The HOWELL Times
Vol. 24 - No. 19
In This Week’s Edition
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Adelphia Fire Company Seeks Volunteers As 100th Anniversary Approaches
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Dear Pharmacist Page 11
Inside The Law Page 11
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Photo by Justin Sauer A stainless steel water tanker truck sits outside the Adelphia Fire Company firehouse, ready to provide vital water support during firefighting operations. By Justin Sauer HOWELL – As Adelphia approaches its 100 anniversary, the all-volunteer fire company is looking toward the future and hoping to bring more members into its ranks. Adelphia Fire Company currently has approximately 45 active volunteers and responds to roughly 600 emergency calls each year. Last year alone, the company answered 525 calls, providing fire and emergency services across approximately 22 square miles of Howell, including portions of Routes 9 and 33. To help address the need for additional volunteers, Adelphia Fire Company has launched a new recruitment campaign, “Join Our Tradition. Create Your Legacy.” The four-year campaign is designed to introduce more
Howell residents to the opportunities available through volunteer firefighting. Outreach efforts will include social media, videos, mailers, lawn signs, media relations and community booth displays. “We need more volunteers because our call volume continues to grow, and having enough people available to respond is critical to providing the level of service our community deserves,” said Carmelo La Marca, a trustee of Adelphia Fire Company as well as commissioner and vice chairman of Howell Fire District No. 2. “With work schedules and family commitments, and fewer people living and working locally, we no longer have the community-orientated generation of volunteers we once did. As (Adelphia Fire Co. - See Page 2)
Vigil Speaks Names Of Domestic Violence Victims By Stephanie Faughnan JERSEY SHORE - The red silhouettes stood in the late-day light outside Ocean Partnership for Children, shaped like people but without faces. Yellow hearts fastened to their chests carried names and the brief, unbearable stories of Ocean County residents killed in domestic violence. They were part of Providence House’s Silent Silhouettes Project, displayed for Ocean Partnership for Children’s seventh annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil. The Photo by Stephanie Faughnan people being remembered were not statistics, Tyler Webb’s mother Lisa and his sister mourn headlines or case numbers. They were people whose absence continues to reshape families, his memory.
workplaces and communities. Maureen DeSantis, Ocean Partnership’s director of care management, named some of those losses from the past 14 months. They included Tyler Webb and Lauren Simencheck, Allan and Michelle Russell and their daughter Deanna, and Eileen Garvin, the beloved Barnegat school bus driver killed in September. Her husband, William Garvin, is charged with murder in her death, a case that remains pending in Ocean County Superior Court. The recent cases underscored why the vigil was necessary, DeSantis said. Ocean Partnership serves about 1,100 Ocean County (Vigil Speaks - See Page 13)
October 17, 2026
$9M Bond Ordinance Goes To Vote By J. R. Warnet HOWELL – Township Council members heard a capital bond ordinance at the most recent meeting, but the move to borrow more than $9 million will have to be voted on again. Three council members voted to pass items on the agenda. Ordinance O-26-22 would borrow $9,403,000 for “various capital improvements and the acquisition of various capital equipment.” The total money that will be put toward these purchases is $9,898,000. The difference between this figure and the amount borrowed is because by law, a town has to put up 5% of the total. These included capital improvement items such as O-26-23, which calls for the purchase of a camera truck with a plow for the sewer utility for a total of $230,613. But official records show the vote is not final. An important note to remember is that although the council members voted “yes” on ordinance O-26-22, the council was missing two members, so a proper vote will be held at the next meeting. Mayor John Leggio and Councilmen Michael Wrubel and Ian Nadel attended the meeting and voted on the items listed on the agenda. Two council members were absent from the October 6 meeting: Deputy Mayor Susan Fischer and Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell. They did not vote on the bond ordinances. The public hearing portion of the meeting will stand in the records, but the council needs a quorum to officially vote on the major bond ordinance O-26-22. Without two council members present, the vote cannot move forward as is. All resolutions on the agenda passed, except R-26-294, which was tabled to the next agenda. This resolution calls for canceling the 2026 current fund ($9M Bond - See Page 2)
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Adelphia Fire Co.: Continued From Page 1
a result, in 2026, we are making an aggressive effort to recruit new members.” The company is hoping to recruit as many volunteers as possible and emphasizes that volunteering does not necessarily require a previous background in firefighting. For those interested in becoming active firefighters, no prior experience is required. The fire company provides training and equipment to help new members learn the skills necessary to serve their community. Jason Howlett, Adelphia Fire Company’s former chief and current second vice president, said volunteering offers both personal fulfillment and opportunities to build lasting
$9M Bond:
Continued From Page 1 and grant funds. A hot point of the meeting came from Richard Krug, a resident who has been
connections within the community. “I’ve been involved with Adelphia since I’ve been born. My father was a chief, and I joined the junior program when I was 14,” Howlett said. “The Adelphia Fire Company has always had great camaraderie, not only within our company but also with the surrounding companies. We’ve sponsored a lot of community activities, from bowling and Fire Fighters Field Day to pancake breakfasts and Santa runs. I have a lot of fond memories, and I’ve made many friends who I’m still friends with today.” New members can expect training and support as they learn the responsibilities of the fire service. “We offer all the training needed to help members feel confident in the job,” said Howlett. “Not every task a firefighter performs is
for everyone, but most people find something they feel comfortable doing. For example, some members may assist with extricating victims from car accidents, while others can contribute in ways that don’t require being directly involved in those situations.” Adelphia offers several ways to get involved. Volunteer opportunities include active firefighters, active associate members for certified New Jersey firefighters who live or work in the area, support members who assist with events and administrative duties, and junior members ages 14-17. The recruitment campaign is being fully funded through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Residents who have ever considered volunteering – or simply want to learn more – will have an opportunity to meet members of the department during Breakfast with the Firefighters/Open House on Sunday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to the public and will give residents an opportunity to visit the firehouse, meet local firefighters and learn more about becoming a volunteer. Those interested in volunteering can also visit HeroesNeeded.org to complete an inquiry form. As Adelphia Fire Company looks toward its 100th anniversary, its message to the community is simple: the tradition of volunteer service can continue only with a new generation willing to carry it forward.
attending council meetings for some time now. He and his wife have been trying to get the council to step in regarding a dispute with one of the Krug’s neighbors. Krug alleges that a neighbor is operating an illegal house of worship and is allegedly
causing the Krugs to call police to intervene about noise and parking complaints. After Mr. Krug addressed the council and his 5 minutes of talking time was up, he and his wife left the meeting abruptly while speaking directly about the issues they said they
have been experiencing. The next Howell Township Council meeting is scheduled for October 20. The private Executive Session will begin at 6 p.m., while the public Regular Session will begin at 7 p.m.
