Search
Home Blog Page 177

An Accident Waiting to Happen

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
1
Highlands Borough Hall
One of the many renderings of the new Highlands Borough Hall

I know they feel confident that by Thanksgiving, three weeks away,  the borough hall framework will be completely covered so that work on the interior can proceed through the long winter. That’s a good thing.

But it still makes me wonder why the workers are allowed by the state to leave their vehicles parked partially along the side of Route 36 and partially on the sidewalk where people are walking their dogs or heading to church.

At the same time that they’re working on the exterior, they are going to be paving at least part of the planned parking lot close to the Valley Avenue  ‘front’ of the building, so those cars will be able to be parked inside.  That’s really a good thing.

However, in the meantime, something isn’t right.  The other day there were only two cars parked there, and I was hopeful that was it. However, this morning there were 12 cars parked along the side of Route 36, from west of Valley Avenue all the way to Miller St.

Attention Highlands drivers: Nobody better be getting parking tickets anyplace in town these days so long as not even a warning is issued on a state highway.

While I appreciate the  hard working employees, I do wonder about the lack of foresight on the part of the contractor or architect. Couldn’t the section behind the building near Miller St. have been cleared, if not paved? Cars could have been parked there. Couldn’t the Valley St. side permit parking even without paving? Heck, the contractors’ trailer is there, what’s wrong with some cars as well?

Plans to have the borough hall destroyed by Super Storm Sandy moved to that location have been on the books long before the current Mayor and Council took office. It did not seem like a good idea then, given some options they had, and it doesn’t appear to be a great idea now. I keep wondering how the folks along Highland Avenue behind the new building like their view being blocked? I keep wondering how all the families in that area are abiding the hammering and other noise which starts pretty early in the morning.

And I’m still disturbed that the building is so close to the Route 36 side of t he building. What happened to the earlier drawings and plans to have parking for two rows of cars between the building and the Route 36 sidewalk? Even though it appeared there was no door on that side, what with the front of the building facing Valley St. with several rows of parking in front of it, those earlier plans called for parking and even spelled out a specific reserved spot for the Judge who will preside over Municipal Court on the top floor of the new building.

The further the building progresses, the harder the contracted employees work, the more it looks like paying an architect for several years in advance of actually putting a shovel in the ground has not been an economic move…and it started many years ago.

 

Want to read more about the new Borough Hall?

Update

Another Update

At Whose Expense

Atlantic Highlands Candidates Review

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Vote Atlantic Highlands
As always, resident Mark Fisher is out there asking a lot of questions for elected leaders and those who want to be elected leaders. In his Candidates Review he conducted this year, he covered the 18 subjects that are most important to individuals, and urged voters to look at each of the questions and answers, make up his own mind and vote with as much knowledge as possible. Towards that end, I would wholeheartedly urge you to open this lengthy slide program, following the directions to go from subject to subject and read what each candidate thinks is important and how he or she would handle it.
Mark explained that this is the second year he’s done this, and since last year it was very well received and shared, including publications asking to print it,  he simply gave a carte blanche to all who want to spread the precise words each candidate gave to each of his questions.  Congratulations to the candidates for taking the time and being comprehensive and sincere in their responses.
Mark asked each of the four council candidates 18 questions and gave them ten days in which to get back to him, explaining he was posting their responses for anyone to read.


He concluded with  his appreciation to the four candidates for choosing to participate, and best of luck to them on election day.
Read the Q & A here

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6902

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Ed Kwik in VFW Parade
Ed Kwik former Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander while marching in Parade

It was 70 years ago this month that the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6902 in Highlands reported it would have the roof and siding completed on its new building near Huddy Park in the Waterwitch section of Highlands before winter set in.

The two officers said they expected the building to be  closed in before winter halted outside work and needed the help of volunteers to accomplish it.

Post Commander Buddy Waters and Assistant Commander Edward Kwik attended a meeting of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary to accept checks from the women for the numerous fund raising activities they had held and wanted to donate all the proceeds to the building fund.

Deputy Commander Kwik reported volunteers were working hard to complete the roof. He also said work would continue on the interior of the building in the spring.

