All Around OLD Bridge - January 2022

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Mayor's office of Economic Development

VOL 7, NO 6

OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP UNVEILS DIGITAL BILLBOARD MESSAGE FOR OPIOID OVERDOSE AWARENESS

On Wednesday, December 1st, 2021, Old Bridge Township unveiled a digital billboard featuring a PSA for Opioid Awareness. The message reads, “Americans are now more likely to die of an opioid overdose than in a car crash. It’s Time to Consider Opioid Alternatives.” The billboard, managed by Jon Antal of New Jersey Outfront Media, is only the first step Old Bridge Township is taking to educate the community in hopes to save many lives. Local businesses are also doing their part by placing posters in their store windows to help spread the message.

“I am very proud of our community working together to create these important outreach programs bringing awareness to the Opioid crisis, and for facilitating different campaigns and partnerships”, stated Mayor Owen Henry. He continued to say, “The Opioid Crisis is a major health issue with devastating consequences. The Continue on page 18

A Publication for the community of Old Bridge

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MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Mayor Owen Henry I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays amongst family and friends. I would like to extend my greatest wishes for a happy and healthy year ahead. To all residents for their continuous support, thank you, I am

honored to serve as your mayor.

We made is through a challenging 2021 and I am proud of the many Township employees who worked diligently throughout the year. After an unprecedented 2020, we were finally able to return to some normalcy and bring back events that permitted members of the community to come together and allowed myself to engage with the public. Let’s all hope and pray that the road to recovery continues throughout 2022.

As I look ahead, there are several initiatives that I hope to expand upon in the coming year. We are committed to Business Development, and our Business Alliance has worked hard to ensure the success of our hundreds of local merchants – both large and small -- and to guarantee that our residents have desirable businesses available to them. We will continue to aggressively pursue bringing more top merchants and needed establishments to Old Bridge.

We also pledge to continue

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providing outstanding essential services. Our Public Works and Recycling Departments will ensure that roads are maintained and plowed quickly and will continue to enhance our recycling services being offered, while our Building and Code Enforcement Departments guarantee that our structures are safe. Our excellent Police Department will have the equipment and manpower necessary to ensure resident safety.

Our Recreation and Cultural Arts Departments will keep enhancing their programs and special events in 2022, offering a wide array of activities. The Recreation Department’s winter program guide is now available for viewing and there is plenty to do during the season.

For more information, please visit oldbridge.com/recreation.

Also, Silver Linings at Old Bridge has grown into one of the state’s most highly respected Senior Centers and strives to offer innovative programs and services that our active seniors desire, with an emphasis on

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health, wellness, and socializing.

Furthermore, my heartfelt appreciation is extended to the residents and partners of Old Bridge Township who have made a significant effort to give back to the community over the past year. We have witnessed your generosity through donations to the Old Bridge Food Bank, toy drives, and food drives.

You have truly made a difference!

In closing, I would like to thank the residents, dedicated volunteers, first responders, councilmembers, and staff members for their commitment to make Old Bridge Township a great place to live, work and raise a family. Have a joyous, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Thank you.

Mayor Owen Henry

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THINK OLD BRIDGE

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

By Steve Mamakas, Executive officer of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development 2 0 2 2 i s now a local thrift store. We have also looking bright seen two store that have been static, for Old Bridge. two have opened as unique clothing In 2021 the reset boutiques, Yes, we said clothing button was hit for boutiques and we see other store the big recovery fronts across town being refitted for for all. We have other uses. Even some expansions watched the entire are taking place. We can also say Old Bridge community come out some big things will be happening and provide overwilling support with larger scale retail operations for each other and our businesses coming and filling other longtime during the last year. The residents large spaces as well. So the recovery support has been seen by all of the is in full gear now and 2022 looks businesses still operating across to be a great year for local business town. The Mayor’s Office of Eco- with even more new businesses nomic Development has been opening to support the community. working the recovery process. Being Our branding (Think Old Bridge) out in the community, assisting and and marketing campaign. Has been supporting the local businesses taking shape attracting more large daily. Along with welcoming new scale essential business to support businesses with Mayor Henry and the community. With two new Council members at grand open- supermarkets projected to come ings. Working at driving the (Back online in 2022. From a traditional to Business Initiative). Working at brand name Superfresh estimated growing the towns economics even 20,000 sqft in the Browntown stronger for the future. However, Shopping Center, a brand of Key we cannot overlook the challenges Food supermarkets. Key Food some businesses have had during has also recently located its office the last year and are still having headquarters in Old Bridge as well. today, doing their best to stay op- In the building just off the GSP exit erational. It was in inevitable some 120. The second supermarket being would be lost. That being said, out of built is in the Gateway Shopping the hundreds of retail establishment Center. Both will be the beginning in Old Bridge. The count at this time of delivering the plan we focused on is about 20 that have closed. Some during 2020. To have more essential of the reasons are clear why it hap- businesses located in Old Bridge. pened. Looking at it, a handful of the The two mentioned will round longtime business owners decided out to about 7 brand name superit was time to sunset the businesses markets for our community in the and time to retire, larger chains took near future which includes the two the opportunity to close because of Walmart’s, Aldi, Acme and Shoprite. their online presence, others were More big news for the town is the new, just opening in 2019 and were hospitals new 10,000 sqft, emernot established yet and it seems gency room and facility upgrade is some closed recently because of operational and the name has been staffing challenges. However, almost changed to reflect the Hackensack the same number of businesses have Meridian Health Systems brand, opened in 2021. Back filling some of and is now Hackensack Meridithe same stores with the same and an – Old Bridge Medical Center. new types of business. Case in point Wishing all a Happy, Healthy a BBQ restaurant was reopened by and Prosperous New Year. another operator, karate school as a “ T h i n k O l d B r i d g e” kickboxing school, two restaurants Shop, Dine and Buy Local are being reopened as restaurants, a Feature Business longtime pharmacy owner retired All of our businesses will become a GYM. a small pizzeria is now a sandwich shop, a small restaurant is now a yoga studio, a dollar’s store is now a gaming store for kid and adults, a kickboxing Mayor's office of business will now become a dentist Economic Development office, a large retailer that closed is

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REFORMED CHURCH HOMES’ MONTH OF GIVING During the months of November and December, Reformed Church Home hosted a Season of Giving to spread some goodness and give back to the community. The efforts began with the annual Stop Hunger initiative, a staple at RCH for over 12 years and another great success. Even COVID couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of fundraising this year as a check for $1,950 was presented on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 to Old Bridge Food Bank thanks to the efforts of various in-house fundraisers and the donations of family, friends, resident and staff.

In addition to the monetary donation, 659 pounds of food was collected and donated to OBFB. Reformed Church Home, a registered Marine Toys for Tots drop site, collected 100+ toys, games, and puzzles from November 15 – December 13, 2021. Once again, the Assisted Living resident elves hosted their annual Craft and

Candy Sale which raised funds to purchase items for donation.

The toys were safely delivered on December 14th and handed out to families all over Monmouth , Middlesex and Ocean counties through coordination with various church and civic organizations. Finally, Reformed Church Home partnered with Lares Home Care for their 3rd Annual NJ Cares Coat Drive to collect new and gently used coats for infants, children and adults this winter. A big “Thank You” to our supporters for the 50+ coats dropped off helping Lares Home Care to reach their goal of 600 coats in total donated in 2021 to the NJ Cares organization.

Reformed Church Home is a top-rated Assisted Living, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing community located in Old Bridge. For more information, contact Abibat Abiola-Bisiolu at 732-607-9230.

Reformed Church Home Executive Director, Kate Shepard joined by Mayor Owen Henry, Manager for the Old Bridge Food Bank Anahita Feltz, Director of Development, Paula LeBlanc, and Director of Parks & Recreation Matt Mercurio.

Executive Director, Kate Shepard pictured with Assisted Living Activities Director, Alberta Romaniello and Assisted Living residents.

