About Town: Discussion on Scotch Plains-Fanwood Merger, Congratulations for a Centenarian, and More

Mark Your Calendars: Public Forum on Consolidating Scotch Plains and Fanwood Rescheduled for March 2
An independent public forum about whether to consolidate Scotch Plains and Fanwood, an event sponsored by Connect New Jersey and originally slated for Jan. 27, was postponed until March 2 due to inclement weather two weeks ago. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of .

This forum is different from the one that will be hosted by the mayors of Scotch Plains and Fanwood. That meeting, the second of two public forums regarding the shared services report produced by consultant Jersey Professional Management, was originally scheduled for the fall, but was postponed. Stay tuned for the new date of that meeting. 

Happy Birthday to William Rock, Fanwood's Newest Centenarian
Fanwood resident William Rock celebrated his 100th birthday Jan. 16. A resident of the  on South Avenue, Rock was surrounded by family and friends for the occasion, and received a visit from Mayor Colleen Mahr (pictured at right).

According to Rock's son, Rock was born in New York City on Jan. 16, 1911.  His parents were immigrants from Poland who came to the United States to escape religious discrimination and poverty. Half his siblings were born in Poland and half in the U.S.

Rock grew up in Hells Kitchen in Manhattan, attended NYU for a year, then had to enter the workforce to earn money for his family during the Great Depression.  He worked at a variety of  jobs, including as a printer, a job that ultimately gave him lead poisoning. Because of the illness, Rock could not join the Army, but he did work in the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the war effort.

In 1940, he married the love of his life, Miriam Glick. They had two children –Steve, who lives near San Francisco, and Rose who lived in New Jersey until she died in 1995. Rock now has four grandchildren and eight great-grand children. 

If you or your Fanwood family members have a significant birthday or anniversary you would like to share with the community, shoot an e-mail to FanwoodMike@aol.com a week in advance. Please include the date and any other vital information.

Verse Returns to the Borough Feb. 15
The 2011 season of poetry readings at Fanwood's Carriage House starts on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. with “Sweet Heart Night,” featuring Taylor and Marie-Elizabeth Mali. Learn more by visiting www.carriagehousepoetryseries.blogspot.com. 

Scouts Go Climbing
Ten high school Girl Scouts from Fanwood and Scotch Plains spent an evening in late January learning safe climbing techniques at the New Jersey Rock Gym in Fairfield, according to service unit manager Julie Murphy. The gym’s instructors showed the girls climbing commands, safety rules and top-rope climbing. 

Fanwood and Scotch Plains are home to more than 900 Girl Scouts from kindergarten through high school, including more than 80 of high school age. To learn more, visit http://fanwoodscotchplainsgs.org.

Events This Week at the Fanwood Memorial Library
For details on any of the events below, contact the library by calling 908-322-4377.

• Wednesday, Feb. 9: Nursery Rhyme Time, 10:30-10:50 a.m. or 11-11:20 a.m. in the Fanwood Room
• Friday, Feb. 10: Snow Sundaes, 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Fanwood Room. Participants can make their own "Snow Sundaes" (all-white confections with vanilla ice cream and any "add-your-own" white toppings). Registration is required. Those interested can sign-up by stopping by the library or calling ahead. Children ages 7 and younger should be seated with a parent or caring adult.