December 2020
www.branchburgnews.com
Fire Company Volunteers Offer New Holiday Fundraiser
Ho ho ho! Santa Claus is coming to town.
The North Branch Volunteer Fire Company will be launching a fundraiser named Operation Santa this month. The fire company has teamed up with Santa Claus to go around the North Branch section of town and deliver gifts to children as a way to raise funds for NBVFC. For $50 per household, Santa will come to your house, escorted by North Branch firefighters, on a firetruck with lights and sirens. Santa will deliver a gift directly to your front porch for your children and stick around for pictures.
Poster Contest Marks Branchburg’s 175th Birthday
To register, you can email santa@nbvfc.org and receive a registration form. Once you’ve selected a date, you’ll need to wrap a present and drop it off at the firehouse to be delivered to your children. The deliveries will take place during the full month of December. You must live in the North Branch section of town in order to participate in this fundraiser. COVID-19 suggestions and directives will be accommodated. Please note that this will not replace the existing fundraiser where the fire company takes Santa down every street. That fundraiser will take place over the weekends of Dec.
11 and 18. Follow @NBVFC49 on Facebook for updates. NBVFC serves the residents of Branchburg and Bridgewater Townships. With 50 active volunteers, the company responds to over 700 calls per year providing 100% volunteer fire protection. Fundraising efforts like this one are always genuinely appreciated to ensure your local fire company continues to operate at the highest and most effective level possible to protect your families and property. —Submitted by Tom McCartney, President, North Branch Volunteer Fire Company
Branchburg Rotary, in coopera-
tion with the Rotaries in Somerville and Bound Brook, ran the largest Rotary Food Drive ever in Somerset County on Oct. 24. Forty three volunteers staffed donation sites at the ShopRites in Branchburg, Bound Brook, Somerville and Hillsborough. The citizens of those towns showed their generosity by donating more than 22,000 pounds of food for the Somerset County Food Bank Network. Pictured are Branchburg Rotarians. - Submitted by Kathy Feigley
VAN DOREN
Poster Contest winners, from left, are Katie Updegrove, Shreya Patro, Adriana Widomski, and Joseph Keck. In the background are Greg Bonin, Township Administrator, and Township Committee members Brendon Beatrice, Mayor Tom Young, and James Schworn.
By Bernard Rosario Branchburg Township Communications Committee The Branchburg Township Communications Committee sponsored a contest for the best poster to commemorate Branchburg’s 175th Birthday, which fell on April 5 of this year. Branchburg students grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12
were asked to create original artwork in the form of poster drawings that depicted their view of how this milestone inspires them. Congratulations to the winners of the Communications Committee’s 175th Birthday Art Competition, and thank you to all the students who participated and to the Branchburg School District for
supporting the effort. The following students were recognized at the Oct. 26 Township Committee Meeting: Grand Prize - Katie Updegrove; 1st Place - Joseph Keck; 2nd Place Shreya Patro; 3rd Place - Adriana Widomski.
