The Harbor Commission last night unanimously voted to reject the RFP offered for lease on the former Shore Casino and will more than likely submit a new RFP for consideration as soon as possible.
Following a 50 minute public hearing in which the Commission discussed both the RFPand the litigation on the State Police and SeaTow building near the harbor office, Finance chairman Michael Curry read a brief synopsis of the terms offered jointly by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club and Sea Streak ferry for use of the former Shore Casino. Their proposal was the only one submitted in response to the RFP offered by the Commission in October.
Curry said the terms offered by the joint firms submitting the response offered a lease of $180,000 a year for ten years with an option to renew for five years, and also cited other issues that the Commission apparently did not find plausible.
The Shore Casino lease was approximately $20,000 a month or more than $200,000 annually , and the RFP had offered a proposal for a five year period.
Lease Committee Chairman Jim Krauss then offered a motion to reject the lease, a motion unanimously approved by voting members Alyson Forbes, Krauss, Curry and Chairman Thomas Wall . Harbor Commissioners Vito Colasurdo and Curtis Sawyer abstained from the vote, inasmuch as both are members of the Yacht Club.
“It was disappointing,” said Wall after the meeting. However, he pointed out Krauss and Sutton will work on modifying the RFP and anticipate having another proposal for the Commission to consider by the next meeting. Since it was a RFP proposal as opposed to a bid for the lease, there was no room for negotiations with the offer at this meeting.
The former 20,500 square foot Shore Casino, which has been a part of the Harbor for more than half a century, lost its lease two months ago and the facility has been vacant since that time. The Yacht Club remains as the upstairs tenant at the facility under terms of their own lease.
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Pennsylvania’s state Capitol building, in Harrisburg, makes it very clear from the moment you step inside that the Keystone state’s history and heritage are rooted in religious significance. Wherever you go in the Capitol you can see testimony of William Penn’s vision for the state and the emphasis he put on religion.
mural by Violet Oakley The Creation and Preservation of the Union
As a result, in addition to historic accuracy, magnificent sculptures and architecture, the Capitol is the site of numerous religious murals and no fewer than 40 Biblical references, all written along the walls and under the dome of the seat of government for the state.
mural by Edward Austin Abbey depicting The Spirit of Light
It was the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Isaac Norris who commissioned the original Liberty Bell, one of the most important symbols of the United States and its liberty. And the Speaker also dictated that a Biblical verse be inscribed on the Bell. “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land and unto all the inhabitants thereof” comes from Leviticus, 25:10 in the King James version of the Bible.
The Bell, which was ordered from the Whitechapel Foundry in London first rang in the State House to call lawmakers to meetings and to alert townspeople when there was news. It cracked when it was moved to Philadelphia and rung there for the first time.
But in Harrisburg, it was only one sign of the importance of religion to the citizens.
Edwin Austin Abbey was one of the most respected artists of the 19th century, recognized at a very early age as an illustrator of poetry and drama for Harper’s Weekly before he went to England to further a career as a history painter. Commissioned to decorate the Rotunda of the Capitol as well as the House and Senate chambers and the Supreme Court, Abbey painted the murals in his studio in England. He exhibited those murals that are in the Rotunda today at the University of London the year before they were shipped to Harrisburg and installed around the massive dome .
When Abbey died suddenly two years later, he had completed those murals and another three for the Houses chambers, leaving nine works of art in the Capitol. The Capitol architect then asked Violet Oakley, an acclaimed Pennsylvanian recognized for all her illustrations in the leading magazines of the day, to complete Abbey’s contract for more murals.
The appointment also introduced a woman to the art form generally assumed to be male dominated, giving her the largest public commission ever given to a woman until that time.
Oakley completed Abbey’s contact for murals for the Senate and Supreme Court, creating a total of 43 murals in the Capitol, including a mural in the Governor’s Reception Room.
