Several schools around the district celebrated Read Across America, learning about Dr. Seuss and stopping everything to take some time to read. Page 15
The Hometown Newspaper of Bridgewater and Raritan
Volume 6, Issue 4
www.thebreezenj.com
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center held its annual Purim carnival to celebrate the Jewish holiday. We’ve got photos of the fun had by all! Page 10
April 2014
BRHS Grad Wins $100K in ‘Jeopardy!’ Championships Terry O’Shea took the top prize in the game show’s recent college championships. By Audrey Levine A question about Gibraltar, which only she could answer, made Bridgewater resident Theresa O’Shea the newest winner of the “Jeopardy!” College Championships. O’Shea, a student at Princeton University, won $100,000 after beating out students from across the country in all rounds of the competition. “The experience was surreal,” she said. “While New Jersey was in the throes of the polar vortex, L.A. was balmy. I met Alex Trebek and members of the Clue Crew team, and they’re just like they are on tv — welcoming and nice.” “As for playing in the actual rounds, you quickly forget that you’re going to be on television across the country and that you’re playing for thousands of
Terry O’Shea with “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek
dollars,” she added. “You just get in the zone.” It was luck and a Facebook group, plus a love of “Jeopardy!”, that led O’Shea to the show. The Princeton Class of 2016, of which O’Shea is a part, has a Facebook group, and someone posted that more students should apply for the college championships because the school hadn’t shown well in past tournaments. “The post reminded me that I’d always loved and wanted to be on the show,” she said. “From there, a whirlwind of good luck took me to the Sony Studios lot in Los Angeles.” To qualify, O’Shea said, she took an online 50-question test. “People who do well enough on that test are selected at random to have an interview and mock game in front of the show’s
producers,” she said. “From the interview stage, 15 people are chosen to appear on the show. So I was very lucky to have gotten on the show in my first try.” To prepare, O’Shea said, she quizzed herself on the online archive of questions that have been asked on the show, and she read articles on Wikipedia. Plus, she said, she spent time on a quiz website to get small facts. “I was worried about my reflex speed as well, so I practiced buzzing in by clicking the button on my ‘Jeopardy!’ pen over and over,” she said. “Everyone who auditions gets a free pen with the game logo on it, and the button on these pens is supposedly in the same shape as the actual buzzer used on the show.” O’Shea said she was worried before the show began that See JEOPARDY, Page 5
BOE Approves Early ‘14–’15 Budget Moretti to Serve as 2014 The budget will go to the county superintendent for approval.
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By Audrey Levine The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School Board of Education approved a tentative 2014–2015 budget that includes funding to assist with the new state regulations for teacher observations. The budget will now go for approval from the county superintendent. From there, the administration and board of education will have the opportunity to review it again before an April 24 public hearing and potential final approval.
The biggest source of contention in the budget concerned a proposal to include $100,000 in the budget for administrative changes that would help with a state-mandated 104 percent increase in evaluations and other similar requirements each year. According to interim superintendent Cheryl Dyer, the district currently has 14 positions that are under consideration for change – 10 educational teaching specialists (ETS) and four 12-month supervisors. In the budget, Dyer has proposed changing that to 16 positions. They would be five ETS staff or five curriculum and assessment specialists; two 12-month supervisors of special education; four 10-month supervisors; four 10-month vice-principals; and one 12-month supervisor of special education. There will also be a new health and physical education supervisor – a position eliminated in budget cuts several years ago – but that is covered in the budget by a retirement. “Most work is to support teaching and learning, and teachers are here 10 months, not 12,” Dyer said. Dyer said the role of the 10-month vice principal differs from that of an ETS in that a vice principal can observe and evaluate teachers and manage
a building when the principal is out. The vice principal would have administrative duties that an ETS would not. And, Dyer said, the district is missing some vice principals that would be beneficial in the district for disciplinary purposes, taking care of the building when the principal is out and more. Positions being replaced by 10-month ones, Dyer said, result in a decrease in costs, and other new positions would replace those who are retiring. Dyer said they have also accounted in the budget for returning five ETS positions to teaching positions. For many board of education members, and community members, it wasn’t the additional $100,000 in the budget they objected to, but the loss of the ETS staff. “I don’t support cutting half of the ETS, they are especially important through sixth grade,” said board member Jill Gladstone. Instead, Gladstone said, she would rather see if any teachers have supervisory certificates, and have them serve in place of vice principals. “I think we should think out of the box,” she said. “I think this is a lot of changes too soon.” Many board members, and See ETS, Page 7
Basilone Grand Marshall By Bruce Doorly bdoorly@verizon.net The Grand Marshall of the 2014 John Basilone Memorial Parade is World War II army veteran Gene Moretti. During the war, he participated in the first three U.S. invasions onto enemy territory. With the army, he journeyed more than 1,000 miles across North Africa into Italy, fighting the Germans along the way. In combat, he saw men die and he rescued injured men. He experienced personal tragedy when his brother, who was serving in the Navy, was killed off Okinawa. At the end of the war, he found romance, meeting his future wife. Moretti was born in Raritan in 1917. As a young boy, he attended the Raritan public schools, which were on the property where the municipal building is today. He attended St. Ann Church, where he served as an altar boy. On hot summer days, he swam in the Raritan River. In 1929, when he was 11, his family moved to a house on South Bridge Street in Somerville. With the start of World War II, both Moretti and his brother, Joseph, volunteered to serve their country. His brother joined the Navy, Moretti the Army. After a sendoff dinner at Orlando’s Restaurant in Raritan, Moretti was sent to Fort McClellan for
Moretti training. In November 1942, his unit took part in the first U.S. invasion of enemy territory (known as Operation Torch) when they landed in Casablanca, Morocco. Moretti saw the mass confusion that plagued the U.S. Army in the early part of the war. After they established a position off the beach, they spent several days with no supplies, and were given no direction from officers on what the next step was. Fortunately, after a few days, leadership emerged and the troops were re-supplied and begin a long trek across northern Africa, battling the Germans. Along the way, Moretti took See MORETTI, Page 12
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April 2014
The BReeze
BReeze Bulletin Board
The BReeze 726 Route 202 South Suite 320-190 Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-255-5926 www.thebreezenj.com thebreezenj@gmail.com facebook.com/TheBReezeNJ @TheBReezeNJ Publisher & Editor: Audrey Levine Contributing Writer: Bruce Doorly Photographer Bernard DeLierre Deadlines for May: Ads: April 10 News: April 15
A number of volunteers among the different rescue squads are being honored through Bridgewater Township’s annual length of service awards program (LOSAP). The township council recently approved a resolution that honors those active members of the squads for length of service. The program, according to the resolution, provides for fixed annual contributions of $1,150 per qualifying member to a deferred income account for those volunteers with a minimum of 500 annual service points. The honorees from the Finderne First Aid and Rescue Squad are: • Adam Fulmore, Amanda
Ianniello, Brian Sowden, Carol Ianniello, Charles Dominguez, Dale Artfitch, Dhruvi Shah, Gary Lavenia, Gina Puerari, Justin Rivera, Katelyn Sowden, Kathryn Sowden, Kyle Vaccaro, Marc Sowden, Richard Sowden, Ross Kovelman, Shawn Sowden and Steve Demair. The honorees from the Bradley Gardens First Aid and Rescue Squad are: • Dan Calligaro, Kevin Gross, Chris Ireland, Robert Hanlon II, Judy Hanlon-Offenburger, Jack Thompson, Wind Chen, Juliana Calligaro, Scott Woodruff, Jeffrey
Taylor, April McMorrow, Nick Rinaldo, Gabe Trepiccione, Kyle William, Brianna Retsis, Phil Langon, Matthew Chaing and Jason Kreyling. The honorees from the Green Knoll Rescue Squad are: • David S. Carson, Michael S. Halperin, Stephan Landau, Dov Landau, Timothy Ring, Sabino V. DeRogatis, David Weedon, Craig Simon, Marc Vogt, Michael O’Brien and Sharon Pasewaldt. The honorees from the Martinsville Rescue Squad are: • Robert Albano, Michael Alonso, Brian Atherton, Howard Bixler, JoAnne Bix-
ler, John Cowley, Georgetta Denhardt, Donald Elias, Catherine Franco, Diane Gasko, Ana Geraldes, Rita Gonsalves, Yolanda Guzman, Michael Hamerslag, Katherine Hixson, Susan Klein, Penelope Lynch, Debbie Manna, James Mecca, Peter Mone, William Mone, Inge Monticello, Lisa Pantano, Sara Rall, Scott Rappoport, William Roberts Jr., Margaret Samuels, Hank Schleckser, MaryEllen Schleckser, Judy Schnell, George Schofield, James Scott, Sherry Steger, Doris Zampella, Donna Zarelli and Susan Zweig.
Hillside Teachers Learn CPR to Save a Life
The BReeze is mailed by the first of every month, free of charge, to all residences in Bridgewater Township and Raritan Borough, a total population of about 50,000 people. The opinions expressed in The BReeze, whether by paid advertisement or editorial content, do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper and its staff. The newspaper staff reserves the right to edit any submission for length and content. Contact the staff or submit an article through email at thebreezenj@gmail.com.
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Rescue Workers Honored for Years of Service
Chris Ireland and Theresa Salamone, two members of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association who work at Hillside Intermediate School, recently implemented a training program in response to a new state law taking effect Sept. 14. Janet’s Law requires that at least one faculty member trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use be present at school-sponsored athletic events or team practices. A minimum of five staff members must be training in each school building. The law was named after Janet Zilinski, a Warren girl who died after collapsing at a school event. After she collapsed, CPR was performed, but no AED was available. Zilinski’s parents have been working since then to make
sure schools are required to have access to these life-saving devices for the future. Hillside Intermediate School already had a CPR response team with 10 certified staff members who respond to locations in the school when a nurse confirms that CPR is needed. Because Ireland, band teacher at the school, and Salamone, the school nurse, also work as CPR instructors for Somerset Medical Center, they believed more staff would want to be certified. To date, 46 staff members and a district supervisor are getting certified in the American Heart Association’s Heartsaver CPR and AED course. The school has borrowed equipment from the Somerset Medical Center Life Support Training program, and Hillside principal Terry Pennington purchased limited supplies needed to complete the
Hillside Intermediate School teachers get certified in the American Heart Association’s Heartsaver CPR and AED course. training. of, but they are now getting In addition, retired school trained to literally help save nurse Tami Lane has come to lives,” Ireland said. “The adthe school to teach even more ministration and their CPR inclasses. structors could not be happier “The staff at Hillside has with everyone’s commitment always had a lot to be proud to cardiac excellence.”
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The BReeze
April 2014
BReeze Bulletin Board
Local Kids Win Top Prizes in SkillsUSA
Bridgewater and Raritan students, plus many others, at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School won top prizes in local New Jersey SkillsUSA contests, and will take part in the SkillsUSA New Jersey Skill and Leadership Championships April 5. Carpentry: Zach Scrape, of Bridgewater Electrical Construction Wiring: Ryan Drumbore, of South Bound Brook Plumbing: Jacob DePaola, of Somerset, and Paul Marinelli, of Pluckemin Welding: Anthony Gallerani, of Princeton Welding Fabrication: Jack Hambrick, of Raritan, Hunter Allen, of Branchburg, and Kyle Chalmers, of Bridgewater State Banner Design: Lauren Bottino, of Bridgewater, and Kyle Hernandez, of North Plainfield Screen Printing Technology: Noel Twombly, of Somerset, Ryan Lowndes, of Bridgewater, and Hannah Lukac, of Bound Brook First Aid/CPR: Mackenzie Trotter, of Somerset Health Knowledge Bowl: Jocelyne Munoz-Campos, of Bound Brook, Teresa Markey, of Bound Brook, Jackie Ortega, of North Plainfield, and Ashley Michel, of Bridgewater Wedding Cake Decorating: Emily Horta, of Green Brook, and Ashley Anello, of Bridgewater Commercial Baking: Hanna Krilov, of Bridgewater Restaurant Service: Alyssa Simone, of Basking Ridge Cosmetology (Novice): Danielle Russo, of Somerset Cosmetology (Advanced): Sofia Quesada-Rojas, of Bridgewater Esthetics: Alyssa Douglas, of Bridgewater, with model Victoria Triozzi, of Branchburg Criminal Justice: Paula Yepes, of Bridgewater, Monica Carlton, of South Bound Brook, and Chris Yanoso, of Raritan Criminal Justice Quiz Bowl: Emily Skeels, of Bridgewater, Yamily Arellano, of Bound Brook, Chris Yanoso, of Raritan, Courtney Coleman, of North Plainfield, and Kevin Pidany, of Bridgewater Auto Refinishing Technology: Fabian Alfaro, of Bound Brook Custom Automotive Painting: Alexandra Santa Maria, of Hillsborough, and Edgar Ceja, of South Bound Brook Custom Automotive Painting: Angelo Mel-tos, of North Plainfield, and Kevin Montouri, of South Bound Brook Job Skills Demonstration A: Christopher Castro, of Somerville Collision Repair Technology: Anthony Sibaja, of Basking Ridge Automotive Service Technology: Zachary Sperr, of South Bound Brook Diesel Equipment Technology: Brett Redling, of Bernardsville, Joshua Montero, of Warren, and Wade Caruso, of Green Brook
Auto Maintenance: Janelle Roper, of Bridgewater, and Christopher Totorello, of Hillsborough Motorcycle Service Technology: Cody Mutchler, of Raritan Power Equipment Technology: Timothy Kraft, of Somerset, Kyle Fanurik, of Martinsville, and Stephen D’Armiento, of North Plainfield Quiz Bowl: Daniel Marcinek (captain), of Green Brook, Madeline Kestenbaum, of Branchburg, Katie Furman, of Flemington, Soham Shah, of Hillsborough, Noah Alsamadisi, of Bridgewater, JeanPierre Jacob (alternate), of North Plainfield, and Sarah Furman (alternate), of Flemington Related Technical Math: Kennedy Ralston, of Annandale Medical Math: Andrew Kerrigan, of Hillsborough, Jonathon Garaffa, of Skillman, and Khushma Parekh, of Ringoes Job Interview: Leia Chemmacheril, of Hillsborough Prepared Speech: Sridivya Kavuru, of Bridgewater Medical Terminology: Yesha Parekh, of Ringoes, Maya Schlesinger, of Martinsville, and Ian Dominic De Los Reyes, of Bridgewater Chapter Display: Chloe Jen, of Bridgewater, Ruchi Patel, of Hillsborough, Aishwarya Anand, of Basking Ridge Entrepreneurship: Alok Pillai, of Hillsborough, Satyakrishna Polavarapu, of Bridgwater, Parth Patel, of Raritan, and Robert Bender, of Hillsborough Community Service: Michelle Fishbeyn, of Ringoes, Emily Heathcote, of Branchburg, and Palak Shah, of Hillsborough Extemporaneous Speaking:
Matthew Allen, of South Bound Brook Career Pathways – Agricultural, Food & Natural Resources: Apurva Swapnil, of Hillsborough, Abhishek Shrinet, of South Bound Brook, and Shawn Young, of Martinsville Career Pathways – Architecture & Construction: Swati Patel, of Somerset, Ramya Kommidi, of Franklin Park, and Julianna Kosty, of Somerset Career Pathways – Health Science: Shanaya Shah, of Hillsborough, Alexander Shu, of Somerset, and Matthew Calapatia, of Hillsborough Career Pathways – Health Science: Victoria Shahinian, of Lebanon, Harleen Singh, of Bridgewater, and Nitya Kalidindi, of Bridgewater Career Pathways – Human Services: Geneva Magsino, of Raritan, Saloni Lad, of Princeton, and Karen Huang, of Martinsville Career Pathways – Manufacturing: Mitali Shah, of Hillsborough, Claire Foster, of Flemington, and Alina Lou, of Hillsborough Career Pathways – Marketing, Sales & Services: Aaron Lee, of Raritan, Harini Prayaga, of Bridgewater, and Kiran Raja, of Bridgewater Career Pathways – Science, Technology & Math: Suraj Patel, of Somerville, Samyak Gupta, of Flemington, and Rohit Rustagi, of Hillsborough Career Pathways – Transportation Distribution & Logistics: Masood Karimi, of Somerset, Martyn Megaloudis, of North Plainfield, and David Sosidko, of Pittstown.
