Noon luncheon meetings are held on the first two Tuesdays of each month, at Charlie Brown's Steakhouse in Chatham Township. Breakfast meetings are held at 8:00 AM on the last two or three Tuesdays of each month. Breakfast meetings are held at Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse in Chatham Township. Guests are always welcomed to attend our Tuesday meetings. COME JOIN US

Friday

Members of Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Place Flags to Observe Memorial Day


On May 26 twelve members of Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club placed flags at the graves of United States of America Military Veterans buried in Fair Mount Cemetery in Chatham Borough.  Bob Huntington, past president of the club and Navy Veteran, obtained the flags and organized the work.  Kneeling beside the gravestone of Raymond Hart, US Army Private, are members of post 92 of the American Legion Bob Huntington (L) and Herb Ramo (R). Standing (L to R) are Monty Montague, Marjorie Ahrens, Nancy Hart, Dave Mutchler, Mary Anne Maloney, Dick Plambeck and Jerry Cunningham. Not in the photo are John Eyre, Mal Kitson and Ron Whalin.

Kiwanis May 25 Chatham Clean-up


On May 25, six members of Chatham-Madison Kiwanis removed litter from the Ogden St. area of Chatham Borough. In above photo taken by Sharon Johnson, organizer of the project Gary Arnesen is holding his dog. Others (Left to Right), are Marge Ahrens, John Eyre, Dick Plambeck and Clyde Zukswert. The photo below was taken by Gary showing Sharon holding Gary’s dog.

May 24 Program: Susan Allen presents Chatham Historical Society video of 1926 “Three Towns Pageant”


Left to right, Susan Allen, Mary Anne Maloney, Dick Plambeck, and Bailey Brower
Susan Allen showed an amazing video of the historic pageant held in Chatham in 1926 to celebrate the sesqui-centennial celebration of the birth of our nation. Susan gave an informative and entertaining narration, describing what we were seeing, the names of performers, etc. The video sound track provided background music.

Briefly, the 1926 Three Towns Pageant lasted two hours and was held at a location near the present day Minisink Club tennis courts. Hundreds of performers from Chatham, Madison and Summit moved on and off the grass stage as 10,000 people watched from a hillside. The Chatham Historical Society has documented the details of the event from newspaper articles. Clickhere to view photo of newspaper front page.
Members of the audience were delighted by the video presented by Susan. They applauded loudly and stayed after the Kiwanis meeting to learn more. Click here to see a more detailed description and sample of the video in a Chatham Patch on-line article.

Announcements: Kiwanis May 24 Meeting

Betty Anne announced that the last school-year meeting of the CHS Key Club with be June 8 in the afternoon, right after school. Gary reminded everyone about the Chatham Ogden St. clean-up May 25 at 9:00 AM. Bring rakes. Jerry announced the Fair Mount Cemetery Veterans flag placement on Thursday, May 26 at 9:00 AM. Evangeline announced the Alumni Concert which will be held next Saturday, May 28 at Madison Memorial Park. Tom passed around info on the Fishawack festival, June 11, where Kiwanis will sell pulled pork sandwiches. He also described special member badges which he can make for members. Clyde reminded about the Wednesday, May 25 Robert Burns Interclub at Argyles in Kearny. Kiwanian Baily Brower, a member of the Chatham Township Committee, also spoke a few words about the primary election.

Monday

Kiwanis Church Service and Sunday Brunch May 22, 2011

The Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club attended the 10:00 AM church services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chatham on May 22, 2011. It was a very joyful occasion as two children were baptized. Church members welcomed the Kiwanis members and we all had a very nice time. Following the service, the Kiwanis members drove over to Winberies in Summit for a filling and delicious Sunday Brunch.

Sunday

Sunny weather for the Madison Cole Park Kiwanis Community Yard Sale

Vendors and customers were treated to pleasant weather at the Saturday, May 21 Madison Cole Park Community Yard Sale, sponsored by Chatham-Madison Kiwanis. After a week of rainy weather, the park was pretty soggy and there was mud in some table spaces. Working together, everyone was able to set up their tables and enjoy a successful sale. All income will benefit local high school youth scholarships and other youth-oriented causes.

