As always, there are so many things that can make any day happy if you just look for them. And yesterday was really a winner for so many varied reasons.
St. Barnabas Church in Bayville hosted a spectacular Holiday Cheer Concert presented by the Toms River Multigenerational Orchestra, a volunteer group of about 50 musicians who obviously love their music and even more, love others to hear it. Under the baton of conductor and music director Susan DeGoey, the violins, violas, sax, Frenc Horn, trumpets, cellos, double bass, flute clarinet trombone, tuba and percussion players filled the church with music from Beethoven and Bizet to Andrews Lloyd Webber, Mel Torme and Leroy Anderson. More than 350 incredibly happy folks filled the church and gave standing ovations to the musicians.
The volunteer musicians rehearsed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, played at an Ocean County YMCA concert, and again at St. Barnabas and are always interested in presenting a concert. If anyone is interested in hosting them, visit Toms River Multigenerational Orchestra (TRMO) on Facebook or e-mail Susan DeGoey (Rosn’Up@ comcast.net. ) They’re also inviting more musicians to join the ranks. They are truly multi-generational, with one family having members in each of three generations, and others having brother and sister teams as part of their spectacular presentations.
Being driven from Monmouth to Ocean County to enjoy the presentation also gave me the opportunity to spend some extra time with my very busy daughter and hear once again how very proud she is of all the cadets at MAST. It also gave me the opportunity to appreciate all the homes and businesses brilliant with lights….in some cases, way too many, but still fun to see…..for the holiday season. JCP&L must be very happy for those December utility bills. But it does make you feel even happier to see them.
Far and away, however, was the spectacular view of Highlands from Sandy Hook at night! In addition to the Twin Lights with its brightly colored Christmas Tree in the South Tower, seeing the Christmas lights on all the homes at all the diverse levels, and Bahrs as a solid foundation by the bridge, is breathtaking. It’s worth a ride over to the Hook after dark simply to admire the view of Highlands.
It was that picture perfect sight on a beautifully moonlit night that also brought the only touch of sadness to a wonderful day. All I could think about is all those plans for 40 and 50 story buildings dotting the lower streets in the borough and completely obliterating the view of the higher streets and their colored lights as well as the very unique landscape that makes Highlands Highlands. With so many chances, it will definitely not be a very inviting town to visit for all those thousands of Sandy Hook visitors all that redevelopment is designed to capture to fill all those new stores on the flood level of those buildings. Coming back into Atlantic Highlands in daylight and having that newest ugly apartment and shop level building with no windows as one of the first things you see on that used-to-be charming First Avenue makes me wonder why on earth anyone wants to redevelop charm and beauty into Hoboken or Jersey City.
