latest news from Livingston

The annual Camuso Holiday Display, shown here in a panoramic shot, will remain open evenings from 5 to 10 p.m. until New Year's Day. Figures of gingerbread men bearing the purchaser's message will continue to be sold through New Year's Day as well. Funds raised by the sale of the gingerbread men will be used to maintain the annual display, which is curated by volunteers. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help take the annual exhibit down for the season should email Tom Cooney at tomcooney16@gmail.com. NBD Photo

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The West Essex Tribune is celebrating more than six decades of showering the first baby of the new year with an assortment of gifts generously donated by our advertisers. The first baby of 2019 born to Livingston parents will be named the winner of the Tribune’s 61st annual First Baby Contest.

The rules to determine the winner are the same each year: The first baby of 2019 must be born in a nearby hospital to parents who currently reside in Livingston. The exact time of the birth must be certified in writing by the attending physician.

Entries must be received in the West Essex Tribune office by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 2. The winner will be announced in the January 3 edition of the newspaper.

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Everything good in her life has flowed from her experiences in the Navy WAVES, says Ruth Cross.

Cross, 95, and a resident of Livingston since 1953, served during World War II in the Navy’s WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Service) program from 1944 to 1946.

Ruth grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut, where, at age 16, she left high school to help care for her mother and sister. She was working in a tie factory when the war broke out. As the war continued, she left the tie factory to work at a defense munitions plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, putting in multiple shifts a day.

By 1944, she says, “the war was pretty bad,” and she had begun thinking she wanted to enlist in theWAVES. “Our family was always a military family, and I wanted to be part of it,” Ruth notes.

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An arrest on Friday, December 21, on charges of possession of counterfeit bills led Livingston police to recover a stolen car.

ALivingston police officer who was working a holiday patrol detail in the Livingston Mall was notified at about 3:22 p.m. by mall security personnel that two people had unsuccessfully tried to make a purchase in the food court using a counterfeit $100 bill.

The officer located both individuals just after they had completed a purchase at GNC. Further investigation revealed that a counterfeit $100 bill had been used for the GNC purchase. Both were found to have additional counterfeit $100 bills in their possession. All the bills were printed with the same serial numbers.

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The Livingston High School girls’ varsity basketball team defeated Golda Ochs Academy, 55-22, on Tuesday, December 18, in the Fitness and Wellness Center. The Lady Lancers will host the Whitey Dukiet Basketball Tournament on Thursday, December 27, and Saturday, December 29. Shown here, Lancer forward Kayla Parsons drives the lane to score for the Lancers against Golda Ochs Academy. Don Schwartz Photo

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LEAF COLLECTION COMPLETE: This past weekend, the township conducted its final sweep of Livingston streets as part of its annual leaf collection program. The program is now done for the year. Shown here, Public Works Department employee Brian Antonio smiles at the wheel of a street cleaning machine he is operating on the newly paved Country Club Road. Jeff Friedman Photo

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“SANTA PAWS” CAME TO TOWN: Regal Bank of Livingston held its annual “Santa Paws” event December 8, providing photos taken with Santa (a.k.a. Regal Banks’ vice president of business development, Monte Enrenkranz). This is the seventh year Regal has held it in Livingston. In exchange for the photos, some customers give cash and food donations for Regal to pass on to local animal shelters. Corie Satine/Art By Corie Photos

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LANCER HOCKEY TEAM WINS: The Livingston High School ice hockey team defeated Westfield, 3-2, to record its first victory of the season. The game was played at the Codey Arena on Saturday, December 15. Shown here, the Lancers congratulate Lancer Jacob Fuhrman, #22, on scoring the first goal of the game Don Schwartz Photo

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Vivian A. Lombardo of Largo, Florida, formerly of Livingston, died on Saturday, December 15, following a short illness.

She is survived by her husband, Peter Louis; two daughters, Marylynne Lombardi (Marius), and Nancyann Lombardo; a son, Peter; a sister, Rosemary Mottola; and two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A private service will held in Largo. Arrangements are under the direction of Lombardi Funeral Home, Caldwell.

Nicholas S. Ventola, 87, of Livingston, died on Saturday, December 15, and the funeral will be today, Thursday, December 20, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, 28 Livingston Avenue., Roseland. Visitation was held on December 19 at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home.

Mr. Ventola was born in Newark to Samuel and Mary Ventola. He was the founder and owner of All County Sewer and Drain Service.

He was predeceased by his three siblings, Samuel Ventola, Ida Parrillo, and Margaret Corbo. He is survived by his wife, Josephine Ventola; his children, Nicholas Ventola (Maureen), Dean Ventola (Janet), Lisa Picillo (William), Jill Fuccello (Tom), and Gary Ventola (Jennifer); ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org would be appreciated.