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Published Twice Monthly ~ Early July 2011 Edition
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BEACHWOOD • ISLAND HEIGHTS • OCEAN GATE • PINE BEACH • SOUTH TOMS RIVER • TOMS RIVER
Beachwood Fireworks a Decades-Long Tradition By Erik Weber
BEACHWOOD – On Monday, thousands of area residents lined the banks and side streets along the Toms River to witness the borough’s Fourth of July fireworks display, here. Many in attendance may not know that the show, which today is a carefully planned and executed annual volley of pyrotechnic glory put on by a professional contractor, holds roots dating back to earlier days of the borough fire company, when million-dollar event insurance was a fantasy, funds for each successive year were collected by passed-around tin cans, and the explosives were purchased and transported from Maryland in the back of a station wagon. Fireworks on the Toms River: A Look Back
By Erik Weber
ERIK WEBER, the Riverside Signal Thousands of area residents and visitors crowded the waterfront areas of the Toms River Monday night to see Beachwood’s annual fireworks show.
George W. Symington, a 57year member and past chief of the borough fire company, recalled earlier incarnations of the fireworks display and Fourth of July daytime games, which have
River Lady Paddles into Its Third Decade
not been held for many years. Confirming earlier memories given by Beverly Clayton, a borough councilwoman, lifetime resident and current member of the borough fireworks committee, he said that the earlier fireworks displays were dug into the sand at the beach and then lit by members of the fire company with cigars. “We had a few close calls, but
cont. on page 19
Wildwood Avenue Pier Complete!
TOMS RIVER – She’s been a part of the identity of the Toms River for a little over two decades now and soon will be able to dock at the recently rebuilt Wildwood Avenue pier in Ocean Gate, but many area residents here may not know that the River Lady is one story that almost didn’t happen. River Lady Captain Lance Chambeau, Jr. recalled his father, who owned the Toms River Boat Works at the end of Robbins Street right to the west of where the River Lady today launches from, beginning in the first years of the 1970s until selling out in 1987. Lance Chambeau, Sr., who had sometimes talked of plans to install a touring paddleboat on the calm waters of the Toms River, died the following year. His wife, Mary, and son continued working in the boat sales trade until a set of plans turned up in his father’s belongings. “I found the plans for the boat, just some plans from the shipyard, and I started to research it,” said Capt. Chambeau. “At that point, in 1988, the boat sales were kind of in a slump, like they are right now, and I decided after speaking with my mom, ‘Hey,
By Marc Maslihan
By Philipp Schmidt VOLUNTEERS HELP BORO REBUILD OCEAN GATE – Almost exactly one year to the day after county engineers ordered the end of the Wildwood Avenue walkway and pier, here, condemned from foot
traffic until its pilings could be replaced and the top structure rebuilt, borough officials and residents heralded its return at the hands of initial borough funding and an active volunteer population. One year ago this week, Mayor Paul Kennedy reacted to the news of the pier’s closing at the heights cont. on page 22
why not instead of investing in multiple boats to buy and sell, why not just one and sell tickets?’” “That’s kind of how it started,” he added. In 1989, the Chambeau family contracted for an all-steel paddlewheel boat to be built at a shipyard in Freeport, Florida, located in that state’s famous panhandle. It would be the third of its kind, but the first and currently only one on the Toms River. “It was delivered I believe the second week of June in 1989 and that’s when we started to run cruises on the Toms River
and Barnegat Bay,” said Capt. Chambeau. “When we started we thought we’d just be doing sightseeing and occasional charters with food, occasionally a lunch or dinner charter, but we found out very quickly that the vast majority of people, when they come on the boat, they want to dine on it.” And so the Chambeaus soon found themselves in a new trade they hadn’t expected, as the River Lady became a sort of touring restaurant on many excursions. “If we knew we were going to be going into the restaurant busicont. on page 3
Six Month Progress Junior Emer. Services Academy Report Draws Mixed Educates Boro Youth ing and exposing fifth graders in FIRE CHIEF: IT’S Reaction Beachwood Elementary School to DEP HOLDS PRESS CONF.
PHILIPP SCHMIDT, the Riverside Signal Mayor Kennedy is surrounded by volunteers who helped rebuild Ocean Gate’s Wildwood Avenue Pier during the official ribbon cutting Monday.
ERIK WEBER, the Riverside Signal The River Lady cruised along the river near the Toms River Yacht Club late last month.
TOMS RIVER – Half a year after Governor Chris Christie signed an action plan to address ongoing issues in the Barnegat Bay region that has led to that body of water’s marked decline, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin held a press conference on Monday afternoon at town hall, here, to give a progress report. Noting that the actions taken in time since the Christie administration made the health of the bay a major focal point would not see results “overnight,” he said the bay was a “crucial piece of the state’s identity and $38 billion tourism industry” that has seen dramatic growth in impervious coverage since 1950, rising nonpoint source pollution and an uptick in personal watercraft usage. As a result, eutrophication of the bay waters from an overabundance of “nutrients,” or nitrogen and phosphorous, has produced algal blooms, an invasive jellyfish population and a resultant decrease in native bay species. “Our goal is to prevent further
ABOUT WALKING A MILE IN OUR SHOES
BEACHWOOD – Last month, dozens of borough fifth graders had an opportunity to learn, over a six-week program, about the emergency services that serve and protect the community they live in. The Junior Emergency Service Academy, a decade-old program that started life as the Junior Police Academy by Beachwood Police Detective Bill Oldham, combined members of this borough’s fire department, first aid squad and police department in meet-
cont. on page 2
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the daily lives and duties of each community role that they fill. Originally presented to sixth graders in its earlier years, as all borough children attended sixth grade in either Beachwood or Pine Beach elementary schools prior to the construction and opening of Toms River Intermediate South at what is considered the “back” of town, on Pinewald Road, the program was placed on hold once Toms River Regional Schools began shifting that grade to its intermediate schools district-wide. cont. on page 4
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Early July 2011 Edition
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TOMS RIVER Progress Report on Bay Health, continued from front degradation and begin the restoration of the Barnegat Bay by addressing these multiple and complex issues that require multiple and complex tactics,” said Commissioner Martin, who then proceeded to review a ten-point plan introduced last December and adopted as part of Mr. Christie’s bill package on January 5th. “We have taken action on the plan and have not shelved this plan [since January],” he continued. The ten points, as updated by Commissioner Martin on Monday, are: 1. To close Exelon Corporation’s Oyster Creek nuclear energy generating station. After an initial push to install cooling towers at the site failed last year due to an unwillingness by officials at the Exelon Corporation, who said the towers would be too expensive to construct, an agreement was reached with state environmental regulators last December to close the plant 10 years before its license expires. The towers were initially proposed by the state to halt the fish kills that commence when the plant pumps hot water into the bay. 2. To fund stormwater runoff mitigation projects. Tracing a large part of the bay’s deterioration to the non-point pollution of nutrient-rich runoff from properties and streets into current stormwater management systems, which bypass traditional filtration through naturally pervious soils and vegetation systems that help reduce such nutrients before reaching bay waters, Commissioner Martin stated that his department is awaiting on the state legislature to decided whether to make $44 million available to local municipalities in Ocean and Monmouth counties for zero interest loans and grants to improved stormwater management systems and equipment purchases. “The department also increased the amount of grant money allocated from $10 million to $17 million [in fiscal year 2012],” he added. 3. Reduction of nutrient content from fertilizers. Acknowledging that the nutrients present in fertilizers used across the region in much larger numbers than earlier decades due to an explosion of growth, Governor Christie signed a new law that “sets the most restrictive standards in the nation for nitrogen content and application rates” that will reduce the amount that runs off into the bay while also providing for a certification program for commercial applicators of fertilizer
beginning January 2012. 4. The requirement of postconstruction soil restoration. Citing soil compaction as a result of building construction that causes an increase in stormwater runoff and non-point pollution, the commissioner said the governor signed a law to mitigate such issues with the restoration of soil health and plantings after construction concludes. 5. The acquisition of land in the Barnegat Bay watershed. Commissioner Martin stated that purchasing land as open space is a “cost effective way” to prevent “further denigration of the bay’s waters and ecological quality,” adding that the state and its partners in the process have purchased “more than 1,500 acres of open space since December in the Barnegat Bay watershed,” including 883 acres under the Green Acres program. 6. The establishment of a special area management plan. Following a March 17th stakeholders meeting, the DEP received approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to form a five-year plan for addressing land use issues in the watershed area. 7. The adoption of more stringent water quality standards. “For the first time we established a comprehensive state water quality monitoring network [with] nine partners and 13 stations on the Barnegat bay,” said Commissioner Martin, adding that the monitoring would aid in understanding the movement of pollution within the bay. 8. Greater public education. According to a press release by the DEP, “public understanding of how daily behaviors such as fertilizer use and littering affect the bay are critical to long-term success.” The commissioner stated that his department had created a website to help keep the public informed, as well as organizing meetings with teachers and other school representatives. 9. Production of more comprehensive research. “Over the years, extensive research has been conducted on the bay, but the work was not fully coordinated,” said Commissioner Martin, adding that gaps in the data were now being addressed by the funding of research to fill those gaps. 10. Assessment of watercraft impacts. The commissioner said that the DEP has been working with researchers to identify sensitive ecological areas that may require no entry or no wake zone restrictions placed on them to mitigate the damage of submerged vegetation and habitats.
Following Commissioner Martin’s progress report and statements by Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who praised the state for its work to improve the health of the bay, Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher ran a question and answer session between the public, largely comprised of members of the local media and area environmental activists, and the commissioner. Save Barnegat Bay director Willie deCamp was critical of the process, releasing comments to members of the local media following the mid-afternoon event that “the department screened the questions and refused to listen to comments from the public. This is arrogant and inaccessible government, and Barnegat Bay is going to suffer for it.” Regarding the governor’s 10-point plant, Mr. decamp wrote that “it is a disgrace that six months into the process, the Commissioner does not even know that by far the largest vector of nitrogen into Barnegat Bay is air pollution. The Governor’s ten points are silent on air pollution. Save Barnegat Bay came to the event wanting to constructively and interactively address that fatal flaw. But the Commissioner refused to interact.” “If Commissioner Martin can’t listen to what the public has to say, Barnegat Bay can never be saved,” he continued. “You can’t do the whole thing with bureaucrats. Air pollution will not go away by being ignored.” Following the meeting, Karen Walzer, public outreach coordinator for the Barnegat Bay Partnership, which is currently working with the state on numerous actions to restore the health of the bay, responded to the progress report by stating that the “Barnegat Bay Partnership appreciates the commitment of Governor Christie and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to improving the condition of the Barnegat Bay estuary.” “The action plan for the Barnegat Bay focuses on ten strategies to address the complex issues involved in protecting and restoring the Barnegat Bay,” she continued. “Commissioner Martin’s six-month progress report provided information about the current status of each [of] the ten points in the plan and about the goals in the upcoming months. We appreciate the commissioner’s updates, and look forward to working together with the NJDEP and our many partners to protect and restore the Barnegat Bay ecosystem.”
