All Around Old Bridge June 2017 by All Around Old Bridge

OLDB

ALL AROUND

VOL 1, NO 9

BOYS LACROSSE GMC CHAMPIONS

Written By: Ben DiSabatino With time running out in the second overtime period Knights senior goalie Thomas Francy collected the ball, paced around the net and the crease, surveyed the field ahead of him, and darted down into St. Joseph’s territory, ducking, dipping and diving past defenders. As the defense swarmed him, he floated a pass to senior Patrick Rosiak, who secured the ball in his mesh and fired it into the back of the net. The fans, players, and parents at the game played in East Brunswick went into a joyful frenzy. The goal, which broke the deadlock at seven, won the Knights its first GMC Championship since 2013. Senior Micah Trawick, who added three goals and an assist said, “That was the best moment of my career here; my last GMC tournament could not have gone any better.” The Knights celebrated the 8-7 victory by returning to their home locker room and shaving the head of head coach Andrew Boriello. “That was probably the best part (shaving Boriello’s head),” said junior Bryce Walker. “I’ll never forget it.” Sophomore Justin Fox added to the scoring along with Rosiak who each had two goals. Walker led the team with three assists and Francy, the goalie, had an assist and 14 saves on the night. Defenders Larson Wolff and Patrick O’Regan held off St. Joseph’s attack for the last two overtime periods to give the offense a chance to win the game. Continued on page 10

OB RIDGE OLD BRIDGE

Pursuing Progress

Mayor's office of Economic Development

A Publication for the community of Old Bridge

LA FAMIGLIA! GUISSEPPE’S CELEBATES 10 La Famiglia! That’s the feeling that immediately envelops you when you enter Giusseppe’s Pizza & Italian Cuisine on Route 516. Visitors can expect a warm hello and friendly smile from all staff members – and just like that, you’re one of the family. “That’s one of our rules and goals,” says owner Carlo Castronovo, who is celebrating his 10th year in business. “We want our customers to feel like they’re coming into our home.” Mission accomplished. Castronovo, the youngest of five brothers (all of whom are in the pizza business) strives to bring the traditions and delicious recipes of his Sicilian family to Giusseppe’s. He succeeds on a grande scale. Photos of his parents and grandparents, taken back in the homeland, adorn one wall of the newly-renovated restaurant. (A picture of his three chil-

dren is included with those of the ancestors.) Italian art occupies the other side wall; shots of celebrities (from Charlie Chaplin and Sophia Loren to John Travolta) enjoying Italian food hang above the tables toward the back of the eatery. Along with the warm welcome, guests are also quickly swathed in the fabulous aromas emanating from the kitchen, commanded by Chef Tony, a native of Uruguay who spent several years at Manhattan’s Serafina Restaurant. Castronovo, animated and outgoing and who just hit the big 4-0, says he spent about five years in Los Angeles when he was bitten with the acting bug. “I had a couple small parts – in the TV shows “90210” and “Charmed. “But what do struggling actors do to make a living? Work in a restaurant, of course.” He waited tables at Robert DeNiro’s Continued on page 17

13TH ANNUAL BRIDGEFESTBEACH FESTIVAL RETURNS TO OCEAN GROVE NJ Four-time Grammy-nominated and four-time Dove-Award winning Christian music artists, The Newsboys, come to Ocean Grove, NJ for Bridgefest 2017 on Friday, June 23rd. Now in its 13th year, Bridgefest remains the largest and longest-running Christian summer festival of its kind at the Jersey Shore. Bridgefest, the annual outreach event of The Bridge Christian Radio Network, consistently draws thousands to Ocean Grove each summer. “The Bridge has filled in the missing link between talk radio and Chris-

tian music, and between God’s Word and our daily lives. We focus on the straightforward teaching of the Bible, featuring some of the best teachers and communicators in the country,” said Lloyd Pulley, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, co-founder and CEO of The Bridge, and a featured teacher on the station. “Great teachers, musicians, and listeners all come together at Bridgefest to celebrate our common delight in God and His Word.” FOUR-TIME GRAMMY-NOMINATED ARTISTS THE NEWSBOYS,

CREATORS OF PLATINUM-CERTIFIED SINGLE “GOD’S NOT DEAD,” JOIN THE BRID GE CHRIST IA N R A D I O F O R B R I D G E FEST 2017 ON JUNE 23rd Friday’s events include teaching throughout the day, a youth rally, and culminates in the evening concert featuring a message by Pancho Juarez, a celebrated teacher on The Bridge, as well as music by The Newsboys. In addition to their Grammy nominations and Dove awards, The Newsboys are also two-time American Music Award nomContinued on page 6

OBHS ALUMNI WALL OF FAME see page 22 JUNE 2017

@a GLANCE INSIDE

KITTEN SEASON IS HERE! SEE PAGE 2 OB ENERGY AGGREGATION PROGRAM SEE PAGE 4 GRAY MATTERS SEE PAGE 10 OBSSA CHAMBER GOLF EVENT SEE PAGE 23

MORE!

Mayors Message pg3 Think Old Bridge pg4 Old Bridge Library pg6 Senior Scene pg6 Living Stones pg12 In Memoriam pg14 Coupons pg23

AMBOY BANK DRAWS WINNER FOR NEW CHEESEQUAKE BRANCH SWEEPSTAKES

Matawan, NJ- Amboy Bank Cheesequake branch manager, Donna Ostrowski, congratulates Mary Giessuebel as the grand prize winner of Amboy’s month-long grand opening sweepstakes. Giessuebel won a 55” LG Smart LED television. The sweepstakes celebrated Amboy’s new branch at 95 Matawan Road in Matawan. The

bank is continuing to welcome new clients with special deposit offers. Founded in 1888, Amboy Bank, a full-service commercial bank with 23 offices in central New Jersey, prides itself on quality service and responsiveness. They have been voted “Best Bank in Central Jersey” for the past 19 years in a row.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

KITTEN SEASON IS HERE During high kitten season in the spring and summer, it’s not unusual to discover of unattended kittens or a single kitten seemingly abandoned by the mother. You want to help, right? WAIT, before jumping to the rescue, consider these recommendations. 1. Wait and Watch – You might have come across the kittens while their mother is off searching for food, or is in the process of moving them to a different location. Try to determine if the mother is coming back for them, or if they are truly orphaned. To do this, please stay far away from the kittens — 35 feet or more. If you stay too close, the mom will not approach her kittens. You might need to go away completely before the mother cat will return to attend to the kittens. It might be several hours before the mother cat returns — until she no longer senses the presence of humans hovering near her litter. If you need to leave before the mother cat comes back, carefully evaluate whether the kittens are in immediate danger: Is it raining or snowing? Are dogs or wild animals that might harm the kittens running loose in the neigh-

borhood? Does the neighborhood have kids or adults who are likely to harm the kittens? Are the kittens located in an area with heavy foot or car traffic? To help with your decision, it is important to know that it might take several hours for the mother cat to return, and healthy kittens can survive this period without food as long as they are warm. New born kittens are much more at risk of hypothermia than they are of starvation. During spring and summer months, waiting a longer time to see if mom will come back is much safer than during frigid winter months. The mother cat offers her kittens’ best chance for survival, so wait and watch as long as you can. The best food for the kittens is their mother’s milk. Remove the kittens only if they are in immediate, grave danger. 2. If the mother cat returns…If mom returns and the area is relatively safe, leave the kittens alone with mom until they are weaned. You can offer a shelter and regular food to mom, but keep the food and shelter at a distance from each other. Mom will find the food but will not accept your shelter if the food is nearby, because she will not want to attract

JUNE 2017

other cats to food located near her nest. Six weeks is the optimal age to take the kittens from the mother for socialization and adoption placement, and any times after eight weeks will be harder for socialized then they will be better for Trap-Neuter- Vaccine and Return (spay/neuter, vaccination, ear tip, and return to their colony). Female cats can become pregnant with a new litter even while they are still nursing, so don’t forget to get the mother cat spayed or you will have more kittens soon! 3. If the mother cat does not return… If you discover that mom has been hit by a car, or if for any reason it appears that she is not coming back, then you should remove the kittens. This is crucial to the kittens’ survival. But you must be prepared to see this project through to weaning if you decide to intervene!

