Next Tuesday, residents will have an opportunity to vote for two members of the Township Committee, the local governing body. The ballot will list two Republicans who are already in office: Deputy Mayor Mary Pavlini and Township Committeeman John Carpenter. Local voters can also pull the lever to vote for one or both Democratic candidates; challengers Bonnie Diehl and Michael Komondy. On Friday, we caught up with township resident Jennifer Vogel. She said that she feels an issue that should be addressed by the township is, "I am in favor of protecting resources and properly replanting trees …
Reactions from in Somerville following the Virginia earthquake ranged from amazement to unfazed ease. Though some people felt the tremors, other reported noticing nothing.Did you feel feel the earthquake tremors? What was your reaction? Tell us in the comments. Add your own photos or videos
With a compromise national debt deal awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate later on Monday, the Basking Ridge Patch asked for observations on the situation from people who were in downtown Basking Ridge on Monday morning. On Monday, Patch interviewed Bernards Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer; Eli Chaoui, owner of Eli's Tailor Shop; John Fry, freshman football coach at Ridge High School; and Brian Nielson, who lives in Woodbridge, but works in Basking Ridge. Additional interviews will follow on Tuesday.
It's well into the 90s and the weather isn't expected to cool down soon. On Monday, Bernards Township Library Director Anne Meany invites area residents to cool down in the air-conditioned library building, and enjoy what the library has to offer, including programming. On Monday night, at 7:30 p.m. former Bernards Township Mayor Ali Chaudry will discuss the special edition of his new book, "Islam & Muslims." The Bernard Township Library is open for its summer hours from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. On Tuesday, Jeff Rosenblum, a 2009 Ridge High School graduate who is off …
This week's You Said It question is "Where Would You Go for Your Fantasy Vacation?" On Monday, 18-year-old Alex Singer, a visitor from Stockholm, Sweden, and former Basking Ridge resident, says he would he would like to go to Las Vegas. However, his vacation destination would be a visit to the Clark County Heritage Museum, as featured on the television show, "Pawn Stars." On Tuesday, Basking Ridge resident Bob Cantono said he's already been on his fantasy vacation — and he'd like to repeat the experience. On Wednesday, resident Adam Montross dreams of the ultimate drive-fly vacation — ending …
This week, we asked local residents to tell us about the best fireworks they've ever seen, and where they'll be going this July 4.On Tuesday, lifeguard Johnny Graves shares his favorite fireworks memories.
The Ridge High School Class of 2011 graduated last Wednesday, June 22. Minutes later, we caught up with some of the newly minted graduates and ask them what they'll be doing now that they've finally earned that diploma. On Monday, a jubilant Josh Raff tells us that he is heading to Bowdoin College in Maine. On Tuesday, Red Devil football star Anthony Milito gives the good news that local fans will still be able to root for him at Rutgers next fall. On Wednesday, Brendan Cameron looks forward to success in college — and beyond. On Thursday, Jake Boudreau, no relation to videographer Terry, …
The Basking Ridge Patch spoke to some parents at the Little League championship games about whether they think our shaky economy is improving. We received some interesting insights. On Monday, township resident Kevin A. Hilferty takes a look at the bigger picture — and what the average person may perceive. On Tuesday, township resident Jay Halverson talks about the economic advantages of being in the Northeast and New York metropolitan region. On Wednesday, resident Tom Didario said that pretending won't make the economic recovery further along than it really is. On Thursday, resident Kristen…
It's not even officially summer — and school hasn't yet let out — but let's face it, many of us already are dreaming of at least some sort of vacation or special summer activities. Here are some of the summer vacation plans for some of our local residents. On Monday, Marianne Dorigo, who recently moved into Basking Ridge, talks about her plans to enjoy a new sport she's just recently taken up. On Tuesday, 94-year-old Craig Burkholder of Bernardsville says he goes to the Somerset Hills YMCA to socialize for his (daily) vacation. On Wednesday, township employee Joel Coyne said he will be …
It's summertime and there are plenty of movies in area theaters to seek out for a cool, air-conditioned afternoon, or an evening out. And there's always film rentals, one way or another, and a wide selection of movies (some good, some awful) on television. So tell us, what are some of the best — or the worst — movies that you have seen recently? On Monday, resident Margaret Smith tells us she enjoyed a recent family movie. She also rates an old favorite she watched again on Turner Classics Network as one of the best — and at the same time, the worst — movies she's recently viewed. On Tuesday…