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College News
Bridgewater-Raritan High School graduate Louis Triandafilou was named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2013 semester at Raritan Valley Com munit y College. He is majoring in exercise Triandafilou science, and, after getting his Associate Science Degree, will be getting a Bachelors Degree in Sports Management at a four-year college in New Jersey. Triandafilou is the son of Monica Neumann and Lou Triandafilou. A number of students in the local area were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2013 semester at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Students named to the Dean’s List have completed 12 credits of coursework with a GPA of at least 3.5. Honored this past
semester were Anna Anakhasyan, of Bridgewater; Jared Simon, of Bridgewater; Colleen Tighe, of Bridgewater; Colleen Yessman, of Bridgewater; and Matthew Cardinali, of Martinsville. Nicole A. Wilferth, of Bridgewater, was named to the Dean’s List at LIM College for the Fall 2013 semester. To earn a place on the Dean’s List, students must earn a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79. Bridgewater native Stephanie Preite has been named to the Dean’s List at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston for the Fall 2013 semester. Preite is pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy, and she will be a graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus. The Dean’s List at the university recognizes students with a full-time course load who have achieved outstanding scholarship for the academic term, with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
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April 2014
The BReeze
And the Winner is ... Win a Personalized BBQ Set From Crown Trophy
Congratulations to Ray Torno, of Bridgewater, the winner of our ad symbol contest. Ray won a $100 gift card to Randazzo’s and Raritan Pastry Shop. Above, Ray (back right) stands with John Randazzo, one of the owners of the bakeries, as well as Ray’s sons, Raymond (left), 12, and Chris, 12. At Randazzo Pastry Shop and Deli, we are not another franchise. We are third generation bakers and still use authentic recipes handed down from family. Unlike some places that have cut corners by replacing ingredients with artificial flavors, we still use real almond paste and butter in our cookies. Quality and taste are never compromised to save a few pennies. Never ones to shy away from hard work, the owners, Jerry and John, are hands on. They can usually be found at the stores, behind the counter serving customers or in the back baking. Originally from Brooklyn, they have been serving the community of Raritan since opening at 611 Route 202 in November 1996, and have recently expanded, taking over the old Raritan Bakery on Main Street. At Randazzo’s, we are looking to bring back true classics like the “real” bakery doughnut, but are always adding to our menu with customer requests, and new favorites as well. We are always striving to make the community proud, and are thankful to our loyal customers that have allowed us to be part of their lives for the past 17 years. We look forward to serving you for the next 17 years!
Look on each page of this issue to find the monthly symbol hidden in 10 advertisements. List the 10 ads containing the symbol and email to winthebreezeadgame@ yahoo.com or mail to The BReeze, 726 Route 202 South, Suite 320190, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. The readers with the correct answers will be entered into a drawing. Be sure to get your list to us by April 10 to be eligible to win. Please limit to one entry per household. Please include with your list your full name and phone number where you can be reached. The winner will be notified by phone and will be asked to make arrangements to go to the business to collect the prize. A photo of the winner with the business owner will be inserted in the next issue of the paper. This month, Crown Trophy
of Flemington is offering to the lucky winner a personalized barbecue tool set that can be engraved with a name, logo or anything else. The symbol you will be looking for appears below, with the letters “BR” in the center:
By James Koch Special to The BReeze We’ll call April “tidbit” month – miscellaneous bits of Bridgewater history that you hopefully haven’t heard. Most of us in this area are lucky enough not to be classified as living in poverty, even if we wish we had more wealth. But in the early 1900s, there was not as much affluence and there were those who were homeless. The county’s solution was to build “poor farms,” and at least one was in Bridgewater. It was a house used as a shelter until the 1930s, then was vacant until the late 1940s when it was destroyed by fire. The “farm” was across the road from Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Garretson Road. It was on the lot just to the west of what is now the current tennis courts. And the YMCA replaced a lovely picturesque red barn with no swimming. The house and barn were on the Davis Farm, which stretched from Garretson Road to the dirt Talamini Road. What saddens me is that we have lost all of nature’s critters that lived there – raccoons and
skunks and weasels and muskrats and sunfish in the stream that ran through the property. Back to the Revolutionary War, General George Washington had problems, first being if the British forces decided to attack the Patriot positions on the First Watchung and surround them. He appointed American General Lord Stirling (William Alexander) to design a signal warning system in the form of fire beacons on the mountains. There were about 27 of them along the Watchung all the way to the Hudson River. If the British were spotted approaching the mountain, local residents would light the beacon fires. Then the local Patriots would meet at prescribed locations in the valley to protect the base of the mountain. Signal Beacon No. 4 was at the top of Steele Gap Road above Foothill Road. I haven’t found the exact location. The Battle of Bound Brook is April 12. For an inexpensive breakfast and to meet some of the forces on both sides, go to HeritageTrail.org. For details of the battle, go to Friends of the Abraham Staats House.
The symbol above is only an example — it does not count as one of the 10. Find all 10 symbols, tell us where you found them and you could be the winner! Good luck!
If you live in Bridgewater or Raritan and you’re curious about what your home may be worth, here’s an easy way to find out what homes like yours are selling for in today’s market in your community. Plus: Get a free report with up-to-the-minute statistics based on all the homes for sale and sold in your town over the last six months in all price ranges. To get your free April 2014 house price report, just call 908-750-6550 for a 24-hour recorded message, or go to:
MySomersetCountyHome.com
Reports provided by: Vincent J. Costa III, Broker-Salesperson, 908-242-6782 mobile. A free report does not obligate the customer to do business with RE/MAX Competitive Edge. Not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale. All offices independently owned and operated.
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The Raritan Public Library has special events planned for this month. To join in on the fun, stop by the library at 54 East Somerset Street, Raritan, or call 908-725-0413 to register.
Painted Mailbox Project
Instructor Irene Mortko will guide the class in stencil painting a flower design onto a USP mailbox April 8 at 1 p.m. You can choose a sunflower, geranium or pansy design or another pattern of your choosing. Mailbox and paints are supplied. Cost of materials is $15.00. Payment is required at time of registration. A sample mailbox will be on display at the Library. Sign up for this fun project!
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Poetry Reading
On April 23 at 6:30 p.m., Raritan Public Library is hosting a poetry reading celebration. The public is invited to join in on this celebration and hear original poems written and read by participants of the annual poetry contest. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.
Movie Night
Veteran actors Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson bring to life the untold story about the origins of Walt Disney’s treasured classic film “Mary Poppins” in “Saving Mr. Banks.” See how this acclaimed movie reveals the surprising back story behind the making of the 1964 beloved film. Running time is 120 minutes, and the movie is rated PG-13. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required, and the movie will be shown at 6 p.m. April 24.
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The BReeze
April 2014
Final Question Big Part of Ultimate Win JEOPARDY from Page 1 the other contestants would be uber-competitive. “Of course everyone was competitive, but the prevailing trait was kindness,” she said. “We all went through an ordeal together, and that bonded us as friends regardless of the outcome.” O’Shea said she believes luck was a big part of her win in that final game, and throughout the whole process. Final “Jeopardy!” questions, O’Shea said, are a big part of the game — and were a big part of her ultimate win. “Final ‘Jeopardy!’ questions are really the most important part of any game, and the fact that I was able to answer all four of my Final ‘Jeopardy!’ questions correctly was, I think, the biggest factor in my being able to win,” she said. Going into the finals game, with a win already in the previous game and the most money going into the last round, O’Shea said she hoped to at least get second place. “It’s still hard for me to believe how lucky I was that day,” she said. “Going into the finals, I was hoping to get second place, and there’s no way I would have suspected that winning the whole thing outright was within the realm of possibility.” Before Final “Jeopardy!” in that last game, which aired Feb.
21, producers paused the show to fact-check an answer. O’Shea said the three contestants were required to sit offstage while they awaited results. “I realized that I was much less nervous than I’d been during my first and second games,” she said. “Having gotten that far in the tournament, I would have been happy with any outcome.” “So I just decided that I would do my best with Final ‘Jeopardy!’ and accept the result with grace,” she added. “It ended up working out for me.” O’Shea said she is currently majoring in English, and is not entirely sure what her future plans will entail. But, she said, there are several jobs that can come from that major. “I’d like to work in government, the Department of State or the Department of Education, but I also really like literature and writing, so maybe academia,” she said. “The future is wide open for me, especially now that I have some money to fall back on.” Still, O’Shea learned a lot from the experience, including many of the facts that led to her win. “I learned what string theory is, I learned that friendship is much more important than competition,” she said, “and I learned that when you go on tv, literally everyone you know is excited for you.”
Thru Lanes Being Considered for Rte. 22 By Audrey Levine tain Avenue and North Gaston a 10-foot shoulder between the Somerset County provided Avenue, all separated by a medi- road and pedestrians walking an update in February on the an barrier. The cost is estimated along Route 22 is included in the Route 22 Corridor long-term at $50.8 million. current plans. improvements, with a goal to The third alternative provides Fishinger said that once the have a plan in place by the end the through lanes almost all plan is approved, they are hoping of the summer. the way to Route 287, stopping to move to preliminary engineerAccording to Joseph around the Bridgewater Diner. ing by the end of this year, and Fishinger, principal traffic en- The cost is expected to be about then investigate funding options, gineer for the county, Somerset $59.9 million. including grants. From there, he County is expected to desaid, the entire project will “[The new eastbound lanes] take between seven and 10 cide on a plan for the changes to the corridor in terms are for cars that don’t want years to be completed. of improving the thruway we have to decide if to stop at the businesses on the“And to Route 287. That decision ramp behind Best Buy Route 22. “ and accompanying study should be part of the project,” will then go to the state caphe said. “It is part of all three —Joseph Fishinger ital program committee for alternatives, but maybe we a final decision. In all three alternatives are ac- will split it off as its own project The purpose of the improve- celeration and deceleration lanes if we can move it faster.” ments, Fishinger said, is to make for major cross streets and busi“That will come down to enviRoute 22 safer in the vicinity nesses; auxiliary lanes between ronmental factors,” he added. of the businesses from Mercer closely spaced cross streets; a Fishinger said there will be trafStreet to Route 287. standard shoulder that is bicycle fic delays while the work is being Currently, the county has three compatible; the removal of the done, but they don’t have those dealternatives that it is investi- Route 202/206 northbound ramp tails at this time because they are gating. The difference between to Route 22 westbound; and the still in the planning stages. them, Fishinger said, is the addi- consolidation of driveways. “And we are evaluating the eftion of eastbound through lanes. With regard to the Route fects on businesses,” he said, par“They are for cars that don’t 202/206 ramp to westbound ticularly concerning those curwant to stop at the businesses on Route 22, Fishinger said, only 50 rently in the median of Route 22, Route 22,” he said. drivers use that in a day during like Buffalo Wild Wings and the The first option brings the peak hours. That, he said, is part Bridgewater Diner, and whether corridor up to standards set by of the reason for its elimination. they need to be removed. “We the New Jersey Department of There is also a plan for a will look at the evaluation of the Transportation, but does not have Route 202/206 northbound to safety, or the value of the busithe extra lanes. The total cost is the Route 287 South ramp, be- nesses.” $37.3 million. tween Commons Way and GarShort term improvements on The second alternative adds retson Road. The planned ramp Route 22 are still continuing with the lanes from Mercer Street up will go around the Best Buy on the removal of the u-turns in the to Gaston Avenue, as well as ser- Commons Way. median expected to be done by vice roadways between MounIn addition, Fishinger said, July.
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April 2014
The BReeze
Superintendent Search Begins Anew By Audrey Levine As the district continues its search to find a new superintendent, the board of education has approved the hiring of a consultant to aid in the process. The district already tried to find a new superintendent with the help of the New Jersey School Boards Association, but was unsuccessful, and determined in December that a new search would begin. The board is preparing to hire Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to conduct the search. According to board member Patrick Breslin, they interviewed two consulting firms and this is the one they chose. “The objective was to see
if we would continue with the New Jersey School Boards or go to someone else,” he said. Breslin said that throughout the country, and especially in New Jersey, superintendent tenures have been declining, with people staying in the position an average of four years throughout the country, and only three years in the state. “There is a high turnover rate, and that is posing problems,” he said. The hired company, Breslin said, will assist in advertising the position and the search. Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates will assign two people to work with the district, and they will interview applicants in
advance and do early reference checks. “I was impressed with both groups we interviewed,” board president Jeffrey Brookner said. “But I prefer this one because they have people personal to us who will know our criteria and interview people.” Breslin said the firm will get the surveys that have already been completed by residents and staff, as well as the information from the board on their criteria, to aid in the search. The board authorized the district to enter into an agreement with the company at a fixed cost of $16,000, with other variable costs if more services are rendered.
