On December 4, 2007. (nee Zgleszewski) Age 84. Of Gloucester City, NJ. Formerly of Darby, PA. Loving wife of 36 years to the late Matthew Francis Kierkla. Devoted mother of the late Matthew Kierkla (surviving wife Patricia) and Marianne Feinberg (late Frank Feinberg). Beloved grandmother of Karen, Matthew and Jennifer. Cherished great-grandmother of Timothy.

Helen was a devoted and faithful parishioner of Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church in Gloucester City. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Friday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 am at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City, NJ.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am at Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA. There will be no evening viewing. Family requests memorial donations in Helen\’s memory to Aid to the Aging c/o Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: at the above address. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Helen M. Kierkla. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Phone: 856-456-1142

 by Hank F. Miller Jr.

  Westerners often fine it takes Japanese a long time to make decisions. I believe the training for decision-making starts at an early age, when Japanese children are conditioned to be shy.

\”Which do you like Taro,\” you ask. \”the red candy or the blue one?\” Taro will not answer because children in Japannever have to make decisions , \”Hazukashii desu!\” (\”He\’s so shy!\”) interjects Taro\’s mother with a smile, clearly praising the boy\’s behavior. And once will not be enough. She\’ll repeat \” Hazukashii\” several times.

When Japanese adults talk to children, they compliment the parents by saying , \” Hazukashii desu ne? \” (just count the \”hazukashiis\”next time you have the opportunity to be near a Japanese mother with small children.I\’ll just be that it\’ll get up into the hundreds.Then imagine twins !).

It\’s no wonder Japanese kids are so shy-they are constantly told to be .While the child smiles and buries his face behind his mother, we never find out which Taro likes, the red candy or the blue one.

So I suppose it should be no wonder that by the time students get to my writing class at the college level , it can take an entire 60-minute class just to decide on a topic for an essay.This is not to say the students are doing nothing in class;they are thinking, trying to decide on what to decide. It goes like this:

\”Your next assignment is to write a 500 word essay.\”The class looks up at me in suprise-the students are horrified. Ican see the question marks floating over their heads like in cartoon balloons.\”But I have nothing to write about,\” says one student. \”Me neither,\” says another. \”Me neither,\” \”Me neither,\” \”Me neitherthey each answer around the table.I then suggest to one of the students ,\”how about your trip abroad or your part time-job?\”

\”That\’s a good idea,\” saysone student . Another student plays with her eraser while another looks at her winnie-the-pooh pencil, sighs and says to her friend,\”pooh–sankawaii ne?\”(Isn\’t winnie-the-pooh cute?\”)

\” What is your topic?\” I ask her.

\”Pass she says, as if English class were a quiz show.I go back to the student who was showing promise with her topic. She is deliberating.\”Which should I write about,my trip abroad or my part-time job? Do shiyo ka ne?\”Then suddenly,another student interjects and the question marks above her head change to exclamation points:\”Muzukashii!\” (difficult!\”).I can see the word written in bold red letters in the cartoon balloon, accompanied by a flash of lightening bolt. Exasperated. She crosses her arms in front of her on the desk and buries her face. Another student chimes in \”Muri!\”(\”Impossible!\”) While little muffins of steam pulse out of her head in her cartoon balloon.

It\’s almost as if I can resd their horoscopes\” Aquarius\”you will have a difficult time making decisions today.Pisces:Postpone any decisions today, especially small ones.Libra\”Beware of making decisions today that will affect your entire week.Capricoern: Ignore people who try to push you into making decisions.

I go back to the girl who was making progress.She has decided to write about her trip abroad and has even written the first paragraph of her esasay.Meanwhile,the girl with the Winnie-the-pooh pencil is now adhering Disney stickers onto her electronic dictionary.

\”Kawaii ne?\”she says to her friend. I wonder what this girl\’s \”o-baa-chan (Grandmother or old lady) cart is going to look like when she\’s in her 80s pushing it along the street. Suddenly, the chime rings.\”Oh I gasp saved by the bell again!\”

Sixty mimutes have passed, and not one decision has been made! Well, one has. I turn to the girl who has already written a paragraph, but now she is sitting with a blank sheet of paper in front of her.

\” I\’ve changed my topic,\”she says. This is when I realize that we have fully completed the progress in full circle of decision making.

