Manasquan & Brielle September 2023

Manasquan +Brielle

EPILEPSY: LOCALS RAISE AWARENESS BACK TO SCHOOL IN STYLE

9 WAYS TO MAKE MEAL PREP EASIER

Turning Injury to Inspiration

#1 Agent in Manasquan, and #1 Agent in Brielle!

Greg Rice has been the top-selling Realtor in both Manasquan and Brielle for the past 15 YEARS! From 2008 - 2022, Greg closed more residential real estate than any other agent at any other brokerage in each Manasquan and Brielle!* He is recognized through multiple awards and designations as one of the top real estate agents in the entire United States and was recently ranked #27 in all of N.J. (over 55,000 agents) by Newsweek Magazine's "America's Best Realtors." Contact Greg today to discover for yourself what separates him from other agents and why he is the top-selling agent in Manasquan and Brielle. He is always available for a free, discreet, and confidential consultation on what your home could be worth in this market.

"...We could not be more pleased with this process from start to finish. Greg is friendly, professional, hardworking and smart. His marketing approach was first class, his negotiating skills fantastic. There was no request he could not handle. We recommend him without reservations...."

- McManus Family, Seller, Manasquan

...In my life, I have hired four real estate agents. Greg Rice is, by a very wide margin, the best. His attention to you and overall customer service is extraordinary.I can not say enough good things.

- L. Matino, Buyer, Manasquan

"....My wife and I interviewed numerous realtors to help us sell our Brielle home, and it was clear to us w ithin a few minutes of meeting Greg that he would be our choice...Greg's preparation, presentation materials, knowledge of the local market, and his contagious enthusiasm, and professionalism stood out to us. My wife and I can not recommend Greg highly enough...."

- Tim Conway, Seller, Brielle

Just Some of Greg's Recent Sales

PHOTOGRAPH

Savoring Locals’ Summer

love this time of year!

September is a month of awareness for several causes. Two of our feature stories, “Shelling Out Awareness” and “Turning Injury to Inspiration,” are doing just that—raising awareness of epilepsy and spinal cord injury, respectively. The staff at BookTowne has also put together an impactful list of empowering books that bring awareness to what it’s like to overcome forms of adversity aligning with these relevant causes.

This month’s issue introduces us to one of Manasquan High School’s most recent graduates and entrepreneurs, Danny Colon. Danny’s Electrix Vintage shop is located on Main Street, and I highly recommend you pop in to check out his personally handpicked vintage items—bet you’ll find some originals of the latest and greatest trends! And to start off your school year, check out our back-to-school local shopping guide that not only speaks to students of all ages but to teachers and parents as well.

Editor & Publisher

Tracy Naimo

Group Publisher

Jodi Bruker

Art Director

Sue Park

Copy Editor

Nancy Fass

Writers

Laurie Adamkiewicz

Morgan Mechler

Violet Nolan

Chef Bill Roll

Photographers

Laurie Adamkiewicz

Theresa Artigas

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman

Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

VP, Group Publisher, Regional

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

The best of both worlds has officially returned—significantly depleted weekend crowds coupled with what’s typically a month or more of gorgeous, still-beachworthy weather. The days are still warm and sunny, and the ocean water still offers comfortable swimming temperatures. There’s no traffic, the parking is way easier, there aren’t long lines to our favorite restaurants and bars, and our local shops are offering end-of-season sales. Manasquan and Brielle residents

Here’s to relaxing at the beach during locals’ summer before sweatshirts and flannels again become the norm. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the September issue! If you are interested in being featured, know someone that should be or have an idea for the magazine, please reach out to me at Tracy.Naimo@ wainscotmedia.com. I want to hear from you!

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

Tracy Naimo Publisher

Manasquan + Brielle magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Manasquan and Brielle, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Copyright 2023 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Around Town

A NIGHT OUT FOR ALL

The Manasquan Borough Police Department hosted National Night Out on August 1. The Squan Plaza was off the hook with live music, food, a pieeating contest, activities for the kids and plenty of emergency vehicles that were open to climb in and check out!

SOUNDS OF HAWAII

Ukulele on the Beach wrapped up its summer jam sessions in August after a fun-filled meetup. Instructors Evan and Shain are pictured here with one of their groups at Seawatch Beach.

SUMMER SPECIALS

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our office one day and our turning heads in no time. This works as a permanent solution to remove unwanted fat & tighten skin. It is the most effective minimally invasive treatment possible. Our New jersey licensed physicians are available for free consultations in person or by virtual zoom.

