The Colts Neck Library is celebrating its 25 years of providing an outstanding supply of books and other educational and recreational activities at a festive party set for Sunday, March 2 at the library from 2 to 4 p.m.
The public is invited to attend , tour the facility and view the Wall of Recognition opposite the elevator upstairs and learn more about why the library, which is part of the Monmouth County Library system, plays such a vital role in the township.
With numerous programs run by the Colts Neck Friends of the Library, families through the years have praised their volunteerism and creativity, working with the Monmouth County Library Commission to keep all ages well equipped at the facility.
Many Township mayors through the years participated in reading to the younger library visitors in celebration of Read Across America Day, a day set aside specially to encourage reading to children.
The Friends have sponsored programs with musicians, animal visits by Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, Art Shows including Mil Wexler Kobrinski’s Empty Bowls program benefiting JB Soul Kitchen as well as Book Sales .
Book Sales has been a vital source in the growth and continued excellence of the library Initially run by Joan Yates and now run by Bonnie Lee and Dr Amy Eschinger. Other programs include student volunteers completing Community Service hours for National Honor Society, spelling bee for third graders in Colts Neck, and even pony rides.
Volunteers have raised the funds and replaced carpeting in the Library Main Room and Children’ Room thanks to many parent and student volunteers who moved books and shelves off lowest level of cabinets; volunteers from the Fire Department, Police and the Children’s Garden all presented programs at the library.
With many visions from the past, the latest chaired by Dr Eschinger has had the most success, members agree. Under Dr. Eschinger a cement area with chairs for the children’s librarian to read to the children outside when the weather permits has been added.
Lin Fong O’Neil graciously donates the proceeds to the Friends when she paints someone’s house in oils, here own way of showing how appreciative she is of the local library and all it offers.
Tickets are now available for the 9th Annual Scholarship Luncheon sponsored by the Northern Monmouth County Chapter of the American Association of University Women at Beacon Hill Country Club on Wednesday, April 30.
Author Anastasia Rubis
Author Anastasia Rubis will be the keynote speaker for the gala. A New Jersey resident and a graduate of Brown University and Montclair State University, she also taught essay writing at Montclair. Her book, Oriana, is a biographical novel of Oriana Fallaci, one of the first women to break through the glass ceiling of journalism, paving the way for Barbara Walters and Christiane Amanpour.
Two local women who have made significant accomplishments making a difference in Monmouth County will be honored at the luncheon.
Reverend Joyce Phipps
The Women of Achievement being recognized for their inspiring work that has helped many others are Reverend Joyce Phipps, pastor of Old First Church, Kings Highway, Middletown and Mai Cleary, co-founder of Oasis in Middletown, a non-profit organization and farm that promotes the inclusion and acceptance of adults with autism in their local communities.
Rev. Phipps is also an immigration attorney, who works tirelessly in the difficult times in aiding those who seek her help.
Cleary’s exhaustive work in establishing Oasis provides environmentally exemplary farm centers that provide meaningful work, healthy and peaceful residences, and community interaction.”
Mai Cleary, co-founder of Oasis in Middletown
In addition to the presentation by Rubis, the award recognition’s and the luncheon and camaraderie, the April event also traditionally displays and offers chances on numerous unique and uniquely prepared gift baskets.
Reservations must be completed by April 12 and can be made in a variety of ways. Tickets are $95 each and can be paid at AAUW-NJ-NMCB.org, checks can be sent to AAUW, P.O. Box 398, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or at www.aauw-nj-nmcb.org. Checks for $20 can also be sent to prepurchase the book Oriana, which will be available to be picked up the day of the event.
Further information on the Luncheon or any of the programs of the Northern Monmouth Chapter of the AAUW, including its Book Sale site in the basement of Old First Church on Kings Highway, is available by calling 732-275-2237
Furman Parker was the youngest of the four Parker brothers whose parents, William Furman, Jr and Julia Abbot brought them up in the early years of the 20th century and taught them all a love of Highlands.
At the time of Furman’s youth, Highlands was a small fishing village perched none too securely on the Shrewsbury River’s edge. it seemed that the whole town and the people in it were dominated by the winding Shrewsbury and wide-blue New York Bay.
As soon as children were able to walk, they paddled around the waters. As the boys grew into young men, they followed the river for fish and clams. Even their amusements came from the waters around them.
