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SELF-CARE GUIDE

Middletown Fish Market

PLUS: Holiday Events in Monmouth County

Brings Fresh Fish and Traditions to Monmouth County

Local Resident Writes Memoir on Love, Loss and the Power of Human Connection Tigger Stavola Foundation’s ‘Evening at Southfork’ DECEMBER 2025

Atlantic Highlands • Highlands • Lincroft • Middletown

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Let’s Connect: Ryan@RyanKurek.com | 704.604.6777 | RyanKurek.com Hello Monmouth County! (again) My family and I are thrilled to be back from South Carolina, after completing two of the most complex business projects of my career.

Yep, usually people never return to NJ after leaving. But there’s nothing like the Jersey Shore: the people, sarcasm, pizza, car-honking, beach lifestyle, and, of course, family. It’s home.

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Renovation Without Hesitation When it comes to installing frameless shower enclosures, quality products and skilled technicians make all the difference

P

of 250 pounds are the best in the industry, allowing for the widest doors (up to 40”). The soft close feature prevents damage to the enclosure caused by slamming with low quality spring-loaded hinges.

urchasing a frameless shower enclosure is often the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation. For that reason, it is important to understand the differences among the many products on the market today. Tom Basile of Precision Shower Doors, an industry veteran with more than 40 years’ experience, offers advice and great tips to help you be an educated consumer.

Q) It seems everyone is selling frameless shower enclosures. Are they basically all the same?

A) Great question. The simple answer is no, frameless shower enclosures are not all the same. In fact, there is a great disparity between products.

Education is the key to getting value for your money. A frameless enclosure consists of glass and hardware, but quality can vary greatly. Hiring someone with the right experience and expertise in the measurement, manufacture, and installation is just as important as finding the right product.

Glass Durability

Clarvista® glass is patented specifically for shower enclosures. It is nonporous and will not stain. Clarvista® is permanent. Less expensive glazing quality glass is porous, and once stained, it is permanently discolored and will always look dirty.

Caution! After-market coatings are mostly temporary and often sold with exorbitant markups. If you purchase the correct glass, you will have no need for costly add-ons.

Glass Clarity Fact: “Clear glass” is green, and depending on its origin, it can be very green. Starphire® ultra-clear glass

by Vitro Glass is the industry’s clearest choice. Unlike conventional clear glass, which gets darker and greener as it be-

Expertise

comes thicker, the clarity of Starphire® glass actually intensifies with greater thickness. Because of its unparalleled clarity, Starphire® glass also offers exceptional color fidelity.

Glass Thickness

1/2” glass is the preferred thickness for structural stability. 3/8” glass is often used to compensate for low-capacity hinges, and is inferior. All factors being equal, the cost difference between the two is negligible, so 1/2” is recommended.

Hinges + Hardware

While most shower door hinges look similar, the true measure of a quality hinge is in its weight capacity and function. Soft closing hydraulic hinges with capacity

Even the best materials will not compensate for poor craftsmanship. From accurate measurement to precise manufacture to final installation, each step is crucial to ensure your shower remodel will live up to your expectations for years to come. It’s important to use a reputable, reliable company.

Remember, after-sale service can and will be needed throughout the life of the product. A professional will stand behind the product and make themselves available for maintenance in a timely manner.

When possible, visit the vendor’s showroom and test the displays.

Ask questions. Demand answers.

Make sure all necessary costs are included in the quote — glass, hardware, installation, and removal of your existing shower door.

Leave nothing to chance.

We hope these tips will help you make the most educated decision when purchasing your shower door. Be diligent about making an apples-to apples comparison, because false comparisons are useless. In the end, satisfaction is the only metric of the true cost and value of the product. Be more suspicious of a cheap price, as no one sells something for less than it is worth.

Basile welcomes all those seeking a quality frameless shower enclosure to call, email or visit Precision for the facts.

The team at Precision will answer your questions free of obligation, review and critique any competitors’ quotes and offer a free comparative quote. Whether you decide on a Precision manufactured product or not, you can do so with all the facts.

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 89 Highway 35 North • Eatontown, NJ • (732) 389-8175

PrecisionShowerDoors.com

CONTENTS

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51 Middletown Fish Market Brings Fresh Fish and Traditions to Monmouth County

Tigger Stavola Foundation’s ‘Evening at Southfork’

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Holiday Events in Monmouth County

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF R YA N L O U G H L I N 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 AT T D O H E R T Y REBECC A KING L I L I A N N PA R A S DESIGN DIRECTOR DEBBIE MCKENNA

Self-Care Guide

PHOTOGRAPHERS MANNY CARABEL ANDREI JACK A ME T S J O E LY P O W Y ANDRE A PHOX

Calendar of Events

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

Biz Beat

Do you know someone extraordinary that lives in our community? Tell us about them and why you think they should be featured in Community Magazine.

No story is too big or small.

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We accept pet photos, local event listings, fundraisers & more!

We are always looking for contributing writers. If interested, email ryan@communitymagazinenj.com

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Around Town

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Local Resident Writes Memoir on Love, Loss and the Power of Human Connection

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Holiday Cheer is Here this Year!

A Roundup of Holiday Celebrations Lighting Up Monmouth County this Year

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s the year winds down, Monmouth County transforms into a sparkling showcase of community spirit and seasonal joy. From twinkling tree lightings to festive menorah ceremonies, nearly every town along the Jersey Shore offers its own way to celebrate the season. Here’s a look at some of the brightest holiday celebrations lighting up Monmouth County this December.

Freehold Tree Lighting Ceremony Tuesday, December 2, 5 PM Hall of Records 1 E Main Street, Freehold Highlands Holiday Tree Lighting Friday, December 5, 6 PM Huddy Park 329 Bay Avenue, Highlands Holmdel Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting Friday, December 5, 6 PM Town Hall 4 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel

Little Silver Christmas Tree Lighting Sunday, December 7, 4 PM Borough Hall 480 Prospect Ave, Little Silver Fair Haven Menorah Lighting Sunday, December 14, 4:30 PM Memorial Park 749 River Road, Fair Haven Freehold Menorah Lighting Ceremony Tuesday, December 16, 5 PM Hall of Records 1 E Main Street, Freehold Long Branch Menorah Lighting & Hanukkah Celebration Wednesday, December 17, 5 PM Long Branch Senior Center 85 Second Avenue, Long Branch

Fair Haven Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll Friday, December 5, 6 PM Memorial Park 749 River Road, Fair Haven Asbury Park Annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, December 6, 5:30 PM Press Plaza, Downtown Asbury Park (Cookman Ave and Emory Street) Christmas in Ocean Grove: Live Nativity and Tree Lighting Saturday, December 6, 5 and 6 PM The Great Auditorium & Auditorium Square Park, Ocean Grove Long Branch Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration Saturday, December 6, 5 PM City Hall, 344 Broadway, Long Branch

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LET US ELEVATE YOUR NEXT EVENT

From Broad Street Market catering to Grace’s Garden florals, our family businesses bring quality and care to every occasion.

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VIEW OUR WEBSITES TO LEARN MORE!

Monmouth County in the Civil War

BY WILLIAM GARDELL, MA

W

hen we think of the history of Monmouth County, particularly the military history of our area, we naturally tend to think of the Revolutionary War Era. This is the time period where many battles and small skirmishes took place in Monmouth County and NJ in general. However, the American Civil War also directly impacted the lives of Monmouth County residents in many profound ways. Civil War volunteer regiments were different from the regular Army units, which were small and staffed by full-time soldiers. Volunteers served for shorter periods of time and elected their own officers.

Even on the very ground where the Battle of Monmouth (the largest single land battle of the American Revolution) took place, there is a direct link to the later and far more destructive Civil War. The State Government set up a training camp called Camp Vredenburgh, on the site of the Battle of Monmouth in what is now Freehold and Manalapan. This was essentially a rendezvous point for the locally raised companies of volunteers that would be organized into regiments that would eventually be attached to the Army of the Potomac during the war.

The camp was used to train these raw recruits before sending them directly to the war. The camp operated between 1862 and 1864. The first regiment raised there was the 14th NJ Infantry Regiment. They were enlisted for 3 years, which was not the case for all regiments. Some were only obligated to serve for 90 days in the early days of the war. Few on either side expected the war to last as long or be nearly as bloody as it turned out to be, lasting 4 years and leading to the deaths of 660,000 Americans on either side. The 14th left Camp Vredenburgh in September of 1862 under the command of Lt. Col. William Truex.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

They spent time on guard duty protecting the Monocacy Railroad Bridge and then participated in the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863, the single most pivotal battle of the war, which ultimately led to a Union victory, albeit two bloody years later in April of 1865.

The 28th NJ Infantry Regt. was also rallied at Camp Vredenburgh in August of 1862. These men served under Col. Moses Wisewell. Like the men of the 14th they were mostly from Monmouth County (which only had a population of 39,000) at the time. The 28th saw terrible fighting, particularly at the battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia in December of 1862. They participated in the failed Union attack on Maryes’ Heights and suffered bitter cold as well as Rebel bullets. The 28th suffered over 200 casualties. They later fought at Chancellorsville, VA in 1863.

The 29th NJ would also be raised from Monmouth County in August of 1862 and would be led by Col. Edwin Applegate. They also served at the battle of Fredericksburg.

Finally, after enthusiasm for the war effort had wanned, there was an attempt to raise another regiment in Monmouth County in 1863, but only enough men were recruited to raise one full company (100 men), Co. H of the 35th New Jersey.

The 35th was a Zouave regiments, essentially meaning they wore extra-fancy uniforms (baggy pants and typically unique red fez caps that emulated elements of the French Army serving in North Africa at the time). These men would serve in the Western Theater of the war and took part in Gen. Sherman’s infamous burning of Atlanta, GA and subsequent “March to the Sea”.

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The New Old-World Market

Middletown Fish Market Brings Fresh Fish and Traditions of the Past to Monmouth County

BY EMMA SYLVIA

C

ommunity Magazine has obtained a bit of inside information that has the potential to upturn not just all of Monmouth County, but potentially all of New Jersey as well. **Drumroll** New Jersey, as it turns out, is very Italian.

