Census is hiring for 2010 count

by Independent Press

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 11:03 AM

AREA -- The U.S. Census Bureau is looking to hire thousands of NJ residents for the 2010 census.

Jobs can last several weeks, or up to one to two years. Right now, Census 2010 is looking for New Jersey field staff in Essex, Morris, Union and other counties.

To schedule a test in the NJ area, call the Census Bureau Recruiting line at 646-233-2402.

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In the Towns the week of Jan.7, 2009

by Independent Press

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 10:49 AM

DivorceCare workshops begin

NEW PROVIDENCE -- The Presbyterian Church at New Providence, 1307 Springfield Ave., offers workshops for those in the process of divorce. These are free to the public.

The church's DivorceCare workshops are underway, 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays through February. These workshops begin with video presentations on such topics as, What's Happening to Me?; Facing Your Loneliness; Facing Your Anger; and Moving On.

Group discussion follows each video presentation. Those who wish to share their experiences are welcome to do so; however, others may be more comfortable just listening.

Workshop organizers note that attending a workshop such as this is a courageous first step for many. Attend as few or as many sessions as your schedule permits. To register for DivorceCare, call the church office at 908-665-0050.

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Madison purchases its 50 acres

by STACEY McEVOY/Independent Press

Tuesday January 06, 2009, 6:38 PM

MADISON-- As expected, the borough closed on the almost 50-acre parcel of the former Exxon property before the New Year, for $13 million.

While a slight border adjustment changed the acreage from 53 to approximately 49.44 acres, the $13 million price tag remained the same. The land, known as the Madison Recreation Center, was purchased from Rock-Florham LLC on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Madison will annex the property, which currently lies in Florham Park, in the near future.

The borough is paying part of the purchase price with $7.3 million from The Morris County Open Space Trust Fund and the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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The year that was in the Chathams

by TRACY NESS and MARIANNE IVERS/Independent Press

Tuesday January 06, 2009, 3:26 PM

THE CHATHAMS -- Yes its that time of year again to make resolutions that sounded good when we made them and take a trip down memory lane to examine what really happened in our towns and schools in 2008.

In our schools

It was an interesting and sometimes tempestuous time for the school district this year, grappling with continuing budget issues, increases in enrollment and the big controversy over lighting Cougar Field.

Perhaps the best news of 2008 was the unprecedented move by the district's administrators and supervisors who voluntarily offered to reduce their pay raises for 2009. It is projected that this 'give back' will result in a savings of approximately $68,000, which is slightly more than the salary needed to add a new teacher with benefits. That is an important amount given that the school district continues to grow, adding more than 140 students in 2008 alone.

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Chatham rallies for borough family following fire

by MARIANNE IVERS/Independent Press

Tuesday January 06, 2009, 12:34 PM

CHATHAM -- A Chatham family is safe after a fire destroyed the interior of their Weston Avenue home on Saturday morning, Dec. 27. Despite losing their home, the Flood family of five is thankful for the support they have received from the Chatham community.

As soon as the news of the house fire spread, the neighbors of the Flood family as well as the Milton Avenue School community rallied to lend their helping hands. Both the Milton Avenue and Chatham Middle School PTO's have coordinated help for the family.

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Local high schools earn silver medals

by Independent Press

Tuesday January 06, 2009, 11:44 AM

AREA - Several local high schools received an early holiday gift this year when U.S. News and World Reports released the second edition of the America's Top High Schools.  Chatham, Madison, Millburn and Summit were all awarded silver medals by the magazine.

More than 21,000 high schools were included in the analysis representing 48 states.  New Jersey ranked 6th overall having 45 high schools in the state awarded a bronze medal or better.  Only two schools in the state, The Ronald McNair Academy in Jersey City and the High Technology High School in Lincroft received gold medals, 18 received silver medals and 21 received bronze medals.

