Music at the Mansion will feature singer and songwriter Renee Maskin at the Strauss Mansion Friday, August. 30.
The Songwriter and female artist of the year for 2023 will be accompanied by Atlantic Highlands’ own Cranston Dean.
Compared to singers Joni Mitchell and Boby Dylan, Maskin is touring the tri-stage area this summer and will be at the mansion for an outdoor concert beginning at 7:30. The singer’s genre is folk, country and rock with a voice geared to easy listening.
Guests are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and favorite beverage for the event.
Tickets are available for purchase at www.ahhistory.org/events or could also be purchased at the door the evening of the event.
The Reverend Stanley Lukaszewski…Father Stas…will offer the annual Mater Dei Mass of Remembrance scheduled for Saturday, September 21t at noon at St. Mary, Mother of God Church, New Monmouth.
Graduates, families of graduates and others affiliated with the former Mater Dei High School are invited to serve as readers, gift bearers or Eucharistic Ministers for the mass which honors deceased teachers, priests, nuns, staff, and graduates of Mater Dei High School since its first graduating class of 1965.
Father Stas, who served as parochial vicar at St Mary’s for many years and is always popular with Mater Dei students both for spiritual guidance and friendship, retired from the priesthood in 2020 and is in residence in Trenton as well as serving as weekend assistant at churches in Hamilton Square and Willingboro.
He recently celebrated his 45th anniversary in the priesthood, having been ordained by Bishop George W. Ahr in May 1979. Father Stas also served as pastor in parishes in Manasquan as well as St. Barnabas in Bayville and held numerous positions throughout the Trenton diocese and the Knights of Columbus.
Tradition and remembrance die hard among Seraphs, and this Mass is no different. For those who went to Mater Dei High School in the mid-1970s and onward in the 20th century, there was always Thomas C. Murray, the award-winning history teacher whom students loved and regarded as an outstanding educator, friend, and leader.
Mr. Murray did more than teach history in a classroom. He taught each of the students to become good decent adults, to commit themselves to helping others, to always do the right thing. He kept up with his former students as well. He had taught at Essex Catholic High School in Newark before coming to Mater Dei during his four decades as an educator.
A graduate of Fordham University and Iona College, he devoted his last years to writing and authored several books, including one on poetry and another, “Just a Kid from Hell’s Kitchen,” a biography. He was an actor and a playwright, and a member of the ACLU.
In June of 2007, TC, as he was affectionately known, reached out to his Mater Dei family with the idea of an annual Mass of Remembrance, to ensure that graduates of the high school who died would continue to be remembered by their alma mater.
He put together the first Mass of Remembrance, that year with former classmates of deceased members among those reading the Necrology so teachers, staff, priests, nuns and students, would be remembered.
When it was over, TC reached out to one of the alumni, Mari Campanella Kovach, whom he had asked to help with the first Remembrance Mass and asked her to be sure the annual Mass would continue. Mari willingly agreed and assured her former teacher she would.
TC died in June the following year.
Mari and a dedicated team of Mater Dei alumni have continued the annual mass every year since.
Father Stas is also continuing the tradition of former parish clergy offering the remembrance mass. When he offered the remembrance mass last year, he was following the tradition that included another clergy who came back to New Monmouth for the annual memorial.
Members of the Mass of Remembrance Committee include those who have made the commitment to TC besides Kovach Class of ’78, including Cathy Daniels, class of ’79, and Tom Dooley, Class of ’65.
After the final blessing of the mass, the names of those in the school’s Memorial Necrology, along with their graduation years, will be ready by former classmates, friends, and family members of those being honored. Always included in the Memorial are Monsignor. Robert T. Bulman, Founder of Mater Dei High School, and Founding Principal Mother Bede Loob, OSF, and other former principals and school administrators who have died.
Approximately 500 alumni and staff will be remembered in the mass on Saturday September 21, marking all those who have died since the school’s first graduating class of 1965 and who are on the school’s Necrology List.
