A Message from Mayor Mahr
Earlier today, the state reported another 1,394 COVID-19 positive test results, bringing the statewide total to 152,719. Union County currently has a total of 15,191 confirmed cases. Today, as we move into the weekend, our number of reported cases remains at 88. This is an encouraging sign as we continue to move in the right direction.
We have arrived at a milestone of the year. Memorial Day is not only a solemn remembrance of our fallen heroes but marks the beginning of summer to many in New Jersey. This year is the same in spirit, but very different in execution.
Where in the past we would join together for a parade, now we must remain apart and remember our fallen in a different way. Our Memorial Day Committee, Oshanda Erb, John Mooney, and Michele Moore, have worked tirelessly to create meaningful virtual experiences for us to share. I am grateful for their hard work and hope all of you will be able to partake in some of the offerings listed below.
It has been a difficult season for us all. I wish for you all that you can take a break this weekend from conducting school at home, from waiting on lines for groceries, and from the isolation and cabin fever so many are suffering.
The Governor is slowly reopening the state and you will be able to enjoy the parks and beaches, albeit in a limited way. I hope you will be able to get out of your home, enjoy the outdoors, be grateful for small blessings, and reinvigorate your spirit for the very interesting months that lay ahead.
The administration offices at Borough Hall will be closed for the holiday, but we will be back on Tuesday with the next e-blast to keep you informed in these unusual times.
And of course, for those of you in need of assistance, we are not going anywhere. If you need our help with food insecurity, illness, or unemployment issues, please reach out at mayor@fanwoodnj.org.
– Mayor Colleen Mahr
Flowers for Fanwood
Tricia and Steve Dolgin are doing their part to help beautify Fanwood! Watch the flowers popping up around downtown as the Green Team volunteers lend a hand to prepare for the summer! Thank you Dolgins!
Memorial Day Weekend Activities
- Hometown Hero Banners
- Banners of current and veteran members of the military are hung on Martine and South Avenues
- Gold Star Tribute, to the 14 Fanwoodians who have made the ultimate sacrifice
- 12 of these 14 soldiers have streets in Fanwood named in their honor. Beneath these street signs you will see a brief bio of the honoree.
- A map of the sign placement can be found on the Fanwood website and a complete set is on display in front of Borough Hall at 75 N Martine Avenue.
- A Gold Star Tribute video will be released at 6 PM on Saturday. Look for it on Fanwood Facebook page and here on Fanwood TV
- The Scotch Plains Fanwood Gold Star Virtual Concert with performances from your friends and neighbors will also be released at 6 PM tomorrow at Fanwood Facebook and Fanwood TV.
- Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at Library
- 9 AM Wreath Laying Ceremony: The public is asked to respect social distancing and watch at home on the Fanwood Facebook page.
- Memorial Day Bell Tolling
- At 3 PM on Memorial Day the Fanwood and Scotch Plains churches will all toll their bells in recognition of the sacrifice of all of our fallen heroes.
At 3 PM on Memorial Day the Fanwood and Scotch Plains churches will all toll their bells in recognition of the sacrifice of all of our fallen heroes.
For more information about and to register for this camp, please go to fanwoodrecreation.org. More online summer camps will be announced soon.
Fanwood Gold Star Tribute
In an effort to shine a light on those many Fanwoodians who have served our country and paid the ultimate price, the Memorial Day Committee is developing a map for the Gold Star Tribute.
The map traces the route among all of the twelve streets in Fanwood that are named after fallen service members. Each street sign now has a gold star. The Committee will place a placard with a history of the fallen at the base of the street sign and we encourage you to visit the sites and remember the sacrifice of these Fanwood heroes. We have two additional Gold Star soldiers who do not have streets named after them, placards with their information can be found on the lawn at Borough Hall.
You are of course discouraged from taking the walk in large groups and know you will practice social distancing on the walk. We will release the map from this e-blast prior to Memorial Day.
Gold Star Video Tributes
As part of the virtual commemoration of this important occasion, the Fanwood Memorial Day Committee prepared a video tribute to the fourteen local Gold Star Heroes along with special messages from Fanwoodians. In addition, they have produced the Scotch Plains Fanwood Gold Star Virtual Concert with performances from our friends and neighbors.
Both videos will be released at 6 PM on Saturday and can be seen on Fanwood Facebook and local Fanwood TV.
(Comcast channel 35 or Fios channel 24)
Honoring the Fallen
We invite you to view and share this document of Fanwood service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will be honoring these fourteen men during Monday’s moment of silence:
- William J. Brohm Second Lieutenant, US Army
- Charles S. Burns III Captain, US Army
- Eugene W. Hendricks Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force
- Edward M. Klaniecki Specialist Four, US Army
- Hugh MacLennan Warrant Officer Class II, Royal Canadian Airforce
- Donald E. Vinton Petty Officer, Third Class, US Navy
- John T. MacDermott Second Lieutenant, US Army
- Theodore F. Ginder Private, US Army
- Walter R. Stewart Staff Sergeant, US Armed Air Force
- Edward Stagaard Sergeant, US Army
- Ernst Ashworth Petty Officer, First Class, US Navy Reserve
- Richard W. Gere Petty Officer, Third Class, US Navy
- John J. Rau Second Lieutenant, US Army
- Robert H. Wood Corporal, US Marine Corps
To view more information on the service members, please click here.
On The Road Back
Today, Governor Murphy laid out an extensive update for the state’s reopening procedure. We urge all Fanwoodians to take the time to read it by clicking the preview image.
The Borough of Fanwood Administrative Offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. |
Fanwood Grand Marshal
We are proud to have this military family call Fanwood home and salute Bronze Star medalist, Major Moore, for his continuing dedication to keeping America safe.
For Major Moore’s complete bio, please go to fanwoodnj.org.
Scotch-Plains Grand Marshal
Born in Montazzoli, Italy, one hundred years ago, Mr. Fantini came to Scotch Plains as a young child.
During WWII, Mr. Fantini was stationed at Cape May and in Delaware, where he was a Coast Artillery Army sergeant. Later, he was stationed in the Pacific and would have participated in an invasion of Japan, a mission that was aborted once Japan surrendered following the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Fantini worked as a welder for 55 years at Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems.
He was married for 71 years to Donna Fantini, who passed away last August. Donna and Alphonse were blessed with three children (Claire, Ronald, and Mary Ann), four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Fanwood Hosting Virtual Memorial Day Observance
Because we are unable to gather together this year to honor the fallen, the Memorial Day Committee invites you to make your own video remembrance to be included in the Fanwood video tribute.
Feel free to be creative, if you wish to offer a patriotic tune or other creative/artistic material feel free to express yourself.
- Please send your video via email (NO TEXTS) in full resolution to FanwoodGoldstars@gmail.com
- Please shoot horizontal, and not the vertical cell phone look.
- Your video should be brief, no longer than 2 minutes.
- Submission Deadline. Midnight, Monday, May 18
COVID Drive-Thru Screening is now Open to all Union County Residents
Testing is free of charge to county residents and no symptoms are required to participate.
Please call (908) 214-7107 if you wish to secure an appointment at the Kean University drive-thru the testing site.
Testing notwithstanding, it is important that we all continue to practice accepted social distancing methods including wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and staying six feet apart from one another. This is for your protection as well as the entire community so please be respectful of others and do your part to keep us all safe!
New Jersey’s Road Back Update
Today, Governor Murphy announced that he is lifting the executive ordering limiting outdoor gatherings from 10 to 25 people and reopening recreational campgrounds immediately. Indoor gatherings remain limited to 10 people and today’s reopenings do not include outdoor dining or graduation events.
