Clean Ocean Action invites people to “spring into action” Saturday, April 12, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and join thousands of volunteers gathering at more than 80 beach and waterway locations across New Jersey to remove harmful litter, collect crucial data, and make a lasting impact on the coastal environment.

The nonprofit ocean advocacy organization welcomes all to the cleanup event to help marine life and those that enjoy a clean ocean and clean beaches.

Registration is required for all participants and can be completed through COA’s website. Groups are welcome, with all individuals within a group registering separately.

This year, in celebration of 40 years of Beach Sweeps, Clean Ocean Action is launching “BucketMan”—a new environmental superhero on a mission to fight marine debris and inspire volunteers to adopt sustainable habits.

BucketMan champions the movement to reduce waste by encouraging participants to bring their own reusable buckets instead of using disposable plastic bags to rid beaches and the ocean of trash and debris

Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing threats to marine ecosystems. Each year, Beach Sweeps volunteers remove thousands of plastic items including bags, which break down into harmful microplastics, endangering marine life and contaminating waters. By bringing a bucket, volunteers can significantly cut down on single-use plastic waste while making a positive impact.

Each Beach Sweeps event is more than just a cleanup—it’s an opportunity to protect marine life, improve coastal communities, and contribute to vital research on pollution. Volunteers help compile data on the types of debris collected, providing valuable insights that influence policies, waste management strategies, and public awareness.

“For 40 years, Beach Sweeps has been a testament to the power of people working together for a cleaner, healthier ocean. Every bucket filled with litter is a step toward lasting change,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action.

The success of Beach Sweeps is made possible by the support of dedicated businesses and organizations that provide crucial funding and resources. COA extends deep appreciation to the 2025 Beach Sweeps Sponsors including statewide sponsors Bank of America, Wakefern Food Corp, .ShopRite, and Vantage Apparel. Fall Beach Sweeps countywide sponsors: include Kearny Bank Foundation, Bayshore Recycling Corporation Montecalvo & Bayshore Family of Companies, Target, Hackensack Meridian Health and Monmouth County Tourism in Monmouth County as well as many other both in Monmouth and other counties across the coast..

Be part of the solution and help make this 40th anniversary Beach Sweeps a historic even, Zipf urged. For registration, site locations, and answers to Beach Sweeps Frequently Asked Questions, visit: www.CleanOceanAction.org.

Results from 2024 Beach Sweeps will be released at the end of March.

Clean Ocean Action (COA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to improve and protect water quality in the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast. COA identifies sources of pollution and works to eliminate them through research, education, and citizen action, ensuring cleaner oceans for future generations.

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Grace Del Monaco, 81, of Middletown passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, March 5, surrounded by her loving family. The ever happy, every smiling lady was a long time volunteer at the St. Agnes Thrift Shop in Atlantic Highlands, and a communicant of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish.

Born in Hoboken, Grace was a devoted wife, sister, and aunt who lived a life filled with love, faith, and generosity. Living between New Jersey, and Florida for more than 35 years, Grace made a lasting impact on all who knew her, particularly through her tireless work within the church community.

Grace’s unwavering commitment to her faith was a constant throughout her life. She found her spiritual home at OLPH St Agnes parish where she was an active and beloved member. For supported the church, school and the greater community in the Bayshore in many ways in addition to the Thrift Shop volunteerism. Her volunteer efforts left an indelible mark on those she served and the many lives she touched.

Grace enjoyed hosting family gatherings and planning elaborate holiday celebrations, always surrounded by laughter and love. Her devotion to her family and friends was evident in everything she did, and her presence will be deeply missed.

Grace was predeceased by her parents, Rose Sette and Thomas Mongelli, and two brothers, Thomas and Victor. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, John Del Monaco, her sister, Rosemarie Mongelli, and many nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory forever.

The family held a visitation at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave, Red Bank Sunday, March 9, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was  celebrated on Monday, March 10, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Highlands .

Interment to follow at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to two of her beloved causes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, or the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes, Center Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, in memory of Grace.

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Grand Marshal The Highlands Business Partnership 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, promising this year to be bigger and better after last year’s inclement weather caused a cancellation.

The colorful festivities will highlight Irish culture with nearly 120 marching units including bagpipers, marching bands, and vibrantly decorated floats.

The parade will begin at Waterwitch Avenue and travel along Bay Avenue with 2025 Grand Marshal Timothy Hill taking the lead.