Patricia Calhoun, President of the Summit Board of Education, said, "We're extremely pleased and proud to have been selected for this award. It puts us in the top two percent of high schools." Ms. Calhoun said the gold medal winners were primarily charter schools, as were some of the silver medal winners. The charter schools, she said, serve a more limited student population. "This award validates the excellent programs we have at Summit High School and that we are competitive with any other school."

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The Independent Press will be delivered together with the Star-Ledger

by Independent Press

Tuesday January 06, 2009, 11:35 AM

AREA -- Starting with the Wednesday, Jan. 7 newspaper, the Independent Press is being delivered together with the Star-Ledger.

Those people who subscribe to the Star Ledger will receive the Independent Press in the same bag with their Star-Ledger. Those who do not subscribe to the daily newspaper will receive the Independent in a separate bag delivered by the Star-Ledger's distribution team. The Star-Ledger and the Independent Press are both owned by Advance Publications.

The primary reason for this change is its financial savings, which will be significant over the course of the year. In these difficult economic times the Independent Press, like companies from coast to coast, must continually look for every possible way to reduce costs without negatively affecting service to customers.

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Kindergarten registration in the Chathams starts Jan. 13

by Staff/Independent Press

Monday January 05, 2009, 3:55 PM

THE CHATHAMS -- Kindergarten registration packets will be available beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the school offices for the Milton Avenue, Washington Avenue at Southern Boulevard schools from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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NJ Transit halts distribution of rail newsletter at stations

by PAT KELLEY/Independent Press

Monday January 05, 2009, 3:21 PM

AREA -- The Lackawanna Coalition, a local rail advocacy group, has been stopped by NJ Transit from distributing its Railgram newsletter at NJ Transit train stations.

"This is a First Amendment issue. It's a strong First Amendment issue," said the Lackawanna Coalition's chairman, David Peter Alan, last week.

Mr. Alan said he was at the Madison train station on Dec. 12 to drop off a stack of the newsletters when he was told by the ticket agent that he had received an order that the Railgram could no longer be distributed from NJ Transit rail stations.

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New Providence hoopsters victorious in overtime

by ART POLAKOWSKI/Independent Press

Monday January 05, 2009, 1:52 PM

Photo by J. Homer FuentesOVER THE TOP - Marc Iacovelli (green uniform) scored 18 points to lead his New Providence basketball team to a 61-55 overtime victory on the final day (Dec. 30) of Chatham's "Cougar Classic," however the host school's Pat Butler didn't allow the Pioneers' 6-2 senior forward the opportunity to tally on this breakaway lay-up, a play on which the NP coaching staff lobbied for, but didn't get, a foul call. New Providence went 2-1 during the three-day event whose proceeds were donated to the Make A Wish Foundation, while Chatham lost its three outings. Millburn claimed the unofficial championship by defeating New Providence, Chatham, and Morristown.

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Chatham Youth Wrestlers go to the mat at Roxbury Rumble

by Staff/Independent Press

Sunday January 04, 2009, 11:24 AM

THE CHATHAMS - Members of the Chatham Youth Wrestling club participated in the Roxbury Rumble on Sunday, Dec. 14. proving their metal by bring home some medals.

The Roxbury Rumble is a very competitive tournament in New Jersey as it serves as a qualifier for the Ohio Tournament of Champions and is both a novice and an open tournament.

In the novice division, Jack Ryan Mulligan won this tournament after pinning his first two opponents and dominating his third opponent to take home a gold medal. Luke Pacchia came in second place to take home a silver medal. Luke pinned his first opponent, lost his second match 13 to10 and then beat his final opponent 6-3.

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Morris Area Covenant House Auxiliary raises funds at 25th annual benefit

by Staff/Independent Press

Sunday January 04, 2009, 8:08 AM

UNMASKED SUPPORTERS - Four members of the board of the Morris Area Covenant House Auxiliary enjoy themselves at the group's annual fundraiser. From left are Miriam Scully, Lou Ann Gregory, Liz Rosica, and Megan Topor, all of Madison.

