Community comes together in unity

Annual event draws throng

By: Joseph Harvie
   The smell of hot dogs, and barbecued beef and pork mingled with the sounds of classic rock and the murmur of several thousand friends and residents Saturday afternoon when the township came together at the annual Charlene J. Austin Community Unity Day.
   Township organizations, businesses, officials and food vendors from the area were out in full force at the event, which was originally started to warn people of the dangers of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. To remain true those roots, vendors placed small printed signs throughout to remind people that all township parks are smoke free, a rule adopted by the Township Council in August.
   Residents strolled through the park, taking time to stop by the many booths and stopping to talk to friends along the way.
   "It usually falls on a nice day to walk around outside, enjoy yourself and there is just so much to see, do and learn about. It’s great," Cathy Sweeney, of Monmouth Junction, said as she walked past the township Board of Education’s booth with her children.
   Ms. Sweeney’s daughter Mary,10, agreed, and said that she was looking forward to seeing her cousin dance with her Route 27 dancing school later on at the event.
   "It’s really fun to get stuff," Mary said, holding up a bag filled with treats given out by local organizations.
   "But I’m really looking forward to seeing the Just Dance competition."
   The South Brunswick Division of Human Services was on hand selling greeting cards, with the proceeds going to benefit the township Human Intervention Trust Fund.
   LouAnne Wolf, township director of Human Services, said the division had sold out of its holiday greeting card by 1:30 p.m. The card had a reproduction of painting by Eleanor Hornor titled, "Winter Nostalgia." Ms. Hornor is a township resident who died earlier this year.
   The division was also selling cards with a picture of the pond in Woodlot Park, titled "Water," that was taken by 12-year-old autistic Monmouth Junction resident Jacob Zatkow.
   The cards were being sold for $5 a piece or five for $20, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the trust fund, which is used to help needy township families cover emergency costs, such as doctor’s bills, rent, heating and electric costs, among others. The division raised more than $1,000 though the sale.
   The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9111 on Henderson Road was also on hand to recruit new members, said Post Commander Al Kady. Mr. Kady was also displaying a clock that was made for him in 1944 by a German prisoner who was under his command.
   "We captured 58 German prisoners, and two worked for me," Mr. Kady said. "We took this clock out of a German tank, and one of the prisoners made the frame for it. It still works."
   Also on hand for the first time at the event were representatives of Von Thus Farm on Ridge Road. The farm had a stand set up giving away free apples to those who stopped by.
   "We’re kicking off apple season," said the farm’s office manager, Donna Babo. "This is the third year in a row that we are pick your own. We’re also here to get the word out about our Fall Festival, which is held Columbus Day weekend."
   The event, scheduled for Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm, will include hayrides, corn and straw mazes, pony rides and a petting zoo, Ms. Babo said.
   The South Brunswick Arts Commission booth was busy for most of the event, with children coming to paint a scene on a piece of paper that will be used to make a quilt for the University Medical Center at Princeton.
   "Last year we had a quilt that was auctioned on eBay as a benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina," said Stephanie Lefand, art teacher Crossroad South Middle School, and an Arts Commission member. "This year we asked people to ‘paint something that makes you happy’ on a card and we’re going to make it into a quilt that will be hung at the Princeton Medical Center in the children’s hospital."