A special invitation is extended to family members of Seraphs who have died as well as alumni from the classes celebrating their milestone reunions: 1969, 1974, 1979, 1989, 1984, 1999, 1994, 2009, 2004, 2014, 2019.
It was great fun being at the ribbon cutting for Saltwater Social on Bay Avenue in Highlands this week, seeing the happy faces of Mike and Nick Metzger and all their families, and learning that more than 40 local people are employed in this new pub and eatery.
There were a lot of laughs and guessing games as to the number of different bars that have been in this location, and the names of each over the years. Only a handful of us could remember Cap Wheelers from back in the 1950s, but all remember it was always a bar.
Particularly loved Jay Cosgrove’s comment that when it was between owners and being renovated for Saltwater Social, it marked probably the longest time in history that a bar was not open there! Jay was among the first to welcome a fellow restaurateur to town and let him know how the borough welcomes great restaurants and the diners they bring into town. Bahrs is the grandfather of them all and still a great place to dine, inside or out, at Moby’s or in the 100-year-old dining room of the former boathouse.
Like Bahrs, Saltwater Social is more a very nice restaurant than a bar, though at the new restaurant, similar to Bahrs, there are also comfortable chairs and table dining. Mike long since made his mark at the Red Store, so came with a following to his very own restaurant…..or are many of them coming for his mom’s crumb cake too????….., but judging from the appetizers served during the ribbon cutting ceremonies, dinners are varied, large, unique and delicious.
Cheers once again to Valerie Montecalvo and the entire Montecalvo family of business for how attractive and clever they have designed and renovated Saltwater Social. Where the windows are frosted, there are very attractive ocean scenes; the coordinates on the bar lead any mariner to the place, and the nautical pillows along the comfy wall seats are sophisticated in their black and white design.
Whether it’s Chilango’s for Mexican food down the road a piece, One Willow at the far end of town, the Proving Ground on Shrewsbury Avenue, the Girls Café at Washington Avenue or Off the Hook on the hill or any of the other eateries in town, Highlands can still hold its own as the town with great restaurants and great bars. With even more to come, it seems!
So happy for all those involved in Saltwater Social, but happier yet to see so many other wonderful things happening in town. Yes, it looks so different from a few decades ago, too much building and cementing over open space, meaning more flooding in areas that never saw it before, but a much livelier and expanded shopping area as well. Look for another ribbon cutting in the not to distant future for the wonderful neighborhood market and gourmet restaurant that is opened at the other end of town on Waterwitch Avenue. Right next to the already highly acclaimed Garden florist, the new grocery store is overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables, both the everyday and the exotic, as well as shelves full of great gourmet and interesting foods…their supply of a variety of olive oils is enough to make you want to try something new then pick up some crackers or fresh breads to go with it. Don’t know if it’s a regular thing, but this week there were also some very generous and tantalizing samples to try while looking through the pastas, canned goods, sauces, boxed mixes and more in a much-needed grocery store right in town.
Not so great was seeing all the flooding on Huddy Avenue at Recreation place, and other streets in a section of town that never had water other than Hurricane Donna in 1960 and of course Sandy. But hopefully that’s a temporary thing that will be fixed shortly. Also inconvenient is all the work being done on Linden Avenue, but kudos to both the company doing the work and the Highlands police for keeping traffic moving smoothly swiftly and safely. Sea Streak brings a ton of cars down before every sailing, and the drivers are all in a hurry to find a parking spot and catch the boat. Highlands’ finest are doing a super job keeping those coming down from the highway via Waterwitch separated from those coming down Linden to the Waterwitch intersection in spite of everyone’s rush to be someplace else.
Good things are happening in Highlands, and more to come in the not-too-distant future. Just don’t want its efforts to keep up with the century and accommodate even more residents see it lose its charm, its family beaches like the Miller Street Beach or the Bridge Beach, its beautiful parks or its historic significance.
