All Around Matawan-Aberdeen 2022

MATAWAN-ABERDEEN

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MATAWAN ABERDEEN!

It’s the time of the year to bundle up and enjoy the Winter Holiday Season!

On behalf of the Matawan Aberdeen Chamber of Com merce, I would like to take this opportunity to wish our commu nity a happy and healthy holiday season! I would also like to give special thanks to our communi ty Police, Fire, EMS and DPW for their continued efforts in making our community a great place to live, raise our fami lies and grow our businesses.

Welcome to our newest member, Jennifer Arpaia of All There Boutique, 347 Matawan Rd. During this holiday season of giving, we invite you to donate to those in need. The Matawan Aberdeen Chamber of Com merce will be running its annual food drive during the month of December to benefit the local Matawan Food Pantry and Matawan United Methodist Church Food Pantry. Dona tions of non-perishables can be dropped off at the Chamber office at 201 Broad Street, Matawan, and at Chamber member, RE/MAX Champion’s office located at 755 Highway 34, Matawan. In addition, Lares Home Care at 1000 Route 34 will Continue on page 16

THE PASSING OF CHIEF MESSINA

By Chief Thomas J. Falco Jr

Chief Messina began his career with the Matawan Police Depart ment in 1958 and served as a Patrol man, Detective, Detective Ser geant, and Detective Lieutenant before being promoted to Chief of Police in 1986. Messina faith fully served the Borough and the Police Department as the fifth Chief of Police in the depart ment’s history, for fourteen years, until his retirement in 2000.

In 1968 , while serving as the department’s first and only detective, Messina was instru

mental in the arrest of a murder suspect of a Main Street store owner. His actions resulted in his promotion to Detective Sergeant a short while later. Chief Messina was the Past President of the Monmouth County Police Chief’s Associa tion and was an active member of the Bayshore Task Force Executive Board throughout his tenure as Chief of Police.

Due to his long tenure as Chief of Police, he served as a respected mentor to many incoming Chiefs of Police throughout the Bayshore. Please keep the Messina family in your thoughts and prayers.

KP EDGESTONE REALTY FOOD & TOY DRIVE 2022

By Jeffrey Kagan

The holiday season is also known as the season of giving. It’s the time of year that many people look to see how they can help one another. It’s when we strive to lend a hand to someone not as fortunate. In keeping with the spirit of the season, KP Edge stone Realty is sponsoring their 4th Annual Food & Toy Drive which ends on December 19th.

For the past four years, KP Edge stone Realty has invited people to participate in this drive which will help many of our friends and neighbors in the Matawan area.

Joel Pascua, the co-own er of the brokerage says “We know how important it is to

give back to the community to help others. It makes you feel good to know you’re making someone else’s life just a little better. We try to get involved and volunteer as much as we can.”

KP Edgestone Realty is accept ing canned goods, non-perish able items and new or unopened toys until December 19th. Pet food donations are also happily accepted. But there is no need to go in person to their office. KP Edgestone Realty encourages donors to go to their favorite online store (Amazon, Target, etc.) and buy goods for donation online and have them shipped directly to the brokerage at 76

Main Street, Matawan, NJ 07747.

All food donations will be taken to the Matawan Food Pantry. Last year, KP Edgestone was able to collect over 1,000 lbs of food. Toys are donated to Toys For Tots, and any pet related donations will be given to the Old Bridge Twp. Animal Shelter.

reprinted with permission from Chief Thomas J. Falco Jr.

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Blues and Cruise night and one of our best-ever Matawan Day. We’ve continued to improve our parks, and multiple new busi nesses have come to town. We’ve successfully moved our police to a new location at Borough Hall. In addition, we remain com mitted to making infrastructure improvements, including paving roads and ensuring the various departments have the necessary equipment to do their jobs ef fectively. Most recently, Sapphire Street and our heavily traveled Center St. have been completed.

It was great to see our commu nity out and enjoying the Turkey Trot and annual tree lighting, our last events for the season. As we wrap up the year, I reflect on all we accomplished; Matawan has much to be proud of. From our many recreation events through out the year, new possibilities on Main Street, including our new

I want to thank the Council, all of the Borough employees, our professionals, and the de partments for their hard work and dedication to the Borough. Whether it’s maintaining our parks, making sure leaves get picked up, or ensuring all the day-to-day is handled, it is all very important, and we couldn’t do it without the commit ment of many. Again, I want to express gratitude to our police department, fire department, and emergency services for

keeping us safe around the clock. Furthermore, we need the help of many to make it all happen, and it’s all very much needed and greatly appreciated. We look forward to con tinuing to work hard for you in the upcoming year and will be sharing more of our plans shortly. In the meantime, I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a joyful holiday season! Please stay safe and reach out if there is anything I can assist you with at joseph.altomon te@matawanborough.com.

