2022-10-08 - The Jackson Times

PBA Pig Roast Draws Record Crowd To Pine Park

Roller Rink Closes Its Doors

Jackson Kiwanis members Lois Kapp and John Wall were busy cooking up some sweet Italian sausage and noted that club members were grilling 192 pounds of hot dogs during the 22nd Annual Jackson PBA 168 Pig Roast.

By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – For about a quarter of a century, Jackson residents have come out to support an event coordinated by the township’s Po

liceman’s Benevolent Association 168 and this year’s event was picture perfect.

The event was once again held in Pine Park in Lakewood and sunny

skies and mild tempera tures greeted hundreds of attendees.

The event filled the park with various booths, inflatable chil dren’s games and other

attractions while mem bers of the township Kiwanis cooked up some familiar favor ites like sweet Italian sausage.

(Roast - See Page 8)

─Photo by Bob Vosseller

The Jackson Skating Center at 2270 West County Line Road has been operating in the township for years but its owners sold the property and its last day was October 3.

By Bob Vosseller

JACKSON – A long time entertainment attrac tion has closed its doors. There will be no further rolling around the rink in the township.

Generations of Ocean County residents grew up enjoying their weekend nights speeding around the rink of the Jackson Skating Center but that ended last weekend. The business, located at 2270 West County Line Road, closed its doors on October 3, according to a voicemail message and a recent company posting on its Facebook page.

(Rink - See Page 8)

Public Safety Improvements Come From New Communication System

By Bob Vosseller

JACKSON – Town ship residents are ex periencing improved public safety thanks to a new emergency response communi cations system.

chael Reina.

By Chris Lundy

The $5.9 million up grade to a 700-mega hertz communica tions system is pro viding consistent and thorough coverage for police, fire and first responders ac cording to Mayor Mi

“Effective public safety begins with effective technolo gy and communica tions systems. An investment in this type of technology is an investment in the public’s safety. That’s the bottom line,” he said. “Now, after a full year of handson experience with this new system, I’m happy to report that (Safety - See Page 4)

-Photo by Bob Vosseller

our police, fire and EMT officials are re porting better overall communications coverage of Jackson’s 100-plus square miles, fewer calls lost or interrupted due to old technology and, very im portantly, seamless radio connections with county and local government

agencies.”

The Federal Communications Com mission (FCC) required the new Mo torola 700-megahertz (MHz) system by public safety agencies across the country which modernizes the entire emergency response communications system. The previous system used a 500-MHz network.

Jackson’s upgrades include new po lice department radio hardware and

software, dispatch center equipment, police handheld- and car-based radio equipment, as well as new handheld radios for the township’s department of public works and code enforcement.

As part of the system upgrade, the township installed two 180-foot-tall radio towers on Larsen Road and Patterson Road. Both are exclusively part of this project and were completed throughout 2020.

As part of the overall initiative, the township’s fire and EMS squads purchased their own communications equipment, but both use the town ship’s radio towers to access all local and county emergency channels, the mayor said.

Planning process meetings started in 2019 to upgrade Jackson’s emergency response system. While the pandemic caused some delays in the project, the system became fully operational in the middle of 2021.

The mayor added, “whether in the face of crime, fire, road accidents or medical emergencies our police, fire and EMTs have your families covered.”

“Improving and strengthening the quality of life here in Jackson begins with keeping our residents safe. That’s one of the reasons why Jackson Town ship was named the safest municipality in the state with a population of more than 50,000,” Mayor Reina said. This report was published by Safewise.

“That doesn’t happen by accident. You have to invest in public safety and we do so because public safety must come first,” he added.

The upgrades to Jackson’s emergency response communications system build on other investments in public safety, including:

Adding more police officers, with the goal of bringing the full force up to 114. Six additional officers are expected to be hired in the near future. Investing in essential equipment, in cluding body armor, Tasers, vehicles and license plate readers. Securing professional accreditation through the New Jersey State Associ ation of Chiefs of Police, proving the department’s policies are in line with best practices.

make its way from Highland Parkway, down Route 9, turning on Washington Street and ending at the county Admin istration Building. If weather or some other reason causes a postponement, the date will be Tuesday, November 1.

Like in previous years, it is being run by the Toms River Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, while Company No. 2 provides fire coverage for the night. This will be the 83 rd parade. The first one was in 1919. However, a few years in the 1930s were missed due to lack of funds. There were also no parades during some years of WWII and the pan demic. Its billed as the second largest Halloween parade in the country, falling behind Greenwich Village.

Ken Beck, chair of the parade com mittee, said that they want everyone to register between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day of the parade at the firehouse at 26 Robbins Street. The roads downtown will close at 5 p.m.

There will be first, second, and third place trophies, he said. There will also be awards for the oldest in the parade, the youngest, and the person who had to travel the farthest. This year, there will be 11 walking and nine float divisions, he said.

People who want to walk in the parade should meet on Highland Parkway, not in the parking lot like last year. If you’re

driving something in the parade, you should take Water Street to Highland Parkway to the area of the old Foodtown parking lot.

There won’t be a single grand mar shall for the parade. Rather, they will honor all front line health care heroes. A statement by Patrick Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer of Community Medi cal Center, is in the parade’s regulations book.

“Since the beginning of the coro navirus pandemic, CMC’s staff and physicians have treated thousands of COVID-19 patients, while safely con tinuing to offer care for emergencies and other medical needs. This work would not have been possible without the efforts of partners throughout our community. This includes first respond ers who joined us on the frontlines of the pandemic, facing tremendous, un predicted challenges,” he said. “Toms River is home to incredible people, and the outpouring of appreciation and encouragement, from parades to signs to donated meals, helped CMC’s staff continue their fight. Compassion and re silience are a part of Toms River’s DNA; you see it in our healthcare workers and first responders, and CMC sees it in the people we serve.”

Firefighters are also encouraging residents to join volunteer firefighting squads, or for youth to join the Boy Scouts.

For more information, visit Facebook. com/trfcHalloweenParade

Photos By Bob Vosseller

Members of two Forked River families enjoy some fun as they find a spot during last year’s Toms River Halloween Parade, an event that they normally don’t get to attend.

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY

Letters To The Editor

ditorial

The Importance Of Community – 27 Years Of Micromedia

Let us power up our time machine and head back to April, 1995.

