DOTRA’S…DotLine…

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

By Chet Andres

Good News! At the DOTRA Holiday Luncheon on December 7^th, three DOTRA members volunteered to fill existing Board of Directors vacancies. They are Jim Dixon, previously in Procurement, Nancy Nelson of Human Resources, and Sal Noto of Materials. It is nice to have some of our newer (and younger) members joining us on the Board. This helps to assume the continuing leadership for DOTRA in the future. As I write this for the first issue of DOTLINE for 2006, I want to wish all of you a Happy and Healthy New Year and to especially thank our Directors for their years of service. We can only continue to exist if our Members are willing to actively participate. Thanks to all of you who have helped to make our organization the best of its kind in New Jersey State Government and one of the best in the nation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPRING LUNCHEON- Thursday, March 23,2006

See details in the Flyer enclosed!

ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON– in June 2006

ANNUAL PICNIC- A Repeat of a Successful Event

September

Details to follow in May Issue

DOTRA BOARD MONTHLY MEETINGS

DOTRA holds its regular Monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month.

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

At 11:30 ROMAN HALL

Whittaker Street,Trenton

Dutch treat lunch starts at 11:30–12:30

Meeting starts promptly at 12:30 PM

All members of DOTRA are welcome !!!

Schedule for Future Meetings:

Tuesday – March 7, 2006

Tuesday - April 4, 2006

Tuesday – May 2, 2006

Tuesday – June 6, 2006

DOTRA EXECUTIVE BOARD

AND OFFICERS

PRESIDENT- Chet Andres 609-818-1921

1^st VP- Adrian Lincoln 609-921-3036

2^nd VP- Jay Johnston 609-588-0930

TREASURER- Lou Papp 609-585-7697

ASST.TREAS– Frank Herrera 609-392-0633

REC.SEC- Hazel Rockhill 609-581-3560

CORRES. SEC-Dolores Murphy 609-466-3341

DIRECTORS/ TERM OF OFFICE

Chet Andres (06) Adrian Lincoln (07)

Dot Andres (06) Dolores Murphy (08)

Paul Bertucinni (07) Lou Papp (07)

Joe Bodnar (08) Hazel Rockhill (06)

Walt Gable (07) Jim Springstead(08)

Al Gallo (08) Richard Hobson (08)

Frank Herrera (08) Bruce Strickland (07)

Don Hutchinson (07)) Phil Vecere (07)

Jay Johnston (07)

Jim Dixon, Nancy Nelson, and Sal Noto-

Newly Nominated Directors

VACANT (1)

COMMITTEES

CHAPLAIN – Jay Johnston 609-588-0930

MEMBERSHIP – Dot Andres 609-818-1921

or cellphone (FL) 609-638-1070

BY-LAWS – VACANT

HISTORIAN – VACANT

ACTIVITIES – Jim Springstead 609-392-0848

DOTLINE – Dot Andres & 609-818-1921

Bruce Strickland 609-538-8189

WEBSITE - Bruce Strickland 609-538-8189

DIRECTOR VACANCY

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

We still have a Vacancy on our Board of Directors.

Take a good look at our Listing of Directors and If you are interested, can help out in any way, please contact Chet Andres or any current Director ASAP. Our phone numbers are listed in this Issue.

LIFE MEMBERS REPORT

The following DOTRA members have renewed their DOTRA memberships as Life Members:

Worth Cunningham C&M Flemington,NJ

Janis Stia- Support Serv West Trenton,NJ

Mary Ellen White –ROW Voorhees,NJ

NEW MEMBERS REPORT

We continue to get responses to the batch of letters sent to retirees in 2004/2005. To date we have heard from the following people and are pleased to introduce the following New Members to DOTRA.

Russell Brown Local Aid

Montclair,NJ

Arthur Eisdorfer Design/Planning

Ewing,NJ

Paul Gant Construction

Franklinville,NJ

Louise McBride Human Resources

Trenton,NJ LIFE MEMBER

Remember to mention the DOTRA organization when you meet or run into former co-workers at the NJDOT. We are frequently hearing that there are retirees from some years back who did not take the advantage of joining our group and are now trying to reconnect.

