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Vo-Tech receives grant for community garden project

Union County, NJ – A group of high school students at Union County Vo-Tech Schools has been hard at work transforming a corner of their Scotch Plains campus into a vegetable garden, with the aim of growing fresh produce for use within the school and for donation to local food banks.

Called a Sustainability Community Outreach Garden, the project is part of a national youth service learning program under The National FFA Organization, which provided $2,500 for garden supplies and materials.

“The Sustainability Garden project is a valuable addition to the education and career development resources available to our residents through the Vo-Tech schools,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The urban agriculture movement is a diverse, growing economic sector that offers unique learning experiences and rewarding new career pathways in densely developed areas like Union County.”

The Sustainability Garden consists of raised beds for fruits, vegetables and herbs along with space for plants that attract pollinators.

“One key mission at Vo-Tech is to form a campus-wide community of responsible citizens, and this project is an outstanding demonstration of the service learning model,” said Vo-Tech Superintendent of Schools Peter Capodice. “It is designed to dovetail with the National FFA theme of acting locally to help prevent hunger.”

In addition to providing direct hands-on learning for students involved in Vo-Tech’s Agricultural Science curriculum, the garden will help raise awareness about interrelated agriculture, nutrition and food scarcity issues among students throughout the Vo-Tech campus.

As part of that goal, the entire Vo-Tech campus will be involved in projects related to sustainable gardening practices, such as composting and rainwater harvesting.

The garden project also aims to recruit student ambassadors at Vo-Tech from all 21 municipalities, who can share news and information about sustainable gardening and related issues with their home communities.

“Urban and suburban agriculturists of the future will play a vital role in the health and welfare of their communities, and the Freeholder Board is very proud that Union County students at Vo-Tech are helping to lead the way,” said Carter.

National FFA is a national youth career development organization that operates under Congressional charter through the U.S. Department of Education.

Originally founded in 1928 as Future Farmers of America, in 1988 it changed its name to The National FFA Organization, to signify the embrace of 300 diverse careers identified with contemporary agricultural practices.

At Union County Vo-Tech, the Union County FFA Chapter of the National FFA serves as the Career and Technical Student Organization for students enrolled in agricultural education.

Union County high school sophomores who are interested in applying to Vo-Tech’s share time Agricultural Science Program for the fall can find out more about the curriculum at case4learning.org.

For more information about the award-winning, nationally recognized Union County Vo-Tech Schools visitucvts.tec.nj.us.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that three dusk walks will be conducted in June at the Deserted Village of Feltville as part of the Spring Adult Programs at Trailside Nature and Science Center. The walks, for adults ages 18 and older, will take place on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The fee for each hike is $10 for Union County residents and $12 for out-of-county participants. The walks begin at the Deserted Village parking lot on Cataract Hollow Road, off Glenside Avenue.

“This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the season on a guided walk in the scenic Watchung Reservation with a Park Naturalist from Trailside Nature and Science Center,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “And while you’re at it, you’ll learn about the early inhabitants of Union County and the environment in which they lived.”

The twilight hikes begin on Thursday, June 6, when walkers will enjoy a PowerPoint presentation in the comfort of the recently renovated Masker’s Barn to discover the History of the Deserted Village of Feltville. Find out about the early inhabitants of the area and how it became deserted. Then take a walking tour of this local treasure.

On June 13, take pleasure in a Late Spring Stroll and learn about the sights and sounds of the natural world around us. Find out how to identify late blooming flowers, common trees and local wildlife signs on a walk through the village.

On June 20, you’ll explore the topic of the Lenape Native Americans. Discover who the Lenape Native Americans were and how they lived off the land. Search outdoors for plants, trees and animals used by the Lenape to survive. Refreshments will be served at Masker’s Barn while participants enjoy a brief PowerPoint presentation and see some Native American artifacts.

Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Appropriate outdoor attire is recommended. For more information about these programs or upcoming programs and events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen presented ribbons to winners of the “First Class Troopers – All Ages – Over Low Fences,” at Union County’s 80th Annual Spring Troop Horse Show, held May 24-26 at the Watchung Stable.  Winners of this event, from left to right are, 1st place – Courtney Maier of Mountainside, 2nd place – Phoebe Weiman of Cranford, 3rd place – Miranda Jakubek of Westfield, 4th place – Janine Puhak of Cranford, 5th place – Alicia Fung-A-Fat of Scotch Plains, and 6th Place – Brianne Zelko of Westfield.  Throughout the weekend 242 riders, ages 9 through adult, took part in 100 events.  For information on riding lessons, trail rides, birthday parties, summer camp and more, call the Watchung Stables at (908) 789-3665.

