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Liberty Hall Receives Preserve Union County Grant

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada (R) presents a Preserve Union County Grant check to Bill Schroh of the Liberty Hall Museum in Union. Preserve Union County provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for projects that are developed by local preservation groups and governments. Eleven historic buildings in eight Union County municipalities will undergo restoration work this year, funded in part by $500,000 in grants approved by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through Preserve Union County. The program is funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

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On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

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Family Programs & Activities Are Plentiful on Saturdays at Trailside Nature & Science Center

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Families will have many opportunities to enjoy the autumn beauty and serenity of the Watchung Reservation by participating in any of the numerous family programs and activities offered at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal, the exciting fall line-up of programs is designed for families with children of all ages.

The Saturday Outdoor Adventures programs give families a chance to take part in theme hikes and nature related talks. These programs begin at 10 a.m., last approximately 45 minutes and meet at the Trailside Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. There is no admission fee but donations are appreciated.

“Saturday Outdoor Adventures are a great opportunity for families to enjoy the beautiful Watchung Reservation and experience the splendor of autumn, while learning interesting facts about our local wildlife and environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon.

On Oct. 22, families can participate in a Deserted Village Walking Tour. Families can discover the history of this local treasure in the Watchung Reservation and learn who originally inhabited the village and how it became deserted. Participants should meet at the Deserted Village parking lot on Cataract Hollow Road, off Glenside Ave. in Berkeley Heights.

A Fall Field Walk on Oct. 29 will allow families to explore the rainbow of colors on a hike through the Watchung Reservation. While searching the forest for shades of red, orange, yellow, gold, rust and purple, you will learn to identify trees by leaf shapes and colors.

Trailside Nature & Science Center celebrates Native American History Month on Nov. 12 with “Lenape Lifestyles.” Families will discover who the Lenape Native Americans were and how they lived. Participants will visit Trailside’s Lenape exhibit to learn about their lifestyles and take a walk to look for plants and trees the Lenape used to help cure colds, construct wigwams and build canoes.

Trailside offers a Lake Surprise Hike on Nov. 19, when families can explore the shores of Lake Surprise, the Watchung Reservation’s largest body of water. Hikers will be on the lookout for late migrating birds, animal tracks and interesting insects.

On Nov. 26, families will be treated to an “Enchanted Forest Hike.” While exploring the northwest area of the Watchung Reservation, families will discover the history of this enchanting forest and learn which animals inhabit the Pine Tree Grove and what is happening to these old trees. Participants should meet at the Sky Top Picnic area.

Saturday Outdoor Adventures continue on Dec. 3 with “Nature’s Choice.” Families will want to dress warmly to brave the brisk weather and take a hike to discover the winter adaptations of the plants and animals in the Watchung Reservation.

The autumn series ends on Dec. 10 with “Tree I.D.” Families will work together to use buds, bark and branches to identify tulip, beech, dogwood and walnut trees and learn which tree smells fruity, looks like an elephant’s foot or has bark like an alligator’s skin.

For additional information about the Saturday Outdoor Adventures or other upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Ave.) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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Public Info

New Jersey’s Role in the Civil War Will Be Examined at Liberty Hall Museum in Union, Oct. 29

UNION, NJ – New Jersey’s role in the American Civil War will be examined on Saturday morning, October 29, in a free lecture entitled “New Jersey Goes to War” by noted historian Joseph G. Bilby at Liberty Hall Museum. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Community Renewal, the lecture will begin at 9:30 a.m. in The Carriage House at Liberty Hall, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union (across the street from Kean University).

“This lecture is the first in a series of programs planned to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “And the audience will have the opportunity to see the grounds of historic Liberty Hall, built in 1772 by William Livingston, New Jersey’s first elected governor.”

