Happy birthday to Matt Hall (April 1) and congratulations on earning your Varsity Letter in swimming. We're so proud of you! Love, Mom, Dad, and Kel!

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Holy Land Pilgrimage

Marguerite O’Brien  and Mary Ann Mastrangelo traveled to Israel in February.  Their journey took them to Tiberias, the Sea of Galilae, Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, Jerico, and Jerusalem where they stayed within the walls of the Old City. The walled-in City is home to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, all living within close proximity to each other.   Along with their tour group, Mary Ann and Marguerite visited many ancient and historic sites, attended multiple religious services, met diverse religious sects, and ate and enjoyed Middle Eastern food. They have tales to tell about this incredible journey. Ask when you see one of them!

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Congratulation to our Assistant Water Safety Directors, Alison Ebers and Peter Jablonski, both of whom graduated college this past December.  Alison graduated from Pace University in New York City with a degree in Marketing, and Peter graduated from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina with a Bachelors of Arts in Education. We wish them all the best.

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Richard A. (Dick) Scheer will be inducted into the USTA/Eastern Tennis Association (ETA) Hall of Fame at their annual dinner on April 18, 2008 to honor his 30 years of service. Dick has served in many capacities including President of the ETA, chairman of the United States Tennis Association’s grievance committee for six years and Captain of the United States Tennis Association’s International Men’s 50 and over Fred Perry Cup team which won a world championship in 2001.

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Happy 80th Birthday to the Bridge Queen, Barbara Eckhart! 

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To Tom of “Water Tech”, in appreciation for his prompt reliable work on my pump.  Thanks, Ana Loibl

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We would like to thank the community for their generosity and kindness. Our home and possessions were destroyed due to a fire. There were many donations including clothing, food, etc; moreover, compassion. We are sincerely thankful to all the residents, we will never forget you. Sincerely, Evelyn Cintron, Jose Velez, Brandon Estrada, 9 Muscotah Road, Highland Lakes, NJ

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Long time members Roger & Bonnie Williams, who recently moved to S. Carolina, celebrated the exchange of wedding vows of their daughter, Wendy, to Bill Henzy during sunset on a beach in Aruba on August 18, 2007.  Sister, Courtney, was ecstatic!  Some Highland Lakes locals were also spotted celebrating with Wendy.  Jaime Wherry, Pam, Cheryl and Lisa Hastie and Bridget and Brenna Opfer flew down to enjoy the nuptials.

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On September 28, 2007 Maureen Hastie and Frank Cherichella of Hampton exchanged wedding vows at Christ Community Church.  Maureen’s uncle, Dr. Bill Preston, led the bride, bridesmaids and flower girls down the street to the church playing the bagpipes.  After the ceremony, guests went to the Hilton Garden Inn to enjoy a wonderful reception.  Maureen’s sister, Pamela, and a college friend Amanda, were maid & matron of honor.  Bridesmaids were her other sisters, Cheryl and Lisa, cousin Elena, Jeannette Emmerich and Tara Cogdill (Thompson).  Junior bridesmaids and flower girls were Frank’s nieces and Maureen’s cousin’s daughter.

In Memory of Lillian Linehan

Long-time Highland Lakes resident, Lillian Linehan, died December 15th at the age of 92. Lillian and her husband, James, purchased their home at 35 Onteora Road in 1959 and then lived there year-round beginning in 1980 until she moved to Gates Manor 5 years ago. Her fondest memories were her years at Highland Lakes where she and James raised their 5 children, James, Thomas, Emily, Maurice and Robert and where they enjoyed the company of their beloved friends and relatives at the various summer and winter activities. We will greatly miss her and her great zest for life and we know it lives on in her family. She is survived by her 5 children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Donations in her honor are being made to www.DonorsChoose.org Phone 212-239-3615 national@donorschoose.org

In Memory of Meredith Emerson and in Honor of her black lab, Ella

Meredith Emerson was hiking with her black lab, Ella, on January 1, 2008, on Blood Mountain in Union County, Georgia, when she was abducted from a mountain trail.  Days later, Ella was found wandering the parking lot of a grocery store about 60 miles from where Meredith had been hiking. Meredith’s body was not discovered until January 7th and the news was heartbreaking. Meredith was 24 years old, a beautiful young woman with a passion for living, who spent the early years of her childhood in the Highland Lakes, section of Vernon, N.J.

