It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the summer. There have already been many milestone events in town such as the Grand Reveal of the MATAWAN sign on the side of KP Edgestone’s building (if you are headed from the train station to Route 34, look up when you pass A Salute - you can’t miss it). The rescheduled Blues & Cruise car show was held on a hot, steamy night and our thanks to all who braved the heat to attend. We also held a ribbon cutting for Chamber member, Matawan Pharmacy on Route 34 which reopened with a new owner and a new look. Plenty more to do this summer with Aberdeen concerts on Tuesdays and Matawan Family Nights on Thursdays. Additionally, the Chamber launched a new website at macocnj.com. It is still a work in progress, but we invite you to visit the site to check out upcoming events and our business directory. Welcome new MACOC members - Benchmark Planning Group, Best Blinds LLC, Eden Nails, The Exercise Prescription, Matawan Dental Gallery, MIC Squared
Continue on page 8
NEW DOCKS BRING WELCOMED ACTIVITY TO LAKE LEFFERTS
By Cathy Zavorskas, Director of Community Engagement
Lake Lefferts Park is one of Matawan Borough’s greatest
assets. It is a hub of summertime activity. People gather there to enjoy walks, quiet conversations, read, have a picnic, fish off the dock, kayak, canoe, row a boat, watch the fountain colors change at night, or simply enjoy the natural surroundings and wonderful views surrounding the lake.
After many years, however, the lake’s docks began to show their age. Recognizing the need to replace them, the Mayor and Council joined efforts with members of the Public Works and Recreation Commissions to research and present a replacement dock system. As a result of several meetings and conversations, they chose a new design. Installed in
ABERDEEN POLICE DEPT. ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Aberdeen Township Police Department is now accepting resumes/applications for the position of part-time Police Dispatcher. This is a non-sworn position under the direction of the Chief of Police, responsible for receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency police, fire, and EMS calls for service via telephone, radio, and email, as well as providing information to the public. Pay starts at $20.00 per hour! Experience is preferred, but training will be provided if needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must have vision and hearing adequate to perform essential job functions
• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license in good standing
• Must be able to pass an extensive background check Applicants should be able to:
• Work holidays
• Work 10- and 4-hour shifts (days, nights, and weekends)
• Work and multitask in a fast-paced,
PARK
June, the new dock is made of resilient khaki colored material that stands out beautifully with its surroundings. Instead of two individual docks, the new design connects the dock into one large unit. Added lights, benches and posts allow for comfortable fishing stations, seating for viewing and relaxing, and lighting for calm summer nights, cool breezes and quiet reflection.
A second smaller dock was added over by the boat slip that allows you to paddle your kayak or canoe into a side pocket where you can stand up, get out onto the dock and easily remove the kayak or canoe to
Continue on page 6
stressful environment
• Read, write, and comprehend the English language
• Effectively communicate and disseminate information
Resumes/Applications should be submitted via email to Sgt. Ray Campbell at ray. campbell@aberdeennj.org
Applications can be found on the Township of Aberdeen website: www.aberdeennj.org
**The Township of Aberdeen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ** (re-printed with permission from the Aberdeen Police Dept.)
Photo credit Eddie Holland, Matawan
REALTOR WITH A CAUSE
By Jeffrey Kagan
Matt Lewellen is the Branch Manager of KP Edgestone Realty in Matawan. He’s been with the company for six years and has enjoyed the benefits of his hard work. Matt has a knack for making people smile and getting new customers to become his clients. He’s developed a great sales pitch and can put any clients at ease when he works with them on selling or buying a home. “I enjoy helping people achieve the American Dream of homeownership”, he says, and he’s very good at it. What makes Matt stand out amongst others is his interest in supporting local charities. In fact, Matt donates a portion of every commission he earns to a local non-profit. “It means a lot to me to give back to the community”, says Matt with a smile. “While it’s good to donate to national organizations like the Red Cross, for me, I like to see money going to local communities — I feel that it’s being used to its best potential that way.”
