The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 33

THE COURIER-NEWS LOCAL NEWS MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1997 B-3 Festival hoped! to capture beauty off. Lebanon Organizers want to replace the images of a war-torn country. By FREDDY SEBASTIAN Courier-News Staff Writer an array of food, games, music and smiles could improve the tarnished image many people have of their homeland. The three-day festival offered those who wanted to learn more about Lebanon a glimpse of the nation's people and places, said Mourad Rahi, coordinator of an art exhibit at the festival. "Sometimes it is hard to convince the public of the beauty Lebanon has to offer," Rahi said.

The parishioners of St. Sharbel have organized the fund-raiser for the past 12 years to introduce people to their heritage. They helped in cooking authentic Lebanese dishes and providing musical entertainment. Wawal Richa of New Brunswick helped out Sunday by patting down dough to make markouk, a Lebanese-style bread. "It's non-fat," she said.

"Everyone loves it." Shaady Eid, whose father owns the Phoenician Bakery in North Brunswick, said the food also helps in bringing people outside the Lebanese community to the festival. "The food is so good, and there's plenty to go around," he said. "That's what brought me here," Fred Rickert of East Brunswick said. In addition to the food and games outside, an art exhibit was displayed inside the church, showing paintings, photographs, jewelry and artifacts from Lebanon. Rahi, who moved to the United States in 1974, explained to a group of women viewing the exhibit that it is now safe to travel to Lebanon.

He showed them pictures of Beirut at night. "The images of a bloody civil war is in everyone's mind when they think of Lebanon," he said. "I also want them to know of the beautiful countryside, the breath-taking mountain-tops and the Mediterranean." Of the festival's turnout, Rahi said he was satisfied. "I want the Lebanese community to come together," he said. "In our country, we are in bad shape with the government.

Our people are left neglected." Behind him as he spoke Sunday was a passage written by a Lebanese poet, Khalil Gibran, "Spring is beautiful everywhere, but it is most beautiful in Lebanon." FRANKLIN (Somerset) Organizers of a Lebanese Festival at St. Sharbel Church this weekend hoped OBITUARIES Long Hill celebrates sense of community at street fair Dallas 'Bucky' Rebman, excavating contractor Darren J. Yednak, owned towing company istic of the Morris County township's close-knit nature, Fast said. And though Fast always has enjoyed Long Hill, the sense of community has grown only recently. "For the longest time, people didn't say they were from Long Hill," Fast said.

"Even people in county government sometimes are surprised to learn we're part of the county." The goal behind Sunday's fair was strengthening the community. Sponsored by the Long Hill Chamber of Commerce, it was expected to raise several thousand dollars for the township's community center, festival coordinator Jeanmarie Fusco said as she played disc jockey for the festival's country-western line-dancing performance. The fair attracted about 100 businesses and organizations, who paid a By JASON ALT Courier-News Staff Writer LONG HILL With its children's carnival rides, tarot card readings, make-your-own snow cones and funnel cakes, the fourth Stirling Sum-merfest Street Fair on Sunday had all the trappings of your standard community festival. But for some residents of Long Hill, the Main Avenue extravaganza was a confirmation that their town is anything but typical. "It's the kind of thing that doesn't exist much anymore," said Larry Fast, who moved to the township 17 years ago because "it wasn't all built-up and urbanized." Sunday's festival, which attracted hundreds of residents, was character Mall ponders creche at Christmas By DENISE VALENTI Courier-News Staff Writer BRIDGEWATER A small swell of support is rising for a creche to be displayed at the Bridgewater Commons this Christmas.

In the nine winter seasons since the Commons opened, the mall has not included the Christian representation of the birth of Jesus. But this year, a group of Christians has asked the mall for permission to display a creche, and Commons offi Ann Feenan Haines, homemaker LAVALLETTE Ann M. Feenan Haines died Sunday (Aug. 24, 1997) at Brick Hospital in Bricktown. She had lived in Plainfield before moving to Lavallette 27 years ago.

i She was a homemaker. Her husband, John Haines, died in 1992. She was a member of St. Bonaventure Roman Catholic Church in Lavallette. Surviving are two sons, Dale Butler of Asbury and Jay Butler of Virginia; a sister, Irene Gascoyne of Malvern, five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are by the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals in Seaside Park. Linda A. Johnson, nurse's aide PLAINFIELD Linda A. Johnson, 41, died Saturday (Aug.