Old Bridge Animal Shelter wishing you has a wonderful summer.

A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR HENRY

Photo of Mayor Henry Now that Memorial Day is past we are all looking forward to a splendid Summer and lots of enjoyment, relaxation and time with our families. We are so fortunate to be able to enjoy these lazy, hazy summer days in all of our beautiful parks in Old Bridge with playground and picknick areas to utilize for our parties and barbeque’s. June is Graduation Month and we wish to extend our sincere congratulations to all of the graduates, in all of

our schools here in Old Bridge. These children and young adults are our future and we wish them the best as they move on to high school and college and go out into the world to begin their life’s journey. As Mayor, I will be attending several of the local graduations and it is always my honor to be there to see so many of our children succeed. During June we will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Guiseppe’s Pizzeria renowned for his Guiseppe’s Customer Appreciation Day, June 24, 2017. Everyone in the Township is invited to this event and there are many activities for children. It is a great day. Congregation Beth Ohr is celebrating their 60th Anniversary with a Celebration Brunch. What a joyous occasion and we wish them many, many more years. Mazeltov! Most importantly we celebrate Father’s Day. A day to honor all of our fathers who so selflessly go to work everyday to make a living for their families and who in their spare time volunteer in all of the various activities available for their children in the Township. There are no words that can express the love of a father and the love that we have for them. Happy Father’s Day! So everyone, enjoy the summer and relax and take a break! Mayor Henry

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

By Himanshu R. Shah, Acting Business Administrator

Photo of Himanshu R. Shah, Acting Business Administrator 1. COMMUTER PARKING LOTS RESURFACING AND LIGHTING On May 9, 2017, Halebuilt Construction company will begin replacing curbs and sidewalks at Inverness Drive and Westminster Boulevard commuter parking lots. On about May 15, 2017 contractor will perform milling and pavement resurfacing at Westminster Boulevard commuter parking lot. On about May 29, 2017, contractor will perform milling and pavement resurfacing at Inverness Drive commuter parking lot. Each parking lot will be closed during the milling and paving operation. All work is expected to be completed by June 12, 2017. 2. 2014 HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM. The 2014 Homestead

Rebate was applied to the second quarter tax payment due in May of 2017. Revised tax bills for qualified homeowners were mailed out during the first week in April. For additional information, residents should contact the New Jersey Division of Taxation at (888) 238-1233 or the Office of the Tax Collector at (732) 721-5600 ext. 2999. 3. MAYOR HENRY’S CLEAN TEAM. On May 13, 2017, Mayor Henry and volunteers from Boy Scout Troop #36, South Old Bridge Fire Ladies Auxiliary, Saint Ambrose School and the Filipino American Community of Old Bridge will be cleaning litter on Sanfield Road, Kearny Road, Spring Valley Road, Birch Street and Cheesquake Road. On May 20, 2017, Mayor Henry and volunteers from the Calvary Christian School, McDivitt Schools K-Kids Club, Old Bridge Soccer Warriors, Sharks and Cosmos will be cleaning litter on Bayview Drive, Shoreland Circle, Geick Park, Biondi Avenue, Jack Brown Road and Sunset Ave. For additional information, residents should contact the Clean Communities Coordinator at (732) 721-5600 ext. 6107.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

JUNE 2017

THINK OLD BRIDGE by Economic Development Dept.

Photo of Steve Mamakas is the Executive Officer

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development is focused on growth. 2017 Status report More big news the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development works hard at attracting great businesses and we are proud to announce. Old bridge will have its own Meadery. They are the most award winning in the world. Once operational they will be serving and selling wine made from the finest honey, fruits with names like dolce chipotle and black dahlia. Also will include tours and tastings events. The land is being cleared for the new distribution warehouse to be built on Waterworks Road. We are getting closer to the groundbreaking for the first hotel in Old Bridge with 100 rooms that will service the area at Spring Valley Road and Route 18. These exciting projects have shown others Old Bridge is the place to invest and helping to drive the local economy and make Old Bridge a great destination. Stay tuned for more update on these great projects and in Old Bridge T h e Mayor’s O f f i c e of E c o -

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

nomic Development is dedicated to the success of Old Bridge, today tomorrow and the future. Please visit the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to check out all the exciting happenings in Economic Development here in Old Bridge @ facebook.com\obetownedo or on Twitter @ twitter.com/obedonj

OLD BRIDGE COMMUNITY ENERGY AGGREGATION PROGRAM UPDATE 5-12-2017

JUNE 2017

In early 2016, the Township of Old Bridge launched the Old Bridge Community Energy Aggregation Program (“OBCEA”), a new program designed to provide energy costs savings to the residents of Old Bridge. The OBCEA program was implemented under a State law that allows municipalities to combine residents’ energy usage for the bulk purchase of energy supply, and to award a contract to a third-party supplier (“TPS”) at a rate below the price charged by JCP&L. To achieve savings, the Township combined the load of all residential customers and issued a public bid for licensed third-party energy suppliers. After an extensive evaluation, the Township of Old Bridge accepted the bid from the lowest bidder, South Jersey Energy Company (“SJE”). All Old Bridge residential households, (except those who already had a third-party supply contract or an existing solar generating system), were included in the initial OBCEA program eligibility pool; however, all residents had, and continue to have, the ability to ‘opt-out’ of the program

if they do not wish to participate. South Jersey Energy Company began supplying power to OBCEA participants for a 21-month contract beginning with the March 2016 meter reads (MRDs). At one time or another, as many as about 18,000 Township households have participated in the OBCEA program. Participating resident has saved nearly 15% (over $140 on average) on the power supply portion of their electricity bill over the first year of the program. The cumulative, Township-wide electricity cost savings resulting from the OBCEA program so far have been over $2 million. For all of the latest ne w s on the OBCEA, be sure to regularly check www.oldbridge.com.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

WE’RE MORE THAN JUST BOOKS By: Nancy Cohen, Library Director

Download Free Performances with Qello Concerts! In addition to Photo of Nancy thousands of free Cohen, Library book, audiobook and movie downDirector loads, the Old Bridge Public Library is now pleased to offer patrons access to Qello Concerts, the world’s largest collection of full-length live concerts and music documentaries streamed on-demand. Qello Concerts offers wonderful entertainment that can retrieved either at home or away on nearly all digital devices. It’s like a never-ending concert ticket. Qello Concerts features 1,700 concerts and documentaries, ranging from selections from the 1920s to today’s popular artists. Performances span over 30 genres, from classical to rock, reggae to country. There are new releases every week, and an unlimited

amount of downloads are available. Users can experience Qello Concerts on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles and more. To access the service, just log on to www. oldbridgelibrary.org, and scroll down to the Qello Concerts button on the bottom of the home page. After clicking through, you will be instructed to enter your library card number. The Old Bridge Public Library is the first library out of 30 in the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC) to offer this service. I hope you take advantage of this entertaining resource this summer while relaxing at the beach, on your deck or while traveling to visit friends or family. Enjoy!

