DOTRA'S ... DotLine ...

Put Wednesday December 11th on your Holiday calendar. Plans are well underway for our Annual Holiday Luncheon, once again at Giovi's on Route 130 in Yardville, NJ. See the attached flyer and mail in your Reservations today. We expect a good turn-out from our newest membership as well as the support from our regulars. Ticket prices are only $19.00 !

DOTRA BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD MONTHLY ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.

DOTRA will hold its next regular Monthly meeting on Tuesday,November 5th, 2002.

First Tuesday of the Month
EDDIE'S Eatery
628 Arena Drive, Hamilton Twp.
609-888-1414

Dutch treat lunch starts at 11:30 - 12:30
Meeting starts promptly at 12:30 !

All members of DOTRA are welcome !!!

Future Meetings:

Tuesday, December 3, 2002
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Tuesday,February 4, 2003

Great food, weather and camaraderie were enjoyed by those who attended our picnic at the Mercer County Valley Road Picnic Grounds near the Belle Mountain Ski Area. We had a great turn-out and it was good to see our friends from the north, the south, Florida and also some of our newest members.

We also had a representative from the NJCredit Union to answer questions on the State's new law regarding "Dormant Accounts."

The food was catered by Risoldi's and they provided enough variety to even satisfy vegetarians. No one went home hungry or disappointed.. It was nice to welcome a group of our newest retirees there , as well as a number of DOTRA members who make this one of their an annual social events.

Hope to see more new faces, along with the regulars, at next year's picnic.

The response from the new NJDOT Retirees Class 0f 2002 has been great. DOTRA members have campaigned hard to reach all of the potential retirees who were filing with the Division of Pensions to meet the State deadline for the second "early out package." A meeting was held with new retirees in the Multi-Purpose Room of the NJDOT on August 29th.

At the present time, our Membership Committee has processed 71 new member applications. Eighteen newcomers have joined as LIFE Members. We welcome all of you and look forward to meeting you all at some of our Social functions, luncheons and Monthly meetings.

We welcome the following retirees who have recently joined the DOTRA organization:

