Related: The Ultimate Sacrifce By Spc. Elvyn Nieves, USA Special to American Forces Press Service ADHAMIYAH, Iraq, March 24, 2008 – Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers here witnessed the changes and progress in the area and its bustling market during a joint dismounted patrol with the Iraqi army on Chem Street. Iraqi army and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers head toward Chem Street in Adhamiyah, Iraq, during a dismounted patrol, March 20, 2008. Soldiers of 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, which is attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, regularly patrol the streets with their Iraqi counterparts from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division. Photo by Spc. Elvyn Nieves, USA (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The 3rd Infantry Division soldiers of 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, attached to the 4th Infantry Division\’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, along with Iraqi army soldiers of 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, and members of the \”Sons of Iraq\” citizens security group have been working hand in hand to provide Adhamiyah residents with enough security for them to feel safe walking the streets. The U.S. soldiers are working with their Iraqi counterparts and putting them in the lead so the people can see their country\’s army \”is out there to help security as much as we are,\” said Army Capt. Erik Kjonnerod, commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. \”We wanted to show them their Iraqi security forces are out there as much we are. They\’re not sitting on checkpoints doing nothing. They go out on patrols, just like the Americans do,\” he said. Security in the area has led to the awakening of the market on Chem Street. \”When we first got here, we could see an average of 15 to 20 shops open,\” said Army Staff Sgt. Germaine Seabrook, a cavalry scout in Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. \”With the help of Iraqi forces, we helped keep the security tight. Most of the Iraqi people started coming back, opening up shops, and the economy started rolling better. The people from Adhamiyah can see how safe it is now.\” The joint dismounted patrols allow soldiers to talk to people and assure them they are there for security and that they do care about their concerns. \”In the beginning of our work here, the streets were pretty much desolated,\” said Army 1st Lt. Matthew Jensen, a platoon leader in Troop A. \”We didn\’t see many people walking around. People were scared to get out of their homes. Through civil affairs, micro-grants, the Sons of Iraq and our presence, people started coming out. Most of the stores on Chem Street are opened now.\” (Army Spc. Elvyn Nieves serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division\’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)

Related Sites: Multinational Corps Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Germaine Seabrook gets ready for a dismounted patrol with the Iraqi army on Chem Street in Adhamiyah, Iraq, March 20, 2008. Seabrook is a cavalry scout with 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, which is attached to Multinational Division Baghdad\’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Photo by Spc. Elvyn Nieves, USA Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution Army 1st Lt. Matthew Jensen, a platoon leader in 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, which is attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multinational Division Baghdad, patrols Chem Street in Adhamiyah, Iraq, during a dismounted patrol with the Iraqi army, March 20, 2008. Photo by Spc. Elvyn Nieves, USA Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers and Iraqi army soldiers talk with people on Chem Street in Adhamiyah, Iraq, March 20, 2008. Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, which is attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, along with their Iraqi counterparts from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, regularly patrol the streets of Adhamiyah together. Photo by Spc. Elvyn Nieves, USA

MEDIA RELEASE

Canton, NY – Ranked No.17 in Division III, the Lions of The College of New Jersey women’s tennis team picked up a 7-2 road win over the Saints of St. Lawrence University. With the win, the Lions are now 7-5 overall, while St. Lawrence drops to 4-2.

DOUBLES
1. Christina Contrafatto and Jackie Shtemberg (TCNJ) def. Kirsten Lannon and Chelsea Hubbell, 8-5
2. Casey Gilman and Stephanie Finn (SLU) def. Sarah Roser and Amanda Berg, 8-3
3. Stefanie Haar and Haley Kutner (TCNJ) def. Teresa Rodriguez and Liz Ronty, 8-0

SINGLES
1. Shtemberg (TCNJ) def. Lannon, 6-1, 6-0
2. Finn (SLU) def. Berg, 6-2, 6-2
3. Contrafatto (TCNJ) def. Gilman, 6-1, 6-2
4. Haar (TCNJ) def. Rodriguez, 6-1, 6-0
5. Kutner (TCNJ) def. Hubbell, 6-2, 6-0
6. Roser (TCNJ) def. Mackenzie Hall, 6-4, 6-3

TCNJ’s women’s tennis team rebounded from a four-match losing skid with a 7-2 convincing regional win over St. Lawrence University on the road.

