Annual Kiwanis Christmas Breakfast Meeting Program on December 20, 1011

Annual Kiwanis Christmas Program participants (L to R): Mary Anne Maloney, Rich Behling, Joan May, Bob Stannard, Nancy Boucher, Nancy Holt and Simon Mandal.

Rich Behling started the Christmas Program by telling a story about the religious meaning designed into “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” After describing what each of the numbers signifies, he asked Bob Stannard to play the song while all the members sang the words. Click here to see a website with the story.

Ron Whalin showed a video of TubaChristmas at Rockefeller Center in New York City. He took the video of about 500 musicians on December 11, 2011. Click here to see the video on YouTube.

Joan May described the history of a Christmas song, titled “Where is the line to see Jesus.” Then she introduced a YouTube video, which all members enjoyed. Click here to see the video.

Simon Mandal gave a very entertaining Magic Show. The cups and balls trick had all members wondering “how did he do it?” Simon said the trick was over 5000 years old and people believe it started in Egypt. The audience was delighted and in stiches at the end of the show.  Click here to see Simon's website.

To complete the program, Nancy Holt spoke briefly about the true meaning of Christmas. She gave everyone her Christmas wish for all of us: Behind all the decorations, gifts, and parties she wishes that there will come a moment of quiet reflection and peace. That it will be truly said of each of us, we know how to keep Christmas. Merry Christmas and God bless you.

Announcements: Kiwanis December 20 Meeting

Stu Shippey announced that the nut sale is coming to an end and all members are asked to purchase the remaining gift tins. Karen Swartz announced that the CHS Key Club will meet for the last time this year at 7:00 PM on December 21 in the cafeteria. Nancy Boucher still has supermarket cards so please buy them and use them as gifts. Greeting cards were sent to members who have been unable to attend meetings. The December Board meeting will be held right after the regular meeting. Poinsettia table decorations were given out to some of the members attending today’s meeting.

Alan Nekoukar, manager of Charlie Brown’s Restaurant in Chatham Township, was recognized and thanked by President Mary Anne Maloney for the excellent service and food he and his staff provided at Kiwanis meetings today and over the many years. Alan thanked the club members and acknowledged his Charlie Brown’s workers who did such a great job. Alan said that last year Kiwanis posted his photo on website. A long lost friend from 30 years ago, who had moved to California, found Alan because of that photo. The friend found the photo of Alan on the Kiwanis website and called him up. They have now renewed their friendship. 

December 13 Program: - Rev. Richard Knox, Pastor of the Chatham United Methodist Church presented "Christmas in America”

At the December 13 Kiwanis Luncheon, Rev. Richard Knox, Pastor of the Chatham United Methodist Church presented "Christmas in America”. David Lloyd, on the left in the above photo, introduced Rev. Knox. The talk covered the amazing history of Christmas in the United States.

Announcements: Kiwanis December 13 Meeting – Buy Nuts

Stu Shippey needs everyone to buy/sell a few more nuts. He reported that all but about $500 worth of nuts have been sold. He asked each member to buy just one tin so that the club could make a profit to give to the scholarship fund. Please help the club successfully completed the project. PLEASE come to the December 20 Breakfast Meeting and buy the last of the nuts.

Karen Swartz announced that CHS Key Club will hold the talent show Project Showcase fundraiser on Friday night, December 16 in the auditorium.

Mary Anne reported that the St. Patrick’s Builders Club made all the ornaments for the Christmas giving tree. She also reminded members to buy Supermarket Gift Certificates which they can give as Christmas Gifts. She also noted that we will have our Annual Christmas Breakfast next week, December 20, 8:00 AM, Charlie Brown’s. If members have items for the programs, please email her.

Amos Chalif sent an email to Sharon Johnson, noting that he has been a member of Kiwanis for 57 years (he joined Chatham Kiwanis in 1954).

The December Board of Directors meeting will be held next week following the breakfast meeting.

December 6 Program: Joan Thuebel presented "Dancing Birds of Costa Rica"

Joan Thuebel gave a slide show presentation on “Dancing Birds of Costa Rica” at the December 6 Kiwanis luncheon meeting. She participated in an Earthwatch scientific expedition to the western coast of Costa Rica, where she and others in her group documented the dances of Long tailed Manakin birds. The bird is unusual for its coloring, which changes as it matures over the years. David Lloyd (on right in photo) introduced the speaker.

The mating of these birds is called a “lek”. Multiple male birds do a coordinated group dance to entice females. Joan gave entertaining renditions of the dances, to the delight of everyone in the audience.

