-
ple thought Crane was a bit crazy.
How could such a young man af-
ford such a fancy house? Crane,
however, was an astute busi-
nessman and soon grew into the
house. The house was the Crane
family home for over 100 years,”
the Montclair History Center
says.
In 1920, African American
women in the community pur-
chased the home as headquarters
for a YWCA, a segregated space.
It was a significant part of the Af-
rican American community for
four decades. By 1965, the YWCA
needed a new building, and local
preservationists saved the house,
moved it to its present location
at 110 Orange Road and turned it
into a museum. It has since been
preserved.
The museum will offer a can-
dlelight tour on Wednesday, Dec.
9, as Montclair History Center
docents tell the history of the
holidays from the 1700s to the
20th century. Prepackaged treats
will be available to enjoy around
a campfire at the end. Tours are
available every 15 minutes be-
tween 4 and 8 p.m. Only five peo-
ple will be allowed on each tour.
Face masks will be required.
Private tours can also be
booked throughout December.
The Montclair History Center
is asking visitors, fans and sup-
porters to cast their vote for the
Crane House and Historic YWCA
as part of the public voting pro-
cess to select a winner. Everyone
is invited to vote once per day
through Monday, Dec. 7, at noon.
The 10 winning home tours
COURTESY MHC
will be announced on Friday, Dec.
18. Vote from the website mont- Crane House tours will be limited this year, but
still available.
clairhistory.org.

Wishing the healthiest and happiest of Thanksgivings

to our friends, family and clients
in Montclair and beyond during this holiday season.
A special thank you to all who have bought, sold or rented
with us during the past year!

736 Valley Road Montclair, NJ 07043

Adriana O'Toole
Ad OT l Barbara P. Hughes
Broker/Sales Associate, CRS,CIPS REALTOR/Sales Associate, ABR, SRES
M: 973-650-6039 M: 973-508-7363
E: AdrianaOToole80@Gmail.com E: Barbara@TheNicholasTeam.com
 Events
Page 30 Thursday, November 19, 2020