Joseph G. Bilby is a prolific writer, researcher and lecturer. He edited the book “New Jersey Goes to War: Biographies of 150 New Jerseyans Caught Up in the Struggle of the Civil War,” an official publication of the New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee. A Vietnam War veteran, Bilby earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in history from Seton Hall University. Among his Civil War-related books are “Forgotten Warriors: New Jersey’s African American Soldiers in the Civil War,” “Remember You Are Jerseymen: A Military History of Jersey’s Troops in the Civil War,” and “Remember Fontenoy: The 69th New York and the Irish Brigade in the Civil War.”

This free event is funded in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. For a program brochure and/or information contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550; NJ Relay users 711; visit the website www.ucnj.org/cultural or email:culturalinfo@ucnj.org .

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Public Info

Photography Course at Trailside Teaches Adults the Basics of Digital Photography, Oct. 22

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal encourage adults, ages 18 and older who are interested in learning the basics of digital photography to attend a three-hour workshop on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. The fee for the workshop is $45 for Union County residents and $55 for out-of-county participants. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.

This photography workshop is ideal for any student who wants to become familiar with their single-lens reflex digital camera or sophisticated “point and shoot” camera with fully manual settings. Professional photographer Joan Pamboukes will bring clarity to such topics as focal length, aperture, shutter speeds and white balance. Composition and basic lighting strategies will also be addressed.

Participants are asked to bring their camera system, with a fully charged battery, the manual and tripod, if possible. Weather permitting, the class will go outside to capture the splendor of autumn in the Watchung Reservation and create some beautiful images. Otherwise, students will practice their newly learned photography skills in the Trailside Visitor Center. By the end of this workshop, basic camera functions will no longer be a mystery.

Joan Pamboukes has been an art and photography instructor in Boston, New York and New Jersey. She currently teaches Photography and Digital Media at The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit. Ms. Pamboukes brings a wealth of experience to her students and this workshop will afford participants the opportunity to learn the basics of digital photography and gain the confidence to truly enjoy their camera and the art of digital photography.

For additional information about the Adult Beginners Digital Photography Workshop or other adult programs and upcoming 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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Public Info

Union County Freeholder Board Approves $500,000 to Restore Historic Sites

Union County, NJ – Eleven historic buildings in eight Union County municipalities will undergo restoration work this year, funded in part by $500,000 in grants approved by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Preserve Union County program.

Preserve Union County was created in 2003 as an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. It provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for projects that are developed by local preservation groups and governments. Projects for Union County properties are also eligible for funding.

“Preserve Union County is focused on supporting local groups in their efforts to preserve sites that are most treasured within their communities,” said Scanlon. “This program has worked so well because the projects are developed by people who are deeply committed and involved.”

Since 2003, Preserve Union County has awarded approximately $2.5 million in matching funds that have gone to help preserve and restore twenty-six historic sites throughout Union County.

Preserve Union County is funded through the Union County Open Space, Historic Preservation and Recreation Trust Fund. The Trust Fund was approved overwhelmingly by popular referendum in 2000. Since then it has preserved well over 300 acres of land for public parks, acquired and restored historic sites including the 1920-s era Performing Arts Center in Rahway, and provided matching grants to municipalities and nonprofits for dozens of local recreation improvements and historic preservation projects.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have a consistent funding stream for important civic projects, through good times and bad,” said Scanlon. “Even during this time of global economic crisis, Preserve Union County is still helping to save rare treasures from our past, while creating work in the building and preservation trades that otherwise would have to be delayed, or would not occur at all.”

The 2011 Preserve Union County awardees are:

Elizabeth

First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth: Restore slate roof and masonry at the tower (Elizabeth Old First Historic Trust), $100,000.00.

Fanwood

Carriage House: New windows and air conditioning (Borough of Fanwood), $15,000.00.

Kenilworth

Oswald J. Nitschke House: Restore second floor, lighting, and air conditioning, and install period stove (Kenilworth Historic Society), $70,000.00.

Mountainside

Deacon Hetfield House: Upgrade electrical system and replace hot water heater (Mountainside Restoration Committee), $5,396.00.

