Here is a Catch Up of this Past Week in New Providence and Some of the Many Exciting Things Going On and Upcoming in our Community:
Last Friday’s Pioneer Football Season kicked off with a BIG win! The Mayor’s Trophy STAYS IN NP for another year! Well done! Although we were sad to hear no Thanksgiving football game this year, this really was a great way to kick off the 2022 Pioneer Football Season! It was a great night in our community and a great time out with friends and neighbors! Let’s Go Pioneers!
New Providence had a great start back to school this past Thursday! Welcome Back! Wishing all a great year ahead!
New sidewalks were installed in front of AWR to aid in the drop off and pickup of students.
Also from our Municipal Alliance: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/health/addiction/2022/08/25/operation-helping-hand-somerset-patriots/65417751007/
The September dates and locations are:
Bilingual staff will be available at this event to assist residents in Spanish at the Elizabeth Public Library 11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth, 07202 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
https://www.newprov.org/2022/08/borough-council-meeting-recap-august-16-2022/
LET’S GO GREEN NP:
Please be sure you are signed up for our Recycle Coach: www.newprov.org/recycle-coach
Cartridge Recycling – Cartridge World has kept hundreds of thousands of Ink and LaserJet cartridges out of landfills by recycling them at their location in New Providence. Please join the effort and drop off used cartridges at 1310 Springfield Avenue.
Eye Glasses Recycling: If you have any used/unwanted/no longer needed eye glasses, please drop off at the Lions Mailbox in front of the New Providence Memorial Library. All these glasses are used for people in need.
Aluminum Can Recycling: New Providence Volunteer Fire Department (newprovidencefire.org) is seeking donations of aluminum cans for the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program at St. Barnabas Hospital. Over the years, this fundraising activity has provided invaluable financial support to the Burn Foundation. Aluminum cans can be placed in the can cart behind the fire house located on Floral Avenue.
Scrap Metal Recycling: Saturday, September 17th. Union County’s scrap metal recycling events are drive-up only, and contact-free. Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times. Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed and be easily accessible for staff to remove. For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.
Household Hazardous Waste Recycling: Sept 10th www.ucnj.org/recycle
Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection: ucnj.org/green-connection.
Annual Freecycle-Fest Event hosted by our Sustainability Committee will be held on September 17, 2022 (rain date Sept 18, 2022) at the New Providence Community Pool parking lot from 9am – 2pm. This is an opportunity to bring unwanted items to a central location in New Providence for “recycling” with other families. In the past this Freecycle Event has been held simultaneously with the Green Fair. However, the two events will be held on separate dates this year. Thank you to the Sustainability Committee for their good work on this for our community. Sustainable New Providence
NEW addition to this year’s FreecycleFest! Plant and Seed Exchange! Sept 17th (Sat) 9am-2pm (rain date Sun Sept 18th). For guidelines and tips on seeds and cuttings, check out https://tinyurl.com/Plant-Exchange-NP
Walk and Cycle More – Drive Less!
A daytime English as a Second Language class is starting at the New Providence Library this fall. Please contact Anita Alvarado at (908) 486-1777 ext. 402 or email aalvarado@literacynj.org. Au pairs and new arrivals to New Providence are all welcome!
Batter-Up Let’s Talk Baseball on the following Mondays 7pm-9pm: 9/12, 10/10, 11/14, 12/12
Have you seen the new WINDOW DISPLAYS on your way into the library? Stop by the library to check out the new shelves!
NJ Film School is coming to the NP Library for a fantastic presentation on the History of Zombies in Film & Video Games!
Open to Teens & Adults
Email NPMLTeens@gmail.com to register
Coming in September: A Hispanic Heritage Artifact Display by our Diversity Committee is planned for the library. Stay tuned!
Please see all the wonderful events planned on the Library Events Calendar: https://www.newprovidencelibrary.org/events/library-calendar/month.calendar/2022/08/15/13
Your library card gets you free access to Comics Plus — thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and more for adults, teens and children age 5 & up. Every title is always available, on your computer, tablet or phone. To get started, go to http://newprovidencelibrary.org and click on the Resources tab.
