Category: Public Info

The Town of Westfield, with sponsorship support from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Coldwell Banker, will host its first-ever Westfield Multicultural Festival on September 14 from 1:00-3:00 pm at Mindowaskin Park. This celebration of Westfield’s unique and diverse community will feature music and dance performances, food, cultural displays, and expo booths.

The festivities will kick off with a parade of nations from the Mindowaskin Playground to the gazebo. Music and dance performances will follow shortly afterwards.

“The Board of Chosen Freeholders are pleased to provide support for the Westfield Multicultural Festival,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “I am glad that the Town of Westfield is celebrating the melting pot of different cultures within the community. Our diversity is what makes the County of Union a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.”

“I’m thrilled to have Westfield host this event to highlight the many vibrant cultures in and around our town,” said Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle. “We’ve seen such an enthusiastic response from members of the community to showcase their heritages and participate in this first-time event. I hope everyone will join us for what I expect will be a fantastic afternoon celebrating diversity”

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce that online registration for fall workshops at Trailside Nature and Science Center is now open. Beginning Saturdays this fall, a new program series, Back to Nature, is open to families with children of all ages with a different nature or science theme each week.  Trailside’s location in the scenic Watchung Reservation provides the perfect outdoor classroom.

“Trailside’s new Back to Nature series is a wonderful way for families to spend time together in the great outdoors and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Watchung Reservation,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “These fall programs provide the perfect opportunity for adults and children of all ages to have fun while learning about the natural world around them.”

The Back to Nature programs encourage nature discovery through hikes and indoor/outdoor activities. This new series is offered on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Families can explore a rainbow of colors on a fall hike, learn how to identify different animal tracks, experience the life of the Lenape Native Americans and take part in a scavenger hunt on Union County’s award winning Sensory Trail. There is a maximum of four participants per family.

Parents with young children up to age three can enjoy Toddler Time. This popular series is offered on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Families will learn about animals such as squirrels and turkeys and participate in an autumn tyke hike.  There is a maximum of four participants per family.

Trailside offers Two of Us for parents with children ages three and four. This workshop series meets on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Among the many topics explored this autumn are: fall fun in the outdoors, animal adaptations and snakes and turtles.

Small Fry Days is a drop-off program for children ages four to six. This program is offered on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Participants will enjoy a fall walk, investigate slithering snakes, spinning spiders and acrobatic bats on the Halloween hike and learn about the Watchung Reservation’s largest year-round residents, the white-tailed deer.

Trailside is offering a drop off program called Kids Explorations for older children ages seven to 10 on Saturday mornings. Activities include a salamander search, birding for beginners, nature’s detectives and a hike to the lake to discover the colors of fall.  This series meets on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Trailside’s fall programs begin October 1 and continue through December 7. Pre-registration is required. The fee per class is $10.00 per child for Union County residents and $12.00 per child for out-of-county residents. For detailed program descriptions and registration visit ucnj.org/trailside.

For more information about Trailside’s new family workshops, upcoming programs or special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit 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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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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The Union County Freeholder Board joined with local baseball legend Jeff Torborg, his family, municipal officials from Mountainside and Westfield, the Union County Sheriff, and two youth baseball teams in dedicating the Jeff Torborg Youth Baseball field at the County’s Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Jeff Torborg, a native of Westfield and former resident of Mountainside for 30 years, was with his wife, Suzie and his sons, Dale and Greg and extended family to celebrate the occasion.

 “Suzie and I and our entire family are so very appreciative of all the efforts of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and their staff in creating this beautiful new Jeff Torborg Youth Baseball Field, which will provide a great place for kids to play for generations to come,” said Torborg. “When I first was told about this amazing tribute, I was literally speechless…this is a tremendous thrill for me and for my family. It is an honor to be recognized by my home county, which has been the site of events important to generations of my family.”

Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski who emceed the event said: “Jeff Torborg is one of the most accomplished ball players to ever come out of Union County. Jeff went on to achieve an impressive Major League baseball career, both as a player and manager, and is certainly worthy of today’s dedication.”

Freeholder Vice Chair Alexander Mirabella who introduced Torborg and presented him with a resolution honoring him with his colleagues, said: “We welcome you home today. We are pleased to name this field in your honor, and our hope is to inspire future generations of our younger county residents to follow in your path.”

The event also included tributes from Jim Iozzi, the President of the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame (whose organization previously inducted Torborg into their Hall of Fame), Jeff’s son Greg who read a letter of congratulations from Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, and appearances by former Major League Baseball players Willie Randolph (Yankees and Mets), Al Leiter (Mets and Yankees), and Mike Lowell (Marlins, Red Sox), and Jay Horowitz, long-time Mets’ public relations guru.

Following the ribbon cutting, Torborg threw out the first pitch to his grandson, also named Jeff Torborg, and an exhibition game ensued between Clark Little League and Springfield Junior Baseball League teams. The youth players all wore uniforms from the various teams Torborg  was associated with, all in Torborg’s #10 uniform number.

