Showing the respect and honor the American Legion Post 141 and the Borough of Atlantic Highlands has for its police chief and his department, Chief Scott Reinert was grand marshal of the Memorial Day parade for the fourth year, thanking the crowd at the Memorial service following the parade for their kindness and thoughtfulness.

The chief said it was a day to remember all those who have lost their lives in defense of the country. Referring to names inscribed on the memorial at Memorial Park on First Avenue, Reinert said he was marching “for each of them,” expressing his personal thanks for all those who served in the military.

The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club marched in this year’s parade for the first time, showing the camaraderie and pride yacht club members take in having their members participate in the annual municipal event.

Founded in 1953, the mission of the club is to attract and bring together dedicated individuals who share a mutual respect for the sea, and to encourage and advance all aspects of boating, yacht racing, and on-water activities.

The club provides a welcome and safe haven to yachtsmen and yachtswomen who visit the harbor. It is highly regarded for its location within the protected Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor and maintains the reputation of being a convenient and popular stopover for boaters cruising or in transit to Sandy Hook and New York Harbor.

Bands from both the Henry Hudson Regional school and the Highlands Elementary school provided music during the parade which extended from the Yacht Harbor to the Memorial Park here services were held at the end of the parade.

The fire department, along with Navesink are the traditional final parts of the parade, but not before the children’s recreational activities and Boy Scout Troop 22 all parade, wave to the crowd and show their love for the community.

The Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad, always an essential part of the borough, displayed their equipment which they raise funds through generous donors to purchase, waving to the crowd and accepting applause along the route.

In the meantime, volunteers with the American Legion handed out candies, poppies and American flags walking along the route to ensure they got to greet everyone and offer them symbols of patriotism and candies for the kids.

In addition to the band and taps, the Hudson choir, as well as Councilman Brian Dougherty and Stefanie Hayden provided music throughout the memorial service. Members of the Legion Post 141 placed flags on the memorial as the names of each of the local men who lost their lives in war were solemnly called out.

The MAST Honor Guard provided a color guard for the ceremony, under the leadership of c/Lt. Cdr. Nicholas Bellows. Prior to marching in the parade, the Honor Guard earlier had also presented a similar guard in Middletown for a memorial service at Croydon Hall.

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For Atlantic Highlands residents who have seen a sanitation worker pick up an overloaded garbage can and toss it in the back of the truck in the middle of a torrential downpour. Or watched him walk up and down the street picking up empty boxes that had blown away because they weren’t broken down and flattened when put to the curb for pickup, Or a borough road employee working with hot materials patching a hole in the street in the middle of a record high summer temperature day, or dozens of other jobs they take in their stride, they already know that “People, Purpose, Presence” are the cornerstone ideals they practice every day.

The borough’s Public Works Department is that unique part of municipal government where its employees serve the borough every day in every way with a sense of purpose, a willingness to do the job right, and a dedication to keeping the residents happy.

The Mayor and Council issued a proclamation at this week’s council meeting honoring the men who serve in public work honoring National Public Works Week.

But residents in Atlantic Highlands know their Public Works Department works tirelessly to provide the kind of service they believe their residents deserve.

Jim Phillips is the official Department of Public Works Director after serving about a year and a half as Acting Director. He has worked for the borough since 1990 and has taken numerous classes at Rutgers University concerning managerial work of the public works department and is certified by the state in the position.

Serving as head of the department since 2018, he oversees a total of 32 full-time and 6 part-time employees who all work together to maintain the borough’s infrastructure and public spaces, which means everywhere from the roads parks and public buildings to the municipal harbor.

They handle all the activities for winter maintenance, snow removal, trash and debris removal, grass mowing, leaf collection, to name a few of their chores, while at the same time managing the recycling yard and ensuring storm water regulations are met. And under Phillips high standards, they also maintain and keep in condition all the borough trucks and vehicles, including the sanitation trucks.

