Author: ECCYC

Roger Nicholson Obituary (1928 – 2022) – Bakerstown, PA – Hartford Courant – Legacy.com

Roger Stewart Nicholson died May 28, 2022 at the age of 94 in Verona, PA. Born April 14, 1928 in Salem, MA, the second child of Harold Forbes and Anne (Stewart) Nicholson, he was a 1945 graduate of Salem Classical and High School. He grew up active in Scouting and achieved the Eagle rank. He served as a staff member of the North Shore Council Camp Norshoco, rising to assistant director. He graduated from Tufts University in 1949 and entered Yale University Divinity School, receiving the Master of Divinity Degree in 1952. Upon receiving a call to serve as assistant pastor at The Park Church in Elmira, NY, he was ordained by the Essex South Association of the Congregational-Christina Church of America, June 13, 1952. The ordination was held at his home church, Tabernacle Congregational Church of Salem, MA. The Rev. Dr. Roland H. Bainton, Professor of Church History at Yale Divinity School and renowned Reformation Scholar, officiated. In 1954, Roger became minister to young adults at Asbury First Methodist Church in Rochester, NY. In 1957 he received a call to be Senior Pastor of South Congregational Church in East Hartford, CT, where he served for 21 years. A member of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ, he served as its Moderator in 1976 and also chaired the board of directors. In 1979 he pioneered the role of Minister-at-Large under the Raymond Fund of the Congregational Church of New Canaan, serving Connecticut churches in transition between ministers, ultimately serving 22 different congregations. He led the development of the Connecticut Conference Interim Ministry program and served as Interim Conference Minister during its search for a new executive in the late 90s. He received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Hartford Seminary in 1983 and was cited by the Seminary for distinction in parish ministry in 1990. A member of the Interim Ministry Network and a faculty member in its training program, Roger edited the seminal book about interim ministry, Temporary Shepherds, under the Alban Institute. A 51-year member of Rotary International, he was a past president of the East Hartford, CT Rotary Club and a Paul Harris fellow. He served as Coordinator of Volunteers for Heifer International in Connecticut from 1983 to 2003 and became Western Pennsylvania Volunteer Coordinator in 2004. While coordinator in Connecticut he co-chaired the development task force for Overlook Farms in Rutland, MA, Heifer International’s Northeast Regional Center. Roger was predeceased by his first wife, Rosemarie Kissling of Salem, MA, and his second wife, Anne Walkama of Portland, OR, as well as two sisters, Phyllis Gifford (Toppsfield, MA), Jean Geary (Beverly, MA), and a brother, David (Springfield, MA). He is survived by a brother, William, of Danvers, MA, his daughters Karen Nicholson of Stratford, NJ, Alison Francis (David) of Pittsburgh, PA, and sons Mark Nicholson (Dinorha Medina) of Belgrade, ME and Jason Arth (Meredith Allen) of San Rafael, CA, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their descendants. A fervent Red Sox fan, Roger adored his grandchildren, a good cup of hot coffee, a corny pun, strawberry ice cream, and his newspaper. His gentle spirit, abundant compassion, and human kindness touched many people, and he enriched the lives of all who knew him. Services will be private. Arrangement by Schellhaas Funeral Home, Bakerstown, PA. www.schellhaasFH.com.

Published by Hartford Courant on Jun. 3, 2022.

9 months since Ida, NJ survivors still waiting for funds, answers – New Jersey 101.5 FM

The storm continues for plenty of New Jerseyans who were impacted or displaced by the remnants of Ida nine months ago.

Marking the first day of hurricane season, Ida survivors, advocates, and federal lawmakers gathered in Trenton on Wednesday to shine a light on the lingering impacts of the storm, and to call for changes to the disaster recovery process for when the next catastrophe hits.

“We need help and we need help now,” said Shashuna Atwater, a resident of Newark. “Why wait for another disaster?”

Atwater’s basement was flooded by Ida when it struck the Garden State on Sept. 1, 2021. Since then, in order to receive financial assistance, she said, she’s submitted every piece of documentation that had been requested by the federal government.

“Almost one year, nothing. No one has spoke to me,” she said.

Milford resident Leanna Jones said she was informed by FEMA that she wouldn’t receive assistance because she has flood insurance on her home. But her insurer informed her that it would not be able to cover tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of necessary repair work.

