The Planning Board has set Tuesday, September 19 th to continue the hearing for the Kalian property at 160 First Aveat E. Garfield ave. But whether the engineer completes the review and makes a determination may make it a major or minor decision.
At last night’s meeting of the planning board, it was reported changes have been made to the design and have been submitted to the borough engineer for his review. Board attorney Michael Steib noted the review must be completed within two days in order to have the continued meeting on September 19 th.
If the engineer determines the changes in the revised package are minor, those changes would be identified and discussed at the September 19 th meeting .
Should the engineer determine the changes are major in the revised plans he is reviewing, that would require a new application and the resubmission of the overall plan.
That means that basically, Kalian would have to start from scratch once again in order to have the new plan considered by the planning board, including advertising the meeting and notifying residences within 200 feet of the property, making it difficult to meet the deadline for a Sept. 19 meeting.
The Congressional Medal of Honor was not only presented to heroes in wartime, It was also presented to military members who go above and beyond to aid others in times of service and peace. Such was the case with Boatswain’s Mate First Class George Robert Cholister whose Medal was presented for heroism during an interim conflict era from 1920 to 1940.
Boatswain’s Mate First Class George Cholister must have had a premonition about his death.
Shortly before leaving for duty aboard the USS Trenton, Cholister told his brother he felt the ship was a jinx for him and something was going to happen. The SS Trenton, an Omaha-class light cruiser, the second ship named for the state capital.
A month later, on Oct. 20, 1924, the Sailor was one of the Navy men severely injured or killed aboard the ship when there was a sudden explosion while the ship and crew of 400 were undergoing target practice off Norfolk News, Virginia He died the following day at the Naval hospital in Virginia.
The explosion occurred when the powder bags in the forward turret exploded and killed or injured every member of the gun crew.
Although not recognized in newspaper articles immediately following the explosion aboard the ship, nine years later, Cholister’ s family was presented with the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the accident.
Ensign Henry Drexler a Pennsylvania native, who was also killed in the explosion, was also presented with the Medal of Honor for his heroism in rescuing some of the injured. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
A native of Camden County, Cholister lived in Merchantville and was on his third enlistment in the Navy when he was assigned to the USS Trenton. He was 25 years old and one of six sons and one daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cholister.
His brother was killed while serving with the Navy in World War II.
When the Medal of Honor recipient was buried, a contingent of 16 sailors escorted her body to its final resting place at Colestown Cemetery, the same burial ground where his father was caretaker and where he had assisted his father when home on leave.
CITATION
For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of a fire on board the U.S.S. Trenton.
At 3:35 on the afternoon of 20 October 1924, while the Trenton was preparing to fire trial installation shots from the two 6-inch guns in the forward twin mount of that vessel, two charges of powder ignited.
Twenty men were trapped in the twin mount. Four died almost immediately and 10 later from burns and inhalation of flames and gases. The six others were severely injured.
Cholister, without thought of his own safety, on seeing that the charge of powder from the left gun was ignited, jumped for the right charge and endeavored to put it in the immersion tank. The left charge burst into flame and ignited the right charge before Cholister could accomplish his purpose.
He fell unconscious while making a supreme effort to save his shipmates and died the following day.
Other stories about Jersey’s own that were awarded the Medal of Honor HERE
All five members of the Highlands Borough Council made it loud and clear at last night’s meeting of the governing body: A NO vote in the special school election September 26th is the best thing for borough residents.
Councilman Donald Melnyk also indicated the way the election was called by the school boards of education and is being held leaves a concern that “the intent is less than above board.”
As Mayor Carolyn Broullon has said several times in the past, she would not be presumptuous enough to tell anyone how to vote, however, she is definite her vote on September 26th will be no simply because it is not a good thing for Highlands and Atlantic Highlands to regionalize without the inclusion of Sea Bright.
Each of the other four members of the governing body also put on record their concern for a yes vote on September 26th, saying it is unfair for Highlands voters, taxpayers, and students at the schools.
Melnyk said he has given the question a lot of consideration and questions once again why it is necessary to have a special election only six weeks before a regular election.
Traditionally, fewer voters turn out for special elections, and the hours for this school election are from noon to 8 p.m., depriving early morning voters from getting to the polls. There have to be reasons for this, Melnyk said, it’s difficult, but it appears the intent is less than above board.
Council president Joann Olszewski, a retired teacher and school department head in Teaneck, a council member known for researching every issue before casting a vote, said it would be “dangerous” to vote yes for regionalization without Sea Bright and challenged the method of financing the new district as outlined in the question being decided September 26.
Olszewski pointed out the school boards approved a resolution and the question on the ballot that splits financing of education between Highlands and Atlantic Highlands strictly by assessed valuation and does not include student enrollment.
Olszewski pointed out. “This year, Atlantic Highlands paid “more than one million dollars for the Elementary School than Highlands did for our Elementary School. Why?” She asked. “Because they have 135 more students than Highlands does,.” She pointed out, as she answered her own question.
Such a formula at this time, considering only equalized valuation and not student enrollment, forces Highlands taxpayers to underwrite the cost of their neighboring town’s student enrollment. Urging the members of the school boards, while thanking them for serving in elected positions sometimes difficult to fill, Olszewski said they should include before Sea Bright in making any changes in regionalization.
Experts retained both by the school boards and the boroughs have all said the inclusion of Sea Bright would immediately bring in millions of dollars, while at the same time splitting the cost of education among three rather than two towns. Including the small number of Sea Bright students in a Henry Hudson Regional school district would not incur any costs for additional faculty or more classrooms.
Both councilmembers Karen Chelak and Leo Cervantes agreed with the statements made by the mayor, council president, Melnick with Cervantes adding a Yes vote September 26th “makes no sense and he agrees with a NO vote “one thousand per cent.”
“I have never told anybody how to vote, nor will I.” said Mayor Carolyn Broullon when asked about the special election on September 26 called by the boards of education.
“But I will tell them how I vote!” she added. “And in that special election, I am definitely voting no. It simply doesn’t make sense for either Highlands or Atlantic Highlands to approve regionalization without Sea Bright.”
Absentee voters have already received their ballots for the September 26 election, which will decide whether, quite simply, the boards of education of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands should be discontinued, and in their stead the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education would then be the sole board of education for the K-12 schools in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands.
A Yes vote then eliminates Sea Bright from the regionalization at this time, and Highlands and Atlantic Highlands taxpayers would be voting to forfeit the several million dollars their inclusion would bring to offset taxes in both towns.
Atlantic Highlands resident Mark Fisher has been following the regionalization issue since it first began several years ago. In a recent explanation on his e-mail page, which he invites everyone to join, Fisher recently listed the results of either a Yes or a No vote as follows:
IF YOU VOTE “YES”
Voting YES is endorsing a regionalization plan that has NOT been the 3-town plan discussed for the last four years;
Voting YES would mean approving only 2-town school regionalization WITHOUT Sea Bright students being included;
Voting YES would go against expert advice by NOT bringing a portion of $2 million+ revenue from Sea Bright “as soon as possible” into Atlantic Highlands coffers for expanded educational programs and tax rate stabilization, as advised by experts on this subject;
Voting YES forms a PK-12 district that could accept students from other school districts in the future;
It is unknown whether Oceanport and Shore Regional Boards of Education would withdraw their lawsuit if regionalizing without Sea Bright is approved by Atlantic Highlands and Highlands voters.
IF YOU VOTE “NO”
Voting NO will send a message to the Monmouth County and New Jersey Commissioners of Education that Atlantic Highlands residents do not want to move forward with school regionalization unless Sea Bright, and their funding, is included;
Voting NO will send a message to the individual “Tri-District” Boards of Education to re-focus and bring Sea Bright’s students into the Tri-District “as soon as possible”;
Voting NOwill send a message to the Tri-District BoE’s to now move toward 3-town school regionalization with Atlantic Highlands to receive a good portion of the $2 million+ in additional funding from Sea Bright;
Voting NO keeps everything as it exists today: two-towns, three Boards of Education.
It is unknown if Oceanport and Shore Regional Boards of Education would withdraw their lawsuit if regionalizing without Sea Bright is voted-down by Atlantic Highlands and Highlands voters.
Fisher, whose personal motto is “Trust, but verify” agrees with Boullon’s habit of not telling anyone how to vote, but feels it is important for people to understand the ramifications of Yes or No votes. He invites anyone to join his group for information simply by e-mailing a request to ahnewsbymarkfisher@gmail.com
Broullon also urged voters to be sure they either vote absentee or go to the polls on September 26 between noon and 8 p.m. to cast their ballots. Failing to vote means not expressing an opinion and failing to take action which impacts taxpayers and parents in both towns.