The Freeholder Board and the Torborg family extended their thanks to the Chicago White Sox for donating the uniforms; the New York Mets, and Major League Baseball for their donations and participation; Famous Dave’s and Wakefern for making food donations.

The Torborg family also donated memorial bench plaques to the field, and the facility also includes a plaque memorializing Torborg’s accomplishments.

The permitted youth baseball field, which sits off Mill Lane in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside, is open for all teams to use by appointment calling the Union County Department at 908-527-4900.

Jeff Torborg’s Biography

Torborg began his career as an All-State catcher for Westfield High School, and an All-American catcher at Rutgers University, where they retired his number, #10, the first-ever uniform retired for a Rutgers University baseball player.

He was drafted originally by the Los Angeles Dodgers, played for them, and later for the California Angels during his ten-year career. He caught Sandy Koufax’s perfect game and no-hitters by Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan, and was part of Don Drysdale’s record-setting streak of 58-2/3 innings of scoreless baseball.

Torborg later managed five Major League Baseball teams—the Cleveland Indians, White Sox, Mets, Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins. He also served as a coach for the Yankees for ten years as well.  

After his managing career concluded, Torborg then went on to spend 12 years as an award-winning television and radio baseball broadcaster for CBS Radio and Fox (television) Sports.

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Vice Chair Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Sergio Granados, Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, Mountainside Mayor Paul Mirabelli, baseball legends Al Leiter, Willie Randolph and Mike Lowell joined with Jeff Torborg, his wife Suzi, sons Dale and Greg and his extended family in cutting the ribbon on  the new Jeff Torborg Youth Baseball Field in Mountainside, NJ

 

 

Union County Freeholders presented Jeff Torborg (center) with a resolution honoring him and dedicating the Jeff Torborg Youth Baseball field in his honor. L. to R. Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Suzie Torborg, Jeff Torborg, and Freeholder Vice Chair Alexander Mirabella.​

 

 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites all residents and visitors to attend the commemoration of POW/MIA Remembrance Day in front of the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth on Friday, September 13. The ceremony will start promptly at 11:15 a.m.

“Please join us as we pause and honor the sacrifices of our military and their families,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This annual public ceremony provides an important reminder that the Union County community will never forget our service men and women who were prisoners of war, and those who are missing in action.”

In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place indoors, in the Freeholder Meeting Room on the 6^th Floor of the Union County Administration Building, behind the Courthouse at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza. For more information, call the Freeholder Board at 908-527-4200.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, Esq. spoke about the legal aspects of the functions of notaries public at a Notary Training Seminar for New Jersey Notaries Public hoisted by Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains. For more information about Notary Public Services visit www.ucnj.org/county-clerk/notary-public-services. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to partner with WellCare Health Plans to present the first Union County LGBTQ+ Community Health and Wellness Fair scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Union County College (1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford) from 12 noon until 4PM. All are welcome. Admission and parking is free.

“The LGBTQ community is diverse with specific health needs and challenges, of which a safe and supportive environment is often a barrier to access,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with WellCare Health Plans to host the first health and wellness fair for the LGBTQ community, friends and family.”

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people often face numerous barriers in accessing health and wellness services and programs. Union County’s inclusive, educational and interactive health and wellness event for the LGBTQ community will offer a variety of medical screenings, presentations, fitness and personal care demos.

“Enhancing efforts to improve LGBTQ health and wellness is necessary to ensure that LGBTQ individuals can lead long, healthy lives,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Fair brings together LGBTQ-affirming health and wellness providers from throughout the State of New Jersey to offer individuals the opportunity to engage in their personal health and wellness in a safe and inclusive environment.”

Organized by the Office of LGBTQ Affairs and WellCare Health Plans, and the Union County Division of Health, with support from Union County College, the Union County LGBTQ+ Community Health & Wellness Fair represents the Freeholder Board’s commitment to supporting a strong and healthy community and is part of our ongoing effort to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ community to access basic health screenings and important information.

Health and wellness providers who offer services for the LGBTQ community and would like to register to participate with resources and information should contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.

Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Rebecca Williams and Sergio Granados joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage in congratulating the players and coaches of the Elmora Troopers Little League team during the “Parade of Champions” in their honor.

The Elmora Troopers beat the best teams in New Jersey to win the State Championship before heading to Connecticut to play in the Mid-Atlantic Region Championship where they won the tournament, which qualified them to participate in the Little League World Series.  The Troopers were one of only eight teams from across the country to make it to the tournament and one of the final four teams in the United States bracket.

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the launch of a new video campaign that provides residents with clear, reliable instructions on how to tell which items to recycle in their community, along with other recycling tips and information. The new “Recycle Right!” video series is designed to educate residents and help municipalities in Union County make the most of opportunities to save money through recycling.

