Names in the News
Briefly speaking, there’s a lot going on in our county. Here are four headlines that have locals talking this week.
Heard any news lately? Politics and the coronavirus may be grabbing all the headlines, but we assure you there’s more happening in the world than just the presidency and the pandemic. Bergen County, for instance, always has news aplenty. Here are some noteworthy briefs to keep you in the know:
Café Panache reopens
Venerable Ramsey restaurant Café Panache reopened for dinner last night following the sudden death of owner/executive chef Kevin Kohler on Jan. 6. Under newly appointed executive chef and general manager Gregory Stott, the Zagat-rated eatery will continue to serve the menu that Chef Kohler perfected.
“Kevin had his hand on every single detail of what went on a plate, and made sure it was the freshest available—or it wasn’t served,” says Stott, who during his career had worked twice as Kohler’s sous chef. “Between all of us in the kitchen, we have over 40 years of mentorship under Kevin. His standards were of the highest level; standards we will continue to uphold…There is only one Kevin Kohler, and he’s irreplaceable, but I’m truly honored to have been appointed to step into his shoes.”
Stott, a Haworth resident, last worked at Café Panache about three years ago. He was most recently the executive chef at 76 House in Tappan, N.Y., and was a semifinalist on Food Network’s Chopped.
Ready for the presidency
Immaculate Heart Academy (IHA) in Washington Township will transition to a new administration in July, when River Vale’s Jason Schlereth takes over as president of the all-girls Catholic high school. Schlereth will vacate his role as IHA principal to succeed Patricia Molloy, who will retire from the president’s office at the end of the school year.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to continue [Molloy’s] great work,” says Schlereth, a Bergen Catholic grad and former Leonia Public Schools teacher. “Our students’ many accomplishments, both in and out of the classroom, continue to impress and inspire me. They are the main motivation for anyone who works in our building, and their vitality and positive energy are contagious.”
With the appointment of Schlereth as president, Bogota resident and IHA Class of 2004 member Kerry Carroll will assume the position of high school principal. She previously taught social studies, Latin and religion at IHA before being named assistant principal in July 2019.
“IHA has been my home since I first walked the halls as a freshman, and it was a blessing to join the community as a faculty member,” Carroll says. “I am continually impressed by our exceptional students, supportive families and talented faculty.”
In the middle of things
Across the valley in Demarest, the Academy of the Holy Angels (AHA) is preparing for the grand opening of AHA Middle School, which will debut in September. The new junior high for girls in grades 6–8 will be housed on the first floor inside Kelleher Hall on the AHA high school campus.
“We recognize the need exists to provide middle school students with a comprehensive program to prepare them for high school,” AHA President Melinda A. Hanlon says. “We are poised to provide the strong foundation needed for success in high school and help students close any gaps in learning.
Each grade at the new school will have a homeroom teacher. Students will take core subjects and special courses, including art, music and physical education, with different teachers. In addition, a fine and performing arts program will be offered.
Parents and students who are interested in attending AHA Middle School can sign up for a virtual information session on Jan. 31. Find out more at the AHA website.
Legendary coach dies
Curtis March, one of Bergen County’s most iconic high school coaches, died Sunday in Clifton. The longtime Teaneck High School teacher and basketball coach was 74.
March began his career on the sidelines as the leader of the Teaneck girls’ basketball team, who he coached from 1981–91. In 1992, he took over the boys’ program and won state titles in ’99 and 2003 before retiring in 2010. He finished his storied career with 594 combined victories and 34 league, county and state championships. To date, he is the only New Jersey coach to win 300 games in boys’ hoops and 200 games in girls’ basketball.
March is a member of the Saint Augustine University in North Carolina, Teaneck High School and New Jersey Basketball Coaches halls of fame. RIP, Coach March.
