| Author | Message | ||
     Smarty Pants Citizen Username: Smartypants Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2006 |
No pie/ice cream/cupcake eating conteste, nothing to do all afternoon except if you paid to go see the annual circus. Even the normally very popular adult softball pickup games were poorly attended...there's usually a long waiting list of people wanting to play!! And, the normally happy-go-lucky, family-fun, and friendly baking contest was run like a prison with people being told to stay outside so as to not "get in the way"! Several people were trying to browse the entries, as they could always do in past years, only to be asked to LEAVE!!! One woman told me that her two daughters had entered their baked goods and she was inside Town Hall waiting for them. A woman working with Township Committee member Kathy Leventhal on the event, approached her and asked if she had an entry in the contest, and when she responded that she didn't, she was told to leave the building! Her response was, correctly, "This is a PUBLIC building!!" So much for a fun, friendly event. Why the nastiness at a BAKING CONTEST??? Ridiculous. Btw, I never even got a mailing this year, like I have every other year, perhaps this was part of the reason for the low attendance? Too bad. I hope the Town will do better next year! Maplewood's 4th of July events were always one of the best things about Maplewood. So much so, that we never left town for this holiday weekend! Perhaps we'll reconsider next year. | ||
| Neen Citizen Username: Neen Post Number: 242 Registered: 1-2004 |
I was wondering what was up with the meager fireworks show. Half of them seemed to go off right in the firehouse rather than making it into the air. After waiting for an hour for them to start, I was really disappointed by the show. | ||
| Chris Prenovost Citizen Username: Chris_prenovost Post Number: 975 Registered: 7-2003 |
Smarty Pants: "nothing to do all afternoon long except if you paid to see the annual circus" ?!? There were plenty of activities all day long if you took the time to look. And as for your friend being asked to leave City Hall, I find that absolutely astonishing, to say the least. Please give me her name and number, and I will endeavor to find out what happened, and correct it. | ||
| Smarty Pants Citizen Username: Smartypants Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2006 |
Chris, Thanks, feel free to email me about it. And as for, "There were plenty of activities all day long if you took the time to look.", please re-read my post. There was nothing to do during the afternoon. If you check the schedule, all kid events (except for the circus)were only early in the morning, nothing in the afternoon. Thanks for working on the event, though. Please don't take my criticism as being ungrateful for the work done by volunteers to organize the day, but rather as observance of what occurred and hope that the committee will remedy those issues next year. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 12035 Registered: 5-2001 |
The Fourth of July celebration in Maplewood is an all volunteer event. The way to assure a good celebration is to volunteer. Some of the volunteers put in incredible amounts of time. | ||
| Wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 2670 Registered: 5-2001 |
Smarty, the only event that was NOT held this year was the ice cream eating contest. I had already posted something about it on a different thread. Here’s my excerpt: “The eating contest was not held since the organization who usually runs it was not able to do so this year. Unfortunately that info was only found out after the tickets, fliers, etc. were already printed up. (Girl Scouts - perhaps this is something you want to consider doing for next year.)” Yes, many – not all – of the activities are held in the morning, thankfully, given the heat. However in addition to the early morning parade and then the later morning races – always a favorite – there was the following: 10am Build a wreck art project Downhill from RR station, All Ages Maplewood Residents • Neighborhood competition and cooperative project by John Kaufman / Tom Carlson, art project leader 12:00 Percussion Sculpture, downhill from RR station by Jamie Ross • Kids: please DO touch! 12:00 Pet Show Main Library • All Types, All Sizes! • Awards Maplewood Residents • Assisted by New Jersey Animal Coalition In addition, the water slide was brought back by popular demand and kept many kids happy and occupied throughout the day. I’m sorry that you felt the baking contest was run like a prison but the same people ran it from previous years and they do what they can to maintain control. From what I understand of your post, you only heard this second hand. The baking contest people were actually going to stop allowing people to taste the entries but others of us on the committee gave them some pointers regarding maintaining more control and allowing people to remove their entries before they were cannibalized if they wanted to take their entries home. As far as softball games, it sounds like everyone had a great time. Perhaps fewer showed but I don’t quite see why that is a sign that something was wrong. A decision was made to not do a town-wide mailing since the July 4th Committee determined it was too expensive. I don’t think there was anyone in Maplewood who didn’t know our activities were still happening since word was gotten out in many other ways including the Mapleleaf Town newsletter and large posters throughout town. Chris Prenovost was our chairman this year. He and the rest of the committee welcome all members and particularly those who are willing to exert effort and offer constructive criticism. Thanks. Wendy Lauter PS. Thanks Bob K. You are quite correct. The volunteers have always been the most dedicated bunch of people. I only volunteered for one small part this year (the parade) and wrote about the wonderful people on the July 4th thread. I was about to post when I read what you wrote Bob. So true. | ||