We welcome all NJDOT retirees to our organization!

CHAPLAIN’S REPORT

By Jay Johnston

We hear that a number of our members have been ill and are recovering from various illnesses and injuries.

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 Jay Johnston at 609-588-0930, e-mail – JayRJohnston@aol.com - or write to me at 3 Golden Crest Court, Hamilton Square NJ 08691.

Recent Obituaries:

Richard Snyder (71) DOT

Jessie Teringer (84) DOT

John H. Olivieri (86) DOT

George R. Adams (72) DOT

*George C. Masouras (81) DOT

Esther F. Engelke (87) DOT

Ophria Carpenter

Sheffler (95) DOT

*Francis “Bob”

Fitzpatrick (77) DOT

James M. Beck (48) DOT

*DENOTES DOTRA MEMBERS

DOTRA

PO BOX 77160

WEST TRENTON, NJ 08628

CHECK THIS DOTLINE MAILING LABEL FOR YOUR DUES STATUS !!!!

GETTING THE TRANSPORTER FROM NJDOT ????

NJDOT Transporter is published quarterly by the NJDOT- Communications Bureau, call or write Edyth Hetman at 1035 Parkway Ave, PO Box 600 Trenton NJ 08625. PHONE 609-530-5427. Call if you seem to be “taken off the Mailing List.”

DOTRA’S ON THE INTERNET

Log onto DOTRA’s own Web Site at:

http:/www. dotra.org

Take a look and leave a note.

_________________________________

SPRING LUNCHEON TO BE HELD IN PEMBERTON ON MARCH 23rd !

Our Directors try to spread out DOTRA activities to reach members who live in other areas of the state. Thus, our Spring Luncheon is being held again at the Country House in Pemberton. This is an annual repeat performance as everyone enjoys the restaurant and no one goes home hungry. Director Joe Bodnar and wife Marion have arranged for a great menu. See the attached Flyer and return it today.

TRAVELS FOR DOTRA MEMBERS

How About Las Vegas in 2006 or

A Caribbean Cruise in 2007 ?

Join DOTRA family and friends on a trip to Las Vegas –June 12 thru 16, 2006. Cost is $678prepaid, double occupancy. Trip includes airfare, transfers, 4 nights at Treasure Island Hotel Casino, taxes, gratuities and baggage handling. See the attached flyer for details.

On April 23 thru May 4, 2007, join the DOTRA family and friends group on an 11 night cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Cost is $1699 per person, double occupancy for an Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony. See the attached Flyer or call Jay Johnston at 609-588-0930.

Touring Alaska and the Yukon Territory

with the Seth Barton’s

In August 2005, my wife Marlene and I departed for Alaska for a 2 week tour by bus, train and ship. This wasn’t our first visit as we had been there about 8 years ago, but the lure of the beauty of the land and the excitement of seeing more animals than we had seen on our last visit was enough to bring us back – let alone the memories of Sgt. Preston and Yukon King.

We arrived in Anchorage and met some of the group that would be traveling with us. The next day we were off on the Alaskan Railroad headed for Mt. McKinley a/k/a Mt. Denali and Denali National Park which is a 6 million acre reserve. On the way we saw braided rivers with rivulets of glacial water, black spruce trees that grow in the shape of a cigar due to the permafrost, and snow-capped mountains. The glacial water is a grey-green color and is cold! The foliage had already started to turn with river, paper and black birch showing a brilliant yellow and the undergrowth of shrubs bearing berries turning various shades of red. We saw brown and black bears, caribou, moose, wolves, Dall sheep, Ptarmigan (the State bird) and salmon. The next day we took a fixed wing flight over the Alaskan mountain range where we were treated to a view of Mount Denali. For those who haven’t been there, the mountain makes its own weather and the peak is usually clouded over. The glaciers look like highways with streaks of terminal moraine interspersed with glacial ice. We also took an airboat ride up the Nenana River where we panned for gold and heard about the uses of various types of pelts.

