Dang, it was a real disappointment not to attend the Summer Social (Aug 2008), but a family commitment just could not be broken.  I saw the photos – talk about “shock and awe”.  I didn’t know Yul Bryner was Puerto Rican, and Dick Thomas looked like a clone of Kenny Rogers!  Whoever took the pics must be an expert with using wide angle lenses.  To have that kind of turnout certainly reflects the hard work anyone and everyone put forth to make it happen.  Hats off and “kudos” to you all!   

      After loosing touch for several years, we finally connected with the Novak’s.  Eileen and I were itching to go to Florida this year, but when we spoke with Kenny and Lucy in June, the temptation to pack and visit was immediate (to hell with the hot weather!).  We spent four days at their new home in Davenport, traveled all over the area, then spent four days at Disney, screwed up our equilibrium daring to take on the wild ride attractions, then wrapped up our getaway visiting the Yawnicks in Jupiter, near West Palm Beach for another four days.  Fair warning, watch out with Jerry, he makes a mean margarita!  Jerry and Vicki really showed us the town, and we enjoyed the pool and oh, that beach!

      Eileen’s daughter Tanya was married three years ago – no grand-kids yet, just grand-puppies and grand-cats.  We both stay very active at our parish, having served on numerous committees and commissions, and also serve at the diocesan level (fun trying to teach “church people” the Jaycees way!).  Eileen is an executive assistant/coordinator at Sanofi-Aventis (big pharma), and I’m a program integrity assurance auditor at Solix, Inc.(we administer federal and state assistance programs for education and health care).  We enjoy traveling, especially taking extended weekend getaway trips and staying at B&B’s.  We’re not rich (don’t need to be), but we are comfortable.

      I don’t long for the “good old days”, else those moments would not be so special.  What I do miss is the camaraderie, and if we can’t meet face to face, well then a few lines of “Hello” and “What New?” is the next best thing.

 Jaycees Highlights:

1978:  joined Greater Morristown Area Jaycees chapter (Dick McCormick recruited me at second base during a softball game); held every local office position

1984:  local chapter president (ranked #6 in Parade of States) – and everyone laughed when I said at the beginning of the year we’d make top five at year-end

          Honored as chapter’s Jaycee of the Year four times

1981: “Six Pack” District Director (#3 in Parade of Districts); got chapters no one ever heard from to come out of the woodwork

1984:  Received New Jersey Statesman (#56)

1986:  Regional Director-The Great Northwest (#1 RD); most fun time ever!

1987: State Editor (Jersey Jaycee) – revamped the editorial format and the publication received national recognition

1987: Received JCI Senatorship #41191; held every Senate office position (except President)

1988:  Individual Development Vice President (elected); with a super team was able to revamp and revitalize the entire portfolio and boost in-chapter and Assembly participation

1989:  Individual Development Vice President (appointed)

1990:  Initiated a partnership between NJ Jaycees and Children’s Specialized Hospital

1991: Received US Ambassadorship (#2681)

 Most Memorable/Enjoyable/Funniest Moments:

Farewell Address as IDVP (1988); standing “O” and people were running up to the podium!

Year-End Regional Director Meeting (Shelby as MC – ‘nuf said!)

Presenting a Statesman to a member of the Annandale Jaycees

National Convention (Indianapolis, 1985)

Presenting Senatorships (except for one)

The Marcal Trip (only 20 minutes away)

The White Castle Delivery (125 burgers, and one order of fries for Billy Herman)

The Cock-A-Roach

Sleeping in “The Crib”

A-wards, Assemblies (Playboy Club and Wildwood), Hospitalities, Chapter Visitations, Senate Socials

How I Met My Bride (Shelby ordered me to include this classic):

