Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes families and children to enjoy the annual Haunted Hayrides in the Deserted Village of Feltville in the Watchung Reservation on October 25, 26 and 27 between 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

“The Haunted Hayrides program is one of the many events that the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation holds for our residents at the Watchung Reservation,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “In the spirit of Halloween, this event is a real treat for parents and children.”

During the hayrides visitors are taken around the 130-acre grounds and the “ghost” of David Felt, who built this former mill town in 1845, will briefly explain the history of the site and introduce characters from its past, telling tales of mystery and tragedy. Visitors will also get the opportunity to take a short walk into the village’s Revolutionary War era cemetery. 

Rides are scheduled every half-hour from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 27.  The total program experience lasts about one hour. Adults and children age 6 and older are welcome to participate.  Warm clothes and walking shoes are suggested.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Trailside Nature & Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. The price of a ticket is $8 for a Union County resident and $16 for out-of-county participants. Ticket purchases are limited to eight per person and are sold for rides at specific times. No refunds or exchanges are permitted.

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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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Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Chris Hudak, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, and Freeholder Sergio Granados and Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage joined former County Manager Al Faella and other County officials at the Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation’s 5 K Run and Walk at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Sunday.
The Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation was established in memory of Ryan Patrick Faella, a thirteen-year-old boy from Mountainside, who passed away in 2000. Since 2001, over $125,000 has been provided toward scholarships and youth-based activities.

The organization was founded by Ryan’s parents. Al Faella, the former Union County Manager, and his wife Mary, Speech-Language Pathologist, both natives of Elizabeth who currently reside in Mountainside. John Amalfe, nephew of former Freeholder Anthony Amalfe, is also a founder and continued supporter.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents, business owners and non-profit managers to submit nominations for the 28^th annual Women of Excellence awards. The submission deadline is December 2^nd. The awards celebrate women who have made a powerful impact on life in Union County.

“It is always important to raise awareness about the influence of women in every sphere of the Union County community, from business and legal affairs to public service, education and much more,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “These awards recognize the contributions made by women who inspire, lead, serve, and in so doing, make a positive difference in the quality of life for everyone in Union County.”

Women can be nominated for their achievements in various fields. Especially qualified women residing or working in Union County who have made an impact are eligible for nomination. Nominations are open to all women 21 years or older who live, volunteer or work in Union County. Individuals, businesses, non-profits and government agencies can submit nominations for an award. The awardees will be honored at the annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, to be held on March 27, 2020 at the Gran Centurions in Clark.

Each awardee will receive an engraved Women of Excellence plaque and a Freeholder Resolution in their honor recognizing their impact on the Union County community.

The Women of Excellence awards are sponsored by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Commission on the Status of Women, with the Union County Office on Women. 

Women of Excellence nominations may be submitted online. To submit a Women of Excellence nomination online, visit ucnj.org/women-awards.

Nominations will also continue to be accepted by mail. Mail-in nominations should be sent to the Union County Administration Building, Attn: Union County Office on Women, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, 2^nd Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07207.

For any questions about the nomination process or to get more information about the Women of Excellence awards program, contact Union County Commission of the Status of Women/Freeholder Administration Liaison, Nancy Malta, at 908-527-4298 or nmalta@ucnj.org

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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.

Featuring State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, Freeholder Vice Chairman Al Mirabella, County Surrogate Jim LaCorte, UNICO representatives, Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that Union County’s 11th Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event is set for Friday, Oct. 11th, at 1 p.m., on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse. Senator Nicholas P. Scutari will be this year’s special guest speaker.

“We have a great program this year in honor of the achievements and contributions of Italian Americans,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella, who is emceeing the program, and founded the flag raising event. “Italian Americans continue to make extraordinary contributions to the rich, diverse fabric of America.”

Speakers include:  State Senator Scutari; Union County Surrogate James S. LaCorte; Andre’ DiMino, Communications Director of the Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition; UNICO District X Governor Anthony Bengivenga,

UNICO is the nation’s largest Italian American service organization whose chapters and members engage in promoting and defending Italian culture and heritage, as well as providing scholarships, engaging in community service and other philanthropic endeavors.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO work to organize and co-sponsor Union County’s Columbus Day event. The Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition is an Italian-American anti-bias organization formed of members nationwide that fights stereotypes, and promotes Columbus Day.