The Auxiliary’s various chairmen reported on the fund raising activities they held for the building.  Mrs. Betty Kinney chaired a card party, Milie Kieferdorf, a Thanksgiving basket, Ellen Hennessy and Mae Kielt sold building blocks, Gertrude Johnson headed a merchandise club, Edith Mooney had a coffee cake sale, and Vivian Salon and Mrs. Johnson  both catered a wedding and gave those proceeds to the building fund. Members also sold shares on the building lots, all to offset the cost of the new building.

But the Auxiliary’s work was not contained to raising funds for the new building during November 1952. They also packaged gifts for veterans who were patients at the Fort Monmouth Hospital, collected for the Salvation Army, wrote cards to sick members , gave blood at the Highlands Blood Bank headed by Mrs. Alexander Bahrs, and send memorial cards to Councilman Matthew Horan, on the death of his mother, Mary.

Like stories like this?  Check out these

R is for Ralph

The Kavookjian Legacy

Mike Kovic

11 Ways You Can Commemorate Veterans Day

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
USMC Memorial Veterans Day

 

  1. Fly the American flag in front of your home.
  2. Hold a peace vigil, either in person or on ZOOM. Call together friends for brief prayers of peace, appreciation of veterans and remembrances of  deceased veterans.
  3. At 11 a.m. Nov. 11, ring bells 11 times for peace.
  4. Contact your place of worship, and ask them to toll bells 11 times at 11 a.m Nov. 11.
  5. Write a letter to a local newspaper and ask it to remember deceased veterans on their Editorial page. Tell  them to repeat the history of Armistice Day as a day of celebration of peace.
  6. Participate in the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars observance in your hometown.
  7. Request the governing body or your hometown to offer a moment of silence before their regular November meeting in honor of deceased veterans and another moment of silence for peace.

8   Ask your school board if the students are having a ceremony to honor veterans.

  1. Ask your school board if students could be assigned to write an essay on what peace means to them.
  2. Take a veteran to lunch or dinner to thank him for his service
  3. Visit a local cemetery and see the number of deceased veterans from all wars. Say thank you. Pray for peace in your own way.

Related Stories Honoring Veterans

Hometown Hero

Tommy Ptak

Captain Joseph Azzolina

Earle

RBC & the War

Certified Wildlife Habitat!

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Wild About Atlantic Highlands

What happens when two great organizations, Wild about Atlantic Highlands, and the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society, get together  with a brand new project? Answer: the historic Strauss Mansion becomes a Certified Wildlife Habitat!.

 

That’s what over the past few months, and a  month ago there was a celebration of that accomplishment and  one more opportunity to  spotlight the mission of Wild About Atlantic Highlands with a community event to honor all that is being achieved.

 

Marilyn Scherfern, who heads Wild about Atlantic Highlands, and Joanne Dellosso, an officer of the Historical Society, coordinated the joint effort which included numerous volunteers and untold hours of hard work.

 

In expressing her thanks during the formal celebration ceremony, Scherfen told Dellosso their efforts were a true gift to the community. In appreciation, she presented the Society with a banner celebrating the new partnership.

 

The working partnership was planned to enhance both organizations and to keep the public informed of what is being offered in the borough in the way of history and preservation as well as beauty and environmental protection. The results were instantaneous with the promise of continuing to be even more successful with  more events planned for the future.

Attendance at the Museum as well as at it numerous events had increased considerably since the Covid epidemic, causing significant drops to the Society and numerous organizations and fund raisers. At the same time a larger variety of residents are now learning more about the mission and undertaking of Wild About Atlantic Highlands.

As a special tribute to the Historical Society, Wild About Atlantic Highlands established a small, native-plant garden at the Mansion for three primary reasons:  public education, beautification, and broadening the scope of the Society’s habitat there.

In order to keep costs as low as possible and to exemplify how far the sharing idea spreads,  specimens for the new garden came from  plants from  members’ own gardens.

Fall was the perfect time to conduct the rehabilitation since  many people were digging up and/or dividing plants in their yards.  The idea resulted in 66 plants from 26 different species, including one of New Jersey’s state flower, the common Blue Violet.  An additional request resulted in a birdbath for the new habitat.

