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Check out our PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GUIDE

Dr. Rahul Vemula

V Plastic Surgery Serves Monmouth County Residents

PLUS: Spring Break Activities in Monmouth County Kula Urban Farm in Asbury Park Expands St. Patrick’s Day Events in Monmouth County MARCH 2026 Allenhurst • Asbury Park • Avon by the Sea • Belmar • Bradley Beach Deal • Long Branch • Monmouth Beach • Sea Bright

PROUDLY SUPPORTS PROUDLY SUPPORTS PROUDLY SUPPORTS PROUDLY SUPPORTS

LOCAL COMMUNITIES LOCALCOMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES LOCAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Aberdeen Hamilton Marketplace Wall Tw Aberdeen East Brunswick East Brunswick Hamilton Marketplace Manahawkin Manahawkin Pennington Pennington Wall Aberdeen East Brunswick Hamilton Marketplace Manahawkin Pennington Wall TwpTwp Aberdeen East Brunswick Hamilton Marketplace Manahawkin Pennington Wall Twp Bayville Toms River Wareto Bayville East Windsor East Windsor Hamilton SquareHamilton Square Manchester Manchester Rt 37, Toms RiverRt 37, Waretown Bayville East Windsor Hamilton Square Manchester Rt 37, Toms River Waretown Bayville East Windsor Hamilton Square Manchester Rt 37, Toms River Waretown Belmar Edison Hazlet Marlboro Twp Sayreville West Lo Belmar Edison Hazlet Marlboro Twp Marlboro Sayreville West Long Branch Belmar Edison Hazlet Twp Sayreville West Long Branch Belmar Edison Hazlet Marlboro Twp Sayreville West Long Branch Bordentown Ewing Howell Middletown Shrewsbury Woodbr Bordentown Ewing Howell Middletown Shrewsbury Woodbridge Bordentown Ewing Howell Middletown Shrewsbury Woodbridge Bordentown Ewing Howell Middletown Shrewsbury Woodbridge Bound Brook Fischer Blvd, Toms River Jackson Montgomery Twp Somerville Bound Brook Fischer Blvd, Toms River Jackson Montgomery Twp Somerville Bound Brook Fischer Blvd, Toms River Jackson Montgomery Twp Somerville Middletown Middlet Middletown Bound Brook Fischer Blvd, Toms River Jackson Montgomery Twp Somerville Middletown Branchburg Freehold Lacey Lacey TwpNeptune Neptune Brunswick Branchburg Freehold Lacey Twp Neptune South BrunswickSouth Branchburg TwpTwp South Brunswick Freehol Freehold Freehold Branchburg Freehold Freehold Lacey Neptune South Brunswick Freehold Brick Twp Hadley Commons Brunswick Plainfield Brick Hadley Commons Lawrenceville Lawrenceville North BrunswickNorth South PlainfieldSouth Brick TwpTwp Commons Lawrenceville North Brunswick South Plainfield Brick Twp Hadley Hadley Commons Lawrenceville North Brunswick South Plainfield Neptun Neptune Neptune Neptune

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CONTENTS

19

27 Dr. Rahul Vemula V Plastic Surgery Serves Monmouth County Residents

Monmouth Beach Welcomes Two Firefighters

6

5 Things To Do Indoors

11-15

Professional Services Guide

16

Local Hero

22

Biz Beat

25

Calendar of Events

27-28

Around Town

35

Kula Urban Farm in Asbury Park Expands

38

Pet Celebs

SALES DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER ROSEANNE SOFIA ASSOCIATE EDITOR E M M A S Y LV I A OFFICE MANAGER PA M R O G E R S ACCOUNTS PAYABLE S H I R L E Y S T. C L A I R REPORTERS BILL CL ARK M AIA FRANCO WILLIAM GARDELL REBECC A KING DESIGN DIRECTOR DEBBIE MCKENNA PHOTOGRAPHERS ANDREI JACK A ME T S J O E LY P O W Y JOHN VITOLLO ANDRE A PHOX PUBLISHER AND OPERATOR D I R E C T C O M M U N I C AT I O N S & C O N S U LT I N G , L L C

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Community Magazine takes no responsibility for the content of any advertisement nor does it guarantee the accuracy, veracity or truthfulness of any statement made in any advertisement. Any and all liability for any claims resulting from the content of any advertisement published by Community Magazine is solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Community Magazine is owned and operated by Direct Communications & Consulting, LLC.

Community Magazine features profiles on our community and features various advertisers throughout the region. Our magazine features the incredible products and services of our advertisers. We are not a news publication and do not report news.

MonmouthCommunity.com 4

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

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MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

5

5 Things To Do Indoors:

Community Magazine Offers 5 Great Suggestions on a Rainy Day!

BY BILL CLARK Gravity Vault

Monster Mini Golf

S

pring may be right around the corner, but there are still plenty of cold days to seek refuge inside. Whether you’ve just had enough of the chill in the air or a late winter storm puts a damper on your plans, here are some activities that bring you inside but still offer fun and the chance to create memories for you and your family.

on some trick routes at this indoor climbing gym. There are options for first-time climbers, those looking for the trickiest routes, kids, and those who just want to have fun. Fall in love with the sport? Get belay certified and make it a routine with your friends.

37 Kanes Ln. | gravityvault.com

4. Asbury Book Cooperative Located in downtown Asbury Park, 1. Silverball Retro Arcade, the ABC is the perfect spot to escape Asbury Park Boardwalk the cold. Offering a thorough selecBring back a little nostalgia. Kids and tion for an independent bookstore, the adults can walk through this interacemployees and volunteers are knowltive museum and play classic pinball edgeable and ready to provide recgames that date back to the 1950s. BatSilverball Retro Arcade ommendations or suggestions. There tle each other to see who can reach the are also weekly events such as author highest score in a game of air hockey. appearances, story time, or musical performances. Once you This museum shines bright with flashing and colorful lights. find the perfect book, look through their selection of puzzles 1000 Ocean Ave. | silverballmuseum.com and other eclectic offerings.

644A Cookman Ave. | asburybookcoop.org 2. Monster Mini Golf, Eatontown Mini golf, arcade games, or virtual reality are all available on days when you don’t want to face the reality of the cold, rainy weather. No need to be afraid of the dark with the neon glow elements. If you can make a tricky putt here, you’ll be ready when the greens open in spring.

749 Hope Rd. | monsterminigolf.com

3. Gravity Vault, Middletown Strap into a harness, grab some climbing shoes, and take

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

5. Monmouth Museum Located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, Monmouth Museum has plenty of standing exhibits and scheduled events in art, history, and science to keep any member of the family entertained and educated. Children can climb through play areas or work hands-on with some of the arts and crafts available.

765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft | monmouthmuseum.org

FIXING A STUFFY NOSE AND

SNORING QUESTION: My nose is always stuffy, worse on one side.

And not only that... I am told by my spouse that I snore loudly!

What can I do?

ANSWER: Your best bet is a full evaluation by an ENT specialist who can determine what is causing your nasal obstruction and the most effective treatment. Often, once the nasal breathing is restored, the loud snoring is then diminished or even eliminated. There are several steps necessary for a thorough exam: HISTORY: Questioning the patient about previous trauma to the nose and also anything that may cause chronic swelling inside the nasal cavity, like recurrent sinus infections, allergies, and overuse of intranasal sprays such as Afrin.

