Autumn Years Winter 2023/24

publisher’s letter

O verwhelming . That word best describes how life can be in the midst of conflict and turmoil. When we hear what’s happening in our world, we can be over come by sadness, anger and frustration. Trying to make sense of senseless acts can make your head spin. And sometimes spoken words cannot comfort us. How can we live in a world with such sadness? My answer to that question is to remember we cannot control/change everything but that we can control our own actions and thoughts. Treating others with love, acceptance and kindness is a start. Having a positive attitude and holding onto a thought of a brighter future in times of darkness is the first step. Smiling at a stranger, volunteering at a not-for profit, offering your gifts and talents with no expectations of thanks or praise—these acts may not solve our world problems, but I promise they will make it a little easier to cope with the sadness around us. This issue of Autumn Years highlights a few people who have shared their hearts and passions for a better world and, as always, I am delighted to bring them to your attention. Our cover feature is a woman whose light sparked the growth of an organization that shares compassion and love. Her name is Anna Villa-Bager, and she is the driving force behind the MarbleJam Center for Creative Arts and Enrichment, a place that enables autistic people to express themselves and overcome their personal challenges through creative arts. This former dancer and performer is truly a beacon of light. The future of technology is here and now, and Jack Teadore, the head coach for the Pascack Pi-oneers, is making sure that the cadre of robotics students he helps lead will have the skills to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, arts or math, and that they will be well armed to collaborate, create and develop as individuals and collec tively as a team. Our talented Bergen County historian Tim Adriance completes the second part of his history of movie theaters in Bergen County. Starting in the 1920s, Tim brings us to present day movie venues and adds an interesting sidebar on the county’s drive-in theaters—did you know that New Jersey was home to the first patented drive-in theater in 1933? Since “retiring 25 years ago” after running a successful marketing, advertising and production business, Barbara and Manos Angelakis have traveled at the expense of tour ism boards, public relations firms, product promotion boards, individual companies and luxury hotels, building a portfolio of published stories and a lifetime of pleasurable experi ences from around the world.

CELEBRATING LIFE OVER 55

READERS’ LETTERS

Loved your feature on old movie houses. Though I didn’t grow up in Bergen County, it still brought back memories from my childhood in Queens. My favorite movie theater was The Haven. It cost 25 cents to get in and showed two movies and one or two cartoons. And there were no ads! –Rose Falcone

Glad to see an article relating to pets (dogs, at least). Judging from my neighborhood, we have more dogs and cats than people living here so more coverage of our furry friends would have a good audience. –Bob Zaunor Thanks for another great issue. My family is split between the Yankees and the Mets so your article on Paul Semendinger got everyone’s atten tion. And as a Yankee fan, I enjoyed it very much. –Bruce Hagar I just received the fall issue of Autumn Years and read it cover to cover. All of the articles were inter esting and insightful, and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the magazine. –Mike Glicksman

I hope you enjoy this issue of Autumn Years and, after reading it, feel renewed in your outlook on humanity and our world. Be well, stay safe and enjoy the season. Heidi

WINTER 2023/24 I AUTUMN YEARS 1