Letters

It was music,

not the circus
To the editor:
   In regard to the naming of streets in the newly developed Carlton Homes development may I say, that in keeping with the flavor of the former Music Circus theme, it was not so much about the circus as it was about the music.
   Those of us that spent our high school years loving and working "the circus," recognize the Ferris wheel and the carousel as theme-oriented matter that complemented the tent and arena atmosphere. But the real romance was in the smell of the grease paint and the roar of the crowd.
   The thrill of being there every day to walk and talk with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Mahalia Jackson, Al Hirt and Buddy Rich, to experience the pleasure in witnessing the summer stock players — some already famous, some soon to be — in rehearsal and performance, to meet and appreciate the local greats such as the late Jack Washburn cannot be preserved in streets named after equipment.
   Our appreciation was not in free rides on the big wheel or on the gaily painted horses but in the artistic culture presented by the great performers of the music world and in repeated viewing of the major shows of Broadway — "Stop the World, I Want To Get Off," "West Side Story," "Carousel," "Pygmalion," etc., etc., etc.
   In keeping with the theme and preserving the history I would suggest names like Armstrong or Washburn, Broadway or West Side or perhaps even Performance Drive.

Agency can help those

affected by Sept. 11
To the editor:
   Since the attacks Sept. 11, there has been a lot of attention on charitable organizations and their efforts.
   As area director for our local United Way, I would like to take this opportunity to update our community on what we have been doing.
   First, I would like to thank all the individuals who have shown their support and desire to help in this tragedy. Many individuals, organizations and companies have responded generously to local relief funds as well as to the Sept. 11 Fund created by the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust.
   A number of grants have been made to local United Ways from the Sept. 11 Fund so they can provide emergency cash assistance to deceased victims’ families and displaced workers who reside outside New York City. United Way of Hunterdon County is one of the grantees of the Sept. 11 Fund, and it is important to remember that no administrative fee will be taken by our United Way from money in that fund.
   Currently, it is known that at least 15 families have lost loved ones in Hunterdon County. While some families have received services, others are not yet ready to discuss their needs.
   One of the biggest challenges is finding out who needs help as there is no complete listing nor centralized database of all the victims. United Way is encouraging anyone who is seeking assistance to call our office at (908) 713-1555, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you hear or know of an affected family that has not been helped, please call to inform us at the number above.
   When faced with reaching out to the affected families in our community, I gave careful consideration to how I thought that process should be carried out. I read and heard reports of the frustrations experienced by families seeking help at Pier 94 and/or Liberty State Park.
   United Ways in New Jersey advocated bringing relief services to our own communities in order to humanize the process. United Way of Hunterdon has partnered with Hunterdon Hospice to help our Sept. 11 families. With emergency assistance provided from various charitable organizations, we hope to give these families a "decision-free zone" — a time they can set aside to grieve without making important financial decisions and to help assess their future needs.
   When we speak to those who have lost a loved one, we are as concerned for their emotional security as we are for their financial security. These families are not numbers nor statistics. They are our neighbors, colleagues and friends.
   These families need time to grieve and make decisions. Not every lifetime decision needs to be made today. Some families are aware of the services in place for them and simply need help in navigating the paperwork system. Others have never needed help in Hunterdon before and are not aware of the services available to them.
   Every family situation is unique, and each needs to be handled in a different manner. There is no "cookie cutter" approach to this disaster and no quick fix. When families are ready to reach out, they need to know that United Way is here for them, as we have always been, to help them get through this and rebuild their lives.
   For those of you who feel that we are not moving fast enough, I ask for your patience. It is important to remember that United Way is not a disaster relief agency. We identify and provide funding for the range of services our community needs to be strong, healthy and vibrant. We in Hunterdon have caring hearts, and if we continue to work together, we can re-weave the torn fabric of our community. United Way of Hunterdon is and will be here, healing lives, families and neighborhoods.
   For more information, call me at (908) 713-1555.

Squad must

be prepared
To the editor:
   The events of Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have changed our lives and our country.
   The Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad participated in the mobilization of equipment and personnel to the World Trade Center site. While we all feel a great sadness over the loss of life and the destruction that occurred, we are proud of our participation in the rescue and recovery efforts.
   It is our sincere hope that we will never again be called to such a mass casualty event. However, we know that we must be ready to respond if called upon.
   It is equally important that we are prepared to respond to your call for assistance. The emergency medical and rescue needs of our community must be answered promptly with skilled and caring personnel.
   Our major source of revenue comes from private contributions during our annual fund drive. Your fund drive gift and strong community support help us to keep our emergency services ready to respond whenever or wherever we are called.
   Our 2001 fund drive goal is $150,000. This amount, along with other fund-raising activities held throughout the year, will keep us on a stable financial footing.
   Your contribution — in whatever amount you can give — will be greatly appreciated.
   Donations may be made to the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 237, Lambertville, 08530. Please be as generous as your means allow. Thank you for your anticipated support.
   If you feel that you can help the squad as an EMT, driver or with support activities, please call (609) 397-0945. We really need volunteers.

