UNIONLEADER
‘A Big Hunk O’ Love’
Caldwell Parsonage hosts Open House
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
The Union Township Historical Society recently invited the public to the Winter Open House at 1780s Caldwell Parsonage.
Tours were given by members of the board of trustees.
Highlights included the unveiling of a new exhibit to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, educational activities for children and a Norden bombsight used by bombardiers during World War II – presented by the Army Air Forces Historical Association.
Barbara La Mort, president of the Union Township Historical Society, said, “We’re proud to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Army Air Forces Historical Association’s exhibit of the Norden bombsight.”
Joe Canarelli, member of the Union Township Historical Society, told guests about the winter of 1779 to 1780, when they had 4 feet of snow. He said, “That winter was so cold, the Hudson River froze over. Animals were dying. Soldiers were cold and hungry. Congress was not paying them on time.” Nevertheless, he said that George Washington was able to keep the troops together. He had to convince men that fighting for freedom was worth the fight.
“He had the Declaration of Independence read at times in camp, to remind men what they were fighting for,” Canarelli said.
Len Komar and his daughter, Kelly Komar, of the Army Air Forces Historical Association, were exhibiting the Norden bombsight. Len Komar said, “We bring out relics to educate people and remember what the greatest generation did to fight to be here. It’s an honor to be here.”
Kelly Komar said, “It (the Norden bombsight) was set up in World War II and calculated bombs, used on bigger bombs.”
Curator Anita Centeno was giving people basic information about World War II. When they learned of the anniversary of the end of World War II, they had someone make a book of veterans of World War II. “My father was the first one they picked,” she said.
Centeno’s dad, Manuel “Manny” Centeno, saved all his World War II souvenirs. They were on display and included a cake topper from his wedding. “My mother waited almost four years for him to come back from war,” said Centeno.
Above left, Barbara La Mort, president of the Union Township Historical Society, stands in the Winter Open House at 1780s Caldwell Parsonage. Above right, Joe Canarelli, a member of the Union Township Historical Society, stands in the 1780s Caldwell Parsonage. He told guests about the bitter cold and horrible conditions Revolutionary War soldiers had to undertake when the Hudson River froze over. Below left, Kelly Komar, of the Army Air Forces Historical Association, and her father, Len Komar, stand together at the 1780s Caldwell Parsonage. The pair were exhibiting the Norden bombsight. Below right, Anita Centeno, curator, stands beside some of the World War II souvenirs her father, the late Manuel ‘Manny’ Centen, had saved.
Kathy Arminio was volunteering in the children’s room where they had “a little bit of everything.” There were pictures of clothes, bonnets, old-fashioned games such as marbles and pick-up sticks, and jacks, which back then were made from dried knuckle bones from sheep. Arminio was giving lessons to children who attended the open house. For example, she discussed how Colonial children
were raised. “Babies were discouraged from crawling,” she said. “It was considered something animals do.”
The Parsonage had dozens of people coming and going throughout the day. It was still beautifully decorated for the holiday season.
To learn more about the Union Township Historical Society, visit: https://www.unionnjhistory.com/.
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Martin Luther King Jr., a reenactment, at library
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Actor Keith Henley gave a compelling performance as Martin Luther King Jr.
The Vauxhall Branch Library of the Union Public Library was filled to capacity. Attendees included Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados, Mayor James Bowser Jr., Committeeman Manuel Figueiredo, Committeewoman Patricia Guerra-Frazier, Committeewoman Sandra Terrell, library Director Kassundra Miller, library board President Steven Le and Gabriel Ramos, manager of the Vauxhall Branch Library.
While last year, the library had an in-person lecture on the life of Martin Luther King Jr., this year, Ramos wanted to do something different. He reached out to the American Historical Theatre in Philadelphia and certainly received something different with Henley. Instead of giving King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Henley went the extra mile and became King, focusing on his childhood, racism and his relationship with God. Even during the question-and-answer segment, Henley did not break character. It was astonishing.
Highlights of the hour-long presentation included King experiencing racism while shopping for shoes with his father when a store clerk told his dad to move to the back. “That’s where we serve colored folk,” said the clerk. With that, King’s father decided he was not going to buy shoes.
He also spoke as King about the struggles he had – his hatred against people discriminating against his people. And that when Rosa Parks didn’t give up her seat, it was “a perfect catalyst to stand against discrimination.”
Henley, as King, talked about when his house was bombed. He said, “I had a problem with what happened, but I couldn’t show anyone.” He also discussed how he
later had a “one-on-one with God.”
“I’m trying to do what you want me to do,” he said, still as King. “You sent these crazy people. How can you have this happen to me.”