| Smarty Pants Citizen Username: Smartypants Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2006 |
Thanks, Wendy, for the explanation of the mailing, and for your volunteering. As I said to Chris, please just take my comments as guidance for things to watch out for next year. The Baking Contest comments came from several people who were at the park and at the event. These were all different people I ran into at different places, so there must be something to it. I privately emailed Chris some more info, so perhaps this can be addressed privately. Thanks again. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 12036 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think even the 30 somethings around town were detered from softball because of the 90 degree temperature with something like 90 percent humidity. Just cleaning out a clogged downspout left me as wet as if I had jumped in a pool fully clothed. But then, I am not a 30 something.  | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7735 Registered: 5-2001 |
Smarty Pants: Here is how the baking contest worked this year and has worked for the past several years I have been involved with it. Set up was from about 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Entries are accepted between 9 AM and 9:30 AM. Some entries arrived earlier which is fine as long as there is someone there to accept them. Entrants are encouraged to take photographs of their entries if they wish before the judging starts. The judging starts ar 9:30 AM. Late entries are accepted at the discretion of the judges. This year, none of the late entries was turned away. During the judging, even the volunteers are asked to leave the area so the judges can work. This process, with close to 50 entries in numerous categories takes about two hours. At 11:30 AM the entrants are allowed to return to the area first so they can see and sample each others' entries. Then, the general population is allowed in. The way the event is presently structured, there really isn't any time or space for the public to come in and see the entries. In order to finish in a reasonable amount of time, the baked goods which the entrants have agreed to share are cut into sampling portions while the awards are being announced. Tasting then begins at about 11:30 and goes until the last person leaves which is usually a little after noon. I am sure Kathy and the judges from Durand Hedden would welcome suggestions as to how things could be improved for next year. Such input is always welcome but keep in mind that up to now there has not been an exhibition component to the contest. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 2036 Registered: 5-2001 |
Smarty Pants, Our July 4th celebration runs 100% on volunteer power and donations. As Wendy said, this year we decided to skip a town-wide mailer to save money. Every year we have to make difficult decisions in order to keep the ticket price low, and still pay for the circus, fireworks, and our always increasing insurance costs. We need and welcome more volunteers - if you're interested, PL me or Chris Prenovost. You can do as little as 30 minutes or the whole day - either is a help. Re: the baking contest - I worked the baking contest 2 years ago and I thought that some of the volunteers were sometimes tactless/rude towards participants. It's a tricky dance sometimes, how do you tell someone who has been doing things the same way for 30 years that "their" way is discouraging participation and creating an undercurrant of ill-will? We'll definitely discuss this issue at the next meeting - we've been informally talking about it for a while BTW. | ||
| Cedar Citizen Username: Cedar Post Number: 191 Registered: 10-2002 |
Chris, Lydia, Wendy, (and other volunteers who haven't chimed in)- Many thanks for all you put into this event. It showed;'specially the fireworks. Our house is still woo-hooing when we rehash the night! Really. BobK said it right(to paraphrase): Constructive criticism is welcome; if you have a gripe and a solution, step up and volunteer. Otherwise, enjoy what you can/will of the festive day. Looking forward to next year, myself.. | ||
| Wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 2674 Registered: 5-2001 |
What a nice post Cedar. On behalf of all of the volunteers, thank you! (Oh and I said the thing about constructive criticism - even though Bob K had a good post too.  ) | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 2040 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cedar - Many thanks - the "passive" volunteers (i.e. the ticket buyers and many, many people who donate extra) keep the event going. Maplewood's 4th of July celebration is a sweet old-fashioned representation of the best our town has to offer. Constructive criticism helps, constructive praise keeps it going. If you compare Maplewood's 4th to all of the towns in Essex county, we offer circus, contests, art projects, fireworks, etc) without tapping into taxes or raising our ticket prices. At $8 a person (babes in arms free) that's less per person than 70 cents a month, I think that's quite reasonable. Folks who really can't afford the price of tickets are always given tickets gratis. It's not about the fireworks, or the circus, it's a day that everyone is welcome regardless of religion, income, or nationality. Maplewood's July 4th is celebration of community at it's best. Many, many thanks to all the volunteers and our local merchants. | ||