Matawan Mayor Joseph Altomonte

LAST FEW WEEKS TO DONATE TO TOYS FOR TOTS

Now, we are in our Holiday season again, All Around Old Bridge, wants to give back to our most prized com munity members, our children, this season with a goal of 2,500 toys to donate, we can reach that goal this year with your help. Just think the smiles we will bring to the children this year. Each year, the residents and business es support those in need around the holidays by participating in our Annual Giving Event “Toys for Tots”, we will begin collecting donations through December 16h to help provide the much-needed joy the children deserve for the holidays. Over the last 2 years we have collected over 3,650 toys and watched as residents both from and outside Old Bridge lent a helping- hand. With a donation from each of our businesses

and residents, we can help provide toys for many children this holiday season, together we can make a difference. To make your donation, you can drop off a toy at any drop off locations (see page 14) or you can scan the QR code to donate and a toy will be purchased.

CHECK IT OUT: LIBRARY NEWS!

Each Decem ber, MAPL cel ebrates The Fes tival of Giving – we collect items through out the month to then give to individuals in need. This year, along with our ongoing collection for the Matawan Food Pantry, we are collecting travel-sized toiletries that our teen volunteers will package, and we are request ing donations of new mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves for our Mitten Tree. We are again partnering with the Woman’s Club of Matawan to collect books for their Giving Tree, where those who donate may take a handcrafted ornament.

Our December programs are a seasonal gift to our patrons of all ages! We are featuring craft-on-the-go and drop-in crafting programs, as well as many other opportunities to make, learn, relax, and have fun!

On December 8th, we have a

Bracelet Making program for our patrons ages 18 and over – you can make a bracelet for your self, or to give as a holiday gift!

On December 10th, we will host a Family Cookie Baking program on Zoom – fami lies of all kinds are welcome!

On December 12th, we are excited to have Teen Stress Busters for patrons in grades 6-12. Teens in attendance will make an aromatherapy bracelet and indulge in a meditation session.

On December 17th, we will host TWO Polar Express parties – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Come in your PJs and enjoy story

time, games, and hot cocoa!

Some programs require reg istration. For more details about our December events, visit our website at www.matawanab erdeenlibrary.com, stop by, or give us a call at 732-583-9100.

Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season!

Kimberly Paone, Library Director Matawan Aber deen Public Library

THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING FOR THE SAT AND ACT

Students can find out whether SAT or ACT is better by taking a mock test of each. While mock tests are official, released tests, taking one does not count towards college admissions. Oftentimes, parents want to use the PSAT to compare to the ACT, but the PSAT is out of 1520, not 1600, and is usually too old to get an accurate com parison. The date and scoring difference also does not make it great to use as a baseline test. We recommend at least a practice test to start (to establish a baseline score), one when prep is halfway done (to assess improve ment) and one before the student takes their official test (as a dress rehearsal). That being said, students with the biggest score improvements are usually those who take mock tests consistently.

This is the advantage of mock testing vs testing on your own:

1) Sally might not be a “morning person.” She could be a rock star at 4pm, but she’s going to need to perform at 8am. Stu dents arrive at our tests at 7:45am, just like they would on test day. They have to train themselves to perform well at that time.

2) Most people’s attention spans are 2 hours. That’s why movies are 2 hours. On the SAT

and ACT, students have to focus for a full 3 hours. Practice focus ing for that long period of time will get students better at focus ing for that long period of time.

3) When a parent calls to tell me that Sally is a nervous test taker, as you know, what that means is that Sally gets so nervous that it hurts her per formance. There are actually 2 types of stress—distress and eu stress. Ask any athlete if he/she

was nervous before and during their best performance and they will inevitably tell you that they were. That’s the eustress… that’s the good stuff. If Sally is a nervous test taker, taking mock tests with some consistency can bring down her level of stress from distress, to eustress.

Mock tests are free to Ivy

Master students. Suggestion for a topic? You can reach me at Paul.Pscolka@ivymasters.com 732-485-6480 www.ivymasters. com Check out my interview: https://gettestbright.com/whypractice-tests-matter-so-much/

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN GIFTING A PET COME TO CLIFFWOOD BEACH

By Anita Greenberg, DVM

Dr. Anita Greenberg and her husband, Dr. Daniel Belli, are the owners and operators of the East Brunswick Animal Hospital for more than 30 years. Dr. Greenberg has been a member of the Old Bridge Township Council since 2016

Giving pets as gifts should not be taken lightly. Not everyone is ready for the years of commitment that comes along with all the cuteness of a pet. Be sure the recipient accepts the responsibility and care commitment. Get details of what type of pet the person would like. Consider the energy level, size, age, and species of the pet desired. Get specifics.

