Keeping up with the Bayshore

ATL. HIGHLANDS - The Rev. Joseph J. Donnelly Council 11660 of the Knights of Columbus will conduct its second Drive-By-Drop Off Food Pantry collection this Sunday at both St. Agnes and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Churches. The Council is conducting this year’s program in conjunction with the Respect Life Ministry, who will be on hand to accept donations for a Diaper Drive to benefit Birthright. At St. Agnes. Knights will be on hand to accept donations of non-perishable food, diapers and wipes on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church parking lot between Center and South avenues. At Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Knights will be present to accept donations on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church parking lot on Highland avenue. Churchgoers are invited to bring their donations enroute to mass in either church both Saturday evening and Sunday, or all residents are invited to participate in the drive at any hour throughout both days in both churches. The Respect Life Ministry has indicted Birthright is in particular need of Diaper sizes #4 and 5. Monetary donations will also be accepted, as well as Foodtown gift cards. Checks should be made payable to the Kof C, Council 11660 and with a memo dignifying whether the donation is for the Food Pantry or Birthright. “We are grateful to all the residents for their generous support in the past,” said Grand Knight David Convery. “People in this community are always so very generous, and that is what makes it possible for us to help others in need.”

HIGHLANDS – In celebration of National Arbor Day is April 30, Mayor Carolyn Broullon read a proclamation at the Pride in Highlands events which took place Saturday. The borough, in partnership with the business community, sponsored a cleanup day while the Business Partnership also sponsored a beach concert, the first of the outdoor season. The Mayor also announced at last week’s meeting of the governing body that Highlands has once again been recognized as Tree City USA. Highlands has met the standard for Tree City USA two previous years prior based on the information available on the Arbor Day Foundation website. The Open Space Committee is currently reviewing updates to the Recreation and Open Space inventory, Councilman Kevin Martin reported, and will have a further report at the May meeting. The borough is currently in ongoing remediation by the NJ DEP for the former Scenic Exxon Service Center on Route 36, a program expected to run through February 2023. Martin said the borough’s Green Team is also striving to upgrade its bronze-level certification to a Sustainable Jersey Silver-Level certification prior to the assessment set for next year. The Open Space Committee is also reviewing updates to the Recreation and open Space Inventory and has funding from two previous years to use with Open Space funds. Purpose of the funds at this time is to upgrade Veterans Memoria, Huddy and Snug Harbor parks.

HIGHLANDS - “I can assure you, we’re out there,” Police Chief Robert Burton told the mayor and Council during the public portion of last week’s meeting of the Mayor and Council. Though he was not called on for a report during the business portion of the meeting, Burton, attending virtually, responded to Mayor Carolyn Bouillon’s questions about an e-mail apparently sent to the governing body with concerns about speeding in the borough. Burton said the police department is always ready to step up activity in any area of the borough if requested, and is always on routine patrol 24-7. He encouraged residents to contact the police department if they have specific concerns . The chief said various areas are continuously under study for change, and currently Prospect and Portland roads as well as Grand Tour, all roads leading to Henry Hudson Regional School and the Monmouth County Hartshorne Woods Park are under discussion and he is anticipating reports from the borough engineer on what may be needed in those areas. Burton also assured the public that Covid, nor any other reason has made any change in police traffic action and noted “our traffic stops have not declined.”

The following is a letter to all the residents of Atlantic Highlands from Councilmen Roy Dellosso, Jon Crowley and Lori Hohenleitner, and borough Democratic Chair Regina Keelan, in response to PBA Local 242 President Adam Guarian's letter read at last night's Atlantic Highlands Council meeting. Atlantic Highlands Democrats have great respect for the Atlantic Highlands Police Department (AHPD) and appreciate the small-town policing and unity that it promotes. There is too little of that unity in the world today and we all love Atlantic Highlands because of our neighborly community. When we saw the concerning statement from PBA President Adam Gurian that a recent post on the Atlantic Highlands Democratic Club page “...enticed violence towards Law Enforcement Officers,” we removed the post and removed the volunteer who posted it as an administrator of the page. We apologize if it was offensive. Our intention was not to disparage the AHPD. The post was concerned with police use of force nationwide in cases like George Floyd’s that are violations of the public trust. We regret the lack of nuance in our post, which was intended to highlight issues around police use of force nationally, and was not intended as a comment about our local police. We should not post images without context and we will not do that moving forward. We believe law enforcement officers have a difficult and risky job acting in the public trust to protect us as citizens and respect their judgment and discipline in dispatching their responsibilities. We as a party seek to listen to and understand the needs and feelings of everyone and apologize for not sufficiently considering how this post would feel to our local police. It is an unfortunate reality that in the United States, black men are 2.6 times more likely to be killed by police compared to white men (Source: October 27, 2020 edition of the Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health.) This is a national problem that we have to address everywhere so that all families feel safe. We are very fortunate that we have not faced this concern in our small town and want to continue to work together across the aisle to build and maintain a community where we are all safe and thriving. What we cannot do is ignore the systemic racism that does exist in our country and especially affects BIPOC members of our community. Interest in the George Floyd case swept the nation and our own residents have been following it closely. We were inspired last year when Chief Rossbach made a public statement on behalf of the AHPD, stating that “...the officers who caused Mr. Floyd's death do not reflect our values and their actions have no place in a modern society.” We agree with this strong statement. Moving forward, we’d like to initiate a town hall with the residents of Atlantic Highlands, our police administration, and our PBA to directly face the issue that the meme sparked. Thank you, PBA President Gurian, and members of the PBA for holding us accountable. We are in a fraught time in our country. We understand that some police feel that they are under constant attack right now and that this may be harming morale. We appreciate the opportunity to have an open dialogue here in Atlantic Highlands and welcome the opportunity to discuss morale and concerns at the AHPD and within our community. We fully support the members of the Atlantic Highlands PBA Local #242 and our non-union police department employees. Atlantic Highlands Democratic Club Regina Keelen, President Councilman Roy Dellosso Councilman Jon Crowley, Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso will sponsor and introduce legislation this month that would block state government from mandating private businesses screen customers for proof of immunization for Covid-19. Sen. Mike Testa introduced the bill (S3674) Monday in the state Senate. “Creating a vaccine passport to attend a ballgame, go to a Broadway show or visit a museum is tantamount to mandating the vaccine,” said DiMaso (R-Monmouth). DiMaso announced last month that she had begun working on legislation after Gov. Phil Murphy floated the possibility of the vaccine passports during a television appearance. “I don’t have to carry a passport for any of my other vaccines, why should we force people to do that with this one?” asked DiMaso. “I’m proud to have Senator Testa partnering with me on this important legislation. He and I have been staunch supporters of allowing residents to make this decision with guidance from their health care professional.”

MANALAPAN - Variety may be the spice of life but it is also describes the May calendar of events the Monmouth County Library is offering through virtual presentations open to all who have access to internet and register in advance for each individual program. A tribute to “Other Jewish Songwriters” as well as featuring Al Jolson favorites will be the virtual lecture-in-song presented by pianist narrator Fred Miller on Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m. Miller, who is also a singer, pays tribute to Jolson, but also lesser known but outstanding and prolific Jewish songwriters and personalities Arthur Schwartz, Burton Lane and Sammy Fain. He will tell, in music and word, about the lives and careers of the artists, as well as the significance of their music. More music will be offered via the internet on Sunday, May 9 at 2 p.m. when the New Jersey Symphonic Youth Orchestra presents a concert as a Mother’s Day gift of classical music by dedicated elementary and high school students in the renowned orchestra. Gardening, cooking with herbs and reading food labels will be subjects of three different presentations, beginning with the Master Gardener Virtual Hotline on Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Diane Larson, a Monmouth County Horticulturist with the Rutgers Master Gardeners, will answer all questions on horticulture and gardens e-mailed to MonCoLibrary2021@gmail.com by noon May 5. Tuesday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m. the Family and Community Health Sciences Department Educator Sharese Porter, PhD., will present a program on the benefits of cooking with herbs for better tasting, more flavorful and lower sodium dining enjoyment. Dr. Porter will present a program on reading all the information on food labels at a second session on Tuesday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. The speaker is also program coordinator supervisor for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington and Monmouth counties. Local, national, Chinatown and Middle Ages history will each be the subjects of other programs slated for various times during May. A pictorial and in-depth journey inside Chinatown in San Francisco will be featured Thursday, May 13 at 7 p.m. when photographer Dick Evans and author Kathy Chin Leong will commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage month through history, culture, tourism and traditions of this beloved community. The program will be moderated by Gregory Yeh, RPh. Pharmacist and attorney . Participants in this presentation are encouraged to pour cups of jasmine tea, cut a slice of moon-cake and enjoy this one hour presentation of what San Francisco ‘s Chinatown celebrates and enjoys. Historian Nicholas Wood, resource interpretive specialist, Historic Resources, for the Twin Lights state historic site, will explore the history of lighthouses with emphasis on the Navesink Highlands unique Twin Lights in Highlands, once the brightest beacon on the East Coast. That program will be Wednesday, May 12 at 10:30 a.m. The following week, Jennifer W. Reiss will present an in depth story about Governor Morris, known as the Forgotten Founding Father, in a special presentation on Tuesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. Moderated by the library’s own Donna Mansfield, the program will highlight facts little known about this outspoken critic of slavery among the founding fathers, the right to practice religion, and how he negotiated his active life in spite of multiple physical impairments. The program is available through a grant secured by the library featuring Dr. Reiss, a doctoral candidate in history who holds her master’s degree from Cambridge, and a juris doctorate degree from Harvard University. The following morning, Wednesday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Michael Norris will present Party Hearty in the Middle Ages, a virtual presentation of art history during the Middle Ages as part of the Armchair Art Tours. Through art and archaeology, Dr. Norris will show medieval foods and how they were prepared, as well as rules and ceremonies for medieval feasts. Works on display during the presentation are from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Cloisters Museum. Gary Saretzky, long recognized as the outstanding archivist for Monmouth County, recently retired, will present the photographs of Gustavus Pach, a 19th century photographer and part of the famed Pach Brothers of Long Branch, Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m., the final program in this May series of historic specialties presented by the library. The brothers were prominent in the photography world of the 19th century and had studios in northeastern United States. Saretsky’s program will depict Pach’s photographs in Long Branch when he began operating with a mobile wagon in 1866, leading to a gallery there the following year. With a change of pace, the library will feature Appraiser Michael Ivankovich on Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. who will give appraisals and information on antiques, collectibles and personal treasures submitted for discussion beginning May 3. Because of time constraints, only the first 30 confirmed registrants will be able to each have an item appraised. Ivankovich has been involved in collectibles and antiques for more than four decades and is a frequent lecturer and author. He is host of the radio show, “What’s it Worth?” More each information on each of the programs is available on the Monmouth County Library website at www.MonmouthCountyLib.org. Visiting the Upcoming Events column will provide information on times and deadlines for registering for each of the programs and information on when information will be e-mailed detailing how to access each program.

Jeff Tyler, president of the Friends of the Twin Lights Board of Trustees, sponsored team Twin Lights for that sensational and well planned Hunt The Hook that's going on for a couple more days. The historic museum is even mentioned in the first clue in this event sponsored by the Sandy Hook Foundation. It's National Parks Week, bringing attention to how important Sandy Hook and all of Monmouth County for that matter is in the history of this great nation. The Twin Lights friends are certainly keeping busy and active and it's my bet there's going to be a lot in store for visitors to be thrilled about once they're permitted to open to visitors again. In the meantime, check out the great gift shop on the Twin Lights page. From experience I can tell you, the quality of their products is excellent, packaging of mailed goods is sensational, and they're quick in their turnaround from order to delivery! Besides all that, all proceeds help this Highlands treasure.

