Dozen women recognized
for community service
By vincent todaro
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Even though Washington may have forgotten "The Year of the Woman," East Brunswick has not.
The township held its annual "Women Who Make A Difference" ceremony during the Dec. 9 Township Council meeting. The award, created by Councilwoman Meryle Asaro, is given to women who live or work in the township and have made contributions above and beyond the norm.
The awards, which were preceded by a small reception, were given to 12 women — some of whom are new to the township, while others have been around for decades. The honorees were selected by the East Brunswick Women’s Recognition Committee.
"The community at large responded with an overwhelming number of entries who, through their professional or volunteer efforts, have led or participated in activities that have greatly improved or contributed to the quality of life we enjoy in East Brunswick," the resolution stated.
The following are this year’s winners:
• Toni Apoldo was chosen for her efforts as a teacher in East Brunswick schools for 25 years, as well as her work in numerous organizations including the East Brunswick Women’s Club and the National Organization of Italian-American Women. Recently, she received a state Governor’s Outstanding Teacher Award. She has created numerous programs in place at the Central School.
• Kimberly Andersen, who has been very involved with environmental efforts, was also selected. Andersen has served on the Open Space Committee, and is a member of Philomusica. She also has a rock band named Glass Planet, which reflects her environmental consciousness.
• Sharon Calabria has been involved with various community efforts, including petition drives for Save the Whales, Equal Rights for Women, and the Highlands Stewardship Act. She has been active in the township for more than 15 years, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, DARE and other causes.
• Gail Dysleski was selected in large part for her work with the library. She has been president of the East Brunswick Friends of the Library, and is currently president of the library’s Board of Trustees. In 1999, she was selected by Greater Media Newspapers to appear in an advertising campaign promoting literacy.
• Deborah Sands Gartenberg was chosen in part because of her effort to foster volunteerism as a way of life for children. She established the Just BeCAUSE program at Warnsdorfer School. She spearheads a collection of used clothing and other items, distributing them for people in need.
• Dr. Linda Korman is an East Brunswick resident who works as an activist physician. She is a leader in statewide health policy advocacy, and heads the Medical Society of New Jersey’s Council on Legislation and the Council on Public Health. She also works as an advis-er on health care policy for Congressman Rush Holt.
• Lenore Kulek is well known to East Brunswick residents because of her EBTV show Look Great, Feel Great, which she stars in and produces. She has taught health and fitness classes at the East Brunswick Senior Center for the past five years, and has produced more than 450 half-hour shows for EBTV.
• Judith Leblein is also well known for producing EBTV’s Exercise the Right Choice for numerous years, a show that included looks at leisurely activities that exercise the body. Last year, the show was renamed Conversations with Judith Leblein and now includes discussions on a wide variety of topics.
• Nora McShane was selected because of her devotion to helping the poor and needy in the community. A resident for more than 40 years, she is a member of the East Brunswick St. Vincent de Paul Society, whose mission is helping people in need.
She has also directly assisted residents in need of spiritual or financial help. McShane also speaks frequently at council meetings on relevant issues.
• Anneliese Mueller has gained a reputation for helping people through her work at Elijah’s Promise. She is known there as the "soup lady" because she always creates tasty and healthful soups. She also is a hospice volunteer and visits the Central New Jersey Jewish Home for the Aged to give patients Reiki and massages. She donates half her earnings from Reiki to the soup kitchen.
• Janet Rittman was chosen because of her work as a member of former Mayor Jean Walling’s "Kitchen Cabinet," where she offered her opinions on issues facing the town.
She also served on an ad hoc committee to make sure the widening of the New Jersey Turnpike had little impact on residents.
• Stacey Wolsten recently garnered attention for her volunteer work in the township and surrounding areas. Wolsten, along with her husband and children, formed the Happy Birthday Foundation, which gives birthday parties to children living in homeless shelters. Many of the children have never experienced a birthday party before. Wolsten’s group has grown by leaps and bounds in its short life span, and now includes chapters in other counties as well.
"When you hear about these volunteer organizations, you realize that we have so many people in East Brunswick who make a difference," Asaro said following the presentations.
"It’s a tribute to all of you and the great community we live in."