2022-10-15 - The Berkeley Times

Berkeley Promotes Two Lieutenants Captains

To Captains

By Chris Lundy

BERKELEY – Two long-serving officers are now fulfilling new roles as lieutenants after being sworn in recently.

Peter LaRocca and Ryan Roth filled the vacancies created by the retirements of Cap tains George Dohn and Phil Smith.

When an officer is considered for promo tion, they take a Civil Service test, and these two received the top scores, Mayor Carmen Amato said.

Ryan Roth was born and raised in town, graduating from Cen tral Regional High School in 1996. He

joined the township police in 2000. According to township officials, he became a Traffic Safety Officer in 2003 and was promoted to sergeant in 2008. His duties included being an evening supervisor, writing grant appli cations, and being a liaison for domestic violence. It was in this capacity that he taught elder abuse investiga tion throughout the state.

In 2012, he was pro moted to lieutenant of the day shift and has been the Traffic Safety Supervisor from 2012 until 2022. He is (Captains - See Page 6)

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 were busy baking and sprinkling powdered sugar on their top prod uct.

When asked how

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

Danielle Scala said, “we’re a family oper ation. It’s owned by Tommy Scala and we’re from Pompton Lakes.

(Italian - See Page 4)

Author Shares Portraits Of The Jersey Shore

By Bob Vosseller

ORTLEY BEACH

- Author Gregory An drus was the special guest speaker of the Friends of Ortley Beach and spoke about his two books “Portraits of the Jersey Shore” and his latest “Sand, Sea & Rescue: Lifeguards of the Jersey Shore.”

Andrus is an author, speaker, photographer and founder of Portraits of the Jersey Shore, where he highlights people he meets and tells their stories. He tells his own story as well: sharing his alco holism and homeless ness as a young man and how he has found a

deep faith and a ruling conviction that every single person has dig nity and worth.

During his talk, the author spoke about the dignity of everyday people he meets and interviews along the coastal towns of New Jersey. He shared some

(Author - See Page 5)

- Photos by Chris Lundy

Peter LaRocca (top) and Ryan Roth (bottom) are sworn in by Mayor Carmen Amato, with family by their side.

We

a lot of different festivals

been a busy weekend.”

this.

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 going 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 Wilm ington 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, entertain ment 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 entertain ment 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 performers 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 Blan

dina 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 Miromagnum.”

The COVID -19 pandemic prevented all the festivities from occurring in 2020. The parade and street festival returned last year but an enter tainment 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 feature their district and honor to carry on the battlefield.

Gruppo Folkcloristico Miromagnum are from a small village with just under 2,800 residents located in the Region of Calabria. The 22-mem ber 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-American 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 Committee. They also made several additional performances around Ocean County at senior communities and area high schools.

Blandina credited the hard work and dedi cation 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.

SeRVICeS

CREMATION $1875

Sherry T.

─Photo By Bob Vosseller Italian folkloric group Gruppo Folkcloristico took part in the Ocean County Co lumbus Day Parade.

of the specific stories of several people profiled in his book.

Andrus also said that since his childhood, he has revered lifeguards, the guardians of the sea. In the summer of 2021, he set out to create a book to honor “these saltwater warriors.”

More than 50 lifeguards from over 20 beach patrols in Ocean and Monmouth counties were photographed and inter viewed for his latest book. “Sand, Sea & Rescue: Lifeguards of the Jersey Shore,” was released a year later during the summer of 2022 and includes photos, text and audio interviews, an illustrated glossary, and a memorial for the two lifeguards who died while on duty during the prior summer. To learn more about Andrus and his work

as an author and street portrait photogra pher you can follow him on Facebook and Instagram at Portraits of the Jersey Shore, or via his website at potjs.com/.

The group’s next speaker series presenta tion is 7 p.m. October 19 at Saint Elisabeth’s Chapel, 3rd Avenue, Ortley Beach. Save Barnegat Bay will present its documentary “DRIFT,” which will take viewers on a journey along the 42 miles that make up New Jersey’s largest body of water, the Barnegat Bay. The film recently won the Audience Award for Best Jersey Film at the Indie Street Film Festival.

