The Borough of Highlands is well prepared for the arrival of Santa Claus from an attractively decorated borough hall that makes it more seasonally jolly for residents paying water or tax bills to visits and photos with Santa at the Highlands Fire Department.
With a gold and white decorated tree trimmed with red and white ribbon decorating the main hall of Borough Hall, a decorating job completed by technical construction department assistant Alicia Jones and assistant clerk Liza Natale last week, along with window sills lined with red berries and greens, children are also invited to visit the fire department at 171 Shore Drive on Sunday, December 22, for photos and special gifts for all children from Santa. There were also cookies and hot chocolate for all guests and adults are encouraged to support the day by purchasing a $2 raffle ticket. Santa will make his appearance at 1 p.m.
On Sunday, December 8, the Baymen’s Protective Association and the Fire Department are joining with the Rev Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus at their monthly Breakfasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School auditorium, Miller Street and Highland Avenue
The three groups are sponsoring a free pancake breakfast in the auditorium from 9 a.m. to noon. Although termed a “pancake” breakfast, the traditional morning meal also includes eggs, sausage, toast, beverages and other delicacies prepared by the Knights kitchen crew. Although no fees are ever included in the Knights’ monthly breakfast, guests are asked to support the local organizations by bringing non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys, or grocery store gift cards which will be distributed to those in need. Anyone with questions on the December 8 event can contact Highland’s EX-Chief Michael Armstrong at 732-581-9940 or marmstrong@highlandsfiredepartment.com
The Highlands municipal land use board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 12, at 7 p.m. to consider whether to recommend that the Mayor and Council designate the marina between Huddy and Washington Avenues as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment.
Officially, the property is bounded by Cheerful Place and Marine Place on both Washington Ave and Marine Place and includes a sidewalk-wide paper street on Huddy Avenue, as well as underneath the water in the Marina between Huddy and Washington that was first constructed in the 1940s.
Action comes after the governing body has been attempting for several years to have the property properly maintained, and proper bulkheads constructed without success.
The property is owned by Geoff Pierini.
If approved upon recommendation after the public hearing, the mayor and council will have the right to acquire the property through eminent domain should it not meet the standards of municipal codes within a specified time.
Once the board makes it recommendation, the Council will consider whether the area should be designated as a Study Area as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment under the Redevelopment Law. That law authorizes the borough to exercise all power to condemn the site. If designated as such, the Council can then notify the owner he will have 45 days from the date of the designation notice to challenge the designation by filing action in Superior Court.
The public has the right at the public hearing to present any objections or support along with general comments on the proposal.
The area and a map depicting its boundaries in the proposed condemnation area are on file at borough hall and available for inspection during normal business hours. Scheduling an appointment with the borough clerk’s office is recommended for review of these documents and the investigation report prepared by Heyer, Gruel & Associates.
In what can only be described as a 34-page public spanking of attorneys for the Oceanportand Shore Regional school districts, another three judge Appellate Court once again told the two boards Sea Bright indeed has the right, privilege and legitimacy to move forward with its desire to become part of the newly formed Henry Hudson Regional PreK-12 school district.
After spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on attorneys in their attempt to prohibit Sea Bright from making the choice of leaving the two districts in favor of joining Henry Hudson, both Oceanport and Shore Regional were legally quoted the law for the third time that gives the Sea Bright Borough Council the same right as a board of education to determine where their children will be educated.
Isabel Machado, Esq. Senior Partner and Founder Machado Law Group
Vito Gagliardi and Kerrie Wright were the attorneys for Sea Bright who effectively argued as the respondents for Sea Bright to the complaint borough by Isabel Machado and Joseph Betley, attorneys for Oceanport and Shore Regional whose arguments that Sea Bright’s actions could not be upheld since they did not have a Board of Education were all denied in the 34 page document released November 26.
Joseph F. Betley Capehart Scatchard
Using terms that encompassed “we determine,” “we conclude, “we further conclude” and “we agree with Sea Bright’s decision”, the three-judge panel systematically took apart every one of the Oceanport and Shore Regional board attorneys’ arguments over the course of a 34-page final decision.
