Hillsborough NJ Journal

HHS Winterguard Competition 2012

2012-01-27T11:32:00.005-05:00

The Hillsborough High School Winterguard is hosting 27 units at tomorrow's 12th Annual Winterguard Homeshow starting at 6 p.m. at Hillsborough High School ...

Food is available. Spectators can come any time during the Homeshow for an entrance fee of $10, students and seniors $6.

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From the Winterguard:

Any support from our township and our community is welcome and much appreciated. Donations to support the band and guard programs at HHS can be sent to the Hillsborough Band Parents Association c/o June Blauvelt, 92 Rivendell Road, 908-369-7778. We thank the Gold Sponsors of our show – Bench Fashion Floors, Jules & Mr. F, Just Subs, Lowe’s of Hillsborough, Safety First Driving School, Somerset Orthopedic Associates, The Green Standard, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; and our Silver Sponsor, Petrock’s Bar & Grille. We also thank all of the local businesses and Hillsborough residents for their continued support of our wonderful band and guard programs. For the 2012 competing schedule for both guards go here.

HNJJ CHEF: Saving Bread

2012-01-22T12:29:00.004-05:00

Many HNJJ readers are finally getting smart about sticking to a food budget, so we are going to help you along.

Last week the HNJJ crew made their latest trip to the Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store in Franklin Township (Somerset), NJ, and tracked the cost.

The purchase of six loaves of bread, a package of cranberry raisin sweet rolls, two packages of Texas Toast, and a package of Ecce Panni French Dinner Rolls cost $17.40.
At full price, the items would have cost $32.96.

The store also carries cookies, snacks, turnovers, puff pastry, crackers, stuffing, croutons, hamburger and hot dog rolls,and desserts. With Pepperidge Farm being owned by Campbell Soup Company, they may have some Campbell's products.

This is a thrift store, meaning some of the items may be near expiration, holiday specialties, short weight, box damaged, etc. Sometimes there is a sign near the item explaining why it is there.

Some days have specials, such as an extra 15% off for seniors on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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The store is located in a strip mall, 120 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873, telephone (732)271-7079.

Hillsborough Board of Adjustment Reorganization 2012

2012-01-19T08:33:00.004-05:00

The Hillsborough Township Board of Adjustment 2012 Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday evening.

The board members chose Leon Krals as Chairperson and Helen Haines as Vice Chairperson.

Barrett Quick and Mark Wetter left the Board and Shawn Lipani and Curtis Suraci joined the Board.

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To assist the HNJJ readers with the cast of characters:
Ms. Haines is well-known as "Chickie" Haines.
Mr. Krals is also known as "Skip" Krals.
Curtis (Curt) Suraci is Mayor Carl Suraci's brother.

Winterguard's Spin Festival, Dinner,and Premiere 2012

2012-01-15T17:49:00.007-05:00

This past Saturday evening the Hillsborough Winterguard served an excellent fundraising dinner...

Followed by the premiere presentation of three of this year's shows:
The Bridgewater Winterguard performed its 2012 show Reflecting Black, the Hillsborough Scholastic A Winterguard presented its 2012 program The Breaking of Dawn, and the Hillsborough Scholastic Novice Winterguard was introduced performing its 2012 show Statuesque...

Following the shows, members of the audience had an opportunity to try out spinning the flags under the watchful eyes of the team members...

For more information about the 2012 Hillsborough High School Winterguard go here.
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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

2012 Winterguard Dinner Tonight

2012-01-13T08:32:00.005-05:00

The Hillsborough High School Winterguard's annual Spin Festival and Dinner takes place this evening at Hillsborough High School.

The three-course dinner runs from 5:30-to-9 p.m., costing $10 per person and $8 for seniors (age 55 and up) and children under 5-years-old. Takeout is available.

The Bridgewater Winterguard will perform its 2012 show Reflecting Black beginning at 7:15 p.m. The Hillsborough Scholastic A Winterguard will present its 2012 program The Breaking of Dawn starting at 7:30 p.m.

At 7:45 p.m. the Hillsborough Scholastic Novice Winterguard will be introduced performing its 2012 show Statuesque.

Following the performances, guests are invited to try spinning flags with the guard members for a $10 donation.

The evening's proceeds will be used to purchase equipment and fund travel costs for competitions.
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For more information about the Hillsborough High School Winterguard and this year's show, go here.

The Courier News article about this evening's activities can be viewed here.
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Slideshow photographs taken at the 2011 Winterguard dinner, courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Sonic: The Epilogue

2012-01-10T08:51:00.003-05:00

Recently it has been brought to the attention of the HNJJ that many residents are not familiar with the Sonic Restaurant application that was heard by the Hillsborough Township Planning Board from the summer of 2010 until the withdrawal of the application in March, 2011. Although HNJJ covered this application with six posts, we never provided an epilogue, the final chapter, a conclusion.

In August, 2010 HNJJ reported that Thomas Mascia submitted an application to build a Sonic drive-in fast-food restaurant on an undersized 1.5-acre lot on Route 206 and at the corner of Oxford Place. As proposed, the application needed multiple variances and waivers and included a huge freestanding sign.

On September 2, 2010, the Hillsborough Township Planning Board began hearing the application with testimony from the applicant and his engineer and questions from the dozen-or-so neighbors who attended the meeting.

By the October 8th meeting the neighbors behind the proposed restaurant had organized and hired an attorney. After a jurisdictional dispute was raised, the application was carried to December.

With the December meeting approaching, Sonic made a few minor changes.

By the December 9th, 2010, meeting the number of neighbors attending had swelled to about one-hundred. The applicant's traffic expert and engineer testified. The giant sign still loomed large over the hearing. And...the application was carried.

In February, 2011, the HNJJ was reporting on one of the most contentious hearings, a three-hour-long meeting. The neighbors had incorporated. Their planning expert testified and members of the public commented. Unexpectedly

"...Following the public comments, Sonic's attorney Donald Whitelaw addressed the board about a clarification on their site plan that would require an amendment. According to their engineer Brett Skapinetz the NJDEP had just advised them that there were wetlands at the rear of the property about 20-feet off the rear lot line requiring changes in the site plan particularly in the stormwater management."

This caused a little uproar in the chambers. The hearing recessed for a few minutes while the board attorney spoke with the engineers and planners.

The application was carried to March 10th at which time Sonic was ordered to submit its new site plan incorporating the wetlands.

But this was not to be. In a letter to the Board, Tom Mascia's attorney withdrew the application.

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For those wishing further information,two posts of the Planning Board Minutes:

September 02, 2010

October 07, 2010

Hillsborough Rabies Clinic 2012

2012-01-09T09:53:00.004-05:00

January is the time to license your dog, which means it's also time to update rabies vaccinations.

Hillsborough Township's next free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats is on Saturday, January 14th, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Township Public Works Garage, 21 East Mountain Road (next to the YMCA).

If cancelled due to inclement weather the new date will be January 28th.

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If you have never been to one of these popular clinics, here are a few hints:

It will be cold...its January. Dress warmly; you may have to stand in line for a while.

If your pets are not used to being outside or are sickly or elderly or aggressive toward other animals or strangers, bring an extra family member or friend to stay in the car with your pet until it gets to be near your turn.

