UNIONLEADER
Theater gets new home
Musicians
Foundation provides grants to teachers, hosts spring reception
By David Jablonski Managing Editor
The Township of Union Education Foundation (TUEF) will again be providing funds through grants to teachers for the 2026-2027 school year.
“We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization,” said Susan Lipstein of the TUEF in an interview with LocalSource on Wednesday, May 13. “We are separate from the Board of Education. Our sole purpose is to raise grants for teachers for creative and innovative programs in the classrooms. We have a grant application. We raise the money and then the teachers apply for the grants. We have fundraisers and we get donations.”
The school district is facing millions of dollars of budget cuts right now, which make the Township of Union Education Foundation’s role even more important as a source of funding for creative and innovative projects to continue to strengthen our school programs.
Fortunately, the TUEF exists to assist in these trying financial times. The TUEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization composed of volunteers from the community who are committed to public education: parents, businesspeople and former educators. It works cooperatively with the Board of Education, but is a separate, independent charity. It was incorporated in 2001 and awarded its first grants in 2022.
“A group of volunteers started the organization; parents, retired teachers. I was one of them,: said Lipstein. “People who worked in the district and kept giving back. Member of the local business community. It was started to make up for the cuts in the budget. We gave a set of world drums to Jefferson School in 2014 and they are still being used now. Thousands of children have benefited from just that one grant.”
The TUEF awards grants to teachers, supervisors and principals to fund creative and innovative educational programs, which would not be implemented without its help. It has awarded more than 200 grants worth more than $250,000. Grants must meet the curriculum standards for the state of New Jersey and the district. The foundation looks for creative
Angela Williamson, left, and Ana Pinto Rivera, right, fourth-grade students in teacher Olga Korzen’s classroom at Connecticut Farms school, are presenting at the spring reception about what they learned from subscriptions to several specialized magazines purchased with a grant from the township of Union Education Foundation awarded to their teacher in 2025.
ideas and programs that can be replicated in future years.
The funding comes from donations from businesses and individuals, as well as fund-raising activities planned throughout the year. A yearly raffle and reception are the major fund raisers. The foundation also sells bricks in its Walkway of Honor, located at the front entrance to Union High School. Bricks can be purchased at any time to honor or memorialize a special person in your life. Check their Facebook page or web page at www.tuef.org. You can email them at tuefnj@gmail.com or call 908-851-9869 for more information.
“Last week, we had a spring reception and the children presented what they had learned with the things we had given with the grants,” said Lipstein. “We have given over $250,000 in materials since we started 25 years ago.”
Some of the recipients include: Nicole Osborne, a Burnet Middle
School teacher for a sixth- and seventhgrade multiple disabilities class, will receive a mini-grant for Cricut machine –a computerized smart cutting machine used for DIY crafts and professional personalization – and materials for making assorted items for the BMS Life Skills store, a student-run school store designed to provide meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for the students with special needs. Osborne will also receive a macrogrant for materials for her students for hands-on, multi-sensory and game-based learning specifically for her students, who have multiple disabilities.
Cynthia Carhart, a third-grade teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, will receive a grant for all third-grade classes at Connecticut Farms School for students to study three books in a series written by award-winning author Tami Charles, research the author and discuss the books in depth. This will culminate in a live in-per-
See SPRING, Page 8
Photo Courtesy of Township of Union Education Foundation
Local theater starts new season in a permanent new home
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
The Theater Project recently announced their new season – and their new home.
The Douglas Michael Krueger (DMK) Black Box Theater will serve as the new home for The Theater Project’s mainstage summer theater series. The DMK Theater is located in Union Township’s Arts Center and Library complex at 1980 Morris Ave.
“It’s been a long process,” said Mark Spina, artistic director of The Theater Project. “We started working with the chamber and Special Improvement District since 2015.”
At the same time, The Theater Project was presenting elsewhere, then the pandemic came. “That put a roadblock on everything,” said Spina. “We did know they were planning to put a theater in the library. Then we had to wait for that to be completed. Meanwhile, when we reopened in 2022, we were using other spaces to continue producing. We were in Summit, West Orange and Maplewood. We produced in a lot of different places.”