The world was glued to the O.J. Simpson trial. “Bad Boys” with Will Smith – pre-Oscar slap –topped the box office. Gas for the car averaged 90 cents a gallon. The inter net was slow as molasses. Cell phones weighed a ton, not everyone had them yet and if you did, you could only make calls. No social media. No Google! If you were doing research, you had to go to a place called the library.

Some of you reading this may have been working, raising children, learning your ABCs or having your diapers changed –others may not have been a twinkle yet.

In the basement of a home in Pine Lake Park, former copy machine salesman Stew Swann and his Jane-of-all-trades niece Robyn Laird were making history – creating the first edition of The Manchester Times

They were aided by Stew’s late wife Alice, who showed her uncon ditional love and support through the entire incep tion of Micromedia Pub lications – and let’s not forget Fluffy – the cat who kept a watchful eye on the process, while at the same time, terrorizing Robyn. And now we’re going BACK TO THE FU TURE!

It’s 27 years later and Micromedia now has sev en weekly newspapers,

three hyperlocal news websites, thousands of readers, many loyal ad vertisers and the respect from the local govern ment and communities we serve.

Our print newspapers are everywhere, we have over 100,000 social media followers, we’re on the Newsbreak app, Google News, Apple News, on radio spots and have a billboard in the Ocean County Mall.

Micromedia has an in credibly talented staff who are dedicated to the mission statement the company was founded on: the importance of community.

The commitment to the management, design, the fair and balanced journal ism, the sales and distri bution of our products has never been interrupted – even through a global crisis.

I can say with great confidence that our read ers and advertisers are getting a fantastic prod uct each and every week and each and every day online.

While other local media outlets continue to fold, Micromedia prevails as our company President Stew Swann puts his staff and products above prof its. The company’s sur vival has always been his top priority and we hope to be here for another 27 years and beyond.

Jason Allentoff Vice President/COO Micromedia Publications

This letter is in reference to Toms River Schools being in school on Columbus Day. Why you have the U.S. flag on your school building or in your school yard.

Preserve Columbus Day Holiday Candidate Runs With “No Strings Attached”

His name is embedded and referenced in the history of our nation. God bless Colum bus and God bless the United States of America.

Charles Pisano Jersey Shore

Lacey needs to examine its conscience and the Master Plan. More citizens need to attend meetings and voice their opinions. The Township Master Plan is soon due for review.

In 1891 Francis Bellamy was hired to work for Youth’s Champion, a family patriot ic magazine. Bellamy was assigned to the promotion department where he began a massive patriotic program for schools across the country. The program was to coincide with the opening ceremonies of the Columbian Exposition at the World Fair in Chicago, Illinois in recognition of the 400th Anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s his toric discovery. Bellay wrote the “Pledge of Allegiances” which was to be part of the program and was to be re cited in unison by all public schools across the country.

Bellamy was successful in lobbying Congress to pass a resolution endorsing his program. He was instrumen tal in convening President Benjamin Harrison to issue a proclamation declaring Columbus Day a holiday.

Thanks to Bellamy schools across this country proudly fly the flag of the United States of America. We should also be thankful that Chris topher Columbus has the vision and courage to sail in uncharted waters and dis covered a new continent on which this country was born.

Hello residents of Lanoka Harbor and Forked River!

Your Lacey volunteer public advocate is now running for a seat on the Lacey Township Committee.

My campaign is not accept ing ANY contributions. I have decided to run using my own funds. My slogan is “No Strings Attached.”

As a resident of Lacey for over 23 years, I have wit nessed firsthand the chang es the township has been through.

For nearly 20 years I have at tended Township Committee meetings, Lacey Municipal Utilities Authority meetings, School Board meetings and Planning Board meetings. Sometimes also the Board of Adjustment. More recently I have been attending the Municipal Alliance meetings and this past year I have been going to Toms River for the Ocean County Commission er meetings.

I served 2 terms on the school board and was a mem ber of the Municipal Alliance for a few years as well.

We Welcome Letters To The Editor!

The Jackson Times welcomes all points of view for pub lication and provides this page as an open forum for residents to express them selves regarding politics, government, current events and local concerns.

All letters are printed as space allows unless deemed offensive by the editorial staff, and provided they are signed and include address & phone number for verifica tion. Letters may not be print ed if we cannot verify them. Names will not be withheld from publication. While most letters are printed as submit ted, we reserve the right to

edit or reject letters. The weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday. Mail typed letters to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, fax 732-657-7388 or e-mail news@jerseyshore online.com. Letters may be limited to one per month per writer at the editor’s discretion.

The opinions expressed in the Letters To The Editor section do not necessari ly reflect those of the staff, management or sponsors of Micromedia Publications/ Jersey Shore Online. Letters to the Editor are the OPINION of the writer and the content is not checked for accuracy.

The Township Commit tee meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month in the Municipal Building on Lacey Road at 6:30 p.m.

Please try to attend. Lacey’s future depends on ALL of us.

Please vote November 8thRegina Discenza for Lacey Township Committee.

Regina Discenza

Forked River Independent Candidate for Lacey Township Committee

Barnegat’s Overdevelopment Can Be Fixed

There has been an explosion of construction in Barnegat Township these last 8 years. My opponent, Al Bille, claims the overdevelopment is good for the Township coffers, yet municipal taxes have risen each year. Since my opponent was elected the Municipal Budget has risen over 9 mil lion dollars and the Municipal Tax Rate has increased 23.5%.

The overdevelopment has caused a strain on infrastruc ture. Roads are failing, lack of residential water pressure, flooding, increased traffic, and congestion are just a few issues.

Builders are allowed to clearcut tracts of land well before construction begins…some have been cleared and idle for 4+ years. This clearing has caused runoff which has resulted in erosion & flooding in adjacent neighborhoods. The new high-density housing has also caused flooding in existing neighborhoods.

Residents also question why the same type of commercial development is repeatedly approved when so many strip malls sit vacant.

When Barnegat residents confront the Committee with these issues, the response is,

that the Township can’t stop the builders from building, there is nothing the Com mittee can do about nearby runoff/flooding, and they can’t afford to repair or upgrade the Township’s infrastructure. This is not acceptable.

Residents are justifiably angry about these issues. They regu larly address the Committee at Township meetings and post on social media…. some feel the Township Committee does not hear their voice…or worse…they may not care.

My opponent has even told the residents not to read Bar negat social media and he even convinced the Com mittee to have a referendum which could prohibit all signs on public property.