HIGHLANDS – The former substitute teacher at the Highlands Elementary School and later adjunct professor at Monmouth University, and will be the new Superintendent of Schools for the Tri-District, it was announced last night. Dr. Tara Beams of Oceanport was named to the position by the boards of education of the Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Henry Hudson Regional school districts to succeed Dr. Susan Compton, who announced in July she will retire at the end of this school year. “I am so honored and extremely humbled to be given the distinguished opportunity to lead the Henry Hudson Tri-District educational community and work collaboratively with and learn from the incredible administrators, teachers, staff, families, community members, and, most importantly the students,’’ Dr. Beams told board members at the meeting. With this appointment, Dr. Beams is bringing her career in education full-circle. After being employed as a public relations executive in New York City, Dr. Beams began her career in education as a long-term substitute at Highlands Elementary School and was eventually hired as a fourth grade teacher in the Long Branch Public School District. Four years later, she moved to Long Branch Middle School where she used her background in performing arts, television production and media studies as the theater and television production teacher for grades 6 through 8. She then became head teacher for the visual and performing arts department and was named the 2008 Long Branch Public School Teacher of the Year as well as Monmouth County Teacher of the Year. Dr. Beams entered high school education as the media studies and television production teacher for Sayreville Public Schools and was one of four teachers selected to lead the Peer Leadership program. She was trained by the Peer Group program and the Princeton Center for Leadership training. As an aspiring leader, Dr. Beams also became the professional development supervisor for Sayreville High and led the implementation of school-wide PLCs, the district's mentoring program where she began the implementation of the high school's first blended learning environment. In 2012, Dr. Beams advanced her career with her first administrative position as the Principal of the Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School in the Plumsted Township School District. As principal, Dr. Beams led the staff in the transition to the Common Core Standards, redefined the K-5 basic skills program and designed and implemented data-driven, authentic assessment and progress monitoring protocols to ensure student achievement and articulation among the grade levels. The work led to Dr. Beams' appointment by the Edison Public School District where she served as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, PK-5, serving approximately 7400 students and 585 staff members in 13 PK-5 buildings. In Edison, Dr. Beams successfully implemented a 1:1 technology initiative for all grades K to 5 in under two years, leading to a full digital transformation of all curricula, fully implementing digital resources for grades 3-5, while using a blend of traditional and digital resources in grades K-2. Dr. Beams also led her team to develop rigorous, inquiry-based, comprehensive K-5 curricula in all content areas to support technology implementation and a blended learning model of instruction. The work completed in Edison by Dr. Beams and her team was the subject of case studies conducted by Lexia Learning, Amazon Education and was featured at conferences led by Discovery Education. In 2017, Dr. Beams was published in eSchoolNews for her expertise and success in implementing blended learning environments. Most recently, Dr. Beams has been serving as both the Assistant Superintendent and Acting Superintendent for the Monmouth Ocean-Educational Services Commission and the Bayshore Jointure Commission's Shore Center for Students with Autism. In this role, Dr. Beams has successfully implemented innovative special education programs and has worked collaboratively with her leadership team and staff to implement technology, community-based learning opportunities and vocational training for general education students and students with autism. As acting superintendent, Dr. Beams serves on the Monmouth County Superintendent's Equity Committee and the Monmouth County Women in Educational Leadership Committee. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children, an organization currently raising funds and developing a continuing education and vocational skills training program for adults with autism. Dr. Beams has been an adjunct professor at Monmouth University in the School of Communications, was a member and President and Vice President of the Long Branch Board of Education and was a member of the Amazon Education Advisory Board. A graduate of Wall High School, she earned her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from Rutgers University, a Master's in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix and in 2017, her Ed.D. in e-Learning and Technology from Northcentral University. Dr. Beams is an avid musical theater performer and soccer enthusiast. She lives with her husband Daniel, their 14-year-old daughter, Tess and their SATO mix, Mina in Oceanport. “I feel confident that Dr. Beams will take the Tri-District to the next level of academic excellence,” said Dr. Compton, in introducing her successor. “This will be a smooth transition to new leadership. My thanks to the Tri-District administration, staff, students, and community for all of their support over the past eight years.”

It became official on April 15, 1919; a portion of Freehold Township separated from the township and became Freehold Borough, a thriving and busy downtown area around the Monmouth County Courthouse, the county seat of Monmouth County. Residents had come to terms with themselves and their neighbors that local issues including the use of tax dollars were causing a divide between those who lived in the area surrounding the Monmouth County Courthouse and those who farmed the lush lands surrounding the residential area. The dispute over spending which had been simmering for many years was heightened in 1916 when a polio epidemic swept through the area. When it came to a vote of the people throughout the Township, it was overwhelmingly in favor of splitting the township into two individual municipalities. And Freehold Borough was officially incorporated. Those in the courthouse area, downtown as it was known, retained the government buildings and the title of County seat for Monmouth County as well as the name Freehold Borough. Those in the newly defined Freehold Township which encircled the Borough set up their own city hall complex on Schanck Road. The Freehold Borough Centennial Committee and the Mayor and Council have planned a series of activities to celebrate and recognize the 100th birthday of Freehold Borough. In connection with their efforts, the Freehold Transcript will feature a story each week, highlighting one or two items of interest, some political, some amusing, some just downright neighborly,that happened that week in Freehold Borough of 1919. Look for that piece of history in this column each week.

MIDDLETOWN– Noted New Jersey author Francine Garson will be the featured speaker at the 7th annual Scholarship Event sponsored by the Northern Monmouth County Branch of the AAUW Thursday, April 29 at noon. Gwendolyn O. Love, Executive Director of Lunch Break, and Anna Diaz-White, Executive Director of 180 Turning Lives Around, will be honored as the organization’s Women of Achievement. Routinely a luncheon with prizes, gifts, awards and presentations, the AAUW Branch will present this year’s program virtually with a Zoom presentation rather than in person luncheon due to the Covid pandemic. Garson, originally from Middlesex County, is the author of “Follow the Leader,” a novel detailing a fascinating relationship between a teenager and her aging grandmother, the pair sharing secrets and mistakes through the years. Garson also wrote “Things,” a novel set just before Hurricane Sandy, and citing specific towns and places like New Brunswick and Route 18 in the novel, but inventing Sea Grove, a town with places locals will remember in real Garden state communities. The author will be on hand at the Old First Church, 69 Kings Highway May 1 at the AAUW NMCB book Sale from 10:30 to 12:30 for those who want to purchase autographed copies of her books. The books are also available on Amazon and specially priced now through May 10. Donations for the luncheon range from $25 through $75 with all proceeds from the 501© (3) organization supporting scholarships and special programs for women and girls. Checks for the event can be made payable to AAUW-NMCB and mailed to PO Box 398, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Donors will receive the Zoom link and further information about the event via e-mail. Registration is also available on Zoom at the branch’s website, http://www.aauw-nj-nmcb.org/lunch.html.

