Manasquan & Brielle July 2023

Manasquan +Brielle

SEA LAVENDER

GARDEN CLUB TURNS 30

TASTES LIKE HOME MAIN STREET KITCHEN

FIREMAN’S FAIR GET READY FOR FUN!

Soccer Star Christie Rampone

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#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

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The Joys of Summer Manasquan +Brielle

MAGAZINE

Guards in action or simply enjoying the concerts at Main Beach on Thursday nights. In this issue, we wanted to highlight some of the local summer happenings. One of the many things we love about Manasquan in the summer is the amazing and highly anticipated Fireman’s Fair, by far one of the biggest and best events in Squan. Having a BBQ? Make sure you head over to Main Street Kitchen and have owner Meighan Badenhausen take care of the catering for you so you can enjoy your family and friends. Love seeing all the beautiful public gardens around town? Make sure to thank the hardworking members of Manasquan Sea Lavender Club, who have been maintaining our town’s public gardens since 1993.

In addition, it is our privilege to shine light on Manasquan resident and threetime Olympic soccer gold medalist Christie Pearce Rampone and get the community pumped up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off July 20.

Editor & Publisher

Tracy Naimo

Group Publisher

Jodi Bruker

Art Director

Sue Park

Copy Editor

Nancy Fass

Writers

Johnny Carawan

Kristen Fischer

Stefanie Hilarczyk

Lauren Ludovico

Violet Nolan

Carly Ringer Photographers

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

Summertime is here! I hope this note finds you enjoying the best of what Manasquan and Brielle have to offer this time of year. From participating in favorite local activities and events to taking some much-needed days of relaxation on the beach, the summer season has a way of bringing people together.

For me, this is the most fun time to live in Manasquan and Brielle. Some of the best times spent are at backyard barbecues with friends, biking to Main Street on Thursday nights to enjoy the street closure and live music, heading up to Pompano Beach to watch the Junior

I hope you can enjoy some of the many things our two towns have to offer during these warm summer days and that you make lasting memories with family and friends.

If you have interesting, fun and meaningful story ideas or captivating photos to share, if you are a local business looking to grow within our community and the surrounding area, or if you would like to write for the magazine, we would love to hear from you! Contact me at hello@manasquan-brielle.com.

Warm regards,

Tracy Naimo Publisher

Kijoo Kim

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden Manasquan

Around Town

OLYMPIC GOLD

The 2023 Special Olympics Summer Games took place June 9–11 at The College of New Jersey. Brielle resident Daniel Tobin was awarded gold for his incredible 25M backstroke race. Brielle’s emergency service honored him by having a motorcade around town.

A WIN FOR SAFETY

The North vs. South Annual Sports Challenge Fundraiser took place on Saturday, June 3. This year, the trophy went to the North side for the fourth year in a row. The event raised $13,800 for the Brielle Fire Department and Brielle First Aid Squad.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Manasquan Chamber of Commerce “Meet Me on Main” Christmas in July Family Night was held on Thursday, July 20. Manasquan resident and author M.B. Paradise signed copies of her book “Beach Santa” (a fun story about what Santa does on his beach vacation). Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from book sales went to Team LeGrand, which supports people living with spinal cord injuries. The mission behind the book is to donate beach mats and wheelchairs to make the beaches more accessible.

Gifts

AND MORE

The Emporium At Manasquan opened its doors for the first time on May 7. This charming lifestyle gift shop carries women’s and children’s clothing, home décor and tons of fabulous gift options. The shop is located at 21 North Main Street and is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. It offers free gift wrapping and ample parking.

BACK IN THE BUZZ

Brielle Elementary School welcomes Mrs. Stacie Poelstra, Superintendent/Principal. Mrs. Poelstra is very happy to be “back in the buzz” and looks forward to being back in a school building and working with all the teachers, staff and students of Brielle Elementary.

Chalk It Up!

Michael Harold shares outdoor art around Manasquan and beyond.

BY TRACY NAIMO

The son of a banana salesman and a librarian, Michael Harold was born in Canada and settled in Manasquan six years ago. Harold’s interests vary widely—his résumé includes everything from tugboat captain, woodworker and housebuilder to Girl Scout troop leader and owner of a children’s art studio. Last but by no means least, he’s locally famous as Manasquan’s chalk artist.

