Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Trailside Museum Association, will once again pair up to honor and recognize some of Union County’s environmental heroes as part of Trailside Nature and Science Center’s annual Wild Earth Fest Event on Sunday, April 29.    You can easily nominate an environmental hero online at www.ucnj.org/trailside and select the 2018 Environmental Hero tab.

“Honoring those in our community who take the initiative and make the effort to care for our environment, gives encouragement to others and models good practices for all of us to follow,” says Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. 

Last year’s environmental heroes represented an impressive array of people of all ages and collaborations whose endeavors are bettering the earth and creating an eco-friendly society.  Included in last year’s winners was Beth Lovejoy who, as chair of the Summit Environmental Commission, spearheaded a host of projects, including an annual Earth Day clean-up.  Additionally Ms. Lovejoy initiated a GreenStar program to recognize local green businesses and worked to achieve Sustainable Jersey’s Silver Certification for the city of Summit.

The Union County Adopt-A-Trail Chainsaw Crew work tirelessly to keep the trails of Union County Parks clear, safe and accessible for the public to enjoy.  In addition to clearing fallen trees, the crew maintained trail blazes, cut back brush and invasive plants, and recently helped in the reseeding of Trailside’s Butterfly Meadow. 

Environmental Hero Maeve Casey established recycling programs in her middle school and for “Relay For Life.”  She also worked on several planting projects to help butterflies and other pollinators.   As Program Coordinator of the Rahway River Watershed Association, Environmental Hero Clea Carchia worked passionately to call attention to water quality and watershed issues.  Additionally, Ms. Carchia was the Water Quality/Habitats Issues Coordinator for the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club and actively participated in the Rahway Environmental Commission. 

Do you know an environmental hero in your community?  Participants may nominate individuals or groups who have taken action for environmental change in their community.  All nominations for the Environmental Hero Award must be received by Friday, April 13, 2018 and should be submitted online at www.ucnj.org/trailside.

Along with certificates of recognition for their work, the Trailside Museum Association board members will once again award prizes to the winners of the Environmental Hero Award at Wild Earth Fest on Sunday, April 29, 2018.   

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

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce two hiring event opportunities coming up with Griswold Home Care of Union County and the United Airlines Summer Assist youth program.

“We always want to make sure our residents are aware of new opportunities for employment, and I would like to thank Griswold Home Care and United Airlines for partnering with Union County, Union County College and the Workforce Innovation Business Center to help provide employment opportunities to our qualified Union County applicants,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Griswold Home Care of Union County is the nation’s largest, privately owned, non-medical home care company. The company is looking for Certified Home Health Aides as well as a Care Coordinator.

This event will take place on Wednesday, February 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the Union County College, Kellogg Building 5^th floor room K-517, located at 40 West Jersey Street in Elizabeth.

Open to all Union County residents. Pre-registration is required for this event. Please visit ucnj.org/jobs to RSVP.

The United Airlines Summer Assist youth program is holding an event on Tuesday, March 6th. There are two sessions, at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. This event is also located at the WIB Center at Union County College, Kellogg Building 5th floor room K-517 located at 40 West Jersey Street in Elizabeth. Candidates must be Elizabeth residents. To register, email your resume to Henri Baptiste at baptiste@ucc.edu.

For more information please call the Workforce Innovation Business Center at 908-965-2992.

Please Note: Saturday’s “Boots to Heels” Event has been postponed and will be rescheduled later this spring.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite women veterans to “Boots 2 Heels,” a free event designed to foster wellness and connect women with resources and guidance for empowerment. Boots 2 Heels is offered through Union County’s UC HERO initiative and will be held on Saturday, February 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westfield Armory, located at 500 Rahway Avenue in Westfield.

“UC HERO is focused on giving back to the veterans who put their lives on the line in the service of our country, and we hope that the Boots 2 Heels program provides women veterans with information that can help them achieve their goals in all of their endeavors,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “In any way that we can, this Freeholder Board is committed to supporting our veterans and recognizing their commitment to serving the greater good.”

Boots 2 Heels is presented by the Office of Veteran Services with the Office on Women.

The event will feature keynote speaker Stacey Hale, LCSW and three breakout sessions:

• Yoga by Nicole DeAugustine, a certified yoga instructor
• Beauty services by Jersey Boutique Spa of Westfield
• Fashion services by Lord and Taylor of Westfield

A counselor from Youth & Family Counseling in Westfield will be available at the event, as well as a representative from Veteran Affairs.

Breakfast, lunch, and light refreshments will be provided through the generosity of Pinhos Bakery of Roselle, Whole Foods of Clark, and Bonds of Courage of Westfield.

The event is free but an RSVP is required. To RSVP to “Boots 2 Heels,” please contact Janna Williams at jwilliams@ucnj.orgby February 17.

