08840 Metuchen | August 2022

Letter from the EDITOR:

Police Chief Arthur Flaherty sits down with 08840 for the magazine’s profile piece. He’s a hometown boy. He shares how the game of basketball, and his upbringing played a major role in who he is today starting on page 4.

Welcome

to the 08840, a magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community of Metuchen. We hope you have been enjoying our bi-monthly editions so far. This is my first Letter from the EDITOR and I am excited for you to check out what we have in store for our Fall edition.

First off, we are NMG media group, proudly providing over 50 publications within New Jersey and Pennsylvania, specializing in original local content. We have been given the opportunity to delve into all the wonderful and exiting things Metuchen has to offer on a new level with the magazine.

In this issue, readers will learn about the Battle of Short Hills and why it is referred as the Metuchen Meeting House Battlefield. Historian Water Stochel, corresponding secretary of the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, shares his knowledge of the major American Revolutionary War Battle on page 12.

Stomachs may start growling as readers learn about ParkSide Eats from owner Ryan Armas who brings American comfort cuisine with a global twist to 166 Main St. Armas’ shares his mother’s passing motivated and inspired him to open his own restaurant. Learn about it in 08840’s Boro Bites segment on page 7.

Our business spotlight shines on Strongmile Movers. There is more that meets the eye with Joe Stanio. Yes, he is the owner of a moving company, but he is also an aspiring trumpet player inspired by the greats – Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. His story begins on page 11.

All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead. Enjoy!

Editor Kathy Chang

Hometown boy becomes police chief

Arthur Flaherty credits the game of basketball, upbringing for the person he is today

BY KATHY CHANG

Arthur Flaherty is the police chief in Metuchen, a role he began on June 1.

His journey as a police officer is not your typical one.

“I kind of fell into it by accident,” he will tell you.

Flaherty took one police test in 1992.

At the time, Flaherty wore his long hair in a ponytail. He was unsure police work was the job for him.

Growing up/Basketball days

He’s a hometown boy, born and raised in Metuchen. He is the youngest of his five siblings. Twelve years separates him from his oldest sister.

His father Robert Sr., ”dirt poor Irish” grew up in a very poor part of Newark. His mother, Winifred, “a very rich Italian” grew up in Vailsburg.

When they met and fell in love, they were forbidden to marry, so they eloped.

“The only reason they told anyone [they married] was because my dad got drafted [into the military] so they had to tell everybody,” Flaherty said.

They had four kids in two years – his sister Donna, twin brothers Robert Jr. and

please see CHIEF, page 5

Thomas, and brother Shawn.

Six years later came his sister Therese and six years later in 1966, he, Arthur, arrived.

“I had my father, mother as big role models,” Flaherty said. “They played a major part in my upbringing. I also had my brothers as role models and my sisters because they were that much older. It was almost like I was brought up by all of them.” And he admits, he may have been a bit spoiled.

In 1952, his parents bought a house on Spear Street.

“Spear Street was actually a dirt road at the time,” Flaherty said. “There were telephone poles underneath the Grove Avenue bridge, and you couldn’t get all the way through. Only emergency vehicles could knock them out and go through the other side of town.

“Everything above Spear Street was all woods. You didn’t have Oakwood Avenue yet.”

Schools ran on a neighborhood system. Moss, Campbell and Edgar were neighborhood schools. Students then would go to

“Moss was my neighborhood school,” Flaherty said.

If you know anything about the police chief, the game of basketball was a big part of his childhood. His specialty: shooting guard.

“My dad was a very good athlete in high school,” Flaherty said. “He instilled into all of us that sports were important. Extracurricular activities for sure, but sports were the easiest thing for him because that is what he related to. We all did something.”

Flaherty said he grew up watching his

older brothers play basketball. His father went to every game.

“It was something I saw as a kid and it’s something I said I wanted to be part of,” he said. “It was easy, I got trained by my brothers. My brother Tommy played [basketball] at Seton Hall [University] and tried out in the ABA [American Basketball Association] with the Buffalo Braves.”

ABA at the time was a men’s professional basketball league before it merged with the NBA in 1976.

Flaherty said his sister Donna also played the sport; however, sports for girls weren’t as big at the time.

