GERI KARPISCAK, RN
Nurse Manager, Cardiac Rehabilitation
and Diabetes Management
University Medical Center at Princeton
CLARE BAXTER, LUCILLE DAWSON, LAVERNE D. HEBERT
Co-Chairs, White Elephant Rummage Sale 2006
KARA STEPHENSON
Director, Breast Cancer Resource Center
YWCA Princeton
T. BURNET FISHER
Snowden Lane
LORI HENINGER
Executive Director, HiTOPS
EVE NIEDERGANG
Forester Drive
ERIC MONBER, BRUCE KEMP
Book Sale Co-Chairs
To the Editor:
Every 35 seconds, someone in this country dies from cardiovascular disease. An important step in combating this disease is identifying one's risk. I would like to thank the area church leaders who helped Princeton HealthCare System bring World Heart Day 2006 to the Princeton and Hightstown communities on Sunday, September 24. Over 150 community residents were screened and those requiring follow-up were provided information on how and when to follow up with a health care provider.
Bringing together the community for this important event could not have been possible without the integrated efforts of the community, local churches, and the healthcare professionals from Princeton HealthCare System. I would like to personally thank the Rev. Vernard Leak and Mr. Jesse Malave of Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Princeton; the Rev. Carlton Branscomb and Ms. Cheryl Sistrunk of First Baptist Church, Princeton; and the Rev. Bernard Fowler and the Howard Family — Dr. James Howard, his wife Cheryl, and son Matthew — of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Hightstown. A special thanks to the Henry J. Austin Health Center, Inc., for providing free HIV testing and counseling.
This is an illustration of the good things that happen when resources are combined for the benefit of the community.
GERI KARPISCAK, RN
Nurse Manager, Cardiac Rehabilitation
and Diabetes Management
University Medical Center at Princeton
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Auxiliary of University Medical Center at Princeton and all the volunteers at the 2006 White Elephant Rummage Sale, we wish to thank all those contributors and customers who participated in our 88th annual sale in our new location in the parking at UMCP.
We would also like to thank UMCP physicians and staff who gave up their parking spaces to accommodate the sale.
The rummage sale was a great success and all profits will go to cardiac care and equipment and heart-related community education programs at UMCP.
CLARE BAXTER, LUCILLE DAWSON, LAVERNE D. HEBERT
Co-Chairs, White Elephant Rummage Sale 2006
To the Editor:
On Friday, September 29, Breast Cancer Awareness Month was launched in style at the 2nd Annual "In the Pink" Fashion Show and Silent Auction. More than 220 guests watched breast cancer survivors, their husbands, children, sisters, friends, and doctors model stunning fall fashions from Aerosoles, Hedy Shepard Ltd., Honey West, Hulit's Shoes, Ici Fashion for Children, J. McLaughlin, Rouge, Talbots, and the Dandeline Shop. They bid generously on auction items and helped raise more than $16,000 to benefit the YWCA Princeton's Breast Cancer Resource Center, which is dedicated to providing information and support to women and families affected by breast cancer, and to increasing awareness of the disease in the community.
We extend heartfelt thanks to all those who made this inspirational evening possible. Thank you to our sponsor Capital Health System; individual event benefactors, patrons and friends; in-kind contributors Bloomers N' Things, Rita Marie Bohlumbohm, Firmenich, Jen King Graphic Design, Life Photography by Katherine, Anne Lumberger, Mary Phillips Designs, Metropolis Spa & Salon, McCaffrey's West Windsor, Media Matrix, Revlon, Triangle East Windsor, and Wildflowers of Princeton Junction; live auction donors An Organized Life, Hamilton Jewelers, Longchamp USA, and Trump National Golf Club; and all of the 146 silent auction donors, for their generosity and support. To our emcee June Ballinger, DJ Eric Santini, auctioneer Jim D'Ovidio, and our many volunteers, thank you for keeping the evening running smoothly. And to our 28 models, thank you for sharing your energy and enthusiasm with us all.
A special note of appreciation to breast cancer survivor Lynne Ransom, who shared her thoughts on the importance of an event like "In the Pink" to patients, survivors, and their loved ones; and to Phyllis Marchand, Mayor of Princeton Township, for presiding over the pink ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2006.
The support of all participants and guests made this event a true celebration of the beauty, strength, and spirit of breast cancer survivors and their supporters.
KARA STEPHENSON
Director, Breast Cancer Resource Center
YWCA Princeton
To the Editor:
It seems that still another Princeton Township Zoning Board hearing on the Morgan Estates housing application for a variance will take place today, October 25.
I still don't understand why the board is even conducting hearings on this matter. It is a request to throw out the existing zoning law and change it to something completely different, but they still call it a variance.