It’s always hard to narrow down the things that make me happy on any given day, but between the celebrations of Barbara White’s and her brother-in-law Richie’s lives the other day with a family who truly loves them, to the Girls Café this morning, everybody just has to be happier.
It was truly old Highlands at the VFW Post home last Saturday as family members came from Florida and further to recall so many memories of the Whites and their days in Highlands. Memories from the adults who still talk about how happy their childhood was, from jumping off the bridge to sneaking out at night for some extra time on the beach.
Great memories, great people, and all with fond and happy memories of the Highlands that was so much fun in the 1960s, 70s and more.
Then, with Cathy and Vera winding down their careers slowly after making The Girls Café the IN place to be any day, it’s so nice the gals that are keeping up their traditions right along with them are as great as they are.
Whether you call her Gracie, or Gaile, or Hey, You, she’s a charmer….no matter what, you can’t take away that smile on her face as she is adding to her resume with her new talent as a waitress.
Of course, Kitty right alongside her and working just as hard has that quiet kind of charm that just lets you know how efficient and eager to please both of them are.
But there’s nobody like Charlie, who doesn’t say a heck of a lot, but she sure knows how to make those cheese omelets, those huge pancakes, and even the best grilled bagels anyplace. Cathy and Vera ARE The Girls Café, but there are other Girls who have picked up their charm and expertise and are filled with joy as well. It is certainly a place that makes you happy.
Also happy to see so many people are finally getting to know there really is a special election coming up that’s so important, the school boards think, it couldn’t wait another six weeks for the regular election which would be so much cheaper and in which so many more people would vote.
The Sept. 26 election …costly as it has been so far, is to decide whether Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Henry Hudson should be one district instead of the three districts they are now and which they’ve been for 50 years or so.
So what’s the big rush?
Is it so the superintendent is sure of keeping her job?
Is it to be sure Sea Bright, who really wants to join Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, can’t bring its million dollars or so to help offset taxes?
Is it so the superintendent only has to answer to nine people instead of 26?
Sea Bright, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands kids have played together, laughed together, had fun together for decades, why not just let them all learn together as well?
Spending so much money just to get things done in a hurry is nothing short of irresponsible and a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.
The only thing that makes me unhappy about the whole thing is why not one of those three boards is even asking if the superintendent might have a possible conflict leading the charge to get this election done in such a rush.
If Sea Bright becomes part of the district, that means Oceanport, where those kids go to school now, will lose all the money Sea Bright gives them, raising taxes in Oceanport.
Oh yeah, that’s where the superintendent lives and pays taxes, Oceanport… Not so Happy
The 56th year of the AAUW Northern Monmouth County Branch Used Book Sale will reopen Saturday, Sept. 9 at its location in Old First Church, 69 Kings Highway, Middletown.
The new hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Special features of the unique Book Store include antiquarian books as well as fiction and non-fiction new releases from the past two years, available in both hard cover and paperback. The Book Store has the reputation for searchers to find the research texts they need for school, work, or club projects, as well as up-to-date novels and books on every subject from meditation to sports.
The AAUW Sale also offers DVDs, CDs, books on tape as well as records from all vintages, games and puzzles.
A special section also features children’s preschool and board and books through Young Adult.
Book donations can be made on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 am and on Saturdays from 10 am to 1:30 pm. Guidelines for making tax deductible donations can be found on the group’s website aauw-nj-nmcb.org or by calling 732-275-2237. Currently , with an abundance of DVD’s in stock, the AAUW is not seeking donations in this category.
All net proceeds provide scholarships for women at Brookdale Community College and Monmouth University.
The Northern Monmouth County Branch of AAUW has been making a difference in the community for over 90 years and welcomes new members to join them in advancing equity for women and girls. Membership in AAUW is open to any graduate holding an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate, or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
It was farm animals and grandchildren for the residents … and canned goods for Middletown Helps Its Own.
There was lots of music, laughter and camaraderie at the Care One at Middletown residence as the Center hosted its annual day with the animals in front of the Route 36 facility.
