With Monmouth County planning celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the start of the Monmouth County Library system, our own Atlantic Highlands Branch has some spectacular event scheduled.
Cheers to Faye, Phyllis, Lauren, and Joan, who are always so helpful and energetic in the library. But for this event, I think they’ve gone even higher than their usual spectacular pinnacle.
Since it’s a 100th anniversary, that puts the start of the Monmouth County library right smack in the middle of the Roarin’ 20s, which puts you in mind of music, jazz, fun and entertainment. So that’s what they’re re-creating right smack in the middle of Atlantic Highlands on Saturday, Sept. 10, starting at around 1 p.m.
Look for more details shortly, but save the afternoon and date because it sounds like Audra Marial will be celebrating the centennial in song and music.
Audra is one of Atlantic Highlands’ own claims to fame, and while she has presented her music at the Strauss House Museum in the past, this will be her first event for the Library. She has toured the South with her music, appeared in Pennsylvania, and dozens more locations, but she is still this borough’s own special talent.
Audra will also have an accompanist for this wonderful celebration, and since it’s a Centennial of course there will be a celebratory anniversary cake for to all to honor the occasion as well.
Councilman Brian Boms is heading up the committee assisting the library staff with the celebration and it all promises to be a lot of fun and an opportunity to introduce more residents to all the magic that’s inside that library door in Borough Hall.
Keep the date open, plan on a delightful afternoon of spectacular music, check out the library itself for some classics in reading from the 1920s, and help Monmouth County celebrate 100 yeas of giving its residents recreation, culture, entertainment, knowledge and everything else today’s Modern Monmouth County Library offers in all if its locations.
Whether it’s a strong desire to become a part of a community of like-minded people, the desire for more social interaction in the wake of the Covid epidemic, or simply because more people are learning about all it has to offer, there is one thing certain: The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club has an active membership and many new members for this season.
“It’s difficult to tell specifically what is the reason for all the great new members,” said Membership Chair Sue Mikaitis. “But our long time members tell us they joined the club for a variety of reasons as well.”
Some of the new members this year joined because they recently moved to Atlantic Highlands or the Bayshore and see the social aspects of the Club at the Yacht Harbor as an excellent means of meeting their new neighbors. Others indicate they like the interaction between the club and the borough in offering special programs that benefit others, such as the Special Olympic program.
Some join the Yacht Club because they are welcome and can participate in all activities regardless of whether they are boat owners or sailors themselves.
“It just seems a lot of people are discovering the charm of the Club,” Mikaitis explained.
Some of the new members first learned about the Yacht Club as guests of members at some of the club functions, the chairman continued. Others heard about or have tried the unusual new menu of the Club’s chef who has a reputation for creating unique dishes unavailable anywhere else
The Yacht Club has long since had the reputation for having a “Cheers” atmosphere at the bar in addition to the Galley dinners and a busy social calendar.
In addition to the Special Olympic program, the Yacht Club features a robust racing program and is a major sponsor of 180 Turning Lives Around. Its Junior Sailing Program which operated this year at Monmouth County’s waterfront park in Highlands enables youth of all ages and abilities to receive professional sail training, and club memberships offer a variety of ways to be part of the club.
For further information on the memberships offering, see their web site for further information. An application for membership is available on the site
With each of the three boards of education in the tri-district making its own decision on additional security in the schools, both Atlantic Highlands Elementary and Henry Hudson Regional school have opted to hire their own security personnel while Highlands Elementary School is retaining a Class 3 Special Law Enforcement officer. (see related story)
School Superintendent Tara Beams said discussion of increased security in all three schools began during the budgeting process in early December and has been discussed at several board meetings since. The boards all looked at several options presented by the superintendent, then voted on their own model to implement.
The superintendent said security at the Atlantic Highlands elementary and Henry Hudson schools are district employees and not hired through an outside agency or company. They are retired law enforcement officers.
Visitor management, building security and monitoring, and campus monitoring are important components of safety and security, Beam said. “We have not had dedicated staff that is solely charged with this task and, like many schools, feel that this is just an added layer of security to help ensure our staff, students and visitors’ safety,” she added .
In all cases, the security officers will be carrying concealed weapons.
Students will be made aware of the staff addition during their opening meetings and assemblies next week.
The officers will be present when school is in session and at arrival and dismissal. At Atlantic Highlands, the officer may be present for events when large numbers of visitors are attending, and at Hudson they will be used for athletic events and other events where large numbers of visitors are on campus.
Financing the additional assistance is included in the boards of education operating budgets and safety and security grants. The approximate cost for each of the districts is approximately $50,000, the superintendent said.
The two boards selecting their own security personnel set strict standards for consideration, including the applicant had to be a retired law enforcement officer in good standing after a quarter of a century of service, had to have a NJ valid driver’s license and good oral and written communication skills as well as demonstrate his or her ability to work with students and adult. Applicants had to possess strong problem solving and communication skills, hold specific certifications and knowledge and would work with a goal of maintaining order and discipline, investigating student violations of school board policies and student code of conduct on school property or at school sponsored events. The superintendent said they all are trained in CPR and first aid as well.
Duties of the officers in the two schools would include communicating and working effectively with administration, staff, students, and visitors, developing and maintaining a strong rapport with students and staff to ensure they feel comfortable voicing concerns related to safety and security on school grounds, maintaining composure in stressful or rapidly evolving situations ensuring proper notifications to personnel and law enforcement, documenting specific incidents of violations and similar obligations for the continued protection of all personnel and alert attention to any untoward or unusual incidents or individuals.
In the wake of news throughout the nation of heightened needs for security in the school system, police officers from the local Police Department will be at the Elementary School every school day this season, Police Chief Robert Burton announced this week.
The officers will be Class III officers, the chief explained, and will be armed.
However, to enable students to feel more comfortable by their presence, while they will be in police uniforms, it will be the softer style, khaki colored pants with a polo shirt, he said.
“This is something I have been advocating since I became Chief of Police five years ago, “ Burton said. “ In today’s world, having an armed police officer in the school is needed.
The program has been designed in concert among the Mayor and Council the Police Chief and the Highlands Board of Education. Police presence will be in the school from before the first student arrives until the end of the school day after all students have vacated the building.
“The Mayor and Council support this initiative 100%. Educators should be focusing on the students’ learning experience and the Police should handle the safety of our children. Having this extra layer of security should give children, parents and staff some much needed reassurance.” said Mayor Carolyn Broullon
Officers on duty will be responsible for ensuring the safety of all students, staff and guests on the entire campus. Their specific duties will vary daily and in coordination and under the direction of the building Principal and or the Superintendent.
Providing the additional service from the local department will not impact staffing or current protection of all residents throughout the municipality, Burton pointed out. New Jersey law is very specific with regards to the duties of Class III law enforcement officers he said, and they cannot be used in any other circumstances except in the school.
The officer will be paid at the hourly rate of $35, standard for this type of work, with an additional $3.50 an hour for incidental costs associated with the duties and need. While the borough’s police department is responsible for training, medical screenings, uniforms and equipment for the officer, all the costs for the service are financed by the Board of Education.
“This new procedure and officer presence should put the minds of our parents and staff at ease,” Chief Burton said. “Unfortunately, there has been so much violence in school settings throughout the country that additional drills and training has been mandated inside the building for all students and staff. Having a police officer present can hopefully make them feel safer while also serving as a deterrent.”
The chief added it appears the general public throughout the nation has potentially asked teachers to put themselves in harm’s way to protect our most prized possessions/ That has happened without giving thought to the fact that “this isn’t what educators sign up for. They want to be effective in children’s lives and teach.” With this new policy, “teachers can focus on education and leave the other constant worrying they have to us. “
Henry Hudson Regional School has opted for private security protection rather than the local department, the chief said.
New Jersey comedy legend “Uncle Floyd” will be back at the Second Annual Oktoberfest & Comedy Night sponsored by the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council #11660 of the Knights of Columbus on Saturday, October 15, with tickets available now for what promises to be a sold out event.
Grand Knight Mike Napolitano is once again Chairman of the event, which will be held in the auditorium of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. The parking entrance is located on Highland Avenue.
“This was such an amazing event last year,” Napolitano said, “that we began getting requests that night for a repeat performance this year. We’ve expanded our Oktoberfest Hot Buffet menu and added a Specially Selected Craft Beer tasting for our legal aged patrons to enjoy with it, so the evening promises to be even more fun-filled than its debut last year. Plus, Uncle Floyd is as hilarious as ever.”
The featured Craft Beers represent three of the locally based Belford Brewing Company’s top Oktoberfest entries.
Authentic artisan made German provisions of Knockwurst, Bratwurst and Smoked Pork Chops hail from the Neptune based Black Forest Bratwurst Company, with the uber-local Bahrs Landing supplying two of their renowned seasonal offerings; German Pea Soup and Potato Salad. Additional Oktoberfest Hot Buffet offerings include Oktoberfest Chicken, large Bavarian pretzels, fresh baked pumpernickel and rye breads along with specially imported German made sauerkraut and red cabbage.