So it was with Furman Parker, who told the story of his youth to a reporter back in the 1960s before his death on Aug. 25, 1965. His story was of a native who didn’t like the changes that came about as the town grew in the 1950s and 1960s and people who had sought the solitude and fun of the little town on the river sold their houses up north and settled there, changing the appearance, the population, and the Highlands a kid growing up in the 30s and 40s relished.
As a young boy Furman played on the sandy shores of the bay or bucked the strong Shrewsbury currents. As he grew older he clammed off the tip of Sandy Hook.
It was before the time of outboard motors and he and his friends made two trips a day rowing the seven miles to and from the Hook’s tip. Up in the morning at sunrise and back in the evening as darkness settled over the water.
Later as he grew older he followed the Shrewsbury, raking clams from the river bed. In winter when cold winds blew over the bay and the Shrewsbury froze in its banks the town still drew its livelihood from the water. With saws, Furman and his friends cut huge cakes of ice from the river and clamming went on as usual. On the river nothing was wasted. The cakes of ice were sent to the ice houses of the restaurants and clubs or ice boxes in family kitchens.
Highlighting the summer season were the clam bakes held in the wide fields that dotted old Highlands.
Parker managed many of these affairs. Heavy stones were piled in the center of the field and heated until red hot. Then grasses gathered from the river bottom were pressed on top. As the steam rose fish, clams and lobsters were laid on and quickly covered with thick canvas.
The results had to be tasted to be fully appreciated. After everyone was stuffed to bursting the dancing began and the children played their games on the field’s edges. As many as three hundred people came to these clambakes and the soldiers from Sandy Hook took advantage of a tasty change from army-food.
In those days even the actors who made their homes on Portland road or in Atlantic Highlands seemed to be half sailor. Up shore, in an inlet called Pleasure Bay, a floating theater made its home. Great floating rafts were anchored to the seabed a few yards off shore and Thespians shouted their lines across the water to an audience that lolled on wooden benches on the beach.
Furman Parker spent many a hot summer night on the cool beach watching seagoing actors perform. It was a hardy, vigorous life, this maritime period in the early history of Highlands.
Furman admitted he often longed for the old days. “ Something always seemed to be going on,” he said. “ The town was up to date in those days.”
Even though he preferred Highlands the way it used to be, he declared he could never leave the town. “ One time I moved away from old Highlands for a few years,” he said, “but I just couldn’t stay away from that salt water.”
Congressman Chris Smith presented the Bronze Star earned by Mike Vaccaro of Middletown more than 50 years ago to the former soldier at a ceremony in Middletown last week with three generations of Vaccaro’s family present for the long overdue award presentation.
Flying into the jungles of South Vietnam and meeting with community leaders in remote villages was a dangerous job, the then 24 year old army officer said.
“What I was doing was helping local people protect themselves, defend themselves, and know what to do,” when faced with threats from the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese Army raiding their villages, Vaccaro told last week’s at the Congressman’s office. Though the dangerous terrain in the Mekong Delta necessitated he carry an M-14 rifle, grenade launcher or both, Vaccaro said he routinely received friendly welcomes from civilians. “My job was to try to help them help themselves.”
For such risky work, Vaccaro was designated to receive the Bronze Star and he had been mailed a certificate he has kept which states his award was “for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period of August 1971 to April 1972.”
However, the medal itself never arrived. Then-2nd Lt. Vaccaro was shipped home early due to President Nixon’s “Vietnamization” which phased in replacement of U.S. personnel with South Vietnamese forces during the war.
“Over the years I tried to contact the records operation in St. Louis several times with no success,” the Veteran told Smith. “I gave up. When I read your newsletter, I thought I would reach out to you.”
The certificate Vaccaro saved from all those years ago came to good use. Smith reached out to both the Army and the National Personnel Records Center, part of the National Archives, sending them a letter requesting a Bronze Star for the veteran, and included a copy of the certificate. Ultimately, the Army agreed with Smith, and Vaccaro’s record has been amended to reflect the medal.
Present for the ceremony were Vaccaro’s wife, Lynda, daughter Stephanie and son Michael, and grandchildren Alex and Abigail.
