Burd captures Big Shootout title at Apple Mountain; Osterlofs win Better Ball Tourney

by The Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 7:53 PM

BELVIDERE -- Bob Burd, who came in third place last year, this year took the Big Shootout championship at the Annual All American Big Shootout at Apple Mountain Golf & Country Club in Belvidere. Burd scored a Plus-2 to win it.

Meanwhile, Steve Osterlof Sr. and Steve Jr. teamed up to win the Tournament of Chairs Better Ball of Partners Tournament on Nov. 1. The pair finished with a 73. In the Ladies Division, Robin Swenor and Tammy Zoch tallied a 77 to win.

Second place in the Big Shootout was a 3-way tie with Bob Milnar, Andrew Kiszonak and Barry Marlatt all finishing Plus-1. Ted Turhune came in third.

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Patricia Decibus, Oxford school district business administrator, receives scholarship from MetLife, ASBO

by Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 7:26 PM

Patricia Decibus, business administrator of the Oxford Township School District, has received a "Bridges to the Future" Scholarship sponsored by MetLife Resources and ASBO International.

The scholarship program was developed to recognize and support school business officials who have five years or less experience in the field and are interested in further developing their knowledge, skills and leadership.

"Our schools depend on strong leadership from school business administration officials for success," said Thomas G. Hogan Jr., senior vice president and head of MetLife Resources. "Patricia's dedication to this field, as well as her high standards, has made her an emerging leader in this area."

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Eleanor F. Parfrey, 84, of Delaware

by Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 7:12 PM

Eleanor F. Parfrey, 84, of Delaware, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 at Manor Care Health Services of Palmer Township, Pa.

Born on Dec. 3, 1923 in Newark, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Eva Wells Steeber.

She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Thomas Henry Parfrey.

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New Jersey Department of Transportation announces aid grants to Warren County

by Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 5:47 PM

The New Jersey Department of Transportation has awarded over $78 million in municipal aid grants to fund street improvement, rehabilitation and safety projects, a move that will create jobs and help keep property taxes in check statewide.

Grants were awarded to 372 municipalities, including 10 in Warren County. These grants include:

Belvidere -- $120,000 for improvements to Third Street and Fourth Street.
Blairstown -- $85,000 for an overlay on Benton Road.
Franklin Township -- $120,000 for a section of Willow Grove Road.

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Community toy drive benefits Warren County kids

by The Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 5:35 PM

MANSFIELD -- What started out six years ago as a small holiday toy drive involving the families of a local preschool has developed into an annual communitywide tradition.

The holiday spirit of giving will be front and center during the annual community toy drive from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Tri-County Firehouse on Route 57 in Mansfield Township. All collected toys will be donated to the Warren County Special Child Health Services and Division of Youth and Family Services office in Washington to benefit children in the Warren County area.

Everyone who stops by the firehouse that night to donate a new, unwrapped toy is invited to stick around for some holiday cheer including free snacks and children's games. Those donating gifts can stop by the firehouse anytime between 6:30 and 8:30.

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Hackettstown police search for man who reportedly tried to pick up juvenile

by Kevin M. Lechiski

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 3:59 PM

HACKETTSTOWN -- Town Police are searching for a "suspicious" man who reportedly offered a ride to a male juvenile this morning.

The incident occurred around 8:11 a.m. at the intersection of Sharp and Franklin streets. The driver is described as a white male, possibly between the ages of 50-60, wearing tinted prescription eyeglasses, and driving a newer model four-door black car. He was also reported to be traveling with a female passenger of Asian descent, possibly between the ages of 15-17.

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'March For Unity' supports Hardwick hate crime victims

by Jacqueline Lindsay/Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 3:20 PM

HARDWICK -- Township residents banned together for a "March For Unity" Saturday, Nov. 15 to rally around a Hardwick family targeted in a hate crime, which is being attributed to the family's support of President-elect Barack Obama.

On the eve of Election Day after Barack Obama was declared winner of the presidential election, Alina and Gary Grewal and their eight-year-old daughter made a large cloth banner declaring "President Obama Victory '08," and strung it proudly across the front lawn of their Hardwick home. The next evening the couple was dismayed to find the banner had been stolen. But, they were even more horrified when they awoke the following day to find a six-foot tall wooden cross erected on their lawn, which had been burned with the banner. The three-foot wide cross was made with two-by-fours and attached to a metal frame.

"My first thought was that I had been hit in the stomach. I couldn't believe in 2008 that somebody would think of doing something like this," Gary said. "My eight-year-old daughter saw this (burned cross). I will never forget it and I will not let these people live this down."

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Hackettstown High School Tigers thrilled to claim 'Board'

by Andy Loigu/Co-Sports Editor

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 1:05 PM

The luncheon where the Beater Board is presented to the winner of the annual Hackettstown-Warren Hills high school football game is one of my favorite events of the year. It rates right up there with the annual Phillipsburg Boosters' pep rally on the eve of the Thanksgiving game against Easton, where they also invite me to speak every year.

Even though I tell jokes that produce more groans than laughs, they still keep asking me to come back.

Just saying the words Beater Board makes people smile and chuckle. Presented annually by the joint Hackettstown and Washington rotary clubs at a luncheon, the board symbolizes the agricultural heritage of Warren County. It is a wooden farm implement, made from lumber that has been nailed together to make a flat-sided slab which presses hay into bales.

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