On Oct. 25, a very special Ordination Service was held to ordain the Rev. Katy Shevel into ministry. In the almost 275-year history of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, this may be the first time they've ordained and installed a new pastor.

On Oct. 25, a special Ordination Service was held to ordain the Rev. Katy Shevel into the ministry at Fairmount Presbyterian Church. (courtesy photo)

History is still being made at Fairmount Presbyterian Church (FPC). Founded in 1747, before America was born, the first services were held in a log cabin and continuing today in the beautiful sanctuary having been rebuilt in 1851.

On Oct. 25, a very special Ordination Service was held to ordain the Rev. Katy Shevel into ministry. In the almost 275-year history of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, this may be the first time they've ordained and installed a new pastor. All previous pastors were ordained elsewhere. Pastor Katy is also the first woman to become the full time minister of Fairmount Presbyterian.

After a six month search, the Session of Fairmount Presbyterian Church agreed to Terms of Call with Katy. "Pastor Katy," as she prefers to be called, is a recent graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary having earned her Masters of Divinity in May, 2015. Katy was born and raised in Storm Lake, Iowa, later attending Wartburg University.

Officiating at the Ordination was the Reverend Stephen Choi, Moderator of the Newton Presbytery and Pastor of Stewartsville Presbyterian Church, Stewartsville, with a sermon delivered by The Reverend Dr. Clifton Black, the Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton.

Fairmount Presbyterian Church invites the community to attend on any given Sunday at 10 a.m., for a traditional Presbyterian service and catch the new buzz. Pastor Katy said, "Come join us for worship. It doesn't matter if you dress up or dress down. Come as you are. We look forward to seeing you!"

Contemporary music is mixed with standard traditional hymns sung by a talented choir. Scripture based sermons. Children Messages every Sunday in the sanctuary followed by a vibrant Sunday school program in the Community House. A service and mission focused congregation with plenty of opportunities to help others.

As the history of Fairmount Presbyterian Church continues let it be noted the church bell was installed in 1852 when the sanctuary was rebuilt and still gets rung every Sunday. All are welcome always at Fairmount Presbyterian Church.

The church is located on the borders of Tewksbury and Washington townships at 247 Old Turnpike Road, Califon, NJ 07830. Visit www.fpctoday.org

31 animals harvested on Friday, according to state figures

FREDON -- Another 31 black bears were killed Friday, the next-to-last day of the state's annual, week-long hunt, the state Department of Environmental Protection reported.

With the take on Friday, the fifth day of a hunting season marked by unseasonably mild temperatures and dry weather, the total stood at 421 animals. The last day of the season, which was open to firearms hunters, is Saturday.

On trend with the rest of the hunt, most of the animals Friday were killed in rural Sussex County, one of eight mostly northern counties where the hunt has been authorized. Bergen County Friday saw its first and so far only kill of the 2015 season, while in two other counties, Somerset and Mercer, no animals have yet been harvested.

The Clover Hill Reformed Church Christmas Eve services will be at 5 and 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 24, to celebrate the coming or our Christ Child with Carols and Candles.

The Clover Hill Reformed Church Worship service and Church School will be at 10:30 a.m., on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 20. The sermon, based upon
St. Luke 1:39-45, will be titled "The Child of Promise."

The Clover Hill Reformed Church Christmas Eve services will be at 5 and 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 24, to celebrate the coming or our Christ Child with Carols and Candles. The sermon, based upon St. Luke 2:18-19, will be titled "Christmas Unexpected . . . as Usual."

The Clover Hill Reformed Church is located at 890 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, in the historic village of Clover Hill. Since 1834 we have been providing worship, education, fellowship and mission opportunities for individuals and families in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.

For more information, call 908-369-8451 or visit our website at www.cloverhillchurch.org.

Ann McLean, Activities Director of Little Brook, said that the Holiday Cards now decorate residents' doors -- and she wanted me to extend thanks to all members of WCTT. What you do, she said, "is a truly remarkable benefit to residents: a gift."

The Woman's Club of Tewksbury Township hold organizing event and luncheon. Pictured writing holiday cards (from left) are Carolyn Jacoby and Lillian Lehmann. (courtesy photo)

Holiday cards for each resident of Little Brook and Hunterdon Hills -- to mail out immediately; and Valentine gift bags for each resident -- to pack and store for our Valentine Parties in February at the nursing homes; and a Santa-sized bag of additional amenities to deliver immediately for clients of Safe in Hunterdon, the Women's Crisis Center in Flemington: all this was accomplished by Woman's Club of Tewksbury Township volunteers at the home of Heather Greenagel Ross at the annual organizing event and luncheon. Two volunteers even arrived at noon, but all "work" was accomplished, so they joined us for lunch.

