This is the 13th year the Church has raised its Field of Flags honoring all Vietnam Veterans as well as those in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who lost their lives on the battlefield.
With a total of more than 7,000 flags, church members and other Middletown residents have been working since mid-October to place the flags on the church lawn.. They will remain in place in front of the church at 94 Tindall Road through Nov. 12, the day after Veterans Day.
Each of the flags represents fallen American military member from the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan actions.
All are invited to Saturday’s ceremony to hear Capt. Callahan and other speakers including Dennis Beauregard, President of Vietnam Veterans of America NJ Shore Are Chapter 12, Middletown Mayor Tony Perry and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger.
A color guard will be presented by NWS Earle and music will be provided by Dennis Anderson and Mike Hannigan on the bagpipes.
Although the Towboat /US manager has been complaining about conditions in the new building at the Harbor for nearly two years, and in spite of the building still not meeting the standards for a certificate of occupancy, the Harbor Commission unanimously denied Capt. Harold Smith his request to be released from his lease for rental of the building at the Harbor.
However, earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Chair Thomas Wall read a brief statement, updating what has been done to the building Smith has been complaining about since it opened in January 2020. Wall outlined anticipated near-future repairs and installations which should permit it to meet the proper standards for occupancy for the first time since the building was constructed by Kappa Construction Co. and leasees permitted to move in January 2020. Smith has been paying full rent for his leased space in spite of his complaints that the building did not meet certification standards and neither the Harbor Commission nor the governing body has done anything about it. The lease turned to the governing body when he failed to get any action from the Harbor commission, and was advised it is a Harbor Commission matter.
Tuesday night, Wall said inspections have recently been made at the building rented by both Smith for TowBOAT/US and Stae Police units and outlined what has been done and what is anticipated to be completed this month.
The chairman said the mold concern expressed by Smith at several previous meetings was inspected by Centrex Environmental and the air quality in all sections inspected appear to be within proper parameters, and no further action will be taken.
On the issue Smith has cited since the beginning concerning shut off valves being properly placed for unit heaters, Wall indicated Smith’s complaints have been justified and required shutoff valves will be installed and completed by Nov. 10.
On the issue of venting in the bathroom trailers, Wall said they need to be vented to the exterior as Smith has pointed out. That, too, will be corrected by Nov. 10.
The leaking Smith has complained about in his office as well as the State Police officers was also addressed, Wall’s statement read, and condensation has been observed and corrective action will be taken this week.
During the public portion of the meeting, resident Mark Fisher reiterated his criticism of lack of, and improper action he had cited in an earlier meeting, saying “ The Harbor Commission attorney will not allow the appointed Commissioners to speak about the sub-par construction of the …building in the Harbor that the taxpayers own.” He added he has checked six months of approved minutes and noted “there has been zero executive sessions scheduled or requested by the Commissioners for the specific purpose of discussing and documenting how the appointed Commissioners, on behalf of the taxpayers who own the building “arrived at their consensus to give explicit and limited direction to the attorney.” He cited the Open Public Meetings Act that specifies how matters, including legal issues, are discussed and documented in closed door executive sessions and pointed out they must be discussed or documented how the Commissioners, on behalf of the trough’s taxpayers, who own the building arrived at their consensus to give direction to the attorney. “Why else would we have a quasi-judicial Harbor Commission to make decisions” for the residents if they are not discussed publicly so the residents know what’s going on?
Fisher questioned the board since he has been told that the committees involved with working on the situation have been pursuing rectifying the building problems and he wanted to know how it could be possible without formal action. The attorney, Michael DuPont countered that an executive session during this meeting will be held so the commissioner can decide on how to move forward and give him direction and action would be taken that evening.
Smith also addressed the commissioners, once again reiterating his frustration at conditions not being completed on the building and expressing hope that after two years it is finally moving forward. “Nobody’s talking to nobody!” he told the commissioners in obvious frustration, citing the number of times he has spoken to the code enforcement officer and “never got any thing “ in spite of the obvious code violations. “The ball has been dropped….” He said. Smith once again asked for a response on his request to be released from his lease, questioning the length of time it is taking the Commission to respond. “I’ve been sent bills, I’ve been sent contracts,” he said, asking why he should sign anything when no one has responded to his request for lease more than three months ago.
Following an executive meeting during the meeting, the commissioners returned to open session and unanimously approved four motions: one to authorize a water infiltration and topographical survey, one to make repairs to the trailer and office units, one to repair the trailers for outside venting and one to finance the individual valves to be installed for the heating units, all matters Smith has been bringing to their attention for almost two years.
