2022-10-15 - The Brick Times

To The Next Level Locals Take Halloween

Lagoon Assessments Questioned

A haunted cemetery lies on the front yard of this home in Lake Riviera. (Inset) Walcott Manor fea tures a 6-foot-tall anima tronic clown, life-sized zombie horse, and more.

By Alyssa Riccardi

BRICK – Zombies, ghosts and ghouls are taking over Brick Township, as these locals bring the “scare” to life with their over-thetop Halloween displays.

Trick-or-treating isn’t for everyone, but residents are sharing the spooky spirit with

their eerie and spine-chilling decorations. For one Brick family, their Halloween tradition has been scaring residents of Lake Riviera for over 20 years.

Mark and Kathleen Strittmatter started their epic Halloween display for their nieces and (Halloween - See Page 19)

COMIC ATTACKED IN VIRAL VIDEO AT LOCAL COMEDY CLUB

By Chris Lundy POINT PLEASANT

BEACH – It’s said that “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.” That’s going to be put to the test as a video has gone viral of a comic at a lo cal comedy club getting a beer chucked at her. However, the publicity

might not be so good for the man who threw his drink.

Ariel Elias was per forming at Uncle Vin nie’s Comedy Club on October 8. She was do ing some crowd work, which is when the com ic interacts with the au dience and improvises.

Anything can happen in a situation like this.

She asked if anyone had any questions for her. A woman asked “Did you vote for Don ald Trump?”

Elias responded “What do you think?” “No.”

“OK…Here’s a ques

tion for you, why would you ask me that know ing I’m the only Jew in this room? Are you try ing to get me killed?” This gets laughs. Then she explains how she voted in New York so it wouldn’t matter. “Ev eryone vote for whoev er you want…I don’t

care who you voted for I’m just happy we’re here together.”

“So you voted for Biden?” The woman continues. Elias said she did and asked why it mattered. The woman responded: “I could just tell by your jokes that (Comic - See Page 8)

Photo by Judy Smestad-Nunn

The lagoon is now navigable after being dredged.

By Judy Smestad-Nunn

BRICK – With a new way of assessing wa terfront properties to pay for dredging, some residents are concerned that the new costs are not being spread out fairly.

Brick officials got a township-wide dredg ing permit from the NJ Department of Envi ronmental Protection,

which means each la goon neighborhood in need of dredging does not have to apply for their own permit and could use the townwide permit. For the Nejecho Beach area, that came with a cost share and an assessment divided between all the prop erty owners.

Long-time resident of (Lagoon - See Page 9)

Italian Heritage Showcased With Food, Music And Shoppers

By Bob Vosseller SEASIDE HEIGHTS

– This year’s Ocean County Columbus Day Parade enjoyed perfect weather capping off the third day of the Italian Heritage Festival.

Families lined the street waiting for the start of the parade.

Mike and Debbie Cruz of Lavallette were standing nearby the stage - having picked up some lunch from one

their favorite vendor.

“We do this every oth er year and it is a nice day to relax and have some fun,” Mike Cruz said. He was enjoying a platter of penne vodka pasta while his wife ate a nice sized eggplant sandwich.

“We have a great time here,” she said.

Across from the cou ple was TJ’s Zeppole’s stand. Workers there

(Italian - See Page 4)

Photo courtesy Kathleen Strittmatter and Stephanie Walcott

were busy baking and sprinkling powdered sugar on their top product.

When asked how many they sold during the weekend, Willie Scala replied, “I hav en’t a clue. We’ve come out to this event for over 25 years.”

Danielle Scala said, “we’re a family op eration. It’s owned by Tommy Scala and we’re from Pompton Lakes. We do a lot of different festivals like this. It has been a busy weekend.”

For singer Steve Silcato however, it was his first time here, singing the smooth sounds of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett. He was singing a rendition of “Runaround Sue” with his audience at the street fair and even got some attendees to sing along with him.

“You’ve been a great audience and I’m go ing to close with the Frank Sinatra anthem,” he said as he belted out “My Way” while on the steps of the parade stage.

Offstage, he shared “I’m originally from Wilmington Delaware but now I hail out of Philly. This is my first year here and it’s been great.”

For little Matthew Hunley of Upper Darby Pa. who was with his aunt for the event, entertainment meant a pony ride from one of the ponies of Honkey Ranch Pony Rides and Petting Farm. “This was fun,” he said. Pony rides and inflatable attractions were part of the children’s entertainment area

behind the food tent on Ocean Terrace.

A number of street performers played music and sang either roaming along Grant Avenue and Ocean Terrace or singing old favorites under the food tent during the festival.

This year also marked the return of per formers who came directly from Italy to be part of the festival and parade which featured floats, local high school bands, pipe bands as well as local organizations and elected officials.

“The parade has become one of the most ethnic in the state and is the highlight of the three-day Italian Festival,” Parade Chairman Michael Blandina said. “The Parade Committee is especially proud to bring new attractions each year from Italy who are bringing a touch of the homeland to these events. This year we continued that tradition with Gruppo Sbandieratori e Musici and Gruppo Folkcloristico Mi romagnum.”

The COVID -19 pandemic prevented all the festivities from occurring in 2020. The parade and street festival returned last year but an entertainment group from Italy could not be secured due to conditions of the pandemic at that time.

Gruppo Sbandieratori e Musici hails from Faenza, a city of just over 59,000 in the region of Emilia Romagna. The group was founded in 1959 to represent and revive live medieval battles. Their colorful flags with heraldic designs fea ture their district and honor to carry on

(Italian - See Page 5)

Italian:

From Page 5

battlefield.

Gruppo Folkcloristico Miromagnum are from a small village with just under 2,800 residents located in the Region of Cal abria. The 22-member group is divided between singers, dancers and musicians and are experienced in folklore. Their performances are choreographed with their musical arrangements.

Members of the Lacey Italian-Ameri can Club once again assisted the Parade Committee in serving up some meals at

the Quonset hut on Grant Avenue from area Italian restaurants and businesses for the two visiting musical groups during the weekend.

During their visit the musical groups enjoyed some day trips arranged by the Parade/Italian Heritage Festival Commit tee. They also made several additional performances around Ocean County at se nior communities and area high schools.

