The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 18

A digest of Central Jersey news stories B-2 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1996 THE COURIER-NEWS Our Towns done routinely by a physician. Instruction is one-on-one and there is no charge for the service. The programs for businesses will be performed in the work place. For details, call (908) 788-6112. Michael Daigle Former soccer star Szeles returns to coach prep team i Prenatal programs face grant deadline In-'--- Agencies may submit applications io be part of a program geared toward prenatal education for women.

The grant deadline is Dec. 20, and application forms may be obtained from the March of Dimes North Jer-: sey Chapter by calling (201) 882-0700. During the past two years, the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation has funded close to $900,000 in local chapter grants and national research grants to agencies for projects throughout New Jersey. The "Comenzando Bien" program was developed in a partnership between the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations. Its goal is to develop a curriculum which would provide education on prenatal health care, fitness and nutrition during pregnancy and other topics.

The program's overall philosophy is to validate the participants' knowledge, tradition, culture and beliefs and in- tegrate them with medically sound prenatal care practices. The mission of the March of Dimes js to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Through its Campaign for Babies, the March of Dimes funds a program it calls C.A.R.E. community services, advocacy, research and education. To obtain a free "Think Ahead!" pre-pregnancy planning kit call (201) 882-0700.

Bernice Paglia i 4Jd oversees the engineering, planning, zoning, construction code and public works department. He has been township engineer since 1993. Messina is a member of the Ten Towns Great Swamp Committee and vice president of the board of directors of the Westmont Montessori School in Mendham. Kimberly Woods Festival of Trees set to begin Friday The Somerset Hills YMCA and the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center are sponsoring the 23rd-annual Festival of Trees, which begins Friday. About 50 trees have been trimmed by schools, churches, individuals and organizations.

The trees are decorated based on themes such as Winnie the Pooh and Friends, the 1970s and recycled items. The festival ends Dec. 15. The trees will be on display 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday to Thursday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The center is on Lord Stirling Road. There will be a silent auction featuring items donated by local florists. For more information, call Pam Melyan at (908) 766-7898, ext. 509. The Somerset Hills YMCA serves Bernards, Bernardsville, Bedmin-ster, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and surrounding communities.

Kimberly Woods BRIDGEWATER Rescue Squad to hold food drive The Finderne First Aid and Rescue Squad will collect canned goods for the Somerset County Food Bank on Saturday, Dec. 14. Squad members will be going door to door to collect canned foods from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, and the squad building will be open to anyone who wants to drop off donations.

"Santa Claus" also will appear at the squad building for any children who would like to give their donations directly to him. Jennifer Bauman Bob Szeles Age: 45 Residence: North Brunswick Occupation: Teacher and coach at Rutgers Preparatory School, Somerset section of Franklin Education: Bachelor of Arts in history from Johns Hopkins University. Family: Wife, Mary; sons, Rob and Michael Favorite movie: "It's a Wonderful Life" Hobby: Singing Reason for profile: After a number of years operating a family business, Szeles has returned to Rutgers Prep as a history and geography teacher. He now coaches the boys varsity soccer team. "I am proud to be what they call a 'lifer' here at Prep," Szeles said.

"I attended the school from 1955 to 1968 and led our soccer team in scoring in 1966 and 1967, gaining All-State, All-Group honors." He went on to captain the Johns Hopkins University soccer team, receiving recognition on All-Conference and All-South teams. "I was very honored to be the first soccer player inducted into the Rutgers Preparatory School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, where I have taught since 1991," Szeles said. Being at Rutgers Prep is a family tradition. Szeles' oldest son, who now attends the College of William and Mary, graduated from Prep, and his younger son attends the upper school. Mrs.

Szeles teaches music and chorus at the school. "Rutgers Prep is a small community where the teachers know the students personally," Szeles says. "There is no place for a child to hide if he or she is not doing well academically." Rutgers Prep has a no-cut policy for its athletic teams. That means no one is cut from the squad. "Kids who may not be standout athletes get a chance to play," Szeles said.

"Academics is balanced with athletics, and students are encouraged to take that balance on to a fine university. We want every student to find his Bob Szeles proud to be a 'lifer' or her niche in sports, as well as in the classroom, thus developing mental toughness and a competitive edge." Szeles feels the same balance applies to the faculty. "I have the opportunity to be a coach as well as a teacher; a teacher as well as a coach," Szeles said. "People teach at Prep because they want to, and I like to think that this passion is felt by our students." In this, his first year as soccer coach, the boys team advanced to the state semifinals, before losing to Mor-ristown-Beard. "Seeing, in November, how far you have come since September that's success," Szeles said.

