Local historian John Fabiano will lead you on a walk through history and explaining the amazing story of the Underground Railroad activity through Allentown during a 90-minute walking tour on Saturday, June 17.
Sponsored by The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) the walk begins at 10 a.m. in Pete Sensi Park, Main Street, with Fabiano’s introduction, “They Came for Freedom”.
The walk will lead participants past historic homes, shops, cemeteries and landmarks which played a part in helping escaped slaves from the South reach freedom in the North.
A long-time Allentown resident, Fabiano serves as the Executive Director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission and is an avid local history expert. He has conducted extensive research on Allentown history and is a frequent presenter, sharing a wealth of knowledge with the community. Allentown’s Underground Railroad history is unique because of documented sources of the activity, many extremely rare but actual.
Registration in advance is necessary for a timed tour start and can be made at www.allentownvinj.org Registrants will be assigned timed starts in 30-minute intervals beginning at 10 a.m.
Tour materials will be available online and as “hard copies” – a donation of $5 per tour group is suggested.
TAVI (The Allentown Village Initiative) is a 501(c)(3) volunteer driven group which works to improve the quality of life in and around Allentown. Visit www.allentownvinj.org to learn about – and become a part of — TAVI’s many ongoing projects. Call (609) 208- 9991 if you need more information or email mccormicknj@aol.com Contact: Mike McCormick
The 29th traditional Annual Farmers’ Market begins at Huddy Park this Saturday with a broad selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and more offered at a variety of tables and booths.
The Farmer’s market is open every Saturday from June 17 through Nov. 18, opening at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday morning from June 17 through November 18, 2023, remaining open until 2 p.m.
The Farmer’s market is sponsored by the Highlands Business Partnership and parking and sites are not impacted negatively in spite of sewer reconstruction in progress throughout various streets in the borough.
The Farmer’s market will also feature specialty items including baked goods, fresh pasta, cheese, eggs, honey, handmade soaps and skin care products, and a variety of crafters and artisans.
The Highlands Business Partnership is a non-profit commercial alliance dedicated to fostering economic growth in Highlands. Sponsors of the programs include 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, Inlet Café, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Sandbox at Seastreak, and WRAT, 95.9.
For more information about the Farmer’s market or to participate as a vendor, please email the Highlands Business Partnership at hbpadmin@highlandsnj.com or give us a call at 732-291-4713.
The Fluke Tournament will be at Baker’s Marina by the Bay, 1 Marina Bay Court, Highlands with a rain date, the following day, June 18.
Registration for the Fluke Tournament is $150 per boat with up to 4 anglers per boat and $25 for each additional angler. The Kayak or Land Angler fee is $50 per person. Children 12 and under are $25 each.
Fees Include complimentary swag, Post Weigh in BBQ Cook-Out, and one complimentary drink.
The Frank Thomas Memorial Fluke Tournament is in honor of Frank “Ozzie” Thomas, life-long resident, and generous supporter of the Highlands business community.
The proceeds from the fluke tournament will benefit the Highlands Business Partnership 2024 Scholarship Program.
The Captain’s Meeting will be on Friday, June 16 at 7:00 PM at the Driftwood Liquor & Bar, 300 Bay Avenue, Highlands. Cash prizes include a 1st Place Prize of $1000, 2nd Place Prize of $750, 3rd Place Prize of $500 and special youth prizes.
Tickets can be purchased online at highlandsnj.com or at the Captain’s Meeting.
The Highlands Business Partnership, sponsor of the event, is a non-profit commercial alliance dedicated to fostering economic growth in Highlands. Sponsors of the programs include 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, Inlet Café, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Sandbox at Seastreak, and WRAT, 95.9. For more information on the Thomas Memorial Fluke Tournament, can email the Highlands Business Partnership at hbpadmin@highlandsnj.com or give us a call on 732-291-4713.
It certainly surprised me when the Atlantic Highlands borough administrator responded to a local resident who asked that the multi-colored flag LGBTQIA+ standing a few feet away from the American flag also be lowered to half-staff that he would have to check it out first.
