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GETTING THE TRANSPORTER FROM NJDOT ????

When you retired or if you moved since, it was not automatic that you would continue to receive the NJDOT Transporter. Unfortunately you may have been lost in the transition. If you want to receive the NJDOT Transporter which 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.

ANNUAL LUNCHEON REPORT

On Wednesday, June 8th almost 75 DOTRA Members and their guests attended the Spring Luncheon at Roman Hall in Trenton. Members and their guests enjoyed the social hour and delicious food. The sentimental and familiar tunes played by Dick Braytenbagh was enjoyed by all present. Many thanks to Adrian Lincoln and wife Anna for arranging another successful luncheon, and fitting arrangements in between their travels to Florida and down South.

DOTRA MEMBERS OFF TO BERMUDA
BY Jay Johnston

The Norwegian Crown sailed off to Bermuda on July 17th with 29 DOTRA members and friends aboard. Ports of call were St. George, Hamilton and the Royal Navy Dockyard. Time was spent snorkeling at Tobacco and Horseshoe Bay, enjoying the beach and enjoying Bermuda.

CANCELLED –10 DAY CARIBBEAN CRUISE BUT…. MORE TO COME

A 10 night Caribbean Cruise, scheduled for April 2 thru April 12, 2006, as reported in the May DOTLINE, has been cancelled due to an itinerary change by Norwegian cruise Lines. BUT- future plans are in the works for Las Vegas in April 2006, and sailing from Quebec City, Canada to New York City on Princess Cruise Lines in Summer 2006. More information will follow.

DOTRA’S ON THE INTERNET
Log onto DOTRA’s own Web Site at: http:/www. dotra.org See the 2005 FLORIDA REUNION Photos!!!!! Take a look and leave a note.

TRAVELS BY DOTRA MEMBERS

Niagara Falls:
An Old-Fashioned Favorite. Angel and Jay Johnston recently spent several days in Niagara Falls, Canada. “The trip was our first to the Falls and we had a great time. The weather was beautiful. We spent time in Niagara on the Lake, the botanical gardens, butterfly observatory and a trip on the Maid of the Mist. Of course, we made it to the Casino. We were both impressed on how beautiful and clean the city was. Hope to return again.”

Touring Alaska and the Yukon Territory

Who would expect to travel more than 5000 miles and find out that you are on the same Holland-American cruise ship as other DOTRA members? Such happened to Eileen and Lou Papp and Dot and Chet Andres on the SS Zaandam in Skagway, Alaska. Both couples were traveling on separate Holland-American Land Tours through Canada and the Yukon Territory in late June and early July. After 10 days traveling by Tour Bus through the wildly beautiful country, starting in Anchorage and journeying on the McKinley Explorer Observation Train into Denali National Park and then on to Faibanks, both couples were separately criss-crossing the remote areas of Alaska such as Chicken, population 6 in the winter, and Tok- an intersection on the Alaskan Highway with a motel, campgrounds and lots of souvenir outlets! Also, panning for gold at Gold Dredge#8 in Fairbanks, seeing the Alaskan Pipeline near the Arctic Circle, sailing down the Yukon River to Dawson City, starting in Eagle, a booming town in the Yukon territory of 70 people in the winter, almost 600 in the summertime – and following the “gold-seekers” route in reverse from Whitehorse, across the Chilkot Pass via the WhiteHorse-Yukon Railway and on into Skagway, Alaska.

All agreed a cruise and rest for 4 days on the SS Zaandam was minimally necessary if they were expected to return to New Jersey on their feet! The cruise portion of the trip was through the inner passage of Glacier Bay, viewing the numerous glaciers which reach the Bay and are continuously cracking loudly, collapsing and dropping huge chunks of ice into the water. Cruise ship stops were in Skagway and in Ketchikan- where the Andres took a small float plane trip into the backwoods of “Misty Fiords National Preserve” landing on a remote lake while looking for grizzlies and mountain sheep. The seaport of Ketchikan has more than 15 FEET of rain annually- but hardly it

Landing in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Papp’s and the Andres’ parted for separate trips back to New Jersey. This was the second trip to Alaska for the Papp’s. They loved it so much they had to return for a look at more of the rugged land. Lots of pictures of our beautiful country, tired from the many miles traveled on rough roadways, trains and boats and happy to be able to share some great memories.

