MACOC is proud to announce its new Executive Board as of Oct. 1, 2024. Please join me in congratulating Michael Grandi, President, Alan Ao, Co-Vice President, Matthew Salducci, Co-Vice President, Barbara Downs-McNulty, Esq., Secretary, and Kimberly Paone, Treasurer. Following on the trail of a successful Matawan Day in its new location on Oct. 5th, this past month saw the Chamber hold two unique events. We hosted a fun tailgating party at Stewarts Root Beer of Matawan and an informative luncheon presentation on AI by Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes of NJSBDC of Brookdale at Alternate Ending Beer Co. in Aberdeen. We also celebrated Matawan Dental Galleria’s grand re-opening of its brand new state-of-the-art facility on Hwy 34 in Matawan/ Old Bridge. As we head into the holiday season, we are looking forward to a few more networking events. The Chamber would like to welcome our newest members - Care at Home Agency, Melinda’s Meat Market & Zen Business. Finally, on behalf of the Board of Directors & Chamber Members, we wish you all a blessed, peaceful & Happy Thanksgiving.
MATAWAN TURKEY TROT 5K HAS BECOME A THANKSGIVING TRADITION
By Cathy Zavorskas,
This year marks the 18th year of the Matawan Borough Turkey Trot 5k and Fitness Walk. It began in 2006 with discussions held by the Matawan Recreation Commission. “The members were aware of the need to do something to enhance and improve the parks within the Borough. We wanted to create a revenue source specifically targeting park utilization and beautification. The result was the Turkey Trot 5k and Fitness Walk” stated Michael Mullaney, a commission member at the time. With the assistance of commission members, family
and others, Mike served as race director, and on November 25th, the inaugural Turkey Trot 5k took place with roughly 200 registered runners and walkers. Eighteen years later, with a new certified course ready to debut, the event remains focused on raising funds for the beautification of the Borough parks and downtown. The Recreation Commission has purchased downtown seasonal decorations and park items such as new benches, plants, bushes, and flowers, and a gazebo by Hourihan Field. Turkey Trot 2024 funds will
purchase additional decorations, benches and perhaps even improved lighting for Terhune Park.
To register, go to matawanborough.com, or RunSignUp.com and search Matawan Borough Turkey Trot. We would like to have at least 650 runners again this year. A free kids’ dash and medal ceremony are also part of the event. Keep in mind that only those who register before 11/19 are guaranteed a race shirt.
After seventeen years, it is fair to say that the Matawan Borough Turkey Trot 5k & Fitness Walk
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REMEMBERING JOSEPH “BUD” MULLANEY
Joseph “Bud” Patrick Mullaney, Sr., 79, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024, surrounded
by his wife and three children. Born in Red Bank, NJ on March 30, 1945, Bud was the youngest of Patrick and Catherine (Gahan) Mullaney’s five sons. He will be eternally remembered as a visionary, a humanitarian, and a devout Catholic. In 1964, Bud established Mullaney Tire & Car Care. Celebrating his 60th year in business brought him great pride and joy. He was heavily involved in the automotive industry and volunteered on many boards and associations. He served as
president of the New Jersey Tire Dealers Association, on the Board of Directors of the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association and Tire Industry Association, and on the Brookdale Community College Advisory Committee on Automotive Technology. Bud was a true, goodwill ambassador of his community; a past Grand Knight and member of the 4th degree of St. Joseph’s Council #3402, Knights of Columbus, a committee chairperson for 30 years for the Boy
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Matawan Borough Director of Community Engagement
DOES ANYONE KNOWS HOW THESE ENDED UP IN TERHUNE PARK
By Steven Russell, Councilman for the Borough of Matawan
It was a bright, beautiful, and warm day for Matawan Day Fall Festival 2024. It was a pleasure to meet so many people enjoying the activities and visiting the over 150 vendors. The new location at Hourihan Field, Terhune Park, South Street, and Broad Street proved to be excellent for such an event. It was so easy to stroll through
the different areas, chatting with a vendor here, and a family there. As I was wandering down the pathway into Terhune Park, I stopped to visit one of the booths and just happened to look down at my feet. There on the ground I saw several plaques and what looked like headstones positioned in a little niche nears some shrubs. One of them said, “Nature’s gardens are life’s beauty.” Another said, “People get ready there’s a train a coming, don’t need no ticket, just get on board.” I tried to find out where these came from but had no success. If anyone knows how these ended up in Terhune Park, contact me through the borough. We will add this mystery to our amazing town story.
