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Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella speak with Scotch Plains Recreation Director Matt Mercurio, driver Lynn Barattucci and resident Sylvia Lovell about the new passenger van awarded to the township as part of Chairman Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative for 2016. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded vans to 18 municipalities in Union County to provide transportation for the seniors in each town. For more information on the “Seniors in Motion” initiative and other senior programs, call the Office of the Director, Department of Human Services at 908-527-4808 or visit ucnj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)

Nominations are being accepted now through the end of November for the 25th annual Women of Excellence awards.  The awards highlight the powerful impact that women have on the Union County community. The deadline to submit a nomination for consideration is December 1, 2016.

“Each year, the Women of Excellence awards celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of women of diverse backgrounds from throughout Union County who have distinguished themselves in their careers and communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “I encourage local government agencies, businesses and non-profits, and residents to nominate a woman of excellence, whether professional or volunteer, to be recognized for their commitment to Union County.”

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Commission on the Status of Women, the awards program celebrates women who live or work in Union County and have made important contributions of professional or volunteer work. This year, the new Union County Office on Women – a 2016 initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen – joins in sponsoring the Women of Excellence awards.

Women can be nominated for their contributions in the categories of Arts and Humanities, Business and Entrepreneurial, Community Service, Education, Government, Law, Law Enforcement, Medicine and Health Care, or Women’s Advocacy.

The Women of Excellence Award is open to all women, 21 years or older, who live, work, or volunteer in Union County.

Awardees will receive a Freeholder Resolution in their honor and will be celebrated at the annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, to be held on March 24, 2017 at the Clubhouse at Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.

For more information about submitting a Women of Excellence nomination, or to download a nomination form, visit ucnj.org/women-of-excellence-award. Questions about the nomination process can be emailed to Jane O’Hara, johara1217@gmail.com.

All nominations should be mailed to Jane O’Hara at 708 Newark Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 and postmarked no later than December 1, 2016.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders cut the ribbon today on a major renovation and expansion at the Watchung Stables, the County’s public horse riding facility, that included a new indoor riding ring to enable year-round use.

“The dream of year-round riding at the Watchung Stables has come true and will help spur the growth and accessibility to horse riding at our stables while attracting additional revenues to support this worthwhile program,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The main features of the new project are:

• Construction of an energy-efficient indoor ring that requires no heating in winter;
• Renovation/construction of three outdoor riding rings and six paddocks;
• New surfaces, fencing, and landscaping throughout the facility;
• Installation of new barn doors to save energy and prevent heat loss in winter.

The Freeholder Board awarded a $2.3 million contract last September to JC Landscape Construction & Management Co., Inc. of Pequannock to build the improvements.

“The many volunteers who have supported Watchung Stables over the years have been inspirational, and they highlight how this valuable community asset has enriched Union County over the years,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados who is the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the Department of Parks and Recreation. “Horseback riding teaches valuable life lessons, and we are proud to preserve and improve a Union County tradition that began in 1925.”

The Watchung Stables are located in the Watchung Reservation, on Summit Lane in Mountainside. The stables’ Watchung Mounted Troops youth program currently serves approximately 700 children yearly, many of whom volunteer at the stables and perform related community service projects when they are not riding.

The Watchung Stables also offers classes and programs for adults and casual riders, activities for non-riders, and boarding services for privately owned horses. For more info: https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/watchung-stable/

Three volunteer groups raise funds for equipment and help staff activities and programs at the stable: Watchung Stables Auxiliary, Watchung Jr. Hunt Club, and Watchung Riding and Driving Club. The Auxiliary also includes a subcommittee called School Horses of Watchung Retirement Program, which arranges new homes for horses that are too old for stables work.

The Watchung Stables have been a fixture in Union County since the origin of the County Parks system in 1925.  Along with golf, tennis, swimming and other facilities in County parks, Watchung Stables was established to provide all County residents with access to a popular activity that would otherwise require membership in private clubs and riding facilities.

