Want to help a cause and get an inexpensive stocking stuff anyone could use? Get a gift certificate at the AAUW Used Book Sale at Old First Church, 69 Kings Highway, Middleton.
The Sale is sponsored by the AAUW and all funds go towards book awards and scholarships for high school women looking to go to Brookdale Community College or Monmouth University.
Gift certificates are $5 each, and can be used for any of the books, paperbacks, children’s books, DVDs, CDs and vinyl records at the Sale, as well as for greeting cards, jigsaw puzzles, games and wind chimes, all in stock at the Sale, located in the lower level of the Church.
The AAUW volunteers are open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. when book donations can also be made.
Following the holidays, the AAUW Annual Half Price Sale will begin Jan. 29.
For further information, visit their web site: aauw-nj-nmcb.org for our book donation policy or call 732-275-2237.
Residents and visitors to Care One at King James are doing their own Christmas giving for those less fortunate.
Activities Director Karen Cohen reported the Care Center is holding a raffle of a basket of a variety of gift ideas with all proceeds going to 180 Turning Lives Around and visitors are invited to take chances and contribute to the cause. Turning Lives Around has numerous activities to aid people in different circumstances, including a center for victims of domestic abuse in Hazlet. All chances must be completed by Dec. 16 for entry into the raffle.
In addition to this fund raiser, the residents sponsor several other fund raisers throughout the year to help numerous other causes, from animal needs to Ukraine victims.
As the same time, visitors are invited to stop at the Care Center, located on Route 36 in Middletown, and take the time of a resident from their Christmas celebration table and shop for a gift for that person. Those participating in this program can contact Cohen to find specific sizes, needs or desires of the care center resident selected.
SPCA Chaplain Matty Giuliano’s newest book, Stubby’s Story, is aimed at making people aware of the abuse to animals created by numerous types of animal testing procedures which often leave animals ill, or requiring euthanasia.
Author & Illustrator
Illustrated by Atlantic Highlands resident Morgan Spicer, who also illustrated Guiliano’s first book, My Name is Musky, the book includes statistics the author said prove not only are some types of research dangerous to animals, more than 95 per cent of drugs tested on animals fail in human trials.
Research Projects
The author, Guiliano said there are more than 192 million animals used in a variety of different types of research projects throughout the world and cited recent reports of ferrets being used for evaluating anti-viral drugs and vaccines for Covid. 19
Musky
The book, a far cry from My Name is Musky, is aimed more at adults and older children to raise awareness of animal testing and what people can do to improve the quality of life for all types of animals, from ferrets, guinea pigs, mice to dogs, cats and rabbits. The story is engaging and focuses on Stubby the ferret being rescued from a testing lab.
Makers- Mark
Guiliano and Spicer introduced the book for local residents at the recent Makers- Mark four day exhibit and sale at the Alliance for Action studio on First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands.
Matty Guiliano
In addition to being ordained by the Universal Life Church, he is a retired animal cruelty officer. He is also ordained as an animal chaplain from the Emerson Theological Institute and now serves as Chaplain for the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown. He offers, at no cost, blessings, memorials, funerals, bereavement counseling and spiritual and emotional support to patrons, volunteers, animal cruelty officers and staff at the SPCA and anyone requesting assistance. More information on Giuliano or his first book are on Facebook and Instagram@musky the ferret. He can be reached at muskytheferret@gmail.com
Spicer
Spicer, who with her husband Zack Brown lives with six dogs the couple have rescued, has illustrated more than 40 books since graduating from Syracuse University ten years ago. A vegan, she is also active in her community in environmental and ecological organizations. Her firm, Bark Point Studio, also creates custom animal portraits and has worked with many animal non-profit organizations. More information about her firm is found at @BarkPointStudio.
My first grandson was born in September more than 40 years ago while my daughter, Michelle, his mom, was stationed with the Marine Corps in Japan. Since we were unable to meet him until she could come home several months later, I wrote a legend about how we could share his first Christmas together, we could always be able to be together in prayer and memory.
That started my tradition of writing a legend every Christmas, and creating a tree ornament to go along with the legend.
When former Mayor Helen Marchetti, a dear friend for decades, became my landlady when I moved to Atlantic Highlands, I began writing legends for her as well.
Last year, I compiled some of these legends and others I wrote on trips to Europe and around the Bayshore in my book, “Christmas Legends of the Bayshore.” This story, Starburst and the Senior Citizen is included in the book and is about Helen.
