Union Leader - April 2022

UNIONLEADER VOL. 07 NO. 02

APRIL 2022

UNIONNEWSDAILY.COM

Restoration Biking program helps get ‘Girls in Gear’ is underway

— See Page 3

Concert is announced

— See Page 6

The Tip Your Cap Classic

By Daniel Jackovino Staff Writer For many of us, a bicycle is good for a spin around the block or coasting down a hill. But for Girls in Gear, a youth program for girls ages 6 to 16, biking is a path to personal growth.

Founded in Montclair by Gabrielle Rossi in 2020, the program has expanded to 25 New Jersey sites, plus others in Maryland and Virginia. Locally, Girls in Gear programs have been established in Union and Montclair.

“We do a fall and spring season,” Rossi said in a telephone interview on Monday, March 21. “We’ve had an incredible response. The first season, there was just myself and eight riders in Montclair.”

Rossi attributes the expansion of the program to her own hard work.

“And also that biking is important to a community,” she said. “A study showed there is a percentage of girls who don’t ride their bikes as a sport.”

According to Rossi, her program will impart social-emotional skills to young girls.

“Girls are continually questioned about who they are and what they stand for,” Rossi said. “In Girls in Gear, we pair emotional growth with bike skills. Biking is a symbol of so many things: freedom, independence and self-sufficiency, all challenges which girls face.”

Girls in Gear sessions are eight weeks, once a week, for 75 minutes. Rossi said each lesson pairs emotional growth with bike skills. The teams meet in designated

Photo Courtesy of Gabrielle Rossi

In Girls in Gear, girls learn about bicycle maintenance and safe riding.

The program has 25 New Jersey sites, including ones established in Union and Montclair. areas free of cars with the goal of working up to a group ride around town. Supervision is by volunteer coaches.

“Everything is age appropriate,” Rossi said. “For the older riders, we get into mechanics.”

Nine years ago, Rossi, who has a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Rutgers University and a master’s degree

in nonprofit management from Columbia University, biked from New Jersey to Florida to support pediatric cancer research.

“All of my work is in youth development,” she said. “In Girls in Gear, we have people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Biking is a conduit for social-emotional lessons.”

Senior Citizens Art Exhibit is open for entries — See Page 10

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is inviting residents of Union County ages 60 and older to enter the 2022 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit. This year brings a return to a physical art exhibit and a new venue — the Trailside Nature & Science Center, located in Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“The Senior Citizens Art Show gives our most seasoned residents a chance to showcase their work, share their visions and

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express their emotions through art,” said Commissioner Chairperson Rebecca Williams. “This exhibit is a great example of the inclusive message the Union County Board of County Commissioners continues to work together to achieve. I am looking forward to seeing all of the submissions.”

The Senior Citizens Art Exhibit is an annual program presented and coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural See ART, Page 6

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2 — April 2022 — Union Leader

New legislative maps will see some towns changing districts

By Amanda Valentovic Staff Writer UNION COUNTY — The New Jersey Apportionment Commission approved new state legislative maps on Friday, Feb. 18, drawing new lines for senate and assembly districts that will go into effect in 2023, after the 2022 election. Delayed because of the pandemic, the newly redrawn districts are the result of the 2020 census results. The commission approved the map with a vote of 9-2; Thomas Kean Jr. and Cosmo Cirillo cast the opposing votes. Some towns in Union County will be reassigned from their current districts to new ones.

Municipalities that will remain in the same district include Elizabeth, Roselle and Union in the 20th; Berkeley Heights, Garwood, Mountainside, New Providence, Springfield, Summit and Westfield in the 21st; and Clark, Fanwood, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Scotch Plains and Winfield in the 22nd.

Though most Union County towns are remaining in their current district, four are moving. Cranford and Roselle Park will be going from the 21st district to the 22nd. Hillside will move from the 20th district to the 28th.

Kenilworth, which is currently in the 21st district, will be moving to the 20th district.

The Apportionment Commission

is made up of five Democrats, five Republicans and an 11th tiebreaking member not in either party.