For more information on the event, call 908-527-4918, 908-273-4122, or visit ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Alexander Mirabella congratulated new members inducted into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame during the 82nd Annual Union County Baseball Association Hot Stove Awards Dinner in Clark. They were joined by Union County Manager Alfred Faella, Union County Baseball Association President Jim Iozzi and the guest speaker, Major League Baseball umpire Phil Cuzzi.

The four new Hall of Famers are Bill Feehan, a longtime Elizabeth firefighter who played for Roselle Catholic High School and helped Kean College win two ECAC championships; Jack Goldberg, a First Team All-State slugger for the Union High School Farmers, who later played in the minors for the Atlanta Braves; Ernie Hoffer of Linden, a three-sport athlete who earned All-County and All-State honors in 1960 and 1961 as a third baseman; and Curt Wallace (not pictured), who distinguished himself as a hitter at Edison Tech in Elizabeth and in inter-county leagues before going on to play, manage, instruct and scout in six countries.

The Freeholders also congratulated the local student athletes honored for their achievements: Shannon Brogan and Gianna Randazza (not pictured) of Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark share the Banyasz Brothers Award for most valuable scholastic softball players; Brian Oblachinski of Cranford received the Edward R. Cooper Award for outstanding high school baseball player; Katarina Polyviou of Cranford received the Joseph R. Lombardi Award for outstanding female athlete; and Nate Roe of Plainfield received the Chris Zusi Award for outstanding male athlete.

The awards dinner is sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association, in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Since 1937, the Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner has been the primary fund-raiser for the UCBA’s summer and fall programs for young ballplayers.

For more information the Union County Baseball Association, visit www.UCBA-NJ.org.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Linda Carter, Alexander Mirabella, Angela R. Garretson and Angel G. Estrada present the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award to lifelong Elizabeth resident Kim Nesbitt Good during the Union County 2018 Black History Month Celebration at the UCPAC in Rahway. They were joined by members of the Holmes and Nesbitt Good families.

Kim Nesbitt Good is the proprietor of the Nesbitt Funeral Home in Elizabeth with her husband of 39 years, Ted. Her insistence on the highest standards in her profession is matched by her efforts on behalf of the African American community in and around Union County. She has been honored by scores of local, state, federal and national organizations, highlighted by receiving the Presidential Pin from President Barack Obama in recognition of her extraordinary service to others.

The Freeholder Board created the award in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – As part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’s 2018 Union County Plant a Seed grants initiative, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program is now accepting applications for grants to start a community garden, or to expand or improve an existing community garden.

“Union County Means Green is funded by the Freeholder Board to help children and adults connect with the experience of growing fresh produce in their communities, leading to improved nutrition as well as opportunities for education, recreation, social activities, community service and neighborhood beautification.”

“People of all ages and abilities can enjoy the empowering experience of growing fresh food in their communities, learn about agriculture, and discover how even a small plot of land can yield a bountiful harvest,” Granados added. “Educating gardeners on best practices for a healthy and successful garden is also an important part of this program.”

The Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program is funded by the Freeholder Board with the goal of enabling more County residents to experience the benefits of growing fresh produce in their neighborhoods. It is part of Chairman Granados’s “Union County Plant a Seed” educational and individual empowerment initiative for 2018.

“Grants from Union County Means Green have helped to transform empty fields and bare lots into thriving gardens that are centers for community activities, with thousands of pounds of fresh produce consumed and donated to local food pantries,” said Freeholder Bruce Bergen, who launched the program when he served as Chairman in 2016. “It is exciting to look forward to another productive year, and I thank Chairman Granados and my colleagues on the Freeholder Board for continuing to support and build on the program.”

Union County Means Green grants include pre-budgeted $1,250.00 all-in-one packages for starting new gardens, $500.00 block grants for expanding or improving gardens (including the purchase of equipment and supplies), and Garden Innovations grants for pollinator, hydroponic and high tunnel gardens.

“The pre-budgeted grant packages have been especially popular because they take all the guesswork out of ordering supplies, coordinating deliveries and setting up new beds,” said Granados. “This year we are expanding the program to include raised beds, Earth Boxes and specially designed waste-high beds, to help make gardening more accessible for young children, seniors and persons with disabilities.”

Funding from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program is available to non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, and to municipal entities including public libraries, senior centers and community centers.

Other volunteer groups and civic organizations are welcome to apply for a grant, but they must designate a municipal or 501(c)(3) organization to receive the funds. The grant partner will accept the award on behalf of the garden and ensure that the funds are disbursed in accordance with the grant guidelines.

Applications for a 2018 grant are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Union County will notify grant recipients on or about Friday, March 23.

