North Warren Regional High School will present the musical “Anything Goes” on March 22nd at 7:30pm, March 23rd at 7:30pm, and March 24th at 2pm in the high school auditorium. Tick-ets for the performance will be on sale at the door an hour before show time, at $12 for adults and $8 for students. Under the direction of

Ms. Sarah Cohea and her assistants Mr. Scott Goldstein and Mr. Chuck Johnson, the high school cast and crew will bring the stage alive at NW with the Cole Porter production of “Anything Goes.” The musical depicts the madcap antics of passengers on a voyage from New York to London and has been a longtime favorite on BroadwayThe S.S. American

carries an unusual group of passengers. Included amongst them are gang-ster Moonface Martin (Brian Mulligan), a wealthy debutante and her mother Hope (Kasie

Colin and Alexander Webb, sons of Lori And Dale Webb of Blair-stown, were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in a Court of Honor held on December 9th, 2012. Colin and Alexander are members of Boy Scout Troop 140 of Blair-stown. For his Eagle project,

Colin designed, raised funds, and organized work groups that built a

Lerner) and Evangeline Harcourt (Julianna Schico), nightclub singer Reno Sweeny (Laura Pachnos), and a wealthy NY business-man Elisha Witney (Sean Fowley) and his stowaway assistant Billy Crocker (Vincent Luber-

tazzo). It turns out that Hope is

Billy's long-lost love. Unfortunately, she is now engaged to a wealthy Englishman, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Liam Young). After a series of comedic happenings, Billy man-

ages to win back Hope.Meanwhile, Billy's friend, Reno, manages to seduce and win Lord Evelyn. All this happens while Moonface Martin attempts to escape thelaw and Hope's motherstrives to maintain her social status.

barbecue pit for the Blairstown Masonic Lodge #165. The barbe-cue pit will be used for fundraisers by the Lodge. Alexander designed,

raised funds and orga-nized the building of a boat rack for local camp NEJEDA. The boat rack was used successfully by the camp this past summer and will be used for many summers

to come. The attainment of

Eagle Scout is based on achievement standards that have been in placeand well maintainedsince 1911. Only 4 percent of Boy Scouts ever become Eagle Scouts. Colin and Alexander

are both seniors at North Warren Regional HighSchool and plan toattend college in the fall.

Here is a list of notable books and other items that have been added to the collection recently at the Warren County Library: America the Beautiful:

Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great, by Ben Carson, M.D. The FastDiet: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Live Longer with the Simple Secret of Intermittent Fasting, by Micahel Mosley. The Still Point of the Turning World, by Emily Rapp. Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior, by Rorke Denver. Vegetable Literacy: Exploring the Affinities and History of the Vegetable Families, with 300 Recipes, by Deborah Madison. How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, by Mohsin Hamid. Love in Maine, by Connie Falconeri. Naked Statistics: Strip-ping the Dread from the Data, by Charles Whee-lan. The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen, by Matt Lee. A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. Immortal Ever After: An Argeneau Novel, by Lynsay Sands. Little Critter: Just a Big Storm, by Mercer Mayer. Robert B. Parker's Wonderland (Spenser), by Ace Atkins. Give Me Every-thing You Have: On Being Stalked, by James

Lasdun. The Striker (AnIsaac Bell Adventure),by Clive Cussler. Blog,Inc.: Blogging forPassion, Profit, and toCreate Community, byJoy Deangdeelert Cho.Inferno: A Novel, byDan Brown. All Natu-ral*: *A Skeptic's Questfor Health and Happi-ness in an Age ofEcological Anxiety, byNathanael Johnson.Discoveries: LeonardoDa Vinci, by AlessandroVezzosi. Black Mass:Whitey Bulger, the FBI,and a Devil's Deal, byDick Lehr. Brotherhood:Dharma, Destiny, andthe American Dream, byDeepak Chopra, M.D.Lawrence of Arabia:The Life, the Legend, byMalcolm Brown. Napo-leon on Napoleon, bySomerset De Chair.Comanche Six: Com-pany Commander inVietnam, by JamesEstep. The Fall of Napo-leon: The Final Betrayal,by David Hamilton-Williams. The Feud:The Hatfields andMcCoys, by Dean King.Western Front, by DavidRay. Keep It Pithy:Useful Observations in aTough World, by BillO’Reilly. Tasty SchoolLunches, by Editors ofFavorite Brand NameRecipes. In and Out ofCharacter, by BasilRathbone. At Homewith Crochet, by CathyHardy & Anne VanWagner Childs.

The location of the Blairstown Dog Park has been changed from behind the municipal building to Sycamore Park by the airport, and the fence is ready to be installed. Tickets must be

purchased now for the Branson Show Tour Deluxe Bus Trip, April 20th through 28th, to benefit Haven of Hope for Kids. Space is limited, so you must purchase tickets now. For more information, call Gladys at 908-459-9210 or Polly at 908-276-3850. For more information on Haven of Hope for Kids, visit www.havenofhopefor kids.org. Notice of Public

Meeting: The next scheduled meeting for the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission will be held on March 21st, 7:30pm at Shippen Manor Museum, located at 8 Belvidere Ave., Oxford. For more infor-mation, call 908-453-4381. Public Notice: The

Board of Chosen Free-holders of the County of Warren has moved the scheduled regular session meeting of March 27th at the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Build-ing, 165 Route 519S, Belvidere, to the Hack-ettstown Municipal Building, 215 Stiger Street, Hackettstown, at

7pm.Caring for Recovery,

a national non-proft support and educa-tional program for women who have or have had breast cancer, will hold a weekend retreat in Clinton, June 7th through 9th at no cost to participants. The deadline for submitting requests to attend is March 29th and the number of participants is limited, so apply now at www.castingfor recovery.org. The CFR program incorporates the elements of fly fishing to promote physical and mental healing. The United Methodist

Women are having a pastie sale now through March 31st. Pasties, with or without onions, are $5 each. Orders can be picked up on April 5th at the First United Methodist Church, located at 10 Stillwater Rd. in Blair-stown, from 4pm to 6pm. To place an order, call Michelle Peterson at 908-362-6703. Get in shape and

support the play-ground! Sycamore Park Playground Project and NJ Fit Chicks are team-ing up to offer a one-month membership to the best workout and nutritional counseling available in our area at a huge discount. For only $50, get a one-month membership to NJ Fit

Chicks (regularly $79). Membership must be purchased in March in order to receive this special offer. First-come, first-served; only 30 available, limit one per person. For more information, contact Breanna Johnson at 908-912-MOMS or sycamoreparkplayground@gmail.com. For more on NJ Fit Chicks, visit www.kimlerner. com/nj-fit-chicks-info. Warren County Soil

Conservation District is holding the Annual Seedling and Wild-flower Sale, offering bare root tree seedlings and wildflower seed mixes at reasonable prices. Orders are being accepted through April 5th and will be available for pickup at the district office at 224 W. Stiger St. in Hackettstown on April 25th, 26th and 27th. Call 908-852-2579 or visit warrencounty scd.org for a brochure and order form.The Blairstown Rec.