"If everyone on the team can say, 'I've learned something and am a better playerperson for then I'm happy." Christine Retz Do you have a neighbor or coworker who has an interesting hobby or career or is just plain interesting to be around? Call Metro Editor Joe McDonald at (908) 707-3121 after 3 p.m. with your suggestion. Science will hold two forums about Mars, the "red planet," from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the East Campus Building, Room 221.

The exhibits will incorporate videos, maps, posters, slide sets and an actual meteorite from Mars. An illustrated talk is scheduled, which will include a question-and-answer period. For more information, call the center at (908) 527-2894. Laurie Levoy PLAINFIELD Post office extends hours for holidays The Plainfield Post Office has extended hours for the upcoming holidays. "The Postal Service wants to make this Christmas as headache-free as possible for all postal customers," Postmaster Joseph S.

Diglio said. "It's at this time of year when the Plainfield Post Office has the opportunity to show how customer-oriented we truly are." Beginning Dec. 14 and continuing through Dec. 23, the extended hours include Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. On Dec.

14 and 21, hours at the main post office at 201 Watchung Ave. will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the Warren branch, 167 Washington Valley Road, hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The North Plainfield branch at 9 Jackson Ave. and the Watchung branch at 740 Somerset St. will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hours on Dec.

15 are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at all four offices. The main office in Plainfield will be open during those hours on Dec. 22.

On Dec. 16 and 23, the Plainfield main office will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bernice Paglia Youths' poetry to be celebrated Young poets will be celebrated in a program Friday at Maxson School. Winners of the Vagabond Poetry Contest will have their words spoken by professional poets with a jazz backdrop in two sessions, 9:20 a.m.

for seventh-graders and 10:10 a.m. for eighth-graders. Students worked with Vagabond Arts and Media in a series of programs to promote writing for fun. The first part of the series featured rap as a form of literature and was presented by rap lecturer Terry Benjamin. The second part focused on styles of rap music and the spoken word, and students were encouraged to write their own poems.

Bernice Paglia School to hold Fathers' Brunch Students and their significant male elders will have a brunch at Emerson Elementary School Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. The annual Fathers' Brunch gives students a chance to come together in an educational setting to socialize and share experiences. Students will attend with fathers or male guardians or friends. Bernice Paglia CLINTON TOWNSHIP School to present theater production The North Hunterdon High School Theatre Organization will present "Arsenic and Old Lace" today, Friday and Saturday at the high school theater.

Performances will begin at 7 all three nights. "Arsenic and Old Lace" is a comedy by Joseph Kesselring about the antics of two sisters who poison old, lonely men. Their nephew, who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, thinks the men have succumbed to Yellow Fever and buries the bodies in the cellar. Starring in the show are seniors Maria Covino as Aunt Abby, Katie Burtnick as Aunt Martha and Jim Ney as Mortimer. Senior Kyle Tinnes plays Teddy and junior Kevin LaMon-tagne plays Jonathan, the evil brother who returns to torment his family.

Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Christine Sokoloski LAMBERTVILLE City Council calls special meeting The City Council has called a special meeting for 7 p.m. Monday to appoint several city officials. The council will first adjourn to an executive session to interview candidates, then will re-enter public session and appoint a zoning officer, a construction official, a building subcode official and a building inspector. The council also will continue discussions in executive session to discuss the contract with Police Benevolent Association 343, which represents city police officers.

The meeting will be held at Lam-bertville City Hall, 18 York St. Michael Daigle UNION TOWNSHIP Coffeehouse plans free performance The Common Grounds Coffeehouse at Hunterdon Development Center will present Sheryl Skye and Bigger than Boise on Dec. 14. The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the center's canteen.

Admission is free, but the center does accept donations to help cover the cost of coffee and food. Hunterdon Developmental Center is on Route 513, adjacent to the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. For directions or more information, call the center, (908) 735-4031, Ext. 1176. Christine Sokoloski College to feature forums about Mars Kean College's Center for Earth TODAY SOMERSET COUNTY Bedminster Planning Board, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 130 Hillside Ave.

