Cranford Life - October 2023

CRANFORDLIFE

School gets a bit ‘creepy’ — See Page 3

$33K grants are awarded — See Page 6 Country girl was rockin’

Girl Scouts visit the state capital

On Wednesday, Sept. 6, 15 fourthgrade Girl Scout Juniors and two secondgrade Girl Scout Brownies from Cranford, from five Girl Scout troops in Service Unit 48, traveled to the New Jersey State House in Trenton to learn about the history of New Jersey government, the role of government and the Girl Scouts’ role as citizens.

“Offering my Girl Scouts a variety of experiences is really important to me,” said Erin Muldoon, a Girl Scout Junior Troop 45012 co-leader chaperoning the trip. “Activities, which are engaging, make the learning more fun and memorable. So, what better way to make the somewhat boring topic of laws and government fun than a visit to the State House, where it all takes place.”

The girls began the day traveling back in time to 1776 at the Old Barracks Museum, a location built in 1758 as a French and Indian War military barracks, eventually becoming an army hospital overseeing smallpox inoculations for the Continental Army. The crucial victory of the Battle of Trenton, overseen by George Washington, was also shared with the Girl Scouts, as they were recruited by live reenactors in the Continental Army.

“The story of George Washington's crossing and how the British thought the early, smaller run on Trenton by local militia was the entire advancement the British were warned about by their spies was a favorite part of the day,” said Parker, from Girl Scout Junior Troop 41267.

After traveling back in time, the Girl Scouts visited the New Jersey State House, where the Office of Legislative Services Tour Office provided information on the site's history, art, architecture and the legislative process. The Girl Scouts visited the Senate and Assembly chambers and spoke with women who support the State House in roles such as attorneys and law enforcement.

See Page 14

“The trip gave me more career ideas, which may be fun, while also helping oth-

Above, 15 fourth-grade Girl Scout Juniors and two second-grade Girl Scout Brownies from Cranford, from five Girl Scout troops in Service Unit 48, travel to the New Jersey State House in Trenton on Wednesday, Sept. 6, to learn about the history of New Jersey government, the role of government and the Girl Scouts’ role as citizens. At left, a Girl Scout has the opportunity to deliberate a piece of pending legislation as a mock senator. See

Photos Courtesy of Nicole Savino Mulcahy

Ivy Charmatz to host a special evening of short films

Asbury Shorts USA, New York City’s longest-running short film exhibition and travel show, will partner with The Garden State Film Festival once again to present their nationally recognized “An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films,” sponsored by a generous contribution from Northfield Bank Foundation. The show will take place at The Cranford Theater on Thursday, Oct. 19, with the first film blasting on to the screen at 7 p.m. This special screening of world-renowned short films from the past and present is strongly recommended for ages 16 and older.

Asbury Shorts USA, now in its 42nd anniversary year, is a New York Citybased national touring showcase of the world’s most renowned short films, specially selected for audiences who do not regularly attend film festivals.

This eclectic showcase combines award-winning films from the past with new global festival honorees, creating a rare opportunity for audiences to view world-class short films on a real cinema screen rather than YouTube, smartphones or computers. Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman — “Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Thank You for Smoking” and “Ghostbusters Afterlife” — calls this event “the best short-film show I’ve ever seen.” The October presentation will feature the best in short film comedy, drama and animation in a fast-paced two-hour program.

“An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films” series has been presented at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Old Vic

Theater in Chicago; SummerStage in Central Park and the DGA Theater — Directors Guild of America — in Manhattan; the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Calif.; Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas, Texas; Royal Festival Hall in London, U.K.; the Osprey Arts Center in Nova Scotia, Canada; The Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida; the Leminski Theater in Berlin; and other prestigious venues where audiences have enjoyed these amazing films.

Ivy Charmatz

The guest host of the show will be Ivy Charmatz. Charmatz is a graduate of Rutgers University and hails from Westfield. She is a senior vice president at Mercury’s New Jersey office, specializing in strategic communication, media relations and crisis management. For more than 20 years, Charmatz worked as a journalist creating content for print, broadcast and digital media.