The co-chairpersons are one Democrat and one Republican: this year, Democrat LeRoy Jones Jr. and Republican Al Barlas. The 11th member is Philip Carchman. The rest of the commission is Democrats Cirillo, Laura Matos, Gary Taffet and Diane Testa, and Republicans Kean, Jon Bramnick, Linda DuBois and Michael Lavery.

“We leave here knowing what can be accomplished when we simply work together,” Jones said after the map was approved, according to an Insider NJ story. “Different parties, but the same fight.”

Carchman said he believes the map is fair for the next 10 years it will be in effect.

“The commission was blessed with two extraordinary co-chairs. These two gentlemen are strong and fierce advocates for their respective positions,” he said, according to the Insider NJ story. “There are people complaining, and the question always comes up: ‘Is the map perfect?’ No, it is not perfect, because there is no perfect map anywhere. We will have critics focusing on this map and how it affects the next election. But we didn’t design a map for the next election, but for the next decade.”

The New Jersey Apportionment Commission approved new state legislative maps on Friday, Feb. 18, drawing new lines for senate and assembly districts that will go into effect in 2023, after the 2022 election. Though most Union County towns are remaining in their current district, four are moving. Cranford and Roselle Park will be going from the 21st district to the 22nd. Hillside will move from the 20th district to the 28th. Kenilworth, which is currently in the 21st district, will be moving to the 20th district.

Union Leader — April 2022 — 3

Work underway on restoration of land for Passaic River Parkway The Union County Board of County Commissioners has announced that work is progressing on the acquisition of a vacant property located at 735-737 Springfield Ave. in Berkeley Heights, to be added to the Passaic River Parkway county park. Demolition of an existing building at this site commenced last month, and restoration work is currently underway.

The property is approximately 1.35 acres in size and is adjacent to the Passaic River on one side. Two other sides are bordered by the Passaic River Parkway, a county-owned, preserved greenway that runs along the Passaic River through New Providence and Summit as well as Berkeley Heights.

“In our highly developed area, adding new open space for public recreation and nature conservation is a significant achievement. This parcel will add a key piece of riverside land to the Passaic River Parkway. It will be another important step in our efforts to complete the vision of an interconnected series of greenways that link our public parks throughout Union County,” said Commissioner Chairperson Rebecca Williams.

Plans for acquiring the Springfield Avenue property were set in motion in 2018, when Berkeley Heights Mayor Angie Devanney and Union County manager Edward Oatman toured the site and discussed its future use as county parkland with the owner. The location was formerly occupied by the Berkeley Plaza catering venue.

“Generations of Union County residents have worked to preserve open space and natural habitat for all Union County residents and visitors to enjoy. We are committed to protecting and improving this legacy for future generations as well,” said Commissioner Alexander Mirabella, who is chairperson of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

Photo Courtesy of Union County

Demolition work has commenced at 735-737 Springfield Ave. in Berkeley Heights. Once the property is restored, Union County plans to acquire it as an addition to the Passaic River Parkway county park.

Union County was one of the first counties in the United States to establish its own park system, beginning with a set of five parks encompassing 2,000 acres in the 1920s. Through continued support from the public, the system has grown to include 36 parks and 6,760 acres hosting a range of athletic and passive recreation

uses, as well as nature conservation and historic preservation.

Acquisitions through the past 20 years have been supported by the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, established by referendum in 2000.

The acquisition of the Springfield

Avenue property will be covered by the trust fund at an anticipated cost of $2,560,000, contingent on demolition and rehabilitation of the property by the current owner.

For more information about the Union County parks system, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

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4 — April 2022 — Union Leader

‘An Unsuspecting Child’ relates author’s childhood troubles

By David Jablonski Managing Editor Marylee Martin is a survivor of covert childhood abuse, a type of abuse that happens far more frequently than most people realize. Covert childhood abuse is also known as covert incest, which the American Psychological Association defines as “a form of emotional abuse in which a parent turns to his or her child as a surrogate partner, seeking from the child the emotional support that would more appropriately be provided by the person’s spouse or another adult.” It is a violation of the normal boundaries between an adult caregiver and a child.

The caregiver depends on a child for support, sometimes treating the child like a romantic partner, though there is no sexual contact involved.

For Martin, this experience has had a lasting effect, with ramifications felt throughout her life. She discusses it at length in her self-published book, “An Unsuspecting Child.”

