Dear Nutley Residents:

It is with great pride and gratitude that I welcome back the group of Nutley High School juniors and seniors that volunteered to travel to our Sister City of Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi on a community service trip to help assist in rebuilding efforts. It certainly sounded like both a successful and gratifying trip for everyone involved.

Since they have returned, I have heard stories of how they cleared a field of debris so that Our Lady of the Bay could go forward with their plans to hold their 25th annual crab fest which draws 20,000 people from nearby communities. Canceling it would be like Nutley canceling its Fourth of July Fireworks. Students helped prepare the area, so that the fair could go on – and ultimately boost the morale of the community. They also helped to drywall a home, spray washed and treated a home for mold and helped dismantle a make-shift distribution center in preparation (and fear) of the 2006 hurricane season.

Along the way they were able to meet local residents who shared stories of their experiences, both riding out the storm and their long hard road to rebuilding. Never once did any of the locals relay the feeling of sorrow. They expressed gratitude for our Township’s support and friendship. They were all so proud of their community.

I would like to thank the chaperones who accompanied the students on their trip: Mr. Gregory Catrambone, Mr. Michael Kearney, Mr. Gerald Ryan, Mr. Edward Ward and Mrs. Loren McCreesh. They not only served as chaperones, but were also dedicated to the Operation Nutley Cares Initiative.

Special thanks to Mr. Gregory Catrambone, Nutley High School Principal and Mr. Joseph Zarra, Superintendent of Schools, who fully supported our students in their endeavor. Also, a big thank you to Suzanne Beadle of Beadle Travel and Cruise for assisting the group in securing affordable airfare and assisting with travel details. Lastly, I can not forget to thank our friends in Bay Saint Louis, especially Mike Cuevas, Pastor Di of CityTeam Ministries and Carter Church, mardi gras costume designer, who welcomed our students with open arms and showed them some good old fashioned southern hospitality.

One student’s parent summed it up well by making a sign that read, “Welcome home Nutley High School. You did us proud.”

Thank you to all who touched the hearts and lives of Bay Saint Louis, and ours too!

Thank you all so very much.

Sincerely,

Mayor Joanne Cocchiola