By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Charlotte Ersalesi The Rutherford Police Department held its Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4th. Many residents and their families enjoyed free entertainment, including bouncy houses, rock climbing walls, food trucks, and music. Many community organizations set up tables with giveaways and resources, including Mission Kids Success, Alfred M. Fiume Foundation, American Legion, Scouts and Cub Scouts, Elks Lodge, Kiwanis Meado

Submitted by Danielle Fisher One Library Card. Hundreds of Yoga Classes. Zero Cost. Looking for an easy way to reduce stress, stretch, and feel your best? Your Rutherford Public Library card gives you unlimited access to streaming yoga classes on Bold Yoga—all at no cost to cardholders. Whether you're looking to ease tight muscles, reduce stress, build strength, improve balance, or simply carve out 20 minutes for yourself, there's a class waiting for you! No gym membership. N

By Jennifer Ersalesi For twenty-seven and a half years, Chief John Russo has been a member of the Rutherford Police Department and for the last fourteen years, he has been the Chief. John Russo served as a Rutherford Police Department Officer from 1999- 2001, Detective from 2001-2003, Sergeant from 2003-2010, Lieutenant from 2010-2013 and Chief from 2013 until his recent retirement on July 31st, 2026. When he was asked what it means to him to have served in these roles with

By Jennifer Ersalesi This year's Rutherford Little League Girls 8U All-Star Softball team had an amazing season, which led them to the State Championships where they ended up second in States. Jennifer O'Rourke, parent of player, Laney O'Rourke, explained, "It was an incredible experience for these girls and we are so proud they made it that far. It's the first time that 8Us have ever had a State Tournament in New Jersey. This team is part of softball history." This is Rut

By Jennifer Ersalesi Matt Payne and his youngest daughter Stella at an Author Visit at Washington School Local author, Matt Payne, has been an author for eighteen years. His latest book is a paranormal horror novel titled Pumpkin Apocalypse, which follows a middle schooler who hates Halloween, but somehow must confront unfortunate and frightening incidents involving pumpkins. This is Rutherford interviewed Matt Payne to learn more about him as an author, a dad, a proud Ruth

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Jessica Branca Two nine year old twin girls, McKayla and McKenzie, are young Rutherford entrepreneurs who have developed their own business, Three Sisters Lemonade. Their staff include their parents and their three year old sister, Madilyn. While visiting local festivals and other town events, community members might be able to spot their pink tent and pink signs. This is Rutherford interviewed McKayla and McKenzie and their mom, Jessic

Submitted by Nereid Boat Club The Nereid Boat Club Junior Team had an excellent showing this past June at USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida, where they competed with the top athletes in the country. Fifty athletes raced in eight different categories, including four first-time categories for the club. Nereid is constantly focused on pushing the club standard to new heights and continuing to compete fiercely at the national level. Headlining the perfor

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Craig and Marie Erickson Since he was a young boy, recent Rutherford High School graduate Andrew Erickson has been playing baseball. Throughout his high school baseball career, he has broken records and received a lot of recognition in Bergen County and in New Jersey. He was chosen to be part of the First Team All County, NJIC Meadowlands First Team All League, Group 2 All State Second Team, and Northeast All Star Team, named NJIC Player

Submitted by Pam Tully, Rutherford Public Library Rhoda Portugal, reference librarian at Rutherford Public Library for 32 years, has retired from an extraordinary career spanning more than 50 years as a librarian. Rhoda is a knowledgeable and intellectually curious and enthusiastic resource for all things library, research, genealogy, museum passes, periodicals, and yes, even microfilm! We celebrate all of her contributions to the library and wish her well. In honor of her ye

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Rutherford Recreation Department This past Sunday, June 28th, the Rutherford Recreation department held its 94th Annual Baby Parade. This longstanding tradition welcomes all families with young children to participate in the parade demonstrating their American pride and their enthusiasm for the upcoming July 4th holiday. The parade began on Elliot Place in front of Rutherford High School and traveled to Lincoln Park. Once they arrived at