Make your life easier, bring along one person per dog to hold them while each dog gets its shot

Have your dog leashed. This seems to be common sense, but...

Dogs may get nervous. Do the right thing: bring along a plastic bag for cleanups.

Cats are usually done inside the old municipal building and must be secured inside a carrier. With all the activity it will be best for your cat.

For more information call the Hillsborough Health Department at (908)369-5652.

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For other local clinics as listed at the Somerset County Health Department website go here:

Their events calendar lists a clinic in Manville on January 21st and Raritan Borough on January 28th.
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You've already chipped in to these clinics with a penny-or-so of your taxes, you may as well take advantage of them!

Ex-Xmas Trees

2012-01-08T16:23:00.005-05:00

Christmas has passed. New Years, Three Kings Day, and Twelfth Night (as in that never-ending song The Twelve Days of Christmas) are gone.

Now you may take down your Christmas Tree. That does not mean you throw it into the park or out on the road or put it out in your trash. If you don't have any use for it in your yard, you may recycle it through the Somerset County Park Commission:

The Somerset County Park Commission will be accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling from Sunday, December 26, 2011 through Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

Somerset County residents may bring their tree to Colonial Park, Parking Lot F, 156 Mettlers Road in East Millstone, Franklin Township or to North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater at the northern end of the parking lot near the lighted ball field. Both facilities will accept trees from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., seven days a week.

Each family is limited to only one tree that must be free of all ornaments, wires, netting, and tinsel. Only natural trees will be accepted. Wreaths and garland will not be accepted as these items cannot be recycled. Deliveries from groups or dealers will be rejected. Following these guidelines is necessary to maintain a manageable recycling program.

Trees will be chopped into wood chips which will be used throughout the park system to mulch plantings. Some chips/mulch will be made available to the public at drop-off sites at no cost.

For information, call the Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department as 732 873-2459, ext. 21 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment, Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:00am to 3:30pm.

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The HNJJ crew saw discarded Christmas trees in front yards on December 26th - how sad. Was Christmas that bad? [No, these weren't people who were going away on vacation.]

In the future get a live tree - balled in burlap - and plant it. A memory forever and a better use of your money.
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“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” - Larry Wilde

“The Christmas spirit that goes out with the dried-up Christmas tree is just as worthless” - Unk.

2012 Somerset County Freeholder's Reorganization Meeting

2012-01-07T10:10:00.006-05:00

The Somerset County Freeholder's Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the County Courthouse in Somerville. The two re-elected freeholders Robert Zaborowski and Peter Palmer took the oath of office, Patricia Walsh was named Freeholder Director, and many of our representatives attended...

But what is important for HNJJ purposes is recognising the many Hillsborough residents who serve voluntarily on many of the Somerset County boards,councils and commissions that support our elected officials...

...including Linda Lee Anderson and Pratima Agarwell - Commission on the Status of Women, David Folesh - Fire Watch Advisory Board, Tom Cowen - Greater Raritan Work Enforcement Board, Helen Haines and Suzanne Ochse - Open Space Advisory Committee, Peter Schoberl - Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustees, and Theodore Smith - Vocational Board of School Estimate.

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford, who now wants a box to stand on like the one provided to Freeholder Director Walsh...

Green Village: The Traffic Snarl

2012-01-06T10:13:00.004-05:00

The Hillsborough Township Planning Board continued hearing the Green Village application for a major development on the east side of Route 206 between Valley and Partridge Roads.

As proposed by the applicant [Route 206 Enterprises, LLC], the 50-acre mixed-use plan includes 469 rental apartments including 117 affordable housing units, a clubhouse, two 10,000-square-foot retail buildings, and a 130-unit 130,000-square-foot extended stay hotel.

Prior to hearing the application, the board and the board attorney met in a 50-minute executive session regarding "potential litigation and attorney-client privilege matters" in relation to the Green Village application.

Traffic engineer Gary Dean, appearing for the applicant, presented extensive information regarding traffic movement statistics, the traffic problems that will inevitably occur at the only two exits from the proposed development onto Route 206, and possible corrective modifications.

The suggested changes, including left-turn lanes, jughandles, and additional traffic lights, were met with skepticism and confusion by residents who addressed the board.

The Green Village application will continue at the March 1,2012 meeting at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex.

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The Green Village application as it appeared on the agenda:

GREEN VILLAGE – File #11-PB-11-SR (previously referenced as 11-PB-11-MJFSR) – Block 141, Lot 30 – Route 206 North. (AMENDED Application) Applicant requesting Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval to develop the subject property containing 50.0016 acres with 469 apartments, of which 352 units will be market rate and 117 units will meet the Township’s affordable housing obligation. A clubhouse with recreational amenities, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a 130 room extended stay executive suites hotel in the GV District. The Planner Report dated 09-19-11 finds the following ‘c’ Bulk Variances: tree removal (31% allowed: 75.44% proposed); encroachment into buffer area (Building #34) for currently proposed trash area; Sign Waiver; and Fence (height) Waiver. The Applicant is requesting an Economic Hardship Waiver for tree mitigation for property in the GV District (previous request for major preliminary and final subdivision has been withdrawn). (EC Review: 09-26-11). Carried from December 01,2011 without further notice.

Hillsborough Planning Board Reorganization 2012

2012-01-06T10:00:00.003-05:00

The Hillsborough Township Planning Board's 2012 Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday evening.

The board members elected Steven Sireci, Jr., as Chairperson, Steve Cohen as Vice-Chairperson, and Tod Mershon as Secretary.

There are eleven members with several changes. Two new members, Neil Julian and Robert Peason, took the oath of office, replacing Douglas Tomson and Arthur Stafford-Taylor.

HTPB: Green Village Continued and Reorganization

2012-01-05T07:51:00.005-05:00

This evening the Hillsborough Township Planning Board will continue hearing the Green Village application for a major development on the east side of Route 206 between Valley and Partridge Roads with two access points onto the highway.

As proposed by the applicant [Route 206 Enterprises, LLC], the 50-acre mixed-use plan includes 469 rental apartments including 117 affordable housing units, two 10,000-square-foot retail buildings, and a 130-unit extended stay hotel.

The Board began hearing the application on December 1, 2011, including presentations by the applicant's attorney and engineer.

At the December 1, 2011 meeting there appeared to be major concerns regarding traffic and tree removal, with the applicant advising that their traffic expert will be testifying at this evening's meeting and they expect to have more discussion on their extensive tree removal.

Today's meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex and it will be preceded at 7 p.m. by the Planning Board's 2012 Reorganization Meeting.

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The Green Village application on the agenda:

GREEN VILLAGE – File #11-PB-11-SR (previously referenced as 11-PB-11-MJFSR) – Block 141, Lot 30 – Route 206 North. (AMENDED Application) Applicant requesting Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval to develop the subject property containing 50.0016 acres with 469 apartments, of which 352 units will be market rate and 117 units will meet the Township’s affordable housing obligation. A clubhouse with recreational amenities, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a 130 room extended stay executive suites hotel in the GV District. The Planner Report dated 09-19-11 finds the following ‘c’ Bulk Variances: tree removal (31% allowed: 75.44% proposed); encroachment into buffer area (Building #34) for currently proposed trash area; Sign Waiver; and Fence (height) Waiver. The Applicant is requesting an Economic Hardship Waiver for tree mitigation for property in the GV District (previous request for major preliminary and final subdivision has been withdrawn). (EC Review: 09-26-11). Carried from December 01,2011 without further notice.

