PISCATAWAY, NJ -- The Piscataway Cultural Arts Commission will continue the Hometown Hero Banner Program this spring, celebrating the service and sacrifice of Piscataway veterans. This initiative honors veterans by displaying their pictures on individual banners suspended from lamp posts along Hoes Lane/Rt.18, near the Piscataway Community Center, Kennedy Library, and Municipal Complex.
Residents are invited to submit photos of themselves or their loved ones who have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Eligible veterans must be retired, honorably discharged, or killed in action, and must have been Piscataway residents at some point.
Photo submissions will be accepted this Saturday, March 23, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kennedy Library, located at 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway. All photos must be UNFRAMED and labeled on the back with the veteran's name, along with the name and number of the submitter. Photos must feature the individual in their U.S. Military uniform.
For those unable to attend on Saturday or with inquiries, contact Commission Chair Kitty Juttner at 732-563-4117 or 908-230-2862.
Space is limited, submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. All submitted photos will be returned.
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SOMERSET, NJ - The Somerset Run Men's Club received a visit from key members of the Franklin Food Bank on Sunday to celebrate their shared legacy.
Since 2012, the Somerset Run Men's Club has been raising food and funds for the Franklin Food Bank.
For over a decade, the group has coordinated with members of Somerset Run to collect more than 50,000 pounds of food and almost $57,000, according to officials.
Franklin Food Bank Development Director, Allie O'Brien, says the contributions of the Somerset Men's Club translate to over 170,000 meals for Franklin township neighbors in need.
During O'Brien's visit, she thanked the club for all of their gifts and, most importantly, their eagerness to continue learning and being responsive to the needs of the Franklin Food Bank.
"Many things have changed over the past 50 years, the past 10 years, the past five years," O'Brien said. "Many more things will change over the next five years. We are confident that the residents of the community of Somerset Run will continue to be responsive to our needs and will continue to ask questions and learn how to be the most impactful partner possible."
Prior to COVID, the club collected pounds of non-perishable foods as well as turkeys for Thanksgiving.
During the height of the COVID pandemic, the Franklin Food Bank halted all food drives for safety reasons. The Somerset Run Men's Club responded and hosted it's first virtual food drive in 2020. Every year since then, the club has raised more money during its fundraisers, and last year hit an all-time high of $11,476, according to officials.
The funds raised by organizations like the Somerset Run Men's Club will be leveraged by the Franklin Food Bank's purchasing power, which enables them to get $3 worth of groceries for every dollar raised.
Visit the Franklin Food Bank's homepage to learn more about how to get involved.
]]>KENILWORTH, N.J. – On Saturday, May 18, the Kenilworth Historical Society will host an “Afternoon Tea With a ‘Weird N.J.’ Twist” at the Kenilworth Veterans Center located at 33 South 21st Street in the Kennedy Room beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Participants will explore the unique, mysterious and peculiar side of New Jersey through an enlightening presentation by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, founders and publishers of the acclaimed Weird N.J. semi-annual magazine.
In addition to the featured program highlighting little-known N.J. legends, folklore, ghost sightings and other fascinating stories, the event will include a gift auction, 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Assorted teas, tea sandwiches and desserts will be served. Admission is $30 and advance reservations are required (by May 1 recommended), as seating is limited.
For reservations/tickets, please call 908-709-0434 or visit Love You More floral boutique at 13 North 20th Street, Kenilworth, where tickets are being sold.
During the Afternoon Tea, Moran and Sceurman will speak of people, places and happenings in New Jersey that are not found on most tourist maps or historical records, as the primary focus of their backroad travels and research is on local unwritten history and modern folklore considered to be strange, odd or unique.
Proceeds from the Afternoon Tea will benefit the Kenilworth Historical Society’s Oswald J. Nitschke House (c. 1880) “living history” museum and cultural arts center by helping defray operating expenses, including the cost of an elevator that makes all levels of the site (“living history” museum, exhibition center and cultural arts center) fully accessible to everyone.
Moran and Sceurman began their search of unwritten New Jersey history and modern folklore more than 30 years ago in the course of compiling a homespun newsletter, called “Weird N.J.,” that they distributed annually to their friends. The pamphlet, comprising odd news, bizarre facts, little-known historical anecdotes and anomalous encounters from across the Garden State, was based on the idea that “every town in the state had a least one good tale to tell.”
Soon thereafter, “Weird N.J.” evolved into the popular self-published magazine Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. At that time, “the two Marks,” as they familiarly are referred to, started conducting their own investigations into local legends, ancient mysteries, bizarre beasts, ghosts, unexplained phenomena and fabled people and places throughout New Jersey.
