The Knights sponsor a breakfast at no charge every month both to bring neighbors together and to ensure everyone has a full nourishing breakfast.
With the September event scheduled for Sunday, September 8, the Knights want the breakfast to be a special memorial; honoring 9/11-2001,and remembering all those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center and its aftermath.
Although breakfast will be served from 8:30. a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Sunday’s breakfast will officially begin with a remembrance ceremony at 10:28 a.m. in the school gym.
All the outstanding restaurants in the Bayshore make me happy, from Bahrs in Highlands which not only has the greatest staff in the world but also Jay’s Lobster Boss prestige proves it is a great place to get those very popular to the dining population crustaceans. Still, their salmon sandwich is a perfect lunch choice. And they’re spectacular at honoring special occasions like birthdays!
But when to comes to salmon, Ruddy Fields offerings at the Navesink Fishery simply can’t be beat! The most difficult thing about salmon on his every extensive seafood menu is deciding which one to try.
The good news is whichever it is, it can’t be wrong. Of course the seafood specialty menu..though they off lots ore as well…is so extensive diners the other night asked if they couldn’t just order one of each rather than make a choice!
On a recent evening with friends, I also learned as perfect as he is with seafood and other entrees…Ruddy is also a great vegetable cook!
Now that fall squash and other veggies are coming into season, the side dishes in these rather unique veggies area perfectly prepared, seasoned..and enjoyed. But it was till a surprise, and a treat, to sample the sweet potatoes which are so delectable and perfectly cooked it seems like the potatoes were taken out of the shell, whipped, smothered with butter and seasonings then put back in the skin for a perfect representation. Not so, said Ruddy, simply cooked to perfection!
By all means, ask the waitress for the differences in seafood presentation. She knows her menu quite well and can explain all the ingredients and how they’re prepared before you make your choice., That’s a talent in itself!
Yes, the portions are large, but rather than stuff yourself beyond fullness, get the rest to take home and enjoy at another meal. Too good to just overeat!
Then add those fresh sprigs of herbs wife Pat tends in the garden for a colorful, aromatic and beautiful presentation and a quiet, enjoyable dinner evening can’t be more perfect.
It’s been 20 years or so the Navesink Fishery has been in that Navesink strip mall. They just get better every year! But it’s still full of the nicest people!
With dozens of volunteer firemen, EMTs and first aid men and women on hand and the American flag flying above the Navesink Hook and Ladder Company’s ladder truck at the
Navesink fire house, laid out the plans for the program into effect next year which shows how much the township appreciates its volunteers who save the township tens of thousands of dollars.
Mayor Tony Perry
The Middletown Emergency Volunteer Incentive Program is designed not only to show appreciation to the service of today’s volunteers for emergency services, but Mayor Perry also told the crowd it serves as an incentive for younger men and women to make their homes in Middletown and become a part of the teams that keep the township safe and secure.
“I’m honored, as are all the members of the Township Committee,” Perry told an appreciative crowd, “to be here with Middletown’s heroes and thank them for all they do for the safety, security and well being of their neighbors; they all have this in common…they are all volunteers and they are all heroes.”
Perry’s plan, the first in the state, will grant active volunteers a series of benefits that include reimbursements for property tax, assistance with down payments on home purchases in the township and a waiver of all local fees.
The incentive means the township will give first-time home buyers a $10,000 loan, as well as a $500 annual property tax reimbursement and the waiver of parking fees at the Railroad station. These waivers are in addition to the construction permit fees which are currently given to volunteers in the township.
Perry said he believes this is the first municipality in the state that has offered incentives of this type, and he is hopeful the example of Middletown will continue to other municipalities as well.
The program will encourage new families to follow in the footsteps of the volunteers in one of the state’s largest fire departments who have long since set a standard of excellence and dedication towards helping others, Perry said.