Vintage Auto Show at OCC
Toms River 1931 The following are events, activities and reports of Dover Township in late June and early July, 1931, as compiled from various resources within the Wheeler Room at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library by Riverside Signal staff: On Thursday, June 18th, the Penelope Girl Scout Troop held a treasure hunt with Helen Maisner, Myrtle Carriker and Alice Kelly winning the contest… at the meeting of the Dover Township Committee the following evening, Township Solicitor Conover stated that the Toms River Water Company was willing to make improvements to the water supply by the installation of an aeration and filtration plant if its customers were willing to pay an increase in their service fees. Officials instructed the solicitor to find out exactly how much the increase would be… Dr. George T. Crook, a prominent township dentist with an office on Main Street, celebrated fifty years of marriage with his wife, the former Miss Anna Wolcott of Vineland, at their home in the Cranmoor Manor section of the township. The two had been married on June 22, 1881, around the time Dr. Crook began practicing his trade. The dentist, originally of Dayton, Ohio, was a direct descendent of General George T. Crook, famous for leading clashes with Native Americans in that section of the country in the 1870s and 1880s… on Monday, June 22nd, New Jersey State Troopers stopped Edward Gold, of Bergen Street, Newark, who was driving a 3.5-ton Republic model truck carrying approximately 80 half barrels of beer beneath a canvas sheet, presumed to be headed to Atlantic City. The following day, state police nabbed yet another underground beer distributor, William Nathan, of Hoboken, this time a white truck carrying 50 half barrels of beer beneath various other pieces of non-alcoholic sales items. With the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and its repeal of prohibition, still a long two-anda-half years away, authorities across the nation regularly clashed with those illicitly holding, transporting and selling alcohol, and tales of rum running off the New Jersey coast regularly made headlines, radio news bulletins and cinema newsreels… Dover Township Committeemen met multiple times in order to hasten the bid process for traffic signals due to be installed on the corners of Main and Washington streets and Main and Water streets, here. The decision was made to seek a definite installation prior to the end of the summer, and representatives of the Horni Signal Manufacturing Company, Western Electric and the American Gas Accumulator Co. confirmed they would place bids both for the lights and the ability to install conduits for the electricity needed to run the signals… the township first aid squad was given permission by the township committee to hold a carnival over the July 4th holiday weekend, and $100 was allocated for police to patrol the Ortley and Normandy beach sections of the township during the summer season… on Friday, June 26th the Dover Township Committee awarded the contracts for the signal lights to be installed at the corner of Main and Washington street and Main and Wa-
ter street, with the American Gas Accumulator Co. of Elizabeth winning the contract for the signal equipment with their lowest bid in the amount of $639.10 and township resident Carleton Elwell obtaining the contract to install the conduit and electrical wiring beneath the concrete streets for $607… during the same meeting, the township committee rejected a map produced by the Trent Selling Company of Trenton, which sought to lay out suburban streets and lots over the former Thomas Brooks farm, located at the corner of Washington street and West End avenue/ Vaughn Road near Island Heights. While a representative present for the company stated the riverfront was to be left open to the public, the maps showed it remained in the company’s name, and the committee rejected their proposal until the riverfront question is addressed as stated… earlier that same day, township resident and Traco Theater manager I.M. Hirschblond, along with Leon Gwyer, caught 16 bluefish on an expedition between Barnegat Inlet and the lightship anchored offshore to replace the coastal service of the Barnegat Lighthouse nearly four years earlier, in August 1927… beginning Saturday, June 27th, the Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Company held a carnival at Harry DeCamp field… that same day, a plane from Passaic County was seen circling around the Pleasant Plains section of the township, worrying a number of residents that he was experiencing mechanical trouble. Instead, the pilot landed at John A. McGuire’s field with a number of passengers, stating that he was lost and looking for Claytontown… local contractors stated that they could have work with the construction of new homes if only those wishing to build could borrow on mortgage, and that building will soon cease almost completely if the banks do not free up their funds… On Sunday morning, June 28th, township resident Franklin Doan was out fishing the north/south ridges about 15 miles off Barnegat Inlet on Sunday morning, June 28th, when his engine failed and stranded him until about 2 pm, when he saw two watercraft approach nearby then head to shore. A little while later, one came back, explaining that it was in the process of towing the second craft in, and then towed Mr. Doan himself back to shore… that evening, as the summer night wrapped its warm embrace around the shore region, two boys and two girls were spotted playing games of cards in a car sitting beneath a streetlight on Main Street… area residents took the fact that Steiner’s mill was advertising for more help as a good sign that the economic times were improving… the hill at the Hooper Avenue Grant property was being excavated to become level with that of the hollow present there… on Monday, June 29th, an annual picnic on the beach at Seaside Park was held by members of the Toms River Choral group, who played games on the sand after supper… the following day, the Toms River Boy Scouts met for the last time until the fall, and it was reported the scouts had earned more merit badges than any year previous…
Early July 2011 Edition
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The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
TOMS RIVER River Lady, continued from front
Insider Trading with Liz Cochrane
Something Old, Something New. If you’re looking for a special piece, both Antiques by Amelia, Route 9 in Beachwood and Ocean Gate Antiques, Ocean Gate Avenue in downtown Ocean Gate offer a wide array of items to choose from. There is nothing like bringing a vintage item home to bring new life to a room! Tasty Eats. If you have not had an original recipe donut from Ob-Co Donuts on Fisher Boulevard in Toms River, you have no idea what you’ve been missing! In business since 1953, it is first come-first served so get there early or you will have to wait for the next business day for a fresh batch. When in South Toms River, a quick stop at the American Deli can net you great coffee and a fresh item from the dollar pastry case. When in Bayville, do as the Bayvillians do. The new Fire Pit Grill is serving up the most delicious Portugese BBQ around. No more driving to Newark for dishes of this caliber. They are right on Route 9 in the recently built Riverside Plaza, just past Wawa and the Bayville Elks from the north. Fresh and Conve-
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nient. For the freshest produce and all your seasonal gardening needs visit Moore’s Farm Market, also on Route 9 in Bayville. From watermelon to Christmas trees, they have been family owned and operated since 1952 and always greet each customer with a smile. Hungry for lunch? Convenience and grocery delivery service connect with Bey Lea Deli on Oak Avenue in Toms River, tucked away behind Gelco Furniture and the Verizon store near the mall. They are a third-generation operation and pride themselves on being a small venue with big deals. Grooming and Style. A staple in the Beachwood/Bayville border is Main Street Barber Shop in Pine Beach. A mix of old and new, this is a true gentleman’s shop, where one can get a modern style cut or buzz and still enjoy a classic shave and hot towel treatment. Re-Mix. Apparently the owners of Itza Bagel on Main Street in Toms River took an offer they couldn’t refuse and there will be a changing of the guard. Look for a grand reopening in about three weeks, and more great bagels to come!
ness, we never would have done it, but it’s been a real blessing and worked out really well,” said Capt. Chambeau. “I love the business and it’s been really stable for all these years.” He added that in the beginning, the family was not sure how the market was going to react to their venture. “We found out that Toms
River is really centrally located well for all these different active adult communities, so we found that is 70 percent of our market, and it’s one of those markets that’s a good, stable market because there are so many different groups, clubs and associations with seniors, and then add on top of that all the local business we get from individuals,” the
captain said. “We’re a draw when someone has an out of town guest and they want to show them the river—there’s no better want to see the river.” “It certainly looks beautiful from the Ocean Gate boardwalk and I often refer to Ocean Gate when we pass by and I’m narrating points of interest, but for a view of the river there’s no better
cont. on page 20
FICTION WRITERS
Are you a writer of short or longform fiction, science fiction, etc. who would like to be featured in these pages? Write us today! RiversideSignal@gmail.com or P.O. Box 93, Beachwood, N.J. 08722
ERIK WEBER, the Riverside Signal George Neff, of Mystic Islands, poses beside his custom 1941 Hudson, the Best in Show award winner during last month’s 5th Annual Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey Car Show at Ocean County College.
Township police were on hand at the corner of Longfellow and Whittier on a recent weekend to handle an automobile accident between a Honda Civic and GMC Minivan.
ERIK WEBER, the Riverside Signal
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Early July 2011 Edition
The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
BEACHWOOD History of Beachwood Vol. Fire Co. Part II
Boro Municipal Alliance Summer Events
By Erik Weber
This month marking the 89th year of the Beachwood Fire Company’s existence, we present the steps leading up to and conditions surrounding the creation of our borough volunteer fire company, as recorded by William Mill Butler in his 1924 publication, ‘Beachwood Who’s Who and Directory’ (which can currently be purchased in reprint at the Ocean County Historical Society, Toms River). This is the second of two parts. March 9th 1922 – “At the meeting of the trustees of the Property Owners’ Association, in New York, the treasurer reported funds on hand as follows” including $686.56 for the fire protection fund. 1922 (unspecified date) – “Subscriptions toward the engine fund of Toms River Fire Company, No. 2, were received from a number of Beachwood residents as the company aimed to protect property in the outlying districts, including Beachwood.” May 9th 1922 – “At the first meeting of the season of the Property Owners’ Association, a communication was received from the new board of commissioners who were elected May 9th, suggesting that, instead of purchasing a separate hand-drawn fire apparatus for use in Beachwood Heights, a Ford truck chassis be placed at their disposal, and then the fire apparatus previously presented to the borough would be mounted upon the chassis at borough expense and made available for use in all parts of the borough. It was also promised that a volunteer fire department with fifty or more members would at all times be ready to respond to fire alarms. The trustees of the Property Owners’ Association thereupon voted to purchase the chassis without delay and present it to the borough. June 23rd 1922 – “The Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company
Photo Courtesy Of JOAN DISBROW-MORRIS Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company, 1926. Left to Right - Richard Taylor, John Eitel, Harry [unreadable], William Brown, John Fischer, John Payne, John Paulson, Roy Britt, Peter E. Ward, Clarance Coryell, Frank McCraigh, Gilbert Ebere, Warren Burnett, Harry Flink, Al Goodrich, and Joe Knowles.