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Janice Guzman, Rutherford Recreation Councilwoman Christie Del Rey-Cone and Councilman Ray Guzman made an important surprise announcement at the Annual Baby Parade on Sunday, June 28th. As Diane Jones sat on the stage of the bandshell as one of the judges of the parade, Councilman Guzman and Councilwoman Del Rey-Cone read aloud a proclamation honoring Diane for her many years of volunteerism. Diane has been a Board of Education member fo

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Dan Meredith On Wednesday, June 17th, Rutherford brought the community together for an extremely successful Dining Out event on Park Avenue. Restaurant tables along Park Avenue remained full throughout the evening as musicians performed from various locations along the avenue. Musicians included The Baddies and Fretless, Hunter and Jack Bandola, School of Rock, Joe Murphy, and Vinny Valentino Jazz Trio. Organizations and businesses, su

By Jennifer Ersalesi People in our own community, surrounding communities, and worldwide have World Cup fever. Many restaurants, hair salons, and other businesses are adorned with soccer and world flag decorations. Rutherford has embraced the proximity of these World Cup games and the enthusiasm that comes along with viewing these games from the field or on a screen. The Rutherford Chamber of Commerce, along with the Borough of Rutherford, has organized this summer's only D

Submittted by Clara Jamison, Chair Lead, SEPAG For families in Rutherford's special education community, certain educators leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond the classroom. This year, those families chose to recognize one of those exceptional individuals. Last Friday, Rutherford Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) named Chelsea Iocca, Head Teacher of the K/1 Multiple Disabilities classroom at Lincoln School, the recipient of the 2026 Rutherford SEPAG S

Submitted by Pamela Tully, Rutherford Public Library RUTHERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOST 3-PART FILM SERIES ON ALFRED HITCHCOCK MOVIES Film scholar Jeff Hughes will discuss Alfred Hitchcock's movies: Rear Window, Shadow of a Doubt, and Vertigo in three installments at the Rutherford Public Library this summer. A century after the debut of Alfred Hitchcock’s first feature film, Hitchcock remains one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. But how does his v

By Jennifer Ersalesi Arts play a vital role in our community. One particular non-profit organization, the Rutherford Arts Council, has found a number of ways to bring all forms of art to the Borough of Rutherford through art exhibits, talent shows, creative expression workshops, and so much more. This is Rutherford interviewed the Rutherford Arts Council to learn more about what they have planned over the next several months. TIR: The Rutherford Arts Council has been busy

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Dan Meredith Grace Episcopal Church is located on West Passaic Avenue. It is a beautiful English Gothic-style building that holds so much history and so many memories for generations Rutherford residents and nearby neighbors. The bell tower was donated by the ladies of the church in the 1860's. However, the bell tower is in need of significant repairs. This Is Rutherford interviewed Reverend Dr. Karen Rezach to learn more about the chur

By Jennifer Ersalesi This year's South Bergen PrideFest will take place on June 6, 2026 from 12 PM until 5 PM (the rain date will be June 7th). After months of planning, the Rutherford Pride Alliance's South Bergen PrideFest Committee cannot wait to bring this festival to Lincoln Park. This is Rutherford interviewed two Board members of the Rutherford Pride Alliance, Chair Kat Ruhno-McCallum, and Treasurer, David Grassetti to learn more about South Bergen PrideFest. TIR: P

Submitted by Miranda Burton, Kiwanis International When people say, "It takes a village,"they highlight the power of communities coming together in service to others. Service is at the core of every Kiwanis club. Kiwanis members lead more than 150,000 service projects, contribute over six million service hours, and raise nearly $100 million each year to support communities, families, and important causes. Key Club members add 12 million service hours annually, CKI members con

By Jennifer Ersalesi Growing up in Jersey with a family with a great sense of humor, Colin Doyle learned how to appreciate humor and that he had the ability to make laugh at a young age. While he was in college, he started doing stand-up comedy and discovered just how much he enjoyed it. He is coming back to his hometown of Rutherford on May 28th to share his talent at the Williams Center of Rutherford on May 28th. This is Rutherford interviewed Colin to learn more about t