When my daughter and her husband gave me a year of a professional coming once a month to do housekeeping in my apartment, I was beside myself with her great idea.
I have had BUBBLE Cleaning Services for three months I’m thanking her over and again again for such a thoughtful gift.
It’s not that she came by Bubble by accident. Perfectionist that she is, my daughter researched several cleaning services before deciding on Bubble. She interviewed friends who already used here services and asked her a few questions herself just to be sure.
Bubble is really Ida Lima, a charming, Polish born woman years younger than I. She scrubs, mops, vacuums, cleans, takes out garbage and so much more in the course of a couple of hours! And she does it all with a smile as if she actually enjoys it!
The truth of the matter is, Ida really does enjoy her work. She loves meeting people, loves cleaning, and works with perfection! A mother as well as a grandmother, when her own mom comes to visit, she even brings her along and having her mom assist her, knowing that it was her mom who taught her her own love for housekeeping and being orderly. Her grandchild is learning the talent as well and also accompanies her on some occasions.
For me, even climbing the 14 steps to my apartment loaded down with her own package of cleaning necessities in one arm, her super duper vacuum in the other was proof enough to me she could handle anything. And I was further surprised when vacuuming those 14 steps as she completed her chores was part of the cleaning routine.
Ida doesn’t even mind if you stay busy in one room while she’s cleaning and mopping or vacuuming all the rest. She doesn’t mind letting you know when you have to move so she can continue her dedicated cleaning. She even invites you to do an inspection to be sure you’re satisfied.
It depends on the number of rooms and the number of times you have Ida do her housekeeping, so the price range generally somewhere between $80 and over $100 a visit. She’s accommodating with arranging dates and times to come, and for a two bedroom large apartment, it takes her about two hours to work her magic.She loves dogs, and doesn’t even mind vacuuming deep under couches and beds to ensure she captures all their shedding fur.
Bubble Cleaning Services also does offices as well as homes, and can arrange weekly, bi-weekly or monthly services. She’ll supply references as well as give free estimates and is available by calling her at 732-704-8700.
She’s great at what she does! And my daughter is very thoughtful! “and smart!”
I like to walk early in the morning to go to church. But now that the weather is getting better and spring is here it’s even a better walk than ever.
Walking in Atlantic Highlands early mornings, while so many trees are beginning to bloom and blossom, it’s not only beautiful, but the birds are very loud and very happy. Even the sparrows have great voices, and while I can’t see them in the trees, they’re musical and happy. And it’s catching.
So many daffodils and hyacinth are coming up in gardens along the way, and the forsythia bushes are getting brilliant with orange. It’s an added surprise when flocks of geese fly over and absolutely amazing how they can stay in such perfect formation!
Love also meeting others out just after dawn, those walk with their well behaved dogs on leashes who now have gotten to recognize me as the walker who always has biscuits in my pocket for them.
So nice to see so many American flags hanging in front of houses and admiring well trimmed lawns and neat and cozy looking porches.
Walking mornings is a great time to relax, enjoy nature, and think about the good things in Atlantic Highlands, the friendly people and the care they give to keeping their homes so bright and cheerful. Heck, even in garbage days, they have their refuse boxed neatly, bagged securely or in sturdy garbage cans.
Does life get any better ? It’s all here, just take the time to admire and appreciate it.
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – New “Sharrow signs, 30 of them, will be installed before May along the route of Henry Hudson Trail as it winds through Atlantic Highlands between Route 36 and the Municipal Yacht Harbor side of the Monmouth County Parks Department trail.
Councilman Brian Dougherty displayed one of the signs and gave the background information on the cooperative efforts between the town and the county that will now make the trail as it goes through the borough safer and easier for cyclists and walkers who take advantage of one of Monmouth County’s most traversed parks areas.
The trail, for the most part, was created along the former right-of-way of the New Jersey Central passenger train that used to come from New York through all the Bayshore towns and cross the Highlands Sea Bright bridge before continuing further south. However, through the borough, not all the railroad land could be acquired, so the path continues along local streets with users making the decision on which street, if they know them, they can take from Avenue D to First avenue and eventually the marked trail adjacent to the harbor and continuing to Highlands and beyond.
Dougherty recognized the problem that existed with what he described as “one of the true gems in Atlantic Highlands” and decided to do something about it shortly after being elected to Council. Describing the fact the linkage between the trail’s main portion that runs parallel to Route 36 and the waterfront portion along the bay is not very clearly marked, he said at last week’s council meeting that he has frequently seen confused cyclists checking out Google Maps trying to figure out where to go.
“That’s about to change,” he told the residents.
The councilman explained that the Monmouth County Parks Department agreed to install 30 “sharrow” markings, signs on the streets which will vastly improve the way-finding and create more safety along the corridor. Because of the partnership, Dougherty also pointed out the project will be completed at no cost to the borough, and expressed his thanks to Parks manager Andy Spears for agreeing to their proposal.
Dougherty did not say at the meeting but it was he who approached borough administrator Roberto Ferragina and Public Works Director Jim Phillips last year to see what could be done to correct what he felt was an unsafe condition. Ferragina contacted Spears and the plan was designed, arranged, and is now being implemented.
Spring break, National Poetry Month and Earth Day are all being celebrated at Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) throughout April with a series of special programs for children and teens.
Cartooning lessons with Mike Dawson will be featured April 4 at 11 am: when the local cartoonist from The Fifth Quarter series returns for more cartooning lessons geared for children in grades 3 and higher. Registration is required to participate in this program.
Plant a Garden for Teens is the April 5 feature at 4 pm:when teens are invited to decorate a ceramic pot and plant a seed in time for Earth Day.
A Water Safety presentation for Grades K through 5 on April 5 begins at 4 p.m. when Bubbles, the official goldfish mascot and an instructor from Goldfish Swim School will lead a fun, interactive program to help children learn about water safety.
Minecraft Mining Building Basics & Advanced offers two programs on April 6, the 10 a.m. class for ages 5 to 8 and the 11 a..m. class for ages 9 to12. In these sessions, children will use LEGO bricks in a Snapology program to bring Minecraft to life. Registration in the appropriate age group session is required for this activity.
Nature on the Go: Forests will give visitors an opportunity to learn about the forests in the Monmouth County Parks System. That program will be offered April 19 at 4 p.m. when the Parks system nature van will visit the library.
A Still Life Drawing Class with One River Art Studio is offered for teens on April 19 at 7 pm when attendees can learn how to draw a still life from observation with pencils and charcoal. Registration is required.
Artist Café Spotlight on Writing & Poetry on April 22 at 2 pm will enable writers and poets to attend a panel discussion followed by networking and an opportunity to share works via open mic, a program that will attract both teens and adults.
Dollars & Sense: The Game of Life will be offered by United Teletech Financial on April 26 at 7 pm where high school students will be able to learn budgeting life lessons with twists and turns.
For more information on these programs or any of the activities offered at the library, visit mtpl.org or contact Jenna O’Donnell at jodonnell@mplmain.mtpl.org for additional information.
Holy Week – The Knights of Columbus Good Friday Promotion Program at St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands on April 7 is open to all and will be observed with remembrance and adoration beginning at 3P.M., the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Church announced.
The Knights of Columbus Rev. Joseph Donelly Council also encouraged all to attend the service and join with others in recognizing the day everyone was redeemed from sins through the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, an offering and sacrifice He made for the salvation of the world.
The most solemn day in the Christian year, Good Friday also symbolizes the reason for which Christ was born the King of Kings, namely to die 33 years later as God of the Universe and for the redemption of all mankind.
While Catholics observe the sacrifice of not eating meat and limiting their meal intake that day, they also recognize that it was on Good Friday that Christ gave his Mother Mary to be the Mother of all and His sacrifice initiated trusts in His Divine Mercy.
The Good Friday observance will include participation in the Passion of Christ as well as veneration of the holy Cross.
Palm Sunday, April 1, mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Saturday evening at 4:30 and Sunday morning at 9:30, and at St. Agnes at 5:15 Saturday evening, and 7:30, 10:45 and noon at St. Agnes.
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be at 7 p.m. at OLPH on Thursday, April 6 followed by adoration at the repository.
There are no morning masses at either church Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
The Blessing of the Food, an Easter tradition, will be at noon on Holy Saturday, April 6 at OLPH, and an Easter Vigil mass will be at 8 p..m. at St.. Agnes Church.
