AAOB January 2018 by All Around Old Bridge

OLDB

ALL AROUND

VOL 2, NO 4

NEW YEAR NEW LAWS

Some new laws will go into effect in the Garden State now that 2018 is here. The state’s sales tax will now go down to just over 6.6 percent. The lowering of the tax was part of the agreement when Gov. Chris Christie passed the gas tax bill. This is the second time the sales tax has been lowered since the agreement passed. New Jersey state identification cards will now identify “Gold Star” families. Family members can use the IDs to get free or reduced admissions to state beaches, parks and museums. Gold Star families are families who have had a family member killed in service in the military. Starting in February, New Jersey driver’s licenses and ID cards will expire every four years on the user’s birthday instead of at the end of the month. This was done to try to alleviate long wait times at Motor Vehicle Commission offices. New Jersey’s hourly minimum wage has now increased 16 cents to $8.60-an-hour. A larger pay hike may be coming in the future. Gov.-elect Phil Murphy says that he wants to see $15 an hour minimum wage in New Jersey. Murphy will take office Jan. 16.

OB RIDGE OLD BRIDGE

Pursuing Progress

Mayor's office of Economic Development

See page 20 and Coupon on page 23

A Publication for the community of Old Bridge

OLD BRIDGE RECEIVES 2017 PLAY UNIFIED AWARD BY SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW JERSEY

Old Bridge Township Public Schools received the 2017 Play Unified Award by Special Olympics New Jersey at a banquet h e l d at t h e Hy att R e g e n c y in Princeton last month. Old Bridge was selected from more than 100 schools in the Garden State who were nominat-

ed for the award. “The deciding fac tor was the implementation of our Unify Generation class at Old Bridge High School,” said Karen Lewicki, a special education teacher who designed and implemented the course this year. The class is open to students with and without disabilities, who work together with common goals and objectives for course credit. The program initially started with Special Olympics in sports – nationwide – then Old Bridge took it to the next level.

“Just now we are forming a generation of students with all abilities to become leaders in the unified movement,” Lewicki said, adding she became involved with Special Olympics after watching her own parents struggle with her disabled sister for her to become included in educational opportunities. The students, who are enrolled in the full-year course, were invited to take the class. Requirements included being active members of the Project Unify Club for two years and obtaining recommendations from their teachers and guidance counselors. “We went from a club staying one time per week after school Continued on page 21

A MUSICAL CELEBRATION FROM AROUND THE WORLD On Saturday, January 6th, the Old Bridge Cultural Arts Committee is proud to present “A Classical Music Celebration from Around the World” by The Old Bridge Collegium Musicum. The concert will take place at St Thomas the Apostol Church, Rt 18, Old Bridge, at 7:00 pm.The program will feature the organist Shea Veloso accompanied by the members of The Old Bridge Collegium Musicum. They will be performing “Christmas Concerto” composed by Arcangelo Corelli, Organ Concerto by G.F. Handel, and other musical selections by composers from around the world. This concert is being sponsored

by a grant from the Middlesex County Cultural Arts Division. The concert is free to the public. Donations will be accepted for “The Table at St Thomas”. This wonderful soup kitchen is located at St Thomas and is self-funded .They provide hot nutritious meals monthly for families in need. Every family is able to choose items to take home with them on the way out.To view a list of requested items they are seeking donations of to help stock their shelves for the New Year please log onto www.oldbridge.com and look under The Old Bridge Cultural Arts Committee tab. In addition for three Sunday’s

in January, the 7th, 14th and 21st ACME on Route 9 in Old Bridge will taking up collections for The Table at St Thomas. Volunteers will be distributing flyers at door and costumers that would like to purchase items from the list can be purchased and placed in the collection box by the register. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Following the conclusion of the concert refreshments and desserts are being donated by the Food Emporium on Route 9 Old Bridge and sponsored in part by the Cultural Arts Committee .

JANUARY 2018

@a GLANCE INSIDE 2018 WINTER ICE SKATING LESSIONS SEE PAGE 6

WINTER WARNINGS FOR SAFER PETS SEE PAGE 16 OBHS RAISES MONEY FOR JAR OF HOPE SEE PAGE 16 CONGREGATION BETH OHR SEE PAGE 18

MORE!

Mayors Message pg3 OB Library pg6 Think Old Bridge pg10 Grey Matters pg17 Living Stones pg18 COUPONS pg23

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JANUARY 2018

AMBOY BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS IN LEADERSHIP ROLES

Photo Release: Photo Caption: Gregory Scharpf, Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer, helps Old Bridge Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator, Anahita Feltz, and volunteers, John Conti and John Bienias, gather the food collections from the Amboy Bank Administration Building and neighboring branches. Scharpf said, “With the help of our staff, clients and neighbors, we were able to donate more food and gift cards to the Old Bridge Food Bank than ever before. We’d like to thank everyone for making this year’s food drive our most successful to date.” Amboy Bank’s food drive included all 23 offices making donations to their local community food banks.

George E. Scharpf, Amboy Bank Chairman and CEO, recently announced the promotions of three officers. Those promoted include Robert Beni, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending; Tammara Feldman, Vice President and Service Operations Manager; and James Meicke, Vice President, Commercial Lending. Scharpf said, “All three individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their respective leadership roles, and I am pleased to announce their promotions. They have all played a key role in Amboy Bank’s success, and we are proud to have them as members of our team.” Bob Beni joined Amboy Bank in 2009, and with over 25 years lending experience, is responsible for commercial real estate lending for permanent and construction project financing. Beni graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Finance & Real Estate. He currently resides in Hillsborough, NJ. Tammara Feldman, who came to Amboy in 2005, is responsi-

ble for Amboy’s deposit and loan operations department. Feldman also serves as the Loan Servicing/ Retail Lending Committee Chair of the NJ Bankers Association. A resident of Old Bridge, NJ, she is also the President and Treasurer of the Traveling Knights of Old Bridge, as well as a trustee of the Alumni Path Foundation. James Meicke came to Amboy Bank in 2010 with over 20 years of banking experience. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a BBA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance. He serves as a member of both their Athletic Fund Committee and Athletic Hall of Fame. He is a resident of Colts Neck, NJ and has served as a member of the Monmouth University Real Estate Institute Advisory Board since 2010. Founded in 1888, Amboy Bank a full-service commercial bank with 23 offices in Central New Jersey prides itself on quality service and responsiveness. Amboy Bank has been voted “Best Bank in Central Jersey” for the past 20 years in a row.

A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR HENRY

Photo of Mayor Henry I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays! I would like to extend my best wishes to all for a Happy and Healthy 2018. It is hard to believe that I am now beginning the third year of my second term as your Mayor. I am grateful to all the residents for their continued support and encouragement. As a New Year begins, it is always a good time to reflect on all that we accomplished over the past year and of course, to set new goals for the year ahead. The Old Bridge Business Alliance program has proven to be a great success in 2017. It has been offering area professionals and business owners an opportunity to retain and assist our local businesses in town, as well as extend various networking opportunities in a effort to bring new businesses into the community. As you may have heard, JCP&L sent out form letters to residents

notifying them that South Jersey Energy is ending their supply contract. I understand that some residents have been confused by the wording of this form letter. There will be no interruption of your electric service. The Township is currently pursuing opportunities to once again bring residents electricity supply from a competitive supplier at a rate below the JCP&L tariff for a contract starting some time in 2018, and will keep residents informed as to its efforts. In closing, I would like to thank the residents, dedicated volunteers, Council members (former, current and newly-elected) and all staff members for their commitment to make Old Bridge Township a great place to live, work and raise a family. Have a joyous and p r o s p e r o u s N e w Ye a r ! Mayor Owen Henry

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JANUARY 2018

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT By Himanshu R. Shah, Acting Business Administrator

Photo of Himanshu R. Shah, Acting Business Administrator 1. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (NJDEP) BLUE ACRES PROGRAM. The NJDEP Super Storm Sandy Blue Acres Team began extending buyout offers to homeowners in Old Bridge Township in April of 2015. A total of twenty-nine buyout offers have been extended to date. Twenty-six

out of the twenty-nine offers have been accepted, three offers have been rejected. Demolition of twelve out of twenty-nine properties has been completed. A second round of cancellation letters were sent out on December 1st. As a result, there was one owner that has voluntarily withdrawn from the buyout. Hard copies of the December 4, 2017 NJDEP Old Bridge Buyout Status Summary Report has been forwarded to the Township Clerk’s Office for distribution to Council. 2. ENERGY AGGREGATION PROGRAM. The Township went out a 2nd time for the auction under the Energy Aggregation Program. Unfortunately, the auction did not result in a favorable rate. The Township received refreshed prices from 2 suppliers. Based on the price, the township did not recommend awarding the contract. Market conditions are simply not as favorable as when we bid and awarded the OBCEA-Round 1 program a couple of years back. It is recommended that Township residents are cautious in

the selection of a third party supplier while township waits for a favorable price for award. For additional information, please contact the Township consultants, Gabel Associates at (732) 296-0770 or visit the township website www.oldbridge.com. 3. GRAND OPENING OF BUSINESS IN THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. The Mayor’s office of Economic Development attended the grand openings of Rollers Graci Academy located in the Jake Brown Plazaon Route 516, Pranzi Pizza & Restaurant located in the Jake Brown Plaza on Route 516, GrilleStone located on Route 516, and Lynx Sub & Grill on Route 18, as well as a ground breaking at The Kennedy Warehouse Projects on Waterworks Way. For additional information on local businesses and related opportunities, residents should contact the Economic Development Office at (732) 721-5600 ext. 7920 or e-mail obedo@oldbridge.com.

YMCA

JANUARY 2018

WESTERN MONMOUTH COUNTY NAMES SHARON HALPIN AS INTERIM PRESIDENT/CEO priority in her life, Sharon began her Freehold, YMCA career at The Community N J , D e c e m - YMCA as an instructor in both ber 18, 2017— fitness and aquatics. Her ability The YMCA of to connect with people combined Western Mon- with strong leadership skills set the mouth County stage for her to ultimately serve h a s n a m e d as the Community Y’s Director Sharon Halpin of Human Resources from 1979Sharon Halpin as its Interim 2000. She joined the YMCA of Brings 38 Years’ President/ Western Monmouth County in Experience CEO, effective 2000 as Director of Operations Within the November 27, and has served as Vice President of YMCA 2017. Selected Human Resources and Risk ManMovement. by the Y’s Board agement since 2007. Known to of Directors, Halpin will succeed be an innovative, organized and Cynthia Joy who stepped down highly energized leader with broad November 22. “With Sharon’s 38 knowledge, Sharon brings to her years of service to the Y and passion new role a proven history of major towards the Y’s mission, we feel con- accomplishments in strategic planfident that the YMCA of Western ning and organizational developMonmouth County will have ment. “I look forward to not only fantastic leadership,” said Stacey continuing our Y’s long-standing DeAlmeida, YMCA Board Chair. commitment to strengthen the A lifelong resident of New Jersey, communities of Mercer, MiddleMrs. Halpin attended Wittenberg sex and Monmouth Counties, but University and has made her home also expanding our opportunities, in Middletown for over 40 years. community partnerships and outWith wellness and fitness always a reach efforts”, said Mrs. Halpin.

THE FLU VACCINE IS NOW AVAILABLE! Every year in New Jersey as we welcome the new school year, we also brace ourselves for the Flu Season. Luckily, Flu Vaccine supplies are now available and they are here to save the season. Did you know it is estimated that there are up to 49,000 flu-associated deaths annually? This is a pretty staggering statistic. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. For people who have an increased risk for complications (young children, older adults, pregnant women), the flu vaccine is very highly recommended. Although ‘low risk’ people who get the flu usually recover with-out any complications, we still recom-

Achilles Alon PharmDRPh Dr. Achilles Alon is the Director of Specialty Pharmacy and co-owner of ACE-Rx Specialty & Compounding. As the Director of Specialty Pharmacy, he serves as the head pharmacist and operations lead for all specialty pharmacy programs. A registered pharmacist for 18 years, Achilles spent the initial

mend that everyone get vaccinated. The flu virus infection can cause up to 2 weeks of misery, including muscle and body aches, fever, runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea. Getting vaccinated does not guarantee you complete protection against the flu, but if you do contract it, the vaccine will reduce the severity of your symptoms and help you recover quicker. And as we all know, sickness may also lead to loss of productivity, loss of wages, and unexpected medical expenses. Flu season starts in late fall and ends in early April. It is best to get vaccinated by the end of October to ensure enough time for the vaccine to take effect before exposure to the flu virus. The vaccine last for 6 to 8 months, so a dose in October would cover the entire flu season. part of his career working in retail pharmacy. For most of his career, Achilles lead clinical research at Merck, investigating experimental therapies and novel biomarkers across many disease areas, including Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), HIV, Psoriasis, Neuropathic Pain, Cardiovascular, and Respiratory diseases. For instance, Achilles lead clinical studies for Zepatier®, Merck’s recently approved combination therapy for HCV. Some of Achilles’ research is published in major journals such as Pain, Clinical Journal of Pain, Journal of American College of Cardiology, Journal of Urology, and Clinical Therapeutics.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

JANUARY 2018

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

JANUARY 2018

NEW DEVELOPMENTS/PROGRAMS AT OLD BRIDGE LIBRARY

By: Nancy Cohen, Library Director

Photo of Nancy Cohen, Library Director It’s a brand new year and we have some great new deve l opm e nt s at t h e L i br ar y. In response to patron requests, we’ve started a new Parenting

Collection in our Youth Services Department. It’s on display near the storytime room, and parents and caregivers can find resources which focus on children’s specific needs. Designed to assist parents in child rearing, there is emphasis on special topics such as toilet training, the arrival of a new baby, death and grieving, divorce, appreciating differences, emotions and many other issues important to parents and children. Please consult with any of our librarians for assistance. In addition, we’re making some key improvements to our popular Museum Pass program. Beginning in January, patrons will be able to

reserve passes to all ten museums in our program from home. Passes to the Grounds for Sculpture and the Academy of Natural Sciences can also be printed from home! This will eliminate the need to pick up and return the passes to the Library. In the future, we plan to offer this convenience for all of the other museums in our program. Please consult our website at www.oldbridgelibrary.org for complete details about our Museum Pass program. We’re also pleased to offer some new programs this month that I would like to highlight. On Sat. Jan. 20th at 2pm, we’ll be hosting a Life Story workshop. If you’re

Upcoming Events: January Mon. Jan. 8th 6-8pm 12-week Citizenship Class begins. Mondays and Thursdays through March 29th **

Thurs. Jan. 11th 11:30am Makey Makey for Beginners **

Tues. Jan. 9th 7pm Adult Trivia Night **

Sat. Jan. 13th 2:30pm Second Saturday Concert: Basement Musicians

Old Bridge

Arena

Department of Parks, Recreation & Social Services

(732) 607-7971

WINTER ICE SKATING LESSONS A one-time 15 minute starter lesson is required for anyone who has not skated in our programs before. (See details for starter lessons below)

LESSONS DO NOT INCLUDE SKATE RENTAL STARTER LESSONS A one time 15 minute starter lesson is required for anyone who has not skated in our programs before. The cost is $11.00. Admission fees and skate rental are not included. (All starter lessons must be accompanied by a group lesson) When registering for starter lessons the dates and times to be offered are as follows: Thursday January 4th: from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm; Friday January 5th: from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm; Saturday, January 6th: from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Our Skating Coordinator, will call you with your exact appointment. If you have any questions or need assistance please email recreation@oldbridge.com or call 732-721-5600 x 4999

interested in creating a written record of your life experience to share with family and friends, but could use a little help and motivation to get started, this program be very helpful. Through inspiring examples, guided exercises and constructive feedback, this session will help you easily delve into important memories. I encourage you to come trigger your creativity and enjoy the satisfying experience of committing your life journey to paper. The workshop will be led by Donna Atkins, an award-winning communications specialist who has spent many years working with individuals, groups and organizations on

Tues. Jan. 16th 11am Socrates Café 7pm Tax Reform and You Thurs. Jan. 18th 11:30am Book Club

Sat. Jan. 27th 4:30pm Teen Lock-In **

Home School

Sat. Jan. 20th 2pm Life Story Workshop

narrative writing and storytelling. Then, on Sun. Jan. 28th at 2pm, we’ll be hosting a special flute and guitar concert featuring outstanding local musicians -- Former Monmouth Symphony Orchestra flutist Marjorie Koharski and guitarist Keith Calmes. They’ll present a classical concert featuring works by Debussy, Haydn, Galles and Meranger. You won’t want to miss this special event, so mark your calendars. On behalf of the entire staff of the Old Bridge Public Library, I wish you and your families a healthy, happy 2018. Hope to see you in the Library!