In 2003, Barnes & Noble released the first Weird N.J. hardcover book, authored by Moran and Sceurman under their own imprint. Additional books followed in a nationally successful Weird U.S. series, also produced by “the two Marks.” A number of Weird N.J. publications will be available for sale during the Kenilworth Historical Society’s May 18 “Afternoon Tea With a ‘Weird N.J.’ Twist.”
In 2005, Weird U.S. became a weekly television series, starring Moran and Sceurman, on the History Channel. “The two Marks” are currently commentators on the program Paranormal Caught on Camera, which airs weekly on the Travel Channel and on Discovery +.
The Kenilworth Historical Society (www.kenilworthhistoricalsociety.org) is an independent, volunteer-based, non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the research, preservation and interpretation of the Oswald J. Nitschke House (c. 1880), local history and culture.
Related Articles:
Kenilworth Historical Society Hosts Around the World in a Teacup
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RED BANK, NJ: Tanisha Ford, author of “Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement,” is a 2024 NAACP Image Award winner.
Her book, “Our Secret Society, Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement,” is what brings her to Two River Theater on March 22, at 7 pm, as the guest speaker for the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center fundraiser.
The event is dubbed “Welcome to Our Met Gala,” which salutes the traveling fashion show known as “Ebony Fashion Fair,” lauded by the Black community, founded by Eunice Johnson, and produced by Johnson
Publishing Company, who Ford writes extensively about in her award-winning book.
Today’s term used to describe her would be influencer. Ford was named to Root Magazine list of the 100 Most Influential African Americans, in 2019. The CUNY history professor and contributing writer for the New York Times and Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, heads up a stellar line-up of events for Women’s History Month, presented by the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center.
The salute to Ebony Magazine, is a Fashion Retrospective in conjunction with Two River Theater’s Costume Department, to benefit the Art of Social Justice, a professional development program for teachers.
Tickets and Information
Contact shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org for more information. Tickets $100.
With a signed copy of the award-winning book, $150.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Guest Speaker for New Exhibit: “Shaping Black identity & Black Influence on Mass Media”
Saturday, March 23, 3:00-5:00 pm, Caroline Hunter Williams is the guest speaker for the opening of the new exhibit “Shaping Black identity & Black Influence on Mass Media.”
Williams is a founding member of the Polaroid Revolutionary Workers Movement, and an important catalyst for world change. It was her voice and action, along with the movement that led to the toppling of apartheid in South Africa.
This is a story you DO NOT want to miss, and the bonus part, Williams is alive to tell it.
Registration
You must register with shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org
Donation for exhibit and talk is $20.
Doors open at 2pm. Seating limited for the 3 pm presentation. First come. First served.
Dr. Carla Peterson
Saturday, March 30 - 3-5 pm, Join Dr. Carla Peterson, a professor at the University of Maryland, whose book, “Black Gotham: A Family History of African Americans in Nineteenth Century New York City” was the inspiration behind the African American Scott Family, in the popular HBO/MAX series “The Gilded Age.”
The show also includes the character of T. Thomas Fortune. Dr. Peterson and grandfather, Jerome Peterson, was T. Thomas Fortune’s partner in the New York Age newspaper.
It is an honor to have Dr. Peterson come and share this history with us. We hope you will join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Carla Peterson and the Cultural Center’s Executive Director, Gilda Rogers.
Suggested donation $20. Dr. Peterson’s book will be on sale in the Cultural Center’s gift shop.
Registration
Please register with shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org to reserve your seat.
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]]>RED BANK, NJ: The Red Bank BSA Troop 67 is having a Flapjack Fundraiser on Sunday, March 24 from 8:00am – 10:00am at the Middletown Applebee's, 1183 Route 35, Middletown, NJ!
Tickets are $15 each for ages 10 and over and $12 for children under 10 years of age. Proceeds help with troop activities and summer camp,” said Christina Dostie, Troop 67 fundraiser lead.
All proceeds benefit Troop 67 to purchase supplies, badges, camping gear. They also will go towards subsidizing the costs of camping trips and registration fees for our troop members.
If you are unable to attend the Flapjack Fundraiser, but would like to support the troop, you can email the troop at njtroop67@gmail.com
Purchase Tickets Now!
For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
"A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room." Lord Robert Baden-Powell
Support Red Bank Small Businesses!
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]]>NEW BRUNSWICK - Suydam Street Reformed Church, a congregation of just 30 families that somehow manages to donate hundreds of turkeys on Thanksgiving, distributes more than 1,000 toys at its annual children’s Christmas celebration and gives to the community in myriad ways, is in need of the community’s help.
Although the congregation recently marked the final phase of an almost yearlong repair to fix a hole in the 142-year-old church’s roof, there’s still structural damage to the interior walls and beams that needs to be repaired.