The Commissioners also unanimously denied Smith’s request to be released from his lease, citing the current situation , the progress they are making and the ongoing discussion and mediation for other matters discussed during the executive session. Before approving denying Smith his request, Councilman Steve Boracchia wanted it clear the commissioners had the right to revisit that action should it be necessary to re-consider it in the future
Hash browns are a great side dish either with eggs for breakfast or with a grilled lunch or dinner. But they can be even better, including a plus for better eyesight, if you use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes, bringing not only flavor but so much more of those great vitamins and protein for eye health. Using an air cooker enables you to enjoy them even more while at the same time avoiding the calories of deep frying.
1 sweet potatoes, peeled and shredded.
1 T. olive oil
2 teas. Chili powder
½ teas. Cumin
½ teas. Pepper
½ teas. Sea salt (if you insist on salting everything)
Place shredded potatoes in cool water for about 10 minutes. Drain well and pat dry.
Combine potatoes with oil, and spices. Toss to coat.
Put the mix in the air fryer basket at 400 degrees. Cook for 10 minutes, take out and shake and return for another 10 or 12 minutes. Potatoes should be crunch, tender and delicious.
The Shrewsbury Historical Society will be exhibiting more of their diverse and expanded chair exhibition at the Society’s museum on Sundays through the month of November.
The Society, which is located at the historic Four Corners at 419 Sycamore Avenue, already has one exhibition they did in conjunction with the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library at the library on Route 35, that display presents more than a dozen chairs from the museum collection in a unique display scheduled through Nov. 15.
The Society display will include a broader display of period furniture and specialized chairs, including not only children’s seating but both business and comfort seating as well. The variety features designs and uses from the 18th and 19th centuries and up to the middle of the 20th century. Unique in the museum collection and shown for the first time will be a medical chairs from an earlier century.
The museum hours on Sundays are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special views can be arranged by contacting the Historical Society at Shrewsbury Historical Society at www.shrewsburyhistoricalsocietynj.org
Today, All Souls Day, while not a Holy Day of obligation in the Catholic Church, is a day of solemn and special devotion and prayer. It differs from All Saints Day, which is a Holy Day of obligation and is celebrated the day before All Souls Day commemorating all the saints in heaven. In most churches and traditions, All Souls Day is observed with more prayer and solemnity rather than joy and praise.
In the Catholic Church, it is a day set aside to remember all those who have died and who may not as yet been received into heaven, atoning for any wrongs they have done in their lifetime in Purgatory. They are not able to pray for themselves at this point, making it more important for their loved ones on earth to remember them and pray for them to attain full forgiveness of wrongs and gain entrance to heaven.
Lithuanians have a special prayer for All Souls Day:
“Dear souls of the dead,
you are still remembered by my family;
you are most worthy of our perpetual remembrance,
especially you, my grandparents, my parents,
also our relatives, children,
and everyone whom death
took away from our home.
I invite you to this annual feast.
We pray that this feast be agreeable to you,
just like the memory of you is to us. Amen.”
The day is filled with many traditions in a variety of cultures, regardless of religion. Unlike in the United States, in Mexico, All Souls Day is a day of great celebration, as Mexicans believe the souls of the dead come back to celebrate with their loved ones. Called La Dias de Muertas in Mexico, it is often celebrated with great festivals, parades, sumptuous meals and music, a happy time to rejoin those deceased whom they love. Many Mexicans spend hours in cemeteries where their loved ones are buried, bringing food and music to celebrate a day with them.
In Ireland, the Irish traditionally believe the souls of the dead would return to their family as well, and would speak to their descendants. In speaking with their descendants, the ancient belief was that the deceased would bestow two gifts upon their beloved…the ability to remember old days and traditions and a deeper understanding of how the family is always linked by bloodline. As a tradition, the Irish also believe since the souls return for a time, the living must go out of their way to make them feel welcome. The customs, however, take a back seat to the Irish attending mass and praying for their beloved deceased on Nov 2.
A Hungarian tradition is that all work, including housework, is forbidden on All Souls Day since work instead of praying and thinking of their deceased friends and relatives was considered disrespectful to the dead. All work on that day, tradition said, would be sabotaged.
Traditions focusing on All Souls Day are prolific and varied. In the Philippines, the belief is that raining on All Souls Day is actually the tears of the dead.
Other cultures light candles with the belief it will warm the dead and help their souls return to their graves by the end of the day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At 11 a.m. Nov. 11, ring bells 11 times for peace.
Contact your place of worship, and ask them to toll bells 11 times at 11 a.m Nov. 11.
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.
Participate in the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars observance in your hometown.
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.
Ask your school board if students could be assigned to write an essay on what peace means to them.
Take a veteran to lunch or dinner to thank him for his service
Visit a local cemetery and see the number of deceased veterans from all wars. Say thank you. Pray for peace in your own way.
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.
