To the Editor:
EMTs Face
Volunteer Shortage
West Windsor is an affluent town with a wonderful concern for the environment and 59.5 percent of its property taxes going toward its fine education system. I learned the hard way that it didn’t have something that we all take for granted! The rescue squad has paid EMTs during the day but a volunteer crew in the evening. At times, however, it doesn’t have any volunteers.
I was one of the unlucky ones who needed an ambulance when they didn’t have any volunteers. I was unresponsive, and the 911 operator finally located an ambulance in another town. Luckily I awoke on the way to the hospital. I live in an active adult community in West Windsor. Our residents pay the same 59.5 percent that goes toward education and vote to maintain this high quality even though we don’t have children going to the schools.
We do, however, require basic services that save lives! These services are required by all ages. Those who volunteer are true “angels of mercy,” but if we are unable to cover all the bases, we need to direct our attention to the obvious before a tragedy occurs.
Joan Shames
Coneflower Lane, West Windsor
WW Arts Council
Calls for Service
At a recent meeting of the Town Council approval was given for a contract to be awarded to the lowest bidder to begin renovations on the Princeton Junction Firehouse. This is a significant event and a cause for celebration. Having a community arts center operating in and serving the West Windsor community is now one major step closer to reality.
For those of you who have expressed interest in helping the West Windsor Arts Council as a volunteer, the time has arrived to tap your skills and help us bring this new arts center to life.
On Wednesday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the West Windsor Senior Center, our executive director, Eduardo Garcia, members of the West Windsor Arts Council Board, and our Arts Advisory Board members will present architectural drawings, an overview of the projected operational structure of the new arts center, and the projected timeline for volunteer efforts to help make the arts center a reality. We have invited representatives of the Township to join us that evening as well.
Our volunteer task forces, comprising several members of our community, have already begun working on several initiatives. However, with renovations beginning shortly, much more needs to be done. While some work needs to be done before the end of this year, most of the task forces’ work will begin after the new year gets underway. But now is the time to match your skills, your talents and your interests to these task forces, as we all work together to launch this exciting new enterprise.
Are your talents along artistic lines to help program performances, exhibits, and/or classes in the new arts center?
Are your skills on the administrative side to help address “use of facility” policies and other operational issues such as fundraising and coordinating volunteers?
Do you have an HR background to help with personnel policies and benefits?
Are you interested in planning special events such as the grand opening of the arts center?
Do you have bookkeeping or accounting experience to help design the financial systems for the new arts center?
Are you experienced in database management or web development and design?
Do you have a marketing or public relations background to help design and execute a coordinated marketing effort through the opening and beyond?
Do you simply want to help in whatever way you can?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions then join us on November 18 to help make our new arts center a focal point in our community!
Since we would like to provide refreshments and handouts, please RSVP to this invitation. If you are unable to attend but still want to help, please let us know so that we can keep you informed, as volunteers set out to undertake different tasks.
West Windsor Arts Council
Arts Request
Raises Questions
For several years we have tried, unsuccessfully, to interest the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education in getting the complete universe of our high school students involved in community service. President Obama has used community service as a personal hallmark in building responsible citizenship. Here are a few issues that must be addressed:
(1.) Why didn’t the WW Arts Council solicit volunteers for various tasks at the time of its inception/organization? For example, the WW Soccer Association raised funds for many years prior to getting its own fields: www.wwpsa.org/
(2.) How much money — grants, donations, funds — has been delivered to the WW Arts Council under the stewardship of its executive director? By contrast, what has the WW Arts Council invested in its executive director and ancillary staffers?
(3.) Why was a specific venue (the old Princeton Junction firehouse) necessary prior to starting these critical efforts?
(4.) As a suggestion in anticipation of the November 18 unveiling of a business plan at the newly renovated and expanded WW Senior Center, it is imperative that the Arts Council disclose its financial information as an integral part of its 501 (c)-3 nonprofit status.
“A Call to Service?” Unfortunately, at this time, community service is passively discouraged, according to the WW-P Board of Education, which feels our students and parents are “too busy” to assist this educational effort.
Recently I sent communications to each of our elected WWP Board members soliciting their opinions and input. Unfortunately, only one board member responded: John Farrell.
Undertaking a challenge like this builds a sense of community and spirit as volunteers become stakeholders in the success of the WW Arts Council. It serves as an incubator for untold greatness in countless arenas.
Peter R. Weale
144 Fisher Place
Historical Society
Welcomes Members
A brief history of the Historical Society of West Windsor:
West Windsor is fortunate to receive new residents from all over the United States, as well as all over the world. Many of these new residents bring with them the history of their former homes. However, how many of our residents, both new and longtime, know the history of the Township of West Windsor or of the existence and work of the Historical Society of West Windsor in preserving and publicizing this history?
