2023-01-07 - The Toms River Times

Retiring Undersheriff:

Police Work Has Changed In Over 40 Years

Lawmakers Criticize Ciba Deal

By Chris Lundy

Jim Holzapfel (R-10th).

By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER –

More than four decades ago marked the

beginning of two lifetime commitments for Nils “Rick” Berquist. After handing in his badge and gun at the

end of the year, the 66-year-old Ocean County Undersheriff appeared more than ready to enjoy his re -

tirement with his high school sweetheart.

“I started as a seasonal police officer (Police - See Page 6)

ANCHOR Rebate Given New Date

By Chris Lundy

OCEAN COUNTY – If you didn’t get a chance to apply for the new version of the Homestead Rebate program at the end of the year, don’t worry, you can still drop ANCHOR until January 31.

The ANCHOR property tax relief program originally had a deadline

of December 30. It was bumped to January 31, which is good for people who get busy during the holidays. State offices have been publicizing the additional time.

“For the residents of New Jersey, affordability is the most pressing issue and property taxes are the greatest burden,” said

Senate President Nick Scutari. “We are making use of resources to address this need by helping homeowners and renters with direct financial assistance. Extending the deadline will give our residents a greater ability to take advantage of a program that will help make their lives more

affordable.”

ANCHOR dropped in September. It is replacing the Homestead Rebate. It is picking up where Homestead left off, which is why it references 2019 in the application.

According to the state, more than 870,000 homeowners with incomes (ANCHOR - See Page 5)

TOMS

RIVER

– The State Senate and Assembly members that oversee Toms River said that the proposed Ciba-Geigy settlement does not go far enough to protect residents from development or to punish the corporation for its poisoning of local land and waters.

“This deal seems more like a slap on the wrist than punishment for despicable corporate malfeasance,” said Senator

“The Ciba site has been a primary source of stress, concern and even health problems for residents, and this shocking arrangement only adds insult to injury. It is appalling that this proposal was crafted without any input from local elected officials or families who have lived in fear of the water in their taps and under their feet.”

According to a (Ciba - See Page 4)

New Drive-Through Restaurant Replacing Perkins

TOMS RIVER –Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers will take up residence in the closed Perkins on Route 37, the property owner said.

“It’s a nice building,

it’s a pretty building, and I think they’ll do very well there,” said Ron Rosetto, founder and president of the Rosetto Realty Group. A representative for Freddy’s said it will (Perkins - See Page 5)

─Photos by Stephanie Faughnan Undersheriff Nils “Rick” Berquist on his last day as a member of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department (Inset): Undersheriff Nils “Rick” Berquist was sketched by a police artist.

By Chris Lundy

- Photo by Chris Lundy Perkins has been empty for more than two years.

settlement announced by the State Department of Environmental Protection, about 1,000 acres would be preserved. Of this, approximately 790 acres will be maintained as open space and will include restoration projects. The remaining 210 acres will be set aside for pollinator habitat and solar energy production.

There would be trails, a boardwalk, and an environmental education center. The project could break ground as soon as spring of 2023 and be open to the public in phases over the next five years.

Senator Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano (R-10th) are upset by a portion of the proposal which would see BASF, the current owner of the site, surrender approximately 1,000 acres for preservation. The company has insisted the land has essentially no value, and won $17 million from Toms River taxpayers in a property tax appeal.

“By their own assessment, this acreage is worthless,” Holzapfel continued. “Since the land has no value, what is BASF really giving up? What is New Jersey getting out of this settlement? It is a lopsided deal, and I’m not comfortable with it.”

The superfund site is on 1,255 acres of land between Route 37 and Oak Ridge Parkway, west of the Garden State Parkway. The lawmakers said they worry that the remaining 255 acres under the proposed agreement

could end up being developed.

“This leaves the door open for future projects that would give BASF an opportunity to make money on this settlement,” said Assemblyman McGuckin. “The township is seeking to be granted control of the 255acre parcel, and we agree that would be the best way to ensure responsible stewardship of a site that has created so many problems for Toms River neighborhoods.

“Before any agreement is finalized, BASF should be forced to give up any and all interest in the land that has been spoiled and devalued by the reckless actions of the previous corporate owners and their disregard for the environment and families of Toms River,” McGuckin said.

Ciba once manufactured dyes and other chemicals, and was one of the region’s largest employers. They were also dumping waste directly into the water and the ground, and burying drums of toxic chemicals. Many people attribute the area’s cancer cluster to its operation. The property changed hands several times over its history and is now owned by German company BASF.

“For more than a half century, Toms River officials and residents have been coping with this massive superfund site in their midst,” said Assemblyman Catalano. “It is unthinkable that DEP and BASF would get together and hash out a deal without including the people who have been – and will be – most effected by the poisons recklessly discarded without a plan to protect nearby communities.

“Considering the anxiety and inconvenience caused by negligent activities on the corporate property, Toms River deserves a seat at the table. No settlement can be taken seriously if the innocent victims of this environmental catastrophe are not represented in the process,” Catalano continued. “Some residents have gotten sick due to polluted water in wells on their properties, and tainted groundwater from the site continues to flow under some local neighborhoods. For those reasons alone, it is clear the proposed resolution comes up woefully short. Toms River residents deserve better from DEP.” Mayor Maurice Hill had previously said the preservation of open space is great news and he appreciated the remediation of the pollution and making the site safe for public access. However, he had three requests to take it further:

1. Given the devastation that Ciba-Geigy’s cancer cluster wreaked on Toms River families, the proposed environmental center should be required to include an exhibit that comprehensively documents the damage the pollution caused to our environment, the health of our residents, and the negative economic impact on our community. A committee of academics, environmentalists and Toms River residents should be appointed to create and maintain the exhibit. The exhibit should be generously funded by BASF.

2. The remaining 255 acres of the site, or a significant portion thereof, should be deeded to Toms River Township for perpetual preservation, so long as BASF

remains responsible for the cost of ongoing remediation.

3. A fund to compensate the victims of the cancer cluster should be set up by BASF and administered by a trustee appointed by the Township.

Ciba-Geigy opened in 1952 and closed in 1990. It became an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Site in 1983. The settlement with the State DEP will not impact the situation with the federal EPA.

BASF assumed responsibility for the site in 2010 through corporate acquisitions. When BASF acquired Ciba, the property was undergoing remediation efforts such as excavation and capping of contaminated areas and the pumping and treatment of contaminated groundwater, the DEP said.

How To Comment

Comments about the settlement may be submitted electronically at onrr@dep. nj.gov. Comments will be accepted until February 3.

There is a way to comment on the settlement on the DEP’s site as well. The proposed settlement agreement between BASF and the DEP can be found here: nj.gov/dep/ nrr/settlements/index.html

For more information on the EPA’s remediation process, visit cumulis.epa.gov/ supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0200078#Status

For information from the EPA on site background and cleanup progress, visit cumulis. epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index. cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0200

be opening in late spring or early summer.

