MAILED FREE TO EVERY HOME AND BUSINESS IN SCOTCH PLAINS Published by Renna Media Issue 32 • May 2018 ‘PAT DINIZIO WAY’ HONORS SMITHEREENS FRONTMAN By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Smithereens fans, friends, family, and township officials gathered on April 17, 2018, at Montague Avenue, at the corner of Westfield Avenue, for the official Pat DiNizio Way street unveiling. Pat DiNizio, frontman for The Smithereens passed away December 12, 2017, at the age of 62. He was a proud resident of Scotch Plains. “It’s a little bittersweet for us. Obviously, we’d rather have him than the sign,” said Paul “Paulie” J. Smith, who grew up in Scotch Plains with Suburb Realty DiNizio. “It’s very heart warming for the town we grew up in to give him NJAR Award Winner Silver Level Award 2017 recognition. It’s emotional he’s not here anymore. Deep inside he’d feel Gold Level Award 2016 touched and honored. He was humble, he’d be a little embarrassed about the recognition.” As part of my services Jim Babjak, Smithereens guitarist agreed. “He’d say, ‘Don’t make a big I will make those needed deal of it’ on one hand, but he’d be winking; Pat would be very honored.” repairs before you list. Babjak performed a Smithereens song, “Life is So Beautiful” prior to This will net you more the street unveiling. He also gave a heartfelt speech, ending with, “He was money and a faster sale. a real trooper, he kept playing to the very end.” George Hansen Severo Jornacion, Smithereens bassist, who was able to fly in from L.A., Sales Associate said, “Of all places Pat lived in his life, Scotch Plains was his favorite.” He 908 346 9990 reminisced about the places in Scotch Plains that Pat took him to, like www.georgehansenera.com (above, l-r) Mayor Al Smith, Alfonso’s Pizzeria, Stage House Tavern, and even the local Quick Check. and Pat’s mother, Antoinette DiNizio 1773 E. Second St.,Scotch Plains Band members Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros weren’t there, but Babjak read emotional messages from them, as well as a heartrending letter from DiNizio’s daughter, Elisabeth. Musician Rick Winowksi, who played in Pat’s other band, The Scotch Plainsmen, performed a poignant song he wrote in honor of DiNizio. Mayor Al Smith said that he “got emails from all over the country. Best thing we could do is have a street named after him.” PAID ECRWSS Township Manager Al Mirabella said, “I wish we weren’t here. I wish PRSRT STD PRSRT PHILA PA 191 PA PHILA Pat was here. I’m glad you are here to honor Pat. Pat was a real fan of U.S. POSTAGE U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT PERMIT NO.7575 Scotch Plains and we’re a real fan of his.” Bill King, fan and friend, said “We’re still mourning. His voice is so full of emotion reflected in his songs. One thing was evident; how much he (above) Smithereens loved his mom.” bassist, Severo After each speaker at the podium shared their memories of Pat, there Jornacion. (left) were cheers and tears from the audience. It was truly a moving event. After Smithereens the unveiling Antoinette DiNizio, Pat’s mom, made an appearance. She guitarist, proudly spoke about her beloved son to the many who approached her. Jim Babjak. Fan Frank Lima, who spearheaded the event, said, “Pat’s one of the greatest songwriters. I’m sad the whole thing had to happen. I’m glad to (left, l-r) get the whole ball rolling. [Regarding the street naming].” Union County The Smithereens sold millions of records/CDs of melodic pop alternative musicians, hits like “A Girl Like You,” “Only a Memory,” “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” Nick Clemente and “Blood and Roses.” of The Mylars; For more information on The Smithereens, visit the official website at: and Dennis Lords officialsmithereens.com. of Pharoah, Photos from this and other events can be found online at rennamedia.com paying tribute. and on the Scotch Plains Monthly page on facebook.com Feel free to “Like”, “Tag” and “Share.” Photos by Maryanne Christiano Mistretta *****************ECRWSSEDDM**** PATRON POSTAL SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ 07076 Scotch Plains Monthly • Page 2 • May 2018 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: The 52nd annual “Dollars for Students Drive” was conducted on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25, 2018 by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Scholarship Foundation. We would like to express our appreciation to the local students who participated in our drive and to the generous Scotch Plains Monthly is published by Renna citizens of Fanwood and Scotch Plains who made their efforts a successful venture. Media. 9,500 newspapers are printed monthly We are pleased to report that 100 percent of the money that we raise is utilized to fund post and mailed to every business and resident in high school education scholarships for qualified students residing in Scotch Plains and Fanwood. Scotch Plains. Last year, our broad-based screening committee reviewed 150 applications and we were able to Although great care has been taken to ensure assist 92 deserving students with a total of $144,500. During our 52 years of service to our the information contained within is accurate, communities, we have aided 2,997 students with $3,071,502 in scholarship awards. Renna Media assumes no liability for errors or Our sincere thanks and appreciation go out to all of our neighbors who so willingly continue omissions. to show the young people of Scotch Plains and Fanwood that they value them and their effort to © 2018 Contents of this newspaper cannot be continue their education. If you were not at home or if you did not receive a request through the reproduced without written consent from Renna mail but would like to support our efforts, please send your contribution in care of the Scotch Media LLC. Plains-Fanwood Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 123, Fanwood, New Jersey 07023 or navigate PROMOTE YOUR to www.spfscholarshipfoundation.org and click the “Donate” button. Mary Ball Cappio, President COMMUNITY EVENT Scotch Plains-Fanwood Scholarship Foundation Community service FIRST SPF PAL DAY TO BE HELD MAY 12 organizations, schools Submitted by Bruce Moran and sports teams are parents to register their children for the 2018 Do parents and players want to meet PAL PAL football season. A registration form is encouraged to submit news of coaches in various sports while enjoying food, provided here so you can bring the form with a upcoming events or highlights beverages, and games? check or cash that day. Or you can fill out the Well, the Scotch Plains Fanwood PAL will form at Brookside Park or you can still register and photos from recent events. hold its first SPF PAL Day on May 12, 2018, at on-line by visiting the SPFPAL.com site. Organizations who are Brookside Park in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Whatever option works best for you. The event at the park, which is located on Cheerleaders are also invited to the Brookside interested in submitting Hetfield Avenue, will begin at 10 a.m. and run Park on May 12 since cheer coaches from the until 4 p.m. grade programs will be on hand, too. However, content, please Guests will be treated to hamburgers and hot registration for cheerleaders regarding the 2018 dogs from the grill while beverages will be season will remain on on-line only so please go email editor@ served as well. Games for the kids will also be the SPFPAL.com site to sign up. rennamedia.com provided. Coaches from all sports programs will Spread the word and bring friends. be available to discuss the upcoming seasons If any parent has a question before the SF or call 908-858-4012 and answer any questions that parents and PAL Day, please email Bruce Moran, the vice players may have. president of the Scotch Plains Fanwood PAL, at Scotch Plains Monthly Meanwhile this event will also allow for [email protected]. is online at www.rennamedia.com SPF PROJECT GRADUATION FOOD TRUCK FEST like us on The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School entertainment and more! Located at 667 facebook.com/ Project Graduation Committee is hosting a Food Westfield Road in Scotch Plains, admission is $5 Truck Festival on Sunday, May 6th to help raise per person, with children five years or younger Scotch Plains Monthly money for Project Graduation! free! For more information visit www.spfk12.org. Enjoy a day of music, food trucks, More details to come. 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