Kiwanis Night at the BlueClaws

We had a great night out at the BlueClaws game. It was the second largest crowd they ever had, more than 9500 in attendance. The fireworks were great, according to our club's professional pyromaniac Floyd. And the kept us wondering if The Boss was going to show up. Alas, neither he nor the BlueClaws (in a manner of speaking)did. But we had a great time anyway.
Thanks to Floyd and Donna for assisting with the 50/50 ticket sales.
And the Jackson Handicap Commission made sure to stop by and thank us for our donation of the tickets for their people.

Mini-golf tournament of champions (of sorts)

Including family members we had 15 people show up for our mini-golf outing Thursday evening (July 23.) We kind of lost track of the scores. I had the lowest score, but then again I didn't play about 6 or 7 holes. Everyone did pretty well on the handicap, too. Our newest member Carmellia Adams had 6 right! Going to the KI convention certainly helped. The ringer Diane Polito had 2 hole-in-ones.
Mulligans were used one the first hole. I think I see how we can just about fund the CSH building program: sell Mulligans at a buck each.
Among our handicapping questions: 1) Where is the KI office located? 2) Who is the NJ District governor? 3) Who is the president of KCOJ? 4) What is your favorite color? 5) How many people are needed for an Interclub? 6) Name 2 ssponsored programs KCOJ supports? 7) Who is the KI president this year? 8) How many financial accounts does KCOJ have? 9) Name three clubs in our division. 10) Who is our division's LtG? 11) Where ws this year's KI convention held? 12) Who is KCOJ's secretary? 13) Who won this year's Superbowl? 14) What is KI's 2-word motto? 15) How many Objects does Kiwanis have? 16) Who will be KCOJ's next prresident? 17) Who will be next year's LtG for the division? 18) What is Kiwanis's main emphasis? See below for the answers.
We broke midway through the tournament for pizza. A grueling day on the links will take the best out of you.
I will have a link to some photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22036136@N07/sets/72157606413287655/ Cllick and paste the link into your browser and then hit "slideshow" in the upper right when you get to the Flickr page.
Answers: 1) Indianapolis. 2) Mike Mulhaul 3) Stan 4) your choice 5) 2, 3 or 4, depending upon the size of the club 6) Key Club, Builder's Club, Circle K, K-Kids 7) Dave Curry 8) we agreed it's more than 2 but less than 5 9) Brick, TR, TR-Daybreak, Original Leisure Village, Leisure Village West, LBI, Greenbriar 10) John Hale 11) Orlando 12) Lois 13) The Giants 14) "We Build" 15) 6 16) Fran 17) Stan 18) children

Chalk up another Interclub

We had an interclub at today's Circle K K-family picnic. Floyd, Mary Jo (and her son James) and I attended the picnic at Thompson Park in Monroe Township. Good times meeting members of two of our sponsored programs.
The Tri-K family picnic is one of the premier events which brings together Circle K, Key Club and Kiwanis members together. Too bad the turnout was low. I'd say that overall we had about 50 people filter in and out during the event. The Circle K'ers worked hard and came from all over the state to make this a success.

Help wanted-CSH

Volunteers Needed Children's Specialized Hospital
Next week, Children's Specialized Hospital is honored to host the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) Games and the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC), two prestigious competitions that will welcome more than 400 athletes from around the world to Rutgers University. Events include track, field, archery, swimming, wheelchair basketball, weightlifting, and table tennis.
We are still in need of volunteers for the Games and would welcome individuals or groups who can help. Please take a look at the times below and contact us if you are available. Feel free to spread the word too -- volunteers must be 14 years of age, and corporate, community, and school groups are welcome.
You will love it -- the energy of the games, with the bravery and athleticism of these young competitors, is a great inspiration!
Thank you in advance!
Contact: Janet Weston, Director of Volunteer Services, at 908-301-5479 or jweston@childrens-specialized.org.

Saturday, 7/19:
Venue Set-Up 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (8 volunteers needed)

Monday, 7/21:
Field Games, 7:00-12:00 p.m. (36 volunteers needed)

Tuesday, 7/22:
Field Set-Up, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (3 volunteers needed) Swimming, 5:30 - 10:00 p.m. (15 volunteers needed)

Wednesday, 7/23:
Swimming, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (12 volunteers needed) Field, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (15 volunteers needed) Swimming, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (15 volunteers needed)

Just in time for Jackson Day

The English philosopher John Locke wrote of his travels in France in the late 17th century and provided a detailed description of the foods he ate, including one of our favorites: funnel cakes that he ate near Lyon in 1676:
"Take 1/4 lb.fine wheat flower...water...to make a liquid batter; the whites of 4 eggs, sugar & rose water or anything else to season it. Take butter, melt it in a skillet and be soe hot that it smoakes, & into this butter over the fire let some of this batter, about 2 or 3 spoonfuls, run out of a tunnell (funnel) with 3 holes or little pipes set at a distance one from an other, whose hollow is almost as big as that of a small goose quill. The tunnell must be let in to the end of a stick soe that when the batter is in, let run into the batter, it may be shaked up & down soe that the streams of batter falling crosse one an other, may make a kind of lace or net. When it is a little boiled in the butter, with an iron hook turn it & soe let it boile on the other side, & then draw it out on a rolling pin and it will be something like a wafer, but it is presently boiled & has a very pleasant taste."

