In addition to several awards given during the luncheon, both to outstanding leaders for both the environment and veterans as well as DAR members who have been active in the DAR for up to 60 years, the membership began its meeting, not only with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the Constitution, but also with the following American’s Creed.
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; A democracy in a republic, A Sovereign nation of many sovereign states; A perfect union, one and inseparable; Established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, to defend it against all enemies.
With all the new businesses opening in both Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, all of which are wonderful, let’s not forget to shop in some of the favorites that have been here awhile. Coffee
My latest visit that really made me happy this week was stopping at 1st Cup on First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands. Not only do they have all the coffee you might want, and lots of interesting teas to try as well, but both Karen and Bob Hespe are also even more than just a great coffee shop for local residents.
Karen’s creative and artistic talents are particularly adorable this time of year when she has taken marbles and stones, to say nothing of seashells and created some very delightful ornaments and attractive gift ideas, You can even check them out in the front window passing by, and notice the clever tree on which they’re hung, simply branches of a tree. The ornaments are even inexpensive enough to us as great decorations on gift packages. There are also handmade soaps there, and some jewelry, but it’s the artistry that will really impress you.
Speaking of St. Agnes, the Mexican population around the world has a particular attraction to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego the poor man of Aztec descent to whom she appeared several hundred years ago and left him with his tilma filled with roses in winter. Her Feast is today, Thursday, December 12, and Father Thomas and the Spanish community invite all to a Spanish Mass at St. Agnes at 7 p.m. that sounds like it will hold all the joy in addition to prayer that is so important to so many on this day. Wonderful to see so many young people at the Spanish mass every Sunday evening at 5 as well.
Besides the Highlands Café opening in a few weeks where the Girls Café has made its mark on Bay Avenue at Washington, look for Katz’s to be transformed in the very near future with a duplicate of that terrific bagel shop that continues to get raves in Campbell’s Junction in Middletown.
And if you’re hearing bells at 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Highlands, it’s because Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church is getting its bells restored and speakers installed so that the bells that got every youngster in town home at appointed times 20 years ago and more will be ringing again! What a joyous sound and reminder for prayer.
You can never tell where you’re going to meet a person who inspires you. For me, most recently, it was in the Highlands Tiny Corner Laundromat.
Now that busy little place on the corner of Huddy and Bay Avenues is always fun to visit. No matter who is working, each of the employees if friendly, helpful, in a good mood,, and takes time to be sure everybody is happy and getting their laundry in the right machines.
But this week, I met Mary Conklin.
This busy, quick moving, even quicker talking lady in her mid-60s came in lamenting she had just broken a favorite casserole dish, was late because she wanted to be sure to pick up all the pieces that had scattered all over and wanted to be sure her dog or cats didn’t cut a paw. Ah, thoughtful and a pet lover, I thought.
Her dog was in the car, she went on, because she was on her way to visit someone at Care One. It only took my agreeing that dog therapy of all kinds is a benefit to care center residents, for Mary to expound on how so many at the care center are now her friends, love the dog, and she knows they feel better about seeing and playing with the dog.
Our conversation took off from there, as Mary found an eager listener to her story of growing up in a less than perfect home, living in Keansburg and working as a barmaid in places like Bachstadts and Keelans, illnesses, bad habits, poor decisions, drugs, unhappy relationships and so much more that had all been part of her life.
It was enough to make me wonder how she could be so happy, so generous with her time, and so forgiving of some of the really dreadful things that had happened in her life. She talked about how people looked down on her because of her appearance, her tattooed arms, her way of talking. “That’s all ok,” she grinned, “doesn’t bother me a bit. They’ve got their right to their opinion. So do I.” But she did not give her opinion of those who looked down on her. She just smiled.
She talked about how deaths of loved ones, tragic scenes that will never be out of her mind, several cancers and her own treatment with cannabis oils helped cure her. She talked about going back to school and getting a degree from Rutgers in her 60s….in English Literature, no less. But she can’t decide on any favorite author. She talked about how she gathers toys for a children’s organization that helps make kids happy, and she shushed the laundromat attendant who added she helps out on meal deliveries to those in need.