Recycling Superhero Contest Expands To More Students
FREEHOLD – Monmouth County has expanded its recycling superhero naming contest to include all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students in the county. Entries will be accepted through October 30. Students must name the superhero and create a written or digital story featuring
the character that explains the importance of recycling. Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said entries already submitted by seventh graders remain eligible and do not need to be resubmitted. Entries may be emailed to public.information@co.monmouth.nj.us or mailed to the
Monmouth County Department of Public Information, Hall of Records Annex, 1 East Main St., Freehold, NJ 07728. The superhero appears in the county’s new recycling education trailer, which features six interactive gaming stations designed to teach proper recycling practices and
how everyday actions can help protect the environment. Multiple visitors can play at the same time. Schools and community organizations may request a trailer visit by contacting the Monmouth County Recycling Coordinator at educationrecyclingtrailer@co.monmouth.nj.us.
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OPINIONS & COMMENTARY FEATURED LETTER Joyce The Elephant Has Waited Long Enough When I think of my home state of New Jersey, I think of its charming towns and stunning beaches. I think of its legendary talents - Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, The Boss - and that unmistakable Jersey attitude. What I don’t think of are elephants. There’s a reason for that. Elephants aren’t from here. They roam savannahs in sub-Saharan Africa or explore dense jungles in southeast Asia. They don’t belong in the Garden State. Yet at Six Flags Wild Safari, five African elephants live in
an enclosure a fraction of the vast landscapes they would roam in the wild. One of them is Joyce, and her story is heartbreaking. Joyce’s journey began in Zimbabwe in the 1980s, when she was just a calf. She was among 63 young elephants brought to the United States after surviving a government-ordered mass killing operation. The plan was untenable from the start: keep all 63 elephants together on a billionaire’s sprawling Florida estate, despite the enormous challenges of caring for so many large, complex animals and bringing
together young elephants from different social groups. It was a promise that never could have lasted. The elephants were eventually sold to zoos, circuses, and other exhibitors. Joyce was sent to a notoriously vicious circus and, over the decades, was sold and resold to various places until arriving at Six Flags in 2010. Today, Joyce lives apart from the park’s other elephants. During warmer months, roller coasters thunder nearby, and massive trucks filled with visitors pass by her enclosure. The rumbles and vibrations
throughout a busy park day are a continuous nuisance to the sensitive elephants. During New Jersey’s freezing winters, Joyce’s world becomes even smaller as she spends extended periods confined to a barn. The constant vibrations, New Jersey’s harsh winters, and the restricted space raise serious questions about whether a theme park can provide an appropriate home for elephants. There is another option. World Animal Protection and thousands of our supporters are urging Six Flags to release Joyce to a reputable elephant sanctuary, where she could
have hundreds of acres to explore, forage, and form relationships with other elephants. We know such a move is possible because we’ve helped make it happen before. In 2023, World Animal Protection partnered with Elephant Refuge North America to care for Mundi, an African elephant who came to the United States as part of the same group as Joyce, after her transfer from a defunct zoo in Puerto Rico to the sanctuary in Georgia. Six Flags has an opportunity to do the same for Joyce. It can recognize that what was once considered acceptable is no
longer, and give an elephant who has already lost so much the chance to spend her remaining years with greater space, companionship, and dignity. New Jersey has never been Joyce’s natural home. But it can be the place where, after decades of captivity, people finally decide to do right by her. Joyce has waited long enough. It’s time to set her free.
ficials, political candidates, and those responsible for informing our communities. Recently, The Manchester Times published a statement from Timothy Poss claiming that his slate was the only one with children currently enrolled in Manchester Township schools. That statement is false. Multiple statements were actually false. Voters deserve accurate information, especially when candidates make claims about their opponents. I was also disappointed to see what appeared to be a politically motivated press release using a student’s recognition at an official Board of Education meeting. The article incorporated campaign messaging into what otherwise resembled district news. In fact, the superintendent included the article in her weekly report as a district press mention, apparently without realizing it contained campaign-related content. An individual Board member does not have the authority to speak on behalf of the district or imply district support for a political campaign. That accomplishment belonged to the student, not a candidate seeking reelection. Leadership is about sharing the spotlight, not taking it. It’s about saying other
people’s names more often than you say your own and recognizing others without needing to insert yourself into their accomplishments. Students deserve recognition without political exploitation. Voters deserve accurate information. And public officials should understand the difference bet we e n se r v i ng t hei r community and promoting themselves. Submitted in my capacity as a private citizen. These views are my own and do not represent the Manchester Township Board of Education.
