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Nut & Berry Granola

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Nut and Berry Granola

With nuts and berries both so good for eye health and in helping to prevent, or halt the development of Aging Macular Degeneration, this Nut and Berry Granola seems like the perfect recipe for either breakfast, served with soy or almond milk for even more taste and health, or simply as a snack in the hands.

Air cookers offer a great way to prepare granola, which can be served immediately or stored in an airtight contained at room temperature for several days.

HINT: Be sure to use gluten-free oatmeal, otherwise oats may have traces of gluten since some oats are processed on the same lines at wheat for flour.)

 

NUT AND BERRY GRANOLA

1/2 Cups rolled, NOT quick-cooking) Oats

1 Cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or both

3 T. flaxseed

½ t. cinnamon

1/8 teas. Nutmeg

¼ Cup maple syrup

3 Tbls. Vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla

½ Cup each dried  blueberries and dried cherries.

Combine oats, nuts, flaxseed, and spices, and mix well.

Combine maple syrup, oil vanilla and ¼ teas. salt, if using salt,  and mix well. Pour over the oat mixture, stirring to combine

Set the air cooker at 350 degrees, place pan with the mixture in the air cooker basket and bake for 12 minutes, stirring once. Granola should be golden brown and fragrant.

Let cool for three minutes. Stir in dried fruits. And either serve or store for several days.

Colts Neck General Store

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Colts Neck General Store

The historic background and centuries old stories about the Colts Neck General Store will be in the second printing of Lillian G. Burry’s book on historic sites in Colts Neck, expected out this fall, but in the meantime, stop in at this charming place of business on Route 537 and see for yourself why it well deserves a place in history.

Located just west of the Route 34/Route 537 intersection, the General Store is just that!  They sell everything from bait to handmade jewelry and so much in between.

It deserves its place in history as a visiting point in the town’s center  for ages, but in addition to retaining its historic charm, it is ultra-modern and up to date in so many things for sale, while giving 21st century visitors an opportunity to learn about antiques from the past, great old photographs and news stories, and things an old General Store would sell besides bait…fireplace wood, local honey, old signs and décor.

Then meet Mary Pahira, the charming owner of the General Store, and a woman who was destined to own this piece of history from the time she was in high school, worked at Delicious Orchards, and knew she loved history and wanted to promote as much knowledge of it as she could.

Mary, who is married to Mike and the couple have two children, Charlotte and Bryson, worked at the General Store in 2009 when it was owned by Jill and Glen Asher. When she saw an opportunity to purchase it and make happen some of her ideas of retaining old time charm blending with new convenience and everyday courtesy, she jumped at it. The Colts Neck General Store has been getting better from that day forward.

When Mary purchased it, there were perhaps a table or two for breakfast or lunch inside and a table on the porch as well. Today, the dining room is spacious, comfortable and inviting. As is the porch, complete with rocking chairs, piles of firewood, some baskets  and barrels, and even a very unique looking vegetable scale.

In addition to the scale and other items that were left  by the Ashers, Mary has enlarged immensely on the historic touches, as well as expanding the deli menu and offering so many unique items for sale. The historic  items that make the café so attractive are partly from her own collection, partly what was there, and partly from visitors and friends who had antiques but thought Mary would like them in the store. There are photos and news paper events from articles about Colts Neck, horses, and other points of interest from decades ago, a great story on Laird’s and another on Joshua Huddy, who used to own the hotel up the road a bit.

The deli counter is far more than sliced bologna and Swiss cheese. There are numerous hot dishes available, all fresh and served by staff as friendly as Mary herself. The kitchen behind the deli counter is spotless, and on the shelves on the customer side of the counter, there are all kinds of beverages, snacks and desserts to enjoy with breakfast or lunch specials, either in the dining room or for take-out.

The shelves are filled with jams, jellies, honeys, and other local specialties, together with a fantastic array of handmade jewelry , hats and shirts, unique signs and gift ideas for all. Of course there are coffee and ice cream, and specials of the day.

Mary said she purchased the business because she loved the building, loved the area, loved the people, and wanted to bring life back into the building.

She’s done that and more.

The General Store is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and from 7 .am. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Make the time to visit, enjoy breakfast or lunch, and learn a little bit of local history.

