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Union County Freeholders Linda Carter, Vernell Wright, Alexander Mirabella and Bette Jane Kowalski were on hand to assist Lt. Luke and Sara Barney of the Salvation Army and Donna and Rich Albanese-DeMair, owners of the Dairy Queen in Plainfield, at the annual “Christmas in July” donated bicycle give-away event hosted by the Salvation Army in Plainfield.

They were joined by Union County Traffic Safety Program Coordinator Christine Marcantonio and safety specialist Ron Esposito of AAA Northeast, NJ Division. Mr. Albanese-DeMair refurbished all the bikes making them as-good-as-new. He has refurbished hundreds bikes for local children over several years.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

This week, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring the two more free performances of the Shakespeare in the Park tour of Twelfth Night to the outdoor amphitheater in Linden on Wednesday evening July 27 at 7 p.m. and Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Sunday afternoon July 31 at 1 p.m.

Pack a picnic (and bring a blanket or lawn chairs for the performance at Echo Lake Park) and head out to enjoy Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble’s abridged 75-minute performance of this time-honored story of mistaken identities, bewildering desires, practical jokes, and bawdy merriment – all in the name of love.  

“This summer’s tour of Twelfth Night in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most remarkable storyteller the world has ever known,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Set in the land of Illyria, Twelfth Night is one of William Shakespeare’s most riotous comedies. Disguises, mistaken identities, and the chaos of love take center stage as Viola washes ashore after her ship wrecks off the coast and, disguising herself as a boy for safety, is immediately embroiled in the clever and romantic schemes of the Duke and Olivia. At the same time, Olivia’s servants convince one of their own—Malvolio—that Olivia is in love with him. Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, adds to the mix and confusion until a happy ending for most is attained.

The final two performances in Union County’s Shakespeare in the Park tour of Twelfth Night are:
Friday, August 5 at Rahway River Park in Rahway at 7 p.m.
Monday, August 8 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark at 7 p.m.
Admission is free to each of the six performances.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org/summer.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to Madison McBride of Fanwood congratulating her on winning the Trooper of the Year Award at the 83rd annual Spring Troop Horse Show at the Watchung Stable in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan congratulates Mansfield Township Police Officer Gregory Zytko and K9 Jax, New Jersey Park Police Officer Rolando Rodriguez and K9 Cabo, Union County Sheriff’s Officer Ashley Current and K9 Sam, New Jersey Park Police Officer Karl Mott and K9 Kelly, and New Jersey Park Police Officer Kenneth Kriete and K9 Zico on graduating the Union County’s Sheriff’s Office K9 Training Academy during the graduation ceremony for Class 16-01 in Summit. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Merck employees and interns cleaned up Michael S. Bezega Park in Rahway recently for an Adopt-a-Park project. The volunteers used the event to pick up trash, clear trails, and cut away invasive vegetation in the park.

If you, your organization, or company would like to take part in Union County’s Adopt-a-Park Program, call Parks & Recreation at 908-789-3683. An Adopt-a-Park coordinator will help you and your group select an area to maintain.

This summer, Union County Department of Parks & Recreation is fortunate to have two interns from Kean University and one from Fordham University who are volunteering their time while gaining experience in the environmental field. The students are working to complete a study of a deer exclosure in the Watchung Reservation. The exclosure is a fenced area meant to keep deer out so native plants can thrive.

Hopefully, the exclosure will act as a natural nursery for the areas outside the fencing. Other duties as an intern include preparing for this year’s Bio-Blitz, entering data collected during the event, and assisting with Saturday Trail Work and Adopt-a-Park projects.

The Freeholders and the Parks & Recreation Department would like to thank Marionela Gavriliuc and Bethania Rocha of Roselle Park and Noah Stiles of Westfield for helping out with the projects. Kean University Professor Dr. Daniela Shebitz and Rutgers University student Jason Hafstad were also on-hand to assist with the project.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulates Tyler Hall on winning the 96th New Jersey State Golf Association Open Championship at Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. The tournament marks the first time in its history that it was played at a county-owned golf course. Hall won the NJSGA Open Championship for the second year in a row, the first repeat winner in about 20 years. He also did something no one has ever had the opportunity to do in the 95-year history of the state championship—win it on a public golf course. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)