Italian-style refreshments and pastries will be served after the program in the historic Union County Courthouse. Parking (pay) is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck No. 6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street. In the event of rain, the event will be held in the Freeholder Chambers in the Union County Administration building.

The courthouse is located at 2 Broad St. in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue.  

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran and Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie in congratulating Union County Police Lieutenant Raymond Berry, Sergeant Matthew Schaible and Sergeant Bernard Gerrity on their promotions during at a ceremony in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites non-profit organizations within Union County to attend a free workshop focused on Board Development. Participants will learn specific ways to strengthen and grow their organization.

The workshop, titled “Board Members Are People Too,” will take place on Monday, October 28^th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Warinanco Sports Center in Warinanco Park, located at One Park Drive, in Roselle.

 “The Freeholder Board is proud to offer this professional development opportunity to our grant awardees and other non-

profits in Union County,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It is important that these organizations are equipped with the skills needed to provide the best services and opportunities for Union County residents.”

The workshop is open to all arts and history organizations, especially those receiving grants through Union County’s HEART, Local Art Programs, and History Grant initiatives. Other non-profit organizations located in Union County may also attend.

The workshop will be conducted by Pat Bohse, a management consultant with more than three decades of experience working with non-profits. Ms. Bohse is a nationally recognized speaker who provides services such as training and workshops, and facilitates retreats related to board development, team building, fundraising, staff development and more. 

Attendees will learn:

• How to do a board audit
• How to understand the importance of by-laws and having a strategic plan
• How to develop job descriptions for board members, officers, and committees
• The how-to’s of recruiting, retaining, and rewarding both board members and volunteers

Resources and tools will be provided. The event is free, however online pre-registration is required at https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/board-members-are-people-too/.

The workshop is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. It is presented through the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

For more information call the County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 or email Martha Sturm at msturm@ucnj.org.

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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 Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Andrea Staten and Rebecca Williams joined Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, Union County Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams (USAF), Union County Sheriff’s Captain George Kurz (USAF) and Michael Hrycak (LTC, USA, Ret.) at the 2^nd Annual Union County Networking Mixer for all military veterans and active duty personnel, their families, and veterans’ service providers at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.

The event was coordinated through the Union County Office of Veteran Services UC-HERO program. For more information about services contact the Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams by phone at 908-527-4918, or email at jwilliams@ucnj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites all residents to participate in a new survey about the different needs of individuals and families living in Union County. The new “Needs Assessment” survey will help Union County plan for service improvements ranging from recreation and the arts to education, housing, and health care.

“The new survey is a valuable part of the long term planning toolkit, and we encourage all residents to take a few moments to provide their insights,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Practically everyone who lives in Union County either uses or could benefit from the wide range of public services provided through County government.”

The survey is voluntary, anonymous and confidential. Residents can access the survey online from now through Thursday, October 31, at the Union County Department of Human Services website, ucnj.org/dhs-survey.

The online survey is designed for use on all computers including smart phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.

Residents who prefer to fill out the survey by hand can obtain a hard copy through the mail, from now through Thursday, October 31, by calling the Department of Human Services Action Line at 908-558-2288.

In the survey, participants can indicate if they need or use popular community services including arts, music, and sporting events, or seasonal festivals and other community celebrations. They can also indicate their use of many different individual services including parenting classes, mentoring, opportunities for volunteering, anger management, help in dealing with bias, legal assistance, affordable child care, early education, home delivered meals, and more.

The survey also focuses on areas related to health including insurance and affordable care, transportation to appointments (Paratransit), respite care, suicide prevention, home care, prevention education, people with special needs, domestic violence, substance abuse services and recovery support, access to Medicare/Medicaid, treatment for mental health, and hospice services.

In addition, residents using or needing educational services can indicate their use of tutoring and homework help, support for special needs students, GED classes, computer skills training, English as a second language, computer skills, trade schools, career development, and more.