She talked about visiting a friend in the nursing home or taking her out for rides watching the deer at Sandy Hook or taking her home to have a cup of tea at her table. When asked how she could keep up the busy schedule it sounds like she has, Mary shrugged and said, “it isn’t hard if you’re doing it for someone you love”
Mary moves a lot of people. She has a few who have severely wounded her, but here again, she shrugs and says, “that’s ok. That’s them. I don’t hurt anybody.”
And as for the things in her own life that don’t go right or aren’t perfect? Here again, she shrugs, laughs out loud and says, “I don’t complain. I just fix it.”
Mary Conklin taught me several lessons today. And gave me insight into why she is such a happy person.
Look for another terrific breakfast and lunch care to be opening at Bay and Washington Avenues in Highlands.
New restaurateur Laercio, more commonly known as Junior or Chef Junior, said the opening of the Highlands Café will hopefully be before the end of the year.
Inside the former Girls’ Café one day this week, he was busy, cleaning, painting, rearranging, and basically “giving the place my own touch” before he opens what will be a café six days a week at the start, closed on Tuesdays. It will be open from 6 a.m. until 3, he said with certainty, and eventually, it will also be open later so he can provide dinner selections as well.
His standard fare will be “simple and basic,” he said, with an accent on using local shops and businesses for his supplies, including fresh clams from Lusty Lobster.
Junior is opening his newest restaurant armed with a lot of experience. He has owned several others in the past, including Graze in the heart of Little Silver, as well as a couple of dining establishments in New York. He started out in the culinary world at Doris & Ed’s many years ago, working his way up from at first working in the lobster box.
His emphasis, he said, is on farm to table, keeping the menu simple, fresh, local, and delicious.
Thought you might enjoy this cute little, but very true story.
Last week, I OPRA’d records from Shore Regional, wanting the bills and payments between the board and any attorney for any work involving the regionalization question about Sea Bright over a specific time period.
When I did not get an acknowledgement of receipt of the request within two days, I e-mailed it again, explaining I didn’t get a receipt and could I please have one. I e-mailed it about 8:30 this morning with the OPRA attached again.
This afternoon around 2, I got a phone call from Mr. Polo, the Shore Business administrator to whom I had sent the OPRA request. When he identified himself, I found him polite, courteous and friendly, he then asked what I wanted.
I explained I was not at home and did not have my request in front of me, but didn’t he? He said yes, but he wasn’t sure what it is I wanted. We went back and forth a bit, I explained I didn’t know any more words than the ones I used, and he then explained I would have to pay him for his time in getting it all together, was I willing to pay (an unnamed amount)? I asked for the law update that said I would have to pay the unspecified amount since it was not in the law he had sent me. (because he had denied my original OPRA request the week before that, telling me I had to send him the ‘official’ form which he did send..along with a breakdown of the costs and requirements citing the state law for OPRA.)
After a bit more friendly chatter, I said forget it, I’d make an appointment and come into his office to read all the information. Ah, but I couldn’t do that, because it all had to be redacted since vouchers included charges for other things that did not meet my request. I finally settled on, what the heck, just send me your payment of bills for attorneys for the specific time I mentioned for regionalization issues, as well as the approval for payment, and if that wasn’t enough, I’d file yet another OPRA.
Now that we’re so friendly, he then asked me what was my opinion on regionalization. I said wasn’t sure, thought it sounded good, but I really wanted to show folks just how many thousands of dollars they were paying attorneys for all the questions coming about it.
I said I figured Shore was also paying its attorney $165 an hour for their service, and he concurred. We lamented the fact that Shore and Oceanport and Sea Bright taxpayers all were paying for this, and he agreed with me that poor Sea Bright was paying on both sides of the issue.
