Praise to the Public Works Department of Atlantic Highlands as well as the borough administrator, all of whom go above and beyond to ensure residents first of all of the need to flush fire hydrants then to give them advice as to how they can avoid problems during the flushing as well as in the future. Let’s hope everyone reads and heeds the letter that went out to all residents on line:
Dear Residents of Atlantic Highlands,
The Atlantic Highlands Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants within the entire water distribution system, from October 23rd through October 27th, 2023, 10:00 pm to 2:00 am. During this time, you WILL experience LOW WATER PRESSURE and water DISCOLORATION. Therefore, please try not to use the water during Hydrant Flushing Hours. If water use is necessary during the Hydrant Flushing Hours, please use COLD WATER ONLY. If water discoloration persists, run COLD WATER ONLY for a minimum of twenty minutes and the water should clear. Running hot water during Hydrant Flushing Hours will cause sediment to settle in the water heater and the discoloration will continue until the water heater is flushed with clear water.
If you have any problems or difficulties with your water during the Hydrant Flushing Hours, you may contact the Water Department at (732) 291-0027 or (732) 291-1444 ext. 3701.
Hydrant Flushing is advertised twice a year in the Two River Times, the borough’s web-site, and the borough’s Facebook page. Alerts are also sent out on the borough’s reverse 911 system along with a reminder prior to the start of the system flushing. The Water Department recommends that you sign up for the Borough of Atlantic Highlands RAVE Emergency Alerts and Notification System at www.ahnj.com (under the header Emergency Alerts and Notification System, Add/Remove Yourself, and you will be notified).
The Atlantic Highlands Historical Society takes Halloween seriously and that means lots of fun, entertainment, Movies, and a bit of the mysterious is all on tap over the next week.
Tonight, Oct. 20, Young Frankenstein will be on the scene at 7:30 p.m. starring Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Madelaine Kahn and Teri Garr in that famed Mel Brooks.
The movie is free and open to all at the Mansion, but a $10 donation is always appreciated to help the Society meet the costs of maintaining the historic home.
Next Friday, Oct. 27, paranormal investigator Greg Caggiano will present an evening full of ghost stories at the Strauss Mansion. Beginning at 7 p.m., for the next 90 minutes, the investigator and historian will tell some tales about the house and its former owners since it was built in 1893. He’ll also talk about some of the many paranormal encounters so many have had during the past century. To back that up, he will even be showing some of the audio and visual evidence of these occurrences.
The $25 tickets for guests at this one night only exciting evening will also have a tour of the 21-rooom mansion as well as a ghost hunting equipment demonstration which could possibly bring up some spirited residents.
Reservations in advance are necessary for this event by contacting the Historical Society since there is limited capacity for a poplar event.
The next night, Saturday, October. 28, the film, “Don’t Go in the House,” a classic cult film filmed in the Mansion some half century ago, will be the feature. Starring Dan Grimaldi, who was also in the Soprano series, the tickets for this event are $10 in advance.
For more information on all three events or to purchase tickets, e-mail ahhistoricalinfo@gmail.com or call 732-291-1861
All nine members of the transitional board of education for the new PreK-12 regional school district have been named and announced by all three boards of Education, business administrator for Henry Hudson and Atlantic Highlands boards announced Thursday.
In addition to three Highlands Board of Education trio announced following their meeting Monday evening, Rebecca Kane-Wells, Irene Campbell and Diane Knox, Richard Doust, Donald Krueger and Ulrike Stock were named from the Henry Hudson Regional school Board of Education, and Allyson Jacobs, Karin Masina and Cory Wingerter will be the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education members on the nine member transitional board of education.
All nine transitional board members will also continue to serve on their respective boards until the new school board takes over sometime between now and June 30.
Law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service volunteers, the US Coast Guard and National Park Services rangers at Sandy Hook were all honored and praised at the 20th annual Blue Mass at Saint Agnes Church Wednesday evening.
Hundreds of residents from Highlands, Middletown, Sandy Hook and Atlantic Highlands attended the mass offered by the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-Saint Agnes parish.
As from its inception the special evening of prayer and appreciation was organized by John Flynn, with the Rev. Joseph J. Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus and the 4th Degree Color Corps of the 2nd New Jersey District of the Knights of Columbus both participating in the mass.