By the time his sister

Therese started playing sports, there was a sports movement - when there was a Boys sport, there had to be an equivalent Girls sport.

please see CHIEF, page 8

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARTHUR FLAHERTY Police Chief Arthur Flaherty with his family after he was sworn in as police chief in June.

Franklin School where the Franklin Square development is now and then to Metuchen High School.

Patrons can find comfort in food at ParkSide Eats

Owner’s late mother inspired his craft in the kitchen

BY TYLER BROWN

The search for genuine comfort is universal, yet subjective.

For many, it’s the security of a close relationship. For others, it’s the preservation of culture. And for some, it’s the pursuit of purpose. But for Ryan Armas, owner of ParkSide Eats, it’s the discovery that family, tradition, and innovation can all exist on a plate.

As a child, Armas curiously observed his mother, Martha, create culinary masterpieces in the kitchen. His proximity to the action resulted in his early involvement with preparing and cooking food. With each meal, his capacity for understanding the nuanced artistry behind food increased.

As he grew older, he expanded his familiarity with food by visiting restaurants for inspiration. During this period of culinary enlightenment, Armas would develop his own framework for flavor by experimenting with different recipes.

“I’ve always been one to go out to eat and try new foods. I’ve always helped my mother in the kitchen and when I grew up, I decided to try to make the things I ate at a restaurant,” he said.

Armas, who lives in Spotswood, would eventually start his own catering service. Although successful, his home-based operation was overwhelmed with orders. As a result, several customers encouraged Armas to establish a storefront.

Due to popular demand, he began the search for an available property.

In 2020, he spent considerable time scouting locations to start his new business venture. With patience, he eventually found a place with potential at 166 Main St. in Metuchen.

Unfortunately, life had other plans that derailed his progress and momentum.

Armas’ mother was diagnosed with cancer and for two years they battled the illness together until she passed away.

“I was looking into this place on the southside of Main Street for about a year in 2020 and it took me two years to open because my mother got sick. We went through a journey of battling cancer within those two years and unfortunately, she passed away,” he said.

please see BITES, page

from

Although devastating, the intimate loss motivated Armas to new levels of determination. In her honor, he planned to open his restaurant on the anniversary of her death. To further cement her legacy at 166 Main St., he had a wall mural designed in remembrance of her.

“I became determined to open [the restaurant] the anniversary of her death. To commemorate my mother, I had the mural designed on the side of the building as a reminder why I did this,” Armas said.

Faced with the challenge of owning and operating a restaurant, Armas realized he needed assistance. Thankfully, he assembled a team that enabled him to remain focused on his true passion: cooking.

“While I knew how to make the food, I had no idea how to run a restaurant, this is where I hired a team to help me out with the operations.

“I have always enjoyed a challenge, my mother motivated me to try different things, she made me the person I am today, and I enjoy making people happy with good tasting food.

“I’ve learned being in this industry for a short time that there is still a lot to learn and a long way to go. I understand that it’s not always easy. But being quick on your feet and having a team, with good communication, keeps me inspired to overcome any challenges that comes our way.

“We work together and make decisions that are best for the restaurant, and we listen to feedback as best as we can,” he said. Now officially established, Armas is excited to share his plate with people seek-

ing comfort food. With a menu that features generational influences and a personal take on American cuisine, customers can expect a unique experience.

“The type of food that customers

please see BITES, page 15

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE ParkSide Eats offers American comfort cuisine with a global twist.

“Therese was actually really, really good [in basketball],” Flaherty said. “She was six years older, and she would kick my butt. We played competitively against each other.”

Flaherty said his dad started the first girls basketball league in the borough. He said when the team did not have enough players, he was able to play.

Before attending Metuchen High School, Flaherty attended St. Francis Cathedral School and was part of their competitive basketball program.

“I ended up playing 120 games before I even went into high school,” he said.

At Metuchen High School, Flaherty was a star athlete on the boys varsity basketball team.

In fact, his record as “all-time leading scorer” for boys basketball still stands. He did lose the “overall leading scorer” to a student girl athlete in 2014-15.

After graduation in 1985, Flaherty attended the University of Vermont on a basketball scholarship.

However, after one year, homesickness got the best of him and his mom, at the time, had a heart attack.

So, he made his way back to New Jersey and attended St. Peter’s University in Jersey City. Yes that St. Peter’s that made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament in March.

