County of Union, New Jersey

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Andrea Staten present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Gwendolyn Ryan congratulating her on being named the permanent Superintendent of the schools in Scotch Plains. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ– The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to announce the dates for the upcoming Summer Arts Concert series and highly anticipated Family Fun & Flix film series.

“Our free summer events are sure to have something for every member of the family to enjoy”, said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “I look forward to a summer full of outdoor entertainment and activities to bring our county residents even closer together.”

The fun begins with Family, Fun, and Flix on July 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Wheeler Park in Linden. As part of the evening’s events, UC Get Fit, a health initiative of the Union County Freeholder Board, will offer fitness fun for kids before the movie. Immediately after at dusk the movie A Dogs Way Home will begin.

The following is a list of Family, Fun, and Flix movies throughout the summer at Union County Parks:
• July 9 – A Dogs Way Home at Wheeler Park, Linden
• July 16 – Hotel Transylvania 3 at Warinanco Park, Elizabeth
• July 23 – Lego Movie 2 at Warinanco Park, Elizabeth
• July 29 – Hotel Transylvania 3 at Rutgers Ave. Park, Hillside
• July 30 –Spiderman-Into the Spider-Verse at Warinanco Park, Elizabeth
• August 6 – Ralph Breaks the Internet at Meisel Park, Springfield (with NNO)
• August 12 – Incredibles 2 at Tamaques Park, Westfield
• August 13 –Incredibles 2 at Warinanco Park, Elizabeth

On July 10th the Summer Arts Concert Series continues with Radio Petty (The Best of Tom Perry) at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or towel for UC Fit Yoga at 6:30. The concert will begin promptly at 7:30.

The Board of Chosen Freeholders in conjunction with Foodstock NJ and the Community Food Bank of NJ are requesting that residents donate non-perishable food items to assist those in need at the July 10th Summer Arts Concert Series at Echo Lake Park. Summer is a particularly difficult time of year for our nation’s food banks. Families with children who had been receiving free or reduced cost breakfast and/or lunch at school must find ways to replace those meals during summer break.

The following is a list of the Summer Arts Concert Series dates and locations throughout the summer at Union County Parks:

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside – Wednesdays
July 10 – Radio Petty (The Best of Tom Petty)
July 17 – Verdict
July 24 – Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute)
July 31 – Marc Muller’s Grateful Jamband (Grateful Dead)
Oak Ridge Park, Clark – Wednesdays
Aug 7 – American Rapture
Aug 14 – Rob Paparozzi Juke Joint
Aug 21 – Hey Bulldog (Tribute to the Beatles)
Aug 28 – We May Be Right (The Billy Joel Experience)

For more details on the Summer Arts series, the Family Flix free outdoor movie series, and more summer activities in Union County Parks visit ucnj.org/calendar or call the Parks Department at 908-527-4900.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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Union County, NJ — Today marks 50 years since the start of the uprising at the Stonewall Inn that sparked the modern gay rights movement.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders honors the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, recognizing that the milestones achieved in the LGBTQ rights and equality movement today were made possible by trailblazers who first fought back against brutality and oppression and stood up for their rights then.

“The rebellion at the Stonewall Inn is one of the most important events that led to the rise of LGBTQ rights in this country,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “As elected officials, we are responsible for supporting the rights of all people. This Freeholder Board will continue to stand with the LGBTQ community to support inclusion and equality.”

This year’s Union County Pride events honored the early transgender, gay rights and AIDS activist, Marsha P. Johnson, a 1963 graduate of Elizabeth High School and a central figure in the gay liberation movement at Stonewall on the evening of June 28, 1969, highlighting her insistence on the urgency of resistance to advance civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.

As we mark the 50th anniversary of this significant moment in history, the Freeholder Board commends Union County elected officials and community leaders who hosted Pride flag raising ceremonies or community events to support visibility, dignity and equality for LGBTQ people in society.

“The unity found through Pride events is essential to increasing awareness and advancing civil rights protections for LGBTQ individuals,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Freeholder’s LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, we commend all of our municipal officials and community leaders who stand for inclusion and equality.”

This year, more than half of Union County’s municipalities joined the Freeholder Board to observe June as LGBTQ Pride Month with official Pride Month proclamations, community events or flying the rainbow flag in their community (supported by the Freeholder Board with a ‘Pride In A Box’ kit) including Cranford, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Union and Westfield.

In recognition of June as LGBTQ Pride month, the Freeholder Board also offered a series of events to foster inclusion and accelerate acceptance in the Union County community, including the 2nd annual Union County LGBTQ Pride Flag Raising honoring transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson (June7), TEEN PRIDE, an affirming celebration that promotes equality amongst young people (June 14), UC PRIDE in the Park (June 15), Union County SAGE Table intergenerational community lunch (June 23) and PRIDE Night with the Red Bulls (June 28).