Prior to joining Mercury, Charmatz was the executive producer of News and Special Projects at News 12 New Jersey, where she managed the “Ask Governor Murphy” program and was responsible for several of the station’s most popular series; most notably “On The Road,” which highlighted communities, organizations and people around New Jersey. She also created and produced several specials for the entire News 12 Network, including an exclusive sit-down interview with the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at their home in Atlanta.

Charmatz has won several of the television industry’s highest honors, including a National Edward R. Murrow Award, two Gracie Awards and three New York Emmy Awards. Additionally, her work has been recognized by organizations throughout the Tri-state area, such as The New York Press Club, Press Club of Long Island, Garden State Asso-

ciation of Black Journalists, the Salvation Army and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, among others.

Charmatz serves on the Advisory Board of Allaire Community Farm, a nonprofit in Wall that helps special needs children, teens and adults battling mental health issues, as well as veterans struggling with PTSD. She is also chairperson of the leadership team for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New Jersey’s Visionaries of the Year Campaign.

Doreen Sayegh, owner of the Cranford Theater, said, “We are so proud to be part of hosting this important event.” The Cranford Theater is located at 25 North Ave. West, Cranford. Tickets are $15 and available online at bestshortfilmscranford.bpt.me/ or at the door, while supplies last.

Interested in volunteering for this event? Contact Diane Raver at diane@gsff.org or 732-359-6467.

This eclectic showcase combines award-winning films from the past with new global festival honorees, creating a rare opportunity for audiences to view world-class short films on a real cinema screen rather than YouTube, smartphones or computers. Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman — ‘Juno,’ ‘Up in the Air,’ ‘Thank You for Smoking’ and ‘Ghostbusters Afterlife’ — calls this event ‘the best short-film show I’ve ever seen.’

Room in Livingston Avenue School’s Family-Friendly Haunted House. Both room will be open to visitors on Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21.

‘Creepy Cranford’ comes to Livingston Avenue School

Livingston Avenue School PTA in Cranford will be hosting a Family-Friendly Haunted House on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21.

The entire school will be transformed into “Creepy Cranford.” This event will support the PTA, which works

directly with Livingston Avenue School to provide everything that students need to be successful.

This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Livingston Avenue School PTA. The family-fun will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and visitors are invited to

stop by and enjoy the spooks and chills. The cost is $5 per person. The address is 75 Livingston Ave., Cranford. For more information, visit https://laspta.digitalpto.com or reach out to livingstonhaunted house@yahoo.com.

Above left, students in costumes and makeup pose in Goldilocks Room in Livingston Avenue School’s Family-Friendly Haunted House. Above right, students in costumes make creepy faces in Snow White’s

Photos Courtesy of Lisa Pizzuta

Girl Scouts take a trip to New

(Continued from Page 1)

ers,” said Payton, from Girl Scout Junior Troop 40042.

The day wrapped up with the Girl Scouts participating in a Make-A-Law! program, provided by the Office of Legislative Services Tour Office. The Girl Scouts had the opportunity to deliberate a piece of pending legislation as mock senators. They considered opposing arguments and developed reasoned conclusions before voting on the issue.

“The day was very fun and we learned about how bills get turned into laws, our democracy and got to debate a bill. It was very fun,” said Angela from Girl Scout Junior Troop 40903.

“I loved being recruited as a soldier to Washington’s Revolutionary Army and then being elected as a state senator to pass laws,” said Becca, from Girl Scout Junior Troop 45012. “Our visit to the Old Barracks and the NJ Statehouse was fun!”

“To be toured through the State House, learning so many things, by intelligent and inspiring women, won’t be something these Girl Scouts will soon forget,” Muldoon said. “I wish that when I was a fourth-grader someone told me that I already had a voice, that it mattered and to go ahead and use it.”

The Girl Scouts of Cranford boasts more than 1,139 Girl Scout members in 71 troops and Juliettes, making it one of the largest non-profit organizations in town. The Cranford Service Unit is a part of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council, which is part of the Girl Scouts of the USA. If your family is interested in learning more about local Girl Scouts or to find out more information on the Girls Scouts of Cranford, visit www.cranfordgirlscouts.com.