Have you made the switch to the Libby app? It offers the best reading experience for all ages and has the same great content you love in the OverDrive app! Get in-app support with any questions you may have. https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/switchtolibby
Last week’s #firetruckfriday featured two incident command vehicles; Car 1 and Car 2. Car 1 is assigned to the Chief of Department (or their designee) and Car 2 is assigned to a Deputy Chief (or acting deputy chief). Typically these vehicles respond directly to fire incidents to provide an immediate “size-up” of the incident and/or building the incident is occurring in. Incident size-ups provide valuable information to other responding officers and members as they start to develop the tactics to manage an incident. For larger buildings or properties, they might respond to different areas depending on the incident in order to conduct a full size up.
In some cases, these vehicles going directly to a fire scene allow for rapid extinguishment of small fires before they spread or to make critical rescues. They are also crucial during major weather incidents where initial access for large fire apparatus might be limited or delayed due to conditions.
Car 1 is a 2019 Ford F-150 XLT 4×4. Car 2 is a 2013 AWD Police interceptor originally utilized by the police department as a patrol vehicle and since repurposed for us. Both units are equipped with the following:
Our New Providence Volunteer Fire Department looks forward to sharing more about their apparatus and equipment! Visit their Facebook page for photos and for more information: https://www.facebook.com/NewProvidenceFire
Did you know that our Volunteer Fire Department collects aluminum cans for recycling? The proceeds are donated to the Burn Center at St Barnabas. You can find the collection bin in the back of the fire station on Floral Ave. So instead of putting your aluminum cans in the curbside recycling, you can drop them off at the fire station, making sure you do not include regular tin cans. It’s an easy thing to do to help support burn victims. Thank you to Louise Wheeler for the reminder!
The Salt Box Museum will be open this Sunday 9/4, from 1-3pm. This free museum is full of local history and artifacts. Take a quick peek into New Providence life in the 1800’s. Pick up a copy of Our Images of America, New Providence photo Book; or a copy of History of the New Providence Community Pool, by Bert Abbazia. Have an interest in local history? Why not join and get involved with upcoming events. For more information please call (908)665-1034.
Cemetery tours at the New Providence Presbyterian Church will return October 15th at 1pm and 2pm for Union County’s Four Centuries Weekend. John Sponauer, New Providence Historical Society member, researcher, and tour guide educates attendees on the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard, shares many interesting and intriguing historical facts, cemetery folklore, and shows the final resting places of some of the New Providence founding families and Revolutionaries. Tours are limited to 20 persons. The tours are approximately 30-45 minutes. To reserve your spot please send an email to NPcemeterytours@gmail.com. Indicate the date/time you wish to attend along with the size of your party. You will receive a confirmation email. ***You must email to reserve your spot*** Please Note: Footing may be uneven in some areas, so suitable footwear recommended!
Please Support our New Providence Historical Society. They are always looking for people who have an interest in local history, an interest in joining and supporting their mission. For more information and/or to donate please visit https://newprovidencehistorical.com/about/
The Historical Society is looking for Docents for the Salt Box Museum.
The New Providence Historical Society also puts out a newsletter called Turkey Tracks: https://newprovidencehistorical.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/turkeytracks-issue129.pdf
Checkout all of the New Providence Recreation Department Fall offerings for Youth and Adults: https://www.newprov.org/recreation/
Adults – come get artsy at NP Rec! Registration is open. Find flyers and the link to CommunityPass at www.newprov.org/recreation
Recreation Community Events: www.newprov.org/community-events
DECORSO COMMUNITY CENTER (www.newprov.org/seniors):
All senior programs take place at the center unless otherwise noted.
Walking Club Restart, Wednesday, September 7, 10am – Want to enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise while socializing with friends? The group will meet at the Center and walk in the surrounding neighborhoods. Weather permitting. Please wear comfortable clothing and sneakers and bring water. For bus transportation to the Center, please call (908) 665-0046 or e-mail decorsocenter@newprov.us two days in advance.