It’s a shocker, I know. One such Italian is, of course, the writer of this piece – but another is Dominick Cognata, a Middletown resident and operator of Middletown Fish Market, which plans to serve as a sort of seafood ground zero during the holiday season.

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Middletown Fish Market opened this past August and features a stellar lineup of fresh fish proudly presented between blue walls with sketches of ships depicted on hanging frames. It’s the place to visit to buy everything you need for your own Feast of the Seven Fishes — an Italian holiday meal that you may have seen recently featured on “The Bear.”

For those who have never experienced it, the Feast is typically served on Christmas Eve and consists of seven different courses of seafood dishes, which might include anything from shrimp bisque and cod fritters to seared scallops and various preparations of smelts, calamari, tuna, and more.

A stop at Middletown Fish Market to stock up means your

guests will enjoy the freshest varieties of each at your holiday table this year.

All the fish at Middletown Fish Market arrives fresh daily from the docks, changing with the season but typically including fresh fillets and whole fish such as flounder, salmon and other varieties, as well as shellfish like clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops which share space with an all-star team of crustaceans — think lobster, shrimp and multiple varieties of crab.

Cognata sat down to talk with us about the recent opening of the Fish Market’s Middletown location, as well as to share some classic recipes that are bound to improve your holiday dinner table.

Back in Business Cognata is from New Jersey originally, though he spent a chunk of his life in Maine and a brief stint in Nashville before returning to Monmouth County.

“Pretty much my whole family is here – my mother, grandparents, uncles and aunts,” Cognata says. “My grandfather, uncle and mother opened a business back in my senior year of high school in 2014. Since then, we’ve been in the [food] industry. My grandfather, Paul Diomede, and Danny Chong, owner of House of Chong — their friendship led to them co-opening the Middletown Fish Market, and together, they’ve served the

community for over 50 years, and they saw this as an opportunity to further serve the rest of the Middletown area.”

Cognata himself gained experience as early as high school, being involved in various facets of his family’s business – starting off as a dishwasher. “I worked my way up.

That’s the natural progression if you want to stay in this industry.” He’s worn many different hats, from being back-ofthe-house manager, chef, and taking a different avenue with barbacking and bartending. “I’ve done pretty much everything you can at this point in the industry.”

The first Fish Market began in Sea Bright in 2014, where Cognata got started with the business. That location eventually closed, but their Little Silver location opened shortly after, in 2015. Cognata acted as a “utility player,” where he could be plugged in anywhere for any job and know what he was doing.

“I was there on-and-off for the last 10 years. Business is a business. When you have a job, you go somewhere else – but family is family. With it being a family business, naturally I came back.”

The Old-World Market Though the store is relatively new, they’ve been welcomed warmly by the Middletown community. “We’ve been nothing but thankful for every interaction we have,” Cognata

MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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attests. “Everyone that comes in here says, ‘We needed some place like this.’”

Cognata says that the shopping plaza the store is located in adds to the aspect of community that the residents of Monmouth crave. At previous locations, the stores could feel like an “island,” being a bit isolated from surrounding businesses; but in Middletown, there’s an ecosystem of businesses surrounding them that are more than happy to welcome their neighbors.

The market brings in new items every week, but one that’s always popular is their shrimp.

“If I told you how much we sold in a day at our other location, you wouldn’t believe it.” The market is anticipating the holiday season, gearing up already for Christmas, their busiest day of the year, with Cognata never forgetting the wisdom that his mother imparted to him: “You never realize every holiday is a shrimp holiday until they happen.” Aside from their renowned shrimp, the market is also known for their incredible salmon, oysters and clams (the latter of which Cognata has on a half-shell (with a little lemon) to start his day).

Middletown Fish Market may be a new shop, but it’s philosophy is rooted deeply in traditions of the past. “We feel like there’s a need now more than ever for old-world markets to come back. If you look at Europe, Spain especially, that’s how they’ve always done it. We are very much in that mindset of old-world ideas when it comes to getting your food. With our family, and incredible employees, we’re able to keep that image alive and well.”

To learn more about the Middletown Fish Market, visit them at the Union Square Shopping Plaza, 500 NJ 35 South Suite 479, Red Bank, or at middletownfishmarket.com or calling 732-500-2473

OYSTER STEW RECIPE FOR YOUR 7 FISHES DINNER Every Italian family worth their sauce has a classic recipe that they always throw on the stove for the upcoming holidays. For the Cognatas, they have their oyster stew recipe, perfect for any contribution to a 7 Fishes meal: INGREDIENTS: 1/3 stick of butter 6 teaspoons of sugar 8 small shallots thinly sliced 1/3 cup of white wine 1 quart of cream 18 shucked oysters with juice Pepper (optional for seasoning) DIRECTIONS: Caramelize the shallots, add white wine after shallots have browned. Let the wine reduce. Next, add a handful of sugar to aid the caramelization process. Add 1 quart cream. To finish, turn off your burner and add oysters with juice.

Mangia!

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FIRST RESPONDERS

Q&A

Name: Ludner Innocent Title: Firefighter/ EMT Place of Employment: Asbury Park Town of Residency: Asbury Park

Q: What initially made you want to be a first responder?

A: Honestly, just wanting to help people when it actually matters. I like being the person who shows up and makes a difference instead of watching from the outside.

Q: What do you find to be most rewarding about this kind of work?

A: When you know you genuinely helped someone on their worst day. That feeling sticks with you.

Q: What is the hardest aspect of the job?

A: Seeing things you can’t unsee and trying not to bring that stress home with you. The mental side hits harder than the physical sometimes.

Q: Do any aspects of the job ever scare you?

A: Yeah, certain calls make you more alert. You never fully know what you’re walking into, so there’s always that little edge.

Q: What was your most memorable experience on the job so far?

A: All of this is memorable to me if I’m being honest. I get to work and serve the community in which I grew up. This city raised me, and the fact that I get to give back every shift is and always will be an amazing feeling.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Teacher Feature Name: Lisa Hanna Title: Teacher/Advisor Place of Employment: Ocean Township High School Town of Residency: Wanamassa Q: What do you love about teaching, and what keeps you coming back each day?

A: I love sharing my passion for reading and writing with my students.

Giving them opportunities to create their own interpretations of a book, poem, or piece of media excites me. Their curiosity and willingness to explore the unknown keep me coming back each day — not to mention the fact that I love that they teach me just as much as I teach them.

Q: What is the most challenging thing about working with children?

A: Children today are different from those I taught 20 years ago. As a teacher who sees the whole child and not just the academic piece, I find that the impact of tech, social media, and AI on their social and emotional well-being and empathy can be challenging. While I believe I’ve navigated it with creativity and flexibility, it does worry me that the long-term effects of those platforms may impact their ability to handle the challenges that life will inevitably present to them.

Q: What was your own school experience like as a kid? Did you enjoy school?

A: I teach in the district where I went to school, and I loved school then just as much as I do now as an adult. Not surprisingly, I loved my English and Creative Writing classes, but not as obvious was my fascination with the sciences. I was very involved in extracurricular activities, and Ocean’s Big Red Country meant (and still means) the world to me. I truly believe that the positive experiences I had as a student fuel my passion as a teacher.

Q: If you could add one new subject that every kid would have to take in school, what would it be and why?

A: I would add a course on social justice and global citizenship.

Empowering students to use their lived experiences to amplify their voices and take meaningful action on issues that matter to them is vital. Kids have the capacity to recognize instances of injustice, and by offering them a course to reflect, research, collaborate, and advocate, we can provide them with the tools and support they need to transform their world.

Q: What is the most important thing that your students have taught you?

A: They have taught me so much over the years, but I think they have mostly taught me to live in the moment. As adults, we often plan, plan, plan, but they have shown me that being present in the moment is not a frivolous trait; it’s the key to staying young!

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COMMU N ITY M A G A Z I N E

ANNUAL SELF-CARE GUIDE

Though the December holiday season is a time to think of others and to do things for friends, family and loved ones, it’s also critically important to remember to also do things for yourself. Self-care is crucial, and we have put together some of the best places in Monmouth County to obtain your best self as the year comes to a close.

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Recharge Your Mind:

TMS Therapy and the Power of Self-Care

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n the journey toward mental well-being, prioritizing self-care is non-negotiable. For those struggling with conditions where traditional approaches haven't provided sufficient relief, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a powerful new path. TMS is a valuable tool that when combined with intentional self-care can help you reclaim control of your mental health.

Understanding TMS: A Non-Invasive Approach Imagine a therapy that gently nudges your brain back toward balance. That’s essentially what TMS does. This FDA-cleared, non-invasive procedure uses a targeted magnetic field, delivered via a coil on the scalp, to stimulate specific nerve cells in the brain. The sensation is often described as a light tapping, and treatments are performed in a clinician's office while you are awake.

For conditions like depression, TMS stimulates underactive brain regions, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), to help regulate mood. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), TMS does not require anesthesia or cause seizures, and it generally has fewer side effects than traditional medication, with the most common being mild scalp discomfort.

FDA-Cleared for Key Mental Health Conditions The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared TMS for treating several challenging mental health conditions, establishing it as a reliable option for patients who haven't responded adequately to standard treatments.

The primary conditions for which TMS is FDA-cleared include: • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): For adults (and some adolescents) with treatment-resistant depression.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Used to help patients find relief when other treatments have failed.

• Migraines: Cleared for both the acute and preventive treatment of migraine headaches.

• Smoking Cessation: Cleared as a treatment to help adults quit smoking.

This growing list of clearances underscores the medical community’s confidence in TMS as a safe and effective alternative treatment.

Self-Care: Your Active Role in Healing While TMS works to recalibrate your brain's circuitry, self-care is the crucial element that solidifies and sustains the benefits. Think of TMS as the spark that gets the engine running, and self-care as the fuel and maintenance that keep it moving.

