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iPlay America of Freehold – A Great Place for Family Fun
Especially on a rainy day, iPlay is a must-go-to with your kids
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All it takes is one step into iPlay America to discover the WOW factor. Imagine the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore brought inland and blended with a New York City street, complete with brownstones and quaint shops. The entire atmosphere is energized by NJ’s highest concentration of fun things to do indoors, like rides and various attractions, all sized to fit within nearly 4 acres of indoor family fun. It’s not every day you can ride speedy go karts, the Kite Flyer, Skyscraper, Reverse Time, and play 2-level laser tag – all indoors so weather is never an issue. Plus, the young and young at heart can enjoy all of the new rides, games and attractions that were added to iPlay America this past year. Ballocity is a four-level structure of play featuring slides, blasters that shoot foam balls and more; XD Dark Ride - an interactive attraction which offers the latest advancements in multi-sensory technology, or battle your friends in
one of multiple interactive movies. The High Flyer is a high-energy ride that will have you on the edge of your seat. The Mini Ferris Wheel packs in all the fun of the classic ride, scaled down for an indoor adventure.
What’s more, at iPlay America, you can sit down to great service and a sensational dining experience at The Loaded Spoon where the food and drinks don’t stop. Keep the party going at Topgolf Swing Suite, which features a high-energy, interactive virtual sports and social atmosphere.
If quick and easy food is more your style, choose Sonny’s Boardwalk Grill for Jersey Shore-style snacks, hot dogs, burgers, fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and more. Another favorite shop is Broadway Sweets which offers Monmouth County’s largest array of current and old-fashioned candy in gift packages and bins.
For more information, call iPlay at 732-577-8200 or visit iplayamerica.com
Tatum’s Table Aims to Fill a Niche in Lincroft with Decadent Breakfast and Lunch Options
BY REBECCA KING
For most people, making their own birthday cake would be a chore. Not so for Tatum Menake, a Colts Neck resident who, at just 20 years old, is opening a restaurant called Tatum’s Table in Lincroft.
A picture of a 10-year-old Menake shows her proudly pointing to a colorful birthday cake creation, spackled with blue and purple icing and festooned with colorful stars, hearts, flowers, and sprinkles. It’s this longtime love of baking, cooking, and entertaining that led to Menake’s foray into the world of restaurant ownership at an age when many are still figuring out their place in the world.
Filling a Need
Tatum’s Table is located within the Lincroft Grove shopping center and is estimated to be opening in late July. The restaurant, Menake explained, is for folks dining out for breakfast, lunch, and brunch who want
something a bit different than your average diner fare.
“I kept going out for breakfast or lunch in the area, and there was nothing that suited what I wanted,” said Menake of what inspired her to open Tatum’s Table. “Either the food would be good, but the coffee would be lacking, or vice versa. Nothing had the whole package.”
Tatum’s Table will offer the basics — eggs, pancakes, breakfast skillets, pastries, and the like – to satisfy the traditionalists in any dining party, Menake said. However, she’s most excited about the elevated, out-ofthe-box options — pistachio baklava pancakes, a latke-like take on a waffle made out of potato, sweet and savory crepes, creme brulee coffees.
“We wanted something different from everything else that’s in New Jersey,” she said.
Tatum’s Table will initially be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., though Menake hopes to eventually be open for private parties in the evenings.
The Love Language of Cooking
For many restaurant owners, their love of food and hospitality begins at home — and Menake is no exception. She recalls family Sunday dinners with her Italian and Greek family with plates heaped with home cooking.
“All I do is cook all day. For my dad, my mom, my brother, my boyfriend. It’s my love language,” she said.
Menake partly credits her home-schooling education as the reason she’s been able to take on owning and operating a restaurant so young. While traditional lessons occupied her mornings, she was able to follow her interests, she said, during the rest of her day. This flexible structure inspired an entrepreneurial spirit in her, Menake explained.
Menake is a self-taught chef. She was accepted into culinary school but wound up going to cosmetology school instead. But when she realized her passions lie outside of a hair salon, she turned to the lessons she learned at her grandfather’s apron strings.
Her grandparents ran a restaurant called Sammy’s Steakhouse on Staten Island. She describes her grandpa as the best chef in the family, though her grandmother was al ways ready to act as sous chef. She was also the baker of the family and instilled a love of pastries and cakes in her granddaughter.
Menake’s brother also owns the Navy St. Cafe at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, and Menake said she learned the basics of managing a restaurant while working with him there.
“I’ve always wanted to own a bakery. That was my dream when I was growing up,” she said. “As I got older and developed a love for cooking, that dream turned into opening a restaurant.”
And it wasn’t just cooking that sparked Menake’s interest. It was the hustle and bustle of hospitality — the hosts seating guests, the servers scribbling orders, the bussers wiping tables clean.
“I just love being in restaurants,” she said. “I always just sit and watch everything and observe how they’re run.”
At her own restaurant, Menake aims for an elegant, modern aesthetic. Most of the restaurant is a clean white with gold and black accents. There’s a flower wall perfect for selfies and pops of color thrown in to brighten up the space.
“Everything has been so exciting,” said Menake. “It’s amazing to see my dream become a reality. I remember being younger, sitting in my lessons, and daydreaming about owning a bakery. And doing it with my family has been really the most rewarding thing.”
TATUM’S TABLE
650 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft Go to instagram.com/tatumstablenj/ for more information.
Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine has opened its first Monmouth County location in Middletown, NJ. From treating all orthopedic injuries headto-toe, to being one of the top concussion specialists in New Jersey, the Genesis providers focus on personalized, minimally invasive and traditional orthopedic surgery solutions to get you back to doing what you love without feeling restricted.
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A quick roundup of what’s new and happening at local businesses in Monmouth County.