was organized [on this date], with the following officers: Chief, Mayor E.D. Collins; deputy chief, Capt. E.F. Parker; captain, Jacob J. Hoffman; foreman, John J. Nolze; secretary and treasurer, William B. Brown.” July 7th, 1922 – “At a meeting of the fire company, Jacob J. Hoffman, John J. Nolze, and Chief of Police James McDonald, were appointed a committee to secure a Ford chassis upon which to mount the fire apparatus. Also to look for a site for a fire house. The chassis was soon promised by the Property Owners’ Association which originally donated the apparatus, which was hand drawn.” July 14th 1922 – “At a meeting of Beachwood Volunteer Fire cont. on page X
Chiropractic Helps Earaches in Children
Junior Emergency Services, cont. from front By Erik Weber
“Once the transition was complete, the program was again started in 2007 with some changes,” said Beachwood Police Lieutenant Robert L. Tapp. “At this time, the department looked to expand the program and include all of the emergency services within the Borough of Beachwood.” That fall, fifth graders got their first taste of the six-week program when Officer Stacea Roselli reopened the program as the Junior Emergency Service Academy. “The program requires that students write an essay and to make application to be accepted into the program, which runs
A: As a Chiropractor that focuses on pediatric conditions, I would rate earaches as one of the top five reasons that parents bring their children in to see us for treatment. Earaches are commonly treated with anti-biotics in the medical field. A growing concern over the over-utilization and questionable effectiveness of anti-biotic use for a child’s ear infection is evident. Many physicians in all the healing arts are taking precautions before writing or suggesting prescriptions for anti-biotics. The modern bacterial strains that cause ear infections are becoming more resistant to the anti-biotics. More physicians are taking cultures proper to prescribing anti-biotics, intending to get a specific antibiotic for a specific strain. It is true that even bacterial-induced ear infections can resolve on their own. Our protocol in Chiropractic is to monitor any fevers or symptoms while administering specific adjustments to the spine that indirectly assist the nervous system in stimulating the immune system. Additional lymphatic drainage and cranial balancing will align structures around the ear to assure proper drainage of pressure caused by congestion. The Eustachian tubes and their position within the ear play an im-
portant role in fluid drainage from the ear. The tube angle in a young child is more horizontal than it is vertical. Understanding this basic maturation process is somewhat comforting to a parent that feels their child’s condition is helpless or they may need tubes pre-maturely. Each child is genetically unique in this maturation process. A possible cause of some children’s tendency towards ear conditions may be this genetic predisposition. Chiropractic has excellent success with both acute and chronic earache conditions in children. It is the responsibility of your Chiropractor to discuss every alternative and option in making your treatment choice for your child. A conservative, non-invasive drugless approach, with safety in mind first, makes the most sense. Quote of the week: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to your courage.” – Barbara Winter Dr. Steven J. Pollack began his career in 1981 and opened his own practice in Beachwood in 1983. Completing more than 300 hours in Applied Kinesiology, he became one of the first certified Chiropractic Pediatric physicians in the United States in 1996 and is a founding member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. He donates his time to screen hundreds of preschoolers for scoliosis each year. Dr. Pollack can be reached by e-mailing him at questions@pollackhealthandwellness.com or writing to P.O. Box 93, Beachwood, N.J. 08722.
BUY LOCAL, SAVE JOBS
cont. on page 23
Beachwood 1931
Ask the Chiropractor with Dr. Steven J. Pollack, D.C.
Q: My son has had earaches since he was a year old. He is now five and the earaches continue even after different series of anti-biotic treatments and tubes. Is there anything that a Chiropractor can do to help?
[on] Friday afternoons immediately after school,” said Lt. Tapp. “Each agency – police, fire and first aid – are assigned two presentation days during the six weeks, at which time they give an overview of their responsibilities in their respective areas within the emergency services field.” “The agencies will also show students equipment used by their personnel and answer any questions the students may have about the equipment, their specific department, or on how to become an emergency service member,” he continued, noting that at the close of the program, a ceremony is held with the borough chief
The Beachwood Municipal Alliance’s annual series of Summer Fun Nights at Birch and Surf Park will kick off on Monday, July 11th from 6 pm to 9 pm, with subsequent programs running every Monday night through the summer and featuring different guest presenters each week. Among the games, activities and attractions for borough and area participants are board games, relay races, egg and water balloon tosses, ping pong, air hockey, basketball and kickball games and Bingo. Nightly prizes will be raffled off as will tickets to Lakewood BlueClaws games donated by Kevin Williams of WOBM. Some of this year’s presenters include the Beachwood Library, the Beachwood Police Department’s Child Identification Unit, the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company and the Beachwood Volunteer First Aid Squad. On Saturday, July 23rd, the Beachwood Municipal Alliance will host its 9th Annual Luau on Beachwood Beach from 6 pm to 10 pm, with a rain date scheduled on Sunday, July 23rd. A live DJ and professional hula dancer show will be featured along with a wide variety of food vendors, carnival games, blow-up kiddie rides and face painting. A new attraction for 2011’s luau is a 24foot rock wall. Participants are reminded to bring their beach chairs and to wear their favorite luau cloths. Keep reading the Signal for future updates on events, programs and notices from the Beachwood Municipal Alliance.
The following are events, activities and reports of Beachwood in late June and early July, 1931, as compiled from various resources within the Wheeler Room at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library by Riverside Signal staff: On Tuesday, June 23rd, the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting in their new headquarters at the train station, which was recently restored and renovated with help of chamber members’ volunteer efforts and contributions of $650. Protective of their work, the chamber adopted a reward of $5 for anyone who reports vandalism to the train station that leads to an arrest. Mr. Skold, chamber president, announced the annual bazaar fundraiser would be held under direction of the chamber on July 2nd through 4th at the Beachwood Auditorium, today approximately where the Mayo Park Playground and northwestern parking lot stand. The funds gained through the bazaar were to be utilized towards the continued improvement of their new meeting place at the Beachwood train station… beginning July 4th, the Beachwood Property Owner’s Association, who recently had taken over the original
Beachwood Clubhouse located on the bluff overlooking Windy Cove (today a parking lot across from Mayo Park – it burned sometime in the 1940s), announced it would begin an effort to revive the Saturday night series of community dances that had once been popular and famous in the area ten to fifteen years before. Featuring a six-piece orchestra, admission was to be kept at a low (even for this era) 25 cents, which was said to be enough to just cover the expenses of the event… Myrtle Carriker, daughter of world renowned ornithologist Melbourne Carriker, hosted her 14th birthday party at her family’s home on the southwest corner of Wave Street and Beach Avenue on Saturday evening, June 27th, with games and dancing featured… Harry Russell’s Mermaid Avenue bungalow was being rented for the season by Mrs. Rachel A. Leist, of Upper Montclair, while she awaited her own borough home to be constructed by George F. Jones… it was announced that the Joshua Huddy chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution would host a bridge game at the Brigantine hostel in July… Charles and Arthur Sigriet rescued a drowning man off Beachwood Beach, where they were swimming, on
Sunday morning, June 28th. Charles grabbed the unidentified man, who had gone down one final time, and held his head above water until the lifeguard arrived. Two other near-drownings were also reported that day… Charles Hotaling purchased the 15-foot Perrine racing sneakbox of Henry Garrigues, which was known for winning many races in the area… the new bathing beach restrictions, which allow residents, their families, friends and guests the ability to utilize the beachfront free while charging visitors not associated with any residents a $2 seasonal fee or 25 cent daily fee, began on July 1st. The new rules were created after many complaints of out-of-towners arriving from distances great and small to utilize the beach, often with rowdy males interfering with local women and children’s use of the amenity. One exception to the rules are that the Lakehurst Naval Air Station is permitted one vehicle load of boys from that base to arrive and use the beach per day free of charge… Mr. and Mrs. John Moran’s Halliard Avenue home, being built by Jacob Hoffman, was nearing completion… The Beachwood restaurant located on Railroad Avenue reported better business this year than last.