MATAWAN TURKEY TROT 5K HAS BECOME A THANKSGIVING TRADITION
By Cathy Zavorskas, Matawan Borough Director of Community Engagement
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has become a part of many families’ Thanksgiving traditions. They’ll count on arriving in Terhune Park on Satur-
day morning, November 30th, getting themselves ready to race down Matawan’s winding and picturesque roads once again.
MATAWAN MAYOR ALTOMONTE MESSAGE
It was an exciting moment for our community to welcome the production of Song Sung Blue to Matawan. Being part of a major film project with stars like Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson showcased the unique charm of our town and its potential as a prime destination for filmmakers.
Matawan’s blend of historic character and modern amenities made it the perfect setting. With scenic lakes, over 300 years of history, and a diverse, welcoming community, our town offered a beautiful backdrop for the film. Our proximity to New York and Philadelphia, along with easy access to highways and public transit, further cemented Matawan’s appeal for production teams.
By participating in NJ’s “film-ready” designation, Matawan gains an elevated platform to promote itself as a filming destination, connecting film and TV professionals with skilled local liaisons who can offer expertise, streamline access
to resources, and provide key location information for more efficient productions.
Set in the 1990s, Song Sung Blue tells the story of two small-town musicians from Milwaukee navigating love and rising careers. The production team worked closely with the administration and police department to ensure public safety and managed street closures with minimal disruption. Their proactive coordination with residents and local businesses was greatly appreciated throughout the process.
We were proud to support the crew by renting space in our municipal building and providing a welcoming environment. Beyond the excitement, this project brought economic benefits to our borough and will encourage visitors to explore Matawan, boosting local businesses.
Hosting Song Sung Blue reflects Matawan’s ability to attract high-profile productions. We hope the film’s success will inspire more projects to choose our town, building on this momentum. We look forward to seeing the movie on the big screen and celebrating Matawan’s contribution to this heartwarming story.
A MESSAGE FROM THE MATAWAN ABERDEEN BOARD OF EDUCATION
It’s November and we’re proud to announce that our new, user-friendly website www.marsd.org is up and running. After input from students, staff, district families, and the overall community, we believe this design and functionality will serve all of us well. Here are some highlights:
• A fresh, consistent design across all schools
• Easily accessible information in intuitive places
• One district-wide calendar with layers to filter what you need, such as school events,
• Activities, athletics, and the overall district calendar
• Information that can be accessed by screen readers and auto translators
• Back-end information loading that is much easier for our staff
• We hope it serves your needs easily and quickly.
Our Assistant Superintendent, Michael Liebmann, presented our district assessment data report at our October 17th board meeting (presentation can be found on www.marsd.org). The information was clear about how our students scored and ranked against others in the state. While
we are proud of what we did well, the board recognizes that there are areas for improvement. This data will be used by our administration and staff to guide instructional decisions throughout the school year.
Lastly, it’s state mandated that we attend training throughout the year to stay up-todate on how to serve our district effectively with timely information and relevant tools. That is why we attended the New Jersey School Board Association (NJBSA) annual conference in October. We took courses on topics such as governance, curriculum and instruction, policy and legal, budgeting, finance and facilities, communication and PR, and safety and security. We’re proud to report that Board VP Annette Ascoli spoke on a panel about Women in Education Leadership. We have come back to serve you as an even stronger board and we welcome your input.
ANY HAIRCUT
DEANA GUNN, MATAWAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT
The Borough of Matawan is set to save over $300,000 in healthcare costs for 2025 due to strategic decisions regarding health benefit plans. The move to transition out of the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and explore alternatives such as Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield and a newly forming Health Insurance Fund (HIF) has proven beneficial. According to a recent proposal, the overall cost increase for the borough will be just 1.1%, significantly lower than the SHBP’s projected growth of 16.3% for active employees and 17.9% for retirees. The new health insurance plan will
utilize Horizon’s network, and Medicare Advantage retirees will switch to Braven as the Medicare network, all while maintaining equal or better coverage. The HIF has even offered active and pre-65 retirees a rate freeze for 2025, ensuring no increase from 2024. This careful planning and negotiation will result in substantial savings of $314,000 for the Borough’s 2025 budget, all while continuing to offer comprehensive healthcare benefits to employees. This proactive approach highlights the borough’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and employee welfare, ensuring sustainable benefits without burdening taxpayers. As we prepare to finalize the transition, residents and employees can be confident that these changes will benefit both the borough’s finances and its workers.