He then explained that he heard a calm voice say, “I am God. I will never leave you or forsake you. When the bomb went off, I had your wife and daughter move to the back of the house. I have a plan for you.”
As King, Henley said, “I asked God to forgive me. I am so sorry.”
In conclusion Henley, as King, said, “All we wanted was to be treated as human beings. We just wanted our
rights. We have to stand up for our rights. When we fight for who we are, we stand for one. As children of God, we need to embrace one another. The minute we become separated, we’ll never achieve anything. It’s all about love. Without it you get nowhere.”
Henley began his historic interpretation career with Historic Philadelphia Inc. and has since worked for American Historical Theatre. He is presently serving as artistic director for Transformation Theatre Productions of Camden and is the director of the Theatre Ministry at First Nazarene Baptist Church, Camden. He also serves as the stage manager for Chosen Vessels Inc. of Philadelphia.
Photos Courtesy of Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Above left, Keith Henley captivates his audience at the Vauxhall Branch Library of the Union Public Library in his performance as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Above right, Gabriel Ramos, manager of the Vauxhall Branch Library of the Union Public Library, at left, stands with Henley during his performance.
Elvis Tribute Artist brings ‘A Big Hunk O’ Love’ to library
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Ruben Castillo is a multi-award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist.
When Castillo performs, if you close your eyes, you could swear you’re hearing Elvis. But what he brings to libraries and educational institutions is extra special. He uses what he calls “The Power of ‘E’” to entertain, educate and engage audiences. The program is called “Elvistory.”
The series is broken up in parts from the 1950s until Elvis Presley’s death in 1977. He recently presented “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll: 1957 to 1959” at the Union Public Library, 1060 Stuyvesant Ave., Union.
While Castillo’s wife, Particia, runs the sound, Castillo, who is dressed as Elvis, gives a musical history lesson with songs in between, in accordance with the era he features.
It was a full house at the library, as many patrons anticipated the show – and lesson. Sally Straus, a lifelong Union resident, said she met Elvis when she saw him perform in Las Vegas. “I enjoyed the show so much,” she said. “He was an icon for his time.”
Straus’s favorite Elvis songs are “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog.”
Teri Rothenberg, of Union, called Elvis Presley “an originator.” She said, “I love his music. He became an icon of rock and roll.” Her favorite Elvis song is “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”
Castillo opened the show with “Jailhouse Rock,” which came out in 1957. He then spoke about what was going on at the time in news and pop culture. This was when Elvis purchased Graceland, a mansion on a 13.8-acre estate, for $102,500.
Songs he performed from 1957 included, “All Shook Up,” “Teddy Bear,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Treat Me Nice.”
Castillo reacted heavily with the audience and had them laughing and cheering. He captured Presley’s true essence by joking around and flirting with the ladies. He also gave out teddy bears to the women.
During the show, Castillo asked Elvis trivia questions. Those who answered correctly received Elvis bookmarkers.
Next was the year 1958, when Elvis Presley was called to join the Army. This was the year his mother, Glady Presley, passed away. “Elvis was greatly affected by his mother’s death,” said Castillo. “He got special leave to bury his mother.”
Castillo then beautifully performed “Loving You” followed by “King Creole” which he said was Elvis’s favorite movie.
“He got to be with legit stars like Walter Mattheau and Carolyn Jones,” said Castillo.
The last year covered in this portion of the series was 1959. “We became 50 states,” said Castillo. “Hawaii became the 50th state.”
It was also the year that Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Richie Valens died in a plane crash. “Buddy Holly’s wife was
Above left, Ruben Castillo teaches the history of Elvis Presley while dressed as The King at a recent appearance at the Union Public Library. Here, he stands in front of photos of Graceland, a mansion on a 13.8-acre estate that Elvis purchased in 1957 for $102,500. Above right, Patricia Castillo, Ruben Castillo’s wife, runs the sound during his Elvis program at the Union Public Library. Below left, Castillo sings to a Union Public Library patron, Elvis style, at a recent performance. Below right, Castillo has the moves of Elvis as he entertains a packed audience at the Union Public Library.
informed on television and suffered a miscarriage,” said Castillo. “Now families are informed before the news is released to the press.”
The last two songs Castillo performed were “Trouble” and “A Big Hunk O’ Love.”
His performance as Elvis was extremely well received and library patrons lined up to meet him afterwards.
Elvistory will be coming to the Kenilworth Public Library, 548 Boulevard, Kenilworth, on May 15, June 5, Aug. 5 and Dec. 4.
To learn more about Elvistory, visit: https://www.elvistory.com/.
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Holocaust Learning Experience expands to district
Program educates in an effort to end antisemitism and combat hate, bigotry and prejudice
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
Holocaust Learning Experience is now being implemented in the Union school system.
