On Thursday evening, April 28, over two hundred people joined the Haddonfield Civic Association’s celebration of its 100th anniversary at its annual Town Dinner at the Tavistock Country Club. The participants were entertained before dinner by the talented HMHS Jazz Ensemble led by Mr. Chris Janney.
During a brief meeting of its members, the HCA’s new slate of officers and newest members of its Board of Governors (“BOG”) were approved. Joining the BOG this year are Angelo Alberto, Skip Bean, Joann Connor and Judy Greenberg. Bill Tourtellotte and Greg Horton are returning for second terms as the HCA president and vice-president, respectively.
Tourtellotte spoke about the Civic Association’s decades of contribution to the betterment of the Borough, and the ongoing relevance of its mission to inform, organize public discourse and promote civic engagement and volunteerism. He noted that the HCA was using new technology including posting videos on its Website of important town meetings to accomplish its mission in the 21st century.
The winners of the Bradshaw Essay contest, David McGuigan and Spencer Ng, and as well as the winner of the Harry T. Kaufmann Award for the Performing Arts, Rachel Di Pilla, were then recognized. The three HMHS students will graduate this spring.
Mr. Bob Parsons enlivened the evening with a short reading of excerpts of the humorous meeting minutes he took when he was the HCA recording secretary in the 1990s.
The Honorable Lee Solomon, the current President of the N.J. Public Utilities Board and a long-time public official, then described what motivated him to pursue public service and the importance of civic duty and sacrifice to sustain the freedoms we enjoy.
Mayor Tish Colombi offered the Borough’s proclamation on the HCA’s centennial and also read a reminiscence by Toni Vielehr, the grand-daughter of the late state governor and Haddonfield resident, Alfred E. Driscoll, to provide more insight into the man after whom the HCA’s annual award is named.
Former mayor Gene Kain, who emcee’d the program, was then joined by several Driscoll family members to present the Driscoll Award to the American Legion Post №38 for its members long history of community service. Post Commander Stephen Pecorelli accepted the plaque and honor on behalf of the post and its members, many of whom were in attendance for this memorable evening.
For those who would like to view the festivities, the videotape as well as many photos of the Town Dinner will be posted soon on the HCA Website, www.Haddonfieldcivic.com.
