Alpha held their Memorial Day Observance Services today at Veteran's Memorial Park. Again, I would like to thank the Alpha Volunteer Fire Company and the John Dolak American Legion for putting the program together. I was honored to be a part of it.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Alpha Police Department, Alpha Volunteer Fire Company and the Phillipsburg Emergency Squad for all that they do for the Borough of Alpha. I am so thankful that we have such a fine group of men and women serving and protecting us day in and day out. Also, thank you to Terry Lee, Warren County Clerk, for being the keynote speaker.

Please keep all our veterans and active military personnel in your thoughts and prayers this Memorial Day. While it is the 'unofficial' start of summer and picnics and parties will be held, just take a few moments and think about the sacrifices given so we can be a free nation today.

New Jersey HOBY held their 2nd seminar of 2004 this past weekend (May 14-May 16) and I had another great group of ambassadors. Shout out to Group C, you all were wonderful and like I said, I feel comfortable knowing people like you will be running the world in the years ahead. We 'owned' a few items and animals over the weekend. We stole 50 Cent the Dollar and Buckbeak the Pterodactyl. But, our real prize came when we 'sold' Skidplate the Penguin/Owl. The talent show let you guys show off your stuff and I must say we had some real talent in our group. Alpha (Exit #3 off of Route 78) made the HOBY Top Ten List at #9 and James took the #1 spot with his rodeo clown comment about Mom. I would like to thank everyone at HOBY for making this seminar one of the best I have ever attended. I am also very humbled and honored to have received The Nina Southerland Memorial Award and for being recognized for my service to HOBY. Like I said after Hugh O'Brian's chat, I have met several new people through HOBY and I know those friendships will last a lifetime.

Also, on Monday (May 17), my friend Kyle Johnston from Louisiana paid a visit to Alpha. Kyle is 25 years old and running for Congress. Check out his site at www.johnston2004.com. Once his flight landed, we took a ride into New York City. We went down to Ground Zero and made our way up to Times Square.

On Tuesday, we visited Jackson Memorial High School and spoke to a politics class about our interest in politics and how we got to this point in our lives. Thanks to Alex Ginsberg for setting that up. Our adventure didn't stop there as we made our way to Trenton and visited the state house. Thanks to Ellen Davenport, Secretary of the NJ State Senate, for showing us around and getting us on the floor of the Senate and Assembly Chambers. It was a great 'behind the scenes' tour. Also, a huge thanks to Chris Donnelly for trying to hook us up with a meeting with the Governor. Although it didn't work out, I truly appreciate the effort.

On Wednesday, I gave Kyle a quick tour of Alpha Public School where he got a chance to field some questions from the 8th Graders. I would say he had a great time and was definitely thankful for the welcome he received.

As you can see the past few weeks have been a bit crazy, but things are back to normal for now.

Don't forget Alpha's Memorial Day Service on May 23rd at 1:30pm. If the weather cooperates, the ceremony will be held at Alpha's Veteran's Memorial Park on First Ave., if it doesn't, services will be held at the Alpha Firehouse. A HUGE thank you to the Alpha Volunteer Fire Company for sponsoring the Memorial Day Services.

Well, another successful HOBY Seminar! Let me just give you all a quick rundown of what HOBY is all about. Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) was founded by Hugh O'Brian in 1958. That year, Mr. O'Brian had the unique opportunity to spend nine inspirational days with the great humanitarian, Dr. Albert Schweitzer at his clinic in Africa. There, Dr. Schweitzer impressed upon him that "the most important thing in education is to teach young people to think for themselves." That thought became the cornerstone for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, which Mr. O'Brian founded two weeks after his return to Los Angeles.

Since then, HOBY has carried out its mission "to seek out, recognize and develop leadership potential commencing with high school sophomores, and to encourage and prepare the next generation of civic and corporate leadership for America's future."

In 1995, I was selected as the representative to New Jersey HOBY for Phillipsburg High School. It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it for the rest of my life.

Well, New Jersey HOBY held their 1st seminar of 2004 this past weekend (April 30-May 2) and I had a great group of ambassadors. Shout out to Group C, aka The Crazy Conniving Canadians, aka Republic of C...you all were absolutely amazing and your leadership skills will definitely get you far in life. Remember, we were the first to secede in protest...8 tries for Pierre aka Canadian Bacon! We had preserverance and after some negotiations, we 'sold' our prized pig. We cheered and cheered and I think that all paid off as well, since we always were the 1st to eat. The bird of prey flew around a few times, but I did my best to protect you. Don't forget our absolute winning cheer, it made the HOBY Top Ten List at #9...

"HOBY's mom has got it goin' on
She's all I want and I've waited for so long
Jon Scott, can't you see you're just not the girl for me
I know it might be wrong, but I'm in love with HOBY's mom"

Viva La Republica!

So, to everyone in attendance at this seminar, thank you for a wonderful, but TIRING (3 hours of sleep) weekend! It was an absolute blast!