HLE is a nonprofit developed by MorseLife Health System in West Palm Beach and will implement HLE’s age-appropriate Holocaust education model for students in grades five through 12 in the Union School District. The mission is to educate and transform generations to end antisemitism and combat hate, bigotry and prejudice. This curriculum also fills a critical gap acting as a resource for teachers who have never been trained in Holocaust studies.
Michelle Foligno works as a program director with HLE. She started working with them while she lived in Florida and now works remotely from Cedar Knolls. Recently, she conducted a district training for grades five through 12 at Union High School. Foligno grew up in Union and said it was great to go to the high school and show the teachers a few lessons. “They had a professional development day,” she said. “We were one of the seminars. The teachers were very interested. I got to show them the whole program. There were middle school and high school teachers there.”
Working with HLE is an amazing opportunity for Foligno. “I can’t say enough good things about it,” she said. “It’s just incredible. It’s an incredible resource for teachers. It’s an incredible learning experience for students. The program can be used any way a teacher finds appropriate for his or her classroom.”
Pre-recorded lessons and Holocaust survivor testimonials bring history to life, helping students connect personally through inspirational stories of
Ashley Schroth, program director of the Holocaust Learning Experience, educates one of the classrooms taking part in the program in the Union School District in an attempt to transform generations to end antisemitism and combat hate, bigotry and prejudice. This curriculum also fills a critical gap acting as a resource for teachers who have never been trained in Holocaust studies.
courage, resilience and compassion.
“The survivor testimonies are so impactful,” said Foligno.
For students in grades five through 12, Foligno
feels the program really resonates with – and raises –their empathy level. “The footage that is in the lesson is footage that the Nazis filmed and it’s diabolical,” said Foligno. “The survivor testimonial, it’s an incredible experience for students to learn. You can teach it, but to actually see original footage that was filmed during the Holocaust is different. You can tell them about the Holocaust verbally, but without the visuals it lands differently.”
When the HLE program just started, they would send out surveys to students who saw the film footage and got 1,000 back. “An incredible percentage of students said they now gained more empathy for people in general,” said Foligno. “It hits home on every level. It also teaches bullying, how bullying and hate is.”
Foligno went to Union High School and doesn’t remember learning about the Holocaust. “Whatever was taught to me wasn’t very impactful,” she said. “That was many years ago. This is such an impactful package.”
The HLE program helps teachers put all the Holocaust information in one place. “They don’t have to go on the internet and piecemeal things together,” said Foligno. “As a whole, as a plug and play program; or they can show part of the lessons and the whole survivor testimony. Or they can show it all as one unit. They can show it all in one week or they can take the time and fully digest it with their students afterward. It’s not about Holocaust Remembrance Week. They can spread it across their curriculum.”
Holocaust Learning Experience is located on MorseLife’s Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Seniors Campus in West Palm Beach, Florida. To learn more, visit: holocaustlearningexperience.com.
Photo Courtesy of Kristen Evans
HOURS
Monday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
‘Health and wellness’ is presented
By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent
When Courtney Gaines was young, she was overweight. She always struggled with her weight. Then during her senior year of high school, she was introduced to fitness. She lost 25 pounds before her senior prom.
Discovering that health and wellness was her biggest interest in school, she went on to further her health education. In 2014, Gaines received an associate in science degree in health, fitness and exercise studies and a certificate of personal training. In 2017, she graduated from Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. In college, she was also able to receive her ACE Weight Management Specialist Program certificate.
In June 2021, she received her American Fitness Professionals and Associates Pre and Postnatal Fitness Specialist certification and gave birth to a baby girl in October of that year.
Since 2024, she’s been teaching fitness classes at Union Public Library’s Vauxhall Branch. She recently had a “health and wellness” presentation there.
At the beginning of the presentation, Gaines encouraged the attendees that cooking for yourself is a big start to health and wellness. “You know what’s in your food if you make it yourself,” she said.
Taking the time to make health a priority was also stressed. “Regular doctor visits are super important,” she said. “We tend to wait. Let’s be preventive, before it becomes an issue. Even if you don’t see signs and symptoms.”
Gaines said she wants people to get the image of diet out of their heads. Instead, they should have eating habits that promote long-term weight loss with a balance of food. Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal and popcorn, were recommended, as well as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and beans, with limited processed foods.
“Calories are not the enemy,” said Gaines. She explained that a calorie is a unit of energy. The amount of calories
consumed depends on the individual. “Someone not as active needs a lower amount of calories,” she said, adding that the general rule is between 1,400 to 2,400 calories per day.
