By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Lia Abrams During the month of January, schools, non-profit organizations, and community groups often find ways to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr and his commitment to kindess and compassion. Last month, Troop 166 and the Mission Committee at the First Presbyterian Church combined efforts to work on a special service project. This is Rutherford interviewed Lia Abrams who helped organize this project. TIR : You played a p

By Jennifer Ersalesi Rutherford High School Senior Brandon Fedarick has been bowling with the Rutherford High School Bowling team for the last few years. This past year Brandon has been acknowledged for many accomplishments, including breaking the Bergen County Bowling Series record last weekend. This is Rutherford interviewed Brandon to learn more about his high school bowling career up to this point. TIR: How long have you been bowling? Brandon Fedarick: I have been b

By Jennifer Ersalesi Throughout the year, the Rutherford Arts Council hosts a number of different arts events that are open to the public. In September, the RAC presented the first community-wide talent show, Rutherford's Got Talent . The upcoming RAC event, Winter Pop-Up Art Exhibition, will focus on the visuals arts in a beautiful space in the First Presbyterian Church. This is Rutherford interviewed Genesee Orlowicz, Board member of the Rutherford Arts Council, to lear

By Jennifer Ersalesi Volunteers are the backbone of communities. Our Borough is fortunate to be able to recognize an individual who has dedicated most of his life to volunteerism and protecting the safety and health of Rutherford residents. During a Mayor and Council meeting in January, Mike Tarantino, was recognized for his twelve years as Rutherford First-Aid Ambulance Volunteer Corps Squad Captain. This is Rutherford interviewed Mike to learn about his dedication to th

By Jennifer Ersalesi Rutherford is home to many talented musicians. Four of those musicians came together as young high school students to form the band, Foul Play . For the last few years, they have performed at many different venues, including local favorites, PorchFest and the Williams Center. This is Rutherford interviewed the band to find out more about the band as a whole and each of the musicians. Vinny Denunzio, Carlos Echeverry, Julian Statile, and Tyler Carroll.

By Jennifer Ersalesi Bergen Academies Senior and Rutherford resident, Michael Hernandez, has been focused on achieving many goals, including engineering projects and admission into MIT. He has also been working on becoming an Eagle Scout. This is Rutherford interviewed Michael to learn about his Eagle Scout project and his love of engineering and robotics. TIR: For the last three and a half years, you have been a student at Bergen Academies studying Engineering Design.  Te

By Jennifer Ersalesi For twelve years, Rutherford resident and senior at Rutherford High School, Braedon McQuade, has been a Scout. Over this past year, Braedon planned and organized his Eagle Scout project. This is Rutherford interviewed Braedon about this project and how he was able to get the community involved. TIR: How long have you been a Scout? Braedon McQuade: I will be finishing up my 12th year of scouting. I started as a Tiger in Cub Scouts way back in 1st grade

Information provided by Rutherford Green Team The Rutherford Green team, a Borough Advisory Committee, is introducing a new Municipal Composting Program. They need twenty-five households to sign up using this link to get started. The Green Team explained, "Why compost? Food waste makes up 30% of household trash  In landfills, it creates methane, a greenhouse gas 80x more potent than CO₂. Composting turns scraps into a resource that builds healthy soil and supports local

By Jennifer Ersalesi Since January 2023, when Governor Murphy passed a resolution declaring January as Muslim Heritage Month, communities throughout New Jersey have been celebrating the Muslim community and the core values of respect, unity, and peace that define Islam. The Rutherford Public Library has been hosting special events for the past three years to recognize our local Muslim community. This is Rutherford interviewed Usman Khan, one of the organizers of this year'

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Rutherford residents One of Rutherford's longest-standing traditions, the 73rd Rutherford Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, took place on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The parade traveled from the West End to the Rutherford Public Library on Park Avenue, where the Christmas tree lighting took place. As in years past, groups of children marched with their Scout troops and sports teams. Festively decorated cars and trucks escorted busines

