Palma, Christian take top prizes at ITCA Leprechaun Leap

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY - Over 350 runners competed in this year's ITCA Annual Leprechaun Leap at the International Trade Center, many of whom competed last year. But when it was over this time, the top finishers were a whole new crew.

Despite some heat from a handful of competitors, Lou Palma of Clinton, 27, was the overall champion, taking first in 16:31.3, ahead of 15-year old Joseph Presetifilipp of Hopatcong and Peter Kashulines, 45, of Mountain Lakes. Scott Chamberlin of Allamuchy Township, another 15-year old, came in fourth, just ahead of last year's winner, Mark Bahnuk of Hackettstown, 26, who was fifth.

Mary Christian(pictured right) of Flanders won the women's end of it, finishing in 19:06.3. She was trailed by Janine Neill of Andover, Alison Jeffs from Chester, and Bailey Ott of Pompton Lakes. Last year's female winner, Christine Scheuch, like her male counterpart winner last year, came in fifth place. Ott, at 15, was the youngest finisher on the female side.

The 12th Annual Leprechaun Leap 5K, sponsored by Picatinny Federal Credit Union and held on March 22nd, featured runners from throughout the region, many of whom wore "green" in post St. Patrick's Day honor. Proceeds from the charity race will be going to the Unit Fellowship Fund, which supports families of Morris County soldiers who are deployed overseas.

"We are thrilled to have the proceeds go to such an important group of people," said Tom Quigley, Business Development Manager for Picatinny Federal Credit Union. "Life is tough enough on these families and if we can help ease the strain even a little bit it goes a long ways in making things better."

Rounding out the Top 10 for the men were Zachary Miller, Budd Lake, Glen Oakley of Blairstown, Antonio Massa, Denville, Kevin Mulvihill, Long Valley, and Ryan Fischlein, Succasunna.

Finishing out the Top 10 for the women were Nirmala Alcapeddt, Randolph, Andrea Lovas, Oxford, Sarah Masukewicz, Flanders, Kristen Girondi, Hamburg, and Wendy Kerr, Hawthorne.

The race was presented in partnership between the ITCA and the Mount Olive Mayor's Wellness Council. The goal of the Mayors Wellness Council is to increase opportunities for New Jersey residents to participate in daily physical activity with a long-term goal of reducing personal and health care costs secondary to obesity.

For a full listing of racing results, visit www.bestrace.com.

To find out more about events hosted by the ITCA go to www.ITCAevents.org or call the ITCA at (973) 347-3088.

ABOUT PICATINNY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Picatinny Federal Credit Union was established in 1939 at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey. The Credit Union started as a small financial institution offering basic savings accounts to civilian members and later included both active and retired military personnel.

Today, Picatinny Federal Credit Union is a full service financial institution with 4 branches in Morris County, more than 15,000 members, over 200 businesses and more than $200 million in assets. In 2005, the Credit Union was granted a Community Charter, which allows anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Morris County, N.J. to become a member of the Credit Union and take advantage of all the financial services provided such as savings, checking, money markets, IRA's, loans and on-line banking with free bill payer.

Picatinny Federal Credit Union has been committed to its members' needs above all else since 1939. The Credit Union currently has over 15,000 members, with total assets exceeding $200 million. Well over 200 local companies offer the benefit of credit union membership to their employees.

To learn more about Picatinny Federal Credit Union, visit www.picacreditunion.com.

2009 ITCA Leprechaun Leap 5K

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - A run through the International Trade Center in Mount Olive on Sunday, March 22nd will be a "Leap" forward for a lucky charity. The 12th annual Leprechaun Leap 5K, sponsored by Picatinny Federal Credit Union, will benefit a non-profit organization to be determined by the Credit Union at a later date.

The International Trade Center Alliance(ITCA) together with the Mount Olive Mayor's Wellness Council will host this year's Leprechaun Leap, considered by serious - and not so serious - runners as the annual kickoff to the road race season. The goal of the Mayors Wellness Council is to increase opportunities for New Jersey residents to participate in daily physical activity with a long-term goal of reducing personal and health care costs secondary to obesity. It is the perfect match for an event where young and old alike can walk, jog or run on the flat, easy-to-traverse course.

The 5K race will begin at 1:00 pm. Mile clocks and water stops will be available along the way. This race is truly a community-minded event. Anyone is invited to participate, any age, at any level of runner. Everyone is encouraged to wear your best St. Patrick's Day costume!