The restaurant took about a year and a half to go through the approval process for a new drive-through, Rosetto said. The building permit was awarded in November.

During a late December interview,

he said they had been waiting on some compliance issues with the township, and the fact that it was winter possibly slowed the construction process.

Currently, interior demolition is being done. The building already has a narrow route around it that might be where the drive-through is made.

“Today, our Freddy’s Family creates fresh, made-to-order, craveable food, served to our guests with genuine hospitality in a fun, inclusive environ -

federal or State income tax.

Who Can File?

up to $150,000 will receive $1,500 in relief; over 290,000 homeowners with incomes over $150,000 and up to $250,000 will receive $1,000; and over 900,000 renters with incomes up to $150,000 will receive $450 to help offset rent increases.

The application for the Affordable NJ Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) should have already been mailed to your home. All payments will begin going out in late spring, regardless of when you filed.

As opposed to the Homestead Rebate, which sent the money straight to your town to pay your tax bill, these will be issued as checks or direct deposit. Additionally, they are not subject to

To be eligible for this year’s benefit, homeowners and renters must have occupied their primary residence on October 1, 2019 and file or be exempt from NJ income taxes. Your 2019 NJ gross income needs to be less than $250,000.

Eligible homeowners can apply online, by phone, or via paper application, which can be downloaded online and returned by mail. Tenants can apply online, or download the application from the Taxation website and return by mail (there is no phone option for tenants, as this is the first time this group will be eligible for property tax relief).

For more information, visit nj.gov/ treasury/taxation/anchor / and check

ment,” the website states. Each patty is pressed thin, to make it crispy around the edges. The front page lists “Freddy’s Favorites,” which include cheese curds, Oreo cookie peppermint shake, and jalapeno pepper jack steakburger. The franchise was started in 2004 by two brothers and a friend in Wichita, Kansas. They named the restaurant after the patriarch of the family, Freddy Simon, a World War II veteran who spent his career in the hospitality

industry. In 20 years, the chain has grown to more than 400 locations worldwide.

The Perkins at 149 Route 37 East closed in the summer of 2020. The restaurant’s location previously housed a Denny’s for many years and prior to that a Bob’s Big Boy restaurant.

Perkins declared bankruptcy in 2019, before the pandemic. Huddle House purchased the company and its 325 locations.

out the extensive Frequently Asked Questions. If you don’t find your answer there, call the hotline at 1-888238–1233.

For Renters

Tenants (renters) who had previously been ineligible because their unit is under a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreement are now eligible to apply for the benefit.

“When we say we are delivering bold, direct property tax relief to working and middle-class New Jerseyans we mean it,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Expanding eligibility for renters and extending the deadline only strengthens that commitment and ensures all who need relief will have the time and awareness to benefit. I thank the Governor, the Senate President, and all our legislative partners

for coming together – this truly remains a game-changer for folks who have seen their budgets stretched further and further.”

“I am very grateful to the Governor, Senate President, Speaker and Treasurer for responding as quickly as they have to make renters in buildings with a PILOT eligible for the Anchor Program,” said Senator Joe Vitale. “I alerted them to the issue immediately after receiving a call from a constituent who pays market rate rent in a building whose occupancy is dedicated to veterans. Within two weeks they are announcing a fix to the problem. This is another great example of how one person’s decision to take action will make a difference for thousands of New Jersey renters and ensure this important tax relief reaches everyone it is intended to reach.”

Police: Continued From Page 1

with Seaside Heights in May of 1977,” shared Berquist. “That same month, I married my wife, Donna.”

Berquist’s retirement from the Sheriff’s Department comes five years after he joined the county law enforcement agency. After the short stint with Seaside Heights, Berquist served as an officer in Ocean Gate and Brick Township police departments. He moved up the ranks to retire as Brick’s police chief in 2015.

A great deal has changed in law enforcement work since 1977 when a “salty old sergeant” told Berquist the job wasn’t the same as it used to be. Meanwhile, the words take on a different meaning some 45 years later.

“The young cops coming in need a higher level of intelligence to do the job,” Berquist began. “They have to be very competent in so many different technology fields. When I started, you only had to be proficient with a pen or a typewriter.”

Before the computer age, police looked up names by sorting through volumes and volumes of files maintained on cross-referenced index cards. Law enforcement agencies kept all types of records in hardcopy.

Berquist said that the tools used by modern-day police departments now give them a means of not only look-

ing up people but also tracking them instantaneously.

Law enforcement agencies that needed to communicate with each other either picked up the telephone or used a teletype machine. The latter could take a long time to print and was not always considered reliable.

CAD systems, short for computer-aided dispatch, did not exist when Berquist started his law enforcement career in the three municipal police departments.

“When a call came in, the dispatcher logged it in a great big ledger,” said Berquist. “The ledgers were stored, and if you wanted to go back and look something up, you had to go through pages and pages of ledgers.”

The manual system came with one advantage as far as Berquist was concerned. If the power went out, work didn’t come to a standstill. Instead, officers used their flashlights.

On his way up the ranks, Berquist served as a member of the Brick Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau in the mid-1980s. Then, computers were still not prevalent, and typing up search warrants came with its share of challenges.

“We had to use carbon paper to make three copies,” Berquist explained. “You took your time because making a mistake was really an arduous process to get the warrant fixed and get back on track.”

(Police - See Page 9)

S potlight o n g overnment

New Jersey Wins $1.7 Trillion In Federal Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus (H.R. 2617), a government funding bill which provides significant investments in health care, transportation, housing, and education programs. Senators Booker and Menendez also fought to secure federal funding in the bill designed exclusively for community projects across New Jersey and for an amendment to provide relief to 9/11 families and other U.S. victims of state-sponsored terrorism. H.R. 2617 provides $1.7 trillion in funding, which reflects increases in both non-defense and defense spending over FY22. Overall, the 12 appropriations bills provide $772.5 billion in nondefense funding and $858 billion in defense funding, including $44.9 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and our NATO allies and $2.4 billion for states who helped resettle Ukrainian refugees. A number of legislative changes championed by Senator Booker are part of the package, including: making permanent the option that states can provide 12 months of continuous Medicaid or CHIP coverage during postpartum, an effort Sen. Booker has called for in his MOMMIES Act and

temporarily secured in the American Rescue Plan; the reauthorization of the Alternative to Opioids in Emergency Departments Reauthorization Act, a Booker bill that establishes a grant program for developing and implementing alternatives to opioids for pain management in hospitals and emergency departments; Sen. Booker’s Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which authorizes the establishment of a memorial in Washington, DC, to honor enslaved persons who were forcibly transported across the Atlantic; Sen. Booker’s bipartisan Emergency Savings Act, legislation to help Americans save for unexpected expenses through workplace emergency savings accounts; an additional $50 million for community violence intervention efforts; Booker’s bipartisan FDA Modernization Act that would end the outdated requirement that experimental drugs be tested on animals, instead allowing for non-animal testing when appropriate; a modified version of Sen. Booker’s Right Whale Coexistence Act to establish a new federal grant program to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale; and additional funding for Small Business Admin-

New Jersey Partners With Lions Gate Films Inc.

