Page 20 Thursday, November 19, 2009 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Leader/ Times Reporter Goes To See the Stars at Work By SUSAN MYRILL DOUGHERTY revealing that he grew up in an or- And in real life, Rebecca may have Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times phanage “just like the girls. No money. to ask herself the same question as WESTFIELD – “Let me get spike No power. No place.” she juggles Drama 3 class as an inde- tape [used to create temporary mark- “His internal emotions can’t be pendent study, rehearsals after school Former WF Resident Receives ings on theatrical sets] for the light- ing folks, and I’ll be right with you,” director Daniel Devlin said as Student of the Year Award at 84 Westfield High School (WHS) stu- dents started to swarm into the audi- By CHRISTIE STORMS the United States Navy and Army dur- grandchildren.” torium. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times ing World War II. Mr. Jones remained humble about The darkened space bursted into WESTFIELD — When former He suggested to his wife, Ida, a his award and was moved by the reac- light when the bell rang, signaling the Westfield resident Arthur Jones received dialysis technician who wished to be- tion from the young people in the audi- end of the school day. Students ar- his General Education Diploma (GED) come a registered nurse, they both go ence. rived to a tech rehearsal for To See the at age 82, in spring 2008, he told The back to school in 2005. “I came down from the stage and all Stars by Cynthia Mercati, the up- Westfield Leader and Scotch Plains- Although they started attending these teenagers came up to me and gave coming play that the WHS drama Fanwood Times he knew he had “come classes together, Mrs. Jones passed away me a great big hug,” he said. “That’s department will present this week- so far,” but was not “finished” with his inspiration enough for me, that some- end, from today, November 19, to education yet. one might be influenced and try to get Saturday, November 21. Just a year and a half later, he has an education.” To See the Stars takes theatergoers made good on his word. Mr. Jones said he attends college back to the beginning of the 20th He has not only enrolled as a full- classes every morning and spends the Century. At a shirtwaist factory in time student working toward a degree afternoons in the computer lab doing New York, women are victim to hor- in Personal Computer Maintenance at homework. rid working conditions; they also en- Albany Technical College in Albany, “The homework takes most of your dure beatings and prison time until Georgia, but he also received a distin- time,” he said. “I get to bed at 2 a.m. they organize an industry-wide strike Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader and The Times guished honor on October 29. some days, but it’s worth it.” and exact change. ‘STRIKING’ UP A CONVERSATION…With Martin Roth’s image looming The statewide Technical College While Mr. Jones is the oldest in his Imaginary cogs and wheels, pol- (Garrett Verdone), immigrant girls played by Rebecca Romano, Catalina Gaglioti, System of Georgia presented Mr. Jones class, he enjoys studying and compar- ished to look like metal, adorn stage Madeleine DeJohn, Hannah Margolis and Georgia Gleason cower in fear in the with the Golden EAGLE (Exceptional ing notes with his fellow classmates, right, while panels of fabric that look Tombs of Blackwell’s Island. To See the Stars by Cynthia Mercati is presented at Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) Arthur Jones who are mostly in their 20’s. like columns of stones were brought Westfield High School at 4 p.m. today, Thursday, November 19, and at 7:30 p.m. GED Student of the Year Award at a “I found that’s the best way to in and set in place. Dozens of on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets may be purchased at the door. special luncheon at the Hyatt Regency suddenly due to a brain aneurysm in learn…when you get input and discuss crewmembers are there to finish con- echoed in his external actions be- and AP Chemistry labs. For this se- Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. 