You can view a video of the Manakins dancing on YouTube. Click here to learn more about Earthwatch. At the end, the audience applauded enthusiastically and thanked Joan for the very interesting presentation.

Announcements: Kiwanis December 6 Meeting

Matt Morris, Chief Fundraising Officer, brought greetings to our club from the Kiwanis International Staff Foundation. He said the International Kiwanis Club appreciates the good work done by our local Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club and thanked members for their contributions to the Kiwanis Foundation.  Gwen Walding, secretary of the NJ District of Kiwanis International, also attended the meeting. 

Mary Anne Maloney reported that representatives from our club attended the recent NJ District Governor’s Dinner at Mt. Tabor Country Club. She also thanked Joan May for her leadership in making “Breakfast with Santa” a huge success. Joan thanked all the workers who helped out at the event. Nancy Boucher announced that MHS Key Club sent eight members to help as “elves” at “Breakfast with Santa”. Stu Shippey sold nuts at the event and he gave an update on the fundraiser. We have many gift tins left to sell. He asked everyone to buy at least one item.

Karen Swartz announced that the CHS Key Club meeting will be held on Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria. Betty Anne Keat announced that the CMS Builders Club will meet on Thursday.

Mary Anne also reminded the members that an ELIMINATE fund-raiser cruise to Bermuda is scheduled for May 28, 2012. Deposits are due January 5.

Breakfast With Santa December 3, 2011 was a huge success.

AD stirs the pancake batter.

Joan cooks sausage.

Mary Anne cooks pancakes.

Nancy checks in families.

Judy takes pictures of children with Santa.

David meets Santa.

David tells Santa what he wants for Christmas.

David enjoys his pancakes.

Children work on projects at the art table.

Magician Simon Mandal creates balloon art.

Simon makes a bicycle.

Simon creates a balloon Santa.



November 29 Program: Heather Alonge spoke on ECLC of New Jersey

Heather Alonge (L), Director of the ECLC Foundation at ECLC of New Jersey gave an overview of the organization that serves students who have learning disabilities. She was introduced by Kiwanis President Mary Anne Maloney (R).

ECLC includes a school in Chatham, a school in Ho-Ho-Kus, a supported employment program housed in the Chatham Borough Hall, a day program located in an office on Passaic Ave. in Chatham and a day program in Bergan County. ECLC has changed their role and the need for client services has changed.

ECLC was started in 1970 by a group of parents who felt their children would have had a better life with early intervention. The organization now provides support for their graduates and clients through all phases of their lives. Heather showed many examples of successful activities at ECLC.

Currently, ECLC serves over 700 individuals from 175 New Jersey Towns. Starting with 6 children in the first school, there are now 350 students in two schools. ECLC has served over 2000 clients over the last 43 years. Growth is largely in the area of adult services. The developmental disabilities of clients vary greatly. Unfortunately, the disabled population is growing.

In 2010 the Ho-Ho-Kus campus added a service dog. Now the Chatham campus has one. Click here to learn about Gino on Chatham Patch.

ECLC Foundation will be embarking on a new capital campaign in early 2012. New funds will expand project PRIDE facilities, add air conditioning to schools and make other needed improvements. She asked Kiwanis to continue to support ECLC in these and other endeavors.

Kiwanis members in the audience were very impressed with the improvements ECLC has made in the lives of their clients.

Announcements: Kiwanis November 29 Meeting

Mary Anne reported that the Madison Christmas Parade was a great success. She counted 13 members marching and reported that the crowd of onlookers was amazing. She asked members to let Ron or Rich know of any errors in the club directory. She also reported that Kiwanis is having an Interclub contest through June 30, 2012. Be sure to report all Interclubs to Sharon Johnson.

Nancy Boucher reported that a member of the Kiwanis International fund-raising effort for Project Eliminate will be in New Jersey next week. He plans to attend our Tuesday Meeting on December 6.

Karen Shippey announced that the club still has plenty of Mixed Nuts, Cashews and Tutles in holiday gift tins. She asked members to renew their efforts to sell the remaining nuts so that the club can make money for our Scholarship Fund. Stu wants to wrap up Nut sales by 12/24/11.
 
Karen Swartz announced several Key Club activities.  There will be a restaurant night on December 12 at McLynn’s Restaurant in Springfield sponsored by Jonathan Dayton Regional High School. Project Showcase talent show will be held at the Chatham Library on December 16. Income from the event will go to project ELIMINATE. January 15, Key Club will sponsor a “day of silence” for Autism awareness.