Gaines advised to look at labels when shopping, to consume fewer than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day and to get at least 28 grams of fiber per day. She suggested substituting whole grain pasta for white pasta; oat flour or almond flour instead of white flour; popcorn instead of chips; and beans, lentils, jackfruit and tempeh instead of meat.
Making small changes can make a difference. Gaines recommends starting small, simple and realistic. “Instead of going to Starbucks five days (a week), go four,” she said. “Snacking is not always a negative thing. We don’t restrict. We limit. We balance. Set small goals. Change habits slowly, over time.” Some of the positive changes could be increasing water and fiber intake or not going grocery shopping while hungry.
Then, of course, there is physical activity. In addition to walking 10,000 steps per day, Gaines says our bodies also need cardio, strength training and stretching. “Aim for 30 minutes a day,” she said. “Increase movement. Find activities you enjoy. Reduce sitting time. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car further from the building. Take scheduled walks.”
When losing weight, Gaines advises not to stress about the scale, but rather go by how your clothes fit. “We want to lose fat, not muscle mass,” she said. “Healthy weight loss is one to two pounds per week.”
Gaines recommends getting support from family, friends and people with similar goals. She said, “Am I happy? Is this sustainable? What does ‘healthy’ look like for you? Choose one small goal for January.”
Tyrone Tutt of Vauxhall said the program was “fun and educational.”
To learn more about Courtney Gaines, visit: https://www.justgaines.com/.
From left are Courtney Gaines, certified health and wellness coach, and LaRona Jones, principal library assistant at Union Public Library’s Vauxhall Branch.
Photo by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
Monday February 17th - Friday February 21st
By David Jablonski Managing Editor
Scott Mehno always knew he was going to be an author. For him, writing was a passion, even at an early age. It was only a question of what would be his muse, the topic for him to embrace and bring to life. It turned out it was Christmas, and a man named Charles Dickens.
“I’ve always liked Christmas,” said Mehno in an interview with LocalSource on Friday, Dec. 6. “I had a very big family, six brothers and sisters. I came from a small town. And when I came to New Jersey, I was happy to see that there were a lot of small towns here, too.”
Originally from western Pennsylvania, a town about 30 miles from Pittsburgh, and an unabashed Steelers fan, Mehno eventually moved to New York City, where he wrote for record companies and various artists, doing public relations work.
“Then I moved to Union about 20 years ago,” he said. “I continued to work in the entertainment industry. I would write on the side. I always kept writing.
“I always tell young people to keep writing.”
It was about this time that the idea for his first novel, “Shorte List,” first starting forming in his mind.
“I knew I wanted to write something about Christmas and I loved Charles Dickens,” said Mehno. “He was truly a
larger-than-life personality, one of the first celebrities who knew how to capitalize on it. He visited Hoboken. In 1867-68, he did a big reading tour, and while he didn’t read in New Jersey, he passed through it. I wondered, what if he passed through Jersey and fell in love with a town?
“Dickens was a real showman, with the public works he did,” he continued. “He loved performing. He started to get ill after the performances in 1867-68, because he was knocking himself out. He basically invented public reading for contemporary authors.”
This love of Dickens led him to the next part of his novel: Santa Claus. Dickens’ success and the Americanization of Santa Claus both happened around the same time, in the mid-1800s, which led Mehno to speculate: What if the two legendary figures were connected somehow?
“The idea of Santa Claus transformed about the same time as Dickens’ popularity,” he said. “I got the idea, ‘What if Dickens had something to do with Santa Claus and no one knew about it?’ I wanted to keep the Santa character kind of old. He is keeping to tradition in a world of smart phones and texting.
“I had to do a lot of research on Dickens. I went to his letters and they preserved them and some writers have called him the first rock star. He was a character who always put his stamp on everything. Dickens used to take 10- or 12-mile walks.”
It’s not surprising that Mehno soon found himself taking similar long walks through the streets of Union, which figured in his creation of the town in which the novel takes place: Townlee.
“Townlee is a combination of towns that I have an affection for,” he said. “I don’t want to exclude any. We would go to Christmas tree lightings. It’s probably a composite of smalltown New Jersey. The world I created with Townlee is immediately identifiable. Everyone who reads it says ‘I know that town.’”
The next aspect of his book was to modernize it somewhat, or to at least put modern technology into it to appeal to younger readers as well.
“It took me 6 or 7 years to write the book,” he admitted. “I got the idea, what
if we created an AI Dickens, someone so like Dickens, he would be passing a slice of pie at the dinner table. And 7 or 8 years later, AI has exploded.”
While technology has moved ahead a great deal since Mehno first dreamed up his novel, there are still aspects of it that are completely fantasy. But that’s all right. Who doesn’t love some fantasy around the Christmas holiday, especially when Santa is involved?