ATL. HIGHLANDS - Bayshore Pharmacy at the Foodtown Shopping Plaza on Route 36 and First ave., is now making appointments for Covid 19 vaccinations. We have prepared to vaccinate our community since receiving approvals in December. We are extremely happy to be able to bring the vaccine to our community. We are happy to be your partner in health,” said Richard Stryker pharmacist and part owner of the privately owned pharmacy. To make an appointment,. Residents can join the waitlist at www.BayshorePharmacy.com/finallyhere. Due to the limited availability of the vaccine, Stryker said patients will be notified when the schedule is open and available for the vaccine. The Pharmacy has six vaccination rooms ready for the community vaccination clinic. Each is separated by a curtain and social distancing spacing is strictly observed. The store’s pharmacists will be administering the vaccines to patients seven days a week while supplies last. Stryker said the vaccine supply, which he has been seeking since the onset of the availability has secured through the Good Neighbor Pharmacy, part of the federal distribution network. “I want to say how happy we are in Atlantic Highlands that Bayshore Pharmacy received vaccines,” said Mayor Loretta Gluckstein. “They optimize how a local business gives back to the community. Congratulations to all who now can go to Bayshore to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.”

For all you folks who were around here in the early part of the century and remember Capt. Bobbie Scholley at NWS Earle, it was terrific to see her put on a great lecture for the Central Jersey Council of the Navy League last night. Arranged by Dr. Angus Gillespie, a great professor of history and fascinating ways to learn it at Rutgers, Angus invited Capt. Scholley to tell her adventures when she headed the dive team that brought up all the victims and salvaged 98 per cent of the wreckage of TWA 800 when it exploded off New York. The captain has made history more than once, starting from when she was only the fourth woman in the nation to be commanding officer of a ship. That was the Bolster, a diving and salvage ship she drove when she was a lieutenant Commander. At another time, she was on the salvage ship that brought up the turret from the Monitor of Civil War fame, and she was the first woman to head up a Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit. She served as Supervisor of Diving for the Navy in the late 1990s, and she was commanding officer at NWS Earle when the pier was busily engaged in sending ships and ‘equipment’ during the war then. It was amazing to hear her say that in the recovery of TWA 800, it was a joint effort of both military and civilian forces, and teamwork was the key to the great success of the mission after the awful tragedy. In that recovery, the team conducted 344 dives for a total of 1773 hours underwater and she’s so proud of the fact that everyone on the team put their hearts and souls into their salvage efforts in what became one of the largest diver assisted salvage operations ever. It’s no surprise Capt. Scholley is in the Women Divers Hall of Fame. Cheers to Dr. Gillespie and the Central Jersey Chapter of the Navy League for such a great program. If you want to learn more about the League, and all it does for all our seafaring services, go to INFO@cnjlus.org. A great organization.

ATL. HIGHLANDS - The Mayor and council took no action, nor did it set another date for future action, after a two hour long public hearing last week in which the Chief of Police strongly urged parking from First to Fifth avenues on Ocean Blvd. Numerous residents voiced their opinions, the majority opposing the proposal. Police Chief Dave Rossbach traced the history of the recommendations to permit additional parking along Ocean Blvd. back to now retired Chief Jerry Vasto in 2019. He asked the governing body to consider parallel parking on the county road in response to requests from residents and an increased need for more parking availability. No action was taken at that time, he said. A parking committee was appointed at the reorganization meeting in January 2020. Chief Rossbach initiated a request in September of 2019 for the County Traffic Engineers to look into parallel parking on Ocean Boulevard. The Parking Committee learned of the chief’s recommendations in February, with Rossbach asking for Parking Committee involvement on the recommendation in May 2020. In August of last year, the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners approved a program of milling and paving 1500 feet of Ocean Blvd. from First to Seventh Avenue, would include striping spaced adequately for parallel parking in the finished project, and gave their approval for parking on one side of the road between First and Fifth avenues. Rossbach cited numerous reasons for permitting parking and explained the safety aspects noting that even on dangerous curves further east on Ocean Blvd., there is parking on the side of the road. The chief said the road width where parking is being recommended is one of the widest in the entire borough, and there have been numerous complaints over the years from residents on the side streets wanting more parking capability. Studies have shown that parallel parking reduces traffic speed, always a concern on Ocean Blvd. He said there would be no parking within 25 feet of any intersection and added, “there’s no reason not to approve parking here.” Signs that now ban parking would be removed, adding to the general esthetics. He noted the Parking Committee studied his recommendations as did the Environmental Commission, and also pointed out Grand and First avenues, both already have roadside parking. Rossbach added that the proposal with Monmouth County now would include painted crosswalks at Fourth and Grand avenues., Parking Committee Chairman Mark Fisher, a resident of the borough for 37 years and a frequent attendee at all municipal meetings, noted the Committee only has the power to study, learn, and advise the governing body, and make its recommendations based on its studies of any situation. Councilman Jon Crowley, the borough’s liaison the committee, who had previously served on the former Mayor LeGrice’s parking committee as well, is a member of the current committee. All six member of the committee were in agreement with the chief’s recommendations to allow parking between Second and Fifth Avenues on Ocean Blvd. They noted with the construction of over 70 new apartments, and 20,000 feet of retail space in the Business District, with limited parking on First Avenue, additional parking is needed due to a volume problem. “The chief’s idea is long overdue,” Fisher told the governing body. But local residents, most of whom live on Ocean Blvd. or nearby streets, opposed the parking proposal for reasons ranging from the street is not wide enough to lack of safety of bicyclists, pedestrians and for children darting behind cars, and parking would take away from the scenic beauty of the road also known as Scenic Drive. Zack Brown of Victorian Woods Drive suggested not permitting the parking, but that a parking fee be considered when there are major events at the Municipal Yacht Harbor. Allan Dean questioned what were plans for snow removal with the additional parking, a questions Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny said had not yet been considered. Brent Sonnek-Schmetz cited an ordinance currently on the books which calls for no parking and asked that consideration of parking be delayed until that ordinance is addressed. Council took no action during the hearing. The next meeting of the governing body is Thursday, April 22. Contacted after the meeting, the Parking Committee Chairman said he was aware of Borough Code Chapter 139 – PARKING which cites more than 50 streets and locations where parking is prohibited, including portions of Ocean Blvd. under discussion in the proposed recommendations. He added “a Borough Code can be changed or updated via an Ordinance amendment passed by the Council. An ordinance amendment proposal to address this and correct other parking issues in the Borough is needed soon”.