Easter Sunday mass is at 9:30 at OLPH and 7:30, 10:45 and noon at St. Agnes. All are invited for all the observations of Holy Week.
Care One at King James administrator Jimmie King invited Muriel Smith to walk the red carpet at the Middletown care center’s dining room this week in celebration of the nursing home once again receiving its satisfactory inspections from both the New Jersey Department of Health and the federal Medicare/Medicaid service.
King laid out the red carpet to show his appreciation to all 106 employees of the Route 36 facility. He also had dinners prepared for each of the employees, and made deliveries to those employees who could not be in the dining room for the celebrations.
The care center has consistently received its re-certification every year since the facility was first built by the former Atlantic Highlands Mayor James R. Snyder and his partner, Kingdon Westerlind when former Highlands Councilman Herman J. Black, was the first administrator. Black is one of the four Brothers Black who also owned Conners Hotel in Highlands, and brother Bill, who was chef at the famed restaurant, was also the chef at Care One. The dietary staff continues to be an award-winning facility at the complex..
King himself is the first registered nurse to ever hold the top position as administrator and early in his career was also employed at Care One, first as an aide until he achieved his nursing degree, later continuing his studies and own certification first as a nurse now the administrator of the 125 bed facility.
During the Gratitude Celebration King hosted for his staff were staff members who have been employed there for more than 500 years in total, ranging from approximately 45 years to the newest employee, who began work yesterday.
Smith was invited to participate since she is the patient advocate for the facility for the NJ Office of Aging.
This month’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council left me with so much to wonder about it’s difficult to include it in one story. My main wonder is What’s Happening???
What is happening to this town?
What is happening to our elected officials?
What is happening with the borough’s paid attorney who probably never set foot in the town nor knows its people until named attorney in January?
What is happening to common courtesy?
What is happening to concern for residents?
What has happened to disgust, righteous anger, and action to guarantee something better when faced with facts that the person in charge of educating the children in this town and Highlands blatantly lied to a state official?
What is happening with TRUTH?
All these were lacking, and have been lacking at council meetings. After disclosure of the Beams Letter, not one of the elected officials batted an eye, called for action, or for that matter in the case of some of them, even told the truth themselves.
Regionalization has been a topic of concern and decision for years. Years. The residents were led to believe it was coming close to the end. and they would finally be able to vote on the issue and make their opinions known, heard, and acted upon. But once again, they were thwarted.
Residents were happy to know that a mediation, or maybe two or three sessions between Highlands and Atlantic Highlands borough officials and experts would finally be held to settle the only question that needs to be settled, how to split the money the two towns would realize as the result of Sea Bright coming into the mix.
But … because of a serious family problem for this borough’s financial expert, even that mediation had to be put off, not for a day or a week, but until close to the end of the next month. No one on Council seemed disturbed about yet another delay on this all important issue. A delay that could mean the taxpayers will be denied, once again, their right to voice their opinion at the polls. Announcement of the new delay only came up as an almost insignificant one or two liner in a council member’s regular report.
That’s the only expert they want, the public was told. There was no answer to why there was no backup, or if the whole question would go down the tubes because of a personal issue of one paid expert.
A visiting Councilman from Sea Bright, obviously highly intelligent, deeply concerned, and packed with knowledge on the school regionalization question that has been the subject, but certainly not the object of a lot of action from this council, was told more than once by this borough’s sitting councilman that he was wrong, incorrect AND telling untruths.
How humiliating and embarrassing for borough residents when their own councilman then had to sit wordlessly and without any defense when the visiting councilman not only showed facts by date and law citation in order to prove himself correct on every statement he had made.
How embarrassing for residents when there was no apology or acknowledgement of error and rudeness from their own councilman in the face of being proven wrong or insulting a neighboring elected official.
In retrospect, perhaps that is just the way of the council as a whole. Only minutes before the visitor was told he was telling untruths, the administrator, amid the silence of every council member, told another resident he did not know if they knew anything about a letter the school superintendent had written to the state Commissioner of Education. The mayor wasn’t even concerned enough to look at the letter right then. “Later” she said.
Think about that for a second. A resident wants to show a signed letter from a person who blatantly apparently lied to a state official by saying she was speaking for this Council among others. Yet not one of this borough’s elected officials thought this was serious enough to even ask more about it.
