The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

By REVEREND GARY F. ROTHWELL

Like many of you, I now receive my share of spiritually oriented e-mails each week. Some are exciting reports of what God is doing around the world. Some are h u m o r o u s church signs and bulletin bloopers that are good for a few laughs. Many are spiritual stories and illustrations that often touch the heart. One such story came to me last week and I thought it was especially poignant to all spiritually-minded people as we enter our holiday seasons.

Lunch With God

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God.

He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase.

He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but

Never Underestimate Power of Smile In Making a Difference for Others

before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.

She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” But before her son responded, she added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

After speaking about helping the hungry, thirsty, strangers and naked, Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime... Embrace all equally! Share the love of God with them in tangible ways. Be God to them. God with “skin on.” We all need that, don’t we?

* * * * *

Editor’s Note: The Reverend Gary F. Rothwell is Pastor of Scotch Plains Baptist Church.

RAISING MONEY FOR HOMELESS...Thirty-seven high school youth and two adult chaperones slept out on the front lawn of St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Westfield on October 2 in an effort to raise awareness amongst the congregation and themselves about the plight of the local homeless. Contributors were found by the youth who went out into the public looking for sponsors. Over $2,000 was collected and will be donated to The Stanton Street Settlement in New York City, an organization dedicated to educating inner city youth, and to the Ozanum Catholic Charities Fancily Shelter in Edison. The parish also hosts the homeless in the Parish Center. Marilyn Ryan, the director of St. Helen’s Outreach Programs coordinates this event and gets volunteers to cook and stay with the homeless overnight. To donate children’s books, toys or other items, please call Patti Gardner in the Parish Center at (908) 233-8444.

Annual Church Bazaar Adds Crafts to its Event

SCOTCH PLAINS – Professional crafters will be part of the annual church bazaar at Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 333 Park Avenue this Saturday, November 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p. m.

The bazaar will still include crafts made by the church members, as well as the church cafe, the baked goods

Calvary Concert Series Presents Young Pianist

CRANFORD — The Calvary Concert Series will present pianist John Root on Sunday, November 14, at 4 p.m. in the next of this year’s musical offerings of quality performances at affordable prices.

The concert will be presented at Calvary Lutheran Church, 108 Eastman Street, Cranford.

A native of Florida, Mr. Root entered the North Carolina School of the Arts at age 15. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the Peabody Institute and a master’s degree at the Juilliard School. He currently is a doctoral candidate at Juilliard.

He won the Juilliard Concerto Competition and went on to perform the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Juilliard Symphony at Alice Tully Hall. In 1999 he received Juilliard’s William Petschek Award, which provided for his recital debut at Alice Tully Hall.

In addition to performing the standard classical and romantic repertoire, Mr. Root has a special affinity for contemporary music and has featured works of Schoenberg, Messiaen and Berio, among others, on his programs.

Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults and $7.50 for seniors, students

with identification and children. Tickets may be purchased by calling Calvary Lutheran Church at (908) 276-2418. Tickets also will be sold at the door on a space-available basis.

The next Calvary Concert Series program, “Angel Songs,” will present area children’s choirs in seasonal music on Sunday, December 5.

For information about the concert series or to request a brochure, please call Calvary Lutheran Church at (908) 276-2418.

Fall Rummage Sale Begins Friday at St. Paul’s Church

WESTFIELD – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located at 414 East Broad Street in Westfield, will hold its annual Fall Rummage Sale in the Parish Hall Friday and Saturday, November 12 and 13.

Now in its 21st year, the event will feature clothing, shoes, linens, accessories, jewelry, antiques, lamps, china, glassware, kitchenware and boutique items for sale.

The main objectives of the sale is to provide inexpensive clothing and

goods for the people in the community and to foster fellowship. Items which are not sold are sorted and distributed to social service agencies within the county and to disaster relief collections.

Hours on Friday will be 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday will be Bag Day, with hours from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The entrance to the sale is on Saint Paul Street.