AP Rooftop gives a view from the top
The newest space to open in the McLoone’s army of bars and restaurants, AP Rooftop sits high above the boardwalk atop the 5th Ave pavilion in Asbury Park and offers panoramic views of the seascape and city via floor to ceiling windows. The menu features an intersecting lineup of sophisticated cocktails as well as a fabulous selection of Italian and Mediterranean dishes from executive chef Rob DiBlasi, and the vibe is perfect for date night or a pleasantly upscale night out with friends. For more info, go to APRooftop.com.
Amazon Fresh opens in Eatontown
Eatontown has the distinction of being only the second town in all of New Jersey to get an Amazon Fresh grocery store. The 35,500 square-foot store, owned and operated by the internet shopping giant, opened its doors in late June and offers guests a wide variety of goods from fresh produce to meats, prepared foods and local brands. In addition, customers can enjoy grocery delivery, curbside pick-up, Amazon Dash Cart, Amazon One and Alexa kiosks. Savings will be big at the store, as it will offer a rotating lineup of more than 4,000 discounted items weekly, and Amazon Prime members get exclusive access to Prime Savings, which offers discounts of 10% on hundreds of additional grocery items. “This new, affordable grocery store in the community offers a wide selection of quality groceries and a convenient shopping experience,” said Amazon in a statement. For more info, go to Amazon.com.
Asbury’s newest retail outfit, New Hour opens downtown
Asbury’s bustling downtown area just added another reason to stop by. The newest opening is New Hour, a men’s clothing store. Located on Bangs Avenue, the shop aims to provide the modern man with an exceptional shopping experience. The store’s mission is to curate a collection of high-quality clothing and accessories that exude style, confidence and personal expression. New Hour offers an exclusive range of men’s clothing and accessories that cater to various occasions and style preferences.
Store owner Connor Closs has over 10 years of experience working in the retail and fashion industry. Bringing influences from his skate, surf and artistic background, he has carefully curated a collection of goods that will keep customers coming back.
Tatum’s Table prepares to launch
Tatum Menake is excited to announce the opening of a new brunch restaurant in the Lincroft Shopping Center in Lincroft. This latest venture promises a delightful dining experience, featuring a carefully curated menu of brunch favorites and innovative dishes. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, the restaurant aims to become a beloved spot for locals, offering a true culinary experience.
Signature Realty opens in Red Bank
Signature Realty, an award-winning boutique brokerage specializing in luxury real estate in New Jersey has recently launched the Grand Opening of their office in Red Bank. Their team of highly skilled professionals have the knowledge and know-how to represent a broad spectrum of classes, including residential real estate, new development, and investment properties. Owner Michelle Pais has been featured on the cover of Central Jersey Real Producers and Connect Magazine along with many other publications.
10th Ave Burrito Co. offers a barrage of discounts
For those starting to feel the pinch from the inflated costs of dining out in recent years, one of Belmar’s most beloved restaurants, 10th Ave. Burrito Co. offers a variety of deals throughout each week to lessen the hit to your wallet. Monday features ½ priced burritos as well as $7 La Casa, Pineapple and Strawberry margaritas and $5 Modelo drafts; Tuesday is “Taco Tuesday” with $15 all-you-can-eat tacos (available in pork mole, shredded chicken, ground beef, chorizo or portobello mushroom varieties) as well as $5 Stateside vodka and sodas; on Wednesdays, you can get $7 quesadillas as well as enjoy their all day happy hour; and on Thursdays, fans of their legendary wings can enjoy any variety of them for just 75 cents a piece (along with $5 seasonal drafts.) For more info, go to TenthAveBurrito.com.
135 Years of Tradition Lives On at the Annual Navesink Hook and Ladder Fireman’s Fair
BY BILL CLARK
The Navesink Hook and Ladder Fireman’s Fair returns for another summer August 8-10 at its facility in Middletown.
The annual festivity and fundraiser will celebrate its 135th rendition of the popular event that brings in over six thousand people.
Fair Chairman Russell Mount has overseen the yearly gathering for close to two decades. The money raised helps the Navesink Hook and Ladder Company maintain its building, equipment and training for the firefighters and first responders that respond to emergencies in the area.
Fairgoers can enjoy a crisp beer, listen to live bands, try their luck at the various festival games and send the kids off to bounce on the inflatables. Mount said that many attendees speak highly of the food stand that serves up traditional summer fare with a special emphasis on the seafood offerings.
“The members take a lot of pride in that kitchen,” Mount said. “It’s a lot of prep work getting it ready. It’s weeks in the making.”
After loading up both hands, people can sit and enjoy what came fresh from the grill while they talk with family and friends.
Attendees also look forward to the much-anticipated raffle drawings, the options of which have expanded significantly in recent years. People clutch tickets in hopes that they are one of the lucky ones to be drawn as winners of prizes that are provided by supporters and local businesses.
“The girls start selling those tickets at the gift auction as soon as the fair opens,” Mount said. “They go as long as they can until eventually we have to shut it down so we can draw the prizes for that night.”
But it isn’t just the gift auction that people clamber to in order to try their luck. Another popular stand is the produce wheel. For a spin, winners can walk away with baskets filled with vegetables, fruits or the special fill of lobsters and filet mignons.
Between food, drinks, raffles and games, the grounds of the firehouse are lined with stands that Mount said are all fabricated by the members of the company themselves. In the weeks leading up to the opening night, members will remove the structures from storage and perfect anything that a winter in the garage has inflicted. Anything new is planned and created under a timeline.
The labor involved is intensive and the time horizon could be daunting.
“We joke that it takes about three weeks to assemble everything and then it takes about four or five hours to take it all down and put it away,” Mount said.
Members of the company set forth in the summer heat with Mount using previous years as templates to ensure that the coming fair is better than the last.
“I’m very fortunate myself and a group of members do help out quite a bit with it,” Mount said. “They respect my insaneness on how sometimes I change things and move things around a little bit from time to time.
The event itself is a testament to the dedication that the members of the company show towards their community. Mount, who has been a firefighter for over 30 years, sees that connection in the older members and newer recruits.
