Tom Drake says he doesn’t come from a ‘foodie’ family. But if you’ve ever sampled his Cottage Pie or Bangers and Mash Croquettes, or maybe his Crispy pickle brine Chicken Thigh sandwich, you’d think all he ever does is dream up unique recipes then prepare them with taste and elegance.

Tom is the executive chef at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club and for the past six months he has been delighting the palates of club members with unique cuisine, his own recipes, and designing each menu around the best that is available that week, ensuring that every ingredient is top quality from local farms and purveyors, from seafood and meats to extraordinary vegetables and desserts.

Chef Tom, as he is known, came to the yacht club armed with a resume of several decades in the culinary field, which officially started with his studies at the Culinary School in the Arts Institute in Philadelphia and proceeded through a number of different high end restaurants and teaching experiences. But in speaking with him, you learn that he’s been fascinated by food and its presentation from the time he was a kid and helped a family friend who catered parties, first chopping onions and slicing potatoes in the kitchen, then cooking, and eventually knowing it was the field in which he wanted to spend his career.

After high school, Tom opted to try further education in marine biology in community college, staying long enough to realize it wasn’t for him, before enrolling at the Culinary School and earning his degree.

Through the years he has been a chef at several different restaurants, including the Fromagerie in Rumson, the five diamond Hilton in Short Hills and Triumph Brewing Company in New Hope, Pa. as well as their restaurant in Red Bank. He has also left the kitchen to head up the classroom as well, teaching culinary classes to would be chefs.

When hired as chef at the Yacht Club, Chef Tom made it clear his goal is to present menus and recipes he creates that are different from dining experiences in any other restaurant. For this, he relies not only on his own creativity, but also on local purveyors, drawing his weekly ingredients from sources in Asbury Park and Long Branch, Long Valley and Vineland and numerous places in between. Nor are the ingredients simply fruits and vegetables. He has a couple of different purveyors of fish, including Lusty Lobster in Highlands and Local 130 Seafood in Asbury Park, gets his potatoes from Robbinsville, many of his dairy products from Long Valley and even his honey from Chester Township. When it comes to mushrooms, Chef Tom favors a specialty farm in Long Branch where he can select not just mushrooms, but a specific type including black pearl, or oyster, or king trumpet, depending on whether the recipe he is preparing calls for a peppery aftertaste, edible stems, or a blend with other vegetables in a soup or chili.

Clearly, for this chef at the yacht club, it’s more than cooking and serving. It’s quality, unique flavors and combinations, eye-catching presentations, and a matchless dining experience in the casual yet elegant setting of the yacht club dining room.

Food preparation at the Yacht Club presents a unique challenge for a chef who has worked in spacious kitchens with several chefs and cooks. The kitchen at the club is small and he works alone, a challenge that is enhanced by the benefit it also brings.” Everything has to be absolutely fresh, that’s why I use local purveyors,” the chef said, “I simply don’t have any room to store anything or deep freezers to keep meats or seafood. “

Chef Tom has created more than 1000 recipes of his own over the years, and does not resort to books or even his own copies in preparing his creations the five nights a week the Yacht Club serves food. He enjoys tasting each preparation to ensure it meets his own palate’s expectations. He does admit, however, he is looking forward to the expansion plans the club already has begun, and a larger kitchen that could also mean an expanded menu.

Viking Village Scallop Crudo with piccalilli, nasturtium and smoked olive oil

Currently, the Yacht Club offers two different types of Chef Tom creations. There is a Wharf Menu on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm as well as on Sundays from 1 pm. That menu includes lighter fare rather than three course meals, and could include anything from a Cuban sandwich or burgers, albeit they’re very special here, or simply Chips and Dip made with crispy shallots, BBQ chips and a French onion dip, with more than half a dozen different choices. There are always meat, seafood and vegetarian entrees on each menu, which changes weekly.

Roasted lamb loin with lollipop kale, glazed pearl onions, juniper malbec jus

Fridays and Saturdays, the Commodore’s Dinner always has three courses, appetizers, entrees and desserts, and generally an additional selection for the table of local cheese and meats. Diners are served from 6 p.m. on and to ensure the perfection Chef Tom insists of for everything out of his kitchen, reservations are necessary.

