Has your quality of life been affected because of back pain? You're not alone - Harvard Health tells us that almost 85% of people in the US have back pain so severe that they see a doctor at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, these problems often start small but end up becoming severe issues like sciatica. For active people and athletes, dealing with back pain isn't just compromising; it's life-changing.
And while many people will tell you that having a "back problem" is something you'll have to deal with for the rest of your life, that's far from the case. The good news is that seeing a chiropractor in South Plainfield can provide you with the relief needed to live a healthy, active life without giving up the things you love most, like sports and spending time with your family.
Of the millions of Americans who suffer from back pain daily, many have found long-lasting relief through the same chiropractic care offered at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness. But what exactly is chiropractic care, and how does it help?
Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to overall wellness and healing that focuses on correcting issues with your musculoskeletal system. When performed by a licensed chiropractor, it can alleviate and even eliminate common problems such as:
To treat your conditions and help reduce your pain, chiropractors use time-tested, hands-on techniques to adjust your spine, neck, back, and other joints throughout your body to restore proper function, mobility, and alignment. Once your body is in proper alignment, it functions optimally, leading to improved overall wellness and health.
Unlike some sports rehab clinics in The Garden State, chiropractors from NJ Sports Spine & Wellness work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific goals and needs relating to your pain and ability to live a normal life. Because our team takes a holistic approach to healthcare, we cover all aspects of your health and wellness when developing your chiropractic treatment plan. That way, we increase your chances of living a fulfilling life free of pain and worry about throwing your back out.
Seeing a chiropractor can quite literally change your life for the better. According to the American Chiropractic Association, in general, chiropractic therapy is a more effective solution for back pain than other treatments like addictive pain pills, surgeries, and yoga. When combined with services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture, chiropractic care may be the key you need to open the door to a pain-free life.
Shedule An AppointmentSome of the many benefits of seeing a reliable, licensed chiropractor include the following:
Perhaps the most obvious reason to make an appointment with a chiropractor is for back pain relief. Some people only need to see a chiropractor when they have occasional back pain, such as when they wake up in the morning. Others, such as those who have been in serious car accidents, need regular chiropractic adjustments and therapies, which are often supplemented with techniques like physical therapy and acupuncture.
There are many causes of back pain that range from advanced conditions like having sciatica and herniated discs to everyday issues like poor posture and sleeping in a harmful position. Your chiropractor's job is to pinpoint the cause(s) of your back pain and build a customized plan to address your musculoskeletal conditions. Once that happens, pain relief follows shortly after.
At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, we craft personalized chiropractic plans for every patient we treat, with the goal of avoiding harmful surgeries and addictive medicines.
If you've never experienced a headache in your life, you're exceedingly rare. Just about every American will suffer from a headache at some point or another. For some, headaches only happen occasionally and are not much more than an annoyance. For others, headaches evolve into crippling migraines that can affect quality of life, ability to work, and much more.
If you find yourself digging into a bottle of Aspirin or something stronger when you have a headache, it might be time to visit an NJSSW chiropractor.
Do you wake up in the morning feeling like you didn't sleep a wink the previous night? Do you have to take sleep aides like Ambien in order to drift off to dreamland? If you have chronic back pain, getting a full night's rest is easier said than done. From misaligned spines to improper sleeping posture, your chiropractor in South Plainfield can use manipulation therapy and other techniques to boost blood flow and align your vertebrae, so your body can heal itself and help you rest better.
One of the best things about seeing your chiropractor is that when your session is over, you often feel great. The pain relief feels phenomenal. When you're not in pain, you have a more positive outlook on life, and often enjoy better sleep, blood pressure, and even sexual relations. It makes sense, then, that chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, which promotes relaxation and improved mental health.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, we work with a long list of athletes who suffer from sports injuries and other problems that can manifest from being active. For professional athletes, having a trustworthy chiropractor to care for them is needed for their careers. But you don't have to be a pro athlete to benefit from chiropractic care. Ordinary people that enjoy active lifestyles can reap tremendous rewards through chiropractic care, such as improved range of motion and relief from compressed discs.
