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Union County Celebrates Black History Month

by Linda Carter
Chairman, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders
February 2013

As a lifelong Union County resident, I have always appreciated how we celebrate our unique backgrounds, cultures and neighborhoods in many different ways, but we also come together as one community, working towards a brighter future.

That’s the perspective from which I see Black History Month. Each February, America celebrates the contributions of African-Americans to our nation’s history. In doing so we uncover new truths about the journey we all share, and new promises for the next generation.

This year Union County begins a new tradition. We are celebrating Black History Month with the first annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the late Freeholder, Rahway Councilman, police officer, community volunteer and member of the Army National Guard, for whom serving the common good was a lifelong calling.

Mr. Holmes’s military service is especially relevant to the theme of Black History Month this year, which is“The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington.”

Military service was key part of the Emancipation Proclamation, though freeing slaves is by far its most well known provision.

When the Proclamation became effective in 1863, it declared the freedom of slaves in rebel states and urged them to join the nation’s workforce, specifically by joining the armed services.

By articulating the right of these newly liberated Americans to fight for their country, President Abraham Lincoln also recharged the legacy of African-American service in the Revolutionary War. He struck a spark that guided the way, slowly but inevitably, to the desegregation of military units in World War II.

Military desegregation soon became a powerful argument for the Civil Rights movement, which in 1963 culminated in the famous March on Washington and the vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. for a shared future.

King was a man of peace, but there is no irony in recognizing that to this day, our armed services reflect and amplify his dream of progress toward equal rights for all Americans.

We can see that progress in new opportunities for women, as the recent lifting of sex-restricted combat roles will open new career paths and reinforce the rights articulated in the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.

We can also see that progress in equal rights for all men and women, by the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, by a growing respect for marriage rights, and by the support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths embodied in the national anti-bullying movement.

This is the legacy of the Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington. These twin events have proved so pivotal in African-American history, and they have rippled out to embrace all the richness of individual experience in modern society.

Our journey is far from over, but looking back on all that our nation has accomplished, Black History Month is truly a time to celebrate the freedom to strive, to achieve, and above all to contribute to a better, stronger American community.

Public Info

Seminar to Teach the Importance of Family Meals

Union County, NJ- Union County residents are invited to take part in “MyPlate Makeovers,” a seminar on the importance of following MyPlate guidelines to promote healthy eating habits. The two-hour seminar, developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, will be held Wednesday, February 13, from 7pm to 9pm in the county services building located at 300 North Ave East in Westfield.

Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, MyPlate Makeovers aims to educate participants on how make healthy meals a part of their total lifestyle by showing them how to prepare enjoyable meals that are low in fat, salt and sugar content.

To register, please contact Judi Laganga at the extension offices at 908-654-9854 or via email atjlaganga@ucnj.org by Friday, Feb 8. A $5 fee will be collected at the door and pre-registration is required.

MyPlate is the USDA’s food guidance system comprised of the MyPlate symbol and other materials to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day. It is designed to remind Americans to eat healthfully and illustrates the five food groups using a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting.

For more information on the MyPlate food guidance system, visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

“Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

Public Info

A Helping Hand for Community Gardeners

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce “Get Your Garden Growing,” a full day of workshops aimed at helping school and civic groups make their community gardens a success. The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 23 at the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

All of the workshops are led by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

“Community gardening is a healthy, educational activity that enriches civic life, and this is a great chance to get reliable guidance from experts who have amassed a wonderful store of gardening experience right here in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The workshops will cover all the basics of planning and tending a community garden as well as container gardening, rainwater harvesting, safe soil practices for gardening in urban and suburban areas, learning experiences for youngsters, and using gardens to improve nutrition.

The fee for the workshop is $15 (including lunch) and pre-registration is required by February 13. To register or to get more information, contact Judi Laganga at the Extension, 908-654-9854 or jlaganga@ucnj.org.

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you need special accommodations, have questions about physical access, or require alternate means for program information, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

Public Info

Trailside Celebrates “The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln” on Feb. 15

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a special program for adults, 18 and older, at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Friday evening, February 15. “The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln,” a dramatization and lecture by Bob Gleason, will usher in Presidents Day weekend from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The program is made possible in part by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Pre-registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome as space permits. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Bob Gleason has been with the American Historical Theatre since 1991. Since that time he has been featured at the White House Visitors’ Center, Ford’s Theatre, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute and other national institutions. His four-octave talents have made him a popular dramatist at schools and museums, as well as a good will ambassador touring the United States and Germany.