Department’s spring Zumba session starts on April 9th and Zumba Toning will begin on April 16th. Registration is currently being accepted for all spring programs at the recre-ation office during office hours, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8am to 1pm. For more informa-tion, visit blairstown-nj.org and click on “Recreation.”From Lake Hopat-

cong to the Delaware River, the Musconet-cong Watershed Asso-ciation is seeking volunteers to help with its Annual Spring Clean-Up on April 13th, from 9am until noon. Clean-up crews will attack litter along roadsides, parks, and stream banks of the Musconetcong River. Volunteers are invited to the MWA River

Resource Center in Asbury for lunch after the event. To register for the Spring Clean-up or for more information, call the MWA at 908-537-7060 or email adrienne@musconetcong.org. North Warren

Regional School is inviting Veterans to participate in the annual Voices of the Veterans program on May 29th. Veterans of all military branches and all eras are invited to attend and be recognized for their service. The program includes break-fast, assembly introduc-tion with keynote speak-ers, performances by the NWR band and chorus, a commemoration ceremony, lunch on the lawn, and optional class-room visits to speak with students. Registra-tion is required. Contact Ms. Amy Horn for more information at 908-362-8211, ext. 1139 or email ahorn@north warren.org.The Blairstown Aux-

iliary of the Newton Medical Center is looking for new mem-bers. The auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of every month at the First United Methodist Church in Blairstown at 10am. For more infor-mation, call 908-902-3771.Hurry! It’s your last

chance to enter The PRESS Easter Color-ing Contest! One winner from each of four categories will be announced in the March 27th edition of The PRESS. See page 14 for complete details.We love hearing from you! Send your birth-

days, anniversaries, and other info to:The PRESSPO Box 430

Blairstown, NJ 07825thepressnews@enter.netthepressnewsonline.comLike Us on Facebook!

Have you seen the fliers posted around town? The display at First Hope Bank? Lolli-pops at the post office or pharmacy? Ordered pizza or bagels that came with a personal-ized picket form? Those are just some of

the ways the community is coming together to make the Sycamore Park Playground a success. The project steering committee is excited by the support they’ve received from the businesses and fami-lies in and around Blair-stown, having already

raised over $48,000 toward the goal of $125,000! And with the full support of the town-ship committee, this state-of-the-art play-ground, coming in May 2014, is closer than you think!The sycamore park

playground project is a community-built play-ground; from raising money, to the actual construction of the play-structure, this project will be built by volunteers! They need volunteers of all kinds to join one of the commit-tees, to help coordinate

fundraising events, or to construct the play-ground from May 14th through 18th of 2014. You can pledge to

become a sponsor of the playground to have your name at the entrance or purchase a playground component to have your family or business name on display. They also need donations of tools (loaned), services, and food. For more informa-tion on how you can help build this one-of-a-kind playground, visit facebook.com/sycamoreparkplaygroundproject or www.sycamorepark

playground.com. You can also learn more by emailing sycamorepark playground@gmail.com or calling 908-912-MOMS.Leathers and Associ-

ates, the same design firm that worked on Fredon Elementary School’s Fox’s Den and Roxbury’s Imagination Station, has drawn up plans for the approxi-mately 8000 square foot play area. It will house a section for both older children (ages five through 12) as well as toddlers.

The playground is handicapped accessible. It is a truly one of a kind design with many unique features, includ-ing a train and truck table on the “tot lot” side and a tree house on the older kids’ side. The ideas for the

design came, in part, from the children at the elementary school during their Design Day interviews in October, as well as from the Design and Special Features Committee, part of the project steer-ing committee. The

overall design incorpo-rates much of the localhistory and town’s char-acter. Look for the upcoming

car show, co-sponsoredby the Lions Club and the MOMS Club, onJune 15th (rain dateJune 16th). There will be many vendors onsite, children's activities, and of course, great cars. Come out for a greattime, for a great cause. Keep an eye out formore great events to support the playground.“Build a playground,

build a memory!”

Blairstown & KnowltonA & PAlpine MeatsAnimal MansionAsh PlumbingAsian Combat ArtsA-Tech AutoBlair TileBlair Tire & AutoBlairstown ChiropracticBlairstown Country FloristBlairstown DinerBlairstown Municipal BuildingBlairstown OpticalBookNestBuckwoodBuilding SpecialtiesBurgdorffBuzzWorksCaffe Nelle CucineCannon Country Real EstateColumbia Post OfficeCountry Kids StationCustom ColonialDale's MarketDavid Krawski DentistDogHouseDominick PizzaDr. Magalio, DentistEllias RestaurantFinish Line AutoFirst Hope BankFrank's PizzaFun & GamesGallery 23Geo's PizzaGourmet GalleryHair CompanyHairs 2 YouHistoric Blairstown TheatreHope DeliHope HaircuttersJD LiquorsJetstream HobbiesJohn DeereKozimors UpholsteryKnowlton Municipal BuildingLakeland BankLebduska AccountingLumberMajestic CleanersMarksboro DeliMedical AssociateNapaNature's HarvestNew BeginningsNew HoHoNorth Warren PharmacyNorth Warren Truck RepairOld Stillwater General StorePhysical TherapyPizza ExpressPJ'sPNC BankPost Time PubPrudentialR. KeilingRace's Farm MarketRadio ShackRemaxRunWay CaféSalon ChevouxShell Gas StationSkyland BankSmitty'sSophia NailsStudio 94Sun VelocitySunocoThe Auto ShopTile WarehouseTractor SupplyTramontinUS GasVillage GreenWells FargoWilbur's Country StoreWine & SpiritsWoman to WomanBelvidereA & PAlbanese GalleryAl's Pizza

ACI Truck StopBagel SmithBelvidere SpaClucas FarmDee Doo'sDr. Amanda RichlineFood MartFour Sisters WineryGunnar's LandingH&R BlockHearth ShopHickory MortgageMediterraneanRiverside DesignsRiverton Hotel & RestaurantRosal JewelersShort StopSkee's Busy BeeSkoogy'sSteckel's Shell StationThisilldousUncle Buck's DinerUS GasVincent Haircuttery & PlusZack'sZeek’sWashingtonA & PBagelsmithFliegauff JewelersHome Instead Senior CareKaffe KaprysLost LadiesMediterranean BistroMWC RacingPride-N-GroomQuick CheckRossiSecond Time AroundShopper StopSilver Stars BagelSmith DodgeStanley's PizzaSubwayTown MarketWashington ShoeNewtonA& G PizzaBack in MotionBMW DealershipCharmCo. SeatDunkin DonutsHampton DinerHo Ho’sHobbyTownHoliday InnHome Furniture WarehouseKathy's RestaurantNewton News StandOptical CenterO'Reilly'sPB&JPrima Donna'sQuick CheckShop RiteSkylands Sport ShopSpringboard ShoppeSuperior Shower DoorsThe Chatter BoxVW-Audi DealershipWeisHackettstownA & PBachs Home HealthcareCozy CornerGolden SkilletHackettstown Guns & Ammo Hackettstown Sandwich ShoppeMama's Pizza/Cafe BaciO'Neill's JewelersPrickley PearQuick CheckRiverstar DinerValley BagelWeisWillow CaféColumbiaAyersHunter’s LodgeRose’s Cafe

•Adult Jeopardy: March 21st, 7pm. Cath-erine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

•4-H Tack Swap & Sale: March 23rd, 10am to 2pm. Indepen-dence Fire House, 24 Cemetery Rd., Great Meadows. Buy & sell new & used horse equip-ment, riding attire, etc. FMI, call Jan at 908-459-5812.

•BARKS Pet Adoption Day: March 23rd, 11am to 3pm. Andover Animal Hospital, 243 Newton Sparta Rd., Andover.

•Easter Egg Hunt: March 23rd, 11am. Swayze Mill Park,

Hope. Toddlers to 6th graders invited. Easter Bunny visit & refresh-ments provided. Spon-sored by Moravian Grange #187

•Easter Egg Hunt: March 23rd, 11am. Tunnel Field, Rt. 94, Knowlton. Rain date: March 24th, 1pm. Prizes, free food & beverages. Sponsored by Knowlton Twp. Lions Club & Rec.