Sun. Jan. 28th 1pm Facebook for Small Businesses 2pm Flute and Guitar Concert Wed. Jan. 31st 12-6pm Blood Drive registration required

Sun. Jan 21st 2pm Movie Musicals of the 1940s

MONDAY

January 8th ~ March 19th TIME DESCRIPTION 4:30 pm Snow Plow Sam 1 & 2 (4 year olds) 4:30 pm Snow Plow 3 (4 year olds) 4:30 pm Basic 3 & 4 (all ages) 5:00 pm Snow Plow 4 (Ages 5 & 6) 5:00 pm Basic 1 & 2 (Ages 7 - 10) 5:00 pm Basic 1 & 2 (Ages 9 & up) 5:30 pm Basic 3 & 4 (All Ages) 5:30 pm Basic 5 & 6 (All Ages) No Class: 1/15, 2/12, 2/19

THURSDAY

THURSDAYJanuary 11th ~ March 1st TIME DESCRIPTION 4:30 pm Snow Plow 4 (Ages 5 & 6) 4:30 pm Basic 1 & 2 (Ages 7 - 10) 4:30 pm Basic 5 & 6 (All ages) 5:00 pm Snow Plow Sam 1 & 2 (4 year olds) 5:00 pm Basic 1 & 2 (Ages 7 - 10) 5:00 pm Basic 3 & 4 (All ages)

FRIDAY

FRIDAYJanuary 12th ~ March 2nd TIME DESCRIPTION 4:30 pm Free Skate 1 & 2 (All ages) 4:30 pm Free Skate 3 & 4 (All ages) 4:30 pm Free Skate 5 & 6 (All ages)

SATURDAY

SATURDAYJanuary 13th ~ March 3rd TIME DESCRIPTION 10:00 am Snow Plow 4 (Ages 5&6) 10:00 am Basic 3 & 4 (All ages) 10:00 am Adult 1 thru 4 (Ages 18 & up) 10:30 am Snow Plow Sam 1 &2 (4 years old) 10:30 am Snow Plow Sam 3 (4 year olds) 10:30 am Pre Free Skate(All ages) 11:00 am Snowplow Sam 1&2 (4 years old) 11:00 am Basic 1 & 2 (Ages 9 and up) 11:00 am Basic 1 &2 (Ages 7 - 10) 11:45 am Snow Plow 3 (4 year olds) 11:45 am Basic 3 & 4 (All ages) 11:45 am Snow Plow 4 (Ages 5&6) 12:15 pm Basic 1 & 2 (Ages 7 - 10) 12:15 pm Basic 5 & 6 (All ages) 12:15 pm Pre Free Skate(All ages)

Winter Arena Registration Begins On-line Tuesday December 19, 2017 – 6:00 pm

SNOW PROBLEM, MAN By: Vincent Santorelli

Photo of Vincent Santorelli

Ahh, who doesn’t love a good coating of fresh, powdery snow? Majestic, calming, picturesque, I can keep going if you’d like. However, I know that many people don’t share my affinity for winter weather. One thing we can agree on though, is how much of a pain snow can be when it comes to your daily commute, starting with getting it off of your driveway! Just like we all knew it would, the first major snow storm of the season is on it’s way. With the impending doom that is a winter wonderland, it’s NJ Spine and Wellness’ job to equip you with knowledge on how to stay injury free while removing snow from around your house. We’ve compiled a list of our best snow shoveling tips to keep you safe from injury this winter season. 1. Feeling pain? Hang up the shovel. If you are experiencing any pain or stiffness at all, don’t even think about picking that shovel up! Pain is your body’s signal that something is wrong;

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

just the smallest mishap can leave you with some serious problems. 2. Buy an ergonomic shovel. A full shovel can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds depending on how wet the snow is. The ergonomic, bent-handle shovel can give you more leverage and allow you to move the snow with better biomechanical form. 3. Push, don’t lift the snow. Avoiding the lifting component of snow removal greatly reduces the risk of injuring yourself. Use your legs to push the shovel and move the snow out of the way. NEVER throw the snow over your shoulder. A loaded rotational stress to your spine is a textbook disc injury. 4. If you must lift, think big. No, I don’t mean lift as much snow as you can. Think big, as in using your big muscles (legs and core) to lift the snow. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons suggests shoveling 1-2 inches at a time, separating your hands by 12 inches to in-

JANUARY 2018

crease leverage, and bending at the knees to lift upwards. Never bend at the waist, lift using just your arms, or lift while reaching as it will put

far too much stress on your spine. 5. Warm up. Not just with hot chocolate and a heavy jacket, warm up your muscles! Cold muscles do not function with the same efficiency as those that are warmed up. Getting your blood flowing also decreases your risk of straining a muscle or spraining a joint. Our best suggestion to avoid injury while removing snow would be, if feasible, to purchase a snow blower. It’s worth your investment: your spine will thank you in the long run. Just please keep your fingers clear of the blades! If a snow blower is not in the works, the tips above can help you stay safe from pain and agony. When in doubt, let the kid next door do it and PLEASE be careful of the dreaded slip-n-fall! Stay Well.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

JANUARY 2018

PRACTICE SELF-CARE IN 2018: IT’S NOT A LUXURY, IT’S A NECESSITY

By: Paula O’Neill, MS, R.N.-BC

Photo of Paula O’Neill, MS, R.N.-BC

Quick, name the top five individuals who are most important to you. If you are like most people you did not include yourself in that list. You stay late at work, care for loved ones, drive the kids to activities… the list goes on and on. We often think of ourselves last, if we think of ourselves at all. But caring for ourselves is so important. Anyone who has flown on a plane is familiar with the safety directions given

at the beginning of the flight: put on your own oxygen mask before trying to help someone else. If you can’t breathe you certainly cannot help anyone else. Likewise, if you don’t take care of yourself, you certainly cannot care for others. According to Dossey and Keegan (2013), self-care is defined as the “practice of engaging in health related activities and using health-promoting behaviors to adopt a healthier lifestyle and enhance wellness.” Many people think of self-care as a luxury or “fluff,” but nothing could be further from the truth. Taking time to care for yourself can help to decrease stress, help you to feel calm and relaxed, support your physical, mental and emotional well-being, and help you to be at your best so you can be present for your loved ones. It is a necessity, not a luxury. You can use Hackensack Meridian Health’s Integrative Health & Medicine’s Five Pillars of Health & Wellness as a guide to self-care. By selecting activities in each category you will be on your way to a great self-care plan. Below are some suggestions, but it is important that you find things to do for yourself that you enjoy. That way you will be more likely to continue doing them and maintain your self-care routine. 1. Exercise—the benefits of

exercise include improving your physical and mental health and well-being and it can help reduce stress: Try a yoga class; take a walk or a run; dance; garden; when you shop park at the parking spot furthest from the store. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes, four to five times per day. Remember to check with your physician before starting an exercise routine. 2. Nutrition—food provides the nutrients for a healthy body and mind. Therefore, the quality of the food we eat has a tremendous impact on how we feel, physically and mentally: Eat three meals/day; eat a variety of fruits and vegetables (a rainbow of colors); limit the amount of sugar you consume; prepare your own meals (make meals on the weekends and freeze them so you have them readily available during the week); limit your salt intake; use herbs and spices (which have health benefits of their own) to flavor your food. 3. Sleep—Good quality and quantity of sleep benefits your body and mind. According to the National Sleep Foundation, being well rested contributes to being more productive and happy, and being in a better mood. Lack of sleep can contribute to heart disease, inflammation, and depression. They recommend seven to nine hours of

