VIP June 2007 Vol

VIP June 2007 Vol. XXXVI No 5

All meetings start at 7:30pm unless noted otherwise.

June

1 Fri Relay for Life - American Cancer Society

2 Sat. Recycling at the Drop-Off Depot - 8-11am

5 Tue. Primary Election Day - 6am - 8pm

Education Foundation - 7pm

11 Mon. Farmland & Open Space Preservation

12 Tue. Board of Adjustment

Recycling Committee

13 Wed. EATS - PTA - 9am

Planning Board

Board of Fire Commissioners - 8pm

14 Thurs. Township Committee

16 Sat. Electronic & Propane Tank Collection 9am-1pm

18 Mon. Agricultural Advisory Committee - 8pm

19 Tue. Board of Health

20 Wed. EATS - Board of Education

21 Thurs. Recreation Committee - 7:15pm

24 Sun. 4-H Horse Club Breakfast - 8:30am - Noon

25 Mon. Environmental Commission

HCRHS Board of Education - 7pm

26 Tue. Historic Preservation

28 Thurs. Township Committee

July

4 Wed. Independence Day

7 Sat. Recycling at the Drop-Off Depot - 8-11am

9 Mon. Farmland & Open Space Preservation

10 Tue. Board of Adjustment

Recycling Committee

11 Wed. Planning Board

Board of Fire Commissioners - 8pm

14 Sat Hazardous Waste Collection - 9am - 1pm

16 Mon. HCRHS Board of Education - 7pm

Agricultural Advisory Committee - 8pm

The Weather Record

by Fred Gardner

From cloudy, wet and cool in April to dry, warm, and exceptionally sunny

Inches of precipitation + (sunlight index)

2007 2006 2005

January 3.7 (58) 5.7 (64) 4.9 (48)

February 1.5 (98) 1.7 (87) 2.4 (84)

March 4.7 (103) 1.1 (130) 4.1 (96)

April 1 1.9 (107) 3.7 (141) 4.5 (142)

May 2.1 (157)* 3.1 (137) 1.9 (134)

June 10.0 (116) 4.1 (126)

July 5.4 (144 4.5 (129)

August 3.5 (116) 2.1 (120)

September 5.0 (105) 1.2 (122)

October 8.6 (89) 13.3 (81)

November 6.7 (63) 4.0 (72)

December 2.7 (71) 3.4 (44)

Totals 55.4 (105) 50.4(100)

Average High/Low Temperatures

2007 2006 2005

January 43/27 48/27 36/20

February 31/15 42/24 42/24

March 51/28 50/31 44/27

April 56/38 65/41 66/41

May 75/49 * 72/47 67/45

June 79/62 83/62

July 86/62 85/66

August 83/63 85/66

September 73/54 83/57

October 63/42 64/48

November 57/40 58/36

December 51/32 40/23

Year 64/44 63/43

* through5/28/07

Note: The “sunlight index” is derived from the number of kilowatt hours generated each month from solar panels on our house and barn, using the number from 2005 as a base. The index for the latest month is prorated for the number of days.

I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those cell phones that everyone has clipped to their belt or purse. I’m wearing my garage door opened.

If someone declares that he is able to do everything at 60 that he was able to do at 20, then he wasn’t doing very much when he was 20.

A will is a dead giveaway.

A bicycle can’t stand alone; it’s two tired.

American Cancer Society

Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life South County will hold their fundraiser at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Ringoes on June 1 and 2, 2007.

Everyone is welcome. Opening ceremonies - 6pm; Survivor’s Dinner - 6:30pm; Luminaria Ceremony - 9pm; Prismatic Light Show - 10pm.

Also, DJs, Even N Odds Band, moon bouncer, food, kid’s arts and crafts, raffles, games and activities. Saturday, relay-wide yard sale, antique cars and trucks.

Volunteers welcome. Call Ruth at 908-782-6359 or Joanne at 609-773-0554. Survivor’s call 1-800-ACS-2345 to register. All proceeds go to Relay for Life, the ACS’s biggest fundraiser.

Primary Election Candidates

REPUBLICAN

General Assembly - District 23: (two 2-year seats)

Michael Doherty

Marcia Karrow

State Senate: (one 4-year seat)

Leonard Lance

Freeholder (two 2-year seats)

George Melick

Will Mennen

Frank Fuzo

Shaun Van Doren

Sheriff (one 3-year seat)

George Muller

Tony Critelli

Gary Howell

Deborah Trout

Township Committee (two 3-year seats)

Rich Spiegel

Michael Fiscor

DEMOCRATIC

General Assembly - District 23: (two 2-year seats)

Dominick Santini, Jr.