“I got to attend the final eight game, which was very cool to see,” he said. “I reached out to some old friends of mine [from my time there]. We still have connections to this day.”

When Flaherty came home, he forfeited the basketball scholarship he received from the University of Vermont. St. Peter’s gave him another four-year basketball scholarship, but he had to sit out a year – per NCAA rules. He played three years after that.

For a small school like St. Peter’s, the Division 1 men’s basketball team played all over from Hawaii, San Diego to Montana, he said.

“It was a great journey, we had a lot of fun,” he said. “Out of the four years I was there, we went to the NIT (National Invitation Tournament) twice. The year after I left, the team made it to the NCAA tournament for the first time.”

After college

After graduation, Flaherty stayed in Jersey City and lived with his brother Shawn.

With a degree in marketing management and a minor in economics and computers, Flaherty set his sights on Wall Street.

First, he worked at Prudential. Flaherty said he did not agree with the company’s big push to sell life insurance policies and eventually left the job.

“My dad was like, ‘You can’t leave a job and not have another job,’” he recalled.

Flaherty worked odd jobs while actively looking for another job. And then he got a job in the Pershing Division of DLJ, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, trading for-

eign currencies.

“When at DLJ and Pershing, I was promised a bonus if I kept finance under a certain amount and I did, but I never got that bonus,” he recalled. “It went to one of my bosses.”

And although, he said he liked the work, he was “disenchanted.” So, he left and had his eyes set on Goldman Sachs.

This is where the one police test comes in.

In 1992, then-Police Chief Fred Hall called Flaherty and said the department was going to be hiring another three out of the next 40 applicants and asked him if he wanted to come and take the physical fitness test.

“I was like ‘Yeah, I’m in’ thinking this will hold me over until I figure out what I want to do because I had a young family at the time,” Flaherty said. “I went to the academy (Middlesex Police Academy in Edison at the time).”

And to say the rest is history would be an understatement.

“I literally liked doing the job,” he said. “It wasn’t so much about the enforcement, yes some excitement of a police chase, but it was really about making a difference and talking to and understanding the community and getting to know all the people.”

Flaherty was sworn in as a Metuchen police officer in January 1993. In May of that year, he graduated from the police academy.

He went out on patrol for four years, worked in a plain clothes unit for a year enforcing quality of life crimes, worked in a bike unit for two years and then went back on patrol.

In 2004, he became a corporal; two years later he was promoted into the detective bureau. In 2008, he was promoted to sergeant and worked out on the road until 2015 when he became an administrative sergeant.

In 2017, Flaherty was promoted to lieutenant. Before we get to the chief role, Flaherty said, ‘Yes the chief role is the ultimate goal,’ but he never thought he would get to this point in his career.

At the bottom of his emails, he had the initials “PFL” – patrolman for life.

“In a small department, things are very competitive,” Flaherty said. “There’s not as many jobs you can do, sometimes it moves quick and sometimes it moves fast for a moment, then it kind of backlogs because there’s a lot of good guys in front of you.”

And with 30 years on the job, Flaherty could have retired five years ago.

If the chief role didn’t happen, he said it would have been OK.

“Some of my best memories on this job are as a patrolman and as a community police officer,” he said. “That is where I met and fostered most relationships that I have now.”

Now with the opportunity as chief, Flaherty said his vision is immersing the department in the community.

“Our town has changed a lot, but it has also stayed the same in many ways,” he said. “The people who were players in the sys-

tem back then are still the same people I’ve known. I’ve gotten to know owners of land, owners of businesses when I was a sergeant on the road. It’s very important for me to relay to my guys the importance of getting out of our car and having that face time with people.”

Part of who Flaherty is, is his time spent on the basketball court. NBA great Larry Bird resonated with Flaherty, who he had met briefly when he was in eighth grade.

“I played a lot of areas that were unlike Metuchen and those were some of the best times of my life,” he said. “I met some of the best friends and basketball brought us on the same field.”

In his office, a Larry Bird Boston Celtics’ No. 33 jersey hangs on one wall, as well as a photo of NFL great Joe Namath.

When he was sworn in as chief, he relayed his father’s words.

“You will never know what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes, but what you can do is listen to their stories and affect change,” he said. “So, you can’t say I’ve experienced that, but you can hear about it before you can change your views and hopefully change.”

The vision for his department is inclusion and for everyone in the community to feel comfortable.

