source Gloucester Catholic Cross Country

Courtesy of Runners Gazette Magazine

Jack Heath, January, 2007

\”We’re following in your footsteps. Cause that’s where your footsteps go.\”

Ian Hunter- \”Following in your footsteps\”

However, one thing I had learned from my coach, Browning Ross is you have to be there for the long haul— a coach must stay through the (mostly) lean and sometimes boom years. But keep coaching no matter what, because you never know. I was in my last year of college at Rowan (then Glassboro State) finishing up my last season of cross country as captain of the team when Browning asked me if I’d like to help him coach at Gloucester Catholic, my alma mater where he had coached me. \”No thanks!\” I said. \”I just want to run; I can’t see high school kids listening to me anyway, so I’d rather just concentrate on my own running.\” Browning nodded in what I thought was agreement.
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p>William C. Stefanko Sr. of Woodbury on Feb. 14, 2008. Aged 71 years. Bill was the proud owner of Bill & Eileen¹s Market in National Park. Even after retiring, he still was involved with the bookkeeping for his family business. He enjoyed boating in Maryland, dining out, and the company of his friends and family. He will be remembered as an upbeat, caring man who loved his family. He will be sadly and deeply missed. Beloved husband of the late Eileen (nee Clapper). Devoted father of William C. Stefanko Jr. and his wife, Brenda, and Eileen Aiken and her husband, Fred. Dear brother of Joseph Stefanko and the late Steven Stefanko. Loving grandfather of Billy III, Laura, Heather, Christine and Erick. Viewing Tuesday 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. and Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m. in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury, NJ 08096. Funeral Mass Wednesday 10 a.m. in St. Michael¹s R.C. Church, 313 Memorial Ave., Gibbstown, NJ 08027. Interment in New St. Mary¹s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Redeemer Hospice, 150 E. 9th Ave., Runnemede, NJ 08078. Tributes and memories may be shared at www.mcgfuneral.com \”The Lifetime Tribute Funeral Home\” Published in the Gloucester County Times on 2/16/2008.

Related: Chuckles

I recently learned that the Borough of Brooklawn is prosecuting a Furrever Friends Rescue and Volunteers (FFRV) organization volunteer for violation of its domestic animal ordinance, specifically for having too many cats in her home.

The ordinance limits three animals per residence.

FFRV takes in stray, abused and abandoned domestic cats. They are immediately taken to a veterinarian for a complete checkup, and are spayed or neutered. The cats are not permitted outdoors and that stipulation is part of the fostering and adoption agreements.

The organization does not have a shelter facility and the animals are fostered in volunteers\’ homes until they are adopted. The animals are neither sold nor bred.

Brooklawn\’s stance against the volunteer is contradictory to its ordinance because the town routinely refers strays to the volunteer, yet she is being charged with having too many cats in her home. If Brooklawn did not have the volunteer as a resident, the taxpayers would have to bear the entire cost of controlling stray, abused and abandoned domestic animals in the town.

FFRV volunteers bear the complete costs with money from donations and from their own pockets, and without support from the municipal or any other government.

While laws are necessary, most laws contain exception provisions for certain bona-fide and verifiable situations.

In the case of FFRV and other such organizations I believe that animal control ordinances warrant such an exception – not to breach the law – rather to provide a practical and common sense solution for the legitimate fostering of abandoned animals by good Samaritans.

I believe that a higher limit – or none – on the number of domestic animals that rescuers can foster ought to be permitted since, at any given time, the volume of abandoned animals varies and is not predictable.

I seek readers\’ help in influencing the Brooklawn Borough Council, and all municipalities, to enact appropriate amendments to their current ordinances.

I also believe that, in order to solve the too many abandoned animals problem, pet owners should bear greater accountability for the abuse, mistreatment and abandonment of animals; and that more severe punishment should be meted out to offenders.

The American spirit was founded by volunteers, and I believe that as freedom-loving Americans none of us want to see innocent animals that can bring great joy to people turned away at a time when they most need us.

We should thankful for, not prosecute, volunteer organizations like Furrever Friends that assist municipalities with their stray animal problem with only donations and their own out-of-pocket support.

 

Owen O\’Neill, Westmont

 

 

Howard J. Graber Sr. and Lillian C. (Bocco) Graber of Washington Township are celebrating 50 of marriage. The couple was married Jan. 18, 1958 at Holy Name Roman Catholic church in Camden. Rev. Father Doyle performed the ceremony  

The couple have been residents of Washington Township for 43 years.

 

Howard, a veteran of the United States Air Force, was a foreman who served over 35 years in the National Boiler Maker\’s Union retiring in 1995. Lillian is a proud mother and homemaker and is an active member of many women\’s organizations. They have enjoyed a full life with a large close family and traveled around the world on many vacations. They love spending time with their children and grandchildren celebrating every holiday, anniversary, birthday and special occasions together.

Howard and Lillian have six children: Howard J. (and Trudy) Graber of Monroeville; Monica A. (and Robert) Neubert of Sewell; John D. (and Janice) Graber of Turnersville; James A. (and Diane) Graber of Williamstown; Paul M. (and Jennifer) Graber of Williamstown; and Joseph B. (and Rebecca) Graber of Sewell.

The couple has 19 grandchildren: Garbriella, Howard, Haley, Amanda, Robert, Felicia, Lucia, Nicole, John, Ashley, Adriene, Angelica, Alexis, Paul, James, Vincent, Monique, Joseph and Michael.