• Freeholder Alexander Mirabella of Fanwood is sworn in as the 2012 Chairman of the Freeholder Board by New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak (L) during Union County Government’s Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Chairman Mirabella’s wife Phyllis and their children Micayla and Alexander.
  • Freeholder Angel G. Estrada of Elizabeth is sworn in for his fifth term as Freeholder by Superior Court Judge Roberto Alcazar (not pictured) during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Estrada’s grandchildren, Keith and Alexandra.
  • Freeholder Christopher Hudak (center) of Linden is sworn in to his first full term as Freeholder by Joseph Bodek, Municipal Clerk of the City of Linden, during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Hudak’s wife Terri and their daughter Catie
  • Freeholder Vernell Wright of Union is sworn in to her first term as Freeholder by Judge Glen Grant during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Wright’s daughter Patricia Johnson, daughter-in-law Deborah Douglas Wright, and her grandchildren Andrea Johnson, Mark McArthur and Anthony Wright.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella recently visited and spoke about County Government and his responsibilities as an elected official before members of the Teen Action Service Corp of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains. The high school students, under the supervision of Lindsay Napchen of the JCC, perform between 30-40 hours per year of community service, have leadership meetings, and examine aspects of Jewish identity and youth issues. PHOTO: Freeholder Mirabella (Center right, red tie), Lindsay Napchen (holding papers (right, front row), surrounded by student participants in program.
  • Freeholder Linda Carter (center) of Plainfield is sworn in as Vice Chairman of the Freeholder Board by Plainfield Municipal Judge Joan Robinson Gross during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible is Freeholder Carter’s mother, Adele Carter.
  • The Civil War monument in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield was “Erected by the citizens of Westfield and Vicinity to commemorate the services of the soldiers and sailors of Union County who served in the war for the Union,” its inscription reads.
  • Freeholders Daniel Sullivan, Bette Jane Kowalski, Christopher Hudak and Deborah Scanlon present a check from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders to the 2012 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade General Chairman Michael J. Panella, Adjutant Kerry Ricci and Grand Marshal Bill Dugan during the parade committee’s Celebrity Bartenders fundraiser at the Kenilworth Veterans Center.
  • A Barred Owl is one of the owls that will be discussed during the program for adults, “Audubon Lecture: Owls of New Jersey” at Trailside Nature & Science Center
  • Families enjoyed making big bubbles, little bubbles and bubble bunches at the “Bubblemania” class last year as part of Trailside Nature & Science Center’s Friday Family summer series of programs. Family and evening programs provide an excellent opportunity for parents with children of all ages to enjoy the scenic Watchung Reservation.
  • Families enjoy a Scavenger Hunt at Trailside Nature & Science Center during last year’s February Festivities. An exciting line-up of programs is planned for this Presidents’ Day weekend at the 2012 February Festivities, Feb. 17 – 20.
  • Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd R) and Vice Chairman Linda Carter (R) present a resolution to William Tomko (C) of Mountainside congratulating him on receiving the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service in World War II. This prestigious distinction underlines the deep appreciation and gratitude of the French people who were liberated during World War II. Tomko served onboard the USS Barnett, an amphibious transport ship, which took part in the invasions of Sicily, Italy, Marseilles in the south of France and the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He also saw action in the Pacific Theater at Okinawa. They are joined by Tomko’s wife, Maria, and Richard Thompson of the Union County Office of Veterans Affairs.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd L) speaks with NJ State Senator Thomas Kean (L), Dr. Dawood Farahi, President of Kean University, and Union County College President Margaret McMenamin during the first session of the Union County Means Business networking breakfast series. The series, an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Mirabella, is designed to bring local business owners, prospective owners and managers in contact with information about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources.
  • Nicole DiRado of Union is sworn in as Deputy Clerk of Union County by Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy on February 1 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible is her husband Matthew and their son Matty.
