What a weekend! Our 40th Anniversary Celebration was terrific with 80 Senators and friends gathering
at the Holiday Inn in Somerset, New Jersey to enjoy traditional hospitality, a festive dinner celebration, music, dancing,
fun and fellowship. Our Chairman, Past President John Reiner #31599, arranged a wonderful event and served as the Master of
Ceremonies (MC) for the evening's program. Joining us for the festivities were Roxy Astry #57298, our Region II VP, and Past
NY JCI President Karen Cave #52860 as well as John Robinson, Past Region II VP from Pennsylvania. On behalf of all the Senate,
thank you John for all the months of preparation and effort in making this weekend happen!
The day
began with a traditional Senate hospitality room filled with an extravagant hors d'oeuvre table with special thanks to Joan
and Past President Dick (#22411) Thomas. Of course Past President Shelby Wells #25672 kept the liquid refreshments available
in the adjacent room for all to enjoy. Old acquaintances were renewed, stories told, and new memories created. The dinner
program began with a solemn remembrance of the twelve Senators that passed since our 35th anniversary luncheon.
Then MC John presented some awards to our lowest numbered Senator at the dinner (Joe Peel #15853), the oldest senator (again
Joe Peel), the youngest Senator (Past President Joe Sabina #59688) and our highest numbered Senator - Marcia Sheppard #69598
who received her Senatorship at the MAI meeting in Newark, Delaware on April 10th – congratulations
Marcia!. Past President Marty #24500 and Carol Tuohy won the man mile award traveling from St. Thomas to be with us. Nineteen
Past President were introduced and recognized for their service to the NJ JCI Senate.
The evening's remarks reminisced our NJ JCI history, programs and
traditions. Then a few hours of fun filled dancing and entertainment courtesy of our DJ Dave Jaquemot #44022, and more hospitality
including a pouring by our two newest Senators Reggie Slaten #68946 and Marcia Sheppard #69598. The festivities ended some
time in the early hours on Sunday (understand the remaining Senators held a sunrise service in the room at daybreak).
My thanks
to all the Board members and others who helped make this event such a success and for all those Senators who joined us in
treasuring 40 years of Senate memories.
Thanks for the memories (and we have created some new ones!!!)
Mel Fickas #28320
NJ JCI Senate President 2009-2010
