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?
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/
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
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
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.
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.
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.
The delivery of large steel bridge piles to the Rumson Sea Bright bridge is scheduled tentatively for Monday, Oct. 10/24/22. Frequent updates on travel advisories are available online at Rumson Seabright Bridge
Weather permitting, construction of the new bridge is taking place Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and tomorrow, Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m this week.
On the Shrewsbury River, work activity will continue in the water south of the bridge on both sides of the river. The navigational channel width has been reduced from 75′ to 65′. The reduction is expected to remain in effect until Fall 2023.
Extra travel time is suggested on Monday and uniformed police will assist with two large steel bridge pile deliveries to the bridge.
The deliveries are anticipated between 9 am and 2pm, to avoid school drop off and pick up times. The schedule may change based on field conditions; however school drop off and pick up times will be avoided.
Traffic interruption is estimated to be no more than 10 minutes during lifting and moving the bridge piles to the trestles in the river.
For safe passage during each delivery, the traffic delivery pattern involves temporary disruption of vehicle and pedestrian movement over the bridge, which may affect traffic flow on Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright and along Rumson Road in Rumson.
Additional bridge pile deliveries are also anticipated at a yet undetermined date but again are planned to be between 9am and 2pm, or after 3pm, to avoid school drop off and pick up times. Deliveries in the future are anticipated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, weather permitting, to be completed on or about mid-December.
With each delivery, vehicles and pedestrians may expect temporary lane closures and delay. The bridge openings needed for marine access will not be affected.
The project team appreciates your support and understanding during the construction phase of this important bridge replacement project.
The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee (CNHPC) is presenting its annual Country Christmas at the Montrose School. Sunday, Dec 4. From 1 to 4 p.m.
Seasonal refreshments, and holiday music performed by the Mike Wells Trio will fill the historic Montrose one-room schoolhouse along with this free traditional holiday fest at the old School located at the corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive.
Chairperson County Commissioner Lillian Burry will read “The Night Before Christmas” to the Children and adults, an annual tradition. Santa Claus will take time out from his busy schedule to pose for free photos. The Christmas tree inside the school will be festooned with decorations appropriate to the period. We will have a visit from “Norman the Christmas Dog,.” A new children’s book written and illustrated by local professionals, author Candace Faust and artist Morgan Spicer.
In addition, the committee is selling, the popular map depicting Colts Neck historic sites, (suitable for framing) at $20 each, and “A Tour of Historic Colts Neck” booklet written by County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry at10 each as well as the “Norman the Christmas Dog, an excellent gift for children of all ages.
“Our Christmas open house last year was so popular, many have asked us to repeat it,” said Chairperson Burry, the former Colts Neck Mayor. “Everyone on the Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee enjoys preparing and opening the Montrose School for special events that highlight our township’s unique role in 19th Century America. Commissioner Burry continued “We invite everyone to share in the warmth and historic significance of the Montrose School during this community celebration.”
Mrs. Burry negotiated the purchase of the school, the only publicly owned one-room schoolhouse in Colts Neck. This was accomplished at the cost of $1 from the township’s former Historical Society over a decade ago. The committee raises funds to continue to upgrade and maintain the school.
Monmouth County high school students are invited to compete in the County Clerk’s Annual Elections and Voting Video Contest. This year’s contest asks students to reflect on what voting means to them and why it is important, while encouraging their peers to vote.
“We are very excited to announce this year’s high school student video contest,” said Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon. We hope this will engage young people in the voting process, and call attention to the many election-based ways New Jersey voters can have their voices heard.”
The clerk added “Approaching Election Day is the perfect time to remind young people the right to vote is a right to be cherished and exercised, and that voting is now easier than ever.”
The contest is open to high school students who reside in Monmouth County and/or attend a high school in Monmouth County. Students are allowed to work alone or to form groups of no more than three members. Single or group entrants are permitted to submit one original video that is one to three minutes long and reflects on what the right to vote means to them and why it’s important; the focus should be on educating peers of the three ways to vote in New Jersey. Students are permitted to be creative in their submissions and can use digital or traditional special effects.
The top three videos will be awarded gift card prizes and will be prompted via the County Clerk’s social media platforms and voter outreach program. Videos will remain the property of the County Clerk’s Office.
“Voting for representatives and local policies are cornerstones of the American Republic,” said Hanlon. “Choices made in elections can shape policies from the local to the national levels.” She noted the expansion of voting options in theate which continues to grow to include traditional Election Day voting, mail-in voting, and early in-person voting.”
Entries will be accepted through Tuesday, November 1 and via email to ClerkContest@co.monmouth.nj.us with the subject “2022 High School Video Contest.” Entrants must upload their video to YouTube and then email the direct link to the video to the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.
For full contest rules and eligibility, please visit the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office website at MonmouthCountyClerk.com.
For questions about the contest, please email ClerkContest@co.monmouth.nj.us or call 732-431-7324, ext. 8735.
Congressman Chris Smith is pushing new legislation, in the wake of the growing trend across the nation in rainbow fentanyl trafficking which would expand the nation’s authority in combating the entry of the opioid from crossing the border into the United States.
The legislation, known as the Homeland Security Fentanyl Enforcement Act ( HR 9093) grants more authority to the Department of Homeland Security in halting the drug, which comes from China, and is targeted for use by young people.
“Targeting children by drug cartels with deadly fentanyl made to look like candy is just the latest horrific aspect of the fentanyl crisis that has wreaked havoc on our communities,” said Smith, previously the author of HR 1542 designed to help combat the fentanyl crisis.
“The nefarious drug networks pushing this Chinese-made synthetic opioid—which is 50 times more potent than heroin—on our kids in our own backyard must be defeated,” said Smith. He noted that in the last five months alone, US law enforcement officials have seized more than 10 million fentanyl pills and another approximate 980 pounds of fentanyl powder, equating to more than 36 million lethal doses.
HR 9093, developed DHS law enforcement officers, would grant agents within the DHS Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) unit with independent authority to enforce America’s drug laws. Currently, only approximately 1,500 of more than 6,800 HSI special agents have DEA authority to investigate these crimes, leaving thousands of HSI agents on the sidelines as fentanyl and other deadly drugs pour into the country.
The bill is just one of Smith’s ongoing attempts to combat the fentanyl crisis. Earlier this year, the Congressman cosponsored the Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act (HR 7359), which would expand Title 42 authority to turn away migrants to combat the profuse amount of drug smuggling across the US-Mexico Border.
“It is absolutely critical that we secure our border immediately to help put an end to the immense suffering and loss of life caused by the infiltration of these lethal drugs,” said Smith, who last Congress chaired a congressional hearing entitled “Tackling Fentanyl: The China Connection ” that included compelling testimony from then-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato.