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Plainfield, NJ¾The Plainfield's oldest service club held their most important annual community service project on June 6 at the Hub Stine Athletic Field in Plainfield under beautiful, sunny skies and near-perfect weather conditions.

Long a mainstay in supporting the Plainfield and North Plainfield communities, the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield again offered an afternoon of friendly but determined competition to young 12, 13 and 14 year-old athletes from five area schools.

"This invitational meet is the longest-running meet of its kind in the entire state," said Michael Townley, director of the meet. "We have offered this meet as a service to area youth every year since 1923, except during World War II and twice when heavy rains forced cancellation."

Eighty-one years of track and field meets has drawn many thousands of participants, including Olympic decathlon champion and Plainfield resident Milt Campbell. “We recognize that participating in our Track and Field Meet was but one step in Milt’s long and successful drive to achieve his decathlon championship,” said Townley. “In fact, our Club was proud to be one of the many community groups that financially supported his Olympic trip.”

According to Townley, each year the Club members learn something new about the athletes that participated in the Meet. “One of our volunteers was a member of a record-setting relay team in the 1980’s,” said Mr. Townley.

Schools sending athletes to this year’s Meet included longtime participants Plainfield Maxson Middle School, North Plainfield Middle School, and the Valley View School in Watchung. Athletes from the Queen City Academy Charter School in Plainfield also registered, but were unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict when rain forced postponement of the Meet from June 4 to June 11.

There are a total of forty-two events in the Meet, divided among three age groupings – twelve, thirteen and fourteen year old boys and girls. Events include the high jump, long jump, shot put, 55 and 100 meter dashes, the 4 by 100 meter relay, and the 800 meter run. A list of record-holders is kept by the Club and updated each year as records are broken. There were no records broken at this year’s meet.

“Our Club looks forward each year to this special service project,” said Townley. “Rotary International’s motto is “Service Above Self”. We truly enjoy sharing our time with these fine young athletes and presenting them an opportunity to win medals or ribbons for their athleticism.”

Medals were taken home by athletes from each of the schools, with Valley View leading the count of first place finishers with 26 gold medals, followed by Maxson Middle School with fourteen and North Plainfield Middle School with thirteen.

All officiating at the Meet is conducted by members and friends of the Rotary Club, using standardized interscholastic rules. Regular supporters include the Interact Club from North Plainfield High School. “Interact is the youth service club that is sponsored by Rotary International,” said Mr. Townley. “Members of the Interact Club help us throughout the year with our service projects.”

Not only were the athletes and officials blessed by great weather, but they also enjoyed a visit from Rotary District Governor Julie Ann Juliano. And not only did she stop by to visit, but Governor Julie Ann also pitched in and helped club president Linda Persichino and her crew officiate at the long jump event.

In addition to Interact, newcomers who helped officiate at the Meet this year included Carly Stoeckle at the Awards Tent; Mauro Altizio, Timer; and Sara Hardy and Damaris Feliciano (YMCA), Judges.

“We give a special thanks to our Interact Club and to all of the non-members who helped officiate” said Mr. Townley. “Without their assistance, our Meet would not have been possible.”

The Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield, founded in 1921, has served the community for over 86 years. Members are community and business leaders in the area who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm at Giovanna’s Restaurant in Plainfield. Contact Michael Townley, club secretary, at rotarypnp@comcast.net for additional information about the Rotary Club, and its activities or to inquire about membership, or visit the Club’s website at www.rotarypnp.org.

Three athletes from Maxson Middle School show off their medals after sweeping the 100 meter dash for 13 year old girls.

The gun sounds and off they go! Bob Murphy served as Starter for the Meet.

Harry Allen watches intently as the first runner crosses the finish line.

The shot is on its way (located at the top of the picture and just to the right of center).

District Governor Julie Ann Juliano assists with the measurement for one of the attempts in the long jump event.

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PRESS RELEASE

Rotary Club Enjoys Luxury Suite at Patriots Game

Club Wins Use of Somerset County Suite

For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 13, 2008

Contact: Michael R. Townley, Meet Director

Plainfield, NJ¾Twenty members, relatives and friends of the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield enjoyed the luxury box accommodations at Commerce Bank Ballpark for the May 27 game between the Somerset Patriots and the Camden Riversharks.

Despite an initial rain delay that pushed back the opening pitch until nearly 7:30 PM, the Patriots took the field and played a tight game.

With a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning, the game was delayed again for rain. With the delay lasting past 9:15, the club members and guests began to leave for the evening. The Patriots resumed play shortly thereafter, and later won the game 6 to 5.

The Rotarians and their guests all enjoyed standard baseball fare - hot dogs with ‘kraut, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, plus delicious french fries and soft drinks, all supplied by the Club. The Club won use of the Freeholders’ luxury suite in an annual drawing that is open to non-profits who serve in Somerset County.

They also enjoyed a visit from Freeholder Director Peter Palmer, who was at the stadium to attend the game with another group. “We thanked him and the rest of the Freeholders for allowing us and other non-profits to use their suite,” said Michael Townley, secretary for the club and organizer of the trip. “Many of us have been to Commerce Bank Ballpark to see the Patriots, but none of us had the opportunity to view the game from the suite level. It was a great experience.”

The Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield, founded in 1921, has served the Plainfield and North Plainfield communities for over 86 years. Members are community and business leaders in the area who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm at Giovanna’s Restaurant in Plainfield. Contact Michael Townley, club secretary, at rotarypnp@comcast.net for additional information about the Rotary Club, and its activities or to inquire about membership, or visit the Club’s website at www.rotarypnp.org.

Sparkee, the Somerset Patriots mascot, welcomed Jack Townley to the game.

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PRESS RELEASE

March 7, 2008

Seeking new members

The Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield is encouraging business and community leaders to consider membership in the world’s first service organization. Men and women Rotarians enjoy weekly lunch meetings while planning both local and international service projects. “Taking an active role in the two communities we serve greatly enriches our personal and professional lives,” said Linda Persichino, club president.

Membership in a Rotary club offers a number of benefits, including:

	Effecting change within the community.
	Developing leadership skills.
	Gaining an understanding of — and having an impact on — international humanitarian issues.
	Developing relationships with community and business leaders.

Through Rotary's service programs, a Rotary club can have a significant effect on the quality of life in its community. Programs of The Rotary Foundation offer opportunities to form international partnerships that help people in need worldwide. More than 1.2 million Rotarians have improved the quality of life at home and around the globe working through the Rotary Foundation.

“Our Club supports students with college scholarships; gives a free dictionary to every third grade student in Plainfield and North Plainfield; provides meals for those in need; helps fund Rotary’s program to eliminate polio throughout the world; and raises funds for other local and international needs,” said Linda.

“During recent years, our Rotary Club has supported a variety of organizations including the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the YMCA, the YWCA, Project Graduation, Star-Fish of Plainfield, InterFaith Hospitality Network (HomeFirst, Inc.), the Courier News Wishbook, the Scarlett Foundation, and many other community organizations.

“Please visit the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield any Wednesday in March or April. Prospective members are invited to join us for lunch at 12:15 pm at Giovanna’s Restaurant, 1462 South Avenue in Plainfield. We will be happy to tell you more about Rotary, our goals and projects, and explain the qualifications of a Rotarian,” said Linda.

The Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield, founded in 1921, has served for over 86 years. Contact Michael Townley, club secretary, at rotarypnp@comcast.net for additional information about the Rotary Club and its activities, or visit the Club’s website at www.rotarypnp.org.

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This page was last updated on 03/01/10.