All Around Old Bridge- April 2023

OLDBRIDGE

ROMAN EARNS KNIGHTS’ FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

By Gaby Malanga &

At the end of the NJSIAA Wrestling State Tournament, Logan Roman stood atop the podium, making history as Old Bridge High School’s first State Champion. “I never thought that I would be on top of [the podium],” Roman stated.

Roman qualified for the State Tournament based on his performance in the Region 5 Tournament on February 2, where he was crowned champion, and named Outstanding Wrestler.

In Round 1 of the State Tournament on March 3, Roman beat Camden Catholic’s Dom Digiacomo with a fall in 5 minutes and 55 seconds, which set him up to wrestle against Christopher Nucifora of Bergen Catholic. In Round 2, Roman won on a technical fall after outscoring Nucifora 17-2, advancing to the Quarterfinals.

Roman pinned the threeseed, Robert Duffy of Christian Brothers Academy, in 2 minutes and 45 seconds, guaranteeing a top-six placement.

In the semifinals, Roman earned a 5-3 sudden overtime victory over Jayden James from Delbarton, who was ranked number one in the state and number twelve in the country. This victory advanced Roman to the State Finals.

On March 4, at the State Finals, Roman took the mat

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NICOLE’S HEART 5K WALK/ RUN SCHEDULED

seniors, and donates defibrillators to various organizations.

The foundation honors the memory of Nicole Trott of Old Bridge, who passed away shortly after graduating from St. John Vianney High School in 2011, following a cardiac event brought on by an undiagnosed congenital heart defect known as Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA).

On Saturday, June 10, 2023, Nicole’s Heart Foundation will sponsor a 5K Walk/Run at Thompson Park (Preston Grove area), 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ. This annual fundraising event supports the foundation’s mission concerning the importance

of cardiac screening for high school athletes. The 5K Run is USA Track & Field sanctioned. Established more than a decade ago, Nicole’s Heart facilitates free cardiac screenings to high school students and athletes, administers a scholarship program for graduating high school

Nicole’s athletic background included track, gymnastics, and cheerleading. Besides her academics and extracurricular activities, the 18-year-old also volunteered at the Old Bridge Animal Shelter and expected to start a pre-veterinarian college program the following fall.

Anyone interested in

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MAX OF OLD BRIDGE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

On behalf of the entire staff, we want to thank all our members, past and present, along with all the government and township officials who have supported our MAX Challenge program in Old Bridge for the last TEN years!

We were so grateful to have launched a new fitness and nutrition concept to the towns of Old Bridge, Matawan and surrounding areas back in March 2013. We were instantly embraced by the local government, and very quickly we began to form very strong relationships with our members

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Frank Papeo

MAYOR HENRY MESSAGE

has on our environment and the appearances of the town.

Mayor Owen Henry

Spring is in the air here in Old Bridge Township. Hopefully, the winter is behind us, and we can look forward to spending time outside and enjoying the warmer weather.

Mayor Henry’s Clean Team will kick off the litter program on Saturday, April 1st. Any nonprofit organizations who are interested in participating should contact the Clean Communities Coordinator at (732) 721-5600 x6107, or by emailing Recycling@ OldBridge.com. Volunteers will be cleaning up local roadways on various weekends now through November. Please slowdown in our town and drive with care. Let’s also make a difference by educating others about the negative impact that litter

The Parks and Recreation Department is in full spring mode getting our parks, fields, and courts in top condition for the upcoming season. The spring brochure is currently available and filled with programs for all age groups. The department is also looking for summer camp employees for Camp Robin, Full Day Summer Camp, and Half Day Summer Camp. Please visit oldbridge.com/ recreation to view the job vacancies, classes, activities, and recreational opportunities Old Bridge has to offer.

“Play Ball!” Nothing says “Spring” like the sound of a bat hitting a home run and the crowd cheering the player on. I am excited to participate in several little league opening day ceremonies happening around our community. Our baseball fields and soccer fields are ready for action and our athletes are anxious to play. I

look forward to seeing everyone at the opening ceremonies. Round one of spring leaf collection will begin the week of Monday April 17th in all wards. Round two will be the week of May 1st. As a reminder, all leaves must be contained in paper leaf bags as plastic bags are no longer accepted. We will spend a few days in each ward and appreciate your patience while collection is underway. For the full schedule, please visit oldbridge.com/recycling.

I hope to see all our residents taking advantage of the many activities Old Bridge has to offer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our coaches, parents and volunteers that work so hard to keep our children active and safe. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Ramadan Mubarak, Happy Passover and Blessed Easter season. Please continue to stay safe and be well.

Mayor Owen Henry

THINK OLD BRIDGE

By Steve Mamakas, Executive officer of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development

“Act as a resource to support business and industry; attract new business to the township; facilitate business retention and expansion; and promote a positive economic growth dialogue in the community” Shop, Dine, and Buy Local

Feature Business

All Businesses in Town

Visit the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development Old Bridge @ facebook.com\obetownedo or Twitter @ twitter. com/obedonj to check out all the exciting happenings from grand openings to groundbreaking events across the town.

At Lightbridge Academy of Old Bridge, the community extends beyond the four walls of our childcare center. With this principle, we knew in our heart we were to donate to the Old Bridge Food Bank sponsored by The Lightbridge Foundation. The Lightbridge Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose part of our mission is to help those along life’s journey, whether in our center or our community. They say it takes a village to raise children, and at Lightbridge Academy, we know that our village, our community, is the core of that belief. We realize that the well-being of our educators, parents, children, and even our vendors contribute to the

strength of our communities, enriching our lives in countless ways. Our school is a place where parents, children and staff members, as well as the community, vendors and franchise owners, come together as a family to create a trusted Circle of Care. Together interconnected relationships create a truly caring environment that delivers the highest educational experiences throughout our classrooms and beyond our building’s limits. Committing to meeting the needs of all parents and children is a natural extension of our Circle of Care philosophy, inspiring everything we do as a company. We are thrilled to be part of such a beautiful town and welcoming community!

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTING BUSINESSES IN A VARIETY OF WAYS

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD’S SAT/ACT TESTING TIMELINE LOOK LIKE?

Students should start with a mock test. When a student takes a mock test depends (mostly) on what math class the student has that year.

A high-achieving, busy student who takes algebra 2 or pre-calc sophomore year, should take the SAT August before Junior year, or, if taking the ACT, September of junior year. The student should take the mock tests in May to see which test is a better fit. Prep for these tests should start in June.

If a student is taking algebra 2 as a junior, he or she should hold off until March of junior year (SAT), or April of junior year (ACT). This student should take a mock test of each in November and start prep in December (SAT) or January (ACT). This schedule will still allow time for students to apply early while taking their chosen test 3 times if needed with time between tests to prepare.

A student who takes a first SAT in August can take the test again in

October and November. A student who takes the ACT in April, can take the test again in June and July. Taking the test multiple times is an advantage because 80% of universities will look at the superscore. Although on different days, each test is offered 7 times per year.

Overall, parents should take advantage of all the different test dates offered and should have their child take the test when the student has a solid 3 months to prepare leading up to the test. So, when is the best time for your child to take it?

Sign up for a free mock test of each here https://www.ivymasters.com/register-now/ using this coupon code: AllAroundOB

SPRING FUN & HAZARDS TO AVOID

By Anita Greenberg,DVM. member of Old Bridge Township Council since 2016

Much like you, your pet welcomes spring.

After a long winter cooped up indoors, it is nice to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, but take into consideration the safety of your pets. As the weather gets warmer, fleas, ticks and heartworms become more prevalent. Be sure to use preventative medicine to stop flea infestations, tick borne illnesses and heartworm disease, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides can be toxic to pets. Keep your pets indoors while mowing the lawn, or using a weed whacker and trimmers, to avoid injury.

Decorative Easter grass or plastic Easter eggs represent choking hazards for pets and potentially intestinal obstructions, requiring surgery. Keep candy out of reach, especially chocolate and sugar- free candies that contain xylitol. Xylitol causes low blood sugar and, potentially, liver failure. With the time honored tradition of

spring cleaning, remember to keep cleaners and chemicals away from your pets, avoid contact and consider products that are rated pet-friendly. Spring is a great time of the year for home improvements. Paints and solvents can be toxic for your pets and very messy with spills. Be cautious with nails, staples, insulation, blades and power tools. It is best to isolate your pets away from the work area.

As the weather gets warmer, pets especially, cats love to nap on window sills and bird watch. Make sure the screens are secure to keep your pet from falling out the window, not only preventing injury, but also from running away.

Pets have spring allergies like their owners. With seasonal allergies the skin may be red or irritated and they may suffer hair loss. If your pet is scratching excessively, suffering from a nasal drip or watery inflamed eyes, visit your veterinarian to get medication to ameliorate the symptoms and make your pet more comfortable.

In severe cases, allergy testing (RAST blood test) is recommended.

SOBFD FIRE FIGHTER OF THE MONTH ROB BELL

Rob Bell has been a probationary firefighter for the South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Company since April 2022. During this time, he has responded to over 200 scenes and completed the Firefighter I course at Middlesex County Fire Academy. In the coming months, he hopes

the Fire Company. After obtaining full membership status with the Company, Rob hopes to serve on the executive board and further help the Company. He currently works in estate law, assisting elderly and infirmed individuals in estate planning with wills and trusts. He can be found at the firehouse, the gun range, or the garage adding modifications to his rifles.

