Media Release
New Jersey, Jun 15: Saturday, June 10 was a beautiful day blessed with amazing weather and the perfect day for the Mangalorean Catholic Association EC, Inc. (MCA-EC) Annual Summer Picnic 2023. The picnic comprised of exciting sports and entertaining games for all ages,tasty vegetarian and non vegetarian food, and a blend of Konkani and Bollywood songs played in the background entertaining everybody through out the day.
The picnic was held at Donaldson Park, NJ and it could be easily located by the picnic attendees. As they entered, they were greeted by the registration team- Erik Fernandes, Shanessa Aranha and Sanya Aranha. An authentic Mangalorean breakfast was served. Everyone enjoyed sajjige, poha, vadas, and idlis along with coconut chutney and sambar and ate to their heart’s content. This was paired with masala chai and coffee.
The day’s events were kicked off by the dynamic president - Steven Aranha, who introduced himself and joyously welcomed all of the picnic attendees and then introduced Alan D'Souza to lead the day with a prayer. Running around and documenting it all through his camera/phone with excellent photography skills, gathering memories was Praveen Lewis, an active member of the MCA-EC. They also announced a 'Photography competition' encouraging the attendees (irrespective of the age) to click photos during the entire day and email them. And then they would choose the few best pictures and reward those who clicked these pictures on the auspicious occasion of Monthi Fest in September. Steven then introduced the new executive board to the members of the association as follows:
Executive Board
President: Steven Aranha
Vice President: Susanna DSouza
General Secretary: Sonia Cutinha
Regional Co-ordinator: Belinda DSouza
Treasurer : Reema DSouza
The sports and games were soon kicked off as the teams took to the field. The men’s cricket teams headed out to begin with the cricket matches. Meanwhile, everyone else were kept busy with various games for various age groups which included ring & cone (2-5 yrs), red light green light (6-11 yrs), dodgeball( 12-18 yrs) and a hula hoop passing game for all the women. They had a few participants for the cooking competition this year which was based on the 'GODE NARL. MAGIC' (jaggery & coconut) theme. As the participants unveiled their dishes, the judges marked their dishes, based on taste, presentation and authenticity. They had authentic Mangalorean delicacies like Patholi, Laddoos, Mandas etc presented in the competition. After the judges had a chance to taste and score the dishes, everyone got the chance to dig in and try a bite of each of the delicacies. It was a close competition, the prizes were given to Anita D'Souza and Anita Pais.
As Father’s Day was approaching, they took the gathering as an opportunity to appreciate all the fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers present at the picnic. Thus they gathered them together and had them cut a cake celebrating their amazing fatherhood. And then Tanya D'Souza prayed grace before lunch.
The lunch buffet comprising of delicious food was opened to refuel the attendees. People enjoyed delicacies such as chicken biryani, mattar pulao, naan, butter chicken, paneer masala, fish lahori, mixed kebabs, salad, raita and gulab jamun. Iced fresh lemonade was made available to refresh all the attendees through out the day.
The remaining sports and games continued after lunch. Ladies throwball teams were created and matches were conducted. Meanwhile others were kept busy with more games such as bucket & ball, 3 legged race and sack race for the younger kids and the teenagers. Musical arms games were conducted for the men’s category and women’s category. Tug of war was played between various teams in the above 18 category and the below 18 category which proved to be lots of fun.
Evening masala chai and snacks were served. Murukku and banana chips, were generously donated by Bob and Olivia Vaz of Babco Foods International. Some of the attendees also enjoyed the lovely chocolate cake cut by the fathers alongside their masala chai.
As it was time to wind up for the day, the board members began with the vote of thanks and the prize distribution. The board members applauded last year’s board members, advisory council members, and gurkars/gurkarns with a huge round of applause for the example they have set with all their efforts and dedication. Susanna D'Souza (VP) specially thanked Bob and Olivia Vaz of Babco Foods International and all the other sponsors, attendees and especially all of the volunteers who made this event a success and the day so enjoyable. A certificate of appreciation was awarded to Melanie Mendonca for her contribution towards the 'FOR THE KIDS, BY THE KIDS' programme. Finally, the board members applauded and handed out prizes to all the winners of the various sports and games conducted during the day. After which the group dispersed and left.
Picnic video link: https://youtu.be/yN7B5zFNVRg