For the first time in school history, a track and field team from North Warren participated in the

Group I, North I NJSIAA State Sectional Winter Track and Field Championships. On February 8, the team traveled to the Bennett Athletic Complex in Toms River, New Jersey to compete. Freshman Regina Duncan brought home North Warrens firstever track medal by

taking third place in the 3200 meter (two mile) event with a school record time of 11:53. Fellow teammates Maddie Bronstein (1600m and 3200m), Laura Straub (1600m), Dan Burns (800m) and Charlie Eiserlie (3200m) all had top-10 finishes while setting school and personal best marks. In the Shot Put event, Ryan Walker won his flight and finished as the top freshman in the

section. Ryan (55 m), along with Nick Gioino (55m), Brian Wilbur (400m), Conner Stephens (400m), Lisa Wilbur (800m) and Derek Johnstone (1600M) also set personal and/or school records in their events. Emily Riley, one of only a few freshman girls to compete at the meet, just missed a personal record in the competitive 55m race. The results are particularly impressive, considering the North Warren contingent is part of a privately funded club team competing against 21 other varsity level programs. The 22-team Group I, North I Section is the largest of the 16 state sectional meets. In only its second season of existence, the club has already produced a USA Track and Field National Youth Shot Put Champion and now a NJSIAA State Sectional medalist.

Coach Randy Walker was filled with pride. As of last December, there was no track program at North Warren. To come this far in just over a year far exceeds any expectations we had. For our athletes to compete at the Winter Track Sectional Championships for the first time and perform like this is a credit to their hard work, dedication and love of the sport. I wish we would have been able to bring more athletes, but our club status limited us to a select group. Coach Walker went on to say, Although tonights performance was outstanding, the thing Im most excited about is going from 34 athletes last season to over 90 this season. We have over 50 high school and 40 middle school students in the club. Most of these

While winter-weary gardeners thumb through seed catalogs and homebound homeowners plan for their next outdoor project, the areas finest landscape companies are busy constructing creative garden displays at the Springfest Garden Show. Flowering bulbs, perennials and trees are being forced from their winter dormancy and carefully timed to be in full bloom for the award-winning Show on March 15th through 18th in the sun-drenched Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, New Jersey. Craftsmen are building beautiful stone walls, laying patio

stones, staining arbors and gazebos and creating magnificent waterfalls and ponds filled with colorful koi. The

landscape displays are overflowing with ideas for your homes curb appeal, outdoor living areas and for your

passionate gardening hobby. They are already looking more creative than ever, as each

Do you have a birthday in February? Its Birthday Month at The Riverton Hotel and Restaurant! If youre celebrating your birthday this month, stop by The Riverton (located on the PA side of the Belvidere Free Bridge) for dinner with a party of six or more and receive a free birthday cake! Please call 610-498-4241 at least 48 hours in advance. Cadette/Senior Girl Scout Troop 775 from the North Warren Service Unit is holding

a Usable Clothing Drive. Proceeds will help defray the cost of a trip to the Savannah, Georgia Homestead. All items donated should be in good, usable condition. Items being collected include wearable, usable clothing for men, women and children; shoes, belts, handbags, backpacks, briefcases, hats, gloves, scarves, ties, fabric, linens, bicycles, stuffed animals and hard toys. Donations can be dropped off at the Johnsonburg Town Hall,

210 Main Street, Johnsonburg on the following dates: February 25th, 9am to 12pm; March 4th, 10am to 1pm; March 8th, 5pm to 8pm; and March 10th, 9am to 12pm. For more information, call 908-496-9861 or email cadettetroop775@ yahoo.com. Attention Frelinghuysen and Hardwick residents: March 2nd is the last day for baseball signups. Call 908-8524121 for details. We would like to wish Amber Loren and Crystal Yamrus a happy birthday. They are celebrating on February 15th. Kate Pruett will be celebrating her birthday on February 17th. Have a great day, Kate! Denise Baarda has a birthday on February 19th. Happy birthday, Denise! Elizabeth Krafty is turning 23 on February 20th. We hope its a great year, Liz! We would like to wish Brandon Werner and Maria Liberto a happy

birthday. They will both be celebrating on February 21st. We would like to wish Becky Rasmussen a very happy belated birthday! She celebrated on February 4th. Want to go the extra mile for that special someones birthday? Send them a birthday wish in The PRESS! Call 610-599-1952 or email thepressnews @enter.net for details. Dont forget to send us your pet photos for a chance to win $25! Whether you have a Shih Tzu, shark, snake or snail, we want your pictures! Photos can be emailed, mailed, or dropped off at our office. See page one for complete details and check out page 11 to see this weeks entries. We love hearing from you! Send your birthdays, anniversaries, and other information to: The PRESS, PO Box 430, Blairstown, NJ 07825
thepressnews@enter.net thepressnewsonline.com Dont Forget to check us out on Facebook!

Here is a list of some of the notable books that have been added to the collection recently at Warren County Library: Old Ideas, by Leonard Cohen. Kindle Fire for Dummies, by Nancy C. Muir. Fairy Tale Interrupted: What JFK Jr. Taught Me About Life, Love, and Loss, by Rosemarie Terenzio. Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet, by Jane OConnor. Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook, by Weight Watchers. The Obamas, by Jodi Kantor. Pity the Billionaire: The Hard Times Swindle and the

Unlikely Comeback of the Right, by Thomas Frank. iPhone 5: The Missing Manual, by David Pogue.Carrabba's Italian Grill Cookbook: Recipes from Around Our Family Table, by Carrabbas Italian Grill. When my Baby Dreams, by Adele Enersen. The Small-Scale Poultry Flock: An All-Natural Approach to Raising Chickens and Other Fowl for Home and Market Growers--With information on building ... feed, and working with poultry in the garden, by Harvey Ussery.

Farm to Fork Celebration of Local Food and Farms

Tickets now available for six-course gourmet dining and wine tasting benefit.
Join the Foodshed Alliance on March 25th at 4pm at Andre's Restaurant and Bar in Newton as we welcome eight distinguished chefs to Newton for a Farmto-Fork celebration. Enjoy their vision of incorporating locallygrown foods into their creations paired with wines that have been specially chosen by each chef for their featured course. The Welcome Spring celebration event features an evening of six delicious courses and entertainment, which benefits the Foodshed Alliance; a grassroots, non-profit organization devoted to promoting locally-grown food and farming through community outreach, education and events like this. Culinary talents of Chef Andre de Waal of Andres Restaurant and Wine Boutique, Newton; Chef Brian Gregg, Michael Anthonys Farm-toTable Restaurant, Jersey City; Chef Mike Carrino, Restaurant Passione, Montclair; Chef David Drake, Alices Restaurant, Lake Hopatcong; Chef Jesse Jones, Private Chef, Newark; Chef Kirk Avondoglio, Perona Farms, Andover; Chef George Mandakus, Innova Cuisine, Lafayette; and Chef Ryan DePersio, Fascino and Bar Car in Montclair will be showcased for your eating and drinking pleasure. Each chef's signature course will feature food from a different local farm and be paired with selected wines that best compliment the freshness and flavor of the prepared artisan courses. Food for this event will be provided by Pittenger Farm, Viking Village Seafood, The Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm, Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse, Arthur and Friends, Churutabis Farm, Kittatinny Mountain Farm, Saltopia, Alba Vineyard, Ventimiglia Vineyard, and Mosefund Farm. Cousins Live is an acoustic duo from North Jersey, consisting of Erik Parian and Danny Spadaro (Discovered Records). Their performance covers a variety of genres, including pop, rock, soul, R&B and blues. They have been performing at bars, restaurants and parties for two years now and they don't plan on stopping any time soon. You are invited to reserve a seat at Andres Restaurant and Wine Boutique to enjoy the bounty that surrounds this rural oasis. Tickets are $100 per person and seating is limited. To register and obtain directions to Andre's visit foodshed alliance.org, call 908362-7967 or email info @foodshedalliance.org.

Blairstown Senior Bus Trip: April 11th Inn at Hunts Landing, Matamoras, PA Sign Up: March 8th, 1pm at Town Hall. All Blairstown residents age 55 and older are invited. Cost is $25 per person. Coffee, tea & pastries; cash bar; Italian buffet; and Italian Festival with Joey Casella. Call Mickey at 908-362-8919 or Blanche at 908-362-6716 FMI. Frelinghuysen Annual Casino Night Saturday, March 24th, 7pm to 11pm at the Green Twp. Fire Dept., Kennedy Rd. Cost is $35 per person and $25 for seniors. There will be hor d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Call 908-852-4121 FMI. Warren County Needle Arts Meeting Tuesday, February 21st, 7pm McCrea United Methodist Church, 276 Main St., Port Murray. Project is fabric flowers. Call 908-454-1618 FMI. Franklin Twp. Vol. FD All You Can Eat Breakfast: February 26th, 7am-noon. 27 2nd St., New Village. $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children 10 & under. Call 908-319-0379 FMI.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS
TOWN OF BELVIDERE: Meetings 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Municipal Building, 691 Water Street. 908-475-5331. BLAIRSTOWN TOWNSHIP: Meeting 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Municipal Building, 106 Route 94. 908-362-6663. FRELINGHUYSEN: Meeting: 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Municipal Building, 210 Main Street, Johnsonburg. 908-852-4121 TOWN OF HACKETTSTOWN: Meeting: 2nd & 4th Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Municipal Building, 215 Stiger Street. 908-852-3130 TOWNSHIP OF HARDWICK: Meeting: 1st Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m. Municipal Building, 40 Spring Valley Road, Hardwick. 908-362-6528 TOWNSHIP OF KNOWLTON: Meeting: 2nd Monday of each month and 4th Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Municipal Building, 628 Route 94, Columbia. 908-496-4816 TOWNSHIP OF OXFORD: Regular Meeting: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. Municipal Building, 11 Green Street, Oxford. 908-453-3098 TOWN OF PHILLIPSBURG: Meeting: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Municipal Building, 675 Corliss Avenue, 908-454-5500 BOROUGH OF WASHINGTON: Meeting: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m.Municipal Building, 100 Belvidere Avenue, Washington. 908-689-3600 TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON: Meeting: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. 211 Route 31 North, Washington. 908-689-7200.

Hope Twp. School Announces Honor Roll Students

The following students have made it on the Hope Township School Honor Roll for the second marking period of the 2011-2012 school year. Congratulations to: Grade six: Gabriella Caputo, Collin Leahey, Alexis Melchor, Taylor Rasely, Nicholas Rosania, Michael Seijas, Darren Siegmeister, Hailey Steinman, Duncan Taylor and Payton Verga. Special congratulations to Jillian Fedarick and Patricia Woodworth for making the High Honor Roll with straight As! Grade seven: G i o Campana, Jeremy Diehl, Jordan Fedarick, Blair Hoffmaster, Zachary Panza, Melissa Strom and Craig Tighe. Special congratulations to Samantha Steinman for making the High Honor Roll with straight As! Grade eight: K i e r a n DeMasi, Andrew Kobee, Hunter Leef, Virginia Peterson and Stephanie Ricker. Keep up the good work, everyone!

Project Self-Sufficiency Offers Free Seminar about Non-Traditional Careers

A free seminar about non-traditional careers will be offered to teens and adults on Thursday, February 23rd, from 6:30pm to 8pm at Project Self-Suf ficiency. New Jersey Superior Court Judge Lorraine Parker and Rabbi Cathy L. Felix will be joined by Corporal Sue Parkes and Heavy Equipment Operator Christine Carman for a discussion of their backgrounds, education and the tasks that accompany their unique professions. Questions from the audience will be welcome. Becoming You: NonTraditional Careers will touch on positions in law enforcement, the judiciary, construction and ministry. The seminar is free and open to teens and adults, but registration is required. Anyone weighing their career options or thinking about postsecondary training and education would benefit from the Becoming You series, notes athletes, who were either working out on their own or not participating in an athletic event, now have a winter activity available to them. Id like to thank coaches Jessica Loughlin, Ryan Hashway, Charles Johnson, Patty DouglasJarvis and Carrie Murphy for volunteering their time and experience over the past two seasons, making this all possible. Id also like to thank our parents, community, staff and administration for their support. Reginas finish has qualified her for the Group I State Championships to be held on February 18th in Toms River. For more information, visit www.northwarren track.org.

Deborah Berry-Toon, Project SelfSufficiencys Executive Director. We are particularly grateful to the professionals in our area who have taken time out of their busy schedules to offer hope, inspiration and direction to those in attendance. To register for Becoming You: NonTraditional Careers call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

NWR Presents Internet Saftey Program

The North Warren Regional School District and New Jersey State Trooper Adam Drew will be presenting a program on Thursday, March 1st designed to help educate parents on the possible concerns that come about when using all the new technologies. The program will start at 7pm in the school auditorium. The topics that will be covered are cyber bullying, file sharing, social networks, media sharing sites, internet predators, cell phones and texting, as well as additional ways to pretoect your family. The program will be informative and helpful when dealing with this ever changing world we live in.

February 15, 2012

The PRESS

Page 5

Local Church Pancake Supper Heralds Arrival of Lent

Christ Church in Newton will host a Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 21st, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, the eve of the Season of Lent in the Episcopal faith. The supper is open to the public and is priced at $6 per person or $18 per family. Christ Church is located at 62 Main Street, in the heart of downtown Newton. Shrove comes from an old word that means confess. The term survives in the phrase, to make short shrift of or to pay little attention to a persons excuses, noted the Reverend Robert Griner, Rector of Christ Church. So we throw out all of our excuses, clean the

Nelson Albert/The PRESS

John Norgard gets a tight cradle on his opponent and turns him over for back points against Pompton Lakes on February 6th.

butter, sugar and flour out of our houses an d make pancakes! For information about the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, call Christ Church at 973383-2245.

Dale Young/The PRESS

Dale Young/The PRESS

The North Warren cheerleaders performed bewtween the first and second quarters of the basketball game on February 9th.

Glen Nanius goes up high between two defenders for a layup and 2 of his gamehigh 28 points against Pius X on February 9th The Patriots lost, 56-81.

Visit the following businesses for quality service and customer satisfaction.
AUTOMOTIVE
908-362-9311

CAMERAS

Signs - Truck Lettering Banners - Window Tint

As Always, Full Service Body Shop, Expert Diagnostics, State Inspection, Discount Tires, Wheels & Custom Accessories
239 Rt. 94 Blairstown, NJ 07825

New at Atech-

Stroudsburg Foto Shop

724 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

CARPENTRY

PREDMORE CARPENTRY
Proudly Serving Residents of Warren & Sussex Counties Since 1985

570-421-2830
authorized dealer of Nikon -Olympus-Canon
full digital lab for your printing needs

Additions Add-A-Level Roofing Siding Dormers Decks Kitchens Baths

Scott & Warren Predmore

www.stroudsburgfoto.com
Male Singer wanted in Northern NJ Area to accompany lead singer/guitarist in rock band. Important opportunity to:

Where Old Time Service Meets New Technology

908-362-7950 973-841-0422
NJHC# VH00447400

Creative Landscape Construction

From Estimate to Finished Project

LANDSCAPE

MUSICIAN

PAINTING DAVID C. BOYNTON

Interiors/Exteriors Residential/Commercial Paper Hanging, Power Wash, Decks, Gutter Cleaning Over 40 Years Experience
www.dcbpainting.com

908-319-0726
ROOFING

Drainage All Types of Walkways Patios - Custom Stone Retaining Wall Specialists Snowplowing Firewood

-Tour with band in future - home/abroad

Needed to apply: Must be 19-26 years old; Provide character references and be drug free; Share the love of music and have outgoing, positive stage presence

-Record CD (2012) -Participate in major benefit concert in NJ in 2012

Painting Contractor

TO APPLY: Preview Lights in Lost Skies on iTunes # 5,6,7,13 If your voice sounds like our lead singer... Make a sample recording of your voice and email to lightsinlostskies96@yahoo.com Contact # 973-945-7164

FULLY INSURED, FREE ESTIMATES Most Major Credit Cards Accepted

(908) 459-4311
NJ LIC. # 13VH05168300

SWIMMING

Swim Team & Swim Lessons 3 Month Special: Tuesday & Thursday Evenings 6pm, 6:30pm & 7pm Classes for Feb., Mar. & Apr.

Jersey Gators

908-362-7600
Reg.# 13VH00341400

$270 - No Registration Fee Expires April 15th Saturday Classes Also Available at 9am, 9:30am; 10am; 10:30am Call For Details 973-729-3737

COMPUTERS

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Bailey Improvements
a Dave of all trades

Baths Kitchens Floors Tile

Basements Windows Doors Decks

Small Jobs Welcomed

N J H IC Lic. 13V H 03540200

PIANO LESSONS

Beginner or Advanced Students

THE SCHADE TREE

All inclusive Membership $175 per month $50 per week or $30 per visit Studio open 9am-9pm daily 117 Nightingale Rd., Blairstown
www.theschadetree.com

POTTERY

908.362.1234

Dave Bailey

Fully Insured

Pottery Studio & Gallery

If you have a piano and would like to learn how to play it, give me a call and arrange for private instructions at my Blairstown Music Studio
Do you need to have your piano tuned? 908-362-9586

Alphons J. Gunther , B.M. Juilliard School of Music www.alphonsgunther.com 40 years experience

609-575-9238

Advertise Your Business for Only $60 per month! Call The PRESS Today! 908-362-0097

Vacation Benefits Haven of Hope for Kids

Looking for an exciting, affordable vacation? Sign up now for a deluxe vacation package to benefit Haven of Hope for Kids. From Sunday, April 29th through Saturday, May 5th, you can enjoy a trip to Myrtle Beach, via a spacious deluxe motorcoach equipped with video and restrooms. This exciting trip includes seven days and six nights hotel lodging, with four consecutive days in the Myrtle Beach area. Also included are 10 delicious meals, as well as tickets to Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline, Carolina Opry and an evening at the Alabama Theatre. You will visit the historic Magnolia Plantation and the amazing Brookgreen Gardens. Experience unique waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment with a visit to Broadway at the Beach, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and an afternoon at Barefoot Landing. You will be given a guided tour of historic Charleston and you will visit the Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, New Jersey on your way home. For only $675 per person, (based on double occupancy) you can be a part of this vacation extravaganza. Your participation also has the added benefit of supporting Haven of Hope for Kids, a local non-profit organization that provides cost-free country retreats for families caring for a child with cancer or other life threatening illnesses. Reservations must be made now. A $75 deposit is due now and the balance will be due on February 24th. Call Gladys at 908-459-9210 for reservations or more information.

Free Help Available for Parents of Children with Behavioral or Mental Health Challenges
The Sussex County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will be working in partnership with the Family Support Organization (FSO) of Morris/Sussex to offer NAMI Basics, a free seven-session course for parents or other primary caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges. The course will be held Saturday mornings, beginning on March 10th and running through April 28th, 10am to 12:30pm, at the FSO office, 67 Spring Street, Newton (no class April 7th). Trained caregivers, who have experienced behavioral challenges in their own children, will teach the course. The comprehensive curriculum covers attention deficit disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and childhood schizophrenia. Course participants will gain empathy and insight into the subjective experience of the child living with mental health and behavioral challenges. As caregivers, they will learn more effective listening, communication and problem-solving skills. Acknowledgment of the stresses and strains on the family, including siblings, will be an important component of the course. Current research related to the biology of mental health challenges is covered in the course, along with how to get an accurate diagnosis for a child. Treatment options are discussed, including how medications work and their pros and cons in the treatment of children. Families will learn how to find support and services within the school system and the community. A theme of the NAMI Basics course is that "No one should have to face this journey alone!" For more information, or to register for the course, call 973-8102730 or email nami. sussex@yahoo.com. Class size is limited to 15. Child care arrangements may be available upon request.

Catherine Beatrice Hopkins of Belvidere was recently honored at the Rancho to celebrate her 97th birthday. She was married to Harry Hopkins. Her children are Alfred of Long Pond, PA; Donald and his wife Virginia of Selah, Washington; Lee and his wife Kim of San Francisco, California; Patricia Hopkins and her companion Warren Dickison of White Twp, NJ; and Ronney Hopkins and his wife Sharon of Delaware, NJ. Her sons Rickey and Robert died earlier. She has many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She loves to shop at WalMart every Saturday night and eat out at different restaurants. She is very friendly and loves company. She has

a companion, her cat Puss, who she loves dearly. Her good friend, Doris

Barr of Belvidere, also attended her party, along with Bonnie Hopkins of Stroudsburg, PA.

Tips on Trips: Traveling Light Beauty on the Delaware: Find Peace and Tranquility
(NAPSI)If you would rather avoid long airport lines and checked-luggage fees, there is an economical travel option. Consider shipping gifts, clothing and other belongings. Here are a few tips: Before shipping luggage, contact your destination to ensure that someone can accept and securely store your luggage. Visit a FedEx office location or one of its shipping centers to obtain sturdy boxes, tie-on tags and a luggage-shipping bag. Ensure that your shipping label is securely attached. Place additional address labels

In Your Own Backyard

Recently, I spent some time admiring the beauty of the Delaware river and its gorgeous scenery. In that half hour, I felt refreshed and inspired. The time I spent was so peaceful. I saw puffy, white clouds floating in the same river as the ducks. Hungry fish swam to the surface, creating endless ripples, as if to greet me before swimming away. A family with two small children sat quietly in a raft, just floating along and taking in the scenery. A man played fetch with his black lab along the grassy shore, where they both collapsed together, showing their affection for each other with a back scratch and a nuzzle. All too often, we rush through life with one eye open, only seeing things we have to. We no longer pay attention to the simple things that are also the most wonderful. Instead, we
By Sarah Loren

on and in luggage. For shipping regulations, to calculate shipping rates and to create and print shipping labels, visit www.fedex.com. Shipping luggage outside the U.S.? Call 1-800-GO-FedEx to ask about regulations.

speed off to work, forgetting our turn signal, but remembering to blame oncoming traffic for our mistakes. We hurry to the post office, neglecting to hold the door for the lady behind us. We arrive home to our families and go our seperate ways, spending time alone rather than getting to know each other. Walking along the river, I felt at ease. I was reminded of the simple things in life and that there still is beauty left in this world. I was inspired to take my time and look around. There is so much to see in life, and it's all right

there in front of us; we just choose to look past it out of habit. Caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget the joys of hearing a baby laugh. We turn our heads from the flap of butterfly wings, not even noticing their beauty. We walk into our very own backyard and no longer realize how amazing the world really is. Of course we're busy with work, family, soccer games and community events. But if we all took a half hour of our time to enjoy life's pleasures, the world would be an even better place to live.

Various styles of artwork will be exhibited in Downtown Washington on Thursday, February 16th when a host of regional artists will showcase their works at several businesses as part of the Washington Business Improvement District's monthly Art Walk. Each month on the third Thursday, an Art Walk with opening receptions are held at participating businesses, from 5pm to 8pm. Light refreshments are served at each location. The artistry remains on display for nearly a full month at a time. Businesses that feature the artists' works in February are Kathy's Kove & Kafe, Fliegaufs Jewelers, Lost Ladies Caf, Gibson's Gym, YB Normal, Copper's Salon, Sal's Pizza, Kaffe Kaprys, Second Time

Around and The Vault. If you are interested in sponsoring or making a contribution, contact the

WBID at 908-689-4800 for more information. Among the participating artists for the Febru-

ary Art Walk are Corinne Heft of Franklin, Nature and Photo Journalism; Michelle Bullock from Phillipsburg, Seasonal Scheren Schnitter; Carol Sutherland of White Township, Wildlife and Nature Photography and Painting; and Howard Krone, Nature and Wildlife Illustration in Mixed Medias. Artists interested in having their work considered for an Art Walk are encouraged to email washingtonart walk@gmail.com or call the Washington BID office for details at 908689-4800. For a full listing of participating businesses and artists, or for more on the Washington Business Improvement District, visit www. washingtonbid.com. The WBID is also on Facebook. All special events and lectures are free with paid admission to the show. Springfest will be open daily, 10am to 5pm and 10am to 8pm on Fridays. All proceeds benefit horticultural promotion, environmental awareness and education. For more information, visit www.springfestgardens how.org or call 973948-9448.

designer competes for the coveted Peoples Choice Award. Springfest features some of the best garden shopping this spring - all under one roof. The marketplace exhibitors are signing up to sell their vast range of garden wares. Plant societies, public gardeners and master gardeners are preparing their educational displays and demonstrations. The Garden Cafs gourmet menu is being planned by the acclaimed Krave Caf and Caterers and The Kids Zone is preparing for the popular treasure hunt and plant prize. Inspiring and educating gardeners and outdoor living enthusiasts for 16 years, Springfest is planning and a comprehensive Lecture Series featuring nationally renowned speakers such as Ken Druse and John Story. Produce Pete from WNBC is scheduled to make a booksigning appearance. Local garden experts are planning lectures on popular topics such as landscaping with dwarf conifers, butterfly gardens, flowering trees and foraging plants for food. Special events in the

planning include Springfeast! at Springfest: Cooking from your Garden, where Community Garden specialists will display ideas for grow your own fresh, healthy and safe produce. Celebrity chefs are testing recipes to conduct cooking demos featuring the bounty of the garden.

Project Self-Sufficiency was proud to award graduation certificates to 18 women who successfully completed the agencys Higher Opportunities for Women program recently. The 16-week training program combines computer training with courses in workplace etiquette, and eventually places all of the participants in an internship at a local job site. Graduates from the most recent HOW program include Peggy Campbell, Kelly Conahoy, Chris Copley, Dawn De Voil, Roseanne Frankel, Jennie Ishiba, Andrea Kassetas, Tinaya Kiester, Jodi Larsen, Anne MacElroy, Jayne Mac Questen, Sylvia, Mannuzza, Kellyn Percell, Dorothy Perrone, Barbara Reynolds, Jill Sommerville, Georgeanne Stoll and Maxine Swentzel.

Abraham Lincoln is not dead. Emancipated from the thraldom of time, he has stepped beyond the trammels of birth, and race, and state. He lives in an epic all his own; in ever widening spiritual leadership; in the splendor of realized ideals; in inspiration to good citizenship and in multiplying memorials in literature and art, in progress and reform, in patriotism and philanthropy, in education and humanitarianism. ~John Wesley Hill

Homeowners: Your Independent Foreclosure Review

(NAPSI)Did you face foreclosure in 2009 or 2010? If so, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency says you may be eligible for a free independent review of your case. Independent foreclosure reviews let borrowers who faced foreclosure on their primary residences between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 request reviews of their cases if they believe they suffered financial injury as a result of errors in the foreclosure processes of these servicers: Americas Servicing Company, Aurora Loan Services, Bank of America, Beneficial, Chase, Citibank, CitiFinancial, CitiMortgage, Country-Wide, EMC, EverBank/Everhome, Freedom Financial, GMAC Mortgage, HFC, HSBC, IndyMac Mortgage Services, MetLife Bank, National City, PNC, Sovereign Bank, SunTrust Mortgage, U.S. Bank, Wachovia, Washington Mutual, and Wells Fargo. occurred while you were protected by bankruptcy. A foreclosure proceeded on a military member in violation of Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections. More than 4 million letters were mailed to potentially eligible borrowers with requestfor-review forms and instructions on how to complete and return them. The form lets you describe what you think went wrong. Simply answer the questions to tell your story, include any additional documents you think relevant and return the form by April 30, 2012. If you believe you are eligible and have not received a form, you can request one from 888952-9105, Monday through Friday from 8am to 10pm (ET) and Saturday from 8am to 5pm (ET). For more information and answers to questions about the review process, visit www. IndependentForeclosure Review.com or www. occ.gov/independent foreclosurereview.

The reviews will determine whether individuals suffered financial injury and should receive compensation or other remedies due to errors or other problems during their home foreclosure process. The reviews were ordered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve in April 2011 after the federal regulators found unsafe and unsound mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices among these large, federally

regulated mortgage servicers. Situations that may have led to financial injury include, but are not limited to: The mortgage balance at the time of the foreclosure action was more than you actually owed. Fees charged or mortgage payments were inaccurately calculated, processed or applied. You were doing everything a modification agreement required but the foreclosure sale still happened. The foreclosure action

(NAPSI)Most lenders require homebuyers to purchase lenders title insurance when they obtain a home loan, but lenders title insurance only protects the lenders investment in the property. It is an owners title insurance policy that provides coverage to the homebuyer. For a one-time fee, an owners policy can cover losses arising from defects in the title existing at the time that the policy is issued, including costs associated with conflicts that emerge when different wills exist or when one heir contests the rights of another heir to sell a home. An owners policy, which remains in effect for as long as the owner or their heirs

retain an interest in the property, can also cover certain future events, such as building permit or subdivision law violations of previous owners; neighbors building encroaching structures; post-policy forgery or impersonation; and lack of physical access for vehicles and pedestrians to and from the home. With todays housing market including many foreclosure properties, owners title insurance is more important than ever. To learn more about owners title insurance and how to protect yourself when you purchase property, go to www.homeclosing101.o rg. You can also visit www.alta.org for more information.

A Fun and Interactive Way to Lose Weight

(NAPSI)TV viewers may soon gain a whole new perspective on weight loss. Thats because social TV APP Miso has teamed up with Halogen TV to provide a new way to connect and interact with The Biggest Loser. Its a compelling weight-loss drama in which celebrity fitness trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper join top health experts to help 12 overweight contestants transform their bodies, health and, ultimately, their lives. Caroline Rhea hosts the unscripted, one-hour series featuring unique challenges, surprising alliances and irresistible temptations. In the end, the winner has a healthier body and $250,000. Unlike other makeover shows, it focuses on exercising the right way, losing weight naturally and promoting positive and healthy living. This cast of diverse and dynamic individuals gets a chance to be selfconfident about their accomplishments and physical appearance. The Miso platform provides viewers with innovative and fun ways to discuss the show, get behind-the-scenes information, take polls and post instant reactions to each of the episodes (whether you watch live, on demand, via DVR or on your iPhone). For more information and to learn where to watch, visit www.HalogenTV.com.

This is a public note of appreciation and a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful Blairstown Ambulance Squad. I needed the ambulance in the middle of the night on January 22nd and the response to take my husband to the hospital was most gratifying. Thanks to Chris Trigg and Bill Klindt who were there quickly. We never know when we will ever need an ambulance, so we can be thankful we have such a wonderful volunteer ambulance squad. They are self-supporting and get no government funding, so I have to say they can use more muchneeded volunteers. Our gift dollars contribute to all of our well-being because of their time and effort. A grateful thank you, Jan and Ward Swift.

school and will be held in the classrooms of the middle school. Admission is free to all, but as an added feature to the event, the NHS is asking for fami-

lies to donate at least one gently used or brand-new book as their ticket into the event. All collected books will be donated to a local childrens hospital.

North Warren Regional will be holding their annual Reading is Fun event at North Warren Middle School on Thursday, March 1st, from 4pm to 6pm. The event is sponsored by the National Honor Society under the direction of Mrs. Christine Erickson, advisor.

This fun afternoon includes North Warren Regional Clubsponsored rooms where the children will not only have a special book read to them, but also participate in crafts especially created to go with the book of choice. The event is open to all children in elementary