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Eileen

is the Queen of

Asbury Park

ARTS + CULTURE

EILEEN CHAPMAN BURNS THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS AS A ROCK AND ROLL ARCHIVIST AND A TIRELESS MEMBER OF ASBURY PARK CITY COUNCIL

MEGHAN CARROLL, ABR, PSA, RENE, SRS REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®

NJ RE License #: 1642729

Cell: 732-508-7402

Email: mcarroll@remax.net

URL: www.MCsellsbythesea.com

Meghan Carroll, Realtor @MCsellsByTheSea

Meghan Carroll, Realtor-Associate Jersey Shore Real Estate Specialist

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In the month of May we celebrate Women

We should all pause a moment to thank our mothers for the role they have played in making us who we are today. My mother, Joan Carrington-Bonaro was a strong woman from Long Island, NY who raised five children. She came from a troubled home and made the best home-life for her five children. If she were alive today, I'd send a big heartfelt, "Thank you, Mom, for all you sacrificed!"

In Asbury Park, we have our fair share of amazing women to honor. I am pleased to shine a light on one of Asbury's most amazing women, Eileen Chapman . The more I learn about Eileen, the more amazed I am by her history and love for Asbury Park. I hope all my readers will enjoy her story and the journey she has had!

In my immediate circle, I want to mention some of the women who make my life a better place. First, my wife of nearly 30 years, Debra Pascali-Bonaro, who inspires me daily by example. She helps people worldwide with her work in maternal child health and a global initiative dedicated to improving birth outcomes. She is simply amazing!

My daughter Megan Bien , is doing a phenomenal job raising my two grandsons, keeping Jordan and Aidan engaged in sports while working her job. I am amazed by the stamina she possesses to handle everything she has going on every day! Megan is also a wonderful, caring wife to her husband, Shawn. I couldn't be prouder of the job she is doing.

I have some amazing ladies who help make this magazine possible. First, Amy Dimes, who has been a mentor and a great coach, helping me navigate the publishing hurdles. My Publication Director, Angelica Niedermeyer has amazed me since the day we met, with the talent she brought with her. I am truly amazed at her ability to make our social media look fantastic and her skills designing ads for clients. Angelica, You Rock! And Christina Smith , who has donated her time to help highlight the community nonprofit organizations in Town. Christina's help has been a true gift, "Thank You Christina!" And Lisa Ranno for her eye for beautiful photographs. Thank you!

There are so many wonderful women in my world here in Asbury Park. I am honored to know you all! I wish all the moms a wonderful "Mother's Day!" Peace and Love,

JIMI BONARO, PUBLISHER @ASBURYPARKCITYLIFESTYLE

May 2026

PUBLISHER

Jimi Bonaro jimi.bonaro@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Ed Condran ed.condran@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Angelica Niedermeyer angelica.niedermeyer@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Debra Pascali-Bonaro debrapascalibonaro@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Angelica Niedermeyer angelica.niedermeyer@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christina Smith, Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY

inside the issue

The Boss of Springsteen's Archive

Eileen

Ladies Are 'Cooking' Up Business

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: McLoone's before the storm 2: Sunrise on the Boards 3: JB at Danny Clinch's Studio 4: Born to Runway 5: Glenn Alexander and Oria at McLoone's Supper Club 3/14 6: Glenn Alexander and Shadowland 7: Daisy the puppy on the boardwalk.

JIMI BONARO

LAUREL HOMER

JIMI BONARO

CONNI FREESTONE

CHRISTINA SMITH

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RJ Healthcare Services

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Cynthia Meehan, Christie's Real Estate

I believed in Asbury Park before the buzz—drawn here decades ago by the music and energy. I planted roots 26 years ago, and that investment paid off. I know what makes this town special—and valuable. Ready to make your move? I’ll help you find the opportunity, navigate the market, and come out ahead.

