What started on First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands because of the professional’s love for her hometown, is now expanding national while still providing its base area with the continuation of RX ReLeaf, the specialized, individualized office for support, prevention, management and tools for testing and clinical guidance for health needs.

Maggie Vasto, MSN, PMHNP-BC, owner and founder of Rx ReLeaf, located at 158 First Avenue, one block off Route 36, recently announced the company is growing its reach nationwide through virtual care and broader access to prevention-focused services, including medical weight loss, hormone therapy, peptide-based offerings, and other personalized health programs designed to help patients take a more proactive approach to their well-being.

The expansion reflects the same belief which has been the foundation of the business since start: health care should be accessible, responsive, and centered around the patient. “Rx ReLeaf’s growth is not about moving away from its hometown roots,” she said, “It is about proving that a business built in Atlantic Highlands can lead with innovation, deliver modern care, and expand its impact well beyond New Jersey.”

There is no doubt this firebrand, educated and dedicated woman is the one to do it. A native of Atlantic Highlands, and a life long resident, Maggie, after first becoming a nurse, got a degree as a licensed nurse practitioner (NPs), also known as an ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner). As such she has many responsibilities similar to that of a doctor.

She serves as a primary care or specialty care provider with a focus on the fields of psychiatry and primary care. In addition, she can diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, write prescriptions, give injections, provide education on disease prevention and healthy lifestyles and perform specific procedures. Married to the borough’s fire chief and the mother of four ranging in age from 4 to 20 years, she worked in Bayshore Hospital and Jersey Shore before launching her own “one stop shop” for health care.

Maggie built Rx ReLeaf with a deep commitment to the community . With more than 15 years in medicine and a background in emergency and psychiatric medicine, she created the business to offer a more thoughtful, proactive approach to health care, one that looks beyond symptom management and focuses on prevention, optimization, and the full picture of a patient’s health. Her vision is to make the borough a “home to a new model of care, one that helps people feel better now while investing in their long-term health.”

RX ReLeaf has all the necessary equipment and expertise to make that happen. Part of its success, perhaps, is the fact it was creed out of Maggie’s own frustration with the way some traditional health care works.

After years in medicine, especially in high-pressure environments including the ER and psychiatry, Maggie saw the same pattern where people were not being supported early enough with their physical complaints. They believed many were waiting until symptoms became severe, burnout became unmanageable, or hormone issues, weight struggles, chronic stress, inflammation, fatigue, or mental health concerns had already taken a serious toll. Care was often fragmented, rushed, and reactive, she believed. And as a nurse practitioner, she felt a strong need to do something about it.

So she designed, built, staffed and created Rx ReLeaf as a place where health care could be more personal, more preventative, and more strategic. Instead of simply addressing a problem once it becomes urgent, Maggie built on her conviction people deserve access to tools, testing, and clinical guidance that help them understand what is happening in their bodies sooner, enabling them to make better decisions before small issues become major ones.

A visit to Rx ReLeaf shows how it all accomplished. The neat and orderly office is a series of rooms filled with specific equipment for diagnostics and relief from pain and problems. There is one room, the Recovery Room, aimed specifically at helping balance with red light technology, sauna pods and a spool for a cold plunge all of which are aids for immunization and highly successful, especially the red light therapy, with aiding people suffering from gout and other types of arthritis.

Another room provides approximately 90 per cent pure oxygen with scents proven excellent for mood adjustment, energy, and even quick cures for hangovers. Another room offers compression therapy for circulatory problems, and another offers medication and oil therapy with headsets that provide relaxing scenes or audios to help in mediation and relaxation. There are other rooms for screenings, massage therapy and so much more, all featuring individual attention and diagnoses or cures for each individual customer.

Maggie has ten employees providing services aimed at her specific goals , and hours and appointments that enable her to meet immediate and long term needs.

For more information, stop in to RX ReLeaf or visit  www.RxReLeaf.net

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Atlantic Highlands voters will be casting ballots in two new locations this year, after being advised the Hesse Building will not be available.

However, Borough Clerk Michelle Clark has said the new sites are posted on the borough’s webpage, on Facebook and in notices hanging in Borough Hall, in addition to being put on the electronic sign board outside Borough Hall. Further, the clerk said, the borough will send out postcards advising all voters on the new addresses before the June primary elections.

Voters will also be assured they know in which district they vote, and to which polling place they can cast ballots, since the borough clerk will also assure the streets for each district will be clearly marked on every voter’s sample ballot.

Instead of all four districts having polling at the Hesse Building, which has been the borough’s system since 2020, districts 1 and 4 will vote this year at the Senior Center at the Municipal Yacht Harbor and districts two and three will vote at the First Aid Building, 10 East Highland Ave. Voters can check in which district they are to vote prior to going to the polls by calling the Monmouth County Board of Elections t 732-431-7000.; however, all the streets will be posted on the sample ballots.