For more details and a downloadable application form, visit Union County at ucnj.org/ garden-grants, or contact Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-289-0262 or info@groundworkelizabeth.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.

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Union, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents and visitors to come and listen to an American Salvation Army volunteer describe her experiences on the battlefield of France in 1918, when Union County’s celebration of Women’s History Month features Ms. Laurie MacDonald-Gaulke, actress and storyteller, in a special free presentation of “Doughnuts for Doughboys: A Salvation Army Lassie in France.”

Doughnuts for Doughboys will take place on Wednesday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Liberty Hall Carriage House at Kean University, 1033 Morris Avenue in Union.

“As we face a challenging time in our nation’s history, it is all the more important to celebrate and recognize all the ways that women shape our past, influence our present and lead us into the future,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Doughnuts for Doughboys” is an exceptional performance that exposes a hidden corner of World War I history in sharp, compelling detail.”

Approximately 500 Salvation Army volunteers during WWI were young women who served with the American Army in France. In this engaging performance the audience will discover that between frying up doughnuts, writing letters for the boy’s for the folks back home, and mending uniforms or ministering to souls on the ravaged battlefields of France, these young women answered the call to ”place God in deeds” and became the darlings of the doughboys.

Using the volunteers’ own words as recorded in diaries, letters and interviews, Laurie MacDonnell-Gaulke breathes life into history and the everyday people who create it. With the use of primary sources, she specializes in creating historical portrayals of real women with real stories to tell as she strives to present each character in a historically, culturally and socially accurate manner.

With a degree in cultural anthropology along with her research skills and talent as an actress and storyteller, Laurie brings historical figures to life in an entertaining and educational way. Participation in WWI re-enacting and vintage dancing along with an avid interest in period etiquette and manners also give her the knowledge to ensure that her portrayals are believable as well as entertaining.

Her credits include performances at William Paterson University, Caldwell College, University of Delaware, Military Through the Ages in Williamsburg, Virginia; local chapters of the NJ DAR, Belvidere Victorian Days, the Morris Museum, Fosterfields Living History Farm, statewide historical societies and Women’s Clubs.  Also, during 1996-1997 she was an artist in residence at The George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The 2018 Women’s History Month Celebration is sponsored by the Freeholder Board through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation, and is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.

For more information on all Cultural and Heritage programs visit ucnj.org, email jprescott@ucnj.org or call 908-436-2912.

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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 Chairman Sergio Granados and Union County Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams joined Mike Boll and Frank “Doc” Shupp of the New Jersey Veterans Network in thanking Joseph O’Neill, owner of Benner’s Auto Body in Cranford, as he presented disabled veteran Manny Archille with the donation of a car he refurbished. Mr. Archille served in the Gulf War with the US Marine Corps.

Through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides™ program, the GEICO insurance company provided Benner’s Auto Body with two cars that were totaled in accidents. Mr. O’Neill and his shop were then responsible to repair the vehicles to be ready for donation to a charity.

Working with the New Jersey Veterans Network Mr. O’Neill made contact with Mr. Archille through the Abundant Life Worship Center of Springfield.

Benner Auto Body is currently refurbishing the second car from GEICO to be donated to a veteran in need.

For more information about the New Jersey Veterans Network, visit http://njvn.org/.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

New Members of U.C. Baseball Hall of Fame Will Be Inducted  by Union County Baseball Association

CLARK, NJ – The Union County Baseball Association is proud to announce that it will induct four new members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame and honor young local athletes at the organization’s 82^nd annual Hot Stove League awards dinner on Sunday, February 11, beginning at 1:00 p.m., at The Gran Centurions in Clark, New Jersey.

The special guest speaker for this year’s Hot Stove League awards event will be Major League umpire and New Jersey native, Phil Cuzzi of Nutley, who worked behind the plate in Game One of the 2017 World Series.

Sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association, in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Hot Stove League awards dinner is the primary annual fund-raising effort for the Union County Youth Baseball Leagues. The summer and fall leagues have given more than 40,000 boys and girls an opportunity to participate in an organized baseball program for the past 70 years.

The four new Hall of Famers are Bill Feehan, a longtime firefighter for the City of Elizabeth, who played for Roselle Catholic High School and helped Kean College win two ECAC championships; Jack Goldberg, a First Team All-State slugger for the Union High School Farmers, who later played in the minors for the Atlanta Braves; Ernie Hoffer of Linden, a three-sport athlete who earned All-County and All-State honors in 1960 and 1961 as a third baseman; and Curt Wallace, who distinguished himself as a hitter at Edison Tech in Elizabeth and in inter-county leagues before going on to play, manage, instruct and scout in six countries.

