This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

'Oh Sandy' Anthology Uses Humor to Examine Seriousness of Historic Storm

A Matawan man with close ties to Union Beach was one of several Sandy survivors to be published in the collection titled "Oh Sandy: An Anthology of Humorous Stories for a Serious Cause."

Hurricane Sandy was no laughing matter for those people displaced from their flooded homes, for those throwing out hundreds of dollars worth of food after losing power or for those who lost their homes entirely.   However, they say laughter is the best medicine. "When you are gutting people's houses, you either start laughing or start crying and don't stop," said James Butler, a former Union Beach resident who continues to coach youth soccer there. "When you are dealing with tragedy there is at first shock and then you kind of move on to the gallows of humor." Each day after the storm, Butler, now a Matawan resident, visited Union Beach to help his parents, his childhood friends and his soccer players' families clean up and rebuild.  He …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

JCC of Central NJ Will Host Fifth Annual 'Come A.L.I.V.E. Day' - April 28

The event is an annual day of community service for teens.

The following information was provided by the JCC. On Sunday, April 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the JCC will host the 5th Annual Come A.L.I.V.E. in the Community, a day of community service for all teens in 8th – 12th grades.   On this day, teens will have the opportunity to volunteer in their community in a variety of ways. A.L.I.V.E. stands for Alliance, Leadership, Involvement, Volunteerism, Energy and was formed when teens from the Jewish Community Center of Central NJ and the I Have a Dream program at Plainfield High School worked together and participated in programs that taught them to be responsible, involved and active adolescents in their respective communities.  This group of teens coordinated the first Come A.L.I.V.E. in …

• Photos (1)

Fanwood and Scotch Plains Firefighters Awarded for Response to Tragic December Fire

Fanwood and Scotch Plains police, fire and volunteer responders were honored at the Knights of Columbus on March 21.

The following information was provided by the Borough of Fanwood.  Fanwood and Scotch Plains firemen who tried to save the lives of a mother and son who died in a December, 2012, house fire were among the public safety responders honored by the Knights of Columbus at their annual Shield Award presentation on Thursday March 21, 2013. The Father John Nelligan Council of the Knights honor police, fire and EMS personnel every year, allowing those departments in Fanwood and Scotch Plains to single out individual achievements.  This was the 38th year of those awards.  Fanwood Fire Chief John Piccola and Scotch Plains Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis each cited members of their departments who responded to a house fire on Church Avenue in Scotch Plains…

• Photos (8)

Get Your History On! Driveable Historical Events Today

Don't listen to the "I'm bored" cries from your kids. Here's a raft of fun historical events today the whole family can enjoy.

Looking for fun stuff to do on a cold March day? Take the family out for some palatable history events today - all driveable and all either free or available for a reasonable charge: Sunday, March 3 - Morris County Macculloch Hall Historical Museum 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown 973-538-2404   In honor of Women's History Month, the "Moonlight Duo" present "Herstory - Classical music by female composers from Europe and the US" at 4:30 pm on Sunday March 3rd. While treasure hunting for lost and forgotten music, the Moonlight Duo has found beautiful pieces by female composers from Germany, England and the U.S. including a manuscript by Katharine Lucke from Baltimore. Other composers featured are Clara Faisst from Germany, May Mukle and …

• Photos (1)

Recycled Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: The Ultimate Re-Gift

Lumber from 80 foot Norway spruce from Flanders will benefit Morris Habitat for Humanity

  A fully packed Lakeland charter bus left the Morris Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore parking lot at dusk on Monday night, leaving Randolph for Rockefeller Center.  The excursion brought folks of all ages into Manhattan to take one last look at the 80 foot Norway spruce, scheduled to be removed during the wee hours of January 8. But while the iconic holiday fixture may now be a distant twinkling memory, this is one tall tree which will not likely be forgotten. The tree from Flanders which wowed millions during the Christmas season will be coming home to the very county from which it originated -- in the form of approximately 600-900 two-by-fours.  According to Blair Schleicher Bravo, executive director for Morris Habitat, a portion of the …

• Photos (16)

Fourth Annual MLK Day of Service to Take Place on Jan. 21

The fourth annual MLK day of service will feature a variety of volunteer opportunities for children, teens and adults throughout Scotch Plains and Fanwood.

On January 21st Scotch Plains and Fanwood will hold the fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Since there will be a half-day of school in the district this year due to Hurricane Sandy, many of the events will take place in the afternoon. At 12:30 p.m. the day will kick off at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA with a drop-in lunch and fair. The fair will have a variety of informational booths on Martin Luther King Jr. and pizza provided by Nick’s Pizza for 2 dollars a slice. Nick’s Pizza is will be donating 50 percent of the profits made to MLK Day. According to a press release, last year’s event drew over 1,000 volunteers.  “This year’s goal is to further establish the event as an important day in our community,” the release …

• Photos (1)

Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Celebrates 76 Years of Volunteer Service

The Rescue Squad held its annual Installation of Officers dinner where they honored deceased members and current members for their service on the squad. Also, Mayor Kevin Glover installed the new officers to the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad.

The following information was provided by the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad. The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad recently held its annual Installation of Officers Dinner at Snuffy’s Pantagis Restaurant. Many local public figures andguests were present to extend their gratitude for the service provided by the Squad. Dignitaries included the newly elected Mayor Kevin Glover and Deputy Mayor Colleen Gialanella as well as Township Manager Henry Underhill; Police Chief Brian Mahoney and Fire Chief Jonathan Ellis. Robert Gurske, Chaplain for the Rescue Squad conducted a memorial service for the deceased members who served the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad for many years. Following the service, Mayor Glover administered the oath of office to: President, …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Fanwood In Search of 2013 Volunteers

The borough has a number of opportunities available for appointments in 2013. See the list below.

The Borough of Fanwood is looking for volunteers to join the many committees and groups Fanwood has to offer. In January, Mayor Colleen Mahr will appoint the various volunteers, so applications are being accepted now. “Now is the time to review the opportunities and join those wonderful folks who help make Fanwood such a wonderful place to live,” Mahr said in a letter from the Office of the Mayor. The following openings are available: For an explanation of each opportunities, visit fanwoodnj.org under the header, “Volunteers Make Our Town Special,” and click on “Here’s the list.”

• Photos (1)

Fanwood Throws Going Away Party for Longtime Volunteers

Mayor Mahr, council members and business owners, Jason and Steven Parker, threw a going away party for longtime Fanwood volunteers, Donna Dolce and Lynn Sorf.

On Nov. 18, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and supporters held a going away party for long time Fanwood resident Donna Dolce and her partner Lynn Sorf. Dolce was a former Fanwood council member and the couple has a long-standing history of volunteering in Fanwood. Come the end of November, Dolce and Sorf will be leaving the Borough and to say goodbye Mahr and council members presented them with the first ever "Key to Fanwood". “We were thrilled and humbled by the outpouring of love and appreciation during this farewell event," Dolce said "As well as the past 20 years as residents."  Dolce chaired Fanwood's "Green Team," which most recently earned the Sustainable Jersey certification, she has also served as a councilwoman and been a member of …

• Photos (3)

Owners of K-9 Resorts Honored as Fanwood Volunteers of the Month

For the first time, Fanwood honors business owners as Volunteer of the Month.

At the Oct. 16 Fanwood Council Meeting, Mayor Mahr called upon two business owners as Fanwood's Volunteers of the Month. The brothers, Steven and Jason Parker own K-9 Resorts and co-chaired Fanny Wood Day. Mahr noted that over 200 residents volunteer in some way for Fanwood and for the first time the council wanted to focus on a local business, following the success of Fanny Wood Day.  "We wanted to acknoweldge those who go beyond just having a business address in Fanwood," Mahr said. Steven Parker thanked the Mayor for honoring himself and his brother Jason. "We really appreaciate all the residents and all of our customers." Steven added that although residents of Scotch Plains, (the council jokingly gasped), they are still proud …

• Photos (3)