Early July 2011 Edition
The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
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The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
Early July 2011 Edition
SOUTH TOMS RIVER
The L Word
You Think What You Think and I’ll Think What I Know with Frank Dear Governor Christie,
First off, I want to let you know that in the past, I really haven’t been bad to the groundhogs that live under my patio. I think they’re cute, and I figure, “live and let live,” until they get into my garden. But with all respect for a governor who, by the looks of him, clearly has at least some groundhog in his lineage, I think it’s for New Jersey to “raid the garden” to come up with some funds. And really, don’t worry about looking like a groundhog. My own mother once told me I looked like a Volkswagen, so it’s all good. You’re a great governor, and I, a registered Democrat who voted for you once, would vote for you again. So I’m offering you some advice. I think I have the ideal solution to our budget deficit that involves no spending cuts or taxes on anything we now earn or consume - legally. In my garden, I grow a product that has been reported by doctors to “cause foaming of the mouth, and dangerously raised blood pressure.” I grow a product that, three years ago was a target of a racketeering and corruption investigation, and a hundred years ago, was the subject of a Supreme Court case which was, botanically speaking, a very bad ruling. It is a plant which corrupts the youth, because it spreads a lie. People claim it is a vegetable, when it is actually a fruit. This controversial crop which I cultivate is a product that if I even touch, burns my skin. I grow tomatoes. These days, I think that the number of gardeners (and hunters) has diminished to the point that very few people even consider growing their own consumables. Meanwhile, larger corporate farms have grown. We need a way to protect our farmlands, generate income, and, incidentally to mellow out. You know where I’m going with this, don’t you? Two issues: 1. The Legislature is moving toward making the tomato the
state vegetable. This is bad science, and I’m dead agin’ it. 2. The Legislature has already passed an allowance for medical marijuana, but you haven’t moved to implement the measure in any meaningful way. What I am about to suggest to you, for me will not benefit me personally, in any way, except that I enjoy seeing things grow: Mr. Governor, tear down that wall! It’s time to allow a marijuana crop in New Jersey. Decriminalization isn’t enough. Statistics for pot consumption, a drug less addictive than tobacco, alcohol, caffeine or even internet use, is consumed by roughly 10 percent of the New Jersey population, as opposed to 52 percent for alcohol and nearly 30 percent for tobacco. Enforcement of drug laws in New Jersey costs the state $352 million- what an easy place to make budget cuts! If we don’t have to prosecute this victimless crime, we can find a way to pay for your tax cut, which, I really think, in this economy, is something we all need. If I were the “Man in Drumthwacket,” (and seriously, you might be the best governor we’ve ever had) I would allow the production of medical marijuana to begin, licensing the sales and growing of the products like we do for more dangerous products that are produced in our state (like in our oil refineries and breweries). I would impose strict, almost medieval penalties for crimes committed under the influence. Personally, I’ve known enough potheads to know that smoking weed probably makes you less violent and more likely to listen to Bob Marley and Deep Purple, not to mention MacNeil and the Mouth (and if that’s a crime, I’m guilty). In 2009, 56 percent of the people arrested on drug charges here in the Garden State were arrested for marijuana use. Interestingly, although studies like the a U.S. Department of Justice report indicates that marijuana actually “temporarily inhibits violent behavior,” prohibition drives up the profit incentive, fuels the
Domenico Cipriani
economic engine Colonel Robert of gangs and orGibbon Johnganized crime, son stood on just like alcohol the steps of the did during ProSalem County hibition. courthouse. A In what seems crowd gathered, like a case of atostensibly to tempting to move watch the eccenthe source close tric colonel’s suito the consumer, cide. He bit into Rutgers Univerthe forbidden sity last year apfruit. He surproached you, vived, and the Mr. Governor, to Garden State become the exgave America Frank Domenico the tomato, a clusive licensee to growing medifruit - yes, I Cipriani cal marijuana said it, a FRUIT in the state. Unwhich, in my fortunately, they didn’t do their case, would probably produce the homework. Rutgers oversight exact symptoms Johnson’s physiwould have cost the university its cian described. What has this act federal dollars, so they backed of rebellion, perpetrated almost away from the plan. I think a bet- 200 years ago, wrought? ter approach would be to create Today, tomatoes are the ninth a regulatory board comprised leading US agricultural export of a panel of concerned citizens, by value. But this doesn’t mean people from law enforcement, that this dangerous crop hasn’t the medical community, the agri- attracted a criminal element. In cultural community, and business 2008, a New Jersey tomato proddevelopment and overseen by the ucts broker was charged with Division of Consumer Affairs. racketeering, money laundering Personally, I am a proponent of and other felony charges related legalizing recreational as well as to his illicit activities tied to the medical use, but since, theoreti- trafficking of tomatoes, in violacally, our state already allows the tion of the Sherman Antitrust consumption of marijuana for Act. Should this be the vegetable medical purposes, it shouldn’t be that represents our state? Why too challenging to get the ball (or not consider a vegetable that the joint) rolling. could reduce the cost of law-enIn any case, while this may be a forcement, provide tax revenues, fun issue to explore (and to giggle and help cancer, AIDS patients, uncontrollably over) it certainly and sufferers of glaucoma and merits serious consideration, Oh chronic pain? Great Pumpkin. If we beat PennIf only Colonel Johnson had sylvania to the punch, if we can stood on the steps of the Salem establish an agricultural base for County Courthouse and lit up a this industry before New York or joint! (Unlike the tomato, canConnecticut, then we will have a nabis is actually a vegetable, after leg-up on the industry as prohibi- all). tion comes to an end across the United States. We have to end Sincerely, this strange botanical prejudice we have against marijuana. A Concerned Garden State Historically, New Jersey has Gardener. been a leader in debunking botanical prejudices. On September PS. If you act on this, as an act 26, 1820, ignoring warnings by of gratitude, I’ll allow some of his physician that he would “foam your little cousins to nibble on my at the mouth and raise his blood parsley beds. I know they won’t pressure to dangerous levels,” touch the tomatoes.
South Toms River 1931 The following are events, activities and reports of South Toms River in late June and early July, 1931, as compiled from various resources within the Wheeler Room at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library by Riverside Signal staff: Borough officials made plans to upgrade Dover Road and widen it to thirty feet, with $2,250 in allocated in state funds by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders for the project. At the time, Dover Road, which parallels the Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way running toward Whiting (then known commonly as Whitings) did not extend to that municipality, and this was the first step in its extension under the supervision and funding by the county… during a June 24th special meeting of the borough council, officials decided to contest the tax appeals of the Double Trouble Lumber Co., Sinclair Oil Co., Cedar Point Land Co., and the Atlantic Cold Storage Co. through their solicitor, David A. Veeder… area girl scouts announced they would hold a rummage sale in South Toms River on Saturday, July 4th.
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Early July 2011 Edition
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SOUTH TOMS RIVER
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OCEAN GATE Ocean Gate 1931 The following are events, activities and reports of Ocean Gate in late June and early July, 1931, as compiled from various resources within the Wheeler Room at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library by Riverside Signal staff: On Monday, June 15th the Ocean Gate School held its commencement exercises, during which certificates of perfect attendance were awarded to Eva Starkman, Norman Throckmorton and Nina Throckmorton. Awards for not missing more than ten days of school during the 193031 school year included Charles Biernbaum, Andrew Alonzo, Warren Burnett, John Moran, Charles Page, Marie Biernbaum, Vivian Page and Walter Alonzo. Board of Education President William Page presented the certificates, informed those in attendance of the history of the school, outlined future plans and invited residents to attend board meetings while Mrs. Oula Whitehead
sought the creation of a ParentTeacher Organization at the school. Singing and poems on the part of the students were also part of the program under direction of Miss Gertrude Updegraff… on June 26th, the Ocean Gate Yacht Club junior sailors kicked off the season’s activities with a card party that featured prizes for the winners… the following day, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Methodist Church held their annual parcel post sale, with various food items offered… Ocean Gate founder Charles Guttentagg was at his riverfront bungalow over most early summer weekends… Point Pleasant Avenue resident Frank Peters completed a miniature golf course on his property and began seeking neighbors and residents who wanted to play… Toms River resident Frank Koller opened a meat department in John Howard’s Stone Harbor Avenue store… Arverne Avenue residents the Langrebo family, who own an awning manufac-
turing company, arrived with a truck displaying their products that also featured a radio in order to bring entertainment to the Angelsea Avenue pier during the evenings… approximately 200 residents of Tottenville, Staten Island drove to the riverfront home of the Cuttings for a clam bake… Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs rented the Lakewood Avenue cottage owned by the Newlin family for the year, as Mr. Jacobs works for the AT&T facility at Good Luck Point meadows… Harry Fischer, of Bayview Avenue, was reported to be putting an addition on his home… the Cedar Mere hotel, located on Longport Avenue, later acquired by the borough and used as its police station, municipal offices and courtroom until the new municipal complex was built and opened in 2005, introduced a new menu card containing advertisements of local businesses… Robert Gallagher sold a lot on Bayview Avenue between cont. on page 8
Councilman Charles Mailot: What Being an American Means to Me
While we all celebrated on the 4th of July, it is important to recall exactly what it is that we were celebrating. Our Independence Day. About what makes this country great. 235 years ago our nation’s forefathers conceived a new notion to create a nation free from tyrannical oppression, free from excessive taxes without representation, and to secure the rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Our forefathers experienced these injustices firsthand and literally risked the lives of not only themselves, but of their friends, families, and neighbors, essentially going out on a limb and eventually overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to ensure the generations to come would prosper in the most free nation in the world. And now, 235 years later, we as nation have overcome the strife of a Civil War, political assassinations, racial segregation, and various attacks from foreign nations to which our sons and daughters have answered the call to duty, serving diligently, sometimes paying the ultimate price to ensure that we could continue our way of life. In today’s tough economic climate we are more likely to meet someone who may be a bit less patriotic then ourselves. And they have that right due to the principals on which this country was founded. It is important to remind them, however, that they have a voice in voting, the right to petition, assemble peacefully and change their perceived injustices. Are we in any way perfect? No. The U.S. is reflected by the good citizens who make up this great Republic of ours. Everyone has flaws, it is human nature. But judge not a person, or nation for that matter on the mistakes they make, but rather how they deal with them. That’s the way to truly gauge somebody’s character. Sometimes times are tough. Some people reading this may remember the Great Depression. Some may have heard stories. My grandfather, Don Smith Jr., tells stories all the time about how poor they were, but collectively Americans pulled through. We as Americans, New Jerseyans, and Ocean Gaters must remember what makes this Republic so great. American ingenuity. We
have launched Industrial Revolutions, invented entire markets time and time again from computers to motor vehicles, which spawned satellite industries and got the economic wheels turning, more so than any other country on earth. Where there are problems, Americans see opportunities. And in these tough times we are seeing more and more people (and companies) ask, if not demand things which they have not earned, looking to the government to bail them out. What they don’t realize is that they are becoming dependant and trading their own freedom for a security blanket. To quote Benjamin Franklin, “People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.” Americans must look to themselves to overcome, and to succeed in the face of adversity. Here we don’t do things halfheartedly; we dive in and drive our determinations at 110%. Here we go the extra mile. Here we achieve what others say is impossible. But we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to persevere, to stay hungry, and to do for ourselves. Here in Ocean Gate I believe we exemplify the true American Spirit. When something needs to get done, people look to themselves and volounteer their time and efforts. We have a strong sense of community, and can never lose that. I think America can learn from us. We as a community pull together to make it work. It’s truly amazing what a little determination and community pride can achieve. -“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”
VFW Post 9503 Brevities
A new team of ladies auxiliary leaders will be introduced during their meeting on Thursday, July 14th, with Alycia Marshall as president. All are invited to meet them and participate in an evening to plan events for the auxiliary’s assistance to the post and veterans… Kathleen Kelly welcomed New Jersey VFW Senior Vice President Kathy Marshall and thanked her for her work in the auxiliary through the years, noting that next year she would take on the role of state president for the organization… auxiliary meetings are held at the post on Veterans Boulevard at 7 pm on the second Wednesday of each month… Mrs. Kelly reported that plans are underway to arrange a visit to the Vineland Veterans home with the Military Order of Cooties Auxiliary (MOCA) on Friday, July 22nd, in order to host a tea for the ladies in residence there. Anyone interested in contributing are encouraged to bring a “nice ladies thing” to the auxiliary meeting on the 14th… in other post news, members have begun the Friday evening barbeque events in the Wallace Grove from 5 pm to 7 pm, with upcoming dates including July 9th, 23rd and 30th. There are no cookouts on the third Friday of the month due to the men’s post meeting at that time…
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OCEAN GATE June 2010
Ocean Gate Pier TimeLine
Late June 2011
Early June 2011
Exactly one year ago, county engineers condemned the Wildwood Avenue pier, whose pilings dated to approximately 1920, following an inspection to move a 24-inch stormwater outfall pipe from its eastern side to beneath the stringers and decking. Occasional issues arose through the remainder of the season with some crabbers openly defying the order to stay off the end of the pier.
