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Make your vision... waltershomes.com Let’s talk. 609.597.6999 880 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
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a reality. Walters Homes is here to design and build the custom home that fits your vision, budget, lifestyle and needs.
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Contents Open House
16
Escape to Château de Loveladies
24
The Exclamation Point to Landscape Design
32
Over the Top
40
Behind the Build
48
Outdoor Living Elements of Fire
54
Remodeling Your Kitchen
62
Pools on LBI
70
Coastal Contemporary is the New Black
80
Clear as Glass
86
Home Garden
4 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
HETTY IS CAREFREE, AND NOW
CANCER-FREE
When Hetty found a lump in her breast, she turned to the highly specialized breast cancer team at Hackensack Meridian Health. Here, our patients have access to surgical, medical and radiation oncology expertise as well as clinical trials. And as part of the most comprehensive health care network in New Jersey, we’re not just at the forefront of cancer, we’re pioneering the possible. LEARN ABOUT PIONEERING THE POSSIBLE Visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/LearnMore or call to speak to a nurse at 732-776-4240.
A member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering - Hackensack Meridian Health Partnership Jersey Shore University Medical Center | JFK Medical Center | Ocean Medical Center Raritan Bay Medical Center – Old Bridge | Raritan Bay Medical Center – Perth Amboy Riverview Medical Center | Southern Ocean Medical Center
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Contents Get the Look 90 Staycation
Healthy Living 101 Beauty Buzz 106 Beach Bag Essentials 110 The Ultimate Challenge 116 Modern Mindfulness & the Power of Presence 122 Focusing on the Future Page
Feature Story 126 Waves of Impact
6 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
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Contents
Feed Your Mind 177 Feed your Mind : Beyond Taco Tuesday 188 Its Five O’clock Somewhere 194 50 years of Wally’s 198 How to Thrive at Twenty-Five 206 She’s so Sweet
Did you Know?
Weddings
8 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
136
Caring for your Treasure
140
Wedding Bliss One
146
Wedding Bliss Two
154
Helpful Hints
160
First comes Love
164
Sea King
216
We have Arrived
223
Explore LBI
224
Looking at the Legacy
230
Luxury on the Water
235
It was the Summer of 69
239
Success at the Closing Table
244
The Next Generation of Baywomen
FINE HOMES AND RENOVATIONS
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
WWW.DFINELLIHOMES.COM ! 609.342.0495
NJ REGISTERED BUILDER LICENSE #45586
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CO-FOUNDER | CHAIRMAN PUBLISHER
STAY ON ISLAND TIME WITH bay magazine LONG BEACH ISLAND LEISURE AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
GARY HENDERSON CO-FOUNDER | EDITORIAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR FARRELL DUNLEAVY VP OPERATIONS LUELLEN HENDERSON VP SALES BRAD BARGIEL CONTRIBUTING EDITORS LISA SIMEK DIANA STANCZAK CONCEPT & STYLING WEDDINGS JEANNE COON-BOGATH BOGATH WEDDINGS AND EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHERS JOHN MARTINELLI MICHAEL SPARK MICHAEL JOHN MURPHY DIANNE AHTO ANN COEN PATRICA BURKE CHRISTINA ZEN MATT REITINGER FRANCIS LILL ERIC HANCE IDALIA PHOTOGRAPHY DELANEY DOBSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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LISA SIMEK DIANA STANCZAK ELAINE SISKO KATIE RIBSAM CATHY LANDRUM PEG REYNOLDS ROBIN CHASE SUSAN VON BRACHEL TOM SCANGARELLO JR ANNE GREEN MATT BURTON SARAH HODGSON
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For a digital copy of bay magazine visit our website at www.bay-magazine.com. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed by writers commissioned for articles published by bay magazine are not necessarily those of the magazine.
Copyright © 2019 LBI Publishing Inc. bay magazine Open House Magazine Feed your mind cookbook
609-661-6055 ~Kitchens
~Baths ~Additions ~New Construction
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"Andersen" and the AW logo are registered trademarks of Andersen Corporation.
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Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
FOUNDERS NOTE
A Vision The growth and sustainability of any great community can be attributed to many factors – location, economic climate, education systems, recreation outlets, infrastructure and—arguably the most import—its people. A glance at LBI’s rich and robust history always points back to the people who made it, whether they be medical professionals or surfers, real estate developers or fine artists. They all had one thing in common—a vision. Over the years we have discussed quite a few wonderful charities and nonprofits of the area, highlighting how they have consistently given back to the community we have all grown to love so dearly (The Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean, Jetty Rock Foundation and the Alliance for a Living Ocean, to name a few). This season we have decided to feature a nonprofit making Waves of Impact (pun intended) on the beaches of Ship Bottom with a free surf camp they hold every year for the handicapped and special needs children within LBI and the surrounding area. It’s the ultimate illustration of defying all odds to overcome adversity by means of a little help from a few good samaritans. Changes are coming to our beautiful LBI, with the debut of the grand Hotel LBI welcoming those who drive over the causeway bridge and the countless debuts of fresh and fabulous new fine dining establishments scattered across the island. We wish all of our local businesses the best of luck for a positively wonderful and prosperous season, and we can’t wait to see what you have in store next for our lovely little LBI. Happy Summer, everyone! The
Founders
12 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Photo by | Kady Patterson
For a Quick Quote Call (732)-389-8175 or Visit Us Online at PrecisionShowerDoors.com bay-magazine.com 13
Come Experience Our Designer Showroom located at 89 Highway 35 North Eatontown, NJ (Opposite Lowe’s Home Center)
Š2018 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated. NJ #13VH01142500
Experience a California Closets system custom designed specifically for you and the way you live. Visit us online today to arrange for a complimentary in-home design consultation.
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C R A N B U RY
800.229.2567
NO R TH F I ELD
M T L AU R EL
Outstanding In Their Field
Call Cowles
“The Name You Know for LBI Real Estate” 609.492.1300 David Cowles, CRS GRI Broker/Associate Cell: 609.290.0779
Michael Cowles, CRS GRI Realtor Associate Cell: 609.290.3680
bay-magazine.com 15
OPEN HOUSE
Escape to Château de Loveladies Written by Lisa Simek
Photos by John Martinelli
In 2013, Thom Sweeney, the brilliant creative genius of the interior design of the Bonnet Island Estate, Mallard Island Yacht Club, the Ashford Estate, and most recently, the iconic Hotel LBI, received a voicemail message from a woman who had seen his work while shopping around for venues for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Like-minded in taste and enthused by his style, she had casually inquired if he would be interested in helping her with the selection of furniture and a few window treatments intended for her newly built home in Loveladies on Long Beach Island. Sweeney agreed to meet with the prospective new client, but not until he pulled up to the gates of the property for the very first time did he realize that this location was actually “the one”—this monster mystery mansion was creating so much buzz within the LBI area as the 16 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
largest new residential construction on the island at the time. Speculations swirled: first the owner was a political dignitary, then a famous celebrity; the rumored footprint of the home kept escalating from 10,000 to 15,000 to 20,000 square feet. Double digit bathrooms. It was unofficially being referred to as the Versailles of Long Beach Island—and for Thom Sweeney, he was going to see precisely what the fuss was all about. Taking only an astonishing 1 ½ years to complete from beginning to end, this home [with 240 feet of bay-frontage] is situated on 1.43 acres in Loveladies and officially has a footprint of more than 20,000 square feet—not including the gatehouse apartment with three-car garage and pool/outdoor entertainment quarters. After driving through the allée
of trees down a path that leaves the home virtually invisible from Long Beach Boulevard, one is quick to notice that the glorious home features a majestic turret, intricately pitched roofs with vaulted and coffered ceilings throughout the dwelling, and one of many grand fireplaces that is two stories in height. The detail of the architecture is clearly French-inspired, pulling from a mixture of Chateauesque, Belle Époque, and Provincial, even including tiny nods to Baroque intricacies via small details throughout. Its façade is arched and regal, with a sea of glass [windows], engulfed in magnificent stonework and slate roofing, then blended with subtle areas of cedar shakes that harmoniously nestle its aura cozily with the seaside setting of LBI. “The architecture of the home is unlike anything else on LBI,” shares Thom Sweeney of his first impression of the estate. “From the moment I entered the foyer, with its sweeping circular staircase and back-lit leaded glass rotunda, I was instantly aware that I was now entering a home like few others. You glimpse at the dramatic view of the bay as you enter the living room. To your left is a truly spectacular hand-carved limestone fireplace that soars two stories, and opens on the reverse side to the kitchen...and that’s for openers,” he continues. The formality of the design carries throughout from the exterior to the interior, where details abound, and a casual elegance takes over. Although the homeowners prefer to remain anonymous, one can gather that their exquisite taste and refined palate has earned the reputation of their home being referred to as LBI’s local palace of sort. The estate was designed by the Beer Architectural Group LLC and although exact cost of the construction process is unknown, one can imagine that such attention to intricacies is the hallmark of an exceptionally expensive home. So, what exactly does this say about the interior décor? Sweeney shares that the formal, yet comfortable aesthetic was very easy to attain. “The client gave me her vision of the project, and even after one meeting, I knew we were going to hit it off. She had a highly developed design style and she knew exactly what she wanted,” he shares of his first encounter with the homeowner. As a designer, he divulges that this is always a relief with a new client, as he has had his share of what he refers to as “I’ll know it when I see it”-type clients. “The more we worked together, the more I realized what a rare color sense and color memory she had.” First, Sweeney began with the window treatment designs for his client. “Do you have any idea how many windows are in a 20,000 sq. ft. house,” he chuckled, “a lot.” About 88 windows to be precise, which does not bay-magazine.com 17
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include the numerous slider doors. Thom and his team scoured all of the leading purveyors of decorative fabrics, upholsteries, wallcoverings, trimmings, and furnishings around the world for this client, the likes of which included Osborne & Little, Scalamandre, Beacon Hill, Stroheim and Thibaut. They sourced only the finest quality silks, jacquards, damasks, luxurious wovens and hand embroidered fabrics, and payed careful attention to ensure that the use of delicate fabrics such as silk included the pieces being fully [inner] lined with flannel to protect against shattering. “We worked very well together, as it was very easy for me to pick up on what she was feeling, the aesthetic she was going for, the feelings of the shapes and the fabrics,” adds Sweeney. The designer notes the exquisite details and attention that was paid to the trimmings as well, sharing that it was often made of crystals, glass beads and even abalone shells, in addition to the finest quality tassels, borders, braids, gimp, fringes and more. All of the poles and curtain rods are custom made from the rings to the knobs, pullbacks and hardware, most of them solid wood with a gold finishing. At the foot of the window treatments is yet another personal touch that the homeowner was keen on, the drama of a voluminous puddle of fabric that requires an additional 18 inches of fabric after the treatment has reached the floor.
Since the homeowners have 5 children and (so far) 2 grandchildren, one would imagine that entertaining family and friends ensures the kitchen is a highly trafficked area. Not only do the homeowners love to prepare and gather for meals together, but Sweeney can attest to the fact that the lady of the home is actually a fabulous cook—which naturally means that this space is a fully-equipped, top-of-the-line chef’s grade kitchen, complete with a butler’s pantry and the opposite side of the two-sided, two-story fireplace that is such a stunner of the family great room. This kitchen of what dreams are made of features three islands, a sixty-inch Wolf range with an attached deep fryer and wok burner, five sinks (including the bar sink), four dishwashers, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, with three additional refrigerator drawers and another three freezer drawers. The adjacent turret-shaped breakfast room with soaring second-story ceilings also happens to have its own fireplace and a breathtaking, unobstructed view of the Barnegat Bay. No entertainment home is complete without a full-service in-home movie theater with luxurious recliners all built in as stadium seating for twelve, a phenomenal commercial grade full-sized gym, wine room, cabana/ sauna/sunroom and an additional covered outdoor kitchen entertainment area adjacent to the inground pool. bay-magazine.com 19
OPEN HOUSE
Last but certainly not least, we would be remiss not to discuss the 100-foot long hallway leading to each of the 10 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. Sweeney sourced an exquisite hundred-foot long Oriental rug to line its flooring, and goes on to divulge that each and every bedroom was custom designed to the respective inhabitant. For the men it tended to be more about designing elegant interiors with masculine undertones: rooms that convey warmth, strength. He used dark, richly stained woods, sizable furnishings and strong design statement pieces to convey a better sense of the people who live in them. For the women, much attention was paid to details—every room had custom furniture with custom fabrics, trimmings, etc. The stains were lighter tones and vibes overall softer, and more feminine. The master suite is the crowning jewel of this home. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay, the homeowners wake up to a breathtaking view every morning and even have a golden telescope to explore the views of the night sky. “When I tell you that this project was every Interior Designer’s dream, I’m not kidding,” shares Sweeney. “First of all, the client was great fun to work with, and because she recognized and expected uncompromising quality, we were able to deal with some of the best names in the business, and that’s always a treat for a designer,” he adds. As a designer, you know that you’ve pleased your client when she calls and asks, can you help us with the house we just bought in Palm Beach? “What do you think my answer to THAT one was,” concluded Sweeney with the smile of a job well-done. About Thom Sweeney: Thom Sweeney is a member of ASID and the founder/owner of Thom Sweeney Interiors, located at 849 West Bay Avenue in Barnegat, New Jersey. The firm offers a full range of services to residential and contract clients. You can follow Thom on Instagram via @ThomSweeneyInteriors and contact him via 609-622-2950.
20 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
THOM SWEENEY, ASID
We’re Very Proud ...to have been involved with the Interior Design of our client’s fabulous Loveladies home featured in this issue of Bay Magazine. ...as well as the sensational new, iconic Hotel LBI
OUR WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF Custom Upholstery Workroom & Fabric Studio Cushions, Upholstery, Slipcovers Fine Fabrics Window Treatments and Blinds
Call us for a no obligation assessment of your project
THOM SWEENEY INTERIORS Gunning River Mall
849 West Bay Avenue Barnegat, New Jersey 08005
609.694.9964 • 1509 Long Beach Blvd. Surf City
609.622.2950
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OPEN HOUSE
The Exclamation Point to Landscape Design Written by Elaine Sisko
Colorful, bold and impactful—container plantings are the exclamation point in the landscape design, providing continual interest as the garden transitions through the season. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies to delight the homeowner, provide culinary herbs to spice up an outdoor dinner and add flare to brighten up a shady retreat. They help draw the eye to beautiful bay and ocean vistas, distract attention from unsightly equipment and lead guests through pathways and entryways, garden rooms and courtyards. They help soften the hard, rigid effects of hardscaping and add flare to monochromatic evergreens and privacy screens.
24 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Photos by Eric Hance
Whatever their function, planters should be selected and designed to complement the outdoor environment and show-off the aesthetic attributes of the property. For a contemporary home and landscape, planters with clean, simple lines in neutral or muted colors enhance the cool, crisp effect of the architecture and planting palette. If a casual or whimsical effect is desired, look for vivid colors and highly individualized designs when selecting containers. When paired with hot, vibrant flowering plants, colorful pots with heavy glazing can create a dynamic flare in the landscape. For an earthy, eco-friendly atmosphere select bamboo, terracotta or stone containers and allow the plant material to create its own aesthetic statement. The shape of planters should not be overlooked when designing the container garden. If framing an expansive bay or ocean view, a series of low, broad pots will accentuate the dramatic surroundings. On the other hand, tall, elongated pots work best to anchor the rear of a container grouping or accentuate the homes’ foundation. To personalize a container grouping
choosing pots reminiscent of a foreign vacation or repurpose a flea market find into a quirky, one-ofa-kind garden statement. Classic or contemporary, whimsical or stately--the key is selecting a container style and sticking with it. Annual flowers or edible herbs, sun or shade--the plant palette selected for a container should depend upon its function in and location on the site. However, when it comes to design and plant arrangement, consider the time-tested principle of incorporating a “thriller”, “spiller” and “filler” into the container. The ‘thriller”, or showstopper, is the focal centerpiece of the container design capturing and holding attention. Brightly colored flowers, unusually textured foliage or hot, new horticultural introductions at the Garden Center will function perfectly as the thriller. A low growing, ‘spiller’ plant, typically located at the edge of the container creates a cascading effect and directs the eye throughout the container design. Finally, the workhorse of the planter--the ‘”filler”-- holds the design together and unifies the planting palette.
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Photos by John Martinelli
The choice of plant colors for the planter is endless and depends upon the personal preferences of the homeowner. They can be broken down into cool pastel colors—shades of pink, white, violet and coral--or hot colors like red, dark purple, orange and yellow. Incorporating foliage color and texture into the design creates added dimension and interest to the composition.
26 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
With a little planning and forethought, the container garden should delight the homeowner and provide a visual accent to the outdoor environment, especially when first planted. However, to ensure lasting beauty and vigor throughout the season, pruning, deadheading of spent flowers and periodic maintenance is essential. Consistent irrigation cannot be underestimated or overlooked and, without which, will quickly lead to the demise of container gardens. Water can be particularly tenuous for the summer resident, unable to consistently attend to the needs of the container garden. While a drought tolerant plant palette may slow down the need for water, given our harsh coastal environment of strong sun and desiccating winds, no contained planting can exist for long without this valuable resource. In this instance, the installation of a drip irrigation system tied into the landscape automatic irrigation system is essential and the only reliable alternative. Available in a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, shapes and sizes, the cache of annual plants is enormous and allows the homeowner an endless opportunity for personal expression and plant combinations. Keep in mind not only the color combination of flowers for your container grouping but also the color and texture of foliage. Tubular or spiky, single flowered or multi-flowering inflorescences--the shape and orientation of the flowering structure on a plant can also increase interest and add dimension to the container design.
For a diverse collection of annual flowers, grasses and herbs along with a large collection of containers in all shapes, sizes and colors, visit Reynolds Landscaping and Garden Shop located at 201 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ. The Garden Center is open daily in the summer from 9am to 6pm. For information on the availability of a specific plant species or container manufacturer, contact Reynolds Garden Center during operating hours at 609-597-6099.
Whether supplementing the visual appeal of an established landscape or providing the sole source of color and greenery on a condominium balcony, container planters add visual, sensory appeal to the outdoor environment and create a continuous source of pleasure for all to enjoy during the summer months.
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home
|
life
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found
1700 long beach blvd. surf city | 609 494 1802
30 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
L B I R E A L E S TAT E M A R K E T L E A D E R S A N D # 1 SA L E S T E A M I N O C E A N CO U N T Y
6 0 9 . 6 6 1 . 9 3 4 5 | F R E E M A N G RO U P O F L B I .CO M 2 0 0 1 LO N G B E AC H B O U L E VA R D, S H I P B OT TO M , N J 0 8 0 0 8 MANAGING PARTNER: EDWARD A FREEMAN | PARTNER: EDWARD T FREEMAN PARTNER: TAMMY LAUREIGH
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OPEN HOUSE
Over the Top Written by Lisa Simek
32 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Photos by John Martinelli
Planning and building a beach home may essentially follow the same fundamental process of primary home designing, but there’s something special about knowing you have the chance to create your own great escape. Summer homes give us the opportunity to be creative and expressive, more so than we get to be in our day-to-day functional, efficient surroundings. Since getting away at the beach is an immersive experience, this is why each precise little detail—or each grand, elaborate one—will give you a feeling that you’re somehow removed from everyday life and truly on island time for the duration that you are there. While new custom homes by the sea can be designed to reflect casual living patterns and facilitate entertaining, they can also be viewed as a canvas for personal expression. More often than not, the unique touches manifest when the dust settles and it’s the individual and personal elements that can take a home from good to great, and from great to wow! “Many times, it’s not until a home is near completion that opportunities for
this detailed form of customization arise. “Some owners have to see and experience spaces to get a feel for the home before choosing many of the finishing touches, and it’s the perfect way for them to be confident in their decision to take the design of the home to truly the next level,” shares Michael Pagnotta, owner of Michael Pagnotta Architecture & Construction in Ship Bottom. The idea is to add in plenty of conveniences from pools, saunas and backyard oases, to game rooms, personal gyms and fully-loaded kitchens. It could even be as simple as a few extravagant design features, such as pillared columns to towering sash windows. One must ask oneself, what are the items that you, as a homeowner, want the most for the purpose of your practicability: Is it a certain aesthetic with prominent design-led attributes? Hightech features and controls? A laid-back and comfortable work space? Storage and plentiful space for entertaining? Maybe it’s the ability to have a completely maintenance-free and worry-free structure and property? Only you can decide.
