The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, December 2, 1999 Page 7

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Rockefeller Center Tree Won't be From Fairview

By KIM KINTER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WESTFIELD–RockefellerCenter officials are already on the prowl for justtheright Christmastreefordisplay inNewYorkCity thenextfewseasons, but it probably won't be an evergreen fromWestfield.

Itisafact thatthissummersomeone who works closely with those who scout for the giant tree that sits on the street near Rockefeller Center in New York City every year stopped at Westfield'sFairviewCemetery,located off East Broad, to look at one of the property's huge pine trees.

But what else actually happened concerning the tree's future seems to be in dispute.

Frank Sullebarger, a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairview Cemetery, said that this summer someone who helps search for Rockefeller Christmas trees stopped at the cemetery examined four large evergreens.

All but one tree was rejected, however, he said. One was too large and old, he said, and the visitor feared it would shed too many needles.

"We weretoldtofeed it(theonetree not rejected) and we already do that anyway,"Mr.Sullebargeradded.

When the man left, Mr. Sullebarger said he understood that the tree would beunderconsideration asafutureNew York City Christmas time evergreen, but was not yet the right specimen for the Rockefeller Center spot.

But, he said, when the cemetery's boardheardabout thenews,theyquestioned

whether they would be willing to give up the tree.

They held off deciding until they heard from Rockefeller Center officials.

Meanwhile, David Murbach, Gardens Division Manager for Tishman Speyer Properties that manages Rockefeller Center and who also is responsible for locating just the right treeeveryyear, said,however,that"we have no interest in their tree."

He said that he will not take a tree from public property.

Mr. Murbach explained that by using a helicopter, mainly in the winter when the leaves are off the deciduous trees, and a laptop computer he searches the country for healthy evergreens suitable for the Rockefeller Center site.

This year, he explained, when he found the tree on private property in Connecticut,he simplyknockedonthe owners' door and asked if it could be used for the New York City site. The tree is always donated, he said.

Inthecase ofWestfield,Mr.Murbach remembers receivingabrochurefrom the cemetery and a picture of at least one tree. He said that he explained to cemeteryofficialsat thetimethattrees areusuallynot takenfrompublicproperty, but that as a courtesy the tree was examinedduring thesummerbysomeone who works with him.

"I guess we may have been just too polite whenwesaid'no, '"Mr.Murbach commented.

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G R E E N B A U M

I N T E R I O R S F R O M t h e W O R K R O O M S a n d S H O W R O O M S o f

The Scotch PlainsFanwood Kiwanis Club will be distributing the luminaries at the Fanwood Municipal Garage (by RR

station) from 9 AM to 3 PM on:

Sat, Dec. 4 th , 11 th & 18 th • 9am to 3pm Special Sale Time on December 24 – 1 to 3 p.m.

The luminaria kit costs 35¢ per unit. This includes the candle, bag and sand.

(Please bring a container for the sand.)

Luminaria Sale

NOTE: We encourage all to participate in the DECA's TOYS for TOTS and FOOD for the NEEDY. You can drop items off

when you pick up your luminaries.

SPECIAL SERVICE… Students from the Holy Trinity Interparochial School Service Club help gather together and transport donations of canned goods and cleaning supplies to Bound Brook residents for the Flood Relief program. Many students and their families were involved in this effort and gave generously of their time and donations.

Obsidians Plan Dinner Dance December 18 at The Westwood

WESTFIELD – The Obsidian Civic Club, a member of the Na tional Association of Colored Women's Clubs Inc. and an affiliate of the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, will hold its Holiday Dinner Dance on Satur day, December 18, from 8 p. m. to midnight at The Westwood in Garwood. The public is invited to attend.

A volunteer group, the Obsidians offer educational, cultural, social, spiritual and personal enrichment training for the Obsidians' Juniors. The Juniors include 30 to 40 young men and women between 8 and 18 years old.

The Obsidians, who meet the sec ond Sunday of the month, also pro vide financial assistance to hun dreds of graduating seniors from the tricounty area. The group's major fundraiser,aScholarshipBall, will be held on Friday, June 16, 2000 at Pantagis Restaurant in Scotch Plains.

