Coming together for unity and fun

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   The unmistakable crisp snap of autumn was in the air, along the smell of hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cake Saturday for Community Unity Day at Woodlot Park.
   More than a hundred vendors and thousands of residents turned up for the annual festival of all things South Brunswick, which is organized by the Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse.
   The event was filled with fun activities for kids like bouncy boxing and soapbox car racing; as well as services for adults like blood pressure screenings and antique appraisals. The day also served as the ribbon cutting ceremony for the township’s newly renovated Community Center, which residents could tour during the festival.
   ”I think we had a real feeling of community,” event organizer Steve Reichenstein said. “Everywhere I looked people were smiling and having fun. It was really a wonderful thing.”
   The event kicked off with a performance by the South Brunswick High School marching band, which invited the entire crowd to sing along with a rousing rendition of “God Bless America.” The Township Council also presented the first Art and Debbie Roedel Community Service Award to its namesakes, Mr. and Ms. Roedel. The two had headed the effort to organize Unity Day for the past 10 years, as well as participating in many other volunteer and philanthropic efforts around town.
   Mayor Frank Gambatese lauded the township’s diversity.
   ”This town is truly a mosaic,” he said. “It is wonderful that we can come together for a day like this.”
   The vendors and activities were spread out over three areas, and families weaved back and forth to take in all the event had to offer. At one end, electronics store Best Buy set up a booth with four 40-inch flat screen television, each hooked up to a Nintendo Wii gaming system. Kids competed at Guitar Hero and Wii Sports, which features games like tennis and bowling.
   At the other end, Joseph Bodnar, owner of Bodnar’s Auctions, was on hand to do free appraisals on any item brought in. Mr. Bodnar also auctioned off a base used at the last game ever played in Shea Stadium.
   Mr. Bodnar holds most of his auctions at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, but lives in South Brunswick. He said that Unity Day was a great opportunity to introduce people to his business.
   ”This is the first year we are at Unity Day, we have had a lot of people coming up to see us who didn’t know we were going to be here take a information to get items appraised later,” he said.
   Jay and Clara Collins, of Kendall Park, brought their kids J.T., 8, and Kyra, 4, to the event.
   ”It seems bigger this year,” Ms. Collins said. “It seem like there are more booths and activities, and more people.”
   Ms. Collins said she enjoys Unity Day because there is a lot of fun things for kids to do, and it’s a good chance to learn about things around town.
   ”I liked the booth where you could paint the pumpkins,” J.T. said, referring to an activity at the Cambridge School’s table.
   In the center of the action was a stage set up for musical act Slo Motion, which cranked out a sing-a-long soundtrack for the day, playing hits by artists like Van Morrison and Tom Petty. The band also had a special opening act. Their lead-in was the first public performance by 7-Sharp, a group made up of three 13-year-old students at Crossroads North and South middle schools.
   Nathan Smith played the guitar and Sean Wallace the bass, while Jimmy McNicholes bashed it out on the drums and took lead vocals. The young band said they had butterflies before taking the stage, but they had nothing to be nervous about based on the reaction of the audience.
   ”I am pretty sure we were all nervous, but we all went out there and did our best,” Nathan said. “We did it together and we are best friends.”
   U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg and U.S. Rep. Rush Holt also stopped by and applauded South Brunswick for the event.
   ”I love being at things like this, the community events are the best when everyone comes together,” Sen. Lautenberg said. “Everyone is together and wants to make the community a better place.”