Before hearing the application the Board has an executive session listed on the agenda:"...RE: Green Village – File #11-PB-11-SR - The Board will convene to discuss potential litigation and attorney-client privilege matters."

This evening's agenda also includes an application for a medical transportation company at 330 Roycefield Road and a PSE&G Sunnymead Road substation easement.
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To view this evening's PB agenda go here.

To view the HNJJ's previous post on the Green Village application go here.

Hillsborough Committee Reorganization 2012

2012-01-04T11:18:00.004-05:00

The Hillsborough Township Committee Reorganization Meeting was held yesterday evening.

Girl Scout Troop 60748 presented the Colors, Major Jon Lapidow led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Reverend Timothy Wolf gave the invocation...

State Senator Christopher Bateman swore in re-elected Committee Member Gloria McCauley and new Committee Member Douglas Tomson. The Township Committee chose member Carl Suraci as Mayor and member Gloria McCauley as Deputy Mayor...

Audience members and participants included Representative Leonard Lance, Somerset County Freeholders Mark Caliguire and Robert Zaborowski, former Township Administrator Kevin Davis, former Committeeman Anthony Ferrera, and Joan Biondi...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

New Year's Day 2012

2012-01-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

For the next year, some words of wisdom from another Mama Cass Elliot performance: Make your Own Kind of Music...

Nobody can tell ya
There's only one song worth singing
They may try and sell ya
Cause it hangs them up to see someone like you

But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along

You're gonna be nowhere
The loneliest kind of lonely
It may be rough going
Just to do your thing's the hardest thing to do

But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along

So if you cannot take my hand
And if you must be going
I will understand

You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along

You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-31T14:30:00.002-05:00

The HNJJ crew's traditional New Year's song - Mama Cass Elliot (1941-1974) performing New World Coming...

There's a New World Coming
And it's just around the bend
There's a new world coming
This one's coming to an end

There's a new voice calling
You can hear it if you try
And it's growing stronger
With each day that passes by

There's a brand new morning
Rising clear and sweet and free
There's a new day dawning
That belongs to you and me

Yes a new world's coming
The one we've had visions of
Coming in peace, coming in joy, coming in love

Municipal Building Rename ?

2011-12-30T07:57:00.007-05:00

At the Hillsborough Township Committee meeting of December 13, 2011, Committeeman Anthony Ferrera proposed "renaming the municipal building...The Peter J. Biondi Building" in honor of our assemblyman who died on November 10th.

After reading several comments regarding this proposal on the Hillsborough Patch, the HNJJ crew suggests that the proposal be amended to add "The Peter J. Biondi Building" below the current Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex sign.

This prevents any confusion about what the building is, helps visitors, and maintains the Hillsborough Township identity while still honoring Mr. Biondi.

Additionally, one of the online commentators asked how much this name change would cost, a legitimate question in these economic times. Adding a line below the present name would certainly save the cost of the unnecessary removal of the current signs.

A more significant saving would be realized in the replacement of all the stationary and places where the municipal building appears online. As such items as business cards and letterhead are restocked, the line reading "The Peter J. Biondi Building" could be added/inserted into the address.

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The HNJJ crew would like to have seen this honor presented apart from the Township Committee reorganization, maybe at the Memorial Day ceremony which meant so much to Mr. Biondi.
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The HNJJ slideshow of Mr. Biondi can be viewed here.

Merry Christmas from the HNJJ Crew

2011-12-25T14:48:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T23:00:00.000-05:00

This is our first Christmas Eve since Babchi died, with the celebration now at our house. The family did the best that they could with her traditional menu and no recipes...

Babchi's granddaughter did a great job recreating the fish. Babchi's son got the pierogi, stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut stew,and beets from Halinka Polish Deli on Route 206, while her daughter picked up a babka from a shop in Manville.

Babchi's great-grandsons had been told that Santa left some presents for them. It wasn't Christmas yet, so when the question came up about Santa delivering the presents early...well, the boys came up with their own explanation.

"Santa delivers the presents first at the houses of old people."

*sigh*

Merry Christmas From the ACLU

2011-12-19T19:48:00.003-05:00

Christmas, the time of the year when anonymous forum posters around the United States mistakenly rant about the American Civil Liberties Union being anti-Christmas. These posters apparently pass around anti-ACLU emails filled with deliberately erroneous information and, without checking the facts, cut-and-paste them all over the Internet.

This year the HNJJ is going to be proactive, presenting only a handful of the many past ACLU cases that have supported the celebration of Christmas:

In 2003, the ACLU successfully defended the right of the members of a Massachusetts’ high school student Christian Bible Club to hand out candy canes with religious messages attached.

Five days before Christmas, 2006, Maui County, Hawaii, put up a Christmas tree after receiving a letter from the ACLU.

The Rhode Island ACLU “…successfully interceded on behalf of an interdenominational group of carolers who were told they could not sing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve to inmates at the women’s prison in Cranston.”

While preempting the annual anti-ACLU Christmas posts, its also time to address the annual years-old “send a Christmas card to the ACLU” message which has been debunked by many fact checkers including Snopes and Urban Legend.

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As Hillsborough is located in Central Jersey, we couldn’t sign off without mentioning Turton, et al. v. Frenchtown Elementary School, et al. In this case, a second-grader was denied permission to perform Awesome God at an after-school talent show due to the religious content of the song. The ACLU participated amicus curiae, defending the child’s right to sing her chosen song.

Belmar: Almost Christmas

2011-12-17T20:11:00.000-05:00

According to an HNJJ friend, the Jersey Shore in winter is a special time, so we took a trip down there this weekend...

Here is Belmar's 4th Avenue beach early on Friday morning. There is plenty of parking and not much traffic.

If it hadn't been so cold...

Belmar = Ecological Education

2011-12-11T19:50:00.005-05:00

Visiting Belmar this past summer proved to be not only fun, but educational.

Thanks to a series of Treasure Trail signs located throughout the town, tourists - well, everyone - can learn about the original shore, the dunes, the geology of Silver Lake, and Shark River's name, birds, and fish.

According to the Belmar website:

"...The Treasure Trail in Belmar is an interactive educational initiative developed in 2005 by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant (NJMSC/NJSG) in partnership with the Belmar Environmental Commission (BEC) and is meant to educate beachgoers about coastal ecosystems and beach dynamics in Belmar..."

Additionally, along the jetty where fishing takes place, there is a fishing line recycling container with information about the danger of carelessly discarded fishing line.
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For more information about the Belmar Treasure Trail, go here.

The Belmar website also provides a link to Belmar: A Natural & Historical Treasure which also includes their Environmental Resources Inventory.

There is also an Educational Activities Supplement online, An Addendum to the Belmar Environmental Resources Inventory.

- by Susan Gulliford

2012 Environmental Steward Training Program

2011-12-09T18:40:00.004-05:00

The Rutgers Environmental Steward Training Program is now accepting registration for the Class of 2012.

Classes are held on Tuesday mornings from January 10th into May, 2012. Past lectures have been presented by specialists in geology, soil, climate change,leadership, wildlife, health, mosquitoes, and the indoor environment,

Hillsborough residents are in a particularly advantageous position as the Central Jersey classes are held at our own Duke Farms.