Lower the Standard
The American flag was directed to be lowered by Governor Murphy on Friday to honor the death and memory of Superior Court Assignment Judge Lois Thornton Friday. Judge Thornton was even praised by Councilman Vito Colasurdo who appreciated her attention to him as a young and up and coming attorney. After the meeting, Councilman Jon Crowley told me “it’ll probably be lowered,” making light of the incident in trying to put it into perspective. That made the resident feel a little better.
Who?
But she wondered, who would the administrator be asking? Who ordered the flag, and the flagpole, in the first place? Who ordered the smaller flags to be flown on streetlights, once again, with our American flag? Whose permission did he have to ask in order to have a multi-color flag a few feet away from the American flag not still stand at the top of the pole while our nation’s standard bowed to honor a dead black woman, a smart, wonderful, kind lady and jurist at that.
I still wonder who passed the order NOT to lower that flag even an inch. Who passed the order to let that multi-color flag not be lowered so the people who ordered it, respect it, admire it, and for whom it stands could also show a smattering of respect for the sudden death of a great woman.
It would be hard for me to believe that the people who adhere to the standards of that multicolored flag do NOT want to respect a woman who fought against all odds, never complained, did not have a lot of support, yet managed to get to the top of her field, all the while gaining the respect and admiration of all with whom she came in contact.
LGBTQIA+
Looking further, research showed that LGBTQIA+ represents a diverse mix of people who are proud of whom they are. That’s wonderful and deserves respect. But why ever would people who are proud of that flag and what it stands for NOT want to respect a woman and her family at the time of her sudden death? Why would people who are proud of that flag and what it stands for NOT want to show the respect the Governor thinks is necessary for the nation’s standard?
These are questions that will never have answers. But they generate more.
More Questions
Who makes money from the LGBTQIA+ movement? In researching it does not appear to be any one organization. In New York, and elsewhere throughout the country, there are community centers that offer programming and events, have media coverage and press releases to get the news out about the LGBTQIA+ supporters.. That center even has photo and video galleries.
Acronym or Organization
Research showed what is easily recognizable. LGBTQIA+ is an acronym Nothing more, nothing less.
But it is also identified as an organization, essentially a group of people who have made a choice in self-identification and want others to acknowledge that identity. The acronym stands for someone with self-identification who wants you to focus on honoring that individual identity.
But LGBTQIA+ is not really an organization, let alone a 501.3C organization. Does this center, or any other like it, have volunteers to support their goals or are they paid personnel? Is any money poured into these centers other than through willing donations, bequests, or sales? Are there officers in charge and how do they get to be? For that matter, if Atlantic Highlands bought all the flags and anything else attached to the LGBTQIA+ symbol, do they even know the organization or private company that was the beneficiary of taxpayers’ dollars?
My Thoughts
Were it not for the lack of interest in protecting the flag that stands for all people, regardless of their organization or lack thereof, a researcher could feel sorry for people who feel that fitting into an acronym is the only way they want to be identified. For this researcher, a person’s mind, talents, generosity, willingness to help others, high work standards and respect for everyone who might not fit into any acronym are plenty and enough to have my respect, my support, and my friendship.
Couldn’t agree with Councilman Jon Crowley more at the Atlantic Highlands Council meeting this week. I was making an effort to show the importance of recognizing, respecting, and honoring the American flag and other important events during the month of June. Disappointing that anyone feels that that has to be done at a council meeting, in the first place, but I did.
Resolutions
The governing body passed two resolutions, one citing Juneteenth and another one, gratefully, honoring D-Day.
Honorable Mentions
But no resolution mentioned June 14 is Flag Day. No resolution mentioned June 14 is also the birthday of the United States Army formed under George Washington in 1774, even before the Declaration of Independence, let alone birth of the nation.
Other Days
So I cited other national observances on June 19….Monkey Around Day, National Bourbon Day, Pop Goes the Weasel day and Strawberry Shortcake Day, all of which I think are pretty silly and unworthy of national recognition. But officially they have it and I was mocking them. I also mentioned it is World Blood Donor Day another day that should certainly be recognized, and said it was even the birthday of a former President, yet none of these is honored.
Insulting?
Addressing my comments later on in the meeting, Councilman Crowley said my citing all these other days, as I had done, was an insult to the American flag and kind of chided me for being so insulting to the flag and the Army.
I did thank him after the meeting. I did not take his remarks as a personal insult, but rather an emphasis on what I was trying to prove…. Things like National Blood Donor Day , perhaps, but not so much, even a former President’s birthday but for positive the birthday of the United States Army should also be recognized by resolution if we are to have them at just about every meeting. Yet Councilman Crowley nor anyone else on Council read resolutions for those national observances.
Sharing the Spotlight
I also took issue with all the American Flags sharing light posts with multi-colored flags, placed in such a way so that the American flag’s placement is only respected depending on which way you’re seeing it, coming or going from the entrance to town or the harbor. That could so easily be resolved by only placing the multi-colored flags on every other light post, and letting the nation’s standard continue to stand proudly and alone for proper respect.
Fly the Flag
So here’s an idea. During the month of July, certainly the birthday of the nation, let’s keep those American flags flying. Then let’s fly the flag for each of the branches of the military all month; they represent the men and women who are keeping our nation free and enabling us to raise flags for whatever cause we choose to celebrate, honor, or remember.
For Healthy Dinner Ideas, I’m certain you’ve noticed that the same foods that are great for eyesight and fighting aging macular degeneration are the very ones that ensure better heart health and general healthy living. Seared Salmon ticks a number of those boxes.
Pravagen, the company that makes the pills that improve memory…and they really do…notes these very same foods are also brain healthy and they often put out recipes that support healthy cognitive functions.
Here is Prevagen’s recipe for Seared Salmon with Quinoa and Chard, two more great ingredients both for the eyes and the brain.
Salmon is that fatty fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids which are essential to brain health. Each of those three fats in Omega-3 play important roles in supporting the immune system, since that also is regulated in the brain. They help support t oxygen flow to the brain. Quinoa is a super-grain that is nutrient-dense, having all nine essential amino acids, besides iron, which supports the health of the red blood cells in the brain. Chard is another leafy,nutrient-dense green known for brain health as well as eye health.
So try this to keep both your brain and your eyes healthy.
SEARED SALMON WITH TURMERIC SPICED QUINOA AND CHARD
Quinoa Ingredients
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 onion peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water
Chard Ingredients
1 Tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 large bunch Swiss chard, trimmed, chopped, and washed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Salmon Ingredients
4 5-6 ounce skin on salmon fillets
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Black pepper
1 Lemon
Parsley
Directions:
Start the quinoa. Warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic and salt. Saute until the onions are soft. Stir in the turmeric and curry. Increase the heat to high as you add the water and quinoa. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes on low heat. Put the lid on and turn off the heat; let steam for about 10 minutes. Just before serving, fluff the quinoa with a fork.
Prepare the chard. Warm the olive oil in a medium skillet on low heat. Add the garlic, chard and salt and stir gently. Cover and cook on low heat until the chard is tender, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Prepare the salmon. Warm the olive oil in a cast-iron or heavy stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Place the salmon in the skillet, skin-side down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Raise the heat and sear the salmon until the skin is very well done, approximately four minutes. Flip the salmon and cook skin-side up until a crust forms, approximately four minutes. Remove from heat.
Plate each serving. Combine the quinoa and the chard, stirring gently. Spoon out a bed of the quinoa and chard mixture. Lay a salmon fillet on top. Squeeze the juice of a quarter of a lemon on top of the fillet. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices and serve hot.
Happy to announce that VeniVidiScripto is now on Twitter! With a number of readers asking why we’re not on the platform, it became necessary to check into it and then wonder ourselves, why are we not ?
Since there was no good reason not to be there, we have now expanded VeniVidiScripto so those who like to get the abbreviated version of the news, comments, complaints and praises on the popular blog can see them on here as well.
For those who feel it would be impossible for me to write anything brief enough to be considered for that platform, never fear! There is a link in each tweet to the full story so if you’re wanting to know more, to read the full story … you can indeed have your cake and eat it too!
When long time physics instructor John Valente retired from MAST after 35 years at the school and Commander Tracie Smith Yeoman was principal speaker honoring him at the annual Pass in Review ceremonies by the NJROTC cadets at the school, it was amazing to see how the speeches of both the honoree and the commanding officer were so similar … Be Happy and have Fun.
For and educator of one of the more difficult sciences, and a retired Naval officer who saw duty overseas, it was interesting to hear how both also stressed the importance on their teenage students to always be happy and have fun while keeping up their high standards of excellence.
In telling the students how bittersweet it was to retire after 35 years at MAST, Valente thanked the students for their attention throughout their high schools years, their respect and understanding of his classes and the dedication they put into their academics as well as NJROTC training throughout their four years of high school.
Be Happy
He told them of the future they face both in education in college and going forward throughout life and urged them to always take the time to be happy, to enjoy life, to seek out the things that they enjoy, and to spend time in laughter and fun as well as continuing the high standards they have followed throughout their high school years.
Have Fun
In her talk praising Valente and the impact he has had on every student at MAST because of his teaching style, his expertise, and his personality, Commander Smith-Yeoman also addressed the Class of 2023 Battalion of cadets with advice for their future.
Saying the seniors have demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and impeccable personal behavior, she credited some of their success throughout their high school years with their sense of camaraderie, esprit de corps, and just plain FUN. She noted how the drill team “pulled together as a family and their pride and dedication and excitement shone through.”
Then, like Valente, Commander Smith Yeoman cited how much fun they all had in everything they did. “You always had a great time together, even during hard work..” She told the seniors they have already shown they can withstand “almost anything if you have the right people by your side.”
Wishing the graduates the same joy Valente wished for their future, and her hope for that joy to be mixed with success and honor, the Naval officer advised them, as Valente had done in similar words, “along the way, don’t forget to have a good time.”
Turning to the underclassmen standing in drill formation on the field, Commander Smith-Yeoman advised them to build on the legacy they are inheriting and develop their own leadership skills., but added, “And along the way, don’t forget to have a good time.”
Preservation New Jersey announced its idea of the ten most endangered historic places in New Jersey in a press release this week.
It included only one endangered place in Monmouth County, the Joseph Murray home and barn at Poricy. That is the home of the Revolutionary War hero known for spying on the British at Sandy Hook as well as commandeering supplies for the troops during the war that helped create the nation.
The endangered list also includes a railroad freight station, a grist mill, a carriage house the former home of a wealthy miller, a tavern, a church, and a convent that was on its way to being restored until the state decided religious buildings shouldn’t receive dollars for historic preservation.
The endangered program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural, and archeological resources in imminent danger of being lost. It shows the important Preservation New Jersey places on their importance to the heritage of New Jersey and draws attention to the predicaments that endanger their survival and the survival of historic resources. Its purpose is to attract perspectives and ideas to become creative in saving them. The list was generated from some ideas and nominations from the public.
The press release goes on to show the support it gets from the National Park Service, The Sandy Hook Foundation, and Monmouth University Department of History and Anthropology.
The announcement was made at a ceremony at the historic Spermaceti Cove No. 2 Life Saving Station in the Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook.
And here’s the kicker…. As if holding the announcement ceremony on Sandy Hook wasn’t enough…..The accompanying photo was of a very old, or very touched up photo of the endangered Officers Row homes facing Pershing Field on Fort Hancock.
Not endangered
Let’s think about this. With the millions of visitors Sandy Hook gets each year, albeit admittedly primarily for its beaches, wouldn’t you think there would be some thought of being a bit more attentive to the falling down, dilapidated, endangered ruined barracks and historic homes at Fort Hancock that have been historic, noted, recognized admired and been the site of both war and peace?
Isn’t it rather insulting that while those gracious officers’ homes are depicted on the press release, they’re not even shown in their actual heartbreaking condition in which they currently exist. Nor are they considered among the ten most endangered buildings in the state…. even just one of them.
How can the National Park Service be touted as supporting preservation when they themselves have not done a thing to save these endangered buildings since the 1950s when they were active?
How can the National Park Service be touted as supporting preservation when everyday they show they don’t care about these endangered buildings.
Oh yeah, now they’re getting new roofs here and there, there are supports holding up the porches, and lots of attempts at salvation are being made now just to let them survive.
But where the heck have, they been for decades? Is historic preservation new to New Jersey or to the United States federal departments?
It’s a great thing that Monmouth Count, primarily because of the interest and toughness of the indefatigable Lillian Burry, is working, slowly but surely, to save one of the barracks along Pershing Field. They just did a terrific job of saving a smaller one, one that will live again for young NJROTC cadets, many of whom plan to on military uniforms and protect and defend the nation.
But do either Monmouth County or the National Park Service think about how they have slowed down the barracks construction that will also house high school cadets?
Do they remember the work that had to be halted because it got underway too late, and the nesting ospreys beat them to the punch?
Do they remember the number of different architects from the county, state and park service who apparently couldn’t ever meet together and come up with a single plan that would have saved the building as well as taxpayers’ money? It seems the plans changed as different historic architects from different county state and federal agencies saw the plans, causing more waste of money, less work on preservation and little progress.
There are plans for apartments altering the insides but saving some of the historic homes on Officers Row, but Monmouth County had to meet specific criteria for saving even the inside of the buildings they are trying to preserve. Anyone remember the stairway to the ceiling?
It’s laudable that a private entrepreneur will be making a very expensive effort to preserve those homes along Officers Row. But where has the Park Service been? Where has New Jersey Preservation been? Where has Monmouth University’s History Department been when it comes to Fort Hancock over the past decades?
For that matter, where have the millions of people who love to visit Sandy Hook been when it comes to calling on Congress to demand that this very important piece of history through the centuries is not treated with the respect and renovation it deserves?
The Atlantic Highlands Planning Boardis anticipating such a large turnout when it hears an application for another large apartment building next month they are seeking a date for a special meeting and a location that can accommodate a crowd larger than the borough hall can handle.
That was made known at June 1st’s of the planning board in which several applications were heard or continued, and it was announced the July meeting of the board is already filled to capacity.
Big Building
With an item on the agenda referring to PB 02-2023 and the need to find an off-site place to hear it, it wasn’t until board member Councilman Brian Dougherty identified the property to keep the public informed that the public was made aware it refers to 160 First Avenue, the property where currently Mike’s Convenience store and Scenic Liquors are located.
The plan calls for demolition of that building, a single-story structure, and build an apartment and commercial building similar to the one adjacent at 158 First Avenue. Currently the two commercial businesses lease the premises and their leases would not be renewed.
After much discussion, board members agreed to determine a date to hold the application hearing so as not to interfere with other important dates on municipal calendars and will then have administrator Robert Ferragina arrange for a larger location.
In the past, both the Hesse Center at Mother Theresa School and the movie theater on First Avenue have been used to accommodate larger groups.
During a preliminary presentation made to the planners last year, the proposed building, which would abut the current building near completion would be higher than that building to allow for tenant parking underneath. Borough ordinance restricts the height of a building to 35 feet, so a variance would be necessary to accommodate that plan.
In other business, the planning board unanimously approved the application from the Yacht Club to construct an outdoor restaurant over the current Galleon Room of the Shore Casino. That application describes the addition as having its floor raised off the roof of the Shore Casino roof and held in place by stanchions on three sides.
The planners also put off until its future meeting action on an application for an extension of the approval it granted in 2020 for 65 First Avenue. The approval expired last December, and planning regulations are not clear on when an extension should be applied for. However board attorney Michael Steib said all extensions of approvals are retroactive to the date of expiration of the original approval. In this case, a one year extension would give 65 First Avenue six additional months if approved in July or 18 months if granted a two year extension