Eileen had just joined the Manville Jaycees, who were helping out at the Tour of Somerville, Memorial Day, 1990.  I was about to pack it in after working at concession stands all day, when another volunteer persuaded me to stop over to Bucky’s for a wrap-up party.  Reluctantly, I decided to go.  So, I walk into the restaurant, and I see Ross James at one of the tables.  I go over and began chattering away while standing directly behind a young lady sitting in front of me at the table.  After a few minutes of motor-mouthing, she turns to me, displays this lovely smile that would make you melt and she says to me “Why don’t you just sit down right here, you’re aggravating me!”  I took one look at her and I was gone!  Next thing you know we chatted for about two hours until closing time.  She eventually told me she was going to divorce court the next day, and she was living at her parent’s home along with her 10 year old daughter, Tanya.  I decided not to push the issue, told Eileen I would call her and maybe we could go out on a dinner date.  Then came a clap of thunder that shook the building (that had to be a signal!) and looked outside and saw a freaking typhoon in progress.  I walked Eileen to her car then asked for her phone number.  With no pen, she wrote the number on a napkin using an eye-liner and she gave it to me.  I quickly placed the napkin in my pocket.  When I arrived home, I pulled the napkin out which by now was damp and only the last four digits were barely legible.  A few days later I started punching away on the phone just hoping I had the right numbers.  Luckily Manville is not a big town so there weren’t too many three-digit prefix numbers to try dialing.  As miracles would have it, on the third try I got Eileen.  The rest is history.  Of course everyone went nuts when word got around that I was finally dating someone.  I remember the Christmas party at Dick & Joan Thomas’ home when Eileen and I snuck out for some air on the back deck.  We turned and saw Hector’s face with bulging eyes pressed against the patio window and motioning to me “Did you pop the question?”  When I told him no, he performed his town crier rendition of “Not yet!”  I never took such ribbing like I did that night and it continued for months until I finally proposed to Eileen.

     Hard to believe we’ll be celebrating our 16th anniversary this month (Yes, Shelby I still feel good!).

 Best regards, in the Jaycee Spirit,

 Bobby B  #41191

I joined the Asbury Park (later Ocean Township) Jaycees in 1968.  Served in several local offices and became chapter president in 1970.  During that time, Christmas tree sales was our big fund raiser and we worked on many community service projects.  The NJ Jaycees sponsored the Giants/Eagles preseason game each year at Princeton and that was a fun project.

I served as State VP representing Ocean County in 72-73.  We had a great year in chapter growth and I was named outstanding SVP.

In 73-74, I was US Director for Monmouth and Ocean Counties and also directed the states environmental portfolio.  OUr chapters in Mon/Ocean again had record growth and were very sucessful in their communities. The US Jaycees at that time had money available for environmental grants and I was successful in getting several thousand dollars for NJ chapters. I received my senatorship, 16283 at state convention that year.

In 74-75  I was state chairman for Camp Jaycee.  Fund raising was our main task and we were very successful in getting the final funding required to set up the camp.

I served as state secretary in 75-76 .    Serving as state secretary for President Dick Indiveri was a real honor. I was also vice president of the NJ senate.

During 76-77, I was president of the NJ Senate. Besides adding a number of new senators, and hosting outstanding socials at all assemblies, we were very active in supporting our local Jaycee chapters. During that year, I also moved to Mount Olive and joined the Mount Olive Jaycees. They were a very small chapter at that time but by the time we moved to Louisiana in 1978, they had become a much larger and more active chapter.

During my years as a Jaycee, I attended all state assemblies and conventions, and 3 national conventions.  I worked actively on Jim Jeffries campaigns for State President, and was chairman of Frank McDonough's presidential campaign committee.  During Frank's year as state president I served as his special advisor and was a member of the state executive committee.  During my last year in New Jersey, I was chairman of New Jersey's national senate convention held in Atlantic City.  Unfortunately, we moved to Louisiana 4 months before the convention and could not attend.

My years in the Jaycees and Senate were fantastic and I know helped develop me personally which directly led to the career opportunities I had during the rest of my life.  We were able to attend several senate functions after we left NJ, but unfortunately over the years have not been able to do so much to our dismay.  We miss all the Jaycees and senators we worked with for so many years.

Sorry for being so wordy, but even old memories started to return.   Dave

Current data on Dave:

Shelby,  Good hearing from you.  It's been a lot longer than 15 years, closer to 30 since we moved from Mt. Olive to Louisiana.  We do occasionally hear from some senators or key women and keep up with what is happening in NJ.  We also check out the senate web site on occasion.  We have been getting some mail but not much.  I was reading the latest issue of the Mentors yesterday and looking at some pictures Janet Indiveri sent to us and recalling the good old days in the Jaycees and Senate. We moved to Arkansas 18 months ago to Hot Springs Village, between Little Rock and Hot Springs.  It is mainly a retirement community, only 500 kids among 8500 residents with 9 championship golf courses, many lakes and other recreational and community activities.  We are busier now that before we retired, but doing things we want and like to do.

Our address is 13 Elcano Drive, Hot Springs Village Ar. 71909.  Pass along to any of the old crowd.  We would love to see some of them and show them around a truly beautiful state.   Dave Gati