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BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

By Himanshu R. Shah, Business Administrator 1 . PA R K S tor, Messercola Excavation Co. A N D R E C - began drainage improvements REATION on Stevens Avenue between #10 T h e Par k s Stevens Avenue and Bushnell a n d R e c r e - Road on Monday, December ation winter 13th. The work will take approxprogram guide imately five days to complete. is now avail- Should you have any questions, able for viewing please contact the Old Bridge Himanshu R. with registra- Township Engineering DepartShah tion beginning ment at 732-721-5600, x2302. on December 20th at 6pm.

5. FY 2022 NJDOT LOCAL For more information, please FREIGHT IMPACT FUND visit oldbridge.com/recreation. GRANT APPLICATION 2. FALL LEAF PICKUP The Township submitted an This is the final week of fall application to the New Jersey leaf pickup in all wards. If your Department of Transportation leaf bags are not picked up by (NJDOT) for their 2022 Local December 18th, please email Freight Impact Fund Program publicworks@oldbridge.com. to fund improvements for Water 3. CHRISTMAS TREE Works Road between CheesePICKUP – JANUARY 2022 quake Road and Browns Road.

Christmas tree pickup will A resolution approving the begin the week of January 3rd, submission of this application 2022. Please visit oldbridge.com/ in the amount of $829,484.25 recycling for the full schedule. is on tonight’s consent agenda.

4 . 2 0 2 1 A N N UA L 6 . B O DY C A M E R A S DRAINAGE PRO GRAM - OLD BRIDGE POLICE Old Bridge Township contrac- DEPARTMENT

Old Bridge Police Officers are now equipped with and being trained on body cameras.

We expect the program to be fully operational beginning December 30th.

7. BUILDING DEPA R T M E N T / C O D E ENFORCEMENT The construction within the Building Department /Code Enforcement building has been completed. As of November 22nd, all business now takes place in the newly renovated building and no longer in Silver Linings at Old Bridge.

The Zoning Office will now be permanently located in the Administration Building, 2nd Floor, Room 211. We appreciate your patience and support while the township provided improvements to better serve our residents and contractors.

8. CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP – JANUARY 2022 Christmas tree pickup will begin the week of January 3rd,

2022. Please visit oldbridge.com/ recycling for the full schedule.

9. COVID-19 TESTING Old Bridge High School has been added as an additional testing site for COVID-19.

Tomorrow, rain or shine, the hours for testing will be from 10am-4pm. Moving forward, testing will occur every Wednesday from 4pm-7pm, and every Saturday from 9am-1pm. This

weekend there will be no testing offered due to New Year’s Day. There is also walk-in COVID testing available at Purity Diagnostics on Route 34, Excel Urgent Care on Route 516, and Texas Road Pharmacy on Route 537. We encourage anyone who has been exposed to the virus or showing symptoms to take advantage of these convenient locations offering services.

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WINTER SURVIVAL IS A CHALLENGE FOR WILDLIFE

By Anita Greenberg, DVM

Dr. Anita Greenberg and her husband, Dr. Daniel Belli, are the owners and operators of the East Brunswick Animal Hospital for more than 30 years. Dr. Greenberg has been a member of the Old Bridge Township Council since 2016 Winter months can be harsh for our pets as well as wildlife.

During the cold season, as temperatures drop and snow covers the ground, the small creatures struggle to keep warm. Finding food is a challenge for small and large animals. Grasses die off, food sources get buried by snow, and insects are hidden or die off.

In the winter, some animals hibernate, some migrate and others adapt. Those that adapt gain weight, preparing for winter,

grow a thick coat, and some change coat color so as not to become prey for other animals.

When animals hibernate, their body temperature decreases, as well as their heart rate and metabolism.

For example, the chipmunk’s heart rate decreases from 350 beats per minute to four beats per minute during hibernation. A ground hog’s temperature drops from 98 degrees to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Torpor is a state of lower energy when the body temperature, heart rate, and breathing patterns decrease. Birds, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, mice, and honey bees are in a state of lower energy and lower activity in cold weather.

Deer and rabbits change eating habits, surviving on twigs and bark. They grow thicker coats and increase fat storage prior to the cold winter.

Deer benefit from young forests full of tender and nutritious browse. Browse is more

adaptable for their digestive system. The browse has a high fiber content and provides the most nutrition. Brush piles and deciduous tree limbs are adequate for the deer to have a food source that nature intended. Supplementing deer with a deer food pellet is helpful during harsh winters. Providing a water source and a salt lick is beneficial.

