Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • March 14, 2012 Saddle River Valley Peter Koski has notified the Upper Saddle River Board of Education that he will be resigning from the board effective March 16. Last year, the long-time trustee ran as an incumbent for a one-year unexpired term, which is due to expire on Dec. 31, 2012. Prior to his 2011 election, Koski was finishing his fourth term on the board. “We truly appreciate everything that he’s done,” Superintendent Dr. Monica Browne said of Koski’s 13 years of service. The trustee has been an active volunteer in his community. In addition to his work as a trustee, he has also served as an EMT on the Upper Saddle River Ambulance Corps and was president of his church council. As a member of the school board, Koski served as vice president, president, and as a member of the district’s Negotiations Committee. Koski is a graduate of Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale and attended RPI in New York. “This is a complex environment our board is operating in at the moment and experience matters,” Koski said in a 2011 statement regarding his candidacy for the one-year term. “Our district is in the middle of our contract cycle. As a member of our district’s Negotiations Committee, I feel an obligation to our teachers and our community to ensure a fair contract is reached and I am running for one of the one-year terms to allow me to do this.” The Upper Saddle River Board of Education is now receiving applications for Koski’s successor. The process for filling this vacancy is determined by law, and is as follows: The board will conduct interviews of potential school trustees and will make a selection. Koski’s successor will then serve the remainder of Koski’s term. The board asks that interested candidates submit a letter of interest to the board by 3 p.m. on March 19. Candidates should include any qualifications (continued on page 17) Koski resigns; successor sought International best-selling mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark of Saddle River (pictured) recently contributed a chapter to a new book, entitled “Wise Irish Women.” “I am so pleased to be included in this wonderful collection of true stories. ‘Wise Irish Women’ will make you laugh, and cry, and think, and love,” she said. The Irish are known for strength of character, a sense of honor, and love of family. “Wise Irish Women” (Small Press/Brown Books) is a collection of 36 stories from interesting, accomplished, and talented women with connections to Ireland. These stories are a wonderful example of how the Irish embrace opportunity and tackle adversity, always striving for happiness and contentment. Like the women, each story is different and unique in its own way. Clark’s contribution to the new book is a chapter concerning Irish passion. The entry traces Clark’s life, and ends with her desire to write a historical love story under the name of her grandmother, Bridget Kennedy Durkin, who died at 62 without having realized her desire to write a book. Clark’s fame as a writer was achieved against heavy Best-selling writer contributes chapter to ‘Wise Irish Women’ odds. Born and raised in the Bronx, her father died when she was 11, and her mother struggled to raise her and her two brothers. Clark was left a young widow by the death of her own husband from a heart attack in 1964. She went to work writing radio scripts, and decided to try her hand at writing books. “Where Are the Children?” Clark’s first suspense novel, was published by Simon & Schuster in 1975. It became a best-seller and marked a turning point in Clark’s life and career. She has sold over 80 million copies of her books over the years and is one of the world renowned mystery writers of the day. “Somebody once said, ‘If you want to be happy for a year, win the lottery. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, love what you do.’ That’s the way it is for me. I love to spin yarns,” Clark said. Clark has been dubbed the Queen of Suspense, and is known for her page-turning style of writing. Although she is well known for her 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. 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 presented annually to suspense fiction writers. In 2011, Clark was grand marshal of New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Celeste from Edible Landscaping will be the guest speaker at the March 20 joint meeting of the Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus garden clubs. Those who attend the 7 p.m. session will learn about edible gardening. The meeting will Garden clubs to hold joint meeting be held a member’s home. Members of the Saddle River Garden Club are reminded that their plant orders are due at this meeting. For details, contact Linda Vernooy (201) 327-8567.