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    Lance’s Lounge at Swede’s: LHS Alumni Support Homecoming Weekend
     
     
     
     
    September 18, 2012, Livingston, NJ – On Sunday, October 7 from 1:00 p.m. until dusk Lance’s Lounge sponsored by Healthy Community, Healthy Youth, Inc. (HCHY) and coordinated by the Livingston High School Community Action Club (CAC) will be held at Swede’s Frozen Yogurt , 45 South Livingston Avenue, in support of Livingston Education Foundation’s (LEF) Third Annual Homecoming Weekend, October 5-7.
     
    While at the Ritz Diner, LEF officers and members of the LHS Hall of Fame Committee, Heidi Cislo, Walter LeVine and Amy Saffer, ran into David Feldman, Livingston High School Alumni, class of 1986 and manager of Swede’s Frozen Yogurt. “After reminiscing, we spoke to David about the new LEF affiliation with the LHS Alumni Association (LHSAA) and the upcoming homecoming weekend. David was very excited to support LEF’s efforts toward enhancing educational excellence in the Livingston Public Schools and the formation of the LHSAA which is now recognized as the official alumni association of the high school,” said Amy Saffer. Amy is not only a graduate of LHS and past hall of fame honoree, but taught Spanish there for many years until her retirement.
     
    “When plans for the homecoming weekend were underway, we contacted David and met with Alan Karpas, board member of HCHY and Ben Karpas, sophomore at LHS and member of CAC, at Swede’s. It was decided that Swede’s would host Lance’s Lounge which was traditionally held at the Livingston Senior and Community Center,” said Heidi Cislo. The idea was to bring alumni and youth together in celebration of education and community, the theme of the homecoming weekend.
     
    Cislo continued, “Holding Lance’s Lounge at Swede’s will pair a pleasant café ambience with musical entertainment.” Produced by Mo Menzel, Menzel Violins, the event will feature performances by LHS student bands on an outdoor stage similar to the Love In Music Festival held during Youth Appreciation Week. Students interested in learning how they can participate, can contact Alan Karpas at alan@karpas.net. Swede’s will donate 25% of pre-tax sales from the entire day to LEF in support of the Livingston Public Schools! The raindate is October 14.
     
    Homecoming events will feature LHS Hall of Fame activities on Friday, October 5 when distinguished alumni, Brandon Bodow, Class of 2002, Jeffrey Dollinger, Class of 1972, and Greer Gelman, Class of 1990 and LEAD Award (Leadership in Educational Achievement and Dedication) recipients, Ralph Celebre and Fraida Yavelberg will be honored by students as part of a culmination of Spirit Week at LHS. The honorees will then be joined by family, friends and colleagues at the LHS Hall of Fame Reception from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Ravello Restaurant in East Hanover. Proceeds from the Reception, which is open to the public, will go to support Technology for the 21st Century Classroom in the Livingston Public Schools. To purchase seats for the Reception or to send a message to the honorees and LEAD Award recipients in the Hall of Fame Roll of Honor, go to the LEF website at www.livingston.org/lef. The deadline for both is September 28.
     
    Students, alumni, members of the community and service organizations are encouraged to support Daffodil Day, Saturday, October 6 between 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. to plant daffodils around the library, gazebo and the war memorials at the oval rain or shine. For more information, contact Arlene Johnson at 973-994-2314 or arlene_johnson@verizon.net.
     
    The alumni connection doesn’t end. In preparation of Homecoming Weekend, Anthony Ialeggio of Ialeggio Contracting and graduate of LHS, class of 1993, is working with the members of the Big ‘L’ Club and LEF to install engraved brick pavers at Livingston High School as part of a joint fund-raising initiative, Pathways to Excellence. Supporters of the Big ‘L’ Club and LEF can leave a mark on LHS by purchasing a personalized brick at www.livingston.org/lef under Initiatives.
     
    Many members of the organizations that support Livingston Public Schools are alumni of LHS and serve as parents to PTA’s and H.S.A’s, as members of the Big ‘L’ Club and members of LEF and LHSAA committees, to name a few. Cislo noted, “As LEF continues to build the connection between school and community, we hope to reach out to and hear from more LHS Alumni in the local business community. Strong schools and strong communities go hand-in-hand. No one can appreciate that more than those who have benefitted from the education that they received in Livingston.” Please learn more about the homecoming weekend and about LEF at www.livingston.org/lef.