Celebrating Our 350th Sesquarcentennial Anniversary 1669 ~ 2019

Greetings From Woodbridge

The 350^th Sesquarcentennial Anniversary celebrates the traditions of our Township’s past, present and future with events and activities that create civic pride and foster community partnerships that honor the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future. But, it’s the community spirit of our Ten Towns that stand as the ‘Heart-and- Soul’ of our Township - neighbor helping neighbor and volunteers who work behind the scenes to keep the Woodbridge Quality-of-Life the best in the state.

As we enter 2019, we will continue to concentrate on Quality-of-Life concerns and we will be at work to improve and expand municipal services. And, just around the corner is another year of spectacular Township events! We're already putting together an exciting line-up for the Mayor's Summer Concert series – Golden Oldies Monday and Tribute Band Tuesday. Woodbridge Wednesday & Music-On-Main Street. Local Band Thursday. Friday Jazz Festival and Country Sunday. Tooling Around the Township ‘Builds & Repairs’ on April 27. Plan to shop the Summer Farmer’s Market. Don’t forget about the Barron Arts Center concerts, exhibits and the annual BarronFest Art Festival. Taste of Woodbridge arrives in October... and there is much, much more to come in 2019 – including the 350^th Anniversary Grand Community Celebration on June 1. Visit: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for everything Woodbridge!!!

See You Around Town

Mayor John E. McCormac

Have-A-Heart Food Drive Challenge NOW Underway!!!

We Feed Woodbridge needs your help!!! This year, we’re again reaching out to the Woodbridge Township corporate, business and residential community to lend an even bigger - and more generous hand – through participation in the Have-A-Heart Food Drive Challenge. We’re asking Township corporate offices, Buy Local businesses, retail and food service outlets, the hospitality industry, schools and residents to donate 214 pounds of food or $214.00 to assist our food pantries continue their work providing food to less fortunate neighbors and residents. The Have-A-Heart Food Drive Challenge ends on Valentine’s Day ~ Thurs., Feb. 14, 2019 (hence the 2/14 challenge.)

The Have-A-Heart Food Drive Challenge is coordinated by Peter Barcellona, Chairman, of the We Feed Woodbridge Food Bank Committee. All you need to do is give Peter a call at 732-855-0600 x5034 (or email at: peter.barcellona@twp.woodbridge.nj.us) and tell him where and when to pick up a donation – 214 pounds of food or $214.00 - and our volunteers will come directly to your location… it’s that easy! Or, you can deliver 214 pounds of non-perishable food items to the following locations: Woodbridge Township Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main Street or Town Hall Municipal Building, 1 Main Street. Financial contributions (payable to We Feed Woodbridge) can be dropped-off at the Health Center or mailed directly to the Woodbridge Department of Health & Human Services, c/o We Feed Woodbridge, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 or to the Office of Mayor, Municipal Building, 3^rd Floor, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

Don’t delay!!! We need your help now! The cupboards are nearly bare! I know we can count on our Township business community, Buy Local businesses and businesspersons and residents to lend a hand. Please give us a call today at 732-855-0600 x5034. You’ll be glad you did.

Taste of Colonia serves on February 1

Experience the best food and beverage that Colonia has to offer at the Taste of Colonia set for Fri. Feb. 1, 2019 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at the Colonia Country Club (300 Colonia Blvd.) The Taste of Colonia - sponsored by the Colonia Business Community (CBC) and The Corner News Publication - offers a wide variety of culinary delicacies from the finest restaurants and caterers in Colonia and the surrounding area. Tickets: $30.00 (Advance Purchase Only - No Tickets Sold at the Door). Tickets available at: Advanced Family Chiropractic (622 Inman Ave.) or contact Councilwoman Debbie Meehan at 732-382-0273. Don’t forget to bring a can... or two... or three... of non-perishable food to be donated to Township food pantries. Taste of Colonia is a sponsor for the Have-A-Heart food drive. Plan NOW to raise your glass to a worthy (and delicious) cause. (All proceeds donated to the Have-A-Heart food drive.)

