Actor writer Tom Lynskey will present the history of the SS Atlantic in a Sept. 21 presentation of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society’s Speaker Series.
The program will be held at the Strauss Mansion Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7:30. p.m.
Lynskey will speak on the White Star Line ship that met disaster off the coast of Nova Scotia 40 years prior to the Titanic disaster of the same ship line.
An author, actor, archeologist and game producer, Lynskey is currently developing a series of video games focusing on history and vintage eras, most notably a project about the RMS Titanic titled “Titanic: Honor and Glory”.
The historian will bring artifacts from the last voyage of the Atlantic to the Strauss museum for his presentation and discussion of the event and artifacts.
There is no charge for the program, and all are invited to attend.
Care One at King James Administrator Jimmie King and resident John look over some of the numerous gifts residents, friends and relatives of residents at the Route 36 facility collected as one of several outgoing and generous projects the residents conduct throughout the year.
John was one of the residents who spearheaded this event, said Activities Director Karen Cohen, in appreciation for the kindness and warmth all visiting pets bring to residents at the Care Center.
Among the frequent canine visitors is Reese, who comes with Social Services Director Christian Ingegnere to visits the rooms of residents. Other employees also bring their pets for visits with residents, as do volunteers who come in with their own pets to bring joy and lower blood pressure to residents.
“All these pet food items are being delivered to Lunch Break in Red Bank and Open Door in Freehold,” Cohen said. “When our residents heard how Covid has seriously impacted some people financially and they either had to give up their pets or seek help from others in order to continue to afford to purchase pet food, they asked if they could donate and take up a collection so food can be delivered to places where others get food for themselves, so they could also get supplies for their pets.” The Director said the residents quickly joined the cause, asking friends and relatives, as well as making their own financial donations so the director could make purchases to be presented to the food banks.
Marge and Paul Edelson are the winners of the 2022 Jane G. Clayton Award for their outstanding work in the formation of the Township of Ocean Historical Museum.
The announcement was made by County Clerk Christine Hanlon, and the couple will be honored at the 26th Annual Archives and History Day on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.
The Edelsons have been active in promoting Ocean Township’s history since the 1970 when Mrs. Edelson was a charter member of the Ocean Township Historical Society and co-authored two books on the Township. She then co-founded the Township of Ocean Historical Museum in 1984 and has served as president. She has also spearheaded the annual quilt raffle, the Spring and Doll Teas, and other successful fundraisers.
Edelson played an important role in securing the museum’s first home at the Oakhurst School. Since 2001, he has he worked to preserve the Woolley house and oversee its move to its current location where it opened in 2009. He served as president for nearly a decade and has helped raise funds and oversee the restoration of the historic Tower and Cow Barn near the museum.
“The efforts of Marge and Paul Edelson have made a significant impact on the preservation of the history of Ocean Township and beyond,” said Hanlon. ““They are well-deserved winners of this year’s Clayton Award.”
Named for the former County Clerk who established the Monmouth County Archives, the Jane G. Clayton Award has been given annually since 1997 to an individual who has made a major contribution to the preservation and knowledge of Monmouth County history.
This year’s Archives and History Day will be begin at 9 a.m. and is organized by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Archives Division. The 2022 Archives exhibit, which will be on display at Archives and History Day, is titled “Monuments and Markers of Monmouth County.”
The Edelsons will be presented with the Jane G. Clayton Award during the awards presentation of the Archives Day event beginning around noon.
In addition to awards presentations, more than 50 expected local and state historical societies, museums, and will set up tables relating to the mission and activities of their organizations. All who are interested in history are urged to attend this free event.
“Archives and History Day is a key opportunity for history-related organizations to connect with the public and with each other,” said Monmouth County Archivist Julia Telonidis. “Those with an interest in Monmouth County history will enjoy this year’s exhibit and the keynote speech presented by Professor Richard Veit of Monmouth University.”
For more information about Archives and History Day, including the preliminary program for the event, visit the Monmouth County Clerk’s Archives Division website at MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives or contact the Monmouth County Archives at 732-308-3771, ext. 3772 or ArchivesResearch@co.monmouth.nj.us.
