Readington News - March 2023

Rescue Squad Launches Year of Excellence

By Scarlett Doyle

Whether the emergency is on the roads, in the fields, or on the water, the Whitehouse Rescue Squad is there. The 2023 Year of Excellence program is committed to securing equipment and training to further the squad’s work.

As part of this initiative, a golf outing will be held at Stanton Ridge Golf and Country Club on May 15. The format is a scramble, and the public is cordially invited to participate. There will be contests and an awards luncheon with beer and wine and a silent auction. Cost is $185 per person. Proceeds are earmarked for lifesaving tools and equipment. Registration forms are available on the Whitehouse Rescue Squad Facebook page and website (www.whitehouserescue. com.) Contact Jeffrey Zielinski at 908-256-5340 or by email at jzielinski@whitehouserescue. com.

The Rescue Squad responds to more calls every year with an average of 1 call every 4 hours, throughout the day and night. In addition to the increased number of calls, there is also a wider range of circumstances encountered where situational-scenario training will provide the fastest response. Under the seasoned leadership of Chief Jeff Herzog and President Bob Rainey, new instructors and new training drills have been added to the 2023 program.

The 2023 Year of Excellence program intends to add the Lucas Device, a tool to administer regularly-timed and reliable CPR compressions. This is particularly critical when extended periods of compression are needed and where there are adverse surroundings for CPR, such as during extended transport to the hospital.

The Regency at Readington has contributed substantially toward this device. Swift water rescue is a very dangerous situation and continued enhancements on the level of training are part of the 2023 Year of Excellence program. A new community ride-along program is available to encourage citizens to join the squad and gain first-hand experience of what it is like on the front line. The Whitehouse Rescue Squad is accepting volunteer inquiries, including behind-the-scenes support.

Email inquiries to info@ whitehouserescue.com.

Register Now for Big Stream Cleanup

By Mario Orlandi, PhD, MPH Chair, Readington WaterWatch

The Mayor of Readington Township, Juergen Huelsebusch, pushes off from the shore in his kayak into the faster flowing section of the South Branch. He’s eyeing the spot downstream where he will be joined by his fellow paddlers. Besides just having fun, they have something important to do today. A minivan filled with girl scouts singing Taylor Swift songs as loud as they can pulls into a parking lot. The girls pause their singing long enough to say hello to two dog walkers and their black lab puppy (so cute). They are really looking forward to an invigorating walk on this cool spring morning, but they also have something important to do today. A local real estate agent is telling her two preschoolers over breakfast that they are going on an adventure today. Her husband tells them that it’s a surprise, but he hints that a beautiful river, butterflies, some mud puddles, and “so many birds that we won’t be able to count them” might be involved. The kids are too excited to eat but they need a hearty breakfast because they too have something important to do today.

Where are all of these friends and neighbors going? They are going to volunteer at Readington’s Annual Stream Cleanup event – an opportunity to spend the morning outside in the fresh air, have some fun, meet some amazing people, and do something really beneficial for your community.

Readington Township is fortunate

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Free Throw Champs - The winners of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest, held at Holland Brook School on Jan. 10, are: 10 year old girls - Vincenza Galdo; 13 year old girls - Joelle Nasser; 12 year old boys - Sahil Shah; 13 year old boys - Oliver Galdo. The winners are from the Readington/Our Lady of Lourdes Council and they now advance to the regional contest. - Submitted by Dennis Lake

Pictured is the Whitehouse Rescue Squad, 269 Main St., Whitehouse Station.

Editors/Publishers:

Monita Casey Haduch, Bill Haduch

Advertising Manager: Karen C. Muller

Contributors: Lisa O’Donoghue & Susan Torsilieri

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Art: Jacki Hasko, Megan Clewell

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The Readington News is mailed monthly, free-of-charge to every mailing address in Readington Township. Free copies are also available for distribution in places of business, schools, and municipal offices.

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April 2023

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Shannon Daley Basketball Event March

7

The Shannon Daley Memorial Fund Basketball Event will be held at 7 p.m. at Hunterdon Regional High School and will feature the Readington Men’s All stars vs. the Harlem Wizards. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. All tickets are $10 at the door. For ticket info call 908229-5460 or go to www.shannonfund. org. To advertise in the program, call 908-528-2231 or email Paul.McGill@ shannonfund.org. The Shannon Daley Memorial Fund mission is to assist local families facing financial hardship due to a child battling a serious illness.