“The only way to feel that way is if you talk,” Flaherty said. “You may have something in your mind that stereotypes me as an officer, but once you know me you may say, ‘Oh, Flaherty is a good dude, he had that past, he grew up here.’

“I tell my officers, ‘Pull from what makes you, you.’”

Flaherty said he got married young, got divorced, experienced childcare issues.

“This gives me empathy, sympathy when I go to a call,” he said. “Like if someone is going through a divorce or hard times and say, ‘You don’t understand’ … ‘Well, I do’ and sharing my story, even though it’s personal and maybe I shouldn’t have to tell someone that, but sometimes they say, ‘Wow, he does understand.’ I think that’s really important.”

And all that puts trust between the community and the police department.

“By us getting out into the community, addressing those problems and being out at all events people start to trust us,” Flaherty said. “That to me is the most important. If there is a trust there, they know they can go to their officers and say ‘Hey’ and recognize them.”

Flaherty said he encourages his officers to be problem solvers.

For those who know Flaherty, he is an open book. For those who don’t know him, ask.

He is the only one of his siblings who stayed in the town, which was in part due to the job.

His mom lived in the borough until 2018 before moving to Georgia to be closer to

his sisters Donna and Therese. His father passed away in 2016.

As chief, Flaherty said he tries to get to headquarters early - But first a coffee pickup at Krauzer’s Food Store on Durham Avenue.

He drops off a cup to his wife, Lisette, with a note on the lid “Love ya, thinkin’of ya.”

“She is really the foundation,” he said of his wife. “That’s why you want to come home. She’s dealing with the kids all day. I got it easy just dealing with these

guys.”

Flaherty has five children –Kelcey, who is studying abroad for a master’s degree in Scotland; Arthur Jr., who is in the U.S. Coast Guard; Daniel, who is in the U.S. Air Force; Kylie, who is going to be a senior at Metuchen High School (MHS) and is committed to play Division 1 softball at Manhattan College after graduation; and Leslie, who is going to be a junior at MHS.

His wife is Cuban. His children are fluent in Spanish. He wouldn’t say he is fluent, but he speaks and understands the language well.

After the coffee drop, Flaherty heads to headquarters to catch up on important emails and catch up with the officers coming off midnight shifts and officers coming on.

“I want to be accessible because it was only seven years ago that I was [working] midnights, I don’t forget that,” he said. “When I was sworn in, I thanked my family for understanding not being at birthdays, not being at holidays, and not being at some games. And I appreciate that, the sacrifice that (the officers) make, times when they are not with their family … we all knew what we were getting into, but we also do it all the time.”

Flaherty said as he goes on, it is important to meet with all divisions and hear the

thoughts of the younger officers.

“You live in a town that’s very progressive, and we should be too,” he said, noting even though something may have been done for years, it may be wrong and antiquated.

“This job is different every day. I tell people I have a front row seat to the best show on earth. Some days are boring, but some days are crazy.”

Flaherty said he also feels it’s important to make events in town. Aside from his role in the police department and coaching his girls in softball at one point, he had also served six years on the Metuchen Board of Education.

As chief, he said it’s important to be out in the community. In June, he said he attended the Pride on the Plaza event sponsored by the Metuchen Downtown Alliance.

“I feel like I should be accessible, I should be seen, that is important to me,” he said, adding not only him, but all his officers.

“Look I have vacation, I have kids, I have games and I always want to be at those because my family is very important, but it’s also very important for the town to see me, know that I’m real and accessible and that they are being heard.” 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARTHUR FLAHERTY flahertyMHS: Arthur Flaherty played varsity basketball at Metuchen High School.

BY JENNIFER AMATO

Joe

Stanio is an aspiring trumpet player. He is influenced by the greats, especially Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. He created a band name years ago called Strongmile in tribute to his musical idols.

Stanio worked in construction for 15 years, mostly installing fire sprinkler systems. He was part of the union, but since he’d be on and off with work, he said there wasn’t much stability. In 2012 he was laid off in the spring, which he said was a surprise.

He said he was “down and out.” His unemployment ran out, he had no leads for a new job, and he only had experience in construction.

His brother-in-law owned a moving company in Massachusetts and encouraged Stanio to start up his own company - though he said he had no interest at the time. However, in his 20s and facing the prospect of being unemployed for an indefinite amount of time, Stanio decided to take the trip to New England and work with his brother-in-law for a week.

He visited job sites, taking lots of notes along the way.

“I came home and came up with a name and away we went,” he said.

That name was none other than: Strongmile Movers.

“That actually works for a moving company: strength and travel, strong and mile,” he said.

Stanio recalled how years ago in the age of beepers, he and his friends tried to come up with specific numbers to add at the end of the chain so they would know who was beeping them. One day, Stanio wrote down his name and tried to find a corresponding number. He said he turned the J in Joe upside down to make a 7, the O became a zero, and the E was flipped to become a 3. That led him to 703.

Back in 1995 he started selling T-shirts that said “I Know Joe” for $7.03.

He would then throw an “I Know Joe” party on July 3 (7/03) since many people have the next day off for the Fourth of July.

Well, fast-forward to 2012 and his very first job with Strongmile Movers was secured on – no other date than – July 3.

“It’s a day that will live in infamy,” he said, noting that he didn’t do anything too special to celebrate the 10th anniversary this year.

Stanio said he started as a subcontractor affiliate of U-Haul, mostly loading or unloading trucks, disassembling and wrapping furniture, or receiving transported goods.

Also, through Hire a Helper, he began unloading trucks or helping out with portable storage containers.

He then realized a lot of the jobs were internal moves, like if someone wanted to change the location of their apartment or office.

He also staged furniture for homes that were on the market to be sold, or helped move furniture during house renovations.

What’s interesting about Strongmile Movers is that they do not have a fleet of their own trucks – instead, Stanio said, he creates relationships with companies such as U-Haul or Ryder. A lot of times they fill in the gaps of the workday with projects that don’t require a truck, so there is no need to own any vehicles. Stanio said, as far as he is aware, he

is the first and only licensed moving company that doesn’t own one moving truck. This allows the customer to rent and drive their own truck but hire Stanio’s team – about a dozen or so who are on the roster during the summer – to move boxes and furniture as needed. They can load, unload, move room to room, move floor to floor, put together “quirky Ikea furniture” and even pack boxes, too.

“We try to bridge the gap between full service and do-it-yourself,” he said. “It’s about maximizing people’s budgets and how much they’re willing to roll their own sleeves up.”

He said his men “help as much or as little as you need.”

Stanio grew up in South New Jersey but moved to Metuchen in 1996; he now lives in Highland Park. With office space on Main Street in Metuchen, he said he and his family

love supporting other local businesses, such as Hailey’s Harp & Pub, Mariachi, Cai’s Cafe, What’s the Scoop, Mangia Toscana, Pyramid Vitamin, Antonio’s Brick Oven Pizza, Fresco by Jimmy, Tiny Town and George’s Tailoring & Dry Cleaning.

“I’ve always felt near and dear to Metuchen when I moved here,” he said.

Though his company is licensed and insured in New Jersey and can service the regional area between Pennsylvania and New York, he does a lot of work in the Edison/Metuchen area. He said he loves keeping it locally based and continues to support the community because “being a small business myself it’s important to support small businesses.”

“I want to continue to be another intricate part of an already thriving community,” he said.

As for the future, he hopes to find more time to play his trumpet. His wife plays the guitar and the piano, and recently picked up a banjo.

“I’m at an emotional and creative crossroads,” he said. “Never having worked for a moving company, I decided to start one … it’s about getting out of your comfort zone.”

PHOTOS TAKEN BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE Strongmile Movers celebrates a decade in Metuchen.

Local

BY RYAN GALLAGHER

TheFourth of July has come and past us. After this national holiday, the summer season always seems to fly by (as if the world is turning faster somehow). Celebrating Independence Day during Summer ’22 felt diluted by media conglomerates and “activists” on social channels telling their followers that there’s nothing to cheer about here…

As each year passes, it feels like U.S. citizens are getting further away from the holiday’s true meaning. Many people forget that battles of the American Revolution (a fight for freedom from foreign govern-

“Battle of Short Hills,” the National Park Service (NPS) American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) has granted federal funds allowing Edison Township to acquire and preserve the grounds of this battlefield.

The Acquisition & Preservation

Never heard of the Battle of Short Hills? How about the Metuchen Meeting House Battlefield? New Jersey residents and other American citizens scratching their heads at this news can be at ease—the information about the battle and where it occurred was first discovered in 2010.