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Luxury Residential

EILEEN CHAPMAN SOMEHOW MANAGES TO CURATE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S ARCHIVE AND HOLD COURT ON ASBURY PARK CITY COUNCIL

THE BOSS OF SPRINGSTEEN’S ARCHIVE

When the scruffy but confident teenage version of Bruce Springsteen performed at the Brick Town Skating Rink in 1968, the emerging singer-songwriter left an indelible impression with Eileen Chapman. The future Boss, who was an apprentice at the time, opened for Grand Funk Railroad and the Freehold native captivated the crowd.

“Bruce stood out due to his presence and his songwriting,” Chapman recalled. “He was really engaging. He took command when he hit the stage.”

ED CONDRAN

ARTICLE BY

| PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA SMITH

Chapman speaking at the Springsteen Archives and Center

American Music

Chapman, 73, was impressed but never imagined that she was watching the start of a career of a figure that belongs on rock’s Mount Rushmore. Chapman would also never believe that 58-years later that she would be the director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and opening a state of the art venue filled with Asbury Park’s favorite son’s memorabilia

Springsteen’s artifacts and unique story has been told on the Monmouth University campus in a Cape Cod-style venue. However, the cottage is akin to the small theaters Springsteen played during his early years. It just isn’t big enough to house his artifacts and the flow of fans eager to immerse themselves inside the church of Springsteen.

So last fall, the archive announced plans for a massive expansion, which will be dubbed the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. According to Chapman, the 30,000-square foot structure at Monmouth, that is slated to open to the general public June 7, will cost $57 million.

“At 19... I played on these very steps out here,” Springsteen said at the announcement event. “And so to stand here today is quite humbling knowing that I’m going to be a presence here on this

campus, which I really look forward to being. It’s deeply satisfying, and I look forward to working with everyone to make the building and this endeavor a great success.”

When asked exactly how many artifacts the building will house when it opens, Chapman is uncertain. “I wouldn’t begin to guess,” Chapman said.

Great answer since Springsteen, who turns 77 in September, continues to make history.

The Boss is on his “Land of Hopes and Dreams” tour, which stopped April 20 at the Prudential Center and will hit Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena May 8.

Springsteen, like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, remains relevant during his twilight years since the Boss is in touch with music. It’s always been about more than Springsteen, who always credits his dynamic and unparalleled E Street Band. Springsteen trusts his backing unit and he’s fine with handing off the keys to Chapman, a lifelong music fan, has lived in the same home since 1974.

“I bought the house I’m in on Locust for $35,000,” Chapman said. “I love living in Asbury Park. I have the city with all of these great restaurants and I just bike to the beach. It’s a great place to live.”

Springsteen is synonymous with Asbury Park but Chapman is an integral part of the community as well.

Chapman not only oversees Springsteen’s archives but she has also been a member of Asbury Park’s City Council since 2016. “When I joined City Council I was just filling a threemonth void. A councilman had to leave for family reasons and I stepped in but I’m still there. I love interacting with the

Chapman basking in the glow of the Pony

Chapman and Springsteen

residents. I like to make everything better for residents and visitors so they can enjoy this beautiful city.”

Improving Asbury Park and calling the shots at the Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music are each labors of love for Chapman.

Chapman, who once managed the Stone Pony, understands Asbury Park as well as anyone, having spent 56 years in town. Springsteen has written Asbury Park elegies, his finest is arguably ‘My City of Ruins,’ which was perhaps written at the city’s nadir at the turn of the century.

“I remember that time so well,” Chapman said. “Asbury Park was a gritty place during the ‘90s. It was hard to be here. We had some pretty dark times. I remember when I managed the Stone Pony during the early 2000s and Tim McCloone was playing the outdoor stage. Someone stole his car during his set. It was tough since I remember how vibrant Asbury Park was during the ‘70s.

It was a family destination with rides on the boardwalk. Things changed during the ‘80s. Asbury Park declined. But we’re a resilient beach town. Asbury is an amazing place to live. It’s great now and it was so great when back in the late ‘60s and ‘70s.”