Safety and financial security services covered by the survey include help with home energy costs and weatherization, repair costs, access for people with disabilities, rental assistance, assistance with mortgages and other issues involved in home ownership, tax guidance, homelessness prevention, and more.

Other services included in the survey involve neighborhood safety and quality of life, services for veterans, and more.

For additional information about the survey contact Karen Dinsmore, Assistant Director, Union County Department of Human Services, 908-527-4809 or kdinsmore@ucnj.org.

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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’s annual public heritage event, “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey through Union County’s History,” is back this year for another exciting weekend, taking place Saturday, October 19^th and Sunday, October 20^th from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with the cooperation of staff and volunteers at 35 house museums and historic sites, the two-day free event opens the doors to more than 370 years of history throughout the county.

“Four Centuries in a Weekend is a Union County tradition that allows residents and visitors to travel through time to learn about the rich history of how our county came to be,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “I encourage all to explore the historic sites that reside in our own backyards.”

Visitors will be able to stop by a beautifully restored mansion and church, Revolutionary War burial grounds, the county’s oldest railroad station, quaint house museums, special exhibitions, and more.

Some sites with special programs or events highlighting their rich history are:

• The Deserted Village of Feltville / Glenside Park in Berkeley Heights will offer children’s games, freshly pressed apple cider, and interpretive signage and opportunities to “meet” key people from Feltville/Glenside history.
• Dr. William Robinson Plantation-Museum in Clark explores the role of the U.S. servicemen and women, and the civilians who supported them, including: living history displays; a fully functioning 1919 Model T; Army Signal Corps tent with equipment, uniforms and weapons on display; and live USO shows throughout the weekend.
• Deacon Andrew Hetfield House in Mountainside will exhibit a miniature diorama of the local 1780 Revolutionary War Battle of Springfield. There will also be Guided tours of this house (circa 1760).
• Drake House Museum in Plainfield will provide tours of this historic site. Both days, 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.: Ensembles from the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra will play musical selections in the second-floor ballroom. Under the direction of Charles Prince, the PSO, New Jersey’s oldest community orchestra, is celebrating its 100th season.
• Roselle Park Museum in Roselle Park will be Exhibiting: From Science to Technology and Invention: Edison, Keurig, Marconi and new information on Nikola Tesla in Roselle Park; plus Inventors and Invention in Roselle Park. Lifetime member and iron worker Martin Kiernan will demonstrate his model of Tesla Coil, and provide information about how to make one.
• Caldwell Parsonage in Union will present a map exhibit featuring the 1860 Thomas Hughes farm map and zoning maps showing the town layout. Aerial photographs give a bird’s-eye view of the development of Route 22. A brief film made by Union High School History Club, shot in part using a drone, focusing on some of Union Township’s most significant landmarks will be shown. There will also be an appearance by “Rev. James Caldwell.”
• Donald M. Payne Vauxhall Meeting Center in Union will have displays highlighting the historic significance of the Vauxhall section of Union including: the 1780 Revolutionary War Battle of Springfield; Veterans from World War I to the present; and Land development in the Vauxhall area.
• Miller-Cory House Museum in Westfield will have open-hearth cooking demonstrations in the Frazee Building. On Saturday, museum cooks will also “fire up” the beehive oven, a laborious task requiring skill and experience. Sunday only: Presenters will discuss the Lenape tribe of Native Americans, explaining customs, beliefs, ceremonies, and displaying artifacts. Includes a fun and educational craft — children may make their own medicine pouch to take home. Gift shop offers a wide array of items.
• Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center in Westfield will provide Guided tours of this beautiful, Italianate Victorian house. There will also be an exhibit highlighting the life and career of Charles Addams, the cartoonist, who called Westfield his home; plus other exhibits and artwork.
• Nokia Bell Labs in New Providence/Murray Hill, visitors can visit the on Campus Museum from noon until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday only.

Children can earn a Time Traveler’s Certificate and a Four Centuries Patch by visiting and obtaining a Time Traveler Passport at any of the sites, having it stamped and returning the completed form to the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.

For free copies of the Four Centuries in a Weekend tour booklet, map and further information, call 908-558-2550 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., NJ Relay Users dial 711, or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. 

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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.