Later in the meeting perhaps it was made more clear why no one wanted to see the letter. Perhaps it was because in spite of their earlier silence and lack of concern when asked if they knew about it, not one, but three members of council sheepishly admitted in some form … that indeed they did see the letter.
Of course that admission had to come only after a resident who does more research on municipal matters than any elected official reminded them publicly he indeed had sent everyone of them the letter in the afternoon. The visiting councilman also told them their highly paid attorney for regionalization had received the letter from the state. If they had not seen him, if that were true, shouldn’t then have wondered why their attorney didn’t think it was important enough to tell them?
But matters got worse throughout the meeting. During one incident, when there was a medical emergency that briefly halted borough business, the audio on ZOOM was immediately shut down. The approximate two dozen persons listening to the meeting could see the governing body chatting among themselves, but had no idea what happened to the person with the emergency. No idea. Quick action to turn off audio, but don’t dare let those on ZOOM people know as much as those in the audience.
Yet minutes after that, a former councilman spoke to the council about his own concerns, again with how regionalization was being handled. As he finished speaking and walked back to his seat, the audience, both in person and on ZOOM, could hear a man yelling out “Bull S**t” One council member, apparently paying more attention to the back of the room then the person then addressing Council, yelled out “Scott! Scott!” in an apparent call to have the Chief of Police come into the room. The Chief of course did respond, came into the room, could see nothing untoward was happening and saw no need to take any action. He told everyone to stop, and walked back into the adjacent room to continue to listen to the meeting.
Again, the lack of respect for the people they represent was evident once again. The public had just learned their actions in the past finally prompted the attorney to meet with council and decide that yes indeed, residents and anybody else could ask questions at a meeting. But council members themselves don’t bother to respond to e-mails sent to them more than a month before. A fairly new resident of the borough, eloquent, calm, well-spoken and obviously very fond of his new hometown, explained he had to come to the meeting since he never got any acknowledgement they received his letter. One councilman finally admitted yes he got the letter, but he didn’t see any question in it, so he didn’t respond. But there was a question in it, the new resident said. And it did get answered during the meeting.
Why do residents have to fight, have to repeat their requests, have to appear in person before they get any recognition from the people the elect to run their town?
Even when it came to comparatively smaller ways to make the town look more beautiful, gain more acclaim for being so wonderful and so much more, council members don’t seem to give a darn. When the one councilwoman who did go to the trouble of creating a wildlife sanctuary at her home expressed her pride and enthusiasm and said she was getting her neighbors to do the same, there was not a council member among them who even said it was a great idea and they were going to do the same.
And that would be an action that isn’t even controversial.
The Atlantic Highlands Police Explorers joined Department police officers Thursday March 25 when Monmouth County offered the first of 16 free paper shredding days in cooperation with the borough, using the Atlantic Highlands Parking lot.
Explorers directed the line-up of hundreds of vehicles that came from all over Monmouth County with boxes of papers to be shredded in the county program.
Other shredding days are being held throughout the county, with the next one April 15 in Brielle and one in Long Branch at the Community Pool Club on April 22. The last one for the year will be Nov.18 at Middletown High School North parking lot.
All residents, but no businesses, are permitted to bring up to 100 pounds of paper to be shredded, ensuring that all large binders are removed, but allowing for paper clips and staples. The 100 pound weight is usually included in four office paper boxes or four large trash bags.
Shredding will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1 p..m. or earlier if the shredding trucks are full. Persons wishing more information can visit www.VisitMonmouth.com
The Parish Book Club meeting will meet Tuesday, April 4 at the St. Agnes Church lower level, Center Ave, Atlantic Highlands, and invites all readers or those interested in hearing about books to attend.
The Club meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., will include discussion of this month’s selection, “Rome Sweet Home,” a true story by Scott and Kimberly Hahn relating to the agreements, controversies and struggles including three generations of their family as they ponder over the decision of abandoning their religion to accept Catholicism.
Attendees will also selected the book for next month’s read.
Persons wishing further information or needing a ride to attend the meeting can contact group leader Joe Bullwinkel at 732-291-8804
Former legendary Henry Hudson Regional sports coach Vinnie Whitehead has filed for election as a Republican to one of the two council seats to be decided in the November election. in Atlantic Highlands, running on the ticket with incumbent Councilman James Murphy running for Mayor for the first time, and community activist and army veteran Ellen O’Dwyer.
