MATAWAN-ABERDEEN VOL 1, NO 5
HAPPY NEW YEAR, MATAWAN ABERDEEN! On behalf of the Matawan Aberdeen Chamb er of Commerce, welcome to the New Year, 2023! As we continue to grow and support the members of our Chamber and the Matawan-Aberdeen community, we look forward to the great things this year will bring. Many thanks to KP Edgestone Realty, RE/MAX Champions, the Matawan Public Library, and Matawan Food Pantry for their outstanding effort in providing food to those in need during this holiday season! A warm welcome to our newest members, Community Care Partners Mariya Rudinskaya and Lauren Wagenhoffer, as well as the Non-profit organization Jar of Hope’s, James Raffone. We welcomed our new members to the chamber at our Annual New Member Breakfast held at the newly opened Just Love Coffee Cafe on Broad Street in Matawan. It was great to have everyone connect with each other and the board members while they were treated to a delicious unique-style breakfast. We wound up the year with a Happy Hour Gathering at Ginkaku Japanese Bistro on Route 34 in Matawan, where Continue on page 16
A Publication for the community of Matawan & Aberdeen
A SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AND GIVING PREVAILS IN 2022 By Cathy Zavorskas
The year 2022 certainly had its ups and downs with economic uncertainty and political discord. But in Matawan, 2022 was a year where many focused their energy towards strengthening their commitment to community collaboration and on the depth of their generous spirit as they lent a helping hand to many in our area. While new businesses saw the value of opening in Matawan,
and new families moved in, a host of projects were organized and run by Borough commissions, council members, resident volunteers, and business owners. Contests, park renovation programs, a new car show, concerts, movies, lakeside dining, races, kids summer programs, senior classes, and the town street festival exemplified this commitment to community. Several of these programs and
activities received welcome assistance from organizations like the Matawan Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Matawan Aberdeen Public Library, and the Matawan Historical Society, and additional funding and products from several local businesses. The year ended on a grand high note with the Recreation Department’s beautifully orchestrated holiday tree lighting. Continue on page 4
thought of a way to help so they wouldn’t feel forgotten – a letter and card campaign. The Matawan Handy Helpers philosophy of neighbor helping neighbor had now expanded into a new program, Sending Seniors Smiles. The letters and cards produced smiles of gratitude from residents who were pleasantly surprised at the attention. Since then, 100s of letters have been
residents at Matawan assisted living and retirement communities in time for the holidays. Mayor Altomonte, Borough Council members Deana Gunn, Brian Livesey, and Councilman-elect Steven Russell were on hand to assist Lazar and Matawan Handy Helper volunteers Kurtis, Soren and Logan Roinestad in distributing the cards and letters. The staff and management of both Spring Hills and Minisink Village extend their gratitude to each letter or card writer. Please know your simple act of writing a letter or drawing a card brought laughter, tears, and smiles of appreciation for your kindness. Special thanks to Eddie Holland, Matawan Police, Economic Development Commission, and The Geekery for their assistance in making Sending Seniors Smiles a success.
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS AT THE HEART OF SENDING SENIORS SMILES written and distributed to the
In 2019, John Lazar, Borough Councilman at the time, co-founded the group, Matawan Handy Helpers – neighbors helping seniors in need of assistance with home repairs. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced assisted living and senior retirement communities to prohibit visitors including family members during the 2020 holiday season, Lazar
JANUARY 2023