sleep per night for adults and 7-8 hours per night for adults over 65 years of age: Create and stick to a sleep schedule; dim, or better yet turn off, electronic devices-even small amounts of light can interfere with sleep; try Dr. Andrew Weil’s 4-7-8 Relaxation Breath Exercise to help you relax and fall asleep-inhale through your nose for a count of four…hold your breath for seven counts…exhale for a count of eight … Repeat three more times. 4. Resilience—the ability to adapt to adversity and respond to stress. Managing stress is key to well-being and self-care: Try yoga; meditate; 4-7-8 Relaxation Breath Exercise; listen to music; exercise. 5. Purpose— “There’s no greater gift than to honor your life’s calling. It’s why you were born. And how

you become most truly alive.” Oprah Winfrey. Knowing your purpose leads to a more meaningful, fulfilling, and satisfying life. Determine your purpose. There is no better time than the start of the New Year to start your self-care plan. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones. Paula O’Neill, MS, R.N.-BC, is the clinical program manager of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Integrative Health & Medicine at Raritan Bay Medical Center. Since 2004, Raritan Bay’s qualified and credentialed practitioners have provided integrative therapies to enhance patients’ health and well-being with complementary medicine supporting the mindbody-spirit connection. For more information, call 732-324-5257.

THINK OLD BRIDGE

TEAM WORK AND IDENTIFYING TRENDS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESST By Steve Mamakas, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office

Photo of Steve Mamakas is the Executive Officer of Mayor’s Office of Economic Development Team Work and Identif ying trends is the key to success We are waiting to hear Amazon’s pick for their new corporate location. We Know Old Bridge is a great place and should be at the top of their list. The proposal to Amazon was a team effort. The protocol was to submit a proposal to the county from the local economic development office. Mayor Henry, I and Rosemarie Rivoli of my office worked on the county proposal. The Mayor then engaged our engineering/planning departments to further develop a full scale proposal in just weeks for direct submission to Amazon. The director of Engineering Nicole Shapiro and Township planner Katherine O’Kane and Team handled this task with short notice meeting Amazon’s deadline. This shows teamwork, coordinated efforts and acting together in the interests of a common cause can help in reaching a goal. Amazon is just a part of the innovative ways we promote our town to attract business and we are receiving media coverage and increasing the inquiries from businesses looking to open in Old Bridge. A latest article in GlobeSt.com about the possible Amazon pick shows our odds are looking better and one line below fits Old Bridge. It reads “Think about all the places that are well within a 30 minute

drive”. If we look at it from the opposite angle it highlights Old Bridge as a location to be considered. The article states “Newark is a little bit more interesting because Newark is also affordable, is transit connected, and home to Newark Liberty International Airport that has some of the best service across the country and even globally because United has made a huge infrastructure investment. Furthermore, Newark’s airport is right outside of their downtown. Amazon could have a headquarters that is minutes to the airport. They are also minutes to Manhattan, so they could get all the Manhattan tech workers doing the reverse commute. Think about all the places that are well within a 30 minute drive. Further, picking Detroit or Newark would have great positive social impacts and thus good publicity for Amazon, which is a consumer-focused company at the end of the day. No matter which city is picked, the RFP and ranking process is appearing as great catalyst for understanding what makes a city desirable for investment and hiring”. This also takes us to new trends we stay focused on that keys in on the Millennials requirements. They are the next group working in these environments and the next to open offices. It is all part of the list; it feeds into the whole picture. As we work at attracting and populating the office sector we have the advantage of showing a growing business base here in Old Bridge as we demonstrated to Amazon. Companies can feed large amounts of revenue into a town’s business economy. We are working to accomplish this type of growth. We also have to look at the cost of office space as compared to other towns and cities. We need to be competitive to help attract new businesses. Staying on trends, another interesting point we hear from the county is that we do not have enough restaurants given our population. The good news is we are getting another cool franchise in the Gateway Shopping Center. What you see being built is a BUBBA Burger connected to the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant. Our continued contact with and from major restaurant chains shows that they are interested in Old Bridge. Our greatest challenge

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE is liquor licenses availably they are tied to the population and we have reached the number years ago. Being a broker for the whole town is another topic. The Mayors Economic Development Office works like a broker for the whole township. The offices role is being both the seller and product being sold to promoting and selling the area in the three groups Commercial, Retail and Office Space as an agent for positive smart growth. One key to growth is sending the right Message. In our last article we spoke about how we are moving ahead of neighboring towns in overall business growth. Many see business growth as good, some are reluctant, and however, individuals and companies are investing money to open businesses in Old Bridge. This in turn attracts other businesses to look into opening in Old Bridge. Growth comes in many forms and sometimes requires steps. A viable business community with vibrant service businesses attracts others to open office space and create jobs. We talk about smart growth in the right locations of town, but there are other focuses on smart growth which is not overlooked. Our focus on occupying office space and corporate growth is on our list and this all ties together. Working with companies, many considerations go into a corporations or small businesses decision to select a location. The convenience for workers to commute and the accessibility to eateries, fueling stations and retail shops. This may be a small part, but it is an important one. Let’s talk about trends, another interesting point we hear from the county is that we do not have enough restaurants given our population. The good news is we are getting another cool franchise in the gateway Shopping Center. What you see being built is a BUBBA Burger connected to the Roadhouse Restaurant. Our continued contact from major restaurant chains shows that they are interested. Our greatest challenge is no liquor licenses available. Liquor licenses are tied to the population of a town. We often connect new restaurant inquires directly to property management and center owners. With the Ruby Tuesday location on RT 9 the property is either too small for a large restaurant chain or too expensive for a small restaurateur to invest and build out. We seek out the new types of franchises like Dave and Busters, Ale

JANUARY 2018 House Tavern, Buffalo Wild Wings. These are some of the restaurants the millennials and others enjoy. So what are we doing to keep the needle moving forward? We promote and market like you would your own business, that Old Bridge is a great place to invest. We get on the phone and work with franchise reps., management companies and owners to consider all the options and available rentals. We connect all to the states Grow NJ program which can provide incentives to business to hire workers through workforce assistance programs from the county and help to offset the costs if they meet certain requirements. We

continue to market Old Bridge as the perfect place to grow a business. We wish all Of Old Bridge Residents and business a Happy New Year. Please visit the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to check out all the exciting happenings in the area of economic development here in Old Bridge on facebook. com\obetownedo or on Twitter @ twitter.com/obedonj. To contact us email to obedo@oldbridge.com or call 732 721-5600 Ext:7920 This month’s highlighted business is The Learning Experience located at 280 Texas Road Old Bridge in the new wood haven shopping center.

This month’s highlighted business is The Learning Experience located at 280 Texas Road Old Bridge in the new wood haven shopping center.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

JANUARY 2018

OLD BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL PREPARES STUDENTS WITH SKILLS By Victoria Mione, OBHS Student

High school is one of the final steps to prepare students for adulthood. With classes like cosmetology, auto shop, woodshop, and culinary at Old Bridge High School, a comprehensive high school, students are exposed to skills needed for the future. Four teachers recently created a s e r i e s of s ma l l pre s e nt a tions, which they introduced to teens enrolled in shop classes. “I thought it was a good idea to ask my co-workers, can we do something together with the other kids and see if we can learn a little bit from each other,” said cosmetology teacher Patricia Palehonki. In cosmetology, seniors who run the student salon “the Cutting Edge”, showed fellow classmates

cereal, and mini-marshmallows. “I think so many students - and the general public - need to learn how to cook for themselves,” said Abrams. “It’s important to learn the basics and it’ll take you through your whole life.”

how to shave without using shaving cream. Substitute products included shampoo, conditioner, and baby oil. Also corresponding with recent beauty trends, classes were taught how to properly “fill in” eyebrows. The more than 40 students then made their way to auto shop, where teacher Kenneth Colavito educated students on tire traction and pressure, as well as what to do in case of hydroplaning. “Maintenance with our vehicles basically takes precedent over anything else with our vehicles,” said Colavito. Following this activity, across the

hall at woodshop, teacger Andrew Boriello instructed students on how to fill in a hole in a dry wall. “Somewhere along the line they’re [the students] going to be in a situation where somebody does something stupid or trips or falls and pops a hole in the wall,” said Boriello. “It’s such an easy fix but if you don’t know how to do it, you’re going to be panicking.” Classes then headed down to teacher Dena Abrams’s culinary class, where they were taught how to make trail mix using common pantr y items such as raisins, pretzels, M&M’s,

Victoria Mione is a senior at Old Bridge High School, where she has been enrolled in the Journalism program for the past three years. The teen plans to pursue a career in Communications.