Whether you enjoy impromptu games of tag football or simply want to play with your kids, seeing a chiropractor can help you be healthy and active without fighting back, neck, and joint pain. That's especially true when chiropractic therapy is used in conjunction with acupuncture, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.ies and addictive medicines.
Your NJ Sports Spine & Wellness chiropractor in South Plainfield may use a range of techniques to restore function and alignment in your body. Some of the most common techniques our chiropractors use include:
Life has a habit of being unexpected. Sure, some surprises only hurt your bank account, like last-minute renovations in your home. But severe incidents, like car accidents, can inflict physical injuries that cause you long-term pain. These problems, like neck and back injuries, affect many Americans daily. Even worse, many hardworking people turn to risky surgeries and addictive pain medications, only to find themselves deep in a hole that seems impossible to get out of.
If you suffer from serious range-of-motion issues or you're in chronic pain, it's important to know that you have treatment choices. You don't have to put your health at risk to relieve your pain. One of the most successful non-invasive treatments offered for pain is physical therapy. The main goal of physical therapy is to restore movement and function to patients affected by illness, injury, or disability.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages and abilities, from children to elderly adults, to help them overcome physical limitations and improve their quality of life. At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our physical therapists help treat a wide range of conditions, from neck pain and spinal cord injuries to back pain and arthritis.
Once our PTs have made headway, they will often use our chiropractic therapy to provide the patient with more relief. Having the option of both chiropractic and physical therapy is often very effective, because your chiropractor in South Plainfield can address nerve irritation and joint dysfunction while your physical therapist helps retrain your musculoskeletal system, allowing your body to heal faster.
Some of the biggest benefits of using physical therapy along with chiropractic care include:
Occupational therapy, or OT, is to help patients of all ages and abilities engage in activities of daily living, or ADL. Often, that means helping patients reclaim the ability to continue working, going to school, accomplishing day-to-day tasks, or other activities common to daily living.
Occupational therapy can benefit individuals going through many conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and chronic pain. The end goal of occupational therapy is to help patients achieve the maximum level of independence and participation in their daily lives. If pain, discomfort, weakness, fatigue, or fear prevent you from participating in activities you love, an OT from NJ Sports Spine & Wellness could become the MVP of your wellness journey.
To give our patients the most complete pain relief and recovery options, our doctors and practitioners will often lean on the expertise of both a physical therapist and a chiropractor in South Plainfield. By working together, your PT, OT, and chiropractor can provide you with a comprehensive approach to total-body functionality, from your spine and joints to your mind and range of motion.
Some of the most common benefits of using OT with chiropractic care include:
Acupuncture boosts your body's functions and helps improve its ability to heal through anatomic site stimulation - usually called acupuncture points or acupoints. To stimulate these points, acupuncturists at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness insert fine, sterile needles into your skin. Most patients don't feel any pain as needles are applied. Typically, needles are left in the skin up to 30 minutes. After your session, it's normal to feel incredibly relaxed.
While some practitioners still adhere to traditional philosophies, modern acupuncturists take an integrative approach to the therapy. Today, professional acupuncturists use these techniques to stimulate your body's natural healing and pain-fighting processes. When coupled with personalized care from a chiropractor in South Plainfield as well as physical or occupational therapy, you can find real relief from the physical and emotional roadblocks holding you back. Some of the most reported benefits of acupuncture treatment include:
During an acupuncture session, you may feel a slight sensation of warmth or tingling at the needle's site of insertion. Generally speaking, acupuncture is painless and perfectly safe for you to consider. In fact, many practitioners and doctors recommend combining acupuncture with other treatment options like chiropractic adjustments.
Though acupuncture and chiropractic therapies come from different origins, both include non-invasive, holistic, and gentle approaches that don't require drugs to work. They also both facilitate total-body healing by addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms - not just the symptoms themselves.