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The Branchburg News • December 2020
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Upcoming Events Editors & Publishers: Bill Haduch, Monita Casey Haduch Advertising Manager: Heather Sanchez Writer/Ad Sales: Karen C. Muller Design & Layout: Jacki Hasko Web Manager: Steve Skladany Mailing Services: Mike Sanchez Art:: Kevin Gora, Cathy Zehr, Megan Moore The Branchburg News is mailed monthly, free-of-charge to every mailing address in Branchburg Township. Free copies are also available for distribution in places of business, schools, and municipal offices. DEADLINES FOR NEXT ISSUE January 2021 December 10 For Ad Materials December15 For News Materials The Branchburg News is not liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical errors, or errors in publication, unless, in our judgment, the error materially affects the content and advertising value of the ad. Compensation will not exceed the cost of the space in which an error occurs. The Branchburg News has the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason, and is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We ask our readers to keep us informed of any misleading advertisements. Phone/Fax: 1-800-530-3046 Email: branchburgnews@gmail.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 5351 Branchburg, NJ 08876 Web: www.branchburgnews.com
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Holiday Open House Dec. 20 From 1 to 4 p.m., the Branchburg Historical Society will offer an open house and tours at the historic 1790 Andrew Ten Eyck House at 671 Old York Rd. The house will be decorated for Christmas. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Dec. 24 The Neshanic United Methodist Church, 301 Maple Ave., Neshanic Station, plans to hold its Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:30 p.m. For the most current information, go to www.neshanic. org or www.facebook.com/Ne-
Kangaroo Kids Winter Wonderland Drive-By Dec. 4
shanicUMC. The church phone number is 908 369-3838. All are Kangaroo Kids Winter Wonwelcome to attend at Christmas- derland event will have a different time or any time. look this year as the event is transformed into a drive-by. Christmas Masses Dec. 24, 25 Families are invited to the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic drive-by on Dec. 4 between 5 and Church, 390 Route 523, White- 6:30 at Kangaroo Kids Child Care house Station, will be offering and Learning Center, 1047 Route Mass on Christmas Eve at 2, 4:30, 28, Branchburg, and get cook7 and 10 p.m., and Christmas Day ies for Santa and reindeer food at 9 and 11 a.m. Reservations are to sprinkle on your front lawn. required by registering at www. Take a socially distant photo with ollwhs.org. Space is limited; sign Santa with your cell phone. Visit up early. For more information, the Giving Tree if you would like contact the church office 908-534- to donate a toy. (See https://bit. 2319. ly/3eWHh4D and bring the toy to Winter Wonderland.) Activities
also include a gingerbread house display. If you would like to enter the 7th Annual Gingerbread Contest, bring your creation to Kangaroo Kids between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners. Finally, visit a Multicultural station and say farewell at CandyLand Lane. For further information about the school or the Winter Wonderland event call 908-231-7800 or email staff@kangarookidschildcare.com. Watch for updates on Kangaroo Kids Child Care and Learning Center Facebook page.
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Branchburg Woman’s Club Honors Heroes ings with useful and fun items for our female military personnel serving in the Middle East. Aiding “Operation Chillout” is the Special State Project for the Branchburg Woman’s Club and the NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC). Operation Chillout is New Jersey’s only all-volunteer nonprofit mobile outreach for homeless veterans. As part of the Winter Campaign, the BWC donated hooded sweatshirts, facemasks, and funds to help with this program. For more information, visit https://operationchillout.org/. Internet shoppers are encouraged to support the women’s club’s charitable projects by shopping the iGive.com way. As a free, passwordprotected, online shopping portal, the iGive program has helped the BWC
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raise funds for its student achievement awards and various charities for over 14 years. iGive is free to join and to use at no extra cost or obligation. It donates an average of 3 percent of the amount that a shopper spends to the selected charitable cause. Please choose the Branchburg Woman’s Club as your cause and the BWC’s philanthropic fund will receive 100 percent of the generated donations. The stores pay for it all. Shoppers never pay more, and can pay less with coupons and deals. Shoppers can earn tax deductions plus help a local cause while Internet shopping. Over 2,100 online retailers are partnered with iGive. Store websites include QVC, HSN, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Lands’ End, Staples, and many more. After signing up and choosing the Branchburg Woman’s Club (Philanthropic Fund) as their cause, participants shop at an online retailer through the BWC’s iGive.com Internet portal. More information is available at http://www.iGive.com/BWCPF or call the club at 908-866-1824.
