Happy Fall Y’all! We began the season with the annual Aberdeen Day and Matawan Day festivals. A beautiful day brought many folks to Aberdeen Day held at MRHS with plenty of activities. Since the deadline for this article is before Matawan Day, I will say with a positive attitude that Matawan Day was also a beautiful day and very successful in its new location at the Community Center. The Chamber began the Fall with a fun night of miniature golf at Old Bridge Golf Course where we were joined by the Old Bridge Chamber & Old Bridge Mayor Walker & Council. We celebrated grand openings with ribbon cuttings at Aby’s Restaurant, Bellazio Collective & Mikey’s Meats with Matawan Mayor Altomonte & Council. A luncheon was held at Panini Bistro and we thank Dawn’s Pet Care Services for sponsoring this unique event. We are looking forward to a tailgate party at Stewart’s Root Beer in Oct. Finally, a big welcome to our newest MACOC members - First Light Home Care of Monmouth County, Gameday Men’s Health and Polished Pediatric Dentistry.
MATAWAN
RECREATION COMMISSION HAS A LOT TO OFFER IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF 2024
By Cathy Zavorskas, Director of Community Engagement, Borough of Matawan
Halloween is only a few weeks away and Matawan has plans for a Boo-tacular day. Scheduled for Friday, October 25th from 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm, the evening will include a combination of events, activities even a costume parade. There will be a Halloween maze, obstacle course, miniature golf, Halloween make ‘n takes, goodie bags. As an added bit of fun, we will end the night showing the movie, The Goonies in the park.
Following Halloween, Matawan calls all runners and walkers to attend the annual Turkey Trot 5K Race. It will be
the 18th year of this popular race scheduled for Saturday, November 30th at 8:30 am. The race offers all attendees a great course that brings them through winding and hilly roads in scenic neighborhoods of Matawan. A kids’ dash is also included in the event and all participants receive a participation medal. Get ready to walk or run on Saturday, November 30th at 8:30 am for a wonderful race and earn a medal and shirt to mark the occasion.
Finally, we end the year ushering in the holiday season with our spectacular holiday lights
event with hot chocolate, crafts, activities, smores and fire pits, festive performances and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Mark your calendars on Friday, December 6, 2024 for a wonderful night of community fun.
Information of all these events can be found on our social media pages and at MatawanBorough.com.
We hope you will plan to join us for these great community events that are meant to bring joy, comradery and laughter to all who come.
VETERAN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ABERDEEN TOWNSHIP
Over the last few years, the banners depicting our Hometown Heroes have flown over Aberdeen between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. In 2023, we sought to expand on our very successful Hometown Heroes Banner Program and debuted a
new Veterans Day Celebration with our first Annual Veterans Day Car Show. Our car show also included a ceremony to announce and honor the men and women who served in our military.
“As a veteran myself, there is no higher honor than to serve
the public in our military,” stated Councilman Robert Swindle. We want to make sure that the veteran community in Aberdeen knows we are thinking about them.”
This year we are expanding on our Car Show to include a Veterans Day Breakfast. Honorees will be invited with their families to join us Sunday, November 10th at Matawan Regional High School for breakfast and then invited outside for our Car Show and other festivities. For more information or to be added to the honoree list, please contact Brittany Shea at (732)583-4200 x132 or email Brittany.Shea@AberdeenNJ.org
44TH ANNUAL “HASH-ATHON 6 MILE RACE”,
On November 10th, Cheesequake State Park will play host to the 44th annual “Hash-a-thon”, a 6 mile trail race that winds through the backwoods of the hiking trails of the park. Runners will encounter beautiful scenery as the foliage color changing season is in full swing as well as protruding tree roots, stairs, mud, acorns along as the occasional small, non-domesticated animal. The event is being hosted by the Jersey Shore Running Club, a 501c3 charitable organization that hosts several dozen events each year to aid local benefactors. This year’s event will aid the Matawan-Aberdeen First Aid Squad. Justin Fata, Matawan-Aberdeen First Aid Squad’s President is looking forward to the event. “We’ve assisted the organizer each year and it is always a fun event to be part of. We are very grateful that they decided to appoint us as this year’s recipient. The race is followed by a pizza and beer party near the park pavilion where a bevy of unique awards are presented. Awards in the past have included: The “Magellan Award”-awarded to the runner who traveled the furthest to participate. The “Early Bird Special” given
to the runner who was first to register. The “First Blood” award, bestowed upon the runner who sustained the most damage. There are also age group awards, costume awards and a slew of raffle prizes donated by local vendors. “The event attracts anywhere between three hundred and fifty to four hundred runners every year”, says race director Joe Iovelli. Factor in the 50 or so volunteers and you’re talking a heck of a party.” Registration is $40 up until October 8 th , $45 up until race day and $50 on the day of the event. To sign up, go to www. runsignup.com/hashathon. A long-sleeved cotton shirt is given to all participants.
MATAWAN MAYOR ALTOMONTE MESSAGE
As Mayor, I recently had the privilege of attending a meeting with fellow mayors at Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center, where we were presented with the hospital’s impressive recent upgrades in technology and service improvements. Bayshore Medical has truly solidified its commitment to our community by investing in state-of-the-art medical equipment and enhancing its service protocols to ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care. Their dedication to maintaining a strong partnership with the community is evident, and they want everyone to know that we can count on them as our trusted local hospital whenever the need arises. Whether it’s routine care or emergency services, Bayshore Medical is prepared to provide exceptional medical support to our residents. At a recent council meeting, I provided an update from the county regarding the improvements to Aberdeen
Road. The project is moving along as scheduled and is on approximately day 190 of a 645 project with an estimated completion date of sometime in 2026. We will continue to keep you informed. With the start of the new school year, I wish all students, teachers, and staff a successful and enriching academic year. The beginning of school is an exciting time filled with new opportunities for learning and growth. As our children return to their studies, I urge everyone to be extra cautious on the roads. With school back in session, more children will be walking, biking, and taking the bus. Please be mindful of your speed, especially in school zones, and always watch for pedestrians. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and productive school year!
A MESSAGE FROM THE MATAWAN ABERDEEN BOARD OF EDUCATION
It’s already October and our schools are in full swing. If you would like more information about our students’ academic standing, please attend our board meeting on October 17th. Our assistant superintendent will be making a presentation on NJ Student Learning Assessments, sharing the results of last year’s assessments, which assessments are to be administered this school year, and what we are doing to continually build our test results.
We’ve all been eager to start with a new demographer and receive sound, realistic data about where our district is headed with new families moving in and the demands that will be put on our school system. The demographer is already in the early stages of development, analyzing and processing the data from both towns. The projected date for a full report that we can use to plan for a strong academic future is 18 months. Chronic absenteeism is still top of mind for us as we strive to support student academic success. Remember that attendance is crucial to this. 20 or more absences for full-year classes and 10 or more absences for half-year courses result in no credit. Our parents are the foundation for helping with this challenge.
Lastly, we sincerely want your needs to be met. When you have a concern, please start by reaching out following this chain of command: the teacher, counselor or case manager, principal, director, assistant superintendent, the superintendent, and lastly, the board of education. While social media may be a way to help vent your frustrations, unfortunately, it cannot bring about change. Reaching out in this order, and following up the list if your needs are not met, is the way for you –and us – to take care of your student.
DEANA GUNN, MATAWAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT
As the liaison to the Police Department, I’m incredibly proud to report that Matawan has recently been recognized as the safest small town in New Jersey with the lowest property crime rate, according to SafeHome.org. This prestigious recognition reflects the commitment and hard work of our dedicated police department, and we are immensely proud to support their efforts in keeping our community safe.
In collaboration with the police department, we’ve also been working on installing new LED traffic control devices to improve road safety that you may have noticed around town. These installations include a new yield sign at Northfield Rd. and Overhill Rd, as well as stop signs at various intersections: Texas Rd. at Wilson Ave., Washington St. at Franklin St., Middlesex Rd. at Ravine Dr., and at the ramp, Jackson St. at Spring St. This couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of the Chief of Police, Department of Public Works and the Traffic Safety Unit Supervisor, Sgt. Lovallo and I thank them
for their efforts. These upgrades, along with a few others we are working on, are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that Matawan remains a safe and welcoming place to live. We remind everyone to slow down as school is back in session and to be mindful of children walking and crossing as they drive throughout town. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of our residents and will continue working closely with our police department to maintain Matawan’s reputation as a safe, thriving community. If you have any questions about this or anything else, please contact me at deana.gunn@matawanborough.com.
DOES THIS RING A BELL?
By Steven Russell, Councilman
for the Borough of Matawan
You may have driven past, or walked by, Borough Hall, noticed a bell displayed near the main entrance, framed in a decorative brick encasement, and wondered where it came from. The bell used to hang in the tower of a school building that occupied that corner. The First Matawan Public Graded School was built there in 1895 to centralize several district schools throughout Matawan into one building. It was an impressive structure; You can see a picture of it on the Matawan Historical Society Facebook page. The building was torn down in 1968 to make
way for the Broad Street School, which is now Borough Hall. The bell was placed in its current display area in 1971 by the Matawan Historical Society. The McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore cast the bell in 1888. That foundry created over 300,000 bells for churches, municipal buildings, and schools throughout the world. It’s now located in St. Louis, where it was featured on an episode of Dirty Jobs. It’s worth a trip to Borough Hall to see this beautiful bell, whose ring must have been familiar to countless children who were daily called to school by its reverberant tone.
MAYOR TAGLIARINI MESSAGE
Dear friends,
Where did the summer of ‘24 go? All we have are the great memories of Summer Concerts by the Beach, hours of fun for the kids at the Spray Park at Veterans Park, family BBQs and trips to your favorite beach. By the time you read this, our largest and most acclaimed event,Aberdeen Day, took place in Sept and a Jazz Concert happened on Oct 5th. Your Town Council is honored to serve you and is always available to help you. The best ways to have any questions answered
is to contact Town Hall directly, not ask on Facebook. John Roman, Public Information Officer, 732.583.4200 ext 130 is a great source of information. I am also available.
As we enter Fall, I hope that you will enjoy the season change that brings HS Football, youth sports and pumpkin and apple picking.
A few years back our Business Council had a town slogan contest. The winning entry was, “ Our Community, Our Neighborhood, Our Town”.
That says it all. I am proud of our diverse community. We are a warm and accepting place to raise a family and a great place to open a business.
My best to all of you. Peace, Love and Good Health. Fred Tagliarini Mayor,Aberdeen Township Fred.Tagliarini@Aberdeennj.org 732.275.7612
Mayor Fred Tagliarini –Aberdeen Mayor
WHAT ROLE CAN PARENTS PLAY IN COMBATING PEER PRESSURE AND
ISOLATION DURING BACK-TO-SCHOOL?
As children head back to school this fall, many are feeling the weight of social isolation and peer pressure. After long summer breaks or adjusting back from remote learning, reconnecting with friends or making new ones can feel overwhelming. When kids struggle to find their social footing, they may experience loneliness, which can deeply affect their emotional well-being.
Peer pressure adds another layer of stress. Many children feel they need to act or look a certain way to be accepted by their peers. This pressure to “fit in” can lead to anxiety and self-doubt, especially for those who feel different or left out.
As parents and educators, we can play a key role in helping children through these tough moments. By creating a safe space for them to talk openly about their feelings, we can help them understand that it’s okay to be themselves. Encouraging activities that build confidence and foster genuine connections, like joining clubs or engaging in hobbies, can make a world of difference.
At Ellie Mental Health Old Bridge,
we understand the importance of addressing these challenges with care. Our team of licensed counselors and social workers is here to support your child in becoming their best self. Located conveniently on Rt 18 South by the Wawa, we offer both in-person and virtual appointments to meet you where you are.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SAT AND ACT
By Paul Pscolka
The SAT and ACT are the prevalent standardized tests used for college admissions in the U.S., but they differ in structure, content, and focus.
The SAT is divided into two main sections: Reading/ Writing and Math. The ACT has four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The digital SAT takes only 2 hours and 14 minutes to assess a score because it is section-adaptive, while the ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes.