TRENTON - The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced the award of the first-ever Studio Partner designation under the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act. The designation was awarded to Lions Gate Films Inc., which is set to lease space at the Newark studio currently under construction by Great Point Studios, after approval by the NJEDA Board.

“Awarding this designation is a major step in New Jersey’s evolution as a film and television destination,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Bringing studios like Lions Gate to New Jersey will allow us to attract more and larger productions to our state and will create good, high-paying jobs for our residents.”

The designation awarded to Lions Gate is one of only three available under the film and digital media tax incentive program and will allow the studio partner to capture additional above-the-line wage and salary costs as qualified expenses. Above-the-line wages and salary are payments made to highly paid individuals like directors, producers, writers, and performers. The studio partner may include in its application for tax credits above-the-line wages and salary expenses of up to $15 million, $25 million, $40 million, or $60 million depending on the amount of qualified film production expenses involved in the project. In addition, $100 million of the allocation for film and digital media tax credits is set aside for studio partners.

“This is great news for New Jersey’s flourishing film and television industry,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Lions Gate will be a welcome addition to the film landscape, and we look forward to seeing the ‘Filmed in New Jersey’ logo on Lions Gate films for years to come.”

Great Point Studios Co-Founder Robert Halmi said of the announcement, “This is a wonderful development for the many entertainment industry workers and performers in New Jersey and for the state itself. It could not have come about without the help of Governor Phil Murphy, who recognized the importance of this vast project to Newark, the state, and the region.”

Originally created under the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act, the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program provides a credit against the corporation business tax and the gross income tax for expenses incurred to produce certain films and digital media content in New Jersey.

The project sits on the former site of the Seth Boyden Housing complex in the South Ward section of Newark. The total planned costs are estimated to exceed $194 million to construct and fit out the 350,000- square-foot studio development.

When complete, the project will include five production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet and will offer a full set of production services on site, including

istration to support entrepreneurship.

Senator Menendez secured several legislative victories in the package including: a five-year extension of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, the first funding increase for this vital program in a long time; an additional 200 new graduate medical education (GME) positions to respond to the dire need for mental health professionals; and five-year funding for Puerto Rico’s

Medicaid with a Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) of 76%. Additionally, key provisions from Sen. Menendez’s bipartisan, bicameral DIVERSE Trials Act to help improve patient access to and diversity in clinical drug and treatment trials, as well as the reauthorization of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) included in the Senator’s Pursing Equity in Mental Health Act (S.1795), were also both included in the omnibus spending package.

TAX ACCOUNTANT

Manchester Accounting Services – Whiting, NJ 08759

Are you a CPA wanting to be your own boss versus a larger firm environment? Set your own schedule! CPA Owner is seeking other CPAs to responsibly team up and get the work done. There are fulltime, part-time or seasonal positions with a business that is 35+ years in the same established location.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's Degree Tax preparation experience: 5-7 years CPA preferred

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Primarily responsible for preparation of 1040 tax returns

• Additionally responsible for preparation of tax returns for S corporations, C corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts and not-for-profits

• Preparation of federal and state quarterly estimated income tax payments and annual extension payments

• Tax planning

• Respond to inquiries from the IRS and other tax authorities

• Solid knowledge of and ability to interpret tax rules and regulations

• Research and consultation on various tax matters

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

• Ability to handle simultaneous projects, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines

PREFERRED SKILLS INCLUDE:

• Working knowledge of ProSeries (or comparable) and Microsoft Office applications

• Personable and quick-witted

Please submit resumes including salary requirements –

INFO@ManchesterAccountingServices.com

No calls please. EOE

Potential candidates will be contacted to interview.

Job Types: Part-time, Seasonal, Full-time Salary: $30.00 - $45.00 per hour based on experience

Benefits: Flexible schedule

COVID-19 considerations: All clients are asked to wear a mask. Lobby seating was removed. Client appointments are limited. All staff in the office are vaccinated/boosted.

HANDS FOR ALL

A Division of HOMES FOR ALL, INC.

A Not-For-Profit Affordable Housing Developer 309 Hooper Ave. • Toms River, NJ 08753 Tel: 732.286.7929 • Fax: 732.286.9698

NOTICE OF SALE

RECEIVER SALE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY Chancery Division, Ocean County, Docket No. F-7457-2020. DEMOCRACY CAPITAL CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and SUNSET HILL OAKRIDGE PLAZA, LLC. et al. are Defendants. Writ of Execution for the sale of mortgaged premises dated and Final Judgment in Foreclosure and Sale, both dated October 3, 2022, and any other subsequent Writ of Execution that may be entered. By virtue of the above stated Writ, to the Receiver, Metro Commercial, CPA, directed and delivered, the Receiver will conduct a sale at a public venue through Matthew D. Mannion, Auctioneer for Mannion Auctions, LLC at 2:30 PM. EST on January 23, 2023, to be held in the parking lot outside of the Property to be sold. PROPERTY TO BE SOLD IS LOCATED IN Township of Toms River, NJ, County of Ocean, in the state of New Jersey, PREMISES COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 237 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755, Block 531, Lots 22 & 5, APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS of lot 22 is 0.628 acres and APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS of lot 5 is 2.684 acres; NEAREST CROSS STREET: Beginning at a point on the southerly line of New Jersey State Route 37 West (public), said point being South 32 degrees 25 minutes 30 seconds East, 99.42 feet southerly from the intersection of the center line of New Jersey State Route 37 West and the center line of Cedarwood Drive. ****Subject to sewer liens in the approximate amount of $42,889.37 and $18,102.03, both as of November 29, 2022, certificate of tax sale in the amount of $2,090.90 as of October 20, 2021, a certificate of tax sale in the amount of $504.16 as of October 21, 2020 and a certificate of tax sale in the amount of $6,138.69. A more complete metes and bounds description of the Property and the full legal description can be obtained by contacting Mannion Auctions, LLC at (908) 752-1852 or the below counsel.

The Property is being sold in its present condition “as is” without any representations either express or implied. Sold subject to conditions of sale. All interested parties are to conduct and rely upon their own independent investigation to ascertain whether or not any outstanding interest remain of record and/or have priority over the lien being foreclosed and, if so, the current amount due thereon. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Receiver, or the auctioneer. Successful bidder at auction must sign an acknowledgment of sale, pay 20% of bid in official bank check at the close of the foreclosure sale and the balance within 30 days. If the successful bidder fails to comply with the conditions of sale, the Property will be sold a second time and the deposit of the initial successful bidder shall be retained by the Receiver pending further order of the Court. All certified funds must be made payable to, “METRO COMMERCIAL CPA, AS RECEIVER.” Any auction deposit which does not strictly comply with the above requirements will not be accepted.

