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Emilio’s the Girl’s #1

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Emilio's
Emilio’s

There are lots of things about Atlantic Highlands that make me happy, but simply walking into Emilio’s Restaurant should be enough to make everybody happy.

Next time you stop in for breakfast or lunch and  now dinner…. never on Sunday, since that’s the day both Emilio and his wife spend in church and with their family…. notice the faces of the staff.

They all actually look happy to be working there. What’s more, they all look like they enjoy working with each other.

It’s teamwork that you see alive and well at Emilio’s. It isn’t that one person does his job, then sits down, not at all. Each seems eager to get up and help another staffer who might have a heavy load of dishes, or have a sink full of dishes to clean, or simply could use a helping hand. It starts right at the top, where the entire family pitches in to help every one of the employees.

At Emilio’s, teamwork seems to be the key, since in addition to seeing the smiles and friendly faces of all the hard-working staff, you hear the comments of the customers about how stupendous a sandwich was, or how unique the omelet was. Whether they are in front, outside, or at one of the tables in the dining room, it’s easy to see everyone is happy, if not before they enter Emilio’s but definitely by the time they leave.

And that doesn’t even touch on the cleanliness of this Center Avenue eating place. Not only are the glass sparkling clean, but happened to watch as one of the waitresses carefully scrubbed down the shelf before putting the newly washed glasses in their place! That’s impressive.

Emilio’s restaurant is now open for dinner as well, having gone through all the paperwork and approvals necessary from the Planning Board. They haven’t had a formal opening yet…look for that sometime in the future, but in the meantime, you can always call for reservations for dinner or take your chances at the last minute.

Emilio’s menu always includes steak, chicken and even a vegetarian dish that sounds great, as well as fish, generally pork, and of course a children’s menu.

And the crowd that frequents Emilio’s for breakfast and lunch is very much like the crowds that make The Girl’s Café in Highlands the starting point of a happy day. With Vera, Charley and Cathy on the job, you know it’s always spectacular there, be it breakfast or lunch on any day but Mondays and Tuesdays!  You can catch up on all the latest town news here as well and meet the finest people!   Haven’t chatted with the newest staff that’s been added, but just know they’ll be as friendly and warm-hearted as the Hartsgroves et al.  It’s kind of catching!.

We in the Bayshore are fortunate to have so many great restaurants around. Both for more luxurious and elegant dinners and cocktails but also for those quick meals that mean so much. Haven’t been to the Atlantic Bagel on First Avenue yest, but love they advertise in the St. Agnes bulletin they advertise in the St. Agnes bulletin that church goers…and others, I’m sure, are invited in for a free cup of coffee after Mass on Sundays.  Nice supporting local churches and businesses.

Francis Hopkinson – New Jersey History

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Francis Hopkinson
New Jersyan, Founding Father
Francis Hopkinson

At  38 years of age, Francis Hopkinson was the youngest of the five New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence.

And while credit today goes to Betsy Ross, it does appear he may well have been the designer of the first flag of the new country.

Four years after signing the Declaration of Independence Hopkinson, a lawyer, musician, chemist, mathematician and artist was employed by the Treasurer Department as Treasurer of Loans.

As such, and using his artistic talent, he was on the committee tasked with designing the Great Seal of the United State, creating the stars and stripes shield, a six-pointed star above the eagle’s head and the olive branch.  He gave pencil sketches of the seal for the Treasury and Board of Admiralty, the body who governed the US Navy. He also drew sketches of currency, and a naval flag.

None of the sketches of the flag he designed for the new nation exists today. What exists is a bill he sent to Congress asking to be paid for his work. For his pay, he requested “a quarter cask of the Public Wine”. Congress rejected his bill, saying it was part of his job as a Treasury employee and he was not entitled to anything further.

That gives credence, considering minutes of the Continental Congress to the fact that if it were not the flag eventually adopted, he certainly did submit a design to be considered.   His designs have six pointed stars in a circle, signifying no one state was greater than any other, in contrast to a staggered star arrangement many thought looked too much like Great Britain’s straight lines and crosses.

After leaving the Treasury, Hopkinson also served as a federal judge but died of an epileptic seizure when he was 53 years old.

Yet in death, he was once again the subject of some scrutiny.