“It’s just ridiculous, nine months in,” Jones said. “I just thought there would be a way to navigate this process and there just hasn’t been.”

The storm resulted in major disaster declarations for residents, businesses and local governments in the counties of Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren.

According to an update in early May from Gov. Phil Murphy’s office, FEMA had provided more than $247 million in individual assistance to more than 44,000 New Jerseyans impacted by Ida. Organizations in New Jersey fear that number may be too low, and worry that Ida survivors, like many of the residents impacted by Sandy in 2020, will be waiting endlessly for answers and funds.

“As hurricane season officially beings, we already know our communities in New Jersey are at risk,” said U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J. 3rd District. “Too many of my constituents in Ocean County are still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy after nine years.”

Groups such as New Jersey Organizing Project and Fair Share Housing Center are calling for passage of the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, which would establish a permanent program with permanent rules related to recovery from future disasters.

“The current system — which treats disasters as one off, totally unpredictable events that each require new congressional action — makes no sense when we know that climate change is driving the increased frequency and severity of disasters,” the groups said. “This poorly-designed system is one of the reasons Ida survivors have not seen grant funds more than nine months after the storm.”

Dino Flammia is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dino.flammia@townsquaremedia.com

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President Joe Biden visits Somerset County, NJ to tour Ida damage

President Joe Biden visited Somerset County on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, for a meeting with state and county officials in Hillsborough and a tour of storm damage in Manville.

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

Police probe armed robbery outside Costco in Bergen County, NJ – New Jersey 101.5 FM

MOONACHIE — A woman robbed at gunpoint of her purse in a Costco parking lot tried to fight off her attackers, according to one published report, which described the woman as an “80-year-old grandmother.”

Moonachie police received a 911 call on May 26 around 4:30 p.m. about a robbery in the lot at Teterboro Landing.

The weapon, which turned out to be a BB gun, was dropped as the men took off in a dark-colored sedan with temporary plates, according to police, as reported by TapInto.

A police public information officer told the Daily Voice that at least one person recorded the incident on his cellphone without helping, according to witnesses, who also said the woman shouted “no” as she struggled with the men.

“As heroic and inspiring as that may be for this brave woman to stand her ground, we would have advised her to not risk her life over replaceable personal possessions,” the officer said in the same report.

Anyone with potential information, or video of the incident, can contact Moonachie police at 201-641-9100.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

Where to find NJ’s newest legal weed stores

NJ approved six new recreational cannabis dispensaries. Here is where they are located.

NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022

We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!

LOOK: States With the Most New Small Businesses Per Capita

Every NJ city and town’s municipal tax bill, ranked

A little less than 30 cents of every $1 in property taxes charged in New Jersey support municipal services provided by cities, towns, townships, boroughs and villages. Statewide, the average municipal-only tax bill in 2021 was $2,725, but that varied widely from more than $13,000 in Tavistock to nothing in three townships. In addition to $9.22 billion in municipal purpose taxes, special taxing districts that in some places provide municipal services such as fire protection, garbage collection or economic development levied $323.8 million in 2021.

Middletown, NJ schools hire armed guards to stop active shooters – New Jersey 101.5 FM

MIDDLETOWN — A Monmouth County school district is putting an armed police officer in each of its schools in the wake of the Uvalde, Texas massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

The Middletown Patch reported that Tuesday evening’s vote was unanimous among the school district’s nine Board of Education members.

A Letter of Intent outlining the approved measures includes placing an off-duty police officer at each of the district’s 16 schools through the end of this June. These officers, carrying guns, will be paid $50 an hour.

For the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, the district will hire Class III special law enforcement officers, or SLEOs. Each school in Middletown will be assigned one Class III SLEO at a rate of $35 an hour.

The entrance to the Middletown, NJ Board of Education building. (Google Maps)


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While Class I and Class II officers cannot carry firearms, Class III officers are unique in their ability to legally be armed. To qualify, candidates must have retired from a police department within the last three years. They will report to the local police chief.

School board President Frank Capone tweeted Wednesday afternoon that Gov. Phil Murphy and the state teachers’ union should “reimburse” any schools that hire armed officers.

“If we can protect the Governor & State House officials, we should protect the children & the staff that we all cherish & love dearly,” Capone said.

Capone did not immediately respond to a request for comment from New Jersey 101.5 inquiring about how the state teacher’s union would pay for the guards.

