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UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE LOCALSOURCE.COM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2011 — PAGE 11
OP ED PAGE
'Inspired and fueled by readers'(Continued from Page 10)
just develop. You either have it oryou don't. You either stand up,often alone, for what you believe isright, or you don't.
I'm not sure what it is thatmakes people believe they canwave their little power wand andexpect to stop a free press, nor do Ispend much time trying to changetheir mentality. When things getrough, I try and remember all thesources who trusted me to get sto-ries out to the public and the read-ers who were grateful I did. That isall 1 need to keep going.
I have never thought of myselfas being courageous and I'm sureany teacher I ever had, as well asmy late parents, had a very differ-ent word to describe my stubborndetermination when I believe I amright about something.
But there is not much differencebetween the 10-year-old girl — me— who decided to picket becauseshe was kicked out of the Girl
Scouts for not having a uniformand the reporter I am today. Eventhen I knew that some things arejust wrong and it only takes oneperson to stand up and fight forwhat is right.
Beating to your own drum isnever easy. Much can fall awaypersonally as a result. But, in theend, it is more than worth the priceone has to pay to ensure that truth,justice and the America our forefa-thers wanted for us prevails. That,to me, is the least I can do.
There will be two kinds of peo-ple reading my column thisThanksgiving. Those who believein freedom of the press and thosewho fight it every day.
The people who work behindthe scenes to do all they can to stopwhat I do as a reporter are alreadyplotting new ways to exert pres-sure with the belief that the nextploy will work. But it won't worknow and it never will work in thefuture, because there just are some
people you can't buy or pressureinto doing what you want. And thatis something politically powerfulpeople and those who carry a torchfor them will never understand.
Thanksgiving is a wonderfultime of year to count our blessings.When 1 count mine this year, 1 willremember all the emails and callsfrom our readers that continue tooffer encouragement and supportfor our newspaper. I'm thankful foreach one of them, because they arethe fuel that keeps us going.
1 will think about the countlesssources who have come to trustthis reporter and newspaper overthe last few years so we couldshow our readers a true picture ofhow their county and local govern-ments work.
This line of communication isimportant because it tells us youare listening and that is somethingto be thankful for — as a newspa-per and as a journalist.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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UNION BRIEFSThe Night Before Christmas'performance on Dec. 9
The Union Fellowship Choir will make its debutperformance of the Christmas Cantata, "The NightBefore Christmas," at United Methodist Church,Union, on Dec. 9. The cantata, a musical celebration ofthe Christmas story, written by Joel Lindsey, TwilaLaBar and J. Daniel Smith, is a new musical retellingof the events leading up to Christ's coming. It includesfestive orchestrations and is performed by the choirand soloists. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.at the church on 2095 Berwyn St., Union. More infor-mation can be obtained by calling 908 687-8077.
The effects of stress discussedat library on Nov. 30
Emily Adams, a licensed esthetician, trained in skincare and relaxation massage, will discuss and demon-strate the effects of stress on the body and the benefitsof stress management at Union Public Library, 1980Morris Ave., Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Adams is a Kean University graduate with a bach-elor of arts degree in psychology. She is currentlyworking on a master's degree in psychology with aspecialization in health and wellness at the Universityof the Rockies.
The presentation will include relaxation techniquesfeaturing diaphragmatic breathing, simple relaxation,guided meditation and visualization.
For more information on the admission-free pro-gram, call the library at 908-851-5452.
AARP meeting set for Dec. 8Union AARP Chapter 4026 will meet on Dec. 8 at
the Union Senior Center, 968 Bonnell Court, Union, at12:30 p.m. Meetings are held on the second Thursdayof each month.
During the meeting, entertainment will be providedby Jeff Dunston, a singer, performer and disc jockey.
After the meeting, coffee and cake will be served.
Grace Lutheran schedulesThanksgiving eve service
Grace Lutheran Church, 2222 Vauxhall Road,Union, will have a Thanksgiving eve worship servicetonight at 7:30 p.m. This will also be a special Thanks-giving for St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for the
Deaf, which worships with Grace Lutheran. It marksthe 75th Thanksgiving in both of their histories.
The service is called "Thank You, Lord, for People,Places and Things," with the worship divided intothose three sections or themes. The Grace LutheranChoir will sing an anthem for Thanksgiving. The wor-ship service will be interpreted for the deaf. Specialplacemats with a responsive prayer will be distributedto all families for each person at the thanksgiving cel-ebration and meal.
The church has extended an invitation to the com-munity. Grace and St. Matthew's churches have a goalof at least 75 in attendance.
Veterans are offered a freeThanksgiving dinner
Grace Lutheran Church, 2222 Vauxhall Road, willhost a free Thanksgiving dinner for 75 veterans andtheir spouses. This will be part of the church's 75thanniversary observance and celebration, as well as inthanksgiving to God and the veterans. The dinner willbe limited to the first 75 veterans and their spouseswho make a reservation. Call the church office at 908-686-3965 or email [email protected].
UNICO chapter is lookingfor new members to join
The Union UNICO Chapter of UNICO Nationalannounced a membership drive. Those who are inter-ested can contact Philip Geron, membership chairman,at 908-687-0056.
UNICO is reportedly the largest Italian-Americanservice organization in the United State. The UnionChapter is reaching out to neighbors and friends in theUnion Township area and asking that serious consider-ation be given to becoming a member.
By joining the UNICO movement, chapters andtheir members become a part of a national effort topromote Italian American heritage. The Union chapterhas monthly dinner meetings at local restaurants. Thechapter works toward community improvement andwelfare and also raises funds which are donated to theneedy and the helpless. Signature donations are madeto help those with mental illness.
Contact Geron at 908-687-0056 during the work-day or 908^-687-2194, ext. 103, after hours for moreinformation.
Andrew S. Prince Mitchell H. Portnoi
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