From the medical profession to education to sports, the inductees for this year’s 5th Annual Warren County Hall of Fame dinner surely cover the gamut.
The fifth Hall of Fame Class “line-up” this year includes Dr. Allen Menkin, Ned Bolcar, Francis "Frank" Loughlin, Kevin Whitmer, Patrick McCormick, and posthumously, John Goles.
Bolcar is a former professional football player and was a star at Notre Dame. He played three seasons for the NFL. A native of Lopatcong Township and a Phillipsburg High School graduate, Bolcar was a 1984 USA Today High School All-American selection. He played college football for Notre Dame and was the captain of the national championship team.
Loughlin, a resident of Warren County for 35 years, has touched countless lives in his ability to connect with people and his overwhelming generosity to those around him. His greatest contributions have been to the youth of Warren County. He contributed to the field of education in Warren County for more than 30 years. He has taught at all levels including elementary, middle school and high school, where he was a championship soccer coach.
McCormick was the Warren County Economic Advisory Board Chairman but would gain much bigger recognition when he served under Presidents Bush and Clinton as the U.S. Small Business Economic Advisory Board Co-Chairman. Nominated two times as NJ Businessman of the Year, he volunteers time with the American Cancer, American Heart Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Common Sense for Animals, and also his church. There is arguably no one person more giving of his time and efforts for those in need, in Warren County.
Dr. Menkin, afounding partner of the highly regarded Plaza Family Care, Dr. Menkin early on did his Internship and Residency at Bellevue Hospital-New York University Medical Center, where he also served as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. In addition, Dr. Menkin has specialized training in neurological and behavioral disorders. Dr. Menkin is a decorated veteran. He has directed the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Managed Care Program for this area and is a member of numerous medical advisory committees. He is a trained emergency medical volunteer with a background in antiterrorism. Dr. Menkin has also been a medical missionary in Ethiopia. In 1973 he opened up Plaza Family Care, now arguably the largest practice of its kind in Northwest New Jersey, specializing in pediatrics and internal medicine.
Whitmer, from Phillipsburg, became the Editor in Chief for the Star-Ledger in 2009. He started out at the Star-Ledger in 1996 and became the managing editor before taking on the Editor in Chief position. Whitmer has been instrumental in making the Ledger into one of the most prestigious daily newspapers in the country. It is the largest daily in New Jersey. Clearly one of New Jersey's most influential media people, Whitmer's career includes stints with the Courier-News, the New York Post, and the New York Daily News.
In 1943 Goles became a physical education teacher at Washington High School and as part of his job, became the school's football and wrestling coach. It was with wrestling that Goles made a name for himself, producing 39 state wrestling champions and four state team titles over 36 years. Ironically, he never wrestled himself and so had to learn everything about wrestling from scratch. He was also a very highly regarded teacher and was well respected by his students and peers.
The 2013 Class included: Steve Gandley, Therese Steinhardt, Peggy Campbell-Rush, Lou Reda, Richard Maguire and in the posthumous category, Alvin Sloan.
This year’s Hall of Fame Dinner is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17 at Hawk Pointe Country Club. The event is open to the public. Tables may be reserved.
The establishment of the Warren County Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Warren County Community College Foundation, creates a forum for honoring Warren County's finest in an array of fields.
The Hall of Fame itself is set up at Warren County Community College, where the public is invited to see it.
For tickets to the recognition dinner and other information, call 908-835-2334 or email wchallofame@wcccfoundation.org.