“It is the first book I’ve ever written,” said Martin in an interview with Union County LocalSource on Sunday, March 20. “I’ve written several plays. It’s a little different when you are the main character yourself.”

The book opens with some family history. Martin’s grandmother had been abandoned by her husband, leaving her with five small children and no way to support them. Desperate, she moved the youngest, a baby, in with a cousin and the four older children, including Martin’s mother, into an orphanage. Although her mother never talked about life in the orphanage, Martin suspects it helped shape who she became.

Regarding her exploration of her parents’ history, Martin said, “I wanted to go back to the generations before me that led to that little girl sitting in that room with her dad.”

Martin’s parents fell in love, married and had two girls. Her sister, Kathy, five years older, was her mother’s favorite, while Martin was her father’s. And that’s where the troubles began.

“My father needed a friend; he needed someone to talk to.”

According to a Nov. 15, 2020, article in Medical New Today called “What is covert incest?” in instances of covert incest, a parent or caregiver may rely on a child for support by confiding in them about their relationship problems, looking for comfort or reassurance, even asking the child for advice that is inappropriate for their age. The caregiver may put their needs before the child’s, expecting frequent praise or affection at the expense of the child’s other relationships.

For Martin, this was her life.

Although the beginning of “An Unsuspecting Child” deals almost exclusively with covert childhood abuse, much of the book details the aftereffects — how it shaped her into the person she was to

Above left is Marylee Martin, who lived in Clark for more than 33 years before moving to Union six years ago. Above right, in ‘An Unsuspecting Child’ Martin’s talks about how covert childhood abuse and has affected her life. become. Said Martin, “I wanted you to drift along with me in my life as I was making wrong choices and being devastated, and discover with me how all those things happened and affected me, because of what happened to me as a girl.”

As Martin grew up and grew older, she experienced one bad thing after another — all related, she realized only later, to the damage her father did to her psyche.

“Every door I opened hit me in the face with sadness or a predator or where I went wrong,” Martin said.

Martin said she finally realized that her problems were more than just a coincidence.

“I never learned about life; I learned about sex and making other people happy,” she said. “I needed to find out over the course of this life how it happened, and how I could move past it and empty my mind.”

She explains in the book that it wasn’t until she was in her 50s, after a couple of children and a couple of failed marriages, that she went to a psychotherapist. It took time, but Martin eventually started to understand what had happened to her in her childhood, and everything suddenly made sense.

Martin said she started to write down the things that had happened in her life, to get it all out in the open. It is this process that gradually developed into a book, with encouragement from family and friends.

“I was never into writing this book to try to be famous; I was trying to find selfawareness and, in doing so, find freedom,” she said. “The book seemed like an outpouring of events.”

Martin has had numerous brushes with fame, detailed in the book, including performing with Up With People in the

late ’60s and writing several plays that have been performed in New Jersey and New York City. None of this, however, prepared her for writing a book.

“I wrote several songs, including a song for my little girl,” said Martin.

“Sometimes, they are an easier way to express your feelings. Writing a book was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It took seven to 10 years.”

Though Martin has lived all over the country, including in Illinois, New Mexico and New York, she lived in Clark for over 33 years, before moving to Union about six years ago. She has two children, a daughter and a son, who are both married. Her daughter has an 11-year old girl and an 8-year-old boy, and her son has a 5-year-old boy.

“Interestingly enough,” Martin said, “all the children are very much theater kids.”

As far as her grandchildren reading her book and finding out about her life’s ups and downs, Martin said she has thought a lot about it.

“I am hoping that they read this book when they are at least 21, when they are out there in the world,” she said. “I know it’s hard to read this, but there are hard things going on out there in the real world. I’m hoping that it gives hope to a lot of people who need it, who have been through hard times and abuse. It doesn’t end just because you tell yourself.”

While Martin admits that her life has been difficult, she said she never felt like giving up.

“I never got to the point where I wanted to kill myself, but I got very depressed,” she said. “I never felt that I couldn’t find a way to face what happened to me and understand it, and, in understanding it, become whole.”

Putting the book together involved contacting all the people she wrote about, to get permission to write about them.

