Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • June 22, 2011 Area Saddle River residents Mary Higgins Clark and John “Bucky” Pizzarelli have been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Clark, who has been dubbed the Queen of Suspense, is known for her page-turning style of writing. Although she is well known for her best-selling suspense novels, Clark’s first book was a biographical novel about George Washington. She has also penned books for children, including “Ghost Ship,” and has co-authored books with her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark. Clark has sold 100 million books in the United States alone, and has sold many more throughout the world. In 1987, Clark served as president of the Mystery Writers of America, and was a member of their board of directors for many years. In 2000, the organization’s membership named Clark Grand Master of the Edgar Awards. The following year, the Mary Higgins Clark Award was established. The award, sponsored by Simon & Schuster, is Musician, author inducted into NJ Hall of Fame presented annually to suspense fiction writers. Clark has also served as chairman of the International Crime Congress. Pizzarelli, who has spent close to seven decades in the music business, said he was surprised to learn he had been selected for induction. “I was nine when I picked up a guitar, and I’m 85 now,” he said. “My uncles taught me. They showed me some chords, and I was off and running.” Pizzarelli, who has become known for his jazz artistry, began playing in the Vaughn Monroe Band at 17, but was drafted soon afterward. He spent two years in the service, and then returned to play with the big band, touring the country and performing for a national radio show. He remained with the group until it broke up about five years later. At the time, he couldn’t see where his career would lead, but he soon began playing for powerhouse singer Kate Smith. “Once they know you, they all hire you,” Pizzarelli said, noting that the jobs began rolling in steadily. He was soon playing three sessions a day, recording for RCA Victor and Columbia. Pizzarelli also played for “The Tonight Show,” and went on a 1970 tour with Benny Goodman that brought Pizzarelli to 26 cities in six weeks. The performers even played behind the Iron Curtain. During his career, Pizzarelli has played with Skitch Henderson, Doc Severinsen, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, and Paul McCartney. After making many recordings, Pizzarelli mused, “Now I’m live again!” Pizzarelli has been playing at the Kasschau Shell in Ridgewood for over 40 years, and plays at Shanghai Jazz in Madison. He also performs at jazz events in Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Name change planned The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce announced at its June 15 luncheon and networking event that, effective Jan. 1, 2012, the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce will be known as the Bergen County Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is making this change to serve our members and the region even better,” Chamber President Susan Lord said during the luncheon at the Ramsey Country Club. “It will allow us to reflect our expanding membership, recognize and enhance business opportunities for a larger audience, provide a greater voice for business owners on county and state issues, and enable us to provide more resources for our members’ businesses.” The Chamber will continue to do business as the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce until it officially becomes the Bergen County Chamber of Commerce in January 2012. During this sixmonth transition period, the Chamber will hold its regularly scheduled luncheons, events, workshops, seminars, the Sept. 12 Golf Outing, and other networking programs. The Chamber’s tagline has always been “Where Business and Opportunity Meet.” This is not just a slogan, but as the Bergen County Chamber of Commerce, this is a positive advancement for the Chamber and all the members to have even more opportunities for their businesses.