Borough officials at all levels are offering a number of opportunities for residents to speak out on issues, programs and activities as well as learn more about the borough’s volunteers and employees at two separate special programs this month.
Going on right now, the Police Department will feature Coffee with a Cop at the Starbuck’s restaurant on Route 36 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Police officers will be at Starbucks and welcome families to stop in, meet the officers and chat.
On Saturday, Oct. 14, all borough commissions will be present for the annual Touch a Truck activity at the Yacht Harbor. Councilman Jon Crowley announced the event for Atlantic Highlands Day will include two bands and 12 food trucks, in addition to a Beer Garden presented by Carton Brewery, art displays and numerous other activities.
Trucks and a variety of other municipal and fire and police department vehicles will be at the Harbor, and families are invited to enjoy the up-close tour of the mobile force of the department. The borough’s Senior Citizen Committee will have brochures and information available for senior services and opportunities from both the county and the state, and other municipal commissions will have information and explanations of their committees and what they offer to the municipality.
The free event is open to all, and parents are encouraged to bring their children to view and enjoy all the vehicles on display. The event will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Opening Portland Place for guided tours through mid-November is one more example that the Monmouth County Parks System is unexcelled anywhere in its dedication to preservation, historic accuracy, and programs that attract people of all ages.
The guided tours and programs at the residence which had been in the Hartshorne family for 300 years are now open, following an extensive historic restoration by the Park system, and includes, in addition to guided tours of the Portland Place house and restored 19th century bar, educational and cultural programs a variety of classes and walks around the 35 riverfront acres of the Locust area residence.
Portland Place was a gift to the Monmouth County Park system in the will of Daniel Ward Seitz, a Hartshorne descendant who died in 2008.
Seitz was intensely proud of his Hartshorne heritage and history and maintained the 18th century home, and family heirlooms from three centuries while he resided here and in New York for 40 years. It is because of his pride and preservation that the restored home includes furnishings, portraits, and materials from history. The estates are on both the state and national Registers of Historic Places as a representation of the area’s early settlements and culture as well as the impact of the Hartshorne family on Monmouth Conty.
Richard Hartshorne, one of the large Hartshorne family members who came in the 1600s to settle in the British colony of New Jersey was a Quaker seeking the resources and religious freedom that the colonies offered. Arriving in 1669 and settling in the Bayshore, he became a leader in local politics and Quaker matters and over the years acquired 2,400 acres along the Navesink Highlands and Sandy hook peninsula.
The lands served a variety of needs and uses over the centuries, from farming and forestry to subdivision, and development, some being sold by Hartshorne family members. Hartshorne Woods Park, established in the late 20th century, is all part of the former Hartshorne estate.
Portland Point includes the 200 acres the Hartshorne family acquired along the Navesink River in 1720. There, a simple farming homestead was built from the wood surrounding the land and farmland was later created on the site along with grazing lands for cattle and other farm animals.
Once a small cabin, Portland Place house was enlarged in the late 1700s, then again in the late 1800s when a small section was added, and finally in the early 1900s when a second floor was extended over the earlier addition and a country estate was established. One of the paintings in the home, a William Hahn oil painting from 1878, shows the carriage road that led into Hartshorne Woods, and the County Park system followed the design in creating its own maintenance roads to ensure upkeep and preservation of the historic area.
In donating the land and Portland Place house to Monmouth County, Seitz wrote he did it to honor the values of the Hartshornes, from Richard, “the first of the family to come to America and to build on the land.” His efforts were “exemplified both by his action in public service and by the principles set forth in his letters to his children.” It is those principles and lessons to his children that were inherited by Steiz in making his generous donation, which also included some instructions to ensure the property remains intact, preserved, and following the Hartshorne principles.
Visitors to Portland Place can begin their tours at the Visitor Center adjacent to the house in a restored 19th century. There are are numerous exhibits, information, interpretive panels and literature in that building alone to ensure appreciation of the estate. That building is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Guided tours are conducted at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 1:20 p.m. and are limited to ten persons at a time. The guided tour takes approximately a half hour…more if you have numerous questions for the well-educated and enthusiastic staff and volunteers.
For more information, visit the Monmouth County Parks System site at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the office at 732-842-4000.
The 22nd annual Highlands Oktoberfest, modeled after the traditional Munich, Germany Oktoberfest with an emphasis on eating, drinking and being merry will be featured Saturday, Oct. 7 at Veterans Park, Bay and Shrewsbury Avenues.
The event includes authentic German food, live music, and other entertainment as part of the Highlands Business Partnership’s celebration from noon to 7:00 PM. Admission and parking are free. In the event of rain, the Fest will be October 8 during the same hours. The park will be festive with fall decorations, great food, and a variety of German beers and German food, a highlight of the famed event.
Bahrs Landing, a Highlands favorite for over 100 years is preparing the menu with plenty of traditional German favorites hot off the grill including bratwurst, knockwurst, kraut, potato pancakes, and sauerbraten. For the less adventurous, there will be other festival favorites including Homemade Pizza, and Highlands local Chilango’s.
The beer garden will include both light and dark brews, White Claw, sangria, and wine. Live oompah and polka music will be presented by Dance Hall Detour and the Bayern Verien German Dancers.
Festivities will include a “Beer Stein Holding” Contest for men and women with special prizes. The festival is family friendly and there will be a wide variety of retail, specialty, and craft vendors.
The Highlands Business Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Programs and events are made possible by sponsors including, NJ State Department of Travel & Tourism, Monmouth County Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Farmacie, Feed & Seed, Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Hufnagel Tree Experts, In the Garden, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Sandbox at Seastreak, and WRAT, 95.9.
For directions or any additional information on Oktoberfest, visit www.highlandsnj.com or call (732) 291-4713.
Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon reminds residents they can vote by mail, which is an available option for all registered voters in Monmouth County, and that mail-in ballots for the November 7 General Election are now available.
“Voting by mail provides a convenient, private, and secure way to vote early,” said Hanlon. “Voters can vote by mail for any reason and can be assured that all properly cast mail-in ballots will be counted and included in the election totals.”
To vote by mail, voters must first complete a Vote by Mail Ballot Application which is available from the County Clerk’s Elections Website at MonmouthCountyVotes.com, on the County Clerk’s Monmouth County Votes Mobile App. It is also available at the County Clerk’s Elections Office or from the Municipal Clerk of your hometown.
Applications to Vote by Mail that are sent by U.S. Mail must be received by the County Clerk’s Office seven days before an election. For the Nov. 7 General Election, the date is Tuesday, October 31.
Voters may also apply in-person at the County Clerk’s Elections Office located at 300 Halls Mill Road in Freehold up until 3 p.m. the day before the election. When applying in person, voters can obtain and cast their mail-in ballots early.
Voters may return their ballots to the County Board of Elections for counting in-person at the Board of Elections Office at 300 Halls Mill Road, by mail, or via one of the County’s ballot drop box locations.
Simple instructions for completing and returning Vote by Mail ballots are included in the ballot package.
Vote by mail is one of three available options for voting in the 2023 General Election. The other two options are early in person voting at one of the County’s 10 designated locations from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, and the traditional option of voting in person on November 7 Election Day at your assigned polling location.
Voters with additional questions regarding Voting by Mail should call the County Clerk’s Elections Office at 732-431-7790 or email to ClerkofElections@co.monmouth.nj.us.
For more information, visit the county website at MonmouthCountyVotes.com or download the free Monmouth County Votes Mobile App.
Continuation of the variance application for the proposed apartment complex at 160 First Avenue will not be held at Thursday’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Planning Board.
Councilman Brian Dougherty, council representative to the planning board, said Kalian, owners of the property, have submitted changes to the original plans reducing the number of apartments from 30 to 25, thereby requiring fewer variances. However, following the last hearing on the matter, the architect is making more changes, he said, and is not prepared to present them at the October 5 meeting.
Hopefully, the councilman continued, a date for the continuation of the application for the complex, which includes demolishing Mike’s Sub Shop and the liquor store adjacent to it and building the second tallest building in the borough at East Garfield Avenue, will be announced at Thursday’s meeting
Having such great friends with great personalities, high values and people who are hardworking but also know how to relax and have fun makes me happy every day and this week was no exception.
When a wonderful friend, Mary Beth Hodgkiss was celebrating a significant birthday, her friend Kerry threw her a fantastic party at Murphy’s Tavern in Rumson. Not only did I meet an awful lot of great new folks I never knew before, but found Murphy’s the unique and fun place I’ve always heard it was. But actually, visiting there is even a lot more fun than hearing about it, but that’s another story for another day.
A fascinating history dating to Prohibition and alive and well in a great neighborhood even today. Mary Beth is that worker at the Little Silver School the kids all love at lunch time and you can tell she loves her work because of the stories she shares about all those kids she shares part of her day with.
The second presentation of the Joshua Huddy story known as the Asgill Affair was also outstanding, with new players involved in the presentation at the Highlands Community Center.
More cheers to Council President Joann Olszewski for the incredible amount of research she’s done to ensure the presentation is authentic and absolutely factual. It was great to see local residents, both new and old, take a new pride and affection for their hometown after hearing some of the vital roles it’s played in American history.
Sounds like there’s going to be some search into more stories about James Fenimore Cooper’s Waterwitch and the house where he lived that burned..but the remaining huge fireplace has its own story to tell.
Seeing all those wonderful folks at the Leonardo High School’s reunion was terrific as well. Former Chief Bob Letts is always a treat to see, as are other retired Middletown police officers Irv Beaver and Lt. George Freibott.
Also wonderful to meet up with Ruth MacDonald who was one of those stalwarts at The Courier that managed to get that weekly out every Wednesday night no matter what was breaking at the last minute. Ruth and I had a few minutes to talk over some of our Courier days together.
And it’s fun sitting home reading John King’s newest book about highlands. John makes it clear, as do the stories themselves, this one is definitely NOT a history book, just a compilation of a couple of hundred little stories about people, places, and things in Highlands over the years.
John identifies himself as a Storyteller, and that he is. His presentation of the book at the Highlands Historical Society meeting at the Twin Lights made the stories even more fun because of his presentation. Many of the stories are from the old Highlands Star, some are on birds, bees and bugs, and some are on famous names in the borough. You can e-mail John about them at ka21fwbdj@gmail.com.
And the Shrewsbury Historical Society certainly knows how to throw a party. Their Autumn Harvest Party was at the home of Betsy Schmalz Shaheen and Tim Shaheen in the historic Buttonwood section of Shrewsbury. Besides the elegance yet hominess of the home, the stately trees and wonderful lawns around the house, the history of the entire Buttonwood is fascinating in itself. The Shaheens are sensational hosts and as much fun as they are gracious hosts. Society president Don Burden, probably one of the hardest working and knowledgeable society presidents around and his wife, Mary Lea are some team to have working together in a historic society. Anyone had a question during the afternoon was many times answered with, “gee, I don’t know, but ask Don, he’ll know.” And he always did which is one of the reasons he was so great not only as the borough’s mayor but also as a County History Commissioner as well.
And if you attend Mass at either St. Agnes or Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, try going there to hear one of Father Gene’s homilies. He blends just the right amount of modern hints for how to live life well with a great sense of humor that makes it okay to laugh or giggle once in a while in church.
These are just to list some of the things that made me so happy this week. What a way to bring in October, coupled with plenty of sunshine and a great forecast, it doesn’t get much better that that!
There’s a news story behind each of these things that keep me happy, so continue to look at VeniVidiScripto for all the details tomorrow and onward.
The public hearing on an ordinance to rename the Center Avenue park as Helen Marchetti park will be held at the October 12 meeting of the Mayor and Council, after being introduced as the last meeting by Councilman Brian Dougherty and unanimously approved.
Dougherty, who has been a next-door neighbor of the former Mayor for many years, introduced the ordinance and noted the park is on the same street and two blocks away from where the nonagenarian lived her entire life with the exception of a few years.
Dougherty noted Mrs. Marchetti was born in the house and was always “the fiercest defender of Atlantic Highlands” and noted that “no one ever loved Atlantic Highlands more than Helen Marchetti.”
The former Mayor, the first woman to serve as mayor of the Borough, died Sept. 19 at the age of 98.
In celebration the anniversary this month, EMACC has issued an invitation to four networking events in October to keep businesses and the public more aware of what EMACC is all about.
Each event fee is $19.28 celebrating the founding year of the Chamber. Interested persons and companies can discover the benefits of Chamber membership and meet the members of the EMACC community and Board of Directors.
Jennifer Eckhoff, Executive Director of EMACC, encourages and welcomes meetings with the EMACC community who can assist a business in expanding its business connections . “We look forward to meeting you in October as we network and grow together. Now is the time to join a Chamber with 95 years of history and success supporting the eastern Monmouth County business community.,” the director said.
New members who join between October 1 and October 31, 2023 will receive three free membership months, and complimentary administration fee. In addition, the first ten new EMACC members will receive a RADIO CAMPAIGN from THE BOSS 107.1 valued at over $2,050. For more details, visit EMACC.org
Upcoming networking events for this month include the October 11 Business Networking Breakfast at River Café at 8am – 9:30am . Topic is “Forge Relationships and Fuel Business Growth Networking Event” sponsored by David M. Muldowney, Jr. CPA. Registration for the event is available at Business Networking Breakfast
On October 14, the Women In Business and Health & Wellness Family Fun Fun/Walk will be held at
Thompson Park, Lincroft with a 9 am registration and / 10 am start in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The Alternative Board (TAB) is the sponsor of this event with the charity benefactor the Monmouth Medical Center Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center.
Oct. 19, EMACC’s Next Generation Networking Event will be at No Limits Café, and an opportunity to network and celebrate EMACC’s Next Generation Charity Organization for 2023!
The 4pm – 7pm. Event is sponsored by Casale Jewelers and Provident Bank.
Oct. 24, 2023: The Business After Hours Networking Event will be at Monmouth Day Care Center from 6 pm to 8 pm. Through October 24, Nissan City of Red Bank and EMACC will host a toy drive for children ages 3 months to 5 years to benefit Monmouth Day Care Center
” The older we get, the more we forget,” the Reverend Stanley Lukaszewski told graduates, friends and family of Mater Dei High School during the annual Mass if Remembrance for deceased administration, faculty and graduates of the former New Monmouth High School Saturday.
Better known as Father Stas, who served as associate pastor of St. Mary’s Church 38 years ago, the retied priest was celebrant and homilist during the Mass of Remembrance which honored staff and alumni from the years 1965 through 2015.
Father said the questions is more “Will we be forgotten?” as he recalled all those listed in the necrology who have “influenced our lives,” from the founder of the high school, Monsignor Robert T. Bulman through teachers, friends, and classmates, in many cases two generations of the same families.
Remembering amusing and happy stories about some of the teachers who have been on the faculty at Mater Dei, Father Stas recalled how they “touched our lives” and reminded all at the mass that “we must remember to remember” them.
Mari Campanella Kovach, class of 1978, and committee members Cathy Daniels, class of 1979 and Tom Dooley, the first graduating class of 1965, plan the annual even each year after it was started by the late Thomas C. “TC” Murray, a popular history teacher at Mater Dei for many years.
Alumnae participated in all facets of the mass, with Steven McCarthy, Class of 1974 and Christopher Begley, class of 1978 offering the readings, Kovach offering the Prayer of the faithful, and Maureen Delepine the parent of several Mater Dei graduates, Norma Delepine, class of 1975, and MaryAnn Tomasello Zimmerman, Class of 1972, presenting the gifts during Mass.
McCarthy, Begley and Susan Moore Elliott, class of 1979, served as Eucharistic ministers.
Prior to mass, Jim Shaw, class of 1976, provided bag pipe music in front of St. Mary’s for arriving guests. Kerrin McCarthy Regan, lass of 2011 was cantor and Daniels, Maria Miele Skribner, class of 1983, Annmarie Golding McCarthy, class of 1980, Judy Grandinetti Vogt, class of 1976 and Mary Caruso Corr, Class of 1978, all served on the hospitality.
Refreshments were served following mass to enable guests to continue to renew friendships and thank others for the influence they have had on their lives.
Before the Mass ended, the complete list of all administrators and alumni who are on the Necrology list were read by John Anderson, Ellen Cox, Dr. Ken Dugan and Tom Dooley, class of 1965, Steve Muscarella, Class of 1968, Begley, Pat Ryan class of 1982, and Daniels, as well as parent Muriel J. Smith, whose daughter, Kathy was in the class of 1974.
After Monsignor Bulman, late administrators at Mater Dei, remembered at the mass were the founding principal, Mother Bede, followed by principals the Reverend William, Lynch, S.J. John V. Lonergan, Sister Mary Hugh, Frank Poleski and Frank Outwater, assistant principal as well as 107 other former faculty members in addition to the alumni.
Gregg Reidy, class of 1994, was the only alumni who died in the September 11, 2011 attack on the country.
Families wishing to have the others who are deceased and graduated from Maer Dei included in the necrology for future remembrances are invited to contact Kovach at mari.kovach@GTSLLC.com
The first of the two Night Climbs of the Twin Lights has been changed from tomorrow, Friday, September 29, to Saturday, September 30.
Sponsored by the Twin Lights Society, the climbs are being offered from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday night, to take advantage of the vantage point to se the sun setting and the moon rising from either or both of the towers at the Twin Lights in Highlands. The event, which includes a $5 charge for climbing the tower, is a fund-raising event for the Historical Society.
Predictions of continued rain and heavy clouds for Friday night make it more advantageous to postpone the full moon event until the following night, when it is expected the moon will be more visible in the evening hours to see .
There will also be another Night Climb Full Moon sighting offered by the Twin Lights Society for the full moon on Saturday, October 28, also from 4 to 8 p.m.
