07728 | Current Issue

WINTER 2023

Holiday Gift Guide SHOP LOCAL FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR HOLIDAY LIST!

Peace & Cheer HOUSE OF WORSHIP OF FREEHOLD

Eat, Dine, Be Merry THE LOADED SPOON

D IN PA RE O S

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Following Freehold

Media Group ECRWSS Local Residential Customer

PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Newspaper

WINTER 2023 ISSUE VP OF SALES

ARLENE REYES PUBLISHER

BRITTANY ROUGHT MANAGING EDITOR

KATHY CHANG

Thank You to our 07728 valued advertisers and readers.

Your continued support allows us to directly deliver the latest in news, events and highlights in your community every quarter.

We look forward to a wonderful 2024 with you.

Season’s Greetings 07728 Magazine Family WINTER 2023

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ACCOUNT MANAGER

TATIANA TABILE LAYOUT & DESIGN

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In this Issue: House of Worship ‘peace and cheer’ ................................... 6 Borough Bites The Loaded Spoon................................8 Holiday Gift Guide.................................12 Following Freehold..............................15 Cover Photo By JAMIE GIAMBRONE

@nmg_lifestyle 07728

is a publication of Newspaper Media Group, 130 Twinbridge Drive, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 (856)779-3800 x6920 brought@newspapermediagroup.com

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WINTER 2023

Letter from the Editor:

From Our Family to Yours

My Nan has been making this appetizer since the 1980s when she found it in the local Marlton Society cookbook. It has been a staple in our family’s home, and is always a fan favorite. With just a few ingredients, you can whip it up in no time!

-Paul Mangiamele, Marketing Consultant

Spinach Balls PREP TIME: 10 mins.

COOK TIME: 20 mins.

TOTAL TIME: 30 mins.

SERVINGS: 11 servings

INGREDIENTS 2 cups finely crushed herbseasoned dry bread stuffing mix 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 3 large eggs, beaten ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup melted butter 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ½ teaspoon ground black pepper DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Combine stuffing mix, spinach, eggs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper in a large bowl; mix well. Use your hands to shape spinach mixture into walnut-sized balls and place on a baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and browned, about 20 minutes.  WINTER 2023

Hello 07728! Oh winter, here you are! I love this time of year.

You get to spend time with your loved ones and the thought of snow on the ground and holding hot chocolate in my hands warms my heart. I am excited for you to check out our Winter edition magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community Kathy Chang of Freehold.

EDITOR We start our holiday issue by taking a look at various House of Worship around Freehold. We wanted to know what is in store for the holiday season.

And just WOW, there is a lot of ‘peace and cheer’ going on!

Monsignor Sam Sirianni, rector and pastor of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Sophia Taylor, of Bethel AME Church, and Anne Delgado at St. Peter’s Church fill us in. Check out all the good starting on page 6.

After learning all the good from the houses of worship, be ready to get a “loaded” experience with The Loaded Spoon, a new dining experience providing four different levels of dining adventures. “The Loaded Spoon

offers original dishes, creative cocktails, and decadent desserts in the most captivating space,” according to Theresa Catalano, culinary director and pastry.

Learn about the experience on page 8.

We round this holiday issue with our annual Holiday gift guide. We walked Downtown Freehold to shop for the holidays.

We highlighted some finds from a selection of hand-rolled cigars made by Montecristo, Padron and Oliva from Cigars on Main to a custom-made sign from Signarama to a 24-piece handpicked assortment of truffles from Old Monmouth Candies.

How about a signature cocktail 2-pack, decanter set from 618 at Home to gift certificates from Leela’s Salon and House of Glam. Check it all out starting on page 12.

Also check out our Following Freehold for future community events on page 15 and some special holiday recipes sprinkled throughout the magazine. All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead! Enjoy!

Kathy Chang Editor

Winter 2023 Contributors

Ryan Gallagher

Hailey Ruderman

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Jennifer Amato

Jamie Giambrone

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House of Worship promote

‘peace and cheer’ in Freehold this holiday season

By Ryan Gallagher

I

t’s the Holiday Season, and it’s time to get merry whether you like it … or not. If you find yourself unready or unwilling to put your best foot forward, then the Holiday events around Freehold might just be the cure you’re looking for.

CHARITY EVENTS IN FREEHOLD On Dec. 9, St. Peter’s Church hosted a Community Supper.