Although she wasn’t always successful in getting this approval, more often than not, she was. Martin said that going back through her life proved very enlightening.

“I did have a spectacular life and met some wonderful people, and have had the experiences of a lifetime,” she said. “I think I was probably lucky.”

As for her future, Martin said she is optimistic.

“Right now, I’m just trying to live and do the best for the people who are out there and enjoy my life.”

“I’ll be 73 this summer,” she added, sounding years younger. “You’ve got to have a zest for life.”

For now, she said, she’s taking it one day at a time.

“I think getting it out is really important. That’s why I want people to talk to people,” said Martin. “I like to think of it as a book of hope.”

“An Unsuspecting Child” is available online at Archway Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

UNIONLEADER LOCAL, POSITIVE, COMMUNITY NEWS Visit our Website for more news and photos.

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All contents ©2021 Worrall Community Newspapers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of this publication and any republication or broadcast without written permission is prohibited.

Union Leader — April 2022 — 5

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6 — April 2022 — Union Leader

SPRING CONCERT — The Union Municipal Band, under the direction of Howard Toplansky, will present a spring concert on Monday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m., at Hannah Caldwell School Auditorium, 1120 Commerce Ave. in Union. Admission is free. The selections will include ‘The Picador March’ and the ‘Tally Ho Overture,’ by John Philip Sousa, as well as ‘Meditation and Festiva,’ ‘Windmills of Your Mind’ and ‘Waves of the Danube.’ Musicians, including high school students from Union and the surrounding communities, who are interested in joining the group should call the recreation department at 908-686-4200.

Photo Courtesy of Michele Delisfort

Art Exhibit is open for entries; deadline is scheduled for April 21 (Continued from Page 1) and Heritage Affairs. The exhibit will open on Thursday, April 28, and close with a reception for participants on Wednesday, May 11.

The deadline to register is midnight on Thursday, April 21. The exhibit is open to both professional and nonprofessional artists at all levels.

Entries must be original works completed within the past three years. Registration must be completed online at www.ucnj.org/senior-art.

Registrants can enter one piece of art in a variety of mediums: acrylic painting; oil painting; watercolor; pastel; works on paper — drawing; photography; digital art — excluding digital photography; mixed-

media; printmaking; sculpture; and craft.

Artworks entered will be judged by a panel of professional artists, with separate awards for professionals and nonprofessionals.

All first-place winners will go on to compete at the state level in the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show this fall.

For seniors who do not have internet

access, a relative or friend may assist and register on behalf of the artist; otherwise, the staff at the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs can help with registration by phone.

For additional information, email Martha Sturm at msturm@ucnj.org or call 908-558-2552 weekdays. Relay users dial 7-1-1.

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Union Leader — April 2022 — 7

Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County appoints new board member UNION — Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County has announced the appointment of Michelle Seideneck to its board of directors.

Seideneck will serve on the Resource Development Committee, which is responsible for the planning, execution and oversight of the organization’s Resource Development Plan. As a business leader and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience working in multiple industries, Seideneck has developed a strong background in building strategic partnerships, promoting community involvement and inspiring social responsibility. In her current role as vice president of corporate and community partnerships at YouGiveGoods, she collaborates with companies and nonprofits across the United States to help execute

national giving campaigns in the areas of hunger, homelessness, child welfare, literacy, disaster relief and military/veteran support. Currently, she specializes in business and resource development, corporate communications, virtual event planning, philanthropy and corporate contributions, social impact analytics, employee engagement, and volunteer opportunities. During the height of the pandemic, she managed a strategic team that helped deliver more than $5 million in tangible aid to charities worldwide. She is committed to addressing diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of her corporate and volunteer work.

“Since 2017, I have collaborated with an incredible leadership team at Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County to execute 14 virtual events supported by the YouGive-

Goods workplace giving platform. We helped raise and deliver over 4,500 school supplies, toys, books and games valued at over $40K to all three club locations,” said Seideneck. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this wonderful organization in the hopes of making a real impact on so many deserving children. As a new board member, I am so excited to continue this rich tradition of supporting the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County for many years to come.”

“We are excited to have Michelle join our board of directors,” said Russell Triolo, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. “Her enthusiasm to help others and her passion for ensuring all youth have the same opportunity to succeed will have a great impact on our organization and members.”