At times teaching English in Japan can be so very frustrating to say the least.

Warm Regards From Kitakyushu City ,Japan

 

By Lois Staas

NEWS Correspondent

The Bellmawr Mayor and Council meeting last Tuesday evening was brief, highlighting holiday activities in the Borough.

Councilman Louis P. Di-Angelo said, \”The annual tree lighting will be Sunday, December 2, at 7 p.m. at the Borough Hall.\”

The Sons of Italy/William Pace Lodge is sponsoring Breakfast with Santa at the Community Center Saturday, December 8, from 9 a.m. until noon. Santa arrives at 10 a.m.

Seating is limited.

Christmas in Bellmawr Sleigh Rides will be at the Rec Center December 7, 8 and 9 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The House Decorating Contest will be Sunday, December 16. Be sure to turn those lights on!

In other business, Council accepted the resignation of Emergency Management Coordinator George Ren-nles and appointed James Durleigh as EMC.

Councilman Regina F. Pointkowski presented certificates of recognition to members of the Fabulous Feet Dance Company, the New Jersey State Champions for the DAP Regional Dance Competition.

\”We are proud of you in your first competition experience of 18 events,\” Mrs. Piontkowski said.

Councilman John P. Bollinger added, \”You did an outstanding job your first year.\”

The following girls are members of the Fabulous Feet Dance Company: Al-exis Robinson, Dana Robinson, Ilse-Marie Cook, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Darby Shaw, Chelsea Parker, Chelsea Holwell, Klaudiya Vasylenko, Emilee Hoyte, Kim Mount, Marie Stopper, Kirstie McCoy, Lisa Tompson, Ashleigh Gaffney and Jennifer Sader.

Mayor and Council wished all Bellmawr residents, employees and their families a Happy Thanksgiving.

PROFERA, PAUL, JR.
\”Superintendent of Profera Homes\”, suddenly, on November 29, 2007, of Bellmawr, formerly a longtime resident of Fairview. Age 66.
Devoted husband of 45 years of Margi (nee Gialuco). Loyal son of Marie (nee DiPietro) and the late Paul, Sr. Magnificent father of LeeAnn Hallinan (Jim), Paul Profera (Camie) and MaryLou Profera (Mike). Most Treasured Pop Pop of Anthony Profera, Alexis Profera, Michaela Lee Murphy, Gianna Hallinan, Paul Nicholas Profera, Dominic Murphy and Anthony Caputi. Brother of Louis Profera (Chris) and the late Maria Marshall. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Paul was the former co-owner of Shorty\’s Newsstand in Fairview. He previously owned and trained thoroughbred race horses and was a former member of the NJ Thoroughbred Racing Assoc. He was a dedicated Sr. Corrections Officer in the hospital at Riverfront State Prison.
Paul proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He was also a former member of VFW Post #7410. He was a devoted family man who was always available 24 hours a day for his wife, children and grandchildren. Nothing made him happier or more proud than his grandchildren.
There will be a viewing from 6 to 9pm Tuesday eve and 8:15 to 9:15am Wednesday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass 10am Wednesday at Annunciation BVM Church, Bellmawr. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in memory of Paul Profera, Jr. to Bishop Eustace Prep Football Program, 5552 Rt. 70, Pennsauken, NJ 08109, Attn: Nick Italiano. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to [email protected].

GAMBONE, THOMAS F.
Age 85, of Audubon, passed away on Tuesday November 27, 2007 at the Atriums at Silver Care in Cherry Hill.
Mr. Gambone faithfully defended his country as a veteran of the U.S. Navy during WWII. He had been a lifetime member of the Raws-Tait VFW Post 7334 in Somerdale, the Oaklyn-Bettlewood American Legion Post 84 and the Audubon Fire Dept., Station 1-1. He was the owner of the L.T. Sub Shop on West Atlantic Ave. in Audubon.
Mr. Gambone is the widower of the late Marie (nee Moneglia) and is survived by his brother Louis E. (Alice) Gambone. He is uncle of Angel Gambone (David Crispi), Robert Gambone (Lorraine), and Lucy Gambone. He is the Great-Uncle of Adrienne (Albert) Panetta, Jr. and Great, Great Uncle of Gabrielle A. Panetta.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 am at Holy Maternity Church, 431 W. Nicholson Rd., Audubon, Fr. Cairone Celebrating. Interment and Military tribute will follow at the William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown.
Relatives and friends are invited to remember and honor Thomas on Monday between 8:30 and 10:30 am at the HENRY FUNERAL HOME, 152 W. Atlantic Ave., Audubon. www.henryfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Raws-Tait VFW Post 7334, 10 Kennedy Blvd., Somerdale, NJ 08083.

