TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 16 - No. 36
In This Week’s Edition
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JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
“Flick” Tells “A Christmas Story” In Toms River Visit
Hindsight Is 2020: The Year’s Best Photos By Chris Lundy JERSEY SHORE – While a lot happened this year that no one will want to recall, there were also some memorable moments captured by photographers. Every year, this newspaper presents the best photo taken during the year by staff members. Most of these ran with articles, but some of these are being seen here for the first time.
BREAKING NEWS @
(Photos - See Page 20)
jerseyshoreonline.com
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Dear Pharmacist Page 17
Classifieds Page 19
Inside The Law Page 23
─Photo By Bob Vosseller Scott Schwartz, left, who appeared in several films as a child actor including the classic holiday film “A Christmas Story” joins Toms River resident Greg Rinaldi during an appearance at the Toms River Toy and Collectible Show on December 19 at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River. By Bob Vosseller k n o w l e d g e o f h i s organization Leader- d ay. T he f i l m wa s TOMS RIVER- Scott exper iences i n act- ship United held at set in the late 1940s. Schwartz will forever ing and his love of Battle River Brewing. When asked how ofbe remembered from New Je r sey du r i ng Flick’s most memo- ten he’s been asked to his role in the icon- t wo appearances in rable scene in the film have his photo taken ic 1983 holiday film Toms River. Schwartz was when he t a kes next to a f lag pole to “A Christmas Story.” g reeted fans at the on a ‘triple dog dare’ recreate that scene he He played the role of Toms River Toy and to put his tongue on said, “quite a number “Flick” best friend to C o l l e c t i b l e S h o w a f lag pole during a of times, more than I the lead character of held at the Clar ion school recess per i- can count.” “Ralphie” played by Hotel and during the od. His tongue gets “A Christmas Story” Peter Billingsley. evening took part in stuck to the f lag pole which was based on He recently shared a fundraiser for the d u r i ng t h at w i nt e r (Christmas - See Page 2)
Salvation Army Holds Toy Donation
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Another Christmas has come and gone, and for some, this was the hardest one. A line of cars surrounded the Salvation Army building on Route 37. Each car represented a family that needed help getting presents for their children.
January 2, 2021
Starting in October, the Salvation Ar my began taking applications from locals for what was needed in the home, said Major Carol Ditmer. Volunteers collected toys, clothes, and other gifts from well-meaning locals. The family drove over, gave a ticket with their number at one door, and
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then at another door, volunteers brought out a bag of stuff for them. “Some families have been adopted by groups and it’s lovely,” she said. This year, however, the need for gifts was hard to reach, Ditmer said. Usually, locally owned stores would be donation sites. But
because of the virus, a lot of businesses didn’t want people coming in. Public schools are also big sources of donations that dried up when schools were fully or partially closed. Even schools that opened weren’t at full capacity. Senior groups are usually generous at this time, but they were not
meeting either because of the virus, she said. “We try to fill their requests the best we can,” she said. There were more than 300 families in need. The basic operation of the toy drive was also impacted. They also couldn’t put out as many kettles this year,
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(Army - See Page 8)
District Starts Year With Interim Superintendent
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Thomas Gialanella was chosen as interim superintendent by the Board of Education to replace David Healy, who retired. Previously, Gialanella had been the superintendent for Jackson and served as an interim for Brick, where he had also taught. He also served as interim superintendent the last time Toms River had a superintendent search. Gialanella will be paid $750 a day, and the position is expected to run January 1 until the end of June. The Asbury Park Press reported that Gialanella took a leave of absence from his current position as executive director of school relations for Ocean County College. David Healy retired from the superintendent position, with the end of 2020 as his last days. He originally came to the district in 2014. During his tenure, he has shepherded the district through good times and bad. The coronavirus pandemic came at a time when the district was being given significantly less state aid. He was a district cheerleader, bringing busses of residents and officials to (Interim - See Page 4)
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