Westfield Foundation Donation Aids New Ambulance Purchase

SERVING THE COMMUNITY…The purchase of the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad’s new ambulance, Number 52, was made possible in part through a $10,000 donation from the Westfield Foundation. Equipped with up-to-date technology and electronics, the unit will help the squad serve the community even more effectively.

WESTFIELD – The Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad took delivery June 23 of a 1999 Chevrolet Horton ambulance, the purchase of which was made possible in part through a $10,000 donation from the Westfield Foundation.

During the closing months of 1998, the squad determined that a new ambulance would be needed in order to continue the quality of care provided by the all-volunteer unit for over 48 years.

The new ambulance, marked Number 52, features advanced technology and electronics that enable emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to provide enhanced patient care.

The rear compartment has vertical rather than sloped sides, providing more room for equipment and personnel. In addition, the latest electronic components allow for easier monitoring of critical systems throughout the ambulance and engine compartments.

The new Chevrolet chassis is equipped with a turbo-charged diesel engine, allowing for responsive acceleration and braking and has a greater electrical output than the older ambulances due to a new and improved solid state electronics system, according to squad spokesman Richard A. Jackson.

Mr. Jackson said that if individuals see the new ambulance during a non-emergency period, they are welcome to approach the EMTs in attendance and ask to view the vehicle.

The Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad, which is funded entirely by private, tax-deductible donations, is currently conducting its annual membership drive. Individuals interested in becoming a volunteer EMT or dispatcher may call (908) 233-2500 or pick up a membership packet at the squad building at 335 Watterson Street, next to the South Avenue traffic circle.

sale and the “Grandma’s Attic.” The proceeds from this year’s “Festival of Crafts” will be split equally between the Greater Plainfield Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and the Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County.

For more information please call the church at (908) 322-5487.

Coles Elementary School PTA Tries to Rebuild Playground

RAISING FUNDS FOR A PLAYGROUND…A Parent Teacher Association committee formed at Coles Elementary School in Scotch Plains has been aggressively raising funds to re-build the school’s playground. Gathered at the current “tire playground,” left to right, are: Sean Dennely, Ryan Cassidy, Kristin Cassidy, Courtney Berger, Bailey Fowler and Anthony Scalfaro, with Samantha Grecco at center.

SCOTCH PLAINS – Last year, a set of old metal monkey bars was removed from the Coles Elementary School playground in Scotch Plains as a safety precaution.

A set of swings was removed prior to the first day of school this year because they, too, were worn out and considered unsafe to be used by the children. All that was left was an old “tire playground” that was donated to the school back in 1972.

A new playground was designed with the needs of all the students in mind, including the physically challenged students who are enrolled at Coles Elementary.

A Parent Teacher Association (PTA) committee was formed last year and has been aggressively rais

ing funds to re-build the playground.

Last spring, Coles students collected $1,800 in coins to launch the Playground Fund. The PTA committee raised $1,500 through a Fall Mum, Pumpkin and Pie Sale.

Cheryl Hankin, the PTA Playground Chairwoman, has acquired approximately $17,000 toward building a new playground. There are plans for additional fundraisers in the months ahead.

Coles Elementary has over 500 students currently enrolled. Any members of the community who would like to make a donation to the Playground Committee may contact Ms. Hankin through the Coles office or at (908) 789-0153.

Local Children Raise Funds To Aid Victims of Hurricane

WESTFIELD – A group of six seventh-grade children from a religious class at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Westfield recently held a garage sale to raise funds for a family in Bound Brook who lost their home during Hurricane Floyd.

Sara Flood, Aly Carter, Andrew Prunesti, Jackie DeLaFuente, Peter Sims and Maggie McDermott joined forces with neighbor David Ianizonni during a heavy rainstorm to sell $300 worth of their possessions they had gathered over the previous week.

The children wanted to do a handson community project in which they

felt they could help out someone in need.

In spite of the bad weather, many people attended the sale and made cash donations.

The children hand delivered the money to St. Mary’s Church in Bound Brook, with the funds designated for the specific family they were assigned.