TCNJ’s top doubles tandem of senior Christina Contrafatto (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) and sophomore Jackie Shtemberg (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Ramapo) were victorious as they were 8-5 winners. They duo is now 17-8 on the year together with an 8-3 mark in dual competition.

Shtemberg added a 6-1, 6-0 win at first singles as she beat the Saints’ senior Kirsten Lannon (Topsfield, MA) and is now 18-8 on the year to up her singles career record to 45-12. Contrafatto added a win at third singles as she beat sophomore Casey Gilman (Gloucester, MA) and is now 131-50 overall in singles and doubles play as a Lion.

TCNJ returns to the courts on Sunday facing William Smith College on the road in Geneva, NY.

HYNES
Marie Joan

 On March 27, 2008. (nee Caramanna) Age 76. Of Carney’s Point. Loving mother of William T. Hynes (Catherine) of Lancaster, PA and Kathy Tigeleiro of Williamstown. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her Catholic Prayers and Rite of Committal on Tuesday at 11 am at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hurffville. There will be no viewing at all. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Marie Joan Hynes.

Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Phone: 856-456-1142

 

Game #1 Box Score

Game #2 Box Score

Newark, NJ – Ranked sixth in Division III, The College of New Jersey\’s baseball team tallied a pair of wins over Rutgers University-Newark on Saturday in Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. TCNJ improved to 15-2 overall and 4-0 in the NJAC while riding a seven game win streak. Rutgers-Newark drops to 14-6 overall and 1-3 in the NJAC.  

Photo: Mike Oliver fanned 6 in the Lions opener

Junior second baseman Adam Tussey (Brooklawn, NJ/Gloucester High School) went nine for 10 at the plate, drew two walks and scored five runs and sparked a ninth-inning rally in game two to complete the sweep.

Adam had four singles and a pair of walks to reach safely six times in opener. In game two, he added five singles in six trips to the plate to finish the day with a .917 on-base percentage.

In game two, a bases-loaded, two-out triple by senior catcher Rich Gawlak (Plainsboro, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro-South) tied game two at 12-12 in the top of the ninth ahead of a game-winning RBI double to centerfield by senior first baseman Bill Kropp (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) as the Lions plated six runs to get the win.

Photo: Adam Tussey, went nine for 10 at the plate and finished the day with a .917 on base percentage

Junior third baseman Vince Mazzaccaro (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) drove in eight runs to TCNJ with a home run, ad double and five RBI in the opener. Junior shortstop Jeff Toth (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville) went four for eight with two walks and three RBI on the day.

Sophomore Ryan Anzelone (Vernon Township, NJ/Vernon) added a homerun as well to pace the Lions on the day as they combined for 29 runs on the day.

Sophomore third baseman Joe Furnaguera (Springfield, NJ/Jonathan Dayton) paced Rutgers-Newark with five hits, including a pair of doubles and a home run, and five RBI in the twinbill.

In the first game, senior Mike Oliver (Crosswicks, NJ/Hamilton West) collected the win after eight innings of work with six strikeouts and is now 3-0.

In the second game, junior reliever Eric Gertie (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) picked up the win in relief and worked 2.1 innings in relief and held Rutgers-Newark hitless and fanned a pair of players as he improved to 2-1 on the year.

Source Media Release

Related: The College of NJ on CNB

Media Release March 28, 2008

(BELLMAWR) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (photo) attended a ribbon cutting ceremony today for a $13.1 million affordable senior citizen housing complex in Bellmawr.

From left to right: George Robostello, Michael Walsh, Tom Carver, Congressman Rob Andrews, Rose Braaksma, Carl Klese, Jr., Richard Mroz, Jason Gonzalez, Speaker Joe Roberts, a county official and Nicole Zandlo

click to enlarge

Also in attendance were Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ 1^st); Bellmawr Borough Council Members; George Robostello, Executive Vice President, The Bank; Richard Mroz, Member of the Board of Directors, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York; Tom Carver, Executive Director, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority; Michael Walsh, Executive Vice President of Development, Harrah\’s Atlantic City Operations; and developer Carl Klese, Jr., President, Lighthouse Development Group, Inc.  

