ELIZABETH – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County Manager invite you to the annual “Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Around the Rotunda Christmas Tree” on Friday, December 22nd, at 11:00 a.m.
The event will be held in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse building, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ.
Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen is the master of ceremonies. The event includes caroling, musical entertainment, and a visit from Santa.
Ms. Carol Guevarez of Linden donated this year’s Christmas tree, a 40ft. tall blue spruce. She and her family planted the tree in honor of her late father who passed away in 1990.
Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak moderated a Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall hosted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey at Kean University in Union. The panelists included Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and Union County Acting Prosecutor Thomas Isenhour. For more information visit, knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
If you know of an individual, organization, or business that stands out for helping others, the Union County Human Relations Commission would like to know about them.
The Commission is seeking nominations for its prestigious 2018 Unity Achievement Awards, which honor volunteerism and public service in all of its forms. Award nominees must live, work, or attend school in Union County.
“We want to hear about the people you know who dedicate their time and effort to do wonderful things that not only enhance others’ experiences and quality of life, but raise and honor the human spirit,” Commission Co-Chair Nora Mislan said. “Those who are nominated for these Awards are regular people who do extraordinary things. Their efforts improve the lives of others, and by doing so, they truly make a difference in our world.”
“These Awards recognize programs, services, activities, and efforts being put forth by local role models who promote cultural diversity, strong community relations, and human rights,” Mislan added.
Past Unity Achievement Award recipients have included corporations, business organizations, community organizations, nonprofit organizations, individuals, law-enforcement representatives, public servants, clergy, faith-based organizations, members of the media, students, educators, and veterans. The 2017 Awards will mark the 16th annual year in which honorees have been named.
The Commission’s 2017 Awards honored grief counselors, an eighth-grade student, a high-school senior, a retired police lieutenant, volunteers who assist foster children, three mothers, two veterans, and our neighbors who volunteer their time. Their efforts included helping children cope with loss, providing meals to seniors, making available child-to-child encouragement for children combatting cancer, increasing youth understanding of autism to encourage acceptance and friendship, and more.
A listing of all of the previous Unity Achievement Award recipients in all categories can be found on the county website, ucnj.org.
The commissioners who volunteer their time and energy to serve on the Union County Human Relations Commission unequivocally agree that the best way to strive to accomplish their mission — to actively encourage, develop, promote, and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity among the people of Union County — is to publicly honor those who already do it well.
Nominations for the 2018 Awards are being accepted now, and they must be received no later than Wednesday, December 27, 2017.
The nomination form is available online at www.ucnj.org/uchrc. You can also request the form by calling Commissioner Karen Positan at 908-889-9028 or emailing her at kpositan@ucnj.org.
Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh welcomes Thomas Jefferson (Steven Edenbo) and Alexander Hamilton (Eben Kuhns) to the Union County Preforming Arts Center in Rahway where the actors performed “Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton: Conflict and the Constitution.”
The show, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, was designed for middle school students and features a one hour meeting and debate between two of the most controversial founding fathers. Hundreds of students from schools throughout Union County will see the show.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada visit the Veterans Memorial Grove in Rahway River Park which is being refurbished. Missing trees are being replaced and the area around the memorial marker is being refurbished in the historic tree grove. They were joined by Union County Deputy Manager Amy Wagner, Union County Parks and Recreation Director Ron Zuber and Janna Williams of the Union County Office of Veterans Affairs. The project is part of Chairman Bergen’s UCHERO initiative. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
This morning, the blue spruce tree, donated by Miss Carol Guevarez of Linden, arrived at the Union County Courthouse Rotunda just in time for the Holiday season. The public is invited to view the tree, which will be on display until about the second week of January.
The tree will be the centerpiece of the annual “Christmas Carol Sing-along around the Rotunda Christmas Tree” on Friday, December 22nd. Hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the sing-along features a visit from Santa Claus. All are invited to participate and share in the joy of the holiday season. The Union County Courthouse is located at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth. (Photo by County of Union)
Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and Undersheriffs Michael Frank and Amilcar Colon congratulate the Sheriff’s officers who participated in No Shave November and raised $6,200 for The New Jersey Veterans Network and The Prostate Cancer Foundation. No Shave November challenges participants to forgo shaving for the month in order to raise money for charity. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the UC Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, the Concord Singers will perform their holiday concert on Saturday evening, Dec. 9, in Summit.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to celebrate the season at a variety of festive events right here in Union County this month, with music ranging from light-hearted holiday favorites to the exalting sounds of Handel’s Messiah.
“Recognizing the importance of culture and the arts to our economy and quality of life, the Freeholder Board proudly supports the performing arts community in Union County,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.
Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the following holiday programs received funding from the UC Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation through the Local Arts Grant Program or the Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program:
CONCERT The Celebration Singers present “Season of Lights” Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2 at 8 PM Don’t miss the joy of attending the annual holiday concert by Celebration Singers.
$20 ($15 for children & seniors)
St. Michael’s Church
40 Alden St., Cranford www.celebration-singers.org
THEATRE A Very Special (Holiday) Special Saturday, December 2 at 8 PM This all-original, old-fashioned variety show is in the style of traditional TV holiday specials. This “Very Special Special” includes a healthy serving of improv, spoofs of holiday songs, comic sketches and fun.
Tickets: $15–$20
Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre (Ensemble Theatre with Humor and Heart) Oakes Center
120 Morris Ave., Summit
908-514-9654 (for tickets: 800-838-3006) www.dreamcatcherrep.org
CONCERT Myth & Mystery – A Holiday Concert Saturday, December 9 at 7 PM The Concord Singers will present a program including choral works by Benjamin Britten, Lana Walter, Edward Elgar, Samuel Barber, Gabriel Faure and more — as well as some traditional carols.
$20 ($10 for children 12 & under)
Calvary Episcopal Church
31 Woodland Ave., Summit https://concordsingers.org/holiday-2017-myths-and-mystery/
CONCERT Handel’s Messiah presented by Summit Chorale Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 PM The complete classic work will be presented with chamber orchestra and soloists.
$20 in advance available online ($25 at the door / $10 for students)
St. John’s Lutheran Church
587 Springfield Ave., Summit www.summitchorale.org
FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT Crescent Concerts – Yuletide by Candlelight Saturday, December 16 at 5 PM The glow of candles will brighten Crescent Avenue sanctuary as the Crescent Singers present their 46th annual holiday concert as a gift to the community.
FREE
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
Watchung Ave. at East Seventh St., Plainfield
908-756-2468 www.crescentconcerts.org
CONCERT “Christmas Time in the City” PRISM Concert Extravaganza Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 PM This concert features the Continuo Arts Foundation’s choral ensembles and other local performance groups.
$20 adults ($10 students/seniors)
Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School Auditorium
272 Morris Ave., Summit
908-264-5324 www.continuoarts.com
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board and its Arts Grant Committee, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts have made funds available for support of the arts through a State/County Block Grant Partnership for non-profit arts and non-arts organizations located in, and serving the residents of Union County, that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in producing arts activities. The program is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation.
All grant programs, including the Union County Local Arts Grant Program and the HEART Grant Program are competitive.
Artists, educators, civic and historical non-profit organizations that want information about next year’s gran opportunities can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or send E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.
Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the UC Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, the Summit Chorale will present Handel’s Messiah on Saturday evening, Dec. 9.
A blue spruce from the home of Miss Carol Guevarez in Linden will be donated on December 4th and featured in the Union County Courthouse Rotunda for the holiday season.
“Everyone looks forward to seeing the decorated tree in the rotunda each holiday season,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, a resident of Linden. “On behalf of the Board of Freeholders, I would like to thank Miss Guevarez for her donation.”
The tree stands at 40 feet tall and has a sentimental meaning for Guevarez, a paramedic for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway. She said her family planted the tree 27 years ago in honor of her father.
“We planted the tree in honor of my father when he passed away,” said Guevarez. “It is a special tree and it turned out to be beautiful.”
On Monday morning, December 4th, a crew from the Union County Shade Tree Bureau will travel to Linden to cut the tree and load it onto a flatbed truck to be transported to the Union County Courthouse. A crane will lift the tree onto the courthouse steps and then it will be moved into the building.
Once inside the rotunda, the tree will be placed in a sturdy barrel stand weighed down with concrete. Workers will spend the next few days decorating the tree with many ornaments and lights.
The public is invited to view the tree, which will be on display until about the second week of January.
On Friday December 22nd, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will host a Christmas sing-along around the tree with a visit from Santa Claus. All are invited to participate in this event, details of which will be finalized over the next week.
A veteran investigator who has served nearly a decade in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit today was the proud recipient of an Outstanding Law Enforcement Service Award from the New Jersey Sex Crimes Officers Association ahead of its 20th annual Sex Crimes Information Sharing Conference in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, acting Union County Prosecutor Thomas K. Isenhour announced Wednesday.
Lt. Patricia “Trish” Gusmano accepted the award from Prosecutor’s Office acting Chief of Detectives Vincent G. Gagliardi and Special Victims Unit Supervisor/Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, in recognition of her years of excellence, dedication, and tireless efforts in investigations into sex crimes and human trafficking.
“I have had the opportunity to observe Lt. Gusmano’s work in many cases, and she is one of the most persistent and hardest-working investigators we have,” Lawlor said. “Many members of the Special Victims Unit have indicated that it was a pleasure to work alongside her, and they often seek her out for her vast knowledge and input on investigations. Her experience and talents are invaluable to newer assistant prosecutors and detectives.”
“Lt. Gusmano, since the start of her career with our Office, has been one of the most dedicated investigators in the State of New Jersey,” Chief Gagliardi added. “I am proud to call her a colleague, and today she received an honor that was truly deserved.”
As a sergeant in the Special Victims Unit, which annually handles approximately 500 to 600 referrals on incidents of alleged sexual and physical abuse of children, Gusmano was routinely assigned to handle an expansive and high-profile caseload.
One of her most notable recent investigations, launched in April 2016 and featured prominently in Prosecutor Isenhour’s written nomination for the Award, resulted in multiple first- and second-degree human trafficking charges filed against three defendants accused of using online ads to promote paid sex with underage victims in locations across Union and neighboring Essex counties. The investigation entailed the review of more than a thousand registration records from local motels, the filing of numerous subpoenas and preservation requests served for multiple social media sites, careful review of dozens of advertisements for correlation to known phone numbers and email addresses, and conducting interviews in an attempt to identify more victims. Lt. Gusmano spearheaded the investigation while still handling myriad other tasks, such as supervising other cases, fulfilling her on-call responsibilities, testifying in grand jury, and preparing a trial.
Earlier this year, Gusmano was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
