Continuing its innovative ways to carry out its mission the Rev. Joseph J. Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus is now offering a cleverly designed coloring book for children, along with a message inviting Catholic men to join the organization. Additionally, the book has been financed by the Knights of Columbus insurance representative.
The coloring book is a series of drawings for children to color of Christopher Columbus for whom the Knights are named. The purpose of the book is to introduce Christopher Columbus and his Voyage of Discovery which forever changed the vision of the world. Columbus was a Catholic explorer who discovered America in 1492 and as one of his first acts in landing, knelt and said prayers of gratitude to God for the safe journey from Spain.
The pictures to be colored depict Columbus as a boy meeting a shipboard captain with his father as a youth,, sharing his dreams of becoming a sailor with others, meeting Queen Isabella of Spain who financed the journey across the ocean, as well as the Santa Maria, his ship, and finally the beginning of the council named to honor him. Fr. McGivney, the priest who began the organization, has been designated Blessed, one step in the procedure to be officially proclaimed a Saint in the Catholic Church.
K of C history
Specifically, the Knights of Columbus was founded by Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney, a parish priest in New Haven, Ct. in 1882. Since its formation, the Knights have grown to more than two million members in more than 15 countries, all with the guiding principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
Persons interested in knowing more about the Knights of Columbus or the Fr. Donnelly Council, which is affiliated with Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Agnes churches, can visit the site www.kofc.org/join, or call 732-291-0272 for information on local officers of the Council,
I had another example today of how saying three things that made you happy today really helps make for happier days. And the three things that made me happy today certainly reinforced that belief.
Laundry – Girl’s Cafe
I’m used to doing my laundry at that great laundry on Bay Avenue in Highlands, I enjoy dropping my clothes in the dryer, then heading across the street to The Girls Café for a cup of hot water and pleasant company. But with the Café closed until February to give our wonderful owners a bit of a rest, I stayed in the laundromat to chat with the affable employee there, Sue Guiney. We laughed and chatted about one or two things before another great Highlands lady walked in. She joined in the conversation and we were laughing hard at 8:30 in the morning. Another couple came in with a load of wash, joined in the conversation and again we were all chatting and laughing. A great way to start the day for each of us.
Library
Then I was at the Eastern Branch of the Library in Shrewsbury with another great friend, and just seeing that magnificent doll collection from the Shrewsbury Historical Society and their president and his wife’s own collections, Don and Mary Lea Burden, all of which is on display until March…see a story on VeniVidiScripto on that very soon…and it brings you back to a lot of childhood memories as well as later trips to France in viewing some magnificent collectors’ items.
Friends
Then back at home, I met up with two more very dear friends, one of whom was depressed and sad for a number of reasons. But we chatted, we talked about what made her sad that day, and before we knew it, we were both laughing and putting that depression aside.
Three simple things. Three encounters that were not planned, not rehearsed, not anything but sheer relaxation with others who also felt the need to relax amid busy days. As for my depressed friend, there is nothing more exciting than seeing her realize the reasons for being sad, talking about ways to overcome it, then realizing that even when she can’t change things, she can certainly think of new ways to counteract what can’t be changed and look at it with a brighter smile.
Every day is special. And that in itself makes me happy.
TINTON FALLS – If you let him talk long enough, he’ll tell you about competing, or the World Pipe Band Championships, or judging piping. He’ll even keep you mesmerized with his stories of playing Piobaireachd, which is the ancient music they all love.
But it’s so much more fun simply to listen to this very talented bagpiper, Derek Midgley and fall in love with bagpipes, the music they make, the history they have, and the flair, pride and joy in which he offers his talent.
Derek almost had to be dragged into being introduced to the bagpipes, but it didn’t take more than a couple of learning sessions for him to realize it was the musical instrument for him. He was 12 when he started and continued lessons after graduating from the Tinton Falls elementary school, Oak Hill Academy in Lincroft, and Red Bank Catholic High School before college.
Today although armed with degrees in Political Science and history from Villanova and a master’s degree in International Politics from Glasgow University, he still prefers to make his living primarily teaching bagpipes, but also playing at every event from a funeral to a private party, judging contests, and serving as a piping adjudicator.
When he was 12 years old, after his parents had moved the family a few years before from Fords and settled in Tinton Falls, Derek’s sister wanted to learn to play the pipes. Derek’s mom agreed, and then thought it would be a better idea if both children learned. So Derek, too was signed up.