“Because the story is about a girl not believing in Santa Claus, I’ll always tell parents in the audience that this is a family book. I wanted to write a book where everyone could relate to the characters. If you want to be a writer, you have to get into the habit of writing all the time. Have the discipline, but do a lot of reading.”
Mehno has found other ways to strengthen his writing ability in, of all places, radio.
“I tell people to go back to old radio shows and listen to them,” he said. “Writing is superb for creating images, and that’s how these programs were.”
Now, he’s out selling his book at various locations throughout the state and beyond, and he admits he is having the time of his life.
“I’m touring all of New Jersey in December and, because it’s a seasonal book, I’m doing something in the spring with some other authors. That’s one advantage of seasonal books.
“I’m going to be doing a reading in Medford’s Dickens Festival tomorrow. Then I’m going to Clinton tomorrow for a book signing.”
And after that? There’s no rest for an author, once he’s had a little taste of success.
“I have another holiday book that I’ve finished,” confessed Mehno. “In 2025, I plan to promote this book.”
“Shorte List” can be found at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and where fine books are sold.
Scott Menho
Union’s Liloia headlines the Feb. 2 Hot Stove awards dinner
By JR Parachini Sports Editor
More often than not, when Gordon LeMatty and then Chet Czaplinski Jr. gave Mike Liloia the ball, he was going to come through on the mound big-time for the Union Farmers.
The 1992 Union High School graduate was a top-notch pitcher for the Union baseball team, playing for both LeMatty and Czaplinski, who succeeded LeMatty in 1992, Liloia’s senior year.
Liloia was also one of the best quarterbacks in Union County, helping lead the Farmers to a perfect 11-0 record and the North 2, Group 4 sectional state championship his senior season in the fall of 1991.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, 1991, at a packed Cooke Memorial Field at Union High School, Liloia was a big part of Union’s team that ended Randolph High School’s then-state record 59-game (580-1) unbeaten streak, when the Farmers came back from a two-touchdown halftime deficit to down the visiting Rams 24-14. It was the first time Randolph
lost in more than five years, since a 1413 setback at Seton Hall Prep on Saturday, Oct. 25, 1986.
As a result, Union finished No. 1 at season’s end in the state of New Jersey, which would be for the first of three consecutive years, the other two in 1992 and 1993, also concluding with North 2, Group 4 final wins against Randolph.
Liloia played for LeMatty and football legend Lou Rettino, two of the most successful coaches in state history.
Liloia is one of five former Union County standout athletes who will be honored when the Union County Baseball Association inducts new members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame at the organization’s 88th annual Hot Stove awards dinner, scheduled to take place Sunday, Feb. 2, beginning at 1 p.m., at The Gran Centurions in Clark. That is a week before Super Bowl LIX will kick off in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9.
The other four Union County Baseball Hall of Fame inductees include Mike Chalenski of Kenilworth’s David Brearley Regional High School and
Westfield High School grads Phil Orsini, Clint Factor and Brian Ciemniecki. Factor, Chalenski and Ciemniecki all won Union County Tournament championship baseball games. Factor won his junior and senior seasons of 1986 and 1987, Chalenski the next year as a senior in 1988 and Ciemniecki as a senior in 1996.
Factor is one of only four pitchers to have won at least two UCT championship games and was the second after Union’s Al Santorini did so in 1964 and 1965 to win back-to-back.
Cranford High School’s Tom Polito won three straight UCT title games in 1999, 2000 and 2001, which were Cranford’s first three UCT crowns.
Cranford’s Ryan Williamson did not win consecutive UCT finals, but was the winning pitcher his freshman season in 2010 and his senior year in 2013.
Factor was the winning pitcher when Westfield beat Linden High School, 9-6, in the 1986 final and the winning pitcher again when Westfield edged Elizabeth High School, 13-12, in the 1987 title
game. Those were the first two of head coach Bob Brewster’s record 11 UCT titles. He shares the mark of 11 with Cranford’s Dennis McCaffery.
The next year, in 1988, Chalenski pitched David Brearley to its only UCT title. Chalenski won at Union in the semifinals and then beat Rahway, 8-1, at Linden High School in the final.
Chalenski also pitched for David Brearley in the 1988 North 2, Group 1 final at Parsippany High School, a game that eventual Group 1 state champion Glen Ridge High School won. The Ridgers protested too much pine tar on the bat of one of David Brearley’s players in that game, negating a David Brearley hit.
After beating Union and Union standout right-handed pitcher Pat Collins, 4-2, in the 1996 semifinals at Rahway High School, with scouts behind home plate timing pitches, Ciemniecki blanked Governor Livingston High School, 7-0, in the final at Linden’s Memorial Field.
