The Towncast

In the wake of the tragedy that hit Highland Park, Illinois in 2022, Steve Sarowitz is bringing some joy back to the community by purchasing and renaming the Renaissance Place Theater to the Wayfarer Theater.  As the co-owner of Wayfarer Studios, a movie production company, Steve talks about bringing great movies, premieres and wonderful family events to this beautiful community.

Nancy Labov, founder and president of the Alumni In Recovery charity organization, shares her journey from going into recovery at age 26 to helping young people across northern New Jersey in hopes of expanding this program across the country.

For 25 years the Housewares Charity Foundation has been helping people across America and working with some of the most incredible foundations in the country. Barbara Westfield shares her experience as a board member of the foundation and their upcoming gala event fundraiser.

Life long resident John Lane shares his journey from growing up in Hawthorne to completing his first year as mayor and the results of his campaign promises.

We first met with Moe during the pandemic and had the chance to meet with him again, post pandemic.  Moe shares his journey from growing up in a musical family to struggling through the pandemic and now expanding to include an in-house luthier.

With so much awareness to the mental health crisis in our country, Tanvi Mathew shares her journey from growing up in Clifton New Jersey to opening her own counseling center in Bergen County and donating her time to the Stigma Free initiative in Hawthorne New Jersey. She even offers a free phone consultation and virtual and phone sessions.

On January 24, 1975, terrorists bombed the Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan.  Joe Conner's father was one of the 4 people murdered that day. This is his story and how the terrorists were ultimately granted clemency, and released from prison.

With over 35 years of interview preparation and career coaching, Jim O'Hagan, shares his journey from high school coach, to coaching men and preparing them for fatherhood at Lighthouse PRC, to starting his own business helping others be their best professional selves.

We had the unique opportunity to visit with Paws in Hand, a great organization that works with foster and rescue dogs and brings them to schools and other organizations, such as the Bear Cave. They work with special needs children and prepares them for everyday life.

Half way across America, we had the chance to catch up with Tommy Pasquale and his family on this special Christmas episode. Tommy is walking alone on Christmas Day but shared some time with his family the week before Christmas and shares his journey for the first half of his trip and concerns for the coming months.

This last week of Advent, before Christmas, we had the chance to talk to Pastor Wes Ifan, of the First Reformed Church of Hawthorne, one of the oldest churches in the area. The church was founded in 1895 and Pastor Wes shares his journey to becoming pastor as well as some of the programs their church offers to the community, especially this holiday season.

Garret Bedrin of the Bedrin Organization gave us the chance to t take a sneak peek inside the new construction.  The Hedges at Hawthorne, the new luxury apartment complex which includes Cube Smart and Planet Fitness.  The video tour can be seen on our You Tube channel, https://youtu.be/7YWP5fJmeJE

As the holiday are upon us, what better time to make your list of food centric films to watch when the family is together.  Kyle Reinfried, creator of the podcast Foodie Films, shares his favorite films that feature different types of foods.  This was taped live at the Bendix Diner in Hasbrouck Heights.

Eileen and Michelle Hillock and Robyn O'Hagan share their story of how they created the Dog Park in Glen Rock NJ and their involvement in the Bow Wows and Meows pet rescue.

As the Hurley brothers enter Louisiana, we had the chance to catch up with them and talk about their trip so far.  With roughly 2 weeks left in their journey, Frank shares a health issue that he had to deal with.  All of this for charity!

Joe Lorenzo, co-owner of Yella's in Hawthorne NJ and The Lorenzo Food Group sat with me to discuss how he went from driving in his dad's delivery truck in the 60's to opening one of the largest food company on the eastern seaboard. Such a great guy, incredible organization and delicious food!!

We had the chance to catch up with the modern day Forrest Gump, Tommy Pasquale, a New Jersey boy who is walking across America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to help raise money for the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans.  He shares his journey to date, with six months to go before he reaches the west coast.

The Mehta family allowed me to join them as they celebrate the Hindu new year and the Festival of Lights, Diwali.  They shared some of their memories of Diwali from their home towns in India to Glen Rock, New Jersey.  To all who observe, Happy Diwali!!

After their amazing victory in San Diego, Rick shares his history with the Hawthorne Christian Academy choir and how they are raising money for their tour of England and Scotland in 2023.

Watch the video version of this interview on our You Tube channel, https://youtu.be/LrfXMouexkQ Brothers Bob and Frank Hurley are biking over 3,000 miles, across America for charity.  Here they share their journey from growing up in a competitive family to joining each other and biking for a cause.  Go to their Facebook page, Coast2Coast4Charity and send them some words of encouragement, your pray...

Had so much fun chatting with local resident Tim Gallin as he shared his journey from playing football in high school to being a stunt man for the past 45 years. We included some clips of his films on our You Tube channel.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCap9MJ3JsGlW84qRT36fXNg Make sure you subscribe to see all of our episodes.

Had the opportunity to chat with Christopher Padula, co-founder of the White Vulture Film Festival, featuring some of the best films from around the world, coming up on February 22 and 23, 2023, at the Hawthorne Theater.  Christopher shares his story about how he founded this new film festival and his journey to find the people to help support him.

Julie shares her journey from raising twin boys with autism to writing her first book, "Severe Autism Kills."  This book deals with tragic stories of how some families deal with their autistic children.

Great conversation with Ellen Levine, owner of Perfectly Kneaded as she shared her journey from wanting to be a teacher to opening her own spa in Glen Rock NJ.  She offers a nice discount for our listeners and also talks about a great networking and social event coming up for women in the area. If you'd like to see the video version, visit and subscribe to our You Tube Channel.

What an amazing program this town has put together for elementary school students entering middle school.  For over 20 years, Lincoln Middle School has been giving students the opportunity to learn all about their new school, meet new friends and get comfortable with their upcoming school year. EVERY town should have a program like this.