One of the best things about Spring is that new great lunch and more place, MCFly's on the Hook is now open on Sandy Hook from noon on on Thursdays through Sundays. The place is spotless, a stone's throw from the Lighhouse, great soups and sandwiches, lots of hot and cold beverages, and the hot cocoa is sensational! One of the first visitors to check it out was County Commissioner Lillian Burry who immediately called in the entire "McFly's family to wish them well for their first full season. Bet those cadets at MAST are going to love it after school! Stop in just to meet this very friendly and very charming owner! NMay the Luck of the Irish always be with him!

ATL. HIGHLANDS – Although Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner asked that a Council resolution urging the state Department of Health get vaccines to approved independent pharmacies such as Bayshore Pharmacy be taken from the routine approval of resolutions at last week’s council meeting because it was political, she ultimately voted in favor of it after a more than ten minute discussion. Councilman Jon Crowley, who indicated his agreement with the councilwoman’s reasons, abstained on the vote, which was ultimately passed 5-0 . At issue during a three hour long council meeting which included a two hour public hearing on proposed parking on Ocean Blvd., was a resolution urging the Department of Health to provide vaccine for distribution by independent pharmacies approved by the state for the administration of the vaccine. Mayor Tony Perry had approved a similar resolution in Middletown and Mayor Loretta Gluckstein was asked to ask this borough’s council to do the same, since both communities have independent pharmacies without Covid-19 vaccine. In Atlantic Highlands, Bayshore Pharmacy at the Food town shopping center is the only pharmacy in either this borough or neighboring Highlands. Bayshore Pharmacy owners had spent an estimated $7,000 and filled out all the necessary applications and paperwork so they could administer the Covid-19 vaccine after the Department of Health approved them for a distribution site. However, in spite of the state approval and the pharmacy’s expenditures, up until this week only the chain store pharmacies had received the actual vaccine. In requesting the resolution be pulled from the standard single vote to approve resolutions on the agenda, Hohenleitner said that she would not “agree to anything political” at a council meeting. Mayor Gluckstein expressed surprise the councilwoman thought the matter was political rather than support for a local business, which was its sole purpose. Other council members agreed with the mayor. Hohenleitner continued to ask what plan the borough was suggesting to the state to have for distribution to local pharmacies to receive vaccine, and Councilmen James Murphy, Brian Boms and Steve Borrichia each stressed they were not suggesting any plans, but rather showing support for local business and “it’s the squeaky meal that gets the oil.” They stated they were not advocating taking vaccines from any other facility, simply that since the state had approved independent pharmacies for distribution, they should give them the vaccine so they could accomplish what they were approved to do. Crowley suggested they not take any action on the resolution, since the local pharmacy had received, according to the borough administrator, 25 vaccines that day, vaccines the administrator said he was certain the pharmacy had already administered. However, he said, the pharmacy had no indication of when or whether they would receive any further vaccines. Crowley termed the resolution filled with “a lot of vagaries” and “not specific enough” saying he needed more facts. Holenleitner made it clear she is a customer of the local pharmacy, is friendly with the owner and did not question the resolution for any reason other than she felt it was politically motivated. However, when the resolution was moved to a vote, she voted in favor of the resolution, leaving Crowley the only member of the governing body to abstain, and all five other members, including Councilman Roy Dellosso, approving it.