Game Day, Wednesday, September 7, 11am – Gather your friends to socialize and play any game you’d like. Cards, Scrabble, and dominoes are available at the Center, or bring your own game to play! Club member Bert will be leading a game of Wizard, a fun card game that you can try out! There is also a Ping Pong table set up in the back room for those who would like to play. The picnic tables on the patio will also be available if the weather is nice! For bus transportation, please call (908) 665-0046 or e-mail decorsocenter@newprov.us two days in advance.
Bingo, Friday, September 16, 11am – The Center will have bingo games every Friday in September and an additional bingo game with special prizes on Wednesday, September 14 at 11am. Bring a friend and enjoy the fun! Bingo cards will be 50 cents each. For bus transportation, please call (908) 665-0046 or e-mail decorsocenter@newprov.us two days in advance.
Knitting Lessons and Knitting Club, Thursday September 15, 1pm – Come learn a new hobby and meet wonderful friends! Instructor Christine will be offering knitting lessons. The regular knitting club will then resume on Thursday, October 13, at 1pm. Bring your own project and enjoy the conversation. All seniors are welcome!
Welcome Back Country and Western Picnic, Wednesday, September 28, 12pm – Join friends for some good old boy country music and dancing!!! Enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, Italian sausage, French fries, onion rings, corn-on-the-cob, lemonade, iced tea, and watermelon. Wear your western duds and get ready to have a boot-scootin’ boogie time!!! Cost $15. Tickets are on sale now at the Center. Last day to purchase tickets is September 21. Make checks payable to NPSCC. For bus transportation, please call (908) 665-0046 or e-mail decorsocenter@newprov.us two days in advance.
Monkeypox is less transmissible than covid, but the health department is recommending that anyone at increased risk for contracting monkeypox consider vaccination. Two vaccines can be used for preventing monkeypox infection. CDC recommends vaccination for people who might have been exposed to monkeypox. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3AftSRE. More information on MPX can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/monkeypox.shtml
Individuals that are interested in pre-exposure vaccination can contact the following programs. Vaccination at these sites is by appointment only:
Union County’s free COVID-19 vaccination program has expanded to offer the Novavax vaccine, approved for ages 18 and older. The Union County vaccination program also continues to offer the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines approved for various age groups including infants age 6 months and up.
Union County’s vaccination portal: ucnj.org/covid19. If additional assistance is needed call 908-613-7829. Home-bound residents may be eligible for a home vaccination visit. To make an appointment, call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-613-7829 during regular weekday business hours, or leave a call-back message after hours. For details about Union County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination services, testing, clinics, including locations and hours of operation please visit www.ucnj.org/covid19.
New Providence Municipal Alliance (www.newprov.org/municipalalliance) (NPMA) – The mission of the New Providence Alliance is to identify abuse environments and root causes within the community, assess needs, and implement effective education and prevention programs.
September is National Recovery Month. During Recovery Month, the NPMA aims to increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders and encourage individuals in need of treatment and recovery services to seek help. Recovery Month celebrates individuals living lives in recovery and recognizes the dedicated workers who provide the prevention, treatment, and recovery support services that help make recovery possible. “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”
During National Recovery Month and throughout the year spread the message that:
Refer to the Recovery Month website, recoverymonth.net, for additional information on the initiative.
Visit NP Alliance on Facebook or follow them on Instagram on Instagram at @newprovalliance, and visit their website to learn more about how the New Providence Alliance continues to bring programs to our community in an effort to educate people on the dangers of substance use.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS: New Providence Cares About Your Mental Wellness
The New Providence Mental Health Advocacy and Education Committee is spearheaded by Council President Nadine Geoffroy and Councilwoman Lisa McKnight. For more information please contact Nadine Geoffroy at ngeoffroy@newprov.org.
