Five women from Somerset Hills to receive Outstanding Women honors

Five of the 19 women who will be honored with Outstanding Women in Somerset County awards are from the Somerset Hills. The county's  Commission on the Status of Women will present the awards at the group's 18th annual awards dinner Friday, March 26, at The Imperia in Somerset.

The Commission on the Status of Women presents these awards annually in celebration of Women's History Month in March. This year there are 19 winners in 13 categories. Somerset Hill's honorees are:

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Bernardsville Centre shopping plaza reps return to planning board

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

Representatives for the Bernardsville Centre shopping plaza are scheduled to return before the borough Planning Board on March 25 for a second meeting about plans to expand the shopping center by more than 20,000 square feet, with retail and office space.

The new addition would be built on a 2.3-acre vacant lot on Morristown Road between Kings Super Market, a tenant at Bernardsville Centre, and Friendly's Restaurant, said Susan Rubright, attorney for Bernardsville Centre. The lot is owned by Bernardsville Centre.

Rubright said she and an engineer for the project, Tom Quinn, presented an overview of the expansion plans to the Planning Board on March 4, which also was the first public hearing on the proposal. If approved, the 73,800-square-foot center would be enlarged by about 21,700 square feet, she said.

The first floor of the new addition, attached to Kings, would be about 15,000 square feet and would be rented to retail stores if built, she said. Another 6,600 square feet would be constructed as a second floor that could be rented as retail or office space, she said.

No potential tenants have been announced, Rubright said Monday. She said Bernardsville Centre has not yet announced any future tenants for the center if the expansion is approved.

The property is zoned to allow retail, office or professional occupants to move into the space, Rubright said.

A traffic consultant is scheduled to testify on behalf of the shopping center at the March 25 board meeting, she said. The engineer is likely to discuss such issues as how many more vehicles would travel to the new addition, and how those vehicles would enter or leave the shopping center, Rubright said.

Proposed handling of drainage near Penn's Brook at the rear of the property also will be addressed during future hearings, said Rubright and Michael Mondak, administrative officer for the Planning Board.

Planning Board member Terry Thompson on Monday said the board wants to make sure the issue doesn't worsen erosion near the brook. Thompson added the borough's professionals and board have not yet questioned or analyzed Bernardsville Centre's plans for handling any additional drainage.

Rubright said the plans presented to the board ask for approval for 116 additional parking spaces. She said the existing parking lot has 362 spots. There are no plans to change the center's two exits and two entrances to and from Morristown Road (Route 202), Rubright said.

For more Somerset Hills news, visit http://somersethills.injersey.com.

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Bernardsville Centre shopping plaza reps return to planning board

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

Representatives for the Bernardsville Centre shopping plaza are scheduled to return before the borough Planning Board on March 25 for a second meeting about plans to expand the shopping center by more than 20,000 square feet, with retail and office space.

The new addition would be built on a 2.3-acre vacant lot on Morristown Road between Kings Super Market, a tenant at Bernardsville Centre, and Friendly's Restaurant, said Susan Rubright, attorney for Bernardsville Centre. The lot is owned by Bernardsville Centre.

Rubright said she and an engineer for the project, Tom Quinn, presented an overview of the expansion plans to the Planning Board on March 4, which also was the first public hearing on the proposal. If approved, the 73,800-square-foot center would be enlarged by about 21,700 square feet, she said.

The first floor of the new addition, attached to Kings, would be about 15,000 square feet and would be rented to retail stores if built, she said. Another 6,600 square feet would be constructed as a second floor that could be rented as retail or office space, she said.

No potential tenants have been announced, Rubright said Monday. She said Bernardsville Centre has not yet announced any future tenants for the center if the expansion is approved.

The property is zoned to allow retail, office or professional occupants to move into the space, Rubright said.

A traffic consultant is scheduled to testify on behalf of the shopping center at the March 25 board meeting, she said. The engineer is likely to discuss such issues as how many more vehicles would travel to the new addition, and how those vehicles would enter or leave the shopping center, Rubright said.

Proposed handling of drainage near Penn's Brook at the rear of the property also will be addressed during future hearings, said Rubright and Michael Mondak, administrative officer for the Planning Board.

Planning Board member Terry Thompson on Monday said the board wants to make sure the issue doesn't worsen erosion near the brook. Thompson added the borough's professionals and board have not yet questioned or analyzed Bernardsville Centre's plans for handling any additional drainage.

Rubright said the plans presented to the board ask for approval for 116 additional parking spaces. She said the existing parking lot has 362 spots. There are no plans to change the center's two exits and two entrances to and from Morristown Road (Route 202), Rubright said.

For more Somerset Hills news, visit http://somersethills.injersey.com.

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Dr. Joy Browne to Emcee Fellowship Village Gala in Basking Ridge

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Popular syndicated radio host, Dr. Joy Browne, will emcee Fellowship Village's debut fundraising gala on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Dolce in Basking Ridge. Dr. Joy, as she is known to her listeners, is America's leading radio clinical psychologist. The Dr. Joy Browne Show, the longest running radio program of its kind, can be heard daily on the WOR Radio Network. Browne has won numerous awards and is the author of several self-help and motivational books.

Fellowship Village, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Basking Ridge, opened its doors in 1996. Its mission is to bring together people of varying backgrounds in mutual respect and unity; providing safety, fellowship, and fostering independence in comfortable living accommodations. Proceeds will benefit the Fellowship Village Legacy Fund, which supports the resident assistance program, enhances and develops community services, and provides funds for staff development.

The evening's honorees will be Fellowship Village founder, Pastor Edwin Achenbach, of the Fellowship Deaconry in Liberty Corner, NJ; Kevin Svagdis of Morrison Senior Living; and Fellowship Village resident, Winifred "Wink" Livengood. "We're thrilled to have this opportunity to publicly celebrate their commitment to furthering our mission to help others in need," states CEO Brian Lawrence. He adds, "Our gala's theme, Weaving the Future Together, reflects our plans for a future of beneficial partnerships within and outside our community."

The gala program features dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Sponsorship and donor opportunities are still available, according to director of development, Phylis Tranotti, who adds, "Dr. Joy's appearance as our gala emcee makes our premier event extra special. We promise our guests an evening to remember, full of the same fellowship we all share every day in our wonderful community." For more information, call (908) 580-3806.

Fellowship Village is a not-for-profit, independently operated, continuing care retirement community in Basking Ridge that offers three levels of senior living: independent, assisted living, and skilled nursing. Short term rehabilitation is also available. Call (908) 580-3800 for information

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Bernards Republican Municipal Committee to meet at Bernards Township Library on Monday night, March 15, to screen candidates for Township Committee

The Republican Municipal Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 15, to interview and screen potential candidates who wish to represent the local Republican party in the June primary election for a three-year position on the Township Committee. The elected position would begin at the start of 2011.

The meeting is scheduled to be held downstairs in the Bernards Township Library at 32 S. Maple Ave., said Township Committeeman John Carpenter. Carpenter said the municipal committee will hear comments from potential candidates and ask questions. He said the municipal committee could then select a candidate who would receive the party's endorsement for the June primary election. The public is invited, he said

The Township Committee position expiring this year is now filled by Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer, this year's mayor in Bernards, said Carpenter.

_ Linda Sadlouskos

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RAMPANT LION PIPE BAND OF BASKING RIDGE HOST 2ND ANNUAL SPRING FUNDRAISING DINNER

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

The Rampant Lion Pipe Band of Basking Ridge will hold its second annual Spring Fundraising dinner on Saturday evening March 20th 2010, beginning at 6:30 pm, at the SNUFFY'S PANTAGIS RENAISSANCE, 250 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. The restaurant is located directly off Route 22. This formal Scottish evening of celebration will begin with an open bar cocktail hour to be followed by a formal dinner program including an evening of entertainment by the QED Jazz ensemble, performances by championship Highland Dancers, Scottish folk songs by tenor Mr. Patrick Layton, mezzo-soprano Catharyn Layton, soprano Austyn Castelli accompanied by pianist Mr. Alan Moore followed by a performance by the Rampant Lion Pipe Band. Single ticket donation price starts at $85.

Contact Band Director, Pipe Major David Palladino at 908-285-1503.

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Food Drive on March 20th in Bernardsville

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

The Junior Women's Club of Somerset Hills will be holding its annual food drive on Saturday, March 20th, from 9-11 a.m. outside the Bernardsville ShopRite. The club will be collecting non-perishable food for local families in the community.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the food drive, please bring all non-perishable food to the Bernardsville ShopRite on 93 Morristown Road.