I told him even more than the money, my real concern was that the Governor would order, if this didn’t get resolved, that Sea Bright, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, plus the 3 school buildings, would then be directed to join big old Middletown because the Governor wants big, happy school families. He then asked me if that were true, why ever would anybody approve the 3 school regionalization (Sea Bright, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands) in the first place. So I told him it was because everybody had agreed on that four years ago and it was just all the legal fighting Oceanport and Shore Regional were causing that has delayed it all until now so things have changed over the years.
He said “OH!” we both said how great it was chatting with each other, I said I looked forward to getting the information which he told me would take “a little” time to get together. I told him not to worry, I’d check back with him if I didn’t have it next week or so, told him how much I appreciate all the hard work he does and how he is trying to help me, wished each other a good day and said goodbye.
Not once did he ask what I was doing with all the information, nor did either of us mention I have a blog that’s been writing about it once or twice.
So my question: Was I being taped or was an attorney on the line? Or both?
Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education President Cory Wingerter is a hardworking, intense, and valuable member of the board, serving well as president both of the former Henry Hudson board and then the short-lived un-elected new regional board that expires when the first elected board takes office with its reorganization in January.
Board President Mr. Cory Wingerter
Given all that, it was disappointing that the outgoing president of the un-elected school board felt it so important to send a two-page letter to a limited number of district residents telling them the board needs time before coming to a decision on whether Sea Bright should be included in the new regional district.
Perhaps Mr. Wingerter needs time, perhaps the un-elected temporary board needs time, but who is he, or this board, to speak to whoever is taking office in January and what that new, and elected, board can or will accomplish?
Mr. Wingerter responded to the request for further information, but failed to answer several questions recently asked, the first being simply: Could you tell me please, if the board ever authorized this letter representing the board’s views?
It requires an OPRA, a formal request seeking to see public records, to find out whether the board of education actually met and decided to send this letter without informing the public they were taking action.
Yet Mr. Wingerter did not answer the question of when the board decided on the letter?. He simply said “The board members and I decided communication was necessary based on the amount of questions and comments we were receiving.
He did not expound on when or where board members received this amount of questions and comments, but records indicate they did not come at regular board meetings or in any correspondence read at regular board meetings.
A letter to outgoing board member Donald Krueger, who was not elected to serve on the elected board in January, asking if he knew of, agreed to, or had input into the letter remains unanswered.
Donald H. Krueger
The absence of absolute information raises a number of questions.
Could this be an attempt to create a chasm between the two boroughs who make up the board of education? The letter mentions the ‘potential’ of Atlantic Highlands receiving no tax savings but says nothing about any impact on Highlands taxpayers. Yet the letter is from the board comprised of representatives from Highlands as well as four from Atlantic Highlands.
Superintendent Tara Beams
Or could the letter, absent evidence of a board meeting to discuss it, have been written by either the Superintendent, Dr. Tara Beams, or the board attorney, Jonathon Busch?
It is Dr. Beams who speaks most knowledgeably and often at board meetings about the regionalization issue, and it is Busch who has been representing the board for tens of thousands of dollars in responding to the not one or two, but three appeals of the Oceanport and Shore Regional districts opposing Sea Bright leaving their districts to join the new district.
The two-page letter signed by Mr. Wingerter in which he said he and the board made the decision was sent to “the Board Distribution List for Communications. That “List”, according to the board president, “encompasses all parents, faculty, teachers, administration, and other parties that need to get District and/or School related communications. “But not the taxpayers.
It is true, as the board president said that the letter was also “posted on each school’s Facebook pages and the school websites for those that don’t get our emails.”
Typical of his history of responding with concern and interest to questions about school issues, Mr. Wingerter added, “The Board’s remit is students, not the entirety of town. However, now that you’ve brought to my attention not all interested parties know, I will figure out a way to spread the word.”
It is unknown, and would require an OPRA to determine how many ‘remits” have been sent by the Board of Education without every taxpayer having equal and mailed access to that same information.
