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Community Corner

20-Year Montville Tradition Rolls on To A.C.

Recreation department's monthly bus trip set for Aug. 17.

Continuing a 20-year tradition, the Montville recreation department is sponsoring its bus trip to Atlantic City, scheduled on the third Tuesday of every month, for a group of area residents on August 17.

Maryann Witty, director of the parks and recreation department, said the program was born out of a suggestion from an area senior citizen two decades ago.

 "There was no big brainstorming session that led to this idea," she said. "A senior citizen approached me and asked about bus trips, I said it was a great idea and we've been doing it every year for the past 20 years."

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The bus trip will head down to the Taj Mahal, a frequently used casino for the monthly trek. Witty said that the bus trip has a longstanding relationship with the Taj Mahal and that there are usually between 20 and 30 people on one of the trips, many of who are senior citizens.

 "It's not strictly a senior activity," she said. "It's something they enjoy and a nice outing for them. Some of the seniors we take it might be the only social activity they have. While most people [on the trip] are seniors we certainly take people under the age of 55."

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Witty also added that there are many more activities to do besides for just gambling.

 "Even though it's thought of as gambling outing," she said, "some people just use the trip because it's an opportunity to just go on a trip. They can walk the boardwalk, go shopping, or meet a relative. It's easy because they don't have to drive; they're on a bus with one stop pickup, not five different towns along the way. They even usually get back their money to cover the costs at the casinos."

After this week's trip, four more bus rides to Atlantic City remain on Montville's schedule. They are scheduled to take place on Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 21. Witty said they are always looking for more people to come on the trips.

 "We have a new chaperone who is looking for more people, residents and non-residents of Montville," she said. "The bus can hold up to 49 passengers, so there's always room."

The bus departs at 8 a.m. from the community park on Changebridge Road and will return at 7 p.m. A spot on the bus costs $30 per person, which must be paid in advance at the recreation department (195 Changebridge Road).

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