In the past six years, Matt has made donations to Sayreville Emergency Squad, Old Bridge and Sayreville Athletic Associations, Matawan Food Bank, Sayreville’s Our Ladies of Victories Food Bank, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Sayreville TNR Cat Rescue.
This year, Matt has decided to expand his donation area to towns where his clients take him. If a buyer closes on a home in Aberdeen, Matt will look for a great charity in Aberdeen to support with his commission. It’s a wonderful gesture to give to those in need and something Matt would like to see catch on around our community. If you can spare it, consider making a donation in any amount to the non-profit of your choice. They could sure use the support!
MATAWAN MAYOR ALTOMONTE MESSAGE
I hope this message finds you all relishing the delightful days of summer. It’s a wonderful time of year when our community comes alive with the vibrant energy of families enjoying our beautiful parks, the sparkling lake, and the many recreational activities our town has to offer. Seeing our residents spend quality time together, having fun, and creating lasting memories is truly heartwarming. I’m particularly excited to remind you about our upcoming Family Night Under the Stars series at Terhune Park. Every Thursday night in August, we have planned a fantastic lineup of music and movies for you to enjoy. These evenings promise to be a perfect way to relax and unwind with family and friends, surrounded by the natural beauty of our park. Here’s the schedule for our Family Night Under the Stars:
• August 1: The WeeklingsGet ready to kick off the series with some amazing music!
• August 8: Kung Fu Panda 4 - A fun-filled movie night for all ages.
• August 15: Kobi Reese - Enjoy an evening of great music with this talented performer.
• August 22: Matt O’Rea Band
- Another fantastic musical night to look forward to.
• August 29: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - End the month with an exciting movie night. Be sure to bring your beach chairs and blankets to make yourselves comfortable. These events are a great opportunity to enjoy the warm summer nights, connect with neighbors, and enjoy some top-notch entertainment. Looking forward to seeing you all there and wishing everyone a safe, happy, and enjoyable summer!
Enjoy the rest of summer!
Mayor Altomonte
A MESSAGE FROM THE MATAWAN
ABERDEEN BOARD OF EDUCATION
School is out for students, but the MARSD Board of Education is hard at work overseeing policies and processes to start a successful school year in September. The Board’s main goal is maintaining high standards and a high-quality education for all students despite state-wide funding challenges. District Administration is working on creating meaningful back-to-school staff training, making sure student supplies and materials are on-site for September, and ensuring that our buildings are ready.
One significant, evidence-based way to keep students focused on their education and to curb online bullying is to limit cell phone usage. Along with many schools in Monmouth County, MARSD will be enforcing their no-cell phone policy during instructional time. Additionally, we are exploring how to strengthen this policy in the best interest of students, citing reports from the U.S. Surgeon General as well as the N.J. Department of Education about the detrimental effects of smartphone and social media use on youth mental health. We are also promoting a strong academic focus by strengthening policies and procedures around chronic absenteeism. School attendance is a concern, and we
are exploring ways to help families solve logistical problems and to provide strategies for addressing student school refusal.
Reminders about both our current personal device policy and our excessive absence policy will be shared soon. And all district, school, and student information should be easier to find this fall when we unveil a new, user-friendly MARSD website.
Lastly, we thank All Around Matawan-Aberdeen for granting the Board of Education this space for communicating with our MARSD community.
DEANN GUNN, MATAWAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT
I am thrilled to share the success of our rescheduled Blues and Cruise Night on July 10th. Originally planned for May, this event faced a delay due to weather but ultimately turned out to be a fantastic evening. Despite the heat, we were delighted to see several hundred people gather on Main Street to enjoy live music, delicious food, and an impressive display of classic cars proudly showcased by their owners. It was truly a great night that brought our community together and two non profits, the Woman’s Club of Matawan and Matawan Aberdeen First Aid Squad were the recipients of checks for $500 each. As we look back on this successful event, I am equally excited to announce the upcoming changes to our main event of the year. Typically held on Main Street, Matawan Day will be relocated this year to a new and exciting location. The festivities will take place at Borough Hall, Terhune Park, and a section of Broad Street in that area. While the venue may be different, rest assured that the essence of Matawan Day will remain the same. We will still have a wide array
of vendors, an abundance of delicious food, and the same vibrant energy that makes this day special for our residents.
