The Readington News • May 2012 • Page 11


Warming Up for Cabaret and Mr. Central Hunterdon


Notes News& by Annie Nazzaro


With the lovely, summery warmth we’ve been blessed with lately, day- dreams of vacation and increasingly frequent dress code violations have also arrived at Central. But luckily, May is also bringing several fun an- nual events to the school.


First, on May 8, Cabaret—the school’s annual talent show—is tak- ing place. This year, seniors Austin Vale and Warren Dennis are the em- cees. The show will feature a variety of acts, plenty of hilarity, and many skilled students.


For instance, sophomores Kate- lyn Hughes and Hayley Stricker will both be performing in Cabaret. They will be dancing in a number called “Janet” with other dancers from their studio, Starmaker. The studio has actually performed in Cabaret for a number of years now.


Preparing for Cabaret takes a lot of work—as Stricker put it, “It’s a lot of ‘team bonding’ time.” But she’s still looking forward to the show. “We’re really excited to perform! We had a lot of fun last year and can’t wait to dance again,” she said.


Hughes was in agreement. She said, “It’s a lot of practices and hours after school, but in the end it’s so much fun being able to hang out with everyone and get to see such amazing acts!”


Readington resident and sopho-


more Lily Riche will also be per- forming in Cabaret, singing solo. “I’m singing and playing my own version of “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley on guitar,” she explained. This is her first year in Cabaret, and she hopes to perform in years to come. Riche also is releasing a pro- fessionally recorded CD soon—it’s all original music, and she’s excited that it’s finally done.


An old favorite returning to the school is Mr. Central, a “Miss America pageant, but for the senior boys,” as described by Caroline Hi- gley, the Student Council president. The pageant includes a question and answer session, a formal wear sec- tion, a casual wear section, a talent section, and two dance numbers. There’s also a “best legs” competi- tion, for which students vote in the weeks preceding the pageant. The winner is announced during the per- formance, which takes place on May 11.


Choosing the contestants is a careful and thoughtful process. “The contestants are nominated by teach- ers in the school, and we try to get the most diverse range of people that we can. . . from music to sports to student government, across every- thing,” said Higley.


The event is run by Student Coun- cil, and is mainly student-organized and driven. Even the choreographers for the dance numbers in the show are kids at the school.


Mr. Central does charge a $5 ad- mission fee, but all proceeds will be donated to charity. And besides, this chance to see the senior guys show off in such a fun and ridiculous way only comes once a year.


Looking Back. . . For the Love of the Game By Stephanie B. Stevens


Historian, County of Hunterdon Winter is over—albiet early this year. Indoor sports have closed down for another season. The cold of winter has melted away to a beautiful spring and the “Boys of Summer” are back on the mounds and outfields all over the Town- ship and County.


Fortunately, Readington has a plethora of township-owned base- ball fields stretching from Three Bridges all across the township up to East White House. And they’re sized right for the smallest player


Barn Dance at Bouman- Stickney May 19


The Readington Museums will host a Barn Dance with caller Betsy Gotta on Saturday, May 19, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Bouman- Stickney Farmstead, 114 Dreahook Rd., in the Stanton section of Read- ington Township. The dance is a family friendly event. No dance experience necessary. Refresh- ments will be available. There is a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $2 per child. Groups of six or more, call for a reservation. Visitors using a GPS or online map program, use Lebanon, NJ, 08833. For more information or directions, visit www.readingtonmuseums.org or call 908-236-2327.


to the mens’ league. No so years ago when the only townwide ball fields were those tucked in behind Main Street on the corner of James and Nelson Streets in White House Station. It was here on these venerable fields that the “New White House Athletic Asso- ciation” was born.


There was an “old” White House AA that played on these fields; however, it was decided to expand and form an Associa- tion dedicated to ...”encourage and assist all those in the vacinity, and especially the young people, to engage in athletics and sports, providing suitable leadership, suitable grounds and buildings for athletic activities”...


Minutes of the first meeting of incorporators of The White House Athletic Association were written on March 21, 1949. Under the auspices of lawyer, Ryman Herr Sr. (the meeting was held at his house) Certificate of Incorpora- tion, bylaws, membership rules, election and duties of officers, bank depository, and business were carried out. Duly elected at that first meeting were: President, Harold Van Derveer; Vice Presi- dent, Nicholas Rosania; Secre- tary, Edward Hooretz; Treasurer, Charles Hildebrant.


It was at this meeting that the Board of Trustees authorized the


purchase from the Howard Clark Estate of the 32 acres on the cor- ner of James and Nelson Sts. for the purpose of expanded youth baseball fields. Cost of those 32 acres was $3200 of which $2300 was secured by mortgage to Vin- cent Roche at 3% interest, payable in three years.


Playing fields were laid out, wet spots filled in, backstops built, outfields grassed and fenced, seat- ing stands and dugouts built—all by volunteers.


All for the love of the game, and the desire to give children a per- manent place to learn America’s favorite pastime, baseball. Local businesses bought ads on the outfield fences to defray the cost of kids uniforms which in the minor leagues consisted of a T-shirt and cap while the majors had a full uniform. Kids were not charged to play baseball. The AA took care of costs.


Sixty-three years later, with all of the changes that have come and gone in any society, the month of March continues to signal the be- ginning of baseball season on the White House AA fields.


All of the founders are gone. Their legacy of community volun- teerism so that kids would have a place to play the great game lives on in the hearts of anyone who ever caught a ball or swung a bat.


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