Today, he admits to being a bit surprised himself when he was almost immediately able to apply himself, learn the scale as well as the grace notes, the first few embellishments with this fascinating musical instrument. By the end of a month, he had memorized his first tune, something every bagpiper has to do with everything he plays, even though he could not read any music. At the same time, his sister wasn’t as enamored as she thought she’d be, ,tried the drums and then Highland dancing, and eventually turned to fencing. While Derek credits her with giving him the courage to try the pipes, he laughs saying that he’s the one wearing the kilt while she played with a sword.
There’s so much to love about this instrument that has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years, Derek explains. But he likes it best as the equalizer it is. People come from all ages, abilities, professions and backgrounds, he explains, perhaps because it is such a difficult instrument to learn. “People come together to share a journey of sorts,” he explains. Or maybe it’s because as musicians progress past the initial street band or St. Patrick’s Day level of bagpiper and reach the wider competition sphere, “people are even more supportive.” Of course at that level, there is also the added element of travel, meeting a world-wide supportive community, and “just having the good fortune to create a worldwide group of friends.”
Derek teaches more than two dozen people each week to play the pipes, the part of his work that takes most of his time. Among his students are six bagpipe bands he teaches evenings and easily admits to being a strict and demanding instructor. “ It’s always better to have a weekly thing built into a schedule for people to work towards. otherwise I think life can very easily slip into not practicing. And you have to keep yourself hones”: He’ll also tell you some people think the pipes aren’t as “real” a thing as piano or some other instrumental lessons, “but I think it’s in line with the norm.” His own students run the gamut from 8 years old to mid-70s, with many off them highschoolers or middle-aged adults who have found the time to learn and try something new and exciting.
While it is true there are many more men than women who take up bagpipes, there are a variety of reasons for that. For one, pipe bands are a military institution and started that way. In some areas, women simply weren’t allowed to play for that reason. But the idea of women having less upper body strength being an issue doesn’t fly with Derek. “I know a bunch of great female pipers. I’m more inclined to think it’s a holdover of chauvinism baked into the system even if unconsciously.“ To change that, he said, “you just need a couple more good visible role models. If you see more women playing then more women see it as a tangible goal. Hopefully we can get more women interested, though for now, it’s a byproduct of that British Military to perhaps a local Police/Fire Bagpipe Band just being disproportionately male.”
While it always looks difficult, and there are many things difficult about playing the pipes, Derek finds it easier primarily because of the rhythm. There are only nine notes and a few basic rhythms, so “you can sing, whistle, tap out any of our tunes relatively easily.” It’s the technique inside the rhythmical frame that makes it so difficult. “You have to maintain good tone on an instrument that doesn’t like to stay in tune, and that’s quite a challenge. Combine that with other pipers to play in a band, and it’s just an amazing challenge and puzzle.” One he loves and solves well.
For those wanting to play the pipes, it takes a lot of time and patience, Derek emphasizes. “You have to want to like the music. It usually takes about six months to even get from start to initial bagpipe experiences. So it’s necessary to work through the initial slog. Some people don’t see the connection right away from scales to tunes. Then there are people who might practice but don’t listen or immerse themselves into the culture. I liken it to trying to speak a language only one day a week or for 30 minutes to an hour a day. If you don’t go beyond that in different contexts it’s much harder to actually understand anything but the basics.”
As proof you don’t need to be Irish or Scottish to be an outstanding piper, Derek is mostly of German descent,, though with some English, Irish, Scottish and Cornish thrown in.
Derek has scores of pipers he admires and has learned from, beginning with the Atlantic Watch, a street band in Red Bank, George Bell, who he describes as “an old Scot, a man of a few crusty words,” who showed him the ropes and was his teacher from the time Derek was 14 until he left for college. “He was my first look into the wider world of piping and gave me context to understand where practicing a lot could take me.” .
After Mr. Bell, there were summer camps when Derek tried to emulate the late Pipe Major Alesdair Gillies, the professor of Bagpipes at Carnegie Mellon University, and a former piper with the Queen’s Own Highlanders. Then there was Roddy MacLeod, a member of the British Empire who helped me excel on the Scottish solo scene.
“But when I went over to Scotland and played for the Scottish Power Pipe Band, it was the P/M Chris Armstrong who took me under his wing,” he says fondly, adding “we became good friends as I was the lone American in his band. A fish out of water in so many contexts when I lived there, Chris really helped me acclimate in so many ways.”
Lately it’s been Callum Beaumont, one of the younger best pipers in the world. Just all these Scottish guys that take their time for an American who is trying to play at their level is such a boon.”
Empathy, communication, investment. It’s more than simply music to Derek. It’s more than playing a difficult instrument, and even more than getting over the nervousness of playing, or the long hours of practice. To Derk, his music is his life. And as a teacher, “I try to be all those things.”
He does it well.
For more information on Derek, contact him at derekmidgley@yahoo.com.
Highlands residents might not be aware of it, but it seems that if you “infringe” on borough property for any length of time, eventually the borough will just get a subdivision and turn it over to you at no or little cost so you won’t be infringing anymore.
Even more than that, the borough will use that same opportunity of offering three more chunks of the land it wants to subdivide to other adjacent property owners, the only ones to whom this land would be of any use. It will then save the biggest piece for the borough to sell or do something with sometime in the future.
Even if it’s waterfront property.
Once those smaller pieces are signed off to the property owners on Matthew Street, it certainly appears there will be no access to the waterfront property the borough retains other than through private property. The borough is requesting a 10 foot wide “flag stem specified as “not a public street” for access from Matthew Street to the largest piece of property the borough is reserving.
Land Use Board Meeting
That’s all to be decided at tomorrow night’s meeting of the Land Use Board at 7 p.m. at the Community Center, in addition to action on the conditional approval for a cannabis retail sale license at 132 Bay Ave. Borough residents should either become informed, attend the meeting, ask questions or not complain at some future date when they wonder how this all happened and why did they not know about it.(see related story)
Navesink Park Taxpayers Association
The encroachment on borough property by the Serghis owned house at Matthew St. that is prompting this subdivision request appears to be a paved walkway that has been on the site for more than two decades. It was there, according to records submitted with the borough’s application, both before and throughout the time when the borough had signed a ten year lease with the Navesink Park Taxpayers Association which expired in December, 2020. Association officers at the time of the lease ending, former Councilman Donald Manrodt, identified as the Association president, and Lillian Kanarkowski, identified as Association secretary, were both deceased.
Throughout the terms of the lease to the Borough, the lessee was exempt from paying taxes on the property the borough was leasing. When the lease expired three years after the deaths of the two Association officers, apparently no taxes were paid on the property. In 2021, the following year, the borough took ownership of the property through the failure to pay taxes. Available records for the Land Use meeting tomorrow do not indicate whether the borough ever notified the Association of the taxes due or how the borough specifically took ownership of the land.
Recommendation of Engineer
If approved as presented, the Land Use Board is apparently acting without the full recommendation of its own engineer, Edward Hermann. In his report, which is included with the package of more than 80 pages of information on the hearing, Hermann recommended the borough as applicant shows that the variances would not be substantially detrimental to the public good or impair the intent and purpose of the zone plan or character of the neighborhood. Since the smaller lots will only be offered to the adjacent owners, Hermann also recommends the borough present testimony on what would happen to the proposed small lots if negotiations with the adjacent owners for their purchase are not successful. He pointed out that all approvals or waivers should also be gathered from the Monmouth County Planning Board and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.
In order to secure bulk variance relief, the borough must also provide proof that either a hardship in developing the site in conformance to zone standards because of narrowness, shallowness or shape, or exceptional topographies or physical features that are unique or an extraordinary situation affecting the property or existing structures. If it can be proven to promote a public purpose of that the variance substantially outweighs any detriment, then it could be approved.
The property is in a mapped flood zone and should the application get board approval, “a final major subdivision plat consistent with the state’s Title Recordation Act would be required.”
A Cannabis retail shop approval and the giving away of “borough owned” waterfront land are both on the agenda for Thursday night’s meeting of the Highlands Land Use Board.
Residents interested in the future of their borough should take note of what’s going on and voice their opinions before actions are taken and approvals granted rather than question, complain or wonder how it happened later.
The Land Use Board does not enable all residents to participate in meetings at the Community Center since they limit attendance to those who can appear at the Community Center, rather than offering the meetings on ZOOM so even the handicapped have input at meetings.
Giving Away Property
The borough property giveaway is an application submitted by the borough to its land use board for subdivision creating one large and three smaller lots out of an approximate piece of waterfront property near Matthew .and Willow St. Purpose of the giveaway is to enable the borough to give one of the smaller newly created lots to the property owner the borough has indicated has been encroaching on the borough land for many years as well as to create building lots the borough may intend to sell in the future.
Tomorrow’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. with the reorganization of the Land Use Board. Members are Mayor Carolyn Broullon, Police Chief Robert Burton and Council president Jo-Anne Olszewski as municipal government members, Robert Knox, Bruce Kutosh, Laurie La Russa and Ann Marie Tierney as regular members, and alternates Helen Chang, Dean Cramer, Dennis Ziemba and Ann Peterson as alternates.
Attorneys Ronald Cucchiara and Dustin Glass of the Weiner Law Group will be named attorneys for the Board.
The Devil’s Lettuce
The application from Bridge City Collective Highlands LLC for a minor site plan and conditional use approval is on the agenda. The company is seeking to open its business at 132 Bay Ave, the two story building with apartments above on the corner of Cornall St. and Bay Avenue. The building is owned by 132 Bay Aves. LLC, with Valerie Montecalvo signing the application approval as owner of the building. Ms Montecalvo also owns at least three other properties within 200 feet of the proposed cannabis shop.
Bridge City Collection Highlands, whose address is Pittsfield, Massachusetts, but with a Highlands zip code on the application, is represented by attorney Brian Tipton. The application includes the conditional retail business approval for the 132 Bay Avenue address granted by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission which expires March 31.
While the application being heard at this meeting is for minor site plan approval and the conditional use, further approvals are needed before the business can open, including a variance from the number of parking places needed. Currently, with two apartments and a business, seven spaces are needed while three are in existence.
The application was one of two for conditional cannabis retail businesses originally heard at the Dec. 20 meeting of the Board. The second license, The Honorable Plant, whose principals are all women owning the applicant for Bay Avenue Ventures, are seeking to have their store at 123 Bay Avenue, the former Food Basket market which also has apartments above. That application is not up for approval at tomorrow’s meeting. That building is currently owned by Michael Salerno.
Residents and businesses who live and do businesses and have contributed so heavily towards making or continuing Eastern Monmouth County as the perfect to live and do business will be honored by the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (EMACC) at its 31st annual Spinnaker Awards dinner on Wednesday, March 22, at the Park Loft, Fort Monmouth.
Honorees
Honorees in various categories of service have been announced by the EMACC and include Claire Knopf for the Volunteer of the Year citation, for her dedication in providing exemplary service to the community. The Lakehouse Music Academy of Red Bank for receive the Arts & Culture Award recognizing a cultivation and appreciation of Arts in the community and the Jersey Shore Financial Advisors will be honored with the Community Service Award recognizing the firm’s fewer than 50 employees all of whom are dedicated to the good of the Eastern Monmouth community through leadership and spirit in support of the quality of life.
New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal will be honored with the Public Service Award for his source of pride in the citizens he serves and his consistency and high principles in keeping with what the Chamber seeks to see in all in public leadership positions.
Good Neighbor
New Jersey American Water Company will receive the Corporate Good Neighbor commendation for the business with 50 or more employees whose culture motivates employees to be personally involved as good Samaritans to people in need.
The Tigger Stavola Foundation has been selected as the Non-Profit organization of the Year for its high quality and consistent programming and services to the community.
Liberty Insurance Services will be honored for serving Monmouth County for more than 50 years by finding the key to success in being a solid and successful business for more than half a century.
Courtney Alessi will receive the organization’s Next Generation Leader award for her involvement in starting and growing a professional career.
For further information on the Spinnaker Awards event or more information on the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, call the Chamber at 732-741-0055 or visit www.emacc.org.
Lou Melillo was sworn in as Commodore of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club at the traditional ceremonies recognizing the change of the watch from Commodore Frank Allsman. This is the second time Melillo has served in the highest office of the Club, having been Commodore in 2004
In acknowledging he was standing relieved of his duties, Allsman addressed club members and their guests, thanking them for a successful and productive year, and promising his continued support to the incoming officer.
New Officers
Melillo swore in the rest of the officers for the year, as well as three governors for the Club. He also presented Allsman with a commemorative gift, acknowledging his service and contributions to the club throughout the past year. The incoming commodore as well as Sue Mikaitis, who introduced the Change of Watch ceremonies, praised Allsman for leading the club through the second of two challenging years due to the covid pandemic and noted his leadership together with the officers and committees kept the spirit of the club alive and well, and pointed out that “interest in our club has never been stronger.”