LIBRARY KICKS OFF SUMMER READING PROGRAM JUNE 24TH

THURS. JUNE 1 – 8TH: BOOK SALE DURING REGULAR LIBRARY HOURS WED. JUNE 7TH 4PM READ TO THE DOGS SAT. JUNE 10TH 2:30PM TAMING OF THE SHREW PERFORMANCE

The Old Bridge Public Library’s annual summer reading program begins on Sat. June 24th with crafts and activities for all ages from 11-2pm. With the theme of “Build a Better World,” this year’s program will focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. Among the day’s highlights will be an 11am program featuring the popular ScienceTellers and their “Tall Ships and Pirate Tales” event. ScienceTellers entertains and educates children and their families with positive, interactive and exciting educational science programs using interactive experiments to bring the sights and sounds of original stories to life. This one-hour session will demonstrate how people don’t just build on land, but on water, too. Attendees will set sail on an action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates marooned on a deserted island. With mutiny and high-tide looming, they must rescue their salty captain and find a way to construct a ship before all hope is lost at sea. Planks, sails, rigging, rails... what else could building a pirate ship possibly

SUN. JUNE 11TH 2:30PM INQUIRE SCIENCE: A NEW SPIN ON ENERGY TUES. JUNE 13TH 6PM TABLETOP GAMES

WED. JUNE 14TH 12-6PM BLOOD DRIVE SAT. JUNE 17TH 2PM BOOK TALK: RITA GIGANTE: GODFATHER’S DAUGHTER

with activities for the entire family, including a surf clinic, face painting, and sports activities, as well as musical artists and vendors throughout the day. Bridgefest wraps up on Saturday evening with an ocean baptism, which has drawn thousands to be baptized in the ocean in previous years. Advance tickets to the Friday evening event are $20 each, and a pass to both days is $25 through June 1st. Tickets can be ordered online at bridgefest.org or by calling 888-861-6100. CONTACT: R ob Tay lor, G enera l Manager, 732-588-0861, rob@bridgeradio.org

The highlight this month is our Dancing Divas & Dudes team, under the Direction of Brenda Christian, who will be performDiane Amabile, ing in their first Senior Center Mgr. off-site show with Raising the Barre Dance Academy at their annual recital on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 12:30 pm. The show will take place at the Monmouth Regional High School, located at 1 Norman J. Field Way in Tinton Falls. The theme for this recital is Seasons of Dance and our dance team will be performing

Form to complete, which will include glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Licensed Lab Technicians will conduct finger-stick assessments and the results of the Glucose and Cholesterol values will be noted on the screening form. Attendees will be then directed to the Blood Pressure Screening and Lifestyle Assessment Education table staffed by a licensed nurse will do Blood Pressure tests and review the screening results with each person and provide relevant information about healthier lifestyles and behaviors. Summer reading kick-off is always a wonderful event, allowing many residents to take advantage of the Library as a vital community resource. Further details and activities are still being developed and updated schedules will be available on the Library’s web site: www.oldbridgelibrary.org.

take? Throughout the story, volunteers from the audience will help explore the incredible science behind clouds, flash paper, air pressure, inertia, explosions and more. This refreshing nautical tale will appeal to families and kids of all ages. Space is limited, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early. One participant will receive a gift certificate courtesy of JEI Learning and all attendees will be treated to ice cream after the program donated by Friendly’s Restaurant of Old Bridge located on Rte 9. In addition to the ScienceTellers, the Library will host a “Build a Cardboard Town” program from 12:30-2pm. Patrons will work together to construct a cardboard town using Library supplies and participants’ creativity. There will also be a 1pm robotics presentation in the Idea Farm makerspace, featuring demonstrations of Finch robots. The Department of Community Health Education at Robert Wood Johnson will also be on hand to provide health screenings during the kick-off celebration. Each participant will be given a three-part Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke Risk Screening

UPCOMING EVENTS: JUNE

13TH ANNUAL BRIDGEFEST THE SENIOR BEACH FESTIVAL RETURNS SCENE TO OCEAN GROVE NJ Continued from page 1 inees, with 33 #1 radio hits, and eight gold certifications. Their single, “God’s Not Dead,” is certified platinum and is featured in the film series by the same name. Duncan Philips, The Newsboys’ drummer who is known for performing while his drum set spins in midair, says, “We played in Ocean Grove, NJ a couple times now and it is a beautiful spot! I can’t wait to come play at Bridgefest. We are bringing all the bells and whistles! When we come to Ocean Grove we are going to have a blast!” Bridgefest continues on Saturday June 24th on the beach in Ocean Grove,

JUNE 2017

TUES. JUNE 20TH & 27TH 11AM GENTLE YOGA FRI. JUNE 23RD 11AM HOME SCHOOL BOOK CLUB SAT. JUNE 24TH 11AM SUMMER READING KICK-OFF SUN. JUNE 25TH 2PM AMAZON ECHO

their selected dance entitled Autumn Leaves. For anyone wishing to attend and support our Dancing Divas and Dudes, tickets are available at the door for $20. Our dancers will also receive honors during the show’s finale. I can’t express how proud I am of these men and women for their dedication and commitment to the Old Bridge Senior Center and for representing us in this most prestigious way. My heartiest thanks are extended to a wonderful volunteer, Brenda Christian, who dedicates countless hours to our dance team. June is World Elder Abuse Month and on June 15th, we invite you to join us by wearing purple for the cause. This month aims to focus attention on the problem of physical, emotional and financial abuse of elders. It also seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities of an aging population and to bring seniors together to exchange ideas on how to reduce

incidents of abuse towards elders. Roosevelt Care Center in Old Bridge will be hosting this event which will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the senior center. This is open to all Old Bridge senior residents, their families and caregivers. As always, please be sure to check us out on the web at www.oldbridge. com/seniorcenter for a full list of our monthly activities, trips and events.

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SPRAIN OR STRAIN? By: Vincent Santorelli

Photo of Vincent Santorelli Let’s talk about something that we are ALL guilty of -- myself included. “Text Neck” is seen literally everywhere in the United States and it can actually be harming you! Yes, the human neck is designed to flex forward, but holding this position for periods of time is unnatural and can have several adverse effects, as seen in the photo. Ok, so your head won’t literally fall off but the

numbers listed on the photo do have credibility to them. In a study published in Surgical Technology International, Dr. Kenneth Hansraj showed that looking down at your phone puts ample amounts of unnecessary stress on the cervical spine. He found that “at zero degrees of tilt, the resting pressure is equal to the weight of the person’s head: roughly 10 to 12 pounds. But for each 15 degrees of tilt, the pressure increases. At 15 degrees, a person feels 27 pounds of pressure; at 30 degrees, it ups to 40 pounds; at 45 degrees, 49 pounds; and at 60 degrees, a person should feel roughly 60 pounds of force on the spine” (Medical Daily). This, in addition to your already questionable posture (yes I’m looking at you), can actually cause several problems including: early wear and tear, degenerative changes, headaches, and loss of your cervical spine’s natural curve. Yikes. Any and all of those effects spell out pain for me. What exactly is proper posture then? Simply put: standing tall with your chest out, shoulders back, and chin slightly tucked. Your spine is in it’s optimal position to carry weight when your

shoulder blades are retracted and your ears are over your shoulders. Without proper posture your spine encounters the unnecessary stresses we spoke about above, and other systems of your body are affected in order to compensate for the imbalance. Muscles can tighten and cause pain in an effort to correct your spinal misalignment. Good posture, however, can have a slew of health

JUNE 2017 benefits beyond avoiding pain in your back. You can actually increase levels of testosterone and serotonin while decreasing levels of cortisol (stress hormone). Bad posture creates so many of the recurring problems we see in our office and taking small, conscientious steps to correct this will help you in more ways than you think. So no, I will not ask you to stop posting pictures of

your food or tweeting about the guy that cut you off on the Parkway, but I will remind you to do it as ergonomically as possible! Hold your phone at or near eye level to avoid flexing your neck too much. Answering your boss’s emails or texting your wife to tell her you don’t actually like her lasagna works just as well in front of your face as it does hunched over. Stay Well.

JUNE 6TH – REPUBLICAN PRIMARY - RE-ELECT!!!! Joe Mollis Councilman Ward 1

Alan Rosencranz Councilman Ward 4

Richard Greene Councilman Ward 5

Lucille Panos Councilwoman Ward 6

VOTE COLUMN “H” ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  Stabilized Taxes  Upgraded Township Credit Rating (AA1)  Improved Township Services  Increased Capital Improvements (Road Paving, Drainage, Curbs)  Supported funding for a new Emergency Radio System  Supported the Energy Savings Improvement Program  Supported the Energy Aggregation Program  Supports THINK OLD BRIDGE & Safe Ride Home Program  Promotes Open Space and has controlled Overdevelopment

Endorsed by: Mayor Owen Henry Council President Brian Cahill

JUNE 6TH – REPUBLICAN PRIMARY – RE-ELECT!!!!

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RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER NOW PROVIDES ADVANCED ROBOTIC SURGERY

Photo of Dr. Sabido and his team of Robotic surgery OLD BRIDGE, N.J., May 2, 2017… Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge has added the latest in robotic technology to its surgical services with the da Vinci Xi®, the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical system currently available. The addition of this minimally-invasive surgical system allows surgeons at Raritan Bay Medical Center to operate robotically in a number of complex surgeries that would otherwise need to be performed through traditional, open surgery. This

is good news for patients as robotic surgery has several advantages over traditional surgery, including; smaller incisions, less blood loss during surgery, fewer complications, and shorter recovery periods and hospital stay. “Joining a leading health care organization has provided us with the resources to make improvements and enhance our services. To date, we have focused on our patients’ and guests’ experiences, adding Palliative Care and Concierge services and forming

a Patient Family Advisory Council, as well as recruiting top surgical subspecialty and primary care physicians,” said Michael R. D’Agnes, president of Raritan Bay Medical Center, referencing Raritan Bay’s 2016 merger with Meridian Health, now Hackensack Meridian Health. “The da Vinci Xi surgical technology is our first major capital investment, made possible by joining the network family, to enhance the treatment options for our patients. As we continue to attract new surgical subspecialty and primary care physicians, adding leading-edge health care technology is necessary to provide them the tools needed to deliver exceptional care.” Raritan Bay appointed Board Certified General Surgeon Frederick Sabido, M.D., FACS, as director of the new Center for Robotic Surgery. The experienced surgeon of more than 20 years has performed over 400 robotic-assisted surgeries and specializes in Robotic Single Site Cholecystectomy and Robotic Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Hernia repair. “Robotic surgery far surpasses any other surgical approach. It greatly enhances the surgeon’s ability to visualize tissue, allowing for more flexibility to make repairs in tighter spaces,” says Dr. Sabido. “This computer-assisted

system gives us very precise control of movement, essential during a minimally invasive procedure.” Dr. Sabido’s case volume and proficiency in robotic hernia repair surgery led the American Hernia Society to invite him to participate in a large-scale collaborative quality study of the procedure, which includes clinical follow-up with his patients for 15 years to monitor outcomes. “Typically, patients who receive robotic hernia repair can resume normal activities immediately, since they do not need to be given narcotics as part of the procedure, with no post-operative or chronic pain or scarring,” says Dr. Sabido. Initially, Raritan Bay will provide robotic surgery in the areas of general and urological surgery and then expand offerings to include other subspecialties. The da Vinci Xi system has a wide range of surgical applications, including; liver tumors, obesity, pancreatic tumors, kidney tumors, bladder cancer, diverticulitis, colorectal cancer, gynecologic cancers and more. The hospital’s surgical suites at Raritan Bay Old Bridge are conveniently housed in the Medical and Surgical Pavilion, a “one stop shop” allowing patients to receive pre-operative testing and blood work, visit their physicians and have their surgery in the same location.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER RECOGNIZES MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH PERTH AMBOY, N.J., May 17, 2017… Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center team members promoted mental health awareness May 12, wearing lime green in recognition of the national health observance in May. Only 41 percent of adults in the U.S. with a mental health condition received mental health services in the past year. Among adults with a serious mental illness, 62.9 percent received mental health services in the past year. If you or someone you love is suffering from a serious mental health problem, call Raritan Bay’s crisis hotline to speak with an experienced mental health counselor. This free, confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 732-442-3794. Bay Behavioral Health at Raritan Bay-Old Bridge, provides comprehensive assessment, counseling and, when necessary, medication management for children (age 8) through adults to achieve mind/body wellness. To make an appointment, call 732-360-4077.

Team members pose for a photo at Raritan Bay-Old Bridge

Behavioral Health team members pose for a photo in Raritan Bay-Perth Amboy’s 26-bed unit Center for Living, providing inpatient care for patients requiring acute care at the hospital.

Team members, including Raritan Bay President Michael R. D’Agnes, pose for a photo at Raritan Bay-Perth Amboy.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 13 hospitals, including two academic medical centers, two children’s hospitals and nine community hospitals, physician practices, more than 120 ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and urgent care and af-

JUNE 2017

The Center for Robotic Surgery’s nurse navigator guides patients through their care, for more information call 1-800-DOCTORS. Raritan Bay’s robotic system compliments other da Vinci robots at Hackensack Meridian Health locations, including; Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, HackensackUMC Mountainside, and Ocean Medical Center.

ter-hours centers. Hackensack Meridian Health has 28,000 team members, more than 6,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves. The Network’s notable distinctions include having one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more consecutive years, the number one hospital in New Jersey as ranked by U.S. News and World Report, consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, a six-time recipient of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” one of the “20 Best Workplaces in Health Care” in the nation, and the number one “Best Place to Work for Women.” Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies. The hospitals of Hackensack Meridian Health include: academic medical centers - HackensackUMC in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune; children’s hospitals - Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune; community hospitals - Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, HackensackUMC Mountainside in Montclair, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley in Westwood

GREY MATTERS

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Written By: Judith Kristen

Photo of Judith Kristen Hello Old Bridge! My name is Judith Kristen. I’m an author, teacher, champion for our animal friends, a Foodie, a Beatles fan, world traveler, a flower box aficionado, and, your new columnist right here at Old Bridge. I write a few other columns else-

where: one close by in Pennsauken, and two not so close by – one in Los Angeles and the other in a charming little place in England called Liverpool. I chose the title Grey Matters” about fifteen years ago when I decided that “Grey” matters. … allow me to explain. One of my students asked me how old I was, and I was quite open about it and answered her honestly. I said, “Fifty-four.” Well, you woulda thought I said a hundred and fifty-four. I smiled and asked her how old she was and when she informed me that she had turned fifteen a week earlier, I answered, “You know I have pocketbooks older than you.” She laughed, the class laughed, and so did I. Laughter is a very good thing. After that, we seemed to get to know each other well - beyond my numbers and theirs - and a great bond was formed. I hear from many of those students to this very day. Connections made and appreciated on both sides of the fence. Now back to why Grey Matters… The Grey matter we normally think of is a mass of neuronal cells that are involved in things like memory, speech

and muscle control. And, greater proportions of grey matter also account for superior performance on language tasks as well as being extremely important during physical activity because it allows you to think and move simultaneously. Not bad, huh? And so, I felt that as we get older, that Grey matter coupled with the “Grey” matter which colors most of our heads doesn’t mean we’re any less intelligent, able, charming, likeable, loveable, engaging, or worldly because of it. If anything, we have even more to offer. So, “Grey” matters … all around. My monthly Old Bridge columns will be filled with many things that will hopefully entertain you, inform you, make you laugh and think and get your groove on, no matter if I have pocketbooks older than you or not. I’m looking forward to my new relationship with all of you - and Old Bridge. Peace and Love… and all good things See you next month! Your new friend, ~Judy

JUNE 2017

BOYS LACROSSE GMC CHAMPIONS

Written By: Ben DiSabatino

lacrosse picture micah trawick, jack starner and bryce walker Continued from page 1 Ahr, Monroe, and St. Joseph’s. This dramatic ending capped off As great as winning the GMC a successful season for the Knights, was, Trawick said he is now focused as it now looks ahead to the state on what lies ahead for the team. tournament. Going 12-4 overall “We can only think about the games and 7-2 within the conference gave we have left in states. What happened was the team even more confidence. great, but I’ll really let that soak in after “Once we got on a roll we felt like so I don’t get distracted,” said Trawick. no one could stop us, hopefully this “I think this team is in great position lasts,” said senior Patrick O’Regan. for next year. A lot of the team was seniors The Knights will head into the but the younger guys are really talented state tournament going 3-0 in their too, hopefully we repeat,” said Walker. last three games, beating Bishop

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

IRAS, TRADITIONAL OR ROTH. WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER? COMPLIMENTS OF OUR LAW FIRM

Written By: Roger N. Levine, JD, LL.M, CPA we choose a Traditional or a Roth IRA? An IRA, what does that mean? The benefits of an IRA are that contributions are often deductible on your tax return and you are in complete control of the account. You may make additions each year and the withdrawal of those amounts plus all earnings on those Photo of Partners amounts are not taxable to you until you Adam Rubin and Roger Levine withdraw. The growth in your IRA will When we first thought “retirement illustrate what is known as tax-deferred plan”, we thought of what our employer compound interest. This can be thought was providing and of course, what the of (and the government promotes this government was providing through thought) as your own personal pension social security. Our employer then plan. Over the years, IRAs have become was probably not our employer later. more popular but some thought they Also “pensions” may have gone with the created a negative tax effect as you wind and we are probably hearing sad withdrew the funds. Senator William predictions regarding the availability Roth of Delaware came to the rescue of social security benefits in the future. and sponsored a new law which is Even where social security is being paid, appropriately entitled…the “Roth IRA”. Do Traditional and Roth IRAs Differ? it probably doesn’t cover life’s expenses What is so good about the Roth as we thought it would. This has evolved into new planning and strategies in IRA? Both Traditional and Roth IRAs today’s world. Even the government allow a deferral of all income for a is proposing that we choose an IRA period of time. With a Traditional (Individual Retirement Account) to sup- IRA, the income is deferred until withplement other types of retirement plans. drawal, whether required at certain When we choose to use an IRA, should ages or you merely choose to take a

distribution after you have reached a certain age. The Roth IRA does not require the participant (contributor) or the participant’s spouse, should the spouse inherit the account, to take any distributions during their lifetime. T h e A m e r i c a n Ac a d e my o f Estate Planning Attorneys has supplied the following outline discussing impor tant dif ferences: • “Eligibility age o Tr a d i t i o n a l I R A : Yo u must be under age 70 ½ in the year the contribution is made. o Roth IRA: There is no age limit for contributions. • Income o Tr a d i t i o n a l I R A : T h e r e are no income restrictions. o Roth IRA: You can only contribute to a Roth IRA if your income is below the current income threshold set each year by the IRS and based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). For 2017, the income threshold for single filers started at $118,000 and ended at $133,000. For married filers, the income threshold starts at $186,000 and ends at $196,000. If your income is within that range,

you can make a partial contribution. • Contribution limit o Traditional and Roth IRA: The individual limit is $5,500 and a married couple has a limit of $11,000. • Over 50 contributions o Traditional and Roth IRA: If you are age 50 or older in the year you contribute, you may be eligible to contribute an additional $1,000. • Tax implications o Tr aditi ona l IR A • Contributions:Maybetaxdeductible. • Earnings: Are tax deferred until they are withdrawn. • Withdrawals: After age 59½, withdrawals are not subject to federal tax penalties, but may be subject to federal and state income taxes. • Roth IRA o Contributions: Are never tax deductible. o Earnings: Are not subject to federal tax penalties if withdrawn after age 59½ and held in the Roth IRA for at least five years. Earnings are tax-free if taken as part of a qualifying withdrawal. o Withdrawals: Contributions can b e withdrawn at any time without penalty as long as they are

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held in the Roth IRA for five years, except under certain circumstances. • Distributions o Traditional IRA: Distributions must begin by April 1st of the year after which you turn 70½. Required minimum distributions are determined by dividing the prior year–end fair market value of the retirement account by the applicable distribution period or life expectancy. o R o t h I R A : No m a n d a t o ry age for taking distributions.” It should be noted that the above rules for distributions apply to the owner and spouse. A different set of rules will apply to both Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs that are inherited by anyone other than a spouse. What about your Estate Plan? There is no magic formula to determine whether a Traditional or a Roth IRA is the right choice. In order to decide, you should consider your financial situation, income tax forecasts, and the ramifications to your inheritors when this passes as part of your estate. In certain circumstances, a Roth IRA would be a better choice if there was an estate tax and the only assets availContinue on page 13

Levine, Furman & Rubin, LLC

Estate Planning & Administration • Wills • Trusts • Probate • Elder Law Phone: (732) 238-6000 • Fax: (732) 238-6055 • www.levinefurman.com F-3 Brier Hill Court, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 • 1072 Madison Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701

Our Free “Living Trusts and Wills” Seminar Schedule June

EAST BRUNSWICK Days Hotel 195 Rte. 18 South Tuesday, June 13th 10am – 12 noon

MONROE Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center Cranbury - South Brunswick 390 Forsgate Drive Wednesday, June 14th 10am – 12noon

To Register for a Seminar By phone: (732) 238-6000 • Online: www.levinefurman.com/seminars *Refreshments will be served at all seminars!

PRINCETON Westin Princeton 201 Village Boulevard Thursday, June 15th 2pm – 4pm 7pm – 9pm

LIVING STONES

GETTING WHAT WE WANT, AND LIKING IT

By Lloyd Pulley, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Old Bridge “All get what they want; they do not always like it.” Aslan, the lion in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, spoke this in reference to Jadis, an evil queen who gained immortality by eating a magical fruit. Many times, we humans get what we want but, in the end, we don’t always like it. We long for that house, or that car, but as soon as we have it, poof! The novelty wears off and buyer’s remorse sets in! This is especially evident in the area of entertainment. We seek amusement by spending hours a day – by some estimates as many as seven hours a day – in front of the blue glow of our tele-

visions, computers, and smartphones. Interestingly, the root of term amusement is muse, which means “to think.” A-muse means the opposite of thinking! We want diversions that essentially turn off our brains. Kings of old depended upon the court jester, wine, and music to put their worries out of mind, and today, we essentially are no different. We want to escape with our entertainment, but do we really end up liking what we get? What would happen if our amusements fortified us while giving us the relaxation we desire? Prior to the advent of glowing blue screens, our entertainment often consisted of well-written books that engaged the mind instead of dulling it. Classics, like The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia for children, brought us to faraway lands and awakened the imagination to a world of fantasy. Our minds were enlightened while they were entertained. Today, reading classics is a dying art. Instead, much of our entertainment disengages the brain and appeals to our lesser urges. It’s no coincidence that our media outlets are summed up by phrases

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE like “sex sells” and if it “bleeds it leads.” While such checking out of our brains seems to be what we want, a-musing ourselves often has an unintended effect. Our current methods of entertainment have begun to pull people and in particular, families, in different directions. Teens are in their rooms on their mobile devices, younger children watch channels dedicated only to them, while parents watch their own programming separately. In other words, our amusements not only disengage our intellect, but they also pull us apart. Sadly, gone are the days when media drew families together. Few recall the era of Roosevelt’s “fireside chats,” when families would gather around the radio for the latest news, or programs like “Little House on the Prairie” and “The Waltons” that were appropriate for all ages. While the lifestyles and modes of dress of these programs may seem archaic now, their themes, like love, faithfulness, honesty, and integrity, are timeless. Still, there is hope. Recently, one 10-year-old boy and his father came up to me after service at Calvary Chapel, and told me how much they enjoy listening together to The Bridge on 91.9 FM. They love the programming,

JUNE 2017 and mentioned how much they are learning. Above all, I couldn’t help but notice – this father and son are listening to this radio station, together. The Bridge (www.bridgeradio.org) airs Bible teaching and contemporary Christian music, all day, every day, and has had a potential listening audience of over three million people in NY, NJ, and PA since its launch in 2003. As evidenced by this father and son, families can enjoy The Bridge together, without disengaging their brains. Amazingly, The Bridge does all this from right here in Old Bridge. In fact, this station in our own town has recently expanded its outreach to include 95.1 FM, broadcasting from New York City near the United Nations Building. With this, The Bridge can potentially reach an additional four million people, as well as 800 language groups, right in the heart of the greatest city in the world! One tiny radio station, broadcasting from our own community, has the potential to engage - not disengage – the hearts and minds of potentially seven million people throughout the region, and is the ONLY FM Christian radio station broadcasting from New York City itself! To help bring families together even further, each year The Bridge teams

up with Calvary Chapel Old Bridge through an annual beach celebration known as Bridgefest. On June 2324th, some of the finest communicators and musicians heard on The Bridge gather in Ocean Grove, NJ for two days of engaging, family-friendly fun. On Friday night, June 23rd, we are proud to welcome Grammy-award nominated, Dove-award winning musical artists The Newsboys to center stage. The Newsboys’ platinum-certified hit song, “God’s Not Dead,” is featured in the popular film series by the same name. Aside from the Friday night concert, the entire two days of Bridgefest are packed full with teaching, music, and good, wholesome family fun, with surf clinics, face painting, volleyball, and a youth rally. The vision for Bridgefest is to bring what goes on, on air, right to the Jersey shore, giving families throughout the region the chance to relax, learn, and come together, all at the same time. Imagine it! Relaxing without the glow of a screen, or the dulling effects of traditional amusements! Getting what we want, AND liking it! Learn more about Bridgefest at www. bridgefest.org or on the backside of this issue of All Around Old Bridge!

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

IRAS, TRADITIONAL OR ROTH. WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER?

JUNE 2017

COMPLIMENTS OF OUR LAW FIRM

Written By: Roger N. Levine, JD, LL.M, CPA Continued from page 11 the Roth IRA funds were used to pay the estate tax, there is no income tax on the withdrawal but of course any withdrawal from a Traditional IRA is taxable even if used to pay the estate tax. Suppose you had $200,000 in a Traditional IRA and your beneficiary withdrew all of it to pay your estate tax, the IRS would collect a cool $70,000 in income tax so only $130,000 would be available to pay the estate tax. However, if the same $200,000 was taken from a

Roth IRA, there would be no income tax on the distribution so the full $200,000 is available to pay the estate tax. Remember, for a person dying in 2017, the total estate would have to be over $2,000,000 for the NJ estate tax to apply and over $5,490,000 for the federal tax to apply. If you do not plan to use income from your IRA for your benefit during your lifetime, the Roth creates a great advantage for your beneficiaries because although they are required to take minimum distributions

based on their life expectancy, none of those distributions will be taxed. Am I l o cke d i n i f I a l re a dy h a v e a Tr a d i t i o n a l I R A ? A Traditional IRA may be converted into a Roth IRA. This requires that income tax be paid on the amount converted. The income tax paid on this conversion will reduce your estate if you are over the exclusion amounts referred to above which may create a significant estate tax saving, or in some cases eliminate the estate tax entirely. For many of

THE STUDENTS AT ST. AMBROSE SCIENCE FAIR The students at St. Ambrose School in Old Bridge displayed their S.T.E.M science projects on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Our event showcased the connection between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. it was an opportunity for our students to explore the natural world and apply scientific skills PHOTO COURTESY: Kathy Mohin

Photo of Hailey Cosentino

Photo of Patrick Grospin

INTERACTIVE MILITARY DAY AT MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: MAY 23, 2017 As a National and State School of Character, students at Memorial Elementary School have participated during this school year in “Operation Thank You,” to bring awareness to the dedication, commitment, and service of the United States Military and enhance the students’ sense of citizenship and patriotism. This has included a visit from active members of several military branches, to share with students firsthand information on what they do and why they provide service to our country. During this visit, the military officers expressed a desire to continue this relationship and returned on May 23, 2017, for an Interactive Military Day at Memorial Elementary School. For Interactive Military Day, Colonel DiMicco from the United States Air Force returned to our school, bringing with him official Air Force heavy equipment and 20 Air Force officers in attendance to conduct the presentation

to our entire student body. They set up four interactive stations for the students to experience. The interactive stations included civil engineering vehicles, a Humvee, an LMTV, and Air Flight Equipment. The civil engineering station had a Street Sweeper, a Dump Truck, and a mini loader. The LMTV (Light Medium Tactile Vehicle) station will allow students to climb in the truck and see how the truck is operated. The Humvee station allowed students to go inside the vehicle and see how it is operated. The Air Flight Equipment included a 20 person raft /life vests for the children to try on, and see a mannequin, along with a simulation of getting the mannequin prepared. Before the interactive experience, Colonel DiMicco and the Air Force Officers will be presented 14 Memorial students with United States Air Force “Dog Tags” during a school-wide assembly. The Memorial School Community

is extremely appreciative and grateful to our fourthgrade teacher, Ms. DiMicco. She has provided Memorial School with our connection to the United States Air Force. She has been gracious enough to share her father, Colonel DiMicco, and he has been kind enough to share his wisdom and experience of 37 years of Military service with Memorial Elementary School. Our school principal, Mr. Raymond Payton, will is the contact person for this event and can be reached at Memorial Elementary School at the following phone number : 732-290-3876.

us it is difficult to consider voluntarily paying an income tax. The benefits of reduced estate tax and providing a tax-free fund for your beneficiaries may make this a favorable alternative. There are complex rules regarding eligibility for Roth IRAs as well as Traditional IRAs. As we are all aware, these rules change often and the penalties for not following the rules may be severe. It is strongly recommended that you discuss the economic benefits of choosing a Roth IRA as opposed

to a Traditional IRA or converting a current Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA with your financial advisor as well as your tax and estate planning attorney. The information in this article is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney in person for legal advice regarding your individual situation.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

IN MEMORIAM

GERARD SPELLMAN G e r a r d J. S p e l l m a n , 8 5 , o f Jackson, NJ, passed away on Friday May 12, 2017 at the Centra State Me dic a l C enter, Fre ehold, NJ. He was born on August 1, 1931 to the late Paul J. and Sally (Mongan) Spellman. Gerard was a native of Brooklyn, NY and lived in Marlboro, NJ for many years before retiring to Delaware. Gerard worked as a financial analyst and retired after a long career with Mobil Oil. He had a passion for coaching youth sports, loved to travel with his wife and children, and was very active volunteering with many different organizations. He was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, CBA Fathers Club, the Knights of Columbus, and Kawinas. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Gerard was predeceased by his loving wife Patricia, his daughter Kathleen, and

PAUL LANGE

his parents Paul and Sally Spellman. He leaves behind his two sons and daughter in laws, Kevin Spellman and wife Jill, and Brian Spellman and wife Shari, four grandchildren Connor, Luke, Casey, and Jack, as well as his brother Paul J. Spellman and sister Joan G Ward. Relatives and friends were invited to visit the Waitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 501 Highway 79, Morganville, NJ 07751 on Wednesday May 17, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Thursday May 18, 2017at 11am at the St. Clements Church, Matawan, NJ followed by interment in the Brig. General William C. Doyle Veteran Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ. For more information or to leave an online condolence message for the family please visit our website www.waittfh.com.

MARY ABITABILE Ma r y Ab i t a b i l e , 8 5 , o f O l d Bridge, passed away on May 1, 2017 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. She was born to the late Antonio and Lucia Pariso in Brooklyn, NY. She married Thomas and lived in Brooklyn for 55 years before retiring to Davie , Florida and then moving to Old Bridge. Mary worked as a Salesperson for Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for many years before retiring. She was an active member of Old Bridge Senior Center. She enjoyed sewing, crossword puzzles and most of all she loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband, Thomas Abitabile, her parents Antonio and Lucia Pariso, Brothers, Andrew, Michael, Anthony, and sisters, Madeline, Catherine, Carmela.