In their final determination, the Appellate Division determined that any contrary interpretation of their decision “would lead to an unjust result which delegitimizes Sea Bright’s sovereignty to manage the education decisions for its resident students.”
Further, the Appellate judges said at the end of their 34 page explanation of numerous arguments brought forth by the school boards, any other arguments in their presentations to the court that were not addressed in the decision “ are without sufficient merit to warrant discussion in a written opinion.”
“This was the only reason the Highlands and Atlantic Highlands Boards of Education would not consider moving it forward, “said Tracy Abby White, an outspoken critic of the local boards declining to proceed with the inclusion of Sea Bright in the district.
“Now that this is out of the way, we can follow the advice of two independent feasibility studies. Once the funding formula has been determined the information should be shared in a public forum, in Atlantic Highlands, similar to those held in Sea Bright and Highlands, for public participation. If it makes sense, it should go on the ballot for a vote.”
Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner
Voters in both Sea Bright and Highlands overwhelmingly indicated their desire to include Sea Bright in the new PreK-12 regional district, in non-binding votes in the November election. The Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council declined to ask voters in that borough their opinion on expanding the two-town regional district to include Sea Bright which would then share in the cost of education for students in all three boroughs. Mayor Lori Hohenleitner, when speaking of putting the non-binding referendum on the ballot last month termed it “frivolous.”
In their 34 pages, the Appellate judges traced the history of Oceanport and Shore Regional’s efforts to keep Sea Bright from leaving their districts since September of 2023 after the state Commissioner of Education first determined Sea Bright did have the right to withdraw from the districts and petition to join Henry Hudson. Shore and Oceanport appealed that ruling, which was then heard and once again overruled by the Appellate Court.
The judges concluded that the law specifically gave Sea Bright council the right to act on behalf of its citizens since Commissioner of Education in 2009 had eliminated Sea Bright School District and merged it with Oceanport, mandating that Sea Bright students attend Oceanport for primary and Shore Regional for high school education.
The law in which the Commissioner took the action was designed to provide financial incentives to encourage shared services through larger school districts. Two separate and independent feasibility studies by the boroughs and the board of education both recommended inclusion of Sea Bright with Highlands and Atlantic Highlands as a means to accomplish this goal.
In their latest argument,, Machado and Betley questioned and argued such technicalities as the similar or separate meaning of the words, “merge” and “consolidate,” leaving the appellate judges to make the determination quoting Webster’s Dictionary. The two words, the judges, ruled, are synonymous of each other, and could not, as the attorneys argued, be “intended to be read differently than they would be ordinarily. Moreover, the court said, “the ordinary mean of the words belies the Boards’ interpretation.”
Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts
It was sheer joy for every Notre Dame fan Saturday when the Fighting Irish trounced Army 49-14. But for the Shrewsbury clan of fans, just being there to see their beloved Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium would have been enough regardless.
Elmer Layden
Ed Jones, the grandson of Elmer Layden, one of the Four Horsemen made famous in 1924 at another win over Army, and other descendants of the team player and later head coach and athletic director at his alma mater, was present in Yankee Stadium, along with the rest of the Layden family gang, Jo-an Canning, Patricia Mullin, Mike Jones, Meghan Vaccarelli, Greg Jones, Chris Canning, Matt Canning and Pete, Ryan and Conner Mullin. He admitted to being nervous, as he says he is watching every game. “You never know how 18-22 year olds will react on a given day,” he said.
Jones said of course he’s always happy with a win and while he does not have a favorite player, he admits he does look over the Fighting Irish from New Jersey, especially Kevin Bauman. Out due to an injury for most of his senior year at Notre Dame, Bauman is back this season as a graduate student and got his first career TD reception at Purdue early in the season. He began his football career under Coach Frank Edgerly at Red Bank Catholic.
Former Red Bank Catholic Grid Star Kevin Bauman
Jones also is high on praise for Colts Neck native Al Golden, now defense coordinator for Notre Dame who also began his football legacy at Red Bank Catholic where he coached in 1993. Jones noted the RBC connections are special with all his family, since he and his siblings all graduated from there as well.
