Mike Muscolino spoke to the club last Thursday about the Alex Eligh Community Center.
Opening and Invocation and Four-Way Test led by Josh McCrossen.
Guests: Luis Barbosa - Exchange Student and Tom Elsenheimer, guest of Mike Muscolino
Wellness Report –
Elsie Dedrick – Lucina Hallagan asked for prayers for her and her family. She passed away on September 27th. She was very involved in community. Marc Kreuser said that Holly visited with Hannelora and Helmuth. Please keep them in your prayers.
Snapple Facts:
- Lobsters migrate in groups of 50 or more, forming A conga line on the ocean floor.
- Indonesia is made-up of more than 17,000 islands.
- Folklore states that if you split a double strawberry with the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love.
- Ancient Romans thought that strawberries could cure bad breath and chronic fainting.
- Venus is the only planet to rotate clockwise.
- Elephants are afraid of bees.
Announcements:
- Please buy lunches! Take one or two home!
- Josh McCrossen recommended that the club do something during the eclipse next year on April 8.
Happy Moments:
- Proud Father Moment: President Adam’s daughter needed a new car. She chose the used practical car over the new flashy car.
- Karen Hoad announced Moore Than a Race. Need volunteers to work the race.
- Kevin Mooney’s power lines to his house were nearly severed after a tree limb fell on them. He ended up having to take the tree down.
- Adam paid a couple dollars for throwing the Bendix’s under the bus last week on Zoom.
- Pat Albrecht thanked everyone for the “L” dollars. They are used to support the Laurel House.
- John Tickner announced that he became a first-time grandpa as his daughter Laura gave birth to a baby weighing 10 pounds.
- Steve and Evie Taylor are heading to Montana and then Florida.
Club Anniversaries: Eli Coleman – 10 years
Queen of Hearts. Kevin Mooney did not pick the Queen - the pot continues to grow.
Program: Steve Hallagan introduced Mike Muscolino of AECC
Mike gave a little history of the AECC. The AECC was originally located in the old Washington High School which was a prisoner of war camp during World War II. In 1941 a group of citizens organized the Newark Community Center and located it in the old high school gym. Mike had the name changed to Alex Eligh Community Center in 1984.
AECC gets a major part of funding from the village and town. It also receives fundraising from United Way and fees. Major donors, such as Charlie Hallagan, allow children to participate if they cannot afford the fee.
Jorge Bueso has worked 28 years with AECC. Brian Addona is also a full-time employee at seven years. Also, there are part-time employees. There are always two staff members on duty during activities.
There is no fee to use the gym and community center. Silver Sneakers, adult swim exercise, card group, mahjong are all activities at AECC. They strive to allow everyone to use the center.
Answers to Questions:
The old skate park may be converted to pickleball or basketball.
DRI move to new center in 2025 or 2026. Will be on 2nd floor. Full gym with outside basketball and pickleball. No decision on old site yet.
Basketball - over 150 participants.
Summer program: over 200 kids
Baseball - 12 kids per team.
Numbers are a little down, due to population loss of Newark.
Jim Weiler recognized Mike for the support he gave to the club during Covid by giving us home during that time.
AECC maintains the fields at Colburn Park and the softball fields. Many requests go through the AECC such as park use etc.
Closing Message: “Life has no remote, get up and change it yourself.” - Mark A. Cooper