\”Today\’s ribbon cutting is due in large part to the collaborative effort of a number of outstanding individuals and groups,\” said Roberts (D-Camden, Gloucester). \”Carl Klese, Jr.—who served as construction manager for the project—most certainly went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that more senior citizens have an affordable place to live in the borough of Bellmawr.\” 

The Bellmawr Senior Campus, consisting of 130 one-bedroom apartments for low- and moderate-income seniors, age 55 and over, is located at the corner of West Browning Road and Bells Road. At present, the complex is completely full. The apartments are priced between $534 and $638 per month.

Congressman Andrews, left and Assemblyman Roberts with one of the residents
 

Residents enjoy a shuttle bus service to take them where they need to go, bus trips, activities, card tables, a library and a multi-media center. There is a senior-friendly health center within walking distance as well as several restaurants. 

\”This was a dream of mine. I\’ve never been happier in my life,\” said campus developer Carl Klese, Jr. \”The residents say to me they feel like they have a new life here.\”  

Attendees at the ribbon cutting, which included many residents, enjoyed a reception and presentation of plaques honoring representatives from the institutions which lent tremendous support to the project. 

The Bank, with roots in Gloucester County, has maintained a community focus since its inception in 1989. \”We at The Bank are proud to serve our community in such a positive way,\” said George Robostello, Executive Vice President of The Bank. \”Nothing could make us happier.\” 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York has a tradition of helping community lenders advance housing and community growth. \”It is very gratifying to know that we helped make this senior campus a reality,\” said Richard Mroz, Member of the Board of Directors of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. \”This is an example of public-private partnership that truly works to improve people\’s lives.\” 

Also honored was Michael Walsh, Senior Vice President of Development of Harrah\’s Atlantic City Operations, which helped to make this dream a reality. \”We at Harrah\’s Atlantic City are happy to have played a role in making life better for the seniors of South Jersey, a place we are proud to call home.\” 

 

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Related Ribbon Cutting Cermonies

 
Related: Bellmawr  

Media Release March 28

Atlanta, GA…The College of New Jersey men’s and women’s track and field teams opened the outdoor season in stride on the opening day of the Emory Classic hosted by Emory University on Friday.

The Lions had several strong performances highlighted by the women’s shot put taking three of the top five places. Freshman Sarah Wehrhan (Dodge City, KS/The Peddie School) won the event just missing an ECAC mark with a distance of 11.10 meters. Classmate Cristina D’Amato (Madison, NJ/Madison) finished fourth with a toss of 10.68 meters, while sophomore Ashley Krauss (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) was fifth with a mark of 10.58 meters.

Krauss and Wehrhan also placed in the hammer throw taking second and third, respectively. Krauss had a distance of 40.63 meters and Wehrhan at 38.81.

In the high jump, junior Kristen Tricocci (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) placed third clearing a height of 1.56 meters, while sophomore Danielle Kedzerieski (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) was third in the javelin with a throw of 26.53 meters.

Junior Nicole Ullmeyer (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) competed in the longest race of the invitational running the 10,000 meters in 41:40.51 to place fourth overall.

On the men’s side, senior Brian Donatelli (Whitehouse Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central) claimed fourth in the hammer with distance of 43.18 meters and teammate Martin Brown (Verona, NJ/Verona) was eighth with a heave of 38.23 meters.

Senior Galen Johnson (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) had a strong first showing in the 3,000 steeplechase as he took fifth with a time of 9:48.90.

Senior Andy Lim (Lodi, NJ/Leonia) added another top to for TCNJ taking eighth in the long jump with a leap of 6.22 meters.

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Media Release

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers baseball team welcomes West Virginia to Piscataway this weekend for a three-game series at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights and Mountaineers will open the series with a 3:30 p.m. game on Friday, followed by 1:00 p.m. games on Saturday and Sunday.

Rutgers has had success against West Virginia in the Garden State, winning the last 12 games played at Rutgers. The Mountaineers\’ last victory in New Jersey was more than a decade ago when they defeated the Scarlet Knights, 8-6 on April 5, 1997. RU and WVU did not meet last season on the diamond per league scheduling which includes each school playing only nine of the other 11 schools in the conference each season.

Rutgers is 6-13 overall after a split in midweek games against Rider (won 4-3) and Princeton (lost 1-0). The Scarlet Knights opened BIG EAST play against St. John\’s last weekend, dropping all three games to the Red Storm.

Senior catcher Jon Gossard (Harrington Park, N.J.) leads the Rutgers offense with a .351 average, including a team-high seven doubles. He had his season-long 10-game hitting streak snapped in the Scarlet Knights\’ last game against Princeton on Wednesday.

Sophomore righty Casey Gaynor (Toms River, N.J.) will start Friday\’s opener, junior righty Matt Giannini (Millington, N.J.) will get the ball on Saturday and sophomore righty Kyle Bradley (Howell, N.J.) will on Sunday. Despite a 1-4 record, Gaynor has been sharp with 34 strikeouts in 34.1 innings, and has let up two runs or less in three of his five starts. Giannini worked a season-long six innings last Saturday in a no decision against St. John\’s. Bradley is expected to make his first start on the weekend after hurling 5.1 innings in Rutgers\’ victory over Rider on Tuesday.

West Virginia is 19-4 this season, including a 3-0 record in the conference. The Mountaineers swept Pittsburgh last weekend in their first league action. Earlier this week, WVU knocked off Coppin State, 26-3, and took a double-header from Morehead State, 10-5, and 16-6. West Virginia enters the weekend on an 11-game winning streak.

The Mountaineers own a .364 team batting average, led by freshman second baseman Jedd Gyorko. The newcomer is hitting .474 with three triples and four home runs.

West Virginia is expected to go with the rotation of junior righty Josh Whitlock (5-0, 2.34 ERA) on Friday, senior lefty Matt Yurish (1-1, 8.14 ERA) on Saturday and sophomore lefty Steve Morrison (4-0, 1.47 ERA) on Sunday.

Sophomore righty Chris Enourato has been the Mountaineers\’ top closer with four saves this season in 6.1 total innings of relief without an earned run allowed.

Rutgers owns a 31-17 advantage over West Virginia in the all-time series with a series sweep in the last meeting between the teams in 2006.

By Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Votroubek, USN Special to American Forces Press Service NOWRAK, Afghanistan, March 24, 2008 – The landscape in Afghanistan\’s Zabul province reminds some Americans of a scene from a western movie. So did Afghan law enforcement when Army Capt. Curtiss Robinson and his police mentoring team rode into the province\’s Shahjoy district. Army Capt. Dave Perry and Afghan National Police commander Sakhidad plan a security operation against insurgents in the Shahjoy district of Afghanistan\’s Zabul province. Sakhidad commands police officers at Hassan Karez patrol base in Shahjoy, which maintains security and civil order along Highway One and all populated areas in the district. Perry leads the district\’s police mentoring team, which is training the Afghan officers to project their presence beyond the road into the nearby villages, where most security threats originate. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Votroubek, USN (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Robinson recalled that the police force there at the time was really nothing more than a \”posse,\” because they had enthusiasm but no formal police training. There were no police advisors in Shahjoy before Robinson\’s team got there in July, so the first step was to create a training plan for the police. Robinson is an Army logistics officer with civilian law enforcement experience in South Carolina. Others on his team also had police experience, so they used it and their military training to teach the Afghans some fundamental policing skills. The next step came from Afghanistan\’s Interior Ministry, which implemented a new \”focused district development\” strategy late last year to reform the Afghan National Police and improve local governance, public works and the rule of law. Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, with the Interior Ministry and the international community, developed a plan to take all the police out of their communities, retrain and re-equip them at regional training centers, and send them back to their districts. Seven of the most challenging police districts were chosen for the first training cycle. Three of them, including Shahjoy, were from Zabul province. During the eight-week course at the Jalalabad regional training center, Shahjoy\’s police learned about general police duties, weapons, building clearance, first aid, human rights and Afghan law and culture. After graduating, the police returned to their district and police mentoring team advisors began the next phase: sustainment training and advising. Now that they\’ve been trained what to do, Robinson explained, they need to practice how to do it. The Afghan police officers will have to improve their skills quickly; after they returned to Shahjoy, Taliban insurgents also began returning to the area. The commander of Nowrak patrol base, Lt. Fazal Rahman, took his men on a patrol and found a prepared fighting position with four rocket-propelled grenades for attacking passing trucks. It was only 25 meters from Highway One. U.S. Army Capt. Dave Perry leads the Shahjoy district police mentoring team and has developed a patrol plan for the police officers. Rather than have them wait for trouble on the road, he wants them to patrol the nearby villages, where most of the security threats originate. \”Policing before was static,\” he said. \”We\’re getting them out in the community to show the people some government representation so they know the police are there to help.\” The next day, Rahman\’s men patrolled Nowrak village and Perry accompanied them through the village to introduce them to the village elders. The local citizens provide information, Perry said, and helping them is the heart of \”community-based policing.\” The police in Shahjoy no longer resemble a \”posse,\” and officials hope having a professional police force will make the district seem less like the Wild West. Police Chief Mohammed Rasool said that perhaps someday the police in Shahjoy will need to carry only nightsticks – not guns. (Navy Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Votroubek serves with the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Public Affairs Office.)