Meredith, her parents Susan and Dave, and her brother Mark lived in Highland Lakes in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. She attended Vernon Schools, was active in local soccer and Girl Scouts, and played gleefully with many children at Beach 3. Friends knew a lively, spirited child with a love for animals and lots of big smiles! Many remember her happy spirit.

Meredith adopted her beloved Ella, now one year old, as a puppy from a rescue organization in Georgia. Because of Meredith’s deep connection to animals, her family has suggested that those who want to make a donation in her memory give to your local animal shelters.

Remember M.E., a fund (organized by family friend’s The Segals also of Highland Lakes) in memory of Meredith, has been set up at the Sussex County Fellowship for Animals, Inc., a non-profit organization supported entirely by donations, grants, and various fund raising events. The immediate goal to be met by the Remember M.E. Fund is $5,000.00 to purchase commercial washer and dryer units.

The shelter is a no-kill shelter whose primary purpose is to provide love, companionship, shelter, food, socialization and medical care for many unwanted animals that come to the shelter until permanent homes can be found for them.

Please make checks payable to The Sussex County Fellowship for Animals or SCFA and note the memo area “Remember M.E. Fund” or “In Memory of Meredith Emerson”.  Checks can be mailed directly to the shelter, or dropped off at Healthy Thymes Market, Rt. 94, Vernon, N.J. If you choose to donate through Pay Pal from the website please e-mail the shelter the information, so your donation will go to Meredith’s memory.  Your donation is tax deductible.  Periodic notes will be sent from the shelter to the Emerson family, now living in Colorado, to let them know of Meredith’s memorial fund’s progress.

Sussex County Fellowship for Animals, Inc.

50 Father John’s Lane  Lafayette, New Jersey 07848  973-300-5909   SCFA@embarqmail.com     http://sussex.petfinder.com

A limited number of glicee prints of a painting lovingly done in Meredith’s memory and Ella’s honor are available, with the proceeds donated to the Remember M.E. Fund at the shelter. The painting is a peaceful picture of a young woman and her dog surrounded by the healing colors of life. All prints are signed by the painter, and friend of the Emerson’s, Dani Segal.  If you are interested in a print, please contact Dani at 973-764-6006, or 973-209-8555.

Pilgrimage To Canadian Shrines

From Thursday thru Sunday, June 5-8, 2008, a group will travel by deluxe motor coach to Canada including Montreal, Cap de Madeleine, Saint Anne de Beaupre and Quebec.

 Sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Church in Highland Lakes, NJ, the bus will leave the Church parking lot at 5:45am and proceed to Montreal where the group will have Mass at Saint Joseph's Oratory.  Afterward, there will be free time to browse in the gift shop.  The bus will then proceed to our hotel for dinner and unpacking.

 After breakfast on Friday, we shall travel along the picturesque countryside to St. Anne de Beaupre Basilica, which is situated on the bank of the St. Lawrence River.   Included are a Mass, a basilica tour, lunch, free time until mid-afternoon, when we will return to the hotel for dinner.  That night we shall partake in a candlelight procession.

 After breakfast on Saturday, the bus will take us to Quebec City, where we shall have a two hour guided tour.  After the tour we will have lunch and free time to shop or to relax.  Dinner at the hotel.

 Early Sunday morning, Mass will be offered, then breakfast.  With luggage on board, we'll depart for New Jersey.  After rest stops, we shall arrive home about supper time, tired but satisfied.

 Cost per person:  2 in a room  -- $299.00       3 in a room -- $289.00   Single -- $379.00.

    Cost includes transportation, driver's tip, hotel  3 nights, 3 breakfasts and dinners, Quebec City tour.

 NOTE:  A current  U.S. passport is required. 

It takes about 6 weeks to obtain a passport.

 For information, call 973-764-4457 or email at olfatima@warwick.net.