The club membership roles this year total 1001, reflecting on the 70 years since the Yacht Club was first organized.
With many of the past commodores in attendance at the change of watch, Ed Newins, who was the oldest serving commodore present, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Newins also joined all members and guests in a moment of silence for his wife, Georgette, and the five other club members who died during the past year. These include Jeanne Bergeron, Mary Ellen Staub, Greg Dalton, Len Forys and Maureen Pitman as well as bookkeeper Eileen Brennan.
Joe Patsco took the oath of office as vice commodore, Jack Flannery as Rear Commodore, Elaine Hayden continued as secretary and Helen Parker as corresponding secretary. Past Commodore Susan Hillers took the oath as treasurer.
New Governors
In swearing in new Governors Jennifer Barrett, Bruce Cohn and Stephen Mackay, Melillo also introduced continuing Governors Sue Mikaitis, Barbara Nevius and Chuck Parker. He thanked outgoing Governors who have served on the board for two years, Karen Harris, Kevin O’Brien and Bob Williams.
New Committee Members
The new Commodore acknowledged members of each of the club’s standing committees. These include past commodores Christopher Stone and Steve Graziano along with members Karen Harris, Kevin O’Brien and Amy Kaskiw on the nominating committee, Karen Dalton on the Committee of Members, Corinna Thuss on entertainment and Past Commodore Jack Glass on the finance committee. Stone also serves on the House committee.
Launch committee members are Donna Syers and Tom Curtis and long term planning committee is John Lawler.
Other committees include Ray Hillers on membership, George Harrington on Protest, Karen Harris, Jeremy Herman and Art Olsen on race and Brian Gillen and Mike Fortier on the small boat committee.
Angus Rennie is the committee person for technology, IT and public relations and Bruce Cohn is on the Yachting committee.
Ad-Hoc committees include the AHSEP liaisons Past Commodore Stone and Wayne Tidswell and the CBL committee is Bill Robertson. Continuing education is Chuck Parker, Insurance is John Flatley, Race education is Bob Behringer, Ships Store is Susan O’Connor, Bob Williams is special Olympics, Elaine Hayden is Sunshine, and Past Commodore Elaine Haher is J-24 Captain with Kevin O’Brien serving as liaison with the Harbor.
The new Commodore also acknowledge fleet officers, Fleet Captain John DeFillippo, Fleet Chaplains Peter and Carol Andrews, Fleet Medical Officers Kathy Patsco and Mike Ferguson and club historian Kristen Gnatt Applin.
Clean Ocean Action is leading several ocean advocacy groups in calling on President Biden to do something about the unprecedented six endangered dead whales that washed up on beaches in the New Jersey/New York region in 33 days
Letter to Biden
In a letter calling for immediate steps to address the environmentally harmful trend, the letter is demanding an immediate and fully transparent investigation into the whale deaths by federal agencies mandated by law to protect marine mammals. Especially those that are an endangered species. A hard stop on all existing offshore wind industry geotechnical and development activities and a halt to any new, planned, or pending offshore wind development permitting activities, including new solicitations.
Clean Ocean Action is also asking that the investigation they demand be undertaken with independent oversight by qualified, independent scientists to ensure rigorous scientific scrutiny and peer review.
Sounding the Alarm
“The wave of dead whales is the ocean sounding the alarm,” said Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action, “and we must heed the warning.”
“These tragic multiple deaths of mostly young, endangered whales are of no apparent cause. However, the only new activity in the ocean is the unprecedented concurrent industrial activity by over 11 companies in the region’s ocean, which allows the harassment and harm of tens of thousands of marine mammals. Moreover, federal and state agencies have been recklessly fast-tracking offshore wind development projects. These three coinciding factors raise suspicions, and a responsible and reasonable response is the action plan for which we are calling,” Zipf added.
Review of Permits
Clean Ocean Action reviewed the federally issued and pending requests by companies allowed to harass and harm marine mammals just for offshore wind energy development activities off the New York and New Jersey coast. Companies have requested permission to harm tens of thousands of marine mammals, including threatened, endangered, and otherwise protected species through requests for Incidental Take Authorizations (ITAs) and Incidental Take Regulations (ITR) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). According to the non-profit organization founded by Zipf, there are 11 active, 5 current, and 18 previously issued and expired IHA and ITR authorizations in the ocean off the NY/NJ coast.