There were games and face painting for visiting grandchildren, and pets and hugs with horses, donkeys, ducks and goats for the senior residents . The annual event is one of the most popular of all the activities offered at the Care Center.
This year, staff and residences also accepted canned goods for their local project which enables residents to feel a part of the community. They adopted Middletown Helps Its Own and serves as a drop off site. The non profit organization distributes the items in local families in need.
“Words are cheap in Washington,” Congressman Chris Smith told families of the 13 service members killed during the US evacuation from Afghanistan.
At a discussion at the House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting last week, families of those slain military shared their personal accounts of the pain they have endured in the two years since their family members were killed. They have been trying to find answers from the Biden Administration on how the withdrawal was so flawed.
“There needs to be a truly independent, comprehensive investigation into all of the very valid questions you have asked,” added Smith. “We need to have honesty here, and we need high-level, outside people who know how to ask hard-hitting questions—perhaps even a blue-ribbon commission—to investigate this.”
The Congressman called on President Biden, Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin and General Milley to meet with the Gold Star families in a similar roundtable discussion where they can convey the horror they have faced and the horror that their loved ones endured because of the exit which cost their lives.
“You have touched all of our hearts in the most profound way,” said Smith, who is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Words are inadequate to express our condolences.”
In addition to sharing heart-wrenching stories, the grieving parents also made clear their demands for answers—and accountability—from the Biden Administration for the tragic events that led to the loss of their sons and daughters.
“We want answers, we need answers, and we expect those answers,” said Darin Hoover, the father of Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover. “I want to know why this current Administration isn’t able to take responsibility for their actions in the days, the weeks, and the months leading up to this fateful day.”
“We need answers,” Smith said. “We need it now, so the Biden charade and spin ends. It has to be the truth, and nothing but the truth.”
“Since the construction has begun on that private property located off of Avenue D there have been a few residents who have expressed environmental concerns ranging from dust, noxious odors, contamination, to reports of oil sheen on the water,” wrote Atlantic Highlands Borough administrator in response to an Asbury Park Press article on the situation on the Denholtz property on Avenue D.
The Press article, written by award winning reporter Jerry Carino, cited quotes from local residents who have complained about the situation at the Brant Point development site along the Sandy Hook bay front where Developer Steven Denholtz is building 16 multimillion-dollar homes
The lot was once home to large tanks built by Standard Oil. Denholtz has maintained he is complying with the state and cleaning up questionable soil as it is found.
After the article was published indicating there had been no response to questions from Carino to the borough’s administrator or Mayor Loretta Gluckstein, Ferragina wrote a lengthy response that traced the history of the situation.
“The NJDEP has informed us that several complaints were filed with it, each of which has been investigated,” Ferragina wrote. “The NJDEP has visited the (Denholtz) site several times and has not taken any action to revise the plan or halt construction.”
“No Hazmat activity is taking place on the site. Likewise, the Monmouth County Health Department (MCDOH), is dispatched each time an official complaint is made and has been on site at least eight times.”
Neither NJDEP nor the MCDOH have identified any need for action from their respective departments, and the construction site has been kept active.
The Borough Code Enforcement Officer has been on site multiple times per day and has not identified any municipal code violations. The Borough Fire Marshall and Water/Sewer Licensed Superintendent have also been on site on several occasions with no concerns or violations to-date.
Ferragina’s letter continued: “Preliminarily, the Borough, its engineer and other professionals have been in regular contact with NJDEP and the County Board of Health (MCDOH) regarding the Denholtz construction site. The public was advised of the Borough’s interaction with the contractor and the State and County regulators at the last council meeting. The site is the subject of a remediation plan and has been issued a ground water remedial action permit. Under that plan, a Licensed site remediation professional (LSRP) is on site. “
It continued that “”The Borough OEM Coordinator has been advised of the complaints to the NJDEP and also does not have any concerns at this time.
My office has had conversations with the Atlantic Highlands Police Chief and the DPW Director regarding road closures and any needs or concerns their respective departments may have relative to their respective roles.
At the Borough code enforcement officer’s request, the contractor has a water truck on site to minimize dusting. The Borough Department of Public Works is assisting with refilling the water truck. The Borough has also confirmed that all appropriate permits regarding the construction site have been filed, to date.