B-REA President Talks Benefits of ETS Steve Beatty, Bridgewater-Raritan High School teacher and president of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association, spoke at a New Jersey State Board of
Education meeting to challenge the new regulations for testing and evaluations in schools. Beatty shared a personal story about the negative impact the
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Every month, we will ask students around the district to answer one question about the school year or the time of year. This month, we spoke to students at Crim Primary School and asked them to complete this sentence: April Showers Bring …
“…birds chirping,‘chirp chirp,’ rainbows, sun and sports like soccer and tennis. They also bring a boatload of grass, baseball bats swinging and time to spend with family.” — Courtney Kaiser, 2nd Grade “…happiness and joy to the world. The kids all play in puddles. The grown ups say, ‘I wish that was me,’ and the joy spreads throughout the world.” — William Meyer, 2nd Grade
“…umbrellas with some rain.” — Nicholas Gomes, 2nd Grade
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Student Corner
Beatty at the recent NJ School Boards meeting new regulations from TEACHNJ would have on students in the district, particularly in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. The new regulations increase the number of observations required at least in the local district by more than 100 percent, and the district has been working on plans to aid administrators in performing all the evaluations. “We have 10 ETS positions in B-R,” Beatty said. “That stands for education and testing specialists. Certified staff that have made a lateral move to be the conduit between the administrative curriculum team and the classroom. They provide direct and irreplaceable support each and every day to the staff and students in the district to ensure the best possible education is delivered to our nearly 10,000 students.” Beatty explained that the district unveiled a draft budget to eliminate those ETS positions to shift them for the hiring of new administrators to handle the increase in workload. “We are replacing direct classroom resource and instruction with administrative overload,” he said. “Shameful.”
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“…rainbows, sunshine, happiness too. But don’t forget the wonderful sounds we get from it like bicycle wheels, bats crushing balls out of the park and the joy of people yelling, ‘Yippee, spring is here.’” —Colin Woodring, 2nd Grade “…spring flowers./Daisies dancing, Roses prancing./ Blossoms blooming, breezes zooming./Dew dripping, leaves flipping./Birds flying, grass lying./ Streams moving, bugs grooving./ Spring’s forming everywhere.” —Sarah Walker, 4th Grade “…summer powers.” —Stephanie Lewandowski, 3rd Grade
“…lots of flowers. They also bring some floods.” — Nick Jerkovich, 2nd Grade “…fun hours!/We play in the grasses in the middle of May./We dance in the sunshine of the beginning of the day./The clouds in the sky are always cheerful./It makes you and me not ever fearful./The roses and violets and apples and pears./Attract all the bears and everyone there./Fruits, gardening, rain and heat./Everyone agrees that spring is sweet.” —Samantha Strickland, 4th Grade “…the sun’s glowing beams to life. You can hear the hummingbirds singing and you can see the bright green leaves dancing in the warm breeze. The silky grass is brushing against the clean roots of an old oak tree.” —Carly McEntire, 4th Grade
Loss of ETS Staff a Major Concern ETS from Page 1 teachers who spoke before the board, said the ETS staff are more approachable than the administrators and provide a wealth of assistance in the classroom, which they do not want to lose. Board president Jeffrey Brookner said he understands the value of the ETS staff, but also believes the administrative changes are necessary. “We desperately need more administration, and unless we are layering more money into the budget, we have to get it somewhere,” he said. “The things the ETS are doing should be administrative. They were teachers, they should be administrators because they involve supervising teachers.” Board member Patrick Breslin said he believes they are doing the
district a disservice by operating with too few administrators. The board discussed the possibility of simply budgeting in the $100,000 for additional administrators right now, but not designating that money in any specific way at this time. That way, the budget could be submitted to the county superintendent, but the district could look into ways of spending it that would not require eliminating so many ETS positions. That motion was voted down by a 5–4 vote against. Dyer said she believes that this change is the best option to provide more support for both teachers and the administration. “Each observation takes half a day,” she said. “When someone has a need, if an administrator is tied up for four hours in a day
any given day, they are not accessible to the teachers.” Still, teachers said at the meeting that they believe the district should move slowly with respect to the new state regulations. They said the ETS staff serves as a support system, and the district should keep that structure in place. “We are in the business to do what is best for the kids,” said Steve Beatty, president of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association. “What won’t teachers be able to do? What won’t students be able to accomplish?” In the end, the board, in a split vote, moved to approve the budget as is for now. The administration will be looking into more options for the budgeted $100,000 prior to the April 24 public hearing.
Board Pres: Vote on Current Levy Increase is Vote Against Full Day Kindergarten
By Audrey Levine The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education approved a tentative 2014–2015 budget that does not increase the tax levy by the full 2 percent as allowed by the state – and one board member said that could be harmful to the desire for full day kindergarten. The budget as a whole is currently set at $143,063,905, a 2.55 percent increase from the 2013–2014 budget of $139,515,108. The tax levy for the upcoming year’s budget is at $124,875,621, a 1.86 percent increase over the 2013–2014 budget. This is under the cap of 2 percent, as outlined by the state. The district is also receiving $9,307,659 in state aid, a 1.73 percent increase over the state figures last year. For taxpayers, this means that for Bridgewater residents with an average home assessment of about $400,000, the tax rate will stand at 1.42, translating to $5,652.41. This is an increase of $22.30 per $100,000 of home assessment. In Raritan, residents will see a decrease of $36.06 per $100,000 of land assessment in
Page 7
The BReeze
April 2014
their taxes. This translates to a tax rate of about 1.26, making taxes $4,022.64 for residents with an average home assessment of $319,545.50. Board of education president Jeffrey Brookner said he believes that not bringing the tax levy to cap is actually a hit against the request for full day kindergarten. Parents have been asking for full day kindergarten throughout the district as soon as possible. “If we are serious about full day kindergarten a couple years from now, we need to look at it now,” Brookner said. “I think a vote for a 1.86 percent increase instead of 2 percent is a vote against full day kindergarten.” Instead, Brookner said, the board should be voting to increase taxes to the 2 percent cap and put the extra money away for costs associated with full day kindergarten. At this point, the board has not made any official decisions regarding full day kindergarten because it is looking into the demographer’s report and all costs associated with the facilities, teachers and more. But other board members were not so sure about raising taxes higher.
Board member Arvind Mathur said that, in a few years, if they need to increase over the cap because of full day kindergarten, they could always go to the public for a vote on the budget. “Don’t give a government body money before it is needed,” said board member Patrick Breslin. “I think that’s well-intended, but I think it will end up being spent somewhere else.” Board member Evan Lerner said he thinks they should be instituting full day kindergarten as soon as possible, but the additional money at this point wouldn’t go very far anyway. Still, Brookner said, he believes that it is important to start raising money and planning now for what they want to do in the future. And, he said, a required vote later to increase the budget may end up backfiring. “People who support the school don’t out-vote those who want to vote no,” he said. “We all need to be aware that if we vote on the budget (as is), we are voting to delay full day kindergarten.” Despite Brookner’s concerns, the board did vote to approve the budget with only a 1.86 percent increase in the tax rate.
School Calendar April 3 – April 4: Hillside – Theatre Evening Performance, 7:30 p.m. April 3: Bradley Gardens – CSA/PTO Bingo Night April 3: John F. Kennedy – Health Dance, 6 p.m. April 4: BRMS – Middle School Musical, 7 p.m. April 4: Van Holten – Craft Night and Game Night April 4: Crim – PTO Meeting, 9 a.m. April 8: Wade Building – Board of Education Work Session, 8 p.m. April 8: BRMS – Scholarship Basket Bingo, 7 p.m. April 9: Hillside – Dance for African Education, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. April 9: BRHS – Athletic Club Meeting, 7:30 p.m. April 9: Adamsville – PTO Meeting, 7:30 p.m. April 10 – April 11: Eisenhower – Drama Production April 10: Hillside – Staff Volleyball Game, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. April 10: Hamilton – PTO Meeting, 7 p.m. April 12: BRHS – ACT Testing April 15: No School April 18: No School April 22: BRHS – Art Exhibit, 8 p.m. April 22: BRHS – Scholarship Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m. April 23: Eisenhower – Grade 5/6 Vocal Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m. April 23: Eisenhower – PTO Meeting, 9:15 a.m. April 24: Wade Building – BOE Regular Meeting, Budget Hearing, 8 p.m. April 24: BRHS – Fine Arts Festival Visual Art Exhibit, 6 p.m. April 25: Hillside – Roots & Shoots Backyard Work Day, 3:30 p.m. April 25: BRHS – Art Exhibit, 8 p.m. April 25: Van Holten – Game and Craft Night April 25: BRHS – Volleyball Game, Van Holten vs. Adamsville, 7 p.m. April 26: Bradley Gardens – Clothing Sale April 28: Eisenhower – Grade 4 Instrumental Parent Meeting, 7 p.m. April 28 – May 1: BRMS – NJASK April 28: BRHS – PTO Meeting, 7 p.m. April 30: Hillside – Grade 4 Parent Orientation, 7:30 p.m. Check the school websites and calendars for updates or lastminute adjustments, www.brrsd.k12.nj.us.
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April 2014
The BReeze
BReeze Be There
April 3
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center is hosting a Night to Celebrate Israel at 6:30 p.m. at the Raritan Valley Country Club in Bridgewater. The evening’s distinguished guest speaker will be Israel Ambassador Ido Aharoni, and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker will be an invited guest. Being honored at the event will be Elaine Dunst, past president of the Jewish Federation, and Jacob Binstein, Rutgers Hillel student. A full buffet dinner will be available, as well as a cash bar. Costs are $50 per adult and $18 for students. Register online at www. ssbjcc.org, or by calling 908-7256994, ext. 201.
April 5
Bridgewater Baseball and Softball will be holding its opening day ceremonies at Prince Rodgers Field from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will feature a parade of players onto the field, followed by a ceremony with local officials.
April 5
Boy Scout Troop 84, in Somerville, will host a Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Immaculata High School cafeteria, on Mountain Avenue in Somerville. The cost of the breakfast is $5 per person, and children under 6 years of age are $4. For ticket requests or more information, email troop84pancakebreakfast@yahoo.com. Funds raised from the event will help purchase equipment and supplies for Troop 84.
April 5
The North Branch Reformed Church Preschool will host a silent auction from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with bidding ending at 6:30
p.m. All are welcome to attend. Prizes will be valued from $25 to $500, and will include photo sessions, dental certficates, restaurant gift certificates, Lego baskets, Devils tickets, Rutgers football tickets, jewelry, handmade items and more. Admission is $5 per family, and a light dinner will be available.
April 6
The Martinsville United Methodist Church, on Washington Valley Road in Martinsville, will be holding its Lenten Breakfast at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Room at the church, following the 10 a.m. Morning Worship Service. All are invited for the breakfast, and a free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, contact martinsvilleunitedmethodist@hotmail.com, or call 732-356-1326.
April 7
Richard Pierce, of Whitehouse Station, will be presenting a program on the early Stars and Stripes and the history of Old Glory from fabric stripes to embroidered stars. Pierce, a well-known historian, will show his extensive United States Flag collection and present a powerpoint presentation in a program for the Bound Brook Woman’s Literary Club at 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Rennell Hall on Church Street in Bound Brook. The meeting will also feature the yearly food collection to benefit the Food Bank, and guests are invited to bring a food donation.
April 8
The Bridgewater-Raritan District Scholarship Committee will be holding its 14th Annual Basket Bingo, with 14 bingo games, a 50/50 and grand
basket raffles, with all proceeds benefiting scholarships. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m., at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School. A value pack is $25 and includes 14 game sheets and four grand raffle tickets. Additional game sheets and tickets can be purchased throughout the night, with bingo sheets for $1 each, and grand raffle tickets at $3 each. All bingo winners will receive a prize, and coffee, tea, water and dessert will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Susan Gallagher at brdsc2@gmail.com.
April 8
The Holistic Moms Network is holding a meeting at the Bridgewater Township Library, on Vogt Drive, at 7 p.m. with a program called, “Yoga & Well-Eating for MindBody-Spirit Spring Cleaning.” Lori Arrechea, a certified yoga teacher and therapist, will share tips, including breathing exercises and Ayurvedic principles. Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat if you have one. All are welcome. For more information, call 908203-1422, or email pmalangi@ gmail.com.
April 9
The Central Jersey Resource Center is offering a nationally recognized financial education program, “Money in Motion,” from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the center’s conference room on First Avenue in Raritan. The program is free, and participants will learn how to budget and start saving, and get help reaching their financial goals. Clients who complete the program will gain a number of advantages, including a sol-
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April 10
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center is hosting the Irma Horowitz Film Series, as part of Jewish Life, with four different films presented by the Ma’aleh School of Television Film and the Arts in Jerusalem. The program will be at 6:30 p.m. at the facility on Talamini Road in Bridgewater, and the fee is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Register online at www.sbjcc.org, or call 908-725-6994, ext. 201.
April 11
Online registration for the 2014 Bridgewater Sing-Off in support of the Kimberly A. Nelson Foundation will open for Bridgewater-Raritan High School and Bridgewater resident Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School students wanting to audition. Registration will be open until May 2 at www.kimsway.org. Singers must be able to audition on May 10 in Bridgewater, and be part of the event on June 9. The fifth annual concert will again feature judges from Broadway and other vocal music backgrounds.
April 13
The RoboCupJunior NY/ NJ competition will be held at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, on Merriwood Drive. Visit http://www.rcjnynj.org for more information.
April 13
The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will present its annual spring concert at 3 p.m. in the Bridgewater-Raritan High School auditorium. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. The concert, called “Folk Festival,” is under the musical direction of Meredith S. Boyan, and will feature folk melodies from England, Russia, Korea and the United States. Bridgewater resident Dennis Mancl, who has been playing in the band for 25 years, will play oboe during the concert. He also plays English horn, clarinet, tenor saxophone and flute, and plays with the Mercer County Symphonic Band. The concert is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/ Department of State.