A fractional laser which treats uneven skin texture, and signs of sun damage such as age spots, actinic keratosis, excess pigmentation (like dark spots and melasma), and benign pigmented lesions. This procedure can be performed in the summer.

MORPHEOUS8 MICRONEEDLING

A fractional laser which treats uneven skin texture, and signs of sun damage such as age spots, actinic keratosis, excess pigmentation (like dark spots and melasma), and benign pigmented lesions. This procedure can be performed in the summer.

For face and laxity, fine lines, stretchmarks collagen growth layer of skin. like

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Around Town

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER EVENTS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

JUST US GIRLS 29th annual 5K walk/run at Sea Girt Army Camp, 9:30 a.m.

JUST US GIRLS is a nonprofit, allvolunteer organization located in Manasquan addressing the holistic and financial needs of women and men in Monmouth and Ocean counties who are dealing with the trauma of breast cancer. For more information and to sign up for the race, visit www.justusgirls.net.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

2nd Annual Local Summer Beach Picnic (4th of July Fireworks reschedule date)

Main Beach 4 to 9 p.m.

Register on Community Pass if you would like to participate in the BBQ by Local Smoke!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

Women’s Club of Manasquan Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Change of venue for this event: It will be held at the St. Denis School in Manasquan. Sign up at www.redcrossblood.org.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8

The fifth installment of the Manasquan Inlet Tug of War promises to be an epic battle, pitting the fierce competitors from Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach against each other for the coveted Winners’ Cup.

New Life for Old Clothes

This college freshman has kick-started his fashion career by starting Electrix Vintage, a carefully curated mix of vintage and original clothing.

BY TRACY NAIMO

How far back does your passion for clothing go?

It goes back to when I was about 12 and in the seventh grade. I wanted to have a clothing business, so I bought a bunch of white hoodies and I sowed butterfly patches on them—kind of like a Brandy Melville hoodie knockoff. I sold them to all my friends, but this venture didn’t quite work out for me as planned: All the butterflies “flew off” after the first wash!

How did Electrix Vintage get started?

It all began in 2020, during quarantine. I wanted to get rid of some of my clothes, so I started to sift through my closet, bleach some things and crop some tops for my girlfriends. I’ve always been passionate about clothes, so I started to sell some things on Instagram, Poshmark, Depop and eventually my own website. I would set up shop at the annual Brielle Day and would also have a reoccurring weekly appearance at the Asbury Fresh Market where I would show up with my two racks of clothes, restock and repeat the next week. I liked the design side, but the sourcing piece is what I really became interested in and loved.

Danny Colon, owner of Electrix Vintage, is not your typical college freshman. Along with learning the ins and outs of college life at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City this fall, Colon will continue to run both his online and retail stores. Colon, who will major in fashion business management, already has a head start in the fashion business industry.

Tell me about your space at 150 Main St.

We officially opened our doors on May 7, 2023. It took us seven days to transform the space. We are still getting settled and continue to fill up the wall space. We carry vintage items from the ’60s all the way up to the 2000s.

What makes your shop different from other consignment shops?

There is no wholesale or consignment, nor is there a sifting process—everything is individually chosen by me. It’s a curated vintage store. I personally shop for every item, whether it’s sold online or in the retail store. I love finding original pieces of what is currently trending—that’s really fun. Finding old stuff is just what I love to do.

INTERVIEW WITH DANNY COLON

What’s your go-to place for the best vintage finds?

What do you want people to know about Electrix?

At every pop-up event that Electrix is a part of, a portion of sales will go toward I.F.C. United, www.ifcunited.org, which allocates funds to people in need that larger charities may overlook. A portion of sales from the original Electrix Love hoodies and totes goes to The Trevor Project, www.thetrevorproject.org. Its main mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people. We try to keep everything a little bit charitable. If I am buying from a thrift store that has a mission, I make an extra donation for that.

What do you do with clothing that is not sold?

It ends up being donated. Just recently, at our first ever fashion show, we had a clothing drive and were able to donate a lot of clothing to Puerto Rico for its hurricane relief efforts, which, unfortunately, are still going on.

If you had one message to the residents of Manasquan and Brielle, what would it be?

Don’t throw away your “old,” out-of-style or worn clothing. I shop for buttons on sweaters all the time, laces off old worn pairs of sneakers and pins from cardigans. Clothing is 70 percent of the waste found in landfills, and that’s a lot of waste in the world. Let’s try to be a bit more “circular.”

Tracy Naimo is the publisher of Manasquan + Brielle magazine.

Estate sales, hands down.

BOOKTOWNE

“The Night Before Kindergarten” by Natasha Wing: $4.99

A comforting read for any student feeling nervous about entering kindergarten. This is a great story to help settle first-day jitters.

QUINNDERELLA’S

Pencil cases with and without personalization: $6.99

Younger students who want to show a little personality while keeping their school supplies organized

Back to School in Style

Kick off the school year with an extra dash of fun.

BY MORGAN MECHLER

Our guide to shopping local has you covered, whether you’re in search of shoes, clothes, accessories, books—or an adult beverage to toast the start of school.

VIOLET VALENTINE

Steve Madden suede high-top sneakers: $54.99

Sure to become a favorite for any girl age 7–14 who wants to look stylish going to school or playing with friends

COASTAL LIVING

Local zip code town notepads: $22.00

Great for all ages: high school, college—teachers and parents, too!

KATHERINE’S

ITEM/PRICE:

1 Seychelles: $139.00

2 Madden Girl: $64.00

3 Seychelles: $139.00

Chic and stylish clogs for girls of all ages. So comfortable, teachers can wear them all day!

BOUQUETS TO REMEMBER

Various Corkcicles:

1 Captain America: $47.95

2 Pink cup: $39.95

3 Purple cup: $29.95

4 Aqua cup: $32.95

All ages, including parents! Water bottles are great for school and even better for the environment.

THE GARRETT

Picture frame: $26.50

A perfect picture frame for that new school photo or favorite memory from home.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MORGAN MECHLER

WATERLILY

Yellow Cleobella dress for the first day of school (Waterlily has many other cute firstday-of-school dresses, too): $218.00

Sure to be appreciated by girls from high school to college who want to make a good first impression

BATCH

Coffee and mug. Mug: $12 Start the first day of school right, sipping coffee or tea out of this cute mug. Batch coffee is also great after school for those in need of a recharge!

INLET OUTLET

1 Inlet Outlet T-shirt: $25.00

1 Inlet Outlet hooded sweatshirt: $56.00

2 Inlet Outlet sweatpants: $50.00

3 Inlet Outlet hat: $25.00

Great for boys ages 8–18 who love to surf or want to keep warm while watching surf competitions, heading to school or just hanging out

WATERLILY

Z-Supply “All Mixed Up” stripe lounge set. Shirt: $79; Shorts: $49 Girls going off to college will love relaxing in this cute set in their new dorm rooms.

KATHERINE’S

Sleep essentials set: $36.00

Faux leopard slippers: $35.00

Kitsch satin pillowcase: $19.00

Make the night before her first day a cozy, restful one.

MANASQUAN LIQUORS

La Marca Prosecco: $17.99 each

Good for anyone who is 21 and older to celebrate the start of the new school year!

WISH

Beaded gold bracelet stacks.

Various prices ranging from $25-$50

The perfect startof-school gift for anyone who wants to accessorize. Wear some bling without breaking the bank.

COASTAL LIVING

“The beach fixes everything” mouse pad

“May you always have a shell in your pocket & sand in your toes” mouse pad

“The beach is my happy place” mouse pad

All $14.00

Perfect for mouse users who love the beach

Backpack Facts

5 1 2 3 4 5

ways to keep kids’ packs on the right track

Backpack Awareness Day is September 20. It’s an important day to observe, especially if you have a schoolage child. Out of the 79 million-plus kids who wear backpacks to school, more than half are hauling around an unsafe amount of weight. Doctors end up treating thousands of young students each year for problems related to backpack use. Here’s how to keep your child from becoming one of those statistics.

Pick the Right Pack

Make sure your child’s pack has padding to help protect the back from sharp items or sharp corners. Be sure shoulder straps are padded and wide. You’ll also want a waist belt so the shoulders don’t have to handle all the weight.

Keep It Light

Convince your child to carry only what’s absolutely necessary for the day, and leave the extras at home. Doctors say that children should not carry backpacks any heavier than about 10 to 15 percent of their own body weight.

Wear It Well

The backpack should be the right size for your child’s age. Shoulder straps should fit snugly against the back. The bottom of the backpack shouldn’t go lower than four inches below the waist.

Pack It Right

The backpack should have individual compartments so the weight can be spread around, with the heaviest items closest to the back and the lighter ones further toward the outer edge.