The Woman's Club of Tewksbury Township hold organizing event and luncheon. Valentine Bag Packers include (first row, from left) Amy Levin, Lori Luciano, Fran Fenton, Bridgette Oppedisano; (second row) Joan Umholtz, Carol Hontz, Heather Ross, Anne Diamente. Not pictured: Deidre Quinn and Amy Nirchio. (courtesy photo)

Card writing was organized by Barbara Barre, who has chaired it for 10 years now but was ill on the "work and play" day. During the year Barb sends out cards to all Little Brook and Hunterdon Hills residents on their birthdays. Ann McLean, Activities Director of Little Brook, said that the Holiday Cards now decorate residents' doors -- and she wanted me to extend thanks to all members of WCTT. What you do, she said, "is a truly remarkable benefit to residents: a gift."

Lyndsay Mancilla runs the Valentine Parties at the two retirement homes -- delivering bags to each resident at Valentine Parties in February, often with entertainment by the Turner Family of Flemington.

Members contribute to the Senior and Social Services Program throughout the year. Thanks for recent donations from Diane Chase, Kathi Mahoney, Lillian Lehman, Rori Pipeling, Dawn Jiosi, Mary Fazzini, Edel Freitag, Nel Kuehne, and Anne Diamente.

Merilee Dely and her mother Marilou Muglia have written cards for the club for 23 years, and Marilee formerly chaired the program -- before current chairs took over -- and both continue to return to help us and have fun.

Best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, and for a Happy and Prosperous New Year from us all. Thanks to the many club member and friends of the club for their ongoing help and support.

He was charged with possessing child pornography in Hunterdon County.

FLEMINGTON -- Jaun Swart is currently the featured fugitive on the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office's website.

Swart, 23, has brown hair, blue eyes, and is 6-foot-1, weighing 115 pounds.

He was charged with possessing child pornography in Hunterdon County and failed to appear in court on the charges. An arrest warrant was issued on Dec. 10.

FBI agents wage stressful battle against child pornography

Anyone with information as to any fugitive's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Mike Nugent, Detective Frank Modaffare or Detective Lamont Garnes of The Joint Hunterdon County Fugitive Task Force at 908-788-1129 or the local police department.

Information can also be left at: Crime Stoppers of Hunterdon County. 
www.crimestoppershunterdon.com

Report a tip in four ways for cash rewards:
- call the tip line at 1.800.321.0010 (The line has no recording device)
- text HCTIPS plus your tip to: 274637 (CRIMES)
- submit online at www.crimestoppershunterdon.com by clicking on the Submit link to fill out the online form (form also in Espanol)
- download free app "Tipsubmit" by Public Engines; select Hunterdon County, submit your tip.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

This year, gift cards to Wal-Mart and ShopRite are going to people in need in the southern part of Hunterdon County.

DELAWARE TWP. -- For more than two decades, the Jingle Elves outreach program has made sure the holidays are a little happier for community members in need.

Last year, around 200 people benefited, said organizer Dianne Rankin. 

The program, which started with a giving tree at the Delaware Township municipal building, has expanded its reach into Kingwood, Stockton and other south-county towns.

Collecting individual gifts got to be overwhelming, Rankin said, so for the past five years the program has been accepting monetary donations. They go toward gift cards for Wal-Mart and ShopRite, she said.

"This way people can get what they need most," she said.

Those gift cards will start going out within a week to recipients identified by area schools, clergy and others.

While the nonprofit's primary purpose is to provide gift cards during the holiday season, it also delivers poinsettia plants to the families of Delaware Township residents who died in the past year.

"The first Christmas is the hardest after you've lost someone," Rankin said. Those flowers were delivered last week.

All donations are anonymous in the program -- the recipients don't know who the donors are donors don't know who will benefit.

PLUS: Jingle Elves' outreach expands

A newer program of Jingle Elves is "Secret Santa," where money is donated for a specific gift to a specific person. This year, a single mom will receive a new kitchen appliance that she wants but can't get for herself because she spends all the money on bills and the children, Rankin said. Again, the donor remains anonymous.

Another special gift this year raised money to cover medical expenses for Frankie Hall, who was bitten by a dog on July 4th.

The program doesn't end with the holiday season.

"It addresses emergencies throughout the year," Rankin said. "When people run out of food, when there was a fire at a home on Route 12. We focus on the holiday season, but are available throughout the year."

Jingle Elves' seven board members receive no compensation, and its operating costs are about 3 percent of the funds collected, with the rest going directly to residents in need.

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 252, Sergeantsville, NJ 08557.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

Northampton, Warren and Hunterdon county authorities say they are looking for three individuals. Northampton County authorities seek Kyle Bedics - fugitive of the week Warren County authorities seek Michael Campbell - fugitive of the week Hunterdon County authorities seek Jaun Swart - fugitive of the week  

Northampton, Warren and Hunterdon county authorities say they are looking for three individuals.

Northampton County authorities seek Kyle Bedics - fugitive of the week

Warren County authorities seek Michael Campbell - fugitive of the week

Hunterdon County authorities seek Jaun Swart - fugitive of the week

 

Investigating a hit and run accident that occurred on Old Highway 22 near PNC Bank, Clinton Police located a Great Meadows man who was later determined to be intoxicated.