April 15
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The Society of Retired Registered Nurses will be holding a meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Human Services Building, Conference Room 2A, on Warren Street in Somerville. The speaker will be Debra Hoppel, associate director of hospice at the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills. The meeting is open to all retired and semi-retired registered nurses.
April 20
Gateway Church will be hosting a special Sunday Service to celebrate Easter Sunday, the Resurrection. Service starts at 10:30 a.m., at 324 Milltown Road in Bridgewater. All are welcome to join in this celebration. For more information, go to www.gatewaychurchnj.org.
April 21
The Washington Valley Garden Club, Inc., will be holding the eighth meeting of the 2013– 2014 season at 10 a.m. at the Bridgewater Township Library on Vogt Drive. Christal Wood, a naturalist from the Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Park will present “Holy White Nose, Bat Girl.” Light refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m., and new members are always welcome. This is the last public meeting for the season, and meetings will resume in September. For more information, email wvgardenclub@gmail. com.
April 26
The Bradley Gardens Primary School PTO will be holding its annual Spring $1-2-3 Clothing and Bargain Bicycle Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school’s all-purpose room. The sale will feature good quality, gently-used infant through adult clothing, all organized by size and gender. Shirts are $1; shorts, sweatshirts and skirts are $2; pants, jackets, shoes and bathing suits are $3; and bicycles are $10 and up. The sale helps the community recycle useful items and assists families in the tough economy. It also raises money for school projects. Donations will be collected April 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and April 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Please bag clothing by size and gender. For more information, email scoutnmayo@gmail. com.
April 27
The Martinsville United Methodist Church, on Washington Valley Road in Martinsville, will be holding a Soup for the Soul Breakfast at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Room at the church. The breakfast will be held following the 10 a.m. Morning Worship Service. All are invited to attend the event. For more information, contact martinsvilleunitedmethodist@ hotmail.com, or 732-356-1326.
April 29
The Somerset Medical Center’s Blood Donor Program will be holding a mobile blood drive at the Bridgewater Township Municipal Building on Commons Way from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Donors must be 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. All donors will receive a free cholesterol screening, and will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 restaurant gift card. To schedule an appointment, call 908-685-2926, and walk-ins are also welcome.
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The BReeze
April 2014
Somerset 4-H Holding Science-Sational Day for Whole Family The Somerset County Ted Blum 4-H Center, on Milltown Road in Bridgewater, is hosting the 4-H Science-Sational Day April 5. The event will include handson workshops for kids to encourage them to explore topics like space, mechanical science, environmental science, chemistry and more. About 200 children and parents are expected
to attend. The event is sponsored by the Somerset County 4-H Youth Development Program, but participants do not need to be in 4-H, or live in Somerset County, to attend the festivities. The program will offer 13 choices of workshops, and those participating get to choose three of them. The day begins with a large group activity called “Po-
tions,” presented by Piccirillo Sciencetelling of Hillsborough, followed by the science activity workshops. Advance registration is required, and the cost is $25 per child for one child, and $20 for each additional sibling for the three-workshop program. Parents can attend with their children for free. Registration is expected to
be filled before the deadline, so those interested in attending are advised to call early to reserve a spot. Participants are accepted on a first-come first-served basis, with a maximum of 200 participants. Fees for the program are non-refundable. “4-H Science-sational Day is a major event that supports the 4-H program’s involvement in hands-
on science education,” said Lisa Rothenburger, 4-H agent, in a release about the event. “We want people to know that 4-H today is for all types of kids and that 4-H makes it fun for them to discover science, technology and other interests.” For more information, and to find out about the activities, call 908-526-6644, or visit the website at www.4HisTops.org.
Auditions Being Held for Sing-Off
Bridgewater-Raritan High School is holding its annual auditions for the 2014 Bridgewater Sing-Off. The show will feature singers from Bridgewater-Raritan High School and the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School. The talent show will be held June 9, and, to be considered, singers must select a song for the competition and audition on May 10. Contestants can register online to be part of the show from April 11 through May 2. The Bridgewater Sing-Off is an annual fundraising event that is held by the Friends of the Kimberly A. Nelson Foundation. The foundation was formed in memory of Kim Nelson, a member of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Class of 2010. The foundation was established to support vocal music programs, especially choir and musical theater, through scholarships and program support. First, second and third prize winners in the solo and ensem-
Bradley Gardens Celebrates Warm Fuzzies — Bradley Gardens Primary School counselor Ellen St. Pierre recently led students in the annual Warm Fuzzy Day celebration. According to St. Pierre, a warm fuzzy is a way to share kindness and compliments with those who make people feel warm and fuzzy. The students created adorable pom pom warm fuzzy friends, and then shared them with a peer while also giving a compliment. Featured in the photo are fourth grade students Kate Delmonico and Camille Wong. The 2013 Bridgewater Sing-Off ensemble second prize winners Dustin Zhao, Joshua Acampado and David Fernandes pose for the camera. ble categories will receive cash who just released her first EP. awards. Original songs have even In addition, judges with pro- debuted at the show in the fessional experience will pro- past, and the event is fun for vide feedback for all performers, all. including giving guidance on This is the fifth annual benefit how to take their talents further. concert, and the third one with The 2012 and 2013 winner of a successful judged format. the talent show was BridgewaGo to www.kimsway.org to ter resident Cailin Marie Toole, register to be part.
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April 2014
The BReeze
JCC Celebrates Purim With Epic Game-Filled Carnival By Bernard DeLierre The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, on Talamini Road in Bridgewater, held its annual carnival to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. The carnival included animals, a rock-climbing wall, costumes and much more.
Fiona Schneiderman, and her father Todd Schneiderman, meets one of the ani- Liam Raines Moshe plays one of the pinball mamals at the carnival’s petting zoo. By Bernard DeLierre. chines during the carnival. By Bernard DeLierre
Jonah Wang climbs the indoor rock wall. By Bernard DeLierre
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The BReeze
April 2014
Smoking Banned During Park Events By Audrey Levine The Bridgewater Township Council recently approved an ordinance that will prohibit smoking on outdoor municipal properties where people gather for recreational activities. According to the ordinance, this will apply to public parks, playground or ball fields that are publicly owned and leased by Bridgewater. It will only take affect when the organized events are being held. The township’s board of health, which recommended the ordinance, said it does not favor a blanket prohibition of smoking on municipal properties, but just recommends that be enforced during activities being sponsored on township
properties. Those not attending the public events, and spending time in other areas of the parks away from the recreation, will still be allowed to smoke. “For example, with Chimney Rock Park, under our ordinance, we will have signs that there is no smoking at ball fields during games,” said council president Matthew Moench. “But if you are on the trails not at the game, you can smoke.” The only change made to the ordinance before final approval was lowering the penalty for violating the ordinance to $200, from the originally recommended $500. According to the ordinance,
this will be enforced by the township police department, but council members wondered whether it can be enforced. “I don’t see this as a heavyhanded enforcement issue,” council member Howard Norgalis said. Council member Allen Kurdyla said he is concerned that this issue cannot be enforced. “The problem I have is we are creating something that is not enforceable,” he said. Moench said he believes the ordinance will actually be self-regulated. “Other people will be around, and I think peer pressure could curb the issue,” he said. “It is limited to municipal owned property.”
Rita’s Recognizes Start of Spring — Rita’s Water Ice, on Prince Rodgers Avenue in Bridgewater, celebrated the beginning of the season with its opening March 10, followed by a free day of water ice to celebrate the first day of spring March 20. Above, Kaitlyn Zayle, 9, and J.P. Zayle, 7, commemorate the opening with their first Rita’s custard of the year.
Woman’s Club Welcoming Members The Bridgewater Woman’s Club, which was incorporated in 1976, will be holding an open membership drive on April 8 at the Bridgewater Township Library, on Vogt Drive. A coffee hour will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the business meeting at 10 a.m. As a volunteer community organization, the club will be hosting a representative from the Woman’s Resource Center of Somerset County. Speaker Veronica Finlay will explain the mission of the center, as well as many
ways members can contribute to its success by assisting those in need. In the coming months, the Bridgewater Woman’s Club will be participating in many events, including the Spring Conference of the College District of NJSFWC on April 24 at the Elks Club on Union Avenue in Bridgewater. From May 5 through May 7, the club will take part in the NJSFWC Convention in Atlantic City. On May 24, the club will hold a fashion show by Dressbarn at the
Presbyterian Church in Pluckemin, with basket raffles and door prizes. Finally, from June 9 through June 12, the club will sponsor two Bridgewater-Raritan High School juniors at the Girl’s Institute at Douglas College. A hodge-podge luncheon will be held June 10 at the Green Knoll Rescue Squad on North Bridge Street. For more information about the organization and to get involved, contact membership chair Helen Horun at 908-5267643 or ahorun@aol.com.
Lyle to Join Diabetes Fundraising Event Sparky Lyle, a Major League Baseball Cy Young Award winner and Manager Emeritus of the Somerset Patriots, is joining Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes as the Corporate Recruitment Chair. According to a release, Lyle, who was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, will drive fundraising and raise awareness around three events in New Jersey, one of which will be at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. The Bridgewater fundraiser will take place Oct. 11, while the other two will be Sept. 28 at BD in Franklin Lakes and Oct. 19 at Novo Nordisk in Plainsboro. Lyle had a 16-year Major League career and played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox. He won the World Series with the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.
Under Lyle’s guidance as manager, the Somerset Patriots won five Atlantic League Championships, 12 Half Championships and eight Division Championships. He won more than 1,000 games while serving as manager of the team. “I found out first hand that diabetes is a serious disease and it affects nearly 26 million American children and adults,” Lyle said in the release. “I am proud to be part of the Stop Diabetes movement by being the chair of this year’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes in New Jersey. It is a wonderful event for family, friends and co-workers to come together and help raise money to change
the future of diabetes.” The event is the signature fundraising and awareness walk to benefit the American Diabetes Association. Every dollar raised supports the mission of preventing and curing diabetes, and to improve the lives of those who are affected by it. Most Step Out participants join or form corporate, family, club, school or church teams, but individual walkers are welcome too. To register or for more information, visit diabetes.org/stepout or call 1-888-DIABETES. To join Lyle’s team at the walk in Bridgewater on Oct. 11, visit www.diabetes.org/ sparkysteam.
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Bradley Gardens Primary School held a school-wide charity food collection to celebrate the 100th day of the school year. The collected food was carefully counted by several girl scouts who attend the school, and it will all be donated to the Somerset Food Pantry. Each grade level was assigned an item, with kindergarten bringing pasta, first grade bringing canned vegetables, second grade bringing soup, third grade bringing canned fruit and fourth grade bringing sauces or tomato pasta. Pictured with some of the items are Tyler Chester, Anna Madsen, Brandon Fisher, Allison Fischer and Sohithesh Chevireddy.
During the past year, the Fund assisted three young men purchasing equipment necessary for day to day needs. We also helped Quaid Mobus, a young man from Warren New Jersey, who was injured in September of last year. Quaid was recently discharged from the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange New Jersey, and is now at home. The lower floor of his house was renovated for his requirements. An all volunteer effort was led by his dad George and mom Cindy, and the many volunteer firemen from the Warren Fire Department.
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Page 12
April 2014
The BReeze
Moretti Found His New Wife in Italy After War Ended MORETTI from Page 1 many photographs with a camera he had packed. An advanced photographer for his era, he knew how to develop the photos himself and even trained others to do so. His scrapbook today contains more than 300 photographs from his war-time journey. Moretti was then assigned to an armored division. He rode along with the convoy of tanks in a truck that contained supplies for the tanks. Moretti was assigned to a mounted machine gun that was in the front passenger side of the supply truck. That weapon would need to be fired many times at the enemy. While he personally was never hit, the tanks in his outfit were, and those tanks, using gasoline for fuel, burst into flames. He, along with others, had to try and get the severely injured and often badly burnt men out of the tank to give them a chance at survival. After taking North Africa from the Germans, they participated in the invasion of Sici-
ly in July 1943. The Germans held Sicily and had thousands of troops and fortifications to try to prevent the Americans from landing. To keep losses to a minimum, Moretti said, only 10 men from a unit could be in any one boat that was landed at the hostile beachhead. The U.S. commanders could not afford to lose an entire outfit. After Sicily was secured, the Army invaded southern Italy in December 1943. The Germans fiercely defended the beachhead, but the U.S., after sustaining many casualties, was eventually able to bring the army into Italy. The Italian campaign moved northward slowly over the next 15 months, encountering heavy German resistance and rough terrain. The soldiers seldom slept inside. Their shelter was sometimes a pup tent, but other times they just slept under a truck. On June 5, 1944, the U.S. Army had advanced to the outskirts of Rome. Here, the U.S. outnumbered the Germans, and the Germans decided to abandon
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the city without a fight. Moretti said that when they drove into Rome, the Germans, just 200 yards away, were driving out. Neither side fired on one another as an unofficial temporary cease fire agreement seemed to have arisen between the two opposing sides. With all the insanity of war, the peak of insanity may have been due to an act of nature. In March 1944, while they were around Naples, the previously dormant volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted. Lava and smoke filled the landscape for miles around. A U.S. airfield was hit by hot lava, resulting in 80 planes being destroyed, and the eruption lasted for five days. Moretti’s scrapbook has several pictures that he took of the Mount Vesuvius eruption. Along the journey, the U.S. Army sometimes stopped to rest and regroup, and, when they did, the soldiers often got to know the civilian population. The U.S. Army members were liberators, so, for the most part, they were warmly welcomed. Moretti said that while the other soldiers spent a lot of their free time drinking in any tavern they could find, he chose to spend a lot of his time socializing with the local people. Moretti became good friends with some families. His scrapbook has many photos of families that he became friends with. After the war, he stayed in contact with two of the families, writing letters for several years. While Moretti survived the war, he did not escape without an injury. One day, when he had
Moretti and wife, Maria duty on a “Liberty Ship,” the USS Lewis Morris, a shell burst very close to the boat. While it did not damage the boat, the resulting blast caused him to permanently lose hearing in one ear. One day toward the end of the war, two special purpose military personnel visited their location. Moretti knew what their main duty was – to deliver bad news to someone. But he did not think that someone would be him. Sadly, they informed Moretti that his brother had been killed while serving on the USS Bunker Hill off the coast of Okinawa. Moretti later learned that Joseph had bravely stayed at his post when the battle situation would have allowed him to flee. In that battle, three Japanese kamikaze planes hit the ship, resulting in 300 dead American sailors. Germany surrendered at the beginning of May 1945, when Moretti’s unit was in the town of Livorno, Italy. He remained there and was assigned to a desk job in a temporary U.S. head-
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quarters. Working in that office was a young local Italian girl named Maria, who spoke English. Moretti found her charming and he began to see her outside of work. In November 1945, he was given orders to return home. Maria said to Moretti, “You are coming back for me.” He asked her, “How can you be sure?” Maria responded, “Because I have your heart.” She was indeed correct, as in 1947, Moretti, after keeping in touch with her for 18 months, returned to Italy to marry her. They then returned to America, where a party was held in their honor. Today, 66 years later, they are still married. They now have two daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and they live in Somerville. The John Basilone Parade Committee is honored to have Moretti as the Grand Marshall this year. For more information, and to see photos from his World War II scrapbook, visit www. raritan-online.com.
