Scotch Plains Nj

Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Gymnasts compete in 2011 gymnastic state championship

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA captured the 2nd place Team title in the “A” Division meet, following the Madison Area YMCA. The “A” Division gymnasts competed at two levels: Level 9, Championship Division and Level 8, Developmental Division.

Three gymnasts from FSPY competed in the Championship Division. In the 15 and under age group, Zoe-Nicole Stein had a great day, capturing the Silver Medal All Around honors, as well as the silver medal on Vault, Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. Sarah Robinson was named the State Champion on Floor Exercise. In the 16 and over age group, graduating senior Hannah Kronick earned the silver medal on Vault and the Bronze All Around title. In the Level 8 competition, 14 and 15 year old age group, Lauren Lockfeld was the Silver Medalist on Vault. Lockfeld also received the Bronze Medal on Floor Exercise and placed 4th All Around. Tying her teammate, Marissa DiBella was the Silver Medallist on Vault and the Bronze Medallist on Uneven Bars. Abigail Fontana placed 4th on Vault and Balance Beam. In the 16 and over age group, graduating senior Michelle Rogoff was named the State Champion on Vault. Rogoff also placed 4th All Around. Kaitlyn Frey was the Silver Medallist on Vault, earning 4th place on the Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. Graduating Senior Olivia Dunham placed 4th on Vault and 5th All Around. Joelle Pisauro, also a graduating senior placed 5th on Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. Graduating senior Kelsey Herbig was unable to compete due to an injury; however, she provided critical support for her teammates at the meet. Danielle Scheu competed in the 14 and under age group.

The “B” Division team also finished 2nd behind the team from Madison Area YMCA. The FSPY team had an outstanding showing on Vault, taking all top honors in the age groups they competed. In the 12 & 13 over age group Cara Provenzano was named the State Champion on Vault. Provenzano also earned 4th place Uneven Bars and 5th place All Around. Paige VanBuskirk was the Silver Medallist on Vault, also capturing 4th place on Balance Beam and Floor Exercise. Sydne Powers was the Bronze Medallist on Vault, also receiving 4th place All Around, 5th place on both Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. Marissa LaMastra received 4th place on Balance Beam and rounded out the FSPY sweep with a 5th on Vault. Arielle Marguilies was awarded 4th place on Vault. The 14 and over age group saw Heather Mullen on the top of the podium as the All Around State Champion. Mullen also earned the State Champion title on both Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise and the Silver Medal on Vault. Meghan Yessman was awarded the State Champion title on Vault, Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. The Silver Medallist on Uneven Bars was Rachel Butler. Sara Rocha earned the Bronze Medal on Vault, Uneven Bars and Balance Beam.

Scoops Rules Union County Ice Cream Debate - Scotch Plains-Fanwood ...

We all know there's no such thing as a bad ice cream cone, but we certainly can agree that an exceptional cone has a life-affirming, almost spiritual quality. So after just shy of two weeks, we're pleased to announce that our inaugural "best-of" ice-cream winner is — Scoops , from Scotch Plains.

While it might be easy for passing motorists to fly right by it on the eastbound lanes of Route 22, it's just as likely that those needing a frosty treat will realize their mistake and make a U-turn to satisfy their cravings at the store that's been open since 1990.

Once you get inside, things slow down considerably, unless you're working behind the counter. Scoops boasts 60 to 70 flavors of homemade hard and soft ice cream, Italian ices, cakes, chipwiches, sundaes, egg creams, ice cream floats – just about everything you'd imagine from the joint with the full-on ice cream parlor vibe.

As you peruse the chalkboards, they feature colorful drawings and calligraphy, which are done yearly by an artist in Toms River, who does the signs for a number of ice cream shops down the Shore.   

The Colendenski family, from Mountainside, was enjoying a visit on the day of the Patch announcement.

 "We've been coming here a long time," said 11-year-old Julia. "My favorite is 'Smurf'" (Blue ice cream with marshmallows).

Bridget, Julia's twin sister, was working on a cup of mint chocolate chip, but sided with her sister. "Me, too. I like Smurf," she said. "You can't get it anywhere else. And the lady's very nice."

Their mom, Bridget, who was enjoying  mint chocolate chip in a waffle cone, said her daughters are lifelong Scoops aficionados. 

"My mother-in-law used to come here with the babies, so we've been coming here for at least five years now. It's a nice treat. The lady is nice, and we're right in Mountainside, so it's convenient," she said. "Mint chocolate chip is our back-up flavor."

"I find it nice, the atmosphere's nice," 12-year-old John said, "the flavors are good." But the baby of the siblings, Caitlin, 9, grasping a wafer cone, her face smeared with chocolate ice cream: "It's yummy!"

 Tom Varkey, there to pick up a chocolate shake for his 11-year-old son, said, "It's my kids' favorite place. They love the variety."

Owner Colleen Tighe, serving everyone in her blue Scoops polo shirt splattered with enough of her offerings to qualify as a menu, said, "The chalkboards and the authentic displays we have – they're authentic, they're all from the '50s and '60s. My aunt is an antiques dealer and found them.

Books abroad

A comprehensive plan for Scotch Plains, N.J.

Directory of historic house museums in the United States

The Poultry tribune

The New York genealogical and biographical record