FishingThey spent time over bagels and coffee in the Senior Citizens building to learn each other’s names, meet the captains of their boats, and compare stories of fish they never caught. But by the end of the day, the more than 80 men and women veterans of every war since Korea had traded e-mail and phone addresses and boasted and showed photos about the striped bass they caught and had to toss back in the ocean, the blue fish that would be dinner that night…and thrill of a day whose memory will stay with them forever. Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing

It was Fins for Freedom who planned, organized, raised the funds and sought out boat captains who eagerly gave their boats, fuel, time, and expertise to be part of a program that brings aqua therapy to men and women who have served in our armed forces.

Fins for Freedom also accepted the aid of cadets from MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, many of whose students will be going on to attend colleges under ROTC scholarships and military academies including both the Coast Guard and Space Force, and spending time in the military themselves, spent the morning under personnel from Fins for Freedom greeting the fishermen, signing them in, helping with breakfast, then escorting or leading them to their crafts, scattered over the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor’s five piers. That’s where the veterans, in groups of three to six, met each of their individual boat captains and crafts, learned the rules of that particular captain, then settled in for a day of relaxation, friendship, and fishing. Fishing Fishing

At the end of a phenomenally successful day, even for those who had never fished before, captains, crew, other volunteers and fishermen met at On the Deck Restaurant to talk about their day and the benefits they got from it. On the Deck closed the restaurant Saturday night in order to honor the private party of anglers who will never forget their experience. Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing

Mike Marinac, president of the non-profit Fins for Freedom, brought his entire family to help make the day the success it was. He and his wife were both at the Senior Citizens with the MAST cadets at 6 Saturday morning, preparing everything for the veterans and instructing the cadets in how to register the anglers and then take them to their boats at the piers. The couple’s two daughters, Charlotte and Lexie, 6 and 5 years old, were undaunted by the early hour and eagerly rushed back and forth carrying supplies from one place to another, emptying garbage and in general doing whatever they could to keep the transition running smooth.

Six-year-old Charlotte, a first-grade student at Middletown Village, said she wanted to be there because she was helping people and thought it was the right thing to do. She said she knew each of the fishermen had served the country in some way so she felt she should help them when she could. Her sister Lexie, a five-year-old who goes to Prime Time in Belford, agreed with Charlotte and nodded her head happily when asked if she would do it again.

Eight MAST students were among those working throughout the morning. They volunteered for the program after Junior Tyler Terhune of Tinton Falls, who is the commander of A Company at MAST, organized the group of five seniors and three juniors, many of whom have already been awarded college ROTC scholarships. Terhune, of Tinton Falls, Carter Braun of Middletown and Thomas Clark of Little Silver were the juniors at the program, seniors were Brandon Weiss of Oceanport, who earned an Army scholarship to the University of Miami, Ronan Alo, Keansburg, Cornel University scholarship, Calvin Tern of Middletown, a Navy ROTC scholarship to Cornell, Ananya Vuppala of Marlboro an Air Force Scholarship to Yale with the Space Force, and Gerard Flynn of Eatontown, a scholarship the US Merchant Marine Academy. Commander Tracie Smith Yeoman, chief of Naval Science at MAST also said as a volunteer, said volunteering for Fins for Freedom gave the students headed for military life an opportunity to meet with veterans and learn more about their experiences.

Twenty-six owners of private boats volunteered their boats and trips for the day.

Dan Brady, who is treasurer of Fins for Freedom, and Marvin both showed appreciation for how the program has grown in the past three years, thanks to the generosity of so many businesses and individuals including the boat owners. When it first started it was an informal idea Marinac had with his friends when they took a few veterans for the day; last year there were between 40 and 50 veterans who took the trip and this year there were more than 80. The friend who started the idea with Marinac are Kevin Noal, Jackson, Paul Hewitt, John Nolan, Bill Carle and Paul Novello.

Persons wishing to donate to Fins of Freedom to continue the program can visit their website at FinsforFreedom.org.

Some of the major companies supporting the program include SSA Atlantic, Ports America, Stevedoring, Jersey Shore Marine Group at Oceanport Landing, West Gulf Maritime Association, Thomas Contracting, Ghanem Forwarding, Sallaum Lines, Red Hook Terminals, SDA (Sport Drinking Apparel), Candid Logistics, LLC, Kuratli Photography, Plan B Promotions,, Auto Export Shipping, Inc., McAllister, and NORAD, world class processing.

AmericanWarriorOutdoors.org,is also a staunch supporter of the program, and assists veterans and their families through organizing and providing outdoor programs for continued health and comradeship.

Other stories on the awesome Event

Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing

Friends

Earned

Volunteers

About three dozen residents turned out for a special workshop meeting at Borough Hall Tuesday night when a series of experts in the fields of medicine, cannabis and pharmaceuticals gave a series of positive results should a cannabis business be approved in Atlantic Highlands.

Borough Attorney Peg Schaefer, herself recognized as an expert in the field, was part of the panel and explained some of the confusion in the state legislation which permits, under specific regulations and laws, municipalities to pass their own laws for cultural, manufacturing or retail licenses.

The attorney explained she takes no position on whatever the borough decides, but pointed out it has great control over all aspects of any cannabis business, including where it could be located, the hours it could be open and what safety regulations would have to be followed by those in the business.

Leading expert in the panel was Hugh O’Beirne, president of the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association, a non-profit agency working for the legalization of cannabis in New Jersey, and an attorney who has dealt in corporate and securities law as well as real estate investment trusts.

O’Beirne is co-founder of Hawthorne Avenue Strategies, a consulting firm on the business goals for US operations and has done policy work in several states. The attorney holds his master’s degree from Boston College and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

The attorney reviewed the history of adult use cannabis regarding the regulations imposed by states without federal regulations on the industry and noted its benefits in a variety of medical programs.

Like Schaefer, he stressed the fact the municipality holds great control, under the newly enacted laws in New Jersey, in governing any cannabis business within its limits, and as such can ensure safety and community harmony. He cited cases from his own experience where cannabis has been the medicine of choice and success in controlling a number of different diseases.

Schaefer added that as attorney, she would not advocate which actions the borough should take in either approving specific types of cannabis business or denying any or all within her borough but cited the many financial benefits resulting from additional taxes for the borough. The attorney also noted that the laws do not allow for the borough to restrain any deliveries to persons within the borough from cannabis businesses approved in other municipalities.

Luke Lieberman of Brick was another of the panelists who spoke at the meeting. The General Manager of NJ Leaf, a cannabis dispensary on Park Avenue in Freehold, Lieberman cited how cannabis regulations are strict in controlling the quality of products and adult use of cannabis from approved sources ensures it is dispensed safely.

Panel members explained the difference between the variety of hemp or cannabis containing subjects currently available including the variety of forms from pills and liquids to chocolate and gummies, and how approved dispensaries would be more beneficial for health and safety reasons.

Jay Dhaduk or Parsippany is a New York licensed pharmacist and founder of Legacy Pharmacy, a chain of pharmacies that offer cannabis sales. He is also a patient education chair at Bayshore Senior Center and instructs on ways to stem the opioid crisis and addiction through better education of all products.

Panelists responded to questions from the residents concerning how businesses would be run should a retail shop be approved for the borough, highlighting the borough could mandate whatever type of security it felt necessary, from armed guards to concealed weapons carriers ; every adult potential purchaser would have to show proper identification in order to enter the store and would have a choice of either seeking out the product they wanted, or seeking the assistance of the trained and professional employees to guide them. Because of complaints in other areas about long lines waiting for access to a retail business, it is necessary at the start of a new business for customers to have appointments in order to be at the shop.

Stores would also have to meet esthetic requirements for exterior appearance according to borough regulations and would be restricted to the specific business district any borough ordinance would allow.

Panelists in a variety of ways showed how a regulated and licensed retail business whose owner has been thoroughly investigated and approved, and whose employees have also undergone stringent investigations and background checks would cut down on deaths from illegal drugs while at the same time bringing in thousands of dollars to offset borough taxes or be set aside for specific purposes.

Councilwoman Eileen Cusick, the borough representative on the Cannabis Committee former earlier this year, put the meeting together in order to provide more information should borough council choose to introduce a cannabis business ordinance. Mayor Lori Hohenleitner opened the meeting, explained its purpose and introduced all the panelists together with asking them specific questions. Cusick delivered hand-written questions from the audience to Hohenleitner who then read them to the panelists for their response.

This is the only workshop of this type unless an ordinance is introduced, Hohenleitner said after the meeting. Should an ordinance be introduced, the public would have another opportunity to ask questions during the public hearing held for every proposed ordinance before its approval.

Cannabis

Eddy Rosado served with the Marine Corps for four years during the Vietnam war. He was an instructor with the Corps and lives in Philadelphia. He heard about the Fins for Freedom fishing day at an event he attended in Oaks, Pennsylvania, and signed up. Friends

Eddy sat alone at the senior Citizens building in Atlantic Highlands waiting for instructions on which boat he would be going on and enjoying bagels and coffee. Fins for Freedom ws just starting to kick off a day that would make memories. Friends

There were a couple of other men seated at the same table, none of whom knew each other.

But when questioned by a reporter, Eddy said he was getting older, starting a new life, and had been fishing for a long time and loved it. But in starting his new life, he didn’t really have many friends and was kind of on his own, he said. Friends

It took a second for Rich Oshaughnessy, seated across from him at the table to stand up, put out his hand and say heartily, “hey, now you have a friend. I’m Rich.”

Shaughnessy was also signed up for the trip, a 20 year veteran of the Navy retiring as a Chief. He learned about the program from a lady named Dawn, who worked at a Speedway gas station and knew Rich was a veteran. They started talking, he said, adding he was happy to be on this trip, even though he never has a bad day. Friends

When the reporter left, Eddy and Rich were already deep in conversation about their lives in service and their recent activities.

Meeting up with them again at the end of the day, they both had stories to tell of the striped bass they had caught and released, and the other friends they met on their day of fishing.

“That’s what we do this for,” said an emotional Dan Brady, one of the Fins for Freedom officers, “ Fins for Freedom wants to keep these guys together, and as fishermen, we all know the camaraderie that comes about on any fishing trip. These guys deserve all of that and more.”

Rosado was proud to show photos at the end of the day of the two stripers and one blue he and yet another new friend caught. Jorge Quinga came from Jersey City for the trip, he was an army veteran who served with the infantry from 2003 to 2006. He had never been out fishing before. “I loved it,” he laughed, “and I learned a lot. I didn’t even know the language of fishing or being out on a boat.”

When he hooked into a striper, he didn’t even realize it, he said, when another veteran on the boat said “you snagged it.” “I didn’t know what that meant, until I started reeling it in, and wow! …..” then he pulled out the photo of him and his striped bass.

Quinga also caught a bluefish, a fish he could keep and was planning on baking for dinner. The Ecuador born American and Rosado both also said that they were on Boat Ten…That’s Capt. Bill (William DiStaso) and he was great. “

“We must have had the best captain and crew of anybody for the day,” they both agreed.

Other veterans would have differed, putting up their own captains and crew for perfection.

But besides the fish, the captain, and the wonderful day, Rosado was truly happy for something else. “Jorge and I have already exchanged telephone numbers ..we’re going to be getting together soon.”

Other stories on Fins for Freedom

Earned

Volunteers 

Friends

Bayshore Pharmacy was honored as the Business of the Month at the last meeting of the Mayor and Council, with Mayor Lori Hohenleitner presenting the certificate to Richard and Jill Stryker, second generation family owners of the popular pharmacy.

The pharmacy is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and Hohenleitner congratulated the owners for excellence, community involvement and the role they play in the community and for its residents. Bayshore Pharmacy

The Pharmacy was opened in 1964 at the Bayshore Shopping Center where it continues to be a successful and needed business. However, its original location was at the other side of Food Town supermarket, where Salt Water Liquors is now located. Bayshore Pharmacy

It moved again to the end of Foodtown and then once again in 1997 to its present location further down the northern end of the plaza. Bayshore Pharmacy

The firm was started in June 1964 by Rich Stryker and Joseph McDonald. Stryker purchased it 1997 when McDonald retired; he became partners with Scott Eagelton who purchased his partnership from Stryker’s father, former Mayor Richard C. Stryker in 1992.

Currently the pharmacy employees 18 local residents, along with the second generation Stryker and two other pharmacists. It is best known for offering point of care testing to include strep throat, flu and covid testing, vaccination appointments which are open daily for Pneumonia (Prevnar 20), Shingles, Meningitis and TDAP (Whooping Cough, Tetanus & Diphtheria), home delivery, excellent service and a gift shop regarded as one of the finest in Monmouth County.

The Stryker family is planning a 60^th anniversary celebration at the Pharmacy on Saturday, June 8 with Mayor Hohenleitner heading a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon.  Giveaways and store specials will be offered.  The Atlantic Highlands 6th Grade Parents will also be selling hot dogs and water to raise funds for the 6th grade trip. Bayshore Pharmacy

“Sixty years in business is quite an accomplishment and we thank our community for their continued support over six decades,” said Styker, son of the founder. “ We know you have a choice for your healthcare and we are grateful to be a part of your wellness.”

Former Mayor and Mrs. Pat Stryker will be present for the June 8 ceremonies.

Bayshore Pharmacy

When 22-year-old Jack McDonough came from his home in Glen Beigh County Kerry to New York it was primarily to study computer science here for a semester before returning in August for continuing on to his degree at Cork University. Irish Poet

But few knew until he arrived that he brought with him a huge supply of Irish humor, unlimited friendliness, certainly the gift of gab, and the ability to easily make friends and influence people. Irish Poet

Jack spent several days in Atlantic Highlands and the Bayshore visiting with his great aunt, his grandfather’s sister, Kathleen Sweeney. He was here to share prayers and sympathy with her as both virtually attended the funeral mass for Kathleen’s sister and Jack’s great aunt, Rita Burke. Rita died in Ireland after an extended illness, and Jack did not want her sister here in America to be attending the funeral alone.

The happy-go-lucky yet serious and brilliant Irishman, in the few days since he arrived from Ireland, had already met with his cousins, Kathleen’s grandson and daughter, at the hospitals where one is a doctor the other a nurse; he had already engaged himself in a sandlot baseball game when he saw a group of men playing and asked if he could join. They welcomed him, gave him the bat, and he showed his dexterity in that sport as well.

This is his first visit to the United States, but already Jack knows he loves the people. “Everyone’s so friendly,” he enthused, ignoring the fact it’s his own friendship that brings out the best in others.

His biggest surprise, he said, is “how everything is so large!”, meaning the cars, the roads, the ferry, the meals, and just about everything else he’s encountered so far.

But always, he smiles broadly, it’s the friendship that stands out.

Living in Brooklyn for the few months he is here, Jack already knows his way around, hops on the subway or train with no fears, and knows the best, easiest and nicest way to get from Manhattan to Atlantic Highlands is via Sea Streak. “It’s so easy,” he said, “and then just a short subway ride from the ferry in New York to my apartment.”

Ask him about politics, and the diplomatic Irishman declines…politely, of course….to discuss any United States politics. “This is your country, “he says with a wag of his finger, “I’m not about to get into any discussions about any of your politics here.”

But ask him about his own, and he’ll tell you the life history of his nation’s newest Taoiseach, or prime minister, Simon Harris and all the reasons why he will be the best thing that’s happened to Ireland and a true leader who will keep the country moving forward.

Harris was recently elected to the post by a vote of parliament and at 37 years of age is the youngest leader the nation has ever had. Without any coaching or coaxing, Jack can tell you about Ireland’s three-party coalition government, the surprise resignation of Leo Varadkar last month, opening the way for Harris, a member of the Fine Gael party like his predecessor, to be to be named, and how devoted Harris is to promoting education at all levels for everybody in Ireland.

Jack can tell you how Harris loves talking to the people via social media and how he is facing the serious and soaring housing costs and influx of Ukraine citizens escaping the war in their own homeland.

But garrulous as he is, Jack declines to opinionate on American politics.

Nor does he talk about the drone he designed, part of a class assignment. Jack loves Irish history as well as its unique nature, and laments the loss of tree species, the Irish oak, that are thousands of years old and rapidly diminishing with the major construction projects that are gobbling up open space. So he chose to design a drone that can film the rare tree forests from above and enable environmentalists to pinpoint their existence in specific areas and work towards their preservation.

It’s a passion for environmental sciences that is now having Jack ponder specifically in what specialty he wants to use his computer science skills.

But there is a quieter, softer, more thoughtful part of Jack McDonough that makes the casual visitor with him remember that it must be true, the Irish, be they serious or political, dramatic or comedic, quiet or verbose, all have the gift of expression in poetry and song.

Jack is also a poet.

A lover of nature, he was moved by the grace and beauty of the animal while watching a group of penguins cavort. Knowing they are birds, and wondering why they don’t fly, it struck him while watching them. Indeed, Jack decided, penguins do fly….they simply do it in the water! And so he wrote

Penguin Tale

By: Jack McDonogh

I see you fly,

But not in the sky,

Outside the box,

Like a cunning fox.

Your wings beat water,

Through shoals of fish,

Natures torpedo,

A bliss display.

You fly in packs,

Through a world of blue,

Through tumultuous water,

You thrive.

Then again, overwhelmed and appreciative of nature in all its forms, he lay back and enjoyed the sunshine of a quiet day, then wrote:

Country Field

By: Jack McDonogh

In a country field I lay,

During the kindness of a spring day,

Lambs playing and feeling free,

Birds chirping as they should be.

I climb a hill to investigate,

The burrow of a badger or fox,

Atop of which I gaze amongst shadows,

Like sparks from a smith,

Sparks of sparrows flying in unison,

A great show.

I then look afar to a land,

A land of smoke and grime,

What could this be,

Surly not a place of our time.

Humans dominate this land,

Scarred of tar and smoke alike,

Big machines operating,

Speeding through the city lights.

Like the sparrows I know,

These humans too move in unison,

People marching amongst the buildings,

Migrating along lines of traffic,

Cluttered and chaotic.

Shocked by what I see,

I again look back,

To a land of green and great beauty,

As I watch the lambs play,

I think to myself,

Oh what magnificence it is,

To live in such a time and place,

As home.

His love for his native land, its nature, its history, its religion and the blend of all that and more is best exemplified in Inisfallen

Innisfallen

By: Jack McDonogh

I set forth on a journey,

To a land of proper and lore,

I set aboard a boat,

To the land of Saints and Scholars.

Into the morning fog,

To a mystery I set forth,

Aboard a boat we traveled an ancient path,

Along the gables of cliffs,

Along the story of earth.

Where great elk once trod,

Great deer do roam,

A seal in the lake,

Plenty of trout to chase.

A sanctuary of time,

Once the pride of Killarney,

Now a museum,

In which the heart of Ireland is kept.

After mass in the monastery I look to a mighty oak,

As I touch its bark I live,

I live a time in which still exists today,

A time of saints and scholars,

A majestic time of joy.

In his poetry, Jack also can express his sensitivities and the pain he feels for those who fall, fail, or simply choose the wrong path in life. He does not criticize, merely, lament, grieve, and offer consolation.

It’s the Irish way and Jack McDonogh brought it with him to America.;

Lost souls Irish Poet

By: Jack McDonogh

To see your presence, Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet

Makes me sad,

A lie being lived,

Of only the bad.

An overused body,

Abused by mental stimulation,

Your mind corrupted by the freedom of indulgence,

A freedom trapping pit of despair.

You are greater than this confliction,

An addiction to viewing lowly forms of life,

A form of life which revolves around ignorance,

A form of life which creates nothing but shame and sadness.

To become the alcoholic of anew,

A pandemic of lust,

To become the junky of the internet,

An epidemic of irresistibility.

They are dealers of a drug,

Makers of sorrow,

The embodiment of greed and deception,

A lowly Loki.

They teach indulgence,

Brothel of this world,

A sickening sight,

Of a vulgar lack of self control.

Their ease of use is cheap,

Like a fast food of the internet,

A money grabbing machine,

Designed to hook in our young minds,

Corrupted by a lowly vigour.

Their aggravating temper,

Use of innocents for self gain,

A vile disturbed use of others,

A lonely use of lifespan.

As I look along a meadow,

I see waterfalls of pain pouring from you,

And wonder, Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet

What could have caused you to become this.

In an age of instant connection,

I see a human need turned upside down,

A human need abused, Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet Irish Poet

A human who lacks real connection,

A connection to within.