The Bernards Township community gathered Monday for the annual Memorial Day parade in Liberty Corner. Patch spoke to residents about what message they would like to convey to veterans. Residents and officials took a moment to reflect and thank those who have served and are still defending the country. Here is Mayor John Malay's address during Monday's ceremony. On Tuesday, resident Dodie Allers sent her message to the nation's veterans, offering hope that they will soon return home safely. On Wednesday, resident David Price offers well wishes — and thanks — to the nation's veterans and …
The township's annual Charter Day — which this year celebrated the 251th anniversary of Bernards Township — was lucky enough to draw mostly good weather as well as crowds last Saturday. The Basking Ridge Patch talked to some people about what they like and enjoy about the community event.On Monday, resident Jim Foti gives several reasons why he enjoys Charter Day, including the likelihood he will run into people he might not otherwise see. On Tuesday, we hear from Dorothy Collins, a township resident since 1962, who was manning the booth for the Basking Ridge Garden Club. She said she has …
In this week's You Said It, local residents and historians point out some of their favorite historic locations around Basking Ridge (Bernards Township.) And they have plenty to chose! On Monday, township resident Paula Axt, a member of The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, talks about the Brick Academy, located at 15 W. Oak Street in downtown Basking Ridge. Axt was speaking in the main hall of the Brick Academy during the video, following a tea last Sunday to honor longtime township historian June Kennedy, who retired at the end of 2010. The museum also will be open on Charter Day …
With a variety of cuisines to choose from, the Basking Ridge area has a number of fine restaurants. This week we asked Basking Ridge residents at the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills annual rummage sale what are their favorite restaurants in this area? Join the conversation! Log in to post a comment or video answer, or email linda.sadlouskos@patch.com
The report Sunday on the death of Osama bin Laden opened a floodgate of memories of Sept. 11, 2001 for many local residents. The Basking Ridge Patch will this week ask for a reaction and insights from some of those local residents. On Monday, we spoke with Lee Honecker. Honecker is mayor of Bernardsville, a position he also held when two Bernardsville residents were killed in the terrorist attack on New York City. Honecker, an attorney, also has had his law office in downtown Basking Ridge since 1994. He said he lived in Bernards Township for about a dozen years. He said he has spoken at …
It may have been raining last Saturday at the Somerset Hills YMCA, but that didn't keep local residents from getting (or staying) in shape right before the warm weather brings us all out from under layers of clothing. We talked to a variety of people at different age levels about what they do to stay (or keep) in shape. And we heard a variety of different answers. On Monday, Susan Riggio outlines her workout routine and mentions two other aspects of staying in shape. Riggio said she eats healthy, and "I enjoy life." Besides working out at the YMCA, township resident Mary Urbas on Tuesday how …
Plenty of people have had plenty to say about what's going on in the local school system these days — the school budget, the nine candidates who are competing for three open spots on the Board of Education, and some of the school board's recent decisions regarding issues such as the return of the nine-period day at Ridge High School. Well, April 27 is the day to state your opinions in writing — by voting in your local school election. We went out and asked some local potential voters if they intended to indeed cast a ballot. On Monday, Tim Brush, an owner at Brush's Deli in downtown Basking …
This week is one that many people have long been waiting for — spring break from school for Bernards Township students and their families. A time to try something different. A week where you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn with your middle schooler or high school student. A time where you can possibly rediscover your child. Or perhaps they can discover something new on their own. What are you going to do on your week off from school, beginning with a Monday with glorious weather? Monday starts with an answer from parent Ally Mahoney, whose children attend the Mount Prospect …
Ruth Lufkin, who heads the reference library at the Bernards Township Library, in this week's "You Said It" outlines some of the ways that the library can serve as a resource for job seekers, whether they are professionals seeking to revive their career, or recent graduates. On, Monday, she talks about some of the reference and online materials that can be tapped during a job search. The library's periodical section, shown in the video, also is stocked with materials to assist in looking for a job. On Tuesday, Lufkin points out that the library offers some special programs that would be …
This week, the Basking Ridge Patch launches "You Said It," with video of local residents and others who may be in our town to work or visit talking about a particular subject. We took advantage of the sunny weather this past Sunday to walk around town and ask some residents the question, "What do you like about living in Basking Ridge?" On Friday, Ridge High School junior Joel Claps tells us what he likes about his own backyard in The Hills. On Thursday, Greg Carofine, an employee at Base Camp in downtown Basking Ridge, gives us his observation. On Wednesday, Cyndy Starer and her six-year-old…