The Dream Continues: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance Service Set for Jan. 21

Join Mayor John E. McCormac and the Woodbridge Municipal Council, as the Woodbridge Interfaith Clergy Council, Community Groups and Associations and the award-winning Woodbridge High School Choir, honors the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at an Interfaith Salute & Remembrance Program on Mon., Jan. 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Woodbridge Community Center (600 Main Street). Members of the Interfaith Clergy Council will offer personal remembrances of Dr. King and the WHS choir will present musical selections in memory of Dr. King.

WPL Presents: Food for Fines… ESL Classes… FREE Programs for Adults

The Woodbridge Public Library (WPL) is kicking-off the New Year with a flurry of FREE events, programs and classes. First up is ‘Food For Fines’ week… During the week of Jan. 6-12, 2019, the WPL will waive overdue fines for non-perishable food donations. The WPL invites library patrons to return long overdue materials, or visit to renew their cards with amnesty from overdue fees, with the donation of food - one non-perishable food item for each overdue item. Please note that the WPL will require reimbursement for the value of lost materials, but processing and overdue fees will be waived during the ‘Have-A-Heart Food for Fines’ week. WPL now accepts on-line credit card payment through the on-line catalog at https://wood.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/main, click on “Log-in.” Patrons will need to visit in person to donate non-perishables and reactivate their library card memberships.

Looking to learn English as your second language??? Check-out the WPL-Literacy NJ ESL Classes??? In-person registration is required for Literacy NJ’s FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and conversation groups. ESL Classes are set for Jan. 17 at the Fords and Henry Inman Branch Libraries.

January is National Hot Tea Month!!! Plan to attend “Tea 101” with Catherine Felegi (https://cafelegi.wordpress.com/tag/catherine-felegi/) on Thurs., Jan. 10 at 7:00 PM at the Iselin Branch Library. The program is FREE and open to all… REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please call 732-634-4450 to register or visit http://woodbridgelibrary.org/.

Learn how to incorporate more nutrition into your diet and “Rev-up-Your-Day-with-Plant-Based-Superfoods” with Sue Rose, Vegetarian Lifestyle Coach on Jan. 14 at the Woodbridge Main Library at 7:00 PM. This informative workshop is free and open to all. No registration is required.

Noted author and organizing humorist… Jamie Novak (https://jamienovak.com/) returns to the Woodbridge Main Library on Jan. 15 at 7:00 PM with a new presentation… “How to Break Up with Your Clutter.” Come hear her hilarious take on how to part with the things you no longer use. This program is free and open to all. No registration is required.

All adult programs are FREE and open to all. For more information about special events @ WPL, please call 732-634-4450 or visit http://woodbridgelibrary.org.

2019 Sanitation & Recycling Calendar Now Available

Recycling in Woodbridge Just Got Easier!!! Download the MyWaste APP!!!

The 2019 Woodbridge Township Sanitation & Recycling calendar is NOW available. The 2019 calendar will be arriving in the mail next week… download the 2019 calendar via the Township web page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us or obtain a copy by calling the Department of Public Works Office of Recycling at: 732-738-1311 x3035.

The MyWaste APP - ALL-NEW FOR 2019 - puts trash and recycling collection schedules, special collection information and more right at your fingertips!!! MyWaste is a Recycling & Solid Waste Internet ePortal and Smartphone APP featuring the 2019 Sanitation & Recycling Calendar customized to your address. Search the ‘What Goes Here?’ database for specific recycling instructions. Find out when the Middlesex County document shredding truck is in town. Drop-off unwanted prescription drugs at the Police Department in Town Hall. Report a “Waste Problem” or send comments & suggestions through the APP. The MyWaste APP download is FREE and is available by going to: www.my-waste.mobi. Select the icon link either to the iPhone/iPad or Android APP store. Or visit the Woodbridge Township web page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for more information.

Buy Local Shopping!!! Stay Connected with the Woodbridge NOW APP. It's Free... It's Easy... It's Everything Woodbridge!!!

Before you start your Buy Local shopping… be sure to download the Woodbridge NOW APP for all of the best shopping deals, rewards and specials!!! The Woodbridge NOW APP is FREE!!! And, it’s the best source for what’s happening in Woodbridge. Stay connected with just one touch. Visit www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.