10 YEARS

Continued from page 1 and within the community for a variety of charitable causes. e members and sta from our program are second to none. What starts as a tness and nutrition program to help our members live healthier and happier lives, goes way beyond workouts or food prep. It is about relationships, mental and

physical well-being, with an emphasis on support, shared goals, and an incredibly positive environment. We actually have fun in the process, while we collectively charge toward achieving our own individual goals.

In the last ten years, together, through the generosity of our members and the support of our community, we have supported numerous 501C3 local non-pro t organizations, raising well over $100,000 in the process. Aside from this amazing achievement, we have also consistently been involved with Toys for Tots, Township fundraising events, and street fairs. We are blessed to be so embedded within an amazing community of great citizens.

Inside the four walls of our MAX Challenge center on Route 516, there isn’t a friendlier, more genuine, and happier place we’ve ever been in, and that is all because of the people in our program who have created such an amazing culture.

e MAX is a transformational program that changes lives, and we are happy to have been a small part of that journey for thousands of people over the past ten years. Cheers to ten more years of helping and serving the community.

Rich and Maureen Bruno Owners – e Max of Old Bridge

LIVING STONES: REAL CONNECTION

“What on earth is that stuff?” I inquired of a group of teens at a local mall as my wife and I walked along. With no response, they uneasily gazed at each other. Trying to ease the obvious tension, I answered for them, saying, “Is that some sort of slime you are handling?” With still no answer, I walked away, saying, “Ok, umm, have a nice day!” The whole “interaction” left me thinking about this generation’s inability to engage with strangers outside of some protective social media barrier. The impact of social media on social skills and communication is a huge concern—we must learn the art of conversation beyond a social media platform! Studies suggest that young people who spend excessive amounts of time on social media may struggle with face-to-face interactions, have difficulty forming meaningful relationships, lessen academic performance, and increase feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem. The soul longs for authentic connection, but online finds

Lloyd Pulley, Senior Pastor

only the counterfeit version, leaving its user at a loss, disconnected, and empty. But there is hope among those who are desperate to connect personally! A few weeks ago, Fox News reported on Bridgefest, our 18th Annual Christian festival in NJ (https://tinyurl.com/2p982we6). It would have been a simple religious article were it not for the national coverage given to what some are calling a spiritual revival of Christianity throughout the nation. The Chosen, a series depicting Jesus with His disciples, and The Jesus Revolution movie have broken records. Many prayer and worship meetings have sprung up in colleges and universities. There is no real connection without God—but thanks be to God that He has given His Son Jesus, that we might have a real relationship through Him!

BATTLING SCOLIOSIS WITH CARE & TREATMENT

By Dr. Anthony DeLuca, Director of DeLuca Family Chiropractic in Old Bridge, New Jersey, Selected for the Olympic training center in San Diego California and Colorado Springs Colorado

Scoliosis can af ict any person at just about any age. About 3% of children ranging from infants to 15-year-olds develop symptoms annually, while nearly 60% of our population aged 60 or better can expect to suffer from increasingly progressive forms of the disease.

Commonly associated with a C- or S-shaped curve to the spine, scoliosis is often recognized when an individual’s head is off center, their ribcage is asymmetrical, one hip appears more prominent than the other, and/or legs and shoulder blades appear uneven. Although the causes are generally unidenti able, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bi da, and birth defects stand as the leading culprits.

Fortunately, most cases, especially those among the young, are only accompanied by minor symptoms that often disappear over time. In fact, four out of ve people with scoliosis have curves of less than 20 degrees, which are generally unnoticeable and not a cause for concern given that the symptoms don’t progress.

However, children and adolescents can be plagued by mild curvatures that can worsen by 10 degrees or more in just a matter of months. These conditions can be disabling. An especially severe spinal curve can decrease lung function by placing added pressure on the chest cavity. It can also signi cantly limit the performance of physical activities, cause pain and/or affect heart function. These challenges can even diminish the person’s self-esteem and create other psychological problems since adolescents and teens who exhibit extreme conditions are commonly subjected to ridicule.

The good news is that most chronic cases of scoliosis are treatable and rarely require surgery. Many people with the disease lead normal,

happy and productive lives. Physical activity, including exercise, is generally well-tolerated and even encouraged to help alleviate symptoms and increase the individual’s overall well-being.

That’s because minor scoliosis problems cause few, if any, physical challenges. Bracing is generally reserved for children who have not reached skeletal maturity (the time when the skeleton stops growing), and who have curves between 25 and 45 degrees. Spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercise and electrical muscle stimulation have also been advocated for its treatment.