Thanks for helping

the animals!
To the editor:
   The fourth annual Hunterdon County SPCA drive for the animals was another success!
   Once again, for everyone who dropped off food, cleaning supplies and money donations for DeAnna’s fourth annual Hunterdon County SPCA fund drive, I’d like to say a big thank you for helping the animals.
   As you may remember, the Hunterdon County SPCA in Milford is the only no-kill shelter in the area and relies solely on the kindness of people like you for their support. For the past four years because of your generosity, DeAnna’s has delivered an abundance of much needed items to the animals.
   When I dropped off this year’s donations, I met with Tee Carlson, the Milford SPCA president, who was extremely grateful for the delivery. It arrived just in the nick of time. This year, however, Tee surmises that in a post-Sept. 11 world, with people being so generous with those donations, sadly, their donations have suffered. Usually this is a very good time for donations and this year, they are way under. They are dangerously low on food supplies, cleaning supplies and money.
   In addition, the most disturbing information Tee shared is the abused and neglected horses they had rescued three years and many court battles ago, had just recently been returned, stretching an already tight budget even further. In addition to these horses, at any given time there are several hundred cats, 25 to 50 dogs, goats, pigs, chickens and even an emu.
   You cannot believe what an enormous task it is to simply clean and feed, let alone try and give love to all of the animals in their care. I am sending out a call for help for them. If anyone can please open your hearts and make any further donations, it would be greatly appreciated. Any donations of precious time to clean, to walk, to offer a little love to these animals would be great, too.
   
Here’s a list of much-needed items:
   
Dry and wet cat/kitten (No fish please) and dog/puppy food.
   Kitty litter.
   KMS kitten replacement formula.
   Old clean towels or washable blankets (for animals to sleep on).
   Horse, goat, pig and chicken feed.
   Hay.
   Cleaning supplies, including bleach, Lysol lemon cleaner, Pinesol, Clorox Clean-Up, etc.
   Dishwasher soap.
   Laundry soap.
   Heavy-duty garbage bags.
   Rubber gloves.
   Large dog biscuits, dog bones/treats, large sturdy dog toys.
   
My staff and I will be making another trip to the SPCA around Christmas and will be happy to add anything you might donate to our delivery. Just drop it off at DeAnna’s Restaurant, 18 S. Main and Lilly St.
   Please help me help the animals. This is a hard time of year for them. Thank you very much, and happy holidays.

Thanksgiving meal

tremendous success
To the editor:
   May we take this opportunity to thank everyone who made the 2001 Delaware Valley Council of Churches community Thanksgiving dinner such a tremendous success.
   Through the generosity of so many friends and neighbors, a joyful and delicious Thanksgiving meal was shared by close to 300 people. It is impossible to thank each and every individual but we would like to give special mention to Father Leon Kaspryzk, Father Louis Mattina and Deacon Joseph Masterson of St. John the Evangelist Church for their hospitality and for offering a beautiful blessing over our feast.
   We would also like to thank the clergy and members of St. John the Evangelist Church, St. Agnes Church, the Community Church of New Hope, St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church of Titusville, The First Presbyterian Church of Lambertville, Solebury United Methodist Church, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Doylestown and the Old Rocks Church of West Amwell.
   Many thanks to the people who donated food, roasted turkeys, peeled potatoes, set the tables, delivered meals and washed the dishes. Special thanks to the teen group at St. John’s for the delicious pies and to the Girl Scout Troops of Lambertville and West Amwell for the beautiful centerpieces.
   We also salute some special sponsors and helpers such as Marie and Al Varga of Blue Ribbon Flowers, Elva Brusca of the Lambertville Gallery of Fine Art, Janet Holbrook, The Church Street Bistro, Joe Perry and the Stage Depot, Clemons Market, Karen Walshe of Ennis’ Gourmet Deli, the Lambertville-New Hope Rotary Club, The Beacon, the Lambertville Sewerage Authority, the Rev. Daryl Wilson and Cathy Wilson, Brenda Reasoner, Marcia Anderson, Maryann and Amy Gray, Frank Masterson, Ann Griffiths, Donald Johnson Jr., Patricia Buchanan, Christopher Colt, Richard McDonough, Lita Colligan, Lew Taylor, Betty Lou McCoy, Annamarie and David Heil, Frank and Sue Kramer, Susan Van Loon, and the Shiels, Nathaniel, Heather and Caleb. This is just the beginning of a long list of dedicated and generous helpers.
   Thank you, Mayor David Del Vecchio, for your unwavering support and cooperation year after year, and thank you, Lambertville Police Department, particularly Patrolmen Aaron Lacey and Jeff Dewar.
   Last, but not least, we thank God for blessing our efforts at Thanksgiving and throughout the year. Without his guidance, we can achieve nothing.
   Many thanks to one and all, and may God bless you all now and always.