Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • August 22, 2012 Upper Saddle River Finishing touches now being added to labyrinth The labyrinth at Upper Saddle River’s Church of the Presentation is nearing completion, and will soon be open to the public. “It’s obvious that a lot of love went into preparing this structure in just the right way. We’re putting the finishing touches on it now and the dedication is set for Oct. 14 after the 11:30 a.m. Mass,” Presentation Labyrinth Committee member Ruth Harrison reported last week. “We’ll be offering an introductory session and a retreat on Sept. 15 with centering prayer, some chants, directions on walking the labyrinth, and a labyrinth walk.” The labyrinth, which is intended as an oasis for meditation, prayer, and healing, has been constructed on the grounds of the church behind the tomb located to the right of the building’s main entrance at 271 West Saddle River Road. Father Bob Stagg, church pastor, previously explained that the labyrinth is an outgrowth of the parish’s Share the Dream program, a five-year planning process. The goal, he said, is to find new ways to make the church a spiritual center. He pointed out that the labyrinth is ecumenical, so more local citizens can feel free to use it. The committee that worked on the labyrinth proposal set out to create a full-size replica of the renowned medi- eval labyrinth at Our Lady of Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres, France. Labyrinths are ancient, sacred tools that have been used by many cultures in 27 countries. In a prior interview, Presentation Labyrinth Committee member Elizabeth Lawrence explained that the twists and turns of the labyrinth are a metaphor for life. She added that labyrinths have had resurgences in popularity during the 1200s, during the Industrial Revolution, and in recent years. Labyrinths have appeared in the manuscripts of monks from the 600s and 900s. Scholars believe a labyrinth replicates the pilgrimage to Jerusalem; however, the history is uncertain as key records were destroyed by fire. In addition to symbolic pilgrimages, labyrinths are used for healing and reflection, and may be walked by peoples of all ages and stages of life. The Chartres replica labyrinth at Presentation will be registered on the World-Wide Labyrinth Locator, an international registry. The 11-circuit labyrinth, which is the only Chartres replica labyrinth in Bergen County, is barrier-free. The labyrinth is not a maze. Those who walk it will find one path in and one path out. For additional information about the labyrinth, call (201) 327-1313. An example of a labyrinth. Local residents are being asked to contribute to a memory book that is being created in honor of Dr. Gene Solomon, who recently announced her plan to retire as principal of Upper Saddle River’s Cavallini Middle School. Upper Saddle River Board of Education President Angela Sacco Torres and Vice President Dante Ferrarie invite well-wishers to contribute to the memory book. Prospective contributors may send e-mails to solomonmemory book@usrschoolsk8.com from now through Aug. 30. Dr. Solomon devoted her entire career in education to the Upper Saddle River School District. She was hired as a social studies teacher in 1969, and later took on the roles of coach, guidance counselor, and teacher of gifted students. She served as the school’s vice principal before being promoted to the principal’s post. In a letter to the school community, Sacco Torres and Memory book to honor Solomon Ferrarie wrote, “Over two generations of students, teachers, administrators, and parents have benefited from (Dr. Solomon’s) experience, advice and the example that she sets. Dr. Solomon has high expectations for herself and those around her. However, she is always willing to support those in need and it is her caring spirit that permeates through the corridors of Cavallini Middle School and beyond. She has set a positive tone at Cavallini for many years and we appreciate her leadership. “We will miss Dr. Solomon. Her commitment to our children and our schools has never wavered. It is because of Dr. Solomon’s leadership that our students enjoy many of the programs and services available today. We thank her for dedicating her entire professional career to the Upper Saddle River Schools and wish her the best as she begins a new and exciting chapter of her life.”