Buried in Christs Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, his gravestone was damaged through age in the next 100 years or so, and by the 20th century, there was doubt he was even buried there.

So in the 1930s, his remains were exhumed and inspected by an anatomist at the University of Pennsylvania. When it was determined, or at least suggested, these were truly Frances Hopkinson’s remains, his remains were reburied in a more fitting and lasting memorial. The bronze plaque above his grave, still at the Christ Church Burial Ground proclaims Frances Hopkinson as “the Designer of the American flag.”

 

The Jersey Five (5)

By
Muriel J. Smith
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The Jersey Five
The Five

It was an eclectic group of five who put their signatures on the line in 1776 for New Jersey. There was a judge, a farmer, a clergyman, a lawyer, and a justice of the peace.

The five New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence are Richard Stockton, the first in the state to sign the Declaration, Abraham Clark,  Francis Hopkinson,  Jonathon Witherspoon, and John Hart.

The Five …

The Five who “We Mutually Pledge To Each Other Our Lives, Our Fortunes, And Our Sacred Honor.”

The Five … Gutsy words in uncertain times …

Clark was a farmer, surveyor and politician who spent most of his life in public service.  After signing the Declaration, he served two terms in the United States Congress until his death in 1794 and opposed the US Constitution until it included the Bill of Rights.

John Hart, also a farmer, was also a justice of the peace and a New Jersey Assemblyman while it was still a colony. He had his property destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War, and his wife died three months after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. He was twice elected to Congress before he died at age 66 in 1779.

Francis Hopkinson was a judge and lawyer by profession but also was a musician, poet and artist, becoming after the revolution   one of the most respected writers in the country. He was an appointed Judge to the U.S. Court for the District of Pennsylvania in 1790.

Richard Stockton was trained to be a lawyer and graduated from the College of New Jersey, later known as Princeton. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1776 and in November,  months after the signing, he was captured by the British and was released in 1777 in very poor physical condition. His home at Morven was destroyed by the British during the war and he died in 1781 at the age of 50.

John Witherspoon  was the only active clergyman among all 56 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was elected to the Continental Congress from 1776-1782, elected to the state legislature in New Jersey from 1783-1789. He was also the president of the College of New Jersey from 1768-1792.

National Independence Observation Month

By
Muriel J. Smith
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National Independence Observation Month
National Independence Observation Month

While it is commendable that the Mayor and Council, without comment, read a proclamation at the last meeting to recognize the month of July as National Independence Observation Month, it is sad it was only done at the last minute, and only because a resident asked for  recognition of July as the birth month of the Declaration of Independence.

It was so hastily put together that the borough clerk could not even get the revised agenda up on the borough page the day of the meeting.

It should not have been necessary for anyone to ask that the nation’s birthday be celebrated for an entire month. In the past year, there have been resolutions setting aside a week for Emergency Medical Services, another for Period Poverty Awareness, one for National Police Week, another for National Nurses Week, and a day to observe Day Sixth of June and another to commemorate Juneteenth.

All worth of some mention, it’s true. Isn’t the birthday of America worth at least that much in the borough of Atlantic Highlands?

Then consider the months the borough has set aside to recognize so far this year. There was National Arab American Heritage Month, National Volunteer Month, National Irish American Month, and National GBTQ Pride month when a Pride flag was even approved to fly the entire month both on the borough hall lawn and on all the map posts alongside the American flag.

Yet no one on Council asked for or offered a month recognition to say Happy Birthday, America.

Even recognizing the nation’s birthday, the resolution read at the meeting began by celebrating the first Constitution of the state of New Jersey rather than concentrate on the 13 colonies working together to form a new nation.

New Jersey’s legislature, not the fife New Jerseyans who signed the Declaration, whipped up a constitution in five days, in July, one that lasted in the state for 68 years without change. But it had a caveat in it as well, something the resolution adopted in Atlantic Highlands did not mention.

The state Constitution, it said, would only be in effect so long as the colonies were separate from England, but if at some time in the future, the colonies came back under the King of England, well  then, this Constitution would be null and void.

Kind of spells out the importance of that Declaration of Independence, doesn’t it?

Here is the Resolution as presented by Mayor Gluckstein at the meeting:

 

                                PROCLAMATION

 

                               MAYOR & COUNCIL

                 BOROUGH of ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS

 

 

WHEREAS, on July 2, 1776, New Jersey became the fourth American colony to adopt a constitution declaring independence from Great Britain. It was composed in five days and although the delegates considered it a temporary charter, it remained New Jersey’s State Constitution for sixty-eight years; and

 

WHEREAS, after unanimous approval by the thirteen colonies, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed by John Hancock, then-president of the Continental Congress; and

 

WHEREAS, the freedoms that were won at the birth of our nation are defended every day
by the dedicated service of members of the United States Armed Forces, past and present; and,

 

WHEREAS, 2023 marks the 247th anniversary of our nation’s Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Loretta Gluckstein, Mayor of the Borough of Atlantic Highlands do hereby proclaim the month of July as NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE OBSERVATION MONTH in recognition and commemoration of the many citizens and service members who have sacrificed their lives, fortune, and sacred honor in pursuit or protection of our freedom and liberties.

                            

Given under my hand and seal of office this 22st day of June, 2023.

 

 

____________________________________

Loretta Gluckstein, Mayor

AH Controversial Flag Flap

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Flag Flap
Atlantic Highlands and the American Flag

This isn’t the first time Borough Council members have quibbled over the American flag and what it stands for.

Two council members gained the support of the majority of council when they opted to disregard the Governor’s directive to keep the American flag at half staff for three months during the Covid pandemic. Instead, they argued, at the very least, it should be raised to full staff for the nation’s birthday.

Former Borough attorney Jason Sena opposed the idea. So did Councilmembers Lori Hohenleitner and Jon Crowley. In fact, the Democratic party then issued a public statement chastising the Republican council members for their stance in believing the American flag had never been lowered for such a length of time and the Governor was disrespectful in doing it.

The Republicans won by a 4-2 vote and the American flag was at full staff for July 4.

The Governor, by the way, rescinded his own order prior to July 4. Councilmen Brian Boms and James Murphy issued a statement indicating their pleasure that the Governor followed the lead of Atlantic Highlands.

This was in 2020.

Boms, and Murphy who is still on council, were both on council with other Republicans Steve Boracchia and Roy Dellosso. It was Boms who brought up argument that the flag should be raised at least for July 4; Murphy quickly seconded the motion and urged its adoption.

Borrichia and Dellosso quickly followed suit.

But the Democratic Club backed its two council members and issued a statement to local newspapers.

Calling it a political move to want to raise the American flag for July 4, the statement went on to say the Republican controlled council “voted to illegally defy Governor Murphy’s Executive Order.”

They complained the action was proposed by the two councilmen without submitting it in writing or sharing it with the rest of the governing body in advance.

The release termed Boracchia’ s comment that in July, 2020, the Covid pandemic was over, as shortsighted. The release said the councilmen’s  action lacked transparency, and deprived residents the opportunity to make council opinions heard prior to a vote.

Responsible governing requires the input of the public when making decisions that could bring about litigation against our town, the press release continued, referring to Sena’s statement the Governor could very well take action against the borough for disobeying his executive order.

They termed the action of the GOP councilman “a blatant disregard for public opinion…” and added the Republicans “don’t’ seem to care what the town’s constituents think or let them have their say.”

In the end, the press release said, it isn’t really about the flag or patriotism, but rather “these councilmen are simply thumbing their noses at Governor Murphy and misrepresenting the flag as a prop in order to gain notice from their base.”

In contrast, both Crowley and Hohenleitner, the release went on, “were clear in their willingness to compromise over the July 4th holiday weekend.” (Both opposed the resolution as brought by the GOP majority.
“What are we teaching our children?” they asked. “Do rules not apply if we don’t like them? Where does it end?”

In the end, the press release concluded that “Crowley and Hohenleitner continue to work across the aisle, as they have each done since being elected. While the GOP insists on playing politics, we are sure that Crowley and Hohenleitner will continue to do their best to ensure that open discussion and public input is always a part of a transparent — and representative — government.”

Special Planning Board Meeting

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Variances
Special Planning Board Meeting

Councilman Brian Dougherty announced at last week’s meeting of the Mayor and Council that the Planning Board will hold a special meeting Tuesday, July 18, to hear the application for a second high rise apartment complex on First Ave. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dougherty is the council representative on the Planning Board.

