Plenty of fun at day 'to become one'
From beekeepers to robots, Heritage Day draws diverse crowd
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Tania Edwards (r) prepares to smash whipped cream on the face of North Brunswick Township High School cheerleader Michelle Barthole as Bianca Arias watches during the 24th annual Heritage Day celebration at Babbage Park Saturday.

Despite the lingering clouds and sporadic drizzle, the 24th annual Heritage Day celebration went off without a hitch at Babbage Park in North Brunswick on Saturday.

"It's fun. It's nice. It's a lot of fun," Bruce Chandlee said of the "day of fun to become one," which was instituted in 1983 by his late wife Ann Marie, who was the North Brunswick appointee to the Middlesex County Tercentennial Committee.

From an athletic point of view, the Youth Council once again defeated the Township Council in a series of volleyball games held after the opening ceremony.

"For me, the highlight was watching the mayor, council and Youth Council. ... There was total great participation. I got a little nervous because I thought the council was going to win, but in the three-game session the Youth Council did victor over the mayor and council," said Lou Ann Benson, the director of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services. "I do have to say everyone was a good sport and it was good, clean fun for everyone."

Above: Sisters Chelsea (l) and Stephanie Vasquez, along with their cousin, Brandon Vasquez, wait their turn for a horse and carriage ride at the 24th annual Heritage Day festival in North Brunswick on Saturday, designed to promote community spirit and togetherness. At right: Justin Puleio, 3, shows his American spirit.

From an educational standpoint, the high school's Raider Robotix team showcased its 2004 robot, which they're using in the off-season to help assist other teams with their development.

"We really want to stretch out into the community and spread our efforts," team member Neil Parikh said.

The team will sponsor its own competition, "Brunswick Eruption," on Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. About 30 teams will participate at the high school gym on a field built by NASA. As a fundraising effort, on May 19 the team is also planning a bodybuilding show to feature professional athletes in an exposition-type format.

PHOTOSBY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff

"We want to bring science and technology into the community. The future of technology is changing and we're here to lead the way," Parikh added.

From a business point of view, beekeeper Frank Locke showcased his supply of local honey.

"We should keep it local," Locke said of customers purchasing locally produced items, "because people should take care of other people who are local."

Also, the only 30-minute workout in North Brunswick was available to provide free one-month memberships to Heritage Day festival- goers.

"I feel it's important to be part of the community because my business is for the empowerment of women and the health of women, and the community spirit in my club identifies with the community spirit here at the festival," Curves owner Kristin Marchie said of her four-year-old business located on Route 130.

From a musical side of the festival, Jamera and Vanessa Sirmans of the New Destiny Family Worship Center community choir came to sing and enjoy the day as a whole.

"It's so diverse. There's not just one group here, not just one race of people," Jamera Sirmans said. "No one is exempt from it, no one is left out. It's positive so it brings the youth out more than anybody."

"Everybody gets to explore their own culture and show everyone else what it is about," Vanessa Sirmans added.

From a civic organization aspect, after finding out two teachers from New Brunswick were using their own money to purchase books for their school, the Friends of the North Brunswick Library decided to offer them a discount to aid their purchase of 118 books.

"It's an immediate project where they get these books and don't have the money for it in their budget so they use their own money ... and put books on the shelves in their classrooms for kids to take home. You know what it's like to own a book and it's yours," Friends President Marcy Feldheim said.

She feels this is a perfect tie-in with Heritage Day because of the sense of community they are applying to the neighboring town.

"We learned about this little program in New Brunswick and it opens our eyes to inviting children into the classroom," she said.

Overall, Heritage Day depicted a sense of togetherness, respect and understanding for all of the cultures of individuals in town, as well as the community as a whole.

"It is such a great day where the community connects together and becomes one. Everyone is represented," Benson said.

The performance by The Philadelphia Funk Authority and the fireworks display were rescheduled for Saturday due to a rainout. Check Cable Channel 22 and www.northbrunswickonline.com for updated information.