Dessert features an assortment of German chocolate, Black Forest, carrot and cheese cakes plus butter bookies. hot spiced apple cider,coffee, tea, soda and water are included. Patrons are welcome to bring their own adult beverage as well.
The tickets, which are available now, also include an Oktoberfest themed admission prize along with one chance (ticket) to win a Flat Screen TV, to be drawn and awarded that evening.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. event
Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased by calling (862) 368-0801, by E-mail to mikenap1962@gmail.com or by mailing checks payable to K of C #11660 to 180 Navesink Avenue Highlands, NJ 07732.
The Highlands Business Partnership kicks off “Fall into Highlands” with the “Hot Rods for Heroes” Classic Car Show on Sunday, Sept. 11 from noon to 4 p.m.
The Partnership and Kroozin Productions will host this Classic Show at Huddy Park 11 and have set a rain date for Sunday, at the same hours.
All antique, classic, and custom hot rods are welcome to join Highlands for a day of fun on wheels.
A $10 registration fee is all that is needed for the car’s entry in the show and admission is free.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
September 11, 2001, FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller laid down his life to save others when America was attacked. For more than 20 years after, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has honored his legacy by supporting the heroes who continue to risk life and limb in the line of duty.
The Foundation supports our nation’s first responders, veterans and their families by providing these heroes and the families they leave behind with mortgage free homes. The Foundation’s program service percentage is currently 95% with 95 cents out of every dollar going directly to programs and services.
Specialty vendors and local businesses will be in the Huddy Park area. There will be a DJ, featuring favorite oldies and the Highlands “Hot Rods for Heroes” hosts will award trophies, including Mayor’s Choice, Police Department’s Choice, People’s Choice and many other categories.
Following the show, visitors are urged to visit one of Highlands many great restaurants.
The Highlands Business Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering economic growth and the continued revitalization of Highlands. Sponsors of the programs include NJ State Department of Travel & Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Bridge Marina, Captains Cove Marina, Char-Ron Construction, Feed & Seed, Fleur La Fete/Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Hufnagel Tree Experts, In the Garden, Inlet Café, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Sandbox at Seastreak Ferry and WRAT, 95.9.
For more information on the Hot Rods for Heroes Classic Car Show, call the Highlands Business Partnership at 732-291-4713 or email hbpadmin@highlandsnj.com.
The borough’s Beautification Committee has put out a call for artists inviting them to present their work in a unique Alley of Art featuring a celebration of Atlantic Highlands.
Committee Chairman Ellen O’Dwyer said Committee member Lynda Rose is co-chairing this event, which will give local artists at any level the opportunity to display their work highlighting an event, location, history or a unique connection with the borough.
“This will be the first of several ideas we have for further beautification of our main business and shopping district,” O’Dwyer said. “We have so many local artists and by Atlantic Highlands as a main focus for their creativity, artists will be able to freely express themselves in a broad variety of ways.”
Artists are invited to send their sketches, including color preferences, size possibilities, and a description of what their artwork is depicting to the Committee. A panel will then judge the submitted works and announce the artists who will then have the opportunity to paint their creations on the sides of the building along Edward’s Way, the walkway between First Avenue and the borough parking lot. O’Dwyer said the Committee has secured the permission of the building owners to present the display.
Deadline for submissions will be Sept. 18, giving the selected artists time to complete their mural on the wall before freezing temperatures set in, O’Dwyer said.
There is no charge for entry in the competition, and the beautification committee will supply the paint and maintain the works for the season in which they are being displayed once the final submissions are announced.
With a theme of a Celebration of Atlantic Highlands, artists are invited to create their own interpretation in black and white or color. Artwork cannot be political in nature and should celebrate the borough in a singular or many ways.
Further information and specific details on how to submit sketches, is available by calling 732-784-8482 or contacting Rose at Lynda198@gmail.com
The College Prep Series at Middletown Township Public Library will feature “How to Get Into an Ivy League Seminar” in the start of its fall College Prep Series for teens and parents.
The program will be offered on Wednesday, September 14 at no cost.
The series is geared toward current high school students and their parents, and is intended to help families prepare for the college application process.
The How to Get into an Ivy League seminar Sept.14 is the first in the series that includes a College Planning Financial Aid Workshop on September 21 with College Funding Associates, a Trade School Orientation on October 5 with Brookdale Community College, and a Virtual Princeton Review SAT Scores Back Strategy Session on October 25.
Princeton Review is also offering free virtual SAT practice tests on Saturdays this fall with upcoming dates set for September 17, October 22, and November 12.
Registration information can be found on the mtpl.org calendar. All interested teens and parents are welcome and may visit the MTPL calendar page at mtpl.org to read more about each session and sign up to attend.
For more information, contact Jenna O’Donnell at jodonnell@mplmain.mtpl.org, or visit mtpl.org. The library is located at 55 New Monmouth Road.
It is really rather silly, but the name of the next port city where the Countess docked is Havana, because it’s adjacent to an island earlier settlers thought had the shape of Cuba and so named that island; with this city so close, they thought it should be Havana.
It doesn’t look anything like the capital city of the island off Florida. It’s farmland with lush fields, lots of corn and soybeans, and friendly people. It is also near New Salem, another charming little town in Illinois where Abraham Lincoln lived for six years long before he even thought of becoming President. The enterprising folks in that community lasted a short time, then the town was abandoned and left to pasture. In the 1930s and 40s the CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps, created a village with 23 furnished stores, shops, homes, tradesman’s shops, a tavern, school and even saw and first mills to recreate the town where Lincoln lived.
It was more reason to appreciate the diligence, creativity, hard work and pride our New Jersey State Parks and our Monmouth County Parks systems pour into the magnificent parks we enjoy in the Garden State. Not that this was not interesting and great to visit, but it lacked the pride and attention of its people
This was a very nice presentation of the many offered by the Countess along the way with the museum filled with lots of interesting items from Lincoln’s day, stories of his youth, and the people he knew, and charming period dressed docents in some of the homes to give more details of each. But the reconstructed Village is in need of more upkeep, more funding, and the state doesn’t even provide a gift shop as an easy fund raising idea. Stopping to speak with some state workers on the road, they said “nobody wants to come here” meaning volunteers to keep the Village alive are hard to find. A sad commentary for Illinois pride in its past.
It was different getting off the Countess in Havana, however where a lovely couple, knowing of the cruise ship’s arrival, set up a table at the dock displaying honey, honeycombs, and so much more about bees and honey from their Imperial Valley Honey farm. They also featured their award winning wildflower honey offering spoonfuls to willing guests and promising its taste was “to infinity and BEEyond,” which it was. Even Mayor Brenda Stadsholt showed up in the morning to welcome guests to her town. While New Jersey honey is among the best you can learn more about this Illinois variety at imperialvalleyhoney@gmail.com.
The Village was a charming stop that included an archaeology walk and the gift-shop absent museum, visitor center and amphitheater, and walking through rows of houses, each property names for the families who lived there in an earlier era, together with stories about Lincoln and where he cast his first vote, lost his first election, the only popular election he ever lost, and where he purchased a store with William Berry. He also served as postmaster in the town before being elected to the state House of Representatives and earning his license to practice law.
But it was also a day to take some time to enjoy some of the events aboard the Countess, and take in one of the power point presentations by Ted Mueller, the Riverlorian aboard the Countess. Serious about his work and teeming with historic knowledge and fascinating tales about the Illinois river, how it as formed, what problems it faces, how ships can get through and so much more, Ted provided daily river stories with pride and accuracy, and always waited around to answer any questions from passengers who wanted to learn just a little bit more. He also invited guests to visit the ship’s chart room and chart their own routes along the river in the many charts and maps laid out on tables and open for inspection to all who wanted to visit the room just below the Pilot House.
Ted also accompanied the smaller groups that got to visit the Pilot House on the Countess, the top deck quarters of the pilot, not the Captain, the officer who actually runs the ship. On the first day of visits, the young and very experienced pilot was surprised to see guests in his pilot house, but greeted them with joy and so much knowledge about the river and all its intricacies. A graduate of the Maritime Institute in New York, he was more than affable in spite of always having to keep his ear to the radio and his eye on the river even while docked. Lower water levels and muddy bottoms are a problem on the Illinois as on the Mississippi.
And in the evening, there was always more entertainment before a late dinner. The ship offers a Riverbill with the backgrounds and talents of the Countess Ensemble featuring the husband wife team of Clark Roberts and Melissa Roberts joined with a very talented Doronte Evans, a Georgian who first learned to sing in church where his father was a Bishop then earned a degree in arts and traveled around the country and internationally during a more than two decade career. The trio were spectacular individually as well as in pairs or threes, offering everything from jazz to country in nightly surprises, and backed by world class musicians on drums, bass, piano and woodwinds.several of them.
For those of us who love literature, figures in literature, and stories we’ve read from childhood, a “visit” from Mark Twain was yet another highlight. Though the Countess did not make it to Hannibal…and that’s another chapter in this Countess story….Mark Twain came to the Countess, not once but twice, delighting us with his homespun talents of how he created Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, and on whom he patterned all his fictional characters in real life.
