CM: Rumson • Fair Haven • Little Silver • Red Bank • Locust • Sea Bright - January 2019

R U M S O N • FA I R H AV E N • L I T T L E S I LV E R RED BANK • SEA BRIGHT • LOCUST • MIDDLETOWN

Deirdre Spiropoulos Heather Burke

&

Making an IMPACT in Monmouth County

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R U M S O N | FA I R H AV E N | L I T T L E S I LV E R RED BANK | SEA BRIGHT | LOCUST | MIDDLETOWN JANUARY 2019 97 Apple Street, Suite 2 Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 Tel: 848.456.1071 | Fax: 732.852.2571

COVER STORY

CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Impact in Numbers

editor-in-chief

C A R O LY N B U R T N I C K

creative director

Meet the Founders of Impact 100 Jersey Coast Heather Burke & Deirdre Spiropoulos

L O R I D O N N E L LY

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graphic designers

E R I C A PA R K E R OLIVIA MAZANEC

advertising

L I L I A N N PA R A S C AT H Y PA D I L L A

general manager

MARIA CONNORS

contributing editors

59 Exclusive Interview with Candace Cameron Bure

24 Fair Haven Community Comes Together for a WWII Vet

48 The Arc of Monmouth Celebrates 52nd Winter Glow Gala

SUSAN MURPHY SHANNA POLIGNONE HOPE DANIELS G E N A A N S E L L-L A N D E DONNA BERIONT M I C H A E L B AT E M A N

photography

MELISSA AMORELLI TOM ZAPCIC

publisher

V I C T O R V. S C U D I E R Y

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Monmouth Conservation Local Basket Brigade A Toast to Children’s Foundations Hosts Annual Delivers Food & Inspiration Health at The Riverhouse Luncheon and Holiday Style Shopping Spree

Monthly Features

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39 41

Pet Celebrities Divorce Talk

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50 52

Eventful Balancing Your Resolutions

be a part of CM We accept pet photos, local event listings, fundraiser & important life announcements (engagement, wedding, baby) and more!

Do you know people who are extraordinary and live in our community? Tell us about them; we would love to spotlight them in future editions of CM! You can do this by emailing: info@communitymagazinenj.com For our media kit & rates, email: advertising@communitymagazinenj.com Community Magazine takes no responsibility for the content of any advertisement nor does it guarantee the accuracy, veracity or truthfulness of any statement made in any advertisement.

Any and all liability for any claims resulting from the content of any advertisement published by Community Magazine is solely the responsibility of the advertiser.

Community Magazine is owned and operated by Direct Development, LLC.

IN BELL WORKS!

Wood Burning Oven Pizza + Local Beers & Great Wines Corbo & Sons is now open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday. We’ll be slinging pizzas and pouring wine, beer and cider until 7:00 pm. Come dine with us or take a pizza home!

HoURS: Monday and Friday 11:30 am - 3:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 am - 7:00 pm BELL MARKET | 101 CRAWFORDS CORNER ROAD, HOLMDEL, NJ 07733 | (732)365-2500

FEB 22

(l to r) Heather Burke, Carolyn Burtnick and Deirdre Spiropoulos

An Intimate Evening with Rickie Lee Jones

MAR 23

Note from the Editor As we turn the page on another year, we often use this new beginning as a time of reflection and resolution. One of our resolutions at CM is to find more ways to make an impact, and I’d like to challenge each of you to use this marker as a way to make one as well. The word “impact”, when used as a verb is defined as having a strong effect on someone or something. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all impacted someone’s life in a positive way?

A Man and His Prostate with Ed Asner

I feel grateful every day to live in Monmouth County, filled with amazing and beautiful people and places. And my greatest professional joy is fostering the spirit of unity we so often find in our local towns and neighborhoods through the pages of CM.

MAR 30

Robert Eric’s Piano Man: A Tribute to Billy Joel

Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn

We want to say thank you to you, our readers and advertisers, because without your support and continued interest we wouldn’t exist.

APR 26

John Pizzarelli – A Centennial Celebration of Nat King Cole

Group discounts available P For the complete 2018-2019 performance schedule, visit

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APR 5

Another New Year’s Resolution at CM is to bring you, our readers, more in-depth looks at people making a difference in our county and communities. Our cover story on page 31 focuses on Impact 100 Jersey Coast and its two founders, Deirdre Spiropoulos and Heather Burke, who are changing the way non-profits function.

Entirely volunteer-based and on track to hit one million dollars in donations this year, the members vote on sizeable grants to be awarded to other non-profits that apply for the organizationchanging funding. In full disclosure, I am a member of Impact and excited to share with you all this amazing charity has done and plans to accomplish.

Box Office Hours P Mon.-Fri. P 10:00am-5:00pm 732.255.0500 P College Drive P Toms River P NJ

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2019 promises to be a year of prosperity and challenges, as all years seem to become, and we begin with the anticipation of hope and renewal. We wish you and your families the very best personally, and unbridled success professionally, and we wish you and yours a very happy New Year!

Cheers to making an IMPACT in 2019!

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Monmouth County Historical Association Showcase Mistletoe at Historic Middletown Home

By Susan Murphy Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA) held its second annual Mistletoe event on December 8, 2018 at the Taylor-Butler House with close to 100 guests attending. Once known as the grandest home in Middletown, Taylor-Butler House is one of five historic properties owned and maintained by MCHA. Hosting Mistletoe is an opportunity for MCHA to share some holiday cheer and friendship with members, supporters and neighbors of the Association as well as welcome new acquaintances. The Taylor-Butler House is one of the finest surviving examples of restrained Italianate architecture, built in 1854.

The Mistletoe Committee included Marilyn Broege, Gail Duffy, Vera Vaughan Hough, Kathleen Jones, Claire M. Knopf, Nicholas McCabe, Kathy McErlean, Paula Metz, Diane Millhiser, Kara Short, Elizabeth C. Thees, Elizabeth A. Urbanski, Lisa Klem Wilson, and Linda Bricker.

Left to right in front: Trustee & Committee member Gail Duffy; Paula Metz; Committee member Marilyn Broege.

Left to right in back: Trustee & Committee member Nick McCabe; Mark Gilbertson; Chris Meagher, Trustees.

“Mistletoe is a wonderful opportunity for MCHA to share the joy of the season with members, supporters, and friends of the Association,” commented MCHA Board of Trustees President Linda Bricker. “The Taylor-Butler House exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere and we are so happy to have this occasion to showcase the beauty of this historic home and make people aware of the many possibilities this property presents.”

The Taylor-Butler House is available for rental year-round and is fully decorated for the holiday season. All proceeds from Mistletoe will benefit the ongoing mission of MCHA to preserve and celebrate the history of Monmouth County for all.

For more information about the Monmouth County Historical Association, visit monmouthhistory.org.

Left to right: Some of the Trustee & Committee members gather for a photo. Kathleen Jones, Vera Hough, Elizabeth Thees, Elizabeth Urbanski, and Board of Trustees President Linda W. Bricker.

Left to right: Trustee Ross Millhiser and Interim Director Chuck Jones pause for a photo.

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Left to right: Gwendolyn Wisely with Trustee Christiana and Keith Harvey.

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Left to right: Trustee and Committee member Nick McCabe; Mara Browndorf and Michael Parent.

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Left to right: Trustee Mike McCarty and Megan Tensza; Trustee Tom and Kortney McManus.

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Community Leaders Celebrate

ShopRite of Shrewsbury Grand Opening SAKER FAMILY CUTS RIBBON AND HOSTS LUNCHEON FOR LOCAL LEADERS AT NEWEST LOCATION

Saker Family and Monmouth County elected officials cut ribbon on new ShopRite of Shrewsbury. Pictured from left to right: Freeholder Gerry Sharfenberger, Joe Saker, Sr. Vice-President of Operations, Tom Saker, Sr. Vice President of Operations, Richard Saker, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Rick Saker, Sr. Vice President of Operations, Freeholder Lillian Bury, Freeholder- Elect Sue Kiley, Freeholder Patrick Impreveduto, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, and Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon.

Family-owned Saker ShopRites recently hosted local, county, and state elected officials and civic leaders at a community luncheon and ceremonial ribbon cutting at their newest store in Shrewsbury.

Representatives from Monmouth County and the Two River area joined Richard Saker, President and CEO of Saker ShopRites, his brothers Joe and Tom, and son Rick as the Saker family cut the ribbon on the state-of-theart, 80,000-square-foot supermarket. The store opened in November at 1151 Shrewsbury Avenue in Shrewsbury. Among the guests were elected officials including District 11 Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholders Lillian Burry, Patrick Impreveduto, Gerry Sharfenberger, and Freeholder-Elect Sue Kiley, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon, Shrewsbury Borough Mayor Don Burden, Shrewsbury Borough Mayor-Elect Erik Anderson, Shrewsbury Councilmembers Don Eddy, Kim Doran Eulner and Little Silver Councilman AJ McNally.

“We’re grateful to be invited into the Shrewsbury community and thrilled to make your acquaintance. We promise to work hard to turn every casual shopper into a loyal patron of our Shrewsbury store,” Richard Saker told luncheon guests who gathered at the store on November 26.

While viewing the entire store from the elevated mezzanine, guests could see specialty departments including the 30-foot long prepared foods case, a cheesemonger with a selection of hundreds of cheeses from all over the world, a nutrition center, a full-service pharmacy, produce department with organic and locally grown produce, a bakery with special occasion cakes and freshly made bread, a meat department with trained butchers featuring certified Angus Prime Beef, American Kobe Beef, and Bell Evans Poultry, a full-service seafood department with daily fresh-catch deliveries, a beautiful floral shop, full-service deli department, and lunch café. Luncheon guests also learned about the 1,000 private labels items unique to Saker ShopRites, available full-service event catering, and more.

Shrewsbury Mayor Don Burden presented the Saker Family with a Certificate of Recognition at the ribbon cutting, and District 11 Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling presented the family with a legislative proclamation.

The new Shrewsbury store is outfitted with the latest energy-saving and sustainable technologies in refrigeration, lighting and recycling. Some of these features include glass doors on the dairy and freezer cases, LED and T-8 lighting, as well as a state-of-the-art Bio-digester for reducing waste.

“We are extremely proud that ShopRite has chosen Shrewsbury for the site of its newest location. ShopRite is a community-minded, conscientious company that employs countless hardworking local residents. I have no doubt that this ShopRite location will grow to serve as a pillar of the community. Welcome to District 11 and thank you for all you do for the residents of Shrewsbury and Monmouth County at large,” said Assemblyman Houghtaling.

Richard Saker noted that the family-owned Saker ShopRites have a century-long connection to Monmouth County, as well as a history of becoming an integral part of each community where their stores operate. “I’m very proud of this store and the 300 new associates that we’re welcoming to the Saker ShopRite team. But after the grand opening fanfare ends and the excitement wanes, it’s my sincere hope that everyone will come to see us as their local neighborhood grocer.”

Guests enjoyed food prepared by the store’s Executive Chef and were

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treated to an array of dishes showcasing the large selection of fresh prepared foods available to customers. Culinary specialties available at the store and featured on the luncheon menu included Dearborn Kitchen’s freshly made pastas, a variety of salads, prepared meat dishes, specialty breads from local bread bakers such as Anthony and Sons, Calandra’s New York Brooklyn Bread and Hudson Bread, local and organic produce, and gourmet patisserie desserts prepared by Saker ShopRites' own Pastry Chef.

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

MARKET

GARDEN CENTER

C AT E R I N G

Put your favorite Macaroni & Cheese Recipe to the test for a great cause! Every $20 entry fee will go directly to Bridges Outreach, so they can continue to bring food and clothing to the homeless and displaced in our area. Your Homemade Recipe will be tasted by all and judged by our panel of foodies. The winning recipe will receive a $100 Dearborn Market Gift Card, an Official Trophy and will be featured in our March Almanac. All customers are invited to come sample all the recipes on Sunday and vote for the Customer’s Choice Award.

TO ENTER: pick up a form in-store! Deadline to enter is Wed. 1/23.

For more information visit our website.

2170 Highway 35 • Holmdel, NJ Phone: 732-264-0256 • Web: www.dearbornmarket.com Hours: Sunday - Saturday, 8am - 8pm

It’s the “Cosmetic Surgery” Time of the Year Sweater weather is here and so are shorter days. Staying in or rushing home to get out of the cold to “Netflix and chill” is in full effect. If you’ve been contemplating cosmetic surgery, now is when you’ll have time to heal. According to the ASAPS, the top five surgical procedures in 2017 were: Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Eyelid Surgery, Breast Lift, and Tummy Tuck.

The following is a brief description of the top five.

Breast Augmentation, will increase the size of your breasts, address uneven breast size, restore shape or lost volume. Breast implants can also be used to form a more hour glass figure by creating balance between the breasts and hips.