Each year, we strive to enhance Matawan Day, and we believe this new location will bring fresh opportunities and experiences for everyone. We are looking forward to seeing how this change will add to the excitement and enjoyment of the event.
Thank you to everyone who attended Blues and Cruise Night and made it a memorable evening. We can’t wait to celebrate Matawan Day with you all in its new location.
NEW DOCKS BRING WELCOMED ACTIVITY TO LAKE LEFFERTS PARK
By Cathy Zavorskas, Director of Community Engagement
Continued from page 1
carry onto land. Both docks have been a welcome addition to the lakefront. Today, the amount of activity in the park has increased to levels never seen before. People come from morning to evening to enjoy all that the park and lake offers but most especially, what the docks offer. If you haven’t ventured over to Lake Lefferts Park, stop by and take
in the views from the dock, bring your fishing gear, enjoy the view of the fountain. On weekends, rent a new canoe or kayak and get a snack there, too. Most of all, if you want to experience where summertime in Matawan is at its best, look no further than Lake Lefferts Park.
CLIFFWOOD BEACH RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE
By Deputy Mayor Margaret Montone
Dear Residents, I am happy to report to you an exciting update on the Cliffwood Beach Restoration Project. A project that the township administration has been working on since 2021, our long-awaited vision to revitalize Cliffwood Beach is making significant strides.
As many of you know, the restoration project is a critical endeavor aimed at preserving and enhancing our beloved beach, ensuring its beauty and usability for future generations. I am pleased to announce that our final project designs have been formally submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for approval. This is a significant milestone, and it marks a key step towards bringing our plans to fruition. Our plans include tidal break waters, to disperse the tidal energy eroding the beach, significant sand replenishment, dunes, a vegetative forest, as well as a 500foot fishing pier for added recreation.
The good news continues with the
support of the REPI (Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration) program from Naval Station Earle, through our sponsor, Monmouth University. We are fortunate to have been included in this year’s program, which includes matching funds that will significantly boost our project’s financial resources. We are continuing to look for more funding for this project through our county, state and federal partners. These partnerships are vital to preserving our rich history at Cliffwood Beach.
We are optimistic that we will receive NJDEP approval shortly, officially making us “shovel ready.” The project’s progress brings us ever closer to our goal of a revitalized Cliffwood Beach, ready to be enjoyed by all for many years to come. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for this important project. Together, we are making significant strides towards a brighter future for Cliffwood Beach.
Respectfully Submitted, Margaret Montone
Deputy Mayor, Aberdeen Township
Hors D’oeuvres - AppetizersSalads - Party Subs - Cold & Hot Buffests - Sandwich Trays - SidesDesserts
Prepared Foods - Gourmet PlattersItalian Specialties - Fresh BreadHand Rolled and Baked On PremisesButcher On Premises - Homemade Soups & Sauces
Includes: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Sausages, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Watermelon. Grilling Chef Available. Wait
HOT CATERING
Starting At $1695 per person (min. 20 People)
Choice of Chicken Cacciatore, Sausage Peppers & Onions, Eggplant Rollatini, Stuffed Shells, Chicken Francaise, Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Sliced Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy, Barbeque Ribs, Pepper Steak, Tortellini with SunDried Tomato Cream Sauce & Much More! Choice of Homemade Italian Bread or Rolls, Green Tossed Salad with Balsmic Vinaigrette. Package Includes: Stemo, Chafing Dishes and Free Cookie Tray.