2006. things with other students,” he said. structing and painting the set. cause he’s the boss,” Garrett said. nior, giving up a little free time and/or At the reception, Mr. Jones was asked But Mr. Jones was sure she was Mr. Jones said he chose to major in “That’s the Tombs scene,” one help- “The great thing that makes him chal- sleep for being in the show is defi- to say a few words on stage. “smiling” now at his continuing his computers because nowadays, “every- ful teen mentioned. The Tombs refers lenging to play is that he’s struggling. nitely worth it. “I thanked everyone and told them I education. thing” is computerized, and he wanted to the Tombs of Blackwell’s Island Like the girls — he’s just doing his With a 4 p.m. curtain on Thursday owed it all to God, but that my wife was “Whenever I talk about going to to understand how they worked. (now Roosevelt Island), which fea- job so he can survive and fit in.” and 7:30 p.m. curtain on Friday and the biggest influence on me,” he said. school, I don’t talk about it without “Gone are the days where you could tured a mausoleum-like setting where Rebecca Romano plays the Rus- Saturday nights, the show is recom- Mr. Jones grew up in Westfield, leav- talking about her,” he said. “I know just shovel snow or something and earn prisoners, vagrants and the insane sian Jewish immigrant Anya Rosen. mended for everyone. ing the public school system before she’d want me to set an example for the a living,” he said. “If you don’t have were taken just over a century ago. Her character’s major conflict in or- “This is a story about hope, dignity earning a diploma so he could serve in children, grandchildren and great- computer skills, you’re doomed for star- “Everyone who is cast in the show ganizing the immigrant girls for a and change — standing up against vation.” has to do six hours of tech this year,” strike is realizing the sacrifices they sweatshop conditions through the first The degree he is working toward will the director said of his new policy. all have had to make along the way. major strike of women in the United SP Television Wins 2009 prepare him for diagnosing problems “They need to realize that all of this “My character questions whether States,” director Devlin said. “It is and repairing computers. He said he (set and scenery) doesn’t just happen or not all of those sacrifices are worth something that everyone can relate has already had job offers but does not magically. It takes hard work.” it,” Rebecca said. to, no matter what age.” Hometown Video Award plan to accept any. One might wonder why this particu- SCOTCH PLAINS – A Scotch The Smithereens Live at The Ritz in Instead, he rebuilds computers or lar play was chosen as the fall play. Plains Television production featur- 1986. makes them “from scratch” to give “It was easy for me to select this Continuo Arts Chorus ing the legendary New Jersey rock “Our community is very fortunate away to those in need. play,” said Mr. Devlin. “It has a cast band The Smithereens was recently to have as talented and generous a “If the Lord has given me this gift of of a lot of 17-year-old girls, and I named the winner musician as Pat being able to fix them, why not share it have an abundance of them in class.” Gives Free Preview Concert of the 2009 Home- DiNizio as a resi- with somebody else, especially those In fact, all of the cast members, WESTFIELD – The Continuo Arts artists also include: Broadway, TV town Video Award dent,” said Scotch that don’t have it?” he asked rhetori- except one, are from his Drama 1, 2 or Symphonic Chorus, under the direc- and film star Avery Sommers, for “Best Local Plains Television cally. 3 classes. tion of Conductor Candace Wicke, a Grammy-nominated pianist Matt Performance.” Station Manager While he currently resides in Geor- “The play, about immigrants, re- Westfield resident, will give a free Herskowitz, award-winning violinist The award was William gia, Mr. Jones still has relatives in quires accents — Russian, Irish, Ital- preview concert for Westfield resi- Judy Kang, Diva Musica, The Spencer presented by The McMeekan, Jr. Westfield and occasionally comes back ian — so I felt it would be an educa- dents and the surrounding areas on Brothers, The Yale Spizzwinks, Em- Alliance for Com- “Pat’s consistent to visit. tional tool as well as a good story to Saturday, November 21, at 11 a.m. at bellishment, Walker Joyce and The munity Media – support of local When asked what advice he might tell. Additionally, it’s based on real the Presbyterian Church of Westfield. Shore Line Ringers. the national orga- television in gen- give Westfield students, he spoke about history of 100 years ago, so there is This chorus, comprising local Ms. Wicke spoke about the power nization for local eral, and Scotch how tough the world is for them now, that added dimension,” he said.