The Hammonton Gazette 11/05/14 Edition | Page 6

Page 6 • Wednesday, November 5, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette The Hammonton Gazette “The Paper of Record” Gabriel J. Donio, Publisher Gina rullo, Editor-in-Chief Dan russoman, Sports Editor Benny Mendez, Staff Artist Marysusan Hoffman, Paul J. Macrie iv, Michael Hozik, Donna Brown, Joseph Bruno, Lauren Bucci, Lauren crescenzo, Zack Brown, Staff The Hammonton Gazette is located at 233 Bellevue ave. to reach a staff member, call 704-1940 or fax at 704-1938. the mailing address is P.o. Box 1228, Hammonton, nJ 08037. eDitoriaLs The Hammonton Gazette is published Wednesdays, by The Hammonton Gazette, Inc. Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved. ISSN 1093-6181 stockton’s success The ongoing drive to raise money for the “Distinctively Stockton Hammonton Proud Scholarship,” a Hammonton-based annual scholarship for a local graduate of Hammonton or St. Joseph High School attending The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, is meeting with success. More than a third of the money toward the goal has been secured, officials from the college said in a release issued October 31. To date, $34,100 toward a $100,000 goal with a deadline of June 30, 2015 has been raised, the release said. “The generosity and hometown pride of Hammonton residents is striking. From Charles and Lynn Kramer’s leadership gift that helped to open the Kramer Hall instructional site in Hammonton in 2013, to the donors stepping forward now, we see a strong commitment to helping other residents achieve their dreams of a distinctive Stockton education,” Stockton President Herman Saatkamp said. This fundraising drive has the full support of The Gazette. We share the vision that brought Stockton to Hammonton and we encourage Stockton’s efforts to grow a campus in Hammonton. We share Charles Kramer’s view that there will someday be a campus with many buildings in the downtown area, bringing educational opportunities, jobs and prestige to our town. We believe Stockton’s goal of becoming a university will only benefit the locations where Stockton exists, including their main campus in Pomona, and their campuses in Atlantic City, Hammonton, Manahawkin and Woodbine. Our town is proud to be a part of Stockton’s plans. Residents should give to this worthy cause, which benefits the coming generations. Many Hammonton residents, community leaders, businesses and organizations have supported the campaign thus far, according to the release from the college. To display its commitment to Hammonton, and to encourage continued private support, Stockton would use institutional scholarship funds to match those produced by the fund to provide $8,000 a year for Hammonton students. Stockton will provide these matching funds for 10 years or until such time that the fund allocation meets or exceeds $8,000. Over time, additional gifts will continue to grow the endowment, increasing the amount of the award(s) and strengthening the impact for students, the release said. For more information about the campaign, search Distinctively Stockton Hammonton Proud or visit stockton.edu/hammonton. For more information about the Hammonton scholarship fundraising effort, please contact: nicholas sena Assistant Director of Annual Giving The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey [email protected] 609-652-4789 Or: Jessica Kowal Director of Development and Special Projects The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey [email protected] [phone] PersPective/Pastor’s corner Two of our grandchildren were at the house for a sleepover, which on the surface seems like a very pleasant evening. Of course, they only had half a day of school so they were at the house right after lunch. So, from lunchtime all the way through until breakfast the next morning they were energizing our house. It all started out very nice with a lot of activities in the afternoon leading up to suppertime. By this time, I was wearing my age on my sleeves and I was not wearing a long-sleeved shirt. They were inside, then they were outside, then they came back inside to tell me what they were going to do outside and then they went back outside. I can sit in my chair for hours reading a book or writing an article. But when it comes to going outside and chasing children who are chasing a ball who then begin to chase you and then you fall down and they jump on top of you, that is a different story. Right around 3 o’clock, I looked at the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and asked a simple question, “How soon is supper?” “Silly Grandpa,” she said with a hearty laugh, “we just had lunch.” I sighed a lack of energy sigh knowing that we had several hours yet to play. Being as careful as I could, I snuck inside and collapsed in my chair only to be found out by the two little grandchildren energizing our domicile. They came screaming into my room, jumped on me and began our infamous tickle game. I am not quite sure, but I think this lasted at least 10 hours. A thought creaked in my head. Even at my age, I can entertain a thought or two on occasion. So, without any consultation whatsoever with my wife, I made an announcement. “Who wants candy?” That simple announcement got their attention and drove them like a magnet into the kitchen straight to the candy jar jumping up and down in anticipation. “One rule with the candy,” I explained, “you have to eat it outside.” I had a willing and compliant audience and filled both hands with as much candy as they could handle. Screaming with delight, they rushed for the outside where they could set at the picnic table and indulge in the candy. I headed back to my chair where I could indulge in some non-activity. Supper finally came and with a lot of noisy chatter and laughter we ate our supper. I left the table and went to my chair to relax a little bit and watch a little bit of news on the TV. I was almost dozing when I heard some chatter next to me. “Grandpa,” I heard the duo sing, “we’re bored.” “Why don’t the two of you sit down and read a book together?” “No, we want to have fun!” And so fun we had as I abandoned my boredom extravaganza. Finally, it was bath time, closely followed by bedtime. It took almost an hour to talk the two into bed and convince them to go to sleep. After a day of using so much energy, I was in the mood to welcome a large dose of boredom. In the quietness of the evening, both my wife and I sat in our chairs listening to the sounds of silence. In thinking about the activities of the day, I came to one conclusion. As draining as grandchildren are, they are more than welcome in my home. I know I only have a small reservoir of energy, but I am glad to spend it on them. As my wife and I sat in the silence, she broke the silence and said, “Aren’t grandchildren the best?” I thought for a moment and came to full agreement with her. My wife is usually right on everything and on this thing, she was absolutely right. I enjoyed the sounds of silence because I had enjoyed the excitement and turmoil of grandchildren in the house. I thought of Solomon in the Old Testament. If anybody was an expert on being a grandfather, it was him. After all, he had seven hundred wives, and three hundred concubines and who knows how many grandchildren danced around his throne. Solomon said, “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers” (Proverbs 17:6). Boredom is something that most people do not really appreciate. It always has a negative connotation, but in the right perspective, boredom can be a reward for lots of activity. Dr. James L. snyder ocala, Fla. Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 1-866-552-2543 or e-mail [email protected] or website www.jamessnyderministries.com. The Hammonton Gazette welcomes letters to the editor that are no more than 800 words long. All letters must include the name of the author and an address and telephone number for verification. Letters should be mailed to The Hammonton Gazette, Editorial Page, P.O. Box 1228, Hammonton, NJ 08037. Letters also will be accepted via fax. The fax number is 704-1938.  Or by email to [email protected]. Deadline for all submissions is 2 p.m. Monday. The Hammonton Gazette reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions expressed in letters, perspectives or in guest columns do not necessarily reflect those of The Hammonton Gazette.  The Gazette is not responsible for factual errors in letters, perspectives or in guest columns. The Gazette retains the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.