Blue Mass Working Hero’s

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Atlantic Highlands First Aid
Just got the ID’s and names  of those four wonderful First Aid volunteers in Atlantic Highlands who also left the Blue Mass honoring them and rushed off to an emergency health need along with the three Atlantic Highlands police officers.  Thanks to the wonderful person who knew how many people wanted to hear the other quick thinkers who jumped right in in spite of having to miss the conclusions of the honorary ceremonies at St. Agnes thanking them and all police, firemen, Park Service and Coast Guardsmen who are always there to protect and help each of us.
The four emergency responders were  Lance Hubeny, Mike Berth, Amanda Stolte and John Wilson. Thanks so much again.

Joy & Disappointment

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Race

I must be having a bad day, because though there are so many things that have made me happy today, as usual, unfortunately there are a few things that make me wonder, make me unhappy and are truly disappointing.

Top on the list is the absolutely wonderful Blue Mass at St. Agnes Wednesday Day. Credit goes especially to John Flynn, a member of the Knights of Columbus Rev. Joseph Donelly Council at OLPH-St Agnes parish who started the entire program 20 years ago and has worked to keep to growing it grow since. Humble as he is, he’ll say he didn’t do much, it’s all the Knights and all the other people in the parish and in the Bayshore who want to give this public thanks to all the volunteers and police who do such a terrific job all the time. He’s right that he needs help and has always gotten it because the event is so well organized.

It was stirring to see each of the volunteer groups and police and NPS and Coast Guardsmen from Sandy Hook march down the aisle behind the Middletown Fire Department Post Explorers carrying the axes so often necessary for firemen in rescuing people and fighting blaze. The variety of uniforms, the ages from pre-teens to seniors who wanted to be a part of all this was a reminder of how many different wonderful organizations and spectacular volunteers we have in the area.  Boy Scout troop 22, which includes scouts from all local towns,  with their leaders, the ladies fire auxiliary in Atlantic Highlands, so many wonderful people all gathered together, regardless of religion or politics, in simple prayer and thanks were inspiring.

What was a bit disappointing is that there were still empty rows of seats at St. Agnes, I suspect because  even though people are grateful, they were either working or didn’t want to leave cozy homes at night to show their thanks or say a prayer with all these volunteers.

What was inspiring was seeing those three Atlantic Highlands police move quickly down the church aisle when they got the message of a medical emergency, shortly thereafter followed by the First Aid members..  Also inspiring was Robert Fesla  the altar server with a great story of his own which you’ll see here another day. And so much more.

The generosity and show of appreciation of residents at the Mass continued down at the Shore Casino for the late supper and continued camaraderie afterwards.  There, while volunteers themselves paid for part of the cost as did local residents and business,  the Shore Casino was as generous as it always  is to all volunteers, in pricing the overall costs for the free event. The volunteers were profuse in their thanks to owner Kathleen Sweeney and her hard working son Jay Strebb who are continuing the tradition the Shore Casino has been known for of taking as much care of the local police as they possibly can.

Disappointing, of course, is still not knowing whether the local Mayor and Council is going to authorize any donation from the borough, as the Harbor Commission did for boat owners who lease space at the Harbor to show appreciation to all the volunteers.

More photos and stories about this wonderful evening to be posted in the coming days.

The Highlands council members  couldn’t be present for the event as the Atlantic Highlands Council members were, since the Blue Mass was the same night as their regular meeting.  Disappointing of course, is that their meetings are never on ZOOM, so even if there was no Blue Mass, I couldn’t have made the meeting. So I tried to listen to it on their recording today. That’s a challenge in itself.

Difficult to hear, difficult to understand some sections, and of course a day late before the public who can’t  attend have any way of  knowing what’s going on.  But their recording, albeit a day late, is one up on the Atlantic Highlands ZOOM meetings. They move the camera around so those watching the recording can see members of the public when they’re up and speaking.

Happy to see at that meeting, however, how quick the Mayor is to notice when something is wrong…and quicker still in correcting it.

Holding a public hearing on whether the council should authorize seeking a FEMA grant to finally correct that  chronic flooding when gallons of rainwater wash down from Monmouth Hills,  they had a pair of engineers who were giving what sounded like a spectacular explanation of what the money would fund, if the borough could get it. They were speaking in terms and words the general public could understand and they had screens full of pictures and drawings to be sure the public knew what was going on. At the very beginning, on the recording you can see the Mayor, not paying attention to the engineer…. I’m sure she’s heard him a lot before the meeting…but looking towards the wall opposite the engineer’s explanatory video screen. It took her a minute or so to size up what was going wrong and how it could be fixed, namely, nobody had moved the camera so the recording watchers could also see the engineer’s  display. So the Mayor got up, went over and moved the camera and voila! The folks at home watching the recording today or any day hereafter, can see everything the folks at the meeting could see. She noticed it quickly and took action to correct it, Would that she could work or swiftly on letting the public who can’t be there in person still be able to participate live  in government business.

