The Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce announced the upcoming Health & Wellness Expo set for Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 12pm to 3pm at Brookdale Community College Student Life Center. This event is open to the public and will feature a variety of health and wellness resources, activities, and demonstrations.
Interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor? Learn more about showcasing your products or services by visiting EMACC.org or call our office at 732-741-0055.
The Health & Wellness Expo will offer attendees the opportunity to Learn about the latest health trends and innovations, connect with local healthcare providers and wellness experts, participate in interactive workshops and demonstrations and meet local vendors dedicated to improving the health and wellness of our community
“We are thrilled to host this event and provide our community with a valuable opportunity to improve their overall health and well-being,” said Jennifer Eckhoff, Executive Director of EMACC. “Our goal is to create a fun and informative experience that inspires people to take charge of their health.”
The Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1928 has supported our business community for almost 100 years. EMACC plays an essential role in the health of the business community regionally and statewide. Proudly serving Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls. All are welcome! Call for more information 732-741-0055 or send us an email at membership@emacc.org for membership details.
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The Reverend Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish will hold its annual Veterans day breakfast honoring veterans of all military branches on Sunday. November 10 from 9 a.m. to noon in the OLPH school gym, Miller St. Highlands.
The catholic men/s organization, which is part of the international Knights of Columbus, has long been known for its attention to the military and veterans as well as the poor and those especially in need. The local Council has sponsored numerous events for the OLPH St Agnes parish, and their fall entertainment dinners have become a tradition attract a standing room crowd each year.
The public is invited to the annual breakfast to honor all veterans and recalls the sacrifices they have made in all branches of the service in every war since World War II.
Veterans who are members of the local American Legion and VFW posts in Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Leonardo have been invited to attend and be recognized. Public officials in the local boroughs have also been invited to attend and honor the military.
There is no charge for the breakfast, an event the Knights hold each month, however, donations are always accepted.
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Highlands Historical Society President Sheila Weinstock will present a special afternoon program at the Atlantic Highlands Senior Center giving the history of Veterans Day, celebrating and honoring all veterans, Saturday, on November 2, at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend and honor and learn more about the contributions, sacrifices and hopes of the people of New Jersey between 1910 and 1920, focusing on “the war to end all wars,” World War I.
Weinstock will trace the history of Veterans Day, first created in 1918 as Armistice Day; ton November 11, when at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the armistice was signed ending the first world war.
Weinstock will highlight New Jersey and World War I: Before, During and After Armistice Day in Monmouth County and how this County was critical to the war effort. She will discuss the run up to the war and the extent to which NJ’s geography and resources made the impact of NJ industries essential.
The NJ military installations and support services, primary among them Ft. Monmouth’s Signal Corps were crucial to the Allied success, the great flu epidemic, Woodrow Wilson’s Long Branch White House, the state’s pharmaceutical industry and the profound effect of the war on art, culture, the role of women and African Americans during and after the Armistice will all be discussed during the society president’s talk.
Calling them a “clique”referring to present interim school board chosen by members of the three boards of education rather than elected by voters, a group known as Hudson Kids First is supporting three Highlands residents for the board of election.
The group sent out letters to residents in both Highlands and Atlantic Highlands this week supporting their candidates in the November 5 election.
Hudson Kids First, with Donica Basinger as chairperson, Philip Spatola as treasurer and Arthur Gallagher as political director, sent the two-page letter citing two issues that their candidates feel have failed both the borough’s taxpayers and students.
The letter, entitled “Break Up the Clique! pointed out every one of the incumbents on the board appointed in July awarded a five year, one million dollar contract to its superintendent, including a telephone, travel expenses and other perks.
The letter also indicated that because of the board’s vote, administration at Henry Hudson Regional “are paid on a par with those of much larger and more complex regional districts, and described Henry Hudson regional district, with its three schools in two towns, as one of the smaller regional districts in the state.
The Hudson Kids First committee also took issue with the incumbent board’s failure to taxpayers and students by thwarting voters from voting on a referendum to include Sea Bright in the district, saying “they had indulged in and exacerbated the obstacles to a referendum, rather than working cooperatively with the boroughs to overcome obstacles.”
“They say they are for regionalization, but their actions have been contrary to their rhetoric,” the letter states.
Highlands and Sea Bright do have a question on the November ballot seeking the taxpayers’ opinion on whether Sea Bright should be included in the district with Highlands and Atlantic Highlands.
Atlantic Highlands chose not to put the opinion-seeking question on the ballot after the mayor indicated such a vote would be “frivolous.”
Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner
“Our kids and the taxpayers who pay for the schools deserve a board comprised of hardworking independent thinkers who will do the research and set the policies that will deliver the best possible educational opportunities at the most efficient costs, “the letter continued.
Hudson Kids First made it clear they support Suzanne Thomas, a lifelong borough resident, retired school nurse and former member of the Highlands school board who is running for the three year term, Gina Melnyk, a former teacher and former school board member who the letter describes as a candidate who “does her homework and speaks her mind to power.”. and Kevin Ege, a finance professional running with ‘Accountability” as his slogan, running for the two one-year terms.
Rebecca Wells and Diane Knox are unopposed for election to the two two-year terms open in November, so, barring a surprise write-in campaign they are expected to win the two seats.
The three candidates strongly supported by Hudson Kids First in Highlands, the letter continued, “are committed to improving our kids’ educational opportunities, reducing the burden on property taxpayers and overcoming the obstacles to regionalization with Sea Bright.” They urge sending a strong message to members of “the Clique” by not casting any ballot for the unopposed candidates for the two year terms since “they are going to be elected anyway with just their friends and families’ vote” .
“Let’s elect thoughtful independent leaders to the board of education, “the Hudson Kids First team urged, adding the message should also be sent to the administration and the incumbents that “we want the best education possible for Hudson kids…we want state money and the revenue that Sea Bright would contribute through regionalization.” What they do not want, the letter concluded, “are excuses or rubber stamp board members.”
Hudson Kids First, which is not affiliated with any candidate or candidate committee, identified itself as an independent political committee that paid for the letter and mailing, reminded residents of the importance of voting November 5 since it is “the first opportunity to vote for members of the newly formed Henry Hudson Regional School District.
Highlands voters have the opportunity to name five members to the new board with terms of one, two and three years, while Atlantic Highlands has the opportunity to elect four members to the new nine-member board, with similar staggered terms. Candidates for the three-year terms in both communities are unopposed.
Council President Brian Dougherty, who is also the borough council’s liaison to the Recreation Committee, reported at this week’s meeting of the Mayor and Council just how active., busy and careful the department is with all its programs for children and teens.
In reviewing some of the activities this month, Dougherty noted in an update on the basketball program which will begin in early January, the committee agreed to a proposal by Program Director Caitlin Bottiglieri to move the Little Hoops program for children in Kindergarten and 1st grades to Friday late afternoons.
Games for the other divisions, boys and girls in grades 2 – 8 will remain on Saturdays. The councilman said the committee also discussed and approved a new Code of Conduct for participants and their parents or guardians and all registrants must agree the new code signing up. Registration is now open on AHNJ.com under the Recreation tab. Cost is $95 for each participant in the main program, $60 for Little Hoops.
Dougherty noted the Committee plans to discuss a new coach’s Code of Conduct at its November meeting as well.
The annual Halloween Parade will be on Saturday, October, pushing off from the Harbor at 1 p.m. and finishing in Veteran’s Park. Dougherty said additions this year include a brand-new People’s Choice category for Best Costumes. Spectators will be able to vote via QR code for their favorite costumes.
The Councilman urged all to go to First Avenue on Saturday to check out all the costumes and cast votes! Prizes will be awarded in the categories for the Scariest, Funniest, Most Creative/Original, Best Group and People’s Choice.
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The Middletown Township Police Department will once again participate in the “National Take Back Initiative” in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New Jersey Division, and other state and local law enforcement agencies, Chief R. Craig Weber announced.
The program will occur Saturday, October 26 from 10:00am until 2:00pm at the Middletown Township Police Headquarters, located at 1 Kings Highway.
The goal of the National Take Back Initiative is to provide a safe opportunity for citizens to rid their homes of unused, unwanted, or expired medications by turning these medications over to law enforcement officials for disposal in a non-hazardous manner.
In October last year, New Jersey collected 14,449 pounds of unwanted medication with 240 participating state and local departments, making the bi-annual event a continued success and great benefit to the community.
Participants may dispose of medication(s) in the original container, or by removing the medication from the container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box. Individuals are encouraged to remove any identifying information from prescription labels that may be present. All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids may be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container.
Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens. E-cigarette and vaping devices can also be disposed of only after the batteries are removed.
Middletown Police thanks those who participate in this event, and encourages residents to be mindful of any medications that may be in their households and take precautions to keep them out of the reach of small children.
A new bench facing the Shrewsbury River has been installed at Veterans Park in Highlands, the gift of the Giovenco family honoring their late father and mother, Sal and Juanita Giovenco.