EXAM: Fiberoptic scope of the nose and throat to look for septal deviations, polyps, abnormal enlargements of other intranasal structures, and draining secretions which can be cultured. Check the external nasal structure for cartilage collapse that can result in a valve obstruction. Also allergy tests, home sleep studies and CT scans may be performed if indicated.

TREATMENT: Customized to the patient’s cause of obstruction. Can be as simple as a regimen of intranasal and oral medications or more complex involving surgical procedures.

ADVANCED SURGICAL TREATMENT: The latest techniques allow for quick recovery, no bruising, more precise repairs, and open breathing immediately after surgery. Technology has improved with the use of 4K camera/monitors and microscopic visualization, laser- guided infrared navigation, and new methods and instrumentation for septum repair, turbinate reduction, valve collapse reconstruction and sinus blockage. Rhinoplasty techniques have also advanced and can often be performed at the same time if there are external nasal cosmetic concerns.

Frank J Scaccia, MD FACS

RIVERSIDE FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY & SINUS CENTER

Top rhinoplasty surgeon NJ Monthly Magazine 2026 • American Board of Otolaryngology (ENT) • American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery Jack Anderson Prize award for highest score in board certifying exam.

• Top NYC Metro Doctor 2006-2024 • In-office NJ state-licensed accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center

70 E Front St. 3rd Floor | Red Bank, NJ

732-747-5300

www.riversideface.com

These pictures are actual patients of Dr. Scaccia who underwent septal and nasal reconstruction.

Accepts most out of network insurance plans including Horizon Blue Cross, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and others.

Please call our office for details. We are here to help make your health insurance work for you.

Penelope Stout: The Mother of Middletown

BY WILLIAM GARDELL, MA

P

enelope Stout is closely associated with the founding of the Middletown Village in the 17th century. Some facts and dates pertaining to her life have blurred over time, along with the near-legendary events she lived through, but her status as the “Mother of Middletown” continues to live on.

In the 17th century, Middletown – and Monmouth County in general – was essentially the frontier. Middletown is generally considered to have been founded or organized into a town in 1664, just 45 years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. That event was closer to the founding of Middletown than we are to Woodstock today – which I am sure doesn’t seem that long ago to many of you reading this now.

What is now called New Jersey had been partially settled by the Dutch, with the first permanent Dutch settlement in Jersey City, founded in 1630. The Dutch settled in relatively limited numbers until the English Crown took control of New York and New Jersey after a war with the Dutch in 1664. That is when English settlers started to populate what is now Middletown. Many of these settlers came from already established English colonies in Rhode Island and Long Island, rather than directly from England.

Penelope Stout was the first known European woman to set foot in Monmouth County. She is remembered as Penelope Stout, but was known as Penelope Van Princis when she left Holland during the first half of the 17th century (the exact year is disputed). She traveled with her husband, who became ill on the long voyage, and other settlers heading for the New World. The ship either wrecked or became stranded off of what is now Sandy Hook. Fearing attacks from potentially hostile Native Americans (Lenape), the surviving settlers and crew decided to head to New Amsterdam (now New York City) as soon as possible. Penelope chose to stay with her husband, who was too ill to travel.

Soon thereafter, a party of hostile Native Americans did come upon them. Penelope’s husband was killed, and she was gravely wounded and then presumably left for dead. According to later accounts, she was wounded in the gut, possibly

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

partially scalped, and had to crawl to seek shelter in a hollowed-out tree. She remained there for several days until she was found by an older, kindly Lenape man who took her to his home and nursed her back to health. Accounts differ as to whether he brought her to New Amsterdam himself or took her to other Dutch settlers who had been sent out to locate her. She recovered and later married an Englishman in New Amsterdam named Richard Stout.

Richard had served in the Royal Navy for seven years and hailed from Nottinghamshire, England. Penelope and Richard married around 1644 and had 10 children. The Stouts were among the first 50 European families to settle in Middletown.

Some accounts indicate that Penelope lived to the age of 110. At the time of her death in 1712, she reportedly had as many as 502 descendants. This is even more amazing when one considers that Monmouth County only had a population of 25,000 during the American Revolution in the 1770s, 60 years later.

If she wasn’t the Mother of Middletown, she certainly was the grandmother – or great-grandmother – of much of its inhabitants.

Pick up a copy of our latest edition in these locations!

Zone 1 (Colts Neck/Holmdel Area): Atlantic Eye Dearborn Market Pantano Home Prima Pizza Zone 2 (Rumson/Fair Haven Area): Atlantic Eye Fair Haven Diner Family Tavola Shoprite (Shrewsbury) Shrewsbury Volkswagen Zone 3 (Jersey Shore Area): Asbury Park City Hall Convention Hall (Asbury Park) Shoppes at the Arcade (Asbury Park) Shoprite (Belmar) Shoprite (Neptune) Zone 4 (Ocean Township Area): All Seasons Diner (Eatontown) Atlantic Eye Blue Swan Diner (Ocean) Ocean Township Library Pop’s Bagels Zone 5 (Middletown Area): Atlantic Bagel Co.(Atlantic Highlands) Circus Liquors (Middletown) Foodtown (Atlantic Highlands) Shoprite (Middletown) Zone 6 (Freehold Area): Cafe 360 NJ Leaf Romeo’s Pizza Shoprite (Freehold)

Check out our digital editions online at monmouthcommunity.com

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MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

9

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803 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704

221 RIVER STREET, 9TH FLOOR, HOBOKEN, NJ 07030. 201.721.8610 © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

COMMU N ITY M A G A Z I N E

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GUIDE Local matters. Whether you are looking for guidance on legal issues, taxes, insurance, and financial planning, or need help with renovations, landscaping, or transportation – you can find the right professionals here in Monmouth County.

This Professional Services Guide lists local businesses ready and willing to assist. Contact them today and start checking items off your “to-do” list.

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Slice Merchant Services

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Celebrates Six Years in New Jersey With a Special No-Cost Processing Promotion for Local Merchants

lice Merchant Services, an awardwinning, nationally operational payment processing company headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey, is proudly celebrating six years of growth and service in the Garden State. Built on a merchant-first philosophy, Slice has long focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses streamline payment acceptance, reduce costs, and operate with confidence.

Since establishing its New Jersey headquarters, Slice has strengthened its commitment to local communities while continuing to serve merchants nationwide.

Alongside a thriving national footprint, with more than 20 years in business, the company is deeply invested in supporting the local businesses that drive regional economies. From restaurants and retailers to professional service providers, Slice partners closely with business owners to eliminate the common frustrations associated with payment processing.

To commemorate its sixth year in NJ, Slice has launched a special offer exclusively for New Jersey merchants. Designed for small and medium-sized businesses, the offer provides a no-contract processing option that gives merchants flexibility without long-term commitments. This approach allows business owners to adapt and grow on their own terms, without being locked into restrictive agreements.

Slice is offering New Jersey merchants zero-cost processing, helping businesses significantly reduce — or even eliminate — traditional credit card processing expenses. In addition, merchants receive free payment equipment and free on-site installation, ensuring a seamless transition with minimal disruption. By removing upfront costs and technical barriers, Slice continues its mission of making payment solutions accessible and stress-free.

Service remains a cornerstone of the Slice experience. Merchants enrolled in the program benefit from local customer support, providing peace of mind that assistance is always available.