Plainfield

Lampkin House and Barn: Acquire the property located at 850 Terrill Road, perform high priority repairs, and develop a preservation plan (City of Plainfield), $70,000.00.

Plainfield

George A. Strong Residence: Repair active roof leaks, restore masonry at chimney, restore deteriorated elements of port cochere (Ducret School of Arts), $35,000.00.

Plainfield

Nathaniel Drake House: Restore or repair slate roof, gutters, porch, and chimney, and build new accessible restroom. Project includes scaffolding. (Historical Society of Plainfield), $30,000.00.

Rahway

Merchants and Drovers Tavern: Restore or repair gutters, siding, eaves, masonry fireplace and foundation, doors, fire escapes, and other building elements, and paint existing trim, doors and windows. Project includes scaffolding (Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum Association), $65,000.00.

Summit

Reeves-Reed Arboretum and The Clearing: Repair and repaint wood, replace storm windows, and install new walkway for safer access to main house (Reeves-Reed Arboretum), $43,000.00.

Union

Liberty Hall Museum Carriage House: Complete replacement of the slate roof (Liberty Hall Museum, Inc.), $60,000.00.

Union

Caldwell Parsonage: Install a ductless air conditioning system, main panel and power shut off (Union Township Historical Society), $6,112.50.

The Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield is one of 11 historic sites to receive funding for preservation under the 2011 Preserve Union County grant program, part of the Union County Open Space, Historic Preservation and Recreation Trust Fund.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Public Info

“Civil War Women: Their Roles & Legacies” Historical Lecture at Trailside, Oct. 20

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal invite adults, ages 18 and older to participate in a historical lecture about Civil War women on Thursday, Oct. 20 at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. The program runs from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. and pre-registration is recommended. The fee is $8 for Union County residents and $10 for out-of-county participants.

Trish Chambers, an author and Civil War re-enactor, brings the life experiences of women during this critical period in American history to life for her audience in “Civil War Women: Their Roles and Legacies.” She discusses how women were left behind to fend for themselves, managing homes, businesses and plantations, roles that had been traditionally held by men prior to the Civil War.

“This fascinating lecture will focus on the accomplishments of women from the North and the South, who supported the war effort as nurses, spies, soldiers and authors,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Ms. Chambers talks about their legacies and the changes in society that would redefine the world forever.”

Trish Chambers has performed at numerous historical events and period re-enactments. She participated in the Civil War movie, “Gods and Generals” and consulted with the History Channel and appeared in their production of “Full Metal Corset: Secret Soldiers of the Civil War.” She also is the author of “Civil War Women: Their Roles and Legacies,” a work of non-fiction that illustrates the achievements and struggles of women of the Civil War era.

For additional information about the Civil War Women lecture or other adult programs and upcoming 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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Public Info

Grand Re-Opening of Masker’s Barn in Deserted Village Will Be a Highlight of ‘Four Centuries in a Weekend,’ Oct. 15-16

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – On Saturday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 16, the ghost of David Felt will return to the Deserted Village of Feltville and lead tours of the factory town that once housed hundreds of workers and family members. The mile-long tours, which start at 2 p.m. each day, occur during the weekend-long open house of the historic site, as part of Union County’s “Four Centuries in a Weekend” celebration.

Feltville’s general store/church building was previously restored and opened as a visitor center, complete with interpretive exhibits and restrooms. This weekend marks the re-opening of Masker’s Barn in the village.

“The Freeholder Board is very excited to announce the grand opening of the newly restored Masker’s Barn during the Four Centuries weekend,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “With funding assistance from the New Jersey Historic Trust and the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, the carriage house has received an extreme makeover for adaptive reuse as a lecture hall and meeting room.”

The $1.4 million restoration of Masker’s Barn lasted two years and was completed last month. During the restoration, the building was levitated and held in mid-air for months as the foundation was replaced. The circa-1882 building will be open throughout the weekend and the public is invited to join County, State and local officials on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 12:30 p.m. as the building is formally dedicated. Before and after photographs will illustrate the dramatic rebirth of the historic building.