Related Sites: Related The Ultimate Sacrifice Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Combined Joint Task Force 82

 My name is Kathy Cleminson and I am pleased to be writing you on behalf of the Gloucester Catholic Katrina Relief Project. Hurricane Katrina changed my life. More importantly, it changed the lives of thousands who still experience the devastation. 

In early 2007, my high school decided to break away from usual limits of community service and send a group of students to New Orleans. As I stepped off the plane I still believed my purpose was to hang sheetrock, but in reality I learned it was so much more. As a result I have made \”returning home\” my New Year\’s resolution, and on behalf of Gloucester Catholic High School, so many would be grateful if you would do the same.

In just a few days we helped rebuild the life of a woman who lost everything in the floods. She told us that every night since the hurricane she prayed for help in vain, but her patience was rewarded because \”God sent me the best help possible.\” Her faith in us made me believe in people.

We all have the responsibility to help each other, whether by entire movements or random acts of kindness.

However, it was not a jolt of inspiration that moved me to feel this; it was being human. It was seeing your friends in class on Tuesday and then putting up sheetrock on Wednesday. It was looking into the eyes of a woman who lost 51 years of all she knew in one day, but still opened her heart to kids who had everything. We tried to replace so many things she had lost, but we learned our real gift to her was our presence.

Two and a half years later, thousands of families are still seeking refuge in FEMA trailers and make-shift housing-if any. Even more devastating, this year will be the third these families can not return home for the holidays.

Together, in New Orleans, we made 2007 the first Christmas two families would return home. This was all made possible through student-based fundraising efforts and monetary donations that sent 23 students and seven chaperones to New Orleans for five days.

This June we will be returning with more people for 8 days and we need your help. Whether your donation is monetary, or a prize to auction off, it will be greatly appreciated and not forgotten.

In a way our journey to New Orleans was the climax of all Gloucester Catholic, and I as a result, believe in because we showed there are no limitations when it comes to helping others. There we learned things school will never teach and some will never learn.

I know kind people like you have made a difference in many lives over the years and now I am asking that you a difference in our lives for theirs. We are hosting a lunch at the Colonial Diner in Woodbury on Wednesday, March 19. Inform your server you are dining for Gloucester Catholic, 15 percent of your check will be donated towards our trip to New Orleans.

I would also like to personally invite you to attend our spaghetti dinner on Sunday, April 13, 4:30 to 8 p.m., at Gloucester Catholic High School to support our cause. The cost is $15 for each adult and $10 for each child under the age of 12.

Send donations to Gloucester Catholic High School, Mr. Joe McKenna, Service Coordinator, 333 Ridgeway Street, Gloucester City, NJ, 08030.

If sending a check, please make it out to Gloucester Catholic High School. On memo line please put New Orleans. Thanks for your support.

Katy Cleminson

Class of 2008,

Gloucester Catholic High School

 

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