Friends of Ortley Beach will hold its October membership meeting after the presentation. Attendees do not need to be a member of the group to attend the speaker event or membership meeting. For infor mation about the Friends of Ortley Beach, which is a non-profit organization, visit friendsofortleybeach.org

Greek Festival Returns To Toms River

By Bob Vosseller

TOMS RIVER – You know autumn is coming when you start to see signs featuring a Greek dancer drawn in blue against a white back drop. Those signs can be seen just about everywhere along Route 37, Hooper Avenue and elsewhere to remind everyone that the Greek Fes tival is coming.

The festival arrived recently, being one of the biggest autumn events around Ocean County and drawing thousands

of people during a three-day period to Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church on Church Road.

The inside-outside event has grown and evolved over the decades and Reverend Father Paul Pappas said “the Greek Festival brings together people of all backgrounds to celebrate all things Greek: the church, the food and of course, the dancing.”

He noted that it takes “army of volun teers over 40 hours of baking” to make

thousands of pieces of baklava and other Greek pastries and desserts as well as the cheese pies pastitsio, moussaka and other delicacies that brought out attendees who feasted inside the church hall as well as outside from various tent vendors.

For nearly four decades the event has been held. Due to the parish hall’s ex pansion, more vendors could be a part of the event. The parking lot area ac commodated vendors and there was also

place for the Greek dancers to perform.

The groups of dancers varied from be ginners to experts, providing traditional dances which have been performed for hundreds of years.

The young dancers performed under the tent with grateful observers show ering them at times with dollar bills as per custom. Tours of the church were also held and the “Kafenio” (coffee shop) was a popular place to stop before (Greek - See Page 6)

Photo by Bob Vosseller

Author Gregory Andrus was the special guest speaker of the Friends of Ortley Beach and spoke about his books “Portraits of the Jersey Shore” and “Sand, Sea & Rescue: Lifeguards of the Jersey Shore.”

Captains:

Continued From Page 1

currently a captain of the patrol division.

He is also pursuing a master’s degree in finance with Kansas State University. He and his wife have four children.

Peter F. LaRocca graduated from Pisca taway Township High School in 1996 and enlisted in the Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst. Following his service, he joined the UMDNJ (Rutgers) Police Department.

In 2001, LaRocca joined Berkeley as a patrolman. Two years later he was appointed

Greek:

Continued From Page 5

you picked up your after-dinner pastry dessert.

Menu items also included baked lamb shanks, short ribs of beef, broiled fish (but only on the Friday of the weekend event) stuffed green peppers and roast

as a traffic safety officer. In 2006 he was selected and assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Strike Force as an undercover investigator. A year later he became a detective for the town, specializ ing in narcotics and burglaries. He became patrol sergeant in 2011, detective sergeant in 2014, and detective lieutenant in 2018. Some of his duties included Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and Internal Affairs investigator.

He and his wife have four children.

Both officers have blue in their blood. Roth’s father worked for Berkeley and La Rocca’s was chief in Piscataway.

chicken oreganto.

Along with soft drinks there was wine, Greek beer, Ouzo and mixed drinks. The outside tents provided gyro bowls, gyros and souvlaki and spanakopita (spinach pie).

Vendors based inside the church’s Athletic Center provided a wide variety of items including artwork, jewelry, T-Shirts featuring various Greek slo gans and many ethnic items. There were children’s books about Greek culture and stories available for sale as well. Outside you could play a game of chance and possibly win a stuffed animal.

Along with Pappas is Savvas Kyriacou the parish council president, Sotris Sergiou, the festival chairman and Denise Galazzo the festival co-chair and numerous volunteers who sported the blue and white shirts signifying they were servers, cooks, and cashiers for the event.

The church encourages all of its mem bers to participate in service, outreach and improvement in their community as well as the global community “of which we are all part of” Rev. Pappas said.

This year marked the 50 th anniversary of the church founded in 1972. “The festival is about coming together as friends, having a good time and saying Efharisto’ - thank you to our communi ty for enabling us to continue support ing our youth projects, the development of our community and many charitable organizations within Toms River,” Rev. Pappas added.

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY

E 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 News Editor

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.

Letters To The Editor

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

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.

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.

L.A. Shuck Manchester

GOP Is Not Fascist

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

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 Berkeley Time s wel comes all points of view for publication 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.

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

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 potlight o n g ov E rnm E nt

Bipartisan Group Calls For Feds To Increase Medicare GME Positions

Capitol Comments

Senator Robert Menendez

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 President’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 work ers, 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 to day 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 por tion of the physician workforce is nearing retirement age.