23, 1997) at University Hospital of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she lived there before moving to Plainfield 20 years ago. Ms. Johnson was a nurse's aide at Woodlands Nursing Home in Plain-field for three years. She was also an aspiring vocalist, singing at Concord Baptist Church and Mt.

Carmel Baptist Church, both in Brooklyn. She is survived by a son, Jason Johnson of Plainfield; two daughters, Tiffany Johnson and Wendi Johnson, both of Plainfield; her stepmother, Thomastine Johnson of Brooklyn; three brothers, Arthur Johnson of New Brunswick, Messiah Johnson of California, and Richard Johnson of Queens, N.Y.; and three sisters, Florence Sylvester and Gwendolyn Gill, both of Plainfield, and Jacqueline Tarrant of Brooklyn. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals in Plainfield. Visitation will be held the same day at 10 a.m.

at the funeral home. FUNERAL NOTICES SANSONE Nancy Kay (Hall), 53, Of Green Brook, on Friday August 22, 1997, Beloved wife of Peter mother of Laura Piedilato.mother-in law of Robert Piedilato, grandmother of Emma Marie. Visiting hours Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at HIGGINS HOME FOR FUNERALS, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung. Memorial contributions may be made in Memory of Michael Piedilato, to S.I.D.S. Center of NJ, 254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

FOURTH ANNIVERSARY In Loving Memory DENNIS DONOVAN AUGUST 25, 1993 Do not stand by my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am a diamond glint on snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awake in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight I am the soft starshine at night Do not stand by my grave and cry A am not I did not die. Sadly Missed Wife-Dorothy Children Kalby, Kevin, Kenneth, Maggie 6 Grace urancxmwren inn a Kyle 7 NMhih asp tt7XJte4Liid MJULiVJtUl I WARREN Dallas Leroy "Bucky" Rebman, 58, died Saturday (Aug. 23, 1997) at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was born in Summit and was a lifelong resident of Warren.

He was a self-employed excavating contractor. He was an Army veteran and a member of Advent Lutheran Church in Warren. Surviving are his wife, Yvonne Kornath Rebman; a son, Douglas of Vineland; a daughter, Elaine Cohen of Franklin Park; a stepson, Kenneth Koemm of Somerville; three stepdaughters, Susan Parker of Womels-dorf, Karen Aument of Howell and Sandra Koemm of Hamilton; a brother, Frederick Rebman of Chester; a sister, Evelyn Spear of Richmond, a grandson; and seven step-grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Higgins Home for Funerals in Watchung.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kendall Park or Franklin Park rescue squads. James D. Martin 38 years at Hull America PLAINFIELD James D.

"Buster" Martin 61, died Saturday (August 23, 1997) at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison. Mr. Martin wasborn in Mt. Gilead, N.C., and lived in Plainfield for 27 years.

He wasashipping and receiving clerkfor Hull America Corp. in Piscataway for 38 years, before retiring. He is survived by his wife, Olympe Martin, of Plainfield; a son, James D. Martin Jr. of Plain-field; a daughter, Stephanie Martin of Bahana, N.C.; three sisters, Hazel McCray of Englewood, and Lucille Martin and Francis Chambers, both of Newark; his companion, Sharon Johnson of Plain-field; and a foster-daughter, Joy Johnson of Plainfield.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Judkins Colonial Home in Plainfield. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Sharon Louise Foster, floral designer PLAINFIELD Sharon Louise Foster, 63, died Saturday (Aug.

23, 1997) at home. Mrs. Foster was born in Lafayette, and lived in Plainfield for 40 years. She was a self-employed floral designer and a charter member of the Metronomes civic club of Plain-field. Mrs.

Foster also was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church of Plain-field, where she was an usher and a Youth Group adviser. She is survived by her husband, Henry Foster a daughter, Marcia L. Foster of Arroyo Grande, two sons, Foster Jr. of Sydney, Australia; her mother, Elizabeth Pace of Indianapolis, two sisters, Francine Williams and Margaret Gentry, both of Indianapolis; and a brother, Frank Pace of Indianapolis.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Marks Episcopal Church. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Arrangements are by Judkins Colonial Home of Plainfield. not satisfied with it for any Paul F. Kenney, Jr. Hearing Aid Dispenser, NJ State License 490 SOUTH PLAINFIELD Darren J. Yednak, 30, died Saturday (Aug.

23, 1997) at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, Plainfield, due to injuries he suffered in an accident in South Plainfield. Born in New Brunswick, he was a lifelong South Plainfield resident. He was a 1985 graduate of South Plainfield High School. He was co-founder and owner-operator of AABCO Towing Bound Brook, which was founded three years ago. He was a street stock car racing enthusiast and built and drove his own race cars.

For the past two years he was a championship driver at East Windsor Speedway. Surviving are his fiancee, Barbara L. Pawlikowski of South Plainfield; his parents, Joseph W. Yednak of South Plainfield and Mary Ann Yednak of Piscataway; a sister, Debra Matzke of Winter Park, one niece and one nephew. Services will be held 9:15 a.m.

Wednesday at the McCriskin Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield South Plainfield, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, South Plain-field. Cremation will be private. Visitation will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 1015 Amboy Avenue, Suite 104, Edison, N.J. 08817. John L. Mangiante, WWII Army veteran SEATTLE John L. Mangiante, 79, died Aug.

1 1, 1997, at the First Hill Care Center in Seattle. He was born in South Plainfield and had lived for many years in North Plainfield. He moved to Seattle 10 years ago. Mr. Mangiante had worked for more than 25 years at the former Woolworth's store in Plainfield.

He retired about 15 years ago. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Surviving is a sister, Rosal Mangiante of Seattle. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in South Plainfield.

Arrangements are by the McCriskin Home for Funerals in South Plain-field. Mary Louise Smith, chaired GOP committee DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -Mary Louise Smith, a moderating force within the GOP and the only woman to have chaired the Republican National Committee, died Friday. She was 82 and had lung cancer. Smith, known for her support of abortion rights, chaired the RNC from 1974 to 1977. In 1976, she was the first woman to organize and call to order the national convention of a major American political party.

She served on the National Committee from 1964 to 1984, and was a "moderating force" within the GOP, said former Iowa Gov. Bob Ray. One of the most respected political figures in the state, Smith was a founding member of the Iowa Women's Political Caucus and was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1977. Smith served on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa from 1986 to 1992. MONUMENTS in.

1841 L.L. MANNING SON 34 Brook Plaza Rt. 22 West Green Brook, NJ Between Rock Washington Ave. 752-0330756-0706 7" Elevation $19.95 12" Elevation $29.95 Sale Ends 91097 I jlUlljCiniV SURGICAL SUPPLY 623 Park Plainfield, NJ Saturday Hours til 3:00 908-756-7074 1-800-287-1793 Aullwnnd DkJ far Accci tidwic(Wywnai SbrGtA sign-up fee to hawk everything from portable spas to Christian Coalition memberships. ri "Everyone's just having a good time, seeing neighbors they haven't seen in a while," said 35-year resident Bill Watts, a member of the Friends of Long Hill.

"Why, there's my down-the-street neighbor; I haven't seen the boys in two or three weeks." Watts was on duty at the festival, drumming up support for plans to connect the township's green spaces' with biking and walking trails. The festival included live music and even a martial-arts routine coordinated to "The Star-Spangled Ban-ner. Megan Dawson, 7, of Long Hill said she enjoyed seeing all her friends at the fair, where she won a goldfish last year. -uo representation of Mary, Joseph and others around Jesus, whose birth is celebrated on Christmas. While the Commons has not used a Christian religious display, it allows the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon Warren Counties to light a menorah during Hanukkah.

The Commons also has its own holiday display reflecting a number of winter season celebrations. Stell said this will be the fourth holiday season the Commons uses displays to exhibit festive garb of many cultures and religions. 3 The go-go bars that's very bad to me. That's a downfall for Bound Jimmy Stokes They're doing the best they can to get the town back in shape. It's not a bad town, but a lot of businesses down I 4 Louis Wright town are moving quirements and ongoing renovation of Lafayette and Smalley has created a better district in one year, Board of Education President Paul G.

Hasting said. "Across the board we've made some very positive changes," he said. Louis Wright, a 16-year resident, said he's happy with the borough's schools. "The school system is very good," said Wright, whose three children attend Bound Brook High School, Lafayette School and LaMonte School. Education should be the borough's top priority, said Gloria Sanchez, whose two young children will enter the district in a few years.

"Keeping the schools good is the No. 1 thing, even if taxes have to be a little higher," she said. prw Courier-News photo by Ed Murray The former Little League field at Tea Street in Bound Brook is being developed. BOUND BROOK: Handling flood Continued from Page B-1 He pointed to Imperial Salon, a cials are considering the possibility. "At this point we're not sure, because we are not really into that season yet," said Crystal Stell, marketing director of the Commons, "but certainly, we will consider their comments at that time." Stell said mall representatives met earlier this year with a group supporting the creche, and they've received a few letters asking the Commons for the display.

So far, mall officials have not discussed the matter, she said. A creche (pronounced kresh) is a BOUND BROOK AT A GLANCE: Current population: 9,398. Size: 1 .6 square miles. Crime rate per 1,000 residents: 33.2. Median family income: $43,225.

Top 3 concerns: 1 Improving downtown. 2. Quality of education. 3. Taxes.

In January, The Courier-News published Agenda '97. a special section outlining the key issues facing Central Jersey's towns and counties. Over the next month, we will revisit each county and town and check the progress made in addressing those issues. Coming Tuesday: Tewksbury. ments in the last fiscal year.

The rate of uncollected taxes has dropped each year for the past five years, he said. Officials say the borough has improved its schools while keeping the budget down by working more close- ly with the Board of Education. "It's the best I've ever seen the relationship," Bruno said. The school district also benefited from a referendum approved in May. The money will be used to enhance computer systems' by putting computers with Internet access in every classroom this fall.

That's a key step to prepare Bound Brook students for the future, schools Superintendent Leigh Byron said. "Computer technology is changing the way that people are acquiring information," he said. "In a short time, students who can't use computers to access information will be as lost as you or I would be today without a telephone to communicate." The computer work, combined with more stringent graduation re- beauty shop that opened there about a week ago, as an example of improvements on the street. Officials also plan to demolish a burned-out building at Talmage and Columbus Place, Borough Clerk Thomas R. Brodbeck said.

The borough recently bought the property. It will begin advertising for bids on the job Thursday, and Brodbeck said he expects to award a contract in October. Officials hope to attract a new business to the site. The Tea Street shopping center on Route 28 is expected to open in June, Gilly said. Anchored by a ShopRite supermarket, it also will house a Burger King, a bagel shop, a pizzeria, a video store, a dry cleaner and possibly a liquor store.

The center will provide the borough with a significant source of commercial-tax revenue, but it won't be a cure-all for the borough's revenue problems, Bruno said. "People would be mistaken if they think that will eliminate the tax problem," he said. It's been a challenge for borough officials to maintain the school system and municipal services while cutting taxes. The borough has reduced taxes for the last two years. There was a "minimal decrease" this year with municipal taxes falling $4 on a home valued at $200,000, Brodbeck said.

Taxes had fallen by $78 on the same house last year. The borough has been able to cut costs, Gilly said. The town moved a police detective back into the patrol division, reduced the hours worked by its health officer and cut police overtime. "Some of these changes they're small, even minute, but they added up," Gilly said. The borough has helped itself by investing funds more aggressively, Brodbeck said.

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