Mario Vargas, the church’s vice president of consistory, said the church has dipped into reserves to pay contractors about $40,000 to fix the leaking steeple. It is appealing to the community for help to finish the job.
The wooden walls near the front of the church have been left stained and blistered from the water that poured into the church on rainy days at such a rate that Rev. Ramon Orostizaga would often joke that those coming for Sunday service need not shower beforehand because they could take one in the pouring rain.
The cost of these repairs won’t be known until a contractor can assess the damage.
“We do a lot and we don’t boast about it,” Vargas said. “We’re not, ‘Look at us, we’re doing this stuff.’ On this one, just because of the financial burden that it will bring on our congregation, that’s why we decided, hey, let’s put the word out and if anyone feels like they want to help, that’s great, in any way they can.”
Suydam Street Reformed Church has been a pillar of the community going back to when it was founded by William H. Campbell, who resigned as president of then-Rutgers College to become the church’s pastor.
The church has the biggest heart for the most vulnerable in the community, whether it’s children (it offers karate classes) or the homeless (it is currently hosting the city’s rotating men’s shelter).
But, it’s the church’s food pantry that probably helps the most people.
Through the food pantry, the church gives out hundreds of bags of groceries each week, and is one of the few pantries among the 25 or so in New Brunswick that distributes on the weekend.
“We distribute whatever we can,” Vargas said. “Sometimes people will distribute baby supplies, like diapers. So, we will distribute them. Sometimes people donate clothing, so we will distribute the clothing.”
Of course, worship remains at the heart of the church, where services are conducted in English and Spanish each Sunday.
It’s in moments of need that Vargas recalls Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Donations can be sent to Suydam Street Reformed Church, 74 Drift St., New Brunswick, N.J. 08901, or can be sent through Zelle to its TD Bank account at ruthietapia@yahoo.com. For more information, Vargas can be reached via email at ssreformedchurch@yahoo.com.
]]>NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Elizabeth resident Jay Arisso Jr. and Manasquan resident Patrick Buddle MD, were appointed to the NJ Sharing Network Board of Trustees to help guide the nonprofit’s strategic efforts.
The NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit organization focused on the recovery of donated organs and tissue throughout the state.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Buddle and Jay to our Board, recognizing their many years of championing our lifesaving mission through their leadership and advocacy efforts,” Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network said in a news release. “Their deep-rooted commitment and invaluable insights will strengthen our ability to drive positive change and save and enhance more lives.”
Arisso Jr. is the Lead Pastor of Today’s Church in Elizabeth and is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist from the Grief Recovery Institute. His brother became a living kidney donor to help save the life of his father per a news release.
He first began working with the NJ Sharing Network in 2007 and has worked in multiple capacities within the organization. His responsibilities included leading a team focused on supporting families emotionally and spiritually throughout the organ and tissue donation process and collaborating with donor families, hospitals, and NJ Shared Network Staff to ensure best practices were implemented.
]]>RANDOLPH, NJ- Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph, a leading dental practice committed to the oral health of children, recently participated in the American Dental Association’s annual tradition of "Give Kids A Smile". This nationwide event provides essential dental care to children in need, ensuring they receive the attention and treatment necessary for a healthy smile. This year, the dental practice was able to care for 34 patients, including new immigrants hailing from 4 different countries.
Community Outreach
Give Kids A Smile is a national initiative that began in 2003 with the goal of addressing the oral health needs of underserved children across the United States. Over the years, dental professionals have volunteered their time and expertise to offer free dental services to children who may not have regular access to dental care.
Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph has consistently been a dedicated participant in this noble cause, reinforcing their commitment to community outreach and providing essential dental care to those who need it the most.
Filling a Large Void
Lack of insurance, language barriers, unfamiliarity with the healthcare system, and financial constraints can hinder families from seeking timely and preventive dental treatments for their children. Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph addressed these challenges head-on, ensuring that language support was available and that lack of insurance or financial constraints were not a deterrent to receiving necessary dental care.
The team at Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph also made sure that these families understood how to go about making sure their children could obtain regular dental care going forward by showing them how to apply for benefits and explaining their own in-house discount dental plan.
Building Trust and Providing Compassionate Care
Building trust is crucial when treating children, especially those who have never had dental care and are new to speaking English. The team at Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph created a welcoming environment that fostered trust and comfort. By doing so, they not only provided essential dental treatments but also contributed to the overall well-being of the children and their families.
The Impact of Give Kids A Smile
The annual Give Kids A Smile event continues to have a significant impact on the oral health of underserved children across the nation. By actively participating in such initiatives, Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph exemplifies the importance of community engagement and the role that dental professionals can play in addressing healthcare disparities.
Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph's participation in Give Kids A Smile reflects their unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of children, regardless of their background or circumstances.
BERNARDS TWP., NJ _ The three women present at the most recent Bernards Township Committee unamiously approved resolutions 3-0 commending the accomplishments of local Girl Scouts, as well as recognizing Girl Scout Week nationwide.
Mayor Jennifer Asay, Deputy Mayor Janice Fields and Township Committeewoman Ana Duarte McCarthy all said they themselves had been Girl Scouts.
Projects undertaken by the Girl Scouts have a tremendous impact on the community, Duarte McCarthy noted. She encouraged the many dozens of local Girl Scouts at last week's meetings to put the awards they had received on their college and job applications in the future.
As a Girl Scout, Fields said she had learned many important lessons that she uses to this day _ including not being afraid of bugs, "thanks to scouting."
The committee members also praised the troop leaders and families who supported the scouts' projects.
March is Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month and March 10 to 16 marks the 112th anniversary of Girl Scout Week as designated by Girl Scouts of the USA; the organization was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savanah, Georgia.
The mission of the Girl Scouts of the USA is to “build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place” through honesty, fairness, compassion, and sisterhood, said the resolution approved by the Township Committee.
At the meeting, the Township Meeting also recognized the awards that girls in local troops have received in the past year.
2023 Bronze Awards: (Troop 61115 - Kristina Winterfeldt and Julianne Kane, Troop Leaders); Alexandria Winterfeldt, Elise Asay, Alexandra Marino, Lyla Wolsky, Annabelle Brooks, Maya Furst, Grace Novak, Antonina Kane, Isabella Lucariello
(Troop 63009 - Catherine Ellis and Karne McLaughlin, Troop Leaders): Rachel Ellis, Emily Grobe, NatalieTomaich, LenoraTalbot, Hope Sordillo, Chelsea Sordillo, Avery Bollaro
2023 Silver Award: (Troop 60608- Elizabeth White and Marisa Steel, Troop Leaders): Katie White
(Troop 62038 –Alka Solanki, Troop Leader): Jaina Solanki, Victoria Agostino, Winter Karl-Gruswitz, Aishani Mandalia
Some former Girl Scouts, Asay pointed out, included Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Venus Williams, Sally Ride, Sandra Day-O'Connor and Queen Elizabeth II.
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ROXBURY, NJ – This year’s Rox-THON event at Roxbury High School, which took place last Friday and Saturday, raised about $77,000 to help fight pediatric cancer, according to organizers.
While coming up a little short of the $82,000 raised in 2019, the 2024 installment’s total is the third-highest since Rox-THON began a decade ago. Last year’s Rox-THON raised about $56,000.
“RHS Rox-THON was another huge success this year,” said the Roxbury High School Rox-THON Club on Facebook. “This puts us at $514,000 raised lifetime.”
The students thanked all who supported the cause through donations and otherwise. Money raised by the overnight event - where participants were not allowed to sit or sleep from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. while playing games, dancing and eating - will be donated to offset the medical bills of patients at Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morristown and to fund cancer research through the Four Diamonds program at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey, Pa.
“Our students continue to make a difference for families at Goryeb Children's Hospital and Four Diamonds,” said the club.
The high school students were not the only Roxbury students who recently raised money to fight cancer. About $12,000 was gathered this year by pupils at Kennedy Elementary School for the annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation head-shaving event, according to Roxbury Rotary Club member Steve Alford, who attended the March 15 celebration dressed as a leprechaun.
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]]>MONTVILLE, NJ - The Montville Township Women’s Club, a non-profit organization, would like to share that the Dance & Donate event on March 14th to celebrate Women’s History Month resulted in 283 prom gowns donated to benefit the non-profit project, Self-Sufficiency’s “Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop”.
The club members would like to sincerely thank all of our friends, family members and those in our community who generously donated dresses and accessories.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank our partners in this project, The Rosenberg Real Estate Group, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Margaret Miller, Esquire, Salon I Am and Pine Brook Dry Cleaners. Their support, concerted efforts and expertise led to the successful accomplishment of this project.
]]>JERSEY CITY, NJ- LIUNA Laborers Local 3, celebrated select members of color as part of a Black History Celebration at P.S. 23 recently to close out February as Black History Month.
The event was emceed by Business Manager Paul Roldan, who noted this was the first-ever such Black History Month event hosted by the Local. Roldan said the event aimed to celebrate the month as well as honor a group of individuals whose dedication to equality has been "unmatched."
“At Local 3, we strive to continue a long legacy of organized labor, support for civil rights, equality, and the right to have faith in the American Dream,” Roldan said. “The working families that we represent, we reflect the diversity of our community and our region.
