Clucas Farms is open for Easter! Located at 3166 Belvidere R., Rt.

519 in Phillipsburg, Clucas offers a wide variety of Easter flowers. For more information, call 908-246-3951. Caring for Recovery, a national non-proft support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer, will hold a weekend retreat in Clinton, June 7th through 9th at no cost to participants. The deadline for submitting requests to attend is March 29th and the number of participants is limited. Apply now at castingforrecovery.org. The United Methodist Women are having a pastie sale through March 31st. Pasties, with or without onions, are $5 each. Orders can be picked up on April 5th at the First UMC, located at 10 Stillwater

Rd. in Blairstown, from 4pm to 6pm. To place an order, call Michelle Peterson at 908-3626703. Races Farm Market, located on Rt. 94 in Blairstown, will be open on April 1st! For more information, visit racefarmllc.com. The Warren County Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services is moving. As of April 8th, the new offices will be located on Rt. 519 South, behind the Village Square strip mall, between Village Drive and the Warren County Road Department in White Township. The official street address is pending, but for GPS purposes, use 187 Route 519 South, Belvidere, NJ 07823 (do not attempt to send mail to this address). The agency will be closed to the public on April 5th between 8:30am and 4:30pm for staff train-

ing. The agency will reopen to the public in its new facility on April 8th at 8:30am. For more information, call 908475-6301. Warren Co. Soil Conservation District is holding a Seedling and Wildflower Sale, offering bare root tree seedlings and wildflower seed mixes at reasonable prices. Orders are being accepted through April 5th and will be available for pickup at the district office at 224 W. Stiger St. in Hackettstown on April 25th, 26th and 27th. Call 908-852-2579 or visit warrencounty scd.org for a brochure and order form. The Blairstown Auxiliary of the Newton Medical Center is looking for new members. The auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of every month at the First United Methodist Church in Blairstown at 10am. For more information, call 908-9023771. The Musconetcong Watershed Association is seeking volunteers to help with its Annual Spring Clean-Up on April 13th, from 9am until noon. Volunteers

are invited to the MWA River Resource Center in Asbury for lunch after the event. To register or for more information, call 908-537-7060 or email adrienne@ musconetcong.org. North Warren Regional School is inviting Veterans to participate in the annual Voices of the Veterans program on May 29th. Veterans of all military branches and all eras are invited to attend and be recognized for their service. The program includes breakfast, assembly introduction with keynote speakers, performances by the NWR band and chorus, a commemoration ceremony, lunch on the lawn, and optional classroom visits to speak with students. Registration is required. For more information, call 908-362-8211, ext. 1139. We love hearing from you! Send your birthdays, anniversaries, and other info to: The PRESS PO Box 430 Blairstown, NJ 07825 thepressnews@enter.net thepressnewsonline.com Like Us on Facebook!

Here is a list of notable books and other items that have been added to the collection recently at the Warren County Library: The Wanderer (Thunder Point), by Robyn Carr. The Vatican Diaries: A Behindthe-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church, by John Thavis. Earn the Right to Win: How Success in Any Field Starts With Superior Preparation, by Tom Coughlin. The Soundtrack of My Life: Clive Davis. After Visiting Friends: A Sons Story, Michael Hainey. The Newcomer (Thunder Point), by Robyn Carr. The Fast Metabolism Diet: Eat More Food and Lose More Weight, by Haylie Pomroy. Shouting Won't Help: Why I--and 50 Million Other Americans--Can't Hear You, by Katherine Bouton. Choke, by Chuck Palahniuk.

Finish-Free Knits: No-Sew Garments in Classic Styles, by Kristen TenDyke. Law and Disorder: The Legendary FBI Profiler's Relentless Pursuit of Justice, by Mark Olshaker. Three to Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum), by Janet Evanovich. Witchy Crafts: 60 Enchanted Projects for the Creative Witch, by Lexa Olick. Falling for Rapunzel, by Leah Wilcox. Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie (Perennial Classics), by Ole Edvart Rolvaag. Kylie The Carnival Fairy (Rainbow Magic), by Daisy Meadows. With or Without You, by Domenica Ruta. Whitey Bulger: America's Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice, by Kevin Cullen.

Lisa Feidler and Vicki Diamond are Artists of the Month at Gallery 23. Their work will be highlighted in the windows of the gallery throughout the month of April. The artists will host the public at a reception on April 6th from 1pm to 4pm. All of their work will be 20 percent off on that day, and there will be refreshments and a door prize. Lisa Feidler, a resident of Blairstown, is a selftaught artist. Though she holds a degree in business administration, art is her true lifes passion. Mostly a self-taught artist, Lisa's home studio is where she creates her delightful pieces of wearable art. Whimsical designs, lively bold colors, sparkling dichroic glasses, and various precious metals are distinguishing elements of her handmade art-glass beads. Much of Lisa's unique style of beaded jewelry showcases her beads and elevates her work to a level beyond the mundane. Multi-media artist Vicki Diamond has worked with wood, cement, encaustic, oil,

alabaster, gourds, straw, and stone over the years. Lately, after acquiring a llama, three alpacas, and two angora goats, she has been having a wild time felting fiber. Felting is an ancient craft that utilizes lubrication, agitation, and moisture to shrink and bond fibers. Vicki washes, dyes, and cards the wool from her animals before felting it over silk or cotton into unique scarves. She also makes needle felted wall tapestries from the fiber. Her scarves can be seen on Facebook at Diamond Artworks and

her other works can be seen at www.vicki diamond.com. Gallery 23, an artist co-op, is located at 23 Main Street in Blairstown. The gallery is

open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, noon to 4pm. For more information, visit www.gallery23.net or call 908-362-6865.