As part of the Four Centuries in a Weekend program, staffed activities will occur at the Deserted Village from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16. Most of the Village’s buildings and grounds can be seen from a hayride, which will run continuously both days. Visitors may pick up a map and narrative at Feltville’s parking lot for a self-guided tour.

The restored Church/Store houses an exhibit of artifacts, photographs and maps that depict the Village’s history across four centuries. A hands-on demonstration of apples being pressed into cider will be ongoing. Elsewhere in the Village, visitors can hear how the site of David Felt’s house was discovered from the Director of the Feltville Archaeology Project. Nearby, children can play old-fashioned games. All of these activities are offered free of charge. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Picnic tables are available for families wanting to pack a lunch.

All activities for the Four Centuries weekend are rain or shine. Enter the Deserted Village via Cataract Hollow Road, off of Glenside Avenue on the Berkeley Heights side of the Watchung Reservation. Wear warm clothes and sturdy walking shoes.

For additional information about the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park, call Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, (908) 789-3670. Tickets are still available at Trailside for Haunted Hayrides that will run at the Deserted Village on Oct. 21-23. Information about 24 other Four Centuries in a Weekend sites is available from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, (908) 558-2550, or on the Union County website at www.ucnj.org/cultural/4centuries/4Centuries11.pdf.

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Public Info

Voluntary Organizations Providing Help To Disaster Survivors

NEPTUNE, N.J. — Many New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Irene have serious disaster-related needs. Groups known as Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) are stepping in to meet these needs and members of these groups expect to be assisting long after the emergency phase has passed.

VOAD groups partner with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide crucial assistance for disaster survivors. FEMA assists the VOADs by identifying available federal assistance programs and providing coordination and donations management. The partners also identify populations with access and functional needs and help applicants avoid duplication of benefits.

FEMA disaster assistance includes voluntary agency liaisons (VALs) who work with the voluntary groups at the state and local levels. These FEMA liaisons also refer people to the VOAD groups.

“Our priority is to coordinate the efforts of voluntary organizations,” said Nancy Turnbull, the FEMA voluntary agency liaison lead in New Jersey. “We help to identify essential needs and priorities as well as resources in the community that will enable people to get their lives back to normal.”

The voluntary organizations provide a broad range of assistance to Hurricane Irene survivors. The assistance includes such critical areas as flood debris clean up, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, home repairs and reconstruction not covered by FEMA.

“All of these needs are handled on a case-by-case basis,” said Turnbull.

New Jersey storm survivors can find more information about the work of the national and local organizations by visiting www.nvoad.org. Disaster survivors in most counties can also call 211 to request help with debris clean up or to get information on other available services.

The VOAD groups include the Community Food Bank, Salvation Army, certain United Way agencies and faith-based organizations from individual churches, synagogues and mosques. The organizations have been crucial to the disaster response.

Voluntary agencies will continue to help disaster survivors and provide disaster relief services in New Jersey counties, regardless of the federal declaration status.

Even if individuals have registered with the American Red Cross or other voluntary organizations, people who suffered damage or loss because of Hurricane Irene should apply before Oct. 31 for FEMA assistance. Registering with voluntary organizations does not mean that a person has automatically registered with FEMA.

There are three ways to register – go to www.disasterassistance.gov, to m.fema.gov or call FEMA toll-free,800-621-3362 (FEMA). Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 or use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, andwww.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities atwww.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Plainfield

ATLANTA –The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today the opening of Business Recovery Centers in New Jersey. These Centers will provide one-on-one assistance to business owners seeking disaster assistance for losses caused by Hurricane Irene that occurred between Aug. 27 and Sept. 5.

“Businesses with physical damages or loss of revenue should seriously consider visiting a Center and applying for an SBA disaster business loan,” said SBA District Director Al Titone. “SBA’s disaster loans provide a way to help businesses get back in operation and the low interest rate and terms help make them more affordable than other types of financing.” To date, SBA has approved over $28 million in disaster loans to New Jerseyeans with disaster related losses to their homes, personal property and businesses.