"The labor movement has long been a force for progress in the fight for racial equality. Labor unions were often at the forefront of the desegregation battle, and the alliance between labor and civil rights that has been vital in the effort to end workplace discrimination," Roldan added. "The basic goals of dignity, safety, equality, and equal opportunity for all workers unify the labor movement and align us with those on the forefront fighting all kinds of inequality.
"Black History Month is not just about honoring those who blaze the trail and whose shoulders we stand on today. It’s about the work that is going on... on the jobs, in the boardrooms, and in every corner of the country here in New Jersey and specifically here in Jersey City. We are lucky to have some of the most hardworking and dedicated policy leaders joining us in the fight today."
Roldan said two such leaders were late Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver and late former Jersey City Mayor and State Senator Glenn Cunningham. He said their lifetimes of dedication were reflected in the names of the awards, alongside Jackie Robinson.
“We can all take inspiration from the lives that they lived, lives of service to people with the goal of uplifting our communities," Roldan said. "As far as we have come, our work is far from done. We must continue prioritizing racial justice in our governance, our policy advocacy, and in our whole nation-building efforts. We will continue to lead the way for the labor movement in New Jersey. “
Before handing out the awards, presenter and honoree Gerard Balmir Jr. began the program with brief remarks. Balmir said that while he has been involved with labor since 2006, he hasn't been to a Black History Month event until this one.
“Don’t take lightly what you’re starting here, and I hope they keep coming back every year and see that this room starts to grow,” Balmir said. “I hope we continue to honor people that represent the legacy of Black laborers that made it possible for us being here.”
Balmir reflected on the slogan at the event: "Learn It, Live It, Make It: Black History." He said that it's important that society pays homage to the past, especially past experiences of people of color, in order to fully live in the truth of the present and continue to make Black history.
According to Balmir, it is important the organization shine a light on the many Black persons who have not been recognized for their contributions throughout American history, because Black history is American history.
“It gives me great pleasure to hear some of the honorees we have tonight because I know some of the persons," Balmir said. "They’ve been putting in work when nobody’s been watching, just to make sure that they make a better life for their people."
Before proceeding with the awards, Rev. Oliver Coleman of Ebenezer Baptist Church led the group in prayer. Coleman said it was great to be gathering to acknowledge people of color throughout history, before telling a story that showed how bare the world would be without the contributions of Black people in the world and listed many such examples.
Roldan took the podium, giving brief remarks echoing Balmir before entering the awards segment of the ceremony. He then presented the Sheila Y. Oliver Trail Blazer award presented to Balmir,
Balmir identified with Oliver, whom he had met at an event related to union organizing and labor issues, as a champion of issues that weren't always universally popular. He lamented her sudden passing, noting that while "Black don't crack" on the outside, on the inside people of color are hurting, dealing with the stress of daily life amid their fight and the struggle of the larger community.
According to Balmir, amid his time in government and politics, his most fulfilling moments were with the Local 3 members. He said that a lot of the members worked with him when he ran for office, helping him on his quest to make a difference in the local community.
"We didn't walk around asking for votes," Balmir said. "We walked around asking people how their lives were and how we could improve it, which is what I’ve always been part of. And one of the things that I know they can tell about my story when it’s all said and done, anywhere I’ve ever been working or volunteering, I’ve always left Black people better than when I found them. So that’s what I would push everybody often to do, regardless if they’re black, Hispanic, brown, we’re all brothers. Don’t be afraid to speak up, to advocate for the underserved. Because even as we sit here and talk about Black history, there’s a universal struggle history we have in America that sometimes big corporations try to split us up and not stand together unified. So again, it’s an honor to be here. I look forward to the coming years to seeing this room fill up. I’m so proud of you other honorees."
Following that, the Glenn D. Cunningham Community Service Award was presented by Balmir to both Cynita Davis and Christopher Caper.
“I can remember when COVID was going on... they had Black history this and Black history that," Davis said. "I was the first female in Hudson County to complete the apprentice program... And that was great for me being an African-American in Hudson County.”
Davis thanked her friends, family, and others who have always been in her corner. She said life isn't easy but that the program made her who she is and helps her to continue to fight through everyday struggles.
“I went through the apprentice program, and that was good for me because I was able to get hands-on experience," Davis said. She added that she learned to do whatever her business agents told her to do, which Davis touted as valuable advice and thanked the business agents in attendance.
Caper said this was a tremendous honor in spite of recently losing a family member. He was happy to be a part of the Black History Celebration hosted by Local 3, as well as just be part of Local 3 in general which he spoke of like family.