Mary is survived by her loving children, son, Thomas Abitabile and wife Joan of Old Bridge, NJ; daughter, Angela Borge of Georgia; her grandchildren, Kathleen Vitale and husband Michael, Kristen Abitabile, Nicole Griebsch and her family, and great grandchildren Isabella Joan Vitale and Valentina Grace Vitale. Visitation was held on Thursday, May 4, 2017, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and Thursday, May 4, 2017, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Old Bridge Funeral Home, 2350 Route 516 Old Bridge, NJ. A Funeral mass was held on Friday, May 5, 2017, 10:30 am at the St. Ambrose Church, 83 Throckmorton Lane, with Pastor Jack Grimes, celebrating. Burial took place in the St. Joseph Cemetery Toms River. Online condolences can be given at www.oldbridgefh.com

THOMAS NEWMAN Thomas J. Newman, 54, of Phillipsburg, NJ, p ass e d away on Sunday May 7, 2017 at his home, Born on April 7, 1963 to the late William and Frances (Sulesky) Newman in Red Bank, NJ. He grew up in Matawan, NJ moving to Phillipsburg, NJ 25 years ago. Thomas worked as an accountant for Jed Trucking. He was a proud member of the NRA as well as the Easton Fish and Game Association. Thomas was an avid University of Syracuse football fan as well as a Boston Red Sox fan. Thomas is survived by his brother and sister in law William and Patricia

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Newman of Brick, NJ as well as his niece and goddaughter, Margaret Newman. He was predeceased by his parents William and Frances Newman. Relatives and friends were invited to visit the Waitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 501, Highway 79, Morganville, NJ on Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 3 - 7pm. A funeral service was held on Friday May 12, 2017 at 11am at the St. Clements Church, Matawan, NJ. Cremation was private. For more information or to leave an online condolences message to the family please visit our website www.waittnelmsfh.com.

Paul Lange, 92, of Old Bridge, NJ, passed away on Saturday May 13, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on May 19, 1924 to the late Arthur and Armanda Lange in Sorocaba, Brazil, Paul moved to the US when he was 4 years old by way of Brooklyn, NY where he was raised before moving to Queens, NY and then to Old Bridge, NJ 51 years ago. Paul was very handy and could fix almost anything. he loved both Skeet and Trap shooting. He was a self employed upholsterer , he enjoyed listening to music while he worked and horseback riding when he was younger. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. He leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years Trudy, two daughters and sons in law, Rini and Kevin Arvidson, Cathy Lange and Frank Conte,four grandchil-

dren Robert Paul Arvidson, Kelly Arvidson, Alessandra Conte and Domenic Conte as well as three sisters Isabella Eicherst, Hilde Steiger and Irasema Ferrante. Relatives and friends were invited to visit the Old Bridge Funeral Home, 2350 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ on Tuesday May 16, 2017 from 4-8pm. A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday May 17, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Ambrose Church, Old Bridge, NJ. Cremation was private. In lieu

of flowers donations can be made in Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name to Vitas Hospices 1040 Broad Street Shrewsbury New Jersey 07702, 732-389-0066 www.vitas.com.

To submit Obituaries email Editor@AllaroundOB.com

100 DEADLIEST DAYS

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

The “100 Deadliest Days” begins with Memorial Day and runs through the summer. As the phrase states, this is the most dangerous time of the year for new teen drivers. Within this timeframe, ten people are killed each day due to an accident involving a teenage driver. Sadly, this has become a trend for the past 10 years. Summer is a great time of year, filled with sun, fun, and free time. It’s also a time when the roads are loaded with drivers of all sorts, more cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and even more pedestrians. The congestions can cause problems for a young driver who is inexperienced in dealing with various driving situations. Distracted drivers are a constant risk to all motorists, however none more risky then an inexperienced teen driver being distracted. The list of major distractions is one with which we are all too familiar. The top of the list may not be the one you are thinking of as you read this sentence. According to a study conducted by AAA, the leading cause of accidents is the driver talking to, or attending to, passengers in the car. This is

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE followed by the problem most of us were imagining - talking, texting, or looking at other information, on a cell phone. Rounding out the top three distractions for teen drivers is looking at something (inside or outside of the car) other than the road in front of you. Higher driving speeds, lack of seatbelt use, and other distractions in a vehicle, are all other contributors to motor vehicle accidents among drivers ages 15-20. I have personally heard many stories from parents of new drivers and have read the look of tension and anxiety on their face as they smile through the conversation about their new teen “taking to the road”. They are concerned for good reason. According to government statistics, 10% of teen drivers were distracted in some way in accidents that had a fatality. That is the highest rate for any age group. Despite the number one distraction among teens not being cell phone related, this is still a major dilemma for all drivers, especially teens. Many of us remember a time before text messages and cell phones (that didn’t flip or have a touch screen!)...has anyone seen my old Nokia? At this point in time, teen drivers who text,

JUNE 2017 or read a text, while driving, are 20 times more likely to have an accident. Parents of these new teen drivers need to take time (preferably before the summer begins) and sit down together to talk about what it means to drive safely and what the expectations are each time they get behind the wheel. It is our job as parents to remind these young drivers about the very basics of maintaining focus while operating a vehicle. Here are a few tips that parents should review with their young drivers for all seasons, but most definitely as this summer season approaches: Limit passengers - If your teen is a new driver, reconsider allowing them to have passengers in the vehicle. NJ State law helps parents with this one, as it allows only 1 other passenger, if there is no parent or guardian in the car. Limit cell phone use - Some states prohibit teen drivers from using a cell phone entirely while behind the wheel. NJ is one of those states, at least until age 18. In an effort to be practical in this cell-phone world, try setting a limit such as “no cell phone use while in the car” or “only use a cell phone with a hands-free device”. Anything to keep the device out of your young driver’s hand is beneficial.

Talk about travel plans - On road trips and vacations, driving in unfamiliar areas is probably going to happen. Talk with each other about travel plans and map out the route you hope to take so you know the roads on which you should be traveling. As good as you think Google Maps is, don’t rely on it...it has the potential to baffle a driver who may already be confused. It is very easy to panic about missing an exit or making a wrong turn, and a split-second decision could prove tragic. As is always the case, we need to lead by example – take a look at your own bad habits. Do you text and drive or not use a hands-free device? Do you put on makeup, or eat, while you drive? It is harder to tell your child never to do these things if you are guilty yourself. If we can create a relationship with our young drivers that promote a higher sense of responsibility when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, then maybe we can start to turn these “100 Deadliest Days” into safer days that truly deliver on the expected fun in the sun that summer time brings to all of us. Michael Vitale, Licensed Insurance Professional appointed to sell personal lines through Liberty Mutual Insurance.

SUPERVISORY CONTROL AND DATA ACQUISITION (SCADA) The Old Bridge MUA provides safe drinking water and collects wastewater on a continuous basis from the Picture of sixty-five Arthur M. Haney thousand residents of Old Bridge Township twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week all year long. This service is delivered to the residents by dedicated employees using the most technologically advanced tools

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

JUNE 2017

and equipment available in the industry. One of those tools is a computer based control system that monitors water pressures and flows within the water distribution system, and allows operational control of pumps and valves. The wastewater system also utilizes a computer based monitoring tool to track and check for operational status of the Old Bridge MUAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thirty-five (35) wastewater pump stations located throughout the Township. This system is referred to as a SCADA system, which stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. WAT E R D I V I S I O N At the Water Division SCADA Headquarters on Throckmorton Lane, the entire water distribution system can be viewed on computer monitors. The Old

Bridge MUA has water pressure sensors at various places throughout the water system, and water flow meters within booster stations located at Oak Street, Route 516 and Perrine Road, as well as a water flow meter pits on Matawan Road and Clif fwood Avenue. The Old Bridge MUA also operates eight water storage tanks, a water treatment plant at Throckmorton Lane, and a water treatment plant on Route 18. From the Water Division Headquarters, all the water pressures, water storage tank elevations, and critical water flows can be monitored, and adjustments can be remotely made to increase or decrease the amount of water in the system. In addition, the Old Bridge MUA purchases water from Middlesex Water Company and sells water to Aberdeen Township. Remotely controlled valves and booster pumps can be operated from the SCADA headquarters to insure the proper service to both Old Bridge residents and to Aberdeen Township. The water treatment plant on Route 18 is unmanned. The Old Bridge MUA can operate this Old Bridge Plant located at Pine Street and Route 18 from the SCADA Headquarters on Throckmorton Lane. The treatment process for the Old Bridge Plant

is monitored at the SCADA Headquarters by closed circuit TV, and chemical adjustments can be made as necessary saving time and money. S E W E R D I V I S O N At the Sewer Division SCADA Headquarters on Boulevard West, the operation of the entire wastewater collection pumping systems can be viewed on computer monitors. The Old Bridge MUA has thirty-five (35) wastewater pump stations from the southwestern area near Englishtown, to the northwestern area near East Brunswick, and from the southeastern area near Aberdeen, to the northeastern area near Sayreville. These pump

stations convey wastewater through three metering chambers located at Sandfield and Waterworks Roads and Boulevard West. The wastewater is then conveyed to the Middlesex County Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sayreville for treatment to clean the water before it is released into the Raritan Bay. The Sewer Division SCADA system can monitor the wastewater flows and various alarm conditions. The wastewater flow can be shown on graphs and flow trends over time can be tracked to evaluate the operation of the pump station. The alarms conditions that the SCADA system can monitor for all wastewater pump stations include high wastewater level, low wastewater level, backup generator failure, level equipment failure, high motor temperature and intrusion alarm. If an alarm occurs at any of the pump stations, Old Bridge MUA personnel can be dispatched with the proper equipment to address the operational condition, saving time and money.

ALL AROUND OLD BRIDGE

LA FAMIGLIA! GUISSEPPE’S CELEBATES 10 YEARS. Continued from page 1

Ago, and also at Ashton Kutcher’s Dolce. “So I got to experience the best of both worlds – Ago catered to the A-list actors; Dolce was more of the young, hip actors and models. I learned a lot.” When he came back East, Castronovo remembers, “This place found me and I’ve been here 10 years. This is my baby. I didn’t think I’d be here this long, but I fell in love with the town and the people.” And the people are falling i n l o v e w i t h G i u s s e p p e ’s . Comments and reviews on the internet from folks who have enjoyed a repast (of pasta, or veal, or chicken, or seafood, or pizza – and we’ll get to all that in a minute), include a woman who wrote: “What a warm & wonder-

ful little restaurant... Nice decor.. clean.. great service... my linguine & clams was AWESOME!!! The fried calamari is the best around !!!! If you haven’t been you should.” And then there was the businessman who was in town and “wanted to find a good ‘local’ Italian Restaurant to grab a quick dinner at and boy, am I pleasantly surprised! “Great staff, service, home cooked food and pricing are hard to find these days in New Jersey! I definitely recommend Giusseppe’s for anyone who is looking for a ‘low key’ environment for good food in Central or Northern New Jersey.” Castronovo takes the time to respond to those who send comments – both the good and the bad. “Customer service is half the battle. Besides the food being great, what I care about most is the customer service.” That attitude is reflected among the staff. Emily Arrisicato has been at Giusseppe’s for nearly 10 years. The

bubbly waitress also handles most of the catering side of the business. “I love it here, and I love this business,” she exclaims. “It’s fun, like a big family. And we’ll do whatever it takes for a customer. A woman called today and wanted all half-trays for her catering order. We don’t usually do that, but I told her we’d do whatever she wanted. We bend over backwards for people.” Giusseppe’s menu is expansive. Typical pizzeria fare gets kicked up several notches with the addition of Castronovo’s family recipes. A “Clean Eating Menu” is offered, with lower portions, lower calories, and special pride is taken in providing the freshest of ingredients. “We use 100% Grande Cheese,” Castronovo notes. “It’s all natural with no fillers, preservatives or additives. Our tomatoes are freshpacked and our flour is untreated. We make our own mozzarella.”

Chef Tony, who says he has “a passion” for his cooking chimes in: “Fresh ingredients deepen the flavor of the food. If it’s not fresh, it won’t taste the same.” Standouts on the menu include (but are truly not limited to) Margarita Rustica and Las Vegas pizza, Clams Oreganato, the Seafood Combo, Veal Vittoria, and two chicken dishes: Polo Luca and Polo Dora (the latter named after Castronovo’s mother). About 20 people are employed at Giusseppe’s, says Castronovo. Most are part-timers, “but when they come here they stay. They’re all great, but I’d be in real trouble without Tony and Emily. Without them it would be like losing something elemental, like air.” Giving back to the community is also a big part of the Giusseppe’s family. A huge donation jar currently sits on the county to help pay medical expenses for a local boy battling a terminal disease. An upcoming event will also raise proceeds for the cause. “It’s very important to give back,” Castronovo says. “I never say no. We always try to help the people out.” Asked about his key to success, Castronovo doesn’t miss a beat:

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“Honesty. I’m always honest with my customers. If something is wrong or something runs late I’m honest about what happened and I’m sorry. And it’s not just about mistakes – it’s abot everything. Being honest, loyal and sincere. When we say ‘hello’ or ‘have a nice day,’ we mean it.” That’s what Famiglia is all about. ( V i s i t w w w. g i u s s e p p e s p i z zaoldbridge.com for a complete me nu and hour s of op e rati on .

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JUNE 2017

FTD HONORS ALWAYS & FOREVER FLORIST FTD was proud to honor Always & Forever Florist of Old Bridge as a Top 1000 Partner. The Top Partner status signifies their quality, commitment, hard work, unwavering support and operational excellence. Always & Forever is celebrating this achievement with a special coupon located on All Around Old Bridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coupon page.

OBHS ALUMNI WALL OF FAME

Written By Victoria Mione Three OBHS alumni were inducted into the Wall of Fame for their outstanding achievements. Mark S. Schiessel MD, PhD (Madison Central 1975), Ted Maines (Madison Central 1976), and Bill Boland (Madison Central 1988) were recognized for their successes after graduating high school. They were honored during the Senior Awards Night ceremony, which was held May 22 at Old Bridge High School. The Wall of Fame, which began in 2008, honors candidates who graduated from one of Old Bridge high schools, achieved notable achievements within their chosen field(s), exhibited civic and/or community accomplishments, and graduated a minimum of five years prior to nomination. Schiessel was named the 14th president of University of Michigan in 2014 and graduated from Princeton University with the highest honors; he received his PhD from Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, where he served his residency and later was a faculty member, earning multiple awards and fellowships for his research and teaching. Schiessel also conducted postdoctoral

research as a Bristol Myers Cancer Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California – Berkley. He was also a senior administrator at Brown University. Maines studied Business Management and Accounting at Rutgers University while working part-time as an interior design assistant. He worked in management and finances for several years and later reentered the design world as the Chief Operating Officer at HC Design & Development. After holding this position for six years, Maines launched his first design firm in 2007. He opened another showroom in 2012 and rebranded himself as Ted Maines Interiors. Maines was awarded Orlando Magazine’s Best Interior Design Firm in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He is affiliated with many organizations that support children, human rights, and the arts, including: The Nemours Council, Orlando Museum of Art Acquisition Trust, Hope & Help Circle of Life, UCF Flying Horse Press, HRC Federal Club, Equality Florida, and

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Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida. He was named by Orlando Magazine as one of 50 most powerful people in Central Florida three years in a row. Boland is the senior producer of YES network and has won 13 New York Emmy Awards from 2000 to 2013 in categories such as: Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design, Outstanding Edited Sports Special, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Live Sports Event, Outstanding Sports Programming, Outstanding Technical Achievement, and Outstanding Director. He worked at ABC from 1994 to 2001 and has assisted in producing some widely-watched sports events, such as Super Bowl XXXIV, Monday Night Football, the Indianapolis 500, and the Kentucky Derby. In 1996, he served as a production associate for NBC at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta and is responsible for shows such as “Pre-Game/ Post Game Shows” and “The Hot Stove”.

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Photo of Schlissel

Photo of Maines

Photo of Boland

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ADVERTISE HERE! CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 888-523-4331

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