Tom Gurchick, a retired Gloucester City School science teacher died suddenly on February 15 in an automobile accident. Tom began his teaching career in 1965 and retired in 2000. He left a career he so dearly loved to enjoy his hobbies of growing orchids, fishing and building model planes.

Since the tragic accident there has been a number of Toms’s former students and friends posting comments on CNB.

It should be noted that at no time did the family ask to hold the funeral services for Mr. Gurchick at the high school. What they did ask was to be able to hold a Memorial Service at the school for Tom at a later date. That request was denied by Administrator Paul Spaventa and the Board solicitor.

What a tribute this would have been to the man who gave his whole life to the Gloucester City School District.

According to Board member Jim Everett the new Superintendent, Paul Spaventa said if he was to okay their request for a Memorial Service the Board of Education and himself would be open to all kinds of law suits. Explaining if you do it for one person then you have to do it for everybody.

Spaventa also told Everett that it would have cost the Gurchick family $1 million in \”rider insurance\”.

A local insurance agent said the cost for a $1 million insurance rider would be a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $700. So much for that excuse.

If you recall the family of deceased Corporal Marc Ryan made the same appeal to the school district in 2004. There request was granted by the School Board/Administration; the viewing was held at the high school from 5 PM to 9 PM. This past November there was a memorial service held for Corporal Ryan during the half-time of a football game.

By granting the Ryan’s family’s petition a precedent was set to allow others to use the school for the same purpose.

God forbid if another young man from Gloucester City is killed fighting in the War. Are the Board of Education /Superintendent Spaventa going to say no to that individual’s family if they make the same request that the Ryan’s did ?

As others have said already Mr. Gurchick would not want to be the subject of any discord in the school district or for that matter among the residents of his beloved City.

Personally I see no harm in allowing a funeral services or a Memorial Tribute at the high school for any prominent resident, official, soldier or teacher. It is the logical choice for such event because of it size.

I wonder if the Rotary Club, who holds a Pancake Breakfast annually at the high school, is required to have a million dollar insurance rider for their event each year?

Since 2004 I have yet to hear of anyone else besides the Ryan family wanting to use the school for funeral services. So for anyone to suggest the district would be inundated with request to hold Memorial Tributes and or Funerals at the school are baseless.

I would guarantee the majority of the populace would emphatically say YES if they were asked if a Memorial Tribute should be allowed to be held at the high school for Mr. Gurchick.

The Board of Education must understand the School District belongs to the taxpayers of this City. With that thought in mind they need to address this problem immediately so it can be handled properly in the future.

A Memorial service for Mr. Gurchick will be held Thursday, February 28, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Etherington Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City.

Related: Gurchick Obit

Related: Breaking News

 

 by Hank F. Miller Jr.

The Doll Festival, which is also called The Girls\’ Festival or Peach Festival is observed on March 3.

This is a festival of young girls.

Dolls in ancient costumes are displayed on tiers of shelves covered with red cloth. These dolls represent the emperor and empress, their noble court ladies-in- waiting and ministers.

The Doll Festival dates from medieval times, but it was not until the 18th century that the custom of displaying dolls came into fashion.

The dolls are usually on display for about a week, but it is customary to put them away soon after March 3, because leaving them out for a long time is said to delay a daughter\’s marriage.

Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City, Japan

Hank F. Miller Jr.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Jerome Hubbard (Neptune/Neptune) averaged 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 steals in two Stockton wins last week. Hubbard scored a game-high 21 points to go along with his five steals against Kean.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Alyssa Reiter (Sewell/Gloucester Catholic) led Stockton with nine points and three blocks in Stockton’s game against Kean.
MEN’S TRACK & FIELD: Tony DeFeo (Mays Landing/Oakcrest) was named Outstanding Male Field Athlete and NJAC Field Athlete of the Week after winning the pole vault (4.88m) and finishing third in the weight throw (13.62m) to score all of Stockton’s 16 team points at the NJAC Championships.
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD: Meredith Malloy (Hamilton/Hamilton West) was selected Co-Outstanding Female Track Athlete at the NJAC Championships after winning the 3000m run (10:39.38) and also winning and setting a new meet record in the 5000m run (17:48.34).