The approximate amount of the Judgment to be satisfied by said sale is the sum of $4,445,865.88 as of May 25, 2022, together with lawful interest as may be allowed by law, counsel fees, auctioneer fees, and additional taxed costs in the amount of $7,500.00. Plaintiff reserves the right to credit bid up to said amount.

Surplus Money: If after the sale and satisfaction of the mortgage debt, including costs and expenses, there remains any surplus money, the money will be deposited with the Court, and any person claiming the surplus, or any part thereof, may file a motion pursuant to Court Rules 4:64-3 and 4:57-2 stating the nature and extent of the claim and asking for an order directing payment of the surplus money. The Receiver or person conducting the sale will have information regarding the surplus, if any.

THE RECEIVER HEREBY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJOURN THIS SALE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE THROUGH PUBLICATION. The Receiver reserves the right to adjourn said sale from time-to-time subject only to such limitations or restrictions upon the exercise of such power as may be specially provided by law or rules of the Court.

Any inquiry regarding the terms of sale may be directed to the Court Appointed Receiver, Metro Commercial, CPA, or through counsel, Offit Kurman, P.A., 590 Madison Avenue, 6th Fl., New York, NY 10022. Telephone No.: 212-380-4108.

C ommunity n ew

Community Medical Center Received Multiple National Awards In 2022

TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Community Medical Center (CMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is pleased to share it has received numerous prestigious accolades throughout 2022 that are reflective of the hospital’s excellence in women’s services, maternity care, surgical care, and transitional care. The facility was nationally recognized in various specialty care areas by Healthgrades and U.S. News and World Report.

“This year, Community Medical Center’s commitment to the health of the communities we serve, and to providing them with high-quality, evidence-based care in a welcoming and safe environment, was demonstrated through multiple national awards,” said Patrick Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer of Community Medical Center. “Recognition for maternity care, women’s services, surgical care, and transitional care are a testament to our board-certified and specialty-trained surgeons, highly skilled clinical and support staff members, and our use of the latest technology. We remain focused on ensuring our patients and their loved ones receive high-quality care with optimal outcomes, and these distinctions are reflective of that mission. I am proud of our team and these phenomenal accomplishments.”

CMC ranked as one of only 17 hospitals nationwide to receive all three Women’s Care Excellence Awards from Healthgrades, including the Gynecology Excellence Award™, Labor and Delivery Excellence Award™ and Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award™. CMC was also a 5-Star Recipient for Vaginal Delivery for the seventh year in a row. These recognitions underscore the hospital’s superior care for women during labor and delivery and gynecologic procedures. Among the hospitals evaluated by Healthgrades, Community Medical Center placed among the top 5% of hospitals across 16 states where data was available for labor and delivery and gynecologic surgery, and among the top 10% for obstetrics and gynecology. Further building upon its achievements in women’s care, Community Medical Center was also recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care in 2022-2023, which identifies hospitals that provide high-quality maternity care for uncomplicated pregnancies. U.S. News evaluated nearly 650 hospitals for its 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and fewer than half of all hospitals that participated in the survey received a

High Performing designation. CMC was also the only New Jersey hospital named to Healthgrades’ America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care for 2023. For the second year in a row, this achievement reflects Community Medical Center’s outstanding clinical outcomes for surgical care and puts Community Medical Center in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for surgical care. Community Medical Center is the only hospital in New Jersey to earn a Surgical Care Excellence Award in 2023 and is among just 50 out of 4,500 hospitals evaluated by Healthgrades to be named to Healthgrades’ top hospitals for surgical care.

Additionally, Community Medical Center was also recognized as a Best Nursing Home for Short-Term Rehabilitation for 2022-2023 by U.S. News and World Report for the fourth consecutive year. The distinction, award to CMC’s Transitional Care Unit, is limited to the top 16% of the more than 15,000 nursing homes rated by U.S. News, which were evaluated in areas including care, safety, infection rates, staffing, and health inspections.

Annually, Community Medical Center delivers over 2,000 babies, and maternity services include board-certified obstetricians, neonatologists and anesthesiologists, certified midwives, a Level 2 Special Care Nursery, skilled nursing staff, and 24/7 anesthesiology and neonatologists. Labor-delivery-recovery rooms include home-like features such as all-private rooms with Jacuzzis. To learn more about Community Medical Center’s maternity services, visit: https://www. rwjbh.org/community-medical-center/ treatment-care/maternity/.

The hospital also provides high quality surgical services, including robotic-assisted surgery, which can be used for gynecological procedures. Community Medical Center features two state-of-theart da Vinci robotic surgical systems and is accredited as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation. To learn more about Community Medical Center’s surgical services, visit: https://www.rwjbh.org/community-medical-center/treatment-care/ surgery/.

Community Medical Center is dedicated to providing continuous, accessible transitional care for its patients so they can complete their recovery and maintain their well-being at home. To learn more about Community Medical Center’s Transitional Care Unit, visit https://www.rwjbh.org/treatment-care/transitional-care/.

NEED AN EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR? WE’RE HERE TO HELP AT NO CHARGE

C lub N ews , A C tivities , e ve N ts & A NN ou

Police

: Continued From Page 6

As a young detective, Berquist recalled the first thing he did when investigating a crime scene was to canvass the neighborhood. This meant knocking on doors to look for witnesses or further reports of suspicious activities.

Officers looking to solve crimes now have an additional tool to assist them in finding answers. The advent of cameras on front doors has become a tremendous resource for documenting evidence.

“You can’t go anywhere anymore in this world without being on camera,” asserted Berquist. “Some people would argue that it infringes on their rights, and maybe it does to some degree.”

While there’s no doubt that technology has enhanced police work, the newly retired Undersheriff suggested that it comes with a small downside.

“Young people coming on to the job don’t always have the communication skills that we had back then,” Berquist said. “So many of them would rather text and call.

“I don’t say that disparagingly, as I believe these are good, hardworking people and good cops,” continued Berquist. “But it’s a skill they didn’t pick up like we had to; we had to know how to look someone in the eye.”

Berquist submitted that only sixty percent of communication is verbal, and a great deal can be lost in the balance. What’s missing as part of the non-verbal exchange includes everything from facial expressions to body language.

The public’s perception of police work has had some impact over the last four decades. However, Berquist said he had not personally experienced the negativity, which he attributed to a “few bad apples” who made it tough for others.

“On some occasions, people in our profession have done some bad things,” shared Berquist. “There are also some good people that made mistakes. Unfortunately, this has hurt us and continues to hurt us and is not helping our ability to hire people.”