•Pancake & Sausage Supper March 23rd, 4:30pm to 7pm. Walnut Valley UMC, Vail Rd. at Rt. 94, Blairstown. FMI, email christiebende@ yahoo.com.

•Trout Unlimited Annual Fundraising Banquet: March 23rd,

6pm. Perona Farms, Andover-Sparta Rd., Sparta. Open bar, raffles & auctions, dinner. RSVP by March 17th. FMI, visit nnjtu.org or call 908-850-8773 or email sbreed@optonline .net.

•Casino Night: March 23rd, 7pm to 10pm. Green Twp. Fire Dept., 243 Kennedy Dr., Green Twp. Benefits 2 Freling-huysen Elem. School alumni scholarships for NWRHS grads. FMI & tickets, call Brenda Kleber at 908-852-4121.

•All You Can Eat Breakfast: March 24th, 7am to 11am. Franklin Twp. VFD, 37 2nd St., New Village. FMI, call 908-319-0379.

•NW Dem. Club Meet-ing: March 27th, 7:30pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library meeting room, 4 Lambert Rd., Blair-stown. FMI, call Fred or Carol at 908-362-6808.

•Children’s Easter Egg Hunt: March 28th, 10am. Catherine Dick-son Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blair-

stown. Ages toddler thru 5. Call 908-362-8335.

•An Evening with Sarah Watkins: March 28th, 8pm. The Historic Blairstown Theatre, 30 Main St., Blairstown. FMI & tickets, call 908-362-1399 or visit www.thehbt.com.

•Spirit Family Reunion: April 3rd, 8pm. The Historic Blairstown Theatre, 30 Main St., Blairstown. FMI & tickets, call 908-362-1399 or visit www.thehbt.com.

•Spring Shopping Bazaar: April 6th, 9am to 3pm. Budd Lake Fire Dept., 378 Rt. 46, Budd Lake. FMI, contact Christine Clemmer at 862-258-3996 or Chris tine.Clemmer@hotmail.com.

•Warren Co. Demo-cratic Committee J e f f e r s o n - J a c k s o n Breakfast; Meet NJ Sen. Barbara Buono: April 6th, 8:30am to noon. Minebrook Coun-try Club, 500 Schooley’s Mt. Rd., Hackettstown. FMI, call Fred at 908-362-6808.

The Sussex County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will offer a Spring 2013 NAMI Basics course in partnership with the Family Support Organi-zation (FSO) of Morris/Sussex. NAMI Basics is a free seven-session course for parents/guardians of children with emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges. The course will be held

Tuesday evenings, beginning March 26th and running through May 7th, from 6pm to 9pm, at the Hopatcong Senior Center, 32 Lake-side Boulevard in Hopatcong.Trained caregivers,

who have experienced behavioral challenges in their own children, will teach the course. The comprehensive curricu-lum covers Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxi-ety Disorders, Obsessive

The Washington Busi-ness Improvement District is presenting its Second Annual "Warren County Arts Festival" this year on Saturday April 27th (rain date April 28th) and is look-ing for artists and a variety of re-sale vendors.This year, there will be

more than $1000 in prize money offered to artists whose works are chosen as best in show. There will also be gift card prizes to the top high school student artist (ninth through 12th grade). This event has grown

throughout the years, with dozens of partici-pating artists and vendors and Washington businesses, special activities, and drawing large crowds throughout the day. Among the special activities this year will be a special performance by singer-songwriter Kathy Moser.The festival takes place

along Route 57 through-out downtown and runs

The Foodshed Alliance is collaborating with local farms, chefs, food pantries and community groups on the second LocalShare Community Dinner on April 7th, from 4pm to 7pm at Manna House in Newton. LocalShare is a Foodshed Alliance program based on the idea that local, naturally grown food should be accessible to all people in our community, regardless of means. The first LocalShare

Community Dinner was held in July, 2012, and drew nearly 200 guests. The goal of the Local-Share program is to not only offer periodic com-munity dinners in a ‘Pay What You Can’ model but to take it a step further and establish ways to connect the local food producers to pantries and those in need.“Give more if you can,

less if you can’t,” said Kendrya Close, Execu-tive Director of the Foodshed Alliance. “No one is turned away for lack of funds.”Join the Foodshed

Alliance on Sunday, April 7th, at Manna

The Chester Lioness Club, on behalf of the Chester Food Pantry, will be collecting canned and non-perishable food items, as well as frozen lasagna, turkeys and hams, for needy families in the area for the upcoming holiday food baskets. Local supermarkets are

presently offering discounted frozen lasagna, turkeys, chick-ens or hams to patrons

Chairman Mike Busche announced recently that the Sussex County Democratic Committee will hold a convention on March 23rd to endorse candi-dates for governor, the state legislature, and county government. State Senator Barbara Buono, who has announced that she will run against Governor Christie in the Fall election, will be among the participants. Featured speakers will

be Congressman Frank Pallone and former Congressman Andy

from 10am to 4pm. Artists displaying

original works are eligible for cash prizes. Re-sale vendors are also welcome to register for the festival. There is a $25 charge

($35 day of show) for all resale vendors. Artists are free, however, a $25 refundable deposit is required to reserve a space in advance. All original Artists/Crafter attendees who reserved in advance and are participating in the juried show will be reimbursed at the end of the show. If you are interested in

registering, contact the WBID office at 908-689-4800, or visit www. washingtonbid.org. This event has been a

sell out for the past two years. Pre-registration is highly recommended. The WBID also hosts

monthly art walks. If interested in participat-ing in one of these opportunities, call 908-689-4800 or visit the WBID Website for more information.

House (Presbyterian Church), located at 54 Main Street in Newton where local chefs Dan Rothman, George Man-dakus, Laura Del Campo, Andre de Waal, and Mel Condit will create a fabulous dinner using naturally grown produce and meats. The affair will be complete with live entertainment. Volunteers and dona-

tions of food from home gardens are welcome; please call 908-362-7967. To RSVP or make a donation, visit www. FoodshedAlliance.org. The Foodshed Alliance

is a grassroots NJ nonprofit organization working to demonstrate how farming and food are integral to our health, our economy, our communities, and our environment through exceptional events, education and activism. The Foodshed Alliance

Executive Director Kendrya Close can be reached directly at 908-362-7967 or info@ foodshedalliance.org for questions or comments.

Maguire. Candidates for state assembly, state senate, and county government are also expected to attend. Winners will receive the endorsement of the Sussex County Demo-cratic Convention in the June democratic primary election, together with the demo-cratic regular organiza-tion line on the ballot. "This is grass roots

democracy at its best," said Chairman Busche. "We are holding an open convention that allows every democrat in the county to participate in

the nomination of its representatives. We are proud to host such an event."The Convention will be

held at American Legion Post 86 located at 20 Yates Avenue in Newton. The Conven-tion is open to all, but voting is limited to Sussex County demo-crats who have regis-tered before March 1st, 2013. Light refreshments will

be served. For more information and conven-tion rules, visit sussex dems.com or email info@sussexdems.com.

who exceed certain spending limitations. Anyone who would like to donate their free turkey, lasagna, chicken or ham and/or canned and non-perishable food items for distribution to those in need may call Holly Simmenroth at 908-879-5932.Patrons of the Chester

Shop Rite may request the check out cashier to have their donation be held at the store for pick up by a volunteer from

the Chester Food Pantry. Canned, boxed and non- perishable items may be left in the box marked“Chester Food Pantry”in the exit area of thestore. Current food pantry

needs include coffee,prepared foods (eg. Hamburger Helper), canned meats (stew, chicken, spam), sides(eg. seasonedrice/noodles), jam or jelly, paper towels, and toilet paper.