LATEST RESULTS

Men’s Basketball (18-6, 10-3 NJAC)
Stockton 84, Manhattanville 71
Stockton 70, Kean 65

Women’s Basketball (12-13, 5-8 NJAC)
Kean 95, Stockton 39

Track & Field
Women second, men tied-eighth at NJAC Championships

UPCOMING EVENTS (Home opponents in CAPS)

Thursday, February 28
Men’s Basketball vs. RAMAPO/KEAN 7 pm
(NJAC Tournament)

Saturday, March 1
Baseball vs. POLYTECHNIC (DH) 12 pm
Lacrosse @ Wesley 1 pm
Men’s Basketball – NJAC TOURNAMENT 2 pm
(if Stockton advances)

Monday, March 3
Baseball vs. CENTENARY 3 pm

Wednesday, March 5
Baseball @ Haverford 3 pm

Stockton Athletics Home

DAVIDSON, MARGARET D. \’MIMO\’

(nee Ansaldo) On February 21, 2008, age 77, of Westmont. She was the beloved and devoted mother of Cathy Eskew, of Oaklyn, Mickey Tesoro, of Westmont and Joey Tesoro (Angel), of Woodlynne. She was also the loving andcaring grandmother (Mimo) to Jesse Seymour (Sue), Jamie Schaefer (Michael), Kris Mustacchio (Jennifer), Shane Holmes, and Stephanie Cokos. Also survived by 2 great grandchildren, Jesse, Jr. and Savannah Seymour and 3 sisters, Sally Tedesco, Mary Grosso and Joanne Anthony.
\’Marge\’ was a longtime waitress for the Crystal Lake and Newton Diners in Haddon Twp. – She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends that she happily and lovingly served.
Family and friends are invited to Mrs. Davidson\’s Memorial Service, Wed., 7 PM, at KAIN-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield. Interment private. The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial donations in Mrs. Davidson\’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Blvd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. 

Dave Stallwood, president of the Gloucester City Business Association announced that GCBA will meet Tuesday, February 26^th at Caps, 314 Jersey Avenue at 5.30pm.

Representatives from PATCO will be at the meeting to discuss the high speed line coming through town in the future. The Mayor and some of the council members along with other city representatives will also be there if you have any questions or concerns for them.

Related: Buy Local/UEZ

Hey Bill ,

Dog Quote: Man is an animal that makes bargains; no other animal does this….no dog exchanges bones with another.
….Adam Smith

*********************************

How much food does your dog really need?

Along with the general population of people, dogs are also suffering from obesity from eating the wrong food and eating too much food.

It is relatively easy to control the amount of
food your dog is eating and it is essential that
you gauge its weight on a regular basis to ensure
that it doesn\’t get obese.

Dogs can suffer from many different ailments due
to obesity including diabetes.

There are an increasing number of dogs suffering
from this disease and in most cases this could
have been avoided through the correct nutrition
and monitoring the amount of food the dog has been
eating.

Having a dog with diabetes will necessitate the
injection of insulin or in some cases taking of
pills to assist in the maintenance of the correct
sugar levels in their blood.

Obviously this involves additional expense and
inconvenience and there is also a danger that
should the insulin level be incorrect your pet
could die.

It makes sense then that your dog should only eat
what is good for it and in quantities that won\’t
result in it developing health problems later in
life.

Working dogs will need more food for the energy
that they will expend in the course of the day but
a dog that lays around the house all day and
doesn\’t get any exercise will not need to eat the
same portions of food.

You should weigh your dog on a regular basis and
see whether it is gaining or losing weight and
adjust the amount of food it is eating
accordingly.

More Information:
http://AboutDogs.info/recommends/dogfood.html

Thanks,

Allan
http://AboutDogs.info

Related: Pet Tips

Bill:

I am writing in response to your email regarding the King Street RFQ\’s which we\’ve recently received back from 2 developers — Taylor Capitol Group, LLC and Sora Holdings, LLC.

I am in the process of reviewing their qualifications and making sure that they submitted all materials that were requested of them by the City for this RFQ.

On Monday, March 4 at the Work Session meeting, I will be providing a report to City Council regarding my suggestions for how to move forward.

Upon meeting w/ them I will email you of their response and the steps will be taking to move forward.

Let me know if you have any other questions…Gina

—
Regina A. Dunphy
UEZ Coordinator/Director of Community Development
City of Gloucester City

Related: Plans Call for a Irish Themed Village

GLOWACKI, RICHARD S.
Suddenly on February 20, 2008, age 71 of Gloucester City, NJ.
Beloved husband of Stella M. (nee Tomko) for forty-nine years. Devoted father of Kathy (Paul)
Pentecost of Sewell,Karen (Eric) Maier of Mullica Hill, Kriss (Dr. James) Baron of Lithia, FL. Beloved son of Amelia Phillips of Ocean City, NJ.
Loving grandfather of Amanda, Julia, Nathan, Christina, Allison, Andrew, Spencer and J.J. Also one brother Dr. James (Linda) Phillips of Egg Harbor, NJ and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Glowacki was employed with UPS for thirty seven years and an Army Veteran from 1956 to 1958. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing Monday from 8am to 9:45am at Sacred Heart Church, 7 West Kings Hwy, Mt. Ephraim, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial Monday, 10 am at the Church. Entombment Locustwood Mausoleum, Cherry, NJ.
Family request in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Alex\’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, 333 E. Lancaster Ave #414, Wynnewood, PA 19096 in Richard\’s memory. Arrangements by:
MAHAFFEY MILANO
FUNERAL HOME
11 E. Kings Hwy.
Mt Ephraim, NJ 08059
Phone: 856-931-1628