Childrens Easter Egg Hunt: March 28th, 10am. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Ages toddler thru 5. Call 908-362-8335. An Evening with Sarah Watkins: March 28th, 8pm. The Historic Blairstown Theatre, 30 Main St., Blairstown. FMI & tickets, call 908-362-1399 or visit www.thehbt.com. Easter Egg Hunt: March 30th, 10am. North Warren Regional High School. Enjoy breakfast, then an Easter egg hunt. Sycamore Park Playground Project Meeting: April 1st, 7pm. Post Time Pub, 25 Main St., Blairstown. Those interested in volunteering to help the project are encouraged to attend. Seed Starting Work-

shop: April 2nd, 7pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Learn more about the Seed Library at CDH & join the NW Garden Club as they present the Seed Starting Workshop. Spirit Family Reunion: April 3rd, 8pm. The Historic Blairstown Theatre, 30 Main St., Blairstown. FMI & tickets, call 908-362-1399 or visit www.thehbt.com. Wake Up PJ Story Time: April 5th, 9am. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Preschool-aged children invited to wear PJs and wake up with stories, finger puppets & snacks. FMI, call 908-362-8335. Hands-On Email Computer Basics: April 5th, 10:30am to noon. Mouse skills

necessary. Registration required. FMI, call 908-362-8335. 1st Fridays Writers Club: April 5th, 7pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335. Warren Co. Democratic Committee Jefferson-Jackson Breakfast; Meet NJ Sen. Barbara Buono: April 6th, 8:30am to noon. Minebrook Country Club, 500 Schooleys Mt. Rd., Hackettstown. FMI, call Fred at 908362-6808. Spring Shopping Bazaar: April 6th, 9am to 3pm. Budd Lake Fire Dept., 378 Rt. 46, Budd Lake. FMI, contact Christine Clemmer at 862-258-3996 or Chris tine.Clemmer@hotmail. com. Barn Sale Donation/ Work Day: April 6th, 10am to 2pm. Lusscroft Farm, 50 Neilson Rd., Wantage. Lusscroft Farm will be accepting donations for the June Barn sale. Volunteers are needed. Additional days are May 5th & June 15th, 10am to 2pm. FMI, email kb.suss ex@yahoo.com or visit LusscroftFarm.com. Read to a Pet: April 6th,

11am. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Call 908-3628335 for your 10-min. spot. The John Ginty Band & the Damian Calcagne Band: April 6th, 8:30pm. The Historic Blairstown Theatre, 30 Main St., Blairstown. FMI & tickets, call 908-3621399 or visit www. thehbt.com. WCARTS Group Meeting Featuring Diane Long on Greeting Cards: April 11th, 7pm. Oxford Twp. Municipal Bldg., 11 Green St., Oxford. Public is welcome & refreshments will be served. Beefsteak Dinner Dance Fundraiser: April 13th, 6pm. Green Twp. FD. Benefits Frelinghuysen PTO. 21 & older event. FMI & tickets, contact Lori Swistak at 908-8505105 or lakesideduo @hotmail.com; or Krista Schreiber at 973670-6419 or scottn krista2@hotmail.com. Knitting Club: April 23rd, 3pm. Warren Co. Library. 189 Co. Rt. 519 S., Belvidere. FMI, call 908-475-6322

Blairstown & Knowlton A&P Alpine Meats Animal Mansion Ash Plumbing Asian Combat Arts A-Tech Auto Blair Tile Blair Tire & Auto Blairstown Chiropractic Blairstown Country Florist Blairstown Diner Blairstown Municipal Building Blairstown Optical BookNest Buckwood Building Specialties Burgdorff BuzzWorks Caffe Nelle Cucine Cannon Country Real Estate Columbia Post Office Country Kids Station Custom Colonial Dale's Market David Krawski Dentist DogHouse Dominick Pizza Dr. Magalio, Dentist Ellias Restaurant Finish Line Auto First Hope Bank Frank's Pizza Fun & Games Gallery 23 Geo's Pizza Gourmet Gallery Hair Company Hairs 2 You Historic Blairstown Theatre Hope Deli Hope Haircutters JD Liquors Jetstream Hobbies John Deere Kozimors Upholstery Knowlton Municipal Building Lakeland Bank Lebduska Accounting Lumber Majestic Cleaners Marksboro Deli Medical Associate Napa Nature's Harvest New Beginnings New HoHo North Warren Pharmacy North Warren Truck Repair Old Stillwater General Store Physical Therapy Pizza Express PJ's PNC Bank Post Time Pub Prudential R. Keiling Race's Farm Market Radio Shack Remax RunWay Caf Salon Chevoux Shell Gas Station Skyland Bank Smitty's Sophia Nails Studio 94 Sun Velocity Sunoco The Auto Shop Tile Warehouse Tractor Supply Tramontin US Gas Village Green Wells Fargo Wilbur's Country Store Wine & Spirits Woman to Woman Belvidere A&P Albanese Gallery Al's Pizza