Whether addressing technical concerns, system questions, or general account support, Slice’s around-the-clock service ensures reliability when it matters most.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Beyond business solutions, Slice Merchant Services is deeply committed to giving back and making a meaningful community impact. The company is proud to support local military veterans and active-duty service members through its Swipes for Stripes program. Through this initiative, Slice donates a portion of credit card service fees to Bridging the Gap, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families.

Over more than two decades, Slice Merchant Services has remained focused on transparency, flexibility, and advocacy for business owners. Its combination of no contracts, cost-saving processing options, comprehensive support, and communitydriven initiatives sets it apart in the payments industry.

As Slice celebrates six years in New Jersey and over 20 years nationwide, the company looks ahead with a continued commitment to empowering merchants, strengthening communities, and honoring those who serve. Through innovative solutions and purposedriven programs, Slice Merchant Services remains dedicated to helping businesses — and the people behind them — thrive.

To learn more about Slice, visit Startslice.com or call 973-791-5002

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Precision Mirror and Glass

Commercial Glass Applications for Modern Businesses

I

ment. Precision Mirror and Glass provides tempered, laminated, and bullet-resistant glass solutions to safeguard properties against breakins and accidents.

7. Glass Entrances and Doors — Glass doors create a sophisticated and welcoming entrance while maintaining a modern aesthetic. Whether it’s automatic sliding doors or custom glass swing doors, Precision Mirror and Glass ensures high-quality installations that combine style with durability.

n the world of commercial architecture and design, glass is more than just a material, it’s a statement. From sleek office partitions to striking storefronts, the right glass applications can enhance aesthetics, improve functionality, and even boost energy efficiency. Precision Mirror and Glass specializes in providing high-quality glass solutions tailored to the needs of modern businesses.

The Role of Glass in Commercial Spaces Glass is a versatile material that offers numerous advantages in commercial settings. It provides natural light, creates a sense of openness, and contributes to a contemporary aesthetic. With advancements in glass technology, businesses can now integrate glass elements that are not only stylish but also durable and energy-efficient.

Commercial Glass Applications by Precision Mirror and Glass Precision Mirror and Glass offers a wide range of glass solutions designed to meet the needs of various industries.

Here are some of the most popular commercial glass applications: 1. Storefront Glass Systems — A business’s storefront is the first impression customers get, making it crucial to have a clean, modern, and inviting appearance. Precision Mirror and Glass designs and installs durable, high-visibility storefront glass systems that enhance curb appeal while providing security and energy efficiency.

2. Glass Office Partitions and Walls — Open-concept office designs are becoming increasingly popular, and glass partitions are an excellent way to create a collaborative work environment while maintaining privacy. Precision Mirror and Glass provides custom glass office walls that reduce noise while allowing natural light to flow through the space.

3. Curtain Walls and Facades — For commercial buildings, curtain walls offer an impressive architectural feature while providing weather resistance and thermal insulation. Precision Mirror and Glass installs high-performance curtain wall systems that enhance both aesthetics and functionality.

4. Glass Railings and Balustrades — Ideal for staircases, balconies, and mezzanine levels, glass railings add a sleek, modern touch to commercial spaces. These systems provide safety without obstructing views, making them a popular choice for offices, hotels, and retail spaces.

5. Custom Mirrors and Decorative Glass — From upscale hotels to luxury retail stores, custom mirrors and decorative glass elements can elevate interior design. Precision Mirror and Glass offers custom-cut mirrors, frosted glass, and decorative panels to enhance the ambiance of commercial spaces.

6. Safety and Security Glass— For businesses requiring added protection, security glass is an essential invest-

Why Choose Precision Mirror and Glass?

• Expert Craftsmanship — With years of experience in the industry, the company ensures precise installation and superior quality.

• Custom Solutions — Each project is tailored to meet the unique needs of the business.

• Advanced Technology — From energy-efficient glass to high-security solutions, the company utilizes cutting-edge technology.

• Customer Satisfaction — Precision Mirror and Glass is committed to providing exceptional service and high-quality products.

Elevate Your Business with Precision Mirror and Glass Whether you’re looking to enhance your storefront, modernize your office, or improve security, Precision Mirror and Glass has the expertise to bring your vision to life. With a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation, their commercial glass applications are designed to meet the highest standards of performance and style.

Precision Mirror and Glass is located at 89 Highway 35 North in Eatontown. For more information call them at 732-389-8175 or visit their website at PrecisionGlassNJ.com

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

13

PRO FE S S I O N A L S E RV I C E S G U I D E

Professional Services Directory The best places in Monmouth County to get you the help you need – no matter the category ATTORNEYS Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC 1500 Lawrence Ave., Ocean Twp. 732-922-1000 Ansell.law Broege, Neumann, Fischer & Shaver 25 Abe Vorhees Dr., Manasquan 732-223-8484 x 208 neumannlawyers.com Drazin & Warshaw Locations in Red Bank, Hazlet, Brick, and Westfield 732-333-8141 DrazinAndWarshaw.com Krasner Law 125 Half Mile Rd., Suite 200, Red Bank 866-392-1210 lkrasner.com LaRocca Hornik Rosen Greenberg & Crupi 252 South St., Freehold 732-403-3693 DivorceLawNJ.com Lomurro Law 4 Paragon Way #100, Freehold 732-482-9285 LomurroLaw.com Marcus & Zelman 701 Cookman Ave., Suite 300, Asbury Park 732-695-3282 marcuszelman.com Paone Zaleski & Murphy 120 Maple Ave., Red Bank 732-507-9315 PaoneZaleski.com FINANCE Campanile & Associates 45 Route 35 South, Neptune 732-775-2900 www.campanilecpa.com Damian Sylvia, Retirement Income Solutions 220 Monmouth Rd., 2nd Fl., Suite 4, Oakhurst 732-508-6044 www.retirementsolutionsnj.com

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Geeta Brana Wealth 960 Holmdel Rd., Building 1, Holmdel 732-546-9315 GeetaBrana.com New Century Planning Associates 83 South St., Suite 205, Freehold 732-702-2777 newcenturyplanningservices.com RD Parisi Associates 500 Prospect Ave., West Orange 973-830-0176 rdparisiassociates.com Robert F. Pepe CPA 603 Mattison Ave., Suite 308, Asbury Park 732-362-2402 Shore Tax & Financial Planning 29 Beach Rd., #206, Monmouth Beach 732-704-8982 shorefp.com HOME RENOVATION AND DESIGN Appliance Brokers 1001 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park 732-807-7342 www.ablsales.com Carpets To Go 24 Brick Blvd., Brick 732-864-9511 1787 US-9, Howell 732-462-2420 CarpetsToGoNJ.com Closettec 203 Woodward Rd., Manalapan 732-792-0088 www.closettecnj.com Garden State Renovations NJ 317 Norgrove Pl., Long Branch 848-667-1400 gardenstaterenovate.com HV Design Group 174 County Road 537, Colts Neck 732-252-9900 hvdesigngroup.com