Anthony Abatto(L)  Allentown, NJ  C&M
Kathleen Albertson(L)  Ocala, FL  C&M
Al Ari (L)  Mercerville, NJ  Comm.Off.
Alan T. Ari  Mercerville, NJ  C&M
Richard Arndt  Burlington,NJ  Acctg.
Perry Bascou  Atco, NJ  MVS
Warren Beck(L)  North Haledon, NJ  C&M
MaryEllen Callahan  Whiting,NJ  Materials
Jean Casole  Trenton,NJ  Supp.Serv
Ray Colanduoni  Manahawkin,NJ  Supp.Serv
Charles Combs  Allentown, NJ  Prog.Supp
Patricia Copeland  Trenton,NJ  MVS
Alfredo Cristofaro(L)  Oakhurst,NJ  C&M
John Demko  Yardville, NJ  Bldg.Maint
Bart DiNola (L)  Trenton, NJ  Safety
Julie Dudas(L)  East Windsor, NJ  Road Des.
Arlene Ellis  Hamilton Sq, NJ  MVS
Vincent Fagan  Branchville, NJ  ROW
Margaret Fodor  Trenton, NJ  Des. Serv
Ruth Gadson  Bordentown,NJ  MVS
Glen Gibbs  Trenton, NJ  Materials
Michael Gross  Manchester, NJ  C&M
Paul Gurland  Yardville, NJ  Traf. Eng.
Susanna Harrington  Ewing,NJ  Planning
Ralph Hartman(L)  BrownsMills,NJ  Plant Eng
Jacob Hoffman  Atlantic Highl, NJ   Bridge
MaryLou Hoschek   Trenton, NJ   Des.Serv.
Jacob Isler(L)  Mercerville, NJ   Procure.
Jay Johnston  Hamilton Sq., NJ  Budget
Rhaman Khan(L)  Trenton, NJ   BridgeDes
Steve Kovacs  Trenton, NJ  Traf. Eng.
Robert Kulvicki   Belle Mead, NJ  C&M
Charlotte Laird   Ewing, NJ  Planning
Barry Lavine  Trenton, NJ  Traf. Eng
Albert M. Malatesta(L)   Shamong Twp.,NJ  C&M
Anne Marchetti  Hamilton Sq., NJ  Supp.Serv.
Louis Marchuk  Stratford,NJ  DesgnSurv
Ellen McCourt  Hamilton Sq., NJ  Data Proc.
Janet Morris  West Trenton, NJ  Des.Serv.
Bernard O'Keefe(L)  Lawrenceville,NJ  Trans.Tech
Frank Palise  Lawrenceville,NJ  QualMgt
Joanne Pannone  Robbinsville, NJ  Des.& Adm.
Navinchandra Patel(L)  So. Brunswick, NJ   Design
Michael Paul  Hopewell, NJ  Planning
Joseph Reilly(L)  Bloomfield,NJ  Electrical
Alan Samour   Cranbury, NJ  Des.Serv
Andrew Schiro(L)  Wallington, NJ EQT.
Gail Schnorbus  Hamilton, NJ  MVS
Gerald Sellner(L)  Titusville,NJ  Structures
Louis Sferruzza  Stanhope, NJ  C&M
Tom Shanahan  Buena,NJ  EQT
R.Mike Silvestrov(L)  Robbinsville,NJ  Cap Invest
Toni Smith  Ringoes,NJ  Materials
Wayne Smith   Ringoes, NJ  Operations
Maria Spanos  Roebling, NJ  MVS
Bruce Strickland(L)   Trenton, NJ   Info.Tech
William D. Sullivan(L)  Oakland, NJ  C&M
Francis Sutter  Bordentown,NJ  Geo Design
Richard Tilton  Lakehuhrst, NJ  C&M
Steve Trapani  Trenton, NJ   Materials
Sonia Taylor  Trenton,NJ  Legal
John Troiani(L)  Trenton, NJ  Plant Eng
Leon Uth  Union, NJ  Facilities
Robert Winkler  Trenton, NJ  Geo Tech

(L) denotes LIFE Memberships !

LIFE MEMBERS REPORT

Since August 2002, the following DOTRA members have renewed as Life Members:

Richard Svetz  Wallington,NJ  Construction
John Waldner  Ewing, NJ  Data Processing.

We thank all of you - old and new- for your support !

The NJDOT Golf Club invites all retirees and their friends to join the club and enjoy playing golf with them. Organized in 1964, the Golf Club schedules a golf date every third Saturday from April through October. Events can be scheduled on weekdays if there is enough demand. Play is usually at different area courses in NJ and PA, within a one hour drive. Membership handicaps are established and maintained by the Club and each outing includes competitions for cash prizes. NJDOT employees, retired or not, and non- NJDOT people are welcome as members. The Club is a great way to get together with friends and plan your Golf Schedule six months in advance!

An organizational meeting will be held on December 5th at the American Legion Post 414on Berwyn Place, Lawrence Township from 6 PM to 9 PM. Refreshments will be served. Even if you can't attend this meeting, you are still welcome to join the Club. For more information, call Ken Kyte at 609-538-0983 or John Waldner at 609-883-7754. Visit their Website at:

www.dotgolfclub.homestead.com

We would like to keep informed of any retiree who is ill, anyone confined to their home, or any retiree who needs help in one form or another. Please call or send a note to Guy LoBue at 609-585-4979 or write to 19 Mount Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08620.