Success The crowd spilled out onto Bay Avenue, joining Mayor Carolyn Broullon, Borough Council members and the Highlands Business Partnership members officially welcoming Saltwater Social as the newest restaurant in the borough.
Mayor Broullon joined co- owner and chef Mike Mentzer in cutting the ribbon and officially opening the three-story restaurant and bar that has been opened for several weeks and drawing large crowds to enjoy not only their seafood but the beef, pork and other entrees along with featured specials every night.
Saltwater Social, located at 128 Bay Avenue, in the historic building that has always been home to a bar or restaurant, was completely designed, renovated, and restored by a variety of contractors under the Montecalvo Family of businesses, which includes Bayshore Recycling as well as numerous contractors. Highlands resident Valerie Montecalvo, a principal in the family-owned business, was present for the ribbon cutting and congratulated the owners of the community as another business proud to be located in the borough.
Mayor Broullon welcomed “Mike and Company” and termed the restaurant the “perfect addition to the town known for its fine and varied restaurants.” She noted that based on the number of guests who have already diner as the restaurant, “the world really leaked out about its excellence.” The mayor also offered the help and assistance of the council and urged the owners if there’s anything the borough could do, “just reach out.”
Jay Cosgrove, owners of Bahrs Restaurant, the oldest and most historic restaurant in the borough and president of the Business Partnership, also welcomed the new owners and praised the teamwork among contractors, borough officials and the partnership in helping the restaurant open.
Carla Cefalo, administrator of the Partnership, also welcomed the new business and member, wishing them success and assuring them of assistance whenever needed.
The restaurant is owned by brothers Michael and Nick, and their sister, Valerie, and all expressed they’re thanks to the borough and residents for their warm welcome.
The Rev. Martin McGrail said a benediction for the business, expressing prayers that it will bring prosperity not only to the owners, but to the borough, and all those who dine there. He said the faith and perseverance of the owners is a blend that will be rewarded.
That it is a family business includes the siblings and their parents, Gil and Karen Bowers, with Karen continuing to make the crumb cake for which she was famous when Mike owned and operated the Red Store in Navesink.
Carton Brewery recreated one of its classic brews, 07732, now designed exclusively for Saltwater Social. Ask for the beverage in the specially designed Saltwater Social glass.
The facility which features a bar equipped with five TVs over the bar as well as tables on the first floor, an intimate small dining room a flight of steps up overlooking the bar area, and a full dining room that seats more than 60 at the top level, is designed in striking black and white decor, with the precise coordinates of its location imprinted on the bar for easy access by any mariner.
The menu ranges from soups, salads, sandwiches to dinner entrees as well as a children’s menu. There are also sharable plates and unique cocktails and craft beers.
The restaurant is open for dinner six days a week after 4 p.m., closed Mondays, and open Fridays through Sundays at 11 a.m. for bar fare. For more information about Saltwater Social visit saltwatersocialnj.com or call 732-444-2055.
NWS Earle Both the US Army and the US Navy sought out numerous locations to build an ammunitions depot in the New York area during World War II before deciding on Leonardo for the dock and Colts Neck for the administrative offices. With the third ship named after the Garden State, the NEW JERSEY (SSN796) planned to be commissioned at the Leonardo pier on September 14, the history of how the site was selected to protect the New York Harbor shows the detail military leaders studied before making a final decision.
It was even before the onset of World War II that both the Army and Navy realized the necessity of creating a base that would enable them to load explosives in the New York port area. Army and Navy officers had studied the World War I record concerning loading of explosives activity in Sandy Hook Bay, so the Army was looking to put a depot somewhere in that area.
Caven Point in Jersey City had been a principal loading area during World War II; however, military officials recognized the dangers of explosive loading there because of its proximity to highly populated areas.
Both the Army and Navy explored locations in Port Monmouth, Spermaceti Cove, Cheesequake, Connecticut shoreline, Long Island, the Hudson River and Whitings.