Because acupuncture is known to release endorphins and improve blood flow, having a session prior to a chiropractic adjustment can be very beneficial. That's because, after acupuncture, your muscles are less stiff, more relaxed, and easier to adjust effectively. Over time, as you combine acupuncture and chiropractic therapy, you'll benefit from less inflammation and less pain as you heal from injuries or musculoskeletal conditions. That same truth applies to patients who undergo serious chiropractic adjustments.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our staff consists of licensed and highly-trained professionals, including specialists focusing on:
Every member of our team believes that the path to wellness and a pain-free life begins with customized treatment plans that cater to your needs and body. Unlike some chiropractors in South Plainfield, we do not treat on-the-surface symptoms with one-size-fits-all therapies. We do not rely on powerful pain medications to mask your pain or invasive surgeries that require weeks of recovery. Instead, we address the root causes of your pain so that we can help you live the happy, healthy life you're craving.
To achieve that goal, we'll conduct an in-depth evaluation to learn about your medical history. We'll also perform diagnostic tests and speak with you one-on-one to get a better sense of your needs. From there, we'll recommend the therapies that can give you a new lease on life and be there for every milestone you hit.
If you're fed up of living with the limits of pain and lack of mobility, we're here to help you break free. Contact our office today to get started.
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – At a meeting held Nov. 15, South Plainfield Board of Education (SPBOE) President Pio Pennisi released a statement pertaining to one of the ethics complaints filed by members against former colleague Debbie Boyle.In late 2021, Pennisi along with current members Keith Both, Tom Cassio, Doug Chapman, Jim Giannakis, and Bill Seesselberg filed a ...
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – At a meeting held Nov. 15, South Plainfield Board of Education (SPBOE) President Pio Pennisi released a statement pertaining to one of the ethics complaints filed by members against former colleague Debbie Boyle.
In late 2021, Pennisi along with current members Keith Both, Tom Cassio, Doug Chapman, Jim Giannakis, and Bill Seesselberg filed a complaint with the School Ethics Commission on the grounds that Boyle violated several 'codes' in the Code of Ethics for Board Members. They accused their former colleague of improperly criticizing the superintendent in front of staff members and other board members as well as reaching out to staff members directly despite administration denying her initial requests.
In July 2023, an administrative law judge ruled that Boyle acted beyond the scope of her board duties with the School Ethics Commission in late September reviewing the case and issuing a
that agreed with the majority of the judge’s findings.
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Both the judge and the commission recommended censure, the highest penalty that can be issued to someone no longer on the BOE. Additionally, earlier this month, the New Jersey State Commissioner of Education affirmed the ruling; once uploaded to the Department of Education website, it can be viewed under the ‘November’ tab on the ‘2023 Decisions’ page.
“We filed this case because we believed that Ms. Boyle’s actions were serious violations of her ethical responsibilities, were outside of her board duties, and had the potential to compromise the board,” Pennisi stated during the November SPBOE meeting. “We did this on our own, did not use an attorney and the only district money expended was for Ms. Boyle’s defense as required by statute ... The judge, ethics commission, and commissioner of education obviously agreed with us.”
Pennisi’s statement goes on to add, “As a long-time board member, Ms. Boyle should have been fully aware of her ethical responsibilities. It is unfortunate that it took this proceeding to show that she has no regard for those responsibilities when it comes to her board membership, and upholding the ethics code, which all board members sign.”
A second ethics violation complaint filed by the SPBOE in July 2022 is still pending. In that complaint, signed by eight of the nine current sitting members, the board alleges that Boyle shared confidential documents pertaining to an ongoing lawsuit filed by former principal Robert Diehl against the superintendent and BOE.
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - On Monday, September 4, 2023, New Jersey’s largest and most well-attended traditional Labor Day Parade and Festivities return to South Plainfield! The parade kicks off at 12 Noon from the PAL building on Maple Avenue, marching us through the decades, concluding at the South Plainfield Middle School. The South Plainfield Celebration Committee will host our Labor Day Celebration at Veterans’ Field located behind the Senior Center. Come join us at the conclusion of the parade for food...
