Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • March 28, 2012
Area
Last week, Community Meals, Inc. hosted Mayors for Meals Day as a part of its March for Meals campaign. Mayors John van Keuren of Glen Rock, Keith D. Killion of Ridgewood, and Thomas A. Giordano of Waldwick joined forces with Councilwomen Amy Wilczynski and Liz White of Allendale and Councilman Jack Considine of Midland
Mayors, council members aid Community Meals
Park in a show of support for the area’s homebound and hungry seniors. Community Meals invited elected officials to observe the meal packing process, which is conducted in the Christ Church kitchen at 105 Cottage Place in Ridgewood. Hot and cold meals are prepared by the food and nutrition depart-
ment at The Valley Hospital. A Valley Hospital kitchen technician delivers the hot meal in bulk container and the CMI volunteers pack the food into individual, labeled tins. Sixty to 75 clients receive meals from CMI Monday through Friday. On Mayors for Meals Day, the mayors and council representatives accompanied dedicated CMI volunteers on routes through their respective towns to embrace the volunteer experience and connect with CMI’s clients. “We are excited about having the mayors and elected officials participate in our Mayors for Meals Day event,” said CMI Executive Director Stacey Gilmartin. “John van Keuren and his wife Ginny are regular Monday volunteers and have been for a number of years. We now hope to continue and strengthen our relationships with all of the elected officials.” March for Meals is a national campaign held during the month of March. The program was initiated by the Meals on Wheels Association of America, which seeks to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of the local community. This year, Meals on Wheels programs across the country are also celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the inclusion of senior nutrition programs in the Older Americans Act. The OAA is the primary piece of federal legislation that authorizes and supports vital nutrition services, both congregate and Meals on Wheels, to Americans age 60 and older. “We thank these local leaders for stepping up to the plate and joining our mission to end senior hunger in America by the year 2020,” said MOWAA President and CEO Enid Borden. “Meals on Wheels programs are on the front lines of our battle and need support from elected leaders to continue providing the nutritious meals and human contact that our seniors so desperately depend on.” Senior nutrition programs across the United States, like CMI, promote March for Meals in their local communities through public events, partnerships with local businesses, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising initiatives. CMI is a private, non-profit service organization that delivers nutritional meals to the homebound weekdays, excluding six holidays. Volunteers deliver meals between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to clients in Allendale, Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick, and part of Saddle River. CMI depends on private donations to keep meals affordable, to subsidize those in financial need, and to assure continued service to homebound, elderly convalescent and handicapped clients who are in need. Donations may be made online at www.communitymealsonwheels.org or mailed to: Community Meals, Inc., c/o Christ Church, 105 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ 07452 Volunteers are always needed. Call (201) 447-8295 or e-mail communitymeals@verizon.net.
Guitar great Al Caiola recently visited the Mahwah Museum and played “Always Honor,” a custom Gibson Les Paul model guitar made to honor the first responders of 9/11. The Gibson Showroom in New York has loaned the Mahwah Museum the special Les Paul model guitar that was made by Gibson as a special tribute to the 10th Anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack. The guitar features a special etching designed by Gibson’s top craftsmen. The guitar will be on display at the museum through June 30, and will be played as part of the museum’s sold-out series, “Play a Les Paul Guitar.” The museum’s exhibit, “Les Paul in Mahwah: A Tribute,” will continue until June 30 with replicas of Les Paul’s studio and workshop from the home in Mahwah where he lived for over 50 years. Audio visual, graphic materials, and other exhibits explain the contribution of Paul, the legendary inventor, sound specialist, and performer who invented the solid body electric guitar and multi-track recording. The Mahwah Museum, located at 201 Franklin Turnpike, is open Wednesdays and weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.mahwahmuseum.org or call (201) 512-0099.
Guitar on exhibit