ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is pleased to offer a free 2015 wall calendar that commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War with photographs of local monuments and Civil War memorabilia. The calendar includes important dates and deadlines of concern to voters and candidates for office in the 2015 state, county, municipal and school board elections.
“This coming year will be the 150th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Civil War in the United States,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “It is my hope that this 2015 wall calendar, with its glimpses into our past, will encourage people to remember the dedication and sacrifices of Union County residents during the war and the effect the 1861-1865 conflict had on the families and communities throughout Union County.”
The November 3rd General Election in 2015 will include elections for the State Legislature, county, municipal and school board offices. The calendar highlights many important dates relating to voter registration, Vote-By-Mail ballots, candidate petition deadlines, primary elections, campaign finance reports, and general election ballot deadlines.
To obtain one of the free 2015 Election Year calendars, visit the Union County Clerk’s web site: www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk where you’ll find an order form. For general information about elections, please contact the County Clerk’s Election Office at 908-527-4996.
“Letters from the Front” Memorial Ceremony Honoring Civil War Veterans, Union County NJ Courthouse.
Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (2nd L), Bette Jane Kowalski (3rd L) and Vernell Wright (R) joined Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (4th L) in thanking those who read at “Letters from the Front,” a memorial ceremony honoring Civil War veterans. The event was hosted by the Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The readers are (from left) poet Tom Plante, Janice Blank, Army veteran Vincent DeTrolio, Navy veteran Lester Sargent, Henry Bassman, commander of American Legion Lindsey-Street Post 322 in Summit, and Berley Hanna Jr., past-commander of American Legion Post 499 in Rahway. Janice Blank and County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, who is also the chairwoman of the committee, both read letters written by their relatives.
The County’s Civil War Exhibition is on display until 2015 in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth. The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Veronica Kane Celebrates Her 100th birthday, Union County NJ.
Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) presents a resolution to Veronica Kane of Plainfield wishing her a happy 100th birthday during a party marking her special and noteworthy occasion at Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights. They are joined by Veronica’s daughter, Marilyn Bradley (C). (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Courtney Dreyfus of Scotch Plains Union County NJ Places Silver in the Triathlon at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.
(From left) Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to Courtney Dreyfus (2nd L) of Scotch Plains congratulating her on placing Silver in the Triathlon at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and on her selection to represent Team USA in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
RENT, the musical that changed Broadway forever is now playing on the Mainstage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Presented by Mystic Vision Players in partnership with the Union County Performing Arts Center, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the final two performances are this weekend Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased online at www.ucpac.org or call the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226.
Union County – RENT, the musical that changed Broadway forever is now playing on the Mainstage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Presented by Mystic Vision Players in partnership with the Union County Performing Arts Center, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the final two performances are this weekend Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased online atwww.ucpac.org or call the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226.
“The overwhelming response to this production is proof that the arts have a place in Union County – not only recreationally, but as a powerful source of economic development,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “We hope to be able to continue to find creative ways to showcase all of the talent we have within our boundaries.”
Last weekend’s performances were a smash hit – and the audience is raving!
“Just saw RENT. With this talent and beautiful Theatre… who needs Broadway!” Madeleine V.
“The performance was amazing. Just might come again before it ends.” Felice T.
“I was among the audience last Sat evening. Kudos to the brilliant case, crew, director, lighting/sound engineers. Rent was spectacular. Bravo!!” Anthony N. Jr.
Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the TONY Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences across the country.
Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
Directed by Howard Whitmore with choreography by Melanie Jefferson and musical direction by David Maglione, Mystic Vision Players’ production stars Jason Gillis as Mark Cohen, Jason Pumarada as Roger Davis, Nikki Ashe as Mimi Marquez, Lyle Dungee as Benny Coffin III, Natasha Kurilew as Maureen Johnson, Jaime Marcinczyk as Joanne Jefferson, Kayson Luis Burgos as Tom Collins, and Michael Miguel as Angel Schunard. Supporting cast includes Jenna Cormey, Kyle C. Garcia, Nicholas Mellina, Wendy Temple, Steven Collins, Kimberly Siggins, Devin J. Hall, Shiva Kiani, Shauna Cutrone, Tyrone Howard, and Bobby Devarona.
Don’t miss your chance to hear the songs that have touched our hearts, and watch the musical that defined a generation – final performances are this Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15.
To purchase tickets for this exclusive Union County production, visit www.ucpac.org, or contact the UCPAC’s box office at 732-499-8226.