Notre Dame’s Defensive Coordinator Al Golden
If Jones has any favorite teams other than Notre Dame, it’s Army and Navy, and he concedes he does cheer for each of them in almost every other game except Notre Dame. He declined to say, however, which of the military academy teams he favors when they are pitted against each other.
Still, Jones asserts, “Notre Dame is bigger stronger and faster. ND defense is one of the best in the USA.”
This year’s win was truly a big win, he said, “ but the 1924 win was epic. That game put Notre Dame on the football world map. The Four Horsemen might be the most famous backfield in history!
As great as Notre Dame is, as powerful as its football teams are, as much history and fond memories are connected with all of it, it’s the lessons Ed Jones of Shrewsbury learned from that famous grandfather that stand out to him the most.
The oldest of Elmer’s grandchildren, the son of his grandfather’s oldest child, Ed noted his siblings Jo-an Canning, Patricia Mullin and Michael Jones grew up in a Notre Dame household. Saturdays, they listened to Notre Dame games on the radio, and Sundays watched the game on television. Their parents would go to Notre Dame football games when the team was playing in the Northeast and by the 1990’s they would go to South Bend for a game every year, always taking one of their children along. Daughter Meghan graduated from Notre Dame in 1993, and Jones said that he and family and friends would go out every year she was in college for a game. That practice continued after his parents passed away, and Jones said he and his siblings continued to attend a Notre Dame game every year.
Last year was another highlight he said. “I went to Ireland for the ND-Navy game with my children. And this year’s game was special since all the family was in attendance at Saturday’s game. “
There are other happy memories associated with Notre Dame, but they all take second place to his daughter’s graduation in 1993. There was a basketball game Jones attended at Notre Dame in 1974. when ND ended UCLA’s 88 game win streak. And the 1975 Orange Bowl when ND beat Alabama in what was Coach Ara Parseghian’s last game. There was Jones’ first at Notre Dame, when his grandfather was honored on the 75th Anniversary game honoring the Four Horsemen at ND., another game that most of the Jones and Layden’s were present to see. Many more memories.
But most of all, Jones remembers the first lesson he learned from his grandfather is “go quietly.” That was his grandfather’s favorite saying. “Gramps was a class individual. He was not flashy,” a proud grandson recalls before highlighting some other memories. “Elmer Layden was hired to be the NFL Commissioner in 1941. He led the NFL during WWII. He saved the NFL during the war years. When the War ended, he had problems with some of the owners and he was not rehired in 1946. Instead of making an issue with the owners Elmer went quietly. He never wanted to be the “star” in the room.”
It’s because of all this, because of how wise he has always felt his grandfather was, because of the close knit family and how they have all learned from their ancestors, that Ed Jones said quietly, “I try to always “go quietly.”
“Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.”
Two great events at the Strauss House Mansion of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society will bring in the Christmas season with joy, music, children, fun and friendship as the Society hosts a couple of major events for families and friends.
On Sunday, December 15, at 4:30 p.m.., the famed movie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will be on the screen at the historic mansion, with all youngsters over three years of age and their families invited for the free showing. Society members plan several surprises and a guaranteed fun afternoon complete with popcorn. Rumors indicate Santa Claus may be in the crowd to check out today’s children’s reaction to his ninth reindeer who came late to the team but remained at its lead ever since.
Then on Thursday, December 19, everyone is invited to hear the outstanding Atlantic Highlands Elementary School choir sing Christmas carols a capella for a performance beginning at 7:30. Once again, blending the nostalgic music of Christmas with the excellence of the elementary school singing with their usual enthusiasm, promises an exciting evening. There will also be some snacks afterwards.
While both events are offered at no cost, it’s always a good time to make a contribution to the upkeep of the Mansion and all the Society’s efforts and activities, so that would not be out of place at either event. It’s also the time to think of that new family in your neighborhood or that college student away from home who would appreciate a Christmas gift of a membership in the HIstorical Society.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Pete Nistok This Thanksgiving, pause a moment and remember those that, at one time or another, passed through our lives, and helped make our memories
There are those who remember Pete Nistok as that big, genial arm wrestler who one day jumped off the Highlands Sea Bright Bridge and went right through the deck of a boat passing underneath. Both survived.