That means, she said, “there are more than 157,328 marine mammals offshore wind companies have been given the green light to harm, harass, injure and kill for current and pending offshore wind projects. “
Area of Concern
Until the investigation is complete, the groups are also calling for a halt to all ongoing offshore wind survey boat and pre-construction and construction activities within the ocean realm between Cape May, and Montauk, NY, and demanding a full review of all offshore wind projects’ survey boat data by state and federal agencies and legislators in addition to review by an independent third-party panel of experts.
Finding Dead Whales
The groups’ demands come after a 30-foot humpback whale washed ashore on Atlantic City’s Georgia Avenue beach early Saturday morning, the second in two weeks in Atlantic City and the third in the last month in the same area. Another young humpback whale washed up on Atlantic City’s Chelsea Ave. beach on December 23, and a third 30-foot humpback was found on Strathmere beach in early December.
An infant sperm whale, 12-feet long, was found dead on the beach in Keansburg Dec. 5th; an adult 31 foot long humpback female was found in n Amagansett, NY, on Dec 6th; and a 30-foot long sperm whale was found on New York’s Rockaway Beach on Dec 12th. In addition, a dead dolphin, possibly short-beaked, washed ashore last week on Sandy Hook’s s Plum Island beach.
Causation?
Offshore wind developers have been employing multiple geotechnical survey vessels off the coast while awaiting permit approvals for large-scale offshore wind power plants. When completed, hundreds of 1,000-foot-tall wind turbine generators will be built in the ocean along with associated substations and thousands of miles of undersea cables.
The geotechnical survey boats use sea-floor characterization through high-level focused sound pulses in large areas of the ocean floor. Many whales hear and communicate in those frequencies and use of sonar at higher levels has been known to have harmful impacts on whales, deafening them which can lead to starvation and death.
Reporting
Offshore wind energy developers are required to provide regular reports to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) detailing whale protection methods and interactions. Public reports are required in NJDEP and NJBPU orders; however, it is unclear whether any of this information or data has been made public or available by any other means.
How to Help
Clean Ocean Action invites organizations to sign-onto the letter to President Biden and will send the President a rolling list of supporters. Zipf said the group will continue to take actions at the local, state, and federal levels to continue the call for a comprehensive, scientific, independent, peer-reviewed pilot study to assess the true costs and benefits and environmental consequences of offshore wind before massive industrialization occurs.
For further information or to join the action, contact Kari Martin, Advocacy Campaign Manager for Clean Ocean Action, 49 Avenel Boulevard, Long Branch, NJ 07740 or call
FREEHOLD – The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will present the film, Dough Sunday, January 22 , at 2 PM. At the Museum at the Mounts Corner Shopping Center, 310 Mounts Corner Drive.
Admission is $10. For viewing at home, interested persons can sign up for a Vimeo link to view at any time within a 72-hour window.
Jonathan Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean, Game of Thrones) and Pauline Collins (Shirley Valentine) star in the comedy that shows you highlights on the theory you don’t have to be baked to make some Dough!
Curmudgeonly widower Nat Dayan , played by Pryce clings to his way of life as a Kosher bakery shop owner in London’s East End. Understaffed, Nat reluctantly enlists the help of teenager Ayyash (Jerome Holder), who has a secret side gig selling marijuana to help his immigrant mother make ends meet.
Because Ayyash accidentally drops his stash into the mixing dough, the challah starts flying off the shelves and an unlikely friendship forms between the old Jewish baker and his young Muslim apprentice. Undoubtedly, Dough is a warmhearted and humorous story about overcoming prejudice and finding redemption in unexpected places.
Additionally, seating is limited for the presentation at the museum. But the Vimeo program is at www.jhmomc.org, or by calling 732-252-6990.
Finally, funding has been made possible in part by a general operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of the Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Monmouth County Historical Commission.
The Museum is on the second floor of the historic Levi Solomon Barn. The Museum is handicapped and assistive-listening accessible. Masks and vaccinations are required.
This is a column about the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for military valor. In a time when we do not seem to appreciate our military as we should, in an era when we do not give the respect and appreciation to military members who, through the draft in earlier times, or through volunteerism always, put their lives on the line to protect the integrity, values and pride we as Americans should have in our nation and all who protect it, I offer this column as my own small part in promoting more respect for our active military and veterans.
