Even on Sunday..but not on Tuesday….stop in the new Semolina Shoppe on First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands and treat yourself to some fantastic home-made pasta to take home. Chuck, the owner of Semolina Restaurant in Red Bank and pasta stores in several other towns, just opened this spectacular store where the Flaky Tart used to be, and it is bound to be a popular attention to a busy First Avenue.
In addition to all that freshly made and lower calorie pasta that has to be refrigerated, there is all manner of pasta in packages, plus some sensational Italian olive oils and other goodies to go with it. Yes, there are also fresh fruits and vegetables, and even milk and eggs to cover everything in one quick convenient stop.
The new business had a soft opening Friday and most likely will have a ribbon cutting sometime in the future, but it’s too good to wait until then to sample their wares. Plus, they have some terrific gift baskets and other ideas.
The shop is only the beginning of this business in the borough…look for some more exciting things that will be happening there within the next couple of months. He opens around 11 each morning, closed on Tuesdays, and is already receiving a warm welcome from those hardworking folks in the local Chamber of Commerce who were in there making their own purchases and supporting the town’s newest business.
Not to be out done is a visit in Highlands on Sunday to Spiritual Beauty Center the charming shop at 130 Bay Avenue that offers balms, scents, herbs, gems, stones, jewelry, cashmere scarves, clothes and books and accoutrements for Tarot cards and other spiritual or mystic sciences. Lisa welcomes all to visit the two rooms of the shop, and if you’re lucky and call either Saturday night or Sunday, you might be able to get an appointment on Monday for a psychic reading.
The reader is a psychic from Canada who has been at the shop before and back by popular demand. With a full schedule now, she might have openings on Monday at $30 for a half hour. Call Lisa at 732-856-8365 to see if there are any spots available. She’s great at reading auras!
Also a few doors from Spiritual Beauty, understand Bistro Iberia is a wonderful place for Portuguese dining. Reservations only, but it looks charming inside, and their website shows some pretty fantastic meal presentations.
On this day 83 years ago, 2,403 service members and civilians were killed in a unprovoked attack on our Armed Forces. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we remember these men and women, who gave their last full measure of devotion to our Nation.
We honor the brave service members who — with the horrors of Pearl Harbor weighing on their hearts and the hopes of humanity resting on their shoulders — answered the call to defend freedom against the forces of fascism during World War II.
The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.” Today, let us commemorate the patriots who perished and who were wounded on December 7, 1941, and continue to fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our service members; our veterans; and their families, caregivers, and survivors.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2024, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to reflect on the courage shown by our brave service members that day and remember their sacrifices. I ask us all to give sincere thanks and appreciation to the survivors of that unthinkable day. I urge all Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on December 7, 2024, in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
There was elegance, excitement beauty and relaxation in the air recently when Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner officiated at the opening of another new business in the borough, Skin Love Beauty & Body Bar, located at 20 West Ave, corner of South Ave.
Owner Carrie Ann Blendowski, formerly of Hand and Stone in Holmdel and Aberdeen, opened the spa that offers a variety of spa services designed to help both men and women to relax, rejuvenate, and unwind.
The licensed massage and skincare specialist set a goal of providing a peaceful and tranquil environment where clients can leave worries behind and focus on self..For appointments, gift certificates or further information, call 732-773-5542.
It is a portion of American history that should be taught in every high school in the United States. It is taught to every Junior at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology over a two-week period every year and was created and designed by the Senior Naval Science Instructor at MAST’s NJROTC program, Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman, USN (Ret).
Medal of Honor
The class is on the Medal of Honor and Smith-Yeoman involves the class in individual presentations and lively discussions about the history of the highest award for a military person and the men and woman who have been its recipients since it was first presented by President Abraham Lincoln for valor in the Civil War.
Shortly after the start of each school year since she started teaching at MAST 12 years ago, Smith-Yeoman gives a presentation and lecture on the Medal of Honor to each of the junior year students, explaining its importance and responding to student questions about the Medal and its recipients. Prior to the class, most students were not aware of any of the significance of the Medal, she said, but all are interested in learning more about it and the services of those who received it.
“The exception is students who graduated from Thorne Middle School in Middletown,” Smith-Yeoman said.
Corporal Horace M. “Bud” Thorne
“They not only know about the Medal of Honor and one recipient, Corporal Horace “Buddy” Thorne; they’re eager to tell me that their school is named in his honor and is the resting place for his Medal of Honor.