Spina is very excited about having a new home for The Theater Project at DMK. He said, “It’s wonderful that it’s part of a library, it’s part of a library hub. They have an art gallery. There’s a huge patio out front. People are coming and going all the time. We’re going to be cross-
Courtesy of The Theater Project Gail Lou and Daaimah Talley in ‘Having Our Say,’ a drama about two sisters more than 100 years old recounting their family’s history.
pollinating with our audiences.”
The Theater Project’s 2026 season will comprise four shows.
“Having Our Say” will run from Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, June 21. It’s a drama by Emily Mann about Sadie and Bessie Delany, both more than 100 years old, who recounted their family’s history.
“We thought it was appropriate for the 250th year anniversary of our country,” said Spina. “The Delaney sisters lived in Mt. Vernon, New York. They lived well past 100. At the time of the play, they are
102 and 104. A reporter said, ‘I’d love to document your story.’ They are talking about the war of 1812 up to the 1990s. Family stories trace history from (the) Civil War to (the) Civil Rights movement, through the Harlem Renaissance, from a very personal point of view.”
“Too Fat for China” is Phoebe Pott’s poignant and funny one-woman show. It will run from Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19.
“She tells, with great humor and great heart, her personal journey exploring
adoption,” said Spina. “If you are overweight, China will not adopt a baby to you. Her struggles with adoption, the emotional struggles of wanting to start a family… a heartfelt story.”
“Kaleidoscope Kabaret” is an annual festival of song and short plays by participants in The Theater Project’s Playwrights Workshop and Young Playwrights Competition. It will run from Friday, July 24, to Sunday, July 26.
“A lot of short funny plays,” said Spina. “Music provided by three talented musicians, two singers are also pianists, and a folk guitarist. We also have a small band.”
“Alabama Story” by Kenneth Jones is a drama in which an Alabama librarian and two reunited childhood friends encounter the forces of censorship and segregation during the American Civil Rights movement. It runs from Thursday, Aug. 6, to Sunday, Aug. 16.
“Given that we are coming to a theater in a library,” said Spina. “(It) tells the story of a librarian who fought censorship in Alabama. ‘Alabama Story’ tells the story of a children’s book in 1959, ‘The Rabbit’s Wedding,’ of a black rabbit and a white rabbit. That didn’t go over well. It became a quite famous issue and sales of that book went through the roof because of the publicity.”
For tickets and to learn more about The Theater Project, visit: https://www.thetheaterproject.org/.
Photo
Union musicians are celebrated at Vauxhall Library
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Music documentarian Paul Reitz recently hosted “Union Rocks” at Vauxhall Branch Library.
Almost 100 people gathered, including state Sen. Joe Cryan and Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier. A panel of musicians, all from Union, discussed their musical journeys.
Reitz, who is also from Union, has had a significant career in music entertainment. He’s been profiled in Billboard magazine and has made appearances on both AXS TV’s “Rock My Collection,” with Ahmet Zappa, and his Bruce Springsteen collection is currently on loan to the Passaic County Arts Center for its “Born to Run” exhibit.
Ed Pryzby was a guitar player in the band Sunrise. He said, “There was a lot of motivation. There was a lot of competition. I wish people were more collaborative. A lot of good musicians, but few places to play.”
Gene O’Brien was the soundman for Sunrise and said the best music advice he ever got was from Pryzby. When O’Brien said he was interested in playing guitar, Pryzby steered him toward bass. His reasoning was that everyone wanted to play guitar and good bassists were harder to find.
“This is great,” said O’Brien. “Two less strings I have to worry about. Ed was right. Best piece of advice I ever got.”
Milt Janus was a member of Timber. Unable to attend in person, his interview was via Zoom. He said the band came together in 1975. He had moved to Union in the eighth grade. “The older kids would see Kinderhook, the sweet Pocosounding band. We had a rougher edge. We were different. Adults liked us. The band lasted up to 1990 in some shape or form,” he said.
Janus had been working ever since, including stints with Leon Redbone and Suzanne Vega. He said he was never without a gig.
Don Erdman was also in Timber. He said, “We realized we could harmonize. It was magic. I’m going to do this for the rest of my life.”