“It takes a lot of commitment,” he said of the hours that members dedicate towards training, responding and making sure that events like the fair are successful throughout the year. When Mount first signed up, the training hours were fewer and most members were expected at the station over the weekend. Not so much anymore, Mount said.
“These individuals are sacrificing their time Tuesday and Thursday and all day Saturday for almost a six-month period in time. And it’s quite a bit of work. The one thing we always say in the fire service is it’s about inconvenience,” he said. As firefighters are readying themselves for their day jobs in the morning they have to turn their schedule around to respond to an emergency. During a storm at the end of June, Mount himself was part of crews that were ensuring the safety of residents through daybreak.
“It’s a lot of sacrifice, a lot of lost nights of sleep, a lot of lost meals,” he said. “But you know it is all worth it in the end for us who are really into it.”
Navesink Hook and Ladder are welcoming three new members after residents went through 200 hours of training and proved themselves capable through assessments and certifications.
Mount said that one member is the father of a current firefighter. At 58 years old, the gentleman was inspired by his
son and applied. Another new member who recently relocated to the area is also in his fifties. Family ties run strong also for the third new member, a 40-year-old woman who is following in her father’s footsteps.
The fair is a chance for a laid back summer evening with neighbors. Mount said that he appreciates when people from the area come through and interact with the members of the company. Some are surprised that each volunteer time. When Mount isn’t circulating throughout the area making sure everything is running smoothly, he gets to catch up with people that he may only see during the three-day festival. Mount points specifically to one mother and son that have come each year and he has been able to watch the young man grow up.
One certainty is that once the fair ends, Mount will set his sights on next year after taking a well-deserved deep breath. The company will produce other community events throughout the year including during the fall and winter. But unlike the Fireman’s Fair, the Halloween parade hasn’t been a tradition for over a century. Navesink Hook and Ladder found ways to keep the fair going through pandemics and power outages, only suspending operation during World War I so that they could adhere to safety precautions by keeping the street dark during the evening hours.
But this year, Mount will watch as excited faces walk away stuffed from food or excited from winning one of the raffles, their fun and excitement keeping a valuable part of the community financially stable.
Adventures in Luxury
Portside Luxury owners travel worldwide in search of high-end style
BY BILL CLARK
Ralph Hanan answered the phone. He clearly was not sitting at a desk based on all the noise in the background.
There was no time to talk. It was the Friday before Memorial Day, and his business, Portside Luxury, was busy with deliveries to clients making sure that they had the luxury goods necessary to make holiday gatherings memorable. He would have to talk at a later time.
Completely understandable.
Hanan is now an entrepreneur, operating his business with his wife Danielle on Route 35 in Ocean Township. Before making the jump to owning his own business, Hanan said that he had a clear and specific role in his company as he spent 25 years in the manufacturing industry selling products to national retailers. Now, he is responsible for every aspect of a business that he
saw a clear need for in the area.
“The biggest change was more roles that you need to play without a large organization behind you,” Hanan said. “So as an independent entrepreneur, securing financing, handling all of the shipping and logistics as well as creating relationships both in sales and buying was a lot more responsibility than I was used to.”
The scope of what Hanan had to oversee was worth the main objective of the role: providing the best products that his clients sought.
With years of experience in the industry, Hanan gets to research what is available and what makes perfect sense for both residential and commercial properties. Clients come in with a vision for their yards or outdoor space. It is up to Hanan to put a tangible result to that goal. It takes time, patience and honest dialogue, but the effort is
worth it when the client is happy.
“We discuss with them some of the parameters of the project, whether it be budget, timeline, design, or direction,” he said.
Starting from the basics allows Hanan’s expertise to help the project take shape and it is always from the client’s needs. Materials, form, function all help Hanan dive into what he can order, some of which is available exclusively to him in New Jersey or even the nation.
This relationship that Hanan builds truly individualizes the buying process for clients and makes each situation a unique task for Hanan as he calibrates how much time he has, product availability and spacing needs. A quick turnaround narrows what Hanan can provide. New construction that won’t be completed for several months gives more options.
“We have brands that have product vignettes on the showroom floor,” Hanan said. “We have a comprehensive library filled with catalogs, fabric samples, swatches, material samples. So that will enable us to go in and get into the nitty gritty of determining what it is we’re looking for to shape their dream backyard.”
With so many options, Hanan is able to provide an experience that creates a unique end product for his many clients. Part pragmatist, part artist, Hanan is able to provide just the right ends for his customers.
“It’s really fulfilling creatively,” he said.
Portside Luxury’s social media is filled with examples of the work that Hanan and his wife have done to provide products that fit their clients’ backyards. High-end lounge chairs and canopies sit alongside idyllic pools and well-manicured lawns and landscapes. Stools of all varieties are pulled up alongside bars and high-top tables. Couches and chairs of all makes and materials are set up in the perfect alignment for conversation and gatherings. No two expressions of Hanan’s craft are similar.
Although he creates a smooth process for clients, he must also be an adept problem solver. The luxury market itself is not without obstacles.
“Obviously, we do everything in our power to control certain situations,” he said.
Hanan is able to stay up to date on what companies worldwide are offering by traveling extensively, which he admits is a perk of the position.
He and his wife attend the world’s largest trade show in Milan, Italy every year. Many of Hanan’s vendors are based in Spain. The couple
have found themselves in Tokyo and Hong Kong to make sure that they can offer the best from around the globe to their clients.
“The main function is to see and feel new products, as well as continue to strengthen our relationships with all of our brand partners,” he said.
Hanan has posted videos to the business’s social media pages of the trips, and more importantly, the products that he and his wife experience. To be in Europe and judge how a piece looks against the backdrop of historic buildings highlights the uniqueness of the piece once it is shipped and set up in the backyards of Monmouth County and beyond.