Compiled by Jennifer Ersalesi Information provided by Rutherford Public Schools Rutherford students understand how important it is to spread kindness to others. Since the beginning of the school year, students throughout the district have been participating in acts of generosity and compassion. The Multicultural Club at Rutherford High School assembled care packages to send to Marines from Camp Lejeune that are deployed in Puerto Rico for the holiday season. Rutherford High

By Jennifer Ersalesi On Saturday, November 29th, the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce will kick off the holiday season with the 73rd Annual Holiday Parade. T he parade will feature music from rock bands and the RHS Marching Band, special characters, floats, sports teams, community groups, businesses, and much more. Before the parade begins at 4:00 p.m., various activities will take place on the West End starting at 2:30 p.m. Little Play Cafe will serve hot chocolate, local

Submitted by Rutherford Public Library Animal photographs by Erin Rodriguez Rutherford Public Library is currently hosting Rutherford photographer Erin Rodriguez’s exhibition of photographs on the mezzanine level of the Rutherford Public Library, starting Wednesday, November 5, and running through the end of the year. The series, Through Their Eyes: Portraits from Demarest Farm, focuses on the animals and the special role the farm plays for so many Bergen County families. “T

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Nicholas Yee Each November, Rutherford High School presents its fall drama. This year's play, The Importance of Being Earnest, is a delightfully witty farce where secret identities, confusion, and hilarity abound. This year's cast cannot wait to perform for audiences twice this upcoming weekend; once on Friday, 11/14, and once on Saturday, 11/15, at 7 pm. This is Rutherford interviewed the Director of the play, Mrs. Patricia Blanchard.

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Hament Patel Since 2019, Scouting BSA has welcomed girls to its troops. Troop 166G in Rutherford has been very active and thriving since then, and this fall, they announced their first female Eagle Scout at their Court of Honor. Eagle Scout is the highest rank that can be achieved in scouting and requires many hours of hard work, including earning twenty-one merit badges. This is Rutherford interviewed Ambur to learn more about being a S

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Kim Bogosian Mayor Frank Nunziato, Council members, the Frazier children, and former Mayor Bernadette McPherson. Reverend Ray Frazier, a longtime Rutherford resident, former Councilman, and retired Reverend of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, passed away on June 30, 2025. On Monday, October 27th, he was honored with a street naming. His family, the Mayor and Council, former Mayor, Bernadette McPherson, Pastor Pate of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Jennifer Ersalesi and Janice Guzman This year, the Ragamuffin Parade took place on Saturday, October 25th, on a crisp, sunny fall morning. As in years past, participants gathered in front of Rutherford High School and then walked to Lincoln Park where judges and a large audience waited for them to arrive. Councilman Ray Guzman and Councilwoman Christie Delrey-Cone were the Masters of Ceremonies for this beloved tradition. Mayor Frank Nu

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Jennifer Ersalesi and Raul Barquet If you haven't already heard, Rutherford does indeed have talent. On October 18th, Rutherford residents of all ages performed at the first-ever Rutherford's Got Talent. The Rutherford Arts Council, under the leadership of its Board (Sarah Orlowicz, Genesee Orlowicz, Jennifer Zenquis, Lou Ayala, and Raul Barquet), organized this performing arts event. Reverend Justin Warner of the First Presbyterian Chur

By Jennifer Ersalesi Photo credits: Dan Meredith Each October, the Woman's Club of Rutherford presents Pumpkin People in the Park , with creative displays by businesses, non-profit organizations, and families in Rutherford in Lincoln Park. The park, right across from Borough Hall, is filled with vibrant displays celebrating autumn. Every display features a hay bale and a sign bearing the name of the family, business, or nonprofit organization. Each participants donates t

By Jennifer Ersalesi Election Day is just a few weeks away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. This year, the Borough of Rutherford has one incumbent candidate and three other candidates vying for two available Council positions. This is Rutherford asked all four candidates the same set of interview questions. Their responses are listed below in the order they were received. Frank Wilson, Republican Candidate for Council TIR: What do you love most about living in Rutherford?