The bipartisan Resident Physician Short age Reduction Act of 2021 sponsored by Sens. Menendez, Boozman and Schumer would gradually raise the number of Medi care 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 de

livery, 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 (Government - See Page 21)

Trick Or Trunk

BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen Amato and Berkeley Township Recreation are happy to announce the return of their annual Trick or Trunk for children Pre-K to 8th grade from Berkeley Township schools.

The event will take place on October 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. (rain date October 30) at Veterans Park stage area.

They invite you to participate by attending or, they need families and groups to decorate their car trunks and provide treats for ap proximately 800 to 900 kids. Prizes awarded to Best Decorated Trunks.

Vehicle owners will need to register their car by October 22. They are asking families

who plan on coming but not to decorate a car, to donate a minimum of one bag of candy to be sure all kids go home with plenty of treats!

Decorate the inside of your trunk to cel ebrate our Halloween Event. Participating trunks are required to bring treats to pass out to trick-or-treaters.

Register your trunk online at: docs.google. com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3eV8V0fej5wtf0w AOh0BV7njPpIVjIWzx2AufnHzk60e8eQ/ viewform?fbclid, or call 732-269-4456.

They are also accepting candy donations. Drop off your bags of candy at the Recreation Center anytime from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Volunteers Needed For Beach Sweeps

BERKELEY – The Berkeley Township Waterways Advisory Commission is par ticipating in the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps on Saturday, October 22. The event begins at 9 a.m. on Amherst Beach, moves to Allen Road Beach and finishes at Butler Boulevard Beach.

If you are able to volunteer, please bring a bucket for trash. The township will provide some poker/grabbers and bags.

More information is available at: clean oceanaction.org/aboutbeachsweeps

If you have any questions please contact president@berkeleyshores.org

In the October 1 article “Billboard Radiothon Breaks Fundraising Record For Ocean Of Love,” the radio station was referred to as 95.5 when it is really 95.9. We regret the error.

Holiday City At Berkley First Aid Auxiliary News

BERKELEY – The HCB First Aid Auxiliary did it again. Our Psychic Fair held on September 17 was a great success. We had seven psychics that day and each had nine appointments. We were completely booked. Ap pointments were $50 for a half hour reading.

We had one problem. The morning of the Fair one of our psychics was ill and could not make. It was rough, but we managed to secure another psychic to take her place. We want to thank everyone who came out that day to support us. We would also like to thank Holiday City West for their

generosity in granting us the use of their facility for this function.

The Auxiliary is very grateful that all the clubhouses in Holiday City do their best to support us by not charging us for the use of their facility. Without their generosity we could not accom plish what we do. All proceeds will be given to the HCB First Aid Squad.

A special thanks to all the members of the auxiliary who worked hard preparing for and working the day of the event. Note another Psychic Fair is being planned for the spring. Watch your future newsletter for details as they become available.

Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Day

BERKELEY – October 19 is Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Day. For $5 you can purchase a 25% off coupon by contacting hmppta@gmail.com. Coupons must be used in store on that day (certain exclusions apply and will

receive a 20% or 15% discount, see Bos cov’s website or the coupon for details). Share this event with friends and family as an easy way to support H&M Potter School! The school receives the entire $5 for each coupon sold.

Bayville Volunteer Fire Dept. Open House

BAYVILLE – The Bayville Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting an open house on October 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the 645 Route 9, Bayville.

Meet your firefighters. Tour the firehouse and truck bays and see a fire truck and equip ment. There will also be fire prevention and information, demonstrations and giveaways.

The Berkeley Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!

COMING SOON!

Softball Game Raises $5,000 For Oceans Of Love

TOMS RIVER – A benefit game on Sep tember 17 at Winding River Park raised $5,000 for Oceans of Love, a local charity for families battling cancer.

The Toms River Elks 1875 team (light blue) played the Ortley Beach Moose team

(dark blue). Mayor Maurice Hill threw the first pitch.

The Toms River Elks were organized by Denise Peck and the team was managed by winning pitcher John Dowling. Toms River Elks beat the Ortley Beach Moose 20-8.

Terror In The Halls

BERKELEY – Back by popular demand, Terror in the Halls returns for its 12th year! Potter School will be turned into a haunted attraction on October 21 and October 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 per per son and that fee is non-refundable. Remem ber that this is meant to be a scary attraction and not designed for young children. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Terror Volunteers: If you or someone you know are 16 and older, and interested in volunteering for Terror in the Halls, please

complete this form.

Lights On Tour: Do you want to see how our school is amazingly transformed but do not want to be scared? Do you want to see if your youngster can handle the Haunted House? If so, join on October 22 and for $2 per person you can take a behind the scenes tour of the attraction with the lights on and the scary effects off!

A form will be sent home the first week of October, please return the form if you are interested in the Lights on Tour.

Awesome Autumn Campfire

BEACHWOOD –

lawn

re

from 1 to 3 p.m. at Jakes Branch County Park, 1100 Double Trouble Road, Beach wood. Event is free and open to all ages.

NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR SALE at Autumn Ridge in Manitou Park, Berkeley, NJ

the Berkeley Ownership waiting list at AffordableHomesNewJersey.com by November 28, 2022

3-bedroom single family homes will be available (prices subject to change)

Low* $180,610

Low $188,702

Mod $225,116

Mod $237,254

Mod $249,393

in down payment assistance will be available to 5 VERY LOW Income applicants. Net cost to Very low income applicants will be $80,610. Very Low income applicants will receive priority on the waiting list.

first home will be available for sale in December 2022. It will be a Tier 1 home. The other 11 homes are estimated to be completed in 2023 and 2024.

Maximum Gross Income by Family Size

Low Income Low Moderate

$55,177 $88,283

$61,308 $98,052

$66,212 $105,940

$71,117 $113,787

─Photo courtesy John Dowling

around thE JErSEy ShorE

Learn Preparation For Alzheimer’s Care

TOMS RIVER – Understand the beginnings of Alzheimer’s Disease and know the steps for effective, compassionate care through a virtual program series by the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter, to be presented by the Ocean County Library.

“Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Understanding Early Stage” will take place online at 2 p.m. on November 2, 9, and 16. Debby Montone, RN, CDP, CDSGF will explain signal symptoms, effective resource planning, describe components of a care team and strategies for collaboration among team individuals.

In addition to her standing as a registered nurse, Debby Montone is certified as a

community educator and a Support Group Facilitator for people with dementia.

“I have worked with the Alzheimer’s pop ulation for many years in assisted living, in dedicated units and in a dementia daycare setting,” she said. “I developed my love for this population because of several family members including a special cousin who had Down’s syndrome and Alzheimer’s later in life.”

Registration at theoceancountylibrary.org/ events is required to attend this free virtual program, presented in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter. Registrants will receive links to the Zoom presentation by email.

Holiday Gifts, Crafts And Collectibles Faire – November 13

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Historical Society will be hosting a Holi day Gifts, Crafts and Collectibles Faire at Toms River High School South High School Cafetorium on November 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to numerous vendors, there will be baked goods for sale, used books, displays by numerous historical societies, and annual 50-50. There is no charge for admission. For additional information, contact Jeff at 609-339-9134.

Sunday Worship Services of Holy Communion at 10 a.m. &Wednesday spoken Holy Communion at 9 a.m. Christ Lutheran Church

HANDS FOR ALL

Fax 732.350.0343

The Rev. Dr. J. Francis Watson, Pastor 40 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting, NJ 08759 Phone 732.350.0900

A Division of HOMES FOR ALL, INC. A Not-For-Profit Affordable Housing Developer 309 Hooper Ave. • Toms River, NJ 08753

732.286.7929

Fax: 732.286.9698

p oli CE B lott E r

Ocean County Man Indicted In Seaside Heights Stabbing

By Alyssa Riccardi

SEASIDE HEIGHTS – A man has been indicted for Attempted Murder after stab bing his victim multiple times and allegedly breaking into his home.

Porfirio Serrano-Cruz, 38, of Seaside Heights, was indicted on the charged of Attempted Murder as well as Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Burglary, and Possession of Clonazepam Without a Valid Prescription in connection to a stab bing that occurred on June 30.

According to authorities, Serrano-Cruz broke into an O Street home around 5:15

a.m. and stabbed the 39-year-old resident in the chest, abdomen, arms and groin. The victim was able to call 911, and was air-lift ed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. The victim was treated for his injuries and later released.

Serrano-Cruz was later found by police in Seaside Heights and arrested without incident. He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.

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

Senior Programs Receive Increased Funding

By Bob Vosseller

OCEAN COUNTY – Senior programs in the county will be receiving added funds that will allow them to increase their services.