Branchburg voters elected Republican incumbents James G. Schworn (5,167 votes) and David S. Owens (5,294) to the Township Committee in the Nov. 3 General Election. They outpolled Democrats Maria S. Tucci (3,615) and Sivakumar Mathusoodana (3,423). Elected officials will be sworn in on Monday, Jan. 4, at 7 pm, when Branchburg Township holds its annual reorganization meeting at the Municipal Building. Vote tallies were as of Nov. 13. Elected to the Branchburg Board of Education for three-year terms were Catherine Curcio, (3,886 votes), Vincent Carpentier (3,195), and Robert Maider ( 2,937), outpolling Charles Tuma (2,731). Elected to a one-year unexpired term was Noah Horowitz (unopposed) (4,875 votes.) Following are the Somerset County election results which were incomplete and unofficial at press
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The Branchburg News • December 2020
By Tricia Ihde for the BWC To pay tribute to veterans this holiday season, the Branchburg Woman’s Club is participating in the national non-profit Wreaths Across America program. On Dec. 19, large wreaths will be laid on veterans’ grave sites in more than 2,100 cemeteries across the United States. Eighty-five of these locations are in New Jersey. These wreaths pay homage to the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism of the men and women who served in our country’s military. Anyone wishing to donate to this nationwide program can go to https://donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ for more information. Another project showing appreciation for our nation’s service people is “Operation Christmas Stocking 2020.” The club created 15 Christmas stock-
Branchburg Voters Elect Schworn, Owens for Township Committee
time. Votes were to continue to be counted and then certified on Nov. 23, according to the Somerset County Elections Board. For President/Vice President: Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (101,220) outpolled Republicans Donald Trump and Michael Pence (65,234). US Senator: Democrat Cory Booker (96,158) bested Republican Rikin “Rik” Mehta (68,371). House of Representatives 7th District: Democrat Tom Malinowski (69,113) defeated Republican Thomas H: Kean (61,479). For Somerset County Surrogate, Democrat Bernice “Tina” Jalloh (90,046) defeated Republican Frank Bruno (77,346) of Branchburg. Democrats also prevailed in the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders race: Democrat Paul Drake (89,344), Democrat Douglas Singleterry (89,159), Republican Brian Levine (77,526), and Republican Brian Gallagher (77,302).
The Branchburg News • December 2020
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Fun for All at Branchburg Rec’s Trick or Treat Trail
Pictured are Henry and Declan Schwartz at the Trick or Treat Trail at White Oak Park.
By Audrey Henry Branchburg Recreation Our Trick or Treat Trail event on Oct. 24 was a huge success much to the efforts of our long list of volunteers, scouts, Confirmation candidates and our own Summer Camp counselors,
Branchburg Police and Police Explorers. The volunteers set up and ran the games and did an absolutely outstanding job. We had just under 300 children in attendance, who dazzled us with their adorable, frightening and clever costumes along with quite a few
The Link family arrived in Star Wars regalia.
parents who joined in the Halloween costume fun. Swift Farms of Milford provided a Petting Zoo and Pony Rides. ShopRite, Wegmans, Promotion in Motion Inc., Walmart and Costco of Flemington all generously donated treats and goodies to the children who
participated. Volunteers were Alexander Bukowski, Sophia Douglas, Kaylie Fabriczi, Marina and Paige Hoinowski, Maeve O’Neill, Evan Osworth, Delaney Ramsden, and Elisa Wiseman. Girl Scout volunteers: Troop 62209: Ashley Bo-
link, Shivali Betala, Ani Ghosh; Troop 60354: Amy Bolink; Troop 60117: Rushali Betala, Tabby Debraski, Tegan Dingwall, and Katie Rasch; Troop 60146: Caitlyn Smith and Giovanna Spagnolo. Boy Scout volunteers from Troop 90: Hayden Brown, Zachary Gelino, Philip Kazantsev, Joseph Keck, Landon Keller, Chris McArthur, Mark McArthur, Declan Nocella, Chris Rasch, and CJ Schmidt. Troop 185: Evan Berry, Chris Frost, Brandon Stitt, Zach Tistan, and Ivan Radzimski. Along with Summer Camp and volunteer staff: Dominic Basile, Kyle Howard, Holly and Tim Scanlon, Victoria Triozzi, Maria DeSimone, and Kim Frances assisted the Recreation Staff of three with decorating, setting up tables, moving hay bales and pumpkins and checking in participants. We thank one and all for their enthusiasm, creativity, hard work and outstanding volunteer spirit! With their help we were able to hold a safe and compliant Halloween event for the children of Branchburg.