LYNN, GINA MARIE
(nee DeLorenzo), of Westville, on November 29, 2007 peacefully, surrounded by her family. age 39 years.
Beloved wife of Michael Lynn; devoted mother of Brandy Lynn (Wes Lindsey), Michael Lynn, Jr., Antoinette Lynn & Julia Lynn; grandmother of Taylor Rose Lindsey; daughter of John (Lynne) DeLorenzo and Kathleen (Michael) Spencer; sister of John DeLorenzo and Peter Delorenzo.
Raised in Medford Lakes, Gina and her family lived in Gloucester City, moving to Westville 4 years ago. For the last 8 years, Mrs. Lynn was Asst. Billing Mgr. for SJ Port Corp. in Camden,Viewing Sunday 7-9PM in BLAKE-DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, 226 Collings Ave., Collingswood. Funeral Monday 9:30 to 10:30 AM from the Funeral Home. Funeral Mass 11AM in Most Holy Redeemer RC Church, Delsea Drive, Westville Grove.
The Family suggests donations in Gina\’s memory to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053.

I have a couple of things on my mind that I like to discuss with you. Even more important I like to know what you have been thinking lately.

Did you know on Tuesday, Dec. 4 there will be an informal meeting held in the Mary Ethel Costello School about the proposed passenger rail line running through Gloucester City. The line would connect communities in Gloucester County to Camden City. In addition, there would be a passenger station located at Cumberland Street, in Gloucester City. If approved the rail service would be an electric train. Service during peak hours would be every 10-12 minutes; off peak service would be every 15-20 minutes. In 1996, the same Camden County to Gloucester County route was proposed but a small group of people complained and the idea was dropped.

I am in favor of the proposal mainly because the traffic situation on the major highways heading both south and north are overwhelming. One accident on a major highway and all the traffic is diverted to Gloucester City. When that happens it can take 30 minutes or more to ride from Gloucester City to the Brooklawn circle.

A passenger station located in Gloucester City would also help boost the economy. Growing up in this community there was always a passenger rail service in existence. In fact, at one time there were three rail lines running through the City.

Gloucester City needs to catch up with the 21^st century and the rest of South Jersey. Anything to stop the City\’s spiraling decline should be welcome with open arms. I believe the electric train will be a start in that direction.

Second subject….the idea of charging property owners a rental fee for each rental unit began in 1995 or thereabout. For some strange reason in the 10 years or so this law was in affect it was never enforced. The Housing Office collected the money each year but never inspected any properties, as far I know.

Now the James administration wants to change the ordinance to increase the rental fee that property owners pay by 300 percent.

The new governing body has said by increasing fees we will clean up our housing stock. Ironically, the previous administration that was voted out of office promised us the same thing. In the 10 years, the law has been in existence our rental housing stock if anything has gotten worst.

Mayor James and members of City Council, you do not need to hire more people in the housing office. Instead, we need stricter housing laws and penalties. If the property owner does not clean up the property then the City should do it and add the charge (s) to the owner\’s property taxes. You have a part-time person handing out parking tickets. Hire a part-time person to cite property owners.

Final topic:

Say goodbye to the days of the Abbott School District.

Our new school superintendent, Paul Spaventa inherited a financial mess from our previous superintendent, Mary Stansky. It is not all her fault nor is it all the fault of our local School Board.

No. I blame our state legislators and the Superior Court Judges for creating the mess we find ourselves in today when it comes to financing the operation of our Public Schools.

I have to ask those on the local school board, \”Did you ever discuss among yourselves what will happen when the money runs out?\” Well board members if you have been reading the papers and listening to the news you know the money has run out. The state is broke and the free ride is over.

Before we became an Abbott District, we had less employees and the budget was much lower. Today we have more employees, less students, and an estimated budget of $41 million. So what happens now? How much of that estimated amount do the local residents have to pay?

