CM: Rumson • Fair Haven • Little Silver • Red Bank • Locust • Sea Bright - May 2018

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

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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

May 2018 monthly features 42 Pet Celebrities 16 Gift Ideas: Mother's Day

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New Jersey Hall of Fame

53 Divorce Talk 46/48 Eventful

97 Apple Street, Suite 2 Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 Tel: 848.456.1071 | Fax: 732.852.2571 CommunityMagazineNJ.com editor-in-chief

CAROLYN B U RT N I C K

creative director

Meet Your Inductees 27 Frankie Valli 30 Buddy Valastro 32 Debbie Harry 37 Steven Van Zandt 40 Gloria Gaynor

LORI DO N N ELLY

graphic designers ERICA PA R KER OL IVIA M A Z A N EC

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photography TOM ZAPCIC P HOTO GR A P HY MELISSA AMORELLI PHOTOGRAPHY

intern JU L IANN A M EI N Z

publisher VICTOR V. S C U D I ERY

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Long days in the sun, nights out in the warm air...

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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.

“The month of May is the pleasant time; its face is beautiful,” Lady Gregory famously wrote. Now that May is here, what better way to welcome this month than with a grand celebration of motherhood, honoring those who died in service to our great land, and the induction of 16 New Jerseyans into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. A drive around our beautiful County shows spring in all her glory. Trees have bloomed, flowers are popping up, and the air has finally warmed our winter laden spirits.

More than 85 years of dedication, passion, integrity and professionalism.

Areas of Practice: Bankruptcy Civil Litigation Commercial Litigation Commercial Real Estate Community Association Law Construction Defect Creditors’ Rights Criminal Defense

Mother's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 13 this year.

Being the daughter of a truly wonderful mother, the day holds special meaning. Whether you celebrate with your mom, your children, or someone who has been like a mother to you, we wish all our readers a day of feeling loved and appreciated.

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to our Jersey Shore Summer. A weekend of fun in the sun, family gatherings, and beach-events galore is also a time to reflect on the service of the brave men and women who have given their all and their lives to keep us free. We at CM thank each one, and we honor their sacrifice. If you're looking for a way to celebrate the weekend, be sure to visit our Facebook page (facebook.com/CommunityMagNJ) where we share local events and happenings throughout the week.

And last, but anything but least, May is the month our great State honors her citizens. Each May, the New Jersey Hall of Fame inducts a class, and has a great party to celebrate. As a Vice Chair Sponsor of the event held on May 6 in Asbury Park, we at CM had a front-row seat and the opportunity to interview five of the inductees. The Hall of Fame describes itself best: "The accomplishments of Garden State citizens span the pages of nearly every volume of American history.

Until now, they have never existed side-by-side, in one place. Because of the leadership and generosity of people like you, the story of New Jersey’s greatness finally has a home—New Jersey Hall of Fame! We’re so glad you found us.

The people we celebrate have overcome every imaginable obstacle and challenge. They have survived war, overcome the bleakness of poverty, conquered fear and disability, and rebounded from untold rejections and failure. Their stories offer boundless hope and inspiration for millions of New Jerseyans." We look forward to you reading our exclusive interviews with Steven Van Zandt, Gloria Gaynor, Frankie Valli, Debbie Harry, and the Cake Boss Buddy Valastro.

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May is Planning for Your Future Month

When estate planning is mentioned you probably think of an older couple needing to prepare their Will, or something you should get around to thinking about some day. It’s not a subject most of us enjoy talking about because it leads to thoughts of no longer being alive or losing our parents or loved ones. But estate planning is more about protecting your loved ones than losing them. Often overlooked, or put off, with more time spent planning holidays or vacations, the truth is parents of young children are sometimes the ones who most neglect this important life procedure. When done properly, estate planning is not just about having a Will, it’s coordinating assets and long-term financial goals for you, your children, and sometimes your parents.

“I teach my clients to consider estate planning the same way you consider your federal income taxes. It’s not something fun to do, but it’s necessary,” says Paul Daniele, founder of Daniele Law, LLC. “April is tax month. Put it in your mind that May is planning for your future month.”

So where do you begin? Similar to organizing for tax day, it’s time to call in the professionals. There are online courses, books, and free seminars to help

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you navigate the complex subject, but in the end, you’ll need an attorney, and most likely an accountant and financial planner. Finding a qualified estate planner to coordinate can be helpful. A good estate plan includes a Will naming guardianship of your minor children, a health care proxy, a Living Will, a Power of Attorney, a Trust, and any other document that protects you and your loved ones.

Not only for the wealthy, estate planning really is for everyone. Estate planning puts a plan in place to protect your assets so there needn’t be a longlasting negative impact on your loved ones. The main reason for a plan is to decide which heirs get what, and who has control or financial power. But what about unexpected accidents or untimely death?

Without a plan, the courts decide and it is not an automatic assumption the surviving spouse gets everything, nor that siblings inherit equally if it’s a parent. Wouldn’t you rather decide who inherits your home and assets and who raises your children?

What if you only have a Will and instead of dying in an accident you are left needing care with no plan or provision?

According to Daniele, who now specializes in Estate Planning, these are

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the four main reasons for choosing to plan today: 1. Prevents Your Assets From Ending Up With Unintended Beneficiaries. Every estate plan should include: • Will/Trust •

Durable Power of Attorney

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Beneficiary designations

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Healthcare Power of Attorney

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2. Protects Your Young Children 3. Stops Heirs From Overpaying in Taxes 4. Eliminates Squabbling

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and

“Once completed, your estate plan should be reviewed and kept current with life events such as the birth, death, marriage or divorce of anyone included in your plan,” says Daniele. “In addition, you should review your plan if there is a significant increase or decrease in your finances or in the laws related to your estate plan change. At Daniele Law, LLC we offer a maintenance program that provides you regular access to us to make sure your estate plan stays current with your wishes, family, finances, and the law.”

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JUNE 9 – JULY 1

Take it from Christie…

Songbird premiered Off-Broadway in 2015 to much critical acclaim, earning a New York Times Critic’s Pick.

“When it comes to my body, I don’t compromise. Eating organic, yoga, being active—it’s all part of staying healthy. I choose Xeomin® because it is highly purified, FDA approved and clinically proven to temporarily smooth frown lines. I just love it!”

Frown lines… We’re not born with them. They develop over time after years of making facial expressions. As our skin ages and loses elasticity, these frown lines don’t go away. Xeomin is a highly purified neurotoxin that works by blocking the release of chemicals that cause these muscles to contract so visible frown lines are softened.

At an appointment, which usually takes about 15 minutes, your doctor will consult with you about your concerns and come up with a treatment plan. For treating frown lines, he or she will inject Xeomin into the muscles in your forehead. Some patients choose to use a topical anesthetic prior to injections while others do not.

You may begin to see visible results as early as 3-4 days after injection that continue to get better over the first month and last about three months.

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While at your appointment, another concern to discuss with your doctor is volume loss in your face and hands. The loss of this plump “baby fat” makes us look older.

Radiesse® is an FDA-approved dermal filler used to address deep smile lines (nasolabial folds) that can give your face a tired and aged expression; marionette lines that can make you look like you’re scowling, even when you’re not; pre-jowl folds or the sagging skin along your jawline; downturned corners of the mouth that can make you look tired, angry, or sad; wrinkles across your chin that can distract from your smile and make you look older; and lost volume in aging hands to restore a more youthful appearance.

Similar to minerals found naturally in the body, Radiesse is made of tiny calcium-based microspheres in a water-based gel.

A Radiesse appointment can be done over a lunch hour. Your doctor will inject Radiesse under the skin to provide immediate volume and correction that continues to work for up to 1 year by stimulating the body to produce its own natural collagen.

Always make sure your injector is experienced in facial and hand anatomy like a board-certified plastic surgeon.

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MAY IS WATER SAFETY MONTH

Five Things Every Parent Needs to Know

As we head into beach and pool season, the staff at Goldfish Swim School Middletown wants to ensure that families are thinking about critical water safety basics. Because May is National Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Month, these local water and swim safety experts are sharing their knowledge and belief that every child needs to have the skills to be safe around water.

When it comes to drowning, the statistics are pretty staggering.

Drowning is the leading cause of injury death to children ages one to four—and the second leading cause of injury death for children ages one to 14, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What’s more, statistics show that thousands of children are hospitalized each year for nonfatal drowning incidents.

Accidents can happen quickly. A child can drown in as little as one inch of water and in as little time as 20 seconds.

Every parent and caregiver needs to keep the following water safety tips in mind: 1. Any time kids are around water, designate a “water watcher” who will avoid cell phones, conversations, magazines, and anything else that might distract the adult from watching swimming children EVERY SINGLE SECOND. Most children who drown are supervised.

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2.

The American Red Cross says that the number one thing that parents can do to keep kids safer around water is to enroll them in swim lessons. Swimming is an essential life-saving skill with numerous physical, mental, and intellectual benefits.

3.

Get swim lessons for yourself or any other caregiver who cannot swim or is afraid of water.

4.

Realize that floaties, noodles, and plastic inner tubes do NOT protect against drowning. They are created as water toys, not life-saving devices. Life jackets should be designated as U.S. Coast Guard-approved.

5.

Know that even the most seasoned swimmers can still encounter trouble. Make sure swimmers don’t overestimate

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their skills and that they understand the importance of never swimming alone.

In addition to these tips, there are several basic skills that the water safety experts at Goldfish Swim School Middletown work on with students every week. Parents can practice these skills with their kids anytime they are in the water together: •

Work on getting in and out of the pool safely using the “Fin, Fin, Belly, Flipper” method. Help your little ones learn how to get out of the pool by manipulating their bodies in this order: elbow, elbow, tummy, knee. Practice this often; you can even do this on your living room floor by having your baby climb onto a couch or chair! After you practice, always remember to celebrate. Eventually, your little one will be strong enough to manage the movement on his own. This is a skill that kids continue to use to safely exit the pool -- even when they are older.

•

Jump, Turn, Swim to the Wall. Let your child jump off the side of the pool to you, help them physically turn back to the wall, and then assist them in getting out of the pool by using the fin, fin, belly, flipper method. Do this over and over again. As they get more confident let them go under the water and come to the surface on their own. This teaches kids to automatically turn back to the wall behind them to climb out. If a child were to fall into a pool, this skill could help them find the quickest way to safety.

•

Sea Otter Float. Work with your child on turning over and getting their faces out of the water to take a breath when fatigued.

Families are invited to attend a Safety Day event on Saturday, May 12, 2018. The event includes family swim, safety demonstrations, snacks, raffles, and more. All are welcome. For more information and to RSVP for this free community event, please visit goldfishswimschool.com/middletown or call 732.865.9800.

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We also offer perpetual lessons to prepare for summer!

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MANALAPAN | 848.233.2300 MIDDLETOWN | 732.865.9800 goldfishswimschool.com | www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

MAY 2018

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Mother's Day She takes life by the handlebars Surprise this girl on the go with her own Electra Cruiser. It’s perfect for the mom who loves to feel the wind as she whips around town, enjoys family bike rides to the beach and showing off her wheels as she runs errands.

Where to shop: The Peddler of Long Branch – thepeddler.com

She has a positive state of mind Help mom show off her NJ pride with a bracelet made with beach sand from the Jersey Shore. Whether she is heading to the local grocery store or jet-setting around the world, she can wear this handcrafted piece of jewelry to keep her close to her roots.

Mother’s Day 2018 is coming at a monumental time in history.

Girls Rule - Women Rock and Moms know how to get it done!

Our voices are becoming stronger and people are hearing our powerful words. It’s exactly how I wish my kids would listen to me when I tell them to shut off the TV and take a shower. For whatever it’s worth, that movement is taking a little bit longer to sink in at our house. BUT, now is the moment to celebrate and honor the independently savvy woman in your life. Check out this curated list of local favorites delivering clear empowering messages to moms all around the county.

Story: Hope Daniels

She stares challenges in the face The spa is for mindless relaxation, but also for brain recharging.

This one-stop beauty boutique can give mom a great escape to clear her head and get rid of any stress. Insider deal: Complimentary light lunch with Mom’s Escape Package.

She’s always got something cooking

Where to shop: Salon CoCo Bond Spa, Shrewsbury saloncocobond.com

Where to shop: Chelsea Gifts, The Grove West. Shrewsbury chelseagiftsonline.com

Her recipe in life is don’t waste time or food! Keep mom busy with a new set of classy Mackenzie Child’s kitchen gadgets and let the diva dish up her finest fare.

Where to shop: The Woman’s Exchange, Little Silver thewomansexchange.com

She’s a true warrior Nothing sounds easy about running a business, taking care of kids, scheduling appointments and squeezing in time for a fullbody workout. Yet, this hard-core supermom makes it look so darn painless. Help her stay fit and fabulous with challenging class packages of hot yoga, cardio dance and fire beat from a studio that encourages spiritual success. Insider Deal: 15% off for Mother’s Day. Where to shop: POE Fair Haven – poeyoga.com

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She’s always keeping her cool

She’s in full bloom Honor mom’s greatest achievements by presenting her with a customized edible flower bouquet that looks as beautiful as the real deal.

Where to shop: Cups & Cakes, Rumson cupsandcakesrumson.com

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From the moon to the stars – these ultra-hip symbolic charms set mom apart from the crowd.

Whether you want to tell her you love her with a precious heart gem or monogram a special message, these handmade leather necklaces and bracelets are designed to serve as inspiration from one trend setting generation to the next.

Where to shop: Poor Cat, Red Bank - poorcatdesigns.com

She carries the entire family on one shoulder Known for protecting all personal belongings, safeguarding snack packs and working miracles - every stylish “Mommy Poppins” needs a chic tote to keep her dependent family intact.