TCNJ SCHOOL RECORDS CONTINUE TO BE SHATTERED

Piscataway, NJ…The College of New Jersey’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams continued action on Saturday at the 2008 Metropolitan Conference Championships at Rutgers University’s Sonny A. Werblin Recreation Center. The three-day event will wrap on Sunday night. A year ago, TCNJ’s men’s team won the team crown, while the Lion women’s squad picked up the runner-up crown in the Division III competition.
TCNJ’s men’s team has posted 457 points to stand in 1st place in a field of 14 teams, while the Lion women have amassed 348 points and stand in second place overall in the 16-team field, topped by Division II Southern Connecticut State University. TCNJ’s women hold a lead in the race for the Division III championship.

Men’s Highlights
Senior Josh Forsman (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) added the fastest time in the trials of the 100 butterfly with an NCAA provisional effort of 50.34, just 0.21 off TCNJ’s school record. He would finish in second place in the race and broke TCNJ’s school record with his time of 49.90. He broke his own record set in 2007 that had stood at 50.07.
Freshman Joe Tseng (East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park) competed for the Lions in the 400 IM and picked up a fourth place finish in 4:15.07 after entering the race seeded fourth with his trial performance.
Rookie Tom Medvecky (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) led the Lions in the 200 freestyle as the Lions had four competitors finish in the top eight. Medvecky picked up third in 1:42.76, an NCAA provisional time and just hundredth off TCNJ’s school mark. Junior Mike Heaney (Voorhees, NJ/Bishop Eustace) took home fourth in 1:43.52, while junior Mike Molloy (Toms River, N/Toms River East) added a fifth place finish in 1:43.61 and freshman Shawn Kircher (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) took home sixth in 1:43.78.
In the 100 breaststroke, sophomore Myles O’Connor (Santa Monica, CA) posted a time of 56.98 to lead the Lions with his second place finish, while sophomore Eric Rohrs (Congers, NY/Clarkstown High North) picked up sixth in 1:00.40 and junior Ted Yoa (Ocean City, NJ/St. Augustine) took home seventh in 1:00.70.
Competing in the 200 medley relay, the Lions won the event posting an NCAA automatic time 1: 32.35, two hundredths of a second off the Met record, while also bettering the Lions’ school mark in the race (1:32.48) set in 2004. Competing on the relay for the Lions were Nawrot, O’Connor, Forsman and Kircher.

Women’s Highlights
TCNJ’s senior Ava Kiss (North Brunswick, NJ/Stuart Country Day) opened the day with an NCAA automatic qualifying time in the trials of the 100 butterfly with a time of 57.00, just 0.22 off the program’s school mark (56.78), which she set in 2006. She would finish in second place with an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 55.94, which did break her own school record.
In the 100 breaststroke, senior Lauren Pfeifer (Freehold, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) and rookie Katie Morgan (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) posted top five times in the trials as Pfeifer had a time of 1:06.93 to be seeded second and Morgan was fourth with her trial time of 1:08.21. Pfeifer broke TCNJ’s school record in the trials as she bettered the 2007 mark of 1:07.25 set by Emily Reichard. In the finals, Pfeifer finished in second place in 1:06.81, bettering her own mark from earlier in the day. Morgan picked up fifth in 1:08.14.
In the 400 IM, the Lions had three competitors advance to the championship finals as sophomore Stephanie Seto (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert), junior Brittany Collyer (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Township), and senior Stefanie Rashti (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) had strong efforts. In the finals, Collyer took fourth in 4:44.96, while Seto finished in seventh in 4:48.45, and Rashti picked up eighth in 4:53.86.
TCNJ’s rookie Margaret Molloy (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) also had a strong showing in the 200 freestyle as did senior Kristin Udicious (Cherry Hill, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). Molloy finished in fourth place in 1:56.89, while Udicious picked up seventh in 1:59.76.
Competing in the 200 medley relay, the Lions picked up second place in 1:49.03, an NCAA provisional time. Competing on the relay for the Lions were junior Stacy Delehanty (Oceanport, NJ/Shore Regional), Pfeifer, Kiss and rookie Michele Wilson (Millville, NJ/Millville). The lineup was seeded second after they posted a trial time of 1:49.82, just off the College’s mark in the event (1:48.42).

CHAO Lan – Hing

AKA Nancy Chao. Age 92. On February 22, 2008. Born in Beijing, China on December 27, 1915 of Gloucester City. Loving mother of Susan Wu, Linda Eng, Mary Chai, John Lee and William Lee. Beloved grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 9. Relatives and friends are kindly invited on Wednesday morning promptly 11:30 am at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City for the procession. Service and Inurnment 12 Noon at New Saint Mary\’s Chapel Mausoleum: 515 Browning Road, Bellmawr. Cremation is private. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Lan-Hing Chao. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Phone: 856-456-1142