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11/05/2009

Kids make their way through the Haunted House set up Sunday at Old Bridge's Spooktacular, which featured games, treats and music and was held at the township's municipal complex on Route 516.

DRSANA asks for help in zoning board process

BY LAUREN CIRAULO Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

After three years of seeking building approval from Old Bridge, the Dayalbagh Radhasoami Satsang Association of North America (DRSANA) is reaching out for public support.

Board strives to move polls out of schools

BY JENNIFER BOOTON Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

The Sayreville Board of Education is continuing in its quest to have voting booths removed from their five elementary schools due to a concern for student safety. However, another Election Day has passed without the necessary approvals to relocate the polls.

Rutgers SCREAM Theater addresses dating violence

BY LAUREN CIRAULO Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Abusive relationships aren't the usual topical fare for Old Bridge High School events, but the theme was on prominent display at a recent in-school assembly. As part of the statewide Violence Prevention Week, Rutgers University's SCREAM Theater performed a skit depicting dating violence to a passionate student audience Friday morning.

Sayreville seeks permits for Main St. Bypass plan

BY JENNIFER BOOTON Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Sayreville officials are moving forward with plans to build the controversial Main Street Bypass. The borough recently submitted applications for several state environmental permits that are required before further work can begin on the multiyear project.

An executive memory

BY LAUREN CIRAULO Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

OLD BRIDGE — It wouldn't be wise to ever bet against Matthew D'Elia. The precocious 6-year-old could probably beat the most erudite scholar in a round of presidential trivia. Or at the very least, maybe one day Matthew will be unconquerable in "Jeopardy.

DWI checkpoints will be set up year-round

11/05/2009

While in the past, Middlesex County officials have set up sobriety checkpoints on select weekends and holidays, a state grant will now allow the late-night roadblocks to be implemented year-round. Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan announced last week that the DWI checkpoints would begin last weekend in an effort to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Dogs will have their day at Monroe farm

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

MONROE — Oktoberfest celebrations like the one held Sunday in the township tend to be more for humans, but now there is also one for their canine friends. On Nov. 8, Etsch Farms will be the site of "Dogtoberfest," an event organized by employees of Loreal USA, with all proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.

'Spooktacular'

11/05/2009

Left: Michael Kamuissis (l) and Kevin Botwinick make their way through the haunted house set up at the Spooktacular, held Sunday at the Old Bridge municipal complex on Route 516. Right: Bryan, 8, and Alexa Cosgrove, 4, wait in line for one of the many games set up.

Fundraisers

11/05/2009

Nov. 5 • Dining-To-Donate, sponsored by the East Brunswick High School gymnastics team, 4-11 p.m., at Applebee's, Ryders Crossing Shopping Center, Milltown Road and Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. Diners should present a Dining-To-Donate flier at the restaurant. Applebee's will donate 10 percent of supporters' bills (eat-in or takeout) to the gymnastics team.

Walking for a cure

11/05/2009

Sayreville Middle School student Noor Abouchakra (l), Vice Principal Stacey Maher and student Divya Myla "walk for the cure" during physical education class as part of the school's activities to raise awareness of breast cancer. Under the direction of teacher Lynn Taylor, students wrote essays, faculty members raised $462 for the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, and all wore pink to show their support.

Sayreville man killed by oncoming train

BY JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent — 11/05/2009

SOUTH AMBOY — A 54-year-old Sayreville man was killed by an oncoming train approaching the city's train station on Oct. 21. Mark Jamison was struck just south of the John Street crossing, said NJ Transit spokesman Joe Dee. Dee said the medical examiner would make a determination as to whether the incident was an accident or a suicide.

One-car accident shuts down most lanes of Route 18 Sunday

11/05/2009

EAST BRUNSWICK — An accident that resulted in downed power lines caused most of Route 18 to be closed for several hours on Sunday. Around 11:10 a.m., Phong Q. Chau, 30, of Edison, was driving a 1999 Honda minivan in the right lane of Route 18 south between Eggers Street and Edgeboro Road when he lost control of his vehicle, according to East Brunswick police.

Spirit of Halloween

11/05/2009

Top to bottom: Kids had the chance to design their own pumpkins Sunday at Old Bridge's Spooktacular, held at the township's municipal complex on Route 516. Brianna Sheridan, 5, waits her turn to play a game.

'Fanciful' exhibit to open in Monroe

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

Aretired East Brunswick businessman for whom photography has been a vocation for nearly 60 years is about to have his first exhibit. Martin Goldberg, 70, will display his works at the Monroe Township Library starting Nov. 10.

