HOWELL – Howell Township, like many other towns, have continuously worked on recovering from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. Throughout the year, the Township also welcomed some new faces to the council and school district.
The year started off with the Township Council voting Councilwoman Pamela Richmond as the new Deputy Mayor at
(Howell - See Page 12)
HOWELL – The local governing body’s choice of its township manager bears no relation to an “out with the old and in with the new” decision. Indeed, it resembles quite the contrary.
Deputy Mayor Pamela Richmond ran the December 13th Township Council meeting where the three members present unanimously voted to elevate Howell’s Interim Township Manager
Joe Clark to township manager.
Clark became the acting township manager this spring after former Township Manager Brian Geoghegan was placed on a three-month leave. After Geoghegan’s departure in August, local authorities named Clark the township’s interim manager.
Previously, Clark had been Howell’s full-time in-house township attorney (Manager - See Page 2)
(Above): Howell BOE congratulated its elected members Jennifer Okerson, MaryRose Malley and Stephen M. Levine. (Center): From left, Commissioners Ross Licitra, Tom Arnone, Lillian Burry, Councilwomen Evelyn O’Donnell and Pamela Richmond, Chaplain Casey, Commissioner Sue Kiley and County Clerk Christine Giodano Hanlon were among the officials on hand. (Below): Police Chief John Storrow, shown here speaking at the ceremony remembering the attacks on September 11, 2001, became Howell’s new chief.
LAKEWOOD - Little did anyone know that when the five founding members of a local hobby club first formed their group in 1987 that it would still be running strong 35 years later. But that’s exactly
what happened, and the Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders (OCSMR) recently had their open house Christmas Train Show on Dec. 10 and 11 to demonstrate to the general public just how
(Train - See Page 3)
since December 2017. He has more than 20 years of experience in private practice.
Richmond said Mayor Theresa Berger and outgoing Councilman John Bonevich cited conflicts that kept them from the regularly scheduled meeting. Berger and Bonevich are Democrats; Richmond, Councilwomen Suzanne Brennan
and Evelyn O’Donnell are all Republicans.
Fred Gasior, Susan Fischer, and Ian Nadel, all Republicans and Council member-elects, sat on the dais with existing council members. Richmond said the move was a tradition within the township.
Before approving Clark as the township manager, existing and prospective township council members spoke about their observations and interactions with him.
Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell said she’s lived in Howell since she was four years old and
credited Clark for creating a sense of excitement she hasn’t seen in years within the community. Richmond, whose term ends this year, admitted she felt “gypped” as a member of the Council during COVID and a not a very active prior manager.
“Working with Joe Clark makes me almost want to stay up here for another couple of years,” Richmond said. “He has brought so much to the table….I want to be that township that other towns look at and say, I want a manager like that.”
Richmond prepared a more than 40-point breakdown of Clark’s accomplishments that she supplied to The Howell Times for review. The list includes everything from working with the local PBA concerning their grievances and selection of a new police chief to collaborating with the Department of Public Works on various projects, overseeing the expansion of townwide events, and introducing new activities.
Clark is credited with revamping the township website, highlighting preserved and open space properties in the township, and working on plans involving area youth, seniors and veterans. He’s already started working with department heads on the 2023 budget.
“Since Mr. Clark has taken the seat as interim manager, he has been diligent in his efforts to gain even more knowledge of our town, if that’s even possible,” added Councilwoman Suzanne Brennan. “I’ve worked with him on various projects and his professionalism is unparalleled. He’s got a team around him that he works well with, and I can’t imagine anybody more well-suited for this position. To bring somebody in from the outside, I think, would be detrimental to our town.”
Brennan’s latter statement appeared to be in response to a comment offered during the public session. Howell resident Lawrence White said that he did not personally know Clark but suggested his record within the community was short. He suggested that a thorough and wide search should have included consideration of several candidates before making the selection.
The sentiment was one later somewhat echoed by another resident, Marc Parisi, who said he reviewed best practice guidelines commonly used in the recruitment of local government administrators.
“Under our form of government, the township manager is the CEO and oversees all departments and personnel,” Parisi stated. “I share residents’ concerns our Council did not conduct a search and interview from a pool of candidates. This would have followed best practices according to the International City Managers Association.
“That said, our Council believes Mr. Clark has the experience and knowledge to do the job,” continued Parisi. “I appreciate how they arrived at their decision and respect it. I wish him well and hope he will fairly and impartially serve the best interests of Howell and all residents.”
Along with bringing a unique perspective to his new role, Clark appears to offer something else of importance. Authorities report morale among employees began improving once Clark assumed the helm at the interim level. Perhaps that has something to do with the new township manager’s attitude toward working with others.
“A Manager is only as good as the people he works with, and I am fortunate to be surrounded by excellence at all levels,” said Clark. “I am looking forward to working with all of our talented employees, community members, township council, and police department to make Howell an even better place for everyone.”
