LOCAL

Central Jersey Daily Rundown, Thursday, Aug. 16

Brad Wadlow
Courier News and Home News Tribune
This photo of Washington Valley Park, submitted by Jessica Batley of Manville, was selected as the overall winner of the 2017 “Show us Somerset County Through Your Camera Lens” photo contest.

Somerset County residents asked to submit photos

The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in cooperation with the Somerset County Business Partnership, invites residents to participate in the fourth annual “Show Us Somerset County Through Your Camera Lens” photo contest. The deadline for entries is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. The Somerset County Business Partnership is looking for images that showcase people enjoying attractions, amenities and workplaces within the county for its 2019-2020 Somerset County Destination Guide. To enter the contest, individuals must complete the form on Somerset County’s website at https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/residents/photo-contest. One person can submit up to five images; the maximum size for each image is 10 MB. For more information, contact Linny Kosensky at photocontest@co.somerset.nj.us or call 908-231-7081. Photo contest instructions: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/home/showdocument?id=25610. Subject release forms: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/home/showdocument?id=25612.

No injuries reported in Rahway apartment fire 

No injuries were reported in a fire on Irving Street early Thursday morning. The fire, believed to have started in an electrical outlet, was confined to one apartment in the building, Capt. Andrew Tkach said. The fire, which was reported at about 4:12 a.m., was quickly extinguished, he said..The residents evacuated on their own and all residents found a place to stay as a result of the damage, Tkach said. Police along with Rahway, Linden and Roselle firefighters responded, he said.

Nancy Fela Parenti (left) and son Matthew of Fanwood prepare to serve ice cream to patients and their loved ones at Peggy’s House in Scotch Plains, one of the Center for Hope’s hospice and palliative care residences.

Center for Hope Hospice awarded grant 

Nancy Fela Parenti and her son Matthew volunteer at Peggy’s House in Scotch Plains every Monday evening, serving ice cream and visiting with patients and families at the Center for Hope Hospice. The Fanwood residents do the same once a month at Father Hudson House, the Center’s Elizabeth residence. Fela Parenti, who works at Allstate Insurance in Bridgewater, has been recognized for “being a positive force for change” for her volunteer service at the Center for Hope, enabling the nonprofit organization to receive an Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grant. According to the Allstate Foundation, the Center was awarded the $500 grant in recognition of its being “a partner providing innovative and lasting solutions to enhance your community’s well-being and prosperity.” The Center for Hope offers hospice and palliative care at Peggy’s House and Father Hudson House, and hospice care in patients’ homes and other medical and long-term care settings. As a nonprofit organization, the Center provided more than $3.5 million dollars in charitable care last year alone. For information on volunteering at the Center for Hope, contact Stacy Kaplan at skaplan@cfhh.org or 908-288-9111.

(Left to right) Rutgers Professor Dr. William Hallman, New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill, Nurgul Fitzgerald, Lauren Errickson and Commissioner Carole Johnson.

Johnson visits New Brunswick Farmers Market

New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson recently visited the New Brunswick Community Farmers’ Market to highlight the importance of the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Access Program, also known as SNAP. Participants can use their SNAP card at participating farmers markets just as they would at their local supermarket to access just-picked seasonal produce other offerings. The New Brunswick Community Farmers’ Market also matches every SNAP dollar spent with Market Bucks up to $10 per day that shoppers can use towards free fruits and vegetables. Visit http://nbcfarmersmarket.com/www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/njsnap/.

Middlesex County students in grades 3 through 6 can register for “Eco-Ventures at the EARTH Center.”

Students can get outdoors with Eco-Ventures

The great outdoors turns into a playground and classroom for children who enroll in Middlesex County’s Eco-Ventures program. Middlesex County students in grades 3 through 6 can register for “Eco-Ventures at the EARTH Center.” The program runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, to Friday, Aug. 31, at the EARTH Center, Davidson's Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick. Each day will have a different theme. Get a hands-on look at topics like ecology, water and resource conservation, climate change, alternative energy and earth-friendly gardening. Registration fee of $115 includes program materials, a peanut-free snack each day, beverages and a parting gift. Attendees are expected to bring their own bagged lunch. Arrangements can be made for attendees with special needs. The registration deadline for Eco-Ventures at the EARTH Center is Wednesday, Aug. 22. Contact the Middlesex County 4-H office at 732-398-5261. For information on the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov and search “extension.”

Murphy signs legislation re-establishing commission

Continuing his commitment to strengthen the Garden State’s innovation economy and better connect industry and academia, Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed Assembly Bill 3652, re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. The Governor signed the legislation at the Biotechnology Development Center (BDC) in North Brunswick and also unveiled the comprehensive scientific database Research with NJ. The former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology was originally created in 1985 and became non-operational in 2010. The newly revitalized Commission will be established in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury. Assembly Bill 3652 requires the Commission to appoint an Innovation Council from its membership. The Council will be charged with determining how to stimulate technology transfer between public and private research institutions of higher education and industry, including the transfer of information available from federal agencies. The Commission will be comprised of 17 members including the Secretary of Higher Education; the Commissioner of Education; and the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). Sponsors of the legislation include Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, former Assemblyman Tim Eustace, as well as Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Robert Singer.

Greenwald, Coughlin bill now law

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and Speaker Craig Coughlin permitting certain government entities to enter into public-private partnership agreements with private entities for undertaking certain building and highway infrastructure projects was signed into law by the governor on Tuesday, Aug. 14. The law (A-1299) also provides for oversight of these agreements by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). Visit www.assemblydems.com.

