It has been confirmed that Tom Gurchick, a retired Gloucester City High Teacher was fatally injured on Friday afternoon when he lost control of his car and hit a tree near the corner of Morris Street and Johnson Blvd.

Funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as they become available.

source Gloucester Catholic Cross Country

Courtesy of Runners Gazette Magazine

Jack Heath, January, 2007

\”We’re following in your footsteps. Cause that’s where your footsteps go.\”

Ian Hunter- \”Following in your footsteps\”

However, one thing I had learned from my coach, Browning Ross is you have to be there for the long haul— a coach must stay through the (mostly) lean and sometimes boom years. But keep coaching no matter what, because you never know. I was in my last year of college at Rowan (then Glassboro State) finishing up my last season of cross country as captain of the team when Browning asked me if I’d like to help him coach at Gloucester Catholic, my alma mater where he had coached me. \”No thanks!\” I said. \”I just want to run; I can’t see high school kids listening to me anyway, so I’d rather just concentrate on my own running.\” Browning nodded in what I thought was agreement.
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p>William C. Stefanko Sr. of Woodbury on Feb. 14, 2008. Aged 71 years. Bill was the proud owner of Bill & Eileen¹s Market in National Park. Even after retiring, he still was involved with the bookkeeping for his family business. He enjoyed boating in Maryland, dining out, and the company of his friends and family. He will be remembered as an upbeat, caring man who loved his family. He will be sadly and deeply missed. Beloved husband of the late Eileen (nee Clapper). Devoted father of William C. Stefanko Jr. and his wife, Brenda, and Eileen Aiken and her husband, Fred. Dear brother of Joseph Stefanko and the late Steven Stefanko. Loving grandfather of Billy III, Laura, Heather, Christine and Erick. Viewing Tuesday 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. and Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m. in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury, NJ 08096. Funeral Mass Wednesday 10 a.m. in St. Michael¹s R.C. Church, 313 Memorial Ave., Gibbstown, NJ 08027. Interment in New St. Mary¹s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Redeemer Hospice, 150 E. 9th Ave., Runnemede, NJ 08078. Tributes and memories may be shared at www.mcgfuneral.com \”The Lifetime Tribute Funeral Home\” Published in the Gloucester County Times on 2/16/2008.

Related: Chuckles

I recently learned that the Borough of Brooklawn is prosecuting a Furrever Friends Rescue and Volunteers (FFRV) organization volunteer for violation of its domestic animal ordinance, specifically for having too many cats in her home.

The ordinance limits three animals per residence.

FFRV takes in stray, abused and abandoned domestic cats. They are immediately taken to a veterinarian for a complete checkup, and are spayed or neutered. The cats are not permitted outdoors and that stipulation is part of the fostering and adoption agreements.

The organization does not have a shelter facility and the animals are fostered in volunteers\’ homes until they are adopted. The animals are neither sold nor bred.

Brooklawn\’s stance against the volunteer is contradictory to its ordinance because the town routinely refers strays to the volunteer, yet she is being charged with having too many cats in her home. If Brooklawn did not have the volunteer as a resident, the taxpayers would have to bear the entire cost of controlling stray, abused and abandoned domestic animals in the town.

FFRV volunteers bear the complete costs with money from donations and from their own pockets, and without support from the municipal or any other government.

While laws are necessary, most laws contain exception provisions for certain bona-fide and verifiable situations.

In the case of FFRV and other such organizations I believe that animal control ordinances warrant such an exception – not to breach the law – rather to provide a practical and common sense solution for the legitimate fostering of abandoned animals by good Samaritans.

I believe that a higher limit – or none – on the number of domestic animals that rescuers can foster ought to be permitted since, at any given time, the volume of abandoned animals varies and is not predictable.

I seek readers\’ help in influencing the Brooklawn Borough Council, and all municipalities, to enact appropriate amendments to their current ordinances.

I also believe that, in order to solve the too many abandoned animals problem, pet owners should bear greater accountability for the abuse, mistreatment and abandonment of animals; and that more severe punishment should be meted out to offenders.

The American spirit was founded by volunteers, and I believe that as freedom-loving Americans none of us want to see innocent animals that can bring great joy to people turned away at a time when they most need us.

We should thankful for, not prosecute, volunteer organizations like Furrever Friends that assist municipalities with their stray animal problem with only donations and their own out-of-pocket support.

 

Owen O\’Neill, Westmont

 

 

Howard J. Graber Sr. and Lillian C. (Bocco) Graber of Washington Township are celebrating 50 of marriage. The couple was married Jan. 18, 1958 at Holy Name Roman Catholic church in Camden. Rev. Father Doyle performed the ceremony  

The couple have been residents of Washington Township for 43 years.

 

Howard, a veteran of the United States Air Force, was a foreman who served over 35 years in the National Boiler Maker\’s Union retiring in 1995. Lillian is a proud mother and homemaker and is an active member of many women\’s organizations. They have enjoyed a full life with a large close family and traveled around the world on many vacations. They love spending time with their children and grandchildren celebrating every holiday, anniversary, birthday and special occasions together.