Congressman Chris Smith was on Long Beach Island with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy today, the sheriff who led efforts to determine the source and possible risks related to the drone activity that has been reported in Ocean County over the last few days. Representative Smith issued the following statement for both Monmouth and Ocean county residents:
Congressman Chris Smith
“I have been speaking with Ocean County Sheriff Mastronardy, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, and national security officials in the area discussing the widespread reports of unidentified drone activity across my central New Jersey congressional district and across our state.
Understandably, Smith said, New Jersey residents are alarmed at the significant and reoccurring phenomenon—and the tepid response from state and federal agencies so far, he said, “is totally unacceptable. As we saw with the Chinese spy balloon last year, our fiercest adversaries will stop at nothing to surveil our homeland and threaten our national security.”
While the source of this drone activity is still to be determined, the Congressman continued, “it is clear that the communication channels and proper authorities among local law enforcement and federal partners must be drastically improved in order to work quickly through deconfliction and security challenges as unmanned aerial systems become more prevalent.”
Smith believes New Jerseyans deserve swift and bold action on the part of state and federal agencies to investigate, assess, and address the situation immediately and to alleviate the growing concerns of our community.
“I have already made inquiries to various federal agencies regarding their response to these sightings after being briefed by the Governor, the State Police, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and U.S. military personnel over the past week. I will continue working around the clock to ensure law enforcement has all the tools and authorities necessary to identify these unmanned aerial systems and until New Jersey residents have the comprehensive answers they deserve,” Smith said, following his meeting with the Sheriff.
See What the Congressman Had to Say on Fox News HERE
Meeting the owner Carrie Ann Blendowski gives you some idea of her love and intensity for what she does, to say nothing of the education and experience that backs up her desire to keep everyone happy, relaxed and looking forward to a brighter future.
Skin Love Beauty & Body Bar is the intimate salon nestled in a charming little house with pots of flowering plants on the steps even on cold wintry days. That’s the first sign of the attention Carrie Ann pays to the slightest detail to ensure charm, rest, relaxation and peace. Inside, it’s hard to tell whether at this time of year it’s the charm and comfort of a beautifully decorated Christmas trees nestled next to the glowing fireplace that first makes you feel at home, or the light blue walls, comfortable chairs and soft, fluffy white pillows and framed photos of clouds against more blue that convinces you there’s a certain aura here that cannot be denied.
Carrie Ann has had the dream for THIS business in THIS little house ever since she moved across the street several years ago.
As an esthetician , a skilled health and skin certified and licensed trained technician proficient in a variety of areas from massage therapy and health coaching to dermatology, and armed with more clinical degrees and excellence than can be mentioned, Carrie offers facials, massages, holistic health, sale of high quality health, beauty aid and skin care items, and more, limiting her clients to no more than 15 or 20 a week to ensure all are given complete attention. Couple all that with the fact she has been recognized as the top esthetician in the country for training, and you get an idea of how unique this shop on West Avenue truly is.
Then, think about this: Carrie offers many of her facials and massages for two-hour long appointments.
There is one more very unique aspect of this newest business in Atlantic Highlands. Carrie offers facials and treatments for two.
There are many times she said when, for instance, a mother might want to give her daughter a special gift and share special time with her before the birth of her grandchild; or a couple of long-time friends might want to share a couple of hours of pampering and relaxation together. Or a husband and wife might want to share the comfort of dual facials. There are many times people want to share the experience, she explained, so in a darkened first floor area, she treats both simultaneously the two tables where the guests lie separated just enough for Carrie to be able to treat both to relaxing facials and arm and hand massages and special treatments.
Upstairs is still another story of pampering and comfort with another very unique attraction. The table in the darkened room lit only by candles, soft music wafting throughout the home, is covered with plush warm, organic sheets and blankets, ensuring warm comfort for relaxing massages. There is also a very unique , very personal sauna on the second floor, a body size ‘cocoon’ in which the client is tucked in and the temperature adjusted for different parts of the body, or treating specific aches or muscle pain, filtered with eucalyptus, lemon, or other aromas and oils that work on healing as well as relaxation.