The public was told last week the school district is looking at a $1.3 million deficit. Are you still planning to build the $20 million Middle School? If we cannot pay for the buildings and staff, we have now, how can we afford another new school.

Things look bleak for the City School District. I believe last year\’s scare of 70 plus school employees being let go was just a drop in the bucket. Unless Trenton comes through with some more money, which I doubt, we will see more lay-offs in the months ahead.

To our new, school superintendent, Paul Spaventa, welcome to Gloucester City. I do not envy your position. I hope you do better with communicating with the public than your predecessor.

Nor do I do I envy being a politician or a school board member in this City. There are some tough and unpopular decisions to be made by both governing bodies in the year 2008.

Did I mention the union contract for the City\’s 34 career firefighters is up for negotiation in 2008?

Why not help them out by sharing your thoughts. Who knows you might come up with a idea on how to save the taxpayer\’s money.

More \”Points of View\” from Bill

On November 30, 2007. (nee Pollich) Age 70. Of Brooklawn. Formerly of Philadelphia, PA. Beloved daughter of the late Joseph Paul Pollich and Marie Pollich (nee Murphy). Loving wife of 51 years to Lee R. Wampler.

Devoted mother of the late Joey Wampler, Steven Wampler (Gail), Mark Wampler (Regina), Michael Wampler (Mary Jean) and Scott Wampler. Dear Sister of Berenice Dorman (Shelly), Dolores Campbell and the late Francis Pollich (surviving wife Jeri). Adoring grandmother of Lauren, Steven, Michael, Andrew, Daniel and Emily. Survived by nieces and nephews. Kathryn was born, raised and lived in Philadelphia. She has been a resident of Brooklawn for the last 18 years. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her visitation on Wednesday morning from 10 am to 11 am at Saint Maurice R.C. Church: 401 Community Road, (At U.S. Route 130 South), Brooklawn. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am in the church. Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. There will be no evening visitation and no visitation at the funeral home. Family requests that memorial donations in Kathryn\’s memory to the Dominican Shrine of Saint Jude: 411 East 68^th Street, New York, New York, 10021-6395. Please write in memo of check: Kathryn A. Wampler. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Kathryn A. \”Kitty\” Wampler. Funeral Arrangements through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City, NJ. Phone: 856-456-1142

 

 

Tadd\’s Statistic and information page on Gloucester Catholic High School Football

 

Rider at Princeton University’s
‘Big Al’ Invitational

PRINCETON—Both the Rider men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are competing at the ‘Big Al’ Invitational, hosted by Princeton University this weekend at DeNunzio Pool.

For the Rider women’s team on Saturday, junior diver Amanda Burke (Churchville, Pa./William Tennent) won the one-meter with a score of (276.80), sophomore Kellyanne Tomasula (Sussex, N.J./Vernon Township) placed seventh in the 100 back (56.89) with junior Priscilla Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) placing eighth in the 100 fly (56.58).

For the Rider men’s team sophomore Scott Player (Chino Hills, Calif./Ruben S. Ayala) was 11th in the 100 fly (51.43), senior Peter Starr (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown Area Senior) was 13th in the 100 back (53.20).

Also for the Rider men, freshman Mike Tubb (Swedesboro, N.J./St. Augustine Prep.) placed 13th in the 100 breast (59.94), freshman Dave Farfan (Houston, Texas/Lamar) was 14th in the 100 fly (52.41) with senior diver Dylan Korn (Hawthorne, N.Y./Westlake) finishing 15th in the three-meter (228.20) and senior Matt Bauer (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) placing 20th in the 100 breast (1:01.05).

The men\’s 800 free relay of freshman C.J. Kohner (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy Senior), freshman Ryan Nelthropp (Christiansted, V.I./St. Croix Country Day), freshman Nick Sakell (Bel Air, Md./Fallston) and sophomore Brian Brady (Turnersville, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) finished ninth with a time of 7:06.93.

The women’s 200 medley relay of Tomasula, freshman Carmen Menendez (Fairfax, Va./Oakton), Modrov and senior Stephanie Cosentino (Staten Island, N.Y./Notre Dame Academy) was 10th with a time of 1:48.41.

The women\’s 800 free relay of Modrov, Tomasula, Cosentino and freshman Alicia Fimple (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) placed 11th with a time of 7:47.79.

Competition concludes on Sunday.