988 is now the official national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis call or text 988 anytime anywhere 24/7 for help and support, or just to talk. You’re not alone. We’re all in this together. To learn more about the 988 system in NJ, please watch this presentation created by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuKhq-VPVjU
Veterans are invited to a bi-monthly, veteran-run peer support & discussion group, Warriors Welcome. This group is no-cost, confidential and a judgment-free zone. They meet every 1st and 3rd Friday: bit.ly/WarriorsWelcomeNJ.
Virtual Muslim Mental Health community group meets Sundays 7pm. Join for a discussion of mental health concerns, wellness goals, and more. Newcomers welcome! bit.ly/MuslimGroupNJ
Borough Council Meetings: youtube.com/channel/UCZzCgFvlBgpSfW-JEVRMXsA
Borough Contact Information and Action Line: www.newprov.org/citizen-action-line
New Providence (Mailed) Calendar: https://www.newprov.org/download/Borough%20Newsletters/2022/2022-Annual-Calendar-most-recent.pdf
NPHS Athletics Calendar: https://sites.google.com/npsdnj.org/nphs-athletics/athletic-schedule
NPTV Schedule: www.sites.google.com/npsdnj.org/cook-nptv/nptv-schedule
Public Works: www.newprov.org/department-of-public-works
Recycle Coach: www.newprov.org/recycle-coach
Senior Citizen Bus: Transportation (with pick up at your home) is available for residents 55+ to ShopRite every Tuesday morning at 8am. Please call the Center at (908) 665-0046 by Monday morning to sign up or for more information.
Smart911 Community Alert System: newprov.org/2022/04/register-today-for-smart-911
MISSED AN UPDATE? Mayor’s Community Updates can be found on the borough website and at http://www.mayoralmorgan.com/community-updates
KEEP INFORMED with Borough information:
FUN FACT: The first Monday in September is celebrated nationally as Labor Day. The Labor Day holiday grew out of the late 19th century organized labor movement, and it quickly became a national holiday as the labor movement assumed a prominent role in American society. President Grover Cleveland (who was born and later retired in NJ!) helped make Labor Day a national holiday. President Cleveland signed an act in 1894 establishing the federal holiday, which was approved on June 28, 1894. Labor Day honors organized labor and also marks the perceived end of the summer season. Wishing all a very Happy Labor Day!
Please feel free to contact me anytime about any issue. Your concerns are my concerns. We are here to serve you. We are a team effort here in NP! Thank you to our outstanding Borough Council, our dedicated administration, employees and staff, our selfless volunteers, our generous local businesses and to all of you for making our community such an incredible place to live and work. Please be sure to support all our wonderful local establishments and SHOP NP! Have a great weekend and week ahead! We are Pioneer Strong!
Due to inclement weather, New Providence court on 2/20/19 has been cancelled.
The Downtown Improvement District Annual Meeting scheduled for 2/20/19 has been cancelled.
Borough offices will be closing at 1 PM.
Recycling days will be changing in January to alternating sides of the Borough (previously the entire Borough was on the same schedule). Below are the upcoming January dates for your reference:
East Side – South Street to Summit Line (includes South St even numbered houses & Passaic Street odd numbered houses)
West Side – South Street to Berkeley Heights Line (includes South St odd numbered houses & Passaic street even numbered houses)
Borough phone lines are currently out of order. Verizon has been notified and is working to correct the issue. In the interim, please use the Contact Us forms if you need assistance.
Union County has launched Recycle Coach, a free app designed to help make recycling and solid waste information more accessible to County residents and engage the public in the principles of “Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.”
Recycle Coach provides accurate, up-to-date information on Union County’s recycling events, as well as local recycling schedules in a handy, user-friendly mobile format.
Check out the new Recycle Coach for detailed recycling information and a downloadable app!
A major fiber optics cut has affected telephone service throughout New Jersey. The borough phone circuits are currently inoperable. Crews are working on fixing the issue. In the interim, if you need to contact the borough, please use the Contact Us forms. We apologize of any inconvenience.