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Information for Members of the
The Ethical Culture
Society of Essex County

Snapshots of Events and New Members

Click here for schedule of coffee and greeters and instructions.

Here is a copy of the Society's Current By-Laws.
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Special Contact Information for Members and Friends

Notes June 2008:

Carol Varker passed away in June 2008.
Please join in condolences to her husband Dick.
You may write him a t18 Karam Circle, West Orange, NJ 07052

See Terri Seuss's letter-to-the editor of the Star-Ledger
about the National Guard here or on the Social Action Page.

Directory Corrections & Additions November 2006
E-mails

Terri Suess
tsuess05@yahoo.com

Obrzut, Tom & Rebekah Novemsky
bektom@comcast.net

Addresses

Gigi Goldstein
77 Madison Ave. - 224D
Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: 973-960-7335

Win Thies
25 Manor Dr. - Apt. 1E
Newark, NJ 07106

Jerry Kaplan
973-763-1921

Various New Addresses

Bob and Patty Bender

will be wintering at
538 Mansfield M, Century Village
Boca Raton, FL 33498
Cell phones:
908-477-7811 for Patty
908-477-7812 for Bob

 

Louisa Lubiak's new address & phone:

1106 EVERGREEN ROAD
YARDLEY, PA  19067
215-428-1429

 

 

Marie Weber and Mike Siegel have new email addresses:

mrsiegel@sonic.net and
marievweber@yahoo.com .

 

 

News on the Benders AND Mike and Marie!

 

Bob Bender writes:

 

What have I been doing the past five years? I last saw Marie when P and I returned from a wonderful 10 day trip to China via SF and we socialized with Marie, who also transported us.  That was the end of active tourism for us, as we shortly before had been on the stimulating Witness for Peace trip to Nicaragua and Cuba - "Inside and Outside the Neoliberal Model" and several years before that for a great month in Ecuador. We gave about 15 good power point presentations from the Nicaragua/Cuba experience.

 

I became quite active in local politics in Plainfield with the New Democrats who for a while prevailed.  We were ousted by the Old Democrats, the turning point being the Union County leadership stripping our mayor of prerogatives. I had been instrumental in the formation of an on-going issue-oriented group but that has now expired.  But (without me, now a Floridian) the Plainfield New Dems have risen again, triumphing decisively in this past primary election.   The crucible is next year's mayoral election.

 

Three years ago we rented a Florida condo for the winter.  Over the prior 30 years, we had regularly annually  spent 7 - 14 days vacationing in South Florida, always visiting Aunt Micky in Deerfield Beach Century Village, originally in the late 70s popularized by Red Buttons TV advertising..We liked it and bought a condo in that development March, 2006.  In 2007 we sold the Plainfield manse to Nat and Kelly Bender, who now rent out their Westfield property.  They planned and executed a Total Renovation, which required us, still to be tenants here when not in Florida, to evacuate EVERYTHING except for the washer and dryer. So most of 2006 and 2007 in Plainfield was spent downsizing - selling, giving away, paying to get rid of, or packing our life time accumulations, 44 years of marriage, 39 in this home.  Depleting!! Never to be forgotten is the image of the giant moving van backed up on our porch but unable to stuff in the last few pieces to go to storage.

 

We were not moving to Florida isolated.  In addition to Aunt Micky and cousins Julie and Bob, close friends the Paglias from North Plainfield, comrades in peace and justice activities, were also in the same development which housed the only educational program of its type, the Progressive Forum, an educational program bringing in  prominent progressives to talk weekly each December through March.  P and I became quite active in that group as well as in other activities, including the Democratic Club where I'm now the Issues Committee Chair -first time such a committee existed in this club, and P in photography, ceramics and the art club. See her ribbons.  And the regular floor and aqua exercise classes in the giant clubhouse, a short walk from our unit.  And the pool availability.  And (also sometimes contentious) activity of the condo governing bodies. Also 8 miles away were generation long best friends the Shulmans, Frank a comrade from the Plainfield Rainbow School from the 70s, and Nicole,

 

And the War(s).  Never a dull moment.  Vigiling for peace in Florida is exhilarating - great weather and strong positive responses from motorists.  Plus other peace activities.  Became a temporary landlubbing admiral to recruit a Flotilla for Peace to greet the partying US Conference of Mayors off Biscayne Bay June 20.  Fortunately a real sailor succeeded me, and unfortunately the repressive Miami Marine police unconstitutionally suppressed  our free speech. Worse was the police arresting Medea Benjamin from Code Pink on fabricated charges.