ACI Truck Stop Bagel Smith Belvidere Spa Clucas Farm Dee Doo's Dr. Amanda Richline Food Mart Four Sisters Winery Gunnar's Landing H&R Block Hearth Shop Hickory Mortgage Mediterranean Riverside Designs Riverton Hotel & Restaurant Rosal Jewelers Short Stop Skee's Busy Bee Skoogy's Steckel's Shell Station Thisilldous Uncle Buck's Diner US Gas Vincent Haircuttery & Plus Zack's Zeeks Washington A&P Bagelsmith Fliegauff Jewelers Home Instead Senior Care Kaffe Kaprys Lost Ladies Mediterranean Bistro MWC Racing Pride-N-Groom Quick Check Rossi Second Time Around Shopper Stop Silver Stars Bagel Smith Dodge Stanley's Pizza Subway Town Market Washington Shoe Newton A& G Pizza Back in Motion BMW Dealership Charm Co. Seat Dunkin Donuts Hampton Diner Ho Hos HobbyTown Holiday Inn Home Furniture Warehouse Kathy's Restaurant Newton News Stand Optical Center O'Reilly's PB&J Prima Donna's Quick Check Shop Rite Skylands Sport Shop Springboard Shoppe Superior Shower Doors The Chatter Box VW-Audi Dealership Weis Hackettstown A&P Bachs Home Healthcare Cozy Corner Golden Skillet Hackettstown Guns & Ammo Hackettstown Sandwich Shoppe Mama's Pizza/Cafe Baci O'Neill's Jewelers Prickley Pear Quick Check Riverstar Diner Valley Bagel Weis Willow Caf Columbia Ayers Hunters Lodge Roses Cafe

Two people who have truly been loyal friends to The House of The Good Shepherd Continuing Care Retirement Community and the community at-large in the Hackettstown area, will be honored at this year's House of the Good Shepherd's Wine and Dine fundraiser celebration on April 12th. Proceeds from the event, which takes place at the Lodge in the House, go toward its Shepherd's Fund, which helps residents in need of funds to remain at The House. F. Scott Ponicsan and The Rev. Canon George Bowen will the honored guests. The night features several of the area's finest restaurants offering their superb culinary delights, wine tastings, live music with Renee Paddock on violin and Rock and Blues Inc. and more, starting with a cocktail hour from 5:30pm to 6:30pm and tastings, music and Silent Auction from 6:30pm to 8pm. All attendees of the fundraiser will have a chance

to win a Myrtle Beach Getaway. Ponicsan will receive the 2013 Distinguished Friend of The House award while The Rev. Canon Bowen will be presented with the 2013 Distinguished Leader of The House award. Marleys Gotham Grill and others are among the outstanding restaurants and bakeries lined up for this year's event. For nearly 20 years, Ponicsan has been a part of The House. Ponicsan, who is Vice PresidentInvestment Officer for Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, began working with The House in 1994. Over the years he has been of invaluable service to The House, providing financial guidance for the Board of Trustees, Executive Directors, and through his participation with the Advisory Council. Born in Montclair, Ponicsan was raised in Rockaway's White Meadow Lake section, attended Morris Catholic High School and then graduated from Monmouth University. He currently lives in

Verona. In addition to his efforts at The House, he has worked with many other non-profits, as well as colleges and other institutions. As a Financial Advisor, he develops long-term professional friendships with his clients. His relationship with The House is a testament to that dedication. "It has been an awesome experience working with The House," said Ponicsan, who has been with Wells Fargo for the past three years. Highly regarded in his field, earlier this year he earned the 5 Star Wealth Managers of New Jersey Award as published in the January issue of New Jersey Monthly. For almost three decades, The Rev. Canon Bowen was one of the most familiar faces at The House of the Good Shepherd. When he first joined the Board of Trustees, The House was still in its

relative infancy. Over the years, with his efforts on the board as a member and later as the president of the board, The House grew in size and scope within the Greater Hackettstown Community. In all The Rev. Canon Bowen served as the president for some 15 years. Upon his retirement from the board in 2010, he said, The House "has grown, become more useful, more beautiful and more accommodating to how people desire to live." Indeed, with Rev. Canon Bowen's vision and leadership The House went from 77 rooms and apartments to 171 rooms and apartments. The House now features a modern look, with living arrangements that offer all the conveniences of "home." Rev. Canon Bowen surely played a major role in this transformation. To reserve tickets, call 908-684-5900. For more details, visit hotgs.org.