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Sepetjian

Michelle Seideneck

AT THE LIBRARY Events at Union Public Library Union Public Library has a lot of events coming up; register for all programs by going to https://uplnj.org/events/list/.

• Meditation, every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Join Bindu Bhatt for a virtual meditation session. No experience necessary.

Bhatt has practiced meditation for more than 30 years and will share her insight with attendees.

• Beginners flow yoga, every Thursday at 6 p.m. This class will lead attendees

through the foundations of yoga postures, body awareness and alignment, relaxation of the mind, and a connection with the breath. Learn how to improve muscle strength, promote flexibility and build a specialized yoga program.

Union Public Library is located at 1980 Morris Ave. in Union, with a branch at 123 Hilton Ave. in Vauxhall.

For more information, contact the Main Library at 908-851-5450 or visit www.uplnj.org.

Children’s events at UPL Union Public Library will hold the following upcoming virtual youth programs.

Program details are subject to change; contact the library to confirm. To register for programs, visit www.uplnj.org. For programs broadcast on Facebook Live, non–Facebook users should email childrensdepartment@uplnj.org for access.

• Virtual Biographical Storytime, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Learn all about important figures from the past and present at this

event for all ages, which is broadcast on Facebook Live and subsequently available on Instagram. No registration required.

• Take-Home Craft Kits, weekly. The library offers different take-home projects each week. Pick up a project kit at the library and follow along with the library’s �instructional video to create a cool craft from home. Instructional videos available to view on Facebook and Instagram. Call 908-851-5450, ext. 4, to schedule a pickup appointment.

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8 — April 2022 — Union Leader

Photos Courtesy of Colleen Clayton

Grant supports efforts to offer free or reduced-cost swim lessons UNION COUNTY — The Gateway Family YMCA was one of 102 youth programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant money in early 2022. The grant award will go toward the Gateway Family YMCA’s continued efforts to provide free and reduced-cost swim lessons. The USA Swimming Foundation has awarded a total of $898,184 to programs across the country.

“The Gateway Family YMCA is honored to be chosen for this grant,” said

Krystal R. Canady, chief executive officer of the Gateway Family YMCA. “This grant funding allows us to provide the Accessible Water Safety program to the local community.”

“We believe 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 Melynda A. Mileski, Gateway executive vice president and chief operating officer.

The USA Swimming Foundation chose

the 102 youth and 40 adult programs to receive funding from more than 250 applications.

“It’s an incredible feeling to know that USA Swimming Foundation funding will be used to create a valuable swimming experience for thousands of people who may not have had the opportunity to learn how to swim,” Scott Usher, director of development for the USA Swimming Foundation, said. “We couldn’t be prouder to support these life-saving opportunities across the country. We owe a tremen-

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Union Leader — April 2022 — 9

HUD announces funding to help people experiencing homelessness On March 16, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced more than $2.6 billion in fiscal year 2021 Continuum of Care competition awards for roughly 7,000 homeless housing and service programs across the United States. The awards, announced by Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, will provide funding to communities to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness move into permanent housing with access to supportive services, with the overarching goal of long-term stability. In New Jersey, HUD awarded $53,931,703 to 227 projects.

“Access to stable housing is a basic necessity — the safety of a home is essential, especially as we continue to fight the COVID-19 virus,” Fudge said. “These Continuum of Care program grants, coupled with the historic resources in the American Rescue Plan, will deliver communities the resources needed to ensure that every person in a respective community has the equitable opportunity to a safe and stable home.”

“These awards support a variety of programs that assist homeless veterans, families, youth — New Jerseyans that simply need a hand so they can help themselves,” said Alicka Ampry-Samuel, HUD regional administrator for New York and New Jersey. “This funding allows Continuums of Care to continue their work to end homelessness and help

keep our most vulnerable neighbors off the streets.”

The CoC program is designed to promote a communitywide commitment to ending homelessness. The program is the largest source of federal grant funding for homeless services and housing programs servicing people experiencing homelessness. The 2021 awards include approximately $102 million for new domestic violence support projects. The awards also fund new projects that focus on adding permanent housing to communities, including new permanent supportive housing, new rapid rehousing, and projects that provide transitional housing to households and then shift them to rapid rehousing.