Limits

Michael Vitale 104 Interchange Plaza, Suite 102 Monroe Township, NJ 08831 Cell: 201.306.5988 Office: 609.655.3066 x255 Fax: 609.655.4959 Email: michael@vitaleinsurance. com Website: www.vitaleinsurance.com

Did you know that you have a choice regarding your liability limits when creating your auto insurance policy? If you answered “no”, then you would be among many people who do not realize they have a “say” in choosing their limits. There are actually two categories of liability limits: Combined Single Liability

Coverage or Split-Limit Liability Coverage. Please allow me to briefly explain the major differences, as well as some positive and negative aspects of both limit options. Combined Single Limit Liability (“CSL”) provides one monetary figure - or limit - which is the maximum insurance payout for

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE bodily injury or property damage from a single accident. This limit remains the same, regardless of how many individuals or vehicles are involved in a single accident. A Split Limit Liability (“SLL”) provides a stated monetary payout limit, per person, per accident, and also a separate and specific payout limit for property damage. If multiple parties are injured in a single accident, each individual would have their own limit, and there would be a separate payout for any property damage. Currently, a common CSL is $300,000 and a comparable SLL is 100/300/100 ($100K per person, $300K per accident, $100K property damage). In real-life situations, how do they compare? Let’s take the following examples: Mary is a driver involved in an accident. She is at fault and the other driver, Bob, sustained injuries totaling $125K. Additionally, the property damage totaled $110K. If Mary had a $300K CSL, it would sufficiently cover all damages related

JANUARY 2018 to this accident. However, if Mary had an SLL, 100/300/100, her policy would only cover Bob’s injuries up to $100K (leaving her responsible for $25K) and property damage up to $100K (leaving her responsible for $10K). Mary would be responsible for $35K related to this accident. In this case, a CSL would be most effective and beneficial to Mary. Now let’s change the example and say that Mary was at fault in an accident where she ran into Joe’s car with two other passengers, all of whom sustained injuries of $95K, along with $90K property damage. A $300K CSL would not sufficiently cover the injuries and damage, as they totaled $375K. However, a 100/300/100 SLL policy would effectively cover all injuries ($285K) and property damages ($90K). In the previous examples, you can understand how each type of limit can have both positive and negative features. Additionally, most carriers charge a higher premium for a CSL, which may sway an insured away from choosing it for

their coverage limit. The SLL will still provide adequate coverage, usually at a lower cost, but may result in liability coverage concerns. A solution to this type of coverage issue can be attained with the purchase of an Umbrella Policy, sometimes referred to as an Excess Liability policy (“ELP”). An ELP will extend your auto (and homeowners) insurance liability limits beyond their maximums. Oftentimes, a base ELP will contain a $1 million limit, which may assist in coverage in the event of a costly accident. It is always best to seek the advice of your local insurance professional in determining the most effective coverage limits for you and your family. He or she can help you understand your personal risks, analyze your options, and help you choose a liability limit type in your policy that best suits your specific needs. Michael Vitale, Licensed Insurance Professional for Auto, Home, Life, Medicare Supplement, and Disability Income Insurances.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

CLAIRE B. HAMBAS

Claire B. Hambas, 85 , of Old Bridge, passed away on December 12, 2017 at the Reformed Church Home in Old Bridge, NJ . She was born on October 10, 1932 to Christopher and Florence Galas in New York, NY. Claire worked as a Clerk for Macy’s for 25 years. S h e l ov e d t h e op e r a a n d spending time with her family. Claire is survived by her two daughters and son in law, Elizabeth and Ronald Giambrone, Mary Castiglione, a son and daughter in law, Nicholas and Karen Hambas her mother Florence Fronista Galas, a sister and brother in law, Penny and Ronald Van Maldeghem two Brothers and sister in law, Michael and Candy Galas, and ChristoJOHN “KEN” HUGHES

John “Ken” Hughes of Old Bridge, N.J. passed from this life peacefully on Dec. 14, 2017, at age 81, leaving an empty space for all whose path he graced. A loving husband, devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather, Ken always put family first and foremost in his life. Ken and his beloved wife Lucretia created a love story worthy of a Hollywood script, being married for 58 years and creating a home base for their two daughters in Old Bridge, N.J., where John also was a longtime member of St. Ambrose Parish. Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y. in the “Fabulous Fifties,” Ken was an accomplished roller-skater and sandlot baseball player and a devoted fan of the Dodgers. Once that team took flight to Los Angeles, Ken eagerly embraced the fledgling New York Mets, remaining a fan of the team for these many years. Ken and Lucretia were avid travelers, visiting Europe, the Carribean and other destinations around the globe, as well as frequent trips to Las Vegas, as well as Atlantic City. Ken also served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1960-62 where he was assigned to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., as an instructor in missile operations. After receiving an honorable discharge from the military, Ken immediately joined IBM as a Computer Engineer, servicing

JANUARY 2018

IN MEMORIAM pher Galas as well as 9 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren . She was predeceased by her loving husband, Steven, her father, Christoper Galas, and a son in law Louis Castiglione. Relatives and friends were invited to visit the Old Bridge Funeral Home, 2350 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ on Friday December 15, 2017 from 4-8pm. A funeral mass was held at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Holmdel, NJ on Saturday December 16, 2017 at 10am followed by interment in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens, NY. For more information or to leave an online condolence message to the family please visit our website www.oldbridgefh.com. Wall Street firms from the corporation’s Manhattan office. Ken retired from IBM after 31 years. After retiring from IBM, Ken put on the orange apron as an associate with Home Depot, working for over 15 years with the company. Ken is survived by his daughters Jennifer Hughes and her partner Phil Coffey of Ewing, N.J and Carla Hughes of Old Bridge, N.J. He also is survived by two grandsons, Christopher Rader, now himself a member of the U.S. Army, and Chris’ daughter Abigail. Ken’s second grandson, Steven Rader, now lives and works in Vermont with his wife, Joann and their daughter, Nora. Other family members mourning his passing include in-laws Ken and Dorothy Bartling of Staten Island, N.Y., and Thomas Guarrasi of Morristown, N.J., nephews Kenneth Bartling and Mark Bartling and nieces Erica Bartling, Lucretia Guarrasi and Alexis Guarrasiz in lieu of flowers donations can be made in John’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project PO BOX 758516 Topeka, KS 66675-8517 Https:// www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Visitation was held on Thursday, December 21 from 2-8 PM at Old Bridge Funeral Home, 2350 Rt 516, Old Bridge. A graveside service was held on Friday at 9:30 AM at Brig. William C Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Wrightstown NJ. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.oldbridgefh.com.