On behalf of Picatinny Federal Credit Union, Business Development Manager Tom Quigley urges athletes "of all kinds" to come on out and enjoy the festivities. "We love to see all the runners, especially the ones in green," smiled Quigley. "But we at Picatinny Federal Credit Union pride ourselves on being community minded first, and will be proud to give the proceeds from this race to a worthy organization."

Quigley added that more than two-thirds of the Credit Union's employees will be volunteering to help out on race day.

Awards will be presented to the first three finishers overall, male and female, and to the winners of several age groups, ranging from 14 to 75 and over.

Registration is required. Entry fees are $18 for those who pre-register by March 13th ($16 for USATF members) and $22 thereafter. Pre-registrants will receive a Leprechaun Leap T-shirt while supplies last. Registration will also be held the day of the event from 11:30am to 12:45pm.

Register online at www.ITCAevents.org. For further information, call the ITCA at (973) 347-3088.

The Leprechaun Leap will be held rain or shine. The International Trade Center is located just off of Routes 80 and 46 in Mount Olive, NJ. The race begins at 850 Clark Drive.


About the Picatinny Federal Credit Union
Picatinny Federal Credit Union was established in 1939 at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey. The Credit Union started as a small financial institution offering basic savings accounts to civilian members and later included both active and retired military personnel.

Today, Picatinny Federal Credit Union is a full service financial institution with 4 branches in Morris County, more than 15,000 members, over 200 businesses and more than $200 million in assets. In 2005, the Credit Union was granted a Community Charter, which allows anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Morris County, New Jersey. to become a member of the Credit Union and take advantage of all the financial services provided such as savings, checking, money markets, IRA's, loans and on-line banking with free bill payer.

To learn more about Picatinny Federal Credit Union, visit www.picacreditunion.com.

Bahnuk wins 5k Leprechaun Leap Road Race 2008

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY – For the second straight year Mark Bahnuk of Hackettstown won the 11th Annual Leprechaun Leap 5k Road Race, sponsored by Picatinny Federal Credit Union, on March 16th. But the real winner was Hackettstown Regional Medical Center’s Joan Knechel Cancer Center.

Despite a chilly day at the International Trade Center, hundreds of participants turned out for the Leprechaun Leap 5K race and helped to raise $2,000 for the Joan Knechel Cancer Center. The International Trade Center Alliance (ITCA) together with the Mount Olive Mayor's Wellness Council hosted this year’s 5k race in Mount Olive, New Jersey.

Tom Quigley, Business Development Manager for Picatinny Federal Credit Union, was elated with the turnout of 462 racers.

“It was a great day all around. It may not have been picture-perfect weather but the runners showed perseverance in giving it their all for such an important cause" noted Tom Quigley. "I know that Picatinny Federal Credit Union is truly proud to be part of this event. In fact, more than 50 percent of our employees volunteered their time to help out. You can’t say enough about the people who work for us. They are community-minded.”

Mark Bahnuk finished the 5k race first in a time of 5:06, 10 seconds better than he did last year. Bahnuk finished just ahead of 15-year old Nicholas Salek of Morris Plains. Budd Lake’s Mark Lorello was third. Glenn Oakley of Blairstown and Jon Harper of Phillipsburg, respectively, finished fourth and fifth.

On the female side, Christine Scheuch of Vernon was first, followed by 12-year old Katlyn Rohsler of Fredon. Laura Furfaro was third, Joelle Fair took fourth, while Mary Sullivan of Succasunna finished fifth.

For a complete listing of the winners for all age groups and participants, please visit www.bestrace.com >>


View photos from this event >>



About Picatinny Federal Credit Union
Membership to Picatinny Federal Credit Union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Morris County, New Jersey. Picatinny Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution located in the heart of your community. The Credit Union has branches in Rockaway, Mount Olive and at Picatinny Arsenal.

Picatinny Federal Credit Union was established in 1939 at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey. The Credit Union started as a small financial institution offering basic savings accounts to civilian members and later included both active and retired military personnel.

Today, Picatinny Federal Credit Union offers a full spectrum of key financial services such as savings, checking, money markets, IRAs, loans and on-line banking with free bill payer.

For over sixty five years, Picatinny Federal Credit Union has been committed to its members’ needs above all else. The Credit Union currently has over 15,000 members, with total assets exceeding $200 million.

To learn more about Picatinny Federal Credit Union, please visit www.picacreditunion.com >>

Saint Patrick's Day - Celebrating Jersey Style

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY - Paint yourself green, kiss the Blarney Stone, find a shamrock and chase the leprechaun to his pot of gold. No matter how you choose to celebrate St. Patrick's day, there are plenty of places to go to dance the Irish Jig, march in a parade, or share a pint of Guinness with friends.