Port Monmouth seems to be best, based on existing channels, nearby harbors, tides, currents, wind, visibility, ice conditions and subsurface conditions.
Port Monmouth was perfect! Except that it would mean acquisition of the many homes and businesses in that small community of Middletown Township.The plan was abandoned, and the studies continued.
But so did the war, and the need escalated. The Navy continued its search, citing possibilities in Long Island Sound, Long Island, Brooklyn and more, finding most of them impractical because of navigation difficulties, ship passage that would be required under bridges and over tunnels, and again, vastly populated areas.
So the Army and Navy explored the areas around Port Monmouth again, mapping the entire area after flying over Monmouth County, and finally decided Leonardo would be best and would disturb the least amount of people. Further, there was forested land so a rail could be built between there and more open areas in Colts Neck.
The Chief of Naval Operations declined to accept their plan to build a $ 21 million ammunition depot. Admiral William Henry Blandy, still convinced it was the proper and best location, reduced the costs, eliminating what he felt might be considered non-essential parts of the depot in his efforts to ensure the Port of New York would remain safe as the war continued to escalate. He presented a $14 million project which was approved by the Secretary of the Navy in June, 1943.
Work began in the administrative office in August 1943. By the following month, the first building at Earle was completed, staff moved in, telephone lines were installed, rights of way were established for the pier area and railroad, and Admiral Blandy continued to pursue more funds to continue construction of what he was certain would be necessary to meet the needs of the Port of New York and the logistics of the war.
Captain Burton H. Green was name commanding officer of Naval Ammunitions Depot Earle Oct. 20, 1943.
Admiral Blandy died in 1950 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The joy of fishing fishing off the dock in Highlands with his dad and brother to owning his own seafood restaurant in the borough will be celebrated Monday, August 19 when the Mayor and Council officiate at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the borough’s newest restaurant, Saltwater Social.
Saltwater Social, located at 128 Bay Ave. has been open for several weeks but representatives of the borough and the Highlands Business Partnershipwill officially welcome the dining room and pub at ceremonies beginning at 2 p.m. today.
Chef Mike Metzner, who owns the new dining facility with his brother Nick and sister-in-law Sherilyn Metzer, is the former owner and chef at Mike’s Little Red Store in Navesink.
But the Johnson and Wales University graduate has always wanted to own his own restaurant with an accent on fresh fish in the borough where he and Nick fished with their father as youngsters.
In addition to graduating from one of the nation’s leading culinary universities, Mike also studied under Chefs Four Diamond Award winner Nicholas Herrera, David Santos, former chef at Restaurant Nicholas and Craig Shelton., a pioneer in the farm to table movement in the culinary field.
Saltwater Social is both an elegant quiet dining room experience with a nautical theme, as well as a separate downstairs traditional bar with TV for watching sporting events.
The upstairs dining room offers a wide range of fare, from soups and salads, to sandwiches, dinner entrees, a kids menu, and delicious desserts. They have huge selections of sharable plates, with a great cocktail and local craft beer menu.
Saltwater Social also offers catering onsite and offsite, with both a catering menu and a custom boutique menu, where Mike sits with the customer and creates something unique to fit their iddeas. The restaurant offers catering at in-home parties, and various venues, as well as the restaurant made available for private parties of up to 80 people.
Saltwater Social is open Tuesday through Thursday, 4pm –11pm and Friday through Sunday, 11am – 11pm. For more information about Saltwater Social visit saltwatersocialnj.com or call 732-444-2055.
With the US Navy’s newest submarine, the New Jersey, (SSN 796) scheduled to be commissioned at NWS Earle’s pier in Leonardo on September 14, it is interesting to look back on the history of this naval installation that was built during World War II and encompasses 11,027.44 acres between Middletown and Colts Neck, with headquarters in Colts Neck and the world’s longest three vessel pier in Leonardo.