Because most of the donated plants require sun, a plot of sun-drenched land was selected and required the removal of non-native species, primarily invasive plants, which in itself resulted in the rescue of native plants in the area. These included phlox, asters, evening primrose and the seedlings of pin oak and black walnut trees. Clearing the land also included pruning two rhododendron trees and three, tall rose bushes.

Grass, which covers most of the Mansion’s property, is well-maintained, thought it is also home to many non-native plants, including daylilies and hostas, as well as some invasive species of English Ivy and porcelain berry.

The outer ring of hostas will remain as  a garden border temporarily, but discussion is continuing on replacing them with more suitable native plants.

While the vast majority of plants were included within the garden,  there was also a second, smaller location cleared to take advantage of both sun and the shade accorded by the mansion’s stairs to accommodate plants like the donated Solomon Seal, that require more shade.

 

Wild About Atlantic Highlands has worked in numerous other areas around the borough and invites residents to establish their own certified wildlife habitat.  They have, in addition to removing invasive species, coordinated a stream cleanup, planted trees, rescued native plants and held a native plant sale. They have also conducted and participated in trail cleanups and family nature events before participating with the Museum in the recent restoration event.

 

The Strauss Mansion, located at the top of a grassy hill overlooking at the top of E. Mount ave. is a museum, and headquarters for the  Historical Society.  Described by  NJ Historic Trust as a wood-shingled Queen Anne style house  built in 1893, it was  designed by Solomon Cohen and built by Adolph Hutera as the summer residence of Adolph Strauss.  The Strauss family was part of the Jewish summer community at Atlantic Highlands, commuting to New York by ferry.

The house was sold in the 1960s, divided into apartments and ultimately condemned in 1981 for code violations. The Historical Society bought  it in 1981, made initial repairs and opened the first floor to the public five years later as a house museum. It remains  significant for its high style representation of a Queen Anne ‘summer cottage’ constructed during the golden age of shore-town development.

Visit the Historical Society’s site at www.ahhistory.org for further information on the museum, its open hours and special events.

Carrots | You’ve Never Seen a Bunny Rabbit Wearing Glasses

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Roasted Carrots

The standard joke is you know how great carrots are for eyesight since you’ve never seen a bunny rabbit wearing glasses. The truth of the matter is carrots, either the baby kind or the large ones,  are so full of vitamins and minerals like many other root vegetables, they should be considered a must for good eyesight. It’s all the beta-carotene in them that gives carrots their rich orange color. By the way, baby carrots are definitely not young grown-up carrots. They’re actually bred that way to make them sweeter than their great big cousins. Either way, carrots are terrific, if you eat bunches of them for several weeks you’ll notice an orange tinge to your skin, Not to worry, cut back on the beta carotene and the color goes away as well.

Try this recipe in your air cooker, using both the baby and the grown-up carrots for a sweet taste made even sweeter with the addition of some orange juice.

Roasted Carrots

1 Cups baby carrots

1 large carrot, peeled and sliced

1 Tbl. Orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible

1 teas. Olive oil

1 tsp. melted butter

1 teas. Dill weed

Salt and Pepper as desired.

 

Combine orange juice, oil butter, and dill and mix well, Stir in salt and pepper if using and drizzle over the carrots, tossing to coat.

Put the mix in the air cooker at 400 degrees and roast for 10 minutes, take out, shake and roast for another 10 minutes or so. Carrots will be tender, glazed, and tasty.

See other Eye Healthy Recipes

Hopeful on Harbor Commission

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Atlantic Highlands Harbor

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS –   Capt. Harold Smith of TowBOAT/US  is hopeful about reports he might hear at tonight’s night’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission. But he isn’t holding out an awful lot of hope.

After all, it’s been since January of 2020, when he began paying his higher rent on the new $1.5. million building where his office is located. And it’s been almost as long since he’s been telling the harbor commission there are major things wrong with it, things that Kappa Construction Co., the firm that built the building, should have corrected before any bonds were released or certificates of occupancy or any other permits issued.

He came to several meetings, told the commissioners about entry door that doesn’t close, the leak at the front, the loose siding, the mold, the air conditioning that isn’t right and the gas valve for emergency shut offs being in the wrong place. He’s been told it would all be fixed.