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Municipal Building News | in print and online at www.branchburg.nj.us ‘Our Work is Your Play’ We hope this month finds you staying healthy and doing well during these uncertain times. Our programs are limited for the coming year as our indoor use due to Covid-19 has added constraints. For details & information go to: www.branchburg.nj.us click on “Township Recreation”, and check out Recreation happenings and to sign up for programs click on the “Register Now” button. “November Recap” We would have had a great turnout for our first ever Trail Tromp, on the South Branch River Trail, which was supposed to take place on Saturday, November 14, however, Mother Nature had something else in mind, LOTS of rain in the days leading up to the event! Bill ventured out to check trail conditions late Friday, to find the river had flooded over the trail in sections and what wasn’t flooded was a muddy mess! So, keep an eye out for last minute Winter Walks around town! We will make another attempt at the SBRT!
~ December Events ~ Phone Calls from SANTA Jolly ol’ Saint Nicholas has contacted the Recreation Department to let us know he will be calling good little boys and girls in Branchburg on Monday, December 14th. Forms are available on the Township website under Recreation or from the Recreation office.
Township Committee The 2020 General Election for the Branchburg Township Committee resulted in the presumptive re-election of Committeeman James Schworn for a full three year term and Committeeman David Owens to fill an unexpired term. The official results will be certified by November 23, 2020. Updated results are available on the Somerset County interactive election results website at: https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Somerset/107161/web.264614/#/summary. Community Garden Plot Registration The Township offers approximately 125 community garden plots at the John Sanford Farmland Preserve (River Lea Farm) located at 2088 South Branch Road. Registration will begin in January and is offered to current gardeners first and then to new gardeners, on a first come basis. Plots are 10 x 10 for $30.00 and 10 x 24 for $50.00; a $10.00 discount is offered for seniors age 62 and older. You can designate your gardening method as organic or non-organic. Applications will be available in the Township Clerk’s office after January 1, 2021. Temporary Suspension - 2021 Park and Ride Commuter Lot Permit Registration Due to the temporary suspension of bus service on the Trans-Bridge Lines, to and from New York City through the Branchburg Park and Ride Commuter Lot, the Township will delay the issuance of 2021 annual and daily Park and Ride Permits until service resumes.
Commuter parking is available on Route 202 North passed River Road for bus service on the Trans-Bridge Line by permit only on weekdays, Monday through Friday. Parking is free of charge to the general public on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. All parking between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. is prohibited. Parking permits will be sold on an annual or daily basis when bus service resumes.
BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP LEAF PICK-UP SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER • Pickup will be approximately until December 11th • Minimum two (2) PICKUPS in your area
• • •
Rake leaves to the curb area
DO NOT rake them into the road, drainage ditch or within 10’ of a catch basin. Leaves can be taken to the Dumpster Facility by residents on normal days of operation: Every Friday – 12 to 3:00pm st
1 Saturday of the month - 9a - 3:00p As an alternative solution to disposing of your yard waste please consider composting or mulching.
