1). How many years have you lived in Rutherford? 

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We moved here in November 2002, when my daughter was 9 months old.  So we are here for almost 17 years. We moved from Park Slope, Brooklyn. 

 

2). Why did you decide to move to Rutherford?

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My parents lived in Union City and my entire Italian family on my mom’s side lives in NJ. So when my daughter was born, after a number of 2-hour drives that should have been 25 minutes to visit us in Brooklyn, my parents and extended NJ family basically said, “move to NJ or we can’t babysit or visit as much” ;)   And since we lived in a 4-floor walk-up building and couldn’t imagine how we would handle our eventual next child in a 4-floor walk-up, we did move to NJ. 

 

I grew up in Union City. We have a childhood friend who is Mom’s best friend who moved from Union City to Rutherford back in 1982-ish roughly. I always liked it here. When I was younger, I called visiting Rutherford “going to the country.”  

 

So when we moved to NJ, we looked at houses from Kearny to Hasbrouck Heights and I am glad we settled upon Rutherford. 

 

3). What are three of your favorite places in Rutherford?

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My three favorite places are Tryon Field (I love to walk/run mindlessly around the track—I get my best writing ideas this way), meeting friends for breakfast at Rutherford Pancake House and eating popcorn while seeing movies at the Williams Center with its funky art on the walls. 

 

4). Why do think people choose to raise families in Rutherford?

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Rutherford isn’t a “keep up the Joneses” type of town. That’s what I love about it. It’s unassuming and inclusive.  I think Rutherford is part Norman Rockwell’s, small-town character and part NYC convenience all rolled into one. It’s convenient and quaint. A rare find. 

 

5). What is the most beautiful feature of our town?

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First, the trees. I love that we have so much green so close to NYC.  Second, you can see the NYC View coming down Pierrepont Ave. Third, when you turn onto Orient Way coming into rutherford from Barrows Avenue, driving down the tree-framed street is so welcoming. I feel like I have arrived home upon turning on to that street—well before I park and enter my house.  It’s heart-warming. 

 

6). What do you find most inviting about Rutherford?

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This right turn on to Orient Way. The tree-lined canopied street is extremely welcoming. 

 

7). What would you tell someone who is considering moving here?

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Get involved. It’s most rewarding and you meet the best people when you get involved. Rutherford is filled with passionate, respectable people from all walks of life who genuinely care for this town. It’s a great common unifying interest.   

 

8).  What is your favorite season in Rutherford?  Why?

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Spring and Fall are my favorites.  I love spring flowers and fall foliage. When the weather is mild, I love running/walking for miles all over town. It’s my therapy and I see people along the way when I am on the road. It is therapeutic and fun!

 

9)  What’s your favorite memory of living here?

 

My son’s baseball and football games at Memorial field, my family’s participation in Rutherford Theatre Company back in the day and watching my daughter thrive at Nereid Boat Club. 

 

10)  What would be your ideal three-course meal if you could mix and match from every restaurant in town?

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Appetizer: Any appetizer from Suprema. Specifically, their broccoli rabe is to die for. 

Entree: My comfort food is the Tuna Burger with no bun at Sonoma Bistro. 

Dessert: Anything Gluten-Free Vegan from Sweet Avenue Bakery. The carrot cake bread and donut holes are sinful.