Author: Web Site Administrator

 

How about a hike through history this fall?

What would it be like to retrace the steps of the American Revolutionary War Soldiers who engaged the British in Metuchen on June 26, 1777, and then fought a running battle across what is now Edison and Scotch Plains before retreating to the safety of the Watchung Mountains—through a pass by Seeley’s Pond that would become known as Bloody Gap?

On Saturday, October 17, find out.

The NJ Freewalkers, in cooperation with Union County Parks, is sponsoring the Battle of the Short Hills Historic Trail hike. The hike, part of the County’s Four Centuries In A Weekend celebration, ends at the Deserted Village in the Watchung Reservation, where there will be a host of activities and historic tours that Saturday, and Sunday.

To sign up for the hike and learn more details, go to: http://freewalkers.org/events/battle-of-short-hills-walk-2015

“We are hoping for good weather,” said Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados. “There is something inspiring about retracing the steps of the soldiers who fought for our independence and the Battle of the Short Hills was part of all that.”

“For those who do not feel they are up to do the full 13 miles, they are welcome to join the hikers at any point along the route,” said Paul Kiczek, who is coordinating the NJ Freewalkers hike, one of many held throughout the year in New York and the region

For those who hike up to the Deserted Village, they will have the option of riding a shuttle van to the Westfield train station to make their way home. And for those who want to hit their 20-mile mark, a 7-mile route will take hikers through the Reservation and along the cross-county and East Coast Greenways to the Cranford train station.

In addition to several historic sites in Metuchen and Edison, hikers will pass the Frazee House, and then a special exhibit at the edge of the Ash Brook Reservation, perhaps the only location in the entire battle that has not been developed since that time. Local historians will be on hand to explain how the Battle progressed, and how the colonial forces sought to slow the British by having their cannons bogged down in the Ash Swamp.

The British hoped that if they feigned a departure from New Jersey, they would lure the Continental Forces down from the Watchung Mountains, crush them, and finally end the Revolutionary War. The plan didn’t go so well, even though Washington’s troops of less than 6,000 were vastly outnumbered by a combined British and Hessian force numbering about 12,000.

There is also a nature trail leading into the swamp for those who would like to see first-hand the conditions troops faced.

Hikers will also pass the historic Fanwood Train Station, where the historical society will have free refreshments for hikers. The route continues past the Osborn Cannonball House in Scotch Plains and ends at the Deserted Village.

For more information about Four Centuries in a Weekend, visit ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella joined Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and Fanwood Councilman Tom Kranz at the groundbreaking for the new skateboard park in Forest Road Park in Fanwood. The new skateboard park project is funded in part through the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund grant program.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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The Moving New Jersey Forward Foundation will be hosting a huge celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month on Sunday, October 11, 2015.

“As someone of El Salvadorian origin and a representative of one of the most culturally diverse Counties in the State, I have always felt immensely proud of the values, traditions, contributions, and achievements the Hispanic culture brings to our neighborhoods,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados. “It is great to see so many different Hispanic organizations working together, not only promote their own ethnicity but to promote other cultures to the community. I would like to thank everyone who is participating in this event on Sunday.”

Moving New Jersey Forward is a community-based non-profit founded by Freeholder Sergio Granados, whose mission is to raise awareness and education efforts at the local and national level about social justice issues. Residents and visitors can learn about the organization as well as experience the Hispanic culture through the event’s folkloric performances, entertainment for the kids and a food tasting of the various ethnicities from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“Freeholder Granados is doing an excellent job of promoting the cultural diversity of our City and County, also while supporting our local restaurants and organizations,” said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “I encourage all of our residents to attend this wonderful event as we celebrate and honor the Hispanic community’s countless contributions to our community.”

Some of the participating organizations include: Colombianos Sin Fronteras, Peruvians for Progress Inc, Ecuatorians Unidos, Hispanos Unidos, Elizabeth Cubanos Lions Club, Puerto Rican Alliance of Elizabeth – PRAE, Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County, Comite Solidario de New Jersey, & Consejo Consultivo D20 de Uruguay and many more.

“Hispanics continue to make outstanding contributions in so many different areas to Union County,” Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh said. “We are happy to join in programs this month to honor the rich heritage of the Hispanic community and celebrate its countless achievements.”

The event is being held on Sunday, October 11, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the O’Donnell Dempsey Center, located at 622 Salem Avenue in Elizabeth. Visitors can find additional parking at Masjid Darul Islam, located at 602-612 Salem Avenue.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a nationally recognized holiday that traditionally runs from September 15 through October 15 each year. For more information about this event, please call Marcela Nunez at 908-425-2529.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 24^th annual Women of Excellence Awards.

The awards, sponsored by the Freeholder Board and the Commission on the Status of Women, celebrate the diverse achievements of women who have distinguished themselves in professional or volunteer fields in Union County.

“For more than 20 years, the Women of Excellence Awards have celebrated and supported the difference that women make to strengthen our communities and impact the quality of life in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “If there is an extraordinary woman in your life, whether professional or volunteer, I encourage you to submit her name for consideration.”

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 be celebrated and will receive a certificate at the annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, to be held on March 18, 2016 at Galloping Hill Caterers in Union Township.

For more information about submitting a Women of Excellence nomination, or to download a nomination form, visit ucnj.org/women-of-excellence. Questions about the nomination process can be emailed 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, 2015.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Vernell Wright, Christopher Hudak and Sergio Granados met with Brian A. Gragnolati, the new president and chief executive officer for Atlantic Health System, during a meeting with local elected officials at Overlook Medical Center’s satellite location in Union. Atlantic Health System is one of the largest non-profit health care systems in New Jersey and includes Overlook Medical Center in Summit. Mr. Gragnolati joined Atlantic Health System in May.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Residents have received automated phone messages claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. The message given states:

Hello, we have been trying to reach you. This call is an official and final notice from IRS, Internal Revenue Service. The reason for this call is to inform you that IRS is filing a lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file please call immediately on our department number (phone number given) I repeat, (phone number given again). Thank you.

If you receive this call do not call the number back as it is not the IRS. This is a fraud. Simply hang up the phone or delete the message.  More information can be found at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/irs-calling

Upcoming Adult Programs at the Trailside Nature & Science Center. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. You can now easily register online for these programs.  More information can be found by clicking here.

Basic Digital Photography Workshop
Saturday, October 10
10 AM – 1 PM | Fee: $45/IC, $55/OC

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada, Alexander Mirabella, Bette Jane Kowalski and Sergio Granados joined Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi at the Passport Day 2015 event at the County Clerk’s Office Annex in Westfield.

To help travelers avoid the stress and expense of last-minute passport applications, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi invites Union County residents to apply for or renew their passports.

For more details visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk, call the Westfield Annex at 908-654-9859, or call the main office in Elizabeth at 908-527-4966.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County’s annual free public heritage event, “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey through Union County’s History,” will take place Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with the cooperation of staff and volunteers at 28 house museums and historic sites, the two-day free event opens doors to more than 370 years of history throughout Union County.

“Four Centuries in a Weekend began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of modern-day Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This year you can learn about local military heroes, archaeological sites, bridal gowns, the role of women in the Revolution, special exhibitions and tours that showcase the county’s treasure trove of history.”

Among the historic sites open for free tours, all listed on the National and New Jersey State Registers of Historic Places, are these special programs and events:

• Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center in Westfield celebrates the restoration of the 1870s Victorian Italianate home.
• Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park in Berkeley Heights will host the Archaeological Society of New Jersey on Saturday afternoon in the restored Masker’s Barn with presentations about archaeological sites at the village.
• Deacon Andrew Hetfield House in Mountainside, home to the Hetfield family for 186 years, will feature four centuries of wartime memorabilia including letters, uniforms, newspaper articles, posters and photos of local heroes.
• Oswald J. Nitschke House in Kenilworth plans a “living history” program set in 1898-1924, when the town known as New Orange was home to Upsala College.
• Liberty Hall Museum of Union, residence of New Jersey’s first elected governor, offers 23 acres of formal gardens and farmland, plus an exquisite 50-room Victorian mansion housing 240 years of American history.
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum of Summit will feature tours of the grounds, landscape drawings by noted architects and an art installation, “The Glass Menagerie,” of fantastical creatures.
• Crane-Phillips House Museum in Cranford will present “Here Come the Brides,” a display of wedding gowns from 1880 to 1980.
• Historic Cannon Ball House in Springfield will feature uniformed military re-enactors and relics of the 1780 Battle of Springfield.

Journey on to Elizabeth and visit Boxwood Hall, the 1772 home of Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress; tour the restored Revolutionary War burial grounds at the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, the oldest English-speaking congregation in New Jersey; and then visit the Caldwell Parsonage at Connecticut Farms in Union, an American Revolutionary site, where student docents who are members of the National Junior Honor Society of Kawameeh Middle School will welcome visitors.

A visit to Hillside will bring you to the Woodruff House/Eaton Store, built in 1735, and the historic Evergreen Cemetery, a virtual museum of funerary art. In Rahway, you’ll be welcome at the Merchants and Drovers Tavern, a restored early 19^th century hotel, and you can tour the Union County Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored classic Vaudeville theatre. When you stop at the Dr. William Robinson Plantation in Clark, you’ll discover a post-medieval English-style house where Dr. Robinson practiced healing with plants and herbs.

At the Fanwood Train Station Museum you’ll visit the oldest Victorian Gothic railroad station in the county and learn about Fanwood’s ties to the Central Railroad of New Jersey. At the Abraham Clark House in Roselle, home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you’ll learn about Early American life. In the Roselle Park Museum, housed in the Charles E. Stone Store, you’ll be standing in the first electrically-lighted store in the world.

Authentic 18^th century farmhouses also are open for touring: the Miller-Cory House in Westfield; the Salt Box Museum in New Providence; the Osborn Cannonball House in Scotch Plains, adjacent to the town green and across from the Stage House Inn; and the Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield, where on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Stacy F. Roth will present “Over Here, Molly Pitcher,” a dramatic performance highlighting the lives of women who “belonged to the army” during the American Revolution.

Venturing into the Watchung Mountains, you’ll visit the Littell-Lord Farmstead in Berkeley Heights, a reminder of the county’s agricultural past; and explore Summit, with its Twin Maples, a stately neoclassical mansion; the Carter House, the city’s oldest house, built in the 1740’s; and the Summit Playhouse, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure with a 120-seat auditorium.

Children can earn a Time Traveler’s Certificate and a Four Centuries Patch by visiting and obtaining a Time Traveler Passport at any of the sites, having it stamped and returning the completed form to the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For free copies of the Four Centuries in a Weekend tour booklet, map and further information, telephone 908-558-2550 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., NJ Relay Users dial 711, or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.