Where to Shop: Quilted Koala, Available in Monmouth County and NJ boutiques shop.quiltedkoala.com

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MAY 2018

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15th Annual Wine & Martini Tasting Raises $40,000 for Covenant House New Jersey The Salt Creek Grille Annual Wine & Martini Tasting Fundraiser raised $40,000 for Covenant House New Jersey.

All proceeds from the event went to support Covenant House’s Asbury Park “Rights of Passage” program.” Covenant House is a not-for-profit organization providing critical services to homeless, runaway and trafficked youth between the ages of 1821. This is Salt Creek Grille’s 15th event.

Each year a different charity that serves children’s needs is selected to benefit from the event. Last year Salt Creek Grille met its $1 million in total funds raised for local charities!

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1 - (l to r) Mary Ann Larkin, Jack Privetera, hosts Lynn & Steve Bidgood, Carol Stillwell, Ron and Maria Importico. 2 - (l to r) - John and Sue Drastal; Marie and Eric Knochenhauer.

3 - (l to r) Sue Monteiro, Covenant House New Jersey, Senior Director; Ben Lucarelli, auctioneer, Lynn Lucarelli Newbury, 180 Turning Lives Around (Salt Creek Grille’s 2017 charity) Steve Bidgood, host & co-owner Salt Creek Grille. 4 - (l to r) Carolyn Holliday and Beth Punzi of The Finan Group at Morgan Stanley. 5 - (l to r) Sal and Maria Maita with guest. 6 - (l to r) Jennifer Eckhoff, Mr. & Mrs. Boyce. 7 - Rich & Debbie Mazer. 8 - Sal Maita, Karen Irvine, Kevin Ryan, Allyson Forte, Steve Bidgood. PHOTO CREDIT: MELISSA AMORELLI PHOTOGRAPHY

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

The cocktail event featuring plentiful and delicious hors d’oeuvres, serving stations and over 100 different wine varietals to sample was Covenant House’s first fundraiser of this kind.

“What Steve Bidgood and Salt Creek Grille does for the local community with this event is such an amazing gift. Not just to the charities that are that year’s recipients but to the members of the community who come together in support of great causes and become inspired to do more and be more. At Covenant House we always ask our kids to do more and by you creating this event are doing the same for your community,” said Sue Monteiro, Senior Development Manager of Covenant House.

The Wine & Martini Tasting Fundraiser took place on April 12th with a sold-out crowd in attendance. Fair Haven’s Mayor, Ben Lucarelli, volunteered as auctioneer.

Sponsors of the event were Finan Group Morgan Stanley, Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and the Wardell Family. Special thanks go to Lusty Lobster for a raw bar and Sickles Market for a cheese table, and Bobby Boyd trio who supplied live jazz.

“As Salt Creek Grille celebrates its 20th year in 2018, it heartens me to be able to utilize our site, services and our long-term business relationships to make a difference in our community. We all must do what we can to support charities like Covenant House New Jersey, which is working so tirelessly to help these kids,” said Steve Bidgood. “The success of this event depends on neighbor helping neighbor to help children in need.”

2018 SUMMER celebration!

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MAY 2018

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10TH ANNUAL

RED CARPET INDUCTION CEREMONY Sunday, May 6th

at the Historic Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2017

The New Jersey Hall of Fame Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

N

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

BY CATHY PADILLA

EW JERSEY may be a small state, but it’s big on talent and producing people who leave their mark on the world. On Sunday, May 6, 2018, the New Jersey Hall of Fame inducted its tenth class of inductees into the Class of 2017 at Convention Hall in Asbury Park. The Hall of Fame was unanimously passed in the New Jersey Senate as a non-profit organization to honor the lives and accomplishments of New Jersey citizens, known and unknown to history. It is the highest civilian honor awarded in the state. Although the museum has no permanent location, in 2013 it introduced a Mobile Museum that tours the state, and in 2017 it opened a satellite exhibition at Newark International Airport.

But more than an award, the Induction

Ceremony each year brings together the loyal sons and daughters of New Jersey.

The Hall of Fame selects potential nominees in six categories: Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Sports, Performing Arts, Public Service, and Unsung Hero (announced at the induction ceremony on May 6 and featured in our June issue.) Nominees must have lived in New Jersey for at least five years, and the selection is a three-phase process culminating with a public vote.

The first class of inductees was honored in an induction ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on May 4, 2008.

Having the privilege to interview or research several of the inductees, something interesting struck me. There are strands of connection between the honorees that go beyond their connection to the Garden State. Both Steven Van Zandt and Frankie

Valli starred on The Sopranos. Debbie Harry’s family and Buddy Valastro’s family both owned food businesses in Monmouth County, yet neither is originally from this area. When Buddy Valastro’s mother passed he released a statement saying he believed his mother and father were somewhere dancing to Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive.

Steven Van Zandt, Debbie Harry, and Frankie Valli all belonged to bands but became a stand-out star and enjoyed rare, successful, solo careers while maintaining a connection with their bands. Meryl Streep is a personal hero to Debbie Harry. Had we interviewed all 16 of the inductees, I’m sure other similarities or ties would have surfaced. What perhaps stood out the most as something they all share is their true appreciation for being honored by the state they once, or still, called home.

CLASS OF 2017 INDUCTEES

Arts & Letters HARLAN COBEN

ANNA QUINDLEN

With over 70 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben is a perennial #1 New York Times author of thirty novels including Fool Me Once, Tell No One, No Second Chance, and the renowned Myron Bolitar series. His books are published in 43 languages around the globe. Coben is the creator and executive producer for several television shows including the upcoming Netflix Original drama SAFE starring Michael C. Hall, Audrey Fleurot, and Amanda Abbington.

Novelist and journalist whose work has appeared on fiction, nonfiction, and self-help bestseller lists. She is the author of nine novels: Object Lessons, One True Thing, Black and Blue, Blessings, Rise and Shine, Every Last One, Still Life with Bread Crumbs, Miller’s Valley, and Alternate Side. Her memoir Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, published in 2012, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her book, A Short Guide to a Happy Life, has sold more than a million copies. While a columnist at The New York Times she won the Pulitzer Prize and published two collections, Living Out Loud and Thinking Out Loud. Her Newsweek columns were collected in Loud and Clear.

Coben was born in Newark, New Jersey. He still lives in New Jersey with his wife, Anne Armstrong-Coben MD, a pediatrician, and their four children.

Harlan Coben

Photo Credit: Claudio Marinesco

Enterprise JON HANSON

STEVE FORBES

JOE BUCKELEW

Founder of The Hampshire Companies, Hanson has more than 54 years of experience in the real estate industry. He has served as chairman or director of several major corporations and groups, including Yankee Global Enterprises and the Yankee Entertainment and Sports Network LLC (YES Network). He served as a Director of Hackensack University Medical Center for over 18 years and serves as its Honorary Member of Board of Governors. From 1994 to 2005 Hanson served as Chairman of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc. A Bergen County native, he grew up in Bogota. His real estate acumen comes from his father, James E. Hanson, credited with developing the country’s first suburban industrial park, located in Teterboro, after he figured out how to control flooding on a tract near the airport that was inundated every time it rained.

A business leader and chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, Forbes also founded Empower America and is a Freedom Works board member.

Born Malcolm Stevenson Forbes Jr. in Morristown, New Jersey, Steve Forbes grew up immersed in the worlds of publishing and politics. His grandfather, B.C. Forbes, was a journalist who founded Forbes Magazine. His father, Malcolm Forbes, served as a state senator and had two unsuccessful bids for the New Jersey governorship in 1953 and 1957. Forbes has penned several books, including Why Free Markets Are Moral and Big Government Isn’t and How Capitalism Will Save Us. He serves as a board member of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, which serves the insurance, risk management, and employee benefits brokerage and consulting needs of clients throughout the United States and abroad. He has served as Vice Chairman of Kimball Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees since 1985 and on the Barnabas Health Care System’s Board of Trustees for more than 10 years.

He also served as Chairman of the New Jersey Highway Authority for seven years and Chairman & Vice Chairman of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. He is currently on the Board of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. As a lifelong Lakewood resident, Buckelew has served as Lakewood Mayor, Police Commissioner, and a member of its Township Committee as well as on the Ocean County Board of Freeholders. He and his wife, Carol, have been married for more than 60 years. They have two sons, Brian and Kevin, and six grandchildren.

BUDDY VALASTRO “CAKE BOSS” See page 30 for our exclusive interview.

Performing Arts STEVEN VAN ZANDT

GLORIA GAYNOR

DEBBIE HARRY

See page 37 for our exclusive interview.

See page 40 for our exclusive interview.

See page 32 for our exclusive interview.

MERYL STREEP

Meryl Streep

Born in Summit and raised in Bernardsville, Meryl Streep is considered by many to be the greatest of all living film actresses.

Streep was not only an excellent student, but a mainstay in high school productions. Educated at Vassar and at Yale, she made her breakthrough with Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Theatre and has never looked back. With more Academy Award nominations than anyone, this Jersey Girl has earned two Oscars, six Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Grammy nomination, a BAFTA Award, and France’s Order of Arts and Letters. Although it seems she is always working, she actually concentrates most of her time on her family and her charity work.

THE FOUR SEASONS INCLUDING MEMBERS FRANKIE VALLI, BOB GAUDIO, TOMMY DEVITO, NICK MASSI, AND JOE LONG. In 1962 the band released its first album, featuring the single Sherry, which became its first charted hit and first number-one song.

They followed with several million-selling hits, including Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, Candy Girl, and Ain’t That A Shame. The Four Seasons are one of only two American bands (The Beach Boys is the other) to enjoy major chart success before, during, and after the British musical invasion. The band’s original line-up was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and joined the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. The Four Seasons is one of the bestselling musical groups of all time, having sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide. See page 27 for our exclusive interview with Frankie Valli. continued on page 37

Photo Credit: Brigitte Lacombe www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

MAY 2018

23

NJ HALL OF FAME cont.

Public Service MARK AND SCOTT KELLY Born in Orange, NJ, Mark and Scott Kelly are identical twins and the only siblings to have traveled in space. Scott Joseph Kelly is an engineer, retired American Astronaut, and a retired U.S. Navy Captain. A veteran of four space flights, Scott commanded the International Space Station on Expeditions 26, 45, and 46 and spent a year-long mission in space. Mark Edward Kelly is a retired American astronaut, engineer, and U.S. Navy Captain. He is the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, an author of several books, a political activist, and an aerospace executive and consultant.

In 2011 Mark coauthored Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience, with his wife. The book provides biographical information on the couple and describes in detail the assassination attempt on Gabby and her initial recovery. Written in Mark’s voice, it includes a short note by Gabby at the end.

CLARA MAASS A nurse born in East Orange, NJ, Maass died in 1901 as a result of volunteering for medical experiments to study yellow

fever. In 1951, the 50th anniversary of her death, Cuba issued a postage stamp in her honor to commemorate her work with yellow fever, once rampant in Cuba.

In 1952 Newark German Hospital, where she had been one of the first graduates, was renamed Clara Maass Memorial Hospital, and it is now known as Clara

Clara Maass Maass Medical Center. In 1976, the 100th anniversary of her birth, Maass was honored with a 13 cent United States

commemorative stamp. Also in 1976 the American Nurses Association inducted her into its Nursing Hall of Fame. The Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church honors Maass and British nurse Florence Nightingale on August 13 as a Renewer of Society.

MILLICENT FENWICK Millicent Vernon Hammond Fenwick, who died in 1992 at the age of 82, was a fashion editor, politician, and diplomat raised in Bernardsville, NJ. A four-term Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for New Jersey, she entered politics at the age of 64. She was considered a moderate and progressive within her party and was strongly in favor of civil rights and the women’s movement.

After leaving the House of Representatives following the 1982 election, Fenwick was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as the U.S. Ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy. She is thought to be the inspiration behind Lacey Davenport, a fictional character in Garry Trudeau’s comic strip Doonesbury.

Sports AL LEITER Alois “Al” Terry Leiter is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher born in Toms River, NJ. Leiter pitched 19 seasons in the Major Leagues for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and the New York Mets and earned two World Series rings. He is the all-time winningest Major League pitcher from New Jersey with 162 Major League wins. He is currently a studio analyst for MLB Network and a commentator for the YES Network

MARY DECKER A retired middle-distance runner born in Bunnvale, NJ, she won gold medals in the 1500 meters and 3000 meters at the 1983 World Championships and was the world record holder in the mile, 5000 meters,

and 10,000 meters. Decker set 17 official and unofficial world records, including being the first woman in history to break a 4:20 mile. She also set 36 U.S. national records at distances ranging from 800 meters to 10,000 meters, and has held the U.S. record in the mile, 2000 meters, and 3000 meters since the early 1980s, while her 1500 meters record stood for 32 years. In 2003, she was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

CARLI LLOYD From Delran, NJ, Lloyd is the all-time leading soccer scoring midfielder and one of the greatest overall goal scorers in U.S. history. Having scored many important goals for the USA during her career, one of the most notable was in the 2008 Olympics when she scored the game-winning goal

in the gold medal match vs. Brazil. At the 2012 London Olympics, she scored twice in the 2-1 gold medal victory vs. Japan.

In the 2015 World Cup, Lloyd famously scored 3 goals in the championship match leading her team to victory. She won backto-back FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016, making her only the second American and fourth female player to accomplish the feat. She published a best-selling memoir in the fall of 2016 titled When Nobody Was Watching.