See LILOIA, Page 11
Music For All Seasons receives Outstanding Service Award
In a recent ceremony in Union, Music For All Seasons received an Outstanding Service Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County.
The award was presented to MFAS by Jennifer Lampert, a longtime musician/facilitator with MFAS who was one of the musicians for the Voices of Change program. She is currently director of Resource Development and Marketing for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union. MFAS works closely with Russell Triolo, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Last spring, MFAS, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs, brought three cycles of the Voices of Change songwriting program for teens to the Clubs in Union, Elizabeth and Plainfield. This extensive program, funded by The Westfield Foundation, was transformative for the young participants. They produced and recorded three amazing songs and a video.
The Voices of Change program aids in putting a stop to bullying, violence, and preventing and discouraging self-harm. Through the experience of communication and creativity, the quality of life for
the participants and those around them is set to significantly improve. The collaborative experience of writing a song as a group inspires trust and creates a support structure to help today's youth navigate the current challenging social landscape. Participants do not need any prior musical experience.
Twelve youngsters, ages 13-16, participate in each session – nine 90-minute sessions – of Voices of Change. The youngsters work closely with two professional musician/facilitators and learn how to write a group song that reflects their shared personal feelings and challenges. They learn how to craft lyrics, how to set lyrics to music and how to sing and record the finished song, which is professionally recorded. At the end, they have a song release party.
MFAS Artistic Director Rena Fruchter said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County and extremely honored to receive this award. We are proud to provide this unique program and appreciate the generous grant from the Westfield Foundation making it possible.”
Above left, Russell Triolo, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs, stands with Rena Fruchter, Music For All Seasons interim executive director, at a recent ceremony in Union, in which Music For All Seasons received an Outstanding Service Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Fruchter holds the Outstanding Service Award. Above right, Fruchter stands with Jennifer Lampert, MFAS musician/facilitator, director of Resource Development and Marketing for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union. Fruchter holds the Outstanding Service Award MFAS received from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union.
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Lampert
Photo Courtesy of Vinnie Demuro
Liloia is one of five Union County
(Continued from Page 9)
In Liloia’s senior season in 1992, the Farmers went 20-9. They fell to Linden, 5-2, in the UCT semifinals as the top seed. Summit High School, behind winning pitcher Garth Ballantyne, then defeated Linden, 10-4, in the championship game.
Union won the UCT the very next year in 1993, beating top-seeded Westfield, 5-3, in the final behind the pitching of senior Eric Shaw. That was the first time Union won the UCT since 1975. The Farmers have not won it since.
The dinner will begin with this year’s featured guest speaker, former Major League Baseball player Steve Balboni. In 1985, in his second year with the Kansas City Royals, after being traded from the New York Yankees, Balboni slugged a then-team record 36 home runs en route to Kansas City winning the World Series that year for the first time.
Balboni also was an assistant coach at Governor Livingston High School, when his son played there for head coach Chris Roof.
Here's a look at the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame inductees:
Brian Ciemniecki was an All-State baseball player at Westfield High School where he also excelled in basketball and football. On graduating from Westfield, he attended Colgate University, but after one year he transferred to Rutgers University, where he continued his outstanding baseball career.
Mike Chalenski was an outstanding athlete at David Brearley High School in Kenilworth playing both football and baseball. In baseball he played first base and pitcher. He was named to the AllMountain, All-Metro, All County and All-State teams. Despite his stellar baseball career, Chalenski opted to play football in college, starting at the University of Pittsburgh and then transferring to UCLA, where he was a three-year starter at defensive end.
Mike Liloia was a three-year starter for Union High School. As a pitcher for the Farmers, he was their No. 1 pitcher for the legendary Gordon LeMatty and he garnered All-County honors during
Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees
his junior and senior years. He later excelled at Monmouth University and had 16 wins, with 219 strikeouts in 258 innings.
Clint Factor was an outstanding player for the Westfield Blue Devils, where he gained All-County honors during his junior and senior years. He was named to the Second Team All-State team during his junior year and he was honored as a First Teamer during his senior year. He continued his baseball career at the University of Tennessee and Seton Hall University.
Phil Orsini was an outstanding outfielder for Westfield High School. He continued his education and baseball career at the University of Rhode Island. After graduating from URI, he became a math teacher at Elizabeth High School.
Phil was instrumental in the growth and development of the Scotch Plains Police Athletic League and the youth softball league. In 2023, Orsini was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and he lost the fight in 2024.
