Scotch Plains News Archives - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Westfield Area Fireworks and 4th of July 2021 Celebrations

July 2, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Summertime means that there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy in Westfield right now. The New Jersey Festival Orchestra performed for a live sold-out crowd last weekend. The Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival starts up next week. And this weekend, we celebrate our nation’s independence. Here are some of the places you can see Westfield area fireworks this 4th of July weekend.

Still trying to finalize plans for this holiday weekend? There are several public July 4th celebrations to chose from this weekend, including Westfield area fireworks shows.

Westfield Area Fireworks and 4th of July Celebrations

Cranford

If you find yourself in Cranford tonight (July 2nd), they plan on an early Independence Day fireworks show at Nomahegan Park (1107 Springfield Ave). On July 4th, they host their annual Firecracker 4-Miler and Fun Run at Nomahegan Park. Find out more about the 4-Miler and how you can participate by visiting the Cranford Jaycees’ website here.

Scotch Plains

Scotch Plains celebrates the 4th on the 3rd, with a free Westfield area fireworks show at the Scotch Hills/Shady Rest Country Club. After last year’s disappointing cancelation due to COVID, this beloved event returns this year in full force. If Mother Nature decides to rain on July 3rd (which is a possibility), organizers set a rain check date of July 5th. So, keep an eye on the weather forecast this weekend.

In Westfield

There is power in words. And the words our founding fathers put forth to declare our independence from England in 1776 were powerful indeed. The Westfield Historical Society plans on celebrating Independence Day with a flag ceremony accompanied by the national anthem. Then, listen to a recording of President Kennedy’s reading of the Declaration of Independence. Following that, hear a live reading of the Bill of Rights. Finally, listen to a recitation of President Lincoln’s second inaugural address. Hear his powerful words spoken as he took office a second time, just over a month before his assassination. This is one way to truly appreciate the importance of Independence Day in the United States.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Scotch Plains Food Truck Festival 2021

April 23, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Who likes to eat? In the past year, so many more people discovered the joys of cooking at home. But if you need a break from creating a delicious meal for your family, try a food truck. And, if you want to help out high school students, visit Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School on Sunday, May 2nd for the Scotch Plains Food Truck Festival 2021.

What: Scotch Plains Food Truck Festival 2021
Where: Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (667 Westfield Rd)
When: Sunday, May 2nd from 12 pm to 5 pm
Admission: $10/person, $25/family

Scotch Plains Food Truck Festival 2021

Money raised from the food truck festival helps fund the Class of 2021’s senior activities. Several local food truck owners already signed up to participate in the festival. They include:

Bites & Bowls (Mexican fusion)
Cheezen (next level grilled cheese)
Empanada Guy
GoodMood Truck (hamburgers & fries)
House of Cupcakes
La Coqueta (tacos, burritos)
Ms. Yummy Food Truck (Asian fusion)
Violante’s Catering (cheesteaks, sausage & peppers)

Here, you will find something to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds. Plus, dessert! (Thank you House of Cupcakes.) Each of the food trucks is set up to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Anyone who plans on coming to the food truck festival must wear a mask. The high school marching band joins the Moonglowers and other local musicians to provide musical entertainment throughout the day.

Westfield Earth Day Fair 2021

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Earth Day? Visit the South Ave Train Station tomorrow (April 24th) for the Westfield Earth Day Fair. In addition to fun activities and great eco-friendly information, you will want to peruse the free market to recycle/reuse gently used items from your neighbors. If you have items you wish to donate to the free market, schedule a time to drop them off here.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Scotch Plains Touch a Truck 2019: Fun for All Ages

May 2, 2019 by Scott Gleason

Did you ever play with Tonka trucks when you were a kid? Hauling sand in dump trucks to make huge sand castles. Creating moats around your sandcastle with a backhoe. Maybe you extinguished a house fire with your toy firetruck, saving an entire family in the process. Perhaps you chased down the bad guys in your toy police car. Have you ever thought about what it must be like to work in their real-life counterparts? At the Scotch Plains Touch a Truck 2019 event, you and your kids have the opportunity to climb aboard all kinds of trucks, including emergency vehicles.

What: Scotch Plains Touch a Truck 2019
Where: JCC of Central NJ (1391 Martine)
When: Sunday, May 19th, 1 pm to 5 pm
Admission: FREE
Contact: Caren Goldberg, JCC NJ (908) 889-8800 x236 or via email

Scotch Plains Touch a Truck 2019

Several public utility and emergency vehicles will be on display at the ever-popular Scotch Plains Touch a Truck 2019 event. Kids of all ages are welcome to climb inside and explore the various buttons, gauges each has to offer. Get behind the wheel if you’d like. Live out your childhood fantasies in one spot on May 19th.

In addition to the big boy vehicles, Camp Yachad will set up fun games and bounce houses for the kids to enjoy. When your hunger calls, answer it with delicious fare provided by one of several food trucks on-site. For those with an aversion to loud noises or other sensory issues, a special “Hold the Horn” hour takes place from 1 pm to 2 pm. During that time, no music, sirens or horns will be allowed. That way, everyone gets to enjoy their time at the event.

All of the entertainment at the Scotch Plains Touch a Truck 2019 event is provided absolutely free of charge. A shuttle will be provided to take you back and forth from the nearby Union County Vo Tech campus’ free parking area. This event happens come rain or shine. So, be prepared for whatever the day brings before you get to the JCC facility. Bring the family and just have fun.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019

March 8, 2019 by Scott Gleason

Girl Scouts have been around for more than 100 years. Today, their membership boasts 2.5 million in the United States. If you’ve been to the grocery store anytime in the past month or two, it may have felt like even more than that. (Hello, Thin Mints!) Whether you dunk them, nibble them, pull them apart to eat them, or swallow them whole, there’s no denying that Girl Scout cookies taste fantastic. At the Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019, girl scouts transform these tasty treats into appetizers and other kinds of desserts. But that’s only the beginning of this cookie cook-off.

What: Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019
Where: Shackamaxon Country Club (100 Tillinghast Turn)
When: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 6 pm to 8 pm
Contact: Mara, Girl Scouts Heart of NJ via email (
funddevelopment@gshnj.org)

Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019

So, maybe you don’t happen to have a huge sweet tooth. At the Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019, the Girl Scouts Heart of NJ (GSHNJ) pass out hors d’oeuvres to the guests in attendance. Gourmet food stations provide delicious fare whipped up by the talented chefs at the country club. Finish your meal up with a cup of coffee or tea. Need something a little stronger? You’ll find it at the cash bar.

Silent Auction

The Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019 is a fundraiser for the GSHNJ. Money raised from the cook-off benefit STEM programs, their Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program (meeting with and reconnecting families in the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility), and Juliette’s House (serving homeless women and young girls in New Jersey). You can help them raise more money by bidding on items in the silent auction. Or participate in the wine pull (a drawing for your own bottle of chardonnay, rose, cabernet or pinot). If you’d like to purchase one of these bottles to donate at the event, please visit the GSHNJ wine pull donation site here. All donations are greatly appreciated.

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Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Three Union County High Schools Make Top 10 List

February 24, 2017 by Scott Gleason

Children’s education is extremely important for parents in the Westfield area. The public education system needs to meet parents’ demands for excellence. School information website Niche.com recently released their list of the 100 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey. Three Scotch Plains high schools made the Top 10.

Scotch Plains High Schools

Currently, 662 public high schools operate in the state of New Jersey. Bergen County Academies in Hackensack took the top spot for all of the Garden State. But, what three Scotch Plains high schools made the list? The Academy for Allied Health Sciences (#2), Union County Magnet High School (#5) and the Academy for Information Technology (#9). The Academy of Allied Health Sciences took the #15 spot on the list for the entire country. Union County Vo-Tech High School came in in the 21st spot. Meanwhile, Westfield High School ranked #51 on the list.

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Niche determines each school’s ranking by carefully weighing several factors. First, state proficiency scores, SAT/ACT scores and parent/student survey responses make up 50% of the score. Then, they look at culture and diversity, health and safety, teachers’ salaries and absenteeism rates. Next, they see how much each school spends per student and staff. Finally, what kinds of clubs/activities/sports programs are offered at each school? After tallying the score for each school, a ranking can be determined. To make the top 100 is a feat unto itself. To have just one school in the top 10 is amazing. But, for three Scotch Plains high schools to make it into the top 10 for the entire state is absolutely phenomenal.

Last Chance to Enroll in Free Westfield Tax Appeal Seminar

Don’t forget. I’m sponsoring a free Westfield Tax Appeal Seminar on Tuesday, February 28th. Seats are limited. If you’re interested, leave a voice mail at (908) 518-5456 or send an email to service@valuemyhomenj.com stating how many people will be attending. If you feel you’ve been paying too much in property taxes because your Westfield home was overvalued by the County, you need to come to this seminar. Attorney Jennifer Jacobus, Esq., will teach you all about filing a tax appeal that could save you hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars each year. Sign up today.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Luxury Homes for Sale in Westfield