The Union County Freeholder Board is proud of the success of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools system, which is considered one of the top in the nation. Please enjoy this video overview of the UC Vocational-Technical Schools system, narrated by its Superintendent, Peter Capodice.
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Union County, NJ – The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs hosted its first “Back in Time” history program last week at the Deserted Village of Feltville in the Watchung Reservation. The new program aims to provide an interactive learning opportunity for County residents including those with disabilities and special needs.
“The Freeholder Board is proud to support our parks, our history and our local historical organizations, and we strive to ensure that our recreational programs are accessible to all Union County residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The ‘Back in Time’ event combined all of these elements into an enriching and educational experience.”
“Back in Time” featured representatives in historically accurate costumes from the Deserted Village and two other historic sites in Union County, the Miller-Cory House in Westfield and the Caldwell Parsonage in Union.
Each of the sites portrayed a different time period: Colonial life for the Miller-Cory House, the Revolutionary War for the Caldwell Parsonage, and the Early Industrial Period for the Deserted Village.
The event was attended by 22 clients from the Arc of Union County, a nonprofit organization located in Springfield with a mission to empower and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
The participants handled and smelled herbs commonly used during in Colonial times, played popular games of the Revolutionary War era like hopscotch and nine-pin bowling, and explored artifacts and documents at the Deserted Village, the site of an Early Industrial paper mill and planned community owned by the 19th century entrepreneur David Felt.
Back in Time was developed by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, which is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State.
For information on Back in Time and other activities of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, call 908-558-2550, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or visit online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.
The Back in Time program supports the goals of the Union County Office for People with Special Needs. The first office of its kind in New Jersey, the Office for People with Special Needs was established under Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives for inclusiveness, diversity and individual empowerment.
To learn more about services and resources provided through the Office of Special Needs, contact Manuel Ramirez at mramirez@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4781.
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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Photo Credit (photo attached): An instructor in historical costume provides a glimpse into Union County’s past for participants in the “Back in Time” event hosted by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. County of Union, NJ.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholder Rebecca Williams joined Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi in welcoming members of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association to the County Clerk’s annual appreciation luncheon in honor of Municipal Clerks. This year’s luncheon was held at The Snyder Academy of Elizabethtown in Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County, NJ – Union County is offering a free electronics recycling event on Saturday, June 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.
Any Union County resident may bring unwanted televisions, computers, printers, and other electronic equipment to this e-cycling site. There is a limit of six items per vehicle.
“Through this free event, Union County residents can help conserve resources and keep hazardous materials out of the environment. Everyone can make a real difference by using this opportunity to clear their homes, basements and garages of old computers and other unwanted electronic goods,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.
“In addition to our countywide events, we also encourage residents to stay up to date with their local curbside pickup programs,” added Chairman Granados. “These local programs benefit when residents stay informed and follow the instructions for proper recycling.”
For more details on local curbside recycling visit the “Curbside Recycling” link at ucnj.org/recycling or contact a local recycling coordinator.
Union County residents can also sign up for Recycle Coach, a free app that makes it easy to keep up to date with countywide recycling information and municipal recycling schedules. For more information visit ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.
Countywide recycling supports Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for environmental engagement, education and empowerment.
For more details on all upcoming recycling events including paper shredding and household hazardous waste visit ucnj.org/recycling. Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities can be found at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.
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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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of drawings by Plainfield resident Mel Holston, located in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.
A selection of Mr. Holston’s work titled, “Motherland: Life in Black and White,” will be on display at the gallery until August 10. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
“We are delighted to have Mel Holston’s drawings on display. He reflects and amplifies the diversity of artistic expression in our community, which makes Union County such an exciting and enriching place to live and visit,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This exhibit showcases Mr. Holston’s skills as a master of pen-and-ink figurative drawing and design.”
Mr. Holston has lived in Plainfield since 1993, and is well known in local arts and culture circles. He is a former and long-time member of Plainfield’s Cultural and Heritage Commission.
A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mr. Holston studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and Jersey City State College. He taught art in the Jersey City School System from 1978 to 1995 and was named Jersey City Teacher of the Year in 1990.
He works in a wide variety of media and is widely recognized for his finely detailed pen-and-ink drawings on African themes and traditions.
Mr. Holstein won First Place in the 2018 Union County Senior Citizen Art Exhibit in the category of Acrylic Painting by a Professional. He has also exhibited extensively and has won many distinguished awards throughout his long career as an artist.
His museum and gallery shows include: Logoa Duncan Gallery, New York and Paris; Jersey City Museum & Science Center; Drake House Museum, Plainfield; Newark Museum; Rutgers University, Newark; Chicago Museum of Science & Industry; Renaissance Gallery, South Orange; Brockman Gallery, Los Angeles; the Association of Caribbean-American Artists, Brooklyn; and in Havana, Cuba.
The Pearl Street Gallery accommodates works that may be hung on a wall. Union County artists interested in exhibiting in the gallery are welcome to apply.
