|
When I was a
senior in high school (Summit High School), I left the lovely Garden
State to take a tour of Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont.
On the tour, my tour guide mentioned a club she had heard about
known as LOGS (Lovers of the Garden State). I was thrilled to hear
that this college in
Vermont
had an organization dedicated to the love of
New Jersey!
A year later,
I began my collegiate career at Middlebury in February of 2000.
Immediately upon settling in to college, I paid a visit to the
Student Activities office. I explained that I was very interested
in joining the LOGS club and that I was confused as to why the
organization was not represented at the activities fair, which is
held at the beginning of every semester.
The ladies at
the Student Activities office laughed kindheartedly at me. They
explained to me that LOGS was no longer a club at Middlebury. In
fact, it never really took off in the first place. Nonetheless, the
idea was born and I was thrilled to imagine that such a club would
be possible.
That
summer, I decided that I must start a LOGS club of my own. I would
create a legitimate organization which
Jersey lovers would proudly be a part of. My friend Ron Schildge
(Rumson) agreed that such a club would be fit and divine, and just
like that we had two members already. And thus, that September, the
beginning of my second semester of college, I returned to the
Student Activities office and I explained to them that I was
determined to rejuvenate the name of LOGS by starting the club up in
legitimate fashion.
The College
agreed to give us a chance. With a constitution, a budget approved
by the school’s Finance Committee, support from Ron and unwavering
spirit and motivation, I was able to give the club a credible label
after all. The more I got into getting the club going, the more I
realized what a brilliant idea it was to start a New Jersey club in
the middle of Vermont.
I advertised
with fliers and the word of mouth, informing all Middlebury students
of the new New Jersey club which was stirring up in town. Sure
enough, the first meeting took place that fall of 2000. We had
about fifteen members, many of whom are still dedicated to the
organization to this day, four years later.
Every semester
since our inaugural season, I have represented LOGS at the
activities fairs, both for prospective students and for freshmen
students. Time in and time out, the LOGS table attracts a great
deal of attention, from both those who love Jersey and those who
have not yet found their love for the
Garden
State. The organization gains new members every semester, as new
friends are made and new personalities are added to the club.
LOGS is known
throughout the
Middlebury
College
campus. In the past couple years,
we were featured in both Middlebury Magazine (the college’s
alumni magazine)
as well as New Jersey Monthly (which, by the way, we have a
subscription to
- we read
through the issues at meetings, often sparking interesting
discussions). Our reputation is quickly spreading outside
Vermont,
as Jersey lovers throughout the country are gaining more and more
interest in such Jersey pride. Jeff and I thus decided that it
would be proper and fitting to start a website devoted to this great
pride for
New Jersey,
so that Jersey fans everywhere, not just in Middlebury, Vermont,
could get in on the action. We hope you enjoy the site. We’re glad
that you too love the great
Garden
State!
- Mike |
