Page 14 Thursday, March 26, 1998 The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield Leader eader eader eader eader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION
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Registration Starts Today Toddler Time Stories
Registration will begin this Thursday, March 26, at the Westfield Memorial Library for Toddler Time Stories on Thursday, April 9, from 1: 30 to 2 p. m. Children must be 2 1/ 2 years old, be registered in person and be Westfield Memorial Library members.
Toddler Time is a one- session introduction for youngsters and accompanying adults to storytime, special collections and other services of the library. The 30- minute program consists of audience participation in finger games, songs and very simple stories.
Senior Council Announces New Excursion Activities
The Senior Citizens Council of Union County has announced the formation of its "New" Cultural and Historical Excursion Club, based on requests from members and the public that the council's fund- raising program be expanded, according to a spokesman.
The planned activities include offBroadway, New York City and regional theater outings; concerts, operas, the New Jersey Arts Center, museums, antique shows, art and antique galleries, flower shows, special cultural and craft events, tours to historical sites, planetariums and other events throughout the tri- state area.
Membership is now open for this new club. As a non- profit organization, the club will set up a "Member's Savings Account" for each new member. The initial fee for set up and yearly dues will be $25 per person, with a $100 savings account, for prepurchase of tickets.
This $100 must be maintained and is 80 percent refundable if an individual decides to cancel membership. All pre- purchased tickets are nonrefundable. Each member will receive a membership card and a special newsletter three times a year.
Excursions will be priced to include tickets and transportation by Deluxe Motor Coach. Meals will be arranged by popular request at extra cost. All trips will leave from the parking lot, across from the Boys and
Girls Club on Jeanette Avenue in Union.
Pick up of groups of 10 or more people may be arranged. Senior clubs throughout the county are invited to take advantage of this program.
No age limit has been set for the club; however, limitations will be set based upon walking capability. Many trips to museums, historical sites, galleries and other places discourage people (regardless of age) from signing up for one of these excursions, according to the Senior Citizens Council.
The council welcomes suggestions or recommendations which prospective members may care to make regarding trips or tours.
Any ideas or preferences should be submitted in writing to Audrey Hoffmann at the Senior Council, 2165 Morris Avenue, Union, 07083
On Sunday, May 17, there will be a meeting of the "Over 55 Travel Club" at the F. E. Biertuempfel Senior Center, 2155 Morris Avenue in Union, from 2 to 4 p. m. Anyone interested in joining the "New" Cultural and Historical Club is invited to attend.
Refreshments and door prizes are included in the program, and for non- members there is a fee of $3. Please send a check to 2165 Morris Avenue to make reservations. For further information, please call (908) 964- 7555 if you have questions.
SALUTE TO YOUTH… The Optimist Club of Scotch Plains- Fanwood recently saluted the youth of these communities through its "Youth Appreciation" program, during which several students received awards. Pictured, left to right, are: Chuck Cancella, Co- Chairman; award recipients Adam Bowser of Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School; David Baumwoll of Terrill Middle School; Wendy Underwood, of Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School and Ariel Knight of St. Bartholomew Interparochial School, and Norma Paige, Co- Chairwoman. Not pictured is award recipient Rajarski Mukherji of Park Middle School.
Junior League Sponsoring Forum on Internet Safety
The Junior League of ElizabethPlainfield will sponsor a Town Meeting with Congressman Bob Franks to
discuss Internet safety and children on Tuesday, April 7, from 7 p. m. to 8: 30 p. m.
The meeting is open to the public, free of charge, at the Cranford Library, located on Walnut Avenue.
Congressman Franks is sponsoring legislation to protect children from sexual predators on the Internet and to stop the unrestricted sale of personal information about children by commercial list vendors.
The Town Meeting is open to parents, children, teachers and anyone else interested in discussing this topic with Congressman Franks.
"The public needs to become educated about the Internet. It can be a great source of information for anyone who uses it. However, parents need to know what types of safeguards are necessary to use if their children access the Internet," says Victoria Sweeney, President of the Junior League. "We look forward having Congressman Franks share his views about legislation he is sponsoring."
The Junior League of ElizabethPlainfield (JLEP) is celebrating 75 years of volunteerism in the community this year.
It is an organization of women command to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
March Planned Today To Promote Awareness
Of Breast Cancer
The Women's Studies Club of Westfield High School will sponsor a march for breast cancer awareness today, Thursday, March 26, beginning at 3: 15 p. m.
The march, part of the celebration of Women's History Month, will depart Westfield High School and proceed up Broad Street and through Mindowaskin Park before returning to the high school.
On- site registration for the march will be held today beginning at 2: 30 p. m. at Westfield High School.
Proceeds from the $5 suggested donation will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Commemorative T- shirts with a logo depicting the event will be sold at the march.
STAR PLAYER… Metrostars soccer star Kerry Zavagrin signs an autograph for a young soccer player during a free clinic hosted recently by the Westfield Recreation Commission and the Westfield Soccer Association. The clinic featured Zavagrin and fellow Metrostars player Mike Sorber. More than 300 participants enjoyed an evening of instruction, free souvenirs and autographs. 'RESIST DRUGS AND ALCHOL'... Scotch Plains Police Detective Dennis
Murphy talks with sixth- grade students at Park Middle School during one of the education sessions of the Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (D. A. R. E.) program. The 16- week DARE program, taught by Sergeant Steven Freedman and Detective Murphy, covers topics such as identification, risk factors, peer pressure, the gateway drugs, self- esteem and refusal skills. There are four basic refusal techniques that are taught. Students role play to show how one would effectively refuse or resist if confronted with an uncomfortable scenario. After classes, an officer has lunch with the students in the cafeteria to provide an informal atmosphere where students can ask questions and comment. The program culminates with a graduation program planned in May. Mr. DeAlessandro Honored
By Insurance Publication Joseph P. DeAlessandro
Joseph P. DeAlessandro, a 20- year resident of Westfield, was recently
honored by the Business Insurance Publication as one of the 30 people who have contributed in a major way to the insurance industry. The publication is marking its 30 th anniversary this year.