I met Harold at Batch, a trendy coffee shop in Manasquan, to talk chalk and more.

When did you start creating chalk drawings around town?

I didn’t begin chalking until July 4, 2021. I was tired of seeing negativity all around me, so I decided to throw something out there that’s inspirational and positive.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I read a lot, so it comes from that. Also from museums, churches and conversations with people I meet along the way. I try to make my drawings as uplifting as possible, and there’s no “think” involved. I’m in the moment, and I want people to get that.

Do you ever ask permission before you start drawing?

No. Except for one time when I was in front of the White House on Christmas morning. I could feel security watching me, so I asked if it was OK. It wasn’t, so I went across to Lafayette Park and did a quick drawing, a wreath with a bow and a few squiggly lines that said, “Merry Christmas!”

PHOTOS OF CHALK DRAWINGS COURTESY OF MICHAEL HAROLD | PHOTOS OF MICHAEL HAROLD BY TRACY NAIMO

INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL HAROLD

What’s one of your most uplifting memories while creating a chalk drawing?

Normally, I draw in the early morning when there is no one around. But one Sunday I had to drop my wife off at the airport and decided to head up to the beach afterward to draw her something swirly with flowers that I could send her for when she got off the plane. I was thinking “Miss You, Love You” but changed my mind at the last minute and wrote, “Wish you were here, love you.” As I was finishing up a guy walked by me, stopped and showed me the back of his leg with those exact words tattooed. His wife was behind him with tears in her eyes; he had just gotten the tattoo two months ago in honor of their son who passed away. I asked what his name was, and they told me Gabe. So, I added his name to the drawing.

What’s one of your weirdest or most coincidental memories?

During a trip to London, I was at Buckingham Palace early one morning when no one was there. I knew I wanted to do a drawing in front of the palace, and I just decided to go for it. I knew I would regret it if I did not do this drawing. I drew it on the side by the Canadian Gates—a big sun and the words, “You’re the queen of our hearts.” Of course, the parks department and police come over and they asked if I had permission, followed almost in the same breath by, “It really is quite lovely.” Six hours later, the queen died. Thousands of people were soon in the area where my drawing was. Weird stuff.

You create all these positive and uplifting affirmations for other people, have you ever done one for yourself?

I am a survivor of a 9/11 cancer. My wife works for Morgan Stanley, and some of her wonderful colleagues helped me out. I wanted to thank them, so I made a big sun in Times Square facing their building that said, “Thank you Morgan Stanley.”

What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

My handwriting was awful, so I wrote the Gettysburg Address 150 times to perfect my penmanship. Oh, and I am the Pie Baking Champion of New Jersey!

Tracy Naimo is the publisher of Manasquan + Brielle Magazine. She lives in Brielle with her husband, Charlie, and their six-year-old twins, and is excited to bring a vibrant new magazine to her community.

Tastes Like Home

A life change and a bike ride past the perfect storefront led Meighan Badenhausen to start Main Street Kitchen.

BY STEFANIE HILARCZYK

I first met Meighan Badenhausen, owner of Main Street Kitchen, years ago when her business had just opened. My son was newly diagnosed with food allergies, and I needed help. Badenhausen didn’t bat an eye when mine filled with tears from not knowing how I was going to feed my child. She quickly ran in the back and grabbed ingredients to show me exactly what I needed to do at home. Her warm spirit has made it easy to return year after year, family party after family party. Main Street Kitchen offers everything from sandwiches to sushi, which you can eat in or take out, as well as catering and event planning. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Badenhausen to learn more about her and the business she runs.

What prompted you to start Main Street Kitchen?

It was something I had wanted to do for a long time. When I moved here to be closer to my mother, I was newly divorced and needed to take care of my two sons. One day I was bicycling to my mom’s and saw a “for rent” sign in the window at 140 Main Street. I just knew the time was right to do it!

Did you always cook?

[Laughing] No!

Did you go to school for this?

I went to school originally for graphic design but worked for various catering companies in New York. It wasn’t until they threw me in the kitchen that I realized that was where I wanted to be. Later on, when I was 26, I went back to school at the Culinary Institute (my dad’s request), where I learned more. I worked in corporate cooking for many years, often handling events with 500-plus people. Someday I’d like to do that again, but catering parties and smaller events is my business now.

BY THERESA ARTIGAS

Meighan Badenhausen, owner of Main Street Kitchen in Manasquan.

What is the most important thing you want your customers to know about Main Street Kitchen?

Our cooking is real. Everything we create is made from scratch with whole ingredients.

How have you balanced being a single mom and business owner?

I just did it. I didn’t have a choice. My kids gave up a lot. They would walk to the store from school, go in the back to do homework and be with me here until 6 p.m. every day. You just do what you have to do to get by.

What would be one message you want your children to know?

[Tearing up] I’d like to tell them, “Thank you!”

Stefanie

Hilarczyk is a Brielle resident and mother of three. She’s also a children’s book author and freelance writer. Find her on Instagram @Stef_Hil.

Badenhausen stocks Main Street Kitchen with delicious chicken pot pies, gluten-free chicken tenders, pasta salads and so much more.

Cultivating Community

Sea Lavender Garden Club celebrates 30 years of beautifying Manasquan and bringing people together.

BY CARLY RINGER

As you sit at the light on Route 71 in Manasquan, you might find yourself admiring the bright and cheery flowers on the corner. A little sign catches your eye: “Garden Maintained by Sea Lavender Garden Club.” But as much as you might appreciate this welcome bit of beautification, the club’s impact goes beyond just this corner.

I met with the organization’s president, Nancy Jordan, and some other members to learn more. Sitting on Jordan’s porch surrounded—of course—by a gorgeous garden, we ate freshly baked muffins while chatting about the ins and outs of the club.

What started as a small band of approximately 20 women interested in beautifying Manasquan has grown to a group of 125 ranging from their 40s to early 90s. Age diversity is a strength: “We now have younger people with stronger backs,” Jordan quipped.

Today, the club is celebrating 30 years of beautifying Manasquan one garden at a time. In addition to benefiting the community, it continues to not only bring together women who share a love of gardening but also nourish friendships. And you don’t have to be a Manasquan resident to join.

Green Thumbs Giving Back

How did this all begin? June Cunningham, the founding president, describes it best. “Back then, Manasquan was beach and little else,” she says. “We desperately needed something. I remember being up at the inlet seeing the town planting a small garden. I thought, ‘We should do this all over.’ The town had a full plate, so we started the garden club on our own. We continue to grow, which is just wonderful.”

These days, the town is fully on board, with the council and chamber of commerce providing an annual budget as the parties collaborate on ways to enhance neighborhoods.

The club has created and donated planters to local organizations such as the Algonquin Arts Theater and the library. In a snowball effect, many merchants put flower pots outside their stores. Some businesses even asked the club to design their plantings, donating the

cost of materials to help further dress up the downtown.

The public reaps the benefit of these passionate gardeners through the 27 public gardens they maintain and some big events around town—but not everyone may be aware of other club goings-on. These include monthly meetings, kayak outings, bus trips, educational workshops, bird-watching and plant swaps.

An innovation even came out of the COVID-19 pandemic: The club began offering mini-tours for members to visit each other’s gardens. Sharing gardens that were created for family enjoyment rather than for show helped members continue learning from each other and enjoying the delights of one another’s hard work.

Now the club is back to a more typical full roster of activities. When help was recently needed at Curtis Park, dozens of people

showed up with shovels—showing that it doesn’t take much to motivate energetic people who genuinely enjoy spending time with each other and helping a greater cause.

Greater causes also include the club’s hosting of its two biggest events: the biennial garden tour and the annual Mother’s Day plant sale.

The not-to-be-missed garden tour offers more than an opportunity to admire exquisite private gardens. The day also features musicians and artists, while local partnering restaurants provide discounts for tour ticketholders. Proceeds go toward club programs and projects. The tour also helps fulfill the club’s educational mission to encourage public interest in all aspects of home gardening.

The annual Mother’s Day plant sale is a getthere-early-because-everything-sells-out type of fundraiser. The event has impressively raised more than $16,000 in the past two years.

Members of the Manasquan Sea Lavender Garden Club include (from left) Nancy Jordan, President; Donna Fletcher Brown, Vice President; Carol Desmond, Treasurer; and Cathy Smith, Secretary.  Other photos show the club’s plantings and gardens around town.

Nurturing Nature Lovers

The club also provides scholarships to graduating seniors at Manasquan High School. While criteria are continually tweaked, preference is given to those with a curiosity about environmental or horticultural studies.