The resolution appointing Clark as township manager went into effect on December 14, 2022. Clark will be compensated at an annual salary negotiated with the township council, consistent with the Township Salary Ordinance.
One other change stands to come into effect due to Clark’s move from interim manager to township manager. Caitlin C. Harney, a lawyer with GluckWalrath LLP, has acted as the township’s interim attorney since Clark moved from the in-house counsel position. The township plans to search for a new full-time township attorney.
engaging their hobby can be.
Housed in the basement of the Lakewood Historical Museum, the club’s rail layouts dominate two large rooms with scenic backdrops and detailed accoutrements that in all likelihood, due to constant upgrades and new ideas, will never be truly finished.
“We basically have our four operating lines on the layout,” says Ted Bertiger, the club’s president. “The guys model the layouts to look for realism like the real trains, and you make the layouts that way.”
The group had its first home in the back room of a former Amoco gas station along Route 88, but in 1992 was able to find a more permanent home in the basement of the All Saints Episcopal Church in Lakewood. There the club stayed for 24 years before completely vacating the site in 2016.
After more than two decades at that location the group migrated to their current location, which is the former Kuser Hall, part of the historic Newman School in Lakewood. In addition to the massive layout rooms, the basement serves as a storage area as well as offices and train repair workshops.
The OCSMR is a 501(c)(3) organization and accepts cash donations as well as model trains and accessories that are donated by the general public. While some of the pieces donated by the public may be utilized by the members, often times they are cleaned up and repaired for sale at train shows to help
raise funds for the club.
While many members of the general public may remember having train sets that ran under the Christmas tree around the holidays, they are often surprised to find that the hobby is still very much alive in the age of computer games and advanced electronics.
But model trains have seen an increase in electronic sophistication, as well. The old lever-controlled transformers have given way to electronic radio-controlled trains that can even be set up with governors that regulate speeds. In addition, many of the accessories are no longer simply motion-activated by passing trains.
While many new manufacturers have gotten into the resurgence of model railroading, several of the largest players in the market may be familiar to those who enjoyed their model train sets in the past. Manufacturers such as Athern and Lionel are household names, but others such as Atlas, Walthers, and Bachmann are among the top brands that draw the attention of the modeling community.
Besides numerous websites dedicated to the hobby, aficionados will often pick up such popular periodicals such as Classic Trains, Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman to get ideas, tips, and research ways to improve their layouts.
One reason that the hobby has seen something of a Renaissance was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With reduced time spent in their usual social pursuits, train modelers found more time for themselves, which many used to re-ignite
(Train - See Page 9)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J) applauded the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included several of the senator’s priorities, including the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act. The $857.9 billion FY2023 defense spending bill provides vital funding to support our national security, American’s troops, veterans, and their families.
“Today, I voted for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, a bipartisan bill to safeguard our national security and support our service members with the resources they need to implement the National Defense Strategy. I’m glad we were able to come together in a bipartisan way and authorize a 4.6% pay raise, a 2% hous-
ing allowance increase, and expanded childcare benefits for our men and women in uniform. These measures will bolster our civilian military workforce, upholding the commitment we owe to those willing to put their lives on the line for our country, both domestically and abroad.
“This critical legislation contains many domestic priorities I have championed during this Congress, including the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act to protect judges on the federal bench and their families from threats to their safety. It also authorizes funding for several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in New Jersey as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022, including the Rahway River, Sea Bright, Manasquan, Raritan Bay and Sandy
Hook Bay, and other small flood control projects in South Jersey counties. And it provides funding for ongoing studies at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl - also known as PFAS chemicals - which have been linked to health complications when found in everyday items and drinking water and which I’ve proudly supported and urged for in previous years.
“With the passage of this legislation, we are also sending several of my priorities as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the President’s desk for their signature into law. This includes my historic Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship; my United States-Ecuador Partnership Act to
expand our nation’s cooperation with Ecuador; and my Department of State Authorization Act of 2022, which supports and invests in our nation’s diplomats, building on last year’s passage that broke a near 20-year streak of an authorization bill not being passed into law. Most importantly, we uphold our commitment to Ukraine in its fight against the unjust and unprovoked attack by Russia.
“Simply put, the FY2023 NDAA is a big deal for our nation and for New Jerseyans and their families. Supporting our troops, keeping our communities safe and investing in our national security is one the most fundamental obligations we have as Members of Congress. I thank partners from both sides of the aisle for supporting my priorities included in this historic legislation.”
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed S896 w/GR into law, which prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring the completion of the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (“edTPA”) as a condition of eligibility for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing (“CEAS”) or certificate of eligibility (“CE”). The Legislature unanimously concurred with the Governor’s conditional veto of an earlier
version of the legislation that prohibited consideration of any Commissioner of Education approved performance-based assessment as a factor in determining whether to recommend a candidate for a CEAS or CE. The Governor recommended changes necessary to maintain the elimination of the State’s current requirement that educator candidates pass the edTPA test, and instead moved the responsibility for administering a performance-based assessment to the educator preparation programs (“EPP”), which are best-positioned to select or create the most appropriate assessment for their candidates.
“As we face a national teacher shortage, we must work to establish effective and efficient solutions to grow this critical workforce on behalf of New Jersey’s students,” said Governor Murphy. “By eliminating edTPA, we will streamline a process that has previously acted as a barrier in the transition between sitting in a classroom and leading a classroom. In New Jersey we recognize that teaching is not only a career, but a calling. I am proud to sign legislation that empowers educator prep programs to appropriately assess their candidates, which will ensure that New Jersey continues to produce the nation’s best educators.”
The legislation signed eliminates the State Board of Education’s ability to require candidates to
complete a Commissioner of Education approved performance-based assessment, including the edTPA, as a condition of certification. Rather, under the legislation signed today, CEAS and CE candidates will be required to complete performance-based assessments as part of their EPP, beginning with teaching candidates who complete their EPP in the spring of 2024.
“In the midst of a teacher shortage, we should assist teaching candidates rather than further obstruct their opportunity to teach in a classroom,” said Senator Shirley K Turner. “The edTPA assessment has been a hindrance to the progression of current and prospective educators. It is a costly, unnecessary, and unreliable exam that has complicated the accreditation process for teaching candidates. Eradicating this burdensome assessment is a step in the right direction to make New Jersey a more equitable state.”
“When fighting a national teacher shortage, we must find ways to recruit and hire more, qualified educators quickly,” said Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli. “With this bill, we remove another barrier to teaching for those who want to work with the next generation of students.”
“Recent years have presented our schools with many significant challenges, including a national teacher shortage. Our students deserve the best education possible, and to deliver that we must have a fully staffed teacher workforce,” said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey. “At our meeting of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools addressing the teacher shortage, the EdTPA was repeatedly identified as a contributor to the shortage. I am gratified we are eliminating this expensive test which does nothing to predict classroom success.”
“This is a win for students and educators in New Jersey,” said NJEA President Sean M. Spiller. “EdTPA was an unnecessary Christie-era holdover that was keeping highly qualified educators out of New Jersey classrooms at a time when they are more needed than ever. We are glad that our future educators will now be able to focus their time and energy on developing and practicing the real-world skills that will bring them success in their future classrooms
so that our public schools can remain the very best in America.”
“NJPSA applauds Governor Murphy and the State Legislature for recognizing that edTPA is no longer necessary and that the real-world experiences of student teaching serve aspiring teachers more,” said Karen Bingert, Executive Director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. “This shift both benefits teaching candidates both financially and professionally empowers teaching interns to focus on developing their skills in the classroom, working with students, and learning from their mentors.”
“School leaders are grateful for the support of the Governor to place assessment of prospective teachers within their preparation program,” said Dr. Richard G. Bozza, Executive Director of NJ Association of School Administrators. “This action eliminates one hurdle to recruiting and retaining new teachers in New Jersey school districts and integrates candidates’ performance assessment within their preparation programs.”
“At a time when districts across New Jersey are facing an unprecedented teacher shortage, the Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools applauds the Legislature and the Governor’s action to eliminate the edTPA assessment as a requirement for teacher certification,” said NJ Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools Executive Director Jackie Burke. “The removal of this costly and unnecessary burden will allow our schools to attract more candidates into the teaching profession.”
“The New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NJACTE) applauds the Governor for his signature today on this important bill and his commitment and that of the Senate and Assembly to the teaching profession,” said Stacey Leftwich, President of the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. “As New Jersey continues to combat a growing teacher shortage, this new law will ensure that our members can meet the demand of preparing the teachers of tomorrow.”
HOWELL – Meet other chamber members, network with local businesses, share what’s happening with your business and any upcoming events/promotions.
The Howell Chamber of Commerce will be holding their next Breakfast Bonanza Meeting on December 27 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Big City Bagels, Route 9, Aldrich Roadd, Howell.
Cost to attend is $7 for members, $14 for not yet members, whether you eat or not (cash only). Includes coffee/tea and a bagel with butter or cream cheese. If you wish to order a different item, you will have a $6 credit (the additional $1 is gratuity for staff) and you pay the restaurant the difference over $6. Not yet members are welcome to attend up to two Chamber meetings/events.
HOWELL – Calling all budding and experienced authors! Have up to 1,500 words of your work read aloud for first-impressions feedback and critique by other writers. Register on the Monmouth County Library’s homepage; the first five bookings are guaranteed to have their work critiqued at the upcoming session.
Or just show up. All you need to bring are a positive attitude and copies of your work.
Sessions are on the second Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. this program is co-sponsored by the Howell Township branch of the Monmouth County Library and the NJWritersGroup.com.
– Photo courtesy Howell First Aid and Rescue Squad
HOWEL – Once again, the young men and women of the Howell First Aid Cadet Corps. knocked one out of the park. Every year during the holiday season, the cadets work alongside with Howell Township in adopting families in need. Pictured below are a group of our cadets along with their advisors; Michelle, Luke, Lauren and Dawn. Together they were able to gather all these gifts to help someone within the community and most of all, spread the holiday cheer and brings
smiles to their faces. This is something our Cadet Corp. proudly does every year and our young men and women never cease to amaze us. They are the future of the organization and they cannot be prouder of them.
If you have interest in joining the Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad #1Cadet Corps. and making a difference, call 732-091-5584. No training? No problem! They will get you all the training you need in-house.
HOWELL – The Howell Township Board of Education will be seeking citizen members to serve on the following advisory committees during the 2023 calendar year:
• Community Interaction
• Education
• Finance
• Legislative Advocacy for Education
• Operations
• Policy
Interested Howell citizens should complete the form available at the link below or submit a letter of interest that includes address, daytime and evening telephone numbers, email address and three committee choices in order of preference. Please also include a brief statement indicating reason for interest in serving on the par-
ticular committees.
Please note the committees listed above are anticipated. Upon re-organization, the Board may add, delete, combine or realign the committees, however, all requests will be considered.
Last date of submission: January 4. To facilitate committee needs, appointments may be made prior to the closing date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Apply Online: visit howell.k12.nj.us to apply for a committee using the online form. Apply by Mail or Email: Letters may be sent or emailed (preferred): Mr. Ronald Sanasac Assistant Superintendent for Business Administration/Board Secretary, Howell Township Board of Education P.O. Box 579 Howell, NJ 07731. Email: rsanasac@howell.k12.nj.us.
HOWELL – The Howell Township Police Department is accepting applications for Certified Class II Police Officers. Must be a graduate of a New Jersey Police Training
Commission Basic Course for Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers. Resumes can be sent to recruiting@HowellPolice. org or dropped off in person.
HOWELL – Lt. D. Williams and the members at 19-21 had a visit from their friends from Brownie Troop 1179. They got a tour of the ambulances and a small glimpse into what they do every day. They love having visitors like this and
seeing the smiles on all of their faces. Small gestures such as this can have a huge impact on children in a positive way and smiles like this helps them remember why we do what we do. They are always here for residents, visitors and friends.
HOWELL – The Father Cetkowski Council of the Knights of Columbus (Howell/Jackson) is sponsoring the annual Basketball Free Throw Contest. All boys and girls ages 9 through 14 are invited to participate. This event is free. The competition will be held on January 15 at St. Veronica Gym located at 4219 Route 9 in Howell. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and the competi -
tion will begin at 1 p.m. Winners of the competition will move onto the district competition.
All contestants on the local level will be recognized for their participation in the event. Participants are required to furnish proof of age (i.e. birth certificate) and written parental consent. For entry forms or more information contact Frank Schear: mrmojo4477@gmail.com.
FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce the inaugural Monmouth County Travel Guide Cover Photo Contest, which is open now through February 1.
“The winning photo of the Monmouth County Travel Guide Cover Photo Contest will be featured on the cover of the guide that is requested worldwide. Additionally, it will be showcased in future marketing efforts with the photographer’s spotlight placed in the official travel guide. The runners-up will have their photos published in the Guide,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We can’t wait to see all of the amazing photos of our County!”
To Submit a Cover Contest Photo: Photo orientation preference is vertical; if horizontal, the image must be at least 3,000 pixels tall
Photo should not exceed 10 MB Photo must be submitted in JPG format Photo must not have any watermarks
“We invite everyone to grab a camera and
capture a photo that shows how Monmouth County is one of the best tourism destinations in the world,” said Commissioner Director Arnone. “Everyone who would like to help select the winning photo, make sure to visit the Monmouth County Tourism social media pages on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to vote for your favorite!”
Individuals submitting the photo must be 18 years of age or older and those under 18 years old will need parental consent.
Multiple entries are encouraged.
Photos must be submitted via the website submission form and include all required contact information.
Photos must be taken within Monmouth County, New Jersey. Monmouth County Tourism will select the finalists.
The runners-up will receive placement inside the Travel Guide with photo credit.
The contest will be open until February 1.
To learn more, go to tourism.visitmonmouth.com or contact tourism@visitmonmouth.com.
their passion.
By its very nature, train modeling is a somewhat solitary hobby, with extensive layouts involving carpentry, track work, scenery, and incredible attention to detail. While many club members maintain layouts in their own homes, their combined efforts shine in their club headquarters in Lakewood.
Modelers go to great length to get accuracy in their re-creations, and the OCSMR members are no exception. Many do research, find old photographs, and go to painstaking lengths to build realism and historical precision into their displays. Like craftsmen and artisans, modelers strive for perfection.
As may be expected, a local flavor dominates the displays at the OCSMR, with re-creations of Matawan, Aberdeen, South Amboy, Belmar, and Long Branch under construction.