In 2017 President Obama named Lloyd a member and co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

Lloyd lives in South Jersey with her husband and serves as a mentor and mental toughness coach for her former youth club, the Medford Strikers.

www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

MAY 2018

25

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Frankie Valli - the Original Jersey Boy

BY CATHY PADILLA

FRANCESCO STEPHEN CASTELLUCCIO was born in 1934 into an Italian family living in the First Ward of Newark. Anthony and Mary were hard-working, lower-middle income parents to three boys and never dreamed their eldest would go on to become a legend in the music business. Newark in the 1930s was a rough town and many of Frankie’s friends were seduced by the money a career in organized crime could offer. But from an early age his parents encouraged Frankie’s singing, and it was a trip with his mother to the Paramount Theater in Manhattan that put the dream of music in a Jersey boy’s heart. That night Frankie heard a young Frank Sinatra sing, and his seven-year-old self knew he too would find his way to the stage. Decades later, on the stage of the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park on May 6, 2018, Frankie and The Four Seasons are honored in the Hall of Fame of his home state. Francesco Castelluccio is known the world over as Frankie Valli and has gone on to have one of the longest running careers in music resulting in 71 chart hits, and more than 100 million records sold before the invention of the compact disc.

Tony Soprano, bragged that he used the same florist as Frankie Valli. On seasons 5 and 6, Frankie guest starred on the series in the role of mobster Rusty Millio, bringing him closer to a new generation of fans.

Passionate about music, the role of entertainment in society, his home state, and what a fabulous career he has been granted, here is our exclusive interview with Frankie Valli.

CM: What does the induction into the Hall of Fame of New Jersey mean to you?

Frankie: My whole life has revolved around New Jersey. I got my start in New Jersey. My success came while I was in New Jersey. So it’s very, very close to my heart.

CM: You were raised in Newark, correct? Do you get back often?

Frankie: Newark is so changed. There are parts of it I don’t even recognize anymore. It’s kind of sad. I was very attached to Newark as a kid, especially downtown. It had the Adams Theater, which brought all the Big Bands and some of the biggest acts in the country.

CM: Was that your favorite part of your hometown?

Thanks to the success of the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys, which chronicles Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, classics from the 60s are popular all over again. Hits Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, have found a new audience, and Jersey Boys is performed nightly from Las Vegas to Broadway to London.

Frankie: My appetite to get involved in music came from going to the Adams Theater. I saw the tail end of the Big Band Swing which was really incredible. I got to see everybody from Tommy Dorsey to Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw. It was quite important to me.

Always a hero to the Italian-American community, Frankie was mentioned often on The Sopranos, one of the most critically acclaimed TV series in history. The music of The Four Seasons was often used over the credits of the show, and the main character,

Frankie: My first singing experience came when I was in elementary school. I sang White Christmas acapella in fourth or fifth grade.

I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but I did like to sing. I’ve been singing ever since I can

CM: When did you start singing?

remember, whether around the house or on a street corner. At a very young age I was drawn to jazz. That was really what I wanted to do.

CM: You grew up in a tough neighborhood, how did you keep yourself out of trouble?

Frankie: My mother was all over me as a kid.

I got myself into trouble a few times and got a good lesson for it. But I decided I wanted to make something of my life. I remember one time I had a problem with a teacher and my father had to come to school with me, the principal wanted to see him. The first thing my father did was smack me in the mouth and he said that was because he had to take off from work. It was all about respect. I learned that if you really want to work, it can happen for you.

CM: How did Jersey Boys come about?

Frankie: I was motivated after I had had some offers, Bob Gaudio and I, who have been partners for about 55 years, were approached

by NBC and CBS. They were interested in doing a movie of the week. I interviewed with a guy to do a full length film and I looked at all the aspects of it and wasn’t really thrilled.

Bob and I said, well maybe this is a play. So I made a call to a guy on Broadway and that is where it started. He had it for three or four years and nothing was happening, we couldn’t get anything going. It went to La Jolla Playhouse as a workshop and it developed into something bigger than I had ever imagined. It went in for six weeks and ended up staying for three months, sold out every night, standing ovation after standing ovation. We tried for New York and couldn’t find a theater for a year.

I thought it was done. But then it went to 52nd street and just exploded.

continued on next page

www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

MAY 2018

27

to start off with. But I needed to pay the rent.

Once we became successful doing pop music, I realized you didn’t need a musical education to understand it. You either liked it or you didn’t like it, the story that the song told. I started seeing the reaction of the audiences and it made it fulfilling. But in the back of my head I wanted to pursue a solo career, but I thought I could still have a solo career and sing with the group, and I was able to accomplish that. I don’t know of too many others who did that. When they went solo, they left the group.

But I didn’t see any reason to leave the group.

The public would want to hear those songs. So I did both.

CM: You’ve seen the music business change so much over the years.

Frankie: There were many songs over the years that I thought should have been singles, but we couldn’t get the record companies to release them. We had a tough time getting Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You played. We had a tough time getting Sherry played. You have to have people who believe in you. Radio has been phenomenal to us. I really miss all the great personalities and disc jockeys who have been very loyal. I remember in New York City you had about eight or nine radio stations that were playing pop music. We don’t have that anymore. Radio has turned into talk, sports, and politics. We’re lucky enough to have CBS FM that does a phenomenal job. It’s the number one or number two in every market in the world. So there must be something to this music that can keep an oldies station alive for that long.

Frankie: Originally I was involved before he made the film. I was convinced to give up my rights and having any say. It went in a totally different direction. I think Clint (Eastwood) is a spectacular director, but we did not go where I thought we should. I didn’t think it was cast right and that was that.

Frankie: I would not want to be starting out in the business today. It’s next to impossible.

If you see the percentage of winners of all these reality shows…there are some…but how many of them actually go on to success?

It’s different. Television is different. There’s more crime on television than anything else.

What happened to all the comedy shows? I would love to see more family-oriented shows.

Nobody even talks to each other anymore.

CM: What does it feel like to have your life turned into a Broadway play?

CM: Was it exciting to do the title song for the movie Grease?

Frankie: It’s really spectacular to see that happen. You have to keep in mind that in a two hour show you can never get the lives of four people in completion. So it’s a portion of our lives. There was so much more beyond what we could show, so there was a lot of elimination that was hard to swallow. But the writers really did an incredible job. Most of the writing came from the stories Bob and I told them.

Frankie: That was a lot of fun. When I heard the song I immediately agreed to do it.

CM: Were you involved in the movie version of Jersey Boys?

The nicest thing about it is it opened the door for other people to come out and do the same kind of thing. Broadway was never known to do the life of anybody I’ve ever seen. Maybe Al Jolson, but beyond that, especially in a pop or contemporary place. I feel as though we were innovators. I thought we had a unique story of four guys who grew up lower middle class, some of the guys having problems early on in their lives with the law, I just thought there was a very unique story there.

CM: What part of your career did you most enjoy?

Frankie: I’ve enjoyed every part of my career.

There isn’t a part I haven’t enjoyed. If that weren’t true I wouldn’t be doing it anymore.

What’s not to enjoy when you go out in front of an audience and make so many people happy? How could anybody not enjoy that?

28

The most unenjoyable part is the traveling.

That’s where it really gets sticky. Back in the day, in the 50s and 60s, it wasn’t one nighters.

You did at least a week.

Sometimes two weeks.

Today it’s a one-nighter business unless you’re in Las Vegas. You go in and do a night, maybe two nights, and you move on to the next place. Setting up and breaking down and traveling.

CM: American Bandstand was a turning point in your career…

Frankie: American Bandstand was a major help in helping to get a hit record. If you had something that was really good, it was a platform so that if you went on and the audience liked it, it was a national show, the next day you could see your sales go up 150,000 or 300,000 records. In today’s world, without radio promoting, a smash hit is 200,000 sales. In the 60s you needed to sell a million records.

CM: Was Sherry your break-out hit?

Frankie: It was the song that established us, as to who we were, and we had a sound that it seemed as though the public liked a lot. I had been recording since I was about fifteen or sixteen years old. No matter how good or bad you sing, it takes a great song to have a hit.

It was really nice, we had a built-in situation.

We always had material that guys would write specifically for us.

CM: You enjoyed a solo career along with your career with The Four Seasons. How did you manage both?

Frankie: I really didn’t want to do pop music

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

CM: Do you have a favorite song through the years? Or a song you wish you’d done?

CM: Is there a philosophy in life that you follow?

Frankie: It’s not anything that’s new. It’s something that’s been said forever. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Always try to turn a negative into a positive.

Instead of looking at somebody and being envious of what they have, look at them and say if they can do it, so can I. Let it be an incentive.

CM: What’s next for Frankie Valli?

Frankie: We’ll have a Christmas album this year and we’ll be going into the studio soon. It will come out October or November.

I’m on tour. I’ll be playing at the new Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City. I have a great family. I have three boys and a daughter.

I have an incredible counterpart in my personal relationship, which I think is awfully important in everybody’s life. I have a woman in my life, Jackie, who is just fantastic. I do have a granddaughter in the business, Olivia, who is currently in the road show of Wicked.

She’s incredible, she’s going to be a star.

MEET YOUR INDUCTEE & NEIGHBOR:

Cake Boss Buddy Valastro TENTH ANNIVERSARY

A WALK DOWN BROAD STREET in Red Bank takes you past several stores serving yummy treats, but none have the long history or national notoriety of Carlo’s Bake Shop.

Carlo’s is a family owned bakery featured on the TLC hit show Cake Boss starring Buddy Valastro. Originally opened by Carlo Guastaffero in 1910, Carlo’s was acquired by Bartolo Valastro Sr. in 1964. After his death in 1994, master baker Bartolo Jr., known as “Buddy”, expanded the business with the help of his mother, Mary, and four sisters.

Today their baking empire includes more than 20 bakery locations within the U.S. and one in Brazil. Buddy has also opened an event planning and catering company, three Italian restaurants, and turned his art of cake decorating into a celebrity chef role on various television shows. A New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Inductee in the category of Enterprise, here’s our interview with the Cake Boss.

CM: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame?

Buddy: It’s an incredible honor to be inducted alongside some really amazing individuals. If anyone ever told me that this could be happening one day, I can assure you I would have told them they were crazy. But here we are. I’m so humbled, I’m so honored.

CM: You’re a fourth-generation baker. You followed in your father’s footsteps running

30

BY CATHY PADILLA the bakery, how did baking become a family business?

it’s my passion, so yeah, I’m definitely in the kitchen as often as I can be.

Buddy: It just kind of happened. My parents lived upstairs from the bakery, it wasn’t just work – it was their lives and who they were.

Of course, that trickled down to all of us kids. I knew at a young age I was going to be a baker and I think that I was so lucky to have that realization so young because I was able to gear my actions toward accomplishing that and mastering the skill.

CM: What is your favorite thing to bake?

CM: Do you think your children will follow in your footsteps?

Buddy: I don’t know if they will. You know, they all definitely have an interest, and are pretty good when they’re working in the shop, but I don’t really have any desire to even inadvertently place any pressure on them to try and be the Cake Boss, you know? I always want them to feel supported and encouraged to follow their dreams and do what makes them happy. (Buddy and his wife, Lisa, have four children: Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco, and Carlo.)

CM: Now that the business has expanded to so many locations, do you still bake items yourself?

Buddy: Six days a week! I work at the Cake Factory six days a week; I still go in at 6:00 a.m. and bake alongside the team – that’s the truth. I enjoy baking and cake decorating,

Buddy: Lobster tail. The sfogliatelle pastry is super delicate and takes a lot of focus. I love it.

CM: Are you involved in the Red Bank Carlo’s Bakery?

Buddy: I’m involved in all of my bakeries.

I’m here, I work, I have a hand in what’s happening with the brand and what happens in our kitchens – I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re a completely family-owned and run operation, it’s not a franchise. My family and I all travel around to each location as often as possible to just check in on things and catch up with our regulars.

CM: What tip do you have for aspiring bakers?

Buddy: Never stop working at your craft. The more you do something over and over, the better you’re going to be at it – I can’t stress that enough. You want to do it so much that you’re able to do it blindfolded, CM: What comes next for the Cake Boss?

Buddy: This is a really exciting time for Carlo’s Bakery and I’m rolling out some new recipes soon. I can’t wait for everybody to try them. More bakeries, more restaurants. I want people all over the world to get a little piece of Hoboken in their hometowns.

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MEET YOUR INDUCTEE: DEBBIE HARRY

Not Just A Blondie

BY CATHY PADILLA

CM: How do you feel about being inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame?

Debbie:

Her influence in music, art, and fashion has made the front woman for the band Blondie a rock-and-roll superstar. Debbie and co-founder Chris Stein fused the sounds of punk, rock, and disco, and were among the first to combine hip-hop and pop. Her success on the charts, both with Blondie and as a solo artist, has made this trailblazer a force in pop culture for decades. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, she and the band have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, and she has acted in more than 30 films and television shows including the original 1988 John Waters’ Hairspray.

Debbie is often referred to as a Lower East Side punk goddess and ambassador of New York cool, but in fact her roots are that of a Jersey girl.

Born as Deborah Ann in Miami, Florida, she was adopted by Richard and Catherine Harry of Hawthorne, NJ in 1945 when she was three months old. No stranger to Monmouth County, Debbie’s sister and brother-in-law were the long-time owners of the Lincroft Inn until 2016 and Debbie owns a home along the Navesink River. Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame on May 6, 2018 as part of the Class of 2017, Debbie will return to Asbury Park early this fall when she will appear with Blondie at the Sea. Hear. Now Festival in September.

When Debbie and Stein started Blondie in the 1970s they were categorized as a new wave band. It was a genre of music influenced by punk, reggae, funk, and electronica and a bit on the edge of popularity.

But by their third album, Parallel Lines, Blondie met with mainstream success and the critics began to notice. Heart of Glass reached number one and was soon followed by hits Call Me, The Tide is High, and Rapture.

Rapture was ground-breaking in that it included the first female rapping section and it was the first song to feature rapping that topped the charts.

But what skyrocketed Debbie to fame was her sense of style and unique approach that made her music her own. Debbie was not only the lead vocalist but wrote many of their songs with Stein. At a time when few female recording artists were the focus of a band, Debbie became a pop music icon.