Also being honored will be several young athletes from throughout Union County for their accomplishments in high school, college and other leagues. Among the honorees will be:

• Teammates Shannon Brogan and Gianna Randazza of Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, plus Alanna Namit of Gov. Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, will share the Banyasz Brothers Award for most valuable scholastic softball players;
• Brian Oblachinski of Cranford will receive the Edward R. Cooper Award for outstanding high school baseball player;
• Katarina Polyviou of Cranford will receive the Joseph R. Lombardi Award for outstanding female athlete;
• Nate Roe of Plainfield will receive the Chris Zusi Award for outstanding male athlete.

Shannon Brogan finished her high school softball career at ALJ with a .425 batting average and 152 hits. The versatile infielder/outfielder helped lead the Crusaders to the Union County championship in 2016 and a return to the tournament in 2017. She plays for Moravian College.

Alanna Namit was named to the Group 3 All-State Team for leading Gov. Livingston in hitting and pitching. She batted .407 with three home runs and 23 RBI’s while compiling a 13-4 record and striking out 162 batters in 116 innings. Alanna now attends The College of New Jersey.

Brian Oblachinski was a stellar shortstop and leadoff hitter for the Cranford High School Cougars last year. He posted a .396 batting average with 33 runs scored and only eight strike outs. Brian stole 15 bases in 15 attempts. He now plays for Montclair State University.

Katarina Polyviou of Cranford is a standout two-sport player at DeSales University. In May, she was named to the Women’s Lacrosse All-MAC Freedom Second Team. The team’s top defender, Kat also added four goals on the offensive end. In the fall, she had a standout season between the pipes posting a 1.31 GAA with 107 saves and six shutouts. She was named to the All-MAC Freedom First Team in field hockey and was a three-time defensive player of the week. Kat was one of six athletes from around the country selected for the Sports Illustrated “Faces in the Crowd” section in the Oct. 16 issue of the magazine.

Gianna Randazza, three-time Union County Player of the Year, graduated as ALJ’s all-time leader in hits (192), runs batted in (179), runs scored (140), triples (17) and home runs (26); and as a pitcher, wins (59), strikeouts (532), and no hitters (5). Gianna now plays for Boston College.   

Nate Roe enjoyed his best season on the mound as a 2017 Atlantic League All-Star with the New Britain Bees. A Rutgers grad, Nate finished the year with a 7-6 record, a save and 60 strikeouts in 79 innings, primarily in relief, after spending the offseason in the Australian Baseball League.

Tickets for the 82^nd annual Hot Stove League awards dinner may be purchased online at www.UCBA-NJ.org or by writing to the Union County Baseball Association, PO Box 176, Fanwood, New Jersey 07023.

Information about table reservations and journal ads may be found at: www.UCBA-NJ.org.  For more information call Jim Iozzi, UCBA president, at 908-917-2523.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce, the 2018 Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, scheduled for Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. at Rahway River Park in Rahway. Admission is free to this inclusive celebration of family, equality, diversity and community.

“Standing firmly in support of equality, inclusion and unity, the Freeholder Board is proud to offer LGBTQ and ally parents, teens, children and advocacy groups a place to connect, support and celebrate together,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Pride events matter – in addition to celebrating who you are, Pride events raise awareness of inequalities and provide a platform for support and acceptance of all people. The Freeholder Board is proud to bring together our diverse community and public figures with shared values of justice and equality to use our voice to celebrate unity and promote equality.”

A celebration of all families, Union County’s Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will feature music, a variety of arts and crafts (featuring the “LOVE Makes a Family” poster making), family lawn games (think giant jenga-style stacking blocks), inflatable bounce houses for all ages, playground fun, and many other family activities. Families are invited to pack a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to the park for an afternoon of fun! Food trucks will also be on site for those who wish to purchase lunch.

A Family Equality Rally will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances. Bring a hand-held signs that celebrates the strength of our diversity.

“As a Freeholder representing the interests of all Union County residents, I believe it is extremely important to lead our communities toward acceptance of all people and advocate for full equality,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic provides an opportunity for our community to stand in unity to celebrate our diversity and support each other.”

New Jersey LGBTQ advocacy and ally organizations will be set up on site all day with general information, as well as support and networking resources.

Organized by the Office of LGBTQ Services and the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic is an inclusive community event for LGBTQ families, allies and advocacy groups.

In January, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced the launch of the new Office of LGBTQ Services. Established as part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the new LGBTQ office is the first county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.

“The current administration in Washington has created a platform to discriminate and create an environment of fear,” noted Chairman Granados. “Through the Office of LGBTQ Services, the County is dedicated to building awareness of needed protections and advocating for LGBTQ equality, in addition we will be persistent in advancing programs, resources and services to support LGBTQ individuals and their allies.”

The Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, will provide a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serve 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 Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.

For more information about the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the UC Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

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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.