Town of Clinton Police Department

CLINTON-- Investigating a hit and run accident that occurred on Old Highway 22 near PNC Bank, Clinton Police located a Great Meadows man who was later determined to be intoxicated.

Clinton Police were alerted at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 to a hit and run rear-end accident that caused damage to a 2003 Subaru driven by Margaret Merrill, 72, of Annandale, police said in a news release.

Merrill was assessed for injuries and transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center, according to the release.

Hunterdon's Most Wanted: Jaun Swart

With the assistance of a corrections officer from the Edna Mahon Correctional Facility, police located a damaged 2013 Hyundi operated by Anthony M Capitti, 37, of Great Meadows west of the accident behind the Clinton Exxon near Fox Lumber after he had allegedly fled the scene, police said.

Capitti was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injury, possession of hypodermic syringes, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report accident and driving while intoxicated.

Capitti was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $15,000, according to the release.

The Franklin Township and Clinton Township Police departments assisted at the scene as well as the Clinton Fire and EMS departments.

Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook. 

Department of Environmental Protection officials say not enough "tagged" bears were killed to effectively reduce the potential for conflicts with people Watch video

FREDON - Another 51 bears were killed across northern New Jersey Saturday, though state officials say they will extend the state's annual hunt in hopes of further thinning their ranks. 

The latest figures, released by the Department of Environmental Protection on Sunday, bring the six-day total of bears killed to 472. 

Though that number is considerably higher than last year's count of 272, officials said the animals' dense population called for the hunt to be extended another four days, beginning Wednesday morning and ending at sunset Dec. 20.

"With the four-day extension, we will reach a harvest number that will keep the black bear population healthy and sustainable, while reducing the potential for conflicts with people," Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said in a statement.

MORE: Bear hunt 2015: Compromise unlikely between protesters and hunters

Only 24 of 133 bears "tagged" by DEP employees have been shot and killed this year - a ratio of 18 percent. Because the ratio came in at under 20 percent, new game code regulations adopted by the state earlier this year allow for the hunt to be extended.

The vast majority of bears killed this year have been in Sussex and Warren counties, though hunters also took down animals in Passaic, Bergen, Morris and Hunterdon counties.

Bears were also allowed to be hunted in Somerset and Mercer counties, though no kills had been recorded there as of Saturday night.

Reintroduced in New Jersey in 2010, the annual hunt is meant to reduce large black bear populations. Environmental groups and animal-rights activists have protested, however, saying killing the animals is neither humane nor an effective long-term solution.

In the hours after the state's announcement about the extension Sunday, the New Jersey Sierra Club issued a press release denouncing the decision. Club President Jeff Titel said he believed the hunt was primarily about sport, and would have little effect on interactions between bears and humans unless additional steps were taken.

"We don't have an education plan, we don't have garbage management, and we don't have the conservation officers needed to implement these things. All we have is more dead bears and the same nuisance problems as before," he said. 

One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.

Some notes on homeless animals in New Jersey:

* According to the State of New Jersey Office of Animal Welfare, "it is estimated that the number of free-roaming cats in the United States may be equal to that of owned cats, approximately 70 million. If left unchecked, free-roaming cats will breed and their populations increase at locations where they find suitable shelter and food." The office goes on to note that pet cats that are abandoned will not easily fend for themselves outdoors. Unfortunately, most of these cats and their offspring will suffer premature death from disease, starvation or trauma.

* Among shelters and rescue groups around New Jersey, the top 10 reasons for owners relinquishing a dog are: (1) moving; (2) landlord issues (3) cost of pet maintenance; (4) "no time for pet;" (5) inadequate facilities; (6) "too many pets in home;" (7) pet illness; (8) "personal problems;" (9) biting; and (10) no homes for litter-mates.

Other interesting facts from the Office of Animal Welfare:

* As many as 25 percent of dogs entering shelters across the country each year are purebreds.

* One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.

Here is a gallery of homeless animals from northern and central New Jersey. Consider visiting a local shelter or contacting a local rescue group when looking for a pet for your family.

More pets in need of adoption can be viewed here and here

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

Atop a pearly white motorcycle, Santa Claus greeted families, children and even dogs at the Williams Harley Davidson dealership at 1100 Route 22 west ahead of Christmas. Watch video

LEBANON TWP. -- Atop a pearly white motorcycle, Santa Claus greeted families, children and even dogs at the Williams Harley Davidson dealership at 1100 Route 22 west ahead of Christmas.

Santa posed for photos Saturday and Sunday for $10 and proceeds benefited Children's Specialized Hospital, Veteran's Haven North, the Flemington Area Food Pantry and SAFE in Hunterdon.

The annual event is sponsored by the Lebanon Chapter of Hunterdon Harley Owners Group and Williams Harley Davidson.

Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook. 

Two Huskies' football teams and two Huskies' cheer teams come home with national championships.

