In what has now become an annual major event, Fins for Freedom is once again celebrating Armed Forces Weekend on May 17 by providing military service men and women the opportunity for a day filled with off shore sports fishing and other events.
“We invite others to join in our efforts to show our military men and women how much we appreciate what they do for our nation,” said Michael Mavrinac, president of Fins for Freedom.
He and other officers of the non-profit organization outlined, ways others can participate in the Armed Forces celebration ranging, from contributions for gift baskets to offering their vessel and captaincy for a day’s adventure.
Dan Brady, treasurer of the organization, which was formed specifically to provide the day of fishing from privately owned craft, noted that more than 80 military members and veterans have signed on for the trips. The organization has set a goal of reaching 100 military members for the event, and is in need of more fishing boats to enable that to happen.
Anyone with a vessel 26 or larger who wants to be part of this great event can contact Brady or any member of Fins for Freedom or register their vessel at finsforfreedom.org
Now in its fourth year, officers, including Mavrinac, Brady, vice president Jake Campi and secretary Dave Thompson, all say the response they have gotten from military members after previous Fins for Freedom fishing days are their inspiration for continuing the program every year and adding more to it.
From experienced fishermen who never get the chance to go out in a private fishing vessel to retired sailors who have never fished since childhood, the day with other military celebrating on the water is an never to be forgotten event. “Our goal is to get something into the hands of every service member,” Brady said, “we give it all away. That’s why we are a non-profit organization; it all goes back to our military.”
Persons wanting to learn more about the program or wanting to be part of this year’s events should contact finsforfreedom.org
Once again, the NJROTC students at MAST, the MARINE Academy of Science and Technology, at Sandy Hook, will be on hand at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor throughout the day to assist the military fishermen, hand out gifts and help with all the final arrangements.
The day culminates with a major dinner in which the military and veterans can share their stories not only of their day but of their experience as active or retired men and women of all the military forces.
Amy The public is invited to the annual Arbor Day celebration at the Hazlet Middle School on Thursday, April 24.
Hazlet Middle School Principal Christopher Albrizio announced the special dedication of a red oak, the official state shade tree of New Jersey, will be dedicated to the work and contributions of Amy Lynn Gill.
The program is being presented by the school’s Unified Partners program and will be held at 9 a.m.
Honoring the late teacher, Albrizio said “May this Red Oak serve as a lasting symbol of her dedication to students and a testament to all of the positive impacts she made on our learning community”
Mrs. Gill, who lived in the Navesink section of Middletown and was brought up in Atlantic Highlands, She died Jan. 30, 2024 at age 49.
The Atlantic Highlands native had dedicated her life to the Hazlet school district where she taught in the Special Education Program for 24 years.
The beloved teacher was also a coach with an accent on swimming and created a swim program at Raritan High School. She was chosen as Teacher of the Year twice and was a member of several gyms, as well as an instructor in private swim lessons for neighborhood children. She was well known for organizing family gatherings at beach events in Sea Bright. She was also a fervent support of Special Olympics.
Mrs. Gill’s parents live in Atlantic Highlands, her husband and daughter, Hayden in Navesink.
The Friends of the Colts Night Library will conduct their popular book sale on Saturday, April 26 with special options offered to bibliophiles who look forward to the unique program. The sale continues on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The sale will be held in the large room and the foyer in the lower level of the library.
Preview time for the Saturday sale is from 9 to 10 a.m., for a fee of $5.00. There is no charge between 10 .am. and closing at 4 p.m.
Teachers with school ID have the opportunity to fill a bag of books for $5, after 10 a.m. Saturday. Purchasers can also purchase a reusable Friends of the Library bag for $5 and receive a dollar off all $5 books. During the Sunday sales hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.,admission is free and all purchasers will have the opportunity to purchase a bag of books for $5.00
The library will accept both checks or cash.
The library, a branch of the Monmouth County Library, is located at 2 Veterans Way (formerly 1 Winthrop Dr), Colts Neck,
For further information call 732-431-5656 or visit cnfriendslibrary@gmail.com or on Facebook
cannabis In a proposed ordinance that would limit cannabis businesses in the borough to four, two in each of two types of business, the Mayor and Council postponed introduction of the code pending possible changes after this week’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council.
Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner
Listed on the agenda for a workshop discussion, Mayor Lori Hohenleitner noted the discussion would be open to the public and invited those present and appearing via zoom to ask questions or offer input after borough attorney Peg Schaefer read from the proposed ordinance and explained some of the restrictions in it.
After a public session that lasted approximately half an hour, the majority of council voted to withhold the introduction until further discussion among groups of council members. No dates for possible introduction nor future meeting for either executive or public sessions were mentioned.
Schaefer gave some history of cannabis discussion in the past, noting that like many municipalities Atlantic Highlands banned all cannabis in 2021 .