Blandina credited the hard work and dedication of his committee that consists of Band Chair John Giavatto, Groups and Organization Co-Chairs Nora and Clarence Davis, Antique Car Chair Luigi Luongo and Float Chair John Celentano.

─Photo By Bob Vosseller

Members of the Brick Township High School Marching Dragons perform along the Seaside Heights Boulevard during the 31st Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade.

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY

Letters To The Editor

ditorial

Stop Mandatory Pep Rallies

It’s time for me to use my little soap box here for a personal plea: Toms River (and presumably other) schools need to stop mandatory pep ral lies.

My daughter, who is in high school, will tell me of how the entire student body gets taken out of their classrooms for two periods or so in order to stand around the field and chant school mottos. All this so that their football team can beat some other football team.

A lot of the kids do one of two things: they either change the words of the mottos to insult the school, or they stand around and sulk like Wednesday Addams when she had to go to that cheery summer camp.

I don’t think the school officials realize how this is having the opposite effect. They are not cre ating school spirit – they are burying it.

If you want kids to sup port something, forcing them to do it is the last thing you should ever do. Teenagers are rebellious by nature, and they will pull away if you hold on too tight to them.

Plus, are we really telling our kids that cheering for some team to beat their rival is more important than whatever classes they were taken out of? So much for education being the most important thing in school

It shows the students who you really care about. Are there man datory pep rallies for the softball team? No. The chorus? No. Those kids don’t matter. The entire school isn’t being asked to become cheerleaders for the tennis team. Two dozen football players are more important than the other 400 kids in the

school. The students read that loud and clear. The football players know they’re more important, too.

When I was in high school, I knew that some of the football players were anything but heroes.

I’m picking on the foot ball players only because that’s the team that’s be ing put on a pedestal. If it was soccer, then I’d be talking about soc cer players instead. But Toms River doesn’t care as much about that sport.

My father used to be the athletic director for the entire district. Believe me, I understand how important sports are. But officials have to realize that sports are just not important to a great deal of the student body. I would probably say that a majority of students don’t care and no amount of forced participation in school functions is going to change that.

My words will certainly strike a nerve with people who have fond memories of their time in school. My criticism of what schools are doing now have no impact on your memories.

Respect goes two ways. If you’re not going to celebrate the artists or the nerds or the kids who have no clique, then they aren’t going to care about your school.

Do you want to know how to make kids love their school? Stop forcing them to do it. Give them reasons to love it. Listen to them. Learn what they want, and then provide that.

Otherwise, you’re mak ing school spirit the same thing as all other spirits: dead.

Chris Lundy

Editor

Election Will Be Stolen Support Tuminaro, Pavone-Wilson & Dohn For School Board

During the January 6th hearings, we’ve heard from former members of the Trump administration and Republican state officials about how Trump and his allies worked together to try and overthrow our de mocracy because the 2020 presidential election didn’t go their way. Now, they’re working to make sure all of our elections go their way in the future, whether we vote for them or not.

Already, Trumpers in office have changed state laws to weaken our freedom to vote and threatened Republi can election administrators who won’t go along with them. Now, they’re running candidates for key election administration offices, from secretary of state to county clerk. Should they win their elections this fall, these offi cials won’t hesitate to over turn future elections if they or their MAGA allies lose.

This completely under mines the tenets of our democracy. The only way we’re going to protect our elections is to fight back and make our voices heard.

We have to cast our ballots in the upcoming midterm elections. It’s up to us to hold election deniers accountable at the polls and elect democ racy defenders up and down the ballot on November 8th.

Fred Blumberg Lakewood

Since 2012 I’ve lived di rectly across from Central Regional High School, and it’s allowed me to witness so many terrific achievements. So many achievements, that it’s inspired me to submit this Letter to the Editor.

The first thing I noticed was the school partnered with Georgian Court Col lege to allow students to get a jump start on collage credits, at no expense to the student or their family.

Next, I saw the construction of a modern new football stadium, with a high-tech turf field and wonderful accommodations, includ ing grandstands, lighting for night games and a full snack bar.

During this period CRHS became an open school, enabling students from neighboring towns to take advantage of Central’s vast academic, cultural, and athletic programs.

I’ve also been able to get a firsthand experience of the Central educational experi ence through my daughter, a Central grad class of 2016. The teachers, the admin istrators, fellow students, and volunteer coaches all contributed to her having a great experience. How great? She went on to attend Rowan University and get a degree in teaching.

We Welcome Letters To The Editor!

The Brick Times welcomes all points of view for pub lication and provides this page as an open forum for residents to express them selves regarding politics, government, current events and local concerns.

All letters are printed as space allows unless deemed offensive by the editorial staff, and provided they are signed and include address & phone number for verifica tion. Letters may not be print ed if we cannot verify them. Names will not be withheld from publication. While most letters are printed as submit ted, we reserve the right to

edit or reject letters. The weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday. Mail typed letters to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, fax 732-657-7388 or e-mail news@jerseyshore online.com. Letters may be limited to one per month per writer at the editor’s discretion.

The opinions expressed in the Letters To The Editor section do not necessari ly reflect those of the staff, management or sponsors of Micromedia Publications/ Jersey Shore Online. Letters to the Editor are the OPINION of the writer and the content is not checked for accuracy.

Just recently, I bumped into a CRHS teacher at the 7-Eleven across from the school and she told me that the school added new math and language arts curricu lums while also expanding electives for Italian, German, and sign language. It seems that the school’s theme is to keep moving forward.

One Central grad sure knows how to show his appreciation to the school. In April, Cen tral unveiled a new state of the art baseball field, thanks to the philanthropic ways of Central grad and former NY Yankee, Al Leiter.

All of these achievements can be attributed to the leadership team at CRHS and the Board of Education.

Many of us don’t real ize that Board members are volunteers, I was sur prised to learn this myself, knowing what an awesome responsibility a board mem ber assumes. The CRHS board is led by Lou Tumin aro, President and Denise Pavone-Wilson, Vice Pres ident, and Board Member George Dohn. In today’s world which needs more positive reinforcement now more than ever, I just want ed to take a moment to acknowledge the CRHS Board of Education’s ac complishments and thank them for volunteering their time, support, and passion.