Youth events slated at Sayreville Library

11/05/2009

The Sayreville Public Library, 1050 Washington Road, will host the following November children's story times, craft events and music activities: • "Sing Along With Pat McKinley" — open to children of all ages accompanied by a parent, 12:45 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Nov.

Molly Pitcher Guild to tie charity quilts

11/05/2009

The Molly Pitcher Stitchers Quilt Guild will meet 7:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Neff Chapel, Old Tennent Church, Tennent Road, Tennent section of Manalapan. Guests are invited to help members tie their charity quilts.

Lindbergh document evidence to be topic

11/05/2009

"Hauptmann's Handwriting," a program examining the handwriting evidence in the 1932 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, is set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Old Bridge Public Library Main Branch, Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

Tickets on sale for trip to see 'Wintuk'

11/05/2009

Our Lady of Victories (OLV) Parish will sponsor a Dec. 10 bus trip to see "Cirque du Soleil: Wintuk" at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The bus will depart at 9 a.m. from the lower parking lot at the parish, Main Street, Sayreville. Return will be at approximately 5:30 p.m. Cost is $80 and includes show ticket, bus transportation, gratuities and light refreshments.

Knights to sponsor Nov. 11 Cash for Gold

11/05/2009

St. Thomas Knights of Columbus Council No. 4815 will sponsor a Cash for Gold fundraiser 7-10 p.m. Nov. 11 at the council hall, 61 Pine St., Old Bridge. Guests will be offered immediate payment for unwanted gold, silver and platinum jewelry; U.S. and foreign coins; sterling silver; watches; etc.

Teens invited to events at library

11/05/2009

The Sayreville Public Library, 1050 Washington Road, will hold a variety of upcoming events for teens. A meeting of the Teen Advisory Board is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 12. Young people ages 12-18 are invited to join the group. The Teen Anime Club will meet at 2 p.m. Nov. 14. Ages 12-18 are invited to attend.

Toastmasters to hold Nov. 12, 19 meetings

11/05/2009

The Old Bridge Toastmasters Club will meet 7-9 p.m. Nov. 12 and 19 at Cottrell Community Church, Cottrell Road, Old Bridge. Interested individuals are invited to join in the club's free four-week course to improve public-speaking skills.

Colonial Fair planned for Nov. 13 and 14

11/05/2009

The annual Colonial Fair is set for 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 13 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 14 at First Presbyterian Church, 45 Market St., Perth Amboy. The event will feature a Colonial display on stage. Homemade food will be available 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 13 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 14. Handmade items will be offered for purchase. Photos with Santa will be available.

Watercolorist to share expertise at meeting

11/05/2009

The Suburban Artist Guild of Central New Jersey (SAG) will hold its regular monthly meeting at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center. Watercolor painter and teacher Robert Heyer will demonstrate his award-winning techniques. His focus will be on how to work with the white of the paper and how to compose a painting.

Main Street Kidworks to stage 'Rap-Punzel'

11/05/2009

The Main Street Theatre Company will present its Kidworks musical production of "Rap-Punzel" at noon and 3 p.m. Nov. 8, 14 and 15 at the theater, 3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin section of Sayreville. General admission is $6 at the door. For more information, log on to www.smstc.org.

Sacred Heart HSA sets Spaghetti Dinner

11/05/2009

The HSA of Sacred Heart School, South Amboy, will sponsor its Spaghetti Dinner 4- 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in the school cafeteria. Guests should enter on Walnut Street. HSA parent volunteers will serve up homemade Italian sauce and meatballs. Dinner choices will be spaghetti and meatballs/ sausage, $8; chicken parmigiana, $10; kids meals (for youngsters under age 10), $5.

Church to sponsor Indoor Flea Market

11/05/2009

St. Mary Church, South Amboy, will hold its Indoor Flea Market 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 14 and 28 in the school cafeteria, Stevens Avenue and Second Street, South Amboy. Parking is available in the school lot; entrance is on Second Street. Food is available.

O.B. school to sponsor Nov. 14 clothing drive

11/05/2009

Cheesequake Elementary School, 111 Route 34, Old Bridge, will hold a clothing drive 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 14. Gently used clothing, stuffed animals and handbags are sought. Linens will not be accepted. Donations are tax-deductible.

Jazz concert on tap for Nov. 7 at theater

11/05/2009

The Main Street Theatre Company, 3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin section of Sayreville, will present Second Look: A Jazz Band in concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 7. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Advance tickets cost $10. To reserve, call 732-553-1153. Tickets also will be available at the door. Refreshments will be sold.