Though a perk, the trips are also crucial to Hanan to keep up with what his clients are experiencing on their travels. Clients will come into Portside Luxury and mention the aesthetic or pieces that impressed them at hotels in Europe or Asia and want to emulate that look in their Monmouth County backyard. When he steps foot into a hotel abroad, Hanan is considering what he is seeing and considering a future client that would want that look for home.
“It always helps if we’re familiar with what they’re looking at,” he said.
For his own backyard, Hanan chose to outfit it with a coastal look of Teak wood. His choice is appropriate as he was born and raised in Ocean Township. Though he now resides in West Long Branch, Hanan is part of the community of Ocean Township as a business owner and supporter of local organizations.
Hanan is involved with the Hillel Yeshiva and is the president of the Community Federation of New Jersey. Together they knock on doors, send out social media blasts, visit schools to educate students on civic engagement and work with parent organizations. Hanan said they are very grassroots about their efforts and practices.
“We work to get the community
registered and voting in all of our local and state elections,” Hanan said.
Hanan specializing in outdoor furniture and accessories is fitting for his own lifestyle. An avid boater, he and his partner named the business in a nautical-themed allusion to a yachting lifestyle. Hanan and his family are “beach bums in the summer.” They take advantage of campgrounds along the Delaware River or Upstate New York or simply hike along the many trails in New Jersey. All four of Hanan’s children are between ages of 9 and 17 and are active in sports and rec-
reation, with his sons playing basketball and his daughters taking on their mother’s love of dance.
That love of the outdoors influences his business. Seven years into the next phase of his career, Hanan’s goals are focused on the people that turn to him to beautify their living space with his global reach.
“For us, it’s all about delivering satisfaction at the end,” he said. “So as long as at the end of the project our client is sitting pretty then it’s been a success, and, so far, we have a 100 percent success rate in that department.”
Back to School GUIDE Getting Excited for a New School Year Tips from the NJEA on how to prepare for success at school
As summer winds to a sticky close, it’s time to start thinking about the crisp days of fall and getting your child ready to go back to school. New Jersey’s public schools have been named the best in the nation by Education Week and U.S. News & World Report. The goal of your child’s teachers and school employees is to help every child reach their full potential. We are proud to be parents’ partners in ensuring besides shopping for backpacks and new shoes, what should you be doing to get your child ready for a successful school year?
Plan a route — If your child walks or bikes to school, walk the route with them and emphasize safety. Instruct your child what to do if a stranger approaches. If your child rides the bus, go over bus safety. Remind children to stay away from the sides and rear of the bus. It’s not easy for the bus driver to see near the back tires, close to the sides, or right in front of or behind the bus. For parents, it’s comforting to know that the safety record for school buses is remarkable. In fact, traveling on a school bus is six times safer than the family car. Talk to your child about being aware of their surroundings getting on and off the bus and remind them about their responsibility to behave properly and to listen to the bus driver and bus aides.
Visit the school — Take a summer stroll to your child’s school to help familiarize him or her with the layout of the building and find the classroom. It will also help your child get excited about the coming school year. Introducing yourself to the main office staff can help your child feel more comfortable on the first day of school and know who to approach if they have a problem. If they are available, it’s also a good time to meet your child’s teacher. It’s a great opportunity to introduce yourself and your child before the hustle of the school year begins.
Set goals with your child — Discuss with your child what you would both like to see happen this school year. Make your expectations about his or her academics and behavior very clear. Create frequent rewards for success so your child will have small, attainable victories to celebrate. Goal-setting helps to boost self-esteem and serves as a great motivator.
Make a schedule — Set aside time each day for studying, reading, and playing. With your child’s input, create bedtime and morning routines to help them build independence and take pride in themselves. Some children like to pick out their outfits for school the night before to help make the mornings
easier. Giving some thought to your routine now will help make the start of the school year that much easier.
Limit screen time — Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to screens, including television, tablets, computer games, and phones can have a negative impact on children in a variety of ways. Setting reasonable limits on their screen time can help them be happier and more active. Starting in the summer can help make the transition back to school easier for everyone.
Read, read, read — The greatest thing parents can do is read with their children and make books available to them when they are able to read on their own. Reading helps build children’s self-esteem, improves concentration, helps them be more empathetic, expands their vocabulary, and so much more. Provide age and reading-level appropriate books, magazines, and even newspapers for your child. Discuss what your child has read. Make reading a priority in your home, year-round, and watch your child explore new worlds!
Get some rest — Sleep patterns change slowly. Start getting your child back to a regular sleep schedule now so you won’t have to resort to extremes to get them out of bed on the first day of school.
Get some activity — Physical activity is a great stress reliever, and can help children blow off steam after school. Help your child identify physical activities they enjoy doing and help them develop a lifelong love of moving.
Create excitement — Shop together for clothes and school supplies to get in the school spirit. Shake off the mental cobwebs by reading a book together or reviewing last year’s math skills. Have your child practice neat handwriting by helping you write out your grocery or to do lists.
Remind your child that their teacher is also getting excited about the new school year and preparing fun and interesting lessons. Over the summer, school staff, including custodians, are working to clean and upgrade schools. Across New Jersey, nearly 200,000 NJEA members are already working to create safe, excellent public schools. Working together, families and school employees can energize students so that everyone has a wonderful school year.
NJEA is proud to represent nearly 200,000 public school employees who have made New Jersey’s public schools the best in the nation.
Simple & Healthy
Back-to School Food Tips
BY ALLISON SABIO Registered Dietetic Technician Saker ShopRite, Inc.
Back-to-School is always an exciting and busy time of year. Shopping for school supplies, wearing new clothes, making new friends, and starting those after school activities. But, what about your child’s lunch and snacks for the week? Here are some quick, healthy ideas to get you and your child through the upcoming school year.
Back to School Healthy Lunch Ideas
• Chicken Tenders & Veggie Hummus Wrap – Kids love chicken tenders, and when you pair them with lettuce, tomato, and hummus it becomes a more balanced lunch. Hummus is a great substitute for mayonnaise as a chickpea-based spread contains fiber, protein, and b vitamins.
• Italian Pasta Salad – There are many variations of pasta salad, that include veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, and artichoke hearts to make this a super nutritious meal. However, adding cheese like mozzarella or parmesan and switching to a pasta made with beans or lentils boosts the protein.
• Mini Charcuterie Box – If your child is more of a snacker, than this might be a fun way to get them to eat different foods. Pack a bento box with options such as sliced cheese, grapes, whole wheat crackers, uncured pepperoni, baby carrots, cucumbers, hummus, pita chips, or crunchy dried chickpeas.
Snack Ideas For Those After School Activities
• Pre-portioned Nuts and/or Seeds – These are a convenient on-the-go snack, as they are filled with fiber and protein. Snack packs also help with portion control and convenience. If your child has a nut allergy or their school is a nut-free zone, edamame is a great alternative to nuts.
• Individually Wrapped Cheese and an Apple – Pair these two together for a great snack. This little snack provides fiber, protein, and natural sugars to keep kids going until dinner time.
• Protein Bars – Satisfy their hunger with a quick and convenient protein bar. They are available in a wide range of flavors and textures that kids love. Look for bars with real ingredients such as dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. Also, stick to ones with 5% or less of Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts.
The Saker family has been operating grocery stores since 1916 when Richard Saker’s great-grandfather opened a “mom and pop” store in Freehold, New Jersey. Today, Richard and family, including brothers Tom and Joe and Richard’s son Rick, own and operate 39 ShopRites throughout central New Jersey. Allison Sabio has been with Saker ShopRite’s Inc. for over 8 years. She is a Registered Dietetic Technician who oversees the Nutrition Centers in all of the stores, and has a passion for health & wellness.
Back to School GUIDE
The Importance and Long-lasting Impact of a Preschool Education
The Vanderbilt study done years ago clearly concluded the benefits of preschool education as an effective method to ensure success in every area of adult life. The authors of this study were able to demonstrate a high correlation between the acquisition of skill sets attained in preschool that were retained and then utilized later in life. At preschool, children build a strong foundation of social, pre-academic and general life skills that will give them a leg up in school and beyond. In a more immediate range, when children attend preschool, they get a really large boost in early skills that set them up for success in elementary school.
Preschool is essential in teaching self-regulation skills, social skills, nurturing creativity and curiosity, developing independence, empathy and self-help skills in addition to problem-solving skills.
Preschool education teaches children to learn by playing and provides opportunities for children to learn in ways that interest them, building a positive association with learning. High quality preschools help children develop a drive to learn that they will take with them for life.
At preschool, children spend extended amounts of time with other children and adults, providing opportunities to learn how to make friends, cooperate, listen and build conversational and social skills.
When children play and engage in activities with peers, there will almost inevitably be minor conflicts where frustration and emotional challenges arise. These situations provide “teachable moments.” Teachers can encourage children to notice how their behavior impacts others and practice interpersonal problem-solving skills, again providing social emotional skills and problem resolution skills carried for a lifetime.
At preschool, teachers offer a variety of games and activities that help children develop pre-literacy skills. Children sing alphabet songs, learn rhymes that help them develop sound symbol correspondence skills, listen to read aloud stories and increase focusing skills. They develop a sense of excitement and motivation to expand learning and develop a positive association for reading.
Preschool builds the foundations for future success through fun activities and guided play offering matching, sorting and counting games as well as board games that help students develop an understanding of numbers, categories, patterning, size, shape and more.
Young children have active imaginations which can be nurtured to fuel learning and creativity. Preschool environments are set up to promote exploration and experimentation. Teachers encourage curiosity and nurture inquisitive behavior.
Preschool children make several choices throughout their day while at school, helping to promote decision making skills and responsibility as they are encouraged to choose which centers to work in or which group to join.
At preschool, children are often given choices to be responsible as teachers expect them to follow directions and internalize routines such as hand washing, caring for personal belongings and returning classroom materials to their designated places.
In addition to taking care of themselves, preschoolers learn to take care of peers, and thus have a sense of responsibility as well as pride.
Children build cognitive skills through activities that challenge them to try new things, solve problems, ask questions and make observations. Preschool emphasizes these types of activities and children learn more as a result of this guided experience.
Teachers help children develop language capabilities by introducing new vocabulary during all lessons and asking thought-provoking questions. With simple opportunities to try new things, listen to read-aloud books, act out stories and sing, preschool children have a clear advantage in learning to communicate effectively.
While literacy, math and cognitive skills are important, several preschool activities are designed to help children develop physical coordination and motor skills. Children are challenged to develop fine motor skills while doing a variety of activities involving crafts, scissor work, Montessori activities and more. In addition to gross motor skills which provide opportunities for children to develop the ability to jump, hop, skip, climb, dance and enjoy the outdoors.
Sharing is a fundamental skill in life and one that most children need to learn. Many children are reluctant to let go of a favorite toy or let others join in building the block area or play kitchen. Preschool will provide opportunities for sharing to be developed. This highly important skill will help them succeed in life and school.
Preschool is a great opportunity for children to develop emotional skills, as they learn to express feelings in a healthy way and learn how to deal with emotional impulses.
Preschool offers children the ability to start developing their independence while making choices based on their own interests. It provides an environment that fosters their creativity and allows for their own interests to be sparked. More than anything, it truly gives them the skills they will need to grow throughout their lives. With improved social and communications skills, they will be better able to ask for help when needed, cooperate and always exceed expectations. With strong pre-literacy skills and a good foundation in math, it is less likely they will struggle or have negative experiences in school.
Their emotional skills and understanding of themselves and the world around them will help them become constructive members of society as they grow.
This commentary is written by Holmdel Preschool. Holmdel Preschool is located at 674 N. Beers St., Holmdel, NJ and on the web at www.holmdelpreschool.com.
Back to School Directory
A list of spots to help you and your child prepare for learning in the upcoming school year.
OPEN HOUSES: Saturday, October 5, 2024 Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ENTRANCE EXAMS: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Saturday, November 16, 2024 Saturday, January 25, 2025
Tackling Anxiety and Self-esteem at Barbizon in Red Bank
For all kids, facing a variety of challenges during their formative years can cause stress and anxiety, and confidence plays a key part in overcoming many of these obstacles. Below is a testimonial from a parent who enrolled her child in a modeling and mentoring program at Barbizon of Red Bank, an opportunity that did wonders for her confidence and self-esteem.
My daughter, Sara Tedesco, has excelled under the Barbizon experts’ mentoring. We did research on Barbizon and saw that it covered everything Sara was interested in, so we signed her up! She learned about health and fitness, set a face care regimen, makeup and hair tips, how to appropriately get in and out of the car, runway etiquette and even how to set a table properly. Every time I picked her up, she would get in the car and say, “Oh my gosh, you’ll never guess what we did today! It was fun!”
Through Barbizon, Sara was given the opportunity to model in several fashion shows in Atlantic City, New York and New Jersey. She competed in the Miss NJ Teen USA pageant at 15 years old. She also has collaborated with photographers and fashion designers in photo shoots. Most recently, she was featured on a billboard for a swimwear company in Times Square in New York City!
Sara has gotten real experience, has learned so much about herself and her confidence has exceedingly grown. We are beyond proud of what she has accomplished and are so excited to see how Barbizon will continue to help her succeed in the future.
— Jennifer Tedesco
Preparing Your Child Emotionally for Back-to-School Success
BY DR. DANA SPADA
As summer wanes and the air grows crisp with the promise of a new school year, many parents may find their child facing a whirlwind of emotions for the return to school. By taking proactive steps to emotionally prepare your child for the return to school, they can approach the new academic year with confidence, resilience, and enthusiasm. Together, you can navigate the transition successfully and set the stage for a rewarding school experience.
Here are some helpful tips:
Open Communication: Start by having open and supportive conversations with your child about their feelings and concerns regarding the upcoming school year. Listen actively, validate their emotions, and offer reassurance. Understanding their anxieties allows you to address them effectively.
Establish Routines: Gradually reintroduce school-like routines a week or two before classes begin. Set regular bedtimes and wake-up times to help adjust their sleep schedule. Encourage them to start reading or engaging in educational activities to ease into the academic mindset.
Celebrate the Positive: Focus on the exciting aspects of the new school year, such as seeing friends, participating in extracurricular activities, or learning new subjects. Encourage optimism and enthusiasm about the opportunities ahead.
Prepare Together: Involve your child in back-to-school preparations, such as shopping for school supplies or choosing a backpack. This involvement fosters a sense of ownership and excitement about the upcoming school year.
Manage Your Own Emotions: Children often mirror their parents’ emotions. Stay positive and calm when discussing school-related topics, even if you have concerns. Your confidence and support will reassure your child and build their own resilience.
Stay Connected: Maintain open lines of communication with teachers and school staff throughout the year. Building a collaborative relationship ensures that any challenges your child faces can be addressed promptly and effectively.
If you or your child are experiencing challenges or want more information and support, you can find us at LEAF by Dr. Dana Spada Psychotherapy.
What do you love about teaching, and what keeps you coming back each day? One of the best parts of being a teacher is building real connections with my students. As a history teacher, our conversations about relevant and complex subjects create opportunities for me to know them in a way that is different from any other content area. Through these exchanges, I not only gain insight into their present selves but also glimpse their promising futures. If I am lucky enough to meet them again as adults and hear of their success, it fills me with pride. Being able to say, “I always knew you were destined for big things,” is what keeps me coming back every day.
What is the most challenging thing about working with kids? The most challenging thing about working with kids is getting them prioritize the experience of learning over the grade. The over-emphasis on achieving an A often eclipses the true essence of learning. Consequently, instances where students fall short of obtaining an ‘A’ can evoke feelings of inadequacy and heightened emotional distress. Cultivating a culture that prioritizes the intrinsic value of learning itself is essential for promoting holistic academic growth and emotional well-being among students.
What was your own school experience like as a kid? Did you enjoy school? I have always loved school. However, for me, school was not without challenges. What kept me going was my love of learning. And, I was fortunate to encounter teachers who believed in my abilities and fostered my growth. I am privileged to share my triumphs with those I am still in contact with, but the lessons of those who I am not remain. I hope that I can be a positive force in the lives of my students like the ones who were there for me.
If you could add one new subject that every kid would have to take in school, what would it be and why? Practical Life Lessons. This course would examine the things that we all seem to learn at some point but would have helped to know earlier. This would include discussions about how to navigate an ever-changing world. Most importantly, it would include lessons on how to appropriately use technology. AI and social media are two things that impact the promise that these students have. Providing comprehensive education on appropriate technology usage to young people has the potential to significantly transform their interpersonal relationships, and educational and societal engagement. By imparting the principles of responsible technology use, we can empower them to navigate digital spaces with integrity and contribute positively to their communities.
What is the most important thing that your students have taught you? My students have enriched my appreciation for life. While the demands of teaching can sometimes present challenges, the daily interactions with my students consistently uplift my spirits. Each year, I am fortunate to encounter students whose presence brightens my days and reinforces my passion for education. Their enthusiasm and unique perspectives serve as a constant reminder of the joy that teaching brings, making every day a rewarding experience in the classroom.
COCO OF LINCROFT
CRICKET OF LINCROFT
EDDIE AND DIXIE OF RED BANK
HOPE OF HAZLET LUCIA OF PORT MONMOUTH
RAMBO AND MICKEY OF LEONARDO
SANDY OF MIDDLETOWN
SEAVER OF MIDDLETOWN STELLA OF MIDDLETOWN
Four-legged Fun!