Contrary to what the planning board had indicated earlier, the meeting will be held in Borough Hall in spite of their belief the meeting room might not be able to accommodate the number of residents expected to turn out. At its meeting, the planning board indicated it was seeking larger accommodations because of the anticipate turnout to hear the application.

The application, submitted by the Kalian Company who also owns the adjacent property, if approved would permit a second building adjacent to the current complex under construction at 158 First Avenue. Kalian has also built the apartment complex on Avenue D near the Public Works Department yard.

The property for the planned new construction  is currently the location of Mike’s Convenience Store and Scenic Liquors, both of which would not have leases renewed. The building would be demolished and the property cleared to make room for the new mixed-use proposal.

The building plans do not come unexpectedly to borough officials or residents. When construction began on the mixed use four story building currently under construction at 158 First Avenue, there was talk that a second building adjacent to it was a possibility, an idea that explained the fact the building has no windows on the exterior wall facing Route 36 adjacent to 160 First Avenue.

Now both properties belong to Kalian Properties and the application for construction of a more than 40-foot-high building at 160 First Avenue is on the planning board agenda.

Dougherty said at last week’s council meeting the planning board was unable to secure an alternate location for the application presentation. However, the borough is making plans for ZOOM and other accommodations to enable the public to attend and have input.

Unlike the building now under construction where the first floor is dedicated to commercial use, the first floor of the planned construction would provide some tenant parking as well as other parking behind the building. Plans also call for this building to be higher than the 158 First Avenue building but would be built with similar materials to blend in with the first building. Both buildings are across the street from the Elementary School on First Avenue north of Borough Hall.

MAST Class of 2023 … A Bittersweet Address

By
Muriel J. Smith
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MAST Class of 2023
MAST Class of 2023

Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry addressed the MAST Class of 2023 at their graduation ceremonies on Pershing Field on Fort Hancock Thursday at noon, for the last time as a County Commissioner. The long time Commissioner and former Chairman is not seeking reelection when her term expires in December.

Burry has been the principal speaker at every MAST graduation in recent years. A strong supporter of the Monmouth County Vocational School District’s program on historic Fort Hancock, Burry was an indefatigable advocate for expanding the NJROTC program facilities at the school. Most recently, one building was completely rehabilitated and stores more than $1 million on Navy equipment and uniforms of students for their NJROTC program. A former barracks has been under construction for several years for conversion to an inside drill area, classrooms and office for the NJROTC program. Every student at MAST is a member of the NJROTC program.

Commissioner Burry ‘s address to the MAST Class of 2023:

There are a number of important individuals who make MAST what it is: Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman, (USN ret.) Senior Naval Science Instructor, Principal Earl Moore, Superintendent Dr. Charles Ford, Asst. Superintendent Sean Meehan, Dr. Les Richens, Dr.. Brian McAndrew, Dennis Ingoglia, Anthony Schaible, John Bonanni and our county administrator Terri O’Connor.

Then, accenting the primary subject of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology curriculum and the future studies in the marine sciences MAST has provided for students, the Commissioner continued:

As I stand here with you today, I think it is particularly appropriate to remember that most of the world’s surface is covered with water. While others may look to the moon or dream of life on Mars, we should all remember that it is our oceans that remain the great undiscovered country of planet Earth.

Just recently, in a small patch of ocean, researchers identified 5,000 new species of marine life. It is the ocean that ultimately absorbs 90 per cent of the carbon dioxide that is heating our atmosphere and it is changes in ocean currents and temperature that influence our climate, our fisheries and the lives of so many important marine species.

The education you have received here has prepared you to not only pursue and participate in the future of the oceans, but to become leaders and discoverers of new opportunities and solvers of problems that are both with us today and may emerge in the future.

Endless possibilities are laid out before you whether you choose careers in the military. the Navy, or Coast Guard…or in the marine sciences or emerging industries.  In a competitive world no students enter it better prepared than you are. The future is both before you and here today. Embrace it and cherish it. Care for, defend and protect it.

Go proudly with the pride and confidence we have in you knowing our futures in in your sure hands.