“We haven’t had an open house in three years,” explains Bertiger about the COVID-19 restriction period. Normally, however, the club likes to do at least two open house events a year, with the next one earmarked for April, 2023.
“We have kids come down and they’re having a blast,” says Bertiger. “It’s basically a hands-on approach.”
The OCSMR currently has some 30 members, who come from all walks
of life, including former corporate executives, commercial airline pilots and even one who is employed as a train engineer. Club members range in age from 11 to 83, and the club is always willing to accept new modelers into their family. While they may meet several nights a week, not all members come on all nights. Wherever members hail from, all agree that the OCSMR is worth the modest club dues of $220 per year.
The club also gets requests to put on demonstrations at local events around the Monmouth and Ocean County area, as well. One such recent event was held in downtown Farmingdale in November. If it is feasible and fits their schedule, the OCSMR will look to make it possible, transporting equipment and displays to entertain the crowds with public participation strongly encouraged.
“I ran into this couple just by chance, meeting them at a hobby shop,” Bertiger explains, “and they said, ‘Does your club do events?’ They were [having] an outdoor vendor market in the middle of town, and we got hundreds of people who [came] to this. It was phenomenal.”
The club is open to visitors on Tuesday and Friday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Arrangements to visit the club may be done by calling them at 732363-7799 or by visiting their website (ocsmr.com) for further information.
P.O. Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733 • Phone: 732-657-7344 • Fax: 732-657-7388 email: news@jerseyshoreonline.com • jerseyshoreonline.com
MANCHESTER TIMES • BERKELEY TIMES • BRICK TIMES JACKSON TIMES • HOWELL TIMES • TOMS RIVER TIMES SOUTHERN OCEAN TIMES
On August 30, 2022, the Superior Court of New Jersey entered an order in favor of the Toms River Planning Board’s decision to approve refurbishment of an existing motel, into a new and updated hotel to be located just off of Rt. 37 in Toms River. The applicant, who was represented by the law firm of R.C. Shea and Associates, sought approval to develop a modern hotel which would cater to the business traveler guest. The application for development was opposed by a rival business entity, who owned various other hotels within the town.
Despite having ample time to prepare, the objecting party appeared before the Planning Board without any expert witnesses and attempted to seek an adjournment of the application. The Board denied this request and took testimony from the applicant’s experts. The experts were also questioned by the objecting party, as well as members of the public, after which, the
Board voted to approve the application. The objecting party brought suit in Superior Court against the applicant and the Planning Board, alleging among other things, that the hearing was never opened to public comment, and that the Board was obligated to grant his adjournment request. At the trial R.C. Shea and Associates, on behalf of the applicant, successfully argued against each of the objecting party’s claims. In entering a decision for the applicant, the Court found that the Board complied with all of the required procedures, and that the objecting competitor was not entitled to a further delay of the hearing. Furthermore, the Court found that the applicant had satisfied all required proofs to warrant a grant of the application.
If you are seeking approval for a development application, please give the Attorneys at R.C. Shea & Associates a call for a consultation.
FREEHOLD – Sheriff Shaun Golden is urging people to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” as law enforcement officers are putting the brakes on drunk drivers throughout the holiday season.
“We want everyone to have a happy and safe holiday season. As a result, law enforcement will be cracking down and on the lookout for impaired drivers. Therefore, if you are going to drink, don’t drive,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Patrols are being increased and sobriety checks will be set up throughout Monmouth County where motorists will be stopped in an effort to maintain the utmost of safety.”
The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday campaign is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through enforcement and education and lasts throughout the month of December to January 1.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2020 there were 11,654 deaths from drunk driving crashes. Of the 697 people killed in traffic crashes in New Jersey last year, 125 were killed due to a drunk driver.
“Any fatality or crash on our roads is one too
many,” said Sheriff Golden. “Enforcing the law and educating the public about the dangers of drinking and driving raises awareness and helps keep our roadways safer.”
In an effort to avoid presenting a danger to yourself or others, it’s important to follow these safety tips:
• Before going out, designate a driver who will not consume any alcohol the entire night.
• Do not drive if you are impaired. Call a cab, an Uber, a sober friend or family member.
• If you don’t have a ride, stay where you are.
• If you live nearby, do not attempt to walk or ride a bicycle home.
• Be responsible. If you see someone about to get behind the wheel or on a motorcycle after they have been drinking, take their keys and find them a ride with someone who is sober.
• Always buckle up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• Under no circumstances should adults provide alcohol to a minor or allow anyone under 21 to consume alcohol while at their home.
While the geranium flower produces a beautiful bloom and is one of my mother’s personal favorites, the oil of this plant contains properties that we can benefit from in a variety of ways, both inside and out. Today I’m going to share with you several of the incredible benefits of Geranium Essential Oil (herein after GEO for brevity’s sake) whose health benefits have been used for centuries.
GEO is a wonderful oil and its health benefits which assist in the various bodily systems. The leaves, stem and petals of this plant are all used to produce the oil. It is commonly used to make fragrances, but that is only the beginning of the many uses of this incredible oil. You can buy essential oil of geranium and diffuse it in your home if you like it. The reason it has that bold but notable scent is because of the principal constituent called “geraniol.” Here are the top 7 medicinal benefits of geranium oil:
1. Reproductive Health. The medicinal benefits are hard to overlook. This essential oil is also thought to help balance the system of the body responsible for regulating hormones and fertility, which might be helpful for those looking to conceive. It is an also anti-inflammatory oil and can help women with pain from menstrual cramps and PMS. Inhale the aroma, do not consume it.
2. Mind and Mood. GEO is a great option if you’re looking for something that produces an instantly calming atmosphere. It
it thought to offer a sense of peace when in emotional crisis, and can help one feel more grounded.
3. Skin Problems. People sometimes use this daily by putting a drop of it into their favorite moisturizer or cleanser, and then applying to the skin. This will help dry skin, clogged pores, acne, eczema, dermatitis and other blemishes. That’s because GEO contains strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds that make it great for skin health.
Briefly, here is a list of some other things that respond to GEO that you should know about. Please only apply topically and combine the GEO into a carrier oil, or the treatment you already use (for example, a drop in the Preparation H, or a drop in the lice shampoo you have).
4. Head Lice
5. Hemorrhoids
6. Minor burns
7. Neuropathy (nerve pain)
How to Use Geranium Oil
You can dilute this oil with a carrier oil or add a few drops to a diffuser. You can also just take a whiff of it from straight out of the bottle, or dab it to your palms or the bottom of your feet for relaxation. Do NOT ingest or consume geranium oil internally. It is only intended for topical use, or via diffuser/aromatizer.
The list of how many things this oil can be used for is astonishing! If you’d like to learn more about geranium oil, or other essential oils I have more comprehensive articles at my website suzycohen.com.
the reorganization meeting in January. Two-months prior, former Deputy Mayor Thomas Russo announced he would be stepping down from the governing body. At the Howell Board of Education reorganization meeting, incumbents Jennifer Okerson and Mary-Rose Malley, along with Stephen M. Levine were sworn in for seats on the board.
Also at the beginning of 2022, local Catholic school Mother Seton Academy announced they will be closing down permanently at the end of the school year. Many parents were shocked by the unexpected news and fundraisers were set up to try and save the school. Unfortunately, the school has been officially shut down.
In February, kids from Howell PAL spent their Friday and Saturday preparing meals for those in the area going through homelessness. The Howell PAL Youth Leadership Council consists of Middle School and High School Students who are dedicated to serving the community.
Among the major events that happened this year, one was the resignation of Police Chief Andrew Kudrick. Kudrick published a statement on March 31 that he would be officially retiring. He was a part of the Howell Police Department for 32 years and served as chief for seven.
The Department would later welcome a new chief, Captain John Storrow. He had been with the force for 28 years, and was sworn in on July 29.
Just like in 2021, over development was a crucial issue within the town. This year, some of the developments presented to the board included warehouses on Fairfield Road, a 319-unit housing on Fort Plains Road, and a 239-acre solar
farm.
In May, the Township honored its veterans and unveiled the newly-created “Wall of Heroes.” The memorial is displayed in the foyer at town hall, featuring photos of armed forces members looped on a television as well as a designated area for fallen soldiers.
Over the summer, a joint agreement was placed between the Township, Howell Board of Education and Howell Police Department to hire more School Resource Officers. The project stemmed from the tragic school shootings that occurred this year in other states. Members passed a resolution to staff a Resource Officer at every Howell School in the district, which ultimately became successful when the new school year began in September.
In October, controversy took over a council meeting after a woman accused Deputy Mayor Richmond of threatening her job at a local bar. Kim Shulskie of Jackson told the Council that Richmond and a companion were sitting at the bar watching football when they started chanting “Let’s Go Brandon,” which is code for “(expletive) Joe Biden.”
When Shulskie approached the two asking them to not yell the phrase, they allegedly started yelling at Shulskie and cursing at her.
Richmond stated how she had no intentions of resigning from the council due to the altercation. She later said how Shulskie’s statements were false and claimed they were “blatant lies.” She had already announced that she would not run for re-election.
“I never made statements that she claimed were made by me and significantly, neither John or I, was intoxicated and we have many folks who were at the Ivy League that afternoon who will attest to the truth,” Richmond said. “It is
equally disturbing that others, including Mayor Berger, Councilman Jon Bonevich and multiple Board of Education members, jumped on the proverbial bandwagon and called for me to resign, without obviously confirming the facts or seeking out the truth.”
Election season was huge this year, with three seats up for grab on the Council, and three available for the Board of Education.
This year’s election had a total of six candidates fighting for three seats. Democratic Councilman John Bonevich was seeking re-election. His running mates were Democrats Denise King and Randy Bishop. The three Republican candidates were Susan Fischer, Fred Gasior and Ian Nadel. Wining the three seats were Fischer, Gasior and Nadel.
In the Howell Township Board of Education race, four candidates were fighting to fill three, full-term seats.
Two current members who were seeking re-election were Laurence Gurman and Cristy Mangano. Two other candidates are Alexandria Langenberger and Joseph Mauer Jr. Winning the seats were Mauer, Langenberger and Mangano.
The year closed of course during the most wonderful time of the year: the holiday season. This year, the holiday market spiced things up and was held at a new location. In the past, the farmers’ market was held in the parking lot of the Municipal Complex. However, the market celebrated its inaugural relocation to Echo Lake Park and Pavilion.
During the holiday market, the first annual pie baking contest took place with five judges tasting delicious pies to choose a winner.
A final holiday market was offered in December, and now residents have to patiently wait for the market season to kick-off in 2023.
Jackson - House For Sale By Owner. Private Road Sits On 1.5 Acres. 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths, unfinished full basement, 1 car attached garage, baseboard heat. For sale as is $489,000. 732-691-9845. (1)
Senior veteran - looking for room to rent. 609-389-4906. (2)
Single Male Senior - To share apartment with other senior male. Crestwood Village, Whiting. $600 p/m. Private bedroom with kitchen-B/R privileges. Tel: 845-391-6430. (1)
CHRISTMAS PASTELES - Puerto Rican Tradition. Pork or Chicken $40/ dozen, $75/2 dozen, $110/3 dozen. Call/text Cary 908-770-8537. (2)
Pellet Stove - Englander Model 55-SHP10L. Heats 1,500 sq. ft. Very good condition. Used. $400, price negotiable. Call 732-350-1314 (3)
Main bath vanity top cultured marble w/ oval bowl 50"L x 22"D inclu backsplash excellent condition, $375 OBO, call (732) 929-3475, Lv Msg. (2)
$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$
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 crystal 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. (52)
Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/ dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, 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. Cash Paid! 609-581-8290. Email: mymilitarytoys@optonline.net. (31)
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)
Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)
Ca$h Paid For Old 45 RPM Records. - R&B, doo wop, soul, early rock & roll, and rockabilly preferred. Call between 8AM and 8PM 909-938-4623. (3)
COSTUME/ESTATE JEWELRY 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)
Cash Paid LP Records - 33/45's, reel to reel's. Fast response, we answer the phone 732-829-5908, 24/7, Eddie. (41)
Laundromat Attendant - For FT/
PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Transportation needed. Long term commitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)
Dental Assistant - We’re currently looking to hire a qualified DENTAL ASSISTANT. Will train the right person. Call 732-938-2800 for details. (2)
Now Training School Bus Drivers - $3000 Sign on Bonus. Free CDL training. $22-$25 per hour, overtime available. Please call or email for more info: 732-905-5100. klarrtransport@gmail.com. (4)
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)
House Cleaning, Painting, Shopping, - Window cleaning, laundry, carpet cleaning, office cleaning. Very good prices. Call 732-7735078 or 848-287-3944. (43)
Roofing Repairs Etc. - Roofing, siding, windows. Repairs on small jobs. Utility shed roofs replaced. Prompt service. Insured. Gutters cleaned. Call Joe Wingate 551-804-7391. (19)
Certified Home Health Aides - Needed for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n)
Bobs Waterproofing - Basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Mold testing, removal and prevention. Family owned. Fully licensed and insured. 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 instrumental music teacher. Please call 732-350-4427 for more information. All are welcome. (3)
PQ Painting & Home Improvement Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com . Winner 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)
Navy, Call Ted 732-674-7859 or e-mail shorearmynavy@gmail.com. (1)
3D Artist (Job#: Artist1018) sough by Bonfire Productions, LLC in Toms River, NJ: Working closely w/ Creative Dir on animation & dsgn projs w/ many clnts. Dsgn complex graphics & animation using 3D pgrms such as Autodesk Maya, Redshift, Substance Painter, & using Adobe Photoshop. Create basic dsgns, dwgs, & illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or TV. Create 2D & 3D images depicting objects in motion or illustrating process, using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe AfterEffects, Substance Painter, & Autodesk Maya. Go thru look-dvlpmt process, make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, & transparency of each 3-D model, or manipulating static images to give illusion of motion. Req: Bach's Deg in Computer Art, Visual Effects & Animation; 6mth work exp as 3D Artist, Animator, or rel; Prof in Autodesk Maya, Redshift, Substance Painter, Adobe Photoshop, & Adobe AfterEffects. Telecommunication is offered w/i NY/NJ area. Apply, mail CV w/ Job# to 105 Flag Point Rd, Toms River, NJ 08753. (1)
CHEAP PAINTING Done RITE -
Free est. Senior discounts interior exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (28)
APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations, decks, finished basements and much more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322. (52)
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, hardworking, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605 (t/n)
Computer Tutoring for Seniors –Retired, “Microsoft Certified” instructor. 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 computers at less than half the price the retailers charge. Windows 10 specialist. 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, Demolition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster service provided by A901 Licensed Hauler ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609-335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000. NO JOB TOO SMALL! (15)
Custom House Painter - Pays attention to detail, interior, cracks, nail pops,wall repair. Benjamin Moore paints. Wayne 908-327-5471. (52)
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, shopping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family functions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)
MY HANDY CREW - Home repairs, carpentry, painting roofing and siding, decks, powerwashing, yardwor,k all your home maintenance needs. $ave. Call Clark 732-850-5060. Insured and NJ License #13VH11804800. (46)
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 Staining, LLC - Interior and exterior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-691-0123. Lic #13VH09460600. (19)
3. 1 week* at $29.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 2 weeks* at $44.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 3 weeks* at
“Mazes and Monsters” novelist Rona
Natural soother
To be, to Balzac
also chief justice
Vogue alternative
One born under the sign of Cancer
Oomph
Refuse conduit
Third-stringers
Dental care brand
Asian New Year
Perspiration cause by fear of failure
“Is it too risky?”
Lucky wristband
Autumn shade
Children’s author Blyton
Arnold of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”
Confined to one’s residence ... or, as the circles show, a description of four puzzle answers
Court-ordered, as a review
Eased up
Born in the wild
“__ Jacques”
Live and breathe
Sun, for one
“500” initials on Wall Street
Repressed, with “in”
Harvests
It’s eight in Madrid
“Order up!” shouter
Top dog
“SportsCenter” channel
Midterm or final
Crowded into
Elvis’ “__ Dog”
Camera setting that does everything except point and shoot
Best Actor winner for “On the Waterfront”
Hoity-toity sort
Parts of Western landscapes
Culturally pretentious
Get in shape
Pancake maker’s need
Metz man
Quite overweight
Gross less deductions
“Don’t cheer yet!”
Italian sauce with pine nuts
Word before race or trap
Fully aware of, as a scheme
Lofty verses
Post-WWII pres.
mover
ARIES (March 21-April 19): An attitude of working together for the common good helps everyone get their projects completed. During the first half of the upcoming week, feel free to ask for assistance. Pay attention to timely advice.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Being impartial allows you to be a fair referee. By being fair and friendly, you can smooth over a situation between opposing factions to everyone’s benefit. Making money could be a priority in the beginning of the week.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the week ahead, you may learn that there is no clear-cut winner if discord doesn’t end on a win-win. Although you might win a debate, you could lose by alienating someone. Avoid polarizing situations that could hurt others.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Practice can never make you perfect but absolutely makes you better. Want to improve your performance? Work at it. In the week ahead, a partner or loved one might inspire you to stretch your muscles or test new techniques.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Highlight the positive and embrace windfalls and miracles. Being an optimist will attract opportunities and make you more appealing to others in the week ahead. Make a conscious effort to give thanks for all the good things.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Outward appearances could be deceiving. In the upcoming week, you should dig deeply into information to reveal the facts before you make a commitment. Do extra homework before taking on any new projects.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You may have plenty of social activities on your calendar as the week unfolds. A minor misunderstanding with a loved one could be triggered by doubts in your own mind. Self-care will help you keep things proportionate.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Everyone loves being right, but you learn more by being open. When you embrace constructive criticism, it can lead you into leveling up. In the week to come, welcome someone’s helpful insights.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t play favorites. Find a solution that will offer advantages and benefits to everyone equally. Your generosity and optimism could be admired in the week ahead but beware of extravagant expenditures.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Party like its 1999; your social life could be more active than usual. Balance it with enough self-pampering. Achieving your ambitions may seem all important today but as the week unfolds you might wish you could slow down.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You can get there sooner by taking a good shortcut. Don’t wipe yourself out when it’s possible to achieve your goals with less effort. In the upcoming week, enjoy more free time to hand out and enjoy others.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep energies in balance. It can be easier to receive buy-in and support when you also find ways to be generous and make compromises yourself. In the week ahead, it could be easy to display the power of your convictions.
By America’s Test Kitchen
Serves 1
Notes: Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup is traditionally used in New York egg creams, but you can substitute other brands of chocolate syrup. Do not use low-fat or skim milk in this recipe. For a salty-sweet combination, chocolate egg creams are sometimes served with a pretzel rod, especially in Brooklyn, New York.
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1/3 cup cold whole milk
2/3 cup cold plain seltzer
1 pretzel rod (optional)
1. Add chocolate syrup to glass. Pour milk on top. Use a long spoon to stir until well combined.
2. Pour in cold seltzer. Working quickly, stir mixture hard until well combined and thick layer of foam forms on top, about 30 seconds. Serve immediately with straw (if using) and pretzel rod (if using).