Debbie was fun to talk with, laughed often, and has a genuine attitude of thankfulness. Here is our exclusive interview with Debbie Harry.

32

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Pleased and a little surprised. I was asked a few years ago to present, and I was also pleasently surprised by that. So, I feel very fortunate that I’ve been selected for an award. I think the other people being honored are fantastic.

I’m such a fan of most of them, or all of them, and it’s just kind of amazing. It’s so significant that so many people come from New Jersey, I find that really fascinating. I’m really looking forward to the event. One of my great heroes, Meryl Streep, is getting an award. My friend John Roberts is presenting the award to me so it’s going to be a really nice night.

CM: You came to New Jersey as an infant and lived your entire childhood in Jersey. Anything about those years that stand out?

Debbie: Well, I was a kid. Grammar school and then a high school kid. I hung out with my friends.

Learned to drive. Dances were fun. There used to be weekly dances in the fire house, and those were a lot of fun. Just the normal stuff until I grew up.

CM: When did you move? Was it for a specific job?

Debbie: I stayed in New Jersey primarily until 1965

or 66, then I moved over to New York for work. I had so many jobs then. I wasn’t really sure what I would be good at, but I was always interested in the arts. If it hadn’t been as a performer it would have been in fine arts. I was just one of those kind of people that had to feel her way around. Sort of fall into the right slot. I wasn’t really focused… some people are quite focused when they’re young and I admire that very much. Unfortunately, or fortunately, my focus came a little bit later.

CM: Well things certainly worked out…

Debbie: It did work out! (Laughs).

CM: How did you find your way to music?

Debbie: It was easy. One of my best friends from

high school married a folky guitar player and sitting around in their apartment I started singing while he played. We started singing harmonies and it just evolved from there. It was very casual.

CM: When did your big break come in the industry?

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

Debbie: I don’t know if there was one big break. It’s like anything else, it’s a series of steps, really. I think it’s very, very rare for an artist to have one big break.

Although it does happen, but it didn’t happen that way for me. I started doing little things, then I got a record deal, then, ya know, I tried something else, it was one of those things. A building process.

CM: Is there a moment that stands out in your career as especially significant?

Debbie: I think one of the most significant things was me partnering up with Chris Stein. He and I really had a great…I don’t know what you would call it…maybe an instant understanding. We were really balance for each other. In every way. The things that I was good at, he wasn’t, and vice versa. We sort of had a great feeling for one another.

CM: So, you were great collaborators…

Debbie: Yeah, yeah. And we were both

flexible. I liked his ideas and sometimes we would switch off and he would like my ideas. It went like that. It was symbiotic.

It just sort of always worked for us, it was an easy relationship. I adored him, and he adored me, and that was that. It was incredible, really. I feel very lucky that it happened to me. If it happens to you once in your lifetime you’re extremely lucky.

Later in life I had the insight to tell myself to wait for things to evolve, wait for things to change. Don’t get so immersed in a situation that you can’t visualize a change or a different direction.

And I think that that’s really valuable advice.

CM: You’ve done a little bit of everything in your career, from stage to film to TV. Has there been a part you’ve most enjoyed?

Debbie: The most enjoyable part for me is working with people. I’ve had the privilege of working with great directors.

I’ve had a small film career, but a really juicy one, I think. I’ve made some independent, sort of brave choices… and I hope I get to do some more. Ha! (Laughs).

CM: Everyone loved you in Hairspray…

Debbie: Oh, God, that was so much fun.

I’ve stayed friends with John (Waters).

We just had dinner a few weeks ago. It’s always great to see him and I do run into him socially fairly often.

CM: It’s such a cult classic, anything special you remember?

Debbie: Oh, God, Jerry Stiller! (Laughs) We had a fake tussle, like a little fight,

and I had a little clutch bag and bopped him on the head with it not realizing that the clasp made contact with him. It was one of those little round buttons that snapped closed. I bopped him in the head with it and he looked at me like, ha, you, moron! (Laughs) And rightly so.

I apologized profusely. But it’s inspiring, ya know, for anyone to work with people that they admire. It’s like a real kick. I got to work with Sonny Bono, John Waters, Jerry Stiller, Devine, and Ricki Lake…it was a great cast.

CM: What’s your favorite song you’ve sung?

Debbie: I was asked that same question just last night, and it’s an impossible choice. It’s about mood and how you’re feeling at a particular time. Sometimes you’ll have such a great time singing a song and then the next time you do it, it just doesn’t compare.

Music is so calculated for mood.

The musician feels the same way as someone in the audience. Some nights a song will really turn you on, and then the next night it’s a different song.

CM:

Is there a philosophy that has

guided you?

Debbie: Later in life I had the insight to tell myself to wait for things to evolve, wait for things to change. Don’t get so immersed in a situation that you can’t visualize a change or a different direction. And I think that that’s really valuable advice.

CM: What comes next for Debbie Harry?

Debbie: Ha!! Well, we did the Pollinator

album. Part of my dedication in doing that album was in doing an environmental thing to trying to save the pollinator, the bees and hummingbirds. It’s also about our musical heritage and pollinating the younger artists as well as ourselves. I’ve been working with a group called River Keeper and they’ve been working for years on cleaning up the Hudson. Most recently they were fighting to get Indian Point to shut down because it’s such an old reactor and it’s so dangerous for the city of New York and the Jersey Coastline, and the city of Newark, actually. I take this all very seriously now.

CommunityMagazineNJ.com MAY 2018

33

Counseling Corner

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

Finding Connection Through Mindfulness Practices

by Jessica Lupon, LPC l to r: Barbara Tatum, LPC, Meredith O’Brien, LCSW (founder), Jessica Lupon, LPC

Have you ever found yourself living day to day feeling

skills and have found the benefits to include reducing

out of touch with the world around you? Surviving each

ruminating thoughts, stress reduction, improvement

day, but not really feeling a part of it or maybe you simply

in working memory, increased focus, less emotional

recognize that time is just quickly passing you by.

reactivity, increased cognitive flexibility, and improved

Clients I have worked with have expressed concern

relationship satisfaction.*

about feeling this disconnection. This disconnection is

In the private practice environment, I provide

often a sign that a person has lost touch with their mind

information to my clients on different mindfulness

body connection and they are not mindfully present to

techniques including types of meditation practices and

experience their life and relationships. I have learned

skills to help them integrate more awareness into daily

through my work with Dialectical Behavior Therapy that

life. I use meditation in session to help clients to relax,

Mindfulness is an important practice that can help us to

center themselves, and refocus their thoughts. I also

reconnect our mind and body connection and become

teach dialectical behavior therapy, which incorporates

more centered.

mindfulness techniques along with four additional skill

Mindfulness is a psychological state of awareness that

sets, individually and in groups.

can be practiced using techniques such as meditation.

If you or someone you care for feels like they would

When using mindfulness techniques, a person practices

benefit from establishing a better mind body connection

being more present in their thoughts, feelings, and

and learning how to be more mindfully attentive in their

environment while being non-judgmental. As a person

life please call our practice. We also have four Dialectical

learns how to observe their thoughts and feelings,

Behavior Therapy groups currently running in the

without judging them, they are better able to understand

practice.

what they are thinking and how it is impacting how they are feeling and acting. Researchers have been

*Davis, D. M. & Hayes, J.A. (2012). What are the Benefits of Mindfulness.

studying the effectiveness of utilizing mindfulness

APA Journal of Psychotherapy, 43(7),64.

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

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

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

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Most are familiar with your music and acting, but may not know about your educational initiatives, Rock and Roll Forever Foundation and TeachRock. How did these come about?

Steven: A teachers’ group came to me and explained that the No Child Left Behind legislation had an unintended consequence, which was the cancelling of all the arts classes in schools to make room for the obsession with science and math scores. Ironically, statistics show that students who go to music class do better in science and math. So, I went to Congress and I talked to Teddy Kennedy and Mitch McConnell. They both apologized, and I said, “That’s okay, just fix it.” They couldn’t so I said to the teachers, let’s do the history of music instead. I outlined 200 lessons and we have over 100 lessons online at teachrock.org, which teachers can use for free, worldwide.

We also partnered with a lot of people. For instance, we did six lessons from a recent Beatles documentary, 8 Days a Week by Ron Howard. (On stops of his present tour, teachers can learn about TeachRock and enjoy a performance after, for free.) We hope to have at least a hundred teachers at every show and they’ll become the missionaries, which is how it really gets done. They’re on the front lines.

Teachers interested can contact Christine, RockandRollForever.org.

CM:

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

CM: You told the Rutgers class, “Embrace your

M e e t Yo u r I n d u c te e:

Steven Van Zandt Story: LiliAnn Paras

Steven Van Zandt, a long-time resident of Monmouth County, advised the Rutgers 2017 graduating class, “Life should never be boring.” Few are as qualified as Steven to make that statement! He plays in The E Street Band and heads his solo band, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul; composes, produces, and mixes music for himself and others; just released Soulfire; starred as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos; wrote, produced and starred in the first original Netflix series, Lilyhammer; hosts radio shows heard in hundreds of markets around the world; hosts the Underground Garage series at Count Basie, is an activist and philanthropist; and is a longtime member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This month, Steven will be inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame and shared with CM some insights into his long and varied careers. Steven was so upbeat, friendly and funny-- fitting perfectly with the “good guy” accolades all who have met him describe. But he also revealed an intelligence and passion for taking on important causes.

Following are highlights from the interview.

Jersey roots.” You have. What was it like for you, growing up in Monmouth County?

Steven: Well, Red Bank was the big city. I was in New Monmouth. Count Basie was my movie theater. It was called the Carlton Theater and that’s where I saw Hard Days Night, and Help, and Bye Bye Birdie and Nutty Professor and all the important movies. And Jack’s Music Store is where I bought my first guitar. We had the cultural problems of the late 60s and we were very early freaks with long hair. Back then the local police were very much against rock and roll and long hair and we had a lot of problems locally at the time. Now, I am one of the biggest supporters of law enforcement. Little Steven’s Policeman’s Ball every year is one of the biggest police fundraisers in the country. But then, we were pretty much defining what the generation gap would be. Not only in our cities but in our home. My father was an ex- marine Goldwater Republican and so he had the very bad luck of ending up with one of the very few freaks in the entire region living in his house.

We had a lot of problems growing up, but we straightened them out and we became close.

But there was a lot of turmoil growing up in those days.

CommunityMagazineNJ.com MAY 2018

37

CM: How did you get your music education?

Steven: We just learned from records in those

days, I mean the music schools and the music teachers were really not rock-oriented so we learned from records and watching guys on TV. I had a lesson or two- they may have showed me how to tune a guitar, maybe some basic chords, but I don’t remember taking lessons very long.

CM: You also told the Rutgers class, “When your ship comes in you will probably be at the airport...but keep yourself open for unexpected opportunities.” What was your unexpected opportunity?

Steven: Oh I had several. I was working very hard to do something on the left and then all of a sudden on the right, The Sopranos came out of nowhere. (David Chase) had seen my induction of The Rascals (at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and just called me out of the blue. Lilyhammer came out of nowhere. A husband and wife wrote the show for me and came and found me in a Norwegian recording studio. Those are two of the most important things in my life and I had nothing to do with them.

I’ve been keeping most of my energy to keeping rock and roll alive.

CM: I’d say so, especially ending up in Norway.

Steven: Yeah, it’s crazy right? I go back every

year for a blues festival in the middle of nowhere in Norway. I’m very involved in the blues world.

There is a three week blues school before the festival where they invite kids to come in and I’ve done master classes for them. They named the school Little Steven’s Blues School.

CM: What “ship” did you miss?

Steven: Leaving the E Street Band when I did, I

missed the reward of all the work we had done the previous seven years. I decided to dedicate my life to politics. (Van Zandt embarked on a decade of activism to help end apartheid.) I think in many ways, I missed the fun of what that tour would have been, but, maybe the South Africa thing would not have happened as quickly. Probably one of the most eventful moments of my life, so I think in the end you have to be philosophical about it. With every regret comes the other side.

CM: Are you currently involved in political

activism?

Steven: I’ve been taking the approach on tour that we are so inundated now with politics.

When I first started, I felt I had to bring the politics with me and I really felt it necessary to shine the light on various issues that were being quite secretive. And, let’s face it, people weren’t very political in the 70s and 80s. But now its just 24/7 and the most useful thing I can do right now is give people two and a half hours of

38

sanctuary away from the politics and let them just enjoy the music and get some energy back so they can deal with this crazy world. Behind the scenes, I’ve been keeping most of my energy to keeping rock and roll alive. I am certainly in big big support of these Parkland kids and the whole Never Again movement and having a more common sense approach to guns. I think most people are feeling that same way and so I haven’t been very active right now. I don’t really want to be divisive. I need my education program to go into every single school north and south, and I’m very much an independent. When it comes to my education program and my touring I want everybody to be able to enjoy that and not have any preconditioned prejudice because of my political stances.

CM: Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul is currently on tour. How do you keep it fresh night after

night? (He laughed throughout his answer.)

Steven: I have the very very unique situation, again with all these things there are good and bad. I

am probably the only performer-in history-who is touring without ever having had a hit. So, with absolutely no hits, you actually have a lot of freedom. I don’t really have to play my same three hits every night and then get tired of them. I can pick whatever songs I want because nobody knows any of my songs! No, but honestly, it’s a very very unique thing and funny in some ways, but I look out at the audience sometimes and I KNOW for a fact a big portion of the audience are there out of curiosity. They may have heard a song or two, so we have to win them over song by song. And that’s what we do. So it’s very rewarding that way, knowing that it’s all happening very spontaneously in that moment, and the sheer musicality of the band carries the day every single night, every single show.

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

CM: Are there any unique moments that stand

out in any of your careers?

Steven: The craziest was how popular The Sopranos got. It was funny because for most journeyman actors, they don’t really experience that sort of celebrity hysteria, so it was really a lot of fun. For the screening of the final episode of The Sopranos we were invited to the Hard Rock in Florida. The entire cast had to walk outside to the screening and lining the sidewalk were tens of thousands of people. And I said to the other actors, "Well if you’re ever wondering what it’s like to be a rock star, this is it!" We were unusually popular. We would do appearances and break records. That was a lot of fun to see the other actors experience that sort of acclaim.

CM: Did The Sopranos receive pushback from

Italian viewers or groups?

Steven: No, not really The only thing that

happened was we were banned from the Columbus Day parade. They thought we were besmirching the reputation of the Italians.

That was the only time we had any negative, everyone loved it.

CM: Was the camaraderie of the bands similar to the camaraderie of the TV casts?

Steven: It is similar but it takes a bit more work in the acting world I have to say. I was a little bit surprised because we are very family oriented in music. I mean, there’s competition maybe between bands or between acts, but not so much. Where, in acting, it’s a different culture, I guess because it is more competitive for jobs. It’s a bit of a different vibe. And I was not used to that and in The Sopranos I went out of my way to make it more like the music world.

We became a real family and I think HBO was encouraging that also. And so we kind of broke that tradition of “friendliness between actors, but not too friendly.” We were genuinely friends and rooted for each other, more like the music world. But I was surprised at first because you see people on the set positioning themselves to be more on camera, making sure they are seen, making sure they got the same number of lines as the next guy. There certainly is more work now- you have Netflix doing 44 shows next year that didn’t exist ten years ago and that takes the pressure off between actors.

CM: Did you stay friends with the cast?

Steven: Oh yeah. we stayed pretty friendly to

this day. All our families. it was permanent, it was a forever kind of thing.

CM: Speaking of fame, do fans think of you

more as a musician, or as an actor, and does it bother you?

Steven: Some people just know me as a radio deejay, some know me just from my academic work, some know me from The Sopranos, some just know me from Lilyhammer. Then there are people who just know me from the E Street Band and that’s all fine, as long as they’re friendly on the street. As long as they’re enjoying something, then that’s wonderful.

They are all very friendly. When I am on tour, I will sometimes not only visit my affiliates, but I also deejay at local Hard Rocks and interact with the fans and sign a few things. It’s nice to stay in touch with people on that level.

CM: Is there any one you wish you could meet?

Steven: To meet? Hmm I don’t know. I met a lot

of people (laughs). I’ve been very lucky to meet quite a few people I always wanted to meet and offhand I can’t really think of anybody.

CM: Did you do consider acting in theater?

Steven: My wife Maureen and I produced

a Broadway show a few years ago with The Rascals, called Once Upon a Dream. It was probably the best work I’ve ever done, it was incredible. It was this hybrid show of a reunion of a rock band. We put the bigger screen on Broadway and had them filmed and talking to the audience and then they would play live on stage. And my wife has her Renegade Theatre group with Vinnie Pastore from The Sopranos.

They’re always doing off broadway things. I may be directing one of their productions in the next couple of months, a classic comedy called Lovers And Other Strangers, but it’s mostly Maureen’s and Vinnie’s -they run the theater stuff. I have not acted on stage and I prefer being behind the scenes, directing and producing.

CM: Did you have input into the music for The

Sopranos?

Steven: Just occasionally (David Chase) would

come to me for something new, so I would occasionally suggest a new band or two - some of which actually got into the show. Basically, he knew what he wanted. He is very very musical.

But in Lilyhammer I did music supervision and the score and that was a lot of fun.

CM: Is the music from Lilyhammer on CD? Steven: No, we are just talking to Universal

right now to get that released over the next year, because it was a lot - three CDs full.

There’s a whole jazz CD, a folky CD and then there’s a whole CD of extras, like rock and salsa - all kinds of things. That’s not even counting the actual songs, but just the score itself.

CM: What is your involvement with radio?

Steven: My two hour weekly syndicated radio

show is in 100 affiliates in over 100 countries.

That’s where it all started, that’s still on everywhere. And then I have two 24/7 channels on Sirius Satellite - one is Underground Garage and one is Outlaw Country - channels 21 and 60.

CM: Who do you listen to currently?

Steven: I‘m always trying to find out what the

best new things are. We have to come up with a new song every week for the radio show, The Coolest Song in the World This Week.

We always find something new to play and introduced over 700 new bands since the radio show started.For pleasure, it’s probably from the 60s most likely. It might be some early rock things or it might be Miles Davis, it could be early reggae, or Tito Puente, early salsa, depends on my mood but most likely would be 60s type of music.

CM: If you could be any age for a week, what

would you choose?

Steven: I probably would go back to the 80s. I

looked at pictures of myself back then and I’m quite surprised, I’m like “wow” if I knew I was that good looking I would have had a much better time!

CM: Any dream project on the horizon?

Steven: I really want to get back on TV. I’ve

got a few different ideas, so I hope one of them happens this year. I want to see what Bruce is doing, and then if I get a TV show going, it’s easier to organize the touring around the TV show. So I am hoping to get that happening sooner than later and we’ll see what happens in the fall.

CM: Do you ever rest?

Steven: (Laughing) “You don’t know the half

of it.”

CommunityMagazineNJ.com MAY 2018

39

MEET YOUR INDUCTEE TENTH ANNIVERSARY

Gloria Gaynor

She Not Only Survived, She Thrived

BY CATHY PADILLA GLORIA GAYNOR, born Gloria Fowles in Newark, NJ, took a B-side song and turned it into a world-wide anthem for the power of women. I Will Survive was never meant to be a hit song, nor an inductee into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry; it was an afterthought in 1978 from Polydor Records that the label considered a throw-away. But the moment Gloria read the lyrics, she felt the power of the words and knew in her heart God had given her a gift. She made the song her own and has used the words to inspire generations.

Gloria has achieved global stardom and musical recognition with hit songs on the charts all four decades of her career. She has channeled her fame into support for several charities and devotes her time and energy to children and other worthy causes. A recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, as well as an inductee into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, Gloria is an author, a television personality, and now a member of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Inductee Class of 2017.

Warm, welcoming, and open about her life and journey, here is our exclusive interview with the incomparable Gloria Gaynor.

CM: When did singing enter your life?

Gloria: I always wanted to sing. As a child it was difficult for me because I had five brothers, four of them older, and they didn’t allow me to sing with them because I was a girl. Nobody paid attention to me singing, and I just wanted someone to hear me sing.

CM: How did you become a professional singer?

Gloria: I was working at Bambergers Department Store and I became friends with this girl. Eventually I became Godmother to her first child. One day she called me to tell me she was having trouble with her babysitter and asked me if I would babysit because she knew I was on my first day of vacation from my job and would be available for two weeks. So, I went over to babysit for her and I noticed that each afternoon I would hear footsteps in the apartment above me. And I thought, Hmmm. If I can hear them walking, I bet if I sing loud enough they could hear me. So, I listened for the footsteps and when they would stop, I would sing. So I did that every day for the two weeks I was there. A couple of weeks later my brother and I go to a movie and on the way back we passed a night club and went in. We were sitting there waiting to be served, and the band was singing a song that I knew so I was singing it to myself.

A little while later someone gets on the stage and says, “Ladies and

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

gentlemen there’s a young lady in the audience who really has a wonderful voice. Maybe if we give her a little encouragement, we could get her up to sing a song or two.” I realized he was looking at me and that this was an opportunity I’d been waiting for for years. And so I wasn’t about to give it up. I was very, very scared…my first time singing in public since high school… and they asked me what I wanted to sing, and I said the song I had been singing in my seat which happened to be Save Your Love for Me

by Nancy Wilson. They played the song, I sang the song, got a standing ovation, went back to my seat, my brother and I both excited, and the band comes over and asks me if I would come and sing with them every night. But I wanted to know how they even knew I could sing. Turns out the club owner was the footsteps I was singing to above me. The footsteps belonged to the club owner and he had heard my friend calling to me once as I left the building and that was how he had gotten my name.

CM: Did you take the job?

Gloria: They wanted me to start the next night. Thank goodness I was a child who always listened to my mother. She told me you always have to be ready for war in peace time and just always be ready. So I had asked her to make me some clothes, because singing had always been what I wanted to do, so she had made me some dresses for the stage. I had an autograph album from high school and every time I learned a new song, I would write it in the book. So I took it to the band and told them to pick out the songs that they knew, because I knew them all.

I started singing with them the following night and never looked back.

CM: I’ve read you said I Will Survive is your God-given purpose?

Gloria: I’d had surgery on my spine, I had fallen on the stage, and ended up paralyzed from the waist down. I ended up in the hospital and while I was there the record company said they were not going to renew my contract.

So there I was with no job, no way to pay my rent, no idea where I was going when I left the hospital, and I was worried about what was going to happen to me. So I began to pray and ask God what? What? What? What?

What’s going to happen to me? I left there and stayed with my boyfriend for a while. I was consistently praying. Finally the record company called and said they decided not to end my contract, that they had gotten a new president over from England and he wanted me to specifically record a song he had had success with in England. When I went to LA to the recording studio I asked what was going to be the B side of his song. If you remember we had B sides then…

CM: Yes, on 45s…

Gloria: Right! So they wrote down the lyrics and when I read them I said to them, what are

you nuts? This is a hit song. You’re going to put this on the B side? And they said maybe it would get a chance. So I told them if I had anything to do with it it was going to get a chance right now. So we recorded it. The main thing that always makes me believe it was a divine appointment is that they then asked me what type of songs I liked to record. And I told them I liked songs that were meaningful. They decided I was the one they had been waiting for, because they had had the song for two years. So after we recorded it they took it back to the record company and they wouldn’t listen to it. So we took it to Studio 54 and gave it to the deejay there. He played it and the audience immediately loved it, which told me that it was a hit song because a jaded New York audience doesn’t immediately love anything. We gave him a stack of them to give to his deejay friends in New York, they began to play it and people were requesting it in the clubs, and then they were requesting it on the radio. So the radio stations called the record company and wanted to know where the song was. And they had to say, with much chagrin, it’s on the B side of the song that we sent you. So they flipped it, and the rest is history.

CM: What was the song on the A side?

Gloria: It was actually a song called Substitute…

CM: Oh how ironic…

Gloria: Right? (Laughs).

CM: What does I Will Survive mean to you?

Gloria: It’s been an inspiration to people around the world. I was going to be performing in Italy and I wanted to change the words in the song from "it took all the strength I had not to fall apart" to "only the Lord could give me strength not to fall apart," so we did. When I got to Italy I sang the song with the new lyrics for the first time. That night a young Asian woman came up to me after the show and said that she had missed her flight that morning and came to my show instead. I told her I was sorry she missed her flight, and she said, “oh no, don’t be, I think God meant for me to be here.

I’ve been having a lot of difficulty here, but I don’t have any privacy here in Italy where I’m living, so I was going home so I could commit suicide. But now that I’ve heard your song I know where my strength can come from and I don’t have to die.” So these are the types of encounters that makes me realize this song is a divine appointment, the core of my purpose.

I even wrote a book called We Will Survive that has 40 stories of people whom this song has empowered and encouraged to make it through difficult times. Yes, this is definitely the core of my purpose.

CM: What’s next for Gloria Gaynor?

Gloria: I have three things. I’m touring with the new album Testimony, a fatherhood project I’m working on, and helping charity. I think that’s enough to keep an old lady busy.

Some of Gloria’s Favorite Things FAVORITE SONG Other than I Will Survive is Please Let Me Show You. I recorded it on an album I did myself. (Available on ITunes.)

FAVORITE SINGER Ooh. It’s a toss-up between Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan.

Modern time would be Whitney Houston. So, so sad.

FAVORITE CITY IN THE WORLD My favorite city has always been Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The people there are other worldly.

Just good, kind-hearted, caring people.

FAVORITE QUOTE Hmmm. I have a favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.” It’s part of my items on my website Iwillsurvive.com. It’s a charitybased website and a percentage of every purchase goes to the charity of the buyer’s choice. I just feel you should really give back.

FAVORITE MOVIE (Laughs) Well, let me think. For years my favorite movie was The Long Kiss Goodnight, because Gina Davis is such a tough cookie in that and she’s like my alter ego.

She’s the tough girl I wish I was.

But, Heaven is for Real really is my favorite movie now.

FAVORITE BOOK Other than the Bible, it’s This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. I so want Steven Spielberg to produce that movie.

It’s a page turner.

Charlie Leone of Fair Haven

Tommy McHeffey of Little Silver

Chip Ver Hoven of Little Silver

Butterscotch of Oasis TLC a nonprofit organization farmstead for adults with autism

Chessie of Fair Haven

Mr. Carlisle of Little Silver

Jameson Torres of Little Silver

Piper Burrus of Locust

#CMPetCelebs

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Hobie Straub of Sea Bright

Cooper & Jack Jack of Little Silver

Chloe O'Hara of Fair Haven

Olivia Grossman of Little Silver

Your pet can be a celebrity too! Send their photos to: info@communitymagazinenj.com

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Pets General Store Is A Hidden Gem In The Heart of Little Silver

BY SUSAN MURPHY

Attention dog and cat owners! Have you visited Pet’s General Store in Little Silver? After walking by the wall of pet toys, bowls, leashes, grooming products and endless treats (of course!) – you’ll get to meet lifelong animal lovers and owners Kathleen and Craig Smith.

“We live in Little Silver and I felt for some time there was a need for a local shop to purchase pet needs.

Having three dogs, the trip to the ‘highway’ was often dreaded, and I hoped I wasn’t the only one that felt that way. When the space we are in was available right in the heart of town, the idea became a reality and here we are, thankfully, six years this May,” explained Kathleen.