Chapman grew up a music lover in Newark but her fandom reached another gear when her father Bill accepted a job as Asbury Park’s City Manager in 1970.

“I got tickets to every show at Convention Hall because of my dad’s position,” Chapman said. “I saw Elton John, the J. Geils. Band and Black Sabbath, among others at Convention Hall.”

Her desire to see live local music wasn’t sated by the occasional shows at Asbury Park’s big hall. “I saw Jon Bon Jovi at the Fast Lane when he was in Atlantic City Expressway,” Chapman said. “ I saw so many great shows at the Stone Pony.”

Chapman experienced the Ramones and The Police at the Paramount. “It’s always been about music for me,” Chapman

Chapman and friends on the streets of Asbury Park at Christmas

“ASBURY IS AN AMAZING PLACE TO LIVE.”

said, “I remember seeing shows at the Sunshine Inn. I saw so many shows there. I remember seeing the Allman Brothers and Bruce opened the show.”

Somehow it always comes back to Springsteen. Chapman has caught countless shows but they’ve all been in America until she flew to Milan last July to catch Springsteen and the E Street Band.

“It was amazing seeing him for the first time in Europe,” Chapman said. “He and the E Street Band were great. It was interesting see him engage the crowd in Italy. What was interesting was that everyone sang along to every word of his songs in English but I couldn’t get a cab driver who spoke English.”

Chapman is aware that crowds will be immense throughout the summer at the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.

Chapman and actress Sally Struthers

“We’ll do timed ticketing to allow only a certain number of people to enter,” Chapman said. “We don’t have a choice. We want to make sure people have sufficient time to experience everything.”

An array of guitars and other instruments donated by Springsteen and members of the E Street Band will be on display. However, some of the coolest items are the hand drawn posters by the Boss from his early days with the Castilles, Steel Mill and Earth. His mother Estelle’s many meticulous scrapbooks, which chronicled much of Springsteen’s career will be part of the exhibit.

The archive’s roots can be traced to 2000 when editor Chris Phillips and his team at the Springsteen fanzine Backstreets, which ended publication in 2024 asked fans for donations.

The aficionadoes responded and a 700-piece collection was featured at the Asbury Park Public Library. In 2010 the collection was too much for the library. Champan connected with her old friend Bob Santelli, a music historian, journalist and one of the original curators of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Santelli, then the executive director of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, approved Monmouth as the archive’s home.

Santelli then reached out to Springsteen’s longtime manager Jon Landau and then flew to visit Bruce at his Colt’s Neck farm.

“And then Bruce hopped on his motorcycle and came here and I showed him what we would be doing,” Chapman said.

Home away from home for Eileen Chapman

These days there are more than 40,000 artifacts on display and that number will only rise and as Chapman noted, who knows what the number will be in the sparkling new building. Who knows how many more magazines, newspapers, posters and ticket stubs will be added to the museum? It takes someone, who is incredibly organized and constantly rolls with the changes.

“What’s great is that every day is different,”Chapman said.

It takes a special breed to deal with a gig that would be simply overwhelming to the average person.

However, Chapman is happily at the center of it all. Somehow Chapman finds time to relax at the beach. It’s always a nostalgic experience for Chapman since her parents owned Country Kitchen Fudge and Peanuts on the boardwalk. She managed the joint and served popcorn, fudge and candy apples.

“It was such a wonderful experience,” Chapman said. Chapman managed Mrs. Jay’s Beer Garden during the early ‘80s and managed the Fast Lane. When she managed the Stone Pony from 2000 to 2003 Chapman purchased its first outdoor stage.

Chapman is an unsung Asbury Park icon, who continues to give and always has Asbury Park close to her heart.

After experiencing countless Springsteen concerts, her favorite, when pressed, is the Boss’ performance on the Asbury Park Beach at Sea.Hear.Now in 2024. Yes, it has much to do with the incendiary set Springsteen and the E Street Band delivered.

The show was so special that when the Boss left the stage he told show promoter and iconic Asbury Park rock photographer Danny Clinch that “The show was top five.”