And taking a departure from the excellence of the Girls Café in Highlands one recent afternoon, I stopped in the new Farmacie at the corner of Miller and Bay where there is no doubt, the crusts on the tarts and quiche are the finest, the croissants are spectacular, and a new business in the middle of town is bound to be a huge hit with the other great eateries once they grow from their delicious bakery and charming gift shop hopefully to a breakfast or luncheon spot with menus and wait staff. They do have tables and chairs, and a counter overlooking the main street, but this is bound to grow into a comfortable eating spot as well.

Bye Now

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Bye Now

Hey, Readers, here’s a question for You!

Can anyone identify the men on this boat? It’s the Bye Now, they’re enjoying the day at Roxy’s and the Highlands historian said one of the men is a Rast. But former Atlantic Highlands Mayor and native Fred Rast said it’s no one from his family.  Were there more Rasts around than that wonderful Highlands family of the 1950s and before?

TrueRest

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TrueRest

Here’s a story I wrote for Jersey Shore Scene, another great blog you should check out. I wrote it a couple of years ago, but if anything, TrueRest in Brick has gotten even better. Worth the trip to see for yourself.

Even in this heat wave, lying in a tub filled with warm salt water is a distinct pleasure.

If you’ve heard about the Flotation Bath, wondered exactly what it is, or thought you’d never want to be wrapped up in a pod, do yourself a favor. Book a Float and see for yourself!

After seeing an ad on Jersey Shore Scene, my daughter gave me a gift certificate for a floatation bath at TrueRest at 990 Cedar Bridge Blvd. in Brick.  I couldn’t wait to try it.  The facility is located in a strip mall that also includes Carrabba’s and Cold Stone Ice Cream, with plenty of parking and easy access. As directed, I arrived a half hour before my hour-long appointment. Scott, genial, affable, and enthusiastic, explained that would give me time to fill out papers, get a tour, and even see a short video that explains everything about the experience.

I had already learned on the phone that TrueRest provides everything from ear plugs to towels to hair dryers, I would have my own private room and pod, and my choice of whether I opted for au naturel or a bathing suit. Nobody told me about the extra treat at the end of my pod float, so read on!

Paperwork is easy, the usual brief bio, liability waivers, and explanations care is necessary on my part to weigh in personal factors like hair dye….can’t go in within a few days of a treatment, or time of month periods that would make it both unhealthy and unsanitary to float.

The movie was brief and cute…. Cartoon characters showed that in floating you could bob your head or hands or feet against a side of the pod, there’s a light on all the time (or off if you prefer) and music to start and finish this grand relaxation experience.

The tour was even more fascinating I was shown the bathroom’s location, a dressing room with large mirrors, combs, brushes (in antiseptics) hair dryers and more and then the doors leading into each of the pods.

For me, it was a huge and pleasant surprise to see my private room was large..plenty of room with a bench to sit to undress, hooks to hang my clothes, a walk-in shower with plenty of hot water complete with shampoo, soap and conditioner…a little basket with ear plugs, Q-tips, and linens…though because I like a huge wraparound towel, I did bring my own.

And then, right in that same big room, taking up one side of the room, was MY POD!  It looked beautiful, a bit like a space missile, a kind-of pear-shaped piece of furniture sparkling white and clean, about seven feet long and perhaps five feet wide. I liked it even before I opened it!

Then I liked it even better! The water was, once again, sparkling clear, moving gently against the soft-hued blue interior, an underwater light, a couple of buttons I could push to turn off the music or light, press for the front desk if I had any questions or needs, and even a small bottle of fresh water in case I got some of the float water in my eyes.

The float water! It’s magnesium that makes you float! Epsom salts! Hundreds of pounds of it. Enough, in a mere ten inches of water, to ensure you cannot sink, even if you try. Nor can you swim..not that you’d want to. Actually, between the gentle movement of the water, the soft blue hues that are so relaxing, and the just-right warm temperature of the water, all you really want to do is get in, lie down, and let your cares and worries float away.