The zoning was established many years ago. It was done after lengthy public hearings before the Regional Planning Board which were then submitted to Township Committee with their recommendation for approval, and it was subsequently voted into law by those elected officials after still more public hearings.
The function of the zoning board is to consider requests for variances by applicants facing severe hardship if the letter of the zoning law is strictly enforced. Such things as minor infringement of a setback requirement, or a height that might be a foot over the maximum at the peak of the roof, would fall within their power to grant a variance if the hardship is legitimate.
I cannot believe that this appointed board has any authority to change our zoning law for the benefit of a private developer. The power to change laws must remain with the elected, not appointed, officials.
T. BURNET FISHER
Snowden Lane
To the Editor:
I am writing to say thank you — a very big thank you — to some new and old friends of HiTOPS.
Last Wednesday, HiTOPS officially launched our 20th year of service with an open house/health fair/birthday party and we were delighted to welcome hundreds of parents, friends, teens, and partnering organizations to HiTOPS!
The event would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our supporters and sponsors. Event underwriters included: Ortho Women's Health & Urology — a division of Ortho-McNeill Pharmaceutical Inc.; Janssen, L.P.; Church & Dwight Company, Inc.; The HiTOPS Staff and board of directors; and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Ferrara. Mr. Ferrara was not only an event underwriter, but also serves as the chair of the 20th Anniversary activities and is a member of our board of directors.
We were also tremendously grateful to receive additional in-kind support from Blue Tulip, Church & Dwight Company, Inc., Ferrara & Company Advertising, Johnson & Johnson, JoyCards, Heather Parker, and Wegman's.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, birthday party guests were able to take advantage of free massages, tours of our newly renovated facilities, and take part in wellness activities. Needless to say, we also all enjoyed lots of goodies, including ice cream, popcorn, and of course, birthday cake!
In the end, at our birthday party, we thanked many current supporters, introduced countless new people to HiTOPS and raised some much-needed funds to support HiTOPS and the essential work we do in the community.
I would like to raise a big piece of birthday cake to everyone who attended our celebration, and extend a personal welcome to HiTOPS to anyone who may have missed the celebration. We are still encouraging support of HiTOPS as we enter our 20th year, and I personally would love to meet anyone who would like to learn more about the services we provide or the lives we touch.
At HiTOPS, we deeply believe that responsible decisions lead to brighter futures, and we were so thrilled to share our message in such a powerful and celebratory way.
LORI HENINGER
Executive Director, HiTOPS
To the Editor:
It's that time of year again — time to collect your change and your dollar bills to contribute to the U.S. fund for UNICEF Trick-or-Treat collection. On Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, Riverside Elementary School in Princeton will be collecting money for UNICEF. Last year, we exceeded our goal of $1,500; this year we have set a goal of $1,600. Please help us reach it! If someone comes to your door with a UNICEF box, please give generously — not just your spare change, but your $1, $5, $10, $20 bills as well. Remember the difference that your contribution can make in the lives of children in need.
A contribution of seven cents to UNICEF can supply an entire classroom with crayons, $1 can immunize a child against polio, $10 can feed 3 children healthfully for a month, and $150 can provide clean water for an entire village. UNICEF is noted for its cost effectiveness and its integrity. Over 90 percent of the contributions that you make will go directly to help children. Charity Navigator, a nonprofit organization that rates charities, gives the U.S. Fund for UNICEF its highest rating — 4 stars. As a contributor, you can be confident that your money is getting where it needs to go.
You can also contribute by sending checks to UNICEF, Riverside PTO, Riverside Elementary School, 58 Riverside Drive, Princeton, N.J., 08540.
Riverside has some extra UNICEF boxes this year for children who would like to participate but don't have boxes. Call me at 430-9358 and you can come pick some up. Happy Halloween!
EVE NIEDERGANG
Forester Drive
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Friends of the Princeton Public Library, we'd like to thank everybody who donated books to our Annual Book Sale and everybody who flocked to the Library's Community Meeting Room to buy those books. You made the sale the most successful in our history.
We invite you all to our next Annual Sale in 2007. Until then, a wide selection of books at bargain prices can be found on our Ongoing Book Sale shelves located to the right of the main staircase on the Library's first floor.
Right now, you can help build back our depleted stock by donating books in good condition, but please no textbooks, outdated travel and computer guides, magazines, encyclopedias or condensed books. Donors can ring the bell at the library deliveries entrance, accessible from the Wiggins Street driveway. For large donations, arrangements must be made in advance by phoning 924-9529, ext. 280. In special cases, books can be picked up at the donor's home.
See you next fall.
ERIC MONBER, BRUCE KEMP
Book Sale Co-Chairs