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Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade Steps-Off on Sunday
Mayor John E. McCormac and the American
...READ MOREWHS PRESENTS THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
It’s a comedy! It’s a musical! It’s a comedy about a musical! It’s The Drowsy Chaperone and Woodbridge High School is presenting this joyful entertainment on Thursday March 19th, Friday March 20th, Saturday March 21st (all at 7:00 pm), and Sunday, March 22nd (at 2 pm). The Drowsy Chaperone gives you two shows in one: a silly, happy, old-fashioned musical comedy set in the 1920s (like Anything Goes or The Boy Friend), and at the same time a modern day, meta-satirical look at show business and the crazy people who make it. The original Broadway production, starring Sutton Foster, Danny Burstein, and Beth Leavel, won five Tony Awards (including Best Score and Best Book) in 2006.
Woodbridge’s production of Drowsy Chaperone features 36 cast members and more than a dozen crew members and backstage support volunteers, along with student musicians in the pit. Another dozen art students are painting sets/props to create the style of the roaring twenties. These are dedicated WHS students giving their time, talent and energy to make a heart-warming story which Woodbridge audiences will adore.
This is a show-within-a-show. We first meet the Man-in-chair (Lenny Sharpe), an everyman living in a basic NYC apartment. He breaks the “fourth wall” as he chats with the audience about life. As he plays his favorite old record, the show magically comes to life in front of our eyes. And what a show! We meet a gorgeous and talented star (Alyssa Molnar) who’s considering giving up show business to marry a dashing Gatsby-type millionaire (Dan Nebus), a pair of gangsters (Chris Torres & Gabriella Gangemi) posing as pastry chefs to invade a Long Island mansion overseen by the rich, ditsy host (Julia Bialy) and her trusted butler (Kevin Catalon), a Latin lothario (Daniel Tajes), a gold-digging chorine (Rosie Pilla) and her frustrated producer (Michael Trujillo), a frenzied best man trying to make the wedding run smoothly (Joe Golden), an Amelia Earhardt-style female aviator (Haley Resta), and, of course, the title character, a “drowsy” confidante and chaperone (Lauren Padden). What more could you want for an evening’s entertainment?
The Drowsy Chaperone has a tuneful score by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and a smart book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar (Slings and Arrows on TV).
The directors are Kelly Terrell and Tom Lynch, the musical directors are Jason Kohn and Lisa Romero. Choreography is by Mr. Quienzell Bunch, and Tom O’Shaughnessy.
Tickets can be obtained at the door ($13) or in advance from any cast member, or the main office at the high school ($10 in advance). For more information, call 732-602-8600.
For more info: Kelly Terrell 646-279-7137 or Tom Lynch 732-910-2155
Thoughts From the Editor – February 2020
By Debbie Meehan
As I sit down to write my column this month I do so with a heavy heart with the news of the tragic helicopter crash of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, Christina Mauser, Sarah and Payton Chester, John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli and pilot Ara Zobayan. I mention all of their names because on that helicopter was not only a basketball legend who was larger than life to most but I’m certain that everyone that was on that helicopter was larger than life to those who loved them.
Stories in the headlines such as this one brings us to a shared place of grief where we not only feel horrible and terribly sad for all those lost but it reminds us again how incredibly fragile life can be and how the simple task of getting home safely is one we all take for granted.
While I was eating dinner the other night with my family, my daughter looked at me and said, “Can we just turn off the news mom, I can’t hear another bad thing.” And she was right. The headlines of the past week not only nationally but right here in our surrounding towns were just so tragic and we just needed something good to think about for a while, something that didn’t break our hearts or make us angry; we needed something positive to give us a little break from the bad and I knew exactly what story I could share with them to remind them of the blessings we have in this life.
Earlier that day, I headed to Town Hall to meet up with two very special little girls named Emily and Sophia, along with their families. Sophia, who was turning six the next day, was the little girl who lived in the Colonia home where the plane crashed and destroyed all the family’s belongings, including all of Sophia’s toys. Emily, 7, is the little girl of one of the Woodbridge Police Officers that was on the scene of the crash that day. Though they had never met, the fate of that dark day somehow intertwined their young lives together for the better.
After a long day on the job, Detective Mike Barbato went home to his family. He had to explain to his daughter about what had happened that day and that a little girl her age, who lived in the house, lost everything. Emily felt so sad for the little girl, she couldn’t imagine her losing all her toys, so she decided she wanted to help her. Over the course of the next couple of months, Emily sold over 500 little unicorn keychains at school fairs, St. Andrews Church in Avenel and took mail orders so that she could help Sophia buy new toys. One of Emily’s little school friends even donated his birthday money to help. Emily was on a mission of kindness to help a little girl she had never met or at least not until this past week.
