Just heard of something pretty wonderful and offered at no cost to someone who is infirm or in need of a hospital bed. There’s one available in Atlantic Highlands that is a single bed, has side guards, and raises both foot and head from sitting straight up to lying flat comfortable positions. Happy to help someone pick this up if it could help someone in need.
Also there is an upholstered living room chair that is also designed for someone who likes the luxury of being able to sit up straight in the chair or lying pretty well prone.
Let me know by leaving a comment at VeniVidiScripto.com and I can help you out.
Colts Neck resident Michele Battista is active and hardworking in promoting everything the Friends of the Colts Neck Library do. She’s also a hard worker and keeper of all records, telephone receptionist and general all-around perfectionist at her job as office administrator for Colts Neck Realty where she now works part-time. And she has a loving family and a second grandchild on the way to keep her happy and busy in her spare time.
But if there is any one thing this hard working, very organized and very charming lady is really dedicated to, it is promoting early screening for colon cancer, something she is certain will prevent so many people from undergoing what she has undergone and continues to live with.
The good news is Michele Battista is a cancer survivor, and this year she is proud to say it is 13 years she can boast of being a cancer survivor.
The active lady was recently honored and recognized by a variety of groups this year, most recently the Colts Neck Township Committee who commended her at their recent meeting for her advocacy for cancer screening.
The Township Committee applauded Battista for not only for her bravery in going through years of worry, concern and pain but also her determination to overcome the disease herself and dedicate so much of her time to helping others avoid it.
Battista was also presented with a resolution from the New Jersey State Legislature for all her efforts by Assemblyman Margie Donlon as part of the recognitions for March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Colts Neck Living recently featured Battista on the front page of the magazine along with an in\depth story about her life and fight with cancer.
A native of Middletown, Michele grew up in the River Plaza section, then lived in Freehold after she married in 1988. In 1993, the family moved to Colts Neck where they she and her husband now live.
It was Valentine’s Day in the year she turned 50, 2012, that Michele made an appointment for a colonoscopy. It was not because she wanted one, had any signs of anything wrong, or had any symptoms. It was simply because she was 50 and in 2012, doctors were advocating colonoscopies at age 50 to determine if cancer was present in the colon.
Her appointment for the procedure happened to be Valentine’s Day. Michele woke up from the procedure, to hear the words no one ever wants to hear : “you have cancer.”
Two weeks later, she was back in the hospital, this time for cancer surgery. The surgery determined her cancer was stage 3b, meaning it had spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the outermost layer or to the other organs of the abdomen.
That hospital visit was for five days. The next month, April 6, Michele was back in for a chemo port placement and four days later, she got her first chemo treatment.
There were three drugs, along with a three-page list of all possible side effects. Somehow, Michele managed, unfortunately, to “log every side effect.” So her oncologist tweaked her chemical cocktail down to six from the original 12. But Michele took all the treatments for the next several months, finishing the last treatment on September 13, 2012….there are some dates you just never forget, the brave and determined lady said.
One of the results of all this treatment, however, resulted in Michele being hit with CIPN, a nerve damaging side effect that can affect all parts of the body, from the toes to the fingers and affects four out of every 10 chemo patients.
The disease can make it difficult to get around, to bend down, to move, and always causes severe pain. While it can sometimes last only a few months, in Michele’s case, it still remains with her today, changing many things in her lifestyle. Still she meets, accepts, and overcomes the challenge.
Ever the optimist and forward thinker, Michele considered herself free of cancer as soon as she had completed her 12 rounds of chemo, necessary procedures in order to catch any stray cancer cells in her body.
She praises her oncologist, Dr. Ursiina Teitelbaum at U Penn in Philadelphia for helping her through every procedure. Dr. Teitelbaum was on vacation when Michele had the CT scan and MRI on September 14, 2012, but called to give the strong Colts Neck woman another three-letter message, this one NED…no evidence of disease.
Chances of recurring colon cancer within five years were about 70 per cent, but Battista beat those odds. Now 13 years later, she continues to brag, cheer, spread the word for early detection testing and thanks God she is still cancer free.
There are still times and pains this happy grandma has to deal with, but she does it with confidence and the energy to promote early detection for everyone else..
“When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t want to even talk about it, let alone advocate for colon cancer screenings,” Battista said. “Then I discovered one in 20 Americans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer back in 2012. Those odds were the motivation I needed to get the word out about the importance of being screened. It saved my life and I wanted to do the same thing for everyone else.”
Battista’s urging and explanations motivated eight family members and friends to get their first or follow up colonoscopy. “I’d like to think that number has grown over the years with the awareness events I have been at, “she adds.