Tom and his wife Nicole have been married for almost 20 years and have a son AJ, whose talents run more to the artistic that the culinary. AJ creates art in several different media, and one of his black and white drawings is on the wall at the Yacht Club, though he prefers and has excelled at MANGA, the Japanese comic book art form.

For Yacht Club members, Chef Tom has brought not only outstanding food to their tables but also great support for New Jersey farms, unique recipes and blends of vegetables not generally found on restaurant menus, as well as a desire for perfection in every dish.

It is an unbeatable combination.

The crowd was three deep in the borough hall meeting room, and spilled out into the hallway and down the stairs as Harry Murtha was unanimously named police Captain and Travis Sodon unanimously named Sergeant at last night’s meeting of the Mayor and Council.

Murtha, a native of the borough, and a member of law enforcement for the borough since he was a security officer at the Yacht Harbor in 1995, was the first to be sworn into the higher office as Captain of the department by Mayor Loretta Gluckstein, in the presence of four generations of the Murtha family.

Sodon was sworn into the position of Sergeant minutes later, to continued applause and standing ovations for both officers. Sodon scored highest among officers taking the test for sergeant, and like, Murtha, his appointment became effective immediately.

Police Chief Scott Reinert, who was appointed to his position last month at the retirement of Chief David Rossbach, praised both officers for their excellence, their experience, and their dedication to duty, noting having the excellence of men of their caliber will enable him to continue the excellent work and dedication of the local department.

In speaking about Murtha, Reinert, who is a Monmouth County native but not a native of Atlantic Highlands, recalled when, as a young officer joining the department, he admittedly gave a lot of traffic violations. He recalled that in trying to get out of summonses, motorists would frequently say “I know Harry Murtha,.” Or “I went to school with Harry Murtha.” Amid laughter, he admitted he often questioned drivers more, asking more information about Murtha to see if they really knew him. And they always did! Praising the new captain, Reinert said “he’s the kind of guy who would cut off his arm if you needed it,” and noted that it’s men like Murtha that make the department not only professional but great.

Murtha, after receiving his Captain’s pin which was pinned by his wife, Melissa, along with his son Harry and daughter Danica, first thanked his parents for the way in which he was raised, and then thanked individual members of his family all in attendance in the front rows of the meeting room, noting how they all have played important roles in his life. He then turned to Kathleen Sweeny, and expressed thanks to his ‘adopted family,’ of Kathleen and the late Bernie Sweeney, and noted the roles both have played in his life. He added he is certain “Bernie is happy tonight and looking down on all of us.” Sweeney died Feb. 11, and Murtha and all members of the Police Department served in various positions as pall bearers and other honored positions at Sweeney’s funeral.

Soden, who introduced his wife Samantha and son Justin, who participated in pining on his new rank, also thanked Murtha, noting “he brings energy and I’m looking forward to his passing on his energy” in congratulating Murtha on the promotion. Sodon also thanked his family and all who have helped him along the way to achieve what he has achieved. The new Sergeant also praised the police department members lined up with Chief Reinert along the side of the room, saying he is more than proud to be a part of the outstanding department recognized for its excellence. He praised past chiefs under whom he has worked, from former Chief Jerry Vasto, who was present for the ceremony, along with Chief Rossbach who recently retired, and Reinert, with whom he served night duty for many years, and whom he got to know and respect well for his excellence.

All members of the governing body stood in appreciation and congratulations of the two promoted law enforcement professionals, offering their own appreciation and standing ovations for their years of service and professionalism in providing assistance to the residents and visitors to the borough.

The officers and their guests continued the celebration of their promotions with a buffet dinner at the Shore Casino immediately after the meeting.

There was laughter, memories, appreciation, music, and a buffet dinner at the Shore Casino Saturday afternoon as more than 150 friends and family gathered as guests of the Donoghue family to celebrate the life of Peter Donoghue,. Former mayor, councilman, churchman, journalist, army veteran, board of education member and so much more.

Peter E. Donoghue died Feb. 2, 2022 at the age of 81, and his widow, Louise, wanted to share her family’s thoughts and show appreciation to her friends and neighbors about her husband of 55 years.

And what a celebration it was.