Most also tell her, she said, how Corporal Thorne’s sister still comes to speak to classes to speak on not only her brother the importance of all military and the sacrifices all make in defense of the country.
Thorne students know about Wreaths Across America and the fact MAST cadets have been to the school to participate in ceremonies surrounding that annual event when it includes Thorne School on its pre-holiday route.
After the first class on the history of the Medal of Honor and its recipients, Smith-Yeoman assigns students to read on other recipients on their own. Each student then selects one medal recipient he or she would like to research; then, over a period of two weeks, each student presents an oral and power point presentation to the class. Their presentation must include citing their sources of information and why they selected that particular recipient, the recipient‘s background, in which war he or she was cited for bravery and what actions merited him or her the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor Recipient Lance Corporal Jedh Barker USMC
Students must also be prepared to answer questions from the class at the conclusion of their presentation.
Over the two-week period, three or four students in each class give their presentation on assigned school days until all approximately 70 students have completed their presentations. No two students in the same class period are permitted to present on the same military honoree to ensure more Medal recipients are recognized.
Chief Watertender Peter Tomich, US Navy Medal of Honor Recipient
On a recent day when three students were scheduled to give their presentations in an 8 am class at MAST, they did it flawlessly, with accurate information, and without reading from notes.
Each set up their own power point presentations and made reference to it during their 15-to-20-minute presentation. They also all cited various points of information in the power point. Each highlighted not only the specific deed for which the service member was honored, but also his background prior to military service, his life afterwards if he came home from war and where and how he has been honored since the presentation of the Medal to either him or his family. Students also identified, when known, where the Medal of Honor is today.
Staff Sergeant Spencer Connor USMC, Medal of Honor Recipient
With time left in the class period, Smith-Yeoman asked if any student who had presented his or her story at an early session wanted to give it again for a class visitor. One-third of the class raised their hands, eager to speak on the Medal of Honor recipient that was particularly important to him or her, an obvious indication of the student interest in the program, their pride in their own knowledge and their eagerness to share it with others.
According to Smith-Yeoman, many students over the years picked the Medal of Honor projects as their favorite part of the Naval Science III class. The students start with a very limited knowledge of the Medal (i.e., they know it’s the highest military award, it’s a “big deal”, it’s usually given by the President), but they are always drawn in by the stories of the 3518 men and 1 woman, most of whom came from humble backgrounds, who, when faced with a life or death decision, made the choice to possibly sacrifice their own lives to save others. The students realize that we all have the power to go above and beyond in a difficult situation, “and I believe that gives them hope that they can make the right decisions in difficult situations they may face in their own lives.”
More Stories on the Medal of Honor – New Jersey Recipients HERE
Isabella Durazo Reading During a Recent Spanish Mass
Four weeks after a 5 p.m. Spanish Mass Sunday evenings was added at St. Agnes Church, the mass continues to be well attended and growing in numbers as more learn about the newest addition to the religious observances and prayers in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish.
The Rev. Thomas Mallavarapu, who was named by Bishop O’Connell to be parochial vicar at the church in June, assisting the pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, came to Monmouth County from Our Lady of Fatima parish in Perth Amboy, a predominantly Spanish parish. When Father Thomas saw the Spanish population in the Bayshore area and learned they would like to have mass said in Spanish, he began the additional mass every Sunday evening.
With dozens of people attending the mass and growing as word spreads of the mass being said in Spanish, it is a family affair for most. Parents come with young children. all well-behaved and attentive throughout the mass. The parish has the weekly missals available with the mass in Spanish, making it easy for anyone to follow the readings.
For The Durazo family, the family attending mass together also means adjusting schedules for some employees. The couple are the owners of the popular Emilio’s Restaurant on Center Avenue, and while Emilio and his brother are the main chefs in the restaurant, which is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Emilio has his brother take an added portion of his night shift so he is able to attend the mass. Emilio serves both as an acolyte at the mass, and occasionally as a lector. The couple’s three daughters also attend the mass regularly, with Isabella and Maria frequently taking up the collection. This week, Isabella also served as lector along with her father for the two readings at the mass.
Father Thomas encourages everyone to participate actively in the mass, an invitation that drew Nelson, a Spanish speaking singer, to lead singing prayers and hymns throughout the mass recently. Following mass, parishioners meet with the priest before leaving for the evening to thank him for the added feature in the parish.