On January 29, 2020, Sophia and her mom came into the chamber at Town Hall where Emily and her parents were busy putting together gifts to give to Sophia. The two girls were very quiet at first, but then Emily handed Sophia a bag with a big unicorn (they both loved unicorns), balloons and a check for $ 3,750.00 so that Sophia could buy new toys. Emily also handed Sofia a box that she wanted her to bring to her classmates. Within the box were little plastic bags that had a unicorn keychain, and a picture of Emily with a note that read;
Hi, My name is Emily and I am 7 years old. I recently sold these keychains as an act of kindness for your friend and classmate, Sofia. I would like to give one to each of you as a reminder to always be kind!
After Emily finished handing Sophia all the gifts, the little girls hugged each other with quiet giggles and large smiles as we all stood there crying watching a friendship unfold before us that was brought to life out of simple kindness.
Simple kindness…seems like such an easy thing to give. If only we as adults could learn from children like Emily, and others like her, to make time to do things for others without expecting anything in return except maybe… a hug and a giggle.
Pass kindness forward….it’s the best thing you can do for your soul!
Burn Awareness Week – How You Can Help After A Snowstorm – Fire Hits Home
By Chief Michael Hapstak, Woodbridge Fire Co. #1 – Woodbridge Fire Department
Burn Awareness Week
The week of February 3rd is Burn Awareness week and this year’s theme is Contact Burns – Hot Surfaces Damage Skin. Contact burns occur when hot objects are touched – known as thermal burns, but burns can also occur or from exposure to very cold temperatures or contact with something cold for a prolonged period of time (frostbite). Other types of burns are caused by friction (carpet burn), chemical (from acids or solvents) and electrical burns (contact with electrical current). Over 70,000 people went to hospital emergency rooms in 2018 for contact burns, with 1/3 of those under the age of 5.
Burn Safety at Home – Many ordinary things in a home — from bath water to hot food to electrical outlets — can cause burns. To prevent burns, follow these burn safety tips:
- Reduce water temperature. Set the thermostat on your water heater to below 120 °F. Always test the water temperature before your child gets in the tub. Aim for bath water around 100 °F.
- Avoid hot spills. Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges. Don’t use tablecloths or placemats, which young children can pull down. When using the stove, use back burners and turn the handles of your pots and pans toward the rear of the stove.
- Use dry oven mitts or potholders. Hot cookware can heat moisture in a potholder or oven mitt, resulting in a scald burn.
- Establish “no” zones. Block access to the stove and fireplace, and make space heaters and water heaters inaccessible. Have a “kid free zone” of at least 3 ft around the stove.
- Unplug irons. Store items designed to get hot, such as clothes irons, unplugged and out of reach.
- Test food temperature. Food or liquids warmed in a microwave might heat unevenly.
- Choose a cool-water humidifier or vaporizer. If you use a hot-steam vaporizer, keep it out of reach.
- Address outlets and electrical cords. Cover unused electrical outlets with safety caps. Inserting a fork, key, or other metal object into an outlet could result in an electrical burn. Replace damaged, brittle, or frayed electrical cords.
General first aid for burns and scalds: Treat a burn right away by putting it in cool water. Cool the burn for three to five minutes. Cover burn with a clean, dry cloth. Do not apply creams, ointments, sprays or other home remedies. Remove all clothing, diapers, jewelry and metal from the burned area. These can hide underlying burns and retain heat, which can increase skin damage. Get medical help if needed.
How you can help after a snowstorm
Your local Fire Department depends on hydrants as source of water if there is a fire. When there is a large amount of snow, hydrants can become blocked, or the amount of snow can make it difficult to access. In the event of a fire, critical life and property saving time will be spent digging out the hydrant. If you have a hydrant near your home, please ensure the hydrant and a 3 foot area around it is clear down to the sidewalk or grass, there is a path to the hydrant and that it is free of any ice. You’ll be helping yourself, your neighbors and us in the event of an emergency.
Fire Hits Home
A fire can strike at any time and happen to anyone, and it hits home when it happens to one of our own. A fire broke out in the home of former Avenel Fire Chief Jimmy Karlbon in the early morning hours of January 19. Jimmy and his family were asleep when a fire started in the kitchen. His 6-year-old daughter Madalyn was awakened by the smoke alarms just after 2 am and ran to her Dad when she saw smoke. Jimmy got his family out safely and the family cat escaped on its own and was reunited with them later. No one was injured. Madalyn saved the lives of her family by remembering what she had been taught during Fire Prevention Week and the knowledge that her Dad and her extended firefighting family instilled in her, according to the Avenel Fire Department.