Mr. DeAlessandro is President and Chief Executive Officer of Rutgers Casualty Insurance Company, the Kentucky National Insurance Company, Holly Hill Ltd. and DeAlessandro & Associates, Inc.
Locally, he serves as a Committeeman on the Westfield Town Republican Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Town Bank of Westfield.
Mr. DeAlessandro is also a former member of the Westfield Planning Board.
Literacy Volunteers To Hold Library Day
Literacy Volunteers of Union County will be holding a Literacy Library Day at the Scotch Plains Public Library, 1927 Bartle Avenue, this Saturday, March 28, from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m.
This program is for all interested potential or current students and tutors. Tutors will be able to find out what materials are available to use, or how to solve problems that they are having.
Potential tutors can find out about the program. Interested students may be assessed by calling the Literacy Volunteers of America office at (908) 925- 7755 to make an appointment for that day.
Elm Tree Gallery Delivers SoHo Art Work to Westfield
ON THE CUTTING EDGE... Cosmopolitan Soho art has come to Westfield, courtesy of The Elm Tree Gallery in Westfield, located at 116 Elm Street.
The Elm Tree Gallery, located at 116 Elm Street, features upscale art work by international, national and SoHo artists within a refurbished historic 1912 building in the heart of Westfield's downtown.
Gallery owner Robin Parness has restored the building's high ceilings with authentic medallions and moldings reminiscent of turn- of- the- century decor.
"It's unusual to find, really anywhere, such an exceptional selection of tasteful art crossing several mediums," remarked Nadine Smith of Arcanum Hall, a Westfield fashion photographer.
"Robin has a discerning eye for assembling a refined composite of art, including canvas, glass, mixed media, serigraphs and contemporary craft," she added.
"It's been a treat for me to shoot models against the elegant backdrop of the gallery, and my New York clients are falling in love with The Elm Tree," Ms. Smith commented.
The gallery is currently exhibiting the steel and glass art furniture of Drew Smith, found elsewhere only in Soho and Aspen, as well as the raku vessels of artist Robert Carlson, whose work is included in many public and private collections.
Also on display are the mixed media constructions of Swiss- trained Rochelle Weissman- Stefanovic, whose work has been shown in Zurich, Acapulco and Palm Beach.
Visitors to the gallery are discovering works of art which are usually found in the pricey galleries of Soho and Aspen, but at "non- Soho/ Aspen" prices, according to Ms. Parness.
She revealed that the gallery has become a venue for collectors and art enthusiasts, as well as a source for corporate buyers. Many art students have also found an opportunity there to experience a broader cultural perspective, Ms. Parness said.
For further information, please call (908) 233- 6544.
Junior Musical Club Lists New Members
The officers of the Junior Musical Club of Westfield, including Marina Yu, Carissa Meyer, Sarah Mullen, Kathleen Zawrotniak, Genevieve Manion, Tanya Tran and Kathryn Chern, have announced the names of new members who were admitted to the club as a result of auditions which were held March 4.
The six new members are Beth Satkin of Westfield, Nahyum Cho of Edison, Meredith Hoffman- Thomson and Katie Meola of Cranford, and Sheena Sikat and Katie Spadora of Union.
The club held its annual March Ensemble Concert last Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Westfield, in which participants performed vocal and instrumental pieces of an ensemble nature.
The seniors of the Junior Musical Club will also perform in the senior recital in May. This event, like the Ensemble Concert, is open to the public and will take place at the First Baptist Church, located at 170 Elm Street.
Roy W. Smith Set to Retire From Union County College
Roy W. Smith of Elizabeth, Union County College's Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, and former Vice President for Institutional Advancement, will retire effective Wednesday, July 1, after 41 years of distinguished service to the college community.
For 16 months during 1989 and 1990, Mr. Smith had served as Acting Union County College President.
He joined the college staff in 1957 as Director of Public Relations, and was appointed as the college's first Vice President in 1967 with the title of Vice President for College Relations.
He held the titles of Vice President for Administrative Services and Public Affairs; Vice President for Planning, Development and Public Affairs, and Vice President for Development and Institutional Advancement.
Mr. Smith was elected as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the former Union College in 1968, and held that post through 1982. Following the merger of Union College with the former Union County Technical Institute in Scotch Plains, he was elected as Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors — positions he still holds.
During the 41 years that Mr. Smith spent at the college, he played a
prominent role in the growth and expansion of the former Union Junior College from an 800- student, single- purpose independent institution in Cranford into a 28,000- student, public comprehensive community college with campuses in Cranford, Elizabeth, Plainfield and Scotch Plains.
Upon completing his term as Acting President, the college's Board of Trustees and Board of Governors in 1990 voted to name the theater in the Campus Center in Cranford in his honor.
A graduate of Rutgers University, Mr. Smith has authored several books including "The Remaking of a College: Union County College, 1982- 1992," "Tomorrow's Community College" and "The Best of Both Worlds: A History of the Cooperative Nursing Program, 1971- 1996."
Mr. Smith is currently writing a history of Amateur Astronomers, Inc., for the observance of the organization's 50th anniversary next year.
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