The original location of Watchung Stables was in Summit, on Glenside Avenue. That site was lost in the 1980’s when the “missing link” of Interstate 78 was constructed. Work on the present facility in Mountainside began in 1983 and largely concluded in 1985. The initial plans called for the construction of an indoor ring.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the new “Senior Focus” grant program for 2016. Designed to support the well-being, safety and quality of life for senior adults in Union County, “Senior Focus” funding may be used for repairs and rehabilitation of senior center facilities or equipment for the centers.

“The senior population of Union County is growing, and with ‘Senior Focus’ we demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that local communities have the resources to continue improving their facilities, programs and services,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.

The new “Senior Focus” grant will make available awards of up to $25,000 to each of Union County’s 21 municipalities for capital improvements or equipment purchases to en
hance their local senior center facilities. Qualifying centers must be owned by the municipality and used exclusively or primarily as a senior center. 

Examples of improvements covered under the grant include ADA access improvements, repairs to or replacement the roof, plumbing and electrical upgrades, and site improvements.

In addition to capital projects, examples of acceptable equipment purchases could include computers/printers, stereos and headphones, and PA systems.

Offered as part of Chairman Bergen’s “Year of the Senior” 2016 initiatives, the new “Senior Focus” program complements the recently announced “Seniors in Motion” program, which provides vans for senior transportation to the County’s municipalities.

“The ‘Year of the Senior’ programs are intended to support our senior adults and provide access to services that impact their quality of life,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.

Administered through the Department of Human Services, grant applications have been sent to all 21 municipalities and the review process will begin in November. Grant awards will be announced later this year. For more information contact the Office of the Director, Department of Human Services at (908) 527-4808.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to explore the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils and gems at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 from noon to 5 p.m. on both days.

“This two-day event, open to the public, brings the world of rocks and gems to life with many exhibits and displays,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society and the New Jersey Lapidary Society, the Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show will host more than 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world.  Geologists young and old will be mesmerized by the variety of specimens on display and for sale.  Children can purchase geodes, arrowheads and fluorescent minerals, while adults may enjoy the jewelry, fine gems and collector-grade pieces.  Free children’s activities are available.  Admission to the event on both days is free.

For more information about the Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show call Trailside at 908-789-3670.  Visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for additional information on programs offered this fall at Trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright joined Gail Kellogg, Proceed Inc. Executive Director Teresa Soto Vega, United Way of Great Union County President & CEO James Horne Jr. and James Kellogg Jr. in cutting the ribbon officially naming the James Kellogg Multicultural Family Success Center during a dedication ceremony in Elizabeth.

Renaming the facility was in honor of the memory of James Kellogg whose J C Kellogg Foundation provided a multi-year grant that helped the Family Success Center opened its doors in August 2013.

The James Kellogg Multicultural Family Success Center, which is sponsored through a partnership of Union County, the United Way and Proceed Inc., works to integrate  workforce development, social service and family support strategies to assist residents in need in Elizabeth and throughout Union County.

Several members of the Kellogg family attended the dedication ceremony.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan joined Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Senior Assistant Executive Director Tanya Johnson, former DYFS Director Nicholas Scalera and University of Pennsylvania student Glen Casey at the 4th Annual Union County Youth Services Networking Conference in Elizabeth.

The event was sponsored by the County of Union, CAU and a coalition of public and nonprofit youth services organizations that make up the Union County Youth Services Steering Committee and focused on improving services for youths and young adults. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Linda Carter, Christopher Hudak, Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright present a resolution to Prevention Links Executive Director Pam Capaci proclaiming October 21-29 Red Ribbon Week in Union County at the 18th Annual Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Day at Nomahegan Park in Cranford. The event kicked off Red Ribbon Week which is aimed at educating young people about the dangers of drugs and encourages them to live a drug free lifestyle. For more information, visit www.preventionlinks.org.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Advocate Gary Whyte presents Freeholder Angel G. Estrada with a plaque thanking him for his help in spreading the word about the FOP Awareness Initiative. FOP is a rare, disabling genetic condition that causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)