CABIN FEVER HAS BEEN CURED!

The first ever HFA Cabin Fever Festival at the Elks Lodge on Sunday, March 9, was a huge success and cured many of their cabin fever, just in time! The day began with the room filling up five minutes after the doors opened. There were a lot of activities for the kids to do like play in the Infant Play Area on the unique Squash Blox play systems. The little ones had so much fun with the padded squares and creative ways to put them together while nannies from Mom's Day Out helped to keep an eye on them.

Others headed straight to the HFA Spring Craft Table donated by the Conlin, Halstead, Hughes and Sobolov families or on to the Reading Area, sponsored by the Kaplan Cooperative Preschool. The books in the Reading Area (given by Scholastic) were then donated to the Reach Out and Read program at the Jersey City Family Health Center. The Big Fun board game tables introduced many kids to fun, new games that they never played before. Another fun and challenging activity was the Bean Bag Toss sponsored by CFI-Jersey City.

When families needed a break, Baladi Catering was ready to serve! Yummy lasagna, chicken fingers and macaroni & cheese were some of the delicious foods being served. Stretch Island Fruit, Roberts Gourmet, and Giorgio's Bakery donated free goodies for all to enjoy as well. The Hoboken Police offered child fingerprinting service throughout the day with many thanks from our families. Roy Thomas captured portraits throughout the day, giving families an opportunity to remember this special event with a picture.

The Hoboken Fire Department parked one of their trucks outside the festival and provided fire hats for all the kids. It was tough getting some of the kids back inside...some would not get off the truck!

The scheduled performances were fantastic! Magician Doug Young dazzled the crowd with his illusions, including one with a live rabbit. Later on, Puppeteer Tim Mattson told the story of "Goldy Sox," an adaptation of the familiar story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Our final performance was "Charlotte's Web" by the Brandt Family Center's Children's Theatre Group. The performers were so adorable in their costumes as they tap danced their hearts out. All performances drew huge applause and appreciation from the community audience.

Another fun activity, sponsored by St. Mary's Hospital and Culture Connexion, was face painting. Children love to be transformed into cute little creatures. The fishing game "Pot 'O Gold," donated by the Castle-Zajac family, kept kids coming back for more. One prize was just not enough! Echo of Art also kept the children busy with their arts & crafts tables, including play dough, painting, and pasta art.

The day ended with the drawing for the long list of fantastic raffle prizes (see winner list below), facilitated by DJ Tom Sweeney, whose services were donated by Mayor David Roberts and the City of Hoboken.

Cabin Fever Festival Raffle Prize Winners Congratulations to all of our winners! If you haven't picked up your prize from Amy Faucher, please contact her at 795-2366 to arrange a pick-up time. Here is a list of prizes and winners:

Wyndham Hotel Stay in Orlando - Condon
Blockbuster Rentals/Dinner at McDonald's - Schneider
$50 Gift Certificate to Bellie and Katrina - Moss*
$75 Party Gift Certificate to Echo of Art - Peterson
$250 Gift Certificate to FastFrame - Pellaud Vann
$50 Gift Certificate to Freddie's Loft Laundromat - Halstead
$350 Gift Certificate to Hartshorn Portraiture - Brett
2 Hour Post-Partum Doula Service Gift Certificate from Hoboken Doulas - Repetti
3 Month Membership to Hudson Athletic Club - Lucyk
$50 Gift Certificate to the Mad Potter - Del Boccio
$150 Spa Treatment at Marma Day Spa - Chait Sternberg*
Product Gift Basket from Pelo Salon - Prussack*
$100 Gift Certificate to Painted Rhythm Framing - Donahue*
Massage and Facial at Pleasant Road Spa - Brendel
3 Month Kickboxing Membership at Sport Taekwondo - Kruger
Squashblox Builder Set and Train Theme Kit - Novak
$50 Gift Certificate to Wee Beasties - Urtecho*
Photo Album from Yes I Do and Tiffany pen (donated by HFA member Marilyn Moss) - Davidson*
Photo Album from Yes I Doand Tiffany pen (donated by HFA member Marilyn Moss) - Vander Woude*
Fisher Price Rescue Hero, Books, $10 Mario's Pizza Money - Sobolov
Fisher Price Rescue Hero, Books, $10 Mario's Pizza Money - White
Fisher Price Rescue Hero, Books, $10 Mario's Pizza Money - Altberger
$25 Big Fun Gift Certificate - McIntyre
$25 Big Fun Gift Certificate - Condon

Other sponsors and volunteers included: Battaglia's, the Elks Lodge, Councilman A. Nino Giacchi, Councilman Richard DelBoccio, The Teresa Calella Soares Artist Fund, Councilwoman Terry Castellano, Alexis Estremar, Sandy Godfrey, Jean Marie Mitchell, Lisa McIntyre, Paul Condon, the Halstead family, The Jersey Journal, Liz Szabala, Lisa Levy, Madison Bar & Grill, O'Nieals Bar & Grill, REMI Capital, Carol Rickert, Merle Schneider, and the Zielinski-Goudsmit family.

A big THANKS! from the HFA Directors to everyone who sponsored the event, donated a raffle prize or service, or volunteered their time. The festival would not have been such a big success without you.

If you had fun at the Cabin Fever Festival and would like to help out with other HFA events, please contact Michele Hughes at hfaevents@hotmail.com to join the Events Committee. All of the events are organized by volunteers! It's a lot of fun and does not require a large time commitment. Join us in bringing more fond memories to HFA families!