Chatham High School Key Club Meeting with Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club at Charlie Brown's Restaurant

Karen Swartz (left), Kiwanis CHS Key Club Advisor; Nicole Avery (center), CHS Faculty Key Club Advisor and Kiera Spadaro (right), Faculty Key Club advisor. All helped organize this meeting.

CHS Key Club officers made presentations regarding student service projects.

Key Club members had a happy time socializing and planning future service projects.

Parents of Key Club members also attended and learned about the work of Kiwanis and Key Clubs.

Joan May, President of Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club presented awards to seven graduating seniors at the May 31, 2013 Chatham High School Awards Assembly.

Joan May, President of Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club presented awards to seven graduating seniors at the May 31, 2013 Chatham High School Awards Assembly.

Music Awards: Theodore Walker, John Philip Sousa Band Award; Nicholas Zmijeski, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award; Megan Myers, National School Choral Award; Jillian Srygley, National School Orchestra Award.

Drama Awards: Kelly Cole, Performance; Stephanie Gallucci, Technical Theatre.

Kiwanis 2012 Pasta Dinner - a grand time for all

On October 18, 2012 hundreds of spaghetti and meat ball dinners were served by Chatham-Madison Kiwanis with the help of 37 volunteers from sponsored youth service clubs, including the Drew University Circle K Club, Chatham High School Key Club and Chatham Middle School Builders Club.  Everyone had a happy time and funds were raised for community youth activities and scholarships.

2012 KIWANIS MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTED TO CHATHAM SENIORS

At the June 1 Annual Awards Assembly held at Chatham High School, four graduating seniors were recipients of Kiwanis Club Music Awards. These awards are given every year to graduating seniors.  Winners this year were Elizabeth Gill, who received the John Philip Sousa Band Award; Pierre Pais who received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award; Scott Souza, who received the National School Choral Award and Bethany Robinson, who received the National School Orchestra Award.  Mary Anne Maloney, President of Chatham Kiwanis presents the National School Choral  Award to Scott Souza, graduating Chatham High School senior.  Senior Class President Elizabeth Hyde, who assisted with the awards is looking on.

2012 Annual Chatham High School Kiwanis Scholarship Winners Announced

Year-2012 Chatham Kiwanis Scholarship winners Liz Hyde (left) and Gianna Strand (center) were introduced by Kiwanis Club President Mary Anne Maloney at the May 29 Kiwanis breakfast meeting. They will also be recognized at the June 21 CHS graduation ceremony as this year’s winners of $8,000 Kiwanis Chatham High School scholarships. Scholarship winners receive $2,000 per year for four years.

Chatham High School Student Gianna Rose Strand Wins Key Club Scholarship

At the 2012 New Jersey Key Club District Convention (DCON), the winners of the annual New Jersey Key Club Scholarships were announced. Gianna Rose Strand, the 2011-12 President of the Chatham High School Key Club, was awarded one of the 18 scholarships.

The Dr. George McCrossan Memorial Scholarship was created to honor Dr. George McCrossan, who was a past Kiwanis Governor and Key Club Financial Counselor.  This scholarship was the first New Jersey Key Club Scholarship ever established.  This $2000 scholarship will be granted to a member of the Chatham Key Club, Gianna Rose Strand.

The Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club sponsors the Chatham High School Key Club.

New Jersey Key Club members can apply for scholarships next year by visiting the website: http://njkeyclub.org/index.html  Then click on District Convention and click on the Scholarships Packet to download an application.

April 3 Program: "State of the Borough and Goals and Objectives for 2012" by Bob Falzarano, Chatham Borough Administrator

Chatham Borough Administrator Bob Falzarano spoke on “State of the Borough and Goals and Objectives for 2012”.  In the photo, Kiwanis President Mary Anne Maloney presented Bob with the complementary “Kiwanis Pen” at the end of his very interesting presentation.  Borough Council member Len Resto attended the meeting and shared his insight about Chatham Borough.