It’s time for a new approach and new ideas. It’s time for Barnegat to have new repre sentation. It’s time for change!

I plan to focus intently on these issues. I promise to hear your voice and listen to your concerns and convince the Committee to address your concerns. I ask for your sup port and your vote. Please elect me to the Barnegat Township Committee in 2022.

Charles Cunliffe Barnegat

Why Did GOP Vote Against Lowering Insulin?

I’m trying to see if anyone can answer this very important question? Why did Republi cans block a law to cap the cost of insulin to $35 a month? Thankfully, they didn’t touch Medicare patients. We still got the insulin price reduction. But if I was on a private insurance company, I wouldn’t. How is that fair? Why are insurance companies more important to Republicans than patients?

Please remember this when it comes to vote. Please remem ber that Democrats are the ones who put forward cutting the cost of insulin for seniors on Medicare.

Thank you for listening.

Dora Shellman

have

you want everyone know?

there an issue that needs

be

S potlight o n g ov E rnm E nt

New Assemblyman Pushes For School Funding Solutions

TRENTON – Carrying on the work of the late Assemblyman Ron Danc er, newly seated Assemblyman Alex Sauickie has taken up many of his predecessor’s bills that address the devastating effects of school funding losses under the funding formula law known as S2.

“‘Loss’ is a word that should never be used in the same sentence with ‘our children’s education.’ Whether it’s loss from a flawed funding for mula, or loss from government-forced school lockdowns, it’s imperative for education advocates to fix it,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) said. “Ron fought for that, and I will continue that

fight.”

The S2 school funding formula, signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2018, was touted as balancing sup posed inequities in how state aid was distributed, sending more money to underfunded districts while slashing aid to overfunded ones.

Nine out of the 17 school districts Sauickie represents had their state aid cut by a total of $17 million for the 2022-23 school year. For instance, Jackson schools lost $4.6 million in state aid. Those schools are among the 189 districts statewide that had their aid cut under S2.

“If schools now have to cut staff,

NJ Sends National Guard To Florida

Governor

Phil Murphy

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy announced on September 29 that he had authorized 135 New Jersey Na tional Guardsmen for deployment to Florida to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian, which made landfall September 28 as a Category 4 storm. In addition, 40 military and support vehicles will be sent to assist in the hurricane storm response.

Assistance is provided through the Emergency Management Assistant Compact (EMAC), a mutual aid agree ment allowing states and territories to share resources in response to natural and man-made disasters. Governor Murphy accepted the EMAC this morning authorizing the mission to Florida.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Florida right now as they begin their journey to recovery from Hurricane Ian,” said Governor Mur phy. “We are thankful for the 135 men and women who bravely volunteered to travel down to Florida to assist with hurricane aid and relief efforts. We are…prepared to provide more support where needed.”

“The New Jersey National Guard has an important history of being ‘Al ways Ready, Always There.’ Whether it was Superstorm Sandy, watching over our nation’s capital, or assisting during the COVID-19 pandemic, our

citizen soldiers and air men have distinguished themselves when our communities needed them most. This will be no different,” said Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., Adjutant General of New Jersey. “Our hearts are with the families of all affected by this hurricane.”

“Hurricane Ian made landfall…and created a path of destruction with dangerous winds and catastrophic flooding that has left the residents of Florida in need of assistance, and New Jersey has answered the call,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superin tendent of the New Jersey State Police.

“The New Jersey National Guard will be sending resources and personnel to Florida to assist them on their road to recovery. Our prayers are with the residents of Florida and everyone af fected by this storm.”

Hurricane Ian made landfall in south west Florida as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of up to 150 mph in the eye of the storm. The storm continued to move north, causing tre mendous damage and danger to those in its path, slowly downgrading to a tropical storm. Millions of Floridians were without power and in dangerous conditions.

cut classes, and cut extracurriculars, that suggests to me they weren’t over funded,” Sauickie added. “Maybe the governor’s math is wrong.”

The centerpiece of his omnibus bill package is a bill (A3893) he’s cospon soring that allows school districts to receive state aid equal to what they received last school year.

Other bills in the package:

• permit school district capital re serve account funds to be transferred to the general fund to offset state aid cuts (A2989);

• allow school districts to increase their enrollment in the interdistrict public school choice program to off

set state aid cuts (A3005);

• create a school funding commission to study and report back on creating a new funding formula (A3686);

• allow Jackson, Lakewood, Howell, Toms River, Brick, and Manchester school districts to form a three-year, nonpublic school student transporta tion pilot program to tackle escalat ing busing costs (A4461).

“I won’t mince words. We need to do better for all New Jersey students, teachers and property tax payers,” Sauickie said. “If this funding for mula is called fair, then those people don’t know what fair means. Perhaps they should consult a dictionary.”

Toscano

Your Retirement

P. Anzano, President

732-240-7227

Rink:

Continued From Page 1

The post stated, “Thank you for being loyal customers to Jackson Skating Cen ter. If you have not heard already, Jackson Skating Center will be closing on October 3, 2022.” An outgoing voicemail stated that the property has been sold and that the fa cility was already closed on the evening of October 3 which was thought to be its last day of operation.

Through social media, the company in vited residents to visit its other location in South Amboy. The company did not offer any explanation in its messages as to the

Roast:

Continued From Page 1

PBA 168 President Jeff Henba said, “We have 104 (police officers) and we have a committee that puts this on.” That committee includes officers Joseph Ponte and Mike Bollard who were the main coordinators plus Kevin Scheverman, Lauren Hornfeck, Randal Trasky and Robert Gravina.

Ponte said, “we’ll probably get over a thousand people today, maybe 1,500. We have the band Moon Doggie per forming this year.”

“Moon Doggie are good,” Henba add

reason the business was closing. There are rumors on social media suggesting a competitor of the rink may have purchased it but no confirmation of that is available.

With its closure, the nearest roller-skating rink will be Youngs Skating Park in Mays Landing which is the last roller-skating rink at the Jersey Shore.

Local communities have over the last several decades, opened skate parks that at tract those who enjoy rollerblading, skating boarding, and scooter riding.

According to NJParcels.com, the property is assessed at $1,345,600 and pays approx imately $34,000 in taxes. No records were found online for any sales of this property as of press time.

ed. “We had them last year.”

“We change it up every couple of years,” Ponte said.