SmartLipo, is a minimally invasive procedure to remove unwanted fat, slim, and contour specific areas of the body. Fat cells are gently suctioned out through a tiny incision. Liposuction is commonly performed on the abdomen, upper arms, buttocks, legs and chin.

As you age, your eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. Eyelid surgery or a blepharoplasty, addresses droopy upper eyelids and puffy bags under the eyes to restore a more youthful appearance.

Between 2012 and 2017, breast lifts saw a huge jump of 57.5%. A woman’s breasts change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. A breast lift will elevate sagging breasts to create a breast profile that looks younger and perkier.

A tummy tuck will make your abdomen thinner and more firm by remov-

ing loose skin and fat and tightening the muscles. Men and women commonly seek solutions to address their mid-section. Sometimes diet and exercise alone are not successful and not everyone wants to have surgery.

Below are some popular alternatives that exist to permanently remove fat cells.

Non-surgical fat reduction was the third most popular non-surgical procedure in 2017 only giving way to Botulinum Toxin, commonly referred to as Botox®, Xeomin® or Dysport® and Hyaluronic Acid commonly referred to as facial or dermal fillers. BTL Vanquish™ fat elimination is a non-surgical way to remove fat from the mid-section while tightening the skin. Vanquish uses selective radio frequency energy to create heat to disrupt fat cells while the surrounding tissue remains protected. The compromised fat cells naturally flush from the body to help slim the abs and love handles. There is no downtime and it’s pain-free.

Another non-surgical fat elimination procedure is CoolSculpting®.

CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared and uses controlled cooling to eliminate fat from your abdomen, love handles, double chin, inner and outer thighs, upper arms, back, and underneath the buttocks. With both of these non-surgical procedures, optimal results are seen after a few of months.

Which one is right for you? For a Free Cosmetic Consultation during January and February 2019, call Samra Plastic Surgery at 732.739.2100. *Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Visit The Guild of Creative Art’s

“All-Member Edgy” Exhibit The Guild’s wacky “All-Member Edgy Exhibit” will be on display this month from January 5 through January 30. According to Webster’s Dictionary, “edgy” means “at the forefront of a trend, experimental, avant-garde, innovative, original, or offbeat”. The Main Gallery will showcase works in all media – acrylic, assemblage, collage and mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, sculpture, watercolor and wood in a variety of unusual subject matter.

The Guild is located at 620 Broad Street in Shrewsbury. Guild hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free; on-site parking free.

This program is made possible in part by Monmouth Arts through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The Guild is a qualified organization of the New Jersey Cultural Trust.

Pictured Left: Member Marilyn Baldi of Tinton Falls will display her photograph - “Lighting in Sagrada Familia by Gaudi”

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Fair Haven Turkey Trot Draws Diehards Dozens Participate Despite Historically Frigid Temps The fifth annual Fair Haven Turkey Trot went off without a hitch in 24°F and windy conditions on Thanksgiving morning. Families braved the conditions, coming out with donations for the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots drive.

The event attendance was hampered by the lowest temperatures in more than 100 years. For those who came out there was sunshine, hot cocoa, and munchkins for all.

People, Performance, Relationships L A

The annual race and toy drive were supported by dozens of local families who supplied race staples and toys for those less fortunate this holiday season. The annual tradition is hosted at no cost to its participants and takes full advantage of the wonderful park setting. Families kicked the ball around and had a fun run around Fair Haven Field.

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The winner of the three-lap course was Bryce Wyzykowski, RFH class of 2020 hoisted the Trot Trophy (center). He is flanked in the picture by second and third place finishers Adam Bellincampi and Sean Sullivan of Fair Haven who came in seconds behind the young speedster. Former US Marine Michael McCue (far left) and Fair Haven Councilman Christopher Rodriguez (far right), also pictured, teamed up this year on the toy drive and race logistics respectively. Photo Credit: Tricia Roe.

1-800-273-3406 • kearnybank.com

A Toast to Children’s Health at

The Riverhouse Photos: Tom Zapcic Photography

An evening of art and wine was held on November 9, 2018 at Rumson County Club’s The Riverhouse in support of the Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. The night’s philanthropic support helped to ensure the children’s hospital will continue to deliver extraordinary care that changes children’s lives, restores hope, and fosters dreams for tomorrow.

The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center is committed to pediatric excellence beginning at birth and extending into areas of general and specialized care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. It is the leader in family care across Monmouth County; providing family-centered care and innovative medicine close to home. It offers more than 140 highly qualified pediatricians who possess the experience, knowledge, and technology to meet the health care needs of every child from infancy through adolescence.

For more information, visit rwjbh.org/UCH.

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BEACON HILL COUNTRY CLUB

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Become a Member...

Happy 2019

GOLF, SWIMMING, FITNESS, WEDDINGS, EVENTS & DINING! The highlight of Beacon Hill Country Club is our beautiful, yet challenging, 18 hole pristine golf course.

We also offer an Olympic-sized pool, a TPI certified golf fitness instructor, and a Children’s Swim Team.

When it’s time to celebrate life’s events or have a relaxing meal, we offer diverse dining options with modern, sophisticated ambiance and breathtaking views of the New York skyline for you and your guests.

8 Beacon Hill Road, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 | 732.291.0533 | www.beaconhillcc.org

I know our customers – they are my friends, family and neighbors.

Service reliability is important to them, so it’s important to me.

Meet Paul. He is an Engineer/General Supervisor of Reliability Asset Management at JCP&L. That means he’s responsible for managing energy reliability statewide.

Since joining the JCP&L Red Bank office in 2006, Paul has taken that responsibility quite seriously. He’s always working – even on holidays and weekends if needed – on solutions that will help ensure even more reliable service for customers. Paul applies that same energy and dedication to his other full-time job: raising his two young sons and teaching them to swim at the local YMCA. Paul is proud to be part of your hometown energy team. www.jcp-l.com

Monmouth Conservation Foundation Hosts Annual Luncheon & Holiday Style Shopping Spree Photo Credit: Tom Zapcic Photography

IF IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON, then it’s time for the Enhancing Monmouth County Holiday Style Shopping Spree Luncheon hosted annually by Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF).

This year’s event was held at the Navesink Country Club on Tuesday, December 4th.

Renowned entrepreneur, lifestyle expert and philanthropist Lily Kanter (left) and, award-winning broadcast journalist and author Kitty Pilgrim.

More than 275 guests gathered to support MCF in its ongoing mission to preserve invaluable green open space, protect waterways and wildlife, preserve farmland and create and extend parks and greenways throughout Monmouth County.

Featuring a unique array of vendors, guests kicked-off their holiday shopping and enjoyed a lively conversation between renowned entrepreneur, lifestyle expert, and philanthropist Lily Kanter and, award-winning broadcast journalist and author Kitty Pilgrim.

Lily and Kitty focused their discussion on the “business” of giving in the 21st century and what it means to them as mothers, philanthropists, and global citizens.

Sponsors included: Community Magazine (CM), Cups & Cakes, Gloria Nilson & Co Real Estate, MV’s Best Virginia Cocktail, Metrovation, Monmouth Medical Center/RWJ Barnabas Health, Monmouth University, RE/MAX Real Estate, LTD., Sickles Market, The Grove l West at Shrewsbury, Virginia Cocktail Peanuts.

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A BUSINESS NETWORK OF TALENTED AND EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESS OWNERS, SHARING IDEAS TO PROMOTE NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITY CAUSES. January Featured Members: Robert Lowe

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Fair Haven Community Comes Together for a WWII Vet

By Donna Beriont It’s truly amazing how one heartfelt Facebook post written in earnest by Fair Haven’s Joe Perrotto started a beautiful Thanksgiving for two special people and for more than 300 others who happened to be reading the Fair Haven Facebook page at the time.

It all started when Deborah Stevens from Washington, D.C. placed a phone call to the Adjutant of the American Legion Post 168 asking if there would be a Thanksgiving Day Dinner for the local veterans in the Fair Haven area. That is something that used to happen but does not anymore. Joe Perrotto -- the man who answered that call and a Fair Haven resident, First Aid Squad member and former United States Marine -- felt bad that they no longer organized dinners on holidays for the veterans, so he began to search for a solution. Joe has a passion to recognize and honor all those who have served our country both past and present. He began the quest to find a local restaurant that would have a table last minute on Thanksgiving and could accommodate Henry Stevens, a 98-year-old WWII Veteran from Fair Haven, and his daughter, who was visiting for the holiday.

Henry Stevens, circa mid-1940’s

He posted the question on the "Fair Haven, NJ" Facebook page.

Henry’s daughter Deborah was driving from Washington, D.C. to spend the holiday with her father and hoped to get a reservation at a local eatery. Joe asked if anyone knew where they could get dinner on Thanksgiving and that is where the beauty begins. One post, many likes, multiple tags, a few shares and within moments a happy ending while over 300 eyes were emotionally contributing and watching it all happen. The offers came in like wildfire and in my opinion the typical style for the people of Fair Haven - “I’ll have him over to my house”, “I’ll cook them dinner”, “They can join our family”, “We would love to bring him and his daughter dinner and food!” But in the end, Julie Aurichio and her fiancé and Raven and The Peach chef Robert Candiotti gave this story the feel-good moment by inviting them to come to dinner at the Raven and the Peach in Fair Haven. Not only would they make Henry and his daughter Deborah dinner, but they would pay for it too.

Deborah couldn’t make it on Thanksgiving, but Rob and Julie delivered the meal to Henry’s Fair Haven home instead and made a date to make him lunch, which Henry insisted he pay for since they made him Thanksgiving dinner! Julie managed to get local Fair Haven elementary school children to make Henry cards and dropped them off as well.

On November 29, 2018, Henry Stevens, a Navy lieutenant junior grade in World War II, his daughter Deborah and Joe Perrotto, had lunch at the Raven and The Peach Tea Room, were greeted by Chef Rob Candiotti and sat and got to know one another. Since then I think more people know about Henry and will most likely help him out from time to time. When I asked Julie Aurichio for a quote about this she said, “It’s not like I did anything great or unusual. I did nothing. I responded the way people should always respond every day.

We should help one another every day, not just on Thanksgiving and not just because they saw it on Facebook.” Since that post, Julie and Rob have offered to clean his house from time to time and make him Christmas dinner. But then again that is just what Julie and Rob do.

“

We should help one another every day, not just on Thanksgiving and not just because they saw it on Facebook.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

”

Are you ready for a TRUE transformation

Left to right: Chef Rob Candiotti, Deborah Stevens, Henry Stevens, and Joe Perrotto

After the lunch, Joe introduced Henry to another local hero and neighbor in Fair Haven, Josh Zager, a retired Major in the Marine Corps and an F-18 pilot who flew over 40 combat missions in Afghanistan. They sat and talked for close to two hours that day, sharing heartwarming stories from the past. Henry served as an engineer on the USS Tuscaloosa, a Navy cruiser that President Roosevelt and other officials sometimes used for travel in the years before the United States entered WWII. The ship was involved in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns and participated in shore bombardment of Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Henry’s memory is sharp, and he can describe in detail the operation of the ship, what it felt like to be in the engine room during an attack, and shore leave in exotic ports, such as Shanghai. Henry has a collection of service medals from all the areas his ship visited – from China to the Mediterranean. Can you imagine being in that room with three local modern-day heroes and one from the greatest generation that ever lived, hearing those stories?!

To think it was just one Facebook post that connected so many new friends (me included) and a renewed hope for all who were part of this beautiful story. Henry turns 99 this month. Happy Birthday, Henry Stevens, and thank you!

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Josh Zager, Henry Stevens, and Joe Perrotto

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FOOTBALL RIVALRY UNITES THE TWO RIVER COMMUNITY Black Friday marked the 17th Anniversary for the annual Little Silver versus Shrewsbury residents’ flag-football competition. The tradition was first played in 2002 and has grown into a festive, well-attended community event. There were games for children, men, and women. Last year, Fair Haven and Rumson families joined the fun and this year’s event featured a dynamic addition with games for four more new towns – Red Bank, Middletown, Oceanport, and Monmouth Beach. The eight towns played exciting tournaments at various age divisions all day long.

These hard-fought, touch football games were exciting for all the players and spectator. Of course, bragging rights are important if you ask any of the eight towns, but the true winner was Lunch Break and the people it helps. This year, $15,000 was raised for the organization putting food on the table for thousands of families in need this holiday season. With this year’s donation, The Rivalry Series has now to raise more than $50,000 for Lunch Break.

Lunch Break has served the community since 1983 by freely providing life’s necessities - food, clothing, and fellowship - to community members in need. Its mission is to alleviate hunger and lead those they serve to self-sufficiency and healthier lifestyles. Lunch Break serves everyone,

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

with compassion and dignity.

This football event has its playful trash-talking, but it is truly a culmination of the friendships that are a part of the eight-town family in Monmouth County. Prior to Thanksgiving, The Downtown in Red Bank hosted The Rivalry Series Kickoff Party and following the football games, all the players and their families enjoyed the annual After Party at Val’s Tavern in Rumson.

Event coordinator Rick Brandt of Little Silver said, “All of the good that exists in Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Fair Haven, Rumson, Red Bank, Oceanport, Middletown, and Monmouth Beach is represented by this annual football tournament and it is our hope that through our efforts together, we can tackle hunger in our community.”

Mayors, principals, superintendents, and various other dignitaries from all eight towns represented their communities during the pre-game coin tosses while fire, police, and first aid trucks from the towns lined the Count Basie Field sidelines with hundreds of spectators. This event would not have been possible without generous sponsors and community members.

To learn more about Lunch Break, you can visit LunchBreak.org. To learn about The Rivalry Series, visit TheRivalrySeries.com.

GIVE THE GIFT OF EXPERIENCE A gift card for the craft beer lover

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Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

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(l-r) - Justine Mulkeen, Joe Brando, Veronica Baldini and Meaghan Hughes

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Thank You from J. Vincent Jewelers!

Another year…and once again, we thank you for your support and loyalty to our small town business. May God bless you and your families and may you always remain happy and in good health. Our success would not be possible if it were not for you, so, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for celebrating the special moments in your life with jewelry from J. Vincent.

My staff and I have many things to be grateful for. It was another amazing year for us in creating engagement rings for couples ready to commit on a new journey in their lives, as well as creating many designs to benchmark anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. I often boast to my peers in the industry about how creative and imaginative our clients are…dreaming up pieces incorporating Paraiba Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Mandarin Garnet, Kashmir Sapphires and Rubies, to name a few. I am inspired by your bold and unique ideas for designs and being entrusted by you to bring these wonderful pieces to life is an amazing privilege that we will always cherish. Your passion for fine jewelry inspires me ~ it’s what makes me wake up with excitement to get into my shop and work on a new project!

I have developed such a tremendous appreciation for Forevermark and all of the arduous tasks that go into extracting diamonds from deep within remote regions of the earth’s surface. I am also very proud that through the Forevermark process, each and every individual involved in the evolution of a beautifully crafted diamond is and will always be treated with great respect. And it doesn’t stop there.

Conservation of the environment and the wildlife in each mine’s region is handled with delicate care. It is reassuring that your diamond has made a positive contribution to the lives of people who have touched it along the way.

All of us at J. Vincent Jewelers look forward to the New Year. New beginnings and celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays will inspire us to continue to create unique fine jewelry. After all, ”A Diamond is Forever”! Consider this 2019 resolution if you haven’t already: embrace your individuality! Let your jewelry be an expression of who you are, an expression of your individual style. Your unique style has been trending since the day you were born.

Cheers and good health to you, your family and friends! May 2019 get you closer to your dreams. May peace, kindness and respect grow in each and every one of us. Thank you for the awesome privilege to be your jeweler.

With Love, Joseph Brando, Meaghan Hughes, Veronica Baldini, Justine Mulkeen

� 732.256.4410 | � info@jvincent.com | � jvincent.com

Counseling Corner

Counseling Corner will provide a monthly article on mental health topics of interest

Parenting Styles Tatiana Grant, LPC, NCC

(l to r) Meredith O’Brien, LCSW (founder), Carianne D’Oriano, LPC, Tatiana Grant, LPC, NCC, Barbara Tatum, LPC, Jessica Lupon, LPC, John Muldoon, PHD, LPC

Parenting styles can have a profound effect

on

child

development

and

self-esteem. Clinical and developmental psychologist Dr. Diana Baumrind, who studied the effects on parenting styles and child rearing, developed three parenting styles in 1967: authoritarian, authoritative and permissive. In 1983, psychologists Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin expanded on Baumrind’s model to include two more parenting styles: indulgent (permissive) and neglectful (uninvolved).

Authoritarian parents are rigid, controlling, and demand a lot from their children without offering warmth or being responsive to their children’s needs.

Authoritarian parents use harsh discipline; children must do as they are told without questioning and they have limited control over their lives. When questioned, the parent will usually respond with, “because I said so”. Children of authoritarian parents tend to be unsure of themselves, socially withdrawn, insecure, less independent, have low self-esteem, display more behavioral problems, have difficulty forming trusting relationships, and are more susceptible to mental health issues.

Authoritative parents are warm, responsive, set clear rules, have high expectations, are flexible, have open communication, are supportive and value independence. Authoritative parents use reason, not force to parent. Authoritative parents maintain mutual respect and control over their children. Children of authoritative parents learn to be self-reliant, have higher self-esteem, are more sociable, perform better academically, and have less mental illness. Authoritative parenting produces a more positive outcome for children and is the parenting style most recommended.

Permissive or indulgent parents are warm, but do not set boundaries, allowing their children to do whatever they want with no consequences. Permissive parents are usually lenient. They rarely tell their children “no”, and do not like to disappoint their children. Children of permissive parents tend to be impulsive, egocentric, have poor social skills and have difficulty forming meaningful relationships. Often children of permissive parents are frustrated when society imposes limits on their behaviors and have difficulty interacting within society’s expectations of them. Children of permissive parents lack self-control and struggle to adapt to adult life.

Meredith O‘Brien & Affiliates, LLC M E N TA L H E A LT H C O U N S E L I N G 52 Reckless Place, Red Bank, NJ mereditheob@gmail.com • 732.977.9729 Meredithobrienlcsw.com

Neglectful or uninvolved parents do not set boundaries or expectations. They are indifferent to their children’s needs and disconnected in their lives. Neglectful parents are often struggling with mental illness, substance abuse, and can also be abusive. Neglectful parents spend little time with their children and are happy to let the children watch television or play video games so they do not have to engage with them. Children of uninvolved parents have trouble adhering to rules, lack self-control, have behavioral problems and have underdeveloped communication skills, as they mostly engage with electronics and television.

The most effective parenting is authoritative because it sets clear expectations, realistic boundary settings and offers consequences instead of physical punishment. Authoritative parenting teaches children to have better self-esteem, perform better academically, have more positive social skills, and overall increased happiness.

At our practice I specialize in working with parents to identify their parenting style and to determine which will work best to meet the needs of the children.

Individual Therapy • Group Therapy Family Therapy • Couples Therapy Children • Adolescents • Adults Dialectical Behavior Therapy Groups Depression • Anxiey • Substance Abuse Eating Disorders • Mindfulness • Parenting Relationship Conflict • Self Esteem • Girls Leadership

The information provided is not intended as medical advice. For questions you should consult a therapist.

Impact in Numbers Meet the Founders of Impact 100 Jersey Coast Deirdre Spiropoulos & Heather Burke

BY CATHY PADILLA

The old saying goes there is strength in numbers. But what if someone is already strong and she joins with another woman who has strengths? The result – an impact. Together these women have raised $727,000 and grown from 11 members to 336 in fewer than four years. They belong to a larger movement found around the world, but their impact is Monmouth County, and their focus is transformational grants.

They are your neighbors, your friends, the owners of the businesses you frequent, they are the women of Impact 100 Jersey Coast.

Deirdre Spiropoulos (left) and Heather Burke PHOTO CREDIT: MELISSA AMORELLI

continued on next page

have been able to do otherwise. And by funding a specific project-based grant it gave me and my fellow donors insight into where those dollars were going and a level of accountability that’s just not possible with smaller gifts.

CM : W hat prompted you to choose Impact 100 over all the other charities you could have formed or worked with?

I

n 2001, Wendy Steele started a movement in Cincinnati to change the way women philanthropists donated money. Her concept was simple, and her goal was 100 female members. Her idea has become a proven model with one change, the numbers have grown and continue to climb.

Any woman can become a member by contributing $1,000 annually toward a pool to award grants of $100,000 or more for targeted projects. The projects are proposed by local nonprofit organizations, and the grant proposals are vetted by volunteer-members with all members having an equal vote on the ultimate grant recipients.

Now in more than 50 cities in the U.S. and other countries, Impact 100 found its way to Monmouth County through Deirdre Spiropoulos, president and co-founder, and Heather Burke, vice-president and co-founder, who joined their individual talents and backgrounds in 2015.

A growing movement in our county that has contributed major grants with long-reaching effects, we introduce you to Founders Deirdre and Heather and allow you a deeper look into Impact 100 Jersey Coast.

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Heather: When I moved to Monmouth County, like so many other transplants, I was trying to learn about my new home. I knew I wanted to get involved in service and I knew what issues I was passionate about, but how did they play out in this community? Who are the main organizations working in them? What could I do to help them in a hands-on way? It can leave one feeling scattered just responding to projects as you learn about them from friends and colleagues without any sense of a wider context. For me, Impact is a wonderful way to gain that bird’s-eye view I was so hungry for. It is a way to learn about groups outside my comfort zone, find the groups that resonate with me, and figure out where I might like to take a deeper dive by getting involved with them directly.

Deirdre: One of the most compelling aspects of Impact is its a proven model. When Heather and I started our chapter, we had the benefit of years of experience and knowledge from other groups. The fact that we didn’t have to start from scratch and could hit the ground running by launching as a special project fund under our parent 501(c)(3) Community Foundation of New Jersey gave us the inspiration and momentum we needed.

CM: Why have you chosen a charity that gives grants to other charities vs. an organization that helps people directly?

Heather: Impact allowed me to maximize my giving (by a factor of 100!) by pooling my donation with other women. It gave me the opportunity to leverage my $1,000 and to make a six-figure gift, something I certainly wouldn’t

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Deirdre: I like to think we are helping people directly, just not in the most traditional sense. Personally speaking, Impact has helped me polish and hone my professional toolkit after pausing my career to raise my children. In the process it has shifted my paradigm and opened my eyes to the many needs, right here in my own backyard. I think we are also helping the nonprofit community by challenging them to dig deep and consider new or improved ways to solve critical issues in their sectors. Often times nonprofits are understaffed or focused entirely on the day-to-day tasks of their mission. However, when a nonprofit applies for an Impact grant it’s a rigorous process where we encourage applicants to think about the big picture and clearly articulate how the grant will help them address an unmet need or reach underserved populations in a transformational way. Even if the organization does not ultimately receive our grant that year, we’ve been told that they benefited from those discussions and are often more motivated to seek funding to pursue their project.

CM: Your membership now costs $1100 annually, is that prohibitive for some?

Deirdre: The donation is intended to be a “stop and think” gift so that each member feels highly invested in her membership. We make the same ask, and one ask only, to our members each year.

It’s a big ask, but that’s what makes it impactful.

Initially I was nervous asking women to make such a significant donation, especially in our first year when we didn’t have a grant recipient to help illustrate our impact. But I was pleasantly surprised, more like amazed, when so many women resonated with the idea and were able to work Impact into their charitable budget. For many, myself included, it’s an impetus to consolidate your giving and focus your charitable dollars on a hyper local initiative in a unique way.

Amongst our top goals is to ensure that Impact is a highly inclusive organization, because our strength is not just in our number but in the diversity of our backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. In many instances a woman might initially join because she learned about Impact through a friend, but Impact membership is a very personal choice and individual experience.

C

HOW IMPACT WORKS HOW IMPACT WORKS

1

1

CM: Did you start your chapter together from the beginning or did one bring the other on board?

HANDSHAKE

Deirdre: When I heard about the Impact movement from my husband, George, I immediately researched it and learned there was a chapter in northern New Jersey called Impact Garden State. I contacted them and set a meeting with their President and Membership Chair. Both women were incredibly collaborative and encouraging. The more they explained it, the more I knew it was something I HAD to start in Monmouth County.

Fortunately, one of their newest members, Bonnie Torcivia (who soon became one of our founding members), lived in my town so I knew there was at least one other Monmouth County woman who supported the idea!

I did a quick needs assessment and knew I needed a partner to help establish the group.

I came from a corporate background so I knew I could bring analytical and project management skills but I needed a counterpart who understood grants and the nonprofit landscape. A name of a woman I had met only twice popped into my head, Heather Burke.

We were introduced via a mutual friend and I remembered she was a grant writer who was socially conscious and incredibly smart. I tracked down her email and sent her some info about Impact and invited her to lunch. It was my first Impact “pitch” so I was a little nervous about how it would go. Thankfully, Heather was keen to the idea. Not only did she “get it” but I could sense her excitement and desire to bring the model here to Monmouth County.

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CM: Your first year, how did you go from 11 members to more than 100 so quickly?

What are the goals of Impact 100 Jersey Coast in 2019?

Gather a collective of women Gather a collective of women

users 22 woman donates $1,100 EachEach woman donates $1,100

MONEY-BILL-ALT 33 Local nonprofits submit applicationsfor Local nonprofits submit applications for high impact projects high-impact projects

FILE-ALT 44 Committees review applications, perform

Committees review applications, perform site visits and choose finalists site visits and choose finalists

Finalists present projects and members vote

inalists present projects and members vote

Clipboard-Check 6

6

Impact 100 grant(s) awarded

Impact 100 grant(s) awarded

77 Grant recipients provide periodic Grant recipients provide periodic progress updates to members progress updates to members

Heather: We went from 11 to more than 100 quickly, in retrospect, but I always like to stress that it still happened one woman at a time. It reminds me of that saying about parenting: the days are long but the years are short! That first year we met new members at gatherings of all sizes, around dining room tables, in living rooms, over phone calls, at carpool pick-up, in office cubicles. In hindsight it did gain traction and start to pick up momentum--and I think that speaks to the fact that the model is clear and compelling and resonated with the women in our community. But at the end of the day, women joined because someone they know and trusted asked them to and they decided to take the leap.

