THIS MONTH IN HISTORY:

Toms River’s Cold War

By J. Mark Mutter

In a prior column of This Month in History, it was reported that when I served as our Township Clerk, we found thousands of old records quietly stored away in the Town Hall basement - records from the mid-twentieth century.

We found artifacts there too - and they tell the story of a community caught up in the grips of the Cold War.

Here’s that story from May 1960 - this month in history.

May 1960

Toms River, then known as Dover Township, our legal name then, was a rapidly growing community.

The population in 1960 was 17,000 - more than double that in 1950. The opening of the Garden State Parkway in 1954 had changed things as more and more people were moving here.

The local news reflected this change. The “Community Memorial Hospital Drive” had just surpassed the half-million dollar amount in pledges, according to the May 5, 1960 edition of the

At the onset of introducing the honorees, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer expressed his (Heroes - See Page 4)

New Jersey Courier, our town’s then-local weekly newspaper. In 1961, the hospital would finally open after years of local fundraising. Today, we know it as Community Medical Center.

Also in May 1960, the tenyear reign of embattled Toms River Superintendent of Schools, Clyde W. Slocum, (History - See Page 5)

-Photo courtesy Nova Games Gamers flock to local card stores to play in casual matches or tournaments.

By Andrey Nalbantov

BRICK – It’s a Wednesday, and 27 duelists from around the region are facing off to determine who will be champion.

“We

Many are strangers, some are long-time friends, others even come from the same family. That night they all had something in common (Game - See Page 6)

Heroes: Continued From Page 1 fondness for the Unsung Hero Student Recognition Awards. Billhimer said he was personally inspired by the students and suggested motivating others might be another achievement worthy of celebration.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s office has made a conscious effort to work with the schools to promote positive behavior among young people. The aim is to create a supportive environment that empowers students and helps them avoid trouble with the law.

Students selected as unsung heroes were nominated by their individual school districts for the award. Each was identified as a person who does great deeds but receives little or no recognition for themselves.

“This award represents the recognition you deserve,” wrote the Prosecutor’s office in the program containing the names of all of the recipients. “Whether you have overcome obstacles, preserved in the face of great challenges, or improved academically, your faculty and administrators have deemed you worthy of this prestigious honor.”

As part of their recognition, the students were given a certificate and a bag full of goodies and presented with a challenge coin. Challenge coins hold great significance and represent an honor highly valued in military and law enforcement communities. The coins are given as tokens of appreciation and recognition for individuals who have completed a difficult task or distinguished themselves in some way.

Representatives from each of the school districts took turns at the podium to share the qualities that led to the selection of their district’s unsung hero nominee. The presenters represented a variety of roles within the schools, from principals to teachers to social workers and school counselors.

Some of the students faced heart-wrenching losses that profoundly impacted their lives, and had to work diligently to move forward. Children who had relocated multiple times were acknowledged for their determination to adjust to new environments and navigate relationships. Others persevered through mental health and physical challenges. Still others regularly performed random acts of kindness despite an overload of personal commitments.

There was a noticeable trend among the selection of unsung heroes, as the same set of admirable adjectives was repeatedly used to describe each award recipient. Words such as determined, dedicated, resilient, positive, proactive, compassionate, kind, and empathetic appeared to embody the character traits of nearly every student recognized.

Most did not notice that Billhimer diverted from the program and skipped over the student named as the unsung hero from the Frog Pond Elementary School in Little Egg Harbor.

“I wanted to handle this in a respectful way,” shared Billhimer. “The student, Michael Browne, who was nominated for the unsung hero award was in an unimaginable accident and passed away earlier this year.”

Frog Pond Principal Tom Denning and Vice Principal Paul Nazarck took their place at the podium. Nazarack emphasized that Michael had been selected for the award before his death. Indeed, the remarks offered by Denning reflected a much happier time.

“At a young age, Michael faced experiences in his family life that would have caused adults to pause and ponder how to face life’s challenges,” said Denning. “Fortunately, Michael faces life’s challenges head-on.”

“With his loving and caring grandparents, he is adjusting to a new state, a new community, a new school, and making new friends,” Denning continued. “He is rising above the struggles of the earlier part of his life, and he is now able to give better attention to his school responsibilities and show himself, his teachers, and his classmates the amazing things he is capable of.”

According to his obituary, Michael “Mikey” Ryan Browne tragically left his world on April 2, 2023, just days before his thirteenth birthday. His obituary mentions his achievement as an unsung hero.

The list of 2023 Award Recipients and the school districts they represented are as follows: Matthew Fronzuk, Barnegat Township High School; Joseph Thiel, Bay Head Elementary School; Mariah Walling, Brick Memorial High School; Liam Nielson, Brick Township High School; Nathaniel Davis, Central Regional High School; Harrison Headley, Eagleswood Elementary School; Michael Browne, Frog Pond Elementary School; Yaneli Emilio-Tlapanco, Hugh J. Boyd School; Teagan McGarry, Island Heights School; Denielle Deriode, Jackson Liberty High School; Christophano Marano, Jackson Memorial High School; Charles Elmer, Lacey Township High School; Anthony Palma, Lakewood High School; Skyler Vivenzio, Lavallette Elementary School; Kirra Fredericks, Manchester Township High School; Luis Huitron, New Egypt High School; Ava Yellovich, Ocean Gate Elementary School; Eric Czaplinski, OCVTS-Brick Center; Dinah Van Name, OCVTS-Grunin Performing Arts Academy; John Fitzpatrick, OCTVS-Jackson Center; Matthew Caccavano, OCVTS-Toms River Center; Emma Carlysle Kohler; Pinelands Regional School District; Sabina Smith, Point Pleasant Beach School; Kagni Hostinsky, Point Pleasant Borough High School; Quinn Corbett, Stafford Township Intermediate School; Bella Moderno, Toms River East High School; Alexandra FinterFlood, Toms River North; and Diana Olivos, Toms River South.

History:

Continued From Page 1 came to an end with his sudden resignation. A young curriculum coordinator in the school system, John Bennett, was chosen to succeed him. He served as the schools chief for years during a time of unprecedented growth. The Toms River Schools indoor athletic center on Hooper Avenue bears his name today.

Meanwhile, the Courier newspaper editorial writers suggested in May 1960 that the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders (today, “Commissioners”) acquire the property known as “Double Trouble” in nearby Berkeley Township. It would be an “excellent park site,” said the newspaper, as “Ocean County is undergoing tremendous growing pains.” Ultimately, the state government would acquire the property which we know today as “Double Trouble State Park.”

Despite those “growing pains,” as the Courier put it, all was well, all was quiet, in May 1960 in

Toms River - and then the world was suddenly turned upside down by what history knows as the “U-2 Incident.”

The U-2 Incident

The United States for several years had been flying spy planes over the Soviet Union gathering information on our Cold War adversary’s military capabilities. On May 1, 1960, the Russians shot down one of those planes and captured the American pilot. The downing of the plane - known as a “U-2” - sent shockwaves and fear of war around the world.

Here in Toms River, the Courier published a column entitled “Atomic War” which said that citizens who thought that a recent “nationwide ‘take cover’ alert was for the birds should know that destructive power has been stockpiled to wipe out all life on earth.” A banner news headline in the Asbury Park Evening Press on May 7, 1960 read: “Soviet Union May Try U.S. Pilot A Spy.” In that newspaper’s Sunday edition, it was reported that “54 percent of Americans were said to disagree with the statement that [Soviet leader] Nikita Khruschev wanted peace.”

In the May 9, 1960 edition of the Press, in an article entitled “Baseball for Russians,” it was reported that the mayor of San Francisco, in a meeting with Khruschev in Moscow, had recommended that the Russians learn how to play baseball. The Russians playing of our national pastime, with American help, would help in the quest for world peace, thought the mayor.

Toms River And Civil Defense

Toms River’s leaders back then apparently had other ideas. What we found several years ago in that dark and dreary Town Hall basement tells us. Hidden away, in a dirt covered crawl space, were not baseball batters’ helmets, but Civil Defense helmets - heavy, metal, military issue helmetspainted white - for use by those locals who might one day step up to the plate and defend our town. And we didn’t find baseball bats or balls, but special antennas for use on emergency vehicles. Some inquisitive research revealed that the Do- ver Township Committee - the local governing body at the time - had formed a “Civil Defense Committee” to coordinate the local defense of Toms River.

Those artifacts, lost and found, brought to grim reality the real life dangers of the Cold War - right here in our own backyard.

SOURCES: The New Jersey Courier; the Asbury Park Evening and Sunday Press

COMING UP: Satellites and missiles: more on the Cold War and the stories of how Toms River reacted to the October 1957 surprise launching of the Soviet satellite “Sputnik” and the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

J. Mark Mutter is the former Municipal Clerk of Dover and Toms River Townships. He served on the Dover Township Committee for three terms and as Mayor in 1993 and 2000. He served as chairman of the Township’s 250-year anniversary committee in 2017, its 225-year anniversary committee in 1992, and its Constitution bicentennial committee in 1987. He is writing a book on the history of Toms River.

$3.5 Million Water Infrastructure Coming To Silverton

By Alyssa Riccardi

TOMS RIVER – Veolia has announced that nearly three miles of six-decade-old water mains within the Silverton/Silver Bay areas of Toms River will be replaced.

The $3.5 million project is set to begin on or about May 15, weather permitting.

“This project represents continuing investment in Toms River, which allows the company to make crucial enhancements to the water infrastructure,” said Jim

Mastrokalos, Veolia Mid-State Senior Director of Operations. “Replacing this aging water main installed in the early 1960s with new 6- and 8-inch ductile iron pipe will improve service and build a resilient, sustainable water system that the community can rely on for many years to come.”

The project will take place on the following streets: Aldo Drive, Cattus Street, Cheryl Drive, Longman Street, Maine

Street, Maria Drive, Silver Lagoon Drive and Stephan Avenue. Crews are scheduled to work daily from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The company will also renew about 300 individual water services.

“We anticipate intermittent, temporary parking limitations to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible,” Mastrokalos said. “Veolia will provide ample notification to residents as the project progresses, including when to expect brief, short-term interruptions of water service.”

Veolia asks that pedestrians and drivers take caution near the work sites during construction. Emergency vehicles will be allowed access during the project

The project, including milling and paving, is scheduled to be completed by late August with final restoration anticipated by late September.

For more information, visit mywater. veolia.us.

Game: Continued From Page 1

- playing their favorite trading card game.

They were all in a Brick hobby shop’s weekly Yu-Gi-Oh tournament. Decks were heard shuffling, strategies were thrown around. Cheerful laughter and banter rung around the tables after the announcer gave all the COVID hygiene announcements.

Above all the cheers of victory and groans of defeat, something else stood out - a father asking his son if he had fun.

Walter Ward, 51, started playing the game around the end of 2003 when it became popular here in the United States. He remembered that his son, who primarily was into Pokemon, de - veloped an interest in Yu-Gi-Oh when the anime was released for western audiences.

“I got into the game with my son,” said Ward. “I learned how to play with him.”

He believes that the stores where the trading card community thrives are great places to meet new people and feel welcomed no matter a person’s background. Also, part of the fun is the competitiveness that these games promote. shouldn’t fall in with “special interest or partisan political groups.”

The impact of the trading card scene spans worldwide, and has shuffled around the Jersey shore for decades. Magic the Gathering was the first of its kind, started in 1993 and going strong today. It incorporates fantasy worlds similar to Dungeons & Dragons. Pokemon is another popular one, where players collect and duel with “pocket monsters,” just like in the show. Many other licensed properties, from Star Wars to My Little Pony, have been adapted to card games.

Multiple stores around our county give access to enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds to express their hobbies by trading, collecting, building decks, and then challenging each other with a healthy dose of competitiveness and the occasional saltiness.

Trading card games also help to improve a good bit of tactical thinking, math, and imagination skills due to their spectacular art.

Joseph Coppinger, 22, who started playing when he was 10 years old, shared how he was enamored by how cool the monster cards looked, and that everyone can play their own deck. When it comes to beginners starting out in the game, Coppinger and Ward share similar advice for new players. When newcomers find something that they like and want to play with, they should stick with it and take the steps until they learn how to play it with ease.

Tournament events provided by the local game stores are the perfect spot for beginners to get a grasp on the game, Cottinger said. During those events, they will be able to see players using different decks and tactics, as well as meet new people. Most stores post their gaming schedule online or in the shop.

A piece of advice he also gives out to parents who might have kids that are interested in the game: “Let them go to events and talk to people… let them have fun,” said Cottinger.

Just like Ward enjoys spending quality father-son time with his boy while playing Yu-Gi-Oh!, he suggests that this can be a great way for parents to get involved with their kids. And while it might be a challenge at the very start of a person’s dueling journey due to a learning curve, the trading card scene here at the shore has created a close-knit community where everyone is welcome.

In response, Contessa wrote that Morrison “does not provide a single fact as to how the post either damaged her reputation and character or hurt the integrity of the … Board,” especially since Morrison won her election.

Contessa went on to say that Morrison failed “to provide any factual evidence that Respondent (Contessa), through the social media post, took any action that had the potential to compromise the Board.”

“As a general matter, a school official does not violate the Act merely because he/she engages in social media activity. Instead, the Commission’s analysis is guided by whether a reasonable member of the public could perceive that the school official is speaking in his or her official capacity or pursuant to his or her official duties,” wrote Robert Bender, chair of the Commission.

He went on to say that Contessa’s statements had nothing to do with official board business so that means they would not be regarded by “a reasonable member of the public” as an official position.

“I filed the complaint out of principle and before the election. I decided that whatever the outcome would be, I wouldn’t appeal it,” Morrison said when The Toms River Times reached out to her. “I believe in accountability and responsibility. As an elected official, singling out a private citizen and posting on a social media platform to discredit their character, integrity and reputation is disheartening. Sometimes, actions have unintended consequences.”

Contessa also responded to this newspaper: “The Facebook post in question is one where I endorsed a candidate other than Mrs. Morrison to represent the Township of Beachwood. Melissa felt I defamed her character and didn’t preface my post with the disclaimer ‘This is my personal opinion and not that of the Toms River Regional Board of Education.’”

“The School Ethics Commission dismissed the motion stating that it failed to set forth sufficient facts to establish violations of NJSA 18A:12-24.1(e)(f). The SEC found that a school official does not violate the act merely because he or she engaged in social media activity. Rather, the analysis must be guided by whether a reasonable member of the public could perceive that the school official was speaking in his or her official capacity or official duties. They found that because the social media posts at issue were on my personal Facebook page, and there was no real connection between the Facebook page and my relationship to the Board, a reasonable member of the public could not possibly perceive that my social media posts were being made in my official capacity.”

“So there was no ethics violation by me. This again, was an attempt at political theater to have something negative to state about me when I run for re-election. Nothing there,” she said.

The complaint was filed on November 4, 2022. There was some legal back and forth, as these matters often have, before it was heard on March 21, 2023 and decided on April 25, 2023.

One of the jobs of Board of Education members is to pay the district’s bills. By law, they have to abstain from anything that might present a conflict of interest. When two board members – Contessa and Morrison - abstained from a bill for Madden and Madden, a law firm, it raised a red flag. The Toms River Times investigated.