There are those who remember Pete from the 1960s when he was the “front door attendant’ at the former Trade Winds Beach Club in Sea B right. Or others who recall his days and nights working at Surf and Sea.
But Pete Nistok of Highlands made his name as the WWC champion arm wrestler and two time runner-up in earlier years at Petaluma, California.
Pete began his arm wrestling career in the early 1970s and in 1973, with 400 entries in the field, placed second to Bill Harrison in the men’s heavyweight arm wrestling competition. The following year, Harrison was out of the mix, and Nistok came in third,, tying with John Woolsey. The following year, he came in second, beating Woolsey who tied for third with Bob Olson.
It was in 1980 when Pete, the father of two sons, Ethan and Seth, and arm wrestler Jeff “Samson” Margolis, began their push for power in the sport, believing it all should start and stay with the Hook. They opted for strength in the sport rather than pure technique and introduced the power variation that swept the sports world for a few years, before dying out in the late 1980s when it faded in popularity.
Pete died on New Year’s Day, 2000, at 59 years of age.
Judges or Auctioneer Gavel And Money On The Wooden Table
Money For anybody in Oceanport who thinks talk is cheap, or that opposing the state law that enables Sea Bright to regionalize with the Henry Hudson Regional school district represents any savings for them, it is time to take a look at the cost of an attorney fighting Sea Bright’s wishes and efforts for the past three years. Money
Oceanport taxpayers should also consider that this is only one part of the legal fees they are paying; as part of the Shore Regional school district also opposing Sea Bright’s right to select its own regionalization, taxpayers are also paying the tens of thousands of dollars their attorney is charging for basically the same work.
What is most painful, especially for Sea Bright taxpayers, is Sea Bright, as part of those school districts now is also footing a portion of the high costs both Shore Regional and Oceanport attorneys are charging to keep them from joining the Henry Hudson regional district.
According to records VeniVidiScripto obtained under an OPRA request from the Oceanport Board of Education, Oceanport taxpayers have paid $116,347,30 since 2022 to the Machado Law Group for representing the district on the regionalization issue. That’s just one of the two boards of education attorney fees they pay; Shore Regional is not included in these figures.
That $116,347.30 is only through August of this year, it does not include any bills for September through November. Nor does it include the Machado law group fees for other legal work they also do for the school district.
That $116,347.30 amount is only a little over $27,000 less than taxpayers paid the firm for general services, which came in at $143,608.29. Legal fees for special education costs are relatively small, comparatively speaking. The law group was only paid $14,098.03 over three years for special education work.
However, it is difficult to see exactly what costs so much for the attorney opposing school regionalization for Sea Bright to join with Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. Most of the items on the bills, also secured through an OPRA request, are redacted.
So while a bill shows five telephone conferences between the attorney and someone else, for a total of $825 for that one month two years ago, there is no way of knowing who the ‘someone else, singular or plural, were. That is not open information even under OPRA. It is classified as “attorney-client privilege.”
Fifteen minutes, or $41.25, is apparently the least the attorney bills for. Each of the five calls is identified as 15 minutes long. at a cost of $825 for that one month, similar to many other months throughout following net two years.
But here’s a charge for every single call, be it for a minute or 15 minutes. That charge is $41.25, one-quarter of an hour. So any portion of 15 minutes gets the same rate. That makes the cost of a Machado law group lawyer staying on the phone for one minute $41.25, the same as if she were on 15 minutes.. IF she were on 16 minutes, well, of course the charge presumably then goes for for the next 15 section of the $165 rate, making a 16 minute call cost $82.50.
It’s the same with reviewing e-mails. Nowhere is it made known to whom or from whom the e-mails came. Only that they have been received and reviewed by the Machado Law firm. In that September 2022 bill, these reviews of e-mails from sources that remain unknown to taxpayers came to $2310.
One inch envelopes were mailed Federal Expressed seven times that month concerning regionalization, though it is not known to whom. But it cost taxpayers $157.95.