Starburst G. Angel was very excited. She was proud she had passed all her tests in Guardian Angel School with such high marks. And she was thrilled about yesterday, when God’s Mother Mary had smiled so sweetly and beautifully at her when they passed in one of heaven’s star-filled corridors. And now she was sitting before God Himself, waiting to tell Him what she had learned on her last assignment before officially becoming a Guardian Angel.
Starburst knew from the older angels that the final test was the big one. Each prospective Guardian had been assigned to a very distinguished human for a day and had to report back to God about what she had learned from her first experience on earth. If. … and only if … she could prove she had learned lessons that would be valuable as a Guardian Angel, then God will tell Saint Michael, who headed up all the Angels, to assign her a precious new baby someplace in the world.
God smiled gently at Starburst, who bit the end of her wing because she was also very nervous. She said a little prayer to Saint Peter that she would explain things right.
“Well, God,” Starburst began, with just a bit of a quiver in her voice. “I went to a beautiful town down the shore. I was assigned to a beautiful lady named Rosebud who lived right across the street from Church. So, I stopped in the church to say hello to you, remember?”
God nodded, smiled and told her to continue. “Well, God,” Starburst continued, now running her finger over the top of her halo, “Rosebud is a really, really smart lady. And everybody loves her.
“In the first place, her house has windows. Lots of them. 44 windows! I know because I said a Hail Mary in front of every one of them. Well, very early in the morning, Rosebud sits in the front room of her house very quietly. Anyway, she sits there and just watches everybody go by. I mean everybody. People going to mass, people running for exercise, people pushing babies or walking dogs. And do you know what? She waves to every one of them! And what’s more, they all wave back! So, the first thing I learned is it is important to be friendly and to love people.
“Then I heard her on the telephone. Gee, God, for a lady who has been on earth a long time, she’s very busy. She was talking to some minister about being sure the people at the food pantry had plenty of food. Then she was talking to someone who runs the boat harbor near her house thanking him for being sure it is always clean. Next, I heard her talking to someone else whom I’m sure was a person, but she said he was a Lion, making plans for their next meeting. I had to know more about this Lion, God, so Rosebud explained that it’s really a club of people who like to help others. There’s another one called Elks,” Starburst laughed, “and they aren’t animals either! They’re nice people!
“And if that isn’t enough, God,” Starburst was getting so excited telling her story she didn’t even realize she had crawled into God’s lap “she called up the Police Chief and told him she wanted to be a Special Officer!”
“And what did that teach you?” God asked.
“Well, it taught me it’s important to always be busy, and to always be doing something to help someone else. And do you know, God,” Starburst was now holding God’s hand, “if the Chief wanted to give her another job, I think she would be a great police officer.”
“Well, we’ll see about that,” God answered, “but in the meantime, what else did you learn?”
“I learned that Rosebud’s own Guardian Angel is simply wonderful. She has to work very hard to keep up with Rosebud, but she’s always right there with her, right next to her, even when she’s going up the stairs to bed at night. And that Guardian Angel stays awake all night long … doesn’t even snooze once … to be sure she’s looking after Rosebud every second. The lesson I learned from that is I really, really want to be an extra special Guardian Angel and be every bit as good as Rosebud’s Angel.”
Then Starburst squirmed a little bit and asked God if she could whisper something in His ear. God nodded and bent down to catch the little angel’s words.
“Well, that was unusual, Starburst, and I’m surprised you did something like that without asking me. But since you have learned so much, and been so good, and had such a wonderful experience, I think that will be just fine. And I’ll tell Rosebud’s Guardian Angel what you did as soon as she files her report tonight. You learned your lessons well, and there’s a little baby who is going to be so fortunate to have you be a very experienced and wise Guardian Angel.”
Starburst wiggled with delight, thanked God, and jumped down off His lap. She was happy He would share her secret with Rosebud’s personal angel. Because Starburst, who loved Rosebud so much and loved all the lessons she had learned, wanted to leave a little bit of herself with the human who had taught her how to be a Guardian Angel. And she knew the Guardian Angel wouldn’t mind.
What Starburst had done, what she whispered to God, was pluck a tiny feather from her own wing, rubbed it around her halo, and given it to Saint Peter to kiss. Then just before she reported back to heaven, she tucked it inside Rosebud’s pillow on her bed.
“She’ll like sleeping on that every night,” Starburst smiled, “because she’ll know I’m always right her with her.”