The Blue Mass originated in St. Patrick’s Church in Washington, DC in 1934, when the Rev. Thomas Dade, a priest from Baltimore, MD. initiated the Catholic Police and Fireman’s Society and more than a thousand police and firemen in blue uniforms celebrated the first Blue Mass on Set. 28.
The Saint Agnes mass began with a musical prelude by church music director Courtney Grogan, and a procession of all those being honored from all fields of military, volunteer and paid personnel. The Patrick Trophy Volunteer Pipe Band accompanied the procession and the Middletown Township Fire Explorers posted colors for the national anthem.
CWO Christopher Apple, commanding officer at Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Knights of Columbus led the procession of priests and guest clergy to the altar where Father Quinn welcomed all to the special service.
The pastor chose the reading of the Good Samaritan for the gospel, likening all the honorees to the Biblical Good Samaritan who was the only person, a stranger, to come to the aid of an ill and impoverished man.
He cited the numerous ways in which all of those being honored serve as good Samaritans every day, not only with assistance in any particular need but in restoring dignity and respect. He noted that in spite of some who choose not to appreciate all their efforts, the men and women honored at the Blue Mass and others like them have received a gift to serve others and encouraged them to always turn to God in need. Fr. Quinn also praised the families of the honorees for the assistance their support gives to the work endeavors.
Atlantic Highlands Ptl. Joseph LaBella and Sandy Hook Ranger A.J. Wiemer read two readings during the mass, and Middletown Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Kelly read the intercessions, recalling all the members of the units who have died since the last Blue Mass last year.
Kelly also remembered the late Bernard Sweeny and Jay Strebb of the Shore Casino for their generosity at dinners and festivities at the Shore Casino after every Blue Mass for the past 20 years. Both Sweeney and Strebb died within the past 15 months.
Children of those being honored presented the gifts during the liturgy, Stefanie Hayden was cantor and Ms. Grogan led the parish choir as music director.
Citing more Biblical passages showing another aspect of volunteerism and putting lives on the line for others, the Rev. Martin McGrail, pastor of New Life Christian Church, gave a benediction at the end of mass reminding each of those honored to “leave here, go where you want, go home, love your family” reminding all that every day is important. Quoting from Joshua, McGrail, who has been a police department chaplain for 30 years, called on the celebrants to never be discouraged and know that God is always with them.
He noted that “God honors each one of you every day and “your are in the hands of God.” As strong as they are,” Rev. McGrail said, “always remember you are still God’s child.”
Flynn and all those who participated in planning the mass, also expressed thanks to Kathleen Sweeney, who as owner of the Shore Casino, continues her family tradition for generosity at the Shore Casino for the dinner and festivities following the mass
While all three boards of education have made their selections on which three board members from each will serve on the interim regional board of education for the recently approved regional district, only the Highlands Board office responded to a request for names of their choices.
Highlands Board of Education president Rebecca Kane-Wells, Diane Knox and Irene Campbell will represent that board on the interim board of education until an election in November 2024 will give the public their first opportunity to vote for board of education members for the newly approved PreK-12 school district.
The trio was approved at Monday’s regular board meeting.
The Atlantic Highlands representatives for the interim board were named at their meeting Tuesday evening and the Henry Hudson members, two from Highlands and one from Atlantic Highlands, were approved at their meeting Wednesday evening.
All nine appointees will serve both on the interim board of education as well as on their individual boards of education until January 2025, when the members elected in November of next year will assume the office fully. The time frame will enable the new board to re-organize and make initial plans for the newly formed district.
All nine interim board members were named and voted on during the open portion of each board meeting, so persons in attendance would know each of those selected.
In explaining why she chose to be a member of the newly designed interim board, Kane-Wells does not look at the new position as any extra work or “double duty,” given her long and dedicated history of volunteering for numerous activities in Highlands. The board member has been in the Highlands Fire Department since 1999, served as Chief in 2009 and is currently a department senior lieutenant. She served five terms on Highlands Borough Council, was a commissioner on the Highlands Housing Authority, a trustee to the Tri-District Education Foundation and remains chair of the local board. “Being chosen to sit on this Board will allow me to continue working regionalization until complete,” the active volunteer said.
Kane-Wells also said she is interested in Sea Bright becoming a member of the new regional district, pointing out that she is a taxpayer “and our taxes have only been on the rise, so anything that we can do to defer the tax base should be entertained.” She added it was unfortunate that the Department of Education did not entertain the Sea Bright petition for this election, “so we had to move forward to complete a mission that was started in the 1970’s.”
The board president is looking forward to “an exciting time for our towns as we collectively regionalize our education systems. Being a 1995 graduate of Henry Hudson Regional I am excited for the months and years ahead.
More than 350 persons attended the 16th annual Chilifest to sample over 30 steaming pots of chili entered to win the coveted, “Best in Fest” prize! Earlier this month.
Sweet and Spicy 16 was the theme of the 16th annual Chilifest fundraiser hosted by the Henry Hudson Tri-District Education Foundation (HHTDEF), whose mission is to support teaching innovations and learning opportunities in STEAM programs and athletics in the three schools of the Tri-District.
The rain cleared just in time for the adult-only, outdoor 5 p.m. event October 7 at the beach adjacent to the Seastreak parking lot in Atlantic Highlands.
In addition to the many artisan chilis entered, guests were treated to refreshing beverages donated by Carton Brewing and Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum. Food trucks from Boardwalk Bites and Mr. Whippie were also on hand and Chilifest attendees enjoyed live entertainment provided by local musicians Tommy Grasso, The Elastic Waist Band and Hooper. New this year, an assortment of local craft vendors were present, selling items including jewelry, handcrafted soaps and candles, artisan breads and jams, wreathes and sea glass creations.
Jeff Smith photography
“Chilifest never disappoints,” said Kevin Ilarazza, Co-President of HHTDEF. “The food, music and beverages are always excellent. However, the best thing about Chilifest is always the amazing people, families and local businesses who come together to celebrate and support education and the community.”
Judging the entries this year were Eric Manuelli, Beacon Hill Country Club Executive Chef; last year’s Best in Fest champion, Jon Wilcox; Atlantic Highlands Elementary School Principal, Mike Ferrarese; Dr. Billy Jacoutot, Highlands Elementary School Principal; and Eric Pritchard, Henry Hudson Regional School Vice Principal and Athletic Director.
This year’s winners include: Best in Fest – Kellianne Arnella with her chili comprised of chop meat, steak bites, tomatoes, peppers and three kinds of beans. Most Exotic went to Merissa Zuzulock and Joe D’Angelo for their wild boar chili. The Best Vegetarian winner was Megan Rielly, and the ever-popular People’s Choice Award also went to two—time champs, Merissa Zuzulock and Joe D’Angelo, who won the distinguished title at last year’s fest as well.
The Chilifest event was made possible through generous sponsors! Premium Sponsors were Brinley Shipwreck Rum, Carton Brewing Co and Beacon Hill Country Club. Gold Sponsors: Happy Tails Veterinary, Henry Hudson Tri-District Boards of Education, Keller Williams Melina Bradley Realtor, Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, HHRS PTO, HES PTO, AHES PTO, Solar Me, State Farm Steve Sapio Agency, JCY Design, Knights of Columbus, Atlantic Highlands Navesink Methodist Church and the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department. Silver Sponsors: Atlantic Highlands Republican Club, Atlantic Highlands Democratic Club, ReUnionRx, et al Fine Foods, Page Wellness Center, Law Office of Wendy Crowther, Eastpointe Health & Fitness, The Seafarer Bar, Chilagnos Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Swanton Energy Services, Ship Ahoy Beach Club and David Burke Hospitality Management. Patron Sponsors: Atlantic Highlands Historical Society, Color Bar 51, AHSEP, Franny’s, Foodtown, Feed & Seed, In the Garden, Porcini and Rock’n Music Academy. In addition, the Foundation owes a special thank you to Seastreak, the Borough of Atlantic Highlands, the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department and the United Methodist Church for tables and chairs, Jeff Smith for all the great photos and the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus for their continued support and help at the event!
All Chilifest event proceeds go to grants for teachers and administrators at Atlantic Highlands Elementary, Highlands Elementary and Henry Hudson Regional School, funding innovative STEAM projects, trips and programs for students.