Center named a '2018 Top-Rated Nonprofit'

Wellspring Center for Prevention announced that it has been named a "2018 Top-Rated Nonprofit" by GreatNonprofits, the leading reviews organization for charities and nonprofits. Wellspring Center for Prevention (formerly NCADD of Middlesex County, Inc.) is a nonprofit, community-based health organization providing prevention, education, information, and referral services to county residents, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, municipal alliances, and social service agencies since 1980. The agency’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities through the prevention of addiction-related problems across the lifespan. Visit wellspringprevention.org.

Orchestra to honor Swain, Walsh at gala  

The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has announced Ann Swain and Hon. Patricia Walsh will be recognized at “Prelude to Our Centennial,” Plainfield Symphony Orchestra’s 99th Season Showcase, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Plainfield Country Club. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, dining and silent and live auction items. Assemblyman Jon Bramnick will conduct the live auction. Swain, proprietor of Swain Galleries in Plainfield, and Hon. Patricia Walsh, Somerset County Freeholder, are being recognized for their achievements and their contributions to Plainfield and to their communities. Sponsorships and tickets are now available; for more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.plainfieldsymphony.org or call 908-561-5040. 

Freeholders to cut ribbon on Aug. 20

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will cut the ribbon at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, on the Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail in Mountainside, the first of its kind in the county, that will be accessible to all and allow residents to enjoy the natural surroundings at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, 425 New Providence Road, Mountainsie. The Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail is a 0.3 mile loop with a central gazebo. The interpretive signage includes two talking kiosks highlighting the natural and human history of the Watchung Reservation. Park at Trailside lot. Sensory Friendly trail is in back of center. Visit http://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/trailside-nature-science-center/.

Sale arranged to help preserve 224 acres

NAI James E. Hanson, a New Jersey based full-service independent commercial real estate firm, announced it has arranged the sale of 244 acres of land along Mt. Lebanon Road in Lebanon Township. NAI James E. Hanson’s John J. Schilp and Sigmund Schorr represented the buyers, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Green Acres Program, Lebanon Township, Hunterdon Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Victoria Foundation, 1772 Foundation, Leavens Foundation and the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, and the seller, Earl Pelio, in the transaction. Visit www.naihanson.com, www.facebook.com/NAIHanson

Fundraiser for foundation on Aug. 18

A community fundraiser for the Hugs for Brady Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to help children with cancer, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at 3754 Route 1 in Monmouth Junction. The Learning Experience will host the event. The Learning Experience in Monmouth Junction will partner with a local Fire Department to have fire trucks onsite at the center and crew members to provide instructional learning and fun demonstrations. Attendees are invited to participate in several additional family-friendly activities including water play (swimwear is encouraged), contests, raffles, pop-up shops, and more. Food and refreshments including a BBQ and Kona Ice Truck will be available. The Learning Experience Monmouth Junction center will offer specials for fall registration to families. Visit www.hugsforbrady.org.

A new pilot program started by the Township of Edison allowed sixteen kids to attend YMCA’s Oakcrest Camp, located on Inman Avenue in Edison.

Township, businesses sponsor kids to go to camp

A new pilot program started by the Township of Edison allowed 16 kids to attend The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy’s Oakcrest Camp, on Inman Avenue in Edison. Local businesses were asked to sponsor kids so they could have a camp experience. Several businesses sponsored between one and three campers, including: BCB Community Bank of Edison, the law firm of McManimon, Scotland and Baumann, LLC, MASER Consulting, P.A., Moghul Catering, India Grocers, Indian Groceries Outlet, Avenel-Iselin Medical Group, East Coast Emergency Vehicles and Columbia Bank. The sponsorships enabled 16 kids to attend camp for four weeks with their experience culminating in a field trip to Adventure Aquarium. Mark Rellinger and Adriana Linder from Columbia Bank, the largest sponsor for the pilot program, presented a check in the amount of $2,500 to Michael Campbell, Youth Opportunity Coordinator for Edison Township. Also on hand were Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey, Cindy O’Neill, director of Operations of the Edison YMCA and Eric Meshirer, Oakcrest Camp director.For additional information on Oakcrest Camp, contact Eric Meshirer at eric.meshirer@ymcaofmewsa.org. Visit www.ymcaofmewsa.org.

(Left to right) Phil Thomas, Past Grand Knight Joe McGeehan, Lenny Kleczkowski, Current Grand Knight Joe Wilkowski and Ted Rubino.

Awards given

On Aug. 11, the South Plainfield Knights of Columbus Council #6203 handed out their 2017-2018 End of Year Highest Council Awards. Past Grand Knight Joe McGeehan and Current Grand Knight Joe Wilkowski presented the 2018 South Plainfield Knights of Columbus Family of the Year Award to Joe and Theresa Bielinski and the Knight of the Year Award to Lenny Kleczkowski.                         

The 2018 Rotary Fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Hillsborough Promenade (adjacent to the Lowes parking lot) off Route 206, in Hillsborough.

Rotary Fair runs through Aug. 19

The 2018 Rotary Fair looked like a washout on its opening night on Aug. 14, but Mother Nature came through and the skies cleared in time for the arrival of community members for whom the fair has become an annual tradition. The fair, which runs through Sunday, Aug. 19, is the premier fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Hillsborough, and enables the club to make financial contributions to a wide variety of community organizations and causes throughout the year. The Rotary Fair is located at the Hillsborough Promenade (adjacent to the Lowes parking lot) off Route 206. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are Wristband Nights when guests can pay one price ($30) and ride free all night. The Fair boasts more than 21 thrill rides, games, food, a DJ, a local business showcase, and, on Friday evening, Aug. 17, a fireworks display sponsored by Petrock's Bar and Grill. Visit http://hillsboroughnjrotary.com.

Day 3 of the Middlesex County 4-H Fair

GALLERY: Never a dull moment at the 2018 MIddlesex County Fair (Day 3)

READ: Central Jersey Daily Rundown, Wednesday, Aug. 15

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