Feeding birds and squirrels a good source of mixed seeds provides a lot of nutrition.

Feeding suet helps with added energy to provide warmth, and nuts are a great source of energy. Dried fruits for song birds is a source of sugars and energy. Cracked corn is beneficial for squirrels and chipmunks.

A fresh source of water can be achieved with heated bird baths or water buckets where the ice is cracked.

Planting fruit bearing trees and shrubs are a natural source of food for wildlife. Such plants as holly, cotoneaster and firethorns have blossoms that are perfect

for a burst of color, and provide energy for pollinating insects.

They keep animals well-fed.

When considering our pets, remember exposure to winter’s dry, cold air, chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin.

If it is too cold outside for you, it is too cold outside for your pet. Pets left outdoors can freeze, get frostbite and hypothermia.

Massaging petroleum jelly into your pet’s paw pads before going outdoors protects the

paws from salts and other chemical agents. Be sure to check your pet’s paws before coming indoors and clean out ice packed in the fur between the digits.

Antifreeze is lethal for your pets. Clean up spills, and use products made with propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Winter brings extreme weather conditions which may cause power outages. Have an emergency plan for you and your pets.

Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and safe New Year!

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TOWNSHIP OF OLD BRIDGE 2022 CURBSIDE RECYCLING SCHEDULE (732) 721-5600 Ext. 6107 Recycling@OldBridge.com

WARD 1 Monday

WARD 2 Tuesday

January

10, 24

January

11, 25

January

February

7, 21

February

8, 22

February

March

7, 21

March

8, 22

April

4, 18

April

May

2, 16

June

4*, 13, 27

July August September October

11, 25 8, 22 10*, 19 3, 17, 31

12 , 26

WARD 6 Friday

WARD 5 Thursday

WARDS 3 & 4 Wednesday

January

13, 27

January

14, 28

9, 23

February

10, 24

February

11, 25

March

9, 23

March

10, 24

March

11, 25

5, 19

April

6, 20

April

7, 21

April

8, 22

May

3, 17, 31

May

4, 18

May

5, 19

May

6, 20

June

14, 28

June

1, 15, 29

June

2, 16, 30

June

3, 17

July

12, 26

July

13, 27

July

14, 28

July

10, 24

August

11, 25

August

1, 15, 29

August

9, 23

August

12, 26

September

6, 20

September

7, 21

September

8, 22

September

9, 23

October

4, 18

October

5, 19

October

6, 20

October

7, 21

November

14, 28

November

1, 15, 29

November

2, 16, 30

November

3, 17

November

4, 18

December

12, 26

December

13, 27

December

14, 28

December

1, 15, 29

December

2, 16, 30

*May 30 changed to June 4 *Sept 5 changed to Sat, Sept. 10

~ The Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) picks up curbside recycling bi-weekly throughout the Township of Old Bridge. ~ For scheduling questions or missed pick-ups please contact the MCIA at: (800) 488-6242 / mciarecycling@mciauth.com ~ No plastic bags. Recyclables that are contaminated or in plastic bags will be rejected by the County. ~ Cardboard must be flattened, bundled neatly & tied up ~ If a Holiday falls on your recycling day, it will be picked up on Saturday **Important Notes** ~ The MCIA suggests your address be written on the side of all recycling bins **Central Park & surrounding streets (Stone Ct, Aimy Ct, Rachele Ct) are picked up on Mondays (although fall in Ward 3) OldBridge.com/Recycling **The Arbors section, Sonoma Court & Lakeridge West are picked up on Tuesdays (although fall in Ward 4)

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OLD BRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & OLD BRIDGE BUSINESS ALLIANCE ACHIEVES GREAT SUCCESS FOR TOY-FOR-TOTS, COLLECTED 2,150 TOYS Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce & Old Bridge Business Alliance Achieves Great Success for Toy-forTots, collected 2,150 toys.

Old Bridge Business Alliance partnered with the Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce to once again give back to our most prized community members, our children. With help from our friends at Quality Chevy and All American Ford serving as the main toy drop-off centers, donations continuously increased over the weeks leading up to the holidays.

