2023-01-07 - The Berkeley Times

OFFICIALS WANT TRAFFIC LIGHT AT HICKORY

Senator Connors Won’t Seek Re-Election

By Chris Lundy

TRENTON – After decades in politics, Sen. Christopher Connors announced he won’t seek re-election in the fall.

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve the people of the 9th Legislative District. I have always held a strong commitment to serving the community and have always thought of my constituents as my extended family,” he said. “However, after thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to the State Legislature

after 33 years of service. This was certainly a difficult decision, but I feel in my heart that this is the right time to step aside, especially as running for re-election would require serving a four-year term.”

The Lacey Republican had a long career in politics. He was first elected to the Lacey Township Committee in 1984, serving as mayor from 1986-1990. He joined the Assembly in the 9 th District in 1989 and won elections ever since. He was Assistant Majority Leader from 1992-1995.

(Connors - See Page 7)

Right now, there is just a stop sign, but officials want a traffic light. ing body is pushing for a new traffic light at an intersection because of the large volume of cars.

By Chris Lundy BERKELEY

– A lot of locals complain about traffic on Route 9, and they don’t want more lights. But the govern-

Hickory Lane meets

Route 9 near the Verizon building. Making a left onto Route 9 from Hickory – or making a left from 9 onto Hickory – can take

a long time during peak hours. It sometimes causes drivers to take risks they normally wouldn’t.

(Traffic - See Page 4)

ANCHOR Rebate Given New Date

By Chris Lundy

OCEAN COUNTY – If you didn’t get a chance to apply for the new version of the Homestead Rebate program at the end of the year, don’t worry, you can still drop ANCHOR until January 31.

The ANCHOR property tax relief program originally had a deadline

of December 30. It was bumped to January 31, which is good for people who get busy during the holidays. State offices have been publicizing the additional time.

“For the residents of New Jersey, affordability is the most pressing issue and property taxes are the greatest burden,” said

Senate President Nick Scutari. “We are making use of resources to address this need by helping homeowners and renters with direct financial assistance. Extending the deadline will give our residents a greater ability to take advantage of a program that will help make their lives more

affordable.”

ANCHOR dropped in September. It is replacing the Homestead Rebate. It is picking up where Homestead left off, which is why it references 2019 in the application.

According to the state, more than 870,000 homeowners with incomes (ANCHOR - See Page 4)

Retiring Undersheriff: Police Work Has Changed In Over 40 Years

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – More than four decades ago

─Photo by Chris Lundy

─Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Undersheriff Nils “Rick” Berquist was sketched by a police artist. marked the beginning of two lifetime commitments for Nils “Rick” (Police - See Page 5)

Traffic: Continued From Page 1

Over the last 15 years, there’s been a lot of development off Hickory Lane, Mayor Carmen Amato said. One of the conditions for the approval of the Hickory Farms development was to put money into escrow for a traffic light.

Ernie Peters, engineer for the township, said that the township required the developer to do studies every other

year. The police department applied to the State Department of Transportation to analyze the data.

The State requires any town that asks for a traffic light to pay 25% of the cost, Peters said. The cost is approximately $250,000, so the township’s portion would be about $62,500. The town has about $75,000 in escrow from the developer to cover it.

Amato compared this to a nearby intersection at Frederick Drive. It took fatalities at that spot for the state to

agree to putting a light in. He doesn’t want it to get to that point. He’s rather see a traffic light installed before anyone loses their lives.

Since Route 9 is a state road, the township has to have approval from them to make any changes.

Councilman John Bacchione said “It’s just asking for an accident. If you live on Hickory and are trying to make a left, this light will be your best friend.”

Councilman James Byrnes noted that there is a plan to extend Hickory

around the Ocean County Utility Authority site that’s back there. It would provide another way for drivers to get to the Garden State Parkway. This plan is pretty far off, if it ever gets done. But the fact that it’s a possibility reinforces why the light would be a good idea.

The NJDOT is in the process of initiating the investigation on whether a signal is warranted, said Steve Schapiro, Press Manager for the Department.

federal or State income tax.

Who Can File?

up to $150,000 will receive $1,500 in relief; over 290,000 homeowners with incomes over $150,000 and up to $250,000 will receive $1,000; and over 900,000 renters with incomes up to $150,000 will receive $450 to help offset rent increases.

The application for the Affordable NJ Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) should have already been mailed to your home. All payments will begin going out in late spring, regardless of when you filed.

As opposed to the Homestead Rebate, which sent the money straight to your town to pay your tax bill, these will be issued as checks or direct deposit. Additionally, they are not subject to

To be eligible for this year’s benefit, homeowners and renters must have occupied their primary residence on October 1, 2019 and file or be exempt from NJ income taxes. Your 2019 NJ gross income needs to be less than $250,000.

Eligible homeowners can apply online, by phone, or via paper application, which can be downloaded online and returned by mail. Tenants can apply online, or download the application from the Taxation website and return by mail (there is no phone option for tenants, as this is the first time this group will be eligible for property tax relief).

For more information, visit nj.gov/ treasury/taxation/anchor / and check

out the extensive Frequently Asked Questions. If you don’t find your answer there, call the hotline at 1-888238–1233.

For Renters

Tenants (renters) who had previously been ineligible because their unit is under a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreement are now eligible to apply for the benefit.

“When we say we are delivering bold, direct property tax relief to working and middle-class New Jerseyans we mean it,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Expanding eligibility for renters and extending the deadline only strengthens that commitment and ensures all who need relief will have the time and awareness to benefit. I thank the Governor, the Senate President, and all our legislative partners

for coming together – this truly remains a game-changer for folks who have seen their budgets stretched further and further.”

“I am very grateful to the Governor, Senate President, Speaker and Treasurer for responding as quickly as they have to make renters in buildings with a PILOT eligible for the Anchor Program,” said Senator Joe Vitale. “I alerted them to the issue immediately after receiving a call from a constituent who pays market rate rent in a building whose occupancy is dedicated to veterans. Within two weeks they are announcing a fix to the problem. This is another great example of how one person’s decision to take action will make a difference for thousands of New Jersey renters and ensure this important tax relief reaches everyone it is intended to reach.”

Police:

Berquist said that the tools used by modern-day police departments now give them a means of not only looking up people but also tracking them instantaneously.

Berquist. After handing in his badge and gun at the end of the year, the 66-year-old Ocean County Undersheriff appeared more than ready to enjoy his retirement with his high school sweetheart.

“I started as a seasonal police officer with Seaside Heights in May of 1977,” shared Berquist. “That same month, I married my wife, Donna.”

Berquist’s retirement from the Sheriff’s Department comes five years after he joined the county law enforcement agency. After the short stint with Seaside Heights, Berquist served as an officer in Ocean Gate and Brick Township police departments. He moved up the ranks to retire as Brick’s police chief in 2015.

A great deal has changed in law enforcement work since 1977 when a “salty old sergeant” told Berquist the job wasn’t the same as it used to be. Meanwhile, the words take on a different meaning some 45 years later.

“The young cops coming in need a higher level of intelligence to do the job,” Berquist began. “They have to be very competent in so many different technology fields. When I started, you only had to be proficient with a pen or a typewriter.”