  • Freeholder Angel G. Estrada (L) presents a resolution to Sergeant Vladimir (Ricky) Calderon of the Rahway Police Auxiliary congratulating and commending the auxiliary officers for organizing the fifth annual Rahway Police Auxiliary Coat Drive to benefit local churches and families. They are joined by Rahway Mayor Rick Proctor. Reaching out to community leaders, the Mayor’s office and the County Freeholder Board, Sergeant Calderon and the Rahway Police Auxiliary have the support needed to foster local involvement from both businesses and ordinary citizens in their effort to help lighten the burden on those less fortunate families.
  • Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R) and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi discuss one of the displays at the opening of “Preserving the Union,” an exhibit to commemorate Union County’s role in the Civil War of 1861-65, in the Rotunda of the Union County Courthouse in historic mid-town Elizabeth. The Union County Civil War commemorative exhibit will be on display until 2015. The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (3rd R) and Christopher Hudak (2nd R) congratulate Bob Riesener (3rd L) and Ed Murzinski (C), both formerly of Linden, on being inducted into the Union County Baseball Association Hall of Fame at the Union County Baseball Association’s 76th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on February 12 in Mountainside. They are joined by Union County Baseball Association President James Iozzi (R).
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (2nd R) and Christopher Hudak (R) congratulate Jamie Shriner of Cranford on being inducted into the Union County Baseball Association Hall of Fame at the Union County Baseball Association’s 76th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on February 12 in Mountainside.
  • The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of giclée fine art prints of paintings by Westfield artist Gina Minichino in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.
  • Sid Blanchard, CAU Executive Director, Freeholder Vernell Wright, Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Tanya Johnson, CAU Senior Assistant Executive Director, Julia Leftwich, CAU Youth Shelter Director, Freeholder Deborah P. Scanlon, and Elijah Bell, CAU Youth Shelter Coordinator.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) present a resolution to Cranford First Aid Squad President Barbara Ragone and Captain Daniel Gomez congratulating the Cranford Frist Aid Squad on their remarkable recovery from damages inflicted on their squad house by hurricane Irene in August 2011.
  • Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh reads to children at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Springfield on March 2 during the Union County Education Association’s annual Read Across America event. Read Across America is an reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.
  • “The Raptor Trust Story,” a program for adults, 18 and older, will be held at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside on Thursday, March 22 from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. The fee is $8 per person for Union County residents and $10 for out-of-county adults. Pre-registration is preferred, but walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Lauren Butcher, the Raptor Trust’s Education Director, will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what the Trust does to care for the thousands of injured and orphaned birds that are brought to the facility each year and she will introduce one of the Trust’s “avian ambassador’s.
  • Members of Mountainside Junior Girl Scout Troop 40851 were congratulated by Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Deborah Scanlon with an Environmental Hero Award at the Wild Earth Fest at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside last year. The Troop, devoted to learning about the environment and our impact on the planet, participated in Adopt-A-Park projects to plant gardens and remove invasive plants.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Deborah Scanlon and Daniel Sullivan present resolutions to the 2012 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Bill Dugan, General Chairman Michael J. Panella and Adjutant Kerry Ricci congratulating them on the 16th annual parade.
  • Freeholders Christopher Hudak (L) and Mohamed Jalloh present a resolution to Barbara Jude Brady, a teacher at Linden High School, congratulating her on being recognized as the Outstanding Dance Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (C), Vice Chairman Linda Carter (3rd R) and (from 3rd L) Freeholders Angel G. Estrada, Christopher Hudak, Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Mohamed Jalloh join Union County employees at the 16th annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Union on March 10.
  • Freeholder Wright (R) listens as Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L) speaks with Sue and Raymond Vincent of Clark about passport applications during national “Passport Day in the USA” on March 10 at the County Clerk’s Westfield Office.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) joined Congressman Leonard Lance (2nd L) and Springfield Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady (L) in congratulating Springfield Free Public Library Director Susan Permahos (C) and Board of Trustees President Shelley Stangler on the 80th anniversary of the library during a reception there on March 18.
  • Spring is here and Union County’s Watchung Stable is offering guided trail rides on Sundays starting April 1, for everyone nine years of age or older.