Mayor Tony Perry told the Patch that the township will cover the costs initially but the school board will pay Middletown back.

“The town will be paying the retired special police officers out of the police department budget, and the school district will pay us back,” Perry said. “At our next meeting June 6, the Township Committee plans to unanimously approve this and make this happen.”

Perry added that he first proposed armed officers in Middletown schools upon taking office in 2019.

Capone told New Jersey 101.5 that it was previous members of the school board who did not agree with Perry’s proposal at the time. He said the former school board members opposed having officers if they carried firearms.

“Also, we have come to find out that those same board members requested that police patrols cease on school grounds,” Capone said. “The Uvalde event certainly brought this back to the spotlight. Still, it seems the true catalyst to not accomplishing this earlier may have been more about social justice politics than rational security decisions.”

Jacqueline Tobacco and Tony Perry. (Middletown BoE/Facebook)


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School board Vice President Jacqueline Tobacco said on Facebook that the approved measure will build on other efforts to keep students safe, including new guidance counselors.

“This action, along with increased funding for mental health services, is a commitment from our administration, board & township to put our children first and foremost,” Tobacco said.

Rick Rickman is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at richard.rickman@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

School aid for all New Jersey districts for 2022-23

The state Department of Education announced district-level school aid figures for the 2022-23 school year on Thursday, March 10, 2022. They’re listed below, alphabetically by county. For additional details from the NJDOE, including specific categories of aid, click here.

NJ teachers and educators caught in sex crime busts

Over the past few years, state lawmakers have taken on the challenge of dealing with accused child predators among the ranks of teachers and educators.

In 2018, the so-called “pass the trash” law went into effect, requiring stricter New Jersey school background checks related to child abuse and sexual misconduct.

The follow individuals were arrested over the past several years. Some have been convicted and sentenced to prison, while others have accepted plea deals for probation.

Others cases are still pending, including some court delays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Jersey high school graduation rates

The lists below show 4-year graduation rates for New Jersey public schools for the 2020-21 school year. The statewide graduation rate fell slightly, from 91% in 2019-20 to 90.6%.

The lists, which are sorted by county and include a separate list for charter schools, also include a second graduation rate, which excludes students whose special education IEPs allow them to qualify for diplomas despite not meeting typical coursework and attendance requirements.

Columns with an asterisk or ‘N’ indicate there was no data or it was suppressed to protect student privacy.

Middletown, NJ municipal employee dies in ‘workplace incident’ – New Jersey 101.5 FM

A municipal employee died at the Middletown Sewerage Authority Treatment Facility Tuesday afternoon in a “workplace-related incident.”

John Molnar was identified as the deceased worker by the township attorney, who said Molnar was “one of the authority’s most valued employees.”

“We were all saddened to hear about John’s passing in this tragic incident,” Middletown Mayor Tony Perry said in a separate written statement, continuing “John and his family have deep roots in the Middletown community, so we’re all feeling the loss. On behalf of the Township of Middletown, I offer my deepest condolences to his loved ones.”

The authority was “working diligently and cooperating with all investigative agencies to determine the cause of this workplace-related incident,” the township attorney also said.

The statement did not disclose the circumstances of Molnar’s death.

“Further comments by the authority is pending a full and transparent investigation,” the statement said.

A rescue was attempted Tuesday afternoon at the authority’s facility on Beverly Way in the Belford section after a worker fell into a hole, according to several reports.

Middletown Deputy Chief of Police Paul Bailey said that incident was not considered suspicious.

OSHA told New Jersey 101.5 that because it involved a township employee it was under investigation by the state Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH).

PEOSH on Wednesday afternoon did not respond to New Jersey 101.5’s request for more information.

Public records show Molnar worked for the authority since 2004.

Molnar, 47, had a successful boxing career as a young adult.

He won 10 amateur titles, including the Golden Gloves three times in the mid 90’s, until a chronic shoulder injury forced him to retire from the sport, according to the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.

Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Where to find NJ’s newest legal weed stores

NJ approved six new recreational cannabis dispensaries. Here is where they are located.

NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022

We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

Deportation Battle Continues For ICE Detainee Transferred Out Of NJ – Newark, NJ Patch

NEWARK, NJ — It’s been almost a year since New Jersey banned prisons from making deals with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold federal immigration detainees awaiting deportation. But for many detainees who were transferred out of the state following the passage of the landmark law, the struggle continues, advocates say.