Feeding pets today is much different than it was years ago. There are so many healthy options to choose from and carrying all of these would not be possible. But Pets General can keep a product in stock for a customer. This personalized service might include a specialty food or a harness in a particular color. “Someone might bring in an old toy that they don’t remember where they bought it from and they tell me ‘it’s the only toy my dog likes’ but they can’t find it anywhere. I’m happy to do some research and see if I can find it for them. It makes all the difference from the ‘big box’ stores and online,” said Kathleen.

She has also made it a point from the day the store opened to keep the prices competitive. “I didn’t want to be the small local over-priced store. And, it has

Left to right: Pets General Store employee Jillian Greco, with owners Craig and Kathleen Smith with their three adopted rescue dogs – Kayle, Riley, and Rory.

YOUR LOCAL PET FOOD & SUPPLY STORE Price, Service and Love for Your Pets Prevail Daily!

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been much appreciated by our customers,” she said.

Kathleen and Craig have great relationships with their customers and their pets. Kathleen shared, “When local customers walk their dog anywhere near the store they pull our way to stop in for a treat. I joke that they think it’s their shop!”

The store also carries food, treats and bedding for small animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs. They also have wild bird food. There is only space for these small animal necessities right now, though Kathleen noted that requests for them have grown. “We have a huge variety of treats and chews to meet the needs of all - dogs have to stay stimulated and changing it up for them is a great way to accomplish that,” explained Kathleen.

There are many great features about Pet’s General Store, especially the reasonably-priced items, the specialty orders they fill, the variety of supplies, the convenient hours, and the hometown atmosphere where the owners are friendly, and come to know you by name. The store, located at 32 Prospect Plaza in the Acme Shopping Center, is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Kathleen and Craig can be reached at 732.345.1200 or email them at petsgeneralstore@ yahoo.com.

CommunityMagazineNJ.com MAY 2018

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ATTENTION NONPROFITS! MONMOUTH COUNTY WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPIC GROUP

Announces Three Grants of $112,000 Each IMPACT 100 JERSEY COAST, a women’s philanthropic group that collectively funds high-impact grants to qualified non-profits in Monmouth County, has announced they will award three grants, each for $112,000 in 2018. Since its inception in 2015, the organization has awarded $391,000 in grants to projects from 180 Turning Lives Around, the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, and Covenant House New Jersey.

“This year, three worthy projects will have the opportunity to change our community for the better--and ultimately that’s what makes Impact 100 such a fantastic organization,” said Anna DiazWhite, Executive Director at 180 Turning Lives Around. “The Impact 100 Jersey Coast grant enabled us to get a brand-new project off the ground, and because of their seed funding, we were able to leverage additional support from the County of Monmouth, the Prosecutor’s Office and other non-profit service providers who are ‘lending’ their staff to the effort. The funds had a multiplier effect and we simply couldn’t have started this without their support.”

The 2018 total awards being granted represent the combined giving of 336 women. “In 2015 we started with 11 women and the thought of funding a six-figure grant was an aspirational goal... a dream,” said Deirdre Spiropoulos, Co-founder and President of Impact

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other counties in our state,” said Heather Burke, Co-founder and Vice President of Impact Jersey Coast.

Jersey Coast. “Our rapid growth underscores how local women are inspired to join and take action.

I’m incredibly proud to be part of this collective of passionate and committed women who care deeply about our community.”

In the Impact 100 model, every woman donates $1,000 which is then pooled, making a more significant impact collectively than her single donation could make on its own. One hundred percent of every dollar raised goes to programs.

“Impact is a concept that clearly resonates with the women in our community, and we have only begun to tap into this powerful model for collective change. We look forward to extending and deepening our reach across all of Monmouth County--both to new members and to the nonprofits addressing the most pressing needs of our residents. We are also proud to help support the efforts of other chapters already springing up in

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Applying for a grant is a twostep process - interested 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations in Monmouth County should visit impact100jerseycoast.org and view the “How to Apply” section to review the eligibility requirements and to access the online application.

The online eligibility application deadline is May 18 and the final application is due on or before June 1.

Nonprofit organizations in Monmouth County that seek funding can submit a proposal for a transformational project that will extend their reach or increase their impact. Grant applicants are required to focus on one of five grant categories – Arts and Culture; Children and Families; Education; Environment, Parks and Recreation; or Health and Wellness.

Focus Area Committees (FACs), comprised of members, evaluate grant applications. After a thorough analysis and financial review, semifinalists are selected, and site visits are scheduled. Finalists will be announced in October and asked to present at the Annual Membership Meeting in November.

Members each vote at the Meeting and the organizations with the most votes are declared the grant recipients.

Apply today at impact100jerseycoast.org!

Fitness O

V

E

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Ignitable Fitness provides experienced and fun studio functional aging personal training services for boomers and seniors in Monmouth County.

Studio location: Atlantic Highlands

Group classes are also available at various locations.

Certified Personal Trainer ACE Functional Aging Specialist Certified Ageless Grace Educator National “Fall Stop Move Strong” Fall Prevention Program Certification

Megan Callus | megan@ignitablefitness.com | www.ignitablefitness.com | 732.708.3232

40? TIME TO THINK “FUNCTIONAL FITNESS” With spring in the air and beach season around the corner, I’m excited to share the news that Ignitable Fitness is now welcoming those over 40! My focus has been on those 50 and older, but the benefits of starting a functional fitness program at a younger age are so significant that I have expanded my training to those who are 40 and older.

Although being 40-something may seem way too young for the start of any kind of physical decline, research supports this unfortunate phenomenon.

My experience is that most of us over forty have experienced new aches and pains, joint issues, fatigue or other indications that our bodies are no longer functioning at optimum levels. And, women lose muscle mass and bone density more quickly than men as we age. This can lead to other health issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and cancer.

Did you know that people who are physically inactive can lose as much as 3 to 5 percent of their muscle mass per decade after age 30? Muscle has a higher metabolic rate than fat, so the less muscle you have, the fewer calories you burn, not only during exercise but also at rest. This can be the beginning of the dreaded middle-aged spread.

It is critical to maintain muscle mass and function.

The best way to accomplish this is to work with a functional aging specialist and starting sooner rather than later yields meaningful results. After you begin incorporating functional moves into your routine, you’ll improve your endurance, balance, posture, strength, coordination and agility, and decrease the potential for injury.

“Functional fitness” may sound like a catchy new type of workout, but once you understand its purpose and its benefits and see the results you’ll never go back to traditional exercise routines. You will have the energy to play more and do all the things you want to do and love to do.

So if you are 40 or older, call me for a personal fitness evaluation and to check out the Ignitable Fitness programs. Our new website will be up and running at the end of May, making it easier to book sessions, attend classes and find exercise and nutrition information that directly applies to those 40 and older. I look forward to helping you renew your strength, balance, energy and well-being for the best years yet!

This information is not intended as medical advice. Check with your doctor prior to exercise.

C fo

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!

IN THE THEATERS Songbird

Two River Theater, Red Bank June 9 thru July 1st Tickets: tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400

An Evening with Joe Iconis and Family Two River Theater, Red Bank May 19th - VIP Cocktail Reception & Musical Program Tickets: tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400

Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical

Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Park June 1st through June 16th Tickets: axelrodartscenter.com or 732.531.9106

FC MONMOUTH LOCAL SEMIPRO SOCCER GAME

May 12th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Attend the 2018 NPSL season home opener and first ever home game of FC Monmouth kickoff at 6:00 p.m.! The Count Basie Field stadium opens up an hour in advance for quality soccer, a great atmosphere and entertainment for the family. Get your hands-on FC Monmouth merchandise, grab something to eat and drink, and support your local soccer team. Visit fcmonmouth.com.

ASBURY PARK SPRING BAZAAR

May 12th & May 13th from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs Count Basie Theater, Red Bank May 12th at 5:00 p.m.

Tickets: thebasie.org

May 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Lay your mat in the field. Try to pay attention to yoga while baby goats climb on you, push you over and generally cause a ruckus. $30 (plus small registration fee) per person, per session benefits OASIS tlc. Reservations required. Buy your ticket/s at bit.ly/2Ev030M. More dates include: 6/5, 6/16, 7/7, 7/24, 8/14, 8/25, 9/11, 9/22 & 10/6.

THE BELL WORKS STREET MARKET

May 16th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Join in for a night of yoga, cocktails, appetizers, and shopping. All are welcome!

Tickets for yoga from 6 to 7 p.m. with Metta Made Pop-Up Yoga Events and Sound Off can be purchased at hubs.ly/H0bHBD_0.

THE RUMSON KITCHEN TOUR Located in the historic Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, the bazaar will feature craft & vintage vendors galore, build your own bouquet, mom’s day photo strips, live music, Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch, DIY workshops, and kids crafts. For more info, visit asburyparkbazaar.com.

RUN THE HOOK YOGA WITH GOATS

May 15th from 4:00 p.m. and on…

Make your celebration memorable and welcome summer with LOBSTA at the Boondocks opening party. Go to boondocksfishery.com for more information.

May 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A 5K/10K race at Sandy Hook National Park in support of local charity Clean Ocean Action.

A portion of proceeds from the race go directly to the charity so they can continue to work to improve the quality of our local bodies of water. Visit runthehooknj.com to sign-up today!

May 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Gather your friends for a lovely day touring eight beautiful homes in Rumson. In each stunning kitchen, attendees will enjoy sampling a variety of delicious tastings prepared by talented local chefs while gathering ideas and inspiration from professional designers and florists, who will lend their creative hand to highlight each home’s unique style with inviting tablescapes and gorgeous floral arrangements. Tickets are $60. To purchase tickets, visit RumsonEducationFoundation.org.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

Rumson Garden Club to Host “Greetings from the Jersey Shore”

Everything’s coming up roses...and peonies, wisteria and allium, succulents and topiaries at Garden Club of America’s (GCA) Zone IV Meeting and Flower Show hosted by Rumson Garden Club (RGC). The “Greetings from the Jersey Shore” Flower show will be open to the public on May 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Navesink Country Club, located at 50 Luffburrow Lane in Red Bank. No reservations are required and admission is free.

Come view the “Best in Show” of the Horticulture division’s container gardens, propagated plants and flowering specimens cut from gardens throughout the GCA’s 12 clubs in New Jersey. The show will feature floral arrangements, photography and botanical arts, as well as displays on Conservation and Garden History and Design, which illustrate the GCA’s strong environmental mission and RGC’s dedication to preserving local natural resources.

Rumson Garden Club, the only Zone IV club sited on the New Jersey coastline, chose “Greetings from the Jersey Shore” as its theme with topical titles ranging from “Bay Head” for a floral design sun hat and “Seaside Park” for a topiary shaped like a boardwalk ride; from “Locust” for a photograph of “grand old trees” to “Loveladies” for a botanical arts rendition of a sailor’s valentine.

Founded in 1914, Rumson Garden Club’s purpose is to promote the knowledge and love of gardening and nature. The club is dedicated to conservation, ecology, horticulture, flower design, as well as civic outreach. More information can be found at rumsongardenclubnj.org.

You want the best for your child.

Set the stage for them to succeed Limited space available for 2018-19 ranneyschool.org/visitus Age 3 - Grade 12

Ranney School Tinton Falls, NJ

LE AD C R E ATE CO NTRIBUTE

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NEW JERSEY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL May 18th through May 20th Get your fill of lobster rolls, crab cakes, coconut shrimp, and more at the New Jersey Seafood Festival. The annual family-friendly event takes place at Silver Lake Park (5th and Ocean Avenues) in Belmar. Admission to the festival is free. In addition to plenty of fresh fish and other delights, the New Jersey Seafood Festival will feature live music, a wine and craft beer tent, activities for the kids, and a vendor market

NEMO TILE WORKSHOP: BACKSPLASH IN A FLASH

May 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon Nemo Tile Red Bank, 21 White Street, Red Bank Join NEMO Tile + Stone for a FREE Hands-on DIY tiling workshop and brunch! Roll up your sleeves and learn the simple techniques of grouting, setting and replacing tile backsplash straight from the experts. Call for registration: 732.677.1044

SHORE HOUSE BEACON OF HOPE CELEBRATION

SPRING LAKE IRISH FESTIVAL

May 20th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

WALK-A-THON FOR MARY’S PLACE BY THE SEA

Join Shore House in celebrating all of its accomplishments as an organization with members, staff and friends, all while honoring CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Monmouth University and Shore House Founding Board Members at Rumson Country Club in the Main Club House. Visit ShoreClubHouse.org.

May 19th from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

This year the Irish Festival will feature many family-friendly events perfect for a Spring-time stroll through downtown Spring Lake. Expect live music, dancing, food, kids activities and shopping.

Spring Lake is known as the Jersey Shore’s Irish Riviera!

May 19th at 11:00 a.m.

12:00 Noon Start Walk to help women with cancer to heal mind, body and soul at Ocean Avenue and Ocean Pathway in Ocean Grove. Since 2009, Mary’s Place has served over 8,000 women at no cost to their guests because of the love and support of the community. Register today at https://runsignup.com/ marysplacebytheseawalk2018

A TASTE FOR HOMES TO BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY

May 21st from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

A tasting event, held at the Oyster Point Hotel, will feature food and drinks from Tuscany Specialty Foods, The West Side Eatery, Teak, The Bistro Of Red Bank, The Boondocks Fishery, Monmouth Park Racetrack, McLoone’s, Dive, Danny’s Steakhouse, Blu Grotto, B2 Bistro, 26 West On The Navesink, Angelicas, Marilyn Schlossbach Catering, Holmdel Buy Rite, Fox Hollow,

Ross Brewing, Eagle Coffee, Teascapes, Jerry’s Vodka, The Vintage Cake and Nothing Bundt Cakes. The evening will showcase music by The Charlie Clarke Trio and Scott Elk on guitar. There will be a gift auction, raffles and more! This year’s proceeds will go toward building a home for a veteran. Tickets are $100.