Fast forward to September 2, 2020: The first grant was awarded. At this time, a total of $1,619,977 was released to buy a 13-acre parcel of land in Edison. Just two years later, a second grant of $ 1,086,306 was awarded to buy seven more acres of the battle’s arena.

Four years ahead of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War, these funds are part of a new addition to Middlesex County. Local government officials plan to connect the two parcels of land with the adjacent Edith Stevens Wildlife Preserve.

“This new funding addresses two key goals for Middlesex County—to protect our green space and to preserve our history,” said Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, Director, Ronald G. Rios

year. We want to ensure precious sites like the Metuchen Meeting House Battlefield can be enjoyed for many generations.”

The Battle

To learn about this battle and circumstances surrounding the clash, a local historian by the name of Walter Stochel elected to share his knowledge. Stochel is the corresponding secretary of the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society. Plus, he’s a local man who grew up on Oak Tree Road—a stone’s throw away from where the battle raged on June 26, 1777.

In the time leading up to the Battle of Short Hills, British and Revolutionary forces were moving throughout the Philadelphia area into Central New Jersey and Southern New York. Both sides seemed to have a good idea of the other’s location. Even more important, both sides felt they had plans to catch the other off guard.

The main part of the Continental Army led by Gen. George Washington positioned themselves under the Watchung Mountains at the Drake House in Plainfield, Union County. Washington sent Gen. William Alexander Stirling to North Edison and Gen. John Sullivan to the area of Piscataway each with 5,000 Americans to catch the retreating British forces heading to Perth Amboy and Staten Island. At the same time, Gen. Charles Cornwallis saw this as a chance to march British forces at Washington in Plainfield.

On the day of battle, the British also sent forces through Woodbridge and current day Metuchen…

“And that’s why there’s reference to the Metuchen Meeting House—it was damaged while they marched through,” Stochel reminded. “It was the last village they passed but there was no engagement there in current day Metuchen. Everyone else refers to this as the Battle of Short Hills.”

Cornwallis’ troops marched to attack Washington at the Drake House.

“They were numerically superior and

explains why the Battle of Short Hills is referred as the

would have destroyed the American Army. But it didn’t go that way,” Stochel said. “The British march started late, and along the way Cornwallis’ troops encountered Americans in two places—the Army knew they were coming. Prepared for the battle, Washington and the Army left the Drake House to the Watchung Mountains. So, the British forces continued to Westfield where they burned and looted along the way.”

There were skirmishes before the battle began. However, the battlefield took shape as the British (led by Lt. William Howe) started taking the cannon fire of Stirling’s ranks from the North. The battle began with current day Tingley Lane to the East, Woodland Avenue to the West, and Inman Avenue to the North. It was a back-and-forth engagement between Stirling’s forces and Howe’s.

“Thousands of soldiers were killed on this battlefield,” Stochel said. “This was not 20 farmers with muskets. They were fighting like they did back then: Forming lines, firing, reloading, and firing again. This was the American Army fighting at full force. It was a hot day, and the battle was over by noon time.”

In the end, the British split the Continental Army but didn’t complete their objective to engage Washington and the main Army in Plainfield. Historically, this would be marked as a strategic victory for the Americans, as the British would eventually evacuate New Jersey.

“At this time in 1777, there are patches of woods, but it’s not overgrown, and there are very few buildings. Everything is all farmlands. So, I’d imagine from Washington Rock, the Army would have seen the dust from battle and hear the cannons,” Stochel said. “I went up there on [Fourth of July] and could see the Plainfield Country Club fireworks very clearly.”

After 20 Years of Study

Since signing for a grant in 2009, Stochel and the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society team have been researching this battle. The

a hunch) was the battlefield.

“We found artifacts relating to the battle— a musket ball, a 1717 British coin, shoe buckles, belt buckles, and a broken scabbard with a six-inch piece of sword in it,” recalled Stochel.

By 2014, the Historical Society was successful in placing the battlefield on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This was a very good success,” Stochel said. “The Battle of Short Hills was not very well known, and by getting it on register it gave it national importance.”

funds were approved by the ABPP in 2010. With this approval, the historians could begin their study, as well as the application to get this battlefield nationally registered.