ABERDEEN PBA TRUNK OR TREAT BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER
On October 19th, Matawan Regional High School’s parking lot transformed into a festive hub as the Aberdeen Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) Local 163 hosted its highly anticipated Annual Trunk or Treat. This year’s gathering was particularly special, as it honored the memory of Clyde Cameron, a beloved member of the Aberdeen/Keyport community whose service, especially to the area’s youth, continues to inspire.
Families from Aberdeen and surrounding areas flocked to the event, eager to partake in a delightful array of activities. The parking lot was lined with creatively
decorated cars, each offering games, treats and surprises that brought smiles to the faces of young trick-or-treaters. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the sounds of laughter and excitement echoing through the school grounds.
Attendees were treated to an assortment of fun activities, including haunted hay rides, bounce houses, pony rides and a petting zoo. For those seeking a seasonal touch, the pumpkin patch offered a perfect opportunity for families to pick their own pumpkins and take a few photos.
The event not only served as a safe trick-or-treating alternative but also fostered community spirit and connection. The Aberdeen PBA expressed gratitude to all the volunteers, residents and local businesses that contributed to the success of the event, emphasizing the importance of community engagement.
Aberdeen Police Chief Matthew Lloyd echoed these sentiments saying, “The Aberdeen PBA put on a great event and once again were blessed with great weather.” “We hope to see you at the Annual PBA Trunk or Treat next year!”
MAYOR TAGLIARINI MESSAGE
Dear friends, At this time, Aberdeen Township Recreation Department is putting the final touches on year end holiday events. Our Town Hall Christmas Tree Lighting will be Dec 5th at 6:00pm. Our Town Hall Menorah Lighting will be Monday Dec 30th at 6:00pm. We welcome the entire community to these events.
Before we get to the end of the year, let’s stop and reflect on Thanksgiving.
The Council and I send you and your
family our warmest wishes. We hope you spend time with family,friends and everyone who matter on this occasion. Let’s be grateful for the men and women in the Armed Forces, our Police and Fire Departments and all first responders.
The Council thanks you for the honor and trust you have bestowed on us.
My best wishes to all of you, Fred Tagliarini Mayor,Aberdeen Township Fred.Tagliarini@Aberdeennj.org
732.275.7612
Choice of Pasta
Lasagna Layers of fresh pasta with mozzarella cheese, creamy ricotta and our fresh homemade tomato sauce
Baked Ziti Ziti pasta mixed with fresh ricotta cheese, mozzarella and our fresh tomato sauce baked golden brown. Topped with grated cheese
Stuffed Shells lled with ricotta cheese covered with our fresh sauce
Penne & Vodka Penne pasta with DeMarco’s famous vodka sauce
Mon-Tues-Wed 9-5 Thurs-Sat 9-6 Sunday 9-4
Choice of Half Tray Sides
Sausage Stuf ng sausage, celery onions, peppers, apples, bread & white wine
Roasted Sweet Potatoes, fresh sweet potatoes, brown sugar & butter in a light maple glaze
Mashed Potatoes, white mashed chef potatoes whipped with butter & cream
Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms, spinach, ricotta, cream, Romano cheese
Broccoli & Garlic, fresh steamed broccoli with sautéed garlic
Sweet Baby Carrots, sautéed baby carrots in a light brandy butter sauce
Mashed Sweet Potatoes, marshmallows baked golden brown
Pumpkin, Coconut
LIBRARY NEWS!