For more information on the program go here.

RVSB Winter Concert

2011-12-07T14:36:00.001-05:00

The size of the enthusiastic audience at Sunday's Raritan Valley Symphonic Band concert Musical War Horses and Holiday Classics illustrates that the RVSB has become better known and appreciated over the decades.

Additionally, a number of audience members took advantage of a new opportunity - a Pre-Concert Chat presented by RVSB Conductor Larry Markiewicz. During his half-hour multi-media presentation Mr. Markiewicz spoke about the music that was going to be presented during the afternoon's program, the composers, and the history behind both.

Also seen in this slideshow is the RVSB's interim Assistant Conductor Andrew Lawrence.

In Memoriam - Joe Morrison

The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band announced the establishment of the Joe Morrison Service Award in memory of Hillsborough's Joseph A. Morrison, Jr., who died on November 7th after a brief illness. Mr. Morrison served the RVSB for many years behind the scenes, he may have greeted you at the door of a concert, giving out programs and handling the donation box. His wife Audre is a charter band member.

The first honoree of this award is Joe Morrison.

RVSB 2011 Holiday Concert

2011-12-04T09:03:00.007-05:00

The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band presents it's 2011 holiday concert Musical "War Horses" and Holiday Classics this afternoon, December 4th, 3 p.m., at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

A pre-concert presentation starting at 2:15 p.m.will help the audience further appreciate the music.

According to their press release:

The concert will feature a number of great concert hall classics including, “Festive Overture” by Soviet Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich; the first movement from Symphony in B Minor, “The Unfinished Symphony” by composer Franz Schubert; scenes from “The Louvre” based on Ancient Airs by composer Norman Dello Joio; John Philip Sousa’s “King Cotton” march and more widely familiar musical works.

A new feature will be added to this concert— Larry Markiewicz, RVSB Conductor, will be hosting a multimedia pre-concert chat about the music to be performed, with a focus on scenes from “The Louvre”. This free, informal session will be held in the choir room directly next to the auditorium, from 2:15-2:45pm and is open to the public.

There is no admission charge for the concert although donations are accepted. Additionally, as a fundraiser the RVSB "...will be selling ShopRite gift cards at this concert (cash/check only). This is a great way to support the RVSB. Just purchase the gift cards at face value ($20, $25, $50 or $100) and use them at any ShopRite. The band receives a percentage of all gift card purchases. ...".
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For more information about RVSB go here.

HTPB Application: Green Village

2011-12-01T11:03:00.008-05:00

The Hillsborough Township Planning Board agenda for this evening's meeting includes a public hearing for an application for a major development on Route 206:

GREEN VILLAGE – File #11-PB-11-SR (previously referenced as 11-PB-11-MJFSR) – Block 141, Lot 30 – Route 206 North. (AMENDED Application) Applicant requesting Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval to develop the subject property containing 50.0016 acres with 469 apartments, of which 352 units will be market rate and 117 units will meet the Township’s affordable housing obligation. A clubhouse with recreational amenities, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a 130 room extended stay executive suites hotel in the GV District. The Planner Report dated 09-19-11 finds the following ‘c’ Bulk Variances: tree removal (31% allowed: 75.44% proposed); encroachment into buffer area(Building #34) for currently proposed trash area; Sign Waiver; and Fence (height) Waiver. The Applicant is requesting an Economic Hardship Waiver for tree mitigation for property in the GV District (previous request for major preliminary and final subdivision has been withdrawn). (EC Review: 09-26-11)

This is one of three proposed projects involving Hillsborough's COAH requirements. The HNJJ last wrote about this proposal in February,2009 .

Here is the Power Point presentation that was made to Hillsborough Township by COAH consultant Jennifer Beahm on December 23, 2008 which includes information about this project.

This evening's agenda can be viewed here.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom.

- by Susan Gulliford

Ciattarelli Fills Biondi Assembly Seat

2011-11-27T15:54:00.005-05:00

It is expected that Hillsborough resident and former Somerset County Freeholder Jack Ciattarelli will be filling the New Jersey 16th Legislative seat previously held by the late Peter Biondi until January 12, 2012.

Ciattarelli has resigned from his Freeholder position anticipating his selection to the NJ Assembly on November 29th by the Republican party.
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For more on this story, go to articles in The Somerset Messenger Gazette and the Hillsborough Beacon.

HHS Team RoboRaiders BoroBlast 2011

2011-11-20T19:21:00.006-05:00

The Hillsborough High School RoboRaiders Team 75 hosted eighteen teams at the BoroBlast FLL (First Lego League) robotics competition on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at the High School:

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For more information about the RoboRaiders go here.

For more information about the FLL (First Lego League) go here.
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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Hillsborough Veterans Day Ceremony 2011

2011-11-12T13:00:00.003-05:00

Hillsborough Township's 3rd Annual Veterans Day Ceremony was held yesterday evening at the Garden of Honor at the Municipal Building. The speakers included Father Sean Broderick, Committeeman and township veteran's liaison Robert Wagner,Jr., Mayor McCauley, Congressman Leonard Lance, and United States Marine Corps Veteran Corporal Nauman Chaudary.
The ceremony was followed by an indoor reception.

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Hillsborough resident and Assemblyman Pete Biondi, who died on November 10th, was remembered by several of the speakers and a wreath:

Photographs taken of Assemblyman Biondi at the 2009 ceremony.

Hillsborough's Pete Biondi (1942-2011)

2011-11-11T10:40:00.007-05:00

Hillsborough resident and New Jersey Assemblyman Pete Biondi died yesterday. He had been fighting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

HT Candidates' Night

2011-11-07T20:39:00.005-05:00

At the Hillsborough Township Candidates' Night on October 18th, Democratic candidate Aldo Martinez said during his opening statement that he was applying for a position and he was here for his interview.

In the following hour, Mr. Martinez and his running mate John Reddan were interviewed for the positions of Township Committee person. The Republican candidates were conspicuous by their absence.

The students of the AP US Government and Politics class designed and ran the forum, which was divided into two parts. Part one included the candidates' opening statements, followed by five questions previously chosen by the students. The second half comprised five questions submitted by audience members and candidates' closing statements.

First Half
The topics of the first five questions were town center zoning and the Hillsborough Elementary School property, how the candidates would limit or decrease taxes, the role of the township in adding or attracting businesses, do the candidates believe that Hillsborough is less safe and why, and how the candidates would address a defeated school budget that was before the Township Committee.

Regarding the Town Center Zoning, Mr. Martinez mentioned that the 206 Bypass could have an effect on businesses located on Route 206 and that the Town Center Zoning should be reviewed. Mr. Reddan pointed out that the HES property is valuable.

As for limiting or decreasing taxes, Mr. Reddan stated that he wouldn't do away with any services, but would find the money without any specifics. Mr. Martinez mentioned professional part-time contracts, specific line items, and questioned the addition of the Business Advocate position.

Both candidates felt that attracting and assisting businesses should be one of the jobs of the Township Committee members.

Regarding public safety, both candidates pointed out the decrease in the number of officers while the population has increased. Mr. Martinez mentioned that Hillsborough's FBI crime statistics were up.