Kiwanis May 17 Meeting Announcements

The annual Stanley Park picnic was held at Nancy’s house because of the heavy rain. Members of the club sang “happy birthday” to Erv. Joan announced that there will be 17 tables at the Yard Sale if everyone comes. Vendor Agreements have not been sent in, probably because of the bad weather this week. She said we will definitely hold the event on Saturday. Marge announced the annual church service at St. Paul’s at 10:00 AM and brunch at Winberies at 11:30. Joan announced the Alumni Concert on May 28 between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM at Memorial Park in Madison. Gary reminded everyone about the Ogden St. clean-up May 25 at 9:00 AM. If it is raining, the clean-up will be moved to early June. Memorial flag placement at Fair Mount Cemetery will be May 26 at 9:00 AM. Rain date is the next day.

Recycling Newspapers with Southern Blvd. School Brownies

On May 12 a team of Kiwanians opened the Newspaper Recycling container to help Southern Blvd. School Brownies recycle newspapers. The Brownies put the newspapers in bags and their leaders drove them to the Kiwanis site. Then they put them onto the conveyor. In the above photo, Monty and Dave are stacking the newspapers in the container.

Saturday

Robert A. Mayers, author of “The War Man” spoke about events of the Revolutionary War


Dick Plambeck (left) welcomed author Bob Mayers, who spoke on the Revolutionary War. He presented a PowerPoint story about his relative John Allison, a Haverstraw, NY farmer who spent the entire war in the Continental Army. His eight years at war took him from Quebec to Yorktown.  For thirty years, Bob researched the life of John Allison and summarized his findings in a very interesting book, which he summarized at the Kiwanis meeting. There are only a few useful journals about the common soldier in the Continental Army. However, there is a rich paper trail of information for soldiers.
John played a role in many of the important battles and met many important generals and leaders.  Bob told an entertaining, fascinating story and was given a big round of applause. Click here to learn more and purchase the book.

Victoria Dayton, President of Drew University Circle K Welcomed by Kiwanis


Victoria Dayton (photo above) spoke to the club about latest developments in the Circle K club at Drew University. She is the new President of Circle K. All of the current officers are graduating so there will be new officers in all positions. Nadia Roof will be the VP, Savanna Arasbi-Katbi will be the Secretary, Abigail Dingle will be the Treasurer. Victoria is also the webmaster for the Drew Circle K Website (click here). She invited Kiwanis to give her items to post for advertising on the Circle K website. Victoria’s goal next year is to increase membership in the Circle K club.

Announcements: Kiwanis May 10 Meeting

Jerry thanked the 11 people who helped spruce up Cole Park for May Day in Madison. Joan reminded members that we will hold the Stanley Park picnic luncheon next Tuesday, 5/17. In case of rain, the picnic will move inside at Nancy Boucher’s house. Go there instead of Stanley Park if it is raining. For the May 21 Yard Sale, we need more member tables. She put a flier on tables for the May 28 Alumni Concert. The Board meeting is Wednesday 5/18, 8:00 PM at the Methodist Church. Jerry reminded members to help put flags at the Fair Mount cemetery on May 26. Gary announced that the Chatham clean-up will be May 25, 9:00 AM at Ogden Street.  Marge announced the church brunch on May 22 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Chatham. Dick Plambeck announced that Chatham Environmental Commission will have a clean-up Saturday, May 14 at 9:00 AM at Shephard Kollock Park. Kiwanis officers were elected for next year by acclimation.

Sunday


At 8:00 AM on May 7 a team of Kiwanians spruced up Cole Park as part of "May Day in Madison". Photo above shows Joan, Rich, Karen and AD posing in front their beautiful work.