They include Romeo Konneh.

According to advocates speaking on his behalf, the father of four is scheduled to be deported Wednesday. It’s only the latest legal crisis for Konneh, a Liberian native who fled to Guinea as a child with his family, and entered the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident – also known as a “green card holder” – in 2007.

Find out what’s happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After carving out a life in the U.S., Konneh was picked up by ICE more than a decade later in 2019 while living in Philadelphia. And that kicked off his extended stay in the U.S. prison system.

Patch has reached out to ICE spokespeople for comment. We’ll update this article with any reply we receive; check back for updates.

Find out what’s happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A SERIES OF TRANSFERS

From 2019 to 2021, Konneh was incarcerated in New Jersey detention facilities, including Essex and Bergen County, riding out the coronavirus pandemic behind bars – like many other detainees. Read More: Stuck In Jail During A Pandemic: Coronavirus Hits NJ Prisons

In August 2021, New Jersey passed a landmark law that bans all prisons in the state – public or private – from making new contracts with ICE. Prisons also aren’t able to expand or renew old agreements. Read More: NJ Bans Prisons From Making Deals To Hold Immigrants For ICE

Many immigration rights groups cheered the move, which they’d been demanding for years. But some also warned that it’s imperative to continue advocating for the detainees, who aren’t being released – just transferred to another facility. Read More: Outrage, Lawsuit In NJ After ICE Transfers 30 Immigrant Detainees

Such was the case for Konneh, who was sent out of New Jersey to the Buffalo Service Processing Center in Batavia, New York in November 2021. A month later, he was transferred again, this time to the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona. Then it was back to Batavia, until yet another transfer to the Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana.

Kathy O’Leary, Pax Christi NJ region coordinator, said the group believes Konneh is currently being held at a facility outside of Dallas, Texas. There, he’s gone on a hunger strike along with several other detainees awaiting deportation, she said.

For Konneh – who has diabetes and has complained about allegedly subpar medical treatment while in ICE custody – hunger strikes pose a special concern, she added.

O’Leary said that a coalition of groups including Pax Christi NJ, the Interfaith Campaign for Just Closures, First Friends of NJ and NY, and the Northern NJ Sanctuary Coalition are cooperating on a campaign to keep Konneh in the United States.

“Since December we have been working on getting community support for Romeo,” O’Leary said. “We supplied local congressional representatives who also sit on the DHS Subcommittee with a letter signed by over 50 organizations and individuals advocating for Romeo’s release.”

The team includes Konneh’s 10-year-old daughter, Mayamou – a U.S. citizen along with her other siblings – who recorded a heartfelt message in December thanking supporters for keeping her father from being deported so far. Listen to it here.

In their letter, the activists pointed out that Konneh’s wife, Fanta Donzo, entered the U.S. with refugee status, and has recently applied for naturalization. But the backlog is so severe that it will be a significant length of time before the application is adjudicated, they said.

Advocates argued:

“Because of several criminal convictions, Mr. Konneh has been ordered deported and is in detention and separated from his family since August of 2019. Based on the latest guidelines for prosecutorial discretion, his deportation should not be considered a priority. We are respectfully requesting that he be released and granted a stay or deferral of deportation. You will find a detailed explanation of our reasoning here.”

Advocates said that mitigating factors in Konneh’s case include:

  • His long presence in the United States
  • The impact of his removal on his family in the United States
  • His eligibility for immigration relief

According to his supporters, in 2017 and 2019, Konneh pled guilty to aggravated assault, fraudulent use of credit cards, possession of a forged instrument and resisting arrest – for which his punishment was nothing more than fines and probation.

“None of his crimes show any of the aggravating factors that are listed in the September 30, 2021 memo from Secy. Mayorkas, nor did the judge who had in front of him the entire criminal record see any aggravating factors. If the judge had seen evidence of serious criminal conduct, it would have been reflected in his sentencing and Romeo would have been jailed, but he was not.”

“Had ICE given this case more than a cursory look they would have found that the sentencing for these crimes indicated that the criminal justice system did not deem Romeo to be a risk to public safety,” advocates argued.

“It is exceedingly unfortunate and entirely unjust that Romeo has effectively been sentenced to years of imprisonment by ICE for such minor infractions,” advocates continued. “However, they have an opportunity to correct their errors and release Romeo to his family and issue a stay of deportation on humanitarian grounds.”