Compulsive Disorder, and Childhood Schizo-phrenia.Course participants

will gain empathy and insight into the subjec-tive experience of the child living with mental health and behavioral challenges. As caregiv-ers, they will learn more effective listening, com-munication and problem-solving skills. Acknowledgment of the stresses and strains on the family, including siblings, will be an important component of the course. Current research

related to the biology of mental health challenges is covered in the course, along with how to get an accurate diagnosis for a child. Treatment options are discussed, including how medications work. Families will learn how to find supports and services within the school system and the community.For more information,

or to register, call 973-214-0632 or email nami. sussex@yahoo.com.

The North Warren Middle School Boys 4x400 meter relay team raced to a 6th place medal at the USA Track and Field Youth Indoor Track National Champi-onships, held March 9th and 10th in Landover, Maryland.The team of Tim

Ferguson, Tommy King, Joe Toribio and Kyle Walker smashed the school record by 20 seconds allowing them to edge out a higher-seeded team from Mary-land by 0.5 seconds (4:34.47 to 4:34.97) to take the final medal spot.Coach Randy Walker

couldn’t have been more proud of his team’s effort. “I’ve been coaching

youth sports for 10 years and that might be the gutsiest performance I’ve seen. The team we beat to get the medal ran 16 seconds faster than us in qualifying – that’s over half a lap faster. It was all about will and determination today!”

The Art Association in Roxbury will be holding its annual Art Lover’s Auction at the Roxbury Senior Center, 72 Eyland Ave. in Succa-sunna, on April 4th. These auctions are usually held the first week of November, but the last two were cancelled due to storms. There will be many items to choose from this year.This year’s art auction

will feature original works of art by local artists. This is a good chance to obtain beauti-ful paintings to decorate your home or give as gifts. AAR members will be donating both large and small paint-

ings in all media and styles. If you love art or need a gift, this is the place to go. All proceeds will go to

support the arts. This year the Art Association in Roxbury will making

donations to four differ-ent organizations. Money raised will be used to fund the awards for the annual “All Media Art Show for Morris County Seniors and Persons with

On the first day of competition, Aidan Solano started things off with a school record 2:29.33 time in the 800 meter race placing 13th. Tom, Tim, Joe and Kyle kept up the momentum by running a school record 2:00.79 in the 4x200 meter relay, placing 8th. On Sunday, Aidan set his second school record with a 5:10.97 in the 1500 meter race, seven seconds faster than his best previous time. Kyle Walker added another 8th place finish, throw-ing a personal best 32’ 4” in the shot put event.Over 1300 of the

country’s elite youth track athletes partici-pated in the meet. To qualify, athletes had to finish in the top six of their respective events at one of five qualification meets held across the country. The North Warren team qualified at the USA Track and Field Northeast Champion-ships held February 24th in Toms River. The Girls

4x400 meter relay team of Andrea Dorsa, Elinor Dowd, Cilenna Colon and Natalia Voitek also qualified, but were unable to attend the Championship meet.This is the Middle

School team’s third medal in two trips to the National Champion-ships. In 2011, Ryan Walker won the Shot Put National Championship and took 6th place medal in the 400 meter race.

Disabilities” and to purchase art supplies for the students at the P.G.Chambers School inCedar Knolls. In addi-tion, donations will be used to further art at theRoxbury High Schooland the County College of Morris.Along with many

paintings, there will be some new and gentlyused items to inspireyour creative spiritincluding paints,brushes, pads, portfo-lios, canvases, books,paintings, prints, crafts, and craft supplies. Otheritems have been donatedby local merchants.There will be a silent

auction of the smaller paintings and items, followed by a liveauction of the morevaluable items andpaintings. A light buffetmeal will be servedbefore the auctionbegins.Members of the Art

Association in Roxburyreside in many towns in Northwest NJ, including towns in Morris, Sussex, Warren, and Somerset counties.The silent auction will

begin at 6:30pm and thelive auction at 7:30pm.Admission is free. For more information,

call 908-684-8765.

The Greater Blair-stown Business Asso-ciation General Mem-bership Meeting will be held on March 26th. It will feature Donna Price of Compass Rose Consulting. Ms. Price is a published author and will speak about market-ing your small business. This meeting will be

free to members and $10 for non-members. It will be held at Tracy Hall at 6pm.The GBBA will host

the “Cabin Fever” annual fundraiser to Mt. Airy Lodge and Casino on Saturday, May 4th. The cost will be $35 for members and $40 for non-members and is limited to the first 49

Ahhhh, food; it’s an expression of love, of comfort and joy. A celebration of family and friends, and a warm welcome. Whether it is canned, baked, grilled, stewed, poached or roasted, it reaches beyond language barri-ers and forms bridges between cultures.So, what qualifies me

to write a column about this far-reaching gastro-nomic ambassador? Nothing, and yet, every-thing. My absolute love and passion for the preparation and sharing of this life sustaining fare, not to mention the gathering, beckons me beyond the everyday and through the window of adventure. Combine that with a strong German family culture of fabulous cooks and coaching from a Home Economics Certified step-mom who could bake the pants off the Pillsbury Dough Boy. My family raised their produce, hunted their meats and gathered Mother Nature’s berries, nuts, mushrooms and more. I really didn’t have a choice! So, here I am, ready to

share treasured recipes, special tips, techniques, tricks and hopefully, my joy in food with you. I will make every attempt to keep recipes simple without sacrificing taste or quality. But, be prepared, some things are worth the extra time and effort and should not be overlooked. I will share with you alterna-tive sources for ingredi-ents. We will explore Mother Nature’s wild

pantry in season and possibly go on a gather-ing outing together. I look forward to receiv-ing your questions and comments and will attempt to respond to all.Let’s get started.

March 31st is rapidly approaching and with it comes Easter: A religious holiday often celebrated with family gatherings sharing their love and joy through food. I am not going to touch on the traditional lamb, ham or turkeys being served up, nor on the best way to cook spring asparagus or Broccoli rabe. Rather, I am sharing one of my favorite holiday soup recipes with you. I know, you are going

to take one look at this and say – no, we just don’t eat Oysters! Well, let me tell you some-thing. I still don’t eat oysters, but this soup I devour! Come on. Step through

that window and give it a try. This is a very special soup for a very special holiday dinner.Although March is an

“R” month (old-time Oyster language), with today’s refrigeration Oysters are good to eat all year. One great thing about an Oyster is it doesn’t matter how large it is, it doesn’t get tough. You can cut it into smaller pieces and not lose the quality in cook-

ing. This soup is a two day

process, but not two days of a lot of work. It just needs the time for all the flavors to prop-erly develop. We are not using

canned or pre-prepared broths here, we’re “real” cooks! So, let’s jump in and get cooking.