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OPEN HOUSE
DESIGN AESTHETIC
Some interior opportunities for homeowners to explore this “over the top” design aesthetic include: • Built- ins • Shelving • Window seats • Bunk beds • Ceiling treatments • Wall finishes- Ship lap, board and batten, T+G, V-Groove • Window treatments -shutters • Fireplace details • Lighting fixtures • Furniture/ artwork
THE EXTERIOR
Excellent ways to go a bit more extravagant with the exterior of a home include: • Screen porch • Outdoor kitchen • Gardens • Pools and fountains • Firepits • Pergolas
Whatever your goals are, the experts at Michael Pagnotta Architecture & Construction are a plethora of knowledge about the ever-possible features and functions available in the industry to help you get the most out of your home design. Their team works timelessly with home owners to create a tailored design and build plan to suit your needs and desires.
34 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
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LET THE PROFESSIONALS HANDLE THE DIRTY WORK
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36 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
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ENHANCING YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE SHORE
AUDIO | VIDEO | CONTROL H IC # 13 V H0 6 9 7 6 4 0 0 38 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
608 LON G BE ACH BLVD S URF CITY, N J 609. 607. 7230 | W W W.T E CH N OS OUN DAN DVID E O. CO M
CRAIG STEFANONI
Craig & Sharon Stefanoni Office: 609-492-7277 Cell: 609-432-1104 cstefanoni@zackshore.com www.lbicraig.com
2900 Long Beach Blvd. Beach Haven Gardens, NJ 08008
bay-magazine.com 39
OPEN HOUSE
Behind the Build:
A Coastal Calling
Celebrating 40 Years of Long Beach Island Custom Homebuilding Written by Lisa Simek
For generations, the unique nostalgic magnetism of LBI has lured people onto its sandy shores. Many just visit for the summer, whereas others come to realize that they can’t bear to part ways with coastal living and wind up staying forever. It’s not just about the lulling sound of crashing waves, the sensation of sand between ones toes, or the amazing smell of salty air—it’s about a culture that centers around calmness amidst the chaos of everyday life, a haven that awakens our senses and reinforces a lifestyle aspiration that juggles just the perfect amount of work, play and charm harmoniously. And for one such Surf City native, Thomas J. Keller, 40 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
of Surf City’s Thomas J Keller Building Contractor LLC, not only is he able to live this dream on a daily basis, but he has spent the last 40 years being an actual ‘dream-maker’ for those wanting to realize their own vision of building their own little piece of Long Beach Island. Thomas J. Keller has earned a reputation for and is widely recognized as a leader in custom coastal homebuilding on LBI. His portfolio of completed homes span the island’s landscape from Holgate to Barnegat Light—and everything in between— all diverse in design, size and detail. In these past 40
years he has delivered more than 700 beautiful and unique homes from coastal cottages to waterfront masterpieces, all created and built to meet his client’s individual specifications and lifestyles. He is proud to call all homes over the past four decades as part of the “Keller Family of Homes” and based on the relationship Keller has with most of his clients over the years, the feeling is mutual. Down-to-earth and personable, with excellent insight into the Long Beach Island building industry, is how many describe him. Since starting his business in 1979 in Surf City, Tom has always operated with an established office location on the island until present-day. As many business owners can attest, his success was not met without challenges over the years. He has quite literally weathered many a storm on the island including hurricanes, nor’easters, coastal flooding, navigated through economic downturns, and adapted to the ever-changing industry specific rules and regulations along with state and local laws. His greatest “storm” without comparison, however, was the loss of his 15-year-old son to a drunk driver in 1999. Until now he still shares with many the truth that “you can’t get time back,” incorporating that focus on the value of family time in how he conducts his business. (He was extremely touched when a couple he was building a bayfront home for at the time chose to name the lane leading to their home after his son.) Through it all, Keller points decisively to a deep and genuine gratitude for the people who he surrounds himself with—then and now. He and his team are quite the well-oiled machine, emphasizing working smarter to meet all objectives with quality and efficiency. One can truly sense the feeling that he has the best of all worlds. He gets to do what he enjoys, with the people that he enjoys doing it with, in a place that he loves.
Not only has Keller enjoyed being a dream-maker for generations of LBI families (and even for the children of many of his original clients!), but he’s fortunate to also be living the dream in his estimation. LBI being an idyllic place to grow up since the age of 4, he enjoyed all of its natural wonders during boyhood. Swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating, surfing and even his first job of clamming and selling to the local fish markets of the time. He acknowledges his hardworking parents who instilled in him important family values and an excellent work ethic. When Tom expressed interest in the trade as a high schooler, his father, a skilled craftsman and master welder, told him he would teach him to weld “only after” he earned his college degree. Having a love of all-things coastal and a deep appreciation of everything outdoors, he attended college and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science & Geology. After graduation, he discovered his passion for building and decided to follow the entrepreneurial dream of starting his own business. When asked about what it takes to run a successful business for four decades, Keller deflects away from himself and focuses more on his team and on the work, stating that “the work speaks for itself.” He credits his team of highly experienced, dedicated longtime employees, many who have been with him since the beginning, for whom he expresses daily appreciation with a simple thank you at the end of each work day. He praises his team of tradesmen, craftsmen, material suppliers and all the other professionals he works with, day in and day out, to make it all happen. He appreciates his valued clients with whom he has strong relationships, an extensive client base built slowly, over time, and with earned respect. And in a world full of social media #hashtags, likes, and followers, Tom can pride himself on the fact that many of his clients are still established
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through channels like good ol’ fashioned referrals or word of mouth by work well-done. Tom even shares how much he, too, has enjoyed talking with and even learning from his clients over the years, most of whom are business savvy and enjoy their own successes in life. So, what are some of the basic principles that have made this 40-year successful business work? Tom shares that, “the business model throughout these four decades has been one of a deliberate focus on being the best in homebuilding—not trying to be all things to all people. Our commitment is to quality [no shortcuts], customer care and responsive service before, during and after the build; it’s important to be a good listener, to never become greedy and always have consistency in every aspect of our operation—we continually deliver on everything we say we will do. There is something to be said for developing and
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maintaining relationships with our clients that are built on such trust. As the poet Rumi once said, “Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life,” and it is obvious that the more he expresses appreciation for what he has accomplished, the more likely he will have even more to express his gratefulness for. One can see that Keller is approaching his company’s 40th Anniversary as a time for reflection and much gratitude, with the focus on looking forward and moving ahead with vision and excitement. It’s not just about the total years but the quality of the years they are celebrating and we hope to see the Thomas J. Keller family celebrate many more, building beautiful coastal homes for families to enjoy for generations. And, based on his track record, we have no doubt that Thomas J. Keller will do just that.
Life happens. And you want to be ready when it does. Let us help you take care of what matters most Getting to know you and what you care most about — planning for college, taking care of an elder family member, passing a legacy to future generations, buying a second home — is so important. Once we understand your priorities, together, we can help you pursue the goals you’ve set for yourself and your family. Call to learn more today.
The Somers Group Skye J. Gibson, CFP®, C(k)P®, CPFA Vice President Wealth Management Advisor NMLS#: 578819
Merrill Lynch 3100 Hingston Avenue Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
609.484.7101 skye.gibson@ml.com
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and Member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Investment products:
Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed
May Lose Value
The Bull Symbol and Merrill Lynch are trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S. C(k)P® is a registered trademark of The Retirement Advisor University, Inc. bay-magazine.com 43 © 2019 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. | AR76MH5H | AD-04-19-0826 | 471089PM-0119 | 05/2019
Celebrating 40 Years
Thomas J. Keller BUILDING CONTRACTOR LLC
4 N . L O N G B E A C H B LV D . S U R F C I T Y, N J 0 8 0 0 8 609.494.2215 | THOMASJKELLER.COM
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LET’S BUILD A HOME T H I S Y E A R , W E C E L E B R AT E 4 0 Y E A R S O F L O N G B E A C H I S L A N D C U S T O M H O M E B U I L D I N G . W E E N J O Y B E I N G D R E A M - M A K E R S T O G E N E R AT I O N S O F L B I FA M I L I E S A N D A R E A S PA S S I O N AT E T O D AY A S W E W E R E W H E N W E S TA R T E D . W E C O N S I S T E N T LY D E L I V E R B E A U T I F U L , D I V E R S E A N D S O L I D C O A S TA L H O M E S , P R O V I D I N G A N E X C E P T I O N A L H O M E B U I L D I N G E X P E R I E N C E F R O M D E S I G N TO C O M P L E T I O N A N D B E YO N D. T H O M A S J . K E L L E R I S C O M M I T T E D TO T H E QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP AND RESPONSIVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FOR WHICH WE’RE KNOWN. LET US HELP YOU ENVISION THE POSSIBILITIES. NJ REGISTERED BUILDER LICENSE #042471/HIC#13VH04329200
CHOOSE ANDERSEN AND NOTHING LESS “ANDERSEN” AND THE AW LOGO ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF ANDERSEN CORPORATION
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SG
S E AG AT E G RO U P e Lat g rtin 2019 a t S ing r p S
T h e S e a g at e G ro u p i s I n t ro d u c i n g Two N e w Wat e r f ro n t Re s i d e n c e s t o b e bu i l d i n L ove l a d i e s
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609.994.4700 s e a g at e g ro u p l b i @ g m a i l . c o m s e a g at e l b i . c o m
NJ Builders Licencse 050985
Photo by Michael Spark
INTERIOR DESIGN LIGHTING
FURNITURE
B E D & B AT H L I N E N S
W I N D O W T R E AT M E N T S
1012 Central Ave, Ship Bottom | 609.361.9297 | betweenthesheetsnj.com info@betweenthesheetsnj.net bay-magazine.com 47
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O L E O
U T D O O R I V I N G L E M E N T S F F I R E Written by Lisa Simek
“It’s about creating that inviting, warm environment. Clients crave that tranquility, yet want the convenience of escaping to their own back yard.” -DAVID ASH JR.
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Often the thought of gathering around a fire brings back the most pleasant of nostalgic memories: catching up with loved ones and exchanging laughs, while humming the tune of your favorite songs, feeling warm and at peace under a starry night sky on a cool summer’s evening. Studies prove that simply staring at a fire lowers blood pressure, promotes relaxation and relieves stress, so it’s no surprise that the installation of fire featured elements has been taking off on Long Beach Island. “People are drawn to fire,” notes David Ash Jr., renowned local landscap-
er, designer, and owner of the Surf City-based company David Ash Jr. Landscape Contractors. He adds, “It’s about creating that inviting, warm environment. Clients crave that tranquility, yet want the convenience of escaping to their own back yard.” That’s where he and his team come in; with nearly three decades of landscape design experience, David Ash Jr. is addressing exactly this demand with his breathtaking fire-featured, custom constructed, personal backyard sanctuaries. For Ash, designing the perfect outdoor space is a delicate process of connecting all of the dots
of human experience. Low voltage lighting accented throughout, strategically placed horticulture that provoke both an aromatic and aesthetically pleasing ambiance, natural elements of stone, water, and fire—all contributing the ultimate sensory experience for anyone walking through the garden. When it comes to fire features, though, the outdoor living designer is keen on specific characteristics and attributes. For starters, he almost always recommends natural gas-powered fire features. “Not only is it the safest, but it really is the most convenient as well,” he shares. Ash acknowledges that local town ordinances have become
stricter regarding the installation and use of fire elements in homeowner yards, and the best direction to take is opting for a fire pit or patio heater that is directly and professionally connected to one’s gas line. While he usually parlays the stonework, coloring, and elements of a home’s exterior into the design of his curated outdoor living spaces, any mundaneness ends there. Ash’s list of high-end property transformations include everything custom from outdoor kitchen units that rival that of celebrity chef Bobby Flay, to resort style swimming pools with innovative concepts such as one-of-a-kind fire and water
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features (in which water flows directly through the fire bowls and cascades back down into the pool in a beautiful, elegant sheet), extravagant private cabanas, and stunning walls and terraces with curved snake flame fire features that accent ocean views. If you’re not partial to fire and water swimming pools or snake flames, the options for other fire features are limitless. David Ash Jr. deems the most popular to be self-contained fire and water bowls, fire pillars, and fire pits themselves which can come in all shapes and sizes. Ash customizes his built-in fire pits and can not only make them as large or small as requested, but can vary the shapes (round, square, linear, curve, pattern) and even place them in unique locations including built into a garden planter display or custom built waterfall. Above all, the high-end landscape design firm prides itself on quality materials and services. From knowledge of the appropriate BTU output of one’s desired fire elements to sourcing exceptional materials that combat the local weather and natural elements of the island, David Ash Jr. not only has a green thumb, but also the creative fuel to light your outdoor living space’s fire.
David Ash Jr. Landscape Contractors is a high-end landscape and design firm based in Surf City. Servicing Long Beach Island for more than 27 years, David Ash Jr. offers a visionary, functional, and natural approach to full service luxury outdoor living design, custom installation, and building. To learn more, visit lbilandscaper.com or follow them on Instagram @davidashjrlandscape
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we design it
YOU DREAM IT
TURN YOUR BACKYARD DREAMS INTO A REALITY In addition to our premiere landscaping services, we design and install gunite and fiberglass pools, outdoor kitchens, natural stone and paver patios. Contact us today to get started on your ultimate outdoor living experience.
(609) 494-7007 | info@davidashlandscaping.com | www.davidashlandscaping.com | Licensebay-magazine.com #13VH06147600 51
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Hot tub maintenance | Pre-delivery site inspection Delivery and Installation services 319 West 8th St. PO Box 127 Ship Bottom, NJ 08008 609.361.0221 | WWW.lbihotspringspas.com
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kitchen S I X Q U E ST I O N S YO U S H O U L D A S K YO U R S E L F B E F O R E R E M O D E L I N G YO U R K I TC H E N Written by Cathy Landrum
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Photos by Dianne Ahto, Graphicus 14, LLC
Who doesn’t love the thought of a new kitchen? Remodeling your kitchen can be quite an undertaking, but it will also be one of the most exciting renovations to your home. Before taking on this project, ask yourself a few questions to help you organize your thoughts and prioritize your design ideas. W H AT I S YO U R U LT I M AT E G OA L ? What is the ultimate goal that you would like to achieve with your kitchen remodel? Do you want to enlarge the area and add additional storage, or is your main focus to update and modernize the existing space? The ideal scenario may be to build out and add more square footage to create a larger kitchen, but, keep in mind, this option comes with a larger price tag. Your builder can suggest ideas to reconfigure the layout and help you determine the best plan for your space. Before beginning any designs or architectural plans, it is important to share your vision… and your wish list. D O YO U E N T E RTA I N ? Do you like to cook and entertain? Including high end appliances in your kitchen may be essential if you are a serious chef. Other options for entertaining might include a butler’s pantry, a bar sink, an ice machine, a warming drawer or a wine and beverage fridge. If you host often, adding an island or peninsula, to offer extra seating, will probably be on the top of your list of must haves.
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I S T H I S A G O O D I N V E ST M E N T ? Is remodeling your kitchen a good investment? Renovated kitchens and baths tend to facilitate the sale of a home since many buyers are looking for a move-in ready place. But it is also important to consider how long you plan to stay in your current home before you start a remodel. If you plan to sell soon, a hefty investment may not make the most sense because your style may differ from the future buyer’s taste. But if this is your “forever” home, then craft your wish list and start the conversation! D O YO U L I K E T H E L AYO U T ? Are you happy with the current layout of your kitchen? If so, keeping the current layout will save you money on your renovation. If you maintain the plumbing, electric, heating and cooling in their existing locations, you will save considerably on the expense that you would incur if you moved them. Many homeowners want to create an open concept between
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the kitchen and dining room by removing a wall or two. Accommodating a larger table and sharing your cooking space with your guests, is right on trend. Making your kitchen as functional as possible is a top priority since it is probably the most highly trafficked room in your entire home. W H AT I S YO U R B U D G E T ? Have you considered how much you are willing to spend? Be forthcoming with your designer or builder and let them know your comfort level concerning budget. If you are updating your kitchen from top to bottom, it is one of the most expensive rooms in your home to renovate. A full remodel typically encompasses replacing all cabinetry, counters, appliances and flooring as well as updating the plumbing, electric, heating and cooling. Consider having a contingency budget for any unforeseen circumstances that may be hidden behind the walls or under the floors, especially if you have an older home.
H AV E YO U R E S E A R C H E D YO U R P R O F E S S I O N A L ? Have you researched your builder or designer? Ask for references and take a few minutes to reach out to them. Confirm that your builder is both licensed and insured. Check out their website and see if they belong to any professional organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and the local chamber of commerce. Most importantly, your kitchen remodel should reflect you and what works best for your family. You should make the improvements that will have the greatest impact on your day-to-day living and that you know your family will enjoy. At Under Construction Builders, we look forward to helping you realize your dream kitchen from budgeting to design to construction. Under Construction Builders has over 25 years of experience building and renovating on Long Beach Island and in South Jersey. We specialize in modernizing kitchens and bathrooms and adding additional living space to offer the perfect solution to update
your home. For more information, visit our website at www.ucbuildersnj.com , our Houzz
profile at www.houzz.com/pro/ucbuilders or call our Ship Bottom office at 609-661-6055.
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SHOWROOM
You won’t find them in ordinary kitchens. Or at ordinary stores. Sub-Zero, the preservation specialist. Wolf, the cooking specialist. Cove, the cleaning specialist. You’ll find them only at your local kitchen specialist. 1968
491A Main Street (Route 9), West Creek, NJ • 609-597-3571 • anchorappliance.com
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Design
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VISIT OUR MANAHAWKIN SHOWROOM AT 725 EAST BAY AVENUE ADDITIONAL SHOWROOMS IN LAKEWOOD, POINT PLEASANT BEACH, SHREWSBURY
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to credit approval. Ask for details. Conditions apply.
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POOLS on LONGBEACHISLAND
Considerations from the landscape design perspective Written by Tom Scangarello Jr. of Bay Ave Plant Company
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Photos by Vinyl
OPEN HOUSE
When contemplating a new home purchase, renovation, or property makeover, many homeowners are beginning to ask themselves is a pool right for me? Here are some considerations offered by Bay Avenue Plant Company.
The Design Phase Pool placement on the property during the design phase is critical and one should take into account the other elements that will be around the pool. For example, a particular view of the ocean or bay, sun exposure, seating for guests, an area for lounge chairs, a grill, and a table for eating, all play a role in the design. Other features such as outdoor kitchens and fire pits are also becoming increasingly popular. Much like designing rooms in a home, a backyard should be designed taking all of these items into consideration and making sure that they work well together. Other items to take into account when designing a pool include municipal setbacks, lot coverage, and impervious coverage. Each municipality has different regulations and some municipalities have different regulations based on the town you are located in. The best way to begin this process is with a landscape design or architectural plan that will incorporate all of the elements you desire for your entire outdoor space. A landscape plan will help you avoid any mishaps, insure proper placement and materials, and can help with budgeting or phasing of a project over an extended period of time.
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What type of pool is right for me? When choosing a pool, there are many options. Here on LBI, many people are choosing to construct either fiberglass pools or gunite (concrete) pools. When purchasing a fiberglass pool, customers can choose from shell molds that are offered by particular shell manufacturers. Generally there are a number of various sizes and colors that can be selected from. When constructing a gunite pool, customization of size, color, and finish is unlimited. You have options to add sun ledges, swim up bar stools, etc. Fiberglass shells can be set in a day with four pilings that are set in place and chained to the pool. Gunite pools are set over a period of approximately one week. The structural components include a series of engineered pilings, steel caging, and finally gunite. When trying to decide which pool is right for you, freedom of design, price, and your property’s vulnerability to the elements should all be taken into account. Whether you’re interested in a fiberglass pool or a gunite pool, you should be aware of both options and what the pros and cons of each are for their particular project.
