Livingston Tribune

Livingston’s Fourth of July celebration returned to the Oval this past Sunday, beginning with a patriotic service at the Haines pool, above. The day was filled with events, including the annual “Swim Karnival,” car show, live music, miniature golf, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and much more. There were also crafts and activities for children, food trucks, and a beer garden and musical entertainment in the afternoon. Additional photos may be seen on page B-6.

Don Schwartz and MI Photos

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An unlocked, running, unattended vehicle was stolen from the driveway of a North Cedar Parkway home at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4. The owner told Livingston Police officers that he pulled into the driveway and left his 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio unattended as he ran into the house to drop something off. He said that he was in and out of the house in about a minute.

When he exited the house, he saw a person in the driver’s seat of his car. He described the person as a black male with a dark hooded sweatshirt pulled tight around his face. The victim estimated the suspect’s age as being 15 to 17 years old.

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Frank Schwindel, a 29-year-old 2010 graduate of Livingston High School, was called up to the Oakland A’s Major League Baseball team on his birthday last Tuesday, June 29.

He had been playing for the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators when he was told to pack his bags for the big leagues. His wife and infant son flew from their New Jersey home to see him play this past week, according to reports.

In his first at bat with the team, on Wednesday, June 30, Schwindel hit a home run. As of press time, Schwindel has recorded three hits in 11 at bats, with an OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .909, which is well above the league average.

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At its July 6 meeting, the Livingston Planning Board discussed two township ordinances and a return to in-person meetings, and approved an application for a drive-through pharmacy at Livingston Center. Ordinances Prior to the hearing, the Board discussed a referral from the Township Council of an ordinance regarding another overlay district, and another regarding cannabis business licenses. Ordinance No. 19-2021 concerns the creation of an overlay district redevelopment plan for 630 Route 10, near the East Hanover border. The plan was developed by Beacon Planning and Consulting Services and was approved on first reading by the Council on June 21. The ordinance is expected to be read a second time at the Council’s next meeting on July 12. The Board agreed in a majority vote that the ordinance is consistent with the Master Plan. Dissenting was Martin Kalishman.

Joseph J. McArdle, Jr., a longtime Livingston resident, died on Thursday, July 1. He was 79 years old.

Born in Newark and raised in Orange, Mr. McArdle retired as claims manager for the Prudential Property and Casualty Insurance Co. in Fairfield, and was an active member of the Sons of Italy Padre Pio Lodge in East Hanover.

Mr. McArdle was married to Diane (née Vaccarella) McArdle for 41 years, and was the father of Joseph P. McArdle (Korena), Courtney M. McArdle, and the late Michelle A. McArdle. He had one grandchild.

He was the brother of John McArdle, “Jeanie” Eugenia Hoesly, “Ebby” Mary Monahan, “Bobby” Robert McArdle, Kevin McArdle, Gary McArdle and the late Eileen McArdle, and Todd McArdle, and cherished grandfather of Michelle M. McArdle.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON: The Livingston High School softball team, which won the state Group IV championship, completed the season with a 23-5 record, a #1 ranking in Group IV, and a final state ranking of #2. Senior captain Nathalia DiIanni was selected All-State, second team; and first team, All Group IV. All Group IV second team honors were awarded to senior outfielder Deja Robinson; sophomore infielder Caitlin Mullen; and freshman pitcher Sophia Mount. Jason Daily was selected Coach of the Year in the Super Essex Conference, and the Lancers were named Team of the Year. Shown here in recent action, clockwise from top left: freshman pitcher Sophia Mount brings it to the plate; the team gets ready to win; Nathalia DiIanni scores for the Lancers; senior outfielder Deja Robinson throws out a runner; sophomore infielder Caitlin Mullen celebrates after driving in two runs; and coach Jason Daily selects a “Player of the Game.”

NEW WATER MAIN ON DORSA: Shown above is the excavation of a roadway trench to install a new water main and valves at Dorsa Avenue in the vicinity of the intersection with Eisenhower Parkway. The replacement of the old water main and valves was being done by crews of MSP Construction Corporation on Friday, July 2, as part of the Township of Livingston’s Dorsa Avenue water main improvement project.

Russell Jones Photos

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Late in June, more than 500 people gathered at the Oval on a hot and humid weekday evening to celebrate International Yoga Day. The event, which was hosted by Sanskriti of New Jersey and designed to promote the health benefits of yoga, featured nearly two dozen instructors offering free classes of varying difficulty levels and styles. By all accounts, it was a smashing success and may be the start of a new annual event in town.

That is far from all that was occurring on that typical summer evening, however. Just surrounding the Oval alone, dozens of residents were walking around the main field, while others played games on the lawn within it. People sat on the benches that line the Oval, reading or chatting.

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POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: Livingston High School’s Class of 2021 graduated last Thursday, June 24, in a ceremony in front of family and friends. Among the highlights was a parody of the song “I Will Survive” sung by LHS principal Danielle Rosenzweig and assistant superintendent (and LHS principal for most of the graduating class’s time in high school) Mark Stern. Look inside this edition of the Tribune for our special graduation section, highlighting our graduates, their speeches, and well wishes from family, friends, and local businesses. LPS, MI and MCA Photos

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As of Wednesday morning, June 30, the Livingston Health Department has reported that a total of 2,140 Livingston residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was recorded in mid-March. 88 of those residents have died as a result of the virus. Compared to the same time last week, there are three new cases, with no additional deaths. In the past month, there have been 13 cases.

The state currently lists no active cases within the township’s long term care (LTC) facilities.

For the upcoming school year in September, which will be fully inperson, masking will not be mandatory unless a school district requires it as part of its own protocols, according to an announcement by Governor Phil Murphy on Monday.

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