‘A WORSE OUTCOME FOR THEIR CHILDREN’

Those “humanitarian grounds” include his 8-year-old son, advocates said.

According to his supporters:

“Romeo and Fanta’s second child and eldest son is now 8 ½. He does not speak. Romeo also reports that his eldest son acts younger than his younger brother who is 4. Romeo reports that his eldest son has issues with self-care in that he does not shower or dress on his own. Romeo believes that his disability extends beyond speech. The child was evaluated for special services by the school district when the family was living together in Philadelphia prior to Romeo’s detention. The child was placed at a Head Start program where he received related services, reportedly speech therapy. Romeo was responsible for taking him to and from school. He would also use this opportunity to speak with staff at the school to inquire about the child’s progress and advocate for him.”

Advocates continued:

“However, after Romeo was detained, Fanta, who was then pregnant with the couple’s fourth child, struggled to pick up their children from daycare, the Head Start program, school and get to her job on time. Fanta made the decision to remove her eldest son from the program where he was receiving services. She did so in part because she was overwhelmed with the increased demands of providing for the family financially and picking up the children, without Romeo’s help and in part because she believed that the child was not making progress.”

Things began to snowball from that point, advocates said:

“When the family was evicted from their apartment after Romeo was detained and shortly after Romeo’s hearing in October of 2019, Fanta and the children relocated to Darby. They moved into a single bedroom in small attached home that Fanta and the children share with other family members. As a result, the children changed school districts. The current district is just now, in the winter of 2022, considering placing Romeo’s son in a special classroom for speech.”

Being a working single parent with no formal education, extremely limited literacy skills and three other children makes it “virtually impossible” for Konneh’s wife to even attempt to meet the specialized needs of her eldest son, advocates asserted, making his role in the family indispensable.

“If Romeo is deported and Fanta were to choose to return to Liberia with the U.S. citizen children, it is very reasonable to expect an even worse outcome for their children particularly their eldest son,” advocates said.

Konneh’s birth family no longer lives in Liberia, and he has no ties to the country, they added.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.

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2022 N.J. Pride Month: A guide to events across the state – Jersey’s Best

The 2nd Mahwah Pride Celebration & Art Show will feature inspirational speakers, live entertainment, an art show and information booths. Photo by Jonathan Marcus

June is Pride Month, and celebrations are kicking off in cities and towns across New Jersey. The events recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ people and highlight their work to ensure equality for all. Enjoy this roundup of noteworthy events to attend in all regions: north, central and south.

Atlantic County

Atlantic City — Fri., June 17 at 8 p.m. to closing

2022 AC Pride Ball: AC is Burning. The houses are ready, and the categories are set. Its the fiercest competition for Pride Week in Atlantic City, held at Anchor Rock Club (247 S. New York Ave.).

Bergen County

Glen Rock — Sat., June 4 at noon

Pride in the Park will be held at Wilde Memorial Park (683 Maple Ave.). A flag raising ceremony will be held at noon. Festivities including rock art, temporary tattoos, face painting and live music will happen from 1 to 3 p.m.

Leonia — Sun., June 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Listen to speakers and entertainment and enjoy a biergarten at Wood Park (370 Broad Ave.).

Mahwah — Sun., June 12 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Mahwah Pride Coalition will present the 2nd Mahwah Pride Celebration & Art Show. The theme is “Love Will Bring Us Together!” celebrating with inspirational speakers, live entertainment, an art show and information booths. The main celebration will be at the Commodore Perry field (70 East Ramapo Ave.).

Ramsey — Sat., June 4 at 5 p.m.

Ramsey’s 4th annual LGBTQ Pride Ceremony will take place on the Ramsey High School lawn (256 E. Main St.) with speakers, live music and food trucks. Bring a lawn chair and join in.

Tenafly — Wed., June 1 at 3:30 p.m.

Join Tenafly Pride for a flag raising in Huyler Park at 1 Piermont Road. The town will also have a “Say Gay Day” on Sat., June 11 with a parade beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the corner of George Street and West Clinton Avenue. The event will continue at Huyler Park with speakers, music and community partners.

Burlington County

Burlington — Sat. June 4 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Enjoy a Drag Queen Show: Pride Edition at Chrisie Styles BoutiQue at 23 East Broad St., Suite 1. Tickets are required and can be purchased here.

