The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 10

A digest of Central Jersey B-2 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 JLJ JIHk3 news stories THE COURIER-NEWS Our Towns And the winner community theater Central Jersey Lane closings data available on 'Net' Central Jersey commuters can now get weekly updates on lane closings on their home computers. transcom, a clearing house for traffic information in the New York metropolitan area, is listing the major lane closings on the Internet. The information will include expected-lane closings and not those that occur as the result of a traffic accident or a iast-minute road project. "This hits the highlights of the major problems that are expected," said Transcom operations manager Ber-nie Wagenblast. To access the lane closing information, send an e-mail message to Wagenblast at I95berniewaol.com.

Steven Coleman Firms helping build homes in Newark Habitat for Humanity Newark is hosting its first Corporate Construction Challenge today through Sunday With 12 corporate teams renovating two duplexes in Newark. The roof-raising fund raiser, the largest in the nonprofit group's history, will take place with volunteers from these firms: National Westminster Bank; Public Service Electric Gas; Matsushita; First Fidelity Bank; Turner Construction; Prudential; Cogen Technologies; Exxon; Marriott Newark; Hoechst Celanese; and Bell Laboratories. Each 50-person team is challenged to bring in $5,000 in sponsorships. The public service utility and Exxon will match raised funds with corporate donations. All construction is under the supervision of Habitat staff and volunteer crew chiefs.

Eighty percent of the donations go to building costs, with the remainder used to cover administrative fees. Habitat Newark does not accept government funds for home construction. To find out more about the group's activities, call the Rev. Christine Leslie, executive director, at (201) 624-3330. Laurie Levoy -i-r-itnml of Hudson County.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Performer in a Play, Lee Grabelsky, "You Can't Take It With You," Stony Hill Players. Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Performer in a Musical, Renae Patti, "Jesus Christ Superstar," Civic Theatre of Hudson County. Outstanding Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play, Amelia C. Leites, "Cafe Au Lait Et Sucre," Baird Theatre of South Orange. Outstanding Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play, Peter Gross, "In August We Play the Pyrenees," Circle Playhouse.

Outstanding Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Colleen Kelleher, "Nine," Civic Theatre of Hudson County. Outstanding Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Bruce McCanless, "Jesus Christ Superstar," Civic Theatre of Hudson County. Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Play, Judy Sanger, "Broadway Bound," Villagers Theatre, Somerset. Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Play, Fred Schwab, "The Grapes of Wrath," Circle Playhouse, Piscataway. Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical, Lynn La-zar, "Quilt A Musical Celebration," Voices For Life.

Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical, Jeffrey M. Babey, "The Goodbye Girl," Villagers Theatre, Somerset. Outstanding Musical Direction, Clifford Parrish, "Sweeney Todd," Chester Theatre Group. Outstanding Direction of a Play, Doug Eaton, "My Sister In This House," Blacksheep Theatre Company, Somerset. Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Angel Pereira, "Nine," Civic Theater of Hudson County.

Outstanding Production of a Play, "My Sister In This House," Blacksheep Theatre Company, Somerset. Outstanding Production of A Musical, "Nine," Civic Theatre of Hudson County. Courier-News photo by Ed Murray A POSITIVE SIGN: Tom Riddle of North Cape May uses sign language to talk to friends Sunday at the fifth annual Deaf Fest in North Branch Park in Bridgewater. The festival featured appearances by deaf performers and drew more than 2,000 people to the park, some from as far away as Maryland and Alaska. Story and photo, B-1.

FANWOOD Stamp will honor town centennial A cancellation stamp commemorating the Fanwood centennial will be issued on Sept. 30. The stamp will be issued at a picnic in LaGrande Park sponsored by the Fanwood branch of Children's Specialized Hospital. This cancellation stamp will be used only on that day by postal personnel manning a special booth at the picnic. The Centennial Committee will give a maximum of two 4 l2-by-9-inch envelopes to each Fanwood resident.

With the purchase of 32-cent stamps, the postal personnel will officially imprint the envelopes with the special commemorative cancellation stamp, which contains the historic $9G Snyder grant benefits crisis line The Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Foundation has awarded a grant of $9,000 to Contact We Care, a Union County telephone help line and crisis intervention service. The grant paid for the service's operations for August. "Many health professionals and therapists go on vacation in August," said Candy Santo, executive director of the nonprofit organization.

"Their clients, however, still needing someone to talk with, rely on Contact to be there for them. This is a highly active time for us, so we really appreciate the Snyder Foundation's support." Harold B. Snyder a builder and developer in the Union County area for many years, established the foundation 10 years ago, in memory of his wife, Dorothy. Contact We Care serves Central Jersey and provides its services free of charge. Fall training classes are forming for anyone interested in volunteering on the help line.

For more information, call the Contact We Care office at (908) 889-4140. The help line number is (908) 232-2880 and the TDD number for the deaf is (908) 232-3333. Galloping Hill links TUESDAY By DEBBIE MURA Courier-News Writer HAMPTON Central Jersey community playhouses won several honors Sunday night as the Achievement in Community Theater group held its first awards ceremony. The top play of the year was produced locally by the Blacksheep Theatre Company of Somerset, a fledgling Somerset County company dedicated to serious theater. A Blacksheep founder, Doug Eaton of Washington, also earned Outstanding Director honors for "My Sister In This House," which was the group's second production ever.

Other local groups to be recognized in more than one category were the Villagers Theatre, Somerset, and the Circle Playhouse, Piscataway. A crowd of 360 dressed to the nines turned out for the ceremony at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. Their dress was appropriate, because a production of "Nine" at the Civic Theatre of Hudson County won the Outstanding Musical award. The awards committee, which is already preparing for next year's event, promises that last night's tribute will be followed by many more. Following is a complete list of winners: Outstanding Lighting Design, Joe DiNardo, "Into the Woods," Plays-In-The-Park, Edison.

Outstanding Sound Design, Joy Christopher More, "Round and Round the Garden," Circle Playhouse, Piscataway. Outstanding Costume Design, Barbara Freeman, "Kismet," Trilogy Repertory Theatre, Basking Ridge. Outstanding Choreography, Jana Belot, "Oklahoma," Trilogy Repertory Theatre. Outstanding Properties, Ellen Fraker-Glasscock and Limiarie Cabrera, "Marvin's Room," Chester Theatre Group, Chester. Outstanding Set Design, Vern Smith, "Into the Woods," Plays-In-The-Park, Edison, up against its own version of "The Sound of Music." Outstanding Stage Management, Andrew Foley, "Nine," Civic Theatre SOMERSET COUNTY Bedminster Township Committee 8 p.m., Municipal Building, 130 Hillside Bedminster.

(908) 234-0333. Bernardsviile Borough Council, 7 p.m., special meeting; 8 p.m. public meeting; 2nd floor courtroom, Municipal Building, 166 Mine Brook Road, (908) 766-3000. Branchburg Board of Education, 8 p.m., regular meeting, auxiliary gym of Stony Brook School. (908) 722-3265.

Bridgewater Township Council, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Annex, Bridgewater. (908) 725-6300. Franklin Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Franklin Township Municipal Building, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset. (908) 873-2400. Green Brook Board of Education, 8 p.m., agenda meeting, middle school, 132 Jefferson Ave.

(908) 968-1 171. Hillsborough Board of Education, 7 p.m., regular meeting, high school, Raider Boulevard. (908) 369-0030. Montgomery Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., business meeting, high school, (908) 874-5200. Rocky Hill Borough Council, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Borough Hall, 15 Montgomery Ave.

(609) 924-7445. Peapack-Gladstone Board of Adjustment, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Borough Complex, 1 School Peapack. (908) 234-2250. Somerset County Vocational Board of Education, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting, Somerset County Vocational and Technical Schools, Vogt Drive, Bridgewater. (908) 526-8900.

Somervllle Borough Council, 8 p.m., 24 S. Bridge Somervllle. (908) 725-2300. Warren Township Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., agenda meeting, middle school library. (908) 226-0901.

HUNTERDON COUNTY Callfon Borough Council, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Borough Hall. (908) 832-7850. Clinton Township Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., Josephine Mitchell School, 11 Humphrey Road, Annandale. (908) 735-4145. Flemington Borough Council, 7:30 p.m., work meeting, Municipal Building, 38 Park Ave.

(908) 782-8840. Flemlngton-Raritan Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., middle school auditorium, 50 Court Flemington. (908) 782-8074. Glen Gardner Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Borough Hall, 83 Main St. (908) 537-2513.

High Bridge Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, elementary school all-purpose room, (908) 638-6552. Hunterdon Central Board of Education, 7 p.m., high school, Route 31, Raritan Township. (908) 782-5727. Klngwood Township Commit- tee, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, Route 519 and Oak urove Hoao. (908) B9B-4Z7B.

Lambertvllle City Council, 8 p.m., regular meeting, City Hall, 1 8 York St. (609) 397-0110. Readington Town Council, 7:30 p.m., Municipal Building, 509 Route 523, Whltehouse Station. (908) 534-4051. Tewksbury Board of Adjustment, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 60 Water St.

(908) 832-5161. MIDDLESEX COUNTY Dunellen Borough Council, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 355 North Dunellen. (908) 968-3033. UNION COUNTY Plainfield City Council, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave. (908) 753-3221.

TODAY their names entered for a drawing of prizes offered by the restaurant. The grand prize will be dinner for a family of four. Ten additional food treats, such as desserts or appetizers, will also be awarded. "The interesting thing about this program is that the family is recognized for playing an integral part in each student's school success," said Greg Manka, assistant high school principal and program founder. "We are pleased that an area business like Ruby Tuesdays will acknowledge positive student behavior through rewards," Manka said.

Laurie Levoy Drug abuse councils to sponsor forum Middlesex County Municipal Alliances are hosting a free conference titled "The Other War: Alcohol, Drugs and Violence," from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Piscataway. The conference is open to members of the alliances only, although a restricted number of registrations are reserved for teens. Scheduled workshops will address issues such as breaking the cycle of family violence; changes in juvenile justice; the connection between weapons, violence and substance abuse; and the effects of mass media and school-based programs.

A limited number of "teens only" workshops will run concurrently with the general workshops. The conference is funded by the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and is co-sponsored by the Middlesex County Department of Human Services, Division on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Coordination and administrative services for the conference are being provided by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Middlesex County. For more information or registration forms, call the council at (908) 246-1450. Service will help match carpoolers The state Department of Transportation has designated Keep Middlesex Moving, Middlesex County's trans portation management association, as the provider of on-site Pool Match ride-sharing services to employers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Pool Match links those who are interested in carpooling by matching origin and destination information. While commuters may register for the free service by calling (800) 245-POOL, Keep Middlesex Moving can now provide this service at no cost right at the work site during an employer's transportation fair. Keep Middlesex Moving's MonmouthOcean Rideshare Coordinator Helene Molter helps employers coordinate and promote transportation fairs. Molter provides ride-sharing registration forms, informational material and a computer database. "Once a person is registered, the computer searches the database for others with similar commute habits," Molter said.

"It looks at origin and destination, start and stop times and even smoking or nonsmoking preferences. Then a list of potential matches is produced and given to the applicant. It is up to the applicant to contact people on the list and make carpool arrangements." Keep Middlesex Moving, a nonprofit transportation management association, was established in 1988 to help address transportation issues in Middlesex County. Its mission is to improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by working with businesses, municipalities and developers to build transportation solutions that bridge public and private interests. For more information about Keep Middlesex Moving, Pool Match or to schedule a transportation fair, call Molter at (908) 745-4368.

El Women voters plan candidates night The League of Women Voters of Hunterdon County continues its celebration of the 75th anniversary of the 19th Amendment with a 10-percent increase in membership and a full schedule of fall activities, league officials said. 7:30 tonight at the Hunterdon County Parks Arboretum Administration Building on Route 31, the league will welcome old, new and prospective members with a "Back To League" social and informative meeting. A video presentation, "75 Years of a Great Idea," will give an overview of the league and its activities. There will also be prizes and an "Anti-Suffragist Monologue." At 7:30 p.m. on Oct.

10, a county and legislative candidates night will be held in the HC-TV studio at Hunterdon Central High School in Raritan Township. There are two candidates for freeholder, three candidates for Hunterdon County sheriff and five candidates for the Assembly from the 23rd District. Glorianne Robbi of Hopewell and Pat Stover of Flemington are the coordinators of the candidates night. Oct. 10 is the last day to register to vote or submit a change of voting address for the Nov.

7 general election. TEWKSBURY Free rabies clinic scheduled for Oct. The township will be holding a free rabies clinic from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 7 at the Municipal Garage on Route 517.

All dogs should be on a leash and cats should be carried in a suitable container. For information, call (908) 832-5161. BRIDGEWATER KidStreet grounds nearing completion Construction of the 1-acre playground KidStreet is 80-percent complete but still not open, publicity chairwoman Beth Lommel said Sunday. In addition to the usual apparatus, the finished playground at Slattery Park off Garretson Road will have play areas designed as a pharmacy, a theater, an airport and a police station. NORTH PLAINFIELD Eatery to reward school attendance High schoolers who achieve perfect attendance for a marking period will be recognized through a joint program sponsored by the school and Ruby Tuesdays restaurant in North Plainfield.

Each marking period, students attaining perfect attendance will have railroad station Centennial Logo. The commemorative stamp will appear in a postal publication that illustrates all officially created stamps commemorating special events throughout the United States. An envelope with the cancellation stamp will be among the memorabilia placed in a time capsule that will be buried in ceremonies at 1 p.m. on Oct. 22.

PLAINFIELD Voters' advocacy seeks members The League of Women Voters will hold a membership meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Plainfield Public Library. The Plainfield League has a new president, Beverly Bullett, and is actively seeking new and renewed members to inform voters on issues and elections at the local, county, state and federal levels. This year marks the league's 75th anniversary. Dues are $40 per individual or $60 per household.

Members receive publications covering a wide variety of issues and actions. SCOTCH PLAINS Township to laud long-term workers The township will honor five retiring long-term employees whose total years of service is more than 120 years Saturday on Scotch Plains Day. They are Anita Tierney, secretary in the manager's office, 15 years; Vincent Parello 27 years with the recreation department; Police Detective Carl Sicola, 27 years; Police Sgt. Ron Donnelly, 34 years; and Frank Lestarchick, public works supervisor, 20 years. In addition to honoring these long-term workers, a memorial moment will be held for former Police Lt.

Robert Jones, businessman Bare Barry, former businessman and civic leader William Del Negro and former Electrical Inspector Edwin Williamson. Several other local businesspeople will be honored for their contributions to the township, including Sam Gershwin, Tony Acocella, Dominic Verdic Bernadette Stocker and Rose Rossi. Mayor Robert Johnston will preside over the ceremonies. Rev. Ken Hetzel, pastor at Willow Grove Presbyterian Church, will deliver the invocation and memorial prayer.

Also taking part in the ceremonies will be the award winning Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Band before it leaves for the annual football game against Westfield High School. Prior to the ceremonies, the Lions Club Annual Flea Market will lead off the day at 9 a.m., along with the five-mile run through the streets on the north side. Immediately after the run will be a one-mile health stride walk. Both events are being conducted by the Recreation Department, with prizes to the top runners, male and female, in various age groups. These awards will be given following the formal ceremonies.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY Middlesex Board of Education, 8 p.m., regular meeting, high school, 300 Kennedy Drive. (908) 968-2442. Middlesex Borough Council, 7 p.m., agenda meeting following Library Awards presentation, Municipal Building, 1200 Mountain Ave. (908) 356-7400. Piscataway Board of Adjustment, 7 p.m., agenda meeting, Municipal Building, 455 Hoes Lane.

(908) 562-2310. Piscataway Township Council, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 455 Hoes Lane. (908) 562-2310. South Plainfield Board of Education, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Administration Building, Cromwell Place. (908) 754-4620.

UNION COUNTY Berkeley Heights Township Committee, 8 p.m., public meeting room, 29 Park Ave. (908) 665-0648. Plainfield Board of Education, 8 p.m., business meeting, high school library. (908) 753-3150. Scotch Plains Township Council, 8:30 p.m., work meeting, Municipal Building, 430 Park Ave.

(908) 322-6700. Union County Regional High School District No. 1 Board of Education, 7 p.m., conference meeting, Jonathan Dayton Regional High School, Springfield. (201) 376-6300. SOMERSET COUNTY Bridgewater Board of Adjustment, 8 p.m., municipal courtroom.

(908) 725-6300. Bound Brook Borough Council, 7:30 p.m., workshop meeting, Municipal Building, 230 Hamilton St. (908) 356-0833. Hillsborough Township Committee, 8 p.m., work meeting, Municipal Building, 555 Amwell Road. (908) 369-4313.

Manvllle Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Alexander Batcho School. (908) 231-8500. Montgomery Board of Adjustment, 7:30 p.m., Municipal Building, 2261 Route 206. (908) 359-8211. Somerset County Board of Freeholders, 7 p.m., regular meeting, Administration Building, 20Grovs Somervllle.

(908) 231-7030. Somerset County Planning Board, regular meeting, 4:45 p.m., Administration Building, 20 Grove St. (908) 231-7021. Watchung Planning Board, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 15 Mountain Blvd. (908) 758-0080.

HUNTERDON COUNTY Glen Gardner Borough Council, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Borough Hall, 83 Main St. (908) 537-4748. Holland Township Committee, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 81 Church St. (908) 995-4847. Lebanon Township Planning Board, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 6 High St.

(908) 236-2939. MORRIS COUNTY Long Hill Board of Adjustment, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 1802 Long Hill Road. (908) 647-8000. Agenda is a list of scheduled meetings held by municipal boards that runs daily except Sunday. Boards included are: Borough Council, City Council, Township Council or Committee, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

To be included or for information, please call Assistant Metro Editor MichaelDaigleat (908) 707-3121 or mail the items to Agenda, The Courier-News, P.O. Box 6600, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807. renovation begins Crews have begun work on Galloping Hill Golf Course in Union and the renovations could take five to six years, Union County Manager Ann Baran said recently. "The county has taken every possible effort to minimize disruption of play," Baran said.

"Nine of the 27 holes will be closed at a time for construction," she said. The first holes to be closed will be the first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and 18th on the 18-hole course, and the third and fourth on the nine-hole course. "We want to make it clear that throughout the construction there will always be an 18-hole playable course," said Freeholder Chairman Linda Di Giovanni. "The work includes all new tees, fairways and sand bunkers as well as greens where appropriate," said Edwin H. Force, freeholder vice chairman and parks official.

Galloping Hill, the county's largest golf course, is the site of 84,000 rounds of golf each year. The course, which produces the most revenue of Union County's courses, will be getting a new computerized underground irrigation system, similar to those at the county's other two courses, Ash Brook in Scotch Plains and Oak Ridge In Clark. Without an irrigation system, the greens and fairways are often hard. Ponds for irrigation will be dug and the soil from the excavation will be used in the low-lying fairway sections that collect up to 2 or 3 feet of water in a heavy rain. The drainage system will be improved with drains in the fairways and by creating gradual slopes to carry water into the nearby streams, creeks and ponds.

Associates of Middletown is the architectural firm. The construction phase of the project is being handled by Fulton Building Co. of Lynd-hurst. The total cost of construction is $4.76 million. Hospital auction slated for Friday Overlook Hospital's CHEER Committee will hold its fourth annual Chinese Auction on Friday at the Overlook Hospital auditorium.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The drawing will begin at 7:30 p.m. Winners need not be present to win. For additional information, call (908) 522-5682. Refreshments will be served.

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