March 2011 The following month, the county had just about completed the move and excavation work, which interested these area youths enough to watch the work beside the pavilion. Within days, Newman Building Concepts, also of Ocean Gate, was contracted to install the stringers for approximately $13,000.
By June 22nd, half the pier walkway was complete and Mayor Paul Kennedy (l) and Tom Fitzgerald consulted with Jim Fry and Bob Holshue to align the next phase of decking as rain and lightning began to fall from the sky.
Mid-May 2011
In early March of this year, the borough began the process of removing decking from the pier and walkway with plans to remove and replace all of the pilings and stringers in time for the summer 2011 crowds (decking was not removed the previous October, as misreported in another area publication). Removal work was performed under the Ocean County Department of Corrections’ inmate worker program, and Butterick Bulkheading was contracted to demolish the remainder of the pier and replace the pilings at a cost of $110,881.55.
Three days later, volunteers mostly culled from the Beach and Boardwalk Committee had the pier about sewn up with planks. The new pilings at the end will allow for the River Lady to dock here for both scheduled cruises and in case of emergencies.
July 4th, 2011
Early May 2011 By the middle of the month, new pilings were installed and the borough waited for the county to move the outfall pipe beneath it.
By early May, the pier was nearly gone and Butterick was busy at work removing the old pilings in preparation for the new.
New pilings awaited installation along the eastern beach in front of the Comfort Station.
And so by 4:30 pm on June 26th, Ocean Gate had its Wildwood Avenue pier back one year after its closing. Coincidentally, a special annual mass on the beach was held by St. Barnabus Roman Catholic Church at 5 pm that evening, and Mayor Kennedy took the opportunity to ask Rev. Kevin J. Keelan to bless the new pier, which he did. A special ribbon cutting formally opened the pier to the community amid the July 4th festivities at noon on that day.
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FOURTH OF JULY 2011
PINE BEACH
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CELEBRATING 235 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
OCEAN GATE
BEACHWOOD
The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
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Early July 2011 Edition
FOURTH OF JULY 2011
Beachwood
Beachwood Beach Photos by Erik Weber for the Riverside Signal
Beachwood Yacht Club Photos Courtesy Sue Bednarz
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CELEBRATING 235 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Island Heights
Photos by John Bendel for the Riverside Signal
The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
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CELEBRATING 235 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Pine Beach
Photos by Erik Weber for the Riverside Signal
Early July 2011 Edition
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FOURTH OF JULY 2011
Ocean Gate
Photos by Philipp Schmidt & Erik Weber for the Riverside Signal
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ISLAND HEIGHTS Island Heights 1931 The following are events, activities and reports of Island Heights in late June and early July, 1931, as compiled from various resources within the Wheeler Room at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library by Riverside Signal staff: Residents and officials of this borough continued to decry the loss of the train service across the Toms River bridge from Pine Beach, stating that while the replacement buses from Toms River Station at South Main and Mill streets in South Toms River carry passengers to Central Avenue, the mail and express deliveries are now transported via trucks that are often late… on June 19th, the governing body lost its appeal before the Inter-State Commerce Commission in Washington, D.C. to return Pennsylvania Railroad train service to the Toms River bridge from Pine Beach, and the rail line was permitted a sixmonth trial period with the buses from Toms River station. Certain provisions to the deal included that the P.R.R. must hold and maintain their railroad station and bridge in good order for the possible return of service in the near future… it was announced that Wilbur and Wilbur, Mrs. Charles Wilbur, Jr. and Mrs. Ernest Wilber took over the old fashioned ice cream parlor and confectionary store located on the northwest corner of Central and River avenues, opening it under the new management in mid-June. Owned now by R. C. Kintzing, it was closed for a number of summers prior, after former owner and operator Mrs. Radcliff Hirst moved. With the adjacent Riverside Hotel not yet open for the season, many of the summer residents began flocking to the reopened store in search of necessary items… it was also announced that the Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company would hold a firemen’s circus for a week and a half, beginning July 30th and ending August 8th on Washington Street in Gilford Park, where the grounds will be transformed into a fairytale land with colored lights, bunting, flags and other decorations. Large
Free Health Workshop for Seniors
2011 SUMMER SLAM BAM TOUR Pro Wrestlers to Perform at Fire Co. Benefit
amusements, including a Ferris By Wendy Konar wheel, flying chair-o-plane, merISLAND HEIGHTS - On Sat- matches, and more. ry go round, and other rides and urday, July 23rd, independent Tickets may be purchased in booths would be featured, all in “TAKE CONTROL OF professional wrestler, ECW/WWF Toms River at the 7-11 located a fundraising drive to pay for a YOUR HEALTH” DEVELOPED veteran and Jersey Shore native on 1101 Washington Street (off new fire apparatus recently purBY STANFORD UNIVERSITY John “Beach Balls” Mahoney will Route 37 East); Johnny G’s Italchased and put into service. A team up with the Atomic Dog and ian Restaurant, located at 1812 ISLAND HEIGHTS – Begin- Father Oz in a match against “The Hooper Avenue (corner of Polhepopularity competition was also ning on Wednesday, July 13th, a scheduled for the event for the Love Machine” Nicky Oceans, mus and Silver Bay); Leo’s Hair title of Miss Ocean County, with six-week “Take Control of Your “Mr. Entertainment” J.D. Smooth Styling, located at 2946 Route a Chevrolet roadster being given Health” workshop, part of the and northeast wrestling veteran 37 East and Charlie’s Pizza, loto the winner, a diamond ring Stanford University’s Chronic big man Steve “Monsta” Mack in cated at 860 Fisher Boulevard to the second place, and a wrist Disease Self-Management Pro- a fundraising event at the Island in the Shop-Rite Plaza. Wishing watch with jewels to the third. gram, will be hosted by the mayor Heights Volunteer Fire Company Well Cards and Gifts of Brick, loFurther prizes include motion and council, here, and the Island hall at 15 Lake Avenue, here. cated at 2530 Hooper Avenue in picture cameras and bicycles… Heights Senior Advisory ComThe event is being billed under that township will also sell tickmittee in conjunction with Comon Central Avenue, across from the National Wrestling Super- ets, as will Babe’s Corner Store the post office, the Green Puppy munity Services, Inc. of Ocean stars (NWS) as part of their 2011 at 131 Sumner Avenue in Seaside Shop advertised its eats to sum- County, the Ocean County Office Summer Slam Bam tour and will Heights. mer residents, including salads, of Senior Services and the Ocean kick off at 7:35 pm. Tickets cost Tickets are also available by sandwiches, meats, chicken, waf- County Health Department. $19 for adults and $17 for chil- calling the NWS box office at This free weekly program will dren and seniors. fles and hot and cold drinks… 732-888-1704. All major charge on opening day of the Barnegat be held each Wednesday beginThere will also be an NWS cards are accepted, and group Bay Yacht Racing Association ning on that day from 9:30 am Heavyweight Title match, a Los- rates are available for groups of (B.B.Y.R.A.)’s racing season, until noon in borough hall at the er-Gets-A-Haircut Match, grudge ten or more. held on Saturday, June 27th off Wanamaker Complex, located on Bay Head, Island Heights Yacht Van Sant and East End avenues, Club members took top spots with the final class taking place for three of the races, including on August 17th. The “Take Control of Your E.J. Schoettle, Jr. competing in his craft, Scandal, for the Class Health” program teaches techE sloops; Skipper Tom Herrocks, niques and strategies for coping who took first in the second series; with chronic disease. Participants and E.J. Schoettle, Sr. in Class A will learn how healthy eating catboats, competing in the Lotus. habits, exercise, treatment and Island Heights Yacht Club Com- communication all play a part in modore Benjamin Adams super- changing negative behaviors to vised the day’s races. On Satur- help “you” become “YOU” again. day, July 4th, BBYRA races were In a nurturing, encouraging proto be held off Island Heights… gram, led by trained peer leadwith schools in the regional cit- ers, participants will learn new ies closed for the summer, re- ways to manage the symptoms of ports came in that the borough chronic pai n and fatigue, deal filled with summer residents and with stress and depression, inguests in late June… borough of- crease their energy, and become ficials are mulling over a zoning stronger in mind and body. Each ordinance that would restrict participant will receive the free the type of dwellings that may reference book, Living a Healthy Photo Courtesy JOHN STEFIUK be constructed in the municipal- Life with Chronic Conditions. Pennsylvania Railroad Station, Island Heights, undated. The railroad cut The program is offered to seity as well as where businesses service to the town in June 1931 and began bussing passengers from the could be established… town gos- niors 62 years of age or older, Toms River Station, located on South Main Street in South Toms River, to but those under 62 may be consip persists to circle around the Central Avenue. sidered for the course if there is discontinued train service on the railroad bridge from Pine a space available. Workshops are Beach… Leonard Knox, a recent small with a maximum of 15 parhigh school graduate and resi- ticipants, so don’t delay, sign up dent of the borough, received an soon. A minimum of ten particiTHINK IT OVER ENJOY LOCAL NEWS? 18-foot Barnegat Sneakbox as a pants are needed to get started. You are one of the thousands If you’re reading this and thinking, For more information and to reading this advertisement. If you gee! What a great thing it is to read gift for his achievement from his father… an 18-foot mahogany register for the program, please have something to sell, or there about the real news, people and events catboat was recently completed call Louanne Kane at 732-281- is something you want to buy, the of my hometown, then Subscribe Toby the boat works located here for 8391 or email LKane534@com- same thousands of people will see day! $20 annually to: Riverside Signal, P.O. Box 93, Beachwood, 08722. CurJ.T. Carson, who said his daugh- cast.net. ~ Submitted by Betsy your message.—Mgmt. rently published every fortnight. ter would race it in the July 4th
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The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
ISLAND HEIGHTS Island Heights Library Programs
ISLAND HEIGHTS – Last week, the Island Heights Library, located on the corner of Central and Summit avenues, here, announced its new program schedule, found below.