CM: What is your membership goal for 2019, and then long term?

Deirdre: 2019 is a big year for Impact Jersey

Coast. Our goal is to surpass one million dollars in total funds raised for nonprofits in our community. With that, our parallel goal is to impact as many nonprofits as possible with our grant funds. The more women who join, the more grants we can fund and thus the more lives we Impact. In the end, Impact is only as strong as the members we have and only as transformational as the nonprofits that apply for our grants.

CM: Deirdre, how did you get involved with Hayden’s Heart Foundation and are you still actively working with that group?

Deirdre: One of my friends experienced the tragic loss of her 5-month-old son due to complications from a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) so she started a foundation to honor her son Hayden’s legacy and help families affected by CHD. I was honored when she asked me to join their leadership team in 2015.

I was brought on to help with fundraising and

"IMPACT ALLOWED ME TO MAXIMIZE MY GIVING (BY A FACTOR OF 100!) BY POOLING MY DONATION WITH OTHER WOMEN." co-chair their Gala. Currently I’m serving on the Advisory Board assisting with strategic initiatives and broader communications.

(NOTE: Deirdre and George have three children: Rosie, 9, Timmy, 8, and Julianne, 6.)

CM: Heather, tell us about your decade working in book publishing?

Heather: I loved my time in publishing and the chance it gave me to be around wonderful writers, designers, and to play a role in creating amazing publications. I think it really built my project management and research skills. I am a self-professed copyediting geek.

At the same time I always wanted to get involved in the arts more broadly in a nonprofit context. I can’t resist the chance to be around people who work to bring ideas into the world, as artists, as organizers, as advocates for worthy causes. So when I had the chance to go work for an oral history project I loved called StoryCorps I jumped at it and took a job in fundraising. The skills in publishing translated pretty directly, and fundraising offers you a unique vantage point from inside

CHART-LINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com JANUARY 2019

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any organization to really get your hands in everything and see how it works. Impact has now taken my interests one step further and fulfilled my aspiration to learn not only about grant-seeking, but grant-making. (NOTE: Heather and her husband Colin have two children: Oliver, 9, and Ella, 7.)

we designate any matching corporate funds requested by members to help support our operational costs. All of these measures ensure that every dollar of the member’s $1,000 contribution to the grant fund goes to the selected projects and our simple commitment to one woman, one donation, one vote.

CM: What are the benefits of membership to the women who join?

CM: What do you each most love about working with your organization?

Deirdre: We are true to our name because the biggest benefit we offer our members is the Impact of their individual donation. It feels exhilarating to amplify my giving and award six-figure grants to multiple nonprofits in my community.

By collectively pooling our individual donations, we each make a significant impact in a way we could not have otherwise as separate individuals.

That’s both impact and value!

Another benefit is a unique, hands-on approach to giving. Members can serve on a grant committee to gain a deeper understanding of the proposed projects and portfolio of needs in our region. Committee members may also attend site visits where they meet with applicants to gain deeper insights on the proposed project and vision of the leadership team. Often our members say this is the most gratifying part because it brings the application to life and gives them a chance to ask critical questions and “kick the tires” to better understand the viability of the grant proposal.

Another fantastic membership benefit is being part of a diverse network of dynamic women. I feel blessed to work alongside very brilliant and accomplished women, from all ages and backgrounds, most of whom I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.

Heather: I always say that when Deirdre first approached me about Impact it was a no-brainer.

It was a way to have my cake and eat it too! I get to continue my learning about the nonprofit landscape, which is where my professional goals were directed, and it introduced me to these amazing people in the community I would never have met otherwise and who have opened up new vistas in my life. Impact gave me an immediate way to connect with them in a shared goal.

CM: Are all positions volunteer or are there paid positions within the organization?

Deirdre: Impact Jersey Coast is an all-volunteer run organization. There are no paid positions.

We rely solely on the time and talent of our members to carry out our mission. I am constantly in awe of the passion and professionalism of our leadership team and our many volunteers.

We take great pride in our process and mission and appreciate how each woman brings a different perspective and skill set to the table. Our organizational culture is highly inclusive and very egalitarian; there’s no time or space for egos or competition. We exist solely to support our nonprofit community so that drives our purpose and focus.

CM: Do you raise money in other ways beyond membership fees?

Heather: We have been fortunate to secure corporate sponsorships (both financial and in-kind) to help underwrite some of our costs. In addition,

34

Deirdre: There are so many things I love about Impact! First and foremost, is our ability to truly make an impact, together as a group of women.

We live in a beautiful and resource-rich community, or what many refer to as the “bubble”.

Before Impact Jersey Coast launched, I was searching for a way to break out of my own bubble and better understand the needs in my community. I also had a strong desire to share my time, talent, and treasure with groups and people in need of support. With small children at home, and limited time to “volunteer”, I found myself paralyzed and frustrated, not knowing who or where to “help” in a meaningful way. Enter Impact Jersey Coast. Within months of starting the group, I saw those barriers begin to dissipate.

Now it’s gratifying to hear members say how Impact provides a “one-stop-shop” to learn about local needs and connect with nonprofit causes that are near and dear to their hearts. So what I love most about Impact is uniting with philanthropic and passionate women to provide an outlet to harness our time, treasure, and talent in a simple, yet high-impact way.

CM: Is there anything specific you’d like to share with our readers?

Deirdre: I would absolutely like to share an invitation to come find out more about Impact and be a part of this movement! Join as a member. Bring other women you care about to Impact. Tell the nonprofits you support to see if they are eligible to apply for funds. Help us spread the word and increase our impact, one woman and one nonprofit at a time.

To learn more about Impact 100 Jersey Coast or to become a member, visit Impact100JerseyCoast.org today.

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Impact 100 Jersey Coast Impact Grants Awarded 2016 : Inaugural grant of $145,000 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. Funded the creation of a Family Justice Center at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold

2017: Two grants of $123,000 Covenant House New Jersey Grant is providing clean, safe housing space for homeless and at-risk youth The Mental Health Association of Monmouth County (MHAMC) Grant money delivered the Lifelines program to 50 new Monmouth County schools to combat the epidemic of teen suicide

2018: Three grants of $112,000 Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey Grant will be used to fund the Alzheimer’s Respite Care Program CFC Loud N Clear The grant will fund the Family Preservation Program that focuses on building a recovery conscious family unit Family Resource Associates (FRA) Grant money will be used to help people challenged by significant cognitive limitations find employment.

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Five-time GRAMMY nominee Jazz Artist David Benoit Performs with CBA Students “For any young and aspiring music student, the opportunity to work with and perform with a high caliber musician like David Benoit can be life changing,” Lopez said. “The students grew as musicians and made a memory that not many people will ever have the chance to make. The CBA Jazz series is not only an event that our students benefit from musically, but also one that teaches them about professionalism and responsibility, while building character.”

Photo credit: Larry Levanti/CBA Jazz legend David Benoit and his quartet kicked-off the Christmas season on December 2nd with a CBA Jazz Series performance of his Charlie Brown Christmas Special in the sold-out Henderson Theater.

For the opening portion of the performance, Benoit was joined on stage by the CBA Jazz Ensemble, who played select pieces with the five-time GRAMMY nominee. Once the CBA Jazz Ensemble finished their set with Benoit, the CBA Men’s Choir and the Trinity Hall Ladies’ Choir were given the opportunity to provide vocals for Benoit’s outstanding musical performance.

Founded by Joe Tort ‘76 in 2012, the mission of the CBA Jazz Series is to raise funds for the CBA performing arts program through one-of-a-kind performances by renowned artists. The Series also gives CBA students a unique opportunity to meet, interact, and perform with a professional.

A world-class contemporary jazz pianist, composer, and conductor, Benoit played “To say it was an honor to play with somethe beloved holiday music made faone as well renowned as David Benoit mous by Vince Guaraldi on the original would be an understatement,” said CBA A Charlie Brown Christmas. The concert senior Shane Ridoux. “There is so much also included a Peanuts Piano Concerto to learn from someone at Mr. Benoit’s tribute to Charles Schulz, songs from the level about how to be a better musician. musical You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, I just hope that Mr. Benoit enjoyed playalong with Benoit’s own compositions. ing with us as much as I know we enBenoit was joined by special guest and joyed playing with him.” jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek.

It was the third time that Benoit played Under the direction of Mr. Christian at CBA, adding to the exceptional list of Lopez, CBA continues to expand its mujazz talent that has performed for the sic program, giving its students a heightannual series, which includes Terence ened stage experience like no other Blanchard, Ravi Coltrane, Yellowjackets, school in the area.

Max Weinberg, and Kevin Eubanks.

Brookdale College Hosts Second Act Conference What’s next? What will you pursue in your second act? Will you reinvent, reconstruct, reimagine, and renew? At the Second Act Conference at Brookdale College on December 7, 2018, attendees and panelists explored these possibilities and shared life-changing stories of overcoming adversity, how it sparked new ideas, and how giving back was so important.

The Second Act Conference is part of the Brookdale College Lifelong Learning Program.

PHOTO: Top row, left to right: Mary Chiarella, Program Director; Donnalyn Giegerich, Co-Creator & Emcee; Linda Martin, Director of Lifelong Learning at Brookdale College. Bottom row, left to right: Sherilyn Przelomski, Business Enhancement Services & Training Consulting LLC; Al Aloisi, Alfred Aloisi Associates; Margaret “Peggy” Saxton, Broker-Associate Berkshire Hathaway Home Services NJ Properties; Tom Zapcic, Tom Zapcic Photography

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

That moment when...

RCDS Gator Debaters Excel at Jersey Shore Debate Tournament

CONFIDENCE

SHINES

Often, an argument in middle school can land you in detention, but on December 8 students were encouraged to engage in a number of disagreements…civilly that is. Anna Baghdassarian, a seventh-grader from The Rumson Country Day School joined her Debate teammates and students from five other middle schools to compete in the Jersey Shore Debate League Tournament hosted by Forrestdale School in Rumson. Anna was a top scorer for the RCDS Debate team which placed second in the number of wins at the tournament.

“Preparation is key,” said Anna. “I went into the tournament feeling excited because I already did the research. I just had to present and I think that’s the fun part! Even if we didn’t place, I’d still feel accomplished. The experience allowed me to learn from mistakes, to recognize where there were holes in my arguments, and where I can improve for next time.”

UPCOMING RCDS EVENTS RCDS Parent Information Sessions Lower School: Wednesday, January 16 • 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Upper School: Thursday, January 24 • 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Join us to learn more about how The Rumson Country Day School prepares students with a strong educational foundation that serves them for a lifetime. RSVP to the Admissions Office at admissions@rcds.org.

RCDS Frost Fest Saturday, January 12 • 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Celebrate the wonders of winter at The Rumson Country Day School with a magic show, crafts, hot chocolate bar, and more! The perfect opportunity to meet new friends, learn about our Nursery and Lower School programs and explore campus. Suitable for ages 8 and under. This is a free family event – all are welcome! RSVP to the Admissions Office at admissions@rcds.org.

IT ALL BEGINS HERE Nursery through Grade 8 Join us for an upcoming parent information session.

LOWER SCHOOL Jan 16 • 9-11am

UPPER SCHOOL Jan 24 • 9-11am

For additional info or to RSVP contact Tracey Wetmore, Director of Admissions at admissions@rcds.org.

35 Bellevue Avenue . Rumson, NJ 07760 732.842.0527 . www.rcds.org CommunityMagazineNJ.com JANUARY 2019

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BY PET ER C . PA R A S , ESQ.

Who Gets The Dog? ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS “CM’S PET CELEBRITIES” knows that pet owners love their pets. But what happens when pet loving couples get divorced? Family Court judges are called upon to answer this question with increasing frequency.

What are the legal standards? The first one is the most important. Pets are personal property under New Jersey law.

Unlike custody of children which is guided by the best interests of the child, custody of pets is viewed from the perspective of the owners, not the pet (except in cases of abuse or neglect).

Thus, whether possession of a dog, a cat, a lizard, or a fish is at stake, the law looks at it in the same way it looks at a fight over possession of a piece of art, an heirloom, or family treasures that induce a strong sentimental attachment. In most cases, when a divorcing couple cannot agree on a division of personal property, the court will order it sold and the sale proceeds di-

Peter C. Paras

is a shareholder in the Family Law Firm of Paras, Apy & Reiss, P.C.

vided. However, there are certain assets that cannot be sold or divided without creating a hardship.