Former residents of Highland Avenue, the Giovencos were active in the borough and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Sal was a retired Sergeant Major in the US Army and later served as secretary to the Henry Hudson Board of Education.
The family donated the bench, one of many at Veterans Park on Bay Avenue that honors veterans and other leaders of the borough over the years, Located on the boardwalk on the riverside of the Park, the bench is situated to allow for reflection on the water while the American flag flying behind it signifies a tribute to the Giovenco’s patriotism.
Family members had recently come from their home in varying states to attend the funeral of former neighbor Billy Ptak, and visited the Park to see where the bench would be located.
When Jane Frotton, a former councilwoman in Atlantic Highlands and former employee of the Red Cross learned that Highlands had adopted a family and a town in North Carolina to help after hurricanes devastated the area, it didn’t take her long to gather up friends to help Highlands in their quest to help their neighbors in the South.
Within a few hours of learning Highlands was transporting goods and funds to help, she advised friends in the American Legion, Post 141, the Atlantic Highlands Fire Auxiliary and the Atlantic Highlands Community Events Committee , knowing each of them is well known for their generosity in helping others.
After giving them details of the Highlands efforts, each of the organizations made donations of hundreds of dollars, Jane added your own, and more than $1000 was presented to Rosemary Ryan of Highlands, who is coordinating the borough’s efforts for aid.
Present for the presentation was Cynthia Fair, representing Valerie Montecalvo, of Highlands. The family owns Bayshore Recycling and several other businesses and are also known for their philanthropy. The Montealvos had advised Highlands they would match monetary donations to their North Carolina aid up to $50,000.
In making the presentation, Frotton said she was moved to tears by stories of the devastation, recalling many other storm damaged areas from the past where she had been assigned and led efforts for rehabilitation and restoration and wanted to part of Highlands efforts to continue the work of reaching out to strangers with assistance.
GROTON, Conn. (July 30, 2004) ñ PCU Virginia (SSN-774), the nationís newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine and the lead ship of its class, returns to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., July 30, following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas ñ called "alpha" sea trials. Virginia is the Navyís only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the warfighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. ìNuclear submarines provide a unique contribution to our nationís security and will be increasingly important in the decades ahead,î said Electric Boat President John Casey. ìThe Virginia and the rest of the ships of its class are designed specifically to incorporate emergent technologies that will provide new capabilities to meet new threats.î Virginia will be delivered to the U.S. Navy this fall. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.
(Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat Public Affairs)
When the USS New Jersey (SSN796) was commissioned at NWS Earle in Leonardo last month, there was considerable discussion on whether it should be referred to as a Ship or a Boat.
The correct term could be either, but the preferred term for Navy submarines is Boat.
According to the Bluejacket’s Manual: The original submarines were very small and manned only when in use, so “boat” was appropriate.
In Naval terminology, a boat is a vessel that is launched or tended from a larger ship. The earliest submarines required support vessels to maintain and launch them, hence they were termed boats.
However, the Bluejacket’s Manual continues to explain “ But as submarines developed into larger vessels—and rightfully should have been called ships—the original term stuck.
When the large nuclear subs began to appear, there was an attempt by some submariners to start calling them ships, but as with many things in the Navy, tradition trumped logic, and today, all submarines—even the giant “boomers” (fleet ballistic-missile submarines)—are called boats.
So three Navy vessels have held the name New Jersey…two battleships, BB16 and BB62, and one boat, SSN796.
Michaelangelo Fountains, statues, outdoor masonry work is all being completed on the Our Lady of Perpetual Help grounds, with volunteers and workmen working together to improve landscaping and exterior esthetics to the Route 36 church in Highlands.
While several volunteers are doing planting, weeding and general landscaping, Stan Wyckoff of DEITHAYNIAN Creations, a firm named for his four children, is repairing and repainting exterior statues on the grounds including the fountain on the front entry walk to the church and the St. Michael the Archangel statue.
The statue of St. Anthony of Padua, located in the church parking lot adjacent to the former OLPH school, was also recently restored and repainted, and other creations around the campus are restored to their former beauty.
At the same time, the bulletin board in front of church and visible from Route 36 has been changed on a regular basis and brought smiles to passersby and motorists with messages that have included “When prayers become your habit, Miracles become your lifestyle.”
The American flag always on display is often flown to honor a particular military veteran.
The Reverend Jarlath Quinn, pastor of OLPH – St Agnes parish, thanked all the workers and volunteers for all they are doing to enhance the exterior appearance of the church, and invited anyone who would like to assist or contribute towards the continued beautification to contact the parish office at parishoffice@olphstagnes.org or by calling 732-291-0272.