Bob manages the overall planning process. He creates goals and objectives as part of the Borough’s annual planning process. Goals are quantifiable and they include detailed objectives and timelines. At the end of each year, there is an annual report showing achievements in meeting the goals and objectives. Click here to view the annual reports by category for 2011.

The Borough has a Mission Statement (click here to view the mission on the town’s website).

Bob mentioned that Chatham High School volunteers are updating the historic preservation property inventory.

The budget for 2012 was presented and discussed in detail. Revenues have been going down due in part to tax appeals. Also revenue from water, sewer and other fees are going down. To offset this, expenses are being reduced by sharing more services with neighboring towns. Efficiency has also been achieved through good planning. Through this difficult economic time, service level to residents is being maintained at a high level. Click here to view the 2012 budget on the Borough website.

An ongoing issue for the Borough is that they collect property taxes and give a fixed amount to the School District and the County. When tax collections fall off, the Borough must make up the money through a reserve for uncollected taxes.

Some money, $30,000, will be received from PSE&G due to the “monopole project” to upgrade their power lines and towers. The payment is based on a settlement agreement with all affected municipalities.  This is one-time revenue.  The monopole project also has a small effect on the Community Garden.

A key Financial & Administrative Goal is to develop a long range strategic plan for economic stability. One item under study is to grow revenue by adding parking spaces at the train station.

As part of shared services, Police Dispatch was moved to the County and that saved the Borough a huge amount of money. Improved local service for things like last year’s October snowstorm will be handled by a relocated communications center. 

A dog park is being studied and this year the town will try to find a location for it.

Bob acknowledged the many staff workers and volunteers who get things done in the Borough. At the close of his talk, he thanked Kiwanis for inviting him and then everyone in the audience applauded the interesting and helpful presentation.

March 28 Fish and Chips Dinner Supports ELIMINATE Project

On March 28 the Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club held a Fish and Chips Dinner to raise money for the  ELIMINATE Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). In addition to Kiwanis workers, volunteers from Chatham High School Key Club, Chatham Middle School Builders Club and Drew University Circle K Club served in the kitchen and in the dining room.

Bill and Nancy greet diners as they arrive.

The Chatham High School Cafeteria was a busy place with many "dining in". There were also many "take home" customers.

Barbara and Dick were served by Kate, who holds the office of Treasurer in the Drew University Circle K Club.

Nancy shows her card as professionald maician (and Kiwanis member) Simon Mandal entertains the table with his magic tricks.

Drew University Circle K Club President Victoria Dayton (holding microphone) presented plaques of awards to Kiwanis President Mary Anne Maloney and Circle K Advisor Bob Stannard. In the background, Lakota and Kate look on.

2011 Annual Kiwanis Pasta Dinner Enjoyed by Everyone

Dave and Melda Pike and their grandchildren enjoyed the October 20, 2011 Kiwanis Pasta Dinner. Attendance grew again this year as many families dined in the Chatham High School cafeteria or carried out the spaghetti and meat ball dinners.

Chatham Kiwanis Music Awards Presented at June 3 CHS Awards Assembly

At the June 3 Annual Awards Assembly held at Chatham High School, four graduating seniors were recipients of Kiwanis Club Music Awards. These awards are given every year.  Winners this year were Ryan Fauver, who received the John Philip Sousa Band Award; William Smart who received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award; Dylan Tencic, who received the National School Choral Award and Matthew Bryers, who received the National School Orchestra Award.  Dick Plambeck, President of Kiwanis, was on hand to present these awards. Check out theChatham Patch Awards Assembly article, which includes photos.

2011 Annual Chatham High School Kiwanis Scholarship Winners Announced

Year-2011 Chatham Kiwanis Scholarship winners Annie Monson (left) and Christina Kim (right) were introduced by Kiwanis Club President Dick Plambeck at the May 31 Kiwanis breakfast meeting. They will also be recognized at the June 24 CHS graduation ceremony as this year’s winners of $8,000 Kiwanis Chatham High School scholarships. Students receive $2,000 per year for four years.