Township Committeeman and Deputy Mayor Rick Hebel, himself a former fire chief and the son of a former fire chief, added his praise and thanks to all the volunteers. “It’s not cheap living in Middletown,” he said, “nor is it cheap living in New Jersey.” But the volunteer efforts of the men and women who get up any hour of the day or night to help others save taxpayers thousands of dollars.” He cited the fact last year the fire department answered more than 1500 calls, the EMS teams more than 2000 calls and the vol9nteers put in more than 70,000 hours.
Hibell praised his own father, Bill, who was present for the ceremony and is celebrating 50 years, a half century, as a volunteer firefighter in the township as well the father and son both serving as fire chief in two different decades. The deputy mayor made it clear he learned as a youth the hours a volunteer firefighter or EMT puts in and the times he leaves a family meal or a youngster’s own recreational activities to help someone in need. It’s an example he himself wanted to follow and did, the deputy mayor said.
Middletown Fire Department’s Second Assistant Chief, Kevin Morrissey, with Station 8, the Middletown Fire Company, expressed the thanks of all and pointed out volunteers have to undergo no less than 190 hours of intensive study apart from all their volunteer hours. The courses take an additional dedication too regular time periods he pointed out, because of the necessity for regular attendance over time. “The eco-element is the most challenging problem” in encouraging new volunteers, Morrissey reminded the public. He cited the higher cost of living, and the necessity for two parents to be working creating the diminished time to enable willing men and women to volunteer.
Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who recently launched his third try for the gubernatorial seat, was also present and praising the township volunteers.
Ciattarelli cited the property tax crisis in New Jersey and his own dedication and works toward keeping taxes down. In thanking the volunteers for their work as well as Perry and Hibell for creating the programs the local leaders indicated they would like to see spread across the state, Ciattarelli assured them he would carry their message throughout every municipality in New Jersey.
Tale Middletown Mayor Tony Perry has done it again. Not just talking about the Welcome to Middletown banner that will be going up on the Route 36 overpass by NWS Earle’s Leonardo pier in a few days, though that will be a most welcome site to crew members as they come aboard the township from the USS New Jersey.
But the mayor’s explanation of that sensational incentive program for volunteers on fire and first aid squads should become a standard in every municipality in New Jersey.
One of Middletown’s chiefs, Kevin Morrissey said it best when he reminded all the local leaders who were at the ceremony at the Navesink Fire House, it’s the economic element that makes it so hard for men and women to volunteer these days.
It’s a huge commitment to volunteer as either an EMT or firefighter, he pointed out, for the hours it takes to get through all the training in the first place. With so many families having to have both parents working just to keep up with today’s economy, there is so much less time and probably energy to dedicate to getting up at all hours of the day or night, leave your kid’s football game or dance practice and rush out to help someone in immediate need.
Having incentives that help a family pay their taxes or help finance their commute to the city might be the key to ensuring that younger generations keep stepping up to the plate to do volunteer goodness.
The mayor and deputy mayor’s words were well received and appreciated by every volunteer and every family who knows what all those volunteer hours cost them in time, energy, and personal cost.
It’s a different situation in Atlantic Highlands, where Chief Lance Hubeny has worked really hard for a couple of years and as a result has a hard-working group of volunteers for EMT service; and every one of those volunteers has already proven how much they are doing and continue to do as a team.
Yet the borough still hasn’t done away with that $90,000 a year paid service company and put their trust in the volunteers who have, once again, proven they can do it.
Let’s hope that happens soon not only to show trust in the volunteers (and save $90,000 in tax dollars) but also to help the person needing those services.
That $90,000 a year service doesn’t respond to calls without charging the person in need of that trip to the hospital; they’re billed for the service, unlike the volunteer squad, whether their insurance covers it or not. Volunteer first aid men and women don’t charge for the service of helping their neighbor.
Let’s hope Mayor Perry’s great idea spreads throughout all the small towns in New Jersey.
It is our responsibility to continue to remember those who lost loved ones and to honor the memory of those who perished,” said Commissioner Director Tom Arnone, in announcing the annual 9/11 ceremony at Mount Mitchill in Atlantic Highlands.
A September 11 memorial vigil will be held at the scenic overlook on Ocean Boulevard. at 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 11.
The Monmouth County commissioners invite the families of those killed in the terrorist attacks who lived in Monmouth County to participate. Those interested in participating in the Memorial Ceremony are asked to email Lauren Brand at Lauren.Brand@co.monmouth.nj.us or Danielle Banyacski at Danielle.Banyacski@co.monmouth.nj.us.
The Board of County Commissioners also invites all residents and visitors to participate in the ceremony which has been held at the overlook site every year since 2012.
In 2001, the site was crowded with local residents who watched in horror as the World Trade Center was struck and buildings collapsed. Visitors to the site in the hours after the attack could also see the number of private recreational and fishing boats, together with Sea Streak ferries, that brought hundreds of people out of the city to the safer site of Atlantic highlands, where dozen more agencies and local residents helped in getting the stranded people back to their own homes or states.
With a request for no fewer than 23 reasons to differ from the law, Kalian Management LLC will be at the Thursday (September 5) meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Planning Board seeking the variances to permit construction of five houses on an empty lot.
The Kalian firm, located on Hennessey Boulevard., the firm which also constructed the apartments on First Avenue, is seeking variances for property for which it is the contract purchaser that is the former home of the Masonic Hall at 14 East Garfield Avenue.
The application, which is listed last on the agenda for Thursday’s regular meeting, is seeking variance for minimum lot frontage, minimum lot width, minimum side setbacks and minimum total side setback for each of the three residential buildings they plan to build and sell. Minimum lot frontage under borough regulations is 75 foot, whereas the developers are seeking frontages between 52 and 56 feet.
In the application, Rick Brodsky, attorney for Kalian Management, indicated the company is seeking the variances so that it will have “no negative impact on the zone plan, ordinance or public good.”
The property currently includes a one and a half story dwelling and shed used as a non-profit Masonic lodge. And the subdivision would recreate five non-conforming lots for five single family homes.
A full description of the variances sought and the information which has already been submitted to the borough and reviewed by the borough engineer is included on the borough’s website at www.AHNJ.com under the Planning Board agenda for the meeting.
Also included in the nine-page letter from planning board engineer Doug Rohmeyer, CFM, after his review of the application.
In addition to numerous recommendations the applicant should follow before approval is given, Rohmeyer said the applicant should specifically address the planned removal of the trees that provide a buffer to the adjacent property and any trees to be removed adjacent to East Garfield Avenue.
As formal invitations and directions are being received in the mail and excitement mounting for the commissioning of the USS New Jersey (SSN-796) on September 14, the Submarine Commissioning Committee has announced the possibility early risers might get a glimpse of the submarine as she comes to Leonardo Friday morning. September 6.
Commission Chaiman Peter Engelman issued notice this week that the New Jersey will be coming into the Leonardo pier on Friday, September 6 in preparation for the ceremony at 11 a.m. September 14.
Engelman said the best viewing spot would be from North Beach at Sandy Hook’s Gateway National Recreation Area.
He suggested parking at Parking Lot M on Sandy Hook at 8:30 a.m. and walking the approximate mile on the trial to North Beach.
Engelman said the sub should come within 100 yards of that beach.
Spectators should recognize that a submarine is generally no higher than 25 to 30 feet above the water line. Binoculars could be a help.
Viewers along the waterfront in Belford would be further distant but might also be able to see the boat as it most likely would find the Hook close to the edge of the channel before heading into one of the piers at the Navy facility.
It is estimated the boat might be passing around 9:30 a.m., Engelman said.
On the day of Commissioning, only those persons with official guest tickets will be eligible to be on Earle for the ceremony. Guests will pass through a security checkpoint and must have a federal or state issue photo identification for base access. Military identification, a driver’s license or passport would be sufficient.
The checkpoint will include metal detectors, bag inspections and military working dogs; bags must be no larger than small diaper bags, purses or small folding umbrellas. All are subject to search for weapons including knives or sharp pointed objects of any type.
Base access will open at 7 a.m. to ensure a smooth security process and ample time for seating in advance of the ceremony, so guests are urged to arrive early. Parking passes have been issued for parking site information and further instructions.
For all those unable to attend the ceremony, it will be livestreamed and can be viewed on line at
A greater ability to advocate for the needs of students and educators, help them achieve their highest potential, as well as improve transparency between the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education and the communities it serves are the primary reasons why Bonnie Knechtel is seeking election to the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education in the November election.
Knechtel is seeking the single two-year term for an Atlantic Highlands resident on the new nine-member board to be determined in the November election. She faces competition for the position from two other candidates, Noreen Higgins and Justin Thomas.
Although filing as an individual Knechtel has already said discussions with another parent of children in the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School Chelsea Witkowski, has shown the two share similar values. And priorities.
Witkowski is vying for the single one-year term on the board and is being challenged by two other candidates, Richard Colangelo and Allison Jacobs.
Since they share values, ideals and the need for transparency and more community involvement in the board, Knechtel and Witkowski are supporting each other in the election and in many ways are campaigning together.
Knechtel, who lives on Ocean Blvd with her husband, Karl and three children ranging in age from 6 to 9, is seeking election for the first time, though has served in various positions on the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School PTO for five years and is currently in her second term as president.
The candidate grew up in Canada and received her first degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Guelph there.
In the United States, she studied for her master’s degree in nutrition as well as her Doctor of Chiropractic at the University of Bridgeport. She had her private practice in chiropractic in Manhattan for several years before beginning to raise a family.
The couple has lived in Atlantic Highlands for 12 years, seeking a town with a sense of community and a great school system to raise their children and term the borough a “wonderful town with a strong sense of community.”
While she believes the Henry Hudson district offers many benefits for education, including a small class size and student/teacher ratio that promotes an individualized learning experience, Knechtel also sees it faces other challenges she can help overcome.
“As a small school district we don’t always have the same resources that bigger districts may have. School sports, extracurriculars, and advanced placement classes are available to students, but access to some may take some concentrated navigation,” she pointed out.
Including Sea Bright in the district could assist this disadvantage she believes, saying “My educational background has made me very research focused. Based on the feasibility studies done and all the areas they focused on I think Sea Bright should be included in the district.”
Knechtel also has plans to repair other problems within the educational system, once again relying on her personal experience as a parent and her knowledge of the programs available.
She is aiming to advocate for the best curriculum and specific programs available for every student. “Some children are struggling to be challenged appropriately “she pointed out, “while others are struggling to meet standards. I want to help change this”. Her ideas include promoting changes to support every student achieving at their highest by timely development of these programs.
As an example of areas in need, Knechtel cited the Quest/EXELerate program introduced as a gifted and talented program at elementary school..” While it offers some benefits to gifted learners, it has yet to deliver a curriculum that has tangible structure and evidence of advanced curriculum that these learners need,” she explained. “We can’t expect high achievement in our upper schools without facilitating excellence in our lower schools,” she added.
Transparency between the board and the community is another aim where Knechtel has ideas for improvement. The community should be aware of the things the board is working on, she explained noting that increased understanding of board decisions and rationale will help engage the community and facilitate changes the community needs.
Her ideas include advanced access to agendas, pre-polling the community for questions, providing a comprehensive review of meetings in understandable language and varied formats, and offering live streamed meetings for those who cannot physically attend due to work or other constraints. All of this, the candidate said, will help eliminate redundancy in meetings and lack of communication from the board.
Knechtel said some challenges she has faced from the boards have led her to seek election and make improvements. Some answers she has received when asking the board have been contradicted by live experience, she said, primarily when discussing academic matters at elementary school. She has also noticed responses at board meetings…and she has attended meetings for the past six years, have made it difficult to get a direct answer to questions asked., often a reply being “things take time”, or “talk to the principal”.
The candidate continued that she has experienced changes in leadership, challenges with access to services, and varied curriculums which have both have negatively and positively impacted students. However, she added, “our ratings are slipping, our children aren’t always being challenged or supported appropriately. Our schools have the ability to improve,”
As part of their support for each other, Witkowski, seeking the one-year term, and Knechtel, seeking the two-year term, will have a table at Saturday’s Flea Market sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society.
The two candidates will be at the table throughout the Market hours to answer questions, introduce themselves and distribute literature. They also plan to have a Meet and Greet at the Highlander bike shop in October and invite people to contact them directly on their Facebook page HERE
Raise a Pint One of the many local businesses and individuals, as well as communities, looking forward with pride to the commissioning of the USS New Jersey (SSN-796) at NAD Earle is Belford Brewing at Campbell’s Junction in Leonardo.
New Jersey SSN 796 Sea Trials from the tug
What’s more the highly creative and hardworking family that incorporated the Belford Brewing Company in May 2013 has an unusual history of its own and a heartfelt connection to Naval Weapons Station Earle, especially its pier side facilities extending from Route 36 into Sandy Hook Bay.
On Commissioning Day, September 14, Belford Brewing will be serving an incredibly special beverage to honor the third naval vessel and first submarine to bear the name of the state.
After the ceremony, the company will be serving two of their beers on the three mile long pier, the Earle Riser and another selection, most likely Honey Hudson Ale. That’s their beverage named after the Henry Hudson Trail that crosses right in front of Earle’s front gate on Route 36.
You might say it started when brothers Michael and Kevin Emmy were growing up in Belford. Their father was a Marine who had served in the Korean War, so they already had respect and admiration for the nation’s military.
The brothers remember well, as does every kid who grew up within earshot of Leonardo base, when it was 8 a.m. every morning. That’s when the lower Sandy Hook Bay was flooded with the bugle reveille and the National Anthem.
It is traditional that the Anthem would be played loud and proud on base reminding the sailors and Marines stationed there it is the start of another day, and they were needed.
There came the time when newcomers to the area complained the National Anthem was too loud and was “annoying”.
Those comments irked many on the Bayshore who enjoyed the reveille daily, especially those who had served in the military.
The complaints on Facebook were met with comments like “Sorry to disturb your beauty sleep but keep playing the National Anthem as loud as possible.” In the end most comments showed the majority of residents were happy when the commanding officer in Colts Neck ignored the complaints and continued the patriotic Good Morning to the neighborhood and his military.
So a couple of years after the brothers opened the brewery, they designed the Earle Riser, a new beer with a good dose of lemon that wakes up tastes buds and brings them to attention.
The name, Earle Riser, is itself a play on words. Pronounced Early, it’s a wake-up call; pronounced Earl, it’s a reminder the United States Navy installation protecting our country is located right here in the Bayshore at a base named after Rear Admiral Ralph Earle, who was Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance (BUORD) during World War I . Rear Adm. Earle served in the early part of the 20th century until his retirement in 1927. It is the only installation in the Navy named for a person rather than its location.
The Earle Riser, even before it will be served on the pier September 14, has a tradition of its own. It’s the beer the brewery makes for St. Mary’s annual Spring into Summer 5k Run sponsored by the New Monmouth Church. The brewery is the official gathering spot after the race, which starts at 10:30 a.m. so a breakfast pale ale ‘wake-up” beer seems appropriate.
Until now, the Earle Riser has only been brewed in the spring, but it has been added to the fall season specifically for the commissioning.
The brothers Emmy are natives of Belford and take pride in being brought up in the shadow of the naval base, and even more pride today in knowing the Submarine will be commissioned right where the National Anthem woke them up every morning.
Belford Brewing beers are available in several local restaurants and bars, as well as at their own brewery in Campbell’s Junction.
The brothers’ vision back in 2013 when they opened the business was to create a nano-brewery based in and on the local area that creates good, tasty, and, more than anything else, drinkable beverages.
