MATAWAN-ABERDEEN VOL 1, NO 4
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 Commerce, I would like to take this opportunity to wish our community a happy and healthy holiday season! I would also like to give special thanks to our community Police, Fire, EMS and DPW for their continued efforts in making our community a great place to live, raise our families 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 Commerce 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. Donations 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
A Publication for the community of Matawan & Aberdeen
THE PASSING OF CHIEF MESSINA By Chief Thomas J. Falco Jr Chief Messina began his career with the Matawan Police Department in 1958 and served as a Patrolman, Detective, Detective Sergeant, and Detective Lieutenant before being promoted to Chief of Police in 1986. Messina faithfully served the Borough and the Police Department as the fifth Chief of Police in the department’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 Association 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.
reprinted with permission from Chief Thomas J. Falco Jr.
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 Edgestone Realty is sponsoring their 4th Annual Food & Toy Drive which ends on December 19th. For the past four years, KP Edgestone 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-owner 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 accepting canned goods, non-perishable 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.
DECEMBER 2022