March 23, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Ridgewood Retiring teachers offered century of education by John Koster Three Ridgewood teachers whose combined careers covered more than 100 years in education have announced their retirements. They will leave the district July 1. Ann Walczak, an education specialist at Orchard School, spent 42 years with the Ridgewood schools. In 2006, she received the Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Award for her work at Orchard. Walczak earned two degrees from William Paterson College, now William Paterson University. For many years, she was the supervisor-principal of the Summer Adventure Program and the Special Needs Summer Program. She began her career at Orchard School as a supplemental teacher in 1969, was assigned as a first grade teacher in 1970. She later divided her time between the Orchard and Travell schools. Jeffrey Yearling, physical education teacher at Ridgewood High School, will retire this year with 37 years in the system. He received his bachelor’s degree from Springfield College and his master’s degree from Ohio State University. He began his tenure with the Ridgewood school system in 1974, serving at both the George Washington and Benjamin Franklin middle schools for two years. He then served at George Washington, then at Benjamin Franklin, and ultimately at Ridgewood High School, where he has taught since 1986. He has coached girls’ volleyball and soccer teams and boys’ basketball, wresting and baseball teams. He hopes to continue coaching after his retirement. Mary Ann Willenborg, special education collaborative teacher at Ridgewood High School, has submitted her retirement after 35 years with the district. She received her bachelor’s degree from Saint Peter’s College and her master’s degree from Fordham University. First hired as a special education teacher at the Willard School, then the Hawes School, she took a three-year leave of absence, and returned in 1991. She became a special education teacher at Ridgewood High School and has been there ever since. Other departing teachers include: • Deborah Bonaguardo, who has worked as a teacher since 1992 after four years as a supplemental instructor at the Hawes School. She holds degrees from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, and from Fordham. • Jill Dandorph, who has worked as a learning disabilities teacher at the Benjamin Franklin School after almost 11 years in the Ridgewood school system. She holds degrees from the University of Maryland and William Paterson College and worked in the North Bergen schools before she came to Ridgewood. She received the 2006 Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Award for the Benjamin Franklin School in 2006. • Christine Meltzer, a special education teacher at the Somerville School with two degrees from William Paterson College, was first hired as a resource room teacher, and received the Ridgewood Teacher Recognition for the Somerville School in 2003. • Henry Heyzer has retired as a 0.5 music teacher at Ridgewood High School. He has been an active participant in the Ridgewood High School Marching Band and the Ridgewood High School Jazz Band. He holds degrees from West Chester State University and Catholic University of America. A 48-year-old man who was selling candy in the streets of Ridgewood on March 11 was picked up on an outstanding warrant from Hudson County after a Ridgewood teenager complained about the man’s sales tactics. The Ridgewood boy was downtown with friends when the man approached him and asked him if he wanted to buy any candy for charity. “All I have is a $20,” the boy said. The man reportedly took the $20 and told the boy and Candy salesman picked up on warrant his friends to take the candy. Ridgewood police located the man and arrested him on an outstanding warrant from Hudson County, later adding theft and hindering apprehension to the charges. He was remanded to Bergen County Jail when he was unable to post bond. The day before, a Hawthorne resident reported that her husband’s jacket and wallet had been stolen during his stay at Valley Hospital. Police are investigating. J. KOSTER HARDING WINE & SPIRIT Wow! We knew it was good, but not in our wildest imagination did we think Coastal Vines would become such a success in our store. We have people coming from towns all over Bergen County buying cases of Coastal Vines. Thanks to Coastal Vines and this newspaper, at our last count we have sold 8,232 bottles. Unbelievable but true! Remember it tastes like a $10 bottle We now carry of wine but White Zinfandel we are selling it for only $5.01! WORTH THE TRIP! HUGE WINE SELECTION Beer • Super Premium Spirits Party Planning • Gift Baskets Free Parking • Ice • Soda 305 E. Ridgewood Ave Ridgewood, NJ DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED 201-445-7122 Pinot Grigio, Merlot, 750 ml Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & White Zinfandel No rain checks issued. Not responsible for typographical errors. Coastal Vines $ 5 .01