 

Aunt Micky died May 20.  P is her executor.  And simultaneously P had arranged to have our unit tiled, requiring us to evacuate.  So a redux of pressure recently.

 

We had remained in Florida through June because of a 4 day family cruise.  So I am back in Plainfield in the New Old house for the first time since the trauma of last October's departure, and am of course still putting things away.  Order will return eventually.  The house is beautiful, and I've swam twice in the new modest above-ground pool. Will march today in a parade to celebrate the overthrow of the Old King George, and looking forward to the end of the new vile king's reign.  While not uncritical of  Obama, I'm doing what I can to elect him.

 

We have been active in the choir of the Fort Lauderdale UU, and have been active with the minister  on economic justice activities, primarily Immokalee farmworkers and justice for janitors and Fisher Island employees.  We occasionally participate with the Broward County Folk (music) group, and attend most of the low cost classical music presentations at our Century Village Clubhouse.

 

The arthritic neck is encouraging me to end this soon.

 

Wednesday we also attended our wonderful grandsons in Maplewood while Gita had Seton Hall responsibility. That's every Wednesday in July. Dan is a happy psychologist at the Chapel Hill private school  in Passaic County for kids with special needs and a happy snowboarder whenever he can get to Killington VT. In August the 4 of us will be off to Manitoba for recreation and visiting relatives.  Nat was instrumental in the unionization of Rutgers administrative staff and now is employed by the 1800 member union, on leave from his position with the Rutgers Small Business Development Program.  Kelly teaches English at Passaic County Community College.

 

Will also get a long weekend the end of this month at World Fellowship in New Hampshire, attracted by their warmth and also the programs on Venezuela and Colombia.  And I neglected to mention that Patty spent a week in Venezuela with Progressive Forum people via Global Exchange this past February.

 

More reunions - a couple of days later this month in rural PA with a couple of old buddies from Washington - early 60s, and a mini-reunion luncheon here with folks I worked with in Accountants for the Public Interest - NJ prior to my 1993 retirement.And seeing relatives  -via Patty's mom - in Winnipeg when we visit in August.

 

Whew!!

 

 

 

 Mike Siegel writes: My work history has been rather bizarre.  I don't remember where we left off so I'll summarize.  After my first year out here (2002-2003) I got a job at an inquiry- based charter school with a great mission but more problems than I realized, not the least of which were financial.  In addition, in early 2003 we sold our property and moved from Cloverdale to Santa Rosa because our projected house got too expensive and because Marie was spending three days a week in San Francisco, baby sitting her grandson.  The house is small but meets our needs and we have put in a bunch of improvements, such as solar panels, insulation etc.  We even plan a few more.  The garden is wonderful and Marie spends much time there.  We recently put in a small deck.  I began subbing in Santa Rosa and in January of 2004 got a long terms sub position (third grade) for a woman who had cancer but couldn't face it.  This made the the experience difficult.  In September (2004) she hired me one day a week (on contract, which meant 20% medical benefits) but couldn't begin the year so I started they year as a long term sub.  This was a fourth grade so it was many of the students I had had the previous year, a good situation.  After two weeks my school was under enrolled and the Superintendent's office transfered  my teacher to a fifth grade at another school that was over enrolled.  Since she was still out on sick leave I was transferred.  She filed a grievance through the union and won.  This left the other school free to offer me a contract, which they did, but at the end of the year, because I was the seventh temporary teacher hired, they could not offer me a job.  I was lucky to get one about thirty minutes north, in a one-school district (rural).  I just completed my second year there as a sixth grade teacher.  At first I didn't want that grade, but I have c ome to enjoy it.  It's been interesting but difficult because after one year we lost our principal-superintendent and our office manager.  The staff is terribly competitive rather than cooperative;this has been a real challenge.  We now have a new office manager and Principal in place and I'm hopeful things will work out.  I hope to teach three to five more years (social security begins in September).  Marie & I are considering joining the Peace Core in the Philippines which would mean three more years of teaching not five.  I enjoy the job a lot but it also takes a lot out of me.

 

I spent the last three summer developing an "activities" program for the "summer hunger initiative" run by the Redwood Empire Food Bank.  They get FDA money to feed children in school districts where 50% or more get free or reduced lunch.  They use volunteers to feed at various sites.  The first two summers I volunteered and last year they hired me to spread the concept to all their sites.  This year they are even advertising my program.  (I admit I'm proud.)   I'll be working with them again this summer but more as a consultant than director because the work last summer was so physically exhausting and I have some other commitments.  For examle, we just returned from Guatemala where we studied Spanish at the Probigua Institute, a non-profit school that runs mobile libraries in school buses out the Mayan pueblos.  It was a great experience!

 

Marie no longer takes care of her grandson, Dean, who is going into first grade.  She teaches young mothers ESL, at one of the affordable housing sites I ran a program at last summer, two days a week, tutors first graders who are behind in reading, at the school I taught at two years ago, two days a week, attends a Memoir writing class on Fridays and gardens in between. 

 

We left the UU church here three years ago and have been attending the Redwood Forest Meeting regularly, although we have not joined.  The UU church here is like a religious country club.  The Quakers really get things done.  Example: they have a project in Guatemala we visited, which is staffed by one full time and two part time people which provides 120 to 150 scholarships to (Mayan) kids from the pueblos for high school or university.  Impressive!

 

I'm sure I left out a lot.  (For example we spent two weeks in Manila over this Christmas.)  I'm anxious to hear what's been going on with you and Patty and your family.  Also say hello to the Ethical Culture folks.  Please don't follow my example!  By the way Marie is at marievweber@gmail.net

 

Best,

 

Mike

 

 

 

Bob Bender reports: Larry Lorre,  of South Orange, who in the 1960s was active with the Ethical Youth/Young Adult group and in the chorus in the 90s, died October 17, 2006.  Larry retired from the NJ/Essex County  Probation Dept several years ago.  He had been active in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He had lived with former ECS member Carrie Schwimmer. There's a gathering for Larry on Thursday, October 19, 7 - 9 p.m. at the Preston Funeral Home on South Orange Avenue at Prospect Street, South Orange.

 

 

 

 

Janet Mangano has been coming to the Essex Ethical Society for more than thirteen years to grace us with pre-platform music. She has participated in the Chamber Music Study Program at the Society directed by Joseph Gluck and Mary Babiarz and in the Diller-Quaile Amateur Chamber Music Program in New York City.  

In the past, she has performed as a soloist, accompanist, and ensemble member in Philadelphia, New York City, Krakow (Poland), and Vienna (Waehring District).

Janet studied at Philadelphia Musical Academy (now The University of the Arts) with Clement Petrillo, teacher of Andre Watts, and at Settlement Music School with Hal Friedman. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Always interested in ethnic musical roots and derivatives, she played prima balalaika with the Penn Balalaika Orchestra, and studied sitar with Dr. Lalmani Mishra at the University of Pennsylvania.

Currently residing in Short Hills with her husband Charlie and twin sons Andrew and Mark, she specializes in the music of Albeniz, Bach, Bartok, Mozart, and Schubert.

The Society is most grateful for Janet's contribution with her fine technique and musicianship, she enhances and elevates our Sundays together.

On December 19, 2004 the Ethical Culture Society of Essex County adoped the following statement:

Whereas extensive irregularities concerning the November 2, 2004 elections have been widely reported around the country; and whereas, these irregularities severely shake our faith in the fairness of our voting processes while undermining the legitimacy of our entire democracy; and whereas, the Ethical Culture Society of Essex County that has made Maplewood, New Jersey, its home for more than 50 years, holds the principles of a free and open democratic society among its highest values; therefore be it resolved, that we urge our elected representatives at the state and federal levels to conduct public hearings to examine the practices of recording, tabulating and reporting election results so as to assure as best as is humanly possible that those who represent us are doing so under the fairest practices.

 

Ethical Culture Society
2007 – 2008 GREETER / COFFEE CALENDER

Please trade dates with another member if you are unable to attend. and please contact Rosalie at 973 763-3819 with changes.

 

 

For more informaton, call 973-7631905
The Ethical Culture Society of Essex County
516 Prospect Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
EMail:essex@essexethical.org

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