Before the computer age, police looked up names by sorting through volumes and volumes of files maintained on cross-referenced index cards. Law enforcement agencies kept all types of records in hardcopy.

Law enforcement agencies that needed to communicate with each other either picked up the telephone or used a teletype machine. The latter could take a long time to print and was not always considered reliable.

CAD systems, short for computer-aided dispatch, did not exist when Berquist started his law enforcement career in the three municipal police departments.

“When a call came in, the dispatcher logged it in a great big ledger,” said Berquist. “The ledgers were stored, and if you wanted to go back and look something up, you had to go through pages and pages of ledgers.”

The manual system came with one advantage as far as Berquist was concerned. If the power went out, work didn’t come to a standstill. Instead, officers used their flashlights.

On his way up the ranks, Berquist served as a member of the Brick Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau in the mid-1980s. Then, computers were still not prevalent, and typing up search warrants came with its share of challenges.

“We had to use carbon paper to make three copies,” Berquist explained. “You took your time because making a mistake was really an arduous process to get the warrant fixed and get back on track.”

As a young detective, Berquist recalled the

(Police - See Page 6)

─Photos by Stephanie Faughnan Undersheriff Nils “Rick” Berquist on his last day as a member of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department

Police:

Continued From Page 5

first thing he did when investigating a crime scene was to canvass the neighborhood. This meant knocking on doors to look for witnesses or further reports of suspicious activities.

Officers looking to solve crimes now have an additional tool to assist them in finding answers. The advent of cameras on front doors has become a tremendous resource for documenting evidence.

“You can’t go anywhere anymore in this world without being on camera,” asserted Berquist. “Some people would argue that it infringes on their rights, and maybe it does to some degree.”

While there’s no doubt that technology has enhanced police work, the newly retired Undersheriff suggested that it comes with a small downside.

“Young people coming on to the job don’t always have the communication skills that we had back then,” Berquist said. “So many of them would rather text and call.

“I don’t say that disparagingly, as I believe these are good, hardworking people and good cops,” continued Berquist. “But it’s a skill they didn’t pick up like we had to; we had to know how to look someone in the eye.”

Berquist submitted that only sixty percent of communication is verbal, and a great deal can be lost in the balance. What’s missing as part of the non-verbal exchange includes everything from facial expressions to body language.

The public’s perception of police work has had some impact over the last four decades. However, Berquist said he had not personally experienced the negativity, which he attributed to a “few bad apples” who made it tough for others.

“On some occasions, people in our profession have done some bad things,” shared Berquist. “There are also some good people that made mistakes. Unfortunately, this has hurt us and continues to hurt us and is not helping our ability to hire people.”

Once considered one of the best jobs across the nation, fewer applicants are signing up to take the test to become cops, according to Berquist. At a foundation of federal law enforcement officials, Berquist heard an interesting analogy made by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, who spoke on the value of service.

The Commandant recalled how people spit on soldiers returning from Vietnam. However, he pointed out that people now have a whole different appreciation for military service and said the same would return to police work.

No doubt that Berquist has seen a lot over four decades in law enforcement. The answer to what he viewed as his most rewarding experience provides insight into his personal value system.

“We helped a young boy whose mother couldn’t make it home for Christmas,” Berquist recalled. “We passed a hat at the hospital and got him toys and other gifts.”

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy worked with Berquist when the Undersheriff was part of Brick Township’s Police Department. He highlighted some of Berquist’s accomplishments while working for the county law enforcement agency.

“He took the lead on the body camera project,” said Matronardy. “He also took the lead on some equipment projects such as the safety holster one.”

Mastronardy said Berquist had always been a consummate professional in dealing with the judges and court staff and was a fantastic liaison who will be missed.

The Sheriff has not yet announced who will replace Berquist as Undersheriff.

─Photo by Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Undersheriff Nils “Rick” Berquist in his official uniform for the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

Connors:

Continued From Page 1

Every state district has a senator and two assembly members. His father was the senator in that district. When Leonard Connors retired in 2007, Christopher then stepped up into his father’s role. He’s won re-election ever since.

“I can take comfort in fulfilling my final year in the Senate knowing that I served my constituents to the best of my ability, always placing their best interests and good governance before partisan politics or special interest agendas. Always, my first and most important responsibility is to be responsive to my constituents, especially through the constituent services provided by my legislative district office to assist those in need,” he said.

“Making this decision even more difficult is how much I will sincerely miss the tremendously productive working relationships with the dedicated federal, state, county, and local elected officials whom I share a constituency. Most especially though, I will miss serving along my 9th District Legislative colleagues Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove who are dedicated, compassionate, and highly effective public servants who have earned the enduring respect of both their constituents and fellow elected officials,” he said.

“Lastly, I want to pay tribute to my late father, Senator Leonard T. Connors, Jr., for consistently instilling in me the qualities of a dedicated public servant,

Substitutes Wanted For Berkeley Schools

BERKELEY – The Berkeley Township School District is looking for substitute teachers. The rate of pay is $105/day. If you have 60 college credits you are eligible to substitute in Berkeley Township Schools.

To apply, visit btboe.org. Click on: Board of Education; Click on: Board Documents & Resources; Click on: Employment Opportunities. Complete an Applitrack application.

that begins with being responsive to and respectful of the people you were elected to represent. He always followed his moral compass and was the greatest father and mentor a person could ever have by their side.”

Connors is a partner with the law firm of Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ulaky, Koutsouris & Connors who also serves as the township attorney of Lacey. From 1982 to 1988, Connors was Deputy Director of

the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning and served as its Director during 1988 and 1989.

Connors served as Assistant Majority Leader 1992-95. Presently, Connors serves as a ranking member of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

His retirement leaves a power vacuum that local Republicans will likely vie for.

The 9 th District is made up of the following areas: Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Bass River, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Berkeley, Eagleswood, Galloway, Harvey Cedars, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Ocean Gate, Ocean Township (Waretown), Pine Beach, Port Republic, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, South Toms River, Stafford, Surf City, Tabernacle, Tuckerton, Washington (Burlington).

S potlight o n g overnment

Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials

New Jersey Wins $1.7 Trillion In Federal Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus (H.R. 2617), a government funding bill which provides significant investments in health care, transportation, housing, and education programs. Senators Booker and Menendez also fought to secure federal funding in the bill designed exclusively for community projects across New Jersey and for an amendment to provide relief to 9/11 families and

other U.S. victims of state-sponsored terrorism. H.R. 2617 provides $1.7 trillion in funding, which reflects increases in both non-defense and defense spending over FY22. Overall, the 12 appropriations bills provide $772.5 billion in nondefense funding and $858 billion in defense funding, including $44.9 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and our NATO allies and $2.4 billion for states who helped resettle Ukrainian refugees. A number of legislative changes championed by

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Senator Booker are part of the package, including: making permanent the option that states can provide 12 months of continuous Medicaid or CHIP coverage during postpartum, an effort Sen. Booker has called for in his MOMMIES Act and temporarily secured in the American Rescue Plan; the reauthorization of the Alternative to Opioids in Emergency Departments Reauthorization Act, a Booker bill that establishes a grant program for developing and implementing alternatives to opioids for pain management in hospitals and emergency departments; Sen. Booker’s Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which authorizes the establishment of a memorial in Washington, DC, to honor enslaved persons who were forcibly transported across the Atlantic; Sen. Booker’s bipartisan Emergency Savings Act, legislation to help Americans save for unexpected expenses through workplace emergency savings accounts; an additional $50 million for community violence intervention efforts; Booker’s bipartisan FDA Modernization Act that would end the outdated requirement that experimental drugs be tested on animals, instead allowing for non-animal testing when

appropriate; a modified version of Sen. Booker’s Right Whale Coexistence Act to establish a new federal grant program to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale; and additional funding for Small Business Administration to support entrepreneurship.

Senator Menendez secured several legislative victories in the package including: a five-year extension of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, the first funding increase for this vital program in a long time; an additional 200 new graduate medical education (GME) positions to respond to the dire need for mental health professionals; and five-year funding for Puerto Rico’s Medicaid with a Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) of 76%. Additionally, key provisions from Sen. Menendez’s bipartisan, bicameral DIVERSE Trials Act to help improve patient access to and diversity in clinical drug and treatment trials, as well as the reauthorization of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) included in the Senator’s Pursing Equity in Mental Health Act (S.1795), were also both included in the omnibus spending package.

New Jersey Partners With Lions Gate Films Inc.

TRENTON - The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced the award of the first-ever Studio Partner designation under the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act. The designation was awarded to Lions Gate Films Inc., which is set to lease space at the Newark studio currently under construction by Great Point Studios, after approval by the NJEDA Board.

“Awarding this designation is a major step in New Jersey’s evolution as a film and television destination,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Bringing studios like Lions Gate to New Jersey will allow us to attract more and larger productions to our state and will create good, high-paying jobs for our residents.”

The designation awarded to Lions Gate is one of only three available under the film and digital media tax incentive program and will allow the studio partner to capture additional above-the-line wage and salary costs as qualified expenses. Above-the-line wages and salary are payments made to highly paid individuals like directors, producers, writers, and performers. The studio partner may include in its application for tax credits above-the-line wages and salary expenses of up to $15 million, $25 million, $40 million, or $60 million depending on the amount of qualified film production expenses involved in the project. In addition, $100 million of the allocation for film and digital media tax credits is set aside for studio partners.

“This is great news for New Jersey’s flourishing film and television industry,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Lions Gate will be a welcome addition to the film landscape, and we look forward to seeing the ‘Filmed in New Jersey’ logo on Lions Gate films for years to come.”

Great Point Studios Co-Founder Robert Halmi said of the announcement, “This is a wonderful development for the many entertainment industry workers and performers in New Jersey and for the state itself. It could not have come about without the help of Governor Phil Murphy, who recognized the importance of this vast project to Newark, the state, and the region.”

Originally created under the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act, the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program provides a credit against the corporation business tax and the gross income tax for expenses incurred to produce certain films and digital media content in New Jersey.

The project sits on the former site of the Seth Boyden Housing complex in the South Ward section of Newark. The total planned costs are estimated to exceed $194 million to construct and fit out the 350,000- square-foot studio development.

When complete, the project will include five production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet and will offer a full set of production services on site, including

Beacon Of Life Care Center Officially Opens In Lakehurst

By Bob Vosseller

LAKEHURST – After more than a year of planning and renovation, the former site of the LaBove Grande banquet hall that sits on the Route 70 and Union Avenue circle has officially opened following its transformation into the Beacon of Life Center.

A special grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held featuring Borough Mayor Harry Robbins and a number of special guests for the new facility based at 800 Route 70 that will serve as a senior daycare facility for residents in Ocean and Monmouth counties.

Like its Monmouth County counterpart in Oceanport, the facility’s mission is to provide the newest healthcare and social service choices for elders.

Beacon of Life President Dan Czermak said, “it was a real challenge. Lakehurst is a small town. They take pride in their town. The PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program is all over Ocean County and covers a lot more territory than Lakehurst. Being part of the community is always important to me and the mayor and council have been very welcoming. There are great things that will be happening for both the community as well as the people who work here.

“(We help) get a better quality of life for a generation that is now needing more long-term care services and dignity that they want to maintain their home. We have such a huge population of seniors in our area that really needs good services and this wraps all the services around the medical, homecare, dietician, rehab under one roof - and help to their families, which is very important,” Czermak said

The new facility’s program staff consists of medical doctors, nurses, social workers, a recreation director and aides as well as physical, occupational and speech therapists.

The staff also includes dieticians, a home care supervisor, companions, certified home health

aides, transportation drivers, a kitchen manager, marketing and enrollment, housekeeping, and other support services.

The facility also has a day center that offers breakfast, lunch, and daily activities. Some participants choose to accept services from their home, while some will be on site to partake in the daily activities offered and to visit with a provider, or meet with a Social Services director to assist with helping to set up Food Stamps, utility bill expenses and other needs.

Following the official ribbon cutting ceremony which featured Mayor Robbins, Manchester Councilman James Vaccaro, Czermak and other dignitaries several presentations were made in dining room area.

“I want to say how impressed I am. This facility is phenomenal. I used to come here quite a bit when it was La Bove and what a difference. These types of facilities play a very important part in communities,” Mayor Robbins said.

“I noticed this first hand; my mother had dementia and was living in Florida. I brought her home to New Jersey to be near her family but she got to the point where she could no longer live by herself. I looked at places all around here in Ocean County and none of them hold a candle to what you have here,” the mayor added.

Mayor Robbins turned the microphone over to State Senator Robert Singer (R-30th) who said, “this is not a new program for me because I was on the board for their Monmouth County facility so I am quite familiar with the work you do and your staff. You touch people in a very special way and you are caring people.

“I can tell you that I was so thrilled when they got tracked to do Ocean County with our large senior citizen population. It is so welcoming here. There are thousands and thousands of seniors that desperately need this kind of program,” Senator Singer added. “What has always impressed me is that it allows families to stay together and allows families to work every day who have seniors that

they take care of, and allows certain seniors to stay in their own home. It is a caring program.”

The center was established to deliver PACE services. The PACE model is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible.

PACE participants must receive all needed health care, including primary care and specialist physician services (other than emergency services) from the PACE organization or an entity authorized by the PACE organization.

PACE is a nationally recognized program with over 160 organizations. Beacon of Life is the seventh operational PACE program in the state and its flagship site in Monmouth County has been operational for seven years.

For a client to be eligible for the PACE program

they must be 55 years or older, live in the PACE service area (Monmouth or Ocean County), and meet nursing home level of care.

“PACE participants may be fully and personally liable for the costs of unauthorized or out-of-PACE services. Emergency services are covered,” according to their website.

The day’s celebration featured tours of the facility, singers who performed, a luncheon and raffles for various special gift packages.

As Mayor Robbins noted, for decades, the building that now houses the center was known as LaBove Grand and The Circle Landmark Restaurant. It hosted many special events and was one of the more upscale banquets and catering halls in this section of Ocean County. The business established by brothers Jerry and Luigi Bove in 1989 shut its doors in the spring of 2019.

─Photos by Bob Vosseller State Senator Robert Singer, second to left, makes a presentation to Beacon of Life Center President Dan Czermak who is holding a framed proclamation while joining members of Beacon of Life during a recently held ribbon cutting ceremony.

ommunity n ew

Visitors Enjoy Winter Solstice Walk

Love For Pittie Valentines Bash

BERKELEY – The Pittie Project will be hosting their Love for Pittie Valentines Bash on February 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Yesterday’s Restaurant. Join for fun, food, raffles, 50/50s and more.Ticket price includes four complimentary raffle tickets, hot lunch buffet, DJ music, beer, wine and soft drinks! Reserve a table for parties of eight to 10 people. Purchases tickets at thepittie.com/events/love-for-pittievalentines-bash.

Berkeley Lady Senior Group Meeting

BERKELEY – Looking to meet new friends and enjoy some coffee, cake and social activity? Come join the Berkeley Lady Senior group. They meet on the 1st and 4th Thursday of the month at 12 p.m. at The Berkeley Recreation Center on Route 9 in Bayville. Any questions please contact me at cdemand@comcast.net or 732269-0646.

BAYVILLE – Guests had a fantastic Winter Solstice Walk at Double Trouble State Park. They celebrated the “shortest day of the year” with a short walk along the Mill Pond Trail, learning about the former cedar and cranberry industries and the importance Cedar Creek played to those who once lived here.

─Photo courtesy Double Trouble State Park

Tips For A Happy, Safe And Healthy Winter

By Phyllis Brown Holiday City at Berkeley EMS

Decorative throw rugs are cute. They are also dangerous. We don’t know how many actually trip over those things. We only know about the ones who call for our help to get up. You’re happier to have people visit your home than the hospital especially if they bring you a turkey or care package. It is difficult to get wheelchairs, walkers, canes and our stretchers over those rugs and as we get older, we don’t pick up our feet as high. If you don’t trip over them, your friends or grandchildren might. Keep chimneys clean. Don’t leave fireplaces and candles burning unattended and never sleep in a room with burning candles. Don’t have too many items on one outlet or extension cord. Be careful on ladders and with decorations. Don’t drink & drive. Don’t text or talk while driving. Winter driving is slippery enough. A first aid kit in both car and home is always a good idea. Many of us bring our plants in for the cold weather. They may be poisonous to your animals and people. When my twin granddaughters were three, one of them thought my rubber plant looked good enough to eat. She was fine. However my rubber plant has teeth marks. I told people a dinosaur tried to eat it. She still remembers.

Pets can get seriously sick or die from eating things we eat all the time. Don’t let your guests feed them stuff from the table. Onions, garlic, chives, grapes, raisins, cloves, chocolate, coin size lithium batteries, large amounts of liver and your medicine can hurt them. Surprisingly, canned tuna is harmful to cats and most cats are lactose-intolerant – so no dairy products. Definately no alcohol or yeast. It has the same

effect on their livers and brains as it does on us but it takes far less to do damage. Because of a cat’s size, 2 teaspoons of whisky can put it in a coma. Caffeine can be fatal to a small animal. Fat trimmings and bones are bad for their stomachs. Raw eggs, fish or meat are not good for you or your pet. Cats should not eat dog food on a regular basis and cookies, cake and ice cream can give them diabetes. Many pet foods are often recalled. Check yours for this.

Leave the leaf blowing and the snow shoveling to those who are healthy enough to do it. If you can, you may want to do a little at a time. If you can’t, be realistic, listen to your wife. Hire someone to do it. If you are healthy enough to do your own, maybe you can help your neighbor with theirs and then come and join the first aid squad. We can use helpful people. And you won’t get bored.

Remember the weather is constantly changing from day to day and sometimes from morning to afternoon. Make sure you are wearing the right clothing. If you are working in the yard make sure that the clothing you wear to start is not over heating you as you work. You don’t want to be in cold wet clothing. We called it “Trauma Naked” when we cut off of your favorite work shirt, sweater and pants. We simply have no regard for the price tag when we’re cutting. If you are suffering from hypothermia, your life may depend on it.

All the volunteer squads need more volunteers. Come to 100 Port Royal and volunteer for an interesting job where the greatest rewards are not financial. We cover an area that includes almost 11,000 homes.

Stay safe, happy and healthy!

BERKELEY – During World War II, using her shortwave radio from her home in Nutley, NJ, Agnes Joan Negra listened to Radio Berlin each night and notated the names of U.S. Prisoners of War as they were announced.

Agnes then went on to send personal letters to each family to inform them that their loved ones were still alive.

As the son of Agnes Joan Negra, the author interviewed his mother about her memories of this emotional period

of the war.

Travel back to hear the expressions of American World War II prisoner of war mothers, fathers, wives, sisters, and brothers as they wonder whether their loved ones are alive while searching for word, any word, about the fate of their soldiers.

Event will be on January 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Berkeley Recreation Center. Question and answer period afterwards and books will be available to purchase.

V.F.W. Post 10185 News

By Past Post Commander James Egan

BERKELEY - The meetings of Silver/ Holiday V.F.W. Post 10185 will be held on the first Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Clubhouse at 145 Westbrook Drive, Silver Ridge Park West. We meet in the daytime, so you do not have to drive at night. To join our post, just bring a copy of your Discharge (DD214) to our meeting and you’ll received a hardy welcome and refreshments before the meeting. If you need a ride to the meeting or want more information without any obligation call Past Post Commander James Egan at 732-341-4905. Remember if you hear of any Post member passing away or being in the hospital, call any Officer and let him know.

Monday, January 16th, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Sunday, January 29th, V.F.W. Post 10185 celebrates our 45th Anniversary.

Our National Charter was issued to 108 Post members.

Tuesday, January 25th at 7 p.m. V.F.W. Post 10185’s Officers will attend V.F.W. District 12’s meeting at V.F.W. Post 6063 at Toms River, where the latest V.F.W. Programs and events will be discussed.

Your V.F.W. dues for 2023 is now overdue . If you have any questions about the status of your dues, call Quartermaster Dennis Aldridge 732-237-6880. We need your support.

V.F.W. Post 10185 wishes everyone a healthy and Happy New Year.

The VFW would like you to drop your old and faded flags off at either H. C. S. Clubhouse (Main Building), S. R. P. W., S. R. P. N., S. R. P. E., and Holiday City Berkeley Clubhouses.

Fly the flag every day, weather permitting.

God bless America and God bless our troops.

Garden Club Trip To Philadelphia Flower Show

BERKELEY – Join the Holiday City South Garden Club on March 7 for the Philadelphia Flower Show.

The show’s electrifying and delightfully themed “The Garden Electric,” will focus on striking textures, dazzling array of bold colors, unique shapes, rich fragrances, and wild plant pairings of today’s most dynamic floral designers, lush gardens and landscapes to visitors. The exhibits are set to celebrate the daring, the eccentric, and the joyful side of flowers felt by that spark of joy we get when giving or receiving a gorgeous

bouquet of flowers ... that little bit of magic and electricity felt when moved by seeing something truly beautiful.

Tickets are $85 per person for travel and admission. Enjoy lunch on your own at Tuscany Marketplace, Cherry Hill at either: Toscana Italian Restaurant, Megu Sushi & Hibachi, Bobby Chez (Seafood), the Boiling House (Seafood and noodles) or Hong Kong Fusion.

Contact Carroll at 732-341-4518 or cbaszkowski @aol.com for reservations by January 20.

40 Day Of Prayer CelebrationAnnual Chili Cook-Off

BAYVILLE – Do you make the meanest pot of chili this side of Ocean County? Start gathering your ingredients and get ready for the Living Water Annual Family Chili Cook-off. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place will be awarded for the Best Chili!

Come out for dinner and a celebration of their 40 Days of Prayer, you are invited to bring your special chili and

enter the Cook-Off. No need to share your family’s secret recipe, but please bring enough chili to share.

Don’t cook? Just come and sample all the chili while you enjoy some downtime with the family. No registration, just come! Don’t miss it! Invite a friend! The event will take place on February 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 333 Route 9 Unit B15, Bayville.

Book Cafe For Adults With Special Needs

BERKELEY – Select your favorite books and relax and share with friends. Call ahead to reserve your group’s favorite titles. Event

will be on January 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Berkeley Branch Library. Sign up at theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

How Colds, The Flu &

Covid

19 Affects Hearing

It’s been well over 2 years, and the Covid 19 variants are still wreaking havoc in our area. For the most part, the new variants just present with “cold-like” 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 recommends otherwise, vaccinated individuals 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 investigation. 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 available 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 www. 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!

Friends Of The Berkeley Library Meeting

BERKELEY – The Friends design and manage fundraising activities to support the ;ibrary. New members are

welcome. The next meeting will be on January 9 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Branch Library.

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

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

Which Of These 4 Magnesium Supplements Is Right For You?

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

First, you should know that magnesium is an essential mineral required for strong bones and teeth. It plays a crucial role in mood, brain health and cognition.

Having adequate levels of magnesium ensures attention span and focus. Furthermore, low magnesium (relative to calcium) will lead to long-lasting cramps and spasms. Severe hypomagnesemia will lead to cardiac irregularities and palpitations, as well as migraines and hypertension.

You can get magnesium from your diet by eating various foods such as leafy greens, nuts, and yogurt. With the acidification of soil, our crops are magnesium deficient, so you may not get enough. Another cause for magnesium deficiency is drinking a lot of caffeinated beverages or taking proton pump inhibitor (acid-blocking) drugs.

Allow me to briefly explain the various types of magnesium that are sold over the counter and online:

Magnesium Oxide - When people take this type of magnesium, they may develop stomach upset, bloating, diarrhea and a lot of gas. The magnesium breaks off from the oxide, but not very much of it. In other words, you don’t get a lot of magnesium absorption. Think of magnesium like a rock, it’s not going to break apart into tiny little particles and get absorbed well.

Magnesium Citrate - This type of magnesium is sold in tablets and in liquid. The citrate form doesn’t really get to your bones or your brain easily. The green liquid bottles of mag citrate you see at the pharmacy are used to evacuate the bowel prior to imaging procedures. They’re called “saline” laxatives.

Magnesium citrate and oxide forms are perfect to use if you want to relieve constipation, but not for treating magnesium deficiency.

Chelated Magnesium - This is a slightly more expensive form of magnesium than the two listed above. The term “chelate” confuses people sometimes but it just means that the magnesium is bound to another thing (usually glycinate).

It’s a rock that breaks apart easily and therefore the crumbling allows for higher bioavailability. With higher absorption of magnesium into the bloodstream, you now see benefits to the bones, brain, and heart.

MagTein® Magnesium L-ThreonateThis is a chelated, patented brand name of magnesium that is found in high-quality formulas including my own MagFocus® powder which is also available on Amazon. Using my analogy of a rock, you might imagine that MagTein® crumbles into tiny particles. It transports itself out of the gut and goes where it’s needed, especially the brain to help with attention span, relaxation and mood.

Do not opt for cheap forms if you’re treating a chronic condition. It’s apt to cause you embarrassing gas or diarrhea! Some people insist on taking these ‘laxative’ forms of magnesium and think, “I don’t care because it’s so cheap, I’ll just take more!” Don’t.

Consuming extra pills to compensate for poor bioavailability is harmful. It just causes a significant laxative effect and one that comes on quickly. You may not have time to get to the bathroom! If you’d like to read the longer version of this article, visit my website, suzycohen.com.

Suzy

Around the JerSey Shore

Helping Those In Need

TOMS RIVER – This holiday season ushered in a few unique opportunities for Intermediate South students and staff to make a difference.

Led by the school’s Interact Club, the Great Seminole Food Drive Challenge asked students and their families to donate food to those in need. Stephanie Kenny’s sixth-grade homeroom was named winners; her students gathered more than 500 items to donate to the local food bank.

Interact Club students, joined by Principal Paul Gluck and other helpful staff members (top right), loaded more than 100 boxes of food donations into a delivery truck. Thanks to the school’s efforts, 18 families in total will receive a full meal for the holidays, as well as food to last throughout the extended winter break.

But it wasn’t just the Interact Club that

was making a difference in the community. Cycles 72 and 74 collaborated to create holiday cards for a 3-year-old girl named Bea from Cherry Hill, NJ who was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in February 2022.

After enduring numerous rounds of chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, and surgeries, her family had requested holiday cards be sent to cheer her up. Between the two cycles, students made close to 100 cards to send to Bea. Through this process, students learned a lot about Bea courtesy of her Caring Bridge Page, and therefore included some of her favorite things on the cards—especially Bluey and various Disney princesses.

“We are hoping this will bring some smiles to such a strong little girl,” said Intermediate South Assistant Principal Casey Daniel.

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

R.C. Shea & Assoc. Inside The Law

Do I Need To Challenge An Ordinance?

By: Robert C. Shea II, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

Did you know that you can challenge any Ordinance that may negatively impact your property rights?

An “Ordinance” is a municipal law, rule, or regulation that applies to a specific town or city. Typically, townships pass laws that attempt to protect your right to peace and enjoyment of your property and to ensure the civility of its citizens. However, sometimes a township may pass an Ordinance that negatively impacts your real estate interests. Such an Ordinance usually takes the form of an amendment to the zone where your property is located. A zone is nothing more than an area of a Township which restricts the type of construction or activity allowed within it. Most people live in areas zoned for “residential use.” Restricting the type of construction allowed within a zone is one tool used to prevent the area from morphing into something unintended, like having a factory built next to your home. Each zone has dimensional, or “bulk,” requirements defined by Ordinance. Examples of these dimensional requirements can be seen as the height of the structure and set back requirements for building on the property, which is the minimum distance the structure can be to the property line.

Sometimes a local governing body attempts to pass an Ordinance which changes the character of a zone, thereby negatively impacting its residents. An example of this can be seen by an Ordinance recently passed by the Township of Lakewood. Lakewood Ordinance 2022-46 was passed to allow schools to operate as a

Robert C. Shea Esq.

private banquet hall, at any time, in every non-residential zone simultaneously. In essence, every school is now permitted to host a wedding or other similar event, with little to no municipal approvals or oversite. Such an ordinance will negatively impact its residents in numerous ways, including parking concerns, traffic safety, and noise & light pollution.

But this doesn’t have to happen to you. Before any Ordinance is approved by the local governing body, the public must be given the right to challenge the proposed Ordinance and place their objections on record. Further, the governing body must then render a determination that the Ordinance itself is consistent with the township’s own Master Plan. A Master Plan is a document developed to monitor the use of property within a municipality in order to protect the public from inequitable and chaotic development. So, if an Ordinance is not consistent with the township’s Master Plan then you may be able to prevent the Ordinance from being adopted.

Contact the Attorney’s at R.C. Shea & Associates for your free consultation if you are aware of any potential Ordinances that may negatively impacting your property.

Government:

Continued From Page 8

grip and electric, equipment, props, set building, restaurants, location catering, cleaning service and security. Once fully operational, initial projections anticipate over 600 new full-time jobs will be created as a part of the development of this facility. The project site will be developed and operated by Great Point Studios, which operates Lions Gate’s new studio complex in Yonkers, NY.

On September 15, 2022, Great Point Studios entered into a ten-year six-month lease with Lions Gate Films, Inc. for a substan-

tial portion of the Newark studio complex. Pursuant to the lease Lions Gate Films Inc. has committed to occupy 253,000 square feet of the development

Construction work commenced on September 16, 2022, and the studio complex is expected to be completed by September 2024.

Founded in 1998, Lions Gate Films Inc. is a subsidiary of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Lions Gate’s film and television subscription and location-based entertainment businesses include a library of over 17,000 titles including many iconic film and television franchises such as Mad Men, Orange is the New Black, The Hunger Games, La La Land, and the Twilight Saga.

Around the JerSey Shore

Ocean Gate Police Department Now Hiring

OCEAN GATE – The Ocean Gate Police Department is accepting resumes/applications for the position of Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) II. SLEOs may eventually be considered for fulltime employment when there is a vacancy. Applicants must be New Jersey PTC Certified and possess a current, waiver-able SLEO II certification from an approved police academy.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Must be a citizen of the United States

• Must be a resident of the State of New Jersey

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently

• Must be sound in body and of good health and be able to perform the physical functions of the duties assigned

• Must be of good moral character and shall not have been convicted of any crime or offense involving moral turpitude or dishonesty that would make him/her unfit to perform the duties of a police officer

• A minimum of a high school diploma or a GED equivalent

• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license in good standing

Potential applicants will be required to submit to the following selection process:

• Application

• Verification of qualifying credentials

• Verification of a non-disqualifying criminal history

• Verification of at least three personal references

• A review of the applicant’s driving history

• A review of the applicant’s prior law enforcement experience

• A review of the applicant’s prior work history

• A review of the applicant’s current and past credit history

Oral interview

Following a conditional offer of employment, applicants are required to submit to:

• Physical examination

• Drug screening

• Psychological/psychiatric examination.

• Successful applicants if hired will then undergo a 6-week Field Training Program

The Borough of Ocean Gate is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified applicants can drop off a resume and cover letter in person at Police Headquarters to our Administrative Assistant, Susan Russo during the hours of 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or resumes can be emailed to Oceangatepdrecruiter@gmail.com.

Hospice Volunteers Needed

OCEAN COUNTY – Compassionate Care Hospice/Amedisys needs volunteers interested in walking along side another. Requirements: compassion and a loving heart! There is training for you and you will become part of a team of professionals who

walk this special journey with another. You will be able to give a patient companionship or a family member respite. If you are interested please call Kathleen O’Connell at 914-275-5766 or Kathleen.oconnell@ cchnet.net.

Disaster Response Crisis Counselor Training

OCEAN COUNTY – If you, or someone you know, would like to be certified as a Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC), the NJ Disaster & Terrorism Branch is offering the required initial core trainings in September. All trainings will

be held virtually via Zoom. Trainings will be in two 3-hour parts. You must complete both parts of each training to fulfill the requirements for certification.

Questions? E-mail kschworn@co.ocean. nj.us for more information.

Men’s Get Together - Bagels And Fellowship

BAYVILLE – Men’s Get Together - Bagels and Fellowship at Living Water Community Church is the first Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. Bring a friend! Register at livingwatercma.breezechms.com/form/

fff8c5. The next get together is January 7. Living Water Community Church is located at the Bayville Commons, 333 Route. 9 Unit B15&B16, Bayville. Call 732-797-0575 for more information.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS! Expand your patient base by advertising in Micromedia Publications’ 7 weekly newspapers. Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!

CLASSIFIEDS

Cockapoo Pups - Females - great personalities, health cert, shots, parents on site. 321-377-4000. (4)

Misc.

of Cessation of Services

Notice

by Maureen Kubisz DVM, dba Total Pet Hospital LLC, on October 14, 2022. Medical records will be stored online by Idexx Laboratories, Inc, One Idexx Drive, Westbrook, Maine 04092. Send records requests by email to totalpethospital@ gmail.com, or by mail to PO Box 8881, Hamilton, NJ 08650. (47)

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE

JEWELRY 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)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

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 crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Storage Space - Non-commercial use approx. 800sf Manchester Jackson or surrounding area. Electric A Plus. 732-278-5098. (4)

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

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Blues, Reggae, Soul. Very good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-7104. (52)

Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/ 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)

Buying Selmer Saxophones And Other Vintage Models - Also buying World War II Military items. Cash Paid! 609-581-8290. Email: mymilitarytoys@optonline.net. (31)

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)

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

Pets For Sale For Rent

Services Services Services Items For Sale

Services

-

36x80 Doggy Storm Door. New - $50. Adult Tricycle. New - $50. Call 732-703-2176! (4)

Room For Rent - In Toms River, NJ. Couples allow. $1100. Call 201-844-5526. (7)

Help Wanted

Laundromat Attendant - For FT/

PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Transportation needed. Long term commitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)

Dental Assistant - We’re currently looking to hire a qualified DENTAL ASSISTANT. Will train the right person. Call 732-938-2800 for details. (2)

Now Training School Bus Drivers - $3000 Sign on Bonus. Free CDL training. $22-$25 per hour, overtime available. Please call or email for more info: 732-905-5100. klarrtransport@gmail.com. (4)

Dietary Aid - MAGNOLIA GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING. Family owned and operated Assisted living community looking to fill full time, and part time positions. All positions start at $15.00 an hour. For more information call 732-557-6500 or come to our home and fill out an application at 1935 Lakewood Road, Toms River 08755. (7)

RECEPTIONIST - MAGNOLIA GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING. Family owned and operated assisted living community looking to fill full time, and part time positions. All positions start at $15.00 an hour. For more information call 732-557-6500 or come to our home and fill out an application at 1935 Lakewood Road, Toms River 08755. (7)

Services

APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations, decks, finished basements and much more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322. (52)

Get DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-557-1213. (t/n)

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

Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-791-2033 or visit dorranceinfo.com/micro. (t/n)

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, hardworking, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605 (t/n)

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)

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, Shopping, - Window cleaning, laundry, carpet cleaning, office cleaning. Very good prices. Call 732-7735078 or 848-287-3944. (43)

Roofing Repairs Etc. - Roofing, siding, windows. Repairs on small jobs. Utility shed roofs replaced. Prompt service. Insured. Gutters cleaned. Call Joe Wingate 551-804-7391. (19)

Computer Tutoring for Seniors –Retired, “Microsoft Certified” instructor. 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 computers at less than half the price the retailers charge. Windows 10 specialist. 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, Demolition, Cleanouts, ect., Dumpster service provided by A901 Licensed Hauler ect. MAN WITH VAN LLC. Jim 609-335-0330 HIC# 13vh10806000. NO JOB TOO SMALL! (15)

Custom House Painter - Pays attention to detail, interior, cracks, nail pops,wall repair. Benjamin Moore paints. Wayne 908-327-5471. (52)

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, shopping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family functions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)

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

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-855-634-0529. (t/n)

Donate your car, truck or van. Help veterans find jobs or start a business. Call Patriotic Hearts Foundation. Fast, FREE pick-up. Max tax-deduction. Operators are standing by! Call 1-833-885-0359. (t/n)

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

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

Bobs Waterproofing - Basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Mold testing, removal and prevention. Family owned. Fully licensed and insured. 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 HomeBy state certified instrumental music teacher. Please call 732-350-4427 for more information. All are welcome. (3)

PQ Painting & Home Improvement Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com . Winner 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)

3. 1 week* at $29.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 2 weeks* at $44.95 for 20 words +

Around the JerSey Shore

Something Spectacular –Berkeley Township, New Jersey

By Renee A. Thomaier Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

Near my house is a waterway that runs beneath Charlotteville Road from one side to another. For weeks there had been the carcass of a whitetail deer floating in it. I was waiting to see how nature would play out. A floating meal for some is not possible. Eventually, the carcass rested upon the dam, and by this time with the cold snap, it had frozen.

It was the day after Thanksgiving, 2022, the weather had warmed up, when I took my dog Andi for her walk. As I turned the corner onto Charlotteville Road, my eyes captured an anomaly. I ushered Andi home to grab my cellphone. When I returned, I began snapping as many pictures as I could. This was something spectacular. I scanned the landscape and saw black vultures feeding on this carcass. Not just a few of them, but dozens. A few were feeding, others waiting along the dam, in nearby yards, perched in trees, and others on light posts. All were waiting, some edging their way in, for their chance to feed on this animal they had been eyeing from the sky for weeks. Hallelujah!

In populated communities, you will rarely witness this. Why? Since most larger carcasses will become food for coyotes, foxes, for example, who show up in the quiet evening hours where they might briefly feed on the carcass, even dismembering and carrying some pieces away to feed. How this animal ended up in the waterway is anyone’s guess. Was the deer struck by a car and just ended up collapsing by the waterway? Partial feeding of the animal had occurred prior to the vultures arriving, my guess is the snapping turtles began the process. The carcass took a little more than one day for the vultures to consume.

It’s important for us to understand and ‘appreciate’ the value of all the wild animals. For instance here, we may view vultures as disgusting or even ugly, but they are naturally designed to do what they do. It’s what we call ‘the balance in nature.’

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.

Violating New Jersey laws protecting wildlife, which include harm inflicted upon an animal, are subject to punishment.

Prom Dress Collection

OCEAN COUNTY – Because of your community support, Prom Dress Giveaway will bring joy to young women, who prior to this charitable event, were unable to attend their spring formal or prom.

They are accepting new or gently used prom dresses for this great event from January 2 until February 17 at all Ocean County Library branches.

Before you donate, ensure that it meets the following criteria:

• They only need short and long styles within the last five years

• Ideally donate dry cleaned dresses ready for attending Prom.

• All dresses must be clean and in good condition (ie. no rips, tears or stains)

• No accessories, shoes, purses, and bridesmaids dresses.

Movies For Adults With Special Challenges

BERKELEY – Individuals and day programs for adults with special needs are welcome to enjoy a movie in the library meeting room. The audience will select their film on the day

of the showing. Movie will be shown on January 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Branch Library. Sign up at theoceancountylibrary. org/events.

Fulfill Meal Distribution

At Recreation Center

BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen Amato and Berkeley Township Recreation, in conjunction with Fulfill, remind residents that anyone in need of food, for any reason, is

welcome to come to the Recreation Center on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. No registration required. The Recreation Center is located at 630 Atlantic City Boulevard, Route 9.

Driving at night is riskier than day time driving for everyone whether or not they have vision problems. For those with astigmatism, however, it is particularly precarious. Astigmatism is the result of a misshapen cornea, the lens that filters light entering the eye. It makes the light appear streaked and blurry and causes a person to squint in order to see. The problem becomes worse at night when pupils dilate to allow more light in. Prescription glasses or contact lenses are the most common way of resolving the problem, but orthokeratology is an alternative option that uses specially shaped contacts worn overnight to reshape the cornea while asleep. These lenses are removed in the morning.

Orthokeratology is similar to orthodontics for your eyes and the treatment is often compared to dental braces. Most ortho-k lenses are worn at night to reshape the front surface of the eye while you sleep. Vision improvements are reversible but can be maintained if you keep wearing the lenses as directed. When you need eye care, please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-3495622. We offer evening hours most nights of the week. P.S. Some patients with astigmatism are excellent candidates for LASIK surgery to correct their misshapen cornea and improve their vision.

Around the JerSey Shore

High School Musicians Usher In Holidays

TOMS

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students and staff at the Early Learning Center, district administrative staff, office tenants, and anyone lucky enough to have stopped by during these enchanting performances.

Family Awareness In Addiction Recovery

TOMS RIVER – Join Quantum Behavioral Health Services every last Wednesday of the month for informative discussions surrounding the role of family in addiction recovery. They will discuss things like boundaries, rebuilding trust, and repairing relationships.

Meetings are in person at their facility and can also be attended via live stream, by visiting qtreatment.com/ family-awareness and clicking the link provided. They take place on the last Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Family Movie Night

BAYVILLE – Emmanuel Community Church, 331 Wheaton Ave. in Bayville will be sponsoring a “free” Family Movie Night featuring an inspiring true story “Life Mark,” January 13 at 6:30 p.m. Free snacks and refreshments.

Emmanuel’s Sunday worship is at 10 a.m.

Regular scheduled Youth activities (grade 7 to 12) are Wednesday nights, 6 to 8 p.m., and Bible Adventures grades starting at 6:15 p.m.

For more information, you can go to our web page eccbayville.org or call the office at 732-269-5690.

EDUCATORS! Have a special event planned for your class? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!

RIVER – High School North’s jazz band, High School South’s orches

tra, and High School East’s chorus visited the lobby at 1144 Hooper Ave

nue to play and sing holiday music for

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

photo of the week

This is the first edition of 2023! Happy New Year everyone!! This photo was taken by one of our favorite photographers, Kylie Monica, on a Jersey Shore beach. We hope

you all have a great new year. If you want to see your photo featured in this section, email it to photos@ jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!

