Goodbye to old friends
To the editor:
It is terribly sad to say goodbye to a friend who you have known for many years, but to say goodbye to two friends within a month is truly disturbing, especially when they were both connected to us for the same cause. Friendships form in the strangest ways when everyone has a common interest and whether you speak every day or a couple times a year, you’re happy to be around them.
I can honestly say I do not remember when I first met Harry Moss and Barbara Kolesar, because when you form bonds with people, it feels like they have been in your life forever. Mr. Moss and Ms. Kolesar joined our group of volunteers for the Haunted Trail and became part of the "Skull Crew" back in the 1990s and Tom and I looked forward to working with them year after year. As this year’s even approaches, the whole group will feel this loss.
Mr. Moss would always check in with us around mid-September to see how things with the upcoming trail were progressing and would take pride in describing his newest costume creation and how he would scare everyone. Tom and I thoroughly enjoyed watching his eyes light up with the anticipation of the event.
Ms. Kolesar was one of our main ticket sellers for the hayride and no matter what the weather was (and those booths were windy and cold most years), she was there with blankets and gloves to handle ticket sales and count money with frozen fingers and toes. I saw her shivering many nights, but never would she leave her booth.
These two folks were so willing to help out in any way they could at any time, and would get angry at me if I didn’t ask. Their spirit of volunteerism should be recognized and carried on by everyone.
The Skull Crew will not be the same without Mr. Moss and Ms. Kolesar; however, they will be in everyone’s heart and prayers so their presence will always be with us. We will all miss Harry Moss and Barbara Kolesar but know they are now our spirits in the sky. We love you and will miss you both and we will dance again.
Tom and Carolyn Dardani
Monmouth Junction
Appreciation for businesses
To the editor:
Did you know that South Brunswick is a great place in which to live, learn and job shadow? Job shadowing happens when a school and a place of business work together to allow students to observe workers and sample job tasks in the real world. Throughout the school year, the Life Skills students at South Brunswick High School, (those students with autism and multiple disabilities) have ventured out three afternoons per week to learn about working and living in the community.
The students have been met with respect, support and encouragement from the managers, owners and employees of AlphaGraphics in Dayton, Bandito’s Restaurant and Stop & Shop in South Brunswick, CVS Pharmacy and Party Fair in Kendall Park, Planet Pets & Hobby World and the Franklin Care Center in Franklin Park and CIL Woods and the South Brunswick YMCA in Monmouth Junction.
I would like to publicly thank these individuals for their support of the JOBSS program at SBHS and encourage the residents of South Brunswick to patronize these businesses. Thank you!
Londa Appignani
Transition and Employment
Coordinator
South Brunswick High School
Congrats to retirees
To the editor:
The South Brunswick Board of Education extends its most heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the community, to the following retiring staff members for their support of the South Brunswick School district and its students during their years of service:
Maryanne Adamcik, Mary Pat Axelrod, Barbara Buhl, Marian Calendrillo, Robert Cardaneo, Evelyn Carter-Simmons, Judy Cashmore, Margaret Cislo, Barbara DeVictor, John Flagg, Bette Fox-Strauss, Janet Gill, Cynthia Henyon, Robin Kahora, William Krogh, Carol Mayer, Roberta Miller, Patricia Myers, Edward Phillips, Margaret Robinson, Jill Rubenstein, George Scott, Harry Schultz, Joseph Valenti, Susan Winstanley and in memoriam of Walter Macewitz and Elizabeth Pyne.
Throughout your years in the district, you have touched the lives of thousands of South Brunswick’s students, parents and colleagues. Thank you for all of the little things that only the students, your colleagues and you know about. Your individual contributions have helped shape South Brunswick into a wonderful success and an outstanding school community.
It is our honor and privilege to have called each of you a staff member of South Brunswick public schools.
Congratulations on reaching this wonderful milestone in your lives. May your futures be bright and your days filled with much happiness. Congratulations and best of luck in your future endeavors.
Martin Abschutz
President
South Brunswick
Board of Education
Raising awareness of Darfur genocide
To the editor:
I am writing to thank you for your comment on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and recognition of Woodlot ’07 in "Sing out against genocide" (Dispatches, June 7). As one of the eight students who helped to execute event chair Aaron Gittleman’s vision as a part of the benefit concert’s executive committee, one can imagine my appreciation whenever I come across a mention of the cause. I truly believe that awareness is one of the most necessary tools in the fight against genocide.
We had two fundamental missions for our event and were able to fulfill both. The first task involved raising funds to help those Darfurians suffering from injury, illness, displacement, malnutrition, and lack of shelter all products of the violence in Sudan. This we achieved, surprising even ourselves, as we raised a final sum of more than $16,000.
We also hoped to spread awareness throughout the South Brunswick community regarding these ongoing atrocities.
Thus Mr. Kalet, in writing about our efforts, you too contributed to the fulfillment of our mission. And in essence, is that not the primary lesson to be learned from the success of Woodlot ’07?
As slam poet Sabina Carlson communicated in her performance at the event, we must seize this chance to make a difference. Every person can and should take part in ending the genocide in Darfur.
Megan Behrend
Junior
South Brunswick High School
Special thanks for Senior Society
To the editor:
The South Brunswick Family YMCA would like to thank the members of Senior Society from South Brunswick High School who chose to volunteer at the YMCA. The success of any non-profit is directly related to the volunteer support received from the community.
The YMCA was fortunate to have 19 Hard-working students assist us in the Child Care, Fitness Center and Youth Complex. In Child Care, several seniors read to the children and played outside with them. In the Fitness Center, several students help organize files and clean the equipment. And in the Youth Complex, a large group of seniors helped get us ready for summer camp by cleaning tables and chairs, copying information for camp counselors or preparing summer camp information packets for parents as well as helping to install permanent outdoor volleyball posts.
The seniors volunteering at the South Brunswick Family YMCA were: Cai Lin, Meena Ramachandra, Justin Medenilla, Vincent Gagliano, Monica Kadia, Kavita Vemishetti, Jessica O’Shea, Rodney Brooks, Erika Brokaw, Owais Khan, Alok Kommaiesula, Anish Desai, Swapnil Patel, Constantine Kodersha, An Hu, Vikas Goel.
On behalf of the YMCA staff, members and Board of Directors, we extend a hearty thanks to the Senior Society members. We hope the Board of Education will continue this program in future years.
Tom Libassi
Executive Director
South Brunswick Family YMCA