Look Out for Trouble

At the first sign of your child experiencing back or neck pain, stop and ask yourself, “Is it the backpack?” If you think it might be, talk to a doctor or occupational therapist.

Coldwell Banker Realty

Spring Lake Office

Susan Bastardo Realtor Associate, SRES

C: 732.245.5848 | O:732.449.2777

1122 Third Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762 susan.bastardo@cbmoves.com 2023 Client

Susan Bastardo knows that “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER”. Susan is attuned to the rapidly changing trends in the marketplace and keeps both buyers and sellers informed every step of way. Susan’s clients rely heavily on her previous banking & mortgage experience, keen artist’s eye for staging & decor to stage their home and “everything” Monmouth county. Her SRES designation, NJ Realtors Distinguished Sales Award, Five Star Award and Coldwell Banker’s International President’s Circle Award puts Susan in the top 7% of all Coldwell Banker agents worldwide.

The Nauti Butler

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Milestone Birthdays

Retirement Parties

Baby/Bridal Showers

Rehearsal Dinners

Post Wedding Day Brunches

Brunch

Halloween Parties

Wedding Day Bridal Breakfast

Corporate Events Grand Openings

Graduation Parties Engagement Parties Kids Themed Parties

Holiday Parties/Get-Togethers

We love to be social, connect with us!

www.thenautibutlers.com

732 - 284 - 7660

thenautibutlers@gmail.com

Greater Goods Refillery is Monmouth County’s refill shop. As you start to think about BACK TO SCHOOL, consider ways to cut back on waste in your kid’s lunch box! We have reusable, machine washable/dryable sandwich wrappers, dishwasher safe Stasher bags in a variety of sizes, bamboo and metal reusable utensils and cloth napkins. All easy swaps and a great foundation for kids and young adults to become more sustainable! First lesson  11 Parker Ave Manasquan NJ 08736

Tuesday – Saturday 10-5

Sunday 10-3

Monday Closed

Beauty delivered to your doorstep.

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Testimonial- ”You’re the best realtor on the planet!”

Inspiration Turning Injury to

BY TRACY NAIMO

Positive. Determined. Resilient. Gritty. Kind. Faithful. Focused. Humble. These are words that children’s book author M.B. Paradise uses to describe Eric LeGrand, Sam Jarmer, Aaron Van Trease and Becky Kurusz. She knows each of them and, in addition to the traits listed above, they have something else in common: a spinal cord injury (SCI). They are the driving force behind her book “Beach Santa” and its mission.

The author, a Manasquan resident, grew up in New Jersey but had a cousin in Texas who was paralyzed and in a wheelchair almost her entire life. “When we would visit Galveston, I always felt bad that I could run, walk and dance around, and Becky couldn’t,” Paradise says. “I always wanted to do something for her but I never knew how or what—until now.”

Paradise is donating 25 percent of her book sales to Team LeGrand, which supports

SCI research and initiatives for the more than 6 million people living with paralysis— many, like athlete LeGrand, after sustaining sports-related injuries. (Read about his experiences in the book “Believe: The Victorious Story of Eric LeGrand.”)

A former Division I and high school certified athletic trainer, Paradise has always felt a pull to help others. She explains that most athletes are extremely motivated to return. That intensity can be a double-edged sword, though, when a season-ending or career-ending injury occurs.

The struggle is real. “So often, an athlete’s identity is so closely tied to their sport that injuries are an enormous challenge, not just physically, but psychologically,” Paradise says. “That’s why I’m always so inspired by those that have sustained severe injuries yet somehow find it within themselves to persevere with grace.”

How the stirring example of local athletes and a kind gesture at the beach morphed into a small book with a big mission

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MB PARADISE AND THERESA ARTIGAS

Manasquan resident Aaron Van Trease, who sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) this past fall, and local author M.B. Paradise, who is donating 25 percent from sales of her new book, “Beach Santa,” to support SCI research.

A Story From the Heart

In Paradise’s opinion, LeGrand has persevered with both grace and grit. “Eric works intensely hard but with a smile,” she says. LeGrand is a former Rutgers University football player who sustained an SCI in 2010.

Not long after his injury, Paradise and her husband, John, heard LeGrand give an inspirational talk at the Atlantic Club in Wall, and she was blown away not only by his courage but also his attitude.