Ponte said proceeds from ticket sales of the event don’t go toward any one particular cause. Some of it goes to scholarships, for example. “Every month we have a meeting and there are different families (or) organizations reaching out to us for help - for either a loved one who is ill or someone who lost their house in a fire or something like that.”

“We are always trying to give back to the community. It all goes into a fund and we distribute the money,” he said.

(Roast - See Page 9)

Roast:

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Police Officer Michael Bollard of the Support Services Division is a past vice president of the PBA 168. He said this would have been the 24 th pig roast but they missed one after the attacks on September 11, 2001 and one during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

“This started in Jackson and we brought it here (to Lakewood) proba bly about 15 years ago and it has been a great event for everyone. It really brings out a lot of people in town and they miss it when it doesn’t happen,” Bollard said.

As to the large amount of food re quired for an event of this scope, he said “ShopRite used to donate it but this year we got a donation and so we were on our own after that and we paid for the food. This really goes back to the community. This is what we do.”

“We do it for good times. The kids can enjoy the rides and the adults can enjoy the bands. There is a little bit for everybody,” Bollard said. He added that the PBA regularly presents thou sands of dollars each month to local causes. For example, they provide a full Thanksgiving dinner to families, and they supply local food banks. They also helped with a backpack drive at the start of the school year.

Among the many Jackson Kiwanis

members serving up the food were former president Lois Kapp and John Wall. Wall noted that this year the club was grilling up “at least 192 pounds of hot dogs.”

Adding to the festive atmosphere around the large inflatable slides, games of chance, a mini-train and rides were several costumed characters including Spider-Man and his amazing friends Mirabel and Isabela from the animated Disney movie “Encanto” who posed for photos with children. Spider-man was played by Anthony Drugo, who said he enjoys his time making children happy when they see them at the event.

He was joined by Samantha Moss who played the character of Mirabel and Lily Incantalupo who played Is abela. They were among three of the characters hired to entertain children from Princess Party Productions of Point Pleasant.

Among the organizations present were Alpha CISM Team which was fund raising for Tunnel of Towers. “We do crisis management for first responders. The team is state wide and if there is a critical incident we go in and help in diffusing things after the debriefing,” Jackson resident Daniel Schafer said.

Mayor Michael Reina and Council President Martin Flemming were among the elected officials that were present at the Pig Roast and who were enjoying the festivities.

ARE YOU READY

Ocean County Health Department COVID-19 & Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule for October

DATE

Tuesday, Oct. 11th

HOURS

Library 10AM-2PM

Wednesday, Oct. 12th Ocean County College COVID Vaccine & Testing 10AM-2PM

Wednesday, Oct. 12th Manchester Township EMS Annex 10:30AM-1:30PM

Thursday, Oct. 13th Silver Ridge Park Health Fair 1PM-5PM

Friday, Oct. 14th Ocean County Transportation Center at Manchester 10AM-2PM

Friday, Oct. 14th Barnegat/Waretown Health Fair - Community Cntr. 11th St. 10AM-2PM

Friday, Oct. 14th Lacey Farmer’s Market 11AM-3PM

Monday, Oct. 17th Ocean County Health Department - 175 Sunset 2PM-6PM

Monday, Oct. 17th Toms River Library 10AM-2PM

Tuesday, Oct. 18th Brick Senior Services 1PM-4PM

Wednesday, Oct. 19th Ocean County College COVID Vaccine & Testing 10AM-2PM

ALL CLINICS OFFER BOOSTER VACCINE TO INDIVIDUALS AGES 5 AND OLDER. BIVALENT BOOSTER NOW AVAILABLE FOR AGES 12 AND UP.

October 2022 Free Nature Programs

JACKSON – Tune into nature, it is the best way to relax! The team at Forest Resource Education Center are ready to show you how with many forest-fo cused educational experiences.

Peruse and pre-register for the smallgroup outdoor nature programs here: eventbrite.com/o/forest-resource-ed ucation-center-31858983647.

Below are the following events for the month of October:

Hunter Full Moon Hike: Celebrate the early signs of Fall when deer and turkey are fattening up on the bounty of acorns. Easy 1.5 mile walk through the State Tree Farm property. Maximum 18 people. Dress for the weather and cancel for rain.

This program meets on October 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.out front of the Forest

Resource Education Center, 495 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson.

Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Registration is free. Program is held outdoors and social distancing is still recommended be tween parties.

Shinrin - Yoku Forest Therapy: Im merse your senses with the touch, smell and sounds of the Fall Season. Wear soft shoes and dress for the weather for this mindful stroll through our trees. Bring a cool drink. Ages 15 and up.

This program meets on October 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Forest Resource Education Center, 495 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson.

Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 15 people per hike. Registration is free and open to all persons 15 years plus.

Government 0fficials... Have news that you would like the community to be involved with? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Send it to news@jerseyshoreonline.com.

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Local Boy Scouts Of America Council Honors Jackson Resident

JACKSON – Rutgers Robert Wood John son Medical School’s Susan Giordano of Jackson is one of six women honored by the Boy Scouts of America’s Patriots’ Path Council at its annual Tribute to Women Awards Luncheon at the Plainfield Country Club in Edison.

Giordano has served as program director of the medical school’s Homeless & Indi gent Population Health Outreach Project (HIPHOP) program for 22 of the program’s 30 years. HIPHOP, the community service arm of the medical school’s American Medical Student Association chapter, coor dinates the student-run Community Health Initiative and the Promise Clinic.

Giordano also is co-director of the school’s Distinction In Service to the Community (DISC) program, which supports and rec ognizes medical students who have shown exceptional interest, leadership and com mitment to volunteering in the community and working with underserved populations.

She supervises all HIPHOP and DISC programming and medical student leaders and serves as the programs’ community liaison. HIPHOP and DISC focus on serving the Greater New Brunswick underserved community, one of the medical school’s missions.

“Few deserve this honor more than Susan,” said Eric Jahn, senior associate dean for community health at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “The award appropriately reflects the dedication Susan has to em powering our communities and is reward for the endless hours she has devoted to serving our community members, students, faculty and staff.”

The annual Tribute to Women Awards Luncheon honors outstanding women who serve as exemplary role models for the youth of our area through their vocations or avocations and who live their lives accord ing to the ideas of the Scout Oath and Law.

Riding Safe For Richie 3rd Annual Fundraiser

JACKSON – Join for the 3rd Annual Rid ing Safe for Richie Fundraiser on October 15 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Amvets Post 2, 1290 Toms River Road, Jackson.

Door tickets are $20 per person. Tickets include a door prize ticket. They will be having a true 50/50, basket auction, door prizes, DJ, food and fun!

Event proceeds will go to motorcycle riding safety courses and scholarships for Point Pleasant Boro Highschool student.

─Photo courtesy Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

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High School To Host “Musical Spectacular” Competition

─Photo courtesy Jackson Liberty High School Marching Band gift basket auction, and 50/50 raffles. Spectators can vote for the Best Band Director; and families and friends can purchase air grams, candy grams and duck grams for their favorite musi cians.

JACKSON – Attention music lovers: Save the date for October 15, when the Jackson Liberty Lion Marching Band will be hosting its marching band competition “Musical Spectacular.” This is the first marching band com petition that the school has hosted in many years. Twenty-two high school marching bands from throughout the region will perform their field shows and be judged during this Tournament of Bands event. The show kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will end around 9 p.m. The gates will open to spectators at 1 p.m.

The award-winning Jackson Liberty Lion Band will perform their Egyp tian-themed field show “The Tomb” at 7:50 p.m. The show is chock-full of crowd-pleasing musical and visual surprises.

There will be food, vendors, a mini

Jackson Liberty High School is lo cated at 125. N. Hope Chapel Road in Jackson. Spectator parking will be in the lot closest to the football stadium. Tickets cost $10 per person; children under age 4 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

The event is sponsored by the Jackson Liberty Band Parent and Student Asso ciation. All proceeds will benefit the Jackson Liberty Lion Band. The band is under the direction of Scott Katona. For more information, contact Band Director Scott Katona at 732-8334700, ext. 7310 or email sskatona@ jacksonsd.org.

H ere

s t o Y our H e A lt H

Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

How Colds, The Flu & Covid 19 Affects Hearing

It’s been well over 2 years, and the Covid 19 variants are still wreaking

in

area. For the most part, the new variants just present with “coldlike” symptoms but the rate of infection spread is typically higher than the common cold. Unfortunately, once you start to exhibit symptoms such as a sore throat, headache, sinus pressure, post nasal drip, etc., you already have Covid 19 and more than likely you have spread the germs to others. Many individuals are taking in home rapid tests and are commonly “negative” for a few days before the result is positive.

In my opinion, this is reason enough to frequently wash your hands, don a mask (when in large in group events), and get vaccinated. Unless you physician recom mends otherwise, vaccinated individ uals typically experience a significant reduction of Covid 19 symptoms and the recovery time is generally less.

Upper respiratory viruses often create fluid buildup in the middle ear, leading to congestion, pain, muffled sound, and secondary infections. The flu virus has been known to affect the auditory nerve,

which can cause permanent hearing loss. Similar to the flu, COVID-19 has shown an alarming ability to attack the hearing and vestibular systems, although the exact reason is still under investi gation. Patients with long-haul COVID are at increased risk. Luckily, serious hearing damage from viral infections is rare, though the temporary effects are uncomfortable — stuffiness, dizziness, tinnitus, and ear infections could put a damper on your future holiday plans.

If you have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo during a bout of COVID 19 and these symptoms are continuing to “linger” I would contact your hearing healthcare professional for a complete hearing and dizziness evaluation. Protect your hearing by supporting your health!

Dr. Izzy and his Staff are always avail able to answer your questions about hearing health. His offices are located in Toms River, Manahawkin, and Whiting and can be reached by calling 732-8183610 (Toms River/Whiting) or 609-9788946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at w ww. gardenstatehearing.com.

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-276-1011 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

Craft Fair and Oktoberfest

s t o Y our H e A lt H

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

6 Natural Blood Thinning Foods

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

People experiencing blood clots are occur ring at an unprecedented rate these days!

Blood becomes thicker than normal when a protein called fibrinogen increases. Its main task is to generate a mesh network of platelets so that they aggregate. This stops blood flow. You want fibrinogen around because otherwise, you’d bleed to death from a minor cut. But too much fibrinogen creates platelet clumping, and thus a clot that blocks blood flow.

One of the main ways that your blood becomes thicker than it should involves a protein called fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is one of several proteins that assist in the coagulation process. Its specific job is to generate networks of fibers that link plate lets together to stop blood flow. We need adequate levels of fibrinogen to stop bleed ing when we are injured. However, elevated fibrinogen levels are associated with exces sive clotting and slower blood flow which makes the heart work harder. Oxygen flow throughout the body is reduced, therefore fatigue and weakness become suddenly more significant.

I’ve never before seen anything like this. It used to be just people who with risk factors developed a clot, but again, something has changed making people who would never be at risk, to be at risk!

The typical risk factors used to be: Smoking or long history of nicotine use Pregnancy

A hospitalization

Being sedentary

Use of estrogen-containing hormones

Advanced age

Elevated CRP Cancer

We can add new risk factors now such as activation of ACE receptors, history of a serious viral infection such as COVID, myocarditis as well as others not listed here.

If a clot develops, a piece of it can break off and that’s where the danger lies. The bro ken-off part can travel through the blood stream and lodge somewhere it shouldn’t, such as in the lungs. If this happens the term used is pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of this include chest pain, coughing, difficulty with respiration, heart rhythm changes, bloody sputum, or shortness of breath.

If part of the clot breaks off and lands in or around the brain, it can cause a stroke. The risk of heart attack increases as well.

Natural Blood Thinners

Turmeric

Ginger Garlic

Grape seed Ginkgo biloba

Nattokinase

A blood clot can lead to a fatal conse quence, and it is a silent killer so I thought it would be nice for you to know about natural options such as foods and herbal options. Please discuss any changes to your medication or supplement regimen with your physician as natural anticoagulants interact with prescribed ones and can cause easy bruising and even hemorrhage. There is more information at an article called “Un derstanding Blood Clots.” This is posted on the CDC’s website. I also have a longer version with more natural options posted at my website, suzycohen.com.

C

ommunity n E w

Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre

JACKSON – Join in a celebration of His panic Heritage Month and enjoy music and dance by the Alborada Spanish Dance The atre at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch, 2 p.m. October 8.

The Hispanic Tapas Dance Program will be a mixture of classical, regional, and fla menco dances from Spain, and Latin Amer ican dances from Mexico and Ecuador.