Before you start your holiday shopping be sure to download the Woodbridge NOW APP for all of the best shopping deals, rewards and specials!!! The Woodbridge NOW APP is FREE!!! And, it’s the best source for what’s happening in Woodbridge. Stay connected with just one touch. Visit www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.

It’s All Happening at The Club

The Club at Woodbridge is now part of the Woodbridge Township Recreation Family – and we’re offering an incredible menu of health, wellness, fitness and entertainment programs, events and happenings to members and guests!!!

The Club is the perfect complement to the Woodbridge Community Center (WCC) right across Main Street. Both facilities have a pool, running track, cardio rooms, weight rooms, concession areas and child care functions. Both run summer camps for kids and personal training and other amenities. The Club has racquetball and badminton, while the WCC has a hockey rink, roller rink, mini-golf course and batting cages.

Explore all The Club has to offer at: www.theclub.org.

Ring In The New Year with a WCC Membership Special

Start you New Year Resolution with WCC Membership… Check out the Family Membership or an Individual membership for that special someone. Join in December and receive a FREE WCC gift with your new membership!!! We’re betting that you’ll discover that the WCC is the perfect place for family fun, fitness and connection.

DID YOU KNOW??? The WCC is at the leading edge of what’s hot in the health, wellness and fitness industry –WCC members are going strong and getting in shape with the popular LesMills Group Effect exercise classes and personal training program. The WCC also offers a full aquatics program with swim lessons for all ages, a competitive swim team, roller and ice skating lessons, ice hockey, open skate sessions, weight and aerobic center, personal training & fitness programs, a full-court gymnasium, basketball court, indoor track, and so much more. Perfect your swing – baseball or softball - at the 3-cage batting center. And, after taking batting practice, tee-off at SkyLine Mini-Golf... the best and most challenging mini-golf course in Central Jersey.

The WCC hosts Corporate/Office outings and Birthday, Anniversary, Project Graduation, or any party for that special occasion. Your special event party comes with the full-service, in-house WCC Café and catering. Contact our Membership Services Coordinator at 732-596-4196. Visit our webpage at: www.njwcc.com. See us on Facebook. Or stop-by the WCC at 600 Main Street, Woodbridge. You’ll be glad you did!!!

WB Events & Happenings

JAN. 8
Relay-for-Life of Woodbridge is celebrating 25 years of Walking for a Cure!!! Relay is looking for Woodbridge cancer survivors to participate in a new ad campaign. Photo shoot is scheduled for Tues., Jan. 8 at 7:00 PM at the WCC.

JAN.12
Relay-for-Life of Woodbridge Presents: Wishes & Dreams Crop event. Scrap bookers, Card Makers & Paper Crafters Welcome!!! Sat., Jan. 12 from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. APA Hotel (120 South Wood Ave., Iselin)

School News and Events

There are many events, programs and happenings every day that focus on our schools, students and extra-curricular activities. The WB E-News encourages residents, parents, students and visitors to support the various school-related activities - without community sponsorship, many of the student programs, events and activities would not be able to take place. Plan to attend.

TUES., JAN. 8
Strengthening Our Families Graduation. Woodbine Avenue School #23. 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

WED., JAN. 9
Port Reading School #9 Presents: Student Winter Concert. 6:30 PM.

THURS., JAN. 10
Woodbine Avenue School #23 Winter Concert at Avenel Middle School. 6:00 PM
Iselin Middle School Presents: Winter Choir Concert. 6:30 PM.

About the Woodbridge E-News

The Woodbridge E-News is your direct link to all of the news, events, programs and happenings in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. You are receiving the Woodbridge E-News because you previously communicated with us via E-Mail or you signed-up for our entertainment news, registered to become a member of the Woodbridge Green Team or Greenable Woodbridge, provided your e-mail address to us after attending a public meeting, forum or event, or simply requested information about Woodbridge Township government, resident services and programs. We want to continue to send you periodic updates, so please take a moment to confirm your continued interest in receiving the Woodbridge E-News. CLICK HERE to keep receiving future editions of the Woodbridge E-News. Thank you!