COLD BUFFET
$1200 per person (min. 20 People)
Beautifully arranged trays of the finest Cold Cuts and Cheeses. Choice of four Meats & one Cheese. Plus Fresh Baked Rolls, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, & Macaroni Salad, Pickles & Olives, Mustard & Mayonnaise.
MATAWAN WELCOMES
CHAMBER CONNECT
Continued from page 1
Entertainment & Synergy HomeCare. Lastly, sponsor and vendor applications are being accepted for Aberdeen Day
on Sept. 21 (call the Township for an application) and Matawan Day on Oct. 5 (visit the chamber website at macocnj. com or email matawanday@gmail.com).
THE ACT IS CHANGING
By Paul Pscolka
A few months ago, a student took a mock SAT and a mock ACT to see which test was comparably higher. When the results were in, it was no contest—she scored an 1170 on the SAT. Her 27 on the ACT was the equivalent of a 1280 on the SAT. Mother and daughter were both astonished— the daughter preferred to take the SAT because she found it easier. I explained that, if we prepped for the SAT, she would have to make a decent improvement just to be at the starting point of her ACT score. She prepped for the ACT.
Apparently, my student is not the only one who prefers the SAT. The ACT has been losing market share since the section adaptive, computer based, 41 minute-shorter SAT was rolled out. The ACT had to act fast.
The non-profit ACT was purchased in April by a private equity firm, Nexus Capital Management. Three months after the acquisition, the ACT announced the biggest changes to the test since 1989. The test will now
• have an optional science section (science is required in the current iteration of the test)
• be shorter—2 hours and 5 minutes
without the science, 2 hours and 45 minutes with the science (the current test is 2 hours and 55 minutes)
• have more time per question—58 seconds per question (the current test allots 49 seconds per question)
The new ACT will have a paper and a digital option but will otherwise be identical to each other. The test will first be administered online beginning in April of 2025 on national test dates. The first new paper and pencil test is expected in September of 2025 national test dates.
Will these changes begin the demise of the ACT or will it help increase the ACT’s market share? Only time will tell. Suggestion for a topic? You can reach me at Paul.Pscolka@ivymasters.com
732-485-6480 www.ivymasters.com
CHECK IT OUT: LIBRARY NEWS!
It’s already August! But don’t worry - there’s still time for summer fun at the library! It’s not too late to sign up for our summer reading program for kids, teens, and adults – we’ll be accepting reading logs and raffle tickets until 8/17. Here are a sampling of events coming up this month: For adults, we have an EBay 101 class on 8/1, After-Hours Music on 8/16, and Zentangle on 8/22. Registration is required for all of these events. For kids, don’t miss the August Kids Challenge from 8/1-8/8, Outdoor Story Times on 8/13 and 8/23 (weather permitting), TWO Mad Science programs on 8/8 and 8/14 (registration is required), and our End Party will mark the end of Summer Reading on 8/17. No registration is required for the party and kids of all ages are welcome. For tweens and teens, we are having a Teen Glow-in-the-Dark Movie Night on 8/9, from 6:30-9pm (registration required). Also, Teen Tote Bag Painting on 8/12 (registration required), and Teen Craft on the Go on 8/30 (no registration required).
FOR TEACHERS: On Sunday, August
18th from 1-5pm, we are hosting another Teacher Book Giveaway! Books for children and teens - most in excellent or very good condition - will be available for teachers to pick up (no limits and no cost!) for their classroom use. Teachers must bring their school ID or pay stub and their own bags/boxes to transport the books. Non-teachers will not be admitted.
See our events calendar on our website for our full August calendar: www.mapl.org.
Have a question? Give us a call at 732-583-9100, stop by, visit our website, or drop us an email at info@mapl.org. The library is open 7 days a week and our friendly staff is happy to assist you!
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Kimberly Paone, Library Director Matawan Aberdeen Public Library
A Step Above...
Now accepting PreK3,PreK4 and Kindergarten Enrollment.
• Top 15% Nationally in Mathematics & Language Arts.