Considered New Jersey’s premier Spanish and Latin American dance company, the Al borada Spanish Dance Theatre was founded in 1965 as the Maria Alba Spanish Dance Company. The group regularly toured ma

jor East Coast venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Symphony Space.

In 1980, Maria and current Artistic and Executive Director Eva Lucena introduced dynamic choreographers and dancers to project a broad perspective of Spanish culture. Today, Alborada maintains a vast repertoire of dance forms and dance dramas with origins in Spain and Latin America.

Registration at theoceancountylibrary. org/events is required for this free pro gram. For more information, visit the Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, or call 732-9284400.

─Photo courtesy Ocean County Library

Beware Of The Do-It-Yourself Will

By: Michael J, Deem, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

It happens several times each year, a client walks into my office with a document entitled “Last Will and Testament” and asks me to review it. The document is always a will that the client attempted to draft on his or her own. In some cases they used a form book from the library, in other cases they used an online service or a software program which they pur chased. In a few instances, they will attempt to copy another will, either their own prior will or someone else’s. In almost every instance, the document does not meet the requirements for a will in the State of New Jersey putting them in a position where they either have no will at all or which requires a court to interpret the document for them, which could cost their estates a lot of money.

I believe that drafting your own will is like trying to remove your own gall bladder. There is a small chance that you may do it right, but there is a far greater chance that you won’t. In over 100 do-it-yourself wills that I have reviewed, not one was a valid will that would have been probated with the Surrogate’s office. When I ask the client why they attempted to draft their own will, the most common answer I receive is that they wanted to save money. Other times they will tell me that they wrote the will themselves because an attorney refused to prepare the will they way they wanted it. In one instance a client told me he drafted his own will because he did not understand the “legalese” he saw in wills and he wanted a will that he and his family could understand.

Looking at the various reasons why people draft their own wills I find that most of them are not valid. As noted, the most common reason people try to make their own wills is to save money. This is most often an illusion. In Ocean County the average cost of preparing a will varies from $100 to $200. The cost of having to go to court if the will is not drafted property can be as high as $2,500 to $3,000.

Michael J. Deem, Esq.

In a worst-case scenario, the court may rule that there is no will at all, thus subjecting the estate to go through administration, where the cost of posting a surety bond could easily exceed $1,000.00 each year in an average estate. Clearly, any savings of trying to write your own will could be wiped out by the potential costs if the will is not drafted properly. Some people will try to draft wills themselves because they want to put in certain wording. In some cases, the wording that they are trying to put in their wills is either illegal, impractical or impossible to carry out. For example, one client wanted to leave all the assets to the ex ecutor named in the will and let the executor determine how the assets should be divided. In other words, the executor would be making the very decisions that the maker of the will should have made.

Finally, wills are drafted by attorneys using terms and concepts that date back to medieval England. Those terms and concept have a specific meaning in the law. Often those terms are not readily understood by the non-lawyer. By attempting to draft a will using common English, in many cases a person will create an ambiguity that can only be resolved by a court at great expense to the person’s estate.

In one case, when faced with two conflicting clauses concerning the payment of death taxes and not understanding either clause, the client put both clauses into the will and said let the executor decide which clause should apply. One can only imagine what the Internal Rev enue Service would have done with that logic.

Your will is the most important document you will ever sign. It only makes sense to have it prepared by an attorney knowledgeable in estate law rather than try to do it yourself. The modest cost of having an attorney prepare the will is offset by the potential costs if the will is not drafted properly.

By Renee A. Thomaier Retired New Jersey Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

Facts: Simply stated, rabies is one of the oldest diseases known to man. It is a fatal, contagious disease which affects mammals, which due to vaccines, good veterinary care and astute animal husband ry, it is mostly found in wildlife. Birds are not threatened by this disease. It is untrue that all raccoons carry rabies. Other mam mals, such as squirrels, mice, groundhogs, rats, wild rabbits, chipmunks, have almost never been known to transmit rabies to humans. Why is that you might wonder? Due to the fact that their size and ability

around thE

Rabies – The Facts And The Myths

to survive an attack by a rabid animal is very slim. More than likely, they would succumb to death before they could be come a danger. A bite from a rabid animal transfers saliva, which is the culprit for the transmission of the disease. Contact with rabies-active saliva alone through an open wound for example, contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) is enough to transmit the disease.

Facts: It is important to know that rabies is a slow-moving virus that travels up the spinal cord to the brain. Once symptoms become apparent the virus is multiplying in the brain. The only time an animal can spread the virus is when it is in the saliva,

which happens several days BEFORE symptoms become apparent. Therefore, an animal cannot spread the disease when it is incubating the virus, which is the time it takes the virus to travel along the spinal cord from site of entry.

What does a rabid animal look like? Usually either very vicious and aggressive or partially or totally paralyzed, trouble walking.

Myths: These symptoms are not always an indication of rabies. Antifreeze poison ing, head trauma and canine distemper (a disease of dogs) are other reason you might see similar symptoms. It’s a myth that if a nocturnal animal appears in the

daylight, that they must have rabies. As I touched on in my article ‘Raccoons Out in Daylight,’ there are other reasons. Don’t assume an animal is rabid. Exercise caution. Contact the NJ Public Health and Environmental Laboratories, Rabies Laboratory via email: rabies.PHEL@doh. nj.gov or by telephone: (609) 530-8416, 671-6418 or 671-6419.

The information for this article from was gathered through multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732-244-2768. It is illegal to possess or relocate wildlife for any reason without the proper state and/or federal permits.