With son Steve serving as master of ceremonies and the first in a series of speakers who recalled with fondness the many different phases of his dad’s life, Steve recalled his father’s joy, especially with music, a joy that included the entire family. He left a legacy of love, Steve told the guests, noting his own son and two other grandchildren who profited from a grandfather’s love. Steve recalled humorous incidents in the lives of the Donoghue family, thanks to the senior Donoghue’s penchant to try the unusual, be a bit daring, and taking chances.

In contrast, the Rev. Guy Millard, the minister who played a major role in Peter’s life, was brief and simply reminded the gathering to give thanks for the gift of Peter in all their lives in the invocation.

Son John also spoke about his thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity to all and noted his father “cared about the world” and always wanted to be there to help everyone.

Former Councilman Peter Doyle, Commander of the American Legion Post 141, spoke on the deceased soldier’s dedication not only to the army during his years in service, but also to his work as a Legionnaire, noting that Peter has been “called to a higher command.” Doyle introduce Bill Pointon, the post’s chaplain, who led a prayer before all the legion members present at the repast went up to say a final farewell and salute to their fallen friend and comrade.

Local historian, family friend and colleague Victor Zak spoke of his years working with Peter at the Asbury Park Press, the newspaper where Peter was night editor for many years, and the last of the many newspapers for which he had been a reporter, from the Atlantic Highlands Journal and Highlands Star to the Press. Zak described the journalist as a professional you could trust to get the story correct and complete.

Former borough attorney Janice Miller-Gaudio was borough attorney in the early part of the 20th century when Peter served on the borough council and spoke of her time meeting him and working with him on municipal business. Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner expressed her own appreciation for Peter’s talent and devotion as an elected official.

Democratic Party Municipal Chairman Regina Hawley-Keelen sent regrets and love, with apologies for not being able to be present because of a sudden illness while traveling back for the celebration. But there were even more memories and a few tears as son John joined his mother in singing “Those were the Days,” a favorite song for the senior Donoghues.

The Rev. Guy Millard gave the benediction and members of the St. Agnes Choir where Louise also sang led the crowd in singing “Let there be Peace on Earth.”

The first in a series of School Regionalization Town Hall meetings will take place Tuesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. in the Highlands Community Center, Snug Harbor Ave. The Town Hall meeting is open to everyone, regardless of residency, and will be an opportunity for all to learn facts and discuss issues with a proposed regionalization of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright in a K through 12 school district under a single, nine member Board of Education instead of three separate nine member Boards.

A second Town Hall meeting covering the same subject will be held at Sea Bright Borough Hall, Ocean Avenue, on April 11, also at 7 p.m.

At a meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council earlier this month, Mayor Loretta Gluckstein named Tracey Abbey-White as chairwoman of the Mayor’s School Regionalization Advisory Committee. Present at the Council meeting on March 10, Abbey-White gave a comprehensive talk of the history of school regionalization, which began in the 1990s. The current committee was named last summer with the first meeting held in February, after passage of a state law on the regionalization question for school districts throughout the state. One sponsor of the new law was state Senator Declan O’Scanlon.

Atlantic Highlands indicated it is waiting for a report being completed by the Tri-District Board of Education feasibility study which includes Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Henry Hudson and Gluckstein indicated it should be completed by April. At the March 24 Council meeting, however, the new completion date for the BOE feasibility study was stated as being May 22.

After that, the Atlantic Highlands governing body will consider whether it will petition the state Board of Education to consider regionalization of the Tri-District schools to include Sea Bright students as well. Both Highlands and Sea Bright have already passed their DOE petition resolutions indicating to the state Board of Education they want to put the regionalization question on the November ballot.

Abby-White told the governing body the Tri-District BOE Study only includes the districts without including Sea Bright, and adding Sea Bright into the Study would mean adjusting funding numbers. If Sea Bright is brought in via regionalization, there is a possibility of additional funding to support keeping property tax costs down.

Bringing in additional students would help sustain the future of the high school. Councilman Jon Crowley disagreed with Abby-White’s opinion concerning advantages with the inclusion of Sea Bright students. Abby White stressed the high school district must be increased to guarantee sustainability. With the Henry Hudson’s last graduating class numbering 38 students, there is a question about future sustainability of the high school.

Abbey-White added that a “sweet spot” size of a k-12 district is 3,000 students. The current student population of the Tri-District is 780 students. Bringing Sea Bright students in would increase that total to about 800 students.

Sunday Brunch by the Bay will be featured at the Shore Casino beginning Sunday, April 3.