Marc Muller, who was interviewed on Zoom, was a 14-year-old living in Hackensack when he saw an ad for Timber. He said, “Either in the Bergen Record, or the old Aquarian. Union was 25 minutes away. I joined out of (my) freshman year. My family would drop me off, I’d spend the weekend and rehearse.”
For Muller, it was exciting as a new band to get into all the clubs. He said, “I was born in 1960, the second wave of baby boomers. It was an amazing time to be a young musician.” After being in Timber for three years, Muller was in Molly Crib from 1978 to 1981. “Southern rock, what a scene that was,” he said. “Playing Final Exam on a Tuesday night and 500 people came.”
Muller is a professor at Monmouth University. He also played in Shania Twain’s touring band.
Don Erdman was in Hot Romance and J.B. Got Rock. In the movie “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” J.B. Got Rock’s name is on the marquee at The Stone Pony.
Introducing Ian Smit, Reitz said, “Union musicians explored different genres.”
Smit plays avant garde in his band Monkeyworks. He’s recorded with legendary guitarist, composer, and producer, David Torn. “I’m really lucky I’m surrounded by great players and lifelong pals,” said Smit. “It’s an honor to play with people who elevate you.”
Ira Spin and Mike Andreola played with The Ways.
Andreola currently plays in 4 Flight Rock which features rock from the ’50s to ’70s. “We’re playing almost every week-
end,” he said. “We’re having more fun than we did 30 years ago. It seems to be working. It doesn’t feel like a job. The band sounds good. I teach guitar and bass during the week. I’m still rolling. I’m gonna do it until I can’t.”
Spin has performed with Barbecue Bob & the Spareribs for at least 20 years. They did tours of the south. He said, “Had a lot of fun, didn’t make a lot of money. We had day jobs. Didn’t stop playing.”
Dave Ross said, “A lot of good times.” He’s played in The Cucumbers, The Accelerators, The Skulls and the VooDUDES. With The Cucumbers, his first gig was opening up for Missing Persons.
Danny Solazzi of The Characters is celebrating 43 years with the band. It’s the only band in which he’s played.
Reitz said Solazzi was “two sides of the coin – covers and originals.”
Solazzi said, “We were always out of step with everyone else. We didn’t fit in.”
by
Above left, pictured are Sen. Joe Cryan; Gabriel Ramos, Vauxhall Branch manager; Paul Reitz; Kassundra Miller, library director; and Mayor Patricia GuerraFrazier. Above, Reitz is moderator of ‘Union Rocks’ – a panel discussion featuring musicians of Union. Middle left, from left are Union musicians Ira Spin, Rich Kublicz and Mike Andreola. In the background is Ramos. Bottom left, from left are Danny Solazzi, Dave Ross, Ian Smit, Gene O’Brien and Don Erdman.
He explained that, while other bands were into the music of the time back then, they liked bands such as The Monkees and The Partridge Family. Their first gig was at Seton Hall. They started doing original showcases at Kenny’s Castaways in New York City. They’ve opened for The Kinks and Joan Jett. They also played at a Monkees convention in front of 1,400 people. “We were used to playing for 200 people,” he said.
Rodney Bingenheimer played “Maryann” by The Characters on his radio show and they ended up playing The Roxy in Los Angeles.
Rich Kubicz had a song called “Echo Lake,” inspired by Echo Lake in Union. He said, “Echo Lake was the inspiration point of Union, New Jersey, until the cops chased you away.” He didn’t have a band and brought musicians in to record the song. He brought a bunch of records to Vintage Vinyl to sell. They told him they would put out one record and when it sold they’d call him and ask him to bring more. The record never sold. “They went out of business and I never got a copy of ‘Echo Lake’ back.”
Kubicz started a Tom Petty tribute band called Damn The Torpedoes. Twenty years later, they are still going strong. He also has an original project called Wanted In April.
“It’s really a blessing,” he said. “We played (to) 5,000 people at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks. I don’t think there’s a greater reward. I don’t live in a mansion and I don’t drive a Porsche, but the ecstasy I have onstage is an experience.”