“Your family has to know how deeply you are respected,” Smith told the veteran, a Middletown resident who will turn 79 this week. “Thank you for that courage. The Bronze Star is about courage and meritorious service. And that’s you.”
Smith told the family that the fight for a free and democratic Vietnam goes on, noting his Vietnam Human Rights Act, has passed the House three times, but stalled each time in the Senate.
The fun run will begin at Off the Hook, 1 Navesink Ave, Highlands, where contestants will fill their cups and race to South Peak St. and back to the finish line where they started, at Off the Hook.
The runner with the most liquid in their cup at the end of the race will win the Guinness Run!
All contestants’ cups will be weighed at the beginning and end of the race. The winner will receive the Guinness Run Trophy and $100.0 and 2nd Place will be awarded $50.
The $45.00 registration fee includes a commemorative t-shirt, a Guinness pint glass for the first 100 registrants, and access to the post-race party for all runners at Off the Hook.
Registered runners will enjoy Guinness and a variety of delicious food provided by Off the Hook.
Runners can register at Off the Hook beginning at noon on Saturday. Runners must be 21 and provide ID. All proceeds benefit the 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held on March 22, at 2 PM.
Supporters of the 12th Annual Guinness Run include Monmouth County Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Bridge Marina, Farmacie by the French Market, Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Gateway Marina, Hufnagel Tree Service, In the Garden, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Valley Bank, WRAT 95.9, Oasis Physical Therapy, Leonardo, PKF O’Connor Davies Accountants and Advisors, and Ritchie & Page Distributors.
For more information and to register online, please visit www.highlandsnj.com or call 732-291-4713.
John Witherspoon, one of the five Signers of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, was also the only signer who was an active minister at the time as well as president of Princeton University.
His grandson, John C. Breckinridge, who later fought with the Confederacy in the Civil War and was a Kentucky state representative before serving in Congress, went on to become the 14th vice president of the United States, serving under President James Buchanan, Jr.
Witherspoon was born in February 1723 in Scotland where went to the University of St. Andrews, earning his degrees in Divinity and arts before earning another degree of Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh. He was married to Elizabeth Montgomery in 1748 when both were members of the same church in Scotland.
After marrying and starting a family Witherspoon and his wife and children came to the United States in the 1760s.
Witherspoon was strongly influenced by Richard Stockton and Benjamin Rush and accepted their offer to be President of the American College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton. The list of students he taught is impressive: 37 students became judges, three for the US Supreme Court, 12 served in the Continental Congress, 18 became senators and 49 became congressmen. One of them, James Madison, also became President of the nation Witherspoon helped form with his signature on the Declaration. Although not as worthy of pride, Witherspoon also taught Aaron Burr at Princeton.
The patriot was first introduced to the skirmish between the colonies and England in 1774 and joined the Committee of Correspondence. He also wrote and published his speech on the Dominion of Providences over the Passions of Men to inspire colonists about being more open and stronger in fighting for independence.
When asked to be a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress, Witherspoon, who also served as Congressional chaplain, used his belief in the concepts of Scottish common sense and realism in fighting for independence. He served in the Second Continental Congress signing the Declaration, then later he signed the Articles of Confederation, and was a strong supporter of ratifying the Constitution.
He was regarded as one of the most influential members of the Congress and known to fight without end for the goals in which he believed. He retired from Congress in 1782 and died in 1794.
The couple had ten children, however, only five survived to adulthood. Their oldest son James, graduated From Princeton, joined the Continental Army as a General’s aide and was killed at the Battle of Germantown in 1777.
Son John also graduated from Princeton and practiced medicine in South Carolina before he was lost at sea in 1795.
A third son , David, graduated Princeton the same year as his brother John and practiced law in New Bern, North Carolina.
The couple’s oldest daughter Anna, married the Reverend Samuel Smith, who succeeded Witherspoon as president of Princeton in 1795.
Frances, the youngest daughter, married Dr. David Ramsay, a delegate from South Carolina to the Continental Congress.
Through the years, Witherspoon also received sharp criticism for his stand on slavery. In the 21st century, the former John Witherspoon Middletown School in Princeton had its name changed when the board of education voted he should not be recognized since he had been a slave owner. The dispute went on for two years until it was agreed to change them to honor the area, not any particular person and Princeton Middle School is now the name of the Walnut Lane school.