The Junior Women's Club of Somerset Hills is a non-profit organization that has been serving the community for over 80 years.

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Nearly all Far Hills streets cleared by Sunday after weekend flooding and downed trees in storm

Far Hills Police Chief Kenneth Hartman said all streets that had been closed due to flooding or trees knocked down by Saturday's storm were cleared and reopened by Sunday, March 14, except for Campbell Road.

Hartman said Campbell Road remained closed off as of about 6 p.m. on Sunday because of trees and electrical wires knocked down by the storm since Saturday.

Unlike some other Somerset County municipalities, Far Hills sustained more damage on Saturday than on Sunday, the chief said. Water flooded from Peapack Road, across the Far Hills Fairground, and onto the intersection of Route 202 and Peapack Road, Hartman said. The flooding resulted in that area becoming impassable between Saturday evening and about 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, he said.

Downed trees and wires, as well as some flooding, had closed Lake Road on Saturday, Hartman said. Part of Route 202 was also closed because of a tree knocked over by the storm on Saturday, the chief said.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

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Cadet/2nd Lt Ryan Mellody receives the CAP Billy Mitchell Award

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

Cadet/ 2nd Lt Ryan Mellody of Basking Ridge, NJ, of the Lone Eagle Composite Squadron, received the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Billy Mitchell Achievement Award at a recent ceremony held at Gill St. Bernard's School, Peapack-Gladstone, NJ. He is the son of Mrs. Mary Mellody of Basking Ridge, NJ.

Cadet/ 2nd Lt Ryan Mellody is a freshman at Seton Hall Prep School and competes on the wrestling team.

The Billy Mitchell award, the second cadet milestone achievement, is earned after the successful completion of the first eight achievements of the cadet program. In addition to the achievements, the cadet must pass a comprehensive examination on aerospace and leadership. Only about 15% of all Civil Air Patrol cadets achieve the Billy Mitchell Award.

Billy Mitchell Cadets who enlist in the U.S. Air Force are promoted to E-3 (airman first class) instead of E-1 (airman basic) upon completion of basic military training. Billy Mitchell cadets who enlist in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps are promoted to E-2 instead of E-1 upon completion of basic military training. Likewise, Billy Mitchell cadets who enlist in the US Coast Guard are promoted to E-3 (seaman) instead of E-1 (seaman recruit) upon completion of boot camp.

The Lone Eagle Composite Squadron meets on Wednesday nights at the Scout Cabin, Borough of Peapack-Gladstone, NJ. For more information about the Lone Eagle Composite Squadron, contact Major Will McLain V, Commander, at (908)-441-2146 or MacOfDuart@gmail.com .

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security and disaster relief missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 23,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 68 years. For more information about the CAP, go to www.njwg.cap.gov or www.gocivilairpatrol.com .

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UPDATE: Couple express thanks after fire destroys their Bernards home

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

A Bernards couple said they will stay with their adult children after they escaped a fire Thursday that destroyed their duplex in The Cedars town house development.

Ed and Lea Schmall said they were grateful to firefighters, rescue workers and neighbors who invited them indoors while dozens of firefighters battled the blaze at 2 Magnolia Path for more than three hours.

Township police Lt. Ted Reese said the fire appears to have started in a wood shop in a basement of the Schmall's two-story home. Reese said they called 9-1-1 at about 7:40 a.m. after a smoke detector sounded, alerting them to the fire.

Reese said the cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Thursday afternoon and did not appear to be suspicious.
The fire gutted the home, Reese said. The main floor of the house collapsed, and all of the home's windows, and a skylight, were either blown out by the heat of the fire, or broken by firefighters entering the building, he said.

Multiple fire departments and rescue squads responded to the scene along with police and the township office of emergency management, Reese said.

A neighbor, Ramona McColgan, said she saw flames coming from the basement when she came outside at about 8 a.m. to see the fire.
"It was huge,'' she said.

Lea Schmall said she was pleased that township police were able to remove a Cocker Spaniel, Abbey, who was in an attached duplex at 4 Magnolia Path. The owner of that house was not home when the fire started, according to Reese and the Schmalls.

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