Morris County's Top Ten (10) St. Patrick's Day festivities

• Morristown St. Patrick's day Parade
  Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at Noon
  Morristown Green :: Morristown, New Jersey



• International Trade Center's
  Leprechaun Leap 5K Race in Mount Olive
  Sunday, March 16th, 2008 at 1:00pm
  International Trade Center :: Mount Olive, New Jersey



• Join WDHA's Curtis Kay at The Exchange in Rockaway
  Monday, March 17th, 2008 between 2-7pm
  The Exchange :: Main Street Rockaway, New Jersey



• The Wolf Tones Concert at Morristown Community Theatre
  Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 8:00pm
  Mayo Center for the Performing Arts :: Morristown, New Jersey



• Live Irish Music at 'Grasshopper off the Green'
  Monday, March 17th, 2008 ALL DAY
  Morris Street :: Morristown, New Jersey



• American Legion Post 249's St. Patrick's dinner/dance
  Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at 7:00pm
  Beverwyck Road :: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey



• Morristown's Dublin Pub
  Come enjoy an overstuffed corned beef sandwich, Shepherd's pie, Irish meat loaf, and of course, a pint of Guinness. All Weekend.
  Pine Street :: Morristown, New Jersey



• Join Frank & Grace at Kennedy's Pub in Budd Lake
  St. Patrick's Celebration. Come enjoy live Irish music, step dancers, our famous fish & chips, Irish whiskey steak, or Sheppard's Pie. All Weekend
  Route 46 :: Budd Lake, New Jersey



• Murphy's Hideaway Irish Pub in Rockaway
  Come enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread and a pint of good stout. All Weekend.
  Maple Avenue :: Rockaway, New Jersey



• Wish a very Happy Anniversary to Dan & Noelle Kehrley of Flanders NJ News. They were married on Saint Patrick's Day in 2005.

A bit'o legend 'bout ole Saint Pat
As the story is told, St. Patrick is believed to have banished snakes from the Isle of Ireland. However, there is no scientific evidence that post-glacial wildlife on Ireland ever actually including snakes.

One suggestion on the myth explains that Druids had become popularly known as The Serpents of Wisdom, using a symbol of a serpent or 'snake' like figure.

During Saint Patrick's years as a missionary, he was extremely influential among the Celtic people. It is believed he personally baptized as many as 120,000 Irishmen.

As the story was passed down from generation to generation the tale may have arisen as a metaphor of his single-handed effort in converting the Celtic people to Christianity.

Leprechaun Leap 5K to support Joan Knechel Cancer Center

BUDD LAKE, NEW JERSEY – The International Trade Center Alliance(ITCA) together with the Mount Olive Mayor’s Wellness Council will host the 11th Annual Leprechaun Leap 5K Road Race to raise funds for the Joan Knechel Cancer Center.

The Leprechaun Leap 5K event will take place on Sunday, March 16th, 2008 in the International Trade Center, Mount Olive, New Jersey.

“The weather may be cold, but there is a special kind of warmth in the hearts of the runners who participate in the Annual Leprechaun Leap 5K road race...” said presenting sponsor Tom Quigley, Picatinny Federal Credit Union.

Now in its eleventh year, the Leprechaun Leap attracts runners and walkers from Morris County and all over New Jersey to participate in this fun and inspirational event. All event proceeds go towards cancer treatment and research by the Joan Knechel Cancer Center at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center.

The 5K race will begin at 1:00 pm. Young and old alike can walk, jog or run on the flat, paved course. Mile clocks and water stops will be available. There will be awards for all age groups and prize giveaways for spectators and supporters. Kennedy’s Pub of Budd Lake, New Jersey will be on hand to provide corned beef sandwiches and non-alcoholic beer to all. Everyone is encouraged to wear your best St. Patrick's Day costume!

Event Pre-registration is available online at www.ITCAevents.org for $18 ($16 USATF) until March 14th. All pre-registrants will receive a 2008 Leprechaun Leap 5k t-shirt.

Entry Fees are $22 March 15th till race day and registration will be available on site from 11:30am to 12:45pm.

For more information on the race route, sponsors or registration please visit www.ITCAevents.org or call Ellen Cady at (973) 347-3088.

About the Joan Knechel Cancer Center
This state-of-the-art facility at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center offers the most advanced technologies for treating cancer, along with expert doctors and nurses and highly-trained technicians to employ those technologies and treatments to greatest advantage for their patients.

About the Mayor's Wellness Council
Our goal is to promote and encourage wellness in Mount Olive Township through education, prevention and community action.

The wellness committee strives to increase opportunities for New Jersey residents to participate in daily physical activities.