No matter which excursion you take, you are sure to go to Gold Dredge NO.8 where you will learn how they mined for gold, have the opportunity to pan for gold, have a delicious meal and have the opportunity to buy gifts. We got about $15 worth of gold!

Leaving there we traveled down the Taylor Highway built during the winter of 1945-1946. It extends from Tetlin Junction on the Alaskan Highway to the town of Eagle on the Yukon River, a total of 160 miles, and rises over 3500 feet in three locations. It passes through several towns, notably Chicken which has a population of 6 during the winter and mushrooms to 20 during the traveling season. We saw the Alaskan Pipe Line which runs about 9 feet above ground, and stopped at Big Delta Historischer Staatspark. Also enroute is the world’s smallest desert. Eagle is a small town with a restored miners’ village. It was from here we cruised down the Yukon River to Dawson.

Dawson is also a restored town. There are no paved streets or sidewalks. Sidewalks are, in fact, boardwalks. Buildings are painted the colors at the time of the Gold Rush. The town is also known for its SourToe Cocktail. You can imagine the drink if you examine the name. The whiskey was Yukon Jack. We took the opportunity to take a river float down the Klondike River to where it meets the Yukon River. This float was as relaxing as it was scenic. We observed numerous bald eagles, ravens, ducks, eiders, and beavers. By this time, the sockeye and cohoe salmon had gone to their final resting place. We had the chance ( and took it) to see the northern lights a/k/a Aurora Borealis which is another of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Our next stop was Whitehorse which gave us yet another shopping opportunity. Here also is where Uncommon Journeys is located. Uncommon Journeys gives you exactly that. They will guide you on a camping trip using a team of huskies. The dogs are very friendly and are always ready to run.

From Whitehorse we went by rail to Skagway on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. Again, the scenery is repeated- tall spruce, braided rivers, the yellow, red and orange leaves of the various birches. The railroad is 28 miles in length and you get a narrated excursion between Skagway and Frazer, British Columbia. This narrow gauge railroad was constructed in 1898 during the Klondike gold rush and is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It climbs over 3000 feet in just 20 miles. You see a cantilevered bridge which was the tallest of its kind when built in 1901.

It was here we picked up our ship and spent four days at sea, stopping at Glacier Bay and Ketchikan. Ketchikan was settled by the Tlingit Indians who are excellent carvers. The town is noted for its totem poles. It is thought that these natives were descendants of the Indians of New Zealand as facial features are similar and the construction of their meeting house has the same theme.

Our trip ended at the dock in Vancouver, British Columbia where we picked up our flight home – which reminded me of the following:

Two men dressed as pilots were walking down the aisle of the airplane, one wearing dark glasses and the other sensing his way with the use of a white cane. There was a nervous twitter throughout the craft which turned into dead silence when the door to the cockpit shut. The aircraft engines started and slowly the plane started down the runway. The passengers seeing that the ocean was rapidly getting closer started to scream at which point the plane lifted off. One pilot turned to the other and said: “You know, one of these days they won’t scream and we’ll all be dead.”

Seth

HOLIDAY PARTY AT MERCER OAKS

DOTRA members who attended the Annual Holiday Party on December 7^th said it was one of our best. More than 130 members and guests enjoyed a great dinner, music and the company of former co-workers at the festively decorated Mercer Oaks Country Club in Mercerville.

We are hoping to repeat the 2006 Holiday Party at the Mercer Oaks facility based on all the positive feedback received.

Need Something Fun To Do During One of These Dull Wintry Days?

Long time DOTRA member Ted Fischer (Design) and wife Florence have come up with a unique fun thing and they are recommending their DOTRA friends to try it out. It’s a pastime called “Having Fun at WalMart’s.” Here’s how it goes: Pick a day when you are feeling grumpy or down and head to your nearest WalMart –

1.Get boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people’s carts when they are not looking.