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The Fun Stuff! Once you’ve mastered the design and chosen the right pool for you, selecting the color, tile, and the stone material around the pool can really impact the feeling that the pool brings to your home. Incorporating beautiful plantings and colorfully filled planters that surround your pool, add that final touch to your own personal oasis. With so many options today like using natural stone or adding lighting features, taking your time and working with a professional will definitely make the process and the final product that much more enjoyable.
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UNMATCHED COASTAL SELECTIONS.
Our Ship Bottom NJ (Long Beach Island) store is your destination for everything coastal. Bring the sounds of the ocean, the warmth of sun and your beach memories inside with our coastal, nautical and beach styled furniture and accents.
609-494-8127 101 W 8th St, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008 Mon Tue Wed Thu 9-6. Fri 9-7. Sat 9-6. Sun 10-4. Also in Southampton, PA • oskarhuber.com
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• • • • •
Sunesta.com
GiglioAwning.com
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Motorized Retractable Awnings & Screens Custom Made for your Home or Business Lifetime Warranty Fast Installation Over 130 Fabric Patterns and Colors
800-972-4104
7802 Long Beach Blvd. Harvey Cedars - LBI
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COASTAL CONTEMPORARY IS THE NEW BLACK Written by Lisa Simek Photos by Ann Coen
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On LBI, few families have built legacies in the homebuilding industry as Walters Homes has. Since its inception in the 1980s, the company now includes a second and even third-generation family roster that is helping to bridge Walters reputation of quality and reliability into a modern-day caterer of customers’ evolving demands. With a portfolio of work that spans Barrier Island, Lagoon Front, and the mainland, Walters Homes meets the criteria of soup-to-nuts design conception and construction of the home of ones dreams. Matthew Gaudet-Walters, Director of Business Development for Walters Homes and second generationer operative, shares that his father’s humble beginnings established the foundation of valuing ethical business principles and a hard day’s work to
grow and forever progress the family business into what it has become today—a one-stop shop offering a little bit of everything to yield a whole lot of options for every type of homeowner or prospective buyer. Although over the years Walters Homes has been known for building the traditionally classic coastal home on and around LBI, the firm is also growing its repertoire to develop a buildstyle that can also be more innovative, creative, and modern for the new-age homeowner. Make no mistake the builder is not not entirely shifting its direction towards only building modern homes, but as a leader in homebuilding progression and evolution, testing out the highest quality industry technologies and sourcing the newest materials and maintenance-free resources, it’s
important for Walters Homes to be able to showcase it’s talents through a wide variety of custom homebuilding options such as the model home they recently completed which is featured on 3 East Mercer Avenue in Harvey Cedars. This Harvey Cedars ocean block contemporary, multilevel home features 2,467 sq. ft. of open concept living sits just 6 houses from the beach. Modern and well-lit, the unique design of this home encompasses the most innovative building materials that make this home not only eye-catching but furthermore virtually maintenance-free. The Certainteed Cedar Impression Siding not only looks like real, multidimensional natural cedar shake, but it comes with a lifetime warranty to guarantee they will look
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like new for years and even decades to come. This home’s vogueish façade also includes incredible stonework and white Certainteed restoration trimming, balanced out by black window frames [around the Andersen 400 Series casement windows] and luxurious cable rails, fiberglass decks and black stainless-steel posts, cable rails and IPE handrail. Even the twin garage doors are a statement piece in themselves, with their 6 paneled, tinted and mirrored glass windows (from which you can see out, but not in from) framed in black aluminum that solidifies a crisp contrast against the white trim. The black outdoor haiku fans against the white soffits are just the icing on the cake. It’s easy to gather, even at a mere first glance of this home, that every construction detail is well-thought out and carefully planned with premium quality bases and finishings. As trends in technology and lifestyle progress, this is how Walters’s construction is also ever-evolving. Dubbed a Coastal Contemporary, this home is nothing short of natural light first and foremost. The demand for this popular “more windows” movement is illustrated as soon as you enter, a foyer stairwell with a floating staircase off the main wall, three massive picture windows as well as a beautiful grand balcony that is also well lit due to all of the brightness from the striking sunlight. The top floor state-of-the-art kitchen features Lauriermax cabinetry and 2 ½ in. thick Cambria quartz countertops, which were installed on the island waterfalling on one side, reaching completely to the Medallion Collection hardwood wide-plank flooring. The built-in Jenn-Air refrigeration and Jenn-Air duel-fuel 36” stove with five-burner induction cooktop range are complemented by a double oven and a tastefully hidden range hood, with a secret passage to a butler’s pantry—the perfect kitchen, really, for the modern-day cooking enthusiast looking for functionality as well as a sleek aesthetic. As formal dining rooms are on the decline, the integrated living-dining room area is open, spacious with 10-foot ceilings and harmonized with a cozy, yet stylish built-in cosmopolitan style fireplace, positioned halfway up the wall. 72 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
master bath. The entire home is also pre-wired for Wi-Fi, a camera system and surround sound, already offering the Ring app feature, which is a doorbell that connects to a home’s Wi-Fi network and streams live video and audio of the entrance door to a paired iPad screen in the common areas.
The view from this room is beautiful with a sea of glass windows showcasing the Harvey Cedars Marina between the bay and the bridge. The first-floor family room includes a wet bar and built-in beverage center, which you can access by means of a three-stop elevator. This modern Hamptons-meets-Newport Beach style home also boasts 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms that each contain little details such as LED backlit and anti-fog mirror, smart apps in the Master to preset your shower temperatures and radiant heat flooring throughout all of the baths, even a steam shower in the
Priced at $2,100,000, this gorgeous home is reminiscent of a chic Southern Cali crib, mixed with a toned down, modern Hamptons-esque vibe. Unlike its traditional LBI counterpart, this new age custom home has spunk—an avantgarde style and crisp, clean, edgy character. It delightfully showcases that while Walters Homes has expertise in building the time-honored and beautiful classic beach homes of LBI, he also happens to have a few tricks up his sleeves for those looking to blend the new age city-chic aesthetic with an easy-living beach home of a new generation. Although they may be pioneering the newest trends in homebuilding, Walters Homes will always remain timeless, sophisticated, and true to its roots. This core philosophy is the superior excellence one can expect from the service and craftsmanship of Walters Homes. Walters has been building quality homes at the Jersey Shore for more than 35 years. The company is comprised of three divisions—Architecture, Custom Homes and Realty—which offer all-inclusive services that seamlessly bring a homebuyer’s dream vision to reality. Walters Architecture is a completely complimentary service that allows homebuyers to work with in-house architects to design the perfect home with modern innovations and technology. Walters Realty offers full-service brokerage experts that help homebuyers find the right homesite depending on their desired location. Walters Custom Homes offers newly designed custom home plans that help homebuyers through the homebuilding process. Every custom home built by Walters meets or exceeds the energy efficiency requirements for ENERGY STAR® certification. Walters Homes is located at 880 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. To learn more, call 609.597.6999 or visit waltershomes.com.
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the
wickery 30 Flint Road, Toms River Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm & Closed Monday Visit our 10,000 sq ft showroom located off Garden State Parkway Exit 81 732-286-2322 • www.thewickery.com
Outdoor Wicker Indoor Rattan Aluminum Teak Poly
Fire Pit Tables Patio Umbrellas Replacement Cushions Wicker Repairs Chair Caning
BRANDS Lloyd Flanders • Lane Venture Castelle • Skyline Design Outdoor Greatroom Company Woodline Shade Solutions Homecrest • Classic Rattan
We are a family owned & operated store since 1986. We invite you to visit our showroom, where you can sit, feel and see all the furniture and be treated like family. If you can’t make it to our store, we provide in-home estimates and virtual consultations. 74 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
LocaLLy K nown GLobaLLy c onnected coastaLivinG . pro
| 609 492 4444
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2019 ANNUAL SEASHORE OPEN HOUSE TOUR A House Full of Ideas August 2, 10:30‑4:30
The House Tour A house is filled with art and science, dreams and ideas. The Annual Seashore Open House Tour, presented by the LBI Foundation of the Arts & Sciences, wants to stimulate people to look more deeply into the art and science of all things. Homes provide a 3-dimensional pallet on which to express yourself and your family. And it’s fun, whether you are doing or dreaming!
The Homes The House Tour features a variety of homes: large and small, new construction and older, traditional and modern styles: bayside with sunsets and oceanside with views of the ocean. Homes showcase different interior and exterior life styles and decoration making a home an extension of the inhabitants outwardly and the environment inwardly. Examples show how beautiful homes can, and should, take advantage of natural landscaping and use of new ideas and materials that add beauty while conserving energy and other resources.
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House Tour Preview & Architect Forum Join us for this special event preview. This forum includes featured House Tour architects, builders, and designers on what was done, why, and how. Thank you to our 2019 House Tour Sponsor Woodhaven Lumber & Millwork.
Fact sheets Secondly, each home has a fact sheet to identify pertinent information about the home and those who defined, designed, built or installed its wonders. Fact sheets will also be available at the home or on our website. Thanks As always, the LBIF thanks the homeowners for sharing their home with us and the architects, builders, contractors and designers for their creativity and their support in the event. Details Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lbifoundation.org/ housetour. Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Science 120 Long Beach Boulevard Loveladies NJ 08008
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NEVER MOW YOUR LAW AGAIN 1060 Monroe Street Hoboken, NJ | 877.711.8873 garden-mark.com
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OPEN HOUSE
CLEA R A S GLA S S Written by Diana Stanczak
Few materials have the power to completely transform the atmosphere of a room with its simplicity the way that glass does. The right glass, in the right place, can turn a lackluster bathroom into a luxurious, spa-like oasis. And one of the easiest way to create a bathroom that offers an aura of relaxation is with the installation of frameless glass shower doors.
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“The appeal of frameless shower doors is their timeless elegance combined with their high functionality,” says Tom Basile, owner of Precision Glass in Eatontown, N.J. “People are upgrading from old-fashioned frame doors, because those typically aren’t built to last, and can be hard to maintain,” Basile explains. In addition to their sleek, modern silhouette, frameless doors offer a functional advantage over their framed counterparts: without a frame, there is less opportunity for water to leak through or become trapped in hardware. Once you’ve decided to upgrade your hinged or sliding framed doors on your tub or shower—or finally remove your old shower curtain—take the time to familiarize yourself with the three main components of a frameless glass enclosure: glass, hardware, and expertise, from manufacturing through installation.
GLASS
HARDWARE
EXPERTISE
Not all glass is created equally. Generic glass, while seemingly clear, is actually green—a feature which becomes more evident the thicker the glass is. To achieve a true barely-there look, frameless doors require a special glass manufactured with clarity in mind. Precision Glass works exclusively with Clarvista ® Starphire glass, an industry leading glass prized for its unparalleled color-less clarity due to a special coating fused to the glass during manufacturing. Clarvista is also non-porous, making it near impossible for water and soap—enemy number one to anyone who’s ever scrubbed soap scum off their shower doors— to penetrate the glass.
For frameless doors, the role of hardware is two-fold. From a functional perspective, picking the right hinge is important, because that dictates the thickness of your glass and the maximum width of your door. Precision Glass recommends soft close hydraulic hinges to protect your investment— spring-loaded hinges can seriously damage your shower door seals when not guided shut.
To complete the trifecta, the clearest glass and most durable hardware must be paired with the proper expertise in order to bring your vision to life. A reputable company will work only with industry-leading manufacturers, ensuring the best in materials, and follow-through with installation and service that is second-to-none. At Precision Glass, the entire process, from consultation to installation takes one to two weeks, with Basile and his staff ready to walk you through every step of the way.
Thickness matters, too. If given the option of selecting ½” glass or ⅜” glass, choosing the slightly thicker glass is ideal for structural stability, while still achieving your desirable look. “The thinner glass is often used to compensate for low-capacity hinges,” Basile explains. “The frameless doors operate as a system—when quality in one part of the structure is subpar, the entire structure is affected.”
Meanwhile, the finish of your hardware is what will allow your shower door to blend in seamlessly with your existing furnishing and décor. Matte black and brushed brass are on trend in 2019, but the simplicity of the entire frameless structure ensures they won’t look out of place in a decade. Divided light style doors, where horizontal and vertical lines intersect, much like a multi-paned patio door, are also having their moment, with the hardware finishes matching that of the knobs of the bathroom cabinets, drawers and doorknob.
No matter what style you choose, here’s an industry secret to keeping your glass shower doors spotless: “I encourage everyone to squeegee excess water off after every shower,” Basile says. Now, is that clear?
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LONG BEACH ISLAND’S HOME DESIGN MAGAZINE
OPEN HOUSE I N T E R I O R
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O P E N H O U S E M AG A Z I N E I S T H E T O P R E S O U R C E F O R C O N S U M E R S W H O WA N T T O TA P I N T O D E S I G N A N D A R C H I T E C T U R E C O M M U N I T I E S I N L O N G B E AC H I S L A N D AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. ADVERTISING | SUBMISSIONS | GENERAL INQUIRES contact us at info@bay-mag.com
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OPEN HOUSE
Home Garden Planning your succulent garden
Written by Peg Reynolds
With their interesting shapes, variety of colors, wonderful textures and very little care required, Peg Reynolds of Reynolds Landscaping & Garden Shop shares that succulents have become the newest trend in gardening. Great for low-maintenance containers, they are perfect for people that don’t have much time to water but love a little nature in their yard. Grown all over the world, succulents are plants with fleshy leaves, stems or roots. Succulents are normally known for their rich green color, but you can find vibrant red succulents, muted blue succulents
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and many colors in between. Some also have beautiful accent colors like yellow, white and black. For outdoor containers, Peg says to be sure to plant succulents in a sunny location (optimally receiving sunlight for at least half of the day) and since they don’t like wet roots, make sure to have proper drainage. It is best to use a soil meant for succulents, but you can also add sand to your own potting mix. Mixing up your terrarium or planter with unique succulents is an easy way to incorporate pops of color into your home and garden. One can even use gravel or sand as a topper to give the planter a finished look. Succulents have a high tolerance to different light, therefore making them ideal for planting inside or out. They are easy to propagate by cutting a stem and inserting it into the soil. Several varieties make little plants that can be separated without difficulty as well. When watering succulents, it is better to water the soil and avoid dousing the plants themselves. Like most plants, it is better to water them thoroughly and then let them dry out. Succulents hold a lot of water in their roots for the dry season. You can usually tell if they are in need of water by looking at them. If they aren’t plump, then it’s time to water. If the leaf is firm, no need to water. A few succulents will overwinter. Many succulents can tolerate hard freezes. Peg picks Stonecrop Sedums, hardy Ice Plants and Hens & Chicks (sempervivum) are a few that do well as perennials. Check the labels to see which ones are best for your outdoor containers and gardens. Kalanchoe is one of the most commercially sold succulents used for indoor containers. They have beautiful blooms that last for several months. These can be used outdoors but won’t overwinter. Other common succulents for the indoors include Aloe Vera, Echeveria, Zebra Plant and Crown of Thorns. Lastly, Peg shares that using succulents for durable groundcovers and difficult slopes or places that don’t get much irrigation is a wonderful option. From terrariums, modern containers to old terracotta pots, there is a succulent container for everyone, so be sure to stop into Reynolds Landscaping & Garden Shop in Manahawkin to begin planning your succulent garden today. bay-magazine.com 87
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GET THE LOOK
staycation Photography | Jessielyn Palumbo Styled By | Reynolds Floral Market Makeup | CIA Agency Hair | Lavish Location | Daddy O’s Models April Maroshick | Chenoah Blount
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HEALTHY LIVING
Beauty Buzz 3 S k i n - Tr a n s f o r m i n g Fa c e M a s k s Yo u C a n M a k e O u t o f Fo o d Written by Lisa Simek Photos by Christina Zen Studio www.christinazen.com
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Wrinkle-Fighting &Anti-Aging 1 tsp. spirulina 1 tsp. Rose petal powder 3 tbsp. plain yogurt Spirulina, the superfood of all superfoods, is known to fight free radicals, encourage cell-turnover and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Cleopatra’s favorite rose petal powder is rich in Vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help to boost collagen production and strengthen skin tissue. The lactic acid in yogurt will help dissolve dead skin cells and tighten pores. Together, these three make a powerhouse DIY face mask that leaves the skin youthful, plump and glowing. 102 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Exfoliate & Even Skin Tone 1 tbsp. beet root powder 3 tbsp. course Himalayan sea salt 1 tbsp. coconut oil Beet root powder is not only great for your body, but it is also known for removing dark spots and blemishes from skin. Mixing it with sea salt and coconut oil helps to cleanse pores deeply, balance oil production and thwart bacteria that can instigate breakouts and acne. It will brighten your tone and leave your skin feeling silky and renewed.
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Soothe & Hydrate 3 tbsp. avocado, mashed 2 tbsp. old fashioned oats 1 tsp. raw honey 1 tsp. matcha green tea powder Add hydration back into rough, dry skin with this moisturizing mask. The omega fatty acids in avocado help seal cracks between skin cells. The ECGC in the green tea increases elasticity and reduces inflammation, while soothing ingredients like honey and oatmeal calm red patches. Skin will feel soft and supple after you rinse this mask off. 104 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
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HEALTHY LIVING
B E A C H BA G
essentials
Written by Lisa Simek
Photos by Christina Zen Studio www.christinazen.com
Curating chic, safe and all-natural beauty must-haves to stash in your beach tote for a trip a la playa isn’t as easy as one may think. Which sunscreens actually works? How will your kombucha actually stay cold?! The struggle is real. Read on for our top picks of the season.
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Clockwise from top:
Bug Bite Thing Insect Saliva/Venom Suction Pump, $9.95, CVS Stores 100% Pure Anti-Bacterial Wood Pulp Oil Blotting Paper, $9, 100percentpure.com Eminence Wildflower Ultralight Oil, $56, buynaturalskincare.com S’well Stainless Steel triple-walled, vacuum-insulated water bottle (designed to keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours), $35, amazon.com ThinkSport Aloe & Tea Flowers Toxic-Free Deodorant, $8.99, Target/Target.com Whish Beauty Lip Balms with Bakuchiol (shown in Vanilla & Watermelon), $20, whish.com Ao Skincare 6000x Elemental Screen SPF 30, $45, Bloomingdales.com and AoSkincare.com Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist, $25, Ulta Beauty Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Juice Boost Illuminator, $25, Ulta Beauty Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Jelly Eyeshadow in Mimosa, $24, Ulta Beauty Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Ultra-Natural Mascara, $24, Ulta Beauty Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Last Looks Cream Blush, $25, Ulta Beauty Pirette Fragrance Oil, “A long lasting scent inspired by fresh coconut, surf wax, sunscreen and that sun-washed feeling after a day at the beach,” $48, available at Little Bunglaow located at 1700 Long Beach Boulevard (at 17th Street) in Surf City)
Clockwise from top:
100% Pure Gemmed Lip Gloss, $26, 100percentpure.com 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented® Lip & Cheek Tint, $27, 100percentpure.com Leovard Luxury Lip Luster + Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm(2 Pack), $14, amazon.com Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Jelly Eyeshadow in assorted colors, $24, Ulta Beauty Pirette Fragrance Oil, “A long lasting scent inspired by fresh coconut, surf wax, sunscreen and that sun-washed feeling after a day at the beach,” $48, available at Little Bunglaow located at 1700 Long Beach Boulevard (at 17th Street) in Surf City) Pour le Monde TOGETHER All Natural Eau De Parfum, $82, amazon.com Whish Beauty Lip Balms with Bakuchiol (shown in Vanilla & Watermelon), $20, whish.com 100% Pure Cherry Lip Balm, $7, amazon.com Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Last Looks Cream Blush, $25, Ulta.com Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Juice Boost Illuminator, $25, Ulta Beauty
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Clockwise from top:
Eminence Organics Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen SPF 30, $52, buynaturalskincare.com Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+, $12.99, Target 100% Pure Green Tea SPF 30 Reef-safe sunscreen, $32, 100percentpure.com Thinksport Face & Body Sunscreen Stick SPF 30, $8.99, amazon.com 100% Pure Everywhere Sun Stick SPF30, $20, 100percentpure.com Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer, $30, Ulta.com Ao Skincare 6000x Elemental Screen SPF 30, $45, Bloomingdales.com and AoSkincare.com Juice Beauty SPF 30 Reef-Safe Sport Sunscreen, $16, Ulta.com
Clockwise from top:
Bug Bite Thing Insect Saliva/Venom Suction Pump, $9.95, CVS Stores Eminence Wildflower Ultralight Oil, $56; Lilikoi Face Primer SPF 23, $62; Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer SPF 33, $68; all three available at buynaturalskincare.com Trilogy Hydrating Mist Toner, $29, Ulta Beauty/Ulta.com Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist, $25, Ulta Beauty/Ulta.com 100% Pure Anti-Bacterial Wood Pulp Oil Blotting Paper, $9, 100percentpure.com ThinkSport Aloe & Tea Flowers Toxic-Free Deodorant, $8.99, Target/Target.com Devita Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Seru-Gel, $46.95, DevitaSkincare.com Leovard Luxury Oil Fusion + Multi Use Anti-Aging Oil, $15, amazon.com
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Beach Barn Boutique Gifts . Clothing . Antiques & more I n t he hea rt o f S hi p Bo tto m
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HEALTHY LIVING
THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE Open for Fitness: Boxing Clinics are a Sell-Out at Black Sheep Studios on LBI Written by Lisa Simek
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Photos b Michael John Murphy
“This move is a slip jab. You are avoiding or “slipping” a jab, while returning one yourself to the opponent’s chest or stomach. It is one of many ways to use the jab stealthfully,” adds Reyes.