PRO FE S S I O N A L S E RV I C E S G U I D E Monmouth Building Center 777 Shrewsbury Ave., Shrewsbury 732-898-0761 www.monmouthbuildingcenter.com Precision Glass Solutions 89 Highway 35 North, Eatontown 732-389-8175 PrecisionGlassNJ.Com Renewal Solutions Kitchen, Bathroom & Basements 740 Lloyd Rd., Aberdeen Township 732-724-0474 renewalsolutionsinc.com S.A.M. Decks & Home Improvement Freehold & Surrounding Area 732-683-9709 www.samdecks.com INSURANCE Blue Lion Insurance Advisors, LLC 106 Apple St., Suite 221, Tinton Falls 732-649-1600 blinsuranceadvisors.com Conover Beyer Associates 2600 NJ-35, Manasquan 732-223-9700 conoverbeyer.com Foundation Risk Partners 386-999-0001 FoundationRP.com Morgan Financial Services 331 Newman Springs Rd., Suite 143, Red Bank 908-910-8044 morganfinancialservices.net Rosell Insurance Agency 149 Avenue at the Common, Suite 203, Shrewsbury 732-741-3538 rosellagency.com StreetSmart Insurance 208 South St., Freehold 732-462-8343 www.streetsmart.insurance The Baldwin Group 101 Crawfords Corner Rd., #1300, Holmdel 732-834-9800 baldwin.com The Ross Maghan Agency 732 Newman Springs Road, Suite 200, Lincroft 732-566-0003 MaghanInsurance.com

LANDSCAPING All Jersey Landscaping Inc. 732-762-5424 Find us on Facebook Colin’s Landscaping 732-641-4044 landscapingcompanyredbank.com Designer Landscaping Colts Neck 732-919-7882 designerlandnj.com Earth Scapes Landscape & Outdoor Living 127 Union Ave., Manasquan 732-444-8575 earthscapesnj.com Lambertson’s Landscaping Inc. 732-566-1955 LambertsonsLandscaping.com Semper Green Lawnscape, LLC 400 Iron Bridge Rd., Freehold 732-682-8507 www.sempergreenlawn.com TRANSPORTATION A Car For Hire Monmouth & Ocean Counties 732-995-2420 acarforhire@aol.com Circle BMW 500 Route 36, Eatontown 732-820-4053 circlebmw.com Garden State Limousine Service 301 Rt. 17 N., Suite 800, Rutherford 1-800-300-3356 gardenstatelimos.com MB Motorsports 1715 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park 732-800-4607 mbmotorsports.com Monmouth County Division of Transportation Senior & Disabled Transportation 250 Center St., Freehold 732-431-6480 www.visitmonmouth.com Shrewsbury Volkswagen 702 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls 732-945-5634 shrewsburyvw.com

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

15

Local HERO

Monmouth County resident Sean Dunne recently swam the English Channel in order to raise money for the Anthony M. Varvaro Believe Foundation.

He sat down with us to talk about the experience.

Q: What inspired you to swim the English Channel?

A: I have been a competitive swimmer since I was five years old, and from the very beginning, I have always been drawn to the ocean. Over time, that passion grew into a desire to take on the ultimate test of open water endurance: the English Channel, often considered the “Holy Grail” of marathon swimming.

It is a brutal and unforgiving endeavor. The water rarely rises above 59 degrees Fahrenheit, relentless currents push you in every direction except the one you want to go, and the Channel is home to thousands of stinging jellyfish — including the notorious Portuguese Man O’ War. It may sound crazy, but these very hardships are exactly what inspired me to attempt the swim from England to France. The sacrifices and struggles of training, along with the physical and mental battle in the water, have a way of stripping life down to what truly matters.

The Channel demands everything you have, and in return, it offers perspective, resilience, and a deeper understanding of what it means to endure.

Q: Did you ever feel like giving up? What inspired you to keep going?

A: Absolutely, I felt like giving up more than once. The first moment came right at the start of the swim. It was pitch black at 4 a.m., and I was swimming straight out into a choppy, endless ocean. My goggles began to leak, I couldn’t find a steady breathing rhythm, and the discomfort was immediate and overwhelming. In that moment, knowing I still had more than ten hours ahead of me, I truly wondered if I was in over my head. The second time came about five and a half hours in, when my shoul-

16

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Name: Sean Dunne Town of Residency: Long Branch Occupation: Port Authority Police Officer

der became so irritated that I could barely lift my arm out of the water. What kept me going through both of those moments was narrowing my focus to what I could control — one stroke, one breath, one minute at a time — and reminding myself that the pain was temporary. I held onto the truth that discomfort passes, but quitting would last far longer.

Q: Tell us about the Anthony M. Varvaro Believe Foundation.

A: The Anthony M. Varvaro Believe Foundation’s mission is to support individuals and families facing unexpected tragedy, while also enhancing the quality of youth sports in Anthony’s hometown. The foundation was established in honor of retired Major League Baseball player and Port Authority Police Officer Anthony Varvaro, who was tragically lost on September 11, 2022, while en route to protect the 9/11 Memorial Service at Ground Zero.

Q: Do you have any other charity events coming up in the future?

A: Nothing concrete. I am on a waiting list to swim the remaining six of the seven worldwide channel swims known as the “Oceans 7.” The channels are the English Channel, North Channel, Molokai Channel, Catalina Channel, Tsugaru Strait, Cook Strait, and the Strait of Gibraltar. I would be honored to raise money for the Anthony M. Varvaro Foundation again, as well as raise money for the local ASPCA animal shelters.

Q: What’s the best way for people to learn more about this swim and PAPD Officer Anthony Varvaro?

A: The best way to learn more about Anthony Varvaro is by visiting the foundation’s website AV38.org. The best way to learn more about the English Channel and watch highlights is on Instagram @adventuredunnes and by searching Sean Dunne English Channel Swim online.

Easter Activities Borough Easter Egg Hunt Belmar Saturday, March 21 @ 11 a.m.

4th and 5th Ave. Beaches Free!

Township Easter Egg Hunt Colts Neck Saturday, March 28 @ 9:30 a.m.

Colts Neck Firehouse #1, 123 County Rd. 537 Free!

Township Easter Egg Hunt Ocean Township Saturday, March 28 (Time TBD) Municipal Gym 1100 West Park Ave. Free!

City Easter Egg Hunt Long Branch Sunday, March 29 @ 10 a.m.

West End Park, Brighton Ave. Free!

Painting with Princesses Middletown Wednesday, April 1 @ 4:30 p.m.

Poricy Park Nature Center, 345 Oak Hill Rd. $12 per person

Follow CM on Social @CommunityMagNJ

Help Your Community Exercise Their Right to Vote!

Become a Monmouth County Poll Worker Today!

The Monmouth County Board of Elections is seeking poll workers. Call us today to find out more about taking part in this important civic responsibility.

To qualify, you must be a registered voter in Monmouth County and attend a poll worker training class.

You will be paid $300 for working a Primary Election or General Election.

Call us today to register for a training class!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER April 8

Deadline for Change of Party Affiliation Declaration Forms April 18 Mailing of Vote-by-Mail Ballots for Primary Election May 12 Voter Registration Deadline for Primary Election May 26 Deadline to apply for Vote-by-Mail ballot for Primary Election May 26-31 Early Voting Period June 2 Primary Election Day

Monmouth County Board of Elections 300 Halls Mills Road • Freehold, NJ 07728

732-431-7802 x7150

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Life

A New Lease on V Plastic Surgery Serves Monmouth County Residents

BY EMMA SYLVIA

S

ome people might think of only celebrity culture when the topic of “plastic surgery” is brought up. However, Dr. Rahul Vemula of V Plastic Surgery in West Long Branch lauds how plastic surgery can give a patient an entirely transformed life, from cosmetic changes to breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Vemula talks about his own medical journey and what V Plastic Surgery offers Monmouth County residents.

