Media Release

USA, Jun 21: Known as a fun loving, friendly and loving community, the benevolent Mangalorean Catholic Association - East Coast Inc (MCA-EC) organized their annual summer get-together at a public park. Around 180 members decided to co-mingle with fellow Mangalureans and spend the entire day coupled with fun, frolic, laughter and adventure on June 18 at Duke Island Park. Co-incidentally June 18 this year is marked as International Picnic Day, and so these Mangalurean's ended up joining the uniform worldwide picnic celebration. Talk about celebrating in style! That is what MCA-EC is all about.

The picnic began with the registration activities around 9.30 am local time taken care of by the ever helpful Shyna, Monthi and Violet. A tedious task but something that had to be done and it was done in such an effortless and timely manner which allowed the picnic to commence on time.

Our multi-talented Emcees Arun Menezes and Miriam Rego took the reigns of conducting the events for the get-together. They started off with a very interesting synergy game 'I now know another Mangalurean'. This was basically an ice breaker to help get everyone acquainted with each other. We truly are thankful to them for taking the get-together from plain to perfection.

For the first time, MCA-EC had set up on site food stations. The end result was hot, freshly made delicious appetizers which included pakoras, vada pavs and sheera provided by Bombay Express. There was also sugarcane juice freshly prepared on-site. Talk about experiencing the chaat corners of India right here in New Jersey!

There were a wide variety of games for all ages, from tiny tots to senior citizens. A bird’s eye view of the entire ground revealed a mini carnival, with many people scattered in different areas of the park playing different games, there was no moment of boredom.  Every area of the park was covered with different games: on one end the gents had their cricket tournament, on the other, the ladies had the throwball tournament. Details of all the games, volunteers and winners are listed below.

The current president of MCA-ECA, Bernie Pinto-D'Souza, the first lady president of the organization, introduced the other new members of the executive board in a well thought of, apt and warm manner, which was well received and applauded by the entire crowd. The new members of the board are:
Bernie Pinto-D'Souza – president
Anita Pinto – vice president
Violet Monis – treasurer
Melvin Mendonca – regional coordinator
Sydney Lasrado – general secretary

Housie, a favorite game played at a Mangalurean event was conducted. Wesley Tauro (gurkar of Divine Mercy) went around selling tickets for the same, whereas Victor Sequeira (gurkar of Bhagevonth Kutam Vado) conducted housie. Most of the winners for the housie prizes were from Victor’s Vado.
 
The spiritual director of MCA-EC this year, Sister Gretta said a small blessing over lunch and prayed for all the fathers, as June 19 is celebrated as Father’s Day.

MCA-EC experienced the first ever Flash Mob choreographed by the very graceful Premila Mendonca and Juanita. It was such a pleasant surprise where there were a bunch of youth, adults dancing in such a synchronized manner. Truly one can say only MCA-EC could have pulled this off so well.

The winners of all the games, tournaments were then handed out beautiful medals, trophies, rosettes. They were all showcase worthy. Bernie conducted the prize distribution handing out these items as well as designed certificates. The previous board, former gurka'r/Gukarn's, previous advisory council members were felicitated as well.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped in conducting the get-together in such an efficient and organized manner, everyone had a wonderful and memorable day. It was truly said that the volunteers did not necessarily have time; they just had a heart, and thanks to those wonderful hearts, MCA-EC is able to conduct these events on a large scale for the entire family to enjoy.
 
This event was a first in many categories, first for the new executive board, the first lady president, a first time onsite preparation of snacks, the first Flash Mob. Thanks to all the people who showed up from all over the East Coast -New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Solely due to them the event was a grand success, because each and everyone echoed the very essence of what MCA-EC strongly believes in, promoting culture and maintaining unity within the community.

Games conducted:

For ages 3-4

Game 1
Bucket and Ball

Volunteers : Premila and Josline
Winner : Raphael D'Souza

Game 2
Ring the bottle

Volunteers: Premila and Josline

Winner : Ashton Serrao

Ages 5-8
Volunteers : Saritha and Simi

Game 1
3-legged race
Winner: Nichelle Pinto

Game 2:

Relay
Winners: Roshan Rego, Shannon D'Cunha, Nathan Mendonca

Game 3:
Sponge Relay:
Winners: Jovin Serrao, Luke Menezes, Nishelle Pinto

Ages 9-12
Volunteers

Merlin and Anita D'Souza

Game 1
Left and right sack pop

Winners: Caroline Barboza, Melanie Mendonca, Miguel Mascarenhas, Kiyasha Mascarenhas

Game 2
Passing the bangle
Winners: Melody Pinto, Miguel Mascarenhas

Game 3
Sack race

Winners: Miguel Mascarenhas and Aaron Lewis

Ages 13-18

Game 1
Slippery soap relay

Winners: Meldon Mendonca, Jonathan Pinto and Nadia

Game 2
Sack race

Winners: Arvin Sequeira and Meldon Mendonca

Game 3
Winners: Darrel Dsouza, Jonathan Pinto

Senior citizens

Volunteers: Reena Saldanha and Arine Aranha

Game 1:
Chop stick and marshmallow game
Winners: Vivian Kamath and Barbara Kamath

 

Game 2:
Back to back and knees to knees game

Winners: 1st prize Felcie D'Souza and Ida Sequeira

2nd prize : Darrel D'Souza and Eva Pinto

Relay:

Volunteers: Melvin Mendonca and Anita Pinto

Winners: 1st prize – Eric Fernandes, Gary Bhandarkar, Merlin Mendonca, Arvin Sequeira, Antony Serrao and Harry Pinto

2nd Prize – Royston Rodrigues, Steffi Rodrigues, Stephen D'Souza, Edmond Fernandes, Wesley Tauro, Arlene D'Cunha

Scavenger hunt

Winners: Jonathan Pinto, Caroline Barboza, Melanie Mendonca, Shyna Quadras and Abigal Soares

Cricket tournament
Wilbur D'Souza, Melvin Mendonca, Christopher Monis, Harry Pinto, Kevin D’Costa, Ivan D’Souza, Edmond Fernandes, Savio Suares, Martin Baretto, Sydney Lasrado, John D’Souza, Stephen D'Souza, Lloyd Fernandes

Throwball tournament
Saritha Lobo, Monti Quadras, Fabina Saldanha, Reena Saldanha, Sr Gretta Fernandes, Asha Rodrigues, Steffi Rodrigues,Florine D’Souza, Diana Menezes.