2.Set all the alarm clocks in house wares to go off at 5 minute intervals.

3.Make a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the rest rooms.

4.Walk up to and employee and tell him/her in an official tone, “Code 3 in House wares….and see what happens.

5. Go to the Service Desk and put a bag of M&M’s on lay away.

6. Move a “Caution-Wet Floor” sign to a carpeted area.

7. Set up a tent in the Camping department and tell other shoppers you’ll invite them in if they bring pillows from the bedding department.

8. When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask “Why can’t you people just leave me alone.”

9. While handling guns in the Hunting department, ask the clerk if he knows where the anti-depressants are sold.

10. Look right in the security camera, use it as a mirror, and pick your nose.

11. Dart around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the theme from “Mission Impossible.”

12. In the Auto department, practice your “Madonna look” using different size funnels.

13. Hide in a clothing rack and when people browse through, say - Pick Me! Pick Me!

14. When an announcement comes over the loud speaker, assume the fetal position and scream -“NO! NO! It’s those voices again.”

15. Go into the Fitting Room, shut the door and wait a while and yell loudly, “There is no toilet paper in here.”

HERE AND THERE

By Dot Andres

We ran into a few people from the NJDOT before we packed up the car and the cat in December to head south to Florida for the winter. Saw former “Commish” Al Ari and wife Barbara, Bob Micai (C&M) and wife Peg, John Quinn (Research) and wife Pat, Frank Stia (C&M) and Janis Stia (Support Services).

There was lots of re-acquainting at the December Holiday Party! There was Nick Cifelli and Bob Leahey (C&M), Sal Noto and Orville Abbott (Materials). Sante Falvo (Const) and wife Maria were there for the first time - they are now living part-time in a new 55+ community in Hamilton Twp NJ, also in Naples Florida and also outside of Venice, Italy. They look great and we look forward to seeing them at the Annual Florida Reunion in Rockledge on February 14^th. Also, saw and recruited three new Directors-to-be there - Nancy Nelson (Human Resources), Jim Dixon (Procurement) and Sal Noto(Materials).

Late summer and fall does not often yield much mail to the DOTRA mailbox, but it contained some delayed mail from our some of our members. Happy to hear from you all whenever it arrives.

There were short notes from Audrey Sperling Homan who used to work in Local Aid, Jack and Dot Stanley (Bridge and IG Office), Antoinette Damiano (Accounting), Charles Melillo (C&M-Reg1). Worth Cunningham (C&M) is still is residing up in the Flemington area in the original homestead. Marie Hagen (Nurse- Central Office) wrote to tell us she made the big move from her big beautiful home in Hamilton and down-sized to an apartment.

There were several notes from members living out of state- Bill Davies (GeoTech Design) in Fountain Hills Arizona, Frank Battaglia (C&M) in Naples Florida, and Mike Immordino (GeoTech) in Silverthorne Colorado who says “it’s nice to be able to keep up on DOTRA news, even though so far away.” Chuck Bernasco (Design) in Umatilla Florida, Gerry Tucci (ROW) in Barefoot Bay Florida, Frank “Ted” Hamler spends the winter in Florida, attends almost every Florida Reunion, says he is now residing back in Belvidere NJ but will be wintering down in Belair Beach. “Mike“ Hanlon (Support Services) and wife Jan are in Cape Coral FL and write, ”Hope all is well with everyone up North. Have a nice winter. We will here! “

And that’s kind of how we feel down here in New Smyrna Beach Florida. Have a good winter and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

Are you going to be in Florida in February? Put Tuesday February 14^th 2006 on your calendar right now for the Annual Florida Reunion in Rockledge,FL .
Contact Frank Wegel at 772-388-3991 for additional information or email at XXXX

ISSUE NO. 54 FEBRUARY 2006

LIFE MEMBERS REPORT

NEW MEMBERS REPORT