| red Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 6231 Registered: 2-2003  |
The first year we have been in Maplewood for the 4th for a long time. The kids and I had a wonderful time. The volunteers were excellent, as were the activities. As I tell all my friends about our 4th of July, they all oooh and awwww about what a great town we have Thanks! I already know. | ||
| red Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 6232 Registered: 2-2003 |
BTW I was happy about the ice cream eating contest being cancelled. I think it would have gone something like this... lil' red (4yr)--mommy I want to do the ice cream contest. me--are you sure? You might get sick lil' red--yes mommy, I WANT TO DO IT AND I WANT TO DO !!!! me--okay honey, it is a holiday, you'll have fun that's what matters. lil' red--okay mommy, I want a chocolate ice cream with cookie sprinkles me--sweetie you can't pick the ice cream you eat lil' red--why? I WANT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM WITH COOKIE SPRINKLES!! The joys of motherhood | ||
| jeffl Supporter Username: Jeffl Post Number: 1766 Registered: 8-2001  |
Yes, the softball had far fewer attendees this year. I'm not sure why. It's always blazing hot for those games. I didn't advertise it at all this year on MOL, that might have made a difference. Was attendance down for all the 4th events? Maybe Tuesdays are tough because everyone goes away for a long weekend. Although the Courter Avenue Block Party had its biggest attendance ever with over 50 teams competing in the various egg toss events! I'm going to have to blame it on Hank Zona for having a pick-up softball game the night before. My general rule of thumb, when in doubt, just blame Hank. At any rate, the 30 people who showed up had a lot of fun and no one got hurt. That's a success in my book. | ||
| The Libertarian Citizen Username: Local_1_crew Post Number: 2048 Registered: 3-2004  |
I don’t think there was anyone in Maplewood who didn’t know our activities were still happening i live in maplewood and i never heard a word about any of the activities. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5820 Registered: 3-2002  |
jeffl- If you had played Monday night, you could have drummed up more players, gone out for that martini I owe you from our bet last baseball season AND just perhaps played better Tuesday (look what it did for Dickson's and Shippy's games). We at least tried to fill in the holes for you before leaving the field. The noone getting hurt though is statistically improbable...congrats! However, judging by the average age of the participants, I am sure some showed up hurt. Maybe more guys arent showing up in the park since the lovely Miss Susan Vidbel, wearing those just a bit too tight and skimpy blue sequined outfits with eyeshadow to match, isnt performing with the circus any longer. By the way, my family once again thoroughly enjoyed the day of festivities...it was the right scale and pace and small town feel for a great community. Thanks to all the committee members and volunteers (and who else thinks Chris Prevenost looks like Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers' brother?). | ||
| Chris Prenovost Citizen Username: Chris_prenovost Post Number: 976 Registered: 7-2003 |
Libertarian: "I live in Maplewood and I never heard a word about any of the activities." In that case, you must not have gone on MOL for the last month, since Jamie & Dave granted us a banner on the front page that was rather hard to miss. Nor have you been in the village for the last six weeks where every other business had our posters and ticket information in their front windows. Nor have you been on Springfield avenue, where a lot of business did the same. And I guess you do not read the News-Record, either. Or talk to any other residents. Who might have mentioned a fun filled day for all ages. You might want to get out a little more. As covered in a different thread, Maplewood is much more than just a bedroom community. Or if you think we need more publicity, join us! From what you said, we could certainly use the help. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 12042 Registered: 5-2001 |
Chris, did you have posters at the train station? I don't remember seeing any, but since I am well aware of the Fourth of July festivities I might not have noticed. | ||
| Chris Prenovost Citizen Username: Chris_prenovost Post Number: 977 Registered: 7-2003 |
Yes, we did. We also loaded the racks in the center tables with flyers - the ones we used as door hangers. We would have loved to do a town wide mailing as we usually do, but given the steep increases in our insurance bill we had to cut something. The fireworks and the circus are sacrosanct, so something else had to give. | ||
| mrmaplewood007 Citizen Username: Mrmaplewood007 Post Number: 126 Registered: 4-2003 |
Chris you are a volunteer and you do a great job. Don't you love Monday morning quaterbacks. If they care so much they should have got off of their rear ends and pitched in. | ||
| Billy Jack Citizen Username: Kendalbill Post Number: 188 Registered: 6-2002  |