Councilwoman Eileen Cusack is now chairman of the committee that had been established and been active before she became a council member. Discussions at the committee meetings continued, Cusick said at this week’s meeting, and many local residents have worked on a variety of proposals before the proposed ordinance under discussion was finalized for presentation.
Under what was proposed this week, the borough’s ordinance would permit two manufacturing facilities as well as two dispensaries and would restrict the areas in which any of the four businesses would be located. None would be within 1,000 feet of the elementary school and none, including the dispensaries, would have frontage on First Ave.
The dispensaries could be located in the central, light industrial or historic business zones, and the manufacturing businesses could be in the light industrial or historic zones.
There would be no consumption areas, and all signs, only one per business, would be restricted to no larger than 12 square feet. Colors on the exterior of the building would have to be muted and in accordance with the area, with no visible exterior signs of the product being sold within the doors. The business name, without obvious reference to marijuana or cannabis is permitted.
A Cannabis Committee would be established consisting of a representative of the borough administrator and of the Police Chief, along with three other members. All would be appointed by the Mayor and would have staggered terms of three years each.
All applications would also have to go before the planning board for its approval before any action could be taken. It would be up to the applicant to determine whether he wanted to seek council or planning approval first.
Square footage for the manufacturing facilities would meet the same requirements as set in borough codes for any manufacturing facility.
Jon Crowley (@joncrowley1) / Twitter
Council members rejected Councilman Jon Crowley’s suggestion that for the one or two dispensary businesses that could be approved, there should be a stipulation that customers be limited to appointment only purchases for the first 30 or 60 days to get a better determination on how the business fits in the community.
Schaefer said such a requirement could not be included, terming it unconstitutional to require something different for one particular type of business , in spite of Schaefer’s statement, Crowley indicated that he has seen it be effective in other municipalities.
Parking would also be the same for these businesses as any other in the borough, including use of the municipal parking lot should that be within the stipulated distance for parking for a business.
In response to questions from council members, the borough attorney did also explain that deliveries from outside the municipality cannot be determined by this or any other code, as the borough can have no regulation over outside deliveries’
Local resident Mark Fisher, who indicated he is not opposed to business did express the opinion that permitting up to four facilities appears to be too much for a town approximately a mile square.
He also suggested that before any public hearing is had on any cannabis ordinance, the borough provide a map that shows specifically where boundaries are There as discussion as to whether 1,000 feet distance from the elementary school is measured from the front door of the school or the curbside boundary of school property. There are no requirements for distances from places of public worship or municipal parks.
Residents Morgan Spicer pointed out that the borough could receive great financial gains from successful cannabis dispensaries which would provide assistance in the municipal tax rate for all residents and added it would seem silly not to invest in such a possibility
After deciding not to introduce the ordinance at this week’s meeting, the mayor invited anyone with ides or thoughts on the four proposed businesses to either communicate them to the borough office or send them to her at mayor@ahnj.com for all could be reviewed before the ordinance is introduced. The public will also have the opportunity to express opinions on the businesses at a public hearing held once a proposed ordinance is introduced and held for a second reading and final approval.
Today April 23, at 7pm Jena Reynolds, president of Save Coastal Wildlife, will give a presentation at the Arts Council on First Avenue. Reynolds will talk on “How Nature Heals” and all reef invited to attend.
April 25, Elaine Egidio of Wild about Atlantic Highlands, will give another of her popular and effective Heart Centered Mediation sessions, also at the Arts Council. Egidio’s popular program has drawn rave reviews for the past two years she has offered it as a relaxation yet provocative hour and a half. There is a small fee, with Arts Council members receiving a $5 discount. Interested persons should pay at the door and bring yoga mats.
From 1 to 3 p.m., the Council invites all to stop in with their pets and meet artist Morgan Spicer. The author/artist will set up scenery, background, and effective lighting for interested persons to take photos of their pets, or with their pets, There is no charge for this unusual and fun offering.
That same evening, at 6 p.m., there will be the formal opening of Nature Heals, a spectacular display of more than 50 artists works from local artists. Artists will be on hand to present their work, offer it for sale and let how nature has helped heal them and create their artistry. Light refreshments will also be served between 6 and 8 p.m.
Thursday, from 1 to 4 p.m. the Plastic Wave Project will feature a unique Clothing Swap. Interested persons are invited to bring pieces of clothing of any type to display and swap with an equal number of pieces of clothing. The innovative Swap will include all types of clothing for all ages and is a fascinating experience. Local musician, historic lyricist and composer Cranston Dean will be presenting music throughout the evening.
The spring meeting of the Highlands Historical Society will be held Thursday, April 24 at the Highlands Community Center, when additional plans for the upcoming year will be discussed and planning begun.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and all are invited to attend. It is not necessary to be a member of the Society to attend a meeting, learn what it is about and speak with other local historians about the history of the borough.