Adult Programs Coffee Around the World with Starbucks On Monday, July 11th at 7 pm, coffee lovers from around the area will be able to join in as a Starbucks barista demonstrates how to brew the perfect cup of coffee. Participants will taste different coffees grown in various locations around the world and try accompanying desserts. Space is limited to 20 adults, please register. Friends of the Island Heights Library Meeting On Monday, July 25th, the Friends of the Island Heights Library will hold their meeting at 7 pm. New members always welcome. No registration required.
Juvenile Programs Nifty Nature Knick Knacks Children ages four to eight will have the opportunity to discover Pine Barrens animal artifacts and make a cool craft during this program on Monday, July 11th at 2 pm. Please register. Runaway Wok Puppet Show & Craft When a boy goes to the market to buy food and comes home with an old wok instead, his parents wonder what they’ll eat for dinner. But then the wok rolls out of the poor family’s house with a skippity-hoppity-ho! and returns from the rich man’s home with a feast in tow! Children ages three and up will enjoy this program, taking place Tuesday, July 12th at 2:30 pm, with a story that reminds everyone about the importance of generosity. Please register. Preschool Storytime & Craft Children ages three-and-a-half to five will have the opportunity to participate in this regular program, being held Wednesday, July 13th at 10:30 am. Please register.
Beachwood Fireworks, continued from front thank God nobody ever got hurt bad,” the past fire chief said. “But then, we were very good at it.” He said that the collection of funds for the following year’s display started even while the current year’s show was going on. “We had rowboats with outboard motors on them, and four containers, and we went to every boat in the water,” Mr. Symington said. “There used to be, oh God, hundreds of boats out there – you almost could walk across river on top of the boats.” “While that was going on, other people in the fire company auxiliary went anyplace [the fireworks] could be seen from,” he continued. “They walked the beach up to Toms River, down past the golf course to Point ‘O’ Woods and down the river on this side to Pine Beach.” “Whatever we collected – nickels, dimes, quarters, maybe $1,000 or $1,500 – all had to be hand counted and hand rolled and taken to the bank,” the longtime fire company member said. “That’s what we used for the next year’s fireworks.” After sufficient funds were totaled and deposited, he said that he would order next year’s batch from Keystone Fireworks of Pennsylvania, who would ship them down near the state border at Elkton, Maryland. Mr. Symington then jumped in his station for the over two-hour drive. “The station wagon would be loaded from front to back, top to bottom, with just enough room for me to sit and drive,” he recalled. “I would then drive across the Delaware Memorial Bridge, stop for lunch with the loaded car sitting there in the parking lot, and then when I got home I loaded it all into the basement of my house for safe keeping til the Fourth of July.” “It could probably have put the house in orbit if it ever caught fire,” the past fire chief speculated, laughing about his memories driving the explosives cache across the interstate bridge and leaving it to sit next to the diner where he ate lunch. When Independence Day finally arrived, he said, the entire waterfront was a beehive of activ-
ity for most of the day, with land and water games bringing many borough and area residents and their families out to celebrate the holiday together. “The first aid squad and fire company went down to the ballpark on top of the hill there, and we ran the land games from 10 til noon,” Mr. Symington stated. “Three-legged races, egg tosses, stuff like that – then we went home for lunch.” An hour later, he said, everyone returned to begin the water games. “We had diving contests, swimming races, stuff like that until maybe about four,” the past chief continued. “Then at six we came back to the beach to start digging the trenches to put the steel mortars in.” The size of the shot used at the time for the regular part of the show, he recalled, were between three and five inches in diameter, while the finale packs came in at about twelve. “It was like a 60-shot finale, and we had to fuse them ourselves and tie the string around and make sure it was tight so that it carried from one twelve inch to the next,” Mr. Symington said. “Also, there used to be a permanent 8-foot by 10 foot floating dock in the water maybe 75 or 100 feet offshore, and in the afternoon myself, my son and a couple of firemen would float out on top of a rowboat and put two set pieces on top of it – one had the American flag, and the other said ‘Goodnight.’” His son, George C. “Mickey” Symington, joined the fire company in 1979 and is today also a past chief. As daylight turned to twilight and eventually night, the firemen were joined by first aid squad members who stood by as thousands of area residents and tourists filled the beach, bluffs and general waterfront areas, with hundreds more small craft moored offshore for the show. As the show went on and the fund-raising cans were passed around the riverfront, Mr. Symington said he and his son would slip away and prepare for part of the grand finale.
“Pretty close to the end, my son and I would swim out on our backs with cigars in our mouths to the floating dock,” he recalled. “On my signal, the guys on the shore would light off the finale, and as soon as the finale was just about done my son and I would light the two pieces, shake hands, dive the hell overboard and swim back.” “We always shook hands,” he noted. Longtime Beachwood resident Geoff Brown remembered watching the fireworks while growing up. “As a family we watched the fireworks from the yacht club dock in the 50’s [today the T-dock in front of the Community Center, which is the former site of the earlier yacht club building], as it was at the foot of our street, Brigantine,” he said. “The show was about 20 minutes [long] and always ended with a parachute with an American flag.” “There were still few speedboats on the river,” he added. “However, some would race in the dark to capture the flag.” Over the years, Mr. Symington said, the culture of the waterfront and putting on the fireworks display changed with the introduction of more regulations, pollution of the Toms River by the Ciba-Geigy chemical plant and influx of new residents not as heavily involved in the annual tradition. After the fire company stopped hosting the land and water games, he recalled, the borough recreation commission kept it up for a while but also eventually abandoned it due to lack of interest. “I was also a lifeguard and we used to have about 400 people a day on that beach,” said Mr. Symington. “But then with people starting to get pools and Ciba dumping into the river, everything like that sort of dwindled down.” “It’s a sin, we’ve got the most beautiful beach on the river and now it only gets about a half dozen people a day,” he added. After a woman was killed as a result of a fireworks accident in the Seaside Heights area, Mr.
Symington said, the fire company was told they would need to come up with a million-dollar insurance policy for the annual display. From there, he stated, the borough established a “Bang Committee” with members of the fire company, first aid squad and other residents in town that was able to continue the annual event through sponsors and contracted pyrotechnic firms. Fireworks on the Toms River: The Modern Era Today, the fireworks display on the Toms River is still hosted by Beachwood Borough through the contemporary equivalent of the “Bang Committee,” said Beachwood Councilman Gerald W. “Jerry” Lacrosse, a member of what is now called simply the Fireworks on the Toms River Committee. With feedback from the 2010 and 2011 displays, particularly their grand finales, sitting squarely in the “very positive” end of the spectrum, he said the year-round work to hold the event was well worth it. “I’ve gotten nothing but compliments on it,” the committee member said, adding that during the show, “the boats out in river just went bananas,” sounding horns and sirens and flashing lights, and that “the crowd was very pleased with it.” Picking up where the fire company left off, he recalled that he was first asked to serve on the committee sometime in the early 1990s by then-Mayor William T. “Bill” Hornidge, who wanted to form a coalition committee with surrounding municipalities in order to meet the growing demand for regulation and high insurance costs. Included in the early coalition were Dover Township Mayor Clarence E. “Bud” Aldrich III, Island Heights Mayor David Siddons, and Pine Beach Mayor Russell Corby. “Those four guys put together what we call the ‘Fireworks on the Toms River Committee’, and off we went,” said Mr. Lacrosse, who said early sponsors were Adelphia Cable, before it was cont. on page 22
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PINE BEACH PBYC Holds Annual Feed the Need Regatta By Erik Weber
PINE BEACH – Last week, approximately 130 junior sailors and 78 volunteers converged on this borough’s yacht club to compete against one another for the charity of others in the annual Pine Beach Yacht Club Feed the Need Regatta, with donated food collected and a portion of funds raised for the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Bayville. Operated through the St. Barnabas R.C. Church in Bayville, the society provides vital necessities to families in the Toms River area communities. Started the club’s then-commodore, Steve Toal, he said the event was created to give back to the local communities and to instill civic responsibility in the junior sailors who participate. “We’ve always had a junior regatta, but we wanted to add a charitable flair to it,” he said. “We were doing a toy drive, but
then we felt we could help many more families through a food donation program [and] over the past three regattas we’ve been able to donate just under 2,000 nonperishable food items, so we’re probably averaging 600 or 650 [each year].” The food is collected by junior sailors who participate in the event, and to create competition to collect more food among the area clubs, Mr. Toal said that it was decided to offer a pizza party to the club that collects and donates the most amount of food items. “It’s just a little friendly rivalry,” he said, adding that “not only do we make all the food contributions but with a portion of the financial proceeds, we make a financial contribution as well because a lot of people don’t realize that the society [also] raises money to pay for utility costs and
Boro Republican Club Report The Republican Club of Pine Beach held their June meeting at the borough firehouse on Tuesday, June 14th, with Bob Rohan, Ray Newman, Susan Coletti, Barbara and John Schwartz, Conrad and Kathy Reitz, John Fedorochko, Barbara Braks and Bill Hanle present. Ms. Coletti, club treasurer, reported the new balance of funds to be $2,000, though added that the final tally from the June 10th Blue Claws game fundraiser was not yet complete. Donations from the club included $200 to the fire company, $100 to the Beachwood First Aid Squad, which also covers Pine Beach, and $100 to the support group for the borough police department. In old business, the club members reported that participants in the game fundraiser at the Blue Claws stadium in Lakewood had “a lot of fun,” with the group’s official moniker, Pine Beach Pride, seen all around the site, including the marquee, on that night. In new business, a cocktail party is planned for Saturday, September 10th or 17th to kick off the opening of the fall season and to meet the club’s candidates
in this year’s municipal election. Mr. Reitz will chair the event, and Ms. Coletti will create a postcard advertising it to all members and friends of the club. A scholarship program for a borough senior interested in political science was discussed by Mr. Newman and Mr. Rohan. It was determined that student eligibility would depend on his or her involvement in civic school activities as PLE, student council and civic organizations. Plans are underway to invite current councilman and 2011 Berkeley Township Republican mayoral candidate, Carmen Amato, to the September club meeting in order to begin collecting items that will be shipped to U.S. soldiers overseas, including developing a list of needed items. During the discussion, it was also suggested that guests attending the club Christmas Party could bring an item for the drive. The next meeting of the Republican Club of Pine Beach will take place on Tuesday, August 9th at 7:30 pm in the firehouse on Prospect Avenue. ~ Submitted by Barry Wieck
mortgages and things like that, and we try to do our small part in a fun way for the kids.” Commodore John Parks noted that virtually all of the volunteers at the event took a day off from work just to contribute to making the regatta run smoothly for the kids and for the food pantry. “Most people, they have three weeks off [per year], and that’s it, and here they’re burning one day just for our kids,” he said. “You can’t ask for anything better than that.” The commodore noted that preparations for the event begins a number of days in advance, and that even the previous night, he and Vice-Commodore George Fuller were out fixing the hoist for the junior sailors’ boats and getting the boats themselves ready. “The big thing we have at our club is we have a strong spirit of
volunteerism, and it’s gotten bigger and stronger of the last couple of years,” said Mr. Toal. Commodore Parks added that part of the interest for members to keep the club and its events running is that the ability for a child to learn how to sail and become part of the nautical tradition is often life- and careerchanging, pointing out that a nephew of Vice-Commodore Fuller’s, who had started in sailing at the club, was now at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. “It gives children an opportunity they can’t get in Iowa or Nebraska,” he added. “It’s amazing and normally at those kinds of schools, education is paid for by taxpayers.” For more information about PHILIPP SCHMIDT, the Riverside Signal the Pine Beach Yacht Club and its Timothy Mulligan is the first to cross events and activities, please visit the finish line at Pine Beach’s Annual 5K Run with a final time of 15:24. www.pbycnj.com.
