Philip Choi
After 35 years of serving Leonia as the owner/operator of Manor Beverages at the corner of Hillside and Broad Avenue, Philip Choi decided to retire and recently sold his business. I could think of no better time to interview Philip for the Prominent Leonian Interview Series.
He has an amazing story and has left an indelible mark on our borough. The first Korean American to own a business in Leonia and the first Korean American elected to public office in our region, Philip served as a Leonia Councilman for two terms beginning in 2006. Buying Manor Beverages in 1987, he and his lovely wife, Jackie, and the Choi family have been visible fixtures in our community as merchants and through their work with Rotary of the Palisades, Leonia Lions Club and other service-oriented organizations. And if you’ve ever wondered where the pizza bagel was invented, you need to wonder no more.
Making it as the first Korean American merchant in our community was not easy. Philip’s success adds to the rich fabric of diversity which helps define Leonia for the better. This is Philip Choi’s story.
Susan Shanno
Susan dedicated 30 years as a schoolteacher at Leonia High School, where she graduated earlier as valedictorian of her class. In this interview, Susan discusses growing up on Gladwin Avenue, her family, how education has changed in Leonia and her continuing volunteer service to our town.
Beyond her teaching career, Susan has been an ESL (English as a Second Language) volunteer for 15 years. She’s also involved with the Community Chest and the Juvenile Municipal Youth Guidance Council, further showcasing her commitment to supporting the well-being of Leonia's residents.
Susan's noteworthy lineage adds another layer of distinction to her story. As a descendant of the Gismond family including Lorenzo Gismond, the third mayor of Leonia, she proudly carries on a legacy of leadership and community service. Her connection to the Vreeland family further deepens her ties to Leonia's rich heritage.
Through her selflessness and diverse involvement, Susan Shanno has played an invaluable role in Leonia’s community. Her passion for bettering the lives of others and her tireless efforts make her a true inspiration and a cherished asset to Leonia.
Richard Palka
Mr. Richard Palka has been a tireless advocate for veterans affairs, for POW/MIA Recognition, has served a very long time as Commander of Leonia’s Post #1 and is a Scout leader who has assisted 20 scouts to attain the rank of Eagle. As many Leonians know, Richie plays a visible role at all of Leonia’s Memorial Day activities.
A veteran of the Cuban Missile Crisis and someone who fought on the front lines in Vietnam, Richie has a powerful story to share with us in this interview about survival, respect, love of country and the future of American Legion Post #1 in Leonia.
Richie served in the Navy from 1962 until the end of 1968. After his service in the Navy, he moved to Leonia and eventually became the Commander of American Legion Post #1. His inspiring journey is one of sacrifice, resilience and a passionate dedication to upholding the values of honor and service. In this interview he shares his stories and insights providing a glimpse into the life of a true American hero.
Mary Heveran
Mary Heveran is a former Mayor of Leonia and the second woman to ever hold this position. During our conversation, Mary graciously shared her experiences and the unwavering support she received from the Leonia community during her most challenging times.
From this grew her deep-rooted commitment to giving back to the town, and her tenure as Mayor showcased her unwavering dedication. In typical Mary fashion, she also sprinkles in humorous anecdotes relating to Leonia.
Towards the end of the interview, Mary shares a heartwarming "full circle" moment that truly encapsulates the essence of who she is and what makes Leonia such a unique and cherished community.
Frank Livelli
Dr. Livelli is a renowned cardiologist and has been a resident of Leonia since 1985. He studied at Columbia University for his undergraduate degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Medical School. Later he did his residency at Columbia Presbyterian, with which he is still affiliated.
Dr. Livelli is also the founder, along with his wife Joanne, of Leonia SummerStage. Over SummerStage's 20-year span, they have donated to the Leonia Schools more than $120,000 in grants for their Arts programs. They also contributed to the Players Guild and other local arts organizations.
In our interview, we discuss Dr. Livelli's contributions to Leonia's Arts community and how the Arts have characterized our community both historically and today.
David Braun
David Braun has been Leonia's historian since February 2013. He is a university language teacher and linguistics researcher, who went to the University of Pennsylvania and MIT for his undergraduate and graduate studies, respectively.
He has taught at a number of universities including Harvard, Penn, Columbia, NYU, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Yiddish Book Center at Hampshire College.
Presently he is the Yiddish language academic director at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
Since 2012, David has been an administrator of the Facebook group “I Grew Up in Leonia,” which has over 3,000 members.
KATHLEEN CLARK
Kathleen (Kate) Clark is a nationally renowned playwright whose plays have been produced in New York, off-Broadway and across the U.S. She and her theater producer husband Richard Frankel have lived in Leonia for 29 years. Their three children, Josh, Clark and Bess Frankel, as well as daughters-in-law Eve Biddle and Esther Jackson, and son-in-law, Eric Schnell, all work in literary, artistic and theatrical fields.
Kate shares her experience with being part of Leonia's community as well as behind-the-scenes insights into plays from her career.
bob klapisch
Bob Klapisch is a sportswriter for the Newark Star Ledger/NJ.com. He has previously written for The New York Times, New York Post, ESPN, Fox Sports and New York Daily News. He is the bestselling author of six books including The Worst Team Money Could Buy: The Collapse of The New York Mets and the NYT bestseller Inside The Empire: The True Power Behind the New York Yankees.
In the interview, Bob talks about growing up in Leonia in the 1970’s, playing high school ball for beloved LHS Coach Ed Meisse and shares his career trajectory and stories including interactions with Tom Seaver, Bobby Bonilla, Randy Levine, Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner.