OB OLD BRIDGE
OLDBRIDGE ALL AROUND
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Pursuing Progress
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Mayor's office of Economic Development
A Publication for the community of Old Bridge
VOL 9, NO 8
PASSING OF OLD BRIDGE TOYS FOR TOTS OFFICER PETER KICKS OFF NOVEMBER 10TH, BENEDICT OVER 7,500 TOYS DONATED Old Bridge PBA Local 127 is mourning the tragic de at h of Peter Benedict, a dedicated officer and passionate father who passed away unexpectedly On Monday Oct 2. Officer Benedict was a resilient police officer and a former United States Marine Corps. He died suddenly leaving our entire Old Bridge community and family devastated. Benedict was a 31-year-old Old Bridge High School graduate and a former volunteer at the Old Bridge First Aid and Rescue Squad. He also served in the United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Letter of Appreciation expert rifle marksman pistol badge, and was then honorably discharged. “Peter was a very resilient police officer. He dedicated his entire life to public service and had many friends here and across the country. He was a true American patriot who adored his three children very much. Always having a smile on his face, he was truly a great person to work with and tremendous human being. He will be missed”.
The past 3 seasons, Old Bridge has risen to the challenge time and time again of helping those in need, including our locally owned businesses. The sense of the community and kindness has given hope and reassurance to those who have needed it most. The past 3 years we collected over 7,500 toys for Toys for Tots an amazing achievement in 3 years. This year our goal is to donate 2,500 toys with additional drop off locations in the Old Bridge area. Now, as we venture into a Holiday season again, the Old Bridge Business Alliance has joined hands again along with
All Around Old Bridge and the Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce to give back to our most prized community members, our children this season, we can reach that goal this year with your help. Just think the smiles we will bring to the children this year. Each year, the residents and businesses of Old Bridge support those in need around the holidays by participating in our Annual Giving Event toys “Toys for Tots”, we will begin collecting donations through December 14h to help provide the much-needed joy the children deserve for the holidays. With a donation from each of
our businesses and residents, we can help provide toys for many children whose lives have not only been affected by the pandemic, but who have always needed us. Together, we can make these difficult times a little brighter by helping light up the world with the joy of our children. If you have a local business in town and would like to donate or place a donation box at your business email: anthony@allaroundob.com by November 13th. To make a donation, call Anthony Cosentino 732713-2295 or you can scan t h e QR c o d e t o d on at e .
DID YOU COME HERE FOR A PIE, SIR?
By Jeffrey Kagan
There’s a magical twinkle in the eyes of every child when mom brings out her apple pie. The aroma of this lukewarm slice of heaven transports each of us back to a time when we had not a care in the world. The perfect combination of apples, butter, flour, sugar and cinnamon has brought smiles to faces for centuries. A recipe for Apple Pie can be found in the first American Cookbook, published in 1796. Fast forward 165 years — to 1961.
Madison Township, NJ (present day Old Bridge Township) hosted its first-ever Apple Festival. At the time, the event was run by Pauline Drake and Gertrude Terpilli. Drake was the President of the Historical Society and Terpilli chaired the Apple Festival. Pat Schuck, an Old Bridge resident since 1959 recalls, “People came in to buy home-made pies. There were just a couple of craft vendors.” Years later, Pat would step up as the Apple Festival Chair. She now serves on the Board of Directors of the Madison-Old Bridge Twp. Historical Society. At 84, Pat continues to organize the pie production each year. When they are ready to begin, she heads over to Hauser Hill Farms.
The Hauser family has proudly donated the apples for years and years. Next, the volunteers meet in Pat’s kitchen and they start peeling, then slicing, mixing, and then preparing the dough with an assembly line that would make Henry Ford jealous. Pat uses her grandmother Elizabeth Nagy’s recipe for the perfect pie. Many other volunteers bake on their own, like Robin Zahn, and turn out some magnificent apple-creations! Pies and more on sale at the Apple Festival, Saturday, November 11th (12pm-4pm) at the Old Bridge Municipal Center. Craft vendors, exhibitors, food! Toys donations can be dropped off for the OBBA Toy Drive. Visit www. thomas-warne-museum.com.
SEE PAGE 9 FOR DETAILS
NOVEMBER 2023