  • Freeholders Vernell Wright (L) and Mohamed Jalloh speak with Sage Eldercare Executive Director Jessica Rosenzweig during a visit to the not-for-profit organization in Summit where they volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens in the area. The Freeholders’ visit also included a tour of Sage’s facilities on Broad Street that provides several senior services.
  • Archery safety lessons are available for beginners ages nine years and older at the Union County Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Each archery course is two hours long and consists of a safety training session followed by hands-on instruction at the range. The fee is $20 per person and reservations are required. Archery equipment is provided by the County of Union.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella congratulates the Clark Pop Warner Midget Large Novice Cheerleading Squad for earning a spot in the National Pop Warner Cheer Championships at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The squad won the fourth place trophy at the competition.
  • Freeholders Daniel Sullivan (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) present resolutions to members of the Union County Adopt-A-Trail Chainsaw Crew thanking them for removing nearly 900 fallen trees from along hiking and bridle trails in the Watchung Reservation, Lenape Park and Ash Brook Reservation last year. The Freeholder Board commended and honored the trained volunteer group for their efforts and time donated throughout 2011, but especially following Hurricane Irene and the October Nor’easter.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L), Angel G. Estrada (5thR), Vernell Wright (3rd R) and Christopher Hudak (R) join Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka and Fire Chief Joseph Rizzo as they cut the ribbon officially reopening Fire Station No. 4 on South Wood Avenue in Linden. Assemblywoman Linda Stender (2nd R) and Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Anthony Scutari (4th L), Vice Chairman Carolyn Vollero (3rd L), Commissioners Sebastian D’Elia and Cherron Rountree (back center) and Linden Councilwoman Michele Yamakaitis (4th R) also attended the ceremony. The renovation project was a joint venture between the Union County Improvement Authority and the City of Linden.
  • Freeholder Daniel Sullivan (red shirt) joined Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, City Council members, young athletes and their families at the ribbon cutting officially opening the new synthetic fields at the Waterfront Athletic Fields on Front Street in Elizabeth. Partial funding of $500,000 was provided by the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund.
  • Freeholders Vernell Wright (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) join (from 3rd L) Walter Kreher from U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Rahway Mayor Rick Proctor, Dr. Phillip Frese, President of the Domus Corporation, Msgr. Christopher Hynes from the Archdiocese of Newark and Rahway Councilman David Brown in breaking ground for the Melvin & Margaret Myers Senior Residence facility located on Esterbrook Avenue in Rahway.
  • Birding Basics Weekend, for adults ages 18 and older, will be presented on Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, in the Watchung Reservation.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd R) speaks with Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (C), TD Bank Vice President and Retail Marketing Manager Beatrice Romao, TD Bank Vice President and Market President Dominick Miceli (2nd L) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella during the third session of the Union County Means Business networking breakfast series.
  • Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski helps (from left) Jazmina Dux, Kayla Lyles and Ava Paige, all of Plainfield, water a tree they just helped plant at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. Dozens of volunteers attended the tree-planting party on April 10. The event, sponsored by the Union County Board of Freeholders and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County brought together residents and professionals from various nature groups to plant 20 flowering crabapple trees.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) join Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenanmin (R), Union County College Foundation Chair Carol Hertling (2nd R) and Union County College Trustee Chairman Victor M. Richel in congratulating Romina Duarte of Kenilworth at the Union County College Scholarship Reception in Cranford. Romina Duarte was the student speaker at the event and received a Union County Freeholders Scholarship.
  • Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L) and Vernell Wright (2nd L) join U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Diane Johnson, Field Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Newark Office, at the Union County National Community Development Week Celebration on April 12 at the John T. Gregorio Towers in Linden.
  • Mrs. Levinson made a $17,000 donation, which fully funded the cost of the replacement water wheel and supplies for the refurbishment of the gazebo, in memory of her recently deceased husband, Dr. Joel Levinson, and their son, Kipp, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1985.
  • (From left) Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi congratulate the winners of the 2012 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers.
  • Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R), Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L) and Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Executive Director Sidney Blanchard congratulate Jamese Baker of Elizabeth on receiving the Disability Services Employee of the Year Award at the CAU’s 28th Annual Awards Night Celebration in Mountainside. Community Access Unlimited is a multi-faceted, human services agency that provides support services for at–risk youth and people with disabilities.
  • reeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (L), Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (R) and Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Executive Director Sidney Blanchard (2nd R) congratulate Kenneth Widgeon of Plainfield on receiving the Youth Advocate of the Year Award for his work at the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services at the CAU’s 28th Annual Awards Night Celebration in Mountainside.
  • Visitors to Wild Earth Fest on Sunday, May 6, will have an opportunity to see a real falcon during a presentation, “Flight of the Raptor,” by raptor expert Jennifer Pena, and be treated to the magic of Cyril the Sorcerer in “Recycling is Magic.” Wild Earth Fest will run from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., rain or shine, at Trailside Nature & Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
  • Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R), Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L) and Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Executive Director Sidney Blanchard congratulate Alfonsina Savino of Berkeley Heights on receiving the Educator of the Year Award for her work at The Gateway School at the CAU’s 28th Annual Awards Night Celebration in Mountainside.
  • Freeholder Christopher Hudak speaks with Eagle Scouts Vincent Polalowski (C) and Alex Reyes during the City of Linden’s 68th Annual Scouts in Government Day at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center in Linden. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts took part in the Linden City Council meeting on the evening April 24.
  • Freeholder Christopher Hudak (3rd R) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella (R) joined (from left) Charles Newman, President of New Jersey Connect, Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka, Dr. Phillip Frese, President of the Domus Corporation, Walter Kreher from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Bishop Manuel A. Cruz and Msgr. Christopher Hynes from the Archdiocese of Newark and Domus Vice President John Westervelt at the dedication ceremony of The Apartments at Saint Elizabeth’s in Linden.
  • Birding Basics Weekend, for adults ages 18 and older, will be presented on Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, in the Watchung Reservation.
  • Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) congratulates Patricia Cullen (L) of New Providence and Mary Ann Sodano of Madison on being honored for their 5 years of volunteer service at the 49th Annual Volunteer Awards Luncheon for Runnells Specialized Hospital volunteers. Dozens of other volunteers were also honored at the luncheon on May 9 in Mountainside.
  • Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) congratulates Joseph Inserra of New Providence and Edith Diffenderfer of Summit on being honored for their 10 years of volunteer service at the 49th Annual Volunteer Awards Luncheon for Runnells Specialized Hospital volunteers. Dozens of other volunteers were also honored at the luncheon on May 9 in Mountainside.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella presented Zachary Brooks and his family with complimentary tickets to the new Union County Sensory Friendly Theater series, in appreciation for Zachary’s efforts to raise awareness about autism. (l-r: County Manager Alfred Faella; Donna Puzella, owner of Sweet Nothings in Summit; Elisa Brooks; Zachary Brooks; Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella; and Samson Steinman, Executive Director of the Union County Performing Arts Center).
  • ENJOYING THE GREAT OUTDOORS – Bio-Blitz 2012 will take place from 5 p.m. Friday, June 8, through 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9, in three sections of the Rahway River Parkway in Rahway, Clark, Winfield Park and Cranford. An outdoor, tented field lab and exhibit space in Rahway River Park, off St. Georges Avenue in Rahway, will serve as a base of operations. For more information, call 908-789-3683, or visit the Union County website: www.ucnj.org.
  • Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L), Vernell Wright (2nd R) and Angel G. Estrada congratulate Ruth Brown of Edison on winning first place in the professional category at the 11th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.
  • Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Mohamed Jalloh and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (2nd R) present a resolution to Roselle Park Clerk Doreen Cali, who also serves as the president of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association, in honor of Municipal Clerks Week at the County Clerk’s annual luncheon. This year’s luncheon was held at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.
  • Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) congratulates Pat and Anita DiFabio of Garwood on being honored for their 20 years of volunteer service at the 49th Annual Volunteer Awards Luncheon for Runnells Specialized Hospital volunteers. Dozens of other volunteers were also honored at the luncheon on May 9 in Mountainside.