While Witherspoon owned slaves he lectured against it, his lectures on Moral Philosophy” advocated humane treatment of laborers, servants and slaves, stating:
“This relation is first generated by the difference which God hath permitted to take place between man and man. Some are superior to others in mental powers and intellectual improvement—some by the great increase of their property through their own, or their predecessors industry, and some make it their choice, finding they cannot live otherwise better, to let out their labor to others for hire.”
There are numerous records in history that showed Witherspoon’s care and concern for slaves, including accounts of how he cared for and financed impoverished former slaves during his lifetime.
The signer of the Declaration suffered eye injuries and was blind for the last two years of his life. He died in 1794 on his farm Tusculum and is buried at Princeton Cemetery along Presidents Row. His inventory at the time of his death included two slaves, valued at one hundred dollars each.
Witherspoon Hall at Princeton
There are statues of Witherspoon at Princeton, the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, and the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley, Scotland as well as at N Street NW and Connecticut Ave., Washington, DC. The Witherspoon Hall at Princeton and the Witherspoon Building in Market East in Philadelphia, are buildings named in his honor.
In numerous historical records, the Signer’s first name is identified as Jonathon. However, it is clear from records at Princeton and the actual signature on the Declaration, that Witherspoon’s first name was John.
Former Highlands Mayor Rick O’Neil recently paid an $800 fine as final disposition in his settlement with the Local Finance Board, stemming from actions he violated the Local Government Ethics Law when he was mayor in 2017.
The decision concludes a six-year-old ethics complaint that began when the Local Finance Board, the state’s chief enforcer of state ethics law, alleged O’Neil, while he was mayor, had himself, his brother, cousin and two sons perform and receive compensation for snow removal services for the borough in 2017 and 2018 without formal authorization or approval from the governing body.
In 2023, the Board ruled O’Neil had committed two separate violations by using his official position to secure unwarranted privileges for himself and his family. It also found that he improperly used his public office and non-public information for financial gain, bypassing established hiring processes for snow removal work.
He was fined $500 for each of the four violations for a total of $2,000 in 2023 which O’Neil appealed. The matter was referred to the Office of Administrative Law for a hearing; however, the former mayor came to an agreement with the board before the hearing was held.
O’Neil admitted to the essential allegations, and the Local Finance Board agreed to reduce the fine to $800. The Local Finance Board agreed to the settlement and O’Neil paid the fine in December, 2024.
O’Neil, a native of the borough, had served as mayor in 1996, then again from 1999 to 2007, and again from 2017 to 2019 when he lost the 2019 election by a single vote to current Mayor Carolyn Broullon.
Let’s hope more municipalities take the lead of Mayor Broullon and start questioning if it’s really necessary to pay thousands of dollars a year for legal advertising. Especially since there is now a cheaper, easier, and more reader-friendly way for the public to keep informed.
Not many people look at the cost of advertising those legal notices; actually, it’s doubtful how many people actually search to the back of a newspaper and read the fine print that costs all those dollars to print.
There is no doubt the public has the right to know and no doubt that everyone should be made aware of everything the government at every level is doing. It was Thomas Jefferson who first said a free press is necessary as a watchdog to keep citzens informed and involved in government affairs. He also said the press had an obligation to ensure accuracy in reporting.
But in the 2st century, there are other, more economical, more easily accessible, and more readily available means of the public being kept informed of every action its governing body is taking. Welcome to the world of official websites.
It doesn’t cost anything to go on to a borough website. Minutes are always on display on official sites, along with such news as where to buy a dog license or the date of the next planning board meeting. People can easily access all that information and more, without it costing a dime.
The law requiring legal advertising for notices and ordinances came about before there was an internet, before municipalities had official pages. Times have changed. And in this case, so should the law .
Let’s hope more municipal leaders look at the high cost of legal advertising in newspapers, see that its official website is a viable option, and write their legislators demanding swift action to modify the law to enable towns to save money, let citizens have access more easily to what’s going on, and quit relying on newspapers to carry their message.
For the most part, newspapers do not even send reporters to over their meetings on a regular basis. If a newspaper doesn’t care enough about what is going on in a community, why should the borough encourage its taxpayers to pay a newspaper …are there any less than a dollar these days?… to get their official word on action they are taking.
