Happy Halloween!

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Halloween Caution!
After this weekend's snowstorm, trick-or-treaters should use additional caution:
*Be careful of icy patches on sidewalks and porches.
*Watch for low hanging and/or broken limbs.
*Some sidewalks are blocked by fallen trees.
*Do not go into areas where there are wires down or low-hanging wires.
*Just skip areas whose residents have had extensive damage: give them a break this year.

Snow Damage? Dump Hours

Following the extensive damage that many Hillsborough residents suffered from the weekend snow, the township is opening the Auten Road dump for brush only this week:

Tuesday-through-Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The dump is not open today, Monday.

Any questions, contact the Department of Public Works (DPW).

October Snow

The first crack we heard early yesterday afternoon as the heavy October snow began to accumulate turned out to be a large limb falling on our clothes line. We started to go outside to take some pictures, but as we were walking across the yard we realized that other limbs and sometimes whole trees were snapping off under the weight of the snow.

From the relative safety of the front porch we watched a large tree in our front yard lose most of its limbs.
A large tree behind the two-story house across the road shook, made a cracking sound, and disappeared.

This morning instead of looking at a beautiful mature row of trees, we are looking at the road.
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It has been noted that if the downed tree in the front yard can't be removed by tomorrow afternoon the trick-or-treaters won't be able to get to the house for the Halloween candy and we get to keep it.

It appears that procrastination may have its rewards.

-by Susan Gulliford

Postponed: HHS Raider Marching Band Festival 2011

The 18th Hillsborough High School Raider Marching Band Festival, originally scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed to Wednesday, November 2nd, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. due to inclement weather predictions for tomorrow.

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Visit the Hillsborough High School Raider Band website here.

HHS Raider Marching Band Festival 2011

The 18th Hillsborough High School Raider Marching Band Festival is this Saturday, October 29th, kicking off with the National Anthem at 12:45 p.m. There are 26 competing bands plus the Raiders 9:45 p.m. exhibition of this year's show The Glory of Light.

This is the perfect event for those who attend football games only to see the halftime show and get a thrill when the bands pass by in a parade.

The bands are judged on the music, the program, and the execution.

The admission fee is $10, $8 for students and seniors.
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Wear comfortable shoes. Be prepared to climb up the bleachers for an overview of the bands. The evening will get cool, dress in layers. Bring a few dollars for food. Be prepared to be overwhelmed. Give a cheer for all the band parents who act as "roadies."

This is a great family activity.
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The HHS Raider Marching Band website is here. For more information about the 2011 program The Glory of Light go here.
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The photographs in the slideshow are from last year's competition courtesy of George Mariasz.
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For the mycentraljersey.com Photo Gallery of the 2010 Festival go here.

Signs of the Season

Just in case you haven’t noticed, elections are coming up in just over a month. The signs are everywhere – and I don’t mean signs as in “symbolic evidence,” but real signs. Those irritating cardboard “Vote for Me” miniature billboards that spring up everywhere and reproduce faster than cockroaches.

In the last few years they have become so intrusive and numerous that they are irritating the voters – not the effect the candidates want.

What is this proliferation of signs saying to the voters?

* This candidate has way too much money to spend.
* This candidate has no regard for the appearance of my town.
* This candidate is not discriminating.
* This candidate is wasting his own money and, therefore, will have no problem wasting mine.
* This candidate is very insecure.
* This candidate feels the voters are incredibly stupid and will forget his name if they don’t see it every ten feet.

Well, this voter will remember that candidate’s name when pulling the levers (or pressing the lights) in the voting booth.

And that candidate won’t like the results.
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By Susan Gulliford
Originally contributed and posted October 12,2007:
"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."

Food Fundraiser Weekend

This past weekend the HNJJ crew ate way too much - but thoroughly enjoyed the food and the company - at two Hillsborough fundraisers.

Friday evening the Woods Road Fire Company No.3 held their All-You-Can-Eat Italian buffet...