This is a story I wrote for the Monmouth Journal three years ago when the school where Whitehead coached for 44 years named its gym after him in a ceremony that brought generations of the same families he had coached to honor him.
HIGHLANDS — (January 31, 2020) – The Henry Hudson Regional School gym was officially renamed the Coach Vinnie Whitehead Gym in a festive and moving ceremony Wednesday night that brought faculty, administration, students, alumni, family and scores of well-wishers and admirers to their feet numerous times for standing ovations for the retired coach.
Coach Vinnie retired last year after 44 years at the 7th through 12 regional school. But in that time, he racked up 64 years of coaching athletes and teaching teenagers how to live better lives. He coached 28 years of cross country, 20 of basketball, 10 of baseball, four of field hockey and two years of softball. In fact, he took on cross country as his second sport to coach for the specific reason of getting his basketball players in the best shape possible for their upcoming season.
The dedication program preceded the scheduled basketball game between the Admirals and the Keansburg High School Titans, all of whom sat quietly awaiting the start of the game, but in support and admiration for the retired coach.
With a series of speakers seated at the podium each to offer accolades to Whitehead and his wife, Maria, and speak of how the coach impacted their own lives as well as that of thousands of students, the honored guest and his family were each escorted beneath a tower of pompoms and parade of cheerleaders to thunderous applause from a crowded gym to seats at the podium.
Among the speakers in praise of the coach was alumnus and Atlantic Highlands Councilman James Murphy, who referred to Whitehead as a myth and a legend, and spoke on how he was inspired and, motivated by the man who helped create the foundation on which he lives his life. Current basketball coach Drew Eldridge, who attended Hudson for two years before transferring to Mater Dei to play football for the Seraphs, spoke of how Whitehead, “Let a lot of us live out our dreams.”
Eldridge also praised the Keansburg Titans as “a class team.”
Vincent Esposito, Dean of Studies and Athletics, who headed the program, admired Whitehead as his own mentor and leader. Principal Lenore Kingsmore presented Whitehouse. Superintendent of School Dr. Susan Compton cited the positive differences she observed in students and faculty alike because of Whitehead’s wisdom and guidance.
And the accolades and thunderous applause continued when Board of Education president Gail Woods presented Whitehead with a 1970 photo of the coach when he was a student at Christian Brothers Academy, and praised his energy, and passion. Woods also presented Whitehead with a plaque and read the resolution from the Board of Education honoring him for his 44 years at Henry Hudson and unanimously approving the dedication of the gym in his honor.
Whitehead, thanked the crowd, the faculty, his coworkers, students and alumni for the roles they have played in t he lives of him and his wife, Maria, as well as their daughter, Ashley. He praised and thanked his brother-in-law, Joe Nappo, who, like Whitehead’s wife, graduated from Henry Hudson and who came back to coach field hockey, co-coaching with Whitehead for four years and bringing the Admirals to four winning seasons, four Shore Conferences and four state tournaments during that time. But Whitehead said the greatest trophy for him has been “ the living, breathing, heart beating boys and girls I have been privileged to coach.”
Whitehead said that he was the fourth coach at the high school and has worked under many different principals and administrators during his more than four decades at the school. Then, as no surprise to anyone, he turned to the students and advised them to “be fierce, always respect, try your best, listen to your teachers and your parents and grandparents, and live life to the fullest.”
After the ceremony and before the game got underway, scores of well-wishers accepted the invitation to sign a piece of the former floor of the gym, which was recently renovated and improved, and leave a message for Coach Whitehead as a memento for him of t he lives he has impacted during his career at “the little school at the top of the hill.”
The retired coach grew up in Wall Township, attended St. Rose Grammar School in Belmar and Christian Brothers Academy before attending Brookdale College. He earned a baseball scholarship to Furman University in Greenville, SC and earned his degree in physical education and health. He met his wife while both were coaching at Henry Hudson and the couple has been married for 38 years.
The only sad news of the night was Keansburg’s 49-30 loss to the Titans, but even that isn’t enough to crush the spirit of the smallest school in the Shore Conference. They face Keyport tonight (Jan. 31) at Keyport.