Late evenings, after dinners offering too much variety and too many dishes of too many delicious foods, there’s always another cocktail or nightcap in the Grand Lounge and dancing and making new friends listening to more of the talents of the talented and tireless Entertainment Team of the American Queen Countess.
The joke dating back to Groucho Marx has always been, among comedians: “Have you ever played Peoria?” and the response is “Oh yes, I spent four years there …one night!”
But the truth of the matter is this thriving city along the banks of the Illinois River, and a stopping point for the American Queen Countess sternwheeler that plies that river, has a variety of excitement, entertainment, education and history. It might also one day be recognized as the hometown of an American Saint, Fulton J. Sheen.
After leaving Ottawa outside Chicago on the Illinois River and heading to Hannibal, Missouri on the Mississippi River, the Countess took the 65 miles or so leisurely, giving cruise-goers the opportunity to enjoy some activities on board in the main lounge, card room or library. There were sessions so guests would be familiar with what Peoria has to offer if they were planning visits on one of the Countess’s Hop On Hop Off buses. Such sessions, given by Shore Excursions Manager Judy LaMance, give cruise goers the opportunity to see what each stop has to offer, so they can plan what they want to see and how long they want to visit any particular site at each upcoming stopping point. For others, there is always the entertainment of the onboard professionals of music and song, some word or trivia games in which to compete, , even a visit to the Pilot House to meet the highly educated pilot running the boat. Of course there were also two very capable bartenders, Liz in the River Grille and Anthony in the Grand Bar ready to pour your favorite libations, and a Perks room always open if you wanted to stop for some ice cream or other desserts.
But back to the City of the Day. Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois and is named for the European settlers who came here with French explorer Henri de Tonti in the 17th century. Its claims to fame include being the original national headquarters of the giant Caterpillar company and there’s still a museum there that keeps you in mind of the past; It’s also the hometown of Betty Friedan, opera tenor Jerry Hadley, and scores more popular names from the 40s and 50s. It’s also home to the largest four-mile foot race in the world, the Steamboat Classic, which draws runners from all over the world.
For those interested in saints and cathedrals, it’s also the home of the late Fulton J. Sheen.
Sheen was a catholic priest best known for his “Life is Worth Living” television show of the 1950s that won an Emmy Award and beat out Milton Berle, aired at the same 8 p.m. hour Tuesday nights in weekly popularity. He grew up in the town and was an altar boy at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, where his remains now rest after a several year feud b between the family who wanted his body brought back home and the Archdiocese of New York which wanted him at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He went to the catholic boys school of the diocese, Spalding, still standing but no longer a boy’s school, , later St. Viator College in nearly Bourbonnais, then St. Paul’s Seminary in St. Paul. Minnesota. He came back to his childhood church for his ordination and his tomb is below a painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the patroness of Peoria in one of the cathedral’s chapels. Once the National Director of the Propagation of the Faith, later a participant in Vatican Council II, and then Bishop of Rochester Diocese in New York, Sheen also wrote more than 60 books and scores of other papers and lessons. Currently on the road to being canonized as a Saint of the catholic church, the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation at www.ArchbishopSheenCause.org supplies information on its progress and how others can help.
The cathedral itself is the primary church for Central Illinois and the seat of the Peoria Diocese. The original building was built in 1851 and grew to 2000 members within 20 years, but was replaced in 1889 and renovated in 1933, with new marble altars and stained glass windows added during a renovation that also included a makeover of one chapel within the building. It was renovated and increased again in the 50s and once more in the 80s, with upkeep of the 21st century maintaining it not only as an active church by a living museum of church history.
The Sheen Foundation has a museum and gift shop a block away, which is maintained by the Sisters of St. Francis, who hand create many of the art works, towels, kitchen aides and other unique items which sales help finance the cause of the Foundation and the Bishop Sheen dedication to missions.
The city also boasts an outstanding riverside museum which is diverse enough to hold the interest of every visitor and resident, with its Dome planetarium and night show of the sky, as well laser shows and the latest NASA discoveries. While the Countess was docked, the Museum was also featuring a traveling exhibit of art and sculpture showing art and sculptures from the 180s to 2020, and featuring artists who delve in nostalgia, such as Currier & Ives, to the abstract to feminism. You don’t have to like it all, but it’s fascinating to see how art has changed through the ages and how art sees the changes in culture and ideas.
The city, like Freehold in Monmouth County, also has contests inviting sculptures to create their own works in steel or metal for public displays in the shopping area and later sale, many to the adjacent shop owners. While unique and certainly diversified, the street exhibits don’t come close in color or creativity to the horse display which just opened in Freehold, accenting the history of the equine industry in Monmouth County.