Scott Mahnken Berkeley

L.A. Shuck Manchester

GOP Is Not Fascist

President Joe Biden called Re publican proposals “semi-fas cism” during a Thursday Sept.1st speech at a Democrat ic fundraiser in Montgomery County, Maryland.

“The children and grand children of Americans who died fighting the Nazis are now themselves Nazis, says Joe Biden, because they vote Republican;” wrote a conservative correspondent in response.

The lessons of the rise and fall of the Nazi Third Reich, Mussolini’s Fascist Italy and the horrors of WWII are many. One of these lessons is how words can turn neigh bors and friends against the faction being targeted for de monization. One sickening example of how this came to play in pre war Germany is how good decent German citizens allowed themselves to fall for Hitler’s tripe to the point of standing in the streets cheering and ap plauding as the SS squads evicted their life long Jewish friends and neighbors from their ancestral homes, [never to be seen again], while con fiscating those homes and all within them.

Attention parents with chil dren in Toms River Schools: Check out the T. R. Region al School District website under Health and P.E. Cur riculum. You will be upset at some of what you find highlighted! As good par ents, you will want to “opt out” and refuse to let your children be subjected to this

This I say to my fellow and sister Americans: do not let the backed-into-a-corner Democrats, and their care less standard bearer’s fearful remarks turn us against each other, and keep in mind the ages old political tactic explained in the words of Nazi Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels when he said: “accuse the other side of that which you are guilty.”

Lawrence J. Braico Manchester

Do you have something you want everyone know? Is there an issue that needs to be addressed?

“Opting Out’ -a good idea!

inappropriate “education.” Peace be with you!

S

o n g ov E

nt

Bipartisan Group Calls For Feds To Increase Medicare GME Positions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on the Biden Administration to include an expansion in the number of Medicare graduate medical education (GME) positions in the Pres ident’s 2024 Federal Fiscal Year budget request. In a letter to the Director Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Shalanda Young, the senators urged the OMB to commit to investing in the physician workforce.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for policies to support physicians and other health care workers, including the urgent need to bolster physician training,” wrote the senators to Director Young. “[W]e urge you to commit to investing in the physician workforce today to ensure Americans are able to access physician care in the future.”

The U.S. is expected to face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, with projected shortages in both primary care and specialty physicians, as a large portion of the physician workforce is nearing retirement age.

The bipartisan Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021 sponsored by Sens. Me

nendez, Boozman and Schumer would gradually raise the number of Medicare GME positions by 2,000 per year for seven years, for a total of 14,000 new positions. This bill has garnered support from over 200 House members and more than a third of senators from both sides of the aisle.

“We must increase Federal support for GME and physician training now to meet the needs of our diverse and growing nation, ensure health care access and delivery, improve workforce diversity and health equity, and prepare for the next public health crisis,” the senators contin ued. “We urge you to include Medicare GME expansion in the FY 2024 budget. Doing so would further demonstrate the Administration’s commitment to health care delivery and equity, and its support for health care workers.”

Sen. Menendez, who successfully secured 1,000 new GME slots in the FY21 spending deal, recently co-lead a bipartisan group of colleagues on the introduction of the Training Psychiatrists for the Future Act to add 400 new physician residency positions per year funded by Medicare to teaching hospitals for training new physicians in psychiatry and psychiatry subspecialties.

Child Tax Credit Schedule Moved Up A Year

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed S-3046/A-4640, amending the ef fective dates for a previously signed bill re garding state child tax credits. The original bill, S-2523, was scheduled to take effect for the 2023 tax year, making credits available to taxpayers in 2024. The bill signed recent ly pushes that schedule forward, allowing for the tax credit to take effect for the 2022 tax year and for credits to become available to taxpayers in 2023.

“Making New Jersey more affordable for our families has been one of my highest priorities since day one,” said Governor Murphy. “Tax relief is critically important and this amendment will put money into the pockets of families as early as next year. I look forward to our continued progress in making New Jersey stronger, fairer, and more affordable for all of our residents.”

The child tax credit program, estimated to be a $100 million state revenue loss for FY 2023, is available to New Jersey taxpayers with incomes of up to $80,000 and is broken down as follows:

• Resident households with an income of $40,000 to $50,000 will receive a refund able gross income tax credit of $300 for each child

• Resident households with an income of $50,000 to $60,000 will receive a refund able gross income tax credit of $200 for each child

• Resident households with an income of $60,000 to $80,000 will receive a refund able gross income tax credit of $100 for each child

“We appreciate Governor Murphy and the Legislature prioritizing this vital tax credit for working families. The CTC is one of the most effective and direct solutions available for reducing poverty, especially among children,” said Dena Mottola Jaborska, NJ Citizen Action Executive Director. “This fix makes the credit more easily accessible for families who are still recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic, at a time when the cost of raising children has be come prohibitively expensive for too many.”

HANDS FOR ALL

MANCHESTER TIMES

BERKELEY TIMES

BRICK TIMES

RIVER TIMES SOUTHERN OCEAN TIMES

•

Resident households with an income of $30,000 or less will receive a refundable gross income tax credit of $500 for each child

• Resident households with an income of $30,000 to $40,000 will receive a refund able gross income tax credit of $400 for each child

“Working class families need help right now to keep up with rising costs, and this law will make sure the new Child Tax Credit provides immediate relief,” said Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP). “Modeled off of the highly successful federal credit, this program will make the state a more

you voted for Biden.”

“All right,” Elias responded. “I can tell by the fact that you’re still talking when nobody wants you to that you voted for Trump.” This gets a huge cheer.

The woman said something about whether people really wanted her to shut up. The comic asked the crowd to cheer if they wanted the woman to be quiet and they did.

“That was on me for thinking I could have a human interaction,” Elias said. She then moves on from the crowd work to go back into her routine.

That’s when the beer hit the wall behind her. People start saying things like “Are you *expletive deleted* kidding me?” Without saying a word, Elias chugs the beer. The video ends there.

A lot of comedians shared the video, compli menting her on her style and grace under pres sure. It’s now spread worldwide. If you search for “Ariel Elias,” Google will auto-fill your search and add the word “beer” to her name.

“This is the first time this has happened in 19 years,” said Dino Ibelli, owner of Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club. He can be seen in the video crossing the camera’s path to de-escalate the woman.

Ibelli said that the crowd that night was really good except for that one couple.

Trolls on the internet challenged Ibelli about why security didn’t shut it down before it hap pened. He said that when a comic is working

Ocean County Health Department COVID-19 & Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule for October

DATE

Monday, Oct. 17th Ocean County Health Department -

Monday, Oct. 17th Toms River Library

Tuesday, Oct. 18th

Wednesday, Oct. 19th

the crowd, they don’t interfere. He went to calm the woman down and the beer bottle was thrown by a man who hadn’t even said anything yet. He threw the beer then he left immediately.

“It happened so quickly,” Ibelli said. “It wasn’t like Will Smith walking up to Chris Rock.”

The suspect has been reported to Point Pleasant Beach police, and Ibelli said he’ll be pressing criminal mischief charges and the patron won’t be allowed back. Elias has the option of filing more serious charges.

“She didn’t get hurt and that’s why we can joke about this,” he said. Elias will be back again in April.

The video going viral is good for Elias, since it has been shared by the likes of Jimmy Kimmel and The Tonight Show. She’s going to be on Joe Rogan soon.

While this incident rocketed her to inter national notoriety, it remains to be seen if it helps the local club.

“In about a week no one will remember it happened here,” he said.

Point Pleasant Beach Police released a state ment that they responded to the club after being informed of the incident. They were provided possible suspect information.

Club management gave the officer Elias’ contact information. Elias told an officer that she wasn’t going to press charges. She was told the incident was being documented and was informed how to sign a complaint if she changed her mind.

JerseyShoreOnline.com requested com ments from Elias but she did not respond by press time.

CLINIC HOURS

Sunset 2PM-6PM

10AM-2PM

Senior Services 1PM-4PM

Ocean County College

Wednesday, Oct. 19th Jackson Library

Testing 10AM-2PM

10AM-2PM

Friday, Oct. 21st Lacey Community Hall 10AM-2PM

Saturday, Oct. 22nd

Monday, Oct. 24th

Ocean County Health Department

County Health

175 Sunset 1PM-3PM

Sunset 2PM-6PM

Monday, Oct. 24th Brick Library 10AM-2PM

Tuesday, Oct. 25th OC Fire & EMS Academy - Waretown 2PM-6PM Wednesday, Oct. 26th Ocean County College

Vaccine

Testing 10AM-2PM

Thursday, Oct. 27th Bayville Fire Department 10AM-2PM

for children

notice.

Lagoon

Lagoon Drive West Harry Appleheimer spoke during public comment about issues regarding the recent dredging of the Nejecho Beach Lagoon, which has an entrance on the Metedeconk River.

“Anyone on the water is paying double to triple the tax rate of a dry-land lot, and that money does not come back to those property owners in the way of services in any way, shape or form,” he said. “No difference in police, fire, first aid, street cleaning, street paving, snow plowing - no difference.”

What keeps the property value high, he said, is navigable waterways, which, starting as early as 2000, the water front residents have not had, because of a shoal at the lagoon entrance, Ap pleheimer said. “We had a pond, not a lagoon…none of us upstream had a problem with the depth of the lagoon, it was fine.”

Appleheimer questioned some of the assessments associated with the recent ly completed dredging of the Nejecho Beach lagoon. While legal, he said some of the costs aren’t fair.

For example, the two end properties on the lagoon were not included in the $300,000 assessment, which he said is being divided between 25 property owners instead of the 27 who live on the lagoon.

He was told by township business administrator Joanne Bergin that the tax assessor had determined the list from which they were working. Ap pleheimer called the then-tax assessor Michael Kingsbury who said it was his opinion that the two riverfront property owners did not need the lagoon, did not benefit from the dredging and it did not increase the value of their property, so he exempted them from the assessment.

One of the properties has dockside water, electricity, a spotlight, boat bumpers and cleats on their bulkhead, Appleheimer said. The other property has a double jet ski lift and a docking alcove, he added. The two properties combined have lagoon frontage of about 250 feet, and if they were included in the assessment, they would be respon sible for $48,000 of it to be paid over 10 years, which is being paid by the other 25 property owners on the lagoon, he said.

Appleheimer called the tax assessor’s office in August and spoke to Jim Ryan (Kingsbury retired) who said “he was going to stand on Mr. Kingsbury’s deci sion, which I found very unfair based on the fact that they are using the lagoon.”

Also, in the contractor’s itemized contract, the residents were charged $39,420 for placement and grading of 2,190 cubic yards of dredge spoils, which were placed at Windward Beach Park.

“That’s us, paying to grade the sand on the town beach,” he said. “We’re being charged to grade the sand on

your beach.”

The lagoon-front property owners were told that the township does not pay to improve private property, he said.

“Well guess what? Private property shouldn’t pay to improve township property…because that park is going to benefit everybody in Bricktown, not the 25 people who are paying the tab right now to plow your sand,” Appleheimer said.

Another Lagoon Drive West resident Ed Rilho, said that the two properties that were exempt from the assessment, now have dockable space in 80 per cent of their yards for boats that they didn’t have before.

“Before, they weren’t able to use their property, now they can…on us,” he said.

After the meeting, Township Tax As sessor Jim Ryan said that it was correct to not charge the two riverfront homes the dredging assessment.

“Those properties are being assessed as riverfront,” he said in a phone call.

“Their main value is coming from being on the river, so I agree with Mr. Kings bury,” Ryan said.

Brick Memorial High School Hosts Music Fest US Band Competition

– On October 1, Brick Memo rial High School hosted the Music Fest US Band Competition. Mayor Ducey was excited to attend and support these great young people. Mayor Ducey pre sented the Mayor’s Trophy to Stafford

courtesy Brick Township Township Marching Band for having the highest overall score. All of the bands performed exceptionally and our com munity is proud of the Brick Memorial High School and Brick Township High School Marching Bands.

Senior Services: Flu, Pneumonia And COVID Vaccines

– Flu, pneumonia and COVID vaccines provided by the Ocean County Health Department on October 18 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Senior Services Activity Center, 373 Adamston Road. Call 732-920-8686 for information.

“A Stranger Things Halloween Light Show”

BRICK – The Casqueira Holiday Light Show presents, “A Stranger Things Halloween Light Show.” The show will begin September 23, and run until the end of day, on Halloween. Sunday through Thursday the show plays from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday the show stays on an extra hour later, 6:30 to 11 p.m.

This Halloween season, the show consists of over 100,000 synchronized LED lights, and thousands of individually addressable pixels. They will be featuring music from the Netflix hit series, “Stranger Things.” Music is broad casted over Radio Station 103.1FM, that you can tune to from the comfort of your vehicle. They will be collecting monetary donations in front of the house in the lock box, virtually through a GoFundMe account, and donations can be made directly to the organization they have chosen to contribute to. This year’s Hal loween contribution will be 100% donated to Lead U. As an exciting addition to this year’s show, Piper’s Treats LLC (ice cream truck) will be stopping by the light show on our busiest nights with a variety of tasty treats, and some awesome giveaways provided by the Casqueira Holiday Light Show.

Lead U is a positive group of educators who

seek unique, often theatrical, methods of actively empowering children of all ages to help them find the leader within themselves.

Acquired by the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, areas of their focus include anti-bullying, empowerment, mindfulness, and cyber-bullying. Lead U is extremely active in our community and will be doing program ming for various schools in Ocean County this upcoming school year. If you would like more information about Lead U, visit their website here: leaduthere.com.

Alongside the synchronized light display, the family also runs a small business to aid in their mission: facebook.com/casqueiraholidaylight showCRAFTS.

A proceed of every sale is donated to their current contribution through the Casqueira Holiday Light Show.

As a friendly reminder, please be courteous to the property, neighbors, and other viewers. If you are able, please dim or turn off your head lights. Please also be considerate of the music level. They love the enthusiastic viewers that sing, dance, and visit; but just keep the noise at a friendly level for others and the neighbors who fully support what they do.

C ommunity n E w S

lub N ews , A

Brick EMS Employee Spotlight

BRICK – Each month, Brick Police EMS will randomly select by drawing numbers, an EMT from their staff to share a little bit of their background and shed some positive light on their contribution to the Brick Township community.

For the month of October 2022, EMT Jessica Purtell #53117 number was drawn. Jessica joined the unit as a Part Time EMT in January of 2018. In April 2020, Jessica advanced to full-time until the summer of 2021 when she went back to part time to pursue other goals in life. She has been an EMT since 2014.

Jessica has been a trusted and reliable member of the EMS Division for over four years and they hope she stays with them for the foreseeable future.

Recreation Offers Fall Camp For Young People

BRICK – The Recreation Department is offering a Fall Camp to keep young people active during the upcoming fall recess. The Camp is for residents in grades 1 to 8 and will be held Novem ber 7 through November 11, 7 a.m. to

3 p.m. each day. Campers will enjoy trips, arts and crafts, games, sports and more. Campers should bring a lunch, drinks and snacks. The cost is $150 per camper. Register online through the Recreation Department.

─Photo courtesy Brick EMS

p oli CE B lott E r

Ocean County Man Charged For Child Porn

By Alyssa Riccardi

BRICK – A Township man has been arrested and criminally charged for uploading images of child pornography online, authorities said.

Christopher Budelman, 35, of Brick, was charged with Possession of Child Pornography after local police received a referral from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The ICAC Task Force detected that an individual, later identified as Budel man, was uploading images of child pornography to the internet using the Kik messenger app.

On September 27, detectives searched Budelman’s home in Brick and seized a desktop computer with a hard drive containing images of child pornography.

While they were searching the home, detectives learned that Budelman was out of the country and subsequently he was charged on a warrant and his name was entered into the National Crime

Information Center Database.

On October 4, Budelman was taken into custody by Officers from United States Department of Homeland Se curity-Investigations Unit at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security-Investigations Unit, New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department, and New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Budel man’s arrest.

The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are remind ed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Become A Certified Home Health Aide –Tuition Is On Us

NEW JERSEY – Angelic Health offers tuition reimbursement for CHHAs who join us. CHHA offers you a chance to have a career that makes a difference. Call Angelic Health HR Department for more informa

tion at 609-822-7979, or email Careers@ angelic.health.

Angelic Health provides hospice and pal liative care services in New Jersey, PA, and South Carolina.

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OUTPATIENT REHAB:

INPATIENT REHAB:

H ere

s t o Y our H e A lt H

Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

Over-The-Counter (OTCS) Hearing Aids

The final FDA ruling has occurred and a plethora of OTCs will be hitting the market in the near future. Truth fully, these products have existed for many years without any significant regulation. This is a new class of hearing instruments that are more affordable preprogrammed hearing aids designed for milder hearing losses. The “goal” is to make hear ing aids more available to the public which in turn will eventually force the 6-major manufacturer’s (Starkey, Oticon, Phonak, Widex, Signia, Re sound) of hearing aids to lower their pricing. NEWS FLASH! It is very unlikely that the top 6 hearing aids manufacturer’s will lower their pric ing because many of them will also be selling OTCs directly to the public.

The major questions you should be asking yourself is “how does this OTC hearing aid know the degree of hearing loss I have? It doesn’t! These devices are designed for mild to mod erate hearing losses but how does it

take into account the “slope” of your hearing loss? It doesn’t! Unless you take the time to have your hearing evaluated by a licensed professional, you don’t even know the degree of hearing loss you have. I saw several patients last week who had a primary complaint of recent hearing loss in one ear. Both of them had impacted wax and once removed, they’re hear ing was normal.

The bottom line is you typically get what you paid for. Unless you take the time and have your hearing properly tested by a licensed hearing care professional (audiologists), you are throwing away your money.

Dr. Izzy and his Staff are always available to answer your questions about hearing health. His offices are located in Toms River, Manahawkin, and Whiting and can be reached by calling 732-818-3610 (Toms River/ Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Mana hawkin) or visit us at www.garden statehearing.com.

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-276-1011 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

7 Great Ways To Avoid Anxiety And Holiday Shopping Stress

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

The other day I realized why I feel stressed in stores lately. I feel inundated with Hal loween decorations, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas paraphernalia. I’m nowhere near holly and jolly right now, I’m still wearing tanks and shorts!

There used to be some separation in the old days, do you remember that? And Hal loween was often the turning point in the year, but now there are shameful displays that began last summer!

I’m not the only one! It’s called “The Christmas Creep” and it’s intended to get you to spend more money, and much sooner!

There’s no breather between the holidays now. I feel like Lucy working the conveyor belt of chocolates!

While companies will improve their bottom line, our stress as a population will rise. Inflation has created challenges for many, and there’s less money to spend on decorative pillows and lights.

The Christmas Creep is a real thing, and here’s what you can do to cope with it:

1. Avoid stores that cause anxiety. Choose boutique stores, or shop online. Go to stores that respect the time frame of holidays.

2. Practice introspection. Avoid impulse buying. Don’t make a purchase until you feel comfortable doing so.

Purchase things that people need right now like a gift card. If your budget is, bake something or make a homemade craft. People who care for you don’t even need a gift; they just need to know you love them.

3. Stick to a budget. Anxiety sets in when you feel out of control, and if you don’t set a price limit for the holidays, you’ll wind up in trouble come January when your credit card bill arrives.

4. Find out return policies. Will you be able to get a refund on an item if you change your mind?

5. Stay focused and set a time boundary. If you have to go into a store, set a time frame for the item(s) you need. Set the timer on your phone and avoid a tailspin by avoiding aisles that offer things you don’t need.

6. Stay calm. What’s wrong with a cup of warm green tea, or a sniff of lavender? What about 2 capsules of magnesium be fore the trip? These items are calming, as compared to a double-shot espresso which cranks up stress-related neurotransmitters.

7. Limit social media. Online platforms will advertise holiday items to you, and pay to get on your feeds so they can stalk you. For example, google “pilates ball” and you will soon see 2 dozen ads for this! But that’s not all.

There are few things worse for our younger generation than comparing themselves to what their peers are doing. It generates con stant mental mulling, anxiety, and feelings of inferiority.

In closing, kick off the holiday season when YOU want to and don’t feel pressured. Use coping strategies to help yourself, and become self-aware of how certain stores make you feel. Spend your dollar wisely, and do the holidays on your own time frame!

R.C.

&

Inside The Law

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

By: Michael J, Deem, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

On August 10, 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed into law. This Act allows military personnel and their fam ilies who suffered injuries or death from exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune to bring a new claim for compensation.

This new law will affect all veterans, family members and others who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. Unfortu nately, many individuals were exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune during this time frame later developed health problems from toxic water at the base. Over 1 million military service personnel and their families were exposed to the contaminated water and the Government knew it!

The following conditions have been associated with the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune:

•Bladder cancer

•Breast cancer

•Esophageal cancer

•Kidney cancer

•Liver cancer

•Lung cancer

•Adult leukemia

•Multiple myeloma

•Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

•Aplastic anemia and other

myelodysplastic syndromes

•Cardiac birth defects

•Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease)

•Miscarriage

•Parkinson’s disease

• Renal toxicity

•Scleroderma •Infertility

•Neurobehavioral effects

To be eligible to file a claim, the Claim ant must have lived, worked or have been otherwise present at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and harmed due to the base’s contaminated water.

At R.C. Shea & Associates, a firm with over 35 year of experience, a Certified Civil Trial Layer will screen your case.

There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by scheduling a free consulta tion. Contact us now to get started. (732) 505-1212.

affordable place to start and grow a family, especially for those with the lowest incomes. We look forward to working with the Murphy administration and lawmakers on ways to build on this credit in future years so New Jersey remains the best state to raise a child.”

“We commend Governor Murphy for taking

steps to advance the timeline for the state child tax credit. This credit will impact thousands of ALICE families across New Jersey who earn above the federal poverty level but not enough to afford the basics needed to live and work in the modern economy. Eligible families would receive a much-needed financial lifeline, which can mean the heat stays on; child care is covered; rent is paid,” said Kiran Handa Gaud ioso, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Northern New Jersey, United for ALICE.

Fall Fest

BRICK – Brick Township’s Fall Fest will be held on October 15 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Windward Beach Park.

Fall Fest will feature food trucks, games, inflatables, rides, fire pits, beer and wine, a cornhole tournament and more. The event will be closed with a fireworks display!

Admission to Fall Fest is free! Rain date is October 16.

There will also be a Cornhole Tourna

ment that day for people 18 and older.

You only need to register one person per team. Game play will begin at 2:45 p.m. Double Elimination games go to 21. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. Bracket will be posted on site at Wind ward Beach. Must pre-register by Oc tober 15, 2:30 p.m. Cost $10 per team. Rain Date for the tournament (not the fall fest) is October 17. Register online through the Recreation department.

CLASSIFIEDS

Seeking Home

APARTMENT WANTED - For senior healthy female ASAP, 908-910-3046. (40)

SENIOR JERSEY GENT SEEKS

NEW HOME - Semi-retired (fully vaccinated including Pfizer booster) desires lodging in private home. Food fringees too! Call Charlie 732-2163176. Email: cr@exit109.com. (40)

54 Year Old Gentlemen - Looking to seach for apartment/house to rent in Brick or Toms River. Please call Mary Ann 732-475-7770. (40)

Auto For Sale

2018 Hyundai Elantra SE - Red. Auto. 4 cylinder. 4 door. Excellent condition. Only 31,000 miles. Senior owner. Book value, $19,000. My price $16,500. 848-986-0839. (45)

Auto Wanted

Looking For Low Mileage CarFor my teenage grandson. He will treasure it in his memory as his first car. 732-849-5310. (44)

Estate

Estate Sale All Must GoCall 732-267-6232. (42)

Personals

Senior Single Males 70+ WantedFor friendship, companionship for single senior females must have good morals standards 732-6786786 will return call. (43)

Items For Sale

Kayaks Santee Sport 126 - Red/ WH $650. antee Sport 116 orange/ WH $650. Excellent condition. Light weight, epic paddle includ ed. 732-673-7072. (42)

PUERTO RICAN PASTE

LES - Holiday Tradition. Pork or Chicken. Made weekly/Vacu um Sealed. Call/text Cary 908770-8537. $40 dozen. (43)

For Sale - 3 piece queen bed room with box spring and mattress, wood grain. Used only twice, $499. 732-503-3263. (41)

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE JEWEL

RY Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

Cash Paid LP Records - 33/45's, reel to reel's. Fast response, we answer the phone 732-829-5908, 24/7, Eddie. (41)

Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/ dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, ward robes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)

Buying Selmer Saxophones And Other Vintage Models - Also buying World War II Military items.

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$ Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, brica-brac, select china and crys tal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Blues, Reggae, Soul. Very good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-7104. (48)

CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, turntables, musical instru-ments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115. (30)

CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)

Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)

Help Wanted

Carmen's Hair Styles- Help wanted hair stylist with experience. 1900 Rt. 70, Ste 210, Lakewood NJ. 732597-3447. Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carmenshairstyles.com (43)

HIRING NOW!! The Goddard School of Toms River Route 70 is urgently hiring Assistant Teachers and Teacher Aides to float be tween the Infant through School Age classrooms. No teaching ex perience necessary. On-the-job training provided. Multiple PT and FT positions available. Call 732-363-5530 or email dtoms river2nj3@goddardschools.com to schedule an interview today! (t/n)

Home Health Care CompanyNow Hiring RN’s, LPN’s and CHHA in Ocean & Monmouth Counties! Flexible schedul ing. Work in your community. Weekly pay. Career advance ment. Comprehensive benefits. Call 732-505-8000 today. (t/n)

ISO Experienced Body Shop WelderTo work on old car. No schedule. Call Bart 201-249-2400. (43)

Laundromat Attendant - For FT/ PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Trans portation needed. Long term com mitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)

Day Substitutes Wanted for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School district: Couriers, Custodi al, School Nurses/RN, Secretarial, Teachers for Trade Skill Areas-Auto, Construction, Culinary, Electrical, Engineering/Machine Technology, Heavy Equipment Operator, HVAC, Plumbing, Welding or visit www.ocvts. org/employment. EOE. Please email resume to: tedgar@mail.ocvts.org or call 732-240-6414, ext. 3317. (46)

Garden State Medical Centercurrently looking for qualified candi dates to fill their medical assistant, re ceptionist, and surgical technician posi tions. If you would like to apply or have any questions, call 732-202-3000. (45)

Services

Experienced Home Health Aid(s)

Available hourly or 24/7 and ready to assist you with personal care, medication monitoring, driving, grocery shopping, cooking, light housekeeping, companionship, etc. (including patients suffering from Dementia/Althheimer's or any other disabilities). References available. Call 732-910-8869. (42)

Absolute best home improvements!"Building the shore since 1984" Additions, carpentry, windows & doors, roofing & siding, painting & staining, flooring, kitchens & baths, finished basements, masonry, fencing, custom decks, fully insured, license #13VH11804800. $ave. Call Brien 732-850-5060. (28)

Cleaning, Painting, Shop ping, - Window cleaning, laundry, carpet cleaning, office cleaning. Very good prices. Call 732-7735078 or 848-287-3944. (43)

CHEAP PAINTING Done RITEFree est. Senior discounts interi or exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (28)

Computer Tutoring for Seniors –Retired, “Microsoft Certified” in structor. Very Reasonable rates. Very patient with slow learners. I’ll teach you in the comfort of your home on your computer. I can trouble shoot your slow computer! I also teach iPhone and iPad. I set up new com puters at less than half the price the retailers charge. Windows 10 special ist. I can also build a beautiful small business website at a fraction of the going rates. Special Projects always welcome! Tony 732-997-8192. (t/n)

LANDSCAPING - Restorations, Repairs, Stones, Mulch, Sod Installs, Hedges, Shrubs, Bushes, Downed Branches Trimmed & Removed, Dem olition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster ser vice provided by A901 Licensed Haul er ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609-335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000. NO JOB TOO SMALL! (15)

DOWLING FENCE LLC - WE'VE RECENTLY MOVED TO TOMS RIVER! CALL US FOR ALL YOUR FENCING NEEDS. RESI DENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL, BEST PRICING AND WORK MANSHIP! CALL 732-771-5150 OR 732-644-0627. (46)

Property/Management - Brick repair, brick restoration, mulch, stone. Spring/Fall cleanups. pruning, concrete repairs. Call Ken 732-814-7743. (42)

Car Service - 24/7. Doctors, shop ping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family func tions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)

Santucci Painting LLC - We paint it all, interior and exterior, drywall re pair, pressure washing, decks, stained. Email santwag@aol.com. 908-3275471. 13VH05784200. (41)

Prepare for power outages today - with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-833-901-0309. (t/n)

Nor’easter Painting and Stain ing, LLC - Interior and exte rior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-691-0123. Lic #13VH09460600. (19)

Services Services Services

Certified Home Health AidesNeeded for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n )

MY HANDY CREW - Home re pairs, carpentry, painting roofing and siding, decks, powerwashing, yardwor,k all your home main tenance needs. $ave. Call Clark 732-850-5060. Insured and NJ License #13VH11804800. (46)

Bobs Waterproofing - Basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Mold testing, removal and prevention. Family owned. Fully licensed and in sured. Call Bob 732-616-5007. (t/n)

Handyman Service - Carpentry, masonry, painting repairs large and small. 40 years experience. Call Jim 732-674-3346. (39)

Music Lessons In Your HomeBy state certified instrumen tal music teacher. Please call 732-350-4427 for more informa tion. All are welcome. (3)

Cleaning Home or Office -Week ly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly. Available Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach. Decades of Experience, Free Esti mate, Call Nancy 732-674-6640 (43)

ALL American Home Health AidesExperienced experts in the field of trauma and recovery. Holistic approach to healing-nutrition, physical therapy, and quality of life improvements. Hourly or live in. Honest, hardwork ing, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605 (t/n)

PQ Painting & Home Improve ment Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com . Win ner of Angie’s List Super Service Award. Free estimates, reasonable rates, fully licensed and insured NJ Lic #13VH06752800. Call 732500-3063 or 609-356-2444. (t/n)

BE

nephews when they were younger. Now, the couple maps out their extensive decorations every year to add something new.

“My husband does the bulk of the decorating. It takes a good three weeks to get it up and going. We started a little bit earlier this year thankfully,” Kathleen said. “Usually, we do the front of the house and lawn but this year we’re going all the way around. It’s a little more work but Mark started in September. A lot the heavier items are already out, but now we have to put together the little tedious parts.”