Tin Can Sailors To Meet

TOMS RIVER – Tin Can Sailors Association of New Jersey NJ DESRON 2 –Phoenix Squadron are inviting those from all branches of the military to their group. The group is seeking new members and is inviting veterans to their meetings held on the third Wednesday of every month at noon at the George P. Vanderveer, American Legion Post 129, 2025 Church Road, Toms River.

The group is a chartered squadron of The National Association of Destroyer Veterans (Tin Can Sailors)

For further information, contact the membership by calling 732-630-1855 or e-mail commander@tcs-desvets-nj.org or visit the group’s website at tcs-desvets-nj. org. The organization also has a Facebook page, facebook.com/groups/tincansailorsnjdesron2

Free Online Health And Wellness Programs

NEW JERSEY – Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), Eatontown, with offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, is offering free online Health and Wellness programs, open to the public.

The wellness programs include Numerology, Calming Stress and Anxiety, Energy Medicine for Women, Relieving

Pain – Natural Methods, Love Numerology, Keep Your Energies Humming, and Tapping into Your Joy.

Sign up for one or all sessions at PreferredRadio.com . For more information about Preferred, contact Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations, at lisa@ preferredcares.com or visit PreferredRadio.com for more information

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.

Claim with confidence

Home to the van Eycks’ “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”

Rhine siren

Europe’s Bay of __

Chant

Record setters

“And all that beauty, all that wealth __ gave ... “: Gray

Remove with difficulty

“My Lord!”

Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Tiny misunderstandings can put you in an awkward position as the new week and new year begins. You may be overconfident, be careless, or go overboard. Your enthusiasm, however, makes everyone happy to be around you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): It is a new year, and the question is whether you are ready to be a new you. Clear the decks: Think about ways to clear up outstanding debts and any other old business to prepare for a beautiful new beginning.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’re pretty limited if your only tool is a hammer. In the upcoming week, you might want to believe that every problem can be handled quickly, but you’ll make more progress if you broaden your problem-solving skills.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Be open to messages from the universe and key information may arrive that empowers you to improve your outlook. You can rest on your laurels or move forward to achieve your goals in the new year.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) : Feast on thoughts and plans for the future. You could embrace limitless possibilities as you make your New Year’s resolutions. Be sure to attend to relationships if loved ones might have been feeling a bit neglected.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Sleep late or do some other replenishing self-care. Rest up and enjoy a relaxing day at home or playing with your tribe. Make a note to remind yourself to follow up on recent opportunities that seemed intriguing.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get organized and make a list of the things you want to do and places you want to visit. You may not be able to afford everything now, but you can save up for the future. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance in the week ahead.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Even if you are busy and preoccupied in the week ahead, you may also need to help a loved one or partner who may need some extra support. Do your best to bring some bright New Year’s energy to the situation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take pride in your accomplishments. This is a week when you can enjoy the perks of having a good reputation. Set your sights on becoming financially stable and avoid spending too much money on extravagances.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Being deep in your emotions is the worst time to make a major decision or vow. Take time to understand a situation rather than reacting with a knee-jerk response. You do not need to take this personally.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Ask the right questions if you want the right answers. Pause to ask yourself what will truly make you happy and contented before you make New Year’s resolutions. Go beyond just considering the same old objectives.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Dip your toe in the pool to check the temperature before you dive in. In the week ahead, you should test the atmosphere before you make changes or decisions that affect loved ones. Use caution to not overspend.

IT’S COOKIE SEASON! GRAB THE KIDS AND GET READY TO BAKE (AND DECORATE)

By America’s Test Kitchen

Making dough for cut-out cookies can be tricky. The dough needs to be soft enough to roll out but not so soft that it sticks to the counter or your shapes turn to blobs in the oven.

Most sugar cookie recipes use a mixer to “cream” room-temperature butter and sugar before adding the other ingredients. All that mixing makes the dough warm and sticky, so you need to refrigerate it before you roll it out. But rolling out cold cookie dough is tough!

Plastic fantastic

In this recipe, we use a special technique called “plasticizing the butter.” Plasticizing means making cold butter soft and moldable, while still keeping it cold. How do you plasticize? In this recipe, we use the food processor! The food processor lets us combine the sugar and the cold butter in just 30 seconds because the processor blade spins so fast. It creates a cold, bendable, and shapeable paste (like plastic!) that’s a cinch to roll out, straight from the food processor. No arm workout required! Plasticizing the butter means you don’t need to refrigerate the dough before you roll it out. Instead, you refrigerate the dough AFTER you finish rolling. That time in the fridge firms up the dough, which lets you make clean cuts with your cookie cutters and helps the cookies keep their shapes as they bake.

Color craze glaze

You can use food coloring to turn white glaze into a rainbow of colors! If you have red, yellow, and blue food coloring, a whole world of colors can be yours. Red, yellow, and blue are primary colors. You can mix them in different combinations to make secondary colors.

Red + Yellow = Orange Red + Blue = Purple Yellow + Blue = Green

Here are two tips:

1. Play around with how many drops of each color you add. What happens if you add 2 drops of red and 1 of yellow? What about 1 red and 2 yellow? Start by mixing just 1 or 2 drops of each color into your glaze. If you want a deeper color, you can add more, a drop at a time.

2. To make more than one glaze color, divide the glaze among several bowls and add desired food coloring to each individual bowl.

GLAZED SUGAR COOKIES

Makes 12 to 18 cookies (depending on the size of your cookie cutters)

For the cookies:

1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces and chilled

For the glaze:

1 1/3 cups (5 1/3 ounces) confectioners’ (powdered) sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened 1-2 drops food coloring (optional)

For the cookies:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and vanilla.

2. In a food processor, process until sugar is finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add chilled butter and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add egg mixture and flour mixture and process until no dry flour is visible and mixture forms crumbly dough, about 30 seconds.

3. Use a rubber spatula to transfer dough to the center of a large sheet of parchment paper on the counter. Use your hands to pat dough into a 7-by-9-inch oval. Place a second large sheet of parchment on top of dough. Use a rolling pin to roll dough into a 10-by-14-inch oval (1/8 to 1/4 inch thick), rolling dough between parchment.

4. Slide dough (still between parchment) onto one baking sheet. Refrigerate until dough is firm, at least 1 1/2 hours.

5. While dough is chilling, adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a second baking sheet with parchment.

6. When dough is ready, remove dough from refrigerator. Gently peel off top sheet of parchment. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into shapes.

7. Use spatula to transfer shapes to parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 1/2 inch apart. (If dough becomes too warm and sticky to transfer shapes easily, return it to the refrigerator to firm up again, about 10 minutes.)

8. Bake cookies until beginning to brown around edges, 18 to 22 minutes.

9. Transfer baking sheet on cooling rack and let cookies cool completely on baking sheet, about 30 minutes.

For the glaze:

1. While cookies are cooling, in a second medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, milk, softened cream cheese, and 1 to 2 drops of food coloring (if using). Use a clean rubber spatula to stir until very smooth.

2. Use a small icing spatula or the back of a spoon to spread glaze in an even layer on each cookie, starting in the middle and working your way to the edges. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle it with sanding sugar, sprinkles, crushed cookies or candy. Serve.

(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.

For the week of jan 7 - jan 13

(c) 2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

By Jeraldine Saunders