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The BReeze
April 2014
Winter Review
Raritan: We Dug Out Well By Audrey Levine With major snowstorms hitting New Jersey over the past few months, municipalities are dealing with massive potholes in the roads and declining salt storage — but Raritan Borough is fortunately not as bad off as others. “All things considered, things have not been too bad,” said borough administrator Dan Jaxel. “I don’t want to sugarcoat it.” Jaxel said the borough has worked to take care of potholes with cold patches along the road. “Even if it was not such a bad winter, we would be buying cold patches and putting them in,” he said. And as for the salt supplies, Jaxel said they have not run out, although more money has had to be allocated for overtime costs for plowing. “We have spent more than normal, but we don’t expect it to be a budget buster, unless we get more
snow,” he said. Jaxel said they have spent about 70 percent of what they normally budget for salaries for snow removal. If there is no more snow this season, and the winter is not terrible in November and December, the borough will be fine, he said. The borough has not gone over its allocation for snow costs in the budget for salaried work, but they will have to increase other expense projections for non-salary projects, including salt and more. “That is for plow parts, calcium and more,” Jaxel said. With relation to the 2014 budget, which Jaxel said should be introduced in April, they will probably want to increase salary costs because they don’t know how November and December of this year will be. Non-salary costs will probably be increased too. “It won’t be to a point where it is budget busting,” he said.
Cub Scouts Celebrate Awards — The Bridgewater Cub Scout Pack 96 held its Blue & Gold dinner Feb. 22 at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. All of the scouts received their Arrow of Light awards. Pictured above are (back row) Den Leader Darren Rydberg, Bridgewater Township Council President Matthew Moench, Pack Master Michael Minades and Den Leaders Hardik Patel, Barbara Dziedzic and Paul Dziedzic; and (front row) Mark Rydberg, Elijah Staats, Patrick Gambino, Garret Gerow, Tejas Lyn, Timothy Peng, Trey Spina, Eshan Patel, Jaran Binning, Matthew Minades and Luke Dziedzic. Not pictured are Matthew Metzgar and Dylan Morse.
Bridgewater: Some Roads Filled With Potholes By Audrey Levine With snow having fallen continuously throughout the winter months, Bridgewater Township has recognized that many of the roads have suffered the brunt of the damage. Mayor Dan Hayes said the roads are filled with potholes throughout the township. “We have increased the number of crews to fill the holes,” he said. “We have dedicated hotlines to rank where to go.” Hayes said there are thousands of potholes, and they are using cold patches to fill them in. “There is nothing to do to work in the cold, so we are putting in cold patches to fill them,” he said. “They will loosen in a thaw.” Plus, Hayes said, if the pothole is on a road that is pitched, the cold patch will wash out in a heavy rain.
Using hot asphalt or tar is impossible when the temperatures are still cold, Hayes said. In addition, Hayes said, the township has authorized overtime work for taking care of potholes for now. “We encourage people to drive slow, and report potholes,” he said. Hayes said the administration will be assessing the damage to roads around the township, and will return to the council to make recommendations for road improvements in the coming months. Aside from that, Hayes said, the township’s salt situation has been alleviated, despite earlier concerns. “We did have to go to a point where we were only salting places where the police department said to,” he said.
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April 2014
The BReeze
Animals in Need
This column features information about some of the animals that have been with the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter for longer than most, and are still looking for homes. All information and photos have been provided by the animal shelter. For more information about these or any other animals looking for homes, contact the shelter at 908-725-0308 or srasmanager@aol.com. The shelter is located at 100 Commons Way, behind the Bridgewater Township Municipal Complex.
Lucky is 5 years old. She was surrendered to the shelter because her family was moving and couldn’t take her with them. Lucky is such a sweet kitty, she loves people and other animals. Lucky would make a great addition to any family.
Everett (male) came in as a stray. He is very sweet, active and playful. Could your home be his forever home?
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St. Bernard’s Children Learn About the Stars — Preschool and kindergarten students at St. Bernard Preschool and Kindergarten, in Bridgewater, celebrated the stars when they visited the planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College. The time at the planetarium was a chance for the students to complete their unit on the solar system.
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Bradley Gardens Primary School beat the winter doldrums this past winter with Family Fun Nights. They started with an Annual Family Movie Night Jan. 17, with a showing of “Despicable Me 2.” More than 80 children and their families then showed for the first Bradley Gardens School Family Night of Magic on Jan. 31. The Magic of Steve Woyce provided an entertaining evening, with a mix of tricks, comedy and audience participation. On Feb. 7, faculty, students and families attended Jump Rope for Heart Disease Family Night in the all purpose room at the school. Students made donations to the American Heart Association, performed different exer-
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cises, learned about heart disease and jumped rope. In addition, fruits and vegetables were served. Then, on March 7, the faculty played a volleyball match against Crim Primary School faculty at the middle school. Bradley Gardens also provided entertainment from the Bradley Gardens School Bears Cheerleading Squad, and they did a dance and cheer to the song, “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees. Crim won the first game and Bradley Gardens won the second, but the third game came down to the last few points, with Crim being victorious. The last of the Winter Family Fun Nights was a night of trivia with the Brain Show on March 13. Students held an assembly during the day to show off dance moves and how to play, then, at night, at least four families went head-to-head to win a game. With winter over, Bradley Gar-
dens Primary School is holding a few more events through the rest of the school year. They will be holding a Family Bingo Night April 24, BGS Night at the Somerset Patriots April 26 and Family Pajama Reading Night May 1.
Third grader Sofia Morales takes part in some of the magic with Magician Steve Woyce.
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The BReeze
Read Across America
Hamilton Drops Everything to Read
Students at Hamilton Primary School recently dropped everything to read during a Read Across America celebration of books March 2. According to Becky Creswell, librarian at the school, the celebration of books and reading is held in schools and libraries across the country on the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. “It was started in 2007, and is sponsored each year by the National Education Association,” she said. Creswell said the school has done many different activities and events over the years, including dressing in the colors of the Cat in the Hat, making and wearing the signature hats and inviting celebrity readers (like parents, administrators and board of education members) to read at the school. “We have held Read Across Hamilton School reading chains in our hallways, partner reading where classes of older children read with younger children, Read
Jonathan Locker (left) and Andrew Mirra read together. Across the Generations in which reading material with them at grandparents and other senior all times during the day so they family and friends are invited to would be ready for an announceread to their grandchildren’s class ment directing them to stop what and a PJ Story Hour at night, they were doing, drop to a sitting complete with stories, crafts and position and read silently for 10 refreshments,” she said. “It’s al- minutes,” she said. ways a fun day for all.” In addition, Creswell said, she The 2014 celebration, Cre- does a lesson in the library about swell said, included dressing like Dr. Seuss, or Ted Geisel, as he the Cat, hosting celebrity readers was known to family and friends. and participating in Stop, Drop & She said they learn biographical Read. information, including why he “Students and staff had to have used the pseudonym Dr. Seuss.
Van Holten Combines Olympics With Reading — Stu-
dents at Van Holten Primary School celebrated Read Across America with a winter Olympic theme. Students took part in an Olympic Read-a-Thon, engaged in skits to reinforce the knowledge of being respectful to each other, sang songs about Dr. Seuss and danced to the song “Gotta Keep Reading.” In addition, teachers read books to different classes throughout the building.
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April 2014
The BReeze
Bridgewater Budget to Increase 3% St. Paddy’s Day: No Rest for the First Responders By Audrey Levine the township to increase the mu- about the different cap laws that If approved as is, the total nicipal budget by 3 percent, more have been enacted since 2010 con2014 Bridgewater Township bud- than the state-allowed 2.5 percent. cerning the increase in the budget get will increase by 3 percent, There will be a public hearing and the increase in the tax levy. from $38,978,639.46 in 2013 to for the ordinance April 7. The one that requires an ordi$40,493,692.66. nance is about “The only way to increase over the tax levy the increase in The amount to be cap is through a referendum. “ raised by taxes is inthe budget approcreasing 1.9 percent, —Chief Financial Officer Natasha Turchan priations itself. from $20,912,497.41 “(With the orin 2013 to $21,330,747.34. As explained by chief financial dinance), we can bank the ability to This new tax levy increase is officer Natasha Turchan, that in- go up to 3.5 percent, and increase still lower than the maximum al- crease is not real money that the the budget if there is a big catastrolowed 2 percent. phe,” Turchan said. “It’s not actual township will have. The council recently introTurchan provided a presenta- money, it’s an ability to increase duced an ordinance that allows tion at a recent council meeting expenses by that extra 1 percent.” Turchan said the township approves this ordinance every year, but has never actually had to garner the funds, which are available to the ages 0 – 108 township, by law, for two years. The 2012 bank has $1.2 milSaturday, April 12 * 10:30 – 11:15am lion, which will be unavailable $10/child * Multiple sibling discount available after 2014, and the 2013 bank has MCC * 1961 Washington Valley Road * $450,000. Martinsville 08836 “We have never needed to go to the max,” Turchan said. Loring, CYKT, RYT TravelingYogaRoadshow@gmail.com As for the tax levy cap, Turchan 908-334-7286 said, that law limits the increase of taxes. That is set at a 2 percent max. “We have not raised to the max allowed,” she said, citing that the township has stayed lower than the max in 2011, 2012 and 2013. “The Cell: 908-240-3167 only way to increase over the tax byalamanchili@weichert.com levy cap is through a referendum.” The proposed budget sets the taxes to be collected at $21,330,747.34. With the tax levy Branchburg Office cap, the township could have in3290 Rt. 22 West creased it to $21,889,717. Branchburg, NJ 08876
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Not even the promise of fun at the Somerville St. Patrick’s Day Parade could stop several fire companies from fighting fires. En route to the parade March 16, the Bridgewater District Three fire companies were dispatched into the Country Hills section for a report of smoke in a second-floor condo unit in the 3700 block of Graham Court. According to North Branch Fire Chief David Hickson, firefighters found plastic burning in a dishwasher, and quickly took care of the situation. While they were cleaning up that situation, a second call came through in the Green Knoll section in the 1000 block of Route 202/206 southbound, where there were multiple calls of heavy black smoke coming from a second floor unit of a multi-unit residential dwelling on
the site of the Hindu Temple. According to Hickson, Green Knoll Chief James Vitale was first on the scene, and he confirmed a working structure fire on the second floor of the building. All occupants of the building were accounted for, Hickson said. There were zero visibility conditions at the time, Hickson said, and the fire had vented itself through the roof to start a secondary fire to the rear of the dwelling, involving patio furniture. According to Hickson, firefighters found the seat of the fire in the kitchen area and were able to contain it with two hand lines. Hickson said the unit became uninhabitable with heavy fire, smoke and water damage. The total time in service for both fires was one hour and 22 minutes.
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The BReeze
April 2014
Pantozzi Earns Circle of Excellence Award
Advertorial Sue LaRue, manager of Prudential NJ Properties, would like to congratulate George Pantozzi on achieving The Circle of Excellence Award for the second year in a row. George is one of the top leaders in his office for homes listed and homes sold. He’s been selling real estate for over 25 years. If you’d like a complimentary market analysis on your home, please call George today at 908-392-2677 (cell) or 908-8743400x324.
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High Tech Camps Added to Pingry Schedule
Bridgewater & Raritan Home Sales Bridgewater 31 Morgan Lane — $135,000 216 Stratford Place — $174,500 108 Stratford Place — $175,000 1709 Vroom Drive — $198,000 3409 French Drive — $257,000 4001 Riddle Court — $295,000 118 Oak Street — $310,100 875 Park Avenue — $360,000 503 Reading Circle — $369,000 366 Victoria Drive — $376,500 155 Northfield Road — $395,000 12 Frog Hollow Road — $409,900 1904 Stech Drive — $416,000 308 Lilac Court — $384,900 1000 Severin Drive — $442,000 473 Foothill Road — $395,000 1506 Pinhorn Drive — $438,000 450 Garretson Road — $443,999
710 Meadow Road — $460,000 351 Garretson Road — $475,000 698 Country Club Road — $485,000 251 Woodside Lane — $529,000 41 Hillcrest Road — $515,000 1 Henry Street — $515,002 15 Young Way — $610,000 594 Emerald Trail — $621,050 68 Hillside Avenue — $720,000 11 Totten Drive — $919,000 Raritan 72 Anderson Street — $255,000 *This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Garden State Multiple Listing Service LLC (“GSMLS”). GSMLS does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the GSMLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. **The array represents closed sales from Feb. 19 through March 19.