Or you can do like we do: get a box of mix, add some water, stir with a paddle attached to an electric drill or an industiral potato masher (thanks Dean) until the batter has the consistency of Alex Rodriguez in a clutch situation. Pour it into a small pitcher and then pour about 1/6th of the contents into hot, hot, hot oil. Contain it in a ring and when one side looks like it's been fried enough, flip it over with tongs and do the other side. Remove from the oil (letting it drain for a couple of seconds), plate and then sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

They're back!

Lois & Dennis are back, safe and sound, after their 400-mile bicycle trek for Harbor House.

They, along with Pat Adams providing SAG support, left Wednesday morning and went riding...and riding...and riding. Welcome back you all.

From Pat: Lois & Dennis have done a great job of pedaling this week – they make Kiwanis proud. I was glad to have been able to again be a member of the support team for the 60 riders pedaling 400 miles for Harbor House.

This is the 12th annual ride, if we meet our projected goal this year’s ride will push the cumulative total donated to HH through this event to over 1 million dollars!!!

From Larry: It was inspiring to watch the last couple of hundred yards of the ride today. The crowd lined the narrow roadway cheering the riders on for that final push.

This was Dennis's seventh ride and he told me that contrary to that old saw of "old dogs" and "new tricks" he finds the ride easier with each passing year.

The group raised over $100K this year. A blessing on the three of you for the sacrifice you made to make the lives of Ocean County youngsters better by offering them hope in desperate situations. And on your families for their sacrifice. I am proud of all three of you.

7/11/08 meeting-great program!

Berkeley Township police Captain Rick Casagrand spoke to about a dozen and a half of us last night (Kiwanians, Optimists and Jackson Women of Today) and told us about Project Lifesaver.

The project uses a small transmitter, about the size of a wrist watch, that emits a signal at a unique radio frequency, and a receiver that points in the direction the transmitter is located. People who are prone to wander (such as Alzheimer patients and some people with autism) wear the transmitter 24/7. If they do wander off the police are notified, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the mobile receiver.

Without the devices many of those who wander off are found too late and die as a result. In the past we have heard local news stories of such tragedies.

With Project Lifesaver the search is reduced to minutes. The savings in lives cannot be estimated. The financial cost of a search typically runs between $1,200 and $1,500 per hour.

The initial receiver costs $5,000. Addition ones cost $2,500. Each transmitter costs $350 and requires about $25/month maintenance.

Rick told us the shortest search his group experienced was two minutes when the person being searched for was in the garage where he lost his balance, fell and rolled under a car. He said the longest search he conducted lasted about 22 minutes. Berkeley PD has used the system since 2001 and conducted about 14 searches.

Project Lifesaver is now used in 42 states by thousands of agencies. Every county in NJ has Project Lifesaver. Berkeley PD is the state coordinator for Project Lifesaver.

An advantage in each township having its own receiver is response time, Rick said. It may take a county officer more than an hour to arrive at the scene because of the large distance he or she might have to cover. If each township had one or two units the response time would be cut to minutes.

The technology of Project Lifesaver is only half the story, Rick said. Partnerships with community groups and bonds between the police and the people who wear the transmitters are formed.

Rick's program genereated a lot of support and rich discussion as some of the leading community service minds in Jackson hashed over a strategy to impliment and fund the program in our township. The Kiwanis club quickly voted to authorize him to purchase a receiver. Vinnie Rubio and Carol Hordichuk will speak to local township council members and administrators to assist with funding.

It seems to be a win-win-win situation for everyone. The township wins because by spending a few dollars now they will save themselves many, many more - as well as improving the safety of its residents. The caregivers of people with the transmitters experience peace of mind, knowing that their charges will be found quicker. And the community service groups will do what they exist for: to help the people in their community.

September events

Jackson Day will be held in Johnson Park Sept. 6 with Sept. 7 set aside as the rain date. We need helpers for funnel cakes, sand art and maybe the Frito Pies/Walkin' Tacos.

Club meeting dates are Sept. 11 & 25. Floyd is working on getting a guest for 9/11. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary will present a water safety program Sept. 25.

KCOJ and the Whitesville Fire Company will host a combined golf outing Sept. 22. We will have more information for you shortly.

August events

Liberty Key Club will hold a car wash at Applebee's in Howell (Route 9) Sunday, August 3 from 9 a.m. until Noon.

KCOJ will hold its board meeting Aug. 4 (special date) at the Whitesville Fire House, 6:30 p.m. Everyone is especially welcome to attend this board meeting. The Key Clubs will try out their new menu item for Jackson Day: Frito Pies and Walkin' Tacos. Two Key Clubs will host their board meetings that night, too. This will be a great opportunity to see your club and its sponsored programs in action.