Union County Freeholders Alexander Mirabella (L) and Vernell Wright speak with Robert Jeans of the Kenilworth Veterans Center and VFW 2230 while placing American flags on the graves of veterans at the Graceland Cemetery in Kenilworth in honor of Memorial Day. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders supplied more than 30,000 flags to mark veterans’ graves throughout Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich leads the Westfield Memorial Day Parade as this year’s Grand Marshal.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L) joined Roselle Park Clerk Doreen Cali, who also serves as the president of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association, at the County Clerk’s annual luncheon in honor of Municipal Clerks Week. This year’s luncheon was held at The Club House at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Sample Ballots May Be Viewed on Clerk’s Website

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will open her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield on Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for voters seeking last-minute mail-in ballots. The office in Elizabeth at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, and the office in Westfield at 300 North Avenue East, will be open as a public service for those voters who choose the Vote-By-Mail option for the Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, June 4.

“Every voter should have the opportunity to cast his or her ballot in the primary election for state, county and municipal offices,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “We want to ensure that even those who have a last-minute change of plans can have a chance to vote.”

Sample ballots for the Primary Election in each Union County municipality may be viewed by going to the County Clerk’s website: https://ucnj.org/sample-ballots .

“By opening the Elizabeth office on the Saturday before the primary election, as we have done for the past 17 years, along with the Westfield office, which has regular Saturday hours throughout the year, we hope to assist those citizens whose work schedules or other commitments keep them from applying to Vote-By-Mail during the work week,” Rajoppi said.  “This option makes voting more accessible, particularly for senior citizens.”

Completed ballots will be kept in a secure lockbox under the control of the Union County Board of Elections, who will collect them for counting. The Clerk’s office has processed more than 700 mail-in ballots to date for the Primary Election.

To obtain a Vote-By-Mail application, voters may download the form at the County Clerk’s website:https://ucnj.org/vote-by-mail, but they must bring the completed application to either of the County Clerk’s offices on Saturday, June 1, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., or on Monday, June 3, before 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the County Clerk’s office at 908-527-4996.

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Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Vernell Wright (R) congratulate Linda Byrd (seated) on being honored for her 10 years of volunteer service at Runnells Specialized Hospital during the 50th Annual Volunteer Awards Luncheon in Berkeley Heights. Linda is a resident at Runnells Specialized Hospital. They are joined by Patricia Scott, Director of Activities Therapy/Volunteer Services.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Trailside Nature and Science Center are pleased to offer an evening nature trail ride on horseback for adults, ages 18 and older, on Thursday, June 2, at Watchung Stable in Mountainside at 6 p.m. Rides are approximately 45 minutes in length and are suitable for beginner riders.

“This evening trail ride offers adults a unique opportunity to see part of the Union County park system from a different perspective – on horseback,” said Freeholder Chairwoman Deborah Scanlon. “Participants will learn about local plants and animals while enjoying a leisurely trail ride through the scenic 2,060-acre Watchung Reservation.”

Riders are encouraged to arrive at Watchung Stable approximately 15 minutes prior to their scheduled ride for a brief orientation followed by the horse assignments. After mounting their horse, riders will enjoy a meandering trail ride through the woods and fields on their way to Lake Surprise. A park naturalist from the Trailside Nature and Science Center will interpret sights and sounds and identify interesting trees, plants and wildlife along the way.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. This program fills quickly, so register early. The fee is $35 per person for Union County residents and $45 for out-of-county riders. Participants are requested to wear sturdy shoes with a heel and a helmet if they have one. Riding experience is not necessary.

In the event of inclement weather, call Watchung Stable at 908-789-3665 on June 2 to find out if the program has been cancelled. Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Ave.) in Mountainside. Watchung Stable is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Trailside Nature and Science Center and Watchung Stable are services of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For additional information about the Nature Trail Ride or for information on upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or check us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Adults, ages 18 and older, enjoy horseback riding while learning about the local flora and fauna on a scenic tour through the Watchung Reservation offered by Trailside Nature and Science Center and Watchung Stable. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. For information about this program or for a complete listing of adult, family or children’s workshops please call Trailside at 908-789-3670. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Watchung Stable is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Trailside and Watchung Stable are services of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County – Veterans and active duty military personnel are reminded to take part in Union County’s Veterans Job Fair and Resource Event on Thursday, May 30th from 9a.m. to 1p.m. at VFW Post 2230 located at 33 S. 21st St in Kenilworth.

The upcoming job fair will bring veterans together with employers like Barnabas Health, NJ Transit, Helmets to Hardhats, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, JFK Medical Center, Walmart, PSE&G, A. Duie Pyle, Maximum Quality Foods, Meadowlink, Frito Lay Inc.,  Joule Staffing Solutions, Inc., Shop-Rite and Renewal by Anderson in an effort to network and make connections for new employment opportunities

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in connection with the Union County Department of Human Services, the Office of Veterans Affairs, One-Stop Career Centers and the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development the Job Fair is being offered free of charge to veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.

Representatives will be on site with information on veterans’ benefits, the GI Bill, as well as other State and County sponsored services.

For additional information on the Veteran’s Job Fair please contact Elizabeth L. Sebring of the Union County Department of Human Services at (908) 527-4890 or via email at esebring@ucnj.org.

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