Oyster Cream Soup8 servings3 tablespoons unsalted

butter2 medium onions,

chopped1 bunch scallions,

white part only chopped3 large garlic cloves,

minced2 medium tomatoes,

peeled, seeded and chopped1 teaspoon fresh basil

leaves, minced1 teaspoon fresh thyme

leaves, mincedSalt and white pepperCayenne pepper, pinch4 Cups heavy whipping

cream, boiled & reduced to 3 cups½ cup strained oyster

liquor2 cups half and half3 cups shucked oysters

(about 24)Basil leaves for garnishDay #1: Melt butter in

heavy medium sauce-pan. When it foams add onions and garlic & cook until translucent, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes. Increase heat and cook until thick-ened, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in basil & thyme. Season with salt, pepper & cayenne. Cook until all moisture has evapo-rated. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Reduce cream. Refrigerate over-night.Day #2: Puree onion

mixture in food proces-sor. Transfer to large heavy saucepan. Add reduced cream & oyster liquor; bring to boil. Reduce heat. Add half and half & heat through. Taste and adjust season-ing. Just before serving, add oysters and poach until opaque, about 3 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with basil leaves.Tip: To peel and seed

tomatoes, place whole tomato in boiling water for 1 minute. Immedi-ately put tomato in ice cold water for 2 minutes. Core tomato and squeeze seeds out of cored end. Peel loose skins off with fingers.Next time I will share

with you a simply delicious, deliciously simple dessert. Until then, keep cooking!Cooking questions and

comments? Email Suzie Saucepan at SuzieSauce pan@embarqmail.com.

paid seats. Participants will receive a $25 voucher for the casino and a $10 voucher for food. The bus will leave the A&P Parking Lot at noon and will leave Mt. Airy at 5:45pm. To reserve your seat, mail your check to the GBBA, PO Box 398, Blairstown, NJ 07825.The Board has

approved a new host site and a committee has been set up to design the new GBBA website. We are aware that much on the current website is outdated, and we will work as efficiently as possible to transition to a new site. Debi MeadeAdministrator

I would like to com-ment on your letter to the editor column and the disclaimer. There is a contributor from Newton that in my opin-ion writes well researched and accurate info that should be of interest to everybody that cares about the direction this country is heading. There is no need for a disclaimer when the facts are stated. Look at some of the words our adminis-tration is putting forth to the public that really need disclaimers so us readers can separate fact from fiction.Very concerned reader,Bill SealBlairstown

The views and opinions expressed in “Letters to

the Editor” do not necessarily reflect

those of The PRESS or its staff.

Hello Fellow Readers, Have you seen the tree crews out on the road tending to clearing around power lines? While it’s an important task to keep our power intact, I always feel pain for the trees. Okay, call me a tree

hugger if you’d like. My fear is their needed task gives others permission to do the same to manage the height of their trees, which some feel lessens the potential hazard of falling. The truth is the contrary. The practice of remov-

ing whole tops of trees or large branches from the tops of trees, leaving stubs or lateral branches

is called tree topping, hat-racking, heading, rounding over, and tipping. Oh my, even the names sound detrimental! To survive, the tree

will produce multiple shoots just below each cut. Unlike normal new shoots that develop in a socket of overlapping wood tissue creating strength, these new shoots are not properly anchored and grow rapidly, sometimes as much as 20 feet in a year, and are prone to breaking. So you see, the irony

that making the tree shorter is actually making it more hazard-ous than before. Yet, as with the tree crews clearing around utility lines, sometimes a tree must be reduced in height or spread. Branches should be cut

back to their point of origin (where they are attached). If a branch must be shortened, it is best cut back to a lateral branch that is large enough to assume the terminal role. A rule of thumb is to

cut back to a lateral branch that is at least a third the diameter of the limb being removed. That way the natural form of the tree will be preserved. It’s quite technical and best to hire an arborist to assure the proper and healthiest result for our magnificent trees. Sometimes the best

solution is to remove a tree and replace it with a species that is more appropriate for your site. Sounds contrary to a

tree hugger? But I think more humane than hat-racking.Garden dilemmas?

Ask Mary at askmary stone@gmail.com

( N A P S I ) — P r o t e c t your biggest invest-ments: your family and your home. A few easy electrical safety steps can help ensure that your home continues to be a safe haven for your family. The Electrical Safety Foundation Inter-national recommends the following tips to help protect your home and family:

Regularly check all cords, outlets, switches and appliances for signs of damage or wear.Use extension cords

only temporarily.Be sure that outlets are

not overloaded with too many devices. They can overheat and start a fire.Look and listen for

warning signs of an electrical problem such as outlets and switches

that are warm, or make crackling, sizzling or buzzing sounds. Always replace fuses

or circuit breakers with the correct size and amperage. And make sure all circuits are labeled correctly.Consider having your

breakers upgraded to state-of-the-art AFCI circuit breakers. Keep the electrical panel

accessible so you can quickly shut off power in an emergency.Install smoke alarms

on every level of your home. Place alarms inside each bedroom and outside each sleep-ing area. Test them once a month, change the batteries at least once a year, and replace the alarm itself every 10 years. For more safety tips,

visit www.esfi.org.

( N A P S I ) — A n y o n e who thinks a low-maintenance landscape has to be plain green and ugly should think again. With a bit of planning, some smart plant choices and the help of these seven garden designer secrets, you can have a yard that’s the envy of your ne ighborhood—and enough time to enjoy it.1. Choose plants that

will flourish given the realities of your yard. Some plants like full sun while others tolerate shade; some don’t mind freezing temperatures while others are unfazed by relentless heat. Selecting plants that thrive in the existing conditions of your site ensures a healthy, attrac-tive landscape. Observe the light levels around your home—six to eight hours plus of uninter-rupted sun each day indicates full sun, four to six hours is consid-ered part shade or part sun, and less than four hours would be a shaded site. Plants at the garden center should have tags that tell you their light preferences. Shopping locally helps ensure that all the plants you see will be suitable for the climate in your yard.2. Plant drought-

tolerant shrubs. These specially adapted plants thrive with limited water once they are estab-lished (usually after their first season in the ground). Drought-tolerant plants sail through hot summer days easily, saving you the time and money it takes to water the land-scape. Read the tag attached to the shrub for information on its drought tolerance or look for visual cues such

as silvery-grey leaves, as are found on Petit Bleu caryopteris, and narrow, needlelike foliage, as on Fine Line rhamnus. 3. Spare yourself the

time it takes to prune your plants by opting for compact varieties. Com-pact (also known as dwarf) plants never get too large for the space where you’ve planted them so you don’t have to bother with confusing pruning instructions. Most people’s favorite plants are available in compact, no-prune varieties: hydrangea lovers can try Little Lime or Bobo dwarf-panicle hydrangeas or the tidy Cityline series of big-leaf hydrangea. Rose fans should take

note of the low-growing Oso Easy series with its range of 10 vivid colors, all under three feet high. Even butterfly bush, a shrub notorious for its giant, sprawling habit, is available in a compact two feet height with the innovative Lo & Behold series. 4. Choose plants with

high-quality, attractive foliage. These look great even when not in bloom, beautifying your land-scape for months instead of just a few weeks. Colorful foliage, includ-ing the dark purple of Black Lace elderberry or the cheery gold of Char-donnay Pearls deutzia, and variegated foliage, such as My Monet weigela or Sugar Tip hibiscus, make engaging

focal points from early spring through late fall. Mix them with such evergreens as Castle Spire holly and Soft Serve false cypress for year-round color.5. Plant in masses of

three, five or seven of the same kind of plant. This gives your land-scape a cohesive, professionally designed appearance. Plus, weeds cannot grow if desirable plants are already taking up the space, eliminat-ing that notoriously tiresome garden chore. Planting in groups of odd numbers is a designer’s secret for a bold statement that doesn’t feel too formal or fussy.6. Mulch. A two- to

three-inch-thick layer of shredded bark mulch not only gives your land-scape a pleasing, finished look, it conserves water by reducing evaporation. It also keeps plant roots cool and shaded, allow-ing for healthy, vigorous growth that resists pests and diseases naturally. 7. Don’t be afraid to

replace the plants that take too much of your time, or those that you don’t really like, with new, easy-to-grow shrubs.