Commission Chairman Joseph Dender and members of the Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission were not shy in promoting the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor as the best asset the borough had to offer when submitting their annual report in November 1955.
“It is with justifiable pride,” the official report began, in announcing that the local Yacht Harbor “is one of the finest yachting marinas along the East Coast from Maine to Florida.”
As evidence of their conviction, the Commission report said it was the harbor that brought so many new home buyers and business interests to the borough, boaters, sailors, and non-boaters alike who heard about the excellence of the harbor, visited and decided to invest in the community and settle their roots here.
The report also cited the number of capital improvements that were made during 1954 and 1955, the two years covered by the report, including construction of the harbormasters office along with rest rooms, a plaza with benches, a storage and lighting building, pier lighting on every pier as well as water to every berth, and paving of both roads and the parking area.
The report also showed the funds the harbor success has meant in donations from the Commission to the borough to offset taxes and how the amount rose each year. In 1953, the report said the harbor gave $2500 to the borough $5600 the following year and $7500 in 1955. The $7500 donation, the report said, represented a $2 per $1,000 tax deduction for borough taxpayers.
The Commissioners are prudent with their expenses, the report continued, highlighting the entire facility is maintained and operated by a harbormaster, two part time seasonal men on the gas pier and one part time handyman. Any damages from high seas or storm damage have been covered by insurance because of the excellence of their policies, and the sea wall built by the US government in 1941 is in excellent shape, and would cost $2 million in this market to repair.
Members of the 1955 Harbor Commission in addition to Dender were Everett Curry, Dominick Caruso, Jack Gawler, Harry Murtha, Harvey Bowtell and Andrew Lynch.
What a difference a century makes… Or almost a century.
In 1930, 92 years ago, Mayor John Snedeker and the governing body of Atlantic Highlands approved the zoning ordinance…singular…for the borough and Borough Clerk Ruby Hartcorn attested to its accuracy and completeness.
Compiled in a booklet available to the public at the time, the entire zoning code for the borough in 1930 was included in 16 pages in a booklet that measures 3 inches by four inches in size, scarcely the front and back of two standard size pieces of typing paper.
Today’s zoning ordinance for the borough is included in a code book as well. But this one is roughly an inch in thickness made up of those same size typewriter pages, written on both sides. And that’s only half of it … The other half is yet another book of roughly the same size, which includes the zoning development regulations.
While this week the borough is conducting a public hearing with the possibility of amending the zoning ordinance to allow for certain cannabis businesses in specific places in town, it is fascinating reading about what was important in 1930 for zoning in Atlantic Highlands.
The first two pages give all the definitions for words used in the ordinance; things like lot depth, front and rear yards, corner and interior lots, and lots in general A lot is described as “a parcel of land, the location, dimensions, and boundaries of which are determined by the latest official record.” It also describes a family as “any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit and using certain rooms and housekeeping facilities in common.”
The ordinance then spells out its purpose in establishing zones: for the purpose of lessening congestion in the streets; of securing safety from fire, panic and other dangers; for promoting health, morals and the general welfare, for preventing the overcrowding of land and buildings, and for the purpose of conserving the value of property and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the municipality, all of which, the officials said, could be accomplished by establishing two zones … a residential zone and a business zone.
Each of these Zones was delineated carefully in the code, and had its own restrictions. For example, while hotels, boarding and rooming houses were permitted in the residential zone, together with churches, schools, some clubs and libraries, doctors, dentists artists, musicians, engineers, dressmakers, surveyors or lawyers could only have their business in the residential zone if it were part of their private dwelling. Parks and playgrounds were allowed, but clubs whose primary activity was conducting a business were not allowed.
Neither were correctional institutions or asylums for the insane.
The business zone specifically would not accept specific types of business; in fact, no fewer than 58 different types of business, each spelled out in detail, was not permitted within the confines of the borough of Atlantic Highlands. There would be no automobile junk yard or carousel anyplace in town, the ordinance said. Nor would there be any merry-go-rounds, whirligigs, Ferris wheels roller coasters “or similar devices.”
And nothing with less than perfect aromas would ever be allowed. These included plants for the rendering or refining of grease, lard, fat or tallow, fertilizer, pains, oil, varnish, turpentine or enamel manufacturing, or coke ovens. Neither creosote treatment nor its manufacture would be allowed.
Nor should the residents of the borough ever have a business here that created a dangerous situation, things like disinfectant, insecticide or poison manufacturing, distillation of any coal petroleum, grain, wood or bones, except in the manufacture of gas. There would be no petroleum manufacturing or storage here of more than 10,000 gallons. Even printers ink could not be manufactured in Atlantic Highlands.
There could be no business of slaughtering animals or stock yards, or even a livery or a stable. And anything to do with the manufacture of tobacco, tar, vinegar or yeast were definite no-no’s in Atlantic Highlands business districts.
The zoning ordinance also established a zoning board of adjustment, with all five members being appointed by the Mayor and council. Their duties were spelled out in the state law of 1928. A Certificate of Occupancy would be required for all uses, additions to residential buildings and it had to be obtained within 10 days after the building inspector found the building or alterations to it were to his standard.
In the end it was the borough’s building inspector who was “empowered to order the remedying of any situation that failed to meet the standards of the code. Failure to follow his edicts could result in jail time of up to 30 days as well as a fine of $200, not once, but “for every day that a violation is permitted to exist.”
It looks like it will be a long and exciting meeting Thursday night beginning at 7 when the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council meets in front of what is expected to be a standing room only crowd.
With a public hearing on Ordinance 09-2022, Cannabis Facilities, licensing and taxation scheduled for a public hearing, the meeting hall and ZOOM are expected to be crowded with those outspoken proponents of allowing cannabis facilities in some sections of the borough as well as the dozens of property owners who first posted lawn signs when the ordinance was first up for a public hearing, but postponed, opposing it. Those anti-cannabis residents then splashed the Sept. 8 date on their lawn signs advising passersby that the public hearing is still on.
The ordinance appears in full on the borough’s official page but residents have long since made up their minds on how they feel and plan on having their say on it during the public hearing set for the ninth item on the agenda, under “unfinished business.”
When it was introduced at the June meeting, Councilman Brian Boms recused himself because of a possible conflict, and Councilman James Murphy voted against it and has since been an outspoken opponent of cannabis businesses in the borough. Councilmembers Steve Baracchia, Lori Hohenleitner, Brian Dougherty and Jon Crowley all voted to introduce the ordinance.
Prior to that piece of business at he coming meeting, those in attendance and on ZOOM will be able to welcome Sean McDonald as the 15th member of the local police department, enabling the department to reach its full complement of officers. A Keansburg native who grew up in Middletown and graduated from Middletown High School North, McDonald, whose father was a police officer in Asbury Park, has completed training as a Class A officer, earned a degree from Jersey City University and was employed by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. If approved as expected at the meeting, is appointment becomes effective immediately and he will start one year as a probationary officer.
Attendees will also hear the discussion by borough engineer Doug Rohmeyer on the Monmouth County Open Space application as well as the 2022 road program for the borough.
Then the scheduled hearing and vote on the cannabis ordinance.
But that will be far from the end of the meeting. Council can also anticipate a considerable number of questions from members of the public first during the public comment period which immediately follows the cannabis activity, then again at the end of the meeting before the governing body goes into executive session to discuss the Mother Theresa School property as well as a possible addition to the Bed and Breakfast ordinance. The council may or may not come back after the executive session to take action on the executive session matters.
In between council also anticipates adopting eight resolutions and introducing one ordinance , Ordinance 11-2022, the No Knock Ordinance.
Among the eight resolutions is one required by the federal government and Monmouth County before the borough can participate in the Community Development grant funds issued through the County that would assure in the contract that the local police department would not use excessive force against anyone engaged in non-violent civil rights demonstrations. The agenda gives no indication on why the federal government is requiring this from all municipalities eligible for this grant.
Following the reports of each of the council members for all of their committees, and the reports from the administrator and other professionals, the meeting is once again open to the public.
And more questions may be asked at this time in anticipation of the governing body responding.
The question of the delays in the regionalization question and another on how the borough’s regionalization attorney called into a special meeting before council took action on yet another resolution could make specific remarks are also bound to be raised questions. The attorney’s statements to Atlantic Highlands officials that both Highlands and Sea Bright were aware of the new agreement and were in agreement with it was refuted hours later by the Highlands mayor, Carolyn Broullon who expressed shock at the news and indicated not only did the Highlands council not know about the change which decreased the amount of funding Highlands would receive while increasing Atlantic Highlands portion but they certainly had not given any opinion in favor of it, statements that left both government officials and the public in surprise and with questions.
The fictional story of New Monmouth in the 19th century will be the subject of the Sept. 15 Historically Speaking Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 15.
Dr. Stanley Blair will present “Hello from Bushy Hollow” on Zoom Sept. 15 at 7 p.m., cosponsored by the Monmouth County Historical Association and the Monmouth County Library.
Dr. Blair will speak on the 19th century work of former Middletown resident Henry Morford, who died in 1881.
Morford published a compilation of stories, “Spree and Splashes: or Droll Recollections of Town and Country.”
Reportedly, the writings are true accounts of events that happened to the author or people he knew and describe life and special locations in Middletown at the time. The stories are humorous and entertaining.
Born in New Monmouth, Morford established the New Jersey Standard publication in 1852, and was a shopkeeper and postmaster in Middletown before writing numerous sketches of life in other parts of the United States and Europe.
Blair is an associate professor in the English Department at Monmouth University. Several years ago, he presented a program for the Monmouth County Library on the similarities between Wanamassa and the community depicted in Margot Widdemer’s book, “Why Not.”
Registration for the program is free and available by contacting MonmouthCountyLib.org, or visiting their website.
In what was a surprise to many, former council candidate Michael Warren filed for election before the 4 p.m. deadline yesterday vying against incumbent Mayor Carolyn Broullon for a full term as Mayor of the borough. Broullon had filed several weeks ago and established a webpage with the slogan, “We are all in this together” outlining her goals for her next term as well as the accomplishments the borough has already achieved during her tenure.
The Mayor also announced four meet and greet events beginning Oct. 12 with one at Chilangos Restaurant, an Oct. 16 session at Bahrs Restaurant, another later in October at Franny’s and a final one Election night at Andy’s Shore Bar from 8 to 9 p.m. the night of election.
A homeowner in the borough since 2002, Broullon is a graduate of New York’s City University where she majored in business with a concentration in marketing. She ran for her first election in 2015 when she won a three year term on council before winning her mayoral post in 2021 by three votes in a narrowly contested competition. Married to her spouse Donica, she owns Feed & Seed Pet Shop, a Bay Avenue business she opened in 2016.
With an impetus on keeping the public informed, Broullon issues a monthly report on events and activities in the borough during the month, as well as her oral report at the first meeting of every month on the previous month’s activities.
Broullon said she is running for a second mayoral term to continue and complete major initiatives which include completion of the $10.4 million borough hall, completing phases 1 and 2 of the Waterwitch Area Sanitary project, creating a raised boardwalk and increased parking on Marine Place, updating Huddy Park, validating borough owned properties and negotiating developer agreements among other projects including continuing the process to lower flood insurance costs. Her website found here cites all her ongoing initiatives as well as accomplishments during her term in office.
Warren, who did not respond as of yet to a request for information and biography, lived with his family in Sea Bright until Hurricane Sandy wiped out their home and they moved to the historic former hospital at 254 Navesink Avenue. They chose Highlands because of his wife’s love and memories of the borough when her family summered on Fifth Street annually during her youth and she felt part of the community.
A native of the Lake Ontario area of New York, Warren is a building contractor licensed in both New Jersey and New York with his firm, Great White North LLC, also licensed as a home improvement contractor.