Join us for Wednesday, A Simply Reminder: th Dec 16 , 6:30pm @ White Oak Park Pavilion. Municipal Offices and Public Works SHS Chamber Choir will lead us in song! Masks The Office will be open half day on the followmust be worn and please socially distance. ing Holiday dates: Winter program Registration begins 12/16/2019. • December 24th Wishing you and yours a joyful holiday season! st Follow Branchburg Recreation on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BranchburgRec
•
December 31
The Municipal Offices and Public Works Office will be closed all day on the following Holiday dates:
•
December 25th
•
January 1st
The Branchburg News • December 2020
TOWNSHIP OF BRANCHBURG
Township Honors Rotary Club on 32nd Anniversary
The Branchburg News • December 2020
6
The following proclamation was read by Mayor Thomas Young at the Township Committee meeting on Oct. 26: WHEREAS, the Branchburg Rotary Club was chartered on September 2, 1988 when a group of local businesses and community leaders had the foresight to come together to form an organization dedicated to philanthropy in our community and our world; and WHEREAS, the Branchburg You’ve goat to be kidding–Goat Yoga is the latest addition to Rotary Club has provided over programs in Branchburg’s parks. Yogispryan (www.yogispryan.com) held a half million dollars to improvgoat yoga classes at Ten Eyck Park during October and November. Pictured ing the lives of others through are participants enjoying the session. What better way to escape the stress of humanitarian needs, providing coronavirus than with a few cute “kids.” educational opportunities and al–Submitted by Audrey Henry, Branchburg Recreation leviating health concerns; and WHEREAS, as the Branch-
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burg Rotary Club celebrates its 32nd Anniversary, it is really a celebration of the dedicated men and women who roll up their sleeves and serve not only our community but people and places around the world; and WHEREAS, the Branchburg Rotary Club fights to end polio worldwide and in honor of World Polio Day, which is widely recognized on October 24th, the Rotary is proud to be part of a twenty-seven year mission to eradicate the crippling childhood disease; and WHEREAS, the club participates in a variety of other events, projects and fundraisers including the ASHA Goat Project in Nepal, End Hunger NOW
Project, Pedals for Progress, a Motorcycle Rally to support Veterans organizations, and the annual Bingo and Comedy Nights to support scholarships for local high school students, Vocational School and RVCC students. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, as Mayor of the Township of Branchburg and on the behalf of the Township Committee and the residents of Branchburg, I hereby celebrate, recognize and support World Polio Day and the 32nd Anniversary of the Branchburg Rotary Club and congratulate our Rotarians for their “Service Above Self” and shared drive to give back to the community.
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The PTO Holiday Happiness program provides new unwrapped gifts for the less fortunate members and families affected by COVID-19 in the local community. The success of this program completely depends upon the generosity of the people of Branchburg and has been assisting the community for over 40 years. The number of families in need with small children has grown. The PTO has changed the program to solely benefit the children of the community from Pre-K through 8th grade,
ages 4 to 14. The donated items being collected must be new, unwrapped gifts for both boys and girls. Much appreciated are small denomination gift cards ($25, $20 & $10 to Amazon, Movies, i-tunes, Game Stop, Walmart, Old Navy, Target, and Claire’s.) Please do not leave gift cards at the dropoff locations, instead, contact Heidi Davis at 908-8721533, and she will schedule a pick up/drop off. Once again this year there is a wishlist on Amazon: https://www. amazon.com / h z/wishlist /
ls/3N749Q83GN7MJ?ref_=wl_ share. Items can be bought and shipped directly. Contact Heidi Davis at rd3hjd@aol. com with questions. Donated gifts are being collected at all Branchburg Schools Nov. 30 – Dec. 18. There will be a large collection box outside each of the school’s main entrances. The PTO thanks residents in advance for their continued sup- Holiday Open House–The Branchburg Historical Society will port. host an Open House at the Ten Eyck House, 671 Old York Rd., on Dec. 20 —Submitted by the from 1 to 4 p.m. The house, built for a Dutch couple in 1790, will be decoBranchburg PTO rated for Christmas and tours will be offered.