Camden County

Collingswood — Mon., June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The lawn at Scottish Rite Auditorium (315 White Horse Pike) is the site of the Collingswood Pride Family Picnic. Enjoy an evening of fun featuring Drag Queen Story Hour with Philadelphia’s favorite drag queen, Brittany Lynn of Drag Queen Mafia. Get creative and paint the flag that represents you at the crafts table. Play some games and enjoy live music by DJ Lilly and enjoy the Teen Poetry Slam. Dress in your best pride gear and participate in the Pride Picnic Blanket Decorating Contest to win prizes. Bring family, snacks and blankets. Local restaurants will be offering “Picnic Packages” for pick up.

Haddon Township — Thurs., June 9 from 6 to 10 p.m.

The Haddon Township parade will proceed down Haddon Avenue from Crystal Lake Avenue to Strawbridge Avenue. Participants will move continuously and perform along the parade route. Bring water, chairs and signs of support.

Merchantville — Sat., June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The inaugural Pride at Peak will be a fashion celebration on the street to kick off Pride Month. It will happen outside Peak Secondhand on 105 Centre St. The free event will feature appearances from Philly Drag Mafia’s comedy queen, Dominique Lee, and the sassy Miss Redd. Expect a variety of vendors, performances from local musician, Garnet Daze, a Freddie Mercury impersonator and face painting for the kids. The event will culminate with a fashion show hosted by comedian, Dan Vetrano, that will star local fashionistas, and possibly even a town mayor on the runway.

Cape May County

Middle Township — Sat., June 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Johanna’s Beauty will be hosting a free photoshoot for photographers and models of the LGBTQ+ community to work together. The event will take place on Cooks Beach Road, and rainbow powder will be provided. All outfits are welcome.

Cumberland County

No upcoming events.

Now in its 11th year, the North Jersey Pride Festival is a family-friendly celebration of love, respect and unity at Memorial Park. Photo courtesy of North Jersey Pride Festival

Essex County

South Orange — Fri., June 3 from 7 to 11:30 p.m.

North Jersey Pride presents the Say Gay Soiree. You’ll have an evening of dining, dancing and debauchery at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club (305 North Ridgewood Road). Enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, a full open bar and specialty drinks, and dancing. You’ll have access to the club and outdoor patios, too. Get your tickets here.

Maplewood — Sun., June 12 from Noon to 6 p.m.

Now in its 11th year, the North Jersey Pride Festival is a family-friendly celebration of love, respect and unity at Memorial Park (580 Valley St.). This year will be the biggest celebration yet for the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Admission is free to this all-day community celebration. Enjoy a show featuring local and national talent where all material is family-friendly. More than 100 merchant vendors will be selling jewelry, art, crafts, clothing and, of course, plenty of rainbow gear. You’ll also be able to learn more about the nonprofits that advocate on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Sample cuisine from local culinary artisans. Kids can also enjoy the Rainbow Kids Zone, an area with inflatables for toddlers, obstacle courses for older kids and slides for everyone. The interactive Kids Stage features a new show every hour on the hour. Come with a blanket or some beach chairs for a day of fun, family and celebration.

Montclair — Sat., June 11 from noon to 6 p.m.

Montclair’s newest festival, Pride 2022, is going all out. Downtown Montclair will have stages on Bloomfield Avenue and Park Street with all-day music, comedy, performances by local talent and speeches on LGBTQ+ equality. An evening concert at the Wellmont features Jordy and Fab The Duo as well as Betty Who. Admission to the events is free; a ticket is needed for the evening concert. You can purchase them here.

Gloucester County

Pitman — Tues., June 7 at 7 p.m.

There will be a drag show to support the Pride Alliance of Pitman at VFW Post 6469 (42 Oakcrest Ave.). Advance tickets are available here. The Pride Alliance also will present a Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. on Sat., June 11, at the First Baptist Church of Pitman (30 North Broadway; registration is $25), followed by the Pride in Pitman Celebration at the church until 1 p.m. Visit facebook.com/PrideAllianceofPitman for more information.

Hudson County

Hoboken — Thurs., June 2 at 7 p.m.

The Hoboken Historical Museum is kicking off events when Randy Wicker, famed Gay Rights activist for more than 50 years, joins the museum’s month of LGBTQ+ programming celebrating Pride with Hoboken Talks. This is one in a series of events; to learn more, click here.