Stop in at the Highlands Pet Shop, the Feed & Seed on Bay Avenue and see the adorable gifts for dogs, cats, and more and make yourself and your pet happy.
My favorite here is the Advent Gift Box for dogs…all their favorite treats! You’ll start a few days late but it’s still fun..and your canine won’t care if it’s late!
This isn’t the first time the bulkhead around the Highlands Boat Basin has been questioned and illegalities have been raised. It happened in May of 1955.
Plans Change
The borough had approved $80,000 for putting up the bulkhead for a distance of 185 feet. The necessary variances had been approved and then it was learned by Councilmen John Newton and Herbert Hartsgrove that the plans were changed. The new plans, they charged, showed the footage was shortened and only 156 feet were being built. That was, they thought, to have the bulkhead tie in with the Boat Basin.
Short Changed
They explained that the Snug Harbor return of the bulkhead was shortened and they wanted to know why.
But James Rankin, an engineer for the Bureau of Navigation and Otis Seaman, the borough engineer, said there was nothing wrong.
Cover Costs
Rankin explained the Bureau of Navigation had costs that had to be covered within that $80,000. There wasn’t enough money to cover it all in the $80,000, so they changed the plan to ensure sufficient funds for the Bureau’s costs.
But not to worry, he said, the Bureau did not need that much money now so they simply changed the plans back to the original because now there were sufficient funds.
Unanswered Questions
Hartsgrove questioned, but did not receive a response as to why the change was not sent to the Borough Council for its knowledge and approval. But Seaman said it really did not make any difference, since the original plan called for the 185 foot to tie in with the Basin entrance and that is what would be happening now.
Maybe because it is the start of the holiday season or maybe there are just too many great things happening, but there are so many things that are making me happy these days.
The Girl’s Cafe
The fact so many people got concerned about The Girls Café closing and changes were made in answer to those concerns has made an incredible number of people happy. And Cathy Hartsgrove summed it all up when she said, “I knew people liked us, but I didn’t know this many people loved us.”
That was easy to see Saturday morning when the usual crowd was joined by so many others, and the phone kept ringing for take-out orders. That’s enough to make anyone happy.
Mike Mullins
Made me really happy to see Mike Mullins back at The Girls Cafe with his usual charm and eagerness to help his friends wherever needed.
Signage
And while we’re on The Girls for another second, take some time to read some of their signs around the Café; it shows their joie de vivre and their terrific sense of humor with a sarcastic flare. My personal favorite is “Well behaved women rarely make history!.”
Atmosphere
The atmosphere was so cheery and bubbly Saturday morning that at one time an overwhelmed Cathy shouted out “Is everybody happy?” and got a resounding round of applause along with some spirited and enthusiastic “Yeah” or “Absolutely” or “You bet.”
Stubby
Seeing Morgan Spicer and Matty Guiliano together at the Art Alliance Maker’s Market this weekend promoting their newest collaboration, “Stubby’s Story” was great for so many more reasons. Besides seeing these two very talented people together with Stubby, the adorable ferret who is the star of the book was great. Look for a story on VeniVidiScripto.com on Stubby’s great contribution to the Animal World because of the book is something else that should make everyone happy.
Local Talent
Then seeing all the talent at the Alliance was spectacular, between learning of so many living right here in Atlantic Highlands and learning about one very talented artist who was raised here and decided to come back for good after spending 40 years in the state of Washington was great as well.
Care One
Then read the story on what the residents at Care One at King James are doing. Both staff and residents there are pretty special people and now they’re running a couple of events to raise money for 180 Turning Lives Around, the wonderful organization who among so many other things, has a Hazlet local for victims of domestic violence and the funds Care One is raising helps that.
Christmas Spirit
It also makes me happy to see how so many people are making Christmas brighter for the residents themselves. Folks have been invited to get the name of a resident and drop off a gift that might make that person happy and surprised on Christmas Day.
If you are looking for an idea for some homemade Christmas gifts, but don’t want to bake or make marmalade or jelly, think of putting together all the makings for soup or pasta, layering ingredients in a mason jar or wide mouthed bottle. Include the recipe for completing the dish and tie with a ribbon around the jar. They’ll think of you every time they’re enjoying that hot and delicious dinner loaded with beans, herbs, spices and pasta. Adding fresh vegetables at cooking time means yet one more gift that is excellent for eye care as well as heart health.
For an added touch, add the can of tomatoes and a bottle of wine in a gift basket with the beans and pasta mix and when the recipients add the finishing touches, they’ll think they made the best dinner ever.