Warren is a former Marine, and served on the Ramapo Central School district Board of Education during its construction of a multimillion-dollar construction project, citing the experience and education he gained in seeing that project progress. He said he stepped down from the board when the family moved from the district so his wife, an office professional, could be closer to her work.
The candidate has run several times before, twice in New York when he ran for both Mayor and Council, losing by close votes in each cases. He was unsuccessful when he ran for council three years ago on a team with former Mayor Rick O’Neill.
Warren said at that time he was seeking office to ensure a completely transparent municipal government and sharing information and decision making. He said at that time he believed a workable Draft Comprehensive Plan could be developed for both the present and the future of the borough by the governing body working together, listening to the public and coming to compromise on the best ideas.
While there has been little political discussions ongoing in the borough on which candidates would run in at attempt to unseat Broullon, Warren’s name was not mentioned as a potential candidate. Former Councilwoman Rosemary Ryan, now a member of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education, had been cited as a potential candidate, but did not file any application, living it a two person race for the three year term of the mayor. The borough is non-partisan and the Mayor has the right to vote on every issue rather than simply breaking a tie among the four members of council.
The 55th year of the AAUW Northern Monmouth County Branch Used Book Sale will open Saturday, Sept. 10 at its location in Old First Church, 69 Kings Highway. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For the rest of the season, the Sale will be featured every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through June, except for holiday weekends.
Special features of the unique Book Store include antiquarian books as well as fiction and non-fiction new releases from the past two years, available in both hard cover and paperback.
The AAUW Sale also offers DVDs, CDs, books on tape as well as records from all vintages, games and puzzles.
A special section also features children’s preschool and board and books through Young Adult.
Book donations can be made on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 am and on Saturdays from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Guidelines for making tax deductible donations can be found on the group’s website aauw-nj-nmcb.org or by calling 732-275-2237.
All net proceeds provide scholarships for women at Brookdale Community College and Monmouth University.
The Northern Monmouth County Branch of AAUW has been making a difference in the community for over 90 years and welcomes new members to join them in advancing equity for women and girls. Membership in AAUW is open to any graduate holding an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate, or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
While they are not listed among the top ten vegetables for eye health…the leafy spinach and kale, as well as carrots, radishes and even garlic rate higher, still tomatoes with their abundance of beta-carotene and Vitamin A are terrific for maintaining good vision since the vitamin content helps support the function of the retina..improving vision in the dark. Tomatoes also have lycopene and lutein which help prevent aging macular degeneration as well as cataracts.
With so many home gardeners seeing plenty of tomatoes this season, and with an Air Cooker creating hot meals without the heat of an oven, it’s time to try some tomatoes in your Air Cooker. Here are two easy recipes, one for green, one for red tomatoes.
Fried Green Tomato Bites
2 green tomatoes, sliced
¼ tsp. creole seasoning
¼ Cup flour
1 egg, beaten
1 Cup breadcrumbs or panko
1 Cup Remoulade sauce (to serve with it)
Use 3 bowls, one for flour, one for the egg, one for seasoning mixed in breadcrumbs. Coat tomato slices in flour, dip in egg and finish off with mixing in with crumbs.
Place slices in greased basket for six minutes at 400 degrees.
Serve immediately with sauce
Remoulade sauce is simply a French sauce popular in New Orleans and served often with seafood cakes. It can be purchased by the bottle, but here’s a quick and easy recipe for a spicy variety.
REMOULADE SAUCE
1 ¼ Cups mayonnaise
¼ Cup mustard
1 Tbs. Paprika
2 tsps. Horseradish
1 teaspoon each of pickle juice, hot sauce and a Creole seasoning.
Mix together. Refrigerate.
ROASTED TOMATOES WITH CHEESE TOPPING
½ Cup cheddar Cheese, shredded
¼ Cup Parmesan cheese grated
4 tomatoes, sliced
2 Tbsp.. Chopped parsley, thyme or basil
Salt tomato slices if desired and put in Air Cooker. Top with 2 cheese and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. Cook for six minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with herb.