Sunday morning the Hillsborough High School RoboRaiders held a Pancake Breakfast...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

RoboRaiders Sunday Breakfast

The Hillsborough High School RoboRaiders Robotics Team is holding a Sunday morning all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8:00-to-11:30 a.m., October 23rd, at the Hillsborough Municipal Building.



The event also includes a clothing drive. The proceeds will benefit injured Iraq war veteran Brandan Marracco through the Brandan Marrocco Road to Recovery Trust.

The cost is $7 per person.
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For more information on Team RoboRaiders go to their website.
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Articles about this breakfast:
Hillsborough Beacon and Patch.

Woods Road Fire Company Italian Buffet Today

This evening the Woods Road Fire Company located at 324 Woods Road is having an all-you-can-eat Italian buffet dinner from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. ...

Hillsborough Fire Company # 3 will be holding an Italian Buffet on Friday October 21 from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Buffet menu includes six kinds of sauces (vodka, Alfredo,white clam, pomodoro, meat and marinara), spaghetti, whole wheat and penne pasta, sausage, meatball, eggplant, Italian bread, salad, desserts, coffee, tea, and cold drinks.

•Adults - $11
•Senior Citizens (62 and up) - $10
•Children (5 to 14) - $9
•Children 4 and under free

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For more information about Hillsborough Fire Company #3 (Woods Road Firehouse), go here.

Miss Rose - Cutest Dog Competition

Miss Rose here doing another guest post. It has been brought to my attention that the Huffington Post published an article about some 5-year-old Pomeranian named Boo whose owner thinks that he is the world's cutest dog. It may not be modest, but I think that I can surpass him in the cuteness sweeps. It's hard to be humble when you are so cute...and notice that my cuteness doesn't depend on my haircut...like that other dog.


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My owner wanted to add a link to the HuffPost article, but I objected.
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Miss Rose, who is about 10-years-old, was adopted through petfinder.com two years ago.

Township Committee Candidates' Forum

The Hillsborough High School AP Government Class is sponsoring a Township Committee Candidates' Night this evening in the HHS Auditorium from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Four candidates will be running for two Township Committee seats: Democrats John Redden Sr. and Aldo Martinez and Republicans Gloria McCauley and Doug Tomson.

Only the Democratic candidates will be facing the students and the public at this forum.

The Republican candidates apparently initially said there were scheduling conflicts, then they didn't like the format. The Democratic candidates offered to change to an alternate date to accommodate the Republicans.

The Republican's campaign manager stated that their candidates go into classrooms to meet with students and go door-to-door to answer questions. This is not the same as meeting the adults of the community and your opponents face-to-face.

Please attend this Candidates' Night this evening. Support the students. Educate yourself.
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Articles regarding this Candidates Forum:
Hillsborough Patch - October 13th.

Hillsborough Beacon - October 12th.
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The HNJJ Op-Ed:

The Republican candidates shot themselves in the foot when they decided not to appear at this forum.

The Traveling Vietnam Wall - Closing Day

The Ride of Honor and Closing Ceremony for the American Veterans Traveling Tribute featuring the Traveling Vietnam Wall was held at the Somerset County Park Commission's North Branch Park in Bridgewater, NJ, on the afternoon of October 16th.

The ceremony began with the Rolling Thunder Ride of Honor...

The closing ceremony included the Honor Guard from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, singing of the National Anthem by Somerville's Lena Acosta, comments by Somerset County Park Commission Director Raymond Brown, Freeholder Patrick Scaglione, Rolling Thunder President Gary Scheffmeyer, Vietnamm Veterans of America Chapter 452 President John LeGates, the benediction by Temple Shalom Rabbi Ron Isaacs, and the playing of Taps...


And The Wall presided over it all. Visitors walked the length of The Wall commenting on the size and the number of names while parents tried to explain The Wall. Others took photographs of the entire wall and, often, searched for that one particular name - or more than one. They made rubbings of names.

Many reached out and touched The Wall and that special name...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.
Slideshow by Susan Gulliford.

The Traveling Vietnam Wall: Clark and Garwood

This is a personal post by one of the HNJJ photographers who grew up in Clark and went to Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School which Garwood students also attended.