There were several other services and masses offered in both churches in the parish throughout November, with special masses said for the deceased. At a recent special mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Father Quinn noted the mass was offered especially for all those who had died during the year, and invited family members to bring photographs to place on the altar during mass. Father also read the names of more than 60 parishioners who had died during 2024 and welcomed visitors who wanted to share stories of their deceased family member or friend.
The Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus also had a special mass recently, honoring members of the Knights Council who had died during the year and inviting their family members to the mass and refreshments and conversation following the evening church service.
This month, with the December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day throughout the world, falling on a Sunday, a day devoted to the Lord, Father announced there will be three Masses on Monday, December 9 to honor the Mother of God. Those masses will be at 7 a.m. and noon at St. Agnes Church, and 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
The Christmas Nativity Pageant will be performed by students in the CCD program on Saturday, December 7 at St. Agnes Church at 4:45 p.m. CCD instructor Mary McKelvey also noted she is also offering the opportunity for sponsors to underwrite the cost of a child to attend religious education. Those interested in donating to that program can contact her at reled@olphstagnes.org.
The St. Agnes Thrift Shop on South Avenue is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 pm and Saturdays, December 14 and December 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can also be accepted at the Thrift Shop during those hours.
There are Gift Giving trees in both churches for those who want to make donations to help others in need. At OLPH, colorful tags hung on a Christmas tree near the altar of the church cite the name of a child or senior and some suggestions for gifts for that person. Unwrapped gifts should then be brought to church no later than December 18.
At St. Agnes Church, donors can give gift cards from any local or online stores to enable families to make purchase themselves. The tree with a container nearby to accept gift cards is inside the church in the front entrance. Those cards must be donated no later than December 8.
The trees in each church are sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society which also invites anyone who knows of needy families to call 732-291-0272, ext. 113, and leave a name and phone number so a Society member can return the call.
There will be a Christmas Fest Saturday, December 14, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Charles J Hesse Parish Center on South Avenue
It was in February, 2022, that I got an e-mail from an attorney from a Springfield firm, one of many e-mails I receive on regular basis from people from all walks of life. Unlike some, this one was nice and friendly. Ethics
“Hi Muriel,
My name is Christine Magee, and I have seen your articles on the Highlands school district regionalization on various news sites. I found your contact information on your blog site and was wondering if you have heard any further updates regarding whether the Highlands or Sea Bright have submitted their petition to the Commissioner of Education for authorization to hold the referendum on the creation of the all-purpose school district. It is a story we are interested in following. Please feel free to give me a call at 973-232-5291 if you like. Thanks so much for your time! It was signed
But I did not know at the time that Machado was the law group representing Oceanport in its lawsuit against Sea Bright. I had done previous stories, noting minutes showed Machado was hired in 2021 for a term expiring in January, 2022, but there were no minutes that showed Machado was continued in January, 2022 for another year.
Yet my OPRA revealed Machado had been paid thousands, including almost $12,000 in June 2022, for “Sea Bright legal services.”
Christine Magee, Associate, Machado Law Group
Apparently, Christine Magee, the attorney in the Law Group, did not think it was important enough when asking me questions about the regionalization issue, to inform me, a reporter, she is a member of the firm representing an involved party.
Expecting someone to identify themselves when contacting me isn’t an ego trip. It isn’t any expectation that if someone asks me a question, I should know their life history before I answer it. That is not the point.
An attorney making money off the taxpayers for every single e-mail she writes for her client.
She took a course in ethics before getting her degree. She should be open and honest with people, not try to go sneaky and underhanded to get information she can use against her adversary.
As a friendly helpful journalist, I continued e-mail correspondence with Christine,
for four months. That’s when I learned about the Sea Bright Legal Services bills from June. Never did my friend Christine tell me she was representing the law firm in the regionalization issue.
In one of the emails, I shared that Atlantic Highlands had a situation where the husband of the board of education president was on the borough council to which Christine replied, “ Interesting. I didn’t realize AH could have two potential recusals as well. I wonder if the delay in AH rests in part on their spouse’s commenting on the same. “But no mention she was involved in the litigation.
In the article I wrote when I learned of all this, I opined “Cynical though I may be as a reporter, I also have a high regard for attorneys. It would never occur to me that a professional, especially a women in the legal field since they have worked so hard to achieve equality there, would continue a conversation about some legal matters in which her law firm was involved without letting me know that indeed, that is why our friendly conversations started in the first place.”