Presented by Mystic Vision Players in partnership with the Union County Arts Center, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, this production of RENT is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Mystic Vision Players is a non-profit theatre company based in Linden, NJ dedicated to the growth and showcasing of all types of performing arts. In 1995, MVP became the resident theatre company of the Linden Cultural & Heritage Committee and has consistently received critical & audience acclaim and nominations as “Outstanding” in areas of Choreography, Acting, Music, and Overall Productions by the NJ Association of Community Theaters.
More than 20 people including Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, who organized the event, Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, Elizabeth Board of Education member Stan Neron and retired NY Giants stars Stephen “touchdown maker” Baker and Chris Snee, joined members of Univision Radio, Coors Light, Union County College, the County of Union and the NY Giants organization in a cleanup of Warinanco Park in Elizabeth, Roselle and Linden. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)
Union County, NJ – Every year, the Women of Excellence awards celebrate the diverse contributions that women make to life in Union County. If there is an exceptional woman in your business, school, or volunteer organization, you still have time to nominate her for this wonderful community recognition.
The nomination process is simple, and there is no fee. All women age 21 or older who live or work in Union County are eligible. Nominees can work or volunteer in many different fields.
Awardees will receive a certificate and will be celebrated at the 23rd annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, to be held on March 20, 2015 at Galloping Hill Caterers in Union Township.
For more information about submitting a nomination, or to download a nomination form, visitucnj.org/women-of-excellence. Questions about the nomination process can be emailed tojoahara1217@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, 2014.
The annual Women of Excellence award is sponsored by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Commission on Human Relations.
Echo Lake Park Gets Cold-Weather TLC from Student Volunteers (Union County, NJ)
Union County, NJ — A large group of students from the Kean University Center For Leadership & Service braved frigid temperatures to contribute to Union County’s Adopt-A-Park program last Sunday, November 16. They removed old fencing and posts, cut back invasive plants, pruned native trees, and picked up trash and leaves in Echo Lake Park. The Center for Leadership has been a regular partner with the Adopt-a-Park Program and the students will face the elements again for another project in December. Most Adopt-a-Park projects are conducted in milder weather, so a special thanks goes out to this group. To find out how your company, organization, or school can join, visit ucnj.org, call 908-789-3683 or email bkelly@ucnj.org. (Photo: Betty Ann Kelly/County of Union)
Union County, NJ — More than 100 residents, staff and volunteers – including more than a dozen student volunteers from Union High School – took part recently in the annual Halloween Party at Runnells Specialized Hospital.
All those in attendance were entertained by the musical duo of “Two for the Road,” featuring singer/guitarist John Adisano and singer Jennifer Rachele. The musicians played a wide range of songs, including a few just for Halloween, and were joined in by many of those at the party.
More than a dozen student volunteers from The Key Club of Union High School spent the entire evening dancing, singing and helping residents enjoy the festivities, which also included refreshments and a costume judging contest.
The event was arranged by Runnells Activities Coordinator Patricia Scott and Assistant Coordinator Jamie Hawkins.
Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright, who also volunteers at the hospital, said, “The staff at Runnells always does a wonderful job with activities, especially for the holidays, and I want to send a special thanks out to the Key Club members from Union High School who volunteered their time and enthusiasm for the Halloween Party.”
Runnells Specialized Hospital is a unique, state-of-the-art hospital that has served the residents of Union County and surrounding areas for more than a century.
Volunteers from Merck rest after trail reconstruction.
Union County, NJ – Union County Adopt-a-Park volunteers and Merck employees Jihong Yang, Jameson Bothe, Peter Zafian and Dan Xie (back row, l-r) and Jiafang He and Danielle Schultz (front row, l-r) take a well deserved break after repairing a storm-damaged section of trail in the Michael S. Bezega Wetland Observation Area of Rahway River Parkway, in Rahway. Merck volunteers have pitched in since 2003, when new berms, basins, and thousands of native plantings transformed a flood-prone neighborhood into a “green infrastructure” nature conservation site. It is named for United States Army Staff Sgt. Michael S. Bezega, a lifelong Rahway resident who was killed in combat in Vietnam in 1970. Merck is one of many local companies that encourage employees to help preserve and beautify our County parks. For more information on Adopt-a-Park visit ucnj.org, call 908-789-3683, or emailbkelly@ucnj.org.