Society president Sheila Weinstock has announced that the May 22 regular meeting will feature professional geologist Bob Zilinski presenting a program on the geological aspects of peanut stone. The local peanut stone is a special natural rock found in a very limited geographic area, Monmouth County in particular. Since it has always been a natural resource and is uniquely native, peanut stone has been used in construction of many early Monmouth County buildings and walls. The stone is a sandstone conglomerate of quartz and other pebbles, and Zilinski will highlight some unique tales about its use and location.
Zilinski is also treasurer of the society.
The Tea Party co-sponsored by the Highlands and Atlantic Highlands Historical Societies has been postponed from its scheduled May 31 date at the Strauss House in Atlantic Highlands until the fall. The date change will enable restorative construction to be completed at the historic mansion.
Plans are also underway to have former Highlands resident John King make a presentation ate a future meeting. Concerning his newest book, The Jewish Families of Highlands. A member of the Society, King’s soon to be published book documents the stories and contributions of the many Jewish civic, political, and business leaders who have helped create Highlands.
Plans will also be formulated at Society meetings for celebrations of the centennial anniversary of Gertrude Ederle’s English Channel swim of 1926. Ederle was the first person to swim the Channel and always credits her abilities to learning to swim off Highlands in the Shrewsbury River when the family summered here for many years. Her record setting record on Aug 6, 1926 , 14 hours and 34 minutes, stood until 1950. Prior to her swim, Ederle had already set 29 national and world swimming records, the gold medal in the 1924 Olympics in Paris, and other feats Anyone wishing to serve on the planning committee for town wide celebrations of Ederle’s anniversary should contact Weinstock or any ember of the society for further information.
Tickets are $40 and include entry to the crowd-favorite Margarita Contest, where seven local restaurants will shake things up in a battle for the title of Best Margarita in Highlands! Guests are invited to Sip their way through seven 6-oz. samples, then vote for the winner.
The ticket also grants access to exclusive food and drink specials at participating eateries and pubs, including discounts at select retailers, and a variety of surprise samplings throughout the day. T
To keep the celebration lively, Academia de Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer will bring the spirit of Mexico to life with performances at participating venues!
Tickets are available in advance online at highlandsnj.com or at check-in, which takes place at Huddy Park (Bay & Waterwitch Ave. – 329 Bay Ave. for GPS) between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM.
At check-in, guests will receive a wristband and a map of the 11 participating business locations.
This is a rain-or-shine event, and tickets are non-refundable.
Cinco de Mayo Cantina Crawl is made possible by participating establishments and sponsors which include Monmouth County Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Bridge Marina, Farmacie by the French Market, Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Gateway Marina, Hufnagel Tree Service, In the Garden, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Valley Bank, WRAT 95.9, Gem’s Bagels, and Highlands Cafe.
“This is a wonderful town…art is important…what better place could there be…” said artist Yan Cao at this week’s meeting of the Mayor and Council.
Cao, whose artwork was on display at the meeting, made the statement after being named Artist of the Month and accepting the certificate from Mayor Lori Hohenleitner.
Cao presents her artistry in watercolors primarily as a means of showing natural beauty and seascapes in a medium that draws people to the tranquility as well as natural beauty of the scenes. She is a member of the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council whose mission is to strengthen the community through the arts.
The Arts Council, located at 54 First Avenue, is an all volunteer organization that was formed 20 years ago and incorporated shortly after as a non-profit organization that has drawn new partnerships and creative programming to the borough. The Council presents exhibitions in its galleries and front windows and also offers a boutique of local art, classes and workshops.
Yan , in speaking of her nature scenes, noted “Poetry is how you feel….I paint poetry.”
Her work brings elegance to any art collection. She told the governing body at the meeting that she has been in the United States from her native Shanghai for 20 years, and has lived in Atlantic Highlands for ten years, drawn by its character, its beauty at both sunrise and sunset,, and its unique property and quality from the marina to the residences and main street to its history. “This is an artist’s paradise,” the popular artist told the Council.
Members of the Highlands Borough Council and representatives of the Highlands Business Partnership officially welcomed the Highlands Café with a celebratory ribbon cutting at its new location, 300 Bay Ave., last week.
The heart of the Highlands Café, formerly the Girls Café at the corner of Washington and Bay Avenues, and is the trio of chefs: Laercio “Junior” Chamon Jr., Bill Alexander, and Christopher Booket.
Each of the three chefs honed his culinary skills through the Brookdale Community College Culinary Program. Their paths converged at Graze Restaurant, in Little Silver—a local farm-to-table spot —where their shared philosophy and friendship began to take root. Their passion for food, people, and community is the secret ingredient in every dish they create.
Chef Laercio brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to the table, beginning with a bucket of oysters and a dream. After shucking oysters when he was 15, he launched a successful food truck, catering company, and restaurant, a story of perseverance and passion. His food truck, Cuts, and Catch, offers a fresh and fast casual Surf & Turf menu and can be found seasonally at The Seafarer, 1 Atlantic St.
Now back in Highlands—where it started for him at the iconic Doris & Ed’s on Shore Drive, Junior is focused on using food to strengthen community ties and lead a team grounded in shared values: uplifting others, exchanging knowledge, and growing together.
Chef Bill Alexander discovered his love for cooking during college and launched a culinary career now spanning two decades. With an associate’s degree in culinary arts from Brookdale and a B.A. in Political Science from Kean University, Bill brings both creativity and thoughtful depth to his dishes. His experience ranges from supermarkets to casual fine dining, shaped by a calm and deliberate approach and a love for the energy of the kitchen.
Chef Christopher Booket brings an artistic flair to the Highlands Café. A Monmouth University graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design, Chris followed his heart into the culinary world through Brookdale’s Culinary Education Center. Over the past 15 years, he has blended art and food, working in bars, pizzerias, and fine dining establishments, with a focus on detail and a drive to create dishes that balance creativity, comfort, and precision.
Together, this chef-driven team leads both the front and back of the house, creating a space that’s as warm. Diners say it is obvious the food is , and thee chefs agree it is so.
Highlands Café offers fresh, locally sourced breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday, from 6 AM to 3 PM. The menu features house-made specialties including pork belly burritos, pancakes from scratch with banana bourbon fosters, steak and eggs in many varieties, chicken sandwiches, house sausages, soups, daily specials, and a rotating selection of pastries.
LT (jg) Angus J. Yeoman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Yeoman of Bayville, received his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator at ceremonies held last week at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. Helicopter Pilot
Yeoman will report to Naval Station Norfolk where he will next qualify to fly the Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter. The Knighthawk’s missions include logistics support, search and rescue, medical evacuation, special warfare support, anti-surface warfare and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The aviator’s parents are both former Navy, his father Chris, a former Navy Chief who served on gun boats as a boatswain’s mate and his mother, Tracie Smith Yeoman, originally of Highlands, a retired Commander and deep sea diver. Commander Smith-Yeoman, who retired after 24 years in the Navy, also retired last December after 12 years as the Senior Naval Science Instructor of the NJROTC program at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology on Sandy Hook.
Lt (jg) Yeoman is a 2018 graduate of Donovan Catholic High School in Toms River, and the University of South Carolina with a degree in geography, where he was commissioned into the Navy through the NROTC program.
He reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for the Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation (NIFE) program, the introduction of flight basics, shortly after being commissioned in 2022.
In this nine-week course, like all students, he completed academic classes in basic aerodynamics, aviation weather, air navigation, flight rules and regulations, and aircraft engines and systems. Throughout that time, he was also exposed to aviation physiology through classes with the Naval Operational Medical Institute, learning about how flight affects the human body.
NIFE establishes the foundations of aviation fundamentals for aspiring aviators but is also a screening tool that tests a student’s ability to handle stressful evolutions. Yeoman learned to fly a Cessna 172, a single engine fixed wing aircraft, in this program.
Upon completion of NIFE, Yeoman reported to Training Squadron (VT) 27, the Boomers, at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas where he completed Primary flight school, a 22-week course where he learned visual flight, basic instrument flying, aerobatics, radio instrument navigation, and formation flying. He also completed a solo flight in the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, a single-engine turboprop aircraft.
The Naval Officer then transferred to Naval Air Station Whiting Field in the panhandle of Florida to Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 18, the Vigilant Eagles, for rotary wing pilot training. This course is designed to develop student skills in helicopter flight maneuvers using the Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher helicopter, visual navigation and tactics. Completion of this course also includes an intensive curriculum of basic and radio instruments, and courses took six months and gave Yeoman the status of a trained and proficient all-weather aviator.
Leonardo TH-73A
Yeoman and each of the 14 other military members receiving their wings of gold, including 11 Navy officers, one Coast Guard officer and two Marine Corps officers, also received their Naval Aviator numbers, designating the number of aviators in the military since the first Naval Aviator’s number was issued in 1918. Yeoman’s number is 37837.
The three-member Yeoman family has served a total of 44 years in the Navy, in addition to Commander Smith-Yeoman’s 12 years as an NJROTC instructor after her Navy retirement. With Lt(jg) Yeoman’s father a Chief boatswain’s mate, considered one of the most versatile and important positions on a Naval ship, his mother a deep sea diver and himself an aviator, the Yeomans have served the Navy and the nation on land, in the air and under the sea.
My Newly Winged Grandson and I
Helicopter Pilot Helicopter Pilot Helicopter Pilot Helicopter Pilot Helicopter Pilot Helicopter Pilot Helicopter Pilot