Ari Solomon Director of Communications, World Animal Protection US
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Sherrill Lied About Noncitizen Voters
Just a note to tell Sherrill that we don’t believe a thing she says. We all know that it had nothing to do with the Motor Vehicles Commission that these people voted. Their votes all should have been cancelled out for sure, and they should not be in our data system, they are not citizens of this state or country. They do not belong here. When we fought in Vietnam, the government there considered us as invaders of their country, well these people are the same thing and do not belong here. We all support President Trump on what he is trying to do to keep them out. If we do not have a border, you don’t
have a country. Every state and city has a border, and our country should have one as well to keep these people out. The democrats are feeding us and themselves a bunch of lies as always. Paul Brown Ocean County
GOP Leaders Let Trump Hurt Americans Hey you, Republican Senators and Representatives! Yes, all of you! Have you no sense of decency? At long last, where is your sense of decency? You have looked on, supported, cheered and/or remained safely silent as a man-child of unspeakable malice and cruelty has been obliterating
WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR! The Howell Times welcomes all points of view for publication and provides this page as an open forum for residents to express themselves 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 verification. Letters may not be printed if we cannot verify them. Names will not be withheld from publication. While most letters are printed as submitted, 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@jerseyshoreonline.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 necessarily 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 ideals immortalized in the Declaration of Independence while simultaneously dismantling the mandates of the Constitution! If you really want to know what the Constitution is for, just read and reread its Preamble, which starts with “We the People.” Your leader, your fuhrer, proves every day and night that he is a malignant narcissist; a pathological liar; displays a combative paranoid personality; and sadistically takes delight in signing cruel Executive Orders by the dozens! Anything that once benefited the general public (ordinary people) has been abrogated. SNAP benefits for hungry children are being cut while huge tax cuts are being gifted to the mega-rich! Health insurance subsidies are being eliminated and millions of citizens are losing their health insurance! An out-of-control ICE is roaming the streets, public and private places, rounding up and corralling thousands of migrants. Protesters, exercising their First Amendment rights, are manhandled, arrested or shot! And, what about murdering boatmen off the coast of Venezuela without due process and killing survivors of the first strike? Invading Venezuela and abducting its Presidential Couple? When will they be tried, on what
grounds, or has sentencing of life imprisonment already been effected by Executive Order? Trump’s total blundering in attacking Iran? What say ye, Oh you of full faith in your Master? Since you remain largely silent, any reasonable spectator of your conduct in Congress can readily conclude that you support, approve and sanction all violations of the Constitution and all crimes against humanity, perpetrated by Donald Trump and his surrogates! If he is a criminal, a criminal granted immunity in advance by his corrupt SCOTUS, then you are too! You are as much in violation of the Constitution as he is; you are as cruel as he is. We might never be the America that once was, so you may get away with your crimes of collusion and conspiracy, just as Trump himself will escape punishment. Blind support for a criminal is automatically approval of his crimes! You are guilty! Nicholas S Molinari Brick
Public Service Is Not Self-Promotion People show you who they are through their actions. That applies to elected of-
Laura Wingler Manchester
Development Leads To Flooding How can people, especially planners and developers, be so stupid to take down trees and then act as if they were innocent when major flooding occurs? Isn’t it common knowledge that we need to keep trees alive so that, among other things, their roots can soak up rain water and prevent the calamities we saw last week (editor’s note: the nor’easter)? Iona Conner Brick
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Spotlight On Government Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials
Task Force To Bolster Election Integrity sponsor of three of the seven bills in its election integrity package. “New Jersey voters want stronger safeguards and acFrom The Desk Of countability for the blaAssemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger tant failures in our voter registration system. The TRENTON - Offering New Jersey resi- majority has yet to acknowledge or meet dents an alternative to the Democrats’ status those demands. We will lead the fight for quo in Trenton, Assembly Republicans are reforms that restore faith in our elections,” advancing their agenda through a newly Fantasia said. created policy task force, which is focusing Assemblymen John Azzariti (R-Bergen), on election integrity first. Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean) and Alex Sauickie The five-member task force, chaired (R-Ocean) are the other members of the by Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, task force that was formed in the months prioritized developing policies to protect following Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s election to the integrity of New Jersey’s elections develop a policy agenda that speaks to the following the registration of at least 6,600 needs of New Jersey residents and contrasts noncitizen voters at the state’s Motor Vehi- with the left’s priorities. cle Commission. After losing the Assembly majority in “New Jersey residents’ confidence in our the 1989 election, Republicans developed elections has been damaged with the revela- a similar vehicle for pushing policies. The tion that Democrat-led state agencies failed Assembly Republican Policy Committee in by not only registering noncitizens to vote 1990 created task forces to address issues but then inviting them to participate. That ranging from adult day care to government is why this task force is presenting policies efficiency. The party won back the Assemto ensure something like this never hap- bly majority in the 1991 election and held pens again as well as to clean up the voter it through 2001. rolls, prevent voter fraud, and make sure “Public confidence won’t be restored by every legal vote counts,” Scharfenberger asking voters to accept a system that has (R-Monmouth) said. already failed them. This package puts Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-Sus- concrete solutions on the table to clean up sex) is vice chair of the task force and a voter rolls, verify eligibility, and secure
Capitol Comments
our elections. Our Democrat colleagues have an opportunity to help deliver those protections, and we’re asking them to take it,” Fantasia said. The following bills are in the Assembly Republicans’ election integrity package: Voting Integrity Task Force - A187 (Fantasia/Inganamort/Auth): Creates a task force within the Attorney General’s Office composed of state, county and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute alleged voter fraud. Voter Roll Cross Checking and Post-Election Reporting - A5627 (Flynn/Auth/ Fantasia): Requires the secretary of state to maintain a voter registration list maintenance and cross-checking program to identify duplicate, nonresident and otherwise ineligible registrations. It also requires a report within 90 days following each general election and provides for cross checking voter registration information with jury records to identify individuals who report that they are noncitizens when seeking to be excused from jury service. Voter ID and Distinct Licenses for Noncitizens - A5628 (Scharfenberger/Flynn/ McGuckin): Requires voters to present qualifying government-issued or photo identification at the polls and requires licenses issued to noncitizens to be visually distinct. Opt-In Voter Registration and Proof of
Citizenship - A5489 (Azzariti/Fantasia): Eliminates automatic voter registration and restores an opt-in registration process. It also requires proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote through the MVC. Election Day Deadline for Mail-In Ballots - A5590 (Sauickie): Requires mail-in ballots to be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be canvassed. Securing Mail-In Ballot Drop Boxes A5565 (Sauickie): Requires video surveillance and recording of mail-in ballot drop boxes and the counting of mail-in ballots. Special Legislative Committee on Election Integrity - AR156 (DiMaio/DePhillips): Creates a 12-member special Assembly committee, with six members appointed by the speaker and six by the minority leader and a co-chair selected by each. The committee would have subpoena power and authority to compel testimony and obtain documents, electronic records and other evidence as part of its investigation. “The bills are commonsense reforms that will safeguard elections,” Scharfenberger said. “Requiring voter ID is something the majority of Americans and even Gov. Sherrill supports, so we believe that this package warrants real consideration by legislative leaders. These bills deserve to be heard in committee, and the residents of New Jersey deserve to have confidence in our elections.”
