Tag: chairman granados

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.

Union County, NJ – Union County seniors and caregivers can visit any of five convenient locations in February to use ASK, the Aging Services Kiosk. ASK enables seniors and caregivers to meet with expert staff from the county’s Department of Human Services Division on Aging, and connect with helpful resources and programs.

“The ASK programs brings experts from our central office out to local communities, so that seniors can get personal guidance and assistance close to their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “It’s an especially important service in the winter months, when travel can be difficult.”

Information is available for home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and other support services for seniors and caregivers. Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

The February 2018 dates and locations are:

Friday, February 9

Mountainside Municipal Building

1385 Route 22 East

Mountainside, 07092

12:30 am – 2:30 pm

 

Thursday, February 15

Plainfield Public Library

800 Park Avenue

Plainfield, 07060

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Wednesday, February 21

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

Fanwood, 07023

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Monday, February 26

Summit Public Library

75 Maple Street

Summit, 07901

10:30 am to 12:30 pm

 

Tuesday, February 27

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, 07083

12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

ASK is an ongoing program of the Union County Department of Human Services. Check for upcoming dates and locations in local newspapers and website, follow Union County on social media, visit Union County online at ucnj.org, or call the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection toll-free at 888-280-8226, or at 908-527- 4870 or 908-527-4858.

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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.

The Freeholder Board is pleased to announce Worldwide Flight Service is looking to hire County residents for 50 full-time positions through the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center.

“I would like to thank World Flight Service for partnering with us to create these full time jobs for County residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who is the Freeholder liaison to the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center.

Interviews are being held by the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center in Elizabeth, in partnership between the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Union County College. Pre-registration is required. Please visit www.ucnj.org/jobs for more information and to RSVP.

Union County, NJ – Union County is offering a free yoga, meditation class and emotional wellness event for women titled, “International Women’s Day – The Time is Now,” on Friday evening, March 9, at Maskers Barn in the historic Deserted Village of Feltville. The event is the latest edition in a free series conducted through the Department of Human Services Division on Outreach and Advocacy’s Office on Women.

“This wellness series represents the steady growth of Union County’s recreational and educational programs to embrace new activities and meet a wider range of interests,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We want to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to engage with popular new pastimes that contribute to overall health and well- being.” 

• A short talk and introduction with time to network.
• Yoga session by Nicole DeAugustine, certified yoga instructor.
• Guided meditation ceremony with Rosie Lazroe, RYT & YACEP.
• Fire ceremony.
• Light snacks provided by Whole Foods.

“International Women’s Day – The Time is Now” begins at 6:00 p.m. on March 9 and is expected to conclude at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Attendees should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for yoga, and bring their own yoga mats.

The event is free but space is limited. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/women.

The Deserted Village is located in the Berkeley Heights section of Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Masker’s Barn is a fully renovated 19th century building located at 9 Cataract Hollow Road in the Deserted Village, off Glenside Avenue.

The Office on Women was created in 2016. As the first county-based office of its kind in New Jersey, the Office on Women aims to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, in education, in employment and business, health and in the social fabric of Union County, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County.

For additional details contact Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women at jerdos@ucnj.org.

International Women’s Day is a project of UN Women. It falls on March 8 this year with the theme, “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives.”

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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 Freeholder Angel G. Estrada joined Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator of the Union County Office of Community Engagement & Diversity, and Jen Erdos of the Union County Office on Women in delivering donations to YWCA Eastern Union County Executive Director Janice  C. Lilien and YWCA Director of Development and Marketing Jennifer M. Vriens at the YWCA Union County Domestic Violence Shelter in Elizabeth.

Four large boxes of items for women and children were collected at Union County office buildings in January during the Union County Women’s Donation Drive that was coordinated by the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity with the Office on Women to benefit the domestic violence shelter

Union County, NJ – Union County residents seeking information about services for seniors age 60 and up can visit the “ASK” Aging Services Kiosk program at eight convenient locations in February to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services Division on Aging. ASK will be available at public libraries or municipal buildings in Clark, Winfield, Fanwood, Union, Mountainside, Plainfield, Linden, and Summit.

“The ASK programs brings experts from our central office out to local communities, so that seniors can get personal guidance and assistance close to their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “It’s an especially important service in the winter months, when travel can be difficult.”

In the ASK community outreach effort, staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection travel throughout Union County providing information about home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and other support services for seniors and caregivers.

All residents may attend any of the ASK events on the schedule.

“The goal is make it easier to access information that helps seniors enjoy a more comfortably and healthful life, so if you don’t see your municipality on this month’s schedule, you may visit any of the others,” said Granados.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

The February 2018 dates and locations are:

The goal of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

“The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Union County’s Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities,” Freeholder Granados added.

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527- 4870 or 4858 or visit the Union County government website at www.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 Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Linda Carter, Bruce H. Bergen, Angel G. Estrada and Alexander Mirabella unveil banners in the lobby of the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth announcing Friday, February 2, 2018 as the 15^th Annual National Wear Red Day for Woman. They were joined by Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, Union County Department of Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson and Office of the County Manager Office Manager Sharda Badri.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders supports the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign to promote women’s cardiovascular health awareness and encourages all residents to wear red on February. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)