These seven names on the Vietnam Wall honor residents of Clark and Garwood in Union County. They played on the same streets we did, went to some of the same schools. They grew up. They graduated...



Joseph Vincent Whelan - Garwood - 1942-1969

John Winters - Clark - 1950-1969

Thomas Edward Badavas - Garwood - 1946-1967

Richard Danner Hartman - Clark - 1935-1967

Kenneth Edward Kuspiel - Clark - 1947-1968

Robert Lee Sevell - Clark - 1943-1968

Kevin Corcoran - Garwood - 1950-1968


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Forever Young by Joan Baez

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Each name is linked to their Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page.
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The photographs were taken at the Traveling Vietnam Wall last week in Bridgewater, NJ.
Thank you.
Susan G. - ALJRHS Class of 1968

The Traveling Vietnam Wall - Saturday's Ceremony

On Saturday the American Veterans Traveling Tribute featuring the Traveling Vietnam Wall held Military Service Day Honoring All Who Served.

The ceremony featured the NJ Civil Air Patrol Cadet Color Guard,US Air Force Auxiliary, the National Anthem sung by Somerville's Tess Giardina, remarks by Somerset County Freeholder Peter Palmer, North Branch Reformed Church Pastor Todd Buurstra, Somerset County Director of Veterans Affairs Peter Niemiec, Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery, AVTT Marketing Director Tom Zarcone, US Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, former Freeholder and Park Commissioner John Kitchen. The mayors and representatives of 13 Somerset County municipalities laid wreaths honoring the 34 Somerset County residents who gave their lives during the Vietnam War...

The people who attended - the veterans, those who worked on the program and participated, the sponsors, the family members, those remembering those whose names are on the Wall, and residents who thought that it was important to be there...


Overseeing everything - The Wall...

The Traveling Vietnam Wall - Sunrise

Saturday sunrise at the American Veterans Traveling Vietnam Wall exhibit at North Branch Park...


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For music click on the smaller triangle below:
Kujicity blog: Four Seasons 2010 in My Hometown

[Due to a translation problem HNJJ doesn't have the exact name and performer...yet.]

Traveling Vietnam Wall Honors Law Enforcement and First Responders

Friday evening's ceremonies at the American Veterans Traveling Tribute and traveling Vietnam Wall exhibit honored Law Enforcement and First Responders.

The ceremony included speeches by Peapack-Gladstone Chief Gregory Skinner,Deacon Lawrence Duffy, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano, Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano, and Somerset County Mutual Aid Fir Coordinator Doug Rue. Karren Newman of the Somerset County Park Commission sang the National Anthem, three wreaths were laid and the Somerset County Police Pipes and Drums played...

The people who attended - the veterans, the police,rescue squad members,and fire fighters,those who worked on the program and participated, the sponsors, the family members, those remembering the veterans whose names are on the Wall, and residents who thought that it was important to be there...

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Once to Every Man and Nation arranged and played by Ray Pool...

First verse (hymn):

Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and that light.

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The rain broke for the ceremonies...

Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford
and George Mariasz.

Traveling Vietnam Wall Opening Day

The Opening Day Ceremonies for the American Veterans Traveling Tribute including the traveling Vietnam Wall exhibit took place at North Branch Park on Thursday, October 13, 2011.

The Opening Ceremonies included the presentation of the colors, the singing of the National Anthem, speakers, and the laying of wreaths...

The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented commemorative medals honoring Somerset County veterans who served during the Vietnam war...

The people who attended - including the veterans, those who worked on the program and participated, the sponsors, the family members, those remembering the veterans whose names are on the Wall, and residents who thought that it was important to be there...
A final thank you to the musicians who wrote and performed three songs for the ceremony, Tyler Mylroie, Joe Reina, Joe Reina,Jr., and Bob Burke...

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Try to Remember by Andy Williams...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Traveling Vietnam Wall in Bridgewater

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Traveling Vietnam Wall opens tomorrow at the Somerset County Park Commission's North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater.

The centerpiece of the display is the Traveling Vietnam Wall, a 370-foot-long 80% scale model of the Washington D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

The wall opens to visitors at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 13th and is open 24-hours-a-day until Sunday, October 16th at 3 p.m.. There are daily events scheduled and the VA will have counselors on site at all times.

Thursday's Schedule:
The Wall and Exhibits open to the public at 1pm.

Opening ceremonies at 6pm -
Presentation of colors by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452 color guard
Opening Remarks and Pledge of Allegiance led by NJ Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman
Singing of the national anthem by Isabel Stein, Annandale NJ
Invocation and blessing of the wall and exhibits by Deacon John R. Pacifico, St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Raritan NJ
County Welcome by Somerset County Freeholder Director Robert Zaborowski
Remarks by NJ Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Ray Zawacki
Remarks by NJ Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi
Remarks by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452 President John LeGates

Laying of wreaths:
POW/MIA wreath by Freeholders Robert Zaborowski and Peter S. Palmer
Gold Star Mothers of New Jersey wreath by Charlene Cosgrove-Bowie
Military Order of Purple Hearts Chapter 27 wreath - Ted Dima and Ken Meaney
Department of New Jersey Marine Corps League wreath by Rosemary Fleming

Presentation by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of commemorative medals honoring Somerset County veterans who served during the Vietnam Era

Musical Performance by Tyler Mylroie, Joe Reina, Sr., Joe Reina, Jr., and Bob Burke
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For more information on this event go here.

The daily events schedule is here.

Somerset History Weekend: Day 2

This afternoon, the second day of Somerset County's Weekend Journey Through the Past, the HNJJ photographers visited four more of the 22 historic sites: the First Reformed Church of Rocky Hill on Washington Street in Rocky Hill, the 1830 Griggstown Schoolhouse on Canal Road in Franklin Township, the Old Millstone Forge Blacksmith Shop and Museum, and the Old Presbyterian Graveyard on East High Street in Bound Brook.
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Photographs courtesy of George Mariasz and Susan Gulliford.

Somerset History Weekend: Day 1

Today, the first day of Somerset County's Weekend Journey Through the Past , the HNJJ photographers went to four of the 22 historic sites: the South Branch School House on South Branch Road in Branchburg, Andrew Ten Eyck House on Old York Road in Branchburg, the Codington Farmstead on Mt. Horeb Road in Warren, and the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead on King George Road in Basking Ridge.

Somerset County History Weekend

The Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission's annual Weekend Journey Through the Past starts tomorrow.

Twenty-two historic sites are open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. with many of them planning special exhibits, tours, and activities. Admission and parking at all the sites are free.

Dress comfortably. Take your camera. You will have more fun if you participate in the activities and you will learn stuff. All ages will enjoy this. Take a picnic lunch or find a place to eat while you are touring Somerset County. [Miss Rose says to mention that dogs are not welcome at all the sites.]

The HNJJ staff has a special soft spot for Codington Farmstead in Warren Township. The last resident Codington family member died in 2003. The 21st century is already history and so many items in the house remind us of our own grandparents. And not everyone in Central Jersey lives in a new house with all the technical gadgets - or needs to. [Note: That last comment is from the resident Luddite.]

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The Somerset County Weekend Journey Through the Past website is here or here.
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The slideshow photographs were taken during the tours from 2007 through 2010 and are provided courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Visiting Nurse Association Sale - October 2011

This weekend's Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills' Rummage Sale starts tomorrow, opening at 9:30 a.m., a sale that is such a tradition that there are people who take off from work to attend. Pickers from NYC line up early on opening day.

Take a list of what you need or you will be overwhelmed and forget half your stuff. We have purchased a sink protector that fit a twenty-year-old sink for a quarter. Located a copy of a current best-selling non-fiction book and found a 1967 copy of Gans' classic study The Levittowners. Matched a computer cable that we needed and purchased a nearly-new London Fog raincoat for $3. For 50-cents we got the nice soup plate under our basil plant and matched a broken piece of china.

Be prepared to spend time there. You may have to stand in line to get into some of the "stores". Take small change. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. If you get hungry you can get a hot dog and a soda.

For more information, hours, and directions go to the VNA website.

Belmar Beach Gold

Belmar - Sunrise to Sunset

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years