HELPING THOSE IN NEED...Seventh grade children from a religious class at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Westfield recently raised funds for a family in Bound Brook who were victims of Hurricane Floyd. The children gathered some of their possessions and held a garage sale which raised $300. They then delivered the money to St. Mary’s Church in Bound Brook. Pictured, left to right, are: front row, Jackie DeLaFuente, Aly Carter and Sara Flood, and, back row, Andrew Prunesti and David Ianizonni.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SHERIFF’S SALE

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, CHANCERY DIVISION, UNION COUNTY, DOCKET NO. F-21576-98.

CHASE MANHATTAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORP., PLAINTIFF vs. ALBERT LATORRE AND MRS. ALBERT LATORRE, HIS WIFE; ET ALS, DEFENDANT.

CIVIL ACTION, WRIT OF EXECUTION, DATED AUGUST 11, 1999 FOR SALE OF MORTGAGED PREMISES.

By virtue of the above-stated writ of execution to me directed I shall expose for sale by public vendue, on the 6th Floor of the Union County Court House (Tower) 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey on WEDNESDAY THE 8TH DAY OF DECEMBER A.D., 1999 at two o’clock in the afternoon of said day. All successful bidders must have 20% of their bid available in cash or certified check at the conclusion of the sales.

The judgment amount is $169,398.76. The property to be sold is located in the City of Elizabeth, County of Union and State of New Jersey.

It is commonly known as 249-51 Ripley Place, Elizabeth, New Jersey.

It is known and designated as Block No. 1, Lot No. 603.

The dimensions are 52.13 feet wide by 70.67 feet long.

Nearest cross street: Situate on the northeasterly line of Ripley Place, 150.0 feet from the southeasterly line of Third Street.

Prior lien(s): None. There is due approximately the sum of $173,870.73 together with lawful interest and costs.

There is a full legal description on file in the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff reserves the right to adjourn this sale.

RALPH FROEHLICH SHERIFF STERN, LAVINTHAL, NORGAARD & KAPNICK, Attorneys Suite 300 293 Eisenhower Parkway Livingston, New Jersey 07039-1711 CH-754748 (WL) 4 T 11/11, 11/18, 11/25 & 12/2/99 Fee: $181.56

PUBLIC NOTICE

SHERIFF’S SALE

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, CHANCERY DIVISION, UNION COUNTY, DOCKET NO. F-17438-97.

CITICORP MORTGAGE, INC., PLAINTIFF vs. LUIS RAMIREZ AND ZORAIDA RAMIREZ HIS WIFE; LILIANA RAMIREZ, ET ALS, DEFENDANT.

CIVIL ACTION, WRIT OF EXECUTION, DATED JULY 27, 1999 FOR SALE OF MORTGAGED PREMISES.

By virtue of the above-stated writ of execution to me directed I shall expose for sale by public vendue, on the 6th Floor of the Union County Court House (Tower) 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey on WEDNESDAY THE 8TH DAY OF DECEMBER A.D., 1999 at two o’clock in the afternoon of said day. All successful bidders must have 20% of their bid available in cash or certified check at the conclusion of the sales.

The judgment amount is $156,390.17. The property to be sold is located in the CITY of Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208, County of UNION and State of New Jersey.

Commonly known as 254 Westfield Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208.

Tax Lot No. 1650 in Block No. 13. Dimension of Lot: Approximately 23.50 feet wide by 200.00 feet long.

Nearest Cross Street: Chilton Street. Situate at a point on the southerly sideline of Westfield Avenue distance approximately 663.50 feet westerly from its intersection with the westerly sideline of Chilton Street.

There is due approximately the sum of $160,534.14 together with lawful interest and costs.

There is a full legal description on file in the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff reserves the right to adjourn this sale.

RALPH FROEHLICH SHERIFF FEIN, SUCH, KAHN & SHEPARD, Attorneys Suite 201 7 Century Drive Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 CH-754723 (WL) 4 T 11/11, 11/18, 11/25 & 12/2/99 Fee: $177.48

SALES • SERVICE • PARTS RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL

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Reg. $699 John Root