100th Anniversary Suffragist Victory – Empowering Modern Women
Union County 2020 Senior Citizens’ Virtual Art Exhibit
“Afternoon in Amsterdam,” an oil painting by professional artist Eileen Bonacci, was awarded Best of Show by a Professional Artist.
Each year the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presents the Senior Citizens Art Exhibit, showcasing original work created by county residents aged 60 and above. View the 2020 exhibit online at www.ucnj.org/senior-art.
“The Freeholder Board is proud to showcase the artwork created by our senior citizens each year, and this year we are very pleased to present this exhibit virtually, enabling these talented artists to share their work with everyone in the community,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
Awards in each media category were designated by a panel of professional artist-jurors. All entries awarded First Place have advanced to the state level, representing Union County in the 2020 New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show, on view at www.NJSeniorArts.com
The annual Senior Citizens Art Exhibit is coordinated and administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, and made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Union County Announces Great Pumpkin Sail Tickets Go On Sale Starting October 6
The Union County Freeholder Board is happy to announce that tickets for this year’s Great Pumpkin Sail at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside will go on sale at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6. Tickets will be available online at www.ucnj.org/ticket.
“The Great Pumpkin Sail is a signature Union County event,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We look forward to bringing families together to celebrate this annual tradition.”
The Great Pumpkin Sail will take place on November 1 and 2 with four sessions scheduled for each night. The first session will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.; the second session will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; the third session will run from 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.; and session four will run from 8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Attendees are advised to register early since space is limited. All participants must be wearing a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Each ticket admits up to six (6) people. There is a limit of 2 tickets per person. There will be no refunds, exchanges or group sales. The cost is $12 per family, and families are limited to six people for in-county residents. Out-of-county residents pay $16 per family and are also limited to six people per family.
Each family ticket includes the right to float one pre-carved Jack-o-Lantern, weighing no more than eight (8) pounds after carving. A family ticket must be purchased in advance in order to float a Jack-o-Lantern.
Help with Senior Services
Find upcoming local events to learn about senior services. Click here.
Upcoming events from the Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Pre Registration is required for each session. Click on the session title to register online. OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour with host Micayla Mirabella Tune in for an hour-long conversations with some of New Jersey’s dedicated LGBTQ+ advocates, community leaders, and allies. QUEER EMPOWERMENT HOUR will explore LGBTQ+ specific topics and offer stories and discussions involving queer folks from different backgrounds and experiences. Come with an open mind, leave with a new understanding. Wednesday, September 30 Video on our Facebook page Wednesday, October 14 at 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 11 at 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 pm
Being a Supportive Parent to a Queer Person
Queer Pioneers and Activists
Transgender Identity and Inclusion
Being Queer in the Military
Ally Talk – Hear from Straight Friends and Advocates
Faith and LGBTQueer+ Panel
Cultural Events Calendar
VIDEOS Enjoy now or any time Historic Sites in Union County Take a virtual tour of some of the “Four Centuries” historic sites in Union County. You may be surprised at the rich history in our midst. ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/historic-sites-map/videos-of-four-century-sites/ Now thru Mar 12 Mon–Fri, 1 pm–4 pm (or by appointment*) ART EXHIBIT (FREE) THE BRIDGE: 3rd Annual Celebration of African American Artists The Gallery Space presents THE BRIDGE, featuring artworks by Malloy Marcial, Kirk Maynard, Anthony Gartmond, Troy Jones, Philip Robinson Jr. Yoland Skeete, Sunday Rebel (Jesse Wright) and Theda Sandiford. Art provides insights into the experiences of others. In a world with many divisions, it is imperative for people to come to a greater understanding of others. Exhibit presented by the City of Rahway, Dept. of Recreation & Senior Services. FREE *Also open by appointment. Call 732-827-2210. The Gallery Space 1670 Irving St., Rahway 7:30 – 8:30 pm (Virtual live event) THEATRE Join Broadway’s groundbreaking Tony Award-winning performer Ali Stroker for an intimate livestreamed concert from the stage of Kean University’s Enlow Recital Hall. The evening will feature songs from the Great American Songbook from composers such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Sondheim, Carole King, Stephen Schwartz, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more. $25 http://www.keanstage.com/ali-stroker Enlow Recital Hall, 908-737-7469 Closed Captioning, ASL interpreters Feb 28 4–5:30 pm FREE – Virtual Event The Soundtrack of Black Culture – African-American Heritage Celebration This live virtual event features vocal sensation Valarie Adams and The Dimensions Band; classical pianist Richard Austin; saxophonist and vocalist Lance Bryant with his daughter Caylen on bass; soprano Sheila Harris Jackson; and more. Presented by Ivy Visions, charitable arm of Theta Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. FREE but registration is required by Sat., Feb. 27 at Eventbrite. 10:30 am FREE (Live Virtual Event) RE-ENACTOR Female Spies in World War II Hear thrilling tales from spymaster Vera Atkins, who delivers up secrets about women who were spies during World War II. Performed by re-enactor Alisa Dupuy. Cohosted by the Historical Society of Plainfield/Drake House Museum and the Plainfield Public Library. FREE but Registration is required at: 2021 CHORAL CONCERT (on video) Watch/listen now or anytime Oratorio Singers – Works by Mozart, Handel & Vaughan Williams Featuring a chamber choir performing works by Mozart and Vaughan Williams, and renowned soprano Maureen Francis singing works by Mozart and Handel, the Oratorio Singers present a virtual concert — followed by a video narrated by Music Director Trent Johnson about the 40-year history of the Oratorio Singers, based in Westfield. VIDEO LECTURES (FREE) Watch now or any time Plainfield Symphony presents “Chat with Charles” – Beethoven’s 5th & Mahler’s 9th This ambitious series of on-demand video-lectures from Plainfield Symphony features Conductor and Music Director Charles Prince discussing Beethoven’s iconic Symphony No. 5 and Mahler’s Ninth, broken down by movement. Each video-lecture is an intimate talk elucidating the themes and history of the music, and includes excerpts played by orchestra members, plus footage from full-orchestra performances. Understand and enjoy these masterworks at The Plainfield Symphony Channel.
Feb 27
Mar 13
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities and Community Events
The Office of Community Engagement & Diversity of the County of Union is located within the Department of Economic Development. If you have any questions regarding requesting volunteer services or partnering up with our Office for events, please contact Nathalie Hernandez at 908-527-4880 nahernandez@ucnj.org
The safety and well-being of our residents has always been & will remain our top priority. Due to the recommendations from our State Governor, all events have been postponed until further notice. Thank you for your continued support