Way back, decades ago, when newspapers were really newspapers and news stories contained news and not opinions, Eve Dropper’s Around the Halls column in The Courier was the first column read in the paper. We did a survey once, actually at Katz’ Confectionary on Bay Avenue in Highlands. On a Thursday, when The Courier came out, we had someone stationed at Katz simply to watch the folks come in, plunk down their coins and buy the paper, or simply pick up a paper, order coffee at the counter and sit down for a leisurely cup and read. We had our watcher look to see what readers turned to first. Nope, it wasn’t page one. Nor was it page two or three, where all the local political, governmental, and business news was found. One hundred per cent, that’s every one who picked up The Courier, automatically turned to the middle section and read the first column on the left hand side of the right hand page. They weren’t even looking for the editorials…..our opinions based on known facts…what everyone wanted to read was Around the Halls, picking up all the little tidbits of gossip we heard in our quest for and reporting of news. The column was written by none other than Eve Dropper. With the deaths of two great publishers over the last half of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries, as well as the demise of newspapers in general, Eve Dropper and The Courier are sadly only memories. However, through this blog, Veni, Vidi, Scripto, I’ve found that people haven’t changed, and Eve Dropper or Intus Fabula as she may have been called in Socrates’ day, is not only alive and well, but she’s eagerly sought after in the hopes she’ll have even more to say! Now, with Facebook and groups on Facebook the newspapers of the day, be patient, Veni Vidi Scripto will have many stories, as will Intus. So yes, Intus Fabula will opine about the Steve Solop arrest, the big sign he had in front of his business, the dozens of other names that were also given to the Prosecutor’s Office for similar offenses…..and indeed, the importance of a single vote! Intus’ land line has been hopping busy with so many stories since the Solop charges, some of which make him look like a good guy comparatively speaking. Be patient. Keep reading. It’ll be there. From the ridiculous to the sublime, that new bakery Cookies and Crumbs that opened on West Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, wins you over before you even get to taste the crumb cake! Located next to that spectacular WoodHaven Florist…their flowers last longer in vases than any I’ve ever seen……Cookies and Crumbs offers, like the florist, parking right up to the door, a doorway decorated with gorgeous plants and blooms that simply make you smile. Then inside, it’s hard to tell whether the pristine cleanliness or the bright yet tasteful floor and wall coverings capture your attention next. Or maybe it’s the cheery greeting from the owner or one of the friendly folks working there. Or maybe it’s the baking aromas wafting in the air! Whatever, you’re drawn to the small but filled to the brim showcase with its crumb cakes, croissants, scones and more. The scones by the way, are as diverse as filled with blueberries or cranberries, or how about bacon and cheese! Then the owner will tell you, “oh, there’s more just coming out now!” in case you want something literally fresh from the oven. She’s there early in the morning to get all her batters and dough she’s mixed the night before into the oven, but she still has time to greet a customer, explain what makes each pastry perfect, and share a smile. Only open weekends for now, she’s bound to be a hit and another very welcome business in a town that is so welcoming to so many. Not as great, however, is a comment from a resident at the Atlantic Highlands council meeting that the governing body should use the word cannabis rather than marijuana when deciding what to do about the newly legalized drug and its use or sale in the borough. The truth is, the law is about marijuana. Some cannabis, like hemp, is legal with or without any further action from state or town. Call it what it is. Marijuana, one form of cannabis. That council, once again, deserves so much praise for listening to its residents, non-residents, anyone interested in making the town the best it can be. A two hour long public hearing on providing more parking and 60 people present for that entire hearing shows patience, understanding, and hey! A willingness to really listen to the people!. The same thing happened not long ago when there was another hearing on paving Bayside Drive. The courtesy and understanding by both elected officials and the public is a far cry from what you hear on a regular basis in Highlands where speech of some folks with opinions is strictly limited while others can talk on. One of those residents in Atlantic Highlands, Mark Fisher, deserves a heap of praise on his own, and folks should pay more heed to what he says. As chairman of the parking committee, Mark did an outstanding job of laying out the history the facts, the needs, and the consequences of the borough providing additional parking, and it’s my hope he is truly listened to. But Mark always does all his research, is generous in sharing everything he’s learned, is wonderful at keeping the public informed, and truly is a great promoter of and defender for his hometown. Look for the news story in Veni, Vidi, Scripto on that long but interesting and worthwhile council meeting. Better yet, go to AHNJ.org and rad Mark’s very thorough report on the need for more parking in the business area of the borough. So we’re now in the pre-primary election day arena, and while conversations and literature will be flying from both sides, the most important thing is for everyone to come out and vote. People have to realize it is their fault if their candidates don’t get elected. Even without a contest, it starts with the primary just to keep candidates alert and aware of what their prospective electors want. In the case of Atlantic Highlands, Councilman Jimmy Murphy already listens to and acts on what voters want, so it’s great to see him ready to take on another term. Joining him this year will be Ellen O’Dwyer, who came so close last time, but is so full of spirit, elan, and energy she’ll be dynamite on Council. Ellen’s also the one who’s been working so hard and been so generous with all those milk pod seeds that will ensure the continued beauty of Monarch butterflies. There are hundreds of girl scouts of all ages as well as local residents who are eagerly watching the growth of the milkpod and the hungry little caterpillars who will thrive on it to become those magnificent Monarchs. Opposing the Murphy O’Brien team in November, and on the ballot for the other party in the primary, also unopposed, are incumbent Roy Dellosso and newcomer Brian Dougherty. Yes, that’s the same Roy who shelved rumors a couple of months ago that he was resigning before the end of his term, but apparently is not. TWhe same Roy Dellosso who also said he is not running again, but oops, it looks like he is since he got petitions and will be in the June primary. Brian is certainly not new to town or government, he’s a member of the planning board, something that keeps him pretty busy while his wife is equally busy and dedicated as a member of the local board of education. And both kept up with their Atlantic Highlands duties while spending pretty much a good part of the winter in Florida this year. There’s no primary in Highlands, since the borough is under a non-partisan form of government, which means the local government isn’t affiliated with any political party.