Integrating self-care practices into your routine during and after TMS creates a powerful synergy: • Establish a Routine: Consistent sleep, regular mealtimes, and light exercise reinforce the stability TMS helps to create.

• Embrace Neuroplasticity: TMS promotes the brain’s ability to form new connections. Support this process through mindfulness, creative expression (writing, painting), or learning a new skill. These practices encourage the brain to use the new, healthier pathways.

• Nourish Your Body: A healthy diet, hydration, and adequate sleep are foundational pillars that enhance your brain’s responsiveness to treatment and improve your overall mood.

TMS therapy is often part of a holistic plan that includes psychotherapy. By viewing TMS as an active partnership in your healing, you empower yourself to stop merely surviving and start building a life where self-care is at the center of your mental well-being.

Institute for Better Living 440 State Rt. 34, Unit 1B, Colts Neck 646.883.0734 | info@institutebetterliving.com institutebetterliving.com Follow them on Instagram @institutebetterliving MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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Reviving Men’s Health:

Hormones, Performance, and Taking Control

F

or too long, men have been told that fatigue, low libido, declining strength and slower recovery are just part of “getting older.”

Gameday Men’s Health knows that doesn’t have to be the case. Every man deserves to feel energized, confident, and in control of his health — both in and out of the bedroom.

Why Hormones Matter Testosterone is the hormone that fuels male vitality. It impacts energy, mood, muscle mass, recovery and sexual performance. When levels drop — which naturally happens with age and can be worsened by stress, poor sleep, or diet — men often notice fatigue, difficulty building or maintaining muscle, lower drive, and reduced confidence.

Declining testosterone also affects sexual function.

Erectile challenges, decreased libido, or lower stamina are often linked to low hormone levels. These changes can impact relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. But the great news? Modern medicine offers safe, effective ways to restore balance and performance.

The Gameday Approach Gameday Men’s Health specializes in helping men reclaim energy, sexual health and athletic performance through personalized hormone optimization. Every patient begins with a comprehensive lab assessment and one-on-one consultation. From there, their team crafts a program tailored to your goals — whether that’s improving gym performance, restoring libido, or boosting overall vitality.

Their treatments include testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), peptide therapy, and cutting-edge sexual health options like the P-Shot and shockwave therapy. These therapies work synergistically to restore energy, improve recovery and enhance sexual performance, all while helping men feel younger and more confident.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

• • • •

Boost Your Performance Naturally Optimizing hormones is only part of the solution. Lifestyle factors play a huge role in maintaining energy, strength, and sexual health. Here are a few tips every man can implement today: • Lift weights and do cardio. Resistance training builds lean muscle, improves circulation, and supports natural testosterone production.

Prioritize sleep. Deep, restorative sleep is when your body produces most of its testosterone. Aim for 7 – 8 quality hours nightly.

Manage stress. Chronic stress lowers testosterone and can hurt energy, focus, and sexual performance. Mindfulness, deep breathing or even a quick walk can help.

Fuel your body wisely. Limit processed foods and sugar, and focus on protein, healthy fats and nutrient-rich meals to support performance and hormone balance.

Check your hormones. Annual bloodwork is the best way to identify imbalances before they impact your energy, strength or sexual health.

Take Control of Your Health Today Feeling drained, struggling in the gym or noticing changes in sexual function are not things you have to accept. Men who take action with hormone optimization and lifestyle adjustments often report more energy, improved stamina, faster recovery, and renewed confidence — both at the gym and in their personal lives.

Gameday Men’s Health is dedicated to helping men feel strong, sharp and in control. Don’t wait for symptoms to slow you down — take the first step toward reclaiming your vitality, performance and sexual health today.

Gameday Men’s Health 100 Commons Way, Suite 240, Holmdel 862-205-4020 gamedaymenshealth.com/holmdel-nj/

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New Year, New You!

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any of us are looking to set new goals and make changes to improve our health and well-being for 2026.

One of the simplest and most overlooked habits is stretching and improving flexibility and balance, which can actually make a significant impact on both physical and mental wellness. Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness offers a wide variety of stretch classes for a reason — because stretching is a foundational part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Stretching isn’t just about touching your toes or warming up before a workout. It plays a vital role in maintaining the flexibility, strength and health of our muscles. Flexibility and balance are key for preserving a full range of motion in the joints. Without regular stretching, muscles shorten and become tight, putting the body at risk for joint pain, strains and injuries — especially during more strenuous physical activity.

We often hear people say they’ve “lost flexibility” with age, but the good news is that you can get it back – and even improve it. Stretching regularly can help restore mobility, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle, have been injured, or have conditions such as arthritis.

Stretching doesn’t just make you feel good; it also supports important internal processes that help your body function at its best.

Benefits of a Regular Stretching Routine: • Reducing everyday aches and pains by preventing muscle and connective tissue tightness • Improving circulation and supporting vascular health.

• Boosting neuromuscular coordination, which helps with balance and stability.

• Enhancing exercise performance and speeding up recovery post-workout.

• Promoting muscle elasticity, helping muscles return to a natural resting state.

• Reducing the risk of falls and injuries, especially as we age.

• Preventing compensation-related injuries by supporting proper movement patterns.

Stretching also supports better posture and alignment, helps to calm the nervous system and can even be meditative — making it a great complement to both physical fitness and mental health.

Stretch Your Way Into 2026 If you’ve been meaning to improve your flexibility and balance or you just want to feel more mobile and pain-free throughout your day, now is the perfect time to start. You don’t need to be an athlete or yoga expert to benefit.

Ready to feel amazing in your body? Join Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness for their classes – a feel-good experience designed for every body. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned yogi, these all-level classes focus on safe, effective techniques to help you move with ease, release tension and feel your absolute best.

New to the studio? Try 3 classes for just $30!

This special New Student Offer is the perfect way to explore different classes, meet their welcoming instructors, and find what works best for you. Come stretch, breathe, and feel the difference.

Monmouth Wellness and Yoga 26 Beach Rd, Suite 10, Monmouth Beach 973-452-2828 | mbyogaandwellness@yahoo.com mbyogaandwellness.com/

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Juggling:

A Low-Impact Pathway to Mindfulness, Fitness, and Fun

BY ANDREW ZERLING

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cross four thousand years of human history — from Egyptian tombs to modern training Rooms — people have juggled to challenge their minds and bodies.

What was once seen as a circus act or a court jester’s diversion is now recognized as a versatile, low-impact exercise almost anyone can learn.

Juggling blends focus, coordination, and movement in a way that is both playful and profoundly beneficial.

At its core, juggling is simple: tossing and catching objects in rhythmic patterns. Yet that simplicity hides a world of gains. Because it’s non-strenuous and non-impact, juggling can be practiced standing, sitting, or even in short bursts between other activities. A few minutes a day is enough to start reaping the benefits — improved coordination, balance, and concentration — all without needing a gym membership or special equipment. Numerous famous athletes — from Roger Federer to Eli Manning — have embraced juggling as part of their training to sharpen focus and coordination.

Marvin Harrison Jr., a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL), regularly incorporates juggling into his athletic training routine.

From an athletic perspective, juggling supercharges hand-eye coordination, peripheral vision, and reaction time. Those skills translate directly to faster reflexes in everyday life and in sports ranging from tennis to basketball. But juggling isn’t just for athletes. It strengthens the brain itself. Studies have shown increased gray and white matter in people who learn to juggle, suggesting new neural connections form as you master the patterns.

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Equally powerful are the mental and emotional effects. Juggling’s steady rhythm and focus encourage a state of flow — a moving meditation.

This can lower stress, sharpen attention and cultivate calmness, much like traditional mindfulness practices. Learning a new trick releases endorphins, bringing the same kind of satisfaction as finishing a workout or solving a tough problem.

Because juggling develops balance and proprioception, it can also help reduce the risk of falls or injury. Its dynamic arm and shoulder motions support flexibility — an often overlooked aspect of fitness that becomes more valuable as we age.

And unlike many exercises, juggling is genuinely fun. It’s accessible, inexpensive and endlessly adaptable.

Scarves, balls, or even soft household items can stand in for equipment.

Most importantly, juggling invites you to slow down, play, and connect your mind and body. Whether you’re a student looking for a study break, a parent seeking stress relief, or a seasoned athlete adding cross-training, juggling can fit easily into your routine. In a world of high-impact workouts and constant digital distraction, a few minutes of juggling may be one of the simplest and most joyful ways to improve your health and well-being. thejugglingathlete.com

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Run Longer, Hurt Less:

A Science-Based Guide to Preventing Running Injuries

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unning attracts more than 50 million Americans, spanning teenagers to retirees. The largest age groups are 25-44-year-olds, and women make up a slightly higher share of runners than men. But whether new or experienced, most runners face the same concern: staying healthy enough to keep running.

Studies show that up to 70–80% of running injuries are caused by overuse, making prevention not only possible — but essential.

Across all ages and both sexes, the same five injuries make up most of the cases seen in clinics: • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee) • Iliotibial Band Syndrome (IT Band Syndrome) • Achilles Tendinopathy • Plantar Fasciitis • Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints) These injuries develop slowly from repetitive loading, muscle weakness, poor running mechanics, or sudden training changes, i.e. change of terrain (hills from flats), increases in mileage and /or increases in pace — not from a single misstep.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Injury rates are highest in runners aged 35–54. These athletes typically train consistently but juggle work, family, and reduce recovery capacity. Older runners (55+) often experience longer healing times and more tendon or joint-related pain.

Younger runners (under 25) are still developing strength and coordination, making them prone to knee pain, IT band issues and occasional growth-related injuries.

There are also subtle sex-related trends. Female runners are more likely to report knee injuries due to differences in trunk, hip and pelvic weakness and instability, while male runners show a slightly higher rate of Achilles and calf-related issues. Still, training errors and biomechanics matter more than gender alone.

Prevention starts with understanding how you move when you run. Most running injuries are mechanical and repetitive, prevention depends on identifying how the body manages impact and load. This is where biomechanical running assessments play a powerful role.

A complete assessment may include: • 2D/3D or high-speed video analysis of your running form

• Foot pressure mapping to evaluate strike pattern and load distribution • Joint angle measurements and stride analysis • Surface EMG testing to observe muscle activation and timing • Hip, core, and lower extremity strength testing These tools help pinpoint the biomechanical causes behind pain or inefficiency. Biomechanical faults due to hip weakness, asymmetrical stride, overstriding, limited joint mobility or delayed muscle activation are all root causes of running related injuries.

Evidence-Based Ways to Stay Injury-Free From recreational joggers to marathoners, the most effective prevention strategies remain consistent: • Progress gradually — Increase weekly mileage or speed by no more than 5–10% • Strengthen key areas — Focus on the hips, glutes, calves, and core to improve alignment and stability • Check your mechanics — Small changes in cadence, posture, or foot strike can reduce impact forces- subtle changes in your running posture and awareness can make great changes in shock absorption and improve striking to improve your performance • Rotate surfaces and shoes — Vary training terrain and update worn-out footwear before breakdown occurs • Prioritize recovery — Sleep, hydration, mobility work, and rest days are part of training, not a break from it • Running longevity isn’t luck — it’s a mix of smart training, strong muscles, and an understanding of how your body moves.

The more you know about your mechanics, the better you can train, adapt, and keep running pain-free for years to come.

“People think they need to run to get in shape,” says Christopher Powers PT, PHD, FASCM, FAPT-USC. “But in reality, you have to be in shape to run.”

East Coast Movement Performance Institute 301 Bingham Ave, Suite A, Ocean 732-922-6618 | info@easternmonmouthpt.com eastcoastmpi.com

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Self-Care, A Therapist’s Perspective

BY DR. DANA SPADA, PHD, LCSW, PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND FOUNDER OF LEAF PSYCHOTHERAPY

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elf-care is the practice of staying in connection with yourself. It is a way of honoring your inner world while moving through the outer one. It asks for awareness, consistency, and honesty. It asks that you pay attention to what is happening inside you and meet it with compassion rather than avoidance.

It begins with noticing. Noticing when your breath is shallow. When your shoulders are tight.

When your tone changes or your patience disappears. These are not random moments. They are signals that your nervous system is asking for attention. To care for yourself is to respond to those signals before they become symptoms.

Self-care is practical. It is feeding yourself food that sustains you. It is moving your body because energy that has nowhere to go turns into anxiety. It is sleeping enough to let your mind repair. It is keeping promises to yourself and not abandoning yourself.

It is emotional work. It means allowing yourself to feel what you feel instead of editing it into something more acceptable. It means having hard conversations and being willing to sit in discomfort without immediately trying to fix it. It is saying no when you are at capacity. It is letting yourself rest.

Therapy is an essential form of self-care because it creates a space where you can hear yourself clearly. It slows you down long enough to make sense of what you carry. Inside the therapeutic relationship, you learn to understand your emotional patterns, the way you protect yourself, and the moments when you turn away from what you actually need. Over time, you begin to recognize that taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is an act of responsibility toward everyone you love.

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Self-care is maintenance of the whole system. It is checking in with your thoughts and your body before they drift too far apart. It is the decision to stay present in your own life rather than functioning on autopilot. It is the practice of self-respect expressed throughout the day.

Most of the time it is quiet and invisible. It happens when you close your eyes and breathe before reacting. It happens when you reach out for help instead of pretending you are fine. It happens when you forgive yourself.

To care for yourself is to stay loyal to your own aliveness. It is to understand that your well-being is a priority. It is the steady work of meeting yourself where you are, again and again, until that meeting feels like home, and your inner and outer world are in alignment.

LEAF by Dr. Dana Spada PSYCHOTHERAPY 732.947.4777 | leafpsych.com

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Ayurveda:

The Science of Balance Behind Every Kūr Experience

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n today’s wellness landscape, few traditions are as time-tested, or as deeply holistic, as Ayurveda. Developed in India more than 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda translates to “the science of life.” It teaches that true health is a dynamic balance of body, mind, and spirit— maintained not through quick fixes, but through daily habits that align us with nature’s rhythm.

At Kur Wellness Studios in Asbury Park, Ayurveda quietly shapes much of what they do. It’s woven into their massages, facials, and body rituals; not as a trend, but as the philosophy behind them.

While every guest may experience it differently, Ayurveda is the invisible thread that connects relaxation to restoration and beauty to balance.

How Ayurveda Informs the Kur Experience Personalization: In Ayurveda, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health. Each person has a unique constitution, or dosha, influenced by physical traits, energy, and environment.

Kur’s practitioners draw on this understanding to tailor each session, whether you need grounding, stimulation or gentle restoration.

Choice of Oils and Ingredients: From the warm, herb-infused oils used in massage to the botanicals blended into facials, every element is selected for its balancing effect.

Guests may notice lighter oils and cooling herbs in summer, or richer, warming formulas in winter, reflecting Ayurveda’s seasonal wisdom.

Attention to Flow and Energy: Ayurveda recognizes that the body’s vitality depends on the unobstructed flow of prana, or life force. Massage techniques at Kur, especially rhythmic, symmetrical strokes are designed not only to ease muscle tension but to harmonize energy movement throughout the body.

Ritual as Medicine: Small rituals matter. The warm compress that begins a body scrub, the slow transitions be-

tween movements, even the quiet environment all encourage the nervous system to shift from “doing” to “being.”

That’s when deep healing happens.

Integrating Inner and Outer Care Ayurveda reminds us that what we do outside the treatment room affects what happens within it. A balanced diet, adequate rest, and mindful movement enhance the effects of every service, making your massage, facial, or body ritual last longer and feel more profound.

For guests who wish to explore Ayurveda beyond the spa table, Kur collaborates with their sister business, Indra Holistic Health (www. indraholistic.com), for deeper education and personalized consultations. But for many, simply receiving care designed with Ayurvedic awareness is the first and most enjoyable step toward balance.

Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Wellness Ayurveda isn’t about doing more – it’s about doing what’s right for your body in each moment. By honoring this timeless wisdom in every service, Kur Wellness Studios helps guests not only feel better, but also reconnect with the natural intelligence their bodies already possess. Because when inner balance is restored, outer glow naturally follows.

Kur Wellness Studios offers more than 100 traditional and Ayurvedic treatments and services – massage, facials and waxing, including eastern Ayurvedic therapies and products, and a yoga studio that doubles as a private personal training gym.

Located in downtown Asbury Park, Kur offers treatments and classes in a tranquil, yet hip, urban setting, by the best team of practitioners around, each with positive attitudes and true commitments to health.

Kur Studios | 412 Bond St, Asbury Park 732-361-8956 | info@kurstudios.com | kurstudios.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR EVERY DAY IN DECEMBER The Village - Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm Step into the enchanting Christmas village at Anne Ellen 114 Daum Rd, Manalapan 5pm - 9pm For more information, visit anneellenfarms.com/the-village Magic of Lights Head to PNC Bank Arts Center for a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights display PNC Bank Arts Center 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel 5pm - 11pm magicoflights.com EVERY WEEKEND (DECEMBER 5-7, 12-14, 19-21) Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar Series Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Asbury’s annual Holiday Bazaar Convention Hall 1300 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park 12pm - 5pm For more information, visit asburyparkbazaar.com TUESDAYS (DECEMBER 2, 9, 16) Beach Haus Brewery Music Bingo Tuesdays Enjoy four rounds of free-to-play music bingo hosted by DJ Kat Lyons Beach Haus Brewery, 801 Main St, Belmar 7pm - 9pm For more information, visit beachhausbeer.com WEDNESDAYS (DECEMBER 3, 10, 17) Bell Works Fresh Farmers Market Visit Twin Lights Brewing for Thursday Trivia Night Twin Lights Brewing 4057 Asbury Ave, Tinton Falls 7pm - 9pm For more information, visit twinlightsbrewing.com EVERY THURSDAY (DECEMBER 4, 11, 18, 25) Trivia on Tap Enjoy four rounds of free-to-play music bingo hosted by DJ Kat Lyons Beach Haus Brewery, 801 Main St, Belmar 7pm - 9pm For more information, visit beachhausbeer.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Tree Lighting Ceremony Head down to Downtown Freehold for their tree lighting ceremony 1 E Main St, Freehold 5pm - 7pm For more information, visit downtownfreehold.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 Holiday Made in Monmouth Shop for the holidays with over 22 local vendors Brookdale Community College, Robert J. Collins Arena and Recreation Events Center 10am - 4pm For more information, visit madeinmonmouth.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5-7 12th Annual Trees for Troops Support our troops by getting your Christmas tree at The Fir Farm The Fir Farm, Hillsdale Rd, Colts Neck For more information, visit instagram.com/thefirfarm

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Winter Fresh Farmers Market Head to Ocean Grove for this cozy indoor food and farm market 66 Main St, Ocean Grove 10am - 1pm For more information, visit bellworksfresh.com/upcoming-events

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 First Fridays Art and Sound at the Station Head to Asbury Park the first Friday of the month for a pop-up art and music show Asbury Park Transportation Center 1 Block West of Main St., Asbury Park 5pm For more information, cityofasburypark.com SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 Autism Harmony Holiday Vendor/Craft Fair Visit over 60 vendors/crafters to shop for all your holiday gifts, will all proceeds going to children and adults with autism VFW 1 Veterans Lane, Port Monmouth 10am - 4pm For more information, visit autismharmony.org Santa at Garmany Join the Tigger Stavola Foundation to celebrate the holidays and fund drug prevention education across NJ Garmany of Red Bank 121 Broad St, Red Bank 11am - 3pm For more information, visit tiggerstavolafoundation.org SATURDAY/SUNDAY (DECEMBER 6, 14) Santa Pictures with your Pet Get a photo with Fido featuring St. Nick himself Doggie Sweets 15 Morris Ave, Unit 119, Long Branch 12pm - 3pm For more information, visit doggiesweets.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 Joe Baracata Band’s Holiday Show Celebrate the holidays with the Joe Baracata Band Tim McLoone’s Supper Club 1200 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park 7pm - 9pm For more information, visit timmcloonessupperclub.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Open Mic Night Join the Freehold Borough Arts Council for Downtown Freehold’s open mic night, every third Tuesday of the month American Hotel, 18 E Main St, Freehold 6:30pm - 9pm For more information, visit downtownfreehold.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Carolers Downtown Freehold Get into the holiday spirit with this festive singalong Downtown Freehold, Freehold 6pm - 8pm For more information, visit downtownfreehold.com WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 NYE Twilight Run Join the Jersey Shore Running Club for their NYE Twilight Run at Leggett’s Sand Bar 217 1st Ave, Manasquan 4pm - 9pm For more information, visit runsignup.com

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BIZBEAT

BY RYAN LOUGHLIN

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

Asbury Park’s Flying Pig Market opens After an endless buildup of anticipation over the course of nearly two years, The Flying Pig Market in downtown Asbury Park has officially opened its doors. Offering patrons everything from pastas to dairy, fresh veggies and meats, sodas and drinks and a large variety of snacks (most locally sourced with a health and/or eco-conscious spin), finally Asbury has a small market for residents and visitors to grab and go.