Thanks, Chris and everyone else. I thought the fireworks were great, best ever. And the parade and races are always a highlight for me. As for the circus, I always feel lucky when my kids get preoccupied and don't want to go, but I hear it was better and cooler than people had a right to expect. All in all, a great day. Another reason to be proud to live in Maplewood. | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 2574 Registered: 11-2001  |
As I mentioned elsewhere, I thought the fireworks were great this year, and better than in years past. My son and I had been invited -- encouraged, even -- to go to the fireworks in a neighboring town. Neither one of us wanted to see them anywhere but Maplewood. It was a great day. The efforts of all of the volunteers were evident. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 12052 Registered: 5-2001 |
Chris, thanks. Since I am pretty sure Libertarian is a commuter that is why I asked the question. We didn't see the fireworks this year, but 20 years ago we had a real humdinger. About a quarter of the way through the show a spark set off all the remaining pyrotechnics in the space of about ten seconds. It was really exciting. Our daughter, who was then 2 1/2 was ticked that everything was over so quickly, but the next year commented that the show wasn't as good as the previous year. | ||
| Chris Prenovost Citizen Username: Chris_prenovost Post Number: 980 Registered: 7-2003 |
On behalf of the entire July 4th committee. . .  | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7740 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bobk: I wouldn't say the fireworks that year were that great given the injuries and the damage to Nelson's which resulted. Let's all hope that incidents like that one are never repeated. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 12055 Registered: 5-2001 |
Actually there was only one injury, which I consider a minor miracle. An auxillary police officer cut his arm when he dove through one of the broken windows at Nelson's. It was exciting for a couple of minutes, because I was worried that some of the tubes would be knocked over and the fireworks would go directly into the crowd. | ||
| cecilia david Citizen Username: Ceciliadav569 Post Number: 27 Registered: 8-2005 |
For those people who felt that the fire works was meager. Do you realize the expense of the fire works? Not cheap also the fire department in town has concerns about the size of the shells and that reflects on the height of the display. Every year there are folks that do not volunteer but come July5th, they are full of criticism for Maplewood's 4th. Well after all it is 103 years old, completely funded by the sell of tickets and generous donation and the hard work of VOLUNTEERS. Also the flyer was sent out in the Mapleleaf to help with some of the expense. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7744 Registered: 5-2001 |
So who is going to volunteer to help out next year? | ||
| Deidra Citizen Username: Deidralynn Post Number: 630 Registered: 6-2004  |
Go Cecilia! You tell 'em! Joan, you can count me in to help out as much as I can for next year (PL me with details)- but I have to confess, I am a Montclair native and it's a long standing tradition in our family to attend that parade(which starts at 11:00 AM BTW). It gets better every year! You all do a fine job every year. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7750 Registered: 5-2001 |
Deidra: Why don't you PL (or otherwise contact) Chris Prenovost who headed the 4th of July Committee this year. I am sure they can find lots for you to do preparing for and/or helping out at next year's celebration. You could also PL (or otherwise contact) Wendy who has been heading the push-pedal-pull parade for many years. She was short handed this year and I am sure would welcome an early commitment of help for next year. Time commitment on parade day is from about 7:40 AM to 8:15 AM, which leaves plenty of time to get to Montclair for an 11 AM parade there. | ||
| msg Citizen Username: Msg Post Number: 205 Registered: 8-2001 |
We have missed only one 4th in town since we moved to Maplewood 22 years ago. The activities and fireworks are consistently wonderful. We even have our friends from other towns nearby (Millburn) come here. It is a prime example of small town Americana. We have sworn never to be away from Mplwd on the holiday ever again. You have the opportunity to participate in the different parts of the day depending on your age and interests and do what you please. I am grateful to all those who volunteer. I used to participate in the baking contest years ago and decided to let new people get a chance. No one forces you to enter, if you don't like the rules! I've never been in favor of any eating contest so it wasn't horrible for me to see that not happen. Once again, a million thanks to all those who work so hard to make this event such a success. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 2043 Registered: 5-2001 |
Msg -
Thanks so much for the kind words. I love the July 4th celebration in Maplewood for exactly the reasons you cited above. It's small town, it's cute, and there's something for everyone. Some years I spend all day at Memorial park, other years I've done some activities in the morning with my family and cooled off at the pool for the rest of the day. It's always nice that we're only 5 minutes away from home if the day gets too hot or busy. Thanks for your support - and Diedra, PL me, the committee always needs more helping hands! |