Last year we collected 700 toys with only one drop off location in only 3 short weeks. This year, we exceeded our goal collecting 2,000 toys with over 19 drop off sites throughout town to continue to help bring a little extra

joy for the 2021 holiday season.

With multiple pick-ups each week made by Chief Bob Verney, Chief of Fire Administration for Fire District #3, and Anthony Cosentino, Chamber of Commerce-Trustee, 19 drop-off locations throughout the town, and the support of our local businesses, we were overcome with joy to learn our efforts resulted in over 2,000 toys being collected! Additionally, $2,200 was donated by residents and businesses across town to purchase toys. The generosity once again displayed by the citizens and businesses in Old Bridge has led us to a great accomplishment and shows the true character and kindness of our home.

A Heart-felt Thank You to our businesses who became drop off sites for 5 weeks and

displayed all the toys collected at their business. Pet Center, The Max of Old Bridge, South Old Bridge Fire Station ,The YMCA of Old Bridge, Grillstone, Columbia Bank, Kenary Bank ,Parlin Dupont-Sayreville, SETS of Old Bridge ,Old Bridge School of Dance, Giuseppe’s Pizza, ProFysio (all locations) and the Old Bridge Public Library Special thank you to John Archer and Danielle Vazquez of Archer Plumbing for their donation of $1,000 ; Bio-Shine Janitorial Supplies in Spotswood for their donation of $500.00; All Around Old Bridge for their donation of $350.00, and to all those who sent in private donations!

Continuing Thanks to: Mayor Owen Henry and his office for their continuous support. Steve Mamakas from The Mayor’s

office of Economic Development for his support and dedication in all his efforts. Old Bridge Council members. Jordan Wright and his team at Quality Chevy along with Jason Savino and his team at All American Ford for providing the pickup trucks to store and display all the toys collected in their showrooms.

John & Midge Hauser for your time and the use of their box truck to make multiple drop offs at Toys for Tots in Hazlet. A special thanks to the Board of Fire Commissioners, District # 3 for the use of their pick-up truck for toys picks and transports .

David Lee. Hernandez,Jr, President of Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce & Rich Bruno,Vice-President of Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce for their support.

Anthony Cosentino from All Around Old Bridge and The Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce for organizing this year’s event and continuous support given.

Sgt. Wilson from The Toysfor-Tots program in Hazlet.

Who organizes this event each year and helps bring smiles to the children and their families each Christmas season. We are looking forward to the 2022 Toys for Tots Giving Event. Thank you, Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce board members.

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LIVING STONES BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL NOT!

People are much more gullible than you can imagine. A proposed ban of the substance Dihydrogen Lloyd Pulley, Monoxide Senior Pastor (http://www. dhmo.org/facts.html) claimed: 1 . It c an c aus e e xc e s sive sweating and vomiting.

2 . It c an c aus e s e ve re burns in its gaseous state.

3 . Ac c i d e nt a l i n h a l a t i o n C A N B E FATA L .

86% signed to support a ban on the chemical, while 12% declined.

Only 2% knew that the chemical was simply water—H2O! The adage that “figures don’t lie, but liars sure can figure” is perhaps more meaningful in our technological age than ever before. With medical data, media focus, educational priorities, and political statements, one might wonder how much truth is carefully held. Meanwhile distortions run amok.

A 1928 version of Webster’s

Dictionary defines truth according to the pages of Scripture: Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of Your word is truth…” And Jesus reiterated this to His disciples in His prayer in John 17, “Your word is truth.” Yet today, many fortified with an evolutionary mentality readily discard the past as outdated.

King Solomon was by far wealthier than any known human according to the Scriptures—but the real investment strategy he passed on was to “buy the truth and do not sell” (Proverbs 23:23).

The cynical Pilate, hearing that Jesus came to bear witness to the truth, scoffed, “What is truth?”

Is this now where we have arrived in our general thinking?

The old show Dragnet is largely forgotten, but Detective Joe Friday’s famous line is iconic—”Just the facts, Ma’am.”