When it came to addressing a defeated school budget, the candidates both mentioned working closely with the Board of Education.

Second Half
The five audience submitted questions covered sustainability, shared services, COAH, increasing the openness of government, and cutting taxes and still keeping services.

Mr. Martinez seemed especially knowledgeable about sustainability, feeling that it makes economical sense and is part of the future. Mr. Reddan appeared confused by the topic.

Both candidates supported shared services as long as residents' safety wasn't compromised.

Both candidates recognized a need for some type of COAH housing, feeling it was beneficial to have diversity in choice. Mr. Reddan mentioned the diversity he saw while campaigning and felt that COAH would be helpful to young couples starting out and older couples who may be downsizing.

Regarding openness in government, Mr. Redden felt that there should be more accountability and said he sees some confusion during committee meetings. Mr. Martinez would like to see more openness, suggesting that department heads come in and present their arguments for their budgets in public. He also asked if they can make cuts why haven't they done it?

The final question about cutting taxes and still keeping services, brought Mr. Martinez's general comment that there should be more transparency and fiscal responsibility. He also reiterated that he felt that public safety was important. Mr. Redden mentioned that the township should clarify taxes and the revaluation as he felt they were very confusing.

During their closing statements Mr. Martinez mentioned that his parents sent him to the United States from Cuba when he was 11-years-old. He was here to give his life meaning, find his passion, and to represent everyone.

Mr. Reddan said that he was giving back to the community. In order of importance he mentioned his family, his country, and his party.
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Usually when you miss an appointment for a job interview, you don't get the job.
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The HNJJ crew has attempted to condense the evening's information from their notes. While we would like to suggest that everyone watch the forum on Channel 14, we have been unable to find it. Quelle surprise!
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For the HNJJ's previous post about this forum go here.

Auten Road Dump Opening Extension

2011-11-07T09:09:00.004-05:00

As a result of the extensive damage caused by the October snowstorm, the Auten Road Dump opening has been extended to Saturday, November 12th, to allow Hillsborough residents to dispose of brush only.

The dump will be open this week Monday-to-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Any questions? Contact DPW.

McRibs Are Back!

2011-11-01T11:00:00.001-05:00

The Hillsborough McDonalds has McRibs again...

The HNJJ crew serves their McRibs with a glass of chilled White Zinfandel tapped directly from the box into an inexpensive juice glass.

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Do you think that we are the only people who have a passion for McRibs?
Think again! If you Google "locate McRibs" you will find multiple sites dedicated to finding McRibs.

BoroGreen Sustainable Practices Conference Saturday

2011-11-01T00:07:00.001-05:00

BoroGreen, Sustainable Hillsborough, and Sustainable Jersey are sponsoring the Central Jersey Best Sustainable Practices conference this Saturday, November 5th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Duke Farms.

From the BoroGreen site:

Energy, Transportation, and Recycling are the 3 main themes of the conference. Keynote speakers are Carolyn Ehrlich, Chief of Staff for Woodbridge Township (2009 Sustainability Champion Award) and Albe Zakes, the VP of Media Relations from Terracycle to encourage participants with their sustainable efforts. Participants will then break out into Learning Circles where they will hear Best Practices from a Green Team/Municipality and a moderator will lead the discussion on how to implement in your own town. Learning Circles include presentations and discussions about the NJ Clean Energy program, electric cars, Walking School Bus, lighting retrofits and efficiencies, and recycling improvements.

For more information and to register, go here.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:03:00.006-05:00

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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

2011-10-31T07:37:00.006-05:00

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

2011-10-30T07:53:00.006-05:00

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

2011-10-28T19:25:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-27T16:53:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-25T10:05:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-24T13:15:00.005-05:00

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

2011-10-22T09:22:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-21T08:55:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-20T09:33:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-18T08:07:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-17T09:07:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-16T18:00:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-16T17:32:00.007-05:00

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

2011-10-15T13:24:00.006-05:00

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

2011-10-15T09:54:00.007-05:00

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

2011-10-14T07:45:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-12T15:04:00.007-05:00

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

2011-10-09T22:02:00.001-05:00

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

2011-10-08T22:50:00.001-05:00

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

2011-10-07T19:42:00.002-05:00

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

2011-10-06T13:30:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-02T10:05:00.001-05:00

Belmar - Sunrise to Sunset

2011-10-01T21:24:00.001-05:00

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years

Belmar Marina Sunset

2011-09-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

This grey sunset may not make for spectacular photography, but it can be very calming...

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Sea Fever by John Masefield (1878 – 1967) [Salt-Water Ballads (1902)]

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Bluegrass Concert at the Library

2011-09-25T09:05:00.004-05:00

Yesterday afternoon the Friends of the Hillsborough Public Library hosted a concert by Mark Miklos and the Raritan Valley Ramblers...

Following the show some of the fans met the band...

Food donations from the audience supported the Hillsborough Food Bank.
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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

Bluegrass Concert at the Library Tomorrow

2011-09-23T09:51:00.005-05:00

The Hillsborough Library will host a performance by Mark Miklos and the Raritan Valley Ramblers tomorrow, Saturday, September 24th at 2 p.m.

This popular bluegrass music program is free, but audience members are encouraged bring donations of nonperishable food items for the Hillsborough Foodbank.
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From the Library:

An afternoon of traditional roots style Bluegrass Music with Mark Miklos and the Raritan Valley Ramblers. Mark's powerful performances have been captivating country music fans everywhere. A favorite performer at country and bluegrass music festivals, Mark has opened for such country music stars as Ricky Skaggs, Leeann Rimes and Lee Ann Womack. The performance is free but we would appreciate your support by donating nonperishable food items for the Hillsborough Township Foodbank. ...Registration is required. Registration can be done using the online library calendar, or at the Adult Services Desk. For more information call Adult Services at 908-369-2200 ext 12

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The slideshow photographs were taken at the 2010 show by Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Remembering Mark Singley and 9/11?

2011-09-18T08:55:00.004-05:00

The Hillsborough e-news September 9th issue suggested a number of ways that residents might remember the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks including a visit to the 9/11 Memorial at Singley Park - shown in a beautiful photograph.

The HNJJ crew thought that this was a good suggestion for those who would prefer a quiet place to meditate or pray instead of an organized ceremony or event, but after a visit to the memorial, we held off on our recommendation.

The "Singley Park" directional sign on Amwell Road was mostly obscured by vegetation, but we knew the park was somewhere on Woodfern Road. After a few minutes of wandering around the area we came upon a worn broken sign next to Woodfern School identifying Mark E. Singley Park...

A ride up the rutted driveway brought us within sight of an American flag at half-staff and a bench that resembled the one pictured in the e-news...

Maybe refreshing the Memorial would have been a good project for the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, but that has passed. October 22nd is USA Weekend's Make A Difference Day, but we shouldn't have to wait for a declaration.

Take gardening gloves, pruners,and something to hold the weeds that you pull. There should be some type of working spotlight for the American flag. As for refurbishing the park sign, at least some paint would help, even if you can't repair the whole thing; there is probably some kind of township regulation about this, including approved park sign colors.
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Here are some September 5, 2009, photographs of the memorial that were posted on flickr.
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For those of you who don't remember Mark Singley, the September 13, 2000 resolution and the proclamation naming the new Woodfern Road Recreational Complex “Mark E. Singley Park” is here.

