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The Anchor

"All told, the Council's giving tree donated almost 40 presents to our cutters' children, fed all three crews and brought tons of smiles to many."

In Memorium....Stuart Chalkley, Past President

Dedicated member and past president Stu Chalkley, 71, passed away on October 29, 2006. Bom in Richmond VA Stu lived in Piscataway for more than 30 years. He owned and operated Affordable Signs in Piscataway. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he served from 1954 to 1957.

Stu was an active member of the Central Jersey Council, NLUS and a member of the Historical Society of the Battleship New Jersey BB-62. He was the designer of our state Battleship license plate, served as the state's commissioner that brought the battleship back to New Jersey.

Surviving are his wife, Geraldine (Izzo); his brother, Russell and his wife, Mary of Ringwood; his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Ronzo and her husband, Lou of South Plainfield; his niece, Jennifer Ronzo and two nephews, Gary and Russell Chalkley.

Santa Comes to Town

On Saturday, December 16, 2006, the Council's work began before dawn. Loaded with supplies, gifts, Santa Claus and an array of plans, the Central Jersey Council brought Christmas to our cutters.

First stop was the traditional breakfast with Santa on board the USCGC Katherine Walker. Santa's yearly stop on her deck was greeted with big smiles from the crew's children and all those on board. Santa took off for an early afternoon rendevous at Sandy Hook Station with the children of the crew of the USCGC Bainbridge Island. After a lite lunch, Santa delivered mere gifts and sang Jingle Bells to put everyone in the holiday mood. Later, the crew of the USCGC Sailfish had a light dinner and they too were the recipients of good cheer and more presents from the Council's giving tree.

All told, the Council's giving tree donated almost 40 presents to our cutters' children, fed all three crews and brought tons of smiles to many. Special thanks goes out to Fran Varga and her Pioneers Group sponsoring the food donations and providing a gift of warm gloves and a scarfs to each member of the ships' crew, the Aegis Division's Sea Cadets who assisted with all of the cooking, to Monty Zaks for capturing the moments on film and to all those who purchased gifts and attended the parties. A very special thanks goes out to Neil (Santa Claus) Gallo, for his time, patience and generous holiday spirit

Cadet Scuttlebutt
by Bill Aitken—Sea Cadet Chairperson

Aegis Division Awards Ceremony

On Sunday, December 17, 2006, the Central Jersey Council attended the annual awards ceremony of the Aegis Division Sea Cadets. The Navy League's Roosevelt
Youth Awards for the Cadets of the Year were presented the Sea Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Thomas Toomey and League Cadet Matthew Chabalowski. The Officer of the Year award was given to Quarter Master Chief Doug Edwards (USN Ret.) The ceremony was followed by lunch and refreshments.