In the past 13 years, Michele has learned to live with her CIPN, has had a hysterectomy, and been diagnosed with osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Still she continues an active lifestyle.
Today, one in 24 Americans is diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer in their lifetime. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths for young men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths for young women.
For Michele Battista, wife, mother of one son, grandma of one grandson and soon to be grandma for a second, that’s enough reason to continue to tell her story and promote medical tests and procedures to catch a killing disease in its early stages.
L to R: Colts Neck Mayor Tara Torchia Buss, Michele Battista and NJ Assemblywoman Margie Donlon
Marine orator Rik van Hemmen will present A Shipboard Museum to highlight American Commercial Maritime at Bahrs Restaurant, 2 Bay Avenue, Highlands on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
The program will be offered both in person and via zoom.
Coffee, cakes and a cash bar will be open at Bahrs from 6:30 the night of the event which is being sponsored by the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association.
All are invited to attend the presentation live, Association members can attend the Zoom session at no charge, and a slight charge is required for all others attending Zoom.
While the DAR, the Daughters of the American Revolution has as its primary missions the promotion of historic preservation, education and patriotism across the country, each of its chapters accomplishes these goals in a variety of different, innovative ways that meet the needs and suggestions of local residents as well as recognize local men, women and children who all contribute towards citizenship patriotism and higher education.
For the Middletown chapter, which has only been in existence for just over two years, there have been some amazing accomplishments and support for all three aims.
The chapter’s primary support is for the active-duty military and veterans in the area. The Middletown chapter supports the food pantry at Earle Weapons Naval Station thru multiple collections per year, either among its own members, the DAR state conferences or drop boxes at local libraries to encourage more community involvement.
The Middletown chapter, as a Friend of the Commissioning Committee for the submarine New Jersey (SSN796) provided New Jersey themed welcome bags to the boat’s 200 crew members at the commissioning of the nuclear sub at NWS Earle earlier this year.
Crew members of the nuclear attack submarine USS New Jersey SSN-796 celebrate her commissioning at Earle Naval Weapons Station Photo courtesy Gary Lehman
On a regular basis, the Middletown DAR provides “Welcome to the World” baby baskets to the new parents for all babies born at both Earle and the Coast Guard station at Sandy Hook.
It set up a lending library at Earle and continues to keep it filled with a broad selection of books, and also supplies military at the base with numerous others items including blankets or pet food whenever a need arises.
At Sandy Hook, the Middletown chapter also donates gift baskets to aid the Coast Guard in raising funds for a holiday party. And on the birthday of the Coast Guard’s August 4, the Middletown DAR threw an ice cream party to celebrate the anniversary of the nation’s oldest continuous seagoing service. Their current plans include a major celebration for the Navy’s 250th birthday this coming October. 13.
To ensure the success of each of these support programs and events, the Middletown chapter raised and spent more than $12,000 during 2024.
Still in support of the military, the Middletown chapter holds an annual veterans appreciation lunch, honoring numerous persons and events that promote support for US military and are active in the Wreaths Across America program annually.
That includes ceremonies and presentations of wreaths at the grave sites of American military, including and in particular the six Revolutionary War veterans buried in the Middletown area as well as the seven Vietnam KIA soldiers who also are buried in the township.
Support of the military, as far reaching as it is, is only one phase of the projects the approximate 42 members of the Middletown chapter successfully accomplish.
Education is another major area of support. In that area, the women expanded the program they started in 2023, and last year collected more than 4,000 books for the Bridges of Books program, the organization that promotes literature and book reading for children. Additionally, the chapter donated hundreds more books promoting literacy to various adult sources for books, including libraries.
Kristan Sussman, the DAR member who heads the chapter’s book collections, also pointed out their support and donations to the Red Cross books at Earle and added the chapter is currently reaching out to Fort Dix to ascertain and provide, if necessary, any books for their location.
Urging and supporting good citizenship among teenagers, the chapter presents Good Citizen awards to seniors at six different high schools in the area, honoring that student selected by each school’s administration and faculty for service, dependability, patriotism and leadership, presenting a $300 scholarship at graduation ceremonies.
Their high school essay contest, Patriots of the American Revolution, is a popular annual event, and grants for numerous causes are part of the Middletown chapter’s annual program.
The chapter sponsored a teacher grant from Neptune school district last year, and another for the Middletown Historic Society for painting their historic train station. Members will be present this year at the ceremonies surrounding the Historical Society’s opening of the historic original train station. The chapter also sponsored, through the national society and members’ dues, a grant in the 2023/2024 cycle for Friends of Bridgewater History assisting that organization in receiving $2900 to restore a historic cemetery.