Both SAT verbal modules blend reading and writing and have one short passage per question. The ACT English and reading sections are separate and each comprises long passages.
The SAT is half math. It has an embedded Desmos calculator and, like the reading/writing, is section-adaptive. It places more emphasis on algebra and data analysis. The ACT’s math section includes a broader range of topics, including more geometry and trigonometry.
One major difference is the ACT’s dedicated Science section. While the SAT integrates scientific concepts into
its reading passages, the ACT specifically tests the ability to interpret data, graphs, and scientific hypotheses.
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, while the ACT uses a 1 to 36 scale. SAT scores are an aggregate of the two main sections, while the ACT is an average of the four sections.
The SAT offers more time per question, favoring students who prefer a slower, more deliberate pace. The ACT, on the other hand, is faster-paced, requiring strong time management skills.
Ultimately, the choice between SAT and ACT depends on a student’s strengths and preferences. Ivy Masters recommends students take a mock test of each to see which test score is comparably higher.
The ACT is undergoing a major change in September 2025. Suggestion for a topic? You can reach me at Paul.Pscolka@ivymasters.com 833-SATsACT www.ivymasters.com
CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW MATAWAN PATROLMEN, JOHN LACOVARA AND DANIEL WU
Ptl. John Lacovara, a graduate of Matawan Regional High School and Brookdale Community College, started his law enforcement career by serving as a Class I Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO I) for the Borough of Bradley Beach during the summer of 2023. Prior to joining the Matawan Police Department, Lacovara served as a Class II Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO II) with the Bradley Beach Police Department since May 2024.
Ptl. Daniel Wu, the department’s first Asian-American police officer, grad-
uated from Matawan Regional High School and New Jersey City University. Wu worked in the accounting field for five years before pursuing a career in law enforcement. Before joining the Matawan Police Department, Wu served as a Class II Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO II) with the Point Pleasant Police Department since June 2024. Best of luck Ptl. Lacovara and Ptl. Wu! Wishing you a safe and successful career serving the residents of Matawan.( permission to re-print.)
CHECK IT OUT: LIBRARY NEWS!
October is going to be a great month to visit the library! We have so many fun and interesting programs scheduled this month. Here’s a sampling: For kids:
Pumpkin Painting - Saturday, October 26th, 10am and 1pm
Join us in the meeting room for a Halloween story and some painting fun. Will you make your pumpkin spooky or sweet? We can’t wait to find out... Open to children of all ages. Registration required. Please register for only one session.
Trick-or-Treat in the LibraryThursday, October 31st, 10am-12pm We invite our tiniest patrons to drop by the library to trick or treat. We will have treat stations set up all around the building. Can you find them all and fill up your treat bucket? This is a drop in event open to children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration required. For teens:
Teen Halloween BingoWednesday, October 16th at 7pm
Join us in the meeting room for a night of Halloween themed BINGO! We will
listen to some spooky music and eat some candy while we play. And, of course, there will be prizes to be won! Open to patrons in grades 6-12. Registration is required. For adults:
Let’s Create a Winter Habitat in Your Yard - Thursday, October 10th at 7pm
Once the nights get cold, most gardeners think about cleaning up their gardens. In this presentation, we will challenge this norm and learn just how keeping everything right where it lies benefits all living things, big and small.
Jamie Novak: How to Be Your Own Professional Organizer - Tuesday, October 22nd at 7pm on Zoom
Log on and learn insider secrets from an industry expert about organizing your home. See how to make fast progress to declutter with lasting results. Follow along with a live mini task during the program and start your own expert resource list.
Our full calendar of events can be found on our website: www.mapl.org. Have a question? Give us a call at 732583-9100, stop by, visit our website, or drop us an email at info@mapl.org.
Happy Autumn and Happy Halloween! Kimberly Paone, Library Director Matawan Aberdeen Public Library
Members from the Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce along with Old Bridge Mayor Walker & Old
Bridge Council people enjoyed a fun evening of miniature golf and networking under a beautiful sunset at the Old Bridge Golf Club on Tuesday, Sept. 17th.