When it wasn’t, he went to the Mayor and Council, since it is a borough owned building, told them about the lack of action and asked to be released from his lease. Nothing happened.

So he went back to the Mayor and Council again and said he wanted to get out of his lease. They told him that time that it is a Harbor Commission matter and that Commission and their attorney were working on it.

Now Smith has been advised there will be a report at tomorrow’s meeting. He said he has been told that  an air conditioning firm will be there on Thursday, and that the gas valve is going to be replaced next week.

But he’s been told other things before that haven’t happened. So while he’s holding out hope for tonight’s Harbor Commission Meeting, he simply doesn’t know whether all the problems, including at the very least the shut off valve location, which are dangerous situations, are really going to be finally taken care of.

It hasn’t all been bad, the mild-mannered businessman who has paid all his rent in a timely fashion and gave a major assist to the Harbor ten years ago after Superstorm Sandy. He said Commission Chair Tom Wal and borough administrator Rob Ferragina has been trying and have been helpful.  “When I couldn’t get any answers from management at the Harbor Commission, I turned to them,” he said, “and they tried to do their best. I just hope it all works this time, but who knows?”

Smith said he continues to get his bills from the Harbor Commission without any trouble. But no solutions as of yet.

As to his question to the Mayor and Council about  getting out of his lease?  “Nope, they never answered that either,” Smith said.

Putting the children first!

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0

I don’t know Melissa Wong Reeves but this was a great letter she wrote on Facebook addressed to Highlands voters. She sounds sincere, sounds like she has been involved, and sounds like she has looked into some of the business aspects of being an active Board of Education member. The fact she has written such an honest and open letter is also indicative she thinks and isn’t afraid to express her own opinions. She could well be a fascinating new board member. Also nice she is going for the one year term and that will give her an opportunity to see how involved many board members are, how much time it takes and yet how much they can accomplish as the elected people who oversee and decide  what’s going on in their own school. But it takes voters who take the time to pick up the pencil in the voting booth and actually write-in her name. If you don’t know how, the poll workers are trained and always right there to give an assist if asked.

 

Hello Highlands Friends!

My name is Melissa W Reeves and I would love it if you would consider me as a write-in for the Highlands Elementary School District Board of Education 1 year term. I am a Highlands resident for just shy of 6 years now and a mother of 2 beautiful girls who are Highlands Elementary Students (pre-K and 4th grade). I’ve served as a class parent and on the HES PTO for the past 5 years, most recently serving as the Corresponding Secretary. I am very active in my children’s lives both in and out of the school. I love volunteering for all of the HES events and getting to know all of the wonderful children and teachers there.

Now is the time for new faces on the HES BOE. If elected on the BOE, my top priorities will be:

  1. Putting the children first! Our teachers and staff work so hard to educate and provide a safe space for our children. I will make sure they have the tools and support from the BOE to thrive.
  2. Pushing regionalization through! Our HES students are falling behind other districts. Regionalization needs to happen to help get our kids back on track. Not only will this help the students, it will help everyone in Highlands. Everyone benefits!
  3. Improving communication within our community. As a parent of two HES students, I naturally have a personal interest in how well the school does. What frustrates me the most as a parent is the lack of communication of what is going on with HES and the plans on having our children excel and catch up to the rest of the districts in our area. As a marketing professional for the past 20+ years, I know first hand how much clear communication is vital for everyone. I promise to change that in our school.

If you should have any questions for me or want to discuss more in how I can help our HES community, please feel free to reach out. I’m always available to chat!

Please consider writing in Melissa W Reeves for the 1 year Highlands Elementary BOE term.

Thank you!!

 

Sea Bright: Absentee Candidate?

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Absentee Candidate
Absentee Candidate

It looks like Sea Bright has three candidates running for the two council seats, incumbent  Sam Catalano who has already proven he can do a good job and takes the time to listen to the people so that he can obtain the information necessary  in order to act  carefully and  wisely. I have not had the pleasure of meeting the other republican candidate Marcella Tomasaetta but I hear from  sources who know her she is a very nice lady.  But  I did meet Heather Gorman and love her enthusiasm, ideas and energy for Sea Bright. Hearing her tell so many wonderful stories to me and showing me her interest in the borough and the time she has to help it when the town celebrated its victory over Super Storm Sandy Saturday, makes me think she’ll be pretty darn great as a councilwoman.

Perhaps Ms. Tomasetta would be  as well, but I wonder whether she even has the time to help, let alone be devoted 100 per cent to Sea Bright. In a cursory check because I was trying to locate her and find out more about her other than the one flyer I saw on Facebook, I learned she must be successful in business, whatever it is. She and her husband give their address on some sites in Freehold, another great town. Then I saw where they just purchased a  $ 12.75 million estate in the state of Washington.

As nice as that is for the Tomasettas, it is also a fact that makes me wonder about giving 100 per cent to running Sea Bright.

With three homes in two states, which is really home? Where is the most time spent? I’ve spoken with neighbors in Sea Bright who say they never see her. I know she’s been on recent council meetings on ZOOM, but you can be on ZOOM from anywhere and to the best of my knowledge she never has spoken. Surely if she were in Sea Bright for those meetings she would  have been at the meeting and  made her presence known  in person.

I looked for her Saturday after I spoke with the other candidates, but I could not find her nor could anyone tell me she was there for that wonderful celebration. I asked if she had been at the Fall Festival, that traditional fundraiser for that magnificent Library always held in October. But I don’t think she was there either.

So I would ask Sea Bright voters.  Do you think it is important for your council members to be available in town? Do you think it’s a good thing that they are present at fundraisers for things like the library? Or at celebrations as you all can justifiably hold when it comes to beating Superstorm Sandy? Do you think it is important for them to attend regular council meetings and be in town at times of emergencies?  Ask yourself these questions.

Sea Bright, you’ve come so far, you do so much, you work so well together. You indeed do need people on your council who will continue everything you always do, will be available for the fund raisers, as well as the fun, the business and the listening.

It seems this might be the perfect time to let an Independent like Heather Gorman step up and continue to work with everyone to keep Sea Bright the Sea Bright we all know and love.

Smith Remembers Sandy

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
U.S. CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH REPRESENTING NEW JERSEY'S 4TH DISTRICT

FREEHOLD— On the tenth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Rep. Chris Smith wrote a message to all residents impacted by the storm that devastated many towns along the shoreline.  

 

“In 2012, Superstorm Sandy struck our shore and wreaked havoc on our communities, leaving families without housing, businesses in shambles, and decimated municipalities in its wake.

 

“First responders courageously rescued people and faith-based organizations helped feed, clothe and shelter victims.  Local and municipal leaders worked around the clock to restore normalcy to our towns.  And neighbors and volunteers were on the scene helping in droves.

 

“Despite the crippling losses, we were happy to be alive and determined to rebuild.

 

“Since then we have rebuilt our homes and businesses and focused on resiliency programs that fortify our coastline and expand beach protection. We are stronger and more committed than ever to protecting our people, businesses and tourism at the shore.”

 

1...176177178...246Page 177 of 246

About us

I write to fill that need for myself while hoping it stimulates you to watch your government more closely, to question, to learn more about history, travel, how to eat well and prevent or cure serious diseases, protest if you like, quit reading if it annoys you, but enjoy a few minutes sharing thoughts, love and inspiration.

Company

The latest

Eat Free Breakfast, Meet New Friends

Jersey Shore News 0
If there’s any one group in Highlands that goes...

Highlands Will Rock Saint Pat’s

Jersey Shore News 0
Approximately 120 marching units, including bagpipers, marching bands community...

The Leusen Family Honored

Jersey Shore News 0
Thomas and Stacey Leusen and their children were honored...

Popular

Atlantic Highlands Regionalization- Censorship & the F-Bomb

Opinions 1
At last nights council meeting in Atlantic Highlands, Jim...

The Power of Positive Thinking Interfaith 21st Century Edition Book Review

What Makes Me Happy 1
The Power of Positive Thinking Interfaith 21st Century Edition,...

AH Planning Board … Keeping You in the Dark

Opinions 0
It is difficult to tell whether the Atlantic Highlands...

© 2024 All Rights Reserved. Smith Family Publishing. Designed & Developed by Umer