October 2017
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Remembering Herb Vollers
Somerville HS to Host 37th Annual Marching Band Festival on Oct. 7
Plenty o’ Prizes -- As seen at this past festival, they need to put a really The 1952 Massey Harris 44-6 tractor of Herb Vollers was completely restored Tim Herrman, age 3 or 4 in 1993, and by his grandson Tim Herrman. Seen above, Tim exhibits the tractor at the 2017 his grandfather Herb Vollers, with the tractor that Tim would restore a quarSomerset County 4-H Fair. -- photos provided by Kathy Herrman ter century later.
Oct. 20 will mark one year since the passing, at age 88, of Herbert Diedrich Vollers. Described in his obituary as one of Somerset County’s most valued citizens, Herb was a farmer, entrepreneur, excavating company president and philanthropist. He was the inveterate community volunteer, and served wherever he was needed in Branchburg, assuming at various times the titles of civil defense director, police chief, fire chief, and VP and life/charter member of the rescue squad. When the community garden needed its first tilling, Herb was at the wheel of the tractor. It’s obvious over the past year that Herb Vollers will not be forgotten. Three photos received by The Branchburg News in the past month bear this out. Herb’s 1952 Massey Harris 44-6 tractor was lovingly restored by his grandson Tim Herrman, and this summer it was displayed in the agricultural tent at the Somerset County 4-H Fair. Herb’s daughter Kathy Herrman (Tim’s mom) remembered a photo of Tim, Herb and the tractor taken in about 1993. On Sept. 16, Herb’s service to the community was memorialized when the North Branch Reformed Church dedicated its gazebo to Herb in a ceremony attended by many Vollers family members.
Many Vollers family members gathered on Sept. 16 when the North Branch Reformed Church dedicated its gazebo in honor of Herb Vollers. Herb had been a communicant member of the church, and was known for his volunteer service. Seen in the gazebo are, back row from left: Ana Franzon, Kyle Vollers, Tamila Cheishvili, Deb Vollers, Rob Vollers, Erin Bouziotis, Dan Herrman, Linda Vollers, Tom Vollers, Tim Herrman, Taryn Ismirlian, Chris Vollers, Kim Vollers, Rob Herrman, Marty Herrman, Laura Vollers, Matt Vollers. Front row: Kathy Herrman, Nancy Vollers, Hudson Vollers, Mason Vollers, Steve Vollers
The Branchburg News Is Now Celebrating Sixteen Years In Print Est. October 2001
big prize table on Brooks Field for this event . -- photo credit: Debbie Vogel Somerville High School Pioneer performs every weekend in the fall, at Marching Band will host its 37th An- home and away football games, and US nual Home Show on Saturday Oct. 7. Bands competitions through the beginThere are 15 area high school bands ning of November. Pioneer Marching Band members scheduled to participate in the competition: Hunterdon Central, Ridge, started preparing for the 2017 US Bands New Providence, Cranford, Immacu- competition season in August. Currentlata, Long Branch, Delaware Valley, ly, they are in the middle of their comMendham, Point Pleasant Borough, petition schedule, and will finish the Watchung Hills, Bernards, Frank- season competing at the Yamaha Cup at lin, West Windsor-Plainsboro, Ocean MetLife Stadium Oct. 14 and the New Township, and Vernon Township. Jersey State Championships at Rutgers The event, at SHS, 222 Davenport University on Oct. 28. The marching band is under DiSt., begins at 4:30 pm with the award ceremonies beginning around 10 pm. rector Matthew Krempasky, and AsAdmission is $10 for adults, $7 for stu- sistant Director Stephen Loreti. The dents and seniors. There will be food, color guard is under the direction of beverages and homemade desserts for Joe Harris, Jay Drake, Cindy Wong sale. It is an evening of entertainment and Amy Sutphen. Percussion is under the direction of Joseph LaVecchia and for all ages. The Pioneer Marching Band will Meghan Major. Visual is assisted by perform its 2017 show “Outside the Taylor Rehe and Jeremy San Jose. Visit Bachs,” in exhibition, at the end of the www.shsmbanj.com for further info. competition as the host band. The band – submitted by Lisa Pross, for SHSMBA and color guard, totaling 147 students,