Atlantic Highlands -There’s no doubt about it, living in a small town and the friendliest of communities gives you lots of reasons to be happy and appreciate those who work here, but especially around Christmas and even the days after it means more than ever.
For me, in the couple of days since Christmas, it was the Public Works Department once again who I think makes it a requirement to be cheery, hardworking, helpful, and ready to take on anything as requirements for working for Atlantic Highlands. At the recycling yard, with so many families depositing all the cardboard boxes and wrappings from the holiday, staff was right on hand to be sure the recycling van was not overflowing and was always able to take on the recyclables, together with with all the containers for bottles and cans. Those guys really work.
There are so many great postal employees in this borough’s post office, but since Rachel is mine, she’s the one I think is best, yet I know others in other parts of town who think theirs is the best. They’re all terrific and all did an outstanding job in spite of so much cold and bad weather. But then, they always do.
The post office…federal office, that is…. Isn’t as considerate of their customers. There re plenty of signs saying the post office is Closed New Year’s Day. Of course it is. It’s a Sunday this year. But not one of those signs says that since the holiday is a Sunday, it’s Monday, Jan. 2 that they’re closed. So when you don’t get mail next Monday, don’t worry….the post office didn’t bother to make it clear that it’s not a workday for them.
Then there are the local businesses that always seem to have just what you want or need. You expect it at Bayshore Pharmacy which looks like it’s as much a gift and elegant boutique as it is the outstanding pharmacy with the personal t0uch everyone about. But in addition to all their local and beach oriented gifts, there are some great last minute ideas at all prices.
Heck, even Renaissance, that cluster of neat little booths offering all kinds of used, sometimes new, but hard to find ideas, is a great shopping stop. Found the perfect trio of elephants for someone who loves pachyderms and collects all manner of them. He loved what I found there. What’s more, I found it at the shop run by one of the local churches, so it was kind of giving twice, once with the purchase that aided the church’s mission of helping those in need, the other with the smile the used huge grey elephant gave to the recipient.
Then there’s always Jaspan’s where sunshine, great customer service and a helpful staff are at their very best year round. But finding gifts in a hardware store is kind of fun and means making a difference to the recipient whether it be a tool chest, replacement tools, a gift certificate for goodies for the birds.
Of course any restaurant or eatery in town is terrific for gift certificates that keep the spirit year round, the First Avenue Playhouse offers something different, and the plant store brings life to the season.
Don’t you love just shopping in town?
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