While all public works employees, including Harbor Manager Lou Fligor come under Phillips in the Public Works Department members list, nine of them, in addition to the harbor manager, are assigned to the harbor and confine their duties to harbor maintenance.

There are five employees assigned to the street department, and four to sanitation with one other employee assigned to split his time between streets and sanitation, One full time and one part time employee are assigned to buildings and grounds and one part time employee assigned to sanitation. With two others assigned to vehicle maintenance and another three in the water and sewer department, Phillips maintains schedules for each of them that enables him to provide personnel for emergencies, 24-hour days and seven-day weeks throughout the year.

As cited in the reasons given for recognizing public service workers in the municipality, it is noted that in most instances public works professionals will never meet those whose lives have been impacted. That is because when things are going right, no one knows that public works is there. Yet, with or without fanfare, public works is ever present, working in the background to advance quality of life for all.

In Atlantic Highlands, Director Phillips and his department take their jobs seriously, meet high standards, and get the job done.

Thank that worker who’s picking up your trash or maintaining the cleanliness of the Public Works recycling bins or keeping those sewage lines running clean. He keeps the town looking neat, clean and inviting.

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Menopause “We’re excited to keep the momentum going with even more wellness topics,” Bayshore Pharmacy pharmacist and owner Rich Stryker R.PH said this week, in commenting on the overwhelming reception the new Bayshore Pharmacy Wellness Center has received since it formally became effective less than a month ago.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing more health and wellness to our community! From nutrition and supplements to heart health, our new series of workshops is growing every week,” Stryker, a native of the borough, said.

The second-generation pharmacist launched a new in-house wellness center at the end of April, an expansion of service that marks a significant step in Bayshore Pharmacy’s commitment to providing comprehensive health and well-being solutions to local.

The Bayshore Pharmacy Wellness Center operates within the existing pharmacy location in Bayshore Plaza in the Super Foodtown Plaza on Route 36 and offers a range of wellness services designed to complement traditional pharmacy offerings. This integrated approach aims to provide a convenient and accessible hub for individuals seeking to optimize their overall health and well-being.

Styker pointed out Bayshore Pharmacy has been a trusted source for medication and health advice for decades. With the addition of the Wellness Center, a broader spectrum of services focused on preventative care, stress reduction, and overall wellness are all available, all under one roof. “Our goal is to empower our community to take a proactive role in their health journey,” Stryker said. “By integrating wellness services with our pharmacy expertise, we can provide a more holistic and personalized approach to healthcare.“

As part of the program, which will continue to increase its programs as customers respond to the workshops and lifestyle sessions the program is offering, workshops are being offered on a regular basis and are varied and serve the needs and interest of all those dedicated to improving their own lifestyle and health habits.

With last night’s program focusing on boosting metabolism to enhance health, tomorrow’ program May 22 will begin at 6 p.m. and be presented by Selena Tulman, D.Ph. who will focus on “Women’s Health and Menopause”, including information that is important to women of all ages.

Each of the programs is offered at a fee of $20 and no reservations are necessary.

Stryker himself will present another program on Optimal Health next week on Thursday, May 29 starting at 5 p.m…

In addition to wellness workshops with these educational sessions on topics ranging from lifestyle and health all interested persons will receive personalized guidance on healthy heating habits, dietary supplements and stress management. A workshop on lifestyle and movement is designed to help persons integrate movement and mindfulness in a daily life regimen with the goal to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Heart Health and Labs provide essential information and practical tools helping residents understand personal health better, enabling them to make informed decisions about their well-being.

Each of the programs offered will be staffed by experienced and certified professionals in order to ensure high quality care is provided so people can conveniently access not only their prescription needs but also wellness services in a familiar and trusted environment.

In June, Stryker will present a program on Unlocking Better Health: Your GLP Support Guide on Wednesday June 4 at 5 p.m. and on Monday, June 9, he will present “Beyond the Plate: Optimizing Health with Nutrition + Supplements, also at 5 p.m.