Shore Casino Manager Jay Strebb announced the newest innovation for the popular restaurant in the Municipal Yacht Harbor will feature a broad variety of specialty dishes, and will include both an omelet station and a carving station along with eggs, bacon and sausage dishes, French toast, waffles, pancakes, and potato pancakes. Also featured will be sausage and peppers, bagels and lox, fruit platter medleys, and a variety of other specials from the Casino chef.

Reservations are essential since seating is limited. There will be two seatings, one at 11:30 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.

Prices, which include a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa, are $49.95 for adults and $24.95 for children between the ages of 4 and 12, before taxes and tip. Tickets for children under three years of age are complimentary.

“I am thrilled to see Jay is listening to the requests we have had from so many people to offer a Sunday Brunch, “ said Kathleen Sweeney, owner of the Casino.

“We have always been a family that responds to the wishes of our neighbors and friends, and offering a Sunday Brunch at the beginning of spring seems to be what many want right now and we are happy to be able to offer it.”

For reservations or further information contact the Shore Casino at 732-291-4300.

It is kind of interesting to look at the growth, ownership, education and residency similarities and differences between Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, neighboring communities both set on gorgeous waterfronts, both with magnificent hills that stretch down to the water, both part of history dating to the Lenni Lenape and both about the same size and officially split from Middletown 13 years apart, with Atlantic Highlands the first to be incorporated in 1887.

It’s enough to make you wonder why Atlantic Highlands has had a growth in population every year for the past five years, while Highlands has shown no growth, but actually a decrease every year for the past 11 years. That has created a decrease of nearly 8 percent in growth overall.

It makes you wonder whether the decrease in population is due simply to people moving out and their homes being sold for other purposes, or whether the population isn’t changing in number because people are having less, or later in life children, but coupled with the statistics on the number of non-natives out outnumbering the number of natives, it means the new people moving in are simply selling their homes to other new people moving in while they’re moving on to other towns or cities.

With its 4609 residents, Highlands ranks 196th in size in the state and 5,002 in the nation, while Atlantic Highlands with its 4468 residents ranks 202 in the state and 5105 in the nation but with percentages showing more people are moving into that borough than its neighbor on the Shrewsbury River.

Highlands has shown the largest decrease in people born in the community still living there, meaning the people who settled the town and gave it its unique character are not living there anymore, with only 55 per cent of homeowners natives of Highlands today. In Atlantic Highlands, 68 per cent of the homeowners are natives of the borough.

With the change in ownership and decrease in growth over the past decade, Highlands also records that 68 per cent of its residents have had some college education, while in the neighborhood town, it’s 75 per cent who have some college education, many of them with master’s degrees.

Both towns have residents who are far above the poverty level and apparently able to handle the high taxes and cost of public school education.

Highlands residents appear to have a slightly lower median income than their neighbors, with the median annual income for a family in Highlands set at $48,559, while it is $55,538 in the next town.

However, when it comes to median household income, Highlands is figured at $148,559 per household per year and in Atlantic Highlands, it is $141,983, appearing apparently, that there are more two family incomes in Highlands than in Atlantic Highlands.

State Senator Vin Gopal will be at the Monmouth County SPCA Friday, April 1 at 5 p.m., to present a Senate Resolution honoring Musky the Ferret for her continued dedication and commitment on behalf of all animals great and small, sharing her rags to riches story on her abandonment, rescue and adoption.

At the same time, SPCA Chaplain Matty Giuliano, who adopted Musky, will present the SPCA with a $300 check from Musky’s official bank account to cover the costs of adoption of three ferrets currently at the SPCA.

Date for the Senatorial presentation makes it possible for the ferret to be honored in time to celebrate National Ferret Day April 2.

Musky was a stray ferret brought to the Monmouth County SPCA by animal control. She was subsequently adopted by Giuliano who formed a unique relationship and bond with the animal who joined the Giuliano family, including other pets in the household, at their home in Hazlet.

As a result, Giuliano wrote and published his first children’s book “My Name is Musky,,” illustrated by Morgan Spicer of Atlantic Highlands. The book has sold throughout the nation and in numerous other countries and has served to educate people on ferrets as household pets.

Since the popularity of the book, the Musky Ferret Empire has expanded to include an entire line of Musky Merchandise, with all proceeds donated to the SPCA and numerous ferret charities.