The Elizabeth/Union County Continuum of Care received funding for several organizations and initiatives in Union County: Gateway Family YMCA’s Madison program, $90,397; Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services/Public Housing Agency’s 15U program, $236,064; YWCA, $281,941; Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, $30,149; Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services/Public Housing Agency’s 11U program, $170,353; Gateway YMCA’s permanent housing for individuals program, $339,904; Covenant House New Jersey, $113,161; Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services/Emergency Housing Agency’s 20U program, $310,438; Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services/Public Housing Agency’s 25U program,

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$411,367; Gateway YMCA’s 14U and chronically homeless families program, $505,850; Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services/Emergency Housing Agency’s 45U program, $772,305; Emergency Housing Agency/Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services’ chronically homeless program, $129,673; Housing Trust

Fund/Public Housing Agency’s 35U program, $573,057; two Community Access Unlimited programs, $122,323 and $195,951; ECHH/Gateway’s joint permanent housing and and rapid rehousing program, $294,499; Community Associations Institute, $33,741; and Union County CoC Planning Project, $169,229.

IN MEMORIAM • AMUNDSEN – Lydia, of Neptune, formerly of Union; March 6. Was 87.

• CHESTER – Antoinette, of Union; Feb. 22. Widow, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, 93.

• CHINSKY – Mariann, of Union, formerly of Irvington; March 16. Painter, silk screen artist, designer. Wife, mother, aunt, 76.

• COSTER – Richard A., of Union; March 10. Retired Marine staff sergeant, Vietnam veteran, electronic engineer. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, 84.

• HOFFMAN-FORD – Paula Spiduro, of Holmdel, formerly of Union; Feb. 7.

President, trustee, first aid squad. Wife, mother, step-mother, grandmother, 73.

• MAXWELL– William E. “Bill,” of Doylestown, Pa., formerly of Union; March 4. Employed at Haarman and Reimer for 15 years. Father, brother, uncle, 58.

• MCGOWAN – Stuart A., of Felton, Pa., formerly of Union and Basking Ridge; Feb. 23. Electrician, widower, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, 85.

• RENZ – Lorraine H., of Union; March 8. Was 91.

• TORRES – Jorge L., of Union; Feb. 26. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, 70.

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.

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10 — April 2022 — Union Leader

SPORTS

UHS baseball to host first Tip Your Cap Classic in May

By JR Parachini Sports Editor UNION — Taking advantage of the small gap between the conclusion of county tournaments and the commencement of the state tourneys after Memorial Day, a first-time, two-day baseball event is planned to take place at Union High School’s Gordon R. LeMatty Field.

The first Tip Your Cap Classic includes two games scheduled to be played at Gordon R. LeMatty Field in Union on Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 26.

The event supports the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage payoffs or mortgage-free homes to America’s catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star families and families of fallen first responders.

“This is a great opportunity for a group

of talented New Jersey baseball programs to come together for a great cause and compete at a high level,” Union head coach Angel Navarrete said.

Here’s the two-day lineup: Wednesday, May 25: Game 1: Union vs. Old Bridge, 4:15 p.m.; and Game 2: Millburn vs. Don Bosco Prep, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26: Game 1: Union vs. Madison, 4:15 p.m.; and Game 2: St. Joseph’s Metuchen vs.

Bergen Catholic, 7 p.m.

LeMatty, Union County’s third-most winning coach with 641 victories from 1959 to 1991, will have his 89th birthday on Sunday, May 15.

“We have a Central Jersey vs. North Jersey theme here, in an attempt to raise awareness for the 9/11 foundation” Tunnel to Towers, Navarrete said.

“This will also allow kids a network link

to connect with college coaches.”

In the past, Union boys basketball coach Kevin Feeley helped raise funds via the St. Jude Classic, with season-opening games played at Union’s Louis J. Rettino Gymnasium. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storm Ida’s destruction of the gym wiped out the opportunity for Union to host the games and raise funds the past two seasons.

“COVID shut that down, and Kevin does such a great job with that, so we’re trying to do something similar,” Navarrete said.