If you’re not having fun during your workout, you’re not going to the right place. And for those looking for an all-inclusive, non-judgmental, encouraging environment—with a baaa’d ass workout (see what we did there?)—then Black Sheep Studios is the place for you. “A lot of times, mainstream fitness culture takes itself way too seriously, and we represent the black sheep of that dynamic,” shares founder and owner of the fitness studio, Devon Karvan. Having opened her first studio solo with four spin bikes in a small sublet space from Liquid Bliss Yoga in 2016, she would have never imagined that this year will be her fourth year in business, currently employing 16+ instructors, with countless classes each day, and leasing the entire building of the old Sink R Swim location at 11101 Long Beach Blvd in Haven Beach on LBI. In this charming and earthy setting, there is a constant vibe of acceptance and quirky irreverence, making the programming and interaction not only fun and engaging, but people it helps gym-goers almost forget that they’re working out because they’re having such a good time.
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In this photo Hector is doing a “Jab.” “The jab is your lead hand in the fighting stance. It is used for offensive and defensive attacks. It keeps opponents at distance and disrupts timing, and it is also a set up for future punches,” shares Hector Reyes.
“The gym is founded on principles of inclusivity,” adds Karvan. “We don’t care what you look like, how old you are, what gender you are or if you are a metaphorical black sheep. Here you belong and you are going to get, the most intense (but all level) and motivational workout we can physically offer you,” she continues. Holding dozens of classes per day, the studio has everything from barre, pilates and spin, to HIIT, boxing, TRX, even an outdoor, ocean front “beach bootcamp”—among dozens more. Brought up as a dancer her entire life, receiving formal dance training, Devon acknowledges that dance in any form—ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical—has always been an integral part of her fitness inspiration. By her teen years, she eventually branched over into the world of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. It’s safe to assume that her multisport athleticism might have a little something to do with her deep passion [and talent] for health and fitness, of the body and mind.
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One such workout we are delving into this season will be the uber-popular, sell-out boxing clinic offered by Black Sheep Studios. In the words of the class description, “If you ever feel like you just want to kick someone’s ass, but you don’t feel like going to jail? Well, this is the class for you!” “Fitness boxing is a great workout for those who are apprehensive of attending a traditional boxing gym because they don’t want to do a contact sport-- this involves all of the same moves, but without the physical contact. Here, one focuses on memorizing combinations on the mitts while also working on footwork and cardio,” describes Hector Reyes, who discovered Muay Thai kickboxing at the age of 17 and has been training ever since. The Black Sheep Boxing Clinic combines martial arts techniques with fast-paced cardio. The high-energy workout challenges the beginner and elite athlete alike to build stamina, improve coordination, flexibility, and burn calories as one simultaneously builds lean muscle during the challenging workout. Gym members are encouraged to punch their frustrations out, and instructors cheer you on as they prepare to take a hit.
Gabrielle Silverman explains, “The first photo is that of a low fighter stance using the Escrima stick. Opposite hand is in the “guard” position.”
“The Front Kick is when the striking part of the foot is the ball of the foot, and you aim for the ankles, knees, or shins of your opponent,” she adds.
“Rumble is a pre-choreographed MMA cardio class, heavily influenced/inspired by Tang Soo Do, that was created for every fitness lover (who loves to get their sweat on). Rumble puts your endurance to the test while increasing your balance, agility and core-stability. Best of all, everyone will use The RUMBLE Stick (modeled after an actual Escrima stick, used as a weapon) making RUMBLE unique to any other workout—no MMA experience required,” shares certified instructor Gabrielle Silverman, who crossed over into the Rumble realm in 2015 after being a Baltimore Ravens cheerleader for four years.
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SPRING/ SUMMER ECO - LUXE
YOGA MATS
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Guided Moving Mediation with Crystal Dawn Froberg at Yoga Bohemia North Beach Haven. 116 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
HEALTHY LIVING
Modern Mindfulness & the Power of Presence Written by Katie Ribsam
Photo by Michael John Murphy
Whether you call LBI your full time home, are a summer resident, or are a visiting vacationer, you are all pretty fortunate to have time here to experience a bit of salty sea air in your lungs, the soft sugar sand on your feet, and to say goodbye to each passing day with the incredible sunsets over Barnegat Bay. We are blessed for sure but just because we are lucky enough to see the Ocean does not mean we are not being held captive in some other ways. Our modern day lives are often a ticking time bomb of stress and anxiety and we, as humans, sometimes find ourselves to be mental prisoners to both the tiny and not-so-tiny traumas we experience in everyday life. So much so that they can consume much of who we are - stealing the ever present beauty straight from our view and replacing it with a general malaise where even the perfect morning sunrise can seem lackluster. If this resonates with you in any way, you are certainly not alone. However, what is incredible about each and every one of us is that with a conscious shift in our way of thinking we can disempower the mental habit patterns holding us captive and we can find a luster for life in everything we experience - from the most mesmerizing sunset to the most mundane daily tasks. So how does one do this? Well, a good start is by recognizing the power of paying attention. Mindfulness is a buzzword associated with this concept and is being taught in every place from K-12 schools to military trainings, being applied in treatment plans offered at your local psychologist’s office all the way to your employee development plans at fortune 500 companies. Mindfulness has been defined by both spiritual leaders and scientific researchers but in the end it boils down to the same thing: the simple act of being aware of your present moment including what you are sensing and feeling so that we can be less consumed by our tendency to ruminate on our negative thoughts and worries. Sounds nice, huh? Who wouldn’t want to swap the chatter, the worry, and the fear for the calm, the compassionate, and the confident? Well, the best
part is that with a little practice the benefits of mindfulness are not all that hard to attain. Below are 5 tips to help you learn to “master your moments” this summer in Long Beach Island. TIP 1 - Practice Patience with a Moving Meditation - Living in LBI means lots of house guests all summer long… fun for sure but having to be on your top host/hostess game can certainly test one’s patience. Visiting LBI can create the same stressor from a different lens. Simply managing the family’s vacation mode can have you leaving your time away feeling like you need another vaca stat. To help calm the chaos inherent with summertime stressors, try creating space in your schedule for a little me-time. This important step in self-care will help give you the benefits of body movement while helping you to adopt a calm, patient pace that will translate deep into your home life. There are many ways to mindfully move and as long as you approach your movement with steady focus and a calm mind you’re doing it right. Here are a few ideas to help you adopt movement... mindfully. Take a Meditative Walk on the Beach - take your shoes off and feel the sand on your toes, take slow solid steps landing each stride with perfect intention. Tune into the sound of the rolling waves. Begin to lengthen your breath and see if you can synchronize your inhale with the sound of each wave rolling to shore and synchronize your exhale with each wave’s retreat back to sea. Notice if at any point your focus shifts to your to-do list or any other ruminating thoughts each time it does simply call yourself back into your meditation by focusing on your synchronized breathing. Let a Pro Guide Your Moving Meditation at a local Yoga Class - Having a hard time staying focused on the meditative part of your movement? Give it a try to let a professional guide you on the path. Long Beach Island is full of great yoga a practice known to cultivate mindful movement through breath & body connection. Whether you bay-magazine.com 117
are more interested in an active yoga class that gives you a mindful workout or a calming class that’s easy on the body, LBI hosts all styles of Yoga which can be found in studio settings, with private sessions right at your home, on the beach or even on a Stand Up Paddle Board! Apply Mindful Focus to Your Regular Exercise Routine Mindfulness can be applied to any movement out there. If you have a regular routine you are already accustomed to, see what happens if you layer mindful breath to the exercise. Whether it is out in the surf waiting to find the next wave to catch, while focused on your perfect stride on your morning jog, or while rhythmically paddling your Standup Paddleboard on the Bay, by applying steady breath and complete focus on what you touch, see and feel will turn your movement into a meditation of its own. TIP 2 - Turn Mundane Tasks into a Meditation of the Senses- The famous monk Thich Nhat Hahn once said, “The feeling that any task is a nuisance will disappear if it is done in mindfulness.” While it may seem that pulling weeds from the garden or washing dishes after your family meal can never be more than a menial task, try mindfulness on for size and see if the job changes for you. While in the garden try to focus not on the annoyance of the job at hand but instead on the sun warming your skin, the feeling of the soil on your hands, the sound of the birds overhead, or the unique beauty of each flower in your garden space. While washing dishes shift your attention from your desire to relax after a long day to the feeling of fulfillment after eating a complete meal, the touch of the warm water on your hands, the rhythmic strokes of washing each plate clean, the sound of a happy family’s chatter in the next room. See if your focus on the senses during any act can help you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude during each passing moment. TIP 3 - Trade in your Binge - Watch for Breath - Watch with Mindful Breathing Techniques- Have you ever found yourself using television as a distraction tool? An opportunity help you “decompress, relax or unwind”? While many of us do just that, the reality is while our bodies may be at rest while watching TV our minds are still working pretty hard to process what we are seeing. Moreover, sometimes what we are seeing can contribute to the added mental stress and anxiety we are already feeling. By cutting out just a small portion of your regular binge - watch and replacing it with some steady breath - watch you can help calm your mind, regulate stress and relieve anxiety. And there is plenty of science behind why it works. For example, a 2017 study published in the journal Science found deep breathing to deactivate nerve cells responsible for triggering anxiety. 118 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
And the best part, mindful breathing is as simple as it sounds. Close your eyes, relax your body and breath in slowly through your nose for the count 3, hold the breath at the top for just a moment and then release it out slow and steady. Try this for about 5 rounds of breath eventually allowing each session to grow in duration perhaps to a full 5-10 minutes. This practice can be done in a seated position or laying down with one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. For the latter variation, focus on the rise and fall of your chest and belly as you breathe in and out - slowly, deeply, mindfully. TIP 4 - Take a Digital Detox - There is no doubt we are in an era of over-stimulation. This significant consumption of data particularly with traditional news outlets coupled with social media sources creates a barrage of information, much of it negative, contributing to feelings of hopelessness, stress, and anxiety. So much so that it can even trigger signals of acute stress and even PTSD. Taking a digital detox can help you minimize overstimulation and shift your attention to what matters most - things like your health, your family and your loved ones. While the thought of disconnecting all together may seem or even be unreasonable for some, simple steps to minimize your digital use can go a long way to a healthier relationship with technology and yourself. Try these steps: • Release the Death-Grip on that Phone! Give yourself screen time limits. For example, once the family is home and safe, turn it off. Refrain from phone use for the first hours of the day and the last hours as well. • Make your Bedroom & Meal Time a Tech-free Zone no TV, no smartphone, no computer. Keep this time and place for human contact, mindful eating and complete rest. • Be Particular with your Media Sources -If you are an obsessive scroller, delete your social media and news apps from your phone and give yourself only short time limits to check your accounts via computer. • Turn off Push Notifications - getting an immediate notification when someone “likes” a post, for example, is an unnecessary distraction that can pull you from other meaningful time. • Swap the Tech - Time for Personal Time - Fill the time you save avoiding technology with personal connection with yourself and others.
TIP 5 - Community Mindfulness: Applying Presence to People - While many of the tips above focus on how to connect back with your own stillness, taking the practice of presence and applying it to your interactions with others will help you to nourish meaningful connections with the people you love and aid in developing new connections with people you meet. Here are some tips on how you can apply presence to the people in your world: Give Active Listening a Try - How many times have you spoken to someone you love while they are texting on their phone, scrolling through FaceBook posts or zoned out on a television show? I think we can all relate to how alienating that feels. However, in a time when multitasking is rewarded one can see how this became the not so pleasant norm. The act of Active Listening is a technique used where FULL concentration is applied while listening. This means not thinking about your response while being spoken to or double timing with any other task. It means being completely immersed in both the words and feelings someone is communicating without even an iota of distraction. It means looking in someone’s eyes as they speak and resisting any temptation to allow your mind to wander. The act of being completely present in your interaction can have a profound effect on the quality of both your communication and your deeper relationships. Next Step: Mindful Speech. Hand-in-hand with how we listen is how we choose to speak. A simple delay in our response time aids in finding clarity in our word choices and a tone that is calm and welcoming. Further, it is not always necessary to respond, sometimes just being there to listen is exactly what is needed for both people in the conversation. Be Present in Every Interaction: Don’t have much to say? Applying presence in each interaction you have both verbal and non-verbal goes a long way. Simply recognizing the people around you with a smile, a wave, or a nod can change a person’s day for the better. And for those in your inner circle jumping in to assist on any task whether building a garden in your backyard or building a sandcastle on the beach can aid in deepening the quiet connection each of our relationships both crave and deserve. Mastering the Moment and Reaping the Benefit A person who practices mindfulness both with themselves and those around them sees a reduction of emotional reactivity, an increase in emotional regulation, an enhanced sense of self-awareness, and an increase in both empathy and compassion. By committing to simple acts of mindfulness in our daily lives, our relationship with ourselves, the people that mean most to us and our larger community grow, our luster for life becomes even more vibrant and our active engagement increases in a profoundly expansive way. Give it a try and see how your world expands. Katie Ribsam is a soul searching, sun loving yogi, residing here in beautiful Long Beach Island. You can find Katie teaching yoga at one of her two LBI yoga studios, Yoga Bohemia - one located in North Beach stunning beaches. For more Haven and the other located in Surf City - or soaking up the sun at one of our information on Katie and her practice go to yogabohemianj.com
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CHILDREN SHOULD BE HAPPY...
NOT HUNGRY *19.3% OF OCEAN COUNTY’S CHILDREN ARE FOOD INSECURE *According to the latest numbers available from Feeding America
Please help us with our vision
“A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE FREE FROM HUNGER” To Support our efforts, and learn more about our activities. Your donations and participation are greatly appreciated!
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The Hunger Foundation has hosted Fundraising Events and received Donations to provide much needed financial support to our local community food banks.
We Proudly Support
Barnegat Food Pantry, Fr. Ken’s Kitchen at St. Mary’s Parish, Greater Tuckerton Food Pantry, Lacey Food Bank Program, Ocean Community Chruch, St. Francis Community Center, St. Episcopal Church
Please visit our website - www.HFOSO.org
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HEALTHY LIVING
Focusing on the Future Written by Anne Green
“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, everyone said to go to the big name cancer centers in New York City or Philadelphia where I would receive the best care,” says Patti McCaughey. “I’m glad that I stayed here and was able to get exceptional care close to home.”
A few days after Patti McCaughey had a mammogram as part of her regular checkup, she received an unexpected call. Breast surgeon Yolanda Tammaro, M.D., from Hackensack Meridian Health Southern Ocean Medical Center wanted her to have a biopsy. The minimally invasive needle biopsy revealed the 56-year-old Little Egg Harbor resident had breast cancer and had spread to her lymph nodes. Dr. Tammaro immediately recommended that Patti see medical oncologist/hematologist Tricia Morino, D.O.
Coordinated Care “I was shocked, but felt reassured as the hospital moved quickly after the diagnosis to set me up with specialists and a plan of action,” says Patti. 122 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Dr. Tammaro met with the multidisciplinary team of experts at Southern Ocean Medical Center to consider Patti’s specific course of treatment. Dr. Morino scheduled an appointment with Patti to discuss the comprehensive treatment plan rather than having her come back for several appointments with the cancer specialists, social worker, and others. “Having a complete treatment plan, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, to address Patti’s diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, allows her to set expectations and work towards cure,” says Dr. Morino.
An Optimistic Future With the multidisciplinary team’s treatment recommendations, Patti decided on a combination of chemo-
Yolanda Tammaro, M.D. Medical Director, Breast Surgery Southern Ocean Medical Center/Ocean Medical Center Board certified: General Surgery Fellowship trained: Breast Surgical Oncology
The Care Team
Joseph Lattanzi, M.D. Radiation Oncologist Southern Ocean Medical Center Board certified: Radiation Oncology
Tricia Morino, D.O. Medical Oncologist/Hematologist Southern Ocean Medical Center Board certified: Hematology, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology Fellowship trained: Hematology/ Oncology
therapy followed by surgery and radiation therapy. “When triple-negative breast cancer is treated with chemotherapy before surgery — what we call neoadjuvant chemotherapy —we are able to downstage the cancer in many cases,” says Dr. Tammaro. “As a result, Patti’s lymph nodes were free of cancer at the time of surgery sparing her from having additional surgery,” says Dr. Tammaro. “During the course of Patti’s year-long treatment, oncology nurse navigator Elizabeth “Lizzie” Martinez scheduled and reminded her of appointments, answered her questions, conferred with her doctors and reassured her of the treatment plan all along the way. “My care has been excellent,” says Patti. “The doctors,
nurses, technologists, lab technicians and receptionists at Southern Ocean Medical Center were outstanding and treated me like family.” “Working as a multidisciplinary team with surgery and medical oncology, Patti was able to complete her last phase of treatment with advanced radiation therapies close to home,” says radiation oncologist Joseph Lattanzi, M.D. Patti is thankful for the compassionate care she experienced during the course of her diagnosis and treatment and remains optimistic about her future. “I’m looking forward to living a normal life surrounded by my supportive husband and family.” bay-magazine.com 123
WE RESTORE HEALTHY SPINE FUNCTION AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE Non-surgical treatment of Spinal Stenosis Herniated Discs of the Cervical or Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease Neck pain with or without arm pain Sciatica
Ted Siciliano, D.C. | Manahawkin Chiropractic Center 720 South Main Street Route 9 South Manahawkin, New Jersey 609-597-9333 | www.drtedsiciliano.com 124 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
ONE DESTINATION FOR YOUR CARE. Primary | Specialty | Pharmacy | Urgent Care | and More
We’re committed to the people, neighborhoods and health of Manahawkin. And that commitment is growing. Our AtlantiCare Health Park — Manahawkin Campus is ready to help you feel better, from the moment you arrive. We have a team of expert specialists on staff, and offer lab and pharmacy services on-site. You’ll even find a relaxing outdoor area and convenient café. We’ve considered every detail of your healthcare experience, to ensure that it’s as comfortable as it is convenient. SERVICES AVAILABLE: AMI/AtlantiCare Partners in Imaging • Bariatric Surgery Breast Reconstruction • Breast Surgery • Cardiac Diagnostic Testing • Cardiology Clinical Laboratory • Colorectal Surgery • Community Pharmacy • Dermatology Endocrinology • Gastroenterology • General Surgery • Jefferson Neurosurgery Nephrology • Neurology • OB/GYN • Pediatrics • Primary Care Plus • Rheumatology Rothman Institute • Urgent Care • Vascular Surgery 1-888-569-1000 | ManahawkinHealthPark.org
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FEATURE
Waves of Impact Written by Lisa Simek
Photos by Kyle Gronostajski
Maybe you surf, maybe you don’t. But on one special day each year, when the California-based Waves of Impact sponsors a free surf camp for local children with special needs and disabilities here on the beach in Ship Bottom, it’s impossible not to be moved by the magical effects that the ocean—and surfing in particular—has on our community.