Other awards being given out at this
year’s dinner include:
• Joseph R. Lombardi Memorial Award for Outstanding Female Athlete of Union County
• Chris Zusi Memorial Award for Outstanding Male Athlete of Union County
• Chris Zusi Memorial Award for Outstanding Male Athlete of Union County
• Union County Baseball Association Academic Scholarship
• John Langan Memorial Award
Sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association, in cooperation with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Union County Board of Commissioners, 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 50,000 boys and girls an opportunity to participate in an organized baseball program for the past 80 years.
Tickets are available, and can be purchased by clicking the attached link. Website Link: www.ucba-nj.org.
‘Shorte List’ proves that Christmas is magical for everyone … even Charles Dickens
By David Jablonski Mananging Editor
Perhaps the introduction to “Shorte List” says it best: “It’s Christmas Eve in Townlee, New Jersey, and the small town’s hopes are riding on Bailey Hatchell, an overworked AI/hologram designer who’s made a walking, talking Charles Dickens that spins takes and spurns fools like the famous author of ‘A Christmas Carol.’
“Bailey’s invention, seven years in the making, could revive the town if the presentation to a billionaire gaming mogul goes well, but he wants to alter Bailey’s invention for his own gain. And while the town is excited about the potential tourist attraction, Bailey’s 9year-old daughter, Hayley, is preoccupied with bigger problems as she heads
into a Christmas Eve storm to find Santa Claus.
“Faced with restoring Hayley’s belief in Christmas or rescuing his hijacked hologram, only the arrival of a man claiming to be the real Charles Dickens can help Bailey unlock the magical Shorte List and save his daughter and the town. What follows is a high-stakes race against the clock, with Dickens and Santa leading the charge. Lively, funny and full of heart, this is a story about the true meaning of family and the power of believing in each other.”
It almost seems unfair that an author would describe his own book in a synopsis on the very first page, but that is exactly what Union resident Scott Menho has done in his very first novel, one that took him the same amount of
time to write as it took for his main character to complete his invention. This book is a nice mix of science and fantasy, however, with enough Christmas hope thrown in for good measure to make it unforgettable.
Mehno recognizes early on that a memorable cast of characters is essential to telling his story, even if some of them fall into cliched categories of their own. Bailey Hatchell is very reminiscent of George Bailey, the main character of the classic Christmas tale “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but the similarities are more of a flattering homage.
Bailey’s daughter, Hayley, a “plucky, persistent fourth-grader,” finds her belief in Santa Claus tested and, indeed, the plots of Bailey trying to save and market his invention and Hayley deter-
mining if there is really a Santa go back and forth to drive this book along at a sometimes frantic pace.
There are numerous protagonists for our father and daughter combo to battle against. Dree Bewtaine runs the small business Bailey started with him, but she now owns it and has little concern for protecting his creation, as long as she makes enough money. Ned Gradich is a town foreclosure lawyer and wheeler-dealer of the worst kind. Hodge Nuli is a hi-tech Silicon Valley gaming billionaire with a conquer-and-divide approach to business, including Bailey’s Ornimaze. His teenage sons, The Tiny Terrors, are game testers who want to redesign Bailey’s wonderful AI of Charles Dickens to appeal to the teen
See AUTHOR’S, Page 13
IN MEMORIAM
• AGUDA – Manuel Pascua, of Union, formerly of Bloomfield; Dec. 19. Civil engineer primarily for Nicholas J. Bouras Inc., Summit. Widower, father, 90.
• GETTO – Elbert F., of Union; Dec. 4. Owned Household Appliance Service Co. Father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 95.
• KLEEMAN – Phyllis, of Bridgewater, formerly of Union and Plainfield; Nov. 29. Bookkeeper for his family’s auto shop. Aunt, great aunt, cousin, 94.
• PLESKO – Robert E., of Warren, formerly of Union; Jan. 11. Worked in medical sales. Loved boating. Husband, father, brother, uncle, 63.
• POULIOT – Rene E., of Union; Dec. 4. U.S. Air Force veteran. Retired as a civilian from Picatinny Arsenal. Elks Exalted Ruler. Brother, 76.
• RAMOS – Frank G., of Union, formerly of Puerto Rico and Staten Island, N.Y.; Dec. 28. Business owner, widower, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, 85.
• ZIEGENBALG – Sherry Dale, of Greensboro, N.C., formerly of Union, Madison, Lake George, N.Y.; Dec. 19. Widow, mother, sister, grandmother, 80.
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.
There’s no room for the ordinary here. Make way for DQ® cheeseburgers that achieve maximum flavor capacity: the Signature Stackburgers®.
‘Shorte List,’ the first novel by author Scott Mehno, is a Christmas story readers are not likely to find anywhere else, as Santa Claus teams up with Charles Dickens to help a father let his daughter know that there really is a Santa Claus.