Check out these fab spots to spend the day with your best friend!
ASBURY PARK DISTILLING CO —
It’s a dog-friendly Sunday Funday! Bring your pup and join Asbury Park Distilling Co on their patio every Sunday starting at 10 a.m. for Cocktails & Canines. They’ll have water and treats available for your dogs, and cocktails for you. Asbury Park Distilling Co., 527 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park RED ROCK TAP + GRILL — Like hanging out at a super chill backyard party with great food and drinks and a killer live band, Reed Rock Tap + Grill in Red Bank offers a lot to its patrons, and that includes the dogs! Well-behaved canines are welcome in the outdoor space (which is where you want to be anyway) and can feel free to chill beside the picnic tables with their owners while enjoying the atmosphere and a few fresh bowls of water. Red Rock Tap + Grill, 14 Wharf Ave., Red Bank ESCONDIDO — Tasty Mexican fare is the name of the game at this long-standing Freehold hotspot, and while you are chowing down on fajitas and sipping margaritas, you can be joined by your furriest companion. Just opt to sit outside in the breezeway, a fun somewhat secluded area where your pup can bask in the glory of his own private fiesta. Escondido Mexican
Cuisine & Tequila Bar, 402 W. Main St., Freehold
FRIDAY NIGHT BITES — A free event for dog owners and their furry friends. Bring your pup and your friends to this double-gated dog park, where you can relax and listen to music while mingling with other pet parents. Enjoy complimentary snacks, soft drinks, and treats from a sponsoring pet food manufacturer. This event is BYOB. 4-7 p.m. Fridays through October, The Hungry Puppy, 1288 Rt 33, Farmingdale
YAPPY HOUR AT WONDER BAR — Wonder Bar’s much-loved dog-parkmeets-happy-hour event returns this year. Grab your pup and head down for one of the most fun activities in town. Schedule varies by week. Check www.facebook.com/ WonderBarYappyHour/ for updates. 1213 Ocean Ave in Asbury Park. WonderBarAsburyPark.com
YAPPY HOUR AT THE WAVE — Bring your pooch and enjoy special dog-themed cocktails and food and drinks for humans and pups alike. A portion of the proceeds from cocktail purchases go towards the Monmouth County SPCA. Fridays, 5:30-7 p.m. Carousel Bar at The Wave, 160 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch
Brewin’? What’s
This month CM features Source Farmhouse Brewery in Colts Neck
BY LILIANN PARAS
Located on a picturesque historic farmhouse built in the late 1800s, the rustic setting enhances the overall experience. Source offers more than 30 rotating taps, from traditional farmhouse ales to innovative IPA, lagers, and sour ales. The vast two-story brewery with a rooftop terrace and acres of grounds welcomes families and dogs, and also features multiple adult-only areas.
Featured Brews:
LIBERTY PILS 4.5% ABV | Dry Hopped American Pilsner, featuring the hops Sterling, Idaho 7, and Citra. — Only American hops are used in this fine lager which pours a brilliant, straw-light golden hue. Expect a super light-bodied brew, an ultra-crispy and refreshing drinking experience.
ROCKET POP 7% ABV | Fruited Sour Ale with Cherry, Lemon, & Raspberry — A heavily fruited sour ale, it is conditioned on an abundance of juicy, red, Morello cherries, Siracusa lemons, and sweet, tart raspberries. It pours a vibrant red hue and opens with intense aromas of the classic red, white, and blue popsicle. This drinks with a luscious medium body and closes with a refreshingly tart, fruity finish, leaving rings of fruity foam behind in your glass.
Crowd Faves: The Biergarten & Rooftop Terrace
The expansive grounds include plenty of space for fun outdoor activities. For those looking to relax, enjoy the Adirondack chairs, have a picnic on a blanket on the grass, or grab a picnic table in one of three patio areas. Meet with friends on the rooftop terrace anytime, and especially to watch the sun set.
Don’t Miss:
The Tasting Room experience and local community events. Having a private event? The versatile array of spaces makes it the perfect venue for weddings, corporate events, and other celebratory adult occasions.
Got a pup who is a rockstar? A cat who’s all that? Are your birds the coolest things on wings? We want to see them all. Send us pictures of your beloved pets so they can be featured in the pages of Community Magazine! Dogs, cats, rabbits, parrots – whatever animal you call your best bud is what we’re looking for.
Just send us a picture, along with the pet’s name and the Monmouth County town in which you reside and we’ll take care of the rest! Send all photo submissions to ryan@communitymagazinenj.com
NAME:
FIRST RESPONDERS
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OR VOLUNTEERING: Wanamassa Fire Company TOWN OF RESIDENCY: Ocean
What initially made you want to be a first responder? My father was a member and the people I worked with were also members. What do you find to be most rewarding about this kind of work? The public thanking us for what we do. What is the hardest aspect of the job? Seeing people who just lost everything after the fire is out
Do any aspects of the job ever scare you? Losing hose water while fighting an interior fire.
What was your most memorable experience on the job so far? Seeing my son become Fire Chief.
Are you a first responder? Do you want to be featured in Community Magazine? Email us at info@communitymagazinenj.com for a questionnaire!
August
September
Dinner Show
TEAM
FRIDAY, AUG. 2
Restaurant: St. Stephen’s Green Location: Spring Lake Todd Robbins Duo- 9 p.m. SSGPub.com
MONDAY AND TUESDAY, AUG. 5 & 6
Restaurant: Tim McLoone’s Supper Club Location: Asbury Park The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra – 7:30 p.m. TimMcLoonesSupperClub.com
SATURDAY, AUG. 17
Restaurant: Reef & Barrel Location: Manasquan Taylor Made – A Taylor Swift Cover Band – 4 p.m. ReefAndBarrel.com
THURSDAYS, (AUG. 1, 8, 15, 22 AND 29)
Restaurant: The Cabin Location: Freehold Country Night 6 p.m.-9 p.m. TheCabinNJ.com
THURSDAYS, (AUG. 1, 8, 15, 22 AND 29)
Restaurant: The Columns Location: Avon
Lobsterpalooza – 5 p.m. Live music and chances to win lobster dinners. TheColumnsNJ.com
FRIDAYS (AUG. 2, 9, 16, 23 AND 30)
Restaurant: MJ’s Location: Tinton Falls
Live music from 7-10 p.m. every Friday mjsrestaurant.com/Tinton-Falls/
www.NJLeaf.com
NJ Leaf in Freehold is Central Jersey’s premier destination for exceptional craft cannabis products and service!