Rotating Interests Dr. Vemula, a resident of Oceanport, originally hails from North Jersey. His medical journey began at Rutgers University, where he first majored in business before pivoting to medical school due to an interest in his biology courses. After matriculating into Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and working for Johnson & Johnson, he was intrinsi-

cally drawn to taking care of patients. With a background as an EMT, and a newfound passion, Vemula knew immediately what course he wished to follow.

“I was drawn to surgery… You’re using your hands to help people,” said Dr. Vemula, who originally wanted to pursue cardiology or heart surgery. Dr. Vemula was first exposed to the world of plastic surgery during rotations in medical school. “I thought it was the last thing I would want to do,” he remarked, but one patient encounter changed not just his entire outlook on the field, but his entire life.

“One of my patients on my plastic surgery rotation was a young woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a devastating diagnosis; she was in her early thirties and had no family history [of breast cancer] – it was totally unexpected. I was having a conversation with her, and she said her plastic surgeon gave her hope after her diagnosis. She said,

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

19

‘Cancer took away my breasts, but plastic surgery made me whole again. It gave me a new lease on life.’ I was able to participate in her other surgeries, [watching her] go from the mastectomy with no breasts to full reconstruction.

She was cancer-free, living her life, and I was very grateful. That’s when I decided what I wanted to do.”

Plastic surgery became his medical specialty. “We operate on pretty much any part of the body. All walks of life, all ages – sometimes it’s cosmetic, sometimes it’s reconstructive. It had a good mix of what I wanted to do.”

A Practice of His Own After 17 years of training – including time at Monmouth Medical Center which inspired his move from North

20

Jersey to the Jersey Shore – he got his first job working at another plastic surgery practice. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Dr. Vemula decided to start his own practice.

“Some people called me crazy. I definitely had some sleepless nights. I had two kids and two mortgages. ‘How is this going to work?’” When asked if his sleepless nights were worth it, Dr. Vemula smiles: “Absolutely. I love what I do.”

Dr. Vemula and his staff, on the average day, see patients, complete new consultations, do post-op visits, and follow-ups. Every other day, Dr. Vemula himself is performing surgery, from breast reconstruction to cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks, breast augmentations, reductions, gynecomastia,

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

botox, fillers, and more.

Dr. Vemula celebrates the growing cultural acceptance of these procedures. “Over the past ten years, getting these procedures has become less taboo. In the past, people felt ashamed; now, it’s more out in the open.”

Of course, the advent of medical procedures has to come up when speaking about the field. Dr. Vemula himself, alongside his fellow med students, would watch Grey’s Anatomy and poke fun at the dramatic inaccuracies. Dr. Vemula, however, elaborates on another media: “In plastic surgery, the most common question I get is, ‘Doc, do you watch Botched?’ Sometimes I get frustrated with shows like that.”

He explains, “I wish that what was emphasized more was that the

people they treat got their surgeries from practitioners who are completely unqualified. I had to pass the board exam – a rigorous exam – to become a board-certified plastic surgeon. I think it’s important for the general population to research their plastic surgeon and make sure they have the experience and training and are board-certified.”

Monmouth’s Plastic Surgery V Plastic Surgery is truly Monmouth County focused – and Dr. Vemula celebrates this, especially as a local resident. “The beauty of living in the community where you work is that you treat people in your community. ‘You took care of my mom, you helped my son in an accident.’ You see them at the grocery store, at the mall. That makes such a big impact.”

He continued, “The biggest honor is when another physician refers their family to you – we know who we send our family members to. When I get a patient who says, ‘My husband is one of your colleagues, my son told me to come to you’? That’s a great honor.”

Volunteering to give back to the community is also important to Dr. Vemula, particularly events focused on breast cancer awareness. Every year

he takes part in the Pt. Pleasant Beach Strides Against Cancer Walk, and supports the charity “I Pink I Can,” established by a local breast surgeon, Dr. Manpreet Kohli.

Like other Monmouth residents, Vemula and his staff at V Plastic Surgery are excited for Netflix’s grand opening in Fort Monmouth. “I have friends ask, ‘You think you’ll get any celebrity patients?’ I answer, ‘If I did, I wouldn’t be able to tell you!’”

The point that Dr. Vemula wants to drive home is that plastic surgery isn’t just for the rich and famous – it’s accessible, and many procedures are covered by insurance. Beyond the benefits provided for the individual patients, the work done by Dr. Vemula also helps to improve health outcomes through clinical trials. The office is currently involved in a clinical trial for women with breast implants who have experienced capsular contracture, a condition where the breast implants become hard and painful and must be removed. The trial involves implementation of a type of mesh that is thought to reduce the chances of the condition recurring. Patients who qualify may get all or part of the surgery costs covered.

And, just as one woman’s plastic surgery for her breast reconstruction years ago gave her a new lease on life, Dr. Vemula and V Plastic Surgery promise to offer residents of Monmouth County a chance for their lives to be entirely transformed.

For more information about V Plastic Surgery, visit doctorvnj.com or their office at 107 Monmouth Rd., Bldg C Suite 201, West Long Branch, NJ. Call or text us at 848-371-0329.

PHOTO BY JOHN LOREAUX

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

21

BIZBEAT

A quick roundup of what’s new and happening at local businesses in Monmouth County.

Go For It Sports Rehab and Fitness opens in Atlantic Highlands We all know how frustrating recovering from an injury can be: pain, lost progress, and never quite feeling the same afterwards.

Dr. Sam Santos opened Go For It Sports Rehab and Fitness to help clients not only heal their injuries, but also to come back stronger and more resilient through strength training, mobility, and physical therapy. He has helped clients with their goals ranging from unloading the dishwasher without pain to fighting MMA and everything in between.

For more information or to schedule a time to chat about your goals, call 732-639-0516, e-mail sam@goforitsportsrehab. com, or visit goforitsportsrehab.com.

Go For It Sports Rehab and Fitness is located at 25 West Highlands Ave., Atlantic Highlands NJ.

22

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Away Team Property Watch & Concierge This March marks one year since Away Team Property Watch & Concierge began serving Monmouth County homeowners. Founded by local residents and real estate investors Allison and Patrick Francis, Away Team offers property watch, home maintenance services, and full-service concierge support for both full-time and seasonal homeowners. Known for their hands-on, relationship-driven approach, Away Team has quickly become a trusted partner for clients seeking reliable, personalized care for their properties. From routine property checks to vendor coordination and on-demand assistance, their mission is simple: provide peace of mind and make homeownership easier year-round.

For more information, contact us at 732-305-2554, cnj@awayteamservices.com, or visit www.awayteammonmouth.com.

Do your breast implants hurt?

You may be experiencing capsular contracture.

Part of your surgery may be covered as part of a clinical trial.

Schedule your consultation today.

CALL OR TEXT US

(848)-371-0329

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A Go-To Guide for St. Patrick’s Day Across the County Monmouth County lights up in green this March as residents from the Highlands to Brielle celebrate their Irish heritage for St. Patrick’s Day. In 2026, here’s where you can look forward to the best parades, marathons, and more!

Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 1 @ 1 p.m.

Main St., Lake Como & Belmar Celebrate Belmar/Lake Como’s 53rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade to enjoy a day of floats, pipe bands, and more. belmarparade.com Highlands Annual Guinness Run Saturday, March 7 @ 12:30 p.m.