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April 2014
The BReeze
Council to Get Radios for County 911 By Audrey Levine sions with the county to ensure be counter-productive,” he said. The Bridgewater Township that residents will see the same “We should approve now, and Council approved an ordinance, service they saw with the local work to determine if more fundby a vote of 4–1, to issue a bond 911 dispatch system. ing is needed.” of $2 million for the acquisition This bond ordinance, which Kurdyla said the project will of 9-1-1 communications equip- needed to be approved before take about a year to complete for ment to prepare for the migration the county could move forward the full migration. to the county system. with preparations for the miRose said she has had many The townquestions throughout ship approved process, but does “I feel all my questions posed have been the the migration feel that the answers answered, and it makes me feel secure in to the county she has been given 911 dispatch are sufficient at this moving forward. “ system in Au—Councilwoman Christine Henderson Rose point. gust, meaning “I feel all my questhat all 911 tions posed have calls will be directed through gration, accounts for the need been answered, and it makes me dispatchers hired by the county, for $1.6 million in estimated feel secure in moving forward,” who will then send out police of- costs for converting radios and she said. ficers in the appropriate and cor- getting more equipment for the But, Rose said, the county responding towns. migration. would not move forward in its The township spent several Councilman Allen Kurdyla preparations without an approval years investigating the possibil- said there might be additional of the bond. ity of moving to the county dis- costs required for more radiRose said they do have to repatch system, and has estimated os, but the bond does allow for member that they may have to a savings through it of about $4.5 $400,000 more than originally bond more money at a later date million over 10 years. predicted if more equipment is for more equipment, but that is Most towns in Somerset Coun- needed. still being investigated. ty are already using the 911 sysKurdyla said he would recom“The next step for the county is tem, and Bridgewater was one of mend that the council move for- to work on the migration plans,” only a few that weren’t. ward to get the project going. she said. “The important issues The township has held discus“Holding up the project would have been addressed.” Council president Matthew Moench was the sole vote against the bond, having also been the sole vote against the migration to the county 911 system. “I will not support this, we will not receive equal or better service and we will not see the kind of savings proposed,” he said. “I hope I am wrong.” Emergency responders have expressed concerns in the past that 911 service will be severely hampered due to an inability to handle the call volume that comes $10 off a Haircut! from Bridgewater Township.
Brownie Girl Scouts Earn Philanthropist Badge — The
John F. Kennedy Troop 60768 worked on earning their Philanthropist Badge, and learned that food bank supplies are at their lowest in February. To help with that, the girls organized a food drive and collected more than 50 pounds of food and household items. They then delivered the items to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. The members of the troop are Jillian Zack, Alessandra Wallace, Julianna Arena, Nina Cirianni, Alaina Gust and Julia Gust.
Sanford Discusses Dental Health With Kids
(908) 393-4009 (908) 727-3799
Bridgewater orthodontist Robert Sanford visited several schools around the district, including Milltown Primary School, to discuss the importance of dental health and wellness.
Sanford spoke to students about the importance of oral hygiene. During the presentation, Sanford shared his “Roll, Wiggle and Whisk” tooth brushing technique, a demonstration that both kids and teachers enjoy. He explained how children should roll the brush over their teeth, wiggle the bristles between the teeth and whisk off the plaque. In addition, during the presentation, Sanford requested three student volunteers, and did a demo with Miss Bicuspid, Mr. Cuspid and Mr. Gums. He even played a rap song he created about his technique. Sanford then reviewed how to floss and rinse for healthy teeth and gums.
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Local Cub Scouts Earn Readyman — Local Cub Scouts visit-
ed the Green Knoll Volunteer Rescue Squad to earn their Readyman. The scouts learned about fire safety, poison control, what to do in an emergency and what the rescue squad does. They learned not to panic during an emergency, and that there are stuffed animals in the ambulances to keep children occupied. Attending the session were Michael Lyne, Kenny Benson, John Murray, Matthew McBurney, Nicky Pacifico, Christian Schulz, Leo Timmerman, William Terranova and Matthew Soulios.
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Page 19
The BReeze
April 2014
Book Review
Southern Soul Creates Moving Novel By Sharanya Pulapura Pingry School Junior Fannie Flagg’s novel “Fried Green Tomatoes” at the Whistle Stop Café just might be one of the most achingly beautiful and wise novels I have ever encountered. Written in deceptively simple prose filled with humor and charm, this modern classic tackles complex issues of gender, race and age without ever becoming tedious or preachy. Ultimately, it is the story of ordinary people discovering who they are and what they believe in, each in their own uniquely extraordinary way.
Evelyn Couch is a middle-aged woman suffering through an unhappy marriage and the death of her mother. Disillusioned and lonely, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the lively Ninny Threadgoode, an elderly resident at the same nursing home as Evelyn’s mother-in-law. As the two women grow closer together, Ninny tells Evelyn stories about her dynamic sister-in-law Idgie from their younger days in the small Alabama town of Whistle Stop. Idgie has always been reckless and untamed, and she wins the hearts of all the resi-
dents of Whistle Stop with her wit and wildness. After losing her beloved brother to a train accident, Idgie’s life seems like it will never be the same again, until she meets Ruth, a quiet young woman from out of town. The friendship and love that develops between Idgie and Ruth is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and through their story, Evelyn learns to appreciate herself and truly live again. The Southern soul and unerring optimism of this gorgeous novel combine to create an absolutely unforgettable story.
Kids Learn About Mardi Gras With Crafts
— Students at St. Bernard Preschool and Kindergarten celebrated Mardi Gras with a party and crafts. They learned that, in French, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” and that it is held the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Students celebrated by making crafts and masks, and having a parade through the school.
Adamsville Children Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — Adamsville Fourth Grade Junior Girl Scout Troop 60104 marched in the Somerville St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 16. In the photo above are (L-R) Emily Szopa, Aarsha Shah, Emily Yap, Bianca Burke, Amanda Bonastia and Jordan Baker.
JCC Open House Sunday, April 6 11am-2pm
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St. Ann School Inducts National Junior Honor Society Members — St. Ann School inducted 10 new members into the
National Junior Honor Society. The honorees are accepted based on their accomplishments in character, scholarship, leadership, service and citizenship, and they are required to maintain a GPA of 93 or above and perform individual and chapter projects for a minimum of 20 hours of service. Inductees are (L–R) Julia Benewiat, Nicole Kelly, Alexa Marsh, Kevin Sawtell, Kevin Ford, Matthew Williams, Evie Sullivan, Bridget Meisenbacher, Lauren Clouser, Erin McGovern and their moderator Susan Sappington. Since the first induction in Spring 2011, members have contributed about 2,000 hours of service across a variety of chapter and personal projects.
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Page 20
April 2014
The BReeze
Raritan Valley Celebrates One-Seat Ride Somerset County Freeholder Peter S. Palmer, who is also the chair of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, was among the first to board the first one-seat ride train leaving the Raritan Borough station bound for New York March 3. The train left from the Raritan station at 8:43 a.m., and arrived in New York Penn Station at 10:09 a.m. “This is the culmination of 15 years of effort by the Rail Coalition, county and local officials and stakeholders all along the Raritan Valley Line,” Palmer said in a release about the ride. “I was thrilled to be part of this maiden voyage to celebrate the launch of off-peak direct service to Manhattan.” Palmer was joined on the ride
by Rail Coalition vice-chairman Tom Jardim and Hunterdon County Freeholder Matthew Holt, as well as Somerset County Planner Kenneth Wedeen, who serves as the coalition’s staff support. NJ Transit has recently purchased dual-mode locomotives that will be able to operate as diesels through Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties. They will then operate as electric locomotives through the tunnel to Manhattan, making the one-seat ride possible. A total of 10 trains will be part of the pilot program. The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, which is joined by a coalition of 30 mayors of towns along
Hamilton Holds Spelling Olympiad — Hamilton Primary
School held its Fourth Grade Winter 2014 Spelling Olympiad Feb. 21 through March 7 with 37 participants spelling hundreds of words in numerous rounds. A total of seven finalists participated in the final rounds on March 11, and Aarsha Shah and Reilly Rawls, both students in Christina Eberhardt’s class, were declared the winners. The two were then given the opportunity to compete in the 2014 Somerset County Spell-Off for Grades 4–8 at the Bridgewater Township Library on March 26.
Freeholder Peter Palmer boards the train. the line, is looking to ultimately achieve a full one-seat ride Manhattan service on the Raritan Valley Line. It would stop riders from having to change trains in Newark. Currently, the one-seat ride is available on off-peak morning hours during the weekdays. Rollouts of more rides throughout the day, and hopefully eventually during peak hours, is expected in the coming months. For departure times from the High Bridge, Raritan, Bridgewater and other stations going eastbound, and from Penn Station going westbound, visit http://bit. ly/OneSeatRide.
Somerville Changes Image for Main Street Spitball Advertising recently debuted a new marketing campaign and identity for Somerville in a presentation with residents, town officials and the Downtown Somerville Alliance Feb. 27. According to a release, the new identity is to continue to foster economic development and invigorate local tourism.
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“We knew that with all recent public and private investment in Somerville and with several more substantial projects underway, updating our logo and branding to reflect the changes and renewed energy in town was of critical importance,” said Beth Anne MacDonald, executive director of the Downtown Somerville Alliance, in a release. “We felt the timing was perfect, and are thrilled with the new look.” In 2013, according to the release, Spitball rebranded marketing materials for annual town events, including the Holiday Jubilee, Summer Stage and Farmers Market. An identity overhaul was pitched, with a new town logo and advertising campaign. “We wanted something that embodied the culture and personified the energy this downtown exudes,” said Anthony Torre, Spitball co-founder, in the release. “Our team spent a lot of
time with local business owners, government officials and literally hit the streets at all hours of the day and seasons to get a slice of life view of Somerville. That was critical to the process.” The new logo highlights the history of the town and inviting unconventional personality with traditional and quirky fonts. Varying letter heights mimic the Main Street architecture, and the orange color used is a variation of the Somerville High School team color. The new tagline for the logo is “Always Unexpected.” In addition, a new ad campaign was implemented to raise awareness of the brand image and Somerville’s offerings. The concept of “Somer This … Somer That” was introduced to show the diverse event, shopping and dining opportunities in Somerville. For more information on Downtown Somerville, visit www.downtownsomerville.com.
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The BReeze
April 2014
Municipal Services Commission Earns Grant The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently awarded $85,500 in the 2013 Municipal Youth Services Commission grant program to commissions around the 21 municipalities, including $5,000 for the Bridgewater/Raritan Municipal Youth Services Commission. The grant money is for the local commission’s NewComers Club.
Ceremonial checks for the programs were given to grant recipients at freeholder meetings. A total of 14 municipal youth services commissions received funding for 36 total projects. “The Board of Freeholders is pleased to present funding for so many worthwhile, fun and educational programs for county youth,” said freeholder director Patrick Scaglione. “Funds will be used to support
a wide variety of prevention programs for youth in these local communities.” Grants were also given to the Bernards Municipal Youth Services Commission for the Project Adventure Peer Leaders project; Branchburg Municipal Youth Services Commission for its Teen Nights; Green Brook Odyssey of the Mind; I Run and Project Teen Zone programs in Hillsborough; and many more.
Bridgewater Woman Talks Heart Disease
JFK Holds Sweetheart Dance — The John F. Kennedy Primary
School PTO held its first ever Sweetheart Dance Feb. 7. Students danced through the night with the sweetheart of their choice. Physical education teachers Michael Vidnansky and Michael Cipot provided the music and entertainment, and Emily Barnes provided photos for the participants.