When the wrong items are placed in the curbside bin, the recycling stream is contaminated. A contaminated recycling stream can result in thousands of dollars in added costs for Union County municipalities.

“A well-run recycling program can contain costs for governments. Every resident can lend a hand simply by choosing only the right items for recycling,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

The new Recycle Right! campaign includes three 45-second videos, available through the free Recycle Coach app for mobile devices.

Free Recycle Coach downloads are available now at online app stores, through the Union County website at ucnj.org/recycling, and through the websites for each of the 21 municipalities in Union County.

The three videos will provide information about recycling rules in a concise, easy-to-understand format. Users can then test their knowledge with interactive questions on the Recycle Coach app.

“We strongly encourage residents to download and use the Recycle Coach app. In addition to the new instructional videos, the app provides reliable, up-to-date information on all residential recycling programs in Union County,” said Freeholder Chair Kowalski.

Existing Recycle Coach users will receive the videos automatically beginning September 30. New users will also receive the videos once they download the app. 

The Recycle Coach app provides personalized collection schedules based on the user’s place of residence. Once a resident downloads the app, their Recycle Coach calendar will list their local curbside garbage and recycling schedules. The app will advise if there are changes in local collection due to holidays or weather.

Recycle Coach users can also set up recycling reminders and improve their recycling rates through a “What Goes Where?” search tool.

In addition to information on local recycling programs, the Recycle Coach calendar provides details on countywide recycling events run by Union County, including free personal paper shredding, scrap metal, and household special wastes. These events are available for all Union County residents, regardless of where they live, on a drop-off basis only (no curbside collection).

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is the first state agency in the US to purchase the Recycle Coach app and make it available for the use of all residents, free of charge.

Union County began promoting the app in 2018, and it is the first county in New Jersey to add the new Recycle Right! video campaign.

For information on all Union County recycling events and programs visit ucnj.org/recycling.

Visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection for quick links to all Union County environmental programs and resources, including educational and community service activities.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

Union County, NJ – Union County students in grades K-12 are invited to join a 4-H Club this fall and explore popular fields ranging from archery, cooking and fashion to Lego robotics and Dungeons and Dragons. Youth in their first year after graduating from high school can also join.

“4-H Clubs provide students in Union County with unique opportunities to practice teamwork, organization, leadership and other important life skills,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to support the 4-H program in our community.”

4-H Clubs are organized by age and topic. The members meet with an adult club leader on  a monthly basis during the school year to plan activities and programs.

Each club emphasizes the ability of students to learn, organize, and communicate with activities appropriate for their age. For the school year 2019 – 2020, the clubs are:

• Variety Club (different topics with crafts and show-and-tell), grades K-1, 2-3 and 4-5.
• Variety Club: (different topics with crafts and public speaking), grades 9 – 12.
• Community Service Club: grades 9-13.
• Outdoors Club: grades 4-7.
• STEM Club: grades 4-5.
• Anime/Manga Club, grades 8-13.
• Archery #1 and #2 Clubs, grade 4 and up.
• Cold Creatures Club (caring for snakes, turtles and other reptiles), grades 4-5.
• Cooking Club, grades 9-12.
• Disc Gulf Club, grades 7-12.
• Dungeons & Dragons Club, grades 7-12.
• Horticulture Club, grades 6-13.
• Olde Thyme Craft Club (includes field trips and community service), grade 8 and up.
• LEGO Robotics Club (team activities with LEGO Robotics MindStorms kits), grades 4-5.
• Sewing Club, grade 6 and up.

Union County 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board, with offices at the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

The national 4-H youth program is the largest youth development program in the U.S. As a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4-H encourages students to develop expertise in a subject of their own choosing, and share their knowledge to benefit their community.

Participation in 4-H is associated with better grades at school, and a stronger interest in taking science classes, attending college, and contributing to the community. A recent Tufts University study found that as a group, girls who join 4-H clubs are especially likely to demonstrate positive behaviors.

To sign up for a club, meet the club leaders and find out more about 4-H activities, students must attend this year’s annual 4-H Open House on Friday evening, September 13, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Magnet High School. The school is located at Mancuso Hall in the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

For more information about the September 13 Open House, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

 

For more information about all Union County Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Tree Stewards and Master Gardeners, visit ucnj.org/rce.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Board invites all military veterans and active duty personnel, their families, and veterans’ service providers to attend a free Networking Mixer on Monday, September 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course, located at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth.

“We are grateful for the service of military personnel and their families who live in Union County, and we continue to develop more programs, events and resources for them to access opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “County residents with a military background possess unique skills and training that bring great value to the civilian workforce, and this mixer will enable them to make new connections in the community.”

The event is coordinated through the Union County Office of Veteran Services UC-HERO program. The event includes complimentary food.                                                                                                                       

The networking mixer is free to attend but preregistration is required. To register, contact the Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams by phone at 908-527-4918, or email at jwilliams@ucnj.org.

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Connect with Union County on social media. For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.