A Step in the Right Direction

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October 12, 2023

Rooney Writes About the 1st & 2nd Step

Sea Bright’s former Councilman Charlie Rooney, who has been a stalwart leader in his efforts along with numerous others, to have Sea Bright included in a Pre-K-12 regional school district with Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, sees the recent election that creates a PreK-12 regional district as the first step in ultimately enabling the residents of all three towns to vote on whether they now want to include Sea Bright in that newly approved district.

“It’s just important for the people to have their say,” said Rooney, in releasing the letter to newspapers, ” this is an important issue for all three towns, and would bring millions of dollars to the two towns just approved to be in the new district once another election is held and voters approve including Sea Bright. “

Regionalization Step #1
On September 26th, Atlantic Highlands and Highlands voters went to the polls to determine if the two towns would regionalize their 3 school districts into a single PreK-12 education system.

With a very light turnout of approximately 20% of registered voters, the vote was 2 to 1 in favor of regionalization. But many residents were both surprised and disappointed to learn that the referendum did not include bringing the town of Sea Bright into the new district. This is due to the fact that there has been much discussion about the inclusion of Sea Bright and that recent feasibility studies have confirmed that inclusion of Sea Bright would
yield the best educational outcome for the students and tax relief for the residents.

But in the confusion and disappointment, there is a silver lining. Now that Atlantic Highlands and Highlands have formed a single purpose PreK-12 district, it clears the path for what is the logical next step which is a second referendum to include Sea Bright.

Key participants in this process including the Boards of Education, Superintendent Tara Beams, Town Council members, and county and state officials have all publicly stated that they look forward to a second referendum to allow voters to decide if Sea Bright will join the new district.

Supporting this eventual outcome, Acting New Jersey State Education Commissioner, Angelica Allen-McMillan stated in her letter dated September 22, 2023, that “If the referendum passes on September 26 2023, Sea bright and the newly formed school district may refile a joint request to form an enlarged regional school district”.

This clearly signals her support for a second referendum vote in the very near future.

Additionally, regarding the legal appeal of Oceanport and Shore Regional to block Sea Bright from joining the new regional district, she goes on to say, “Sea Bright has standing to seek withdrawal from Oceanport and Shore Regional in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:13-47.11”.

This legislation enacted into law through unanimous bi-partisan approval clears the path for towns such as these 3 to legally regionalize and seek to both improve their educational systems while reducing tax burdens on the residents.

The Commissioner’s letter also once again denies Oceanport and Shore Regional’s request to block Sea Bright’s withdrawal from those systems. Oceanport and Shore regional have reaped exorbitant taxes from Sea Bright over the decades and now stand to lose that due to new legislation supporting regionalization which seeks to make education more affordable in New Jersey.

So all of this puts Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Sea Bright on a path to finally see their 3 towns unite in a single Pre-K through 12 district. This ultimate outcome aligns with the finding of all feasibility studies recently completed which highlighted expanded educational offerings for our students and significant tax relief for our residents through such a 3 town regionalization.

While Step 1 of the process is complete, it will only see modest savings on the order of $400K per year. With the inclusion of Sea Bright in the new district, it will bring greater than $22M in savings for Atlantic Highlands and Highlands over a 10-year steady state
period.

Now it is up to the Boards of Education, Superintendent Tara Beams, and elected officials to follow through on their commitments. That is to advance to Step #2 which would see a new referendum submitted to the Commissioner to add Sea Bright to the newly formed district. All indications are that the Commissioner will approve such a request. Then it will be up to the voters of Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Sea Bright to determine if these 3 towns will finally join to form an enhanced education system at significantly lower costs for our taxpayers.

For me, the right path is clear. I hope you join me in demanding that our leaders move
out, live up to their commitments, and do the right thing. On to STEP #2!

Charles Rooney

Sea Bright

Sergeant William Sawelson

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 11, 2023

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William Sawelson, Medal of Honor Recipient

In the face of the war raging in Israel today, it is also important to remember that Jewish men have fought in every war in the United States and brought honor to themselves for their bravery and their dedication to their fellow man.

Since the Congressional Medal of Honor was first presented after the Civil War, 18 military members of the Jewish faith have been presented with the highest award for military bravery awarded by the United States. Jewish military have earned Medals of Honor in the Civil War, the Indian and Haitian Campaigns, World Wars 1 and II, Vietnam, Korea and the War on Terrorism.

Among them is New Jersey native William Sawelson who received his Medal of Honor for crawling through machine gun fire to give a dying soldier a canteen of water. He was the only New Jersey native among the four Jewish soldiers who received the Medal of Honor during the First World War.

Sawelson, who was born in Newark in Aug. 5, 1895, was serving with the Army in France as a sergeant with Company M 312^th Infantry of the 78th Division, known as the Lighting Division.

Sgt. Sawelson had been serving in No Man’s Land with the Lightning Division at Grand Pre, France as a supply sergeant. When he heard a comrade calling for water he lost no time in crawling through enemy fire to give him his canteen. It was when he was returning to the soldier with more water that he was struck by enemy fire. Both he and the man he was giving aid to died on the battlefield.

In April, 1919, General Jack Pershing was called upon to present 43 Distinguished Service Cross awards to members of the 78^th Division for a variety of acts of bravery and heroism during World War I. At the same time, ,General Pershing was requested to present the Division’s sole Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Sgt Sawelson. Reports in all newspapers at that time said the army sergeant’s bravery and attention to the needs of a fellow soldier would go down in history.

The Sergeant’s Medal of Honor is accredited to Harrison, where he first entered the Army, in Hudson County.

Sgt. Sawelson is buried at Meuse-Argonne Cemetery at Romagne Meuse, France.

His citation reads:

CITATION

Hearing a wounded man in a shell hole some distance away calling for water, Sgt. Sawelson, upon his own initiative, left shelter and crawled through heavy machine-gun fire to where the man lay, giving him what water he had in his canteen. He then went back to his own shell hole, obtained more water, and was returning to the wounded man when he was killed by a machine-gun bullet.

Want to read about other Recipients of the Medal of Honor from New Jersey? Click HERE

Knights Host Oktoberfest

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 11, 2023

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Knights Host Oktoberfest at OLPH

Tickets are available now for the Knights of Columbus Oktoberfest and Comedy Night featuring Broccoli Rob and a tribute to Uncle Floyd set for Saturday, October 21 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Hall, Miller Street.

Grand Knight of the Father Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus Mike Napolitano is chairman for the third consecutive year of the annual event and anticipates it will be a sold out affair as in previous years.

Napolitano urges persons interested in securing seats for the event, which also includes featured Craft Beers from Belford Brewing Company and a German dinner, to contact him now for reservations.

Tickets are $40 each and can be acquired by calling 862-3367-0801 or e-mailing mikenap1962@gmail.com. Checks can also be made payable to K of C #11660 and mailed to 180 Navesink Ave., Highlands NJ 07732.

Sponsored by the local Knights of Columbus Council, the event features an upgraded Hot Buffet menu along with the Specially Selected Craft Beer tasting. The Grand Knight notes that despite rising prices, through the generosity of local businesses the Council has been able to maintain last year’s pricing to ensure a value-packed evening of entertainment.

German fare will include knockwurst and bratwurst along with sauerkraut, smoked pork chops, and an onion gravy from the Black Forest Bratwurst Company, together with the Bahrs Restaurant of Highlands specials of German Pea Soup, German potato salad and more. There will also be Oktoberfest chicken, red cabbage, pretzels and baked breads of several varieties on the menu.

Desserts will feature an assortment of German chocolate, and Black Forest carrot and cheesecakes from Pellman Bakery, the noted Pennsylvania Dutch country bakery, together with soft beverages including apple cider. Patrons are also invited to bring their own adult beverages for consumption at their own tables.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for 6 to 9 p.m. event.

Broccoli Rob, as master of ceremonies, will perform the comedy tribute to Floyd Vivino, the legendary New Jersey comedian.

Wild in the Treats

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 10, 2023

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Wild in the Treats, Great Name, Great Eats

Call it bizarre, call it an anomaly, call it something different, but in actuality Wild in the Treats is truly a gluten-free bakery and vegan shop that opened Saturday at 183 First Ave, Atlantic Highlands with an official ribbon cutting ceremony that drew dozens of local residents to attend and sample scones, muffins, cookies and more at a shop filled with family, friends, and plenty of good things to eat.

Mayor Lori Gluckstein cut the ribbon to officially open the new bakery, along with its owner, Tony Panzica III, a former chef in a health food store who is fulfilling his life dream to own his own vegan business.

Atlantic Highlands Mayor Loretta Gluckstein cut the ribbon to officially open Wild innthe Treats for owner Tony Panzica, along with Chamber of Commerce officer Diane Marks and Councilman Jim Murphy and one of Panzica’s four employees.

Council members Lori Hohenleitner, James Murphy and Jon Crowley were there with Gluckstein to congratulate the owner and his staff, along with officers of the Chamber of Commerce.

It’s a proud Tony Panzica, Jr., the father of Tony III, who was among all the family members congratulated by Atlantic Highlands Council members Lori Hohenleitner and Jon Crowley at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the gluten free bakery, Wild in the Treats on First Ave., Saturday.

Chamber official Diane Marks, who presented a certificate to Panzica, noted the new business owner became a member of the Chamber even before he opened Wild in the Treats, saying he wanted to be part of the large and unique number of businesses that thrive in the borough.

Panzica was profuse with praise and thanks for his family and friends who helped him get the unique shop underway, particularly praising his father, Tony, Jr. of Middletown, and his sister, Dawn, as well as his late mother, who passed away four years ago and had been the baker at home who inspired him from childhood. The owner’s father, Tony, beaming with pride for his son, took some credit for Wild in the Treats, jokingly saying, “He wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me. I’m his father!” The baker’s friend, Pam Valentine, designed the shop’s logo.

It’s clear that family and friends are uppermost in the bakery owner’s mind and heart, as he listed all those who helped redesign the building for the new business and helped ready it for the grand opening event.

But a gluten based and vegan bakery is already filling the needs of those who like desserts but have to watch their intake of this protein that is present in most wheats, rye and barley and can be serious,, even fatal for health, weight, or allergic reasons. It’s present in all breads, chips, cakes, cookies and pies and cakes. Health officials in the 21^st century are urging either gluten free or less gluten in everyone’s diets for health reasons and to avoid serious intestinal disease.

Minutes after the official opening, Wild in the Treats buyers were in line out to the street to sample everything from granola bars and scones to a chocolate whiskey ganache and brownies. There are several varieties of scones, jelly bars, biscotti, muffins and turnovers. There are bags of granola and even applesauce molasses dog treats.

Panzica said though he is not a pet owner himself, he added the dog treat to his variety for the number of friends and customers he knows have dogs. “I just thought they would enjoy having a special treat for them as well,” he smiled. The baker said he has not yet added loaves of bread to his menu because of the size of the on-premises kitchen where he prepares all his recipes. The supply of more than two dozen varieties of baked and granola goods is only one portion of what while be offered on a regular basis, he said.

Large cakes, cheesecakes and bundts are currently sold by the slice, but whole cakes and breads like banana bread will also be offered in the future, he said.

Wild in the Treats will be open Wednesdays through Sundays every week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit them on Facebook, call and place orders, expect special offerings for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and welcome a new business to the borough. Located at the intersection of First Avenue and Route 36 in the mini mall that also houses a pizza restaurant, nail salon and Chinese restaurant, Panzica said there are parking both in front and at the rear of the building, with access to rear parking from W. Garfield ave.

However, hosing his pride in being a part of the borough and its Chamber of Commerce, he added “or you can walk up First Avenue and see some of the other businesses that make this town so great as well.”

A Company, A Cure, A Friend. Pray for Israel

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 10, 2023

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A Cure

There is no telling why things happen or why you meet and find a new friend.

A little over seven years ago, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was asked if, rather than surgery, I would like to participate in a trial of cyroablation. That is the means by which a frozen needle is inserted directly into the tumor, causing it to shrivel up, die and slough out of your body in routine fashion.

Dr. Kenneth Tomkovich was the gutsy Freehold radiologist who dared to try something new and convinced me easily enough I should be the first in the state to try out this painless, easy, 28 minute procedure I could even watch while it was underway.

Since it was new, a representative from the company was also present to observe the procedure; because the doctor infused me with so much confidence and the procedure requires no anesthesia, we chatted easily in the room during the procedure. I jokingly warned Dr. Tomkovich he better know what he was doing, because I was leaving for Israel with a group from my church in two weeks.

That night, the company representative called me on the phone and asked if I was really going to Israel.

It was then I learned that IceCure, a company in Caesarea, Israel, had created the breast cryoablation needle and procedure, and since it was still undergoing trial in the US, had never met anyone who had it done. Would I be interested in meeting them when I was in Israel?

To be able to meet the company that cured me of breast cancer without pain, surgery, chemo, radiation or even a day in the hospital? You bet I would!

Once in Jerusalem, I connected with the company who had been awaiting my arrival and made arrangements for them to pick me up at the hotel and take me to their firm. We had to alter the original plans where we were going to meet, since the hotel where we were staying was in the Palestinian section and my new Jewish friends could not enter there.

So it was a 90 minute drive by one of the Ice Cure employees who came to pick me up and take me to Caesarea. While enjoying the magnificent area and history we were traveling through, we became friends, and I got another glimpse into how friendly and nice the Israeli people are.

Once in Ceasaria at the Ice Cure office, I met the entire staff…most of them women in the 30s and 40s, all friendly, all anxious to meet an American, all so happy to hear how their invention had cured me.

I met the entire staff, toured their facility and watched a simulation of the procedure I had just two weeks before. We laughed, we chatted, we marveled at modern-day medicine, and the very wonderful Tlalit, one of the officers of the small but very intelligent firm, and others, then took me for dinner in a wonderful outdoor restaurant directly on the Mediterranean. After more talk, more opportunity to get to know each other, and more thanks from me, we took photos and a driver brought me back to my hotel .

Since then, several of the Ice Cure employees and myself have kept in touch via e-mail and Facebook, all happy we had made new friendships. And they cheered louder than anyone else every year when my annual checkups showed Ice Cure had done its job, I am free of cancer.

Tlalit and I continued our e-mails since that trip to Israel. I saw how her company grew, how trials in other countries of this wonderful cancer cure were advancing and being accepted.

I ventured into the stock market simply because I had the chance to own a little piece of this company that cured me of cancer so easily. It’s still a struggling company, but it’s an Israeli company. That means it’s loaded with intelligent medical men and scientists, it’s dedicated to Improving life, and it’s a company that even weighs heavily on a female staff to accomplish all it has done.

I’ve followed Tlalit as she has gone from country to country, the professional, yet warm and friendly woman who works so hard to share the magic Ice Cure offers.

While all of America is grieving over the brutal and savage attack on a the people of nation whose primary resource is the intelligence of its people, not the rich oil fields of its surrounding neighbors, my thoughts are with the few individuals I have met there, the warm, loving and hard working intelligent people who not only cured me of cancer but delighted in showing me how they do it.

I cannot fathom how these warm-hearted and life-loving people can comprehend mindless people who are not only bombing homes and hotels, but also kidnapping soldiers, grandmothers and babies.

Then I saw on Facebook the sorrowing pleas of another Israeli woman. She had a photo of her son on Facebook, and a tearful and emotional plea to help her find her son; he was among the missing. A handsome Israeli, somewhere perhaps in his 20s or early 30s, all of a sudden missing.

His mother is a friend of my friend Tlalit . I could feel her grief.

So I wrote my friend Tlalit an e-mail to express my thoughts and prayers. She wrote back within hours. I was shocked. With all that her nation, her city, her family is undergoing, this gracious lady took the time to respond. And with that stalwart Israeli brave spirit, she did not elaborate on the grief she was feeling; she did not mention what her friend was going through. She did not show her own pain.

She simply wrote

Dear Muriel,

thank you for your kind words of concern and encouragement. Situation is terrible.

We are safe .

Praying for better days soon 🙏🏻

Best,

Tlalit

Please pray for my friends in Israel

Smith Stands With Israel

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 7, 2023

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Israel Under Attack

“I stand in absolute solidarity with Israel—with the family and friends of innocent people mercilessly slaughtered and with the entire nation under threat,” said Congressman Chris Smith this morning in response to the Hamas attack on Israel in which hundreds of civilians were reported killed or injured.

“I call on President Biden to unequivocally condemn not only Hamas but its sponsor Iran—with actions as well as words,” Smith continued.

Smith said this means the President needs to make major changes in personnel and policy. It was just last month when the Administration unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds, and just last week we learned that the Administration is staffed by agents of an Iranian spy ring. Iran is praising Hamas’s monstrous crime,” Smith said in reiterating his support for the Israeli nation.

Smith said it was last week when he asked Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to revoke State Department grants to an organization in Gaza that openly supports terror. Today, he added, “I have not received any answer.”

Leonardo High School Alumni Reunion

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 7, 2023

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Leonardo High School Alumni Reunion

It may be the 92^nd anniversary of the Leonardo High School Alumni Reunion, but there were more than 120 high spirited, youthful acting, enthusiastic and fun-loving graduates throughout those years who gathered at the Shore Casino recently for their annual celebration. The oldest graduate present, a Middletown native, Mary Lepick Silow, graduated in 1945 and has only lived in three different homes in her life, never leaving her native town.

Dick Winters, class of 1946, is the genial and well-organized chair of the Leonardo Alumni Annual event. He has been heading the committee for the last 17 annual luncheons, the last seven of which have been at the Shore Casino.

The reunions were started in 1930 by Alida Chanbelar, a lady who graduated from Leonardo in 1920. Ten years later, she decided to gather together a few of her high school friends for a lunch at her home and about 15 came. She continued to have the event every year and within ten years there were more 100 graduates gathering. The event had long since been moved to the Lincroft Inn, It was held at that historic restaurant for some 40 years with some 200 graduates attending as the word spread.

When Ms. Chanbelar stepped down as chair, her friend Jean Freibott Renrose took over and led the committee for another decade. Then she handed it over to her friend, Dick Lufburrow, a former Army officer graduate who served in World War II. Lufburrow then had the event held at Gibbs Hall at Fort Monmouth and headed the committee until he was in his 90s. That’s when he passed the leadership on to his friend, Dick Winters.

That was 17 years ago. Dick, who is now 94, still heads the committee and has already made the initial preparations for next year’s event, to be held Sept. 27, 2024, the last Friday of September as always. At this year’s event, Dick already secured promises from half a dozen attendees that they would serve on the annual committee.

Dick is a fascinating story in himself. Now widowed, he still lives in the same home he and his wife built on several acres in Lincroft 73 years ago. Now retired from a construction company where he worked his way up from driving a bulldozer to becoming the firm’s executive vice-president, the affable gentleman looks forward to each year’s luncheon event.

The stories, memories, reconnections and friendships at this year’s event at the Shore Casino were all an indication of how important the gathering is to each of those present. Winters said for him, it’s just a great time to see and enjoy old friends, and candidly noted “after all, at our ages, you never know if this is going to be the last one you attend. So why not just go and have a great time and enjoy great friendship?”

Many of the names gathered at the Shore Casino are well-known and highly respected Middletowners, folks who were born and raised there, many only ever living in one or two different houses in their lifetime, and always calling Middletown their home.