Woodbridge Police Officer Jim Ganci, a former volunteer firefighter with the Woodbridge Fire Department, was one of the first responders on scene. Using his firefighting experience, Officer Ganci took action to knock the fire down with an extinguisher. The efforts of the Avenel Fire Department contained the fire to the kitchen/dining room area but smoke damaged the entire home leaving it uninhabitable, and the family has lost most of their belongings.
If you would like to make a monetary donation to help the family with purchasing groceries, clothes and essential everyday items, checks can be made payable to The Avenel Fire Company Community Fund, 346 Avenel St., Avenel, NJ 07001 Checks and donations can be dropped off at the firehouse Monday-Friday between the hours of 8-4 or mailed in.
For additional information on fire prevention and fire safety check out www.woodbridgefireprevention.org and www.nfpa.org/Public-Education
Mayor John E. McCormac & Woodbridge Police Department Announce Appointment of Eight New Police Officers
.Mayor John E. McCormac today announced the
...READ MORE
Mayor John E. McCormac, Woodbridge Business Community & Township Food Pantries Kick-Off 2020 “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive
Food Drive Challenges Township Corporate Offices, Businesses,
...READ MOREThoughts From The Editor – January 2020
By Debbie Meehan
As I sit here this month finishing up the paper while watching the snow fall, I do so with a peace around me from reflecting back on the goodness I’ve watched unfold from the holiday season gone by. It never ceases to amaze me how kind the human soul can truly be when we stop focusing on the negativity in the world and rather fill our hearts with compassion and kindness.
When mid November approaches each year, so do people who want to help. I’m not sure what it is about the holidays that make us all a bit kinder, but for some reason it just does. This year during the holidays, our community donated food and turkeys for so many Woodbridge Township families in need of a warm meal for the holiday. It seemed every time I went out I came home and found another turkey or basket of food in my hallway that someone dropped off to help another in need (thank god I have great friends with big freezers). And the goodness just never stopped the whole season. I’d like to share with you just a few of the moments I saw this season to warm your heart during these cold winter days…
December 1st- Woodbridge Police Department and Santa and Mrs. Claus spent an early Sunday morning shopping in Walmart with 17 children who needed a little extra holiday love this year. After the police officers individually shopped with the children, the children were taken on a bus to Iselin Firehouse where upon arrival they were greeted by yet more WB Police Officers who were there since 5am preparing a delicious breakfast for them. These elves in blue were not working on the clock that day, in fact they were volunteering their day off away from their own families during the holidays as they continued to do what they do best as they served and protected the “little” residents of Woodbridge Township.
December 13th- Colonia Middle and High School students spent the evening at our Annual Cookies and Cans event packing up food and cookies that were dropped off that evening by residents of the community. The students first packed up the large boxes that were to be sent overseas for the holidays to local Troops so that they could have a package from home to enjoy while being so far from their families. The students overfilled the boxes with cookies and tons of candy that was also donated along with many supplies. While they were packing, I showed them a few pictures of the men and women they were sending the boxes to. Next thing I know, these students who were there for community service hours were writing personal cards to the troops, talking amongst themselves about how hard it must be and putting such gentle care into each package, for now they weren’t just any old boxes, they were being sent to young men and women who lived in their town. They continued to put that same compassion and kindness into the dinner baskets they made up next for families in need. They took great care to make sure each family got one of every item and if they couldn’t find that item at first they searched until they did. Again this wasn’t just for anyone, it was for a family in need in their own town. After the baskets were packed up the students and adult volunteers wrapped toys for 19 children to be delivered to Woodbridge Twp. families.
December 7th & 14th – On December 7th, Woodbridge Billiards Club along with WB Twp. Police, Firemen and EMT’s spent the morning playing pool against each other in an effort to collect toys for local children in need. The price of admission was one toy but most carried in an armful to secure that no child would be left without a present. Then, on December 14th, Terri Falco and Pat Trombetta spearheaded a beautiful Children’s Christmas party, along with their many volunteers. The room was filled with beautiful little voices singing carols as they waited in anticipation for Santa. As Santa came into the room and began to give out toys, little eyes sparkled with happiness, as caregivers eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Without this party, many of these children may have gone without a toy this Christmas.
December 20th – With just five days left to Christmas, Santa packed up his sled one last time to visit 4 special families. Two of the children we went to visit that evening are battling serious health problems which keeps them in their homes to prevent them from being exposed to germs. Since a visit to Santa at the mall would just not be possible this year, Santa came to them via the Colonia Fire Truck (thank you CFD). The sparkle in their eyes and excitement in their hearts when the fire truck pulled up with Santa could be the postcard for what the meaning of Christmas should stand for. Santa’s next stop was to pay a visit to a family that is new to our town and who does not yet know a lot of people. Santa stopped in to visit their three young children and to say thank you to their dad, who just returned from his deployment in Iraq. Santa giving this soldier a hug solidified our thanks to those serving our country who could not be home with their families this holiday season. The hug, a symbol of thanks and peace, was for all our troops. Santa’s last stop was to visit the little girl and her parents who lost their home when a plane crashed into it. Surrounded by a large group of cousins, aunts, uncles and friends, this family today was not mourning the loss of their home but instead celebrating all they still had and the realization that it can change in a moments time. This Christmas the greatest gift they received was the blessing of life.
Love, kindness and compassion should not end just because the holidays do. Keep it in your heart all year long and let’s keep taking care of each other so we can all be the best people we can be. May peace, love and health embrace your families in 2020!
Colonia Then & Now – December 2019
By Daniel D’Arcy
December 2019
Not again.
Of course, most of us are quite aware of the tragic accident that occurred on Berkley Ave. that resulted in a twin-engine Cessna aircraft crashing into a home and igniting a fire that destroyed or damaged three homes. Colonia was headline news across the country. Taking the life of the pilot who was flying from Virginia with a destination of Linden airport, this horrible event reminds us about the fragility of life and that it can happen anywhere and here. If not for circumstances that we are not aware of, this tragedy could have been worse. I heard many people project that if the plane flew a little further or a little to the left or right… Only about 1000 yards in the general direction of the airport…the Claremont School. We praise our first responders especially the Colonia Fire Department who were on the scene in minutes.
On September 3, 1935 the Colonia Fire Dept No.1 District 10 was organized. Years ago, a Mrs. White of 1 Rutgers Ave, (within sight of the recent air accident) gave me a book that her husband was in possession of. It was the handwritten logbook of the Colonia Fire Co. from 1935 thru 1937. Robert White of Hopelawn was the brother in law of Doris White who is the daughter of Charles Ayers, the first Fire Chief of the Fire Company. Also included was a typed letter that was the reproduction from what I believe to be a article from the Woodbridge Independent Leader January 3, 1936. It read; District No. 10 has been a part of the Woodbridge fire system for generations. Yet until September 1935 it never had an organized duly elected company of volunteers. But there are plenty of volunteers and with a hand drawn reel cart of 500 feet of 2 ½ inch hose that was kept in the garage of E.K. Cone. When ever one of Colonia’s infrequent fires developed the volunteers with Charles Ayers as “Chief” mobilized and fought the fires. The first fire truck was a Chevy truck converted into a fire truck and housed in Ed Cone’s garage.
After Ed Cones death in 1935 the truck was turned over to the Company. Its location and eventual disposition have never been discovered. Although the rumor that when the VFW took possession of their building on Inman Ave, there was a deteriorated firetruck inside may be accurate. The log lists the names of all the volunteers of which many were residents of local notoriety including Oscar Wilkerson (who lived on the corner of Woods Lane and New Dover Rd. that was just sold and renovated.) and A. Christopherson (whose home was demolished to build two new homes om Montrose Ave.).
The following is the report of October 18, 1937.
Alarm, 1:45pm…returned to fire house 3:30pm. Address. Archangela Ave. Colonia, 1 story brick….1 airplane. Owner of house James Cherego. Loss. Airplane total lost. House partially damaged on roof to cornice and flooring in the bathroom. Insurance …yes. Fire contained to roof to cornice flooring in the bathroom. Killed on plane 2 persons. Cause. Airplane crashed tearing down electric wires, this probably caused house fire. Airplane total loss and killed both occupants. Edwin Larth 23 yrs, 57 Evergreen Place. East Orange, NJ and Robert Roerecht 21 yrs. 278 N. 4th St. Newark NJ.
Seven volunteers responded. Yes, the crash and fire on Berkley Ave was not the first time a plane has crashed and taken lives in Colonia. Since the Westfield airport on Lake Ave was very close to the crash site, it can be assumed that the plane was going to or coming from the local field.
Unbelievable but true.
Did you know.
In 1934 the Launhardt family who owned a farm on the corner of Georges Ave. and Chain O Hills Rd. traveled to Lakehurst Air Station to see the German airship Graf Zeppelin. They were lucky enough to get in line to peer inside the dirigible. On May 6th 1937, Hindenburg was spotted over head on the family farm, the very day of it’s demise. Hearing the news on the radio the family again drove to Lakehurst to see nothing but the charred hulk. Another road trip in 1934 brought them to the Jersey shore, Asbury Park, to take a look at the Morro Castle. The burned-out ship took the lives of 124 people.
Enjoy the Holidays
Thanks for reading,
Daniel D’Arcy 908-599-3958
dandrc@aol.com