CLASSIFIEDS

For Rent

Seaside Park - Beautiful, Oceanfront, 2 bedroom, super clean and quiet. No pets. $2,500/month, security, credit check required. 908-278-5491. (40)

Seeking Home

APARTMENT WANTED - For senior healthy female ASAP, 908-910-3046. (40)

SENIOR JERSEY GENT SEEKS

NEW HOME - Semi-retired (fully vaccinated including Pfizer booster) desires lodging in private home. Food fringees too! Call Charlie 732-2163176. Email: cr@exit109.com. (40)

54 Year Old Gentlemen - Looking to seach for apartment/house to rent in Brick or Toms River. Please call Mary Ann 732-475-7770. (40)

Garage Sale

House Sale, Entire Contents Must Go - 39 Glenn Drive, Manahawkin. October 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (43)

Auto Wanted

Looking For Low Mileage CarFor my teenage grandson. He will treasure it in his memory as his first car. 732-849-5310. (44)

Estate

Estate Sale All Must GoCall 732-267-6232. (42)

Personals

Senior Single Males 70+ WantedFor friendship, companionship for single senior females must have good morals standards 732-6786786 will return call. (43)

Items For Sale

Kayaks Santee Sport 126 - Red/ WH $650. antee Sport 116 orange/ WH $650. Excellent condition. Light weight, epic paddle includ ed. 732-673-7072. (42)

PUERTO RICAN PASTE

- Holiday Tradition. Pork or Chicken. Made weekly/Vacu um Sealed. Call/text Cary 908770-8537. $40 dozen. (43)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, brica-brac, select china and crys tal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Blues, Reggae, Soul. Very good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-7104 (44)

CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, turntables, musical instru-ments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115. (30)

CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)

Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)

Help Wanted

Carmen's Hair Styles- Help wanted hair stylist with experience. 1900 Rt. 70, Ste 210, Lakewood NJ. 732597-3447. Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carmenshairstyles.com (43)

HIRING NOW!! The Goddard School of Toms River Route 70 is urgently hiring Assistant Teachers and Teacher Aides to float be tween the Infant through School Age classrooms. No teaching ex perience necessary. On-the-job training provided. Multiple PT and FT positions available. Call 732-363-5530 or email dtoms river2nj3@goddardschools.com to schedule an interview today! (t/n)

Home Health Care CompanyNow Hiring RN’s, LPN’s and CHHA in Ocean & Monmouth Counties! Flexible schedul ing. Work in your community. Weekly pay. Career advance ment. Comprehensive benefits. Call 732-505-8000 today. (t/n)

Services

Experienced Home Health Aid(s)

Available hourly or 24/7 and ready to assist you with personal care, medication monitoring, driving, grocery shopping, cooking, light housekeeping, companionship, etc. (including patients suffering from Dementia/Althheimer's or any other disabilities). References available. Call 732-910-8869. (42)

Absolute best home improvements!"Building the shore since 1984" Additions, carpentry, windows & doors, roofing & siding, painting & staining, flooring, kitchens & baths, finished basements, masonry, fencing, custom decks, fully insured, license #13VH11804800. $ave. Call Brien 732-850-5060. (28)

House Cleaning, Painting, Shop ping, - Window cleaning, laundry, carpet cleaning, office cleaning. Very good prices. Call 732-7735078 or 848-287-3944.

CHEAP PAINTING Done RITEFree est. Senior discounts interi or exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (28)

Computer Tutoring for Seniors –Retired, “Microsoft Certified” in structor. Very Reasonable rates. Very patient with slow learners. I’ll teach you in the comfort of your home on your computer. I can trouble shoot your slow computer! I also teach iPhone and iPad. I set up new com puters at less than half the price the retailers charge. Windows 10 special ist. I can also build a beautiful small business website at a fraction of the going rates. Special Projects always welcome! Tony 732-997-8192. (t/n)

LANDSCAPING - Restorations, Repairs, Stones, Mulch, Sod Installs, Hedges, Shrubs, Bushes, Downed Branches Trimmed & Removed, Dem olition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster ser vice provided by A901 Licensed Haul er ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609-335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000. NO JOB TOO SMALL! (15)

DOWLING FENCE LLC - WE'VE RECENTLY MOVED TO TOMS RIVER! CALL US FOR ALL YOUR FENCING NEEDS. RESI DENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL, BEST PRICING AND WORK MANSHIP! CALL 732-771-5150 OR 732-644-0627. (46)

Services Services Services

Certified Home Health AidesNeeded for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n )

MY HANDY CREW - Home re pairs, carpentry, painting roofing and siding, decks, powerwashing, yardwor,k all your home main tenance needs. $ave. Call Clark 732-850-5060. Insured and NJ License #13VH11804800. (46)

Bobs Waterproofing - Basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Mold testing, removal and prevention. Family owned. Fully licensed and in sured. Call Bob 732-616-5007. (t/n)

Handyman Service - Carpentry, masonry, painting repairs large and small. 40 years experience. Call Jim 732-674-3346. (39)

Music Lessons In Your Home -

By state certified instrumen tal music teacher. Please call 732-350-4427 for more informa tion. All are welcome. (3)

Cleaning Home or Office -Week ly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly. Available Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach. Decades of Experience, Free Esti mate, Call Nancy 732-674-6640 (43)

ALL American Home Health AidesExperienced experts in the field of trauma and recovery. Holistic approach to healing-nutrition, physical therapy, and quality of life improvements. Hourly or live in. Honest, hardwork ing, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605 (t/n)

PQ Painting & Home Improve ment Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com . Win ner of Angie’s List Super Service Award. Free estimates, reasonable rates, fully licensed and insured NJ Lic #13VH06752800. Call 732500-3063 or 609-356-2444. (t/n)

Items Wanted

For Sale - 3 piece queen bed room with box spring and mattress, wood grain. Used only twice, $499. 732-503-3263. (41) ISO Experienced Body Shop WelderTo work on old car. No schedule. Call Bart 201-249-2400. (43)

COSTUME/ESTATE JEWEL

RY Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

Cash Paid LP Records - 33/45's, reel to reel's. Fast response, we answer the phone 732-829-5908, 24/7, Eddie. (41)

Entire Estates Bought - Bed room/dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)

Laundromat Attendant - For FT/ PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Trans portation needed. Long term com mitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)

Day Substitutes Wanted for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School district: Couriers, Custodi al, School Nurses/RN, Secretarial, Teachers for Trade Skill Areas-Auto, Construction, Culinary, Electrical, Engineering/Machine Technology, Heavy Equipment Operator, HVAC, Plumbing, Welding or visit www.ocvts. org/employment. EOE. Please email resume to: tedgar@mail.ocvts.org or call 732-240-6414, ext. 3317. (42)

Garden State Medical Centercurrently looking for qualified candi dates to fill their medical assistant, re ceptionist, and surgical technician posi tions. If you would like to apply or have any questions, call 732-202-3000. (45)

Property/Management - Brick repair, brick restoration, mulch, stone. Spring/Fall cleanups. pruning, concrete repairs. Call Ken 732-814-7743. (42)

Car Service - 24/7. Doctors, shop ping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family func tions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)

Santucci Painting LLC - We paint it all, interior and exterior, drywall re pair, pressure washing, decks, stained. Email santwag@aol.com. 908-3275471. 13VH05784200. (41)

Prepare for power outages today - with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-833-901-0309. (t/n)

Nor’easter Painting and Stain ing, LLC - Interior and exte rior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-691-0123. Lic #13VH09460600. (19)

around thE JErSEy ShorE

School Health Benefit Increases Cause Concern

NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Council of County Colleges is extremely concerned about the impact of the rate increases in the School Employees Health Benefits Plan (SEHBP) that were accepted Monday by the SEHBP Commission by a 5-1 vote.