And so the charges go month after month, from September, 2022 to August 2024. In August of this year, however, with a monthly regionalization bill from the attorney of $5593.52 primarily for telephone calls, reviews, follow ups, research and correspondence, there is a lot more secrecy. Of eight pages of bills from the Machado Law Group to the Oceanport Board of Education for regionalization issues, according to the OPRA request, the last three pages all looked like this.
First there are those who know about the Casino in the Park in Jersey City. That’s the multi floor restaurant catering hall, plush location in Hudson County where every politician wanted to be seen and was seen, along with other famous names including boxers, movie stars, football players, bishops. You name it, they were there and happy to be there.
Then there was the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands opened more than 50 years by Bernie and Kathleen Strebb Sweeny, a shore version of the Jersey City venue which the couple ran simultaneously.
Kathleen and Bernie
Shore Casino
Bernie built the Atlantic Highlands building which the Harbor Commission of the borough owns and agreed to the Yacht Club having their premises upstairs. Over the years, that too was the place everyone wanted to be, and kids that were there for their proms half a century ago kept coming back, for their engagement parties, their showers, weddings, new babies christenings and so much more. Hard to find a family in the Bayshore who did not have some connection to the Shore Casino.
Bernie was in charge of that facility, while Kathleen traveled back and forth nightly to ensure everything was fine at the Casino in the Park. When the couple left the Hudson County Casino to concentrate completely on the Atlantic Highlands site, Kathleen was right there, telling the staff how things were done in the larger facility, complimenting them on their expertise and reminding them she had been in the business herself since she first waitressed in her native Ireland at age 12.
When Bernie died a couple of years ago, there was Kathleen’s son Jay, ready, eager, and fully capable of taking up the lead, letting his mom relax a bit while he took over arranging all the events and celebrations for which the Casino was famous. Jay had all the charm and friendliness of Bernie, a few quirks of his own that endeared him to the ever-growing crowd, and innovative ideas that were requested by newcomers and enjoyed by all.
Kathleen and Jay
But Jay died last year, a year after Bernie, and everything fell on Kathleen to handle on her own. There were those who said she couldn’t do it, those who said without Jay or Bernie, the good times of the past would just be memories.
These were the folks who don’t know Kathleen Strebb Sweeney. There were the folks who didn’t know, or forgot, she came from tough Irish stock, stock that practiced and preached” if there’s a job to be done and it’s worth doing, or makes life better for someone else, then we can…and will…do it.”
These are the reasons why the Shore Casino is now the setting of so many and such varied events! This is the catering hall that can whip up a fancy meal on two days’ notice, can accommodate crowds of small intimate gatherings or huge events like the popular PBA ball, a staple at the Casino or high school proms. Kathleen’s Casino is the site of baptisms and funereal repasts and everything in between.
Take last weekend for instance. It was Mike Schoeller’s 50 birthday and wife Ann wanted to have a few dozen close friends surprise him with a night at the Casino.
Everyone who knows Ann, that wizard and ultra-generous volunteer on the Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad, knows perfection is her middle name, making others happy and healthy is part of her way of living. Couple her ingenuity and desire to make the best party ever for her husband’s birthday with Kathleen’s affable, generous, and agreeable way of making arrangements, and it’s a winner all around.
Ann invited her guests to wear wigs, perhaps part of the surprise for Mike when he came in after the crowd arrived. Even the wigs were great and varied, ranging from multi-colored possibly left over from Halloween to real hair to Ben Franklin styles, to brunette so real on blonds it was hard to identify the real person! Whatever the reason, whatever the style, it almost seemed like the fun, laughter and relaxation of the wigs certainly set the mood for the evening.
Until Johnny Kumfert and his music took over. This seven-piece musical wonder kept the crowd on its feet the entire night, kept everyone laughing and happy, brought the roof down with the spectacular fiddlers playing a duet, and had even Kathleen on the move and part of a happy crowd all night.