Chapman loved the set list and the energy but there was another element that placed that special concert over the top for her.

“I loved that show on the beach since Bruce acknowledged so many people in Asbury Park from the stage,” Chapman said. “To come back and play here and acknowledge his roots in Asbury Park after all these years just rendered me speechless. He puts so much thought into every set list and he does whatever he can to make every show special. There’s no one like Bruce Springsteen.”

The same goes for Chapman, who is a tireless advocate for Asbury Park. She and Springsteen have amazing energy for septuagenarians. Who knows how long Chapman can burn the candle at both ends. Perhaps she’ll follow in the Boss’ footsteps.

When Springsteen performed at the Light of Day concert in January in Red Bank with Gary U.S. Bonds, the Boss gave the audience hope when he said, “Gary is still doing it at 86, maybe that means I have ten more good years.”

Hopefully that’s the same story for Chapman, who is an altruistic difference maker that is indispensable.

EILEEN CHAPMAN

It's hard to believe that Eileen Chapman has any time to relax considering the demands of her two jobs. However, Chapman does get out and enjoys what Asbury Park offers. "I love to go out and eat in Asbury Park," Chapman said. "I love to go to Frank's and sit at the counter. I do that once a week and talk to Joey. I go whenever I can to the Stone Pony and the Wonder Bar since I still love live music."

And there's the beach. "I go as often as I can,' Chapman said. "I have a locker at the beach. I just ride my bike there and enjoy it."

Of course Chapman will listen to Springsteen while soaking up the sun. What's her favorite tunes from the Boss. "Right now I would say it's "The Price You Pay" but my favorite Springsteen song changes everyday."

Unlike other politicians Chapman doesn't need to kiss babies but she does so anyway

Ladies are ‘Cooking’ Up Business

My Fav Female-Owned Businesses on Cookman Ave

Angelica’s favorite Female Owned businesses on Cookman Ave

My favorite thing about Asbury Park is the power of women, especially in the storefronts. You look around Cookman Avenue and they own the block. Check out these five places that I can’t walk by without stopping in and saying, “Hiii” to my besties and leaving with a bag of glorious goodies.

A Cup of Literature, by Aubrey Chesna and Julia Cangelosi, just recently opened in January. This young and happening lifestyle cafe serves everything from delectable coffees inspired by classic books, a curated selection of books, to fitness classes. The community of women here that Chesna and Cangelosi already built is strong with many staying to chat, work on their computers and read after a hard hitting pilates class. Visit them at 704 Cookman Ave or @acol. cafe on Instagram!

Boho House, by Melissa Nikosey, is a lifestyle accessories and home decor store featuring collective-female artist made goods. All of Nikosey’s merchandise is either

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ANGELICA NIEDERMEYER

handmade by a woman or a woman owns the company. Her beautiful community space hosts craft events like candle paintings, block printing, and charm making workshops throughout the year. Like the name, this store is full of Bohemian vibes and whimsical beachy things for your home. Find your next eye-catching piece at 623 Cookman Ave or @bohohouseco on Instagram!

Destination Asbury, by the mom and daughter duo Tracey and Megan Boyle, is a trendy, affordable, and funky fashion boutique. Open from Wednesday-Monday, this disco-ball-filled and cowboy hat decorating space has your next gift for your bestie– that is if they only accept good vibes and prosecco. Boyle’s welcoming spot is home to a charm bar, dog fashion shows, and collaborations with Blue Dot: Social and Community Wellness. Finally buy the beaded purse in the window at 644 Cookman Ave or @ shop__destinationasbury on Instagram!

Melissa Nikosey happily posing in front of her business, Boho House.

Freedom Rocks, by the Angels, Danielle Angel and Michael Angel, welcomes passersby into their magical storefront with larger than life mushrooms and colorful displays of crystals and enticing candles. Angel is an aura photographer and is often hosting events from seasonal crafting to intuitive therapy. Her playful store also has a full apothecary tea bar and tarot card vending machine. Find yourself 550 Cookman Ave Store #106 or @freedomrocksco on Instagram!