McCarrick open house scheduled for Nov. 11

11/05/2009

Cardinal McCarrick High School, 310 Augusta St., South Amboy, will host an open house for prospective students and their families 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 11. The event will offer an opportunity to tour the school and meet the principal, teachers and staff. Light refreshments will be served.

Goddard is drop-off site for coat collection

11/05/2009

The Goddard School of South Old Bridge, 1480 Englishtown Road (Route 527), Old Bridge, is serving as a collection site for the 14th annual Jersey Cares coat drive. Donations of gently used, clean coats may be dropped off at the school 7 a.m.-6 p.m. through Dec. 11.

MCC Saturday hours slated for Nov. 7

11/05/2009

Middlesex County College (MCC), Edison, has announced Saturday hours 8:30 a.m.-noon Nov. 7 at the enrollment center, financial aid, bursar's office, the testing center, admissions, the registrar's office, student activities, academic advisement and the bookstore.

Craft festival set for Nov. 14 in O.B.

11/05/2009

The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd will hold its annual Craft Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 14 at the church, routes 9 and 516, Old Bridge. The event will include holiday shopping, lunch and homemade bakery items. Admission is free of charge. For more information, send an email to SewWhat5122@hotmail.com or call 732- 536-6202.

Tickets available for bus trip to A.C.

11/05/2009

Polish National Alliance Lodge No. 1728 will sponsor a Nov. 8 bus trip to Trump Marina Casino, Atlantic City. The bus will depart at 10 a.m. from the Sayreville Borough Hall parking lot, 167 Main St. Cost is $22. Refreshments will be served on the bus.

Holiday Bazaar scheduled at church

11/05/2009

Community Covenant Church, 22 Laurence Parkway, Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge, will hold a Holiday Bazaar 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 14. The public is invited to attend.

EBHS class of 1970 to gather at reunion

11/05/2009

The East Brunswick High School (EBHS) class of 1970 will hold a 40-year reunion in Sept. 25, 2010, at O'Connor's, Somerset section of Franklin. Individuals who graduated in 1970, have information regarding classmates or would like to be involved in planning the event should email Yvonne DeCarolis at yadc@earthlink.net.

Craft Fair/Bazaar planned at McCarrick

11/05/2009

The Cardinal McCarrick High School Eagle Parent Association will hold a Holiday Craft Fair/Bazaar 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 7 in the school gym, Augusta Street, South Amboy. For more information, call Monica at 732-721-0748, ext. 244, or email mmendoza@ cardinalmccarrick.com.

Donations sought for holiday food drive

11/05/2009

The Goddard School of South Old Bridge, 1480 Englishtown Road (Route 527), Old Bridge, is conducting a Thanksgiving Food Drive through November 20 in support of the Old Bridge Township Food Bank. Donations are being accepted 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Mondays-Fridays.

Holiday Craft Fair Nov. 7 in So. Amboy

11/05/2009

The Cardinal McCarrick-St. Mary's Eagle Parent Association will sponsor a Holiday Craft Fair on Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school gymnasium on 2nd Street and North Stevens Avenue in South Amboy. The event will feature handcrafted items, homemade baked goods, raffles and more. Refreshments will be available. Admission and parking is free.

Thanks to all who made Her Night Out a success

11/05/2009

Avanti Day Resort's "Her Night Out" campaign on Oct. 19 was a huge success. We were able to raise $2,350, which was donated to CancerCare, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and our featured guest, Tina Tinervia. Tina and her 6-year-old daughter, Ashlee, enjoyed their girls' night out, while bringing attention to her fight against cancer.

Many contributed to success of Bark in the Park

11/05/2009

The Sayreville Recreation AdvisoryB oardw ould like to say thank you to all the participants at our third annual ResponsibleDogOwnershipDay, Bark in the Park. The reason that we have the day is to help bring attention to our shelter, the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center, and we hope that the day helped raise awareness of it and its needs.

Responsible cat neutering means less and less feral colonies

11/05/2009

Iwas a resident of South River for most of my life, then moved to Manchester and more recently to Ohio. Everywhere, it is the same story — ignorant people do not have their cats neutered and then let the cats outside to reproduce, to the point that a feral colony ensues. Whose fault is that? Not these poor creatures that didn't ask to be abandoned or lost.

Another race where we picked the lesser evil

Coda • GREG BEAN — 11/05/2009

In my home state of Wyoming at the dawn of the 20th century, there was a surfeit of what were politely referred to as "bachelor cowboys." It wasn't that these old boys didn't like women; in fact, they loved them, every chance they got.