INGREDIENTS
TO FILL 1 QUART MASON JAR
1 cup small pasta shells
¾ cup pinto beans
¾ cup kidney beans
¾ great northern or white navy beans
¼ cup parsley flakes
1/3 cup dried diced onion
1 tsp. each basil, oregano, rosemary
½ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. black pepper
A Zip top sandwich bag
Mix the spices together in the sandwich bag, press out all the air and seal; you might want to label it. Layer the pasta shells first, then add layers of the beans for a colorful arrangement. Tuck the bag in at the top. Include the directions tied around the jar. Since the pasta takes a shorter time to cook, make sure that is the bottom layer of your gift.
PREPARATION:
Empty beans from Jar, leaving pasta, and add to large stock pot. Add 6-8 cups of water and boil covered for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let beans soak for two hours.
Drain beans, return to stock pot, and add 6 cups of water and the seasoning packet. Cook for about an hour, or until beans are fork tender.
ADD
1 28 oz. can tomatoes
3 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
And simmer 30 minutes. Add pasta.
Simmer to allow pasta to cook to al dente, about 8 minutes.
Enjoy with hot crusty Italian Bread and a glass of red wine.
We’re not going away local resident Mark Fisher warned the Atlantic Highlands planning board at its meeting last night when the question about Mother Theresa school property was on the agenda, but removed from action at a revised agenda prior to the meeting.
“This bouncing around thing,” Fisher continued has got to stop. He cited the number of times the sale and use of the property and the subsequent introduction of an ordinance to change the use have been the subject of several council meetings. “Ok,” said Fisher but “we’re letting you know…”
Interrupting Residents
Board attorney Michael Steib interrupted Fisher to make it clear the planning board is “well aware” of the activity and that while there appears there will be a public form in the future it would not be before the planning board.
Board chairman Douglas Pape pointed out that the planners “look at the consistency” of the proposed ordinance with relationship with the borough’s Master Plan. “The political issue is not before this board, just consistency.” All opinions or questions concerning the proposed ordinance should be taken up with the mayor and council, “not this board.”
No Action
Without the planning board’s report on the consistency of the proposed changed plan with the borough’s Master Plan, the governing body cannot take action on the matter at its Dec. 15 meeting, the last for the year. With a new governing body taking over Jan. 1, the matter would then have to begin at the beginning once again.
Pape Bows Out
Pape also announced at the meeting he does not plan to accept a reappointment to the planning board when his term expires this month. He said he would prefer to defer and enable others to serve on the board on which he has served for many years. He praised all planning board members for their dedication to planning issues, and the volunteer time they put into their exemplary public service with offers no benefit to themselves other than dedication to the borough’s high standards. He referred to both Steib and Engineer Doug Rohmeyer as the “consummate professionals “and thanked them and board members for all they have done.
As the weather gets colder, home made soups get more popular. For those who like to make homemade gifts for Christmas or Hanukkah, putting the ingredients in pint mason jars or other containers in layers also makes an easy to make and attractive gift for family or friends. Put all the herbs and spices in a snack size plastic baggie, put on top inside the jar and attach the recipe for putting it all together on a ribbon around the jar.
This recipe for split pea soup can be made with either all yellow or all green split peas, or half and half for a colorful arrangement in layers. For those who do not want to keep it vegan, use bouillon cubes and add cooked ham at the end.
Split Pea Soup Mix
Makes 1 pint size Mason jar.
Ingredients
2 cups yellow and/or green split peas
1 tsp each of onion powder and thyme
1/2 tsp each garlic powder and Mediterranean spice or oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper
½ tsp. turmeric for more tang and color. (optional)
Instructions
If using two colors, layer peas in jar.
Place spices in baggie and place on top
Seal jar. Decorate, label and include cooking Instructions.
Cooking Instructions
Also needed:
5 cups soup stock, water or bouillon
1-2 cups chopped cooked ham (optional)
Remove spice pack. Rinse split peas in strainer in cold water.
Add peas and spices in pot with five cups of soup stock.
Bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring several times and add water as need.
Cook until peas are tender. Puree for smooth finish if desired.
If adding ham, stir int in and simmer 5 minutes.
Yield Fills a pint (500 ml) jar, Makes 6 cups of soup
If you prefer to include bouillon powder/cubes, replace the stock with water and add 2 cubes or 2 Tbsp powder (or as instructed on your bouillon package for 5 cups of water)