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Since it’s inception in 2010, Waves of Impact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been introducing individuals facing exceptional challenges to the thrill of riding waves, while focusing on building and rebuilding confidence in those who need it most. It was created by a passionate group of watermen who recognized the powerful impact our oceans have on those who need it most, translated through a modality they refer to as surf therapy. “I’ve
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gained so much from the sport of surfing that I’d be remiss in not sharing it with others. At an early age I read about Duke Kahanamoku and how his love for the surfing was so great that he set out to introduce it to the world. His example had a profound effect on me,” shares one of the co-founders, Keith Lovgren. He and Josh Harper met at a children’s surf camp and realized the benefit surfing could have on those with disabilities, including children and wounded veterans. In the past six years alone, Waves of Impact has provided 3,862 children and their families with great surf days and connections to the community around them, and has taught 115 wounded
veterans how to surf and reconnect through shared camaraderie. All of this has been done with 100% volunteer efforts and without any solicitation from the families that they serve, as their funding comes from a variety of sponsors, businesses and private charitable contributions. Along with the support from local NJ surf pros Sam Hammer and Rob Kelly since day one, they have an amazing team of volunteers with years of surfing expertise that offer one of a kind experiences to people who might not otherwise have an opportunity to try surfing or even be able to go swimming in the ocean. “LBI is one of our favorite stops on the tour! We rely heavily on volunteer support in the communities where we have events, and the LBI community has really embraced our cause,” adds Josh Harper. And so, on Wednesday July 31, 2019 Waves of Impact will empower the LBI-area children with special needs
and show them the transformative properties of the sea by hosting its 6th annual LBI surf camp for children who struggle with these challenges on the 26th Street beach in Ship Bottom (the headquarters of the Ship Bottom Beach Patrol). “We are humbled by the courage of these kids, the love of the parents and the dedication and energy of all the volunteers,” shares Brian Farias, one of the second-generationers to take over the local legacy retailer, Farias Surf and Sport, who hosts the organization and donates everything from volunteers to financial support in order to ensure the event runs free-of-charge to the families in need every year. Farias’s parents started the family-owned business as a beach gear rental company in 1969 out of their garage in Surf City, and now, 50 years later, not only have they grown to six retail locations on Long Beach Island, but the second and third generations of owners work tirelessly to give back to the community in any way they can through such initiatives. “Having the support of Brian Farias and his team has helped us have such a larger impact. We rely a lot on local community support to make these free surf camps happen, and Brian does an amazing job rallying the beach community to come help share the stoke with us. He also lets us borrow surf boards and anything else we need so that we ensure each surfer has the best experience,” notes Harper. As surfers, they clearly understand the restorative power of the ocean’s energy, as well as the peaceful feeling and deep spiritual connection that comes along with riding its waves. The philosopher Plato famously said, “The sea cures all ailments of man,” and in the modern world there happens to be a lot of science to back up that claim: In 2012 researchers at Spain’s University of Alicante showed that ocean water activates the immune system—it was proven to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and increase white blood cell count, in turn strengthening the body against viruses, low defenses, bacteria, and other seasonal pathogens. Being rich in
mineral salts such as sodium and iodine, ocean water can be considered an antiseptic, meaning it even has wound-healing properties. When immersed in warm seawater, the body can actually absorb the minerals it needs (such as magnesium) through the skin. Seawater increases elasticity of skin and also improves circulation, helping the body to carry blood to all its vital organs. There are plenty more positive effects from a day at sea: Sea air is charged with negative ions, which, despite their name, are good— as they fight free radicals, build our body’s capacity to absorb more oxygen, and most importantly counter the effects of positive ions (the bad ions) that we are exposed to on a regular basis such as those emitted from our computers, cell phones, microwaves, WIFI devices, EMFs, etc. To put it into perspective, the ocean is reported to contain tens of thousands of negative ions, while the average home or office building, may contain only a few hundred (if they have some plants) or sometimes even none at all. When we are by the sea, we feel energized and relaxed because these ions literally give our cells vitality. Study after study from Columbia University in the 1990s to
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Dr Hansell’s work in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 1998, to Dr Igho Hart Kornblueh, from the University of Pennsylvania, found that negative ions affect the serotonin levels in the brain, less dramatically (and synthetically) than a prescription anti-depressant. They find that negative ions have a sedative, healing and pain-relieving effect, and in some cases negative ion therapy can even be an effective treatment and prevention for depression. This induces favorable physiological changes that promote good health, boosts our immune system, reduces inflammation and encourage cognitive development. Families who have children with special challenges face extraordinary hurdles and often times the kids and their families are isolated from those around them by the circumstances they face. Through this surfing and beach experience for the entire family, Waves of Impact fosters friendship and support for these families to empower participants who enjoy a much-deserved day of laughter, love, and acceptance alongside their family. For one perfect day at the beach, there are no labels. Everyone is an athlete. And there are plenty of happy tears to be seen when the beauty of the stoke sets in with these kids. One parent describes her experience with the surf camp: “One of the nicest things about this event for me was that I got to watch him experience this from afar (which is not something that happens often, I’m usually right in the middle of the action for safety reasons). It was such a treat to see him beaming each time he successfully rode in on a wave. It took quite a bit of convincing from the bay-magazine.com 131
surfers to get Jackson to stand on the board. At first, he really didn’t want to, but after some reassurance and giggles…he finally pulled it off! And then I ugly cried in front of everyone…and it didn’t matter... Because Jackson was surfing! I cannot thank Waves of Impact enough for providing us with this magical experience! It was the highlight of our month!” Another parent writes, “We stayed on the island during the storm, then were displaced for two months. Ed had nightmares for a while about our home being washed into the sea (didn’t happen
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in real life, thankfully). So, to us this event was an especially meaningful
chance to build new, positive, and happy memories of our coastline and to experience such an out-
pouring of love and kindness from folks who care about the ocean and our kids with special needs.” Josh Harper adds, “We exist to introduce individuals facing exceptional challenges the thrill of riding waves. We also focus on building and rebuilding confidence in those who need it most…We started Waves of Impact to help support more families. One awesome story that is an example of what motivates us to do more and expand our program is when a parent told us her son hasn’t really been excited about anything recently. Then he came to
a Waves of Impact camp. After our surf camp, he started taking his Olympic style surf medal, that he earned after the event, to school every day and wears it as a badge of honor! At Waves of Impact, we want to show parents what their children can do. It’s amazing to hear what some of these kids have done after they have surfed with us. Our surf experiences really help build confidence in the children as well as gives their parents courage to try more things other than surfing that they didn’t think were possible.” Every now and then, something occurs to restore one’s faith in humanity. On LBI, this happens to be the day when the Waves of Impact surf camp tour lands in Ship Bottom, LBI. Onlookers can’t help but fall in love with the smiles, the laughter, kids just being kids on a surfboard riding the waves. If you or someone that you know can benefit from this experience, please sign up via the website: wavesofimpact.com/ surf-camp-dates-information. And while there are no shortage of surf therapy groups that give back, this also means that they are always in need of volunteers to help on this day and throughout the year. If you or anyone wants to volunteer on land or in the water, or if any businesses want to support their cause, please email info@ wavesofimpact.com or inquire about volunteering at Farias’ flagship store (on Long Beach Blvd at 28th Street in Ship Bottom). And even if you can’t volunteer, come spend some time on the beach in Ship Bottom this year to cheer on these kids and their volunteer aquatic cowboys and cowgirls. They will all be thrilled to have your support, and you could probably use the extra Vitamin Sea yourself.
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RELAX AND REJUVENATE Experience true luxury services such as styling stations, blow out bar, spray tans, makeup, nails, and treatment rooms.
Salon Services HAIR, NAILS AND MORE
Manicure & Pedicure
Hair & Makeup
Hands and feet will be rejuvenated with the healing properties of the sea. Soak your feet in a soothing sea salt bath. Relax as one of our nail specialists massage your hands and feet, and gently implement the ancient practice of Thai reflexology. No detail will be missed as your nails will be shaped and cuticles trimmed. Finish with a polish application of your choice or natural buffing.
Cut, color, style or treatment, the staff at our Spa & Salon have experience working will all types of hair. We can give you a bold new look, or help accentuate your already fabulous style. Whether it’s a girls night out on the town, or your big day, our makeup artists will help create a look that makes you feel like the celebrity version of yourself.
Massage & Facial Let your cares melt away as you find yourself in a blissful state of relaxation. At Hotel LBI Salon & Spa we offer several different massage services and durations Refresh your skin with one of our custom facials. Our skincare specialists have years of experience and training.
A N OA SI S RE SO RT O N T H E J E RSE Y SH O RE ’ S M O ST M AG I C AL 1 8 M I L E B AR R IER ISLA N D HOTELLB I.COM | 609 467 8000 | 350 WEST 8TH STR EET, LONG B EACH ISLA ND, N EW J ERSEY
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Photo | Delaney Dobson Photography
437 Route 9 Bayville, NJ 732.269.6699 | 110 E. Main Street Tuckerton NJ 609.294.6699 chris@atlanticcityjewerly.com bay-magazine.com 135
WEDDINGS
Caring for your
TREASURE Written by Diana Stanczak
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Photo by Idalia Photography
Take a look at your wedding band, your grandmother’s diamond studs, your father’s signet ring. Beautiful jewelry has the power to conjure up beautiful memories, a physical memento that captures emotion and—when the sun hits that stone just right, or highlights freshly polished metal—transports you back to the moment you first laid eyes on it. Such is the magic of jewelry. And behind every unique treasure is a jeweler who helped bring life to those sparkly dreams. If you’re in the Jersey Shore area, chances are that jeweler was Chris Biele, owner of Atlantic City Jewelry, a family-owned business with locations in historic downtown Tuckertown and Bayville that see up to 200 customers a day. A good jeweler will help you pick out a nice piece of jewelry. A great jeweler will take the time to learn your story, who you’re buying jewelry for, the occasion, your budget, your likes and dislikes, lifestyle, and more. Chris, a third-generation jeweler, falls into the latter category. His passion for the jewelry
industry—everything from design to maintenance and education—is evident from the moment you walk into his shop. “It’s so important that, whatever business you’re in, you live it, breathe it. Every day, we do jewelry,” Chris says of himself and his family, including wife Ola, and children, Lea and Bruno, who help manage the stores. Working with Chris is like being welcomed into his family. He’ll help you design the engagement ring of your significant other’s dreams, but he’ll also teach them how to take care of it—a crucial piece of information that, in the moments following an exciting, life-altering moment, is easy to overlook. Chris is refreshingly real. For instance, he’ll recommend not wearing an engagement ring to sleep, since jewelry tends to get damaged while sleeping. “Sometimes people tend to think just because they spent a lot of money on a piece, that it’s indestructible. I educate my clients and teach them that that’s not the case,” Chris says.
A few more pieces of advice, just in time for summer: Never take a gold or platinum ring it into a hot tub (it will eventually damage the chemical makeup of your band). Leave it at home when engaging in water sports, gardening or athletic activities. However, the shower shouldn’t hurt your jewelry; just remember that medicated shampoos run the risk of discoloration, Chris says. This type of education comes standard at Atlantic City Jewelry. From designing a custom piece, to appraising family heirlooms, to insurance, to gem certifications, Chris can help. “Whenever I’m in need of a pickme-up, I listen to voicemails from excited customers who just proposed, or look at pictures customers have sent me after they gifted or received a new piece of jewelry,” Chris says, “and it brings a smile to my face every time.” Visit Atlantic City Jewelry at 437 Atlantic City Boulevard in Bayville, or 110 East Main Street in Tuckerton, or online at atlanticcityjewelry.com.
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W h e r e E l e g a n c e To u c h e s the Jersey Shore
C O N T I N U E S O U R E X C E L L E N C E I N O F F S I T E C AT E R I N G W E W I L L H E L P Y O U C R E AT E T H E P E R F E C T M E N U F O R Y O U R S P E C I A L O C C A S I O N , W H E T H E R I T I S Y O U R W E D D I N G D AY, A L A R G E G A L A O R A S M A L L I N T I M AT E A F FA I R . F R O M A B A C K YA R D B B Q , G R A D U AT I O N , S H O W E R , R E H E A R S A L D I N N E R , C O R P O R AT E E V E N T O R S I M P LY A C E L E B R AT I O N O F O N E O F L I F E ’ S S P E C I A L M O M E N T S TO U C H O F E L E G A N C E C AT E R I N G W I L L C AT E R TO A L L O F Y O U R N E E D S . TO U C H O F E L E G A N C E I S A P R E F E R R E D C AT E R E R AT M A N Y O F T H E J E R S E Y S H O R E ’ S P R I VAT E H O M E S , FA S H I O N A B L E YA C H T C L U B S , V I C TO R I A N B & B S A N D G U E S T H O U S E S .
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1 H E R I TA G E C I R C L E , WA R E TO W N , N J TO U C H O F E L E G A N C E N J . C O M 609.693.8811
Make your own History... The Gables Historic Inn No. 212 Centre Street Beach Haven, NJ 609.492.3553|weddingslbi.com Photo by Michelle Arlotta
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wedding bliss one
Venue | The Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club Photography | Ann Coen Photography Arbor | Rustic Drift Hair | Just Braggin Florals | Lily in the Valley Tables | Ocean Tents Wedding Dress | Rebecca Schoneveld
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HOW WE MET? Dave and I go way back. We actually met in high school through my cousin. We stayed close friends for the majority of our twenties, during which time we both traveled & launched careers. But, whenever we found ourselves in the same city or home on LBI, we would be sure to hang. Then one night at the Sea Shell, Dave mustered up the courage to ask me on a date! The rest is history...
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HOW HE PROPOSED? Dave proposed on an empty beach in Jokulsarloon Iceland at sunset. Their sunsets last two hours & the whole sky lights up aglow against the black sand & icy blue glaciers. That night we saw the northern lights dance across the sky. It still feels like a dream...Â
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WEDDINGS & EVENTS WE SPECIALIZE IN OCEANFRONT
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wedding bliss two
Venue | Brant Beach Yacht Club Photography | Idalia Photography Wedding Planner | Bogath Weddings and Events Bridesmaid Dresses | Weddington Way Cake | A Sweet Memory Catering | Kat and Ally’s Cinema | PF Films Ceremony Music | Ceremonious Strings DJ | Off Beet Productions Groom’s Attire | Suitsupply Hair + Makeup | The Updo Guru Invitations & Signage | Crisp by Britt Florals | Lily in the Valley Rentals | Rustic Drift Wedding Dress | Romona Keveza | Kleinfeld Bridal
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HOW WE MET? We were one year apart as undergrads at Georgetown University and had overlapping circle of friends, but we didn’t know each other very well. A few years after college, when we were both living in DC and working, we were matched on a dating app and saw how much we had in common. We’ve been together ever since!
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HOW HE PROPOSED? After conspiring with my parents to get my grandmother’s engagement ring, Matt planned a brunch and afternoon walk through the Botanical Gardens by the US Capitol in DC, near where we were living at the time, that would end in a surprise proposal. Unfortunately, it was much windier than he expected that day, so he really had to convince me to go for that walk! As we walked through the gardens, I turned around at one point and he was down on one knee. We then went to a celebration and toast nearby that he had put together with some of our friends.
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Love is Sweet
We’re donuts about this wall! Weddings, Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Anniversaries and more! You get the donuts, we’ll bring the wall! Contact us at 203-240-4269
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Extraordinary Events U N I Q U E LY Y O U , P E R F E C T LY L B I Visions become realizations in extraordinary places. Hotel LBI offers immense opportunity to create a day filled with beautiful moments in one of the greatest locations along the Jersey shore.
Premier Wedding & Event Venue B E A C H F RO N T O R H OT E L V E N U E S Hotel LBI provides a premier wedding venue to couples searching for a charming destination, in the heart of a quaint beach town. Beach ceremonies are available to all couples. Single event weddings and overnight accommodations are available within our luxury venue.
Corporate Events E V E N T S PA C E F O R U P TO 2 0 0 G U E S T S Hotel LBI offers over 3,700 square feet of meeting and event space, including the Conservatory – with vaulted ceilings, gas fireplace and panoramic windows overlooking the charming seaside town of Ship Bottom.
A N OA SI S RE SO RT O N T H E J E RSE Y SH O RE ’ S M O ST M AG I C AL 1 8 M I L E B AR R IER ISLA N D HOTELLB I.COM | 609 467 8000 | 350 WEST 8TH STR EET, LONG B EACH ISLA ND, N EW J ERSEY
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Helpful Hints
A Dream Wedding Bouquet Floral Designs by Reynolds Floral Market
Designing your wedding bouquet is just as important as selecting your dress. Enjoy the process and choose what makes you truly happy.
Establish a color pallet. Choose tones that you will love in photographs. Make sure that the colors will tie in with rest the of your event details such as the bridesmaids’ dresses, the ceremony space, and the invitations. There are so many beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors. We love to design Photography | Susan Elizabeth Photography
Choose a bouquet that highlights the overall
in one or two shades and then add a subtle pop creating amazing dimension.
feel of your event. Your bouquet is a highly photographed component in your wedding album. The bridal bouquet is one of the first floral elements your guests will see. It generally paints a picture of what’s to come in the reception space.
It is important to
make sure that the design of the bouquet is cohesive with the rest of the wedding décor. Photography | EINPHOTO
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Photography | Elizabeth Lloyd Photography
Select a florist you trust. Bring your floral designer inspiration photos or connect them to your Pinterest page. After viewing the images, the florist will have a good sense of your style. They will then be able to choose flowers and foliage that add the desired texture and movement to your bouquet. The designer will implement the learned techniques needed to achieve the “pinterest-worthy� presentation.
Decide on a bouquet shape. There are many styles trending right now. Do you like something that dramatically cascades, or is freer flowing and asymmetrical in design? Are you more traditional and like a round bouquet of a single type of flower? Something to keep in mind is the shape of your dress when choosing a bouquet style. You do not want to combine an elegant ball gown with something that is super horizontal in presentation, this will hide your nipped waste in photos.
Photography | Brianna Wilbur
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Photography | Nicole Kylm
Make the bouquet your own. Do certain flowers evoke memories of your first date? Do you want to include gardenia because that was your grandmother’s favorite? Let the florist know of these special blooms and they will incorporate them into your bouquet. It is also nice to wrap your bouquet stems with a sentimental token such as your grandfather’s hankie or charms filled with pictures of those who can’t be with you. These little details are what make the bridal bouquet so unique and individual to each bride.
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609.978.1414
B E L L A D O N N A - S A L O N A N D S PA . C O M bellasbrideslbi@gmail.com
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2 2 5 J A C K S O N S T R E E T C A P E M AY, N J freelovebridal.com 158 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Photo Credit: Idalia Photography Invitation Design: Crisp By Britt Florals: Lily in the Valley Florist
www.BogathEvents.com (973) 477-1392 Jeanne@BogathEvents.com bay-magazine.com 159
WEDDINGS
First comes Love
Planner & Designer Bogath Weddings & Events
Jill and Justin, along with their adorable puppy Rosie, traveled from NYC to Long Beach Island for an engagement session with Idalia Photography. I’m sharing their beautiful Gables LBI Styled Engagement Photoshoot. The Gables, in Beach Haven, is also the site of the October 2019 wedding. I am so lucky to be working with such a sweet couple (and their dog). They are so clearly in love. We had such a blast planning their styled elements for their photoshoot! The images captured by Alex at Idalia Photography are everything I knew they would be: stunning. 160 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Photos by Idalia Photography
We worked with a number of other local wedding creatives to pull together this beautiful LBI styled engagement photoshoot. Rustic Drift lent us their bicycle built for two, a 1973 Schwinn Twinn, in green. The Shaded Maple created this custom mirror that will also pull double duty at their wedding as a fun piece of decor, and after the wedding, I’m sure will become a treasured item around their home. Jill’s gorgeous floral crown was hand crafted by Christine at Lily in the Valley Florist. And it complimented her hair and makeup done at Lavish Salon in Beach Haven by Brittany.