Courts have described these assets as property with “special subjective value”.

Like grandma’s handmade quilt or the Picasso hanging in the living room, pets are often considered to have special subjective value.

In those cases, the court must consider the facts and circumstances that give rise to each party’s special affection for or attachment to the pet. Who bought it, who cares for it, who feeds it, and who takes it to the vet? Is one party motivated by greed or spite, rather than a genuine fondness for or attachment to the pet? In other words, the court will hear the testimony, review the evidence, and then decide which spouse has a genuine attachment to the pet that creates a special subjective value to that party.

The pet will then be awarded to the

Selected as "Super Lawyer"

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spouse who convinces the court that he or she has that special attachment. Since pets are property and property is equitably distributed in divorce, the spouse who isn’t awarded the pet may still be entitled to compensation. Like the Picasso, many pets have more than sentimental value.

Well-bred animals, rare animals, and animals with other special qualities may have a fair market value that goes beyond sentiment. In those cases the court must also determine the pet’s value in order to compensate the other party. Pet visitation has sometimes been the appropriate remedy.

Disputes over pet custody are often fought with the vigor of child custody battles. Our law recognizes the unique character of these cases and affords each side a full opportunity to convince the court of the special subjective value the pet has to him or her. Preparation, evidence, and sincerity will often carry the day.

For more information please see the firm’s website at www.par-law.com.

The information in this article is not intended as legal advice. For legal advice you should consult your attorney.

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A Professional Corporation For The Practice of Family Law 2 Bridge Avenue • The Galleria • Suite 601 • Red Bank, NJ 07701 • Tel: 732.219.9000 • Fax: 732.219.9020 • par-law.com

RBR Key Club and NHS Team Up to Create Sweet Cases for Children Red Bank Regional High School (RBR) clubs and organizations are always busy around the holidays performing community service projects to make some children’s lives a little brighter. This year, two groups, Key Club (under advisement of Christin Outwin) and National Honor Society (NHS) (under advisement of Shalene McLaughlin) joined forces to purchase the contents and bags for Operation Sweet Cases destined for foster and homeless children in Monmouth County.

Christin Outwin explains, “I discovered the charity when I was scanning sites for programs where the majority of donations go directly to the people in need. This one seemed to have a great track record of doing just that.”

She discovered the group, “Together We Rise”, a national charitable organization whose mission is to improve the experience and quality of life of young people passing through the state’s foster care system. Coincidently, RBR’s NHS Advisor Shalene McLaughlin had previously worked for the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) which is directly responsible for these children, and works closely with Together We Rise. The charity offers many ways that different people and groups can assist in their mission. Operation Sweet Cases most appealed to the RBR students.

Ms. McLaughlin had often witnessed children moving around with their possessions using makeshift bags for transport. Knowing how necessary this kindness was, she was very happy to have her students work with the Key Club on this service project.

The fundraising efforts of both clubs enabled them to purchase the cases and their contents-- a blanket, a teddy bear, art supplies and toiletries. All are possessions that could bring comfort and dignity to children as they moved from one placement to another.

Additionally, the students were able to create their own personal connection to their beneficiaries by decorating each bag. The bag alone represents dignity, a simple but honorable way to transport ones’ belongings.

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Pictured with all the Sweet Cases they purchased, stuffed and decorated for 100 foster and homeless children in Northern Monmouth County are RBR members of the Key Club, NHS, their advisors and representatives of the New Jersey Department of Children Protection and Permanency (DCPP). The latter came to collect the bags for their donation store. They are (left to right) DCPP paralegal Tara Brady Rodriquez, DCPP paralegal Christina Suhl, and DCPP Resource Development Specialist Donna Weinbel, NHS Adviser Shalene McLaughlin; Sophie Navarro, Little Silver, Jorge Tapia, Red Bank, Nancy Cruz Pastrana, Red Bank, Key Club Advisor Christin Outwin; Giulia Nascimento, Red Bank and Amy Serrano, Red Bank.

NHS Vice President Galina Gordon explains, “For kids that might be constantly relocating from place to place, they get this case instead of a garbage bag to carry around their stuff. It lets them know that there are people out here who care about them.”

Key Club Secretary Amira Ibrahim added, “I thought this was a great idea when I heard about it. I knew people who had been though foster care and they do not have a lot. Especially little kids, to get something personal, it will make them happy.”

Once the 100 bags were decorated and stuffed, they were personally turned over to three representatives of the North Monmouth County Division of the DCPP--Donna Weinbel, Resource Development Specialist, Christina Suhl, paralegal and Tara Brady Rodriquez, Family Team Meeting Coordinator and 2002 RBR Alumna--who visited RBR to pick them up.

It was nostalgic for Tara Brady to come home to her alma mater. She stated, “I was actually in the Key Club and the Christian Fellowship of Athletes. I am not a bit surprised that RBR is doing this.”

Ms. Weinbel gratefully received the transfer of stuffed sweet cases stating, “I think this is fabulous because we are all about community support and this is just wonderful.”

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Ms. Weinbel has been repurposing and decorating the areas allotted the DCPP in Northern Monmouth County since she was appointed to this position. She explains that at any time, over 250 young people could be under its protection from Long Branch up to Cliffwood Beach and out to Freehold. She has sought to make the spaces they visit much more inviting with cheerfully appointed walls, rugs and clean, safe toys. Everything is donated and the state employees work hand-in-glove with the charity for the welfare of the New Jersey’s children. The office, under Ms. Weinbel’s leadership, has also opened a store stocked with donations like the sweet cases. Called the “Shore Store” and decorated in the motif of the shore area it occupies, cheerful shelves contain all the essentials a child would need at any point in time. It is open seven days a week and 24 hours a day.

“It is all about dignity. That is what we are trying to do here,” Ms. Weinbel states.

On December 18 the RBR advisers received the following text from Donna Weinbel, “We had a one simple wish party for 40 children on Friday night. They all received the bags, and the kids were over the top. Thank you.”

For more information about Together We Rise, visit togetherwerise.org.

Saint Leo the Great Coders Make It to the Top 10 Qualifying Round at NJIT

OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, January 15, 2019 8:30 to 10:30 am Left to right: John Lakeman,12 of Tinton Falls, Brady O’Connor, 13, Colts Neck, Matthew Battista, 13 of Colts Neck, and Tyler Stivala,13 of Colts Neck with Michael Daneman, Computer teacher will represent Saint Leo’s in the finals next month at NJIT.

What started off as a seventh grade Computer Coding Club project at Saint Leo the Great School quickly spread to all computer classes wanting in on the competition during their regularly scheduled computer labs. Soon the entire seventh grade was in “Boot Camp” completing steps of code that would move a virtual robot to a target while collecting points and hints along the way. After completing 80 “missions, coders who made it to the Qualifying Round were required to complete another 20 missions of increasing difficulty. St. Leo’s finished in the top 10 schools to earn a spot in the final round competition to be held next month at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

The National Cyber Robotics Coding Competition (CRCC), sponsored by Intelitek and CTE Education Foundation, engages students in coding and tech literacy. By learning to program, and planning and strategizing the virtual robot to participate, students compete within their class, grade, and state to win stages and progress to the finals. Saint Leo’s will bring four students to compete in the Qualifier round: John Lakeman, Tinton Falls, and Matthew Battista, Brady Quinn, and Tyler Stivala of Colts Neck will have the honor of representing Saint Leo’s.

“CRCC fits in well with the school wide STEAM curriculum at Saint Leo the Great School," said Mike Daneman, computer teacher. “Because coding is so popular amongst our students, the CRCC gave my students an age appropriate safe and engaging learning environment that was exciting and fun.”

When asked if they were nervous representing the school, Matthew Battista of Colts Neck responded, “It will be very fun to represent SLG in the CRCC finals, and we are all hoping we perform well.”

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RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH LAUGHTER!

Holy Cross Wild Currentz S.T.E.M. Program Wins FireEnergy Grant

Left to right: First Energy Representative Jaqueline DeFelice presents the grant check to Science teacher Michelle Tomaino, Technology teacher Amy Evans, and Grade 8 students Stephen Makin, Melissa Rich, Benjamin Proodian and Paige Jaenicke.

On November 19, FirstEnergy representative Jaqueline DeFelice presented Holy Cross School Grade 8 students, Science teacher Michelle Tomaino, and Technology teacher Amy Evans with a $1000 check from the energy company to further its S.T.E.M. program.

FirstEnergy 2018-19 S.T.E.M. Classroom grants were offered to applicants from PreK through Grade 12 schools and youth groups in communities served by FirstEnergy’s electric operating companies, and in communities where the company has generating plants or does business. The company awards are for classroom projects and teacher professional development focused on electricity and electricity production, which integrate science, technology, engineering or mathematics skills and promote collaborative and interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

Holy Cross School received the grant for its latest S.T.E.M.

One OF The FUnnIeST plAyS eVer wrITTen!

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MichAel Frayn

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project, “Wild Currentz,” in which student groups will learn how to create and store enough electricity with solar/wind power and batteries to power one Raspberry Pi unit without plugging it into the traditional power grid. Solar cells and wind turbines to generate electricity will be placed throughout the school. Students will use Raspberry Pis to detect the amount of electricity being generated by each station and will program components to collect data to determine the most efficient source of power and placement to run one computer off-grid.

In addition to collaborative learning and S.T.E.M. integration, this project encourages civic responsibility by allowing students to discover that developing sustainable, renewable energy and conserving energy is both necessary and achievable.

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HOUR OF CODE AT POINT ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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On December 8th from 9:08 to 10:03 a.m., Point Road School participated in the Hour of Code. The Hour of Code is an attempt to teach people the basics of computer programming in 60 minutes in a fun, simple way. It is part of a campaign that code.org, a non-profit organization, launched in the U.S. with the goal of introducing coding into the U.S. curriculum and raising awareness around what coding is. The idea was to show that it’s not just about the geek in the basement, or the super-tech-savvy person but that it actually plays a role in everything we do and everybody should have access to it.

Point Road had the entire school participating at the same time. All classes had to complete an “unplugged” activity, where students were walked through a lesson that did NOT use the computer. Then students logged on to their Chromebook and started coding! All students had already experienced coding in their S.T.E.M. class, so teachers did not need to worry if they were coding novices. S.T.E.M. teacher Wendy Whittle prepared lesson plans and supporting materials for all grades, including activity sheets and hard copy materials.

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!

Local Basket Brigade Delivers

Food & Inspiration

By LiliAnn Paras

The International Basket Brigade began as philanthropist Tony Robbin’s individual effort to feed families in need by providing baskets of donated food and household items. The program is built on a simple notion: “One small act of generosity on the part of one caring person can transform the lives of hundreds.” Since its start, millions of baskets have been delivered around the world to those who need it most.

Hundreds of residents of Monmouth County have now experienced the joy of receiving a basket at Thanksgiving time thanks to the efforts of community-minded Melissa Clifton-Bahrs, owner of Arch Brow Bar in Shrewsbury. It all began about 15 years ago, when Melissa participated in a Basket Brigade in New York. She immediately decided she would start a new family tradition, thinking, “I love this and I definitely want to do this again, but I’m going to start my own.” And start it she did, with a few friends working out of her home to deliver 22 baskets. She very much wants it known that this is not her effort alone. She enthusiastically credits the continued success of the event to her partnership with Chris Sansone and Lori Lopez and hundreds of volunteers of all ages. The Basket Brigade eventually grew so large that the home base is now Sansone Jr.’s Route 66 Auto Mall. In 2018, through coordination with area charities, more than 250 baskets were created and delivered, with the total delivered through the years exceeding 2000 baskets.

Left to right: Chris Sansone, Melissa Clifton-Bahrs and Lori Lopez with Basket Brigade volunteers.

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Melissa also emphatically noted that in addition to serving people in need, one of the highest priorities is to provide young people with the opportunity to realize the importance of giving back, and that it can be easy and fun, too. “It’s music to my ears when parents tell me their kids ask, ‘are we doing that thing again this year?’”

All ages are welcome to volunteer, no one is turned away, and the event now includes scout troops, dance teams, sports teams, college students and even some volunteers as young as five years old.

Each basket recipient is surprised and receives the basket with the message, “This gift comes from someone who cares about you.

All that is asked is that you do the same for someone else one day.”

And the good deed can lead in unexpected new directions. One of Melissa’s favorite stories is that of a teen delivering a basket. He noticed a young boy with a basketball but no hoop. He decided the child needed a hoop and returned with one. Melissa said, “I love that story. A small thing can change someone’s life. I never know who is in the room of volunteers, who will be the world’s next biggest philanthropist, and will be inspired by this event.”

Melissa, Chris, and Lori are individually involved in so many other areas of community service, but the Basket Brigade is close to their hearts and a source of joy and satisfaction. They certainly are accomplishing their goal to help others in need and to provide real inspiration for young volunteers and budding philanthropists.

Left to right: Michael Sansone, Benette Lopez, Craig, Melissa Clifton-Bahrs, Vanessa Lopez, Bill Lopez, Chris Sansone, Mikeus, Lori Lopez (Photo Credit: Tom Zapcic Photography)

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

You want the best for your child.

RANNEY SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS FEATURED AT NAVESINK COUNTRY CLUB Ranney School’s Upper School Jazz Combo and Lower School’s Chorus performed at Navesink Country Club in December to a crowd of more than 500 guests during two seatings of the Country Club’s “Santa’s Brunch.”

“The Ranney School Performing Arts Department was thrilled to have our Lower School Chorus and Upper School Jazz Combo perform at Santa's Brunch at Navesink Country Club,” said Ranney School Performing Arts Department Chair Dr. Dorothy Sobieski. “Partnering with Navesink Country Club strengthens the community ties our students are establishing as they learn the importance of giving back and sharing their talent with others.

Having an opportunity to perform and showcase what they learn on a daily basis in performing arts classes is truly special for our students and very rewarding for our faculty as well. We can’t wait to be back at Navesink Country Club!”

Help them to aim high and reach further.

Ranney’s Maymester offers our Upper School students a chance to engage in unique experiential immersion programs— from travel to Iceland to explore STEAM or a theatre experience in London’s West End to designing a golf course leveraging advanced mathematics and professional internships.

Learn more at our School Day Open House:

Jan 11 at 9 a.m.

ranneyschool.org/visitus

Ranney School

Lead / Create / Contribute Independent Education for Age 3 - Grade 12 Tinton Falls, NJ

The Arc of Monmouth Celebrates 52nd Left to right: Attending the Winter Glow gala were The Arc of Monmouth’s Board of Directors Richard Maser; Robert Angel, first vice president; Tiffanie Eagan Salerno; Joyce Nunziata, second vice president; Lauren Zalepka, Roger Trendowski, assistant secretary; Joyce Quarles; Janis Swindlehurst; Francine Catanese; Neil Fleischman, secretary; Phillip Fina; Father Hank Hilton, president.

Winter Glow Gala

By Susan Murphy | Photo Credit: Tom Zapcic Photography

THE ARC OF MONMOUTH held its signature fundraising event, the Winter Glow Gala, on November 30, 2018 at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale. The first gala was held in Monmouth County in 1966 and chaired by Winter Glow founder Countess Anatole Buxhoeveden. Nearly 200 guests attended this year’s speakeasy-themed event.

Left to right: The Winter Glow Committee included Arleen Fina; Sandee Miller; Mary Ann Larkin; Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso; Holly Annarella Flego, chair; Sherry Annarella; Beverly Annarella; Lauren Zalepka; Chrissy Ross; Abbey Feiler-Kober.

Left to right: Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Honoree Angelo DeRosa, Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli, Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, and Winter Glow Chair Holly Flego.

This year’s honoree was Angelo DeRosa of Hazlet, founder and chairman of Sterling Consolidated Corporation, Neptune, which will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 2019. DeRosa, whose daughter Eugenia is a 25-year participant of The Arc’s recreation program, is a longtime EMT with the Holmdel First Aid Squad and president of Hazlet’s Hope Network, a drug rehabilitation crisis hotline he helped launch. He is a member of the Bayshore Community Hospital Foundation and an active parishioner and head usher at St. Catharine’s Church in Holmdel. DeRosa was praised for his leadership and commitment to the community by Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, a fellow member of the Holmdel First Aid Squad. She was joined by Senator Declan O’Scanlon in presenting a proclamation at the event. “Angelo’s passion for the well-being of others is evident in every aspect of his life,” said DiMaso. “He is the best of the best. He has a deep commitment to his community, his family, and The Arc of Monmouth.”

Winter Glow chair Holly Flego shared, “I am thrilled to once again serve as chair. This event has been an important part of my family for many years and I am honored to continue the legacy begun by the Countess Anatole Boxhoeveden and continued by my mother, Beverly Annarella.” Serving as guest auctioneer was Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli.

Committee members for the event were Beverly Annarella, who served as chair of the event more than 30 years ago; Holly’s sister, Sherry; Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso; Tiffanie Eagan Salerno; Abbey Feiler-Kober; Arleen Fina; Mollie Giamanco; Mary Ann Larkin; Sandee Miller; Valerie Montecalvo; Chrissy Ross; Carol Stillwell, and Lauren Zalepka.

Left to right: Richard Maser with his wife Debbie, Abby Feiler-Kober with husband Tom, and Diane and Joel Bloom.

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The Winter Glow Gala raised more than $177,000 to benefit the 1,600 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by The Arc of Monmouth.

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Thank you for your continued support and for a successful 2018 with over $12 million in closed sales volume

2017

JANUARY 24TH AT 6:00 PM Meet at the Molly Pitcher Inn and taste the fantastic food, desserts, and festive drinks offered by Red Bank’s finest restaurants including Teak, Char, Danny’s Steakhouse, 26 West on the Navesink, Temple, Sugarush, Antoinette Boulangerie and many more. This event will have gift auctions and live music! Hosted by the Red Bank Business Association and proceeds go to the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. Tickets: $50 online and $60 at the door. For more information and tickets, visit redbanklive.com

Meet the Author Series

JANUARY 13TH AT 11:00 AM Book talk and brunch “A River Could Be A Tree” by Angela Himsel at Congregation Torat El, located at 301 Monmouth Road in Oakhurst. Reservations at torat-el.org or by calling 732.531.4410. Tickets: $15 pp or $20 at door pp

Laurita Winery Winterfest

JANUARY 19TH AND JANUARY 20TH Fireworks on Saturday night! Access to over 6 wine bards and 2 tasting areas, kids playgrounds, shuttle service. More info. visit lauritawinery.com.

Cornhole Tournament at Monmouth Racetrack

JANUARY 26TH – CHECK-IN: 11:00 AM BAGS FLY AT 12:00 PM Cornhole Tournament to take place inside the first floor of the Grandstand at Monmouth Park. The fun doesn’t end after the tournament - head into the William Hill Sports Bar for non-stop fun. With more than 100 HD TV’s everyone can watch their favorite sports team. Plus, enjoy delicious food and drink specials all night long. More info, visit monmouthpark.com.

Winter Twilight Exploration

JANUARY 26TH FROM 4:30 TO 6:00 PM Meet at the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters and enjoy Sandy Hook trails and beaches for a one-mile hike. BYO Flashlight. Free

Rotary Polar Bear Plunge and Party

JANUARY 26TH AT 9:30 AM Jump into the Atlantic and join the Rotary for their annual Polar Bear Plunge and party. Music by the Moroccan Sheepherders. More info at rotarypolarbearplunge.org

Winter Seal and Waterfowl Walk

JANUARY 26TH AT 9:00 TO 11:00 AM Bring your binoculars and join in on a trek throughout Sandy Hook to observe seals and waterfowl that overwinter in N.J. Warm up with snacks at the Littoral Society Headquarters. Cost $10 members and $20 non-members pp. More info at 732.291.0055

Asbury Park Beerfest

JANUARY 26TH & JANUARY 27TH Asbury Park Beerfest is the premiere “beer experience” for 2019. More info, visit asburyparkbeerfest.com.

Annual Taste of Long Branch 2019

JANUARY 28TH AT 5:30 PM Rooney’s Oceanfront is the place to be for a tasting of all the Long Branch food dishes showcasing the local restaurants and their talented chefs! Be prepared to taste delicious food from multiple restaurants and bakeries. Cash bar.

Hosted by the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce. Tickets: $50.

More info, call 732.222.0400.

Donna Beriont social strategist

Count Basie Events Tickets: thebasie.org JANUARY 8

Bohemian Rhapsody JANUARY 10

Napolean Dynamite JANUARY 11, 12

Jim Gaffigan JANUARY 17

We Shall Overcome- A Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. JANUARY 19

NJ Symphony Orchestra Winter Festival

Two River Theater Tickets: tworivertheater.org JANUARY 12 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3

Noises Off

Donna Beriont | DNB Events Happy New Year from Donna Beriont…your social strategist and event consultant! Providing public relations, event consulting and strategy, as well as promotions and partnering for local businesses. For more information, visit dnbevents.com or drop a note at donna@dnbevents.com.

BESPOKE

Service Without Compromise

Laurie Friedman Broker Associate

CRS, ABR, GRI, SFR Cell Phone: 732-310-1227

Laurie.Friedman@longandfoster.com NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 1998, 1999, 2002 & 2004 (BRONZE) Quarter Century Club

Sales

Ranka Vucetic Realtor Associate

Cell Phone: 732-610-7010 Ranka@comcast.net

NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2000 (GOLD), 2001 (SILVER), 2003-2005, 2011-2012, 2014, 2016-2017 (BRONZE)

2018 SALES

Rentals

6 Belmont Court, West Long Branch - $205,000 - Listed

4 Muirfiled Drive, Manalapan - $565,000 - Sale

120 E River Road, Rumson - Rented

25 Meadow Ave #30, Monmouth Beach - $270,680 - Sale

222 Stone Harbor Court. Holmdel - $580,000 - Listed

92 Las Palmas Court, Holmdel - Listed

227 W Barnegat Avenue, Ocean Gate - $278,000 - Listed

8 Pilgrim Hollow Road, Ocean Township - $569,418 - Sale

100 Ocean Blvd B, Atlantic Highlands - Rented

11 Cummings Court, Freehold - $316,000 - Sale

278 Spring Street, Red Bank - $608,000 - Sale

216 A River Road, Red Bank - Listed

9 Sunningdale Circle, Manalapan - $400,000 - Listed

7 East Brook Drive, Holmdel - $626,500 - Listing

14 Mount Street, Red Bank - Listed & Rented

1802 Shore Blvd, Point Pleasant - $425,000 - Sale

7 Scarlet Oak Road, Tewksbury Twnshp - $650,000 - Sale

245 Avenel Court, Holmdel - Listed & Rented

191 Victory Road, Howell - $525,000 - Listed

5 Winchester Lane, Holmdel - $700,000 - Listing

146 Hudson Avenue, Red Bank - Listed & Rented

4 Middlebrook Drive, Ocean Township - $527,500 - Sale

220 Bel Aire Court. Holmdel - $735,000 - Listing

245 Avenel Court, Holmdel - Listed

198 Kings Mountain Road, Freehold - $540,000 - Sale

206 8th Avenue, Belmar - $1,160,000 - Listing

11 Wharf Avenue #3, Red Bank - Listed

33 South Street, Red Bank - $560,000 - Sale

9 E Berg Court, Middletown - $1,210,000 - Listing

130 Mendham Court, Holmdel - Rented

12 Indian Creek Road, Holmdel - $560,000 - Sale

COLTS NECK OFFICE 174 Route 537 Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Office: 732.252.2460

FAIR HAVEN OFFICE 623 River Road Fair Haven, NJ 07704 Office: 732.530.6300

Congratulations to our 2016 NJ REALTORS ® Circle of Excellence Winners! www.kilbrideandcagnina.com

g n i c Balan Your n o i t u Resol List

OPE

BY H

E DANI

LS

It’s 2019; did you wake up feeling victorious today?

As a majority of us look at the New Year as an opportunity to live a better life than we did in the last year, our desire comes with a huge amount of selfdoubt if our expectations aren’t met on demand. Remember the no-cookie diet you vowed to start in 2012 and right after the ball dropped you ate an Oreo? Oops! It’s probably time to stop

beating yourself up for that snafu. Plus, it didn’t count in Pacific Time. We’re all reminded time and time again that making far-fetched resolutions is a setup for failure. We either strive for an unattainable goal, blaming ourselves for not being strong enough to accomplish it, or aim for a less challenging alternative and then shame ourselves

for being too soft. It becomes a lose/ lose situation and we feel defeated.

Perhaps writing a bucket list without strict rules and expiration dates is the perfect balance for success. From the most terrifying to the most tolerable, here are some examples to kick-start a yearly list you can keep updating for a lifetime.

TERRIFYING

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TOLERABLE

Giving up sweets forever.

Cut your sugar rush in half.

Making the beds every morning.

Teach your kids how to make the beds for a small allowance.

Being nicer to your mother-in-law.

Let her know when she has food in her teeth.

Loving your body.

Stop comparing yourself to photoshopped models.

Spending more time with your kids.

Step away from the Instagram for an hour and stop commenting on your friends’ family.

Finding a new job.

Revise your resumé.

Exercising more, eliminating the booze, staying positive, saving money, getting rid of unhealthy habits.

Follow the 80/20 rule with everything you do and enjoy your progress with pride.

