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Farmer and former Livingston resident Andy Goldman, who has temporarily returned to his hometown in between jobs on farms in upstate New York and eastern Pennsylvania, has been creating a garden for his mom at her home on North Baums Court. He advocates gardening as a perfect solution to the problem of obtaining fresh vegetables in a time of pandemic. “With social distancing becoming the new norm, a trip to the supermarket for fresh fruits and vegetables might make you hesitate,” he says. “But, Livingston’s climate makes for productive gardens that can give you a family’s worth of salads, vegetables, herbs, and much more. All you need is a portion of your yard, sunlight, water, and most of all, good soil.”

Soil, Not “Dirt”

Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff Friedman says the Livingston-based charity is continuing to help the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This week’s LPI photo is our friend, Bob, who has resided on the same bench on Newark’s Route 21 (McCarter Highway) for years now,” said Friedman. “Like the 1991 movie starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus, we like to ask ‘What About Bob?’
“When we’re in Newark delivering to our distribution associates, we stop to see Bob for a quick hand-off of money, toiletries, a heavy winter coat and whatever else we may have at the time. Bob is homeless. His world is the cold streets, or Penn Station when the temperature drops.”

Former Livingston resident and beloved Livingston High School teacher Francesco (Frank) Miserendino recently celebrated his 100th birthday at Casa Bellisima in Andover Township with his children and grandchildren.

Frank was born February 20, 1920, in Belleville, the middle son of Italian immigrants Giosue Miserendino and Henrietta Rocca Geraci. Life was tough growing up during the Great Depression. His father was a shoe maker and owned his own shop. Before the Depression, the family lived in an apartment upstairs from the shop they owned. But the family later lost the business and had to move to a small room. The Miserendinos were also forced to go on “relief” – what is known today as welfare. To help his family out financially, Frank served in the Civil Conservation Crops in upstate New York at the age of 17.

Livingston residents are bringing the community together through song and for a cause this Sunday for “Livingston Sings.” The livestreamed musical fundraiser will be brought “from our home to yours,” according to the organizers, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Music heals the soul, especially at times like these. It brings us together even when we are separated by physical distance,” said resident Neeli Margolis, administrator of the LTown Lowdown Facebook page. “The economic consequences of the pandemic have already touched our community. We wanted to support Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ efforts to provide relief to financially insecure residents. This event is a wonderful opportunity to help them meet some of our residents’ essential needs while bringing the entire community together for a night of much-needed entertainment.”

The number of Livingston residents with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, continues to rise, as do numbers across the county, state, country, and global population.

As of Wednesday, April 1, the Livingston Health Department has reported that a total of 109 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19. While the township receives information about the number of positive cases, it has not been told the number of residents who have been tested and how many of the results have been negative. In Essex County overall, there were 2,179 positive tests as of Wednesday morning. At least 36 county residents have died from complications related to COVID-19 as of that time.

“The Livingston Health Department is continuing the monitoring process to identify locations and persons with whom the affected individuals had contact,” mayor Rudy Fernandez said.

A fire in an attached outdoor kitchen at 12 Bunyan Drive on Friday, March 27, was extinguished promptly but not before the kitchen suffered extensive damage.

According to Fire Chief Chris Mullin, the fire began in a built-in outdoor kitchen against the back of the residence. An inner portion of the grill was rotted, enabling heat and fire to transfer from the unit’s firebox to the back of the house and causing the structure to catch fire.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all walks of life, and Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) is no exception. According to founder and director Jeff Friedman, operations at LPI “have turned upside down,” and the Livingston charity’s distribution partners are working hard to adapt.
“It’s not business-as-usual for anyone during the current crisis, but life for those living below the poverty line and the organizations/agencies that serve their needs is particularly stressful now,” said Friedman. “Clients cannot come indoors due to the coronavirus, so the dedicated professionals who are valiantly feeding them found new ways to make it happen under the circumstances.”

VACANT HOUSE DAMAGED BY FIRE: A fire broke out in a vacant house at 469 South Livingston Avenue at about 6 p.m. on Thursday evening, March 19. A police officer directing traffic in and out of the ShopRite parking lot noticed flames and smoke coming from the structure and called the Fire Department. Firefighters responded and quickly extinguished the flames, but there was heavy damage to the house, particularly in the bedroom area, where the fire is believed to have started. The house has been vacant for two decades, and its dilapidated condition exacerbated the fire damage, said Fire Chief Chris Mullin. He noted that the house has no electrical power running to it, and has possibly been occupied by vagrants. He deemed the fire to be of suspicious origin; an investigation is ongoing. Rob Munson Photos

Following a lengthy discussion about whether to reduce the tentative 2020-21 budget due to the coronavirus situation, the Livingston Board of Education voted on Wednesday, March 18, to approve it in order to send to the County for review.

The tax impact of this proposed budget was presented to the public on March 9 and incorporates the allowable increase of two percent. The increase in school tax on the average Livingston home of $700,000 would be $199, based on a tax levy of $110,919,955, out of a total of $128,944,023.

The budget approved Wednesday night is not final, the superintendent and board secretary emphasized. It can continue to be changed until the Public Hearing on April 27.

VIRTUAL JUNIOR PROM: On March 20, AM Wired, the Livingston High School news and announcement show, broadcast “The AMW Virtual Prom.” Students danced in their bedrooms and put on makeup and tied ties in their bathrooms. The 8 ½ minute show featured teacher Jason Daily and was written by Manni Burach, who also served as producer and editor, and Kylie Gorsky. The creative show was picked up by News 12 New Jersey.

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