Since September of 2023 (with a short break over the summer), MAPL’s Crochet/ Knit for a Cause has been meeting once a month. The group, led by Reference Librarian, Cecelia, has grown to 30 members in that time. They are provided with yarn and patterns (they bring their own needles, hooks, and skills!) and they work to create chemo caps for cancer patients, baby blankets, hats and scarves and gloves for adults and children as well as wheelchair shawls, lapghans (small afghans to put across your legs when sitting), and washcloths. All of these items are donated to local nursing homes, the food pantry, hospitals, and many local organizations supporting veterans, homeless individuals, and others in need. Since last September, the group has completed 373 items and continues their work as the cold weather is approaching!
If you would like to join the group (if you can’t make it to meetings, but would like to drop off completed items to the library,
that’s fine, too!) please contact Cecelia at the library for more information (must be 18 or over). If you know of an organization, or even a neighbor or friend, who would find comfort in our handmade items please contact us, as well. We do take donations of new yarn - especially 100% cotton yarn for our chemo caps and washcloths. 732-583-9100 or maplref@mapl.org
Please note that the library will be OPEN from 9am-12:30pm on Wednesday, November 27th (the day before Thanksgiving), but we’ll be CLOSED on Thursday, November 28th (Thanksgiving) and Friday, November 29th (the day after Thanksgiving) so that our staff can enjoy time with family and friends. We will reopen on Saturday, November 30th, at 9am so you can come visit us after the Turkey Trot!
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! Kimberly Paone, Library Director Matawan Aberdeen Public Library
WHEN CAN MY CHILD APPLY TO UNIVERSITY?
By Paul Pscolka
Deadlines are 11/1 or 11/15. For best advantage, a student should be the first to apply ED. Be done testing by June (SAT) or July (ACT) because the Common App(lication) (which is a website students go to to apply to many universities at once) opens August 1st. Students applying early can take the test as late as August (SAT) or September (ACT), and in some cases October (SAT, ACT). ED could confer the greatest advantage because it is binding–students who get in are committed. Universities love ED because it improves yield– the percent admitted who go–which improves rankings. ED could cause students the most stress. Admissions decisions for ED are made in mid-December.
Early Action (EA)
Deadlines are the same as ED deadlines. Early Action is non-binding. Early Action can still be an advantage, especially if a college has a bigger or more competitive than normal applicant pool applying regular decision. Applying early confers the greatest advantage to females, who apply in greater numbers than males and to disadvantaged students. Early action decisions are made in December and January.
Regular Decision
Regular Decision deadlines are typically January 1st or 15th. To be safe, students applying Regular Decision should be finished testing by November (SAT) or October (ACT) of senior year. However, taking these tests in December of senior year is usually not too late. Like Early Action, Regular Decision is non-binding. Applicants usually receive their decisions in March or April.
Rolling Admissions
Students applying to a university with a Rolling Admissions policy can apply as late as the summer before the academic term. Students might be able to test as late as March (SAT) or April (ACT), but December would be safe. Decisions are usually returned within a few weeks of submission. Suggestion for a topic? You can reach me at info@ivymasters.com 833-SATsACT (833-728-7228) www.ivymasters.com
FIND CALM THIS SEASON WITH ELLIE: NAVIGATING HOLIDAY AND ELECTION STRESS
The holiday season and political events, such as elections, can significantly contribute to stress and anxiety for many individuals. Juggling family gatherings, managing financial strain, and meeting expectations for gift-giving during the holidays often creates overwhelming pressure. At the same time, political events can stir strong emotions, heightening feelings of division and uncertainty. Together, these factors can disrupt routines and lead to increased anxiety, stress, and even depression.
To navigate this challenging period, prioritizing self-care is essential. Make time for healthy habits like getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in regular exercise. These physical activities can help stabilize both your mental and physical well-being. Setting boundaries is also important—limiting your exposure to social media or political news can reduce anxiety. Additionally, avoiding contentious political conversations during family gatherings can help preserve a peaceful atmosphere. Incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation, deep breathing, or
journaling, can help center your thoughts and reduce stress. These practices, combined with grounding exercises, can bring a sense of calm amid the chaos. Lastly, don’t hesitate to reach out for support, whether it’s confiding in a friend or seeking professional guidance from a therapist.
At Ellie Mental Health in Old Bridge, we are here to help you navigate the challenges of stress, anxiety, and mental health during the holidays and beyond.
Offering both in-person and virtual therapy, Ellie Mental Health is dedicated to serving the community’s needs with care and compassion. Reach out today to begin your journey to well-being.