River Lady, continued from page 3 view than from the River Lady,” he continued. “It’s just so beautiful, and you can’t tell that from land looking out.” Thinking back to the boat’s early days, Capt. Chambeau also recalled the story of when it came time to name the vessel. “Originally when we were thinking to come up with a name for the boat, [my mom] came up with River Lady, and we came up with Proud Mary, after the Creedance Clearwater song,” he laughed, “but she wouldn’t let us do that and [the River Lady] is a great name – there really isn’t any other boat with that name. You have a lot of River Queens and River Belles, but not River Lady.” Today, the River Lady’s Chambeau family includes Capt. Chambeau’s wife, Christina, and their son, Lance Chambeau III. Capt. Chambeau said that with the recent reconstruction of the Ocean Gate Wildwood Avenue pier to specifically accommodate the River Lady to dock there for tours, he was excited for the future.
Capt. Chambeau noted that the River Lady is now working with Ocean Gate Borough officials to determine a fundraising cruise to benefit that municipality’s Beach and Boardwalk Committee later this summer, with 100 percent of proceeds going to their waterfront fund. “I was very impressed that [Ocean Gate Borough officials] called me and discussed what our needs would be,” he said. “Every now and then we’ll run events down there, so it’s nice that they called. That did not happen when Island Heights redid their pier, and that’s no fault of theirs, [but] we can’t tie up properly.” The River Lady previously could dock at the public dock on Central Avenue in Island Heights. The captain noted he was keeping an eye on the ongoing discussions in Pine Beach to redevelop the dilapidated Admiral Farragut Academy docks, as if they were to rebuild them to allow larger craft then the River Lady could offer events there as well. “The whole key of that piece of property is to support public ac-
cess,” he said, recalling that his father used to hold a contract with Admiral Farragut Academy to repair the docks every spring after the ice would lift the piers. Looking to the far future, Capt. Chambeau said that while it was too early to tell whether his family would continue to operate the craft down through the decades, if they were to ever sell he would not “want to see the boat leave the area – I would certainly search for the right match to get someone who’s into the hospitality type of business and would love to deal with people.” “If you like people and boats and don’t mind some hard work, then this is a great business,” he noted. The River Lady offers numerous weekday and weekend lunch and dinner cruises around the Toms River and Barnegat Bay, in addition to historical sightseeing excursions and Friday and Saturday evening dinner dance cruises. For more information, go to www.riverlady.com or call 732-349-8664.
Early July 2011 Edition
The RIVERSIDE SIGNAL
PINE BEACH Pine Beach 1931 The following are events, activities and reports of Pine Beach in late June and early July, 1931, as compiled from various resources within the Wheeler Room at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library by Riverside Signal staff: Pine Beach scheduled its annual July 4th celebration, including a parade starting at 10:30 am at the firehouse on Prospect Avenue, with Mayor L.J. Hutchinson as Marshal, and George Fredericks, Harry F. Hoffman, John H. Mergenthaler, Dr. Earl C. Rice, and Howard Hutchinson as aides. The two best decorated cars in the parade will win an electric clock for first place and a silver cup for second. Following the parade singing, prayer and an address by William E. Stokes will commence, succeeded by land sports, and water sports (including boat races and
a dance at the Pine Beach Yacht Club)‌ on Sunday afternoon, July 28th, 23-year-old New Jersey State Trooper Leonard McCandless, stationed in Toms River but originally of Cedarville, Cumberland County, died after being crushed under an oncoming automobile illegally trying to pass slow vehicles on Atlantic City Boulevard after being thrown off his motorcycle while pursuing a speeding vehicle headed southbound. Witnesses stated that the trooper, who was only in his eighth month on the force, was at Sleight’s roadstand when he saw the southbound vehicle traveling at a fast rate of speed and went after it. Following the accident, the Disbrow-Davis ambulance took Mr. McCandless to Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, having suffered a crushed head and broken arm and collar bone,
PHILIPP SCHMIDT, the Riverside Signal Pine Beach Patrolman Christian Longhitano was sworn in as a full-time police officer last month while his father looked on.
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Continued from... Beachwood Fireworks, cont. from page 19 purchased and became Comcast Cable; the Asbury Park Press, before it was purchased and became a Gannett-run publication; and 92.7 WOBM. Comcast and 92.7 WOBM continue as sponsors today. “It just snowballed – we hired professional pyrotechnic outfits to put on the show, rather than us going out and purchasing five, ten or fifteen thousand dollars’ worth of fireworks,” he continued, adding that a lot of contributions came in from area residents. “We had little canisters in a lot of different stores, and people put in dimes, quarters, dollars and whatever else, and we had enough to hire the companies that came in.” In the years since the formation of the committee, the former councilman said, between four and five different pyrotechnic firms were hired. The current company, Pennsylvania-based Schaefer Pyrotechnics, was contracted for the 2010 through 2012 displays. For about the past decade, he added, the committee and display have “mostly been a Beachwood effort,” as the original mayors from surrounding municipalities who formed the committee either retired or passed away. The current committee consists of former Beachwood mayor, Hal Morris, current Beachwood councilwoman, Beverly Clayton, Mr. Lacrosse and Kevin Williams from 92.7 WOBM. Although sponsorship continues from some of the original corporate entities, “a good portion of the money that goes to put the show on comes from the general population,” Mr. Lacrosse said. “It has always been a Beachwood kind of show, ever since the fire company started it way back when the Borough of Beachwood had their own committee that used taxpayer money [for funding],” he stated, noting that the scale of the display since the new committee took it over has increased. “I believe [last year] something like 7,200 shells went off, all in 27 minutes, so that’s a lot of booms going off in the air, that’s for darn sure.” “And a lot of oohs and aahs, too,” the committee member added. “We tried to estimate the area of the sky they take up, and someone said 750 feet or more – that’s a huge explosion.” In planning last year’s display, billed as the 70th but with acknowledgment that fireworks dis-
plays appear to have been hosted by Beachwood even earlier than 1940, Mr. Lacrosse said the committee “wanted something special – you have a lot to see in the finale, a lot of fireworks, but we said, ‘Can we throw in something a little different that people would remember for the next year, at least?’” The result, he said, was a series of stars, hearts, and red, white and blue bursts alongside their regular synchronization to patriotic music played through 92.7 WOBM, both on the radio and through a sound system at the beach. In the years since the current committee took on the task of providing the Toms River area with their yearly fix of explosions and color, the committee member noted that they had never once been rained out. “We’ve come close, and it’s rained right up to the point where we were going to set them off, but we got a one-hour window where the rain stopped for the show, and twenty minutes after the grand finale, it came down in buckets,” he said, joking that he is in charge of the weather on the committee. In the end, Mr. Lacrosse said, it’s the knowledge that borough and area residents will be able to go home with a smile on their face and the knowledge that next year the show will be there, in bigger and better form, to take their families and friends to. This year’s annual Fireworks on the Toms River will take place after dark at approximately 8:45 pm, with the pyrotechnic entertainment being launched from their traditional location at Windy Cove in Beachwood. Viewing points will be available in all boroughs and the two surrounding township municipalities. Area residents interested in seeing the annual show continue to go on are encouraged to make their donations to Fireworks on the Toms River – Beachwood, c/o Beachwood Borough Hall, 1600 Pinewald Road, Beachwood, N.J. 08722. Contributions are accepted year-round. The above story was a partial reprint of an article written last year for the Riverside Signal when the publication was produced in an online-only edition. It was printed here to further the awareness of the history and planning of the annual event, as currently the Signal enjoys a much larger readership than before.
