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.
While not going to Hannibal and seeing Mark Twain history on the American Queen’s Countess sternwheeler, the town of Grafton, Illinois more than made up to the challenge of surprise guests with excitement, friendly people and unique opportunities to learn more and enjoy more about things you had no idea you could learn about.
At the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, where waters can rise tragically high and wipe out entire sections of the town, the people of Grafton have long since proven, like the people of New Jersey’s Bayshore, that they are resilient, and one serious flood simply means planning and preparing a little better for the next one.
Also like New Jersey Bayshore towns….and it isn’t just a coincidence Grafton is in Jersey County … its first settlers were from the Garden State…..Grafton stretches from the waterline of the river to over 1200 feet at its highest, and boasts it is the wintering home of the American Bald Eagle. Since eagles nests are called aeries, the highest point atop the Sky Tour lift is Aeries Lodge.
Although the Countess on-off buses were ready, able and frequent in taking folks into town, the town and its 609 residents made it a lot of fun to walk to wineries, a model lighthouse on the beach, antique and gift shops and the most incredible wood shop possible.
A visit to Knotty by Nature, owned by Dan Bechtold, is magic in wood, with hundreds, if not thousands of specialty wood cuts and locally crafted wood products. In addition to everything from soup bowls and cups to bedroom ensembles all made from the finest woods, the owner’s young granddaughter, Annie, following his enterprise and hard worth ethics, even set up her own jewelry stand right next to the check-out counter, making it hard to resist picking up a last minute rope bracelet or hand made earrings at bargain prices.
The Old Boat works near where the Countess docked was where PT boats were built during the war and today is the site of antique and craft shows; winters, it’s flooded for ice skating, and outside and adjacent to the dock, is a happy-go-lucky swinging and dance crowd any given warm Sunday afternoon.
Grafton is also the oldest city in Jersey County, Illinois, settled in the 1830s, named for its founder, James Mason who hailed from Grafton, Massachusetts, and incorporated as a city in 1907.
It’s part of a K-12 “community unit” school district with other towns around, has 265 households and nice different sites that are on the National Registry of Historic Sites. Its other, but not as wonderful, claim to fame is the Great Flood of 1993 that caused one-third of the city’s residents to move away; yet there are still reminders throughout town of just high the waters came and how long they stayed.
Docked in Grafton on a Sunday morning, the boat’s personnel made arrangements for the bus to take anyone wanting to attend Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, while also holding another interdenominational service aboard the Countess. At the Church, the pastor, Father Martin Smith stayed after mass to greet all the visitors and to tell the story of the compromise made when the Church was built. Seems the catholic German population wanted the Church built in their section of town, the Irish Catholics in theirs. So the church was built in the German section….but named St. Patrick’s, to honor the Irish. They all love it.
With the Countess bus a few minutes late on returning to pick up churchgoers after mass, it was enough delayed for local residents to notice and offer rides or directions back to the boat for their surprise guests.
The parish is marking its 150th anniversary this year. Pere Marquette, the priest who traveled the Illinois territory in the early 1800s, was among the first visitors to be recorded in the territory; prior to construction, Catholics attended mass in private homes, the Methodist church on occasion, in the local school and the town’s Quarry Hall. And when it was built, it was primarily with volunteer labor from the town and stone from the local quarry. Parishioners cannot count the number of times the church has been flooded by rising rivers ever since.
Tourism is today’s primary industry in Grafton, where the bald eagle watching area is as popular attraction. There’s that sky lift to Aeries Resort, giving a spectacular view of the Midwest from the top, along with a zip line, resort, winery, lodging, gift shop and an outdoor terrace popular for banquets and weddings. The Sky tour up is either in the traditional two seat ski lift or enclosed cars that lift passengers from the riverside, over field and road, and deer strolling in the woods to the excitement at the top.
Pere Marquette State Park, just outside of the city, is a nature lover’s paradise and the largest State park in Illinois. Besides the river views of both the confluence and the backwaters, there is year-round camping in the park, 12 miles of hiking trails, hiking, fishing, boating, and horseback riding.
Even the visitor center is fascinating. In addition to a plethora of displays of history, geology, wildlife habitat and interactive opportunities, there are active beehives, secure but able to view up close, as well as an abandoned aerie for visitors who want to have their photos taken as eaglets ready for their first flight.
Back on the Countess for the lasts sumptuous dinner, late night entertaining and fond farewells to newfound friends, it was back to staterooms for packing, a short trip to Alton, Illinois, and a morning disembarkation to taxis and buses to continue a bus trip to St. Louis Missouri, an airport, or a local hotel for following morning train from Alton to Chicago to Pittsburgh via train connections, and a final ride back to New Jersey from Pittsburgh to Newark.
I recently published a story, about the passing of a Highlands icon, Florence Hartsgrove Gauthier, the oldest native of Highlands and matriarch of one of the founding families. The Mayor & Council honored her with the following Proclamation which is worth re-printing.
WHEREAS, FLORENCE HARTSGROVE GAUTHIER, was vibrant, caring, sweet, generous woman that had a great deal of strength. She was a life-long and oldest original resident of the Borough of Highlands; and,
WHEREAS, she worked for this community with the Recreation Department for over 20 years; and
WHEREAS, she worked at Highlands Elementary School for many years; and
WHEREAS, she also worked at King James Nursing House; and WHEREAS, Florence enjoyed playing BINGO, venturing off to Atlantic City and trying her luck at scratch offs; and
WHEREAS, she was known throughout Highlands for her delicious Manhattan Clam Chowder, Beach Plum Jelly and Candied Apples. She also loved spending time at the beach whether it be putting her feet in the water, scanning the beach with a metal detector or taking rides through Sandy Hook. Florence loved to reminisce through story telling of the good old days; and
WHEREAS, Florence was my neighbor for the last 20 years. She loved pickled beets and dry rub ribs. Most of all, she loved Highlands and would tell amazing stories of her 98 years in our town. NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mayor and Council of the Borough Highlands do hereby honor and remember Florence Hartsgrove Gauthier for her dedication to the people of Highlands and extend to her family our deepest sympathies.
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.
