Thanks to John McCree, we have an excellent opportunity to help the kids at St. Rose and have some fun ourselves. Through his contacts, John has secured a block of 50 tickets (with 50 more available) for a May 7 Newark Bears game. This is the latest date before St. Rose's end of school year. We have a good locked-in price of $6 a ticket. This plus a bus for the kids and chaperones would total $450. The general idea is to treat the seventh- and eighth-graders and a few chaperones to this springtime event.


John reports that "We will get good seats and a chance of on-field activities . . . during the seventh inning stretch, the team mascot will come into our section with a microphone and the kids will sing 'Take me out to the ballgame' while being shown on their "Diamond Vision" screen in the outfield . . . Also, the Newark Bears will try to arrange for ballplayers to visit the school in the days or weeks before our game. They have a 'reading in the schools' program and can bring their publicity people and put in on TV or in the
newspapers or whatever mileage they want. (Providing the school staff agrees). . . This event can provide motivation to the kids. It can also be a tool for
positive publicity for the school / parish and its newly formed proud alumni association."

I agree with John and look forward to a day at the ballpark. But to make this happen, we will need to act fast, because at the last alumni meeting it was determined that we did not have enough in ready funds to bankroll the whole thing. So this is an appeal to everyone who loves baseball, or kids, or our old school. If enough alumni send a few bucks for this cause, we can make it happen. One suggestion is to donate $20, which will buy a ticket for you and also a ticket and a hot dog & cold drink for a student. Of course, if you can't make the game and wish to kick in a little something for the kids, that would be great, too.

Bob Davis Jr. has agreed to coordinate things here in Jersey, and if you send him your check he will handle the financial details for us, and has promised not to take the money and run off to Atlantic City. His address is 324 New Bedford Road, Belmar, NJ 07719. Make out the check to him, and note in the memo area that it's for the SRL Alumni Ass'n so that you can deduct it from your taxes. Bob will then provide the alumni association a complete accounting at the following meeting. Or when he gets back from Atlantic City.

As this has come down to a time-sensitive thing, if you're inclined to participate, please send your check within the next couple days, as we need to put down a deposit by April 11 and pay in full by the 18th, and be sure to mention whether you will be attending the game so that we can arrange accordingly.

I think this will be a blast that neither we nor the kids will ever forget. Please consider participating. Thank you!

Great idea! My check for $40.00 for the kids is on the way to Bob.

........ditto

Yes,

My check is in the mail on 4/2/03.

Pretty cool. When I was at St. Rose I had the opportunity to see Mickey Mantle play thanks to the Newark PAL. I'll throw in 50 bucks. Suggest keeping a running account of pledges to boost the incentive toward the goal. A real ball park frank! Mmmhhh!

Thanks to all who have responded so far. I expect every ex-jock from this site to come up for at least 1 ticket. So come on guys and GIRLS. I know who you all are and where you all live!!!!

I am looking forward eagerly to this event. My 20 is on the way. The kid I sponsor better not be a Mets fan.

BOB MY CHECK FOR FORTY IS ON THE WAY. PUT ME DOWN FOR APRIL 11 AT CRYANS.

Bob, I'm in on the tickets. I'll forward a check. I always wanted to sponser one of those Con-Ed kids at Yankee staduim. I guess this is the next best thing. Thanks for the effort.

You guys are the best. Thanks so much. Remember, if you can't make the game yourself, you can always sponsor a kid or two. Where else can you make a kid happy for six bucks?

John F. Crowley
Webmaster
_____________________________________________________

"Strong before our birth are the Sons and Daughters of the Garden State!"

What a great idea! I can't attend myself but I'll mail my check tomorrow....Frank McCormick....Class of "53"

Good deal. I was corresponding with Kate Flusk this week, and she is sponsoring a couple kids, as well. Thanks again, all.

I will not be able to attend the Bears game I have to chaperone a class trip to the A.C. Surf game that day, but I will be glad to send a couple of kids. Check will be in the mail!!!

The response so far has been very encouraging. The newly formed SRL Alumni Association has answered the call. However,we are still 'open for business' and need a little more support. Tickets are available for alumni to join us. If you cannot, and you still want to help, you can...please send a donation to Bob Davis,(see above). Remember when we were in school, those men and women that supported us, well... now it's our turn.
"You never stand so tall as when you stoop to help a child".

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far we have come close to our goal. Please keep those checks coming. This is going to be a very special day for these kids. Like John McCree said, when we were in school we had adults who always helped us. It's payback time, Bob.

AS OF NOW AM UNABLE TO BE AT GAME BUT AM ENCLOSING MY CHECK TO SEND A FEW KIDS TO THE GAME.THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE MAKING ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS.GOOD LUCK

How close to the goal of $450.00 are we?

Bob, Sent a check yesterday.

Thank you. It is all starting to add up.

Thanks to the generous contributions of several people we have reached our goal and then some!!! As of 4/10 we have received $752.00 and there are 5 people with checks in the mail. These funds will buy 50 tickets for the children and chaperone's, Including round trip bus transportation. We will also be able to pay for hot dogs and sodas for them all. Any monies left over will be put in the Alumni Association's fund. Great job everyone, Bob.

Excellent! I'm thinking that in the 7th and 8th grades there may well be more than 50 students who want to attend the game. Can we accommodate all who want to go? This may be the time to check in with Ms. Esposito and get a good head count.

J.C., Plan 'A' was 50 SRL guests tix @ $6.00 each plus bus @ $150 = $450. We did that!!
Plan 'B' was provide the 50 with a $5.00 snack = $250., so we're up to $700. We did that!
We still have some paid alumni who plan to attend the game.......let's say 10 x $6.00 = $60..so we are up to $760. Unless we go way over the top between now and May 7,I'm not sure about inviting more SRL's. That would also require another bus at another $150. plus the price of their tix. But we did reserve 100 seats...Why not wait and see!

John...I tried to call you earlier today to tell you what John Mc Cree has stated previously. However if we receive additional funds between now and next Friday I'm sure we could accommodate more students. I paid for and picked up 60 tickets today. We have until next Friday to give the Bears a final count. Bob

I just got to wondering how many kids are in the 7th and 8th grades. But I have no firm figure -- I'm waiting on a call back from Ms. Esposito to see how many are interested in going. If it's more than 50, I hope the plan has some flexibility. Hate to leave anyone out.

You're right John. No one who wishes to attend should be excluded.

Spoke with Ms. Esposito today. The SRL kids going will be the 8th Grade (apparently their class trip!), numbering about 25, plus 10 chaperones, and the rest from various grades who have a reward coming. So we're good with the number of tickets we have.

Any final numbers on this trip? Since it is the 8th grade class trip also- anything else to make it special? Hopefully there will be some photos taken both for the students and alumni.

Count me in. I'm so glad you guys made this web site its been great going through it.

Frank W???????
What does the "W" stand for?
Washington? Wilson? ?????
Class of ?

I normally would not respond to an anonymous entry however, I'll make this an exception. So far we have 50 students and chaperones. There are 10 alumni and guests with a few more pending. We'll be buying refreshments for all the kids at the game and we are providing bus transportation for them also. As far as photos go, I'm sure several students and alumni will be bringing cameras but, if Anonymous is volunteering for the job, I'm sure we can accommodate you! Bob.

I was just reading some of the comments about Branch Brook park and remebering how I walked through it to get to Essex Catholic. And how it had an outdoor skating rink. Its amazing what we remember. "68"

Thanks to John and Bob for this great idea and all those who have responed so generously. It will just add to the wonderful memories we have and someday these kids can look back and continue to support SRL because of the memories they will have. It's an honor to be part of the friendships made when we grew up and to share it all again.

...The SRL 'Day at the Game' has become a reality thanks to the generous support of you...the newly formed SRL Alumni Association. This was our first call to arms and you responded magnificently. We will not only cover the cost of tickets, concessions and transportation we will also be able to make a deposit towards our next project. We have learned this trip will be the official 'class trip' for the 8th graders. Without your contributions...they may not have had one. So take note you sons and daughters of the Garden State.......you've done your old school proud!!

Can't beat the weather... what a beautiful day for a ball game. Who was more mature at the game? 8th graders or alumni??? Hope you guys had fun...

Debbie - I'll give you one guess!! Having six kids, I've attended many, many, many class trips and I have to say that the kids at St.Rose were absolutely wonderful. They are so well-behaved, polite, friendly, courteous, fun and just nice to be around. It was a perfect day at the game. St. Rose's is doing a terrific job and the kids prove this everytime I am in their company. Thanks again to all of you.

With a lead-off home run by Rickey Henderson, we all knew the game was in the bag. The kids were indeed well behaved and a credit to St. Rose. They gave us a big Thank You which we pass along to all who helped give them this special day. We'll be posting some photos very soon.

Also attending were John McCree, Frank Wimbush, Susan, Pat Purcell, his son Patrick and Bobby Jones. My tally: two hot dogs, a sausage sandwich, two beers, a Pepsi, one cigar and a little sunburn. After the game we were allowed to run the bases; I thought about sliding home but after visualizing myself with a broken leg opted to hop across home plate in what was later described as an inelegant fashion. All in all a big success.

Also present and accounted for was our very own 'bag-man' Bobby Davis Jr. Who also elected not to slide. Afterall, he has always been a stand up guy. It should be mentioned that Johnny C. had concession workers leaving their post...to dance with him during one of his routines in between innings.

Yes, Bobby D, the man with the tickets -- how could I leave him out?! Re my dancing, I believe it is safe to say such dancing has rarely been seen at a professional sporting event, hence the unusual interest.

I'm happy to hear the game was a success and the kids had a great time. Thanks to everyone who made the time to attend. I wish I could have been there to witness the game as well as those unique dance moves.