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The Branchburg News • December 2020
Branchburg PTO Holiday Happiness is Collecting Gifts through Dec. 18
The Branchburg News • December 2020
8
Ten Eyck Descendants Visit Branchburg Linda and Robin Ten Eyck (sisters) recently visited the grave of their ancestor, Colonel Abraham Ten Eyck, who rose to be the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Somerset County Militia during the American Revolution. The sisters asked Sue Winter and Bill Schleicher of the Branchburg Historical Society to guide them to the grave, which is in a remote section of the colonel’s former property, which extended from the Rari-
tan River to the Hunterdon County line. The sisters were also taken to see the homes of their ancestors, Abraham, Peter, and Andrew Ten Eyck. At the Abraham Ten Eyck house, Sue and Bill explained where the foundation of the earlier home of Abraham’s father and grandfather has been discovered by New Jersey’s foremost archaeologist, Dr. Richard Veit. At the Andrew Ten Eyck house (now the home of the Branch-
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burg Historical Society) they were shown the artifacts found during the archaeological dig, and their ancestor Andrew Ten Eyck’s Revolutionary War pension file. The sisters, who live in Pelham, NY, said that their grandfather had been born in the Peter Ten Eyck house at the end of Vanderveer Avenue in North Branch. The Branchburg Historical Society maintains a library and archive dedicated to local history and genealogy. -Submitted by Bill Schleicher
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Pictured at the grave of Colonel Abraham Ten Eyck are Linda Ten Eyck, left, Sue Winter, and Robin Ten Eyck, right.
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Most supermarkets have a bin where you can place items you are donating, so please continue your support by adding your donations to the bins all year round. You can also take your donation
One Year Ago, Dec. 2019: The Somerville High School Marching Band and Color Guard made the front page of The Branchburg News for winning the USBands Group V A 2019 State Championship in Hillsborough on Oct. 30. Five Years Ago, Dec. 2015: The Branchburg Recreation Dept. presented its traditional Carols by Candlelight event by the pond in White Oak Park on Dec. 18. It was described as a “wonderful evening of caroling, campfire and hot cocoa” with seasonal music provided by the outstanding Somerville High School Chamber Choir. 10 Years Ago, Dec. 2010: A crew from NBC’s Today Show taped a segment at the Branchburg Sports Complex on Dec. 7. Featured was a Bunnies class in the Lil’ Kickers program with soccer players from 18 to 24 months old. BSC had just opened in November, with Lil’ Kickers as its inaugural program. 25 Years Ago, Dec. 1995: Sales at a sports card, comic book and collectibles show and sale at the North Branch Fire House suggested that sports cards are back, and Cal Ripken, Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan are hot again. 50 Years Ago, Dec. 1970: The age of anti-war demonstrations had some participants from Branchburg as two busloads of activists left Somerset County College for a peace demonstration in Washington DC.
directly to one of multiple organizations including: Samaritan Homeless Interim Program – Food Pantry at 87 East High St., Somerville. M-F 8:30am – 4 pm, www.ship908. com; Somerville YMCA at 2 Green
9
St., Somerville. M-F 6am – 6pm (Put items in front door bins), www. gscymca.org; Hillsborough YMCA at 19 East Mountain Rd., Hillsborough. M-F 6am – 6pm (Put items in front door bins), www.gscymca.org.
Happy Holidays !
Luke Bouziotis, Brody Bouziotis and FedEx driver, Stephen, unload the FedEx truck, along with a few other helpers, at the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.
By Eileen Bufe, Branchburg Scouting for Food Coordinator Each year the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of the Branchburg/ Raritan area participate in the Scouting for Food project which has been benefitting the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Due to COVID-19, this year has been an unprecedented year for everyone in so many ways. The number of families in Somerset County who have become food insecure has soared to 25%. We asked for your help and you responded with donations that filled a FedEx truck and 3 vans/SUVs with food and another SUV with winter items. Food bank operators were elated, and we thank you for making this project so successful. Thank you to FedEx of Branchburg for providing a truck, a driver and donations. If you did not receive a bag and flyer, here is the information for helping the food banks. It also includes information for you if you need food: www.co.somerset.nj.us/ residents/covid-19-status/food-access.