Margaret M. Specce

11/05/2009

Mrs. Specce, 80, of Sayreville, died Oct. 24, 2009, in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. Her husband, Gerard J. Specce, died in 2004, and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Specce, died in 2007. Surviving are four children and their spouses, Elizabeth and Walter Mazzarella of Holmdel, Gerard R. Specce of Staten Island, N.Y.

Tom Ash

11/05/2009

Mr. Ash, 57, of Old Bridge, died Oct. 20, 2009, in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. He was a framer with EKR General Contractors, Old Bridge. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Kushner Ash; a son, George Marc-Aurele of Hoboken; a daughter, Lauren Penizotto of Furlong, Pa.; three brothers, Ed Ash, and his wife, Edie, of Beacon, N.Y.

Joseph Francis Tammany

11/05/2009

Mr. Tammany, 81, of Old Bridge, died Oct. 8, 2009, in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. He was predeceased by three children, Thomas Tammany, Patricia Weitz and Nancy Falcon, and by a sister, Margaret Harvey.

Joseph J. Boka Sr.

11/05/2009

Mr. Boka, 79, of North Brunswick, died Oct. 30, 2009, at Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick. He was a warehouseman at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cranbury, for 23 years, retiring in 1996. He was predeceased by two daughters, Ann Marie and Marian Boka; and two brothers, John and Laszlo Boka.

Frederick R. Skurka

11/05/2009

Mr. Skurka, 79, of Sayreville, died Oct. 19, 2009, in CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Prior to his retirement in 1990, he was employed as a sheet-metal worker with Middlesex Sheet Metal, Jamesburg. His wife, Jean LaVerne Rampacek Skurka, died in 1997. He also was predeceased by three brothers, Aloysius, John and Walter Skurka.

Frank J. Rusin

11/05/2009

Mr. Rusin, 85, of Sayreville, died Oct. 22, 2009, in Bayshore Rehabilitation Center, Holmdel. Prior to his retirement, he and his late brother, Al, owned and operated Frank and Al's Market, South River. His wife, Mary Wisz Rusin, died in 2007.

Paul S. Lederach

11/05/2009

Mr. Lederach, 82, of Spotswood, died Oct. 24, 2009, at home. He was a repairman for many years, first with Sears, then for 20 years as owner of Spotswood Heating and Cooling. He retired in 1989 after 10 years as building and grounds supervisor with the Spotswood Board of Education. His wife, Helen Lederach, died in 2000. Surviving are two sons, Paul J.

Edward Siedlecki

11/05/2009

Mr. Siedlecki, 97, of South River, died Oct. 25, 2009, in Care One at East Brunswick. Prior to his retirement, he was employed in the embroidery industry for many years and worked in the maintenance department at Rutgers University for 10 years. His wife, Anna Shanta Siedlecki, died in January.

Energy-efficient school serves kids with autism

BY JENNIFER BOOTON Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

SAYREVILLE — A newly opened school for children with autism may be one of the most energy-efficient schools in the country. The Center for Lifelong Learning, an 89,000-square-foot special education school on Cheesequake Road, can serve up to 175 students, ages 3 to 21, from five counties.

It's a celebration

11/05/2009

Shane Santiago (l-r), Kyle Jensen, Eric Palisay and Craig Manolas of the Monroe Township High School boys soccer team celebrate after Jensen scored the game-winning goal against South Brunswick Oct. 14. The Falcons won the match 2-1.

Sayreville boys enjoy late-season momentum

BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer — 11/05/2009

After struggling out of the gate, the Sayreville War Memorial High School boys soccer team has righted itself. Meanwhile, senior Kene Eze picked up his 100th career goal and coach Nick Cifelli garnered his 100th victory behind the Bombers bench.

Weather playing havoc with fall fishing action

Fish On • RON NUZZOLO — 11/05/2009

It was another tough week. Rain and stiff winds kept most anglers at the dock. Those who toughed it out were able to get a few keepers. This week in Barnegat Light, stripers continued to dominate when the fish and the weather cooperated. Capt. Steve Purul from Reel Fantasea Charters, Barnegat, was greeted by stiff northeast winds keeping them in the bay/inlet area.

Sports Shorts

11/05/2009

The Cheesequake Baseball and Softball League will hold in-person registration for the 2010 season 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21 and Dec. 12 at the Cheesequake field located on Route 9 north and Schulmeister Road in Old Bridge. To mail in registration, go to www.leaguelineup.com/cqba and click on handouts to download an application.