Recent Obituaries:
Carmella Sorrentino (83) MVS ?
John Nolan (75) DOT 1982
Dorothy F. Brown (72) MVS ?
Leonard Calabrese,Jr. (69) DOT ?
Rosa Womack-Gillard (66) DOT ?
Anna Leota Leahey (90) DOT ?
Antonio J. Jones (45) DOT ?
Richard Koerner, Sr. (72) DOT ?
Dorothy C. Stout (94) DOT 1974
Frank Siciliano (85) DOT ?
Alfred Lane (79) DOT 1985
William E. Sharp, Sr. (77) DOT 1987
Bold = DOTRA Members

DOTRA EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS:

President- Guy LoBue  609-585-4979
1st Vice President - Chet Andres
2nd Vice President - Adrian Lincoln
Treasurer - Frank Herrera
Assistant Treasurer - Dick Hobson
Recording Secretary - Hazel Rockhill
Corresponmding Secretary - Dee Wisneski

DIRECTORS / TERM OF OFFICE

Chet Andres (03)    Kristina Erin Kaye (03)
Dot Andres (03)   Adrian Lincoln (04)
Joe Bodnar (05)   Guy LoBue (03)
Walt Gable (04)   Dolores Murphy (05)
Fran Geurds (05)   Hazel Rockhill (03)
Wilma Gruzlovic (03)   James Springstead (03)
Frank Herrera (05)   Mary Stafford (05)
Richard Hobson (04)   Margaret Wieger (03)
Don Hutchinson (04)   Dolores Wisneski (03)

COMMITTEES

Chaplin - Guy LoBue   609-585-4979
Membership - Dot Andres
By-Laws - Chet Andres
Historian - Wilma Gruzlovic
Activities - Fran Geurds & Jim Springstead
DotLine - Dot Andres & Dee Wisneski
Website - Kristina Erin Kaye  609-918-0603

DOTRA
PO BOX 77160
West Trenton, NJ 08628-6160

Fran Geurds and Jim Springstead - Social CoChair of DOTRA have been busily planning some great bus trips for DOTRA members and guests.

On A VERY STORMY Wednesday, October 16th, a repeat of the popular Casino Bus Trip to Atlantic City was scheduled. Travelling on VIP Bus Service to the Hilton Casino, it's reported that a good time was had by all, even though there weren't any big winners. Hostess service was provided on the bus serving coffee and soft drinks, finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers.

In the August issue of DOTLINE, a flyer included information on our Christmas Trip to "Miracle of Christmas" at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster PA scheduled for Wednesday November 20, 2002. The trip includes an early morning pre-Christmas shopping stop at the Rockvale PA Shopping Outlet Stores, followed by your Lunch at the Best Western in Eden, PA and onto the spectacular "Sight and Sound" Show at 4 PM. This is sure to be a great day of pre-holiday festivities. This is a real bargain at $58.00, usually this trip would cost $90.00.

There are a few seats remaining so if you think you and a guest might like to attend, call Fran Geurds immediately at 609-396-9715.

WINTER BUS TRIP TO SMITHVILLE AND ATLANTIC CITY:

Fran Geurds is putting the final plans together for a winter bus trip to the Smithville Inn for lunch and a show followed by a ride over to a casino in Atlantic City. Since the plans were not firm at the time this issue of the DOTLINE went to print, Fran Geurds is requesting interested people to contact her at 609-396-9715 or better yet , send us your name and complete the Activities Comments/ Questionnaire in this issue and send it to our DOTRA MailBox.

BUS TRIP SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21, 2003

Preliminary plans are being made by Peg Wieger for a Spring bus trip to the very popular Ace in the Hole Dinner Theater in Paterson to see "Guys and Molls." A flyer with information will be available in our February 2003 DOTLINE. If you want more information now or wish to be placed on the list, please call Director Peg Wieger at 609- 882-2263. Also, you can advise us of your interest now by completing the DOTRA Activities Questionnaire on this issue and forward to the DOTRA MailBOX.>br>

It is possible, if enough DOTRA members and guests tell us of their interest now !!

Taking place in May 2003, Mrs. Andy Schiro (EQT) has tentatively arranged for a DOTRA group to fly from Newark to Las Vegas to the New York New York Casino for 6 days and 5 nights. The costs is $600 each for double occupancy or 790 for a single room. There is some sightseeing included - such as a bus trip to PRIM, the Imperial Palace Car Show, Golden Nugget 2 for 1 Buffet, and more.