Former Chief Bob Letts and retired Lt. George Freibott at Leonardo High School alumni luncheon

Many are second, third and fourth generations of their families, or have generations after them settling here as well. Retired Police Chief Robert Letts is a regular at the gathering, as is retired Police Lt. George Freibott. Freibott’ s sister, Ruth Freibott MacDonald is also an annual attendee and could tell great stories this year of her years working at The Courier in Middletown, the weekly newspaper eagerly sought by many Middletown residents every Thursday.

Ruth also bragged about her six children and nine grandchildren and one great grandchild, all but one still living in Middletown, almost living close to her. “We’re all on the same street,” the genial lady graduate laughed, “it’s like a commune of MacDonalds.”

Ms. Silow, who is a widow and has three children, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren, worked at Lily Tulipe for 20 years, then at Lucent Technology for 20 years and has always worked from her high school days on. “I did all the cleaning,” she laughed, “which isn’t very impressive, but it was necessary.” She conceded that the firms certainly appreciate her work and she knew she was playing a role in the business world.

Mrs. MacDonald and Winter were both from the class of 1946, the only two from their graduating class who attended this year’s event. There were graduates between 19465 and 1965, with the Class of 1950 having the most graduates present, with 15 alumni from the class of 1958.

Funding for the luncheon is always through ticket purchases, but that cost also includes the announcement mailings to all on the Alumni list, This year, the cost let the committee break even on the event, but it maintains a small bank account to cover additional casts.

There’s no doubt there’s scrupulous with the funds and generous as well. If luncheon tickets were paid for, and for some reason the guest did not show up, Winter simply asked the Shore Casino kitchen staff package the dinners so he and his committee could deliver them to Lunch Break. “They’re very appreciative,” he said.

Winter is always seeking other Leonardo High School graduates who would be interested in serving on the committee or being included on the mailing list. He welcomes calls for further information to him at 732-747-0067.

Atlantic Highlands: Being Neighbors

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 6, 2023

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It’s all about being Neighbors

The Atlantic Highlands Planning Board is comprised of an awful lot of very smart, very involved, very dedicated members and neighbors who obviously do all their homework before attending a meeting and acting on applications. Whether it’s the right thing to do to put a homeowner through so much time, expense and inconvenience before he can add a garage or a second story to his house can be debated. But on the other hand, it’s refreshing to see members do have a heart as well.

Take this week for instance. Forget about the dozens of variances being requested by Kalian for 160 First Avenue, the second big mixed use tall structure for that part of the main entry into town. The owner’s experts are busy making changes and more changes, hopefully for the better, so the hearing on that building will not continue until the next meeting of the planners, set for 7 p.m. on November 2.

Hopefully, because Kalian still has more experts that have to testify, questions to be answered, and citizens to be heard, there isn’t anything else on the agenda except Kalian that night. Hopefully, also, the planners will tell the applicant that his experts have to rise to meet the same standards of the borough’s requirements for their own experts.

To say it’s OK to compare a study of three hours of traffic in February to the 16 hours at all times the law requires for borough experts is really kind of silly. Let’s hope more will happen here.

But for the apparently well-beloved family seeking to put a second story on their house so they have enough bedrooms and baths to give their growing kids some privacy and freedom to entertain their friends at home, there is a happy ending.

The applicant had his experts there to testify about the irregular-shaped piece of land high on the hill, the reason why he’d rather build out rather than spread out over more land. He said he also wanted a swimming pool, not uncommon in the neighborhood, and would convert the single downstairs bedroom to an office so the house will still have three bedrooms, albeit larger, better designed and on the top floor.

Then came the question of topography, upsetting the soil, the type of soil it is, the amount of land the pool would cover. The list went on. Forget about the fact that there’s a huge high rise in the next town right smack at the top of the hill where this house is and it’s been fine for the more than half century it’s sat there.

Forget about the fact the planners have already approved one, and might be on the verge of approving a second, great big apartment and business complex that covers lots of good healthy soil with concrete. Forget about the fact all that digging going on in healthy sand at the other side of town is causing oil slicks in the soil and river. Forget about the fact houses will be built on that soiled soil. But this family, for a family-size swimming pool, now has to get test borings and maybe more, to be sure everything’s OK.