Peter Maurer

State Senate: (one 4-year seat)

No nomination made

Freeholder: (two 2-year seats)

Brian Fletcher

Samuel Thompson

Sheriff: (one 3-year seat)

Bruce Cocuzza

Township Committee: (two 3-year seats)

Peter Kneski

Tim Martin

Grange News

I think everyone will agree with me, that the year is going by TOO FAST! Here it is June already, and those of us who haven't done their "Spring Cleaning" yet, will have to do it in August, and SELL at our Grange Market!

The Ringoes Grange is proud to present an educational program on the Medicinal Uses of Plants & Herbs in the use of Drugs. Gary Grover, a member of our community, who is a MD & Ph.D. in Botany, will give us a wonderful, stimulating program in this field. The history of plants date back in time. You may not realize, but every time you use a certain kind of spice, you are using herbs with medicinal properties. Most people, start their day with coffee or tea, which are STIMULANTS, but they are also bronchial decongestants. Tea, is LESS stimulating as a stimulant, but is a decongestant which is also a good source of fluoride, a preventative in tooth decay. Come to the Ringoes Grange, on the 4th, to hear more about Coca-Cola, ginger ale, parsley, breath mints, Sudafed, etc.!

Botany, is the scientific study of the plant system & its properties. Everyone has some type of ailment, and is medicated to remedy their condition or disease. Herbs, are nature's medicines, and have about 5,000 years of herbal healing. What is a healing herb? The word HERB, comes from the Latin, meaning GRASS. Technically herbs, are plants that wither in the autumn, other than shrubs & trees, although, some shrubs & trees, such as the barberry, the slippery elm tree, and bay laurel, are some examples. To a herbalist, "Healing herbs" include EVERY plant the has medicinal value.

Gary Grover, of Stockton, will be presenting a wonderful program on the Medicinal Uses of Plants & Drugs. He is a MD, & a Ph.D., in the Botany field, and he would like to share his knowledge in this very educational field. He will present his program, at the Ringoes Grange, Monday, June 4th, at 7:30 PM. This program is FREE & OPEN to the public, with wonderful GRANGE deserts to follow the program.

The 2007 Junior Grange CAMP, is scheduled for Wednesday, August 15 - 19th. If anyone is interested, it is for kids, ages, 5 - 14. If anyone is interested, please call me at (908) 782-0616, and I will send you out the pertinent information when I receive it!

Saturday, August 11th, the Ringoes Granges, will sponsor a Crafts, Fleas, & Other Things Market. If you are a Crafter, or a Flea vendor, or you sell "whatever," and would like to sell on the 11th, please give me a call at the phone number above. TIME is going by so FAST, and the market, CAMP, and the Fair, will be here VERY SOON! Mark your calendars! - Charity Rinker -

Preserved Land

The East Amwell Agricultural Advisory Committee would like to share some information regarding preserved farms in our Township. East Amwell currently has approximately 6500 acres of preserved farmland. The farms were preserved, in full or in part, through various funding sources such as state, county, municipal, and/or non-profit entities, or by private donation. Farmland preservation consists of an easement being placed on the farm's deed that restricts any future development of the farm, i.e., building multiple houses. A farmer who sells the farm's development rights to preserve the farm receives monetary compensation for doing so, and in turn, must continue to farm the property. After a farm has been preserved, the farmer continues to pay real estate taxes on the home site, any outbuildings, and on the land. Preservation is a one-time transaction and any future owners of the farm do not receive any preservation funds upon purchasing the farm. While state, county and/or municipal tax revenues are used to preserve a farm, this does not render the farm open to the public for any kind of recreation: the farm remains private property.

We hope that the above sheds some light on the preserved farms in our township. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to meet with us at the municipal building on the third Monday of every month at 8:00 p.m.

- Linda Lenox -

As valued members of our school community, we invite you and your family to join us at your high school, as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hunterdon Central on the weekend of June 9th -10th! Our celebration includes a Saturday/Sunday schedule filled with entertainment, tours, academic and club presentations, a 5K run, and the premiere screening of a special 50th Anniversary film. There’s something for everyone! To see a complete schedule of the weekend’s events, please go to our 50th Anniversary Website at: http://central.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/hc50/.