In the above photo are (Back Row from left) Elfinesh Wondafrash, personal care assistant; Elizabeth Andolino; Lori Bertoline; and Sean Murphy, principal of the Matheny School. In the front row (from left) are Matheny students India Jones, Austin Bramson, Jamil Jones and Daeon Troutman. Bridgewater resident ElizaAndolino coordinated the ef- disabilities. beth Andolino, manager of the forts with Joan Ray, an employee “You always go to the limit, Matheny Center of Medicine and health nurse. not only raising funds but raising Dentistry, co-coordinated fundAccording to a release, Lori awareness,” Bertoline said in a raising efforts for the American Bertoline, a regional director release. Heart Association through the for the American Heart AsMatheny Medical and Education- sociation, recently stopped by al Center in Peapack. the Matheny Medical and EduIn 2004, the American Heart cational Center to thank them Association created Go Red for for the $352 raised during Women to educate women on GoRed/Heart Health month in heart disease, help women come February. together to show their support Matheny itself is a special hosand increase funding for heart pital and educational facility for disease research and treatments children and adults with medfor those in need. ically complex developmental
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April 2014
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Obituaries Bridgewater — Alice P. Weidener, 89, died Feb. 19. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. She is survived by her brother, Truman Peterson; daughter, Kathryn Weidener and her husband Peter Szego; daughter-in-law, Maria Rodriguez; grandsons, Steven Yadlosky, and Daniel and his wife Kaitlin Yadlosky; and great-granddaughter, Allison. Bridgewater — Jirina Katerina Racek, 99, died Feb. 16. She was a cafeteria worked for Rutgers University in New Brunswick until her retirement. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Bridgewater — Iwan Wenher, 81, died March 16. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Wenher is survived by his wife, Ivone Wenher; son, Paulo Wenher, of Bound Brook; daughter, Jacqueline Wenher, of Hamilton; and four grandchildren, Michelle, Kevin, Paula and Christopher. Bridgewater — Valija Reijers, 84, died March 4. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Somerville Funeral Home. Valija is survived by her sons, Raimonds Reijers, of Bridgewater, Arnis Reijers, of Linden, and Dainis Reijers, of Cedar Grove; grandchildren;
and several children she helped raise. Bridgewater — Dolores G. Bathmann, 69, died March 13. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Bathmann is survived by her husband, Kenneth Bathmann, of Bridgewater; daughter, Kim Bathmann, of Bridgewater; and 12 siblings, Spencer, Leora, Marleen, Leroy, Geraldine, Ruby, Royal, Dorothy, Alvorice, Gordon and Karl. Bridgewater — Leo F. “Buddy” Carroll Jr., 79, died March 12. Carroll was a lieutenant with the Raritan Borough Police Department. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bongiovi Funeral Home. Carroll is survived by his wife, Barbara A. “Bobby” Sena Carroll; his children, Bart Carroll and his wife Karen, of Flemington, and Judy Capuano and her husband Tom, of Bridgewater; brother, Thomas Carroll and his wife Kathy, of Manville; sister, Peggy Yourkowski, of Manville; grandchildren, Jill Sohler and her husband Jeff, Andi Capuano, Alicia, Amanda and Shannon Carroll; brother-in-law, Bart Sena and his wife Charalena; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bridgewater — Kevin G. Daily, 48, died March 4. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Branch-
Somerville Funeral Home, Inc. 10 West End Ave. Somerville
burg Funeral Home. Daily is survived by his mother, Marguerite, of Bridgewater; his brother, Jason, of Livingston; niece, Alexa, of Bayville; nephew, Garrett, of Bayville; maternal grandmother, Marguerite Snyder, of Kearny; aunt and uncle, Mary Jane and Arthur Hackett, of North Arlington; aunt, Elaine McDonnell, of Lakewood; cousins, Missy, Rob, Mark, Sean and Meghan; and best pal, Rico. Raritan — Crystal A. Haupt, 29, died Jan. 22. Funeral arrangements were handled by the AAA B Cremation Service. Raritan — Ann Scarpone, 96, died March 5. She was co-owner of Somerset Liquors in Raritan. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bongiovi Funeral Home. Scarpone is survived by her grandchildren, Annamarie Montante, of Florida, Sandra Kephart, of Florida, and Rocco Gerard, of Raritan; great-grandchildren, Rocco Jr., Nicholas, Michael, Jason and Rachnel; niece, Debra Scarpone; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Scarpone. Raritan — Helen T. Zaninelli Hoey, 92, died Feb. 17. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bongiovi Funeral Home. Hoey is survived by her husband, Edward A. Hoey; her children, Dr. Stephen E. Hoey and his wife Kellie Fauls, and Gracellen Soliwoda and her husband James Nigro; her cousin, Bernadine Zaninelli; grandchildren, Dr. Courtney Hoey and her husband Dr. Clint Schlenker,
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S. Edward Hoey and his fiancée Jessica Petrens and Theodore Soliwoda; great-grandchildren, Riley Schlenker and Adrianna Hoey; her sister-in-law, Dolores Zaninelli; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Raritan — Nicholas “Big Nick” Cicero, 67, died March 1. Cicero raised tropical fish during his whole married life, and he designed and patented his own fish tank in 2005. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Branchburg Funeral Home. Cicero is survived by his wife, Gerry Filiano Cicero; his son, Nick Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer; his grandchildren, Kara and James; his brothers, Frank, Larry, Ronny and Teddy; many aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins; and scores of “love” nieces and nephews. Somerville — Deborah Cavalear, 52, died March 6. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Cavalear is survived by her mother, Bette Janos and step-father, John; husband, William Cavalear; daughters, Samantha Cavalear and Christine Cavalear; Cavalear s o n s - i n - l a w, Justin Moyer and Steve Andusko; brother, Robert Sackie Jr.; sister, Susan Dunleavy; grandchildren, Brayden and Connor; a granddaughter on the way this month; and cousins, nieces and nephews. Branchburg — Cynthia Chapman Willis, 52, died March 3. Willis was the author of two children’s books. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Branchburg Funeral Home. Willis is survived by her husband, William Willis; her step-children, Jessica Willis and Alexandra Willis, of Branchburg; her mother, Judith Chapman, of North Carolina; her sister, Carolyn Kopf and her husband Richard, of
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Branchburg — Stephen Robert de Poortere, 58, died March 15. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Branchburg Funeral Home. De Poortere is survived by his wife, Terri Bolink de Poortere; his parents, Richard and Marion de Poortere, of Basking Ridge; his brothers, Richard, of South Bound Brook, de Poortere C h r i s t o p h e r, of Basking Ridge, and Patrick, of Bridgewater; his sisters, Kathleen Jacobs, of Delaware, and Beth Patrick, of Washington; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sandy and Matt Bolink, of Branchburg. Skillman — Edna W. Willis, 84, died March 1. Funeral arrangements were handled by the AAA B Cremation Service. Willis is survived by her husband, Sidney L. Willis; two sons, John Willis and his wife Patricia, of Florida, and Robert Willis and his wife Suzanne, of Ridgewood; two grandchildren, Ryan Willis and his wife Sherry, and Sarah Willis; and brother-in-law, Edward Williamson, of California.
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Branchburg — Joseph DiLiddo, 100, died March 2. DiLiddo served in the United States Army 602nd Field Artillery Battalion during World War II. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Branchburg Funeral Home. DiLiddo is survived by his wife, Sadie Cozzoli DiLiddo; his daughters, Nancy Eastlund and her husband Bruce, of Middlesex, and Barbara Jaeger and her husband William, of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Kelly, Robert and his wife Laura, and Brian; nephew, Raymond Colucci, of Georgia; and his niece, Anita Brown, of Michigan.
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Page 23
The BReeze
April 2014
Obituaries Bound Brook — Deborah A. Cozza, 61, died Feb. 28. Cozza was elected to the Bound Brook Borough Council in 2002. She also served as a municipal and county committeewoman, police commissioner and acting mayor. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Cozza is survived Cozza by her brother, Robert J. Cozza and his wife, Sheila, of Florida; sister, Kathleen Bolmer and her husband Kurt, of South Bound Brook; nieces, Rebecca Lamb and Erica Bolmer; nephew, William Bolmer; great-nephew, Robert Lamb; and many extended family and friends. Bound Brook — William M. Olesky, 84, died March 16. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Olesky is survived by his wife, Susan Olesky, of Bound Brook; daughter, Wendy Bottone and her husband Anthony, of Plainfield; daughter-in-law, Denise Doyle, of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Luigi Bottone and his girlfriend Dana Jonas, Nichole Frischkorn and her husband Robert and their daughter Ninamarie, Tonimarie Bottone and Jenna Olesky, Nicole Doyle, Nicole Ardolino and her three children. South Bound Brook — Meleveetil L. Nair, 92, died Jan. 29. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. South Bound Brook — Jeanne Agnes Savaryn, 88, died Feb. 22. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Savaryn is survived by her son, Fred “Rick” Savaryn, of South Bound Brook; grandson, Mark Savaryn and his wife Beth, of Hillsborough; and great-grandson, Tyler. North Plainfield — Maria C. Mendez, 63, died Feb. 10. Funeral arrangements were handled by the AAA B Cremation Service. Mendez is survived by her husband, Otilio Mendez; and three
children, Rickarda, Harry and Marisol Mendez. Hillsborough — Marek Stepien, 62, died Feb. 25. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Stepien is survived by his wife, Czeslawa; and sons, Paul and Piotr. Basking Ridge — Gulab Kinturkar, 76, died Jan. 17. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. Warren — Florence Faust, 82, died March 2. Funeral arrangements were handled by AAA B Cremation Service. New Brunswick — Keith Wilcock, 77, died March 5. He served as a lieutenant in the British Armed Forces, light infantry, stationed in Germany and Cypress before coming to the United States in 1966. Wilcock was the owner and operator of Keith Wilcock & Co. central vacuum service. Funeral arrangements were handled Wilcock by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Wilcock is survived by his wife, Beverly Sicora Wilcock; his children, Jackie Brower and her husband Fred, Andrew Wilcock and his companion Susan, Stacie Bitacolo and her husband Larry, Charles Kobezak and his wife Sandra, and Cheryl Rakauskas and her husband Thomas; 12 grandchildren; and his siblings, Brian Wilcock and Ann Trotter. Kendall Park — Vidyagau Shah, 83, died March 14. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. Morristown — Bhikhabhai P. Patel, 70, died March 3. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. Middlesex — Carl J. Graf, 74, died Feb. 16. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Graf is survived by his children, Paul Graf and his wife Jessica and her daughters Nichole
and Olivia, of Piscataway, Charles Graf and his wife Meghan, of New York, and Susan Jacobs and her husband James, of Florida; three grandchildren, Kristen, Kyle and Carter Jacobs; and his companion, Rosalie Dahms. Iselin — Prumila Jariwala, 92, died March 6. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. Edison — Shantiben C. Patel, 85, died Feb. 8. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. Edison — Ramesh P. Patankar, 79, died March 1. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Home. Piscataway — Mrudulaben A. Patel, 79, died March 6. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. Union — Sammydave B. Estillore, 37, died March 7. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bongiovi Funeral Home. Estillore is survived by his wife, Ritchell Estillore; his father, Simplicio Estillore and step-mother, Alma Padios; and his sister, Sheree Ann Estillore and step-sister, Angel Ann Estillore. Brick — Alice Howe died March 8. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Howe is survived by her daughter, Margaret Gibson, of Florida; her son, ThomHowe as Howe, of Brick; daughter, Kathleen Wojcik, of Piscataway; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Middlesex — Carl J. Hambrick, 76, died Feb. 11. He was a truck driver for the Borough of Bound Brook for 37 years. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Hambrick is survived by his wife, Margurite Kleber Hambrick; his children, Carl “Jr” and his wife Laura, of Raritan, Carol Baumann and
her husband William, of Green Brook, Cathy Tobin, of Pennsylvania, Cindy Jablonski, of Georgia, and Chrissy Dashkavich and her husband Craig, of Brick; eight grandchildren, Billy, Amanda, Jessica, Jennifer, Catrina, Jake, Connor and Colin; his sisters, Wilma Jean Hambrick, of Tennessee, and Geraldine Sims, of Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews. Mountainside — Katherine Moschuk, 92, died March 11. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Moschuk is survived by her daughter, Dianne Grau and her husband Glenn Sr., of Middlesex; her grandsons, Glenn Grau Jr., and Brett; her great-granddaughter, Victoria; and her nephew, William Kulick Jr. Manasquan — Antonette Yanusz, 93, died March 16. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Bridgewater Funeral Home. Yanusz is survived by her daughters, Elaine Weaver Yanusz
and her husband Paul, of Bloomsbury, and Joanne Dosby, of Manasquan; grandchildren, Donna Chanto and her husband Marcos, and Cash Dosby; great-grandson, Marcos Chanto, Jr; and sisters, Angie Borum and Mary Vitaliano. South Amboy — Lahori Ram, 77, died Feb. 1. Funeral arrangements were handled by the India Funeral Service. Asbury —Daniel D. Santos, 33, died March 14. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Branchburg Funeral Home. Santos is survived by his parents, Manuel and Aida Tendeiro Santos, of Asbury; his son, Santos Levi Nicholas, of Bridgewater; his sister, Michelle Santos, of Martinsville; his fiancé, Lauren Auriema, of Bridgewater; his niece, Micaela Santos-McDarby; his paternal grandfather, Manuel Santos, of Portugal; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
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April 2014
The BReeze
BRMS Holds 16th Annual Talent Show With Pianists, Dancers, More
By Audrey Levine The Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School held its 16th annual talent show, presented by the student council, March 6. The show included singers, pianists, dancers and many more. Performing this year were: • Arpitha Gorur – Vocalist • Supriya Kannoth – Cultural Dance of India • Lucia Zhang – Vocalist • Pauline Qin – Pianist • Anne He and Irene Qiao – Violin Duet • Teacher Mary Horvath and Grace Horvath – Piano and Vocal Duet • Maya Bacelar – Pianist • Emma Semper – Ballerina • Nick Scafuto and Nick Runyon – Piano and Vocal Duet • Alanna Huber and partner – Comedy Duo • Phil Solomon and members of the New Jersey Center of Dance – Vocalist with Dance Troupe • Bryan Valerio – Chinese YoYo Performer • Kavya Adimulan and Rashi Gala – Bollywood Dancers • Anisha Ghosh – Vocalist • Julia Utset and Emma Wurmstich – Dancing Duo • Mihika Singh – Vocalist • Regina Pagano and Sophia Lopez – Guitar and Vocal Duet • Katherine Gallagher, Kadambari Prabakar, Shruthi Thiyagarajan, Gillian Cushing, Sherry Lu and Saniya Saxena – Acapella Chorus • Teachers David Anderson, Robert Ambrose, James Edward Brown, Charles Stickle and David Zas – Faculty Band
JCC Open House Sunday, April 6 11am-2pm
Rotary Holding Dinner to Benefit Scholarship The Bridgewater-Bound Brook Rotary Club is holding its annual Pasta Festival dinner fundraiser April 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bound Brook High School. The dinner will include spaghetti, gourmet meat sauce, salad, bread, dessert, soda, coffee and tea. Proceeds from the dinner will
benefit the club’s Bound Brook High School scholarship program, athletic program and other Rotary humanitarian programs. Tickets for the event are $9 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Children under age 5 eat free. The tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Fitness & Aquatics
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Page 25
The BReeze
April 2014
Classified Ads
Lifeguards: Lifeguard Seasonal Positions. Memorial Day - Labor Day. FT, PT & Substitute Positions. JCC Bridgewater - great place to work! For applications and to schedule interview,Contact Carole Webb (908) 725-6994 x212, CWebb@ssbjcc.org. Administrator Wanted: Raritan Front desk Dental Adm- 2.5 days/ wk- Dentrix, Insurance, Patient Skills necessary. Forward resume to: traziano@comcast.net.
Tanning Service: Bronze Ambition Mobile Spray Tanning and professional makeup artist, convenient on location service (we come to you). Specializing in making you Bronzed and Beautiful. Services – Bridal Parties, spray tan parties, proms, sweet sixteens, special occasions, cheerleading/ dance competitions, woman and mens Fitness competitions. Real Estate: Selling your Home or Estate Property? Call me for a complimentary market analysis. I buy homes for cash! George Pantozzi, Broker/Associate, Prudential NJ Properties, 908-3922677 (cell) or 908-874-3400 x324. Chauffer Wanted: F/T and P/T Drivers wanted for limousine company. Must have license and clean driving record. Experience preferred. Please call A Class Limousine to inquire at 732-7980656. Camp Driver: CDL Driver, Part Time needed for JCC, Bridgewa-
ter. School Bus. Experience Preferred. Monday – Friday during school year and summer. Email Paige: PSilberfein@ssbjcc.org. Music Lessons: First Lesson $10. Learn Guitar, Bass Guitar, Harmonica and/or Keyboard. Lessons in my Branchburg home. Degreed with years of teaching and performance experience. Call 908-231-0492. Piano Instruction: All ages and styles. Degreed; B.A., M.M., 25 yrs experience. Call 908-7048620. Handyman: Call the handyman many of your neighbors, local businesses and realtors count on for their repairs. Senior Discounts! Sig’s Handiworks – 16 years serving this area. Call 908-231-0492. NJ Lic. 13VH05489400. Contracting: F.D. Mason Contractor. Over 30 years of experience. Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete. No job too large or small. Fully Insured and Licensed. Free Estimates. 908-385-5701. Salon: Hairdressers wanted. Call Gaetano’s at 908-722-6668. Musicians: LOCAL GUYS PLAYING BIG MUSIC - THE MCGUINEA’S. We play what you want to hear. We will play for any upcoming event especially upcoming Spring holidays. Contact us at themcguineas@ gmail.com. Italian/Irish favorites, classic/folk rock/jazz.
Celebrate Graduates!
With the temperatures starting to warm, Bridgewater-Raritan High School seniors are preparing for that day in June when they will receive their diplomas and move on to the great wide world out there. And we want to celebrate along with them! The BReeze will have a special section in the July/August issue for dedication ads for families to write special messages to their favorite 2014 graduates. The cost is $20 for 30 words, and $0.50 for each additional
word. A photo to accompany the text is an additional $5. All messages must be received by June 10 to be included in the July/August issue. Please mail copy, any photos and a check made out to The BReeze to 726 Route 202 South, Suite 320-190, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. If you have any questions, call 908-255-5926, or send an email to thebreezenj@gmail.com. We look forward to celebrating your graduates with the entire Bridgewater-Raritan community!
Bridgewater Collecting Cell Phones Bridgewater Township is sponsoring a cell phone collection campaign to provide support for the Resource Center of Somerset. The collection, according to a release from the township, will provide support for the activities of the center. Any old cell phones can be dropped off in the municipal building on Commons Way, at the mayor’s office or finance window, during normal work hours. “The services provided by the Resource Center of Somerset in
sheltering and supporting victims of domestic violence are essential to those members of our community in need,” Bridgewater Township Mayor Dan Hayes said in the release. “While domestic violence is a sad reality, it is comforting to know that an organization of dedicated professionals and volunteers stands ready to help victims at a moment’s notice.” The Resource Center of Somerset is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving those whose lives have been impacted
by domestic abuse. The organization has been providing services for more than 30 years, with a mission to end domestic abuse and empower victims by providing protection, education and resources. “We are thrilled with the support we have received from Mayor Hayes and Bridgewater Township and hope that the success of this campaign will help us continue to broaden the services we offer to those in need,” said Veronica Finlay, of the center, in the release.
was submitted to The BReeze by a local business to discuss Dental Health Month. All information contained was gathered specifically by the writer of the piece. March was Oral Cancer Awareness Month!
your oral cancer examinations and screenings at your dentist. Did you know that smoking and drinking are no longer the highest risk factors for oral cancer? The truth is that HPV – human papilloma virus – is now the leading risk factor for oral cancer.
sional for more information, or go to ADA.org to read more.
Focus on Oral Cancer Awareness Month Editor’s Note: The following Make sure you are current with See your Dental Health Profes-
Church to Celebrate Jubilee
St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Bound Brook is celebrating the 100th Jubilee of its founding. With that, the church is asking for help from parishioners, both past and present. Members of the Jubilee committee are looking for information on past parishioners for mailings on the Jubilee activities. Those who are past parishioners and looking to be included in the events should call the church office at 732-356-0358 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. For more information on the Jubilee and to be part of the mailings, contact Theresa Rudnicki-Jones at Theresa3148@ aol.com.
77 Thompson St.,77Raritan Thompson St., Raritan
Wishing You & Your Family a Happy 4th of July!
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Want to Place a Classified Ad? Classified ads are $20 for the first 30 words, and $0.50 for each additional word. To place a classified ad, send it to thebreezenj@gmail. com. Make checks payable to The BReeze, or call 908-255-5926 to pay by credit card.
Looking for a recap of the March 24 planning board meeting concerning the Al Falah application? Head to thebreezenj.com for full details.
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Page 26
April 2014
The BReeze
Ice Hockey Players Earn State Rankings Varsity Sports Schedule This year’s Bridgewater-Raritan High School ice hockey team had an impressive season, making it to NJSIAA Public A Boys Tournament of Champions in early March. The team unfortunately lost to Morris Knolls, 3–0. Senior forward Tyler Darby
was named as the No. 10 top New Jersey forward by MSG Varsity, leading the team with 17 goals and 38 points. He was named to the NJ State Public A All-Tournament Team, along with teammate Brett Goldstein. Senior goaltender Mick-
ey Avenoso ended his high school career with a .940 save percentage, 1.3 goal-agame average and 9.33 shutouts, two of them in the state finals. He was ranked No. 7 by MSG Varsity among New Jersey’s top 15 goaltenders for 2014.
Boys Golf
4/1 — Home Match against Hunterdon Central Regional, 3 p.m. 4/3 — Away Match against North Hunterdon, 3 p.m. 4/9 — Away Match against Montgomery, 3 p.m. 4/10 — Away Match against Hillsborough, 3:15 p.m. 4/16 — Home Match against Watchung Hills Regional, 3 p.m. 4/17 — Home Match against Gill Saint Bernards, 3 p.m. 4/21 — Away Match, SCIAA Championships, 8 a.m. 4/23 — Away Match, High Bridge Hills Classic, 8 a.m. 4/24 — Home Match against Ridge, 3 p.m. 4/28 — Away Match, Raider Invitational, 8 a.m. 4/30 — Away Match against Hunterdon Central Regional, 3:15 p.m.
Girls Golf
4/1 — Away Match against Hunterdon Central Regional, 3:15 p.m. 4/3 — Away Match against Phillipsburg, 3 p.m. 4/8 — Away Match, Cherry Valley Invitational, 9:30 a.m. 4/9 — Home Match against Pingry School, 3 p.m. 4/10 — Home Match against Hillsborough, 3 p.m. 4/16 — Home Match against Ridge, 3 p.m. 4/21 — Away Match, SCIAA Championships, 8 a.m. 4/22 — Home Match against Mount Saint Mary Academy, 3 p.m. 4/24 — Home Match against Montgomery, 3 p.m. 4/29 — Home Match against Hunterdon Central Regional, 3 p.m.
Boys Baseball
Mickey Avenoso
Tyler Darby
Email your favorites local sports photos to thebreezenj@gmail. com!
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/ ,
Girls Softball
4/1 — Home Game against North Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m. 4/2 — Away Game against Roselle Park, 4 p.m. 4/3 — Home Game against Montgomery, 3:45 p.m. 4/4 — Home Game against Old Bridge, 4 p.m. 4/7 — Home Game against Westfield, 4 p.m. 4/8 — Away Game against Hillsborough, 3:45 p.m. 4/10 — Away Game against Watchung Hills Regional, 3:45 p.m. 4/11 — Home Game against Somerville, 3:45 p.m. 4/16 — Home Game against Immaculata, 3:45 p.m. 4/17 — Away Game against Phillipsburg, 3:45 p.m. 4/21 — Home Game against Delaware Valley Regional, 3:45 p.m. 4/22 — Home Game against Hunterdon Central, 3:45 p.m. 4/23 — Home Game against Gill Saint Bernards, 3:45 p.m. 4/24 — Away Game against North Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m. 4/26 — Home Game against McNair-Academic H.S., 10 a.m. 4/28 — Away Game against Peddie, 4:30 p.m. 4/29 — Away Game against Montgomery, 3:45 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse
DRIVERS WHO SWITCHED FROM:
Geico
4/1 — Away Game against North Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m. 4/3 — Away Game against Montgomery, 3:45 p.m. 4/5 — Home Game against Woodbridge, 7 p.m. 4/7 — Away Game against Westfield, 4 p.m. 4/8 — Home Game against Hillsborough, 3:45 p.m. 4/10 — Home Game against Watchung Hills Regional, 3:45 p.m. 4/13 — Away Game against Saint Peter’s Prep, 3 p.m. 4/16 — Away Game against Immaculata, 3:45 p.m. 4/17 — Home Game against Phillipsburg, 3:45 p.m. 4/21 — Away Game against Gill Saint Bernards, 3:45 p.m. 4/22 — Away Game against Hunterdon Central Regional, 3:45 p.m. 4/24 — Home Game against North Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m. 4/25 — Home Game against Rutgers Prep, 4 p.m. 4/26 — Home Game against West Win-Plains-South, 10 a.m. 4/28 — Home Game against Franklin, 7 p.m. 4/29 — Home Game against Montgomery, 3:45 p.m.
4/2 — Away Game against North Hunterdon, 4 p.m. 4/5 — Home Game against Moorestown, 11 a.m. 4/8 — Home Game against Hillsborough, 5:15 p.m. 4/9 — Home Game against Montgomery, 4 p.m. 4/14 — Away Game against Hillsborough, 5 p.m. 4/16 — Away Game against Watchung Hills Regional, 4 p.m. 4/19 — Away Game against Immaculata, 10 a.m. 4/23 — Home Game against Pingry School, 4 p.m. 4/26 — Home Game against Ridge, 11 a.m. 4/30 — Home Game against St. Joseph’s-Metuchen, 4 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse
4/1 — Home Game against Montgomery, 4 p.m. 4/3 — Home Game against West Win-Plains-South, 4:30 p.m. 4/5 — Away Game against Cedar Grove, 10 a.m. 4/8 — Home Game against Hillsborough, 4:30 p.m. 4/10 — Home Game against Ridge, 4:30 p.m. 4/11 — Home Game against Hopewell Valley, 9:30 a.m. 4/16 — Away Game against West Win-Plains-North, 4 p.m. 4/17 — Home Game against North Hunterdon, 4:30 p.m. 4/19 — Home Game against Middletown South, 10 a.m. 4/22 — Away Game against Hunterdon Central, 6:30 p.m. 4/24 — Away Game against Montgomery, 4:30 p.m. 4/26 — Home Game against Pingry School, 9:30 a.m. 4/29 — Away Game against Hillsborough, 4 p.m. All matches are scheduled to change. Check brrsd.k12.nj.us for updates.
Page 27
The BReeze
April 2014
BRHS Teen Ranked No. 1 in Fencing Bridgewater resident Charlene Liu is currently ranked No. 1 on the United States Fencing Association (USFA) Cadet Women’s Epee Rolling Point Standings and No. 2 on the Team Point Standings. A fencing student since 2009 at the Medeo Fencing Club in Bridgewater, Liu has taken part in many tournaments. At the end of the 2014 Junior Olympic Championships, the USFA chose Liu to represent the United States in the Cadet World Fencing Championship in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with two teammates. She will compete against the best 17-and-under epee fencers from around the world at the competition in April 2014. Liu’s 2013–2014 fencing season started with the Summer Nationals/July North American Cup (NAC). During the match, she dealt with leg cramps that did require medical attention, and she finished the bout losing 14–15. Then, in the Cadet event in October in Milwaukee, Liu finished 10th, and vowed to train harder for her upcoming international
event in Austria. In her individual event in Austria, Liu finished fifth. In the Division 1 event in the November NAC, in Ohio, Liu finished sixth in the junior event, then, two weeks later, earned a bronze medal in the second European Cadet Circuit in France. Later, Liu lost early after reaching the round of 32 in Division 1 and Cadet events in December in Dallas. “Those were devastating losses for me,” she said. Liu then came back strong, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Division 1 and Junior events in January in Virginia, putting her in the second place position on the Cadet Women’s Epee Team Point Standings and first on the Rolling Point Standings. Despite almost not being able to compete in the third and final European Cadet Circuit in Sweden, Liu gained additional international points to solidify her position. Finally, Liu took part in the Junior and Cadet events in the 2014
Bowling Team Celebrates First Season — The Bridgewa-
ter-Raritan High School bowling team celebrated its first season with a banquet March 6. The team was 5–6 on the season as of mid-March. On this first team are Shane Balmann, Greg Bulmer, James Clelland, Austin Crudo, John Jannone, Nick Lapadula, Mike Machonis, Thomas Moeller, Ian Moore, Matthew Resnick, Matthew Wing and Jake Ziek. Charlene Liu after a win Junior Olympic Championships in Oregon in February, earning bronze in the Junior event. After the Cadet event, Liu officially learned that she had made the Women’s Epee Cadet World Team. “Really, I couldn’t have done it without support from my coaches and my family,” she said.
Patriots to Kick off 2014 Season The Somerset Patriots are gearing up for the start of the 2014 season, beginning April 25 against the Long Island Ducks at 7:05 p.m. Opening Weekend will include family fun, promotions and giveaways. Opening Night features a Post Game Fireworks Show and Magnetic Schedules for all fans courtesy of the Somerset Medical Center Foundation. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a t-shirt courtesy of TD Bank on April 26 for the 7:05 p.m. game. April 27 is Kids Opening Day with the first Sunday Autograph Session of the year courtesy of the Somerset County Park Foundation, beginning when gates open at 12 p.m. After the game, all kids get to Run The Bases in The Beez Foundation Diamond Derby. Game time is 1:05 p.m. The Somerset Patriots will host
70 home games at TD Bank Ballpark throughout the 2014 season from April 25 through Sept. 21. The calendar is available on line at www.somersetpatriots. com and includes 17 Fireworks Nights, promotional giveaway nights and theme nights. The Somerset Patriots are following up a record-breaking 90win season and Freedom Division Championship in 2013. Several core players are joining a team featuring many new faces to represent
the Patriots on and off the field. The Patriots are looking to capture their Atlantic League-leading sixth championship, last wining the title during the 2009 season. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
Girls Soccer Team Honored for 2013 Championship Win
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School girls soccer team was recognized at a recent board of education meeting for its first state championship win. The girls were recognized for their achievements this year. “We had a great year and great seniors,” said coach
Christopher Gerber. “Hopefully we can do the same next year.” Gerber said six of the seniors will be playing soccer when they head off to college next year. The team, in November, captured its first State Group 4 title at the tournament at The College of New Jersey.
Two of the team captains stand to be recognized when the team was honored during a recent board of education meeting.
Page 28
The BReeze
April 2014
Wizards Defeat Heroes in Fundraising Basketball Game By Audrey Levine The Hometown Heroes duked it out March 21 against the Harlem Wizards in a game at Bridgewater-Raritan High School to raise money for Project Graduation. A full gym turned out to cheer on the teachers and community members who were part of the hometown team.
Despite the Wizards giving the Heroes a 20-point lead midway through the game, and a few pauses in the middle to give the home team time to score, the Heroes put up a very good fight, playing hard until the end. In a tight game, the Hometown Heroes lost to the Wizards, 83–75.
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