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

THE REAL ESTATE LEADERS JU ST LI STED

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

11B Zacatin Road, Freehold Offered at $294,500

8 Rothbard Road, Hazlet Offered at $549,900

35 Mercer Avenue, Middletown Offered at $499,999

Manus Mullanaphy 732-501-9802

Jeffrey Dispenza 732-241-8574

Albert “Al” Wright 848-218-4003

JU ST SOLD

JU ST SOLD

JUST SOLD

35 Tanglewood Road Middletown

553 Summer Street Long Branch

90 Radcliffe Drive Lincroft

Expands Into Holmdel

Donald Geoghan 732-673-1873

Middletown Office 113 Tindall Road

Middletown, NJ 07748

732.933.0200

Joseph Casola 908-601-6591

Jennifer Bernabeo 732-690-8687

670 N o r th Be e r s St Holmdel Office B ldg #1, Sui te 130, 670 N Beers Street, Building 1 Ho130, lmde l , NJNJ07733 Suite Holmdel, 07733

732.812.3700 732- 812- 3700

Colts Neck Office 5 Professional Circle, Suite 101 Colts Neck, NJ 07722

732.933.0200

CommunityMagazineNJ.com JANUARY 2019

Each office independently owned and operated.

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RBR Pitcher Signs to Play Baseball at Villanova Red Bank Regional High School’s (RBR) right-hand star pitcher, Jack Povey, 18, from Shrewsbury, was delighted to have received his acceptance to play baseball for Villanova University.

Baseball has always been a first love for Jack who has played the game since he was big enough to swing a bat at age three. Although he played ice hockey for a year at RBR and CYO basketball for Holy Cross, he soon focused exclusively on baseball. He considers the highlight of his high school career to be the 15-inning game against Middletown North for the State Tournament. He was a sophomore then and pitched the first seven innings. His team made it as far as the semi-finals, a great accomplishment in recent team history. Over his RBR baseball career, Jack has earned 8 wins, struck out 143 batters in 111 innings, pitched while achieving a 3 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio over the past three seasons. He has pitched in almost every big game over the past two seasons. Last summer, he was named to the Jersey Shore Carpenter Cup Team that played in the semi-finals of the Carpenter Cup Tournament (hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies) at Citizens Bank Park.

Jack was delighted to get an offer and scholarship to become a Villanova Wildcat, a school he values for its athletics and academics, stating, “The coaches seemed to really want me there and I felt they could help me as much as I could help them due to their athletic program and strong academics.”

Jack Povey, RBR’s star pitcher has signed to play with Villanova next year. He is pictured with his A-team of family and coaches. Left to right, back row: RBR Baseball Coach Nick Tucker, Nick’s sisters Nicole and Kathryn; RBR Asst. Coach Jeremy Milonas; front row: Jack Povey and his mother Janet.

Jack hopes to major in business, a good fit for the business courses and accelerated math classes he took at RBR. Jack has also given his time at RBR working for the Unified Team, coaching a fellow student with disabilities to play team sports.

His coach Nick Tucker states, “Jack has worked very hard to get to this point in his career. Jack is a great kid and a focused athlete while being one of our most consistent players since his freshman year.

His innate competitiveness, leadership, and dependability have been invaluable over the past four years. Jack has performed and won at the highest level at RBR and I am excited to see him continue to grow at Villanova and continue his success.”

Classrooms Of Tomorrow Are Here Now At Saint Leo The Great School Saint Leo the Great School has taken STEAM Curriculum to

another level with their redesigned State- of- the-Art STEAM wing.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education is an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. The objective of classes is to develop students’ skills in areas such as problem-solving, communication, data analysis, critical thinking, and creativity. At Saint Leo the Great School, the newly renovated STEAM wing provides laboratories and classrooms to teach students to think independently and draw upon their own creative talents to solve problems through hands-on activities, creative thinking and collaboration.

“Saint Leo the Great School has always prided itself on successfully preparing its students for their future academic endeavors through challenging and demanding curriculum,” said Mr. Cornelius Begley, Principal. “By creating our new STEAM laboratories and classrooms, we can better provide our students the competitive edge they will need when applying to top high schools, as well as better develop the building blocks needed for a strong foundation for future academic and career paths.”

The school’s Science Laboratory was designed to create a thinking environment for problem solving, complete with futuristic furniture designs, and outfitted with the latest equipment providing grade appropriate stimulus for all students. The Computer Lab was redesigned as a Technology Lab where students can apply engineering solutions to technological problems. The former science and math classrooms are now Classrooms of Tomorrow

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

with the dynamic integration of both the science and math behind what is happening in our other labs. Students will be challenged to formulate questions and find the answers to many of our world’s scientific mysteries. Additionally, the added Science Prep Room provides STEAM faculty efficient space to stage experiments enabling greater efficiency for integrating STEAM curriculum.

The Classroom of Tomorrow Campaign began last January 2018 at the annual Saint Leo the Great School PTA Gala and is funded by continued generous donations to the project. Naming opportunities for the STEAM laboratories and classrooms are available. For more information on how to be recognized as a Classrooms of Tomorrow Donor, please visit saintleothegreatschool.com or call 732.741.3133 ext. 225.

RBR Students Create Cards to Cheer Hospitalized Children during the Holidays

RBR students creating cards for hospitalized children for the holidays

Junior Makai Mickens, Red Bank, is pictured with RBR Teacher Jennifer Casaine, a supervisor of the annual Cards for Hospitalized Kids program. Participating in this national program, high school students create personalized cards distributed to children in hospitals during the holidays.

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Some of the RBR students who participated in the Cards for Hospitalized Kids holiday program are (left to right); Sara Senkeleski, Red Bank; Megan LeFever, Red Bank; Maggie Curtis, Shrewsbury; Sarah Ferraro, Shrewsbury; Emma Moriarty, Shrewsbury; Lleyke Dunnican, Bradley Beach; Avery Davis, Little Silver; Cate Cione, Little Silver.

ver the course of two days in early December, students worked through their lunch periods and joined their fellow classmates in creating festive cards filled with inspirational messages for children going through very painful and lonely times in their young lives.

“I always tell the students that this is something simple you can do as teenagers to make a difference in a child’s life during the holidays,” states RBR teacher Jennifer Casaine.

Mrs. Casaine and Ms. Cassandra Dorn, who host the event, collect the materials for the project from the greater RBR community. They are especially looking for donations of old Christmas cards, ribbons, and other arts and crafts. This year, its popularity has moved the program from the traditional large classroom to the entire media center.

Mrs. Casaine explains, “It is really an inspirational program started by a teenager who, due to a chronic, serious illness, has endured much time in a hospital. Personally created cards from strangers gave her such comfort that she decided to start this program. It has since gone worldwide reaching over 100,000 kids in 50 states and several countries. We are very happy to be part of this program and I hope to expand it next year to the middle schools.”

Saint Leo the Great Students Collect Food for the Needy Students from Saint Leo the Great School participated in the Thanksgiving Food Project where each homeroom collected Thanksgiving meal items for assigned families. Colorful, decorated grocery bags were collected by the Social Concerns Ministry of the parish for distribution to those in need.

CommunityMagazineNJ.com JANUARY 2019

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RBR Students Bring Home Medals from Fall FCCLA Leadership Conference Twenty-six students from the Red Bank Regional (RBR) chapter of the Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) returned home victorious from the state Fall Leadership Conference held in Edison on November 19. More than 30 schools were represented from around the state.

The students earned two Gold Medals; one for the banner in the picture. A second was earned by Grace Laverne and Katelyn Sandin for their activities in preparing a child for a doctor’s visit. Two silver medals were earned in culinary categories by Lily Ferrone, Tesa Koetzner, and Grechen Ogden. Lauren Mery and Eveyn Sullivan took a silver medal for their Go Green invention from recyclables while Summer Smith and Sophie Pouso also won a bronze in the same category. Abby Bynoe, Kiera McCarthy, and Ava Nelson won a bronze medal for their Football Food Drive Community Service Project that they staged at the Hazlet football game.

The mission of the FCCLA, a national organization is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of

RCDS Charitable Basketball Tournament a Slam Dunk

On December 12, middle school students from The Rumson Country Day School and their neighbors from Holy Cross School competed in an inaugural holiday basketball tournament during which students collected stocking stuffer donations for St. Luke’s Soup Kitchen in Long Branch.

“Being involved in a community event like this makes you appreciate what you have,” said RCDS sixth grader Claire Leibee.

“I want everyone to experience the same spirit around the holidays that I do. It feels good to share that feeling with others.”

Students in grades five through eight competed in a number of

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Left to right, back row: Colleen Dougan, Jordan Wesp, Alaina DeRose, Natalie Drzewiecki, Amira Ibrahim, Elizabeth Norton, Sophio Pouso, Summer Smith, Stephanie Flores, Julianna Vockroth, Mrs. Eads; Left to right, front row: Abby Bynoe, Ava Nelson, Rebecca Goldzwieg, Lauren DeVitto, Maggie Cahill, Kiera McCarthy. FCCLA members who participated but are not pictured are: Gianna Boriello, Abby Brockway, Julia Kirkpatrick, Georgia Landree, Claudia Medlolla, Chloe Rosen, Katelyn Sandin, Kanymah Tucker, Abby Wagner, and Brooke Walker.

family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation. For more information visit their website at fcclainc.org.

pre-season basketball games and were asked to bring in toys, candy, hats, and gloves for those in need. When players were not on the court, they were on stage in the RCDS gymnasium organizing the donations and stuffing them into stockings to be delivered to St. Luke’s Soup Kitchen.

“The tournament was a fantastic example of the power of teamwork and community outreach,” said coach Paul “Campy” Campanella. “Not only were our students able to kick off their basketball season with friends from a neighboring school, but they were able to help those in need. We are so proud of the students involved.”

According to Head of School Jayne Geiger, community service is an integral part of the RCDS educational experience. “Events like this strengthen our commitment to serving our community and reinforce our four pillars: Kind, Honest, Responsible, Respectful.”

Earlier this year RCDS students brought in more than 3,720 pounds of rice and beans for The Red Bank CROP Walk for Hunger.

In December, the RCDS Parent Council spearheaded a toy drive that provided gifts for Family & Children’s Services Operation Sleigh Bells. In addition, the school’s Service Learning elective serves as an opportunity for students to recognize the needs of others and give back. Students enrolled in the elective visit The Atrium, a senior living community; The Harbor School, a school for special needs students; and the RCDS Early Childhood Center two or three times each month.

As part of ongoing community service efforts, RCDS will continue to provide opportunities throughout the 2018-2019 school year to support local charitable organizations.

RBR Helps Students and Families to a Happy Holiday Season Ever since the devastation of Sandy in 2012, where many Red Bank Regional (RBR) families lost so much, The RBR SOURCE has teamed with the RBR BUC Backer Foundation to address the needs of the most vulnerable of their own community during the holidays in a project known as the Giving Tree. This year was no exception.

More than 34 RBR families were given more than 125 gifts via donations of the greater Red Bank Regional Community. The SOURCE is RBR’s School-Based Youth Services Program whose mission is to remove all obstacles that impede students’ academic success.

“Not everyone has the means to afford the gift giving that occurs around the holiday season,” RBR SOURCE Director Suzanne Keller comments.

“Our staff identifies the needs of our students and their families and provides a list to the BUC Backer Foundation who advertises it to their members.”

BUC Backer Giving Tree coordinator Claire Harbeck Izzo explains that the gift donations are organized by an electronic list to which RBR BUC Backer members sign up. They purchase and wrap the gifts that are given out at school or delivered to

The collaborative efforts of the RBR SOURCE and BUC Backer Foundation provided specially requested gifts for 34 RBR families that would not have otherwise celebrated such a fortunate holiday. Pictured (left to right) are: Buc Backer Giving Tree Coordinator Claire Harbeck Izzo, SOURCE Youth Development Specialist Lori Lopez and SOURCE Director Suzanne Keller, with just a few of the gifts donated by the greater RBR community.

the students’ homes by the SOURCE staff. Everyone’s identity remains anonymous to the donor.

“I am always impressed by the ask,” Claire Harbeck Izzo explains. “They ask for coats and shoes and really just basic needs including baby supplies.”

The SOURCE addresses their students’ needs all year long, including with the stocking of a food and school supply pantry. The SOURCE Foundation continually fundraises to support the SOURCE and their services to the RBR community, which ranges from quality mental health counseling to learning support initiatives. This is accomplished by offering services free of charge to students and their families including; individual, group and family counseling, preventative medical and dental care, academic support, scholarship opportunities, and recreational and cultural events. Donations are always needed and welcomed.

RCDS Girls Soccer Team Crowned Champions The Rumson Country Day School girls' soccer team celebrated an undefeated season guided by a strong group of eighth grade leaders and a dedicated coaching staff. The RCDS Gators defeated the St. Leo Lions 3-0 to finalize their undefeated record and secure the Liberty Conference Championship title for the second year in a row.

Being a part of such a successful season was a momentous way for eighth grader Grace Gilbert to wrap up her RCDS soccer career before graduating this spring.

“It was the highlight of all my seasons played at RCDS,” said Grace, who joined the team in fifth grade. “I think I speak for all of the girls when I say that we’ll never forget the memories we made on the team. We became a family. Everyone showed up for practice and put in the work. That determination and our coaches’ experience led us to the Championship. It felt really good to know the hard work paid off.”