A relationship has formed between the club and school with help from liaison Lisa Crowing, a horticulture, forensic science and biology teacher who is passionate about running the Manasquan High School Garden Club. “I’m so impressed that these kids wake up early and give up a Saturday morning to dig in dirt,” Crowing says.

Whether planting around town or working on a project such as collecting thin plastic from the community to be turned into a Trex bench, multigenerational efforts continue bringing people together and allowing horticultural enthusiasts of all ages to learn from each other. The most heartwarming part is hearing how enthusiastically students and club members care about what they can do for one another.

In a place where people appreciate the local lifestyle, Sea Lavender Garden Club embodies a neighborly spirit and provides a true testament to the community that Manasquan has built.

To become a member or learn more, call Nancy Jordan at 908-963-8909 or email nancy.jordan261@gmail.com. Visit the club’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ ManasquanSeaLavenderGardenClub.

Carly Ringer is a local realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a member of the Woman’s Club of Manasquan.

“I remember being up at the inlet seeing the town planting a small garden. I thought, ‘We should do this all over.’ The town had a full plate, so we started the garden club on our own.”

– June Cunningham, founding president, Sea Lavender Garden Club

Step Right Up for Fun!

With rides, games, food and more, the Manasquan Fireman’s Fair makes it easy to support a good cause.

BY VIOLET NOLAN

The Manasquan Fireman’s Fair is back!

From Tuesday, July 25, to Saturday, July 29, Manasquan’s Volunteer Engine Co #2 will host its annual fair packed with rides, games and food for all ages.

The five-day event, which dates to 1974, truly encapsulates the essence of summer on the Jersey Shore. It cultivates unforgettable memories for this generation of children while giving parents the opportunity to reminisce fondly about their past experiences at the fair.

For five days in July, the Manasquan Fireman’s Fair makes summer fun easy to find. It offers food, games, rides and more. Plus, the funds raised support the health and safety of the community.

A Long History

Originally a small fundraiser held at the corner of 4th Ave. and Main St., attendance for the annual event fell off, and the fair was eventually canceled in 1988. Ten years later, organizers decided to bring back the event. Now with help from the Manasquan Fire Department, the Manasquan Police Department, the Ladies Auxiliary and Manasquan Elks Lodge 2534, the fair draws more than 30,000 visitors to Mallard Park every summer.

John Colvin, Exalted Ruler of the Manasquan Elks Lodge, has worked on the Fireman’s Fair committee for seven years. I had the opportunity to speak with him to learn more about that organization’s effort to help support this event. Colvin shared that every year, the Elks Lodge donates a large sum to Manasquan Volunteer Engine Co #2 to support its operations. In return, the Elks run the games of chance at the fair. The Elks Lodge partners with Skelly’s Amusements to provide the games and attractions that make the fair so successful. Skelly’s will set up and bring prizes for these games of chance. At the end of the fair, the Elks Lodge covers the cost of those prizes and retains the rest of the revenue, which it uses to fund its community programs.

Community Effort

About 14 to 20 members of the Elks Lodge work the game booths with help from the Manasquan High School football team, cheerleading squad and other organizations throughout the high school. When asked if he felt that this event unites the community, Colvin responded, “Absolutely. Year after year after year, you see the same families and kids just a few years older returning to the fair with smiling faces continuing to help out. This community is just so close-knit.”

The saying “It takes a village” runs deep in the roots of Manasquan and the fair. It is five nights of sweat and tears, and really does take the assistance of everyone in the community to pull off successfully each year. For the 2022 Manasquan Fireman’s Fair, there were 46 locally owned sponsors. Sponsors don’t simply give monetary donations; they also provide volunteers and supplies. The fair is so significant because it highlights the compassion in this community and brings joy to all who collaborate to make it happen.

By that last Saturday in July, everyone has won, from Volunteer Engine Co #2 receiving significant donations to support its lifesaving work and the Elks Lodge raising money to pay for community programs to the families that have made lifelong memories. “The whole community really looks forward to the last week of July,” says Colvin, “and that is something we are very proud of.”

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

PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE GALOS

COURTESY OF LARA

M. SAVANNAH

After a 20-year professional career, soccer Hall of Famer Christie Pearce Rampone has returned to her local roots.

Manasquan MEDALIST

Having competed in five FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, Christie Pearce Rampone has played her share of soccer games over a 20-year career as a professional athlete. But the three-time Olympic gold medalist won’t be attending the women’s FIFA games in Australia and New Zealand this summer: She retired from pro soccer in 2017 and currently works as a broadcast analyst for Fox Sports.

Instead, she plans to take in the July/ August tournament from Manasquan, where she lives. “I will be watching it from home, cheering on the team,” says Rampone, who played as a defender, was captain of the United States Women’s National Team and is a 2021 inductee in the National Soccer Hall

BY KRISTEN FISCHER

of Fame—a tribute to her accomplishments both on and off the field. “It’s a little far this time to travel.”

These days, Rampone, who grew up in Point Pleasant, is focused less on the ball and more on her children. “My life now circles around my two girls,” she says.

Daughters Rylie and Reece traveled with Rampone during her career. Now Rampone says she is devoted to supporting them in whatever they do: “It’s my turn to follow them around, provide support and cheer for them.”

Staying on in Manasquan

The family loves living in Manasquan year-round, Rampone says, but relishes the

summertime most. More traffic and a busier beach doesn’t stop them from enjoying the treasure of having the Atlantic Ocean close by. “The girls are able to hang out with their school friends and ride to the beach,” Rampone says.

The family especially enjoys Thursday nights in summer when Main Street closes and live music plays downtown, changing the atmosphere in a way that lets people engage with and connect to the town in a whole new way.

Though she’s traveled the globe, Rampone sees herself staying in the area indefinitely. “We are so lucky here in Manasquan,” she says.

Pro soccer star Christie Pearce Rampone proudly calls the Jersey Shore her home.

Supporting Soccer

In retirement, Rampone remains connected to soccer, especially when it comes to promoting the sport and encouraging upand-coming players through activities such as running sports clinics.

She has watched with interest as women’s soccer has gained popularity and grown, with the profile and awareness of the sport continuing to thrive. “The hope is that this helps improve the game at younger ages so that the foundation is continually getting stronger,” she says.

She has contributed to strengthening efforts locally in ways that not only give back to the sport and younger players but also to the town. “For many years, I’ve worked with

some of the local youth teams and have spent a few years as the assistant coach at our high school here in Manasquan,” Rampone says.

She also mentors young soccer players one-on-one, supporting their athletic efforts even if they have more modest aspirations than Rampone did when she was a young, local standout. “Young athletes are the future, and it’s only fair that they are given every opportunity to succeed,” she says.

Rampone remains engaged at the professional level as well, going to soccer events throughout the year and catching games whenever she can, especially on the East Coast.

“There are players I still stay in touch with,” she says. “We all live in different parts

of the country, but even though we don’t see each other as often as we used to, it’s easy these days to stay in contact.”

As for who will win the FIFA World Cup this summer, Rampone expects the U.S. team to be in the mix. She’s looking forward to rousing competition over the monthlong event and is keeping her eye on promising talent in teams such as England, France, Germany and Spain. But there’s room for the unexpected. “It’s always good to see a new name in the later stages,” she says.

Kristen Fischer is a writer living at the Jersey Shore. She is the author of “Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids.” Learn more at www.kristenfischer.com.

KEY DATES

The ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup— held for the first time in Australia and New Zealand—will be the largest in the competition’s history, with 32 teams competing across 64 games.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on July 20, 2023, in Auckland, New Zealand, and concludes on August 20 in Sydney, Australia.

The United States will enter the 2023 Women’s World Cup as two-time defending champions chasing their fifth title. Here are key dates in the competition schedule.

GROUP STAGE: July 20–August 3

ROUND OF 16: August 5–8

QUARTERFINALS: August 11–12

SEMIFINALS: August 15–16

THIRD-PLACE PLAYOFF: August 19

FINAL: August 20

USA GROUP E MATCH SCHEDULE

For more information on the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and its 64-match schedule, visit www.fifa.com.

SKIN CARE: A Beach Lover’s Guide

These simple dawn-to-dusk steps can keep skin healthy and supple during the sunny season.

BY LAUREN LUDOVICO

IN THE MORNING

Goal

• Slather an antioxidantrich vitamin C serum under your sunscreen to boost photoprotection and keep skin safer in the sun. A quality vitamin C product continually patrols your skin, destroying free radicals that contribute to damage. Vitamin C also goes two steps further by boosting collagen production and brightening unwanted sunspots. Don’t skip this step!

• Find a sunscreen you love so you won’t dread wearing it. Apply it before you leave the house—and don’t forget your neck, chest, ears, tops of hands and all other exposed skin.

• Reapply every two hours, especially if you’re off to the beach for the day. Yes, it’s a pain, but hours of exposure to UV radiation fries your skin and can ultimately lead to wrinkles, dark spots and—worst-case scenario—skin cancer. Play it safe and pile sunscreen on often; I can’t stress this enough!

IN THE EVENING

• Choose a water/oilbased cleanser to gently remove the day’s debris. Sunscreens adhere to skin to work their magic and keep you safe, so you need to devote time and attention to proper cleansing.

• Follow up with a hydrating toner to get rid of residual impurities and oils that your cleanser may have left behind.

• Apply a treatment serum. What to use depends on your skin type and condition as well as your lifestyle. Among the options are prescription Retin-A, retinol, retinaldehyde, copper peptides and hyaluronic acid. Find the best healing and reparative ingredients for your skin type and get them on your skin as soon as the sun goes down.

• Load your face with hydration. Your skin needs all the moisture it can get after a long summer day, with your choice of moisturizer again depending on your skin type.

Summer is full of sunshine, outdoor activities and endless fun, but with soaring temperatures and peak exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the season can wreak havoc on skin, causing dryness, breakouts, sunburn and even long-term damage.

It’s essential to have a summer skin care regimen that helps keep the body’s outer layer healthy. But your routine doesn’t have to be complicated. After all, it’s summertime and the living is easy—and skin maintenance should be, too. Simple steps like these can go a long way toward keeping your skin not just healthy but radiant.

• Moisturize. Use a moisturizing sunscreen to kill two birds with one stone. If your skin is extra dry, it makes sense to layer moisturizer under your sunscreen. For added hydration, apply a thin layer of face oil over your sunscreen to provide a dewy, glazed protective barrier that will support your skin throughout the day.

Naturally, skin care can involve much more—exfoliation, eye creams, masks and so on—and it’s not a one-sizefits-all process. In a world of TikTok, influencers and marketers, professional guidance from a licensed esthetician can help determine what works best for you.

Enjoy the sun without worrying about the toll it’s taking on your skin—and live easy this summer!

Lauren Ludovico, owner of Summer Girl Skincare Studio, at her studio in Manasquan.

Lauren Ludovico is a licensed esthetician and avid beach lover. Her business, Summer Girl Skincare Studio in Manasquan, specializes in customizing skin care routines and offers a full menu of therapeutic facial treatment services.

The Nauti Butler

Spoil yourself and be a guest at your own party and leave the worrying to us! We service all special Events large and small. We take care of everything from the Menu, flowers and decor to the tables, chairs and servers and everything in between.

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Celebrating Women’s Soccer

Set the stage for this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup with these inspiring books.

In honor of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, being held in July and August, the staff at BookTowne has compiled a diverse list of titles by and about the inimitable women behind the sport of soccer.

BE ALL IN Raising Kids for Success in Sports and Life

by Christie Pearce Rampone and Dr. Kristine Kean

THE NATIONAL TEAM The Inside Story of the Women Who Changed Soccer

by Caitlin Murray

Leading soccer journalist Caitlin Murray shows how the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s story isn’t just about triumph on the pitch. From the team’s foundation in the 1980s on, its players have faced off-field challenges that include sexism, inequality, low pay, poor playing conditions and limited opportunities to compete in professional leagues. Through nearly 100 interviews with players, coaches and team officials, Murray paints an engrossing portrait of a beloved and revolutionary group’s endurance and determination.

ONE LIFE

by Megan Rapinoe and Emma Brockes

Soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe’s iconic, triumphant pose after scoring against France in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup sums up how you’ll feel upon finishing this memoir: heart full, arms out and ready to make change in the world. Her inspiring memoir is also available in a young readers edition.

WOLFPACK (Young Readers Edition)

by Abby Wambach

In this adaptation of her New York Times best-selling book, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA World Cup champion Wambach inspires the next generation of women to find their voice, unite their pack and change the world.