Such services range from home delivered meals to caregiver support for seniors. The county will earmark federal and state funds to help maintain and increase their programs according to Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari who serves as chairman of the Office of Senior Services.

“This funding will help bolster some of the programs that are in place that help to keep our seniors living independently,” Vicari said. He was joined by Maria LaFace, Director of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services during a recent Ocean County Board of Commissioners’ preboard meeting to review how almost $1.4 million will be divided up to support current senior programs.

LaFace said, “we submitted a work plan to the state of New Jersey several months ago providing details on how we anticipate spending the funds to meet priority needs identified post COVID. Since then, we have been working with our advisory council and providers in preparation for distribution of

the funds.”

Ocean County anticipates using $442,296 for community support services, $231,553 for congregate nutrition, $440,124 for home delivered meals, $42,077 for preventive health and $135,168 for caregiver support.

Vicari noted that “each of these areas are critical in allowing our seniors to remain independent. We already support these pro grams for our seniors. This funding will help us maintain and increase the services.”

He added that Ocean County, through its Area Plan Contract with Community Services Inc. delivers more than 1,000 home delivered meals daily to seniors living in Ocean County.

“Recipients are frail, vulnerable and home bound. Additional funding can ensure our seniors do not go hungry. This program serves as a lifeline for many of our elderly as they are not only delivered a daily meal but they have the security of knowing someone will be checking up on them every day as a result of that delivery,” Vicari added.

Ocean County Board of Commissioners Deputy Director Virginia E. Haines noted that as the population ages in Ocean County, there is a greater need for services.

H

t

Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

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!

Fulfill Meal Distribution

At Recreation Center

BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen Amato and Berkeley Township Recreation, in con junction with Fulfill, remind residents that anyone in need of food, for any reason, is

welcome to come to the Recreation Center on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. No registration required. The Recreation Center is located at 630 Atlantic City Boulevard, Route 9.

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!

REHAB:

REHAB:

‘Your Ghost Story’ At Mayo Park Center

BEACHWOOD – Have a spine-tingling spooky season with two horror literature classics. The Ocean County Library Beach wood Branch will present “Your Ghost Story” by the Traveling Literary Theater, 7 p.m. on October 24 at Mayo Park Center in Beachwood.

Bill King and Sandra McLaughlin will deliver hair-raising performances of “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W. W. Jacobs, and “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson.

“The Monkey’s Paw” is a chilling tale of three wishes that are granted to the paw’s owner, and the enormous price to be paid for interfering with fate. “The Lottery” concerns an annual rite in a fictional small

town, in which a community member is chosen by chance, for a purpose that’s anything but lucky.

Established in 2005, the Traveling Lit erary Theater consists of professional actors based in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, and Arizona, who perform dramatic readings and historical interpre tations throughout the US.

Registration at theoceancountylibrary. org/events is required for this free program. For more information, call 732-244-4573. Mayo Park Center is at 501 Beacon Avenue, Beachwood.

Light refreshments will be served, courte sy of the Friends of the Beachwood Branch.

Senior Community Health, Wellness, And Resource Fair

BERKELEY – Senior Community Health, Wellness, and Resource Fair will be on October 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Silver Ridge Park East Clubhouse at 979 Edgebrook Drive N., Berkeley. Take Care of your Health - Free Screenings &

Vaccines. Information on Financial Planning, Caregivers, Monmouth Medical Center & RW JBH Cancer Center. Local Resources include Senior Services, Food Bank, Library & YMCA and much more.

Free Car Seat Checkup

BAYVILLE – Is your child in the safest car seat? Stop by and find out!

A free car seat checkup will be on October 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the

Bayville Fire Department, 645 Atlantic City Boulevard, Bayville. This event is sponsored by the Berkeley Township Police Department.

─Photo courtesy Ocean County Library

eyelids can happen for a myriad

to accidentally sleeping on

If it seems to be a recurring

up too

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

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.

1 million military service personnel and their families were exposed to the contaminated water and the Government

•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.

can’t

a cause,

have a condition called

The condition is not contagious, nor is it typically dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable, causing burning, itching, and leaking. In some cases, it can be a sign of a more serious condition such as pink eye, issues with your cornea, or chronic dry eye, but it can also mean you simply aren’t changing your contacts frequently enough. Avoiding blepharitis will most likely involve some form or eye drops or a change in your cleansing routine.

key to treating most types of blepharitis is keeping the lids clean and free of crusts. Applying warm compresses can loosen the crusts. Then gently scrub the eyelids with a mixture of water and baby shampoo or an over-the-counter lid cleansing product. SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES offers a full range of care for your eyes, from your yearly vision exam to the treatment of medical eye conditions. To make an appointment, please call 732-349-5622.

P.S. Avoid wearing contact lenses during a flair up of blepharitis and continue to do so until it has cleared up.

972-1015

RIVER

349-5622

477-6981

698-2020

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

•Bladder cancer

•Breast cancer

cancer

•Kidney cancer

cancer

cancer

leukemia

myeloma

lymphoma

At R.C. Shea & Associates, a firm with over 35 year of experience, a Certified Civ il Trial Layer will screen your case. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by scheduling a free consultation. Contact us now to get started. (732) 505-1212.

Michael

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 $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

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.”

“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). “Mod eled off of the highly successful federal credit, this program will make the state a more 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 thou sands 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. Eli gible 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 Gaudioso, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Northern New Jersey, United for ALICE.

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 PLACED

around thE JErSEy ShorE

Health App Now Provides More

TRENTON – In an effort to increase access to digital immunization records, the free New Jersey Docket app has expanded to give individuals and their families the option to access all of their own records that are available in the state’s immuniza tion records system, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) announced today.

Availability of vaccination records is dependent upon healthcare providers submitting that informa tion to the New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS). Based on the current regulations, all doses given to those under seven years of age are required to be reported to NJIIS. This means that pediatric records are more likely to be complete in NJIIS than those of adolescents and adults. Parents and legal guardians will likely be able to access their child’s immunization records via Docket.

The free New Jersey consumer access Docket app is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Individuals seeking their full immunization record should download the latest app version: 2.2.44.

The New Jersey Docket app, introduced last summer, initially included COVID-19 vaccine and booster records to enable easy access to a digital record in case an individual lost their vaccination card or needed quick access to their record. The expanded access to other vaccine records is avail able beginning with app version 2.2.44.

The app, developed by New York-based Docket Health, Inc., also can provide access to family members’ records through a shared account.

To date, Docket has about 1.3 million users who have accessed over 1.8 million personal and family COVID-19 immunization records through NJIIS,

which is the state’s central repository for immuni zation records.

The New Jersey Docket app adheres to federal and state standards for data security and privacy to protect individuals’ information. NJIIS records include the individual’s name, phone number, and demographic details which were shared at the time of vaccination. NJIIS also exchanges data with neighboring jurisdictions for New Jerseyans who have received vaccines in Connecticut, Delaware, New York City, New York State, Philadelphia, and Rhode Island.

“Digital vaccination records enable simple access for individuals who wish to access their records for any reason, such as keeping track of when they may be due for certain vaccines,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “Expanding access to those records that are available provides convenience, especially for parents.”

Individuals with an email or phone number on file with the New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS) can access and download their vaccination records using the app. Individuals should reach out to their personal healthcare pro vider if they do not see their full immunization record in Docket.

A new immunization record PDF accompanies the app update, which may be shared as needed during back-to-school season, employment on boarding, and international travel. In future releas es in the months ahead, Docket will also include alerts for upcoming and overdue immunizations.

Docket is currently available in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Ukrainian, with more language trans lations coming soon.

Social Security Administration Establishing National

Native American Office

NEW JERSEY – Acting Commissioner Kilo lo Kijakazi announced that the Social Security Administration (SSA) established an Office of Native American Partnerships within the Office of the Commissioner. This office will elevate and centralize efforts to administer comprehensive programs and policies related to American Indians and Alaska Natives. It will enhance the agency’s relationship with Tribes and serve as the primary point of contact on Tribal affairs for all stakeholders.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing barriers to ensure people who are eligible for our benefits receive them,” Acting Commissioner Kijakazi said. “Establishing our new Office of Native American Partnerships strengthens that commitment by providing Tribal communities more representation and a strong advocate, messenger, and facilitator within Social Security’s Office of the Com missioner.”

The Office of Native American Partnerships will be responsible for many functions to assist Tribal communities throughout the country.

It will seek to improve services to commu nities by engaging in meaningful national and regional policy consultations, roundta ble discussions, and seminars with Tribal and Federal experts. It will also coordinate internal agency Native American efforts, increase external program awareness to the Tribal community, help to recruit a diverse candidate pool for hiring at all levels of So cial Security, and serve as the primary point of contact for Tribal Government Offices to foster transparency and collaboration. Addi tionally, the office will conduct ongoing data collection and analysis to improve outreach to Tribal communities.

