Monmouth Buzz

{ BUZZ } OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

WHO WANTS ICE CREAM?

We all scream for ice cream during the dog days of summer, but let’s face it: The classic dessert is delicious any time of the year. The average American reportedly consumes 23 gallons of the sweet stuff annually, so if you’re not up to that pace, someone else is getting your share. You’d best head for one of these sweet spots to catch up: Cookman Creamery, Asbury Park. While the vanilla and chocolate here get our thumbs-up, we also love this shop’s specialty flavors, including caramel pretzel, matcha and honey lavender. Vegan? Pick from 17 flavors made with vegan bases such as coconut cream and almond butter.

• 711 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, 732.361.5215; cookmancreamery.com Hoffman’s Ice Cream, Long Branch, Spring Lake Heights. Voted “Best Ice Cream” in our 2020 Readers’ Choice Poll, this shop pleases with an array of fresh, rich ice cream (non-dairy and no-sugar desserts also available)—all made at its Point Pleasant flagship.

• 444 Ocean Blvd. N., Long Branch, 732.229.5500; 569 Church

St., Spring Lake Heights, 732.974.2253; hoffmansicecream.net Jersey Freeze, Holmdel, Freehold. Sweet tooths will find soft-serve and hardpacked ice cream (as well as fat- and dairy-free options) at both shops. Stop at the Freehold location if you want grub like burgers, cheesesteaks and sandwiches too.

• 120 Manalapan Ave., Freehold, 732.462.3008; 101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel, 732.837.0355; jerseyfreeze1952.com

Ryan’s Homemade, Tinton Falls.

Don’t let the long lines at this old-school parlor deter you—the homemade ice cream and creative flavors (pumpkin is coming back soon, autumn lovers) are worth the wait.

• 462 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton

Falls, 732.842.5874; facebook. com/ryanshomemadeicecream

Sundaes the Ice Cream

Place, Aberdeen, Manasquan. Locals and outof-towners alike appreciate the consistency and great taste of the shops’ traditional and custom flavors, like Robert Brownie Jr. and Ooey Gooey Oreo.

• 1059 Route 34, Aberdeen, 732.566.0919; 2211 Rte. 35, Manasquan, 732.223.9555; sundaesicecreamplace. com These Monmouth County locations may serve other sweets, but all eyes are on their Italian ices: Igloo Italian Ice, Oakhurst. A new “ice age” is under way here as visitors choose among more than a dozen flavors, including Nutella and sour apple.

• 2005 Route 35, Oakhurst, 732.531.5422; iglooitalianice.com Strollo’s Italian Ice, Belmar. Unlike the similarly named Strollo’s Lighthouse stands along the Shore, this favorite serves ices in classic flavors from a yellow-and-blue shop on the Shark River.

• 501 Main St., Belmar, 732.681.6147 Strollo’s Lighthouse, multiple locations. Each of the red, white and blue shops offers an abundance of ice flavors as well as ice cream and shakes.

• strolloslighthouse.com Uncle Louie G, multiple locations. This company has shops throughout the state; the ones in Monmouth are sweet escapes from the beachy heat. With pastel colors and candy-striped accents, even the storefronts make you feel like a kid again.

• unclelouiegee.com Rita’s Italian Ice, multiple locations. Rita’s is a crowd pleaser. Get a classic Italian ice or a frozen custard to cool off after a long day.

• ritasice.com Rudy’s on Main, Lake Como. With flavors like Sicilian cannoli and rainbow cookie, this recently opened shop’s following is sure to grow.

• 1623 Main St., Lake Como, 848.204.0758; rudysonmain.com

AN APPLE A DAY

More than 30 varieties of apples grow in the Garden State. And now is the time to visit the orchards and fresh farm markets and take your pick, because there are plenty of pies to bake, teachers to please and doctors to keep away. Here are a few Monmouth County favorites: • Battleview Orchards, 91 Wemrock Rd., Freehold, 732.462.0756; battlevieworchards.com • Eastmont Orchards, 181 Rte. 537 E., Colts Neck, 732.542.5404; eastmontorchards.com • Red Wagon Farm Market, 437 Rte. 33, Manalapan; redwagonfarmnj.com • Wemrock Orchards, 100 Wemrock Rd., Freehold, 732.431.2668; wemrockorchard.com

NOW READ THIS!

Does literary inspiration come in the salt-water spray of the Shore? For whatever reason, Monmouth County seems to attract writers. Three local literary lions have new books out; see if one of them strikes your fancy:

Slavery in Jersey

In five previous books, Farmingdale resident Rick Geffken put a spotlight on Monmouth County’s history, with accounts of lost amusement parks and a 50-year narrative (1965–2015) of Shrewsbury. Now his Stories of Slavery in New Jersey recalls a troubled history we dare not forget. It explains how enslaved people were first brought to New Jersey by Dutch and English settlers and reveals why New Jersey didn’t officially abolish slavery until 1866—the last Northern state to do so.

So what drives Geffken, 75, to research and write about his home state? “Ever since I was a young boy exploring the hills of the Highlands and Twin Lights, I’ve been fascinated by the 350 years of post-contact local history,” he says. Geffken eventually researched the origins of his own Farmingdale property—it was once owned by New Jersey’s first royal colonial governor, Lewis Morris. “It seemed that everywhere I turned, streets, geographic features and older buildings were named for long-gone early settlers and, of course, the original owners of this land, the Lenape natives,” he says. “I felt compelled to contribute to our written history.”

Drama on the Shore

A longtime Jersey Shore resident, Long Branch native and current Asbury Park resident Wallace Stroby has seen his share of memorable moments—fodder for his fiction—and he has a potent imagination too. Now 61, Stroby this year released his ninth novel, Heaven’s a Lie, a crime fiction drama. It’s a perfect beach book or poolside read with all the elements of a big-screen blockbuster: a young female protagonist, a fatal car accident, guns, money and more (no spoilers here). Readers in our area will note that this page-turner— like other Stroby books—is set almost entirely in our county, proving that whether or not heaven is deceptive, Monmouth is the real deal.

Life lessons from a local

Nicole Melleby is a Jersey girl, so she’s as tough as they come. But for her sixth middle-grade (grades 4–7) book, How to Become a Planet, the Middletown native and Keyport resident covers topics like youth anxiety and depression. Such are the struggles the outer-space-loving main character, Pluto, encounters as she starts another summer. “Pluto-the-planet isn’t a planet anymore, and Pluto-the-person doesn’t know where she fits anymore either,” Melleby explains.

Melleby adds that a saying from her childhood motivated her in writing Planet: “Beach kids feel no pain.” “Growing up as a Monmouth County beach kid, that is always something that stayed in my mind,” she says, “because, of course, we do feel pain.” She notes that some of her characters “are clearly struggling.” But though she writes about the struggles, Melleby underscores the fact that kids who face difficulties are never alone in their battles. To make the lessons more real, especially to local readers, Melleby has the characters in each of her books visit familiar Monmouth County landmarks.

CULINARY CORNER

Reaching new heights

There’s no shortage of bars in Jersey’s Shore towns, but one that’s sure to reel you back time and again is Heights 27 Bar & Grill. Opened earlier this summer, the new hangout brings live music, happy hour specials and elevated pub fare to the spot formerly occupied by CJ’s Tavern. We’re talking plates like tuna tartare, pork chops and New York strips. But if all you crave is pub grub such as pretzels, wings and burgers, all of that—and a bag of chips—is here too!

• Heights 27 Bar & Grill, 2407 Route 71, Spring Lake Heights, 732.449.7449; heights27.com

It’s tea time

Bao Dumplings & Bao Tea made its debut in Hazlet this summer, jumping on the boba tea craze that has emerged in recent years. But this eatery has staying power thanks to its easy-to-eat and uber-comforting dumplings. Each order, from veggie and egg dumplings to heartier beef and lamb varieties, is made from scratch, guaranteeing fresh tastes and flavors. Assorted rice and noodle dishes are also available, as are various fruit, cheese foam and, of course, boba teas.

• Bao Dumplings & Bao Tea, 1358 Rte. 36, Hazlet, 732.217.3656; baodumplingsandbaotea.com

Attention, lovers of sweet things!

The made-from-scratch offerings at this eatery include mouthwatering crumb cakes, brownies, scones, cupcakes, cookies and tarts. Custom cakes and cookies are also available, while breads, croissants and pot pies may be added to the menu.

• Cookie & Crumb, 1 West Ave., Atlantic Highlands, 732.872.4329; originalcookieandcrumb.com

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Luna Bella, 2-year-old mini dachshund Owners: David Paulen and Jackie Pugliese of Aberdeen After a long period of research, Paulen and Pugliese were convinced in early 2019 that a mini dachshund would be ideal for their family. Their search for the perfect pup led them to Ohio, where Luna, “a tiny tan-colored nugget,” immediately gripped their hearts, Pugliese says. Like any pup (she was only 8 weeks old when adopted), Luna was unsure of her new home when she arrived in New Jersey—but today she’s a different pooch. “She has all the confidence in the world,” Pugliese says. “She has definitely found her voice but maintains her sweet and playful personality.” Playtime includes rolling over and getting belly rubs and frolicking with her favorite bacon-scented ball. Mom and Dad have also discovered Luna’s love for the swimming. Says Pugliese: “She’s definitely a summertime babe.” When she’s not playing, Luna loves to explore Holmdel and Thompson Park. Follow Luna on her adventures on Instagram @lunabella_gram. Want to see your pup in a future issue? Email rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.