Kiwanis October 23, 2013 Pasta Dinner a Huge Success

The 2013 Pasta Dinner was a huge success. Tony, Dick, Maggie and Daniela prepared meals in the Chatham High School cafeteria kitchen.

 David gets a magic lesson from Magician Simon Mandal.

 The lucky winners of the 50-50 were announced by Gary and Avory

 Stu and Karen sell Kiwanis Holiday Nuts to Erv.

Starbucks in Madison donated the coffee! Pasta event leaders Gary and Sharon hold up beautiful artwork created by volunteer.

Kiwanis October 22 Meeting: Stephanie Fellippello presented program "Suggestions on Attracting Builders Club & Key Club Parents to Join Our Family".

Stephanie Fellippello (left in photo) made a presentation to the Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club at Charlie Brown’s in Chatham Township. She was introduced by Sharon Johnson, President-Elect of the club. Stephanie made suggestions for improving the club. These were warmly received by the members, who enthusiastically applauded at the end of the program.

Kiwanis October 15 meeting Program: "The Health Care Crisis in America” by Dr. Joseph J. Murphy

Dr. Joseph J. Murphy was presented with a Kiwanis Legion of Honor award at the October 15 Kiwanis luncheon meeting held at Charlie Brown’s in Chatham Township. Past President Joan May (left in photo) announced that Joe has been a member of the club for 28 years.

Joe spoke to the club about “The Health Care Crisis in America.” Joe serves the Chatham area with the Suburban Chiropractic Center. He was introduced to the audience by David Lloyd, of Stickel, Frahn & Lloyd in Chatham.

He talked about how we got to where we are in health care. There was a time when the cost of health care was very low. Then, fees and costs started to slowly but steadily climb. Then, insurance coverage was added and employers started adding coverage as a benefit to employees. Cost of coverage grew so large that employers found that they could no longer afford to give it to employees.

Managed health care came into the picture to help control cost of insurance coverage. Fees paid to physicians were reduced to low levels. However, facilities and pharmaceutical cost were allowed to grow and Joe gave examples of how high these costs have grown. He also gave examples of how payments to physicians have fallen (relative to other costs). Americans are not entering medical schools because they cannot earn a living in that field of work.

Joe suggested several actions that would reduce the cost of health care. He also commented on Obama-care. Many companies will find ways around the provisions of this legislation. Many employees will be made part-time so they won’t be covered.

After a lively Q&A session, the audience enthusiastically applauded Joe’s insightful analysis of the Health Care Crisis in America.

October 8 Program: Joe Basralian and Susan Hoag spoke on “Open Spaces in Chatham Township”.

 

Joe Basralian (left in photo) and Susan Hoag (right) spoke on “Open Spaces in Chatham Township” at the October 8 Kiwanis luncheon meeting held at Charlie Brown’s. Both speakers are Open Space Advisory Members. Susan has been on the Open Spaces Committee since its inception in 1996 and she has lived in the Township for 23 years. Joe has been in the Township for five years and he is the enthusiastic chairman of Open Spaces.
 
The Open Spaces Committee advises the governing Township Committee on Open Spaces elements of the master plan. This covers the use and planning of natural areas, recreational fields, trails, protection of steep slopes, etc.  Chatham Township uniquely focuses on preserving open spaces. Cost per resident is presently about $35 per year. This amount is leveraged to bring in additional funding from other sources.

Open Spaces was started by Abigail Fair and approved in a referendum passed by 72 percent of Township electorate. About 215 acres have been purchased for this purpose so far. A large tract purchased in 2005 was the Kirby property. Most of the cost of this acquisition was paid other organizations, especially by the Morris County Open Space organization. Also, county and state Green Acres funding plus Great Swamp Watershed funding were provided. The last major property, purchased in 2011, was the Averett property. Everyone was grateful to Sam Averett for making this possible just before he passed on.

One of the benefits of Open Spaces is that nearby private property value is enhanced by the beauty experienced every day by residents and visitors to the Township. New projects include development of a new parking lot for access to Lawanaka brook reservation.

After an active Q&A period, the audience enthusiastically applauded the work of the Open Spaces Advisory Committee and the presentation of this important contribution to our community. To learn more, please visit the website: http://www.chathamtownship-nj.gov/Open_space/OS_main.html

Announcements: Kiwanis October 8 Meeting

Sharon Johnson announced that the October 23 Pasta Dinner lawn signs are being processed by the manufacturer and we are waiting for governmental approval for placing signs in Chatham Borough and Madison Borough. Gary Arnesen announced that CHS Key Club plans to send workers to help with this Saturday’s (10/12/13 at 8:00 am) Shepard Kollock Park Clean-up. Gary will bring donuts. Gary passed around directions and sign-up sheets. Nancy Boucher, the new club secretary, asked everyone to email her details when activities are held so that she can report the details to Kiwanis – this gives the club credit for activities. Examples of activities are Key Club Meetings, Clean-ups, Fishawack, etc. Karen Swartz told everyone that Brian Goldstein sent the club a note of thanks for the contribution we made to his Eagle Scout project – he is also posting a plaque showing that Kiwanis helped to fund the work. Betty Anne Keat reminded members to bring items to help MHS Key Club. Contact her for more info. John Eyre reminded everyone that the Board meeting will follow next week’s breakfast meeting.

October 1 Program: Caroline Knott of the Chatham Historical Society spoke on "Chatham Township Historical Markers"

Caroline Knott (right in photo) of the Chatham Historical Society spoke on "Chatham Township Historical Markers" at the October 1 Kiwanis luncheon at Charlie Brown’s restaurant in Chatham Township.  John Eyre (left in the photo), the new President of the Kiwanis Club officiated at the meeting.

Caroline started by saying that several years ago Chatham Township Committeeman Bailey Brower suggested that markers be placed beside the historic places in the Township. Caroline Knott carried out the project, in cooperation with the Township Committee, leading to the placement of eleven signs. She presented a PowerPoint photo show that included all the signs. As she covered each sign, she described the history of the site.

The objective of placing the signs was to educate the residents of the community about the rich history of the area.

At the end of her remarks, Bailey Brower praised the work of Caroline and Bob Knott and the Chatham Township Historical Society leaders and members.

To learn more, everyone is invited to read the signs as they discover them at the roadside and to read about them on the society website: http://www.chathamtownshiphistoricalsociety.org. A PDF file describing the signs can be downloaded at the site.

At the end of the presentation, the audience enthusiastically applauded this civic project and Caroline’s interesting and entertaining presentation.

Announcements: Kiwanis October 1 Meeting



Jerry Cunningham (left in photo) introduced Jeff Markay, the new pastor of the Chatham United Methodist Church

Sharon Johnson reminded members to sell October 23 Pasta Dinner tickets. She showed everyone a sample lawn sign printed on only one side. She will have printing put on the other side. The club is asking town officials for permission to place the signs.

Gary Arnesen announced that there will be a Kiwanis clean-up at Shepard Kollock Park in Chatham Borough on October 12 at 8:00 am. Stu Shippey announced that we will be selling nuts at the Pasta Dinner.  Marc Litwack announced the 99th year of service of Kiwanis International and wished everyone a happy new Kiwanis service year. Karen Swartz announced the CHS Key Club meeting on October 2.  Nancy Boucher announced the Greater Parsippany wine tasting at Hanover Manor on October 17. Also, she reported that new signs were ordered to use in parades. Betty Anne Keat announced that MHS Key club is collecting children’s books, playing cards and matchbook cars for children undergoing cancer treatment at Morristown Hospital. Members are invited to give items to Betty Anne.