For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery and other programs involving the arts, culture and historic preservation in Union County, call the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 (NJ Relay users can dial 711), email culturalinfo@ucnj.org or visit online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.
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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 Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados has been selected by the Friends of New Jersey Legacy Foundation to be honored with their Outstanding Community Service Award at the 2018 Juneteenth Family Reunion on Sunday, June 17.
This year’s Juneteenth celebration will be held at the Elizabeth Waterfront Pier and Marina at the foot of Elizabeth Avenue from 2 -7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
“As someone active in the volunteer community, I know that all those who are being honored at this event are passionate, energized, and eager to lend their time and their skills to make a real difference,” said Chairman Granados. “I am very grateful to receive this honor and be recognized for my service at this special commemoration of freedom for all. I also want to congratulate all the fathers who are being honored, and have not only been role models for their children but also for other youth in their communities.”
Chairman Granados, in keeping with his commitment to civic responsibility and service, established the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity as part of his “Moving Union County Forward” initiative. The new office is tasked with supporting and growing volunteer activities by identifying opportunities, coordinating events, building a volunteer network and strengthening relationships with the County’s diverse communities.
The theme of this year’s Juneteenth event is “Celebration of Our African American Men” and fittingly will take place on Father’s Day. The celebration will honor 45 active men who have been influential in their communities.
Juneteenth is recognized as a commemoration of the effective end to slavery in the United States. While President Lincoln delivered his famous Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, many slave owners in Southern states failed to inform their slaves of the landmark decision.
It took until June 19, 1865 – over two years after Lincoln’s address freeing slaves – for Union soldiers to ride into Galveston, Texas and announce the abolition of slavery there.
Hence, Juneteenth is a celebration of the emancipation of all slaves. Every year around June 19, people participate in parades and cultural events to honor the true end of slavery.
Chairman Granados will be honored as a supporter of the African-American community. Family and friends are invited to pay tribute and honor Granados and other deserving men for their work and service while commemorating the effective end to slavery more than 150 years ago.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a special free event, Good Plants and Bad Plants: How to Tell the Difference and Support Healthy Ecosystems, on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
The event is free but pre-registration is required by emailing watershed7@ucnj.org.
Landscapers and property managers are encouraged to attend, as well as homeowners, gardeners, civic and environmental organizations, and members of the public who are interested in conserving native species.
“Conserving our natural heritage is something that practically anyone in Union County can support, whether it’s eliminating invasive species from your own property, helping to preserve native plants in our public parks, or educating yourself and sharing your knowledge with others,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.
Attendees will learn why native plants are important, how to select beneficial native plants for their property or business, and how to help foster a healthy, diverse ecosystem in the Union County community.
Good Plants and Bad Plants is presented by Mike Van Clef, an expert on rare and invasive species and co-founder of the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team. Mr. Van Clef has 25 years of experience in the field of ecological health monitoring and natural resource policy.
This event is a special presentation by the Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Services office through the New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program and is part of Chairman Grandados’s 2018 Plant A Seed initiative, designed to empower Union County residents of all ages through environmental engagement and education.
For additional information or to find more about nature conservation in Union County parks visit the Adopt-a-Park program online at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-789-3683.
For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.
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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 — A long winter is setting the stage for a promising summer growing season, and gardening enthusiasts can stock up on plants, seedlings and other supplies at the 29th annual Master Gardeners of Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale.
The Spring Garden Fair takes place this year on Sunday May 20, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Union County Demonstration Garden, located by the Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
“The Spring Garden Fair is a fun, inspiring and educational way to kick off the growing season,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Come and stock up on plants and other supplies for a healthy, beautiful yard or garden, and get expert guidance from the Master Gardeners of Union County.”
As always, admission to the Garden Fair is free, and parking is also free. Visitors are advised that all sales are cash only. All proceeds go to civic activities of the Master Gardeners, including raising and donating fresh produce, community beautification and education, and a scholarship fund.
“The Master Gardeners volunteers make outstanding contributions to life in Union County, and I encourage everyone interested in community service to come to the Garden Fair, speak with our volunteers and find out how you can participate in this worthwhile program,” said Chairman Granados.
Among the hundreds of plants and seedlings offered for sale, the Spring Garden Fair features deer resistant, drought tolerant and fragrant plants that thrive in Union County, including many easy-to-grow plants for beginner gardeners.
The Spring Garden Fair is also known for a large selection of herbs and tomatoes including the popular Ramapo and the Rutgers 250.
Along with plants, baked goods, books, crafts, and garden supplies for sale, the Spring Garden Fair offers free activities for gardeners of all ages including:
- Guided tours of the Demonstration Garden including the vegetable and herb gardens.
- Displays and information for Square Foot Gardening, Invasive Plants and Mosquito Control.
- Information on joining the Master Gardeners and the 4-H Master Tree Stewards.