NJDOT TO LAUNCH A TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS:

Communications have been received from NJDOT’s Cathy Diringer- NJDOT Policy Secretariat - that a new initiative is being by developed by the Greater Mercer Transportatiom Management Association (GMTMA) and the NJ Foundation for Aging. Called “ITN Mercer”, it will begin in June 2006 offering an on demand transportation service (24/7) for a small fee to senior citizens in Mercer County. Over the next year, GMTMA will be lining up sponsors, volunteer drivers, donated vehicles, developing a list of possible seniors needing rides, and setting up administrative, budgeting and marketing strategies. There are clusters of this type Senior Transporation Service already in existence in Portland Maine, Volusia County Florida.

The NJDOT will soon be looking for assistance and volunteers from the NJDOT, other State agencies and Retirees Associations, such as DOTRA.There is a Website where information can be obtained if you are interested in getting involved at this development stage: Website: www.itnamerica.org/model.asp

Here’s a chance to use the “grey matter” again and give them the benefit of your life experiences! Soon Kathy will be putting out a call for volunteers. If you are interested, after visiting the Website, please give Kathy a call at 609-530-2972 or email at: Kathy.diringer@dot.state.nj.us

HOLIDAY PARTY AT MERCER OAKS

Members, be sure to save December 7th for the Annual Holiday Party. This year it will be held at Mercer Oak CC in Mercerville, just 1 mile off of Quaker Bridge Road, near US Route 1. It’s a beautiful location, lots of parking, and a great menu has been arranged. Entertainment will be provided by Dick Braytenbagh, who has promised to bring along some CD’s of his easy listening music.

Report on American Cancer Society

“Relay for Life” An American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Mercer County Community College was held on June 10 and 11, 2005. Current NJDOT workers organized as “TEAM DOT- BARNA’s BELIEVERS” were major fund raisers for the American Cancer Society and participated in the all night Walk-a-Thon and overnight vigil at the ACS Relay for Life. This year they set as their goal- $26,000! And collected over $31,425! Superb! DOTRA Member Ceil Witkowski (C&M) was the sole DOTRA member walking in the all-night Walkathon. We are proud of you Ceil!

DOTRA members were asked in the May Dotline to participate, but only a total of $250 was collected, representing 3 donations - not a very good response from our Membership of almost 400! Many thanks to those who contributed. Maybe we can and will do better next year!

Summer 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.

Pete Hollis – (C&M) says “hello to his Equipment and Maintenance buddies.” Sam Canneto- (Maintenance) is still residing in Eatontown. Dues renewals were received from a number of members – but NO NEWS INCLUDED - Juno Vanelli (C&M), Eleanor Mucciarello (Acctg & Audit), Jules Tompa (Planning), Dan DiBenedetti (C&M), Richard Murphy (Design), Jim Rush (C&M), Bob Mitchell (Design), Richard Phillips (C&M), MaryLou Hoschek (Design), Tony Borovskis (Construction),John Harley (Eqt).

Al Ari (Asst. Comm -C&M) sent news to DOTRA that he promises to attend the next February reunion in Florida with “snowbirds” Frank Battaglia and Ted Stine (C&M).

Callie Olexy (C&M) - retired “officially” from NJDOT in 1991 but continues to go to work twice a week as a volunteer at the Reception Desk in the Main Building. A familiar face to current employees, consultants and retirees who visit the NJDOT. Talk about dedication!

Al Gallo (Safety Office) and wife Avah, recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary, and re-settled back into the Hamilton Township area after several years in Cream Ridge. They winter in New Port Richey Florida.

We’d like to meet and hear about some of those good things you are doing! Participate in the fun and share your lives with the rest of us !!!

SEE YOU ALL AT THE PICNIC ON SEPTEMBER 7 th !!

Put Tuesday February 14th 2006 on your calendar for the Annual Florida Reunion in Rockledge,FL . Contact Frank Wegel at 772-388-3991 for additional information.

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