Photos
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Vauxhall songstress invites community to be in live video recording
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Althea “Cookie” Price-Drayton and the Saint Paul’s Calvary Choir will be recording a live video. With the leadership of Bishop Claude L. Campbell, Price-Drayton will be performing her song, “Picked Out to Be Picked On.” It’s a free event on Sunday, June 14, at 2:30 p.m.
The Vauxhall resident has been singing since the age of 5 in the Deliverance Junior Choir, with the anointed ministry of Apostle Arturo Skinner. After the passing of Skinner, she joined the ministry of the late Bishop Jeff Banks and the Revival Temple recording choir. They wouldn’t give her the mic because they had prominent singers. “But it’s OK,” she said. “I understand now, those were my training grounds.”
After the passing of Bishop Banks, Price-Drayton joined the ministry of her current pastor, Campbell, who is the general prelate and overseer of the United Church of God Inc.
At St. Paul’s Calvary, Price-Drayton was allowed to share her original music with the church. From that opportunity, she put out three original compact discs.
Her first, “I’m in Heaven,” was released in 2000 and consists of 12 songs. Her second, “I Am ’Cause I Am Said I Am,” features “Picked Out to Be Picked On.”
And her most recent compact disc, “Try Again” has 12 songs. The cover song was written with Price-Drayton’s nephew who had passed away. She said his passing forced her to put the work out. “He was so excited,” she said. “He was a little rapper. That was the most emotional CD. So young and gone too soon.”
That’s how I find my motivation in writing. Sometimes, you just hear a melody that makes you want to tap your foot.”
Price-Drayton has been living with her mom in Vauxhall since 1993. She said her mother is her greatest supporter. “My mother sang,” she said. “She was a shower singer. She had a beautiful voice. I have two older brothers who sing. I’m the baby of the family.”
Following your dreams is the advice Price-Drayton offers to anyone who wants to do what she is doing. She said, “If God puts something on your heart to do – do it. Ask God to help you move forward. If God gives you a gift, it’s for somebody. Your gift may not be for everyone, but it is for someone.”
In addition to making music, PriceDrayton has authored two books.
She also loves spending time with her family, going to church and spending time with her church family. “Pretty simple,” she said. “Enjoy peace. There’s so much going on in the world. We just got to hold on to our peace.”
All the songs Price-Drayton writes are from experiences to which she can relate. She said, “Your power comes from your pain. That’s my lead as to when I write. It’s usually from a place of experience of something I’ve already been through.
If anyone is interested in participating in the choir for the video, send your information to the Rev. Jonathan Campbell (martincarpenter@gmail.com) or PriceDrayton (cookiepd@msn.com) so you can be notified of rehearsals and other preparation.
To learn more about Price-Drayton, visit: https://www.altheapricedrayton.com/.
Photo Courtesy of Cookie Price Drayton
Cookie Price Drayton
Above left, Dessie Wakefield and Lucinda Burchett are associate elders in the minister’s alliance. Above, second from left, Portia ‘Sunshine’ Askew of Sunshine's Delight sells cakes, peach cobbler, pudding, chocolate covered strawberries and party desserts. Above, third from left, Delores Reid of Delores’ Delicious Bakery said her
banana nut cake is the greatest. Above, fourth from left, Cookie Price-Drayton is an author and songwriter who was selling her compact discs and religious books. Above right, Nesha Howell of Just One Cake says her sweet potato cake is as if a sweet potato pie and cheese cake had a baby.
St. Paul’s Calvary United Church of God hosts Mother’s Day Bazaar
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Baked goods, clothing, books, soy candles, Mary Kay Cosmetics and so much more were available at the annual Mother’s Day Bazaar.
Church member and longtime attendee Kenneth Wakefield said that the bazaar is part of the community of Union. “We’re looking to bring people and vendors from all over together,” he said.
By having a vendor table, youth can get an entrepreneurial spirit, Wakefield explained. “Do the best they can,” he said. “I am a social entrepreneur. The key thing is you have to know how to greet people, work with people and put your best foot forward in all kinds of weather. You realize you have a purpose. We want to be a voice in the community. Bishop Claude L. Campbell, he taught us.”
Portia “Sunshine” Askew, of Hillside, is the business owner of Sunshine’s Delight. She’s been in business for nine years and works out of her home. She was selling cakes, peach cobbler, pudding, chocolate covered strawberries and party desserts.