- Children’s activities (children must be accompanied by adult during activities).
- Garden clinic and Rutgers information fact sheets for troubleshooting garden problems.
Attendees can bring plant and insect samples for diagnosis, and Rutgers soil test kits are available for sale.
Free parking is located nearby at the Trailside Nature and Science Center parking lot and the Scout Camping Area in the Watchung Reservation. Additional free parking is available in the Loop playground area, located a short walk away on the other side of the Trailside Center.
Visitors are advised to bring a small wagon to convey their purchases. Pets are not permitted at the Garden Fair.
The Spring Garden Fair is organized each year by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County, an all-volunteer organization run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board. Anyone with an interest in gardening and volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required.
Among the Master Gardeners many volunteer services are the free Garden Helpline (908-654-9852) where residents can receive gardening advice, horticulture programs for people with special needs, and a community gardening speakers’ bureau.
The group’s work in the Union County Demonstration Garden has yielded thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries and many donations of cut flowers to cancer centers along with other projects and programs.
For more information on the Master Gardeners program contact Tamisha Hopkins at the Extension, 908-654-9854 (ext. 2), or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.
The Extension offices are located in the Colleen Frasier county services building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
More information on the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County is available at mastergardeners-uc.org.
For quick links to all Union County programs related to gardening, sustainability and nature conservation visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.
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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 — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free workshop on Thursday evening, May 17, will explain the application process for the 2018 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts, Reaching Thousands) Grant Program and the Union County 2019 Local Arts Grant Program.
The workshop will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Liberty Hall Museum, Wagon Shed Building, 1003 Morris Avenue in Union Township. The workshop is free of charge, but pre-registration is suggested.
“The response to our grant programs has been enthusiastic and inspiring in past years, and we are very excited about the upcoming season,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our grant recipients represent a full spectrum of creative endeavor, and these programs enable them to provide the benefits of enrichment through the arts to thousands of Union County residents each year.”
“This workshop helps individuals, non-profit groups and arts organizations craft grant proposals that include all of the necessary elements, including project descriptions and budgets,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.
The workshop will explain the application process for both programs. The 2018 HEART grant is for projects related to local history, the arts or humanities undertaken by non-profit organizations, individual artists and scholars and is funded through the Freeholder Board. The Union County 2019 Local Arts Grant Program is for arts organizations or arts projects produced by non-arts organizations.
Funds for the Local Arts Program are made available through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Projects eligible for consideration for 2018 HEART grants must take place between September 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Organizations eligible for consideration for 2019 Local Arts Program grants must conduct arts activities taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2019.
The application deadline for both grant programs is June 22, 2018.
To pre-register or obtain additional information about the workshop, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.
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 Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a total of 18 new miles of County roads will be repaved this season in 14 municipalities. Work will begin later this summer.
“Keeping our roads in top condition ensures our residents and those traveling through our area a safe and enjoyable driving experience,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Union County is one of the region’s most powerful and effective transportation hubs, and we aim to keep it that way.”
Freeholder Vice Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, who heads the Public Works and Facilities Freeholder Committee, added: “The County maintains more than 174 miles of roadway. Resurfacing makes our roadways not only safer to navigate for both drivers and pedestrians, but also more efficient.”
The 2018 Roads Resurfacing program will begin later this summer after the County completes the 2017 Roads Resurfacing program.
The 2018 Road Resurfacing program will cost approximately $7.5 million, with an approximate 50-50 funding split between the County and the State Transportation Trust Fund.
The work will be conducted at night when possible, in order to minimize the need for detours during peak travel periods.
The roads scheduled for resurfacing in 2018 are:
|
Municipality |
Street |
From |
To |
|
Berkeley Heights |
Mountain Avenue |
Horseshoe |
Diamond Hill Road |
|
Clark/Scotch Plains |
Martine/Lake Ave |
Raritan Road |
Oak Ridge Road |
|
Fanwood/Scotch |
North & Midway |
Terrill Road |
E. Broad Street |
|
Hillside |
Liberty Avenue |
Conant Street |
Hillside Ave |
|
Linden/Roselle |
Wood Avenue |
Raritan Road |
Route 27 |
|
Mountainside/Springfield |
Summit Road |
Route 78 |
Route 22 |
|
New Providence |
South Street |
Springfield |
Mountain Avenue |
|
Plainfield |
E. 7th Street |
Roosevelt |
Terrill Road |
|
Rahway |
Lawrence Street |
E. Grand Ave |
Woodbridge Road |
|
Rahway |
Grand Avenue |
Route 27 |
Route 1& 9 |
|
Summit |
River Rd |
County |
JFK Parkway |
|
Union |
Stuyvesant |
Vaux Hall Road |
Essex County Line |
For up-to-date information on road closures and other travel advisories related to County road and bridge projects, visit the interactive Road Construction Update page at ucnj.org/traffic.
To report potholes on County roads, use the convenient online form at ucnj.org/pothole.