MADISON -- Some 150 partygoers helped raised more than $25,000 for the benefit of Covenant House New Jersey at a "masked ball" in Madison before the holidays.

The cocktail party and silent auction, sponsored by the Morris Area Covenant House Auxiliary, was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dirk van der Hulst.

The proceeds support Covenant House programs in Newark and Atlantic City, providing shelter, transitional living, clothing, health care, and other basic services to homeless, runaway, and other "at risk" youths

A FAMILY TRADITION -- Enjoying the annual Covenant House New Jersey fund raiser are, from left, Covenant House Board Member Sara Sherwood and her husband Jack, and Board Member Tricia Benelli and her husband Tom, all of Madison.

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Supporters of THANC Foundation raised funds at December event in Chatham Township

by Staff/Independent Press

Saturday January 03, 2009, 5:10 PM

THANC SUPPORTERS -- The first New Jersey-based fundraiser for the THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation attracted a number of local supporters including, was held at Fairmount Country Club on Dec. 10 in conjunction with its 14th Annual Holiday Charity Luncheon and Boutiques. Lee Luciano of Summit, Lee Kirwan of Watchung, THANC co-chairperson, Carmela Sagendorf of Chatham Township, the chairperson of the event, Erika Markowitz, executive director of THANC. The event raised more than $36,000 for the five-year old foundation.

AREA -- The first New Jersey-based fundraiser for the THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation was held at Fairmount Country Club on Dec. 10 in conjunction with its 14th Annual Holiday Charity Luncheon and Boutiques.

Carmela Sagendorf, of Chatham Township, served as chairman of the event, which raised more than $36,000 for the five-year old foundation.

Mrs. Sagendorf's husband, Edward, a long-time Chatham Township volunteer fireman, succumbed to the ravages of head and neck cancer just a year ago and, as Mrs. Sagendorf explained, "I wanted to honor both Ed and his physician Dr. Mark L. Urken, whose medical heroics and compassionate care greatly enhanced Ed's quality of life and helped me in dealing with Ed's ordeal. Directing all the proceeds from this event to Dr. Urken's foundation was my way of expressing appreciation for all he has done."

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Special weekend events planned at Madison Area YMCA for January

by Staff/Independent Press

Saturday January 03, 2009, 4:00 PM

MADISON -- Fend off the winter chill and visit the Madison Area YMCA Family Center, located on 111 Kings Road in Madison, on weekends in January for a variety of family events and new fun activities for members and non-members alike.

Family Nights are held Saturday evenings from 6:30pm - 9:00pm in the Family Center. These are free for Madison Area YMCA members, and are open to non-members who pay a modest guest fee. Kids Central, the indoor fun playground, is available for open play, and an adult must stay with a child at all times.

Family Nights have various themes. On Jan. 17, it's Movie Night, where families wear pajamas, watch a movie on a large projection screen with surround sound, and popcorn and snacks are served for your enjoyment.

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One last gift to give after the holidays: The gift of life, with a blood donation

by The American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads and Millburn-Short Hills chapters

Wednesday December 31, 2008, 12:37 PM

AREA -- The American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads and Millburn-Short Hills Chapters are asking residents to consider a blood donation during January. All types are needed; however there is a critical need for Type O blood.

"We all expect blood to be there for us if we have an emergency, yet barely a fraction of those individuals who are able to donate blood actually do," said Christine Hodde, executive director of the Colonial Crossroads Chapter. The Red Cross supplies nearly half of the nation's blood supply to hospitals through 35 blood service regions across the country. Although the Red Cross system is able to ship blood when and where it is needed, volunteer blood donors of all blood types are needed everyday to replenish and sustain the blood supply nationally and locally. "When one region or area of the country experiences low blood supplies, it puts a strain on the entire blood collection system, which could ultimately affect patient care locally," said Ms. Hodde.

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