County of Union
Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi welcomes members of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association at the County Clerk’s annual appreciation luncheon in honor of Municipal Clerks Week. This year’s luncheon was held at Liberty Hall Museum in Union.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Become a 4-H volunteer and help create life-changing experiences for youth in your community. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is seeking adult volunteer leaders for their 4-H LEGO Robotics Club and Pet Club this fall.
“Volunteer leaders are a valued and essential part of 4-H youth development programs helping students to explore their interests and share them with the community in a supportive and collaborative environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and its guiding principles of thoughtfulness, community service and healthy living.”
Union County’s 4-H LEGO Robotics Club engages students in 5th and 6th grades in hands-on technology experiments that focus on science, mathematics and language concepts. Students explore LEGO robot building with typical LEGO bricks, sensors, a motor and a few other specialty pieces. The basics of programming, engineering, and constructing are all part of the process. Students are encouraged to use creativity, teamwork and problem solving.
Union County’s 4-H Pet Club provides 1st and 2nd grade students who love pets a fun opportunity to learn all about pet care while developing key life skills including teamwork and decision making. Students explore animal ownership responsibilities including, grooming, training and exercise, feeding, and safety.
Both Union County 4-H clubs will meet at the Collen Fraser Building in Westfield on Saturday morning starting in September. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program provides training for adult leaders and curriculum materials for each club. For more information or to apply for the Union County 4-H adult volunteer leader positions please contact Jim Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent at 908-654-9854 or email him at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.
Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The clubs belong to a 100-year American tradition established by the U.S Department of Agriculture by an Act of Congress, originally meant to help rural communities connect with useful information about agriculture and family health.
Over the years, 4-H has kept pace with the shift to urban and suburban life, using popular activities to help youngsters to engage in civic affairs and develop related skills such as teamwork and public speaking.
In Union County, the current 4-H slate includes modern clubs like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design. The program also offers traditional favorites such as horticulture, cooking and archery. Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.
For more information about Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Union County 4-H clubs visit ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.
This past weekend Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Angel G. Estrada attended the 27th Annual Union County Spring Garden Fair at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
This event was a success with many gardeners look forward to this spring garden fair every year. Gardeners can get free, reliable tips from the Master Gardeners of Union County who are trained and certified volunteer by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with the support of the Freeholder Board.
Pictured from left to right are: Richard Leister (President of Union County Masters Gardens), Madeline DiNardo (County Agriculture Agent), Fred Taylor, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, Joanne Krueger (Chair of Spring Gardens Fair
Star-studded lineup includes Sister Sledge, C&C Music Factory, Blackstreet, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announce that the annual Rhythm and Blues by the Brook free outdoor music festival will kick off the Summer season at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Saturday, June 4th with an exciting lineup of entertainment, featuring Sister Sledge, whose hit song “We Are Family,” became a worldwide anthem at the end of the ‘70s.
The event runs from noon to 6 p.m., and also features the high-energy dance music of C&C Music Factory (“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”, “Here We Go (Let’s Rock & Roll)”, “Things That Make You Go Hmmm”), the Grammy Award-winning R&B act, Blackstreet (“No Diggity”), and guitar-inspired blues act, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials.
“This is going to be a tremendous musical event with such well-known acts,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We hope our residents will be able to meet up with friends and family, listen to some great music and enjoy a day at the park.”
“Rhythm and Blues by the Brook is a signature event for Union County and a great showcase for the City of Plainfield as well,” said Freeholder Linda Carter, a lifelong resident of Plainfield. “This show is packed with extraordinary entertainment, and is a great way to kick off the Summer season in our parks.”
Rhythm and Blues by the Brook features free activities for young children, including inflatable rides, a petting zoo, and pony rides. The children’s area will open at 12:00 noon and close at 4:30 p.m., when the main act takes the stage.
Returning to Rhythm and Blues by the Brook is the G-Wiz Classic & Exotic Automotive SuperShow, located near the basketball court across from the concert area.
Food vendors will be on site, and a number of picnic tables will be conveniently located under a tent in the concert “outfield.” Concert-goers are also welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Tips For Those Attending:
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Vernell Wright present a resolution in honor of Police Week to Union County Police Captain Martin Mogensen, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Captain James Russo, Union County Sheriff’s Captain Dennis Burke and members of the Union County SWAT team after a special weapons and tactics demonstration at the SWAT Range in Springfield. They were joined by Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park. Mayors, police chiefs and officials from municipalities throughout Union County attended the informative SWAT demonstration. National Police Week takes place from Sunday, May 15 through Saturday, May 21, 2016. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is looking for artisans and crafts people to demonstrate Early American work and craft skills and to sell their hand-crafted wares at Union County’s 35th Annual Harvest Festival. The event is a celebration of Early American life featuring music, children’s crafts, games, demonstrations and displays, a petting zoo and much more. The Harvest Festival will take place, rain or shine, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Sunday, September 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“The Watchung Reservation is the perfect venue for visitors of all ages to come and experience early American Culture and history,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Each year this event has proven to be fascinating and fun-filled for all who attend”.
The Union County Harvest Festival is a popular event that attracts over 3,500 visitors each year. By participating, demonstrators and vendors of hand-crafted goods will receive excellent exposure and have the opportunity to educate others about their craft or work skill and the Early American period in general. Examples of the handicrafts and work skills being sought are: blacksmithing, candle making, broom making, shoe making, hat making, jewelry making, and quilting and other colonial or Native American crafts or skills.
For details about how to participate, please call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527- 4106.
For more information on Trailside Nature and Science Center please visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.
On Wednesday, May 12th, Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, and County Manager Alfred Faella enjoyed the spectacular performances of the very talented High School students throughout Union County at the Union County Teen Arts Showcase at the Union County Performing Arts Center.
Freeholder Kowalski and County Manager Faella served as Emcees and were taken back by the extreme talents. Vice Chairman Granados was also in awe as he watched from the audience. There is no wonder why 13 groups will move on to the State Festival to represent the County in June.
(From left) Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright presented certificates of recognition and congratulated Clarissa Robles of Elizabeth, Queen King of Hillside, Kristina Geiger of Clark, Joe Narciso of New Providence, Sgt. Johnny Henderson of Plainfield, Alexis Monaco of Roselle Park, Lt. Thomas Nugent of Roselle and Bill Ilaria of Cranford on being named the 2016 Union County Municipal Volunteers of the Year by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Union.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)