Anne Delgado, the director of formation at St. Peter’s said that the “2nd and the 4th Fridays of every month are Community Suppers hosted by the social justice ministries and Blessing Bag Brigade New Jersey in our space.”

On Dec. 23, the Bethel AME Church will host Provisions Promised Pantry Holiday Toy and Food Box Giveaway at noon to 1:30 p.m. Participants need to register as soon as possible.

Sascha Duckenfield who is the secretary at the Business Administration Office in the Borough of Freehold said: “It’s the third or fourth year now and [the event] started during COVID. It’s a food pantry volunteering opportunity, and food box and toy giveaway on that Saturday.”

MUSICAL EVENTS IN FREEHOLD The musical events in Freehold kicked off early this year at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine with the Christmas Carol Festival which happened on Dec. 1.

Monsignor Sam Sirianni, the rector and pastor of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert said ahead of the Christmas Carol Festival that the festival “… brings people together to sing Christmas carols that we don’t hear often anymore. There are 15 holiday radio stations that are all playing the same stuff [laughs]. There’s beauty and a lesson to be learned. I don’t get excited about ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer’ or ‘All I Want for Christmas’ but I do get excited for this. It’s open for everyone and refreshments will be served—a great way of getting people involved.”

On Saturday Dec. 9, the First Baptist Church of Freehold hosted the Princeton Symphonic Brass Ensemble Holiday Concert.

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

Freehold has no shortage of events this holiday season especially among the houses of worship around town.

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Looking longer distance, past Christmas and into the new year: The Community Arts Center of Freehold will have two concerts at the Reformed Church of Freehold. This will start with the Madison Strong Quartet Workshop at 9 a.m. on January 20, 2024.

On Feb. 18, 2024, the church will host the Princeton University Chapel Choir at 4:30 p.m.

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FREEHOLD EVENTS: JUST FOR FUN! Awesome events need only friendly individuals who are ready to have a great time.

That was the goal for the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Holiday Gala on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Ahead of the Gala, Sophia Taylor, the Gala co-chair for Bethel AME Church said that “The Holiday Gala at the Battleground Country Club is a chance to celebrate together and have a good time in unity.”

“It’s a chance to socialize and dance and enjoy yourself,” said Taylor, who is also a board member and treasurer of the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers.

People were about to have a seated dinner including a cocktail hour and a cash bar, which was “a fundraiser to help the church and associated organizations which are struggling.”

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RELIGIOUS HAPPENINGS The major religious events through Freehold kicked off downtown on Dec. 11 with a Menorah Lighting.

On Dec. 17, the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine hosts the Third Sunday of Advent Happenings.

“A lot of what we do for Christmas we do in conjunction in the celebration of Advent.

So, the third Sunday of Advent we have several things like the Eastern European tradition of wafers for families,” Monsignor Sirianni said. “It comes from an old tradition in Poland and other Slavic countries where Christmas Eve dinner people go around and break a small piece of special wafer off and reconcile. We encourage people to send blessings from the church to their homes.”

On Dec. 21, St. Peter’s Church will host a Blue Christmas Service at 7 p.m. “… It’s a newer service but many people responding because not everyone approaches holidays with joyfulness. Some people have painful memories or loss. So, this service brings that complexity into acknowledging this season,” said Delgado. see HOUSE OF WORSHIP page 11 07728

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WINTER 2023

Borough Bites

EAT, DINE, BE MERRY FROM DECADENT DESSERTS TO CREATIVE COCKTAILS, THE LOADED SPOON LIVES UP TO ITS NAME

By Hailey Ruderman

T

he Loaded Spoon is a new dining experience providing four different levels of dining adventures.

Located off Schanck Road, the restaurant - which fittingly opened St. Patrick’s Day - includes a bar area for older guests, a family centered dining area with a view of the pastry kitchen, another dining area that can be used for private parties and events, and a “patio” area lined with garland and gates to give it an outdoor feel, while still inside.

“In opening The Loaded Spoon, our goal was to bring a new and exciting dining experience to the area unlike anything else, from the ambiance surrounding you to the food and beverage served,” explained Theresa Catalano, culinary director and pastry chef at The Loaded Spoon.

“The Loaded Spoon offers original dishes, creative cocktails, and decadent desserts in the most captivating space. We are

thrilled to bring this new dining experience to our community and strive to exceed expectations in food, service and atmosphere for our guests time and time again.”