Inscribed under each of these murals throughout all the public rooms of the Capitol that the Biblica passages are on the walls and ceilings. Reading them it becomes obvious specific passages as well as specific murals were placed specifically to include lessons from the Bible in the thoughts and ideas of the legislators while they went about their work governing the state of Pennsylvania.
For instance, in the Governor’s reception room, a saying from Isaiah “He shall build my city and he shall let go my captives” is on one wall while “The voice of one crying in the wilderness” from Matthew is on another.
Some of the Senate Chamber Biblical passages include Psalms “and they knew assuredly that none ever trusted in the Lord and were confounded” and Ezekiel’s “Behold this is the law of the house and this know assuredly that looked and behold the glory of the Lord filled the house.”
Among the murals and Biblical readings in the House Chamber of the Capitol are John’s “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free, “and, from Revelation, “He carried me away in a great and high mountain and showed me that great city.”
The Supreme Court rooms include not only the Ten Commandments as quoted in Exodus, but also the Beatitudes from Matthew…”Blessed are the meek, they shall inherit the earth.. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” as well as “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
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I like the Two River Times, the weekly newspaper publication that has lots of ads, lots of photos, many stories, and some obituaries…they limit the number they print in a week.
Claudia Ansorge Photo Courtesy of the Two River Times
I like the Two River Times because I wrote for it when Claudia Ansorge first took that feisty step and dared to put out another weekly newspaper in the area more than 30 years ago. She did it with hard work, talent, and a lot of class.
When Claudia sold it to Geraldo Rivera I worked for him as well, though we did not always agree on editorial content. He listened to reason, however, understood different points of view and even allowed them. For that, I have respect for him.
But today, this weekly publication isn’t a newspaper anymore. It is a nonprofit organization, though it’s difficult to see what the non-profit is that it is supporting. Is it supporting this publisher’s versions of what are the important news stories of the day?
Or is it supporting a non-profit status that is now exempt from taxes because it is a “public charity.” You can contribute to the Two River Times….those dollar a week costs should count….and have them be tax deductible. Or you can send over a gift of $100 and get home delivery along with the tax deduction.
The publisher makes it clear “The Two River Times wouldn’t exist without your support.” But what do you get with your support? More news than you would get from a newspaper that pays its own way without a tax deduction?
More news than you would get from say, The Patch,” which comes out every day with news from throughout Monmouth County?
Heck, the Two River Times doesn’t even promise accuracy, truthfulness or both sides of a story in their non-profit publication. Every week they let you know that by clearly explaining that “The Two River Times takes no position with respect to the accuracy or otherwise as to the content of any article published or opinion expressed herein.”
The publication used the same media on which it does not publish its publication as a non-profit organization to solicit funds for its non-profit status.
Recently, it posted “Today is Giving Tuesday, an annual global movement that encourages people to give back to their communities and support causes they care about. “ It goes on to explain it is “ a crucial fundraising day for us “ asking for donations over an above” your purchase of the paper every week” ii you feel they have been giving the best reporting possible. They needed to raise $2,000 by that night, their plea said, since they have a campaign goal of $10,000.
Why does a publication, that charges if you want to buy one, and have other means of support, still have to ask for donations because it is a non-profit? Again, as a non-profit, what worthy cause is it supporting other than its own publication?
The publication makes it clear “The work we do is only possible when our readers step up to support it…funding our reporters and helping keep our stories free for those who can’t afford it otherwise.”
The truth may lie in the law passed this year and taking full effect March 1. Finally, municipalities will no longer to have their legals printed in local newspapers.
Finally, the state legislature has come to realize people can use the state, or the county, or the borough’s own websites to print the legals it now costs them by the line to publish in a paper. People have to pay to get. The legislature has apparently listened and realizes that today’s readers tend to read lots of different types of media, do look at municipal pages with all their information and finally do appreciate being able to read in larger than 4 or 5 point print.
The move will save thousands of tax dollars for people throughout New Jersey
No longer will there be a mandate requiring all legal advertising for municipalities, be it for notice of a meeting, adoption of a new regulation or a public hearing for a variance, be printed in a legal newspaper. Instead, the law makes it clear municipalities and counties have to meet specific mandates as well, publishing all their legal advertising on their official website, and offer free and easy access to it.
They must make the website free and accessible, with a direct hyperlink to legal notices placed “conspicuously” on the homepage. The law even says the secretary of state would help set up a website to include notices from public entities statewide. Public agencies will have to display notices on the website for at least one week and store them in an online archive for at least one year afterward. Starting January 1, all public entities will have to publish an advertisement twice a month in online news outlets, together with links to their legal notices webpage. Municipalities will also have to show they are printing their legals with notices in a conspicuous place on their website, and they have to keep the legals available for at least one week and store them for at least one year.
It’s one of the few laws in New Jersey that was passed either unanimously or with only two or three folks dissenting in one House, approved unanimously in the Senate.
So how much will it save taxpayers? Perhaps only $100 or $200 every time they advertise a special meeting, or an event. But several hundreds of dollars when they have to publish a proposed ordinance or the complete budget. Those hundreds of dollars turn to thousands and add up even quicker when municipalities advertise them in more than one newspaper, which is also fairly common,
It’s even considerably more savings at the Monmouth County level. Did you ever notice the number of Sheriff’s Sales that are advertised on a regular basis? Or don’t you even look at the legal advertising sections of newspapers?
Erasing those hundreds of dollars of checks every week from a variety of local municipalities does save the taxpayers money. But it means that one time newspaper that is now a non-profit TAX free organization and has been collecting those hundreds of dollars each month now has to find other sources of income to keep its publication afloat.
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A full season of free holiday events in the borough begins Friday, December 5 when Santa and Mrs. Claus will take a 45 minute drive through Highlands before arriving at the annual Christmas tree lighting activities at 5:45.
Mayor Carolyn Broullon and members of Council will light the tree at Huddy Park on Waterwitch and Bay Avenues at 6 p.m. with the Henry Hudson Regional High School choir under the direction of Jennifer Wolf setting the musical tone for the holiday season.
Dancers from the Carol Elaine Dance Studio will also take the stage during the evening’s activities and the Highlands Recreation Department will be serving hot chocolate and cookies.
In the event of inclement weather, the activities will be celebrated the following night, December 6.
Free horse and carriage rides will be offered courtesy of Valley Bank in Highlands, and more holiday music will be provided by event sponsor WRAT 95.9.
The Highlands Business Partnership recognizes its Tree Lighting Sponsor, In the Garden, located at 69 Waterwitch Avenue. Residents are encouraged to shop local for trees, wreaths, roping, flowers, gifts, and more, all of which help support the HBP holiday decorating program.
The Highlands Business Partnership’s Annual Holiday Lights Contest invites residents to show their community pride and brighten the Borough. The contest is open to all residential homes within Highlands Borough limits. Entries may be submitted online at www.highlandsnj.com and must be received by December 18 at 5:00 PM. Judging will take place on Friday, Dec 19, and prizes will be awarded. Anyone interested in assisting with judging may contact hbpadmin@highlandsnj.com.
The Rev. Joseph Donnellly Council of the Knights of Columbus will be joined by the Baymen’s Protective Association and the Highlands Fire Department hosting their Annual Free Pancake Breakfast with Santa Sunday, December 14, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Hall. The event is free and open to the public, and guests are encouraged to bring a donation of canned or non-perishable food items for the local food pantry..
The Highlands Fire Department will host its annual Visit with Santa – Toys for Tots event on Sunday, December 21, at 1:00 PM at the Fire House on Shore Drive. Attendees are invited to bring a non-glass ornament for Daniel Barden’s Christmas Tree. After the children place their ornaments on the tree, the Highlands Fire Department will bring it to the Daniel Barden Where Angels Play Playground in Veterans Park, in memory of Daniel.
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Agenda The Highlands Borough Council will meet at the Robert D. Wilson Community Center for its regular meeting Tomorrow Night, Wednesday December 3 at 7 P.M.
Mayor and Council have moved the meeting from its regular site at Borough Hall in order to accommodate the crowd anticipated to both listen and speak at the regular meeting because of specific items on the agenda.
The governing body plans to hold the public hearing and take action on the proposed ordinance which would approve the application for a long-term tax exemption for the former Shadow Lawn Trailer Park property off Route 36. The ordinance also would authorize executing a financial agreement with the current owners, who plan to construct on the site. The land, currently vacant, for decades was the site of a trailer park, one of two in the borough. The second trailer park was located off Shore Drive in the area of current high end condo units.
Under terms of the proposed code the redeveloper of the property, designated as an area in need of redevelopment would enter into an agreement under the law to be tax exempt. Rather, the redeveloper would pay an annual service charge to the borough quarterly, based on percentages of its income from the units, a move estimated to mean millions of dollars to the borough over ten years.
Planned construction is for 292 units of which 15 per cent would be designated for affordable housing.
In other business, Council plans on awarding a contract for the South Peak St. drainage improvements project, as well as a contract to Forerunner for its software platform. It also plans to approve a resolution in opposition to moving Monmouth Medical Center from Long Branch to Oceanport.
The public will have opportunities to speak both on the proposed ordinance as well as on all other matters that come before the governing body during the meeting.
Council will have one more meeting this year, the regular meeting set for December 17 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall.
Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon
Reorganization of the governing body, and the swearing in of incumbent Mayor Carolyn Broullon, who recently was elected to aa second term as mayor, will take place at noon on January 1.
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The Borough was selected for two Monmouth County Planning Board Merit Awards which will be celebrated at the County Planning Board meeting Monday, December 15 at 11 a.m. in the Monmouth County Planning Board Conference Room, Hall of Records Annex (2nd floor), 1 East Main Street in Freehold.
Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon
Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon confirmed she has received notice the borough will receive the 2025 Planning Board Merit Award for the Highlands Central Business District Floodplain Design Guidelines. That work was a collaboration among the Construction Official and Certified Floodplain Manager, Steven Winters; Kathleen Shaw of the Downtown Network, the borough’s Community Rating System Coordinator and Broullon.
Ms. Shaw said the Mayor’s significant research into how other towns and cities nationwide in flood plains were achieving the higher standards needed to comply with various state Department of Environmental Protection directives enabled the Highlands working together to compile innovative designs which would help investors interested in purchasing property in the Central Business District Area in Need of Redevelopment. These Design Guidelines are an incredible tool that lay out all the information needed in an easy-to-read manner.
The second award, the 2025 Planning Board Merit Award for the New Jersey Asset Activation Plan, was for the $50,000 Economic Development Administration grant written by Shaw and Mayor Broullon. The team for this project was much larger, including members of the public, the Clamming community, Borough Administrator Michael Muscillo; Construction Official Steven Winters, the Highlands Business Partnership, borough planners, Heyer & Gruel, scientists from Sandy Hook; National Park Service; education leaders from Henry Hudson Regional School, Rutgers, Monmouth University, Brookdale Community College and MAST the Marine Academy of Science & Technology.
The mayor prepared both qualitative and quantitative research instruments to gauge public interest in revitalizing one of the borough’s biggest assets: the J.T. White Clam Depuration Plant. Research reports she complied were included in the final Planning Report. Also explored was the possibility of creating a maritime museum with an educational component.
In receiving the notification from the county planning board, the Mayor said she is pleased to share both the award and the work with the Community. “Being honored by the County for these planning projects is very rewarding and to have them honor Highlands with two awards is humbling,.” The Mayor said.
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This year’s celebrations will be both inside and outside of the historic Stone Church in Locust as Winterfest is shining brighter than ever on the historic campus.
Winterfest at All Saints Memorial church will be Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. regardless of weather. The free community event is open to all at the church’s campus on Navesink Avenue.
Guests are invited to attend and find the answer to the question, Who is St. Nicolas? while discovering the magic of the season enjoying charming displays showcasing St. Nicolas celebrations from around the world!
Once again, the church will offer its traditional S’mores Station where guests make their own, as well as the hands-on crafts for kids. Guests re also invited to savor a delicious selection of homemade soups and baked treats available for purchase.
This year, there will also be fresh, custom festive Greenery and Floral Arrangements, perfect for holiday tables, mantle, or for gifting, all set to the joyful sounds of traditional holiday music.
All proceeds from this cherished annual event support the community outreach programs at All Saints’ Memorial Church and help preserve and maintain the beloved National Historic Landmark campus and the mission of All Saints’.
Highlands Walt Guenther, whose family is only here half the year sharing time at their Ohio residence, but has in reality been here for more than a century through five generations… and always in their hearts…. has come out with another great idea to keep Highlands proud of its ancestors. Hometown Heroes
The Highlands Historical Society Facebook Page is now posting Walt’s great stories about some of Highlands heroes, the soldiers and sailors who are on the memorial banners along Bay Ave. Walt has researched each of the Highlands men killed in action during World War II and has posted his stories about each of them on the Highlands Historical Society page. He posts each of the men on the anniversary of their death,
If you have missed the two already observed, read them here; one is Eugene Arnath, a Navy submariner, the other is Edward Minor, a Navy diver.
If you’re thinking of lasting and inexpensive gifts to give friends, the highlands Historical Society is also a great place to start.. A family membership in the Society makes a unique gift, helps support the organization that is doing so much and working so hard to preserve and keep Highlands history alive. It isn’t necessary to attend meetings to be a member; the Society also puts out a terrific newsletter tht keeps yo9u informed of events and even tests your memory or ideas about Highlands at an earlier time. Check out their website at Historical Society of Highlands and think abou9t gifs of family or individual membership.
Seaman 2nd Class Eugene Arnath
On November 19, 1943, US Navy Seaman 2nd Class Eugene Arnath was killed in action when his submarine was sunk by a Japanese warship in the South Pacific.
USS Sculpin
Arnath’s submarine, the USS Sculpin (SS-191), was sunk by a Japanese destroyer on its ninth war patrol north of Oroluk Island, near the major Japanese naval base of Truk in the South Pacific.
The Sculpin was on patrol to attack enemy shipping opposing the upcoming invasion of Tarawa when his ship was sunk by the destroyer, Yamagumo. After his sub attacked a Japanese convoy, it was tracked down and attacked by enemy warships. The Sculpin made it through a 12- hour depth charge attack but was so heavily damaged that its commander ordered it to surface so the crewmen might have a chance to survive by abandoning ship.
According to the October 1, 1945 report written by Lt George Estabrook Brown who survived the destruction of the Sculpin and then spent almost two years in prison camps working in the Ashio copper mines after he was picked up with 41 other survivors by the Japanese destroyer,
Eugene Arnath was killed firing the submarine’s 20mm gun and machine guns at the Japanese to give his fellow crewmen a chance to swim away from the sub before it was scuttled by the American crew.
Arnath is a decorated American war hero. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, for his heroic actions in a combat zone during the sinking of his submarine by the Japanese. His Bronze Star citation states “After his ship had been severely damaged and forced to the surface during a terrific enemy depth charge attack, Arnath instantly manned his gun despite the overwhelming fury of the enemy’s five-inch gun barrage and continued his persistent fire until the Sculpin succumbed to the Japanese superior firepower. By his indomitable fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty, Arnath upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Eugene Arnath was 19 years old. He lived in Highlands at 72 Miller Street and was the son of Thomas and Clara Arnath. Tom Arnath, Eugene’s father, owned the Congress Radio Shop at 63 Miller Street in Highlands. His mother, Clara, from Highlands, lost two sons in WW II—Eugene Arnath and Charles Rugg. Charles was her son by a previous marriage to Marion Rugg. Eugene is Buried at Sea. His name is listed as Missing In Action on the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) Honolulu, Hawaii.
His Highlands Hometown Heroes Banner is located on Bay Avenue near the intersection with Spring Street.
The Captain of Arnath’s submarine, Captain John Cromwell, knew the details of the upcoming invasion of Tarawa and was afraid that he might reveal the information if he was tortured when he was taken prisoner by the Japanese. For this reason, he chose to go down with his ship when it was scuttled by the crew. For his sacrifice he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for heroism.
Metalsmith 3rd Class Edward Anthony Minor
On this day, November 28, 1945, US Navy Metalsmith 3rd Class Edward Anthony Minor was killed in action when his ship collided with another vessel in Hampton Roads, near Thimble Shoals, off Norfolk, Virginia.
Minor’s ship, a floating crane on a self-propelled barge, the YSD-38, was sunk in the collision. The YSD-38 was a 104 foot long, 240 ton Seaplane Salvage Derrick vessel. His military records indicate that he may have been a US Navy Rescue/Salvage Diver. He drowned in the accidental collision of his ship and a merchant tanker as his vessel was responding to a distress call. Twelve other sailors were also killed in the disaster.
Although World War II had officially ended in Europe in May 1945 and in the Pacific in August 1945, the military officially declared all casualties through the end of 1945 as War Dead due to all the dangerous military actions involved in wrapping up hostilities.
Edward Minor was 30 years old. He lived in Highlands at 46 South Bay Avenue, 58 Highland Avenue and 99 Highland Avenue. Minor was a welder prior to entering the Navy. His induction into the Navy was reported in the January 6, 1944 Highlands Star.
He was the husband of Marie Hennessey Minor. He had a daughter, Mary, and a son, Thomas. His sisters were Violet Anthony and Rosemary Kerrigan and his brothers were Thomas and Joseph Minor.
The March 9,1944 edition of the Highlands Star newspaper ran an article reporting that “Edward Minor, noted bowler with Captain Lester Wheeler’s team (Cap’ Wheeler’s Tavern), departed on Tuesday for active duty with the US Navy.”
He is buried in Machpelah Cemetery in North Bergen, New Jersey.
His Highlands Hometown Heroes Banner is located on Bay Avenue near the intersection with Washington Avenue.
We honor his sacrifice for our grateful Nation.
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In the state of Pennsylvania, the neat little laid-back city highlighted as the state’s capitol is Harrisburg. And truly it is, the seat of government not only for the state House and Senate, but the state Supreme Court and the Governor’s office as well.
But what is more intriguing about this magnificent complex in a friendly city, is this public building is also a priceless architectural and artistic treasure that encompasses history, democracy, freedom, religion, and more.
With Harrisburg a little over three hours from Newark on Amtrak, it’s a must see and visit for anyone who would enjoy seeing the blend of Italian, French and English designs blended with Greek, Roman and Victorian influences both in art and ornamentation. There are self-guided tours during the week, complete with a mobile APP to make it easier, and guide tours on both Saturdays and Sundays by appointment. Either way, it’s well worth the time.
It was President Theodore Roosevelt who was there for the building’s dedication in 1906 and described ia as “the handsomest building I ever saw.”
That’s because the building, holding a commanding site at the top of a hill and visible from throughout the city, was designed by local architect Joseph Huston in the American Renaissance style. The architect designed it as a Palace of Art which is obvious through the plethora of paintings, stained glass, and other furnishings that highlight everyone of the government offices.
For openers, it’s hard to miss the 52-million-pound dome that is the centerpiece of the state’s Capitol.
Designed after Michelangelo’s design of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and 272 foot high, the dome was the tallest structure between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for nearly a century before tall buildings dotted the landscape through several counties.
Beneath the dome in the Capitol Rotunda, you can see the 48 portholes that illuminate the dome along with 4,000 lights, and a huge circular public forum easily capable of seating 50 to 60 people amid the beauty of a grand staircase, three-tiered gallery and huge murals.