Wildwood Ave. Pier, continued from front of the summer season with dismay, but added that borough officials were “happy we did find out now so we don’t have a disaster.” The pier was then and is today approximately 37 feet wide and 46 feet long, with a connection to the beachfront pavilion by an approximately 12-foot wide, 240foot long walkway that the county engineers, along with an independent study by a firm contracted by the borough, stated would have required replacement in the near future, but at that time was stable enough for use. The discovery was made after professionals from the Ocean County Engineering Department arrived at the waterfront to perform work that would lead to relocating a 24-inch stormwater outfall pipe from the exterior eastern side of the pier walkway to beneath it. While no exact dates were available, borough officials estimated the supporting structure for walkway and pier to be between 50 and 70 years old, with historical accounts placing at least the initial installation of the pier to be around 1920, or 90 years ago. For the duration of the season, borough officials received reports that area crabbers regularly ignored the barrier and signage on the portion of the pier that was closed. As the colder seasons arrived, the pier remained untouched as borough officials worked to budget the needed funds for its demolition and reconstruction the following spring, eventually awarding a contract of $110,881.55 to Butterick Bulkheaders of Manahawkin. In order to save money on part of the demolition, Mayor Kennedy said that the borough contacted county officials about having inmates from the Ocean County Department of Corrections worker program come out and remove the surface area of the pier when possible, which they did beginning in early March of this year with members of the Ocean Gate Public Works Department. Work continued into April, with Butterick contractors picking up the work of removing the pilings after the surface decking had been removed up to the shoreline and foundation of the pavilion. By late April, area residents
began to see backhoes and other heavy machinery temporarily placed on the beachfront beside the pavilion, along with dozens of pilings that would create the new foundation for the pier and walkway. The hired contractors wasted no time and soon the new pilings and double-beam walkway supports reappeared as the borough participated in a state-wide beach sweep and made other plans to improve the waterfront area, including the installation of a snack stand at the historic Comfort Station slightly inland from the pavilion. Moving forward on the next step, borough officials approved a $13,000 contract to Ocean Gate-based Newman Building Concepts, who set the stringers that would allow volunteers to begin placing the new walkway and pier decking, which had begun arriving in bundles along the end of Wildwood Avenue. A little over ten days ago, volunteers, many of whom are members of the Ocean Gate Beach and Boardwalk Committee, descended upon the Wildwood Avenue pavilion and set to work measuring, cutting, laying and installing the new decking from the foot of the shoreline out to the end of the pier, where new pilings extended higher in the air than previously, allowing the Toms River-based River Lady paddleboat to dock for launchings or in the event of an emergency. Working in shifts virtually as long as daylight allowed, the new Wildwood Avenue pier saw the last plank laid in its framework at approximately 4:30 pm on Sunday, June 26th, with well over a week before the July 4th holiday and just thirty minutes before St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church of Bayville held their annual beachfront mass, at which time Rev. Kevin J. Keelan honored Mayor Kennedy’s request to bless the pier. Reached earlier this week, the borough mayor reflected upon the task completed with the involvement of Ocean Gate residents. “The spirit of volunteerism has grown immensely over the past several years, and I believe the majority of it is [due to] residents that have come to retire in Ocean Gate taking pride in where they
Ocean Gate 1931, continued from page 8
Monmouth and Stone Harbor to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert… on Saturday, July 4th, the borough scheduled their annual Independence Day celebration, including games, races and contests at the Wildwood Avenue pier with prizes awarded to borough children. A tag day will be held by the Ladies Civic Club, with proceeds going to a new 500-gallon fire pumper apparatus made by Ward LaFrance Fire Engine Co. of Elmira Heights, N.Y. for Ocean Gate Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, which was ordered the last week of June. The two arrow electric signs will also be formally given by Civic Club President Mrs. Benjamin Montgomery to the governing body… steward of the Ocean Gate Yacht Club,
Earl Page, was called to report to work at the Lakehurst Naval Air Base on Friday, June 26th, leaving William Shackleford to handle his club duties… the borough police department ordered the section of Wildwood Avenue from Longport Avenue to the riverfront abandoned from its use as a parking area in order to keep it clear for any needed use… residents were asked to make the end of June a clean-up time in order to straighten up homes and properties for the coming summer season… Eddie Holloway began a fish selling business delivery route through the borough on Monday, June 29th… Jersey Central Power and Light Company installed lines to Barnegat Pier during the last week of June, with
live and wanting to increase the quality of life in the borough,” he said. “The majority of volunteers are baby boomers that care about where they live and want to help in any way they possibly can.” The mayor noted that the waterfront committee had grown by over 100 members in the past year; a feat he said was nothing short of “amazing.” “The bigger and more involved that the group gets, the more that can be done around town,” he continued, adding that volunteerism in borough projects is helping keep costs down. Future projects by the beach and boardwalk committee, he said, includes “building a small stage platform connecting to the Wildwood Avenue pavilion—it will replace the one that was there for years and was removed for the storm drain outfall pipe removal. After that the summer will be for a little relaxation and then [they will] tackle another 400 feet of total boardwalk replacement in the next bad section.” While the borough will contribute much of the work through contractors, the volunteers in town are helping complete a ten year plan of borough improvements along the waterfront without raising taxes to pay for it. “The importance of the boardwalk [and other waterfront features] is very, very important to Ocean Gate,” said Mayor Kennedy. The progress of the past couple years is not the first time that volunteers made a large impact on the waterfront. In 1993, following a series of storms that damaged the original Wildwood Avenue pavilion, which dated to the early 1920s, the borough was forced to remove the structure. Less than five years later, volunteers fundraised and rebuilt the pavilion as it originally stood in the 1920s. “As I see it, the spirit of getting involved is growing and will help keep the ten year plan in place,” said the mayor of the current era. The Chambeau family, which owns the River Lady, has also offered to aid in the funding of borough waterfront projects by offering the sightseeing paddleboat free of charge for a two-hour tour later this summer that the beach and boardwalk committee can then sell tickets for.
the official activation beginning Saturday, July 4th. In that section, bids were also being sought to extend the roadway from the railroad at the pier to Sloop Creek Road in Bayville… on Friday and Saturday nights, July 3rd and 4th, the Ocean Gate Yacht Club announced they would hold a Beano game at the Wildwood Avenue pier, sponsored by the club’s ladies auxiliary. Saturday night’s festivities would include dancing at the club, and it was also announced that sneakbox races would be held every Friday beginning at 3 pm during the summer months… a new water line began installation along Long Branch Avenue by the borough superintendent in order to improve service to that area of
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Letters & Continued from... History of B’Wood Vol. Fire Co. Part II, continued from page 4
Company, No. 1, a total membership of 24 was reported. Also, $80 subscribed toward the company’s equipment.” August 1st 1922 – “The subscriptions to the equipment fund of Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1, had reached $161 by [this date]. The amount required was $250.” August 5th 1922 – “Despite threatening weather, Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1, had a fine dance at Borough Hall [this] Saturday evening. Property owners all agreed that fire protection was necessary and declared that those willing to give their time to fight fire should be commended and encouraged.” September 2nd 1922 – Curiosity and amusement were had by attendees of the annual masquerade when a number of borough women arrived masked and dressed in homemade costumes as firemen, proclaiming to be “Volunteer Fire Department, No. 2” Labor Day 1922 – “Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department, No. 1, held a parade at 2 o’clock on [this date], headed by Mayor Collins and Captain James McDonald and a number of police reserves. The firemen were dressed in their new uniforms of dark blue trousers, shirts and caps, with badges on the front of the latter. Then came the newlyequipped automobile fire truck, manned by volunteers, and followed by an automobile driven by Mrs. B.A. Levett, in which rode Mrs. Wanda E. Lohr, the original agitator for fire protection, and Mrs. Albertine Keller and Dr. and Mrs. J.H. Richards, who had all assisted in getting up the first entertainment for the benefit of the fire protection fund, out of which grew the fair and final presentation to the Borough of the fire fighters’ apparatus. Then, in the parade, came the wives of the firemen, dressed in white and wearing white cockade hats. The parade came around the plaza to the club house where President Rost, on behalf of the Property Owners’ Association, formally presented the Ford chassis, upon which the chemical engine was mounted, to the Borough, the engine, hand-drawn, having been presented the previous summer. Mayor Collins accepted the gift with appropriate remarks. In behalf of the committee on Labor Day games and sports, Mr. Rost also presented a siren to the fire company for the purpose of sounding alarms.”
Fall 1922 – “In order to purchase a site and erect a borough hall and fire house on Atlantic City Boulevard, near Beachwood Boulevard, the commissioners decided to issue temporary improvement bonds, to the amount of $6,500. Notice to bidders were issued November 29th.” January 27th 1923 – “Bids for the new fire house and borough hall were invited on [this date].” February 24th 1923 – “Residents of Beachwood, to the number of nearly 200, gathered in the Rose Room in the Hotel Astor of New York City, Saturday evening [on this date], to attend the annual dinner and dance of the Beachwood Property Owners’ Association. Mayor E.D. Collins… delivered a brief but interesting annual message concerning the affairs of the borough. He mentioned the new Borough Hall which was in process of erection and which also contained ample quarters for the volunteer fire department.” March 18th 1923 – “The cornerstone of the new Borough Hall and Fire House was laid on Sunday afternoon [on this date], in the presence of over 100 people from Beachwood and Toms River. The Star Spangled Banner was played by the American Legion Orchestra of Toms River during the raising of the flag and Rev. R.S. Nichols of the same village offered prayer and delivered an address before the cornerstone was put in place. The stone bore the inscription, Borough Hall and Fire House. A copper box, donated by Frank Goodrich, was placed inside and contained a brief story of the Borough Government written by William Howard Jeffrey, the Borough Counsel, besides papers of various civic and social organizations which were read by Commissioner John J. Nolze, director of public property, before being sealed up. Mayor [Edwin] D. Collins made an address in which he treated upon the high hopes and ambition of the present Borough Government for a greater Beachwood. Mrs. Wanda E. Lohr, as the original advocate of fire protection, was also called upon for a brief address. The new building is of concrete block with asbestos shingle roofing. It is 25 feet by 40 feet and two stories high. The ground floor is for fire house purposes and the upper floor for the Borough Hall and accommodation of the Borough officials.”
Junior Emergency Services, cont. from pg. 4 of police, fire chief and first aid squad captain presenting each student a certificate of completion and a Junior Emergency Service Academy t-shirt. “The program has been met with great success and is currently run and coordinated by Patrolman Adam O’Connor,” Lt. Tapp added. “These folks risk their lives to protect others within our community and giving the children an opportunity to interact with them will hopefully give kids the guidance and strength to make sound decisions in life.” The proof of its ongoing success, he said, is in the uptick of comfort members of the department have seen in youth of the community who appear more willing to “walk up to an officer and engage them in conversation. The kids remember the officers from the Junior Academy and feel much easier about speaking with them. Our hope is that we can continue to educate children as to the importance of emergency services within our community and inspire them to help others as well.” Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company Chief Dennis Allen said the program allows the students to walk a mile in the shoes of local emergency personnel, in that “I mean we all have regular jobs [and] families but we respond providing fire protection to the town.” The fire company’s program included educating the fifth graders about the history of the
department, which dates to 1922, how the 9-1-1 system works, fire apparatus including the engines and their equipment, and finally, he said, “we let the students discharge the water from the hoses.” Chief Allen emphasized that it was also important the children learn that these emergency services have served the community “for free for almost 90 years – without the volunteers [our] tax-
es would be very high. It is also about a sense of pride knowing that no matter the time of day or night or what the weather is, if our community needs us, we are here for them.” “We never turn our back on our community – all we ask is for help,” he continued. “We need people to get involved by volunteering [and] give back to the community that we all live in.
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Early July 2011 Edition