Once considered one of the best jobs across the nation, fewer applicants are signing up to take the test to become cops, according to Berquist. At a foundation of federal law enforcement officials, Berquist heard an interesting analogy made by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, who spoke on the value of service.

The Commandant recalled how people spit on soldiers returning from Vietnam. However, he pointed out that people now have a whole different appreciation for military service and said the same would return to police work.

No doubt that Berquist has seen a lot over four decades in law enforcement. The answer to what he viewed as his most rewarding experience provides insight into his personal value system.

“We helped a young boy whose mother couldn’t make it home for Christmas,” Berquist recalled. “We passed a hat at the hospital and got

him toys and other gifts.”

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy worked with Berquist when the Undersheriff was part of Brick Township’s Police Department. He highlighted some of Berquist’s accomplishments while working for the county law enforcement agency. “He took the lead on the body camera project,” said Matronardy. “He also

took the lead on some equipment projects such as the safety holster one.”

Mastronardy said Berquist had always been a consummate professional in dealing with the judges and court staff and was a fantastic liaison who will be missed.

The Sheriff has not yet announced who will replace Berquist as Undersheriff.

Nutrition For The New Year

TOMS RIVER – If your New Year’s Resolution includes words like food, diet, or health, set yourself up for success with the help of an AFPA Certified Holistic Nutritionist. We will not only discuss which foods can help you feel your best, but also how to create healthier eating habits and set personal goals.

You’ll receive simple yet tasty recipes to take home, as well as blueprints for building your own nutritionally-complete meals. Workshop will be held at the Cooper Environmental Center, Lecture Room, Cattus Island County Park, Toms River, on January 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Fee is $5 per person. Open to adults only.

Cattus Island Nature Walks

TOMS RIVER – Be a part of a 40-year Ocean County tradition! Join a park naturalist and follow in the footsteps of such legendary local environmentalists as A. Morton and Betty Cooper, Dorothy Hale and Pete McLain. Be prepared to discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world.

No registration required. Meet at the

Cooper Environmental Center, Cattus Island County Park, Toms River. Walks are from 2 to 3 p.m. on the following days: January 7 & 8 Cattus Island’s Ecosystems January 14 & 15 Animal Habitats

January 21 & 22 Signs of Animals of Winter January 28 & 29 Groundhogs or Whistlepigs?

Friends Of The Ocean County Library -

Toms River Meeting

TOMS RIVER – The Friends design and manage fund raising activities to support the library. New members are welcome. Meeting will be on January 9 from 2 to 4 p.m.

ELC Students Serenade District Office

TOMS RIVER – Students at the Early Learning Center took to the lobby of the offices at 1144 Hooper Avenue to serenade the gathering crowds of staff, administrators, and business office tenants with holiday songs.

Led by music teacher Amy Tan, who played piano, students belted out the classics, including “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel,” and more. Dance routines that were and were not part of the performance delighted onlookers, as the students brought a hefty dose of holiday spirit to an otherwise drab and rainy Friday.

Groundhog’s Day Winter Bay Beach Walk

TOMS RIVER – A winter walk is a wonderful way to clear your mind, body, and soul. We will walk out to Page’s Point to take in the winter sites of Cattus Island, Silver Bay, and the bay beach. This is a two-mile interpretive walk.

Walk we be held at Cattus Island County Park, Toms River, on February 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. Fee is $5 per person. Open to ages 10 years and up.

Free Senior Transportation

TOMS RIVER – Toms River Township is offering free transpiration for seniors to local stores, doctor’s appointments, to the Toms River Senior Center for activates and outreach. This service is avaible to Toms River Township residents only. To schedule a ride, call 732-341-1000

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

C ommunity n ew

Helping Those In Need

TOMS RIVER – This holiday season ushered in a few unique opportunities for Intermediate South students and staff to make a difference.

Led by the school’s Interact Club, the Great Seminole Food Drive Challenge asked students and their families to donate food to those in need. Stephanie Kenny’s sixth-grade homeroom was named winners; her students gathered more than 500 items to donate to the local food bank.

Interact Club students, joined by Principal Paul Gluck and other helpful staff members (top right), loaded more than 100 boxes of food donations into a delivery truck. Thanks to the school’s efforts, 18 families in total will receive a full meal for the holidays, as well as food to last throughout the extended winter break.

But it wasn’t just the Interact Club that

was making a difference in the community. Cycles 72 and 74 collaborated to create holiday cards for a 3-year-old girl named Bea from Cherry Hill, NJ who was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in February 2022.

After enduring numerous rounds of chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, and surgeries, her family had requested holiday cards be sent to cheer her up. Between the two cycles, students made close to 100 cards to send to Bea. Through this process, students learned a lot about Bea courtesy of her Caring Bridge Page, and therefore included some of her favorite things on the cards—especially Bluey and various Disney princesses.

“We are hoping this will bring some smiles to such a strong little girl,” said Intermediate South Assistant Principal Casey Daniel.

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

How Colds, The Flu & Covid 19 Affects Hearing

It’s been well over 2 years, and the Covid 19 variants are still wreaking havoc in our area. For the most part, the new variants just present with “cold-like” symptoms but the rate of infection spread is typically higher than the common cold. Unfortunately, once you start to exhibit symptoms such as a sore throat, headache, sinus pressure, post nasal drip, etc., you already have Covid 19 and more than likely you have spread the germs to others. Many individuals are taking in home rapid tests and are commonly “negative” for a few days before the result is positive. In my opinion, this is reason enough to frequently wash your hands, don a mask (when in large in group events), and get vaccinated. Unless you physician recommends otherwise, vaccinated individuals typically experience a significant reduction of Covid 19 symptoms and the recovery time is generally less.

Upper respiratory viruses often create fluid buildup in the middle ear, leading to congestion, pain, muffled sound, and secondary infections. The flu virus has been known to affect the auditory nerve,

which can cause permanent hearing loss. Similar to the flu, COVID-19 has shown an alarming ability to attack the hearing and vestibular systems, although the exact reason is still under investigation. Patients with long-haul COVID are at increased risk. Luckily, serious hearing damage from viral infections is rare, though the temporary effects are uncomfortable — stuffiness, dizziness, tinnitus, and ear infections could put a damper on your future holiday plans.

If you have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo during a bout of COVID 19 and these symptoms are continuing to “linger” I would contact your hearing healthcare professional for a complete hearing and dizziness evaluation. Protect your hearing by supporting your health!

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 732-8183610 (Toms River/Whiting) or 609-9788946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at www. gardenstatehearing.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!

Local Church Offering

Mental

Health Meetings

TOMS RIVER – Feeling depressed? Anxious? Having panic attacks? Come to the Presbyterian Church of Toms River on Wednesday nights, in the mission room, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Learn how to lead a more peaceful and productive life. Given by Recovery International. For more information, call Dolores at 732-557-5466 or check out their website: recoveryinternational.org.

