TIMES
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
THE MANCHESTER
Vol. 22 - No. 36
Your FREE Weekly Hometown Newspaper | Serving Lakehurst, Whiting and all of Manchester
The Sounds Of Joy, Hope And Compassion
–Photos courtesy America’s Keswick Seasonal music is scheduled to come to a grand finale at America’s Keswick with the annual New Year’s Eve Dinner Concert December 31 where noted Gospel artist Dave Boyer and his big band will perform a modern take on traditional Gospel music. By Lois Rogers WHITING – Since early December, area houses of worship have been welcoming one and all to concerts that sing of the holiday season. And from venerable major annual events such as the annual musical gala at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River which unites the 60-voice Sanctuary Choir December 4 and soloists with a brilliant orchestra, to the contemporary sounds of Emil and Friends December 17 at Christ Episcopal Church, Toms River, the December page of this year’s calendar was guaranteed to answer the prayers of music lovers. Ask those who share their vocal
and instrumental talents during these busy weeks of preparation and those who set aside time to go and listen why these offerings are such an important part of the season and the answers are warmly familiar. Such events, they said, bring back memories of Christmas past and hopes for Christmases to come. “They offer a sense of peace and hope,” said Mary Gualandir, a member of Toms River Presbyterian Church for 25 years who said she could not recall missing a Christmas concert there. During the inter mission at the Christmas Joy concert at Toms River Presbyterian, where upwards of 350 people shared
“Christmas Joy” with the choir, she spoke of the comfort the music brings to the soul and the dedication the all volunteer choir brings to preparing for the event. By its very nature, she said, the concert helps “prepare for the heart of Christmas and they work very hard to do it.” Celeste Evans spoke of how she finds time to attend as many concerts as possible at churches throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons and during the rest of the year as well. “The music,” she said, “definitely fills the soul. It enhances the season.” Evans, a Toms River resident, attends New Life Church of Toms (Sounds - See Page 5)
Inside This Week’s Edition
Business Directory ........................... 22 Classifieds ........................................ 21 Community News ......................... 8-13 Dear Joel ..........................................20 Dear Pharmacist .............................. 17 Dr. Izzy’s Sound News .................... 16 Fun Page ......................................... 23 Inside The Law ................................. 19 Letters to the Editor ............................ 6 Wolfgang ......................................... 27 WWW.MICROMEDIAPUBS.COM
December 24, 2016
Township Adopts Land Use Changes
Samuel Fusaro said. By Jennifer Peacock MANCHESTER – A 30-page The changes range from the reordinance adopted by council with zoning of areas to the allowance the approval of the planning board for new heights for businesses. outlines changes to the townFusaro said “…[The changes] ship’s land use and development include various types of changes ranging in code. The Changes include: sc op e f rom changes seek to improve the •R-20 zone along Rt. 571 c o m p l e t e possibility of ly rezon i ng allows half-acre lots com mercial certain areas development •Increased building heights in the tow n while balanc- •No ban on drive-thru windows to increasing ing residential the height reneeds in a township that’s almost striction in commercial districts completely developed. to eliminating the ban on drive “Residents should understand through windows at fast food that this is a regularly occurring establishments.” – every couple years – action to There’s also the creation of a new reshape the town as different areas R-20 zone along Route 571 and 70, develop or change based on other which would allow homes on halfdevelopment, traffic and other acre lots as opposed to one acre. (Township - See Page 14) concerns,” council vice president
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–Photo by Jennifer Peacock MANCHESTER – Mayor Kenneth Palmer and council president James Vaccaro honored the boys of Cub Scout Pack 44, who collected more than 200 bags of food to donate to St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Lakehurst to help feed the hungry. The scouts each received a certificate from the mayor and a round of applause from officials, family, pack leaders and residents.