By Judy von HandorfOver the past year or

so, I've had my nose in the novels of Wendell Berry. In “That Distant Land,” there is a very thoughtful conversation between a lawyer, Wheeler, and his client, Elton. They are discuss-ing the farm Elton has just inherited. Wheeler leans forward in his chair and tells Elton, “The farm chose you.” The farm chooses us. It

struck a chord with me because I always felt this but, coming from Wendell Berry, I knew it was real. He goes on to say that we make the decision whether to embrace the offer or not.Every year around this

time, we at the Commu-nity Supported Garden at Genesis Farm select candidates for our Apprentice Program. We interview people from all over the coun-try. When all is said and done and our team is formed, I look at each one of these people and know that they are on this land for a reason. The fact that our paths crossed at this time and in this place is sacred. The responsibility that that goes with this is immense, and we do not take it lightly.We know our appren-

tices are here at Genesis Farm to get a taste of agriculture and we want to give them our best taste! We want to send them off knowing how to love the land, to have respect for the work, to have reverence for the food they eat, and to know community.Our Apprentice

Program began in 1998, when we felt ready to take on an educational component. We started out with one apprentice

and gradually expanded our program to four apprentices and a second-year apprentice-ship.Each year, we gain

more clarity on what we look for in a potential apprentice. We look for a good work ethic, someone who knows how not to stand around. We look for enthusiasm, for the ability to take ownership. A positive attitude and sense of humor can go a long way when we’re digging potatoes for five straight days! The selection process

begins with a resume and a letter outlining the candidate’s goals in agriculture. The farm visit is a must! We can get a good sense of a person by how they work, how they help out at lunch, and how they interact with others. When our Apprentice

Program began 15 years ago, our early appren-tices came with a com-mitment to farm. Today, we see people looking for an experience of farming before they go

off to pursue other types of agricultural ventures, such as teaching garden-ing or cooking profes-sionally with seasonal vegetables. The impor-tant thing is: The oppor-tunity is here for all. People can take a small window of time out of their lives and have an experience on the farm that will affect them for the rest of their lives.It’s such an honor to

witness the change in people who come to us. Some of them don’t even know how to use a shovel when they start in April and, by the end of the season, they are happily digging a one-foot deep trench to anchor plastic for a portable hoop house. But it’s more than muscles I see. I see a deeper understanding of the work and respect for it.In Wendell Berry’s

story, Wheeler, the lawyer, goes on to say,

“We start out expecting things of the land. And then some of us, if we stay put and pay atten-tion, see that expecta-tions are going the other way, too. Demands are being made of us, whether we know it or know what they are or not. The place is crying out to us to do better, to be worthy of it.”Judy von Handorf has

been a farmer at the Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm for 25 years. One of the first to adopt the Com-munity Supported Agri-culture (CSA) model, the Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm has more than 300 member fami-lies and is celebrating its 25th year. For more information

on the Genesis Farm apprentice program, including how to apply, visit www.CSGat GenesisFarm.com or call 908-362-7486.

(NAPSI)—How does your garden grow? It could be one that makes the neighbors green with envy if you turn for inspiration to America’s amazing public gardens. Here are six ways public gardens can inspire: Landscaping at public

gardens can offer suggestions for design-ing a beautiful garden of any size with colorful combinations of plants in bloom.Public gardens use

efficient watering prac-tices and have industry insight on responsible irrigation systems. Homeowners can learn how to irrigate their own gardens by exploring and consulting with a public garden. Choosing native plants

or plants that have adapted to the local environment can ensure that a garden will be healthy and require less water. Public gardens tend to have huge collections of native and adapted plants that hom-eowners can be assured will work in their own gardens. Public gardens have a

selection of plants that are right for a variety of

seasons. Blooms can happen year-round if the appropriate types of plants or trees are selected. Keeping your garden beautiful can be easier once you see how public gardens arrange their collection. Public gardens employ

a diverse professional staff that specializes in horticulture, conserva-tion, display, research and design. Many gardens offer workshops and programs for home gardeners. Public gardens often

host plant sales that feature unique plants, flowers and trees, providing top-quality additions to residential gardens. Many public gardens have profes-sional experts on hand to answer questions and libraries and bookstores that can educate home gardeners.The nonprofit Ameri-

can Public Gardens Association has partnered with Rain Bird, a leading manufac-turer and provider of irrigation products, to promote public gardens. For more information,

visit NationalPublic GardensDay.org.

Meet Bach from Elev-enth Hour Rescue. He is a four-year-old, Ameri-can Staffordshire terrier mix with a super friendly personality. Bach was found

recently wandering all alone on the streets of a major NJ city. The local animal control officer picked him up and thought for sure his owner would come looking right away for this sweet, people friendly, big-headed love of a dog. However, despite efforts to find his

owner, it became appar-ent that Bach had beenabandoned; dumped by an owner who did not care what happened next to this wonderful andhandsome boy. Thankfully, the ACO

then contacted EHR tosave him since he is atotally adoptable dog ingood health with a greatpersonality. To read more about

Bach, see all of EHR’s adoptable pets, upcom-ing events, or to make a donation, visit www. ehrdogs.org.

On Sunday, April 7th, Sussex County Commu-nity College will host two, one-act ballets performed by the New Jersey Ballet at the Performing Arts Center: Peter and the Wolf, and Beauty and the Beast.For more than half a

century, NJ Ballet has thrilled audiences with top quality professional ballet and has given adults and children their first introduction to ballet, inspiring a love of this art form. Children of all ages respond to the power of courage and

The Craig Kastelnik Quintet, featuring organist Craig Kastelnik and vocalist Pat Flaherty-Kastelnik, will perform on March 24th, 3pm to 5pm, at Ruther-furd Hall, located at 1686 Rt. 517 in Alla-muchy. You’ll be swinging

with a great quintet featuring a great organ-ist, vocalist, guitarist, drummer, and a saxo-phonist. Craig Kastelnik, organ-

ist, performs a wide variety of musical styles. Although Craig lives and performs regu-larly in the Lehigh Valley (NE Pennsylva-nia), he has played clubs and concerts throughout the U.S. as well as cruise ships.Craig’s wide rang-ing musical experience included performing and touring with singer Eddie Rabbitt for three years as a musical direc-tor, where he accompa-nied Anne Murray, Gladys Knight, The Pointer Sisters, Bob Hope and many others. On organ (with bass pedals), he has played with many well known jazz artists such as Phil Woods and Randy Brecker, including with drummer Bill Goodwin and saxophonist Nelson Hill and jazz legend Bob Dorough.Singing alongside

Craig is vocalist Pat Flaherty-Kastelnik that sets the mood from jazz to blues to everything in

between. Her powerful but smooth, engaging vocal sound comes through to all audiences. Influenced by singers Nancy Wilson, Roberta Flack, Dinah Washing-ton, Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra (among others), her personal connection with the crowd makes for a truly memorable perfor-mance. A strong percus-sionist, she adds a solid component to the rhythm section and may be considered one of the top woman conga play-ers in the country. Paul Wells attended

the renown jazz studies

program at William Paterson University, and has studied privately with John Riley, Kenny Washington, and Bill Stewart. Since graduat-ing, Paul has performed and recorded interna-tionally with a diverse selection of artists including Deborah Harry, Joe Williams, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Legacy, Mark Murphy, Nellie McKay, Marion Raven, Norman Simmons, Houston Person, David Leon-hardt, Randy Brecker, Sam Yahel, Eric Alexan-der, Joel Frahm, Rufus Reid, Rick Margitza, Dave Valentin, Glen Burtnik, and Spiral-ing.Vic Juris comes with

the likes of Dizzy

Gillespie, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Chico Hamil-ton, Dave Liebman, Richie Cole, Mel Torme, Eddie Jefferson and Nancy Wilson. From the beginning Vic's vora-cious appetite for new musical experiences led him to explore any and every jazz artist he could hope to learn from. He drew on other idioms as well: blues, swing, bebop. Vic's highly developed sense of com-position, his skill at fusing traditional jazz guitar with other forms of expression, has made him an eloquent and popular conversational-ist.Pete Fluck has become

synonymous with both his amazing saxophone skill and his ability to bend some great blues on the harmonica. Since picking up the saxo-phone at age of ten, Pete felt an instant love for his instrument. As a teenager he toured the country and played with Jay and the Techniques, a national act best known for their top 10 hit single, "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie," which reached number six in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. After which, he backed many national recording artists, includ-ing The Shirelles and Little Anthony and The Imperials.Tickets for the event

are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the concert. Tickets can be purchased online at rutherfurdhall.org. Seat-ing is limited. For more information, call 908-637-6455.