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

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

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Which Of These 4 Magnesium Supplements Is Right For You?

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

First, you should know that magnesium is an essential mineral required for strong bones and teeth. It plays a crucial role in mood, brain health and cognition.

Having adequate levels of magnesium ensures attention span and focus. Furthermore, low magnesium (relative to calcium) will lead to long-lasting cramps and spasms. Severe hypomagnesemia will lead to cardiac irregularities and palpitations, as well as migraines and hypertension.

You can get magnesium from your diet by eating various foods such as leafy greens, nuts, and yogurt. With the acidification of soil, our crops are magnesium deficient, so you may not get enough. Another cause for magnesium deficiency is drinking a lot of caffeinated beverages or taking proton pump inhibitor (acid-blocking) drugs.

Allow me to briefly explain the various types of magnesium that are sold over the counter and online:

Magnesium Oxide - When people take this type of magnesium, they may develop stomach upset, bloating, diarrhea and a lot of gas. The magnesium breaks off from the oxide, but not very much of it. In other words, you don’t get a lot of magnesium absorption. Think of magnesium like a rock, it’s not going to break apart into tiny little particles and get absorbed well.

Magnesium Citrate - This type of magnesium is sold in tablets and in liquid. The citrate form doesn’t really get to your bones or your brain easily. The green liquid bottles of mag citrate you see at the pharmacy are used to evacuate the bowel prior to imaging procedures. They’re called “saline” laxatives.

Magnesium citrate and oxide forms are perfect to use if you want to relieve constipation, but not for treating magnesium deficiency.

Chelated Magnesium - This is a slightly more expensive form of magnesium than the two listed above. The term “chelate” confuses people sometimes but it just means that the magnesium is bound to another thing (usually glycinate).

It’s a rock that breaks apart easily and therefore the crumbling allows for higher bioavailability. With higher absorption of magnesium into the bloodstream, you now see benefits to the bones, brain, and heart.

MagTein® Magnesium L-ThreonateThis is a chelated, patented brand name of magnesium that is found in high-quality formulas including my own MagFocus® powder which is also available on Amazon. Using my analogy of a rock, you might imagine that MagTein® crumbles into tiny particles. It transports itself out of the gut and goes where it’s needed, especially the brain to help with attention span, relaxation and mood.

Do not opt for cheap forms if you’re treating a chronic condition. It’s apt to cause you embarrassing gas or diarrhea! Some people insist on taking these ‘laxative’ forms of magnesium and think, “I don’t care because it’s so cheap, I’ll just take more!” Don’t.

Consuming extra pills to compensate for poor bioavailability is harmful. It just causes a significant laxative effect and one that comes on quickly. You may not have time to get to the bathroom! If you’d like to read the longer version of this article, visit my website, suzycohen.com.

R.C. Shea & Assoc. Inside The Law

Do I Need To Challenge An Ordinance?

By: Robert C. Shea II, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

Did you know that you can challenge any Ordinance that may negatively impact your property rights?

An “Ordinance” is a municipal law, rule, or regulation that applies to a specific town or city. Typically, townships pass laws that attempt to protect your right to peace and enjoyment of your property and to ensure the civility of its citizens. However, sometimes a township may pass an Ordinance that negatively impacts your real estate interests. Such an Ordinance usually takes the form of an amendment to the zone where your property is located. A zone is nothing more than an area of a Township which restricts the type of construction or activity allowed within it. Most people live in areas zoned for “residential use.” Restricting the type of construction allowed within a zone is one tool used to prevent the area from morphing into something unintended, like having a factory built next to your home. Each zone has dimensional, or “bulk,” requirements defined by Ordinance. Examples of these dimensional requirements can be seen as the height of the structure and set back requirements for building on the property, which is the minimum distance the structure can be to the property line.

Sometimes a local governing body attempts to pass an Ordinance which changes the character of a zone, thereby negatively impacting its residents. An example of this can be seen by an Ordinance recently passed by the Township of Lakewood. Lakewood Ordinance 2022-46 was passed to allow schools to operate as a

Robert C. Shea Esq.

private banquet hall, at any time, in every non-residential zone simultaneously. In essence, every school is now permitted to host a wedding or other similar event, with little to no municipal approvals or oversite. Such an ordinance will negatively impact its residents in numerous ways, including parking concerns, traffic safety, and noise & light pollution.

But this doesn’t have to happen to you. Before any Ordinance is approved by the local governing body, the public must be given the right to challenge the proposed Ordinance and place their objections on record. Further, the governing body must then render a determination that the Ordinance itself is consistent with the township’s own Master Plan. A Master Plan is a document developed to monitor the use of property within a municipality in order to protect the public from inequitable and chaotic development. So, if an Ordinance is not consistent with the township’s Master Plan then you may be able to prevent the Ordinance from being adopted.

Contact the Attorney’s at R.C. Shea & Associates for your free consultation if you are aware of any potential Ordinances that may negatively impacting your property.

Government:

Continued From Page 7

grip and electric, equipment, props, set building, restaurants, location catering, cleaning service and security. Once fully operational, initial projections anticipate over 600 new full-time jobs will be created as a part of the development of this facility. The project site will be developed and operated by Great Point Studios, which operates Lions Gate’s new studio complex in Yonkers, NY.

On September 15, 2022, Great Point Studios entered into a ten-year six-month lease with Lions Gate Films, Inc. for a substan-

tial portion of the Newark studio complex. Pursuant to the lease Lions Gate Films Inc. has committed to occupy 253,000 square feet of the development

Construction work commenced on September 16, 2022, and the studio complex is expected to be completed by September 2024.

Founded in 1998, Lions Gate Films Inc. is a subsidiary of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Lions Gate’s film and television subscription and location-based entertainment businesses include a library of over 17,000 titles including many iconic film and television franchises such as Mad Men, Orange is the New Black, The Hunger Games, La La Land, and the Twilight Saga.

Cadet Year End Awards Ceremony

•

•

•

• Cadet of the year- Edward Versacio

• 97 hours Community service- Edward Versacio

•

Most members received various tenure awards for completing one, two and three years in the program.

