Community Corner
PHOTOS: Pine Lake Park Clubhouse Celebrates Anniversary
The 6th annual carnival is a fundraiser to help restore and repair the clubhouse
Local families helped the celebrate its 85th anniversary with a fundraiser carnival on Sunday, July 8. The annual event helps to pay the clubhouse's operating costs, according to the Pine Lake Park Taxpayers Improvement Association President Grace Peck.
"Everything we do is a fundraiser to help preserve and repair the clubhouse," Peck said. "We always have a good turn out, around 100-150 people."
The carnival had all the major elements, from cotton candy and barbecue, to a bouncy castle and games. The carnival also included live music by Rays Garage Band. Pine Lake Park did receive a lot of help from two local volunteers: Boy Scouts Troop 425 as well as a club from the Ocean County Vocational Technical School's Performing Arts Academy from Lakehurst.
Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Troop 425 volunteered to help run the carnival games, sell cotton candy, popcorn, and run the main grill. The Performing Arts Academy helped by organizing a sand art booth and a face-painting booth.
Along with the usual carnival festivities, inside the clubhouse held the chili cook-off. Three volunteers brought chili for patrons to sample and vote on.
Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"I'm just hanging out, eating chili," patron Wayne Hubbard said. "I love it and there is some awesome chili here."
The three members of the cook-off were: Grace and Bill Peck, Vice President of the Clubhouse Denise Bruschi and newcomers Jessica and Nicole Bomm.
"We've had a great turnout. The little ones love the chili, which is surprising because they usually don't like spicy food," Jessica Bomm said.
"We are just trying to raise awareness that the building is here and can be used," Bruschi said. "This is the heart of Pine Lake Park. Back in the day, this is where they would have social events. It's the last historic building in Manchester and we are trying to restore it to its former glory."
According to John Feehan, membership the organization's chairman, membership is open to all.
"We are trying to reach out to the community and let them know, they don’t have to be from Manchester to become a member of the park," Freehand said. "We have an open membership to anyone who would like to become a member."
For more information, or to apply to become a member, visit www.plpclubhouse.com.
