In this issue, we go behind the scenes of Haddonfield’s Lunar New Year celebration, get to know two local business owners, and consider the ideas behind one of the town’s most enigmatic sculptures.
It’s heartening to see how popular Lunar New Year celebrations have become in recent years, and the Asian American Culture Clubs at Haddonfield Memorial High School and Middle School were instrumental in bringing our town’s vibrant festivities to life. High school senior Madisen Klumbach was struck by the turnout, and she shares how she and her classmates are helping to build cultural awareness — both in their schools and in the broader community — while deepening their own understanding along the way.
One aim of our “ProFile” series is to demystify the jobs of people who live or work in Haddonfield. Running a consignment shop might seem like a straightforward job, but as Denise Jonasz, owner of Pure Couture, knows, it’s actually quite delicate.
She specializes in estate sales and closet cleanouts, which means that people often call her after a loved one has died or when they themselves are downsizing. She goes through their clothes and accessories, making piles of things they might want to keep, things that would work well for the store, and things that can be donated to charity. Telling someone that something might not work for the shop isn’t easy, and Jonasz tries to treat everyone with empathy. I find her particularly deft at balancing compassion and commerce — but then again, she’s following a true passion, having left a steady sales job nearly two decades ago to open the shop at age 41.
Another friendly face you might recognize is Tommy DeRitis from Tommy’s Original Barbershop. His shop doesn’t just offer sharp, professional haircuts, hot-towel shaves, and beard trims. It gives its guests a relaxing, immersive experience of brotherhood and camaraderie. Just ask dozens of DeRitis’s longtime friends who are among the loyal customers of his family-friendly shop.
And finally, we learn about Hanna Jubran’s striking sculpture, “Unity,” which is made from steel sheets. As you move around the piece, the interplay of shapes and colors seems to shift depending on the time of day. Jubran hoped to condense time and space with the piece.
I hope these stories reveal something enriching and insightful about the people and places in our town.