If you’d like more information about becoming a Cadet, or know someone who’d be interested, please contact us for more information at media@trpolice.org

TOMS RIVER – The Toms River Police Public Safety Cadet Unit #137 held their annual year end awards ceremony. We are proud of our youth who performed 500 hours of community service in 2022! Some of the awards handed out are as follows:

102 hours community service- Jason Golda

58 hours community service- Kelsey Broderick

Perfect meeting attendance- Edward Versacio

Perfect event attendance- Edward Versacio & Jason Golda

─Photo courtesy Toms River Police Public Safety Cadets

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

High School, Cedar Grove Students Collaborate On Children’s Book

TOMS RIVER – Honors biology students in Jennifer Fazzini’s, High School East’s Teacher of the Year, class recently completed their cell unit during the first marking period. Their task: writing a children’s book to help teach elementary school aged children about some of the concepts that were taught throughout the unit. Their story needed to teach readers some of the concepts of science and biology while being engaging and comprehensible. But that wasn’t all. To have the books aes-

thetically reflect their intended audience, Fazzini’s class decided to have students at Cedar Grove Elementary School illustrate the manuscripts. High School East students visited some fifth-grade Proud Patriots at Cedar Grove to finalize their book collaboration.

“Having our students illustrate these books was an experience that was fun and educational,” said Cedar Grove Principal Stacey Monetti, “and that’s the best combination!”

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

CLASSIFIEDS

Cockapoo Pups - Females - great personalities, health cert, shots, parents on site. 321-377-4000. (4)

Misc.

Pets For Sale For Rent

Notice of Cessation of Services

by Maureen Kubisz DVM, dba Total Pet Hospital LLC, on October 14, 2022. Medical records will be stored online by Idexx Laboratories, Inc, One Idexx Drive, Westbrook, Maine 04092. Send records requests by email to totalpethospital@ gmail.com, or by mail to PO Box 8881, Hamilton, NJ 08650. (47)

Items Wanted

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)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

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)

Storage Space - Non-commercial use approx. 800sf Manchester Jackson or surrounding area. Electric A Plus. 732-278-5098. (4)

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

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)

Services Services Services Items For Sale

- $500. 36x80 Doggy Storm Door. New - $50. Adult Tricycle. New - $50. Call 732-703-2176! (4)

Room For Rent - In Toms River, NJ. Couples allow. $1100. Call 201-844-5526. (7)

Help Wanted

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)

Dietary Aid - MAGNOLIA GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING. Family owned and operated Assisted living community looking to fill full time, and part time positions. All positions start at $15.00 an hour. For more information call 732-557-6500 or come to our home and fill out an application at 1935 Lakewood Road, Toms River 08755. (7)

RECEPTIONIST - MAGNOLIA GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING. Family owned and operated assisted living community looking to fill full time, and part time positions. All positions start at $15.00 an hour. For more information call 732-557-6500 or come to our home and fill out an application at 1935 Lakewood Road, Toms River 08755. (7)

Services

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)

Get DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-557-1213. (t/n)

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

Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-791-2033 or visit dorranceinfo.com/micro. (t/n)

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)

Services

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)

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)

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)

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-855-634-0529. (t/n)

Donate your car, truck or van. Help veterans find jobs or start a business. Call Patriotic Hearts Foundation. Fast, FREE pick-up. Max tax-deduction. Operators are standing by! Call 1-833-885-0359. (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)

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)

3. 1 week* at $29.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 2 weeks* at $44.95 for 20

By Past Post Commander James Egan

BERKELEY - The meetings of Silver/ Holiday V.F.W. Post 10185 will be held on the first Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Clubhouse at 145 Westbrook Drive, Silver Ridge Park West. We meet in the daytime, so you do not have to drive at night. To join our post, just bring a copy of your Discharge (DD-214) to our meeting and you’ll received a hardy welcome and refreshments before the

Around the JerSey Shore

V.F.W. Post 10185 News

meeting. If you need a ride to the meeting or want more information without any obligation call Past Post Commander James Egan at 732-341-4905.

Remember if you hear of any Post member passing away or being in the hospital, call any Officer and let him know.

Monday, January 16th, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Sunday, January 29th, V.F.W. Post 10185

celebrates our 45th Anniversary. Our National Charter was issued to 108 Post members.

Tuesday, January 25th at 7 p.m. V.F.W. Post 10185’s Officers will attend V.F.W. District 12’s meeting at V.F.W. Post 6063 at Toms River, where the latest V.F.W. Programs and events will be discussed.

Your V.F.W. dues for 2023 is now overdue. If you have any questions about the status of your dues, call Quartermaster Dennis Al-

dridge 732-237-6880. We need your support. V.F.W. Post 10185 wishes everyone a healthy and Happy New Year.

The VFW would like you to drop your old and faded flags off at either H. C. S. Clubhouse (Main Building), S. R. P. W., S. R. P. N., S. R. P. E., and Holiday City Berkeley Clubhouses. Fly the flag every day, weather permitting. God bless America and God bless our troops.

Around the JerSey Shore

Tips For A Happy, Safe And Healthy Winter

By Phyllis Brown Holiday City at Berkeley

EMS Decorative throw rugs are cute. They are also dangerous. We don’t know how many actually trip over those things. We only know about the ones who call for our help to get up. You’re happier to have people visit your home than the hospital especially if they bring you a turkey or care package. It is difficult to get wheelchairs, walkers, canes and our stretchers over those rugs and as we get older, we don’t pick up our feet as high. If you don’t trip over them, your friends or grandchildren might.

Keep chimneys clean. Don’t leave fireplaces and candles burning unattended and never sleep in a room with burning candles. Don’t have too many items on one outlet or extension cord. Be careful on ladders and with decorations. Don’t drink & drive. Don’t text or talk while driving. Winter driving is slippery enough. A first aid kit in both car and home is always a good idea. Many of us bring our plants in for the cold weather. They may be poisonous to your animals and people. When my twin granddaughters were three, one of them thought my rubber plant looked good enough to eat. She was fine. However my rubber plant has teeth marks. I told people a dinosaur tried to eat it. She still remembers.

Pets can get seriously sick or die from eating things we eat all the time. Don’t let your guests feed them stuff from the table. Onions, garlic, chives, grapes, raisins, cloves, chocolate, coin size lithium batteries, large amounts of liver and your medicine can hurt them. Surprisingly, canned tuna is harmful to cats and most cats are lactose-intolerant – so no dairy products. Definately no alcohol or yeast. It has the same

effect on their livers and brains as it does on us but it takes far less to do damage. Because of a cat’s size, 2 teaspoons of whisky can put it in a coma. Caffeine can be fatal to a small animal. Fat trimmings and bones are bad for their stomachs. Raw eggs, fish or meat are not good for you or your pet. Cats should not eat dog food on a regular basis and cookies, cake and ice cream can give them diabetes. Many pet foods are often recalled. Check yours for this.

Leave the leaf blowing and the snow shoveling to those who are healthy enough to do it. If you can, you may want to do a little at a time. If you can’t, be realistic, listen to your wife. Hire someone to do it. If you are healthy enough to do your own, maybe you can help your neighbor with theirs and then come and join the first aid squad. We can use helpful people. And you won’t get bored.