Food service will be available in the Commons: a buffet brunch from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM on Saturday and a buffet breakfast from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Sunday. Parking will also be available on campus and at satellite parking locations with shuttle bus service.

To help us estimate our parking needs, we ask that you go to the 50 Anniversary Website and let us know when you are planning to come. Please confirm your attendance by June 1, 2007. You can register at: \http://central.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/hc50/. If you have any questions regarding the 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend, please contact us at 908-284-7139 or by email at hc50@hcrhs.k12.nj.us. We look forward to seeing you and your family at this landmark event, and we thank you for your ongoing support of Hunterdon Central Regional High School!

Sincerely,

Dr. Judy Gray, Acting Superintendent

Dr. Lisa Brady, Superintendent (as of July 1, 2007)

Combined July & August VIP

Again this year, the VIP will publish only one issue during the summer – a combined July & August issue. The deadline for that issue is yet to be determined – probably around mid-July.

All letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Anonymous information is not considered for publication.

Larison’s Corner Church News

Hoagie Sale - June 16, 2007

9am - 1pm

Turkey or Italian

$5.50

Please call June at 908-782-4308

or Karen at 908-788-3734

to place a pre-order

Electronics & Propane Tank Collection

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Hunterdon Co. Library Complex, Route 12

9am to 1pm

W e will accept: ten (10) circuit board containing electronics (computers, monitors, speakers, televisions, VCRs, DVD & CD players, fax machines, stereo equipment, radios, cellular & cordless telephones) and three (3) 20lb. Propane tanks per household.

We will NOT accept: helium containers, oxygen containers, other gas containers, other electronics or hazardous or solid waste.

The next Hazardous Waste will be accepted on Saturday, July 14^th.

Terracycle Program - Remember to separate your two liter and 20 oz. water bottles. These bottles are recycled through a manufacturing company of organic fertilizer and proceeds are used to support Clawson Park development. Bottles are collected at the monthly recycling depot.

Preservation & Design Awards

Sponsored by:

East Amwell Historic Preservation Committee

Funded by:

Amwell Valley Business Association

and private donations

The East Amwell Historic Preservation Committee proudly introduces the Preservation & Design Awards as a program for East Amwell property owners and residents. This program is intended to increase awareness of the built environment and landscapes as well. The awards are intended to encourage quality restoration, construction, design and landscaping by acknowledging outstanding projects. The program also serves to acknowledge the hard work and effort that property owners, residents and businesses, including farms, put into their homes, buildings, farms and landscaping.

Applicants are requested to submit applications (available at the Municipal Offices) for projects that relate to the seven categories listed below. Multiple entries are permitted. A written description of the project and photographs clearly showing the project or work should be submitted by the deadline which has just been extended to mid-June. Photographs on CDs are encouraged but not strictly required. Specific details are on the submission forms.

Award recipients will be selected by the members of the Historic Preservation Committee. Those projects chosen for awards will receive a bronze plaque and certificate at a presentation ceremony.

Categories

Rehabilitation - rehabilitation or restoration of the exterior of any existing residence including painting or decorative treatments.

New Construction - homes or accessory buildings (non-farms)

Commercial Projects - construction of new buildings or re-design of existing buildings.

Interiors (New Construction) - any room or rooms within a residence.

Interiors (Historic) - involving restoration or rehabilitation of historic interiors.

Farmsteads or Farm Buildings - preservation, rehabilitation or new construction of farmsteads or farm accessory buildings.

Gardens & Landscaping - exterior gardening or landscaping – specifically focusing on plan, design and relationship to the existing landscape. Structures may be included but are not the main elements to be considered.

All projects should have been completed within 24 months prior to the June 2007 deadline for submitting entries. All projects must be physically located in East Amwell.

Dog Census Inspector Positions Available

The East Amwell Township Municipal Clerk's Office has positions available this summer for people who enjoy the outdoors and have strong interpersonal skills. Workers must be 18 years of age, have a valid New Jersey driver’s license, and their own transportation. New Jersey law requires a census of all dogs in East Amwell Township to be taken every two years. This requires an in-person, door-to-door visit for each household in East Amwell. The Township is looking for people who interact well with the public. The census shall be completed during July and August, with flexibility for vacation. Please email tstahl@eastamwelltownship.com for an employment application and job description. Deadline for application is June 27, 2007