Photos: Governor, Past Governors, Dignitaries Celebrate Livingston At 200

Livingston marks two hundred years in 2013 with an array of events

Governor Chris Christie was on hand to mark Livingston's bicentennial. The governor, who has roots in the township, was joined at Livingston High School by former governors Thomas Kean, Richard Codey, and Brendan Byrne, along with an array of Livingston officials. They included Livingston Mayor Rudy Fernandez and Township Manager Michele Meade, who joined members of the community to celebrate two hundred years of Livingston.  Christie, who graduated from Livingston High School in 1980, declared himself a "proud" alumnus.  He described himself as still a Lancer, the Livingston mascot, and, fittingly, was made an Honorary Member of the Livingston High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday night.  Christie received a plaque and a jacket …

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Livingston at 200: There’s an App for That

For the Bicentennial, NJIT students are designing computer games to virtually explore the town's history.

Wondering about Livingston's role in the Civil War? There's (soon to be) an app for that. 
  Looking for the Top 25 historic sites in town? Yup, there's (soon to be) an app for that, too. 
  Livingston at 200, the township's yearlong observation of its bicentennial, is about to jump into the digital age.

  Chris Bickel, Supervisor of Social Studies at Livingston Public School, is mentoring three NJIT students who are developing web-based/interactive games for Livingston second graders to learn more about the history of the township.   The second grade social studies curriculum is set up for students to explore their town, the past and present, and the bicentennial dovetails nicely with lessons going on in the classroom, Bickel says.

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Livingston Marks 200 Years with $18.13 Specials

All around township, merchants are celebrating with $18.13 specials from Feb. 4 through Feb. 10 to mark the event.

As part of Livingston’s year-long Bicentennial celebration, nearly 70 Livingston businesses have announced they will be offering “1813 Specials” from Mon., Feb. 4 through Sun., Feb. 10.   Offers range from $18.13 specials at restaurants and stores to discounts of 18.13% on shopping and other items.  “Response from our local businesses wanting to participate in this historic celebration has been overwhelming,” said Executive Director of the Livingston Business Improvement District Beth Lippman. “All of our great restaurants, shops, salons and health facilities are important members of our community and share in our history and our future," she added. For a list of participating businesses and their “1813 Specials” click here or visit …

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Livingston at 200: A Full Year of Events

The township releases a list of events for each themed month throughout the year for its bicentennial celebration.

January – Livingston at 200: Strengthened by Volunteers The Bicentennial celebration kicks off at the Annual Reorganization and Reception on January 1.  We'll celebrate Livingston's tradition of volunteerism and honor our many hard-working volunteers at a Volunteer Fair and special Volunteer Recognition Event as well as at the traditional Day of Service on Martin Luther King’s birthday. February – Livingston at 200: Honoring our Founders A reading of Livingston's Charter, recognition of Livingston's long-time families, and a presentation by Governor Kean at Town Hall will be the heart of a Founder's Day event to commemorate the signing of Livingston’s Charter of Incorporation on February 5, 1813. Refreshments will be baked by local bakers …

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Livingston at 200

Livingston Offers Volunteer Opportunities to Residents

Livingston to offer a Volunteer Fair in honor of the bicentennial.

In honor of Livingston’s bicentennial, January has been named Volunteer Month by the township. During the month of January, the township is celebrating its tradition of volunteerism with multiple events.  Among them are the Volunteer Fair and a special Volunteer Recognition Event. On Jan. 26, from 1-3 p.m., at the Senior Community Center, the Bicentennial Committee, Vision 20/20 Committee and the Citizen’s Institute will be joining together to host a volunteer fair.  "The purpose of this fair is to give members of the community an opportunity to see firsthand what volunteer and community involvement opportunities are available to them," Alan Karpas, chairman of the Vision 20/20 Committee, said in a statement.    According to Karpas, there …

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Livingston at 200

Saint Barnabas Becomes Black Diamond Sponsor for Bicentennial

A full year of events are planned to celebrate 200 years of the Township of Livingston.

A successful partnership between Livingston and one of the township's largest businesses will be highlighted this year as the township celebrates it's bicentennial. Saint Barnabas Medical Center has been named the Black Diamond sponsor for Livingston's year-long bicentennial celebration. "Livingston is our home," Lou LaSalle, Vice President of External Affairs for Saint Barnabas, said at Tuesday's reorganization meeting.  "Livingston is so progressive and so good and doing such great things; Saint Barnabas is proud to be a part of it." Last month, members of Saint Barnabas' brass presented the Livingston Township Council with a $100,000 check to help fund the bicentennial celebrations. "When we were canvassed about supporting Livingston in…

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Livingston at 200

Livingston Bicentennial Committee Releases Event Schedule

The committee plans 12 months of celebration.

This year is Livingston's Bicentennial year and the Livingston Bicentennial Committee has a year-long worth of celebrations planned. The committee has been meeting for almost two years, resulting in a schedule of events fitting for a 200th birthday.  Each month has a theme, with specific events designed to fit that month's theme.  January: Strengthened by Volunteers February: Honoring Our Founders March: Getting Greener April: Fit and Active May: Happy Birthday! June: Getting to Know You July: Fireworks & Family Fun! August: Community September: Old-Fashioned Fun! October: A Gala Celebration! November: Giving Thanks December: Holiday Lights!

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Livingston at 200

Saint Barnabas Donates $100K to Livingston Bicentennial

The donation will help fund Livingston at 200 activities next year.

One of Livingston’s largest businesses is joining forces with the township to celebrate next year’s bicentennial. At Monday’s Livingston Township Council meeting, Mayor Stephen Santola was joined by members of Saint Barnabas Medical Center to announce that the medical center would be donating $100,000 to the bicentennial fund and would serve as the "Black Diamond Sponsor" of next year's celebration. "When we were canvassed about supporting Livingston in this endeavor, wewe really feel like we are such a part of Livingston that how do you celebrate 200 years without us being part of it," said Dr. John Bonamo, President and CEO of Saint Barnabas. Saint Barnabas Medical Center moved to Livingston in November 1964 and will soon be celebrating …

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Livingston at 200

Livingston at 200 is Looking to Make New Friends

‘Like’ them on Facebook to learn more about the bicentennial celebration.

Livingston is looking to make 200 new friends -- or more! -- in 2013, when the township celebrates its bicentennial. Find Livingston at 200 on Facebook -- the social media site -- to connect next year’s events and photos with long-time residents, newcomers, and those who have moved away from their hometown of Livingston. It’s doubtful Livingston’s founders in 1813 could have envisioned this modern digital era. But members of the township’s Bicentennial Committee are embracing this new technology much the same way our founders took to farming. Throughout this year, members have been scanning photos, collecting artifacts, and planning a series of events to mark this milestone. Look soon for a revamped website to highlight the 2013 …

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Livingston at 200

Planting Daffodils: Kids Dig Their Hands-On Science Lesson

At Harrison, hundreds of bulbs are planted in flower beds for Livingston @ 200 celebration.

Think back to all the things you learned in kindergarten, Principal Cynthia Healy told her students at Harrison. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up. Throughout the day on November 15, the lesson was repeated as elementary students stepped outside for some hands-on science, planting daffodil bulbs for Livingston @ 200. With younger students, Healy reminded the classes about the difference between seeds and bulbs. “These are bulbs, but not like a light bulb,” she said to giggles. Thousands of daffodil bulbs have been planted all around town. Hurricane Sandy delayed the project at Harrison, but earlier this week, the district’s Buildings and Grounds Department prepared the flower beds at the…

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