Saturday

Program: "ARC of Morris" by William R. Testa, Executive Director of The Arc/Morris Chapter


Mary Anne Maloney Introduced Bill Testa, Executive Director of Arc/Morris. He has almost 30 years of experience with the organization.
Bill began by showing a photo of Carrie and John and told the story of Arc through the couple. Arc provides services for people with “intellectual disabilities”.  The Arc national movement began with self-help groups when soldiers returned from WWII. Arc/Morris was born in 1953. Early services were for children. Families were often told to “put their child away” as soon as they were born. Children with disabilities were put into state institutions.
In the 50’s, Arc/Morris found new families in need and organized efforts to provide services. President Kennedy’s sister Rosemary had a disability and making this public accelerated the growth of services for disabled.
John was born in the 60’s. Carrie is older than John. She is 80 years old in 2011. 
In the 70’s Geraldo Rivera exposed the terrible conditions in the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island. The story led to a growing movement to question public policy around people like John and Carrie. This led to improvements to state institutions but Arc continued to struggle for resources in local communities. 
Then in the 80’s Reagan discovered that better service at lower cost could be provided through community based organizations. Reagan allowed Federal money to be allocated to community services. This led to unparalleled growth in Arc.
Now, we no longer lock away people with disabilities but allow them to live within their communities. Arc moved Carrie from an institution to a group home and then she was able to move to her own apartment. After John’s father died, John moved from his parents’ home into a group home in Chester about five years ago. He met Carrie there and they became good friends. Arc/Morris serves many very disabled people, mostly adults. Most require around-the-clock care, or close to it.
Arc has an extensive residential program, including a house in Chatham Township. There are 19 group homes across Morris County. Communities are becoming more receptive to these group homes.
One in 10 families are affected by intellectual disabilities. John and Carrie are just a slice of the Arc activities. Arc is funded primarily by Medicaid. Funds are short. Kiwanis members applauded the speaker and the good work of Arc. Click here to learn more about Arc.

Announcements: May 3, 2011 Kiwanis Meeting

Betty Anne Keat announced a Builders Club meeting 2:35 pm at CMS on 5/3 and a CHS Key Club meeting at 7:30 pm , 5/4 in the Cafeteria. Joan May announced May events: Cole Park spruce-up 8:00 am May 7, Stanley Park Picnic noon May 17 (looking for a rainy day site), Cole Park Yard Sale 8:00 am to 1:00 pm May 21. Tom Mullen reminded us that jackets are not required at the meetings starting with the Stanley Park picnic.  Jackets come back in style at the Installation Dinner in the fall. Marge Ahrens reminded about the Church Brunch which will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chatham on Sunday May 22. Members will attend the 10:00 am service and the brunch will be held at 11:30 am at Winberies in Summit. Alan Robertson announced an Interclub at Argyle’s Restaurant in Kearny on May 25 at noon to celebrate “Robert Burns Day”. The event was rescheduled because of bad weather during the recent hard winter. Dick Plambeck announced the Senior Center of the Chathams fund raiser at Westy’s Storage on River Rd. on May 13 from 7:00 to 9:30 pm – discounted tickets available from the Senior Center. Click here forthe Senior Center website. The club is signed up for Fishawack serving pulled pork on Saturday, June 11. Doug Bryant mentioned that Revolutionary War author Robert A. Mayers will speak next week, May 10.

Sunday

Program: "New Jersey Politics, Past and Present" by Leanna Brown, former State Senator.


Leanna Brown, former New Jersey State Senator was introduced by Alan Robertson. She gave Kiwanians and guests an update on the political scene.  Leanna writes a syndicated column for the Recorder Newspapers serving Northern New Jersey. She works on the staff of the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, NJ. During her political career, she has made many contributions, especially in the area of racial equality.
Leanna acknowledged her many friends in the audience and said she really enjoyed the recent Kiwanis Wind-Tasting event.  She took us back to 1968, a time when many people were not too happy. She won her primary election by 27 votes. Moving on to the present, she reminded everyone to vote in the April 27 School Board Election.  She stressed the value of volunteers who look after our education system.
She shared many captivating stories from her political experiences. The 2011 NJ redistricting was discussed.  She asked everyone to vote in the June NJ Primary. Members gave her a standing ovation following her informative and entertaining talk.

Announcements: April 26, 2011 Kiwanis Meeting

Mary Anne Maloney officiated and announced that the Madison Area YMCA had sent a letter to Chatham-Madison Kiwanis thanking us for our contribution. Joan May made announcements about the May 21 Cole Park Community Yard Sale, reminded members that the Stanley Park picnic lunch is May 17 and mentioned that the Madison Little League opening day is April 30. Dave Mutchler reminded members about the May 7 “May Day in Madison” Kiwanis spruce-up of Cole Park, which will start at 8:00 AM.