Miss Rose Visits Belmar

2011-09-16T09:25:00.004-05:00

Miss Rose here doing another guest post.

In August my people took me to Belmar. We have a friend who let us use her doggie-friendly apartment. Everyone said that we were going to the beach. You can look at the slideshow and judge for yourself whether we went to the beach...

I did get to see the beach.
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The second anniversary of my adoption was on Wednesday. As I am now about 10-years-old my humans don't know if I have ever been to the beach...and I'm not telling.

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Photographs by Susan Gulliford who also wrote down what I told her to. - Miss Rose

Somerville September 11th Ceremony

2011-09-14T05:45:00.004-05:00

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

HVFC#2: 9-11 Ceremony

2011-09-13T07:03:00.004-05:00

On the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States, Hillsborough Township Volunteer Fire Company #2 - Unit 37 located on Route 206 - held its annual service recognizing the victims, particularly the first responders, who died that day...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

HTVFC#3: 9-11 Memorial Garden Dedication

2011-09-12T08:54:00.006-05:00

Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company #3 held it's 9-11 Memorial Garden Dedication Ceremony yesterday.

The first responders who died at the World Trade Center 10 years ago were recognized: Station 38 members read the names of the 343 FDNY fire fighters, Hillsborough Police Chief Paul Kaminsky read the names of the 23 NYPD officers, and Station 38 Auxiliary President Diane Nagy read the names of the 37 Port Authority Police Department officers...

The Monument...

The people...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

Somerset County's September 11th Memorial

2011-09-11T00:04:00.000-05:00

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The slideshow photographs of the Somerset County September 11th Memorial at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets in Somerville were taken by Susan Gulliford during Somerville's Friday Night Cruises over the last five years.

September 11th, 2011

2011-09-10T12:49:00.004-05:00

Several services commemorating the tenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001 are being held in and around Hillsborough:

In Somerville at 8:46 a.m. the Somerset County Board of Freeholders will host a ceremony at the September 11th Memorial at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets remembering particularly the 39 Somerset County residents who were victims of the World Trade Center attack. The ceremony is scheduled to include a tree-planting, wreath laying Sheriff's Honor Guard, and Somerset County Police Pipes & Drums.

At 10 a.m. Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company #2 on Route 206 will hold their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.

Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company #3 - Woods Road will hold its 9-11 Memorial Garden Dedication Ceremony. The garden will open at 11 a.m. followed by a ceremony at 12 p.m. followed by light refreshments.

Norz Hill Farm will open their Freedom Maze to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will observe the National Moment of Silence at 1 p.m.
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Photographs in the slideshow of the 2002 and 2006 September 11th Memorial services at Hillsborough Township Fire Company #3 courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Today's Tuxedo Park KC 2011 Show Cancelled

2011-09-09T13:31:00.004-05:00

The Tuxedo Park Kennel Club dog show, scheduled for today, is one of the shows cancelled this weekend due to flooding at North Branch Park in Bridgewater,NJ. Here is a slideshow from last year's show:

North Branch Park Dog Shows Cancelled

2011-09-08T12:27:00.001-05:00

This weekend's entire four-day North Branch Cluster of dog shows has been cancelled due to flooding at the Somerset Park Commission's North Branch Park including:

Thursday, Sept 8 – Three specialty shows: Central New Jersey Hound Association, Non-Sporting Group Club of the Garden State, Big Apple Sporting Society

Friday, September 9 – Tuxedo Park Kennel Club

Saturday, September 10 - Somerset Hills Kennel Club

Sunday, September 11 – Westchester Kennel Club

Usually when I write about dog shows I advise my readers that "dog shows are held in all but the most dangerous weather" so they should plan accordingly. Since the beginning of my involvement in dog shows in 1975 I have never run across a cancelled show so this is another indication of how serious Hurricane Irene and the follow-up rain storms are.

According to the AKC website, there has also been a show cancellation in North Conway, New Hampshire,...another area hard by flooding.

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Because our photographer Susan Gulliford was looking forward to this weekend's shows as a break from cleaning out her water-damaged basement and it's contents, we are including a slideshow of her photographs from Somerset Hills Kennel Club shows back to 2004. Once again Blogger has cut off the right side of some of the pictures.

POTUS: Damned If You Do...

2011-09-06T08:44:00.005-05:00

President Obama visited flooded Paterson, NJ, this past week.

It's interesting that if a President travels out of Washington, DC, to another area of the country (or even another area of the world), he is criticized for not staying in Washington and working.

If he stays in Washington, he is criticized for not getting out and seeing other areas.

If he visits an area hit by a natural disaster, he is wasting time and money and causing problems. If he doesn't visit, he is too insular and doesn't understand what is happening outside of the Beltway.

One forum even had commentators arguing about whose flood was worse as the President should have visited the worst one.

Can't win.

Exclusions...

2011-09-04T07:53:00.004-05:00

Last weekend it rained here in HNJJ territory. It rained a lot.

Before sunrise last Sunday morning the dog wanted to go out. While we were up, we headed down the cellar to check up on the cat's breakfast supply...and were greeted at the bottom of the cellar stairs with several inches of water.

After spending two hours carrying buckets of water up the stairs and making no appreciable difference in the water level, we finally got the sump pump out of the sump pump well and took it outside. After washing it out we found that a red silty mud had jammed the impeller. A good cleaning and it was back working.

But meanwhile...we had a wet cellar rug and all the stuff stored in the basement.

Like all good homeowners who had dutifully paid our insurance bills for nearly a quarter-of-a-century, we telephoned our insurance company, reported our very-first- ever claim, and received a reference number.

Like all bad insurance companies, two days later (about the time that the cellar was really beginning to smell)they declined our claim. They pointed out this exclusion...

"...water which backs up through sewer or drains or water which enters into and overflows from within in a sump pump, sump pump well or other type of system designed to remove subsurface water which is drained from the foundation area..."

They don't even have a sump pump rider available.

Other friends who had the exact same problem and other insurance companies were covered.

*sigh*

Have to go now and move more boxes and carry out more pieces of rug...

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To our readers: This would be a really good time to review your homeowner policy.

When It Rains, the Water Has to Go Somewhere

2011-09-02T08:53:00.004-05:00

Did the rain and the subsequent flooding this week get your attention?

Good. I’m now going to give you a lesson about impervious coverage. No, no – don’t you turn away! Pay attention!

Hillsborough residents – especially those of us who remember Hurricane Floyd – should worry about the increase in impervious coverage in our town.

Attend a Board of Adjustment meeting and listen to an application for an impervious coverage variance. It always seems like such a little thing and the individual applicants often seem annoyed that they even have to be there for such a minor item.

Just to clarify “impervious coverage” to the uninitiated (after all, I’ve noticed how empty those BOA meetings usually are), it’s when you put something over the dirt that will prevent or substantially reduce the natural percolation of water. Breaking it down further, people put down/construct something that stops rain from draining into the earth where it falls.

Okay, that still doesn’t do it for me. Let’s say a homeowner puts in a cement sidewalk 5-feet wide and 20-feet long. They have just installed 100-square-feet of impervious surface. The rain that would have soaked into that 100-square-feet has to go somewhere. The more impervious surface installed, the more water runoff has to be accounted for.