Winter Wonderland Drive By
Celebrate the season! Join us for an evening of family fun! Friday, December 4th from 5:00 – 6:30pm • Visit Santa • Enjoy some cookies
• Enjoy the Gingerbread Display • Take home some crafts
Bring a toy for our Giving Tree! Call Kangaroo Kids for details.
908-231-7800 1047 Route 28, Branchburg, NJ 08876 • www.kangarookidschildcare.com
Happy Holidays From Our Homes to Yours!
Lisa Middleton Kimberley Dabrowski Realtors, SFR, ABR, ASP 908-872-4027 (Lisa) 908-309-1849 (Kim) ur2agents@gmail.com ur2agents.com
• Coldwell Banker Top 50 Small Teams NJ 2018-2019 • NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence 2017-2019 (Lisa) • NJAR Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club 2007-2019 • Zillow 5 Star Agents • Accredited Buyer Representatives • Accredited Staging Professionals
Proudly serving Somerset, Hunterdon and Morris Counties
442 Route 202/206, PO Box 446, Bedminster, NJ 07921 908-658-9000
NEW BRANCHBURG LISTING
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The Branchburg News • December 2020
This Month In Branchburg History
Unprecedented Year for Scouting for Food
The Branchburg News • December 2020
10
Grace B. Staats Grace B. Staats passed away at the age of 94 on Oct. 24. Born in Chester, she was the daughter of the late John and Blanche (Martenis) Barkman. Grace was formerly of Branchburg for many years before moving to Readington in 1990. Grace was a graduate of Succasunna High School. She was employed as a registered nurse at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. Grace operated the Branchburg Dairy Farm with her son until her husband’s death in 1967. In the 1980s, Grace moved the farm up the street to Readington because Readington Township actively pursued preservation Grace B. Staats of the farm. She lived there for 30 years. She was a long time Somerset County 4H Leader and mem- Reformed Church. Grace was a ber of the Somerset County Fair former president of the Somerset Association and the South Branch County Board of Agriculture and
very active in the NJ Farm Bureau. Grace was a member and past president of the Branchburg Senior Citizens. In her spare time, Grace enjoyed gardening, making crafts and watching Jeopardy. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. She is predeceased by her husband John Staats, sons James and William Staats, and her siblings Edith Ort, Clara Mae Alpaugh and John Barkman. Surviving are her son Kenneth Staats, her beloved foster children Raymond Homezier and Ted Yohn, and brother Robert Barkman. Memorial donations can be made to the South Branch Reformed Church. To send condolences to the family, visit brucecvanarsdalefuneralhome. com.
Giving Tree Project Helps Children in Need
Kangaroo Kids Childcare & Learning Center is conducting its annual Giving Tree project virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The names of children in need living in the mountains of West Virginia and their requests are listed at https://bit.ly/3eWHh4D. To help, go to the link, select a name, purchase a gift, and drop the gift off at Kangaroo Kids, 1047 Route 28, by Dec. 7. Donations to help with shipping costs will be accepted. This project is done in conjunction with Immaculata High School in Somerville and various area agencies. Immaculata is arranging to have all the gifts shipped to West Virginia in time for a holiday party for 70+ underprivileged children and their families. For more info call 908-231-7800 or email staff@kangarookidschildcare.com.