Collaborations with local businesses are part of the game here as well, meaning you can find items like loaves of bread from Benchmark Breads of Little Silver and baked goods for Del Ponte’s in Bradley Beach. The store is owned by Paula Gilligan a North Jersey transplant who moved down to Asbury Park after summering here for many years. Located at 527 Bangs Ave. (on the corner of Bangs Avenue and Emory Street), this may be the most exciting Asbury opening in years! www.theflyingpigmarket.com

The Bistro at iPlay America launches holiday pop-up bar and brunches iPlay America’s in-house bar/restaurant The Bistro has launched an enchantingly festive pop-up bar just in time for the holiday season. The aptly named “Miracle Bar” is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar featuring 12 holiday-themed cocktails, floor-

to-ceiling holiday décor, festive events, and all the seasonal cheer you can stuff into one restaurant. The popup experience is open now through Jan. 1. The Bistro will also feature exiting brunch events, including a Mickey and Minnie Christmas Brunch on Dec. 7; Santa Brunches on Dec. 14 and 20, and a special Frosty, Ginch and Santa Brunch on Dec 21.

All brunches run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. iPlay America is located at 110 Schanck Rd, Freehold. www.iPlayAmerica.com

Spring Lake Tap House launches “Santa’s Hideaway” Spring Lake Tap House is proud to unveil “Santa’s Hideaway,” a full-season Christmas pop-up activation transforming the venue into the Jersey Shore’s most festive holiday experience.

Featuring themed nights, signature Christmas food and drinks menus, immersive décor, live entertainment, and specialty brunches, Santa’s Hideaway will become your new favorite spot for lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour, and late-night holiday shenanigans all season long. www.springlaketaphouse.com

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WWW.CLOSETTECNJ.COM MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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A Sound Mind from a Sound Body Gameday Men’s Health Helps Men Reclaim Their Energy, Confidence, and Wellbeing PHOTOS BY ANDREI JACKAMETS

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or generations, men were told to “tough it out” — to ignore fatigue, mood changes, or a fading sense of vitality. Thankfully, that mindset is changing. Today, more men are realizing that strength isn’t about silence; it’s about taking control of their health. One local clinic helping men do just that is Gameday Men’s Health, located in Holmdel.

At Gameday, the focus is simple: helping men feel, look, and perform like the best version of themselves — both physically and mentally.

“Gameday is a medical clinic where we help men feel like their former, younger selves again,” says Jon Idelson, co-owner and General Manager of Gameday Men’s Health in Holmdel. “As men age, testosterone naturally declines, which

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can drastically affect energy, motivation, focus, and drive.

We provide a place where men can talk openly about these changes — from hormone health to sexual performance — in a comfortable, results-driven environment.”

A Clinic Built for Men Gameday Men’s Health was founded by Evan Miller, PhD, who wanted to change the way men experience healthcare. He envisioned a welcoming, approachable space where the “average guy” could feel understood — not judged. What started as a single clinic has now grown to over 400 locations nationwide and into Canada. Locally, Jon and his partners currently have clinic locations in Holmdel and East Bruns-

wick. There are plans to continue expanding into Asbury Park and Freehold/ Manalapan in 2026. Since opening in 2024, Gameday Holmdel has already helped more than 300 men reclaim their confidence and quality of life.

Optimizing Men’s Health Gameday specializes in men’s hormone therapy, sexual health, weight management, and performance optimization. “Many men go to their primary doctor, get bloodwork, and are told they’re ‘fine’, even when they feel far from it,” Idelson explains. “We don’t just look at what’s normal — we look at what’s optimal.

There is no reason to accept the status quo with our hormonal health when we have the power to change it!”

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be delivered through injections, pills, or pellets, depending on each patient’s needs. The clinic also offers ED treatments, peptides, and weight loss programs using FDA-approved medications. Every plan is customized by board-certified clinicians from the Hormone Health Institute, ensuring safe, evidence-based care.

“I Was a Patient Before I Was a Partner!”

Idelson’s connection to Gameday is personal.

“Before opening Gameday Holmdel, I was a patient elsewhere,” he says. “It was expensive, inconvenient, and not really geared toward men. I wanted to create a

REAL RESULTS FROM REAL MEN I feel amazing. This changed my life.

I’ve got my swagger back, crushing it at the gym, and everyone notices how I’ve gotten back to the old me.

— David, Testosterone Patient

Today is the first day in three years I woke up pain-free.

— Joe, Peptide Patient

I was exhausted and overweight.

Now, I’ve lost 40 pounds and have my drive back. Gameday gave me my energy and motivation again.

— Anthony, Weight Loss & Testosterone Patient

space that made treatment easier — and help other men get the same results I did.”

He’s candid about what optimizing his own hormones did for him: “When my levels were low, I felt flat, tired, and unmotivated. Now, I perform better at the gym, at work, and in life. Every man deserves that feeling again.”

Back to Feeling Like Yourself For many men, the transformation goes beyond physical changes. Patients often report stronger relationships, improved focus, and restored confidence. “We see guys who come in feeling stuck,” Idelson says. “After treatment, they’re sleeping better, losing weight, hitting the gym, and just happier overall.”

His advice for men ready to take the first step? “It’s not rocket science — move your body, drink water, get good sleep, and get your hormones checked. Every man deserves to know if he’s truly feeling his best.”

Ready to Take the Field Again?

Gameday Men’s Health offers free hormone testing and consultations with licensed clinicians. “We’re here to educate and empower men,” says Idelson. “If you’ve lost your edge, we can help you get it back.”

Visit Gameday Men’s Health Holmdel at 100 Commons Way, Suite 240, Holmdel, NJ Call 862-205-4020 or visit gamedaymenshealth.com/ holmdel-nj/

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That’s Amore!

Aberdeen’s Beloved Italian Deli DeMarco’s Celebrates the Big 5-0

BY EMMA SYLVIA

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eMarco’s Catering and Gourmet Deli has deep roots in Monmouth County. The family business began in Jersey City before moving to Middletown on a friend’s suggestion. Gene and Robert graduated from Middletown South High School and today live in Holmdel and Red Bank, but their true home has always been the deli. Like many Italian kids in the area, Gene DeMarco grew up in the food business. At just 15, he rode his moped to work each day, cleaning, scraping the bread machine, and tidying the store-

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front, “the little guy” at the bottom of the totem pole. Even then, he knew this was where he belonged. Robert later left the banking world and joined the family business in 1995.

“I was just always used to it,” Gene recalls. “I don’t know if it was because I grew up in the deli and it seemed normal, but to run the family business? I always liked it.” Today, DeMarco is the warm and familiar face customers love, while his father and brother keep the operation running seamlessly behind the scenes. It is a rhythm that has worked for decades.

An Origin Story The deli’s success is rooted in resilience. When Louis DeMarco opened the shop, he invested every dime he could, drawing on his father-in-law’s Italian market experience and the baking heritage from his own family. He was determined to build something of his own.

“And he did,” Gene DeMarco says proudly.

Their grit showed early on. In February 1976, a white Camaro crashed through the front doors of the newly opened deli. Miraculously, no one was hurt, since customers tended to gather toward the back. The DeMarcos cleaned up, rebuilt, and kept going. That determination has carried the business from the 1970s to 2025.

The Key to Success Inside DeMarco’s, customers experience the heart of an authentic Italian deli. Their on-site butcher ensures premium fresh meats, and crusty, aromatic loaves, including Robert’s famous in-house Rustic Bread, elevate every sandwich. “We

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start baking bread at 10 at night,” DeMarco says. “We’re baking from scratch 24 hours a day.”

The menu pays homage to classic Italian comfort food with hot and cold subs, sausage and peppers, homemade pastas, and standout specialties like the Peter Luger Roast Beef sub layered with thin sliced roast beef, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, onions, and that iconic steak sauce. Their vodka sauce has a true cult following with more than one hundred gallons prepared each week to meet demand. The deli’s long-standing catering operation remains the backbone of the business, serving everything from intimate family gatherings to large corporate events. Their custom barbecue catering packages are equally popular.

DeMarco’s can manage every detail of an event, from food to waitstaff, and they have earned a reputation for celebrations that end with full stomachs and very happy guests.

The heart of DeMarco’s success lies in hospitality, consistency, and community. “Know your customers, respect your customers, and be fair,” DeMarco says. “It’s not always about the dollar. It’s about our relationships with our customers.” He credits much of the business’s longevity to the staff,

including store manager Kristen Crotty and chef Harry Zober. “The people who work for us and genuinely interact with the customers are the majority of the reasons for our success. Customers love them. Cashiers used to babysit kids who came into the store. It’s a great atmosphere. We’re blessed with the employees we have.”

50 Years in the Making This December, the family will celebrate its golden anniversary with a weekend-long celebration. Saturday,

December 6 will feature vendors, food, and giveaways. On Tuesday, December 9, the official anniversary date, several items will return to their original 1975 prices, including fresh-baked bread for just 99 cents.

Even after 50 years, new families moving into Aberdeen are still discovering DeMarco’s for the first time, while longtime regulars remain loyal through generations. As DeMarco puts it simply, “We treat our customers like family.

It truly is a family coming together to share delicious food.”

As the DeMarco family looks ahead to their fiftieth anniversary celebration, their gratitude runs deep. They are thankful for the customers who walked through their doors in the early days and for the generations who continue to return. They are grateful for the employees who treat the store as if it were their own and for a community that has embraced them with loyalty and love. What began as a simple dream has become a place where meals turn into memories and where every person is treated like family. The DeMarcos are proud to celebrate this milestone and even more honored to continue serving the community that made it all possible.

Visit DeMarco’s Catering and Gourmet Deli at demarcoscatering.com, on Instagram @demarcos.italian.deli, or at 1121 Rt. 34 in Aberdeen.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Dinner Show — AND A —

Every Monday (December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) What: Quizzoholics Trivia Where: Deal Lake Bar + Co, Loch Arbour When: 7:30pm - 9:30pm deallakebarco.com Every Monday (December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) What: Jazz Art Jam Sessions Where: Triumph Restaurant & Brewery, Red Bank When: 6 pm – 8pm TriumphBrewing.com Every Tuesday (December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) What: Live Irish Music Where: St. Stephen’s Green Publick House, Spring Lake When: 6 pm SSGPub.com Every Wednesday (December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31) What: Trivia Night Where: The Chubby Pickle, Highlands When: 7pm thechubbypicklenj.com Every Thursday (December 4, 11, 18) What: Music Bingo Night Where: Woody’s, Farmingdale When: 6pm woodysroadside.com Thursday, December 4 What: High Standards Trio Where: R Bar, Asbury Park When: 6 pm www.itsrbar.com Thursday, December 11 What: Bob Schneider & Steve Poltz Where: The Vogel, Red Bank When: 7:30 pm thebasie.org/venue/the-vogel

Our picks for some fun nights out at local bars and restaurants this month Friday, December 14 What: Joe Baracata Band Where: Tim McCloone’s Supper Club, Asbury Park When: 7 pm timmcloonessupperclub.com

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

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MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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Four-legged Fun! Barktastic places to hang out with your pets this month and beyond Birdsmouth Beer, Oceanport — Located at Fort Monmouth off Oceanport Way in Oceanport, Birdsmouth is a great spot to relax this December with your four-legged best friend. Leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcomed year-round in their tasting room. Also, Birdsmouth is home to a lineup of pinball machines and board games, and serves as a perfect stop to grab a pint and a enjoy an afternoon with friends. birdsmouthbeer.com Smokey’s Doggy Cafe, Keyport — Smokey’s Doggy Café in a unique space for you and your furry best friend to dine, shop, and play together. Located in Keyport, Smokey’s Doggy Café offers dog friendly treats, a play yard, and puts on dog-oriented events on to bring dogs and the dog lover community together. smokeysdoggycafe.com Bell Works, Holmdel — Visiting Bell Works in a must-stop if you are looking to get out and about with Fido but want to skip the colder conditions outside. With many shops and businesses to explore and plenty of open space, Bell Works offers an ideal indoor setting to spend an afternoon this December. bell.works Thompson Park, Lincroft — Walking your dog at Thompson Park during December is a peaceful winter outing. The park’s paved trails wind through fields, woods, and around a quiet lake, offering plenty of room for exploration. Please be sure to check all the rules and regulations on the Monmouth County Parks website. monmouthcountyparks.com

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MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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HEALTH CORNER

What Are Nootropics?

BY MAIA FRANCO

N

ootropics are substances that are believed to enhance cognitive functions such as memory, focus, mental energy, or creativity. They can take a few different forms. There are natural supplements, like ginkgo biloba, omega-3 fatty acids, ashwagandha, bacopa monnieri, and turmeric, that are widely available in health stores. There are also more common nootropics, such as caffeine, L-theanine teas, or multivitamins designed for brain support. The unifying idea behind nootropics is that they help the brain work more efficiently or stay healthier longer.

How Are Nootropics Used?

1. Improving Focus and Productivity Professionals with demanding workdays often turn to nootropics that support sustained concentration. This can include simple combinations like caffeine and L-theanine or more complex supplements marketed for mental clarity.

2. Supporting Memory and Learning Students and adult learners may choose nootropics that support recall or help combat mental fatigue. Herbs like bacopa monnieri or ginseng have long histories in traditional medicine for memory enhancement.

3. Managing Stress and Mental Fatigue Adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha and rhodiola are popular for balancing stress, helping people stay mentally steady during busy seasons.

4. Promoting Long-Term Brain Health Many older residents look to nootropics as part of preventative wellness, pairing supplements like omega-3s or antioxidants with exercise and healthy diet choices to help maintain cognitive function as they age.

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Why Are Nootropics Significant?

As conversations about mental well-being grow, people are more proactive about protecting and improving cognitive health. Nootropics are often seen as part of a larger lifestyle approach that includes sleep, nutrition, mindfulness, and exercise. Nootropics appeal to individuals seeking safe, everyday support for focus and energy from demands of professionalism.

Like much of New Jersey, Monmouth County has a significant population of older adults interested in maintaining memory, alertness, and independence. This has contributed to the popularity of supplements marketed for long-term cognitive support. Nootropics are widely available — from local health stores like Green’s to major pharmacies and online retailers. Their variety allows individuals to explore options tailored to their goals.

While many nootropics are safe and well-researched, a few points are crucial: • Not all supplements are equally effective, and evidence varies from strong to limited depending on the substance.

• Quality matters. Look for products tested by third parties, especially when buying online.

• Lifestyle habits still matter more than any supplement — sleep, exercise, and nutrition remain the foundations of cognitive health.

For adults navigating busy schedules, long-term health goals, or simply a desire to stay mentally sharp, nootropics can be a useful tool when used responsibly. They aren’t magic pills — but they can support brain function as part of a broader, health-conscious lifestyle.

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MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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The Family Spirit

Rumson Wine and Spirits Owners Talk Family Business

BY EMMA SYLVIA / PHOTOS BY MANNY CARABEL

F

amily-owned and operated businesses are the lifeblood of the country at large. These places end up being not just hot spots for the community, but part of its identity, with towns often being recognized from the long-lasting storefronts that they’ve been championing as a community for decades.

One such establishment is Rumson Wine and Spirits. Located on West River Road, Rumson residents likely recognize this now-iconic establishment that has been the area’s go-to wine and spirits location since the 1980s. The store is home to thousands of wines, with a plethora of spirits and craft beers to boot, and a notable selection of the latest trends, including top shelf tequilas and whiskies. The Mulheren fam-

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ily owns it, and they allowed us to pick their brains about what it’s like being a part of a family business that has thrived through thick and thin.

A Family Origin Story Wyatt Mulheren practically grew up at Rumson Wine and Spirits, which was originally owned by his father and aunt, John and Colleen Mulheren Wood. He began doing deliveries as a teenager, continuing to work at the store throughout high school and college. Today, after joining the team full time in 2019 with his wife, Kathleen, he’s the General Manager.

“Our father and aunt [opened the store in the 80s],” says

Sandy Mulheren, Wyatt’s oldest brother and a fellow Rumson resident. “Our dad purchased the business, and our aunt’s husband was the manager at the time. Different uncles and family friends have all worked here.”

Kathleen Mulheren met her now-husband in college in Virginia, and the couple have been together since 2013. After moving to Rumson in 2019, they were ecstatic to get to work at the family business. “We knew that this was what we were going to do,” Kathleen says.

Renovations Rumson Wine and Spirits has made its way not just to the shelves of Rumson residents, but at their weddings, bar mitzvahs, holidays and more.

“We do a lot of weddings, the [VNA Health Group] Beach Ball event every two years, a lot of Fourth of July Celebrations – those are always fun to do. The weddings are so special to be a part of,” Kathleen elaborates. “We’re fortunate to know the locals.”

Being such a prominent part of the local community allowed Rumson Wine and Spirits to flourish, even though the pandemic. For decades the store had remained much the same,

but in 2020, right as the world began to shut down, they expanded and modernized their space, taking over the next-door business in the same building. After relaunching in the new space, Rumson Wine and Spirits reached its full potential.

Perhaps their most notable claim to fame is their wine cellar. “It’s our biggest thing,” Kathleen says. “We’re very fortunate to have the wine cellar room. We’re able to temperature-control all the wines. Customers aren’t afraid to approach it because it’s such a beautiful space. It’s one of the most unique things that we have here.”

A Family Friendly Difference Rumson Wine and Spirits, ultimately, prides itself – aside from its familial touch – on its customer service. Every manager of the store has sampled every single wine that they offer, meaning they are able to promise not just a great bottle, but the perfect taste for any client.

“If it’s in the store,” Kathleen says, “we know it’s good.”

While acknowledging that every customer that passes through their doors has different tastes, the Mulherens are undaunted. “What we like doesn’t matter,” Wyatt says. “It’s so individualized and so different.”

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Word of mouth has led to many walking through the doors and proclaiming, “You’re our liquor store.”

“Some people hear about our store from North Jersey and will bring their kids to Crazees Ice Cream across the street and then come here.”

Kathleen says with a laugh.

“We’re family friendly. People can bring their kids and dogs – we have water outside for the dogs, too,” Wyatt adds.

Their success enabled Kathleen to make an app for the store to ensure that buying is the most seamless experience possible. However, many people still prefer to come down to the store in person. “We offer such a level of customer service that people would call and say, ‘We want to come talk to you guys.’ They don’t want to do it online; it’s that personal touch.”