Union County’s Pride month events were organized by the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, and presented in partnership with WellCare Health Plans, Xfinity and Atlantic Health System.

Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

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Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados and Angela Garretson joined New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) Foundation Executive Director John Donnadio, Investors Banks Vice President of Business Banking Carmen Rivera, PSE&G Regional Public Affairs Manager Michael Coyle and Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Gwendolyn Ryan in presenting NJAC Foundation scholarship checks and certificates to Union County Vocational Technical Schools graduates Lucas Jacomes of Rahway and Starrla Armwood of Summit. Lucas is the recipients of a Investors Bank Scholarship and Starrla is the recipient of the PSEG Scholarship.

The scholarships are funded by Investors Bank and PSE&G.

The NJAC Foundation is a non-profit organization affiliated with the New Jersey Association of Counties, and is committed to providing innovative educational opportunities for county vocational-technical school and county college students. Visit www.njac.org for additional details about NJAC and the NJAC Foundation. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)​

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that income-eligible seniors age 60 and up can apply for a total of $25.00 in free vouchers for use at local farmers markets. Seniors can redeem the vouchers for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at any participating market in Union County this summer, beginning on Thursday, June 27.

“In addition to the nutritional benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables, the voucher program also enables seniors to connect with their community and enjoy the social activity at local farmers markets in Union County,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

A limited number of vouchers are available and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The voucher program is funded through the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

To be eligible, a single person’s annual income cannot exceed $23,107 and a married couple’s combined income may not exceed $31,284.

Eligible seniors can apply for the vouchers by calling the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection toll free at 888-280-8226.

Seniors can also apply in person at any one of the eight voucher sites listed below. If needed, homebound seniors may send a proxy to apply on their behalf.

All applicants must provide proof of age, residency, and income, such as a Medicaid card, SSI, SNAP, annual pension, or Social Security statement.

The vouchers can be used at any farmers market in Union County where the yellow and black WIC sign is on display.

This year, participating markets are located in Cranford, Kenilworth, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle Park,  Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, and Westfied (please contact the host municipality for locations and hours of operation).                  

As a convenience, produce will also be available at five of the voucher sites beginning on July 15.

The voucher sites are:

Thursday June 27
Liberty Square Senior Center
240 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth
1:00 to 3:00 pm

Monday July 1
Casano Community Center
314 Chestnut St., Roselle Park
1:00 to 3:00 pm

Monday July 8
Hillside Senior Center
265 Hollywood Ave., Hillside
9:00-11:00 am

Monday July 15
O’Donnell-Dempsey Senior Center
622 Salem Ave., Elizabeth
9:00 am to 11 am (produce available)

Wednesday July 17
Warinanco Sports Center

1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, Roselle
9:30 am to 11:30 am (produce available)

Monday July 22
Ann Ferguson Towers
1601 Dill Ave., Linden
9:00 am to 11:00 am (produce available)

Wednesday July 24
Plainfield Senior Center
400 E. Front St., Plainfield
9:30 am to 11:30 am (produce available)

Wednesday August 7
Golden Age Towers
200 E. Milton Ave., Rahway
9:00 am to 11:00 am (produce available)

For more information about the farmers market nutrition program, or any services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource call 1-888-280-8226 or visit online at ucnj.org.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of the 50^th anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 11 spacecraft, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold a free screening of the Oscar-nominated film, Hidden Figures, which portrays the true story of African-American women who played a pivotal role in the race to orbit the Earth in 1962. The event will be held at the Union County College campus in Cranford, at 1033 Springfield Avenue, on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Roy Smith Theater.

The screening includes a live presentation by Plainfield resident Marion Lee Johnson. While an associate engineer at Boeing, Johnson was instrumental in the 1969 Apollo 11 launch, which culminated in the successful Moon landing of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

“We are fortunate to have people like Marion Johnson who have made such a difference for women in history by changing the way we look at women in STEM careers and by redefining gender and racial boundaries,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

Hidden Figures is the untold story of three women who served as the brains behind the launch into orbit of astronaut John Glenn in 1962. This visionary trio crossed all gender and racial barriers and inspired generations of women to achieve in STEM careers.

As an engineer at Boeing, Ms. Johnson conducted trial runs and provided data input which led to the historic lunar landing on July 20, 1969.

Johnson followed in the trailblazing footsteps of the three African-American women portrayed in the film Hidden Figures. She continues to speak about the need for mentors, and how mentorship was critical to her education and to her career. 

The video featuring Mrs. Johnson will have its first public screening during the July 16 event. After July 16, it will be available to view on ucnj.org/women.

The event is free but registration is required online at ucnj.org/women. For more information please contact Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women, jerdos@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4216.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.