To submit Obituaries email Editor@AllaroundOB.com

WILLIAM F. MURAWSKI

William F. Murawski, 76, of Old Bridge, NJ, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017 at the Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ. Born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, where he lived before moving to Old Bridge 42 years ago. William worked as a Maintenance Supervisor for over 40 years for the Jersey City Board of Education retiring 11 years ago, he enjoyed working with his hands on anything with a motor, taking camping trips with his family and friends but most important to him was spending time with his family especially his beloved wife who was everything to him. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Stephanie Murawski and all of his 11 brothers and sisters. William leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years Christina, four daughters and their spouses LisaAnn and Mike Dinardo,

FRANK EDWARD STURT

Frank Edward Sturt, passed away on Saturday December 9, 2017 at Bayshore Community Hospital. Born in Matawan, NJ but lived in Marlboro for the last 40 years. Frank is a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) in 1959 and then he attended St. Peter’s College, Jersey City. Frank graduated from the Police Academy, Sea Girt, NJ and from the New Jersey Military Academy, Sea Girt, NJ. He was a police sergeant at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital and then for Marlboro Twp. until retiring as a Sergeant. Frank also spent 29 years in the National Guard retiring as a Sergeant First Class. He was a Hunter Education Instructor for the N.J. Wildlife Dept. and gave courses in both firearms and archery. He served several terms as the Vice President of the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club where he remained active in Cowboy action, glock and other shooting disciplines. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the NRA, the Single Action Shooting Society of America (SASS), The Police Benevolent Assoc. (PBA) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and

Christina and Kristopher Keating, Rosalie and Harry Schwailik, and Bernadette and Billy Schumacher, two sons and their spouses William J. and Eveli Murawski, and Joseph and Kathleen Murawski, as well as 19 grandchildren Mike, Mary, Kristopher, Ryan, Danielle, Nickie, Matthew, Stephanie, Billy, Stephen, Tristan, Alex, Joseph, Emily, Billy, Kyle, Aiden, Billy and Breanna. Relative and friends were invited to visit the Old Bridge Funeral Home, 2350 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ, on Tuesday December 12, 2017 from 4-8pm. A liturgy of Christian burial was held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge, NJ on Wednesday December 13, 2017 at 10:15am. Cremation was private. For more information the American Legion, Keyport. After retiring, he did extensive traveling in the U.S.A, Europe, Africa and Asia. He is predeceased by his parents, Josephine and Herbert Martin Edward Sturt, Matawan and by two children, Michael & Lynda Sturt; and by many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife Naomi Maxson Wells Sturt, of Marlboro, NJ, three children, Frank Sturt, of Matawan,NJ, Lisa Sturt, of Navarre Fl., and Herbert Edward Sturt, of Charlotte, N.C., 2 step children Kathi Wells Sulivan, Elberan, and Clifton G. Wells Jr., of Bayville, NJ, 9 grandchildren, Alex Sturt, of Matawan, NJ, Edward Junior, Christian and Leah Sturt, of Charlotte N.C. and Paris Sturt, Andre Sturt, Mia Russel, Marisol Olinka Russel and Oliver

or to leave an online condolence message to the family please visit our website www.oldbridgefh.com. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Williams name to the Lupus Foundation of America, New Jersey Chapter, Inc., 150 Morris Ave, Springfield, NJ 07081.

Russel, of Navarre Fl, a great granddaughter Aubrey, three step-grandsons, two step great grandsons, one step great granddaughter, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and several aunts. Relatives and friends were invited to visit the Waitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service 501 Highway 79, Morganville, NJ on Thursday December 14, 2017 from 7-9pm, Friday December 15, 2017 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A funeral mass was held on Saturday December 16, 2017 at St. Clements Church, Matawan, NJ at 10am followed by interment in the Bayview Cemetery, Atlantic Highlands, NJ. For more information or to leave an online condolence message to the family please visit our website www.waittfh.com.

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OLD BRIDGE EIGHTH GRADER GIVES BACK TO MAKE-A-WISH

JANUARY 2018

AJ SILVESTRI COLLECTS 78,257 LETTERS FOR MACY’S BELIEVE CAMPAIGN

An eighth grader at Carl Sandburg Middle School surpassed his mission, collecting 78,257 letters for Make-A-Wish through Mac y’s BELIEVE campaign. AJ Silvestri, with the help of his supporters, dropped off boxes filled to the brim with letters at 5 p.m. on Dec. 8, National Believe Day,

at the Macy’s in the Brunswick Square Mall in East Brunswick. Last year Silvestri collected more than 27,000 holiday letters, to help the organization that made his dream become a reality. The youngster, who has Cystic Fibrosis, was granted a wish five years ago by Make-A-Wish New Jersey,

who grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic, progressive and life limiting genetic disease that affects specifically his lungs and gastrointestinal system, according to his

mother Kerryann S. Silvestri. This year, AJ’s 78,257 letters will play a significant role in helping Macy’s and Make-A-Wish reach their $1 million National Believe Day goal. 2017 marks the 10th annual BELIEVE campaign between Macy’s and Make-A-Wish. From the beginning of November through Dec. 24, “believers” of all ages can mail letters to Santa at the big red letterbox at any local Macy’s store or online at macys.com/believe. For every letter received in store or online, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Letters delivered on Friday, Dec. 8, National Believe Day, to any Macy’s nationwide -- the day AJ made his astounding delivery -- counted for a $2 contribution per letter, up to an additional $1 million, bringing the total campaign to a possible $2 million. Old Bridge Schools Superinten-

dent David Cittadino called Silvestri “a hometown hero”. He challenged the youngster to collect 125,000 letters next year so that his work would make “a classroom of kids’ wishes come true.” Silvestri immediately agreed to answer the challenge. Silvestri collected the bags and bags of letters this year with the help of the nearly 10,000 students, staff, and faculty members in the Old Bridge School District, who wrote notes, making holiday wishes. The youngster was committed to beating his record last year and to giving back to the organization, who gave him and his family the opportunity to take a Make-A-Wish trip one week after Superstorm Sandy. On the trip, they met the cast of the History Channel show “Pawn Stars” and watched them film a segment with AJ’s favorite personality, Chum Lee. They also met the cast from the show “American Restoration”.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

JANUARY 2018

OLD BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RAISES $4,500 FOR JAR OF HOPE

The Physical Education Department at Old Bridge High School collected $4,500 for Jar of Hope, a non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The terminal disease is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. James Raffone founded Jar of Hope with his wife Karen in 2013,

after their son, James Anthony or Jamesy, was diagnosed with the rare disease when he was four years old. Old Bridge students participated in “Hands on the Floor, Duchennne No More”, a national school push-up challenge. Raffone of Manalapan led the teens during all physical education classes on Dec. 19 in the push up challenge, while teachers collected donations.

By Anita Greenberg, DVM

frostbite. For short-haired dogs, a winter coat and booties will help. Snow-covered frozen ponds, lakes or drainage basins represent a danger to your dog as well as you. Be mindful to avoid slippery surfaces to prevent torn ligaments or fractures. And be aware that the cold weather can aggravate your pet’s arthritis, too. You and your pets are not the only ones looking for warmth. Pests, including rodents, can find small openings to get inside. Winter proof your house for your comfort as well as blocking the ways in which mice can find an entry point. If you do have mice, traps are a much safer option over poisons which can be fatal for dogs and cats. See medical attention immediately if ingested. Another dangerous source of pet poisonings is antifreeze. Its sweet taste attracts cats and dogs, but it is lethal if ingested. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. The onset of clinical signs is almost immediate and resembles alcohol intoxication. Ingestion of antifreeze is a health emergency, requiring immediate medical attention. It can be fatal. The warm engine of your car is a lure and hazard for cats and small animals, who may crawl under the hood of the vehicle to get out

Each student performed 10 push-ups in honor of Jamesy. Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry joined the teens and completed 10 pushups; he also declared Dec. 19 as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day. Students were asked to visit the ShopRite, located inside the school, to make a donation or to give $1 to hang a butterfly in the school’s gymnasium. The high school students also challenged three Middlesex County high schools to top its efforts. The OBHS students challenged East Brunswick, Sayreville, and South Brunswick high schools to beat its $4,500 effort. The winner will receive a trophy next fall. “We are so proud to support such a great family and a wonderful cause while bringing awareness to a terrible disease,” said Old Bridge High School Principal Vincent Sasso. “Once again, the students