“This is special because this is the first Black History for Local 3,” Caper said. “I’m a kid from Jersey City, born and raised. I was born at Medical Center, which is now condos. I remember... the Local giving me an opportunity because, you know, I was working temp agencies and dead end jobs. Local 3 gave me another opportunity to see a different side of life. Now I’m able to provide for my family."
Caper thanked the Local 3, agents and all in attendance, especially his wife and son. He hopes to help the organization build on this so the next event next year will see the auditorium filled with attendees.
"I see a lot of familiar faces, and all I want to say is that the dream doesn’t stop with Doctor Martin Luther King and that we all continue to keep that dream going," Caper said. 'Thank you and I appreciate this opportunity. I appreciate the award. And I just want everybody here to keep going. This isn’t about being White or Black. This is about us uplifting one another as a people and for us to just keep going."
The Jackie Robinson Award, presented by Khaseem Green and Luis "Mosquito" Gonzalez, was bestowed upon Jaliyah Richards and Khalil Coe. Richards was not present but Ladell Quain accepted the award on her and her father Matt's (a Local 3 member) behalf.
“He wants to thank all of you for always supporting him and Jelly, sponsoring Brick City Lions, and being there right behind him the whole way," Quain said. "We want to thank Jerry Brown for supporting this event, and all you guys for coming out. And let’s give a hand to Jelly and wish her luck when she hits that mat."
Coe thanked all the honorees, as well as everyone who has supported him leading up to this point. He was keen on the suggestion of a potential future sponsorship of him by the Local 3.
“I wanna give thanks to my girl and my family and everybody that supports me,” Coe said. “I appreciate you guys for giving this opportunity to mention me in the same sentence as Jackie Robinson. That’s an honor in of itself.”
The last award was for Contractor of the Year. Presented by Roldan, the honor was given to Bernard Shiver on behalf of Bees Construction Group. Shiver thanked god and told his story of how he came to where he is at.
“You know what’s crazy about what I do?,” Shiver said. “I was a kid and I didn’t have too much guidance, too much help. And me and my brothers, we raised each other. So, when I stopped playing football, I realized there was a lot of kids like me. They didn’t know what it is to have structure, and have discipline. So we was a little wild. But once I got a little bit of coaching, and what’s crazy about coaching... you’re teaching kids to not just play football but how to live, what to do to survive in this world. Give them the tools that they need.
According to Shiver, when he got to the union, at first he was a "little rusty." He overheard one day that his boss wanted to fire him, but a coworker stuck up for him and he kept the job, forever grateful for the brotherhood.
“That really helped my fly,” Shiver said. “So I took, from being in the union, to create something to give an avenue for those that- Listen all our kids don’t go to college, don’t know how to fill out an application or whatever. But that don’t give us the right to write them off... So what I created, I said you know what, I’m going to get my own and give them the opportunity nobody gave me. So I created a company called Bees Construction and I hire people, and I train people, and I teach them something that nobody can take away from them. The only one that can destroy that is you, because at the end of the day, we all deserve a chance."
Shiver concluded that Black History Month events are key to keeping the movement for equality going and helping one and other prosper: "If we don’t stick up and fight for each other, who will? Look at our children man. And people say the kids are bad? Nah. We were bad. Because if we gave them what we needed, they wouldn’t be doing what they do. So we’ve got to stand up and take our own responsibility too."
]]>CLARK, NJ — Recently, Clark resident and blogger Michele Krimmel reached out to TAPinto Clark to share a special upcoming fundraising event she's organizing for Still I Run - Runners for Mental Health Awareness at the Chipotle in Clark on Tuesday, March 19.
According to Krimmel, Still I Run is "the country's only non-profit running community that works on a nationwide level to promote the benefits of running for mental health and also get more people running for their mental health."
This year, Still I Run is raising money and promoting its cause by partnering with the Chicago Marathon, scheduled to take place on October 13. In addition to organizing and promoting the event, Krimmel is also running the marathon, her second.
"While these are exciting and huge opportunities," Krimmel noted, "these partnerships do come with costs such as participation fees, jerseys for the team, race weekend team bonding, and more."
Thus, over the next several months, Still I Run will be hosting a number of fundraisers in and around Clark. The March 19th Chipotle event will be held from 5-9 p.m. One-third of the event sales will be donated to Still I Run.
Chipotle in Clark is located at 1255 Raritan Rd.
Those making in-person purchases should print out the attached flyer or click here and present it when ordering.
Those ordering online can use the following code: N73JQRW
We look forward to seeing you there!
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]]>ROXBURY, NJ – The first phase of a Roxbury Rotary Club project that will improve the appearance of Black River Park in Succasunna is tentatively scheduled to begin next week.