Photo Courtesy of Nicole Savino Mulcahy

On their trip to the New Jersey State House, the Girl Scouts from Cranford watch as a reenactor from the Continental Army explains to them how a Revolutionary War-era rifle is fired and reloaded.

More than $33,000 in grants for school year awarded

The Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence is a non-profit, communitybased philanthropic foundation, whose mission is to foster academic excellence, promote innovation and enhance the vitality of the Cranford Public Schools by generating additional resources through community involvement. Grants are awarded to educators who will use the funding to advance this mission.

The CFEE has announced they have awarded more than $33,000 in grants to the Cranford Public Schools for the 202324 academic year, which the Cranford Board of Education formally accepted in August.

Fourteen projects received funding this year across the categories of Makerspaces/Innovation Zones, Innovations in Classroom Design, Differentiation/Personalization, Technology Integration and Innovations to Support School District Goals.

Yvette Andriola and Anne Marie Miller of Hillside Avenue School, who were awarded a grant for a reading intervention program, said, “The reading initiative grant will not only promote differentiation within our learning environment but also create valuable intervention and enrichment opportunities for our students in the areas of reading/listening comprehension, memory, vocabulary, abstract thinking and writing skills. We are confident that we can make a profound and lasting difference in the lives of our students, nurturing their abilities and fostering a love for learning that will accompany them on their educational journey.”

Grant funding for the 2023-2024 year was generated from the sixth annual CFEE Trivia Night fundraiser, which was in February at the Kenilworth VFW and philanthropic donations throughout the year. Thanks were given to everyone in the community who attended, with 39 teams vying for the championship, as well as DJ Randy Geis, emcee Danny Murphy, photographer Christopher Gosier, guest presenter Bernie Wagenblast and trivia master Brian Andrews.

CFEE thanked Cranford’s superintendent of Schools, Dr. Scott Rubin, for stopping by and top contributors MWT Builders, Cranford Jaycees, Brighton Air Corporation and Lincoln Investment for their generous sponsorship of the event. Other local businesses, Cranford families and community organizations also supported the event with sponsorships ranging from $150 to $5000.

Rubin said of the CFEE: “Thank you for all you do in support of the Cranford Public School District. I am truly heartened by your generosity, and that of the community, and excited about the positive impact the CFEE efforts will have on the District.”

Grant spotlights

• Manufacturing in Engineering: Using a Laser Cutter for Production, multischool: Goals of this project are to encourage student investigation of career possibilities in the areas of STEAM including computer aided design, manufacturing, and fabrication technologies. Providing students with opportunities to develop their technology skills through the use of programs and applications on computers and tablets.

• The Visualizing and Verbalizing program at Hillside Avenue School, which develops concept imagery as a basis for comprehension and higher-order thinking. This initiative promotes differentiation within the learning environment but also creates valuable intervention and enrichment opportunities for our students in the areas of reading/listening comprehension, memory, vocabulary, abstract thinking and writing skills.

• Innovated Interventions, districtwide: This multi-sensory approach to reading is geared toward helping students overcome literacy struggles. By using multi-sensory tools to teach phonics sequentially, students are able to learn cognitively and become more confident in their reading, writing, and language skills.

• Sphero indi- Screenless Coding Driv-

Managing

Advertising Manager: Joseph Farina

Photo Courtesy of Jennifer McComb

The Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence board attends the sixth annual Trivia Night at the Kenilworth VFW.

College Women’s Club of Cranford has exciting year planned

The club supports Cranford youth and the amazing community through college scholarships, donations to project graduation and free programs open to all in our community and surrounding areas.

It is currently seeking new members. Come for light refreshments at any of the general meetings and free open to the public program events; see the website for membership information, program information and updates at www.collegewomensclubcranford.com; or email the club at cranfordcollegeclub@gmail.com.

Check out the line-up of programs and

lectures for the year. All programs will be at the Jardine Academy, 75 Rod Smith Place, Cranford.

• Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m.: Mothers of Invention program, with speaker Carol Simon Levin. Levin portrays Lillian Moller Gilbreth, motion study pioneer and “Cheaper by the Dozen” mother of 12, and shares the stories of other overlooked women innovators.

• Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.: “Preventing Identity Theft” program, with speaker Police Officer Ali Muhammad, from the Cranford Police Department. Muhammad and a guest speaker will discuss topics

such as safeguarding tips to prevent identity theft, unwanted marketing and fraud scams, and crime prevention tips.

• Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: “When There Were Witches: An Exploration of the Salem Witch Trials,” program, with speaker Mickey DiCamillo. DiCamillo is a trustee at the Historical Society of Moorestown, research librarian and archivist.

• Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: Cranford Downtown Management Corporation program on history, events and ongoing projects, with speaker Caren Demyen. Demyen is currently the execu-

tive director for Downtown Cranford. Learn about the Downtown Management Corporation’s yearly events, new businesses and more.

• Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 7 p.m.: “The Beatles – From Liverpool to Abbey Road” program, with speaker Vinnie Bruno, Beatles scholar and ’60s rock historian. This lecture will follow in the footsteps of The Beatles as they embark on their historic journey starting from their early days as a cover band in Liverpool and Hamburg into the excitement of Beatlemania. Coming full circle, the highlights of each individual’s post-Beatles work will be explored.

Online HEART Grant application is now available in county

The Union County Board of County Commissioners has announced that applications for the 2024 Union County HEART Grant program are now available for Union County non-profit organizations, individual artists and scholars. Projects related to local history, the arts and humanities are eligible for consideration for funding in the HEART Grant funding program.

"We are excited to announce the opening of applications for the 2024 Union County HEART Grant program. These grants are a testament to our commitment to preserving our local history, fostering the arts and promoting the humanities in Union County," said Commissioner Chairperson Sergio Granados.

"We invite our non-profit organizations, individual artists and scholars to seize this opportunity and bring their creative visions to life. Together, we can continue

to enrich our community and strengthen the cultural fabric that makes Union County so special."

The HEART — History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands — program serves as a catalyst for Union County's non-profit organizations, artists and scholars, enhancing their ability to connect residents with programs and activities.

Along with civic groups and cultural organizations, past HEART Grant recipients have included individual poets, writers, historians, painters, photographers, musicians, dancers and more.

Organizations can request a grant of as much as $3,000, with a 25% cash match required for any amount more than $1,000. Individuals can request as much as $1,000, with no cash match required.

Activities must take place in 2024, between Jan. 1

and Dec. 31, to be considered for funding. Applicants must be Union County residents or Union County based non-profit organizations with programs taking place in Union County.

The online application deadline for first-time applicants is Wednesday, Oct. 11. The full application must be completed by Wednesday, Oct. 18. Hard copies are no longer being accepted.

The HEART Grant program is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. To receive the 2024 HEART Grant guidelines, visit ucnj.org/ cultural or email HEARTGrant@ucnj.org. For more information on all Cultural and Heritage Affairs programs, call 908-558-2565. NJ Relay users dial 7-1-1.

Residents invited to join

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to join the master tree stewards of Union County. Union County residents who are looking for a fun and rewarding civic service project can join the 4-H Master Tree Steward program and learn how to “speak for the trees.”

“Through our master tree stewards, students are gifted with enriching educational experiences and essential messages concerning trees and the environment,” said Commissioner Chairperson Sergio Granados. “This lesson instills a sense of appreciation and stewardship that young minds can cherish as they grow into adulthood, ultimately benefiting our community and the greater world for generations to come.”

Master tree stewards are community volunteers who visit fourth-grade classrooms each spring to present an interac-

master tree stewards

tive lesson on trees. No experience is needed. All training and classroom materials are provided by the Master Tree Steward program.

Master tree stewards can also organize additional projects, such as the educational “Tree Trails” in Union County parks.

Each fall, the Master Tree Steward pro-

gram offers a series of training sessions, consisting mainly of guided walks in nearby parks and nature reserves. Easy reading assignments, indoor classes and a simple project are also part of the program. The entire program, including a tree identification guide, is covered by a $25 administrative fee.

Applicants who complete the series obtain a master tree steward certificate and are qualified to teach lessons about trees to fourth-grade classrooms in the spring. The program provides a complete lesson plan along with posters, seeds and other supplies.

The 2023 fall training series will meet every Wednesday, Sept. 6 to Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., except for any holiday that falls on a Wednesday.

The fourth-grade classroom visit schedule takes place on Wednesdays from January to June. Certified master tree

stewards are requested to choose six dates for their visits. Each visit takes approximately one hour, typically from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

A list of Tree Trails in Union County parks is available at ucnj.org/parks-recreation/tree-trails. To apply or for more information, contact Union County 4-H Youth Development at James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854, ext. 3, or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org<mailto:jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org>.

The Master Tree Steward program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, as part of a statewide program under the umbrella of the Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station. For information on all extension programs in Union County, including master gardeners, environmental stewards and 4-H clubs for youth, visit www.ucnj.org/rce.

the

‘Through our master tree stewards, students are gifted with enriching educational experiences and essential messages concerning trees and the environment. This lesson instills a sense of appreciation and stewardship that young minds can cherish as they grow into adulthood, ultimately benefiting our community and the greater world for generations to come.’

— Commissioner Chairperson Sergio Granados

Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence awards $33,000

(Continued from Page 6)

en by Color, multi-school: With the addition of Sphero indi to the Library Media Program, robots will be primarily used during the Coding/Makerspace units with the prekindergarten to second grade population. The purpose of these robots is to introduce students to computer science and participate in screenless coding. Students will discover how to code Sphero indi through color. Sphero indi robots will spark imagination and empower students to design and build their own mazes and apply

problem solving and computation thinking skills.

• Wellness Room, Cranford High School: The creation of a Wellness Room at Cranford High School is designed to promote and support the mental health of students and faculty individuals, as well as the school as a whole. The expectation is that students and faculty will utilize de-escalation and grounding techniques in an aesthetically pleasing and naturally calming environment. This initiative aligns with the current district strategic plans to promote continuous improvement, awareness and

a culture of student safety and wellness.

The Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence, relaunched in 2014, is a nonprofit, Cranford-based foundation that supports excellence and innovation in the Cranford Public School System by generating resources through community involvement.

For more information on volunteer opportunities and how you can donate, visit www.cranfordfund.org and follow the Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence Facebook page for news and updates.

Above left, the Cranford High School Wellness Room, which is a 2023 grant recipient from the Cranford Fund for Educational Excel-

lence. Above right, another photo of the Cranford High School Wellness Room.

Photos Courtesy of Jennifer McComb

Professor to receive prestigious faculty award

Union College Chemistry Professor Shahrzad “Sherry” Heidary will receive the Association of Community College Trustees 2023 Northeast Region Faculty Award.

Heidary will formally accept the award in October during the 54th annual Association of Community College Trustees Leadership Congress in Las Vegas.

By receiving the Northeast Region award, Heidary is eligible to receive the national William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award. The winner will also be named at the Leadership Congress in Las Vegas.

Heidary joined the college in 2006 as an adjunct instructor. During her time at the college, she has served as an advisor to the Student Government Association, American Honors Council and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Additionally, she serves as a trustee on the Union County College Foundation Board and as a board member of the YWCA of Union County. Heidary is highly present and visible on campus, goes above and beyond for students, and is extremely active in scholarship and fundraising endeavors. In fact, both of the college’s 2023 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation transfer scholarship recipients received the Professor Heidary scholarship to help fund the cost of attendance.

She has a bachelor’s degree in polymer engineering and a master’s degree in polymer science.

“We are very proud of professor Heidary. There is no one more deserving of this recognition. She is a master teacher and she loves her students. She goes above and beyond to help them excel in their classes. For a chemistry professor to be truly beloved, it is quite the feat. We count Professor Heidary among our most outstanding faculty at Union,” said Union College President Margaret M. McMenamin.