The clerk said it was necessary to change the voting places since the Hesse Building, owned by Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes Church, is not available, according to the church administrator. The school has been rented out for us so both the school and gym, which is in the Hesse Building; according to church administration, the state will not allow voting to be there, according to information the borough office received from the church office.

At the time of publishing this story., no one from the church administration has responded to a request for information on which state office is banning the polling places at the Hesse Center, and for what reason

There are 3903 registered voters in Atlantic Highlands.

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A special Open House Celebration will introduce the new Medicare accredited program for Diabetes self-management at Bayshore Pharmacy Card and Gift Shop, Bayshore Plaza, Atlantic Highlands, on Thursday, May 7.

The program is the newest of several health management programs introduced by Richard Stryker, owner and head pharmacist at Bayshore Pharmacy, an indication of the family-owned pharmacy’s dedication both to newest advances in the health field and preservation of the hometown pharmacy advantages.

The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Program, known as DSMES, will be introduced at the Open House May 7 between 11:30 and 1 p.m.. The celebration will include education on the personalized approach offered at Bayshore for blood sugar management nutrition and technology, enabling those with diabetes to learn more active, more healthy lives.

A live glucometer demonstration will be at the May 7 celebration, along with light refreshments, and an opportunity to meet and greet with the educational professionals involved in designing and promoting the program. Those in attendance at the Open House will also be given priority for upcoming classes.

To ensure availability at the Open House, interested persons can register by e-mailing JStryker@BayshorePharmacy.com by May 1.

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Wild About Atlantic Highlands is inviting all to visit the Atlantic Highlands Art Council, 54 First Avenue to learn how to deal with mosquitos.

Rich Salls will present a free program on a pesticide-free mosquito control system that is both easy and safe. His presentation will be held Saturday, April 25, at 10.m. at the Arts Council and all are urged to attend to learn safe and harmless ways of getting rid of mosquitoes in the yard without harming pollinators.

The Council will also have five Mosquito Doom Kits to give way at the event.

Visit wildaboutatlantichighlands@gmail.com to make your reservation to attend.

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Celebrating its fifth year of honoring military and active duty military veterans with a day of fishing out in Sandy Hook Bay, the Fins for Freedom volunteers are offering the opportunity for all to help honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces on Saturday, May 16.

Mike Mavrinac of Middletown, who heads Fins for Freedom along with Jake Campi of West Long Branch and Dan Brady of Tinton Falls, announced that in addition to the breakfast, lunch, accolades from many who come to observe and a full day of fishing from private boats, Fins for Freedom plans on presenting each of its veteran participants with a Basket of gifts, one more way to show appreciation for their time in service.

Brady said anyone interested in donating items for the basket, which could range from bottles of cheer, gift certificates, books to games to fishing gear and more, can contact any of the officers or visit their page at Fins for Freedom.org or call 908-433-5330.

“We invite everyone to show their appreciation for our military,” Mavrinac continued. “ In addition to gifts for the gift baskets, we encourage any boater with a craft 26 feet or larger who wants to offer his vessel and captaincy for a day’s adventure to register his vessel with Fins for Freedom as soon as possible.

Brady, who serves as treasurer of the non-profit organization, which was formed specifically to provide the day of fishing from privately owned craft, noted that more than 80 military members and veterans have signed on for the trips. The organization has set a goal of reaching 100 military members for the event, and is in need of more fishing boats to enable that to happen.”

Anyone with a vessel 26 or larger who wants to be part of this great event can contact Brady or any member of Fins for Freedom or register their vessel at finsforfreedom.org

“From experienced fishermen who never get the chance to go out in a private fishing vessel to retired sailors who have never fished since childhood, the day with other military celebrating on the water is a never to be forgotten event,” Mavrinac continued . “We simply want to give back to those who have given so much for us. That’s why we are a non-profit organization; it all goes back to our military.”

The day culminates with a dinner in which the military and veterans can share their stories not only of their day but of their experience as active or retired men and women of all the military forces.

“Our Gift Baskets, and our aim is to have one basket for every veteran on our trip,” Brady continued, “are really Honor Baskets rather than gift baskets, since they will be given to those who are serving and living veterans, simply to show our appreciation . That’s what it’s all about.”

“This is our 5-year anniversary and boy , have we come a long way from meeting in the parking lot at Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor and opening up our own pockets to get around 6 boats with 24 service members participating,” Brady said enthusiastically. “ We have grown it each year to our current capacity limit at On The Deck where our dinners are held .  Once something goes into the Casino building we hope to grow with the available space that may open up for us there,” he said hopefully..

The Fins for Freedom event is open to ANY active duty (including reserves) or veteran that has served our country.  The only requirements are that they be able to swim and be able to walk down the piers unassisted.  Fins for Freedom ensures there is a vessel that will take wheelchairs, but capacity is limited.