Jersey City — Thurs., June 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The NJ Pride Chamber of Commerce is holding Pride Month Kickoff Extravaganza at the Hyatt Regency (2 Exchange Place). It will include hors d’oeuvres, free signature cocktails (provided by Saint Luna Spirits) and discounted cocktails (provided by Tito’s). The entertainment will be numbers performed by RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 contestant and New Jersey native, Liv Lux Miyake-Mugler; hosting and performances by Saturday Night Live Crooner and Robert Bannon; and music entertainment by DJ Mike Cruz. A VIP reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. To register and learn more, click here.

Hunterdon County

Flemington — Sat. June 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a DJ, dancing, treats, games and giveaways at this Pride Dance Party. Grab a drink at the beer garden under the Filling Station tent (50 Stangl Road; all adults must show ID). Pick up dinner from a local restaurant and bring chairs.

The Robbinsville Pride event is welcome to people of all ages. Photo by Suzette Lucas

Mercer County

Robbinsville — Sat., June 4 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The second annual Robbinsville Pride will be held at PJ’s Pancake House & Tavern (17 Main St.). This year’s event will include speakers from Robbinsville High School’s Genders and Sexualities Alliance. It will be followed by music, celebration and food and beverages. All ages are welcome, but you must be 21 or older to drink.

Trenton — Thurs., June 9 at 6 p.m.

Trenton Thunder Pride Night returns to the Trenton Thunder Ballpark (1 Thunder Road) with a pre-game happy hour and post-game fireworks. For tickets ($12) and more information, click here. For discounted $10 tickets through the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce, click here.

Middlesex County

Edison — Sat., June 4, from noon to 7 p.m.

Hit up 926 Amboy Ave. for a day of fun. Munch on food from Cousins Maine Lobster Truck. The Wag performs 2 to 5 p.m. Enjoy performances by drag performers and a guest speaker from Garden State Equality.

The 30th Annual Statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration in Asbury Park is the largest and oldest LGBTQ pride celebration in the state. Photo courtesy of NJ Advance Media

Monmouth County

Asbury Park — Sun., June 5 from noon to 7 p.m.

After delays due to COVID, New Jersey’s 30th annual Statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration will be held in-person. It is the largest and oldest LGBTQ pride celebration in the state, with attendance under normal circumstances over 20,000. The parade starts at noon. Spectators can see floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands and marchers. Against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and boardwalk, national headliners and local artists will share the rally stage for a six-hour outdoor concert. And the Pride Festival is a family- and pet-friendly event featuring the state’s largest outdoor display of the Names Project’s AIDS Memorial Quilt, rides in the Family Zone and a food court. A $15 admission fee gives you access to both the festival grounds and the rally/entertainment. The event takes place at Ocean and Sunset avenues.

Red Bank — Sat., June 11 from noon to 4 p.m.

Join the 3rd annual Pride in the Park. Enjoy vendors, giveaways, live music and dance, kids activities and more. This free event takes place in Riverside Gardens Park (40 West Front St.).

Morris County

Boonton — Sat., June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day will begin with a presentation with the mayor at town hall (100 Washington St.). Afterward, they encourage people to walk up Main Street using the sidewalks and pick up lunch or a Pride Plate Special from a place in town. End your walk at Grace Lord Park (Essex Avenue and Main Street), where you can picnic with your family, participate in an interactive art exhibit, and listen to music and speakers.

Pequannock — Sat., June 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy a free day of music, food and fun at Greenview Park (9 Robert Place). Enjoy food trucks from Johnny’s and Mozzarella God. They’ll have informational booths from the Pequannock Library, The Little Free Library and more. Children’s activities are presented by the Scribble Garden and Melody Mom.

Randolph — Sat., June 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Morris County Pride is holding a free, family-friendly event at County College of Morris (214 Center Grove Road). It’s a fun day of celebration and connects the community to health, education and employment resources.

Play games, picnic and visit local vendors and food trucks at the Toms River Pride Festival. Photo courtesy of Toms River Pride Festival

Ocean County

Toms River — Sat., June 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the 4th annual Pride Festival, hang out on Washington Street in Toms River to play games, picnic and visit local vendors and food trucks. Enjoy free, outdoor, mainstage performances by The Golden Gays, Izzy Uncut and more. Join the free drum circle from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Exit 82 Studio Theatre (73 Main St.). Catch a drag show at Exit 82 Studio Theatre at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

Passaic County

No upcoming events.