kindness that lie at theheart of this delightfuldouble feature. Clever Peter and his

friends dance toProkofiev’s famousscore in Peter and theWolf. In Beauty and theBeast, Beauty’s gentleways transform theBeast into a handsomePrince. The program is accom-

panied by NJ Ballet’soriginal “storyteller”narration so even thelittlest theater goer cankeep up with ease.The ballet will begin at

3pm.

Sussex County Com-munity College will host a special program in the PAC to raise genocide awareness among students and the public on April 25th from 12:15pm to 1:30pm and again from 1:40pm to 2:55pm. The program will also be repeated at 7pm at Sparta United Methodist Church. The panel of guest

speakers will include genocide scholars (Makiko Oku, Ph.D., and Jeff Benvenuto, Ph.D. candidate), and a genocide survivor from Rwanda, Eugenie Mukeshimana, who are affiliated with the Center for the Study of Genocide, Conflict Resolution, and Human Rights (CGHR) at Rutgers University. While the presenters

will touch upon the Holocaust, the main focus will be genocide in the context of history, past, present, and future. The panelists will discuss the persistence of genocide in the post-Holocaust world, as seen, for example, in Cambodia, Bosnia, and Rwanda, up to the present-day along with the threat of future geno-cides as expanding populations compete for

The Chester Lioness Club will meet for dinner on April 4th at 6:30pm in the Lamp-lighter Restaurant, located at 190 W. Main Street in Chester. This evening's program will include a discussion regarding "Housing Options for Elders: Finding the Best Place." To move, or not to

move? What are the choices? For many, wading through the sea of retirement options can be overwhelming. There are many alterna-tives, from staying in your current home to renting, to moving to a retirement community.Should you move in

with the kids? Would you qualify for a subsi-dized senior apartment? What is the difference

between assisted living and a nursing home? Can you "age in place" in a continuing care retirement community? This is one of many

programs offered by Family Service of Morris County through the "Caregiver Outreach in the Workplace" program, funded by a grant made possible through the Older Americans Act and the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Each of 12 various Eldercare Education Programs can be offered by Family Service as a free service to businesses, organiza-tions, or parish mem-bers. Programs can be

presented in a "Lunch and Learn" format, or at any other time during the day or evening that might best serve those who would benefit. The facilitator will be

Lucille H. Deutsch, CALA, CMC, Director of Geriatric and Care-giver Outreach for Family Service of Morris County. Ms. Deutsch is also in private practice as a geriatric care manager, serves the community as a volunteer with the Caregivers Coalition of Morris County, and has been a family caregiver for more than 20 years. For more information

regarding Family Service programs, call 973-538-5260, ext. 226, e-mail ldeutsch@fsmc. org, or visit fsmc.org.The public is invited to

attend this Lioness Club Meeting by reservation only. Kindly call Holly Simmenroth at 908-879-5932 for a reserva-tion or for more infor-mation on the Chester Lioness Club.

limited resources. The underlying theme

of the program is why genocides occur and how can they be prevented in the future. Each of the presenters will speak for about 15 minutes on their particu-lar area of expertise, and a question and answer period will follow. The program is free to

college and high school students. For non-students, a donation of up to $10 is suggested, but not required. The events are being

co-sponsored by SCCC, Newton Presbytery Peacemaking Commit-tee, Amnesty Interna-tional chapter 1004, Sparta United Methodist Church, and Sparta Ecumenical Council and Friends, as well as several other organiza-tions and individuals.

All proceeds will go to support Rwandan and Bosnian survivor networks sponsored by the speakers. More information can

be found online at sussex.edu; spartaumc. org; amnestyusa.org/ events/genocide-panel-discussion-group; www. ncas.rutgers.edu/cghr (click “programs,” then “genocide”). For questions, e-mail

tjohnson@sussex.edu or group1004@aiusa.org, or call 973-726-3245 or 973-876-1072. Group reservations for

the afternoon presenta-tions are recommended. Email requests to cschmidt@sussex.edu, or call 973-729-2535 and leave a message, including return phone number. No reserva-tions are guaranteed until confirmed.

On March 13th, the Blairstown Committee was praised for keeping the municpal taxes to zero once again. Also, it was stated that many residents were unaware of the hardwork the committee has done to bring this about, and

perhaps a newsletter should be mailed out to inform everyone.A vote was also passed

to decrease the open space tax from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent. This savings will be passed on to the residents.

1994 Jeep Wrangler: 6 cyl auto trans. 103k mi. Asking $4800. Call 908-310-5905. (5/5)

1999 Ford F-250 4X4 XLT: ext. cab, V-10, 8 ft bed, 125k miles. $5,500. Call 610-588-5331. (5/5)

1996 Dodge 3500 4X4: Utility Body with dump, 88k miles. $4,200. Call 610-588-5331. (5/5)

Seasoned Firewood: $215 per cord. Delivered. Call 908-303-5819. (7/10)

Seasoned Firewood: cut & split. Oak, ash & walnut. $150/cord. Picked up in Hardwick or Blairstown. Call 908-752-2140. (4/5)

For Sale: Cockatiels: $100 ea. English Budgies: $30 ea. Singing Male Canaries: $100 ea. Zebra Finches: $10 ea. Call 973-209-2244. (3/5)

For Sale: Crafstmen Power Washer: $250. Air Hockey Table: $125. Red Print Lazy Boy Recliner. King Heaboard: $200. Lawn Furniture. Counter Stools. Solid Pak Wall Units, 3 pc.: $1,000 OBO. 2 Oak Night Tables: $40. Call 908-459-5772. (2/5)

GE Freezer: 14 cu. ft., upright, frost free, 4 years old, excellent condition. Call 610-588-0277. (PA 2/5)

Spring Cleaning?Sell Your Unwated

Treasures in The PRESSClassifieds! See the Submission FormBelow for Details.

(NAPSI)—Your car can go farther for less if you take a few steps to keep it efficient.It helps to take meticu-

lous care of your vehicle by following the manufacturer’s recom-mended maintenance schedules and using the right products inside and out. This includes getting your oil changed, rotating your tires, checking hoses and belts for wear, replacing worn wind-shield wipers and keep-ing your vehicle clean. Another way to extend

the life of your vehicle and improve fuel efficiency is to make sure your fuel system is clean.To help, here are a few

fuel system basics.What does a fuel

system do? A fuel system’s job is to prop-erly maintain fuel demand. The fuel is eventually sprayed from the fuel injectors into the intake stream and into the combustion cham-ber. What does a fuel

system consist of? Depending on whether it’s a return or a return-less fuel system, it can consist of the fuel tank, fuel pump, sending fuel lines, fuel rail, fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulator and returning

fuel lines. If you have a returnless system, there is no fuel pressure regu-lator or return fuel lines. How do I know my fuel

system needs to be cleaned? If your fuel injectors have become clogged from deposits, they are not able to provide the wide and fine spray of fuel needed for the spark to ignite it. There are a few signs that may indicate you need to clean your fuel system. • You are getting lower

gas mileage.• There is a hesitation

when you put your foot on the gas pedal.• You are experiencing

a loss of power when driving your vehicle.One easy and conve-

nient solution is to use a total fuel system cleaner such as Max-Clean by premium synthetic lubricant manufacturer Royal Purple. It can clean fuel lines and injectors, restore fuel economy and reduce both engine buildup and tailpipe emissions by deeply penetrating and cleaning injectors, carburetors, intake valves and combustion chambers. The lubricant works in a variety of engines whether new or old, gasoline or diesel. One bottle will treat 15 to 20 gallons. You just pour it into a nearly empty tank and refuel.Fuel system mainte-

nance can easily be added to your regular vehicle maintenance routine. Not only will it improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, it can save you from having to make costly repairs that may be needed when fuel deposits are left to build up. For further advice and

information, visit royal purpleconsumer.com.