Announced in July, the project will entail volunteers from the club – with some help from the Roxbury Department of Public Works (DPW) - removing invasive plants from the Black River Pond shoreline, said DPW Assistant Director Steve Senese.
Discussing the project at the March 12 Roxbury Mayor and Council meeting, Senese said the goal is to trim the unsightly plants all the way from the Black River Barn to the Black River Park trailhead across Main Street from Suburban Furniture.
“The first thing you see coming into Roxbury off Route 10 is Black River Park and – unfortunately, because of all the invasive species we have there - it’s gotten overgrown and the vista to the lake itself, which is beautiful, is impacted negatively,” he said.
Senese said members of the club will endeavor to remove the “heavy brush” along the shoreline. “That will open up the vista from the parking lot,” he said. “We have a lot of invasives there, and they are very difficult to treat So we are going to tackle it through a couple of different means. The first is removing the brush at the root.”
However, he said the roots will not be torn out of the ground in the first phase because doing so might result in too much soil erosion. Removal of the roots is likely to take place “later in the year” when the second phase of the project is tackled. At that time, grass will be planted as a temporary way to prevent erosion, with the goal being to eventually plant native species of aquatic vegetation, Senese said.
“It’s a wonderful project,” said Roxbury Township Manager John Shepherd, pointing to the work the club did in restoring Conkling Pond on Mooney Mountain.
Senese said the Black River Park work is scheduled to begin March 21 at 1:30 p.m. “Rotary has a bunch of volunteers, but they’re certainly looking for more,” he said. “The more hands the merrier.”
Related TAPinto Roxbury stories:
New Project for Roxbury Rotary: Black River Park Cleanup
Roxbury Rotary Continues Conkling Pond Beautification
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]]>CLARK, NJ — The Tylor Collins Scholarship Fund, located in Clark, is currently holding its Pocketbook Box Fundraiser.
There are a total of 38 prizes one can win—20 designer handbags and 18 wristlets.
Each box costs $30. Text 908-499-2091 with your first five choices, along with your first and last name.
Boxes 1-130 are already taken.
You can Venmo your payment to @TylorsSoldiers (please include your box number) or send a check to The Tylor Collins Scholarship Fund, located at 19 Shetland Dr. in Clark.
Please do not Venmo your payment until your number has been verified.
The Tylor Collins Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit organization that disburses educational scholarships to graduating seniors at Arthur L. Johnson High School and raises awareness about Ewing Sarcoma, a cancer that forms most often in and around the bones. It is named for Tylor Collins, a Clark resident, who died in April 2015, one day before his 17th birthday.
For more information, see the attached flyer or click here and here.
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]]>PATERSON, NJ - Brother Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly and Brother Vincent Arrington of the Lambda Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. participated in a heartwarming Read Across America event in Paterson on March 5. The event aimed to emphasize the significance of literacy among youth and foster a love for reading through the timeless stories of Dr. Seuss.
During the event, children were captivated by the whimsical tales of Dr. Seuss, transported to fantastical worlds through the pages of his books. As Wimberly and Arrington read aloud, the children's eyes lit up with wonder and curiosity, eager to delve into the next adventure between the covers of a book. The joy and enthusiasm from the young audience underscored the magic that reading can bring into their lives.
Through their participation in Read Across America, Wimberly and Arrington shared their love for reading and served as role models for the importance of education and literacy. By engaging directly with the children and showcasing the joy of storytelling, they instilled a sense of excitement and appreciation for books that will hopefully stay with the young readers for years to come.
Wimberly and Arrington along with their brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. continue to champion literacy and education in their community, their dedication a beacon of hope and inspiration for young readers. Through their efforts, they are planting the seeds of knowledge and imagination, ensuring that Paterson children have the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.
The Read Across America event led by Lambda Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., highlighted the transformative power of literacy and the joy of reading. By encouraging children to explore the world of books, the brothers sowed the seeds of a brighter future where education is valued and knowledge is celebrated. Together, they are building a community where every child can discover the magic of storytelling and unlock the endless possibilities that reading can offer.
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CAMDEN – The words “fire department” likely conjure images of smoke, flames, fire and firefighters.
And now, at least in Camden, those words may very well conjure images of books.
Yes, books, thanks to the Camden City Fire Department teaming up with The Free Books Project on Monday, March 11, to install the first book ark — a handmade structure containing free books that anyone can take or leave — at a city fire department building.
According to representatives from the city’s fire department and literacy group, the book ark will provide multiple benefits.
Jesse Flax, the Camden City Fire Department chief, said, “Getting the books out to the community is something we want to promote. In addition, we want (people) to come and feel as though the fire department is accessible and available to them… especially when they do not have a fire."