Waiters and waitresses kept appetites alive with the spectacular hors d’oeuvres they brought out from Ozzie’s kitchen, and no one who’s ever been to the Casino was surprised at the length, breadth and depth of the buffet that followed. Kathleen may have planned and decided on the menu with Ann when she planned Mike’s event, but Ozzi’s expertise in the kitchen adds an extra level of wonder.
All of which is to say nothing about the bar and Kathleen’s two best bartender patty and Bob, who were as swift and efficient as this happy crowd wanted them to be. In their spare minute or two she wasn’t serving, it was fun to see Patty dancing and taking photos behind the bar, with Bob keeping pace.
The next day there was yet another party at the Casino, this one for youngsters seeing Santa Claus, much more subdued, but nonetheless enjoyed by the crowd in attendance for their midday party.
So after all these years, after losing her husband and son, does Kathleen really still want to stay up late nights, arrange large parties and keep a close watch on everything?
“It’s my life, it’s all I know,” she says, forgetting her years as a professional model. But she adds, “Do I get tired sometime? Sure. “And pressed, she’ll finally admit, “Maybe it’s the right thing to do. So if the right buyer with the right price comes along, now that I have the Casino up and running and booked for parties, now that I’ve proven I can do it and I love what I do, sure, I would think about it if there’s someone who could keep it up to the standards our more than half century have set.”
With November, Advent and pre-Christmas events all in the works or planning stage at Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish, Rose Killai and her team of volunteers continue to complete all the projects both inside and outside the Our Lady of Perpetual Help grounds on Route 36. Thanks and Giving
Rose and crew have worked to improve the esthetics at the Highlands church, have plans for the Christmas season which includes wreaths on every one of the doors into the Church, and keeps the bulletin board on Route 36 timely and changed frequently. This week her sign of “Let us all celebrate with THANKS and GIVING is a reminder that a special mass of Thanksgiving will be offered Thursday at 9 a.m., an hour later than the usual 8 a.m. mass.
The talented volunteer has replaced living plants with live greens and pines in pots outside church, and has plans for the huge fir tree near the church entrance.
At the same time, the congregation is beginning to grow every week at the 5 p.m.. Sunday evening mass said in Spanish. Parochial Vicar Father Thomas Mallavarapu offers the mass each week, and the primarily Spanish congregation is responding with song, prayer and families all eager for both the Mass in their own language, and Father’s blessings to all, especially the children. All are invited to attend the 5 p.m. Spanish mass every Sunday.
Parochial Vicar Father Thomas Mallavarapu (Center)
Both Father Thomas and the pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, make regular visits to shut-ins and those unable to get to mass or communion. Father Thomas regularly says mass at both Ptak Tower in Highlands and Portland Pointe in Atlantic Highlands.
There is also another special mass offered Friday, November 29 at 6 p.m.. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with the mass being offered for all the souls of all parishioners who have passed during the past year. Families are also encouraged to call the parish office to arrange for masses or to dedicate the sanctuary candles, flowers or flag at OLPH for specific intentions. Both priests asked that throughout November, parishioners also remember veterans in a special way in their prayers.
The parish has an active Book Club directed by Joseph Bullwinkle, and new members are encouraged to attend or join. Bullwinkle said it is not necessary to have read the book of the month before joining as he encourages discussions that would prove interesting to all. The current book under discussion is “The Miracle of Hope” by Andre Nguyen Van Chau. The next meeting is January 8 at 1 p.m. at St. Agnes.
Fr. Quinn announced Sunday that the auditorium lights at the Charles J Hesse parish center have been replaced with brighter and more fuel efficient lighting and the lights in thee OLPH auditorium were completely upgraded several months ago. Plans for renewal of the church bells at OLPH have been altered, the pastor said,, after learning that a new system is needed before they can again be rung. However, that is expected to happen within a month, hopefully in time for Christmas, he said.
With all the activities going on in both areas of the parish, Father said volunteers are needed in a variety of ways and local residents are encouraged to contact the parish office if they wish to donate their special talents to the work of the Church. Student volunteers are needed to assist with the annual Nativity Play which will be performed at 4:45 before the 5:15 mass at St. Agnes on Saturday., December 7. Interested persons can contact Mary McKelvey at reeled@olphstagnes.org.
