Arboretum will host concert
BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - The Manalapan Arts Council (MAC) is inviting everyone to spend Saturday at the municipal complex.

Speaking for the MAC, Barbara Miller said the "Arts on the Arboretum" is the council's first art show and sale in a planned series of events. It will be held on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of the municipal building, Route 522 at Taylors Mills Road.

The event will move inside if the weather does not cooperate.

Miller said the local musical talent to be featured in the gazebo includes Kevin Quinn and Jeff Saxon.

Saxon is an award-winning singersongwriter guitarist whose music has been compared with artists such as James Taylor, Bill Withers, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Jim Croce and Don Henley.

Quinn, who spent 30 years in law enforcement, is a musician who has played in several area bands, including Patti Scialfa's band before she joined her husband Bruce Springsteen in the E Street Band.

After retiring from police work in 2005, Quinn began working in the Manalapan Police Department as the network administrator and director of information technologies. He also renewed his performances and continued his songwriting in earnest.

Quinn has been playing in area clubs and venues performing cover tunes and his own catalog of original tunes and is in the process of recording an album.

According to Miller, who said art from local artists will be featured for sale, "The MAC is committed to our mission statement and is dedicated to increasing public awareness of and the respect for the creative arts and providing access to the arts within our community."

Food vendors will be on hand at the event.

Art work on display is expected to include oils, watercolors, pastels and photographs.

Miller said all of the volunteers are excited about this first event and are hoping the community responds favorably with a good turnout. She said seeing as how the Township Committee is "behind us 100 percent," she anticipates a successful event.

Miller said the event will bring the art festival to the citizens of the community and introduce many people not only to the work of the MAC, and therefore arts appreciation, but to the municipal arboretum as well.

"The arboretum is so beautiful but many residents do not realize it even exists. I hope they take advantage of strolling through the rolling hills, through the trees and visiting the 9/11 memorial; sit down with a refreshment and enjoy the music," she said.