After MVC Errors, Reforms To Voter Registration Announced From The Desk Of The
Governor Mikie Sherrill TR ENTON – “My Administration continues to move aggressively to fix the serious system error at the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) left behind by the previous administration to ensure our elections remain free, fair, and secure. I promised we would be thorough to ensure that no one who is ineligible remains on the voter rolls, and that every eligible voter has their voice heard. “Leaving no stone unturned, I directed my Administration to conduct a thorough review of all voter-registration processes at the MVC and implement reforms to strengthen those processes. “This review surfaced two issues. Neither issue involved noncitizens.
“The review identified approximately 750 additional records affected by the IDEMIA system error from June 2023 to June 2024 that require further action. These individuals selected “no” on the age-eligibility prompt, but their records were sent through for registration. These individuals’ dates of birth confirm they were old enough to vote, and no underage person voted as a result of this error. They appear to have pressed the wrong button on the PIN pad by mistake. “Additionally, the review identified approximately 340 potentially improper voter-registration records from the MVC re-entry events dating back to 2016. “The review showed that this issue had gone undetected and unaddressed, with some going as far back as a decade. My Administration found them and moved immediately to fix them. I directed the MVC to take the necessary steps to strengthen our registration pro-
cesses and enact stronger safeguards… These include: Deploying an automated audit process that verifies voter-registration records against customers’ recorded responses at the end of each day before being transmitted to DOE. Creating an escalation and remediation plan so that any anomaly flagged by the daily audit is reported to MVC leadership and tracked through investigation and correction. Adding clear signage in MVC Mobile Units for Department of Corrections (DOC) re-entry events to ensure individuals understand voter-eligibility requirements. Making the registration process clearer and more accessible, through expanded language and translation assistance and clearer explanations of voter-eligibility requirements. Developing a PIN pad prompt at re-entry events where individuals seeking to register must confirm they are not currently incarcerated for an indictable offense, to prevent similar errors found in our review.
At Governor Sherrill’s direction, the Administration conducted a thorough review beyond the original citizenship-related software error to examine MVC voter-registration processes more broadly. That review identified two additional categories of records requiring correction or further review. The review identified additional records affected by the IDEMIA software error during the previous administration from June 2023 to June 2024 that require further action. These individuals answered “no” to the age-eligibility question, but were sent over for registration due to the same error. However, since they also provided their date of birth in the same transaction, they were age-eligible, but their registrations were not legally valid. Additionally, the review also found that many of these individuals were well above voting age and likely pressed the incorrect button on the pin pad by mistake. Out of an abundance of caution, the state is remediating these records and has provided (Sherrill - See Page 6)
Disclaimer: Micromedia Publications has always provided a space in its newspapers to provide a place for readers to learn what their elected officials are doing. These items are lightly edited for such things as punctuation and grammar but are mostly unchanged from the source. These press releases are the politicians’ own views, not that of Micromedia Publications. We cannot vouch for the accuracy of information that these politicians are providing, and readers are encouraged to keep an open mind and consider multiple sources.
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Sherrill:
Continued From Page 5 instructions to those affected on next steps. Approximately 380 had no other registrations, did not vote, and are being placed in deleted status. Approximately 320 have other potentially valid registrations, voted, and are being referred to counties for review. Approximately 50 were registered solely as the result of the error and voted. These records are being placed in deleted status and being referred to the counties for review. The review identified approximately 340 potentially improperly processed voter-registration records from MVC re-entry events
dating back to 2016. Our review found that some individuals incorrectly attested to eligibility even though they were “currently serving a sentence of incarceration for an indictable offense.” All records requiring further action are being referred to county election officials for remediation. These registrations require individual review to determine whether deletion is appropriate. Separately, approximately 60 individuals were identified as currently incarcerated. The counties have a routine list maintenance process that identifies and flags currently incarcerated individuals for deletion. These names are being sent to the counties for remediation.
New MVC Reforms At Governor Sherrill’s direction, the MVC is implementing several reforms, with many completed, to strengthen its role in the voter-registration process and prevent similar errors. The MVC is implementing a new daily audit system that verifies every voter-registration record by comparing the information stored in MVC’s database with records prepared for processing by the technology vendor. It confirms that each record accurately reflects the customer’s responses, including citizenship status, age, and whether the customer chose to register to vote. It also automatically f lags incomplete or
inconsistent records for manual review by MVC staff and notifications to MVC leadership before they can be transferred. It prevents records with missing or conflicting information from being transmitted, ensuring that only complete, verified, and consistent records move forward. The MVC is also expanding the complete set of voter-registration questions to f ive languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Simplified Chinese. Adding multilingual signage and handheld translation devices supporting more than 80 languages at every MVC agency, will help customers understand and respond to each question in their preferred language.
Fulfill Receives $250,000 Grant To Fight Hunger JERSEY SHORE – Fulfill has received a $250,000 grant from the FirstEnergy Foundation to expand hunger-relief efforts for families across Monmouth and Ocean counties as rising food costs continue to strain household budgets. More than 150,000 residents turn to Fulfill for food assisPhoto courtesy Fulfill tance each month,
according to the organization. Fulfill President and CEO Triada Stampas said the FirstEnergy Foundation funding will help provide nutritious food while connecting residents with other services designed to improve long-term stability. The grant is part of a $1.3 million FirstEnergy Foundation investment benefiting 25 hunger-relief organizations throughout New Jersey. The foundation said the funding is expected to help provide nearly 4 million meals. Jersey Central Power & Light, a FirstEnergy subsidiary, serves about 1.2 million customers in 13 New Jersey counties, including Monmouth and Ocean. Feeding America estimated that more than
130,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean counties experienced food insecurity in 2024, including nearly 40,000 children. Fulfill said higher food prices and changes to SNAP benefits have added to the financial pressures facing families. Fulfill plans to use the grant for programs including its Pop-The-Trunk mobile food distributions and services that connect residents with public assistance and other resources. Board of Trustees Chair Susan Doctorian Kyrillos said partnerships with businesses and community organizations are critical to addressing both immediate hunger and the broader challenges facing families.
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Community News C lub N ews , A ctivities , E vents & A nnouncements
Custodian Named County Education Support Professional Of The Year extends well beyond maintaining the school building. Sarah Cardillo Reichenbecher, president of the Freehold Regional Education Association, described him in her nomination as one of Howell High School’s most respected and beloved staff members. Bastedo is known for learning students’ names, remembering details about their lives and regularly offering encouragement and support. Bastedo said Howell High Photo courtesy Freehold Regional High School District School has become a second HOWELL – A longtime Freehold Re- home because of the relationships he has gional High School District employee developed with students, staff and famiwhose connection to Howell High School lies. He and his wife also regularly attend stretches back more than four decades school performances, athletic events, has been named the Monmouth County award ceremonies and fundraisers. “The Educational Support Professional of the relationships I have formed with staff, Year through the New Jersey Education students, and parents while doing my Association’s annual recognition program. job have enriched my life and shown me Billy Bastedo, a 1982 Howell High School that this is where I was destined to be,” graduate, joined the district’s Buildings he said. and Grounds Department in 2004 after Bastedo said the recognition has been spending about 20 years operating his own overwhelming because his focus has painting and wallpapering business. He traditionally been on helping others. He has served as a night custodian, building thanked the Monmouth County Education supervisor and maintenance team member Association, NJEA and those at Howell before returning to Howell High School in High School who nominated him, saying 2021 as a daytime custodian. he was touched by their confidence and Colleagues said Bastedo’s inf luence honored to represent the county.
Your Howell/Jackson Home Cleaning Experts
National Drug Take-Back Day Set HOWELL – The Howell Township Police Department and Howell Alliance will recognize the DEA’s National Drug TakeBack Day on October 24 by encouraging residents to safely dispose of unwanted medications at the township’s Project Medicine Drop box. The anonymous drop box is available 24 hours a day in the lobby of police headquarters at 300 Old Tavern Road. Residents can use it to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. Liquids, needles and syringes are not accepted, and personal information should be removed or blacked out before medications are dropped off.
Howell Police Chief John Storrow said the township promotes immediate medication disposal throughout the year rather than asking residents to wait for a specific collection day. From 2019 through 2025, Howell disposed of 4,188 pounds of unwanted medications through efforts involving police, the Howell Alliance and local residents. House-bound residents may call Howell police at 732-938-4111 to arrange an athome pickup. The Howell Alliance also distributes free drug disposal packets for home use. For more information, contact Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle at 732938-4500, ext. 4012, or visit twp.howell. nj.us/537/Safe-Prescription-Disposal.
Holiday Farmers Market Set
HOWELL – The Howell NJ Farmers Market will hold a holiday market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 13 at Echo Lake Park, 1205 Maxim Southard Road. Shoppers can browse local vendors for
handmade gifts and other holiday items while supporting area small businesses. Families are welcome. For more information or to apply as a vendor, visit HearHereEvents.com.
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RC R.C.SHEA S
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PTO Helps Bring New Basketball Court To School
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Photo courtesy Land O’ Pines School HOWELL – Students at Land O’ Pines Elementary School now have a new basketball court, thanks to more than a year of fundraising, planning and support from the school community. The Land O’ Pines PTO spearheaded the project after recognizing that the school
did not have a basketball court available for students. Families, staff and community members helped fund the project by taking part in PTO fundraisers throughout the year. The new court gives students another space to exercise, play with classmates and enjoy outdoor activities during the school day.
Adopt A Family Holiday Giveaway Sponsors Wanted
HOWELL – Officials are seeking residents, businesses and community organizations to help local families in need through the township’s annual “Adopt A Family” Holiday Giveaway. The program pairs volunteer sponsors with Howell families with children ranging from toddlers to age 15. Organizers said the effort is particularly important as families continue to face financial challenges and rising costs. Those interested can sponsor a family by calling the township or contribute gift cards in any amount from retailers such as Walmart, Target, Five Below, Kohl’s and Applebee’s, as well as Visa gift cards.
Neighborhoods, offices and stores can also organize collections to support participating families. Unwrapped sponsorship gifts can be dropped off at the Howell Municipal Building, 4567 Highway 9 North, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 3 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 4. Families participating in the giveaway will pick up items December 14 and 15. For more information or to sponsor a family, contact Steven Fecher at sfecher@twp. howell.nj.us or 732-938-4500, ext. 2102. Additional information is available at twp. howell.nj.us/116/Events.
Halloween Pet Adoption Event Planned
FARMINGDALE – Rescue Ridge and Woody’s Roadside Tavern will host a Halloween pet adoption event and costume contest from noon to 2 p.m. October 24 at the tavern, 105 Academy St. The event will give visitors an opportunity to meet adoptable animals from Rescue Ridge, a local nonprofit, no-kill, all-volunteer
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animal rescue organization that has served the Jersey Shore area for more than 20 years. A pet costume contest will also be held, with prizes awarded to participants. Organizers are inviting residents to stop by, meet the animals and enjoy an afternoon at the local tavern while supporting Rescue Ridge’s adoption efforts.
The Howell Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!
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The Howell Times, October 17, 2026, Page 9
Community News C lub N ews , A ctivities , E vents & A nnouncements
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Howell Police Attend Criminal Justice Career Event HOWELL – Members of the Howell Police Department recently took part in a recruiting event aimed at connecting college students and alumni with careers in law enforcement. Cpl. Higgins and Ptl. Silvani represented the department at Stockton University’s Criminal Justice Career Meetup. The event brought law enforcement organizations together with students and graduates interested in pursuing careers in criminal justice, giving attendees an opportunity to learn more about employment opportunities and the profession. Howell police said the department’s participation was part of its ongoing recruitment efforts to connect with prospective candidates interested in Photo courtesy Howell Township Police serving in law enforcement.
County Honors Teacher Of The Year
Photo courtesy Monmouth County Government The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners congratulated Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District teacher Megan Watts for her selection as the 2026-27 Monmouth County Teacher of the Year during a recent Workshop Meeting. FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners recently recognized Megan Watts, an eighth-grade mathematics teacher in the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, for being named the 2026-27 Monmouth County Teacher of the Year. Watts, who teaches at Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School, was honored during the commissioners’ September 24 workshop meeting. The New Jersey Department of Education selects one Teacher of the Year from each county. Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said Watts has built a classroom en-
vironment that promotes critical thinking, collaboration, perseverance and confidence in mathematics. Commissioner Erik Anderson, liaison to the Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools, presented Watts with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the board. County officials also highlighted Watts’ involvement beyond the classroom, including her work with the school’s mathematics team, Student Council, Future Teachers of America, Dance Team, school productions, Faculty Council and Sunshine Committee. More information about Monmouth County is available at visitmonmouth.com.
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Page 10, The Howell Times, October 17, 2026
Photo Of The Week
A touch of fall meets the Jersey Shore in this creative display, with freshly gathered acorns filling a vintage Georgia-Pacific toy truck. Photo by Caroline Ciccone. Have a great Jersey Shore-related photo of your own? Want to win a prize? Send your pictures to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may hear from us!
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The Howell Times, October 17, 2026, Page 11
R.C. Shea & Assoc. Here’s To Your Health
Inside The Law New Jersey’s Dog Bite Law Is Stricter Than People Expect
Michael J. Deem, Esq.
By: Michael J. Deem, Esq. R.C. Shea & Associates Most injury cases require proof that somebody was careless. Dog bites are different. New Jersey has a strict liability statute, and it changes the analysis entirely. Under the statute, a dog owner is liable for a bite whether or not the dog ever showed any sign of aggression before. The old notion that every dog gets one free bite is not the law in this state. The injured person has to establish three things: the defendant owned the dog, the dog bit them, and they were either in a public place or lawfully on private property when it happened. What the owner knew about the dog’s temperament is not part of the equation. Lawfully present covers more ground than people assume. A mail carrier, a delivery driver, a meter reader, and an invited guest are all lawfully on the property. Someone who climbs a fence into a fenced yard is not. The statute covers bites. It does not cover every injury a dog causes. If a large dog runs loose and knocks a cyclist over, or a leash is dropped and a dog charges someone who falls stepping back, that claim proceeds under ordinary negligence law instead and carelessness has to be proven. Both routes can be in play in the same case.
Payment usually comes from homeowners or renters insurance. Most policies cover dog bites, although some exclude particular breeds or exclude a dog with a bite history. That is one reason these claims are rarely about a neighbor’s personal savings, which is the concern that keeps many people from calling at all. A few practical things to rember. Get medical attention, because bite wounds get infected. Report the bite to the local health department, which starts a rabies investigation and creates a record. Photograph the wounds as they heal. Scarring on a face or a hand is often the most significant part of a child’s case, and a series of photographs shows what a description cannot. If a dog injured you or your child, call and we can talk about what the law actually covers. Answering that question costs nothing. Michael J. Deem, Esq. is Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney. R.C. Shea & Associates, Toms River, New Jersey. (732) 505-1212. This article provides general information about New Jersey law. It is not legal advice about any particular situation, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Our clients’ success is our greatest reward. 732-505-1212 • RCSHEA.COM
District Wins School Communication Award
FREEHOLD – The Freehold Regional High School District has been recognized for its communications efforts, earning an Award of Excellence in the New Jersey School Public Relations Association’s 2026 School Communication Award Program. The district received the honor in the Media Coverage category for a Lifestyles feature highlighting recent accomplishments by Dr. Angello Villarreal of Freehold Township High School. NJSPRA’s awards recognize school communication professionals and their efforts to effectively share information and connect with families, staff and other community stakeholders. NJSPRA President Christine Corless, who also serves as public information officer for Ridgewood Public Schools, said the
recognition reflects the work that goes into keeping school communities informed and engaged. She said FRHSD’s award demonstrates the impact of a thoughtful approach to community communication. The 2026 competition drew 137 entries from 40 school districts, making it one of the organization’s most competitive programs to date. Entries were reviewed by 12 judges from eight states with experience in school communications. Awards were presented in eight categories, including media coverage, newsletters, marketing and branding, photography, social media, special interest publications, video and websites. A complete list of winners and additional information about the organization are available at njspra.com.
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Dear Phar Pharmacist macist Can You Really Die Of A Broken Heart? By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph. Several weeks ago, I lost my 33-year old son Michael unexpectedly, and violently. Since then, I’ve learned something about grief that textbooks can’t fully convey but maybe some of you understand. Traumatic grief is different than ordinary grief. And neither one lives just in your head. You feel it in your stomach, your sleep, your breathing, your energy, and sometimes in the pounding or fluttering of your heart. As a pharmacist, I started wondering about something I’ve heard people say my entire life: Can you actually have a broken heart? As it turns out, yes! There is a real medical condition called Takotsubo syndrome, also known as stress cardiomyopathy or Broken Heart Syndrome. Intense emotional or physical stress can temporarily weaken the heart muscle, making it less able to contract normally and pump blood effectively. And it’s not just feeling anxious or tired. You can see changes on your labs, and on an echocardiogram. The cardiac changes (again, visible on echo) can alter your ejection fraction, affect an ECG, raise cardiac biomarkers, and, occasionally, trigger dangerous heart rhythms. One leading theory for why this happens is that it involves a huge activation of the sympathetic nervous system… you probably know this as your “fight or flight” response. Stress chemicals like adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) rise. The intense or prolonged stress response appears capable of temporarily “stunning” portions of the heart muscle. Bereavement isn’t the only trig-
ger. It can happen after tremendous fear or rage, an accident, surgery or serious illness. Grief itself doesn’t automatically lower your ejection fraction. There are plenty of other reasons someone’s EF might be low or declining. For example, coronary artery disease, significant valve disease, persistent arrhythmias and other types of cardiomyopathy, just to name a few. So please don’t look at a low EF during a stressful period and assume, “Oh, it’s just grief.” It can look like a heart attack. This is probably the most important thing I can tell you. Heart rhythm disturbances can also occur. Some people develop atrial arrhythmias, and more serious ventricular arrhythmias are possible. So yes, Broken Heart Syndrome can look remarkably similar to a heart attack. I’ve learned over these past seven weeks that grief has a physical presence. It can mess with your sleep. It can steal your appetite. It can exhaust you and somehow leave you wired at the same time. And your heart may suddenly pound because a song comes on, you see a picture, or you hear a helicopter overhead airlifting some other unlucky soul. The connection between your emotions, nervous system and heart is very real. We tend to put emotional health in one little box and physical health in another, but your body doesn’t necessarily work that way. So don’t panic over every flutter. But don’t dismiss your heart symptoms either. For a more in-depth version of this article, including how Broken Heart Syndrome can affect heart function, ejection fraction and cardiac testing, visit suzycohen.com.
(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2026 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.
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Page 12, The Howell Times, October 17, 2026
CLASSIFIEDS Other DEFEAT! These Democratic Socialist Communist! AOC, Sanders, Warren, Jeffries, El-Sayed, Omar, Tlaib, Khanna, Booker, and others! Fight for your freedom! Vote properly! GO MAGA. GO TRUMP. GO ISRAEL! Albert DeJesus. 732-533-8027. (47) GOOD MORNING AMERICA! HELLO LAKEWOOD! I'm Albert L. DeJesus, a disable wheelchair war Veteran (USAF). I walked and flew with Generals! C-130's. Corrections Department. Retired! I'm running as a "WRITE-IN" Candidate for member of the Board Of Education in Lakewood! I'm Pro-Israel! I will introduce for the Education of your Children, the following: Personal Finance! The Rule Of 72! Money Management! Percentages! Bible Studies! How to play "Chess" and Win! And more! Please Vote For Me, as a "WRITE-IN" Candidate November 3, 2026. Remember my name! Hablo Espanol! Thank You! This ad paid by me. GOD BIESS! Albert L DeJesus. 732-533-8027. (48)
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The Howell Times, October 17, 2026, Page 13
Vigil Speaks:
Continued From Page 1 families, and at least 30 percent of the children it works with have been directly affected by domestic violence. DeSantis said even that number is likely low. “This issue is not distant, abstract or happening in some other place,” DeSantis said. “It’s happening in our homes, in our families, neighborhoods, colleges and communities all around us.” More Than A Court Case Jamie Schron, a supervising assistant prosecutor with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, said domestic violence cannot be understood only through police reports, criminal charges or courtroom proceedings. “Behind every case is a person, a family, children, relationships, financial concerns, fear of what happens next and often a complicated journey that may begin long before someone ever feels able to ask for help,” Schron said. She recognized victim advocates who guide survivors and their families through the criminal-justice process, providing information, support and a consistent person to call when the system feels unfamiliar or overwhelming. Laurie Toole, community affairs and education manager for Providence House, said silence and isolation allow domestic violence to continue. The agency, which is marking 40 years of service in Ocean County, offers a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, legal services, counseling and creative arts therapy for child witnesses of domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is not a private family matter,” Toole said. “If we continue to treat it as something that should remain behind closed doors, it will never be eradicated.” A New Home For Dottie’s House Liz Graham, CEO of 180 Turning Lives Around, introduced her agency to Ocean County. The Monmouth County-based domestic and sexual violence response agency is celebrating its 50th year. This year it stepped in to save Dottie’s House. Founded by Carol Wolfe, Dottie’s House is a transitional housing program where survivors can stay while they work on their cases and rebuild their lives. When the program dissolved, property owner Homes Now committed to keeping the house exclusively for domestic violence survivors and reached out to 180. Graham said she told her board they had to decide that same night. She didn’t want any family living there to spend a single day worrying about where they would go. Graham said staff at 180’s own safe house used to celebrate whenever a client was accepted into Dottie’s House. The property could have become general affordable housing, she said. Instead, it will carry on Wolfe’s vision as a next step for families leaving Providence House’s shelter. A Light Missing Since March Diane Goss, a supervising family service specialist with the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, spoke about the deaths of her colleague Allan Russell, his wife Michelle and their daughter Deanna. She remembered Alan Russell as a devoted
father and grandfather, a man with a dry sense of humor and a private nature who still made time for coworkers and the families he served. He was the kind of caseworker who would be cursed at by a parent in the afternoon and still return that evening to ask what they could do together to make things work. Russell worked late to accommodate working families, Goss said. He would volunteer to sit with a child in a hospital overnight, even when his own family was waiting for him at home. Coworkers knew him as part of their “A Team,” a close-knit unit that still feels incomplete. “There is a light that has been missing since March, the light of Allan,” Goss said. She said the deaths of Allan, Michelle and Deanna Russell had left a continuing loss for those who knew them. Domestic violence, she said, does not end with the people directly involved. It reaches friends, relatives, coworkers and children who must learn to live with a new reality they never wanted. “Allan, Michelle and Deanna did everything right, and yet their lives were tragically cut short,” Goss said. “It is important to remember who they were, not just how they died.” ‘My Pain Is Turning Into Words’ Lisa Webb spoke about her son Tyler Webb, a 29-year-old mechanic and volunteer firefighter, who was killed alongside Lauren Simencheck in August 2025. The community recently honored Tyler in a memorial car show in Berkeley. She described a young man with an old soul who bought his home at 23 and worked on it with his father. His house became a place where
friends and family gathered, along with his dog, Luna. He had built his own side business, Webb’s Automotive, and made a habit of helping people, whether they were lifelong friends or strangers. “He was a gentleman with the biggest personality and heart,” Webb said. She said Tyler and Lauren’s families had become connected through grief, despite not having the chance to know one another before their children were killed. The words ‘domestic violence’ and ‘murder’ still feel impossible beside her son’s name, she said, but she will not let Tyler and Lauren’s lives be defined only by how they died. “I came here to say Tyler and Lauren’s names because their life stories will not be silenced,” Webb said. “We need to stop the silence. Awareness is the only way to make change happen.” “My pain is turning into words,” Webb said. “Domestic violence is a crime.” She urged anyone experiencing abuse, or anyone concerned for someone else, not to remain silent. “Do not stay quiet,” she said. “Speak until something is heard and action is taken.” A Sister’s Voice The sister of Dana Gavor Ciccolella spoke from the audience in remembrance. Dana was killed at age 32 and left behind four children. She said her sister’s 13-year-old daughter found her body two days after the killing. The children were separated, and relatives, friends and coworkers were left to carry the loss. “He may have taken her voice,” she said, “but he will not take mine.”
