On The Town

Kidz on the Move Offers Therapy for Special Needs Children

Clinic has been operating since 2001 in Hillsborough.

Children with special needs of all kinds throughout central New Jersey have a place to go to have their needs addressed. The place? Kidz on the Move Pediatric Rehabilitation Center, located right here in Hillsborough. Open since 2001, Kidz on the Move was started by Michele Diaz-LaManna and a business partner who later had to withdraw from the business due to health reasons. However, that turn of events did not stop Diaz-LaManna from continuing on with her calling as a pediatric therapist. “Of (my) 24 years (as a therapist), 23 and a half have been exclusive to pediatrics,” Diaz-LaManna said. “I graduated from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY with a specialty in pediatrics and knew from my freshman year in high school that I wanted to be a…

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Take Five

Welcome Back, Winter

Do a few warm days make the snap back to normal winter weather harder?

Well, it couldn't last forever. After two days of wonderful, warm and—okay, I actually had a two-day long headache during it—mostly unseasonable weather, we're back to February. As I'm writing this, it's cold, dreary, wet and gray. In other words, normal February weather. If you're superstitious, or just willing to ignore that six weeks until Spring and six weeks left in Winter are the same thing, you could blame the groundhog. But, then you have to ask—which groundhog do you consult? Punxsutawney Phil? Milltown Mel? Or, as we've heard from Hillsborough Massage Therapy, the more local Neshanic Station Fred (who did see his shadow earlier this month)!  Here's what you need to know today:

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Get Out

Look Ahead to Warmer Weather This Weekend

Even though it's winter, weekend events have residents thinking about summer.

March is around the corner, meaning the approach of warm weather, fewer layers and—eventually—swimsuit season. Though that comes as a fearful proposition, a set of free weight loss classes at ShopRite can help with some of those worries. The classes, hosted by the store’s dietician, Rachel Simpers, meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 8, 15, 22 and 29. There are only 10 slots available, so those who are interested will need to call 908-359-0313 ASAP to reserve a spot. Here’s what’s happening this weekend: Rachel’s Recipe When/Where: 3 p.m. Friday at ShopRite. Why Go: To sample dietician Rachel Simpers’ latest healthy recipe. Cost: Free. Summer Camp Open House When/Where: 5 p.m. Friday at Hillsborough Family YMCA. Why Go: You’ll learn about the …

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Junior Raiders: New Name, Same Sports

The Junior Raiders program has a new name but will still offer its football, cheerleading and track programs.

During the past 18 months, the Junior Raiders program has been  transitioning its programs and activities over to Junior Raiders Sports. The original Junior Raiders program started 20 years ago and has grown to support over 600 children and their families. The founders and executive board of the Hillsborough Junior Raiders Youth Association, Inc., have donated equipment and other property to the new organization so programs can continue to serve the families of Hillsborough. Junior Raiders Sports has applied to the IRS for its 501(c)3, tax exempt status. The Board of Trustees and the Steering Committee of Junior Raiders Sports would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the volunteers who spent countless hours at all levels of this …

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Jr. Raiders Celebrate Excellence in Athletics, Academics

Junior Raiders honor talent on and off the field.

The Junior Raider organization emphasizes performance in the classroom as well as developing talent in football and cheerleading. The Academic Achievement Award is given to those Junior Raiders who earn all A's on their reports cards during the first marking period. The organization congratulates all recipients on their achievement.  Winners of the Hillsborough Junior Raiders Academic Award for 2011 are Camille Aitcheson, J. J. Bagdan, Macy Brandwein, Jenna Deane, Patrick Cahill, Meagan Cavalieri, Jack Edwards, Michael Englehart, Anthony Fodera, Olivia Johnsen, Connor Leoni, Brandon Moore, David Mazzeo, Vivek Mantha, Brandon Nitschke, Max Nelson, Courtney Nielson, Jess Rachel, Elizabeth Reilly, Bianca Van Cleef, Patrick Vinchur, Nicole …

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Junior Raider Round-Up

Jr. Raiders Best Fort Lee, Advance to State Finals

The team plays Jersey City on Dec. 10.