1 Navesink Ave., Atlantic Highlands Join the Highlands Business Partnership for their 13th Annual Guinness Run, with all runners having access to the post-race party. highlandsnj.com Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 8 @ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Ocean Ave., and 4th Ave., Asbury Park Head down to Asbury Park for their annual parade featuring bands, floats, bag pipers, dancers, scouts, mummers, local leaders and associations, and more. asburyparkstpatricksparade.com Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 8 @ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Allen St., and River Rd., Rumson Celebrate Irish heritage and give back to local organizations that improve Rumson’s community. rumsonstpatricksdayparade.org Shamrock N’ Roll 5K - Fort Monmouth Saturday, March 14 @ 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Fort Monmouth, Oceanport Head to Fort Monmouth for the 2nd Annual Shamrock N’ Roll 5k, with a special live performance from Brian Kirk and The Jirks. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Lunch Break. runsignup.com/Race/NJ/FortMonmouth/ShamrockNRollNJ 24

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Freehold Borough Arts Council St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 15 @ 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Main St., Freehold Visit downtown Freehold for their annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, followed by after parties and Irish-themed specials around town. downtownfreehold.com St. Paddy’s 5 Mile Race: Patrick E. Coyne Memorial Race - Freehold Saturday, March 21 @ 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Rd., Freehold Run this 5-mile course through beautiful Tighe Park, supporting the Recreation Special Olympics and Freehold Twp. Recreation Challenger Sports for Special Needs. runsignup.com/Race/NJ/FreeholdFreeholdAreaRunningClubs StPaddys8KaMetric5Miler Keyport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 21 @ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative (KBBC), 70 W. Front St., Keyport Sponsored by the KBBC, the Keyport St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back!

Visit Keyport St. Patrick’s Parade on Facebook Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 21 @ 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Highlands Business Partnership, Waterwitch Ave., Highlands Visit the Highlands for their parade with nearly 100 marching units. highlandsnj.com

March

EVENTS CALENDAR Trivia Night Every Monday: March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Head to Skinny Flowers Brewing Company for trivia night 800 Oceanport Ave. #1, Oceanport skinnyflowersbrewing.com Bell Works Fresh Farmers and Makers Market Every Wednesday: March 4, 11, 18, 25 @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Visit Bell Works every Wednesday for their local market Bell Works 101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel asburyfresh.com Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walk Sunday, March 1 @ 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Join the American Littoral Society for a Winter Wildlife Walk 18 Hartshorne Dr. #1, Highlands littoralsociety.org First Fridays Arts and Sound at the Station Friday, March 6 @ 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Head to Asbury every first Friday of the month for an art and music show Asbury Park Transportation Center Asbury Park overthemoonartstudios.com/first-fridays Candlelight Concert Friday, March 6 @ 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

A night of music dedicated to Queen and The Beatles brought to you by the Monmouth University Center for the Arts Pollak Theater 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch monmouth.edu Winters Fresh Farmers Market Sunday, March 8, 22 @ 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Visit Ocean Grove for this cozy, indoor food and farm market 66 S. Main St., Ocean Grove jerseyshoreartscenter.org

Blacksmith Demonstration Sunday, March 8 @ 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Head to the blacksmith shop at Historic Longstreet Farm and see craftsmanship in action and learn about the rich history behind the forge.

44 Longstreet Rd., Holmdel monmouthcountyparks.com Small and Container Gardening with Native Plants Sunday, March 8 @ 1 p.m.

The Little Silver Environmental Commission Speaker Series presents this talk about creating a small or container garden with a special focus on utilizing native plants. Free admission.

Little Silver Woman’s Club 111 Church St., Little Silver littlesilvernj.gov Trail Walk Wednesday, March 11 @ 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Say “farewell” to the frosty weather as you join a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk at Huber Woods Park. Meet at the Environmental Center parking lot 25 Browns Dock Rd., Middletown monmouthcountyparks.com Laugh Lab @ Brookdale Friday, March 13 @ 7 p.m.

A bold new comedy improv series where nothing is scripted and laughs are guaranteed.

Brookdale Performing Arts Center 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft brookdalepac.ludus.com Paint the Pony Sunday, March 22 @ 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Join the famous Stone Pony in their family-friendly benefit concert raising awareness for Epilepsy with this Battle of the Bands concert The Stone Pony 913 Ocean Ave. N, Asbury Park stoneponyonline.com

School of Rock Thursday, March 26 @ 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Watch Oak Hill Academy’s Upper School Play, “School of Rock” Student Activities Center 347 Middletown-Lincroft Rd., Lincroft oakhillacademy.com Legally Blonde March 26-28: Thurs./Fri. @ 6:30 p.m., Sat. @ 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Red Bank Regional Theatre Company presents Legally Blonde Joseph A Russo III Theatre 101 Ridge Rd., Little Silver rbrhsnj.booktix.com 24th Annual Garden State Film Festival March 26 - 29: Check website for times/locations A platform for filmmakers and a celebration of cinema at New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival Various locations in Asbury Park gsff.org Meet the Filmmakers Night March 26-29 @ 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

A preview night for the Garden State Film Festival Asbury Lanes 209 4th Ave., Asbury Park gsff.org Ospreys!

Sunday, March 29 @ 1 p.m.

The Little Silver Environmental Commission Speaker Series presents “New Jersey’s Fish Hawk: the Amazing Osprey”. Learn about the ospreys in our area. Bring the whole family! Free admission.

Little Silver Woman’s Club 111 Church St., Little Silver littlesilvernj.gov

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

25

Experienced, Knowledgeable Injury Attorneys Fighting For Clients Throughout New Jersey

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Pet Celebs Wanted!

Got a pup who is a rockstar? A cat who’s all that?

Are your birds the coolest things on wings? We want to see them all.

Send us pictures of your beloved pets so they can be featured in the pages of Community Magazine!

Just send us a picture, along with the pet’s name and the Monmouth County town in which you reside and we’ll take care of the rest!

Send all photo submissions to info@communitymagazinenj.com

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

AROUND TOWN » BRADLEY BEACH | MONMOUTH BEACH

Bradley Beach Students Bowl for DC

E

ighth-grade students from Bradley Beach Elementary School hosted a fundraiser at Bradley Beach Bowl to raise money for their upcoming trip to our nation’s capital. The event, facilitated by the students, sold out and was a big hit. Students, staff, parents, and community members laced up their bowling shoes and had a fun community night.

Photo courtesy of Borough of Bradley Beach Elementary School Facebook Page.

Monmouth Beach Welcomes Two Firefighters

M

onmouth Beach recently welcomed two new firefighters to the department. Joseph Graci and Matthew Guidetti both graduated from the training academy. Both earned their credentials in firefighting techniques to ensure Monmouth Beach is prepared for emergency response.

Photo courtesy of Borough of Monmouth Beach Facebook Page.

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

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AROUND TOWN » ASBURY PARK | LONG BRANCH

Asbury Park Police Department Hosts Coffee with a Cop

A

PPD officers and the Police Director hosted Coffee with a Cop at Microbites.

Representatives of the department spoke with community members, responded to questions, and made connections during the event.

Photo courtesy of Asbury Park Police Department Facebook Page.

Student Successes

L

Long Branch Opens Branchport Gallery

ong Branch recently celebrated the opening of its Branchport Gallery. The venture is an addition to the Arts and Culture Center and boasts four new galleries for visitors to appreciate exhibits.