Computer classes and employment skills seminars will be offered at Project SelfSufficiencys Blairstown office in April. Area residents are invited to learn about Microsoft Word on Thursdays, April 4th, 11th, and 18th, from 6pm to 9pm. Students will learn wordprocessing techniques, including the creation of professional-looking letters, faxes, newsletters and other documents, as well as the use of mail merge features used to print labels and address letters to multiple recipients. Seminars on various job searching and workplace skills will be offered on Wednesdays from 11am to noon. Cover Letters and Resumes will be discussed on April 10th; Interviewing Skills, Workplace Literacy and Salary Negotiations will be addressed on April 17th; and Careering 102, an overview of skills needed to success-

fully navigate the workplace, will be offered on April 24th. The computer lab will be open on Saturday, April 20th from 9am to noon for individuals to brush up on their computer skills or work on resumes and cover letters. The agencys computer lab is located in the First Presbyterian Outreach Center at 35 Main Street in Blairstown. A complete roster of computer classes and employability skills course are offered at Project SelfSufficiencys Newton location all year long, including classes in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel; QuickBooks accounting software; workshops addressing techniques for job search, interviewing, resume development and financial management; and courses designed just for seniors and men. For more information, call 928-362-1777 or visit www.projectself sufficiency.org.

Recently, North Warren Regional Middle School student Kyle Walker was interviewed at the USA Track and Field Youth Indoor Track National Championships in Landover, Maryland by Katie Branham, USATF Marketing and Communications Manager. Katie spoke with Kyle regarding his recovery from double-brain surgery this fall and his road back to qualifying for three events at the 2013 National Championships. It was later in the day that Kyle ran the anchor leg of the 4x400M relay race, helping North Warren bring home a 6th place medal.

Katie emailed NWRMS Track and Field Coach, Randy Walker, to tell him Kyle and his teammates Joe Toribio, Tim Ferguson, Aidan Solano and Tommy King, are the top story on the USATF website. USA Track and Field is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. They currently have 100,000 members and 2,500 registered clubs, so it is very significant that they chose Kyle and the middle school team to highlight on a National level. Katie hopes that Kyles story and that of the NW

underdog team will serve as an inspiration to fellow track athletes. Go to www.usatf.org to view the team picture and link to their article on the USATF homepage. You can visit www.usatf.org/News/ Member-Spotlight ---Kyle-Walker.aspx to go directly to the article. For more information on the NWRMS Track and Field team, visit northwarrentrack.org.

Warren County senior artists, 60 years of age or over, are encouraged to participate in the annual Warren County Seniors Art Show. Rules and an application may be requested by calling the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission at 908-453-4381, by downloading the forms at wcchc.org, or by sending an email request to wcchc@ nac.net. Your completed application form and labeled artwork should be delivered to the Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building, between 10am and noon on April 15th. Artists may enter one work as either professional or nonprofessional. The art categories are: acrylic, craft, computer imagery, drawing, mixed-media, oil, pastel, photography, print, and watercolor. All work must be the original creation of the artist, have been completed in the last three

years, and may not have been previously entered in the Warren County Seniors Art Show. The Annual Seniors Art Show is presented by the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission, cosponsored by the Warren County Division of Aging and Disability Services, supported by the Warren County Freeholders, and funded in

part by the NJ State Council on the Arts/ Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building is accessible and has reserved accessible parking, located at 165 County Road Rt. 519 S. in Belvidere. For more information visit wcchc.org.

Hi Everyone! Hope everyone is doing well! I would like to help spread the exciting news that Rutherfurd Hall has been recommended for 2012 Historic Preservation Grant! I would also like to congratulate all my friends at Rutherfurd Hall who have worked so hard over the years, not only preserving and archiving an important state and nationally recognized site, but also in creating and developing that very site into a dynamic every-day, multi-purpose and go to cultural, educational, recreational and historical center with convenient and safe access for

all the public! All this activity is adjacent to beautiful Allamuchy Pond and amid Allamuchy Mountain State Park, property that was part of the original Rutherfurd and Stuyvesant Family Estate! I always think of this Site as a beautiful gateway to the New Jersey Skylands, nestled just off I 80 exit 19 and just below the magnificent I 80 scenic overlook, showcasing 20 miles of those very Skylands, including the Delaware Water Gap! On a special note: Thank you and Congratulations to the Rutherfurd/Stuyvesant

Family, whose support and generosity has been so important to the development of this site from the beginning! Every day, new stories about this family and our local heritage are being discovered. At the same time, interesting and important national and international activities and events involving this very family are being discovered, making this project all the more important and exciting! Congratulations and keep up the great work! Charlie Fineran Director Open Space Allamuchy Township Allamuchy Historical Society - President