Planner | Bogath Weddings & Events Photography | Idalia Photography The Couple | Jillian Wang & Justin Gaudezi Hair & Makeup | Lavish Florals | Lily in the Valley Florist Calligraphy | The Shaded Maple Rentals | Rustic Drift The Pup | Rosie bay-magazine.com 161
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Now offering Skinceuticals, Living Proof Hair Care and Farm House Fresh Body Products Open all Year Beachhousespalbi.com | 609.342.1519 | 614 Long Beach Blvd | Surf City 162 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Photo | Ann Coen Photography
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WEDDINGS
Sea King
PLANNER & DESIGNER | Bogath Weddings & Events PHOTOGRAPHER | Delaney Dobson Photography HAIR | Lavish Salon MAKEUP & MODELS | CIA Artistry BRIDE’S DRESS SHOP | Dreamers & Lovers GROOM’S ATTIRE | The Black Tux MOBILE BAR | The Barrel Mobile Bar INVITATIONS | Crisp Designs by Britt VENUE | The Mast, East 10th Street, Barnegat Light FLORIST | Reynolds Garden Shop, Kortney Maurus CAKE | Sweet Melissa/The Goodness Café JEWELRY | Atlantic City Jewlery RENTALS | 3 Crowns & The Rusty Surfer MODELS | Jacqueline Giancola & Kevin Tallon 164 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Park at the ocean end of 11th Street and take the path into the dunes of Barnegat Light. This is like no other beach on LBI (or in most of NJ, for that matter). Some of these dunes rise 30 feet above the wooden pathways. It’s unique and romantic, and off the beaten path without the crowds. After winding through the sand paths for about 200 yards, a metal pillar appears rising up above the sand. That pillar is actually the mast of the fishing boat Sea King. So, how did it end up so far inland? When I began planning this photo shoot with Farrell and Gary (the co-founders of Bay Magazine, Gary shared with me how the mast used to mark his favorite boyhood fishing spot. Well, now, it’s about 100 yards inland! On February 12, 1963, the Sea King, a 95-foot trawler, was towing the decommissioned minesweeper Prescott to Atlantic City for refitting. In a thick fog, both ships were stranded on the Barnegat Shoals. Prescott was later saved. But the Sea King could not be salvaged. The Sea King began rusting away, and was in the ocean until 1992. That is when the southern Barnegat Light jetty was extended. Over the next 25-ish years, nature took over. And slowly, the sand built up on the south side of the jetty creating sand dunes and beaches between the surf and the mast of the Sea King. Imagine this unique experience you will be giving your guests. I can also imagine the incredibly romantic yearly pilgrimage on your anniversary to this special spot where you can celebrate and honor a sweet tradition steeped in Long Beach Island history.
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WEDDINGS
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WEDDINGS
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L I G H T H O U S E Brunch Saturday and Sunday Happy Hour Daily Oysters Rehearsal Dinners Showers Private Parties Open Daily Year Round
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4TH ST, BARNEGAT LIGHT 1302 Long Beach Blvd, Ship Bottom New Jersey 08008 (609) 494-8848 arlingtonlbi.com 172 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
NEW JERSEY 08006 609.494.2100 DAYMARKLBI.COM
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ntoinetta’s Waterfront Dining The
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Lodging • Fine Dining • Sushi & Sand Bars
FINE DINING Open Everyday at 5pm Sushi Lunch 12-2pm Daily THE SAND BAR Open Daily at 11:30am Live Music 3-7pm (weather permitting) OCEANFRONT HOTEL
30 Engleside Ave Beach Haven,NJ 800-762-2214 www.Engleside.com 523 Cedar Run Dock Rd West Creek, NJ 08092 609.978.9785 www.antoinettas.com bay-magazine.com 173
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FEED YOUR MIND
FEED YOUR MIND
Recipes and photos by Susan von Brachel and Robin Chase www.robinandsue.com
We’re going way beyond Taco Tuesday here with an incredible vibrant and fresh Mexican themed meal that’s sure to please every one of your beach guests! Get the meal started with the best fresh fish you can find and make our delicious ceviche. From there, we’ve got a great salad, proteins that pack a punch, along with a cocktail crafted to fit in perfectly. Finish it off with the most refreshing granita, sure to melt the summer heat!
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Summer Sunset Cocktail
Grilled Corn Salad with Smoked Paprika and Lime INGREDIENTS: 4 ears of grilled corn, cut off the cob ¼ tsp. Smoked paprika 2 T. fresh lime juice 3 T. mayonnaise 2 T. chopped fresh cilantro plus more for garnish ¼ cup diced red onion 1T. Diced jalapeño pepper for garnish Slice limes cut in half for garnish Salt & pepper to taste
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DIRECTIONS: Grill corn over medium heat, until tender and slightly charred, about 8-10 minutes; let cool. Cut kernels from cobs and transfer to a medium size bowl. Mix mayonnaise, lime juice, smoked paprika, cilantro in a large bowl. Add grilled corn, red onion and combine. Top with jalapeño peppers and cilantro.
INGREDIENTS: 1 oz. Peach Schnapps 3 oz. Tequila 6 oz. Pineapple Juice ½ oz. Grenadine Slices of lime, halved
DIRECTIONS: Fill a shaker with ice and add the Peach Schnapps, tequila, and pineapple juice Place lid on and shake. Fill a glass with ice and pour mixture over the ice. Carefully pour in the grenadine down the side of the glass so that it goes to the bottom. Garnish with slice of lime.
Cod Ceviche INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. fresh skinless cod fillets, cut into ½ - inch pieces 1 ½ C. fresh lime juice 1 small white onion, diced 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 T. olive oil Salt & pepper to taste 2 T. fresh orange juice 1 large ripe avocado, diced
DIRECTIONS: In a glass or stainless steel bowl, add the cod, lime juice and onion. Use enough juice to cover the fish completely. Cover and refrigerate for around 4 hours, until a cube of fish no longer looks raw when broken open. Strain in a colander. In a large bowl, mix together the tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro and olive oil. Stir in the fish and season with salt & pepper. Add the orange juice, cover and refrigerate. Stir in the diced avocado right before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro. bay-magazine.com 179
Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Lime and Creamy Avocado Sauce INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. of shrimp, peeled & deveined 4 T. olive oil 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp. Ground cumin 2 tsp. Chili powder ½ tsp. Smoked paprika ¼ tsp. Red pepper flakes Juice of one large lime Salt and pepper to taste Creamy Avocado Sauce: INGREDIENTS: 1 ripe avocado halved and pitted 1 clove garlic, chopped ½ cup Lowfat Greek yogurt 1 lime, juiced 2 T. cilantro, roughly chopped Salt and pepper to taste 180 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
PREPARATION: In a small bowl whisk together lime juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Pour marinade into a plastic bag and add in shrimp. Toss to coat and marinate for 30 minutes. Light the grill to medium heat. Add the shrimp onto skewers and place on the grill. Grill on each side for two minutes or until no longer pink. Creamy Avocado Sauce: Add avocado, yogurt, garlic, lime juice and cilantro. Place into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Put sauce into a small bowl and serve immediately with the grilled shrimp.
Grilled Red Snapper with Salsa Verde INGREDIENTS: 1 lb tomatillos, husks peeled 1 T. fresh lime juice ¼ cup diced white onion 2 cloves garlic 2 jalapeño peppers seeded and diced ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves Salt & pepper to taste 1 tsp. Canola oil DIRECTIONS: Add the oil to a pan over medium high heat and add the tomatillos. Cook until brown on all sides and remove from pan and set aside. In a food processor, add the tomatillos, lime juice, onions, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño peppers and pulse until everything is finely chopped. Place into serving bowl and set aside.
INGREDIENTS FOR RED SNAPPER: 4 large red snapper fillets Kosher salt Pepper 2 T. Olive oil PREPARATION OF RED SNAPPER: Light the grill to medium heat. Make four slits in the skin of the red snapper fillets with a sharp knife. Rub olive oil on each of the fillets and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill fillets 3-4 minutes per side or until flaky. Place each snapper on a plate and top with salsa verde and serve.
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Grilled Chicken Thighs with Lime Jalape単os Honey INGREDIENTS: 4 T. olive oil 4 T. fresh lime juice 2 tsp. Crush garlic 1 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper 1 large jalape単o pepper, seeds removed and minced, use half in marinade and half for garnish 4 T. honey plus more for drizzle/garnish 8 chicken thighs, skin on and bone in, rinsed 2 T. cilantro for garnish Limes, sliced for garnish
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DIRECTIONS: Combine all the marinade ingredients up to cayenne pepper in a gallon size plastic storage bag. Mix well and add in chicken thighs. Seal bag and marinate up to 4 hours or overnight. Brush grill with olive oil to prevent sticking. Grill chicken thighs over medium heat and cook around 8-10 minutes per side until fully cooked. Serve chicken on a platter and drizzle with honey, sprinkle cilantro and jalape単o peppers and place fresh limes on top of chicken.
Coffee & Kahlua Granita INGREDIENTS: 3 C. Strong and hot coffee 他 C. Sugar 2 tsp. Kahlua 1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract DIRECTIONS: Mix the coffee, sugar, Kahlua and vanilla and combine until the sugar dissolves. Pour into a 9-by-13inch glass pan. Put the pan into the freezer for around 1 hour, until the mixture starts to become slushy around the sides. With a fork, rake the mixture to break up the ice crystals and put the pan back into the freezer. Check about every 30 minutes, raking the mixture again until it is completely frozen and has a granular consistency. Wrap well and keep frozen until ready to serve.
MODERN AMERICAN CUISINE
Located on the west side of the building, the Hotel’s main restaurant provides breakfast along with upscale dining, driven by the bounty of our local farmers and fishermen.
IMPECCABLE VIEWS MEET INCREDIBLE COCKTAILS
Watch the sunset on our top deck and relax next to the fire in one of our cozy outdoor lounges. The Rooftop features handcrafted cocktails and breathtaking, uncontested bay views.
A N OA SI S RE SO RT O N T H E J E RSE Y SH O RE ’ S M O ST M AG I C AL 1 8 M I L E B AR R IER ISLA N D HOTELLB I.COM | 609 467 8000 | 350 WEST 8TH STR EET, LONG B EACH ISLA ND, N EW J ERSEY
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LONG BEACH ISLAND’S COOKBOOK The perfect day on Long Beach Island consists of a memorable day at the beach followed by sharing a great meal with family and friends as the sun sets over the bay. In Feed Your Mind: Long Beach Island’s Cookbook, seafood-lovers will dive into more than 45 original, delicious and savory dishes that offer all the right ingredients for fabulous dining with an ocean (or bay) view.
Get your Copy Today! REYNOLDS GARDEN SHOP • SPOTTED WHALE LITTLE BUNGALOW • HOW TO LIVE LAVISH • ARTIFACTS • GIFTED WILDFLOWERS • BLUE CLAW SEAFOOD TOWN& COUNTY KITCHEN • GOOD LIFE H O T E L L B I • M A I N L A N D • B AY AV E P L A N T C O M PA N Y
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N E W YO R K C I T Y R E S TA U R A N T AT T H E J E R S E Y S H O R E
THE ORIGINAL
O P E N D A I LY 2 4 T H & L O N G B E A C H B LV D , S U R F C I T Y R E S E R VAT I O N S R E C O M M E N D E D 609.494.7001
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Its five o’clock Somewhere @twodopesfromjersey
Written by Brian Smith
When you’re at the beach and in vacation mode, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere. Luckily for everyone who spends their summer on Long Beach Island, there are plenty of great cocktails to be had. Whether you’re looking for a perfect martini in a swanky bar or a beach-themed drink with a rooftop view, the island has got you covered. With so many options across Long Beach Island, we took on the difficult task of venturing out in search of the best cocktails we could find.
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Photos by Ann Coen
10 South Martini Lounge &Wine Bar The Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club is known for its outdoor beach bar, but what you might not know is that it is also has a martini bar located inside. The 10 South Martini Lounge & Wine Bar is a fantastic spot to unwind with friends over great cocktails around custom made wine barrel tables. With live music playing three nights a week, this martini bar creates a relaxed but sophisticated environment. Each of their signature cocktails are made using fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Some of our favorite cocktails include the Strawberry Fields Martini made with Bluecoat gin, agave, lemon and fresh strawberries and the Pamplemousse Fizz made with prosecco, grapefruit and rosemary.
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Daddy O Daddy O has a few different and equally fantastic bar areas, but on a perfect summer day, the rooftop bar is where you want to be! When you’re in the mood for a fun, beach-themed boozy drink with a great view, Daddy O is the spot for you. The Shark Bite is a 51 ounce fishbowl intended for sharing that is loaded with gummy sharks, Titos Vodka, Shipwreck Coconut, Blue Curaaco, Pineapple and topped with Sprite. If you’re not quite ambitious enough to tackle a 51 ounce fishbowl, the Sparkling Cosmo is another great option with Vodka, Triple Sec, Fresh Lime, Cranberry and Champagne.
The Arlington The rustic and relaxed setting at The Arlington is one of the reasons we keep going back for a drink or two at the bar. The brick walls, large barroom and friendly staff set the tone for a great time. In addition to their extensive and ever-changing beer list, the cocktail menu has a lot of fantastic options. With Palomas flowing on tap, a cocktail made with tequila and homemade grapefruit soda, and House Bottled G & Ts with gin, yuzu and housemate gentian root tonic, you can easily find a refreshing drink to cool off with on a hot summers day. Another fun cocktail being featured this summer is the Pepino’s Daydream, inspired by bartenders James and Alyssa’s wedding in Italy. If you’re in the mood for a frothier drink, the Oaxacan Trappist made with tequila, mezcal, pineapple, lime & egg white is a crowd favorite.
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J E R S E YHotel ’ S FLBI I N ERooftop S T C O Bar A S TA L H OT E L The newly opened Hotel LBI in Ship Bottom is already making its mark on the A island. W O R In LD CLASS EXPERIENCE addition to the gorgeous architecture, perfectly executed seashore interior and stunning rooftop bar, they are pouring some seriously tasty drinks. The rooftop is expansive and offers ample seating so there is room for everyone to enjoy the seashore breeze and incredible 360 degree views, which on a clear day even includes Atlantic City and Old Hotel LBI offers the charm of a summer home Barney! One of our favorite cocktails is The paired withOne world class amenities. Relax in Lovely Lady, which is made with Ketel cucumber mint vodka,your watermelon simple well-appointed room, enjoy a cocktail and syrup and lime juice. It is an incredibly rewatch the sunset on the rooftop, or escape for freshing cocktail that can also easily be made a day ofThe fun in the sun on our majestic island. into a really enjoyable mocktail. other cocktail highlights for us include the Atlantic Sunrise with Bacardi run, fresh orange juice and grenadine and the Peach Day’s made with locally sourced Alibi Gin, A N OA SI S RE SO RT ON THpeach E J E RSEbitters, Y SH ORE’S MOST MAGICAL 18 MIL E BARRIER ISL AND fresh mint and unsweetened iced tea.
The Perfect Blend of Comfort and Luxury
HOTEL L B I.CO M | 6 0 9 4 6 7 8 0 0 0 | 3 5 0 WEST 8T H ST R E E T, LON G BE ACH ISL A N D, N E W JE R SE Y
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FRESH BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER
We start with
FRESH
When you’re on the Island, When let ouryou’re family take oncare the Island, of yours
let our family take care of yours
712 Long 712Beach LongBlvd Beach Surf City, NJ
When you’re on the Island, let our family take care of yours
Blvd Surf City, NJ 609.494.1667
609.494.1667
we accept
we accept
When you’re on the island let our family take care of yours! “Rated the #1 restaurant on Long Beach Island by Trip Advisor” 712 Long Beach Blvd Surf City • 609.494.1667 712 Long Beach Blvd For Hours and Full Menu Surf City, NJ please visit Wallyslbi.com
609.494.1667 we accept
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NEW P O ROOFT Y BUO BAR
1 0 1 S O U T H W E S T AV E . | B E A C H H AV E N , 609.492.2300
|
N J
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50 Years of Wally’s Written by Diana Stanczak
Every family has their favorite spot, their beloved restaurant that offers an easy answer to the infamous question plaguing families everywhere at mealtime: Where should we eat? Over the past five decades, for generations of families, the answer has been Wally’s in Surf City. This year, Wally’s celebrates its fiftieth anniversary as a restaurant. Mike Tomko, along with his wife, Jessica; brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Anya Tomko; and mother, Carla Saams, have owned Wally’s since 2014, and pride themselves on maintaining the restaurant’s rich lineage, including its name. Wally’s was originally known as 194 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Wally Mitchell’s, named after the restaurant’s founder who started it with his wife, Mary Mitchell, and their daughter Justine, in 1967. What began as a malt shop-turned-arcade eventually evolved into a breakfast joint serving food in 1969, and you’ll still see the original soda handles and counters in the restaurant today. In 1979, Wally’s was purchased by John and Lisa Hilkert, who owned and operated it alongside their children, Cliff Shinn and Connie Shinn-Lohr. Under the Hilkert family, Wally’s was open year-round, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Wally’s was the local meeting spot, marked by the many bikes and surfboards propped outside of the
restaurant by neighborhood children on a daily basis in the summer. In 2014, when Mike and his family took over, their priority was maintaining the restaurant’s history of providing good food and family fun, and giving back to the neighborhood they love. As Surf City residents for the past 25 years, the Tomko family would frequent Wally’s often, interacting with Connie and Cliff from time to time. One day, after a lengthy discussion on the beach, the family decided it was time to write the next chapter of Wally’s history. “Owning Wally’s was a dream for a long time,” Mike says, “we talked about it for about eight years before we moved forward.”
DID YOU KNOW?
The decision to buy the restaurant was just one of many made as a family when it comes to Wally’s. “Being family owned means that all decisions—the coffee we serve, the plates we use—are made together. Every detail is carefully thought through. We especially have fun going over recipes together and creating new menu items,” Mike shares. All of the food at Wally’s is homemade from scratch, with produce deliveries arriving daily to stock the kitchen. While there are few original menu staples, like corned beef hash and Reuben sandwiches, the full menu contains about 250 items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and changes seasonally. Every menu offers healthy options, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes. “One of the reasons we opted to include a variety of vegan options is to make it easy for friends and families to go out and find something for everyone, but they’re just as tasty and we encourage everyone to try them,” Mike says. A meal at Wally’s is more than good food and a fun atmosphere, it’s also a way to support your community. Year-round, Wally’s donates a dollar from every avocado toast purchased to David Dreams & Believe Cancer Foundation, and also partners with multiple charities, including Animal Aid USA, the Hunger
Foundation, and numerous organizations throughout Long Beach Island. New this year, Wally’s is expanding with an outdoor seating area this summer, and building a new dining room over the winter, featuring three glass walls that transform into an open eating area in the warmer months.
“We’re doing this to have fun,” Mike says. “People come to restaurants to have fun and eat a good meal, and that’s what Wally’s has been about for the past 50 years, and what it will continue to be. Wally’s is located on 712 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
1103 Long Beach Blvd Surf City, NJ 08008 609 • 361 • 0050
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Celebrating 25 years!
Family owned
Since 1994
Sandwiches made to order, Deli Salads, Salsa, Guacamole Fresh Mozzarella, Superior Quality Produce, Organics, Grocery 21st Street & Blvd. Surf City | 609-494-7097 Open 7 Days a Week 7am-9pm
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DID YOU KNOW?