Photo courtesy of Long Branch Instagram Page.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

S

andra Lemus of Long Branch was named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List at Commonwealth University-Mansfield.

Walter Gardner, Jr., of Long Branch graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Freed-Hardeman University.

Jaden Mercado of Long Branch was named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List at Wilkes University.

Do you want to send us a student success tip?

Please e-mail to info@communitymagazinenj.com

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

2026 Guide to Spring Break in Monmouth County

BY MAIA FRANCO

W

hile some may be jetting off to Florida for spring break, spring in Monmouth County is actually one of the best times to be here. The crowds haven’t hit the boardwalks, the parks are blooming, and our local gems are waking up from winter hibernation! Whether you are looking to fill a whole week with camps for the kids, or just need a few day-trip ideas to keep the “I’m bored” chorus at bay, here is your guide to a memorable local spring break.

The Great Outdoors Use this break to explore the parks before the summer heat and the bugs arrive.

• Sandy Hook “Off-Season” Magic: The best time to visit Sandy Hook is right now. The parking is still free (fees start Memorial Day weekend), and the beaches are empty – perfect for shell hunting. Stop by the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) area; you can often see seals sunning themselves on the rocks near the bay. nps.gov/gate/index.htm, mast.mcvsd.org • “Splendid Spring Strolls” in the Parks: The Monmouth County Park System is running guided nature walks throughout the season. Check out the trails at Huber Woods (Middletown) or Freneau Woods (Aberdeen). monmouthcountyparks.com • Historic Allaire Village: While the full summer schedule hasn’t started, the historic village is beautiful for a spring walk. The General Store and Bakery are open Friday to Sunday, making it the perfect place to grab a massive cookie after a hike on the nearby trails. allairevillage.org Rainy Day Rescues Spring showers are real. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, have these indoor spots in your back pocket.

• Monmouth Museum (Lincroft): A treasure for younger kids (under 10). The Wonder Wing is a consistent hit, but

Historic Allaire Village

Jenkinson’s Aquarium

check out the Main Gallery, which opens its new 46th Annual Juried Exhibition, “A Time Within A Time,” on March 15. It’s a great way to introduce older kids to art. monmouthmuseum.org • iPlay America (Freehold): If you have tweens or teens who need to burn energy, the indoor rides and laser tag here are a staple. iplayamerica.com • Jenkinson’s Aquarium (Point Pleasant Beach): It’s open year-round, but during spring break, it hosts special feeding times and “perk” events when schools are out. It’s small enough to do in an hour but interesting enough to captivate the kids. jenkinsons.com/aquarium “School’s Out” Camps for Working Parents If you aren’t off work just because the kids are, several local organizations are lifesavers with their “School’s Out” mini-camps.

• Monmouth County Park System: Registration for summer camps starts March 3 (mark your calendar!), but they often have spring break-specific nature or sport half-day camps. Check their “Spring Directory” online. monmouthcountyparks.com • Camp Coconuts (Middletown): They run “School Recess Camps” specifically during spring break weeks, typically covering the weeks of March 30 and April 6. It’s a mix of martial arts, games, and indoor swimming. www.campcoconuts.com • The YMCAs: Both the Freehold Family YMCA and Red Bank YMCA traditionally offer “Vacation Day” child care.

These fill up fast, so call now to book your spot for the spring break days. ymcanj.org

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Uniting Monmouth County

HEALTH CORNER

for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness

BY MAIA FRANCO

F

or the estimated 1 million people in the United States living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) — and the thousands right here in New Jersey — March is about more than just wearing orange. It is about connection, understanding, and highlighting the world-class resources available right in our own backyard.

Understanding the Unpredictable Disease Multiple Sclerosis is often called the "snowflake disease" because no two people experience it exactly the same way. It is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves. For some, this might mean mobility challenges requiring a wheelchair; for others, the symptoms, like fatigue, vision problems, or numbness, are invisible to the naked eye. This unpredictability can be isolating, which is why community awareness is vital.

Finding Care Near You We are fortunate that some of the region’s leading MS facilities are local, meaning residents don’t always have to travel to New York or Philadelphia for top-tier care.

• The Linda E. Cardinale MS Center (Freehold): Located at CentraState Medical Center, 901 West Main St., Suite 364, this is a hub for comprehensive care. They offer everything from diagnostics to wellness programs, including aquatic therapy and yoga specifically designed for MS patients.

• Jersey Shore University Medical Center (Neptune): Part of the Hackensack Meridian Health network, 1945 NJ-33, its neuroscience institute provides advanced treatment plans and access to clinical trials.

Finding Your Circle of Support If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you are not alone. Monmouth County has a robust network of support groups that meet regularly: • Middletown: The "MS Support Team" meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Middletown Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Rd. It’s a great place to share experiences and get information in a relaxed setting.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

• Neptune: The Multiple Sclerosis Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, 1945 NJ-33, hosts several groups, including "MS Connections: Living with MS" on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., and a specific "Men Talk" group on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., recognizing that men often face different challenges when it comes to diagnosis.

• For Caregivers: There is a dedicated Caregiver Support Group that meets at the Cullen Community Center in Hazlet, 1776 Union Ave., on the second Monday of each month from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Get Involved: 2026 Walk MS Events One of the most powerful ways to show support is to walk.

MS Awareness Month is in March, but the major fundraising walks take place in the spring, and registration is open now.

These events are family-friendly and deeply moving. You’ll see teams wearing custom t-shirts that identify someone as living with MS, or walking in honor of a loved one.

Mark Your Calendars: • Walk MS: Manalapan — Saturday, April 25, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 16 New Jersey 33 Business.

• Walk MS: Asbury Park — Sunday, May 3, Bradley Park, Sunset Avenue at North Ocean Ave. Note: Dates are subject to weather. Check the National MS Society website to confirm events.nationalmssociety.org 3 Ways to Help This March 1. Wear Orange: It’s the official color of MS Awareness. Wear an orange ribbon or scarf around town to spark conversation.

2. Offer a Hand: If you know a neighbor with MS, offer specific help — shoveling a driveway, picking up groceries, or just stopping by for a coffee.

3. Learn More: Visit nationalmssociety.org to educate yourself on the latest research and advocacy efforts.

This March, let’s show our neighbors that no one has to face MS on their own.

Dinner Show — AND A —

We specialize in

• Torticollis • Individualized Care • Dynamic Movement Intervention • NDT • Reflex Integration • Intensives • Motor Control • Sensory Processing Disorder • Toe walking • Developmental Delay • ADHD • Abnormal Tone

Our picks for some fun nights out at local bars, restaurants and concert venues this month

BY BILL CLARK Dueling Pianos Friday, March 13 @ 8 p.m.

House of Independents, 572 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park houseofindependents.com

Renee Schneider, MSPT, DPT FOUNDER | DMI CERTIFIED

(908) 216-0532 renee@miraclesinmotionpt.com 39 Avenue at the Commons, Suite 104 Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 miraclesinmotionpt.com

Meg Cannon Friday, March 13 @ 7 p.m.

Beach Haus Brewery, 801 Main St., Belmar beachhausbeer.com Joy Clark with special guest Sug Daniels Saturday, March 21 @ 8 p.m.

Jersey Shore Arts Center, 66 S Main St., Ocean Grove jerseyshoreartscenter.org 198X: An ‘80s Tribute Friday, March 28 @ 7 p.m.

