Vol. 25 - No. 38
In This Week’s Edition
THE MANCHESTER
TIMES
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Your FREE Weekly Hometown Newspaper For Manchester, Lakehurst and Whiting
Artists Paint A Portrait Of Homelessness
Don’t miss what’s happening in your town.
Pages 11-16.
Page 20.
Dear Pharmacist Page 21.
Inside The Law Page 23.
Business Directory Page 26-27.
Classifieds Page 28.
Horoscope Page 35.
Wolfgang Puck Page 35.
—Photos by Chris Lundy (Left) The paintings were put on display at the church. (Right) Artists and the organizers stand before their works. By Chris Lundy SOUTH TOMS RIVER – They never craved the spotlight. In fact, they don’t want attention. However, they stepped out of the shadows to show people what the homeless of Ocean County really look like. If you walked past any of them on the street, they don’t fit the stereotype. Most people picture homeless people as living in cardboard boxes. The cartoon of a hobo with all his possessions in a bag on a stick. That’s why Shore Vineyard Church wanted to show the real faces of local homeless. These are people who are stuck with underpaying jobs in an expensive area. While most people have a support system in place to fall back on when something goes wrong, these people have less. Some combination of bad luck and missteps is all it takes to find them-
selves with no place to sleep at night. Local painters were given photographs of a half dozen homeless people. In a ceremony that was part art show, part religious service, and part community event, these paintings were revealed. Every time a portrait was unveiled, there were gasps and usually someone saying “That’s him!” or “That’s her!” They were humble, and felt strange being the subject of attention and of someone’s art. One man, Jamie, was one of the subjects. Since it started, he restored relationship with his sister, and got a job, and is no longer homeless. A painting of a young man named Jimmy had two versions of himself on canvas – one hiding in shadows and one smiling in the light. One of the organizers, Taffy Spaloss, read
the story of the Master Painter who didn’t paint people as they look, but as they are inside. It was a parable about Jesus finding the best in people and bringing it forward. The story says of one subject, “He had actually become the man the master had painted.” Greg Andrus, who photographs and interviews people for his site “Portraits of the Jersey Shore,” spoke as an example of how someone can pull themselves up. He had been homeless at times in his life, and dove into drinking. A
low point was when he was 28, and was shot in the head by a police officer (he had been an innocent bystander). What turned his life around was a group of volunteers who cared about him and helped him reach higher. “Some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met were without homes,” he said. After the ceremony, and after a meal from the church’s kitchens, the homeless were some of the first to leave. Several of them had to go to work.
How To Help The church was selling various works of art to support homeless in the area, particularly Living Water Community Church’s work to provide a truck that has a shower in it that homeless can use. The paintings were for sale for $300 each. Prints, 8”x10”, were $20. A 5x7 print was $10. Anyone interested in buying these can email Taffy08731@yahoo.com.
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January 4, | October 27,2020 2018
Town Lends Class III Officers To Schools
Community News!
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News
FOR BREAKING NEWS
By Kimberly Bosco MANCHESTER – The Township is lending a helping hand to keep Manchester schools safe. At the Dec. 16, 2019 meeting, the township council approved a contract for a shared service agreement with the Manchester Board of Education for the use of Class III Special Law Enforcement Officers. According to Superintendent David Trethaway, these Class III officers have actually been serving in the schools since September after the district negotiated with the township. The resolution made by the township, and one to be made by the Board of Education, is simply the formal document. The resolution itself states that the shared service agreement will remain in effect for only one year. “We are fortunate to have an excellent relationship with the police department and they have been instrumental in making recommendations for upgrading safety and security in the schools,” said Trethaway. “Each year we put aside an amount in the budget to address (Officers- See Page 4)
Senior Services Facing Funding Cuts
By Kimberly Bosco OCEAN COUNTY – Home to one of the largest senior populations in the state, Ocean County is facing some troubling cuts to essential senior programs. Officials are urging the state to reinstate funding for certain service programs offered to Ocean County seniors. “Many of our seniors are vulnerable and the programs and services provided are lifelines in many ways,” said Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, Chairman of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services. “State cuts reduce our ability to provide essential services to our seniors. Vicari added that increases in the cost of (Senior - See Page 9)
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