Visit habitatmonmouth.org

JERSEY SHORE FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

May 26th through May 28th Monmouth Park is ready to kick off its festival season! Gather your friends and bring your appetite as this year’s Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival will feature 45 mouth-watering trucks serving everything from fresh-made empanadas, to ocean-fresh lobster rolls, to warm and gooey Belgian Waffle sundaes. Visit monmouthpark.com

HEARTBREAK - REMEMBER JONES

May 27th at 7:30 p.m.

The House of Independents Asbury Park Remember Jones presents 808s & HEARTBREAK - a 10th anniversary LIVE celebration and revival of the entire KANYE WEST album starring soul sensation Remember Jones + 25-piece orchestra band plus an opening set of super-soul originals from Remember Jones! Tickets: ticketweb. com/fb/8200805/hoi

BELL WORKS FRESH FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET

May 30th from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Open every Wednesday from May 30 to September 5 Say hello to Bell Works Fresh – one of New Jersey’s largest farmers and artisans market on the shore.

Shop for produce with 20 + local farmers, artists, food makers, plus kids activites, food demos, craft demos, animal rescues and so much more.

Donna Beriont | DNB Events - “Events that Matter and Inspire” Donna does public relations, event consulting and strategy as well as promotions and partnering for local businesses. Her clients have included Clean Ocean Action, Habitat For Humanity, Project Write Now, Mary’s Place By The Sea, Danny’s Steakhouse, Salon Concrete and more. For more information, go to dnbevents.com or drop her a note about your upcoming event at donna@dnbevents.com.

A c a de m ic E n r ic h m e n t & At h l e t ic S u m m e r C a m p s Visit MaterDeiPrep.org for more information

INTRODUCING

THE MATER DEI PR EP IN S TIT U TE S • Performing Arts

• Information Technology

• Global Leaders

• Emergency Medical Services & Nursing

faith. knowledge. ser vice. communit y.

538 Church Street | Middletown, NJ 07748

732.671.9100

I meet new people every day – and often, I get to help them. That’s a great feeling.

Meet Brittany. She’s a meter reader at JCP&L – joining her aunts, uncles and cousins who also have worked at JCP&L for more than 20 years.

If you haven’t seen Brittany reading meters at your home or your neighbor’s house, maybe you’ll recognize her on the local softball diamonds. A former MVP at Ocean County College, Brittany still plays softball with the Monmouth County Co-Ed and Women’s Softball leagues.

Brittany is proud to be part of your hometown energy team. www.jcp-l.com

www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

MAY 2018

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JOAN & ROBERT RECHNITZ LAUNCH

$5 Million Giving Challenge at Riverview Medical Center From left to right: Timothy J. Hogan, FACHE, president of Riverview Medical Center and Bayshore Medical Center with Joan and Robert Rechnitz, founders of Two River Theater.

Photo captured at Two River Theater.

Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center Foundation is proud to announce a $5 million donation from Joan and Robert Rechnitz, founders of the Two River Theater Company, to support the advancement of the robotic surgery program at the Riverview Medical Center.

The gift does not come without a call to action to other members of the community, as the Rechnitzes designated this a giving challenge, encouraging an additional $5 million to be raised in 2018.

Robotic Surgery was first introduced at Riverview Medical Center in 2013, again with thanks to Joan and Robert Rechnitz, who funded the original da Vinci® Si Robotic Surgical System. Since implementation, nearly 1,000 patients have been treated using this state-of-theart surgical equipment. The advanced technology allows surgeons to make very small incisions like traditional laparoscopic surgery, but with improved visualization and range of motion. With enhanced visual surgery, treatment of a wide variety of colorectal, general, gynecologic, and

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“The Rechnitzes are among the most urologic conditions, which previously required open surgery, are now completed profound supporters of Riverview Medical with the most minimally invasive of Center in the hospital’s history,” explains techniques, helping patients recover Timothy J. Hogan, FACHE, president of faster with reduced postoperative pain Riverview Medical Center and Hackensack and minimal incisions and scarring. The Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center.

Rechnitz’s most recent donation will bring “Their recent challenge to motivate others a significantly upgraded robotic surgery to elevate their giving in a way that benefits model, the da Vinci Xi, to the medical center. so many of our family members, friends and “Both Joan and I are incredibly thankful neighbors, is a testament to how generous for the care we receive at Riverview Medical they truly are. We could not be more Center and that makes our giving extremely grateful.” meaningful to us,” explains Robert Rechnitz, who is also a trustee of Riverview Medical Center Foundation. “We do hope the larger community responds to our wish to bring more philanthropic support to the hospital, continuing to ensure it’s a place we can all rely on for the highest quality health care.”

Through the new $5 million challenge grant, there are several priorities for philanthropic support should a potential donor show interest, including; oncology, private patient rooms, behavioral health services, enhanced surgical technology, as well as integrative health and medicine.

Joan and Robert Rechnitz have been long-time friends and donors of Riverview Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health, having supported the launch of Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine in 2015, as well as surgical services and other clinical needs in the past.

To learn more about how you can participate in the Rechnitz’s giving challenge, contact Jennifer Smith, senior executive director of Riverview Medical Center Foundation at jenniferl.smith@ hackensackmeridian.org or 732.751.5115.

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DIVORCE TALK: GESTATIONAL CARRIERS

BY PET E R C . PA R A S , E S Q.

Peter C. Paras

is a shareholder in the Family Law Firm of Paras, Apy & Reiss, P.C. Selected as "Super Lawyer"

by NJ Monthly 2006 – 2018.

Included in Best Lawyers in America 2015 – 2018 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.

In 1985 William and Elizabeth Stern were unable to conceive the child they badly wanted, so William entered into a contract with Mary Beth Whitehead.

Mary Beth agreed to be artificially inseminated with William’s sperm, to carry the child to full term, and, upon birth, to relinquish her parental rights. That would allow Elizabeth to adopt the child, thereby becoming her legal (although, not biological) mother.

In return, William agreed to pay $10,000.00 to Mary Beth for her service as a surrogate.

Everything seemed to progress according to plan until Mary Beth became distraught, decided she couldn’t relinquish her rights to her biological child, and fled with the child to Florida. Police in Florida forcibly took the baby from Mary Beth and returned her to the Sterns.

Litigation began in New Jersey and, after a thirty three day trial, the judge enforced William’s contract with Mary Beth, terminated Mary Beth’s parental rights, and granted Elizabeth’s adoption. An appeal was taken directly to the Supreme Court of New Jersey, bypassing the Appellate Division (an unusual procedural step). Twenty two briefs were filed by the parties and by other diverse interested groups.

In its 1988 landmark Baby M decision, the Supreme Court declared the surrogacy contact invalid as a violation of New Jersey law and public policy, voided Elizabeth’s adoption, and declared William and Mary Beth the child’s legal parents. William was granted custody and visitation rights were given to Mary Beth.

For the last thirty years the Baby M ruling has

been the law in New Jersey. Recently, in recognition of advances in reproductive science and changing cultural norms, the New Jersey Senate and Assembly passed legislation that would make surrogacy, or “gestational carrier” contracts legal, as long as they were in writing and met certain strict requirements.

First, the gestational carrier would have no genetic connection with the child. She would undergo a preembryo transfer. A pre-embryo is another woman’s fertilized egg prior to 14 days of development.

Second, she would agree to relinquish the child to the intended parent immediately upon birth. Her spouse or domestic partner would also have to agree to the arrangement.

Third, the intended parent and his/her spouse or domestic partner would have to agree to become the child’s legal parents upon birth, whereupon the child’s birth certificate would name them as the child’s parents.

Since the gestational carrier would have neither a genetic, nor a legal, relationship with the baby, no parental rights would have to be terminated and no adoption would be required. The statute also requires the court to monitor and approve the entire transaction. There are numerous other stringent requirements in this very detailed statute.

Governor Christie vetoed similar legislation twice.

It is unclear whether Governor Murphy will sign the bill into law. In the thirty years since Baby M, medical science has advanced rapidly. Our law may now just be catching up.

Bonnie M.S. Reiss

Selected as “Super Lawyer” by NJ Monthly 2006 - 2018

Peter C. Paras

Selected as “Super Lawyer” by NJ Monthly 2006 - 2018 Included in Best Lawyers in America 2015 - 2018

Patricia E. Apy

2015 ABA Grassroots Advocacy Award recipient

Michael J. Fleres Elissa A. Perkins 2 Bridge Avenue • The Galleria Suite 601 • Red Bank, NJ 07701 Tel: 732.219.9000 • Fax: 732.219.9020

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Celebrating 22 Years of Professionalism *Named by peer selection to the 2017 - 2018 list of “Best Law Firms” in U.S.News-Best Lawyers, family law, Metro Tier 2.

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Grown in Monmouth, Craft Beer Takes Home Brewer’s Choice Award On March 10, 2018, The Fir Farm brought ShinyPiney, one of their Specialty Farmhouse Ales up to Hoboken for a Homebrew Contest hosted by True Mentors. Thanks to 902 Brewing Company and Departed Soles Brewing Company, ShinyPiney took home the Brewer’s Choice Award at its debut! Shiny Piney is a Colts Neck Specialty Farmhouse Ale brewed with Hops and Conifer trees all organically grown on The Fir Farm. This tasty, highly session-able brew checks in at 4.2% and was on tap for the contest.

Bobby Clark (left) and Mickey Clark (right) with Freeholder Lillian Burry, who was congratulating them on their recognition in the highly competitive field of craft beers.

Jersey Shore Partnership Kicks Off Summer at the Jersey Shore

Warm weather and sunshine conjure happy thoughts of time on the Jersey Shore beaches. It also is a reminder that the Summer Celebration, the kickoff to summer at the shore, is coming up on June 4 at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Rain date is June 5. Billed as one of the best networking events along the shore, the evening fun is boosted by the live music of Brian Kirk and the Jirks. Festive food specialties are presented by restaurateurs, fisheries, and food markets from Cape May to North Jersey.

The event is sponsored by the Jersey Shore Partnership Foundation, a 501(c) (3) that supports the advocacy mission of the Jersey Shore Partnership to ensure

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funding on the state and federal levels for beach protection and preservation. Our healthy, safe and wide beaches with dunes attract millions to the Jersey Shore each year and contribute $20 billion annually to the State’s tourism economy. The Summer Celebration brings together corporations, businesses, not-for-profits, environmental groups, elected officials and other individuals that share a love for the shore and the importance of protecting it for us and generations to come. Participation in the Summer Celebration makes a strong statement that shore protection is critical to our state economy and quality of life.

The Awards organizations that

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program honors have contributed

significantly to the economic vitality of the Jersey Shore. Dinner Chair is Linda Bowden, Regional President, PNC Bank.

We will honor NJM Insurance Group with the Tom Gagliano Outstanding Leadership Award for Corporate Excellence. NJM has been a generous and loyal friend since the Partnership’s founding in 1992.

The Partnership will honor the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 with the Outstanding Leadership Award for Professionalism and Community Service for their work since 1990 in replenishing New Jersey’s beaches and serving as volunteers in the aftermath of Sandy. And, Madison Marquette will receive the Partnership’s Historic Preservation Award for its work in restoring the iconic landscapes and buildings on Asbury Park’s boardwalk.

Information about sponsorships, tickets and other opportunities can be found on jerseyshorepartnership.com.

Garden Club of Fair Haven News The Garden Club of Fair Haven (GCFH) is busily preparing for its biggest event of the year - the annual Plant Sale held on the grounds of the Fair Haven Firehouse on River Road.

The sale dates are May 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and May 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The sale has become a community institution with proceeds going to fund the many civic projects the group sponsors. The GCFH plant sale features a wide variety of member grown perennials, blooming specialty plants, a stunning array of hanging baskets, a boutique for interesting and original garden themed gift items—making all choices ideal Mother’s Day gifts! Come early for the best selection!

Interested in attending a GCFH meeting? Meetings are always scheduled on the first Wednesday of the month from September to May. It is not necessary to be a resident of Fair Haven to join the club. Visit gcfhnj.org for more information.

An Evening of Handbells

The Tower Hill Calvin Ringers.

The Tower Hill Concert Series presents “An Evening of Handbells,” on May 12 at 7:00 p.m., at Tower Hill First Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, located at 255 Harding Road.

Under the direction of Nicole Cochran, the handbell ringers will employ two five-octave sets of bronze bells (a total of 127 bells) and four octaves of choir chimes.

Heading the program are the 11 Calvin Ringers, an auditioned, advanced ensemble of area high school students. Their eclectic program this year includes arrangements of popular songs and favorite hymns, as well as selections composed specifically for handbells. The program also includes appearances by the Faith Ringers (grades 3-5) and Tower Ringers (grades 6-8).

The concert is presented without charge. An offering will be taken to offset tour expenses. The church is handicappedaccessible. The Tower Hill Concert Series has provided inspirational musical events for more than 40 years. For additional information on future concerts, call 732.747.1348 or visit towerhillchurch.org/music/concert-series/.

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A Perfect Collection for Mother’s Day… A moment should not go by during the day to think about the woman who got you here. . . Mom! So as we prepare to celebrate the holiday in honor of this spectacular individual, all of us at J. Vincent Jewelers in Colts Neck would like to offer you suggestions and ideas on how to pay Tribute to Mom! The Forevermark Tribute Collection, a creative selection of uniquely crafted rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings designed exclusively to express the many beautiful qualities of the woman who adores them! Forevermark Diamonds represent the most beautiful, rare and responsible sourced diamonds in the world. Tribute is a collaboration of the finest diamantaire’s and jewelry designers De Beers has gathered to create these individually unique masterpieces. Your mother has been a beacon for you throughout your life and will always continue to be one.

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Join the Inaugural Red Bank Classic 5K to Benefit Red Bank Recreation & YMCA

The Red Bank Business Alliance and Red Bank RiverCenter are presenting the Red Bank Classic 5K event on Saturday, June 16.