Salem County

No upcoming events.

Somerset County

No upcoming events.

Sussex County

Newton — Sun., June 12 at noon

Visit the Newton Green (Spring and Main streets) for a Sussex County Pride Event. The event will have vendors, live music, drag performers, a DJ, food pantry collection and voter registration.

Union County

Kenilworth — Wed., June 1 at 5 p.m.

In honor and to commemorate June as Pride month in Kenilworth, the second annual flag raising ceremony will be held right in front of Borough Hall (567 Boulevard).

Summit — Sat., June 4 at 6 p.m.

The Summit Department of Community Programs is hosting its annual LGBTQ+ Pride month event, “Summit Has Pride,” on the Village Green (356 Broad St.). The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a concert. At 7:30 p.m., a local drag queen will present a family-friendly drag performance. The event concludes at dusk with the showing of a film.

Warren County

Blairstown — Sat., June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Blairstown will be hosting its second annual Pride Day celebration at Footbridge Park (Footbridge Lane).

* Events and times subject to change

Stacey Feintuch is a freelance writer for print and online publications. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from George Washington University and a master’s in magazine journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She grew up in Morris County and currently lives in Bergen County.

The world’s largest ice cream eating contest is in New Jersey – New Jersey 101.5 FM

I should point out at the beginning that the organizers of the ice cream eating contest claim it’s the world’s largest, but I don’t know who actually keeps track of such things. So, maybe it’s the largest, maybe it’s just really big. Anyway, the Mile Square Meltdown is coming to Hoboken (the Mile Square City) on Sun, June 12.

For the contest, every 20 minutes 10 contestants will engage in a “high-energy race to finish a pint or half-pint of ice cream. Times will be recorded and the winner announced at the end of day. Winner will receive the Coveted Golden Cone Trophy.”

Ticket sales will be donated to the Hoboken Family Alliance’s annual summer food drive. Tickets are $6 in advance and $10 the day of, but registering in advance is highly recommended. You can register as a group to compete against family or friends, or just take your chances with some strangers. You can register here.

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There will be specials rounds just for kids under 10.

New Jersey ice cream company Moo Jersey, along with the Main Street Pops and the Hoboken Family Alliance, will be hosting the first-ever Mile Square Meltdown. It’s more than just the eating contest, however, it’s a celebration of ice cream with free samples and a sundae bar.

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It will take place at the Main Street Pops Market (Under Hoboken Viaduct @ 14th street) from 11-4. The winner of the “Golden Cone” will be announced at the end of the day.

The Hoboken Family Alliance is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit and is 100% volunteer.

THE DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE SWEETEST ICE CREAM PARLORS IN MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES

NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022

We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Doyle only.

You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Hurricane evacuation exercises to be done on NJ highways Thursday – New Jersey 101.5 FM

Following the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season on Wednesday, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority have announced that annual hurricane preparedness drills will take place Thursday along six roads that serve as coastal evacuation routes.

In a release, NJDOT stressed that none of the involved highways would be closed during the exercise.

Work crews from all four participating agencies may be seen near these routes on Thursday with the goal of preparing a contraflow, or reversal of traffic in the opposite direction it is intended.

NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said in the release that the drill is done to guard against a “worst-case scenario.”

Motorists can expect to see cones, barrels, and message boards, but NJDOT said those materials would not actually be deployed, since no roads will be closed. Variable message boards will inform drivers during the duration of the exercise.

The affected highways will be:

  • Atlantic City Expressway (entire span)
  • Garden State Parkway (milepost 0, Lower Township, to milepost 38, Egg Harbor)
  • I-195 (milepost 6, Robbinsville, to milepost 34, Wall)
  • Route 72 (milepost 13.8, Barnegat, to milepost 29, Ship Bottom)
  • Route 47 (mileposts 16 to 21, Dennis, and mileposts 32 to 35, Maurice River)
  • Route 347 (milepost 0, Dennis, to milepost 9, Maurice River)

NJDOT reminds motorists to slow down and, if safe, move over to accommodate roadside work crews.

Patrick Lavery is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022

We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn’t have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it’s a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners’ suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it’s probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions: