Thoughts About Al Rus and His Own Church
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VOLUME 57 / No. 8 Monroe Township, New Jersey AUGUST 2021 Thoughts about Al rus and his own Church. Al, a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Medi- cal School, was trained as an Ob/Gyn physician, but in mili- tary service, a broader range of medical skills was re- quired. He once received special commendation for performing an emergency appendectomy while aboard ship in a howling gale. He received other commenda- tions from the Secretary of Doctor Albert Parker the Navy for his redesign of operating rooms and the By Bob Huber training of medical officers. Former Rossmoor resi- On Sundays, he would often dent, Doctor Albert Parker, serve as organist for church passed away on July 11. I’m services on the Marine base invoking a right of personal where he was stationed. privilege to write a few words Once in private practice, Al about my very dear friend, Al claims he lost count after Parker, because he influ- delivering 3,000 babies. No enced the lives of so many of doubt many anxious parents- Nature in full bloom us during his residence in to-be were reassured by Al’s Rossmoor. comforting voice and profes- The breadth of Al’s knowl- sional demeanor. edge, interests, and accom- To tell the truth, Al never Chorus honors Director Janet Wilson; plishments was astounding. talked much about himself. With infinite patience, he We just talked about “stuff” also sings at Monroe Village guided many of us through when we were together, and By Alyce Owens ered on June 23 to enjoy an times in the Wilson’s two-car our first acquaintance with time flew by all too quickly. Neither the pandemic nor abundance of good food, garage, but always masked computers. He created many Most of what I have RCAI’s lingering restrictions music, singing, dancing, and and adequately socially dis- entertaining and informative learned about Al has come could dissuade The Ross- mostly, being together. tanced. programs for the New Jersey from other family members. I moor Chorus from celebrat- After dinner, the happy Janet learned that singing Club. He could play seven only know that he was al- ing the end of a challenging group honored their outgoing could project the virus farther different musical instruments ways there when anyone season, unlike any other. accompanist, Abraham than speaking, so she se- and he was an accomplished needed a helping hand. The Under a large pavilion in Alinea, who leaves in August cured special singers masks visual artist. His rich baritone time I spent with him was Jamesburg’s beautiful for graduate school in Can- (which look amusingly like voice enriched the perform- very special. Thompson Park, the conge- ada, and welcomed his re- small horse feedbags) to as- ance of the Rossmoor Cho- I miss him already. nial and talented group gath- placement, Moriah Kam, a sure that the singers would senior majoring in Music not risk contaminating each Education at Mason Gross other. Everyone agreed the A message from Mayor Stephen Dalina School of the Arts at Rutgers masks were cumbersome University. and uncomfortable but they As life returns to normal, I to offer as many opportuni- cally and with little difficulty. The beautiful late June provided the necessary pro- am pleased to be sharing ties as possible for others. We opened the Monroe Sen- evening picnic also served tection so they could con- with you the latest news from When the vaccine first be- ior Center to appointments as the opportune time to rec- tinue enjoying their music town hall. So much has hap- came available in February and we created the vaccine ognize and award their Cer- and comradery. pened over the past year; I to Monroe residents, my im- angel program through my tificate of Appreciation to Once everyone in the Cho- am pleased to report that mediate objective was ensur- office, connecting people Janet Wilson who has served rus had received their Monroe is stronger than ing our senior population with appointments. as Director of the Chorus for COVID-19 vaccine, the pros- ever. would have access. We can Through our efforts, as several years. Now you pect of singing together Let me begin by discussing all quickly recall the early well as intense coordination might think that there could- again became a reality on the COVID vaccine. Anyone days, when our residents with Middlesex County and n’t have been much directing June 12 when the Rossmoor in Monroe who wants the were driving two hours away the State of New Jersey, or teaching of new music Chorus presented a show of vaccine has been able to just to secure an appoint- Monroe has one of the high- happening during that time of Broadway tunes and popular receive it at no cost. In fact, ment. est vaccination rates in the isolation and restrictions due standards for the residents of nearly 90% of our senior My administration was fo- region. to the virus ... but think Monroe Village, the first population has been inocu- cused on ensuring our sen- While we were focused again! group to be invited to enter- lated so far, and we continue iors could be vaccinated lo- this spring on coordinating After many months of tain there after many months vaccinations, we were also COVID-19 fears and restric- of lockdown. When the show building the municipal budget tions, when few ventured out ended, it was hard to know for fiscal ‘21. My require- except for food and life’s who had enjoyed it more, the Inside this issue ments were clear and direct: other necessities, director audience or the Chorus We needed to reduce mu- Janet decided it was time for members! Bits & Pieces .................. 2 RCAI Meeting ..................2 nicipal taxes, while also this group of dedicated peo- With the success of their maintaining the quality ser- ple to start singing and see- first performance after 15 Bob’s Almanac ................ 5 Recycling Information vices that our residents need ing each other again. She COVID-months behind them, Clubs ........................... 17 Waste management 19 and deserve. began scheduling small it was time to celebrate and My administration met with groups of four or five people show their appreciation for Culinary Corner ............ 17 Religious Organizations 16 all department heads and at a time, sometimes as the person who had held Governors’ Meeting ........ 2 Transportation Tidbits .. 19 took a close, hard look at our many as six groups per them together and made it all expenditures. I am proud that week, to rehearse and learn happen. At the Thompson New Neighbors ............. 15 Website Notice ................2 the Township Council unani- new music. Sometimes they Park picnic, Chorus mem- (Continued on page 2) met outside in her yard, other (Continued on page 3) 2 AUGUST 2021 The Rossmoor NEWS Bits & Pieces By Sue Ortiz Ah, August. Too hot to do was given a copy of “The much outside, so inside ac- American Family Cook Book” tivities are in order, if one by Lily Wallace as a wedding has the air conditioner blast- gift in 1956. Simple recipes, RCAI Monthly Meeting and cost savings and that Fitness Center door in a ing delicious cold air. but they worked. Eggs with this was part of the 5-Year weatherproof box and will be Many years ago, when I carrot sauce, stuffed beets, The RCAI Board of Gover- Master Plan draft by a golf available to residents around was younger, our house did and prune soufflé are a few nors meeting was called to course architect, the motion the first of the month each not have an air conditioner. of the more unusual recipes order at 9:00 a.m. on Thurs- passed 18-0. month hereafter. On most days, my parents in this volume. day, July 15, 2021, by Mr. and I would stay cool by sit- I was given “The Joy of Daniel Jolly, President. The Mr. Gleason read Resolu- Board members and atten- ting in the shade of our sin- Cooking” as a Christmas gift meeting was open to Owners tion #21-16, Authorization to dees discussed the openings gle maple tree that grew in one year. Some of those and Stockholders that Engage in Architectural Ser- of the amenities and the the back yard or by limiting recipes are complicated, but wished to participate by res- vices for the Preparation of Clubhouse, how the golf movement. Large box fans there is general information ervation. Conceptual and Construction course was functioning, res- blocked walkways and win- that can be helpful to a cook Plan for an Open-Air Tennis ervations, vaccination re- dows in each room; the ca- or baker. I’m sure there have The Minutes of the Board of Court Pavilion. The motion quirements, monitoring no cophony of the whirling fins been umpteen newer editions Governors meeting on June passed 18-0. longer being necessary, but lulled us into lethargy. since then, but I still have that 17, 2021, were approved 18-0. sign-in checks were still nec- Although the summers book, as well. In later years, I Ms. Jane Balmer, Gen- essary, the possibility of eve- were hot back then, my Dad acquired my favorite dessert Mr. Robert Gleason, Sec- eral Manager, announced nings and weekends and a always had a vegetable gar- cookbook, “The Wooden retary, read Resolution #21- that Noam Optiz, the site way to balance all the objec- den in the back yard. He Spoon Dessert Book,” which 19, Authorization to Make manager with Allied Secu- tives. grew the garden-variety to- lists simple and delicious reci- Improvements to Certain rity would be leaving on matoes, string beans, pep- pes for all kinds of cakes, pies, Tees and Bunkers on the Friday, July 16, 2021 and There was no further busi- pers, cucumbers, and zuc- cookies, and candy.