HIGH BRIDGE -- Following impressive New Jersey state championship runs, the Hunterdon Huskies Junior Pee Wee football team (age 10-11) and Junior Midget football team (age 12-13) took on the nation last week in Orlando and came home with national championships.

The Huskies' cheerleading teams were there as well, and two of the three teams also won national championships. The Junior Midget and Junior Pee Wee cheer teams won championships, with the Jr. Pee Wee team earning the highest score in its division. The Huskies' Pee Wee cheer team came home with a third-place finish.

A write-up of the football teams' games follows provided by the Hunterdon Huskies.

Junior Pee Wee team

The Hunterdon Huskies Junior Pee Wee team completed a storybook season over the weekend at the American Youth Football National Championships in Kissimmee, Fla.

The team claimed the championship, defeating the Southside Ducks 14-0 in the semifinals and following it up with an exciting 22-6 win over the Landover (Md.) Seminoles to clinch the National Championship.

The semifinal matchup with the Southside Ducks was a battle from start to finish.  The Huskies recovered a game-opening onside kick and moved the ball quickly down to the 1 yard line, where Cooper Balut took the QB sneak in to score.  Alex Uryniak made the two-point kick, essentially making it a 2 score game early on since the Ducks did not have a field goal kicker.

Both defenses were outstanding and yielded very few big plays.  It wasn't until late in the 4^th quarter that the Huskies Junior Pee Wee team officially punched its ticket to the finals.  Marcus Williams took a Balut handoff and ran 40 yards for the score and a 14-0 win.

Thursday's practice session helped the Huskies get a jump on the talented 'Noles team in the finals.  The Huskies coaching staff, led by Huskies Hall of Fame and 2007 National Championship Coach Ed Balut, studied the 'Noles semifinal win and found something in their defensive scheme that could be exploited.

"Top to bottom, the Seminoles were the most talented team we played all season," said Balut. "They were big and physical, but I saw something that I felt we could do on offense that would get us off to a quick start."

The quick start Balut was hoping for turned into a 14-0 lead after three plays from scrimmage. On the Huskies' first offensive play, Marcus Williams took the handoff from Cooper Balut and went 55 yards for a touchdown. After recovering an onside kick, two plays later the Huskies ran that same play and Williams went another 45 yards for to score.

That lead would shrink to 14-6 as Landover marched down the field, converting a big fourth-down passing play along the way, and finishing it off with a six-yard run, the first rushing touchdown the Huskies have allowed since August.

"After that quick start on offense, I think we were a little overexcited and it caused a few defensive breakdowns," said defensive coordinator Mike Johnson, "but all year our defense has out-worked and out-hustled their opponents and I knew this defense would step it up and help us win a championship."

Both teams had their chances in the second and third quarters but neither team could capitalize.  A strip sack by Joey Markey led to a fumble recovery by the Huskies in the third quarter, but it was given back on the next play as the 'Noles stripped the Huskies back before he hit the ground.

The turning point of the game was midway through the fourth quarter as Uryniak blocked a Seminole punt and it was recovered near midfield. A play later Williams would run for his third touchdown and put the game out of reach with a 22-6 lead.  William's three-TD day earned him the well-deserved MVP of the championships.  Williams gave a lot of credit to the offensive line with outstanding blocking in this game and all year.

It was a historic win for the Huskies Organization as they earned their first national championship since 2007 and their first ever AYF Championship.  It was also a special win for a number of longtime Huskies.

Tight End/Safety Vance Van Volkenburgh became the second member of his family to win a Huskies national championship. "I have always looked forward to playing on Coach Balut's team," he said. "I remember the excitement when my brother Jack won the 2007 national championship with Coach Balut and ever since flag football I hoped this day would come."

The Balut family had three generations of Huskies on the field as Ed, his son Eric, and grandson Cooper shared this victory. "I couldn't have asked for anything better then sharing this with my dad and son," said Eric Balut. "It's been an amazing season."

Coach Balut reflected on the week. "The boys did their school work, practiced hard, and most importantly played for each other. They were great ambassadors for their region, conference, and the Huskies organization.  One of the AYF's main sponsors came up to us and said that the Huskies organization was one of the best representations of a youth sports organization on and off the field they have experienced. That is something to be proud of!"

Junior PeeWee players are: Max Latorre, Alex Grantham, Adian Papantonis, Joey Markey, JV  Johnson, Cooper Balut, Alex Uryniak, Sam Alparone, Marcus Williams, Vance Van Volkenburgh, Warren Scott, Kente Edwards, Christopher Chacon, Simeon Reed, Rick Skalaski, Hunter Diederich, Bobby Pasquale, Firoz Davis, Giacomo Macce, Johnathan Lake, Luke Damboise, and Zach Grenache.

Junior PeeWee coaches are: Head Coach Ed Balut, Jim Jeffry, Rick Skalaski, Joe Markey, Joe Desanctis, Mike Johnson, John Macce, Dave Grantham, Eric Balut and Mike Uryniak.

Junior Midget team

The Junior Midget Hunterdon Huskies traveled to Kissimmee, Fla. this year with a team goal of claiming an AYF National Championship. Half of this team was within a yard of playing in the national final last year when they finished with a number 3 national ranking at the end of the 2014 AYF season.

After running through the gauntlet of teams in the NJAYF regular season schedule they had difficult post-season opponents in Shore, Wall and Neptune. They defeated these teams by a combined score of 86-8.

The JM Huskies received a national tournament ranking of 2 and received a very critical first round bye which saw them play the winner of Virginia versus Missouri on Wednesday.

With Virginia winning that game by a tight score of 12-6, the Huskies would have their hands full in containing Virginia's two explosive running backs that complemented an athletic defense.

The Huskies scored on a fourth down and three on their opening possession against the Virginia team, with Will Schweikert hitting on a 27-yard touchdown run. With a good snap by Jamie Gibson and a solid hold by Zac Ambielli, Joey Spano was able to boot through the 2-point conversion to take a commanding 8-0 early lead.

The score stayed that way until right before the first half ended. Will Schweikert hauled in a screen pass from Spano and galloped 18 yards to score. With Spano's 2-point boot the Huskies headed into the half up 16-0.

The Virginia team did not give up on the game, driving inside the Huskies 5 to close the score to one touchdown. The Huskies, however, took the challenge and kept the Virginia team from scoring and then took over on downs from their own 4 yard line.

The Huskies gave the ball to Jake Taylor who, with little help on the play other than a beautiful block from Jake Lavigne, went 96 yards for the touchdown. Taylor would later add another 24-yard run for a TD and finish up the game with 7 carries for an impressive 140 yards rushing. Braden Holles would complete the scoring with an electric 32-yard touchdown run that was followed by a Daniel Papantonis run for the 1-point conversion to close out the scoring. The team won the game 37-0.

The Huskies had a suspicion that if they were to win the 2015 national championship game that they would have to go through the 1 seed Shadow Hills Knights from California in order to do so. Shadow Hills had an undefeated season in the Pacific Desert Region.

The 11-1 Huskies squared off versus the 12-0 Knights in the AYF Junior Midget Championship game Friday at noon. The Huskies would win the toss and demand the ball to go right to work as they have all year (412 points scored on year heading into game). The team from California was well coached and seemed prepared to handle the Huskies' diversified and multiple Wing-T attack.

The Huskies lined up to punt on a fourth down and 16 from their own 31 yard line but rolled the dice and delivered their first fake of the year to convert the fourth down as Joey Spano scampered 43 yards to pick up the first down and gain momentum back for the Huskies.  On the very next play Spano called his own number again and scored on a fake and ran 26 yards for the touchdown to take a 6 point lead.  The point after was not successful so the Huskies led 6-0 halfway through the first quarter. 

The Huskies would kick off after their touchdown to the Knights and immediately work multiple blitzes that were picked up from game film from California's semifinal win over North Carolina on Wednesday. These well timed blitzes and solid tackling forced California to have three consecutive 3 and outs to start the game.

The action picked up shortly after the Huskies continued their solid special teams play by pinning the Knights at their own 1 yard line with about 5 minutes to play in the second quarter.

On the first play from scrimmage the Knights' quarterback snuck a QB sneak right by the Huskies defense that went 98 yards before he was tracked down by defensive back Jake Taylor.

The Huskies' goal line defense stymied the Knights on four consecutive running plays from inside the 5 yard line. The first down play was stopped by defensive tackle Zebassie Edwards and defensive end Will Schweikert. The second-down play was a toss to the outside; Joey Spano came up from his linebacker spot to make the hit for a three-yard loss. The third down play was another solo tackle by Schweikert after a two-yard gain. The fourth-down play came from the 1 yard line and this time it was the blitzing linebacker Brandon Donoghue who made the play and turned the ball over on downs.

The Huskies took over and went right to work behind an offensive line consisting of tight end Davin Wydner, left tackle Jaz Zanelli and Harrison Otto, left guard Jake Lavigne, center Preston Krivulka, right guard Brandon Donoghue and right tackle Nate Fossett. On second down and 9 the play called for Spano to fake to Papantonis and keep around the right side. It worked to perfection with a springing block by Schweikert, and Spano ended up going 80 yards.  Several plays later on a third down and goal from the 9 yard line, the Huskies would use a play that they hadn't used all year to spring Spano on a 9 yard TD run after blocks from Zac Ambielli and Will Schweikert. The 2 point conversion kick from Spano went through for a solid 14-0 lead going into halftime.

The second half saw California receive the kick and immediately try to go to the air, but a great pass rush by Schweikert and defensive tackle Isaiah Williams forced their quarterback to hurry. Cornerback Ben Aunger took advantage and intercepted the ball for the Huskies.

The Huskies" offense sputtered in the second half as the much bigger California team played the high flying jet sweep wing-T offense to perfection. The Huskies were alright in playing the field position game with California since the Huskies' defense was dominating up until this point.

After a quick 3 and out by the Huskies, the Knights were on the move with a drive but a great defensive sack and strip of the quarterback by defensive tackle Sami Qumareldeen was recovered by the other D-tackle Zebassie Edwards, keeping the score at 14-0.

After another 3 and out by the Huskies' offense the Knights got the ball immediately back and went for a stop and go route from their best wide receiver on first down. Corner Jake Taylor read it the whole way and intercepted the ball for the Huskies.  After the third consecutive  3 and out by the Huskies, the Knights got things going by blocking a Spano punt and setting themselves up in great field position.

After a great middle screen setting the ball up at the Huskies' 1, the Knights would punch their first TD of the game in with a quick pass to the flat for a score.  The Knights would miss the 2 point conversion kick with great pressure by Nate Fossett and Qumareldeen. It was now a one-score game with the Huskies up 14-6. The Knights would immediately go to the onside kick but Jake Taylor would fall on the ball as it reached 10 yards. 

The Huskies had 4 minutes to go to try to keep it away from the Knights but after one first down the Knights were able to get the ball back with one more chance at a national championship.

After a late hit penalty against the Huskies, the Knights found themselves immediately on the Huskies side of the field on the 38 yard line.  The Knights connected on a 16-yard curl route to bring the ball down to the Huskies' 22 yard line.

Coach Dan Wydner dialed up a middle linebacker and noseguard twist blitz that saw middle linebacker Brandon Donoghue get a huge sack that knocked the Knights back to the 30 yard line with time ticking away.

On the very next play from scrimmage Will Schweikert hit the quarterback's arm, which hung the ball up in the air a little longer than normal, enabling outside linebacker Jake Lavigne to intercept the ball to ice the game and allow the Huskies to jump into Victory formation. The final score: 14-6.

Coach Dan Wydner was asked how he saw things unfold throughout the game.

"The turning point of the game is obviously allowing a 98 yard quarterback sneak that doesn't end up in any points," he said. "Who has ever heard of anything like that before? Then after that great goal line stand our offense then embarks on a 99 yard touchdown drive to go up by a commanding 14-0 lead.  That type of mental toughness and physical tenacity is what being a Husky is all about and what sets a Husky apart from any other youth program in this area, state and now the entire country.

"These boys lost to Texas last year in the national semifinal game and promised themselves that this year they would finish with the No. 1 ranking in the nation and they accomplished that. I couldn't be more proud."

The Huskies are now 28-2 over the last two years and have outscored their opponents 879-146. They have accumulated 2 NJAYF state titles and 1 AYF national championship. 

The postgame ceremony was a very special event held on stage down at the American Youth Football complex with many in attendance where they presented Coach Wydner with the National Championship trophy and banner. 

AYF officials also presented quarterback/safety/kicker Joey Spano with the national championship MVP award. Spano finished the day with 8 carries for 149 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns and accounting for all of the Huskies points on the day.  Coach Wydner also went on to thank all of the support that the players and coaches received throughout the season by all in the community.  He sent special thanks to his assistant coaches Joe Spano, Adam Ambielli, John Taylor, Don Lavigne, Tom Donoghue, John Torkos and his team commissioners Lori Bonnet and Perry Papantonis.  Coach Wydner also thanked his MPR officials Mark Gibson and Geoff Aunger. "This is an entire organization type of effort everyone had a hand in.  These young men are special and deserve these type of accolades."

Huskies Junior Midget Championship team players are Jake Taylor, Will Schweikert, James Moore, Zac Ambielli, Sami Qumareldeen, Ben Aunger, Braden Holles, Jake Lavigne, Joey Spano, Sean Reed, Daniel Papantonis, Bobby Alparone, Isaiah Williams, Jamie Gibson, Harrison Otto, Jaz Zanelli, Davin Wydner, Daxton Wydner, Nate Fossett, Tommy Torkos, Preston Krivulka, Drew McLaughlin, Zebassie Edwards, Abby Zanelli, Dailya Wydner, Dante Hudson and Brandon Donoghue.

Coaches are Geoff Aunger, Joe Spano, Adam Ambielli, John Taylor, Dan Wydner (head coach, Paul Zanelli, John Torkos, Perry Papantonis, Don Lavigne and Tom Donoghue.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

Firefighters were on the scene shortly after 3 p.m.

UNION TWP. -- Firefighters were reportedly extinguishing a mulch fire near a recycling plant here mid-afternoon Monday.

A call initially went out around 3 p.m. for a brush fire along Frontage Road, near the GreenRock recycling facility. 

GreenRock Recycling and Shale Pit recycles heavy-duty items like asphalt paving, concrete curbs, and sidewalks ripped up by contractors, and branches, logs and tree stumps from landscapers.

A state trooper said around 3:30 p.m. that mulch had caught fire, and firefighters were on the scene extinguishing it. The fire was reportedly not having any effect on traffic on nearby Route 78.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

A ladder truck gave firefighters the height they needed to attack the fire from above.

UNION TWP. -- Firefighters used a ladder truck on Monday afternoon to help extinguish a fire at a recycling plant that processes mulch.

Firefighters were called to GreenRock Recycling and Shale Pit on Monday around 3 p.m. on an initial report of a brush fire that turned out to be a mulch fire.

The company recycles heavy-duty items like tree stumps and logs, and the piles of mulch towered higher than the equipment brought to fight it. Firefighters atop a ladder truck trained water on the mulch to help put the fire out. Heavy machinery was also brought in to dig through and expose the smoking mulch.

Firefighters responded from Pattenburg and Clinton fire companies. Responders also included New Jersey State Police and Clinton Rescue. Whitehouse Fire Department was called to cover for Clinton and Pattenburg.

The cleanup continued until around 4:40 p.m.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

This five-week/10-session 50-hour course begins with an overview of computer fundamentals and provides instruction in Microsoft programs including: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and conducting Internet Job Searches.

NORWESCAP's Career & Life Transitions Center for Women will be offering a Microsoft Office Suite 2010 Computer Training Course that is funded by a grant from the United Way of Hunterdon County and the NJ Division on Women.

This five-week/10-session 50-hour course begins with an overview of computer fundamentals and provides instruction in Microsoft programs including: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and conducting Internet Job Searches. This class is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., starting Jan. 5 and is free of charge to women fitting the definition of a Displaced Homemaker. Pre-registration is required. For more information on the next computer class scheduled, call the Career Life Transitions Center for Women at 908-788-1453.

The Career & Life Transitions Center is located at 84 Park Ave., Suite E-103, Flemington.

The Career & Life Transitions Center for Women has been providing services to Displaced Homemakers in Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Warren Counties for over 30 years. Displaced Homemakers are women who have lost their primary means of financial support following the death or disability of a spouse or due to divorce or separation and now must return to the workforce.

Services the Career & Life Transitions Center offers focus on assisting women prepare for a return to the workforce and includes this computer training program, career interest inventories, career counseling, job search skills, support groups, self-esteem workshops, and referrals to community resources.

NORWESCAP is a nonprofit community action agency established in 1965 that creates opportunities for more than 30,000 low-income people in northwest New Jersey by providing a large portfolio of self-sufficiency and emergency services.

This presentation of the Christmas story features a combination of personal testimonies and several musical selections, all focusing upon the birth of Jesus Christ. Child care is provided during the program.

The Heritage Baptist Church, corner of Route 12 and Autumn Leaf Drive, Flemington, is presenting the Christmas program, "Then Jesus Came," on Sunday, Dec. 20, during the 10:45 a.m. worship service.

This presentation of the Christmas story features a combination of personal testimonies and several musical selections, all focusing upon the birth of Jesus Christ. Child care is provided during the program.

Also, the Thursday evening Christmas Eve service begins at 7 p.m. Call Pastor Daniel B. Troutman at 908-788-2672 for more details or visit HBCFlemington.org.

The Cats again spread the ball around on offense using every play in their playbook to get the ball in the hoop. When that stopped working, they made sure to pencil in a few new plays on the fly to seal the deal.

The Wildcats (2-0) defeat the Scarlet Knights 21-10 in a very hard fought battle. The final score does not tell the whole story as this was a very close game for much of the contest.

The Wildcats continue to play exceptional defense swarming the ball and aggressively taking it away at every opportunity. Bella Pisoia, Emily Culton, Ella Rowinski and Eila Holland, played defense as though someone had enticed them with a bag of candy.

The Cats again spread the ball around on offense using every play in their playbook to get the ball in the hoop. When that stopped working, they made sure to pencil in a few new plays on the fly to seal the deal.

Brianna Mastriano 10 points, Lauren McCarthy 4 points, Kelly Pawlikoski 2 points, Lucia Capone 2 points, Nadia Kandil 2 points, and Ava Cupo 1 point, had a flurry of baskets late to put this one away.

The Wildcats will face another strong opponent this Saturday, hoping to keep their winning ways.

There are two Division 1 teams of students who are working on this year's long-term problems "Something Fishy" and "Fins, Furs, Feathers and Friends" for the Lighthouse Regional Tournament that will take place on March 12, at Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District.

Since the beginning of October, 29 Holland Township School District elementary students have met weekly to work with Elementary Enrichment teacher Stephanie Bacskai on Odyssey of the Mind teams. There are two Division 1 teams of students who are working on this year's long-term problems "Something Fishy" and "Fins, Furs, Feathers and Friends" for the Lighthouse Regional Tournament that will take place on March 12, at Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District.

All kindergarten to fourth grade students have worked on understanding how to be an efficient team player, how to contribute creative ideas towards a team solution, and also how to apply curricular connections when solving both hands-on and verbal problems with specific constraints. The team is supported by two assistant parent coaches Dianna Gary and Debbie Hirst, and also Holland parent Len LaGuardia of Cellar Door Graphics, who sponsored the students with their T-shirts.