“We are proud to offer such premier talent for this portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, as part of the 2013 Winter Adult Program Series at Trailside,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “We hope that many people will enjoy this engaging and enlightening historical presentation.”

Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, was a revered leader and team builder. Bob Gleason will bring the depth of Lincoln’s character to light, as we discover the personal side of this historic figure. The program covers Lincoln’s formative years, his courtship and marriage, the beginnings and development of his abolitionist views, and his first, not very successful trip to Congress. Discussion points include the causes of the Civil War, major events and turning points of the war, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Gettysburg Address.

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

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Public Info

Union County Freeholder Board Partners with Union County College for Black History Month Series

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce their collaboration with Union County College on a series of Black History Month events at Union County College’s Cranford and Elizabeth campuses beginning Friday, February 8.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with Union County College in bringing County residents a series of educational and entertaining events about Black History and its role in shaping America,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The first event in the series, the Union County Black History Month Kick-off Reception, will take place on Friday, February 8, at 1:00 p.m. at the Union County College Kellogg Building, located at 40 West Jersey St in Elizabeth.

The Kick-off Reception is set to include an exciting talk about Black History by Rev. H. William Rutherford Jr., past President of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, as well as a summary of other Black History Month events taking place throughout the County, and the first presentation of the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award.

The Award, created by the Freeholder Board in honor of the late, former Freeholder Chester Holmes, will be awarded yearly to a candidate that displays outstanding devotion to the people of Union County through their service-based or philanthropic work. The first recipient of the award will be Ella S. Teal, of the Urban League of Union County.

The next event in the collaborative series will be the “Who Was Harriet Tubman” play on Saturday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the Roy Smith Auditorium, at Union County College’s Cranford Campus; followed by the 10thAnnual Union County College Frederick Douglass Birthday Celebration on Wednesday, February 27.

For additional information on attending the Union County Black History Month Kick-off Reception, contact Mary Lynn Williams at 908-527-4106.

Detailed information on Black History Month Events happening throughout Union County will be available starting Friday, February 1, on the Union County Black History Month website, www.ucnj.org/black-history.

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Public Info

Trailside Prepares for Fun Summer Camps & Family Programs: Lottery Drawing for Registration Begins February 9th

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce a new and exciting season of summer camps and family programs at Trailside Nature & Science Center in the Watchung Reservation.

Due to the popularity of Trailside’s summer programs, a lottery system will be used beginning Saturday, February 9, and continuing through Friday, February 22, or until all the numbers have been drawn. Union County residents may visit Trailside to draw a lottery number from noon until 5 p.m. daily. There are more than 500 numbers. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, will be required to draw a number. Only one number may be drawn per family/address.

Registrants must pick their own lottery ticket for their family. Each registrant’s name, address, lottery number and arrival time will be recorded when the lottery number is chosen. The number drawn will indicate the registrant’s position on line and time of arrival for registration day, scheduled for Saturday, March 2.

Summer Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on March 2, for Union County residents who have drawn a lottery ticket. Registrants must bring their ticket with them to register and must be present when their number is called or their position in line will be forfeited. Each ticket holder may only register their child/family. If a registrant arrives after their number is called, but within their designated registration hour indicated on their lottery ticket, they may register at the end of the one-hour time block. If the registrant misses their one-hour time block entirely, they may return at 3:30 p.m. to register. No exceptions will be made.

Registration for out-of-county participants will begin Monday, March 4, from noon to 4:45 p.m. Lottery tickets will not be required and registration will continue until all programs are filled.

“Trailside summer programs offer adults and children a great opportunity to explore the outdoors while learning about nature,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Each Trailside camp and family program is filled with hands-on, educational activities that encourage a child’s natural curiosity. Theme hikes, games and crafts are all part of the Trailside experience.”