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - On Monday, September 4, 2023, New Jersey’s largest and most well-attended traditional Labor Day Parade and Festivities return to South Plainfield! The parade kicks off at 12 Noon from the PAL building on Maple Avenue, marching us through the decades, concluding at the South Plainfield Middle School. The South Plainfield Celebration Committee will host our Labor Day Celebration at Veterans’ Field located behind the Senior Center. Come join us at the conclusion of the parade for food and drink vendors, arts and crafts, novelties, games and so much more!
Crowd favorite DJ Troy will once again be on stage, along with some special guests at Veterans Park. Join us after the parade on Veteran’s Park for some fabulous food vendors, activities, entertainment and music. The Festivities will conclude around 6pm.
Later in the day, starting at 7pm, DJ Troy will return and once again bring the music, energy and excitement to the gathering families in Spring Lake Park awaiting the annual Labor Day Firework display. This year’s magnificent fireworks program will be provided by “Garden State Fireworks'' and will begin at or around 8:30 pm with fabulous viewing available from Spring Lake Park.
The theme of this year’s Labor Day Parade is “Marching Through the Decades”. Our theme was chosen in a contest held earlier with the students at Grant School and South Plainfield Middle School, with the winning entry submitted by Grant School’s Juliana Altomare. Our Grand Marshall this year will be Tom Scalera. Tom has served this community for decades as our Fire Chief, the force behind Project Santa and is well-deserved to proudly lead this year’s 64th Annual Labor Day Parade.
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So grab those poodle skirts, unpack those bell-bottoms, slick back your hair or tease it high as we March Through the Decades!. The parade will consist of lots of talent including bands, stilt walkers, unicyclists, juggler, and antique vehicles, to name a few. Please join us on Labor Day as we parade through the decades.
***Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@splaborday) for all the up-to-date announcements about the event.**
The 2023 Public Celebrations Committee members: Amy Bengivenga/Co-Chairperson, Kelly Daley/Co-Chairperson, Bill Seesselberg, Scott Miller, Kristy Lowrie, Jen Ratti, Cathy Herman, Rachel Henderson, Stephanie Wolak, and Gina D’Urso. Borough Council Liaison is Councilwoman Christine Faustini.
TWP. OF WASHINGTON — Aidan Carrazana took off running and started a trend.The Westwood senior broke free for a 73-yard touchdown on the first play of Friday's Jim Grasso Kickoff Classic game against South Plainfield. The next two Cardinals to get their hands on the ball, Joe and Steve Klein, also scored immediately.By the time the first quarter was over, the host team had outgained the Tigers on offense, 255 to minus-24, en route to a resounding 44-12 victory."I knew we could do it, but I didn't...
TWP. OF WASHINGTON — Aidan Carrazana took off running and started a trend.
The Westwood senior broke free for a 73-yard touchdown on the first play of Friday's Jim Grasso Kickoff Classic game against South Plainfield. The next two Cardinals to get their hands on the ball, Joe and Steve Klein, also scored immediately.
By the time the first quarter was over, the host team had outgained the Tigers on offense, 255 to minus-24, en route to a resounding 44-12 victory.
"I knew we could do it, but I didn't know we could do it in that fashion," Carrazana said. "We were just doing our thing. That's what's expected, and that's what we did."
Both Westwood and South Plainfield opened the 2022 season with long win streaks. The Bergen County side went 11-1 and reached the North Group 2 regional final, while the Tigers were knocked out in the Group 3 playoffs after an 8-0 start.
Foreseeing the Cardinals' thorough dominance, though? Few could have dreamed up their 37-0 first quarter.
"We thought it was a great game to schedule for us, and we prepared for it, so was I shocked? A little bit," first-year Westwood coach Bobby Guy said. "They play really tough, physical football. But I think we have a pretty special team right now."
The Cardinals capped a 3-0 day for Bergen/Passaic Counties at the inaugural Grasso Classic, after West Milford blanked Nutley in the opener, 37-0, and Wood-Ridge topped Wallkill Valley in the second game of the tripleheader.
After Carrazana took a screen pass from quarterback Robbie Carcich to get things going for Westwood (1-0), the Tigers went three-and-out and punted. Carcich then found Joe Klein open on a deep post for a 54-yard score.
The next South Plainfield drive ended with Thomas Bussanich blocking a punt, which Steve Klein plucked out of the air and returned for a 9-yard TD.
Carcich added a 64-yard touchdown run to cap a three-play drive. Luke Biello tackled a Tiger in the end zone for a safety. Finally, the longest drive by the Cardinals' first team – four plays – ended with Carcich's 4-yard scoring pass to Carrazana, before reserves came on early in the second quarter.
"Our offense is really explosive," Guy said after the unit found the end zone four times on the first nine plays. "Just a tremendous job by our offensive line, our quarterback and all the skill guys that come with."
► Carcich completed all five of his pass attempts for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns. Carrazana and Joe Klein combined for 3 catches, 131 yards and 3 TDs.
► South Plainfield senior Patrick Smith ended up with 13 carries for 102 yards and a TD and averaged 23 yards on 3 kick returns.
"Bergen County is, I think, one of the best counties for football. But again, we see all these teams in the playoffs now. Essex County had it rolling against us last year [Caldwell beat the Cardinals in the state semis]. We have a lot of good competition all around New Jersey... [Friday], we did a great job of getting things done." —Guy
Photo Credit: Victoria CarusoTickets for this year's production are currently on sale and will be also be available at the door prior to all performances. Photo Credit: courtesy of SPSDWThe musicians with Orchestra Director Marisa Minogue. Photo Credit: Victoria CarusoSouth Plainfield Summer Drama Workshop's production crew with Stage Manager Gabriel Soto. Photo Credit: Victoria CarusoPhoto Credit: Victoria CarusoThe cast of South Plainfield Summer ...
Photo Credit: Victoria Caruso
Tickets for this year's production are currently on sale and will be also be available at the door prior to all performances. Photo Credit: courtesy of SPSDW
The musicians with Orchestra Director Marisa Minogue. Photo Credit: Victoria Caruso
South Plainfield Summer Drama Workshop's production crew with Stage Manager Gabriel Soto. Photo Credit: Victoria Caruso
Photo Credit: Victoria Caruso
The cast of South Plainfield Summer Drama Workshop's 2023 production of Oliver! Photo Credit: Victoria Caruso
By Victoria Caruso
PublishedJuly 21, 2023 at 12:00 AM
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – Dozens of students will take the stage next month for three performances of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, a musical loosely based on the Charles Dicken’s classic Oliver Twist.
Presented by the South Plainfield Summer Drama Workshop (SPSDW), in partnership with the South Plainfield Recreation Department, this year’s production will take place Aug. 4 through Aug. 6 at the high school and feature a cast of rising sixth graders through recent high school graduates who hail from the borough and the surrounding communities.
“We are excited to bring the SPSDW back to the stage in the high school,” said Bill Seesselberg, president of the SPSDW board and producer of this year’s show. “The students on stage and behind the scenes have been working hard to bring this memorable musical to life in this beautifully renovated venue.”
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Oliver! is a coming-of-age musical set in 1830s Victorian England that focuses on a young orphaned boy searching for a home, a family, and love. The production is licensed by Music Theatre International and includes such songs as “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” and “Where is Love.”
Auditions for this year’s production took place throughout June and over the weeks leading up to the show cast members are rehearsing four nights a week, learning lines, lyrics, choreography, and blocking.
