Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Police today discovered the body of a 52-year-old Cranford man in the shallow waters of the Rahway River off South and Centennial Avenues around 9 a.m. this morning.

The man has been identified as Joseph Dugandzic, 52, of Cranford. Mr., Dugandzic is a popular teacher in the township’s high school and has been described as an active member of the community. An investigation is ongoing into the cause of death. The County Police were assisted by Cranford Police and Fire Departments.

The family of Mr. Dugandzic released the following statement:

“With heartfelt sadness, we announce the untimely passing of our beloved family member, husband, father, teacher, coach, and friend Joseph Dugandzic. Whether you were touched by Joe as a student at Cranford High School, on one of his many youth sports teams, at a charitable event, or as a friend, our community celebrates Joe’s legacy. Everyone has graciously asked our family what they can do during this time. As Joe frequently said, ‘the best thing we can do for our kids is give them the gift of our time.’ While there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support and love from the community, our family respectfully requests privacy at this time.”

Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza.

Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series explores the wonders of science in the dynamic and uniquely funny live performance of Bubble Trouble on stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Available now, all tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to present the sensory-friendly performance series, designed to increase access to the arts for children and adults with sensory sensitivities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Bring the entire family to experience this uniquely interactive sensory-friendly performance where the audience participates in the creation of art.”

A bubble volcano. Bubble roller coaster. A kid in a bubble? Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, he engages and delights audiences of all ages. A hit at performing arts centers, festivals…anywhere there’s air.

For each of the performances in Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.

Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4781 or visit ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Mary Kooi of Summit in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “County Clare to Cuenca” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through March 31. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Kooi’s beautiful landscape paintings.”

Mary is originally from the Chicago area, and transplanted to Summit in 2000.  She works in textile and furniture as an outside sales representative at Thibaut/Duralee in the D&D building in NYC servicing the interior design community.

Mary has been a student of art most of her life, minoring in Art at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, and earning a BFA in Textiles from the Art Institute of Chicago.  Mary continues her studies under the instruction of Valeri Larko at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit.  Mary has had the opportunity to travel to Monhegan Island, Maine, Maryland, the Cape, Delaware, Ireland, Italy and Spain with fellow artists to find inspiration for canvases like those displayed in this exhibit.

Mary’s painting reflects her love of light and color, particularly as reflected in outdoor scenes. Her work has been exhibited extensively in one-woman and group shows including: the Papermill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ; Edward Hopper House, Member’s Show, Nyack, NY; the Springfield, New Providence, Summit and Bernardsville Libraries; Visual Art Center of NJ, Summit; and other venues.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County Government will hold its annual reorganization at the County Courthouse on Sunday, January 8th, which begins at 12 p.m.

Those scheduled to be sworn into new terms include: Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Sergio Granados. Freeholder Bruce Bergen is expected to be appointed Chairman for a second-straight year, and Freeholder Granados is expected to be appointed, also for a second-straight year, as Vice Chairman.

Freeholders will also vote to fill numerous positions on county advisory boards and to adopt the board’s 2017 schedule and more.

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Marking the beginning of Chanukah, Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Union County Manager Alfred Faella gathered with Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky and representatives from Bris Avrohom of Hillside to light the menorah in Phil Rizzuto Park in Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and County Manager Alfred Faella honor and thank Chairman Bruce H. Bergen for an outstanding year at the helm of County Government with a plaque in honor of his “One County, One Community”  Chairman’s initiatives for 2016. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Berkeley Heights, New Providence & Summit Co-President Susan Ferris Rights (L) presents the LWV “Making Democracy Work” Award to Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (R), Past LWVUS President Susan Lederman (2nd L) and New Providence High School teacher Stephanie Hornstein during the LWV Scholarship Fund Gala December 11 in New Providence. For more information about the LWV, visit www.lwv-bhnps.org (Photo by Jim Lowey/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella and Union County Economic Development Director Amy Wagner speak with students at the 4^th annual UC STEP Summit at Kean University in Union. The Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UCSTEP) is a day-long summit that invites high school sophomores and juniors from throughout Union County to participate in hands-on activities focused on leadership, personal growth, and civic engagement. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)