(NAPSI)—According to the Consumer Federa-tion of America, one in 10 used cars has had its odometer rolled back. Fortunately, there are five ways you can tell:1. compare the mileage

listed on the vehicle’s title with the odometer.2. Compare the

odometer’s mileage with mileage recorded on maintenance and

inspection documents.3. If the vehicle has a

traditional mechanical odometer, check that the numbers are aligned correctly.4. Examine the tires.

The car should have its original tires if the odometer reads 20,000 miles or less.5. Get a free Odometer

Check at www.carfax. com/odo.

by Scott Smith, PE (NAPSI)—It’s clear all

of us who rely on healthy infrastructure to effectively move people and goods need to adjust to life without a strong federal transportation program in place. With the declining purchasing power of the gasoline tax and a prevailing political desire to shrink the role of government, many state and local departments of transpor-tation do not have the means to pay for the simple cost of upkeep, let alone meaningful expansion, of the nation’s congested high-ways.To “do more with less,”

roads and bridges will be built with: Private funding and

management. Money has to come from some-where, and strategic alliances will be made between public road agencies and private investors to design, build, lease, manage and/or operate highways and bridges.Transportation technol-

ogy. Advancements are providing new ways for elected and appointed officials, planners and engineers to add value, speed project develop-ment and collect revenue to support transportation projects. For example, modern transponder and video technology are making tolling a more accept-able option for motorists and opening up opportu-nities for congestion pricing. Bridge design and analysis software and 5-D modeling and animation tools can identify construction challenges early in the development process, reducing risk and responding to the unique needs of each commu-

nity.Triage. Limited dollars

will be applied where they are needed most to keep existing bridges functional and highway lanes open. It may no longer be possible for the federal Highway Trust Fund to provide up to 80 percent of the funds necessary to com-plete projects. Federal funds will focus on com-plex multimodal facili-ties, tying together different modes of trans-portation and more effectively using the capacity that already exists. States also will expand alternative fund-ing strategies, such as increased licensing fees, property taxes, roadside advertising and/or leasing or selling unused right-of-way.Ready-made sustain-

ability. Our roads will go green, with innovative design and construction materials that allow highways and bridges to be more resilient, last longer and have less impact on the environ-ment. Road surfaces and bridge components will be made from recycled materials. Pavement will be permeable, cleaning runoff and better handling drainage. Auto-healing epoxy will fill tiny concrete cracks as quickly as they appear.Alternative delivery.

Design-build construc-tion streamlines project delivery through a single contract between the owner and the design-build team. To date, 47 states and Puerto Rico have adopted the process as a way to deliver large, complex projects faster and within extremely constrained budgets. And with the construc-tion manager/general

contractor model, theowner hires a dedicatedproject adviser whoprovides input that ultimately results inhigher constructability.Accelerated delivery.

Rather than designing most roads and bridgesfrom scratch, some projects will usestandardized designs and generically madecomponents to simplifyand speed delivery. The Missouri DOT usedsuch a strategy in its Safe and Sound programto replace more than 550bridges through a design-build construc-tion process. America also will see a

shift in what constitutes real value for public andprivate owners. The lowest price will nolonger be the primarymeasure of worth.Addressing critical insti-tutional, cultural, politi-cal and technical risks early and often in thedevelopment process will not only berewarded, but requiredfor selection. Firms with the technical solutions and innovative ideasthat effectively address those risks will thrive.

United Way of North-ern New Jersey is proud to announce two titans of business as the head-liners for its biggest fundraiser of the year on Friday, May 3rd; Alfred F. Kelly, President and CEO of Super Bowl 2014 as the keynote speaker and Jon Hanson, chairman and founder of the Hamp-shire Real Estate Com-panies, as the modera-tor.Hanson, who has 45

years of real estate investment manage-ment, including some of the state’s biggest devel-opment projects currently in the works, will lead the 14th annual United Way Commer-cial Real Estate Network Legacy Luncheon. This annual United Way networking and fundraising event held at the Parsippany Hilton recognizes outstanding achieve-ments in the region’s commercial real estate landscape as well as raises critical funds for United Way’s work.“United Way is

honored to have two of the greatest minds in business today share their insights and time

with us as we work to strengthen our commu-nity,” said Theresa Leamy, United Way senior vice president for resource development.Kelly will share his

game plan for staging the first open-air, cold weather Super Bowl during the 14th annual. Kelly is overseeing all host activities leading up to the historic Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in East Ruther-ford.

Kelly, former presidentof American Express,will provide a behind-the-scenes peek into how he is preparing for the game on its biggeststage, working withbusiness leaders and public officials in New York and New Jersey to generate a projected$550 million in economic stimulus for the region.Kelly is known for

producing top quality results at one of the mostsuccessful Fortune 500companies. He helpedmold American Express into the innovativemarketing and customer service powerhouse thatit is today.Likewise, Hanson has

more than 45 years of real estate investmentmanagement experi-ence. Hanson’s legend-ary leadership in business and politicswas recently recognizedby NJ Biz, which namedhim to their 25 Legends of New Jersey list,alongside the likes ofBen Bernanke and RayChambers.For more information,

sponsorship opportuni-ties or to register for theevent, visit UnitedWayNNJ.org/CRE2013.

The Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown got together this month to put together 22 "Cozy Kits" for Family Prom-ise of Warrren County, located in Oxford, which assists homeless families with children.The Clubs State Project

chairperson, Marianna Stires, along with club members, shopped, collected, organized and delivered the kits. Each "Cozy Kit" consisted of a blanket/throw, pillow, towel, slippers and/or socks, and a stuffed animal. Members got together to assemble the kits that were put into reusable bags or tied with a ribbon. A bag of extras were also deliv-ered. Family Promise was very happy to receive them and the kits will be given out to families in their system as needed. In addition to the kits,

the club presented the group with several checks to use at Family Promise's discretion.Backpacks, lunch

boxes and school

supplies were collected and delivered to Family Promise in September for use at the beginning of the schoolyear.The "Change for

Houses" project has been organized with the help of the First Presby-terian Church of Blairstown's Youth group, where they have decorated cardboard houses and collect change for the homeless of Warren County. This collection will also go to Family Promise.The Blair Woman's

Club does fundraising for many organizations,

including Camp Merry Heart, DYFS, DARCC, The ARC, Camp Warren, the six local food pantries, Wounded Warrior Fund, Blair-stown Ambulance Corp, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Catherine Dickson Hoff-man Library, two $1500 scholarships to local seniors, purchasing KIND news, Girls Career Institute, Project Graduation, Relay for Life, Camp Invention and Mom's club, plus others as needed.For more information,

call Helen Flynn at 908-362-5865.