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Page 14, The Howell Times, October 17, 2026
FUN & GAMES SUDOKU
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Across 1 Cop to 6 Of this clue, approve he would 10 Flows back 14 Previous 15 Brief analysis? 16 Blind strip 17 Christmas party 19 Unit of lipstick 20 Fuel made from corn 21 Beverage with tapioca pearls 23 Winter coat? 25 Many an island in the South Pacific 26 Slumber party 32 Starting squad 33 “Good Omens” co-writer Gaiman 34 Couple 37 Pasta filling, sometimes 38 Popped with a low blow 40 Source of a low
blow? 41 Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon, for short 42 Degs. for filmmakers 43 Call for pizza, say 44 Halloween party 47 Professionals who might bug people 50 Impassioned request 51 Seemingly unbeatable foe 54 Get the big picture 59 Maroon 5 lead singer Levine 60 Cocktail party 62 Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, say 63 Glutinous glob 64 D sharp equivalent 65 Whole lot 66 Border lines? 67 Black Sea resort Down 1 Choir section 2 “Dang it!” 3 Ho Chi __ City
4 Crumb 5 Classic Pontiac 6 Like many a school bus 7 Egg cells 8 Mark on a bingo card 9 “On top of which ... “ 10 Lot of wealth? 11 Popeye’s rival 12 Genesis locale 13 Terrific bargain 18 Nutmegger’s st. 22 Word with hard or soft 24 Apple often used to make cider 26 X Games launch point 27 “Unexpected __ in bagging area” 28 Pair in a pod 29 Factory tub 30 Word that indicates a name change 31 “Diary of a Wimpy __” 34 “Seriously, man!?”
35 Superlative prefix 36 Couple in a boat 38 Company whose X account only follows some Spice Girls and seven guys named Herb 39 “Don’t bother” 40 Tackle 42 Fail to notice 43 Walter who moved the Dodgers to Los Angeles 44 Granny, to some 45 Puts in a seat 46 Host before Fallon 47 Bumps in the road 48 One of two on a tricycle 49 Instagram upload 52 Urge 53 Worn-down part of a shoe 55 __ Romeo 56 Streamlet 57 Tiny pest 58 “¿Cómo __?” 61 May celebrant
(c)2026 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.
SOLUTIONS
SU DOK U
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Jumble: DUNCE DRESS FLAVOR THEORY -- OLD-”FASTENED”
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OMARR’S ASTROLOGICAL FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 17 - 23 BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS FORECAST ARIES (March 21-April 19): A belief might get challenged or a new idea could be presented — decide what’s meaningful and aligned for yourself without outside input. A relationship could be quiet but peaceful and settled now. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): An article of faith presented by someone close might or might not resonate. It might not be gaslighting, but it might be. Use your critical thinking and lived experience to determine what’s what. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Compliance can seem like safety though it doesn’t always work out that way. Find the best ways to handle your responsibilities, you should not have to follow directives if you’re not in the workplace. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Creatives know that sooner or later the right inspiration will land. Quiet time replenishing energy could be the perfect flex for today, Monday and Tuesday, as below-zero days can be more taxing to navigate. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Getting the family or group on the same page could be the task for today and you might have more luck that at other times, there could be a willingness to go along and get along. Communicate with care. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consensus around an idea or plan could be reached, but don’t put anything into motion until Wednesday of next week or after. New beginnings need positive Universal day scores and after midday today stars head south.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your focus could center around money and values — while it’s a poor day for any financial moves or big purchases, it could be an excellent day to consider your beliefs around deservingness and abundance. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Today your belief in yourself could catapult into a new, higher level of self-esteem that could stick. To make it stronger, work on self-validation and consistently keeping promises to yourself. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Examine your beliefs — your beliefs create much of your reality through their filtered interpretation of events. If your life isn’t what you want it to be, look within to see what’s creating it. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A friend or friend group might expect conformity or agreement now. Friends can be very influential over the choices you make, be sure their lives are in alignment with your downstream goals. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A shared understanding of the world can make people feel like kindred spirits, but all are one, regardless. Exclusion seldom leads toward good, inclusion does. The best accomplishments draw on everyone’s talents. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Learning is different than drinking Kool-Aid. A true teacher will present knowledge, let you integrate it your own way, and watch you grow through understanding. A cult forces obedience. (c) 2026 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
The Howell Times, October 17, 2026, Page 15
GIVE CAULIFLOWER SOUP A GLOW-UP Diane Rossen Worthington
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER APPLE SOUP WITH MANGO YOGURT DRIZZLE
Serves 4 to 6 For the mango yogurt drizzle: 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon mango chutney 1 teaspoon curry powder Salt and white pepper Silky cauliflower soup gets a sweet-tangy finish with For the soup: mango yogurt and crisp papadums. CREDIT:(Diane 2 tablespoons olive oil Rossen Worthington/TCA). 1 medium onion, sliced 1 carrot, peeled and sliced rot and celery and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, 1 celery stalk, sliced stirring occasionally, until softened and very 2 tablespoons good quality curry powder lightly colored. Lower the heat to medium, 3 garlic cloves, minced add the curry powder and stir for 1 minute. 2 pounds cauliflower florets, cleaned Add the garlic and saute for another minute, 1 apple such as Pink Lady, Envy or Cosmic taking care not to burn it. Crisp, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped 3. Using an immersion blender, puree the 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock soup until creamy and smooth. Season with Salt and white pepper to taste salt and white pepper, whisk to incorporate To garnish: and taste for seasoning. Papadums, crumbled 4. Add the cauliflower, apple and stock and Parsley sprigs bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until 1. Make the mango yogurt drizzle. In a small the cauliflower and apple are soft. Remove bowl, combine the yogurt, chutney, curry from the heat. powder, salt and pepper until well blended. 5. To serve: Reheat the soup. Ladle the soup Add 1 tablespoon water, or enough to reach into shallow soup bowls. Drizzle with the a drizzling consistency. Cover and refrigerate mango yogurt sauce, sprinkle with crumbled until serving. papadums and finish with parsley sprigs. 2. In a medium soup pot, heat the olive oil Serve immediately, with the remaining sauce over medium-high heat. Add the onion, car- on the side.
(Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks, including “Seriously Simple Parties,” and a James Beard Award-winning radio show host. You can contact her at www.seriouslysimple.com.) ©2026 Diane Rossen Worthington. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Page 16, The Howell Times, October 17, 2026
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