All Centers will open Tuesday, Oct. 11 and remain open until further notice, at the following locations and times:

Union County:

New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC) at Kean University-Incubator
320 Park Avenue
Plainfield, NJ, 07060
Open: Tues, Oct. 11, 2011 at 9 a.m.
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bergen County:

NJSBDC at Bergen Community College
355 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Open: Tues. Oct. 11, 2011 at 9 a.m.
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monmouth County:

Monmouth County OEM
300 Halls Mills Road–Freehold, NJ 07728
Open: Tues. Oct. 11, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.
Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Passaic County

Woodland Park Municipal Building–Community Room
5 Brophy Lane–Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Open: Tues, Oct. 11, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SBA’s Customer Service Representatives will be on hand at the Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and assist business owners in completing their applications. Also, SBDC Counselors are available to assist business complete their application package.

Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private non-profit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

To obtain additional assistance call, the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955
(800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 31, 2011.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 31, 2012.

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For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov.

Public Info

Union County Paratransit System Wins Statewide Recognition for Outstanding Service

Members of the Union County Paratransit team accepted the award for Outstanding System of the Year from the New Jersey Council on Special Transportation (left-right: Michael Staley, Area Vice President, Veolia Transportation; Karen Dinsmore, Assistant Director, UCDHS; Kathleen Carmello, Paratransit Director, UCDHS; Melvin Barkley, Project Manager, Veolia Transportation; Helen Kirsch, Assistant Paratransit Director, UCDHS; Diego Jimenez, Mechanics Helper; Anissia Mitchell, Operations Manager, Veolia Transportation; Carl Simpkins, Assistant Project Manager, Veolia Transportation; Joseph Haligowski, Supervising Mechanic; Thomas Tiplady, Mechanic.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the county’s Paratransit System has been honored with the Outstanding System of the Year Award from the New Jersey Council on Special Transportation. The Paratransit System helps seniors and those with disabilities remain independent, by providing affordable transportation for medical services, shopping, education, adult day care centers, and recreation.

“The Paratransit System is a vital lifeline that helps thousands of Union County residents take care of their daily needs and stay connected with their communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “This award represents an outstanding service to the public by the entire Paratransit team, and on behalf of the Freeholder Board I would like to thank each and every one.”

The Union County Paratransit System operates out of the Department of Human Services. It was created in 1979 by bringing together the transportation services of several non-profit agencies under one umbrella to better serve the needs of the senior and disabled residents of the county.

In its earlier years, Paratransit had a fleet of 18 vehicles making 86,000 trips annually. The need has grown since then and the fleet now includes 52 vehicles, which make approximately 232,000 trips annually.

The System of the Year Award recognizes that every aspect of a Paratransit system is working together effectively. That includes administration, funding, maintenance, scheduling, and vehicle operation.

“Paratransit’s on-time record is 97.2 percent, which is quite an achievement given the traffic density in Union County,” said Scanlon.

The vehicles are owned and maintained by Union County, which also provides administrative services. The reservationists, schedulers and drivers are provided under a private contract currently held by Veolia Transportation.

“Veolia’s rigorous training programs cover the drivers and the customer service staff, and the County manages an aggressive vehicle maintenance program. Together, we share the mission of providing an efficient transportation service that improves the quality of life for County residents,” said Human Services Director Frank Guzzo.

In addition to its core mission, Paratransit fills other important transportation needs in Union County. Currently it runs a shuttle designed to improve pedestrian safety on a stretch of Route 22 between Union, Kenilworth and Springfield, and a shuttle that helps connect more County residents with guidance and employment services at the county’s One-Stop Career Center in Plainfield.

Paratransit has also been called upon to fill temporary needs for municipalities. In one recent example, Paratransit provided a shuttle to help rail commuters avoid a 3.5 mile detour while a new bridge at the Summit/New Providence border was constructed.

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