It was this lack of historical information that caused the Historical Society of West Windsor to be formed in 1983. Our purpose: preserving and publicizing the history of the Township, its people, and its buildings. We began by producing a series of newsletters, called “Broadside,” which discussed the history of each of the villages that made up the Township, as well as its service organizations. Between 1983 and 2004, 38 were written and published. These newsletters are available at the Schenck House either individually or bound in a looseleaf notebook as a collection.
In 1991 Max Zaitz and his family donated 117 acres and a farmstead on Southfield Road to West Windsor Township. The farmstead consisted of a 1790-1830 farmhouse, a large Dutch-English-style barn, and other outbuildings. It was the Zaitz Family’s request that the farmhouse become the headquarters for the Historical Society of West Windsor, and that they should be responsible for restoring the house and opening it to the public. It took us until 2003 to restore the farmhouse. The Zaitz family also requested that the name of the farmhouse be the Schenck House, after the family that lived in the house and farmed the land for three generations.
To decorate the interior, we received a donation from American Cyanamid of most of the furniture from the Doherty House on Quakerbridge Road. Amelia Doherty, the last of her line to live in the house, had wanted the house and furnishings to be made into a museum, but that was not possible. We were able to convince the company to donate the furnishings to the Schenck House. With this donation, we were able to decorate several rooms: the original kitchen in 18th-century style; the double parlor in Eastlake Victorian style; the dining room and two bedrooms in late-19th-century style.
In addition, we mounted a comprehensive photo exhibit, featuring each of the villages of West Windsor, as well as farming, schools, War of the Worlds, etc. We also produce special exhibits featuring collections and antiques. Special exhibits have included “Bridal Gowns of the Past,” “Dolls and Dollhouses,” “Women’s Handicrafts,” and “Hats of the 20th Century.”
Thanks to long-time residents, we have collected an extensive library of photographs and information about West Windsor, its families, buildings, and history. The material in this library is available to students by appointment.
Our organization meets five times a year at the Schenck House at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the odd months. We usually have a program to follow at 8 p.m. on a topic of historic interest. Our 2009-10 programs include the following:
Linda Barth of the D&R Canal Commission will speak to us about the D&R Canal on January 4.
John Fabiano, Allentown historian, will discuss New Jersey people of interest, such as the famed Molly Pitcher, on March 1.
Our final meeting on May 10 will be a Pot Luck Supper.
The public is invited to all meetings and programs. The Schenck House will be open to the public on the following Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.: December 13, February 14, April 11, and June 13. The events are free; donations appreciated.
The HSofWW began in 1983 with 100 charter members, and that membership continues to grow. Membership forms are available at the Schenck House during our open days. Yearly membership options are: Family ($12); Individual ($8); Senior Citizen, 65-79 ($5); Over 80 ( FREE).
Mary Schenck and Joan Parry
Hersh to Ciccone:
Congratulations
I want to give a heart-felt congratulations to Diane Ciccone. I spoke with Diane and her husband Darell on election night to congratulate them directly. Diane is a terrific person. I wish her much success in achieving the objectives she has set forth.
I also want to thank the 2,176 people who supported me and voted for me and the 3,335 people who supported and voted for Diane. You opened your homes, shared your ideas, and worked hard toward the objectives that we laid out in our respective campaigns. I thank you all for your courtesy, your passion, and for coming out to vote.
You are the 33 percent of registered voters who spoke out for the future of the township. You exemplified the non-partisan spirit that thrives in West Windsor.
May our elected politicians follow your lead. There is a lot of work to be done, and as a community working together, we can and will be part of the solution.
Special thanks to Township Clerk Sharon Young, Deputy Clerk Gay Huber, WW-P News reporter Cara Latham, and the many others who have worked so hard during the election process. Andrew Hersh
5 Halstead Place, West Windsor
GRoWW’s Direction:
Toward Sustainability
The second annual GroWW (Greening of West Windsor) Environmental Education Fair on October 3 displayed environmental initiatives happening through our township to protect our natural resources. As a township we have embarked on a path to develop a Sustainability Plan for our community that encompasses land-use decisions, energy-saving opportunities, better health initiatives and a desire to increase our recycling program. The exhibitors displayed a wide range of products and services.
This year’s theme, “GroWWing the next generation of Problem Solvers,” became a reality when we witnessed the student volunteers welcoming residents, manning their own educational booths, providing musical entertainment, staffing the recycling center, and participating throughout the year in planning meetings. We are proud to watch the next generation make the commitment for protecting the planet’s health.
We thank all the volunteers, the core committee for their commitment to finding new exhibitors, the WW Administration and Council for myriad supporting functions and we especially thank Alex Drummond and the Public Works staff for cleaning up.
To all our neighbors, thanks for showing up, asking good questions and letting us know how much you enjoyed the fair.
Heidi Kleinman
Chair, GroWW Committee
Co-Chairs: Lynnie Sharma, Beth Feehan, Ed Haemmerle, Ron Slinn, Debbie Levatino, and student coordinators Jennifer Sharma and Sarah Yu.