Catalano and her team also strive to create an extraordinary experience perfect for families with younger children.

“One of our favorite parts of opening The Loaded Spoon was cultivating a space where family and friends can create memories time and time again,” both Catalano and Vice President of Food and Beverage, Ankur Kapoor said.

With all the different dining options, there is something for everyone.

The bar area, which also has dining tables, is a sleek room with modern touches that hosts DJs every Friday and Saturday night, and even during their “Boozy Brunch.” Anyone older than the age of 16 is able to dine there until 8 p.m., but once the entertainment starts, the room turns into a 21 years and older crowd.

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

The Loaded Spoon offers decadent desserts and creative cocktails to creative cuisine.

During the holiday season, the restaurant transforms into a winter wonderland.

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DJs that have entertained include DJ Unique, Nick Russo, DJ Encore, and DJ Klutch, to name a few.

So while DJs entertain, let’s touch upon the “decadent desserts,” which customers can watch being made while dining.

And can we say, it’s definitely a sight to see from the Unicornation Loaded Shake, a strawberry milkshake with confetti and shimmer; a Queen Bee Loaded Sundae, a mixed berry sorbet with honeycomb gelato and Catalano’s favorite, the Chantilly Lace, a house made cream puff with vanilla custard and fresh whipped cream.

Just all delightfully yum!

The menu also has shareables including the Bomboloni – vanilla, strawberry raz, nutella whipped cream, dark chocolate sauce and salted caramel sauce – that serves six to eight people and the Last Call – crème brulee, cream puffs, New York cheesecake, chocolate pudding dip, whipped berries, chocolates, caramel popcorn, assorted cookies – that serves 10-12 people. Woah!

Catalano started off as a pastry cook in New York City after she graduated from culinary school, and soon after transitioned into catering.

“Once moving to New Jersey, [I] looked to move into the restaurant industry, craving the opportunity for more creativity,” she said, “[I] have been a part of The Loaded Spoon’s team prior to opening and started off as the executive pastry chef, and was recently moved into the role as culinary director.”

So we talked about those decadent desserts, let’s check out the creative cuisine, including a short rib Bolognese, which is Kapoor’s favorite.

“I love the Bolognese sauce; the short rib is so tender it melts in your mouth, and it all blends together and compliments perfectly with the pasta,” he added. Insert salivating emoji.

On Nov. 22, the restaurant opened their Christmas holiday pop-up restaurant called Miracle. Transforming their restaurant and menu items into a winter wonderland, customers step into the restaurant with a whole new magical feel. Holiday celebrations conclude New Year’s Day. see LOADED SPOON page 10 07728

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WINTER 2023

LOADED SPOON 07728 from page 9 “Our entire restaurant will be decorated with over-the-top Christmas decor from floor to ceiling. We will be featuring 12 holiday themed handcrafted cocktails served with kitschy glassware as well as a holiday themed dessert menu,” according to Catalano and Kapoor.

“It will be a truly immersive experience from the ambiance of the holiday decor (lights, ornaments, Christmas dress hanging from the ceilings, walls covered in wrapping paper), festive cocktails and dessert menu, and classic holiday tunes.”

Miracle will also include a special Sunday Boozy Brunch with Mr. Claus himself. A Naughty or Nice Party kicked off the holiday season featuring DJ Klutch and pictures with Santa, and an Ugly Sweater Party on December 16, according to a press release.

The Sunday Boozy Brunch is held every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which runs through Dec. 18. Ten percent of funds sold from festive – Santa Pants, Christmas Carol Barrell and Santa’s Head – cups and mugs go towards the SEVA Foundation, an “international non-profit health organization known for preventing and treating blindness and other visual impairments.

“As a business, our goal is to exceed guest expectations from the food and beverage served to the ambiance surrounding them,” Catalano and Kapoor said. “We are continually developing our menu to offer innovative dishes, creative cocktails, and decadent desserts to keep our guests excited to come back as well as always working to enhance our guests’ experience through great service. — 07728 The Loaded Spoon is located at 108 Schanck Road. Hours of operation are: Monday: 4-11 p.m.

Tuesday: 4-11 p.m.

Wednesday: Noon to 11 p.m.

Thursday: Noon to 1 a.m.

Friday: Noon to 2 a.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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HOUSE OF WORSHIP 07728 from page 7 “A lot of people find it useful to balance out the holiday party season, and there are people that Christmas is challenging for many different reasons. So, everything isn’t as straightforward as we may think, there’s a lot of other stuff going on. So, we get great community participation—more so than a regular Sunday.”

On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, St. Peter’s Church will hold their “all ages” Christmas Eve Pageant at 4 p.m. And the Christmas Eve service will start with music at 8:30 p.m.

“In the pageant we’re telling the story of Jesus’ birth tradition,” Delgado said.

“We don’t always have children to fill roles since people don’t come to church in quite the same numbers. So, it’s intergenerational to come together and tell that story during the Christmas Eve service.”

Also on Christmas Eve, St. Robert’s will host a Midnight Mass.

“For Christmas Eve at midnight, as I get older it gets rougher to get up the next morning,” laughed Monsignor Sirianni,” but I still like it.”

He continued, “Advent is the beginning of our liturgical year, and you can tell by our large Advent wreath which is the center of decoration here. But Advent is often jumped over—off to the Christmas rush. So, this service focuses on themes of Advent like looking forward to the second coming, and another theme is looking for Christ as he comes each day as we prep our hearts and souls for Christmas. On Christmas morning I feel like I’m in a coma [laughs].”

While not everyone observes Advent or Christmas, the messages and themes still ring true for other religious or non-religious folk. As a nation, we are programmed to spend, spend, spend, and go, go, go for “the Holidays” starting right around Halloween time. For Christians, the season of Advent is a time to reflect and pray—quite the opposite of what our American culture calls for.

While there are advantages and drawbacks to both ideologies, it’s nice to understand both sides of the coin.

Above all, it shouldn’t be stressful to celebrate the holiday season in a way that’s favorable to every Freehold resident, young and old. From charity events and musical performances to religious gatherings and meetings with Santa, there’s plenty of stressfree, community uplifting events all over Freehold to end 2023. — 07728 07728

From Our Family to Yours For as long as I can remember, these peaches were on our holiday table. We have these in place of cranberry sauce and it’s a delicious replacement!

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WINTER 2023

Gift Guide Shop local in Freehold

for all your holiday needs

By Jennifer Amato Shopping local is important year-round, but even more so during the holiday season when you’re not only giving your loved ones the most beautiful, unique, usually handmade or hand-curated items, but you’re also supporting the store owners who are your friends and neighbors, too.

I love Freehold Borough because it’s close to home; boasts some of my favorite restaurants; offers street fairs, movie nights and concerts via DowtownFreehold.com; and is beautifully decorated for Christmas and Hanukkah.

This year I decided to make my purchases more personal by finding the perfect holiday gifts along Main Street.

I started my day at Cigars on Main to see their selection of hand-rolled cigars. My boyfriend loves to smoke the java flavor, so I found one of those in addition to ones made by Montecristo, Padron and Oliva.

Everything is stored well in various humidors so I’m sure it will be fresh when he gets it in a few weeks.

Across the street, I went to Especially For You florist, where I ordered two gorgeous poinsettia plants that I will bring to my mom before Christmas so she can decorate the mantel, fireplace or dining room table.

I’m thinking about sending a Christmas bouquet to my Godmother, too.

Moving along, I was distracted by the gorgeous diamonds sparkling in the windows of Freehold Jewelers. My cousin just had her first baby girl, so I found an adorable pair of little stud earrings for her first piercing. I looked at an ID bracelet and a nameplate for her as well, but I’ll save that for her Baptism.

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

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While browsing about, I decided to wander through the Freehold Art Gallery. In the spirit of the season, I wanted to see the beautiful artwork handcrafted by local artists who make unique and heartwarming pieces. There are new exhibits on display every six weeks, so I plan to come back with my girlfriends to shop before going to dinner at Ramen Nagomi or Fusha Asian Fusion before watching a performance at Center Players Theater. My gift to them will be an experience this year so we can all take time from our busy lives to spend a few hours catching up, laughing and having fun.

My sisters need some time to themselves, too, so along with gift certificates to Leela’s Salon and House of Glam, I bought one sister a specialty shampoo and conditioner set and the other sister her first set of eyelash extensions.

For my one sister’s boyfriend and my other sister’s husband, they are both getting an IOU for Artis Brewery so we can all hang out and sample the different local craft beers, including the Party of 9 North American Pilsner malt, Freehold Festbier German-style beer and Blood Orange Fizz hard seltzer. Maybe if I’m feeling super generous that night, I’ll treat everyone to dinner next door at Char.

I needed something special for my father, who is a simple man who doesn’t want gifts. I came across Signarama and it felt like I struck gold: I want to have a sign custommade saying “It’s A Wonderful Life” both for his favorite movie and because the saying is true. This will take a few weeks to make so if you’re considering such a unique gift, plan this one in advance.

I also decided that I would buy some gift cards to donate to the local food bank for them to add to Christmas food baskets. My favorite restaurants in town are El Meson, Tacos TKO, Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro, Mateo’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, Federici’s, and Da Rosario. see GIFT GUIDE page 14

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WINTER 2023

Hometown Favorites WHICH DO YOU PREFER? MAKING A SNOWMAN OR SLEDDING? WE ASKED OUR NEIGHBORS, HERE’S WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY!

Tim Surgent Sledding, I just really like sledding!

Tom Huth prefers sledding. “It is more exhilarating!”

Charlie Altiero of Freehold Jewelers, prefers sledding. “It is more exhilarating and reminds me of my childhod! We would get our buddies and go to Lakewood Country Club.”

(L-r) Jaime Corbu and Colleen Jerry prefer sldding. “It’s fun! You get that rush going down the hill!”

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GIFT GUIDE 07728 from page 13 All of this walking around made my feet hurt, which made me think: I need a massage! My family and I absolutely love Happy Feet Reflexology in Freehold Township, but I decided to see what the buzz is about at Freehold Body Care Spa. The black currant creamy cleanser and dead sea salt crystal peel by Nature smell divine. I decided to try the Silc Skin eye pads that remove wrinkles while you sleep and the crystal peel lavender microdermabrasion exfoliating body soap. Then, I inquired about appointments for my mom, sisters and me to spend a girls' day out after the holidays.

I ended my day off of Main Street, driving to Park Avenue. Going to 618 Restaurant in Freehold is gift enough, but if you can’t make it there this holiday season, give your loved one a piece to take home. Through 618 At Home, you can wrap up a signature cocktail 2-pack, decanter set, Mezcal tequila tasting set or a special Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Private Barrel. For those who aren’t yet 21, think about a candle in the scent of pumpkin martini, mistletoe margarita, peppermint martini, pistachio martini, espresso martini, ruby red sangria, Cosmo, or Matt’s Old Fashioned.

I then went across the street to Old Monmouth Candies as the literal and figurative dessert to my all-day shopping meal.

If you know, you know. There are rooms filled with candy, chocolate, saltwater taffy, their world-famous brittle – even chocolatedipped dog bones! Needless to say, everyone on my list got a little something extra from here. My dad got chocolate-covered Oreos. My boyfriend’s family will get a 24-piece hand-picked assortment of truffles for Christmas Day. My parents, sisters and nephews each got a signature Old Monmouth Candies chocolate bar; I’ll wrap up the regular, rice crispies and caramel versions and randomly put them in their stockings. My boyfriend got a 6-pack of cashew brittle; just don’t tell his dentist.

Then, because I can’t resist a good local farm, I went to both Battleview Orchards and Wemrock Orchards to get a pumpkin pie and an apple pie, respectively, for Christmas dessert.

I’m so glad I decided to shop near my hometown this holiday season. I believe in shopping local, supporting our local business owners and finding gifts that will make memories for years to come. — 07728 07728

Following Freehold It’s all in the details.

When it comes to your social calendar change is ... not always good. But sometimes it’s inevitable. Check each organization’s website for updated event information.

Dec. 16-19 – Judging of Freehold Borough Recreation Commission’s Holiday House Decorating Contest.

Dec. 17 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Brunch w/Santa, The American Hotel, 18 E. Main St., Freehold.

Dec. 17 – 11-11:45 a.m. – Story Time at Walnford, Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold.

Dec. 19 – 3-8 p.m. - As people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

The blood drive will be held at Freehold Township High School, 281 Elton-Adelphia Road.

Advertise in our next issue coming soon!

To Advertise, please call: (856)779-3800 x6920 or email: brought@newspapermediagroup.com

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NOW HIRING! Come be part of a great team.

Newspaper Media Group is seeking creative, analytical & outgoing individuals to join our team.

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WINTER 2023

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