What is your group doing? Let us know! Facebook.com/MontclairLocal

>>> listings@montclairlocal.news Twitter: @MontclairLocal

JEWELRY SALE AND HOLIDAY SHOP
The Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair is running
its Tiffany Corner fundraiser, a gently-worn jewelry
sale whose
proceeds
fund nursing
scholarships
for local
college
students
each spring.
New jewelry
with tags
and vintage
jewelry
are also available, as are pins, watches, necklaces,
earrings and more. The scholarship program has been
in place since the 1930s. Jewelry donations are also
being accepted during the sale, which runs today,
Nov. 19, and Thursday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. and
Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The club’s
Holiday Boutique, featuring holiday items, unique gifts,
homemade crafts and more, runs those same dates
and hours. The club is at 200 Cooper Ave. Masks and
social distancing are required. No admission fee.
HOLIDAY POP-UP; AN ARCHITECT’S
INFLUENCE
The Montclair History Center is presenting “Making
a Mark on Montclair — The Buildings of Francis
A. Nelson” as part of its History at Home virtual
series today, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. Nelson, an early
20th century architect, left a lasting impression on
Montclair, from civic and religious landmarks like the
Bellevue Avenue Branch Library and the St. James
Church Memorial Tower to stately mansions and an
“ideal home” sponsored by Bamberger’s department
store. This slide show will be presented by Lisanne
Renner, historian for Friends of Anderson Park.
For more information or to join the virtual session:
montclairhistory.org. The History Center is also
running a “Home for the Holidays Pop-Up Store” at
its first “Museum Store Sunday” at the Clark House,
108 Orange Road, on Sunday, Nov. 29, from noon
to 5 p.m. Almost everything that is available at the
center’s museum store in the Nathaniel Crane House
will be on display; the selection includes Montclair-
centric books, mugs, enamel pins, N.J. potholders,
19th Amendment items, cookbooks, personalized
maps and stocking stuffers. In December, the pop-up
store will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through
Thursday. Anyone wishing private shopping can
contact the museum to make arrangements outside
normal hours. The pop-up store will be held outside
on the Clark House’s Victorian porch to comply with
COVID-19 protocols; face masks are required. For
more information: montclairhistory.org.
VIRTUAL CINEMA OFFERINGS
The lineup for Montclair Film Virtual Cinema, the
organization’s new, year-round screening program:
through
today, Nov.
19: new
releases:
“Koko-Di
Koko-Da”
(pictured),
“Song
Without a
Name,” “This
Is not a Movie: Robert Fisk and the Politics of Truth,”
“Faust.” Held over: “City Hall.” Virtual Cinema films
are available via mobile and desktop web browsers,
as well as the Montclair Film app for Apple TV and
Roku devices. Films in the Virtual Cinema are new
releases, available for rent at home before they show
up on other platforms, featuring new independents,
documentaries, foreign films, local films and restored
classics, with new selections available every Friday for
a minimum of one week. Tickets are $10 for the public,
$8 for Montclair Film members. The film schedule
and instructions for viewing the films can be found at
montclairfilm.org.
VAN VLECK VIRTUAL BOUTIQUE
Van Vleck House & Gardens is offering the first-ever
Home Edition of its annual Deck the Halls boutique
around the clock beginning Friday, Nov. 20, and
running through Tuesday, Dec. 1. The virtual
boutique will feature fashion and accessories, artisan
jewelry, home goods, holiday treasures and delectable
treats. A portion of the proceeds from each gift will be
used to support the preservation and maintenance
of Van Vleck House & Gardens. For more information:
vanvleck.org.
TRANSGENDER DAY
OF REMEMBRANCE SET
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair
will host a virtual Transgender Day of Remembrance
interfaith service to memorialize those killed due to
anti-transgender hatred or prejudice on Friday, Nov.
20, at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Through the service
the congregation hopes to raise public awareness,
mourn and honor the lives of our transgender and
gender-nonconforming kin and express love and
See EVENTS, page 32

Presents:
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Journalism & the Nation?
ALL ORDERS MUST BE IN BY TUESDAY A Toast & First Anniversary Celebration for the
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Editor-in-Chief of
Jonathan Alter,
Author, MSNBC
ProPublica analyst, columnist,
• Sauteed Haricovert • Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms and doc filmmaker
(French Green Beans) & Sweet Vidalia Onions Stefanie Murray,
• Pureed Yukon Gold Potatoes • Roasted Brussels Sprouts Director, Center for
• Sweet Potato Mashed After a period of intense misinformation, Cooperative Media,
• Classic Stuffing what role do national and local Montclair State University
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes • Grilled Asparagus & journalists have in bringing truth and
• Roasted Fingering Potatoes Balsamic Glaze stability to our nation? Jake Silverstein,
• Creamed Corn • Glazed Carrots Editor-in-Chief of
New York Times
• Corn The Cobb Top area media leaders gather to talk
• Baby Lettuce Salad Magazine
about the successes and failures in
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it should improve for the next four.
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Thursday, November 19, 2020 Holiday Happenings Page 31

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Page 32 Holiday Happenings Thursday, November 19, 2020