Travel insurance is available for $49.00 per person. The Newark flight is on Sunday at 7:45AM and arrives in Las Vegas at 10:30AM. It departs from Las Vegas on Friday at 4:50 PM and arrives in Newark at 12:00 Midnight.

If you have any interest, we must make arrangements now. Please send your notice of interest before November 15th to DOTRA PO BOX 77160, West Trenton NJ 08628 - Attention: Social Acivities !!!

Or, call Fran Geurds at 609-396-9715 or Mrs. Schiro at 973-472-9385 right now. Use the Social Activities Form provided with this issue.

Are you interested in Casino Bus Trips to The Sands in Atlantic City periodically through the winter months?? Join a group from St. Mary's Hospital Blood Bank! More information is available from Mrs. Andy Schiro at 973- 472- 9385.

THAT'S THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL FLORIDA REUNION IN ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA. ANY DOTRA MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE IN FLORIDA DURING THAT TIME AND WANT TO BE ADVISED OF THE DETAILS SHOULD SEND THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS (LOCAL OR FLORIDA) TO OUR DOTRA MAILBOX OR WRITE DIRECTLY TO CHAIRMAN FRANK WEGEL, 8060 142ND STREET IN SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 OR PHONE 561-388-3991.

It has been a busy summer and early Fall for DOTRA. Trying to keep up with the influx of new members and hopefully planning enough interesting activities for more particiption. On August 29th it was nice to meet some of our newest members at the NJDOT MultiPurpose Room and who have offered to get involved.

Janet Morris (Design) and Julie Dudas (Design) were there. Joanne Pannone (Admin) and Ellen McCourt (Information Technology) had an interesting trip. They traveled the New York State Canal system, roughing it in a houseboat - including traversing through the various locks along the way. We saw several new retirees at the Annual Picnic- Bob Kulvicki (C&M), Navinchandra Patel (Design), Barry Lavine and Steve Kovacs (Traffic Engineering). It was nice to see George Kook (Design) up from Florida for the event. He took some panoramic view pictures of the entire group which should be on the DOTRA website. We hear that Kathy Albertson (C&M) has made the big move and bought a home in Ocala, Florida and really loves it. She isn't going to miss Maintenance's winter snow contracts at all !!

Mike Gross (C&M) writes that "he didn't believe he was really retired until he received his first pension check. It feels good!"

Andy Schiro (Eqt) up in North Jersey has finally retired but writes that he is going to continue to work and probably won't get to too many events. However, he and his wife have offered to lead a DOTRA group to Las Vegas if there is enough interest expressed by our members. See article elsewhere in this issue.

We know that other people are traveling but not too many are telling us about it. Traveling by plane has become very interesting going through the various levels of Security. This writer had an interesting episode in Amsterdam, Netherlands only to be followed by a total search when reaching Dulles in Washington DC. Guess we seniors have more metal parts in our bodies and shoes that set off the alarms. Very distressing to be standing there without your shoes, being thoroughly patted down by several security police, and watching the younger, casually dressed, bearded with back-packs, fly by with a glancing disdainful look at you. Oh well, my grandkids think it's great that I was taken for a potential terrorist !

Speaking of trips, Frank and Kathy Wegel (Materials) led a very small DOTRA group on a 19 day trek through Europe- Paris, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands- including an 8 day cruise up the Rhine. Lots of interesting sites and a wonderful boat trip.

Guy LoBue's grandson Steven LoBue, presently a Senior at Ewing HS and a US Junior Diving Champion continues to impress many national college diving coaches with his spectacular diving skills. Steven hasn't made his final selection of the college yet from a number of scholarships being offered. Another set of proud grandparents are George and Peg Wieger. Their grandson, David Van Horne, now 18, has been competing in the National Modified Car Championships and winning! David has been racing cars since he was 7 and has won a number of National Junior Honors.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (click here)