Author’s life helped him shape first novel
(Continued from Page 12)
market, with disastrous results. Throw in Bailey’s wife, Lellie; his son, Lonnie; his mother, Marney; and about half a dozen other wild characters and it’s a wonder anything can happen without exploding in Bailey’s face.
But there are two more characters to mention, and they might be the most important of all: Santee and Charles Dickens. Is Santee really Santee Claus, a 200-plus-year-old man with an ancient book known as the Shorte List, which contains the names of those people who know he’s “real”? Is Charles Dickens a 200-year-old man fond of drink and short on suffering fools or fawning adulators who will help Bailey and Townlee restore the magic of Christmas? And is there any way you can resist the charms that this book offers and not read it all in one sitting, particularly on a dark and cold night as winter is upon us?
Mehno has written a captivating novel that is difficult to put down, with its characters coming to life so wonderfully. They are flawed, recognizable, human. But you can’t help hoping that, in the end, they find a way to beat the odds and succeed. And while it may take some time for it to become the Christmas classic that is Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” this is definitely one book that you should add to your shelf of works to read, particularly as the year draws to a close.
— See related story, Page 8
Picture this! Local bank showcases Union’s history
By David VanDeventer History Correspondent
Local history is no mystery to patrons of BCB Bank’s Union Center branch, located at the intersection of Morris and Stuyvesant avenues. For the immediate future, visitors will be treated to a fascinating visual display of the township’s vital, and sometimes overlooked, historical luminaries, landmarks, structures and highlights.
“A hallmark of BCB Bank is its commitment to supporting the community, including local nonprofits and community-based organizations,” said Marie Maguire, vice president and regional manager at the bank. “Supporting the Union Historical Society and providing a convenient location for the society’s historical photos fit perfectly with that mission.”
“The history of a community is vital to its ability to understand its past, define its present and plan its future,” Maguire said. “So we were thrilled to have dozens of these large reproductions displayed in our Union branch, which is conveniently located in the center of town to allow for easy access by residents and visitors alike. We are also proud to be hosting the Union Historical Society once again on March 19 and to be involved in the township’s 250th anniversary celebration.”
The BCB Bank has joined with the Union Township Historical Society to create an insightful, gallery-style exhibit of the town’s past within their Union Center branch. From left, BCB Bank Vice President and Regional Manager Marie Maguire, UTHS Vice President David Arminio and Assistant Branch Manager Donna Steinmetz have more township-themed celebrations planned for 2025. For more photos, see Page 15.
Current Union Township Historical Society Vice President David Arminio is a retired educator, sports coach and human
dynamo who is thrilled about this unique exhibit honoring the past and excited about the township's future. “Our historical society is grateful to BCB Bank for its
collaboration in highlighting Union’s past,” said Arminio. “The gallery display of images in the bank’s Union branch is certainly helpful in getting the word out about the upcoming 250th commemoration of our nation’s birth in 2026. This event that the bank is hosting will be the first of many that our town will be presenting for our residents to celebrate the semiquincentennial of the United States.”
Union was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on Nov. 23, 1808, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Settled in 1667, Union was the third English-speaking settlement in New Jersey after Elizabeth and Newark, with the area that is now Union then called Connecticut Farms.
Anthony Russo, a former state senator and former mayor of Union, was a huge inspiration to and force behind this project’s realization that was made possible in part by a HEART – History, Education, Arts, Reaching Thousands – grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners. For additional information about upcoming historical society events or to become a member, check out unionnjhistory.com.
Photo by David VanDeventer
‘THE
UNION
SCOUT LAW
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
How About an Adventure?
Boy Scouts prove themselves in an environment that challenges their courage and tests their nerve. After they’ve been given the proper guidance from those with experience and know-how, they take their own lead, going places they’ve never gone, seeing things they’ve never seen, and diving into the rugged world of outdoor adventure, relying on teamwork and character to accomplish what everyone else thinks is impossible.
Sound fun? If you’re a boy age 11, or at least 10 and have completed the fifth grade, or have earned the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award, to 17 years old, the time for a real adventure is now.
SCOUT OATH (Promise)
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Celebrating Boy Scout Week February 2 - 8, 2025
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SPEEDWAY — Circa 1930s and located off of Springfield Avenue, the track was a popular destination for those with a need for speed.
MEN OF ACTION — The Vauxhall Volunteer Fire Dept. No. 1 circa 1920; their firehouse was located on Vauxhall Road and Farrington Street.
Images Courtesy of Union Township Historical Society
OLE SWIMMING HOLE’ — Image circa 1930, this idyllic summertime hangout was located on the Elizabeth River within the sprawling Kean family property near Hillside and was eventually closed in 1932.