Delores Reid, of East Orange, also sold baked goods including pineapple coconut cake, lemon cake, and sweet potato pie. She says her banana nut cake is “the greatest.”
Her company is called Delores’ Delicious Bakery.
Cookie Price-Drayton, of Vauxhall, is an author and songwriter. She writes religious books and sings gospel music. She was selling her books and CDs of all original music which can be found on Pandora and Spotify. She’ll be having a live video recording at the church in June.
Nesha Howell, of Piscataway, is the owner of Just One Cake. She’s been in business a few years and operates online. Her specialty is her sweet potato cake. She described it as “if sweet potato pie and cheesecake had a baby.”
Gwendolyn Estrada, of Roselle, is the owner of Wendabu. Since 1980, she’s been making tablecloths out of African fabric. She also sells handbags and jewelry. She works out of her home.
Arnita Copeland of Easton, Pennsylvania, has been selling Mary Kay cosmetics for 24 years. She said, “It’s the number one skin care product.”
Chante Leak’s business Azontee 128 Boutique features trendy, affordable handbags. Leak started her business in 2017 and says she’s “revamping.” She’s based in Garfield and operates her business over the internet.
Dorothy Jones of Newark has a business called Zion Angel. She sells hair products. Jones has been in the hair business for 45 years. “I was a hairstylist until I had a
stroke,” she said. “Now I have more time.”
Jones still has her hair business, but works behind the scenes. Her business is in Vauxhall and is called Sybil’s International Salon.
Dasia Williams, Asia Simmons and Brnija Williams, of Maplewood, run their mom and pop’s Southern Dominican business. They were serving chicken, beef and shrimp empanadas.
Hasan Taylor, of Linden, has been selling a variety of sportswear at festivals and flea markets for 37 years. He said, “I love what I’m doing. It’s not easy. I give people a price they can afford. Before you go to the mall, I got it all.”
Jill Hayes, who was born and raised in Vauxhall, started her business, Theze Blessed Hands, last June, after she retired. “Aromatherapy at its best,” she said. “All soy based, all organic candles; bath salts; shower steamers...”
In addition to the Mother’s Day Bazaar, St. Paul’s Calvary United Church in Vauxhall also hosts a Christmas Bazaar. All proceeds from the vendor table rentals benefit the church. Earlier in the day, Mayor Patricia GuerraFrazier stopped by.
To learn more about St. Paul’s Calvary Church of God, visit: https://st-pauls-calvary.edan.io/.
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Spring reception highlights grants that have been provided
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son visit by the author in February 2027 for all students at Connecticut Farms.
Darcy Villarino, a third-grade teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, requested a subscription for all thirdgrade students to Scholastic News Magazine and Science Spin. Scholastic News makes nonfiction reading interesting and easy to understand. Science Spin is a science program designed to help young students explore and understand the world around them.
Karen Freitas, a fourth-grade teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, will receive subscriptions to Scholastic News Magazine and Science Spin for all fourth-graders at her school. These subscriptions will integrate reading, writing, science and social studies into the curriculum.
Mary Ellen Patricco, a fourth-grade teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, and Brooke Gilligan requested a grant for all fourth-graders to enhance the curriculum with an emphasis on the
importance of geometry. Hands-on activity kits and picture books will enhance and bring to life the importance of geometry in their classrooms.
Anthony Manderichio, Michael Reis and Ursula Smith, Gifted & Talented teachers in Livingston and Hannah Caldwell elementary schools, will receive materials for a “Teamwork Day” for all G & T second-graders in the district. They will have a day of projects at Hannah Caldwell School, which will strengthen collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking through engaging, developmentally appropriate STEM and teamwork–based activities.
The Township of Union Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to raise funds for teachers for creative and innovative educational programs. Contact us on Facebook, www.tuef.org or 908851-9869. Checks made out to TUEF can be sent to TUEF, P.O. Box 1282, Union, NJ 07083 or through paypal on its website, www.tuef.org.