Historical Society March 12

George W. Arnett III will be the guest speaker at the Tewksbury Historical Society Meeting at 1 p.m. at the Lamington Presbyterian Church, 355 Lamington Rd., Bedminster. The meeting is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. A former resident of Tewksbury, Arnettt will discuss John Honeyman, the alleged spy who provided information to George Washington about the arrangement of Hessian forces at Trenton, helping Washington win the Battle of Trenton, December 1776.

Lunch and Learn March 16

The Hunterdon Health Auxiliary will host a presentation by Dr. Siobhan Hartigan, a urologist from Hunterdon Urological Associates, from noon to 2 p.m. at Hawk Pointe Golf Club. Dr. Hartigan specializes in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. There is no fee to attend. Pre-registration by March 8 is required. To register, contact the Hunterdon Health Foundation at 908788-6141 or events@hhsnj.org.

Quilting Guild March 17

The Hunterdon County Quilting Guild will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Readington Reformed Church, 124 Readington Rd., Readington, for a member-led, in-house workshop. New members are welcome at Zoom meetings, work-

Upcoming Events

shops and lectures. Email hunterdoncountyquiltingguild@gmail or visit https://hcquiltingguild.wixsite.com/ hcquiltingguild for further information and a schedule of meetings and events.

Open Space Walk March 19

Tucked right behind the Village of Whitehouse is the Whitehouse Greenway, over a hundred acres of preserved woodland, fields, trails and the bluffs along the picturesque Rockaway Creek. Take an easy two-hour walk. Your dog on a leash is welcome. You will walk about 1.5 miles with members of the Township Open Space Advisory Board. Meet at 1 p.m. at the ballpark behind the East Whitehouse Fire Station, 93 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse. To sign up, or for questions, email trails@readingtontwp-nj.org, or leave a message at 908-782-6452.

Tricky Tray March 25

Readington HSA is having a Tricky Tray at Holland Brook School. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first ticket being called at 7. The fundraiser will include lots of prizes, games including

50/50, Golden Ticket, Mystery Prize and Birthday Board. A table decoration contest is also planned. Bring your decorations for your favorite holiday. For tickets: https://neartail.com/us/readingtonhsatrickytray. Email NicoleLepinski@gmail.com with any questions.

Easter Egg Hunt April 1

Whitehouse United Methodist Church, 73 Old Highway 28, will be holding an Easter egg hunt from 9 to 11 a.m. Light snacks and prizes will be featured. This event is open to the community to benefit the Readington food pantry, Starfish. Bring one non-perishable food item to participate. Egg hunt will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.

Meet Readington’s New Board of Education Members

By Jennifer Wolf , Chair Board of Education Policy Committee

In the November 2022 General Election, three members were elected to the Readington Board of Education: Michele Mencer, Carolyn Podgorski, and Justina Ryan. Mrs. Mencer, Mrs. Podgorski, and Mrs. Ryan were sworn in at the Jan. 3 reorganization meeting to serve a three-year term through January 2026.

Michele Mencer is a pharmaceutical/ life sciences executive with 20+ years of industry experience. She moved to Readington in 2018 and has been an active community volunteer, previously serving in the Readington Home and School Association (HSA) for several years and as a volunteer for Boy Scouts

of America. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance; a Masters in Public Health from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and an undergraduate BS in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State. Mencer also completed the Wharton Schools Executive Marketing and Business Management Program, earning a certificate in Advanced Marketing Capabilities. Mencer and her husband have two children who attend school in Readington. She serves on the Policy & Communication Committee, Finance & Facilities Committee, and is the Hunterdon County ESC Representative.

Carolyn Podgorski is retired from a career in IT at Merck and AT&T. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in

Computer Science from Union College and an MS in Industrial Engineering from Rutgers. Podgorski volunteers with the Flemington Food Pantry as database administrator, programmer, and webmaster. She and her husband were happily involved in the schools and community sports teams when her, now grown, children were younger. Podgorski serves as Chair of the Personnel Committee, member of the Education & Technology Committee, and Negotiations Committee. This is her second term.