WINTER WARNINGS FOR SAFER PETS

D r. An i t a Greenberg and her husband, Dr. Daniel Belli, are the owners and operators of the East Br un sw ick Animal Hospital for 28 years. Dr. Greenberg has been a member of the Old Bridge Township Council since 2016. If it is cold for you, it is cold for your pets. Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause problems for your pet. Like your hands, your pet’s paws can be chapped and the skin can be itchy and flaky. There are things you can do to help your pet, including massaging the pads of the paws with petroleum jelly [Vaseline] before going out in the ice and snow. And remove snow and ice balls caught between toes or in the foot hair, and towel dry the dog or cat when the pet comes inside. Much as the dry air in the house is difficult on your skin, so it is with pets. A humidifier in the house as well as bathing your pet with moisturizing shampoos will help. Wind chill can threaten a pet’s life. The exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads are at risk for

of the cold. Before you start the engine, bang the hood or honk your horn to scare them away. If you have a yard, do not pile snow by the fence. A snowbank could provide your dog with an escape route over the fence. WINTER & WILDLIFE Winter is a challenge for wildlife, but you can help by providing a source of water and food. If you put out a water bucket or have a birdbath, make sure the water is warm and check daily to break up the ice. Add hot water or consider a birdbath with a heating element. Food is scarce in the winter. Offer birds mixed seeds, nuts and fruits. A supplement of fat will benefit the birds, too. Common sources include plant-based suet with seeds, which is sold in the form of a cake, ball or bell. High energy birds need saturated fats which you can provide by offering fresh coconut and nuts. Cracked corn is a high-fat food for squirrels and chipmunks. Bread crumbs lack the fat and protein needed by birds for survival. They only make the bird feel full, and if the bread gets wet and moldy, that can be toxic. Best wishes to everyone for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

and staff at Old Bridge High School come through in a huge way!” Old Bridge Athletic Director Daniel DiMino also thanked the students and staff, who helped raise

awareness and funds for JAR of Hope. “Together we donated over $4500. Go Knights!” said DiMino.

GREY MATTERS Written By: Judith Kristen

Photo of Judith Kristen HA PPY N E W Y E A R ! ! ! First of all, I wish everyone, everywhere - joy, good health, peace, love,

and happiness in this upcoming year! Second of all… how are you doin’ with your New Year’s resolutions? Did you make any? Hmm? As for me? I’m at the point where the normal resolutions of life are… well… they don’t always work out as planned. Do they? I typ ed that with a smile o n m y f a c e b y t h e w a y. Looking back over old diaries… here are a few of my resolves of the past. 1964 I w i l l m e e t G e o r g e Harrison before the year is out! (Actually, that DID happen) 1965 I will marr y George Harrison before the year is out. (That did NOT happen) 1967 I won’t have any children until I’m 30 ! (By the time I was

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

twenty-seven I already had four) Then as the years rolled on… 1989 I w i l l g e t m y weight down below 140. 1992 I will count my calories daily until I get below 160. 1994 I will follow my new diet unfailingly until I get below 165. 1996 I will develop a more realistic attitude about my weight. 1998 I will work out 5 days a week. 2000 I will work out 3 days a week. 2003 I will faithfully watch Richard Simmons’ “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” CD ever y day at lunchtime while eating celery sticks and drinking mineral water. I need not say any more… I’m s u re y ou g e t t h e i d e a . But in 2004, for some reason, I decided that maybe I should turn

DON’T MISS A GREAT NIGHT! PLAN NOW. M.Scott Carpenter’ PTA is hosting their Tricky Tray Event “A Breakfast at Tiffany’s “ at 6:00 pm on Friday evening , February 23,2018 at the Grand Marquis located at 1550 US Highway 9 in Old Bridge . This is the PTA’s largest fundraiser of the year. All money that is raised is used to fund various educational programs as well as plan fun activities for all of the children from kindergarten through fifth grade by the PTA. Specialty items such as books , gym equipment and various educational materials and programs

for the teachers to utilize in the classroom are also supplied through the PTA’s fundraising efforts . The success of this event is possible through the generosity and donations of products gift cards merchandise and services donated by the Carpenter families , local businesses and corporations. The Tricky tray committee is working hard creating beautifully decorated gift baskets that will be auctioned that evening. Attendees should be prepared for a great evening out with good friends ,

great food , energizing dance music being provided by DJ bee , and to top off the evening there will be amazing gift baskets raffled off . Tickets are currently being sold . The cost is $50 per person and includes Admission into the event , Butler style passed hors d’oeuvres, a sitdown dinner and 2 sheets of tier 1 tickets. Value packs are available until 2/16. For further information about this event or to purchase tickets and/or a table of 13 please call 917-613-4801

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those me, me, me, resolutions outward - and you know what? It worked! It only to ok me half a c e n t u r y, b u t I “g o t i t ! ” My resolutions became a way of life. I decided I’d become more tuned in to others. Not that I wasn’t a good kid to start with, but there’s always room for improvement. And not that I haven’t been taking care of myself… I’m just channeling energies a lot better. Humor is still the key ingredient in my life, and it’s good for me and the people I’m around. And, of course, on the heels of that also comes: love, friendship, kindness, compassion, patience, giving and forgiving, and FUN! Ya gotta have some fun.

So, as a writer, here’s how I look at it. 2018 is the first blank page of a 365 page book, so make sure you write a good one. One with chapter after chapter filled with that love, passion, friendship, kindness, service to others, compassion, patience, giving, and forgiving, and FUN! Ya gotta have fun! The difference between an ordinary life and an extraordinary life is like the difference between a lightning bug and lightning. …BE the lightning! Happy 2018, my friends! Peace and Love and All Good Things in the New Year… See ya next month! ~Judy

LIVING STONES ed Christmas and the New Year, and “THE BIBLE IS FULL OF FABLES AND INACCURACIES.”

By Lloyd Pulley, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Old Bridge If only I had a dollar for every time I heard this criticism of the Bible! I often teach that one of the most unique features of the Bible is how historically and archeologically testable it is, even when compared to other religious writings. In fact, many archaeologists use the Bible in their quest to locate ancient civilizations. The Bible can also be tested in the area of prophecy. In the Old Testament, the Bible predicts many things will happen. The question then is – have they actually happened? The answer, simply, is yes. The Bible’s predictions have been scrutinized for centuries and found true in their fulfillment again and again. This is especially true when it comes to the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. In fact, we recently celebrat-

were reminded how many Scriptures Jesus fulfilled at His coming. For example, Matthew records that “when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, [King Herod] inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel (Matthew 2:4-6).”’” When seeking where the Messiah would be born, the ancients looked to the Scriptures! Now consider that only one of every 280,000 people is born in Bethlehem. That narrows down the list of prospective Messiahs considerably. This simple list offers just eight of the hundreds of Bible predictions regarding the life and times of the coming Messiah: 1. Jesus born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 fulfilled, see Matthew 2:4-8 2. The Virgin Birth: Isaiah 7:14 fulfilled, see Matthew 1:18 3. King Herod kills children in attempt to kill the Christ: Jeremiah 31:15 fulfilled, see Matthew 2:16 4. John the Baptist’s ministry: Isaiah 40:3 fulfilled, see John 1:23 5. Jesus enters Jer us a lem on a donkey : Z echariah 9:9 fulfilled, see Luke 19:35-37a 6. The Resurrection of Christ: Psalms 16:10 fulfilled, see Acts 2:31 (as well as Gospel accounts) 7. Jesus betrayed for 30 pieces of silver: Zechariah 11:12 ful-

FINANCIAL SEMINAR BY CONGREGATION BETH OHR Making Sense of the New Tax Law will be the subject of tax-expert Edward Mendlowitz’s 38th annual financial seminar at Congregation Beth Ohr, Old Bridge, on Sunday morning, February 4. Included in his talk will be ten suggestions for saving on 2017’s taxes. A free bagel breakfast, beginning at 10:00 AM, will be provided by the Beth Ohr Men’s Club. Mr. Mendlowitz’s talk will begin at 10:15. Mendlowitz, a CPA and partner with WithumSmith+Brown is one of Accounting Today’s 100 Most Influential People, has

been admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court and is the author of 26 professional books. All are invited, no reservation is needed. Congregation Beth Ohr is located at 70 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ. For further information contact Mr. Mendlow itz at emc p a1@aol.com. Getting Started in Genealogy will be discussed by Dr. Nathan M. Reiss at Congregation Beth Ohr, Old Bridge, on Sunday, January 21, at 10:15 AM. Dr. Reiss, a retired Rutgers professor, is president of the Jewish Historical Society of