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How to Thrive at Twenty-Five Written by Diana Stanczak
Photos Michael Spark
Family is the thread that weaves through Long Beach Island, welcoming its visitors and residents into a community that embodies the fullest sense of the word. And for Michael and Judy Nichols, owners of Anchor Produce on Long Beach Boulevard, family is everything. This year, the third-generation, family-owned grocery store is celebrating its 25th year in business under the Nichols family, which includes their two sons, Danny and Timothy, on staff full time. Anchor Produce is opened seasonally from May through October, a homebase for vacationing families with an appetite.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Long before it was called Anchor Produce, the inside of the store beforehand was home to several businesses, including a pizzeria and a deli, since its construction in the late 1940s. Anchor Produce’s previous owners, Barney and Rita Johnson, owned the building for 26 years as “Johnsons’ Farm Market,” changing the name to Anchor Produce in the 1970s. In the spring of 1994, Michael’s parents, Daniel and Marilyn Nichols, helped Michael and Judy buy Anchor Produce from the Johnsons. “My father saw an opportunity in the grocery business. He said it would work. I trusted him, and we bought Anchor Produce—I didn’t even see the store beforehand!” 200 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Michael recalls laughingly. As a nod to the store’s roots, the name Anchor Produce remained, but the Nicholses put their own spin on just about everything else. That first summer, Michael resigned from his job in Manhattan working at an export business. Judy and their sons, who were both under three years old at the time, stayed behind in Rockaway, New Jersey, while Michael spent the summer at his parents’ home in North Beach. He shadowed the Johnsons for 10 weeks until August 1, when the deal officially closed, eagerly taking in all he could about the grocery business: product inventory, logistics, staffing, and all the other intricacies of running a small business focused on
delivering the freshest produce and groceries to the island. In 1995, Michael and Judy sold their family home to move to Long Beach Island full-time with their sons. According to Michael, the first few years of running Anchor Produce were equal parts adventure and learnings. As the store’s name indicates, the number one product sold is produce, locally sourced from nearby farms. “For the first five years or so, I would personally leave at 3:30 a.m. each day, seven days a week, to pick up fresh corn from Hammington area farms,” Michael says. “Eventually, as we grew our staff, I was able to spend more time managing the store while delegating the produce pick-ups, but those
early mornings allowed me to create invaluable partnerships with our local farms that still exist to this day,” Michael adds. Two and a half decades later, Michael and Judy have a staff of about 35, with sons Danny and Timothy at the helm to carry on the family business.
“We treat everyone who works at Anchor like family. When you work a shift, you’re offere d a free meal. If we’re cooking dinner, you’re included. We try to keep a smile on everyone’s face, and we feel th at our employees and customers truly appreciate it,” Michael says. While the focus on farm-fresh, organic fruits and vegetables remains, Anchor Produce also boasts a deli department carrying Boar’s Head products and a selection of meats, along with homemade deli salads made daily, and everyday staples like milk, cold drinks and ice cream. When it comes to stocking his store, Michael likes to create an atmosphere that he, himself, would enjoy visiting on vacation. Anchor Produce carries about 1,000 different products at the store, keeping it “full
and bursting at the seams,” as Michael describes it. The store works with two main grocery vendors—one supplying pantry basics, the other gourmet items—as well as a handful of others, which the Nichols have come to view as part of their Anchor family. But the secret to Anchor’s ongoing success for a quarter of a century is more than supplying the right products and building lifelong relationships—it’s also their ability to turn lemons into lemonade, or rather, tomatoes into salsa. “A pivotal moment in our business success was about a decade ago—we were losing a lot of tomatoes, which is just a natural part of the produce business. Then, Marilyn had an idea—rather than letting them go to waste, she suggested we try making our own salsa. We did a test batch, and the rest is history,” Michael explains. Products, service, innovation, and, above all, a family atmosphere is what makes Anchor Produce worth a visit. So the next time you’re walking down Long Beach Boulevard, stop in and ask for the store’s house guacamole, Timothy’s homemade mozzarella (the store’s most popular product), or yes, the fresh salsa. Don’t be shy, you’re family here. Anchor Produce is located at 2012 Long Beach Boulevard. Conveniently located at the tip of Surf City’s commercial district, Anchor’s prime location truly offers one-stop shopping for all discerning local and out of town customers. bay-magazine.com 201
COUNTRY CORNER FARM MARKET BEST PIE’S ON LBI
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275 W 9TH STREET SHIP BOTTOM, NEW JERSEY 609 494 0667
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oyster bar & restaurant
LBI’s Best oyster bar, and a classic mix of shore food. Open Weekends Serving Lunch and Dinner 830 North Bay Ave Beach Haven, NJ | 609.492.6100 Find us on
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No. 212 Centre Street Beach Haven, NJ 609.492.3553 | gableslbi.com
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DID YOU KNOW?
Written by Lisa Simek
Have you ever glanced at a delightful dessert and thought to yourself that it was almost too pretty to eat? Welcome to the world of the Goodness Café by Sweet Melissa on the corner of Bay Avenue and 11th Street in Beach Haven—where the pastries not only look exquisite, but they taste even better. Though founder Melissa Ludwick’s claim to fame is as the creator of LBI’s notorious gourmet pop tarts, her
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Photos by Francis Lill
culinary repertoire goes beyond the infamous toaster pastry and includes epicurean endeavors such as French macarons and intricate petit four layer cakes, classic comfort indulgences such as sticky buns, cookie sandwiches, blondies & brownies, and most popularly, the elaborate creative (and highly photogenic) custom confections, whimsical special occasion cakes and edible artwork cookies.
Although she didn’t attend culinary school (fun fact: Ludwick was actually a middle school science teacher for more than a decade before leaving to pursue her culinary calling) this selftaught pâtissière has been baking her entire life under the instruction and apprenticeship of her Czechoslovakian master-baker grandmother, from whom many of Melissa’s recipes were passed down over the years. “My grandmother was an artist, her baking took time and patience, most importantly skill. Every little detail, from the freshest of high-quality ingredients to the careful baking and assembly of each segment of a pastry—cake or cookie. Her Eastern European culture is forever imbedded in me, and that Linzer Torte was my all-time favorite— it will always hold a special place in my heart,” she reminisces of her grandmother. While the Goodness Café owner does give a nod to her Czechoslovakian roots with menu items such as a sweet, spongey chocolatey babka, flaky nutty rugelach and the loveliest Linzer Torte on this side of the bay, it’s important to note that not only do her creations look wonderful with their custom, handmade appeal, but they taste out of this world fabulous. “We eat with our eyes, but form must follow function. If the dessert looks beautiful but tastes like sawdust, then what’s the point? My mantra with sweets is they have to look good, but taste better,” shares Ludwick. The bakery owner prides herself on using top notch ingredients, even when it comes to little things like using real, high quality butter, and making every single item in-house and from scratch, right down to creaming her own lemon curd and handmaking a fresh salted caramel glaze. bay-magazine.com 207
“Nothing here is from a can or a jar, I make it all,” she smiles. While visual appeal is crucial, all chefs will agree that the taste and flavors of a cake are just as (if not more) important. In order to foster return business, build a good reputation, and generate positive word-ofmouth reviews, Sweet Melissa makes it her mission to ensure that everything she creates must taste as good as it looks, as she takes great pride in offering unique sweets that are as beautiful as they are delicious. With the opening of her very own storefront, Ludwick is most excited to offer a variety of baked goodness all in one place, including catering to the needs of her gluten-free and vegan customers with delicious,
Scratch-Made Boutique Bakery | Custom Confections Elegant Dessert Displays | Gourmet Coffee, Teas & more 1102 North Bay Avenue Beach Haven, NJ sweetmelissagoodness.com
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wholesome and— dare we say— healthy treat options (be sure to try her goodness bars). Starting this summer, she will also be serving Greenstreet Coffee Roasters sustainably sourced and fresh, locally roasted coffee as the café’s house brew and espresso, as well as cold brew coffee from LBI’s premier coffeehouse, How You Brewin. Also, on the café menu for the summer will be specialty tea lattes such as the Taiwainese Bubble tea “Boba Milk Tea” and healthy smoothies. Sweet Melissa will likewise be offering savory breakfast items to start the day, and light lunch fare that customers can take to the beach. In addition to the selection at the café, Sweet Melissa is available to create a variety of custom confections as well as provide dessert catering and sweet tables for weddings and parties of all occasions, the likes of which are showcased beautifully on her Instagram handle @ SweetMelissaGoodness. You may also find Sweet Melissa’s delectable goodies at a few select retailers across the island including How You Brewin? and Pearl Street Market. For more information check out their website SweetMelissaGoodness.com, call 609.207.6402 or email orders@ sweetmelissagoodness.com.
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The best Italian food on the Jersey Shore
1905 Long Beach Blvd | Surf City, NJ | 609.361.2500 www.themariositalianmarket.com 210 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Gourmet Meals To Grab & Go
NEPTUNE MARKET Offering a Delicious
Breakfast, Lunch and Light Dinner.
Start your Day with
Fresh Baked-Goods, Fresh Brewed Coffee, and Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice.
Stop at the Deli for
Sandwiches, Salads, Boars Head Meats, Cheeses, and Party Trays.
The Best Little Grocery Store on Long Beach Island.!
Fresh Produce, Prime Meats, Cold Cuts, Salads, Kitchen Supplies and more!
Our Catering Services are
Casually Elegant and Elegantly Casual
8014 Long Beach Blvd Harvey Cedars, NJ Open 7 Days a Week
neptunemarketlbi.com | 609.494.2619
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Open daily 9am-6pm
LONG BEACH ISLAND’S HOME DESIGN MAGAZINE
-Over 100 varieties Of cheese frOm 13 cOuntries-cheese spreads, hummus, and bruschetta-Over 20 varieties Of crackers-special jams, jellies, marmalades, chutneys, and hOneys-unique barbeque sauces and rubs-Olive Oils and balsamic vinegars-freshly rOasted cOffee beans grOund tO Order-chips, salsas, nuts, snacks and cOOkies-salad dressing and marinades-dried and frOzen pasta and pasta saucewe’re cheese, but were so much more! 1800 lOng beach blvd, surf city, nj 08008 www.thecheeseshOppe.net
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OPEN HOUSE I N T E R I O R
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E X T E R I O R
D E S I G N
OPEN HOUSE MAGAZINE IS THE TOP RESOURCE F O R C O N S U M E R S W H O WA N T T O TA P I N T O DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE COMMUNITIES IN LONG BEACH ISLAND AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. ADVERTISING | SUBMISSIONS | GENERAL INQUIRES C O N TA C T U S AT I N F O @ B AY- M A G . C O M
Shawn MICHAELS & Sue MOLL
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Contemporary Art for the Coastal Home 2312 Long Beach Blvd. Surf City 609-848-9702 | 617-875-5826
Consultations + Delivery + Installation
solacestudiolbi.com
Real Estate new construction Commercial architecture yachts & more 214 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
m.t.burton gallery & 19th St. Clay Studio 1819 N. Long Beach Blvd., Surf City mtburtongallery@gmail.com 609-494-0006
Fine Art, Antiques, Pottery and Classes Matt Burton LBI Mugs Made on site!
Judi Tavill, Vase Jeffie Brewer, “Whale Tail” Steel John Meehan, “Sharing the Shade w/ Dad” Matt Burton Striper porcelain mug
Alice McEnerney Cook “Racing the Tide”
SUMMER POTTERY DROP-INS
Kids: 10-12pm Mon. Tue. Thur. & Fri. Adults: 1-4pm Mon. Tue. Wed. & Thur. Thursday Night 6:30- 8pm Sip-n-Spin BYOB mtburtongallery.com
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DID YOU KNOW?
We have Arrived Written by Matt Burton
Photos Chris Pfeil
Long Beach Island has a way of transcending everyday consciousness. For most of us that reside on the mainland, crossing the Causeway bridge feels like a metaphysical transport from our otherwise perhaps mundane and less stimulating obligations. Our cloudy moods evaporate as we catch a glimpse of the Atlantic on the horizon as we ascend the span. All will be fine. We have arrived. Exhale.
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DID YOU KNOW?
For the past 30 years Barnegat Light photographer, Chris Pfeil, has been using natural light to capture the tranquil serenity of the bay and the adrenaline inducing majesty of ocean waves in his images. Or as I like to think of it - the Yin and the Yang of LBI. His subjects can be interpreted as representational or purely abstract. He currently uses a digital camera and sorely misses the days of when he used a darkroom to develop his images. His prints are always black and white. As a teenager Pfeil spent his days on LBI could always be found in or on the water, surfing in the ocean or wandering aimlessly on a dingy on the bay. After graduating college as an art major he took a surfing trip and drove from New Jersey to Panama with friends. Still learning how to use his camera he was encouraged to just keep taking pictures. He would document his friends surfing and the waves. 218 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
When he was surfing he would patiently wait in the water for the best waves to ride. Not necessarily realizing it at the time but he was actually studying the waves, the rhythms, the textures of the water, the effect of the sun reflecting off the water surface and how the light and mood would change with cloud cover. He would photograph and document these surf, and travel experiences through the small towns, and cities, and analyze what he captured on film. Once home, Pfeil and friends wanted to see and share their experience with other surfers. They would get together and have slide show viewing parties. Over time the slide shows would become more like art happenings at galleries and surf shops open to the public. These shows sparked an interest in his work and opened up opportunities to exhibit. Pfeil’s patience in the water has paid off. With his camera close at hand he is ready to capture a mo-
ment at any time. Many of his images reflect his fine tuned sense of composition and value. Using his honed skill set to recognize what is in front of him Pfeil knows just the right moment to shoot the shot. What looks like the perfectly orchestrated picture of channel markers popping out of a smooth as glass water is really Pfeil’s ability to know the best time of year, time of day and weather conditions to be out and about on the island. A keen eye for optimum conditions and patience. The results are what we all wish to experience in our fast paced, thirty second attention span world we live in. But, in Pfeil’s true humble nature, he admits there is some serendipity in his work. When he’s “feeling it” and has special interest in the subject the results are almost always true and resinate with the viewer. The reward for your patience crossing the Causeway in the middle of July is the zen moment after walking over the dune onto the beach, smelling the salt air, seeing and hearing the waves. Living in the moment. A Chris Pfeil print captures that moment. You can see Chris Pfeil prints at Ann Coen Photography in Surf City and Wildflowers by the Lighthouse in Barnegat Light.
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MUSICALS • CHILDREN’S THEATRE CONCERTS • COMEDY www.surflight.org ∙ 609-492-9477 201 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven
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Visit the shops and watch the boats sail in to unload their catch.
Upcoming Events: Fresh Seafood Market Seafood Restaurant Coffee Bar • Produce Stand Fishermen's Memorial
Blessing of the Fleet
Sunday June 16, 5:30pm
Arts & Crafts Shows
Sundays May 26, July 14, & September 1, 10am-4:30pm
Dock Tours Every Friday
10am-11am, July & August
Antique & Collectible Shows
Sundays August 4 & September 15, 9am-5pm
Santa's Viking Christmas Village
Saturday November 30, 10am-5pm Santa arrives by firetruck at 1pm. Crafters, live music, pictures with Santa.
ALL EVENTS AND TOURS ARE FREE ADMISSION UNLESS NOTED.
Photo by Heather Larson
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Explore LBI
Catch a Concert
Ride the Ferry (Winner of The NJ Tourism Excellence Award)*
Written by Lori Pepenella, CDME
Long Beach Island Region DMO Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce Follow LBI Region for more informations on the LBI Region The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 105th summer on LBI. They own and operate the globally accredited visitor center, located at 265 W Ninth Street in Ship Bottom, and are the most comprehensive resource for visitor and new resident information. Feel free to contact them at 609-494-7211, online at visitLBIregion.com or on social as @ southernoceanchamber @LBIregion and @theofficialLBIchowderfest.
Passport to LBI
The island is full of performances, from free concerts hosted throughout the island almost every day of the week to special events at Surflight Theatre and Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences. Check out the many bars and restaurants for one-of-a-kind musical acts that will make for a memorable night. For more information go to www.visitlbiregion.com for their community calendar.
The Surf & Sip Brew Trail
The Tuckerton Seaport/Beach Haven Ferry Powered by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce will set sail Saturdays, Sunday and Mondays from July 4th Weekend through Labor Day with a special Chowderfest Express running for the 31st Annual Chowderfest Weekend October 5 & 6. There is no cost to ride standby, but you can reserve a spot for $10 round-trip through the official website www.LBIFerry.com. Passengers are able to ride the 28-seat pontoon boat from the Seaport to the Taylor Avenue Dock. The hour-long ride will also include an eco-tour in a comfortable and covered setting.
Dock Tours at Viking Village
For those friends and family visiting the region, pick up a passport book and begin a summer of learning! From historic sites to environmental programs, you can follow the RE-CLAM the Bay trail of Giant Hand painted Clams and visit museums full of summers past to get hands-on during your time here. For more information go to http://passporttolbi.org/
Explore four local breweries, learn about LBI from the locals, become immersed in the surf culture (lessons included!) and experience top-notch culinary and cultural gems along the way on this award-winning trail that has you encountering all things beach, bay and pines. This trail is meant for 21 and over and meant to be enjoyed throughout the year. The brew trail allows you to enjoy local craft brews as well as the lifestyle that inspires them. Pick up a map at any brew trail location, the Southern Ocean County Chamber Visitor Center, or online via www.southernoceanmade.com. You can also find the trail as a verified venue on the Untappd App!
A summer tradition to heighten public awareness of the Commerce Seafood Industry Viking Village offers Dock Tours. Visitors learn about Scalloping, gillnetting and long lining, and they also get a tour of the facility in operation—along with a fresh display of our seafood products. Dock Tours will be Fridays at 10am July 5- Aug 30. To RSVP, contact Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce 609-494-7211 or Viking Village 609-494-0113. bay-magazine.com 223
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LOOKING AT THE LEGACY Written by Lori Pepenella, CDME
Photo by Michael Spark
During the Centennial Celebration held in 2014, it was noted that for generations the chamber building was always a starting place for ideas that flowed out into the community through its business members. Looking back on the past 105 years, there has been many times where the business community rallied through this central organization. The world was a very different place in 1914, but the founders of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce had the foresight to establish an organization that would represent the business community locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
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er, take 83 years for the chamber to elect their first woman President, Fern Schoderer-Florimont. The chamber also recognized the need for professional staffing to keep the organization a sustainable resource. The first position was created when Jack Lamping was hired to serve as Information Officer, with Executive Directors serving until Lori Pepenella was appointed the first Chief Executive Officer in 2016 and Michele Cuff as Chief Financial Officer.
Since its early years as the Long Beach Island Board of Trade, the businesses of the area have gathered to support innovate initiatives that help bring commerce into the region. Headquartered in Ship Bottom and sitting on the gateway to the island, the Chamber’s mission is to foster positive growth, while enhancing life for visitors and residents alike. The group helped the region navigate numerous hurricanes, super storms, nor’easters and other natural or man-made disasters that have threatened the quality of life and financial sustainability for all who have invested in the area. The first meeting was held May 15, 1914 on 1412 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. Business people who were looking to invest and develop the area into a thriving economy saw the need to work together to provide the best possible environment to all who come to work or vacation. Throughout the century, it has been the determination of local business leadership that has made a remarkable impact on shaping Long Beach Island and the mainland communities. Many of the highlights from the organization have helped define the potential for the area. This includes responsible growth of infrastructure from schools, roads, and the introduction of automobile bridges in 1914 and 1959. The list of past Presidents includes so many who have contributed to the business climate of the region: Robert Engle, Robert Osborn, William Penn Lodge, Richard Van Dyk, Frank Klein, Tilton Mathis, Ralph Reynolds, Thomas Oakley, John Hillman, John Coyle Jr., Carl Van Thulin, David Wyrsh, Curt Travers, Dan Taylor, and Frank Panzone to name a few. Ahead of its time, the original bylaws allowed women as business members, which at the time was rare for the turn of the 20th century. It did howev226 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Milestones that were created by the chamber have had a lasting legacy; the organization produced the first tourism promotional brochures in 1938, created the first Long Beach Island Commercial in 1940, opened the doors to its visitor center in 1942, and created the popular Miss Magic Long Beach Island in 1958. The world renowned Chowderfest began in 1989 as a way to expand the season past Labor Day, and has grown into three decades of the ultimate food competition—bringing international attention. Some of the locations that held chamber meetings through the years are now part of the past. Who can remember Gus & Whitey’s, Lamb’s Restaurant, Baldwin Hotel, Wida’s, Carrol’s, Village Pub, Bayberry Inn, Mr A’s, Charles Seafood Garden, The Cranberry Bog, Quarter Deck, Old Causeway Inn and the Owl Tree? They also led the way of new technology, going online with the area’s premiere information website in 1996. Local business efforts allowed for the building to be paid in full and to be completely redesigned. The volunteers rededicated the building in 1997 along with staff. The chamber saw the need to further expand shoulder seasons and planned the first Wedding Road Show in 2009. This event has rebranded the region as a wedding destination over the course of the past decade and has helped businesses make much needed extra revenue throughout the year. In 2010, the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce was first to champion the Shop Small Saturday Movement to its members, which has now grown Thanksgiving Weekend demand substantially. In 2014 it became a globally accredited Destination Marketing and Management Organization, and now actively works with the NJ Division of Travel and Tourism and Ocean County Board of Freeholders. In 2017 it partnered with the Office of Homeland Security to bring the first Hometown Security Seminar for businesses in time for the busy summer season and also created the first POP UP chamber meeting to showcase vacant commercial space. In 2018, it established the first brew trail in the state, and the first in the country to include non-alcohol stops.