Different pets come with different responsibilities so understanding the recipient’s abilities and limitations can help you choose a pet that is

right for them. Always ask and receive permission before giving someone a pet as a gift.

Do not ignore the cost factor of having and caring for a pet. Besides food, take into account wellness visits, vaccines, pre ventative medicines, spaying or neutering, and unexpected expenses. Does the pet need to be groomed? You don’t want the pet to be a financial burden. Is the recipient old enough to care for the pet? If you are gifting a pet to a child, be sure other family members are willing to help care for the pet.

Make sure the recipient is allowed to have pets where they live. If they are renters, sometimes there is an added cost to have pets. Are they willing to incur that cost?

Match the pet to the person’s lifestyle! Does the recipient travel often for pleasure or work? Does the person have a heavy work schedule? They may not have the time to care for a pet.

Having a pet requires a lifetime commitment to the

pet. That is every day, for the entire life of the pet. Consider the lifespan of the pet. The average life of an African Gray parrot, for example, is 60 years!

Avoid impulse purchas es. During the holidays, it is often a busy, hectic and stress ful time. It may not be the best time for the individual to acquire a pet. Find this out first.

Yet, without a doubt, pets can be the best gift, as they bring so much joy. Review all factors beforehand and make sure you having a willing recipient.

And consider adopting, as there are so many pets waiting for a loving home.

I suggest a visit to the Old Bridge Animal Shelter on Route 516 at the Municipal Complex in Old Bridge. How won derful it would be to clear the shelter for the holidays. How joyful it would be to have happy owners matched with the loving gift of a pet from the shelter.

In the early twentieth century, American prosperity opened the floodgates to new concepts of leisure. With access for ferry boats, railroads and the eventual introduction to the automobile, urban city-dwellers in New York and its boroughs began meandering to the beaches of New Jersey. Long before the Turnpike and Parkway, the access to the “shore” were the roads later known as route 35 & 36. One beachfront resort town became a primary stop for beachgoers looking for Saturday lounging on the beach, walks over the ever-popular board walk, quality meals, music at the casino and the enjoyment of the amenities of Cliffwood Beach.

Although the concept came about in the 1800’s, the pinnacle of Cliffwood Beach’s popularity exploded in the roaring 20’s when new bungalows were constructed as weekend getaway homes for beachgoers. Treasure Lake (formerly known as Swan Lake) became another popular portion of Cliffwood Beachknown locally as the spot where the infamous pirate- Captain Kidd stashed his treasure on his routine trips to this vicinity.

A popular salt-water pool was constructed along the cliffs at Cliffwood Beach and became the spot where Olympic swimmer and actor (who played Tarzan), Johnny Weissmuller trained.

Wishing you all a won derful holiday season! Continue on page 19

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MATAWAN ABERDEEN!

Continued from page 1

be conducting its Annual Coat Drive. Please reach out to these members to help our communi ty. Thank you to all who donated to Chamber member, KP Edgestone’s food and toy drive during the month of November. We’d also like to invite you to experience Holiday Caroling Cheer presented by the stu dents of Music & Art Academy

of Matawan. Our local stu dents will be performing on Tues. Dec 13 from 6-8 pm at Town Square Diner and on Sat. Dec. 17 from 2:30-4:30pm at Just Love Café. Stop by, grab a bite and enjoy the show!

The Chamber will host a Bowling Night Meet and Greet on Tuesday January 17th from 6-8 pm. Visit MACOCNJ.com for details. A portion of the pro

ceeds will go to the Matawan Ab erdeen Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award. We encour age you to bring your co-workers and share in a night of Bowling, Pizza, Friendship and Fun!

Wishing everyone a blessed holiday, and a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Jeff Pantelas, Pres ident, Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce.

HOLIDAYS-A TIME

FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND STRESS!

Between gifts, parties, and family dynamics, it’s easy to let holidays get the best of you. It doesn’t have to! Here’s how: Create a budget. A big source of stress is money. This is especially true if you’re concerned about affording gifts or putting food on the table. Decide how much to spend for each person on your list, and find ways to stick to it. Another source of stress is doing too much. If you’re trying to finish all the shopping, cooking and wrapping at the last minute, you’re not going to enjoy anything! To avoid this, plan as much as possible. Make lists of gifts needed, recipes to make, and errands to run to stay orga nized. Holidays are about spending time with loved ones, not crossing things off

your to do list. Take time for yourself. Whether it’s getting extra sleep, taking a bath, or reading your fa vorite book, taking time for you reduces stress and gives you the energy you need to make it through the season. Take time to plan for the new year, especially if looking to make changes in your life or achieve specific goals. Taking time to think about what you want to accomplish allows you to develop a plan to stay on track. It’s also good to reflect on the past year. What went well? What could have been better? What did you learn? These insights can help you make more informed choices as you move into 2023. The holidays don’t have to be stressful. By using these tips you’ll be sure to have a warm and cozy holiday season.