Coach Colleen Cook and Coach Sarah Houde agree that the girls’ success was a result of consistent practice, discipline, and a strong team dynamic. The entire team from fifth to eighth graders pushed collectively each practice and game to make the team better. Each girl played a

key role in achieving the Championship title.

“The older girls stepped up as true leaders by guiding the younger players,” said Coach Houde. “They wanted to win, but respecting each other and working together was a priority.”

From group projects in the classroom to a performance on stage or a competition on the sports field, teamwork is a core value reinforced across the curriculum at RCDS. Coach Cook culminated the season with a heartfelt message to her players: “Four years ago I began coaching soccer at RCDS. That same day, our current eighth graders began their RCDS soccer careers as fifth graders. Four years, this group of girls stepped on the field with me every practice, every game. In our pregame huddle for the conference championship, I looked at them and was a bit overcome with emotion that this would be the last day we ever took the field together as a team. I thought of them as little fifth graders running around and had to clear my throat a few times before I could speak. We had a perfect undefeated season up to this point. I spoke of our journey together and told them it was up to them how they would write the ending to our story. They would dictate the final chapter with their effort and their hearts on the field. I am so proud of how the team wrote their perfect ending together.”

CommunityMagazineNJ.com JANUARY 2019

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties Needs Mentors STORY: SUSAN MURPHY

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties (BBBSMMC) is a program that pairs volunteers with children who need a mentor. The goal of the mentoring relationship is to provide positive guidance and support to enhance the child’s ability to become a confident, competent, and caring adult.

A one-year minimum commitment is required for the program with the hope that the friendship will last a lifetime.

Since 2002, January is National Mentoring Month and is a campaign celebrated nationwide to promote youth mentoring in the United States.

Volunteers who become a Big Brother Big Sister usually spend about two to three hours every other week with their Little Brother or Sister doing fun, lowcost activities in the community, according to Development Manager Charleen Cucci. “All it takes to be a Big Brother or Sister is four to six hours a month and the want to ignite a child’s potential by being his or her friend and mentor. We currently have around 80 children on our waiting list and 60% of those children are boys. We have an urgent need for male volunteers to step up for these young men.”

Mentors can also be what is known as a Big Couple – husbands and wives who mentor a child together. “Big Couples have the opportunity to work together to mentor a boy on our waiting list. Couples

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bring the advantage of having two perspectives, approaches, and strengths to the mentoring process,” shared Cucci.

The majority of the children on the waiting list are between nine and thirteen years old. The children who enroll in BBBSMMC are often referred to the program by a parent or guardian, or by their guidance counselor. Most children come from single parent households.

Cucci explained the impact mentoring has on each child. “Each time we pair a child with a Big Brother or Sister, we ignite his or her potential by creating a one-to-one relationship built on trust and friendship that can grow into a future of unlimited possibilities.

Researchers have found that after 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, the Little Brother and Little Sisters were 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs and 52% less likely to skip school compared to children not in our program. They also found that the Littles were more confident of their performance in schoolwork and were getting along better with their families.”

Most volunteers are worried about the time commitment involved with participating in the BBBSMMC program. “The truth is, it only takes four to six hours a month to be a Big,” said Cucci. “Most Bigs hang out with their Little every other weekend for about two to three hours.

This time spent doesn’t have to be doing

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ground-breaking activities. Something as simple as picking up your Little and taking him or her to the outlets or the grocery store with you, can make all the difference in the world. Activities that you would have been doing anyway can enhance a child’s life and your own.

Almost all Bigs enrolled in our program say they feel they get more out of it than their Little does. It’s a win-win!”

“I hold this organization very close to my heart,” continued Cucci. “As an employee for nine years, I have seen children enter into our program shy and unsure of themselves. These same children stay matched with their mentor, have exciting first time experiences, graduate high school, and move onto college with confidence and a stronger relationship with their families. We see this type of potential in every child, they simply need a caring adult mentor to empower it. This preventative program during childhood can make other social services unnecessary in their lives moving forward. An investment in a child is an investment in your community. Whether it’s your time or funding, we need you to make it happen.”

For more information, visit bbbsmmc. org or call 732.544.2224.

PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC MICHAEL ROY

CANDACE CAMERON BURE Making Kind, Classy STORY

CATHY PADILLA

M

any of us grew up watch- movies have become, Candace’s name ing Candace Cameron came up often as someone you would Bure play D.J. on one of love to meet and feel has been a part America’s favorite fam- of your entertainment experience. So ily shows, Full House. here’s your chance to know her better.

Now we can watch Fuller House with our As a special follow-up, our interview with children, knee-deep in nostalgia and Candace Cameron Bure. knowing a good lesson or uplifting mesCM: You have done it all – author, acsage will be shared. A child-star turned tress on TV and film, producer, speakadult celebrity, Candace has become er, talk-show host, reality contestant a Christmas icon through her seven – which “role” of your professional life Christmas movies on Hallmark Channel. has been the most rewarding? The most You can see her on tv commercials eatchallenging? ing tuna with Charlie, or watch her as Aurora Teagarden on Hallmark Movies CANDACE: Everything I have done & Mysteries, or read her latest books has been so rewarding in its own right Kind is the New Classy and Candace Center and holds a special place in my heart.

Stage, or buy her DaySpring items, or you Professionally, being an actress and auvoted for her on Dancing with the Stars or thor feel the most rewarding because watched her on The View. While speak- I hear immediate feedback from those ing to our CM readers for our December who have watched my programs or read cover on how beloved Hallmark Channel my books and hear how it has affected

their lives. Those personal notes of encouragement and interactions with fans move me to continue to do the types of movies I star in and produce and continue to write meaningful books, because they inspire people in some way, and that’s always the goal.

The most challenging job was being a talk show host on The View. I loved many aspects of it and it had its rewards, but the difficulties often out-weighed the joys of the job.

The most personally rewarding are the things the viewers and fans don’t see, but behind the scenes producing and directing.

CM: You are one of the most-loved and most-recognized Hallmark stars. Of the movies you’ve made so far, which character did you best identify with and CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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CM: Can you share any behind-thescenes stories with us?

PHOTO CREDIT: CATHY PADILLA

CANDACE CAMERON BURE, ALAN THICKE ©2013 CROWN MEDIA UNITED STATES, LLC/PHOTOGRAPHER: EIKE SCHROTER

why? What do you most like about being part of the Hallmark family?

the same on other networks. I think that makes us strive as actors and producers to do our best for Hallmark. They have given us an amazing platform to be on.

CANDACE: I most identify with my character, Noelle, in A Shoe Addict’s Christmas.

The faith thread that was woven through that film really came from me, surprise!

One of the themes in the movie was that Noelle thought life was probably better because she was comfortable, even though it may not have been the best life she dreamed of or could be living. Her guardian angel, Charlie, was challenging Noelle to listen to the nudges God was giving her. Sometimes we have to set aside our fears in order to step outside of our comfort zone and be challenged, knowing that we might be put on the Earth to do greater things. I can definitely relate to that.

Hallmark has been an incredible company to work for because they are so supportive of women, working mothers, and family. Bill Abbott, Michelle Vicary and everyone at Crown Media are the kind of people you’d imagine and hope they’d be, representing one of the world’s largest heartfelt family brands. In addition, all the actors on the network support each other and we all prop up and promote each other’s movies and shows because we see the value in our growth together at the network. I don’t feel nearly as competitive, but rather supportive and like a cheerleader with everybody. We truly are like a family, and I haven’t found that to be

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CM: What does it mean to you to be a part of Hallmark’s Christmas?

CANDACE: I felt it the most this year. I recently went to my parent’s house for my dad’s 75th birthday. Their friends in their 60’s, 70’s, and even my 95 year old grandma all wanted to talk to me about my Hallmark movies. They even said to me, “You know you are a Christmas tradition now. It’s not the same without watching one of your movies.” There’s been a consistent and gradual growth over the years, but now that my 7th Hallmark Christmas movie released, I feel that it is true. Not only are Hallmark movies a part of people’s tradition, but in some homes I am their tradition. It is the most flattering and wonderful thought that I bring so much joy to people. It tickles me to death!

CM: What projects do you have coming up?

CANDACE: I have my new line with DaySpring which includes t-shirts, aprons, phone cases, necklaces, a new kindness journal, and more. Fuller House season 4 premiered on Netflix on December 14th!

I will also have three Aurora Teagarden Mystery movies coming out in 2019. I recently released my first children’s book Candace Center Stage. I am currently working on my next children’s book.

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CANDACE: A little behind the scenes story from A Shoe Addict’s Christmas is that we were filming it in Winnipeg, Canada and on September 28th we were filming the horse and carriage ride scene outside. The weather didn’t say it was going to snow (we usually always use fake snow), but it actually started snowing out of nowhere! It created a bit of chaos for our crew because we weren’t expecting so much snow, but it made that scene so beautiful. I felt like that was God giving us a little blessing on the day. It was the only day it snowed that hard during our shoot and it just so happened to be on the horse and carriage ride day, (which I should mention that it wasn’t even supposed to be filmed on that day to begin with. It got moved last minute due to some scheduling issues.)

It worked out beautifully!

CM: Who has been your favorite co-star so far? Why? CANDACE: I can honestly say I have not had a bad co-star. I have loved working with everyone on my Christmas movies. However, Jean Smart really took it to another level with her talent. I enjoyed working with her SO much. It was such a treat for me. Not only was I able to learn from her process and saw what she brought to her character every day that wasn’t written in the script, but on top of that she is a funny and delightful woman.

Alan Thicke was another special co-star for me. Not only did he play my brother’s father on Growing Pains all those years, but I had known him for so long. Now that he isn’t with us anymore, it feels even more special that I had the chance to work with him and have him play my dad in a very loved Christmas movie.

CM: Is there a role you would love to play? Why that character or story?

CANDACE: I have never done a western!

That is one that I would like to do sooner than later though because I want to kick some butt while riding a horse, before I get too old.

CM: When I interviewed Donny Osmond I was shocked to learn he felt his time on Dancing with the Stars was perhaps the most challenging “role” in his career due to the physical demands. What are your feelings on your time on the show?

CANDACE: Yes, I would agree with Donny.

A FEW OF HER FAVORITE THINGS… FAVORITE FOOD? Japanese Food FAVORITE DRINK? Fiji Water or a glass of Bure Family Wines FAVORITE MOVIE? Wizard of Oz FAVORITE TV SHOW? Friends or The Office CANDACE CAMERON BURE, JEAN SMART ©2018 CROWN MEDIA UNITED STATES LLC/PHOTOGRAPHER: STEVEN ACKERMAN

It has definitely been one of the most challenging events in my life. So much so that I wrote a book about the experience, Dancing Through Life, and shared all the lessons I learned that built and strengthened my character. I loved my time on the show so much, but it was mentally challenging most for me. I was sick to my stomach every week before the live show.

I had psyched myself out so much to the point that I was blacking out mid-dance forgetting everything. They even sent me to a therapist during one show which was actually really helpful. I absolutely loved learning and I liked performing, but it scared me to death! I would say it had the most impact on me in terms of pushing myself and sticking with it to cross the finish line. I realized I was able to do more than I could have imagined because truthfully I was scared out of my mind and wanted to quit every day. No matter what the circumstances are in life, when you have something that is challenging, but see it through to the end, you will come out a much more confident person (at least I did). I felt like I could take on any challenge after that show.

CM: You married early in life and have been married for quite a while now – is there anything you’d like to share about married life? About being a working mom?

CANDACE: It is important to remember

FAVORITE BOOK? Becoming Mrs. Lewis

that there are seasons of life. I really believe that you can do it all, you just can’t do it all at the same time. It is really about prioritizing. My husband and kids understand that I have had busy years, and they are supportive of it and patient. Then there were years that I knew I had to pull back because of my children’s lives or my husband’s career. Things have to balance out.

It is always a good perspective and reminder to remember that nothing is going to stay the same way forever.

CM: You are known to be philanthropic.

Which charity is closest to your heart?

CANDACE: I have been on the board of Skip1.org since its conception. They help solve hunger one “Skip” at a time. You basically skip something that you wanted to buy, and donate what it would have cost to Skip1.org. 100% of your donation goes to feeding children across the world. They build kitchens in schools in impoverished areas, and help the homeless right here in the United States.

I also work with Compassion International.

I have sponsored children through Compassion for over 10 years! Compassion is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. The goal is for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult.

FAVORITE BAND OR SINGER? New Kids on The Block and John Mayer FAVORITE SONG? Leaving Heaven by Matthew West FAVORITE TIME OF DAY? Either early morning (getting it all started), or that 5 PM hour when your day is winding down!

FAVORITE QUOTE OR VERSE? Verse: Esther 4:14.

Quote or Family Motto: Excuses are for losers DO YOU PREFER CATS OR DOGS? Dogs! I have a dog named Boris HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS? Good Natured, Tenacious, Competitive.

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