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE filled, see Matthew 26:15 8. Jesus crucified on a cross: Ps a l m 2 2 an d Is ai a h 5 3 : 1 2 fulfilled, see Matthew 27:38 To illustrate how unlikely it is for one person to fulfill even eight Bible prophecies, scientist and mathematician Peter Stoner offers this exercise – imagine covering the nearly 270,000 square miles of the state of Texas with two feet worth of silver dollars. Among these silver dollars, one silver dollar is marked with a black check mark. You must then find that marked coin, blindfolded, on your first try. Of course, the task is nearly impossible!!! In fact, you have only a one in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (1 in 1017) chance of finding the marked coin on your first attempt! This scenario illustrates how highly unlikely it would be for any one individual to fulfill just a few of the hundreds of prophecies from the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) predicting the coming of Christ the King (Messiah). In other words, the odds against any one person fulfilling these prophecies by chance are simply astronomical. In his book Science Speaks, Stoner explains these improbabilities, writing, “The fulfillment of… eig ht prophecies alone proves that God inspired the writing of those prophecies.” Back to Bethlehem for a moment. Joseph and Mary, as we studied at Christmastime, traveled to Bethlehem shortly before Jesus’ birth, because a Roman census required that all living within the Roman Empire be counted in their home-

Central Jersey and the author of an 1100-page book on his family’s genealogy which includes over 12,000 relatives he has found. A free bagel breakfast, beginning at 10:00 AM, will be available. All are invited. No reservation is required The program is sponsored jointly by Beth Ohr’s Men’s Club and Daytimers. Congregation Beth Ohr is located at 70 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ. For additional information contact Ed Mendlowitz at emcpa1@aol.com.

JANUARY 2018 towns. Joseph took Mary, despite her late-stage pregnancy, to Bethlehem to be counted, and in Luke 2:7 we read, “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” The Promised King, whose birth was foretold for centuries and heralded by an angelic host, was born in a barn because the world simply made no room for Him. Even though Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies, many people today are often too busy, too distracted, or too caught up with quick sound bites and 140-character tweets to closely consider Bible truths. Bethlehem was terribly crowded, due to the census, and I wonder, is life today simply too crowded? Do we have no room to explore what the Bible says

about Jesus and our daily lives? As 2018 begins, I am challenging the congregation at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge and myself to make room for Jesus. By that I do not mean adding Him to all of our other activities, or going to church out of some sense of moral obligation. Rather, let’s get more serious about what the Bible says about Jesus. Let’s explore these ancient promises and their fulfillment in Christ. As we glare at the dreaded pile of post-Christmas bills this month, let’s take heart by opening up the Bible, perhaps for the very first time in our lives. Let’s read – and more than that, believe – these timeless words of Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

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SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH NOTEBOWL, A TECH COMPANY FOUNDED BY 2010 OBHS GRADUATE

Old Bridge Township Public School District announced a partnership with Notebowl, a technology company founded by an Old Bridge High School graduate. Notebowl is a social learning platform, offering students the opportunity to improve engagement, grade performance, and retention. The company is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Andrew Chaifetz, who graduated from Old Bridge High School in 2010, started the company while a student at the University of Arizona, where he was frustrated with the technology he was using in his classes. In his dorm room, Chaifetz came up with the idea for Notebowl, which was to bring a “Facebook of school” to life. Chaifetz built the company during college and launched it after graduating from the University of Arizona in 2014. Since then, Notebowl has gained success raising more than $2 million in funding,

backed by Google’s Chief Education Evangelist, Jaime Casap, former HotChalk President Chris Lynne, former McGraw-Hill Vice President Bobby Babbrah and several Arizona and Silicon Valley investors. “Notebowl has the potential to forever revolutionize the way in which learners interact with academic institutions,” said Schools Superintendent David Cittadino. “We are proud to support Andrew’s endeavor in the development and marketing of the Notebowl student learning system. Furthermore, Old Bridge is ecstatic in knowing the roots of his passion in information technology were planted with our school system.” To date, Notebowl has expanded to more than 50 institutions world-wide, using the social learning platform in courses and schools, including Denison University and Scottsdale Community College. “Notebowl represents an engaging social media-like learning platform

which after evaluating it, we felt was ideal to use within our credit recovery and ultimately adult high school, which has been proposed for the 2018-2019 school year,” said J. Scott Cascone, executive director of academics. “Those programs offer a hybrid learning environment of both seat time and distance learning; thus, a digital platform was a perfect match. The fact that Notebowl is the brain child of an Old Bridge alum is, of course, a source of great pride for our district.” Notebowl’s key features include the ability to communicate in Facebook-like news feeds with classrooms. It boasts an easyto-use interface, assignment management, and parent access to check student performance. Students will play a key role in discussions online and will be empowered to communicate with classmates and faculty in one place. The Old Bridge Public Schools and Notebowl partner-

ship will provide several additions to the district. They are: • S o cia l Ne ws Fe e d: This brings a news feed style to classrooms and communities, which allows users to post, comment, a n d i n t e r a c t o r g a n i c a l l y. • Discussion Boards: Users can create and utilize social discussion boards as assignments that teachers can easily grade with analytics. • Notifications: Personalized notifications are accessible from the homepage and throughout the environment. • Communities: Students and teachers have the ability to create, discover and collaborate with groups, clubs, and organizations. • Real-time: Assignments, content, and grades sync in real-time. “It’s special to come back to Old Bridge and help my hometown with a technology we created to help the world,” said Chaifetz. “I’m proud to have grown up here and (will) get the amazing opportunity to work

with incredibly innovative administrators looking to help students here at Old Bridge. It’s exciting to showcase to the world how Old Bridge can impact student engagement and create more value for students for the education they are receiving.” Notebowl (www.notebowl.com) is a next generation social learning platform that simplifies classroom management and communication. Created with the student experience in mind, Notebowl blends social media with learning management to create an easy, engaging teaching and learning environment for faculty and students. This social environment also extends beyond courses into student life -- clubs, organizations, events, and athletics -- enabling opportunities and helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

OLD BRIDGE RECEIVES 2017 PLAY UNIFIED AWARD BY SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW JERSEY

Continued from page 1 with mostly sports,” Lewicki said. “We started talking to the athletes, and they told us what they wanted. They wanted to participate in events like karaoke, arts and crafts, and drama. Every student has a want.” Senior Rebecca Mazur is one of the 18 students enrolled in the course; she has been a member of the club for three years and currently sits on its Board of Directors. “I started my sophomore year and somehow got involved and began building friendships with students

enrolled in the program; we all got older and matured,” she said. “I got to see everyone grow – the program, the athletes, the partners.” Jalen Sanders, also a senior, said he has built friendships through the program. “These friendships are not forced; we do fun things all together,” said Sanders. “In class, we are all at the same level.” In addition to receiving the state Special Olympics award, a member of the National Special Olympics asked that Old Bridge share its curriculum with other educators across the country at the 2018 Summer Olympics in Seattle, Wash. Also, two students, Paige Giasullo, a freshman, and Bella DiDomenico, a sophomore, were selected as ambassadors for Play Unified at the 2018 Summer Olympics. The two will speak about the program, assisting other schools in developing the program initiated in Old Bridge.

If you meet the requirement for eligibility to receive a property tax reduction, pursuant to n.J.S.A. 40:14B-22.2, You may also be eligible for a reduction on your water

and sewer charges. To be considered for such water and sewer reduction, you must complete the eligibilty application/certification which is available at the township tax office.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR A SENIOR/DISABILITY REDUCTION The application/certification can also be found on the mua website at: www.Obmua.Com under the link for document categories-senior citizen discounts (located on the

left hand side of the home page). If the township approves you for a property tax reduction, then you will also qualify for a water and sewer reduction.

The reduction will be applied to your water and sewer bill in the bill next issued after the township advises the mua that your reduction eligibility has been approved.

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