Each program is available for a $20 fee, and no reservations are necessary. All are held at the pharmacy in the Foodtown Plaza. Since seating is limited, reservations can be made in advance by calling the pharmacy at72-291-2900

A complimentary workshop , Introduction to Wellness: A Starting Point.” Will be present at 5 [p.m. June 11. Reservations are recommended.

Visit BayshorePharmacy.com or call us at 732-291-2900 for more information.

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Local artist and all-time volunteer Morgan Spicer was honored by the Mayor and Council at last week’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands governing body, citing her excellence as the Artist of the Month.

The borough also had an impressive display of many of Spicer’s 50 different books she has been commissioned to do the artwork for over the past ten years.

In presenting the certificate to Spicer, Mayor Lori Hohenleitner also acknowledged the many hours the artist donates to so many different activities and events within the borough, most recently working with the volunteers at the new sensory garden on First avenue adjacent to the harbor.

In accepting the certificate, Spicer credited her parents with teaching her through example and education how important it is to pursue the right field to pursue. She noted that while she had a great affection for caring for animals and wanted to study the sciences to tend to them, she also knew she had a love and talent for artwork.

Both her college professor and her parents told her to pursue art, and taking care of animals would come to her naturally. Since then, Spicer said she has completed more than 7,000 portraits of animals, and all but one of her books features animals. Spicer and her husband have dogs as pets, and she maintains her BarkPoint Studios at home.

In addition to her books, and private commissions for artwork for individuals, Spice has created calendars for the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission highlighting the Lenape Nature Preserve also creates her artistic magic in calendars , posters, gift cards and other media.

Although appreciative and grateful for the honor at the council meeting, it did not hinder Spicer from speaking up during the public portion requesting the governing body to be aware of the dangers of insecticide sprays on lawns and public places near animals.

She also had on display a poster promoting PeacePoint, a non-profit organization she founded for animal advocacy. The first event of the newly formed group will be at 55 South Avenue on August 17 when the public is invited to enjoy shops, food trucks and visit with adoptable rescue animals

Peace Pointe’s aim is to make the connection between animal advocacy, animal rescue, and plant-based living. It plans are to build a cruelty-free animal rescue, while promoting earth-friendly actions such as gardening for wildlife, service in local communities to clean up or preserve remaining natural spaces, promote local vegan businesses and fellow animal rescues.

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Invited Two very effective, efficient and beloved public service groups and one Artist of the month were honored at last night’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council.

But only the Artist of the Month was invited to speak and possibly the only one invited to attend the meeting in which all three were honored.

Councilman Jose Pujols read a deeply appreciative proclamation honoring the EMT workers during this week set aside to honor all EMTS in New Jersey.

A second proclamation was read honoring all Public Works Department employees during this week and month honoring public works employees throughout the state.

While both proclamations were read, no one from the audience who may have been either an EMT or a public works employee was recognized, asked to comment, or asked to come forward to be recognized. No member of the governing body made any comment after the proclamations were read.

Public Works Director James Phillips was in the audience. First Aid Member and former Councilman Brian Boms was in the audience.

Local resident Morgan Spicer was recognized as the Artist of the Month and had a magnificent display of many of the 50 books she has created the artwork for lined up on the railing, creating it difficult in not impossible for those attending and the members of council to see each other.

Spicer came forward to accept a certificate honoring her, not only for her artistic talent and success but also for the many activities in which she is involved and volunteers for so many programs and activities that improve the borough.

During the public portion later in the meeting, Boms stood to ask the Mayor and Council why no member of the First Aid Squad was made aware any proclamation would be honoring the volunteers. He briefly outlined what the EMTs do for the borough, how dedicated they are to saving people when needed and added, “you don’t do anything for us. We raised the funds ourselves to purchase our ambulance.”

Mayor Lori Hohenleitner apologized and said it was an oversight.

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