Rebel Supply Co., by Casey McDonald, is an expressive sustainable, new and consignment shop that smells so good you just want to buy everything in it so the smells come with you. From hilarious t-shirts by Off The Rails Screen Printing, hip stickers to cover your water bottle and laptop, to on-the-nose gifts that will have the receiver asking, “Where did you get this?”, McDonald does it all and very well. The neighborhood gem is also a box office for House of Independence. Discover something rebellious at 550 Cookman Ave #107 or @rebelsupplyap on Instagram!

Spread some love to the wonderful women of Cookman Ave, and shout out to all of the women that I did not mention. You all run the city. We love you!

Danielle Angel outside Freedom Rocks.

The mom and daughter duo in their funky and trendy store.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY CHRISTINA SMITH

EILEEN CHAPMAN Rocks!

It's about community service for Eileen Chapman

On any given evening in Asbury Park, music drifts through the streets spilling out of clubs, echoing from stages, and carrying across the boardwalk. It’s part of the city’s identity, woven into its past and present. Few people understand that connection more deeply than Eileen Chapman, whose life and career have been shaped by the soundtrack of the Jersey Shore. From managing legendary venues like The Stone Pony to helping guide the city as a member of the Asbury Park City Council and now preserving rock history as director of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, Chapman’s journey reflects the power of women who lead with passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their community. In honor of Women’s Month, her story is a reminder that leadership often grows from the places and the people we love most.

For Chapman, music has never simply been entertainment it has been the thread connecting many moments of her life. She grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Newark in a home where music was always a constant. Her mother was an accomplished pianist. Her father favored the timeless voices of classic crooners. As one of five sisters, Chapman remembers a household filled with records and melodies drifting through the halls. Each sister had her own record player, and their home often became an informal rehearsal space for neighborhood musicians. A young Frankie Valli rehearsed with friends in a backyard nearby. Chapman says music became a kind of timeline for her life.

“When I think about almost any moment in my life,” Chapman said. “There’s a song that goes along with it.”

Chapman moved to Asbury Park in 1974 the same year the Stone Pony first opened its doors and began its journey toward becoming one of the most iconic music venues in the country.

Her parents owned a boardwalk shop called Country Kitchen Fudge and Peanuts, where Chapman worked long days helping make fudge, popcorn, and candy apples. What she remembers most were the people. The boardwalk was filled with characters, musicians, and artists. Just steps away, concerts regularly filled the historic Casino building, drawing crowds and creating the vibrant cultural atmosphere that would soon define the city.

Asbury Park was the perfect place to build a future. While building a career in the music industry and later serving her community in public office, Chapman also raised her family in Asbury Park something she often credits with keeping her grounded in the everyday lives of the residents she serves. Chapman’s career unfolded during a time when women were still forging paths in the music and entertainment industries. She stepped confidently into roles that helped shape the Jersey Shore music scene.

During the early 1980s she managed Mrs. Jay’s Beer Garden, a gathering place known for its lively crowds and shoreline charm. She opened New Jersey’s first all-CD music store in Belmar, which she successfully ran for years as the music industry transitioned into the digital age. Her journey brought her back to Asbury Park’s live music scene. After managing the Fast Lane, Chapman took on The Stone Pony where she served as manager from 2000 to 2003.

“Leadership is not always about standing in the spotlight it’s about showing up for your community again and again.”

a

Eileen Chapman speaking at

community event

Chapman oversaw significant improvements at the Pony. Her husband Tom also played a role in the venue’s evolution, building the Pony’s first outdoor bar helping create the lively atmosphere fans continue to enjoy today.

Chapman’s love for Asbury Park runs deep. Her father was a familiar presence on the city’s streets, walking through neighborhoods and striking up conversations with residents and visitors alike. That same spirit of community has guided Chapman throughout her life.

