Blast-damaged Morristown library will need asbestos cleanup, too
The Morristown & Township Library has been closed since May 3 explosion. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Morristown & Township Library, closed since a May 3 explosion, will need an asbestos cleanup in addition to repairs of extensive blast damage, according to the Daily Record.
Nancy Bangiola, president of the library’s trustees, told the paper that the building’s 1917 wing has tested positive for asbestos, and must be cleaned up before the rest of the building can reopen.
No date has been given for the reopening. Library staffers have been working from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the Morris County Library and the Parsippany Library.
N.J. residents pay tribute to veterans of all ages
Parades, ceremonies throughout the state celebrate Memorial DayTwenty-First Annual Jazz Night at Morristown High School
by Doug Rutan
Blaire Reinhard (’99) will be a featured soloist at the Twenty-First Annual Jazz Night held at Morristown High School. The concert is on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 in the high school auditorium and begins at 7:00 PM. The concert is free and open to the public and will feature the Frelinghuysen “Falcon” Jazz Band directed by Mr. John Schumacher, Morristown High School’s “Jazz, Too!” directed by Mr. Douglas Rutan with Blaire Reinhard singing Misty with the band, the Morristown High School Jazz Choir under the direction of Mr. Michael Nuzzo and five time state finalist “Spectrum” Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Michael Russo will feature senior vocalist Jeremy Barkin.
The bands will feature a wide variety of music, swing, rock, jazz fusion, ballads and much more. If you arrive early you can go to the Auxilliary Gym and check out the Second Annual Art and Design Show. Doors open at 6:00 PM for the Art and Design Show and Jazz Night begins at 7:00 PM.
We look forward to seeing you for an exciting evening of Jazz at Morristown High School!
Scenes from Memorial Day on the Morristown Green
Bob Tracey, Morristown’s retired postmaster, served in World War II and the Korean War. Today marked the 54th year that he has spoken at the town’s Memorial Day observance.
Bob is known as a tireless advocate for veterans. He is a regular visitor at veterans hospitals, and organizes celebrity visits to cheer up the vets. He has done a radio show on veterans issues. He makes sure that graves of veterans are properly decorated this time of year.
At 84, he is battling throat cancer and leg problems. He says he will let the man upstairs decide how many more Memorial Days he can muster.
In the meantime, Bob continues advocating for his fellow soldiers, living and dead. This morning he dedicated a memorial stone at Morris Township Hall to Patric Hyland, a Marine Corps veteran and former Morris County freeholder who passed away in 2007. And he urged listeners on the Morristown Green to support a council measure to name Morristown “The Community of Patriotism.”
Here are some photos; video to come later.
Bob Tracey speaks at 2010 Memorial Day service on the Morristown Green. It's the 54th year that Bob has done so. Beside him is Marine Corps veteran Richard Conti. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
American Bear: An Adventure In The Kindness Of Strangers
Doug Rutan/ Greg Grano is a former student of mine who attends the New York University Film School. He and his friend Sarah have decided to set out upon an experimental adventure this summer during their vacation to test the kindness of strangers and document their adventure on film. There are links below so that you can follow their adventures.
by Greg Grano
60 days. 25 States. 5 Bears.
Sarah and Greg are setting out on an adventure exploring American trust and fear through hospitality. Armed with their charm, courage, and a camera, they will rely on the kindness of strangers for a home each night, and if they’re lucky, a few meals along the way.
The story began in summer 2009 when Greg exclaimed in his sleep, “We have to go to Bear, Colorado!” Unfortunately, no Bear actually exists in Colorado. However, there are five Bears in America, fortuitously located in a perfect a ‘U’ around the continental U.S. – in Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Arkansas, and Delaware. Following the trail of the Bears, Sarah and Greg will travel through 25 states of all different cultures, demographics, populations, and Americans.
Through conversations with locals, we will explore our themes on a personal level and embrace the stories that turn strangers into neighbors. Our discussions with scholars and professionals will dig into the philosophy and nature of a core aspect of what makes us human. We will understand why (or if) we let people into our hearts and our homes.
Follow us at http://BearDocumentary.Blogspot.com/!
Become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/BearDocumentary!
Donate quickly and easily at https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=3116!
Bob Tracey continues 54-year tradition of honoring war dead in Morris County
Sarah Rice / For The Star-Ledger Bob Tracey speaks about those who gave their life in the line of duty during a Memorial Day service at Morris Township Hall Monday. Tracey, a World War II and Korean War veteran, has...Video: Timeless Jazz plays its patriotic best at 2010 Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade
Timeless Jazz gave its patriotic best at the 2010 Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade on Saturday. The trio consisted of Gus Bacas on baritone sax, Peter Bacas on tenor sax, and Anthony Galante on alto sax. Check them out in this video. (About one minute.)
COMPLETE MEMORIAL DAY COVERAGE
Members of Timeless Jazz-- Anthony Galante, Gus Bacas and Peter Bacas--performing at the 2010 Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade. You can hear them Wednesday at Morristown High's jazz night. Admission is free. Photo by Kevin Coughlin.
Video: Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade 2010
This video gives a flavor of what it’s like to march in the Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade. Saturday’s event was both solemn and celebratory.
COMPLETE MEMORIAL DAY COVERAGE
Morris Plains police raise flag during Memorial Day ceremony at Roberts Garden on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
In memoriam on Memorial Day: Paul Bangiola of Morris Plains, World War II fighter pilot
Paul Bangiola, a Grand Marshal of the 2008 Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade, died last fall at 86. As a fighter pilot in World War II, he was badly wounded over Italy.
A familiar face was missing from Saturday’s Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade. Paul Bangiola, a World War II hero and retired judge, passed away last fall and was buried during the winter in Arlington National Cemetery.
He was awarded a Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and Croix de Guerre for crash-landing his P-47 Thunderbolt after being badly wounded over Italy in 1944.
In 2008, Judge Bangiola told us his story. Here is the video:
| WW2 Pilot: ‘I thought I was dead’ |
Paul Bangiola, World War II fighter pilot, being laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Donna Bangiola.
Elsie Bangiola, with photo of her late husband, World War II fighter pilot Paul Bangiola. Photo courtesy of Donna Bangiola.
Audio: A rousing Star Spangled salute to our troops on Memorial Day, from organist Jim Hicks of Morristown’s Presbyterian Church
Jim Hicks performs 'The Star Spangled Banner' at Morristown's Presbyterian Church on the Green. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
When Jim Hicks is feeling patriotic, he doesn’t mess around. In this short piece for Memorial Day, he unleashes the thunder of the Austin pipe organ–the battleship of organs–at Morristown’s Presbyterian Church on the Green.
This is the climax to John Knowles Paine’s “Concert Variations on The Star Spangled Banner,” performed for a lunchtime audience on Friday. About two minutes.
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And here are all five variations on our national anthem. About 13 minutes.
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