Howard and Lillian have six children: Howard J. (and Trudy) Graber of Monroeville; Monica A. (and Robert) Neubert of Sewell; John D. (and Janice) Graber of Turnersville; James A. (and Diane) Graber of Williamstown; Paul M. (and Jennifer) Graber of Williamstown; and Joseph B. (and Rebecca) Graber of Sewell.

The couple has 19 grandchildren: Garbriella, Howard, Haley, Amanda, Robert, Felicia, Lucia, Nicole, John, Ashley, Adriene, Angelica, Alexis, Paul, James, Vincent, Monique, Joseph and Michael.

source www.philly.com

Host Gloucester Catholic edged Royal Division champ Williamstown, 39-38, as Mike Calzonetti (15) hit a critical foul shot with 10 seconds left.

Buoyed by a 20-9 first quarter and Dontae Johnson\’s 23 points, Overbrook toppled host Pennsville, 68-57. The Eagles\’ Ryan Karr posted 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Colonial. Junior A. J. Greenwald reached the 1,000-point milestone for his career at West Deptford, finishing a 53-41 win at Haddon Township with 19 points in the game and 1,013 for his career. The Eagles\’ Charlie McShane (27) poured in seven three-pointers.

Paulsboro got a fast start with a 26-14 first quarter, and followed Daryus Quarles\’ 26-point effort to a 72-60 win at Haddonfield.

Audubon claimed a 70-54 win over visiting Gateway with Brandon Hill\’s 21 points and 11 rebounds, and T.J. Tassi\’s 20 points and six assists.

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source www.growingupwithpets.com

It\’s always a nice feeling to have your dog greet you at the door, but some dogs can be a bit excessive about it. Greeting you this way upon your return home is one common separation anxiety symptom. Simply put, separation anxiety is the fear of being left alone. If your dog has it, he is not alone. Animal behaviorists estimate that 10 to 15 percent of dogs exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety, which include:

Digging, chewing or scratching at doors or windows in an attempt to escape or reunite with you.

• Howling, barking and crying in an attempt to get you to return.
• Urination and defecation—even with house-trained dogs—as a result of distress.
• Destroying household objects.
• Clinginess or remaining close to you, even following you from room to room, while you\’re home.

Punishing a dog for separation anxiety behaviors will not solve the problem. You should understand your dog is not doing it intentionally; he is distressed and anxious because you are not there. This anxiety and nervous energy causes him to act out.

What Causes Separation Anxiety?

No one knows exactly. However, certain factors and triggers are common among separation anxiety cases. They include:

• A change in schedule that requires the pet to be left alone for longer periods of time than normal.
• Living in multiple homes or being abandoned by previous owners makes dogs susceptible to separation anxiety.

Ways To Treat It

Here are some commonly recommended ways to treat separation anxiety:

• Place the dog in a smaller space, such as a crate, where he can feel secure when you leave. However, if the dog panics when crated, do not force him in.
• Leave your dog an article of clothing that smells like you, such as an old T-shirt that you recently slept in.
• Teach your dog as many commands as possible, especially \”sit,\” \”relax\” and \”stay.\” The point of teaching anxious dogs to relax is to give them confidence. Do the exercise in all the rooms of the house and in the yard. Give praise and treats liberally.

Finally, do not make a big production out of your departures.

As always, make sure your dog is safe from pests and parasites. Ask your veterinarian for Sentinel^® (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) Flavor Tabs^®, the only monthly oral 5-in-1 that protects against heartworm, intestinal parasites and fleas.

Dogs must be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage of treated dogs, digestive, neurological and skin side effects may occur.

By Lois Staas

NEWS Correspondent

Bellmawr Mayor Frank R. Filipek went on record at the January town council meeting, saying, \”I am tired of being called names on the phone about garbage stickers on recycling cans.

\”There is a separate recycling day and you do not have to separate the glass, cans, and paper. Putting your recyclables in the trash costs a lot of money- – 65 dollars a ton,\” he said.

\”With recycling we get money back. The new system will be on the new calendar and in the bulletin.

\”Recycling is the right thing to do. Businesses do it. It is not hard — one can for paper, cans, and glass,\” Filipek said.

During the public portion, Mark Matthews of Union Avenue inquired about the state of the landfill.

Filipek said, \”The landfill is sealed. The drilling sample came back fine. We will have a new drain. About 100 truck loads of dirt a day arrive.

\”I will make a prediction. Construction will start next year in June 2009. We have Bass Pro, I Max Movie Theater with a 20-screen building, and about four hotels are interested,\” he said.

In other business, Council approved a resolution awarding a contract to Professional Property Appraisers of Delran in the amount of $299,000 for the revaluation in Bellmawr.

Council also authorized the Borough to sign a lease agreement with Metro PC for a tower at Carter and Warren avenues.

Lynn Brophy of Weyerhaeuser Interstate Industrial Park gave monetary awards to the Bellmawr Fire Department, Police Department, and Hockey.

Council also appointed three Class I special Officers — Robert Fowler, Bri-an Ertl, and Jason Higgins.

Michael J. Draham was approved as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.

Councilman Stephan M. Sauter said, \”I thank Lynn Brophy for being here, I thank Weyerhaeuser for their dedication and commitment to this community.\”

Councilman Louis P. DiAngelo reminded everyone, \”Bellmawr baseball is underway. Please encourage your child or grandchild to come out and register.\”