Justina Ryan is a Media Specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Advertising Art from Seton Hall University and completed Cornell University’s certificate program in Women’s Entrepreneurship. She is a member of Readington’s Beautification Committee and has routinely volunteered in the Readington School District. Justina and her husband have two daughters who attend Readington schools and have resided in Readington for 10 years. Justina serves on the Education & Technology Committee, and Finance & Facilities Committee and serves as the Garden State Coalition of Schools Trustee. Welcome to these Readington Board of Education members as they begin their terms. They can be reached at boardmembers@readington.k12.nj.us.

Restaurant Visit - The Readington Life Skills Class (pictured) took a trip to Bensi in Whitehouse Station recently. Before the visit the students learned in the classroom about restaurant vocations, and they prepared questions for the staff. The Owner/General Manager John Osso (pictured far right) talked about life in the restaurant and how it functions. The students practiced their restaurant manners throughout their meal.

Join Readington Senior Club

Readington Senior Club invites residents to attend and maybe join the Readington Senior’s Club.

Stream Cleanup

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to have beautiful rivers that provide recreational opportunities, sustain plants and wildlife, and contribute to our supply of fresh water. Trash along our streambanks pollutes our waters, impacts plants and animals and can be harmful to our health. Join Readington WaterWatch and Raritan Headwaters Association on Saturday, April 15, for the annual Stream Cleanup Day. Last year Readington’s group was part of more than 1,600 volunteers in our area who collected over 14 tons of trash along 54 miles of waterways. Individuals, families, scout troops, sports teams, church groups, school groups, business teams – all are welcome, no experience required. Registration opens March 1 at www.RaritanHeadwaters.org.

Members meet every third Wednesday of each month at noon at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Whitehouse Station. The next meeting is Wednesday, March 15, at noon in the church auditorium.

The club invites you to meet new friends, enjoy trips to interesting places, and hear informative speakers every month. For further information contact Diane Anthony, president, at 908-534-4724.

Township of Readington

News from the Municipal Building

Planning Board and Zoning Board Re-organize

The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment held their 2023 Reorganization in January.

The Planning Board elected Jacqueline Hindle as Chair, and Christopher New members Robert Becker, Vincent Panico and Scott Barton were sworn in, and current members Neil Hendrickson and Christopher John were sworn in for a new term. The Planning Board meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month at 7:00 PM in the Courtroom of the Municipal Building.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment elected Karen Mittleman as Chair, and Steve Nees as Vice Chair. New member Andrew Saad was sworn in, and current members Diana Hendry and Chris Roglieri were sworn in for new terms. The Board of Adjustment meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:30 PM in the Courtroom of the Municipal Building.

TRAIL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers needed to help clear new trails and improve old ones! Sign up for one of these Saturday Morning Sessions:

March 4, 10 to 11:30 AM: Bouman-Stickney Trails

March 11, 9 AM to 12: Rocky Road/Indian Purchase

March 18, 9 AM to 12: Dobozynski Farm Park

These self-directed sessions are for families, groups, scout troops. For more details, see Volunteer Opportunities announcement on the Township website: readingtontwpnj.gov

SAVE THE DATES

Township Stream Clean -up Sat., April 15

Tree Seedling Give -Away Sat., April 22

FREE Programs for Township Residents

Readington Township Police and Social Services are pleased to announce the Operation Blue Angel and File of LIFE programs. These programs promote improved health outcomes for community members in an emergency when seconds count!

Both programs are offered free of charge to eligible Township residents 55 years of age or older who live alone or are alone for extended periods of time on a regular basis; or persons with a medical condition(s) that could lead to incapacitation and who live alone or are alone for extended periods of time on a regular basis; or live with another individual and meet any of the require-

Operation Blue Angel is administered by Readington Township Police and includes a lock box, owned and maintained by the police department, that will be placed on the participant’s door by police personnel. The lock box will contain a key to the residence, which the resident must supply. The key will only be accessed by responding police officers in the event of an emergency where offic-

SUSTAINABLE ASSETS MAP

At the February 6th meeting of the Township Committee, Robert Becker, a member of the Planning Board and the Environmental Commission, gave a presentation demonstrating the Township's new Sustainable Assets Map. This interactive map was paid for through a $2,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey.

The purpose of the map is to highlight meadows in the Township inventoried with funding from a previous grant from Sustainable Jersey. It provides the opportunity for the public to know where meadows exist in the Township and to learn something about them. It will also aid the Open Space Committee, which will maintain the meadows, in its record keeping.

The map also shows the locations of things such as Township parks, stream-testing locations, and tree planting areas, and it can be added to in the future as the need arises.