She serves both as a member of the Asbury Park City Council and as Director of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music. In that role, she preserves the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and the broader history of American music. The archives have become an internationally recognized cultural institution, attracting scholars, historians, and fans from around the world while celebrating the musical heritage that grew from the Jersey Shore.

“Leadership is not always about standing in the spotlight it’s about showing up for your community again and again,” Chapman said. Few people embody that spirit more than Eileen Chapman, whose work in music, business, and public service has helped shape the cultural story of Asbury Park. Women have played an essential role in shaping the cultural and civic fabric of the city, and Chapman stands among those whose influence continues to leave a lasting mark. From managing legendary venues to preserving rock history through the Bruce Springsteen Center, her career reflects determination, creativity, and a deep commitment to the community she loves.

At a time when few women held leadership roles in the music business, Chapman quietly built a career managing venues, launching businesses, and preserving the history of American music proving that influence doesn’t always arrive with fanfare, but often through decades of dedication and vision. Chapman is not only a leader

“Chapman is not only a leader in our community, but also a friend and neighbor, an extraordinary human being whose impact on Asbury Park continues to inspire everyone around her.”

The Center Bike Ride for Aids with Father Bob, Founder of The Center, Amy Quinn, Yvonne Clayton and Michael Roland ED

in our community, but also a friend and neighbor an extraordinary human being whose impact on Asbury Park continues to inspire everyone around her. What makes Chapman truly remarkable is her unwavering commitment to the people around her. If a neighbor or constituent comes to her with a concern, she immediately puts on her Asbury Park City Council cap and gets to work. She never dismisses a problem or turns someone away. Instead, she listens carefully and responds with thoughtfulness and determination. Chapman balances her demanding professional life and deep passion for the city with her role at the heart of a large, blended family who depend on her just as much. When they call, she effortlessly shifts into mom mode, offering the same care, wisdom, and steady presence she brings to her community. It’s a balancing act that speaks volumes about the kind of woman Chapman is someone who leads not only with experience and dedication, but with genuine heart.

The Center Aids Walk with Executive Director Michael Roland AP Chamber of Commerce wine tour.

Asbury Park Little League pancake breakfast with family and neighbors and supporters of APLL

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

What Mothers Really Need to Know in Jersey

This Mother’s Day, honoring mothers means more than celebration. It means examining how we support them.

It was just an ordinary day at The Birth Center of New Jersey; quiet and unremarkable.. Here we change lives, one family at a time. As the doula, I met them at home. They had taken my childbirth class, fear was not leading, anticipation was. She rocked with her waves, husband close by, offering showers, walks, and nourishment as labor found its rhythm. First-time labors take time for the transition into motherhood.

Contractions deepened, we headed to the birth center. She arrived focused, but not ready for admission. We went to “Labor Hill.” Even the OB joined us. Squats at every corner, lunges up the incline, curb walking on the way down. The OB laughed and called me the “bootcamp doula,” I smiled back with “when we move the mother, we move the baby!” When we returned - we were getting closer! Her labor settled into a steady rhythm. The midwife offered to provide support. Clinical skill plus art equals efficiency.

Now, in the tub, the room quieted. The OB prepared nearby. The midwife and I stayed close.

Encouragement. Presence. Guidance. Nothing overpowering the moment…just a team, working for this family. A reminder of what is possible when care is collaborative…when expertise is shared…and when the mother is seen as more than a vessel for the baby. This doesn’t happen throughout New Jersey Across the United States, it’s hard to believe that women are still having issues from pregnancy-related cause, even with modern medicine. In New Jersey, that reality is even more pronounced. A signal that care is not experienced equally. And that gaps in care affect us all.

The difference is rarely chance. It’s how care is delivered. Here’s how it looks.

It looks like a confident partner supporting labor because everyone took the time to include them.

It looks like a doula ensuring families process information in real time, ask questions, and make informed decisions without pressure. It looks like supporting movement and comfort…and of course, assist in finding their voice. It looks like a midwife providing early clinical care, assessing, and monitoring – ensuring time and space to labor while navigating science and honoring the art of birth. And it looks like an obstetrician, who can

Midwives and doulas are a viable and impactful birth option

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY MICHELLE GABRIEL-CALDWELL

“Bringing life into this world calls for more action... not just on Mother’s Day, but every birthing day.”

switch from low intervention support to high-risk surgical care and recognizes the ability of the mother to make her own choices. In rare cases, labor that begins at home or in a birth center may move to the hospital. When care is collaborative, escalation is not failure - It looks like a warm handoff - clear communication, continued support, shared understanding. For families, it is the difference between a traumatic experience or an empowered one.

For low-risk pregnancies, midwifery care is safe and effective. Yet in New Jersey, midwives must maintain a collaborative physician agreement to practice. Collaboration is essential…but it should not mean restriction. We must advocate for midwives and doulas in the fullness of their roles.

Globally, midwives attend most births. In the United States, they attend only about 11 percent.

New Jersey is beginning to address this. Legislation such as A5527/S4487 seeks to expand midwifery autonomy, while S4119 increases access to doula care. These are not small changes…they are foundational. New Jersey offers all birth options. Many families assume hospital birth is their only option. Hospitals are essential, especially for higher-risk pregnancies and complications. New Jersey also offers accredited birth centers for lowrisk care, as well as home birth with licensed midwives. Birth is shaped by education, support, and providers who follow recent evidence. Bringing life into this world calls for more action…not just on Mother’s Day, but every birthing day.

For more information, Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell, PhD, CD, CBE and NBDA Instructor CEO and Founder of Baby, Please Birth Services Agency LLC Director of Doulas and Education; The Birth Center of NJ www.babypleasebirthservices.com

My homebirth with my daughter and son, about 1.5 hours later

Homebirth with midwife

Postpartum Visit with Family

MAY 2026

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MAY 3RD

The Felice Brothers

The Wonder Bar, 1213 Ocean Avenue | 7:00 PM

The Felice Brothers combine folk, Americana, and revivalist roots rock. The Felice Brothers have been remarkably consistent since forming in upstate New York in 2004.

MAY 7TH

Silversun Pickups

Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Avenue | 6:30 PM

Silversun Pickups singer-songwriter Brian Aubert has a unique style and sound. Silversun Pickups is an inventive and unique band. The quirky and catchy cut “Lazy Eye” put the band on the indie rock map. The Los Angeles band is touring behind its latest album, “Tenterhooks,” which features the single “The Wreckage.”

MAY 14TH

Linda Shields

Tim McLoone’s Supper Club, Ocean Ave. | 7:00 PM

The Jersey Shore Medium will hold court and create discussions with attendees.

MAY 17TH

Atreus

House of Independents, 572 Cookman Ave. | 6:00 PM

The veteran hard rock band is touring behind its latest album, “The End is Not the End.”

MAY 17TH

Drake Milligan

Asbury Lanes, 209 4th Ave. | 7:00 PM

Milligan is best known for portraying Elvis Presley on the CMT series, “Sun Records.” The country singer has also appeared on American Idol and America’s Got Talent and is touring behind his latest album, “Tumbleweed.”

MAY 21ST

Buckethead

The Stone Pony | 7:00 PM

The virtuoso guitarist, who has played with Guns N’ Roses, Bootsy Collins and Serj Tankian will perform.

MAY 23RD

The Toadies

The Stone Pony | 7:00 PM

The Toadies classic “Possum Kingdom” is a timeless classic. Count on the Texas rockers to play the hit and more.

MAY 29TH

Dance Gavin Dance

The Stone Pony | 7:00 PM

The post-hardcore band delivers thrash and anthemic emo tunes. The Sacramento based band will showcase tracks from its latest album, “Pantheon.”

MAY 31ST

High Fade

The Wonder Bar | 7:00 PM

The eclectic High Fade will deliver an amalgam of funk, rock, disco, jazz, metal, punk and soul.

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