Years later, LeGrand would become the spark of inspiration that this rookie author needed. Although the idea for the story occurred years earlier, she sidelined it while working and raising her family. However, when she learned that LeGrand was taking steps to open a coffee shop during the pandemic, she says it lit a fire under her to get her book written and published.

The mom of three knew that tying the project to Team LeGrand would motivate her to keep pushing, and, with Eric’s permission, she even modeled one of the

main characters in the story—a child in a wheelchair—after him.

The book is a playful, heartwarming story about what Santa does on the night after Christmas, with overlying themes of generosity and teamwork. The idea for the plot sprouted years ago when her kids were shell-searching at the beach. An older fisherman with a white beard heard them chirping about not being able to find any good shells and he generously dropped some perfectly shaped shells onto the sand.

Family Connections

When talking about the charitable aspect of the book, two other local SCI athletes come to mind for Paradise: Sam Jarmer and Aaron Van Trease.

“I’ve known Sam and his mom, Jess, for over 16 years,” Paradise says. “In fact, Sam and my daughter Madigan went to preschool together, and Sam was the first child we ever had over for a playdate. The news that Sam sustained an SCI while lifeguarding in Ocean Grove in 2017

made my stomach drop.”

The same feeling took hold when she heard about Manasquan resident and St. John Vianney athlete Aaron Van Trease this past fall. Van Trease, affectionately known as AVT, went to Manasquan Elementary School with Paradise’s daughter Katie, and the Van Trease family lives around the corner.

“AVT is a special kid, and the incredible strides he has made over the past months are a testament to his character and work ethic,” Paradise says.

Jarmer and Van Trease have incredibly uplifting and inspiring stories in their own right, and they both currently do a portion of their rehabilitation at Project Walk in Mount Laurel, NJ.

Paradise has visited the facility to observe the rehabilitation. She tears up talking about these kids at Project Walk. “Watching them push, seeing the raw determination on their faces—it’s so many things at once,” she says: “will, strength, pride, mental toughness.” She pauses. “It’s powerful stuff.”

Left: Aaron Van Trease (AVT) and Eric LeGrand at Kessler Institute. Right: Sam Jarmer and AVT at Project Walk.

Community Support

She presented LeGrand with the first check in February at his coffee shop in Woodbridge, and plans on many more. She admits that it will probably take a while to make a sizable donation to Team LeGrand but is determined to chip away one book at a time. She firmly believes that each of these athletes will walk again. In the meantime, she is happy to be a contributor to the organization’s mission.

To date, the book has all 5-star reviews on Amazon and has sold over 1,400 copies, which Paradise largely attributes to support from family, friends, the town of Manasquan and the Jersey

shore community from Atlantic Highlands to Cape May.

“Jersey is incredible,” she says. “I’m a proud Jersey girl. Look at how the Woodbridge and Rutgers communities rally around Eric LeGrand, how the Ocean Grove and St. Rose communities rally around Sam Jarmer and how the Manasquan and Saint John Vianney communities are rallying around Aaron Van Trease. When times get tough, Jersians dig deep with their own individual version of grit and grace to support and lift others up.”

That example, coupled with her inspiring local role models, is all the motivation that this author needs.

“Seeing the determination on their faces—it’s so many things all at once: will, strength, pride, mental toughness. It’s powerful stuff.”

– M.B. Paradise, author and Manasquan resident

Tracy Naimo is the publisher of Manasquan + Brielle Magazine. She lives in Brielle with her husband, Charlie, and their young twins.

Above left: Teagan Paradise, M.B. Paradise, Eric LeGrand and John Paradise.

Above: M.B. Paradise and LeGrand at LeGrand Coffee house the day the author presented him with her first check in support of Team LeGrand.

Shelling Out Awarene ss

Decorated seashells call attention to epilepsy in Manasquan and beyond.

BY LAURIE ADAMKIEWICZ

There’s a relatively new craze that’s become extremely popular in recent months, especially along our coastal towns: the art of decorating seashells, usually with happy thoughts or quotes and pretty pictures. Their sole purpose is to spread joy, happiness and good vibes. After you decorate shells, you take on the role of the Easter Bunny and hide them for people to find.

There is a Facebook group where people can post a photo of a shell they discovered and mention where they found it. Or people can snap a photo of their decorated shells and perhaps give a hint or two about where they’ll be hiding them. Clamshells are painted or decorated using decoupage, glitter, rhinestones and more. As the saying goes, everyone is an artist!

Kyle Adamkiewicz, a local shore resident, started decorating shells—but all have the same message: “Find A Cure for Epilepsy.”

Kyle has struggled with epilepsy since age 6. He is now 33, and it has been a bumpy road that has included endless tests, six

brain surgeries and overflowing handfuls of medications along with their side effects.

Unfortunately, Kyle’s seizures are not currently under control, and he has not been able to drive for six years. In addition to its medical rigors, the disorder takes a tough mental toll. One’s world becomes smaller and smaller. In general, people don’t understand, are not informed or are even fearful: What if I go out with someone who could have a seizure at any given moment?

Spreading the Message Worldwide

Kyle has always been creative and decided to use shells as a vehicle for getting his message out to the public. People who found his shells began posting how they couldn’t believe someone had made a shell for epilepsy. More and more of these comments were written, showing that Kyle clearly isn’t alone. Yet epilepsy is so rarely spoken about. Kyle wants to change that.

He set out on a mission of spreading awareness along with basic seizure first aid and

has personally made almost 400 shells. Most have been hidden in plain sight for people to find. He leaves them on park benches, along the boardwalk, in coffee shops, at playgrounds and anywhere else that feels right.

The shells were becoming recognized and needed a social media presence. That’s why the Facebook group Epilepsy Shells Worldwide was created. Anyone can request to join the group. To take it a step further, labels inside the shells provide a valuable service to the community by including a QR code that directs people to the Facebook group, an Instagram page and, most importantly, a direct link to seizure first aid (www.epilepsy.com/recognition).

Epilepsy shells now have a worldwide presence. They are found in England, Italy, Portugal, Nova Scotia, Greece, Scotland, Norway, Panama, Croatia, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Spain, Germany and more, along with numerous states across the U.S. Awareness and education are getting out there one purple shell at a time.

Sunshine and the park made the perfect setting to meet others and paint shells.

A Personal Connection

Witnessing someone having a seizure is extremely frightening even to those familiar with the disease. Following just a few simple steps will allow you to help someone. It could be a stranger—or maybe even a family member.

Full disclosure: Kyle’s main partner in this mission is his mother—and that’s me.

As a former graphic artist, I’ve prepared all the files of labels for printing, magnets and any graphics that are needed. The files for printing your own labels are on the

Facebook group page (look under files).

We’d love your help in making shells and would like the top to include “Find a Cure for Epilepsy” along with the label featuring the QR code placed on the inside. You also might want to consider spraying your finished shells with a few light coats of clear sealant. Other than that, have fun! Make a difference.

The next Epilepsy Services of New Jersey event will be October 22. The organization’s Walk for the One event, in its 10th year, will take place at Johnson

Park in Piscataway. This event is complete with activities and resources to enjoy while helping the foundation raise necessary funds to improve the quality of life for those living with epilepsy. Kyle and I will be there with a shell-decorating station. We hope you can join us.

Laurie Adamkiewicz is a local freelance writer and photographer, and the mom of two grown sons. Passionate about art and creativity, she loves seeing her kids design their own epilepsy shells.

Clockwise from top left: New friends at an event, all with the same goal. Kyle helps a young artist create a masterpiece while the next artist awaits his turn. A display of some of Kyle’s shells drying before the final coat of sealant. Such a proud smile after creating her batch of shells—stay strong, epilepsy warrior!

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN SOMEONE HAS A SEIZURE?

• Always stay with the person until the seizure is over.

• Pay attention to how long the seizure lasts.

• Stay calm. Most seizures only last a few minutes.

• Prevent injury by moving nearby objects out of the way.

• Make the person as comfortable as possible.

• Keep onlookers away.

• Don’t hold the person down.

• Don’t put anything in the person’s mouth.

• Don’t give water, pills or food by mouth unless the person is fully alert.

• Make sure their breathing is okay.

• Know when to call for emergency medical help.

• Be sensitive and supportive and ask others to do the same.

Kyle, buried deep in his thoughts. Is a cure ahead anytime soon?

9 Tips to Make Meal Prep Easier

When days get busy, putting a good dinner on the table can be a challenge. Use these tips to ease the pressure.

BY CHEF BILL ROLL

When September arrives and school bells start ringing, life can get pretty hectic. Trust me, I know; I recently moved my twin girls into their dorms for their freshman year of college—good luck, girls!

With school, work and after-school activities on the agenda, who has time for complicated cooking? Don’t worry—I’ve got your back! Get ready to dive into a world of easy and mouthwatering dinner ideas that will have the whole family sitting down together and asking for seconds.