[I’ve done my best. Try Google or go to Wikipedia under Impervious Surface or talk to an engineer who does this type of work. On second thought, forget the engineer; you’ll only get more confused]

To continue, each building lot has a percentage of its surface that may by ordinance be covered by impervious surfaces – usually, for single-family home residential areas, around 15% to 20%, depending on the zoning laws, use laws, lawsuits, and laws I don’t even know about.

With the number of square feet covered by their home, driveway, sidewalk, and, maybe, a small patio, most homeowners max out on their allowable impervious coverage. That’s when they appear before the BOA for a variance to build that sunroom or the tiny little walkway around the pool.

The majority get their variance, although sometimes they have to scale back their projects. They are often irritated: It’s only a small amount and a man’s home is his castle and why did they bother to ask permission they should have just gone ahead with their project and not even asked and it’s a stupid law anyhow.

Okay, now that you have gotten that out of your system, think about the anxiety you may have felt this week watching the rain fall.

Think again.

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Attend a Planning Board meeting sometime when a developer is arguing for an upward change in the amount of allowed coverage in their large subdivisions (just a little bit – maybe 5%) or smaller lots with closer, larger houses. Remember this week’s flooding.

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Update: This was first published by the HNJJ on April 18, 2007, but applies(unfortunately) this week. It came to mind as two of the HNJJ crew were spending their third day carrying wet boxes out of their cellar.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Fireworks Cancelled

2011-09-01T12:40:00.006-05:00

Apparently three-is-not-a-charm, at least when it comes to Hillsborough's Independence Day Fireworks. They were re-scheduled for Labor Day after two weather- related cancellations; they have now been cancelled for the third time and are not being rescheduled.

According to the Hillsborough e-news:

The Fireworks Vendor has notified Hillsborough that the fireworks have been cancelled. As a result of Hurricane Irene, the field conditions are not conducive to having the large trucks drive upon it and that concern was raised by the Vendor. There are also concerns about the weekend weather forecast and it is feared that the event will be cancelled again after having multiple rain dates. These issues, coupled with the fact that the Township is concentrating their efforts on the restoration and clean up after the storm, prompted the cancellation.

Bigger and better Fourth of July fireworks will be established for next year by the event sponsors, Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi and TD Bank.

Hillsborough Shop Rite Update

2011-08-31T08:46:00.007-05:00

The Hillsborough Shop Rite Pharmacy is open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hillsborough Shop Rite food store is scheduled to reopen tomorrow at 7 a.m.

Hillsborough Shop Rite Closed

2011-08-30T09:40:00.005-05:00

If you need to go to the Hillsborough Shop Rite...

..don't bother...

That includes the Pharmacy.

SCPC Concert: The Infernos

2011-08-25T10:02:00.004-05:00

Enjoy these photographs from last night's Somerset County Park Commission concert featuring The Infernos..

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Photographs courtesy of George Mariasz and Susan Gulliford.

Jersey Quake??

2011-08-23T13:26:00.003-05:00

Here at HNJJ at 1:53 p.m. we were working on a calming photo slideshow of a Sunset at Belmar Marina when our office shook with two distinct shakes a few seconds apart.

Hillsborough Police dispatch already knew about it and were looking into the possibility of an earthquake.

An earthquake in New Jersey?

When you aren't used to it, it rattles your composure. The Californians are probably laughing at us.

Sunset at Belmar Marina

2011-08-23T12:41:00.002-05:00

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

More Rotary Fair

2011-08-21T09:33:00.003-05:00

The Rotary Club of Hillsborough's Fourth Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair has been extended through this evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with reduced ride prices.

Here are some photographic highlights from yesterday evening, including the rides...

...and the games...

... and more Rotarians and their friends...

...and local businesses and organizations...

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For more photographs from Thursday go here.

For more Rotarian photographs, go here.

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

SCPC Concert - The Infernos Rescheduled

2011-08-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

The Somerset County Park Commission announced that The Infernos concert, which was rained out on August 14th, has been rescheduled for this Wednesday evening, August 24th, starting at 7 p.m. at Duke Island Park.

According to the SCPC brochure, "...This group of nine talented individuals includes four lead vocalists backed by a dynamic rhythm section and an exciting horn section featuring trumpet and multiple saxophones. Featuring former members of The Duprees and The Classics IV, The Infernos will perform such hit songs as You Belong To Me, Have You Heard, My Own True Love, Everyday With You Girl, Traces, and Stormy...".

The Infernos website is here.

SCPC Neil and the Diamonds - August 21, 2011

2011-08-21T07:40:00.004-05:00

This evening's Somerset County Park Commission 2011 Summer Concert Series features Neil and the Diamonds, a Neil Diamond tribute. The free concert starts at 7 p.m. at Duke Island Park.

Neil Diamond's hits include Sweet Caroline, Solitary Man, Kentucky Woman, Cracklin' Rosie, Song Sung Blue, I Am...I Said, Forever in Blue Jeans,...and so many more that audience members grew up with.

The concerts are outdoors, so if the weather appears questionable, call (908) 722-1200 Ext.7.

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For more information about the 2011 SCPC Concerts, go here.

Rotary Fair Continues

2011-08-19T09:36:00.004-05:00

The Hillsborough Rotary Fair continues...

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Photographs taken yesterday evening by George Mariasz...the only HNJJ contributor who will go out in lightning.

Friday In Somerville

2011-08-19T08:37:00.006-05:00

It's Friday in Somerville again...cruise and concert night.

Some of this summer's concerts...

This evening's free 2011 Connie Tarantino Summer Concert features jazz musician Gordon James. According to his Facebook page "... Composer, flugelhornist and trumpeter Gordon James, is a seasoned performer and bandleader. James has a unique style of music projecting a special appeal to the listener, blending the worlds of Jazz, Latin, R&B, Pop and hip hop music...".

The Cruise doesn't have a car specialty listed so the HNJJ crew gets to pick out any photographs they like from past cruises...

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For information about the Connie Tarantino Summer Concerts, go here.

For Cruise night information go here.

Fourth Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair Opens

2011-08-18T13:51:00.002-05:00

The Fourth Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair kicked off last night with an enthusiastic crowd enjoying the rides, the foods, the camaraderie, the tradition...

The fair continues this week from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each evening at the field next to Lowes on Route 206.
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For more information about the Hillsborough Rotary Club go here.
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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.

Who Makes the Fair Go?

2011-08-18T13:36:00.004-05:00

The Fourth Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair opened last night thanks to the members of the Rotary Club of Hillsborough who put in hours of hard work spreading tons of mulch and straw over the soggy field.

Here are a few of those Rotarians on opening night...

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For more information about the Rotary Club of Hillsborough go here.

Sunrise Belmar Beach

2011-08-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

The real Jersey shore...

...and the same sunrise from a different point-of-view...

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Photographs by Susan Gulliford who advises that sometimes seeing the real thing involves getting up before most of the world.

SCPC Concert The Infernos - Rain-Out

2011-08-14T09:48:00.005-05:00

After a summer of charmed weather, this evening's Somerset County Park Commission concert featuring The Infernos has been cancelled due to the rain.

