Committee News

The Committees of the Forum of Meadow Lakes

We dedicate this section to information about the Committees of the Forum of Meadow Lakes. The year of activities and programs begins in September and each year there are many new programs for residents to enjoy. Keep in touch!

"Nothing Great Was Ever Achieved without Enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

ARTS & CRAFTS COMMITTEE

Jewelry-making has long been an interest of the Arts & Crafts participants. This season, jewelry making is being overseen by Dana Stevenson and taught by Beth Wham. Periodic sales of the necklaces, bracelets, pins, earrings and rings that are made will be held for residents and their guests.

EDUCATION AWARD COMMITTEE

Employees who have worked here for at least one full year are eligible to apply to the Forum Education Award committee for tuition assistance. To qualify, applicants must have excellent academic qualifications and an outstanding work ethic, and must be recommended by their Meadow Lakes supervisor.

The annual Education Award ceremony for academic year 2010-'11 for employees who have qualified for a tuition grant was held in the Meadow Lakes Auditorium on July 30, 2010. To continue to qualify, once they have received an initial award, employees return to work at Meadow Lakes during summer and other vacation periods.

Residents contribute once a year to make educational opportunities possible for Meadow Lakes employees. Of the 42 staff members who received awards in 2009, several have graduated. As a result, this year, with ten new applicants, 36 students were honored. Tuition assistance has been sent to their colleges.

Photo by Andrea Kane Photography

Constance Carrigan got this year's program off to a wonderful start playing a medley of songs that included the old favorite, "School Days" and "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." The latter was composed by Mrs. Carrigan's uncle, Mr. Allie Wrubel, and was featured in Disney's "Song of the South" a movie centering around Uncle Remus stories. "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" won an Oscar for best song in 1974.

The number of participants in the Education Award Program represents an amazing increase in enrollment. In the year 2000, the year of its inception, the program gave just six awards! The award program was originated by Mrs. Caroline Stuart, the current chair of the Meadow Lakes Forum Education Award Committee, and has been active for nine years.

A report from ORANJ (the Organization of Retirement Communities in New Jersey) tells us that several other retirement communities have initiated education programs based on the Meadow Lakes model.

Donations for this program are received year-round from anyone who wishes to contribute. Many recognize the program in their wills or ask for bequests from family and friends.

2010 Education Award Ceremony

Photos in the slide show, above, are by

Andrea Kane Photography

Following are the names of the students who have been honored this year:

First Year: Caitlyn Alexander, High Point Univ., NC; Eryn Clark, Rutgers (MSW); Cassie Dollard, MCCC; Heather Dollard, MCCC; Matthew Frey, St. John's Univ.; Brittany Kirton, St. John's Univ.; Rosael Sanchez, MCCC; Mikaela Saunders, Westchester University of PA; Lindsey Schulman, University of Connecticut; John Sobkowiak, MCCC

Returning students Second Year: Bakis Abubakarr, Raritan Valley College; Christine Cieslarczyk, Lynchburg College; Jennifer Cieslarczyk , MCCC; Janice Hudgins, Middlesex Co. Vocational/Technical School; Emily Ladd, Towson University; Kristina McLean, Delaware Valley College; Connor Montfarrat, Rutgers**; Ryan McEvenie, MCCC; Paige Nelson, Smith College; SFelician Papendick, MCCC; Shantrese Phillips, MCCC; Michelle Romano, Hamilton College; Kelly Stout, MCCC.

Returning students Third & Fourth Year:

Edgar Alfonso, MCCC*; Katherine Arena, West Chester University of PA; Amrit Braich, MCCC*; Juan Cobos, MCCC*; Craig Healy, MCCC; Sean McEvenie, MCCC*; Taylor Ortega, Montclair State University; Christian Pauta, MCCC*; Reena Parikh, Nova Southeastern Univ.; Kevin Sobkowiak, West Chester University of PA; Chaneta Taylor, Bucks Co. Comm College; Kaitlyn Valluzzo, Rutgers**; Robert Zacoum, Rutgers** .

*Mercer County Community College

** Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey

Residents and awardees celebrated the occasion with a party in the Main Lounge. Additional photos from the celebration are included in the slide show below.

2010 Education Award Recipients Chat with Residents and Staff

Photos by Andrea Kane Photography

Additional PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ON THE EVENTS PAGE

GROUNDS COMMITTEE and

GARDENERS of MEADOW LAKES

Busy all year tending gardens, including the tree nursery and the wellness path, the Grounds Committee continues to enjoy the benefits of a new greenhouse opened a year ago. Plants are propagated and in growing season a tiny tomato garden thrives near there. During winter months residents plants can be stored in the greenhouse.

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In the spring 2009, gardeners planted specimen trees in the tree nursery where they will continue to grow until they are suitable for transplanting.

Helen MacKenzie and Irwin Mreker woking in the tree nursery

Gloria Merker, Audrey Jasper, and Grounds Dept. Director, Joe Greipp, plant a dwarf persimmon as Irwin Merker looks on.

Avoid insects while out-of-doors

To keep flies, gnats and other insects away from yourself, try carrying a sheet of Bounce in your pocket!

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BRIDGE TABLE LIGHTING

After more than five years of searching for bridge table lighting, the House Committee has its reward. On the recommendation of Ron Cordes, Maintenance Director, we have had special flex lighting installed in Day Room 24. Bridge players there have been ecstatic. As a result, we have now placed similar lights in Day Rooms 20 and 33. The new overhead fixtures have energy saving bulbs yet are especially bright. They will permit removing floor lamps with cords that are tripping hazards. Be sure to tell the House Committee what you think of the new lights.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Programs planned by the Program Committee for the coming months are listed on the Activities page. To see the list, please click this link.

LIBRARY WINDOWS

Every six weeks the display in the library windows is changed by this hard-working committee. Announcements are posted on the bulletin boards advising residents of the theme of the coming display. The notice also tells when and where to deliver anything you might want to lend for the display. Following the exhibit, residents are asked to retrieve their contributions on a specific date so that the next display can be mounted. Eileen Kendall, Chair, keeps a written record of eveything that is lent for each display.

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The Meadow Lakes Atrium photo by Mal Gross

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