Establishing the Office of Native American Partnerships supports President Biden’s 2021 Executive Order (EO) 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities, as well as other Federal guid ance on coordination and collaboration with Tribal Governments.

To learn more, visit American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) | SSA.

Busy Bee

around thE JErSEy ShorE

Grand Opening Of “Gator Store”

OCEAN GATE – Thank you to Board of Education President, Mr. Casey, Councilman Bruce Cox, and Councilwoman Joella Nicas tro for being the special guests for the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of “Gator Store!”

The store’s Visionary & GM, Ms. Chelsy, was eager to help Tripp cut the ceremonial ribbon to make the opening become a reality. The 6th

─Photo courtesy Ocean Gate School Gators listened to wonderful advice on kindness and financial literacy from our special guests! September 30 was the initial party of the first “Gator Payday,” and students are so eager to partake in this new Gator venture. They appreciate every donation that they received from residents and local sponsors for the store’s inventory, and thanks to the PTOs donations and help spreading the word!

“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 con sists of over 100,000 synchronized LED lights, and thousands of individually addressable pixels. They will be featur ing music from the Netflix hit series, “Stranger Things.” Music is broadcasted over Radio Station 103.1FM, that you can tune to from the comfort of your vehicle.

They will be collecting monetary dona tions 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 contrib ute to. This year’s Halloween contribu tion 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 bus iest 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 educa

tors who seek unique, often theatrical, methods of actively empowering chil dren 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 an ti-bullying, empowerment, mindfulness, and cyber-bullying. Lead U is extremely active in our community and will be doing programming 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 dis play, the family also runs a small business to aid in their mission: facebook.com/ casqueiraholidaylightshowCRAFTS.

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

As a friendly reminder, please be courte ous to the property, neighbors, and other viewers. If you are able, please dim or turn off your headlights. 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.

photo of thE wEEk

Photographer Jo Lucas was in the right place at the right time when he captured the amazing Hunters Moon and Old Barney in all its glory. Thankfully, the scaffolding has come down as most of the renovations have been completed and he’s ready for a new light at the end of the month. If you would like to see your pix featured here, email photos@jerseyshoreonline.com

Angelic Health Hospice Looking For Volunteers In Monmouth And Ocean Counties

JERSEY SHORE – For as little as an hour or two a month you can make a difference to a hospice patient in your community. Angelic Health Palliative & Hospice Care is asking you to share your time and com passion to those on their final journey. Your volunteer service will fit your schedule and interests, and visit assignments are your choice.

For more information visit their website at Angelic.health, email volunteer@Angelic. health, or call 609-432-0073.

Your visits can mean so very much to hospice patients and their loved ones.

Volunteer activities can include:

• Reading, playing music, card games, or crafts activities.

• Listening to and documenting their memories for a life or memory journal.

• Staying with patients to give family members a break to run errands or take care of their own needs.

• Certified Pet Visitors for animal lovers.

• Keeping vigil with patients in their final hours.

• Bereavement and grief support of family.

• Military Veterans Visiting Veterans

Berkeley School District Now Hiring

BERKELEY – The Berkeley Township School District is currently accepting ap plications for a School Nurse vacancy as well as Classroom Aides (60 college credits needed) and Personal Care Assistants (high

school diploma needed).

Visit the district website at btboe.org.

Click on: Board of Education > Board Documents and resources > Employment Opportunities.

Crestwood Village 3 Residents Club Dance

WHITING – Crestwood Village 3 Resident Club dance will be held on October 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Unity Hall, 250 Schoolhouse Road Whiting.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, nonrefundable unless cancelled.

Included is coffee, tea, soda, water, chips and dessert. BYOB. Music by DJ Johnny’s Magic Moments.

Tickets on sale at Unity Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

You can buy tickets at the door if still available.

Third Annual Riding Safe For Richie Fundraiser

JACKSON – Third Annual Riding Safe

For Richie Fundraiser will be on Octo ber 15 at 2 p.m. located at the AMVETS Post 2, 1290 Toms River Road, Jackson.

Entrance fee of $20 per person which includes door prize. Delicious Food and DJ. Tons of baskets to be raffled as well as a true 50/50.

Omarr’s Astrological

the week

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.

(c) 2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

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.)

2022 AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.