Class of 2023 officers signing the anchor! Thanks for all you’ve done to support your class!! @MAST_SandyHook

 

Want to see recent stories on MAST?  Click HERE

Baseball in Freehold … in Middletown

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Baseball
Baseball

Local historian Glenn Cashion will present a history of Baseball in Freehold on Tuesday, June 27 at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by the Middletown Township Historical Society, Cashion’s program is available both in person at the Middletown Library as well as online.

The library, which is the regular meeting place for the Middletown Historical Society is on New Monmouth Rd., Middletown.

Registration for the online presentation is available at MiddletownNJHistory.org.

Cashion, a member of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, shares some of the stories from his book, Baseball is in My DNA, including stories about Mr. Baseball of Freehold, David Dem Cashion, the author’s brother. Photographs, newspaper articles and players’ recollections will span 100 years of the baseball stronghold in New Jersey, Freehold, the county seat of Monmouth County.

A graduate of Brown University, and active with the university’s Alumni association Cashion, the author is also active with the Marine Corps League and other historical organizations in addition to the Commission. He is retired after a 40-year career in senior leadership positions in the United States and globally, with several different telecommunications companies.

The program is made possible in part by the Monmouth County Historical Commission without funding from the New Jersey historical Commission

Baseball

Enthusiastic Volunteers Needed!

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Sacraments
Volunteers

Volunteers are still needed to assist with the Summer Religious Education program for children at Our Lady of Perpetual Help – St. Agnes Parish.

The program begins June 26 and runs for the week, ending on June30. This year, the program is open to all students from first to seventh grades.

The fall program registration is also being taken at this time, with a request to sign up soon as classes are filling rapidly.

Forms for both programs, and for volunteers for both summer and fall, can e-mail reled@olphstagnes.org for further information, or contact Religious Education Coordinator Mary McKelvey at reled@olphstgnes.org.

Interested persons can also call the parish office during regular workdays from 9.a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed for one hour lunch at noon) at 732-291-0272, ext./ 116.

 

Did you read the previous story about OLPH – St. Agnes?  Click HERE

Atlantic Highlands NJ Alert

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Atlantic Highlands NJ Alert
Atlantic Highlands NJ Alert
Here is the Rave Alert from the Borough of Atlantic Highlands issued at 2 p.m.. today, June 23
Atlantic Highlands NJ Alert:  Avoid First Avenue from East Highland Avenue to Center Avenue.  Multiple power lines down.  Thank you.
   Within minutes of utility poles and wires coming down and a trailered boat in the midst of it on First Avenue late this afternoon,  the borough of Atlantic Highlands had issued its alerts by phone and e-mail warning people to stay off First Avenue because of multiple wires down and traffic  halted between Center and East Highland avenues.
     With police and volunteer first aid and fire department volunteers immediately on the job, it was the perfect opportunity to see how not only employees and residents of this borough work well together, but already Highlands Police Chief Rob Burton was also on the scene directing volunteers on areas to block off to prevent further accidents and traffic tie-ups or jams in other parts of the town as well.
     While police will work through all the elements and conduct an investigation, it was apparent to onlookers that a boat on a trailer heading to the municipal yacht harbor was obviously higher than the utility wires from Borough Hall to Center Avenue, causing more than one poll to fall before the boat itself was caught under one and a myriad of wires from the fallen poles. Power has been out, the weekly Farmer’s Market at Veterans Park was closing down, borough hall employees were out on the lawn and public works employees were pulled within minutes from their regular jobs to be blocking off streets for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic and keeping the quickly gathering crowd distant to prevent further incidents.
Fire department volunteers also quickly moved vehicles from the fire house to ensure they would be accessible wherever needed any place in town until the road could be cleared.
Today’s incident brought home quickly the message that was given by the EMT Task Force team at the borough council meeting the evening before that every volunteer is needed in any time of a borough emergency and more able residents are not only invited but urged to look into how they can take a greater involvement in volunteer service with one of the emergency units. One of the recommendations of the Task Force to meet growing personnel needs as well as equipment needs and costs is by promoting membership.
Residents seeing the calm, cohesive way today’s volunteers  started remedying the situation, working together, and  quickly taking action appreciated all of today’s aactions and cold see first hand why more volunteers are needed regardless of the type of emergency.
For more news from the Jersey Shore click HERE
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