The Musky Foundation was also established at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital to help cover veterinary expenses for a ferret needing lifesaving service. Musky’s latest endeavor will also be announced at the April 1 presentation.

“It is heartbreaking to visit animal shelters and see the impact of neglect and cruelty on animals,” said Sen. Gopal. “But it is uplifting to see the great work the Monmouth County SPCA and its dedicated volunteers do to heal their pain and loneliness and find them loving homes.”

In recognizing Musky the Ferret for National Ferret Day, she is also being recognized in New Jersey for State Ferret Day. At the same time, the Monmouth County SPCA is being honored by the Senate for its 77 years of protecting and advocating for abused and neglected animals. “I am proud to stand with the SPCA against animal abuse and I urge residents to seriously consider enriching their own lives by adopting a shelter animal,” Gopal said.

“The Monmouth County SPCA looks forward to sharing in this incredible honor with Musky the Ferret, as the story of her success highlights the continued mission of the organization to protect, care and help our shared community find the joy and love that one can only receive from a companion animal,” said SPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra, who is also a Monmouth County Commissioner.

“We’re looking forward to a beautiful spring afternoon at the SPCA to honor our alumni, Musky, celebrate National Ferret Day, and see our SPCA honored by this resolution,” Licitra said. “Along with our friend and animal advocate, Senator Gopal, we’re pleased to highlight Musky and her story as a true testament to the hard work everyone here at the shelter does to combat animal abuse and give animals a second chance on life.”

Guiliano, who spearheaded the movement to give recognition to ferrets as pets, said he is thrilled with the honor and proud he played a role in bringing the importance of protecting animals to the forefront through Musky. He added that needs are greater than ever, with many people forced from their homes because of a variety of problems including evictions after Covid restrictions against such action were lifted, and thus were also forced to abandon their animals or bring them to the SPCA.

You can follow Musky on Face Book https://www.facebook.com/MuskyTheFerret/

HUNT the HOOK a unique scavenger hunt for all ages, will be one of the celebrations of National Park Week at Gateway National Recreation Ara on Saturday, April 9.

The Hunt is designed to engage and inspire the public within the park in a safe, fun, and slightly competitive way.

Team entries are $15 and a grand prize which includes a Sandy Hook Summer Beach parking pass, a $100 gift certificate to the Lusty Lobster in Highlands and a swag basket from the Sandy Hook Foundation will be presented to one lucky winner.

All clues for the hunt will be posted on The Sandy Hook Foundation website, or mailed/emailed to registrants upon request. Registration is required no later than Friday, April 8.

Scavengers have five days, from dawn to dusk beginning April 9 to decipher clues, find locations on Sandy Hook, and provide proof through submission of photos or sketches that depict the answer.

Awards and photos submitted by e-mail, will be held April 13 at 5 p.m. Details of the event will be provided upon registration or sponsorship.

The winner will be notified April 15, and in the event there are multiple teams with winning answers and proof, a raffle will take place to pull the winning name

The hunt includes deciphering clues, determining the location and take a photo of the location with the Hunt the Hook sign provided with registration.

All Saints’ Memorial Church , also known as Stone Church, announced that their Annual Auction is scheduled this year for May 14, the first auction in two years.

The auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes savory appetizers and beverages for guests while bidding on a wide array of silent and auction items. Items up for auction in the silent auction include beauty, gourmet and entertaining baskets along with a numerous gift certificates to local restaurants. In addition, there is a live auction featuring getaways, tickets to sporting events, cooking demonstrations and much more

A portion of the auction proceeds benefits the church outreach commitments in the community, including the AACC Food Pantry in Atlantic Highlands, Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Family Promise of Monmouth County, St. Mark’s Center for Community Renewal in Keansburg and Love Thy Neighbor of Monmouth County, Project Pets and our pet food pantry.

Tickets for this unique community event are $35 per person, a contribution that allows All Saints to assist the work of these important community agencies.

The Annual Auction Night also helps fund the upkeep of this National Historic Landmark campus which serves the community in many ways.

Space is limited so reservations are encou9raged as soon as possible and are available by visiting https://allsaintsnavesink.org/annual-auction

For further information, contact Beth Polonsky at 732-500-4885.

Stone Church is located at 202 Navesink Ave, in the Navesink section of MIddletown.