Elections on Nov. 3

bald eagle and flags

On November 3, Dunellen residents head to the voting booth. Turnout is expected to be light since there are no offices above New Jersey General Assembly that are up for election. Assemblyman Gerald “Jerry” Green (D) who has represented the 22nd Legislative District since 1992 is running with the former mayor of Rahway James J. Kennedy (D). Kennedy is hoping to fill the chair that Linda Stender left open. Stender who had held the position since 2002 chose not to seek reelection after questions arose about her permanent residence status and involvement in her husband’s application for Habitat for Humanity assistance after Hurricane Sandy. Continue Reading →

Middlesex County offers historical podcasts

Middlesex County’s new website now feature a series of free mini podcasts or audio files that focus on state history that is bizarre or not commonly known. Known as “UnCommon History,” these podcasts are made possible by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Office of Cultural and Heritage and the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of the Department of State. Most are approximately five minutes in length. There are currently over fifty podcasts in this growing series including one on a town that used to border Dunellen and appropriately for the season, one on the Pine Barrens’ Jersey Devil. They can be accessed by searching for “podcasts” on http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us. Continue Reading →

DHS holds homecoming court

Dunellen High School's 2015 Homecoming Court

Dunellen High School (DHS) held its 2015 homecoming ceremony on Friday, October 16, during the halftime break of the Destroyers-Highland Park football game. Bella Guzzi and George Kiarie were selected from the homecoming court as Homecoming Queen and King. Four couples comprised the court: Serena Consolvo & George Kiarie, Bella Guzzi with Naz Jordan, Ashley Stokes with Bowen Grasso, Gabriella Suarez with Rahim Sangiray. The court members were brought to the game in style, riding atop convertibles and escorted by police vehicles and the DHS band. The drivers/owners of the court cars were Kathy Facciponti, Anthony Mauriello, Ruth Muzik, Liz Muzik, and Bob Tunison. Continue Reading →

Raritan Valley Rail Coalition Meeting on Monday, Oct. 26

Dunellen-mass-transit-train

The next meeting of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC) will be on Monday, Oct. 26. Somerset County Freeholder and RVRC Chairman Peter S. Palmer and other trustees will report on the progress to date on increasing one-seat ride service; efforts to promote the importance of the Gateway Project; and the need to identify a long-term, stable funding source for the state Transportation Trust Fund and to construct critical rail infrastructure projects, such as the Hunter Flyover and the Portal Bridge. The trustees will provide an update on the one-seat ride initiative’s website (www.raritanvalleyrail.com) and social-media campaign. They also will present highlights from their recent quarterly one-seat ride briefing with NJ Transit. Continue Reading →

TD Bank Holds Fundraiser for FISH

On October 16, the Stelton-Piscataway branch location of TD Bank held a fundraiser for the FISH Hospitality Program (FHP). Customers donated their spare change. TD Bank, as part of its Bring Change program, also matched a portion of the coins counted that day at its Penny Arcade. A total of $3,316.54 was donated to FHP. Since 1990, FHP has given homeless families and single women temporary shelter and meals, permanent housing assistance, employment and medical attention. Continue Reading →

Journey through Union County’s historical past this weekend

union county

Union County’s annual free public heritage event, “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey through Union County’s History,” will take place Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with the cooperation of staff and volunteers at 28 house museums and historic sites, the two-day free event opens doors to more than 370 years of history throughout Union County. “Four Centuries in a Weekend began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of modern-day Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This year you can learn about local military heroes, archaeological sites, bridal gowns, the role of women in the Revolution, special exhibitions and tours that showcase the county’s treasure trove of history.”

Among the historic sites open for free tours, all listed on the National and New Jersey State Registers of Historic Places, are these special programs and events:

Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center in Westfield celebrates the restoration of the 1870s Victorian Italianate home

Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park in Berkeley Heights will host the Archaeological Society of New Jersey on Saturday afternoon in the restored Masker’s Barn with presentations about archaeological sites at the village

Crane-Phillips House Museum in Cranford will present “Here Come the Brides,” a display of wedding gowns from 1880 to 198

Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield, will host on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Stacy F. Roth presenting “Over Here, Molly Pitcher,” a dramatic performance highlighting the lives of women who “belonged to the army” during the American Revolution

For more info: http://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/historic-sites-map/
http://ucnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Union-County-Across-the-Centuries-website1.pdf
Continue Reading →

Somerset County holds county-wide history event

Somerset County Weekend Journey through the Past logo

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in collaboration with thirty local historical organizations and tourism partners, has designated the weekend of October 10 & 11, 2015 “Weekend Journey through the Past.” During this two-day period, many of the County’s significant historic sites will be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, and 12:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. This year’s event will feature four (4) “first time” participating sites: The Hageman Farm in Somerset (Franklin Twp); the Texier House Museum in Watchung; Blawenburg Reformed Church in Blawenburg (Montgomery Twp.); and the Dr. J. Vermeule House in Green Brook. Many of the sites have significant Revolutionary War histories which have contributed to the area’s designation as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution State Heritage Area”. Local historians will be on hand to share their knowledge and stories about Somerset County’s history. Continue Reading →

Dunellen Police Report | September 2015

On 9/29/15 @ 6:29pm – A Raritan resident was arrested and charged with obstruction, hindering apprehension and contempt of court after patrol was called to Morecraft Park for a report of an active fight. Upon arrival it was discovered that the fight had stopped and several individuals, including the suspect, were still on scene. The suspect was asked for his name and refused to give it after several requests. He was then arrested for obstruction. After being arrested his identification was found in his wallet. Continue Reading →

Local hot spot nominated for entertainment award

roxy and duke's roadhouse

Roxy & Duke’s Roadhouse has been nominated for a New Jersey Stage Award under the Music category as “Best Place to see Emerging Artists.” Located in the former local Polish Falcons headquarters on Bound Brook Road, Roxy & Duke’s Roadhouse is an entertainment venue which holds performances from internationally known artists such as Adrian Belew and The Reverend Horton Heat as well as national touring acts and local musicians. It’s known for booking rockabilly, ska, swing, punk, metal and other non-mainstream genres. In addition to musical performances, Roxy & Duke’s Roadhouse also hosts bellydancing showcases, vaudeville acts and dinner theater. Participants can vote once a day until November 5, 2015. Continue Reading →

Dunellen participates in Walk Your Child to School Day

Faber School

This morning John P. Faber Elementary School students along with their parents walked in the 16th Annual International Walk Your Child to School Day (WYCTSD). They were joined by members of the school staff and PTO as well as Dunellen firefighters, EMS personnel, and policemen. Dunellen has been participating in the international event for over a decade, rallied by Mayor Bob Seader who is an avid walker. Dunellen’s WYCTSD is currently organized by Dunellen resident Diana Starace who is the injury prevention coordinator at RWJUH and Safe Kids Middlesex County. Safe Kids Middlesex County and RWJ Trauma Center are the event’s local sponsors. Continue Reading →