DID YOU KNOW?
Today, you will find Southern Ocean Chamber Board of Directors and staff overseeing an organization that continues to find innovative ways for the area businesses to thrive. In addition to running a year-round visitor center that highlights information of their business members, the Chamber packs in several opportunities each month for business development, networking and membership meetings. It serves as the region’s Public Relations clearinghouse, issuing multiple press releases each month, placing ads in target markets and creating content to feed its social and digital platforms that reach over 40K consumers daily. Since 2005, as one of their many responses to Super Storm
Sandy recovery, they collaborated with WBNJ and aired their award winning LBI Region Report weekly radio show. The organization maintains the region’s website www.visitLBIregion.com as well as chowderfest. com and southernoceanmade. com, publishes the main fulfillment piece, the Land & Sea Guide, and is on every social media platform as either LBI Region or Southern Ocean County Chamber. In addition to funding local projects and raising money for scholarships, the Southern Ocean County Chamber also assembled a Business Development Council to help with positive planning for the area. This initiative launched the current 2020 Vi-
sion Strategic Plan that led to the Downtown Driven Ferry Project that connects Tuckerton Seaport and Beach Haven, the Founded in Family program that highlights new family-owned and operated businesses and unique membership meetings including Innovate & Caffeinate breakfasts and Women in Business Monthly Roundtables. To get a better look at the hundreds of businesses that support the regional chamber, as well as the programs that are provided to visitors, new residents and businesses, please visit them at 265 W Ninth Street in Ship Bottom, call 609 494 7211, follow on Instagram @southernoceanchamber or facebook.com/lbi.region bay-magazine.com 227
P R I V AT E S U N S E T C R U I S E S ON LONG BEACH ISLAND L U X U R Y O N T H E W AT E R WWW.LBILUXURYCHARTERS.COM
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DID YOU KNOW?
l u x u r y
o n
t h e
w a t e r
Written by Sarah Hodgson
Photo by Jack Reynolds
For many that visit and inhabit Long Beach Island, the glittering Barnegat Bay remains uncharted territory from summer to summer. Wildlife preserves go unseen, waterways untouched, hidden treasures undiscovered. Most have never even had the pleasure of watching the sun sink and lacquer the bay in pinks from the lilting comfort of an anchored boat. That is, until now. All thanks to LBI Luxury Charters.
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Photo by Ashley Mac
It was only a matter of time before local couple Michael Spark and Kara Basque launched LBI Luxury Charters, a private sunset and day cruise boat for guests of all ages. The two have been seafarers their entire lives with experience running charter yachts in the Caribbean. Last summer, they saw a demand for private charter tours on our little barrier island and set to work at filling the boat-sized gap in the local maritime service industry. “We both have spent a lot of time on the water in our childhoods, especially with family. I think we’ve always envisioned sharing that with others,” said Basque. Their cruiser of choice, Relentless, is a stunning vessel. With a Stars and Stripes Blue bottom and teak furnishings, she glints in the sunlight. For an ambient touch, blue accent lights illuminate the deck as the sun
lowers. In addition to her aesthetic strengths, Relentless boasts many operative advantages. She’s a classic New England Cuttyhunk Bass Boat designed for stable, dry excursions and she’s easily navigable through shallow waters. Her spacious cockpit and enclosed custom hardtop shield guests from any unfriendly elements. “In her design for bass fishing, she’s perfect for cocktails,” said Basque. Guests can choose from the following trip options: a sunset charter, a two hour day cruise, a half-day charter and a full-day charter. Clients are welcome to customize their journeys. From anchoring and popping into the warm waters for a swim, to docking at local waterfront restaurants, there’s something for everyone. “Every cruise is different,” said Spark.
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A rather unique and adventurous cruise option is the one that Basque and Spark like to take to Tices Shoal, a shallow bank within Island Beach State Park. It offers coverage from south easterly breezes and features a walking path that leads down to the water and uninhabited beach. Spark, the captain of Relentless, will taxi the boat to the shoal and anchor, while Basque, the Chief Stewardess, will guide the trippers to the beach, equipped with a radio and dry bag for the guests’ non-waterproof essentials and towels. “It’s a little adventure. But once we get over there, we drop anchor. The water’s shallow. It’s warm and calm. You can hang out on the deck, catch some rays or jump in, wade to shore and walk over to the beach. It’s a whole experience,” said Basque. Some other sites you can see along a private yacht tour with Spark and Basque include: the Barnegat Lighthouse, Historic Viking Village, the US Coast Guard Base, osprey nesting area, transient boaters finding refuge in Barnegat inlet, kiteboarders, the Barnegat Oyster Collective farm and fishermen along the jetty.
Photo by Britton Spark
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For a full-service experience, clients can even add local eats to their nautical outing. Through Spark and Basque, they can arrange a catering and alcohol order to be dropped at the boat.
been able to creatively shape the industry as they go. “That’s what’s also really fun about it. We kind of saw a niche in a service that we are so passionate about,” said Spark.
“We are B.Y.O.B. but we’re happy to offer a concierge service where we’re helping to coordinate food and beverage needs that guests envision. They don’t have to worry about picking it up. We’ll take care of all that. They just walk on the boat and it’s there,” said Spark.
On Relentless, Basque and Spark will accommodate anything from bachelorette parties to birthdays. They’ve even hosted a few successful marriage proposals since their literal and figurative launch. “We haven’t lost any rings,” laughed Spark. “Some people go as far as tying fishing string to their belt loop before they propose. I haven’t heard any noes, so that’s encouraging.”
LBI Luxury Charters is the only charter of its kind on Long Beach Island, so Spark and Basque have
Photos by Micheal Spark
While the Atlantic and the pristine, warm beaches of LBI are treasures unto themselves, there’s something to be said for Barnegat Bay and its many subtle, simple secrets. Now, vacationers and locals alike have the unique opportunity to explore and enjoy the history-filled bay without enduring the hassles of boat ownership. “We want people to know that, ‘Hey. If you show up to the island without a boat, you’re not left high and dry,’” said Spark. Interested parties can find more information on the LBI Luxury Charters website, lbiluxurycharters.com or on their social media @LBILuxuryCharters. bay-magazine.com 233
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DID YOU KNOW?
It was the Summer of 69 Written by Lisa Simek
It was the summer of 1969 when Surf City residents Vince and Michele Farias came to the realization that the summer rental business on LBI was missing one very important thing: basic amenities needed for families on vacation. Whether it was beach umbrellas and chairs, or cribs and cots, even bikes and surfboards—there was no way families wanted to lug all of this stuff on vacation if they didn’t have to. But how would they be able to enjoy their beach time? A stroke of genius was had by the young entrepreneurial couple. They would open up a rental shop offering all of these items, and more, to the
tourists who came to Long Beach Island every summer. And so, that very summer, now, 50 years ago, on a dirt floor in their garage in Surf City, Farias Sales & Rentals was born. Vince and Michele Farias were school teachers in Edgewater Park during the offseason and spent their summers on LBI. Ever since Vince’s father Mario, purchased a home on 6th Street in Surf City decades earlier, he was hooked on this tiny barrier island and what it had to offer. Before opening the rental shop, Vince had spent his summers working as a lifeguard during
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Photo by Ann Coen
the day and a bartender at the old Acme (one of the hottest bars on LBI during the 1960s and 70s) at night. He met vacationers upon vacationers throughout this period and was keen enough to recognize the void in the rental industry through their common complaints, and was clever enough to take the bull by the horns and provide a solution. He started out with renting the aforementioned items, and by the 1980s his wife Michele had successfully brought apparel into the mix, thenceforth their first [and, now, flagship] store in Ship Bottom was opened, later bringing in surfboards during the 1990s— evolving the Farias brand into what is now recognized as the industry’s largest surf apparel shop on the east coast. But this progression was a family affair. The business wouldn’t be where it is today without the diligence and contributions of the second and third generation operatives. Brian Farias, Vince and Michele’s son, and now, a major stakeholder of the family business, has played an integral part in shifting the rental business into the new millennium with the focus on 236 BAY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
surf culture—before surfing was such a movement that it is today. Having been enchanted by the stoke as a boy, before it was mainstream, the incorporation surf apparel, boards and gear into the shop was not even a question to the surfer. It came instinctively, and as his interests towards that lifestyle intensified, the leap of faith by Mom and Dad was clearly not in vain. Farias’ “Board Room” (pun intended) is one of the largest inventories of surfboards within the entire LBI area. This 250+ board display space is frequented by surf-enthusiasts and tourists alike, simply for its magnificent appeal and to catch a glimpse of the LBI surf culture. The Farias’ have witnessed how LBI is ever evolving, and this is why each of their 6 retail locations offer a different product for that demographic. “There is a different clientele in every town on the island. From the local residents to the summer residents to weekend warriors. You have to be able to cater to everyone from the core surfer to the weekend beach visitors and everyone in between. We just try to do a better
DID YOU KNOW?
job to provide products that everyone wants in a welcoming atmosphere,” shares Brian. Keeping up with the customer demand, they have expanded their children’s surf clothing offering by opening a Farias Kids store across the street from their Ship Bottom flag ship location. In 2019, the company opened the Farias Centre Street location in Beach Haven, which offers an artsy-cool spin on the classic surf shop. The passion project of Brian and his wife, Natalie, it has unique and exclusive surfing apparel with a purpose (many exclusive, and with a focus on sustainability), and is curated as a purposeful alternative for surfers, artists, shapers, and brands in search of something fresh and different from the otherwise oversaturated market. But make no mistake, despite the focus on surfing, there are women in the Farias family who are also influencing a new generation of pioneering within the brand, with the new Five 0 Six Surf Boutique. All three generations of women from grandmother Michele to daughter Stacey to now her daughter Sarah have helped shape this unique boutique located in Surf City as a fresh resort-wear and lifestyle shop that, although is very in tune with surf culture, is not necessarily driven by it. As the buyer for all of Farias’ apparel for over a decade, having the opportunity to carefully curate her own
vision for a women’s boutique was familiar territory for Sarah, who holds a marketing degree and has worked in-house for some of the family’s biggest wholesale partners such as Roxy and Billabong. “With salty hair and sandy toes,” Vince’s granddaughter begins, “Five 0 Six embraces style inspired by our surroundings here on the coast.” And that is very much the vibe of the boutique, from the apparel and accessories to the macramé plant hangers made from local artisans to novelty and gift items. From on-trend swimwear to casual cruise fashion, women of all sizes, ages, shapes and interests will fall in love with Five 0 Six boutique. If waking up and inhaling beach air is your idea of the ultimate fantasy, then you might just say the Farias family is living the dream life. Providing consumers with the perfect blend of surf sport culture, with a Bohemian, beach-gypsy influence, the creative Farias clan continues to offer a little bit of something for everyone on LBI season-after-season. And one thing is for certain, if their contribution to our island culture is largely influenced by the family’s travels across the world, through art, music and beach experiences, then they will continue to impress us with the most innovative and on trend products for seasons to come. Cheers to fifty more years for Farias Surf and Sport!
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DID YOU KNOW?
SUCCESS AT THE
CLOSING TABLE Written by Diana Stanczak
If you search for real estate agent Ed Freeman on Zillow, you’ll find over one hundred, five-star reviews with a reoccurring theme. Knowledgeable. Professional. Friendly. Responsive. These traits, coupled with over 20 years of real estate experience, are part of what makes Ed, founder of the Freeman Group, so successful. “We’re obsessed with exceeding expectations,” Ed says of his team, which consists of his son Ed Freeman Jr., and Tammy Laureigh, who recently joined the group with 19 years of real estate experience. “There
are many steps, bumps and problems to negotiate from the beginning of a relationship to a successful closing. And we’re on top of it to guide our clients through it all,” Ed says. Like the home buying, selling and investing process, there have been many steps in Ed’s long career, all which have eventually led him to becoming the top agent in Ocean County in sales volume for the past three years, reaching over $133M in sales in 2018 in Long Beach Island, and over $110M in 2017.
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DID YOU KNOW?
“He’s had many different successful careers,” Ed Jr. says of his father. “He’s a serial entrepreneur.” Ed holds a degree in accounting from Villanova University, which led him to Wall Street, working for Merrill Lynch in the late 1980s. It was during that period, in his free time, helping a friend in the wholesale fish industry make deliveries throughout Manhattan, that inspired his first drastic career change and marked the start of his entrepreneurial streak. Ed noticed that New Jersey fish markets couldn’t compare to the abundant markets of New York and Connecticut. So he decided to bring a Manhattan-style fish market to the commuter town of Maplewood, N.J., called Freeman’s Fish Company. This company, which Ed owned from 1989-2002, eventually became the parent company of the Freeman Fish Market and a wholesale fish company that is still in business today, under the same name. During the years they ran Freeman’s Fish Company, Ed and his wife, Ellen, bought a summer home in LBI, eventually moving there full-time with their children, Ed Jr., Joseph and Elizabeth. After selling Freeman’s Fish Company, Ed and his family moved on to their next venture: Pearl Street Market, a gourmet food market in Beach Haven that Ed transformed from an old deli purchased in 2003. “Running Pearl Street Market gave me the opportunity to get to know everyone in the neighborhood,” Ed says. “We looked forward to everyone coming in the spring each year.” It was this seasonality that led Ed directly to real estate. Armed with neighborhood connections and a winter of downtime, Ed obtained his real estate license and started working with local agent David Mitchell, of what was then the Mitchell Group. An unofficial apprenticeship under David turned
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into a 50/50 partnership. “We worked hard, and we had success and fun,” Ed says. “I credit a lot of what I learned about the [real estate] business to Dave.” Four years into the partnership, David passed away unexpectedly, coinciding with Ed’s plans to sell Pearl Street Market. “I decided to go into business on my own. I called it the Freeman Group from day one, even though it wasn’t a group, it was just me,” Ed recalls. The Freeman family sold Pearl Street Market in 2009, but Ed applied the same business model to his work at the Freeman Group. “My goal was to get up each day, try to help people solve their problems, answer their questions as they pertain to real estate without chasing commission. Success was a by-product of hard work,” Ed says. Working at the Mitchell Group had prepared Ed for running a real estate business on his own. Ed Jr., who holds a degree in business and marketing from the Virginia Military Institute, joined his father in the real estate industry in 2010 for two years before leaving to work in New York City, eventually returning back to the Freeman Group in 2017. “Working side by side with my father, it’s a dream come true to have the success we’re having together,” Ed Jr. says. Today, the Freeman Group is the largest producing real estate group in Ocean County, averaging over $100M in sales a year, and claiming a 10 percent share of the entire LBI real estate market. Though Ed receives many requests to work on the mainland, he chooses mostly to stay on the island. “We know every setback, government agency approval, and idiosyncrasy that goes into a successful transaction on a barrier island. We chose to not be generalists; rather, we chose to be specialists on Long Beach Island,” Ed says.
Over the years, through experience and a large network, the Freeman Group has curated a list of highly-regarded professionals, including lawyers, contractors and consultants, to refer their clients to, ensuring their specific needs are met. Working with the Freeman Group grants access to a knowledgeable group of professionals who will help each unique real estate transaction, from beach front properties to tear-downs, run smoothly and efficiently. “My dad, a plumbing contractor, once said to me: ‘If you want to be successful in any industry, do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it,’” Ed says. “And you know what? It’s the truth. That’s what gets you to the closing table.”
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The Next Generation of
BAYWOMEN Meet the Oyster Sisters Written by Diana Stanczak
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Photos by Shannon Murphy
DID YOU KNOW?
For sisters Gretchen Maxwell, 30, and Bridgitte Bliss, 28, a typical workday looks something like this: Rise at 4 a.m. Get to the docks and on the water by sunrise. Haul the day’s catch in, open their retail market by 11 a.m., work until 6 p.m. Rinse and repeat. This is the lifestyle of oyster farmers, sisters, best friends. Gretchen and Bridgitte—known as the Oyster Sisters—are heirs to Maxwell Shellfish, a family-owned, wholesale and retail seafood market established in the 1830s, located in Port Republic. The sisters work alongside their father and owner of Maxwell Shellfish, John Maxwell, and grandfather Donald Maxwell
(or Poppop, as the sisters lovingly call him, who will turn 92 this October) who passed ownership of the company to his son in the 1980s. Maxwell Shellfish is known for its wild harvest oysters, harvested year-round from the Mullica River and Great Bay, and sold daily at the Maxwell Shellfish Fish Market, the company’s retail storefront. For some, the weight of a sixth-generation family business may be a heavy load to carry, especially in a physically demanding field like oyster farming. Early mornings on the bay followed by long days harvesting and shelling take a certain kind of person, but for the Oyster Sisters, the drive to carry on the family business comes naturally, almost as if saltwater runs in their blood.
And in a way, it does. The sisters spent their childhood on the bay watching and helping their father and grandfather on the docks, and eventually assisting with the Fish Market. But they didn’t grow up thinking that they would one day take over the family business. “It’s one of those things where you don’t realize what you have until you grow up, and go far away from it,” Gretchen says. “The lifestyle and the way we grew up as kids was unique as far as our dad owning his own business and us being on the water, helping him with clams—but it was definitely not our father’s plan for us. He tried to nudge us in other directions to make sure we were experiencing the world.”
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During college, the sisters left New Jersey to expand their horizons. Ever inseperable, both sisters attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia—Bridgitte earning a degree in nutrition, and Gretchen in communications. For Bridgitte, who had worked part-time at the Fish Market for years, it wasn’t a matter of if she would come onboard full-time at Maxwell Shellfish, but rather, when. “Ever since we were kids, I always was interested in what my dad did. It seemed really cool—he was always out in the water with my Poppop. I idolized them growing up. My dad never pushed us into it, but the option to join the family business was always open to us. When it became a real possibility, I thought to myself, ‘I can do this.’ It seemed like a no-brainer. It was my dream job,” Bridgitte shares.
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That’s not to say that dreams come true without hard work. Bridgitte calls her first day on the job, back in 2014, an eye-opener. Her first task was shelling, where the crew piles shells on their 42-foot wooden boat and then broadcasts them onto their leases in the Mullica River by shoveling them overboard, so the oyster spat, or oyster larvae, can attach on to the shells and begin to form a new oyster. “I got home that day, dirty, salty, with purple hands, unable to move, thinking, ‘I can’t do this.’” But that saltwater blood got the best of her, and Bridgitte began working out and running to build up her physical strength to keep up with the job. Gretchen joined the business in 2017, but her years spent at a marketing job post-college only helped to make her a more valuable asset to Maxwell Shellfish, handling responsibilities surrounding marketing, communications and office work, in addition to physical labor on the bay. “Once I got into the ‘real world’
and worked a desk job, I longed for the flexibility from the life I grew up with. Even though my dad worked really hard, really long hours, at the end of the day he was working for himself.” Though the Oyster Sisters have received the lifelong education that comes from growing up in a family of baymen, they’re humble, and quick to admit that they are continuously learning. “We’re still students of this whole thing. Growing up, I didn’t know a lot about things I learned once I joined full-time, just a few years ago,” Bridgitte says. The sisters are big on educating the community, too, about oyster farming—attending and speaking at multiple events throughout the year, and even partnering with the Girl Scouts to reach the next generation of female farmers. Recently, Maxwell Shellfish was featured in The Oyster Farmers, a fea-
ture-length documentary focusing on the resurgence of oyster farming in the Barnegat Bay area. Equally as important as community, to Bridgitte and Gretchen, is legacy. “Legacy doesn’t mean personal legacy, but the legacy from which we came and was gifted to us. We’re really trying to brainstorm ways we can continue to fuse community and legacy together,” Gretchen says. When asked about the future, the sisters have big plans. “I would like to be able to pass down our family’s legacy to the next generation. I don’t want to be the Maxwell that dropped the oyster,” Bridgitte says, “and I plan to give Poppop a run for his money.” Naturally, Gretchen agrees: “Let’s put it this way: We plan on investing in a lot of sunscreen.”
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