Founded in 2014, the Henry Hudson Tri-District Education Foundation, a registered 501C3, mirrors the missions of the Tri-District schools. The Foundation raises endowment funds to support innovative ideas, programs, equipment, trips and assemblies in line with curricula of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) along with enriching the athletic programs for all students. To meet these goals, the foundation relies on private donations, fundraising events and grants from philanthropic organizations. Since its inception, over $140,000 has been raised and disbursed in support of STEAM-related curricula in the TriDistrict. Some of the funded initiatives include have been a new sound board for the high school theater programs, Chromebooks for both elementary schools, 3D printers and maker space equipment, science lab equipment, learning garden enhancements and lab seating, STEM field trips including iFly America with the Physics classes; Escape Room equipment, Robotics equipment and competitions, Odyssey of the Mind funding and Apple pencils.
The Foundation is comprised of parents and other community members with an interest in furthering and enhancing students’ educational opportunities and experiences. The Foundation is always looking for new members and invites emails for lending a hand and voicing ideas.
Current foundation members are Kevin Ilarraza and Emily Tidswell (Co-Presidents), Stacy Cannamela (Vice President), Melody Browne (Treasurer), Jen Vossen (Communications Secretary), Rebecca Wells (Corresponding Secretary), Jaclyn Shoustal, Andrea Serghis, Karin Sjöstrand, Melissa Reeves, Melissa Fierro and Rachael Shwom-Evelich.
For more information or to donate to the HHTDEF, please visit www.hhtdef.org, email info@hhtdef.org or visit them on Facebook.
Wednesday, October 18, with the ocean as a backdrop, representatives of Clean Ocean Action (COA) announced a key call to action on offshore wind energy development, urging Governor Murphy and the NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to cancel the Third Solicitation. COA also ask the state to not award any additional OSW offshore wind energy development contracts.
“In the name of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and environmental stewardship, we must stop digging deeper into the hole of reckless offshore wind development,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director, Clean Ocean Action.
“The current irresponsible push for offshore wind is an unprecedented assault and massive experiment on the ocean, marine ecosystem, thousands of livelihoods, and the quiet seaside culture that millions enjoy from around the world, Zipf said. “ It is unacceptable for the Governor and NJBPU to move forward with even more commitments now, much less a doubling of offshore wind projects.”
The ocean advocacy group of nearly 40 years sent a letter to Governor Murphy and Christine Guhl Sadovy, recently appointed NJBPU President, calling for the Governor and legislative branches to cancel the massive third solicitation of offshore wind project bids, which could more than double the state’s current development obligation.
In early August, Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin raised concerns about the four bids in New Jersey’s Third Solicitation, saying there are still many unanswered questions about the economic impact these projects will have on ratepayers, as well as potential impacts to one of our state’s largest economic drivers, tourism at the shore.
The NJBPU has already awarded 3,750 megawatts to companies to build 3 projects in 343,834 acres of ocean, totaling 380 turbines. Currently, NJBPU seeks to award up to 4,000 MW in its Third Solicitation. Applications for four new projects have been submitted to NJBPU, which will cover the expanse of 373,623 more acres of the ocean off New Jersey.
Heavy rains and predicted continued bad weather put off the ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the Highlander Bicycle Company, but neither stopped a crowd of cyclists, families and others from visiting the new business.
The official opening of the Highlander Bicycle Company is now set for Saturday, October 21 at 10 a.m., when Mayor Loretta Gluckstein and local officials will cut the ribbon at 28 First Avenue, the former laundromat at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and First Avenue.
But local resident Jason Chabak already has the shop and repair section open for what looks to be a very welcoming addition to the borough’s business district.
Chabak chose the name of the business from an old local newspaper name and also has tee shirts and sweat shirts in the shop promoting it. There are also shirts from Ron Jon at LBI as well as a large assortment of other colors and designs.
A bike shop it may be, complete with bikes of all sizes and types for all ages, including mountain, road, cruiser and e-bikes, but it is also filled with a variety of other cyclists needs, including helmets, shirts, eye glasses candles and water bottles as well as hand and xbody wash and aromatic body bath!
The repair station at the rear of the shop is open for business with a mechanic on duty, and Chabak and his team of part time employees are eager to help.
The Highlander is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 .am. to 6 p.m..
For more information go to Info@Highlandernj.com or call 732-413-4022. Or Instagram @highlanaderebicycleco.
Let’s hope this new Henry Hudson Regional School District PreK-12 gets off to a good start and improves so many things within the educational areas of instruction for the children of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. At the onset, however, it isn’t looking too good.
While it doesn’t appear anything has been released officially, on Facebook there was a copy of a letter, release, announcement, addressed to the Education Community of Henry Hudson. If you were waiting with baited breath, you could have been checking the Tri-District Website and seen the letter there. Without even reading it, the page brought up any number of questions and points of interest.
By law, it is apparently happening today. The stationery is probably correct now, though it’s been used for some time, as has the superintendent’s e-mail address. And who exactly is the Education Community?
More Questions …
Also, what exactly is the name of the new regional district? Is it the Henry Hudson Regional School district? Or is it the Highlands and Atlantic Highlands School District? Has it already been decided, and by whom, or is it going to be decided tonight, tomorrow night and Wednesday night at the three board meetings?
Of course, if it’s a regional school district as of today, it won’t have a board of education, it will just be a new school district with nobody in charge..for a few days.
That’s because, again, learning from Facebook, the three school boards are each meeting this week to select who among them will serve on this very first board. They will go into executive session during their regularly scheduled meetings week to find out who is even interested in being on the transition board.
That’s according to law. It’s a good thing. There has to be a transition board to be sure there are folks at the helm who know something about what they’re doing. So each board selects three of its members to serve until the first elected board is selected in November of next year. Each board makes its own choice for its three reps, then they’ll all get together and vote on which nine will comprise the transition board for the new regional district.
See, under the law, the transition board and the three boards will all be around until June 30 of next year….unless they decide the transition board, the one made up of three members each from the current boards….can take control earlier. Then that board is at the helm until the November election of 2024. That’s the first time the new board of education will be decided by the people. Still, the transition board stays in place until January 2025, the first date when the people’s choice of board members will take control of the new regional district.
Are you still with me?
At the Atlantic Highlands Council meeting held the same night that Facebook had all this school information, the question was asked of the governing body about the status of when the people could vote on whether Sea Bright can be part of this new district. One would think the governing body would know that, given the fact they adopted a resolution many months ago urging Sea Bright be included, they sent it to the Commissioner, the Commissioner said Sea Bright should be included as quickly as possible, all the experts said it’s the best thing to do, both financially and academically, so one would think the elected officials would be kept aware or at least interested enough to ask questions.
But if they knew about this Oct. 16 date making the new district official, they sure didn’t let it be known at their meeting. The response to the question came from the administrator and he explained that the attorney this Council retained is conferring with all the other attorneys and he’ll have the attorney give a report at the next meeting in two weeks. There was no mention of the fact that the district itself is actually official three days from the council meeting.This week, the borou9gh administrator confirmed he governing body never received any letter from the boards of education advising it of the Oct. 16 official date for the new regional school district.
On top of that, another resident at the council meeting cited some statistics that showed how poorly high school students at Henry Hudson are being educated compared to students in other schools in the areas of math and language. If his figures are correct, and no one questioned him on that, and if female students are doing so poorly in particular as he said, one does wonder why the boards were so eager to extend the contract of the superintendent for another two years when this contract expires next year.
Education, not forming a new regional school district with or without Sea Bright, should be the sole or at least primary duty and obligation of the superintendent. Not using that stationery over the printed names of the three board presidents to send a notice to the “Education community.”
The questions remain…
With all the attorneys involved together with experts in this new field and the Commissioner…., should be answered….when can the people vote on whether Sea Bright can be included? Can it be in a special election after Oct. 16 when the district is official? Or does it have to wait until the Transition Board is seated next month?
Still more Questions …
Or until the three boards are gone and the Transition Board is running the district sometime before next June or possibly before? Or worse, does it have to wait until after the first board elected by the people is elected in November of next year? Could it be done at that same election? Or does it have to wait until that new board is seated and in charge in January, 2025?.
Let’s hope the “Education Community” is listening to the State Commissioner’s recommendation that Sea Bright be included and it should be done as quickly as possible.
The 20th annual Blue Mass will be offered at Saint Agnes Church Wednesday, October. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
The mass honors all volunteer fire and first aid members as well as local police departments, keeping them all aware of the appreciation and thanks local residents have for their services. The mass also is said to honor their service and continue to pray for continued safety for each.
The mass is open to all and all are invited to attend. A reception follows at the Shore Casino after the mass for continued rapport among the police, volunteers and all those who appreciate all their efforts.
The mass is sponsored by the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus. Music during the mass is under the direction of the parish music coordinator Courtney Grogan.