For information about Trailside’s 2013 Summer Camps, including registration procedures, please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Summer brochures and registration cards will be distributed during the February lottery. 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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Caption: Mountainside, NJ – Trailside park naturalist Becky Novorro explains how a bald eagle preens its feathers to children in last summer’s “Wild and Rare” camp program for children entering 3rd and 4th grades. Campers enjoyed visiting the Raptor Trust in Millington where they learned about eagles, hawks, owls and other birds in the care of the Raptor Trust Facility. Wild and Rare is one of many summer camps and programs offered by Trailside Nature & Science Center, including half-day camps for children in the pre-first grade; half and full-day camps for children from first through ninth grade; evening theme hikes; over-night camp-outs; campfires with sing-alongs, and engaging weekly Friday Family classes. Registration for residents of Union County for summer camps and family programs will be held on Saturday, March 2. In order to register, a lottery ticket must be drawn between Feb. 9 and Feb. 22; proof of residency required. Please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/trailside for more information. 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.

Public Info

“Seussical” Brings Beloved, Quirky Characters to the Stage

Union County, NJ – Will Horton pay attention to Gertrude? Will Maysie ever return for her egg? For the answers to these and many other questions, children can enjoy a live performance of Seussical, a musical theater production based on the Dr. Seuss classic tale Horton Hears a Who, hosted by none other than the Cat in the Hat.

Two performances are scheduled for Sunday, February 3 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in the heart of the downtown Rahway Theater District.

The first performance is specially designed for children with autism and related disorders as part of the Sensory Friendly Theater series sponsored by the Freeholder Board.

“Sensory Friendly Theater is a wonderful way for children with special needs to partake in the experience of the performing arts, in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “It’s part of our efforts to ensure that healthy, enriching activities are available to Union County residents from all walks of life including children, teens and adults with disabilities.”

For the first show, the Performing Arts Center will become a “judgment free zone” that accommodates children who wish to express their excitement during the performance, get up and move around, or spend some time out of the performance area.

Specially trained staff will also be on hand if parents or caregivers need assistance with their children.

In both the first and second show, Seussical features the same unique characters who find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure, in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous ”think” ever save the day.

Sensory Friendly Theater was initiated last year by Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who held the position of Chairman in 2012, as part of his “Putting People First” initiatives.

To design the series, the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation worked with worked with Paper Mill Playhouse and the Children’s Specialized Hospital as well as Autism Friendly Spaces, an organization that helps people with autism and their families participate in their communities.

The Union County Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation operating in the historic Rahway Theatre. Conveniently located in downtown Rahway at 1601 Irving Street, this historic landmark is the cornerstone of the Rahway Arts District. The theater is a beautifully restored 1920’s era former vaudeville house and movie palace owned by the County of Union and managed by the nonprofit Union County Performing Arts Center.

For more information on both performances call the UC PAC box office, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org.

For information on all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org or call the Public Info Line toll free, 877-424-1234.

Public Info

Union County Medical Reserve Corps

(From left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholder Vernell Wright present Ella Shaykevich, Public Health Nurse and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit leader, Health Educator Katie Rodgers and Roberta Milano, PHENS Coordinator/Bureau Chief, with a resolution commending the men and women of the Union County MRC, a group of health care professionals and lay volunteers, for their extraordinary efforts in setting up and manning the Union County Regional Evacuation Shelter at the Cranford Community Center in response to Hurricane Sandy. MRC volunteers supported shelter, working 1,100 hours over 15 days and nights, assisting evacuees whose stays ranged from one night to 12 days. They are joined my Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Public Info

FEMA Extends Deadline to Register for Hurricane Sandy Assistance

TRENTON, N.J. — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy now have until March 1, 2013, to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

People with storm losses in all counties in New Jersey can register online atwww.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Registration is also available by calling 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585 or 711/VRS. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week.

The deadline was extended one month at the request of the state of New Jersey. Through Wednesday, Jan. 23, more than 57,500 storm survivors have been approved for help through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program in New Jersey.

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

The SBA has also set March 1 as the date for homeowners, renters and business owners to complete and return SBA disaster loan applications. Visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955, TTY 800-877-8339 for more information.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Public Info

Solar Installations at Runnells Specialized Hospital

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright cuts the ribbon officially opening WattLots LLC “Power Arbor”™ parking lot system at Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights. She is joined by State Senator Thom Kean, Jr. (R) and (from left) WattLots Director of Business Development Chris Connor, Maor Segal of EMSA Solar and WattLots President William E.S. Kaufman.

The Power Arbors™ solar installations will deliver 160,000 kilowatt hours of clean power from the sun annually. The installation, which will save the hospital $1.7 million and reduce carbon emissions by 3,300 tons, was installed by EMSA Solar and funded by a Union County Federal Stimulus Fund Grant.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)