My office has advised the Borough attorney and engineer of the complaints filed with the NJDEP and as a result the borough attorney has sent a formal communication to the NJDEP regarding the concerns raised by some residents.
The Borough Engineer and I recently met with the site LSRP and Denholtz representatives. We advised that the Avenue D entrance should continue to be the primary entrance for the construction site. The LSRP from the Borough’s engineering firm has been in communication with the site LSRP. The Borough has also had direct contact and conversations with the NJDEP Environmental Specialist who has confirmed the site is in compliance, the MCDOH – Assistant Environmental Health Coordinator who has been at the site approximately eight times, to date, regarding various complaints, and the MCDOH – Public Health Coordinator.
“Residents who have environmental concerns may contact the DEP directly. Those residents who have contacted the Borough have been provided the contact information for the NJDEP and those concerns have been shared with the property Site Manager, the Borough Code Enforcement Officer and the Borough Engineer.”
“At the last council meeting both the Borough Engineer and the Borough Administrator provided thorough updates for the public and welcomed questions. They will update the public with any new developments at the September meeting.”
The Press article included quotes from several local residents, including Mark Fisher, a frequent questioner at borough council meetings on numerous subjects he has researched. Fisher is also known for following up on responses from Council to ensure they do what they tell the public at previous meetings they will do they did.
One of the photos with the Press article Fisher took when he took dug into the blackened sand from the high-tide zone near the site. He dug holes up to a foot deep in the sand near the construction and displayed it in jars he has labeled with time, date and location.
“The stench was so bad,” Fisher told the Press,” I would call it a chemical, hydrocarbon smell. I worked in the oil industry for 40 years (in operations), so this stuff is not unfamiliar to me.”
Fisher said the lot was developed by Standard Oil (later Exxon) in 1929 and used for decades with oil tanks dotting the tract, before it passed on to McConnell Realty Co. ““When I swam in Sandy Hook Bay as a kid, when you looked down the coastline you were looking at three or four very large tanks at the McConnell property. You didn’t think twice about it then, but as an adult you think, ‘Man, that was really close to the water, all those chemical and oil products.’ In hindsight that’s probably 80, 90 years’ worth of sins that went into the ground there,.” Said Fisher, who grew up in the area.
This is not the first time Fisher has brought the matter (Denholtz property) to the attention of the borough. In 2019, when the matter was before the planning board, he warned officials that the tract’s environmental challenges were immense, displaying photos of brown plumes in the bay just beyond the construction site, plumes, he said, caused by silt runoff from the site. The Planning Board approved the multi-million dollar planned residential housing.
Another local resident, Vinnie Whitehead, a retired teacher and coach at Henry Hudson School and a candidate for borough council in November, was drawn to the waterfront next to the construction site to investigate. “We started smelling the oil fumes,” he said in the Press article.. “We came down here and did some digging and found some oil sheen. So we’re just concerned.”
According to the Press, Steven Denholtz told reporter Carino by phone Wednesday that before he purchased the seven acre tract from McConnell in 1918, the state DEP had “signed off saying there was nothing wrong with the soil. Of course, if it shows up later, you’ve got to clean it up. The last thing we want to do is have people exposed to anything dangerous. You can’t survive running a business without being responsible.”
Thursday afternoon, the NJDEP issued a field Notice of Violation (NOV) to Brant Point Development for violation of N.J.A.C 7:14A-24(a)1, failure of the permittee to process and/or operate in compliance with a certified soil erosion and sediment control plan. The directive gives Brant Point Development 30 days in which to comply with the Soil Erosion Sediment Control Plan approved by the Freehold Soil Conservation District or submit a revised plan to the district.
Denholtz has said the Brant Point site is fully compliant with all New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) remediation regulations and has letters from the NJDEP certifying remediation work has been completed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. He told the Press “We continue to work closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Monmouth County, the Borough of Atlantic Highlands, the Freehold Soil Conservation District and the United States Coast Guard to ensure adherence to all applicable national, state and local soil, groundwater and air standards. The site is continually monitored by a state-approved third-party Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) who will immediately address any additional remediation issues that may arise.”
Fisher remains unimpressed and concerned about the future of the borough. “My opinion is elected officials should be the loudest voices on what’s going on with this project (Denholtz) on behalf of the 4,300 residents of the town. “This is a bayside community; that bay is what draws people to this town. And yet when I stuck a jar full of tainted sand under the nose of a borough official, he told me, ‘Our hands are tied; it’s under DEP control.’”