Photo Courtesy of Township of Union Education Foundation Fourth-grade teacher at Connecticut Farms School Mary Ellen Patricco stands with one of her students who presented a report about what she learned from articles in the scholastic magazine purchased through a grant from the township of Union Education Foundation.
‘The Unwitting Magician’ is presented at DMK Black Box Theater
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Once again, the American Theater Group (ATG) presented “The Unwitting Magician.” This time, it was at the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center. There were two performances: Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17. Saturday’s performance featured Eric William Morris, whose Broadway credits include, “King Kong,” “Coram Boy” and “Mamma Mia!” Sunday’s performance featured Stephanie Kurtzuba, best known for her roles in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “The Irishman,” as well as “Fly Me to the Moon,” opposite Channing Tatum.
“The Unwitting Magician” is a unique theatrical and magical experience. An actor is onstage with just a music stand and a sealed script that they haven’t seen before. Its contents are a mystery. The actor has no idea what to expect, becoming an unwitting magician.
The piece was developed by Jeremy Dobrish, a director, playwright, artistic leader, creative director and teacher, whose focus has been developing and directing new plays and musicals, He has directed at Second Stage, MCC, Joe’s Pub, The Promenade, The Variety Arts, The Century and Actor’s Playhouse, to name a few.
He successfully presented “The Unwitting Magician” in December as part of ATG’s Free Monday Night Play Reading Series at Hamilton Stage.
“The audience loved it,” said Dobrish. “The actor had a fabulous time. Now we’re off and running.”
What Dobrish is trying in “The Unwitting Magician” is something that hasn’t been done before. “Having a magician not know what tricks or how they are done, it’s nerve wrecking. This works on paper, but will it work live on stage?” he said.
The one-person show can be done by any type of
Jeremy Dobrish is the creator of ‘The Unwitting Magician,’ a unique, one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.
actor. The only requirement is they have not read one word of the script – no rehearsal. They read the script live in front of an audience only once.
“The actor and audience go on a journey together, discovering what the play is and what it feels like getting up in front of people you don’t know,” said Dobrish. “Magic happens. The magic is good. It’s really fun. Both the audience and the actor go, ‘What just happened?’’’
After the first run at Hamilton Stage, there was a question-and-answer session at the end of the show. Dobrish said that the audience was really struck by the premise of the presentation.
“It’s a difficult piece to explain,” he said. “You’ve never seen it put together quite this way. The audience had such empathy for the actor.”
While the actor never had a script, Dobrish feels that, if they’re a good actor, their job is to bring the script to life in real time. “The audience feels almost tricked,” he said. “The show itself is interesting. It deals with a lot of questions about free will and the ways in which we are manipulated.
“There are ways a magician manipulates the audience and takes away their free will. And there are ways society manipulates us. The piece is not emotionally heavy, but it’s made to make you think. You see some cool magic, think a little bit and have a good time. The energy is electric in the room, the way it isn’t for a traditional play.”
Every night the show runs, there’s a different actor, which is part of the fun of seeing it each time and being completely unique to the particular night. “The Unwitting Magician” was also picked up by Luna Stage and there will be different actors performing.
Dobrish said he was into magic since he was a little boy. He got into directing and playwriting, but magic never gave up on him. “Everything I wrote and directed, it always had a magic sensibility,” he said. “This is a principle that comes from magic.”
Photo Courtesy of Ben Hider
Mark Moran of Weird NJ visits Vauxhall Branch Library
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Union County is known for its parks and recreation, historical significance, restaurants, shopping, transportation gateway, culture and arts. It’s also weird!
And what is exactly weird about Union County? Mark Moran of Weird NJ visited Vauxhall Branch Library on Saturday, May 23, at 1 p.m., to discuss just that. He led an interactive presentation where participants explored the unique, mysterious and peculiar side of Union County and New Jersey.
Moran planned to zoom in on particular stories with which generations will be familiar. “Some of these stories go back years and years,” he said.
Johnston Drive, which runs through the Watchung Reservation, has 13 bumps that keep reappearing even after the road is repaved. It is said to be the graves of 13 witches or sisters who killed children.
“Some of the older people will definitely remember taking night trips with their friends, trying to scare each other,” said Moran.
But there’s also more recent stories.
“The Merchants & Drovers Tavern in Rahway has great captures of ghost images,” said Moran.