Wanting only the best cosmetics, oils and treatment for her guests, Carrie offers Premium Diamond Glow treatments for face and body, as well as Sunlighten sauna and body services customized for each guest.
Still more is coming to this cozy nook that opened earlier this month. On Dec. 12, the first six to eight guests who reserve can participate in Sound Ball Healing, a special relaxation and meditation program that will be offered at 6:30 on the second floor, for $25 per person. On Dec. 21, those who reserve can participate in an individual Ignite your Aura service for $68 each, when individual photographic auras will be read from noon to 4 p.m.
Skin Love & Beauty Bar also specializes in facials for men, and reservations can be made for any day of the week, generally from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. But Carrie is also generous with accommodating unusual schedules and time frames whenever possible.
Gift certificates for any services are also available. In any amount, enabling the recipient to select her own services.
Luxury does not always come cheap, the spa owner admitted, but she prefers perfection and assurance each client will leave rested, relaxed and happy. Massages start at a dollar a minute or $30 for a half hour massage, and facials start at $118 for a first timer with many in the $150 and above range. There are special treatment offerings for couples as well as individuals, and even an ultra-specialty treatment for two that runs in the neighborhood of $3,000. There are individual services from $25 up that include dermaplaning, exfoliation, lip service, scalp massage and more. Carrie will also be offering CBD, a derivative of the cannabis plant that includes a multitude of medicinal properties without any intoxication, offer a balance of mind and body for better health and correcting irregularities in the body. In short, if it’s therapeutic for your skin, relaxing for your body and makes you feel happy, it can probably be found at Carrie’s little shop on West Avenue.
The shop is open seven days a week, generally from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. reservations are essential, and can be made by calling 732-773-5542 or visiting Skin Love Beauty & Body Bar online.
Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go Just Let Go
In case you did not attend the September meeting of the Middletown Township Committee, or do not see the Monthly Messages of the Middletown Township Historical Society. here’s a great story that shows both the township committee’s pride in its local history and the hard work, ambitions and plans the Middletown Historical Society has to continue providing local residents in the importance of preserving local history. Family Memberships in the Historical Society make great gifts for both newcomers and those residents who can share so much of the history of the township through years of living here. For further information, contact the Historical Society.
Middletown Township Historical Society Leases Historic Train Station from Township!
At the September 23rd meeting of the Middletown Township Committee, the Township entered into a formal agreement to lease the town’s historic train station to the Middletown Township Historical Society.
The historic train station, which dates back to 1876, sits in the daily commuter lot across the street from the current Middletown Train Station and the Middletown Arts Center. After serving as an active train station for 110 years, it became home to community organizations, most recently the Middletown Police Auxiliary. The Middletown Township Historical Society plans to use the station as an exhibit space, set to officially open in 2026 to coincide with the building’s 150th birthday and the nation’s 250th.
“As Middletown Township celebrates its 360th birthday this year, and the nation honors its Semiquincentennial in 2026, it’s the perfect time to partner with the Middletown Township Historical Society to use this historic building as a museum to showcase our rich heritage,” said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry.
“We have been looking for a physical home for quite some time, and are very grateful to the mayor, Township, and Police for making the historic train station available to us,” said Thomas Valenti, President of the Middletown Township Historical Society. “We can’t wait to provide this new historical resource to the people of Middletown.”
Upcoming Plans for the Train Station
In the coming months we will hold an Open House for our members to have a look inside the building. We are also working on formulating a fundraising campaign, as there are a number of improvements that we would like to make inside and outside.
If you have experience with or are interested in assisting us with fundraising, working on the building, or helping to create exhibits, please let us know! We need you to help us make this a success.
Sings The music during mass at both St. Agnes Church and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church is always spectacular, thanks to the excellence of the choirs in each church and the main soloist and organist, Courtney Grogan, who is the Music Director for the parish. With both a five year old son and a daughter, Courtney frequently brings them to the choir loft for mass and manages to handle duties as soloist, organist, music director and mother with equal dexterity and excellence. Courtney’s music can be heard at all Saturday evening and Sunday masses in both churches..