(908) 234-0333. Bernards Township Committee, 7 p.m., conference session; 7:30 p.m., agenda meeting, Municipal Building, Collyer Lane. (908) 204-3014. Franklin Board of Adjustment, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 475 DeMott Lane. (908) 873-2500.

Hillsborough Planning Board, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, Amwell Road. (908) 369-4313. Montgomery Township Committee, 8 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 2261 Van Home Road. (908) 359-8211. South Bound Brook Board of Education, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, N.K.

Brampton School library, 125 Madison St. (908) 356-0018. Warren Township Committee, 7:30 p.m., publicwork meeting, Municipal Building, 46 Mountain Blvd. (908) 753-8000. was seen leaving the home when police arrived.

Inside, a Zenith television and videocassette recorder had been left by the rear door. Five components of a Sony stereo system were stacked in the center of the living room. Travis S. Wilkins, 18, of 903 St. Mary's Ave.

and Lynne Rochelle Smith, 35, of 710 E. Front St. were charged Tuesday with distributing drugs. Police confiscated $41 and two vials containing suspected drugs after Detective David Carmen, using a pair of binoculars, watched an alleged drug exchange at Garfield Avenue and East Third Street. Jacquelyn D.

Smith, 39, of 1350 Myrtle Ave. was charged Tuesday with prostitution after allegedly propositioning a plainclothes police officer in an unmarked vehicle. Smith was cautious when Detective David Carmen approached her in the 1400 block of West Front Street and began asking her numerous Voorheestohold financial aid forum Voorhees High School will hold a financial aid workshop at 7:30 p.m. Monday for parents of seniors. Lissa Anderson, director of financial aid at Caldwell College will talk about completing the federal financial aid form required by all colleges.

She also will review institutional aid packages and loan programs available to assist students and their parents. Kathleen Shanklin, supervisor of guidance and special services at Voorhees, will moderate the workshop and discuss the local scholarship program. For more information, call the high school's guidance department, (908) 638-4272. Christine Sokoloski Seminars offered for breast health The American Cancer Society-Hun-terdon Unit is offering lunchtime seminars on breast self-examination and breast health to businesswomen, clubs, and community and church groups. The program will be presented by health-care professionals and will include instruction in breast self -exam, a video covering all facets of the exam and need for monthly checkups, information about mammography and accredited facilities and information about clinical exams to be Griggstown Millstone Montgomery Rocky Hill HUNTERDON COUNTY Bethlehem Kingwood MIDDLESEX COUNTY Middlesex, District 5 South Plainfield, south BEDMINSTER Art Association -to hold boutique -1 The Somerset Art Association will have a three-day "Holiday Art Bou- tique," that will open Saturday.

The art boutique will feature art- work, fine crafts, jewelry and wear- able art created by more than 50 artists. Volunteers have organized goods suitable for gifts, homes and private art collections. Artwork will include water-color, pastel and oil paintings, limited-edi-! tion prints, ceramics, pottery, sculp-; ture, felt hats and folk art crafted in Vermont, dried arrangements, woven scarves, textile designs and seasonal decorations. The boutique will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

on the second-floor gallery of the association at 2020 Burnt Mills Road. All proceeds from the boutique will help programs and services offered by the nonprofit organization. For more information call, (908) 234-2345. Kimberly Woods BERNARDS Engineers' society elects president -Peter Messina has been elected president of the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers for 1997. The Chester Township resident, who will serve a one-year term, will chair the executive committee that is responsible for reviewing proposed legislation from the state Assembly and Senate, pending actions and activities from the state Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Community Affairs.

The organization has 400 members representing 567 municipalities in the state. As township engineer, Messina Recyclables should be at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day. For more information call these recycling center numbers: Somerset County, (908) 469-3363; Hunterdon County, (908) 788-1110; Middlesex County, (800) 378-8220; Union County, (800) 747-6265; Morris County, (201) 285-8394. FRIDAY SOMERSET COUNTY Franklin Park BEDMINSTER A purse containing $430 was reported stolen from a shopping cart at King's Super Market on Hills Drive Friday.