Twenty-six foot is the minimum size for vessels in the fleet for Fins for Freedom Day, since vessels of that size and greater have some type of a bathroom facility and more stability that smaller boats.

Once again NJROTC cadets from MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Sandy Hook will be on the scene throughout the day, assisting veterans with sign-ups in the morning, helping to distribute gifts, serve meals, and taking the opportunity to learn from their guests about some of their military careers.

The Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission also contributes towards the success of the cay, offering the Senior Center for morning sign-up and breakfast at no cost, as well as ease in parking and pickup for passengers at the ends of the long piers, or where needed for handicap assistance.

With the event just one month away, Campi, who has his own boat on the pier and will be hosting a group on the fishing trip, said as of today “we have 67 service members signed up with some slots still available.  Twenty 20 boats have committed for the day with a goal of 30 to 35.  “We have the funds for the event, but will gladly accept donations toward next year,” he said. “What we are in need of is door prizes for our Honor Baskets. Our goal is to put something in every service members hand at the end of the day besides those fish I feel certain they are going to catch.”

Persons interested in donating to the Honor Baskets can do so in “honor” of their own family member serving or who has served. “We will put that right into the hands of a service member or veteran who will greatly appreciate that gift being paid forward,” Campi said. “ We will announce the “Honorees” name, branch and rank for the room to hear. That will enable us to honor even more veterans, those who are not able to be with us for the event.

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Four generations of the Butler Family who have been part of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes Parish for nearly a quarter of a century, were honored as the Family of the Month by the Knights of Columbus, Rev. Joseph A. Donnelly council 11660 at ceremonies Sunday at the OLPH gym.

Grand Knight Kevin McKenna and Knights Council Family Director Michael Burke presented the matriarch of the family, Jean Butler with a gift during the ceremonies which followed the 9:30 mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

The Butler family was established in the parish in 1959 when Jean and the late John Burke were married at St. Agnes Church. The couple were married for 59 years until John’s death in 2018, but the family has carried on the traditions and lessons both parents taught them throughout their lives.

The Butlers had eight children, five daughters and three sons, all of whom attended St. Agnes School and all received their early sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation in St. Agnes.

Later in life, all five daughters followed their mother’s pattern and taught CCD in the parish, with Katherine also becoming a Eucharistic minister like her mother.

For 20 years, Jean’s husband John was also groundskeeper at both St. Agnes Church and St. Agnes school and with his wife was also engaged in several other ministries in the parish.

The family is well known throughout the parish and the community for their dedication to their religion, as well as their tireless efforts to help anyone in need.

In addition to the numerous acts of charity each of the family members has done throughout the years, and passing the need to help others on to each generation, family members recall their parents were involved in numerous community and parish activities, from PTA and Rosary Altar Society to Renew and Marriage Encounter for married couples, including Jean singing in the church choir for more than 60 years.

Daughter Eileen Bolognese continues to teach arts and crafts to parish children as well as hand making rosary beads which are always given to anyone requesting them and were distributed by the Knights at the recent St. Patrick’s Day parade in Highlands. Her sister, the late Jeanie Butler Corey and her husband, Vince raised their two sons in the parish community, where she also taught CCD, coached basketball at the parochial school and volunteered for the highly successful parish picnic every summer.

The family continues to grow and carry on the Butler family traditions, with Jean now grandmother to 20 and great grandmother to three.

In making the presentations with Grand Knight McKenna, Burke pointed out the Knights, as an international organization, have always been dedicated to the development of strong vibrant families. It is in support of this mission as well as to create an even greater awareness of the many outstanding families within the Diocese as well as the parish, the Supreme Council instituted the Family of the Month Program in 1978.

“ The Reverend Joseph J. Donnelly Council recognizes families who outwardly exhibit strong ties of love and faith, exemplifying Catholic family values by attending mass each week throughout the year, while making contributions to their parish and surrounding community.,” Burke noted. Each month a parish family is cited as the Family of the Month and the certificate acknowledging the honor is presented at the monthly breakfast the knights also host and offer to everyone in the community.

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“ The Reverend Joseph J. Donnelly Council recognizes families who outwardly exhibit strong ties of love and faith, exemplifying Catholic family values by attending mass each week throughout the year, while making contributions to their parish and surrounding community.,” Burke noted. Each month a parish family is cited as the Family of the Month and the certificate acknowledging the honor is presented at the monthly breakfast the knights also host and offer to everyone in the community.“ The Reverend Joseph J. Donnelly Council recognizes families who outwardly exhibit strong ties of love and faith, exemplifying Catholic family values by attending mass each week throughout the year, while making contributions to their parish and surrounding community.,” Burke noted. Each month a parish family is cited as the Family of the Month and the certificate acknowledging the honor is presented at the monthly breakfast the knights also host and offer to everyone in the community.