Events
from page 30
respect in the face of national indifference and hatred.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance was started
in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann
Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a
transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil
also commemorated all transgender people lost to
violence. Questions can be directed to the Rev. Anya
Sammler-Michael, rev…@uumontclair.org. Join the
service on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96530433148;
phone 646-558-8656; meeting ID 965 3043 3148.
WRAPPING PAPER WORKSHOP
The Montclair Art Museum is offering “Giving to Others
— Printmaking Notecards and Wrapping Paper” as
part of its
Self-Care
Saturday
series this
Saturday,
Nov. 21,
at 1 p.m.
Participants
will create
meaningful
and
personalized
notecards
and wrap for the special people in their lives.
Instruction on how to create a printing plate, use of ink
and the techniques of printing will be demonstrated.
The workshop is online with live instruction. Students
will need to have a computer, tablet or phone with
internet and access to Zoom. $50; members $40; see
the supply list on the museum website. The Self-Care
workshop series is designed to lead participants
through a meditative approach to creativity and self-
expression in a relaxed atmosphere. Each workshop
focuses on a different medium, and participants finish
each with their own original work of art. All levels of art
experience are welcome. For more information and to
register: montclairartmuseum.org.
JAZZ HOUSE KIDS COLLEGE NIGHT
Jazz House Kids is inviting high school musicians and
their parents to its free, virtual college fair evening on
Monday, Nov. 23, at 6:30 p.m. Representatives from
the nation’s top jazz programs, including The Juilliard
School, Oberlin, Manhattan School of Music, Princeton,
Rutgers Institute for Jazz Studies, William Paterson
University, The New School, Temple University, the
University of Miami, Montclair State University, NYU,
SUNY Purchase, Jersey City State University and others
will be available. Registration: studentservices@
jazzhousekids.org or 973-744-2273.
DISCUSSING ‘THE AFTERGRIEF’
Watchung Booksellers’ Evening With the Authors
series is featuring Hope
Edelman, author of “The
AfterGrief: Finding Your Way
Along the Long Arc of Loss,”
in conversation with Allison
Gilbert on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
The free virtual event begins
at 7:30 p.m. Edelman’s book
explains that the death of a
loved one isn’t something most
people get over, get past, put
down or move beyond, and
HOPE EDELMAN
that although grief is a lifelong
process, it doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle.
Edelman is the author of eight nonfiction books,
including the bestsellers “Motherless Daughters”
and “Motherless Mothers.” Gilbert is an award-
winning journalist and influential writer on grief and
resilience. For more information and to register:
watchungbooksellers.com.
RACE TO BENEFIT
HUMAN NEEDS PANTRY
Fleet Feet Montclair is
sponsoring the “Huffin’ for the
Stuffin’ Virtual Thanksgiving
Race/Fun Run” to benefit the
Montclair Human Needs Pantry
on Thursday, Nov. 26, through
Sunday, Nov. 29. Runners and
walkers can choose their favorite
distance: The Appetizer, 5k, The
Entrée, 8k, or The Dessert, one
mile. All proceeds will benefit
the Human Needs Pantry, which
since the start of the year has added more than 850
households — more than 1,900 adults and more than
1,000 children — to its rolls, and the numbers are
expected to increase. For more information and to
register for the race: runsignup.com/Race/Donate/NJ/
Montclair/FleetFeetMontclairThanksgivingDayofRaces.
Those who don’t wish to race but would like to make a
donation to the pantry can go to the race website and
choose “Donate.”
STUDIO MONTCLAIR JURIED SHOW
Studio Montclair’s 23nd annual open juried exhibition,
“ViewPoints 2020,” will run through Friday, Nov. 27, at
Studio Montclair Gallery,
127 Bloomfield Ave. There
will also be a virtual exhibit
with audio features on the
Studio website. This year’s
exhibit features 58 works
selected from nearly 1,000
that were submitted. They
reflect a vast range of
materials, subject matter,
themes, meanings and metaphors, and present
new stylistic approaches, multicultural portraits and
imagery, fresh viewpoints and highly original use
of color and technique. For more information: pr@
studiomontclair.org or 862-500-1447.
DIY GIFTS SESSION AT ADULT SCHOOL
The Montclair Public Library’s Adult School is offering
“DIY Gifts With Essential Oils,” a virtual class, on
Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 12:30 p.m. Jenn Forino will
present an introduction to essential oils as well as
tips on how to make special and simple holiday
gifts. The Adult School is also offering the following
virtual classes: Wednesdays, Dec. 2 and Dec.
9, “John Lennon: His Life and Legacy,” 6:30 p.m.,
$39; Tuesday, Dec. 8, “Dorothea Lange: Beyond
Photojournalism,” 7 p.m., $20. For more information
about these and other Adult School classes or to
register: montclairlibrary.org.
‘Just Mercy’ is book club topic
‘JUST MERCY’ IS BOOK CLUB TOPIC
The Montclair Museum of Art’s African American
Cultural Committee and The Bibliophiles, Inc. — the
oldest continuously operating Black book club in
America —
are hosting
a free virtual
public
book group
discussion of
“Just Mercy:
A Story of
Justice and
Redemption,”
by Bryan
Stevenson, on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m.
Stevenson’s bestselling book, which has been
adapted into a feature film, has been described as
“an unforgettable true story about the potential
for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to end
mass incarceration in America.” The author is a
public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career
to helping the poor, the incarcerated and the
condemned. He is the founder and executive director
of the Equal Justice Initiative, a museum and memorial.
The Legacy Museum bears witness from enslavement
to mass incarceration; the National Memorial for
Peace and Justice is the nation’s first dedicated to
people terrorized by lynching. For more information
and to register: montclairartmuseum.org.