Hill has deep roots in Highlands and married a native, Laura Horan, another family with deep roots and involvement in the community for decades. His mother-in-law, the late Jane Horan, was co-founder of the Highlands Historical Society, his late great uncle Joseph Dempsey was borough mayor in 1949 and 50. Hill’s great aunt, Clara Dempsey was a founding member of Twin Light Historical Society. And Hill himself, a graduate of Henry Hudson Regional School, in 1978, attended Brookdale College, volunteered at the Highlands Recreation Department, and was hired in 1979, then worked full-time at the center while still attending college.

In 1984, Hill earned his Recreation Administrator Certification from the NJ Department of Community Affairs, and in 1988, completed requirements for his National Recreation and Park Association (NJRPA) and his New Jersey Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Professional Certification in Recreation Management.

The late Mayor Robert Wilson appointed Hill Recreation Director; through the director’s leadership and vision, many new activities, special events and health and human service opportunities were offered for the borough population from pre-school, youth, teen, adult, and senior residents of Highlands.

Partnership records and local stories remind everyone of the many who reaped the benefits of the programs offered by the Borough Recreation Center under Hill’s leadership.

He was also charged with conditioning and overseeing park/beach improvements and general maintenance and obtained numerous grants for the Borough partnerships that provided funding for recreation and park related activities.

Hill was a borough employee for 37 years, and during that time also volunteered countless hours to the Highlands Business Partnership established in 1999 including assisting with the annual event calendar and public area improvements.

Events he assisted with included the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Guinness Run, Clam Fest (Clam Eating Clam Shucking, & Baby Parade), Twin Lights Bike Ride, and the Holiday Tree Lighting.

In May of 2011, Hill was named interim Borough Administrator and became the full-time Borough Administrator in December of 2011.

From late 2012, until his retirement after 37 years with the borough on June 1, 2016, he spent time working on hundreds of tasks that required attention during the recovery efforts after Superstorm Sandy.

He also served as a member of the Highlands Planning Board, Highlands Depuration Committee, FEMA Long-Term Recovery Planning Team, and continued to volunteer with numerous HBP programs, as well as his continued support and work on the Highlands Business Partnership’s Hope for Highlands Committee when he worked closely with the Board and Committee members raising and distributing EMAIL: HBP@HIGHLANDSNJ.COM securing more than a million dollars in grants, goods and services for residents’ post Sandy.

Hill and his wife have two children, Shannon, and Timmy and reside in Orlando, FL where he is self-employed as a part-time sales rep for Swartz Associates, a company that sells park and recreation site furnishings and equipment throughout Florida, Georgia, Mississippi & Tennessee.

A diehard NJ Devils fan, Hill’s deep roots to Highlands and his admiration, love and family ties to the Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade and celebrations in Highlands is why the Partnership is so thrilled to have their native son walk the green line on March 22 and lead the parade along a one mile stretch of Bay Avenue.

The Highlands Business Partnership will host the annual “Competition of Floats.” All Businesses and/or Organizations in Highlands will be competing in three categories: Best of Show, Prettiest, and the Most Original. In addition, a trophy will be presented for the Best of Apparatus.

Participants representing military, political, civic, Church, and other organizations will be in the line of march along with the Henry Hudson Regional Marching Band and Cheerleaders performing with over 100 members.

The Pipe and Drum Bands include the Monmouth County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Solas na Mara Pipe Band, Middlesex County Police & Fire Pipes and Drums, Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Pipes and Drums, Essex County Emerald Society Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, Union County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Staten Island Pipes & Drums, and Patrick Torphy Pipes and Drums.

The Partnership’s “Lucky Pot of Gold” 50/50 Raffle is also a traditional part of the day’s festivities. Interested persons can purchase a 50/50 ticket and need not be present for the drawing.

There will be free giveaways thrown from the many floats competing in the parade, and guests are invited to visit one of Highlands’ many great restaurants for pipe bands and other live entertainment.

The parade is made possible by the Highlands Business Partnership and sponsors; Monmouth County Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Bridge Marina, Farmacie by the French Market, Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Gateway Marina, Hufnagel Tree Service, In the Garden, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Valley Bank, WRAT 95.9, Oasis Physical Therapy, Leonardo, PKF O’Connor Davies Accountants and Advisors and Collier Engineering and Design.

For additional information, call 732.291.4713 or visit www.highlandsnj.com.

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