The HNJJ crew hopes that you enjoy these photographs from last Sunday's SCPC Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King concert...
As The Infernos are New Jersey based, there is always a possibility of rescheduling the concert.
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The Infernos website is here.
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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz.
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For more information about the Somerset County Park Commission's 2011 Summer Concert Series go here. There are two more concerts scheduled for this summer, Neil and The Diamonds - A Neil Diamond Tribute on August 21st and the New Riders of the Purple Sage on August 28th

Somerset County 2011 4H Fair - Day 3

2011-08-13T15:30:00.003-05:00

The 2011 Somerset County 4H Fair's last day...and there was still so much to see and do, so many things to try, things to learn...

Until next year.
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For photographs of Day 1 go here.

For Day 2 go here.
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Day 3 photographs courtesy of George Mariasz and Susan Gulliford.

Somerset County 2011 4H Fair - Day 2

2011-08-12T09:16:00.002-05:00

Fun, smiles, excitement, wonder, learning, pride...

...the future.
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Photographs courtesy of George Mariasz and Susan Gulliford

Somerset County 2011 4H Fair - Day 1

2011-08-11T05:49:00.005-05:00

Enjoy this slideshow of yesterday's first day of the Somerset County 4H Fair...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford. The Blogger software is cutting off the edges of some of the pictures in the slideshow.

Somerset 4H Fair 2011 Opening

2011-08-10T09:20:00.003-05:00

Today is the first day of the 2011 Somerset County 4H Fair which opens at 10 a.m. There is something for everyone from little kids to family elders...
Wear comfortable shoes and washable clothes. Take a camera. Don't take your pets.
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For complete information about the fair, including the event schedule if there is something specific you would like to see, go here.
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The photographs in the slide show are from Somerset County 4H Fairs from 2002 through 2010.

Stormy Weather...

2011-08-09T00:05:00.001-05:00

Sometimes stormy weather is beautiful. Take a little time...

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Stormy weather performed by Lena Horne (1943):

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Belmar, NJ, photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

Somerville Cruises Corvettes - August 5, 2011

2011-08-08T00:06:00.000-05:00

Last Friday's beautiful weather complimented the outstanding Corvette's featured at the Somerville Cruise...

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

SCPC Blues Concert

2011-08-07T08:10:00.005-05:00

This evening's Somerset County Park Commission's 2011 Summer Concert Series features Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King.

Smokin Joe Kubek is an American Blues guitarist who partners with Bnois King's jazz-style guitar playing. Go to Smokin' Joe Kubek's website for more information and to listen to some blues music.

For an interesting interview about this blues band with two lead guitarists, go here.

The free concert starts at 7 p.m. at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater.

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As these are outdoor concerts, in case of inclement weather call (908) 722-1200 extension 7 to see if the concert has been cancelled.

For more information about the SCPC 2011 Concerts go here.

Flemington Car Cruise - August 6th

2011-08-06T00:05:00.001-05:00

According to the Jersey Car Shows website, this week's Flemington-Raritan Business Association Saturday Cruise Night will feature Hot Rods and Muscle Cars. The cruise runs on Main Street, Flemington, from 5-8:30 p.m.

Enjoy these photographs from past cruises...

Somerville Cruise - August 5th

2011-08-05T08:16:00.004-05:00

Somerville Cruise Night is here again with another all-American evening featuring a Corvette specialty and the Connie Tarantino Summer Concert featuring Heather Mulvey.

Enjoy some Corvettes from past cruises...

According to her Myspace page (where you can listen to a few of her songs), guitarist Heather Mulvey performs traditional Americana, Celtic, and contemporary folk songs. The concert is from 7-8 p.m. on the county courthouse steps.

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Reminders: wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera. Cruise Night is outdoors. Nice place to bring your dog if he or she is well behaved and does well in crowds. Don't touch the cars without the owners' permission.

Many Main Street restaurants provide outside dining on Cruise Nights at reasonable prices. Many of the area businesses stay open for cruise...patronize them.

This is a true cruise with many of the cars driving up-and-down Main Street...be careful.

There is an oldies DJ at the church on West Main Street and more cars in the lot behind the church.
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For more information about the Somerville Cruise Nights go here.

For more information about Heather Mulvey go here.

For more information about the Connie Tarantino Summer Concerts go here.

Hillsborough Family Campout 2011

2011-08-02T13:00:00.001-05:00

The Hillsborough Township Annual Family Campout is this Friday, August 5th starting at 6 p.m. until Saturday morning.

The activities include games, fishing, and a campfire. Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast will be available for purchase.

The charge is $5 per person, children under 3-years-old free.Registration is required and available online at www.hillsborough-nj.org. Contact 908-369-4832 for further information.

None of the HNJJ crew does camping, so to see photographs of last year's campout go to Gillette on Hillsborough.

There will also be an HEF concert featuring the Summer Swing Orchestra.

Fireworks: Three's a Charm!

2011-08-01T13:43:00.003-05:00

Hillsborough Township is going to make a third try at celebrating America's Independence Day...on Labor Day, September 5th.

After being rained out twice, the fireworks are now scheduled to be held at Auten Road Intermediate School with shuttle-buses running from the high school starting at 8 p.m.

Why not just make this a new Hillsborough tradition?

The weather will be cooler. The fireworks can start earlier. The price for fireworks will be cheaper and easier to schedule.

According to the United States Department of Labor, Labor Day "...constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country..." and, according to the DOL website, the first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882.

And, if we still want to celebrate America's Independence, there are American historical moments that can be celebrated; on September 5th, 1774, the First Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Of course, Labor Day is probably a time-and-a-half holiday for all the township employees working at the celebration.

SCPC Concert: Go Zydeco!

2011-07-30T08:02:00.005-05:00

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Take a trip to Zydeco country at this Sunday's Somerset County Park Commission's 15th Annual Bayou Fest at Duke Island Park.

This year's always-lively double-billed concert features Zydeco-A-Go-Go from 5:30-to-6:30 p.m. and CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band from 7-to-8:30 p.m.

To get you in the mood, some photographs from previous SCPC Bayou Fests...

More than a concert, this is a chance for concert-goers to immerse themselves in Cajun culture with the always popular Cajun food sold by Touch Bayou, a catering firm specializing in Cajun and Creole food.

There is no admission charge for the concert. Take a chair or blanket and your camera. Well-mannered dogs on leashes who do well in crowds are welcome.
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To increase your appreciation of the concert, learn a little about zydeco music. According to the Zydeco Historical and Preservation Society "...the music draws upon French, Creole, West African, Cajun, Caribbean, and R & B musical traditions. Zydeco Music is characterized by the use of the accordion, spoons, scrubboard, fiddle and triangle...".

Wikipedia has an overview of zydeco music.
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To whet your appetite, here is a menu from a past concert...

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The Zydeco-A-Go-Go website is here.

The C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band website (where you can listen to some of their music)is here.

Touch Bayou Catering's website is here.

The Somerset County Park Commission news release about this concert is here.

Due South Concert- July 28, 2011

2011-07-29T20:00:00.002-05:00

Thursday evening's HEF concert at AVM park featuring Due South got off to a late start due to electrical problems, but the band made up for it by staying late to get in more music.

Enjoy this slideshow of the band and other activities in the park...

It was nice to see the larger audience. The weather helped.
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Photographs courtesy of George Mariasz and Susan Gulliford.