Share Hope With Those

Who Need It Most. CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE Sunday Services: 10:00am at
facebook.com/uumontclair/live
7Pm, December 24Th uumontclair.org

Montclair.salvationarmy.org Celebrate Virtually here:

https://www.facebook.com/uumontclair/live

Montclair Salvation HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Sat. Dec. 12th, 1-3pm and
Army Citadel Sat. Dec. 19th 10-Noon
Socially distanced, outdoor meet and greet
Doing The Most Good on our lawn at 67 Church Street, Montclair Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael &
with holiday cheer and gift bags Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael

13 Trinity Place, Montclair • 973-744-3312 uumontclair.org 67 Church St. Montclair • (973) 744-6276
Thursday, November 19, 2020
The perfect stuffing to add
warmth to your holidays
Recipe
of the month
Steven DeSalvo
In Recipe of the Month food writer
Steven DeSalvo shares a recipe Mont-
clairians might enjoy making. DeSalvo
has a degree in hospitality business
management from the University of
Delaware and has worked extensively
in restaurants and hotels. If there is
something you want to know how to
make, or if you’ve eaten a dish at a local
restaurant that you are dying to make
at home, drop us a note at culture@
montclairlocal.news.
The upcoming holiday season
looks nothing like what we
expected this time last year.
Friends and families are preparing
to have much smaller celebrations,
households won’t be traveling
great distances, and rather than
gathering around a table or fire-
place, a lot of folks will be joining
each other virtually. Last year very
few of us knew what Zoom was.
I find that in times like this it is
important to adapt and overcome.
What other choice do we have?
The recipe that I want to feature
for the holidays has a lot of
significance for me. It is a classic
within my family that we have
been making for at least 10 years.
This way even when we are apart
we can be together.
Even if you don’t use this
recipe, be sure to use one that
means a lot to you. It can help
provide a sense of closeness when
we need it most.
The holiday classic I chose is our
cornbread, chestnut and sausage
stuffing. I love this recipe because
we don’t limit it to just Thanksgiv-
ing. It makes a perfect side for any
festive dinner.
Naturally it wouldn’t be a true
family recipe if I didn’t take some
artistic liberties and make some of
my own adjustments. I promise it
Stay up to date, 24/7:
www.montclairlocal.news
Holiday Happenings
STEVEN DeSALVO//FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL
Cornbread, chestnut and sausage stuff-
ing, perfect for any festive dinner.
is absurdly delicious, it pairs with
any holiday food, and it might be
even better cold!
As always please feel free
to experiment with different
ingredients to adjust this recipe to
your liking. That is the best part
about something that is baked in
a casserole dish. More often than
not you do not need to follow
recipes word for word, which is my
favorite kind of cooking.
This recipe makes six servings
as a side, but it is easily scalable.
INGREDIENTS
12 ounces cornbread (left out
uncovered for at least 8 hours,
overnight ideal)
3 oz. seeded semolina bread
(left out uncovered for at least 8
hours, overnight ideal)
1 lb. pork sausage, meat
removed from its casing and
broken into half-inch pieces (if
you don’t eat pork you can substi-
tute chicken sausage or seasoned
ground beef, lamb or venison)
2 small yellow onions, finely
diced
½ fennel bulb, with fronds
attached. Finely dice the root and
pick the fronds for garnish.
Salt and pepper