Tickets for the Holiday Dinner Dance are $35. All proceeds will benefit the organization's scholar ship fund. For membership and/ or

ticket information, please call April HillJonesat(908)3510811orCarol Mercer at (908) 6541840.

Union Catholic Parent Guild To Host 'Tree of Lights'

SCOTCH PLAINS – The Parent Guildof UnionCatholicHighSchool in Scotch Plains has invited past and presentmembers oftheUnionCatho lic community and the general pub lic to participate in its first "Tree of Lights" event on Tuesday, December 7, starting at 6 p. m. in the main entrance area of the school.

The tree will represent the changes people experience during their lives, including their joys and sorrows, ac cording to Union Catholic spokes woman Bernadine Liebrich.

For a donation of $2, $5, $10 or any other amount, a light will be lit in memory or in honor of someone special; as a way to reconnect with

theschoolor topromoteUnionCatho lic within the community.

Flyers with complete informa tion about the "Tree of Lights" cer emony may be picked up at the school office. Interested individu als are asked to make checks made payable to the Parent Guild and to include their name, address and telephone number and the name of the person they wish to be remem bered. Checks should be mailed to Union Catholic, attention Parent Guild, 1600 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, 07076.

Those persons interested in attend ing the tree lighting ceremony should call (908) 8891600.

WHS Math Dept. Receives Education Fund Grant

WESTFIELD – The Westfield Board of Education has accepted a grant of $3,234 for the Westfield High School (WHS) Math Depart ment from the Education Fund of Westfield.

The grant will enable the Math Department to purchase a classroom set of TI89 graphing calculators for use by Advanced Placement Calcu lus students.

WHS Math Supervisor Hal Johnson noted that this new calcula tor was approved for use for the first time last year in the Advanced Place ment exams.

"Algebraic calculations can be doneon thesecalculators,whichsaves time," Mr. Johnson said. "Our stu dents in both Calculus AD and Cal culus BC will be introduced to the

functions of this new calculator in the classroom. We are grateful for this grant from the Education Fund because we didn't want our students to be disadvantaged."

Approximately half of the students in Calculus AD and between 8590 percent of those in Calculus BC typi cally take the Advanced Placement examinations.

Westfield Education Fund of Westfield President Tom Morabito noted, "The Education Fund seeks to keep Westfield's young people well equipped and productive to meet the demands of our changing world. We are pleased that contributions from Westfield residents and alumni en able us to continue these efforts."

Ashbrook Nursing Center Holds Giving Program

SCOTCH PLAINS – Ashbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1610 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, is sponsoring a program that encour ages employees, volunteers and the community to bring presents to eld erly residents.

The program, "The Angel Tree," will be held from now until Friday, December 17.

public is encouraged to visit the nursing home to select an item from a gift list or drop

off an unwrapped gift of their choice.

Ashbrook administrators hope "TheAngel Tree"willcollectenough gifts for their 120 residents.

Formore informationorideasabout appropriate gifts, please call (908) 8892588.

Ashbrook Nursing and Rehabili tation Center, a 120bed longand shortterm care facility, is an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System.

'Armchair Genealogy' To be Lecture Topic At Meeting on Dec. 9

WESTFIELD – The Genealogical Society of the West Fields will host a program on "Armchair Genealogy" next Thursday, December 9, at 1 p. m. in the Meeting Room of the Westfield Memorial Library.

The program will be presented by Bea Denman Howley, a professional genealogist with more than 20 years experience as a lecturer, presenter, writer and researcher in the field of genealogy.

Mrs. Howley's research has taken her to many states and to several European countries. Her presentaand tion will touch upon history and fam ily and the genealogical connection. A questionandanswer period will follow.

Interested members of the public are invited to attend and light re freshments will be served.

SAFETY FIRST… Alisha Hooey's first grade class at Wilson Elementary School in Westfield, recently visited the local fire house to discuss safety rules during Fire Prevention Week. Children were given a tour of the fire house, viewing the various pieces of equipment and vehicles the fire department uses in emergenThe cies. The lesson was reinforced during the week at school with emphasis on the proper procedures to take during an emergency in the home or at school.

Service League Christmas Sale Saturday, December 4 • 9 am to 4 pm At The Thrift Shop, 114 Elmer St., Westfield