The “we” Navarrete spoke of when it came to putting this event together includes his older brother, Ray Navarrete, and Millburn head coach Brian Chapman.

The go-to guy because of his experience with the Last Dance Tournament, along with Chapman, was St. Joseph Metuchen’s head coach, Mike Murray Jr. “I’m sort of the middle guy for getting involved and helping to get this going,” Navarrete said. “Our athletic director, Linda Ionta, deserves a lot of credit for her support and the running of the event.”

Bill Gore, assistant coach at Gloucester Catholic, helped Union switch its game against Old Bridge in April’s Thank You Classic to Union playing Old Bridge in the Tip Your Cap Classic event.

“We wanted to see how we can have a great baseball event to showcase great programs and players in the area and to bring awareness to such a great cause,” Navarrete said.

All proceeds from the event go to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

“We reached out to a lot of teams and some had scheduling conflicts,” Navarrete said. “This could be a great buildup to the state tournament.”

The Union County Tournament, for example, is scheduled to conclude with the final on Monday, May 23. Unlike in the past, state tournament play in New Jersey does

Union head coach Angel Navarrete not start until after Memorial Day this year.

Ray Navarrete is a 1996 Marlboro High School graduate who played there and then at Seton Hall University. He played professionally for 13 years, including Triple-A status with the Mets, big-league camp with the Pittsburgh Pirates and five years with the Long Island Ducks.

A resident of Somerset, Ray Navarrete is a financial adviser and is also involved with baseball activities.

“We’re looking to make this an annual event,” Angel Navarrete said.

Other head coaches of teams involved are Madison High School’s Brian Weingart, a 1998 Cranford graduate; Old Bridge High School’s Matt Donaghue; Don Bosco Prep’s Mike Rooney; and Bergen Catholic High School’s Bob Muggeo.

Donations can be made at https://tinyurl.com/2mnzd3fy.

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Union Leader — April 2022 — 11

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12 — April 2022 — Union Leader

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New Jersey American Water to flush water mains Beginning mid-March and continuing into the fall months, New Jersey American Water will perform the annual flushing of its water distribution system to support the continued provision of high-quality, reliable water service to its customers.

“Flushing the system helps to clean out any buildup of mineral deposits and sediment inside the pipes,” Vice President of Operations Thomas Shroba said. “The company also flushes its hydrants to confirm they are operational and to check fire flows in the system.”

Flushing involves simultaneously opening fire hydrants in a specific area to create increased water flows. This routine flushing program also includes flushing blowoff valves on dead-end water mains throughout the system. The service areas and dates when flushing begins are posted at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under “Alerts.”

“In addition to continuously investing in our infrastructure, essential maintenance activities such as our hydrant flushing program are key to providing our customers with high-quality drinking water and is an annual requirement of the Water Quality Accountability Act,” Shroba said.

While water mains are being cleaned, customers may notice short periods of low water pressure or discolored water. If customers experience temporary water discoloration, New Jersey American Water recommends running the cold water until it is clear. NJAW also recommends that customers: draw water for cooking prior to the flushing period; store a large bottle of water in the refrigerator for drinking; check for discolored water before using the washing machine or dishwasher; and, if water pressure or water volume seems low after flushing has been completed, check faucet screens for trapped particles.

The flushing schedule in Union County is as follows: Berkeley Heights from May 9 through May 13, Clark from April 29 through May 20, Cranford from April 29 through May 20, Elizabeth from June 13 through July 1, Fanwood from April 11 through April 29, Garwood from April 29 through May 20, Hillside from June 13 through July 1, Kenilworth from April 29 through May 20, Linden from May 31 through July 1, Mountainside from April 11 through April 29, New Providence from May 9 through May 13, Plainfield from April 18 through May 27, Roselle from May 31 through July 1, Roselle Park from April 29 through May 20, Scotch Plains from April 11 through April 29, Springfield from Photo Courtesy of New Jersey American Water April 24 through April 28 and from Sept. 12 New Jersey American Water’s through Sept. 24, Summit from April 3 Kurt Driscoll flushes a hydrant in through April 7, Union from May 2 through the company’s Egg Harbor TownMay 6 and from May 31 through July 1, and ship service area.

Westfield from April 29 through May 20.

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