It was a slow start for the Hillsborough Jr. Raiders in Forth Lee this past Saturday as the team looked flat early in the game against the Fort Lee team.  After a quick 3 and out by Hillsborough, Fort Lee drove the ball 60 yards for the first score of the game and was off to a quick 7-0 lead.  But on the next series, the Hillsborough offense came alive after a diving catch by TE Jimmy Suseck good for 22 yards and a first down.  A few plays later Zach Williams took a pitch 40-yards to the 2-yard line before Ryan Melillo punched it in for the touchdown.  The extra point pass to Dan Stoddard was good and the score was tied 7-7.  Fort Lee drove the ball again on the next series but turned it over on downs at the Hillsborough 27-yard line.  …

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Junior Raider Round-Up

Melillo and Williams lead Hillsborough to Jr. Skyland Conference Championship

Varsity team to play state semi-finals Dec. 4.

The Junior Raiders Melillo and Williams lead Hillsborough to Jr. Skyland Conference Championship over Bridgewater Ryan Melillo took Hillsborough’s first play from scrimmage 51-yards for a touchdown to open up the scoring behind the strong blocking of Sam Crisci, Connor Genes, Ben Pasternack, Jim Suseck, Mike Grabon, Nick DiGirolamo and fullback Paul Michinard and the Jr. Raiders Varsity team (ages 12-14) never looked back.  Melillo had 8 carries for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Hillsborough running attack.  Zach Eilbacher added the extra point and Hillsborough led 8-0.  After trading punts, Bridgewater put up a touchdown of their own, but the extra point was blocked by Matt Matson and Hillsborough led 8-6.  On the next series Rob…

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Junior Raiders Cheerleaders Snag Top Honors at Cheer Competition

Varsity and Junior Varsity teams get first-place spots; Biddy team wins second.

For the Hillsborough Junior Raiders Varsity, Junior Varsity and Biddy cheerleading squads, netting top honors at a competition in Perth Amboy was something  to cheer about. The recreation cheer teams saw each level place in its division at competitions last weekend, securing two first place wins and a second place win. In addition, the Junior Raiders Junior Varsity squad’s routine snagged the competition’s Grand Champion trophy for having the best overall performance. “All the squads did well against some pretty tough competition,” Maria Marnell, a coach for the Junior Raiders’ Junior Varsity squad, said. “You go into every season with high hopes, but the girls were thrilled that day. It meant a lot to them.” “It was a surprise, but we …

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Junior Raider Round-Up

Junior Raiders Team Bests No. 1 Seed Watchung Hills

Junior Raider Teams secure playoff victories in last week's games, proceed to Junior Skyland Championships.

The Hillsborough Jr. Raiders Varsity team (ages 12-14), led by Head Coach Mark Melillo, went into the playoffs as the 4th seed at 5-3 against Watchung Hills, the #1 seed, with a 7-1 record, and a team that had won the Jr. Skyland Championship for the past two years.  However, Hillsborough was riding high with a 4-game winning streak, including victories over two top 4 teams and averaging 5 touchdowns a game and the defense giving up very little.  Both teams knew it would be a war and it was just that. Hillsborough drove the ball on their first series down to the Watchung 20 but couldn’t put any points up on the board.  Watchung broke open the scoring on the next series with a 65-yard touchdown run to take an 8-0 lead.  Hillsborough …

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Junior Raider Round-Up

Jr. Raiders Division 3 Team Heads into Playoffs

The team of 8-10 year olds finished off the regular season with a 7-0 record.

The Junior Raiders Division 3 (ages 8-10) Penn State Nittany Lions remain unbeaten at 7-0 heading into the playoffs after defeating USC on Saturday, October 22nd.  Early in the first quarter, USC drove deep into Penn State territory before being stopped on 4th down.  Stepping up to stop the USC threat were Cameron Hill, Justin Dietrich, Andrew Rygiel, Matthew Michinard, Alex Marsh and Matt Kent. The Nittany Lions offense took over deep in its own territory and after a 5 yard penalty, Matthew Michinard took the handoff and behind big blocks from Dylan Valis, Anthony Shields and Nicholas Klementowicz ran 85 yards down the left side line to score the Lions’ first touchdown of the game.  Leading 6-0, the second quarter began with an aggressive…

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