Celebrating community

Annual Oktoberfest brings residents together in Monroe.

By: Casha Caponegro

-Marcus


Nerlonghi relaxes with a cherry Italian ice.

-Sarah Wisnack waves as she rides in the saddle held by her mom, Cheryl.

-Megan Romanczuk, a bottle with sand that will be top ped off with liquid
wax to make a candle.

   MONROE — The gorgeous autumn weather on Sunday
proved to be the ideal backdrop for Monroe’s annual Oktoberfest celebration,
sponsored by the Recreation Department.
   Amid the beautiful fall foliage, people of all ages gathered
at the Monroe Township Community Center to celebrate Community Pride, which
was the theme for this year’s event.
   DJ music, provided by Noble Productions, had people dancing
in the Community Center parking lot. They also organized games and handed
out prizes to the enthusiastic group.
   Not far from the makeshift dance floor a group of rowdy
teen-age boys anxiously waited their turn to participate in the Bouncy Boxing
game set up in an inflatable ring.
-Sisters


Melody and Joelle Marrone danced as a D.J. plays some tunes.

-Brandon Warshofsky takes a headfirst dive down the slide.

-Chris Faughnan, right, with a set of mighty big gloves, boxes with Michael
Connors.

   "I


am going to knock you out," one boy joked to his friend, realizing that
the protective headgear provided to each participant would prevent them
from causing any real harm.

   The younger crowd enjoyed riding on a trackless train
that was sponsored by Mid-State Realty, who also provided a moonwalk bouncy
room and handed out free mugs, candy and water bottles to passers-by.

   "This is our second year doing Oktoberfest," said Lori
Meredino, a sales associate with Mid-State. "It brings camaraderie and gets
everyone out, brings them all together. In eight years Monroe has grown
so much. It seems like every year it is getting bigger and bigger, which
is nice."

   Vendors selling various crafts, food and toys were lined
up along Monmouth Avenue, enticing people walking by with their different
wares.

   "Oktoberfest brings people together to see what is done
by volunteers in town," said Margarite Defoe, corresponding secretary for
the Monroe Township Mother’s Club, who were sponsoring a pumpkin painting
table.

-Eric Hidi


stretches a bungee as he prepares to dunk the ball in a waiting basket.

-Ian McNee gives a ride to a feathered friend at the pet ting zoo during
Saturday’s Oktoberfest clelebration.

-Mike Rupinski scales a climbing wall.

   The


proceeds from this table, as well as others that participated in Oktoberfest
will go toward the Recreation Department’s Thanksgiving food baskets. With
the assistance of local Scout troops, these baskets will be delivered to
local families in need.

   In addition to this charity, many vendors at Oktoberfest
were raising money for other worthy causes.

   Woodland-Mill Lake PTO sold American flag T-shirts and
pins to support the recovery effort at the World Trade Center.

   The high school’s junior class sold different flavors
of gourmet coffee to support their prom and project graduation.

   "We have been doing this for a couple of years," said
Marissa Tringali.

   Members from the high school DECA (Distributive Education
Clubs of America), a national organization for marketing students, sold
candy apples and sponsored a candy corn contest to benefit a fellow DECA
member stricken with testicular cancer.

   "This promotes community awareness," said the club’s advisor,
Debbie Strapenski, who is also a marketing teacher at the school. "We wanted
to open fund-raising to the public."

   "Oktoberfest brings everyone together," said DECA member
Jimmy Gaston, who is also a member of the Recreation Department staff. "This
is perfect weather for a lovely community day."