There will be a Christmas Fest at the Charles Hesse Parish Center on December 14 from 3 to 8 p.m.
The St. Vincent dePaul societies at both churches in the parish have set up Giving Trees to aid the less fortunate during the holiday season.
At OLPH, donors are encouraged to bring gift cards or unwrapped gifts. The tree , located to the right of the altar inside Church, will have tags representing specific child or senior information on interests, age and gender to enable donors to be more selective for their gifts. All gifts must be returned by December 18.
In Atlantic Highlands, the Giving Tree at St. Agnes will be in the vestibule in the back of church and a container nearby will accept gift cards. The Society is requesting only gift cards to enable their recipients do select their own gifts or needs at local stores, with December 8 the last day for accepting gift cards in church. Both societies express their thanks and appreciation of the generous public who regularly contribute to their projects for those in need in Sea Bright, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and the Bayshore area of Middletown.
In addition to the church volunteers, the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus has long since gained a reputation for popular fundraising events to assist their charities. The annual Christmas Raffle Drawing will be held at the OLPH gym on Sunday, December 8 at 11 a.m. and all are invited to attend the drawing, though it is not necessary to be present to win.
All raffle tickets must be deposited in the E_Z raffle stations by the end of mass on Sunday, December 1 or mailed and postmarked no later than Monday, Nov. 25 to allow for accurate accounting. Ticket purchases ca also buy raffle tickets at the OLPH gym on Sunday. December 8 between 8:230 and 10 a.m. for those who believe in luck by last minute purchases.
Yoga classes continue to be held in the Mother Theresa School cafeteria on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. for 45 minutes. Interested persons can contact Amy at 908-461-7640.
Both Fr. Jarlath and Father Thomas urge all local residents to pick up a weekly bulletin at either church and express thanks to the donors who make the bulletin possible, including:
The Atlantic Bagel Company at 74 First Avenue,
Sherman Jewelers, 85 Firsts Avenue,
Wild in the Treats at 183 First Avenue,
Attorney Wendy Crowther, 98 First Avenue,
Tony D”s Auto Body, Inc, 29 Center Ave,
Justin Sonta, financial advisor, 25 First Avenue, all in Atlantic Highlands,
as well as Feed & See Pet and General store on Bay Avenue. Highlands,
Mallory’s Army Foundation,
The Hesse companies,
John Pfleger,
Bayshore Recycling,
Convery Law,
Kerrigan Lectic,
Jus Organics,
SAMI,
Morgan basement waterproofing,
Ruby Exteriors,
George’s Appliance Repair,
Telepun Landscaping,
Almost Home General,
ComfortKeepers,
Catholic Match of New Jersey,
UE Construction, T Benning Lawn & Landscaped, and
Royal Pro Construction.
Thanks and Giving Thanks and Giving Thanks and Giving Thanks and Giving Thanks and Giving Thanks and Giving Thanks and Giving Thanks and Giving
The Mayo Clinic calls cauliflower a Nutrition Superstar for many reasons, but it is its high content of both vitamins C and K that make is especially wonderful in fighting eye disease and blindness.
It is also low in both fat and cholesterol, so it is wonderful for any diet.
Coupled with the versatility it offers in ways to produce it; it’s no wonder cauliflower has been around for 2500 years and recipes especially from Italy and Turkey show how important it has always been in that part of the world.
In the United States, California and Arizona lead in the production of cauliflower but it is available year-round throughout the country.
An unusual way to prepare cauliflower is mashed.
Try this recipe for Mashed Cauliflower.
1 head generally will feed around 4 people.
Cut head into florets,
Recipe:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon reduced-fat cream cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. (Or try lemon pepper.)
Bring water to boil in a saucepan with a steamer insert; fill with water just below the bottom of the steamer and bring to a boil; add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat, add garlic, cooking and stirring until softened, for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Transfer 1/2 of cooked cauliflower to a food processor; cover and blend on high. Add remaining cauliflower a little at a time, until vegetables are creamy. Blend in cooked garlic, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese, salt and pepper if desired.
