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Residents can bring any pumpkin to any designated location for conversion to green energy

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, Union County residents can put their Jack o’ Lanterns to good use after Halloween by participating in the Pumpkin Recycling Program, which returns this November after being a big hit for the last few years.

“Union County’s Pumpkin Recycling Program is back and bigger than ever in 2023! We are happy to bring this eco-friendly initiative to our residents, expanding to six convenient drop-off locations throughout the county,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “By recycling your pumpkins, you are not only promoting a greener environment but also contributing to a brighter, more sustainable future by reducing food waste and transforming it into clean, green energy.”

The pumpkins will be collected by municipal departments of public works and brought to an organic waste recycler in Elizabeth, where they will be transformed into green energy.  This program will be coordinated by the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning.

The program has grown in 2023.  There will now be six municipal locations available for residents to drop off their pumpkins off at in 2023, versus the three. Residents from any municipality in Union County can use any of these locations, regardless of their home town.

The program runs from Wednesday, November 1 through Monday, November 27, and each location is open from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. The locations are:

• 101 Berkeley Avenue in Berkeley Heights
  • Berkeley Heights Department of Public Works
  • Next to the new Municipal Complex
• 523 Trenton Avenue in Elizabeth
  • Elizabeth Municipal Recycling Yard
• 1300 Lamberts Mill Road in Westfield
  • Westfield Conservation Center
• 2 Donaldson Place in Linden
  • Municipal recycling yard
• 401 Sheridan Avenue in Kenilworth
  • Kenilworth Public Works complex
• 95 Rock Avenue in Plainfield
  • Plainfield Transfer Station

Only pumpkins will be accepted at these locations; other food waste is not accepted. Candles and decorations must be removed.

The Pumpkin Recycling Program will send pumpkins to the CORe facility in Elizabeth, which is operated by the firm Waste Management. The company’s proprietary recycling system converts food waste into organic slurry, which is used to increase the output of biogas and other renewable products at municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Food waste is a global problem that contributes to excess greenhouse gas emissions while burdening local governments with waste disposal costs. Each year, in the United States, 119 billion pounds of food is wasted, which equates to 130 billion meals and more than $408 billion in food thrown away each year.  Shockingly, nearly 40% of all food in America is wasted. 

Traditionally, food waste is sent to landfills or burned in waste-to-energy facilities. New organic recycling systems provide a more sustainable way to manage food waste.

Union County residents can also help reduce food waste by using up leftovers and donating unused shelf items before their sell-by date expires.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at www.ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

To receive schedule alerts, and to stay up to date with both countywide and Union local recycling programs in Union County, download the free Recycle Coach mobile app.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs and the American Job Center invites Union County residents to the Inclusive Job and Resource Fair.

For Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs on October 30^th at the Warinanco Sport Center.

“We believe that every individual, regardless of their abilities, deserves equal opportunities for meaningful employment and professional growth,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, liaison to the Workforce Development Board. “Our upcoming job fair for persons with special needs and disabilities is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the workforce.”

The fair will begin at 10:00am at the Warinanco Sport Center, at 1 Park Drive in Roselle. While the job fair is free to attend, registration is required by visiting https://ucnj.org/dhs/job-fairs. Job seekers must be 18 years of age and older. Organizations that have confirmed their participation include:

• NJ Transit
• Amazon
• FedEx
• The Arc of NJ – Project Hire
• In Roads
• Goodwill NY
• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)
• Kean University – Office of Accessibility Services
• NJTIP

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, held annually in October, is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. Participating in competitive, integrated employment not only paves the way for greater independence for people with disabilities, but also provides employers with the opportunity to diversify their talent pool.

For more information about the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, please call the office at 908-527-4807 or 908-527-4781. For more information about future job fairs/hiring events, please call the American Job Center at (908) 558-8000.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in collaboration with the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, is proud to host Erik L. Burro, historian and photographer, to give a presentation about World War I memorials on November 8^th at the Springfield Public Library.

“Presentations such as these are a testament to the enduring importance of preserving our past,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Burro’s lens captures the essence of remembrance, reminding us that even in the face of change, the legacy of those who sacrificed is eternally engraved in our minds and hearts.  We should continue to learn about the profound significance of these memorials, not just in Union County but throughout New Jersey and our nation. Each piece of war history carries the weight of sacrifices made and the lessons we must never forget, including our veterans, past and present.”

The presentation will be held at Springfield Public Library, located at 66 Mountain Avenue, and will begin at 7:00pm. A registration form can be found on https://ucnj.org/uc-remembers. Burro’s lecture will include facts about the various memorials in Union County, while highlighting some of the more extraordinary monuments throughout New Jersey.

Burro, a public history advocate, started his documentation of World War I monuments in his hometown of Burlington, New Jersey. He later learned that while there are many local and nationwide memorials, a national monument was never constructed. Fortunately, a brand-new memorial has been built in Washington, D.C. will be unveiled next year. From there, he began his mission to visit and photograph as many WWI memorial as he could, and his photo exhibition, “Legacy of Remembrance” was created. The construction and design of the new National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. will also be covered during his presentation.

“Armistice and Veteran’s Day is not just about history; it’s about paying homage to those who’ve dedicated their lives to preserving peace and freedom. These monuments reflect the sacrifices our men and women in the armed forces have made for our county,” said County Commissioner Alexander Mirabella, who has been instrumental in the expansion of the Union County Office of Veterans Affairs.

Armistice Day, what we now call Veteran’s Day, is a commemorative day observed to mark the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany, ending World War I. In the United States, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor and recognize all veterans, not just those from World War I. Worldwide, November 11^th serves as a day to remember and honor the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in World War I and later conflicts.

This event is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, part of the Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information about all Cultural and Heritage programs, including grant opportunities, visit ucnj.org/cultural.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to present the Bring Back the Bats informational workshop on Saturday, November 11th, 2023 at the Trailside Museum in Mountainside, hosted by Girl Scout Ambassador Lila Keller with guest Rutgers naturalist Kathleen Kerwin.

“Bats are animals that are often misunderstood and undervalued, even though they play a major role in our ecosystem,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Here in New Jersey, bats help our agriculture industry by consuming a significant number of crop pests, reducing the need for chemical pest control. Bat echolocation is even driving advancements in military technology and healthcare systems. I encourage all Union County residents to learn more about how these creatures benefit us at the Bring Back the Bats workshop.”

The Bring Back the Bats workshop, led by Lila Keller and Kathleen Kerwin, will run from 10:30am-11:30am at the Trailside Museum, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside on Saturday, November 11^th, 2023. Participants of all ages will gain insights into the world of bats and the critical role they play in our environment, understand the threats bats face and explore the significance of conservation efforts.

The workshop will also feature a presentation on a recent Girl Scout project that showcases how anyone can contribute to the recovery of local bat populations. Lila Keller, Girl Scout Ambassador, will share her experiences and insights from this project, highlighting how small actions can make a big difference.

Kathleen Kerwin, M.S., received her B.S. and M.S. in Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources from Rutgers University in 2012 and 2014 respectively. She has a strong background in wildlife monitoring and management with project experience throughout the United States. Kathleen joined the Wildlife Conservation and Management Program in 2015, and her responsibilities include program management, development of educational programs, and delivery of extension services.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, is proud to announce the return of “Four Centuries in a Weekend,” this Saturday and Sunday, October 21^st and 22^nd. Throughout the weekend, more than 30 historic sites are open, free to the public, showcasing aspects of life here over the course of four centuries. 

“There will be an abundance of activities this weekend, for adults and children alike” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “On behalf of my fellow commissioners, we invite you to come take a look at earlier times. Enjoy the tours, special events, exhibits and demonstrations. There’s no better way to learn about our history than seeing it come to life through hands-on demonstrations.”