Let’s turn your kitchen into a hub of culinary magic, where time is on your side and flavor is the star of the show. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to create meals that are as effortless as they are tasty because these tips will make dinnertime a whole lot more approachable.

“Get ready to dive into a world of easy and mouthwatering dinner ideas that will have the whole family sitting down together and asking for seconds.”

– Chef Bill Roll, Manasquan resident

For Chef Roll and his family, favorite easy meals include linguini pomodoro, lasagna, panko fried shrimp, rigatoni vodka sauce and “street” tacos.

1 Plan ahead! This is the most important step. Make a plan, write it down and stick to it. This doesn’t mean you have to cook every night. Start with only three nights—don’t overwhelm yourself.

2

Clean and organize your fridge, freezer and pantry. You will be shocked how full each looks when you first open the door. After 10 minutes of being realistic with yourself, they will be nearly empty. Trust me, it happens to chefs, too.

3

Next step: Stock your pantry. Fill it up with items that you know you are going to eat. In my house that means pasta, rice, whole tomatoes, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, good olive oil and a few different vinegars. These are staples I can use for any type of cuisine.

4

Now, let’s open the spice drawer. Do you need to have 20 different spices, all from the last decade? Throw them out and go buy four to five different spices you love and use, and that’s it.

7 Cook ahead. Prepare a lasagna (buy the oven-ready lasagna sheets) on Sunday. Trust me, it will be even better for dinner on Monday.

8

Relax! Most people don’t cook because it isn’t enjoyable, and it can be stressful. Have fun with it, and if a dish is a total disaster, don’t sweat it: We have plenty of great restaurants in town.

5

6 Keep it simple. Family favorites at my house include chicken stir fry with fried rice, shrimp quesadillas, pizzas, fried shrimp and any type of pasta (obviously)! Fancy-up a BLT or grilled cheese sandwich by serving it on semolina bread with soup— always a winning combo.

Be flexible and pivot as tastes change. In our house, meatloaf used to be a strong winner, but pasta with meat sauce and garlic bread have replaced it.

9

While it is still warm outside, take advantage of your grill. It is perfect for cooking salmon or marinated chicken. Make sure to grill enough for a few days. One day it can go into quesadillas; the next it magically shows up again on a Caesar salad.

Use these tips to make meals easy on yourself, and remember: If you do the cooking, you don’t have to do the dishes. That’s someone else’s job!

Chef Bill Roll lives in Manasquan with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children. He is a chef instructor at Brookdale Community College. Follow him on Instagram @Chefbillroll.

Stories of Strength

Empowering books that build awareness for September causes

With several awareness months celebrated during September, the staff at BookTowne recommends titles that discuss what it’s like to overcome forms of adversity aligning with these relevant causes.

“A Heart That Works”

by Rob Delaney

Comedian Delaney grapples with the fragile miracle of life, the mysteries of death and the question of purpose for those left behind in an intimate, unflinching and fiercely funny exploration of illness, loss, grief, rage and the unstoppable love that remains. All proceeds from book sales go to children’s hospice care.

“Sunshine: A Graphic Novel”

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

When Krosoczka was a high school counselor at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families, he worried the experience would be depressing and grim. Instead, he found hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. Amid familiar camp rituals, his account explores the captivity of illness along with the freedom a safe space can bring.

“True Biz”

by Sara Novic

In the halls of a residential school for the deaf, Charlie, a rebellious transfer student, has never met another deaf person; Austin, the school’s golden boy, is rocked when his baby sister is born hearing; and February, the hearing headmistress and CODA (child of deaf adult(s)), is fighting to keep her school open and marriage intact. Through a series of crises, they find their lives entwined—and changed forever.

“El Deafo”

by Cece Bell

In a funny and poignant graphic-novel memoir, author/illustrator Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a powerful yet awkward hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Bell the ability to hear (including things she wasn’t intended to hear), but also isolates her from classmates as she strives to fit in and find a true friend who appreciates her as she is.

SPINAL CORD INJURY AWARENESS

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY AWARENESS

“Believe: The Victorious Story of Eric LeGrand Young Readers’ Edition”

by Eric LeGrand and Mike Yorkey

The former defensive tackle for the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights football team, LeGrand suffered a severe spinal cord injury and was left paralyzed by a crushing on-field tackle during a heated game with Army. This is a remarkable, true account of a courageous young athlete whose unshakable faith, spirit, positive outlook and rousing motto “BELIEVE!”

would inspire fans and motivate his own quest to walk again.