3½ oz. oyster mushrooms,
trimmed and sliced
Page 33
5 oz. roasted shelled chestnuts, so they don’t steam. Taste for
finely chopped seasoning after the mushrooms
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 pint lager beer
are fully cooked, approximately 5
minutes.
1 cup mushroom broth Stir in the chopped chestnuts;
Fresh sage, minced after about 30 seconds add the soy
sauce, followed almost immedi-
INSTRUCTIONS ately by the beer.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add the sausage back into the
Cut the cornbread and semolina pan.
bread into roughly half-inch Cook the beer down for about
cubes, set them aside. 3-4 minutes.
Get a dry sauté pan really hot, Add the mushroom broth and
add sausage meat piece by piece, bring to a simmer. Once it comes
with plenty of space separating back to a simmer remove from
each piece. Brown the sausage on heat.
all sides, remove from the pan In a large bowl stir together
and set aside. Leave the sausage the cornbread, bread, the mixture
fat in the pan. Depending on the from the pan and the minced sage.
size of the pan you may need to do Pour the mixture into a deep
multiple batches. baking dish that will allow the
Add the sliced onion and diced mixture to be about 2 inches thick.
fennel. Season with salt and Bake for 45 minutes, until
pepper, cook until the onion is the top is browned and crispy. I
translucent. suggest letting it rest for about 30
Add the oyster mushrooms. Be minutes before serving.
sure to give them plenty of room Enjoy!
“WE ARE OPEN AND PREPARED TO HELP YOU”
“for the motorist who cares”
24 HR. TOWING COLLISION & PAINTING EXPERT
APPROVED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES
Town Auto Body has been family owned
and operated for over 60 years with three
generations of the Pastore family taking
pride in their small business and in the
Montclair community they serve. The re-
pair facility on Grove Street is a full service
collision repair shop. All customers receive
a lifetime guarantee on all repairs. Our
professional staff is highly skilled and well
trained. We take pride in quality workman-
ship and satisfied customers.
Town Auto Body accepts insurance claims from all insurance companies. The office staff is experienced
in processing insurance claims, in providing computerized estimates, in digital imaging, in electronic
communication with insurance companies, and can address any and all customer concerns.
The shop technicians are well trained in the newest “state of the art” technologies, utilizing the latest in
industry equipment, tools, and techniques. The shop continues to pursue a “Green” strategy of using
environmentally friendly materials and processes. Town Auto Body is located 107 Grove Street in
Montclair. Hertz rent a car is just a block away making it convenient to drop off your car and pick up
a rental. Please consider Town Auto Body for your full service collision repair needs.
Please call or email us with questions or concerns.
We Value And Appreciate Your Business.
Thank you for your patronage and loyalty, The Pastore Family
65 Years AUTO
BODY
of Service
NJ Lic. #00438A
JOSEPH A. PASTORE & SONS
107 GROVE STREET • MONTCLAIR, NJ
TEL: (973) 744-0808 • FAX: (973) 744-7239 • townautobody@att.net
Page 34 Holiday Happenings Thursday, November 19, 2020
11-15-51
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Sweeten Up Your Holidays

51 - Brookdale Montclair Local Ad

with Driscoll’s Finest.
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1409 Broad Street • Bloomfield, NJ 07003
11-15-51

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Family Owned and Operated for 3 Generations