Their brewery is a small five-barrel brew house with a down-home, family atmosphere. They offer tastings tours, and the opportunity to purchase a pint or growler at a spot they consider to be among the best in New Jersey.
They are located at 84 Leonardville Road and have a website at BelfordBrewing.com
Raise a Pint Raise a Pint Raise a Pint Raise a Pint Raise a Pint Raise a Pint
A desire to expand the opportunities for Henry Hudson Regional students is the primary reason why Chelsea Witkowski is seeking her first term in office on the new Henry Hudson Regional School Board of Education.
The married mother of two children believes her past experience, understanding of the inner workings of schools, and background in education combined with being a parent of school-aged children gives her insight that makes capable and eager to do the job.
Witkowski is vying with two other Atlantic Highlands candidates for the single one-year term on the board which will be decided in the November election. Also seeking that one-year term for an Atlantic Highlands resident are Richard Colangelo and Allison Jacobs.
It was the school system that first attracted the Witkowski’s to move to Atlantic Highlands. They rented an apartment in the borough to enable their daughter to attend the local kindergarten while searching for a home to purchase.
Chelsea became active in the PTO and spent time at the Elementary School and loved the fact faculty members love their work and the school, resulting in a large number of experienced teachers “who continue to teach because they love it.”
She would like to be a part of promoting a positive educational environment for both teachers and students.
The candidate also believes Sea Bright would be a benefit in the newly formed PreK-12 regional school district for both students and taxpayers but concedes she has limited access to any reasoning why it should not be included especially after the LEAP grant feasibility study which was done.
It’s because of her lack of information on this subject which has been a leading issue in both this borough and Highlands since last year, Witkowski said she is also a strong advocate of more transparency from the board and is making that a pivotal point of her platform.
The current school system has many benefits, she pointed out, primarily the dedicated teachers, some of whom have been teaching in the district for their entire careers. The small-town community is beneficial to the school, not only for the number of community events and fundraisers that are held by various organizations, but also the support of businesses, families and organizations give the school a strong sense of community.
Students also benefit from small class sizes and a lower student to teacher ratio which give high school students more opportunities for scholarships, leadership positions in clubs, and more visibility in sports.
Even with all its attributes, there are also problems, the candidate said. She believes the major problems focus on a reduction in special services, students’ access to enrichment programs and low enrollment at the high school level.
A top priority for her would be meeting the diverse learning needs of all students; as a board member, she would accomplish that by providing access to services, interventions, and programs that expose students to a challenging curriculum.
Furthermore, teachers should be encouraged to communicate their ideas, needs, and experiences in the classroom to the board, Witkowski said, so the board could then provide resources and support.
Witkowski, who is seeking office for the first time, is currently co-corresponding secretary at the elementary school and a volunteer on the school’s library committee.
She holds a master’s degree in special education from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University.
She began her professional career as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional in Middlesex County shortly after graduating from Rutgers, moved to Arizona with her husband and worked as a paraprofessional while working toward her special education teaching degree.
She then taught second and third grades in Arizona and worked as a behavior therapist in both school and home environments. before moving back to the east coast. Before choosing to be a stay-at-home mom, she was also employed in a therapeutic alternative education program for children with special needs.
Although they did not file a ticket with a single slogan for the Henry Hudson election, Witkowski noted she and Bonnie Knechtel, who is seeking one of the two-year terms for an Atlantic Highlands candidate, have similar ideals and aims and are supporting each other’s candidacy for their respective terms.
The two candidates are planning a Meet and Greet at the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society flea market Sept. 14 from 10 am to 4 p.m. at Atlantic Highlands Harbor. They will have a table at the market, will answer questions, hand out flyers, and have a suggestion box for residents to cite the three things they like and three things they would change about Henry Hudson schools. “We think this will be a good way to hear from community members and get a better idea of common likes and concerns,” Witkowski said, in noting that responses that day can be anonymous.
Witkowski and Knechtel also established a page on Facebook page which can be accessed HERE