In its book containing maps, letters, documents and comments from crew, employees, and local residents at the onset of the base, the description of how Colts Neck and Leonardo appeared before construction began is interesting poetic and would most likely be criticized in the 21st century. But it is a charming piece of American and local history.
The book begins, as written shortly after the base opened:
“Earle was, in the beginning, largely oak forest and woodland swamp, glen paradise for deer and other game. Pheasant and fox, deer and rabbit dwelt here in a world of their own, with only the baying of an occasional hound or the tread of an occasional hunter to astound them into seeking cover. Even now, on bleak winter mornings, as we sit comfortably at breakfast in the windowed wardroom of our BOQ, we can smile to see a hen quail,; like a plump little bandy-legged woman, waddling over the crusted snow to our charitable handout of bread crumbs, her little family aligned behind her. Even now, on hot summer nights, as we return tired through the magazine areas, we may stop breathless as a stag, head lifted at the sound of our voices, stands in majesty, silhouetted against the rising moon atop a magazine.
Along its fringes and roadways a few ‘blind pigs’ had blinked their pale eyes during the Volstead Era and stories of violence in its quicksands are not yet entirely forgotten. Two of these legendary establishments still remained when the leveling of the land for what was to be the Main Gate commenced.
Leonardo, too, was not without its romantic history. Skirting its shoes had stood a cluster of gay little houses of prostitution to which harried New York business ladies were wont to retire during the summer months in order to play their trade in a cooler, quieter atmosphere.
It was June 23, 1943, when the Secretary of the Navy approved an ammunition depot in the New York area at an estimated cost of $14,000,000. The Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance urged that the cost be increased in order to provide a depot which would be adequate to meet the needs of the Port of New York and the logistics of this war. Final costs, including Army expansion, were $58,000,000. The Bureau of Ordnance named this depot after Rear Admiral Ralph A. Earle, the Chief of the Bureau during the First World War.
Rear Admiral Ralph A. Earle
Of the total acreage, Leonardo includes 81.16 acres and the railroad right of way between headquarters and the waterfront base is 200 acres. The railroad is 125 miles long to cover the 14-mile distance between the two sites. The pier is two and a half miles long.
Earle Naval Ammunition Depot was officially established December. 13, 1943, and had its own post office and telegraph office as well as fire department.
Councilman James Murphy reported the squad’s increase in work activity over the past two years at last week’s meeting of the Borough and council, praising both Chief Lance Hubeny and the squad for their volunteer efforts.
The July total, coupled with a dozen calls answered during the first two weeks of August, means the squad has answered 296 calls so far in 2024 or an average of 1.5 calls per day.
Murphy also noted that nearly every member of the squad turns out for each call, something he termed “an amazing testament to the commitment of our volunteers to serve and protect our families, businesses and overall residents, not to mention inspirational and dedicated leadership.”
Chief Hubeny also praised the squad, Murphy said, saying he expressed “nothing but love and admiration to the many members that have stepped it up and the line officers that are really working hard as volunteers.”
Murphy said Hubeny is working on plans for 2025 with a focus on continuing the momentum and position in fulfilling the needs of the community. He said the squad approved two new members at its last meeting and one of them is beginning EMT school this month.
The Cadet program for first aid is also doing well, with cadets receiving EMS training every week. Hubeny pointed out in his report that cadets have been instrumental in support during EMS calls and are overseen by a team of EMTS in a program led by Kevin Krippa and Hazel Burke, both Eagle Scouts and qualitied EMTs.
Because of the squad’s acquisition of a new (to them) ambulance, volunteers have also been able to respond to mutual aid calls in neighboring Highlands.
Hubeny cited a recent incident when the Highlands squad had an ambulance fire in which one member was injured and had to be transported to the hospital.
The Highlands squad is down to a single emergency vehicle, so line officers of 85-21, the Atlantic Highlands squad, will continue to offer mutual aid during their need, Hubeny said, citing the many times the Highlands squad has assisted this borough in the past.