NJ Leaf is pharmacist-owned, women-owned, and, most importantly, locally-owned. We don’t just serve the community, we’re part of the community, supporting local causes and o ering generous discounts to military veterans, medical patients, seniors, first responders, and more.
With our ever-expanding product selection, elegant design, highly-trained Wellness Advisors, and a sta pharmacist available for consultation, NJ Leaf provides a unique experience from start to finish!
AUGUST EVENTS CALENDAR
August 1, 2 & 3 (Multiple times)
Highlands Business Partnership 29th Annual Clamfest
Enjoy plenty of food and music at this annual event.
Huddy Park, Highlands 140 Bay Ave. Highlands
For more information, visit www.highlandsnj.com
Saturday, August 3
Founders Day in Ocean Grove
Come out and experience a Victorian Day. 4 -10:30 p.m.
Ocean Grove, Neptune Township (Auditorium Square)
For more information, visit www.oceangrove.org
Sunday, August 4
The Cliffs
Spend the evening listening to this amazing local band.
7 p.m.
West End Beach 1, West End Ave. Long Branch
For more information, visit www.thecliffsband.com
Sunday, August 4
Latin Festival – Tacos & Tequila
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
It’s like a Cinco de Mayo celebration in the middle of the summer.
Enjoy live music and plenty of delicious food.
175 Oceanport Ave. Oceanport
For more information, visit www.monmouthpark.com
August 7-11
The 48th Anniversary Italian Festival
This annual festival is the largest fundraiser for the year and one of the area’s best summer events. Food, rides, games and fun! 5 -11 p.m.
Joe Palaia Park
200 Whalepond Road, Oakhurst
For more information, visit www.iaato.com
Saturday, August 10
Bags, Bands & Beer
Play (or watch) the new Cornhole
Tournament at the Track, with two separate divisions
(Gates open at 9 a.m.)
12-6 p.m.
Oceanport Ave. Oceanport
For more information, visit www.monmouthpark.com
August 9-11 (Multiple Times)
70th Annual Sidewalk Sale
Visitors will enjoy eclectic outdoor shopping and savings from a variety of downtown retailers.
For more information, visit www.redbank.org
Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 10 & 11
Watermelon & Wine Weekend at 4JGs Snack on this quintessential summer fruit and enjoy some award winning wines.
12 p.m.
4 JG’s Orchard & Vineyard
127 Hillsdale Road, Colts Neck
For more information, visit www.4jgswinery.com
August 17
Surf & Turf Seafood Festival
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Come out and experience the Shore’s largest seafood festival. Enjoy family fun activities and plenty of food. For more information, visit www.monmouthpark.com
Monday, August 19
Movie Night & BBQ
205 Union Ave. Long Branch, Broadway Bandshell
6 p.m.
Bring the whole family to see the Super Mario Bros. Movie
For more information, visit www.longbranch.org
Thursday, August 22
’80s Boom Box Party in the Park
70 West Front Street Keyport 6 -9 p.m.
Travel back in time enjoying the music of the 1980s.
For more information, visit www.visitkeyport.com
Saturday, August 24
Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival 1-9 p.m.
Long Branch Great Lawn & Promenade Enjoy cool jazz and food trucks at this free event.
For more information, visit www.longbranch.org
Saturday, August 24
Summer Festival Craft Show Squan Plaza 10- 4 p.m.
Spend the day perusing tons of vendors, food, and music.
For more information, visit www.manasquan-nj.gov
Saturday, August 31
49th Annual NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival 1- 8 p.m.
This two day open-air festival celebrates the spirit of people working together to protect our environment.
For more information, visit www.njclearwater.org
Saturday, August 31
BBQ & NJ Craft Beer Festival 11- 5 p.m.
Enjoy over 40 New Jersey craft beers, live music, and some authentic BBQ.
For more information, visit www.monmouthpark.com
Drucker receives Middletown Distinguished Citizen Award
At a recent Township Committee Meeting, Middletown Mayor Tony Perry and the Township Committee had the honor of recognizing a true pillar of the community and the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, John Drucker. A Middletown Township Fire Department volunteer firefighter since 1975, John’s dedication to the town and its residents is unparalleled.
In addition to his firefighter duties, he is a passionate advocate for first responders. One of John’s remarkable contributions to the Township has been the implementation of the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP). This is a state-authorized program that allows municipalities to reward emergency volunteers by establishing and contributing money into a savings account that is intended for retirement. As the Township’s LOSAP Coordinator, John’s time and talents are unmatched and appreciated by every dedicated volunteer, especially his peers in the all-volunteer fire department.
Please join us in commending John for his unwavering commitment to the safety and betterment of our community. His service, leadership, and advocacy is an inspiration to us all.
Editorial and photo credit: Middletown NJ Town Hall Facebook page
Direct: 917-439-0986
1 BRIDGE AVENUE RED BANK, NJ (732) 852-7300 triumphbrewing.com
Middletown Township and the Sand Hill Indian Historical Association, based in Lincroft host “Stories ‘Round the Campfire” on August 18 on the Middletown Arts Center lawn. Free admission. Listen to local tales of Monmouth County’s rich history under the moonlight, just like how Native American tribes used to hold powwows many centuries ago.
Attendees can make s’mores and are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair and/or blanket.