Runners will line up at 8:30 a.m. in the heart of Red Bank for a 3.1 mile run through downtown and surrounding borough neighborhoods. Proceeds from the event will support the borough’s Department of Parks and Recreation and The Community YMCA. “The Red Bank business community is proud to bring back a race to the borough,” said Angela Courtney, of the Red Bank Business Alliance, a collective of business owners spearheading the event. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together for a day of good health that will support two organizations dedicated to nurturing the development of children, while showcasing the incredible variety of businesses in the bustling town of Red Bank,” said Courtney, owner of Sweetest Sin Boutique. Courtney noted that for over twenty years, Red Bank was home to the Sheehan Classic,

an annual summer road race through downtown Red Bank and neighboring communities. The infamous climb up Tower Hill the Sheehan Classic was known for is included on the Red Bank Classic 5K course, a USATF sanctioned race and certified course, as well as a USATF 2018 Grand Prix Event.

The 5K will begin and end on Broad Street at the corner of Monmouth Street.

The family-friendly event includes the Kids Broad Street Dash, a fun run for children 12 and under, after the 5K. Other activities include a pre-race warm-up at Marine Park, hosted by Pure Barre Red Bank and the Y, while post-race activities include Stand Up Paddle Board and SUP Yoga with Flow Paddle Yoga, Mat Pilates with Renaissance the Studio, massage tables and stretching station by A Kneaded Vacation and children’s activities coordinated by the Y. An after-party will take place at Red Rock Tap + Grill.

“The event has received tremendous support from local

businesses eager to promote the many aspects of Red Bank that make it a special place to live, work and play, visit, dine and shop,” said James Scavone, Executive Director of RiverCenter, which manages Red Bank’s Special Improvement District.

“The Community YMCA is honored to be selected as a benefactor of the Red Bank Classic 5K,” said YMCA President and CEO Laurie Goganzer.

“As a nonprofit, we rely on the community’s support to ensure that children and people of all ages can access the Y’s life-changing programs.”

The Red Bank Parks and Recreation is grateful to benefit from the community event. “The support we receive will help give children access to activities during the summer, our busiest time of the year, and throughout the year,” said Charlie Hoffmann, Director.

Event registration is available at redbankclassic.com. Fees are $25 for the 5K and $12 for the Kids Broad Street Dash and include a t-shirt and a swag bag to the first 500 participants. Registration is also available the day of the event. Race packets may be picked up on June 15 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Red Rock Tap + Grill.

Awards will be presented to individuals and to the top team and best four finishers on each team.

Teams require a minimum of four runners and will be scored based on the average of the top four runners on each team. For more information on the race, sponsorships or volunteering, visit redbankclassic. com and social media or e-mail info@redbankclassic.com.

www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

MAY 2018

57

Veterans Salute Umberto’s of Fair Haven plaque thanking them for their “Generous and Patriotic Support of America’s Veterans” and honored by members of American Legion Post 168 in Red Bank on March 29, 2018. The plaque was presented by John Horl, Commander of Post 168.

them while they serve their delicious food. Hugs for everyone and a ‘thank you for your service’ is the way they say goodbye. Followed by ‘we look forward to seeing you next time!’ As much as therapy plays a part in healing veterans, I believe that genuine acts of kindness and giving them a sense of community reestablishes their faith in humanity and shows them that people care.”

“Once our friends at Umberto’s found out that veterans were being healed in the Navesink River area, they were compelled to offer their support,” said Mark Otto, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Post 168 member who serves as From left to right: Michele and Maryrose Fabbri are presented with a plaque by John Horl, Commander of Red Executive Director of Bank American Legion Post 168, for their “Generous and the United War Veterans Patriotic Support” of America’s Veterans as Joe Perrotto, Council. “So for the past Adjutant of Post 168, looks on. six months they’ve been donating free lunch to these veterans whenever Kindness, generosity, and respect they’re in town. In their words, ‘It’s for veterans are always on the menu the least we can do for these veterans at Umberto’s Pizzeria and Restaurant that have sacrificed so much for our in Fair Haven. For the past six months, country.’ Umberto’s goes above and owners Maryrose and Michele Fabbri beyond to make the veterans feel and their staff have been providing appreciated. The staff greets them when free lunches to veterans who visit their they arrive, and everyone goes out of establishment located on River Road. their way to spend time speaking with The Fabbris were presented with a

Joe Perrotto, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Post 168 Adjutant, stressed the importance of honoring the Fabbris and all of the staff of Umbertos.

Little Silver Borough Hall near Markham Place School. It is free to attend.

Talented musicians, adult beverages, delicious food, children’s activities, fireworks and more will be a part of the festivities!

On June 23rd, Little Silver will be celebrating…Little Silver! And what makes the small town so great. All Little Silver families are invited to this fun-filled event from 3:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Library Field behind the

58

Little Silver Day is being catered by several local businesses with a variety of food tickets, drink tickets and adult beverages that can be pre-purchased by June 1, 2018 online at LSCFInc.com. This is highly encouraged to avoid the long lines the day of the event. Tickets bought online will be dropped off to those families prior to Little Silver Day. At Little Silver Day, you will be able to buy cotton candy, popcorn and soda for $2/each. There will be

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.CommunityMagazineNJ.com

“I want to emphasize the fact that Umberto’s did not expect or seek out this recognition,” said Perrotto. “They were doing this for the veterans out of the kindness of their hearts. They are true patriots that make veterans like myself proud to be members of this community. Red Bank American Legion Post 168 salutes the whole staff at Umberto’s -- Maryrose Fabbri, Michele Fabbri, Anthony Fabbri, Tony Fabbri, Lucia Fabbri, Joe Katzer, Sue Coy, and Regina Heitmueller -- for being patriots and model citizens.”

Umberto’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, located at 583 River Road in Fair Haven, has been owned by members of the Fabbri family since its establishment in 1984.

comical caricature drawings for $5/ each and children under the age of 15 can participate in the Sickles Market Blueberry Pie Eating Contest for $5/each.

New Jersey American Water will have its mobile water truck at Little Silver Day so bring your own reusable sports bottles to get free water.

All food tickets, drink tickets, dessert tickets and activity bracelets can be purchased at Little Silver Day from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Gazebo. Anyone with questions can call 908.675.7646 or email contact@LSCFInc.com. This event is only made possible by the generosity of families and businesses who sponsor Little Silver Day. If you are interested in sponsoring Little Silver Day, you can register online at LSCFInc.com.

RBR CODING TEAM TAKES SECOND PLACE IN STATE-WIDE COMPETITION The Red Bank Regional (RBR) coding team of Harry Jain (Red Bank), Damanbir Sahi (Neptune), and Ford Zacks (Red Bank), took second place in the state coding competition held at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ on March 16, 2018. The competition is sponsored by the Computer Science Teachers Association of South Jersey (CSTA-SNJ). Over 74 teams competed from 18 different schools throughout New Jersey.

(CSTA-NJ) is a group of three chapters of the CSTA, the national organization whose purpose is to support and promote the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines.

RBR technology teachers Jeremy Milonas and Ali Sweeney accompanied 17 RBR students to participate in the competition.

Mr. Milonas states, “The students have worked very hard trying different challenges throughout the year to prepare for this contest. It was a great day for them. All of the students had a lot of fun.”

Students were given two hours to complete eight challenges related to various topics. All of the challenges required the students to write code to solve them. Coding provides the building blocks of all computer software, apps and websites. The winning teams finished the greatest number of challenges in the shortest period of time. The competition requires students to think critically, analyze data, and write programs to overcome the challenges posed.

The Computer Science Teachers Association of New Jersey

RBR’s coding team recently took second place in the CSTA-SNJ High School Computer Programming Competition held on March 16, 2018 at Stockton University. Pictured with the Stockton mascot Talin are from left to right: CSTA-SNJ President Adam Swift and RBR technology students Harry Jain (Red Bank), Damanbir Sahi Neptune), and Ford Zacks (Red Bank).

RBR STUDENT TAKES SECOND PLACE IN REGIONAL SHAKESPEARIAN CONTEST Red Bank Regional (RBR) student Shea Grant, 16, Little Silver, placed second in the English Speaking Union (ESU) Shakespeare Competition which took place on March 10, 2018 at Brookdale Community College. This marks the second time Shea, a drama major in RBR’s Visual & Performing Arts Program, took the second position in the regional competition. She will represent the ESU in the national competition should the first place winner, Devlin Stark of Red Bank Catholic, be unable to fulfill that function. She will perform for the ESU’s annual luncheon on May 20 along with the first and third winner.

For her competition performance role, Shea portrayed Portia’s dialogue in a scene from Julius Caesar.

She states of her experience, “I most enjoy this competition, having done it twice already. Everyone is really talented and prepared and there is a true appreciation for the language.”

RBR student Shea Grant, 16, Little Silver, placed second in the English Speaking Union (ESU) Shakespeare Competition which took place on March 10, 2018 at Brookdale Community College. She is pictured between the ESU President Ralph Wyndrum and the ESU Secretary and Chair of the Shakespeare Competition Janet Smuga.

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINE CommunityMagazineNJ.com

According to its website at www.esuus.org, “The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, and members.”

Mater Dei Prep Seraph Players Have Memorable Award Winning Week On April 15th the Mater Dei Prep Seraph Players completed their final production of Les Miserables in front of a packed house in Memorial Hall on the Mater Dei Prep campus. The final production ended an unforgettable run that included three sell out performances and had the largest number of tickets sold in Mater Dei Prep history.

Les Miserables was the first production under the recently established Performing Arts Institute at Mater Dei Prep. Expanding on its rich 50year history of outstanding performing

arts, Mater Dei Prep recently announced the Performing Arts Institute beginning in the 2018-19 school year. Students will have the opportunity to progress in various courses to nurture their artistic talent and participate in performing arts through musical and dramatic theater, chorus, instrumental ensemble, piano, music theory and dance.

The Seraph Players performance of Les Miserables included over 60 wigs designed by Will Goodman and David Meenan and an orchestra with a mix of professionals and former Mater Dei Prep

students. The entire cast of 33 Seraphs was applauded for their magnificent performances and their hard work and dedication. Graduating seniors in the Seraph Players included Olivia Barkey (Little Silver), Griffin Cole (Atlantic Highlands), Jocelyn Dacquel (Jackson), Katelyn Grano (Middletown), Dylan Higgins (Old Bridge), Molly Hurst (Tinton Falls), Joe Liskiewicz (Belford), Sean Tonne (Keansburg), Christina Wuenn (Manalapan), and Franchesca Zilinksi (Keyport).

RBR Junior Takes Prize in Garden State Film Festival

RBR junior John Tuohy, of Little Silver, 16, won an award at this year’s Garden State Film Festival for his short film, Parallax Dreams. The popular film festival was held on March 22 through March 25th and featured submissions from film makers throughout the world.

John, and Communications High School student Abigail Karl for her film Conquer, shared recognition for “Best Home Grown Student Short” in the high school category. John is an Interactive Media major in the RBR Academy of Visual & Performing Arts.

John’s film has been featured in numerous film festivals, and this marks the third time that John’s film won acclaim. Last summer, Parallax Dreams took home the top prize of Best Picture as well as Best Short Narrative at the Big Dreams and Silver Screens Youth Festival in Rahway, NJ, and also Best Short NJ Filmmaker at Art All Night - Trenton International Film Festival.

John comments, Parallax Dreams is very symbolic and tells a story without words, taking advantage of everything film has to offer in communication over any other medium. It is an introspective piece telling a story of someone who is lost, growing up and dealing with selfidentity issues. It is really up to the viewer’s interpretation of its meaning.”

He states of his film’s latest recognition, “I am honored to win an award in such a Jerseycentric festival. I really feel as if I have been welcomed into a greater film scene in New Jersey.”

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STORE HOURS Mon, Tues: 10am - 9pm LG OLED55E6P XBR75Z9 Wednesday: 10am - 6pm SONY XBR75Z9 55” Smart OLED 75" 4K HDR with Android TV4K HDR Thurs, ANDROID Fri: 10am - 9pm 75” 4K HDR WITH TV Ultra HDTV • High Dynamic Range • High DynamicSaturday: Range 10am - 6pm • Backlight Master Drive • • • • •

• 4 Color Pixel technology • Perfect Mastering Engine and 4K Upscaler

STORE HOURS Mon, Tues: 10am - 9pm Wednesday: 10am - 6pm Thurs, Fri: 10am - 9pm Saturday: 10am - 6pm

LG OLED65E7P

65” SMART OLED 4K HDR ULTRA HDTV

• Active HDR with Dolby Vision • HDR (High Dynamic Range) • Dolby Atmos Audio Backlight Master Drive Android • TV self-illuminating OLED (Organic Light Emit• Web OS 3.5 Smart TV Android ting TV Diode) 3D 3D • 3D TV (2 pairs of passive 3D glasses are• Perfect Mastering Engine with 4K Upscaler included) • 4 Color Pixel technology

XBR85X850D

" 4K HDR with Android TV

a High Definition TV with 4K screen reson (3840 x 2160 pixels) (High Dynamic Range) for extended piccontrast and brightness with streamed external HDR sources amic Edge LED backlight with frame

SXRD technology, with native 4K • full 4K resolution Flat• Panel 360 Design with Ultra-slim Bezel resolution • 4K video upscaling for standard Supreme UHD Dimming Blu• 1500 lm brightness ray and DVDs Quantum Dot Color • HDR Compatible (HDR10/HLG) • supports lower resolutions Smart Hubwhen used with non-4K •TVs Motorized zoom lens and wide lens shift • built-in Wi-Fi for streaming video and music

VPLVW365ES 3D 4K SXRD Projector • light output: 1500 ANSI lumens • HDR (High Dynamic Range)