“The Weight of Air: A Story of the Lies About Addiction and the Truth about Recovery”

by David Poses

In this memoir, Poses chronicles his struggle to overcome mental illness and addiction. Through medical detox, inpatient rehab, 12-step programs, a halfway house, multiple relapses and accompanying guilt, shame and secrets, he finally finds an evidencebased treatment that not only saved his life, but helped him thrive. Written with grit, humor and brutal honesty, Poses’ story shows that success is possible.

Shayne Eastmond of Brielle, age 7, won the Micro-Menehune division of the Big Sea Day Surf Contest.

Seas the Day!

Big Sea Day 2023 continues to be a Manasquan community success! It is a day of activities and competitions scattered along Manasquan beach, run by a variety of different local organizations.

This event is significant to the town because it really highlights all the different interests within the fabric of this exceptional community.

A Long-Standing Tradition

The origins of Big Sea Day date back to the early 1700s and 1800s, when farmers and other nonlocals would come together in Manasquan for one day to enjoy all the fun activities that stem from the beach and ocean.

Back then, the event was held in September so that farmers could also celebrate the end and success of their harvest season. The event was reformed in the late 21st century by the Squan Village Historical Society to commemorate the farmers’ efforts and celebrations. After a huge success in 2016, the historical society turned the event over to the Manasquan Tourism Commission. That shift allowed the event to feature a lot of local interests and businesses.

The event this year consisted of six

BY VIOLET NOLAN

different activities: The Beach Smash Baseball Tournament, Big Sea Day Surf Contest, Children’s Tattoo Art, Sandcastle Contest, Manasquan Fishing Club Youth Fishing Contest and the Marine Animal Display.

The Beach Smash Baseball Tournament, sponsored by South Shore Sign Company (a.k.a. signbrothers.com), was played on the sand between Riddle Way and Main Beach. It’s the newest addition to Big Sea Day and proved to be one of its most popular this year. There were two separate leagues for this wiffleball tournament: juniors and adults. Teams could include up to six players, and co-ed teams were encouraged.

The Big Sea Day Surf Contest, sponsored by the Manasquan High School Parents Surf Club, took place at the famous Manasquan Inlet break. This year, over 120 surfers of all ages came to the wave to compete. Two special winners took home a prize of a custom, personalized, hand-shaped short board courtesy of Mendel Surfboards.

Children’s Tattoo Art was sponsored by the Manasquan Beach Improvement Association (MBIA). The mission of the organization, founded in 1921, is to protect and improve the

beach environment and to promote Manasquan as a family beach town. With current president Mary Ryan leading the way, MBIA members worked hard at Big Sea Day, continuing the group’s legacy.

The Sandcastle Contest, sponsored by the Manasquan Tourism Commission, was located on Riddle Way Beach.

The Manasquan Fishing Contest, sponsored by the Manasquan Fishing Club, was open to all ages. The prizes for winners were highperformance fishing poles.

The Marine Animal Display, sponsored by the New Logic Marine Science Camp, was located on Elks Beach. New Logic Marine Science Camp is a country-wide organization that creates camp programming to promote marine science in beach communities. New Logic holds a Monday through Friday kids camp at Stockton Park throughout the summer and was happy to help the community celebrate this beautiful day at the beach.

There is a little something for everyone in Manasquan at Big Sea Day, and it continues to be a can’t-miss event every summer for locals and tourists alike!

Locals and visitors of all ages came together on Big Sea Day to celebrate the beach and the ocean.

Violet Nolan is a rising senior at Manasquan High School. She holds a deep appreciation for this area and the ocean!

Above left: Manasquan Fishing Club hosted the Youth Fishing Contest. Club members helped young anglers and provided useful tips. The contest had three age categories: 8 and under, 9–13 and 14–16. The winner of each age group received a rod/reel combo. Right: Ryan Degennaro, age 12, caught 7 Fluke; Jaxon Russell, age 11, caught 4 Fluke.

Gallantly Streaming

Manasquan has a strong patriotic presence, which can be seen throughout our town. Here, both the American and Manasquan flags share the spotlight along Main Street. Photograph by Laurie Adamkiewicz.

Kitchen Designer: Brittany Rizzolo

Kitchen Designer: Andrea Garone Kitchen Designer: Niki Kovacs

Kitchen Designer: Ralph Katz