Nor do residents of the Keystone State get to forget that it was William Penn for whom the state is named, a Quaker of deep faith whose words to both legislator and citizen are wrapped around the interior walls of the Rotunda: “My God will make it the seed of a nation, that an example be set up to the nations, that we may do the thing that is truly wise and just. “
Once you take your eyes off the Rotunda and the murals, there are even more stories in the floor. It and the corridors around it, are Moravian tile blended with nearly 400 tile mosaics that depict the state’s history, occupations, modes of transportation and animals, a credit to the talent of local Pennsylvania German folk artists.
There are more than 600 rooms in the Capitol, with one side of the building for the House, the other for the Senate, and rooms for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Supreme Court as well as the media and public events.
Like the rest of the facility the Senate chambers reflect not only history to when the state had 18 Senators…today there are 50….but also bronze and glass chandeliers, huge murals reminding visitors of the religious background of Penn and the people, and green floors made of Connemara marble. The Senate is divided by party, the Democrats seated on the left, the Republicans on the right, and each Senator votes by raising his hand and voting with an Aye or Nay, without any electronic tally board, unlike the House. Even the Senate desks, all made of mahogany from Belize, date back more than a century to the opening of the building.
There are ten stained glass windows in the Senate, another 14 in the Assembly, all created by Philadelphia native William Van Ingen, a student of Louis Tiffany. The windows depict a variety of themes that include architecture, education, peace, library, history and justice.
The largest mural in the entire building is in the House Chamber and can’t be missed since it is situated directly behind the Speaker’s podium. This 35-foot square painting features distinguished state residents from Penn, pictured in the middle, and Benjamin Franklin on his right, to spiritual, military leaders, explorers, pioneers and prominent legislators. Yet while Henry Hudson, Peter Minuit, who founded New Sweden after buying Manhattan, native Daniel Boone, several signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Mad Anthony Wayne of Revolutionary War fame are all included, there is no depiction of James Buchanan, the only Pennsylvanian to become President of the United States.
Currently there are 203 members of the Pennsylvania House, and their votes are taken by electronic polling with a light on the board that shows up red or green depending on the aye or nay case. As in the Senate, the walls and ceiling of the House are filled with crystal chandeliers, some weighing as much as four tons and holding more than 1,000 light bulbs, stained glass windows, art work framed in 24-karat gold leaf, and the original wooden desks from 1906.
In addition to the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant governor, reception rooms for each and the Supreme Court all in the same building, overall the Capitol Complex is an orderly, well designed and unified group of this main building and other buildings , statues, memorials, and a museum that make it easy for anyone to have business of any kind at the state level, or simply want to see a coordinated piece of the action and activities that go into state government to visit it all here in Harrisburg.
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Friends Amtrak is my favorite way to travel across the United States, be it a short trip of a little over a three hour ride to a neighboring state to a couple of days to cross the country.
And a trip through Pennsylvania Dutch country to Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania is not only three and a half hours of relaxed transit but also a chance to see the beautiful farms and engagingly named towns and cities of Pennsylvania Dutch country.
But my journey from Atlantic Highlands to Harrisburg for a four-day getaway and opportunity to visit what has to be the most gorgeous capital in the entire country as well as the nation’s largest museum to the Civil War began with the generosity and kindness of a friend, as it usually does.
My Dear Friend, Jane Frotton
Not everyone has a friend like Jane Frotton, who doesn’t mind driving me to the Middletown station at 7 in the morning so I don’t have to worry about long term car parking, and can take advantage of the easiest and quickest way of getting from Monmouth County to Newark Penn Station to board Amtrak for pretty much anyplace. Jane’s also always willing to pick me up on the return trip, regardless of the time of evening. But for this trip, she was even more thoughtful. Keep that in mind until the end of this story.
