Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 15, 2014 Midland Park New Vander Meer painting on display at ASB An acrylic on canvas painting of Mid- land Park baseball legend Johnny Vander Meer is on display in the lobby of Atlan- tic Stewardship Bank’s main office at 630 Godwin Ave. in Midland Park. “The bank is proud to display this paint- ing which is an important part of Midland Park’s history, where Atlantic Stewardship Bank has its headquarters and is an integral part of the community,” said ASB Admin- istrative Officer Diane Kerner. Painted by Wyckoff artist and sculptor Brian Birrer, the painting is on loan from children’s author Robert Skead, to whom Birrer gifted the work of art last month. “I was blown away by the gift,” said Skead, who plans to hang it in his Wyckoff home office after a road show of several months in area libraries and other public venues. The two men met at the Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair, and developed an easy friendship when Birrer found out that Skead had been informally charged with “keeping Johnny Vander Meer’s memory alive,” by the late Dick Jeffer, the player’s lifelong friend. Skead features Vander Meer in his “Batboy Stories” children’s book and has created a website: www.johnnyvander- meer.com. Birrer had heard of Vander Meer from his father, who had grown up in the Wortendyke section of Midland Park. Birrer said he used as his model Vander Meer’s famous photograph at the point of delivering a pitch at Ebbets Field during the first night game played there. Vander Meer Pictured at the bank following the painting’s unveiling are, from left: Diane Kerner of ASB, Brian Birrer, Robert Skead and Tina Basile of ASB. achieved fame by pitching back-to-back no hitters in June, 1938, a feat which has not been duplicated.. Birrer is best known in the area for his historically accurate, solid wood life-size sports statues, which have included Babe Judge Ryan honored Former Midland Park Municipal Judge Charles Ryan, Esq., pictured at right, was recognized last week for his contributions to the Midland Park community. Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan presented Ryan with a plaque thanking him for his service during the mayor and council’s reorganization meeting. Ryan served as municipal judge from January, 2002 until his retirement in August. He retired from private law practice last year. “It is only a rumor, but it has been said that if Judge Ryan sentenced a person to a death sentence, the prisoner would have said ‘thank you’ and walked off with a smile knowing he or she was dealt with fairly,” quipped the mayor in presenting the plaque. A decorated Marine Corps veteran who served two years in Vietnam, Ryan is a member of both the American Legion and VFW posts and served as VFW Post Commander. For 25 years he served on the Memorial Day Committee and was the emcee at Memorial Day ceremonies in Midland Park and in Wyckoff. Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Jackie Robinson. Each hand crafted and painted one-of-a- kind museum quality piece takes from 600 to 700 hours. His latest, Mickey Mantle, is nearly finished, he said. They may be viewed on his website:www.birrerart.com.