Maplewood NJ Fencing Demonstration

[Craig]

En Garde! Olympic Champions Demonstrate the Thrill of Swordplay
at Maplewood's First Community Fencing Event, Sept. 7

Maplewood, NJ— With the success of the US fencing team at the Beijing Olympics— six medals, the best in US history— there's a groundswell of interest in the sport of swordplay. The public will have a chance to experience world-class fencing firsthand at Memorial Park Tennis Courts, in Maplewood, NJ, on Sunday, September 7, from 9 am to 1 pm.

During the event, the public can learn about the mental and physical skills involved in foil, epee and sabre, and even touch blades with an Olympian and members of the championship girls' and boys' teams at Columbia High School, part of the South-Orange-Maplewood school district. The teams have won a combined 12 state fencing championships since 1997.

The event organizers, Maplewood-based New Jersey Fencing Alliance (NJFA) and the Maplewood Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, hope to convince more area residents to try fencing as part of a national campaign to recruit 10,000 newcomers to the sport.

Aptly called "Ten Thousand Fencers" (www.tenthousandfencers.com), the movement is the brainchild of Tim Morehouse, NY-based silver medalist in the 2008 Olympic men's sabre team competition. Morehouse will be on hand at Memorial Park to talk about the benefits of fencing and demonstrate his skills, along with Jeff Bukantz, team captain in Beijing, and Akhnaten Spencer-El, a 2000 Olympic fencer who currently coaches at the NJFA in Maplewood.

"Fencing is an exciting sport for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Beyond the physical benefits, fencers develop strategic thinking and self-confidence," says George Janto, president of the NJFA.

Proceeds from a raffle, bake sale, and T-shirts will help support Columbia High School's fencing program, which includes 100 students, and the 2012 US Olympic fencing team. Additional support for the event is provided by Colavita USA and J. Supor & Son Trucking & Rigging Co.

Maplewood Memorial Park is located on Valley Street between Oakland Road and Baker Street. The NJFA club (www.njfencingalliance.com) is located at 50-58 Burnett Avenue in Maplewood, and offers group and private lessons for all skill levels.

For more information about the Sept. 7 fencing event please contact George Janto at: gjanto@comcast.net

[500gms]

our goal is to get 200 non fencers to register on 10,000fencers.com and to have a lot of fun and generally educate the masses about the joys and benefits of fencing. If you're in NJ and you want to witness the nice side of us, stop by. we'll be in the park until 1pm. Sunday, Sept 7, 2008.

[Goldgar]

our goal is to get 200 non fencers to register on 10,000fencers.com and to have a lot of fun and generally educate the masses about the joys and benefits of fencing. If you're in NJ and you want to witness the nice side of us, stop by. we'll be in the park until 1pm. Sunday, Sept 7, 2008.

George, you and I disagree on a lot of things, but I have to say this is a great idea, a great way to captialize on our Olympic success, good for fencing, and good marketing for NJFA.

Well done!

[500gms]

OK, it was a real success! We had about 400 people show up to ask about fencing, sample it, pose for pictures with Tim and Jeff and Aki and Tim's medal (the real celebrity). Although only 60 people signed up on TTF everyone thought this was a great way to show off our sport.

The Mayor came, school teachers were there, lots of kids and 10-15 adults and lots of kids put on the equipment for the 1st time and tried fencing. we raised $500.00 and had a great time! I wish every club in the USA has an opportunity to do something to "out" fencing to the public at least once in the next couple of months and 10,000 will turn into 100,000.

I thought the best part of today was all of the young fencers who wanted Tim to autograph their 10000fencers tee shirt, I watched as a matinee idol was born.

Also, our sponsors were impressed with the enthusiasm that the crowd had and have expressed an interest in perhaps becoming more involved in the future. Don't worry, we will follow up. The press was there and we will issue a concluding PR statement for publication.

I want to publicly thank Tim Morehouse and Jeff Bukantz for devoting their Sunday morning to help us put this event on, and I want to thank Cheryl and the CHS fencers and parents and Bill Viquiera, Carole Walters and especially Frank Mustilli and His grandson, James, for all their help.

[piste off]

Fantastic!

R-

[damianip]

George,

This is great, and what we all need to continue doing in NJ.

An excellent example of what positive action and energy can accomplish..

Congratulations and thanks to you, Frank, Tim, NJFA, the Maplewood DRCA and everyone else who made this happen.

Paolo