The link to the map will be posted on the Township website: readingtontwpnj.gov

Daylight Saving Begins Sunday, March 12

ers cannot gain access to the residence. The Operation Blue Angel program lockbox will not be accessed by anyone for any other purpose.

Applications for this program can be found on the police department website https://www.readingtontwpnj.gov/public-safety/police-2. If you have questions or need further information, please contact the Police Department M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm at 908-534-4031.

File of LIFE (Life-saving Information for Emergencies) program is administered by Readington Social Services. File of Life allows individuals to communicate with emergency responders even if they are unresponsive. File of Life is a plastic pouch that hangs on your refrigerator and contains a medical data form with your medical history, prescriptions, allergies, and emergency contacts. To participate in this program or for any questions, contact Social Services M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm at 908-534-0974.

Operation Blue Angel and File of Life are excellent opportunities for participants to have an added level of support and enhanced peace of mind when it comes to safety in their homes.

Adopt A Road This Spring

By Jonathan Heller, Readington Township Committee

Readington Township will institute an Adopt-A-Road program this spring to support state and commu-

nity efforts to keep roads attractive and safe. Readington Township has beautiful landscapes, and litter on the roads mars the scenery and creates environmental hazards.

The Adopt-A-Road program al-

lows organizations and individuals to help join the Township in producing safe, attractive, litter-free roadways within the community. The organizations help teach their groups about a clean community as well as lowering the cost of litter removal by the Township. This program is beneficial for everyone.

Readington Township is seeking volunteers, whether as individuals, groups, or organizations to participate in the inaugural spring effort. Specific date(s) for the program are yet to be determined. If interested, contact Readington Township at boh@readingtontwp-nj.org or call 908-534-4051 x 234.

Brush and Floss - Dr. Darren Loew and Dr. Niyati PatelParekh will be visiting Somerset and Hunterdon County schools through the end of the month in celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month. Elementary school students will have an opportunity to meet with the doctors and ask questions while learning about the importance of proper oral hygiene, featuring “Flossy” the dinosaur.

Hunterdon Walking & Social Club March Events

Hunterdon Walking & Social Club meets most Sundays for a one-hour walk followed by a social at a nearby restaurant. For more information see www.angelfire.com/trek/hwsc or call Jeff 908-782-1320 and leave message.

This month’s events are:

• March 5 - Walk at 4 p.m. at Morales Nature Park, Capner Street, Flemington.

• March 19 - Walk at 4 p.m. at Frenchtown Riverwalk, by bridge.

• March 26 - Walk at 4 p.m. at Neshanic Station Riverwalk. Meet near Riverside Inn, (102 Woodfern Rd.) in rear parking lot.

Preschool Programs

How do you know if you need a specialist’s care?

If you have multiple teeth that need to be restored, and/or replaced in one or both arches, I can provide an evaluation of the complexity of your case (not for single crowns or fillings)

Bring any dental records you have and we can talk!

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 Readington News” to The Readington News, PO Box 5351, Branchburg, NJ 08876

HANDYMAN - Local Carpenter Available for quality work in and around your home. Powerwashing services also. Ron 908-256-9128 24 hours/7 days a week.

Caregivers Wanted! Comfort Keepers of Flemington is seeking kind, caring, reliable and compassionate caregivers. Flexible Hours. Full-Time, Part Time, Weekends and Overnights. Top Pay! For more information call: 908-8063768.

RITTER BROTHERS PAINTING, Readington, NJ. Interior & Exterior. Lic#13VH10329300. Business: 908-233-8904, Home: 908-534-9390.

FD MASON CONTRACTOR - Over 30 years of experience. Brick, block, stone, concrete. No job too large or small. Fully insured & licensed. Free estimates. 908-385-5701. Lic# 13VH05475900.

Window Screen Repairs - Good quality Fiberglass screens for your windows and patio doors. Pick-up and delivery available. George & Son’s 908-3922677.

WANTED - Single, multi family home in Somerset/Hunterdon Counties, any condition. Your price, my terms. Please call Ron 908-256-9128.

Medicare Questions?You need to work with a Specialist. Call “Medicare Mike.” I will simplify the process, educate you on your options and enroll you at NO COST. 973-563-7777.

Dr. Paul Pincofski is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists, which is recognized by the American DentalAssociation as the organization for the specialty of prosthodontics.

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