An 8^th grade North Brunswick Township Middle School student was chosen as a top 10 winner out of thousands of entries nationwide in his grade division in a contest sponsored by CelebratingArt.com and Blick Art Materials.

Connor Chan submitted an acrylic painting titled, “Boat on a Beach” which earned him contest honors. His art was in the 6^th grade division as he was in that grade when he did the painting.

“I was not expecting it,” Connor said. “I thought the painting that I had entered in the contest looks better than the ones I sent in the past and was only expecting a high merit win but not the top 10 in the country.”

Art pieces are selected for their creativity, originality, self-expression, craftmanship and skill.

Connor’s dad, Steven, said this was Connor’s third submission to the contest and the last time he received an art of high merit recognition.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal until I saw the press release form letter that came with it,” Steven said. “Then I thought: He did good.”

Connor said his art teacher picked the topic for the contest, showing him some boats to paint.

“From those pictures, I sort of mold it around to see which angle would make it more dynamic and I slowly added more details to make it better,” he said.

Steven said Connor has been taking art classes and they have different mediums. Connor was strictly sketching about three years ago then a year later, his art teacher introduced him to acrylic painting.

Connor said acrylic painting is one of his favorite ways to paint.

“If you make a mistake, you can cover over it while if you do water colors, it tends to blend more and is harder to correct your painting,” he said. “Acrylics’ colors are also brighter colors and don’t fade as much as water colors.”

North Brunswick Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Marrissa Heyman was sworn in at the October 20 Township Council Meeting, becoming the first female municipal OEM coordinator in Middlesex County history.

“To the residents of North Brunswick, I promise to take what I have learned over the years and if the need arises to be there for each and every one of you in an emergency,” said Ms. Heyman.

She has served as the Deputy OEM Coordinator since 2012.

“We congratulate Marrissa on this historic achievement,” said Mayor Francis ‘Mac’ Womack. “Marrissa’s dedicated service and experience will ensure our community’s needs will be met during any emergency situation.”

Ms. Heyman succeeds former OEM Coordinator Mark Cafferty, who served at the position since 2011 before retiring in July.

She thanked Mr. Cafferty, “for seeing in me what I didn’t see all those years ago and teaching me again and again that what can go wrong will go wrong in this town and showing me how to navigate through it all.”

Under a beautiful sunny sky, a new sign was dedicated at Columbus Park (located at the corner of Nassau Street and Remsen Avenue) on Friday, October 17.

The new sign is a donation from North Brunswick PBA Local 160 as a gesture of appreciation and giving back to the community. Also, the PBA honored the members of the Italian-American Social Club of North Brunswick, who dedicated the park on October 7, 1984.

“We looked at this park and I said when you look at those names on this plaque, their legacy is still around,” said PBA president Fedor Salvador-Romero.

He said the dedication is a celebration of the diverse and caring spirit of North Brunswick, one that continues to grow stronger through cooperation, civic duty and pride.

Township Council President Amanda Guadagnino read a proclamation honoring the 1984 North Brunswick Italian-American Club officers and North Brunswick PBA Local 160 for their support and donation of the new park sign.

Nick Puleio, son of former Italian-American Social Club president Vito Puleio, delivered remarks and Rev. Michael Krull, pastor of Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church, said a blessing.

North Brunswick honored United States Army veteran Badawy Badawy by dedicating Wood Avenue as Badawy Way on Monday, October 6.

Badawy was born on June 22, 1983 in Edison New Jersey to his parents Maged and Mervat Badawy. He moved to North Brunswick in 2008.

Badawy joined the Army Reserves in June of 2001 at the age of seventeen, while he was still in High School. Since he was still a minor, his parents had to sign for him and they were willing to do so since our nation was at a time of peace.

Badawy graduated Basic Training that he attended in Fort Jackson South Carolina in September, 2001. This was just one week prior to the horrific attack on our nation September 11, 2001. He was an active reservist and was pulled out of Rutgers University and deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2006 as a Sergeant. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shortly after arriving to Iraq, Badawy was named Assistant Convoy Commander where he led over 100 combat missions in the 13 months of combat deployment.

Badawy earned multiple medals, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Badawy was sworn in as a Police Officer in 2008.

Badawy has a wonderful family, his wife Bianca and children Liana, Gia, and Olivia Badawy, Father Maged Badawy, Mother Mervat Badawy, Brother Kero Badawy, Sister Christina Badawy, Nephew Christian and Niece Celina. In his free time, Badawy and his wife Bianca, own and operate Bella Bianca Italian Deli located in Milltown, New Jersey. They also own and operate GarmaGuard which was featured on Shark Tank. Badawy and Bianca spend a lot of time with their 3 beautiful daughters Liana, Gia, and Olivia Badawy and their very large European Doberman.

We thank and honor Badawy Badawy for his service to our country and community!

North Brunswick honored United States Army veteran Kishor Kulkarni by dedicating Mount Drive as Kulkarni Way on Monday, September 29.

Kishor was born November 11, 1954 in Agra, India to Prabhakar P. Kulkarni and Prabhavati P. Kulkarni. Kishor and his family moved to North Brunswick, New Jersey in June of 2004.

Kishor at the young age of 52 decided to enlisted into the United States Army from 2006 to 2015. He completed his basic training in Fort Hood, Texas. Kishor was rank US Army Major during his time of service.

Kishor during his service he received Army Commendation Medal, National Defense service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device.

Kishor studied first at Government Dental College, Mumbai in 1978 receiving his BDS (Bachelors of Dental Surgery). Kishor then received his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) from New York University College of Dentistry in 1999.

Kishor wanted to serve the country that allowed him to pursue his dental career. He has 3 dental offices. His main dental office is located here in North Brunswick, KK Dental Associates on Livingston Avenue. Having all of his hard work and dedication show through his success. Kishor and his family are so excited to be celebrating his 71st birthday on Veterans Day this year!

Dr. Kishor Kulkarni has a beautiful family whom he loves: his wife Mrs. Lekha Kulkarni; his daughters Dr. Sita Acharya, Radha Kulkarni, and Dr. Swati Krishna Bharucha; his son-in-laws Ashwin Acharya and Dr. Ronak Bharucha; and his lovely grandchildren Lila, Asha, and Arin Acharya and Siyara Bharucha. In his free time, he enjoys many activities such as chess, swimming, hiking, going to the gym, spending time with his grandchildren, and investing in the stock market.

We thank and honor Kishor Kulkarni for his service to our country and community!

The automated side load (ASL) recycling cart should not be placed too close to a car, mailbox or telephone pole that can get in the way of the robotic arm.

Residents should also avoid putting extra cardboard outside the ASL cart. Any material not placed inside the cart will not be collected.

To ensure the recycling crew is efficiently and safely picking up the materials, residents are asked to cut up cardboard when placing material in the carts.

Thank you.

At the September 22nd Township Council Meeting, Mayor’s Wellness/Fitness Challenge winners and participants received awards and proclamations were read which honored Disability Voting Rights Week and Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness Day.

Dr. Jackie Jackson, a strong advocate for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society and various disability organizations, accepted the proclamations.

“This proclamation (Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness Day) reminds us to recognize and reflect not only on the progress but to recognize this important law because it protects people with disabilities,” she said.

Dr. Jackson also commended North Brunswick for their efforts in being an accessible town and encouraged other towns to follow their lead.

Mayor’s Wellness/Fitness Challenge Awards

The Mayor’s Wellness/Fitness Challenge winners are:

1^st Place – Ro Tucker (513.5 miles)

2^nd Place – Steve Bloyed (443.5 miles)

3^rd Place – Dominic Moccio (303.1 miles)

Participants include: Councilman Rajesh Mehta, Samantha Lau, Craig Yetsko, Laura Pelszynski and Chris Henning.

The next Mayor’s Wellness/Fitness Challenge will be from September 29 to December 1.

North Brunswick honored United States Air Force veteran Errol McCalla Jr. by dedicating How Lane and Marigold Street as McCalla Way on Monday, September 15.

Errol was born in Plainfield, NJ to Army Vet Errol McCalla Sr. and Laveta McCalla. He lived in Franklin Township until 1993. He then moved to North Brunswick, NJ where he attended and graduated from North Brunswick Township High School in 1997.

Errol joined the NJ Air National Guard in August 2008 to August 2014. He completed his Basic Military Training in San Antonio, Texas Lackland Air Force Base. In July 2011 Errol was deployed to Iraq for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Errol during his time of his service earned many achievements which include, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 service star, Outstanding Performer Security Forces 2008, Airman of the Month 447th Expeditionary Wing Sather AFB Iraq 2011, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 ‘M’ Device, National Defense Medal, Air National Guard Hometown Hero 2012.

Errol was sworn in as a North Brunswick Police Officer July 2014 and transferred to the Detective Bureau July 2017.

Errol loves playing basketball with his son and nephews, he is a car enthusiast and sneaker collector. Errol also enjoys watching the New York Giants and New York Knicks.

Errol loves his family, his sisters Charmika and Jenean, son Kingston, nephews Xavier and Kanaan. Errol is a proud Coach for the DPRCS Recreational Basketball team in North Brunswick, he has spent 3 years coaching and has loved every second of it. Errol is also very proud of the Annual Car Show he hosts for the holiday.

We thank and honor Errol McCalla Jr for his service to our country and community!

The North Brunswick Department of Public Works would like to remind residents who have the automated side load (ASL) recycling carts to only use them for curbside collection. DO NOT place the old recycling bin(s) next to the ASL cart at the curb. They will not be collected.

All recycling materials must be placed inside the ASL cart. Recyclables accepted include:

• Clean paper, dry cardboard
• Plastic bottles and plastics, #1 – 7
• Metal cans for soups and vegetables
• Glass jars and bottles

To fit more recyclables in the ASL cart, please break up your cardboard boxes.

North Brunswick honored United States Air Force veteran Darrell E. Lyles Sr. by dedicating Constitution Circle and Society Way as Lyles Way on Monday, June 30.

Darrell Sr. was born on September 17, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York. He moved to New Jersey and resided in North Brunswick New Jersey for the past thirty years.

Darrell Sr. was educated in the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of New York. After graduating from Bishop Ford High School, Darrell graduated from Virginia Union University. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Navigational Systems Specialist. While still in the military, Darrell Sr. met his wife. On November 23, 1985, he was united in holy matrimony to Rhonda and they had two sons: Darrell Jr. and Daniel.

Darrell Sr.served in the Air Force and Army National Guard from 1981 – 1992. Darrell went to Biloxi, Mississippi in 1982 for bootcamp training. Stationed at McGuire Air Force Base from 1983 until 1992 when he was injured. He served in The Gulf War.

Darrell Sr.received an Air Force Training Ribbon.

Darrell Sr.worked for the United States Postal Service and thereafter for New York City as a fearless City Inspector. As an active community member, Darrell was an elected Committeeman for the Township of North Brunswick for more than two decades. He loved watching world news, fishing with his buddies, and making gourmet meals for his wife.

Darrell Sr.after his passing, left behind a beautiful wife, Rhonda C. Lyles, 2 sons, 2 grandchildren and wonderful family and friends who keeps Darrell Sr. memory alive.

We thank and honor Darrell E. Lyles Sr. for his service to our country and community!