Kathleen recalls when she was in the grocery store and had someone approach her. It was a customer that had recognized her, asking, “Do you remember the wine you recommended me eight months ago?” It’s this customer service that’s truly the difference, with every member of the staff – even the youngest at 22 years old – being able to help the customer in the most effective way possible.

Rumson Wine and Spirits has proven that they’re here to stay, and to serve the Rumson community – and beyond – with a smile and the perfect sip of wine.

To learn more about Rumson Wine and Spirits, visit rumsonwineandspirits.com, @rumsonwineandspirits on Instagram, or call 732-842-0552

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

A couple’s wedding is, of course, one of the biggest days of their lives. Below are a couple glowing testimonials from those that utilized Rumson Wine and Spirits for their special day!

“We used Rumson Wine and Spirits for our wedding in September, and everything was perfect! A seamless, stressfree process that made our day so enjoyable. We used a local community space as our rehearsal and ceremony venue, so we were responsible for providing the alcohol for both days.

We met with Rumson Wine and Spirits to review what we wanted – Friday was a full bar with wine, beer, and hard seltzers/ teas and Saturday was just wine/beer/seltzers/teas with no hard liquor. We provided our guest counts for both days and preferred delivery times and their knowledgeable and helpful team did the rest. We came in again to review the products they selected – all top shelf but reasonable options that were perfect for what we wanted. Not knowing a lot about wine ourselves, we were grateful for their suggestions (cava instead of champagne, what kinds of white wine to select, how many bottles of red wine to get).

We were also able to order non-alcoholic beverages like soda and mixers to be included in the delivery. In addition to selecting a good mix for us, they delivered everything to the venue with a very friendly and efficient team. They included plenty of ice. We were even able to return some of the extra liquor we didn’t end up opening (vodka and whiskey). We will definitely be using RWS for any parties in the future – having their team help us choose what to order and how much, then dropping it all off made our lives so much easier.” — Amy and James Cox, married September 2025

“Rumson Wine and Spirits supplied all of the alcohol for our wedding, and they were absolutely fantastic to work with!

They were able to provide everything we were looking for and helped us choose a perfect selection of wines, beer, and champagne — every recommendation was spot-on and a huge hit with our guests. They also provided all of the mixers our bartender needed, along with ice, making the entire setup seamless.” — Therésa & Benjamin Lardiere, married June 2022

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MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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A Life in Hospitality Brings Forth ‘Death of Hospitality’ Q&A With Colts Neck Restaurateur and Author Matthew Borowski

BY EMMA SYLVIA / PHOTO BY TOM ZAPCIC

W

e’ve all been there: impatiently tapping your foot while melancholic jazz music plays, indicating that you’ve been on hold for hours on end. It’s a feeling of aggravation that Matthew Borowski is all too familiar with. The Colts Neck resident (and owner of Freehold restaurant, 618, as well as Mezcal in Old Bridge) sat down with us to discuss his new book, released this past summer, “Death of Hospitality”, and the message he hopes for his readers to glean — always represent yourself in the best light.

Community Magazine: Where are you from, and where does your role in the restaurant industry originate from?

Matthew Borowski: I was born and raised in Brooklyn. I had real humble beginnings: five of us in a one-bedroom apartment. Long story short, I wasn’t the best student. I was a college dropout. But I was always in the restaurant business. My family moved us to New Jersey in my teen years, so I’ve been here for the majority of my adult life. I live in Colts Neck now.

I’ve been in the business as long as I can remember.

From washing dishes to working at McDonald’s and having a special nametag that said I was only 15 years old. My first serving job was working overnights at the IHOP in Toms River. I moved over to more serving and bartending at Lone Star Steakhouse, and then I worked for Red Lobster as one of the youngest managers in the company. That’s how I started in management, and that was almost 25 years ago.

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CM: What made you fall in love with the industry?

MB: I love people. You can make great money in the restaurant business, and it’s the best networking. You meet so many different people, all from different walks of life – police chiefs to CEOs. Restaurants are everywhere, too; they’re always looking for help. It’s a job that will always be around.

I’m with 618, Mezcal – the hardest restaurant to get into in NJ – and I’m a partner at Jersey Freeze. Mezcal opened in March, and at 618, we just celebrated our nine-year anniversary. Last year, I joined the team at Jersey Freeze, and we currently have three locations and are looking to start franchising. As of a month ago, I purchased my third restaurant, called ‘Elizabeth’s.’ It’s a modern Italian restaurant, and it’s my wife’s first name and my daughter’s middle name. It’s very special for me.

CM: What inspired you to write “Death of Hospitality?”

MB: “Death of Hospitality” was launched with the start of my hospitality group. When I was getting ready to open Mezcal, we wanted something different and special. When you go somewhere now, it’s a big box store with 20 registers with just one open; if I go to the bank and there’s a crazy long line, there’s only one teller open. The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was when I had fraud on my card, and I was on hold for three hours and 40 minutes. Now, everyone’s on their phones when they give you service.

People ask me what makes my restaurant special and how we’re so busy. We put the guests first. I’ve always wanted to write a book. I’ve taught my three beautiful kids to never quit.

If you want to do something, do it. Within a week, the book got a bestselling rating due to my tremendous support system.

The book is inspired from all my years in the restaurant business. I met with the publisher, and they helped me understand what I needed to write a book. I went back and forth with them, and the process took about a year. It was difficult to go back and forth with your own thoughts. A month before the book was released, I changed three chapters.

CM: What do you hope people gain from reading this book?

MB: There’s a story that I tell my staff. It’s about interviewing for the FBI. When you meet someone, think about, “If I’m interviewing for the FBI, they’re going to do a thorough background check. They’re going to ask, ‘Do you trust this person with classified information?’ And everyone’s going to have an opinion on you.” Whenever I have an interaction

with someone – from an Amazon worker to a kiosk employee in the mall – I keep that in mind.

I tell everyone, treat life – no matter who you meet, and sometimes you meet difficult people – as your own brand. Networking is so important. Ninety-nine percent of the time, people will say great things about me. It’s a good business example to represent yourself in the best light.

CM: What have reactions to the book been?

MB: People private-messaged me, asking me to sign copies of the book. It’s great to pull up your sales for the day and see you sold 100 copies, and 30 of them are in Ireland. People around the world are excited to read something from just a “restaurant guy.” As long as you learn something from someone, it’s worth the time.

Anyone can learn something from this book. It’s worth it. I’m a college dropout, so I’m a big fan of self-education. I ask a lot of questions and do a lot of research. With access to the internet, you can learn anything, from changing your oil or opening a bottle of wine.

I wanted to make the book simple; not too long, and an easy read. If you’re ever dealing with a customer, it’s a resourceful tool to have.

At 618 in Freehold, a couple said to me, “We both read your book.” I never met them before. It’s crazy how things go.

Word spreads like wildfire. It’s amazing that people take the time to read what I have to say.

CM: Do you have anything coming up in the future?

Any new books?

MB: Right now, I’m doing some public speaking events. I’m going to Atlantic City to give a seminar, motivating them and giving them inspiration for hospitality. I’m going to be writing a second book to get more detailed in real-life scenarios and go off the backbone of the success of the restaurant business. It’ll have more tools and tricks to grow your business.

CM: Who helped make this dream a reality?

MB: My team. They really understand the culture and the environment that I demand. They’re just as passionate about hospitality as I am. I employ hundreds of people, and we’re all on the same page. I couldn’t be where I am today without having a strong support system, all dedicated to the same cause.

To buy your own copy of Death of Hospitality, visit amazon.com/Death-Hospitality-Investing-People-Service-ebook/ dp/B0FHB8HLQ8

MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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AROUND TOWN » EATONTOWN | OCEAN TOWNSHIP

Fun at Middletown Fall Fest

O T

Lincroft Fire Co. Honors Firefighter

he Lincroft Fire Company recently honored Middletown Township Fire Department firefighter Dennis W. Fowler for an incredible 50 years of volunteer service.

The mayor and other elected officials presented him with a certificate and the Key to the Township.

Over five decades, Fowler has served as Captain, Lieutenant, President of LFC, MTFD Chief in 1996, and Public Information Officer. His lifelong dedication and leadership continue to inspire future generations of volunteer firefighters.

Thank you, Dennis!

Photo and editorial credit: Middletown NJ Town Hall Facebook page

Middletown First Responders Teach Fire Safety to Kids

O

n the morning of October 16, the Lincroft Fire Company and Middletown FD Fire Prevention Bureau teamed up to teach fire safety to nearly 200 kindergarten and first-grade students. The engaging lesson covered evacuation plans, family meeting spots, and important safety tips. Most importantly, everyone learned the key rule: Get out, stay out, and stay safe always!

Photo and editorial credit: Middletown Township Fire Department and Lincroft Fire Company Facebook pages

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n October 19, Middletown held its 2025 Fall Festival which brought residents together for a day filled with fun, connection, and hometown pride. Highlights included the Business and Community Showcase, delicious food vendors, first responder touch-a-trucks, children’s inflatables and games, arts and crafts, and the always-popular Trunk-or-Treat.

The evening included a performance from musical act Moroccan Sheepherders, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Families enjoyed the pumpkin patch, Doodle Dude art activities, and live performances by Lakehouse Music Academy, Octopus Music School, and our North and South High School Choirs. Thanks to all that put this year’s fall fest together and to their sponsors for their generosity.

Photo and editorial credit: Middletown Parks & Recreation Facebook page

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MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

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A Love Story Rumson Resident Writes Memoir on Love, Loss and the Power of Human Connection

BY EMMA SYLVIA

N

ot everyone is lucky enough to have a love story that’s worthy of putting into words. Most romances as such are fictional, like the ones found in “Romeo and Juliet” or “Titanic.” However, Rumson resident Marcie Shrewsbury Lopez has always been a writer, and just as crucially, also fell madly in love with her husband, publisher Adrian Lopez. After Adrian became sick and passed away, Lopez knew that their love story was deserving of publication.

This year, she released “A Place of Promise.” Today, she discusses the memoir, and how to persevere through severe loss with the help of love you’ve always had.