BRIDGEWATER Eric Robert Ostermiller, 24, of Ftemington was charged Sunday night with driving while intoxicated after a police officer noticed him driving his motorcycle on a grass median on Route 22. Owners of the Victory Grill on Old York Road reported early Tuesday that one of the restaurant's front windows had been smashed and $150 stolen from the cash register and an unlocked cabinet drawer underneath the register. A portable CD player and a mounted wall telephone also were missing. One of the owners told police that on the previous day, a small green car with New York license plates had stopped at the restaurant, and a Projected changes Projected percentage of change in school portion of property tax if Republican plan is adopted, according to the Office of Legislative Services: Hunterdon County 5.09 Alexandria 1.20 Bethlehem 5.76 Bloomsbury 9.72 Califon 1.12 Clinton Town 0.39 Clinton Township 5.40 Delaware Township 6.75 Delaware Valley Reg HS 8.01 East Amwell 6.06 Flemington-Raritan 2.83 Franklin 5.42 Frenchtown 8.09 Hampton 6.62 High Bridge 6.65 Holland 7.03 unterdon Central Reg 6.46 Hunterdon Co. Vocational na Hunterdon Co.

Ed. Serves. na Kinqwood 1 .69 Lambertville 6.38 Lebanon Borough 7.43 Lebanon Township 2.45 Milford 5.56 North Hunterdon Reg. HS 6.43 Readinqton 4.21 South Hunterdon Reg. HS 5.57 Stockton 8.85 Tewksbury 4.57 Union 3.33 West Amwell 4.75 Middlesex 4.18 Dunellen 6.64 Middlesex Borough 3.36 Piscataway 5.72 South Plainfield 4.62 Somerset 2.57 Bedminster 3.82 Bernards 3.49 Bound Brook 1.18 Branchburg 4.38 Bridqewater-Raritan 4.38 Franklin 4.27 Green Brook 5.04 Hillsborough Manville 4.06 Montgomery 2.10 North Plainfield 0.15 Somerset Co.

Ed. Serves na Somerset Co. Vocational 5.52 Somerset Hills Reg. HS na Somerville South Bound Brook 6.80 Warren 3.53 Watchung 5.94 Watchung Hills Req. HS 5.25 Union 3.21 Berkeley Heiqhts 5.26 Mountainside 4.89 New Providence 4.14 Plainfield 19.98 Scotch Plains-Fanwood 5.34 Union Co.

Ed. Services na Union Co. Req. HS 8.34 Union Co. Vocational Westfield 4.52 na not available Story, B-1 Watchung Board of Adjustment, 7:30 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Building, 15 Mountain Blvd.

(908) 756-0080. MORRIS COUNTY Morris-Union Jointure Commission Board of Education, 9 a.m., regular meeting, board offices, Conference Room 340 Central New Providence. (908) 464-7625. Agenda is a list of scheduled meetings held by municipal and county boards that runs daily except Sunday. Boards included are: Borough Council, City Council, Township Council or Committee, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

To be included or for information, please call Metro Editor Joe McDonald at (908) 707-3121; fax items to (908) 707- 3252 or mail them to Agenda, The Courier-News, P.O. Box 6600, Bridge-water, N.J. 08807. questions. At one point, Carmen denied he was a cop, and Smith told him: "Yeah, you're too good looking to be a cop." Smith also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police on Tuesday charged Deborah Lynn Walls, 38, of 216 Evona Ave. with possession of drugs and possession of marijuana. Police confiscated a glass vial containing suspected drugs and a half-burned marijuana cigarette. Pierre Jenkins, 22, of 723 E. Front St.

was charged with failing to disperse Tuesday after Officer Eugene Christmas had warned him and others to leave an area in the 700 block of East Front Street, known for drug trafficking. SOMERVILLE A Somerville man told police that checks for his Fleet Bank account had been stolen and been passed by an unknown person. The bank account was canceled Nov. 21 man stepped out and took pictures of the restaurant. NORTH PLAINFIELD A radar detector, tape recorder, tools and $50 were reported stolen Wednesday from a car parked in the 100 block of Willow Avenue.

A vehicle parked behind a Grove Street home was reported stolen Wednesday. No description of the vehicle was released, but the vehicle was locked. PLAINFIELD Two collectible dolls, $25 and jewelry were among items stolen during a burglary reported Tuesday at a home in the first block of Carnegie Avenue. A 15-year-old city boy was arrested Tuesday and several other teen-agers were questioned in the burglary of a home in the first block of Sycamore Avenue. The boy.