For each production, participants work with professional and trained staff, including many who were involved with SPSDW themselves. In addition to Seesselberg, one of SPSDW’s founders, the 2023 production of Oliver! will feature residents and SPSDW alumni Sarah Gwiazda as choreographer, Bob Seesselberg as lighting designer, and Joan Stasio as director, to name a few.
“My mother told me, my brother and my sister to join the summer drama program almost 50 years ago. She may have just wanted us to get out of the house for the summer, but it started a passion in me for musical theater that has lasted my whole life,” said Stasio who, over the years, served on the SPSDW board, did everything from costumes to props to music, and put all that she learned to use with the Grant School Drama Club where she put began putting on junior musicals in 2003.
“I would have never been able to do what I did at Grant School if it weren’t for the South Plainfield Summer Drama Workshop program, and for that I am so grateful,” said Stasio, who retired last spring following a 38-year career as a general music teacher and orchestra, band and choral director with the South Plainfield School District.
“I am so blessed to be directing this year and to help bring the program back to this group of amazing young actors, singers and dancers. I lost my Mother earlier this year, so I am honored to dedicate this year’s show in her memory. Thanks, mom!”
The show also includes a production crew, led by Stage Manager Gabriel Soto, that has been working with Set Designer and Technical Director Matt Nickles, Additionally, the show will feature an ensemble of talented musicians, led by Orchestra Director Marissa Minogue, who will be performing live at each of the shows.
“The Summer Drama Workshop is more than just putting on a show; it’s all about everything to do with the performing arts. It not only focuses on acting, singing, and dancing, but also teaches public speaking, self-confidence, and technical aspects while using the show’s production as its structure,” said Seesselberg.
Oliver! will take place in the newly renovated auditorium of South Plainfield High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5 and2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at South Plainfield High School (door #7 next to the greenhouse) Monday through Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a special buy-one-get-one half-price ticket promotion running now through Aug 2. The cost is $15 per ticket for adults; $10 for seniors/students; buy-one-get-one half tickets must be the same price point. Full price tickets will also be sold at the door prior to each show.
For more information, to purchase tickets, make a donation, or place an ad in the 2023 production program, email spsummerdrama@gmail.com.
Meet the Cast: Leonardo Martinez as Oliver; Sophia Miller as Fagin; Brody Rinaldi as Artful Dodger; Calvin Tran as Bill Sykes; Brooke “Chris” Ridley as Nancy; Ava Faustini as Bet; Diego “Battery” Amariles Salazar as Mr. Bumble; Allison Buchanan as Mrs. Corney; Jared DeSagun-Pineda as Mr. Brownlow; Matthew Clarke as Mr. Sowerberry; Emily Pena as Mrs. Sowerberry; Lilliana Davis as Charlotte; Jules Pena as Noah Claypoole; Eddie Montonez as Mr. Grimwig; Samantha Rush as Mrs. Bedwin; Jayla May as Old Sally; and Jayce Diaz as Charley.
Ensemble includes Brianna Bodenschatz, Liana Carnarte, Ava Charnecky, Elaina Competello, Isabella D’Ambrosio, Mia Sophia Estrada, Sophie Farfan, Mackensie Lillia, Danielle Richter, and Lia Schwalje
Meet the Musicians: Blake Greco, Thomas O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien, Carter Patterson and others
Meet the Crew: Christopher Amariles, Logan Celentano, Brady Dillon, Dean Hassan, Jemar May, Melanie Obligacion, Jullian Roman, Matthew Williams, and Hunter Winsmann
Meet the Staff: Joan Stasio, director/vocals; Bill Seesselberg, producer; Sarah Gwiazda, choreographer; Winalis Bruce and Emma Giordano, assistant directors; Marisa Minogue, orchestra director; Matt Nickles, tech director; Gabriel Soto, stage manager; Chris Seesselberg, Props; Jake Malhosky, sound designer; Bob Seesselberg, lighting designer; and Luanne Severini; costume designer.
Meet the SPSDW Board: The SPSDW, run by all volunteer board that, for 2023, includes Bill Seesselberg, president; Chris Seesselberg, vice president; Scott Miller, treasurer; Susan Gwiazda, secretary; and Terry Reed, trustee. New members are welcome.
About South Plainfield Summer Drama Workshop
Established in 1972, SPSDW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization run by a volunteer board. The program is open to any South Plainfield resident student of required age regardless of the school they attend; when needed, students from other towns have been accepted. The program, which is tuition-based to help offset materials, play rights, costumes, and other operating expenses, depends on support from parent volunteers and the community and, this year, SPSDW has partnered with the South Plainfield Recreation Department.
Over the past five decades, SPSDW has presented dozens of productions, including The Wizard of Oz, Footloose, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, The Drowsy Chaperone, and last year’s production of High School Musical to name a few. Additionally, Oliver! was the initial production of the revamped program in 1973 and this year’s production marks the 50th anniversary of the start of SPSDW in its all-inclusive form.
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Jailene Betancourt of the South Plainfield Public Library and South Plainfield School District Spanish teachers Paula Rendon and Lizbet Arriola accept the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation made by Mayor Matt Anesh. Photo Credit: Victoria CarusoPhoto Credit: Borough of South PlainfieldJailene Betancourt of the South Plainfield Public Library and South Plainfield School District Spanish teachers Paula Rendon and Lizbet Arriola accept the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation made by Mayor Matt Anesh. ...
Jailene Betancourt of the South Plainfield Public Library and South Plainfield School District Spanish teachers Paula Rendon and Lizbet Arriola accept the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation made by Mayor Matt Anesh. Photo Credit: Victoria Caruso
Photo Credit: Borough of South Plainfield
Jailene Betancourt of the South Plainfield Public Library and South Plainfield School District Spanish teachers Paula Rendon and Lizbet Arriola accept the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation made by Mayor Matt Anesh. Photo Credit: Victoria Caruso
By Victoria Caruso
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – At a South Plainfield Borough Council meeting held Oct. 2, Mayor Matt Anesh officially proclaimed October 2023 as 'Hispanic Heritage Month' in the municipality and encouraged 'residents to join in recognizing the contributions made by people of Hispanic ancestry who have had a profound influence.'
"Hispanics have enhanced and shaped our national charter with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multi-ethnic and multicultural customs of their communities [and have] had a profound and positive influence on our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and services," Anesh stated in his proclamation.
The theme of Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 is ‘Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, & Progress in America,’ which emphasizes the substantial influence of Hispanic individuals on the economic, political, and social advancement of the United States.
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"The cultural, educational, and political influences of Hispanics in the Borough of South Plainfield can be seen and appreciated in all aspects of life, as Hispanics continue to be crucial to the cultural, economic, and political growth of our community," states the proclamation.
On hand to accept the proclamation were Jailene Betancourt of the South Plainfield Public Library, along with South Plainfield School District Spanish teachers Lizbet Arriola and Paula Rendon.
Locally, the South Plainfield Public Library is teaming up with district Spanish teachers and students for an outdoor event set to take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. It will highlight more than two dozen Hispanic cultures and feature a special outdoor story time as well as music, performances, food, crafts, and more.
* Note: Due to expected inclement weather, the event will now take place at St. Stephen's Orthodox Church, 609 Lane Avenue.
“We would like to invite the community of South Plainfield to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us this Saturday....” said Arriola, noting that the event will feature performances from Grant and South Plainfield Middle School students and teachers. “We would like to thank Linda Hansen and the amazing staff at the library; they do amazing programs for South Plainfield and I really hope you join us...”
About Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month – also known as Mes de la Herencia Hispana - recognizes the contributions and important presence of Hispanic and Latin Americans in the United States.
The national observation of Hispanic heritage began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. It was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting September 15 – the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) – and concluding on Oct. 15 of each year and was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The month-long celebration begins each year on Sept. 15 – the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) – and concludes Oct. 15 with Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrating their independence days during this period.