The chapter reaches outside the school area as well to encourage good citizenship and recognize youth who practice it through a variety of means. They present Youth Citizen medals to police cadets selected by their leaders in several area towns, and we work with Middletown, Holmdel and Marlboro in these efforts, with a goal of including Highlands youth this year. “We think it’s important to recognize the time these students invest to learn about civic service,” said Chapter regent Michele Donnelly.
Two veterans who the chapter officers recognized as Distinguished Citizens received medals this year, when Michael Downs and Paul Roman were honored at ceremonies. An Americanism medal was also presented to Thy Cavagnaro, a naturalized citizen and Vietnam refugee who has dedicated her life to thanking Vietnam veterans.
Currently, the chapter is working on two new signs to honor local historical people and events. Working with Highlands Council president Joann Olszewski, the DAR is planning a sign to honor where Joshua Huddy was hung in Highlands during the Revolution, as well as a second sign highlighting the Battle of Navesink; they anticipate both signs will be in place and dedicated during the 250th anniversary of the nation next year.
The Middletown DAR has been recognized since its inception for its dedication towards locating, researching, and improving burial locations for Revolutionary war soldiers in the area and has already cleaned several cemeteries. Their cleaning included scrubbing and restoring visibility to 189 headstones and repairing another seven headstones that had been fractured; they also reset another eight stones that had fallen and were lying in disarray.
To accomplish all their work in local cemeteries, the women have both encouraged and received the support of friends and neighbors, happy for the opportunity to enable more citizens to learn the impact of the Revolution on the immediate area and the role Monmouth County and its residents played in the revolution.
Sussman pointed out the cemetery restoration has proven to be an easy and educational way of instilling a greater knowledge of the revolution among young residents especially. “The community who help us accomplish this work make it possible for us not only to benefit from additional labor but also help teach others how to preserve these sacred places and hopefully pass on to the next generation the importance of protecting and maintaining them. We’re not getting any younger,” the active woman laughed.
Our goal, Sussman continued, is “to identify all Patriots buried in Monmouth County. We already know it is a big goal, and we realize we are not going as fast as we would like. But you have to start somewhere. We want to make sure their cemeteries are accessible, and their graves are marked.”
Towards that end, the chapter has already ordered and installed 26 markers for Patriots whose grave markers were missing or illegible in Middletown, Holmdel, Matawan and Marlboro.
Another eight are planned for 2025.
Chapter members have completed documentation for Holmdel and Marlboro and donated those publications back to the Monmouth County libraries and local historic societies. “We spend so much time doing research to find these American heroes and prove their service, we want to make sure we give that back, “ Sussman continued, speaking for all members of the Middletown chapter. They are grateful to the Monmouth County Historic Commission regrant program for the support they receive from their program as well as the endorsement and support they receive from local government, the Monmouth County commissioners, as well as state legislators who support their efforts on a regular basis.
All you folks in the Highlands area looking for a great place for breakfast, you’ll find it next week when Donna opens Gem’s Bagels in the former Katz Confectionary on Bay Ave.
Everybody in Keansburg already knows about Donna’s great personality, her hard working attitude and her belief that enjoying a great cup of coffee and a bagel with friends is the perfect way to start the day.
For Donna, this is her second breakfast and lunch eatery, having started the popular place in Keansburg 20 years ago. But she’s been hard at work with her brother in the seven he owns, including the bagel shop at Campbell’s Junction in Middletown. All of which gives you a great idea of how delicious the food will be, how happy the customers will be and how Donna loves her job and loves meeting new people.
She finished up with all the necessary work at Highlands Borough Hall this week and just has to arrange her furniture, get in all her supplies and open the doors.
Look for a Tuesday or Wednesday opening and know from then on, she’ll be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. on. “Or maybe, earlier,” she laughs, “if there’s a need, I’ll be here anyway and the door will be open.”
For Donna, Gems is a Happy Place and from all indications, that’s what it’s going to be to all her customers as well.
Between his education and his friendship with influential and intellectual people, Richard Stockton brought an extraordinary amount of energy to the New Jersey delegation that signed the Declaration of Independence. He was also the first of the 56 delegates who signed the Declaration, and the only Signer to be imprisoned for his actions.
Stockton, the son of John Stockton who was the founder of the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University, was a longtime friend of George Washington.
It was through Washington that the New Jersey native met Benjamin Rush. And it was through Rush that Stockton met John Witherspoon and secured his position as President of the College of New Jersey.
Like Stockton, Witherspoon was one of the five New Jerseyans who signed the Declaration of Independence as members of the Second Continental Congress.