Reporting on a variety of programs within the Department of Public Works, Murphy also noted that the state Department of Transportation has installed a battery backup system in the state’s traffic light at Route 36 and First Ave. This will enable the light to function when there is power cessation until power is restored or an alternate generator system can be supplied, the councilman said.
What Would We Do Without Them? What Would We Do Without Them? What Would We DoWhat Would We Do Without Them? Without Them? What Would We Do Without Them? What Would We Do Without Them?
The world premiere of a movie filmed in the Bayshore will be featured at Smodcastle Cinemas, First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, on Saturday, August 24 at 4:30 p.m.
The film, The 4:30 Movie, was filmed in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands and specifically at the theater itself and is being presented as a fund raiser by Smodcastle-Cinemas, a 501-C non-profit organization seeking to restore and maintain the historic significance of the theater.
All tickets for the showing will be tax deductible.
Set in the summer of 1986, The 4:30 MOVIE is a coming-of-age story about three sixteen year old friends (played by Austin Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo and Reed Northrup) who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local multiplex.
But when one of the guys also invites the girl of his dreams (Siena Agudong) to see the latest comedy, each of the teens will learn something serious about life and love before the credits roll.
Set in the mobile phoneless, social media-free era of the 80’s, The 4:30 MOVIE was shot at Smodcastle Cinemas. And directed by Highlands native Kevin Smith.
He and other theater co-owners Ashley DiGennaro, Tony Zertuche , Jeff Swanson and Ernie O’Donnell, helped preserve the century-old theater from demolition two years ago and continue to operate it as a popular community movie house, as well as setting for live
Finding two handsome young boys selling three varieties of iced beverages on a really warm day is enough to make anyone happy, and that’s what happened to me today.
J&J Lemonade Stand, with owners Julian and JW, was set up on Avenue D in Atlantic Highlands near West Highland Avenue this week and the stand looked so clean and inviting it was too good to turn down.
J&J introduced themselves, asked whether I wanted Iced Tea, Iced lemonade or an Arnold Palmer…a combination of the two, and quoted the prices, cheap enough for sure.
While one of the J’s took a plastic cup out a sealed bag, filled it with ice from a spotlessly clean chest and the other J poured my a giant sized drink, they told me they set up their stand, not so much for the money they are making, but for the “fun of meeting people and spending some time with my friends.”
Neither one was sure what he would do with his well-earned cash, though both had some ideas. One thought he’d save it for a bike so he could ride to his classes at Bayshore; the other, a Henry Hudson student, thought he’d put it into his savings account for college. He wants to be a theoretical physicist, he informed me, not knowing I didn’t even know what that was! So he explained it, explained his goals, and after further questions, did concede he was an honor student in school now.
Congratulations to two young men who are taking up a tradition that has been around since kids wanted to make money and enjoy friends.
Look for these guys next week when they might be back in the same locale on a Wednesday afternoon. If not there, perhaps someplace else in town.
If not them, perhaps there are other young entrepreneurs doing more on the lazy days of summer than simply enjoying the sun, the ocean and sand. They’re making new friends, learning how to deal in business, and saving up for the future.
Also made me happy to see so many friends show up for the 7 a.m. Memorial Mass for former Mayor Helen Marchetti at St. Agnes Church.
Both past Commodore Ed Newins and Fire Auxiliary President Mickey Rast and other auxiliary members came in uniform to honor their former beloved member; the pastor, Father Jarlath, also told some heartwarming stories about the nonagenarian who lived practically her whole life across the street from St. Agnes.
Thanks to Barbara and Bill Kornek, Helen’s niece and nephew, for inviting so many to join them in remembering the former Mayor, former Mrs. Atlantic Highlands, former helpmate to so many and role model for so many more. It was a lovely, heartwarming final farewell from a town that will never forget native and former Mayor Helen Marchetti.