Heather Wyatt Health & Wellness Coach WyattCoaching 973-337-7265

WyattCoaching.com

Instagram: @_heatherwyatt

SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS

By Councilman Brian Livesey

helps grow other businesses as well as our region’s tax base. Whether you realize it or not, when you shop local you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping shape Matawan’s commu nity’s unique character and personality.

When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in your neigh borhood and community. In fact, for every $100 spent, roughly $68 to $70 dollars is returned to the local commu nity according to the website Rubicon. Money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing local

Matawan has some great offerings for holiday gift buying, gift cards from Main Street Donuts, Brew Coffee Bar, and Juice Life make great gifts for teachers, crossing guards, and service workers. The Geekery is stocked with books and toys for the geek that lives in all of us. Stock up on all your holiday party needs at the Party Outlet on Broad St in Matawan. Step into Sparkle Boutique on Main Street and pick up your New Year’s Eve ball gown or a nice dress for the holidays. For those with a bigger holiday budget, stop into Park Across the Street Art Gallery on Main Street for some fine art, or lease a new car at Marrero Auto Group. Gift cards for oil changes or auto repairs make great stocking stuffers. There are many other shopping options to visit around town, make a day of it and make sure you have lunch or dinner in one of Matawan’s great restaurants.

IN MEMORIAM

FRANK SIRIANNI

AUGUST 17, 1940 - NOVEMBER 22, 2022

82 OF OLD BRIDGE, VISITATION WAS HELD AT WAITT FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, MORGANVILLE

SYLVIA MOTTA

JANUARY 20, 1939 - NOVEMBER 18, 2022

83, OF SPOTSWOOD, VISITATION WAS HELD AT BEDLE FUNERAL HOME

ADRIAN QUINN

NOVEMBER 13, 1974 - NOVEMBER 14, 2022

48 OF PARLIN, VISITATION WAS HELD AT BEDLE FUNERAL HOME

CAROLINE FOSTER

MAY 2, 1933 - NOVEMBER 13, 2022

89 OF MONROE, VISITATION WAS HELD AT OLD BRIDGE FUNERAL HOME

PATRICIA THEODOROPOULOS

JULY 26, 1946 - NOVEMBER 23, 2022

76 OF OLD BRIDGE, VISITATION WAS HELD AT OLD BRIDGE FUNERAL HOME

COME TO CLIFFWOOD BEACH

LUCIA KURTZ

SEPTEMBER 17, 1965 - NOVEMBER 24, 2022

57, OF OLD BRIDGE,VISITATION WAS HELD AT OLD BRIDGE FUNERAL HOME

DARRIN HIBAN

SEPTEMBER 12, 1965 - NOVEMBER 4, 2022

57 OF MORGANVILLE, VISITATION WAS HELD AT WAITT FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, MORGANVILLE

APRIL 1, 1929 - NOVEMBER 5, 2022

93 OF OLD BRIDGE, VISITATION WAS HELD AT OLD BRIDGE

To send condolences to families please visit www.waittfh.com

Continued from page 10

Restaurants, such as the Cat N’ Fiddle became local spots for fine dining and a music casino was constructed on the mound between the ocean front and Treasure Lake- giving patrons 360 degrees of the coast and Lakefront. Due to rapid expansion of owner ship of automobiles following World War 2, the creation of new New Jersey highways and other factors, beachgoers had easier transit to destination further south along the jersey shore. After three successive hurricanes hit Cliffwood in the 1950’s, the boardwalk and much of it attractions were completely destroyed and never rebuilt. A few restaurants and the saltwater pool continued to operate

however, but by the 1970’s even the pool shut down and Cliffwood Beach became a mere shadow of what it once was.

By the 1990’s the remnants of the former resort and beachfront had fallen into despair, where few felt safe to even take an afternoon stroll. More recent ly, Cliffwood is on the rebound- with an influx of new homes, new parks and a whole new “Cliffwalk,” peering over the remnants of a bygone era of New Jersey history. One can still see remnants of the former Casino, pool and boardwalk and new events are happening. “Sooner or later, every thing old is new again”- Stephen King.

Kurtis Roinestad

Matawan Town Historia

ROSE MARIE ARVIDSON-WILTON

FUNERAL HOME