A shower before a float is a necessity, for sanitary purposes. It feels great to shower thoroughly, not dry off and simply hop into the pod.

Yes, there’s a top to the pod, and yes you close it down over you. But there’s plenty of room between the ‘ceiling’ inside the pod and your face.  For me, that, combined with the light and the gently moving water, eliminated any feeling of claustrophobia. Besides, I had been shown, I had complete control over opening and closing the pod, with the handle that lifts it right there for me to hold if I so desired.

It took me a couple of minutes to adjust, stepping over the high side of the pod, and getting into a sitting position to make it easier to simply stretch back and lie down. Yes, I used ear plugs and yes, I took advantage of the donut-shaped ring behind my head to make it easier to stretch out and keep my face out of the water.

Once lying down, it was thrilling. Relaxing, yes, but thrilling as well. Here I was, an octogenarian, all 170 pounds of me, and I was lying in a giant pod with my arms stretched out, my body relaxed…and I was FLOATING! Just lying there half in and half out of the water, in a safe and private area all by myself. I could still hear the pump on the water circulating to ensure its cleanliness and knew it would be stopping soon. The music came on gently as I got used to feeling like I was in space and stretched both my legs and arms to see if I could touch all sides at one time…my 5’4” frame couldn’t, but came close enough to make me still feel like I was in a giant, protective cocoon.

As I adjusted, I sensed more than heard the circulation stop, the music gently faded away, and relaxation set in big time. Once the music was gone, it was totally quiet…peaceful and quiet. A time to unwind, put thoughts to the side, simply concentrate on feeling great.

When my mind wouldn’t stop working in spite of my totally relaxed state, I tried to think of what I felt like. A lily pad, I decided. A big lily pad being gently swayed in a beautiful pool. Monet’s Water Lilies came to mind and as I concentrated on that beautiful painting, I sensed my head was turning off thoughts, worries, or plans for what I was going to do next. I was totally relaxed! I was a lily pad!

Perhaps five minutes before the hour is up, the music comes on again, once more, gently, softly, gradually getting louder…no blasting you out of reverie, just gently reminding you it’s almost time to get up, get out, shower again, get dressed and leave my private room.

A friend who had taken frequent floats told me she did it because it made her body feel so soft she “couldn’t stop hugging myself.”  She was absolutely right! There is a natural residue on your body left from the salt in the water, but even after a shower to cleanse it all away, your body feels soft and yes, like you want to hug yourself!  And I don’t know why, but your skin isn’t wrinkled in spite of being submerged in water for an hour!

Once dressed, I headed to the salon room to use their mirrors and dryers and was then met by same friendly receptionist who had brought me in at the start. She led me to another room replete with comfortable chairs, footstools, books on everything from interpretation of dreams to travel and fashion, and a table set with water and hot herbal teas.

That’s when I got the next surprise! In addition to all these amenities, there was also an Oxygen bar, she explained. What’s more, I had my choice of aromas I wanted for yes, even more relaxation.

I opted for eucalyptus since I wanted to be sure to be alert for my drive home, but I could have also selected vanilla, lemongrass, lavender, or more. The assistant handed me a cannula to insert in my nostrils, inserted the other end of the tube in the herbal bottle, handed me a cup of tea, and left me for another ten minutes of relaxation, breathing in beautiful aromas,  and coming back down to earth. A must, I advise, in order to take full advantage of that hour of relaxation before facing the world once again.

My assessment of the experience? I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Israel and go in the Dead Sea. I know what it was like to float with dozens of other people in heavily salted water in a huge area. I remember the feel of the mud as I walked through the shallow edge to lie back and float in the deeper water. I remember at the time wondering whether I’d be able to stand up enough or swim to get out, once I floated further from shore. None of that relaxed me.

TrueRest? A pod of my own? Privacy. Quiet. Someone to call if I got apprehensive. Hot showers, clean towels, antiseptic cleanliness all around.

It simply can’t be beat!

https://www.truerest.com/locations/brick/     

https://www.truerest.com/locations/ocean-township/

Police Explorers

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Police Explorer Post

Highlands-Building on a strong foundation on which the Post was formed in 2007 and having teens who are interested in the program enough to dedicate themselves to the degree it needs are the real keys to having a successful and very popular Police Explorer Post.