“The increase will cost community col leges $14 million this year alone. That will consume almost all of the operating aid increases colleges have received in the past 15 years.” said Aaron Fichtner, President of

the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. Community colleges are the largest, and most racially and economically diverse, sector of higher education in New Jersey, with over 200,000 students. Their gradu ates overwhelmingly stay in New Jersey, and are critical to the state’s workforce and economy. They work closely with industry partners to provide a skilled workforce, and to provide good jobs for New Jerseyans. For example, community colleges train more

New Jersey nurses than every other sector of higher education combined. “This is work that builds the middle class,” noted Fichtner.

The Council supports legislation intro duced to date that addresses the operation of the SEHBP commission (S3033, spon sored by Majority Leader Ruiz/A4552, sponsored by Assemblywoman Pintor Marin, and S2994, sponsored by Senator Turner) and the bill S2995, also sponsored

by Senator Turner, that requires use of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund grants to reduce increases in premi um rates for the SEHBP for calendar year 2023. These are important steps forward.

“The Council looks forward to working with our New Jersey legislators to mitigate the impact of this increase on community colleges and their students, and on find ing a sustainable solution.” according to Fichtner.

photo of

Grysz

Lanes Will Close For Seaside Bridge Repair

By Chris Lundy

TOMS RIVER – There will be temporary lane closures for a few weeks on the westbound side of the bridge coming back from Seaside Heights, the New Jersey Department of Trans portation reported.

The first day of the construction was Monday, October 3. One or two lanes will be closed from Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. One lane will always be open. The eastbound traffic will be unaffected. Electronic signs will tell drivers about the closed lanes.

The DOT said the work will take place until the end of October.

PKF Mark III, Inc. will be performing deck re pairs as part of a $9.6 million statewide Draw bridge Preventative Maintenance Contract. Weather and other factors could impact the work. Updates and real-time travel in formation will be provided on 511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NewJerseyDOT or on the NJDOT Facebook page.

Veteran’s Day Concert

RED BANK – Tower Hill Church an nounces the Veteran’s Day Concert for November 14 at 4 p.m. Led by Music Director Fiona Smith with amazing brass players from west Point Band, special salutes to veterans, patriotic choral works, and sing-a-longs. Recep

tion to follow.

All are welcome. Free to the public. For more information, call 732-6914348 ext. 202, email fiona@TowerHill Church.org, or visit TowerHillChurch. org. Tower Hill Church is located at 255 Harding Road, Red Bank.

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Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

For the week of OCT 8 - OCt 14 By Jeraldine Saunders

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Whether or not the truth is pretty, by sticking by it you can prevent loss of trust. Plant the seeds of a financial idea in the upcoming week and then be patientgive it plenty of time to sprout and grow.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the week ahead, more can be gained by being cooperative than competitive. If you push your way to the front of the line, other people might push back. Remain poised and calm to cope with the unexpected.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Work with others in the week ahead. Extending friendly warmth and kindness can thaw even the chill iest situation. Exercise at the gym, walk with friends or spend time out and about in your local community.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): It may be challenging to think clearly and act promptly when you are dealt wild cards. Have faith that a problem or disagreement can be cured. A partner or loved one may be a valuable resource in the week ahead.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t be taken in by surface appearances. Find inspiration but avoid believing something that you know isn’t true. In the week to come, you might enjoy working with your partner in a group setting with friends.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The road to knowledge may rise to meet you. This may be a good week to try a new experience or dive deeply into a new study or research project. If you do not waver, you can profit from an idea implemented now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) : You and a partner may see the same skies, but you might not view the same horizon. Loved ones may cause you to doubt their commitment in the upcoming week. Remain faithful even if someone is impulsive or erratic.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Follow the learning curve upward. Solving a puzzle can be a springboard to a better understanding of how to achieve success. Use your money to try to make loved ones and friends happy in the week to come.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Num bers can be counted on to give predictable results, but someone’s explanations might not add up. Watch what a loved one does, not what they say. You can turn a profit if you are thorough about your research.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Both money and love can help to make life easier and more joyful. You may be able to express your passion for something or someone without holding back as this week begins. Analyze a situation and find a solution.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Friends may come and go but the best ones will be there to help you when you need it. You could be encouraged to be more competitive. It might be difficult to remain within a realistic budget in the week ahead.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be prac tical and let idealism take second place. Put some distance between you and a problem in the week ahead so that you have a better perspective. This is not a time to let suspicions or doubts cloud your judgment.

(c) 2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

SERVE THESE BUTTERY SCONES WITH YOUR FAVORITE JAM FOR A SPECIAL BREAKFAST

By America’s Test Kitchen

SIMPLE CREAM SCONES

Makes 8 scones

2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces and chilled 1 cup (8 ounces) heavy cream

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor. Process mixture for 3 seconds.

3. Sprinkle chilled butter over flour mix ture. Pulse until mixture looks like coarse

crumbs, about 10 seconds.

4. Transfer flour-butter mixture to a large bowl. Add cream and use a rubber spat ula to stir until just combined and no dry flour is visible. Do not overmix.

5. Transfer mixture to a clean counter and use your hands to gather and press mixture until dough forms and holds together, 5 to 10 seconds.

6. Use your hands to pat dough into an 8-inch circle, about 3/4-inch thick.

7. Use a bench scraper (or butter knife) to cut circle into 8 wedges. Transfer scones to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

8. Bake until scones are light brown on top, 10 to 14 minutes.

9. Remove baking sheet from oven and place on a cooling rack. Let scones cool on baking sheet for 15 minutes.

10. Transfer scones directly to a cooling rack. Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.

(For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. See more online at www.americastestkitchen. com/TCA.) (c) 2022 AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.