There has never been a time in history when the Bible has been under such scrutiny and challenge. Yet its amazingly accurate words have profoundly altered millions of lives and the person of Jesus has impacted more of world history than all others by far. Cold-case detective and author J. Warner Wallace applied

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his investigative skills in his latest book, “Person of Interest,” to show that there is no explanation of history without Jesus playing a significant role. And one would expect this if indeed He is the Son of God. Books, movies, and articles throughout history written about Jesus more than double the second-highest person, not to mention His impact on science, literature, and the arts.

And so, what explains this dismissive attitude toward the Bible which has brought such good upon humanity? And how can we uphold truth in the fuller context of court testimony, “I promise to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”?

The Bible expressly predicts the laying aside of the truth in the last days in 2 Timothy 4:3-4. It states, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” And Romans 1:18 also warns of “… the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress

the truth in unrighteousness.”

Looking at how censorship has taken hold of our nation should be of concern to us all.

When the media selectively chooses what to cover, it often leaves out essential information. They point the camera’s eye at what they want you to focus on and can obfuscate any accurate account by their bias.

For example, in 1948 when Israel became a nation, Christians worldwide were in awe over the fulfillment of a seemingly-impossible biblical prediction that the Jewish people would return and establish a nation after 19 centuries. It has never happened before with any people, so the odds of this prophecy being fulfilled seemed like a vain hope. Yet, with a strong bias against the Bible, there was practically no mention of this being a fulfillment of the Bible’s predictions. Oh, the news of Israel’s independence did make the front page, but not the headlines, and left an impression of “business as usual.” The same is true in many archaeological finds as workers uncover the layers of history recorded in the Bible. They never make a dent in the secular news—but

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no book in antiquity can hold a candle to the Bible in its historical and archeological accuracy.

How easy it is to have our biases override plain evidence!

The Bible records a curious event where Jesus asked God the Father to glorify His name.

“Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again’” (John 12:28). The truth was that God had spoken from heaven—but the only sound that could come from the sky in those days was thunder, and so despite the words they heard, many assumed it could only be thunder.

How powerful our biases can be! What will challenge us to take another look at the Bible? What will cause us to take another look at Jesus—who Himself is “the way, the truth and the life”? How much is the truth worth to you?

People are diligent to study all manner of things that will lead to advancement in this life, but have you ever considered the value of that which is eternal? Now is not the time to be unaware of the reality of God’s truth! Buy the truth and sell not!

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OLD BRIDGE WELCOMES KICK BOXING PLUS

Mayor Owne Henry, Steve Mamakas ( Mayor’s office of Economic Development), Township Councilman and All Around Old Bridge newspaper welcomed Kickboxing Plus to Park Plaza Mall located at Rt 34. Owner Carlos L. Desjardin quoted “We are here to build and make sure everyone that wants to take martial arts can take martial arts! “

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HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE TO WEIGH TO GET WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY?

If you’re considering bariatric surgery as a means for losing weight, you might be asking, “How much do I have to weigh to be a candidate for surgery?” But the number that really matters is your body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight—not your actual weight.

“We don’t go by weight; we go by BMI,” says Ayotunde Adeyeri, M.D., a board-certified bariatric, advanced laparoscopic and general surgeon at Old Bridge Medical Center. “It’s a more accurate measure of the amount of work your heart is doing to support your body.”

The number most bariatric surgeons are looking for is a BMI over 35 with at least one comorbidity, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. That’s when the surgery discussion can usually begin.

“That’s the general criteria,” Dr. Adeyeri says. “But every patient is unique, so the exact

indications for surgery might be a little different for everyone.”

For reference, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: • BMI between 18.5 and 25 is considered normal • BMI between 25 and 30 is considered over weight •BMIover30isconsideredobese • BMI over 40 is cons i d e re d mor bi d ly ob e s e By the time most patients come to him, they’ve already tried multiple ways to lose weight over the course of many years, says Dr. Adeyeri, who performs around 100 gastric bypass surgeries each year. They’ve tried and tried but couldn’t keep the weight off long-term, he says.

“It’s not their fault. It’s a disease,” Dr. Adeyeri says. “Fifty years ago, we didn’t classify obesity as a disease, but we do now. Once you have the disease, we recommend you seek help.”