Moran became interested in weird stuff at a young age. “Something you might see on the cover of Weekly World News back then,” he said.
He’d try to find the truth in things such as Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, UFOs and extraterrestrials. Before computers and the internet, Moran and his Weird NJ partner Mark Sceurman would find odd news articles, paste them together and Xerox the pages. Weird NJ originally started out as a newsletter or a pamphlet in 1989.
“In the very early ’90s, people called them fanzines,” said Moran. “Fanzines were all dedicated to a specific band or kind of music – underground stuff. Weird NJ focused on odd things around the state. A fanzine travel guide. It was
mostly word of mouth stories; stuff that wasn’t getting documented in legitimate newspapers.”
Moran and Sceurman both had day jobs in graphic design and illustration. They worked on Weird NJ in their free time. They’d take a day off and travel around, get photographs and talk to locals. “These stories were only known in the town,” Moran said. “There was no way to research.”
Weird NJ became popular quickly because people would bootleg the original pamphlets. “They were so easy to replicate,” said Moran. “If we passed out 50 (copies) to friends, they would copy them and give (them) to their friends. It started to get around pretty rapidly. By issue four,
we had to go to a small-town legitimate printer. We’d sit around a kitchen table and put a staple into them.”
Eventually, with Barnes & Noble as their publisher, Moran and Sceurman published a Weird USA series covering about 30 states, but according to Moran, New Jersey is definitely the weirdest. He said, “We could do a book on any state, but New Jersey is the only place you can put out 65 issues and two books.”
With so many unusual stories New Jersey has to tell, there are those that people want to hear over and over again. Moran said, “If I’m doing a presentation in Union, I try to stay local. I wouldn’t bring up Clinton Road in West Milford. They want to hear about it. They had this expe-
rience, no matter how far away. There are so many legends. So many unusual stories. It’s a long, dark road through the woods. People will say, ‘Why didn’t you say anything about Clinton Road?’ They still have to barricade the road around Halloween time. They don’t want the latenight tourists.”
Weird NJ is published twice a year –spring and fall. With only 82 pages, there’s just so much to fit in, so there’s never a lack of stories, according to Moran, who says they have so much in the files. “We’re not time sensitive,” he said. “A lot of these legends have been around hundreds of years.”
Learn more about Weird NJ at: https://weirdnj.com/.
Photo Courtesy of Weird NJ
Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, creators of Weird NJ – a travel guide to places that are weird, odd, or unique.
Union firefighters recognized for exemplary service, lifesaving valor
The township of Union is recognizing Firefighters Timothy Watson and Owen Tansey for their extraordinary contributions to public safety and their heroic actions within the community. Both individuals have recently been selected for prestigious awards that highlight their dedication to the residents of Union and the surrounding areas.
Tansey was honored, receiving the NJ FMBA Valor Award for Lifesaving at a ceremony on Saturday, April 25, at the Pines Manor in Edison. Tansey was recognized for his decisive actions on July 27, 2025,
when he discovered an unconscious male while off-duty in the Watchung Reservation. After observing the individual had no pulse, Tansey immediately called 9-1-1 and initiated solo CPR. He successfully regained a pulse for the patient and continued to provide rescue breaths using a pocket mask to prevent the individual from returning to cardiac arrest. During his assessment, Tansey identified signs of a potential opioid overdose and provided a vital briefing to responding Summit police officers, who then administered Narcan. Because Tansey was present to render
immediate care in an area with low traffic, he is credited with saving the patient's life.
On Sunday, May 3, Watson was honored at the VFW Loyalty Day award ceremony. A lifelong resident of the township of Union and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, Watson joined the Fire Department in 2023. Since completing his initial training, Watson has shown an exceptional commitment to professional development by attending multiple fire academies and earning certifications in various technical rescue disciplines such as high-angle rope, trench and structural
collapse operations. His expertise was recently put to use during a three-alarm condominium fire where he assisted in successfully rescuing a victim. In addition to his fireground duties, Watson serves as a radio technician for the department, maintaining critical portable and mobile communication equipment.
The township of Union commends both Watson and Tansey for their professionalism, initiative and bravery. Their actions reflect the highest standards of the Union Fire Department and a deep commitment to the safety of all citizens.
