October 9, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 29 Franklin Lakes Scribe Halloween fun at the library Franklin Lakes Public Library will cel- ebrate Halloween with two programs in October. Registration is required and may be completed by calling (201) 891-2224, online at www.franklinlakeslibrary.org, or by visiting during regular library hours. Prismatic Magic Halloween Spooktacu- lar, a laser spectacular set to music, is set for Wednesday, Oct. 23. The 7 p.m. perfor- mance features laser animations of Drac- ula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and more. The program is open to families. Just Say BOO will be held Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. The program features some silly, chilly stories, and a spooky craft! The library is located at 470 DeKorte Drive. Library mounts Kahn exhibit Photographer Malcolm Kahn is display- ing his work in the gallery at the Franklin Lakes Public Library during the month of October. Kahn’s atmospheric works include photos of New York City and China. For more information about his work, visit www.malcolmkahn.com. The library is located at 470 DeKorte Drive in Franklin Lakes. For details, con- tact Jennifer Hendricks at (201) 891-2224. Computer classes available The Franklin Lakes Public Library will offer computer classes for adults in Octo- ber. Registration is under way for Franklin Lakes residents. Non-residents may attend if space allows. Classes will meet at 11 a.m. Google It! will be presented Oct. 11. Attendees will learn to navigate the world’s largest search engine. On Oct. 23, learn about the website Good Reads.com. Readers may keep lists of books, see what their friends are reading, and write book reviews. Advanced beginners are invited to learn to use Microsoft Publisher on Oct. 25. Par- ticipants will learn how to create a poster. Basic computer skills are required. The library is located at 470 DeKorte Drive. Call (201) 891-2224 to register. Merliss to appear The Friends of the Franklin Lakes Public Library will host “Sing Along with Teri Merliss” on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 8, and 15 at 11 a.m. Children ages three and older are invited to join singer/songwriter Merl- iss for imaginative stories, original songs, and interactive participation. Registration may be completed by calling (201) 891-2224, online at www. franklinlakeslibrary.org, or by visiting during regular library hours. The library is located at 470 DeKort Drive. Temple Emanuel to present ‘The Great Advisor’ Temple Emanuel will present a screen- ing of the Yiddish comedy, “The Great Advisor,” on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. The film has English subtitles and features actors Irving Jacobson and Yetta Zwerling. The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Temple Emanuel is located at 558 High Letters to the Editor (continued from page 28) Forcing: Fact or fiction.” A copy may be obtained by searching the Internet for this title. Sadly, the only reaction so far to my letter is a hit piece on “the Wintons.” While I understand the panic of the left on this issue, it does not excuse the vitriol in Elaine Fichera’s letter that was published in the Oct. 2 edition of the Villadom TIMES. Nonetheless, Susan and I are pleased to have gotten this reaction; we must be doing something right! It is unfortunate that civil discourse is no longer used by many who do not respect someone else’s right to an opinion other than his or her own. To quote Dr. David Nash, a physician who represented the liberal perspective on the Affordable Care Act: “A civil discourse begins with the premise that there are dif- ferent points of view on a topic. It is better to understand those with whom we disagree than turn off the sound.” The purpose of government is not to protect the environment. It is to protect the inalienable rights of its citizens. Sustainability is the latest disguise gov- ernment is using to control its citizens. Joel Winton Wyckoff Encourages open format for candidates’ forum Dear Editor: I was disappointed to learn of the details for the Oct. 10 Candidates Night for the Franklin Lakes K-8 BOE. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the candidates to hold a live, in-person, inter- active “Meet the Candidates Night” -- an event that is open and inviting to the public, allows members of our community to ask questions, and gives candidates the ability to react to each other’s answers. This format has occurred before, but starting in 2011, the structure changed. That year, as a candidate myself, we were asked to answer predetermined questions within a “black box” without seeing or hearing the other responses. This provided no opportunity to have a conversation or debate with each other or the public. I was unhappy with this change, but as a new- comer, I was cautious about creating too many waves. Last year, although slight modifications were made, the closed format still existed. I expressed my dissatisfaction about this at my local PTA meeting, but to no avail. No matter who you are supporting this year, we all could agree and require the candidates to answer our questions in public. This practice has occurred success- fully in Franklin Lake and just last year in Wyckoff. What better way for voters to familiarize themselves with the candidates and their values? It’s obvious to anyone paying attention that this town and the BOE are divided in our beliefs of what is best for our school district. Why not have transparent conver- sations, so we can each choose the can- didates that are best for us? What are we afraid of? The opinions above are my own, and not those of the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. Craig Urciuoli Franklin Lakes Mountain Road in Franklin Lakes. For more information, visit www.tenjfl.org or call (201) 560-0200. Siegi Lehmann exhibit announced High Mountain Presbyterian Church at 730 Franklin Lake Road will feature a dis- play of Siegi Lehmann’s photography in the church gallery through Oct. 30. Lehmann offers a glimpse of her view of life, nature, and the world in her exhibit “Creative Pho- tography.” The exhibit is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (201) 891-0511. School board to meet The Franklin Lakes Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The meeting will be held at 8 p.m. in the music room at Franklin Lakes Middle School located at 755 Franklin Avenue. Gold Star Mothers (continued from page 11) Army, coordinated and conducted a cere- mony in Ridgewood at Van Neste Park that has become the mainstay event in this area for Gold Star Mother’s Day. This year, approximately 1,000 lumi- narias graced the walkways in and around Van Neste Park. Prior to this ceremony, the officials from Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus promulgated resolutions in their respective communities recognizing this occasion. In addition to the large turnout of the general public, in attendance at this year’s ceremony were local clergy members, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Dono- van, Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn, Ridgewood Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck and other council members, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Ridgewood High School students and representatives of Proj- ect Interact, Blue Star Mothers Chapter 3 of North Jersey President Marge Sietsma and several of the chapter’s members, Leslie Kruithof of the NJ State Elks Association Project Hope, numerous military veterans, and at least one Gold Star Mother. As an important adjunct to the cer- emony, VFW Post 192 Commander Matt Bombace provided a Soldier’s Cross, which had a very special meaning to him and the other combat comrades in attendance. After a prayer by local clergy and then a brief introduction and Pledge of Allegiance by Bob Paoli, Ridgewood’s American Legion Post 53 commander, Maria Bom- bace gave a heartfelt and moving prologue. Hauck spoke briefly and read several poi- gnant poems. Donovan avowed that, as long as she is county executive, she will ensure that our military and those who sac- rificed their lives for this country will not be forgotten. The Ridgewood High School Proj- ect Interact students read the 32 names of those military service members in the North Jersey area who paid the ultimate price since approximately 2001 in the various conflicts in the Middle East. After each name was read, a luminaria was lit by a Boy Scout and a bell was tolled. A photo gallery of 154 military service members who gave their ultimate sacrifice was pro- vided by the Elks and displayed above the luminarias. To conclude the ceremony, American Legion Post 53 member Larry Hanlon played “Taps,” Jim Roth sang “Amazing Grace,” a clergyman offered a prayer, and Paoli thanked everyone for attending.