Asbury Park Brewery, 614 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park asburyparkbrewery.com Trivia!

Mondays (March 2, 9, 16, 23) @ 6:30 p.m.

Skinny Flowers Brewing, 800 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport skinnyflowersbrewing.com Jazz Arts Jam Session Every Monday (March 2, 9, 16, 23) @ 6 p.m.

Triumph Brewery, 1 Bridge Ave., Red Bank triumphbrewing.com

An Authentic Irish Restaurant and Pub LET US HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT Birthdays • Rehearsal Dinners Business Meetings & Lunches After Wedding Parties • Repasts

Great Happy Hour M-F 3:30pm - 6:30pm

Live Irish Music Every Sunday 6pm

2031 Route 71 | Spring Lake, NJ | (732) 449-2626

www.SSGPub.com

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

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LLLL MMMLM

BBMBMB BMBBLB

HAPPY HOUR IS BACK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 12 TO 6PM: $10 MENU

Reaping What You Sow Kula Urban Farm Expands

BY EMMA SYLVIA

N

ot everyone has a green thumb – this author included (who once ceremoniously killed a pot of bamboo, notoriously difficult to get rid of). Being able to grow your own produce is sometimes not just a valuable skill but a necessity. This is something the folks over at Kula Urban Farm know better than anyone.

Located on Atkins Avenue in Asbury Park, Kula Farm is a social enterprise that provides educational programs, farm-to-table dinners, fresh produce, and more to the local community. Now in 2026, Kula has much to look forward to as they are greatly expanding their space to provide even more to the community that comprises their heart and soul.

The Definition of Community Kula was begun by Interfaith Neighbors, a 501(c)(3) organization started in 1988 by prominent Monmouth County resident Joe Mamora. Initially, as a group of different faith-

based congregations that came together to address homelessness in Monmouth, it has since grown into a crucial cog in the wheel of our county. The organization provides rental and mortgage assistance, Meals on Wheels, and career development programs. It has also built local affordable housing, pioneered a Launch Center in Asbury that offers career and life coaching, opened an Early Childhood Learning Center in 2023, began Community Food Connection, and, of course, Kula Urban Farm.

“Kula” means community, something the team at Interfaith Neighbors wanted to exemplify in 2015 when Kula Urban Farm first began. Its original property on Atkins Ave., was an eyesore, a building used mostly for squatting and overtaken with overgrown weeds. With help from prominent members of the community, Interfaith Neighbors wanted to tackle this problem and beget a solution that was more than simply doing away with what currently existed: They aimed

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

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to turn it into something that benefitted the community.

“We’re there for the community,” says Matt van Oosterhout, Farm Events Coordinator of Kula Urban Farm. “We grow produce that we farm hydroponically, and then we sell it to the restaurants of Asbury Park. We help with the profits to let the community over there benefit from our presence, by offering community events, free classes, school

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trips for local schools, and a job training program.”

Additional community events include wellness classes, yoga, workshops on preserving and preparing food, arts classes, and farm-to-table dinners. Kula also collaborates with Asbury Park restaurants: “There was also interest in good, local organic produce at some of the restaurants. By growing that locally, restaurants can get super fresh,

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

high-quality, locally produced produce that is giving back to the local community by having the job training program.”

The Year of Kula For more than a decade, Kula has donated an estimated 3,000 pounds of food a year to local organizations and restaurants. Originally, they were growing crops like lettuce, spinach,

and kale that the community, many of whom originated from the South, did not resonate with. They pivoted to meet residents’ preferences and started growing okra, collard greens, green tomatoes, and thyme. “We got to know the local community. We got great remarks. People are very happy with the produce.” Interfaith also partners with the local Bethel AME, which operates a food pantry.

Aside from expanding their programs – including a home garden program where they’ll guide, instruct, and encourage people to grow their own food and start their own garden – they’ll be reaping the benefits of their new pavilion.

They’ve used their greenhouse for purposes other than planting. Sitting among the plants, people can use the venue for their own meetings and field trips. “It’s such a unique location,” van Oosterhout says, “but we didn’t

have restrooms on site; we didn’t have a kitchen. There was a need for getting more professional…and creating a bigger, new space to focus on the events.”

“The expansion of our Kula Urban Farm, and the recently commenced construction of the Marmora Center on Springwood Avenue, have been made possible through the unwavering support of our family of donors, who should take pride in knowing the positive impact their support will have in this community through these projects,” says Chip Craig, Co-Executive Director and CBO of Interfaith Neighbors.

This new space is a gorgeous pavilion, a perfect place for cocktail parties, farm-to-table dinners, meetings, community gatherings, charity, and corporate events. In the future, they hope to host weddings and baby showers, reunions, and all kinds of celebrations.

This venue is available year-round, and Kula is available to assist or serve as a

resource to help clients make the space their own.

“We want the people to know about this little urban oasis we created over here,” van Oosterhout says. “The thing we hear the most is, ‘We didn’t know this was here.’”

“It’s the best kept secret,” adds Interfaith Development Director, Kim Sambade, “and we don’t want it to be secret anymore.”

From training to serving, Kula will be improving the community – one green thumb at a time.

For more information, explore kulafarm.org, email events@kulafarm.org, call 732.455.0511, follow them on Instagram @kulafarm and Facebook @kulaurbanfarm, or visit them at 115 Atkins Ave., Asbury Park

MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

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GEORGE and GRACIE of Sea Bright

NALA of Long Branch

SUNNY of Belmar

MINKLES of Lake Como

SCOUT and WILSON of Belmar

Your pets can be celebrities too.

Send in a photo to info@CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Four-legged Fun!

BY BILL CLARK

Building Athletes Up Utilizing Advanced Biomechanics • Biomechanical Analysis utilizing state-of-the-art technology • Customized programs to develop specific movement patterns and advance athletic ability

Driven by Science Proven on the Field • Run Analysis • Vertical Leap Training • Return to Sport (post ACL reconstruction) Testing • Small Group/Team Training • Multidirectional Sport Training • Golf Swing Analysis and Training

301 BINGHAM AVE, SUITE A | OCEAN, NJ 07712 (732) 922-6618 info@easternmonmouthpt.com

www.EastCoastMPI.com @eastcoastmpi @prosportstraining Wild Air Beerworks Wild Air Beerworks allows well-behaved pups on leashes in and out of their brewery. Sip on a selection of craft beers with literary ties at the tables inside or enjoy the outside patio in the warmer months.

801 Second Ave., Asbury Park. wildairbeer.com Joe Palaia Park Ocean Township’s largest park offers three miles worth of trails to tire your pup out. Joe Palaia Park has several loops to extend your time enjoying the natural enclave. The interior of the park is secluded enough that just sitting on a bench with your four-legged friend provides a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors.

Entrances on Whale Pond Rd. www.oceantwp.org The Grove at Shrewsbury Leash up your four-legged friend and walk along the shops and restaurants along Route 35 in Shrewsbury.

Make sure to check each store’s pet-friendly policy.

597 Route 35, Shrewsbury. thegroveatshrewsbury.com Bell Works Explore the selection of activities available at Bell Works. A perfect spot indoors for chilly winter days.

Plenty of sunlight gets through for natural lighting as you walk your pup up and down the length of the modern building, and there are plenty of spots to rest.

101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel. bell.works MonmouthCommunity.com MARCH 2026

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