We are trying to figure out what we want to do for our first meeting of the month, Aug. 14. The NJ District of Circle K is hosting a fireworks cruise that evening and we'd like to see the club participate. Can you make it? The cost is $15 per person. Circle K has chartered two ships the will leave from Point Pleasant. Floyd and Larry need to know ASAP if you will attend.

The district convention will be held Aug. 22-24. We will have more information for you.

On Aug. 28 President-elect Fran will conduct a club analysis and we would like everyone to attend. We'll discuss the club's strengths and weaknesses, as well as ways we'd like to see the club grow.

Best wishes Linda

One of the nicest things that happens when you are a member of a group like the Kiwanis Club of Jackson is the fine people you meet. Over the years our club was enriched by our association with Linda Dougherty. A devoted educator, Linda was in charge of our Builders Club at McAuliffe Middle School for several years. Some people shine because they truly love what they do. Linda loved the kids and the opportunities Builders Club offered them. It was our loss when Linda announced she was leaving the school district to move to upstate New York. How do you repay someone who has been so helpful, so inspirational? You can't, but you can try. We honored Linda by inducting her into our club earlier in the year. We also had a special presentation for her at a Board of Education meeting in April. Thanks Linda, and best wishes.

Tri-Key Club officer installation

KCOJ conducted officer installations for all three Key Clubs that it sponsors at the Whiteville Fire House on May 29. Thanks to Floyd, Donna, Ted & Lois for getting it organized. President-elect Fran was the emcee and LtG John Hale delivered the key note speech.

Helping Harbor House

We and members of the Kiwanis Club of Toms River, were able to help out Harbor House by sprucing up their home and getting paint all over ourselves.

Harbor House provides temporary shelter for teens and children, teaching them valuable life skills.

Our members (Lois & Pat) have also helped out big time by participating in a few of their annual five-day long bike-a-thons.

Police Officers of the Year

The Kiwanis Club of Jackson hosted its 12th annual Police Officers of the Year Dinner May 15, 2008 at Eagle Ridge Country Club. The honorees, selected by their peers, were: John Convery, John Biovanetti, Michael Grochowski, MaryNelson and William Simon. Besides being thanked by our club the offers received proclamations from the New Jersey state legislature, the Governor, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the Jackson Township town council.

BBBSBowling

Our members took part in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowling fundraiser a couple of weeks ago. We raised the most money in the community service category. Our own "ringer" Fran took the trophy of the highest scorre: 199!

KCOJ events in July

Project Life Saver July 10
We will have a special presentation at our Thursday, July 10th (6:45 p.m.) Captain Richard Casagrand, of the Berkley Twp. Police Dept., will speak about Project Lifesaver, a program which provides monitoring services to Alzheimers patients and autistic children so they can be located if they go wandering unsupervised.

We are expecting guests from other clubs and have been moved into the larger room off the main dining room. The View needs a headcount because we are going to be a larger group than usual. Therefore, please check your calendar and drop me an RSVP email IF YOU ARE COMING. No need to contact me if you do not expect to be able to attend...

Thank you! Donna

The Asbury Park Press ran an article that is appropriate to this coming meeting. Here is the link. (If you cannot go directly to the site by clicking on the html, the copy and paste it into your browser and access it from there. Larry)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080627/NEWS/80627008

Miniature golf July 24
The Kiwanis Club of Jackson Open, aka Miniature Golf at Fit Golf Center (2156 Route 37 West, Manchester - 732-657-3227) will tee off at 6:30 p.m. Cost for 18 holes is $6 per adult and $4 per child. We will provide the dinner of champions: pizza. You're on your own for drinks. Fit GC has their new soda machines and their agreement with the vending company is no soda brought on site.

It will be a handicapped event, meaning that we will deduct a stroke off your score for each correct answer that you give on our Kiwanis "test." And we'll even handicap the handicap by having three levels of questions: "newbes," "old timers," and "Ted."

I told them we'd have about 25 to 30. Can we get more to attend? I hope so. Let me know if you'll be there so I know how many pizzas to eat.

See you then. And for those even more fortunate ones I'll see you the next day at Kiwanis Night at the Blueclaws the following night.

Upcoming Circle K events

Annual K-family picnic
Circle K will host their annual K-Family Picnic Saturday July 19th from 1pm to 4pm in Jamesburg. Admission is ten dollars. Funds raised will help support the district's charities including: The Tomorrow Fund, The Brian C. Kull Scholarship, The Gina Marie Durham Scholarship, Children's Specialized Hospital and The Dystonia Fund.
Need directions or want to attend? Contact Larry.

Fireworks Boat Cruise
The NJ District of Circle K International is hosting a Fireworks Cruise
Fundraiser! We have chartered two boats and thus have 193 reservations to sell.
The boats will leave out of Point Pleasant Beach at 8pm on Thursday, August 14.
Tickets will be available at the K-Family Picnic or you can send a check payable
to NJDCKI to the District Treasurer

Welcome

Hey all,

I think this is a wee bit easier to maintain than a Web site. It will allow us to post important information and add comments easily. And we will try to add photos through Flickr or some other hosting site.

So let me get to work and construct a blog site!