On Dec. 9, the students were recognized by parents and families after they demonstrated their abilities for them. On Dec. 16, the participating students will be recognized at school with their T-shirts. Congratulations to these students.

John Kersten, a first grader on Thursday K-2 Spontaneous Team, presented his team's hands-on solution for the problem "Estimated Time of Arrival." The kids needed to apply science and math concepts when working with the incline of the ramp and releasing the vehicle to land at a specific location.

This service is a yearly favorite of many and is based on a liturgy developed at the National Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Washington, D.C.

A special service of Christmas Readings and Carols will be held at Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, Lambertville, on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m. Scripture readings concerning the prophecy and birth of Jesus will be proclaimed and followed by anthems from St. Andrew's choir and congregational singing. This service is a yearly favorite of many and is based on a liturgy developed at the National Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Washington, D.C.

Choral selections at this service will include, Gaudete!, a Medieval Carol, The truth from above, an English traditional carol, arr. R. Vaughan Williams, Ad cantus laeticiae (Pie Cantiones), Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Michael Wise, Adam Lay Y'bounden Boris Ord, Alleluia, Freuet Euch by Andreas Hammerschmidt, Ding Dong Merrily on High, O Come all Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and others. At the end of the service Silent Night will be sung by everyone in a candle-lit church.

The Saint Andrew's Choir is directed by Michael T. Kevane, a graduate of Rider University 's Westminster Choir College. Kevane is the Organist-Choirmaster at Saint Andrew's. He serves in the same capacity at the Stockton Presbyterian Church.

Harpists Alison and Rebecca Lynn Simpson, mother-daughter professional harpists, will offer a selection of Christmas carols and hymns prior to this year's Carols by Candlelight. They will accompany the choir in three selections from Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" and will also play a postlude.

Alison Simpson is a free-lance harpist, performing with local symphonies and choral societies in the tri-state area. She graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music and from Wheaton College and spent thirteen summers at the Salzedo Summer Harp Colony in Camden, Maine, studying with Alice Chalifoux. She has performed in Carnegie Hall and the Philadelphia Academy of Music and has produced a CD, "Harps Afire." Alison is on the faculty of Westminster Conservatory in Princeton and maintains a private studio in Doylestown.

Rebecca Simpson recently graduated with High Honors from Vanderbilt University and was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society. Rebecca has studied the art of accompanying opera singers with members of the Metropolitan Opera at The Bel Canto Institute in Florence, Italy and released a self- titled classical CD in 2010 and is working on a second.

Alison and Rebecca performed together this last June at the Grand Ball in Brussels, Belgium.

The next special service in this series will be Jan. 10, 2016 at the 9:30 a.m. Liturgy, when the choir, soloists and baroque orchestra will present J.S. Bach's Cantata No. 7, BWV 7, "Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam" "Christ our Lord came to the Jordan."

All are welcome. Saint Andrew's Church is located at the corner of York and Main Streets in Lambertville. For more information, call 609-397-2425 or visit www.standrewslambertville.org.

The 14 women honored are recognized for their contributions and continued commitment to making South Jersey the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Erin Klebaur of Flemington, director of marketing services at Creative Marketing Alliance (CMA), a full-service marketing firm located in Princeton Junction, was named one of SNJ Business People's Top Women in Business. (courtesy photo)

Erin Klebaur, director of marketing services at Creative Marketing Alliance (CMA), a full-service marketing firm located in Princeton Junction, was named one of SNJ Business People's Top Women in Business.

The 14 women honored are recognized for their contributions and continued commitment to making South Jersey the best place to live, work and raise a family.

"From day one, Erin has been an essential asset to CMA and she has been instrumental in helping the company grow to where it is now," said Jeffrey Barnhart, CEO and president of CMA, who hired Klebaur as his executive assistant 10 years ago. "Her passion, masterful excellence, team spirit and meticulous quality have never wavered as she has set her career path here. She now leads a team of 14 full-time employees in addition to interns, many freelancers and working with vendors."

Her major responsibility areas include: Establish and manage business unit operation and promotional budgets, ensure CMA brand awareness and consistency, provide creative direction/strategies, ensure growth, stability and bottom-line profit for the marketing services business unit.

Further building upon her foundation of leadership, Erin has amassed an expansive portfolio of professional accomplishments by developing creative programs to meet client needs. She has led her team to numerous awards, including a record-high 22 New Jersey Communications, Advertising and Marketing Association (CAMA) ASTRA Awards in 2014, and many other awards and recognition throughout the years from CAMA and the Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association.

During her tenure, CMA has also been recognized with the 2016 Outstanding Small Business of the Year by the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce and more than 100 awards for marketing excellence from the total of approximately 300 awards throughout the years.

Klebaur is an alumna of Rider University where she graduated with a communications degree, business and professional speech track and marketing/advertising minor.

For more information, visit GoToCMA.com.