The point is;
Ethics;
Moral principle;
A person’s behavior;
It was in April 2022 that I learned the attorney was at the Highlands council meeting because she wrote, referring to the public portion of the meeting when I had addressed the governing body, “I thought your question was great, but it seems odd that they were not able to answer such a simple question as the timeline. It will be interesting to see how this matter progresses.”
To which I responded: “Ah, wish you had introduced yourself to me. Do you live here?
The response to my question?
Christine Magee, a member of the Machado Law Firm which the Oceanport Board of Education says is its official board attorney, even without a resolution at reorganization saying that, responded “I am from Plainsboro, but I work for an education law firm. So I am just interested to see how this all plays out.”
The point is;
Ethics;
Moral principle;
A person’s behavior;
Although at the time, since she had not identified herself as an attorney at the meeting, I did not whether the law firm was reimbursed for her presence there. Nor did I know whether she charged me for all the e-mails she sent me, or for the time it took her to read the ones I sent to her. I still did not know I was talking to a paid professional involved in the regionalization issue.
Now, after yet another OPRA with all the bills from the Machado Law Group in hand, during August 2022, Oceanport paid the Machado Group $7854.00 for regionalization issues, Of that total, there were approximately a dozen and a half billed by Ms. Magee for reading, reviewing writing e-mails, all for 15 minutes or $41.25 each.
There were three bills for Ms. Magee to attend meetings, one of them only 15 minutes long, the other two each more than an hour and a half long for a total of $495. With the purposes or locations of the meetings redacted, it is impossible for a citizen to whether any were for meetings with me, or with anyone else in which she did not identify herself as an attorney representing the firm in regionalization.
The point is;
Ethics;
Moral principle;
A person’s behavior;
It’s something Oceanport board members would know about and could have questioned before approving the payments.
However, they were all paid by unanimous vote of the Oceanport Board of Education, the members would have seen the bills without redactions. They would have seen to whom the e-mails were written, the meetings that were attended by Ms. Magee, and the time she spent reviewing and repairing.
Did no one even ask who the person was she was charging them to talk to?
It’s the same questions that every board member should ask of every attorney for whom they are paying $165 and more an hour.
It’s a question the brand-new Henry Hudson Regional School Board of Education should adopt as its routine policy when they begin their terms as the first elected representatives of the people on this new board of education.
As for Ms. Magee and not identifying herself to someone she well knew had a well read blog, for decades, journalists have always been charged with a lack of ethics. They have forever been charged with coloring the news, with slanting it to one side, or covering up something the public should know. For decades, it was the rare journalist who was guilty of this lack of ethics. In many cases, it was the fault of the reader who does not know the difference between an editorial, which clearly is an opinion, and a news story, which should not reflect an opinion, simply tell the news like it is.
Sadly, that, too, is gone. With newspapers going away, and the few left standing owned by publishers who clearly dictate the manner their papers are run, ethics in journalism has also taken a deep dive. Media, be it written, viewed or spoken, definitely colors the truth, takes a stand and offers only one side of an issue in many cases. For me, it is shameful that reporters subject to editors who are subject to the will of the owners, are told how to write their stories. For the ethical journalist, it is not a good time.
But for an attorney in a field that has been around since the orators of ancient Athens were first accused of taking money from their friends for solving an issue for them, it is even more shameful, more frightening and more disgusting.
There is only one President of the United States who served in both World War I and World War II, the Texas born Dwight David Eisenhower. In fact, he is the only President who has spent his entire life in the military until the end of that war. That was when he was encouraged to run for the Presidency, so popular and impressive he was to the people of the United States.
The 34th President of the United States served from 1953 through 1961, two full terms between two Democrats, Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy. He had been a Democrat early in his life, but switched to the Republican party while serving in the military.
Though he was born in Texas, Eisenhower was raised in Abilene, Kansas in a family who believed in and practiced religion though not necessarily any organized church. He graduated from West Pointin 1915 and volunteered to serve in Europe when the first war broke out. He was denied that request, and instead headed a unit that trained crews for tanks in that war.
When the war was over, Eisenhower served with the army both in this country and the Philippines, rising in rank through the years. Promoted to Brigadier General just before December 1941, he led troops in numerous battles after the onset of America’s involvement.