“They made us cherish what Highlands was all about,” said Tommy White, one of the three children of the late Barbara White whose life was celebrated and honored along with her brother-in-law, Richie White at a cremains release ceremony and family and friends get together Friday.
Barbara, the widow of the late former Mayor James T. White, died Feb.. 10, two weeks after her brother-in-law, Richie, who had died Jan. 26.
The family agreed their memorials should be celebrated together when the family could get together in their beloved Highlands.
In a formal and grieving ceremony in the late morning, family members who had come from Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington joined close friends and gathered on the dock off Shrewsbury Avenue near where the Whites lived, to say some final prayers and join together in placing the cremains of Barbara and Richie in the Shrewsbury River, where the tide brought them back close to Highlands. They prayed, they said farewells, they took photos, and they smiled, knowing they were doing just what their mother and uncle wanted.
Later in the day, the White family hosted a festive afternoon and dinner at the VFW Post home to give the dozens who gathered there the opportunity to share some of their fondest memories of two people who had both given so much to the Highlands they loved.
The memories were of a Highlands where the kids jumped off the bridge, Andy’s Shore Bar was a favorite stopping place for a cup of coffee for Richie, and where Barbara White volunteered so much for the Democrat party they finally gave her a paying job!
Richie’s sister, Jacki, recalled how her brother was part of Beacon at Fort Monmouth, and where “he knew everyone and everyone loved him.” So much so, she explained,, there was a special bus trip after his death to Monmouth Park to relive some of the memories he had created.
Barbara’s sons-in-law told stories about how they loved their mother-in-law “because she always smiled,” but added they agreed “she always had the last word.” Tom’s wife Wendy said how it was comforting to always know “you never had to question how much you were loved.”
Maggie, one of Barbara’s grandchildren, spoke of the closeness she felt to her MomMom and how much they both loved each other.
Each of Barbara’s three children, Cathy Murphy, Tom and Billy, who still works at the James T. White Clam plant in Highlands named for his father who was primarily responsible for its existence, gave details of special mostly joyful moments of their lives centering on their mother; all spoke on the goodness of Uncle Richie, better known by his middle name than his official Michael Richard White.
“She always made sure we knew who we were,” Cathy said with memories and smiles. “She taught us that everybody counted, that feelings don’t count, it’s people who count.” Cathy said she is grateful for everything she learned from her mom and what she has been able to pass on to her own children. They all laughed, however, that it was always Barabara who got in the last word,, always Barbara who got what she wanted, simply because she always knew what was the right thing to do.
In addition to all those sharing memories in the VFW room, Barbara’s twin brother William T. Jones, better known as Bill, was able to join them from his home via ZOOM and wanted to talk about “the fine lady who was my sister.” His memories were of sadness at her death sprinkled with laughter and happy memories of their lives together and his personal knowledge of her as the devoted sister, wife, mother and grandmother she was. Yes, she was a fine lady, he said, “but there was another side to her that was sharp, sarcastic and “always with off the wall humor.”
In a moment of laughter that shook the room as the crowd listened to Barbara’s brother, who was 20 minutes older than his sister at birth, explained “she always had to have the last word.” Then pausing, chuckling a bit, and reminding the crowd he was speaking at his sister’s memorial service, the brother with the same kind of sense of humor as his sister said, referring to her always having the last word, “Well, Barbara, Guess what?”
The family remembering their mother and uncle included Barbara and Carlos, and Barbara’s children and their spouses all in Florida, Shaylagh and Wayne, Maggie and Kate and Brent with Kate and Brent’s first child expected in January; Tom and Wendy and their sons Hudson and Lincoln who live in Freehold, and Maggie also from Florida; Bill’s children Bill from New York, Andy from Washington, and Susie and Stephen from Pennsylvania with their children Ben and Lauren, as well as Richie’s sister, Jackie White, whom the family refers to as “the matriarch of the family.”
Both at the cremains ceremony on the Shrewsbury River, and at the reception at the VFW afterwards, a poem was read by Cathy and Bill via ZOOM. Bill explained he had found the poem, named “Barb” and written by an unknown author. But all agreed it was an apt description of the Barbara White they all knew and loved:
