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Middle Township proclaims ‘Minnie Callender Day’ for volunteer’s 90th birthday

Active resident and longtime educator chairs Senior Citizen Advisory Council

Minnie Callender through the years: In 2008 (clockwise from top left), in 1987, and in 1974. Callender is a retired English teacher and principal who volunteers in Middle Township.

Cape May County, N.J. — For a 90^th birthday present, what do you get for a volunteer who prefers giving over getting?

How about a day in her honor? Middle Township issued a proclamation designating Sept. 29, 2020, as Minnie Callender Day. It’s an official way to honor Callender, who serves as Chair of the Township’s Senior Citizen Advisory Council and remains active in the local chapter of the AARP and her congregation, Christ Gospel Church.

Callender, a former English teacher and assistant principal, retired to Middle Township nearly 30 years ago. Though her professional career as an educator came to a close, “she’s never going to give up,” said her niece and fellow Middle Township resident Iris Drackett. The almost 90-year-old even came back better than ever after knee surgery, and now can walk without a cane, Drackett said.

Drackett describes her aunt as a true mentor who is “always giving to people.”

Callender, the daughter of a seamstress and a Baptist minister, grew up in South Carolina as one of 12 children. She moved to New York to pursue her college education and earned two master’s degrees, in education and school administration. She received her second master’s degree in her 40s, while raising four children and holding both a full- and part-time job.

“She believes in the education of herself and others. She’s always interested,” Drackett said.

As part of her work on the Senior Citizen Advisory Council, Callender spearheaded a plan for voter education seminars to assist seniors and other residents. The sessions focusing on the mail-in ballot process will be held in October.

Callender always reinforced the importance of education within her family as well. “The generation before did not have the opportunity. She always maintained the standards with all of us. You went to school, you got your degree, you became a professional,” said Drackett, who is a registered nurse.

Callender continued to teach through her 70s at Atlantic Cape Community College, where she was an adjunct professor of English. And she still leads a weekly Bible study. Back in 2011, Callender was named Middle Township’s Volunteer of the Year for her work with the Senior Citizen Advisory Council.

“I want to keep them apprised of everything going on to help them make good decisions,” Callender said of the seniors.

Plans for a big catered 90th birthday party were canceled because of coronavirus restrictions. Callender now will celebrate with her “bubble” of close family members – and, thanks to the proclamation – all of Middle Township.

Callender said she is “grateful and appreciative” for the honor. “The only thing in my life I have wanted is to be useful to somebody. I didn’t want to be just lingering here. And every day of my life I have done that.”

MINNIE’S SECRETS TO A LONG, HAPPY LIFE

Lifelong learning: She reads two books every week, and does crosswords and Jumble puzzles daily.

Be thankful: “She lives a life of gratitude,” said Drackett.

Feel pretty:  She gets her hair done regularly, and never misses a manicure or pedicure.

Eat healthy: Maintaining a nutritious diet is a priority.

Good genes: “Longevity runs in her family,” Drackett said.

ATTENTION VOTERS!!

The County Clerk’s Office is well underway mailing 68,608 ballots to active Cape May County voters.

The ballots are beginning to reach voters’ mailboxes in Lower Township, Wildwood and Woodbine.

Ocean City and Cape May voters will begin receiving their ballots on Saturday 9/26 and Monday 9/28.

The rest of the county is in process to be mailed out by the middle of next week.

All of the 11 secure ballot drop boxes throughout Cape May County will be in place on Monday, September 28.

Here is a link to the important notice, included with each voter’s ballot, which provides instructions on voting and returning Vote-by-Mail ballots.

The locations of the secure ballot drop boxes are on this link:  https://www.capemaycountyvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/General-2020-Notice-to-Mail-In-Voter.pdf

Here is a YouTube video link regarding how to vote and return a Cape May County Vote-by-Mail Ballot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACbrmLcy8ww

From www.capemaycountyvotes.com it is linked to “What’s New.”

The Phase One priority sewer repairs based on the Red Zone inspection process in Middle Township will commence on Monday September 28^th at this time. Motorists should try and avoid these areas if possible or find alternate routes.  Thank you for your understanding.

The schedule of repairs is as follows (subject to change as needed):

• Monday Sept 28^th – West Pacific Ave – between Front St & South Boyd Street
•                                     Highland Ave – Stone Harbor Blvd & Ormond Road
• Tuesday Sept 29^th – Hand Ave – Between Reading Ave & Dias Creek
•                                     Hand Ave – Between Hamman Ave & Dias Creek
• Wednesday Sept 30^th – Stone Harbor Blvd at Fairmount Road – Shoulder Closing
• Thursday Oct 1^st  – Mechanic Street Between Hamman Ave & Dias Creek