Category: Public Info

(From left) Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter and Sergio Granados present a resolution to LaTia McNeeley-Sandiford (C) of Union congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. McNeeley-Sandiford was honored for excellence in Entrepreneurship. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter, Sergio Granados and Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh present a resolution to Bernice Jalloh (4th L) of Franklin congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. Jalloh was honored for excellence in Law. She is with the Law Office of Kantor Jalloh, LLC, in Union. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter, Sergio Granados and Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh present a resolution to Mary Robinson (4th L) of Madison congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. Robinson was honored for excellence in Mental Health Advocacy. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, in Westfield. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak joined Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Sergio Granados and Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh in presenting a resolution to Donna Hofer (4th R) of Franklin congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. Hofer was honored for excellence in Education. She is a teacher at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak joined Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Sergio Granados and Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh in presenting a resolution to Donna Hofer (4th R) of Franklin congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. Hofer was honored for excellence in Education. She is a teacher at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

From Left: Freeholder Linda Carter, Danielle Bracco- Executive Director, Bonds of Courage, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Morris – Executive Officer and Brigade Full Time Officer In Charge, Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Amy Wagner- Deputy Director, Union County  Department of Economic Development

Union County – Union County’s popular student engagement program, UC STEP, kicked off its first service-based initiative, Support 4 Soldiers, last week at the Westfield Armory on Rahway Ave in Westfield.

“The Board is so excited to see the dedication of our students to a project and a cause that not only binds them as a community, but also gives back to the heroes and she-roes who sacrifice themselves to protect our civil liberties,” said Freeholder Linda Carter.

The kick-off event not only provided the opportunity for the participating schools to collect campaign supplies and merchandise, but also the chance to interact with military personnel to learn how soldiers across the country benefit from care packages like those that the Support 4 Soldiers campaign will create. Over 20 schools across the County will be participating in the program by setting up collection boxes in their respective schools.

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Morris, Executive Officer and Brigade Full Time Officer in Charge, thanked the students at the kick-off, and commented on how efforts like S4S go far in boosting moral; reminding everyone that despite the uniform, soldiers are just regular people.

“When this uniform comes off they [soldiers] are regular members of the community just like you,” he said.

Support 4 Soldiers was the winning campaign from the first UC STEP Summit which was held on December 13, 2013. Winning with over 1,800 votes, the large-scale community service project features a partnership with the Board of Chosen Freeholders to collect items to be used in care packages for active military troops at home, and abroad. Also partnering in this endeavor is Bonds of Courage, a non-profit organization supporting troops, veterans and their families to build morale, and to meet needs involving jobs, health, families, and finances.

The campaign also features a point-based competition for the most successful S4S campaign, in which the winning school will receive a $1000 Start Now grant, provided by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

For more information on UC STEP, or Support 4 Soldiers visit ucnj2.org/uc-step/support-4-soldiers, or follow UC STEP on Facebook and Twitter @UCSTEP.

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WATCHUNG RESERVATION – Trailside Nature and Science Center is pleased to announce a musical program, “Songs of the Civil War: History and Myth,” for adults 18 years and older, on Friday evening, April 4. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation, this educational and entertaining program will take place at Masker’s Barn in the Deserted Village of Feltville from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“Through music and song, this program will transport you dramatically to the Civil War era and offer a greater understanding of the period,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

Lisa Wilkins and Chuck Winch will sing both authentic Civil War era songs and original compositions to explore how popular songs shaped and reflected the sentiments and events of the time. Dressed in period clothing, their unique presentation illustrates how these songs continue to resonate emotionally among those interested in the Civil War and American history.

The performers use authentic and reproduction period instruments, including banjo, fiddle, guitar and bones. This musical program is sure to be enhanced by its location in the historic Masker’s Barn, built in the period shortly after the Civil War.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. There is no fee for this program; however, donations are welcome. Patrons are asked to meet and park in the parking lot at Cataract Hollow Road, off Glenside Avenue. A van will transport participants to the barn. Please arrive by 7:15 p.m. to allow for transportation to the barn

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

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce the 2014 Wildlife Photography Contest at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. Amateur photographers, ages 6 through adult, are invited to enter their original photographs of wild animals in their natural habitat.

Individuals may enter a maximum of two photographs, but only images of wildlife species native to the United States are eligible for submission. Images of exotic wildlife, pets or domestic animals will not be considered. Entries must be un-matted, unframed, 5” x 7” black and white or color prints. Entries must be received or postmarked no later than Friday, April 11.

“Wild animals are challenging photographic subjects and the Wildlife Photography Contest is a great opportunity for people of all ages to put their skills to the test and attempt to capture animals in their natural habitat,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

Photographs entered into the Wildlife Photography Contest will be judged by local, professional photographers. Prizes will be awarded in each of three age groups: 6 to 11 years, 12 to 17, and 18 and older, based on originality, composition, technical excellence and artistic merit.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 27, during Trailside’s Wild Earth Fest. All photographs will be displayed at Trailside’s Visitor Center through May 23.

The winners of last year’s Wildlife Photography Contest included Warren Lynaugh of Kenilworth in the 6-11 year-old category for his photo of a northern flicker; Jessica Lieder of Union in the 12-17 year-old category for her Cooper’s hawk photo; and Barbara Frankenfield of Hillsborough in the 18 and older category for her photo of a red fox kit.

To obtain a brochure with the complete rules and an entry form for the Wildlife Photography Contest, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and 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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Union County, NJ – Cold weather or not, spring is officially here and the planting season is not far behind. Experts and volunteer Master Gardeners from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Union County are ready to help with all your questions about growing successful home, community, and school gardens. Pictured here, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (l) sampled some of the free materials available to teachers with Dr. Karen Ensle, RCE Department Head (c) and Corey Wu-Jung, Northern NJ Coordinator of the Grow Healthy Project (r), during last month’s Community Gardening Conference in Mountainside.  For more information visit RCE online at ucnj.org/rce, call the RCE Master Gardeners at 908-654-9852 or call Agricultural Agent Madeline DiNardo at 908-654-9854 (press “4”). RCE is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. (photo credit: County of Union, NJ)

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