Kathleen said the main feature of the display is the cemetery on their front lawn. When you walk up to the house, located at 326 Evergreen Drive, the front gate opens up to a big cemetery with zombies and other monsters. This year, the display will feature a walk-through full of surprises.

“We usually try to sneak in a couple of new and different things each year. This year we went overboard so we’ll have a whole walk through in the back yard. We’ll have witches and other crazy things back there,” Kathleen said.

Their dedication to decoration has even in spired their neighbors in Lake Riviera to join in on the scare.

“The funny thing is we’re in the heart of our neighborhood, so most of the people up and down our street all know and all participate.

We get a lot of people that come from word-ofmouth. People say ‘I used to come here when I was a kid’ so it’s crazy to think we have people’s kids coming who were kids when they came,”

Kathleen said. “It’s always fun to decorate.

When you do it and realize people come because they want to see it and especially our next-door neighbors, they have little ones who are at our house every single day while Mark is decorating. They come and walk through every day because they want to see what’s going on.”

“Since it’s gotten so big, everyone up and down

our street did a little something last year. Our one neighbor put in to have the street closed down to traffic so that we can have more of a safe area to walk around. It turned into a big event last year with so many people coming,” Kathleen added.

With all the traction they’ve gained over the years, the couple will be taking donations this year to raise money for a local cat rescue. During the week of Halloween, they will have all the lights on as well as the fog and animatronics.

“Mark is out there every night creating things. Halloween has always been our favorite holiday. We just love it. His favorite is classic Halloween themes,” Kathleen said.

In another part of town, the residents of 235 Cottonwood Drive have dubbed their display Walcott Manor.

Stephanie Walcott said they started decorating for Halloween when they bought their house in Brick 14 years ago.

“We gradually bought more and more items as the years went on. The display really began to snowball when we were able to get a life-sized

zombie horse on clearance from Home Depot about four or five years ago. That’s when we decided to ‘go big’ with it,” Stephanie said.

The Walcotts work year-round to prepare for Halloween. They purchase new items every year and craft projects for their display.

“We really start scouting stores for new items in the summer. My parents also help by building some items and purchasing special little touches from antique shops. Even my niece has gotten involved by donating her ‘well loved’ and aw fully creepy looking baby dolls,” Stephanie said.

She explained how their inspiration for deco rations comes for TV shows, movies and haunts that they’ve attended. Some of their key features includes a life-sized zombie horse, 7-foot-tall reaper, animatronic fortune teller, life-size cus tom-made guillotine and much more.

Walcott Manor will be on display nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. until Halloween night, weather permitting. On October 29 and Halloween night, they we will be adding atmospheric music, fog and will project movies on the side of the house.

HEATING

Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Something tonight might make you realize that you have not accomplished all the things you set out to accomplish. During the upcoming week, you may need to struggle a bit to satisfy a partner and honor promises.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20) : Some change could be good for your key relation ships. A minor disagreement with a coworker or job insecurity in the week ahead can have a happy ending. Avoid letting someone influ ence your decisions too much.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pay your dues. As the week unfolds, you can work hard to gather necessary experience to achieve your goals. As a cycle moves toward completion, you could gather insights so your objectives may shift.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Something might bring your attention to thinking about how family dynamics affect your standing in the community. You may become more interested in creative money-making activities during the week ahead.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) : Experience can help to illuminate the problems, as well as the benefits, of handling criticism and ad justing to changes. Material success might come from your diligent efforts if you are attentive in the upcoming week.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Instances where you have overspent on impulse items or on entertainment may come into focus for your consideration. You may resolve to adhere to a stricter budget as the week goes by and avoid making impulsive purchases.

By Jeraldine Saunders

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22.): Put things in perspective. Something may give you a differ ent view of a loved one or partner that could cause future misunderstandings. You might choose to make changes in the coming week to better achieve mutual ambitions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Be prepared to be flexible. Avoid career-related misunderstand ings during the next week by letting differences simmer without escalating to the boiling point. Take notes when a partner offers new ideas.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) : Tiny tensions may take their toll in the upcoming week. Family squabbles might require careful handling. Clear the air on the job by changing the subject or by starting something quite new and exciting.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) : Don’t shake things up before you pop the cork. Someone’s bottled up emotions may explode unless they are released gently. Focus on organizing your possessions and budget in the week to come.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Anchor yourself to a worthwhile ideal. You may achieve recognition by following the rules and refusing to be set adrift by difficult people during the week ahead. Family members could give you key insights.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20): You could get a wake-up call about an overemphasis on your finances or an indulgence in extravagances. You might be forced to reassess your budget and learn how to handle your expenditures with more care in the coming week.

THESE PHOTO-WORTHY NOODLE BOWLS ARE PACKED WITH FLAVOR

By America’s Test Kitchen

RICE NOODLE BOWLS

Serves 4

2 Persian cucumbers

2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

8 ounces rice vermicelli noodles

5 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons plus 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, measured separately

12 ounces ground pork

2 scallions, sliced thin

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

1. Trim ends of cucumbers. Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise. Lay pieces flat side down and slice crosswise into half-moons about 1/4 inch thick.

2. In a medium bowl, use a wooden spoon to stir together sliced cucumbers and vinegar. Set aside.

3. Add 2 quarts of water to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn off heat. Carefully add noodles to hot water. Use a wooden spoon to

push noodles down until covered with water. Let noodles sit until tender, about 5 minutes.

4. While noodles soak, in a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and 2 table spoons oil.

5. Drain and rinse noodles in colander under cold running water. Set noodles aside to drain.

6. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat for 1 min ute (oil should be hot but not smoking). Add pork and use a wooden spoon to break pork into small pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pork is no longer pink and is beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.

7. Measure out 2 tablespoons soy sauce mixture from large bowl and add to skillet with pork. Add scallions to skillet and stir to combine. Cook until scallions have softened, about 2 minutes. Turn off heat and slide skillet to a cool burner.

8. Add drained noodles to a large bowl with re maining soy sauce mixture. Use tongs to toss noo dles until they are evenly coated with sauce. Use tongs to divide noodles among 4 serving bowls.

9. Top each bowl with pork, cucumbers, and cilantro (if using). Serve.

(For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. See more online at www.americastestkitchen. com/TCA.) (c) 2022 AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.