Manasquan’s own soccer star and Olympic gold medalist Christie Pearce Rampone and sports neuropsychologist Dr. Kristine Keane share best practices for turning sports lessons into lifelong skills. The authors offer invaluable insight into parenting behaviors (however well intended) that can derail children’s performance along with concrete strategies for teaching accountability, confidence, self-efficacy and resiliency—advice that can bolster athletes of any age, sport or level.

WHAT IS THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP?

by Gina Shaw

In this new book from an incredible series covering “who/what” topics, young readers learn about the history of women’s soccer, star players and iconic wins. From Team USA’s record-breaking four championships to Japan’s inspiring victory in 2011, this book is full of heartwarming and exciting stories about phenomenal athletes across decades.

Monmouth County’s refill shop is right here in downtown Manasquan! Providing nontoxic sustainable products that are good for your home, body and planet. Reduce waste by bringing containers from home to fill with laundry detergent, cleaning products, dish soap etc. Personal care products include hair care, soaps, deodorants, and skin care. All nontoxic and in low-waste packaging. Also offering a large selection of sustainable swaps and fun, eco-friendly gifts.

Fishing Facts for Novice Anglers

A National Park Service program teaches beginners to enjoy marine sports responsibly.

BY JOHNNY CARAWAN

With 141 miles of coastline and over 400 inland waterways, New Jersey offers fishing and boating opportunities for people of all skill levels. During National Fishing and Boating Week (June 3 to 11), which raises awareness about safe boating, sustainable fishing and keeping our recreational waters clean, the National Park Service connected with aspiring anglers through the Junior Ranger Angler program at the Brielle Public Library.

Guided by a park ranger, the Junior Ranger Angler program introduced kids and families to the sport of fishing by offering hands-on instruction and lessons on topics such as local aquatic habitats, species of fish, fishing safety and more.

While much information could be applied to angling anywhere, the program’s pointers are especially pertinent in Brielle, Manasquan, Point Pleasant and surrounding coastal communities, which serve as a grand gateway for fishing, crabbing, boating and swimming. Offshore charter boat excursions are available, as is inland fishing. The Manasquan River boasts a wide variety of aquatic species, including common fish such as summer flounder, striped bass, black sea bass and bluefish.

If you want to fish with kids in calmer waters, you’ll find that interior lakes and the area’s freshwater tidal and saltwater bays provide ideal settings for a relaxing day afloat. Overall, April through the end of September is the best time to fish in New Jersey for striped bass, bluefish, tuna, largemouth bass, mahi-mahi, catfish, flounder and sharks.

Resources for Learning More

You don’t need a lot of gear to start fishing, but it helps to be prepared with simple steps like these:

• Check into resources online to help you get started with fishing responsibly. Adhere to the maxim “know before you go.”

• Stop at a bait-and-tackle shop to learn more about gear you need. Shops are also great locations to engage in conversations with staff and other anglers to learn about what the fish are biting—and where.

• While you’re in the shop, pick up a free copy of “New Jersey Marine Digest,” which contains information about fishing regulations. The publication will tell you the types of fish, minimum size limits and number of fish you can catch in one day.

If you missed the library event and would still like to participate in the Junior Ranger Angler program, copies of the booklet “Let’s Go Fishing!” can be downloaded in both English and Spanish at www.nps.gov/subjects/fishing/junior-rangerfishing.htm. While Junior Rangers are typically between 5 and 13 years old, people of all ages are welcome to participate. This booklet and program offer great opportunities for kids and families to make memories together and enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation. Badges for completion are available by emailing johnny_carawan@nps.gov.

3 Ranger Johnny Carawan.

4 The “Let’s Go Fishing!” Junior Ranger Angler booklet.

5 The Junior Ranger Angler badge.

Johnny Carawan (Ranger Johnny) has served as Trail Administrator for the National Park Service (NPS) Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail since 2019. His experience includes service various NPS sites as well as in law enforcement and the military.

1 Shane Clayton teaches his daughter, Teagan, how to fish on Barnegat Bay.

2 Ranger Johnny Carawan speaks to kids attending the Junior Ranger Angler program at Brielle Public Library.

Towering Reflection

This peaceful reflection on the grassy banks of Stockton Lake reminds us to slow down and appreciate our surroundings.

in

publications

Photograph by Manasquan resident Lara M. Savannah, a landscape and nature photographer whose work has appeared

the local newspaper, various

and social media platforms, and this summer’s adult and senior seasonal badges for Manasquan Beaches.