Stockton was born in Princeton in 1730 and attended West Nottingham Academy, a private school in Maryland started by a Presbyterian minister who also later became a President of the College of New Jersey. Stockton studied law and was admitted to the bar at age 24, rapidly gaining a reputation for his prudence and wisdom.
For several years, he traveled extensively in England, was welcomed by royalty, and highly respected for his values and intelligence.
Stockton was married to Annis Boudinot, one of the most renowned female poets of the era and the couple had two sons and four daughters.
Returning to the colonies from England, Stockton remained respected and the most acclaimed attorney in the colony.
While he had no use for politics and displayed an open distrust of the public, Stockton was a member of Congress where he preferred to take the middle road, opposing both extreme points of view in most areas, including freedom from England through revolution.
It was the Stamp Act of 1765 under which George III imposed a stiff tariff on all the colonies in the New World that convinced Stockton of the importance and need for independence; still, he worried about how to pay for the war, raise and support an army and start a new government.
In the hopes of a peaceful agreement between England and the colonies, he drafted a plan giving independence for the colonies without renouncing the British Crown. When that plan was rejected by the King in 1774, Stockton than favored independence by whatever means necessary.
In the early years of the Revolution Stockton turned down his election as Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court, preferring to stay a member of Congress to further the fight for liberty.
After signing the Declaration, Stockton was appointed to committees supporting the war effort. He was sent on a fact-finding tour throughout the colony, and returned to Morven at the same time as the British were ravaging New Jersey.
Although he managed to get his family to safety, the Signer was captured and imprisoned by the British, first in Perth Amboy later in Provost Prison in New York. At that prison, he was intentionally starved, subjected to freezing weather, and beaten and abused for five weeks because of his signature on the Declaration.
After nearly five weeks of abusive treatment, Stockton was released on parole, his health battered. His release was secured through the efforts of his old friend George Washington but required him to sign an agreement with England he would not contribute any efforts towards the War.
Morven Museum And Gardens
Stockton returned to his estate, Morven, in Princeton, regaining the property though all his household belongings, including a massive library, crops and livestock were taken or destroyed by the British.
The estate remained in the Stockton family until the 1944 when it was sold to New Jersey Governor Walter Edge with the provision it be turned over to the state within two years of his death. Edge turned the estate over to New Jersey in 1954 two years before he died.
Stockton retired from Congress. took months to regain a modicum of health, then reopened his law practice and taught new students. However, he developed a cancer on his lip which then spread to his throat, and Stockton died Feb. 28, 1781, at 50 years old.
The New Jersey Signer of the Declaration of Independence is buried at Stony Brook Meeting House, a historic Quaker site located at 470 Quaker Road, Princeton.
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Clean Ocean Action invites people to “spring into action” Saturday, April 12, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and join thousands of volunteers gathering at more than 80 beach and waterway locations across New Jersey to remove harmful litter, collect crucial data, and make a lasting impact on the coastal environment.
The nonprofit ocean advocacy organization welcomes all to the cleanup event to help marine life and those that enjoy a clean ocean and clean beaches.
Registration is required for all participants and can be completed through COA’s website. Groups are welcome, with all individuals within a group registering separately.
This year, in celebration of 40 years of Beach Sweeps, Clean Ocean Action is launching “BucketMan”—a new environmental superhero on a mission to fight marine debris and inspire volunteers to adopt sustainable habits.
BucketMan champions the movement to reduce waste by encouraging participants to bring their own reusable buckets instead of using disposable plastic bags to rid beaches and the ocean of trash and debris
Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing threats to marine ecosystems. Each year, Beach Sweeps volunteers remove thousands of plastic items including bags, which break down into harmful microplastics, endangering marine life and contaminating waters. By bringing a bucket, volunteers can significantly cut down on single-use plastic waste while making a positive impact.
Each Beach Sweeps event is more than just a cleanup—it’s an opportunity to protect marine life, improve coastal communities, and contribute to vital research on pollution. Volunteers help compile data on the types of debris collected, providing valuable insights that influence policies, waste management strategies, and public awareness.
“For 40 years, Beach Sweeps has been a testament to the power of people working together for a cleaner, healthier ocean. Every bucket filled with litter is a step toward lasting change,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action.
The success of Beach Sweeps is made possible by the support of dedicated businesses and organizations that provide crucial funding and resources. COA extends deep appreciation to the 2025 Beach Sweeps Sponsors including statewide sponsors Bank of America, Wakefern Food Corp, .ShopRite, and Vantage Apparel. Fall Beach Sweeps countywide sponsors: include Kearny Bank Foundation, Bayshore Recycling Corporation Montecalvo & Bayshore Family of Companies, Target, Hackensack Meridian Health and Monmouth County Tourism in Monmouth County as well as many other both in Monmouth and other counties across the coast..