Globetrotting Lopez’s life has taken her all over the globe. Born in Plainfield, her family moved to Mantoloking during her teenage years. Later she spent a year at a junior college northwest of Boston before moving to Switzerland.

“I wasn’t real happy at junior college,” Lopez recalls, until a family friend spoke very highly of schooling in Switzerland, calling it a premier cultural experience and an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. “It was really mind-opening and wonderful. My favorite classes were all creative writing. I loved that, being so close to the Alps. It’s an area that inspires writers.”

A Love Story Lopez was in her early 30s when she was working as a medical artist at NYU. “All of a sudden,” she says, “the work stopped coming in.” She was unwilling to call her parents for assistance until her mother, with an instinct that only moth-

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ers can have, called her and asked if something was wrong.

The next day, Lopez moved out of the city and back in Mantoloking with her parents, which would ultimately lead to her reconnecting with a family friend named Adrian who would become the love of her life.

“All of a sudden, the world was in color. That’s what love is; you become your better self,” she recalls. They were soon married.

“I became my best self. I became the artist I was always meant to be,” says Lopez.

After 20 years together, Lopez’s husband became sick.

“He was ill but never complained. He was one of the kindest people who walked the earth. He never said a negative thing about another human being.” His nurses – as well as Adrian himself – encouraged Lopez to write the story of their love and lives together.

“It dawned on me,” Lopez recalls, “that no one could do it but me.” Her ideas for the memoir began to form, which she describes as a fawn that could not yet stand up on its own legs. “I wanted to honor my husband. I knew there was a story there. I didn’t think I could do it, but I had to do it,” she says.

Subtitle While Lopez received encouragement for her writing, after many rejections, she wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to get the memoir published.

However, her editor in turn rejected Lopez’s own doubt, leaving her determined to find a home for her memoir.

Eventually, she succeeded, with “A Place of Promise” being released in May of this year.

“This is all because of Adrian,” Lopez says. “He loved me unconditionally.”

The reactions to her book from friends, family and the community alike have been wonderful.

“Friends have told me they can’t put it down. One friend said she cried all the way through it. It’s touched me to see the effect it’s had on people. I’m hoping it helps heal others who have been through loss,” she states.

Having the strength to complete such a monumental task after such a devastating loss was not an easy hurdle to get over. But Lopez knew her hus-

band wanted to see her thrive in the days ahead of her, including the years without him.

“The last two years of my husband’s life, we had every meal together, and he would start with a prayer and always end it with, ‘Please give Marcie a long and happy life – and be sure she has a lot of fun,’” Lopez recounts. “That prepared me to have a positive life after my husband’s death. I was shattered; it was like losing a limb. But I had that positivity from him. My parents and Adrian wouldn’t want me to give up.”

“A Place of Promise” isn’t just a tale of love, but a reminder to the reader that you can persevere through any loss and come out on the other side with a life – and perhaps even, a book – to be proud of.

To learn more about Lopez or order your own copy of “A Place of Promise,” visit marcieshrewsburylopez.com

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MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

49

Student Successes

J HAVE FAITH At Holy Cross Academy, we prioritize character development, compassion, respect, and integrity alongside traditional subjects.

ohn Reynado of Keyport earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Maryland Global Campus this past summer.

Dominic Amecangelo of Red Bank and Nas Hart of Keyport are welcomed into La Salle University’s largest undergraduate class since 2019. Amecangelo will be majoring in Business Administration, and Hart will be majoring in Communications.

Luke Strada of Middletown South scored big against Long Branch, helping his team win in the quarterfinals for the Shore Conference Tournament Final boys soccer match.

Do you want to send us a student success tip?

Please e-mail to info@communitymagazinenj.com

Our close-knit community and small class sizes create a supportive space where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

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Generosity Prevailed at the Tigger Stavola Foundation’s ‘Evening at Southfork’ Funds Raised at Annual Infinity Event Will Help Fill NJ Schools’ Demand for Drug Prevention Education

G

enerous donors and community leaders gathered at the Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury on October 3 to support the Tigger Stavola Foundation (TSF) as it commemorated the 12-year passing of Richard “Tigger” Stavola, Jr. from an accidental overdose. This year’s theme “An Evening at Southfork,” encouraged Western glamour inspired by the “Dallas” television series. The Foundation honored Mike Criscola and Family, owners of the Crisdel Group, for their exemplary support and compassion for individuals and families impacted by addiction.

The event, which was the highest grossing to date for the Foundation, featured remarks from a TSF portfolio speaker Matt Bellace, a remembrance ceremony, live and silent auctions, and musical entertainment. Plush “Tigger” stuffed toys filled the room in record quantities as rewards to the many attendees who committed to fighting addiction through a generous pledge. Funds raised will be allocated to expanding the Tigger Stavola Foundation’s multifaceted drug education programming, currently reaching students at 153 Partner Schools across New Jersey with motivational speakers, reinforcement materials for discussions at home, and a mobile text program called LED by Tigger that provides kids with facts they need to make the right choices.

Lisa Stavola, mother of Tigger and Founding Director, led off the evening by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the many attendees who have been supporting the mission of fighting addiction, spreading awareness and saving lives since the Foundation’s inception. “We are the only organization across the country doing this type of work. Each of you help us move our mission forward every day so that no family has to feel the heartache of losing a child to this disease,” said Stavola. “We are certain that together we can educate children across this entire country.”

Rick Stavola, father of Tigger, introduced the 2025 honoree with words of gratitude. “The Criscola family has dedicated themselves to our crusade against addiction, and we want to thank them and their company, the Crisdel Group, for standing next to us on this journey.”

“A parent’s worst nightmare is losing their child. We have to get to the kids before it gets to them, and face this monster headon,” said Mike Criscola. “That’s exactly what Lisa, Rick, Alex, and the Foundation work tirelessly to do. We’re not here tonight just to honor the loss, we’re here to fight for our children.”

“I’m proud to represent the Tigger Stavola Foundation as one of their portfolio speakers, said Matt Bellace. “I’m visiting schools across the state of New Jersey, and I can tell you, the kids are not OK- they are struggling, they are eager for help.

This is a war that we believe we can win through education.”

The Foundation also took this opportunity to share clips from its portfolio of motivational speakers who visited seven counties and reached 112,000 students during the 2024-2025 school year. TSF also launched a toolkit for parents in January as a reinforcement to its speaker program. “The Tigger Stavola Foundation has found better ways to engage with kids through speakers, a mobile platform, and take-home materials to keep the whole family informed, leading to better, potentially life-saving decisions,” said Criscola.

The Tigger Stavola Foundation also expressed gratitude to the many elected officials who have shown their support and have helped secure grant funding for TSF programming. In attendance were Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, Commissioner Deputy Director, Ross Licitra, New Jersey State Senator, Declan O’Scanlon, and New Jersey State Assemblywomen, Luanne Peterpaul and Margie Donlon.

Visit tiggerstavolafoundation.org for more information.

MonmouthCommunity.com DECEMBER 2025

51

A Light in the Night

A Recap of the Frances Foundation’s 21st Annual Gala

BY EMMA SYLVIA

T

he Frances Foundation has been one of the guiding lights of Monmouth County for 25 years.

Formed in honor of founder Robert “Bob” Heugle’s late mother, Frances, who tragically passed in 2000 after her own battle with cancer, the nonprofit aims to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer, alleviating financial burden on impoverished families, and supporting research in order to terminate childhood cancers once and for all.

On October 18, the Foundation celebrated their 21st Annual Gala, themed “The Lunar Lights Gala – Because Every Child Deserves to Shine.” Love and energy filled the ballroom of Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch. It was a night of celebration in particular for the Warriors, children that are currently undergoing treatment for cancer, and Angels, children who have passed from cancer and are continued to be fondly memorialized by the Foundation.

“In terms of trying to measure the event’s success, we measure it in how we make the pediatric kids and angels’ families feel about the event,” Heugle elaborates. “They just raved about what a special night it was. It was one of our most successful. We really felt that we emotionally delivered a fantastic night for them.”

More than 900 guests – including 41 pediatric cancer families, sister charities and volunteers – were in the sold-out crowd.

As a 100 percent volunteer-run charity, every penny donated goes to the children and their families.

“It was truly a beautiful and emotional experience to be surrounded by so much love, remembrance, and support,” Alyssa, an Angel’s mother, lauds. “The evening was filled with compassion and unity, and we felt Xander’s spirit throughout the night. We are especially grateful for the way you honored and mentioned him during the gala — it touched our hearts beyond words to know he continues to be remembered and celebrated among such an incredible community.”

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE MonmouthCommunity.com

Heugle was particularly moved by another Angel’s mother who said of the event: “I laughed, I cried and I danced.” He says, “We honored and remembered her daughter that night. For that mom to put the gala in that perspective – that hits our hearts in terms of how we made her feel.”

A Warrior approached his own mother and said of the gala, “Can we do it again? Can we go again?”

Judging from that reaction alone, clearly, the goals of the event were met. “Every child deserves to shine,” Heugle says. “We want to make them feel like a Hollywood star getting an Oscar.”

Heugle praises his volunteer team, which continues to grow.

“They are so invested in trying to help these families.” The decor was also a highlight of the event, with celestial decorations illuminating the night. “I just think the decorations and the whole atmosphere of the whole venue was inspiring, beautiful, and we had these special banners of the Angels. It was truly exceptional this year.”

Ultimately, Heugle always aims to bring the focus of the conversation not on the work he’s done, but on the children.

“The thing I love talking about the most is the kids themselves, and how we made those kids feel like a million bucks. It’s so cruel what they have to go through. The chemo treatments, how sick they feel, the radiation. Many of them get stem cell transplants.

These kids literally go through hell – they get into a state of depression because the treatment regimen is so demanding.”

After an immensely successful 21st gala, we can anticipate another wonderful night of lights next year from the Frances Foundation, all in the name of Angels and Warriors that deserve the best.

To learn more about the Frances Foundation, visit francesfoundation.net

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