Demonstrations taking place include: 

Westfield – Miller-Cory House Museum – 614 Mountain Avenue
·         Felt-making; authentic colonial-era open-hearth cooking (on Saturday) using period recipes and techniques

Kenilworth – Oswald J. Nitschke House – 49 South 21 Street
·         Multicultural garden-to-table demonstration

Rahway – Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum – 1632 St. George Avenue
·         On Sunday: Open-hearth cooking demonstration in the tavern kitchen

New Providence – Salt Box Museum – 1350 Springfield Avenue
·         Spinning wheel demo

Clark –  Dr. William Robinson Plantation Museum – 593 Madison Hill Road
·         Open-hearth cooking and other demonstrations

Rahway, Union County Performing Arts Center – 1601 Irving Street
·         Guided tours of theater, including a demonstration of the historic Wurlitzer organ and explanation of the projection and movie system

 
Explore aspects of Black History at these sites:

Elizabeth, Siloam Hope First Presbyterian Church & Snyder Academy – 42 Broad Street
·         “Oh Freedom,” an exhibit about the effects of the American Revolution on people of African descent

Plainfield, Drake House Museum – 602 West Front Street
·         Reenactor from Living History Co., a Black-owned company providing living-history experiences for a diverse variety of eras and topics, specializing in Black history and culture

Rahway – African-American History & Heritage Learning Center – 261 Central Avenue
·         Saturday only: Guided tours of this site, where an 1800s one-room schoolhouse once stood — the first public school for “colored children” in Rahway

Scotch Plains – Shady Rest Country Club – 820 Jerusalem Road
·         Tours of this historic site, which was the first black-owned country club in the United States

Summit – Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church – 138-142 Broad Street
·         Lecture by Rev. Dr. Denison D. Harrield, Jr. (Saturday at 12, Sunday at 1) about the history of the Chapel and Dr. Florence S. Randolph, who advocated for justice, equality, equity, civil rights and women’s suffrage

 
Crafts and other activities for kids include:

Berkeley Heights – Deserted Village of Feltville / Glenside Park – 1 Cataract Hollow Rd
·         Archaeological activity and old-fashioned children’s games

Scotch Plains – Shady Rest Country Club – 820 Jerusalem Road
·         Mini-golf both days, horseback-riding on Saturday

Scotch Plains – Osborn Cannonball House Museum – 1840 Front Street
·         Make a ghost doll

Union – Caldwell Parsonage – 909 Caldwell Avenue
·         Create tricorn hats and colonial-style bonnets, make “church” dolls, and play colonial and Native American games

 
“Whether you’re a parent looking to spend quality time with your children, a group of friends seeking something unique, or a history-lover, there is something for you this weekend,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, who serves on the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.

For details about the tours, exhibits and special activities at each site, including updates or late-breaking changes, visit https://www.ucnj.org/4c or contact the individual site.

Four Centuries in a Weekend is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, part of the Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State, and is organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, in collaboration with staff and volunteers at the sites and is sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information about all Cultural and Heritage programs, including grant opportunities, visit ucnj.org/cultural. For information about all programs and activities

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that sample ballots for the November 7th General Election will begin being mailed to all registered Union County voters next week. Additionally, sample ballots can be viewed and downloaded on the County Clerk’s elections website unioncountyvotes.com, and through Union County Votes, a free app for all mobile devices.

“We urge voters to familiarize themselves with the candidates running for office in the general election as well as the Board of Education election candidates along with any referendum questions,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The website and app offer a convenient way for voters to familiarize themselves with their ballot, even before they receive their copy in the mail.”

Early voting begins on Saturday October 28, 2023 and locations for early voting are also listed on the Clerk’s website.  Applications for voting by mail are accepted by mail until October 31, 2023, however, voters can come to Clerk’s offices either in Elizabeth or Westfield to apply for a vote by mail ballot up to 3:00 p.m. on November 6, 2023.

Voters with any questions about their sample ballots can call the County Clerk’s Elections Division, 908-527-4996 or email the Elections Division at ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.