ATL. HIGHLANDS – Maybe it’s because she herself is so personable and generous. Maybe it’s because she loves animals and strongly believes she has an obligation to use her talents to help a variety of causes. Maybe it’s because she earned her degree in illustrative art at Syracuse University and uses it so well. Or maybe it’s a combination of all of the above and then some. Whatever the cause or reason, the result is sheer happiness and glee for anyone from infant through adult who picks up and reads one of the more than 40 books by more than a dozen different authors that Morgan Spicer has illustrated. The attractive brunette, married to her husband, Zack Brown, residents at Victorian Woods in the hillside section of the borough, recently donated two of her books to the Friends of the Book Club new mini-library site at the Municipal Yacht Harbor. She does that a lot, donating to good causes, that is, because of that feeling she has to help good causes, especially nonprofit organizations and in particular animal protection and safety groups. Commission her to illustrate your pet and mention one of her non-profit partners, and she includes donations to that cause or for research from her own fee. Morgan said she has been drawing one way or another since she was five and her mother started her on art lessons. After high school, she went on to Syracuse to earn her degree in the university’s illustration program, where she met her husband, a native of New York. Reluctant to leave his native state, Morgan said he was sold on moving to Monmouth County when he fell in love with the community, people and beauty of Atlantic Highlands. He is a financial planner whose office is in Red Bank. Morgan works from home and says she is so busy she rarely is working on a single commission at a time. Currently, she recently completed illustrating a book for one author, and is working on two others now, in addition to illustrating pictures for customers who want artwork of their individual pet. While book illustrating takes up most of her time, the artist said she has many customers who like illustrations of their animals, then come back to have more done of other pets. Nor is the list limited to dogs; she has illustrated pet rabbits, cats, horses, and even a guinea pig! Morgan works on Cintiq, a computer and program that enables her to draw directly on the tablet then photoshop her designs. She actually creates two books for each book she does, the first a “dummy book’ so the author can have input into what the finished product would be, the second, the final version which the author then publishes. She works according to the individual style of the author, Morgan says, noting some leave most of the creativity up to her, while others want to have input and give suggestions of how they want specific areas or pages designed. “My Name is Musky” is a perfect example. Written by Mat ty Giuliano of Hazlet, telling the story of his pet ferret named Musky, the book is filled with captivating drawings of the critter -in his cage, in the forest, under the moon, with his canine and feline friends as well as with humans. The drawings bring out the charm Giuliano pours into his writing as well as the passion the illustrator has for animals of all kinds. “I do think my passion for animals shows in my work,” she said, explaining that one day she is hopeful of being part of an animal rescue facility. Although her primary work is in book illustration currently, Morgan also just submitted an artwork in plaster and papier mache to the Art Alliance for their new exhibit. “But I don’t know if it has been accepted yet,” she said with hope. To date, Morgan has completed more than 8000 animal portraits in the past nine years, as well as the more than 40 books, including a coloring book, for different authors. She has dabbled with the idea of writing her own book as well as illustrating it, and has also worked on a graphic novel and a couple of other books soon to be published. And illustrating canines is only part of the overall picture. Morgan and Zack have five dogs of their own, all rescue animals, including one from Egypt and another that just arrived this week. With such a love for animals, it isn’t a surprise to know the couple are both vegans, with Zack the primary chef in the house. Nor is it a surprise to learn her website is called Bark Point Studio. For more information, write the artist at MorganSpicer@barkpointstudio.com

HIGHLANDS – Borough Council approved one ordinance, introduced three more, passed 13 resolutions, all but one unanimously, including the municipal budget resolution by title only and heard about a rabid raccoon and criticism of the Middletown Building Department all within an hour long meeting Wednesday night. Although adopted by resolution, the Mayor and Council unanimously adopted a budget totaling $11,975711.84 for the year, of which $8,632,759.61 shall be raised through taxation. A public hearing on the budget is set for May 5. No one spoke at the public hearing and an ordinance to convert $2.4 million in short term loans to long term loans was also unanimously approved. The three new ordinances, all set for public hearings at the April 21 council meeting, include one which would require commercial companies to pay a fee and be licensed by the borough before doing any commercial filming within the borough . The other two, which make 15 new ordinances since Council organized in January, include exceeding the budget and raising the cap, a routine in many municipalities which enables the borough to set aside a budget amount as a protective measure but dictates no additional expenditure of funds, and an ordinance to transfer unused funds from prior projects to roads and sidewalk improvements. Each of the proposed codes appears in full on the borough’s official website page. By resolution, and over the objection of Councilwoman Linda Mazzola, the Mayor and Council authorized giving $10000 to the Business Partnership as full payment for the BPP owned sign on Linden Avenue at Route 36 . The sign was damaged during a winter storm and subsequently cleared from the borough road by the Public Works Department and destroyed at the borough public works yard. Mayor Carolyn Broullon, in response to Mazzola’s objections to not pursuing further possibilities of insurance coverage, said all avenues had been exhausted. In defending the $10,00 payout, she said should the BPP take the matter to court, it would cost the borough at least twice that amount. No one addressed Mazzola’s suggestion that the community might rather join together and work with the governing body on a fund raiser to pay for the damaged sign. Other resolutions included payment of bills, refunding a tax overpayment and overpayments of road opening permits, naming Luke Bollerman to a one year term ending Dec. 31, 2021 on the Economic Development Board, naming Martin Hawley to a one year term as a special police officer when needed, amending the temporary budget, naming the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes parish the chaplain for the local police department, amending the borough’s agreement with the Police Department’s Local PBA to enable more flexible hours for officers and senior officers working as detectives in research and investigations, and approving LOSAP payments for local volunteers. At the recommendation of both Mazzola and Councilman Donald Melnyk, the municipal administrator and the municipal engineer will make at least one report monthly at public meetings on their activities during that month. Both councilmembers praised the work of the professionals, and noted the public had a right to hear the advancements they make and the work it takes to complete that work. Though council made no reference to it during the meeting, local resident Kim Skorka, during the public portion, asked if dog licenses would be enforced. She said her question was prompted by the recent finding of a rabid raccoon in the borough which had apparently had interaction with a cat. While there are apparently no rabid cats in the borough because of the incident, Skorka said it made her realize that from her perusal fewer than 50 per cent of dogs in town are licensed, and while many may be vaccinated against rabies, nonetheless the local ordinance should be enforced. In response Broullon indicated they would check to see the canine population and whether it is licensed or whether more action should be taken. During the public portion, resident Joseph Nardone assailed both the Middletown Building Department and code enforcement officer William Brunt for the delay he said he has faced in securing the necessary approvals he needs for his business on Bay ave. While the residential section of his two story building has received a certificate of occupancy, he said the business portion has been delayed. He said many others have complained about the building department, which handles the borough’s permits and hinted that some business might be “better connected” in order to get their permits. Tricia Rivera made reference to the same “connections,” noting that Captain’s Cove Marina, long a topic of discussion and descension in the borough, has failed to obtain the business certificate of occupancy she cited as a municipal law. Borough attorney Brian Chabarek conceded he is not certain of the need or the law she cited, but would investigate and report back.