Be part of the solution and help make this 40th anniversary Beach Sweeps a historic even, Zipf urged. For registration, site locations, and answers to Beach Sweeps Frequently Asked Questions, visit: www.CleanOceanAction.org.
Results from 2024 Beach Sweeps will be released at the end of March.
Clean Ocean Action (COA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to improve and protect water quality in the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast. COA identifies sources of pollution and works to eliminate them through research, education, and citizen action, ensuring cleaner oceans for future generations.
Spring Into Action Spring Into Action Spring Into Action Spring Into Action Spring Into Action
Circus Wines Beers & Spirits will have a Grand Opening at its new location Saturday, March 15, from noon to 4 p.m.. at 1453 Route 35, Middletown.
The famed Beer and Spirits shop, well known for the historic Clown on Router 35 has moved to its larger location and will celebrate an official opening with prizes, live entertainment by Thunder 106 and 107.1 The Boss.
Prizes to be awarded include a 65” smart TV, Taylor Made golf putters, Solo stove, outdoor pizza oven, Bud Light recliner chair and more! There will also be beverage sampling and light refreshments by Broad Street Market.
Grace Del Monaco, 81, of Middletown passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, March 5, surrounded by her loving family. The ever happy, every smiling lady was a long time volunteer at the St. Agnes Thrift Shop in Atlantic Highlands, and a communicant of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish.
Born in Hoboken, Grace was a devoted wife, sister, and aunt who lived a life filled with love, faith, and generosity. Living between New Jersey, and Florida for more than 35 years, Grace made a lasting impact on all who knew her, particularly through her tireless work within the church community.
Grace’s unwavering commitment to her faith was a constant throughout her life. She found her spiritual home at OLPH St Agnes parish where she was an active and beloved member. For supported the church, school and the greater community in the Bayshore in many ways in addition to the Thrift Shop volunteerism. Her volunteer efforts left an indelible mark on those she served and the many lives she touched.
Grace enjoyed hosting family gatherings and planning elaborate holiday celebrations, always surrounded by laughter and love. Her devotion to her family and friends was evident in everything she did, and her presence will be deeply missed.
Grace was predeceased by her parents, Rose Sette and Thomas Mongelli, and two brothers, Thomas and Victor. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, John Del Monaco, her sister, Rosemarie Mongelli, and many nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory forever.
The family held a visitation at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave, Red Bank Sunday, March 9, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, March 10, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Highlands .
Interment to follow at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to two of her beloved causes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, or the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes, Center Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, in memory of Grace.
Voters in all four municipalities in the Shore Regional school district made it astoundingly clear in yesterday’s special election they do not approve their Board of Education’s plan to spend $51 million to make improvements or additions to their aging Shore Regional High School.
The vote defeating the bond issue, decided by a 4 to1 margin in every town, was defeated in every single voting district in each of the four towns.
With only 5321 ballots cast among the 43,939 registered voters in the school district, the returns made it also very clear that school board elections in March do not reach the majority of voters to make decisions that impact education and taxes for decades.
The unofficial vote against the $51 million Dollar bond issue was 2116 to 493, an approximate 4 to 1 margin. Final official results may not be available for another week, giving time for any mailed in ballots to be received.
School Superintendent Lisa J. English issued a statement that indicated the board would seek community feedback before discussing how to proceed with plans for addressing what she termed the school district’s needs for making the renovations.
Seeking the community’s input before deciding on holding yesterday’s election could have saved thousands of dollars in election costs in each of the boroughs. Settling the issue of whether Sea Bright will continue to be a member of the Shore Regional District and continue to pay the lion’s share of the grant could also have saved the district thousands of dollars.
The Board of Education did not put the $51 million grant request question up for a vote last November, which would not have cost the district anything. Instead, it chose to put it at a special school board election, with little advance notice or explanation. Special elections during winter months when many residents are out of state traditionally draw considerably fewer voters and cost thousands of dollars for each municipality in the district.
Last week, Sea Bright’s legal action in an attempt to halt the election until it could be determined which municipalities in the school district would be paying for the bond issue if approved, was denied. However, in making the decision, citing arguments by the Monmouth County Board of Elections the work that had already been done to have the election proceed, Superior Court Judge Owen McCarthy also ruled that even if approved, no action could be taken on the funds until the question of Sea Bright’s situation with Shore Regional was resolved.