That’s the opinion of Explorer Post 1900 Advisor Patrolman Connor J. McGrath,, Badge #34  on the local police department.  McGrath, who together with Ptl. Alex Braswell heads the post in the borough,  freely admits it takes a lot of time and energy to maintain a successful program in addition to regular police work.

But the rewards are well worth it.

Ptl. Braswell himself is proof of the excellence of the program in this borough and as such is also a model for the boys and girls in the post who range from 14 to 18 years of age. An officer on the department for two years,  he was in Post 1900 as a teenager. In fact, four members of the local department are former police explorers during their high school years.

It’s the model these officers set and the stories they can tell prospective Explorers that serve as key ingredients in a very active recruiting program and maintaining memberships throughout a person’s teen years.

McGrath was recommended for the advisory position to Police Chief Robert Burton by Det. Corp. George Ruth and the Chief wholeheartedly endorsed it.

“I knew both these officers would be excellent leaders for our teenagers,” the chief said, “and was happy to name them to the co-advisory positions after they told me how enthusiastic they both were for the opportunity to work with the group. They are living proof police officers are not only educators in a variety of studies they might never be able to experience otherwise, but they also learn there are exciting experiences  they can enjoy without needing to try drugs, take chances or look at police officers as enemies.”

“The explorer program is an assignment that goes above the normal patrol aspect of police work and can be quite involved,” McGrath said. “Our post meets regularly twice a month, and that’s in addition to the other days when they come in for various trainings and physical fitness programs.”

Explorers also have to attend the Police Explorer Academy;  there is a physical aspect to it as part of the program, so post members request, and receive,  additional training days to work out and get in shape.

Both boys and girls from Highlands and the surrounding area, including Atlantic Highlands and Middletown where there are also active posts,  belong to the post, and all the posts work together on numerous activities throughout the year.

The twice monthly meetings generally include some training on a variety of law enforcement subjects, with the classwork part of the program coinciding with the physical trainings  full time Police Officers receive.   Post members are always eager to volunteer for community events where they can be of assistance. This year, they have been involved in  a broad variety of activities, including traffic control which they did during the recent Bike New York as well as collecting debris and cleaning local parks during the Highlands Earth Day Event.

“Our post prides itself not only on the quality of program  we have built, but the quality and character of the explorer once he has moved on from our program,” McGrath pointed out.

But while they are members, there is no doubt the one unique experience that adds to the Post experience for all of them is the honor of wearing the post uniform and the efforts it takes each Explorer in earning the right to earn this honor.

“ We do full uniform inspections of the explorers and they exhibit a large sense of pride in their appearance as a result,” both McGrath and Braswell agree. “Once they complete the Explorer Academy they are given their full Class A uniform,” Braswell explained in highlighting how the program works. “Then when they complete emergency medical training and attend at least one summer at the Explorer Academy they can then sign up to conduct “ride alongs” with  full time officers.  Possibly because of this experience and their recognition of their ability to work in the field of law enforcement, many  explorers have gone on to complete this program and pursued careers in law enforcement.” That is evidenced in this program alone with the number of former explorers, like Braswell,  now with the local department.

Post members like the coordination of programs and activities with other explorer posts, they all agree.  Braswell and McGrath maintain a strong relationship with the other post advisors and as a result, the Highlands post  is very active and coordinates and attends other post’s events and  works frequently with some of the larger programs in the area.  “It’s difficult,” McGrath admits, to  schedule and coordinate with some of the others sometimes, but it’s worth all the effort and the post members learn so much and appreciate the new experiences.”

Building a Police Explorer Program cannot be done overnight, the advisors say, speaking from their own experience. But the key to success is the kids themselves. “If we went around and solicited for our program by telling kids in lieu of borough ordinance violations or instead of getting in trouble they could join the program, it would never work, “ McGrath said. “That’s because there would no dedication involved.  It took our predecessors quite some time to build a program and our aim is to have today’s teens continue its excellence, help it to grow and continue to help wherever they are needed in the community.”

“This may be a full time assignment on its own,” both officers agree, but are quick to add,  “it  is also one of the most rewarding ones that we have. Being able to work with the explorers and teach them a sense of responsibility and the importance of character is an aspect of this job is an experience each of us will appreciate forever.”

Teens in the area interested in joining this Explorer Post can e-mail Ptl. McGrath at cmcgrath@highlandsborough.org

 

PHOTO:  Courtesy of the Highlands Police Department
Officer Connor McGrath conducting a ride along with Robert Cavanaugh (past Explorer currently in United States Air Force) 

Tuna Recipes

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Tuna

When you have a neighbor who has had a highly successful day of offshore fishing and gives pounds of filleted yellow fish tuna to his neighbors, it’s fun to find new recipes for enjoying another food that is so perfect for better vision, so good for heart care, and so delicious to taste. The Tuna Poke Bowls look like a lot of work, but they are loaded with so many vegetables that are good for eyesight, they are worth the time it takes to wash and chop.

The baked steaks are easy and delicious, care should be taken to ensure they are not overcooked, since that takes away the taste of tuna.

 

Yellowfin Tuna Poke Bowls

4 tablespoons soy sauce

3 Tbls each of vinegar ,Toasted sesame oil, Sesame seeds

1 avocado, sliced

1 cup red cabbage, sliced

1 cup of carrots, julienne sliced

1 Cup sliced cucumber

1 Cup broccoli, sliced

4 slices pickled ginger

½ Cup sliced seaweed (optional)

¼ Cup chopped cilantro

  1. Tbls. Diced chives .

Directions:
In a bowl mix together the first three ingredients with a whisk, set aside. Cut 1 ½ Cups tuna into  1 inch cubes.  Place them in the bowl with the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge while prepping the vegetables.
Cut all the vegetables  and p lace all along the outside of the bowl in a creative sign  (alternating colors, etc.) Place the tuna in the center, sprinkle a few more sesame seeds on top, sprinkle the chives and drizzle some sriracha mayo on top

Try it using chopsticks.

Baked Yellowfin Tuna Steaks

Recipe makes 4 Servings

1 Lb. yellowfin tuna loin steaks

3 oz. Spicy Asian sauce

Touch of salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions 

Heat oven to 450°F

Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Place tuna in baking dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Spread half of splash over top of tuna steaks. Turn steaks; season and spread remaining splash on the other side.

Bake 8-10 minutes, uncovered for 1 inch thick steaks. Do not overcook tuna. When done, the centers should be pink for medium-rare.

Black & White Masquerade Gala

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Black & White Masquerade Gala

The Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) kicks off its Re-Imagining Your Library fundraising campaign with a Black & White Masquerade Gala on Oct. 28 at the  Jacques Reception Center.

After celebrating the library’s centennial last year, the library is looking forward to the next 100 years as it imagines a new, enhanced space for the community.

The Re-Imagining Your Library campaign is geared towards the redesign and renovation of interior library space to provide  additional group collaboration and study rooms, increased space for community programs, an open concept space leading towards relaxed “Living Room” seating areas, a new room featuring Middletown history and archives, comfortable seating, advanced technology, and room for programming.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the event as well as ticket purchase for the Black & White Masquerade. All proceeds go towards the Re-Imagining Your Library Campaign.

The Gala, which is for ages 21 and over, will include an open and cash bar, dinner, music, dancing, a raffle drawing and awards.

Those interested in purchasing sponsorships or tickets are encouraged to visit the 2022 Gala page at mtpl.org.  All donations are tax deductible. Monetary donations are also tax deductible within the limits of the law.

The library is a 170(C) (1) government entity. No goods or services of any value were or will be provided to the donor Free Public Library of the township.

For further information contact Jenna O’Donnell at jodonnell@mplmain.mtpl.org. The  library is located at 55 New Monmouth Road.

Always on the Job

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Always on the Job

They may have been praying in church,  but the Atlantic Highlands Police officers never quit in their vigil to ensure protection.  They are always on the job.

It was close to the end of the 20th annual Blue Mass before 9 p.m. Wednesday evening. The event is sponsored annually  the  OLPH-St Agnes Church and the Knights of Columbus to honor police, fire and EMTS from the Bayshore and the National Recreation Area and Coast Guard installation at St. Agnes Church.

All of a sudden, the approximate 200 people in attendance along with the close to 200 volunteers being honored saw three officers suddenly leave their seats at the front of church and move quickly to the exit. Shortly after, churchgoers could hear a siren and see several other local first aid members also leave the church before the program ended.

“There was a medical emergency …and the officers  all responded to where a male and female both needed medical attention,” said Police Chief Scott Reinert, who was also present at the Blue Mass. “ Everyone is ok thanks to their quick response along with EMS. “

The officers who were the first to respond to the emergency call were Sgt. Travis Sodon, and patrolmen Joseph LaBella, and Sean McDonald.