Professor Shahrzad ‘Sherry’ Heidary will receive a

faculty

Voter registration for upcoming election is set for Oct. 17

The Union County Board of Elections reminds residents that Tuesday, Oct. 17, is the deadline for voter registration for the 2023 general election. Election Day will be on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

“There are multiple options for residents to register to vote in time for the upcoming election,” said Union County Board of Elections administrator Nicole DiRado. “Those eligible to vote can

IN MEMORIAM

• DELANO – Marylou, of Cranford; Aug. 26. Registered nurse, certified in gerontology. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, 86.

• LEROSE – Daniel W. “Buddy,” of Point Pleasant, formerly of Cranford; Sept. 14. World War II Marine veteran. Husband, father, grandfather, 97.

• MCCARROLL – Mittie Lee, of Cranford; Aug. 17. Was 92.

In Memoriam is a monthly feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

apply online, by mail or in person in order to register.”

The Union County Board of Elections office is open Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to accept voter registration forms. On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the voter registration deadline, the Board of Elections Office will remain open until 9 p.m. to receive forms.

Municipal clerk offices can also provide and accept voter registration forms.

Voter registration forms in both English and Spanish can also be downloaded from the Union County Board of Elections website at www.ucnj.org/boe/voter-registration-information. Be sure to print and sign the form before returning.

To register online, eligible residents should visit voter.svrs.nj.gov/register and follow online voter registration

instructions. The county commissioner of registration will notify you if your application is accepted. If it is not accepted, you will be notified on how to complete and/or correct the application.

You can register to vote if:

• You are a U.S. citizen;

• You will be 18 years old by the next election;

• You will be a resident of the state and county for 30 days before the election; and

• You are not currently serving a sentence because of a felony conviction.

As of March 17, 2020, persons currently on parole or probation are entitled to vote.

To receive a voter registration form by mail, call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123.

$1 million for Greenway Bikeway Project to be presented

The Union County Board of County Commissioners has announced that Union County has received a sizable award of $1,000,000 for design and construction of a new bikeway. The new route will carry riders crossing the Goethals Bridge in the city of Elizabeth, through the borough of Roselle and connecting to the East Coast Greenway in the township of Cranford. Called the “NY Connects to Union County NJ East Coast Greenway Bikeway Project,” this has received generous funding through the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Local Transportation Projects Fund program.

“We are exceptionally grateful to the NJ DOT’s Local Transportation Projects Fund program for their generous support of the NY Connects to Union County NJ East Coast Greenway Bikeway Project, which aligns perfectly with my ‘Building a Stronger Union County’ 2023 Chairman’s initiatives,” said Commissioner Chairperson Sergio Granados. “The funding will enable us to move forward with this essential initiative and further enhance transportation options in Union County by the creation of a new bi-state link for riders, using the Goethals Bridge protected bikeway lane. It is part of our ongoing efforts to improve our transportation system for Union County residents and visitors.”

The NJ DOT’s Local Transportation Projects Fund program is designed to address specific, focused local transportation issues throughout the state. This project is a vital step toward creating a more accessible and interconnected transportation network within the region. It aims to develop a comprehensive bikeway system that will connect Union County to the larger East Coast Greenway network promoting active transportation, reducing traffic congestion. The Greenway is a trail network from Maine to Florida.

The funding from the NJ DOT’s Local Transportation Projects Fund program will be used to support various aspects of the “NY Connects to Union County NJ East Coast Greenway Bikeway Project,” including planning, design, construction and maintenance of the bikeway infrastructure. The project will create safe and accessible pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, contributing to Union County’s commitment to sustainability and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

“Union County looks forward to working closely with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to ensure the successful implementation of this project,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Transportation Advisory Board. “As the project progresses, further details will be shared with the community about the project's timeline and key milestones.”

UCUC hosts its annual convocation before classes start

Union College of Union County, NJ hosted its annual convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 5. The convocation, traditionally the day before fall classes start, marks the beginning of the new academic year at UCUC. This year’s convocation theme was “Navigating the Future of Learning and Work” and featured keynote speaker Maria Flynn, president and CEO of Jobs for the Future. JFF is a national nonprofit that drives transformation in the American workforce and education systems.