The Christie Administration announced that a preservation planning project at Rutherfurd Hall in Allamuchy Township, Warren County has been recommended for a 2012 Historic Preservation Grant by the New Jersey Historic Trust. The recommended project would receive a total of $50,000 in matching grant funding. The New Jersey Historic Trust Board of Trustees approved the grant recommendation at its meeting recently. The recommended project will now go before the Garden State Preservation Trust for ratification and then move on to the New Jersey Legislature for approval. The Historic Trusts continued support for the preservation of New Jerseys heritage will help Allamuchy Township maintain its sense of place, said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III. This matching grant will go to a project that encourages local investment, creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and attracts tourism. As this project shows, New Jerseys history is a great asset

for attracting residents and businesses to participate in our states growth and development. Statewide, the New Jersey Historic Trust recommended 37 preservation planning projects. The recommended projects would receive a total of $1,393,084 million in matching grant funding. Funding for the 2012 grant round is coming from the Garden State Preservation Trust Fund, which was created to preserve open space, farmland and historic sites with money raised through voter-approved bond referendums. The New Jersey Historic Trust, a DCA affiliate, administers the historic grants from the Trust Fund. The 2012 grant round is devoted to Historic Sites Management Grants that support non-construction activities such as conditions assessments, engineering reports, construction documents, archaeology investigations, use feasibility studies and heritage tourism initiatives. Special initiatives this year highlighted projects that addressed planning for energy conservation or heritage tourism assessments. Every grant round is

highly competitive, said Historic Trust Executive Director Dorothy P. Guzzo. The Rutherfurd Hall project in Allamuchy Township is exceptional in its design and will not only help save our states significant history, but contribute to its economy. When these recommended projects are approved by the Garden State Preservation Trust and the Legislature later this year, the Historic Trust will have awarded more than $149 million to 734 preservation projects since 1990. Established in 1967, the New Jersey Historic Trust is the only nonprofit historic preservation organization in New Jersey created by state law. The Trust officially became a DCA affiliate in November 2002 in an effort to better realign the state's smart growth initiatives with historic revitalization. Its mission is to advance historic preservation in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship and financial investment programs that save our heritage and strengthen our communities. For more information , visit njht.org

On April 7th, from noon to 1:30pm, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sussex County will host a free Solar Screening Event open to the public. The free screening is provided by GreenFaith, a nationwide, multifaith organization that teaches that protecting the earth is a religious value, and that environmental stewardship is a moral responsibility. GreenFaith has partnered with AP Solar

to offer the free Solar Screening Event in Newton. There will be a monitor set up in the Fellowship sanctuary, and interested homeowners can have their home screened via satellite photos to see if their roof appears to be suitable for a zero-cost solar panel installation that provides overall savings on home energy costs. Roofs more than ten years old are not suitable for solar installations.

Solar roof panels installed by AP Solar are leased, not purchased by the homeowner. After the solar array is installed, the homeowner receives the electricity generated by the panels, along with the Solar Renewable Energy Credits that the system generates. In return, the homeowner makes a monthly lease payment that, in most cases, is less than the value of the electricity and the Solar Renew-

able Energy Credits (or SREC's) generated each month. Interested homeowners should bring a copy of their current monthly electric bill to the Solar Screening Event on April 7th. AP Solar will detail each individual homeowner's monthly savings and costs so that homeowners can decide if the program is right for them. Directions can be found at www.UU NewtonNJ.org. Hello Fellow Readers, Thanks to all of you who came by to visit at the Springfest Garden Show. It was a joy to meet so many readers in person! Also, a few questions came up that I thought may be helpful to others. April of Stillwater asked what to do in terms of re-planting areas that were under water for several weeks after Hurricane Irene. It was sad to learn the fate of her lovely woodland garden along the Paulins Kill River. The impact of the compaction from the sitting water and silt that may have washed up are the greatest concern.

(NAPSI)If your heating and cooling bills seem to be going through the roof, give a warm welcome to these hints to help you keep more of your cold cash. What You Can Do Check and maintain your insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawl spaces drain away heat and airconditioning and can encourage mold and mildew. Add weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors, too. Install a programmable thermostat that shuts itself off during the day when youre away and at night when youre asleep, to keep you comfortable when

youre home and save you money when youre not. Keep vents and returns free of obstructions. Dont lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front of them, or obstruct the flow of air. Get a humidifier and a dehumidifier. Dry air feels cooler than moist air. Humidity in summer makes you feel hotter; the same is true in winter. Keep outdoor air conditioner units clear of plants and debris. Keep your air filters clean. Check them every couple of weeks and change them as directed by the manufacturer. Let the sunshine in by opening the curtains on

cold days. Get heavy drapes to keep things cozy at night. Plant shade trees on the south side of your home to help keep it cooler in summer. Review last years energy bills. If your cooling costs are drastically higher this year, a qualified HVAC/R technician may be able to diagnose the problem. Even the most ecofriendly, high-efficiency products and appliances can waste money and energy if theyre not installed, serviced and maintained properly. By working with certified technicians, homeowners can have confidence that their HVAC/R equipment is delivering

on the energy efficiency promised. Have your heating and cooling systems checked twice a year by an HVAC/R professional. Technicians certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the nations largest independent, nonprofit certification body for HVAC/R technicians, are skilled professionals who have proven their knowledge in the HVAC/R industry by passing specialized certification tests. For facts and tips and to find a nearby, qualified contractor who employs certified technicians, go to www. hvacradvice.com.

Dave Dubie of Greenwood Tree suggests aerating the area with an air spade and then adding six to eight inches of topsoil, compost and peat moss mix before planting. In addition, for larger shrubs and trees, bring up the grade of the soil where possible and follow the normal protocol of digging each planting hole twice the width and equal to the depth of the root ball, and supplementing the soil with the a topsoil and compost mix. An air spade uses a high volume of air pressure to quickly and safely excavate and aerate soil around trees without damaging root systems. Properly aerated soil promotes root development in declining trees, exposes buried root collars, and alleviates detrimental soil compaction. A root collar is the flare where the roots join the main trunk or stem. Soil or mulch against the root collar can lead to disease or root girdling (essentially when roots gnarl up into a knot), which could ultimately kill a tree. Garden dilemmas? Ask Mary at askmary stone@gmail.com

A hands on, fun and exciting workshop will be offered by the Catherine Dickson Hofman Library on April 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 9am to 2pm, for children ages six through 12. The children will grow a crystal tree, build a simple motor, make a bubbling blob, glowing goo and green flubber. Participants will also make an energy bead bracelet and watch as the white beads turn to a rainbow of colors. Lava lamps and sharpie T-

(NAPSI)When it comes to home decorating, whats hot now are cool neutral tones, and heres why: Neutral colors let you establish a palette for the bigger items-floors, doors, furniture and moldingthat will stand the test of time. Neutrals also let you transform a room by adding vibrant pops of color through artwork, brightly painted walls, area rugs, and accesso-

ries. Whats New In Neutrals Even neutrals trend, however, and according to HGTV.com, the latest focus is on lighter browns and soft grays. To stay at least a step ahead of these color trends, Minwax recently introduced two new shades of its popular Wood Finish Interior Wood Stain: Weathered Oak and Classic Gray.

These soft wood-stain colors work well in all types of light and bring a peaceful calm to the room. With this as a backdrop, you can have the freedom to be bold with the balance of the rooms decor, from the paint on the walls to the fabric on your furniture. For more information on wood stain as well as decorating inspiration, go to minwax.com.

shirts will also be made, all of which will be taken home by the kids. The library is located at

4 Lambert Road in Blairstown. For more information, call 908362-8335.

The 5th Annual St. Patricks Parade, hosted by the Hackettstown BID was a Grand experience yet again. Getting bigger and better every year, the town welcomed over 80 roups and the Fire Department

reported upwards of 20,000 visitors! On Wednesday March 6th the winners of the Coloring Contest were announced with their wonderful artwork posted on the BID Office Windows. The

winners earned BID Bucks and the opportunity to march in the Parade. The Celebrations continued on Friday March 8th with the Grand Marshals Reception at Bea McNallys Irish Pub and Eatery at 109 Grand Avenue. The evening honored Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, President of Centenary College the 2013 Grand Marshal. The evening enjoyed the passing of the sash from Mr. Kevin ONeill the 2012 Grand Marshal. BID President Keith DeTombeur also thanked the many volunteers who committed many hours both in the months leading up to and for Parade Day. Mr. DeTombeur also presented Ms. Arlene

Lerman with the Volunteer of the Year award for her tireless devotion to making Hackettstown a better place to live. On Sunday March 10th the days festivities started at Davids Country Inn with their tradition of offering Irish Fare and their porch as a fantastic viewing location. Many of our Main Street businesses were open for extended hours and offerings for parade goers to enjoy. Early in the afternoon the 8 floats entered in the First Annual Float Contest were gathered at

the Livestock yard on Stiger Street for Judging. Taking home the First Place trophy was the Smiles for Margaret Float, followed by Fulton Bank of New Jersey in 2nd and Treasure Grove Ranch in 3rd. The BID looks forward to additional enthusiasm and participation in next years contest. The myriad of Pipe Bands, Irish Dancers, Community Groups and Bands and Fire Departments started assembling as the crowds started lining the streets

of Hackettstown. The beautiful weather certainly contributed to the festive atmosphere as the parade kicked off and the groups marched down the Green Mile through town. Young and old alike enjoyed the day as the wide variety of entertainment and honorees streamed by the spectators. With WRNJ announcing the parade and Heart & Sohl Photography taking over 900 pictures, even those who were unable to attend were able to enjoy the day. The parade would not be able to happen without the generosity of the many sponsors who helped make the parade possible. The Hackettstown BID extends a big Thank you to the sponsors! But wait, its not too early to start planning for next years parade! So far there are three new Pipe Bands who will be joining us, so dont forget to save the date for the 6th Annual St. Patricks Parade on March 9th, 2014. For more information, visit www.hackettstown bid.com or email director@hackettstown bid.com.