The Market at Union season begins this June at the Union Arts Center
The township of Union has announced the 2026 return of The Market at Union to Morris Avenue. Starting this June, the Union Arts Center Lot (1980 Morris Avenue) will once again serve as the community’s favorite Thursday night hangout.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Market at Union back to the heart of our downtown,” said Mayor Patricia GuerraFrazier. “This event has become a fantastic way for residents to gather and support the local businesses that make Union unique. It’s all about bringing people together and keeping our local economy strong.”
The 2026 season officially kicks off on Thursday, June 4, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and will run every Thursday through Sept. 24. It provides the perfect midweek spot to skip the cooking, grab dinner and catch up with neighbors in a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.
This season introduces a dynamic mix of both returning participants and exciting new vendors. Visitors can look for-
ward to an expansive variety of local finds, including organic produce from Wagner Family Farm, sourdough from The Union Sourdough Co., uncommon tropical houseplants from Chlorophyll & Chill and premium wellness items from Roots to Press.
The market’s popular food-truck row and specialty-food lineup will also feature a diverse, rotating selection of easy and delicious meals. Options range from the world-famous rolls at Cousins Maine Lobster and authentic Jamaican dishes from Amara’s Caribbean BBQ, to Colombianstyle hot dogs from Urban Dog and authentic Venezuelan street food from Gustosa Food Truck. For dessert and refreshments, attendees can explore Korean shaved ice from Little Snow Bites, gourmet stuffed cookies from Rachie’s Bakery and fresh, ice-cold drinks from Pine Acres Lemonade.
The event also accommodates pet owners with specialized booths such as Vittle Paws, offering high-quality freezedried dog treats, alongside unique
IN MEMORIAM
• BLEIWISE – Harry, of Union; May 9. Business owner, CEO. Korean War Army vet. Owned 30 motorcycles. Father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, 93.
• FISHER – Richard L., of Galloway, formerly of Union; May 12. Army veteran electrical contractor. Father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, 86.
• KOVACH – Eleanor S., of Union, formerly of Elizabeth; May 6. Aunt, 99.
• MORAN-RUSSELL – Patricia, of Hillside, formerly of Union; May 5. Administrator of Williams Scotsman. Avid gardener. Wife, sister, aunt, 65.
• SANTIAGO-RIVERA – Francisco, of Union, formerly of Ponce, Puerto Rico; May 2. USAF veteran. Father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 97.
• SILVESTRE – Maria D., of Union, formerly of Portugal; April 29. Was 86.
• VREELAND – Dorothy Joan, of Union, formerly of Orange; May 8. Girl Scout Cadet leader. Widow, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, 90.
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.
lifestyle vendors such as Mystic Moon Sticker, featuring handmade keychains and custom apparel.
Convenient parking for attendees is available both in front of and behind
Town Hall. For the latest weekly updates, vendor schedules and seasonal announcements, visit www.uniontwpfarmersmarket.com or follow the market on social media @twpunionnjfarmersmkt.
SCHOOL IS OUT:
Watch for Kids!
The end of the school year means more kids are out and about, especially in neighborhoods.
Parents and caregivers play an essential role in keeping kids safe while enjoying summer activities.
Safe driving around kids
• When driving, pay attention and scan the entire area around you.
• Look for kids playing near the street and slow down. Children are often unpredictable and unaware of danger around them.
• Slow down around children and other pedestrians.
• Watch for people about to step off the curb at crosswalks.
This message is sponsored by these community minded businesses and organizations
Weichert Realtors KATHLEEN GWALDIS 908-400-8409 Union County Specialist 505 Millburn Avenue Short Hills 973-467-7391
CHARMING PET GROOMING LLC
Dogs love it there 206 Morris Avenue Springfield 973-405-9509
THE HOLISTIC BUFFET Your Health, YOUR way! Quality Supplements $5 off coupon at: www.HolisticBuffet.com GINNY 973-703-7318
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VITO MAZZA HAIR AND SCALP WELLNESS Hair Loss solutions since 1967 Family Owned and Operated 10 Green Street Woodbridge 732-636-0119