How to Prepare Your Body and Mind for Weight-loss

Surgery Other than reading about the surgery and the outcomes, there are other ways to prepare your body and mind for bariatric surgery. Those include: • Quit smoking • Begin tracking your food and water • Drink more water and limit all other beverages • Begin an exercise ro ut i n e , h ow e v e r s m a l l • Commit to not gaining any additional weight • Focus on your mental health, too You can learn more about weight-loss surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health by attending a weight-loss surgery s eminar ne ar you. Visit hackensackmeridianhealth.org/bariatrics

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OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP UNVEILS DIGITAL BILLBOARD MESSAGE FOR OPIOID OVERDOSE AWARENESS Pictured L-R; Detective Patrick D’Onofrio, Old Bridge Township Police Department; Captain Joseph Mandola, Acting Chief of Old Bridge Township Police Department; Jon Antal, New Jersey Outfront Media Manager; Owen Henry, Old Bridge Township Mayor; Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ; Mary Sohor, Old Bridge Township Council President; Stephen Mamakas, Old Bridge Township Economic Development Executive Officer; Rosemarie Rivoli, Old Bridge Township Municipal Alliance Coordinator; David Cittadino, Old Bridge Township Superintendent of Schools

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Continue from page 1 more we bring awareness, the more hope there is for less overdose deaths in the future.”

Collaboration is essential for success in preventing opioid overdose. This team effort was facilitated by Mayor Owen Henry and Municipal Alliance Coordinator Rosemarie Rivoli, along with Detective Patrick D’Onofrio of the Old Bridge Police Department, Superintendent of Schools David Cittadino, and businesses and organizations in the community, including the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), directed by Angelo Valente.

New Jersey experienced a

record number of overdose deaths during the first half of this year according to state data and could surpass the all-time high number of drug-related fatalities recorded in 2020 if the current pattern holds. The location of the billboard on Route 9 in Old Bridge is a busy thoroughfare that will be seen by commuters daily.

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MADISONS 10TH ANNUAL TOY DRIVE- COLLECTED 536 TOYS

WINTER MEANS CHANGING YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE

Every October, my 14 year old daughter Madison Szumera begins preparing for her Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Inspired by Hurricane Sandy, she started her Toy Drive in 2012, while she was in kindergarten. Her motivation was to give back to the people who lost everything during the storm. Children lost their homes, toys, and personal belongings. She wanted to ensure that those children were able to receive new toys, in replacement of the things that they lost in the storm and to make sure that they felt a sense of normalcy and joy during the holiday season. In the first two years of her

Colder weather means some changes to how we exercise. There are physiological changes that occur in your body related to activity when the mercury drops. Joints become stiffer, your body tries to conserve heat by reducing blood flow to your skin and muscles, and your heart has to work a little harder in the cold. Don’t take this to mean that you shouldn’t be active outdoors in the cold, it just means there are a few changes in your routine that are warranted.

A good warm up is always important, because of the changes we already discussed, it’s even more important that you do it right this time of year.

To start, get your heart rate up a bit, maybe with a brisk walk or light jog.

Follow that up with a dynamic warm up rather than static stretches. Things like walking or jogging while pulling your knees up high to your chest, high kicks in front of you with straight knees to get your hamstrings loosened, or a walking lunge with an upper body twist can get you ready for more intense activity. Dynamic warmup can be accomplished in many ways. Cater your warm up to what you have planned in your workout and to your specific

Annual Toy Drive, she donated the toys she collected to the RAINE Foundation and the following year, she donated to Operation Jersey Shore Santa. Both of these foundations made sure that the toys were given to families who were impacted by the destruction of the storm. However, for the subsequent years, she started donating to Bristol-Myers-Squibb Children’s Hospital.

Madison switched to a children’s hospital because in 2015, her childhood friend, Ryan, passed away. He was a 9-year old boy who lost his battle to cancer. With the destruction of Hurricane Sandy having subsided, her new goal was to make sure that children who were unhealthy or in the hospital, were as happy as possible during the holidays. Madison wanted to do something that had the potential to put a smile on every child’s face. With the help of social media platforms, family, friends, neighbors and her former elementary school St. Benedict, & the Theology students from Saint John Vianney she has collected hundreds of toys, and each year, the donations increase.

This year was her 10th year hosting her Toy Drive and it was her largest collection to date! Madison collected a total of 536 toys that were donated to St Peter’s University Children’s Hospital.

Madison has no intention of stopping.

The Annual Holiday Toy Drive is very important to her and she looks forward to it every year because she has recognized the benefit it has for others.

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Mayor's office of Economic Development

needs. If you’re not sure how it should look, or if you have specific questions ask your Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Be sure to stay hydrated. Drink water before, during, and after your workout.

The temperature may be down, but you’ll still sweat and you’ll still lose water vapor in your breath. The drier air in winter lets your sweat evaporate more quickly, so it’s easy to underestimate how much fluid you’ve lost.

A proper cool down is an essential component of exercise and recovery.

Keep moving with a walk or another form of active recovery to let your heart rate come down. After exercise is the right place for static stretching. You can also head inside for some foam rolling or self massage.

The days being shorter and the temperatures being lower don’t mean you’re stuck inside. If you follow these tips, you can safely keep moving outside.

If you’d like a customized warm up or cool down, or have questions about your exercise routine, your Doctor of Physical Therapy can help you.

ProFysio Physical Therapy has been providing clinical excellence and unmatched customer service to provide an optimal rehabilitation experience since 2013. To schedule an appointment visit ProFysioNJ.com and click on the request an appointment button.

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LIBRARY DIRECTORS REPORT Happy New Year! Did you know that the Old Bridge Public Library adds roughly 1,000 new books every month? And if you cannot find what you want to read, then we will do our best to get it for you.

We aren’t just books either, though we have over 150,000 of them for all ages, including e-books and audiobooks. Your library also has magazines, newspapers, music, movies, Launch Pads, Passport applications, public computers, copiers, hotspots, Notary services, and much more.

We are a full service library, open seven days a week, until 9:00 PM on weekdays, with quiet study rooms, a section just for teens, and free wifi. So, stop by and visit.

But if you can’t stop by, here’s a look at some of the databases we have for you, available 24/7, free of charge, with your library card.

P r o nu n c i at o r o f f e r s t h e o p portunity to learn 140+ languag-

es. Appropriate for toddlers and up, thanks to photos and pictograms.

Rosetta Stone is another language learning program with 25 languages available.

Brainfuse HelpNow offers free online tutoring for all ages. Tutors are available every day from 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Tutor.com is another online option that connects students to tutors.

Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center provides detailed profiles of jobs and industries, along with advice on career skills, resource entries, and more.

Kanopy allows you to stream feature films and documentaries from their online collection.

The Old Bridge Public Library is at you r s e r v i c e i n - p e rs on and online. Check us out at http://www. oldbridgelibrar y.org and enjoy!

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE, WE CARE AND WE WILL LISTEN The Sanctity of Life reflects the belief that, because people are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27), human life has an inherently sacred attribute that should be protected and respected at all times, and that no man has an authority to destroy life.

A baby has a beating heart and a developing brain by 6 weeks. By 10 weeks a baby has arms and legs, fingers and toes and kicks. At 15 weeks, a baby has a nose, lips, eyebrows, and eyelids and he or she can feel pain, yawn, and suck his or her thumb.

Yet here in New Jersey it is legal to have an aborition in all stages of pregnancy.

This atrocity must end, and through prayer and education the Bridge Women’s Center is dedicated to providing those facing unplanned pregnancies and those who are unsure if they are pregnant with healthy informed choices.

Their Mobile Pregnancy Center meets expectant moms where they are, connecting them with the resources they need. Free services include: ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, abortion pill reversal services, counseling, parenting and budgeting programs, abortion healing and recovery, childbirth preparation classes and continuous, compassionate support during pregnancy and after the baby is born.

On January 22nd, Bridge Women’s Center will be joining with thousands to stand for life at our Nation’s Capital to participate in the world’s largest Pro-life Rally!

The March for Life is an annual event, but pro-life education and advocacy is important all year long.

To learn more about how you can partner with Bridge Women’s Center visit bridgewomenscenter.com.

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