Schools Students, teachers, athletes and artists of the month were recognized at the Henry Hudson Board of Education meeting last week, together with the announcement Evelyn Knox will be representing Henry Hudson at the next level of the Poetry Out Loud competition for high school students.
Ms. Knox won the Poetry Out Loud contest at Henry Hudson and is advancing to the state level in the nationwide contest
The national program, started in 2006, is aimed at creating community and connection through students participating in a poetry recitation competition designed to improve public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach about literary history and contemporary life.
A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and state and jurisdictional arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud® provides free lesson plans and other educational materials to teachers and organizers, including an online anthology of 1,200 classic and contemporary poems.
Ms. Knox was cited as the Artist of the Month during the presentation ceremonies.
Christopher Parker was cited as the Highlands Elementary School Student of the month, both for his patience and attitude as well as always being respectful.
Lily Lawson earned the honors as Atlantic Highlands Elementary School student of the month for being a hard worker, achieving exceptional growth and helping others to the pit she serves as a role model to her class.
Aurora O’Neil is Henry Hudson’s student of the month, cited for her excellence in many areas, primarily writing.
In addition to Ms. Knox being named the artist of the month, Matteo Mosca was named Athlete of the Month for Henry Hudson.
Lori Anthony was cited as the Highlands Elementary School staff member of the month cited for her excellence as an aid in the 6th grade classroom. Lisa Commander was cited as the Atlantic Highlands staff member of the month and Ryan Patrick as Henry Hudson’s staff member of the month for his work in athletics.
In other business, the board hired Benedict Yenella as full time head custodian for the remainder of the school year at the salary of $50,000, approved the extension of Kayla Scalericio’s contract as a long term replacement teacher for the Pre-K class at the Atlantic Highlands school at the rate of $62, 580, and Michelle Bavaro for the after-school reading program under the Reading Intervention Program at The Atlantic Highlands School. The program has been expanded for two additional days a week for February through April and is funded under the Title I grant
Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon and the Borough Council fired off copies of their resolution in support of changing legal advertising laws to enable a borough to publish their legal advertising on a local government’s official website at their meeting last week. Their action calls on state legislators to take swift action that would save thousands of dollars for municipalities yet still keep the public informed.
For many years, municipalities and all public entities have been required to publish all their legal notices, including ordinances, meeting dates, in a newspaper circulating in their area.
That has become more difficult over the years, Broullon pointed out, both with the closure of many newspapers as well as the expense to residents to purchase newspapers. Newspapers themselves have made many adjustments to meet the higher cost of publication, including a local weekly which several months ago changed its status from a profit-making organization to a nonprofit organization. Printing legals that are required by the borough means taxpayers are funding a non-profit without knowing specifically what they are supporting with their tax dollar.
With the need on some occasions to print a legal notice within 48 hours, it is often necessary for a municipality to use a daily newspaper, whose overall circulation makes the legal fee even higher.
The costs for legal advertising run into thousands of dollars for Monmouth County taxpayers, as well. Meeting legal requirements to advertise for foreclosure sales, as an example, cost more than $3,000 in a recent issue of a local weekly newspaper.
Last December, the legislation passed P.L.2024 c.106, which allowed publication of required public notices and legal advertisements in newspapers for an extended period regardless of format. That action was taken as a temporary solution that allowed local governments to comply with public notice requirements in time for annual reorganization meetings last January.
However, with the March 1 provision imposed on that law, Broullon is calling for the Legislature to act quickly and enable municipalities to save legal advertising money quickly.
“ Local government officials serve as the stewards of property taxpayer dollars and should no longer be required to subsidize the newspaper industry with revenues college from publishing legal notices,” the resolution, which was passed unanimously said.
The resolution cited changes that have taken place in the newspaper industry that indicate changes for the legal advertising policy should also change. “The media has become almost exclusively digitized and struggled to retain staff, resources and publications,” Broullon said, making it increasingly difficult for government officials to comply with the current public notice requirements.
Allowing municipalities to public all their legal notices on its own official website, she continued, “will streamline an antiquated and overly burdensome process and save valuable time, resources and property taxpayer dollars.”
Broullon and the Highlands council are urging state officials to pass the necessary legislation that would authorize municipalities, as well as counties, school districts and all local governments to make public their legal notices “in a clear, transparent and timely manner “ on an official website.
