Week of March 22
Please submit all letters pertaining to the elections that would require a response from the candidates or district by April 3.
Families’ kindness won’t be forgotten
To the editor:
As a funeral director I’ve experienced many things. In life they say if you are able to make a difference, that is to have lived a life of meaning. Werner B. Nitschmann Sr. and his wife Lottie, who just passed away in December, accomplished that. May their act of kindness to the Valentino family be remembered.
John D. Moore
owner/director
Huber-Moore Funeral Home
Many contributed to successful auction
To the editor:
On behalf of the Columbus Home & School Executive Board and the entire membership, I would like to thank Jennifer Quartarone, Gail Allison and Natalie Ashwood for co-chairing this year’s Chinese Auction. The event was a huge undertaking for Jennifer, Gail and Natalie- they pulled it together in a matter of months amazing job ladies! Please know that all of your time and late nights are greatly appreciated.
In addition, I would like to thank all of the parents for their monetary and item donations, which enabled them to create the amazing baskets listed below. In thanking the parents, I would like to thank the teachers at both John Hydock and M.T.E.S. for donating items and creating their own baskets as well as the Administration for their generous donation of the "Plant Some Memories With Your Family" Basket.
Basket information for John Hydock Elementary School:
Early Bird classes: Family Sundae Making Fun, valued at $80
Kindergarten classes: Capture & Scrapbook Family Memories ($150)
Kindergarten classes: Time to Wash the Family Car ($80)
First grade classes: Family Sand, Sun & Fun ($150)
First grade classes: Fiesta Family Style ($100)
Second grade classes: Family Movie Night ($115)
Basket Information for M.T.E.S.
Third grade classes : Make Breakfast with Your Family ($80)
Third grade classes: Have a Ball with Your Family ($60)
Fourth grade classes: Family Game Night ($115)
Fifth grade classes: Plan A Picnic For The Spring ($120)
Sixth grade classes: Family Bowling Night ($50)
Many of you know that this event requires lots of help the night of the event. Thanks to the following ladies for donating their time soliciting from businesses, setting up, selling tickets, running prizes, announcing winning numbers, running and working the refreshment table:
Donna Bouchelle, Janelle Pasma, Colleen Herbert, Barbarb Militich, Dawn Moore, Christine Allen, Heather Winn, JoAnn Gangel, Michele Kovac, Donna Denti, Denise Wolverton, Ann Jingoli, Melanie Heminghaus, Martha Sapp, Amy Simmons, Debbie Pinto, Linda Lucchesi, Denise Greco, Rose Johnson, Emma Salay, Diedre Clauser, Jennifer Hannah and Mrs. Reed (Natalie’s mom).
Lastly, I would like to thank the custodians at the Northern Burlington Regional Middle School. They were amazing.
The following are a list of local organizations that contributed generously towards our prizes. Please take note of their names/businesses and support them as often as possible.
Boyd’s Pharmacy of Homestead, The Columbus General Store, Columbus Farmers Market, Diane Smires Jewelry, Donna Don’s Hair Salon, East Street Art, Envision Gymnastics, Europa Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Mansfield School Of Dance, owner Cheryl Daddonna, Wawa, Route 206 in Columbus and Bordentown, Trenton Thunder Baseball, Trenton Titans Hockey, Desiree Allison for Longaberger, Lauri Bookholdt for Toms Of Maine, Ken Denti, Attorney At Law, JoAnn Gangel for Pampered Chef, Melanie Heminghaus for Creative Memories, Janelle Pasma for Tastefully Simple, Heather Winn for Arbonne.
Thank you to all who came out and enjoyed this event, the evening was filled with great prizes, wonderful food and fabulous people.
Colleen Herbert
Columbus Home & School
Association
Prevention the key in reducing fire deaths
To the editor:
Fires this winter have been devastating and frequent. Recent fires in the news show tragic scenes of personal loss and homelessness. Since the start of this year, there have been 35 large, tragic, U.S.-based fires involving multiple deaths and injuries, with fatalities on the rise. A total of 134 people, 80 of them children, died from those 35 fires.
The increase in residential fires every winter can be attributed directly to the increased use of space heaters, fireplaces and candles. Prevent fires by leaving three feet of clear space around space heaters at all times. Do not leave them unattended. Do not leave open flames unattended, such as gas stoves and candles, and keep them free from debris. Replace batteries in smoke detectors and make sure they are working properly. As soon as you come in contact with a fire, immediately call your local fire department. Do not, under any circumstance, attempt to put the fire out on your own.
Homeowners and building owners rarely believe that a fire will happen to them and do not take time to prepare or consider fire safety. Fire rates in New Jersey and across the country are rising steadily, making fire a very real and present issue in all our lives. We as a society need to be more diligent and act now to protect ourselves from fire, using fire prevention methods and technologies that are easily available, before a fire occurs and before lives are lost.
Vincent Fichera
New Jersey Fire Sprinkler
Advisory Board
Executive Director
Resist buying rabbits
as pets for Easter
To the editor:
Over the next few weeks, you may be tempted to buy an Easter Rabbit for a child. And a few months from now, our local animal shelters and rescue groups will be, as they are every year, inundated by a flood of cast-off and abandoned bunnies. Safe Haven Rabbit Rescue in Clinton, NJ asks that everyone who is considering buying a rabbit this year stop and think about some important facts:
Although rabbits can make wonderful pets, they are naturally fragile and timid. An active child who expects a cuddly pet can easily terrify, injure or provoke aggression in a rabbit and children most often are not content for a period of more than a few days having one for a pet.
A well cared for rabbit should live as long as a large dog (ten years plus) and will require just as much love, attention, and veterinary care as a dog or cat would. They need to be spayed/neutered, will chew and dig and have special dietary needs. To keep a rabbit caged or confined to a hutch, especially one outside, is heartless with premature death being certain.
Please don’t give a live rabbit unless you know it will be loved and cared for throughout its natural life. Educate yourself first before an impulse purchase; there is a wealth of information on the internet. And if there’s any doubt, give a stuffed or chocolate bunny instead.
Linda Guarino
Bordentown