Prior to Flynn’s keynote, UCUC’s president, Margaret M. McMenamin, provided a “State of the College,” with remarks from Dr. Sara N. Lacagnino, UCUC’s assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Curriculum and Accreditation, who is chairperson of the college’s Futures Task Force. Following Flynn’s keynote, she facilitated a panel featuring Dr. Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges; Sarah S. Keh, vice president of Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial; Susan Benavente, UCUC Class of ’20 alumna and a current security analyst at a large New Jersey corporation; and Colin Newman, director of Workforce & Economic Development for Amazon.

The college has been an Amazon Career Choice partner, thanks to the leadership from state Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari and the Union County Commissioners, who were instrumental

From

Dr.

Union College of Union County’s assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Curriculum and Accreditation, who is chairperson of the college’s Futures Task Force; UCUC’s vice president of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maris Lown; Sarah S. Keh, vice president of Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial; Maria Flynn, president and CEO of Jobs for the Future, as well as the convocation’s keynote speaker; UCUC’s vice president of Finance and Operations, Dr. Lori Wilkin; Colin Newman, director of Workforce and Economic Development for Amazon; UCUC’s vice president of Student Development, Dr. Demond Hargrove; UCUC President Margaret M. McMenamin; and UCUC’s vice president of Administrative Services, Dr. Bernard Polnariev, at UCUC’s annual convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

in forging this partnership. UCUC’s 2023 convocation focused on how to prepare college students for the workforce of tomorrow.

“We are thankful that Maria Flynn, along with the panelists, shared their

expertise and advice with our faculty and staff. Their outlook on the future of the workforce in America is illuminating and reiterates that we must remain agile and nimble to meet workforce needs in our region. We proudly continue to offer an

excellent and affordable education to the Union County community, whether someone is a first-time college student, or they are a returning adult trying to learn a new skill or earn an industry credential,” McMenamin said.

Photo Courtesy of Margaret Ortuso

left are

Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges; Dr. Sara N. Lacagnino,

Cranford gets rocked by country singer with local roots

Photos by David VanDeventer Former Clark native and current CMA recording artist and songwriter Nikki Briar, above, and her rollicking SweetBriar Band closed out a long, hot month of the Summer Sounds concert series at the Eastman Clock Plaza on Thursday, Aug. 31. Briar and her musical companions delivered a robust two hours-plus mix of classic country rock hits and original compositions to a very enthusiastic crowd of music lovers. The concerts were sponsored by Spencer Savings Bank in conjunction with the Downtown Cranford team. For a comprehensive list of upcoming area events, check out www.downtowncranford.org.

Grant supports efforts to offer free or reduced-cost swim lessons

The Gateway Family YMCA was chosen as one of 69 youth programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant money in early 2023.

The grant award will go toward The Gateway Family YMCA’s continued efforts to provide free or reduced-cost swim lessons. The USA Swimming Foundation has awarded a total of $647,522 to programs.

“The Gateway Family YMCA is thrilled to be chosen for this grant, and we are grateful for the continued partnership of USA Swimming,” said Melynda A. Disla, president and CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “This grant funding allows us to provide drowning prevention and swimming lesson efforts for 80 children from the local community in the city of Elizabeth.”

“Water safety is a necessary life skill and we are committed to providing a curriculum that provides water safety information and basic swimming skills for all,” said Rodger D. Koerber, executive vice president, chief operating officer.

The USA Swimming Foundation vetted more than 345 applications through a competitive annual review process and chose 69 youth and 35 adult programs to receive funding.

“The USA Swimming Foundation is thrilled to provide funding to 104 swim lesson providers across 29 states,” USA Swimming Foundation Senior Director of Development Elaine Calip said. “Over 14,000 individuals will now have the opportunity to learn the lifesaving skill of water safety across the country. We owe a tremendous thank you to our partners and donors who continue to make a difference in our mission of saving lives and building champions.”

Photo Courtesy of Colleen Clayton

A woman assists a child learning to swim at the Gateway Family YMCA, which recently received a grant from the USA Swimming Foundation in the amount of $647,522 for its programs.