COUNTRYSIDE FUNERAL HOME ~ Let the Zalewski Family of Branchburg serve you in your time of need ~ www.CountrysideFuneralHome.com • • • • •
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What They Went For Recent real estate selling prices reported in Branchburg. Data from Njpropertyrecords.com. 100 Arapaho Trl. $335K 1010 Breckenridge Dr. $235K 45 Cedar Grove Rd. $365K 8 Cheyenne Trl. $275K 122 Choctaw Ridge Rd. $425K 61 Colin Ct. $467K 33 Harlan School Rd. $426K 1040 Hillcrest Dr. $575 18 Kingswood Rd. $321K 227 North Branch River Rd. $100,264 230 North Branch River Rd. $195K 858 Parsonage Hill Dr. $870K 630 Snowbird Way $535K 36 Strawberry Hill Rd.$550K 17 Watchung Trl. $380 506 Whiton Rd. $550K 635 Whiton Rd. $470K 1 Winthrop Dr. $567K 110 Woodfern Rd Unit R $425K 64 Yuma Trl. $580K
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HUNTERDON CENTER FOR DERMATOLOGY The Hunterdon Center for Dermatology provides specialized care to meet your dermatologic needs. Services include general medical and surgical dermatology, including the evaluation and management of: • Skin cancer (Now offering Mohs Surgery in our Flemington office) • Moles, cysts and other benign lesions • Psoriasis
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Megan and Patrick Clewell
Chris and Melissa Mangin
Virginia Hurley
Megan Moore and Patrick Clewell were married on Oct. 24 in an intimate ceremony at Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough. The bride is the daughter of Peter and Cathy Zehr of Branchburg and granddaughter of Stan and Loraine Richmond, also of Branchburg. Megan is a 2012 graduate of Somerville High School and a 2016 graduate of Rider University. She is employed by PeproTech Inc. as a Marketing Associate. The groom is the son of Tara Clewell and the late Richard
Clewell of Plainsboro. Patrick is a 2010 graduate of West WindsorPlainsboro North High School and a 2014 graduate of Rutgers University. He is employed at Merrill Lynch as a New Accounts Supervisor. They currently reside in Franklin Park as they search for their new home.
since August 2019 with their dog Olive. James is the son of James Mangin and the late Deborah Mangin. Melissa is the daughter of Donald and Eileen Craig.
Chris Mangin and Melissa Craig were married at WoodsEdge Farm, a llama and alpaca farm in Stockton, on Oct. 24. The couple has lived in Neshanic Station
Virginia Hurley, a 2013 graduate of Somerville High School, earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Stockton University on Aug. 10. Virginia, the daughter of Michael and Deborah Hurley, resides in Branchburg and is employed by Ivy Rehab in Hillsborough.
Your Branchburg Real Estate Expert HOMES FOR SALE
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SOMERVILLE YMCA
908 526 0688 908 722 4567 Branches of Greater Somerset County YMCA
Notary Services Available
78 West Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Office: 908-895-1856 | Direct: 908-247-0869
Representing Branchburg buyers and sellers with excellent service, professionalism and expertise. Have you thought about buying or selling? Contact Bobbie to schedule an appointment 908-247-0869
roberta@bruskin.net T AC TR N CO ER D UN
895 Old York Road 3BR, 2 Baths on over 4 private acres, $579,000
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The Branchburg News • December 2020
Branchburg Newsmakers
11
CLASSIC GROUP
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The Branchburg News • December 2020
12
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Residential Customer
PAID
New Brunswick, NJ Permit No. 1757
Branchburg Spookstravaganza–The Branchburg Communications Committee
CORN
ran a “Branchburg’s Most Haunted House� contest in October. Residents One night a Viking named Ruwere asked to vote on the house with the best Halloween decorations, and the dolph the Red was looking out the winner is the Powell family of Harlan School Road. Pictured is the elaborate window when he said, “It’s going display. –Submitted by Jennifer Perillo
ECRWSS
CLASSIFIED ADS
TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: Type your ad exactly as you want it to appear. Ads are limited to 30 words (phone numbers count as one word). Mail your ad along with a check for $20 made payable to “The Branchburg News� to The Branchburg News, PO Box 5351, Branchburg, NJ 08876
to rain.� His wife asked, “How do you Real Estate: Thinking of selling your Home? Call me for a compliknow?� “Because Rudolph the Red mentary market analysis! I also buy homes! George Pantozzi, Broker/ knows rain, dear.�
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