Beginning
Beginning with the history of the Medal of Honor, the column will include stories about each of the recipients from New Jersey, with an accent on those heroes from Monmouth County. There will be stories on brothers, fathers and sons, and the one woman who have received the Medal, stories about Medals that were given, then taken back, and stories about some of the actions in which these brave men showed their bravery, their courage, and their integrity.
Love Affair
These are the stories about a love affair of men of stature with the United States of America. May they inspire you to look a bit differently and with a bit more pride in any military member you see, perhaps to shake his hand, buy him a cup of coffee, or simply say thanks for doing such a great job.
Not ever military member can be the recipient of the nation’s highest military award. There have been little more than 3500 receiving the honor since it was first awarded in 1861. But every military member nonetheless runs the risk of being in the position when his mettle could be tested to see if he could be so honored.
Senator James W. Grimes
It was Senator James W. Grimes who got and acted on the idea first. The Iowan Senator introduced a bill authorizing the production and distribution of “medals of honor” to be presented to seamen and Marines who “distinguish themselves by gallantry in action and other seaman-like qualities.
A native of New Hampshire, Grimes attended Dartmouth College, studied law and moved West, settling in the Black Hawk Purchase land that was part of the Wisconsin Territory and later became the state of Iowa. He then served as the new state’s third governor before going on to the Senate as a Republican and serving for ten years. He resigned the office in 1869 because of ill health and died three years later.
But as a Senator, he served on the Committee on Naval Affairs and was a member of the peace convention put together to try and prevent the Civil War. Recognizing the bravery of the Naval and Marine forces fighting the war his efforts failed to avoid, led him to introduce the bill to honor them.
The Navy
The Navy Medal of Honor was the beginning. Congress created it in December 1861, with President Abraham Lincoln signing Grimes’ legislation into law. The Purple Heart, which had been created by General George Washington to honor bravery during the Revolution had rather fallen along the wayside in the years since the war, and faced with a civil war, Congress realized its fighting forces on land and sea should be rightfully honored.
The Army
The Navy Medal of Honor, the first Medal, was followed seven months later by the Army’s Medal of Honor. That was signed into law after Senator Henry Wilson, another New Hampshire native and Republican who later became vice-president under President US Grant, introduced the Congressional legislation.
The Air Force
The Air Force was not created as a separate military unit until 1947, with honorees serving in the Army Air Corps prior to the establishment of the Air Force. But in 1965, with the Navy and the Army both having their own designs on the Medals of Honor, the Air Force also introduced its own design.
Enlisted First
At first, both Army and Navy Medals of Honor were only to be presented to enlisted soldiers and seamen. Two years later, the Army Medal was also made eligible to officers; but the Navy waiting another 52 years before authorizing officers to also be recognized.
Firsts
It was March 25, 1863, when the first Army Medals of Honor were presented and these went to Andrew’s Raiders, Union soldiers on a spy mission in Georgia .
The first Navy Medal of Honor was presented in May of the same year to Robert Williams, honored for his distinguished action aboard the USS Bendon during the Yazoo River Expedition.
The first Marine to receive the honor was John F. Mackie serving aboard the USS Galena, presented in July 1863.
The first recipient as a member of the Air Force was Major Louis Sebille who joined the Army Air Corps as a pilot, serving in WWII then returning to civilian life. He returned two years later when the Air Force was formally established and was commanding officer of a fighter-Bomber group. He received the nation’s highest honor for his last mission in 1950 in defense of South Korea.
Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces. US. Air Force members recognized for actions prior to July 1948 are listed as Army members; after then, they are listed as Air Force members.
Presented by the President
After President Theodore Roosevelt took office, he issued an Executive Order requiring that the Medal of Honor always be presented by the President of the United States, or a designated representative, in a formal ceremony.
In 1916, an Army and Navy Medal of Honor Roll was created and recipients were given a special pension in addition to their Medal.
Between 1916 and 1917, five Army generals reviewed all the Army Medals of Honor that had been awarded, and determined that 911 recipients did not deserve the honor. They rescinded their awards.
Other Valor Awards
The following year, 1918, during World War I, the US Military codified other valor awards, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star, with the Congressional Medal remaining the pinnacle.
Regardless of changes, the Medal of Honor remains the highest award for military valor, and its recipients are entitled to several honoraria because of their value and recognition. But the values remain…together with a deep love of country and the strong desire to always do the right and necessary thing at the right and necessary time.
