North Plainfield business receives Economic Development Improvement Program funds

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 4:54 PM

NORTH PLAINFIELD - Somerset County Freeholder Patricia Walsh recently joined Mayor Janice Allen, North Plainfield Borough Council members and members of the borough's Economic Development Committee in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to acknowledge the completion of North Plainfield's first facade-improvement project under the county's Economic Development Improvement Program.

Harty Brothers Carpet on Somerset Street received $22,755 in funding to reconstruct its facade.

This Facade-Improvement Program is part of North Plainfield's comprehensive economic redevelopment efforts through its "Gateway to Downtown" project, which is funded primarily by a county grant.

"This project will improve mobility and safety, as well as the quality of life in the community through aesthetic value," Walsh said. "Additionally, it will attract people into the downtown, which ultimately will increase the value of commercial properties along the borough's Somerset Street corridor."
Since 1998, the county has awarded $1 million for use toward streetscape projects, $123,983 for facade-improvement projects, $223,150 for parking-related projects and $80,000 for redevelopment planning and signage.
In total, Somerset County has provided over $1.4 million to North Plainfield for use toward the Gateway project.
The Economic Development Improvement Program was established in 1998 to revitalize Somerset County's older towns. To date, $9,525,440 has been awarded to the boroughs of Bound Brook, Manville, North Plainfield, Raritan, Somerville and South Bound Brook and parts of Franklin Township.
Borough business owners may contact North Plainfield Borough Administrator David Hollod at (908) 769-2950 for information.

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Richard H. Nevitt

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 4:51 PM

MANVILLE -- Richard "Rich" H. Nevitt, 78, of Manville, died peacefully at home on Sunday, Nov. 30.

Richard was born on Nov. 21, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY to his late parents Joseph A. and Loretta C. (Dougherty) Nevitt.

Richard was a 1949 graduate of Somerville High School. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was an atomic veteran and had participated in nuclear testing in Nevada. Richard worked as a pipe-fitter for 30 years for Delco Remy Battery Division of General Motors in New Brunswick before retiring in 1992. He also worked as a driver at Adessa for 10 years.
Richard was active for 38 years with Boy Scout Troop 193 in Manville where he had also been a troop leader. He attended Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Manville where he frequently helped prepare pierogi dinners and the weekly coffee hour.

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Kenneth J. McLoughlin

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 4:49 PM

Kenneth J. McLoughlin, 64, died on Dec. 1 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. Born in Newark, he resided in Bridgewater before moving to Branchburg 22 years ago.

Kenneth served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Era.

McLoughlin served as a former mayor of Branchburg Township from 1992 to 1996. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton R.C. Church in Three Bridges.

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The Meadows Foundation hosts Dutch feast of Sinterklaas and an old-fashioned Christmas

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 2:32 PM

SOMERSET COUNTY -- The Meadows Foundation will be celebrating the Dutch feast of Sinterklaas from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset.

There will be coloring and story time before Sinterklaas arrives on his white horse between 2-2:30 p.m.

There will also be Dutch klompen dancing and crafts demonstrations.

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Breaking bread with Santa at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 2:28 PM

BRIDGEWATER -- The Parents Advisory Committee at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School will sponsor a Breakfast with Santa fund-raiser on at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Participants will receive a buffet breakfast prepared by the Culinary Arts students, entertainment, games and a free photo with Santa.

A Holiday Craft Show will offer hand-made gifts and a multitude of items for sale from 8:30 a.m. to 3 pm.

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Somerset County United Way organizes holiday gift drive

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 2:06 PM

BRIDGEWATER -- Somerset County United Way is announcing its 18 annual Gifts of the Season program.

Gifts of the Season provides holiday gifts to local families facing financial hardship. This year the United Way would like to help approximately 5,000 children, adults and senior citizens in Somerset County.

Participants in the program will receive gift tags with information about a person in need and their wish list. After receiving the gift tags, participants are encouraged to purchase the gifts and deliver them unwrapped to the United Way.

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Gordon E. Fuerst

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 11:32 AM

Gordon E. Fuerst, 51, of Bridgewater died suddenly Oct. 31 at his home.

Born July 9, 1957 in New York City, he was a son of Walter and Gertrude Fuerst of Toms River.
Fuerst lived in Piscataway and Chester before moving to Bridgewater in 2001. He was a senior regional account manager in sales with AT&T in Morristown for 18 years. He received a bachelor's degree in business from Virginia Tech, where he played on the football team.

An avid golfer, Fuerst was a member of Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough and Panther Valley Golf & Country Club in Allamuchy.

He was a Mets and Jets fan.

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What's Happening in Somerset County - Dec. 4

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 10:15 AM

Thursday, Dec. 4
BRANCHBURG - Open House and credit fair for adults interested in Raritan Valley Community College, 6 p.m. (908) 253-6688 or www.raritanval.edu.
SOMERVILLE - Holiday Hours for From the Heart Thrift Shop. St. John's Episcopal Church, 158 W. High St., 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (908) 722-1250.
BASKING RIDGE - Celtic Tales: "The Shannachie of Glendunbun Ballybeg" told by David Emerson. Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Road, 11 a.m. (908) 704-6346.
BEDMINSTER - Self-Publishing workshop for would-be authors. Clarence Dillon Public Library, 2336 Lamington Road, 7 p.m. Registration required: (908) 234-2325.

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Gifts will brighten holiday season for youth at Bridgewater's Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 9:32 AM

BRIDGEWATER -- Everyone wants to be home for the holidays, but that isn't possible for the youth in our area who are victims of abuse, neglect or family conflict.

Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children does its best to ensure that these teens from tough situations share in the joys of the season.

Area residents can help by making a monetary donation, purchasing items from a general wish list, or providing the gifts a specific child has asked for. To see the general holiday wish list or make an on-line donation, visit www.somersethome.org.

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Branchburg school helps Somerset County Food Bank

by Somerset Reporter

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 9:35 PM

BRANCHBURG -- The students and parents of Kangaroo Kids Child Care and Learning Center continue to demonstrate their generosity of spirit as they collect donations of food for those less fortunate in the community.

Even the young "Waddlers," students only 2 years old, at Kangaroo Kids are beginning to understand that it is important to help others. Kangaroo Kids Waddler Lead Teachers Jackie Russano Weiss and Fatima Pidany spearheaded a food drive for the Somerset County Food Bank.

"I am thankful for all the kindness and support the parents have given us," said Fatima Pidany, lead teacher in the Waddler Room.

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Improvables entertain the kids at Watchung Arts Center

by Somerset Reporter

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 9:00 PM

WATCHUNG -- Join the Improvables for another round of special family-friendly performances. The show is geared for kids 10 and up and their parents 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $8.

Not familiar with Improv? It's a world where you can find an expert in both caterpillars and cough drops, a conversation conducted entirely in questions, and a subtitled foreign film all in the same show.

The Improvables are Watchung Art Center's longest running improvisational troupe performing regularly since 2003. The group plays various "games" taking suggestions from the audience and turning them into outrageous, sometimes outlandish and always outstanding fun.

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Kenny G to perform at The Community Theatre

by Somerset Reporter

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 6:08 PM

MORRISTOWN - Best-selling contemporary jazz artist Kenny G performs holiday music at The Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

Tickets are $67-87. The theatre is located at 100 South St., Morristown.

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