  • J.T. Bokoske of Kenilworth earned first place honors in the Age 6-11 division of the annual Union County Wildlife Photography Contest for his stunning photograph of a dragonfly. All contest winners were announced on May 6 at the Union County Wild Earth Fest at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside, a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. To view a slideshow of this year’s winners visit ucnj.org/wef-photos. For more information on the Wild Earth Fest and all other Union County programs visit ucnj.org. (photo: J.T. Bokoske)
  • Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada (R) speaks with Elizabeth Fire Chief Tom McNamara (L) and Chaplain Msgr. Hugh O’Donnell at the Elizabeth Exempt Firemen’s Association’s annual memorial service for all of the city’s deceased firefighters on Memorial Day outside the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.
  • Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (2nd R) and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and other officials at the ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the Elizabeth River Trail. For more about the trail, visit www.groundworkelizabeth.com/river_trail.
  • Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) congratulate recent Union County College graduates Joana Costa of Union and Sean Williams of Linden on their engagement. Williams proposed to Costa publicly after delivering his commencement speech during Union County College’s 78th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 23 in Cranford.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella presents resolutions to (from left) Lindsey Wilkinson, Carly Whitmer and Abigail Slaugh of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Girl Scouts congratulating them on earning the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, during a ceremony in Fanwood.
  • Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (2nd L), Mohamed Jalloh (4th L) and Vernell Wright help Goodwill NY-NJ Executive Vice President of Business Operations Mauricio Hernandez (C) cut the ribbon officially opening the first DonationXpress center in New Jersey in Springfield on May 24. They are joined by (from left) Guy Watson, NJ Recycling and Solid Waste Bureau Chief, Glen Mortimer from Congressman Leonard Lance’s office, Goodwill NY-NJ’s Sanford Weinstein, Springfield Township Administrator Anthony Cancro and NJ State Senator Thomas Kean Jr. Goodwill’s DonationXpress, an attended donation center, offers a quick and easy way to get rid of the unwanted clothing, electronics, and other household items. The new DonationXpress is located at 649 Morris Turnpike in Springfield and is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call 973-376-6541 or visit goodwillnynj.org.
  • Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L), Vernell Wright (2nd R) and Angel G. Estrada congratulate Ara Herrera of Elizabeth on winning first place in the teen category at the 11th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella looks at the artifacts in the Union County Mastodon exhibit at the Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside before the opening ceremony. The Mastodon bones on display were discovered in Lenape Park in the 1936 and are upwards of 25,000 years old. The Union County Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092 and is open from 12 noon to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. Admission is free. For more information about the “A Union County Mastodon” exhibit, please visit www.ucnj.org/mastodon.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) and Freeholder Christopher Hudak (R) speak with Robert Jeans of the Kenilworth Veterans Center and VFW 2230 while placing American flags on the graves of veterans at the Graceland Cemetery in Kenilworth in honor of Memorial Day. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders supplied more than 30,000 flags to mark veterans’ graves throughout Union County.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella speaks with Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi about free honorable discharge identification cards for veterans during Union County’s Veterans Job Fair and Resource Event at the National Guard Armory in Westfield.
  • Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L), Vernell Wright (2nd L) and Angel G. Estrada congratulate Tiina Nummela of Somerset on winning first place in the amateur category at the 11th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.
  • Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright presents a resolution to Union Police Director Daniel Zieser in honor of National Police Week during the Township of Union’s Police Awards ceremony.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) presents a resolution in honor of National Prevention Week to (from left) Prevention Links Executive Director Pamela Capaci, Director of Community Prevention Michael Litterer, Coalition Coordinator Charlene Bathelus, Prevention Links Data Analyst Jan Ramos, Prevention Links Coalition Coordinator Michael Capko and Sara Thode, Drug and Alcohol Coordinator for Union County’s Division of Planning. National Prevention Week, May 21-25, 2012, celebrates the work that community organizations and individuals do year round to prevent substance abuse and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) and Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh (R) present Leonard Schley of Roselle Park with a resolution congratulating and commending him for his tireless service of 50 years to the residents of Roselle Park as a member of the Roselle Park Fire Department.