It doesn’t matter whether NJ Transit’s schedule doesn’t coincide with every Amtrak schedule, since the station is always clean, comfortable and well-guarded by railroad police and their trusty canines. In fact, it’s relaxing and downright enjoyable to arrive early enough before the Amtrak departure to take advantage of some of the great eateries located in the station or simply watch how friendly both Amtrak and Transit staff members are too busy or first-time travelers not sure of where to go. Unlike airports, even with holiday traffic making for larger crowds, there are no long lines, no going through checkpoints, and no rushing at the last minute, since well-lit and easy to read signs get everyone updated as to specific train arrivals, departures, locations they’re heading and track number.
Once aboard Amtrak, it’s about three and a half hours to Harrisburg, with only one or two stops after Newark in New Jersey, with some trains stopping at MetroPark and all stopping at Trenton, before arriving in Philadelphia. There it’s a brief stop for changing crews and engineers and picking up passengers before proceeding west. There’s a café aboard all the westbound trains and business class cars as well, though paying the higher price for a wider or possibly more comfortable seat isn’t worth the extra cash to me.
Once in Harrisburg, the station is only a few blocks from the center of the city. It’s not a busy station for a good part of the day, and there are few personnel around to find how close one of the two hotels in the city is located.
Enter Uber, another great find for modern day travelers, especially for women traveling alone; though it’s been a boon for many younger drivers who would rather Uber a safe ride home after a long day or long evening of partying and imbibing.,
If there’s a downside to Uber, it’s that it has pretty well put the taxi business out of business in many places. But it has done it with speed, efficiency, and ease that seems to be everywhere they provide services. The company is officially Uber Technologies, founded and based in San Francisco in 2010 and offering ride hailing, freight and food order services in more than 15,000 cities and 70 countries.
It doesn’t cost anything to sign on, give them your credit card and have an App on your phone forever. Then, when you need it, you simply make contact on your phone, tap in the address you’re heading to….Uber already knows where you are and where they will pick you up.
Through the wonder of modern technology and great service and systems, you learn what time an Uber driver will be picking you up, what the drivers name is, what kind of car he or she is driving, the license plate, and the cost of the trip you’re taking. The message also tells you how long the trip will be. There are times you also have an option…the trip could be a little cheaper if you opt to wait a few minutes longer. That’s it.
It’s a little easier in New Jersey where all cars have license plates in the front, but many Ubers also have signs in their windshield identifying them. Once he arrives, and each identifies himself to the other, it’s simply a pleasant drive to your destination. Once you’ve arrived, Uber asks on your phone, but by no means demands, if you want to add a tip to the bill. The driver simply says thanks and waits until you alright. Life doesn’t get any easier than that.
Taking an Uber from the hotel for the ten minute drive to the National Civil War Museum one day, service was indeed literally door to door, in spite of the fact this massive and excellent museum its high on a hill, and up a long and curved private road that took almost half as long to ride as the road to get there from the hotel. What was even better, upon completing the museum visit, a simple message to Uber for a ride back was even easier; they already knew where I was coming from and where I was going. That 10-minute drive through a couple of miles of the city of Harrisburg to the Museum? It cost $8.95.
National Civil War Museum
Now back to Jane Frotton from the beginning of the story. After a few great days in Harrisburg, Jane and I had earlier agreed I would call her when I was back in New Jersey and ready to board NJ Transit back to Middletown and she would be there once again to pick me up for the drive home. But it did not work out exactly that way.
While I was gone, Jane had a serious fall and was taken to the hospital. In spite of her situation, this did not deter her from remembering her promise to a friend. So from the hospital, she called Highlands Bill Osborne, a mutual friend who is best known in the driving world for being the absolute best driver for rides to Newark Airport or other destinations. Bill was quick to assure Jane he’d take care of that for her, and Jane e-mailed me from the hospital to tell me to give my return information to Bill when I got back to Newark.
Not everybody has a friend who is still there to help a friend even when she’s enroute to and in the hospital.
That is why when I stepped off NJ Transit in Middletown the night after a terrific few days in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, there was Bill Osborne, ready to provide the ride service Jane had told him was necessary.
Travel is wonderful, educational and exciting while relaxing. But coming home and having friends like Jane Frotton and Bill Osborne is even better.
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