So the neighbors came out or sat on zoom to give their views. They weren’t formal, they didn’t have maps and papers and degrees in anything. They just knew that “Kerry and Paul” were their neighbors, their friends, their kids were great. They wanted to tell the planners they were all for Kerry and Paul, they liked the idea, and a bigger house and a swimming pool wouldn’t bother them at all. Inf fact, at least one of them said, their plans will make the area even better.

That’s when Planning Board member Joe Caccamo spoke up. Always attentive, but generally quiet unless he’s got a strong opinion about something, Caccamo listened to everybody, the experts, the applicants, the neighbors. He had obviously read all the plans. Finally he said what everybody was thinking. “They’re land-locked! They’re not looking for a beach, or a swim club.” They’re raising a family in a town they like. Let them raise their family. Let them enjoy Atlantic Highlands.” Concerning all the questions about the slope in the area, the commissioner pointed out “half the town is built on a slope,” shaking his head as if to say it was all much ado about nothing.

In the end, the majority of planning board members voted to approve the application once those soil borings show there’s no great disturbance, something the family’s architect and attorney were certain would happen.

The resolution will most likely be finalized at the November 2 meeting. So the Commissioners adjourned, gathered their papers and prepared to go home.

“Kerry and Paul” stood and smiled happily. Their neighbors and professionals gathered around them, congratulating them and themselves for being the kind of neighbors that everyone should have. They talked of gathering together right away to celebrate what was probably a fairly traumatic evening for folks not used to attending planning board meetings.

So that’s it! It was an experience to watch. But it’s true.

It’s the people of Atlantic Highlands, the neighbors, the friends, and yes, even those hard working volunteers sincerely working for what they think is best for the whole town, that keeps Atlantic Highlands the great place it is to live.

Buttonwood at Shrewsbury

By

Muriel J. Smith

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October 6, 2023

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Buttonwood at Shrewsbury

It’s true that Shrewsbury is a community steeped in history. But it’s also a community that in its history has been way ahead of its time… Like Buttonwood at Shrewsbury

The first housing development built here in 1926

Buttonwood at Shrewsbury, located off Sycamore Avenue, was designed with all building lots developed around a single oval street. Each site is either 75 or 90 feet with frontage on the road, except for a few irregular lots with a rear width of 200 feet. Some property owners bought two lots, giving them a total frontage of 150 feet.

A local newspaper reported in 1926 that one 75 X 155-foot lot sold for $3,000. Mr. C. Baquet, Jr. purchased it for a Dutch colonial design home he built for an estimated cost of between $13,000 and $15,000.

G.H Nevins was the operator of the development, according to an advertisement for sale of the lots. He sold them with a number of restrictions that were also enticements for purchasers. The ad read “No through traffic, protection for your children and quiet for yourself. Private parks and playgrounds are nearly three acres in extent. Gas, water, electricity, curbs and sidewalks, a shallow brook, gentle grades, beautiful view, masses of flowering shrubs and the “feeling” that develops by living in a place of historic associations.”

Nevins also pointed out that “your home will not be upon a road bearing through traffic, with its rumbling trucks and constant danger to your little ones.”

“Buttonwood at Shrewsbury” is developed to meet the desire for moderate sized building sites, at the same time to preserve all the history, all the charm and dignity and all the historic significance that surrounds “old Shrewsbury”, Mr. Nevins continued”

The first view of the development is from Sycamore Avenue where the two brick gateposts were intended to give the appearance that Buttonwood was a single estate.

But there was also a dark side to this early development in a time when values were different, the nation had come out of a world war, Trudy Ederle had just completed her successful swim from France to England, A.A. Milne published Winnie the Pooh and Probation was creating speakeasies, high speed boats, Coast Guard chases and suddenly wealthy clammers and lobstermen.

In Shrewsbury, the idea of living in an elegant housing development that offered peace and privacy also brought the need to sign a document by owners to promise to obey restrictions. The signed papers included a restriction that no owner, user or occupier of the premises could be of the“Negro race” unless they were servants employed by owners of property.

