Top 10 Photos of 2012 in Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook

Choosing the Top 10 photos of the year was no easy task. I tried to pick photos that captured the action and emotion of 2012's most newsworthy events, had some artistic flair or also if they were just too cute to resist.

Ordered by date:

January 3 - "PHOTOS: Christie Swears In Baratta As Mayor," by Zak Koeske

Assemblywoman Connie Wagner swore in new Democratic councilman Kurt Peluso at this year's re-organization meeting while his eldest son Austin hung on his back.

April 14 - "Fair Lawn Firefighter Removed From Brush Fire On Stretcher," Christopher Costa

A Fair Lawn firefighter was injured in April battling a large brush fire behind the railroad line on Main Street in Glen Rock. Photographer Chris Costa captured an image of the fireman, who experienced shortness of breath, being taken away on a stretcher.

May 23 - "Mother Pleads Not Guilty In Runaway Minivan Case," by Zak Koeske

Natalie Akselrod, a local mother who was charged with child endangerment  in May after her unattended minivan carrying her two infant children rolled backwards out of its parking spot at the Radburn CVS and into parking lot traffic, pleaded not guilty in municipal court. This picture was taken in the hallway outside the court room after she made her plea and the case was sent to superior court.

May 29 - "Memorial Day Parade [Photo Gallery]," by Zak Koeske

Jordan Seibel, a 2008 Fair Lawn High School graduate who is two years removed from a tour in Afghanistan, marched in this year's Memorial Day parade. 

June 22 - "Fair Lawn High School Class of 2012 Graduates [Photo Gallery]," by Zak Koeske

Amidst friends, family and faculty, the Fair Lawn High School Class of 2012, bedecked in crimson and gray caps and gowns, crossed the Sasso Field stage in June to culminate their high school careers. There were a number of photos I liked from the ceremony, but chose this one because you gotta love the shades.

August 3 - "Radburn Dances the Night Away [Photos]," by Zak Koeske

Fair Lawn residents young and old moseyed over to the Plaza Building parking lot on a gorgeous early August night for a family friendly dance fest at the second annual "Dancing in the Street" event. These two adorable pals asked to be photographed.

August 8 - "" by Zak Koeske

Fair Lawn Police Lt. Bob Kneer manned the End D.W.I. station at Fair Lawn's National Night Out event in August. The annual event, held this year in Memorial Park, combines information on crime prevention tips and techniques with food, snacks and live music. Coincidentally, a photo of Lt. Kneer also made last year's Top Photos list.

October 29 - "Post Your Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook Sandy Pictures on Patch," by Stacy Conroy and "Fair Lawn Police: We're Getting Hammered," by Jarvis Rodriguez

Both of these were user-submitted photos taken in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

The first, by Stacy Conroy, depicts a long line of giant downed trees blocking Radburn Road toward Glen Rock. The second photo, taken by Jarvis Rodriguez, shows a blue car crushed by a large tree that has fallen on top of it in the driveway.

December 2 - "Last-Second Touchdown Heave Shocks Saddle Brook," by Christopher Costa

In a tied North 1, Group 1 semifinal game that looked destined for overtime, Pompton Lakes quarterback Robbie Meyers connected with Daniel Foote on a 42-yard end zone prayer as time expired to complete the Cardinals' dramatic fourth-quarter comeback over Saddle Brook, 39-33.

After the play, several Saddle Brook players dropped to the ground in disbelief, head in hands. For the second straight year, Pompton Lakes had clipped the Falcons on a last-minute score and kept them from advancing to play for a championship at MetLife Stadium.

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