Performed under the guidance of licensed professionals, exercise and core-strengthening programs designed speci cally to alleviate scoliosis affects can help improve the balance and posture of patients, minimize the spine’s curvature and reduce pain. For example, here are just a few of the therapeutic exercises commonly prescribed during the rehabilitation process:

• Pelvic tilts. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet at on the oor. Tighten your belly and buttocks, while slowly curling your pelvis bone inward and feeling the lower back atten against the oor. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 to 10 times

• Cat-camel. Start facing down with your knees and the palms of your hands at on the oor. Abs should be tight and head straight. Take a deep breath, while lifting the lower rib cage, rounding the back and relaxing the neck. Breathe out while lowering your chest toward the oor and looking slightly upward. Return to starting position. Repeat for two sets of 10

• Bird-dog. Begin on hands and knees with back held straight. Place

hands directly under the shoulders with knees directly under the hips. Extend one arm straight out and forward while extending the opposite leg straight back. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat with the other arm and leg. Perform 10–15 repetitions on each side

• Foam roller balancing. Lie longwise on a foam roller with your tail on one end, head on the other and feet about hip-width apart. Lift one knee so your calf is parallel to the oor. Lift the opposite arm so your ngers are pointing toward the ceiling. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side

• Superman. Lie on your stomach with arms extended and palms down. Lift both feet and arms several inches off the oor. Start by holding this position for 10 seconds. Lower and repeat 5 times

• Basic plank. Start in a pushup position and then lower yourself onto your elbows, which should be directly under the shoulders. Keep head relaxed while looking downward. Hold for 10 seconds. Build up to 30, 45, 60 seconds or more

Please feel free to contact DeLuca Family Chiropractic at (732) 679-2414 or visit our website at www.dfccares.com to establish a new sense of health, balance and well-being, Our dedicated staff located at 2309 Hwy 516 in Old Bridge, NJ will be happy to meet with you and tailor a chiropractic and wellness program speci cally targeted to your needs using minimally invasive, yet highly-effective techniques and services.

NICOLE’S HEART 5K WALK/ RUN SCHEDULED

Continued from page 1

participating in this year’s 5K Walk/Run may register at the Race Forum website (www.raceforum.com/ nicole ). Register by May 15 to guarantee a shirt. For additional information about this 501 (c) 3 organization, the scholarship program, or to make a donation, visit Nicole’s Heart Foundation at www.nicolesheart.com .

LOCAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR MENTORS YOUNG FUNERAL PROFESSIONALS DURING NATIONAL PROGRAM

in the profession. “Spending time with these future leaders, helping to open their minds to different views and watching as their vision expanded, was the best part,” said Hernandez. “The range of topics from the Mentors and round table discussions allowed us to spend time with each one of them and learn about their goals and aspirations.”

David Hernandez Jr. of Jersey Memorial Group with locations throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania was one of three leading funeral directors who served as mentors for the National Funeral Directors

Association’s (NFDA) Meet the Mentors program. Meet the Mentors, which took place March 12-14 in Atlanta, Georgia, brought new funeral service professionals together to learn from some of the country’s

leading funeral directors and to network with like-minded peers. Hernandez’s presentation titled, “Who is Successful in Death Care and Why?” taught mentees the value of the foundational skills needed to be leaders

David Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Jersey Memorial Group, the largest private operator in New Jersey. He has received numerous professional awards and is often asked to participate as a presenter at study groups and conventions. Meet the Mentors has been wholly funded by the Funeral Service Foundation since the program’s inception in 2011.

More information about the Meet the Mentors program can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/mentors.

ROMAN EARNS KNIGHTS’ FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

By Gaby Malanga & Frank Papeo

Continued from page 1 as the number six seed, lining up against the number nine seed, Logan Brzozowski from Seton Hall Prep. The match remained scoreless through two periods. Roman came into the third with vengeance. “My mindset became more aggressive,” Roman stated. Roman went up 1-0 after Brzozowski chose to set up neutral. With

one minute left, Roman flipped Brzozowski on the mat, earning the takedown to go up 3-0. Roman held on to win the match 3-1. “I’m so excited to have done this,” Roman expressed. Roman closed out his junior season with a 45-1 record and as a State, Region 5, District 19, and Greater Middlesex County Champion. Full story at KnightLifeOB.com

Photo by: Reese SanAgustin

Photo Caption: Junior Logan Roman gets ready to shoot a takedown during a mid-season win against South Plainfield.

FUNCTION FORWARD PHYSICAL

MAYOR HENRY AND COUNCIL MEMBERS WELCOMES

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