It was not a restriction that lasted long, and it wasn’t too many years later that Buttonwood could claim to be the residence of Ace Godwin, a Tuskegee Airman. He and his family became an integral part of the Buttonwood community.

Frank A. Quackenbush designed and built most of the Tudor Revival architecture, particularly known for its stucco cladding, decorative half-timbering, steep pitched, long sloping, steep- roof lines and small, square windowpanes.

Once Buttonwood at Shrewsbury was established, there were other tracks that followed suit, including the Grover H. Lufborow farm, the Kodama estate, the Broderson estate and eventually Curleyville, Paddington Farms, Heritage Greens, Thornbooke and more.

But Buttonwood will always stand out as the first to create a planned community, an area that promised peace, quiet, security, and an aura of happiness.

A century later, with the gracious trees still flourishing in natural beauty and providing shade from a hot burning sun, enhanced quality to lush green lands and luxurious homes perfectly maintained and retaining their 20^th century beauty, Buttonwood at Shrewsbury is part of Shrewsbury history, an area like none other, and filled with gracious, friendly families of all ages eager to preserve the history and culture of an earlier century while enhancing the beauty of the 21^st century.

Another story on Shrewsbury HERE

Highlands Flooding Issues

By

Muriel J. Smith

-

October 5, 2023

0

Addressing Highlands Flooding Issues

Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon and Borough Administrator Michael Muscillo filed reports to keep the public informed of the significant progress in its mission to address longstanding Highlands flooding issues through the Highlands & Monmouth Hills Flood Mitigation and Green Infrastructure Project.

“This represents a pivotal step forward in enhancing resilience and safety for residents and businesses and has recently been awarded with multi-million-dollar grant funding,” Broullon said in a press release issued by the borough of Highlands.

“Learning from the past, painstakingly accruing documentation, cooperating with a neighboring community, and maintaining a fierce determination to solve a 127-year-old problem has finally led to success. Since 1896, when the first home was built in Monmouth Hills, the Borough of Highlands has been negatively affected by stormwater runoff issues,” Broullon continued.

The Highlands & Monmouth Hills Flood Mitigation and Green Infrastructure Project is a strategic initiative aimed at tackling recurring flooding problems that impact NJ Route 36, an emergency evacuation route, and the Borough’s downtown Bay Ave area serving the local community.

The project focuses on implementing innovative stormwater management solutions and green infrastructure to bolster the community’s ability to withstand and recover from extreme weather events. By strengthening evacuation routes and mitigating flooding challenges, Highlands aims to safeguard not only its own population but also neighboring towns, explained Muscillo..

Numerous Grant applications have been submitted to various State and Federal programs to support this endeavor. In a letter received by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) last month, FEMA notified the state office that the Highlands & Monmouth Hills Flood Mitigation and Green Infrastructure Project has been identified for further review under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Fiscal Year 2022 Grant Program. That is an indication that the $12,193,960 grant requested is probable following potential requests for information by FEMA, Muscillo said..

“Over the past three years, Highlands and Monmouth Hills have worked collaboratively with the team at Colliers Engineering & Design to successfully be awarded the FEMA BRIC grant combining flood mitigation and green infrastructure,” added Broullon, expressing her gratitude. “This grant, which totals over $12 million dollars, is the largest award Highlands has ever been given.”

“We are very grateful to NJOEM and FEMA for their award contribution helping to protect the residents and communities of Highlands and Monmouth Hills,” said Ted Wilkinson, PE, CME, the project’s manager from Colliers Engineering & Design. “We look forward to working alongside our partners in creating a safer, flood-resistant environment with sustainable, green designs.”

The Borough remains committed to addressing the Highlands Flooding challenges head-on and will continue to work tirelessly to secure the necessary funding to make the Highlands & Monmouth Hills Flood Mitigation and Green Infrastructure Project a reality.

Veni Vidi Scripto

Veni Vidi Scripto

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