Remember the weather is constantly changing from day to day and sometimes from morning to afternoon. Make sure you are wearing the right clothing. If you are working in the yard make sure that the clothing you wear to start is not over heating you as you work. You don’t want to be in cold wet clothing. We called it “Trauma Naked” when we cut off of your favorite work shirt, sweater and pants. We simply have no regard for the price tag when we’re cutting. If you are suffering from hypothermia, your life may depend on it.

All the volunteer squads need more volunteers. Come to 100 Port Royal and volunteer for an interesting job where the greatest rewards are not financial. We cover an area that includes almost 11,000 homes.

Stay safe, happy and healthy!

Garden Club Trip To Philadelphia Flower Show

BERKELEY – Join the Holiday City South Garden Club on March 7 for the Philadelphia Flower Show.

The show’s electrifying and delightfully themed “The Garden Electric,” will focus on striking textures, dazzling array of bold colors, unique shapes, rich fragrances, and wild plant pairings of today’s most dynamic floral designers, lush gardens and landscapes to visitors. The exhibits are set to celebrate the daring, the eccentric, and the joyful side of flowers felt by that spark of joy we get when giving or receiving a gorgeous

bouquet of flowers ... that little bit of magic and electricity felt when moved by seeing something truly beautiful.

Tickets are $85 per person for travel and admission. Enjoy lunch on your own at Tuscany Marketplace, Cherry Hill at either: Toscana Italian Restaurant, Megu Sushi & Hibachi, Bobby Chez (Seafood), the Boiling House (Seafood and noodles) or Hong Kong Fusion.

Contact Carroll at 732-341-4518 or cbaszkowski @aol.com for reservations by January 20.

Driving at night is riskier than day time driving for everyone whether or not they have vision problems. For those with astigmatism, however, it is particularly precarious. Astigmatism is the result of a misshapen cornea, the lens that filters light entering the eye. It makes the light appear streaked and blurry and causes a person to squint in order to see. The problem becomes worse at night when pupils dilate to allow more light in. Prescription glasses or contact lenses are the most common way of resolving the problem, but orthokeratology is an alternative option that uses specially shaped contacts worn overnight to reshape the cornea while asleep. These lenses are removed in the morning.

Orthokeratology is similar to orthodontics for your eyes and the treatment is often compared to dental braces. Most ortho-k lenses are worn at night to reshape the front surface of the eye while you sleep. Vision improvements are reversible but can be maintained if you keep wearing the lenses as directed. When you need eye care, please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-3495622. We offer evening hours most nights of the week. P.S. Some patients with astigmatism are excellent candidates for LASIK surgery to correct their misshapen cornea and improve their vision.

Birdbrain, or an extinct bird

Claim with confidence

Home to the van Eycks’ “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”

Rhine siren

Europe’s Bay of __

Chant

Record setters

“And all that beauty, all that wealth __ gave ... “: Gray

Remove with difficulty

“My Lord!”

*Top performer who’s hopelessly off course?

Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Tiny misunderstandings can put you in an awkward position as the new week and new year begins. You may be overconfident, be careless, or go overboard. Your enthusiasm, however, makes everyone happy to be around you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): It is a new year, and the question is whether you are ready to be a new you. Clear the decks: Think about ways to clear up outstanding debts and any other old business to prepare for a beautiful new beginning.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’re pretty limited if your only tool is a hammer. In the upcoming week, you might want to believe that every problem can be handled quickly, but you’ll make more progress if you broaden your problem-solving skills.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Be open to messages from the universe and key information may arrive that empowers you to improve your outlook. You can rest on your laurels or move forward to achieve your goals in the new year.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) : Feast on thoughts and plans for the future. You could embrace limitless possibilities as you make your New Year’s resolutions. Be sure to attend to relationships if loved ones might have been feeling a bit neglected.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Sleep late or do some other replenishing self-care. Rest up and enjoy a relaxing day at home or playing with your tribe. Make a note to remind yourself to follow up on recent opportunities that seemed intriguing.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get organized and make a list of the things you want to do and places you want to visit. You may not be able to afford everything now, but you can save up for the future. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance in the week ahead.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Even if you are busy and preoccupied in the week ahead, you may also need to help a loved one or partner who may need some extra support. Do your best to bring some bright New Year’s energy to the situation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take pride in your accomplishments. This is a week when you can enjoy the perks of having a good reputation. Set your sights on becoming financially stable and avoid spending too much money on extravagances.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Being deep in your emotions is the worst time to make a major decision or vow. Take time to understand a situation rather than reacting with a knee-jerk response. You do not need to take this personally.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Ask the right questions if you want the right answers. Pause to ask yourself what will truly make you happy and contented before you make New Year’s resolutions. Go beyond just considering the same old objectives.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Dip your toe in the pool to check the temperature before you dive in. In the week ahead, you should test the atmosphere before you make changes or decisions that affect loved ones. Use caution to not overspend.

IT’S COOKIE SEASON! GRAB THE KIDS AND GET READY TO BAKE (AND DECORATE)

By America’s Test Kitchen

GLAZED SUGAR COOKIES

Makes 12 to 18 cookies (depending on the size of your cookie cutters)

For the cookies:

1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces and chilled

For the glaze:

1 1/3 cups (5 1/3 ounces) confectioners’ (powdered) sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened

1-2 drops food coloring (optional)

For the cookies:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and vanilla.

2. In a food processor, process until sugar is finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add chilled butter and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add egg mixture and flour mixture and process until no dry flour is visible and mixture forms crumbly dough, about 30 seconds.

3. Use a rubber spatula to transfer dough to the center of

a large sheet of parchment paper on the counter. Use your hands to pat dough into a 7-by-9-inch oval. Place a second large sheet of parchment on top of dough. Use a rolling pin to roll dough into a 10-by-14-inch oval (1/8 to 1/4 inch thick), rolling dough between parchment.

4. Slide dough (still between parchment) onto one baking sheet. Refrigerate until dough is firm, at least 1 1/2 hours.

5. While dough is chilling, adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a second baking sheet with parchment.

6. When dough is ready, remove dough from refrigerator. Gently peel off top sheet of parchment. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into shapes.

7. Use spatula to transfer shapes to parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 1/2 inch apart. (If dough becomes too warm and sticky to transfer shapes easily, return it to the refrigerator to firm up again, about 10 minutes.)

8. Bake cookies until beginning to brown around edges, 18 to 22 minutes.

9. Transfer baking sheet on cooling rack and let cookies cool completely on baking sheet, about 30 minutes.

For the glaze:

1. While cookies are cooling, in a second medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, milk, softened cream cheese, and 1 to 2 drops of food coloring (if using). Use a clean rubber spatula to stir until very smooth.

2. Use a small icing spatula or the back of a spoon to spread glaze in an even layer on each cookie, starting in the middle and working yourway to the edges. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle it with sanding sugar, sprinkles, crushed cookies or candy. Serve.

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

For the week of jan 7 - jan 13

(c) 2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

By Jeraldine Saunders