  • Union County Freeholders Mohamed Jalloh (4th R) and Vernell Wright (3rd R) helped Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage (C) break ground on the new Spring Street Project in Elizabeth. They are joined by (from left) Elizabeth Councilman Manny Grova, Greg Dozier of NJ Community Development Group, LLC, Reverend John Howard, Armando D’Errico of NJ Community Development Group, LLC, Councilwoman-At-Large Patricia Perkins-Auguste and Union County Manager Alfred Faella. The site will feature an African American Cultural and Learning Center, a boutique theater and 20 affordable rental housing units. Financing for the development was provided in part by the City of Elizabeth, the Elizabeth Development Company, the County of Union and North Jersey Community Bank.
  • Union County Freeholders Vernell Wright (L), Bette Jane Kowalski and Angel G. Estrada congratulate Kayla Stasil of Martinsville on winning first place in the youth category at the 11th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.
  • Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L), Vernell Wright (2nd R) and Angel G. Estrada congratulate Dianna Strom of Cranford on winning first place in the intermediate category at the 11th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.
  • Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) unveil a computer kiosk that tracks the progress of the newly installed solar panel arrays at Union County College in Cranford as College President Margaret McMenamin cuts a green ribbon officially marking the occasion. Union County College is now equipped with a complete set of solar panel arrays on the roof of each building on the Cranford Campus. These arrays will allow for clean, green energy production that will lessen the college’s ecological footprint. The solar panel project is part of the Union County Improvement Authority’s Renewable Energy Program.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd L) and Freeholder Vernell Right speak with Col. (Ret.) Dennis Dougherty (2nd R) and CSM (Ret.) Arthur Maggs of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a U.S. Department of Defense agency, during Union County’s Veterans Job Fair and Resource Event at the National Guard Armory in Westfield. The job fair, sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, brought veterans together with more than 50 employers and support agencies in an effort to network and make connections for new employment opportunities.
  • Union County Freeholders Daniel Sullivan (6th R), Mohamed Jalloh (5th R) and Christopher Hudak (2nd R) joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage (2nd L), Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno (5th L), Senator Raymond Lesniak (7th R), Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (3rd R) and officials from Wakefern Food Corp. and Elberon Development Co. LLC in breaking ground on Elberon’s new warehouse and distribution center for Wakefern Food Corp on Wednesday at 600 York Street, Elizabeth. The new 524,000 square-foot, temperature-controlled facility will replace the former Wakefern grocery warehouse built in the 1950s, and increases storage capabilities by more than fifty-eight percent. The County of Union assisted in passing through $44 million in Federal Stimulus bond financing to spark the project, which not only maintained Wakefern in Elizabeth but also helped the company to expand.
  • Landscaping classes, for adults ages 18 and older, will be presented at the Trailside Nature & Science Center, sponsored by the Trailside Museum Association. The two classes, “Native Plants” on Saturday, May 12, and “Pruning Ornamental Plants” on Saturday, June 16.
  • Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center is offering Dusk to Dark family programs that explore the unique beauty of the Watchung Reservation in the early evening, starting with the Dusk Hike on May 16. Fun with Frogs and the Nature Trail Ride on horseback are among the other offerings.
  • Freeholders Mohamed Jalloh (4th R) and Vernell Wright (3rd R) helped Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage (C) break ground on the new Spring Street Project in Elizabeth. They are joined by (from left) Elizabeth Councilman Manny Grova, Greg Dozier of NJ Community Development Group, LLC, Reverend John Howard, Armando D’Errico of NJ Community Development Group, LLC, Councilwoman-At-Large Patricia Perkins-Auguste and Union County Manager Alfred Faella.
  • Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (3rd R) and Christopher Hudak (2nd R) congratulate Jackie Lima of Linden on winning the Banyasz Brothers Memorial Award for Most Valuable Scholastic Softball Player from the Union County Baseball Association at the group’s 76th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on February 12 in Mountainside. They are joined by Union County Baseball Association President James Iozzi (R). (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)