“We’d find mentions of it in local history, but we never knew exactly, where exactly the battlefield was,” explained Stochel. “It was unknown because in 1777 this was Woodbridge Township—not Edison. So, if you’re reading a history book, you’d think it’s in Woodbridge. The other thing was: The Short Hills Mall was named recently. But during colonial times, these were known as the Short Hills down here.”

Trying to place the battlefield was no easy task. Plus, the study had to be completed within a year of approval. So, on June 26, 233 years after the battle took place, the Historical Society as well as some archaeologist contractors were out on (where they had

From there, the rest is history. The grants took years to come through, but now the land is owned by Edison’s local government. The town put up half of the funds, used the grant(s) for the rest of the purchase, and will allocate remaining funds elsewhere.

“When I went to the Oak Tree School, they took us to Valley Forge on a history field trip,” remembered Stochel. “Today kids in this area will be able to learn what happened in their own neighborhood.” 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WALTER STOCHEL Cannons firing during reenactment of Battle of Short Hills in 2002

PHOTOS TAKEN BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE Local historian Walter Stochel at the sites of the Battle of Short Hills, Metuchen Meeting House Battlefield.

Farmers Market

Metuchen’s farmers market began on the plaza is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the Saturday before Thanksgiving, at the intersection of Pearl and New streets.

Downtown Rumble Pro Wrestling

The Metuchen Downtown Alliance will hold a Downtown Rumble Pro Wrestling event from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 17.

Cornerstone Jazz Series

The Cornerstone Jazz Series at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Metuchen continues on Sunday afternoons beginning at 3 p.m. on Oct. 16 and Nov. 13.

Artcycle Gallery

Ribbon cutting for Metuchen Arts Council’s Artcycle Gallery will be held on Oct. 22 at the Greenway Trail Head entrance on Middlesex Avenue.

The Metuchen ArtCycle 2022 project is commissioning artists from Middlesex County to create small art installations made from discarded, recycled road signs. The individual works will be linked by themes or stories that promote sustainability, environmental awareness and the effect of climate change.

Haunted Downtown

The Metuchen Downtown Alliance will hold a Haunted Downtown from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29.

who, what, where, when, and how to register or get tickets (if applicable), as well as a few

of

to kchang@newspapermediagroup.com

will experience here is American comfort cuisine with a global twist. Meaning that we have classic burgers, wings, waffles, and French toast made with our freshly made and special in-house sauces. What makes us different is our mix of Asian, Latin, and American inspired creations that are blended together,” Armas said.

For Armas, food not only offers fulfilment, but tranquility that can momentarily restore a person’s body, mind, and soul. His lifelong experiences with food have showcased that the recipe for comfort is truly found in the kitchen.

“Food is a way to bring people together and even bring back memories of a specific time. Food was a way to bond with my mother and my family. When she got sick, I took care of everyone and made sure everyone was fed and I tried to put a smile on their faces.

“Food was a gateway to let out emotions and make people feel better. When people go through things, most times, they find food as a comfort. Being able to make food for my family was what brought us together even closer,” Armas said. 

the

Since 1850

Since 1850 Serving the

Hillside Cemetery is a historic, peaceful place that has helped generations of families with their final needs.

Where you are welcome to visit your loved ones, anytime day or night. We provide traditional in-ground casket interment, and cremation interment in a columbarium niche or in-ground. For information how we can assist you, please contact the superintendent.

Hillside Cemetery

52 Lincoln Avenue, Metuchen 732-205-1850 hillsidemetuchen@gmail.com Owned & Operated by the Metuchen Cemetery Assoc.

Dear Friends,

My name is Bobbie Galkin, I have been selling real estate for 32 years. Past

President Middlesex Realtors. I have been through many ups and downs in the realestate market, so I feel I am qualified to give advice.

This is a most confusing market ever. It was a seller’s hot market and was so out ofsorts it couldn’t stay that way. Buyers were even buying (and with multiple o ers)

because interest rates were so low. Well, the market is readjusting to a more normalmarket. There is no doubt about the fact that the housing market is slowing downfrom the frenzy we saw over the last two years.

• Interest rates have gone up

• Buyers buying power has gone down

• House prices have gone up almost 20% in some towns

• Real Estate prices are local

• Timing is everything in real estate and the stock market

• It does matter what your asking price is now more than ever