It was a long, winding road from Michiko Rupnow’s hometown near the Pacific Ocean in Japan to her West Milford residence in the Apshawa section of town. Rupnow immigrated to the United States 41 years ago, landing first in Los Angeles. Moving across the country, she lived in Michigan and Ohio before arriving in New Jersey in 1973. Her professional background is as varied as her former mailing addresses. “I was a pharmacist in Tokyo and a medical technician in Los Angeles and Michigan,” she said. Her move to West Milford 10 years ago, along with her husband Donald and two children, was to find more studio space and land for her career in the arts. “I consider myself a sculptor,” she said and for the past 25 years she has devoted herself to her art. She studied sculpture at Montclair State University and architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. A large portion of her work is in concrete and steel and Rupnow had to do some research to find the right materials for her pieces. She set her sights on the type of concrete used for highway dividers and contacted the State of New Jersey Public Works. They were very cooperative and provided her with the recipe’ for the concrete mix she now uses in sculptures. West Milford turned out to be the perfect place to spread out and create an extensive sculpture garden at her home and as of now her work has been shown in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Like any artist, Rupnow realizes that her style of art is not to everyone’s taste but she offers to donate a piece of her work for public display in West Milford. Although living, studying and working in this country for many years, Rupnow said she never felt herself to be a main streamed American’. “My husband and I are an international couple and we wanted to meet international friends,” she said. In 2002 she attended a national emergency meeting in West Milford and said she felt that the current sentiment was becoming more nationalistic and divisive. As a result she thought about creating a cross-cultural group in West Milford where people of various backgrounds could get to know each other and feel comfortable. Through her efforts and with the help of a friend, Shizuka, in January of 2003 the International Friendship Club of Northern New Jersey was born. For their first meeting they both dressed in kimonos and greeted a sizable number of people who were interested in this new club. As Rupnow’s friend moved on, Don Rupnow began to help his wife run the group. Their activities have evolved over the years. “We have discussions, presentations, outings and parties,” Rupnow said. They have visited the United Nations, have had guest speakers and spend time discussing senior-related issues. At the present time the club has members that include people from Ireland, China, India, Canada, Egypt, Pakistan, Italy, Puerto Rico, Uzbekistan, Finland, Croatia and Mexico. Native Americans are also represented as well as many American-born members. “In fact 50 percent of our members are American-born and either related to a foreign-born family or just interested in international cultures,” Rupnow said. The group meets at the Hillcrest Community Center on the second Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon and membership in the club is open to all. As an added bonus, the group usually enjoys going out for lunch after the meeting. Rupnow, a vegan, has submitted a healthy recipe she said she makes often. She did not, however, give up her recipe for concrete. Vegan Burritos 2 fat-free whole wheat pitas ½ cup chopped onion 2 slabs vegetarian American cheese 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained Scoop of salsa ½ avocado, mashed Slice open pita, spread onion, cheese and beans on bottom side of pita Put the pita top on and microwave for one minute Serve with salsa and avocado