He oversaw the invasions of North Africa and Sicily by the Allies in the war, then oversaw the invasions of both France and Germany. He became the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary force In Europe and was promoted to the rank of five star General of the Army. Two of the most consequential military campaigns of the war, Operation Torch in 1942-43 in the North Africa campaign and the Normandy invasion in 1944.
When the war ended, Eisenhower was named military governor of the American-occupied zone in Germany and was then Army Chief of Staff from the war’s end to 1948. He served as president of Columbia University for five years after that and was also named the first supreme commander of NATO at its start in 1951.
Eisenhower was determined to halt isolationism promoted by Senator Robert Taft who opposed NATO, and so entered politics to run for president. He won both that election and his second four years later, both with overwhelming landslides, defeating Adlai Stevenson in both elections.
Eisenhower’s policies were intent on halting the spread of communism and reducing federal deficits, considered using nuclear weapons to end the Korean war and was President for China signing the armistice that ended the war, an agreement which remains in place today. An advocate of Truman’s policy recognizing Taiwan as the legitimate government of China, he secured congressional approval of the Formosa Resolution, providing aid to France in the First Indochina War and providing financial support to help the French fight off Vietnamese Communists in the First Indochina War and supporting the new state of South Vietnam.
Considered a moderate conservative, Eisenhower approved the Bay of Pigs invasion which Kennedy carried out, expanded Social Security, opposed McCarthyism and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He sent army troops to ensure integrated schools in Little Rock, Arkansas and is credited with developing and beginning construction on the Interstate Highway System, the largest road construction project in American history.
In his farewell address, Eisenhower, the career soldier, expressed concern about deficit spending and government contracts to private military manufacturers as well as massive military spending.
Judging from the busy schedule, outstanding displays and exhibitions, coupled with the displays frequently part of the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library main area, it is easy to see the activity and dedication of the members of the Shrewsbury Historical Society.
It is also obvious all these hardworking volunteers take their lead from the former mayor who has been a member of the Society for more than 40 years and its president for the recent many of those years.
If there’s anything you want to know about Shrewsbury and its past, seek out Don Burden.
A native of Connecticut, Don lived in Los Angeles, San Francisco and St. Louis before he and Mary Lea settled in Shrewsbury in 1976. It wasn’t long before this tireless worker was named to the Shade Tree Commission in the borough, and then went on to serve on the Shrews bury Board of Education. That all led to his being elected to the borough council and then as Mayor for eight years beginning in 2010.
But it wasn’t only his borough that he served. Don was also active at the Monmouth County level, a tireless worker on the Monmouth County Historical Commission as well as the Monmouth County Library Commission.
But Shrewsbury is his hometown, and its history, and the role it has played in Monmouth County history, are of paramount importance. His book, The History of Shrewsbury, which he wrote when he was Mayor in association with Rick Geffken, traces the story of the borough for the past 350 years both through the original history of its first 300 years written by Richard Kraybill and its updating and rejuvenation along with doubling the size of the original book to highlight what has been happening in Shrewsbury since that first book was written.
Whether it is his degree in history from Gettysburg College, or his career as a textbook editor and publisher at McGraw Hill, a combination of both or his genuine love for history, Don Burden knows how to write it, tell it, protect it, and promote it.
No matter what the collection, this historian knows a way to wrap it into a history of how it came about, why it came about and how others can learn and appreciate history from it. The wedding gown exhibit which was a star attraction at the Shrewsbury Historical Society’s museum for many months is still being talked about. The sewing machine exhibition traces the history and importance of sewing machines, not only in the immediate area but throughout the nation and highlights the variety of machines that have been created and the exceptional nuances of each. There have been so many other collections, both large and small, but all with a special meeting not only to Don but to all who come to view them and learn something new because of them.
And this personable and vivacious gentleman, who doesn’t seem to know how to stop, is eager to show anyone interested in the exhibit at any time, simply responding to any call. He is always eager to set up a time and date when a visitor wants to come to the museum to learn something. At the same time, he takes little credit for everything that’s on display at the Museum on the corner of Route 35 and Sycamore avenue. “I just brought it to life and built the membership and expanded the collection, “he explains as his reason for all the work he pours into society’s work and history. “People should have an understanding and appreciation of how we got to where we are today. The people who contributed time and talent to build a community are particularly important.
Mary Lea is as active as her husband, not only in history preservation…she is treasurer of the Historical society… but with all her work with the AAUW, from its many events that raise funds for scholarships for women to its thriving Used Book Store on Kings Highway in Middletown.
Still the couple blend their love of history with their other love: travel. The Burdens have sailed, cruised, trained, planned, and walked to so many fascinating destinations, meeting people along the way, learning history about the places they visit and meeting others with similar interests.
One of their most fascinating trips was more than ten years ago when the couple went to Shrewsbury…England, that is.
Don was Mayor of Shrewsbury in Monmouth County and thought it would be fun to meet the Mayor of Shrewsbury, England. That Mayor and an earlier Mayor of Monmouth County’s Shrewsbury had communicated in the 1940s when the worn torn English mayor called on his town’s counterpart in New Jersey to see if this Shrewsbury could help that English Shrewsbury deal with the distress of the times.
New Jersey’s Shrewsbury responded, records were kept, and when Don read all the history, he and Mary Lea decided they had to make a trip to see the 21st century Mayor. It ended up being a day of joy, elegance, and new friendships made over tea sandwiches on the banks of the British estate.
There are dozens of stories like this, where the Burdens traveled around the world always visiting people, always learning something, teaching something, and bringing a more alive and fascinating meaning to the importance of history.
The latest decision by an Appellate court telling Oceanport and Shore Regional their attorneys cannot effectively change the law and prevent Sea Bright from thinking for itself brings up a serious question: do attorneys ever tell their clients in advance when they don’t stand a prayer in winning their position in a contest?
That in itself brings up another far more serious question when it comes to boards of education or elected officials in any capacity when it comes to hiring lawyers to fight decisions: do the elected officials ever even ask their paid consultants what the chances are of winning in court?
A recent story in VeniVidiScripto on Oceanport’s nearly $150,000 for their lawyer alone to fight the law established specifically to enable Sea Bright to quit their district shows how much that one district alone spent on their attorney in the last three years specifically on regionalization.
How much it cost Shore Regional has not yet been reported, nor has a recent OPRA Request been honored.
Of course Sea Bright also then has to pay its own attorney to defend its position, a position that has been made three times now has been made clear, simply because Shore Regional and Oceanport apparently can’t believe the law.
Did any one of the school board members even ask the attorneys what made them think they could win, or what their chances were of a different opinion on a third go around after losing twice?
Yes, Sea Bright might have one member on the Shore Regional school board. But that’s usually highly unlikely even to have that one member seated. Sea Bright does not have any seats on the Oceanport Board.
Oceanport elects its board members at large, and given the fact Oceanport has four times the voters as Sea Bright, does it seem likely the smaller town has much of a chance of representation?
Might the fact their odds are better in the Henry Hudson district be one of the reasons Sea Bright wants to blend with its neighbors to the north instead of where it is?
Again, the irony. Sea Bright, since it is still a member of the Board of Education from which they are trying to be released, is paying for both sides: their own defense and the portion of their district’s cost of trying to keep them from doing what they want. But, with so little representation in the district in which they’re pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars for the education of fewer than six dozen kids, their voice or questions would be unlikely to sway a board that apparently simply listens to its paid professional without question.
The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee(CNHPC) will present its annual Country Christmas at the Montrose Schoolhouse featuring the Mike Wells Trio on Sunday., December 8.
Seasonal refreshments and holiday music by the Mike Wells Trio will fill the historic Montrose one-room schoolhouse from 1 to 4 pm. All are invited to the event sponsored at no cost by the Committee.
Chairperson Mary Pahira will read “The Night Before Christmas” to the children and adults, Santa Claus will take time out from his busy schedule to pose for free photos and the Christmas tree inside the school will be festooned with decorations appropriate to the period.
The Society is also selling its popular map depicting Colts Neck historic sites, (suitable for framing) at $10 each, and “A Tour of Historic Colts Neck” booklet written by former Monmouth County Freeholder and Historical Society President Lillian G. Burry at $5 each. Both are great stocking stuffers for Colts Neck families and ideal gifts for new homeowners.
“With each passing year, we continue to have a strong turnout and receive great praise for this wonderful town tradition, and we hope to continue this tradition for years to come.” said Burry, who serves as Chairman and is also a former Colts Neck Mayor. “Everyone on the CNHPC enjoys preparing and opening the Montrose Schoolhouse for special events that highlight our township’s unique role in 19th century America. We invite everyone to share in the warmth and historic significance of the Montrose Schoolhouse during this community celebration.”