Tom Martin, The Free Books Project’s founder and executive director, added, “It is perfect because they can steward the ark…. They can engage with the community and it is a nice reward for them because the arks are not just pieces of wood, they are beautiful pieces of art.”
The book ark at the city’s fire department headquarters at 4 N. Third St. is roughly three feet high. Christina Gebert of Stratford, New Jersey, said in an interview that she chose to paint it in the reds and yellows commonly associated with fire trucks as a tribute to her grandfather, who was a Newark, NJ, firefighter, and because of the book ark’s location.
One of the first children to check out the new book, ark, and its contents was a 10-year-old resident of Camden, Javier Gonzalez. He received that privilege by filling the book ark with its first set of reading materials, which included mystery novels, stories of teen angst and other tales, some of which were written in Spanish. His mother, Gabby Gonzalez, said she had read to her son while pregnant, which may have spurred his interest in books.
“He loves learning and he is a very curious little boy,” Gabby Gonzalez said of her son’s involvement in the book ark’s installation.
There are currently about 75 other book arks around the city of Camden and more are being planned, according to Martin. A map of the book ark locations in the city can be found on The Free Books Project’s Facebook page.
CHATHAM, NJ -- They've put in the time and the money.
Chatham residents Susan and Jay Allen helped fund the current construction project at the Library of the Chathams with a $125,000 donation and have worked as members and consultants to the Library Board of Trustees.
“Susan and Jay Allen’s impact on the Library of the Chathams is important and unmatched,” Andy Hollander, president of the library board of trustees, said. “The library wouldn’t be the same without their amazing work and support.
"Our community owes them a large debt of gratitude, and I know I speak both for the community and the Board of Trustees in expressing our heartfelt thanks.”
The Allens were longtime residents of Chatham Borough before moving to Chatham Township. They donated in 2018 and have since seen the project "A Space for Everyone" take shape with the renovation of the rear entrance and the creation of the "Teen Center."
“Susan and I have seen the library become the community center for the Chathams, serving as much more than a source of reading and reference materials,” Jay Allen said. ”The library provides after-school programs for children and teens, an activity center for seniors, programs to inform and enhance the community, and so many other functions that add to the vitality and culture of our community.
"With funds provided by the Chathams not sufficient to meet the changing needs of the library, Susan and I felt a duty to make this donation to bridge this funding gap and demonstrate our recognition of the importance of the Library to the Chathams.”
As a member of the Chatham Historical Society, Susan Allen especially values the library’s local history collection housed in the treasured New Jersey Room within the library.
“When people visit the New Jersey Room for the first time, they are surprised by the richness of its unique contents,” she said. “It’s important to me that the library provides easy access to these treasures for the public and also guards the safety of these historical books.”
Susan Allen has given her time by serving as a member of the Library Board of Trustees since 2015 and currently is the board secretary. Jay Allen contributed his expertise and advice to major campaign management matters, informed by his role as chairman of the board of trustees at his alma mater, Wabash College.
About the Chatham Library Foundation
The Chatham Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was created exclusively to charitably aid Library of the Chathams. The Foundation’s principal purpose is to support the Library of the Chathams, a joint free public library, for the benefit of the residents of Chatham Borough and Chatham Township, New Jersey. For more information on how to donate, visit their website: www.ChathamLibraryFoundation.org.
STAFFORD - Stafford Township published the following information about an upcoming event.
Mayor Henken and Township Council would like to invite you to the Stafford Township Green Team's Community Wide Clean Up, Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at various locations throughout the Township.
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OLEAN, NY — Each year, the Zonta Club of Olean recognizes women in the community for empowering other women, and, on March 8, International Women’s Day, presents them with a yellow rose, the symbol of friendship and the official flower of Zonta.
This year's 11 recipients are listed below. All exemplify the compassion, empathy, drive and love for community that the Zonta Club of Olean represents.
More information is available at oleanzonta.org.
]]>SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTY - All are invited to participate in the Third Annual Throw the Distance Triples Disc Golf Tournament!
This is a triples' event (teams of 3 players) to benefit David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation.
Both long and short tees will be employed and there will be lots of changes to many holes (Mando's, obstacles, islands, etc.) to make this event more challenging and fun!
This is a XC-Tier event. It is a non-rated round, but you will receive points. The player pack will consist of a LiveLoveLovas custom stamp disc from Dynamic Discs.
As this is a charity event, there will be no cash payouts.
Trophies will be awarded to the first place members in each division.
Please message us if interested in becoming a sponsor.
With a $100 Sponsorship, we will include your name (or business) on our event banners.
YOU can sponsor by check made payable to: DDBCF, 102 East Bay Avenue, Suite A, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 or Venmo: @DavidsDream
To register to participate for the event. Click Here
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