It was former Atlantic Highlands Mayor Helen Marchetti's 96th birthday April 7 and neighbors wanted to join in the celebration. Brian and Erin Dougherty, and children Sloane, Piper and Becket had Card in the Garden, a local company, create this giant front yard greeting so the passing public could also share the former mayor's natal day. (Becket is photographed with Helen)

ATL. HIGHLANDS - More than two dozen residents turned out Tuesday morning for the installation of the first Little Free Library kit installed at the Municipal Yacht Harbor. Former Mayor Randi LeGrice, who is vice president of the Friends of the Atlantic Highlands Library spoke during the dedication and explained the program, part of the Friend’s celebration of National Library Week. Located next to the Senior Center Building, the miniature bookcase is part of the Little Free Library, a non-profit organization and the world’s biggest book sharing program with more than 100,000 registered Little Free Libraries in 80 countries. With a motto of “Take a book, Share a book”, the mission is to create communities of readers by sharing books. After purchasing the kit, Friends of the Library member Ken Grasso volunteered to oversee the project. He and an anonymous volunteer constructed, painted, and installed the Little Free Library stand in a planter box they built. Soil for the planter box was donated by Jaspan’s Hardware, and flowers were donated and planted by MS. LeGrice. As a Registered Little Free Library, this location will be marked on the world map found on the organization’s website: www.littlefreelibrary.org. The idea to participate in the national program has been discussed at several meetings of the Friends group, and the group secured permission from the Harbor Commission to set up the library box. The first Little Free Library was installed by a Third Ave resident years ago; however its location does not appear on the official map. A recent Library was installed by another resident on East Washington near the south entrance to the Lenape Woods. Both it and the Friends of the Library box appear on the location map at: www.littlefreelibrary.org The Friends of the Atlantic Highlands Library are the stewards, and will share re stocking and maintaining it. All of visitors at this week’s ceremony at the Yacht Harbor brought books to donate, giving the new program a good start. As more are needed, the Friends will publicize that need on media, but members also noted the concept of a Little Free Library is share a book, take a book.

MANALAPAN - The Monmouth County Library is celebrating National Library Week every week in April, and offering a variety of virtual programs and activities in addition to the already popular weekly programs, book clubs, author talks and support groups. In celebration of spring, Hummingbirds, a virtual program presented by Rutgers Master Gardener Ann Sherwood, will be presented Thursday, April 8 at 3 p.m. Sherwood will highlight the life of the world’s smallest and most fascinating bird, explaining its ecosystem and migration, how to attract it and the benefits of hummingbirds in the garden. The program will be presented on Webex, is free of charge with registration necessary prior to noon on Wednesday, April 7. For a full review of all the special programs being offered by the library in April, visit www.MonmouthCountyLib.org or connect @MonCOLibrary.

MANALAPAN – Author and researcher Rebecca Freimann will speak on her book on the Holocaust in commemoration of Remembrance Day on Friday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m. at the Monmouth County Library. Freimann will speak on her book Family Tree: Rooted in Survival, the result of her eight years of research into favirou9s sides of her family. The story and her talk will depict and explain the struggles each of the families went through, the separations they endured and how their history has impacted lives today. Although the Holocaust remembrance is actually April 7 this year, it is commemorated throughout the week from the prveiou9s to the following Sunday, April 11. The program will be presented virtually on ZOOM and is free of charge. Registration and internet access are required to attend. Register is necessary and available at www.MonmoutthCounty lib. The link will be emailed April 8 between 3:00 and 4:00 pm, after registration closes at noon.

ATL. HIGHLANDS - The Atlantic Highlands Friends of the Library is celebrating National Library Week this week installing a Little Free Library at the Municipal Yacht Harbor. The dedication will take place next to the Senior Center Building Tuesday, April 6 at 11:00 A.M. and the public is invited to attend. The Little Free Library is a non-profit organization and the world’s biggest book sharing program with more than 100,000 registered Little Free Libraries in 80 countries. Their motto is “Take a book, Share a book”, and their mission is to create communities of readers by sharing books. The Friends of the Library felt the Harbor location ideal for residents and visitors alike, and approval for the space next to the Senior building was granted by the Harbor Commission in 2019. However, the timeline for completion of the project had its share of delays, including the Covid pandemic. After purchasing the kit, Friends of the Library member Ken Grasso volunteered to oversee the project. He and an anonymous volunteer constructed, painted, and installed the Little Free Library stand in a planter box they built. Soil for the planter box was donated by Jaspan’s Hardware, and flowers were donated and planted by another member of the Friends of the Library. As a Registered Little Free Library, this location will be marked on the world map found on the organization’s website: www.littlefreelibrary.org.

MIDDLETOWN - The AAUW Northern Monmouth County Branch Used Book Sale is thriving this year, with shelves bursting with more than 5,000 good quality used books. The active Branch has a large inventory of DVD’s and children’s books at present and each week more items are added to the sale. April specials include 50% off gardening, pets, humor and poetry. Books are priced at $3.00 for hardcover and $2.00 for paperbacks. Children’s books are a bargain at 10 to 50 cents each! The sale is open every Saturday from 9-1 pm at the Old First Church, 69 Kings Highway. Regular Saturday hours are 9 am to 1 pm, through the last Saturday in June (excluding major holidays). Covid protocols are in place. For information regarding donations please refer to the Branch website aauw-nj-nmcb.org or by calling 732-275-2237. Proceeds from the AAUW Used Book Sale provide university and college scholarships for women and girls and support local projects such as promoting STEM education for middle school girls.

The Monmouth County Library is probably one of the very best resources in so many fields that is available easily, readily and at no charge. It offers everything from great programs activities, books, movies and even gardening and writer workshops for teens to on line workshops for Yoga and folk music from around the world. Beginning Thursday, April 8 and continuing Thursday evenings through June 24, the library is offering classes to all green card holders on how to become a United States Citizen. The program is co-sponsored by Catholic Charities and Literacy NJ Monmouth and runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each class. Not a bad idea for folks who are already American citizens to sit in on as well, considering it includes explanations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, which we all don’t exactly remember all the time. Check out everything the Library offers at www.MonmouthCountyLib.org or connect at @MonCoLibrary. It isn’t all about books (though there are thousands there as well, all available for rental from any of the branches or the headquarters facility in Manalapan.