Chatham High School Key Club visits Children's Specialized Hospital

On March 28, Chatham High School Key Club advisors and 21 student members went on a field trip to the Children's Specialized Hospital (CSH) in Mountainside, NJ. The club has raised funds to support the hospital. This photo, taken by faculty advisor Kiera Spadaro shows the group in the hallways of CSH with patient artwork in the background, Kiwanis advisor Betty Anne Keat is in the background

Chatham Kiwanis selects Meghan Murray, Sarah Simonson as 2010 scholarship winners

In June, The Kiwanis Club of The Chathams awarded college scholarships to Meghan Murray and Sarah Simonson, Chatham High School Class of 2010. The awards were announced at the June 22 graduation ceremony.

With these awards, the Club continues a tradition of educational awards that it began in 1978. Each year, the club selects two award winners based on academic standing, leadership, good citizenship and participation in school and community activities. The Club awards each scholar $8,000, spread over four years of undergraduate education. The Club encourages 2011 Chatham High School seniors to apply with the school’s counseling department for next year’s Chatham Kiwanis scholarships.

This year, the Club distributes $16,000 to all eight of its scholars. Active recipients are Murray and Simonson who will begin their college careers this fall; rising college sophomores and 2009 winners Erin Boehmer at University of Virginia and Kara Ryan at Notre Dame University; rising juniors and 2008 winners Linsey Hyde at Georgetown University and Kevin Tobia at Rutgers University; and rising seniors and 2007 winners Alison Panosian at Bryn Mawr College and Melissa Villars at Carleton College.

Dick Haenschen, chairman of the seven-member Chatham Kiwanis Scholarship selection committee, said that many applicants were highly qualified and the selection was very difficult. He observed that more applications than usual were submitted this year, perhaps reflecting the current difficult economic conditions. He also said “I am impressed at how many students at Chatham High School excel at their academics and find time for many excellent extracurricular activities.”

Meghan Murray was secretary and vice-president of the Key Club, which is a high school national service club sponsored by Kiwanis. She has been a religious education teacher and leader in her church. In the Pep Club she was the 2008 Homecoming Chair. She lettered all four years in lacrosse, was Captain of the team and led the team to two state championships. She taught lacrosse classes. Her many lacrosse awards include the CHS Scholar/Athlete Award for spring 2010. She was named to lacrosse New Jerey State First Team in New Jersey newspapers and was named two times high School All-American. She was also given the Anthony Mack Sportsmanship Award.  She worked as Kids Camp counselor at Noe Pond Club during the summer. Murray is interested in business management and biology and will continue her education at Yale University. Photo taken at CHS Awards Assembly on June 4.

Sarah Simonson was also active in Key Club, serving as treasurer. She was student government treasurer for two years and president of the Spanish Club. She was Senior Editor of the Year Book Club. She volunteered frequently and was tutor and mentor of Newark children with SCEEP, Suburban Cultural Educational Enrichment Program. She volunteered one summer at Drew University Neuroscience lab. She enjoys music and was a section leader in the CHS orchestra. She enjoys baking and participated in many bake sales. She has an interest in international business and plans to attend New York University. Photo taken at CHS Awards Assembly on June 4.

Chatham High School seniors presented with Kiwanis Music Awards

At the June 4 Annual Awards Assembly held at Chatham High School, four graduating seniors were recipients of Kiwanis Club Music Awards. These awards are given every year. Winners this year were Kevin J. Greener, who received the John Philip Sousa Band Award; Christopher S. Walters who received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award; Kelly E. Wilber, who received the National School Choral Award and Sarah Wang, who received the National School Orchestra Award. Rich Behling, President of Kiwanis, was on hand to present these awards. Photo shows Rich presenting Orchestra Award to Sarah Wang.