The Warren County Community Singers are celebrating their 20th year of performing in the Warren County area. This spring's concerts will be performed at 7:30pm on May 4th, at Grace Lutheran Church, 300 Roseberry Street in Phillipsburg, and at 3pm on May 5th at the First Presbyterian Church, 40 East Church Street in Washington. The Childrens Chorus of Warren County will join them on both dates. Both locations are fully handicap accessible. The concerts are free, however a free-will offering will be gratefully accepted on both dates. All donations received are tax deductible, and are used by the group for operating expenses, as well as for an annual scholarship given to a talented high school senior from Warren County, who will pursue a degree in music. The annual George K.

in New Jersey, and in eastern Pennsylvania. They range in age from high school to senior citizens. In addition to performing winter and spring concerts each year, the Warren County Community Singers perform at Belvidere's annual Victorian Days celebration, Christmas Tree lighting events, senior citizen housing locations, and other community venues. At their annual spring

concerts, the singers look forward to awarding the scholarship to an exceptional Warren County high school senior pursuing a music education. The Warren County Singers rehearse Tuesday evenings at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington. New members are always invited to join. For more information, call Suzi at 908-4545912, or visit www. wcsingers.org.

Warne Memorial Scholarship recipient will be announced prior to the Springfest concerts, and he/she will perform their musical piece during both concerts. The group's director, Bob Riday, and associate director, Ann Hoyt, will direct the Warren County Community Singers this spring. The program will include

Americana, Spirituals, Pop, Jazz and Broadway songs performed by soloists and the group. Among the popular selections will be "It's a Grand Night for Singing", selections from Porgy and Bess, and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." The Children's Chorus will join the adult chorus and sing a selection of popu-

lar and entertaining numbers. About the group: The Warren County Community Singers is a non-auditioned, nonprofit community chorus, funded in part by the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission. Members are people from all walks of life who share a love of choral music. They perform jazz, inspirational, spiritual, sacred and secular songs, and pop tunes from Broadway and Tin Pan Alley. They live in Warren, Morris, Sussex and Hunterdon counties

Hope Township School would like to recognize Mrs. Catherine Trotter as their Teacher of the Year, (Governors Teacher/Educational Professional) for 201213. Mrs. Trotter joined the faculty at Hope Township School in September 2010, serving as second grade teacher, having previously worked at Blairstown Elementary School in the same capacity. Mrs. Trotter is commended for creating a positive learning environment for her students. She is an imaginative and inventive teacher who creates

interesting projects that make learning fun and meaningful for her students. Her Wax Museum project, student research projects, and Indian Pow-Wows have increased parental and community involvement in the classroom and

have given her students the opportunity to present what they have learned to other students, staff, and community members. Mrs. Trotter is deservedly recognized by the Hope School Community for the Governors Recognition Program as Teacher of the Year. She is bestowed this award for her dedication, the exceptional instruction she provides, and the positive learning environment she creates for her students. She also has earned the admiration and respect of parents, colleagues, support staff, and administration.

Board of Education President, Dirk Herrmann Miller, and Pastor Brandon Cho will be among several community leaders serving as Teachers for a Day at Blairstown Elementary School on Wedensday, March 27th. Hermann and others accepted an invitation from the Blairstown Teachers Association to spend a day in a class-

room to learn first-hand about the job of teaching. The Teacher for a Day program presents an excellent opportunity for community members to see what todays students and schools are all about, said Blairstown Teachers Association President Valerie Reynolds. Education has changed greatly since

most of us went to elementary school, and it is important for the community to understand those changes in order to plan effectively for meeting the future needs of Blairstown students. Guest teachers will spend a day in the classroom and get to experience a full array of school activities under the guidance of a coop-

erating teacher. We applaud the participants in our Teacher for a Day program for setting aside valuable personal time to demonstrate their commitment to the teachers and students of this community, said Reynolds. We know it will be time well spent and will be an enjoyable day for all.

Children are invited to attend the Easter EGGstravaganza at Project Self-Sufficiency on March 30th from 10am to noon. Volunteers will be on hand to coordinate an egg hunt, games and

activities for the whole family. Refreshments will be provided. The EGG-stravaganza is sponsored by the Sussex County Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency,

offering family activities, information about health and nutrition, parenting skills training, economic selfsufficiency services, legal services, referrals, advocacy and other

services. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Interested participants are encouraged to call 973-940-3500 to register.

The Christie Administration announced on March 18th that up to 78 unemployed state residents can be hired by the Department of Environmental Protection to help clean up and restore Sandy storm-damaged parks and wildlife management areas through a National Emergency Grant obtained by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The DEP has already brought on 27 previously unemployed residents through this program who are work-

ing at seven state parks, supplementing full-time state work crews on various projects aimed at getting all state parks ready for the upcoming summer tourism season. The DEP is working with LWD on additional hirings. The hirings were announced during a news conference at Liberty State Park. All of NJs state parks have reopened post-Sandy, including Liberty. Most of Liberty Walk. The $15.6 million NEG program has already been used to put more

than 700 people to work on cleanup efforts on city streets and public properties across 16 storm-ravaged Garden State counties since the federal funds were first obtained by the Department of Labor just days after Superstorm Sandy hit NJ. The NEG program enabled the Christie Administration to directly aid local, county and state government agencies with labor needs for their ongoing cleanup and restoration projects. The DEP currently is employing people

through this grant at its two busiest parks, Liberty State Park and Island Beach State Park, and also at Cheesequake State Park, Allaire State Park, Hacklebarney State Park, Washington Crossing State Park and the Round Valley and Spruce Run recreation areas. The DEP also is considering using these workers to help clear Sandy debris that continues to wash up on beaches along the states coastline.

State Park Service Director Mark Texel and Liberty State Park Superintendent Rob Rodriguez hope to enroll about a dozen workers through the Department of Labor grant to help continue efforts to fully restore the park. Job-seekers interested in signing on for this NEG employment should report to local One-Stop Career Centers or send e-mails to sandyhelp@dol.

state.nj.us. They may also log onto www. Jobs4Jersey.com or call 1-877-682-6238 or 1800-233-5005 between 9am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. Please be patient if lines are busy. For more information on Liberty State Park visit www.nj.gov/dep/ parksandforests/parks/ liberty.html. For updates on the recovery status of the states parks and historic sites, visit www.nj.gov.

Nominations for the Julaine Williams Humanitarian Award are now being accepted until May 1st. You can nominate yourself, your spouse or even a neighbor who volunteers in our school and/or community that shows the meaning of being a humanitarian as long as the person resides in Frelinghuysen Township. A volunteer is defined as assistance/service without compensation. Nominees would have distinguished themselves through their

service to their school and community. This volunteer reflects the traits of a great humanitarian: humility, energy, empathy, purpose and love. The award recipient will be recognized at the annual Founder's Day Picnic held in June. If you are unable to pick up a form, please include the following information: nominee's name; their mailing address and home phone; the reason why they should receive this award; and include your name making this nomi-

nation, along with your email or home address. To make a nomination online, visit www. frelinghuysen-nj.us. You can also fax the elementary school at 908-362-5730 or email Dorothy Marra at dorothymarra@gmail. com. Previous recipients include John Jurena, Mildred Carter, Jeannie Brown, Dorothy Marra, Debra Natyzak-Osadca, Fran Muller, Brenda Kleber, Jean Verbecke, Janet De-Filippis, Chip Green, Charles Marra and Cliff Kimball.

Now through April 20th, the paintings of Virginia-based artist John A. Lee will be on display in Blair Academys The Romano Gallery as part of an exhibit called Interiors. Mr. Lee will come to campus on March 28 to meet with students and talk to them about his work during an hour-long artists reception that begins at 7pm. The Romano Gallery is located on Blairs campus in ArmstrongHipkins Center for the Arts at 2 Park Street in Blairstown. In this show, John depicts interior spaces that function like land-

scapes, explained Romano Gallery director Christine Parauda. Painted from life and without an overt narrative, his work stands as a response to a perceived color world that results from mixing artificial and natural light with grainy, weathered surfaces. Muffled, reflective color mixtures surprise and move the eye through these quiet, still compositions, creating both a dense spatial gravity and an eerie color mood. Mr. Lee completed the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts' certificate program, and earned a BFA from the

University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from Indiana University. Over the course of his career, he has taught at Wright State University in Ohio, Arcadia and Drexel University in Philadelphia, and Delaware College of Art and Design in Wilmington. For the past five years, he has been a visiting assistant professor at the College of William and Mary, where he teaches foundations, painting and drawing. He shows regularly with an artist collective called Perceptual Painters. For more information, visit www.johnlee painting.com

For Sale: Cockatiels: $100 ea. English Budgies: $30 ea. Singing Male Canaries: $100 ea. Zebra Finches: $10 ea. Call 973-209-2244. (4/5) For Sale: Crafstmen Power Washer: $250. Air Hockey Table: $125. Red Print Lazy Boy Recliner. King Heaboard: $200. Lawn Furniture. Counter Stools. Solid Pak Wall Units, 3 pc.: $1,000 OBO. 2 Oak Night Tables: $40. Call 908-459-5772. (3/5) GE Freezer: 14 cu. ft., upright, frost free, 4 years old, excellent condition. Call 610-588-0277. (PA 3/5) For Sale: Roll top desk, Treadmill, Sony mega storage CD player, TV & stand, 700 CDs, Longaberger baskets, HD boots & jackets, Gym equipment, Teddy bears, Motorcycle jack, Knick-Knack shelves, Tool box, Tools, Flavia coffee brewer & much more. If interested, call 908-362-6051. (1/5)